The Sapp Recap

Back to School

2011-08-02T15:19:00.008-05:00

Today, Garrett and Charlotte went back to school! Its crazy--its barely August!

They were so excited about going back--both for different reasons, of course!

Charlotte was excited about the new lunchbox and backpack and a new teacher! She wanted to see all her friends from last year! She was a little disappointed that there were no dress up clothes, though!

Garrett was also excited about a new backpack and lunchbox, but didn't care one thing about seeing old friends! He has the same teacher again, and said he was going to be her "helper" this year, since he had been in her class before!

In all, I think it was a great day!

Stamps are only for paper!

2011-06-21T21:58:00.003-05:00

"We only use stamps on paper!"

This has been hounded into my kids ever since I found them once with stamps all over their faces and arms.

Apparently, I should be more specific!

Diggin' for Dinner

2011-06-16T20:58:00.007-05:00

We dug up our dinner, so to speak, from our garden! This is the second meal we have gotten from it.

Garrett and Charltote were very careful to select only the beans that were "ready!"

Here are red potatoes from our potato pots!

Yes, Charlotte is wearing high-heeled princess shoes!
Only a real woman can dig potatoes in her heels!

Our bounty!

We came up with red potatoes, 2 crooked-neck squash, green beans, rosemary and basil! Yummo!

Now, I know that I could have steamed or grilled those beautiful squash, but why would I do that when I can fry them!

And here are some of our red potatoes and herbs, before and after!

Every time I fry squash, my house smells like a little country Granny's house!

Nothin' wrong with that!

Nothing like a prehistoric creature to get the creative juices flowing!

2011-06-15T17:14:00.004-05:00

Monday, Garrett found this prehistoric-looking bug at Ms. Nikki's house. He was not 1 bit afraid to pick it up! And as you know of our obsession with Blue Coast, I had one of their cups on hand! (We really should buy stock in that company!)

Ms. Nikki informed us that it was a rhinoceros bug!

He loves to gross me out with his creatures!

Even this Beauty had to get in the shot! I swear, this girl doesn't take a bad photo (even with a nasty bug!)!

Garrett just had to write Daddy a note to be sure he saw the bug as soon as he got home! I was just impressed that he wanted to do some writing! I told him how to spell each word and he wrote them all (except "rhinoceros").

Princess Birthday Party

2011-06-14T13:19:00.011-05:00

Let me first say that none of these photos are edited (as evidenced by the ironing board in the background!) I've almost waited too long to post these, so I needed to get it up here in a hurry!

Well, as you know Charlotte and I share a birthday. She turned 3 and I turned...well...that's not important!

Here is our evening out to Blue Coast (at her request) and her most favorite birthday present: a Princess Aurora dress!

These are from Charlotte's birthday party, where our Indiana family came to visit!

She loves Uncle Jarsy, but doesn't like it when he gets her nose!

Here are all the little princesses!

And one unhappy prince! As the girls arrived, he said, "More girls?"

We decorated some tiara cookies!

Opened some presents!

And had 3 outfit changes!

I asked Charlotte if she had a fun party and she said,

"I DID!"

I have a feeling this is only the beginning!

2011-06-08T21:21:00.003-05:00

I had to work a few Sundays back, so Randy took the kids to church. When I got home, Garrett said to me:

G: Mommy, I met a new girl at church.
Me: Really?
G: Yes, she had blonde hair and blue eyes and she was different from all the other girls.
Me: Hmmm...
G: I held her hand in Pastor Joey's class.
Me: REALLY? What's her name?
G: I don't remember. I'll ask her next time.

So a week passed, and this Sunday he said to me.

G: I found out my friend's name. Its Mary Magdalene.
Me: Are you sure? Her name can't be Mary Magdalene. People don't name their kids Mary Magdalene.
G: I'm sure that her name is Mary Magdalene, and she's pretty like you.

Later that day, he said:

G: Can you give me some work so I can make money?
Me: Sure, you can help me fold the laundry. What do you want to make money for?
G: For the zoo. I want to take Mary Magdalene.

So, now Garrett has been working around the house, saving money for his first date with Mary Magdalene at the zoo!

Now, we only need to find out who Mary Magdalene really is so we can ask her to the zoo!

He's a riot! The fun never stops!

Run For My Son UPDATE!!

2011-05-31T16:20:00.010-05:00

UPDATE! We are moving the run to October 8, pending final approval from Parks and Rec Dept. because of a conflict with another run!!

We are planning a 5K and 1 mile fun run/walk on October 8 to raise money for PPMD (Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy), who contributes a large amount of money to research for Duchennne's Muscular Dystrophy, the type of MD Garrett has. So mark your calendars!

Many of you have asked in the past how you can help us. Well, here you go! I'm going to need some volunteers to help us put this thing on. These are the roles I need filled:

Donations (going to local stores/restaurants), or if you or someone you know has a company willing to donate money or other items

Pre-Registration Table

Registration Table

Start

Finish

Course Turns

Aid Stations on Course

Equipment Setup

Mile Markers On Course and Aid Station Set-up On Course

Finish and Start Area Set-up

Awards

Clean-up

We will need several people for each category. If you have race experience (either running or setting it up), or have a willing heart, we need you, your church group, your running group, your school class...

Also, while this race will be listed in the Run For Our Sons group through PPMD, we will be naming it in honor of Garrett. So, I need some creative name ideas for the race!

If you are willing to help or have a creative race name for us, please email me or leave a comment with your contact info: ambersapp81@hotmail.com

SAVE THE DATE!

OCTOBER 8, 2011

Vacation 2011 Part 1

2011-05-31T14:00:00.002-05:00

Every year, I do a photo session of sorts on the beach with the whole family. Its hard to pick from them (as I take several hundred!), but these are some of my favs!

Happy Birthday, Charlotte!

2011-05-24T13:46:00.008-05:00

Happy 3rd Birthday, Charlotte!

We started the day with birthday waffles, complete with candle.

Next we went to Gigi's for some overpriced fru-fru cupcakes!

And tonight, we are off to Blue Coast for Charlotte's favorite food!

Happy Birthday, to the best birthday present ever!

Packing Potatoes

2011-05-11T15:48:00.000-05:00

We are leaving for vacation tomorrow! That means today consisted mostly of packing all the necessities. My bed looks like this right now:

I've made my list so I won't forget anything.

Sunblock is essential!

As are tennis shoes and flip flops!

But this? What is this? That is certainly not on the list!

Someone packed a sweet potato! Not sure, but I guess someone has a hankerin' for spuds!

This is what my life has become; I'm blogging about potatoes now!

I really need a vacation!!!

Man of the Year!

2011-05-08T14:23:00.006-05:00

Randy has really outdone himself the last few days! Not sure if he is making deposits for a later withdrawl or just being sweet! It started out Friday night when I had some gals over for a "hair party" as I am calling it! We got hair cuts and color, ate pizza and cookies and watched a girly movie with George Clooney and some girl they call Michelle Pheiffer. Well, Randy took the kids to dinner and camped out with them in the yard so I could do my girl thing! They roasted marshmallows and the whole bit. How sweet, right?

Well, Saturday morning (after getting some chilly sleep and getting up with Charlotte at 5:45 in the tent) he and the kids let me sleep til a whopping 7:20 then made me breakfast in bed--blueberry waffles with fresh blueberries and strawberries with Cool Whip! Then, while I went for a pedicure, he took the kids to a birthday party for 1 of Garrett's friends whose family Randy did not know! Then, last night we did Sweet Cece's and dinner to celebrate Mother's day with my mom to give her the necklace that Randy drove to 3 stores in Nashville to locate!

This morning, Randy and the kids gave me sweet Heritage Makers' books with pictures of the kids and I that had 31 prayers to pray for each child--1 for every day of the month. (I'm quite sure he enlisted the help of my sweet friend Surupa for that one!) And, tonight, we are headed to favorite restaurant for dinner, Carrabba's (where I also went into labor with Charlotte 3 years ago!)

Certainly, this all has earned him the title:

Man of the Year!

A-pickin' and a-grinnin'

2011-05-05T19:17:00.011-05:00

Its strawberry pickin' time again! We headed on over to Pantall Farm to pick a few of our favorite fruits!

Check out this cool guy lookin' like Charlie Sheen!

Sweet berries for a sweet girl!

"I just squished it a little bit!"

Our spoils!

"I can eat all these?"

After dinner, we turned these strawberries into Chocolate Chip Fruit Pizza! YUMMO!

Easter Hams 2011

2011-04-25T14:07:00.008-05:00

It was a miracle Garrett wore this tie all day! He liked it as much as Randy liked HIS tie!

Charlotte, on the other hand, was all about the dress-up!

Outside of the fact that I put 2 different socks on Charlotte, everyone looked their best!

Daddy's Sweeties!

Hunting eggs!

This was Garrett and Charlotte's first chocolate bunny! They've been so deprived! (And no, I did not let them eat the whole thing!)

Fat Day

2011-04-15T15:28:00.005-05:00

Garrett: Mom, when is Fat Day?

Me: You mean Fat Tuesday?

Garrett: Yeah, Fat Tuesday.

Me: That was in March.

Garrett: Oh, man! I forgot to wear my glasses!

Happy Belated Fat Day!

Spring Photos!

2011-04-13T14:28:00.010-05:00

Its been awhile since I tried to drum up photography business on my blog, but its that time of year again!

I couldn't resist doing a mini photo shoot of the kiddos this week in their new duds for school pictures, especially since Garrett was "uncooperative" for his photos at school!

I've been scoping out some new outdoor locations for photo shoots!

I'd love to take some cute pics of your family, too!

Fort Knox

2011-04-11T13:16:00.012-05:00

I've begun gardening this year again. I've learned much from last year's attempts and feel I am going into this gig much wiser than before. I've decided to do a lot of container gardening, with hopes of curtailing weeds and having to do less clearing of land. Here are some White Half Runners in progress.

We have lots of potatoes and cucumbers going, as well.

Are you wondering yet what those mysterious contraptions are atop of the containers? They are not anything fancy, just some chicken wire. The truth is: we have serious squirrel problems. Squirrels and birds, really; but the squirrels make me want to fumigate the trees and destroy them all! They are disguised as furry critters, but in reality, are hairy varmints in close relation with rats. Last year, I enclosed the entire garden with chicken wire, which made it difficult to pull out the weeds. Also, the birds and squirrles somehow managed to get UNDER it and get trapped! This year I've created a bit of a Fort Knox in my back yard!

More red potatoes and Crooked-Neck squash beginning to grow...taunting those nasty squirrels!

I planted these pumpkins Saturday afternoon, and by Sunday morning (before I could get my chicken wire in place) the squirrels had begun to dig it up!

Here, my Papa's deer stands on sentry duty watching over our watermelons (which the squirrels have already dug up once!)

You may think this is funny, but I'm beginning to feel a little like Bill Murray in Caddyshack! All I need is some "fire power and superior intelligence! And that's all she wrote!" (Love that movie!)

A Memorial For Jesus

2011-04-06T14:46:00.007-05:00

A Jehovah's Witness came to my door Monday and handed me some literature and invited me to a "memorial service for Jesus."

He told me they were honoring His death with a "talk" and memorial time. I was dying to say something, but he didn't let me get a word in. He kept talking about "Jesus' death" and "honoring his memory," in this very sad tone with a solemn expression.

After he left, of course, I wished I would have said to him,

"Didn't you hear? He's alive! He rose 3 days later! He defeated death so that you and I might live!"

"The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying."
Matthew 28:5-6

Showing My Age

2011-04-04T19:35:00.005-05:00

We went to Kroger today and as we were checking out a gal next to us (who I presumed to be about 25 years old) starts up a conversation that went like this:

Her: "You don't look old enough to have 2 kids."
Me: "Please, I'll be 30 next month."
Her: "30? Wow, I hope I look that good when I'm your age!"

OUCH!

I was really feeling OK about turning 30 this year until then.

Since when is 30 "your age"?

Zoo Day!

2011-03-22T13:56:00.005-05:00

Spring came in a hurry and I may argue that it seemed more like summer at the zoo today! I've always heard that you should dress for the season, not for the weather; but our jeans were a little much in the 82 degree sunshine!

This was one tired goat! Garrett tried to give him a little boost, but the goat slept on!

Here is a monkey!

This is my SOOC shot, but I was a little distracted by the Annie's Bunnies in the shot!

Ahhh, much better!

Weeding

2011-03-07T14:32:00.003-06:00

As spring approaches, I get the itch to get my hands dirty and grow something. Last week, I started thinking about my garden. "Dreading" is a more appropriate term. The winter was not kind to my little garden space and it was over-run with weeds and dead leaves.

One day, I decided it was time to clean it up and prepare the soil for the yummy veggies to come in a few weeks. The job seemed over-whelming at first; already new green weeds were taking over the old dead ones.

I slowly began to pull up weeds by the root; some more difficult than others. There are always those pesky ones that refuse to come up that required me digging up the soil around them before they give up their last attempt at holding on.

As soon as I thought I was close to done, I'd step back and see more than I thought I could handle. But I knew that in order to produce good veggies my ground had to be cleared of all weeds, clumps broken up, leaves removed.

Finally, I stepped back to survey my work to see beautiful, rich, dark soil prepped and ready for planting! Ready for good seed to take root because all the extra "stuff" was gone.

How God must feel when He looks at my life! It must be full of things that don't produce good fruits; full of things that had potential for growth, but that I never tended to. If only I would let Him weed out the things that don't belong, He could prepare my life for the great things He has for me!

What are you holding onto that God wants you to let go of? Your church you've been at for more than 8 years? Friendships you've had since you first got married? Hobbies that are poor uses of your time?

Matthew 13:3-9

"And He spoke many things to them in parables, saying, "Behold, the sower went out to sow; and as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate them up. Others fell on the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up because they had no depth of soil. But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had not root, they withered away. Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out. And others fell on the good soil and yielded a crop, come a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty. He who has ears let him hear."

Pete

2011-02-28T13:00:00.004-06:00

I'm not sure when this started.

I certainly do not promote it.

We don't talk about other races in terms of color or any other differences.

PERIOD.

But somehow Garrett has picked up on some differences and has shared his take on the matter.

G: When I see people with brown faces, I call them Pete.

Me: Pete? What is Pete?

G: You know, like Stinky Pete from Toy Story?

Me: What? We don't call people Pete! I'm not sure what it means, but I don't think its good.

G: I'm still gonna call them Pete.

So, now every time we see someone with a brown face, Garrett says, "There's Pete!"

I don't know if its a bad thing or a negative viewpoint. I don't even know what it means!

Any suggestions on handling racial differences?

Mommas, lock your doors!

2011-02-23T12:55:00.002-06:00

It has come to our attention recently that Garrett is somewhat of a ladies' man!

He has had a little thing for Ms. Brenda at school for a while. He tells me they have lunch together and he likes to tell her stories and hold her hand. (Although he told me that yesterday, one story involved someone tooting in the bathtub, so I'm not too worried!) He said last week, "Mommy, I know I'm your boy, but I'm also Ms. Brenda's boy too!"

But, watch out, Ms. Brenda, 'cause he also has a little something for his friend Kierston (not sure if that's how she spells it!) in his class. He told me yesterday that when they got big, they were getting married and going to be a mommy and daddy together! I even heard tale that they were linked arm-in-arm going to lunch!

He really likes to wink at the girls, too! I think he must have learned that from his Dad! Garrett can be spotted winking at all the cute girls (and his Momma too!) But we warned, Garrett does not like hair pulled back into a ponytail! He only likes it long and straight, or so he tells me! He often says, "You put your hair in a ponytail! You messed it up! Take it down right now!"

He has quite a way with words, too! He's really free with the words 'beautiful', 'princess', 'lovely', and 'snuggle'. So if he slips you the wink and tells you how nice your long, beautiful, straight hair is...WATCH OUT! 'Cause he's already got you hooked!

Choice

2011-02-22T15:38:00.016-06:00

I've had the book Jesus Calling by Sarah Young for a while now, but it never ceases to amaze me what God will bring out of that little book every day! It doesn't matter if I've read that day's devotion before, it always seems to fit perfectly into my life.

If you're not familiar with the book, it is written as if Jesus is speaking to you--and He usually does with this book!

Here is today's devotion:

"You need Me every moment. Your awareness of your constant need for Me is your greatest strength. Your neediness, properly handled, is a link to My Presence. However, there are pitfalls that you must be on guard against: self-pity, self-preoccupation, giving up. Your inadequacy presents you with a continual choice--deep dependence on Me, or despair. The emptiness you feel within will be filled either with problems or with My Presence. Make Me central in your consciousness by praying continually: simple, short prayers flowing out of the present moment. Use My Name liberally, to remind you of My Presence. Keep on asking and you will recieve, so that your gladness may be full and complete. "

I Thessalonians 5:17; John 16:24

It seems like here lately, I've been living in the "despair" category. I have all three of the pitfalls she warns against: self-pity, self-preoccupation, and giving up.

"God, help me to CHOOSE deep dependence on You instead of despair this day."

My Valentine Surprise

2011-02-15T15:27:00.010-06:00

My Valentine surprise is coming a little late. It will be here tomorrow morning! I've waited almost a week for its arrival!

I'll give you a hint:

Its shiny
Its black
Its larger than I am
Everyone in the house will use it
When you open the door, the light comes on
It will hold most of my favorite things
It will make my life a whole lot easier

Give up? Its not a new minivan!

Its a beautiful fridge!

Ours went out last week and is now stinking up my house! We have all the food we could salvage in coolers outside, so I'm sick of digging through ice every time the kids want a sip of milk!

I know what you're thinking: "That Randy Sapp is one romantic guy!"

It almost beats the new furnace I got for Christmas!

I hope my birthday turns out a little less costly!

In all honesty, Randy did well this year. He and the kids made me "We love you, Mommy" necklaces and bracelets! So sweet!!

Snowy Days

2011-02-11T15:12:00.008-06:00

Its no secret: I HATE the snow! So, a few nights ago when it started snowing I knew something had to be done before the kiddos started asking to play out in it!

We made "snow men" indoors!

A few marshmellow, cloves, and toothpicks later:

Unfortunately, some snowmen lost their lives in the process!

Then, Randy caught on to my scheme and made me feel bad about trying to get out of playing outside in the freezing cold! So, we all played outside the next day! So much for staying warm!

Check out this beauty!

"Snow...YES!"

They got a new sled for Christmas, and this was the first chance they got to test it out!

I've brainwashed the kids! Once we got outside, Garrett said, "Are we going to get hot chocolate?" Why yes, of course!

That's the best part!

Perspective

2011-02-03T08:28:00.011-06:00

My life was filled with "blessings" today! All BEFORE 8am!

Thank you God for the ability to rise VERY early this morning and for the kids who got up soon after.
Thank you God for P90X, for without it I surely would not have had the strength in my arm with which to spank Garrett for hitting his sister.
Thank you God for the cow that produced the LARGE cup of milk that was spilled all over my couch.
Thank you God for the laundry detergent with which to wash Charlotte's blankee (that was also covered in milk) BEFORE school so she could take it with her.
Thank you God for creating enough cotton for the 3 towels it took to mop up the spilled milk.
Thank you God for the sense of smell that will surely kick in once the milk spoils in the cushions.
Thank you God for little voices that scream "Mommy" everytime one or the other touches them.
Thank you God for ponytail holders so that I can pull up my hair because I didn't have time to dry it for all the "blessings" this morning.
Thank you God for plenty of food that we can waste when we decide not to eat.
Thank you God for lots of toilet paper so we can throw it on the floor.
Thank you God for date night tomorrow night, for without it I would surely lose my mind this week!

Ahoy, you Scurvy Dogs!

2011-01-31T09:27:00.014-06:00

Garrett has had a long-standing love for pirates. But yesterday morning before church, he took it a little too far!

