Graham's Big Surprise

When Dan and I were up a few weeks ago working on the house, we saw this sign at the local tire store:

On Thursday, Dan took Graham to meet the new pediatrician-turns out he had a pretty serious ear infection, tonsilitis, and some kind of viral thing going on. I'm happy to report, that today, Sunday-he's well! It's so hard to see such a little person down for so long! Surprisingly, after everything Graham's body has been through with eczema and allergies, this is the first time he's ever had to take antibiotics. Started him on some probiotics today, and that seems to be helping to keep the tummy in check, so far.

Well, Dan told Graham he had a surprise coming if he could be super-brave at the Dr.'s office... and boy was he surprised! This boy has always been fascinated by monster trucks, and it sure was tough to get him out of that big 'ol tire.

We also had a quick lesson in those giant mounds of misery you'll find in the south...fire ant hills! We had our share of those in FL, too, but all of this red dirt makes for some enormous mounds.

Graham asked the driver many questions like..."where does the gas go? How do you get up there? How do you protect yourself if you crash? " But my favorite was..."is it fun to crush cars?"

Moving on...

Ooo-wee, gotta say, I'm missing that Florida sunshine today!!!

Packing, driving, unpacking, eating, sleeping...this sums up life in the last week! Totally thankful for friends and family who assisted us in EVERY way. Thank you for loving on us in such selfless ways! Graham was so excited to move, I spent a little of his last day at school in his classroom, and his classmates knew every detail of our move, it was so cute. The saddest thing is that within an hour of our arrival, he was sound asleep in our bed with a fever! He's still working on something. Graham was Uncle Tom's riding buddy in the extra-large moving truck...that grin lasted for most of the 14 hours we spent driving (could've been 12 if the big 'ol truck didn't have that blasted speed control!)
Tom and Colton flew home last night, and now we're left to unpack the haul... I'm happy to announce the kitchen and kid's room/bathroom are finished! Dan took Hannah Reece to the farmers market...check out all of this yummy produce! We spread it all out so she could show me her "fruits".

Better get back to work! Gosh, it sure is quiet in this house...

Update in Eight

Thought this would be a fun way to get up to speed in times like these, when there's a lot going on... so here it is...an update in eight!

1. Graham's pet rock. Graham found this little rock downstairs...brought it upstairs and carefully washed and dried it in the sink. The next day, he said he needed paper, scissors and a "bed". "I need to make a house for my rock." With said supplies, he fashioned paper walls, a door and roof. Next, he fluffed the little cotton ball for the bed, and I helped him fold the parts and tape them together. He seems very satisfied with his rock house. Oh and his name is "Hardy".

2. Strawberry pickin' at Farmer Mike's. Graham's first and only field trip to Farmer Mike's to pick strawberries was a new experience for me, too! We rode with his buddy, Caden, (they've been friends in Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4) they had a big time riding in the back seat together...just cracking up and telling each other 'jokes' the whole time. Look at the haul! Heather and Alex came for dinner that night and we had Angel Food cake with sugary strawberries and Reddi-whip on top, YUM, nothing like fresh-picked produce!

3. Hair splitter. Our littlest one has taken to splitting hairs when she has been corrected. Several weeks ago, when asked to sit down on the sofa (instead of jumping on it)...she replied with..."Sofa? Momma, dis is a couch.

Then, a few nights ago, I told her she needed to try one bite of everything on her plate, and I helped her place a tiny bite of strawberry salad on her little fork (the kind that is more like a "spork" than a fork). She proceeded to "accidentally" knock about half of the little bite off of her fork. I said, "Hannah Reece, eat everything that was on your fork, please." To which she replied..."Momma dis is not a fork...dis a spoon." *sigh*

4. Working on the new place. Dan's been in Charlotte for nine days, staying at the new house, while attending classes . I flew to Charlotte (while the kids stayed at camp Nana-Papa) Sunday-Tuesday. And we painted, stripped wallpaper border, cleaned, painted, cleaned, painted, and grabbed a bite to eat and a snooze in there too! So glad we did this! It was fun to work on house projects together...to be able to focus on the task at hand together without needing to take care of the needs/wants of our dynamic duo. Also glad we went up in advance, because there were a few important repairs to be made like....a broken sink, broken toilet, several non-working outlets and a broken heater! One of the perks of renting is that instead of calling the plumber, electrician and heater repair, we called... the landlord :)

The trading-spaces-gone-wrong bathroom: (which is now a soft butterscotch color)

Before: Wallpaper border galore!

After: Wallpaper border, no more!

Kiddos hanging out watching the shuttle again on Papa's computer...they took the kids out in the boat to watch the shuttle, and they're both still talking about it!

5. Good times with old friends. Got to hang out with some old friends who live far away...so cool how God rekindles friendships like these in seasons when we need and enjoy them most. And on their way back to Kentucky from Florida (where we had visited with them)...they were able to make a pit-stop to spend the night with Dan at our new place in Charlotte. Our first houseguests!

6. Feeling nostalgic. We've only lived in this condo for a year-and-a-half, but with little ones, so much happens in that time. Been thinkin' a lot about good times we've had here...maybe these thoughts will find themselves in their own post soon...

7. Overcome by gratitude. Giving God special thanks lately for folks who make life richer. Realizing how much we'll miss family and friends while we're away...even though we'll be back often. REALLY excited about hanging out with old friends who we'll live closer to than before. These days have been filled with hugs, goodbyes, visits and playdates, and assurances that "it won't be long till we see each other again!"

