Monday, August 1, 2011

From Happy New Year to Happy August



It is hard to believe that I haven't posted since January. We had a wonderful spring. Summer has been a blast!

We went to North Carolina with both sets of Grandparents. Benjamin and my mom got a little off the trail. He spotted a baby bear. Really, if you know my mom that is hilarious! She suggested making lots of noise and getting on some stumps. You can look for her on the next round of Dual Survivor. :) We went tubbing down a mountain stream-the coldest water I have ever been in to date. I screamed and laughed the whole way! The boys are all brave little dare devils! We also rode a train through the mountains. We loved the Hemlock Inn. Thanks mom and dad for a great trip!!!!!!!

In July, Ben surprised me with a 10 year anniversary trip to SeaSide. We went there on our honeymoon. He made friends with the proud owners of a YoLo board. Really fun! I am too scared of sharks, but he did great! Wow! 10 GREAT years. That needs to be a whole different post. I am truly blessed with absolutely the best husband! He is a true picture of Christ to me.
We just returned from a trip to the Grand Hotel in Fairhope. We ate dinner at sunset while the boys played croquette. There were ping pong battles, cannons fired, kayaking in the bay, going out on the catamaran, Wii music tournaments, putt putt, water slides, lazy rivers, pole fishing, bicycle riding, and lots of fun! Thanks Pop and Mama Sue!

Ben got a canoe for his birthday. That has been a lot of fun for our family. It is a bit like a kayak that seats 5 people. We found a little spring that is really, really, really deep. The boys like to dive to the depths and explore the underwater world. I was really amazed when Benjamin jumped in with no one else. Way braver than I am! I mean this water is coming up out of the earth! REALLY DEEP. Ben did get in with him, but we let him exert his manhood a bit and head in first. I sometimes think that parenting all boys (at least for the type like myself) means praying and simply closing your eyes....and asking Ben are you sure this is okay?!?!?
Just the swimming pool is an exercise for me not to squelch that need little boys have to conquer, or prove that they have what it takes. I am convinced that life's lessons could be taught on the diving board. I often just have to bite the inside of my cheek and smile. That leads to a whole different post too!
By the way, school supplies are in our closet and I am giddy with excitement!

Maybe I will get around to posting again before Christmas.

2 comments:

Tonja said...

Friend, sweet girlfriend, I have missed you so much! Maybe since I am a GRANDMOTHER (Lulu), I am too far gone to be friends with you YOUNG'UNS! I would so like to see the boys, I know they have grown so much! Oh, dear one, it happens so, so fast. My baby is 27! Thank goodness for Levi! He is so precious! We just can not get enough of him...I think that is the way it is supposed to be. I will be keeping him 3 days a week! Oh, what will we do? Anything and everything and more! He loves the water. Suzeann puts him in the pool on a float and he'll just kick and laugh and float!

You are so right about boys. It is so hard to know how far to step away and how close to get. So proud of Benjamin! And, two in school? Oh My! Boys have so much to prove...they think...but how quick they need Mom when there's trouble. Or Dad. And when there are 3...well, I know what can happen. Stay on your toes!

Would so love to get together with you at some point. I'm hoping to run up to school before glasses start and see everybody.

Hug the boys for me!

Melody said...

Oh we are so excited about school starting as well. Can'y believe the summer as flown by so fast. Maybe I can catch my breath in the next week before everything starts up again. Seems summer is busier than the school year. I think we are just wanting so much to cram as many memories as humanly possible into a very short amount of time. So glad your summer as been so special. See you soon, MRS. McCLURKIN!