244. Down by the river.

Matt & Sheila

AK and MM

MM's brother and his wife recently moved to Oak Island, NC, putting them a little under 5 hours from Augusta.  They drove in last night and will be spending the weekend.  Excited to have them here for the long weekend! 
The boys took advantage of a morning tee time and played 18 holes on post.  Side note- Fort Gordon hosts the nicest (#1 PGA rated) military golf course in the world.  Sheila babysat J so I could take Ruby to the vet for a check up and sell a few items at a local consignment shop.  Once the errands were complete, us girls headed to the pool.  As always, Baby J was excited to play in the kids room.  After lunch, naps, and showers we took them downtown for a stroll along the riverwalk.  Before heading home to cook dinner we stopped at Boll Weevil for dessert in the form of Red velvet cake, canary lemon cake, and 7th heaven (chocolate cake surrounding a cheesecake center) cake.  As I type the other 3 are groaning with full stomachs! 

243. CDO

Baby J is growing up.  Today he attended his first day of  "school".  On the drive there, he repeated, "cool (school).  pway (play)." more times than I could count.  A local church (like many of the local churches) 3 miles from our house hosts Children's Day Out programs.  He is in the tiny tots class and meets 1 day a week for a few hours in the morning.  They have music, art/craft, play, and snack time.  There are 9 other tots in J's class.  To celebrate his big boy status, we let him pick out a lunchbox- he choose this teal hippo.  Isn't it adorable?  Our little baby boy is moving past the baby phases of life and it's very bittersweet. 

242. "stuck"

241. sugar & spice

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice, that's what our daughter is made of.  

240.

Braving the pool despite the dark clouds brewing. 
The rain did come down, but the thunder/lightening stayed away.  The pool water felt nice, the raindrops were chilly.  Baby J had a great time; MM and I had a great watching our little guy have so much fun.   

239.

Our sweet, sweet, sweet 22 month old son.

238.

MM drove 18 hours straight to get home to us.  Baby J and I are thrilled to have him back!  It's been a long month of separation, and in Army life a month apart is "nothing".  It made my heart go out a little stronger to all my army-wife friends who are going through a deployment right now.
To surprise him I made biscuits and gravy for dinner.  This was a big surprise, because until a week ago I did not know how to make gravy and he wasn't aware that Grams taught me .  For my first attempt I was pretty happy with the results.  Practice will only improve the gravy's texture and I don't think I will get any complaints if I want to practice my technique for future meals.     

237.

Happy Birthday (3 weeks late) Jasmin!  I was out of town for Jasmin's birthday, but tonight we had a slumber party and surprised her with a mini-celebration.  An evening with my Augusta girls was the perfect way to spend the last night before MM comes home. 

236.

 

GG (great grams) bought Baby J rainboots.  They are the cutest little galoshes covered in navy, green, and white sea turtles.  They are currently his favorite shoes.  There's yet to be rain to play in, but that hasn't stopped him from asking to wear them each day.   

235.

Wrigley and Ruby came home tonight.  Baby J was ecstatic to see them and the dogs were rambunctious.  There was a solid half an hour of doggie-baby-play-and-bonding.

Excuse the blurriness in this photo montage; there was lots of action to catch and I was snapping as quickly as I could using my iphone.   

After rolling around the bed, the fun moved to the floor...

234.

Baby J and I flew home today.  I dread flying, especially with a toddler.  Between his squirminess, being crammed into small spaces, and my motion sickness it is not fun.  Today's first flight (the longer of our 2) did bring us good news.  With multiple seats open around the aircraft, the man sitting next to us offered to move across the aisle so J could have his own seat.  Not having him on my ever-diminishing lap for 2 hours instantly improved the travel.  My motion sickness was pretty severe, it's gotten worse as I've aged (pretty sure that's the opposite of what usually happens!) and is ultra-sensitive while I am pregnant.  Although the medicine my doctor prescribed didn't keep me from feeling bad, it did keep me from using the airline sick bag, for that I am very thankful.
In the end we survived 2 flights, a lay-over, and a small delay to arrive back home in Augusta!  It feels really great to be back.  Now if daddy could just hurry home!    

233.

232.

Hanging with the kiddos today... 
made cookies, gator rides, Baby J entertainment, and a trip to the theater to see, The Odd Life of Timothy Green.  Cute movie with endearing story; plot moved a little slow, but overall enjoyable.   

Baby J and I ended our evening stuffed full of Mexican food.  We dined at El Paso with Mimi & Papa John.  He discover a liking for salsa, and found dipping his chips in it to be great fun.    

231.

Due to growing back pain I had to travel to Warrensburg to see a chiropractor this morning.  GG kept Baby J for me and told me to take my time and enjoy myself while I was away.  And enjoy myself I did... I booked a last minute appointment for an 'Ultimate Relaxation Facial'.  It was 2 hours of pure bliss.  I the spa left feeling renewed after a challenging few weeks single-parenting a sick, teething, transitioning toddler. 

 

This photo has nothing to do with chiropractors or facials, but the bright, happy flowers are a representation of my mood after that fantastic facial.  If you are in the Warrensburg, MO area and want a good esthetician, I have a recommendation.  

