Hello rovers. If you have retainers would you please retrieve them and put them on your teeth.

I have now had my braces for 6 days, only about 175 more to go. I knew they were going to hurt, but I may have forgotten just how bad. When  I was waiting to have them put on, I overheard a mother telling the front desk staff, “Johnny was hurting so bad from his last adjustment that he had to miss school.” I was thinking, “Yeah right, Johnny’s milking that one… missing school for having his braces adjusted, that’s absurd!” Then I had mine put on and the next day, I wasn’t sure I wanted to get out of bed or leave the house… I felt so bad for little Johnny because surely he has both top and bottom braces! I’ve also come to the harsh realization that I can’t eat things that are crunchy or hard. I feel certain most of what I used to eat was crunchy or hard. I’m adjusting {no pun intended}, but occasionally find myself sucking on crackers and chips until they’re soft enough to swallow. Please don’t feel too sorry for me. My husband reminds me that this is self-inflicted. I remind him it still hurts.

Our weekend started Friday night at the Orange Beach Scarecrow Festival where the kids got sugared up with roasted marshmallows while I sucked on Lays potato chips, one at a time. The real adventure, however, started Saturday morning. Last week we decided to take a little “getaway” boat exploration to Point Clear for a night, a 37 mile journey that was about as much fun as we can imagine having. The plan was to meet Erika, Chance and Sloane there for a couple days. The weather was perfect, sunny and cool, but just a smidge windy!

John Martin cracks us up because he has a really hard time staying awake on the boat. He can be sitting straight up in my arms and fall completely asleep. We weren’t very far into our journey when I looked over and he was completely sacked out.

The wind really picked up when we hit Mobile Bay, and we were all wishing we had windbreakers or a house boat. JM and Morgan were cuddled on a bean bag chair, while Paige and I huddled down on the bow.

The trip ended up taking considerably less time than we anticipated, and we arrived in Point Clear before our room was ready. For those of you who aren’t familiar with this area, Point Clear is on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay and is just south of Fairhope. Point Clear has a fabulous historic hotel that sits on Mobile Bay called The Grand that is very kid friendly {unless your kids are being loud in the hotel room and then they send the “hall police” to regulate}. Since we arrived early, we opted for a picnic, an acorn hunt, and a little pool time until our room was ready.

When we checked in, I took a picture of the room because I knew it would never look the same, and I was right.

Once we bombarded the room, Justin stayed with the kids and I was able to sneak out alone for a walk down the “boardwalk” that runs south of the hotel but between the bay shore and the homes that are water front. What a treat it was! Huge, old Live Oaks and Spanish Moss surround beautiful old homes.

That evening Erika and Chance {who were staying in Fairhope} picked us up at the hotel, and we headed into Fairhope to join Krista and Michael {our old friends, and new dentist} at Camellia Cafe. The food was delicious and the company was even better! We laughed a lot and enjoyed fresh, local food, seafood, and great conversation! I’m so sad I didn’t get a group picture.

The next morning we started slow with coffee and breakfast, and then strolled around the hotel property to take in all that the hotel had to offer {ducks, trees, winding brick paths, & a playground} before loading back onto the boat for the journey home.

It wasn’t even 24 hours later that we found ourselves back at the marina, loading up for the journey home! It had been almost a year since we got away, just our little family, and like our trip last year to the Grayton State Park cabins, this one was just as memorable! Erika and Chance {& Sloane} came over Sunday morning to see us off. We didn’t get to spend as much time with them as we had hoped because they had passed around a stomach virus last week that we didn’t exactly want. I know they’d like a trip re-do and we’ll gladly go back again for a weekend soon! Sister documented as we untied and took off from the marina.

We “hugged” the shore on our way home and took in the sights from the bay. We were going into the wind which made it even a little more windy, but again, so worth it. What a great little adventure we had! The trip both ways was as enjoyable as our time in Point Clear. On the way home we detoured into the Bon Secour River to see the shrimping boats. Once on the Intracoastal Canal we stopped at Lulu’s for lunch.

We love it here.

This is my excuse for not being here on the blog more. If you’ve ever been to Baldwin County, AL then you probably get it. Fall is my favorite season at the beach, the crowds are gone, the humidity has subsided, and the water is still warm! We have simply been soaking in our surroundings, and soaking up living together as a family. I find myself often thanking God that we are all together, and that I’m not alone at the brown house like I was last year. I’m so thankful that Justin’s here for dinner, boat rides and Little House before bed… active and involved in the lives of his children. It’s vital for them, and me.

The girls are doing great at school and love to go. Paige {our shy little one} received the Principal’s Award for Leadership in her class for the first 9 weeks of school and very non-nonchalantly told me she had to miss “centers” to receive her award in the principal’s office. Rover is loving his new preschool and talks about his teacher like she’s his best friend… he can’t wait to tell her things, and show her things! They are growing up overnight! Morgan has become a great reader and her front teeth are hanging in there only by a thread.

September was busy, just like the other months! It seems as though the weekends we are here we have company and the other weekends we’ve been on the road, either back to the brown house or to see friends & family. And the weeks in between have been filled with more visitors, homework, field trips, dentist appointments and school functions. Life has been full… in a good way!

