Edisto 2009

On Friday, September 25th, Jason, Ian and I took off after lunch to head down to Edisto for the weekend. We got down there a little after 4, and it was absolutely beautiful! We didn't waste any time getting our suits on and getting down to the beach. After we played on the beach for a long time, we finally showered and fixed hotdogs for supper.

Saturday came and it was really cloudy at first...but by the afternoon, the sun was out, and it turned out to be another beautiful day! I was able to finish the book, "The Shack"...FINALLY. I have been reading it off and on since my business trip to San Antonio in April. I know what you're thinking...what took so long? It is a really good book...it has just been sitting on my nightstand ever since...and I would pick it up and read like a chapter every couple of weeks. I know that's sad...but honestly...when I get in my bed...I am ready to sleep! So, anyways...I finished the book...and WOW! I know there is lots of controversy over it...but to be honest, I thought it was great...it has a lot of biblical references...and if anyone has ever lost a child to a heinous act of kidnapping, they should really read it...it definitely puts things into perspective. Ok, so enough about the book...back to the Edisto trip...after we had a fun day on the beach, we headed back to the campsite and got showers. Then, it was time to eat shrimp and oysters!! MY FAVORITE! Thanks Jimmy and Sherri! We boiled the shrimp and then steamed the oysters until they opened up slightly. We ate until we were tired...and they were SOOOOOO GOOD! We also listened to the Clemson/TCU game...and unfortunately were not very pleased with the outcome. :( However, eating shrimp and oysters at the beach seemed to help lighten our spirits!

Last year we took Ian's little tub and bathed him right outside the camper. This year...Jason took him with him to the showers. Ian's first experience with the shower too by the way. Jason said he did just fine. He said Ian didn't like the water spraying him in the face at first...but then got used to it.

Another first, for me anyways, was sleeping in the tent during 2 strong thunderstorms. We put Ian in the camper with Nana and Papa to sleep...and Jason and I slept in the tent. Keep in mind, I LOVE storms...and it was actually really fun listening to the thunder and rain. However, I did stay awake pretty much the entire time it was storming because I was like, "are we going to float away?" Well, we didn't. There was a small puddle in the corner of the tent in the morning and there was pretty much a new lake in front of our tent...but other than that one corner, the rest of the tent, including out bedding, remained dry.

Finally, Sunday, we just hung around the campsite...visited the beach one last time, and then hit the road. We wished we could have stayed longer...but Jason and I both had to get back to work.

It was a quick but fun trip! Oh, and we got to see about 20 dolpins swim by on Saturday...that never gets old! Unfortunately, we did not get many pictures at all. Just kept forgetting about the camera. However, we did manage to get a few good ones that I have attached below. My favorite, I think, has to be the one of Ian giving me high 5! (Each time I created an Octopus in the sand, he would give me 5 and say, "Good shot mommy, *high 5*, now put another Octopus here"...and yes, he says it correctly now as opposed to how he used to say OCATAPUS!!)

Remember when...

Pocket Rockers were popular:



how about Simon:



and you can't forget about good ole Teddy Ruxpin:



Jason and I, well, more me than Jason, were reminiscing last night of the toys we had and played with when we were growing up. I started listing off some, several of which are listed above, and it brought back so many memories. Of course, the bottom piece of my Teddy Ruxpin's mouth fell off eventually...but I LOVED him...and he read me many stories.

I learned recently (from another friend of mines blog that I read a couple of months ago) that there is a new and improved Teddy Ruxpin out there who plays MP3 files. So, no more tapes that come unwound and get all tangled up inside Teddy. I also read that the new Teddy is slightly smaller and not as bulky and heavy...guess he lost some weight since the 80's! haha

Anyways...I think Ian would enjoy Teddy Ruxpin as much as I did...so I am thinking about asking Santa to bring him one for Christmas!

Welcome Autumn!

