Down on the farm

We made a trip to North Alabama a few weeks ago - summertime is always a great time to visit - there is much to do and see - swimming holes, gardens with fresh veggies and lots of land to roam around and explore. 

One special treat for us as we visited was that the Liles' were in town too!  All the way from Virginia!  We were thrilled to hear that Allison, Hill and Pailet were headed south for a surprise party for her father who is retiring from his pharmacy after 30 years of service.  They even came a few days earlier than planned because of the storms that knocked out power and water - I know I speak for many of us in saying that it was FABULOUS to see them in person again. 

We had a play date at the splash pad in Decatur and our children had a blast doing what they all four do best - eating and playing!

Doing what we do best - eating!

Sweet C feeding Sweet P - precious!

CE and Sweet P hanging out at the splash pad

C is always eating - I kid you not ....

Who needs a splash pad when you have snacks?

Getting Doc to help her reach deep - Doc is Sweet P's Pop

This little piggy went to market, this little piggy stayed home...

Loving on my sweet girl - this Godmama was in heaven!

Did we mention how hot it was??  A little playin' in the shade was in order

Yay for a visit with the Liles'!  They moved in March and we've managed to see them May and July!  We're super duper blessed that Super Mom Allison drove all this way with her two little ones - ALONE!  I'm still in awe - I'm so glad she did though!  It's always a treat to see one of our favorite families!

We headed to the farm after the play date - we were at Aunt B and Uncle C's the first night and morning, but were so busy I didn't even get my camera out - I will next time!  Thanks for having us Aunt B and Uncle C!

The farm always has lots to offer, the girls had a blast and we all weathered the heat just fine - it was actually a trial run for what we would be experiencing a few days later when we returned home and our air conditioner died - for good.  I digress.

So - I'll let the pictures do the talking - we're looking forward to our next visit when it's a little cooler.  Thanks for having us Granddaddy!

Little tractor riding with Granddaddy

Getting ready to head out

Four wheeler riding

Cain loves to run after the four wheeler - the farmer way of "walking" a dog!

 Emma's not easily fooled ... she'd rather watch while Cain chases

Sitting a spell with Daddy

Little dip in the "pool"

Admiring a tree frog

Homemade monkey bars - who knew a ladder could double as a monkey bar?

Trying to reach the end

Sweet C lovin' on the beagles

Where we spent a lot of time - under the umbrella

Laughing at sissy and her monkey bar silliness

Jump Sissy, Jump!

Precious little thing!

 She's a little girl with a curl ...

Loving on Granddaddy

Birthday Fun - Archer turns one!

Our sweet friend Archer turned one the end of June.  He and Caroline have been buddies since they were in utero.  Only 5 weeks apart they are big buds and actually have been in the same class the first year of their lives at the YW.  It's been so fun to watch Archer grow up alongside Caroline - I hope they continue to do so for many, many years!

Archer had a puppy dog themed party on June 23rd and wouldn't you know it was 100 degrees and PERFECT for an outside party:)  But, it was super duper fun and no one noticed the heat - especially not the wee ones. 

Happy Birthday Archer man - we love you so!

Birthday Fans of the birthday boy - so cute and appreciated!!

 Precious puppy dog birthday cake!

Archer headed in for some cake after much contemplation

Davis kickin' back and relaxin'

The girls enjoying cake and ice cream

Sweet friends 

Diving for ice in the drink bucket - so fun:)  

Not to mention a great way to build immunity!

Happy Happy Birthday Archer!

Happy Happy Birthday Sweet P!

Today is your birthday!!  One whole year old - 365 days - where does the time go?  Godmama Meg loves you so much - I wish I could be there for your birthday - your Godsiblings do too!  But, know we are there in spirit.  I hope today is a wonderful celebration of the joy, love and smiles you have brought to this world. 

I pray that you continue to grow into the beautiful, healthy, happy and easy-going child that God has created you to be.  I love you!

"God bless you and keep you,
God smile on you and gift you,
God look you full in the face
and make you prosper."
(Numbers 6:24-26, MSG)

I Feel Bad About My Neck

As most of you know this is a fabulous book by Norah Ephron who recently passed away a few weeks ago.  It's about women getting older and all the tribulations that come along with aging - as women.  It's quite funny (so I'm told) and it makes me think about about my actual neck. 

I'm sure you've noticed (all the 5 people that read this that aren't family - ha!) that we've been missing from the blog scene for a few months.  There is a good reason - I literally "feel bad about my neck" - ha!  My neck has aged much more quickly than I have - it's about 70 years old and I'm 33 years young.  I'll make this a short story, but as with anything that has to do with your body, aging and life not going the way you "planned" it - it's actually a really long one, but I'll spare you.

Bottom line, six weeks ago I thought I had a crick in my neck - I reached down to pick up Sweet C and the rest is history.  I worked on it for about two weeks before giving in and seeing my chiropractor.  After three days he referred me to an orthopedic surgeon and I finally had an MRI.  I knew by then that something was up and it certainly wasn't a crick anymore.  My right arm was in excruciating pain and that usually happens when a disc in the neck herniates.  And surely enough my C6-7 is herniated, causing the pain in my neck and arm and causing my neck to become bent forward about 15 degrees too much.  I look weird.  I feel weird. 

It's now been six weeks of excruciating, chronic pain and two opinions later - the ortho and a neurosurgeon. Surgery was/is inevitable - one surgeon just wanted to wait it out longer than the other - do a cervical block.  I had that - 10 days ago.  It takes 10-14 days to set in - it might be starting to, but I'm still in pain.  So, we've decided to go the surgery route and I'm slated to have my surgery Wednesday, August 1.  It's been a hard decision and a scary one.  I've never had major surgery.  I've birthed two children, had a spinal tap and my gallbladder removed - but nothing "major" surgery wise.  I've been lucky.

So, that's why we've been absent.  I do my best to make it through the days - I do the bare minimum and then I'm done.  The ice pack, couch and me are one and the same these days.  My 70 year old neck has to rest a lot more than my 33 year old body wants to, but the pain stops me in my tracks and I listen.

All this to say - please pray for my neck.  Please pray that Dr. Swaid and his team can fix my neck - that surgery will go smoothly and that I will be much more pain free (80-90% more) and can begin living my wonderful life again after recovery. 

A HUGE shout out to D - he has been super daddy - not that he isn't normally - but he's really stepped up to the plate BIG TIME and made sure this household and all of us make it through each day - alive.  I don't know what I'd do without him.  He loves me in spite of my flaws - which as we all know, are many - but now he has to deal with this flawed neck too.  He's been a great sport.  Pray for him too.  Pray for the girls.  Pray for Meme - she's going to move in for a few weeks - recovery at minimum is 4 weeks (no work, no lifting over 5 lbs and no driving for 2 weeks).  She's gold.  We couldn't have gotten this far without her. 

Thank you for being a part of my village - many of you know and have showered me and my family with cards, emails, phone calls, dinner and prayers!  I can not thank you enough.  Keep the prayers coming - God is good.  All the time.  Thanks be to God!