Great Gifts, Great Responsibilties

She sat there in her favorite recliner wondering if the day was going to be over soon. As she sat there, she listened to one child ask for the 267th time (in the last 10 minutes) if they were going to eat dinner tonight. The other child was tickling her relentlessly under her chin with a fuzzy yellow feather while the youngest jumped as hard and as fast as he possibly could in the rainforest jumperoo yelling "dadadadadadadadada" as loud as was humanly possible. It took all the restraint she could possibly gather to not tell the first child no, she would not be having dinner tonight or ever ever again because mommies are in the business of starving their children. It took even more restraint not to yank that yellow feather and rip it in two, tossing feather remnants all over the room. But most of all, it took an incredible amount of restraint to not scream right along with the youngest in his cry for "dada."

If you are a mom, this little scenario is all too familiar. You are probably laughing, but believe me that this afternoon, I was not laughing. I was about to be at my breaking point and was needing the sun to set and for the darkness to bring with it some peace and quiet as my little ones would be tucked into their beds, sound asleep. We've all been there. We find ourselves consumed by the responsibility of not only being a mom, but just being an adult. I felt so overwhelmed today by the things that hung over my head, needing to be checked off the to do list: laundry, bills, dishes, grocery shopping, birthday party gifts, ENT appointments, etc. Only to look up and realize that my oldest's hair is halfway in his eyes causing me to make a mental note to call for a hair appointment too. Responsibility: it's never ending. I think back to when I was a teenager full of desire to get out into the real world and have my own responsibilities. I had no idea what I was asking for :) But here I am now, immersed in it and some days, drowning in it.

As I sat in that recliner this afternoon practicing "restraint", a couple of verses were brought to the forefront of my memory:
Psalm 127:3 Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.
Luke 12:48 Great gifts mean great responsibilities; greater gifts, greater responsibilities!

I have been given much. So many people pray earnestly for things I have; things that have just been given so freely to me. I haven't known the pain and frustration of infertility or miscarriage, or of being poor, not knowing where my next meal will come from. I have everything I need and alot of what I want. I have friends, family, health, and a place to lay my head at night. I have been given much and certainly not because of anything I have done. I don't deserve the blessings, but HE has blessed despite. As I sat there wallowing in my self created misery, I began to see things a little differently. Yes, it's hard to listen to 800 bagillion "why" questions every day. It's tough to plan and prepare 13 meals per day plus snacks, bottles, and a few pumping sessions. Somedays it seems impossible to get 8 loads of laundry done only to find the hamper is halfway full again when I finally finish. Time is something that never seems to be in plenty. But as I sat there, I could hear God's still small voice saying, "I have given you much responsibilty. It's not suppose to be a walk in the park. Life's tough, but I am here and you are perfectly capable. My yoke is easy and my burden is light. I will provide exactly as you need it. Be wise with the time you are given."

I love it when God whops me upside the head with a good "get over yourself." I guess I'll be working on accepting the responsibility he has given me with gratitude. Making the best use of the time I have and not allowing myself to become consumed with my own shortcomings. I need to pay more attention to the important things in life and keep my priorities straight. It's good to be reminded of this every once in a while and apparently, I needed a good reminding today.

Orange Beach-Day 7

Today it rained most of the day, so no beach for us. We headed out towards Foley and went to Lambert's for lunch. It was so very good. Noah chowed down on just about everything we gave him! After lunch we headed over to the outlet mall and spent the day shopping. Afterwards, we went back to the condo, but not before making a final stop at the Wharf to ride the ferris wheel and go to the sugar shack. The trip just wouldn't be complete without marking those two things off the list!

Orange Beach-Day 6

I had trouble uploading last night, so I'm a little behind. After a whole week of threatening rain...it finally came...just before we took our family pictures. Go figure! The rain passed quickly so we got out and took our pictures before it started back up again.

I LOVE this picture because Noah is waving like he is saying, "Bye, we're leaving with Granna and Papa!"

This morning while the reast of us were on the beach, Brian and Eli went to the naval museum on Pensacola. Eli always enjoys time together with Daddy. This was Eli's favorite plane.