I'm definitely a summer girl...I love the hot weather, summer thunderstorms, green trees/grass, fresh homegrown vegetables...but today is the first day of Fall...and I am starting to get excited about turtlenecks, colored leaves, pumpkins, and turkey and dressing!!

After I got home last night from work/cycling and ate supper with Ian and Jason...I went to Ian's room to tackle the task of going through his clothes from last fall/winter to see what still fits him and what I need to buy.

It was quite funny...Ian was watching cartoons in the den, and I would yell at him periodically to come into his room and try something on. He came willingly...but after awhile...he came in there saying, "What now mommy?" He was a good sport though...and it got to the point where he would just run back and forth from the den in his diaper. He's so cute!

What I found out is that Ian seems to be in an awkward stage...where some of the stuff from last year barely fits...but not quite small enough to store away or give to my nephew, Ryan. By the way, I do have a few things for Ryan, Erin. Anyways, Ian's 2T LL Bean coat from last year actually fits pretty well...so I think we're going to be able to get another season out of it. In terms of buying new clothes...I am not quite sure what to do...I am afraid that the 3T stuff is going to be too big and 2T stuff is going to be too small. I guess I'll go with 3T though...I would rather get something too big than too small.

I met my goal last night though...and that was to see what he had...organize it into different categories "still fits", "too small, give to Ryan", and "too small for Ryan, save for next baby".

Now, I am compiling a list of things that he still needs...and hoping to go shopping in the next few weeks to complete his fall/winter wardrobe!

In God We Still Trust

Meet Blue Patchy

Ian brought this little guy home from daycare one day and told me his name was Blue Patchy. He LOVES Blue Patchy and flys him all around our house. I have come to love Blue Patchy myself. :)

And the best part is...I don't have to clean up after Blue Patchy!

BUSY BUSY Saturday

Jason spent the night in Georgia last night so that he would be there this morning for the Tugaloo Olympic Distance Triathlon. So, after Ian started yelling at me from his bedroom this morning at 7:30 that he was ready to get up...I was up for the day. Still dreaming of the day my child likes to SLEEP IN! Geez.

Anyways, I fed him breakfast and then hopped in the shower. I knew today was going to be GO GO GO. After I got myself ready and Ian ready...we left for our church at 9:30am. Our church is having a missionary conference this weekend that actually started on Wednesday and ends tomorrow. It is where we invite several missionary families to come, house them, have different events for them and just get to know them and learn more about where they live and what they do. Today's event was Family Fun day. We had face painting, jumpy houses for the kids, hot dog lunches, sno cones, and helicopter rides. So, Ian and I got to the church around 9:45. You had to be at least 2 to ride in the helicopter. I was so glad Ian could ride!! So, when I signed us up, we were #12.

Well, while we waited for our turn to ride, I took Ian over to get his face painted. He wanted another Tiger paw. What can I say...his blood runneth orange already!




Then, it was off to jump in the jumpy houses.

After the jumpy houses, Ian wanted to go check out the fire truck. They even gave them hats. Ian was not really excited about sitting in the driver's seat at first. However, after he saw his friend Wyatt sit there...he decided he wanted to try it.

Finally, it was our turn to ride in the helicopter. How AWESOME! Ian loved it. He was a little short to see out...but when the pilot would tilt a little, Ian could see out pretty good. I asked the pilot if he could fly over our house. So, I gave him directions and we were able to spot our house!! The yellow slide helped me spot it right away! Ian was so cute with the headset on and his sucker in his mouth!

Bethlehem Baptist Church
Dawkins Middle School
Our house!! Ian's new yellow slide helped me spot the house!

Our house again...on the corner

Our neighborhood...Bradford Crossing

Anderson Mill Elementary School

I-26

Once we landed from our helicopter ride, it was off to eat hot dogs for lunch!

Finally, I took Ian over to my mom's for a nap (which he never took...little stinker), so that Jason (who got back into Spartanburg right at 1) and I could make it to my co-worker, Chris' bother's funeral. I was so proud that my whole team came to support Chris. I am so blessed to work with such a great group!

