Florida Videos

I'm so proud of Jay for giving his sons piano lessons. I know how hard it is to teach your own children. And I'm very proud of Isaac and how well he's doing! Good job, Isaac!!

Isaac & Josiah both memorized this verse and then we had a treasure hunt to find the words. The incorrect reference is Gee's fault!! Gee, Gee!

And before church on Sunday morning, the Wright kids gave me a concert. Notice Olivia walking in half-way through the concert and adding to the music with her drums. They are AWESOME!!

Saturday

Saturday was much calmer than Friday. In fact, Amy called me Friday evening and told me the snow was moving in to North Carolina and they were coming home early. She said they'd get here about 2:30 in the morning and to not let the kids know they were here this morning. I promised to keep the kids occupied so they could sleep in. The kids had eaten breakfast and were at the table writing in their journals when their parents' bedroom door opened---and there was mom and dad!! They were totally unsuspecting and you could see that it took a good 2-3 seconds for it to even compute. I think Jay & Amy were taken aback by their kids running and hugging them and crying all over them. It was a good moment. It even made me think about how it was going to be with God when we finally see Him. We think we know how we're going to respond, but we may totally surprise ourselves.

The boys each got Nerf dart guns that they've spent hours playing with today.

It was fast-paced action around Florida with 2 boys and 2 guns.

Guess what Olivia got? Nope, not a doctor's kit----PINK socks! And she was one happy camper.

Mom & Dad were a little sad that they had to cut their trip short. And they found out they weren't alone. So some of the couples that went on the trip decided to go out tonight on a date night together. Before they left, we played a rousing game of Simon Says.

Daddy was Simon and tricked Mommy by telling her to move over--without saying "Simon Says." So she had to sit down.

Well, everyone's in bed for the night. But Isaac is in his bedroom crying his eyes out because he doesn't want me to go home. You'd think I'd be bawling right along with him. Instead, I'm trying to think of a way to help him work through this. Like Amy said, our little guy is a pretty emotional/dramatic kid. I love that about him. But I hate that he gets so sad each time I leave. Josiah has learned from the best and is eeking out a few tears for good measure. LOL! I love these kids. I'd love for them move closer to home....no pressure, Jay & Amy.

Friday

Well, the morning started out calm--and almost boring. Last night, I'd read Debi Duso's blog and was inspired to build the kids a tent today to play in. I thought it would last all morning. No...it didn't. They loved finding blankets to build the tent, but didn't stay in it long.

So we moved on to Little House on the Prairie so I could get in the shower. I showered and then we played a rousing game of Simon Says. Even Olivia got into the game.

Great tent that held their attention for about 5 minutes.

This is how Olivia looks when she puts her backpack on by herself.

These are Olivia's favorite shoes. They are pink.

And I end with this photo. After all, today was all about Olivia and her rescuers.

We were all getting bored. And I didn't want them watching more tv. So I decided we should get out for awhile. Wal-Mart was having a great sale yesterday, so I decided to go back and find some birthday gifts for the grandkids.

We hung out there awhile and then went to What-a-Burger and got something to take home to eat. The kids were going to eat under the tent. We got home and started unloading the van and I went to get Olivia out and her door was locked. So...I went back to my door and unlocked it (or so I thought), and went back to get her (after closing my door) and it was LOCKED!! My heart starts pounding and I begin checking each door. All locked. I tried to stay calm for the kids' sakes, but my mind was racing about what to do. I began searching kitchen drawers for extra keys and found none. I couldn't call Amy because my cell phone was locked in the car with Olivia! So we started going to neighbor's houses to see if anyone was home so we could call for help. I immediately thought we should call 911. I was thinking the police would come to unlock a car to rescue a baby inside! So we finally found a neighbor at home and she loaned me her phone and I called 911. The neighbor was on her way to somewhere....but she realized the seriousness of the situation and stuck around. Isaac, by this time, is over at his dad's locked car and began screaming that he got it unlocked! (Not the van, the car) We thought dad's keys might have the van key on it so we could get in. Nope. By this time, the sheriff shows up. He has a slim jim and I'm thinking he's the answer to my prayers!

