The Rest of Florida

After visiting Merle and Marie, the kids and I checked into a hotel in Sarasota for the night. We had a nice dinner and then rested the remainder of the night for our long drive the next day. We got on the road about 8:00 the next morning and drove up to visit friends in the Florida Panhandle.

Leann is one of my dear friends from our days in 29 Palms. Her husband Darren is a Navy chaplain. I can remember the first day I met her. Another chaplain's wife picked her and her three kids up and brought her to CWF (Christian Women's Fellowship). Her middle daughter, Cate, and Aaron are just two days apart. Rachel was right in the middle of her two oldest children.

We had the best visit with them. Rachel and Leann's son, Clay, remember a little bit of our days in 29 Palms. Now all the kids will have great memories of our time together. Hannah was born just before Leann and her family left 29 Palms and she had another daughter about a year before Hannah was born. Those seven kids had a great time together and made us laugh.

Leann, Darren and the kids showed us a great time. They have a pool in their backyard which my kids thought was awesome. They have been able to get in a lot more swim time this summer than we thought they would.

Becca, Cate and Rachel shooting the water cannons.

Rachel, Aaron and Hannah learned a new game called Categories. The person who is "it" stands on the edge of the pool while everyone else remains in the pool and puts one hand on the side. "It" calls out a category such as colors. All the other participants think of a color in their heads. "It" then starts calling out colors. When "It" calls the color one of the other kids are thinking of that person has to try to swim to the other side before "It" can jump in and tag him or her. In this picture Rachel was thinking whatever Becca called out. Becca is jumping in after Rachel.

Aaron and Clay were both very happy to have another boy to play with. They spent a lot of time playing Legos. Clay is about 3 years older than Aaron, but they played so nicely.

We went to two different beaches. We all love the beach. I don't like to get in the water, but I'm happy to sit and watch the waves roll in.

Leann leading the way.

Hannah before she lost her second top tooth.

Rachel, Cate, Maddi and Hannah digging.

Aaron

Aaron, Hannah and Rachel stopped long enough to pose for one picture for me.

After the beach on the first day we went to dinner at a restaurant called Surf Burger. It was yummy. The kids were able to sit at this bar while they ate and watch the water.

The next day we went to an air and space museum. These are my three little astronauts.

Hannah

Aaron

Rachel

Darren is lifting Aaron up to see inside this plane. It was nice of him to play "Dad" and give each of my kids a turn.

There was a replica of a 1940-50's home. This is my favorite picture of the entire visit. All the kiddos. They all looks so sweet and well behaved and they really were!

After the museum we went back for day two at the beach. When we got back to the house Leann made some delicious chicken enchiladas.

We hated to leave and they tried to talk us into staying one more day. We declined because Hannah had her kindergarten screening early on Tuesday morning so I wanted to have all day Monday to get things back in order at home. Hopefully P.K. will be able to take some time at some point to go back for another visit.

You Never Know What the Lord Has Planned

We said good-bye to our friends on the east coast of Florida and promised each other we wouldn't wait five years before we had another visit

We drove through the interior of Florida to the Gulf side to visit some dear folks who have retired in Englewood. Merle and Marie came into my life when I was about 11. I know this because Merle told me I turned 12 after they came to our church. I'm not sure how he remembered.

One day they called my mom and asked if I could go to a church in Kentucky with them to hear a group sing. I was on crutches at the time and I have a vivid memory of standing in the kitchen hearing my mom say, "Yes, she can go, but she is on crutches." I think I had sprained my ankle. I managed to do that several times.

After the trip to that church, I spent countless Sunday afternoons with Merle and Marie. They would often take me to lunch at a local steak house and laugh because I would order a burger. At some point they started taking me on vacations to Florida with them. They have two children who were already grown when they "adopted" me. One day when I had my permit to drive before I could get my license, they picked me up at my house and drove out into the county. Merle was driving and pulled over at this old abandoned gas station. He got out of the car and Marie said, "Get out. You're going to drive." We must have spent two hours driving on those country roads. I don't look forward to teaching my own kids to drive and they took time and had the patience to help me.

