Our First Family Vacation

I am going to try to give you a brief summary of all the wonderful things we did while we were in Port Charlotte, FL. Our sweet friends Daniel & Erin Schafers invited us along with Will & Valerie Trautman to enjoy there vacation with them. We had such a great time with them and can't wait to see them next year!: )


Thursday, June 12: Daddy had been in Indianapolis all week and was suppose to fly into Raleigh at lunch on Thursday. Unfortunately, he missed his flight which caused him to miss our flight to Port Charlotte on Thursday night. Emma Claire & I caught our flight as planned and arrived in Port Charlotte at about Midnight on Thursday.

Friday, June 13: Emma Claire & I slept till about 8:30 and Daddy arrived at about Lunch. We were sooooo excited to see him and we were ready to begin our vacation. After daddy settled in we all went to ride waverunners in the ocean. Emma Claire was not sure about the life jacket but she loved the waverunenr. She would wave and smile at our friends as they rode beside us. We even saw some dolphins jumping in the water. It was so exciting! While we were out we rode to an island and enjoyed the beach all to ourselves. What a great day!

Saturday, June 14: While we were on vacation Emma Claire was living it up. She would sleep late every morning which was great for us. On Saturday she slept till about 9:15 and then we all got up and cooked Chocolate Gravy for breakfast. After breakfast Will & Valerie had to head back to Tennessee. ; ( We were so sad to see them go. Instead of going to the beach that afternoon we went to a friends house and swam in the pool. Emma Claire was fearless. She would just walk up to the edge and step into the water. It was a great relaxing day at the pool.

Sunday, June 15: We were suppose to leave the house at 10:30 to catch the fairy to Casperilla Island, but Emma Claire slept until 10:10!! It was so crazy. We never set the alarm because she is our alarm clock. We did catch the fairy around lunch and spent the day at Erin's friends condo on the island. It was the most beautiful beach water I had ever seen. It was so clear and had that bluish green color to it. It also had that white white sand with gorgeous sea shells everywhere. We loved it!

Monday, June 16: Emma Claire slept till 8:00 and then we caught the fairy at 10:00 to go back to Casperilla. Erin's sister, Olivia, and cousins, Amy & Paul, also went with us to enjoy the day. We stayed there all day cooked hamburgers and hotdogs to eat. You can also see in the pictures that Emma Claire enjoyed lots and lots of watermelon.

Tuesday, June 17: We slept till about 8:15 and then began packing to head back to North Carolina. Dan & Erin drove us back to the airport at about 11:15 to catch our 1:20 flight.

We were so sad to leave! We had such a great time and we loved getting to hang out with our friends again. It was a wonderful family vacation and we can't wait to go back next year for our annual trip with the Schafers & the Trautmans.

comment by BQ2 on 06/21/2008


Babe, you do a great job keeping everyone posted. Thanks for your hard work...you're an Awesome wife!

Emma Claire's 15 Month Check-Up

Today I took Emma Claire to the doctor for her 15 month check-up. The visit went great and she is growing like a weed. They gave us some different medicine to try because her eczema just seems to be getting worse. I have a feeling this one is going to work because before insurance it says that it costs $440.00! Crazy! She weighed a whopping 26 pounds!! At the end of the visit she had to get 4 shots. It was so sad to hold her down on that table with her looking at me with her eyes saying "Why are you doing this to me"? After it was over she just bounced back up though. As we were leaving the office she was running around in the waiting room playing with toys. A lady commented that she must to not have gotten any shots today and I said "Actually she got Four". They were amazed at how well she was doing. We have a tough one on our hands and I am loving watching her grow everyday. She is definitely God's gift to us!
Check out her pictures and videos. As a treat for have a rough day at the doctor's office she got to eat a lollipop in the bathtub.

comment by RaRa and Grandpa on 06/07/2008
Aw, she is growing up so fast. Thanks for keeping us posted on every little detail . . . WE

LOVE IT! We look at her website EVERY time we log on to the computer whether its new info or not! For us, its time well spent!

