Dinner with Misty

One of my dear friends, Misty, is moving. Her husband Scott has been transferred to Florida and they are heading South next Monday. I met Misty when she moved to Grace Chapel in 2007. We were both pregnant and I have loved getting to know her and her sweet family over the past four years. 

Misty and I worked closely together for almost two years on the Discipleship Class COmmittee for the church. We had fun and though our work ended earlier in the year, we decided to celebrate one last time together at Cheppe's. It was so nice to visit and say "'til next time" to a good friend.

Jane, Leanne, Katey, and Misty

Role Reversal

Since January, I have been back at work one day a week. As the summer approached so did an office move for The HoneyBaked Ham Company. Wesley and I talked and we decided that I could commit to working the entire week of the move to help with odds and ends around the office. I was so excited about this week!

Once I got into the week, a few things came up and Wesley and I discussed the idea of my going back to work full time for a month. We were able to work it out with childcare and such and I told my boss that I could give her a full month.

She was excited and so was I! We hired a sitter for two of the weeks and Wesley stayed home with the boys for two weeks. We both enjoyed our new roles. I loved the responsibilities that come with working – having deadlines, lunch dates, and such- but I missed my boys!

The boys though, didn’t miss me. They had a blast with the sitters and with Dada! Here are some of the pictures I got through out the day when Wesley was home with them:

Helping DaDa with the Yard Work:

Yard work is easier with a paci!

Flash spent a lot more time indoors with Wesley around!

Nap Time!

Twice I got pictures of Jackson asleep on the floor! What did Wesley do with them all day?!

Target run for a new Car Transporter!

Having fun at Publix - no they are not asleep; just being funny!

One day, they spent the morning at the Truck Dealership getting DaDa's tires fixed.

His lego creation!

Fixing Dinner

Listening to some music at Best Buy!

Wesley heads to Orlando!

Last Tuesday, Wesley received a call from Dan, his former supervisor at the YMCA. There was a man who runs a weeklong conference in Disney World who was offering a full scholarship to someone in youth leadership at the Metro Atlanta YMCA.

Dan recommended Wesley to receive the scholarship and called to see if he wanted to go. I was all on board for it. Wednesday morning, Wesley talked to the guy from the Magical Wand Foundation and decided to go.

Since I had already committed to working, the kids and I weren’t able to go. (Not only because of work but also it is hot! I didn’t want to be in Orlando by myself with two little ones in the heat!)

It was spur of the moment, but Wesley packed up and left last Saturday for a week in Disney World. He really enjoyed the conference and loved having some much needed time alone to recharge from a crazy past few months.

Every day, he would send us photos from his trip. The pictures always brightened my day.

Some were for Jackson:

Parking Tram

Monorail Card

Monorail in the Contemporary Hotel

Some were for me: (most of my pictures had a central theme - the Disney Food!)

Cinnamon Roll from Main Street

Jalapeno Cheddar Pretzel from Animal Kingdom

Earl of Sandwich

His luxury King-sized bed in the Contemporary!

And some of the pictures were just for fun:

Arriving at Disney World

The Parade

Chef Mickey's

Conference Treat

Final Banquet at the Conference

The crowds!

We were all so ready for Wesley to get home. The boys (and I!) enjoyed seeing him and getting our goodies he picked out for us!

Wednesday night, I decided to return the favor of sending text photos, and sent Wesley a snap shot of our dinner out - Gotta love Waffle House!

Publix

Jackson has the biggest imagination! It amazes me how his mind works, what he remembers and what he duplicates in play.

The other day, Wesley had out a stud finder and the beep of the tool reminded Jackson of the Publix scanner. He asked his Dad if he could play with it and a week long game of Publix began.

He played with me, Wesley, Philip and even our neighbor Miss Morgan joined in on the fun!

We took groceries out of the pantry, lined them up around the den and took turns being the "Buyer" (cashier) and "Getter" (shopper).

Jackson is the "buyer" and Philip is the "getter"

The grocery cart had been in the attic for months. Jackson and Wesley were up in the attic looking at the Air Conditioner and Jackson noticed it. He made Wesley bring it down for the added bonus in his Publix game!

Philip loved putting the muffin mixes into the cart!

Occasionally, we had enough people playing that someone was the bagger. And if you were lucky, the bagger would take your groceries to your car!

My boss, Robin, gave Jackson this little green bag and he used it for his reusable Publix bag!

4th of July

We celebrated the 4^th of July with the Howards and Hazlewoods on Sunday afternoon. Wesley was in Orlando and I was so grateful to have something fun for the boys to do. We had a delicious dinner and all the kids enjoyed playing together.

After dinner, they got out in the pool for a few minutes and really enjoyed that. Especially the two younger ones – Jack and Philip.

Kate, Ashley and I amused ourselves checking out these adorable bodies and noticing just how similar they look! I think every one is a sucker for those blonde curls and when you have two little cuties out there, the camera goes wild!

Neither has missed a meal!

Look at those curls!

Checking out the new sod Mr. Todd planted this year...Looks good!

I mean seriously? I love it!!!

Random Shots

Here are a few random shots from the past week.

Philip has become attached to his backpack. It is really quite cute as he lugs it into school. The other day, it was out at the house so I helped him put it on. He had so much fun with that thing!

That same night, after dinner, Philip pulled up a chair to watch Wesley clean the dishes, and then decided to help. He pulled out a washrag and started washing the coffee cup.

I heard some fun noise coming out of Jackson’s room during nap one afternoon so I went in to investigate. He was playing in his new room with his rain boots on!

My Garden

I had decided not to plant a garden this year. Last year, we had some unwelcome guests in our yard due to the garden, and I didn't think I wanted to tackle it again. Thankfully, my friend Patricia changed my mind!

She had some extra plants and offered them to me. Jackson ad I planted them and have really enjoyed watching them grow.

This year, we have cucumbers, squash, tomatoes, herbs, and peppers. It may be too many plants for my small area, but so far, they are thriving. We have enjoyed the cucumbers and squash and are waiting on the tomatoes to turn red.

My first squash

My first cucumber

I don't understand...if there are any experienced gardeners reading this, please explain! Why would I get both types of squash off the same plant? Some of them have been hooked neck and some have been straight?

All have been delicious!