"My hands smell like...

doap (soap)." That is what Allison kept telling me at bedtime tonight and insisting I smell her hands. I am used to those certain consonants not coming quite clear and don't usually even think about them. I must have been in a crazy state tonight because inside I was having a laugh attack at her telling me her hands smelled like dope!!

PRAY!!!

If you ever click on the my "blogging friends" link, you may have come across Leslie's battle with cancer. Please pray for Leslie- RIGHT NOW!- as she is in ICU and having a difficult time breathing.

Her son, TJ, shares Allison's birthday. Pray she will be strong enough to enjoy his 3rd birthday.

My emotions with this whole thing are so mad and frustrated. Lots of crazy questions I have about this, that is for sure. BUT, I do believe that God can bring good out of this and I also believe he has the power to heal. All I can say is - anytime now, Lord!!

Vacation Part 2

Despite arriving very late on Sun pm to the island, the kids were up a little before 6 am and we were on the beach before 8 (that included a trip into town for breakfast items from the local grocer). The kids loved the beach and waves.

We all got a little too brave by Tues and had a wave that took us all under. Kyle head butted me and gave me a little shiner on my left eye. I was thankful for strong swimming as he had a choke hold around my neck. Damon hoisted Allison above his head and was slammed into the rocky beach - a knee scrape. We stayed a little closer to shore after that. Kyle even apologized later in the day (unnecessarily) for hurting my eye. How sweet!

The other time at the resort were spent shopping, renting bikes and just relaxing. It was very enjoyable. We also enjoyed some seafood which is always a treat when near the ocean.




We then headed north via Asheville NC and saw the Biltmore House (or castle as we called it to make it more of an adventure to a 5 yr old boy!)

The grounds were beautiful and the town very charming. We decided this would be a good getaway for just Damon and I one day. After one night in NC, we were home to Fishers by 1030 pm. The car trip we survived. Wed was not a fun one. Allison only slept 20 min and screamed a lot of the rest of our day. I felt like I'd been through a battle by the time we reached NC and it was that day we decided our vacations in the near future would be 6-7 hour car rides, cheap flights or adult only! It was a trying day. I was reading the book "Grace Based Parenting" on this trip and was praying for wisdom in the car on Wed for sure!!!

Other good reads I had were the Shack and A girl named Zippy. Very different books but fast, enjoyable reads. I'm so thankful I can ride and read.

Vacation- Part 1

Well, we started out our vacation taking 1 hour to get out of Fishers. We planned a quick breakfast stop but then Allison's stomache kept hurting (or so she said) and she'd complained about this the last time in the car. With a history of carsickness on Damon's side, I was paranoid that she was going to get sick so we kept stopping. Then, many requests for bathroom breaks. Finally, we just put a pull up on - she is way too smart for us. I thought we would never get into KY, let alone GA!

Anyway, after 11 hours of driving and stopping we made it to Atlanta GA for the Clark Family Reunion. We spent 3 nights and days there. It was so fun to see all the cousins. They are so close in age and had a great time. The grandparents were so kind to watch all the kids so the cousins could enjoy breakfast out. Damon's stellar surfing skills found a quaint local french place for breakfast that we all enjoyed a lot! Grandpa sacrificed a lot with this babysitting job!




We also enjoyed the aquarium while we were in Atlanta and the kids did great in the hotel. They didn't get naps so were WIPED OUT by day 2 with all outside, swimming and late nights but they rallied, took car naps and all survived!
We then headed south to Amelia Island via Macon GA to visit the Robeys
and Savannah for a stop at Uncle Bubba's restaurant. It was 1030 Sun pm when we finally got to the island- a little piece of heaven on earth.

4th of July

The kids might have had their latest night ever this weekend. We went to downtown fireworks which started about 10 pm, ended about 1020 and then after a walk to the zoo and a long wait to exit, it was about 1115 when we departed. Allison was asleep about 1/2 mile later and Kyle about 2 miles later.

Allison learning to "oooh and ahhh" at the fireworks

They were so tired Sat (I am glad I had to work!) and then spent the night with E's Sat pm so Damon and I could go to Conner Prairie with our small group. It was such nice weather and the symphony was fabulous! I just love going and the patriotic music is probably my favorite. They really set the scene for the fireworks that conclude the evening and I think they may be the best I'd ever seen. It was quite the show.

After all the activity and then overnight, the kids were exhausted tonight and we need to get rested up before vacation at the end of the week.

No fear

This is the best comment to tell how Allison feels about water. She has always loved it. I didn't take my camera to my brother's Mon but we had the fun time of swimming with the cousins all Mon afternoon.

Kyle did great navigating in the shallow end and getting face/hair wet with no protest. Allison was wild and I couldn't take my eyes off of her for a second. She was all over the pool in a swim ring and even jumped off the diving board to me in the deep water.

Here is a pic of her in the tub to show her love of water.