Sunday, June 27, 2010

Laughter...

Laughter ... you can't put a price on it!

Original plans were Kendra and I were hanging out, then Tyler and Alison invited me over for pizza- next thing you know we're all sitting in Ty and Alison's kitchen when Erin is added to the mix.

Alison and I are both vocabulary nerds- hence she has Scrabble loaded on her iPad and I have it loaded on my iPhone... Tyler suggested we play each other... so we hooked up to their WiFi and voila ... we played a game... I swear each turn I rolled in new consonants and NO vowels... Tyler's remark "You need a vowel movement!" (vowel/bowel... get it.. haha ) won by a narrow margin... I can already tell this game may have been the first of many to come...

Tyler fixed us all something to drink... I ordered Cherry-Lemon Sundrop... he gave it to me in a plastic cup... the smell was ... umm.. less than desirable... funny I was the only one to smell it... that plastic cup had a rank smell.. I don't care what anyone says!

In the mix of it all.. we sent text pictures back and forth between us and our parents. Kendra's parents are at the beach with our parents. Something is wrong with that picture isn't it? Kids at home, parents at beach?


Kendra and Erin were in need of food so we headed for Sonic. This was a familiar occurrence for us when were teenagers. You can bet lots of reminiscing was done... how uncanny that we saw two of our former youth leaders and their children which only added to our reminiscing.. we brought up everything from T.P'ing yard, prank phone calls, youth trips to Eternity productions and scary trips where we scared ourselves senseless.
Funny bits from our conversation around the Sonic table...
(Erin had ordered Hi-C to drink) Me: "Erin... who comes to Steak and Shake and doesn't order a cherry limeade?" "Me, but this ain't Steak and Shake"

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

More than I can bear?

Ashlyn and I were talking tonight and she said "I read somewhere today a quote that I couldn't have said better myself "I know God won't give me more than I can handle, I just wish he didn't trust me so much." I had to laugh as I immediately thought, that's God speaking to me again! Today was just "one of those days".

I woke up this morning ready to go to the lake for Kendra's birthday. I hopped on facebook a few minutes and Ashlyn popped up "Ayden fed Buddy a brownie. Will it make him sick?" From past experiences I told her it depended on how much he consumed. To make myself feel better I called Kendra, aka "Ms Vet Tech". She asked it if was Baker's Chocolate, if not he would be ok, if so he needed to throw it up. Just to be safe we chose the latter. So on my way to the lake I stopped by Ashlyn's with a bottle of peroxide in tow. I got to do the honors because Ashlyn doesn't handle that stuff well. I gave Buddy a few small cap fulls and voila everything came up. In no time he was back to his normal self. Now, this probably wouldn't have been as crazy- had Buddy not just come home a week ago from a 4 day stay at the vet for PARVO treatment.

I made it to the lake. Kendra and I hopped on the wave runners and rode for a good hour and a half before taking a lunch break. After lunch we rode for another 45 minutes or so and then BOTH of our wave runners decided to die on us. JUST GREAT! Luckily we had decided to take our cell phones with us. Normally this probably wouldn't have been a smart choice- however it's a good thing we did. We called her Dad and he agreed to come to our rescue- it would just take him a few minutes to get his pontoon in the lake and then find us. In the mean time Kendra and I jumped in to the lake to cool off! It was a scorcher out there! About 40 minutes later Tony arrived to save the day! We had to tie both wave runners to the back of the pontoon and he towed them in!

Tonight during church I heard loud thunder and lightening. Erin and I rode by and I noticed the power was off. Came back an hour later- still off. Tyler had already called the power company... it will be at least until 11:30 tonight. Just great. Here I am alone! Dad and Mom have just left for the beach. No lights. No power. No nothing. I came into the house and found some candles. (Against mom's warning. Luckily the power can back on around 10 tonight.

Ashlyn could relate to my bad luck today as her car stalled in the middle of the road- while coming home from the dentist....

**edit**

just when we thought nothing else could happen- IT DID! this one did! the next morning around 11 o'clock Ashlyn calls "We're on the way to the pediatrician! Ayden cut his finger and we might need stiches!" Weston was cutting an orange with a knife. What do you think Ayden TRIED to do? "Monkey see. Monkey do!". It wasn't just any knife- it was a butchering knife. Luckily the pediatrician was able to just dermabond his little finger back together. Unfortunately for him, he won't be able to go swimming for 5 days...

