Please Pray For Dwayne!

Our dear friend from church who is a camera operator with Stuart is very sick and in the hospital. He first got really sick back at Easter and was in the hospital for almost 2 weeks. The doctors thought they had a diagnosis and that he would get better but he has continued to get sick again off and on since then. Sunday he started having seizures and went back into the hospital. He was admitted to ICU so they could closely monitor him. He had some tests done but the doctors couldn't figure out the cause of the seizures. This morning he was supposed to have an MRI and more tests but before they could do the tests, Dwayne had a massive seizure and had to be rescusitated. He is currently in a coma and on life support and not expected to live. He is a wonderful friend and a compassionate Christian man. Please pray for him!

Nicholas really likes Dwayne. Stuart often brings Nicholas into the main sanctuary when they aren't rehearsing and shows him the camera equipment or lighting equipment so most of the media team knows who he is. But Dwayne really plays with Nicholas. He gets down on his level and makes faces, plays peek-a-boo and really has fun interacting with him. Last year, Dwayne was working camera for Adventure Weekend (our version of VBS) and he singled Nicholas out of the crowd and got a great camera shot of him that was shown on the big IMAG screens at the front of the sanctuary. Nicholas was so proud!

I told Nicholas this afternoon that Dwayne was sick. He got upset and said, "I don't want my friend to be sick. Is there anything I can do for him?" I was so touched by his caring and compassion for his friend. I suggested that we make Dwayne a get well card and bring it to the hospital tonight. Nicholas colored a wonderful card and put lots of great stickers on it. Then he told me what to write on it. He said, "Mr. Dwayne, I love you. Please get well and get out of the hospital soon. Your friend, Nicholas."

We brought the card to the hospital tonight. I stayed in the waiting room with Nicholas but Stuart brought the card back to Dwayne and prayed for him. Nicholas made instant friends with the volunteer at the desk in the waiting room. She showed him some teddy bears that she was making for patients at the hospital and also gave him some crayons and paper to play with while we waited. He also helped to cheer up Dwayne's family who were at the hospital and they were all very touched by the card he had made for Dwayne.

Phone Number vs. Address

Nicholas has known his phone number and address for well over a year now. However, for some reason he keeps getting confused as to which is which. If you ask for his address, he might give you his phone number and if you ask for his phone number you might get his address. He knows his number and address so I haven't bothered to try to hammer in the difference but as he gets older, it is more important for him to understand what he is being asked for.

We were reviewing the difference again today. When I asked his phone number he correctly gave it to me. Yeah! Maybe it has finally stuck! But then I asked for his address and he gave me his phone number again. Ugh! I explained again what the difference is and that it is important for him to be able to tell someone his address in case he were ever lost. He told me, "Aw, Mom! I'll just give them my phone number and they can call you to get my address!" Two points for him for good problem solving!

What A Short Trip!

We stopped by Grandmother Owen's house to say good-bye. As promised, she gave Nicholas a present for each day we were there. He just loved it! He got the phonics laptop, a cute little educatioanl robot, and a Toy Story/Buzz Lightyear RC car.



Nicholas also got a belated birthday present from his cousins, Jessica and Alyssa. He was surprised that it was a Star Wars Tie Fighter. How cool! He just loves anything related to Star Wars!





With Nicholas' toys and the wonderful nursery gifts from the Chances, our luggage was bulging. It seemed like a short trip to Baton Rouge but we rushes around as usual and at least we got to spend some quality time with everyone. We plan to go back again later this year soon after the baby is born so she can meet the rest of her family.

Happy Birthday, America!

Nicholas woke up bright and early this morning and we could hear him playing with Grandmother Chance in the living room. I love it when we're at home and he crawls into our bed in the morning to snuggle. However, I must say, it is especially nice to get to sleep late while Nicholas is happily playing with Grandmother - THANK YOU, Grandmother Chance!

Ed had brought home some incredible Bavarian Cream filled croissants from the bakery for us to have for breakfast. We had a leisurely morning talking with Ed and Janet. It was nice having some quiet time with them. Then we headed out to have lunch with some of our friends from college. Our little entertainer fell asleep on the way to the restaurant. Poor little guy just goes and goes until he finally crashes. I'm glad he got to catch up on a little bit of sleep.



