My First Embarrassing Moment By My Daughter

It happened!! I knew it was coming but I wasn't sure when. Yesterday Emma Claire was trying to be a sweet little helper but left me with my face blush. I was in the kitchen cooking supper and talking with James, our friend from Idaho, when in walks Emma Claire saying "Mommy's, Mommy's". I turned to look at her and she was standing there in the kitchen dangeling my white bra next to her. Of course, I looked at her with a smile and said "Thank you, Baby, that is mommy's". I quickly retrieved it from her and headed to the bedroom. When I asked her who told her to do that she said "Daddy". Who would have guessed it!?!?! When I got back to the bedroom I asked Benjamin and he said that she was going through some of my things, picking them up, and saying"Mommy's, Mommy's". He said then she dissappeared and he didn't know that she had gotten away with one of my bras. Yea Right! Who do you think I should believe? I will never forget her sweet little face when she came into the kitchen. She was so proud that she was helping mommy and had no clue to the embarrasment she caused me. She's so worth it!!!

Saturday Night Mall Brawl

On Saturday night Benjamin, James (our friend from Couer d'Alene, Idaho), Emma Claire and I went out for some dinner at Olive Garden. Yea! It was soooooo good. Who doesn't like the all you can eat breadsticks. After dinner we thought we would go to the mall to walk around for a bit. As we walked in I commented to Benjamin that I had never seen so many people there. We hadn't been there at 7:30 on Saturday Night before so we thought maybe it was the usual crowd. There were people hanging over the rails from the upper level and youth aged teens everywhere. Anyway, we took Emma Claire to the play area on the lower level for a little while and then headed upstairs. After we got off the escalator we turned to walk in a Foot Locker and then this awful chaos started going on. There were people running everywhere and people screaming. Then we heard someone yell that it was a fight. It was only a minute that the police started running by and telling the stores to lock their gates. By the grace of God we were able to get inside the Foot Locker and hide in the back. I could see parents walking around outside the gates with their children with no where to go to get away from the havoc. By that time there were police everywhere carrying guns. At that moment I was pretty calm and just wanted to take care of my baby. We were in the store for what seemed like 30 minutes when we were told that things seemed to be under control and that we were able to leave the mall. All we knew was that there was a fight upstairs where we were and there were about 200 to 300 hundred people involved. As a funny side note, we were just trying to get away from the unknown madness and my husband just has to stop at Auntie Anne's and get a Glazin' Raisin Pretzel. He said he just couldn't come to the mall without getting one. I know, he's his own character! Anyway, as we were coming out of the mall there were flashing lights and police cars EVERYWHERE. When we got to our van and were safely inside it all hit. At that moment it hit me how bad it could have been and I felt my hands begin to shake. We weren't sure what all had happened until we had gotten home and watched the news. We were so blessed to have been kept from any danger. I think it was a lot worse than any of us had thought and will ever know how bad it could have been. We need to remember to count our blessings every day for God's great unmerited favor. Poor James has a trip that he will never forget coming to visit us in North Carolina! Below is copy of an article from WRAL.com. It's a brief summary of what all happened. We love you, All!


Mall brawl gang-related, Raleigh police say


Posted: Today at 6:15 a.m.


Updated: Today at 3:44 p.m.


A massive fight that involved hundreds of people and forced the evacuation of Triangle Town Center mall was gang related, Raleigh police said.


Four off-duty officers working at the mall reported a fight in progress and requested assistance around 8 p.m. Saturday. Witnesses told WRAL News that about 200 teenagers started yelling and fighting on the mall's upper level.


The melee poured outside the mall as the crowd spread out, and an estimated 200 and 300 people were involved at the height of the fight, police said.


On-duty Raleigh police officers, Wake County sheriff's deputies and state troopers responded to the fight and fully restored order around 9 p.m., police said. Witnesses said the fight lasted about 20 minutes, and police said no guns were pulled out during it.


Christopher James Gamble, 17, is accused of stabbing a 15-year-old boy in the buttocks during a fight outside the mall, Raleigh police spokesman Jim Sughrue said. The victim was taken to WakeMed and and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.


A police sergeant suffered a significant laceration on his knee during a foot chase, Sughrue said. The officer was transported to Duke Raleigh Hospital and was expected to recover.


Shoppers were asked to leave Triangle Town Center around 8 p.m., an hour before closing time, and mall security personnel had the facility closed by 8:40 p.m., said Jennifer Jones, the mall's marketing director.


"The genesis of the incident was gang related," Sughrue said in a release. Some of the participants in the fight are known to be associated with gangs, he said.

