Simon and Alex

Kelly came over last Thursday to spend the day up here. Simon and Alex had a grand time together. To me, it was really apparent that Simon was trying to 'show off' for Alex. It was like he was showing him all the wonderful things that a 'big boy' could do. Simon did things he NEVER does. Harmless, but weird things. For example, he knows not to bring things out of the pantry, but at one point he was sitting at the kitchen table, in an 'adult chair,' holding an upopened jar of banana peppers and acting like he was eating them. He also ran into the kitchen, opened a lower cupboard, which he never does, and pulled out a plastic bowl and lid to bring to Alex.

Simon is finally over his ear infection and we are finally finished with his round of antibiotics. The weather here has been gorgeous; we've been using the air conditioner pretty much only at night. I can be rough it with air-temp in the day, but at night I like to be cool, cold almost. Maybe we should shut the vents in Simon's room, though, he seems to be pretty cold when he gets up in the morning.

Simon and I enjoyed a nice walk this morning. Hoping to run an errand to Kroger before he expires. We already had our lunch of blueberries, yogurt, and oatmeal.

I am almost inspired by the weather to go walking in the early morning. It is kind of nice to be able to pray and listen to music solo. But, Simon, so enjoys the stroller rides, and I don't think I want to make the time committment to go twice .... Hmm...what a nice dilemma.

Reunion

Last Sunday we had the opportunity to spend a few hours with Nancy and Barbara at Panera's. We didn't want to miss the opportunity to chat, reconnect, and pray with Barbara before she leaves for Iraq at the end of this month.

Don't forget: a baby shower for Nancy on Sunday, Oct. 8th, at 1:30 in Mesquite at the Davis' home! Ms. Tami has been nice enough to let me host the shower at her home so people don't have to trek up here to Carrollton!

Simon is walking around saying, "Bless you." I'm not sure why. No one is sneezing.

Also, Way of the Master training is this Sunday at WBC from 9-3, then we'll apply what we learn afterward in the West End (witnessing.) Matt and I are excited to spend mostly all day with youth and then that evening, when we take any Christ Wesleyan kiddos home, we will be hanging out with them for the rest of the evening!

Now Simon just looked at me and said, "Uh oh." I think this was in response to our mail carrier making a noise on our front porch as they delivered the mail.

Family Photo Shoot

Simon and Daddy.






Simon and Daddy again. Matt on the iBook, again. :)
Funny story: Simon has a book called "The Eye Book." He practically has it memorized and LOVES to hear it read to him. The other day we heard Simon calling for his "Eye Book," but it sounded for a second like he was asking for the iBook!












Another photo.














It was so nice to be able to wear a long-sleeved shirt!

The Boy

Such a happy face!





Candid shots from the "Apple Barn."






Drinking apple cider.















Munchkin's face.










All Done.








Happy times at the Pisgah Inn.

The Many Faces of Life and Love

Two-stepping.











A hug.















Another hug.














Playing under the apple tree.














Male bonding.

A Change in Scenery

It was such a nice change to be in the mountains, where it wouldn't have really mattered if there was air-conditioning or not!

I forgot to share a funny story that happened on the beach. Matt was still 'working' with our rebellious kite, and Simon and I went for a walk. A couple walking a BIG black dog stopped to let Simon pet it. Simon called the dog "Sammy," even though Shay's dog Sammy is probably only 8 inches high! The gentleman was trying to get the dog to "Sit" and "Stay." What was funny was when Simon sat so sweetly and stayed, thinking the directions were for him!

Next

We had a great day together on the beach! Simon was scared of the ocean, though, but he loved the sand and the shells. We went out for pizza at the Island's pizza place, and spent the evening trying to fly a kite on the beach! The air-helper had brought us over a window unit that we put in the bedroom with the king-bed where we hung out when we weren't outside. More bonding came after the beach fun and before going out for pizza when I tried for almost 2 hours to get Simon to calm down and sleep. Only asleep 45 minutes and he gets REALLY sick. Trust me, no details would be wanted on this. So, a bath later, we try and recoup the evening with going out for pizza. Of course, only Matt and I eat!

That night, Simon is REALLY excited about the 3rd night of sleeping with Mommy and Daddy. We are a little scared (for GOOD reason) and put lots of towels under him. Yep, about midnight Simon bonds REALLY well with daddy and then daddy takes a shower and mommy gives Simon a bath. Simon spends the rest of the night on the floor. Mommy also spends most of the night on the floor with Simon on his makeshift bed, comforting him and singing and rocking ... This is my third night of practically no sleep. While sleeping with mommy and daddy equals great fun for Simon, it equals no sleep for mommy!