Big Bill Came to Town

Today Big Bill Harland came to see us because he was here on business. He took us to eat dinner and then we went to the Seminary to give him a tour. I had a lot of fun getting to know him and play with him. Before he left we got on the computer and saw RaRa, Grandpa, Branna, Aunt Hannah, Uncle Brandon, & Ms. Linda. I was so excited to see that 'Baby' on there. I love my cousin!

Day at the Spa

For my end of the year gift all the parents in my class bought my assistant and I a day at the spa. What a wonderful gift! We were able to make an appointment and go yesterday and needless to say I was not worth much last night. They pampered us from head to toe and even served us lunch. It was so great to go with Mary Mac & just relax. One funny thing about the day was they had this room called the "Quiet Room". As you went from one service to the next you had to go to this room and wait. Of course, because it was called the 'Quiet Room" Mary Mac and I could not be quiet. We couldn't help but laugh and talk while we where there. It was great. : ) We had a wonderful day and I plan to go again someday. ; )


While I was off to the spa, some friends of ours, Rachael and Dan Davis, watched Emma Claire for me. They have a 23 month old daughter, Allana, who was in my class this year. It sounds like they had a wonderful time while I was gone. They got to go swimming, have popsicles, play outside, have lunch together, dance to movies, draw, play jewelry, and have a relaxing nap after a hard day of play. Rachael said that they played very good together and it was great to watch them play. I am so proud that she had such a great day and we have wonderful friends like the Davis' to watch our daughter. It was so great to get to go have a relaxing day and not worry whether my daughter was being taken care of or not. They took excellent care of her and she had a WONDERFUL time. Make sure to check out the pictures Rachael took for me and there is also a video to watch. Cute, Cute.

EC's First Time in the Swimming Pool

Piggy Tails

Emma Claire and Baby

Water Day

Emma Claire had a blast at water day. Her class didn't participate so I let her go out with my class. She had such a wonderful time. At first she wasn't sure if it was okay to get all wet, but after she started she was a wild woman. She got to play in a sprinkler, play on a slip-n-slide, play at the water table, swim in a pool, play bubbles, and write with side walk chalk. She had so much fun and she fit right in with my class. Of course she thinks she is alot older than what she is. Don't forget to look at her pictures and see how much fun she had today.

Strawberry Pickin'

Today we took Emma Claire to Vollmer Farms to pick strawberries. She had a wondeful time!! After we showed her how to pick her first strawberry it was history after that. Most of the time she would have 4 or 5 strawberries in her hands eating stems and all. It was such a beautiful day to go. There weren't too many people there and the weather was gorgeous. RaRa & Grandpa were still here visiting from Daddy's graduation so they got to go too! After we were done picking strawberries we went inside to finish off the day with a bowl of strawberry ice cream. Emma Claire wasn't sure what was going on but she sure loved getting to eat all those sweets! Check out her pictures & videos.

comment by RaRa and Grandpa on 06/03/2008


We had so much fun with you at the strawberry patch. You were a great taste tester for us. "Um Um Ummm" and that sweet "messy" face was the best indicatiion. It was great fun-filled day of new experiences. We love YOU and Mommy and Daddy!

Daddy's Graduation

Daddy Graduated with his MDIV!!!

Benjamin graduated with his MDIV today and we are so proud of him. It took him 3 years to complete this degree and now he will start on his THM. It's estimated to take about a year, but could take about a year and a half. Emma Claire went to school today while Mommy, RaRa, Grandpa, GG, and Poppa went to the graduation. After the ceremony was over we picked her up from school and went to Winston's to celebrate. It was a great milestone in our family today. We are so, so proud of Daddy and will support him as he works on his next degree. We can't wait to see what is next!!!

Check out the video of Daddy getting is Diploma!!

Comments:

comment by GG on 05/29/2008


Emma Claire: Poppa & GG had so much fun playing with you during this visit. We read books, played with your toys and took you for a ride on the 4-wheeler. We can't wait to see you again!! We Love You VERY much!!