Garrett and Charlotte were fighting over something (again!) and I heard this being shouted from the other room,

"Let go, you Scurvy Dog!"

I couldn't get on to him because I was laughing too hard! Some things in this house are unacceptable, but I guess we'll let "Scurvy Dog" slide!

Oh, the possibilities!

2011-01-28T09:47:00.005-06:00

Just a box?

Or a tent for camping?

Or a slumber party?

Or a puppet theatre?

Or a dance studio?

Or a tea party cottage?

The possibilities are endless!

Just wait until my other chair arrives tommorow!

Notice anything strange?

2011-01-26T10:26:00.003-06:00

Is it the fact that Charlotte is on top of the train/pirate/dinosaur table?

The fact that she's wearing mittens in the house? Or coloring with them on?

The fact that she's wearing a princess dress?

Or the fact that this is just a regular day for Charlotte?

Mickey Mouse sends his sincere thanks for your large contribution to his retirement account

2011-01-20T13:31:00.014-06:00

We are finally home from what was a very tiring getaway! Randy had IBS in Orlando (which in my world is known as "Irritable Bowel Syndrome", but in his community just stands for the International Builder's Show!) Either way, I snicker every time I say it! I practically begged him to find me a t-shirt that said, "I had IBS in 2011" but apparently there were none to be found. Who knew?

The kiddos and I spend some time with Granny and Papa, then met Daddy at Disney! We spent a day at Magic Kingdom and the next day at Animal Kingdom. I'm not sure who was more tired: us or the kids!

Day One: Magic Kingdom!

We rode all our favorite rides!

We saw all our favorite characters!

And we ended the night with a fireworks show!

And 1 sleepy girl! I thought for sure she would fall right off that stroller!

Day Two: Animal Kingdom!

I'm pretty sure Charlotte has her hand up his nose!

Quickly after we arrived, we realized there was a "DinoLand" inside the park. That was right up Garrett's alley! We ended up leaving with a few huge dinosaurs that are quite scary--his favorite are the meanest ones !

We rode a triceratops ride while Daddy and Papa rode something similar to a tilt-a-whirl / roller coaster. Needless to say, I'll stick with the triceratops!

We saw some tigers in "Asia."

And some monkeys too!

Charlotte wore herself out pretty quickly this day while we were waiting for the safari ride in "Africa"!

There was also an AMAZING Finding Nemo show. I got in trouble taking these pictures, so you'd better enjoy the contraband! I didn't use a flash (they said "No flash photography"), but the guy called me down anyway!

We had an awesome time: cool weather, no waiting in lines--January is the time to go to Disney!

Its Gumbo Ya!

2011-01-06T23:13:00.023-06:00

I've had a hankerin' lately for some gumbo, but I'd never made it before. So, you know me, I researched some of the great gumbo makers: Emeril and my aunt! (actually, those are the only 2 I know!)

There are the basic ingredients, but we do tings a lil dif'rent, Sha! (like no okra or file' powder)

Be prepared, though, it will take you all day to make this. But, it is definitely worth the wait!

Here are the ingredients:
1 Tbsp plus 1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 lb skinless smoked sausage (I like Eckridge), sliced into 1/2 in pieces and crosswise
1 whole chicken (around 4-5 lbs), cut into pieces
1 Tbsp creole seasoning (I like Tony Chachere's), plus extra to season chicken
Seasoned salt, to taste
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 large onions, chopped
2 large bell peppers, chopped
9 cups chicken broth (although, I didn't have enough so I used some beef broth and some chicken bullion cubes with appropriate amount of water)
White rice

Make sure you use an IRON SKILLET. Remember back here when I told you all to buy one? Pull it out! Don't even think of using that new non-stick skillet you got for Christmas. We want STICKING, people...that's what makes a yummy roux!

In iron skillet, heat 1 Tbsp oil over med-high heat. Add smoked sausage and cook until browned (6 or 8 minutes)

Remove sausage and place in a container to use later.

Season chicken cutlets with additional creole seasoning and add to remaining fat in skillet. Brown on all sides (about 10 minutes).

Remove chicken from pan and reserve for later use.

To make the roux: Combine remaining 1/2 cup oil and 1 cup flour in iron skillet with reserved fat over med heat.

Cook, stirring slowly and constantly while scraping brown bits off bottom of skillet about 20 to 25 minutes, until its the color of dark chocolate. If you are not sweating at this point, you are doing something wrong!

Add onions and peppers to pan, stirring until wilted; about 4-5 minutes.

Add reserved sausage and creole seasoning to skillet and cook for a few minutes. Now, because I don't have a huge skillet, I poured it all into a LARGE stock pot. Add a little of the chicken stock to skillet and scrape the rest of the bits off the pan.

Stir the rest of the chicken stock in stock pot and bring to a boil. I also added some seasoned salt at this point. Reduce heat to med-low and cook about 1 hour uncovered, stirring occasionally.

Add reserved chicken to stock pot and simmer for about 1 and 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally. Skim any fat that rises to the surface. I took 1 napkin at a time and laid in on top of the liquid. It absorbs the fatty layer. I did have to use 5 or 6 napkins until it is all absorbed.

Remove the pot from the heat. Remove chicken pieces from pot and allow to cool slightly. Remove skin and cut chicken into small pieces, discarding any bones. Return the meat to the gumbo and heat through.

In the meantime, cook your rice. I used Minute rice this go-round, because I was tired of cooking and it only takes 5 minutes!

Spoon 3-4 spoons of rice in bottom of your bowl and pour a few ladles full of gumbo on top. Stir and enjoy! I added a few more shakes of creole seasoning and seasoned salt to my bowl. They only thing that might have made it better is some yummy corn bread to sop up my broth!

Dar ya go, Sha. Try it dis way n ya will dance!

Ca c'est bon!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

2011-01-03T14:14:00.010-06:00

We celebrate Christmas around here over the span of several weeks!

First Granny and Papa came to visit before Christmas and the kids opened presents.

On Christmas Eve, we went to Nana and Poppy's to open more presents!

Christmas morning, we had Christmas at our house with, you got it...more presents!

New Year's eve, we went to Indiana to Mama's house for even more presents!

New Year's day, we visited with Nanaw and Papaw!

Now we are home for a few short days before leaving for Florida again. We will be visiting with Granny and Papa before going to the BIG D, as it is commonly referred to around this house! DISNEY WORLD!!

Its hard to choose which photos to show you all, and I'm sick up to my ears with Christmas music, so please enjoy some cuties with a little Bob Marley in the background! It just makes you feel good, you know?!

Sweet Words from a Sweet Boy

2010-12-17T12:52:00.003-06:00

When I put Garrett down for his nap and at bedtime, he always likes to tell me a secret before I go. Today he pulled me close and whispered this in my ear:

"I love you sooo much! When I get big, and I pick someone to marry, can I pick you?"

"Yes, Buddy, you can pick me."

School Christmas Program

2010-12-16T12:42:00.009-06:00

Today was the big day: School Christmas Program!

There was no doubt that Charlotte would perform her little heart out and

Garrett may or may not show up!

True to character, Charlotte sang every song, did every motion,

rang her bells and smiled on cue!

Garrett was in a play (although he refuses to call it that! "Its a program!") He played a boy in pajamas listening to the Christmas story. He was the cutest pajama-wearer there! He didn't even leave the stage, which is a first for him!

I'd love to show you the video, but my driver isn't working at the moment!

You'll have to be satisfied with more cute pictures!

A New Tradition

2010-12-14T12:43:00.007-06:00

Apparently this book has been around for a while, but its new to our family this year:

We started reading it last night and soon gave our elf a name: Jingle Bell (as dubbed so by Charlotte).

Each night, Jingle Bell flies off to Santa to report on the kids: naughty or nice. In the morning he returns in a new hiding spot where he watches the kiddos throughout the day. Here's where we found him this morning!

Garrett is my critical thinker (I have no idea where he got it!) and he is a little skeptical. Every once in a while when he does something sketchy, I find him peeking over to Jingle Bell! Is he really watching? Just in case, Garrett's not taking any chances!

I've heard these elves tend to be a little mischievous at night, sometimes getting into things they shouldn't! Watching movies with the remote in hand and popcorn spilled on the couch, fishing in the aquarium, baking in the kitchen with flour spilled on the counter!

Where will he end up tomorrow?

Snow!

2010-12-13T13:12:00.007-06:00

Well, its the first snow of the season here in Nashville and the kids were itching to get in it!

Me? Not so much! It was 16 degrees! I got guilted into it by my friend Courtney -- thanks a lot!

We stayed out long enough to get red noses, throw a few snow balls, and for me to get a few pictures!

Nothin' says lovin' like rubbin' snow in your sister's hair!

I bribed them with hot chocolate to get them inside!

Garrett's Beads

2010-12-10T13:01:00.005-06:00

Looking for a Christmas gift?

My mom is making necklaces to help raise money for

Garrett's medical bills and future DMD research.

His school is selling them as their service project this year.

They are calling them "Garrett's Beads."

Would you like to be a part of this project?

Would you like to help us End Duchenne?

Let me know how many you want!

ambersapp81@hotmail.com

A Modern-Day Mary

2010-12-09T16:20:00.003-06:00

Notice anything missing?

Its Mary...you know, the mother of Jesus?

This is where I found her.

Me: "Charlotte, why is Mary in the kitchen?"

Charlotte: "She left her baby."

Me: "Why did Mary leave baby Jesus?"

Charlotte: "She had to go to work!"

Will you help save hearts?

2010-12-06T13:20:00.008-06:00

This is a letter I recieved today:

During the holiday season, we are especially reminded how precious family is and how precious our children are.

Earlier this year--even as the Duchenne community was pushing forward promising research, clinical trials, and other amazing achievements--we were receiving terrible news. In the past four months alone, we have lost six boys due to cardiac complications.

None of them had yet reached the age of 15.

