Walk in St. Augustine

Julian went camping with the Boy Scouts this weekend and we had actually planned on pulling the trailer to Faver-Dykes State Park and camping while he was with the boys. Unfortunately, it rained so much that the park closed due to flooding and our plans were canceled. The Boy Scouts ended up going to a different camp and we decided not to try to make new reservations so we stayed home.

It was a beautiful day today and I've been cooped up in the house sick for a few days so I was ready to at least get outside for awhile. I wanted to head down to St. Augustine to walk around, take photos and just enjoy the beautiful day with Tim. We got lucky and found there was a festival going on, so we got to walk around and look and some arts and crafts there and then we headed for a walk.

I wanted to take some photos of the 208 foot Great Cross and the surrounding grounds. Unfortunately, even though we saw a bunch of people walking in the grounds, there were chains and gates in the places we tried to get through that said "no trespassing" so we didn't. I got a few shots from where we could. We'll have to go back another time and try again to see everything.

It was a nice walk, a beautiful day but quite windy. We need to do stuff like this more often rather than sitting at home. It was nice to just spend time alone together. The rest of the photos I took can be viewed in our Picasa album here.

Jacksonville Zoo

We headed to the Zoo today after being asked by a friend from karate to join them. It was a bit chilly, but it was a beautiful sunny day nonetheless and a great day to go to the zoo. They came over to our house and we all drove together. That's Cindee and her daughter Breanna in the photos.

So often when we go to the Zoo it's so hot that the animals are hidden in the shade and not moving around very much. Unfortunately, this means we don't get to see as much of them as we'd like. This time, with the weather being cooler, they were out and about. If they weren't moving around, they had at least found spots of sun to lie in so we could at least see them better.

The big gorilla pulled his favorite trick while we were all staring through the window at him.... he jumped up all of a sudden and banged on the glass and sent all the people screaming and running. It was hilarious and I'm sure he gets the biggest laugh out of it every time he does it!

The Jacksonville Zoo has been undergoing a 10 year renovation so each time we go there is something new to look at. It has gone from being a very small, unimpressive zoo to a gorgeous zoo that makes it fun to go back to each time.

The rest of the photos can be seen in our Picasa photo album.

We Bought a New Car

We've been talking about trading in my Avalanche for some time and downsizing to something smaller that gets better gas mileage. With the gas prices at $4 a gallon, there was no way were going to get a decent trade in, so we waited.

We found ourselves with nothing planned for Friday and decided to go "look" at some cars. We both liked the Chevy HHR right away, but also looked at several other makes and models. We ended up liking the HHR the best and went home and did some Internet research. After just a little searching we found a really nice 2008 Nimnicht Chevrolet. I've purchased there several times and have always been happy. After test driving it on Friday and thinking about it and working out the numbers, we went back on Saturday and made a pretty decent trade we were very happy with!

It's going to take some getting used to moving from a big truck to a smaller car, but with lower payments and better gas mileage (plus I love the way it drives) I think I'm going to love it!

It just happened to be white! This makes my 5th white vehicle.
My dad (who also loved white cars) would be proud!

Getting in the Christmas Mood Early...

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

JT with his cousins Nathan and Cory.

Space Shuttle Endeavor Launch 11/14/2008

Today I heard the Space Shuttle was supposed to launch tonight. I have lived in Florida all my life and have never been to a launch. Before Tim met me, he had traveled down about 6 times to see a launch and each time they were cancelled.

So, I thought it would be nice to be spontaneous and just take off to watch the night launch. Tim and JT agreed and we were on our way. It's a 2 hour drive but traffic started backing up on I-95 when we got near Titusville, so it took a little longer. We grabbed a few subs at Subway and started looking for a place to park and watch the action.

We finally found a parking lot about 2-3 blocks away from the water. We walked a little way and saw some people gathering behind a condo building. We got extremely lucky and ended up at a place with a great view of the launch pad across the river!

It was exciting watching the shuttle launch and it was nice sharing this first together.

This video doesn't do the sights or sounds justice, but it's not too bad coming from my digital camera with no tripod.

Jaguar Chorus

JT stepped out this year and surprised us by joining the Jaguar Chorus at school. They had their first concert in honor of Veteran's Day. The kids did a great job singing quite a few patriotic songs and I was amazed at the talent of a few of the soloists. They not only sang Thursday evening for the parents and guests, but they performed 3 times on Monday for all the kids in the school.

