Porch Time

I haven't posted in a few days, and I thought I would just let you know what is going on. I'm sitting on the porch at my parents condo in Destin enjoying one of the last nights here. The sweet sounds of music float in the air, along with precious coos from baby Greer. She is entertaining herself in her exersauser and I'm enjoying the salty air and the sweet taste of a mojito. Lucy and Reeves just ran out here to swing on the porch swing and now I hear it's creaky sounds. The day has been perfect....at least perfect from my perspective.

We woke up to yummy donuts from The Donut Hole (thanks Daddy), had several cups of hot coffee, laid around in our PJs watching the news and cartoons, colored a little, took a morning nap (Greer), then we threw on our bathing suits and headed to the pool. We swam for a while, then it was time for lunch and a nap (or a movie), and then more pool time.

We all have our favorite beach moments. Reeves has developed a golf obsession (thanks to the surrounding golf course and a nice set of golf clubs). Charcey has taken him out almost every night to hit on the holes after the golfers have finished their games for the day. He's actually pretty good, and I'm afraid we have adopted a new (and fairly expensive) new hobby.

Lucy is swimming like an absolute FISH. She learned to dive this week, and can do about 5 flips underwater in a row. She has also worn the same outfit for 2 weeks now (a record I think) and I don't even care. If I had only known all we would need was a bathing suit, her Hannah Montana nightgown, and one little outfit I might not have stressed so much about packing!

For Greer, well, she's about as happy as any little baby could be! She loves her days down here. I mean, it is baby HEAVEN! She is basically eating, sleeping, and playing. She doesn't have to get schlepped around in a carseat all day, and she can stay in her PJs all the time. Her favorite thing is swinging with her Charcey on the porch swing. It lulls her into a catatonic state that is hilarious to see. Her little body turns in to a limp little noodle!

Papa is cooking another yummy meal (did I mention that we have our own private chef), and the smell is drifting out the open door. I should probably go and take a shower, but then again, I might just skip it tonight.

Pray for Mrs. Lynne today!

My dear friend, Lynne Frederick, is having surgery today at UAB Hospital. Please be in prayer for her surgeons and nurses as they care for her. Pray for husband Steve as he waits for her. We love you Mrs. Lynne!

So I know this looks terrible....

but I wanted to post this picture as the header on the blog and I can't get it all figured out right with this computer. I can't fix it till I get home, so for now it will look like this. I just love this picture so much, and couldn't wait to share it! Enjoy!

Hallelujah!!!

I know that might be a strong statement reserved for praising our Lord, but sleeping through the night is a spiritual experience to me! Greer made it from 7:30 pm - 6:30 am.....a record for our just about to be 6 month old (tomorrow!). Yay Greer!

Now that I think about it, I always sleep better at the beach, too!

On the eve of her 6 month mark, here are a few pictures of what she is up to these days. Greer is getting to be such a big girl! She is eating more and more things, and loving almost everything she tries. Her favorites are bananas, canteloupe, sweet potatoes and zucchini (also a new favorite for Reeves and Lucy....why are we just now discovering it!). She has pretty much mastered sitting up (with only occasional topples forward or back), and had her first experience in a restaurant high chair at the Donut Hole. We even tried her in a swing at Baytowne Wharf, and she loved it! I love this stage! Come to think of it, I say that about every stage in the lives of my children. Just when you get used to one thing, they are off doing something new. And the best part is, they all do it just a little bit differently.

Reeves was a "military crawler". Imagine him as a solid little chunk of baby fat and drool doing the commando crawl like a little soldier in training. Can you picture it? Now Lucy, she crawled in the classic way. Hands and knees, thank you very much. I look forward to seeing what Greer will come up with. It would be like her to do the "butt scoot"!

We made it....

