Cruise to the Caymen Islands-BWI= AMAZING!

These two pictures above got out of order somehow! This post has a major picture overload and will probably be super long!

B on the way. He is honestly the most amazing traveler ever. He did not cry or complain ONE time, not even once. I was so proud of him! The trip there he only slept for an hour and half too. I have to admit, he did watch a lot of movies. :) We left Sunday morning (the 31st) at the butt-crack of dawn... had to stop A LOT b/c my brother was sick... we made it safely to Tampa after stopping at a yummy Texas Roadhouse for supper. We booked an amazing hotel SUITE online on the way for only FORTY-EIGHT dollars for the night-- I would totally recommend people doing this! We were lucky b/c our hotel was only three miles for the port. We got up and had a wonderful breakfast buffet at the hotel, made a quick trip to Walmart and then off to the port to go through customs and get on the ship... that was quite the job, trying to keep 10 people altogether. We were freaking out b/c Taylor left his passport in his bag and they checked his bag and then my brother left his license in his bag. it was a mess! We finally made it through customs and gave them a hard time all week! :)

Ryan, B, and I before we left our hotel in Tampa

After we got on the ship we got ready to go swimming/go to the waterpark area right away! It was so fun leaving port- I love that vacation is here feeling! hehe. We had a safety meeting and then it was back to more fun in the sun.


This was during the safety talk on the ship, he was so wiped out he fell asleep!

Brycen loved the hot tub.

Before we knew it we needed to be getting ready for dinner. We literally had 30 min. to all shower and get ready and make it to dinner. WHEW what a rush! None of us had watches with us so we had no idea what time it was (which I actually loved!).

Ryan, Brycen, and I at dinner the first night.

After dinner we went to a show and then B and I headed to bed pretty early. We were sooo tired. Ryan went to watch a comedy show w/ my dad then.

The next morning we got up around 8am and had breakfast and then went to the water park area. I read most of the day :) B played on the waterslides/sprinklers and Ryan layed out w/ me for awhile and took B putt-putting and then did his own thing around the ship w/ my dad.

B at the put putt course

B going down the waterslide!

in the sprinklers

B and Uncle Joe :)

We had the Captains Dinner that night (elegant night?). Food was amazing every night, but on this night they had lobster... Ryan thought he had died and went to Heaven! haha :)

B and his girlfriend Cory! He told her if she got another boyfriend to just kick him :) haha

the short... and tall of it :) my brother and i

my parents. my dad hates having his picture taken (as you can see!) lol

our waiter LOVED brycen :) i think the affection was mutual b/c he brought B as many bowls of jello as he wanted... one night he ate FIVE... and they weren't small either!

After dinner was another show... this one was a dancing show and it was really cute.

Ryan and I before the show started.

my brother and i at the show.

each night we would go back to our room to find a towel animal :)

On Wednesday we got up and were in the port of Grand Caymen Island:BWI. We decided to do a tour the first day so we picked swimming w/ the stingrays, visiting hell (it's a town), and going to a sea turtle farm.

The stingrays were huge. Some of them were up to 5ft. across look at those stingers too!

Ryan, and B with the stingrays on their bellies :) It was amazing! This was actually worth the whole trip Ryan and I think! They were super friendly... a little slimy, but it was an awesome experience.

The water was gorgeous! Where it gets dark is a HUGE drop off. It is the Caymen Trench which is the deepest trench in the world. I thought that was interesting.


my momma and i with a starfish!

my little cutie patootie w/ the starfish!

This sign was in the town of "hell". The town was called that b/c no vegetation grew there up until like 10 years ago.

Us 3 with the sea turtles!

B with the sea turtle! He really did love vacation-- you can tell by his face here!

so beautiful- i could sooooo live here!

wearing our cousin brookie's shades!

B and I at lunch at Margaritaville! We were sooo wiped out in this picture!

Ryan took a picture of all of us, but he cut off brooke and taylor

He loves his uncle joe sooo much!

After our tour and a very late lunch... or an early supper, whatever you want to call it then we did a little shopping.

B w/ a huge pirate. He thinks they are cool :) He got to see a "real" pirate ship :)

We took tender boats back and forth to the shore from our ship b/c the port isn't big enough for a big cruise ship to dock.

I took this on our tender ride.

