Part 2 of Plattsburgh Trip July 9, 2009

So… day whatever (yesterday) started out with HEAVY rain, and me and Chad and sometimes CJ on the deck, drinking coffee, looking at lake, reading bible… good stuff.  Although their water here is UUHH so coffee is not as good.  Then we had bacon, eggs, and biscuits, then slowly got ready and headed to downtown here.  We lasted as long as we could in an antique shop (OH, on the way, an older man in a van saw Maci and I standing at the corner, and he pulled out a hello kitty umbrella and gave it to her- SO NICE!).  Anyway, CJ got a truck (that Chad says was built good when toys were built good) and then we went to the Farmers Market and Crafts, it was closing, so we got some real maple syrup and some strawberry/ raspberry jam. 

Then we went to Pizza Bono, Chad’s favorite place here, and had pizza and the antipasto salad which was SO good.  Kids had ice cream, which got everywhere!

Then headed to FLW registration, left, Chad got haircut and hit on (she said, “what are you doing here and what are you doing tonite?”) we went to TJ Maxx, and then to FLW meeting, which kids got bored… anyway, we stayed for FOCAS meeting (Fellowship of Christian Anglers Society) which was great, and then came back “home” and OH, stopped at Clare and Carls or something for a “red hot” or a “michigan”, which is a hot dog with hot chili type minced meat on top and mustard and onions… Chad had to have another, and I had to try one, so he went back… and YUM!

Anyway, Chad got fishing stuff ready, I got kids bathed and in bed, and fell asleep myself… Chad got the little ones in their bed later…

We, well, I got up at 520 this AM to shower and get Chad’s lunch ready, but he had already done it.  So we got kids up and headed to the take off, met his partner, saw Scottie and Loretta from KY, had some Folgers coffee and Dunkin Donuts (sponsors) and Jay Yelas said prayer, National Guard did the flags and someone sand the National Anthem… then we watched boats take off and then came back. 

We LUCKILY fell back asleep until about 930, got up, the kids played outside (it is freezing!) on their favorite single stone path here… they keep running up and down it… then had cereal on the picnic table outside, and here I am now…

Later!

Maci’s bible verse July 9, 2009

Maci came in from the freezing outside (we are still in Northern NY) and said I made a bible verse…

She put her hand on her heart like a pledge (we saw that at the boat launch this AM- that National Guard did that)

And said…

I pledge I love Jesus and the way he made me, and he stands to die on the cross into my heart

I C-shay July 9, 2009

We have been trying to teach CJ that his actual name is James Chadwick Parks, Jr… to which he says, very loudly and adamantly…

I NOT JUNIOR!  I C-SHAY!

I know why I’m baptized… July 9, 2009

So, Maci has a history of being TERRIFIED of baptism… at the “water church” (our old church), after Chad and Ash got baptized, she HATED going there… like she thought it would happen to her…

We were at Pop’s the other day, and I saw her getting Nana to dunk her like a baptism… and then she came to me and said…

“I know why I’m baptized”… and I said WHY? and she said “because I believe in Jesus”…

AWESOME words to hear your 5 year old say… or any year old for that matter!

Our Adirondack Adventure has begun… July 7, 2009

After two surprisingly easy days of travel (Chad, myself, Maci and CJ- ASH is in FL with Alison-pooh on her!), we arrived last night at about 1030 pm in Plattsburgh, NY. 

Let me back up… on the first day, Sunday, we were supposed to leave at 4, we left at 8- whatever… we loaded the car up with tackle, fishing rods, luggage, kid TV, kid activities, and us, and headed out… stopped at McD’s for breakfast… had a late lunch somewhere, can’t really remember… we were GOING to go to Cheesecake Factory in Louisville, but after awful traffic, we decided not to take the time… oh yes, now I remember- Cracker Barrel… ok, then on to ALMOST Wheeling, WV (we took a little detour so Chad could visit Cabela’s and spend gift certificates- it was not really a detour, just an alternate route…).  The kids LOVED Cabela’s, the aquarium, the stuffed animals (and I mean stuffed polar bears and zebras and stuff!)… I loved the Cheesecake flavored fudge… OMG!  Anyway, we spent the night somewhere in Ohio… we got there about 930, checked in, got the kids dressed and headed to the SUPER warm indoor pool while Chad ordered pizza and breadsticks from a local place… CJ was jumping to me saying “Buzz Lightyear to the rescue” which sounds like “buz ear to res cu”. 

OK, then the next morning did the Cabela’s thing… then breakfast in car (McD’s again…)… drive, drive, drive… late lunch at a KFC/ Taco Bell mixture thing where CJ pooped like you would not believe!  Then, driving driving, for me, while kids and Chad slept FOUR hours!  Chad got in the very back and spread out… it was nice to listen to KLove and NOT the DVD player playing kid movies!

Anyway, long story short… we got there last night, checked in, kids were crazy for a while before falling asleep, slept late this AM as Chad’s fishing partner has/ had a virus… got up, me and kids when to dining room and had breakfast, which CJ dumped on the floor when he fell out of his chair… then checked out, went to grocery shop at Walmart (which reminded me why I dont take Chad grocery shopping and reminded Chad why I dont like going with 2 little ones) and headed to our PRECIOUS cabin on Lake Champlain! 