Heart issues don't just affect some of our boys; they affect all boys with Duchenne. And, in fact, even carrier moms and daughters can eventually develop heart problems. We must face these issues of the heart as one community--as One Voice--and come together to find answers.

That's why Parent Project Muscular Dystropy is starting a new $2 million cardiac initiative in 2011. But to fund the vital research and advocacy at the core of this effort, we need your help.

Our goal is to raise $100,000 to launch our cardiac initiative by December 31st. Will you make a gift to kick-start this vital new effort?

We cannot afford to let these precious lives slip through our fingers.

For the cardiac initiative, PPMD will work with leading pediatric cardiologist, researchers, thought leaders, and the entire community to address the problem.

When you dontate to our new cardiac initiative, your money will help us fund vital research, support advocacy efforts with NIH funding, build consensus around care for the heart, and inform our community--including physicians around the world--about overall findings.

Every penny we raise online during this holiday season--and we're hoping for at least $100,000--will be put toward this urgent cardiac initiative. We're not naive. We know that it will take so much more to combat the heart issues every boy faces. But we have to start somewhere. And although we've taken great strides in improving and extending the function of our sons' bodies, we need to make sure their hearts are strong and healthy enough to handle the advances.

We've seen how powerful our community can be when we speak in One Voice. Let's save some hearts this holiday. Make a tax-deductible donation today.

Thank you for all that you do.

Best regards,

Kimberly Galberaith
Executive Vice President
Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy

WILL YOU CONSIDER DONATING TO THIS CAUSE TODAY?

Sapp Crunch!

2010-12-02T08:05:00.006-06:00

I love Harry and David's Moose Munch, but refuse to pay their prices! So, 2 years ago I came up my own version that I am now calling "Sapp Crunch!"

I would love to tell you that there is some leftover from when I made it 2 days ago, but alas! It is all gone and I'm not sure where it went [wiping chocolate off my face].

It is so easy and only takes about 5 minutes. Add this one to your holiday repertoire this year.

All it takes is a box of this spread out on wax paper:

About half to 3/4 package of this, melted: (although, you could use a really yummy milk chocolate chip)

1 of these, with the melted chocolate poured into it: (you could also use a zipper bag)

Cut off the tip of your piping bag and drizzle it over the popcorn 1 direction and then the other direction. You can't get too much chocolate!

Let it sit out to dry; it will only take a few minutes.

Try not to eat it all in 1 sitting! It does make a nice little gift for Christmas. Last year it put it into the pastry bags (that are cone-shaped) once it was all dry and tied it with some curling ribbon. Very cute!

Happy Blah-Blah Thanksgiving

2010-11-29T15:37:00.004-06:00

I know you're all dying to hear about our wonderful Thanksgiving full of family traditions, and thankfulness, and giving to others. But I've got none of that for you.

We headed to Florida for Thanksgiving again this year with a sick Charlotte throwing up in the backseat. Thursday, Garrett was throwing up and by early Friday morning Randy and I were throwing up! Let's just say that we will not be eating corn or green beans for a looong time to come!

It took us 2 full days to recover and then we had to drive 12 hours back home, while stopping every hour or so because Garrett still had some belly issues!

We stopped in Ghettanooga, Tn for yet another potty break and Charlotte and I prayed the whole time for Jesus to protect us while our boys were sick in the Burger King.

We arrived home to a 56 degree house (as our heat was out) and all slept together in a way-to-small king-sized bed with sleeping bags and a space heater. (UPDATE: we got a new furnace today!)

My husband says I've been complaining a lot lately...hopefully this will get it off my chest!

Shop Amazon. End Duchenne.

2010-11-19T13:37:00.003-06:00

As you know, Garrett was diagnosed this year with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. There have been a lot of partnerships this year to raise funds to fight the disease through an organization know as PPMD (Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy.) Another such partnership has recently developed with Amazon.

This holiday season, when you shop through Amazon, a percentage of your purchase goes directly to PPMD. All you have to do is click here for more instructions. The more people who use this, the higher the percentage of every purchase that supports our fight to end Duchenne!

Shop Amazon. End Duchenne. Save Garrett.

Headline News!

2010-11-15T07:26:00.004-06:00

Its no secret: we live in a small town. But we didn't know how small until we saw the Sunday paper yesterday! Front page, mind you! I'm not talking about a small picture, it was a good 5in x 10in!

A fall ritual
Randy Sapp performs a fall ritual, blowing leaves on a Saturday afternoon. “We like them better when they are up there on the trees,” he quipped. Staff photo by Thomas Johns

He is sporting a P61 shirt too! You can see the page here!

Wisdom

2010-11-12T08:25:00.002-06:00

One thing I pray for my children is WISDOM.

On so many levels: WISDOM to make good choices, WISDOM to trust in GOD, WISDOM for circumstances that Almighty God himself has chosen for us, WISDOM for things to come...

Everyday, we have to stretch Garrett's legs 2 times a day: when he wakes up and before he goes to bed. Its not a difficult thing to do, but it is a constant reminder to me of his disease. One morning, he was complaining about the stretching hurting his legs and that he didn't want to do it that day. Garrett said to me before I could even respond:

"I don't want to do theses stretches, but I know that if I don't, my muscles will get tight and I will have a hard time walking."

Then, he layed down on the couch for me to do the prescribed stretching routine, without complaint. I didn't even know he knew those things, but God granted him WISDOM for this time.

I don't know why I'm often surprised to see God granting prayed-for-WISDOM in their lives, but I am. If only I could apply the same WISDOM to my life and accept the things God has laid out for me because He knows best.

"But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him." James 1:5 (NASB)

A Shameless Plug

2010-11-10T20:47:00.003-06:00

I did another photo shoot on Monday and recently put some of the photos on my photography blog. I'm working on the new look for the photo blog plus adding some more features, like a contact page. In the meantime, you can always email me at ambersapp.photos@gmail.com or at ambersapp81@hotmail.com!

If you know anyone who needs family Christmas photos for gifts or Christmas cards or even business photos for corporate Christmas cards, let me know! My new business cards should be in any day.

www.ambersappphotography.blogspot.com

Shameless!

Giddy!

2010-11-07T21:02:00.004-06:00

I have a deep relationship with my camera. I've been rough on the old-girl and she has been good to me. A few weeks ago though, my lens started acting up. So, I decided that I was going to look into a getting it fixed or getting a new one. Well, as it turns out, getting a new lens costs as much as getting the old one fixed. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to get a new camera! Why buy a new lens for an old camera when I could get a new camera AND and new lens?

So, I began hunting for a new camera to meet my needs ("wants" is a more appropriate term!) I've done a few small photo shoots lately and wanted to upgrade to something a little nicer. So, Saturday I picked up this baby:

Super fancy, huh? It has a hugo-fat lens on it that covers the same ground my old 1 did plus 60 feet! It has 12.3 MPs and an ISO capability of 100-6400! The lens is 67mm across! It can shoot 6 frames per second and has a 3 inch LCD screen with the new Live View option. It even shoots HD video with sound! Crazy, huh?! This is like car-talk for men! So, I am giddy! I get to use it tomorrow on a photo shoot and am so excited to see how things turn out!

By the way, if you want some family photos done before Christmas and before all these great leaves fall let me know soon. With the cost of this baby, my prices are gonna go up really soon!

Every family has one

2010-11-03T17:29:00.002-05:00

I'm feeling a little rough today...you know, sweatshirt-and-Randy's-flannel pants-feeling rough. I had a photo shoot scheduled for this afternoon and I'm glad the rain cancelled!

Charlotte and Garrett pretty much had the run of the house this afternoon. They watched a lot of TV and had a lot of quiet play...a little too quiet!

As you know, Charlotte is my little "tester." This is what I found:

Upon first glance, you might think: "How precious! She's reading God's Word!" Look closer!

Yep, that's marker all over her face.

No pants and a little boogie picking too! Garrett said, "PUT some PANTS on!"

Pair it up with Mom's trouser socks AND striped Hello Kitty socks.

Makes for one cute little stinker!

Fallapalooza 2010!

2010-11-01T16:08:00.007-05:00

We've had a very busy fall! We been to Gentry's Farm, had fall parties at school and fall festivals at church! I've been lazy about blogging about it all, so I'll Recap it all here!

I'm not sure if you all know this, but I take a lot of pictures! My kids just know to pose when they get around props like these!

These are from Gentry's Farm, where we go every year for some fun fall family fotos! (how 'bout that use of alliteration?!)

This is the kids' first year at a MDO program, and they love it! They have the sweetest bunch of teachers and helpers! Here are some shots from their fall parties! They had a hayride, pumpkin patch, and lots of sugar!

This is Charlotte's little class!

Here is Garrett's hayride!

Here is the annual pumpkin carving! This year, Granny and Papa joined us.

The kids dubbed the pumpkin innards as "goo!"

That brings us to the fall festival at church. The evening began with Daddy splitting his pants on an inflatable slide! I don't know why he wouldn't let me take his picture while he was still wearing them!

Here are Buzz and Princess Aurora! See the way she adores him!

Every princess has to twirl a little!

She is quite the poser!

Garrett talked Nana into going down the slide this time. Not sure who had the most fun!

This was actually taken at a little assisted living facility where we trick or treated a few weeks ago. There are not many photos, as my kids were not too happy we were there! The first room we went into, there were a lady's false teeth laying on her walker on which sat the bag of candy! Mommy had a hard time with that too!

Here again is a little sister who LOVES her brother! He can do no wrong in her eyes!!

I need an intervention!

2010-10-27T14:27:00.004-05:00

I'm an addict.

Its not alcohol or drugs.

Its not even food.

Its my iPad! And more specifically Spider Solitaire.

It has me deep within its grasps!

I steal away for a few moments at a time for my fix, which I can conveniently turn off on the iPad and start up again in the exact spot where I left off.

Its a dangerous habit that I must warn you of.

I am now displaying symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome in my right hand which can only be attributed to the addictive Spider.

Beef is good!

