Are You Sick of This Yet? (How I Spent My Summer Vacation Part 4)

I hope this is not as boring for everyone else as it is for me... at this rate, I'll be posting Christmas pictures at Easter. (Hmmm... pretty typical.) It's not that I dislike re-living our summer adventures; I just have newer stuff to post and tell!

OK. While we were hanging out at my parents' house, Dan went on to Bragg... someone in this family has to make a living. We were still waiting on Housing and our stuff. My dad had to go to Charleston to work, and we bummed along! If I haven't made it clear before, this is my most favorite place on the planet. I was not about to pass up an opportunity to go. On the way down, we went to the SC State Museum. Very cool. Not as cool as sunset on Shem Creek, but fun in its own way.

The Megladon!!!!
Sure, science and learning is cool, but who can ignore the call of the tides!! (Don't tell my son that I said that...)

Feelin' Old (and Blessed)

At the risk of revealing how OLD I am, and at the risk of reminding myself just how OLD I am... Happy 15th Anniversary to us! Wow... 15 years. We we talking the other day about how 15 years of marriage seems small in light of people celebrating their 25th or 50th or even the 60th anniversary. But, 15 years is a real accomplishment! (At least in our minds it is!)

"How the Boy Spent His Summer Vacation" (Part 3)

Fishing. Fishing. Catching bugs. Fishing. Riding his scooter (around and around and around and around his grandparents' yard). Fishing. And, some fishing. Other than that boring and horribly long drive across the country, he had a really good summer. We used my parents house as our "home away from home" while waiting on Housing and while getting settled here at Bragg. The (very grown-up) boy even spent a week with BaBa and PaPa by himself! He and my mom came up with the phrase "Camp DoWhatcha Wanna" for time spent at her house. (Why was it never called that during the 18 years I lived there?) It is nice though... I think that's how little boys' summers should be.

Star Wars Church

I am taking a brief break in the recap of our summer to share a funny moment. First, some background. There are at least 6(!) different Protestant chapels/church services on the base. This is mind blowing for us... we just came from a post that offered one. So, we have been "visiting" around each Sunday to find the style of service and worship that we feel most comfortable with. Keep in mind that the 9 year-old in this family has spent most of his life with his daddy as a Southern Baptist "preacher" in very casual, relaxed church settings. Very informal. Mostly "Praise and Worship" type music. Mostly familiar hymns. Mostly casually dressed members.

... So, yesterday, we visited "Main Post Chapel." (The very formal and beautifully ornate chapel in the center of the base.) (Dan wanted to hear this certain chaplain who was speaking.) As we drove into the parking lot and were getting out of the car, the two "officiating" chaplains were walking across the lawn. Wearing their clerical robes and stoles. And the voice from the backseat...

"Hey! Who are those two dudes in the Jedi Robes?"

I'm not really sure if he was joking. I'm pretty sure that, in his mind, somewhere out there... in a galaxy far far away, there are real Jedi. If not walking among us. And, apparently, coming to church with us. Actually, I wouldn't mind singing a few hymns alongside Obi Wan or Yoda, myself.

"Build-A-Boy" (or "How I Spent My Summer Vacation Part 2")

Most people buy the "accessories" for the bear they just made. Not my brother. He tries the accessories on his son. Much to our enjoyment! While spending a few days in Hotlanta with the Rogers, my favorite son decided he wanted his cousin to go to "Build-A-Bear" for the first time. His treat. Too sweet. Now they each own matching bears with matching clothes (Alabama t-shirts!) and reversed names. (Elijah's bear is named Noah; Noah's bear is named Elijah.) I would normally say that this is too cheesy for words, but... April tells us that Noah loves his bear, and I know a boy who adores his baby cousin.
Our visit was too short. Always is. And, I don't say this just beacause of Noah. We do adore him. (This was actually Dan's first time to see him!) But, it is always hard to leave when we've all been together. I am glad we'll be a little closer on the map for a while.

Perfectionists Make Great Procrastinators

OK. So my favorite sister-in-law tells me that I have not updated the blog in a while. Yes. I know this. I also know that I have issues. Strange and odd things about my personality that make life interesting for the people around me. I am a ridiculous perfectionist. Not a horrible trait, but it comes with "benefits." If I KNOW in my heart of hearts that I cannot do something up to my (ridiculous) standards, I put it off. A LOT. For a LONG time. I also have this "problem" with doing "fun" things BEFORE "work" things are finished. (Once again, not an entirely bad habit.) I blame this one on my mother... In our house, you could not go out and play or watch TV until all homework was done. A great rule; and one that I use with the boy. BUT... I tend to take it to the extreme. So, if you combine all my quirks with this huge move we just made, you get the perfectionist procrastinator... putting off blogging. Putting off calling friends. Avoiding organizing all our junk. Among other things.
Anyway, this is my pitiful attempt to play "catch up" with you all. So starting tomorrow... just kidding. Here are the first pics from our whirlwind past few months.
We drove from CA to SC, rested a few days, and then went to Birmingham to see the Wrenns. I know this may be hard to believe, but we took no pictures. Neither did the Wrenns. The two "picture-taking, scrapping queens" took NO photos. I think it may have something to do with that perfectionism thing. Shannon would say it's because there are so many kids in her life now. Whatever the reason, we are sad and sorry. We did have a great time, though. It always feels like "family" with those crazy Wrenns.


From Alabama, we went on to Pensacola to see Dan's family. Elijah enjoyed playing in the rain puddles in Nana's yard. Don't forget people... we haven't seen rain in two years.



We also went to the beach and ate A LOT. Typical for a visit with the Urquharts. Funny how no one is complaining WHILE we eat! We also celebrated Danny boy's birthday. I did post a blog to say "Happy Birthday," but here are the belated pictures.



From there, we drove to Atlanta and stayed with Noah and his mommy and dad. Those are the cutest pictures of all, and they will have to wait. A boy is calling his mom.

Up and Running

The friendly little Cable man came yesterday, and we are back in the techno world. Sorta. Only half of our channels have sound. The friendly little Cable man is scheduled to return today to fix the problem... between the hours of 8:00 am and 7:00 pm. How convenient. Oh heavens.. I am starting to sound like a depressed, crazed, irritable middle-aged woman. In looking back over the last few blogs, I realize the need to complain a bit less. Sorry. I will, in time recover from the stress of this move and return to my old self. And, I promise pictures from this summer very soon! For now, enjoy this glimpse of the boy... running on the beach in Charleston. A much more nice and happy thought than the soundless TV channels!