Random Happenings

This may look like a wad of hair because it IS a wad of hair! Camp has started fighting back. If Emma Claire has something he wants or if she takes something from him the first thing he has started grabbing for is her hair. Not just small bit but a whole handful!

My dad so graciously comes up to our house once a year and stays for a couple of days to do handy man work. One of his jobs this last trip was putting child proof locks on all of our cabinets. When he was putting them on he left this one open because all it had in it was towels and there wasn't anything Camp could hurt himself with. BUT, Camp knows that this is the only cabinet open and he will completely empty it several times a day. The joke around our house has been, "It was one more cabinet, Billy!". : )

I had to take a picture of this because this is the messiest Emma Claire's room has EVER been. She has always been real good at putting things away before she gets something else out until today...

When Emma Claire takes a nap in the afternoons she is not allowed to get out of her bed because we tell her it is dangerous. We need to know she is safe in her bed at all times. This week I experimented with her 'nap time' just calling it a 'quiet time'. I told her she could get out of her bed and play quietly and when she got tired she could lay down in her bed.  She did great the first two days playing in her room quietly, then cleaning up, and then getting into her bed to sleep. Today this is how I found her room...

Can you even find her in her bed anywhere??

Emma Claire and Camp have really been playing together silly the last couple of days. I love that they love (most of time) to play together. : ) I also love the fact that Emma Claire is the only person that calls him Campbell. Even though that is his given name we have NEVER called him by it. We just wanted to give him the option of being called Campbell when he is older and for some reason this last week Emma Claire has opted to call him Campbell instead of Camp. It just show a special bond between the two of them.

We're Thankful For...

Emma Claire's Class is getting all geared up for their Thanksgiving Feast next week! Here is the bulletin board they put up in their room for the week.

I love my little Pilgrim!!!

Ode To Benjamin

This blog is dedicated to my wonderful husband, Benjamin!! I am just amazed at how much he has achieved, how hard he has worked, and how he has still been able to be a wonderful husband and father to our children.

First we have...Degree #1 - Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies, Union University, Jackson, TN.

Being married only 5 months when he graduated from Union I don't think I actually realized how much he would achieve. I remember Benjamin telling me that in his first class at Union the professor came in and told them that if they didn't already love to read then they needed to check their calling because he would have to devote a large amount of time to reading everyday in this profession. This was totally not who Benjamin was. He was the outdoors man, the athlete, the one who had plenty of other physical activities to do rather than sit down and read. Which leads us on to...

Degree #2 - Master of Divinity with Christian Ministry and Biblical Languages, Southeastern Seminary, Wake Forest, NC.

Look at those young birds!! : ) In the spring of the 2005 we came to visit Southeastern for the first time and there wasn't much question on if we would go or not. One, because it was the only school that offered the program he wanted to take and two, because we completely felt this is where the Lord was calling us. From the first time we walked on Campus it felt like home to me.

I don't think it was until we came to Southeastern that I really saw Benjamin get serious about his studies. You could see in him that now he was doing something he LOVED. He was eager to learn and wanted to learn to the best of his ability. Actually, he REALLY became a bookworm. ; ) He still loves to be outside, but most of the time he has book in his hand or is listening to one on his ipod .

 





Degree #3 - Master of Theology in Christian Ethics, Southeastern Seminary, Wake Forest, NC.

And, two babies later we have degree #3!! This is where I have to brag on how good of a daddy Benjamin has been. His schedule has looked like this for over a year now.

• 6:30 am - Wake Up, Shower, Get Ready
• 7:20 am - Wake Up Emma Claire, Get her Dressed, Feed her Breakfast
• 7:35 am - Leave for Work
• 12:00 pm - Usually a Lunch Meeting
• 5:00 pm - Leave Work for the Day and Head Home
• 5:30 pm - Get Home, Change Clothes
• 6:00 pm - Wake Up Kids from Naps, Eat Dinner
• 6:30 pm - 8 pm - Family Time
• 8:00 pm - Until - School Work, Sometimes he goes to bed at 10pm sometimes 2am

Do you really see anytime in there for a break? He has to be really disciplined in his schedule so he can make sure that he has enough time for his studies but also enough time to spend with the family. He has done an AMAZING job at balancing both!  I don't know if I'm more proud of the 3rd Degree or how hard he works to make sure he gives his best to all his top priorities in his life.