After the funeral, we came home, changed clothes, cleaned up the kitchen a little, picked Ian up from my mom's, and then headed to meet the missionaries that our Sunday School class has adopted. We took them to the Flounder for dinner. These missionaries have been in Uganda. It was very interesting talking to Lou and Brandy and hear where they lived and what it was like being on the mission field.

FINALLY, we got home. I bathed Ian while Jason ran to the store for a few things...and then we put a very tired little boy to bed. Now, we're watching a little football and just relaxing.

WHEW...I am T. I. R. E. D.

PEACE OUT!

I have nipples?

So, night before last, I was putting Ian's pj's on when he looked down and found his nipples. He was like..."hey, that's a bungy tail". By the way, does anyone know what a bungy tail is? Yeah...me neither. Anyways, I said, "What did you call it?" Ian, "A bungy tail." Me, "No, son, those are called nipples." Ian, "Nipples?" Me, "Yes." Ian, "I gotta go tell daddy!!" Me, "ok...he'll be glad to know what they are."

So, Ian goes running into our den topless and proceeds to point out his nipples to Jason. Jason was like "WOW!" Jason then proceeds to lift his shirt and say, "Yeah, I have nipples too!!"

Ian is jumping up and down with excitement at this point. Who knew discovering nipples would be so exciting!!

Ian then looks at me...as if to say, ok mommy, show me yours...and I was like, "don't even think about it...I'm NOT showing mine!!"

Anyways...we just died laughing!!! Hilarious!

Playground UPDATE

Jason has been working hard on the playground. He worked on it most of Labor Day and got alot accomplished!!


Since the last update, we now have:


-3 roof trusses
-a roof
-slide attached
-rock wall built and attached

Ian's first experience in Death Valley

The 09 season of Clemson football officially began this past Saturday, 9-5-09...against Middle Tennessee State. Kickoff was 6pm.

I had been looking for tickets on Tiger Net for a couple of weeks now. Then, one day, I noticed an ad for 5 tickets for sale for face value in Section UO, Row D, North Stands. I was like WOW...those are great seats...and exactly where I like to sit when we go. I like to be high enough where I can see plays develop. So, I contacted this guy immediately and he still had them. I was SO excited!! So, my dad went shortly thereafter and put a money order in the mail and we had the tickets in hand by Monday, Aug 31st. And man were they great seats:

First kickoff of the 09 season:

We packed up stuff to grill hamburgers and were on the road by 10:30am. We grilled out and had fun throwing the football and just hanging out until game time.

Em sporting her Clemson gear and Tiger tattoo.

One of the guys at the tailgate beside us thought Ian was the stuff throwing the football to Jason and wanted a picture of him and his form. Our little man does have an arm on him! Watch out Parker! ;)

The kids in their "clubhouse" AKA Erin and Shane's van.

Me sporting my CJ Spiller Jersey! By the way...if they do a reprint of the Spiller for Heisman Life size posters and you want to get me one, I would be SO excited!!

This was a special game, as this was Ian's first experience in Death Valley. We decided we wanted to take him into the stadium and see how he did. We figured he would like seeing the band, Tiger, and football players on the field. We were so impressed with how he behaved. He did not cry one time. He just sat there and watched and watched. He loved finding the Tiger. He kept looking for him. Then, he noticed the band...and specifically the Tubas. He loved watching them march at halftime. He got so excited when the crowd would yell and cheer. He even got into it and started waving his hands, while yelling "GO TIGERS":

It started to rain on us during the 3rd quarter...but it wasn't too hard. It actually felt good because we were so hot.

Emma went into the stadium with us as well. She was well-behaved too. She was literally squealing with excitement when the Tigers gathered at the top of the hill, rubbed the rock, and ran down the hill following Dabo during the "25 most exciting seconds in college football"!!

We had a great time...and the best part was, the Tigers won, 37-14!!!