I’ve been looking forward to this since I was with my dear friend in Texas back in September. We actually purchased these tickets for her and the kids while I was in Texas. We hope to make this a tradition to have her and the kids out each year.
So, on Wednesday night I eagerly left for the airport to pick her up. It was such a delight to see their faces at the baggage claim! Welcome to Maryland! The kids were absolutely adorable with their little backpacks and Benjamin was his Mommy’s big helper! He pulled the big suitcase on wheels (well, it looked big behind him)! Wish I’d gotten a picture of that, too!
We had a very eventful few days, but a lot of our time was just spent living life together. We had to get everyone dressed, fed and disciplined…just like when we’re apart. But, sprinkled in the midst were many wonderful conversations where we were able to encourage, exhort, comfort and listen to each other.
Thursday we didn’t do anything but stuff around the house. The kids played and played. They had outside time with Snowflop, the bunny.
and took turns jumping on our inflatable trampoline
On Friday we had more time around the house and then went to our church Single’s meeting that night. I told Tamra that if it weren’t for me pushing around a double stroller she would’ve fit right in! We did feel a bit strange in the midst of mostly young college aged singles! We thought it was going to be about how to honor God with your money, but it was a continuation from the week before about how to honor God with your body. We had planned to go to a Moneywise Workshop at the church on Saturday morning, but while there Friday night we discovered that you could buy a packet in the bookstore of the paperwork and 3 cd’s of the messages for $5. So, we decided to skip the meeting and do our Michael’s shopping instead. We took the girls (Lela, Cait and Brianna) and left Jeremy to have Treasure Hunt with the boys. Aunt Tamra had brought a goody box full of the necessary supplies (she thought of everything). Here’s what we found when we got back…and boy I wish you could hear the music Mr. Jeremy put together for the adventure.
Friday night Tamra helped me work on Justin’s missing year in his scrapbook. The whole 2003 year was non-existent. It is such a blessing to have that done! We worked on it throughout the visit (mainly REALLY late at night). She also helped me by framing pictures in my stairway of the kids…it looks so good. Then we bought the girls names in white letters and hung them in the room with different ribbons. This was AFTER we rearranged every piece of furniture in the room (more than once)! Yes, Jeremy wanted to use a tape measure, but we assured him that sometimes you just have to see what it looks like even if it might not “fit”. Having these things done makes my house feel more like a home! THANK YOU TAMRA! You were so willing to help even when you were feeling so bad. I hope all the supplements and lemon water helped to ward off the infection that your body was fighting.
While she was here we kept watching the weather in Dallas. When we scheduled the trip for early January I was concerned that she’d get snowed out or snowed in, but I never thought it woudl be because of the Texas weather! Anyway, in God’s providence the weather allowed us to change the flight to later in the day on Monday. The night before during a nightly activity of playing with glow sticks (that Aunt Tamra had brought along) in the dark Cait got dogpiled by my 3 boys. We thought she’d broken her collar bone, but after a trip to the ER and Cait wetting on Tamra a few times too many we discovered that she was just having neck spasms. This is what she looked like the whole next day (she would not move and screamed from pain). It was heartbreaking. Her only comfort was Mystie…and Justin was hardly ever away from her side. He was so sweet to take care of her and play with her (for pics of this see: www.strengthfortoday.blogspot.com.
The meds were not helping her at all. Finally after talking to her doctor in Texas a few times we started giving her Motrin (thank you, Mary!) and this seemed to take the edge off. This was shortly before we had to leave for the airport. They made it home safely and the Lord answered our prayers and provided the help Tamra needed with the kids and the All in One stroller carseat that I sent her home with. All that to say, I can’t WAIT to see this again…….
I love you friend and Thank God for you! Thank you for saying what I need to hear even when it’s hard to say! I need it!