Raleigh police use the term "gang related" to delineate "an incident (that) occurred to further the purposes of the gang," according to an email from Sughrue. Such purposes could include "establishing a gang’s territory, gaining influence by suppressing another gang, or seeking revenge against another gang."


Sughrue stressed that those were only examples, not necessarily what prompted the fight at Triangle Town Center. He was not at liberty to discuss what prompted police to classify Saturday's fight as gang related.


Police charged six people in the fight:


Darryl Anthony Bobbit, 18, with felony inciting a riot; resisting obstructing or delaying a public officer; and second-degree trespassing. He remains in jail under a $6,000 bond.


Tyrell Eugene Brantley, 18, with felony inciting a riot and disorderly conduct. He remains in jail under a $8,000 bond.


Gamble, with felony inciting a riot and assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury. Gamble remains in jail under a $35,000 bond.


Laquavis Oneal Jordan, 16, with felony inciting a riot. Jordan was released into the custody of his family on Sunday.


Javonnie Nicholson, 16, with felony inciting a riot, assault on a law-enforcement officer and second-degree trespassing. Arrest warrants say that Nicholson jumped on and pushed a police officer trying to arrest her. She remains in jail under a $7,000 bond.


Ricky Ladd Williams, 16, with felony inciting a riot and engaging in an affray. He remains in jail under a $10,000 bond.


All six suspects are scheduled to make their first court appearance at 9 a.m. Monday.


Police also had a 15-year-old boy in custody, who they said would be the subject of a juvenile petition. That measure is similar to a criminal complaint against an adult and brings the minor under the purview of the juvenile court system.

Williams was placed on probation in June for a common-law robbery in Wake County, according to state Department of Correction records.


The investigation into the mall fight continues, Sughrue said.


Jones said the Triangle Town Center opened at noon Sunday as scheduled.


“We will be in contact with the Raleigh Police Department to get more details and obviously, with the shopper in mind, making sure the safety is here,” Jones said.


Web Editor: Anne Johnson


Copyright 2008 by WRAL.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


comment by GG on 08/22/2008


Emma Claire - This is just one of many times that the Lord has been there and given his loving protection to you and your family when you didn't even know it. That's the kind of loving God we serve. Give THANKS to HIM Always!

comment by RaRa on 07/28/2008

PTL for protection from things we know to pray for and for those situations where we don't know the whole story. We are truly blessed beyond measure. I still get the chill bumps thinking about what could have been. Love you guys!

Poll Results: Emma Claire's Favorite Snack

And the winner is.....


It was a really close call on her favorite snack. She gets really excited when she sees you get the Puff container out, but Benjamin says that Fruit Loops are her favorite. For this one, we will call it a tie between Fruit Loops and Puffs! Thanks to everyone that voted!! We Love You.

Crackers 7%

Puffs 10%

Marshmellows 10%

Fruit Loops 74%

Leader of the Pack

Every night at Vacation Bible School the children line up outside and march in following the American and Christian Flags and the Bible. Tonight they let Emma Claire lead everyone in. It was sooooo funny. She walked in front of the Flags and couldn't hardly get down the isle for dancing. They had the theme song playing and she was "move'n it" down that isle. She clapped the whole way and every few steps had to stop and shake her booty! So, so Cute!! I will never forget her first VBS.

I tried getting a video but she was too far away and it was too dark in the sanctuary.

Two New Teeth

She finally did it!!! On Saturday she cut her bottom left eye tooth and today she cut her bottom right eye tooth! Yea for her!!! It has definitely been a struggle for all of us cutting these teeth. I hope the top eye teeth aren't too bad for her (or us) either. : )

Air Pistols and Sidewalk Chalk, by BQ2

As we strolled thru Wal-Mart, like good baptists, last night, it happened that Emma Claire was leaning so far out of the buggy reaching for anything hanging on a hook, that Ashley let her down to walk--or waddle, rather. First, she was enamored by the bicycles. "Wooo," and "Oooh" she said as the bikes got larger with brighter colors. Then, she made a bee line, not for the barbie dolls or the kids kitchen accesories, but for the super-sonic c.o.2, refillable, 5 shot air pistol!!! That's right! She's Quinn thru and thru. And she didn't pick up only the gun, but she made sure she had the c.o.2 refills for an extra round of ammo. No wonder the boys cry when she walks in the nursery!


