There are so many things that I want to blog about, but I just do not have the time right now. For instance, Our Hilton Head Island vacation, the college's that Brian has been checking out, or how Hunter sings Jesus loves me! I will eventually get to them...maybe after the semester ends.
I started back to school June 23rd and Summer semester is so much. Everything you learn in a normal 4 month semester is crammed into 4 weeks. I'm in my last core class which is history. Yes, there is a reason that I chose to take this class last. I can not stand history. I have never been able to understand it, much less wonder why I need this class for nursing. However, I did learn the answer to that question in history. Georgia law requires that every graduate who graduates from a GA University must pass a test on Georgia history. Why? I ask myself the same question, but realize that I need not question it and just make the most of it. I have a quiz every other day, a midterm after two weeks of the beginning of class, and a final on the last day which is July 20. I will be counting the days down.
So in the meantime, I will have my nose in my history notes and continue blogging after school lets out this summer.

UP!

Last night Hunter, Brittaney, and I went to see the movie UP. For the past week Stephen has been planning a hot rod day with his friend Kenny that he works with. Kenny is old enough to be Stephen's dad, but Stephen enjoys hanging out with him. So they took the hot rod that Kenny rebuilt and drove to Macon, ate some dinner and just had a boys night. So, at the last minute I decided that I would take Hunter to see Up 3-D. I invited Brian and his girlfriend Jessie to go with us and of course he did not want to go. I thought about calling Britt, but she is always busy on the weekend's, but I gave it a try just in case. She agreed to go at the last minute and we had so much fun together.

We met my friend Tracy and her daughter Katelyn at Zaxby's for some dinner and then headed to the movie. I was really surprised that Hunter actually sat through the entire movie without getting up playing in the aisles. We only had to get up once to go potty! I think because the movie was so good, it kept his attention throughout. I would recommend that everyone see that movie. It is definitely better than Wall-E. I will not even tell you about my experience with that movie. So what are you waiting for? Get up and go see UP.

Great Smokey Mountain getaway

We just got home from a quick trip to North Carolina. Brian was invited to attend a day camp at Western Carolina University on Saturday. The camp was for all prospective recruiters that the University has scouted out, and our son was one of the players. We are very proud of that. We left Saturday morning at 7:30 a.m. and registration started at noon. After a brief orientation of the campus and what it takes to receive a scholarship it was time for the boys to hit the field. It really was neat to see your child out there in there stadium and just imagining him playing for a University. The mountains surrounded this campus and the views were absolutely amazing.

I was a little crabby, well maybe a lot crabby, from being up all night before so we went and found a hotel for me to take a little nap. Hunter and I stayed at the hotel and took a nap while Stephen and Austin went back to the campus and watched Brian. Once the camp was over they came to the hotel and Brian told me all about what he learned. There were approximately 100 players at the camp and Brian said that when it was over they gave the guy's an opportunity to look at the clipboard and there were 5 players with star's beside them and Brian's name was one. We do not know what the star's mean, but we can only hope that it is good.

Sunday we ate breakfast at the hotel, packed up and headed for the river to raft. The water was about 55 degrees and freezing, but we were ready for some fun. We rented a raft and a blow up kayak. Brian started off in the kayak and the rest of us were in the raft. Heading down the river was pretty smooth. Austin and I were in the front paddling and Stephen was in the back steering the boat with his paddle. As we are going down the river we were acing all of the rapids and Stephen kept telling Austin and I how good we were doing. Then, we saw two rocks with some swift rapids up ahead. We are paddling as fast as we can to try to avoid the rocks (can you imagine this scene?). It happens... we hit the rocks HARD and Austin and I get knocked to the back, Stephen is holding Hunter, but we all made it with a face full of smiles. We learned our lesson on how to handle the rock situations and we headed back down the river for some more fun. We were looking for a bank where we could pull over and let some of the water out of our raft when we seen a bank where Brian was pulled over. The only problem was the bank was on the left and we had to paddle to avoid these rocks with swift rapids and then quickly paddle back to the left and make it to the bank. Well, we could not avoid the rocks. We hit one rock and you guessed it; man overboard. Austin went over! I was trying to help him back to the boat while worrying if a snake was going to get him and laughing the entire time. He survived with a tiny cut on his hand and we made it the bank. We were able to pose for some pictures in the water, let the water out of our raft, get a drink of gatorade, and we were off again.