Food Rescue

Through one of the ladies at church, I recently got involved in an organization called Food Rescue. Basically, what they do is get donations of perfectly good food from restaurants and stores that would normally get thrown away. The volunteers pick up the food from the establishment and then deliver it to an organization that can use it. I've been picking up from a Panera bakery a couple of times a month and taking it to the Clara White mission downtown. It breaks my heart to see the homeless people sleeping in the parking lot where I go to deliver, not to mention all the ones just hanging around waiting for the help they receive from the mission.

It's amazing how much Panera throws out daily. Some days I pick up as many as 7-8 huge plastic bags full. We just got word that we're delivering more than Clara White can use, so the next time I deliver, I will be delivering to a new organization. I'm not doing much, but hopefully it's making a difference to at least one person.

Maybe you'd like to donate 90 minutes of your time once a month? Or perhaps you know of an establishment that throws out food that they could donate? Find out more about Food Rescue by visiting their website at http://www.foodrescue.net.

JT Asks...

JT is selling Entertainment '09 Coupon Books

We use ours all the time and have saved a lot of money between the restaurants and movie passes we've used.

If you like to go to the Alhambra, they have a buy one get one coupon that will save you up to $42!

Check out the discounts included at:
http://www.entertainment.com

Then let me know if you would like to purchase one. $20 for the Jacksonville edition if purchased from JT direct.

They make great gifts too! If you'd like a city other than Jacksonville, you can buy them online.

You can also visit http://www.entertainment.com/email to purchase an Entertainment Coupon book. Be sure to enter my Seller Number, 269183, so my group gets credit.

Thank you!

First Day of 5th Grade

It looks like my "baby" is growing up. This year is his last year of Elementary school. I look at him in awe at how much he's grown and what a wonderful young man he's becoming. Although some times he can make me crazy, he is my heart and he makes me so proud! He's got this quirky personality that makes him JT. He's funny, he's caring and compassionate, he's smart and he's so full of energy and wonder. He's stubborn and he doesn't back down easily, he questions "why" and he has no problem challenging anyone and telling them when they are wrong. He has an excellent memory - except for when it comes to school - and he loves to learn, on his terms. He's a great prayer and I believe he's got a special connection with God. He never ceases to amaze me with his thoughts about God or how he pieces together things of faith.

He is truly a wonderful blessing and I am so blessed by God to have him in my life. Yes, WE (Tim and I) are blessed, but I am the one writing this! :) We've had him in our life for 7 years. Time certainly flies.

In a mere 5 years, he'll be behind the wheel of my car learning to drive. He'll be kissing a girl for the first time in just a few years. He already wants to ask a girl out on a date - but he has at least 5 more years before that's gonna happen. In 8 years he'll be heading to college. 8 years isn't far enough away!

Where is that little 3 year old who used to actually fit in my lap?!

Hair Play

JT's Bedroom Remodel

JT went away to summer camp for a week and while he was gone, Tim and I remodeled his bedroom for him. We've been talking about doing it for some time now and decided that this would be a great time to get it done and surprise him. His room was decorated as a Spider Man room about 5 years ago and now that he's a self-professed "pre-teen" it was time to give him a more mature theme. Since he's crazy about Karate he had expressed an interest in that as a theme, so we kept that in mind as we remodeled.

The reason I video taped the reveal was because Tim wasn't home when JT returned from summer camp and wouldn't be able to enjoy JT's reaction. So, I set up the video camera real quick while I sent JT to check the mail. He was totally surprised by the change and judging from the smile on his face, I believe he truly loved it.



Now, time to move on to another room in the house...

Visiting Family

After church today, Mom, Karen, Shelly, me and JT squeezed in Aunt KD's small car (it was actually pretty spacious in the back seat surprisingly) to go visit our cousin Debbie who only lives about 10 miles down the street from me. We were inseparable for a few years when we were kids. I always have a great time when we visit, and I don't know why we don't get together more often. (I always say that after we get together and I always mean it.... we just don't make the effort)

Here's a rare glimpse of me in a bathing suit in a pool. This doesn't happen often, and there's not much that can get me into a bathing suit, but.... JT needed someone to play with and he's definitely worth it!

Here's Shelly, the sister who has always tanned easily while I always struggled and burned. She is in town visiting from Tennessee. Her first trip 'home' without children in about 23 years I believe.

