Yesterday was my birthday. Its funny how moms' birthdays get swallowed up in family goings-on. I didn't even think about my birthday until a few days ago. I made a few stipulations. I was not going to cook dinner and I was not going to clean anything. And I told the kids the best present they could give me was to not fight for one day.
Well, it turned out to be a pretty good day. There were fights but they were minimal. My dinner was yummy at Logan's Roadhouse (chosen for the amazing cinnamon butter and rolls). The kids started swim lessons that morning so they were good and worn out, which made for an easier bedtime. The girls sang to me and were pretty excited it was my birthday. Isn't any birthday exciting when you are 3? I received many Facebook birthday wishes, a few texts and phone calls and two Facetimes from family. It was nice to catch up with everyone.
Now that it is a day later, I have a whole list of to-do's but that's okay. It was nice to have a slower day for once per year. :)
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
A Turtle
This is Brendan. While going exploring in the woods we (Dad, me, Eva, and Darby) found a turtle. (Really, I was the first one to spot it.) I saw it was just crawling near a tiny stream. We got to hold it. Eva got to hold the turtle first. I got to hold it second, and Darby got to hold it last. We left the woods early because mosquitoes were ''swarming'' us. The turtle looked like this:
Saturday, July 6, 2013
4th of July
This year Independence Day was only a few days after Jason started residency and was swamped with homework. So we took it easy. We started the day off with breakfast at a friends' house. All the members of our ward that live in Birch Creek neighborhood came and it was nice to meet the new move-ins. The food was yummy and the kids liked to play with the others. We left a little early so we could get good seats for the parade downtown. We found some other friends and sat by them. In fact, Jason and Shawn took the boys geo-caching nearby while we waited for the parade to get rolling.
Parades in Hope Mills are usually a bit "Confederate" but this year there was a float that was over the top. This float caused quite a stir in town with its declaration that you "Hug white people". Oh, the South.
There was, of course, the usual fire trucks, pageant princesses and scout troops too. There wasn't as much candy so the kids were disappointed. I mean, what is a parade without candy? Here is Eva chilling in her lounge chair. Everyone else moved to the shade.
We got home and Jason had to study. He did emerge from his cave long enough to take the older kids shopping for fireworks and when it was dark the three oldest go to light off some in the driveway. Jason describes Brendan as a "budding pyromaniac" and Eva liked it as well.
Darby thought they were too loud and came inside upset. But she thought it was okay to watch the neighbor's massive fireworks from the front window. This neighborhood does fireworks right!
Happy Independence Day!
Parades in Hope Mills are usually a bit "Confederate" but this year there was a float that was over the top. This float caused quite a stir in town with its declaration that you "Hug white people". Oh, the South.
There was, of course, the usual fire trucks, pageant princesses and scout troops too. There wasn't as much candy so the kids were disappointed. I mean, what is a parade without candy? Here is Eva chilling in her lounge chair. Everyone else moved to the shade.
We got home and Jason had to study. He did emerge from his cave long enough to take the older kids shopping for fireworks and when it was dark the three oldest go to light off some in the driveway. Jason describes Brendan as a "budding pyromaniac" and Eva liked it as well.
Darby thought they were too loud and came inside upset. But she thought it was okay to watch the neighbor's massive fireworks from the front window. This neighborhood does fireworks right!
Happy Independence Day!
Friday, July 5, 2013
A Small Scare
I had a dental appointment before our trip. The dentist noticed a spot on my lip and told me that I should get it checked out. I made an appointment with the dermatologist but it would be after we got home.
Well my appointment was this past Monday. I couldn't help but be a little apprehensive. I mean, we could potentially be talking skin cancer here. Well, I will say that the dermatology department of Womack hospital is the nicest group of medical professionals I have worked with there. So far, I haven't been impressed with Army medicine. I know, I know, blasphemy coming from a doctor's wife.
Anyway, my doctor was Dr. Thomas. He was very kind and helpful and full of information. He examined my lip, asked me lots of questions, seemed perplexed and decided they needed a biopsy. He explained that he was going to numb my lip and cut a sliver of tissue off to send to a pathologist. He told me I'd have a scar but a minimal one due to the procedure he would be using (no stitch) and if I cared for it properly (kept it moist with Vaseline 24/7). Dr. Thomas also asked if he could take a picture of it for records.
