Just Crazy

LIFE has been just plain crazy for months now. Taking care of my family, school, church, and home keep me so busy I really do not have time to blog anymore.  I have tried and can't seem to keep up.

I have thought about ending my blog, but can't seem to bring myself to do so.  For now, due to time restraints, I will not be able to post often.

If I still have readers, please forgive me.  Maybe one day life will slow down, the baby will sleep all night, I can cook wonderful meals free of all allergens, all events organized weeks in advance, and I will have lots of time to sit, ponder, and blog.  If that happens, it will be to boring to blog.  Oh, well, we are really living the good life.

Learning How to Cook All Over Again

A few month ago I only had to worry about a nut allergy, but now we have added milk and soy to our list of things to watch for. Kamryn can't tolerate soy or lactose, so our choices are really limited.   I was shocked at the amount of things that contain soy, but what really frustrated me was that not all warning labels are accurate.

I know preparing all meals from scratch is the healthiest way to go, but it isn't easy or fast.  Forget running through the local burger joint and grabbing something on the way to the ball field.  Honestly, it is hard when you are NOT used to thinking about the food preparation quite as much.  I am trying my best and learning how to cook in an all new healthier way.


I am proud of myself though.  I made Kamryn's 1st birthday cake from scratch without any soy or lactose in the ingredients.  That is actually tasted great and looked nice was a bonus.  My next thing to try is making my own beef and chicken stock to freeze.

I am learning and we will be the better for the changes.  I just wish someone would invent a allergen free drive through that sells nut, soy, and lactose free burgers and fries for those crazy days that I am running to get places.

Happy Gotcha Day

I can't believe that it has been a year since Kamryn joined our family. Seems like just yesterday, yet she has grown so much.  Honestly, I can't really remember what she was like those first few days.  Thank the Lord for pictures to help you recall those memories.


She turned 1 last Friday, which is very hard to believe, too. I look at her in amazement and wonder, loving to see her grow, yet wanting to hold on to every moment.  Knowing she is the baby of the family is bittersweet.  


Kamryn's Accomplishments include:

• clapping excitedly when you say, "patty cake, patty cake"
• knowing how to turn her daddy's computer off when he is in the middle of typing
• deleting apps off of our iPhones
• calls me "Mommy" and everyone else "MA"
• Can say "Hey", "Bye", "Daddy", "no,no", & "wove you", but only when she wants to say them
• can take a few steps, but crawling is her method for getting anywhere quickly
• screams when things are taken away from her and thinks everything is hers
• loves any kind of remote
• thinks our bed is the best place in the world to sleep
• loves Italian opera and Latino worship music
• can feed the dog her peas and carrots without you realizing until you notice the dog circling her chair

She is FUN, and FUNNY.

Today we celebrate!!!!

Happy 1st Gotcha Day, Kamryn.   

Road Trip 2011~DAYS 7-9

 Columbus, OH


Monday


COSI Science Museum

Columbus has one of the nicest Science Museums I have ever been to.  All the hands on exhibits made this museum a huge hit. It had so many different sections that we did not get to see it all.  

One of the kids favorite sections was Space.

Kensli on the Space potty.

Kamryn really enjoying herself!!

They could go down in this sub.  So cool!

My favorite section was the one called Progress.  It showed the progress the country made during the 40's thru the 60's.

Ricky and Kaitlyn at the 50's dinner.

Old gas station with VW Bug.

Toby as the nightly news anchor.

You could actually read the script and watch as it showed on the screen.

The last section we got to visit was the gadgets sections.  So much to do here that we ran out of time as they were announcing the museum closing time.  Would love to see the rest of this museum one day.

The kids discovering how pulleys work.

Tuesday


Columbus Zoo


The zoo was another huge place that we ran out of time viewing.  We did not get to see everything, but we covered as much as we could.  This is one of the zoos that Jack Hanna is affiliated with, so it is exceptional.  Extremely hands on and many places to see all the animals up close.  I think my favorite animal to see was the polar bears.  I have never seen one except in magazines and on TV.  