After we got back to the ship we all took naps and then had a late supper. It was the only night we didn't eat in the big dining room. We went to a magic show that night. Brycen LOVED that! He talked about it the rest of the week.

Thursday morning we got up and ate breakfast and caught a tender back to the Island again. We did a little shopping in the morning and then went to the beach to relax for a few hours before we had to be back to the ship to start cruising back.


B at the Harley Store :) He is a Papaw's boy for sure when it comes to this!

B & I outside one of the stores!

Us three by the ocean!

B-- he loved playing in the water!


He said he was "surfing" lol

After the beach we went back and got ready for dinner.

He was so wiped out he fell asleep at dinner covered up w/ the tablecloth :)

Ryan, me, Our Head Waiter, Brycen, Assistant Waiter, and Gran :)

After Dinner my mom wanted to get family pictures to put in her Christmas Cards

~MY FAMILY~ *Dad, Joe, Ryan, Mom, B, and I

we took lots of pictures and Brycen was SOOO done! lol

After we took pictures we went and sat down on the deck and just talked.

Friday ALL DAY we hung out at the waterpark on the ship again. It was way less crowded than the pool. I read all day and B played in the sprinklers. Ryan was back and forth. Him and my dad couldn't sit still. lol. They went to the deportation meeting so we would know what to do the next day. That night we just sat by the pool again and looked out the ship. We saw hundreds of dolphins, it was AMAZING!

Saturday morning we had to be up bright and early. We got up and ate breakfast and waited for them to call our number to get off the ship. We got our luggage and got out of there pretty quickly! We left Tampa by 10:30am.

He was a big helper w/ his own luggage!

We were making great time on the way home until we were in a wreck right outside of Atlanta on I-75. We were thankfully all okay. My neck and back are sore and I need to get to the chiropractor. I was driving and saw it coming and so I stiffened up and ended up getting a little whiplash. We got rear ended. The other persons car was torn up pretty bad, but my car was actually ok! I have a hitch underneath my car and they had a little car so their front end went under my car and just hit my hitch. Whew! We had to wait on the police officer and everything took forever! We were there for at least 2 hours. It was burning up hot too! We ended up not getting home until 3:30 a.m. We were WORN OUT! It was a fabulous vacation though!

We're Alive

I know I haven't updated since being home from vacation. I have been overwhelmed with things to do at work and at home! I was hoping to get to my big update today, but it just doesn't look like that's going to happen. I'm off tomorrow and will be enjoying time with my baby boy at home playing, so hopefully on Thursday I will get to my vacation update! I have tons of pictures that I haven't even got downloaded onto the computer yet... told you I was way behind, and if you know me, you know that it is really bothering me! It's not like I have a deadline, but I hate missing my self-imposed deadlines anyway.

Last night we were busy working on landscaping on the side of our house. It's finally coming along. We had lots of old nasty stuff to tear out first and we got the edging put in. We just planted some petunias, we wanted something cheap and easy since we don't know if we will be there next year or not. If so I'll get different stuff next spring. Tonight I have a Pampered Chef Party to attend so Ryan and B are going to get mulch and put that down while I'm gone. It will be nice to have something pretty there instead of something ugly and unfinished-- that bothers me! I'll take pictures when it's done :).

I've been super bad at printing pictures lately. I'm going to get my vacation ones printed and then start back (i haven't printed any since christmas) and start ordering. I hate getting behind (wow I sound monotenous). haha. Anyway, I thought I would leave ya'll with a picture of Andon's headstone. I haven't been there when it's not raining to take a good picture. My friend Ayrika took this while she was at the cemetary.

It only shows the front-- there is a verse on the back.

I'll also leave you with a couple vacation pictures-- so you can preview what's to come-- I stole these from my momma's fb :)

Ryan, B, and I on the last night after dinner

B & a starfish :)

**Updated** I just got off the phone with Keith Meece, the Lead Pastor at Antioch Christian Church... I've been asked to give a testimony. wow. Amazing... I've been praying that God will use me, use our experience to glorify Him. I don't want Andon's short life to be in vain. I never prayed for him to use me in that way, I meant like a one on one with another hurting mom, but I guess God has other plans. They are doing a service on June 28th over Ezra 6. They will be video-taping my testimoney next Wednesday to play at the service on the 28th. I am feeling a little overwhelmed, but VERY led to do this. I have no idea what to say. There are three basic questions/areas he wants me to cover. It's basically about going through a tough time in life and only having God to rely on... what good has come through doing that... and what it was like at the time of the trial. 3-5 min. long... I just wanted to ask you, sweet bloggers, to be in prayer for me. That God will put the words in my head and that this will all come together and God will be given much Glory.

