Mountain Getaway

This weekend, Kevin and I were able to spend some time together in the mountains, just the two of us. We left for Greer after I got out of school Thursday. I took Friday off. My parents kept Madalyn all weekend. Kevin and I got up Friday morning and headed to Maggie Valley, NC. (My dad was kept Madalyn Friday by himself, my mom had to work). Our main goal, besides getting to spend some time together, was to go snow skiing. We went to Cataloochee Ski Resort. I had gotten the address off the computer and somehow got the wrong address to the ski resort. We ended up on this winding mountain road (that once we reached the top, realized we were on the wrong road.) Well, Kevin watches this show called "Moonshiners" and it comes on the History channel. There is a moonshiner, he's no longer alive, but his name is Popcorn Sutton. We saw his birth place on that mountain road. Kevin was so excited about that. We did find the right road to the ski resort. However, we only had man-made snow since it has not snowed this year. After we got all of our stuff, we headed to the ski lift. We got on and when it was our time to get off, Kevin got off and just as I started to stand up, I couldn't reach the ground and the lift was going up. I got stuck on the lift and had to ride it to the top, then back down. The top was for the most experience skiers, which I am not. The lift's name is called "Oh my gosh lift", and yes, I was praying for God to get me off that lift. I was scared. Kevin ended up getting off at the advanced ski path, and he had quite an adventure to getting down the mountain. We did find the beginner route, but it was very steep still. So, we skied for about an hour and then left. We had a wonderful dinner at this place called J. Arthurs. Saturday we decided to go to Cades Cove in Tennessee and go to Gatlinburg. We were about an hour and a half from there. We had a nice day for our drive. However, once we got to the top of the mountain there were some spots where there wasn't anything protecting you from going off the side of the mountain. I was very nervous during that part. But we had a good time. Then we ate Saturday in Maggie Valley again, at this place called Hurley's which was also very good. We got up this morning and headed back to Greer. We ate lunch with my parents and Papa. Then I went over to visit my great aunt Ann. (she starts chemo treatments again tomorrow,and she's been very sick lately and in a lot of pain). When I got back, we headed home. It was nice to get away from the stress of our jobs and spend some time just us. We both missed our baby girl and were glad to see her today. Below are some pictures from our adventure on Saturday.

We saw this heard of Elk as we were leaving Cherokee.

A mama Elk and baby.

He's a pretty animal isn't he.

My favorite picture of the Elk.

We saw lots of waterfalls along the way.

The Great Smokey Mountains...beautiful view!

The road to Cades Cove.

Entering Cades Cove...would love to see this out my front door every morning!

We saw a good many deer along our way.

He seemed use to getting his picture taken.

Yes, it was cold! It was in the 30's.

A beautiful view but a long way to the bottom!

It has rained earlier as we were crossing the mountain. On our way back, it had turned to ice on the trees. I thought this was so pretty!

We really enjoyed our weekend away!

Stinks to be Sick!

This is my 2nd time being sick this school year...with the same sickness....and it stinks! I started feeling it coming on Saturday afternoon. I could feel my sinuses starting to act up. Then came the aching all over, the fever, the headache, nausea, etc. It continued on into Sunday. I went to school this morning and was trying to stick it out, but ended up taking a half day. I've been on the couch trying to nurse myself back to my 100% of being well. The worse part about the whole thing is not how bad I feel, but that my baby girl doesn't understand why her mom won't hold her, or play with her. I was laying on the couch yesterday and I felt these little hands pulling my shirt and pulling my hair to get my attention to play with her. It broke my heart, but at the same time I couldn't help but smile. It doesn't matter how bad I feel or even if I'm in a terrible mood, one look into that smiley face, and I can't help but smile. I also have to say that Kevin has been wonderful. He went grocery shopping yesterday, did laundry, cleaned the house, cooked, took care of Madalyn, and me, and the chickens. However, it was funny last night, he said that he was ready for bed, he was very tired. That the last time he had Madalyn all day by himself she slept and you put her in the bouncy seat and that was all. Now she is very busy and very mobile. Back to being sick, I'm about 85% now, so hopefully I will feel up to at least 95% tomorrow morning and be ready to take on Tuesday!

Madalyn 10 Months Old

Hard to believe that Madalyn is 10 months old today! With it being such a raining day off and on we were able to grab a few pictures today. She is taking a few more steps at a time but when she wants to. She has another tooth that has come in on the bottom. So now she has 4 on top and 3 on the bottom. When she wakes up, she wakes up with a smile and goes all day. Wish I had that much energy.

Madalyn chilling out...and no I didn't place her, she did this on her own.

She's looking at the horses.

When Madalyn came nose to nose with this horse, she didn't know what to think.

Our precious baby girl!

Now for a blooper picture...Kevin loves this one. She is really cheesing in this picture.

Katherine Grace's B-day Party

This post is a little late, but Sunday, January 8th we went to Columbia to celebrate Katherine Grace's 1st birthday. Here are a few picks from this fun day.

This is the cake we all got to eat. One layer was banana cake with caramel filling and it was delicious!