Shane & Shane

I love the group Shane & Shane!! Their music is so wonderful. My sweet mother called me yesterday and she was on her way to their concert in Mississippi!!!! I was so sad. I posted some pictures of her and some friends with Shane & Shane themselves. She even got to go back stage and hang out with them!!! I wish I could have been there. Check out their pics!

comment by Mother on 05/20/2008

I wish you and Benjamin could have been there too . . . it was GREAT! Thanks to the Lord and to Bro. Scott Hanberry. We had an awesome time.

Hand, Foot, & Mouth

Emma Claire has just about completely recovered from Hand, Foot, & Mouth. She has started back eating again and she acts much better. But now....... Benjamin is in the bed with it. It makes you feel like you have a mixture of Strep Throat and the Flu. It is awful. Back in the fall when she got it we all got it then too. Just keep Benjamin in your prayers as he is to preach in the morning at church.

Music Class With Mommy

Today I let Emma Claire go with my class to music and she loved it! As you can tell in the videos she thinks she is as big as they are. She had a wonderful time and loves getting into the music (dancing).


This afternoon I took Emma Claire to Wal-Mart with me to get some groceries. On the way in she saw one of those little riding horses and started pointing and saying "Rye-Rye". (which means ride : ) I told her that if she was good in Wal-Mart that Mommy would reward her and on the way out she could ride it. Needless to say she was good while we were in Wal-Mart and on the way out she started again "Rye-Rye". I took her over to it, put her on, and put the money in. As soon as that thing started going she started squealing and laughing. It was so funny! She loved it. People were even stopping to watch her ride. I tried making a video of her with my phone but it didn't turn out to well. I put it on anyway so check it out.

She has been such a joy the last two days and saying more and more things. I am really having a lot of fun with her at this age. Please pray for us to have Wisdom in raising her. Especially in discipline. It is very hard to stay consistent and know exactly how to handle situations.

comment by Rachael on 05/22/2008


This is such a fun age! I know you are loving it - you will have the most incredible summer with her.

Have you read Ted Tripp's Shepherding a Child's Heart? It is such a wonderful resource for Christian parents. Not all of it is applicable at our girls' age, but there are entire sections dedicated to disciplining your baby/toddler. I think you would enjoy it!

Praise the Lord

Praise the Lord Emma Claire's fever broke at about lunch today. We were struggling to keep it down even with Motrin & Tylenol in her. The lowest we could get it was 101.1. She is feeling much better and has started eating and drinking some this afternoon. Thank you all so much for your prayers. God is so Good.

My Sick Baby

Well, once again I'm home with my sick baby. I feel so sorry for her little body because it seems just as she get over one thing she moves onto another. About lunch time her teachers came to get me because she had a fever. I went to check it again and it was 103.1. I left there and went straight to the doctors office. I was concerned with us just starting this new medicine that there might be a problem. We got to see Dr. Dirk which is her usual doctor. Yea! He said her lungs sounded good which meant the breathing treatments were working and that her ears were holding up fine. He then looked at her throat which did not look too good. He said that it was really red and that she had blisters on the back of her throat. He did a throat culture just in case it might be strep because Benjamin has been complaining of a sore throat. The rapid test came back negative but they were going to let it grow overnight and watch it. The diagnosis was...... HAND, FOOT, & MOUTH!!! Yuck!!! This will be the second time she has had it and it is awful. The last time Benjamin and I both got it too. It feels like a mixture of Strep Throat and the Flu. Aweful! Please keep her in your prayers as we stay home and try to get her well over the next few days.



Comments:
comment by chelso on 05/13/2008

My poor little baby!! i will definitely pray for her! I'm so sorry! Wish i could be there to help out and give her suckers. lol!! miss you all! love you

comment by RaRa on 05/12/2008

POOR BABY! We will be praying .. but she is strong girl .. Nothing seems to keep her down. Praying for the parents too!! Love you all!

