To be the best Wife, Mom, Daughter, Sister, Friend, and Runner I can be...God willing!

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Ahoy Mateys!!

A week ago we went on a Pirate Adventure sailing cruise in Annapolis.  Kelsey had been planning this surprise activity for weeks and it almost did not happen.  We hoped to get on the 9:30am ship so off Scott went before the sun to get our tickets.  There was an overwhelming desire to take a Pirate Cruise that day so all the tickets were sold out until the 5pm boat.  So, after some rescheduling and assuring disappointed children that we would still go, we went!

I thought it would be fun, but I had no idea what would happen on our hour long boat ride.  It was amazing.  The crew was energetic, fun, and engaging.  The ship looked like a pirate ship.  The kids dressed like pirates complete with costumes, bandanas, and face paint.  People and other props were staged in the harbor to complete the adventure.

The kids learned pirate "speak"!  They searched for and found treasure.  They got to keep some of it as well.  The found "grog" to drink (otherwise known as Sprite).  Samuel tested the "grog" to see if it would make him sleepy.  He was a little nervous, but did it and was so happy when all the shipmates cheered when he did not fall asleep.  It was then time for "grog" for all!!  They defeated bad pirates who were trying to steal the treasure.  It was really just so well done and tons of fun.

Emma's pirate name was Enchanting Emma
Jonah's pirate name was Jolly Jonah
Hanna, Maya, and Emma looking for treasure
Samuel's pirate name was Sail Away Samuel.  He looked in awe of the activities most of the time.
Elena's pirate name was Eager Elena





The kiddos without Jonah were enjoying some "Grog"
It was a super fun adventure enjoyed by everyone even the little girls.  We are so thankful for Uncle Scott's effort to get us tickets and for Aunt Kelsey's planning!  Ahoy!

Monday, July 25, 2011

North Carolina in pictures

Again, I have been a horrible blogger.  I am too busy having fun!  We are currently in Bowie, MD with my sister Kelsey and her family.   Fun hardly describes our days.  I have had the pleasure of giving my children "the best day of my life" several times in the past two weeks!  There will be more about that fun later.

I finally uploaded picture highlights from our time in Oriental, North Carolina.  Looking at all our fun makes me want to go back soon!

We had a birthday party for Emma complete with ribs, grilled chicken, and a yummy ice cream cake.  These pictures our from that day.







We went to Atlantic Beach twice.  The kids loved, loved, loved the beach.  It is beautiful and uncrowded.  Elena did like the water, but was a little unsure at times.  Samuel was more willing to go in the water this year, but he also enjoyed playing in the sand.  Jonah and Emma were total water bugs.  I think they would have stayed all day.








The kids rode their bikes almost every morning.  Jonah learned how to ride without training wheels and to start by himself.  I was so proud of him.  When I was not helping Jonah ride, I got to pull Leah and Elena around in a wagon.





I baked cupcakes and banana bread.  Elena and Leah loved looking in the oven.  It was hilarious!


Emma, Maya, and Hanna went on a tour of Tryon Palace.  They enjoyed learning about how little girls lived in the 1800's.  We all went to Fort Macon, which the boys loved.  They saw canons, canon balls, a fort, and very cool old tools.



Despite all that fun, what we probably enjoyed the most was just hanging out at the dock.  The kids fished, swam, kayaked, and watched/went for boat rides.








I mean what is not to love about Dawson Creek....


Monday, July 18, 2011

Traveling is tough...

I spend a better part of my summer by myself with all four kids.  We have lots of fun playing and visiting with family and friends.  We experience amazing things that would just never happen at home.  But, it is exhausting...

I love my children more than anything, but being 8, 5, 3 and 1, they are a challenge!  Things that normally exist in our lives do not for about six weeks.

We are without our normal daily routine.
We are in other people's houses and have different rules to follow.
We spend way too much time in our car.
We eat and sleep differently.
We don't pray together as regularly.
We are without our Daddy.

I try really hard to keep things moving smoothly, but some days are just really tough.  I am tired.  The kids are tired.  I yell too much.  I fuss too much.  I sigh too much.

Drew, knowing all this to be true, sent me the most wonderful email last week.  I think about it several times a day and reread it regularly.  It is my lifeline this summer and probably beyond!


I heard a song this morning for the first time. The first verse seems like it was written for you. 

It is a new single "Do Everything"  from Stephen Curtis Chapmen's new cd. 

You are awesome at what you do. What probably seems mundane to you has a profound impact on our kids and me. God is with you through it all, and you glorify Him every day. You really do "tell the story of grace with every move that you make and every little thing you do". 

I love you

Drew

You’re picking up toys on the living room floor
for the 15th time today
Matching up socks and sweeping up lost
Cheerios that got away
You put a baby on your hip and color on your lips
and head out the door
And while I may not know you I bet I know you
Wonder sometimes does it matter at all
We’ll let me remind you it all matters just as long as you
Do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you
Cause He made you to do
Every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face
And tell the story of grace
With every move that you make
And every little thing you do

Thursday, July 14, 2011

It has been a while

Wow!  It has been almost three weeks since I wrote about our fun little lives!  We have been super busy...a little too busy.  We left the beginning of July and headed to Oriental, North Carolina.  Elena hated being in the car for 8 or so hours a day.  She refused to nap and just screamed for the better part of three days.  UGH!  After three long, long, long days we finally arrived!!!!!

Since being here, we have boated, tubbed, fished, gone to the beach twice, done some sight seeing, taught Jonah had to ride a two wheeler, gone to the pool a few times, dug for shark's teeth, ate tons of food, and played lots!  The kids are super tired everyday, which is wonderful at bedtime.

Maya, Hanna, and Leah are here too!  The added bonus of playmates for everyone is great.  The kids....all seven of them under age 8....play well together.  It is hilarious to watch Leah (four months older than Elena) and Elena "play together".  They like to say hi and walk around each other, but they are still acquiring the ability to share and to be nice to one another.

I have been running lots, which is nice.  Last week I hit 40 miles for the second time, which was super exciting for me!!!  Scott and I headed out for a 10 mile run on Friday and OOPS...the loop was 14 miles!  I loved it as I did not think I would get a plus 10 run in on this trip.  Tomorrow is my last day to run here and I am going to relish every moment I get to run along the water!

I have taken so many pictures that I filled my memory card!  I need to download them and promise to share them soon!

The only bad thing about being in NC is that there is no Drew.  He is home working...bummer!