Aunt Kathy

So just before we left for the beach we got a call that Aunt Kathy passed away unexpectedly.  After being torn about what to do . . go or stay . . we finally decided it was in the best interests of our little family to just continue with the vacation.  Although my heart was broken, I was able to do a lot of legal work directly from the sand of Edisto and the kids were still able to enjoy time with their cousins.

Kathy was a very special lady.  She was truly gifted in the area of sewing and was also very generous.  When I was fresh out of college and wanted to buy a home she was the one that didn't blink an eye at loaning me several thousand dollars for a down payment.  Although she was very quiet and private, if anyone needed anything we knew we could always ask her.  As we sort through her house and personal belongings, I pray that I can find something tangible to hold onto that will frequently remind me of her and her sweet spirit.  I also pray that she knew Jesus.  If so, I know she and mom are having a grand time in Heaven together. ;)

Our family at Kathy's memorial service

Edisto 2015

We are finally here!

Wednesday morning bright and early (well, a bit later than expected) we loaded the car, hit Chick fil A for breakfast and headed to Edisto Beach for our annual  vacation with Dave's family.  The kids loved spending time with their cousins in the sand and waves!  Here are a few pictures from our trip . . . 

One of the trip highlights was seeing a sea turtle nest uncovered and baby turtles released.  We learned a ton about how the mamas lay their eggs and then the babies find their way to the ocean.  They are protected by national laws so there was a ranger there when the nest was uncovered, but how cool was it to see the crew find 7 baby sea turtles (that hadn't been able to find their way out of the sand) and then to set them free!  Those of us that were there made a path with our feet and watched them scurry to the ocean.

Unfortunately we had some rain a few afternoons, but not until there had been plenty of fun in the sun. :)  We also enjoyed our first Bingo night on the island and lots of delicious food. Here are few more pictures from our mini vaca.

Savannah's model shot

Preston's model shot

My cute kiddos!

Cousins

Family picture, crazy Preston

Grammy & Papa with the grand kids

The girls sporting their new visors

and what trip is complete without Dave being buried in the sand . . . Preston joined him this year

Morning routine of feeding the turtles

Our last day there the beach was pretty much non existent!  It was super windy and the tide seemed to be high all day. . . so the kids just made it an adventure of seeing who could get up the sand wall without falling down.

My favorite picture!  Savannah & Preston enjoying the beach!

It was a fun trip, but we were certainly glad to be home in the comfort of our own beds late Saturday night!  A huge thank you to Grammy & Papa for treating us to another great vacation.

Preston's 2nd Lost Tooth

Once again this kid managed to get his tooth out on the exact day he realized it was loose!  We were driving home from Waxhaw and all of a sudden Preston says "my tooth is loose."  I quickly said "well don't touch it!  You know I don't do teeth and daddy will be home soon!"  I guess I should have learned from last time that he doesn't care that I don't do teeth because before I knew it Savannah was screaming "MOM, there's blood everywhere!"  Ahhh!!!!  So, needless to say, Preston successfully pulled his second tooth today!

Savannah's First Overnight Carmel Kidz Camp ~ Tabernacle

Okay, I had no idea how hard it would be to see the 5 charter buses pull out of our church parking lot . . . and I could never put into words just how it felt knowing that my child was going to a far-away camp for an entire week and would be completely in someone else's care. It was a very strange feeling indeed.  And I did well until I realized after getting back home that she left her lovey at home!!!  OH NO!  I went into panic mode and was up literally most of the night praying for her and that she would be okay without B.  After texting a few friends to pray I realized that there was a way to get it to her the next day!  Hooray!  Only, after I delivered it to a friend driving to camp, I got a text from Savannah's counselor saying that she didn't want the darn thing.  Back to retrieve B I went.  Anyway, once I started getting texts from camp and I could see all of the smiling faces I felt much better and knew that she was having a blast!

Savannah & Laney

Their sweet cabin

Devotion time by the lake

A bit of rain on the way to nighttime chapel

All of the girls in their group/cabin

Does she look tired of what?!?

Breakfast one morning

 To say that the week was amazing is an understatement based on the reports I received.  Savannah had such a wonderful time, built friendships, and learned a ton as she dug into God's word.  I am simply amazed at how much she learned and how much fun she had in the process.  However, she did say that she was excited to be home!

There she is!!  Finally home!!!

I'm not sure who was more excited to see her walk off of the bus, even daddy came for her arrival!  We made a sign and held it high as she pulled into the church parking lot.  She talked non-stop for a long time, but then I sent her to the shower and rest time.  She said she just wanted to read, but before I knew it she was fast asleep.  She slept for hours before we had to pick up Preston from camp . . . then off to dinner out to celebrate!