2010-10-08T07:19:00.007-05:00

For the last few months, we have been buying our meat from a local farm. In the "organic world" this is known as CSA (community supported agriculture). Yes, I've gone a little granola--we eat only organics and buy locally grown meat. I will not stop shaving my legs and using deoderant, though!

Usually, each month we receive 1 big chuck roast with our meat order. So, I've been looking for a yummy pot roast recipe, and I think I've found it! I adapted it from Paula Deen's recipe. When you top it with the gravy it makes, it will rival any Cracker Barrel pot roast! Enjoy!

Amber's Pot Roast

Ingredients:
1 (3 to 4-pound) chuck roast (mine had bones)
Garlic salt, to taste
Seasoned salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium onion, thinly sliced into wedges
3 cloves garlic, crushed
2 beef bullion cubes
1 (10 3/4-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup (I actually used the Family-sized can and had a TON of gravy)
2 tablespoons steak sauce (I had Heinz 57)
1 cup water

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Rub seasoned salt, garlic salt and pepper into the roast on both sides. Heat oil in a large skillet and brown the roast, searing it on both sides. Place the meat in a roaster pan. Add onions and garlic to skillet for 1 to 2 minutes to absorb leftover roast juice. Place into roaster pan with meat. Combine the mushroom soup, water, steak sauce and beef bouillon into a bowl. Pour over the roast. Cover pan with foil and bake for 3 to 3 1/2 hours or until tender.

Let it cool for a few minutes before you try to slice it. Cover it it the gravy in the pan....YUMMY!

Giving the people what they want

2010-10-07T07:13:00.003-05:00

Give me a break!

I've been a little busy lately. You know, going to Indiana to pick up my new car (thanks to a generous gift from my uncle!) 2 weekends ago. We had 1 night at home and drove to Ohio for a visit to Garrett's new neurologist for 3 days (which was great, by the way). While there, we saw a cardiologist, a registered dietician, a physical therapist, a neurologist twice, a social worker; had a DEXA scan, had 11 vials of blood taken, had an EKG and an echocardiagram. We also visited 3 museums on our off day!

Once we got home, we had 1 night at home and then went camping with some sweet friends!

I was also asked to write a little something about Garrett for 1 of the local churches...talk about exhausting. I cried all stinking day trying to write it!

I've made Charlotte a cute outfit in this time, cleaned a disgustingly dirty house since we've been traveling so much, and ordered drugs from Europe!

Whew! It has been a little crazy. (For the record, Garrett's new meds are not FDA approved and thus have to come from Europe...we are not importing anything that Granny wouldn't approve of!)

My friend, K (you know who you are), was aching for a Recap, so here you go! I'm waiting for your blog to show up any day now!

Who says a stay at home mom doesn't work?

...And you know what that means!

2010-09-22T14:09:00.004-05:00

I couldn't wait any longer.

I see the leaves begin to turn, and the feel the cool air in the mornings.

It is fall in my book! And you know what that means at my house...

Its almost Christmas!!

How 'bout this beauty I picked up at Sam's today!

(why you can buy seasonal wreaths and large quantities of meat and toilet paper at the same place is beyond me...)

It helps complete my little doorway!

Cute, huh? I spent way too much on these cuties from Hobby Lobby! In fact, I spend way too much at Hobby Lobby all the time!

Perfect for my urns.

And you know my OCD tendencies won't allow things not to be symmetrical...

Then I discovered this:

Some child of mine added a little fall color of his own! But that's OK...it is almost Christmas after all!

My Test

2010-09-17T12:34:00.010-05:00

Tests come in a variety of types: tests to determine your knowledge on a subject matter, tests for driving a car, tests for medical purposes. This is the face of my Test:

Please, don't be fooled by the springy curls...

...or the big brown doe eyes...

...or the sweet chubby cheeks!

She has mischief at her core!

No, she's not puckering up for a kiss!

She's plotting her next move. "How can I unhinge my mom today?"

"Should I pee on the floor in my new tutu or on the floor at the County Clerk's office? Should I dump my milkshake on the kitchen floor or dump all my toys out as soon as Mom picks them up? Should I torment my brother until he fights back or run away from her on the town square?"

D.) All the above...all before 11am!

Here, she's been caught red-handed sneaking M&Ms.

Here she is training for her next stunt!

Here she is convincing her brother that its a good plan!

"She'll never suspect when I smile like this!"

Ticks and Frogs and Bears...Oh, My!

2010-09-13T12:54:00.011-05:00

We had our first family camping trip this weekend! It rained a little soon after we got there, but that did not dampen our spirits!

I told Garrett that camping was cool because the boys could pee pee in the woods! He thought that was great until we discovered 2 ticks in his underwear region...1 in a specifically not-so-fun to remove spot!

We roasted marshmallows, cooked hotdogs and did a little bear hunting! Garrett and Charlotte were just sure we would see a bear!

Me: "I'm hope we don't see any bears...I would be scared!"
Garrett: "Mommy, I'm not scared because God is always with us! If we do find one, can I ride on his back?"

I'm pretty sure this is as much hiking as Nana and Poppy have EVER done!

We made some "Snores" as Garrett called them!

And found a few frogs after the rain!

Silly 'ole kids!

And, just to prove to you that I actually WAS there:

"There's nothing my God cannot do!"

2010-08-30T13:18:00.002-05:00

Friday afternoon, I got a phone call from Garrett's neurologist. He told me that I am not a carrier for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

I had a difficult time keeping it together while he was on the phone, so I just held my breath until he hung up. I immediately dropped to the floor and cried. I had no words for God but "Thank You" that came between sobs. In the back of my mind, I kept playing the words to the kids' song "My God is so Big." How silly, I know.

I cannot tell you that I feel completely relieved: the Enemy will not let me. Instead, I feel a sense of guilt that I am thankful to have only 1 child who is desperately sick. I would almost rather have been a carrier so I could bear some of the burden on myself.

DMD is such a rare disease anyway, but me not being a carrier puts us in a more rare category still. Garrett's form of DMD is in a category of its own: around 5% of boys with the disease have his type of mutation and possibly no one has his exact mutation.

It was described to us this way: the DNA for Duchenne's is 2.5 million letters long...like a novel. Most boys are missing large chunks of the DNA, like chapters or long paragraphs. Garrett is missing 1 little letter in the middle of this long strand. 1 out of 2.5 million letters!

I love a God who deals in these odds!

"My God is so big,
So strong and so mighty,
There's nothing my God cannot do!"

End Duchenne

2010-08-23T13:31:00.009-05:00

How much did you spend on coffee this morning?

How much for that sandwich you had for lunch?

What about that cute bag you just bought at Target?

How much would you spend to save your child's life?

We waste so much money on silly things that give us no lasting fulfillment.

Would you join us in giving to a worthy cause?

Would you join us in a fight for Garrett's life?

Click here and watch this video about this terrible disease and a great cause to fight it.

I've posted a link on the right of the blog where you can donate to an organization called Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy and their upcoming event called "Coach to Cure MD."

Coach To Cure MD is a partnership between the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), a professional organization for over 10,000 college football coaches and staff, and Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD), the largest national charity devoted exclusively to Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

In 2008 the AFCA adopted PPMD’s Coach To Cure MD program as one of their charity efforts. One reason the AFCA was drawn to Coach To Cure MD was because of the unique parallels between Duchenne, a disorder which robs young men of precious muscle strength and college football, a game where young men are at the peak of their muscle strength.

The goals of Coach To Cure MD are simple: raise national awareness of the disorder and raise money to fund research for a cure. The approach to reaching these goals is also simple. One football Saturday of each season (this year it will be on September 25, 2010) AFCA coaches nationwide agree to promote Coach To Cure MD. By wearing armbands, mentioning Coach To Cure MD during on and off-field interviews, and in some instances doing even more extensive media relations around the date, coaches are rolling up their sleeves and proudly getting involved.

Please donate...not just once...several times.

Please pass along this message to anyone you know.

Please watch football September 25, 2010 and think of my Garrett.

How much would you spend to save your child's life?

That Jadie Thomas!

2010-08-20T14:15:00.009-05:00

She's done it again! She always "wows" us with her pictures! Despite the heat, despite the silly kiddos, despite the potty words...

Check out her site if you haven't already!

I don't know which one I like better...B&W or color!

It was sooo hot! Garrett was very sweaty!

Those eyes are gonna get us all in trouble one day!

Waiting

2010-08-17T07:00:00.003-05:00

"But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the Lord:
I will wait for the God of my salvation.
My God will hear me.
Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy,
Though I fall I will rise;
Though I dwell in darkness, the Lord is a light for me."

Micah 7:7-8

Its just that kinda day!

2010-08-13T07:14:00.000-05:00

Strength for Today

2010-08-05T11:26:00.002-05:00

I live in the Psalms these days:

"The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and He delights in his way.

When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.

I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread.

All day long he is gracious and lends, and his desendants are a blessing."

Psalms 37:23-26

First Day of School

2010-08-03T16:45:00.003-05:00

School started today!

It began with a nutritious breakfast of Apple Jacks and fruit.

Followed by some posing in their backpacks! (Don't be fooled, Mom ended up carrying the backpacks in to school!)

We laughed! We cried! No one napped! But some fun was had by all!

Stretching

2010-08-02T14:33:00.004-05:00

A few things about stretching are common knowledge among professionals in my field:

1.) to be effective, stretching must be done on a regular basis;
2.) the stretch must be held for a certain length of time (no one truly knows how long is best), but somewhere between 15 and 30 seconds; and
3.) static stretching is the best form, meaning a LOOONG, prolonged stretch; and some evidence suggests
4.) more than 1 stretch is needed (2-3 times for each particular muscle) at a time.

This is also what God is doing to me. He is stretching my faith in Him, stretching my patience, stretching my limits.

It is not a 1 time stretch, for evidence suggests that this has no lasting results. It is a long, prolonged stretch in order to create a lasting effect in my spiritual muscle which (as soon as I think I can take no more) He stretches a little further each time.

He holds me in this stretch for as long as He chooses, while all the time I think its too long, too hard, too much. But He knows what is best. He knows what it will take to make a permanent change.