On to the procedure. Keep in mind that I have never had any sort of dental surgery so a shot of novicaine in my lip was very weird. When I was numb, I closed my eyes because I didn't want to see him bring the scalpel to my face. It didn't hurt at all, bled a little, but looked ugly. He told me I would probably have to wait 2-3 weeks since if the diagnosis isn't crystal clear, then they send the slide to Walter Reed in DC. I went home with a split lip and tried not to worry until I had something to worry about. No pictures, kinda gross.
Imagine my surprise when I got a phone call on the 3rd. Dr. Thomas explained that it was a benign growth (HOORAY!) called a fibrous papule but that was odd because they normally only see that on the nose. It also had some cells that were consistent with a condition called lichen simplex chronicus, but that was odd too because that condition is accompanied by itching, which I didn't have. He even asked if I would be opposed to being a case he brings to their dermatology discussion board that meets once a month. Yay, the joys of being an odd case.
Well the first condition doesn't respond to treatment and would require surgery. However, the second responds to steroid cream so he was going to prescribe some of that and I would apply it every day for 4 weeks. If they problem resolved itself, great. If not, he would refer me to an oral surgeon for something called a "lip resection". I asked Jason about that. Apparently it requires a cut, removing all the tissue and stitching it up again. Not excited about that. But I have met the men who would likely be doing it as they are Jason's friends. Sheesh, we have even been over to their homes for dinner. So I feel a little more comfortable. Also, the pathologist who diagnosed me is a guy in my ward who I work with in Primary. Small world.
Today, 4 days after the biopsy, it looks much better. It still needs to heal and I can see where the scar will be but I believe it will be a small one. I pick up the steroid cream next week and have another appointment in mid August. So now I wait and see. However, at least I know it is not cancer.
Well my appointment was this past Monday. I couldn't help but be a little apprehensive. I mean, we could potentially be talking skin cancer here. Well, I will say that the dermatology department of Womack hospital is the nicest group of medical professionals I have worked with there. So far, I haven't been impressed with Army medicine. I know, I know, blasphemy coming from a doctor's wife.
Anyway, my doctor was Dr. Thomas. He was very kind and helpful and full of information. He examined my lip, asked me lots of questions, seemed perplexed and decided they needed a biopsy. He explained that he was going to numb my lip and cut a sliver of tissue off to send to a pathologist. He told me I'd have a scar but a minimal one due to the procedure he would be using (no stitch) and if I cared for it properly (kept it moist with Vaseline 24/7). Dr. Thomas also asked if he could take a picture of it for records.
On to the procedure. Keep in mind that I have never had any sort of dental surgery so a shot of novicaine in my lip was very weird. When I was numb, I closed my eyes because I didn't want to see him bring the scalpel to my face. It didn't hurt at all, bled a little, but looked ugly. He told me I would probably have to wait 2-3 weeks since if the diagnosis isn't crystal clear, then they send the slide to Walter Reed in DC. I went home with a split lip and tried not to worry until I had something to worry about. No pictures, kinda gross.
Imagine my surprise when I got a phone call on the 3rd. Dr. Thomas explained that it was a benign growth (HOORAY!) called a fibrous papule but that was odd because they normally only see that on the nose. It also had some cells that were consistent with a condition called lichen simplex chronicus, but that was odd too because that condition is accompanied by itching, which I didn't have. He even asked if I would be opposed to being a case he brings to their dermatology discussion board that meets once a month. Yay, the joys of being an odd case.
Well the first condition doesn't respond to treatment and would require surgery. However, the second responds to steroid cream so he was going to prescribe some of that and I would apply it every day for 4 weeks. If they problem resolved itself, great. If not, he would refer me to an oral surgeon for something called a "lip resection". I asked Jason about that. Apparently it requires a cut, removing all the tissue and stitching it up again. Not excited about that. But I have met the men who would likely be doing it as they are Jason's friends. Sheesh, we have even been over to their homes for dinner. So I feel a little more comfortable. Also, the pathologist who diagnosed me is a guy in my ward who I work with in Primary. Small world.
Today, 4 days after the biopsy, it looks much better. It still needs to heal and I can see where the scar will be but I believe it will be a small one. I pick up the steroid cream next week and have another appointment in mid August. So now I wait and see. However, at least I know it is not cancer.
Darby's Latest Date
It was Darby's date night with Jason last week. He took her out for ice cream and to get a new fish. Sadly, Jim the fish had met his maker just before we left for Disney World. Jason sent this picture to me during their date. He captioned it, "Darby's version of Alice in Wonderland" because she just looks so little.