Welcome Home Savannah!!!

Preston's Week as an Only Child

This week has been very interesting at our house!  With Savannah gone, Preston got to experience being an only child first hand . . and for the most part he did really well and lived it up! 

Monday we were invited to a friend's pool for the morning.  He loved playing with Jake & Luke at the Brookhaven pool.  We had lunch there, changed, and then he went straight to SLIME camp at the YMCA.  Knowing that the afternoon hours might be hard with sissy gone I signed him up for an all-week camp that was from 1:30-5:30 every afternoon.  He loved every second of camp!  After pick up, Dave and I took him out to dinner at Hickory Tavern.  Again, it was very interesting having him with the two of us without Savannah.

Tuesday after his regular play time at the YMCA (while I worked out) we came home and he was super content to just play legos for awhile.  Before we knew it the time had come for camp again . . and then we dressed up as cows for free Chick fil A dinner.  I had a meeting at church so Preston went home with daddy and by the time I got home he was fast asleep in bed.

Wednesday the morning started with his annual well visit with Dr. Baker. He's still growing and developing well (holding steady in the 50th percentile).  There was camp again Wednesday, which by this point, left our little Peanut pretty exhausted.  He had a major meltdown Wednesday night and almost lost his fun outing for Thursday!

John Robert, Preston, and Hamilton (Ben was also there)

Thankfully I didn't completely cancel the Thursday fun because these little guys had a blast at the Y pool!  I did limit the time we stayed there and we came home right after lunch.  After camp pick up today the excitement continued as we went to pick up Dave's new car, Papa Smurf!!  We already had decided on the car, negotiated pricing, sent a down payment along with our ID, insurance, etc . . . so I thought the process of "picking up the car" would be quick!  HA!  It was fun to arrive and actually see the new car though.  And again, Preston loved the attention he received by the sales people and managers.  The finance guy even let him draw a picture on the document pad while we were signing the real paper. :)

Then, at last it was time for Savannah to come home.  We were ALL super excited to see the buses roll into Carmel Friday at 11:30am.  It was a fun week with Preston, but there was just something missing with big sister away.

And She's Off . . . To A Week of Overnight Camp!!!

How much stuff do I have to label?!?

For weeks Savannah has been counting down the days to Children's Camp at church.  She has been SO excited and couldn't wait to start packing.  I put it off as long as I could knowing that every last sock would have to be labeled before leaving, but Saturday was the day to officially pack her for a week-long summer sleep over camp.  She loved even the packing, but I about lost my mind with trying to label everything . . .

It's becoming super real now as we're about to put her suitcase on the bus!

I have to say that it didn't really hit me until walked her into church and put her on the row with Lodge 9.  She is going to be in someone else's care for an entire week.  A week of swimming, playing, laughing, learning, late nights, stories, and so much more  . . . all without mommy.  We reviewed all we could about where stuff was packed and how often to put on sunscreen and bug spray but there is just a piece of me that left Charlotte today.  A very strange feeling to know that she is away for an entire week. I know she is very capable and responsible, most of the time.  I also know that there is an army of counselors and staff there to care for the 230 children that left today.  But as we watched the 5 charter buses pull away it was a very strange feeling.

We are going to miss Savannah this week!!!

These two are thrilled to be going to camp together!!

So for now I'm trying to focus not on whether or not she remember her lovey and if she'll get enough sleep, but to focus on loving my little Peanut for a week.  Yet another first for us to be able to enjoy a house of three again, this time with Preston.  I have some fun planned for him this week so hopefully we'll all survive and not worry to much about Savannah.

If you're reading this please pray for Savannah as she's away.  Pray for safety, for a wonderful time and for her to grow in her faith as she learns all about the Tabernacle and just how much God loves her!

A Family Fun 4th

Our Saturday, the 4th started bright and early with a good long run for me (7 miles) and running club for Savannah.  We weren't really sure what the rest of the day would look like, but there was something nice about having so much freedom and family time. :)  We ended up going to play mini golf here in town and then came home to enjoy the rest of the afternoon.  The weather was amazing so we spent hours outside on the deck.  The kids played with water balloons and Dave and I read, rested and got caught up on some computer work too.

Loving the new water balloon pump

After our yummy BBQ dinner with all the fixins, we went to Waxhaw to watch the fireworks.  About 10 minutes into the show we had two extremely tired, whiny kids on our hands so we headed home for bed!  Preston slept to an unheard of 8:15 today . . . so we missed the early service but have enjoyed another day at home today.  Here's to another fun week of summer!!

Preston's July 4th artwork