We had a wonderful lunch with Kristina and her daughter, Grace, from New Orleans. They stayed with us during Katrina but we haven't had a chance to see them much since then. They gave Nicholas a travel size game of Hungry, Hungry Hippo which Nicholas just loved! We also enjoyed spending time with Denise and John and their daughter, Kira, who we met for the first time. Nicholas made friends right away with her and the three of them enjoyed playing Hungry, Hungry Hippos together at one end of the table.



We are heartbroken for Denise and John whose little boy drowned just last week at their home. Ryan Christopher Williams was 3 1/2 years old. With Nicholas being just a little older than Ryan, it really hit close to home for us and I can't imagine the pain and the difficult road ahead for them. We will keep their in our prayers and close to our hearts.

After lunch, we spent stopped back by Grandmother Owen's house and then headed to Uncle Steve Owen's house for grillin', chillin', and fireworks mania.







Nicholas really wanted to hold a sparkler and I hate to squash new experiences for him but safety is a bigger issue for me. I know they are fun and I remember loving them when I was little. However, I just didn't think it was a good idea for a four-year old to be holding anything that gets 3300 degrees hot! Fortunately, no one argued with me and Nicholas quickly found something else to get excited about.

We were all a little shocked to see just how far Steve had gone on the fireworks he had planned. He will forever be called the King of Backyard Fireworks in my book. Look at his collection!





Nicholas liked being surrounded by tiki torches but he kept trying to blow them out!



Nicholas had a blast at Uncle Steve's because Steve loves to act like a kid and play with Nicholas...and they both love Star Wars! Nicholas enjoyed the fireworks, although sometimes he got startled a bit. I enjoyed taking tons of pictures of his different reactions...











One of the fireworks was called, "Smiley Face" and when it explodes it really forms a smiley face in the sky. We didn't believe it but I've got the video to prove it. The video goes pretty quickly so you might have to play it again to see it and it doesn't help that the face is kind of upside down from my perspective. But it was still pretty cool.



We had hours of fireworks fun at Uncle Steve's. There were lots of other fireworks in his neighborhood but he had the best show hands down. When we walked out the front door to go to our car to leave, we couldn't help but notice that the entire street was smoky from all the fireworks. How funny!

We went back to the Chance house and got to spend some time with Nicholas' other Uncle Steve (Steve Chance), Aunt Donna, and cousins Jessica and Alyssa. Uncle Steve Chance also had some fireworks and sparklers. Although I was able to keep Nicholas from holding a sparkler at my brother's house, somehow I lost all input at the Chance house. Stuart was right there with him, not that he could have done much either with a 3300 degree burning stick. Nicholas enjoyed it at first but as soon as it started burning down, he changed his mind. I was quite relieved when he said he didn't want to do it anymore.



That was ok because he had more fun just playing with his cousin anyway! They have so much fun together!

I'm Leaving On a Jet Plane...

We enjoyed Granddad's visit although it seemed much too short. He flew over to visit us as a mini-vacation and because he knows how hectic our schedule gets when we are in Baton Rouge because we always feel so rushed around between both Stuart and my family. It was nice getting some quiet quality time with him at our own home.

We headed to Baton Rouge to spend the 4th of July weekend visiting with the rest of the family. We headed out bright and early to get to the airport. Nicholas was proud to have his own suitcase which Grandmother Owen had given him a while back. He didn't want any help with it at all.





We arrived in plenty of time to grab some Starbucks and watch the planes.





Granddad Owen was excited to be able to fly back next to Nicholas. He talked all about the plane and explained what was going on as we went along. He talked about how cars look like little ants and Nicholas commented that the little white cars must be the termites! The flight was short and all went well.



Once we arrived, Stuart needed to get a rental car. It was funny seeing him rent a car from Thrifty Car Rental since he worked there for so many years when his dad owned it. It was where he was working when I met him back in college. We told Nicholas about it but he didn't seem too interested. I guess all kids go through having to hear their parents reminisce about the old days when they really don't care to hear about it :)



We headed over to Grandmother Owen's house and picked up Uncle Steve Owen for lunch at Drusilla's Seafood. We had a nice lunch and got to catch up on what has been going on with everyone.





When we dropped Uncle Steve off at work again, we couldn't just leave the Rainbow property without at least playing on a few things! Uncle Steve was happy to play too, as always! He's just a big kid at heart.