Noah is just plum tuckered out!

Orange Beach-Day 5

Day 5?!?! Where is the time going? We are having such a great time relaxing...or as Ella Kate said last year during our whole trip..."I belaxing." Today was another beautiful day. Not sure where all this rain is the weather men are predicting. The weather guys here are as bad as ours back home for sure! We got up and out to the beach for another fun day in the sand. There was another family set up next to us and our kids were about the same age. They played well and had a great time together. They had quite a large hole dug including paths the kids could walk in. They had such a good time today!

Ella Kate has surprised me. She wouldn't go near the water without one of us holding her hand, but today, well...you can see...

Eli had fun digging his hole.

We went to another one of our favs, LuLu's for dinner. It was fabulous as usual!

We always get the "mountain of okra"...mmm!

Noah has officially shown his thorough disgust with baby food. Tonight, he had chicken fingers (they let us buy one just for him). He also ate some of my fries and some black beans off mom's plate. The boy LOVES food!

I think tomorrow we are going to try and take our annual family picture so there should be great pics to post then. Every year we have trouble cause Eli has such sensitive eyes. So, I think our best bet is to eat an early dinner and get out to the beach just before the sun sets. I'm really excited to get the kids pictures in their matching outfits I made! They are too too cute! I have to say though, the picture just won't be complete. We have really missed our other half of the family. We love you B, Becca and Ava!

Orange Beach-Day 4

It's hard to believe we are halfway through our trip! Today was a beautiful day! The sun was out and not a drop of rain was seen! The only thing that could have been better was it could have been less windy (gusts of 30 mph), but you didn't see us complaining! We had a great day!

This morning before we got ready to go out, Brian went out on the balcony. He came back in commenting on how cool it was. Eli wanted to go out on the balcony and Brian said ok, but it's freezing. Eli went out and then Ella Kate jumped up running out onto the balcony shouting "I wanna freeze!!!" It made us all laugh!

Eli let me bury him in the sand, but "only up to my waist, mom."

Nap?!?! You want me to nap out here on a beautiful day like today?!?!

Well, ok...if I must.

I am King of the sand hill!

This picture cracks me up cause right after I snapped the picture, Ella elbowed Eli and send him rolling down the hill they are up against. Sibling rivalry....

We went to dinner at the Original Oyster House. It is one of our favorites and we have gone every year. We got a pretty good family shot while we were waiting on our table.

I have watched this video at least 5 times tonight. It is hilarious! Ella Kate didn't get a nap today (and did really well despite it). When we got in from dinner, she was more than ready for bed. Poor girl had a hard time staying awake during her breathing treatment.

Orange Beach -Day 3

Today didn't go as planned, but I am able to be thankful despite the set back. Noah started running a fever of 102 yesterday. He started showing some of his tell tale signs that he indeed had an ear infection. I called his peds office back home this morning in hopes that because of his history (4 ear infections in the last 4 months) she would just call me in an antibiotic and have me come in as soon as we get back. He's most likely headed to the ENT anyway for tubes soon. I called and they wouldn't give an antibiotic without seeing the patient. The nurse in me knows that it's protocol to never diagnose without seeing a child, but the mommy in me said, "Come on!" You know this is what it is!" So, the next step was to find a local urgent care center. I went to three different places before I found a place that would 1: take our insurance and 2: see someone as young as Noah. I ended up at Gulf Shores Urgent Care. It took a while, but we were seen and everyone there was very helpful. We got in, seen, diagnosed (with a bilateral ear infection) and records faxed back to our Memphis office without any problems. We left and went to the pharmacy to fill his prescription. We didn't get back to the condo until 12:15. Half the day was gone...However, as I look back, I am so very thankful for several things. I am so glad that we have insurance! I can't imagine being out of town and having to take my child somewhere and pay out of pocket. All it cost me was a measly little $10 copay. The medicine was more expensive, but I am thankful to have access to medicine. I know it will make Noah feel so much better soon and that puts my mind at ease. Mostly, I am thankful for a happy, easy going baby who despite the circumstances always seems to go with the flow. I know he didn't feel good since his temp was up and he kept rubbing at his ears, but he still flashed all the staff at the urgent care his sweet little smile. I am thankful for a happy, easy going baby.

