Josh Behind the Lens

Josh spent the day with me at work yesterday. Crazy I know but sometimes it's kind of fun to give him a break from day care. Since I had my camera with me as usual I gave it to Josh to take pictures of anything that struck his fancy. These are what I ended up with. I do love his perspective of this place

She's Home

We picked Anna Grace up from camp this afternoon. Yahoo!! We arrived in time to watch a little program put on by the campers and counselors followed by a slide show of some of the fun they had all week. I missed my big girl so much. She talked continuously all the way home telling stories of all the great things they did all week. They did crafts, sang songs, put on a talent show, swam in the pool and the pond, played in the mud pit, and AG's favorite had a sea weed fight. My girl who I worried would have to call me because of homesickness had a blast without us. It is amazing to me how she is growing up.





I copied the five pictures above from the camp website. Thanks Mr. Matt for posting them.

the kids performing a song they particularly enjoyed


the cousins ready to go home

AG love her counselor Tiffany who just happened to be from Bishopville.

Baby Cade

Our sweet wonderful former babysitter Hannah gave birth last night to her first child, Robert Cade Amell. He arrived at 10:56 weighing eight pounds one ounce with dark hair and good lungs. I was determined to be there when he came and waited in spite of the time (I go to bed around 9 usually) For anyone who reads this journal and doesn't already know, Hannah has been a second mother to my children. She is the only person besides family that I had baby sit for many years. She even lived with us for a while before Josh was born to help me out. She is like a member of our family and we love her so very much. She even let all of my children be in her wedding last year. We are thrilled for her and Jared to be starting on this exciting new phase in their lives. Since the hour was late when he made his arrival and real family comes first I have not yet had a chance to love on little boy but will for sure be making some time for that real soon. Hannah, Jared, I am beyond happy for you and wish you all the best that parenthood has to offer. You are in for the greatest times of your life.

Poor Rabbie

Sara Abbett, bless her heart, is going to be my child who always needs a little extra. One day last week when I picked her up from dance camp she said it hurt when she tee teed. We had been through this once before so I ran her to the pediatrician for a urinalysis. She was as I knew she would be positive for a urinary tract infection. Dr. Mommy just knows what's going on with her children. Anyway, we left with a prescription for an antibiotic and orders to be rechecked in a couple days. Good news was the infection cleared up. Bad news was she had to be scheduled for a couple of tests to be sure her recurring UTIs (this was the second in about six months) were not caused by something more serious. I took my precious baby to the hospital to have a renal ultrasound (piece of cake) and a test called a Voiding Cystourethrogram or VCUG (not such a piece of cake).

How is a VCUG Performed?
In order to perform the VCUG a small soft tube (catheter)
needs to be inserted into the urethra (where urine leaves
the body) and on into the bladder. Once the catheter is in
place, a special liquid contrast is brought through the
catheter into the bladder to expand it. While the bladder
is expanding special x-rays will be taken. Once the bladder
is fully expanded, the child will be asked to void
(urinate) while laying on the x-ray table. As the bladder
empties more x-rays will be taken.

I hated to put her through that but wanted to be sure she was ok. The doctor said everything looked normal. Thank God! I laugh though it isn't funny wondering what kind of specialist or test she will have to see next year. The girl keeps us on our toes for sure.

Sleep Away Camp

My Gracie has gone to camp. Not some day camp here in town but church camp an hour from here in Bennettsville. We can't talk to her for a week. Only mail. I thought I was ready to let her go, to let her grow up and be independent, now I am not so sure. I am honestly excited for her to have this experience but I am also heartbroken to have her so far away. My baby is spending an entire week away from me in the care of complete strangers. Meredith and Bill's daughter Mary Ellen is there with her and, being the kind of mom's that we are, Mere and I made sure they would be in the same cabin so they can look out for each other. Gray was so excited about camp. I think she had some of her stuff laid out to pack for at least a month in advance. I on the other hand waited until three hours before we had to leave to get her bags packed. I, in my rational mind, know that this is an amazing opportunity for her which will leave her with memories for a lifetime as well as new friends from other places. Who knew that Missy the cold one could be so affected by something like this. I am proud of you my Gracie girl. And, I can not wait to get you back to me.

Dance Camp

Sara Abbett went to the dance camp put on by the Rec. Department not once but twice this summer. They had one in June and another last week. Miss Sabrina was so good with the girls teaching them several methods of dance, doing crafts, and playing games. They walked to the primary school each day for lunch which SA thought was pretty cool. Mrs. Tisdale, Timmy's first grade teacher, lives right next to the school in a great big house. She was out working in her yard several days when the girls walked by and stopped to visit with them each time. Sara Abbett was excited to tell me stories from her. On the last day of camp each week the girls had a little program where they showed off some of what they learned and received a certificate. As an added bonus, Rabbie made several new friends. Life is good.

July 4th Weekend

We had a great weekend swimming, eating and swimming some more. On the 3rd Josh went with his friend Jenkins for the day to bowl and eat pizza. They had also planned to paint pottery but the place was closed. I think I want to go with them when they do this so I am secretly glad it wasn't open. You hear that Stephanie? We girls hung out with our friends the Sims at their pool and grilled out. What is better than good food and fun with good friends. The children all had a blast and got along really well. I hope we can all get together again real soon.

On the 4th we played at Aunt Jill and Uncle Will's, eating and swimming again. We were too late getting home to see the fireworks at the airport by our house so the kids watched the Boston Pop's show on tv. Life is good.

A Little Artwork

by Sara Abbett