I recently had a test to determine if I was the carrier for Duchenne's MD, and my test results came back that the CK levels were within normal limits. I thought that was good news, but as soon as I talked to Garrett's neurologist I was informed that that only lowered my chance of being a carrier to 15-20%. So, on Thursday I go for a DNA test (the same one Garrett had) to make a determination. When we get those results (Garrett's took 6 weeks), we will determine if Charlotte needs to be tested.

Garrett also has his first appointment at the MD Clinic on Thursday. He will have periodic visits to determine how his steroids are working, how his AFO's are going....a general check-up.

This will be the first visit of this type: It will be the first time we are surrounded by other boys with this horrible disease in its varying forms. It will be the first time Garrett comes face to face with others that share his diagnosis. It will the first time Randy and I see exactly what we may encounter in the future.

It will not, however, be the first time God holds our hand. It will not be the first time God realizes that we need Him. It will not be the first time it dawns on God that we are in the middle of this storm and we are desperate for Him.

And while I have a deep fear of the unknown for us, for Garrett; He will not be surprised by anything we encounter.

Vacation Part 3

2010-07-23T13:46:00.009-05:00

DISNEY WORLD!

I was hesitant about taking 2 little ones to the happiest place on earth, but it turned out to be a great time! It was VERY hot, but we packed a lot of drinks and snacks!

Charlotte made sure we got in the PINK tea cup, Garrett chose the purple, and even more surprising Mommy did not throw up!

This was one of the best moments of the day!

Charlotte was convinced that this was the REAL Princess Aurora! How precious is that face! We met all the princesses and Charlotte made them all sit down on the bench with her!

The Pirates of the Carribbean ride! Garrett is all about pirates these days!

Cute girl!

Precious boy!

This is the Buzz Lightyear ride! This was their favorite ride of the day!

Garrett got to meet Buzz and he "stamped" his hat! Apparently, Buzz's hands are plastic which makes it difficult to hold a pen!

I don't know which is scarier: Randy turning around to take a picture while he's driving or Garrett driving a car in which he can't see over the wheel! Garrett screamed the whole way: "I'm a crazy driver!"

Finally, Charlotte had enough! She didn't even know we rode the Jungle Cruise ride!

The parade was about to begin...

Charlotte waved to all the princesses! Afterwards, she said, "I liked the man!" I think she meant the prince!

We spent about 12 hours at Disney World! Garrett and Charlotte were both knocked out before we even left the parking lot!

It is the happiest place on earth!

The Enemy

2010-07-19T14:46:00.004-05:00

Tomorrow I go for my genetic testing to see if I am the carrier for Duchenne's muscular dystrophy.

Obviously, this is very heavy to deal with. If my test is positive, then Charlotte has to be tested. If our tests show that I am a carrier, there are some major heart problems that I may have to deal with and if we were to have more children, they would each have a 50/50 chance of having the disease. If Charlotte is a carrier, then she will possibly have the same heart problems and can pass this disease on to her children (a 50/50 chance of each child having the disease).

Please pray with us about this test. I really have no concern for myself, but for Charlotte and her babies. To say that I am nervous about the test would be a lie. I feel like I'm on a battlefield with spears through me on all sides while I'm down on my knees just waiting for the fatal blow. Some days I feel strong in God, that He will continue to take care of us as He always has. Most days, however, I feel helpless. Like, what else can happen now?

Friday morning, I wrecked our van...a four car pile-up, mind you. Everyone was fine, but I picked up the police report today which pretty much says it was all my fault. My van is in the shop being worked on, I've got a deductible to pay, and may be responsible for all the damages to the other vehicles now. We don't do things halfway around this place!

Last week, our pastor's wife talked about spiritual warfare. I feel it so heavy on me right now. This has been a rough year, but I know that "greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world." (1 John 4:4)

Happy Birthday, to the greatest...

2010-07-13T14:00:00.006-05:00

Happy 4th Birthday, to the greatest

Boat driver,

Popsicle sharer,

Moonwalk bouncer,

Overall wearer,

Soccer award winner,

Sister lover,

Tractor driver,

Strawberry picker,

Alligator hunter,

Pool splasher,

Fish catcher,

Funny-face maker,

Blessing from God!

John 1:16 "From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another."

Happy Birthday, my Precious Boy!

Vacation Part 2

2010-07-12T12:42:00.002-05:00

No vacation of ours is complete without a photo shoot on the beach! (I think everyone else hates this day but me!)

Seriously, who doesn't want to get cleaned up in cute clothes that match everyone else while the wind and salty air messes up your freshly washed hair and sweat runs down your back while you are smiling pretending that it isn't?

This is always the highlight of my trip!

These are all of Mama's grandkids together!

This is the whole crew!

Vacation Part 1

2010-07-02T14:06:00.009-05:00

So, I'm a little behind! As soon as we were back from vacation, I left for Africa and after that things got even crazier!

You may be asking yourself "Why does she need to break up vacation stuff in more than 1 post?" But, I'm guessing you've read this blog before and know that I took well over 700 photos on vacation and can't just pick a few!

Here are some pics from the beach!

Garrett was rubbing wet sand all over himself, singing "I'm the Mud Man!"

There was a lot of Lazy Rivering going on that week!

The indoor pool was great when it got a little rainy.

Charlotte looks like she's auditioning for BayWatch!

Charlotte was learning to "go under" which meant she barely spashed her face in the water!

There is no vacation complete without someone getting buried in the sand!

That's just funny, people!

The End!

Happy Birthday, Charlotte! (and me too!)

2010-05-24T21:38:00.002-05:00

Happy 2nd Birthday, my beautiful little birthday present!!

May all your birthdays be filled with as much cake and icing as you can get on your face!

It can all go south really quickly!

2010-05-18T15:27:00.005-05:00

I'm in the house cleaning mode today, and thought it would be a great idea to get the kids finger-painting while I worked.

Look how cute!

And then this happened! (Don't judge me on the dirty seats!)

The culprit:

To his credit, it was an accident...he was just trying to get down carefully!

Bear Ye One Another's Burdens!

2010-05-14T15:40:00.002-05:00

Surreal

2010-05-10T11:51:00.005-05:00

The appointment at Vanderbilt itself went pretty well. We were very calm, Garrett was very quiet and still, and the neurologist was very kind and as down-to-earth as neurologists can be! There was so much information to take in, that we took a recorder and recorded the audio of the whole session. Some information we already knew and some really blind-sided us!

We will know more specifically in about 3 weeks about the DNA issues. The doc said that 999 times out of 1000 boys that present like Garrett do in fact have Duchenne's. If a diagnosis is confirmed, Charlotte and I have to be tested to see if we are carriers. If so, then there is a 50/50 chance she and I could develop serious heart issues. If Charlotte is a carrier, that also means her children would have a 50/50 chance of also having the disease (if they are boys) and be carriers (if they are girls)! Also, if we had more children, there would be a 50/50 chance of them having it as well. The fun never stops around this place! A disease that affects generation after generation is sickening to me!

All this was hard to hear, as I'm sure you can imagine. Its hard as a mother not to feel completely responsible for passing this along to them; that's one of the hardest parts for me right now. I keep thinking that we are going to wake up and none of this will be real. We still are praying that he will be that 1/1000 that do not have it, but are also realistic.

We will be in the process shortly of ordering Garrett a type of hard ankle brace for him to sleep in at night in order to help maintain his feet in a good position for walking.

How you can pray with us:

Obviously, we still pray for a miracle! That Garrett will be healed and no evidence of disease will be found in the labs
If my CK blood test is positive, pray that Charlotte's will be negative.
Pray for the research that is currently going on with this disease. They have a pretty good handle on what is physiologically wrong in the DNA and have developed meds to treat various parts of it. The problem is the mechanism of delivery: they cannot find a means to get the meds where they need it to go in the body.

I'm not exactly where Paul was in his journey yet, but:

"And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness " Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong."
II Corinthians 12:9-10

Psalms 34

2010-05-06T14:37:00.002-05:00

I asked God for a Word of comfort and peace today, knowing what we have in store for tomorrow and this is what He said:

Psalms 34

I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

My soul will make its boast in the LORD; The humble will hear it and rejoice.

O magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together.

I sought the LORD, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears.

They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces will never be ashamed.

This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him And saved him out of all his troubles.

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them.

O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

O fear the LORD, you His saints; For to those who fear Him there is no want.

The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; But they who seek the LORD shall not be in want of any good thing.

Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

Who is the man who desires life And loves length of days that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil And your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.

The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous And His ears are open to their cry. The face of the LORD is against evildoers, To cut off the memory of them from the earth.

The righteous cry, and the LORD hears And delivers them out of all their troubles.

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.

He keeps all his bones, Not one of them is broken.

Evil shall slay the wicked, And those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

The LORD redeems the soul of His servants, And none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.

Ode to the Night Gown

2010-05-03T20:00:00.005-05:00

This is Charlotte's first night gown.

I wore these when I was a kid. Mine had Pound Puppies on it with a matching one for my Pound Puppy!

People don't wear these anymore. I don't know why. It just makes sense on so many levels.

Plus she looks super cute!

Seven Days

2010-04-29T15:06:00.002-05:00

In seven days, God created all that we see: people, animals, water, sky, plants, sun, moon, stars, planets... That is hard to wrap my mind around! He did all that by speaking a few words and proclaiming it all "good."

"Good"? That's amazing, God! Indescribable!

In seven days, Garrett goes to the neurologist at Vanderbilt. I can't help but imagine all God can do in that seven days! And yet I have doubt hidden in there too. I am reminded of the father of the boy who was posessed with a spirit in Mark 9 that told Jesus, "If You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!" And Jesus said to him, " 'If You can?' All things are possible to him who believes." Immediately the boy's father cried out and said, "I do believe; help my unbelief."

I'm human; my best case scenario is one where God does a supernatural work and heals Garrett on the spot. But I know that my ways are not His ways, nor are my thoughts His thoughts. What my limited mind sees is far less than what Almighty God already knows.