Throughout the whole ordeal, Olivia is sitting in her car seat laughing at us and wrinkling her cute little nose. While I'm outside her door praying and wondering how I could have been so dumb!! Then the fire & rescue shows up. Fire truck #24, Isaac later tells me. The Sheriff had me call Pop-a-Lock and have them come while he and the firemen work on getting the van unlocked. The firemen tell me, "NO! We can get this!!" (LOL! Gotta love those firemen!) So we kept Pop-a-Lock on hold while the firemen found a wire hanger and got after it!

Isaac asked if Olivia had enough air to breathe. I assured him she did---and thankfully, we had a cool day here in sunny Florida. I signed a waiver, giving the Sheriff permission to break a window, if necessary....while I prayed for favor for those firemen!

Olivia has started saying, "Nemo. Nemo." She had been playing with a Nemo telephone and it had fallen to the floor. Oops!

FINALLY!!! Those wonderful, cute firemen popped the lock---with a wire hanger. I wanted to hug each one of them---but only got to hug the Sheriff---but told the rest that they were my heroes and "God bless you!"

*long sigh* What a day!! As the boys and I talked it over (while we all sat at the table to eat---we all decided we really didn't have the energy to get under the tent now), we decided there were so many heroes!! The neighbor, Diane, was a hero for letting us use her phone. Isaac was a hero for opening his dad's car with a code he didn't know. Josiah was a hero for keeping Olivia laughing. The Sheriff was a hero for getting on the scene first. The firemen were definitely our heroes for opening that van door! Olivia was a hero for not crying. And I was even a hero for not freaking out...as I'm wont to do. (even though it was all my fault in the first place.)

Today is friday and not a nap day. But I decided we all needed to rest. So Olivia is down for her usual nap and the boys get to play Leapster in their beds.

I'm praying for a boring day tomorrow. And I'm keeping the keys in my purse now.

Thursday

Thursday started early at the Wright house. I felt a little hand tap me on the shoulder when it wasn't even light yet. Ha! So I talked Isaac into climbing into bed with me and waiting til someone else woke up. I commended him on not waking his brother up (hope that helps for tomorrow!) when he got up.

We had a big day. We had school, had a treasure hunt, went to Wal-Mart, ate lunch at Chick Fil-A where we met some other staff kids with their grandmother (parents are at the same conference.) This was Isaac's big purchase at Wal-Mart today--a Star Wars figure.

Here are 3 cutie pies watching Little House on the Prairie. I bought Season 1 for all of my grandkids for Christmas. I highly recommend them. Grandkids from 2-10 have all loved them. We particularly have laughed and laughed over Mr. Edwards. The kids love that character---and I love that they GET it!

We went to Wal-Mart to get a few things. Guess who took the longest to decide on a purchase? This little girl right here. She wanted something PINK. It had to be pink. We looked at pink babies, pink dishes, pink monkey's and fish. But she knew it when she saw it---a pink backpack! And just her size.

Nope. Not the light saber. The little Star Wars figure in his other hand is what this Jedi chose. Dinner tonight included hot dogs with Animal Crackers for dessert. Ha!

I had to include this photo for Aunt La-La. (Yes, we all have strange names) She made O's name to match her Owl bedding. It's a perfect match! Amy was so excited. Well, actually, everyone was excited--including the boys! I'm sure you'll be hearing from Amy when she gets home. VERY cute!! I know you can't tell, but each letter is decoupaged with different paper--including owl paper.

I've loved hearing about the snow at home and I'm sorry I'm missing it! (SERIOUSLY!) But you can't beat flip-flops and grandkids! Hope my Amarillo grandkids are having fun building snowmen. We want pictures, too!!

Mom & Dad are GONE!!

As of about 8:40 Wednesday morning....MOM & DAD ARE GONE! Woo-Hoo! I made the mistake of getting up at 7 to take a shower (next to Olivia's room), thinking I'd be ready to start my morning ahead of the kids. Duh! I woke the kids up! But we got mom and dad out of here and started the fun.