Did I mention we were all sick with congestion, headaches, and sore throats, too?

I know this might sound like complaining, but really it was quite funny! We bonded as a family and feel that if we could live through those 2 days together and not turn on each other (completely, there were some moments!), then we are only stronger for it!

On our way up to Asheville the next day, we drove through Charleston. It was raining, and Simon was sleeping in the van, but I was able to go into our favorite bakery on Meeting Street and get some pralines--our souvenir from our 'day' in Charleston!

We are thankful for: the pumpkin muffins that we ate between many meals and for 2 breakfasts, audio books, the window unit which made it possible for us to stay another day, God's glorious creation, each other, Simon's general health (even if not experienced on the trip,) Simon's general contentment in the van, our bonding experiences, the fact that there is a beach house we could stay at, pralines, Matt's family's understanding and flexibility, no car troubles, caffeine in its most choice forms-SoBe Energy Drinks (Matt) and Starbucks (Amy)!

The Beginning

We hit the road for our family vacation on Friday afternoon.

The pix of Matt and Simon in the car was taken right before take-off.

Earlier on Friday, Simon helped me make pumpkin muffins for the road. These would turn out to be helpful, maybe even life-sustaining!

The next chronological pix is of Simon and Matt in the hotel room. We arrived in Monroe, LA around 10:00 p.m. We had our work cut out for us with getting us, Simon, overnite stuff, and two bikes in the hotel and up the elevator!

Next, in our timeline, comes the landscape pix taken from a moving van. Not bad for being in motion, huh? Somehow, we managed to get a pretty pix of LA. I know it sounds terrible, but we really DO NOT like Louisiana. Never have, really, and somehow this trip reminded us how much we enjoy traveling east on I-30 to Little Rock, then I-40 to Memphis, Nashville, etc. vs. the I-20 route. AGH, it's terrible.

Normally, we love Cracker Barrell, but the one in Shreveport practically changed our minds. I'd share the story, but don't want to dredge up bad memories!

So, we got up early Saturday morning for the rest of the drive to Edisto Island. We listened to an entire 15 hour audio book. We also experience HORRIBLE service at another place of dining. Not complaining, only trying to share a bit of our fun! We bonded in laughter over the whole ordeals. Our bonding was just beginning.

Next bonding junction: unloading at the beach house upon midnight arrival. Too tired to figure out the new elevator, so we hauled up our luggage. An hour later, we realize the air we turned on upon arrival is NOT WORKING! Hard to stay positive in a house whose air has been turned off for maybe 6 weeks (the last time it was inhabited!). Imagine the heat. Imagine again, it takes a great imagination to imagine this intense, humid heat.

Poor Simon. He became dilirious, maybe hallucinating in the heat, running around and such. Okay, maybe he was just acting like a 2 year old. After some prayers for patience and trying several methods of getting the air to turn on, we pulled a queen mattress under the fan in the great room and slept with Simon. Simon is starting to think this is a new, fun, routine. Sleeping with mommy and daddy at the hotel and the next night, too!

So, the next morning, the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, we call our grandparents to let them know the air isn't working. We get the number for the air maintenance service and miraculously get in touch with them on a Sunday. I'm feeling a little harried, worried about Simon getting a heat rash or dehydrating. (When we reached the island the night before, everything (which is basically the Piggly Wiggly) is closed and Simon had to sleep for the first time without his nightly cup of milk. Poor guy, such a long van ride and such a hot house and now, no milk!

On Sunday morning, before the air-helper came, we bought some milk at Piggly Wiggly. Good think we didn't stock up on groceries, as we didn't end up staying! At first, the maintenance man spoke words of hope, he was filling up the system with coolant and that should last a week, since it had a leak. Then, he came back in and told us the leak was so bad that it would have to be fixed and that could take a few days for all the parts to come in!

So, after conversing with Matt's parents and brother who were supposed to meet us there later that day, we decided to change our plans and spend the week together in Asheville, NC instead at their cabin there. Matt's parents changed their driving en route and headed up to the mountains instead. Luckily, Matt's brother hadn't left his place yet which was only a couple of hours from the cabin. We decided to spend the rest of the day on the island, experience what we could of the beach, and then head out the next a.m. for Asheville.