Kamryn looking at the horses in the petting zoo.

Part of our crew taking a break inside the petting zoo.

After the zoo we went to a restaurant to eat called Shades.  It is on the Ohio and Erie Canal. 

Wednesday


Amish Country


We have never been to an Amish community before and we decided to visit while we were only a couple of hours away.  It was beautiful!!!!  


On the way we stopped and saw the Longaberger Basket offices and factory. It is shaped in a huge basket.  

When we finally got to Amish country, we saw some of the neatest, most beautiful farms and country side.  

Our first stop was Heini's Cheese factory.  They make their cheese and you can take a tour, but they were not making any at the time.  One of the neatest things is you could taste most of the cheeses.  The kids really loved this part, especially Kensli.

Kensli was not intimidated by other people.  When she saw a cheese she wanted to taste, she would fight her way between adults even.  

This was a very unusual sight....pulling a hay baler with mules.  It seemed to work well, because we watched them bale a roll of hay.

We stopped here for a little bit of desert.  I had the best peach pie I have ever eaten.

A lot of the buildings looked liked they were in Switzerland or Austria.  

I am so glad we drove the two hours to see this beautiful area and its beautiful people.  It is the largest group of Mennonites and Amish in the country.  It consists of 3 communities and many farms in between.  

I said in my last post we were leaving on Tuesday, but it seemed that every time we tried to leave the pastor and his family had a reason for us not to go.  Tomorrow is definite travel day and we head out for Chicago.  Can't wait to visit the Windy City for the first time ever.

Road Trip 2011~DAYS 3-6

Columbus, OH


On Friday of last week, we left Chattanooga, TN and headed north to Columbus, OH.  It was a beautiful drive through the Appalachian Mountains. Unfortunately and fortunately, the baby slept and slept so we did not stop to take pictures.  


We have been so busy since getting to Columbus that I have not found time to update the blog.  We are staying on the church campus, which is 52 acres of fun for the kids.   

From the back of the property by the pond. 

The steeple in the middle is the church.

The first night here they built a huge bonfire.  This is unheard of in Louisiana this time of the year, but the weather is so nice and cool in the evenings that you just want to be outside.  The first night the kids were outside until after midnight playing with other kids.  

There is a pond beside the house and apartment.  There are 4 ducks that live in the pond and they are so funny to watch. They waddle up and steal dog food from the pastor's dogs if you do not watch them.  They are shooed back by anyone around at the time, only to come waddling back if they think no one is watching.  


On Saturday we visited a huge mall called the Easton Mall.  It was beautiful.  There were fountains, and water pads, a fireman exhibition was going on, and sailboats to rent and sail by remote.  

Kensli and Jillian, the pastor's daughter, ended up in the sailboat fountain.

The kids have so enjoyed this place.  There are two playgrounds, basket ball, catch and release fishing, bonfires at night, riding bicycles, room to run, ducks to chase, two beagles, and a revolving group of kids to meet and play with at anytime of the day. 

In the evenings the fireflies have been a huge interest to the kids.  We do not have fireflies at home like we did when I was a kid.  I think the mosquito spraying has wiped them out over the years.  

Kamryn enjoying some time outside.

Yesterday was Sunday and we had awesome church services.  After the morning service, Kaitlyn and Ricky went and helped with a children's music video.  Kaitlyn actually ended up performing with the kids.  She said it was awesome. The church family has taken the kids in and have included them in everything, and this has made our stay much more like a vacation. We ended the day with a powerful move of God in the mission's service. 

Today we are going to see some things around here.  One thing I would like to see is the Erie Canal and a cave they say is interesting. Can't wait to see what today brings.

Road Trip 2011~DAY 2

Chattanooga, TN

Breakfast with a Dear Friend

This morning we went and visited a dear friend an her daughter for bagels and coffee.  Had never been to her house, and it was beautiful.  Her view was spectacular.  Sadly, I did not take pictures and would not have posted them anyway to respect her privacy.  It was a wonderful time of catching up.

