Monthly Archives: May 2013

Latta Plantation

Tom and I have signed up for another triathlon.  This time, we are both doing the sprint triathlon at Latta Plantation on June 15th.  Today we decided to drive the thirty minutes up to the park so that we could bike ride the seventeen mile bike route.  Tom likes to preview part of the course.  I never really put much value on it, but I am glad that I did it today.

I realized one very important fact:  I need to train more.  I haven’t done much training since the last triathlon in April.  This bike route was much more hilly than the last one near the beach.  I am glad that I now know what I am up against.  I have three more weeks to get in better shape.

Doug and his kids came with us up to Latta Planation this morning.  Latta has a lake, a nature center, a Raptor Center, hiking trails, and an equestrian center.  While Tom did the bike route first, Doug and I took care of the kids.  We went on a hike, ate a snack and played in the nature center.  Tom finished his biking and then it was my turn.

Tom decided to be me trainer and follow me around in the car while I rode my bike.  It was a little awkward at first, but I kind of liked the company.  An hour on a bike by myself can get a little boring.

After all of the bike riding, we took the kids up to see the horses and get them a pony ride.  Faith and Wilson each got three laps on a pony named Lucy.  Wilson had never been on a pony and Faith had done it once before at the zoo.  Both were very excited.

Here they both are with Lucy and Nate, the cowboy.

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This picture made me laugh because instead of saying “cheese”, Faith told Wilson to say, “pony”….which she said.  Wilson decided he would say, “Angry Birds!” because he had on an Angry Birds helmet.  Faith was not pleased with this, as you can tell by her expression.

 

 

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Wilson on the pony…

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We really had a great day together.

bike week

Here in the South, specifically Myrtle Beach, there are two bike weeks: white biker week and black biker week. The two bike weeks are separated by one week of no bikers. (This is when we like to go). Having two bike weeks may sound crazy, but each group is so large that they need two weeks, and each group likes to have their own week. I am sure that this also sounds very old fashioned and some what racist…I guess it kind of is…and it isn’t. Long ago the two weeks were combined as one, but over the years some higher power decided they should be separate. I can’t imagine having both groups of people at the same time. That would be an insane amount of bikers.

Yesterday afternoon we headed up to Mrytle Beach to ride some of the rides on the boardwalk. Unfortunately the rides weren’t open for another couple of hours. (Bad planning on our part). There was, however, lots if entertainment. It was bike week!

We drove up the strip in awe of all the bikes and pimped out/modified cars. There was a sweet one in front of us. Tom convinced me to jump out if the car, run up the sidewalk and get a picture of it. The driver was gracious enough to slow down so that I could get the picture.

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Doug took a picture of the kids in front of a very nice and expensive Harley. There were many Harleys, speed bikes, and an occasional modified ride like the one in the picture. The streets were crowded with people and traffic was moving very slowly…..and this was only Friday. I can’t imagine how many people were going to be there this weekend and next week.

We had a great time. Eventually we did find a small arcade and some ice cream for the kids.

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Murrell’s Inlet Beach trip

The week has really gone by very quickly. We have only one more day left before we leave on Saturday. We have had a few rainy days, but not many. It has been typical beach weather: sunny in the morning, rainy in the early afternoon, and then it clears up immediately after. Because the kids wake up so early each morning, we are on the beach by 9:00 and usually stay until about noon. by then the kids are tired and want to go in to rest and have lunch.

Grandmama Pat was able to come and spend two days with us. She and Faith shared a room. Faith loves to be around her. Faith made sure that she sat next to Grandmama at every meal and very assertively saved her a seat at the table. Grandmama was a good sport. I am sure that it was much louder and much more chaotic than she is used to seeing. We have good kids, but five kids in one house can be overwhelming for anyone.

Yesterday I was able to spend some quality time with Wilson on the beach. We played in the sand, jumped the waves and then walked down the beach a little ways. In SC people are always fishing on the beach. We came upon two guys that had just caught a baby shark. It was a very small shark, but still a shark none the less. We were able to pet him before they released him back into the water. My only thought was….”what is that shark going to be doing five years from now?”

Today we one of the most beautiful days that we have had. The temperature was in the low 80’s and the sky was clear. Tom dug a big hole for the little ones to play in with the shovel that we brought from home (a must have). Here are some pics from our fun day in the sun.

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Wilson rides a two wheeler!

Wilson has been riding the balance bike for over six months.  He can coast from one end of the driveway all the way around to the top of the other side.  He liked the balance bike and was not interested in riding a two wheeler.  Like any parent, we wanted to see him do something that we knew that he could do.  I also knew that it would be easier for us to go on family bike rides on the greenway.

While I was napping, Tom took Wilson aside and had him try to ride Gabriel’s two wheel bike downstairs in the driveway (at the beach).  Wilson did one lap with Tom helping him and then Wilson pushed him off and rode all by himself.  Wilson was so proud of himself.  He almost crashed a few times because he was looking around at everyone.  :)

I am so proud of Wilson.  I knew that he could do it.  He is riding a two wheel bike at three and a half years old.

Today I was able to see his success in person and get it on film.

Here is a video to prove it.

 

Bible verses written under the new floors

I was asked by a friend of mine what scriptures I wrote on the floors in the house before the men put the hardwoods down in the bedrooms.  Some of the verses were ones that I had memorized in the past, some were favorites, and others just seemed appropriate.  Honestly, I could have put so many more verses if I had the time.

God’s Word is appropriate in every situation.  I also feel that by having God’s Word in the house at all times, we are protected in some way.  These are verses that have God’s promises for our family in them.  I tried to do a mixture of both Old and New Testament.