At the pet store she got to hold a lizard and see lots of other animals. Daddy dates are great!
They came home with not one betta fish, but two. Jason explained that he kept trying to persuade her to get a male betta fish but she insisted on this one particular fish, a female. I think it was because the container for females has a purple lid, much prettier than the male's green lid. Anyway, Jason thought that we'd experiment with two females since they aren't supposed to be as aggressive as males. We shall see (I've already observed them bite each other). She named them Panella and Lois.
Now, a few days later, they are both alive and just seem to keep to their respective corners of the tank. They are quite possibly the dullest fish we have ever had but Darby is happy and that's what counts, I guess.
At the pet store she got to hold a lizard and see lots of other animals. Daddy dates are great!
They came home with not one betta fish, but two. Jason explained that he kept trying to persuade her to get a male betta fish but she insisted on this one particular fish, a female. I think it was because the container for females has a purple lid, much prettier than the male's green lid. Anyway, Jason thought that we'd experiment with two females since they aren't supposed to be as aggressive as males. We shall see (I've already observed them bite each other). She named them Panella and Lois.
Now, a few days later, they are both alive and just seem to keep to their respective corners of the tank. They are quite possibly the dullest fish we have ever had but Darby is happy and that's what counts, I guess.
The Way Home
We set out for home on Tuesday. It is an 8.5 hour drive with no stops. I knew we would take much longer as we promised each other that we'd stop every few hours to let the cranky kids walk around. It was the most we've driven in a day in a long time (and with far less children). With a back up plan to stop in Georgia and get a hotel if we just couldn't take it anymore, we left.
Jason wanted to stop at a few thrift stores to look for polyester ties. We ended up going to about 4 in his quest, putting us behind about an hour. Check out the "trift shop". :)
It would have been worth it if he had found even one. After the third try, he asked the shopkeeper if she had any ties, perhaps in the back or something. She gave him the sad news that she throws them away. "Those are out of style. No one buys polyester ties". (Picture Jason with mouth agape in shock and amazement). He felt it was such an injustice that he called a missionary friend and told him the sad news. This all makes sense if you know my husband and his complete love for vintage wide polyester ties. Poor man.
I drove the first stretch beyond the Orlando area so Jason could study (impending residency looms). I swear that Florida seems to go on forever. Thank goodness for the DVD player and iPad. I feel a bit bad that Brendan played Minecraft for so many hours but oh well. Jason took over for the last part of Florida and into Georgia. We stopped a few times to stretch our legs and eat, but really we kept pushing it through to South Carolina. I think we were all just anxious to get home. The girls fell asleep in the afternoon.
But when they woke up crankiness had hit critical mass. Poor Paige, being rear facing, she was bored as all get out. I have never been so excited to find a playplace in my life. And it was a pretty cool playplace.
We made it home after 9:30pm. The kids were promptly put to bed and I unpacked everything. Then Jason and I crashed. It was very nice to be home. I don't think we will try a 12 hour marathon drive again.
Jason wanted to stop at a few thrift stores to look for polyester ties. We ended up going to about 4 in his quest, putting us behind about an hour. Check out the "trift shop". :)
It would have been worth it if he had found even one. After the third try, he asked the shopkeeper if she had any ties, perhaps in the back or something. She gave him the sad news that she throws them away. "Those are out of style. No one buys polyester ties". (Picture Jason with mouth agape in shock and amazement). He felt it was such an injustice that he called a missionary friend and told him the sad news. This all makes sense if you know my husband and his complete love for vintage wide polyester ties. Poor man.
I drove the first stretch beyond the Orlando area so Jason could study (impending residency looms). I swear that Florida seems to go on forever. Thank goodness for the DVD player and iPad. I feel a bit bad that Brendan played Minecraft for so many hours but oh well. Jason took over for the last part of Florida and into Georgia. We stopped a few times to stretch our legs and eat, but really we kept pushing it through to South Carolina. I think we were all just anxious to get home. The girls fell asleep in the afternoon.
But when they woke up crankiness had hit critical mass. Poor Paige, being rear facing, she was bored as all get out. I have never been so excited to find a playplace in my life. And it was a pretty cool playplace.
We made it home after 9:30pm. The kids were promptly put to bed and I unpacked everything. Then Jason and I crashed. It was very nice to be home. I don't think we will try a 12 hour marathon drive again.
