Hot Air Balloons

Early this morning, Flash started barking. Usually, when he starts early and won't stop it is due to his seeing a hot air balloon.

After hearing him bark, the kids immediately rushed outside to look up in the sky. Sure enough there were two balloons floating very close to our house. I knew they had to be landing somewhere close and soon!

So...we packed everyone up in the car, left Daddy who was still sleeping in bed, and went to look for the balloons. We had almost given up, when we circled around to the bowling alley parking lot and saw the two balloons.

One had just landed so we watched them pack it up. The other (pictured below) was about to take off. We watched as it went up and then we headed home.

What a great before-chiurch activity!

Captivated with the entire balloon process!

Who has time for appendicitis?!

Monday evening after a casual dinner with the Hazlewoods, Wesley said his stomach hurt, and he was headed to bed. I didn't think much of it until Wesley woke me up at 12:30 am saying the pain was getting worse.

I called our doctor's advice line and left a message with the nurser on call. Before the nurse could call us back, we had "googled" his symptoms and decided Wesley needed to get to the hospital.

Since we had three kids we didn't want to wake, Wesley decided to drive himself the 2 miles to the hospital. I was on the phone with him as he traveled to the ER. Once he was checked in, I went back to sleep until his 3 am call saying it was appendicitis. He would have an appendectomy on Tuesday.

Foolishly, we told his family not to come & that we would be fine. Thankfully, his brother Joel didn't listen and traveled down to stay with Wesley in the hospital.

By mid morning, I realized I was not going to be able to do it all with out help and called Jack & Lynne. They jumped in the car and headed down as well. I carted the kids around all day while Joel, along with Ben and Terry Irwin from church, stayed at the hospital during the surgery. Once he was out, Joel switched places with me, and I was able to go see our patient.

While I was at the hospital, Jack and Lynne arrived and relieved Joel of his child watching duty. After dinner, I traveled home and Jack headed to the hospital to spend the night with Wesley. Wednesday morning, Wesley was dismissed from the hospital and started his recovery at home.

All of this took place as Wesley was preparing to leave for Costa Rica on Saturday. The doctor told him he would be fine to still go, but once he arrived home and realized the extent of the pain, he made preparations to back out of the trip. I know the team missed him but I was so grateful he wasn't going to finish his recovery in the jungles of Costa Rica!

Jack took Philip to one of our neighbors for a play date Wednesday morning.

 With Philip at a friend's, Elizabeth sleeping and Jack and Lynne taking care of Wesley, I went to pick up Jackson from sports camp. After camp, we stopped by Publix to stock up on what we would need while Wesley was recovering. They were slammed so Jackson filled in as our bagger! 

Jackson played Legos with the boys

Lynne treated them each to a few books at Humpus Bumpus

Elizabeth just smiled and enjoyed having everyone around!

Sports Camp

I signed Jackson up for a Sports Camp this week with the YMCA. Again, it was another chance to get ready for Kindergarten in the fall. I knew nothing of the park location or the coaches who would be with him. I had to rely on my trust of the Y and leave him for the morning. 

He had a fabulous time playing soccer, basketball, football, and t-ball. He even met a new friend, Nicholas. 

It was a good  week and served as a great distraction for Jackson as we dealt with Wesley's appendicitis. 

They had to run to warm up when they arrived!

God's Promise

"Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life."

7 months

At seven months, she is starting to pull up and stand!

11th Anniversary Trip

Wesley & I had so much fun last year on our anniversary trip to Turkey Creek, we decided to repeat the trip for our 11th anniversary. Jack and Lynne graciously offered to watch all three kids (with Macey's help!) and we spent two nights at a hotel down the street. 

We enjoyed sleeping in (until 8 am), eating out (McAlisters twice!) and celebrating, a week early, the "Steel" anniversary by watching the new Superman movie. 

I don't have any pictures of us from the weekend, but Lynne captured the fun they had with the kids. 

Father's Day Gift

This year Minutha helped me with a Father's Day gift idea for Wesley. She had seen this adorable picture on Pinterest and wanted to recreate it with Jackson, Philip and Elizabeth. 

Using our adorable kids and her amazing Photoshop talent, she was able to capture this special gift for Wesley. Needless to say, he loved it!

Though the "Money Shot" was the eventual gift, I think these outtakes came out pretty cute as well!

 

Nashville Visit

Sometimes, I just get to thinking and a perfect plan emereges. We had a trip to Knoxville on the calendar for our anniversary trip. It fell on the week Emily was starting back to work so I threw out the idea of heading to Nashville for one day first to help with childcare for Leighton. Since Wesley hadn't met his newest niece, he thought it was a fabulous idea. 

We arrived late Tuesday and I reported for duty on Wednesday moring. Leighton was going to spend the day out and about and was dressed for the adventure.

I packed up that beautiful face and took her to Mimi's where two crazy cousins were waiting to meet her. We weren't exactly sure her thoughts on Jackson & Philip.

She and Elizabeth had already met but picked up right where they left off - with Elizabeth wondering just what that black stuff was on Leighton's head!

Uncle Wesley was smitten with these beautiful girls
But we were both thankful we didn't get two at a time!!!

We headed out to Susan's for some swim time. Elizabeth loved it. Leighton was a little bored.

After lunch and a swim, we traveled back to Mimi's to play.

Pop Pop and Uncle Wesley played with the kids outside while Aunt Leanne...

rested with Baby Leighton

After dinner, we were entertained by the kids "Lego Show"

Again, Elizabeth was entertained...

And Leighton was bored!

Outside Movie Night

We were invited to a neighbors tonight for Movie Night! They set up a projector in the backyard for a Star Wars viewing party. It was a lot of fun and hopefully something we will repeat later in the summer or in the fall. 

Ellery & Emmy
Jackson & Philip
Aiden & Aiden

Science Camp

During the week of Mission: ATL, there was a Science Camp at our church building. It was a collaboration of the YMCA and Next Generation Focus and some of the kids participating in M: ATL were helping with it. We signed Jackson up and he loved it! 

They did science experiments, played with Legos, and ate lunch (which turned out to be his favorite part. He loved the surprise of "what's for lunch" each day!)

He enjoyed the week. I enjoyed having him participate in something where I knew the people involved and the place but very little about what they would be doing. He is venturing out and I know it is good preparation for Kindergarten starting in the fall.

Receiving his certificate at the end of the week.

After Camp ended on Friday, Mr. Rocky took Camp, Jackson, Shepherd and Philip on a field trip on the bus. It might have been the highlight of the week!

Look at Elizabeth's newest trick - sitting up!