Taking the Stage & Ch-ch-ch-changes

So, in my last post I hinted that Josh had started farming, become a preacher and would flee the country. Well, the first two will be on stage for all to see when "State Road 47" is performed on Thursday - Saturday at the theatre at Tallulah Falls School. It's an entertaining musical that retells three parables in a modern style. In the first, Josh plays a very convincing farmer. The first number in his scene, a song entitled "Corn" is seriously like "Waiting for Guffman" all over again.

In the second scene, Josh plays a preacher who passes the injured man on the side of the road. Complete with a back-up choir, his "Amen" number is one to get you clapping. Overall, it's a wonderfully entertaining show, and I'm hoping for a great turn out each night.

Now, about Josh fleeing the country...he's all set to jet off to San Pedro Sula, Honduras for a medical mission trip much like he did this time last summer. The team he travels with journeys to La Esperanza (a more remote town) and then treks daily to even more remote villages to treat patients (most of which travel hours to see them). Some of you may not have heard (because all the media continues to talk about is the death of Michael Jackson), but there is currently a coup in Honduras. Most of the strife was taking place in and around the capital city, which is not where Josh's team would be. Unfortunately, the ousted president tried to make a return to the country and asked his supporters to rally in protest. A teenager was killed, and the supporters have vowed to now spread their protesting even farther.

Josh's trip is now being reorganized. Although, we haven't had the chance to discuss many details (he was on the phone with a trip leader when I had to leave for bible study this evening and he's now working in the er), it sounds as though they are preparing an alternate destination. Unfortunately, the new trip is supposed to depart Saturday (rather than Sunday), and of course Josh is committed to perform in two shows Saturday and may be forced to miss his trip. Hearing about the many people Josh and his team were able to treat and minister to last year was phenomenal. It is hard to believe that an obstacle would be presented to make that impossible this year, but we trust that God has a plan to prosper and protect the team wherever they should travel.

The other major change we were presented with this week is that my sister has moved her wedding from December to August 15, yes...just about a month away! Thankfully, dresses had already come in and most everything was able to be changed, but it is a stressful and hectic time for her and my mom. My sister's fiance is being stationed in Cuba once he finishes his AIT, and they can't guarantee exactly when he'll be on furlough. On another note, if you know anyone who wants tickets to see Paul McCartney at Piedmont Park on August 15...let me know!

Park-ing

**Updated to include photos...gasp!

I know it's been a while, but instead of apologizing or telling you how crazy life has been (because seriously, who's life isn't crazy, right?), I thought I'd just cut to the chase and tell you what we've been up to the last two weeks, yes...two weeks worth of fun!! The main theme was definitely "park"-ing, as in multiple trips to Pitts Park, a trip to the ball park and a couple of trips to the Splash Park.

Like most 19-month-olds, Jack loves to explore and is often a bundle of energy. We try to focus that energy somewhere, so we've been meeting friends at the park in the mornings a couple of days a week. If we go early enough we miss the unbearable heat, and usually have plenty of time to get a few other things done before lunch too. On really good days, we end our morning out with lunch with Josh before heading home for a great nap!

Last Tuesday, we headed to Atlanta to watch the Braves take on the Yankees. It was a great game, and Jack did really well. We made it 7 1/2 innings. He might have made it a bit longer, but we didn't want to risk meltdown. It was the only game in the series that the Braves won, so we couldn't have picked a better one. You may remember we took in a game a few weeks back with some friends from Charleston. They were so sweet to share their peanuts during the game with Jack. So, naturally, this time he was puzzled that the fans behind us (and in front of us) weren't just giving him their peanuts! That boy loves some roasted peanuts.

Twice in the last two weeks Jack and I have joined friends at the Splash Park in Gainesville. It's a short drive and a great value...$4. Jack doesn't LOVE all the excitement and is actually quite cautious, but he seems to enjoy it. It's also a great excuse to have Chick-fil-A for lunch...even if we do have to go through the drive-thru because of our passed out children. Note to mothers: splash zone will exhaust your child and hopefully get you a good nap!!

I'll be back to post some pictures soon and fill you in on what else we've got going on. Here's a teaser (just like the scenes from next week's episodes on your favorite shows): Josh starts farming, becomes a preacher and flees the country...I know, you're dying inside!

More Pictures...

Whew! VBS is officially over, and I am officially looking forward to returning to a less structured routine for a while. We had a great weekend with Josh's parents and even got to enjoy dinner with Aunt Kristy, uncle Jeff, cousins Sean & Andy. I'll post some pictures soon. Sunday we enjoyed dinner with the Giles/Guilbeau/Bennett crowd a.k.a. my sister-in-law Lisa's family. They were spending the week at a time share about 10 minutes from us. Lisa told us when her mom told her about the place she said, "Mom, that's not vacation. That's where Josh & Laura live." lol!

