Oh, my there is so much that has happened this past month. I hardly know where to begin. This will be very long and have lots of pictures.
At the end of April our clan was the only one able to join Papaw at his works annual BBQ dinner. We had a good time and as always it was "delectable food" as Austin would say. I'm glad we went or he would have been there without any family. Mamaw wasn't able to make it because of her work schedule.
On April 29 the kids and I went up to have a play date with the cousins. It was a long drive there and back, but so worth it. For one, I was just glad that although they were all rather tired and hot by the end of the day, no one had a melt down. That is until I had my kids loaded up to leave and Leah burst into tears, "I miss Tucker!" We hadn't even pulled away from the house. She was asleep before we were three blocks away.
At the end of April our clan was the only one able to join Papaw at his works annual BBQ dinner. We had a good time and as always it was "delectable food" as Austin would say. I'm glad we went or he would have been there without any family. Mamaw wasn't able to make it because of her work schedule.
On April 29 the kids and I went up to have a play date with the cousins. It was a long drive there and back, but so worth it. For one, I was just glad that although they were all rather tired and hot by the end of the day, no one had a melt down. That is until I had my kids loaded up to leave and Leah burst into tears, "I miss Tucker!" We hadn't even pulled away from the house. She was asleep before we were three blocks away.
The first of the month Byron drove the Interstate Battery Limo to Tulsa, OKC and back. The kids and I had a fun time while he was gone. Papaw, Mamaw, Uncle Kyle, Michael, Tucker, me and my 4 all went to visit Bonniebid. That was my horse that I had to sell to help pay for Austin. I miss Bonniebid, but Austin was worth it. :) We all had sooo much fun. All the children got to take rides on her, but by the time they were done, she looked so hot and tired I just couldn't make her take on another passenger. I'll ride next time. Our kids also got to bottle feed real kids~~baby goats.
Leah was scared stiff of all the dogs, but I think she would live on horse back if allowed. She stayed in the Expedition until it was time to ride and then when her ride was over she hung out on the trailer out of the dogs reach/interest. I don't know why my "brave" one has become so afraid of dogs all of a sudden. She's only ever been around friendly dogs. Who knows with kids???
May the 8th Byron's grandma passed away. Now neither of us has a living grandparent. I spent the 9th and 10th researching transportation and lodging for our cross country trip from TX to PA. We stayed for church on Sunday and left on our trip Monday. The rental didn't go as smoothly as it should have and we weren't able to pull out of town until nearly 4 PM. We went as far as we could the first night and then got a hotel. After two long days of driving and hours of dvd's...thank you Christa D. for your player...we made it to PA. The funeral was Thurs. May 15. It was a very nice service that remembered and honored Grandma Lawrence's life.
In a time of sorrow it is always nice to find joy. When children are there that is not hard to do. I think the funniest thing that happened at the graveside was when Austin and Andrew cupped their hands and hollered down, "Grandma, can you hear us down there?" The only have a clue, but not the whole picture of what death is.
Two of the most touching scenes were when Andrew knelt down by the grave and Leah stood close behind him. The adults were all a distance away. I saw them there so still and serious and respectful. After probably half a minute (a long time when you are 4 and 3) they back to running and playing. Then right as we were all getting ready to leave, nearly everyone was at the cars, Byron and I were hanging back a little ways and Leah was a ways back from us. She turned and looked at the grave all covered with flowers and lifted her hand and waved good-bye before turning back around and walking not running to catch up with the rest of the family.
We went to VA to spend a day and a half before heading back home. We had a birthday party there for Samuel. It was the first time these cousins got to have a birthday party together. We grilled outside and had a yummy cake Grandma bought.
Friday night was spent getting ready for Josiah to go have a kidney transplant, then finding out that because of messed up planning on the part of the transplant team in CA where the donor was the kidney wouldn't reach Josiah in time. It was a HUGE disappointment and a very emotional several hours. We all know that God has a perfect plan and we are waiting to find out what that is.
W left VA after lunch on Sat and got back home at 2 AM on Monday May 19. The whole rest of the week was spent trying to catch up on school, laundry and everything else.
Samuel got an ear infection so his dr. went ahead and saw him for his "well child"/sick visit all at once. This is the second time he has cut 4 teeth at once and ended up with an ear infection. Victoria used to do the same thing. I'm just glad he was all well before our big family get together at the end of the week.
Leah got her 1st hair cut at the ripe ole age of 3 1/2. It is still very long, but I had about 5 inches taken off. While we were at Rhonda's house (that's the lady who cuts our hair) Austin went to the bathroom. When he came back downstairs he had some yucky looking TP hanging out of his shorts. I sent him back up so I could help him (Mind you he doesn't like to wipe because he doesn't want to get that on his hands). Before I could even ask him why the TP was there he said, " I put toilet paper in my underwear so it could wipe my bottom while I walk." I started laughing. He looked at me like "what's so funny" which only made me laugh harder. I got the situation resolved, but even now I laugh at the "creativity and ingenuity" of his thoughts.
On the 24th we had a big family birthday~ Mother's day celebration. First we went to Craig and Amy's house for lunch and part of Mom and Samuel's b-day. It was so nice to just hang around and visit and see the triplets who are growing so fast. From ther we went to Kyle and Michaela's house for Michael's birthday and some of Mom's and Samuel's and Mother's day. Over all it was another fun and very busy day.
I feel genuinely sorry for people who don't belong to families who love each other and enjoy spending time together.
I wish I had been more consistent about blogging. I've missed recording so many of the cute, funny or sweet things the different kids have said or done.
Samuel has started walking behind wheeled objects, now. Full fledge walking can't be far off. Yay, Oh dear!!
I didn't take the time to put names with each picture since I put so many in here. If anyone doesn't know someone and wants to, just ask me. :)