Happy Birthday to you, Katherine Grace!

She wasn't too sure at first to know what to think about her cake and everyone watching her

Katherine Grace moved to the floor because she kept sliding out of her highchair.

Lily Kate and Madalyn

Madalyn had a great time at the party!

Strong Wind = Fallen Tree

Well, this week keeps getting better and better. So, far 2012 has not been disaster free, hopefully our luck will change next week. Last night, the wind was so rough, it was rather scary. Our neighbors at the lake called my aunt last night and she called us. However, I didn't find out about this til this morning, but last night the wind was so bad at the lake (Lake Hartwell in Fairplay near Anderson, SC) that it blew a tree onto the house. My dad went home this morning to check on it. Thankfully, it's not as bad as what we thought it would be. The tree did make some holes in the roof of the porch and one hole in the main roof of the house. These pictures were taken after the tree was removed.

This is the front porch where the damage was.

Standing inside the porch

This part of the tree is still caught.

Thank You

Thank you to all our family and friends that have expressed their sympathy to us over our loss this week. We greatly appreciate your thoughts and prayers. I won't lie to you, as soon as I turned into my driveway yesterday, I started crying because there wasn't anyone that was running to meet me and welcome me home. Kevin said that he passed the house several times yesterday and just out of habitat looked to the porch to see if she was sitting in the rocking chair like she did every day, waiting on us to come home. Even though Madalyn is very busy and feels our hearts with more joy and love than we could ever imagine, the house seemed a little quiet last night...like something....or someone was missing. I miss my shadow that follows me around everywhere. Kevin misses her most at bed time. He said that he thought about putting a brick in our bed just to weigh down the covers like she used to. We were able to talk last night and laugh some at the funny things Abby would do. She had such a fun personality and was a very special little dog; she was our first baby and we loved her dearly. We are so thankful she chose us as her family and we are thankful for the time we had with her. Kevin said that she will be a very hard one to get over and it will take a long time, but day by day will get better and it will.

Abby

Abby 4 years old

August 9, 2008-January 10, 2012

Reality....Do you ever wish that you could go in your bedroom, close the door, get in bed, and pull the covers over your head and pray that as soon as you lower the covers, that what is reality has been changed and is no more? There have been many times in my life that I have wanted to do that ...this evening is one of those times. This evening as I write this post, my heart is broken and with tears in my eyes, our beloved dog, Abby is with us no more. Yesterday I worked a long time at school and worked some more at home because I had to get papers graded due to grades needed to be turned in. So, today since was caught up I thought I would leave school early and get Madalyn and enjoy the afternoon. I picked her up at 4:00 and by 4:20 we were on our walk in our backyard. She was in her car laughing at Abby running around and barking. We headed towards the chicken houses to see Kevin. We were almost there, when Abby started barking and turned to run behind us. I turned around and there was a car coming, not fast, (but I didn't even hear the car at all), I was yelling for Abby to come back, and then the nightmare happened. I heard the worst sound in my life, followed by the worst sight in my life of my poor little Abby, tumbling on the ground. I ran, pushing the stroller, as fast as I could screaming Abby's name, crying. When I got to her, she was just about gone. I ran to the chickens houses, hunting Kevin. When I found him, I told him what happened. He didn't want me to go back and see Abby again, but I had to for my closure and to be sure she was gone. It has been a very quiet evening around our house. Kevin and I haven't said much to each other. He has busied himself with cleaning the house, while I was watching Madalyn.

Abby came to us August 9, 2008 one Sunday after church and was with us every step until today. She loved to go for rides, she loved, loved chasing after a tennis ball, and she loved to just be anywhere Kevin or I was. Madalyn loved Abby as well. She would just laugh and laugh at her. She would smile when Abby would lick her. Abby slept with Kevin and I every night. She was my buddy and my shadow. She was the sweetest dog, she was so smart and just good natured. At least she didn't have to suffer today. We will miss Abby terribly. Plans for another dog.....couldn't even begin to think about that right now. There is no replacement for Abby...she was one of a kind and we loved her very much. God gave us Abby 4 years ago and for some reason we will never know, He saw that it was time for Him to take her away today. You never would think that something like this would happen in your own backyard.

9 Month Check Up

Madalyn went to the doctor today for her 9 month check up, which we are a little behind because she's actually 9 1/2 months old, but she turned 9 months the week before Christmas, so things were busy then. She did very well; such a happy baby. She got one shot today, and was actually drinking her bottle when they came in to give her the shot, and she didn't cry as much as she has in the past with the shot and I gave her back the bottle just as soon as it was over and she was fine.

weight: 20.6 lbs. (60%)

height: 29 1/2 inches (95%)

She is right where she should be with her development even advanced on some things. Also, her ears and chest were clear from being sick. So hopefully, she won't have to return until March for her 1 year visit. Hard to believe I'm saying that!

THE BIG NEWS OF THE NIGHT.....Madalyn took her first 2 steps! After this picture was taken she turned around and let go of the couch and took 2 steps to the toy on the floor and then sat down to play with it. Oh my goodness! She's growing up too fast!