We took Grandmother Owen back to her house and spent some more time with her. She said that she had a gift for Nicholas to open each day that he was there. Nicholas got a little laptop computer that teaches phonics. He loves it and seemed to naturally know how to play the games on it.

Just Hanging Out

We spent today just hanging out around the house. I had to go get a new cell phone and start packing for our trip to Baton Rouge. Meanwhile, Nicholas and Granddad just had good ole fun together including eating fresh watermelon! Who doesn't love that!

We had dinner at Cantina Laredo and believe it or not, we were too stuffed for our after dinner trip to Starbucks!

Of course, I had to get a picture of Nicholas snuggled up in Grandad's lap as they read bedtime stories!

Granddad is here!

Granddad Owen comes to visit us once or twice a year. Nicholas absolutley loves these visits. He likes to wake Granddad up in the morning, show off his toys to him, and play with him non-stop. This visit was no different. Nicholas even tried "riding horsey" on Grandad's foot like he used to as a toddler but he has gotten too heavy for that ride now.

We welcomed Granddad last night with a trip to one of his favorite restaurants here, Mikado's Hibachi. Yum and Fun all in One. Wow, I just made that up. We always have a great time watching the chef prepare our food right at our table. Nicholas even knows the sequence that they follow and reminded our chef about the onion volcano that he still needed to do!

This morning we needed a little wake up call so we headed to Starbucks. I love to just sit and talk over coffee, even if it is decaf. It's a little hard to relax with Nicholas there who loves to chat with the man next to him who is trying to work on a presentation or something. However, we all had fun.





Nicholas loves their Strawberries and Cream Frappacino. It's a pretty good strawberry milkshake if you haven't tried one before. However, he kept getting "cold headaches" from drinking too fast. When he gets them, he puts his hands on his head and then comes over to me for me to "warm" up his head. I've tried to explain that this doesn't help it go away but there's just no convincing him.



Today we took Granddad out to try his hand at Letterboxing. He is good at figuring out clues and we thought he would like this. He did! Our first clue took us to a cemetery in Argyle. The clues were great and easy to follow. Nicholas followed them well and found his way to a tree stump. He then had to think about which was the left and right sides of the stump in order to know where to look for the hidden letterbox.



He picked up the box and Granddad helped him open it. Inside was the log book and special rubber stamp. We stamped our logbook with their stamp and made a note about the date and location. Then we used our own stamp to stamp their logbook so the owner would know that we had visited their letterbox. We discreetly hid the box back where we had found it. On to the next box which wonderfully was in the same cemetery!

The clues for the next box began at a historical marker and a bell so we took a moment to learn a little about the area and the cemetery.



The clues then directed us to the back of the cemetery behind a gravestone shaped like a podium. The clues suggested that we stand at the podium and "talk" to our audience. Granddad was happy to oblige! Silly Granddad!



We followed the rest of the clues but had trouble with the last one. There were lots of brush around and we just couldnt' figure out which was the "small patch of bushes" where the letterbox was hidden. We looked all over but eventually had to give up.

We headed south for our next letterbox hunt to some property owned by the Corps of Engineers. This location has three letterboxes on it so we were sure to have good luck here.



We had a good time on the hike but the brush was apparently much more grown up than when the box was placed back in January as we soon lost the trail we were following. We made it through the tall brush with Nicholas riding on Granddad's shoulders. It took us a bit but we were able to meet up with the clues later on and Granddad found the old hollow log we were looking for. However, there was no box to be found.

We really didn't mind too much since we were having fun anyway.

Nicholas discoverd some animal tracks and some "whole grain wheat" (that's really what he called it too)...





I found some pretty wildflowers...



And Granddad made friends with a grasshopper!



We had to give up on the last two letterboxes because my pregnant self couldn't stand the heat for much longer. However, from a distance, we did see the tree in the shape of an arch which housed the second letterbox at this site but we didn't go hunting for it.

We got cleaned up and when Stuart got home from work, we headed out to Babe's for dinner for the best chicken in the Metroplex! Nicholas seemed to enjoy flirting with our waitress. She even invited him out on the dance floor with her when the wait staff all danced to The Hokey Pokey!







Here's Nicholas and Daddy picking out songs on the old fashioned juke box.



We rolled our full bellies out the door and headed home - tired, full, but happy. Nicholas wanted to show Granddad how to play Lego Star Wars so the guys stayed up a while goofing off.



But it didn't take long for everyone to find their beds and crash for the night.