Family time

This past week we have had the pleasure of hosting Jerry's parents! We have had a wonderful time.... we went to the beach, hung out, went to a museum, and shopping!

There were so many funny things that happened... and I know they happened but at the moment, I cannot think of one that really stands out! Guess I am going to have to start updating earlier so I can keep them all straight in my head!

Jerry and his dad got to go deep see fishing and they got soaked to the skin (because of storms most of the day) but they had a great time spending time together and doing a mutually liked hobby. Meanwhile, his mom and I stayed at the beach house (for lack of better term) with the kids. We got everyone suited up and out the door and I am not kidding you... but it started to rain!! So we went in search of a beach umbrella to take with us to the beach when the rain stopped. That was pretty funny though because the rain stopped for about 30 minutes that whole day and the rest of the time... it POURED!! So grandma broke out a project, we watched movies, and relaxed. I needed the relaxing part because I had allergies really bad from Saturday's Upwards games. You could hardly understand me and I was worn out!

The next day we all went to Navarre Beach and had a fantastic time playing in the ocean and sand. Caleb had a BLAST feeling sand and playing with a bucket of water that Anna brought up for him to play with. We had taken our food with us to the beach so we could have a picnic too. The kids don't particularly like to eat their crust so Jerry encouraged them to feed the seagulls!! They were brave kids and birds! Jerry held out his hand a couple of times and the birds actually grabbed the food from his fingers. He quit after one of them bit him! We went out to Floyd's restaurant that night and the kids ate like they were starving! It was fun and they were really well-behaved. We walked on the boardwalk and then headed back to the house to bed.

We had to leave Wednesday morning but had planned on making one last trip to the beach... which didn't happen because it rained... And it RAINED on the way home! But we made it home safe and sound and have hung out since.

Jerry's mom and I went shopping for a bit yesterday, Jerry and I shopped today, and his mom and I went back today! First shopping trip I bought Christmas and birthday gifts, second Jerry and I went to the case lot sale and stocked up, and today... his mom helped me find a sewing machine! I can't wait to figure it all out and start a project. I am going to make the girls dresses and myself a somewhat matching dress and the kids Christmas PJs is my other goal! It should be fun!!

His parents leave tomorrow... it will be sad. The kids are going to have a tough day. However, we had a great visit and we look forward to our next family visit! My brother and his wife and my nephew (their son) are coming in October! Can't wait!! Then we will be going home for Thanksgiving and then Disney!!

I hope that one day, my kids are truly thankful for a family that loves them so much to come and visit them!

Just thoughts...

I love my kids! It is so hard for me to believe how big they have gotten. With Caleb turning one, it has just brought it all the more home for me. Jay is getting bigger and starting to need more responsiblity... Anna is becoming quite the little young lady with such a loving heart... Xavier is a bundle of energy that often gets hurt... Sydney is turning into a beautiful, if not spirited, dancer... and Caleb is starting to come into his own! Some days it is just chaos here... but I wouldn't trade those days for anything.

There are so many things that I look forward to doing with my kids as they get older. I watched "Dan in Real Life" a while back. And the thing that I took away from that movie was that I want to have a family get together like that some day. I want to have my kids and their families all together, playing games, hanging out, and just enjoying spending time together. I look forward to that time of life while I am enjoying this time of life we are in now.

Jerry and I watched "The Family Stone" a week ago and there is a scene in it where the dad looks at the youngest daughter sleeping on the couch and he pats her arm and says, "this is how we like her." That line cracks me up and whenever I see Sydney asleep on our couch that is the first thing that pops into my mind! They love their daughter just as much as their other 4 kids, but at that moment she is so peaceful and not full of "vinegar" that it is hard not see that how love can overflow in that moment. Another funny thing from that movie is that they have 3 boys and 2 girls!! However, I pray none of my boys does not turn out like one of theirs.

Well, I think that is it. Just had some thoughts that were on my mind! I hope everyone that reads this is doing well!

My baby...

Caleb will turn one this Wednesday... I can't believe he is going to be a toddler soon! It seems like just yesterday I had him! And here we are one year later! It makes me a little sad, but happy too. I feel like we are coming to the end of one phase of our life and moving on to the next.

Jerry is going to be in OH this week and drive down with his parents on Friday. So he won't be here on Caleb's first birthday. I don't even have anything really planned for him... how sad is that?! I have to get on the ball!!

This week is going to be pretty crazy... I have to run all the kids everywhere with me. It will be insane! I don't know what or how I will do it all but I will! Lots of prayers will be raised up I am sure!

We got to have my parents over night last week for a surprise visit. It was a surprise for both them and us! They were on their way home from Haiti and ended up getting stuck in Atlanta. So Jerry drove up there and got them and brought them here to spend the night. We were all pretty excited to see them! We haven't seen family for awhile so it was fun for everyone. The kids were just so happy! Anna got upset because she wanted them to stay for two nights. Sydney threw herself at grandma when she came in. Xavier talked and hugged them a lot. Jay stuck pretty close to grandpa and talked his ear off too. Caleb found his voice and hollered out every once and awhile too! He is such a riot!

Caleb's new thing now is to get going as fast as he can in his walker and then sail down the hallway! He also now runs (in the walker) with his arms up over his head and yells! Yes... he has found his voice!! And he loves it! And if you don't watch your ankles... he will run into them!

Well... off to laundry I go!