Family Vaca 2012 - Tropical Storm Debby

Well, we started our summer family vacation by meeting Tropical Storm Debby at the beach. What timing! I took the picture below when I was out for a run on Sunday.

Those of you familiar with the Gulf know it usually doesn't look like that at ALL. The tide was so high the waves meet you at the bottom of the beach access stairs. I also saw guys carrying boards to go surfing. Definitely not something you usually see on 30A!

Dan's parents came too and spent four nights with us. So fun! Thankfully, they came armed with lots of games and an iPad which kept Luke and Maddie entertained.

I brought a 1000 piece puzzle and that kept us adults entertainment as we waited to see which path Debby would take.

(This is the top half we completed!)

I was grateful that the eye of the storm didn't pass over us! There was a lot of rain on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday morning but we never had any real scary weather. So thankful. The clouds continued to swirl on Monday afternoon but it never stormed. We spent the afternoon at the pool where I proved that even with tropical storm clouds filling the sky, you can still get a sunburn. Ouch!

Love him!

 

The Princess turns 4!

 

This sweetness turns four today! 

With great fondness we retire the number three. Yahoo! Three came in like a lion as Maddie, with her VERY strong will, asserted her independence and expressed her frustrations with an intensity that about blew my hair back. While she still has a strong will and is extremely independent, her communication skills have developed and she can express herself so much better. Maddie is one direct girl! This mad-skill has helped her become calmer and the temper-tantrums have become less intense (most of the time.) Maddie is also super sweet with her servant's heart and loves her family so much. Lately, I've been getting to see her creative side. Her drawings can be very good for her age and where you might she a box...she sees anything but a box. This little girl owns my heart and I'm so grateful to be her mommy! 

Here are the pics of her family birthday celebration:

A princess card that plays music? Yes, please!

 

Opening presents. So fun!

 

Waiting for her birthday cake.

She wanted a Belle cake this year.

 

She tried to blow them out all at once but it ended up being one at a time.

Maddie was over the paparazzi at this point but I still think she is super cute even with that forced smile!

Happy birthday, Maddie. Even though you announced today that you're no longer a baby (and therefore shouldn't be rocked while being hugged), you'll always be my sweet baby girl and I love you very much!!

The Best Gift

I loved all the gifts that I received today as we celebrated Mother's Day; however, one touched my heart more because of the season God has me in at the moment. See, he has reminded me (once again) that this season with Luke and Maddie is short. VERY SHORT. In one year, Luke will be at the halfway point of his time with us. Soon, he'll want to be with his friends more than his mom, there will be the demands of school work, he'll get a part-time job, and then he'll be preparing to leave our home. I will not get this season back.

So all the good things that call to me - the lives I want to invest in, the opportunities to lead, and things that just sound like fun...I have to put them on hold. Lord willing, there will be time for those things once Luke and Maddie are older. Now is the time to invest, and lead, and do fun things with Luke and Maddie while they still think I'm the greatest and smartest person they know. This season will end and it will go by with a unfathomable speed.

So, I've pulled back from all of my outside commitments except for my work. Opportunities continue to knock on my door and I have to stay vigilant in saying, "Not now." It's so hard for me but I know that's what I need to do in this season.

And today, Luke gave me this card:

Happy Mother's Day

I love you because you take care of me.

I like to read with my mommy.

I like when you hug and kiss me.

You are very special to me!

Luke

5-11-2012

Wow! He notices the things I do for him. He still likes for me to hug and kiss him. I'm very special to him. Not only did it melt my heart but it confirmed I've made the right decision in slowing down.

So to all of those good opportunities I must say, "Not now." This season is short. I will not come around this way again. I'm doing the best thing I can do right now.

De Wind...

De wind is what comes after one of Maddie's stories. As in...



Girl makes me laugh!!

WMD

Maddie has a temper.

For those of you who have never seen it, that may come as a surprise. For those of you who have bared witness to it, you know it can be hot and intense...blow your hair back!

As her verbal capabilities have increased, the expression of her anger has changed from hitting, kicking, and screaming at you to verbalizing her frustration.

Her latest phrase of choose when she is really mad:
I wanna smash the whole world!

How is she going to smash the whole world?

With her gym, gym shoe of course!
These shoes my friends are weapons of mass destruction!!

MIA

On Saturday, December 17, Luke lost his first tooth. It had been loose for weeks and wiggly for days. There was even another tooth growing in behind it. Yikes! The baby tooth finally was just hanging on by a thread, so Luke worked it and it finally come out. He was so excited because this meant the tooth fairy was going to be paying him a visit. Woo-hoo!

When Luke came home on Wednesday, December 21, we noticed a second tooth was missing. We questioned him but he had no recollection of loosing it. What, what?

Does that freak anyone else out?