8. Our little tumbler. Hannah Reece finally came out of her shell today at tumbling class, and it's her last one! She stayed close to Miss Krissy, her instructor, and demonstrated plenty of fearlessness on the equipment at this lesson. Her favorite is the beam and the mini-bar...our girl is definitely the tallest in her class!

Happy Burfday, Dan!

Happy Birthday Dan! Even though you’re away from us at seminary on your birthday week…we’re thinking about you and missing you like crazy! Here are a few questions that I asked Graham….all about you.

Interview between Graham (5) and Momma (Sarah):

1. What is something Daddy always says to you? I love you.

2. What makes Daddy happy? Me. When I make something for Daddy, it makes him happy.

3. What makes Daddy sad? Bad guys.

4. How does Daddy make you laugh? He makes me laugh when he tickles me!

5. What do you think Daddy was like when he was little? He loved Transformers, like me.

6. How old is Daddy? 22

7. How tall is Daddy? He’s as big as Max (Jen and Tom’s Akita dog) Actually, Dad’s as big as a car.

8. What is Daddy’s favorite thing to do? Watch Seinfeld. And play with me.

9. What does Daddy do when you're not around? He watches TV.

10. If Daddy became famous, what will it be for? He would be famous for me, so I could be famous for him.

11. What is Daddy really good at? He’s great at driving Nascars…..actually Daddy is good at driving cars.

12. What is Daddy not really good at? He’s not very good at diving under the sea as a scuba diver.

13. What is Daddy‘s job? His job is to check on things and see how serious they are. Daddy works at the church and at school.

14. What is Daddy’s favorite food? Chicken that’s a little hammy with mustard spread all around it and over it…and a little salad stuff on it…and bread is on it….as a sandwich.

15. What makes you proud of Daddy? I’m proud that he fixes my toys.

16. If Daddy were a cartoon character, who would he be? He would be Handy Manny, he can fix computers.

17. What do you and Daddy do together? We play Legos together….we hit golfballs at the driving range…and we go to see the big kids at the church. That’s all mom. I’m getting really hungry now. Oh, and we ride games at Disney World. I like the future train.

18. How are you and Daddy the same? My hair is the same.

19. How are you and Daddy different? We’re different because we don’t have the same legs. His is fuzzier than mine.

20. How do you know that Daddy loves you? I know it because he loves me SOOOOO much.

Mr. Bling Bling & Lil' Miss Thing

As you can see, cleaning and organizing the play area and closet led to hours of fun this afternoon....

Five-year-old Checkup

Graham had his five-year-old checkup this week. But this wasn't just any 'ol check-up...this was the BIG one...where Graham got to place his imprint on Dr. V's wall forever-and-ever! Every visit, we explore the walls, discussing how "one day" Graham will get to do the same, hard to believe that the big 5.0 is finally here.

The car-ride there was a mixture of happy and sad...knowing that a "shot" might be in store, and also that there would be a little fun involved, as well. Serious boy on the way...

Dr. V knows how to take a kid's mind off of their worries, by making weird animal noises, pulling butterflies or dinosaurs out of their ears, and handing out cookies to cooprative patients. (I wish my doctor would do that! Maybe chocolate...) Last time, he even let Hannah Reece decorate his laptop with princess stickers...now THAT's dedication!

Sissy comforting Graham as we wait...

now for the fun part, painting Graham's hand...a copy for us to take home....

WOOHOO five year old hand print!!

so proud...

What's that I hear???

a dinosaur?!

Later at home...crashed out! Too much excitement for one day...

Changes...

For the last five years, Dan has successfully managed to balance family life, vocational ministry, and graduate studies that include bi-monthly trips to Charlotte for class. God has used this time to stretch and refine us in so many ways....and His faithfulness has held us up through it all. We have been absolutely amazed at his provisions for rest, encouragement, and for everything we have needed to persevere in this journey. The Lord has patiently and lovingly revealed his plan every step of the way.

This is officially Dan's "last year" of seminary at Gordon Conwell. He will graduate (Lord willing!) May, 2010.

Last month, on our monthly pilgrimage, Dan and I started to explore the possibility of reversing our current situation: 3-4 weeks in Bonita Springs/ 1 week in Charlotte, to the opposite, so that Dan could be present, and on campus for his demanding 15-credit-hour schedule this semester. He will return to Bonita Springs for one week, two Sundays a month to fulfill his role and responsibilities at church. (Along with lots of technology to communicate the rest of the month!)

We are grateful that the church leadership has been so supportive of this plan, and have enthusiastically expressed their support and encouragement for Dan to pursue this calling.

All that said, pending session approval on March 19th, we'll be moving to Charlotte on April 1st!

We look forward to Dan having the opportunity to fully immerse himself in his education this last year...he'll have access to the seminary library and all of the other wonderful resources that will only be a short drive from our new front door.

Here's a photo of our new abode...complete with a yard and sidewalks (a huge blessing for a five year old boy and two year old girl with more energy than this little condo can handle!) The back yard has a little hill that meets up with the neighbors back yard, and Graham already has big plans for that hill--thinkin' I'd better figure out where the nearest hospital is located! I'm thankful, excited, and quickly realizing that between moving and traveling back-and-forth regularly, this year is going to be a busy one!