On Our Way :)

Our Happy Little Traveler :)

I'm blogging to you all from the back seat of our Rendezvous in Georgia! Brycen is sitting here with his monkey headphones on watching a John Deere tractor movie in the DVD player. Ryan is driving right now and everything is going okay. My poor brother has been sick since Thursday night and so we've been having to stop quite often. If you think about it say a prayer for him. I know he is sooo miserable. I just hope he feels better before we get on the ship.. and hopefully none of the rest of us will get sick either, santizing wipes are our best friend right now! haha. But seriously, I do feel sorry for him! We stopped at cracker barrel for lunch and it took FOREVER... seriously! We just hope to make it to Tampa before our ship leaves tomorrow lol! I'm just kidding, but it kind of seems that way at this point. Anyway, I don't have much to say, I was just bored and thought I'd give a little update! :)

Show Us Where You Live--Children's Rooms/Nurseries

Today is once again "Show Us Where You Live Friday" hosted by Kelly! I'm going to start w/ B's room.
These two pieces are new to his room. The tractor desk (which he is absolutly in love with) and the big red barn that's for toys/books. We have all his farm stuff (which is a ton) in the big red barn. And The desk has a bench (you can kind of see it) that pulls out and also opens up for storage.

Here's a clock my mom got him for his birthday (he loves anything tractor).

Excuse the unmade bed, he was in it at the time :). The Uppercase Living above his bed says "Lil Digger" and then his name above the window.

His dresser (which is actually my old dresser from home) and his drums (which he plays VERY loudly!).

His hamper w/ his Bible on it. We read stories out of here each night.

this is above his closet... i love it b/c it describes him well :)

looking from his bed towards the door

this farm thing was Ryan's and in his room when he was a little boy

Brycen's cow chair (it also has a little foot stool that looks like a milking stool).

And the best part of the room... the little boy that sleeps in it :)

Now I will show you what Andon's nursery looks like... some of you have already saw these pictures because I posted them back when we were doing the room.

Heaven's Gift... how much more I get that saying now... This shelf now has some more pictures of him on it.

his bedding... it was all wrinkled b/c B liked to play in there all the time

the chest of drawers (huge) that Ryan made for him. (the handles are now on there)

what you see from the door

The darker blue wall with the crib on it.

Thanks for visiting our home again :)

Keeping Busy

Well, hence the title, we are keeping busy this week! Tuesday evening we went to Montgomery to Hailey's softball game. It was so fun, those little girls are just too cute to watch. It made me wonder if that's what I used to do out there when I was that age! haha. I'm sure it was. Some of them got sooo excited so easily and it was just adorable! Sweet Hailey Brooke kept waving at us when she got on base. :) She is quite the hitter now, let me tell you! She did so good.



B & Hailey after the game


B taking care of Miss Mya :) He's so sweet with her (well most of the time until she tries stealing him and Hailey's toys) :) hehe

After the game we headed over to Marilyn and Phil's and ate pizza. Ryan and B had to get hair cuts before vacation so Marilyn cut their hair. They look so much better! :) I love when they have fresh hair cuts. We didn't get home until after 10. I was so tired and had a migrane :( so it was straight to bed for me.

Yesterday (Wednesday) is my normal day off, but I came to work anyway. I let B sleep in a little bit, but since I'm going to be gone next week on vacation and had Monday off already I went ahead and came in. I didn't want to, but I did have stuff that needed to get done. Anyway, I worked until 2:30 and then ran to Washington to Wal-Mart. UGH (have I ever mentioned that I despise Wal-Mart??) haha, I know I have said that so many times, but I seriously do! Anyway, I had a ton of stuff to get for vacation. Ryan, B, and I all need different sunscreen, I think I spent like $40 just on sunscreen, ouch! That stuff is expensive! Anyway, I just had a bunch of odds and ends to get for vacation and we needed some new beach towels, ours are getting raggedy. When I got home it was time to get ready for small group. We got ready and went to that. We ended up not getting home until ten again! I'm soo tired and ended up getting another headache, except last nights wasn't as bed.