We are at the beach...finally! It was about the most difficult packing job to date, and I am absolutely relieved to finally be here! I can't believe how much time and energy it takes to pack 5 people.... it is unbelieveable. I saved most of the packing for today, and it made for a late start, but the trip was pretty uneventful....except for the TICKET!
Yep, we got a ticket today. We were trying to make it to the Subway in Andalusia with a crying 6 month old, and Chris got a little heavy footed. Just as we came over a little hill, we were caught. Ugh! The worst part was how upset Reeves got. He cried and cried because he thought they were going to take Daddy to jail! It was pitiful....but not pitiful enough to get us out of the ticket. I mean, come on. Since when can a crying baby AND a crying 6 year old not get you out of a ticket. Glad it was Chris and not me. I would have been in tears (hey, maybe THAT would have made the difference!)
The funniest part was that it was the 3rd ticket in our close circle of friends in 2 weeks! Barrett and Bethany got a ticket a couple weeks ago, and Keith and Amy got one yesterday! I guess we were the lucky ones to confirm the old wives tale that "bad news comes in threes".
Praying for only good things in the coming days!
We'll keep you posted!

Celebrations

I realize that I have posted lots and lots of prayer requests on my blog, but I don't often mention the praises in my life (and in the lives of those I love).  I am flooded tonight with happiness for some awesome things that are happening around me, and I feel God urging me to share those things.  Here are as many as I can think of (I'm sure there are more), in no particular order:

1.  Tomorrow we are off to the beach for 2 weeks.  Chris will be there for most of it, and at the end of the trip, we will join our family in Fairhope for the wedding of my cousin Lee and his beautiful bride-to-be Meredith.  We are all really looking forward to being together!  It has been almost 6 years since we've had a full reunion of the Rutland side.  

2.  Lucy is so excited to see a "real" wedding!

3.  Greer is doing great with her treatments, and the fading is amazing.  We pray that it continues to fade away!!  We are actually postponing her next treatment till August 5th so that she can have the benefit of a new laser that Dr. Theos is getting.  This should really be of great benefit to her, and we are thrilled that this treatment will be under General Anesthesia (no pain during treatments!)

4.  Our friend, Russell Jackson, is being honored this week as "CNN's Hero of the Week."  In fact his story is about to air on Larry King Live.  Russell founded Kid One Transport, and is an amazing man with an amazing family.  We are so proud of you Russell!

5.  Reeves' wonderful kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Keeney, is a finalist for a BIG award.  She worked very hard to get this far, and we are immensely proud of her.  Let's pray she wins the grand prize!  She deserves it.

6.  Rollins Wilkerson (my friend Brooke's little girl with Leukemia) has had a couple of really good days.  They have received  good news concerning her future, and we celebrate with her family!  God is Good!  There is absolutely Power in Prayer!

7.  My dear friend Bethany Edgeworth was accepted into nursing school this week!  I am so proud and excited for her.  

8.  Discovery United Methodist (our church) has a new Senior Pastor.  Julie Holly is doing a fabulous job, and everyone is really excited to see what is about to happen there.  It is an awesome thing to be a part of!

9.  Lily (our sick cat) seems to be doing better.  For some reason, she has a massive appetite lately.  She has gained some weight and is looking healthier in general.  We will just wait to see what happens, I guess.

10.  And, last but not least, I  feel so blessed to have such a wonderful husband who is such a great life partner.  God is so Good!

Meet Rollins!

Couldn't you just eat her with a spoon!

I grew up with Rollins' mom Brooke, and she needs your prayers!  Rollins was diagnosed just over a week ago with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.  She is back home following several days at Children's Hospital.  She has already had a week of chemo, and will go back tomorrow for round 2 (plus a bone marrow biopsy and spinal tap).  Her prognosis is really good, but the treatments and time it takes to reach the finish line are going to be tough. 

PLEASE, visit her Caring Bridge page (www.caringbridge.org/visit/rollinswilkerson) and read all about her so that you will know what their specific prayer needs are...as you can imagine, they change by the day.  Brooke is really encouraged by your prayers, and I thank you too! 

Romans 12:12 "be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer"