SIX is spectacular!

Happy Birthday, Ann Elise!

Six years ago my Wednesday started out pretty normal. I was still two weeks away from my due date and had a lengthy "To Do" list I was plowing through. I remember Wes and I heading to Wal-Mart around lunch time. I was checking off a grocery list that would allow me to make and freeze several meals for our family before the baby's arrival. I had a few contractions while walking around pushing that heavy buggy. But nothing serious. After all, I was induced with my first child. We swung by BSU after our shopping trip and hung out for a little bit. While sitting at Kris' desk I had one of the biggest contractions to date...was talking to the BSU intern at the time and had to stop talking while it passed. But, hey, it wasn't that bad. After all, I was induced with my first child. We headed home and had a normal afternoon. I got the groceries put away and started preparing for supper. Cheesy Rotel Chicken Soup was on the menu. Kris made it home from work and he and Wes were having a good ol' time. I was in the kitchen chopping the rotisserie chicken - the last ingredient to complete our supper - when I began to notice I was having contractions. I kept plugging along. Then I realized...these may actually be coming in a pattern. So, Kris and I started watching the clock, and yes, there was a pattern. We called the hospital and they assured me it could be nothing. Take a Tylenol and get off my feet. After all, I was induced with my first child. While sitting on the couch "resting" the contractions continued to come and were getting closer together. I decided to go ahead and take a shower "just in case" we went to the hospital. I never expected to stay because, after all, I was induced with my first child. The whole time I was in the shower the contractions were getting more fierce. I can remember shaving through them. I can remember hollering to Kris (standing right outside the shower door with a stop watch in hand) when another one started. We decided we definitely needed to go...the contractions were right at 3 minutes a part. I got myself ready, we called Kris' parents to come up to the house and watch Wes while we casually went to the hospital to make sure I wasn't in labor. After all, I was induced with my first child. We left our house at approximately 7:45 that night and drove straight to the ER. I can remember telling Kris that the county really needed to get on the ball and repave their roads. I can remember grabbing the handle above the passenger seat of our '97 Honda Accord and squeezing as tight as I could while breathing through each contraction. I can remember Kris casually driving up to the automatic doors of the ER and walking me to the desk (he left the car running - after all, I had been induced with my first child). The lady started asking questions as to how could she help. I don't remember her finishing her question before she figured it out and called for a transport. A nice, young, aide arrived with a wheelchair and within seconds started pushing me in the direction of the OB. Kris left me at that point to go park the car. He would just see me upstairs. After all, I was induced with my first child. I continued to have very uncomfortable contractions while my hips were squeezed in that collapsible wheelchair (also not the un-bumpiest of rides!). When we got to the floor they wheeled me into a preliminary exam room. No big deal. Just a quick check. The nurse didn't even have me put on a gown. After all, I was induced with my first child. She started to check me. I was watching her face as it went w - h - i - t - e. She then casually says, "Um, let me go get the other nurse and see what she thinks." Uh, OK. The second nurse comes in, checks me, and her eyes become as big as saucers, and she says "Girl, you're complete! Let's have a baby!" And about this time Kris walks in from the parking garage. Talk about thrown in the fire! After he heard those words he jumped in and followed along for the ride! He didn't have time to ask any questions. I think he just focused on keeping his composure. I am pretty sure terror was all over my face! They got me out of my clothes and into a gown and hurriedly wheeled me into the delivery room. I remember a swarm of people ascending on my room and working like crazy setting up monitors, taking vitals, asking me questions, etc. I remember thinking and even voicing...I don't do this without drugs! To which they gently and calmly replied...you'll be fine! I remember the OB on call coming up to my side of the bed and asking me my name, who was my doctor, had I had any complications during this pregnancy, etc. I'll spare you anymore details, but the doctor kept me from pushing for another second or two until she was in her place. And within a minute we heard the most precious words..."IT"S A GIRL!"...at 8:10pm (25 minutes after we left our house).

I remember looking at Kris in awe

1. that I had lived through natural childbirth
2. it was over just.like.that.
   

and hearing him repeat "I can't believe we have a girl. I didn't know I could have a girl." as he watched them care for her under the warmer.

(February 2005 - days old)

Ann Elise entered this world on her terms and to this day she has her own way of doing things just the way SHE likes them.

