Playing in the woods

I am so happy that I am in the YW at church b/c I got to know Carla Porterfield and her family. She later invited me to come over with the boys for a BBQ (as we initially wanted to organize our miamaids list and contact the girls, and make them cookies). She lives in the woods of Bloomingdale, on 7 acres, including a lake! It is fantastic. Her husband has a taxidermy shop, full of stuffed gaters and other creatures. It was fun posing for pics, about gave Abu a heart attack as she saw Levi with the gater and carrot. The boys went for rides in the canoes, golf cart, Ruby ate some blueberries, we took home some eggs from a neighbor, made some Monster Cookies (that we later took to a ward potluck), we grilled up some hot dogs, and I left with a bag full of gater nuggets and deer steaks. Eek! What a beautiful space to have a home and garden. Made me excited for a potential Eagar life! 

Tio Gavin/ Lady and Sons

Tio Gavin came to visit us in Savannah, a quick flight for him through JetBlue. Ruby made him feel especially welcomed with her slobbery, chocolately, wet self as she devoured BBQ foods. He was a good sport taking the boys to play tennis and non stop football outside. We took him to Forsythe Park and that was fun to play on the playground (especially seeing them on the teeter totter!) Levi met a Therapy dog, which helped him feel better after he had woken up from a cat nap in the car (and didn't want to walk on his own, but have mama carry him). Ruby got a pretty dried reed flower, that she later tore up. We took him to Fort McAllister to explore some of the Civil War history. The boys loved the explore on the "mounds" and see the large watch tower (and throw footballs off of it). We then went to the Lady and Sons restaurant (Paula Deene). NOT impressed! We were there more for the memory, because the Southern Style Buffet was overpriced and not very fresh. We enjoyed the sweet potatoes and garlic croutons, but the rest was greasy. We did enjoy the ooey gooey butter cake, small portion that it was for $18 a person. I wanted to stuff my pockets full at that price to take them home! But, we did get some hoecakes and garlic biscuits for Jared. I also look like I am copping a feel from Paula in the picture! Whoops! The next day we hit up Hilton Head beach so they could play in the waves and sunshine. 

Random Savannah Fun

Trying to find some experiences for the boys, we came across VBS (Vacation Bible School). It is a free program that a lot of the local churches offer for our children. Sounds great! The first day the boys went and met their "Shepard," I couldn't pass them off faster! They are coming home singing songs about Adam and Eve, wearing bracelets that say, "Walk with Jesus" and telling me how Satan was a snake.  I am grateful that they can be exposed to different beliefs, and still let their own little lights shine through. I look forward to another VBS later this month. This is the first BREAK I have had in SIX weeks from my kids, for even just a few hours. YES please! 

Jared has been consistent about taking the boys individually on a daddy donut date. He tells each one how he loves them and they feel important, even if it's just for 30 min. 

Shelley and I do our best to have FHE weekly alone or together. This week we took them to a park (you can imagine how distracted the kids got!), talked about the Articles of Faith (since they are learning new things at VBS), had them do charades to guess which ones they were, played at the park, and picked up sugar free Klondike bars (I was the ice cream truck at the end!) We have played games indoors with watermelon on the porch outside afterwards. Whatever we can do! 

I had my first GNO with Kersina Nickels, discovered some local sweets and hit up Target. It was an important night out for me b/c I needed a break! I was a hot mess by the time she picked me up b/c I was taking it personal when my boys wouldn't go to bed on time for me to get out. I was so worked up that I was embarrassed by my behavior towards them. But, just goes to show that even mama needs a break...and here I have nowhere to go and no friends for my boys to go stay with for a playdate. I am learning patience and how to take a time out (in my closet). 

Stetson "Studson" is the boys' newest friend and role model. He works with Jared for Vivent this summer and for whatever reason, has taken Wes/Austin/Isaac under his wing. They now workout together, ride long boards, speak Spanish, and even write to missionaries on Sundays. He is a recent RM and I am happy that he can be there to help mold my boys into men.