Memories of one year ago

It was about this time one year ago that Mark and I arrived at the hospital in Athens...to be a part of bringing a brand new little boy into the world! What a day it was!!! What a whirlwind 24 hours it was! You see...we were in Orlando...with Kathy and Kasia and Zach...and MArk and I left at midnight and drove to Athens...stayed until about midnight...then drove back to Orlando to finish the vacation! It was one of the best days of my life! Krista did such a fantastic job during labor and delivery...with Evan at her side...They are such great parents...and Thatcher is such a blessing in our family! We are sooo ahppy to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY THATCHER! WE LOVE YOU!

We are going to try something new again!

The waves were a bit scary at first....but he did enjoy them later!
Is this Heaven???? yes, Child it is!
He Loved chasing the shadows...
Found that the sand isn't as easy to walk on as the floor...
Here is mom and Thatcher exploring this sand..TMan thinks it is kind of strange! Yet tasty!

I finally got some pics downloaded to my new computer...so I will attempt to get some on here!

I got to take Thatcher...and his mom to the beach...his first time there! I have a great friend here who lets me rent her house in Myrtle Beach...and it is MARVELOUS! So here is a trip with us to the beach!

Remember I am learning here...

Adventures in Poison Ivy!! scratch ...scratch!

My adventures...or should I say MISADVENTURES...began 15 days ago! I was DETERMINED to get rid of the poison ivy in our back garden..or overgrown forest in the back yard...Mark has proven to be very allergic..and I had it once..a tiny little bit..So I was going to be his Knightess in shining garden gloves!!! So off I went! Gloves on...pruning tools in hand..off to sly the Ivy. I was vigilant to keep skin far away from it..but alas...it found its way to me..the oily little varmit! So the next line of defense that .."Always works" was to shower with Dawn dish soap...I did ..TWICE...but the oily creature had already laid its demise!

Saturday night I noticed a little red, itchy spot on my elbow...the inside..where it always bends...then another one..no two on the same area...then another one down the wrist. Then the legs got involved...they figured if I was already itchy..why not get in on the action! So it kept coming..and coming...I have seen a pill called 'the poison ivy pill' work with Mark and others...so I quickly ordered some..and could NOT wait to get it! FINALLY it got here! AHHHHH relief!!! At last!!! NOT!!! I took it as it said to..and soon MORE showed up..on my stomach..face and other arm! YIKES...A doctor friend of mine informed me I am VERY allergic to poison ivy..DUH!!! YA think?! Well..the pills added to it...I was already too full of the toxins..and my body was not able to fight it ...and this just added to it!

SO...lesson learned...STAY OUT OF POISON IVY!!!


Update...it is finally starting to dry up...the histamine response is STILL great! Itchy all the time..red..and now I have little bumps all over my arms too! AND...With all the stress this is causing my OLD and decrepit body...to make matters even worse..I have a cold sore on ly bottom lip..right SMACK dab in the middle!@! OUCH! and one building on the inside of my throat!

BUT..... LIfe is good! Thatcher turns 1 on Thursday...YEAH!
Graham just got back from EFY..and had a ball...I was sooo lucky to go pick them up this morning..at 7 am...left here at 4:30 AM! And Monday EARLY morning hen heads off to Scout camp!
Hannah is bored...not too many friends around...so come on down to play! She is working on her piano though a lot this summer...will get her back into lessons this fall.
Scott is working..and playing...do not see him much!
Mark is busy with work...calling..he too is heading to scout camp! and business trips!

Life is good!@ Enjoy every minute...My new outlook!

BEWARE OF FLYING TIME!!!

Shauna talked about watching the time...well..It is GOING WAY TOOOO FAST here for me to watch it! Where DID May go?

Well...it went to having my Thatcher with me for a few days...IT WAS FANTASTIC!!! We went hiking, went swimming..played and played and we..played some more! What a great early mother's day gift for me!

School is out...with all the end of school things that go on...That took up lots of time too.

Football weight training started..and that requires my Taxi hat to be on...LOTS! And Graham is working at the baseball games 3 days /week....more taxi driving...BUT I LOVE IT...

Work kicked up a notch or two the last couple of weeks of May as well..as we launched the new website... www.wheretraveler.com A cool tool to help you find where you might like to eat/shop/find cool things to do in 40 cities in the US..but will be expanding to other areas as we can sell it to them! Hoping to get into Canada when the iphone gets there!

Now it is June..Graham will be getting his permit to learn to drive...LOOK OUT WORLD!!!! He turns 15 on June 9th!!! Again...where has the time gone??? He hopes to take the exam next Tuesday..as the DMV is not open on Mondays...then.......

I GET TO GO TO THE BEACH!!!!!! YEAH!! can y0ou tell I am a little excited????? Krista and Thatcher, Hannah, Graham and I...along with Moriah and her mom Cheryl...(friends who are moving this summer) Leave after Graham takes the test..until Sunday! YEAH!!! We have my friends' beach house...one house off the beach...I CANNOT WAIT!!!