Austin climbed into the kayak and Brian was in the raft with us helping me up front paddle. I was concerned about Austin because Brian eventually left us going down the river and I did not want Austin out of my site. He stayed really close to us as he got familiar with how to maneuver the kayak. As we drifted down the river a little more there were some rapids and we got separated. Austin hit a rock and got caught up and could not get off. Us, on the other hand, continued drifting down the river as we watched Austin rock the kayak and try to push himself off of the rock. Hunter was getting upset because he wanted to jump in and swim up river to save his bubbie. Finally, Austin wiggled his way loose. The rest of the ride was smooth for everyone. We had a really good time. It took us 1 1/2 hours to get down the river and by the time that we were finished we all were exhausted and ready for some lunch.

Our next stop is Georgia Southern on June 20Th. Stephen and I would love for Brian to attend Georgia Southern because he will be close to us. However, Brian has already told us that if he goes to N.C. we could just move up there and I could still cook for him. I think I would be all for that because it is gorgeous!

slipping and sliding

We finally took the cover off the pool this week. I really wanted a swimming pool and I enjoy it, I really do, but I did not want to open it this year. It is a pain in my backside to keep up with chemical balancing, cleaning the pool, and everything else that comes along with the upkeep of a pool. The kids have been asking me when we are going to open it and Stephen told me "You give me the word and I will do it." So, I finally gave and he opened it on Monday.

Brian's job was to clean the pool cover and he made the best of it. Him and Hunter made a slip and slide out of it and they had a blast. Brian called me outside to look at something, I thought it was a snake so I was very hesitant. When I walked outside I busted out laughing. Those two boys were so funny sliding on their knee's and backside. There is nothing I love to hear more than my children laughing. Laughter is truly the best medicine.

Hair...what hair?

Today Hunter and I went to see our lovely cousin Valerie for some new do's. Hunter will not let anyone cut his hair except Valerie. We tried to go yesterday and Valerie was off. I explained to Hunter that Brandie could cut is hair and he replied " no only Balrie."

I really did not know what kind of a hairstyle that I wanted I just wanted it thinned out. My hair is extremely thick and heavy. I tend to get a lot of migraines and it is very hot in the summertime. I really do not think that I'm going to have that problem anymore, because it is short and thinned out. Seriously, I can not even pull it into a pony tail anymore. I was really nervous about what Stephen was going to think. The last time that I cut my hair really short was on his birthday, of all occasions. I donated my hair to locks of love to celebrate my pregnancy. Stephen HATED it! What a great birthday present to him.

He called me on the way home and I forewarned him. As I creeped into the house I was waiting on him to make fun of me or say he did not like it. Instead, he just looked at me and smiled. I said " you hate it don't you?" and he just smiled and said "No it really looks good." I was happy to hear those words. Thank you honey for making me feel better.

So what do you think? Keep the long hair or stay short?

It is hard to get a good picture when you are the photographer.

Our quick getaway

On May 14Th Brittaney turned 15 and we were able to spend the whole day with her, plus a few extra days. Stephen was able to take his only daughter to pass her learner's exam. About 3 p.m. we were talking about taking a day trip and going to Savannah to the beach. Then we started talking about going a little bit further and just going to Hilton Head, SC. By the time that we checked into the cost of rooms it was cheaper for us to spend three days in Panama City, FL than anywhere. So we quickly made reservations, packed every one's clothes, ran by Britt's Grannies so that they could quickly give her some birthday love (Thank you April), and we were on our way about 8 p.m.

We arrived at our destination around 1 a.m. We got a little bit of sleep and were ready to start the day. The weather was beautiful and the water was even more beautiful. I think this was God's way of saying you deserve this, or at least that makes me feel better considering we spent my student loan money. It was worth every penny! Brittaney had never been to Panama City and we really needed some time together as a family, we missed Austin not being able to share it with us though.

Friday Britt, Hunter, and I stayed out at the beach practically all day (and we were feeling it come Friday night) playing in the water. I'm terrified to swim in anything that I can not see my feet, but the water was gorgeous. I could see my feet even in chest deep water, I was loving it. Hunter had so much fun hanging on to me and sissy while we jumped the waves. Brian and Stephen decided to join us after they relaxed for a couple of hours. Friday evening we ventured out to Stephen's favorite restaurant Angelo's, known for their open pit steaks. Brittaney had never ate there and she was amazed at how delicious the steaks were. After dinner we went to the go cart track next door to Angelo's for a little fun. We drag raced each other, the boys went first and then the girls. I'm still the drag racing champion. Last year I raced Lyde and I was so concerned about winning that I forgot to hit the brake and hit the wall, it was hilarious. Stephen, Brian, and Britt rode the fast go carts while I drove Hunter on the slower track, we had a blast. We went by the boat dock to check out the ships afterwards and took some pictures at sunset, then it was time to head back to the hotel for some rest.

