The Glorious Beach, Part II

Well, it has been 5 weeks since my last post, and I am frustrated by my inability to keep up with blogging! I am 2 months behind, having never even gone back to blog about Easter and even Payton's Birthday Party. So here I am to play catch up once again.


The beach was wonderful! Even after 12 days we still didn't want to come home. And as you can see, all that time I thought I would have to blog, obviously didn't happen. The kids this year did better than they probably ever have on the beach. Payton spent most of her time in the ocean, and Elijah was in and out playing both in the water and sand. Her are some pictures of us in action.

This year we went to the Gularium in Fort Walton for the first time. The children enjoyed the dolphin and sealion show very much. And they thought all the the marine animals we saw there were pretty cool!

This last one is one of my favorites. We had gone out to dinner and then went to the marina to see the fishing boats coming in for the day and what they caught. Can you tell who was tired and grumpy and refusing to take the picture? Say cheese!

The Glorious Beach

Hello friends...the Presley family is currently vacationing in Destin, Florida. We look forward to this trip every year, as it is the one main vacation we get to enjoy together as soon as school gets out and summer starts. Despite Elijah's double ear infection and Payton having strep throat, we decided to go ahead and stick to schedule. I figure they are both on an antibiotics already, so hopefully they won't get any worse, right? Wishful thinking maybe, but we will see. So far so good.
It rained and poured on us the entire trip down here, but thankfully we made it safely. The rain stopped Saturday afternoon long enough for us to walk to the beach and we saw the most beautiful rainbow! It was so neat. The entire sky was dark with rain clouds, and then there was a bright rainbow across the sky. I wish I had my camera to take a picture, but I had not taken it with me in case we got rained on (which we did shortly after we saw the rainbow). I have written in this blog about several rainbows that our family has seen over the last fews years. I can't help but think of it as two things...of course it is a reminder that God is saying "I will keep my promises to you. Trust me, I am with you." But I also can't help but think that it is a reminder that Odell is always with us. Not that we forget by any means, but what an awesome way that God reminds us that Odell is with us always in our hearts.

I have gotten behind in my blogging, as I have several things to blog about that have happened recently. I hope to get caught up on some of that while I am here relaxing at the beach.

My Little Girl

I am a few days behind on wishing my sweet daughter a happy birthday. Payton turned 9 on Tuesday ya'll...9! It feels like just yesterday that she was born, and all of a sudden she is becoming a young lady. Like seriously. According to the doctor, puberty has officially started. And let me tell you, she is thrilled about it! As for me...yes, I am terrified. But so far so good, we have a good relationship about all that stuff, and we talk pretty openly about female stuff. She is such a blessing to me and I can't imagine life without her. Here are some picture of the family having dinner on Cinco de Mayo...aka...Payton's birthday.

"Happy Birthday to You!"

Girls of all ages love flowers, so Marshall got her roses for her birthday.


Elijah was quite excited all evening. Yes, that is icing...even on his elbow.

Payton and her Memaw Pat

Sweet Catie B...and the monster

Catie gave Payton a cute bathing suit, so she had to model it!

Happy Birthday Biggin!

Today is my sister Brooke's birthday! So I wanted to give her a shout out and say "Happy Birthday Big Sis! I hope you have enjoyed your day! I love you. Thanks for what you mean to me and all that you do for me."

Baby Stellan

I am still trying to get around to blogging about Easter, but this is heavier on my heart for now and I want to share...

I have recently added some new blogs to my "Amazing Blogs" list, and also a picture on the side that says "Praying for Stellan". If you click on the blog "My Charming Kids" it will take you to the blog of an incredible woman. I have never met the mother who writes this blog, however I feel more connected to her and in touch with her than I do with most people. She has 4 beautiful children under the age of 4, the youngest of which has a heart condition called SVT. I have followed her blog since before Stellan was born, and I encourage you to read her story when you have the time. But I will give you a quick introduction in the mean time.

At 20 weeks pregnant the mother (who is a photographer) learned that her baby had this heart condition SVT, which means that his heart beats at a dangerouly fast pace. She was told that he would not live once born. Well, he was born seemingly healthy and fine, and lived the first few months of life happily at home with his siblings. In March his heart switched into SVT, and he has been in the hospital now for over a month in the CICU. The mother has been faithful to blog almost everyday, and she has been able to put into words many of the same feeling and emotions that I felt as I sat in the CICU beside my son. I can identify with the words of this woman so much and as I read them certain memories of my own experience with a heart baby play back through in greater detail than they have in a while.

Lately, since Stellan has become sick, I have been more wrapped up in his story and circumstances than ever before. I am constantly checking my blog and twitter to see what is going on with Stellan, and how his mommy is doing each day. I feel so emotionally connected to this woman, as she shares her deepest feelings and thoughts while going through this storm. She loves the Lord, and has faith that amazes me every day. Stellan was moved from Minneapolis to the Children's Hospital in Boston today to see a doctor there. He will undergo a very risky surgery next Tuesday. He is known around the world (see his name gallery on her blog) and has even been on the news. With every breathe I am praying for this child and his loving mother and family. I have been there. I know what she is going through.

Following her story brings out lots of emotions in me now. Not only does it make me remember in detail how it felt to live in the CICU, but it also makes me think a lot about how my life could be now had Odell lived. I could be living at the Children's Hospital, torn between my sick son, and my children at home.

I encourage you to read the words of this faithful mother. We could all learn something from her love.

And of course I can't end this without a few picture of my sweet CICU son. So here are a few of my CICU memories...



Look at how purple the top of his hand was from getting "stuck"

The first time Payton came to visit Odell at Egleston this wonderful lady from the hospital spent time with Payton before she went back to see her brother. They talked all about what she would see, and what the machines around him would look and sound like, what all the things were that were attached to him, etc. Basically just preparing her for what she was about to see and experience. She also had art supplies and let Payton make pictures to decorate his area.

Payton was so happy to get to see him!

Look how swollen his belly is!

That's my boy!

Spring Break

Once again I am catching up on posts, but I figure better late than never...


Last week was Spring Break for THE WHOLE FAMILY and we had an incredible week spending time together at home...a place we feel like we never are!

I spent a lot of time cleaning out my house, trying to figure out how we got all this STUFF in the 3 years that we have lived here.

But we did do some fun things too...
Living in Lilburn is great because we are so close to Stone Mountain. We spent a day there at the playground and enjoying a picnic in the woods.

We also enjoyed a day at Zoo Atlanta. Something we did often when Payton was younger, but Elijah doesn't seem to remember ever going before. It was lots of fun.




Can you tell from Elijah's outfit on two different days that one of his favorite birthday presents is a hat and shirt from Bass Pro? Thanks aunt Brooke and uncle Russ.

AWANA

I am so proud of my children! The church we attend has an incredible AWANA program! I did not grow up with AWANA, but basically it is a "club" where the kids learn Bible verses and earn rewards and play games and have fun...all while learning God's Word. Payton has participated in it now for a few years, but this is the first year for Eli. This year Elijah has been a Cubbie, and Payton is now in something called Truth in Training. I was actually one of two leaders for a group of 3rd graders this year (which included Payton) so that we really fun too. Well, we have officially completed this whole school year, and I got to cheer for my sweet children at two different award banquets for them.

This picture is from the night of Elijah's awards.


This is part of my group of 3rd graders. What a fun group!

Payton finished her whole book so she earned a ribbon.

This is Elijah at Payton's awards. The preacher told all the kids to stand on their chairs, and as you can see he thought that was really cool!