Mother's Day

Today was the most wonderful Mother's Day! Thank you so much to everyone who voted on the poll for my Mother's Day. This morning I had a card from Benjamin & Emma Claire and also a poem that Benjamin wrote. ; ) It was wonderful. On the card was also a coupon for some Cash-ola!!!! Benjamin also got me a beautiful pink orchid corsage to wear to church today. We had a great service this morning at church and then came home for some R&R. I did get a nap, along with everyone else in my house. ; ) To top the day off Benjamin called in some Applebee's for us to enjoy at home. It was a great, great Mother's Day. Emma Claire has been so wonderful the last two days. She seems to be feeling better and saying soooooo many new words. God has blessed me with such a wonderful gift in her. Something that I definitely don't deserve.

Oh, yeah, I almost forgot to tell you that I received the prize this morning at church for being the youngest mother! Two years running.

Emma Claire & Leah

Last night Ross, Katie, & Leah Parker came over for dinner. It was so pretty outside that we grilled out hamburgers and ate outside at the picnic table. (Yes, Mary Mac we had burgers again!) The girls had a wonderful time playing outside. After dinner we took them on a walk in the wagon. It was so funny because little Leah kept trying to stand up in the wagon and Emma Claire would pat her on the back like Katie would do. Emma Claire would also try to love on Leah and inevitably hurt her. We had a great time hanging out with our bestest friends here in Wake Forest! : )

Crazy Daddy

My husband is so crazy! This morning I had several things that I had to get done before school started so my sweet husband stayed home with Emma Claire and then brought her at school time. Before I left I got all her bags together, laid out her meds, and laid out a red & white ladybug outfit with sandals and a white bow. At 9:00 am I looked down the hall at school and saw Benjamin coming with Emma Claire in the stroller. Needless to say that he had this little smurk on his face because he knew he was in trouble. He had put Emma Claire in a White & Crimson number 12 Football Jersey, blue jeans, brown shoes, and topped with a Crimson Hairbow!! She looked like a football player! On the inside it was soooo funny!! All day people kept saying that all she needed was a football helmet on her head. They also kept taking double takes because it looked nothing like her. I don't think I can ever leave him to dress her by himself again. I mean, come on, I had her clothes already laid out for him. My Crazy, Crazy Husband. I will post pictures when she gets up from her nap. ;)

comment by kalei on 05/10/2008


You are right Benjamin is verry crazzy!!!!

comment by RaRa on 05/10/2008

I am sure all "dads" are smiling at that one and all "moms" can relate. Can't wait to see the pictures.

Forgot to Mention

I forgot to mention that while we were at the Dr. Office today that Emma Claire was in an extra loving mood. While Dr. Wilson was explaining the plan of action to me Emma Claire was patting me on the back and shaking her head 'yes' to everything Dr. Wilson said. It was like she was comforting me and letting Dr. Wilson know she was agreeing with everything she said. So Funny!! Dr. Wilson got tickled at her and so did I!

My Sweet Sweet Daughter

The last two days have been so much fun with Emma Claire. It seems that she is getting more and more personality and starting to show affection. She has started hugging people and when she does she reaches around you and pats you on the back with both hands. I just melt when she does it. She is also beginning to say so many words. Yesterday when Benjamin got home from work he said, " Emma Claire! What did you do today?" and her response was "Nuffin". It was hilarious!!


Today I took Emma Claire to the doctor because her asthma has been acting up for the last week. We saw Dr. Wilson and I loved her!! She was so good with Emma Claire and went above and beyond explaining things to me and giving me free samples to help us save money with her asthma meds. At the conclusion of the visit she said that Emma Claire was wheezing again and they were going to up her meds. They doubled her Pulmicort which is an asthma controller medicine that she takes twice a day through a nebulizer and also started her on Singulair once a day. The singulair is also a controller med for her asthma. They are hoping that this will help get it better under control and that she will have to use her "rescue meds" less. They also gave us some Elidel to help with her eczema. Each time her asthma flares up so does her eczema. They don't know why but they say the two are related. At the end of the visit I felt much better about her asthma. I knew that Dr. Wilson was very thorough and that she was going to be great to work with through this process.

Thank you so much to everyone who has been praying for her! I'll tell you she is a little trooper. They did comment today that she was "Wide Open"! : )