One thing I did NOT get to do was go to my family reunion...BUT I have a great family..and I got to see lots of cool pics..and hear lots about it..so I got a taste of it! Thanks to all for the pics!

Well..I should get something done around here...but I would love to hear form anyone out there in cyberspace!

Love to all

Gramma Bean!

Holy BAtman, Robin..April is almost gone!

Where has the time gone???? Life here is going along fast-paced as ever..and I think I must have blinked...cause April's last day is tomorrow! HAppy Birthday Evan!

Life....well...lots has happened..I got to go see "Wicked" with Scott a couple of weeks ago..then HAnnah and I went to see "Lion King" for her early birthday present! Both were AWESOME shows! I cried in both..laughed in both asn was totally amazed by...you guessed... BOTH!
Mark and Scott go see Lion King tomorrow! I am happy for them!...maybe I'll clime into their pocket and see it again! LOVED them !!!

Scott has had stomach aches lately...Dr. thought perhaps an ulcer..I do not really agree..perhaps it is..But I think it is different...just a mom's hunch...we are trying him on a gluten free diet for a bit and see if it helps...then go from there. Scott is busy with school winding up...lifeguarding at the pool and he is starting another job with a friend of MAtt's...managing a lawn mowing company. He will be BUSY this summer! He continues to do very well in school..YIKES..a SENIOR next year!

MAtt is in Denver for the summer..as a lead tech for APX home securities. He is in for a busy one he thinks...they just keep sending more and more sales people...so he and his techs will be BUSY!!!! MAck went with him...yeah for them...we miss him here though!

Graham is in spring training for football this week...and working for an old football coach...at baseball concessions. This is keeping him busy...He was excited to be back in the pads and hitting again! He also is doing well in school...only 3 weeeks left til summer!

Hannah had her honors day today...adn she recieved high honors for 7th grade! She turns 13 in a couple of weeks...ANOTHER TEENAGER!!!YIKES! BUT I LOVE teens! They are alot of fun...can be trouble..BUT THEY ARE GREAT! Fun..crazy...etc..etc..etc!

Krista nad Evan and Thatcher are doing well...according to their blog..we too are grateful to have Evan a part of our family! He is just one of us...whatever THAT means..but he fits right in...and it is wonderfuL! Thatcher is one FANTASTIC little boy..who is growing way too fast! But that is good too! He is healthy and for the most part happy! We love to go visit him!

Mark is busy camping lately it seems...the young men of our ward keep him busy camping..and camping...most weekends it seems lately...but soon it will not be the NICE camping weather! soon it WILL get too hot! But we ahve had a WONDERFUL spring so far! I hope it keep it up! The hot can stay away for a while yet!

I am sad I will nor be making it up for the Low Party in MAy...too many dollars to get there...this is when it is soooooo hard to live in Georgia! I really enjoy it here...it is just tooo far away from extended family! But I have a great family here!

Well..should go get supper on for them...speaking of them..have a great day!

THOUGHTS...from a crazy white woman!

Well...February is over...and so is the High School Spring Musical!!! YIKES...this means it is just about time for Masters here in Augusta...time for Azaleas....and Dogwoods!

The musical this year was "Thoroughly Modern Millie"...a great show that takes place in the 20's about a young girl who heads to New York to marry a millionaire....It is funny, and great! Scott played the role of Bun Foo...a chinese man who works for Mrs Meers to kidnap young orphans and send them to Hong Kong, a white slavery ring! He learned Cantanese for the show..as most of his lines were in chinese! AND songs too! We and a great time watching it...I really enjoy being involved with my kids activities...and their friends! It is a BUSY time...and the last couple of weeks has been spent at the school...Crazy during it..but I am already missing it...and it just ended tonight! I will not miss the money and tickets..at least for a couple of months!

My children are all growing WAY too fast! Scott commented that the next spring musical he is in will be his SENIOR year!!! CRAZY!

Graham is busy with weight lifting for football...and he informed us the other day that he is the strongest freshman on the team..and about 3rd in the sophmores too! so WATCH OUT! He gave a talk at a little boy that he babysits for baptism today....I was a t work so I didn't get to ehar it..but was told he did a great job! And I wouldn't doubt it!

Speaking about work....I went to work at the glass shop today...the first time in about 6 weeks...so I had a BLAST working with glass again! I made a baby gift for a friend...and just about finished another project that has been needing to get done!

I also was informed this week that I WILL be able to relicense as a nurse here in Georgia! It had NOT been looking good for a month..so this was FANTASTIC news!

Well..I am way too tired to be tyoing..this is taking about twice as long as it should..as I am having to type and RETYPE most everything!

See you all later..and have a Very HAPPY EASTER!

Cudos for Shauna and Evan!

YEAH!!! Thanks to Shauna and Evan...my heros...Gramma's house is looking SOOO great!
I ahve Thatcher here this weekend, nad it is WONDERFUL! He is growing up sooo fast, and doing so many things...eating so many new things and I am LOVING IT!!! Will post pictures later!

Thanks again for the great background!