The Best Day

Steven and I were sitting on our back porch reading and talking this afternoon. As he was reading me an excerpt from his book, and I was supposed to be listening, I got a little sidetracked by this:

We watched this little guy for a very long time. I'm not sure there was very much progress made in the consumption of this butterfly, but it certainly was interesting to watch.


We did pretend to be National Geographic photographers for a few minutes. That is, until Steven ran in to some metal toy of the kids lying on the ground.

After we had our fill of the lizard eating lunch and the boys were taking naps, we did a bit of work on riding without training wheels. It didn't take him long to catch on.

That was just the encouragement ride so Elle could see just how easy it is! She was a great sport and made many a run up and down the sidewalk. Still a long way to go but it's a start...

And as long as she held her mouth right, she didn't fall.

After the boys woke up, we went to our new favorite spot. It's a little arboretum right next to the middle school in town. There's tons of trees, leaves, trails, grass, acorns and sticks. There's a beautiful old white wooden Presbyterian church. There's a bench swing hanging from two trees. There is no playground equipment. And the kids love it.

The boys did much better this morning at Sunday school. And Grady was so proud of himself. When Steven went to pick him up {because I'm still too embarassed to show myself to the teacher after the showing last week?!}, he said, "Daddy, I did so good, I didn't even cry!"

Pumpkin Patch

We made it to the pumpkin patch on Saturday. It was a nice, bright, summer day in October.

The tractor-pulled wagon ride to the patch was very exciting.

They had a blast climbing and jumping off the hay bales. Grady got a little scared a few times and told a man near by, "You have to help me!". Elle, however, had no fear.

She's out of focus in this one, but I loved her skirt!


This means "I think there is something in the sky".

"I was right. Helicopter."

A little face painting to end the morning.

I love to be able to take several pictures fast and in a row. Some of the faces and expressions we get are amazing. And it's even more amazing that we rarely get one good shot:).

We made it to Sunday school this morning. It was not a good showing. My 3 year old and my 15 month old both pitched some good fits upon being dropped off. And I got buzzed with only 10 minutes left. I wasn't really sure who it might be since we get the same buzzer for both boys. It was Reese. Maybe next week will be better...

The way we do marathons

I really don't understand why well-child doctor visits take so long. But that's okay. I told the kids after our 2 1/2 hour stint this morning, that next time, I was bringing our suitcase, sleeping bags, lunch, toys, etc. I am happy to report that everyone checked out great. It was Reese's 15 month check-up and Grady's 3 year. And Elle got to receive a lovely flu shot.

Reese: 25 lbs 5 oz, 32 3/4 in

He does have a huge head. I have noticed that it is more and more difficult to get shirts over his head and sure enough, his gourd measured in the 95th percentile. However, it's been this big from the beginning. He was growing nicely along his curve and so we'll just say he has a large brain:). The doctor did want us to have his eyes checked because she noticed a slight difference in the way his pupils reacted to the light. At the most, he might need glasses. Nothing major. We checked Elle's vision at 10 months and again at 4 years and she checked out fine so maybe he will too. He got a finger stick and 3 shots?!

Grady: 34 lbs 2 oz, 38 1/2 in

He did great on his vision and hearing tests. However, the circle that he drew was a bit substandard. Again, no worries. Just normal differences in the gross motor and fine motor stuff of boys/girls. Boys are too busy playing rough and tumble to slow down and draw with a crayon. For now, I will try to encourage him to color and draw when he seems interested, which is more often now that we are doing school at home. Grady got to get the flu mist nose spray vaccine as well as 2 shots.

There was a good bit of screaming during shot time.

Yesterday morning, Elle and Grady had their dental check-ups. No cavities. She did say that Grady will have to see an orthodontist pretty early because he has a crooked bite, which we were aware of. At least that means I don't have to fight the thumb sucking since he'll be in braces anyway:).

We've had a great week enjoying the weather. We've spent a lot of time outside. We went to the park one day and the kids rode their bicycles some around the trails. Grady is doing so well with his bike. Now we need to work with Elle on losing the training wheels! This will be the first weekend we've all been home in almost a month and I have to confess that while I enjoyed our travels and time with family, I am looking forward to a weekend at home. We might attempt a pumpkin patch tomorrow. And maybe even worship on Sunday.

Off to do school since we missed our morning session with our marathon doctor appointment. We're making applesauce this afternoon!

The Frog Prince

We went to see The Frog Prince at the Children's Theatre this morning. The kids seemed to really enjoy it, even little Reese. Although when the princess brought out her golden ball, I thought he was going to take off to the stage. It was "Home school Day", so I assembled a couple of my friends and their kids and the Salter Home school attended. I knew we would need a cool name for something.

Reese is doing better. His WBC count was up, but still low enough for him to be pretty susceptible to other illnesses. I already had his 15 month check-up scheduled for next Friday. Hopefully, he'll be back to 100% by then {so he can be infected with more shots:)}.

I tried to take food down to the family yesterday but no one answered the door. I saw her leave a little while later. I have had some good conversations with a few neighbors. Still praying for them and for opportunities to show love and support.

I'm listening Lord

The kids and I walked out last night after dinner to take a walk. We came down the drive way and a neighbor we see often passed by on his motorcycle and waved. As we dipped a little off the main road and crossed the cul-de-sac, I heard the worst noise. It's still ringing in my head this morning. I knew what had happened and I just knew he couldn't have survived. We looked up at the top of the hill and there was the truck and underneath was a crumbled mess. I stood there in shock for a few minutes as the events processed. I didn't have my phone with me but I did have all three kids. I saw some people running to the scene. His friend that had been riding with him was on the grass hill beside the truck on his knees with his head in his hands. I don't know how long we stood there before I realized I needed to get the kids back to the house and get my phone. I heard sirens as we hurried home. My next door neighbor pulled in to her drive way with tears streaming down her face. She had driven right past the accident.