This appointment will consist of a blood/DNA test to determine which strain and/or mutation we are dealing with and possibly the severity of the disease. It will take from 1 week to 6 months for the labs to break-down the DNA to determine which strain. The more complicated the mutation, the longer it will take to determine what exactly we are dealing with.

I'm asking again that you seek God "in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him (Eph 3:12) on behalf of Garrett.

Obviously, we are praying for a miracle that only God can perform. I would love to be able to proclaim God's mighty power over this disease. However, if God does not choose to heal Garrett in that way, we are praying that it will be the milder form of the disease with no strange mutations. (There are some clinical trials going on that look promising, but that are directed towards the "least complicated" forms of the disease). Also, please pray for renewed strength; physically for Garrett and spiritually for us all. Everyday, I have to ask God for new strength. Its almost like putting on a new "Garment of Strength" each morning, because yesterday's is worn out!

My point of view on life has already changed so much in a month. I've gone from considering which are the best schools and which clothes look the cutest on my kids to really considering their eternity. I love to pray Scripture over my kiddos:

"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you Garrett and Charlotte, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God." (Eph 3:14-19)

"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us." (Eph 3:20)

The Goodness of God

2010-04-20T13:40:00.003-05:00

Yesterday I was so low. We finally got an appointment with Vanderbilt, but it was scheduled during my mission trip to Africa. I did ask her to put us on the cancellation list, but the lady told me that people don't really cancel at that office! The next available appointment was in August and after that October.

I searched God for a reason He would tell me to go on this trip, but schedule Garrett's appointment at the same time. Obviously, I need to be at this appointment, but felt that God had told me to go to Africa.

"Why, God? Am I not supposed to go? Did I sign up for the wrong reasons?"

All along though, I still felt God telling me to just be still and trust in Him. Easier said than done, right?

So, I began praying that someone would cancel so I could be with Garrett and Randy at the appointment before I went on my trip. Friends and family were praying with us about this as well. I cried to God that He was really gonna have to do something big here....my faith was on rocky ground already. For days I felt that my prayers were bouncing off the ceiling, going unheard by God.

So, as any pushy mama would, I called Vandy again this morning and spoke with the office manager. She told me that there were no other appointments until September now and that there was nothing she could do. I could only whisper to her, "He can't wait that long."

I was put on hold while she emailed the neurologist's assistant about our case. She got back with me and said that his assistant would contact me. She would be the only one who could possibly double-book the doctor.

I immediately got on the phone with some of my Prayer Warriors and within 10 minutes, had a call back from the assistant! She informed me that Garrett had an appointment scheduled for May 7 at 3:20!!

When I got off the phone with her, Garrett was standing there and I said to him, "Garrett, Jesus has answered our prayer!" He said, "Was that Him on the phone?" I laughed but said, "It may have been Jesus on the phone!"

I had no idea that double-booking was even an option! God is so good! He made a way through this wilderness--He made His own way! No one had to cancel, as my limited mind could see this as the only option!

Psalm 34:18 "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted. And saves those who are crushed in spirit."

Fun time at the park!

2010-04-16T14:17:00.004-05:00

The kids really think I take them to the park so they can play, but the truth is there are endless photo opportunities for me!

Easter Hams

2010-04-14T13:15:00.005-05:00

Randy said it was time for me to post something happy on the blog, so here goes! I'm a little behind on Easter, so here are the highlights.

There was a little egg coloring going on at Nana and Poppy's house.

There was some finding of Easter eggs.

There was a lot of cuteness on Easter Sunday with new clothes all around!

Untitled

2010-04-06T19:48:00.002-05:00

I'm sitting here staring at the computer trying to find the words to say.

I've got no funny witticisms to share or Scriptures to encourage today. I've got ugly truth.

Yesterday, I got a call from Garrett's pediatrician with results from his CPK test. His levels were very high, which indicates that he does in fact have muscular dystrophy.

I can't go into details, as I'm sure you'll understand. Please pray for Garrett and us as these are uncharted waters.

I'm not necessarily ready to talk about it, so please understand if I send your calls to voice mail. Also know that I still need to know you are praying, because I can't pray myself right now. I'm at a place where I have nothing to say to God, and that is a first.

Update on Monday

2010-04-05T11:29:00.002-05:00

We went to Garrett's pediatrician this morning and had a blood draw to measure the CPK in his blood. We will have to wait until tomorrow to find any results.

Dr. Moss says he is not totally convinced that MD is what we are dealing with, but also sees our concerns after he did a very comprehensive exam. He measured the circumference of Garrett's calves so we could have a baseline measure, but we don't really know anything from that measurement alone.

Waiting patiently on our God!

Isaiah 25:9 And it will be said in that day, "Behold, this is our God for whom we have waited that He might save us. This is the LORD for whom we have waited; Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation."

God's Timing

2010-04-03T12:48:00.004-05:00

I got a call last night from Garrett's pediatrician's nurse, which I did not expect. We had talked earlier in the week about my concerns with the Gower's sign issue that Garrett does. She said she would leave the doc a message about it. I honestly never thought he would get the message, which was why I was surprised by the Friday evening phone call.

She relayed his message that "if Mom is concerned, let's just do a CPK test to rule it out." (That is a blood test that determines if there is a break-down of creatine phosphokinase from the muscle.)

So, we have an appointment with Garrett's pediatrician on Monday morning at 8:10 and should know something on Tuesday. There is relief in knowing that one way or another we will know something by then, but also fear of what we might find out.

Would you consider fasting with us for Garrett on Monday?

I know that fasting should be done in secret, but I also know that corporate fasting is biblical:

Nehemiah 9:1-3 is one example that says: "Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the sons of Israel assembled with fasting, in sackcloth and with dirt upon them."

God has also told us this: James 5:14-15 "Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him."

Matthew 18:20 "For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst."

Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him."

Matthew 21:22 "And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."

Exodus 15:26 "And He said, "If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the LORD your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the LORD, am your healer."

Romans 8:32 "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"

I will update you all as soon as I know something Tuesday. Thank you so much for your words and scriptures you have passed along. Thank you for your prayers you have prayed for my baby boy!

I need God right now!

2010-04-01T15:06:00.002-05:00

Well, we went to physical therapy today with Garrett. I don't know if you know this already or not, but he is still unable to jump and doesn't do stairs really well. He also get off the floor using a technique called a Gower's sign.

I've put it off for so long, but couldn't just leave it alone. It looks very much like Duchenne's muscular dystrophy. I can't even type those words without crying. The PT, who is a friend of mine, has the same suspicions. She is referring us to Dr. Sharpe, a pediatric neurologist in Cool Springs for some testing.

You may already know, but this is the worst type of MD. I've cried for days and can't stop even now. Please pray for Garrett and for us as we walk through this. I don't know a time frame for when we will see Dr. Sharpe; I feel helpless as I sit and wait for his office to call.

As a PT, it is so much easier to give this news to other families, but to see it yourself is very different. I don't know what to feel....my stomach is sick, my eyes are swollen, I can't breathe.

Garrett keeps saying, "Mommy, why are you sad?" And all I know is that my heart is broken.

JEHOVAH-JIREH!

2010-03-15T20:43:00.003-05:00

"The Lord our Provider" has indeed done that!

God has provided me the opportunity to work a full week this week (which is so rare that I haven't done this since before Garrett was born!)!! This will pay for a substantial portion of my trip to Africa in June!

So, you won't hear much from me this week as Poppy will be holding down the fort!

It won't hurt to pray for a little JEHOVAH-SHALOM ("The Lord our Peace") in this house.

Maybe a little IMMANUEL to be just that: "God with [Poppy]." (emphasis mine!)

My African Jouney Begins....

2010-03-10T17:11:00.002-06:00

I'll get to the more serious side of things in a later post, but today this is what I've got for you.

My friend Robyn and I went today to get our passports for Ethiopia. We went to the Columbia Post Office because it was convenient to me. Things were going well, besides the fact that no one gets in a hurry in this town. I also forgot about the large quantities of rednecks we have in this town until we heard a loud chicken/rooster call from behind us!

Seriously??

We saw 2 of these:

Apparently, it is common to mail live chickens through the USPS in Maury county Tennessee.

They just plopped these 2 boxes of chickens down on the counter next to us like they were sending little Timmy a care package....no big deal!

We should have gone to the Franklin post office!

Paradise Falls

2010-03-09T12:49:00.004-06:00

Saturday, we went hiking just off Nachez Trace. When we told Garrett we were going to see the water falls, he automatically assumed it was Paradise Falls! So all day, we referred to it as such. Only Garrett took it a step further and told us that he was Russell and he was looking for a snipe! He came equipped with a chocolate candy bar (because we all know that's what snipes eat!) and kept shouting through the woods, "Snipe, here snipe!"

A Rite of Passage

2010-03-05T12:21:00.001-06:00

Today, Charlotte got her toenails painted for the first time! She loved it! She saw mine and kept saying, "Pink toes!" Daddy thinks that this is the beginning of the end!

Ahhh, Spring!

2010-03-03T12:39:00.005-06:00

Well, not really, but today is the day we began to prepare for spring by starting our garden seeds indoors!

Its no secret: I'm no gardner!

However, every year I undertake a gardening project only to fail mid-way through it when it dawns on me that I was supposed to water them.

Here's how to do it for yourself...step-by-step:

You start with these little peat moss pots.

Then you must repeat the word "Peat?!" while making a funny face.

All parties involved must take part in this activity: "Peat?!"

You fill them up with water and let them sit for a minute while they absorb it all. Its a good idea to poke your fingers around in the peat so as to get them really dirty under the fingernails while you wait.

Then they get really "fat" as Garrett and Charlotte proclaimed.

Before moving on, you must place the lid over your face and make a funny noise.

And then, breathe through your nose so as to create little streaks of condensation on the lid.

Sprinkle 2-3 seeds in each peat pot, but do your best to only put 1 type of seed into each peat clump...this could have been disasterous!