Saturday we were at the beach again. Britt and Brian were able to ride the jet ski's and of course they loved it. Stephen, Hunter, Britt, and I were swimming later in the afternoon and a quarter size jellyfish stung Britt on her wrist, so she was finished. The boys and I continued splashing in the waves when Stephen noticed a school of sting rays swimming in front of us. That was it! I grabbed Hunter and Stephen was right behind us. We were quickly trying to get out of the water. Stephen said that I was saying bad words that I do not even remember saying (imagine that). My focus was getting the three of us out of the water before we were bait. You can only imagine how hard it was for this fat girl to carry Hunter, fight the water, and worry if Stephen was coming. It was chaotic, but we made it. We finished the afternoon with shopping at a couple of the local shops. There was this one store called The Monkey Shack, and they had a live monkey. I'm not sure what kind of monkey, but it was the smaller one with a white face. She was 12 weeks old and was so cute, Hunter was fascinated with her. I thought that I wanted one of these monkey's when my children are grown and out of the house until I told the lady that I wanted this monkey and she told me for $12,000 I could have her. I quickly changed my mind once I knew how much they cost and besides the fact they can be so nasty. Saturday evening Britt wanted to go cruise the strip ( I felt so young again) so we set out for our venture. We drove down to Pier Park which is this new shopping complex they have built and it was really neat. We were a little upset that we did not have the money to shop, but it sure was fun checking things out and hanging out with each other. I thought it was so funny when this truck load of younger boys drove by us and said "Hey", I politely waved back. They must have been looking at Britt, or else they did not know how old I was. Thanks Britt for making me feel young. We surprised the boys and took milkshakes back to the hotel, but they were asleep (party poopers!)

Sunday morning we stopped for breakfast before getting on the road. We had to get back home so that I could make dinner for my mother in law. Sunday was her birthday and I wanted to make dinner and have our family over for the celebration. We had a great time and we were all asking "When are we going again?". Those unexpected quick trips are the absolute best!

My baby is a big boy now

Last night was Hunter's first night spending the night away from home. There have been a few times that this was attempted and he never went through with it. Twice was at my mom's house and once was with my neighbor Michelle. Saturday night my parents were over and when they were ready to leave Austin was going to spend the night with them. Hunter was having a fit because his bubbie was leaving him. Some how bubbie convinced him to go with him and spend the night at Noni's with him and they could sleep together. Before I knew it Hunter was asking me to get his clothes so that he could go with bubbie. Stephen and I both were trying to talk him out of this one because it was already 9:30 and we just knew that we were going to have to pick him up in a couple of hours.
Stephen and I got into the bed and I grabbed the phone waiting on that phone call. The house was quiet besides the television which was on a low volume because Stephen went to sleep. As I laid there waiting on the phone to ring I began to wonder, Was he really going to do it this time, spend the night away from me? I had no one to snuggle up with me and play with my hair as he does. Stephen was snuggled up to me, but it was not my baby. Then...the phone rang. I knew that my baby was not going to spend the night away from me because he is a mama's boy and when it comes to bedtime he needs Mommy and Daddy. I was quickly singing my victory song and answering the phone, getting ready to hear my little man say "come and get me". I was wrong! He was calling to tell me that I did not pack his spider man house shoes and he needed them. I apologized and told him that I would pack them the next time, I asked him could I talk to bubbie, gave him love over the phone and told him bye. I asked bubbie was Hunter ok, do you think that I need to come and get him? He laughed at me and said "no, he is excited about sleeping with me."
As I laid there again waiting on the phone to ring so many thoughts were going through my head. I soon fell asleep without my Hunter. I woke up Sunday morning with just my husband who cooked me breakfast. I was very surprised because I'm usually the one to cook. I think that he enjoyed it actually, but he said that he did not enjoy the bacon grease hitting him in his belly.
So it is official, my baby is quickly turning into a big boy. I still can not believe that he spent the night away from Stephen and I. My mom was the only one who had confidence that he was going to stay through the night. Regardless of him becoming a big boy, he will always need his Mommy. At least that makes me feel better to think that way.