Shelter Cove

Dinner in Shelter Cove...obligatory pose with King Neptune

Uncle Dave and Aunt Pat

Trying to entertain ourselves while waiting on the food!

And then, as we do every year, we moseyed down to listen to Shannon Tanner, a guy that plays in Shelter Cove every weeknight from May to August. Each year he sings some of the same songs...here they're doing motions to "Green Alligator"

And there is a part of his show when he has the kids come up and sit by him on the stage, and if any of them wants to sing a song in the microphone, they can do that. Below, you see Alyssa on the far right?
After she came back to our seats, she said, with chin quivering, "he didn't pick me!" I said, Alyssa, you needed to raise your hand! He didn't know you wanted to sing! Would you have guessed from this picture that she was waiting to be picked? That she had already decided that she would sing Jesus Loves Me?

Poor girly. Next time we'll have her prepped with 'how to get picked' suggestions, such as: face him, look interested, raise your hand, get a wee bit closer....any one of these would have helped.

Grandma and Caden

Caden joined Grandma in some "hang head" time... And here, he wiggled his way in so he could get a better look.

Hilton Head

About a week ago, we returned "home" once again to Hilton Head Island. It felt like such a breath of perfumed air to be there again. I just love the smell of pine needles and flowers and fresh vegetation. As usual, I didn't think to take pictures of our pool surrounded with Live Oaks draped with Spanish Moss or many of the other familiar places imprinted in the memories of my siblings who couldn't make it this year. So, forgive me, Mark and Lynne, but this will have to do. Hopefully these pictures will bring back some fondness.









Here, Alyssa can't quite look the camera in the eye!

More posts to come.

Luli

Somethin Special

there's just something about daddys and daughters.

born princess

Today, as I was packing Alyssa's clothing for Hilton Head, she spied a dress she just had to have on her body. So we tried it on her, and instantly she was transformed into a twirling princess. She pranced about, and then she said "I just wis (wish) and wis for a child and a prince!" I told her she wasn't alone, many others have that same wish.

Then, she decided Caden could be her prince, so she dashed off to his room. He must've declined the role, as a moment later, she came running back, saying again and again, "Oh no, my prince is not a prince!"

We agreed that its very difficult when you find that your prince is not a prince.

Of course, I wouldn't know about that.

Psalm 30:11

You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.

I am, in all seriousness, praying this for Caden this week. I know it may sound funny, but by all means this promise extends to little people. And those of you who are familiar with preschoolers know that they have their sackcloth! Whether it be anger, kicking, screaming, convulsing, or sobbing like their heart will break over the socks they are made to wear, they are emotional folk.
The past couple of days have been really challenging, parenting Caden. I just have had trouble even knowing how I should respond to him. I don't know what is going on, (besides me PMSing) that has made the difference. But today I came across something in a Beth Moore Bible study that said, You were God's 1st and only choice to parent your child. You may have trouble applying "chosen-ness" to a motherhood role as maybe you feel like you defaulted into the position. But ordinary events are never coincidental in the lives of God's people.
This encouraged me greatly. And I know God will give Shann and I wisdom as we ask for it. For right now, though, I'm quite grateful that he has turned Caden's wailing into sleeping. :)

5, 5, 5 year old boy! (sing to subway jingle)

Waiting for Grammy and Poppy's gift....what will it be???? What is taking Daddy so long?

And out from the basement comes.... a plant! Caden tries hard to be pleased!

Just kidding! Then out comes a new bike! Much better!

Here is the silly monster cake Caden picked. Caden's friend Maisy, looks on.

Happy Birthday Cadster!

Easter

Here we are, just in from China the night before Easter. We were supposed to arrive on Easter morning, but luckily we were able to get an earlier flight. So we actually got some sleep before going to church!
After church, we did Easter baskets! (I'd hidden them in the basement a couple weeks ahead of time).