Later in the evening- Ayden decided to give Buddy hot sauce. Yes, I said hot sauce. "Buddy say shut up! Buddy not listen to me!" When Ayden says ugly things he gets hot sauce so he wanted to share the wealth...

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Sweet Deal!


June 22nd
New Life 91.9's Sweet Summer Day
with a Free Regular Ice Cream Cone!
Where: Bruster’s Real Ice Cream In Kannapolis
2257 Spider Drive N.E. in Kannapolis
Cost: None. But you will need a coupon for your
family to receive free ice cream.


How cool is that?

This afternoon I got in my car- the temperature read 102 degrees!!!



Extreme temperatures call for a cool treat!

I called Ashlyn and we loaded the boys and friends up for a sweet treat!:)


The boys enjoying their treat!



Even Buddy got a treat!:)


The Twelve Days of Summer

On the first day of Summer,
My true love sent to me
A full night of uninterrupted sleep

On the second day of Summer,
My true love sent to me
Two beach vacations,
And a full night of uninterrupted sleep

On the third day of Summer,
My true love sent to me
Three pairs of rainbow flip flops,
Two beach vacations,
And a full night of uninterrupted sleep

On the fourth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Four boat rides,
Three pairs of rainbow flip flops,
Two beach vacations,
And a full night of uninterrupted sleep

On the fifth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Five water slides,
Four boat rides,
Three pairs of rainbow flip flops,
Two beach vacations,
And a full night of uninterrupted sleep

On the sixth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Six summer cookouts,
Five water slides,
Four boat rides,
Three pairs of rainbow flip flops,
Two beach vacations,
And a full night of uninterrupted sleep

On the seventh day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Seven Sundrop slushies,
Six summer cookouts,
Five water slides,
Four boat rides,
Three pairs of rainbow flip flops,
Two beach vacations,
And a full night of uninterrupted sleep

On the eighth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Eight boxes of fireworks,
Seven Sundrop slushies,
Six summer cookouts,
Five water slides,
Four boat rides,
Three pairs of rainbow flip flops,
Two beach vacations
And a full night of uninterrupted sleep

On the ninth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Nine ice-cream sundaes,
Eight boxes of fireworks,
Seven Sundrop slushies,
Six summer cookouts,
Five water slides,
Four boat rides,
Three pairs of rainbow flip flops,
Two beach vacations,
And a full night of uninterrupted sleep

On the tenth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Ten peach cobblers,
Nine ice-cream sundaes,
Eight boxes of fireworks,
Seven Sundrop slushies,
Six summer cookouts,
Five water slides,
Four boat rides,
Three pairs of rainbow flip flops,
Two beach vacations
And a full night of uninterrupted sleep

On the eleventh day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Eleven pairs of sunglasses,
Ten peach cobblers,
Nine ice-cream sundaes,
Eight boxes of fireworks,
Seven Sundrop slushies,
Six summer cookouts,
Five water slides,
Four boat rides,
Three pairs of rainbow flip flops,
Two beach vacations,
And a full night of uninterrupted sleep

On the twelfth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Twelve bottles of sunscreen,
Eleven pairs of sunglasses,
Ten peach cobblers,
Nine ice-cream sundaes
Eight boxes of fireworks,
Seven Sundrop slushies,
Six summer cookouts,
Five water slides,
Four boat rides,
Three pairs of rainbow flip flops,
Two beach vacations,
And a full night of uninterrupted sleep!

Sunday, June 20, 2010

215 Sunset Hills Road


Roughly 73 miles, an hour and a half's drive separates 1009 McKnight Street from 215 Sunset Hills Road, my grandparent's address.

As a child I spent a week or more every summer at my grandparent's home to make up for lost time during the school year. I lived across the street from my dad's parents so I saw them a lot more often than I did my mom's. Me, being the independent child that I was would go and stay for a week or more every summer at my grandparents. I was the only grandchild out of 4 who didn't get homesick and would actually stay with them. I have many fond memories from those summer visit.

Today we gathered at my grandparent's home to celebrate Father's Day. Upon arrival, as always, I took a stroll across my grandparents yard reminicing some of those sweet summers...