Lookout Mountain

Spectacular views, beautiful gardens, a scary swinging bridge, large rock formations, and narrow places make Rock City a very "magical adventure" just like the brochure says.  We had so much fun that this will be a must see again in a few years.

One of the only drawbacks was that we could not use the stroller for Kamryn.  Toby had to carry her the entire time and I had the dreaded diaper bag.  We survived and had a great time anyway.

Toby and Kamryn trying to squeeze through the Eye of the Needle.

 Kamryn was not impressed with her Dad's abilities to squeeze through tight places.

Top of Lookout Mountain

You can see 7 states from here.

Kamryn and Dad with waterfall in the background.

Love this picture.  We had stopped for a water break and Kamryn did not want the water just the bottle.

Ruby Falls

We stopped and toured the cavern and falls on Lookout Mountain.  I am not sure I would do this attraction again anytime soon.  We hiked approximately a mile down, 1120 feet,  into the cavern to the falls and it was not a real pleasant trip.  Although cool, it was damp, dark, crowded, and slippery.  We had to stop and let other groups pass many times.  Not easy while carrying a squirming baby that was not real interested in the adventure.  Even without the baby, there was just not enough to see to justify paying for tickets again soon.  Summing up this little adventure, "glad we went, but been there, done that."

Kaitlyn took this picture of the waterfall.

It was not very big, but it was pretty with all the lights.

Tomorrow we are off to Columbus, OH.  

Road Trip 2011~DAY 1

Chattanooga, TN

Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel

We arrived in Chattanooga late Tuesday night.  The trip was good and the Kamryn traveled better than I had hoped.  She was such a little trooper. We stopped several times along the way and she slept about 4 hours, so it was an easy trip.

Wednesday morning we started off with breakfast at the Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel.  Then we took a few pictures with the train, but did not tour the museum.  Wish we had more time to do this, but we were only here for 2 days.  

Group picture in the lobby of the Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel.

Reminded me of the Red Couch pictures at the White Swan Hotel in China.  

They had several red couches in this lobby.

Tennessee Aquarium

Next it was off to the Tennessee Aquarium.  It is one of the best aquariums in the nation.  We rode the free shuttle bus to the aquarium.

Love this shot of Kensli waiting on the bus.  

When we got to the Aquarium we realized we had left the stroller in the car back at the hotel.  It was easy to do, because you walked out of the hotel and on to the bus.  Thinking we could handle it, we went on in and toured the first building. After the first building, Toby rode the bus back to the hotel and got the stroller.  She is heavier than she looks.  

 Petting the stingrays.

The butterfly garden was amazing.  The kids really enjoyed this area, except for Kensli.  She likes to look at them, but does not want them to land on her at all.

Kamryn loved the butterflies.  

The fuzzy spots on the picture is due to the moisture in the exhibit kept fogging the lens.

Nicholas with his butterfly bow.

The tanks were amazing. The kids were awestruck at the different fish and the HUGE sea turtle.  

Kind of blurry, but love the oldest 4 lined up looking at the fish.

Ricky acting goofy in the shark cage.

There were a lot of interactive exhibits that the kids could view and touch animals up close.
  

Point Park

After the Aquarium we decided to drive up on Lookout Mountain and see what was up there besides Rock City and Ruby Falls.  We stopped and asked someone and they said that Point Park was a great place to go.  It is an actual battle ground of a battle during the Civil War.  Oh, Ricky was in heaven.

How my middle 3 view historical markers.

All 5 looking at the view....well, 4 were.  Kamyrn was hamming for the camera.

Love this picture of the 4 oldest on the steps of the monument. 

To many steep steps to risk Kamryn in the picture. 

My 3 middle kids doing what they do best.

Ricky took pictures of everything, read every plaque, and touched every cannon.

Love this kid!!!!!

It was a beautiful way to end a wonderful day.  The view was spectacular and the history rich.