Well, for the ladies reading this who are thirsty for something more girly, she did get a pack of sidewalk chalk at the Wal-Mart, and she played with it in the driveway this afternoon. Ashley and I drew pretty shapes and faces as we explained to her what each was called. Momentarilly perplexed but not deterred, Emma Claire proudly broke 2 of the 4 pieces of chalk and marked all over our drawings. She was so proud. I'm not sure what she was more proud of though; scribbling on our shapes or the fact that she had almost twice as many pieces of chalk when she finished than when she started!

She's growing up fast, and we love every minute spent with her. She'll be asking for the keys soon, and Daddy will be loading his guns to take care of the boys at the door. God has blessed us greatly. Deuteronomy 6 has come alive to us over the past 17 months, and we ask for wisdom every day as we seek to raise her rightly. Each night our prayer is this, "Lord, thank you for our sweet girl. Bless her, keep her, and use her for Your glory!" What a great privilege and blessing. Amen

comment by Bobby on 07/22/2008


I hope she never wants to date Keller then. I am not a big fan of him being threatened with artillery :-)
comment by Brandon on 07/19/2008

Amen!!!

Cutting Teeth

For the last week Emma Claire has been trying to cut her Eye Teeth. They are Yucky!!!! Needless to say she has been really tough to deal with this last week. It seems like at the drop of a hat something can upset her and then when she gets upset she can't seem to stop. They are finally to the point where you can see them and feel the tips of them under her gums. It won't be long now! I have heard these are the worst ones and I believe it. Please pray for her as she gets through the next few days. (and it wouldn't hurt to pray for mommy & daddy too!) : )

Night, Night

When bedtime rolls around Emma Claire is usually ready to see her bed. Last night as I was taking her into her room to go to bed I thought I would just love on her a little bit before I put her to bed. As I walked over to the bed she reached out for me to lay her down and said the sweet little words "Night, Night". I will never forget hearing her say those words. They were so sweet and so innocent as if telling me "It's okay, Mommy, it's time for bed." I love my little Angel.

Stop, Stop. Stop Birds

While we were on the beach Emma Claire loved eating from the little bags of cereal they had at breakfast. On this particular morning she was eating from a bag of Frosted Corn Flakes. While we were playing on the beach that morning she dropped her bag and the cereal went everywhere. The next thing we knew seagulls were flying in from everywhere and started eating her cereal. Emma Claire wasn't sure what was happening. We showed her they were eating her cereal and then she took off after them yelling "Stop!, Stop!". It was so, so funny! We didn't even know she knew the word stop. It was a great laugh for our day! Check out the video! I didn't get the beginning of it, but it was still very funny!

Travelin' Quinn's

We just got back from all of our travels and we have had a great time. We first made our trip to Florida, came home, and then Emma Claire & I left for the great Mississippi! We were there mainly for my best friends wedding, but enjoyed getting to visit with Family. After that we were off to Wrightsville Beach for the 4th of July Weekend. Uncle Brandon, Aunt Hannah, & Branna stayed in our room with us and Poppa, GG, & Phillip stayed in the room next door. We had a great time playing on the beach and going to the aquarium. While we were there Poppa & GG renewed their vows for their 30 year anniversary. Emma Claire had a great time playing with her little cousin Branna. Or, as she calls her, "Baby". She loved to help take care of her and give her some lovin. We left the beach on Monday and Uncle Brandon, Aunt Hannah, & Branna came to stay with us at our house until Wednesday. We were so glad to get to spend some time with them and can't wait to see them again!


comment by GG on 07/10/2008


Emma Claire: Poppa & GG will never forget our first vacation with our "baby girls" and it was sooo special having your Daddy conduct the ceremony to renew our wedding vows. You and Branna looked precious in your matching sun dresses...our little Angels!

Wrightsville Beach/ Quinn's Vow Renewal

Bye, Bye Passy

Well, we have been passy-less since Wednesday Morning. After breakfast I took her passy and cut the very tip of it off. I handed it to her and she put it into her mouth. It instantly fell out, she picked it up and popped it right back in her mouth. Again, it fell out. She picked it up and looked at it very closely. She spun it around and felt the tip of it with her little fingers. To my surprise she then turned and threw it and walked away. No tears, no asking for 'More', no nothing. I was very surprised. It was just curiosity on my part because I wondered what she would do if I cut it. So, we have said "Bye, Bye to Passy". It was very sad to me because she was growing up. She is no longer a baby, but a little girl.


comment by Carolyn English on 06/26/2008


At least you can throw the passy away, you can't throw their thumb away that someone has been sucking for almost 10 years! HA! Good job Emma Claire, what a big girl! I so enjoy all the pictures and videos! Thanks!

comment by RaRa on 06/22/2008

Aw . . . I am thankful it was such an easy transition for you.

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.