My kids had never met Merle and Marie and I so wanted the kids to get to know them. I wished we lived closer so they could. The trip to south Florida was a last minute decision so once I was there I called them and asked if we could possibly meet for lunch. They suggested we just have pizza at their house so it wouldn't be as loud as a restaurant and the kids could play once they finished eating.

We arrived and the first thing Merle told the kids was, "You can pretty much do whatever you want. Your mom doesn't have any authority here." That cracked me up. The kids looked at me and I just grinned and nodded. I knew he wouldn't encourage too much mischief.

Marie made pizzas and gave the kids mini-oreos for dessert. She obviously was a hit. We spent some time reliving memories, catching up and talking about people back in Evansville. They told the kids a few stories about me. Merle told them about eating ice cream sandwiches on the beach. When they would take me to Florida we always had an apartment on the beach and Marie would stock the kitchen. Somebody had to eat all of those ice cream sandwiches before we could head back home. Marie told them I always liked pizza and one year we had pizza for breakfast at 5:00 in the morning before we could head home. That sounds about right. I have never been a big breakfast person, but would often eat dinner for breakfast. Rachel and I were talking about my lack of patience and Marie told her I never was very patient. I love that they had so many fun memories of our times together.

I've often wondered why they decided on that day so long ago to call and invite me to go to that singing with them. I grew up in a small church and we all knew each other, but I didn't spend more time with them than any of the other adults in the church. I was pretty sure I already knew the answer. It was a God thing.

Life got a little bumpy a few years after they came into the picture and they were a constant source of help, support and encouragement. I had always had a strong conviction to do the right thing and follow God, but I think the Lord put Merle and Marie in my life to be the extra example I needed to hang on. Merle's advice to me was often, "This too shall pass." I remembered to ask them why they did take an interest in me.. They looked at each other blankly for a minute. I said, "I think it was God." Merle looked at Marie and said, "I didn't tell her to say that." He explained to me that he and Marie were talking about why they had started attending our church and he had told her it was because God put them there for me. He had no other explanation. Wow! What a great example for me to always follow God's leading. Who knows how he may use any of us?

Before we new it our visit was over. We took pictures and said our good-byes. Once the kids were in the car, I turned to give Merle and Marie one more hug. I got in the car and Hannah said, "That's not fair." I asked her what wasn't fair. I was thinking one of the other kids did something. She said, "You got to give them a good-bye hug." Of course, I let her out of the car to deliver hugs.

Merle and Marie with the kids.

When I hear the song Thank You by Ray Boltz, I always think of Merle and Marie. So for them I must post the lyrics.

Thank You by Ray Boltz

I dreamed I went to heaven
And you were there with me;
We walked upon the streets of gold
Beside the crystal sea.
We heard the angels singing
Then someone called your name.
We turned and saw a young man running
And he was smiling as he came.

And he said , "Friend you may not know me now."
And then he said, "But wait,
You used to teach my Sunday School
When I was only eight.
And every week you would say a prayer
Before the class would start.
And one day when you said that prayer,
I asked Jesus in my heart."

Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave.

Then another man stood before you
And said, "Remember the time
A missionary came t your church
And his pictures made you cry.
You didn't have much money,
But you gave it anyway.
Jesus took the gift you gave
And that's why I'm here today."

Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave.

One by one they came
Far as the eye could see.
Each life somehow touched
By your generosity.
Little things that you had done,
Sacrifices made,
Unnoticed on the earth
In heaven, now proclaimed.

And I know up in heaven
You're not supposed to cry
But I am almost sure
There were tears in your eyes.
As Jesus took your hand
And you stood before the Lord.
He said, "My child, look around you.
Great is your reward."

Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave.

Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave.

They Grow 'Em Big In These Parts

The kids and I continued our summer adventures with a trip to Florida. We started on the southeast coast.