(November 2010 - 5 years old)

A little about Ann Elise at six:
(I saw these questions on a blog I enjoy reading, Lots of Scotts)

What are you afraid of? mascots
What are you good at? climbing
What is your favorite food? chicken nuggets
Where is your favorite place to go? McDonald's
What does God help you with? obeying my parents
What is your favorite Bible story? "you know the one about the supergirl who gave Joshua and those other men a safe place to hide from those big, bad guys and fresh pine straw to sleep on" (Rahab)
What is your favorite color? pink and purple
What would you do if you got to pick the activities for one whole day? watch PBS Kids
What do you want to be when you grow up? painter
What is your favorite memory from your life so far? having birthday parties and getting presents

My sentiments of our only daughter turning six are no different than the ones I posted about her big brother turning eight. Life is flying by. I constantly feel as though their little lives are running water. I am simply cupping my hands to catch it. Yet, it runs through my fingers and spills over the edges. I can't contain it.

I better not tarry with that thought lest another pass me by :)

(September 2010 - 5 years old)

You are our sweet doll and love you so very much!

Wordless Wednesday

(Bankston Hays, 13 months - first haircut, December 2008)

Wordless Wednesday

(Ann Elise, Bankston Hays, Wes, Kris - Lewis Lights, December 2010)

FLASHBACK: Wrapping up the Holidays, Vol. 3

We decided to take down most all of our Christmas - leaving the main tree and our Christmas Card garland - before we left town for Christmas. It was a little conflicting to empty our house of the season before it even arrived! But I knew it would be easier to accomplish with Kris' help, and considering he would be out of the country when the kids and I returned, it was the best decision. I am glad I didn't have that hanging over my head when I got home. And I am equally glad we chose to leave up the main tree!


Even though the middle of January was approaching before it came down...I must admit I was sad to see this sight go!

I really enjoyed this view late at night once the kids were in bed and the house was quiet. Something about that glow was extra peaceful and brought me company. I passed the time alone reading and watched a few movies that Kris wouldn't miss. One such movie was Letters to Juliet. I thought it was such a fun, cute movie. I couldn't have picked a more perfect story to entertain me. It was time well spent!

FLASHBACK: Wrapping up the Holidays, Vol. 2

The third objective of our "Day of Fun" was to visit the McWane Science Center. I had never heard of the museum, but determined it had a lot to offer after a google search! From the written word it seemed to be a good mix of children's museum meets aquarium meets natural history museum. And after our visit, I would say that was accurate :)

With complete dependence on the Garmin, we successfully arrived at the center in downtown Birmingham, put our quarters in the parking meter, and crossed the street to the McWane Science Center. After an obligatory group picture at the entrance

The kids were enthralled with this life size marble coaster while we purchased our tickets.

The Center is massive! The interactive exhibits are spread throughout 4 floors. They were promoting their Winter Wonderland exhibit on the top floor so we decided to start there and make our way down. They did a terrific job of putting together winter activities for the kids to enjoy! They turned this escalator into an ice cave/slide...

And had simulated a gondola for picture taking...

They also had a snow room. The floor was filled with a polymer substance that felt and acted like snow (without the cold or melting). The kids were asked to wear booties over their shoes to keep the snow from getting dirty. But other than that they were free to play and build.

This cute snowman was part of the decoration.


The next room simulated an ice skating rink. The kids wore attached a slick bottom skate with velcro around their feet. It allowed them to "ice skate" on the carpet.

There was also an ice fishing station. Once the fish were hooked, they could measure their catch on a nearby scale.

After enjoying the Winter Wonderland, we made our way down each floor trying to take in all the science experiments and wonder. This station had several life size pin thingys. My kids always eye these on the toy aisle. They love the way the pins feel and what impressions they can make.


On yet another level they had a very impressive dinosaur exhibit. It contained numerous skeletons and facts!



They also had a petting tank in the aquarium section. The tank was full of baby bull nose shark and sting ray.


These smiles say it all! A day trip to Birmingham is every second worth it. You could spend an entire day at the McWane Science Center - very well done!

And it might just exhaust a few little ones...

FLASHBACK: Wrapping up the Holidays

I stayed in my hometown for the week after Christmas. It was Kris first week out of the country and helped keep us busy. We spent lots of time enjoying family and trying to plan things "out of the ordinary" for a fun experience.

My sister and I loaded up our 6 kids and drove to Birmingham one day. We set our sights on visiting the Lego store at the Riverchase Galleria and the McWane Science Center. We also had hopes of enjoying something for ourselves - like shopping at the Summit! But after getting 6 kids dressed, buckled, driven, unloaded, corralled through a massive and crowded mall (both the UGA and MSU marching bands were enjoying the food court as they made their way to their bowl games), food ordered (who wants nuggets? who wants a burger? who wants apples? who wants fries? fruit punch, lemonade, or milk?) - prepared (who wants ketchup? who wants ranch? who needs their nuggets cut?) - eaten, everyone to the bathroom, shop the Lego store while trying to keep imaginative minds under control, repeat a few of the steps to get us to our next stop, and enjoy the exhibits for a few hours...we were tired (aren't you exhausted just reading the list????) and the sun was setting. Our dreams of casually walking the sidewalks, perhaps a Starbucks in hand, chatting as we walked in and out of stores that had beautiful and bright window displays (why don't dreams ever include the reality of pushing a double stroller and reminders not to touch??) - yeah, they're just that - dreams. So goes our life... We can enjoy ourselves another day, right?

