Day 94 ~ Panama City

Last night we booked reservations for this summer in Panama City, Florida. So this got me thinking about the last time we were there - summer 2006. It was a fun and fabulous time with lots of sand in Garrett's diaper as I recall. But we rode the jet ski a lot and soaked up a lot of sun. We all had a good time despite the fact that almost all of us spent a day sick with the stomach flu - and of course it wasn't the same day - it spread out from beginning to the end of the trip. But it was fun nonetheless - can't wait to go back!

 Cute as ever, Todd!

 Greg is Garrett's hero! These 2 are about as close as any of them, despite the 15 year difference.

 Thomas loved the sand!

 I wonder if this was before they ran it up on the sandbar.

 This series of pictures of Greg and Garrett brought tears to my eyes (yes I'm a sap) They are best buds!

 One of my favorite pictures ~ Greg and Garrett on the beach

 3 teenage lazy bones, while the other 2 are up to who knows what back there.

 A favorite photo of our family at Panama City Beach

 Mr Cool Garrett

Wild adventures on our jet ski

Day 95 - Happy Belated Birthday

Sunday was Michael's birthday - so in honor of the big 45, here are a few memorable pictures. Happy bday to my wonderfully awesome hubby!

 Arkansas getaway - 2004; canoe trip on Buffalo River
  
                                      
 with Thomas at City of Joseph presentation, Nauvoo, IL 2002

 camping vacation 2003 - Shenandoah National Park

 with Garrett; Branson - 2008

 Disney World - 2008

 Garrett's Birthday - July 8, 2005

 40th birthday - 2006

Somewhere in southern Illinois for scuba certification - 2002

Day 96 ~ More Mission Bound (3 gone, 1 more to go)

Last night we bid farewell to 2 more young men who are soon to become missionaries! We will miss you Jackson and RJ ~ God be with you till we meet again. The people in Russia and France will be blessed, as will you!

  Jackson in back;  Tre, RJ and Mark in front -  This was in 2004 during a scout hike in St Louis.

 Last year - Mark, Jackson and Tre before Prom

 Three musketeers on Prom Night

 RJ, Mark, Tre, Jackson - Graduation Night

 Mark and RJ the night before Mark left

Jackson and Mark the night before Mark left

Day 97 ~ A Thing of Beauty!

Call me crazy, but I actually delighted in watching the snow falling this morning, even though it is the end of March! I love the dichotomy of his picture - the budding blossom of the Japanese Magnolia against the blanket of white snow as it bids farewell.

Day 98 ~ My 3 Adult Children

I just came to the realization that 3 of my children have now reached the age where I can legally call them adults. Of course they're still my babies and always will be. I'm very proud of all 3 of them and the awesome choices they've make thus far in their young lives. They are wonderful examples to the other 3 babies who will all too soon be following in their footsteps.

 Mark, outside of the Salt Lake temple - the day before he entered the MTC

 Greg, this past fall, in Jerome,Idaho. He looks so grown up here I can hardly stand it.

Lindsay, this past fall, at the pumpkin patch.

Day 99~ Favorite People in my Favorite Place! 2004

This is one of many trips we've taken to Walt Disney World. It's one of our family's favorite places to visit! I consider myself lucky and blessed to be able to have visited as many times as we have! I promised Mark I'll take him again when he gets home.

                                                                    Thomas and Greg

                                                             Family with Rafiki the Baboon

                                                Lindsay with Winnie the Pooh at the Crystal Palace

                                             Thomas sleeping on what looks like the People Mover

                                                       Todd and Lindsay at Epcot

                                                     Greg, Todd and Mark on Splash Mountain

                                                            Mike with kids and Pooh friends

                                                                     Robin Hood with kids

                                                              Thomas in Sorcerer's Hat

                                                                            Todd

                                           Mike and I at the Crystal Palace with my favorite characters!

                                                       And of course, Mickey Mouse!

                                                                   Boys, me and the Goof!

Day 100 - A Memorable Vacation

So this is actually something I started on Facebook, and I just had the thought that I really should make it part of my blog, especially since I'm so wonderful at keeping it updated! I'm counting down the days until Greg comes home - in pictures.  The number of days isn't quite accurate, but it's close enough, and I won't be able to blog every day.  It's just a fun way of counting down to something I've been waiting for a long time now, nearly 2 years!  And I love to express myself in pictures of my family and little blurbs about them.  So it starts . . .


 This is a favorite memory from Labor Day weekend 2003 - a canoe trip at Eminence, MO. Fun day but scary - Thomas and I were in a canoe that flipped. I popped up and couldn't find him - he was under the overturned canoe, safe and sound and crying. Can we say panic attack???? for both of us????