After we got back, we all had lunch. Then we enjoyed an afternoon at the beach...finally! :)

Ella Kate making sand angels

Orange Beach-Day 2

Today we took it easy. Some people (not me-the kids were up at 7:00) slept in. We cooked breakfast and made it outside around 11:30 or so. It was sunny the first part of the day but then got a good bit overcast and windy. Since the weather wasn't terribly great we just had a pool day. There is a lazy river on property so we mostly hung out there. The kids LOVED the lazy river! Tomorrow is supposed to be our only sunny (no rain) day so we are going to be spending the whole day on the beach. There is at least a 40% chance of rain all the other days (boo!) but hopefully it will be quickly passing showers.

This is me and Ella Kate sliding down the big water slide. I'm not sure what we were thinking. She has tubes and didn't have any plugs in. I was just so excited that she wanted to go with me. Of course when you come out, you immediately go under, but she had her floaties on so she popped right up. I guess if she gets an ear infection we'll know why...oops.

This restaurant was so good! It was a new one we tried and it is being added to our list of "places to go every year." Brian and I split a coconut shrimp platter and I got a cup of seafood bisque. Everything was excellent so if you are ever in Orange Beach, make sure you check this place out!

On a different note, Noah started running fever this evening. 102.2 when we left for dinner. We stopped and picked up some Motrin and Tylenol and gave him a dose of motrin before dinner. When we got home, his temp had never broken and was actually higher at 102.6. So, I gave him a dose of Tylenol and put him to bed. I guess I'll be keeping a close eye on him and calling the peds office in the morning. I bet it's an ear infection since he still had fluid on his ear at his last recheck. I guess we'll see how they feel about prescribing antibiotics without seeing the patient. Sweet little guy...he was still smiling and happy despite the fever.

Orange Beach-Day1

Yesterday, we made our annual trip to Orange Beach. We decided we'd get up early (and by early I mean EARLY) and hit the road as to avoid traffic and save us alot of driving time with whiny children. We pulled out of the gas station at 4:26 am and were on our way. The older kids never did fall back asleep, but they were nice and quiet til about 6am. Noah giggled the first hour and then fell back to sleep about 5 and slept til 6:15. They did great, talking and coloring until we stopped for breakfast at 8am. We ate breakfast at chick-fil-a and let the kids play on the playground for a while. After about an hour, we got back in the car and continued on. The kids watched a movie and then colored for a little longer and we made it to Orange Beach by 12:05!!! I couldn't believe it! A trip that normally takes us 8-9 hours had only taken us 7 1/2 and if you take out the hour we spent at breakfast....6 1/2 hours!!! It was a smooth trip without a single whimper from anyone!!! I only heard "are we there yet?" twice!!! Even Noah sat happily in his carseat the whole trip, took two naps (about an hour each) and took two bottles in his carseat!! I was thoroughly impressed with my little ones and was happy with our decision to leave early.

We hung out at the Wharf for a while, had a lunch, and then headed to the condo. We got there before check in so we took a little walk out on the beach. It was hot-a good day for donning the swimsuits and getting outside!

Noah was pretty happy about being at the beach!

There was a wedding being held on the beach. I heard several of the wedding party members talking about how they hoped it was a quick ceremony since it was so hot. I can't imagine!

This house is right next to our condo. I love it! Maybe someday I can own one :)

Another first: being on sand for the first time. He thought it was great!

Contemplating jumping the waves.

The lazy river on property. Not the greatest picture but sorry I couldn't lean over the railing anymore without feeling queasy....I'm not good with heights and we're on the 24th floor!!!!

I'm going to try and post an entry every night to recap our day. I didn't get this up last night cause I was completely exhausted after having been up since 3:15 am (and had gone to bed at 12:30). Check back tonight...or first thing in the morning for today's happenings!