Here's my biggest sister KD (Karen is what I call her), just relaxing after already having her dip in the pool.

Here's a nice photo of Mom. She usually makes faces or tries too hard to pose when a camera is aimed her way. This time she just grinned a little and let Karen snap a photo of her.

This is my 'cuz' Debbie and her daughter Victoria. We had a great time visiting them today... catching up on what's been going on in everyone's lives, swimming in the pool, and of course, enjoying a wonderful turkey & dressing dinner she put together for us just because she wanted to and she's always been a great Hostess. Thanks Debbie for a wonderful day!

You Know You're an Adoptive Parent If...

1. The fact that there are 143 million children without a parent to kiss them goodnight has ever made you lose sleep.
2. You realize DNA has nothing to do with love and family.
3. You can't watch Adoption Stories on TLC without sobbing.
4. You spend free time surfing blogs about families who have experienced the blessing of adoption.
5. It drives you crazy when people ask you about your adopted child's "real" parents.
6. You have ever been "pregnant" with your adoptive child longer than it takes an elephant to give birth (2 years!)
7. You had no idea how you would afford to adopt but stepped out in faith anyway knowing where God calls you He will provide.
8. You have ever taken an airplane ride half way around the world with a child you just met.
9. You believe God's heart is for adoption.
10. You realize that welcoming a child into your heart and family is one of the most important legacies you could ever leave on this earth.
11. You know what the word Dossier means and you can actually pronounce it!
12. You have welcomed a social worker into the most private parts of your life.
13. You shudder when people say your child is so lucky that you adopted them, knowing full well you are the blessed one to have them in your life.

Cooking with Julian

JT was helping me prepare dinner tonight so I decided to film him for a minute or two. When I pointed the camera at him, this little Italian, French, Romanian American cooking host character emerged. Enjoy!

Jacksonville Zoo & Geocaching

Since JT is on Spring Break we decided to go to the Jacksonville Zoo. Mom hasn't been in over 20 years and so much has changed since she had been, we decided to call her up and take her with us. It was a great time for the 3 of us to spend some quality time together.

Before we got to the Zoo, we planned to look for a Geocache. I had heard about Geocaching and thought it would be a great activity for me and JT. It's sort of a treasure hunt game that people play all over the world. I started a blog just to track our Geocache efforts, you can find out more and see photos by clicking here.

It was a little overcast, but turned out to be a nice day. Not too hot and we never got any rain. I planned on getting Mom an electric scooter to use while we were there, but they were all rented out by the time we got there. She's embarrassed to use a wheelchair, but she agreed to do so and I pushed her around. It was good exercise for me! We couldn't go up some of the ramps, like to the Africa loop, but for me it was more about spending time together and getting her outside for a few hours.

JT loved having her with us. We spent about 3 hours there and then headed to a late lunch before taking Mom home. It ended up being a good day for all of us.

J.T. Gets His Glasses

J.T. got his glasses today and as you can see from the photo, we are very fortunate that he's very excited about it. When he put them on he was excited to see a big difference right away in his vision. He immediately started comparing how things looked with them on and with them off. He got real excited on the way home because he could read the license plates on other cars.

Tim and I felt like bad parents because we hadn't known he was having vision problems. We trusted that the school had done a vision screen and would have expected them to catch it - especially now that we know it should have been obvious to whoever gave the eye test.

I've worn glasses since I was 6 years old and I know what a pain they can be. I hoped he would be able to forego glasses as a child. But, I'm excited for him now knowing that his vision is improved and he can see properly. We are hopeful this will also help with some of the problems he's had in school.

JT's Eye Exam

At the suggestion of JT's teacher, we took him to get his eyes checked yesterday. I didn't think there was a problem because he had been screened at school and nothing was noted. However, it was obvious the moment the eye test started and JT couldn't even read the largest line on the eye chart.

It turns out he is nearsighted and will need to wear glasses. Fortunately, right now he is excited about wearing glasses and isn't the least bit worried. I hope it stays that way. Of course, the novelty will wear out quickly. I started wearing glasses at 6 and I know what a big responsibility it will be for him. But, the doctor said his sight will be so much better, we probably won't have a problem getting him to wear them.

Note from Julian...

This morning, I woke up and my 8 year old son, Julian, handed me a letter and this is what it said...

Dear Mom,

I Love you and dad but I Love God most
and let God be with you on this nice day
and reameber with God nothing is't posbol.

Love, JT