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Legoland and Cousins
Monday was the day that Brendan had been looking forward to for months. We were going to Legoland!! The first thing that struck me was that it was much smaller and less busy than Disney World, which was fine by me. It was a great day, filled with sights to see, smiles and short lines.
Right after we entered the kids were able to take a picture with Buddy the minifigure.
Then we rode on the two-tiered Lego carousel. We walked right on, twice. It was really nice to not have to wait for more than 10 minutes all day.
We did a few boat rides as well. And that's when I noticed that very few rides were baby friendly. Paige spent a good portion of the day in the stroller. We would let her out in the lines since they always had an enclosed area with Legos for kids to play with while parents waited in lines. However, she was still cranky for a good part of the day.
Easily the coolest place was Miniland. It was simply amazing. The details in these building sets is awesome. There was a New York display.
And Las Vegas, complete with the Luxor and Stratosphere, among other iconic casinos.
Famous monuments were represented as was our nation's capitol as well.
And my favorite, San Francisco. Every detail was right. There was the Golden Gate Bridge.
There was even the seals at Pier 39 . . .
And the Painted Ladies.
They had a Chinatown too and other SF places of note. I loved it.
And around the corner was the Star Wars part of Miniland. Even more awesomeness!! These displays moved! Spaceships hovered, Jedis fought, and speeders raced. Brendan and Jason were in heaven.
And who could resist pictures with the life size Darth Vader, R2 D2 and a frightening Darth Maul?
There was as speedway part of the park where kids drove Lego cars. The girls were the right age to drive in the loop track while the older kids like Brendan had a whole city to drive in, with intersections, stop signs and Lego-built townspeople. Eva figured out the gas and brake but Darby never really did. If she'd push the gas and go, then she'd forget to steer and run into the side. I think she moved 1/4 of the track the whole time. But it was all so very cute.
Brendan took his driving very seriously and got a little embarrassed when he ran a stop sign. However, he thoroughly enjoyed himself.
Later in the day we stumbled up on the Captain Brickbeard's water show. We hadn't planned on it but when we saw it was a water ski show, we decided to stay and watch. And it was SUPER COOL!
There was a life size pirate ship made from Legos as the backdrop. Minifigure soldiers waterskied in and did a few ramp jumps.
The storyline was that a quiet cove was being attacked by pirates and the soldiers, lead by a fearless queen and aided by a shark named Sawtooth, had to fend them off. There was plenty of stunts, water fights, comedy, songs and dancing. It was spectacular.
You don't see Sawtooth until the very end and Jason was able to get a picture of Brendan with him in the background.
Then on to more rides and attractions. We saw Batman and Robin and Darby felt the need to hug a Lego knight in the castle.
Towards the end of the day Jason took the little ones to Duplo Village, where Paige could finally play, and I took Brendan to do some shopping. Poor boy was overwhelmed at the choices. He ended up with a minifigure plush, a Galaxy Squad bug and a Star Wars speeder. On our way to meet up with the rest of the family we ran into Max (I don't know who he is but Bubbs sure did!)
Brendan left happy and satisfied and that is all that I hoped for the day. We drove back to Orlando to eat dinner with the Bangerters (Jason's cousins). Stephanie made us a yummy French dinner, complete with tarts for dessert. It was sure nice to meet them and chat. The kids played with their second cousins, Jonathon and Tristan.
Stephanie took this picture of the kids before we left. Cousins. :)
And this is what we found when we got back to the room. Housekeeping had made the beds up like this. How nice!
Right after we entered the kids were able to take a picture with Buddy the minifigure.
Then we rode on the two-tiered Lego carousel. We walked right on, twice. It was really nice to not have to wait for more than 10 minutes all day.
We did a few boat rides as well. And that's when I noticed that very few rides were baby friendly. Paige spent a good portion of the day in the stroller. We would let her out in the lines since they always had an enclosed area with Legos for kids to play with while parents waited in lines. However, she was still cranky for a good part of the day.
Easily the coolest place was Miniland. It was simply amazing. The details in these building sets is awesome. There was a New York display.
And Las Vegas, complete with the Luxor and Stratosphere, among other iconic casinos.
Famous monuments were represented as was our nation's capitol as well.
And my favorite, San Francisco. Every detail was right. There was the Golden Gate Bridge.
There was even the seals at Pier 39 . . .
