CHARTING NEW TERRITORY

Towards the end of June, Grandpa & Grandma Ellsworth came to town. We decided to head to Hilton Head and Savannah. My brother, Dan, and I have wanted to take my mom to Savannah ever since we, ourselves, visited that lovely southern city (did you know that it did NOT get burned in Sherman's march to the sea?).

Since we would be so close to Hilton Head, we swung by the beach. It's shameful, but we had never been to Hilton Head. At least, the children and I hadn't. It was wonderful!

Grandpa Day wrestling with Jared and Rett in the Atlantic Surf.


Recovering sandaphobe (Ivy hated sand the first few years of life) plays 'bury me' over and over again with Uncle Dan.

It was a quick trip...In 36 hours we:
Went to the beach
Shopped
Went to dinner
Swam in the resort pool
Toured Savannah
Ate at 5 guys
Ate Blizzards
Drove to and Fro
and caught a some shut eye.


This was funny. My nephew, Jared aka Birthday boy, had Crawfish for dinner and provided our entertainment. The waiter said he'd worked there 3 summers and never seen that done.

Willow

In the spring, for family movie night, we watched Marley and Me. Rusty took from it that we needed to give the kids an opportunity to nuture a dog...from a pup. In essence, go through the whole bonding, life span, etc. of having a dog. So began our pursuit. Let me just say, I'm not a dog person, but I am supportive.

So after responsibility training and looking for the right breed, we thought we had narrowed down our options...medium sized, female, does well with children. On the first Saturday of June, Petsmart had adopt a pet. We thought we would go check it out with the OPTION to bring home a dog. As we were looking, Asa's baseball coach walked up with his family in tow. They had just had to put their long time pet down and were looking for another pet. He informed us that all the Petsmarts had adopt a pet that same day. After seeing our options close to home, we decided to venture out a little and go to another to see what they had to offer. We actually caravanned with our two cars and Asa's coach to the next Petsmart.

They children were excited and Rusty arrived ahead of our car. The family all got to the dogs before I did. As I meandered over to the dogs, I saw her.....



She was so 'doggone' cute! I was smitten and the kids thought she was great too! We took her home. They had already named her Willow and we all liked it so we voted to keep it.

3 1/2 months later, I'm not as smitten, but she's still cute. A good bit bigger, chews up more than I'd like, loves to steal away anything left out, and is a jumper (especially those little people she can pretty much tackle). Playful biting can get a little out of hand. So we continue to train, lead, and acclimate her to our pack. We're hoping to get through the first 15 months (half way there) and then she'll mellow. But for now, we buy chew toys, chew bones, tell her to sit, and read/watch videos on dog training.

Dream come true

Last year I went to Wicked. Rusty and I considered giving his ticket to Shea, but I wanted to experience it with him first so he obliged. But after seeing it, I so wanted to go again, with Shea. When my sister told me she was planning to see it with her daugther when it came to AZ, I began to dream. When I get something in my head, I will find a way. I found a way. Shea & I traveled to AZ, met up with my mom, sisters, and daugthers and away we went to Wicked! They had the same G-Linda which made it so wonderful! I savored it as much or more as the first time at the Fox! Watching the joy on Shea's face was priceless.

After Wicked, we went to a sleepover at Great Grandma Beals! That was icing on the cake. She was so excited she waited up for us, then kept talking from her bed. The next morning she was up bright and early with Shea. Can you say two peas in a pod? We ate, played games, and visited. Then it was time to head out for lunch then back home to Georgia. Quick, but savored every moment. I look forward to another mother daughter getaway in the future. I'm so thankful for Rusty's support, and for Rett babysitting so we could do this. Now it's their turn. ;)

Life Happens...

So it's been a rather interesting few months. I'll detail later, but for now, in a nutshell...

Rusty works and works and works near the Galleria, at church, the gym, at home...he works

Kathleen is a 24 hour mom PLUS volunteered to do the PTSA Directory for a second year (just say 'no'), new calling, training, lessons, taxi...you get the idea...24 hour mom

Rett is in 8th grade, putting his laX stick on the shelf for a season to do gymnastics, scouting, scouting, scouting....almost a star...

Shea is still in violin for her 3rd year, 5th grade, reading club, gymnastics, delightful

Asa is tearing up 2nd grade, tearing up gymnastics....tearing life up...

Ivy...sigh...swallowing nonfood objects, sticking things up her nose...trouble less now that school is back in session. She wants to play with 'friends' daily. Preschool and playdates...aaahhhh...the life of a 4 year old.

Willow, our dog of 3 months, is trying to acclimate to the pack. Sweet, but high energy.

Chickens are putting off LOTS of eggs. Love them

There's more, later.

TAKE ME BACK TO...

8th grade...where my friend, Laura, and I are waiting for the bus. We would take the bus from Snowflake Jr. High to Taylor Elementary, then wait for the High School Bus to pick up the Jr. High kids and Elementary school kids. Yes, you read that right. All of us, Elementary, Jr. High, and High School, would ride on the bus...together! Back when the bus driver, Mr. Barnes, had permission to keep ALL kids in line. Back when there were no cell phones with scandalous pictures...back in the day. Wow!

So I made the comment that it was a "good thing I ditched the glasses."

Asa asks "Yeah, but who did you give them to?" lol...lol...

Asaism #492

Timeline of an ER tour

6:02 PM Asa rides the wagon down the backyard. He lands in a pile of rocks missing a fence post and saving major head trauma.

6:35 PM Arrive at the ER

6:57 PM Poor elderly lady in waiting room is having severe abdominal pain and vomits

7:24 PM Preliminary evaluation - 54.5#

8:01 PM Moved from Waiting Room to Private Room, socks for Asa's barefeet, meet N.P. Roger and Ms. Beverly

8:10 PM Roger discovers GREEN silly putty remnants from DECEMBER. Roger was sure Asa had tubes. ;o) Back to the ENT

8:20 PM Xray while mom fills out paperwork

8:38 PM C.T. scan of head/eyes. Nice bruiser

9:08 PM Stitches finally. 8 in left forearm + 4 in left pinky = 12 total!

9:34 PM Humpty Dumpty aka Asa put back together again :)

9:59 PM Wait! We missed one last scrape for evaluation by NP Roger

10:05PM Discharge and Good Bye to all our new friends.
We have more detailed photos for not so faint of heart. ;)
We are thankful it wasn't more severe.

WAY TO GO RETT!

Two years ago, Rett came to us and said he wanted to play LaCrosse. After doing some research, I found it to be a rather expensive sport and told him he'd have to wait until fall when registration was half the cost. Fall came and Rett remembered what I said. I told him that if he would commit to 2 years (signed contract even), we would, in return, sign him up for LaX. We scoured the sports stores (new and used), shopped online, and got him 'geared' up with helmet, pads, gloves, and stick (a few weeks in, we had to buy another stick so we could play 'catch' with him).
Fast forward 2 years later......
We've purchased 4 sticks, Rett has played 4 seasons as Midi, Attack, and recently Goalie, Shea and Asa are starting to talk about playing LaX, and Sunday, We were told Rett was nominated for AllStars. We are so proud of him and excited to play through the summer! "We honor the game!"