Happy Birthday to you...

Today is October 30, my son Odell's 2nd birthday...in heaven. I have taken the day off work today to spend time with my family reflecting on Odell's life and death. Imagine, a birthday party in heaven...I wonder what that is like? Thrown by the King of Kings himself, what a party it must be. Far greater than what we can even imagine here on earth. How many angels do you think join in singing the "Happy Birthday to you" song...10...100....1000....or maybe more? Imagine what that sounds like, and then realize that they are all singing to YOU. And the balloons...imagine the colors of the balloons. Colors that we have never even seen before, more beautiful than our mind can understand. I just wish I could be there with him to celebrate.

This was me, 2 years ago today. I was trying for a v-bac, so it was something we had to schedule because the doctor needed to be there the whole time. Contractions never really got going, so it ended up being a c-section. In hind sight, thank God, He knew what was best for Odell.


Brooke was there with Marshall and I the whole day. Would you believe that I found a 5 dollar bill in the pocket of my hospital gown?! How random is that?! It was all folded up again and again and again until it was very small, and you could tell it had been washed several times. You can see it laying on my belly in the picture of Brooke and I.

Odell Andrew Presley was born at 7:21 in the evening. He was 7 lbs. 3oz, and had the best red hair. All was well with the world. And for about 36 hours life was great. We had no idea what was going on inside him, and how our world was about to come screeching to a halt.

Hallelujah!!

Today was an amazing day, because Payton got baptized!!! We are so very proud and excited, it was a very special day. She was baptized in a tub outside of church, so it was really neat. A little cold though, but that just made it even more exciting! Here are a few pictures that I love.

Knoxville, Tennessee

Anyone who knows Brooke and I well, knows who the Sharpe family is and what they mean to us. Growing up they were our very best family friends, meaning that our parents were best friends, so by default the kids hung out and became close. Actually, our mom's were college roommates. They always lived in Knoxville, and we obviously lived in Atlanta, but we would often vacation with them to the beach, Gatlinburg, or Chattanooga. We have such a special bond to them, and it has really changed and matured as we have gone through life's tragedies together.


This past weekend, Marshall, the kids and I went to Knoxville to see Ashley and Todd and their new baby Lexie! She is 4 weeks old. They also have a precious 15 month old daughter named Raegan. Going to the Watson's always means big fun, including 4 wheeling, tractor riding, lots of kids and GREAT food. We had an unforgettable time. And I don't know who is cuter, baby Lexie...or big sister Raegan.

Meet Baby Lexie

Payton and Raegan


Of course on the way up there God gave us another rainbow. He is so good to always remind me that he is going to keep his promises. It was really neat, and at one point you could actually see where the bottom of it went into a field...you know, you could actually see the end of the rainbow.

Did I mention they just got a new tractor? They live on lots of acreage with cows on some of the land, so it is absolutely necessary. Elijah got to enjoy his first tractor ride, and Payton looked all too grown up and country sitting on the tractor.

Elijah and Todd

Eric also came by with his family. His has a 4 year old son Beau, and 9 month old daughter named Georgia. Beau and Elijah became quick friends, and Georgia actually took to Marshall! They were both precious, sweet children- amazing coming from the Eric we all know and love!

Beau and Elijah

Georgia and Marshall

We always treasure our trips to Knoxville, as they truly are a part of our family.

Ashamed

I cannot believe it has been so very long since I have blogged about something...anything. My excuse is that school (work for me) started back, and life is crazy!!! It always takes several weeks to truly get back into the groove of things, and get both of the kids to transition and get accustomed to their new schedules. Anyways, so this is a little summary of what we have been up to lately.

Payton and Elijah have enjoyed spending time outside in the yard. Elijah likes his bike, and Payton has been roller skating. They are both getting so big!!!

























Work is going very well. Working with first grade is fun, but much different than the fifth graders. The people I work with are incredible, I truly couldn't ask for a better place to work.



We spent Labor Day at Six Flags with the kids. They had fun as always. Here are some of the pictures.

That's about it for now, but I will be posting again soon. We are going to Knoxville this weekend!

The Rest of the Story...

A few weeks ago I blogged about going to Monterrey, TN in a blog titled "The Hemlocks". What you don't know is that I left out a very BIG part of what happened while we were there...




We only stayed one night. We got there around lunchtime, and stayed until mid afternoon the next day. The morning of the second day that we were there, we rode the Polaris into the woods a little ways, and then got out and started hiking. This area was called "The Enchanted Forest", and it was absolutely beautiful...stream and all. We were walking towards a covered bridge, and we were not on any trail, but just cutting through the woods. There were two people in front leading us, then Payton, Elijah, and me in the back.