This morning I let B sleep in a little and came into work a little later than usual. Tonight is my brother's track regional so I'll be going to that. It is in Evansville, but his relay team runs at the beginning so hopefully we won't be too late tonight.

~*~*~2 days until we leave for our cruise~*~*~

WARNING-- graduation picture overload :)

My "baby" brother and I after graduation... I did survive-- w/out too many tears.

Ryan and I before graduation started.

Logan (my cousin Tosha's little boy who is 2) and B. They were so good during the ceremony.

My cousin Brooke, Brycen, and Logan

Brooke aka Booger :) and I before graduation

You can tell from this picture how much B loves his Uncle Joe!

Joe & B

Ryan, me, Bubby, and B :) (joe was not thrilled about all these pictures we made him take)

My brother, me, and our cousin Brooke

My brother and his best friend Taylor-- whom I often to refer to as "my other brother". They are rooming together in the fall at college :)

Me and "the other brother". They call me "big sister" but I'm pretty sure they are making fun b/c I'm not so big. haha

After graduation we went to my parents and had pizza (graduation took forever, it was 2 hours long). I had to finish up Joe's scrapbook so it could be out at his party Saturday morning. I still had track sectional and graduation pages to do. We didn't get home until 11:30pm. We crashed into bed as soon as we got home.

Saturday morning we got up and got ready and went to Joe's graduation party. I didn't get many pictures, b/c I spent my whole time holding this little sweetie.

My cousin Tosha's little girl. She was only 3 days old in this picture. Laila Nichole. She was born Wed. at 1:30pm and weighed 5 lbs and 5 oz and only 18 inches long!

Me & Miss Laila. She slept the whole 3 hours I held her. :)

After the party we came home and I cleaned the house and did laundry. Then we got ready and went to Evansville. We met some friends (Shannon & Chadd) at Red Lobster. It was delicious! Then we went to the mall b/c Old Navy was having $1 flip flops. They had hardly any left when we got there. I did get an extra pair of white just b/c they get dirty so fast. We walked around the mall a bit. Brycen made a new best friend in Chadd. :)

When we got back in the car I realized my cell phone was missing. UGH. and of all things Ryan had forgotten his at home so we couldn't call it. We were meeting at Cold Stone for ice cream w/ Chadd and Shannon so Shannon called my phone for me. Some lady answered it. I was so grateful someone had found it, but she gave me the rundown- I really didn't think she was going to give it back! She had found it in the parking lot at JC Penny's (where we parked). When we got there it was raining soooo hard, like a down pour. Sooo my phone had sooo much moisture in it. But at least I did get it back. It wasn't working very well at all. I always set my alarm on it and in the night the whole phone just died and turned off. So we didn't make it to church yesterday morning. I finally did get it to turn back on but certain buttons wouldn't work. We had two graduation parties to go to. First stop was Taylor's, he lives almost to Oakland City. We were there for a bit and then had to go to Evansville and run some errands, we followed my parents there. Then we had another graduation party in Newburgh. A friend of the family, Holly's. Dumb me forgot both of their cards so I will be getting those in the mail tomorrow! I left my phone in the car at Holly's and when we got back in all the moisture was gone and it worked just fine. I don't know if it was the humidity in the car or what, but I'm so thankful, because I really like my phone. We got home last night and just hung out for a little while before bed time. Ryan is working today so B & I are just hanging out. I need to get off here and do a little laundry and pick up some toys-- those thigns just seem to take over in a matter of minutes!

5 days until our cruise :)

Blogger Award

I was awarded this by L.H :) thanks girl!

The rules are pretty simple-- write 7 things you like and tag 7 people to do the same!

1. I like chocolate. YUM.

2. I like when I find a Bible verse that just really applies to what I'm going through right!

3. I like blogging- hehe!

4. I like soft carpet that squishes between your toes when you walk on it.

5. I like deep meaningful conversations w/ my BFF-- and also I like the silly ones where we only make sense to each other.

6. I like how B makes me smile & laugh every day. He never fails to do this.

7. I like watching my husband do "man work" :) hehe.

~I NOW TAG~

Susie

Leilanni

Courtney

Shannon

Audrey

Sarah

Tera

~Have Fun Girls~