Early in September we made our way to Erika & Chance’s to celebrate with Sloane… 2 precious little years of life! Momma Sissy throws a sweet party, Uncle Chance can come up with some super fun games, and Mom and Daddy Boy were there for extra dose of love… including DB taking Rover down the Matchbox aisle at the local Walmart!

We returned to the beach and had the pleasure of having Justin’s mom for a few days. It was such a treat to have her here and share the daily routine with her, which included a field trip to the fire station with 25 little Dalmatians! Paige’s teacher is so kind, patient, and resourceful! Those spotted shirts are being used for the next field trip, but the children are turning each little dot into a spider!

We also worked in a sunset boat cruise with Justin’s mom, and a sunset dinner bay-side.

Another perk of living at the beach is seeing long lost friends that happen to be vacationing here! We have had the pleasure of seeing lots of folks, and unfortunately we’ve missed several opportunities to see others! The week Justin’s mom left we had 8 adults and 12 {very young children} for dinner! It was an Auburn reunion of sorts {or you could say we had the Fiji’s over for dinner}… the Nebrigs, Wingfields, & Wilsons joined us for a wild night of chasing little ones, catching up, and food! It was so much fun! I’m so sad I didn’t get a group picture, or at least one of all the children!

If any of you knew or know Jared Wingfield, you will not be surprised that he came through with the entertainment for the evening… which just so happened to be dry ice. I tend to be a little more particular than letting the children play with dry ice but he proved me wrong and they all were safe and loved it! I do believe they had a little pep talk along the lines of “don’t touch it”!

I love little boys!

{Thanks, Meg for the pictures!}

Last weekend we hit the road again… this time for a little R&R for myself with two of the most wonderful girlfriends a girl could ever hope for. Justin took the kids to the brown house and I headed to PCB with Lindsey & Abby. We had PERFECT weather, and we embraced 2 mottos for the weekend: “every man for himself” {as in we fed no one but ourselves and cleaned up after no one but ourselves}, and “let’s be sure to finish off that chocolate peanut butter cake” {that speaks for itself}!

Saturday night we savored every bite of food poolside at Caliza… and enjoyed the atmosphere as much as the food. Here are my precious friends… I love them! We had the most wonderful time and lots of laughs!

Erika met us there… here’s one of us on the other side of the table.

We decided that these type weekends need to be on the calendar at least every other month! Thank you girls for a weekend of restoration & relaxation, and for your help with those notebooks!!!!

As I mentioned, our weeks have been busy with the same things that your weeks are probably busy with… like dentist appointments, myself included.

I took the kids to Daphne last week to see Michael Nebrig {ps- I love that my college friends are now professionals. It was fun to share with the kids that Dr. Nebrig gave Erika and I our dog Eufaby when we were juniors in college, now he’s our dentist}.  Everyone got a clear bill of health… except the Rover, he has to have a little filling in a couple weeks.

His office is fabulous and I know he has his sweet & talented wife Krista to thank for that… I’m not sure what Morgan is doing in this picture… interpretive dance?! See that black binder on the coffee table? It’s full of pictures of people with bad teeth who miraculously receive good teeth by going to the dentist. I scared the kids to death showing them what would happen if they didn’t brush their teeth, I’ll spare you.

Speaking of teeth. I’m getting braces today on my bottom teeth. Insert fear, trembling and a new family investment in Advil and wax… and maybe  a water pick.

I also got busted photographing these “teeth” while having my consultation with my new orthodontist. I played it off ok. I’m hoping for a sweet Auburn colored retainer when the torture is over with… in 6 months, he says. Today is October 5th we’ll see if they’re off April 5th.

This brings me to this past weekend…

Our dear friends, the Stanfords, came for the weekend to visit. We were graced with the most perfect weather which meant lots of boat time, island time, and even a morning at the trails!

When they left we were all so very sad. Many tears were shed and the kids begged for them to come back.  We’re hoping to make it happen again before it gets too chilly!

A few more random things before I scoot…

Paige is learning to tie her shoes in kindergarten… so I bought her a pair of shoes with laces, thinking she’d be so excited. No, she was completely devastated because she didn’t know how to tie them. I worked with her for 30 minutes to an hour, but she was so hysterical that she couldn’t do it she told me she’d never wear them. I tried really hard to explain that it would take her time to learn, that she wasn’t expected to get it the first day. Isn’t it funny when you think things will be fun and exciting and then they are received  so polar opposite? I had her wear them to school today, but as you can imagine she wasn’t thrilled. Anyone know why these chucks have 2 tongues? Are you supposed to fold one down?

Last night I set the little Rover up on the deck for a trim, and then I used my scissors to turn him into a big boy.

Then I wanted to glue the hair back on his head!

Ok, gotta scoot… I’d hate to be late to the orthodontist! We have a big weekend coming up. We’re going by boat to Fairhope/Point Clear to meet Erika, Chance, & Sloane! Should be an adventure to say the least! We keep reminding ourselves that we won’t always have these opportunities so we’re taking full advantage!