Anyway, the pictures I do have to share are in the form of our proofs from last weekend's photo shoot in Athens. I know, doesn't Sue Ann work fast? Her proof gallery has changed a bit, so you have to take an extra step to view the photos, but if you are interested, you can find them here. You'll need to "create an account" to be able to view the proofs. Then after you click on Garrett or the thumbnail of Jack, the access code is 'jack18' I know it's a bit of work, so it won't hurt my feelings if you don't look...but if you do let me know your favorites!

What's 87 and a half years?

Saturday evening (after our feeble attempts at a family photo session) we gathered with my parents, siblings, grandparents and cousins to celebrate my grandfather's 89th birthday. Despite the anxious mosquitos, we all had a wonderful time. The fried fish was tasty and the lemon ice box pie was oh so refreshing. Jack enjoyed the swing with both Great Grandaddy and Grand Mimi.

He even made a new friend in his cousin Cannon. It was if both boys figured out for the first time that they were relatively the same size and might enjoy playing together. Here they are tossing the ball together. Cannon's almost a year older than Jack. It was neat to see that they were beginning to buddy up. I hope they'll be able to pick up where they left off next time we're all together.

This week is VBS at church. So, I don't imagine I'll get around to catching you up on what else we've been doing. But, I did manage to upload a massive amount of photos to our picasa site (check out June and Project 365). Otherwise, it's been a typical hot start to the summer with not much rain. Here's what else we've been up to:

Swimming with friends

Lots and lots of ball playing!

Enjoying the park...with friends

Looks like we're in for a fun summer!

Photo Sneak Peek

We had some updated photos taken of Jack yesterday and attempted to get a family portrait. Jack wasn't incredibly cooperative, but Sue Ann can work miracles...I hope! :)

Anyway, here's a sneak peek at a few of the snapshots.

Just Add Friends

So, I think once upon a time I may have written about having our deck expanded.* Well, the weather has been great lately, so we are really getting a lot of use out of the extra space.


Just add friends and the place becomes much more fun!

It doesn't hurt if there is food involved either...

Oops...I got behind again! Way behind. I would say it's been a crazy week, but don't I always say that? Oh, well. I'm going to try to get some photos up tonight and we'll see what else I can come up with...I'm sort of on a reading kick as opposed to a writing one! :)

*I can't find the post, so maybe I never wrote about it, but I figured most of you care very little about whether or not I include a link to the old post. :)

Ouch!

On Friday I had all four of my wisdom teeth removed (well, most of all four...apparently there is still a piece of one hiding out very close to my facial nerves. Joy, joy!) Despite what I expected, the process has not been so horrible. Josh took me and Jack to meet my parents in Commerce Thursday night since my surgery was scheduled in Athens. Then, Friday morning my mom and I headed to the oral surgeon. She took Jack to the park and entertained him while I disappeared from the earth for about an hour.

Maybe some of you have been under general anesthesia before, but this was my first time. It's so weird to have lost an hour of your life and be totally unaware of what took place during that time. But, there were plenty of reminders about what had taken place...the swelling, discomfort, yucky guaze, unrecognizable and feelingless lips. My mom took us home, where I retreated to bed for some rest. Josh checked on me during his short lunch break on Friday. Mom headed home after he returned from work for good. I spent most of my time resting in bed, getting fresh ice packs, eating jell-o, pudding and avoiding straws. Jack kept wanting to get in bed with me. He did a couple of times, but was usually quickly carted off by my caregivers. Between the pain medicine and the anti-nausea meds, I spent most of Friday & Saturday asleep. In fact, Josh got a picture to prove it.

I managed to get a shower on Saturday, but soon after was back in the bed. Later that afternoon we joined some friends at the MOPS Hail & Farewell cookout, which celebrates the work and commitment of the outgoing Steering Team members and welcomes the new ST members. It was certainly good to see everyone, but all the talking, smiling and socializing certainly wore me out. I was glad to get home and get in bed.

Sunday was a similar story. Josh had to be at church early for a skit rehearsal, but I managed to get Jack ready and us both to church by 9. In fact, getting him dressed was the first diaper I had changed since Thursday night. After Sunday School, I was starting to feel the effects of being off my pain medicine. We left church a bit early so I could get home and get some relief.

I'm really grateful for the wonderful help I've had in my recovery. I certainly wouldn't have been able to bounce back this quickly without excellent help. Big thanks to my mom who did our chaufeuring and kept Jack occupied most of Friday. Enormous thanks to Josh who made sure I was worry free all weekend. You are the best!