My friend took us to a nature preserve not too far from her house where she was sure we would see alligators in the wild.

I was expecting to see alligators about this size. This one was probably 4-5 feet long. It was really neat to see this one in its natural environment. However, it was less impressive because we saw this next guy first.

It is hard to tell how big he really is in the pictures. He was hanging right next to the dock where we were standing. He was probably no more than four feet below our feet. He remained partially submerged the entire time we were there, but from the tip of his snout to the back of his head was at last 2-3 feet. We could see down to just past his front legs.

Same gator.

This picture shows a bit more of his body. I wanted desperately to get something else in the photo to have something to compare his size to in the pictures. However, I was afraid to dangle anything over the side because he is often fed fish. I sure didn't want to be mistaken for lunch.

Still the same gator. It was so amazing to watch this part of God's creation up close.

After watching the alligators, as if anything could possibly compare, we went on a nature trail.

We saw dozens of these huge grasshoppers. The colors were gorgeous.

That is my foot for size comparison.

This one is sitting in the parking lot on one of the stripes that mark parking spaces.

There were also lots of dragonflies. I thought this picture turned out really well.

It was a great day exploring nature. With all of our travels the kids haven't read nearly as much as they did last summer. But with all the cool things they have been able to see and experience this summer, I'm not going to feel too guilty.

Meet Me in St. Louis

We left Evansville and headed to visit my sister-in-law, her husband and my father-in-law in the St. Louis area.

The kids were thrilled to be going to visit Aunt Ragini and Uncle Dan. They have previously proclaimed Uncle Dan to be the strongest man in the universe. I think he likes that title.

Dan and Ragini have a pool at their house. This is the first year I was able to sit back and relax on the patio while the kids swam. Rachel and Aaron are pretty good swimmers now and Hannah was able to reach on the shallow end. I had a great time sitting poolside chatting with Ragini.



Dan is a great uncle. He plays with the kids until he is worn out. I don't know how many times he let Rachel and Aaron climb on his shoulders and then threw them in the water.


Hannah loves the water. It was the cutest thing to hear her shout, "Cannonball!" as she ran to jump in the pool.

Dan and Rachel were giving me their best mean looks.

Then they gave me nice smiles.

Ragini swimming with Rachel and Hannah.

One of my favorite pictures. Aaron figured out how weightless Rachel was in the water.

Zoe brought Ragini a little present while we were sitting around the pool.

Aaron

Hannah and Rachel

We made a trip to the St. Louis zoo. The zoo is free and since we were there early enough we were able to find free parking. I love this zoo. I try to get the kids there whenever we are in the area. It was hot and humid, but we had a great time.

Aaron, Hannah and Rachel

The zoo has a great snake display which, of course, was Aaron's favorite.

This baby alpaca was adorable. Check out those big brown eyes.

Some pony tails

Ragini and Aaron on the train

Hannah and one of the gorillas

Ragini and Hannah relaxing

Rachel and Hannah helped Dan make guacamole for

appetizer night. This was one of our favorite meals on our trip.

We also had lots of fun playing the Wii Fit. Hannah is trying her hula hoop skills here.

We had such a fun and relaxing visit. Dan and Ragini even watched a movie on the Disney channel with the kids. They tried to talk us into staying another night, but I was ready to get the long drive over with. We drove home through some awful storms which left me wishing we had waited one more day. We can't wait to go back for another visit.

The Tooth Fairy Wants Her Cut of the Stimulus Money

Hannah is trying to single handedly break the Tooth Fairy. She has a toothless grin that is too cute for words.

She lost this one while we were visiting friends. This is when she went to look at herself in the mirror and then came back and proclaimed, "My cuteness is totally wiped out now."

She had a dental check up just before we went out of town and the dentist gave her this little yellow case to put her teeth in for the Tooth Fairy. Kudos to her mommy for remembering to pack it. Major kudos to her mommy for remembering to put it under her pillow in the craziness that is a trip away from home. Major props to the Tooth Fairy for finding her while we were on the road.