The fire truck, ambulance, and several police cars were there now. Steven had made it home. We all stood in the drive way in shock. I had just seen him and said hello and now he was underneath a truck. Another neighbor pulled down the street and confirmed what I had thought since the terrible sound. We continued to stand outside in shock and watch the red and blue sirens whirl. The car with his family inside drove past us up the hill. They wouldn't let them go to the scene. Steven watched as the police and medic told the wife her husband was dead. He heard her screams.

I needed to go to the grocery store. Two hours after the accident, the emergency personnel were still there working. I drove around the detour, but saw his body on the pavement covered by a sheet. As I came back from the store, I passed the tow trucks with the truck that he hit and the one with the scraps of metal that had been his motorcycle.

I am praying for this family today and praying that God would show me how to love them in their grief and that many would trust in Jesus. I am confident that many of our neighbors are wrestling with thoughts of death, tragedy, the brevity of life. I am hoping that as I open my mouth to talk with them, God's grace and our need for forgiveness would come out. That I would seize opportunities to do so.

We had a great weekend in Dothan with family. Steven competed in his first ever triathlon and did well. The kids enjoyed playing in Poppey and Gigi's backyard and with all the toys at their house. We went to a new playground that was lots of fun for the kids (and adults!).

Reese is fighting a viral infection hard. He ran fever all weekend, was extremely lethargic and had no appetite. The doctor yesterday ruled out strep, but said his white blood cell count was so low he couldn't afford to be exposed to any other illness right now. His body was worn all the way down fighting this one. We go back in the morning to recheck his count to make sure it is coming back up. He seems better, has been eating a bit more, but is still very tired. I'm going now to enjoy my kids and this beautiful day God has given us...

Reminded

Hello! I apologize to my avid reader {my sister} for my lack of posts and pictures. Our lives have been moving right along without much incidence. Unfortunately, there are many around me who have faced tragedy after tragedy. From full term still births, to fatal teenage car accidents, to a surgery related stroke that took the life of a young wife and mother of 2 year old twins. God tells us plainly that we "are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes", but we don't believe Him. We forget that only He knows the number of our days, and it might not be a full 80+ years. It might be tomorrow. But He doesn't call us to live in fear that something could happen. We live knowing that what matters is God and His purposes. We love people. We help those who need help. We forgive when someone hurts us. We ask forgiveness when we are the ones doing the hurting. And, by God's grace, we don't get caught up in the millions of trivial things that really won't matter if today is our last.

Death is certain. Physical death at least. But spiritual death doesn't have to be. I am reminded of these things and encouraged to beg God to give me a passion for Him and for the things that are on His heart.

The Beach

The trip down on Friday was really good. I've decided that we should never plan car trips when my kids should be sleeping. They do much better when they stay awake and eat and play. I'm not sure why it took me so long to realize this. If they don't sleep in the car, then stop trying to drive during nap time?! The house we rented was so cool. It had a third floor loft with a twin over full bunk that became Elle and Grady's "room". We even had room to put Reese in his own bedroom in his pack and play! The house was right across the street from the pool, which if you have young kids, you know how convenient that is. We could take a short two minute drive to the public beach access.

We headed down the the beach bright and early Saturday morning. It was beautiful, but unfortunately, the water was full of seaweed. But there was plenty of sand that needed to be played with.

The seaweed also brought in these bizarre sea slugs, or sea hares as I later found out. I have never seen these (that I can remember) in all my years of going to the beach. They were oozing purple stuff. Elle and I have been studying creation and we had just finished the 5th day where God created all the sea creatures. He said it was good, so I guess He meant these sea slugs too.

After an early dinner out Saturday night, we went back down to the beach to play and watch the sunset. The kids were going nuts. Running like crazy up and down the sand. Laying in it. Rolling in it. Sliding in it. Digging in it.

This is how Grady looked when we got ready to leave. There was sand over every exposed part of his body. I'm proud to report not one grain got in his eye. And there was no crying. Only laughing.

Reese was a bit confused by all the rolling in the sand.

Sunday and Monday were equally gorgeous. The water was free of seaweed and therefore, sea hares. We did see dolphins, a few rays, jellyfish (while out on the kayak), fish, crabs, seagulls, pelicans, and even two hineys from some thong swimsuits. What's a trip to the beach without a few naked bottoms, right?

Monday was a bit stressful because I was waiting on a call from the anesthesia department to go over instructions for surgery as well as tell me what time to be there Tuesday morning. The day went on and I never got a call. I tried every number possible: the urologist's office, the outpatient surgery center, the anesthesia pre-screening people. Nothing but answering machines. I called the hospital operator and she kindly informed me that every one was off for Labor Day. I finally had my neighbor go to our house and find the paperwork (which I forgot?!) and give me the right number. The number you are supposed to call if nobody calls you by 11 AM. Called it. Rang and rang and rang and rang. No answer. Not even an answering machine.

Long story short, Monday night was a bit restless. I called the anesthesia department at 5:30 AM and thankfully everything worked out and we were there by our scheduled time of 7:15. Come to find out, they had my number wrong. Switched two digits. I did call last week to verify the number:). Reese was back to normal today. He hasn't acted like he is in any pain at all. That is, until he stuck his fingers in between the oven drawer and the oven when it was on tonight. And they got stuck. I was right there so it was only a few seconds, but enough to burn his little fingers. Nothing like a little second degree blister burn on your two finger tips. He's bandaged up well with some neosporin and gauze tonight.