Last night, Isaac made a menu for the week. It was Josiah's prerogative to eliminate anything he didn't like. We scrapped spaghetti and taco soup. He kept the grilled cheese but declined the tomato soup. I bet you wish you were here!

Isn't she beautiful? I was right---she has lost weight! And I got to try the Pioneer Woman's pizza---basil and tomato. Yumm!

Daddy got to put Livie to bed last night.

And Mommy read to the boys.

And then I got to home school the boys this morning. Pretty big words for a 6-year-old! Oops! I see a mistake I didn't catch this morning.

And this is what Olivia did while we had school.

So we went to Target for a treat and bought new coloring books. It has kept them busy for an hour so far!

And speaking of big words for a little boy...this is what Josiah (4 years old), read to me this morning:

The Other Side of the Lake

A bug sat and sat on the shore of a lake. He did not have a car to take him to the other side. Then a big eagle came and sat down on the shore. The eagle said, "You are sitting on the shore and you are sad." The bug said, "Yes. I am sad. I need to get to the other side of the lake. I will give you a dime." The eagle said, "Yes. Give me a dime and I will take you to the other side." So the bug gave the eagle a dime and got on the eagle. They went over the lake to the other side. The end.

Olivia's almost ready for a nap and the boys don't take a nap on MWF. (Funny!) So we're watching a movie and coloring--instead of a nap. Oh! And the boys got to choose where to eat out one meal. So tonight, it's McDonald's and Maggie Moo's for ice cream. We've already decided on flavors....

I arrived at the Wright's house on Monday afternoon.

These are a few pictures from Monday & Tuesday.

All 3 kids in Olivia's bed. (I don't think we were supposed to be doing this...)

Olivia playing a tune while in her tutu.

Dad cooked burgers for us!

The two boys who decorated my room!!

And my room!!

(Don't you love that Pottery Barn bedspread??)

The decorations were OUTSTANDING!

Ride Home

Amy and the 3 kids picked me up at the airport. We were all so excited to see one another. As Amy loaded my suitcase into the van, the boys were already asking if I would sit between their car seats on the 40 minute ride to their house. How could I resist such an offer?? And this is the way the conversation went after the preliminaries (mostly of Isaac sniffing me--I have to smell like Gee in order for me to be authentic):

Isaac: Gee, do ladies have beards?

Me: (A little paranoid, I must admit) Why? Do I have a beard?

Isaac: (Reaching up and touching my sideburns--from my haircut) You have these. Are you getting a beard?

Me: (After much laughter) I guess I am growing a beard.

Next conversation after telling the boys I was going to have to put books on their heads so they'd quit growing.

Me: Boys, when you get big like your daddy, will you take care of Gee?

Josiah: YES!!

Isaac: You'll be DEAD, Gee!

Amy & I fall out laughing.

Isaac: REALLY, Gee. You'll be dead!

Me: But Granny & Mama aren't dead and Buff is big and I'm big. (It's not computing)

Isaac: Gee, you'll be DEAD! I'm serious!

Me: Are you a prophet?

Isaac & Josiah: *singing loudly* Jonah was a prophet.....And away they go into the VeggieTales song.

Josiah: Gee, we have a surprise for you in your room.

Me: Really?? For ME??

Isaac: You know the room you stay in, Gee?

Me: YES! I like that room.

Josiah: We put pictures in your room.

Isaac: Yeah! And we hung stuff all over your room.

Josiah: And we gave you MONEY! It's by your bed.

So much for the surprise. But the telling was even better...well, it was equally as good. Pictures to follow of this amazing surprise!

After we got home, Isaac presented me with our schedule. He only had one hour scheduled so far for our week.

7:00 Isaac & Josiah and Gee wake up and watch Little House on the Prairie

7:30 Eat breakfast

8:00 Olivia wakes up

So far, we're perfectly on schedule.