All of a sudden Payton starts screaming. I look down and see bees everywhere! We had stepped on a yellow jackets nest that was hidden under the leaves, and they were MAD!!! Payton was right in the middle of them and Elijah was one step away. Amy (the only other adult in the situation) turned around and grabbed Payton and essentially got her into a clearing and started trying to get the bees off of her. I grabbed Elijah and went around the bees over to where Payton was. There were bees all over poor Payton! Even in her shoes and in the cuff of her shorts! It was the craziest situation. Both Elijah and Payton are crying, screaming, freaking out! We are out in the middle of the woods, a good ways away from the Polaris, and both of my kids are in bad shape. Payton got stung 3 times (it is a miracle that it wasn't more) and Elijah got stung twice. Nobody else got stung.



As a parent, I felt so helpless! Marshall wasn't there, and both of my kids were hurting and in need of me. Elijah wanted me to hold him, Payton needed attention too, and I am in the middle of the woods, a long way from anti-sting medicine, benedryl, ice, bandaids, candy, anything that might be of help. Did I mention that both kids are crying and screaming? Actually, Payton was just crying because of the pain, and it was heartbreaking because you could tell that it really did sting. Elijah was screaming and crying- things like "I want my dad" (who was in Atlanta) and "I want to go home!" (and we weren't leaving for several more hours). It was aweful. Needless to say that neither of them have been stung before, so ultimately I am also watching them both- waiting for some kind of allergic reaction. (Anyone remember the movie My Girl?) Definately not the most fun I have ever had.



So with Elijah on one hip and my opposite arm wrapped around Payton, we walked and met our friends on the Polaris, and got back to the house safely. But I am not exaggerating one minute when I say that both of my kids continued to cry because of the stinging pain for 30 minutes! Payton just kept saying "It really hurts." They each got in a cool bath, but in different bath tubs, so here I was going back and forth, trying to comfort both, but having to constantly choose one over the other, and divide my time. Then, after 30 minutes, they finally settled down and the stinging seemed to stop. Then they just looked like bug bites for a few days. No allergic reactions...thank the Lord.



So now you are probably wondering...ok, why is she telling us all of this now, right? Well, I told you all of that so that I could tell you this...



This past weekend Marshall and I went to the cemetary to see Odell. The kids were out of town with my parents. As we were standing by his grave, I looked down and saw a yellow jacket flying around in the grass around my feet. And then I realized...Odell will never have to feel the pain of a yellow jacket sting. Marshall and I watched him suffer greatly as they poked and proded his skin with needles and things. But now it is over for him. No more pain. He is free. What more could a mother truly want for her child? No scraped knees. No broken heart. None of the struggles of this life. He is free. And I can't wait to see him again!

Last Day of Summer

Today is officially my last day of summer! I have SO enjoyed this summer with my family, and am sad to see it go! Pre-planning starts tomorrow for new staff, so I have to go to work! Marshall doesn't have to start until next week, and Payton the week after that. And although I am amazed at how quickly the summer has gone, I am excited about working with first graders this year. It should be an interesting year.

Since today was my last day of summer we had to do something fun...right?
Brooke and Russ have a boat on Lake Lanier, so we spent the day on the lake tubing, swimming, and even picnicing on the beach. The weather was great! We had a blast.

Payton loved going tubing!

Elijah had so much fun he fell asleep while riding!

Payton and Brooke having fun on the tube!

Marshall and Elijah chillin on the boat!

The Hemlocks

This week the kids and I went on an overnight trip to Monterrey, Tennessee with our wonderful neighbors Amy and Rachel. Rachel's dad lives in a house that is more than 100 years old and sits right on the top of a mountain. As you can see from the picture above, the view from the yard is breath taking! He also owns more than 700 acres up there, including two different ponds to swim in, lots of land for hiking, and more fun than the kids could stand. He calls all of this The Hemlocks, and it has been in his family for generations.

Elijah enjoyed riding around to the different ponds and sites in the Polaris.

This is called the Cliff Field Pool. It is an awesome pond with a beach (he had the sand shipped in!), a slide, a paddle boat, a kayak, a rope swing and a diving board. Not to mention the catfish and large koi that are swimming around in the deep. Other than the beach, the rest of the pond is surrounded by a rock cliff (hence the name). It was awesome. We spent a lot of time here.

Payton and Rachel always have fun when they are together.

Everyone enjoyed the paddle boat.

Payton even got practice her skills in a kayak for the first time.

A good time was had by all...