Have I mentioned the weather… 70 degrees… just sayin…

We got here, and I called, and the owners were taking a nap and had not cleaned out cabin!  So, Chad lugged every thing out of car, brought it to cabin, and left to go fishing with Jay, while I took kids down to the “beach” and they got SOAKED in their clothes but had a good time in the cold water… I did not have my camera, it was in car. 

We got in, unloaded, made pigs in a blanket, kids napped, I made business phone calls, then I turned on friends and napped… OH and it was raining… wonderful wonderful way to nap! 

Got up, finished making chicken noodle soup, Maci woke up, wanted to make Fruit Kebobs (from Aunt Paula’s cookbook) and here I am! 

Here are some pix…

Crappit all… I just realized I left my cord thing at HOME!  And my adapter thing does not work anymore in my computer!  POOH!  Pictures will be all at once, when I get home!

Time Boy June 29, 2009

Brenly is a self proclaimed Tomboy, which sounds like Time Boy.  So yesterday, Brenly was all… “if I am a Time BOY, is Maci a Time GIRL?”  Or maybe Maci said it, I can’t remember which, but HILARIOUS! 

Bellevue Fireworks June 29, 2009

Kim called yesterday and wanted to know if we wanted to go to the fireworks… we are usually at the lake when they do them, so I was very excited to go!  They came over, we visited, and then started to get ready… I braided Maci’s hair like I used to do Ashleigh’s, but never have the time now, which is sad… too cute! 

We all piled in Kims new fun car, and went to Sonic, and then to Bellevue. 

The weather was AWESOME… in the midst of 110 heat index days, God cooled off Memphis, there was a breeze and it felt like an early April day!  No bugs, no sweating, it was perfect! 

Kim bought the kids snow cones, she brought cotton candy (the ants on  a log, carrots, and chex mix I brought was not TOUCHED, I don’t blame them!)… CJ and Avery would not peel themselves from us for a while, FINALLY Avery got a second wind and got up and started dancing, CJ waited a little longer.  But when he DID get up, he was CRAZY, and our “neighbors” I am sure were wishing he had not gone a little crazy!  Kept rolling into people… all fun stuff!

Big Daddy Weave was awesome and funny and inspiring, as usual.  They are truly gifted and just JOYOUS. 

The fireworks were amazing.  The Bellevue orchestra accompanying it was wonderful.  It was  a great evening!  OH, Keke (sp?) came toward the end-ish, and she is like a kid-magnet!  She held Maci’s and Brenly’s ears during the first part of the fireworks, then they got over being scared of the noise!  I tried to peel CJ off of me to take his picture, and he BOLTED to Kim’s side… he is such a scaredy! 

That is all for now!

World Changers June 28, 2009

So, yesterday, the youth were off to WC 09!  Chad was supposed to take my Expedition (seating 6 others) and have it for the week, but he ended up having to work… SOOOO, I got childcare for the little ones (Elisha Conway at church THANKS SO MUCH!) and headed to the church… got there… waited, waited… THEN was told the trailer was broken that carries the luggage… and it would be at least 12 before leaving time (we got there at 1030 AND I was up at the crack getting my house ready for another unsuccessful open house) anyway, I took a crew to Wendy’s and then we got back there, loaded up and left!  Ash, Jaron, Adam, Lisa and April rode with me!  We had a good time, with Adam texting the TX van that we saw that was headed to WC too!  And Jaron making fun of house close to the steering wheel my seat was…

Here are some pix…

My prayer is that thru the week, these youth and adults will show the community Jesus’ love for them, thru their works and their words.  Also, I pray for the hearts of some of these teens, that they be brought back closer to the Lord.

Brenly… June 25, 2009

… just did something cute, I thought she was being a gorilla, and, well, here is the convo…

ME: you are a cutie patootie

Bren: I am NOT a girly girl!

ME: I did not say you were a girly girl, I SAID you were a cutie patootie

Bren: Well, I am NOT a girly girl (as she runs around with a tool belt and machine gun and Maci is said that she won’t play dolls with her!  But Avery (vave-ray) will!)

Another tooth… June 25, 2009

Last night, Tim was gracious and extended an invite for CJ and Maci to come play on the blow up water slide at their house, since Evan was an “only child” and missing his brothers… Tim made “chick fil a” chicken nuggets- SO GOOD- and fried corn nuggets – SO GOOD- and fries and I left them there and went to the World Changers meeting at church (there are no Wed night kids activities in the summer- which we need to change!)… ANYWAY… I got there, and Tiffany had a sheepish look and was like “um, we had a little accident”… and Maci turned around and showed me… THIS… (picture was taken this morning, not last night, but still)

She said her and “GJ” were going down the slide at “k-evan’s” house, backwards, and somehow her tooth knocked out!  Tiff said she came inside holding her mouth with one hand and her tooth in the other! 

And Tiffany, bless her girl-less heart, had a precious girly looking tooth box from her nana to her boys, and she let Maci take it home! 

The kids loved it there!  The cars, the whistle train, the trampoline, slide, big TV, chick fil a chicken nuggets… I think they want Tim and Tiffany to adopt them!