This is the infamous hill. Mom recalls childhood stories of sledding down it in the winters. I recall walking and riding bikes down it in the summer time.



Paw Paw's garden. As a child I remember the back row of the garden, adjacent to the corn was a row of the tallest and prettiest sun-flowers you've every seen. Those sun-flowers aren't there but everything else sure is. The garden has always been one of Paw Paw's pride and joy. When I was little I loved for Maw Maw to sleep with me. I can remember waking up most mornings to an empty bed, most of the time Maw Maw could be found in the garden. She liked to pick the garden early in the morning before the sun made temperatures and humidity unbearable. I can remember picking "messes" of beans and then sitting under the carport shelter stringing and breaking beans.



Dad and Paw Paw taking a stroll through the yard. Paw Paw always has a lot to show off.




Paw Paw showing dad his grapes. He has several grape planters. Grape of choice is muscadine- a sweet tasting grape used for a variety of things.



You see that bird house? Paw Paw has built many a bird house in his wood-shop through the years. I remember running over the yard peeking in birdhouses and chasing fireflies.



Paw Paw's woodshop. He's built anything from banana holders, birdhouses, lazy susans to swings. He spent many an hour piddling in his workshop.



Paw-Paw's storage shop. Several years ago Paw Paw started working at the recycling center in Southern Pines. This is where people come to get rid of "junk" they don't want. Paw Paw never fails to find something worth bringing home. As the saying goes, "one mans junk, another man's treasure". He's brought vacuum cleaners, fans, books to shoes home. He's accumulated so much that he bought this storage shop. He loves fixing things up and sharing them with others.



Another summer favorite was going fishing with Paw Paw at the lake or beach in his little boat. This is the "cleaning set up" where Paw Paw cleaned many of fish for fish frys.



This is the living room. I remember one summer sitting and watching Fried Green Tomatoes and then asking Maw Maw to make me some. Priceless memories. I also remember following in my Aunt Myra's footsteps and playing beauty shop in here- Maw Maw and Paw Paw my patrons. Paw Paw would also come in in the afternoons to "cool off" and stretch out in the recliner for his 30 minute naps. Anytime Maw Maw would sit down it was only a matter of minutes before she was fast asleep.



For a short time I took piano lessons as a child and around the same time Maw Maw took lessons. We spent countless afternoons on the piano bench pecking away childhood ballads.



Many wonderful meals and sweet conversations have been shared around this table.




Maw Maw doing what she does best! I love love love her homecoming. As Kelley told her "MiMi you're a good corn cooker!" My favorite thing she cooks is her biscuits and gravy, always a staple. She likes to recall my squash story. Maw Maw Dancy always fried squash for me. One summer I told Maw Maw Butler I wanted some squash. She went in the kitchen and fixed me, all she knew, stewed squash. I shook my head and told her I would not eat that! "That's not squash". She had to get on the phone and call my Maw Maw Dancy for her fried squash recipe.



A full plate of sweet goodness! Fried chicken, london broil with potatoes and onions, greenbeans, creamed corn, brocoli casserole, gravy and biscuits...



I had to take this picture for proof. Everyone says I "pick" when I eat. Tyler "I've never seen you clean your plate!" Well I did it!



Grady found him a spot to stretch out nearby the dinner table. Look at his feet!





Paw Paw in his metal detecting hobby has collected thousands of coins over the years. He got Paw Paw a coin collecting book for Father's Day- here the boys are pricing some of his silver coins.

Happy Fathers Day



I've had him wrapped around my finger from the beginning...



Perhaps this is my favorite picture of us with Dad. Christmas has always been a favorite holiday with the traditions it holds- love those matching pjs!




Some of my favorite childhood memories are from are summer beach trips...



I'm grateful he took my brother and I to church every Sunday and continues to show me the importance of investing yourself in your church family...




How luck I am to be surrounded by two of my favorite men, Daddy and Paw Paw at Tyler's wedding



Thanksgiving 2006

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Photo Shoot with the boys

Tyler likes to pretend he is a professional photographer and I have to admit he does a pretty good job. Last Saturday he took some pictures of the boys in the park...


Love this sweet moment! They are few and far between, we take them while we can get 'em!


I wonder what he's thinking? This is the ultimate picture of F-A-I-T-H. He's been through so much, yet you'd never know it be looking at him!


