What is it about parades?

Kate witnessed her first parade on Sunday. I was so excited! The town I am from put on a parade that passed right in front of my grandpa's house. We were a little concerned because it started at 6:30 pm and we were not sure what we would be able to see. Just to give you an idea... it was definately no Disney parade. There were only a few floats and the parade was mainly made up of cars covered in lights and we saw a couple very sad Santas. One was a blow up Santa that had fallen over on his back.

I do think Kate enjoyed it, but she didn't make it to the end to see the real Santa. I think she had enough. She will be a lot more impressed when she sees her first Disney parade, which by the way, my dad really wanted to take her to Disney this trip (my family loves Disney).. I told him we better wait until she get older.

Here are a couple pictures of us at the parade.

Why do old people move to Florida?

We are in Florida visiting my family for the holidays. I found this picture of Indian Rocks Beach online. It does not do it justice. It is about 72 degrees, sunny and beautiful here.

I have so many memories here on this beach. I think I spent most of my afternoons after school and on weekends laying out, playing volleyball, and hanging out with friends at this beach. I completely took it for granted when I was growing up, but oh how I miss it now.

After leaving 19 degree weather in North Carolina. I now know why old people move here and retire here.

Why do we like playing dress up?

Why do parents and grandparents get their kicks from dressing up their kids? I always said that I would never be that mother who put their kids in ridiculous outfits. I thought I would always dress Kate in trendy outfits, not those frilly girly clothes.
We were taking her picture last night in a pajama outfit my mom sent her and it hit me. She is only six months old and I have already done (several times) what I thought I would never do. The bunny pajamas came with a little bunny hat and everything. We thought it was so funny, so we took some pictures.
It reminded me of that clip from A Christmas Story when Ralphie's mom made him put on that bunny outfit his aunt gave him. I have it posted below. It makes me laugh when they scan to his little brother laughing hysterically at him.
Oh, Kate, I hope we will not be that bad. You can see in these little compilations of her photos. She starts out happy. By the end she is looking at us and I can hear her saying... Seriously people, I have had enough.

Why do things never go as planned?

Have you ever had a time when nothing goes as you planned in your head? This weekend we headed to Fort Caswell Beach with the middle school students from our church. I was so looking forward to the beautiful scenery at the beach and hanging out with the students. (BTW- they are awesome).

Ok, just to warn you the following story is not something you want to read if you are eating or have a weak stomach. My amazing husband probably would not want me to tell this, but since our pastor announced it on Sunday in front of the whole congregation, I figured it was ok.

Justin came home Friday afternoon about 3 hours before they were supposed to leave and he was not feeling well. Have you ever seen someone who was so sick, white as a ghost and clammy? This was Justin. Although he was fighting it, I could tell he did not feel good. He just kept telling me he was fine.

Well, he headed to the church and off to the beach retreat. He was feeling so sick. We were talking on the phone and I asked him if he had a bag ready (just in case he did get sick). He said no and that he would pull over or ask one of the students for one of the fall youth shirts to get sick into. (I knew that was a bad idea - why did he think a cotton shirt could hold throw up?)

A few minutes later, he called. He said that he got so sick and it just came up, he could not pull over. He got sick (threw up) all over himself and the driver's seat of the van. Outback's blooming onion does not look good when it comes back up! Needless to say, the cotton shirt didn't do much good.

Just to give you a picture, he was driving a van of about 14 middle school guys. He had one of them sitting in the passenger's seat. That poor kid curled up into a ball with his head in his knees after witnessing his youth pastor getting sick all over himself. This was only about 45 minutes into the trip. I am sorry, the whole scene still makes me laugh a little (and gag a little). I definitely do not have the gift of mercy.

Justin pulled over at a gas station and came up to me. I couldn't even look at him and I started gagging. It was so gross. He cleaned himself off, changed his clothes and one of our other youth leaders cleaned the van (he is such a trooper). I offered to clean it, but I had to stay with my baby. (I was also afraid that I would throw up cleaning it.) Justin changed his clothes and threw away the dirty clothes (I am so thankful he did that, I was going to try to clean them). He got back in the car and drove those kids to their retreat. (Of course, no one would sit shot gun the rest of the trip - I really think he traumatized those kids.) He was not feeling good all weekend, but thankfully he got through it. Two of our kids accepted Christ and the rest had an amazing time!

To update you from my previous post... Kate's first time on the beach did not go as planned either. It was 50 degrees out and freezing. Here are some pictures below. Enjoy!

Don't you love the water?

I am from Florida and I grew on the water and at the beach.  Just about anywhere you go where I am from you cross over a bridge and beautiful water.  I didn't really notice it when I was growing up, but every time I go home my dad and husband have to hear me say how much I love the water and miss it.  

Well, living in N.C. the closest beach is a couple hours away.  I have only been once - and it doesn't compare to "our" beaches in FL.  This weekend I am going to try the NC beaches again.  I am hoping it is half as pretty as the pictures on their website.  I hope to get some great pictures of Kate's first time on the beach also.