Ormond Beach, Florida Anniversary Trip

On Friday, June 21, 2013, Kevin and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary.  Last summer we decided that we wanted to go somewhere and do something special, just the two of us, to celebrate.  We started planning and looking into places to go.  We decided on Florida, because we didn't want to go too far away from Madalyn.  A lady that works with my mom has awesome connections with getting hotels and things and was able to book us this great hotel right on the beach for half the cost.  We left on Wednesday, June 19th and we came home Sunday, June 23rd. We really enjoyed our time together.  It was so nice not to have the stress of work and it was nice to be able to just sit on the beach instead of chasing after a two year old for a change.  However, by Saturday night we were both missing our little girl and ready to come home to see her.

My parents, her "Nana" and "G-dad aka "G" to Madalyn" came down and took care of Madalyn and Wingo at our house while we were gone.  Madalyn was great while we were gone and my parents really enjoyed keeping her. One day Madalyn was suppose to be taking a nap and they went into check on her and somehow, she was still in her crib, but she had pulled all her clothes out of the dirty clothes basket and wipes out of the wipe container and they were on the floor. When my parents asked Madalyn why she did this, her response was "Puppy did it." (Which she was talking about her stuffed puppy.)

 

 

Ormond Beach is located right outside of Daytona, Florida.  We really enjoyed our trip and it was a wonderful way to spend our fifth wedding anniversary.  Here's to many, many more years together!

 

 

Our Hotel: The Tropic Sun Towers



 

This was our tower, Phase II. We were on the 4th floor, corner room on the left.

 

Inside our Condo

 

The view from our condo

 

 

The Beach

 

 

 

The pelicans were constantly flying over head and Thursday morning we saw a pod of dolphins go up the beach.

 

However, we never got in the ocean more than to just get our feet wet because the water was ice cold.

 

Here's something you don't see on every beach.  People drive on the beach and park their cars and then unload from there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eating Out

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had a little friend join us for dinner.

 

 

Friday, we went to the Kennedy Space Center. Neither Kevin or myself had ever been before.

 

 

 

 

 

The rocket garden

 

Rocket Launch Room

 

This is the part of the spaceship that the astronauts re-enter the Earth in.

 

Moon Buggy

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is one of the launch pads that they have. This launch pad will be used in 2017 when they launch the next rocket.  They are currently making some updates and changes on it.

 

The gray doors will roll all the way up for a rocket to roll out.

 

Apollo 11

 

 

 

 

 

After we left the space center we did some exploring to try and find some Florida wildlife.  We were very successful in finding this boat landing with about 6 to 7 manatees; that we could see, there may have been more.  They were really playing around, but it was hard to capture them on camera. They were so quick when they came to the surface. I got a few short movies of them.  It was a really neat sight to see.

 

 

Some air bubbles, the darker spot in the water is the manatee.

 

The manatee quickly came up for some air. They just barely get their nose out of the water and go back down.

 

Our last morning

A beautiful sunrise to send us on our way home.

 

 

 And back at home, here's our little Miss Hollywood with her favorite puppy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Madalyn at Home

Here's some pictures of what we have been doing these past two weeks since school has gotten out.

We actually get to sit down and eat breakfast together instead of rushing out the door to get to school.

We can go eat lunch at Chick-Fil-A (our favorite lunch spot mainly because Madalyn likes chicken and I like the healthier sides they offer instead of always giving her French fries. Plus I like it too.)

 

We can just be silly at home!

 

And today, we got to have a "spa" day.

 

Madalyn got her toes done first.  The lady told me that she would do Madalyn's toes first and then Madalyn could sit in another chair.  I just laughed and said, "no she won't sit there". She said "well you can't relax with her in your lap".  I thought we would get kicked out if she sat in that chair because she would be up and into everything driving everyone crazy.  It took a few Minnie Mouse Bowtoons on my phone to keep her still long enough. However, she was fascinated with the water.

 

Our Toes:

My color: My Chihuahua Bites with a design (in my words: orangish-coral)

Madalyn's color: Short Story (in her words: "purple-do".

You can see my flip flop tan line really well in this picture.  The sad part is that I got this from being outside at recess. I haven't been able to get rid of it yet. Overall, Madalyn did a good job sitting there, even though the lady had to keep touching up her toes, we finally got them dry with no smudges.

 

 

Mother and Father In-Laws

This is a continued post from my previous blog about Mother's and Father's Day.  I have not only been blessed by wonderful parents, but wonderful in-laws as well.  Many of you that read my blog know this, but Kevin's mom, Mrs. Katie, keeps Madalyn during the day while we work.  When I found out that I was pregnant and we shared the news with Kevin's family, Mrs. Katie offered to keep Madalyn.  She has been very kind to wake up by 6:30 am every school day morning to meet Kevin at the door to get Madalyn, who has just been woken up and is in her PJ's.  Mrs. Katie has taken such good care of Madalyn these past two years and I am so blessed and thankful to have her.  She makes sure all of Madalyn's needs are met (even spoiling her a bit ;0) , and if that means taking her to preschool or to the doctor, etc. she does it.  Since she use to teach 2 year olds at church, she also has worked with Madalyn on teaching her things such as colors, words, animals and sounds, etc.  Mrs. Katie also keeps my nephew Hunter, so her days are very busy with two toddlers, but she does it with a smile.  Madalyn loves her Meme and loves going to her house.  Mrs. Katie has  not only taken care of Madalyn and her needs, but she's been there for me when I need her.  Our bond became deeper on the day that Madalyn was born due to my water breaking and going into labor when she was with me. If it hadn't been for her driving me to the doctor and taking me to the hospital, I don't know what I would have done. 

I am also so thankful for my father-in-law, Mr. Tim.  He is always willing to help Kevin out on the farm, which in turn helps me out by getting Kevin home earlier and a little less stressed.  He is always encouraging to us and makes sure to be a constant reminder of how God has this farm and its success in His hands.

I know that many people may not have a good relationship with their in-laws, but I am so thankful I do since my family is three hours away.  I know that three hours isn't that far and it can be done in a day, but when you need someone in a hurry, three hours is too far.  You may wonder how we developed this good relationship, one way was that when Kevin and I were dating, I would come and stay at their house for the weekend.  So our connection was on a different level.  Thank you Lord for blessing me with such wonderful in-laws.  I am so thankful to have them.  I love you!

Mothers and Fathers

Yes, I know my post is late, but I never posted about Mother's Day and I haven't said anything yet about Father's Day so I thought I would write about both in one.  Sorry no pictures with this post just my heart in words.

Mother's Day Recap:
My parents came down for the weekend and we had a very nice week just spending time together.  I have had so many awesome women that have played important roles in my life, but none are more important or special than my mom.  I truly have the best mom ever! Even at almost 32 years old, I don't go one day without either talking to my mom or texting her.  She has sent the greatest example of the loving sacrifices that a mom makes for her child and her family.  She has always been my rock and cheerleader.  I only hope I can live up to her example in my journey as a mom to Madalyn.  Thank you Lord for blessing me with a mom who put me and her family the center of attention and not herself.  There has never been a time to pass that I ever wondered if my mom loved me or was proud of me.  I love you!

Being a mom was one of my greatest desires and something that I don't take lightly, because there was a time when I didn't know if I would receive this blessing.  With each passing day I love Madalyn more and more.  It's hard being mom...it takes lots of patience and love.  There are so many decisions and things that fall onto your shoulders.  There are so many outside influences that can easily take your attention away from your child and stress you out.  My job being the main outside influence, because with my job I have to be a "mom" to 21 kids and then come home to my own.  So many days when I would get home from school, I didn't have any energy left to play with Madalyn and didn't feel like getting up from my chair, but was able to because of that sweet voice saying "come on mama".  I have felt guilty on so many accounts that I'm not being a good enough mom to Madalyn because I always feel that I can do better and give more to her (and by that I don't mean material things, but things like playing with her, reading books, just spending time with her).  I always give 100 % of myself to everything and I except a lot out of myself and at times feel that sometimes I may fall short with Madalyn or Kevin.  I put a lot of pressure on myself to be a good mom and I pray that God will give me the wisdom, strength, and love to be one.  Thank you Lord for giving me this precious gift  and this gift of "motherhood" and for loving me when I feel like I have fallen short and for giving me encouragement and second chances.

Father's Day Recap:
Today it was just the 3 of us...I will see my parents on Tuesday of this weekend, they are coming down and Kevin's family is at the beach so we saw them before they left.  We had a very nice day, we went to church and then I cooked Kevin's favorite meal and a special surprise for dessert (homemade strawberry cake).  Madalyn and I enjoyed our "nap" time while Kevin had to end of running back and back to the chicken houses, etc.  Two of the chicken houses leave out tomorrow, so it will be a very busy and long day tomorrow and Tuesday for Kevin.  Last year when he cleaned out, the last catch crew for the chickens started at ten o'clock that night and didn't finish until 6 o'clock the next morning.  We enjoyed some time outside this evening, of course playing in the sandbox.  I am so thankful for Kevin being such as wonderful dad to Madalyn.  She gets so excited when he comes home from work and practically tackles him when he comes in the door and starts begging him to come play with her.  She loves her Daddy and he loves his baby girl.  He has shared in dance parties with her, tea parties, etc.  She has him wrapped around her little finger and has since the day she was born.  Thank you Lord for giving Madalyn a Dad who loves her and puts you first in his life, and is teaching our little girl about loving you.

Once again there are so many men that have played important roles in my life, but my Dad has been the most important.  Being a teacher, I realize more and more how special and important Dads are in children's lives and of course in the life of my own child.  I am so thankful for my Dad.  He use to work for BellSouth (which AT&T took over when he retired) and like Kevin it's lots of long days, weekends, even holidays that you have to work.  He always made time for me and encouraged me in anyway he could.  He has always strived to make my life more enriched and a better than the life he had growing up (not saying his childhood was bad, he has just wanted to make mine better.  Which I think as parents we all do, we want to make our child or children's lives better).  He always put me and my mom before his own needs.  He set the example for me of how a man should treat his wife and children and many of his qualities is what I looked for when I was choosing guys to date and then ultimately the guy I married.  I couldn't have asked for a better Dad than the one I had.  Thank you Lord for blessing me with such a loving and caring Dad, one who wanted his child and family to succeed more than himself.  I love you!

To my Lord and Savior:
Happy Father's Day!  Thank you so much for loving me and giving me the greatest gift of all, your Son to die in my place to save me from myself and my sins.  Thank you for your constant reminder and encouragement of how much you love me.  Thank you for so many second and third chances, when I fall short of loving you and doing what you ask me to do. This summer I am in a Bible Study called "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan.  We have only covered the first chapter, but in the first chapter it talks about how we come before God and just lay our prayer requests or "wish list" in front of God and then move on with our lives.  It talks about when you pray, you are coming into the presence of the Lord of the universe and to focus for a time on His glory and splendor.  I mean, He created the universe how can we not praise Him and be in awe of Him?  The point of this Bible Study is to fall in love deeply with our Lord and to come to a better understanding of who He is and what He wants from us.  Thank you Lord for creating families and for blessing me with wonderful parents and a special little family that I have of my own.  I love you!

Madalyn's Sandbox

Yesterday, Kevin built Madalyn a sandbox..it was a late, late birthday present from us to Madalyn. We had planned to have the sandbox ready near her birthday but it just didn't happen until yesterday.  Kevin worked on it while Madalyn napped yesterday, so it was a surprise for her when she woke up from her nap.  She didn't get in right away, she stood at the end of the box, but once I put her in, she started having a good time.  I think we will have many, many hours of fun in this sandbox this summer and years to come.  Plus it's big enough for many friends or cousins to come and play. And in the future a swing set to add on to it, probably next year's birthday present.

 Day 2: Today we went outside and played in the sandbox and she decided to scoop up a handful of sand and eat it. She also laid in the sand and made "sand" angels. And yes, the bathtub tonight looked like we had spent a day at the beach. Which the sandbox is big enough that we could pretend we had.  We did set up our chairs in the sandbox and kicked off our shoes.  Until a friendly, big as the palm of my hand, spider decided to join our fun. That was a quick end to my fun of the sandbox for the day.  Wingo is also enjoying a new place to dig, which is a nice break from digging all in our yard. 

First, we decided on where to put the sandbox (12 x 12) and Kevin framed out the sandbox.

 

Next, Kevin put this netting down that keeps weeds out. We are trying to keep ants from building up under the sand. It has holes so the rain should be able to drain out instead of making puddles.

 

Then it was time for the sand.  Kevin had some extra sand from a product they made a month ago.

 

The finish product...now just waiting on Madalyn to wake up from her nap.

 

She really enjoyed playing in the sand.

 

 

 

It was funny she was fine with the sand being anywhere on her, except her hands.  The sand was still damp, so it stuck pretty good to her skin and clothes. When she got it on her hands she would say "oh no!" and want me to clean her hands off.

 

 

"Ta Da!" she is saying because she tore up this sand castle I made.