This is not the best picture of Hannah (show me a picture of anyone else looking great first thing in the morning), but she had just found her dollar from the Tooth Fairy. She thinks the Tooth Fairy was trying to trick her because she folded the dollar and put it inside the yellow case.

Last night the kids and I were watching a movie in the living room and Hannah had been complaining that she was uncomfortable. I told her to go get her pillow off her bed. She didn't want to miss any of the movie so she didn't go get it.

After a while she started crying saying, "This is uncomfortable." She is prone to extra crying and whining when she is tired and it was past her regular bedtime. I told her again to go get her pillow. She said, "No. It's because of my tooth." I looked and her tooth was bleeding and sideways. I told her to go to the bathroom and I got her a cup to rinse.

She asked for a napkin and I grabbed a couple while she was still crying that it felt uncomfortable.

I was hoping the tooth would just fall out if she swished the water around hard enough. Oh, no. That would have been too easy. Instead I was given the privilege of grabbing the bloody tooth with a napkin and pulling it out of my youngest child's head. That is probably a little more dramatic than it actually was, but not something I would want to do over and over again. As soon as the tooth was out, she calmed down.


There are at least three more loose teeth in this house.

Evansville Odds and Ends

My grandmother mentioned it had been a while since she had visited her parents' graves. I had been there before, but it had been so long it was a vague memory. I thought it would be neat for the kids to see, so I told Grandma I'd take her.

The kids at their great-grandparent's graves.

Grandma's sister

Grandma's dad

Grandma's grandmother...the kids' great-great-great-grandmother.

Grandma's grandpa...the kids' great-great-great grandfather.

On Father's Day we went to Mamaw Nise's parents' house in Kentucky. My dad took the kids fishing. It was very hot and humid. I spent most of the day on the back porch on the swing. It was at least 90 degrees in the shade.

Hannah caught the first fish using the cane pole Aaron made at Boy Scouts.

My nephew Riely with one of the fish he caught.

Rachel fishing.

Papaw taking the big catfish Rachel caught off the hook.

Cleaning fish.

We spent one Saturday visiting with family at my Grandma's house.

This is Hannah, Darian, Alexis, Rachel and Aaron at my grandma's house.

Aunt Earleen, Uncle Dan, Aunt Diane and Uncle Dennis

My cousin Mike, me, my cousin Melissa. Melissa lives in Tennessee and it is unusual for both of us to make it "home" at the same time. She had to come in for a funeral. Even though she had to come in for a sad reason, I was happy to get to visit with her. My cousin Mike is only a year older than I am. I love reliving the memories with him of the two of us fighting as we were growing up.

We went to watch my cousin's girls play baseball.

Amaya on base.

Aaron, Riely, Rachel, Hannah and Bethanie playing the DS's at my dad's house.

The zoo in town has a new exhibit that we wanted to check out. Our local zoo membership got us in that zoo for free.

Janet's daughter, Sarah, liked watching the otter's from the tunnel that ran through their habitat.

As we were walking along the Amazonia exhibit we were startled when we came across this replica of an anaconda. Aaron was only disappointed that it wasn't real.

Janet and me being just a little batty. Ha, ha.

Hannah and Mamaw Nise conquering the last hill before we left.

That hot and humid weather we experienced brought lots of thunderstorms.

My mom and I were watching out her front door when that large branch fell off the tree.

Hannah loved visiting all of the pets on our trip. She spent a lot of time out on the deck with my aunt's dog, Spunky.

We were also invited to join our friends Jim and Candace for dinner at their home one night. Aaron was thrilled that Mr. Jim was making sweet tea and has since been pricing tea makers in the store. He is set on buying one with his own money. I've assured him that his mommy is capable of making sweet tea without a tea maker.

We made so many great memories on this trip. Hopefully next time I am able to blog as I go. I'm sure I've left out way too many details this time around.