Without a doubt, the trip was still worth it!

I was looking forward to visiting the Lego store. I have a few friends that have talked about it and given me the scoop. How could it not be fun? Walls of Legos and stations at which you can create? But, I was probably most excited about making the "build your own package of people"(what Lego set has enough people?).

After successfully navigating lunch without anyone spilling their drink or getting lost...

...we found the store and made our way in...bliss! The back wall was covered in bricks separated by color. Which totally made this organized lady giddy :)

The packaged options were more than we'd ever been faced with.

And the station for creating your own people took it to a whole 'nother level! Heads, Hats, Accessories, OH MY!!!


We managed to escape the Lego store with one small purchase per child and pure joy that we'd survived #2 on the agenda (#1 being lunch)!

*Adventures at The McWane Science Center to be compiled later*
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Gettin' in the groove

We are slowly getting in the groove now that our lives are back in a routine. The kids and I enjoyed scheming ways to "welcome Daddy home" and decided on the idea of having balloons all over the floor (where he would enter) and having a "welcome home" sign.

I took these pictures of them with their creation right before they went to bed. Being a school night they couldn't wait up on his arrival. Sorry for the poor quality - taken with my phone (Kris took our camera with him).


The more we talked about it the plans grew a little :) Wes got his class in on the excitement - having them sign the poster! It was cute...his friends had drawn little pictures and signed their names. He even added names of cousins and other relatives that he knew would want to sign the poster if they were here!


We have tackled the laundry and made a big grocery run. We have looked at pictures and listened to stories. And we have learned to play Chinese Checkers. Real life...here we come!

It's here! It's here!

Kris is on his way home as I type and I could not be more excited!!! He still has a little more than 7 hours left before touching US soil but he's getting closer :)

He has had a wonderful time visiting with old friends and making new friends, experiencing a new culture, and seeing THE need around the world. I am really glad he was able to go - just sad we all weren't. It is definitely a perk with his job!


Hopefully the wait will pass quickly as today will be spent getting the house in order, doing laundry (to make way for his 2 weeks worth!!!), and running a few errands. After school the kids have ballet and basketball and then we have a little surprise to get ready for Daddy :)

Can't wait to have him home!!! Even if he is coming home with a beard...

Wordless Wednesday

(Wes, 22 months - September 2004)

Christmas 2010

We celebrate Christmas Eve and Day in my hometown and have several traditions. Some traditions we have strictly adhered to every Christmas of my life, some traditions have evolved as my siblings married people from our hometown and we accomodate their celebrations, and other traditions have been practiced by generations and mine is continuing it. They are traditions that complete my Christmas experience and I am delighted to be sharing those with Kris and our children.

A few highlights of those traditions:
1) attending the candlelight service at the church I grew up in - my most favorite moment is when we sing Silent Night in the candle lit sanctuary. I only wish I could take a picture of the memory etched in my mind of our children singing such precious words by heart, all while their faces are brightened by the flames.
2) Christmas Eve get together with family and friends after the service - great food, fun fellowship, and the kids open their Christmas pajamas

Bankston Hays-3, Mac-6, Wes-8, Ann Elise-5, South-4
Carter Cate-7 months

3)Christmas Day supper - our intimate family (my family, my sibling's families, and my mom) get together for a traditional sit down meal to be followed with our gift exchange

Every year there are details that change...this year one detail couldn't have been more welcomed!

Our Christmas was WHITE!!!

Christmas Break = Blog break

I didn't mean to take a blog break, it just kinda happened. So, to get back into the swing I'm gonna recap our break. We spent the first part doing as much as possible as a family in preparation for Kris to travel the world.

• Kris and the kids took a walk around our neighborhood. He took this fun picture of the kids playing in a pile of leaves.

• We also went bowling.

• The boys increased their proficiency in Donkey Kong Country Returns and Madden NFL 2011 on the Wii.

• We made edible Christmas trees. I had seen Kelly's blog post when she did these with her class and thought they would be a great substitution to the traditional ginger bread house. They were a hit!

• Kris and I went on a date to Olive Garden, YUM-O! It was a night of great, uninterrupted conversation.
  

• We watched The Nativity Story as a family and really enjoyed it.

I'll be posting about our Christmas soon :)