Degree #4 - Ph.D  in Theology, Trinity College, University of Bristol, Stoke Hill, Bristol (UK).

And....this is our new adventure! Benjamin was the first person that the University of Bristol has allowed to work long distance. He does have a professor that he works directly with who is right now located in Canada which makes it possible to have more one-on-one face time. This was such a HUGE honor for Benjamin and says so much about who he is and how hard he has worked to get here. He more than deserves it and I am so proud of him. I can't wait for his graduation because you better believe I will be there with bells on! I love him so much and can't really even imagine what it will be like when he is finally done with school. (which we do have a couple more years left) He might hear me ask him a couple of times if he doesn't have a book he needs to go read. : ) You only have one more graduation left!!

I love you so much, Benjamin Quinn. God has really shown in and through you as you devote your life to learning more about Him in hopes to reach and disciple others with the Gospel of Christ.

The Emptied Salt Shaker

I just had to capture a picture of this monumental moment in our home. Benjamin and I have been married for 5 1/2 years and this is the FIRST time I have EVER emptied my salt shaker! We just don't use salt. I'm sure there has to be some kind of health issue with leaving it unused for so long, but we will just ignore that minor issue for right now. : )  Truth is, when Benjamin and I got married I had no idea how to cook and would not add spices unless a recipe called for it. I have pretty much always gone completely by the book. So, now that we are used to not using salt, why start right?!? Such a big day for me!

Camp Fun Facts

His teeth are really starting to pop in now! Today we have a new one.

• His Top Right Second Front Tooth.

Three Year Old Progress Report

Time to brag on my girl a bit! This past week it was time to sit down with her teacher, Mrs. Amy, for our middle of the school year parent teacher conference. I have to say I wasn't sure what to expect. At home we have our everyday struggles that are normal with a strong-willed red head, but I wasn't sure what example she led at school. Mrs. Amy only had great things to say.

• For the most part she obeys the first time she is asked to do something.
• She very much has a leader personality and isn't swade easily.
• She doesn't argue with her teachers when told to do something.
• She is good to solve conflict with her friends.
• If Emma Claire is upset over something and her teacher just takes time to explain it to her then she is fine. She just needs to understand the why. : )
• She does great with one-on-one teaching and doesn't get distracted by what her friends are doing.
• Academicaly she is right where she should be for a three year old.
• Emma Claire talks very mature for her age and sometimes you actually forget how old she is.
• She gets VERY excited about anything they are doing in class. Sometime so much that Mrs. Amy will have to remind her that she knows she is excited but they are inside and need to talk softer.

The only problem we are having with Emma Claire right now is that she is having separation issues from Mommy. We have it at school and at church. Actually, she has always had separation problems, but it seems to come and go in waves. If she goes into school with no trouble then it is going to be a wonderful day at school. If she has trouble going in it takes her a few minutes to change the attitude of her heart and then she will have a great day. Once we conquer this battle school will be a breeze! : )

Here is a copy of her progress report:

I was actually very pleased with everything Mrs. Amy had to say. It seems that most of the issues we are dealing with at home are not a problem at school. She is joy at school and is very excited to learn!

Here are some things I loved about her evaluation:

• On Letter recognition she said 'A' was for Mommy.
• 'B' was for Daddy.
• 'C' was for Camp.
• 'O' was for Zero.
• 'P' was for PePaw.
• A '3' was an 'E'.
• '10' was a '1' and a 'Zero'.
• That she identified all the letters in her name except for 'ire' and we haven't even started working on 'Claire' yet! : )

I'm so proud of you, Emma Claire Quinn. You are learning SO much at school this year and are doing a great job obeying your teachers. I love you!

