a brief post

I am at my parents' house in Bluffton. Tracy is home in Spartanburg, getting some things done around the house, running errands, and working. He's supposed to come pick us up sometime this evening or tomorrow.

My dad has hurt his knee and is at home with us today. He and Julia are resting (at this moment, they're taking a nap). Julia is pretty attached to Grandpa. She didn't want to lie in bed this morning unless Grandpa was in the bed - she threw a fit when they tried to bring her to me in bed so they could get ready for work. I had to take her to the bathroom with them. Grandpa decided his knee hurt awfully bad (plus the doctor said to wait until he got his knee brace to go back) and he stayed home today. If you know my daddy, it takes an awful lot for him to stay home from work. He has acute tendonitis in his "good" leg (he was in a work accident when I was about 7 or 8 years old and did some permanent damage to his left leg -it's always a little on the weak side, sometimes gives him pain, and he wears ace knee braces on it all the time for support). The doctor is having him wear a hinged knee brace for a couple of weeks and if it's not any better, they'll do an MRI. So it's pretty serious stuff. It hurts me to see my daddy hurt like that - he's not one to complain about pain at all. So please, if you would, pray for a speedy recovery for the "good" leg.

I'm going to go help clean up the house since they have other visitors coming this weekend and fix us a late lunch. I'll post some pictures soon. There was a huge alligator sunning itself on the bank behind their house yesterday. Julia also has some new shoes called Squeaker Sneakers - they squeak with each step and she LOVES it!!

take care! more soon!

Julia after the playdate

For some reason, Blogger is being particular.

This is Julia AFTER the playdate, on the way home from Andrea and Jamie's house:

Julia's playdate

Julia and I travelled to the big town of Laurens yesterday to visit a good friend of mine, Andrea, that I met at North Greenville. We went to have some girl time and give Andrea a crib for her "coming attraction". :) Andrea and her husband, Jamie, have 2 girls already, Caylie and Abby, and are expecting a 3rd girl at the end of February/first week of March. Caylie is 2 1/2 and Abby is 6 days younger than Julia. This is the first time they've been together to play really - Julia and Abby last saw each other last February. We get busy and it's not that many miles between us - Andrea and I've decided to get our girls together more often.

Unfortunately I didn't get any pics of them playing - Andrea and I did more following after them than anything. I have a sweet photo of 3 girls in the backseat though!
Abby is closest, Julia in the middle, Caylie on the other side. They kicked and giggled all the way from the church. Little shoes flew off feet and giggles were heard! I kept waiting on Julia to snort.

Mallory's birthday

Mallory's birthday was last Friday and I meant to make a post.
We got super busy and here it is. Her actual birthday party is this Saturday, January 12. She actually came home sick from school on her birthday. Tracy was going to go eat lunch with her and he had to pick her up instead. I'll spare you the details. Mallory is gross though and she probably wouldn't spare you any details!

She is 8 years old now. So hard to believe. Hopefully I'll get a couple of photos from this coming weekend and the ones of her on her birthday (she did perk up when we offered presents!).

Her mom took her to American Girl Boutique and Bistro for her birthday last Saturday. She had lots of fun and spent lots of money. But really - who didn't see that coming?!
I'll post a few pics of that as soon as her mom sends them to me.

Many desire...few do.

I read this blog early yesterday.

It has echoed in my head since then.

The following is an excerpt from a man's blog,whom I met while at North Greenville College (now University folks) the first time I went, and who is now a pastor of a huge church in Charlotte, NC. He was a student at the time, and spoke often in our chapel services. I would not say I knew him personally, yet his words even as a student spoke volumes to me then.

He is Steven Furtick and here is the excerpt which has stuck in my head since reading it yesterday:

Trust God with a unique and extraordinary faith this year.
Do the things that few do.
12 spies took inventory of the Promised Land.
All of them desired to go in.
Only 2 were willing to fight for it.
Only 2.
See what I’m saying?
Many desire…Few do.

I CAN'T SLEEP!!

I can't sleep. My ears hurt and crackle and pop. Julia is squirmy because I am squirmy. She's developed this habit of propping her feet up on me in the middle of the night - usually her feet are on my chest unless she's dug down and snuggled up with her back to me. I got out of bed in the hopes that she might not be so squirmy anymore and that maybe sitting upright would be better for my head. I can breathe better, so that's progress. I just can't sleep.

I have had an earache since 4 a.m. on January 1. I have slept an awful lot since then. Tracy has been really awesome and gone to the grocery store for me. He's come home and cooked for the last 3 days. He hasn't cleaned up after himself, but I can't fault him. He gets that from his daddy - I cooked, you do dishes. :) And we've had yummy dinners. He really likes to cook and try new things. This has come in handy in the last few days.

I was hoping to feel well enough to take Julia to Gymboree today. We haven't been since before Christmas. It's been hectic around here and she went to spend several days with Grandma and Grandpa in Bluffton. Perhaps come 12:30 I'll feel a little more up to it. My ears do seem to bother me less if I'm in the upright position.

Mallory's birthday is this Friday, January 4. She will be 8. It doesn't seem like it. I remember her about to be 3 and running around my "compartment" (apartment for those that don't speak 3 year old) naked with my Tigger slippers on her feet. Boy that was a site to see! I do have a hard copy (or 4 or 5) of that printed from my old Advantix camera. If I can find one and scan it for you, I will. Great things to keep on hand for embarassing Mallory later in life - future boyfriend - this is as close to naked as you will see her or you die. Hahaha. Boy I need sleep.

Here is a recent pic of Mallory from her Sears visit (with her mom and brother):

Tracy said - pretty good for not even liking the dress. Mallory was particular about this dress. Tracy actually met Leah at the mall for Mallory to try it on before it was bought. I thought it was cute - it is red corduroy with a Santa and his reindeer smock plate. Mallory, however, thinks she is too old for this - her words were - it's like my mom wants me to be 5 or something. Because she's OH SO far from 5 years old now. But we all knew these days would come and so they have. She still looks cute in it - just wish she had her glasses on so she wasn't so squinty. Still a good pic.

On that note, I guess I'll go clean my kitchen. He did put up the leftovers. I have to give props for that. Pray for my ears that they feel better soon (hopefully without a visit to Dr. Thomas - that costs money you know).

I guess at this point, I should say I hope you have a good day - it's 5 a.m. Whoa! :)

Julia's pics from Sears