And the Painted Ladies.
They had a Chinatown too and other SF places of note. I loved it.
And around the corner was the Star Wars part of Miniland. Even more awesomeness!! These displays moved! Spaceships hovered, Jedis fought, and speeders raced. Brendan and Jason were in heaven.
And who could resist pictures with the life size Darth Vader, R2 D2 and a frightening Darth Maul?
There was as speedway part of the park where kids drove Lego cars. The girls were the right age to drive in the loop track while the older kids like Brendan had a whole city to drive in, with intersections, stop signs and Lego-built townspeople. Eva figured out the gas and brake but Darby never really did. If she'd push the gas and go, then she'd forget to steer and run into the side. I think she moved 1/4 of the track the whole time. But it was all so very cute.
Brendan took his driving very seriously and got a little embarrassed when he ran a stop sign. However, he thoroughly enjoyed himself.
Later in the day we stumbled up on the Captain Brickbeard's water show. We hadn't planned on it but when we saw it was a water ski show, we decided to stay and watch. And it was SUPER COOL!
The storyline was that a quiet cove was being attacked by pirates and the soldiers, lead by a fearless queen and aided by a shark named Sawtooth, had to fend them off. There was plenty of stunts, water fights, comedy, songs and dancing. It was spectacular.
You don't see Sawtooth until the very end and Jason was able to get a picture of Brendan with him in the background.
Then on to more rides and attractions. We saw Batman and Robin and Darby felt the need to hug a Lego knight in the castle.
Towards the end of the day Jason took the little ones to Duplo Village, where Paige could finally play, and I took Brendan to do some shopping. Poor boy was overwhelmed at the choices. He ended up with a minifigure plush, a Galaxy Squad bug and a Star Wars speeder. On our way to meet up with the rest of the family we ran into Max (I don't know who he is but Bubbs sure did!)
Brendan left happy and satisfied and that is all that I hoped for the day. We drove back to Orlando to eat dinner with the Bangerters (Jason's cousins). Stephanie made us a yummy French dinner, complete with tarts for dessert. It was sure nice to meet them and chat. The kids played with their second cousins, Jonathon and Tristan.
Stephanie took this picture of the kids before we left. Cousins. :)
And this is what we found when we got back to the room. Housekeeping had made the beds up like this. How nice!
Saying Goodbye
Today was the day we had to check out of All Star Movies Resort. We ate breakfast at the resort and then packed up our stuff. We stopped to get a few more pictures before we left.
We loaded up the car and headed to a local chapel so we could attend sacrament meeting. Jason even found someone he knew in that ward. I swear he always knows someone everywhere we go. On our way out of the area I saw this. I guess Mickey is everywhere in these parts. :)
We then went to the Orlando Temple grounds to have a lunch picnic.
We walked around the temple grounds and then started off to our hotel closer to Legoland, where we were going on Monday. Jason got a text from his cousin who lives in Orlando, asking us to dinner the next day. I've never met this cousin or his family but we have corresponded online. It would be fun to meet them.
Once again it poured rain. Amidst thunder and lightning we rolled into the parking lot and hurried to our room. There we settled in and the kids played with their new Disney toys (and apparently the air conditioner).
Sitting in our room, looking out the window, Jason noticed a sign.
Yep, there were alligators in the pond outside our hotel. The concierge confirmed it. Jason kept an eye out the whole time we were there. He even saw an alligator moving under the water.
Oh Florida. :)
We loaded up the car and headed to a local chapel so we could attend sacrament meeting. Jason even found someone he knew in that ward. I swear he always knows someone everywhere we go. On our way out of the area I saw this. I guess Mickey is everywhere in these parts. :)
We then went to the Orlando Temple grounds to have a lunch picnic.
We walked around the temple grounds and then started off to our hotel closer to Legoland, where we were going on Monday. Jason got a text from his cousin who lives in Orlando, asking us to dinner the next day. I've never met this cousin or his family but we have corresponded online. It would be fun to meet them.
Once again it poured rain. Amidst thunder and lightning we rolled into the parking lot and hurried to our room. There we settled in and the kids played with their new Disney toys (and apparently the air conditioner).
Sitting in our room, looking out the window, Jason noticed a sign.
Yep, there were alligators in the pond outside our hotel. The concierge confirmed it. Jason kept an eye out the whole time we were there. He even saw an alligator moving under the water.
Oh Florida. :)
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