Camp's Doctor's Visit

On Sunday, November 7th, Camp finished up his round of breathing treatments that was suppose to get rid of this wheezing. He did seem better on Sunday but by Friday he was very congested with a runny nose and coughing. We ended up leaving school around lunch because he was just not himself and was running a fever which landed us at the doctors office. And boy was I proud I went. Ended up he was wheezing worse than last week, his ears were red, and his oxygen levels were a little lower than the previous visit. It was actually the first time I had seen our doctor, Dr. Dirk, worried about something with our children. He put him on Orapred, Zithromax, and Albutural treatments for five more days and told us to come in the first of the week so he could re-evaluate him. Can you just imagine our weekend? Camp was on not one, but TWO steroids. Wow.

I took him back to the doctor today expecting to receive more meds because to me he didn't seem any better and continued to run a low grade fever but Dr. Dirk said his wheezing sounded much better. We will finish up the meds tomorrow and and pray that it doesn't come back. Hopefully this is not something he will follow in sissy's footsteps with. : ) She continued to return to the wheezing which led us to being on meds permanently. We will find out soon enough. So, so thankful for Doctor Dirk and their team of doctors and nurses at Growing Child Pediatrics in Wake Forest, NC.

Dirk Hamp, MD FAAP joined Growing Child Pediatrics in March of 2003. Dirk came to the U.S. from Germany at age 20. He graduated from the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in 1991 at which time he also received the Amos Christie Award in Pediatrics. Subsequently, he stayed at Vanderbilt for his residency in General Pediatrics. Dirk particularly likes the newborns and working with young parents. He enjoys watching over their healthy growth and development, but also wants to be available to children and adolescents of all ages in times of sickness and worry. "Every child is God’s opinion that the world should continue…" Dirk has practiced as a solo practitioner in Paris, TN, and as part of a leading pediatric group practice in Annapolis, MD. He lives in Wake Forest, NC with his wife Paige. They have three girls and two boys. Time off is spent with family.

Dr. Dirk has been our regular physician, but when we weren't able to see him back in Spring of 2008, Dr. Wilson was the one who finally got all of Emma Claire's asthma symptoms controlled. So thankful for her, too!

Sharmell O. Wilson, MD FAAP was born in Philadelphia and raised in Burgaw, NC. She graduated with honors from North Carolina Central University with a degree in Biology. She received her MD from East Carolina University in 1998. She completed her Pediatric Residency in Pittsburgh, PA at Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh in 2002.
Prior to Growing Child Pediatrics, Dr. Wilson worked in Harnett County. She has been working for GCP since October 2004, and spent a great deal of her time with our after hours clinic, Kids Express Care. Her favorite hobbies are container gardening, theater arts, and traveling. She is the first member in her immediate/extended family to receive a medical degree.

Beautiful Fall

This is the scene I get everyday pulling into my neighborhood. Isn't the fall weather beautiful!?!? God is Good.

Saturday Morning Intramural Football

One great thing about being here at Southeastern has been the community. Every fall since 2005 Benjamin has played intramural football on the team Aches-N-Pains. He is one of the founding members of the team and the only one still on the team. : ) As seminary life goes, people come and then go out to serve in their mission field. We have met some amazing people and have had a wonderful time playing with them every Saturday morning. The guys get to do their thing on the field, the mommas get to hang out and enjoy each others company, and the kids get to run around and enjoy being young with their friends.

 

The intramural field is down at the base of this big hill. Emma Claire was doing such a great job helping Camp up to the top after Saturday's ballgame.
Until.....Jack fell down and started tumbling down and Daddy had to start running after. : ) I sure wish I had gotten a picture but I had to pick my heart up out of my stomach. ; )

Latin Markings Person

Benjamin was using the magna doodle the other night to study his Latin vocab and Emma Claire decided to take some of his markings and draw a person! Pretty creative I have to say.

A Sample of Pictures w/ Kelly Newton-Hunter

Here is a couple of pics from the photo session we did with Kelly Newton-Hunter. The kiddos were boogers during the shoot, but after taking 994 photos she managed to get some great shots! : ) I'll try to add more later.... Enjoy!!