                       Same old Todd; same old smirk! ;) and a worried Thomas - wonder if this was after the flip?

                                   Not the best shot of Mark - looks like a gee mom not another picture moment.

                                                                                            Cute little Lindz!

                                                                    Cute one of Greg!

                                                                     Poor traumatized Thomas sleeping it all away!    

And again

Yes it is that time of the year again. Every year at this time I add a new post to this blog. Two years ago I was writing about the mall in Baton Rouge, last year about the hillbilly Christmas. They were both written on December 29th. So this year's posting is a day late. This is especially fitting. I seem unable to do much of anything on time. I do have an excuse for not writing though - I was working yesterday and came home still exhausted from work the day Before! Today was my recovery day which means essentially nothing got done - no dishes, no laundry, no home cooked meal. So yes, late has become the story of my life. I am still looking forward to our annual trip home. I am always exhausted this time of year, but this year is different. I am mentally and physicalLy drained. No this is not my usual funny, warm and fuzzy blog entry. I am not feeling especially warm, fuzzy or the least bit comical. I have become the epitome of the Grinch and Scrooge all balled up in one! Well that was a little bit funny. Maybe there is hope for me yet! I have no clue where this is all going- I am actually anxious to see what my point to all of this is.

Overall, life is good. The holidays were nice, Mike has a new job, I will working part time, Greg will be home in about 7 months, Mark will be serving a mission soon, the kids are healthy, Lindz is graduating this May. The Lord has blessed us all tremendously! I am very conscious of his tender mercies each and every day. I have come to a realization of just how much He knows and loves me. But despite all of this, somewhere, somehow, I have lost just a little bit of me. Would the real Gracie please appear? Is she the mom trying to keep up with the housework and homework assignments and schedules? Maybe she is there at the hospital trying to take care of the sick and the weary, becoming weary herself in the process. Sometimes the only thing that gets me through the day at work is the wonderful mission statement of our hospital-that through exceptional healthcare, we reveal the healing presence of God. I think of myself as being the Savior's hands, giving service to those in need. but in giving service to my patients, I feel that I am neglecting to serve those closest and dearest to me. I am drained. I am spent. And feel insignificant somehow - the consummate wallflower.

I have one day to get my house clean, clothes washed, and start packing and I don't really know where to begin. But it will get done, just wish I had not spent today in total veg mode. So my hope is that the new year brings some calm. I have some ideas and strategies for better time management and destressing (that don't include Xanax), some plans for finding the old "me". Now I know some friends will read this and think I've lost my mind. Really, it's all good; I am blessed and know where to turn. Writing is wonderful therapy and helps me focus my thoughts. The Good Lord will direct my path - He always does.

Another Vacation Gone!

I am so sad when it's time to come home from a vacation. I literally get choked up a little. I guess because so much effort goes into the planning and then you're actually going ~ and before you know it ~ it's over, all too quickly!

Why just a week ago today, we were on our way, the horrible task of packing behind us. So much to look forward to - relaxing, spending precious time as a family, for me ~ actually having time to start and finish a book.

So today, as I was preparing to leave ~ I was standing on the balcony of our bedroom, looking out over the rolling hills, enjoying the light breeze and wondering where the week had gone ~ I said a little prayer that my mood would lighten and that I would focus on the positive.

So even though I'm sad that the vacation is over, I'm so grateful that we had the opportunity to get away for a while. I'm thankful for being able to sit in the sunshine and watch my kids splash in the pool. I loved the sounds of the water cascading in the pool. I loved watching the kids ride the jet ski on Table Rock Lake. That evening, the water was so calm and still and was as a sheet of glass as the teenagers attempted to get up on their skis.

I truly relished the chance to delve into a good book and catch up on the adventures of Edward and Jacob. In my opinion, Bella deserves neither of them ~ I'm just saying.

And strolling down the avenue at Branson Landing, watching Garrett jump in the puddles as the rain continued to lightly tap the bricks; peeking in the shops; purchasing some salt water taffy at the candy store. Then taking in the lights and fountain playing in tandem to the music. Viewing the fog as it hovered over the lake near the boardwalk. All of those things, though simple, brought just a touch of happiness and serenity.

A night out with Michael, though the buffet was really awful, but just some time alone while the big kids and their friends took the little ones out for a game of putt-putt.

Then last night, laying with Garrett, as he fought sleep and pressed his little hand into mine and asked me to stay with him. I was already dreading coming home, but that little hand comforted me as I knew it would be coming home with me also.

It always takes me a while to get back in the swing of things. Back to the ho hum and hum drum. That's what makes it so very hard. Last week I has all these plans - nothing really big or special, just different; and now WHAT? Only time will tell, until then ~ I have some awesome memories!

Marky-Mark

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