230.

Morning spent  on the farm.  Baby J and I salvaged what few grapes we could, the drought has left these vines less than plentiful. 

Afternoon spent in Harrisonville making the rounds.  I sat outside and had a nice chat with Granny C, Uncle Kevin, and Aunt Laurie while Baby J ran around the yard collecting sticks, playing with Lily (Granny's pup- greyhound/lab mix), and rearranging Granny's lawn ducks. 

While in town we stopped to see my secondary parents, the Cooks.  It has been a year since my last visit with them, I have always enjoyed my time at their house, and I have spent a lot of time there over the past 18 years.  Only thing that could have enhanced the visit would have been having Samantha there with us. 

Their grandson Mason (age 8) was over and Baby J took an instant interest in him.  It was adorable to watch J trying to mimic Mason.  They entertained the adults by putting on a karate/gymnastics show.





229.

Baby in a box.
This was our morning fun. 




The afternoon was spent with my Dad, Granny C, and Uncle Kevin.  I made chicken enchiladas for dinner per Granny's request, those are her favorite of my "specialities". 

228. pope date

An afternoon escape to The Plaza with my oldest friend, Jonathan.  Better known to most as Pope.  Jonathan and I met when our parents enrolled us in the same preschool/daycare at age 2.  Since being toddlers we have grown up together; attending birthday parties, going through grade school, all the adventures of high school, and we even attended the same university.  Our dorms were a mere parking lot apart. 

We are unable to see each other often these days, so it was extra nice to get a few hours of catching up.  We walked/shopped the plaza and had a happy hour dinner at Cafe Trio.  I have passed this restaurant many times, but had never eaten there.  I've been missing out- the salad and pasta I ordered were excellant; so were Jonathan's sweet potato fries, which he was kind enough to share. 

"bro and sis"

227.

Baby J was in need of a jacket (shockingly we experienced a few cool mornings).  Living in a very small (as in no stoplights, only one 4-way stop) town there are not a lot of shopping options.  The nearest Wal-Mart or Target is a 30 minute drive away.  But, Holden does boast multiple farm supply stores, which is where I found this tiny Carhartt jacket.  Honestly, I feel it's only appropriate that the great-grandson of a farmer owns a Carhartt and he looks mighty cute wearing it!

226.

My great uncle Ray has always had the prettiest yard.  His passion is flowers and he has a brillant green thumb.  Even with the horrible drought this year he has managed to keep his yard looking better than the rest of the local residents. 
He also grows watermelons, big and delicious watermelons.  We popped over (they live just 2.25 miles away, I occasionally do a 4.5 mile run from our house to theirs and back) to get a watermelon and eneded up spending the morning sipping coffee on the screened-in porch visiting with Uncle Ray, Aunt Charlotte, and cousin Pammy while Baby J entertained us all. 

This afternoon we went to Harrisonville to spend a little time with my Granny C again.  It was an improtpu visit, and I hope it made her afternoon.  We sure enjoyed it.

And let's take a quick second to talk about the weather today- wow, was it beautiful!  After a scorching hot summer, I woke up to 65 degree temperatures and the clouds kept it a mild 77 degrees all afternoon.  Glorious!!!  Now, if only those clouds could have brought rain. 

225.

Grams and Papa's church hosted their annual picnic this afternoon.  I stuffed myself.  Good thing Anna was along to chase after Baby J because I was slow moving after that humongous lunch.  Obviously lunch taught me nothing because later this evening I met up with Jennie for dinner at a Chinese buffet, and for the second time today felt a little miserable. 

224.

A day of visitors.

Today I finally met Kerry's daughter, the adorable Lila.  It was wonderful catching up with her; it's been a year since we were last together.  Talk about surreal - I was just a kid myself playing with this friend and now here we sat chatting, watching our babies play on the floor.  After spending the morning together, we said our goodbyes knowing the next time we see each other I will have a second baby in tow and she is hopeful to be pregnant with hers.  We are all growing up and multiplying.

After lunch and a nap my second visitor of the day arrived.  Krista drove up from Springfield with her daughter Claire for the day.  I was lucky enough to see her in May while home with MM, but was so excited for another visit!  After 5 hours of chatting, we still had a hard time ending our conversation to say goodbye.  This girl and I could literally talk for days.

J & Claire playing.  I didn't take any real photos of these 2, nor did a get a single picture with Lila.  Too wrapped up in my conversations to think about photography, I suppose.

    

223.

Cousins + Son

Angie + Jennie and all the kiddos

The most entertaining animal to watch.  (Photo by Ben)

222.

Harrisonville afternoon visit with Coakleys.  Nice, long chat with Granny.  Hung out with Storm and his girlfriend Claire.  Dad and Paula brought down pizza for supper.

church bulletin

My pastor, of The Quest Church, of Augusta, GA [where MM and I joyfully worship and serve] posted this online.  It was origanlly published by Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Community.  He felt it so well expressed our church's view that he shared it.  I agreed wholeheartedly and couldn't help, but to share it myself. 