Here's what we planted today: White Half Runner Beans

Marigolds (to keep the animals away), carrots, and sweet basil.

We also have cucumbers and sunflowers.

We'll be planting watermelon, pumpkin, and lettuce directly into the ground as soon as it warms up a bit.

Then, you cover it with the lid to create a little greenhouse!

Oh, and you needs a couple of little helpers with dirty fingernails in order to get the job done!

Snow much fun!

2010-02-01T12:49:00.004-06:00

Since we don't get much snow in these parts, we had no sled available. What we did have was a skim board that you use at the beach! I don't want to say "red-neck" but if the Durango boot and Carhartt jacket fits....

Here is the man behind the genius of it all! Since by this time a layer of ice was on top of the snow, he decided it was perfect for something like this!

For some reason, this photo won't turn straight, but Randy did get some air on this one!

There was also a little of this going on....

And you know me, I had 911 pre-set on my speed dial as this looked like an ER visit waiting to happen!

Here is Aunt Dana giving it a good go! I'm not quite sure she ever landed on the board in time!!

I was really surprised that my shy one liked it, but he did!

No doubt, Charlotte took to it fast! She kept saying, "Again, again!"

To say she likes cereal is an understatement

2010-01-29T08:28:00.000-06:00

Photoshop for Old and Damaged Photos

2010-01-14T09:12:00.001-06:00

If you're interested, here is a recent photo I fixed for Randy's aunt. I love doing things like this!

http://ambersappphotography.blogspot.com/2010/01/great-great-grandpa-norman.html

Boys will be boys

2010-01-11T15:27:00.004-06:00

Charlotte got a cute little baby doll potty for Christmas. It makes flushing sounds when you push the button. She loves to sit the babies on it and make them "potty" and put "panties" back on them! So, cute!

This is what I found today during snack time:

Disgusting, right? Just wait...

Yes, those are raisins! But still!

How is it that boys have the ability to make the cutest things in life just a little bit gross?

So, I'm a little behind

2010-01-09T14:58:00.009-06:00

Its hard to get it together again after Christmas. I had so much to blog about: my new favorite camera lens I got, my Kitchen-Aid Stand Mixer I've wanted for YEARS, the way my Dad's parent's hearing aids (both of them) buzzed every time they leaned in to each other for a kiss...there is so much to say.

Instead, I've summed the important stuff in a montage!

Oh, and its not Christmas music...its feel-good music!

First Trip to the Dentist!

2009-12-23T16:08:00.003-06:00

Today was Garrett's first visit to the dentist. He was well-prepared. We talked about all the things the dentist would do, which seemed to settle his nerves. He watched a little video about doggies and dentists and was ready for his turn in the chair!

He got some cool sunglasses to put on and then opened wide!

He chose the raspberry toothpaste, and kept licking it off his teeth!

He got so comfortable, he kicked up his leg just like he was at home!

Clean teeth, no cavities!

I lost Jesus yesterday

2009-12-18T12:15:00.002-06:00

We've been battling ear infections at our house--both kids. Wednesday, though, Charlotte spiked a fever and a new antibiotic was called in. By Thursday morning, she was in a full vomit/fever/snot/whiny/diahrrea mode.

At 6 am, she started crying, and I ran and got her while still not quite dry from my shower. She was begging for water and I got some and she then asked for orange juice, which I also got. I quickly got some ibuprofen in her and her antibiotic. Keep in mind that I am holding her, her blankee, her baby, 1 cup of OJ, and 1 cup of water....all the while sporting my undies in the kitchen. I knew that if I needed Jesus any day, this would be it.

That's when Garrett started crying because she had woken him up. I carried her back with me to his room to get him out of his bed and Charlotte started throwing up!

Blah, blah, blah.....that's how the day started and continued, involving more vomit and crying. I did figure out that it is best to hold the vomiting child over your hardwood floors instead of attempting to carry her towards the toilet...it saves on clean-up on your carpets!

I did get the kids settled down at one point playing with our Fisher Price Nativity Set, which they love! All was well until we lost baby Jesus. We searched the house over with both kids calling out, "Jesus, where are you?" "Jesus?" He was nowhere to be found.

That pretty much sums up the entire day: I lost Jesus and it doesn't get much worse than that!

Garrett's Christmas Program

2009-12-12T13:36:00.006-06:00

So, I'm running behind a little. Garrett's Christmas program at church was last Sunday. We worked on songs and hand motions for weeks leading up to the big day (and by that I mean I sang and did hand motions while Garrett listened).

Did you see the kid with the Santa hat? About halfway through the program, Garrett reached behind him and yanked it off his head!

I can't say that he sang any, but I did see 1-2 hand motions come out here and there.

What's funny about the whole thing is the big guy placed next to Garrett to keep him on the stage! Garrett didn't seem too happy about this!

This is the dear lady that when she told Garrett he needed to sit down, he asked, "Who are you?" (I think his problem with authority comes from his father.)

At the end of every song, Garrett clapped so hard--like it was the best performance of his life! Mommy thought so too!

Ghetto Fabulous

2009-12-10T16:36:00.004-06:00

Every year at Christmas, I like to try a new recipe. This year I came across a recipe for "Poor Man's Toffee." I searched through several similar recipes and finally decided on one that was called "Ghetto Toffee." That just sounded fun! So here is my version that I tweaked a little.

Ghetto Toffee
1 cup butter

1 cup brown sugar

Enough saltine crackers to make a layer on a cookie sheet (about 1 and 1/2 sleeves)

1 12-ounce bag of chocolate chips

Line a cookie sheet with foil and spray with butter flavored cooking spray (this is a must). Bring the butter and brown sugar to a boil in a saucepan and simmer it for about 5 minutes.

Put a layer of crackers on the cookie sheet, close together.

Pour the brown sugar mixture over the crackers

and bake for about 10 minutes at 350F. Remove and immediately pour the chocolate chips over the crackers, evenly distributing them.

I let it sit for about 30 seconds, then with the back of a spatula I moved the chocolate chips just a little bit, slowly moving the chocolate around being careful not to move the crackers. I let it sit for another 30 seconds and at this point it pretty much spread like frosting.

Then I read that you could top with toffee bits or whatever you like (like dark chocolate with candy cane bits, white chocolate with dried cherries, rocky road, m&m’s), but to be honest, I can't imagine adding anything to this!

Then, just let it cool and break apart into pieces.

Oh, and one more thing: Try not to eat it all in one setting, or you will certainly have a Ghetto Booty!

Charlotte approves!

The Birds and the Bees

2009-12-06T20:20:00.003-06:00

We came across a picture of me this weekend at one of Garrett's baby showers. I showed it to Garrett and said, "This is a picture of Mommy opening presents at a party for you when you were still in my tummy."

He was very quiet for a moment with a concerned look on his face. Then he said, "You ATE me?"

I have a feeling that this is not the end of this discussion.....

Ho! Ho! No!

2009-12-03T12:09:00.002-06:00

We went to see Santa last night, as we do every year. We talked about it all day, and kids were so excited! We saw him come out of his "dressing room" and head towards his chair and the excitement was palpable. Charlotte was chanting, "Ho Ho Ho" and Garrett was timidly peeking around the corner at him.

Now, if you know my children at all, you know that their personalities are polar opposites. Charlotte is a "take-life-by-the-horns" kind of girl, while Garrett prefers to watch from behind the fence. So, imagine my surprise when I ask Charlotte, "Are you ready to sit on Santa's lap?" She replies, "NO!" And proceeds to shout, "Hode jew, hode jew." (which being translated is: "Hold you!")

If you had asked me beforehand which of my children would melt down at the sight of Santa, I would have automatically said Garrett. But instead, he was such a big boy, telling Santa that he wanted a train (which is good, because "Santa" is getting him a train table).

We couldn't convince Charlotte to sit on his lap, so Mommy had to get into the picture! Believe it or not, this was the best shot!

There is nothing worse than a southern crossing guard.

2009-11-19T07:53:00.007-06:00

I had a run-in with one during the after-school hour yesterday.

You know how you're supposed to stop when they put their hand up?

Well, what are you supposed to do when they give you a good ole southern wave?

(No, I did not take this picture! I googled it!)

I was so confused! I stopped, then he gave me the sign to go, but then waved, as all good ole boys do!

I stopped, I went, I stopped, I went...

Finally, I just went. Not sure if it was my turn or not.

Why do we wave at everybody in the south?

Wyatt's Custom Slaughtering

2009-11-13T13:23:00.007-06:00

So, last weekend, Randy and I got away for 2 whole nights without kids! Our first weekend away since before they were born! We went to Crossville, TN to Fairfield Glades.

There is nothing to do there--and I do mean nothing! It was suggested that we have dinner at the "Vegas Steakhouse" about 20 miles away, but when we arrived, we found bright green neon signs and neon pink flamingoes on the roof. I could not force myself to go in!

We did go hiking at Fall Creek Falls (about an hour away) on Saturday. We had to drive through some serious back woods to get there! I totally forgot my camera, but would have taken a picture of a sign on the way to the park stating: "Wyatt's Custom Slaughtering." Not even sure what that means...

We did hike down to the base of the "big falls." It was amazing!

Anyway, Wednesday, Randy had the day off, so we loaded up the kids and drove back to meet Randy's parents there (they still had the condo for the rest of the week). We went swimming and back to the falls. And this time, I brought my camera!

This is Randy, Bob, and Garrett standing on a bridge that crosses one section of the falls, where only days before I had a psychotic breakdown and nearly had to be air-lifted out as a fat man barrelled his way along behind me!

Once we got there, Randy asked Garrett about the falls:

R: Do you know who made these water falls?

G: God did! And then He went swimming in it!

Bargain of the day

2009-11-05T16:38:00.002-06:00

So, I was at Kohl's today and found a great stocking stuffer idea.

They have 20 little cans of Play-Doh in the Halloween clearance section for $1.79!

I immediately thought of stocking stuffers, but they might also be a good idea for Sunday school class Christmas gift bags too!