The verses are in bold.  Some of them have an explanation below the verse as to why I chose it.

1.  “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘Plans to prosper you and not to harm you.  Plans to give you a hope and a future.'”  Jeremiah 29:11               

This is a verse that I stumbled upon just before marrying Tom.  Once I found it, it was everywhere.    We have really claimed this verse for our family.  My mantra, of sorts.  It was also the verse that was handwritten and taped up in one of the bathrooms of our house when we came to look at it for the first time, and to possibly buy it.  To us, it seemed like a sign from God that this was the house that He had chose for our family.  It was a very special moment for us.

2.  “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”  Ephesians 3:20-21

3.  “ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  Romans 8:28

  
4.  “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”  Romans 8:32-33

   
5.  “Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.”  Romans 8:34

6.  “ I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,  so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”  Ephesians 3:14-19


7.  “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hopethrough the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,”  1 Peter 1:3


8. “For it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:16


9.  “Be completely humble and gentle;  be patient, bearing with one another.”  Ephesians 4:2            I thought this would be a good one for the master bedroom.  :)


10.  “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”  Romans 15:13           This a verse that I memorized a few years ago when I really needed some hope and joy in my life.  It was right before Miller was born.  God’s Word is a wonderful thing to memorize.  There is always encouragement and hope on the tip of my tongue and always in my head….ready to be used.

            

11.  “By wisdom a house is built and through understanding it is established.”  Proverbs 24:3

12.  “For the Spirit of God does ot make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”  2 Tim 1:7

13.  “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.”  2Tim 1:9

14.  “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” Psalm 119:105         I quite appropriately wrote this one on the stairs.

15.  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.”  Prov 3:5-6                    I memorized this verse as a teenager.  After I came back from Colorado and rededicated myself to the Lord, this verse came back into my memory.  I ran to my mom and asked her what verse it was.  I really relied on this one while dating Tom (until the Jeremiah verse became my main verse)  Both Wilson and Faith know the first half of this one.

16.  “For the Son of Man can to seek and to save the lost.”  Luke 19:10

17.  “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”  Philippians 4:13            This is the verse that Faith wrote on the floor.  I remind the kids of this verse all the time when they doubt themselves and their own capabilities.  They have memorized it.

18.  Delight yourselves in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.”  2 Cor 4:7                               I totally believe this verse!  God wants to give us the things that we want and desire.  He just wants us to put Him first in our lives and do the right things in His eyes.

19.  “Be clear minded and self controlled so that you can pray.”  1 Peter 1:13               I am so distracted by the kids, life and my to-do list that I can’t think straight, much less pray.  Seems that those in the Bible had the same problem.  I need this to be a constant reminder in my life right now.

20.  “If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.”  1 John 4:15

21.  “There is no fear in love.”  1 John 4:18                             My uncle Alan wrote this verse in my Bible at my engagement party.  He told me that I had to trust Tom and not be afraid.  I still have the piece of paper Alan gave me.

22.  “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to Gods, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”  1 Peter 4:9 

23.  “I will lie down and sleep in peace.  For you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.” Psalm 4:8                  A perfect verse for kids.  Anytime that they are afraid at night I remind them of God’s sovereignty and His promise to protect them.

24.  “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts you.”  Isaiah 26:3                                               I don’t know why I chose to memorize this verse right before Faith was born.  God knew that I was going to need it, I guess.  When Faith was only a few months old my dad told me that he had prostate cancer.  As you can imagine,  I was very upset.  I remember crying and praying to God that he would heal my dad and not let him die.  During that prayer this verse popped into my head. I felt a wave of peace come over me.  From that moment on I did not worry about my dad’s health nor his recovery from prostate cancer.  I knew that God had it all under control.

First day at the beach

We had a great time at the beach today. The water was cold but the kids didn’t seem to mind. They jumped the waves and played withy the boogie boards anyway.

Both Miller and Shepherd were up before 7:00 so I decided to put Miller in the stroller and go for an early morning run. It was warm and quiet. I enjoyed it. My goal for vacation is to get some exercise in. As long as I am up early I might as well use the time wisely…..especially if I have to put on
a swimsuit afterwards.

I played with miller in the sand. He loves playing in the sand. Fills up a bucket with sand, makes a sand castle, knocks it down and then does it a over again.

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In addition to forgetting to pack more than one pair of Millers pajamas, Wilson’s pull ups, pajama bottoms for wilson, and many more things, I am sure….I forgot Wilson’s swim shirt. Mom bought the boys new Spiderman swim shirt.

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Wilson put on the swim floatie and his goggles and practiced his swimming. He did amazing! He let the waves bounce him around while he twisted and turned. Looks like swim lessons are paying off already.

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After lunch and naps (including mine) we drove up to the pier to play games, earn enough tickets to buy a whoopie cushion or two, and walk on the pier. The kids ran around and danced on the stage. I love seeing the fishermen and seeing what they catch. It is something that I don’t enjoy but it is fun to see what they are doing. Being in South Carolina makes everything a little more interesting. :)

Day one was great fun. The kids played well together and had a lot of fun. There are enough adults around that childcare is much easier. It is fun just to see how excited the kids are to be here and the energy that they share. It is a life experience for them and I am glad that we are here.

Strawberry Festival

Today we left for the beach. We knew ahead of time that the McCloed Farms Strawberry Festival was today. We always stop at McCloed Farms on the way to the beach to get peaches or strawberries, depending on the time of year.

We had lunch, went on a horse drawn wagon ride, climbed up into giant tractors, and listened to music. The kids favorite part was the bounce house, obstacle course, and slide.

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