We extend a special welcome to those who are single, married, divorced, gay, filthy rich, dirt poor, yo no habla Ingles. We extend a special welcome to those who are crying new-borns, skinny as a rail or could afford to lose a few pounds.

We welcome you if you can sing like Andrea Bocelli or like our pastor who can’t carry a note in a bucket. You’re welcome here if you’re “just browsing,” just woke up or just got out of jail. We don’t care if you’re more Catholic than the Pope, or haven’t been in church since little Joey’s Baptism.

We extend a special welcome to those who are over 60 but not grown up yet, and to teenagers who are growing up too fast. We welcome soccer moms, NASCAR dads, starving artists, tree-huggers, latte-sippers, vegetarians, junk-food eaters. We welcome those who are in recovery or still addicted. We welcome you if you’re having problems or you’re down in the dumps or if you don’t like “organized religion,” we’ve been there too.

If you blew all your offering money at the dog track, you’re welcome here. We offer a special welcome to those who think the earth is flat, work too hard, don’t work, can’t spell, or because grandma is in town and wanted to go to church.

We welcome those who are inked, pierced or both. We offer a special welcome to those who could use a prayer right now, had religion shoved down your throat as a kid or got lost in traffic and wound up here by mistake. We welcome tourists, seekers and doubters, bleeding hearts … and you!

AMEN

 

221.

Two of Baby's J favorite things are gator rides and Anna.  Since she came to visit us in Georgia, he asks about her daily.  She is great with him- helpful and playful!   

Later in the afternoon: Sandy visit & new apartment tour          

220.

Don't be fooled by this photo; it's not October.  This is the result of the worst midwest drought decades.  It's estimated that U.S. supply of corn will drop to it's lowest level in 20 years, and soybeans are expected to fall to their lowest level in 32 years.

219.

Enjoying the farm life.  19 weeks pregnant.

218.

Another day of traveling.
MM goes south to San Antonio for back to back medical conferences.
Baby J and I head north to Kansas City for a visit.

Saying our goodbyes in Oklahoma.

217. breakfast date

I heart urbanspoon.  This app has helped me find some good little eateries.  Excluding the first time I used it, read it wrong, and thought the closet BBQ restaurant was the top rated one.  We ate a pretty bad lunch that day.  Oops. 
This morning it came through with flying colors, directing Kali and I to little cafe only 4 miles from the house.  Egg It On Cafe is open for breakfast and lunch.  It sits back in a corner of a strip mall and could easily be passed up, but we found out it's quite the poular place, drawing a big Saturday crowd inside it's doors. 
We ordered coffee and then procedded to talk and talk and talk over french toast and omlets.  Splendid morning.

Lawton BFFs

french toast with blueberry syrup & avocado/bacon omlet served with sour cream, chives, and salsa

  
Our last full day in Tulsa also included golfing with the boys (MM), a much needed nap, and family dinner (plus Papa and Brittany Jo) out at Zio's. 

216.

MM's mom/Baby J's Nana (Vikki) was able to get the day off and spend it with us.  We visited the park bright and early, it's the only way to be able to enjoy outdoor play in Oklahoma without burning to a crisp and suffering heat stroke!  After we worked up a good appetite we bought donuts.

Vikki babysat in the afternoon so MM and I could run around town.  We took our wedding rings into our local jeweler to be clean, polished, inspected, and dipped.  We also made the decision to buy MM an alternative work wedding ring.  So this lucky man has 2 wedding bands now- does that make him doubly mine?  We also "HAD" to shop for some OU gear while in town.  I will let you guess who made this request.  I have to admit, he is quite handsome in his new coaches polo.

We had a couple visitors in the afternoon.  MM's cousin Stephaine and her husband Adam came over.  His Aunt Carla did too.  We were also able to finally meet little Greyson Huston- what an adorable butterball! 
 
That evening we ate a delicious dinner: grilled steaks, grilled squash, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, and salads.  Ohh, it was tasty and I left the table happily full!
After tucking Baby J in for the night, MM and I headed out with friends.  We chose our regular local spot- Savastanos.  It's a local pizza place that has a bar in the bottom floor, it's also one of the few places that is completely smoke free which makes it my favorite spot!  Outlaw cigarettes inside already Tulsa!

I miss this group a lot, they make me excited to move back to Oklahoma. 

Grateful we were able to get in a few hours together while in town.

 

215. ranch dressing

Today we only had a 2 hour drive left to make it to our destination of Tulsa, OK.  We arrived before noon and spent the day relaxing at MM's parents house.  That evening his parents, sisters, and papa gathered for a family dinner.  We ordered BBQ take-out and during the meal Papa thought Baby J should learn the joy of eating ranch dressing with his fingers.  "Num! Num!", He exclaimed repeatedly. 

214.

Poor little guy's fever spiked to 104.2 so we headed to the ER this morning.  Daddy was right, he has an ear infection.  Antibiotics were started and at noon we hit the highway heading west.  Being sick actually made the car ride easier for all of us.  His fever made him lethargic and sleepy.  We were able to make it 13 hours, all the way to Fort Smith, Arkansas.