Look at those battle scars! He'll carry them to his grave!


"Look Buddy! Here's how you blow bubbles!"



I love the bubble pictures so much- maybe because they were candid and capture Ayden's innocense and love for Buddy.



Mr. Attitude at his finest!



"Look out world! Here I come!"



Just taking a stroll with Buddy Boy!

Only because I love them....

Let me preface this by saying- I am blue through and through! I'm a Tarheel born and when I die I'll be a Tarheel dead. The Edwards family and I have a love hate relationship when it comes to ACC Teams, particularly Wolfpack vs Tarheels! To my advantage Ashlyn was born in Chapel Hill and raised a Tarheel so deep down she'll always be a loyal Tarheel despite marrying an extreme Wolfpacker.


Tuesday Ashlyn asked me to tag along on their day trip to Raleigh. The purpose of their trip was for Weston to meet Nate Irving, a linebacker on the NC State Football team.
I agreed to go- only to take pictures and help corale Ayden. Don't worry I made sure to wear my blue- not even a hint of red! We piled in the van and set off mid-morning on our adventure. We met Nate at the Murphy Football center. He is a great guy! It was uncanny how much he and Weston have in common. Last June he was in a serious car accident and sustained many of the injuries Weston sustained in his go-cart wreck. Due to his injuries Nate was not able to play football last Fall. He could easily relate to Weston's football passion. He looked him dead in the eye and told him "God's got a plan for you. Keep your head high. Stay strong." We smiled and said "That's exactly what we've been telling him!" He spent a lot of time with both Weston and Ayden.

He also challenged Weston to a game of basketball the next time he's in the area. Weston is definitely holding Nate to it. Nate graciously gave us a "behind the scenes" tour of the Murphy Center.

Part of the time he took us back to a small theatre to watch footage of the previous seasons. Ayden didn't last long, so I took him out to wait in the lobby. While we were waiting he put on his typical show of preaching and singing. He was a hoot as usual- entertaining the lobby secretary. Unbeknownst to me, the head NC State football coach, Tom O'Brien, stopped and chatted with us on his way out the door. I figured this out a day later- sitting at their house when I glanced up and saw an autographed photo of Tom O'Brien. Haha! How was this Tarheel suposed to know?


Ayden insisted he give me a sticker! No Worries! I remain a loyal Tarheel!!!

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Let me hold you longer...





Yesterday Weston had a followup appointment with the orthopedic specialist. I told Ashlyn I would take Ayden to the Splashpad so that she wouldn't have to take him and entertain him. I picked Ayden up, grabbed a bite to eat and we were headed to the Splashpad. Let me preface by saying he had not had a nap. We got to the Splashpad and he had a melt down. I am proud to say that I did not give in. Instead I put him back in the car and drove around. Within minutes he was out. I drove around a few more minutes to be sure he was asleep. As sad as it makes me, Ayden is really too big to be carried anymore. I got him out of the car and carried him into the house. He is known to be a lite sleeper so I contemplated rather or not to sit and hold him in the recliner or lay him down. I chose the first and I'm glad I did. He snoozed while I sat and read "A Quick Guide to Action Research" (oh the joys of summer grad school). Within minutes of sitting there with him- the thought occured to me, "This may be last time you sit and hold him like this while he sleeps." Next month, July 13th, Ayden will turn 4 years old. He is growing up right before our eyes. I remember the first time I held him as a sleepy newborn. Slow down little buddy- its only for a moment you are ours to hold...

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Another year has come and gone...

This wraps up my 4th year of teaching! I have reached career status, which basically means that I have tenure.

By nature I am not normally a weepy person, however, today I was. Just yesterday parents made comments "I'm bringing a box of tissues tomorrow" and I thought to myself, "NOT ME!". To say this has been a challenging year would be an understatement. I felt relief knowing this year was coming to a close. However, I found myself very teary eyed at the 5th grade promotion and telling my students and parents goodbye.

I know I am paid to teach my students academics, however, hand in hand with academics is the non-academics. As my students announced their 5th grade accomplishments perhaps my favorite was, "In 5th grade I learned to respect others even if I may not like them." That's the sweet honest truth- couldn't have said it better myself.


Here are a few pictures to commemorate this bittersweet day!