North Carolina - Tuesday

On Tuesday, I was still trying to blog everyday so go here to read the story and here are the pictures --

I didn't think to leave the camera with Scott so I don't have any pictures of the boys with Logan, Cole, and Roman.

But they were at their happiest at the salon so here's the fun from that little trip!

Renee cut Parker's hair --

Aunt Linda cut Alex's (no pic), Luke's ...

... and Landry's. Here Linda's saying "enough with the pictures already!!"

Renee and Linda opened up Generations several years ago and it is a really cool place -- very high-end with massage, facials, mani/pedis and all that other stuff that girls need to maintain their beauty!! It would have been a great place to spend the day by myself!! Maybe next time!!!

North Carolina - Monday

Monday morning, we went to Duke University Medical Center to wait while Grandma did her radiation and look around a bit. It was pretty cool to see the facility and everything that was Duke. The campus was really pretty with some really neat architecture. All the buildings are made from this stone and when looking at the campus as a whole, it's a really pretty sight!

Of course, Scott and Alex were interested in where the Duke boys play basketball! Scott had come to an exhibition game when he was up in October so he was all about showing Alex around. We did get to go into the gym which was incredibly small!! It was like walking back into a high school gym from the 50's - very vintage looking and really neat! We couldn't take pictures because the lights weren't on and we probably weren't really supposed to be in there!! But it was really cool!

Later that night, Scott and the boys (minus Parker) went with Grandpa to a NC State basketball game.

(at McDonalds after the game)

While they did that, Melodie and I did a little shopping and somehow managed to work in a little Chipotle!! Imagine that!! North Carolina has Chipotle too!! Parker stayed home with Grandma and waited for Shantel to come home from the hospital. When she got home, they really hit it off and had lots of fun together! Shantel has lots of fun stuff to play with so they played games, watched TV, and just had a ball! And I, of course, didn't take any pictures of their fun!!

On the road again, numero dos

We are driving back across this great country of ours today -- this time through the south. We are hoping to make it to Mississippi today, then on home tomorrow (Wednesday).

I had hoped to blog a little every day, but obviously that hasn't happened!! I had some issues with my camera cord, then batteries, but now I'm back on track!

For memory purposes, I'm going to start from the beginning and hopefully, catch up to the present!! Some of this I already blogged about, but I want to get the pictures in.

We started out on morning, full of anticipation!! As the hours wore on, some of that wore off!!

We saw lots of interesting sights...things you just don't see often --

From Music Square in Nashville ...

We saw some really pretty parts of the country --


The kids really liked the tunnels that went through the mountains!

And, of course, swam as often as possible!

Look how happy we look!!!

By the end of Tuesday, we really weren't enjoying each other so much! But after a good night's rest, we're ready to go again and we should get home late afternoon. Yipee!!

Merry Christmas!!

It's Christmas!!

Unbelievably, most of the kids didn't get up until 8:00!! We're waiting on everyone to get breakfast and do whatever they need to do before we open presents.

Yesterday, we left Raleigh and headed to Winston-Salem. David, Kathy, and their kids were already at Nathan and Heather's house so with our arrival, we rounded off the kid total. For those with a nice quiet Christmas, you can just imagine the fun (and noise) we're experiencing here. There is 1 one year old, 2 two year olds, 1 three year old, 1 four year old, 1 five year old, 1 seven year old, 1 eight year old, 1 nine year old, and 1 twelve year old!!

We had our "party" last night -- the traditional Christmas Eve get together with lots of food and fun. The kids all got new pj's and they watched Polar Express together.

The kids are chomping at the bit, so I better go before they open presents without me!!

Have a great Christmas!!

Cousins I never knew I had

Today was a fun-filled day with meeting lots of extended family.

We started off the day with me taking Scott and the boys to Scott's cousin, Renee's house to play with her boys. For those of you drawing the family tree, Renee and Melissa are sisters and Melissa is whose house we're staying in. So...Renee has 3 boys - Logan is 12, Cole is 9, and Roman is 4. Nice correspondence to the Bagg boys, right?? When we pulled up to their amazing house, the two older boys were on their motorcycles/bike thingies at the end of the driveway, waiting for us, totally decked out from helmets to shoes!! You can imagine the looks on the boys faces!! They played solid for 3 hours, in boy heaven!!

I went and tried to get some loose end tied up that just don't really want to be tied up!!

After I picked the boys up, we went to Renee's salon to get the boys' hair cut! They were so thrilled to have to go from paradise to a pretty swanky-not-so-many-kids-salon!! Renee cut Parker's hair and Aunt Linda (Bernadine's sister, mom to Melissa and Renee) cut the other boys. While we were there, Linda invited us over for supper.

After a little fun back at Melodie's that involved lots of baking for Christmas, playing with Shantel, playing with Molly the dog, and more baking, we went over to Curtis and Linda's house. Linda is a great cook and we had an amazing lasagna...so yummy!! We ended the day back at Melodie's where there was still some cooking going on and the boys watched a little of the TCU game.

I should mention here that we've also gotten to meet a fairly new cousin...Shantel. Shantel is a very special girl who lives with Melodie and her roommate, Deb. Through a long and interesting series of events, Shantel has found herself under the guardianship of Mel and Deb, and I can't think of a better place for her to be. Shantel suffers from Cystic Fibrosis and is waiting to be placed on the lung transplant list. She has lived with Mel and Deb for a little over two years (I think) and has thrived in every area. We've heard a lot about Shantel but hadn't ever met her until this week. She was in the hospital early in the week, but came home last night and she and Parker got to know each other while the boys were at the game. The boys have asked all day when they could get back over to Melodie's to play with Shantel. She is such a sweet girl, very kind and generous. She has definitely had her share of the difficulties of life, but has maintained such a great attitude. Her health is a huge concern so the next few weeks and months will be crucial for her. Just seeing her medicine cabinet - a full kitchen cabinet - and her daily requirements including shots, pills, treatments, pricks, oxygen, and more make me appreciate the healthy kids I have. She has been a lot of fun to get to know a little bit on this trip.

Parker said at one point today, "I've met so many cousins on this trip that I never even knew I had!!" And there are many, many more to come tomorrow as we head to Nathan and Heather's house.

Finally, we can say, YES...we're here!!

We made it...finally!!

We arrived in Raleigh last night about 7:30. We left Nashville about 10:00, so yes, the math indicates that that was more than 6 hours -- even with the hour time change that worked to our advantage.

The boys did well, but I am definitely going to have to find some new movies for the trip home!!

It was good to see Grandma and Grandpa, and Melodie too. Grandma looks great even though we arrived when she was about ready to go to bed!

After chatting and checking out Mel's dog - a labradoodle - we headed over to Glenn and Melissa's (Scott's cousin) house where we'll be staying for the next couple of days. They actually left this morning and will be gone for the week, so we'll have their house to ourselves. They were so great to let us invade as they were trying to get everything packed. I think if someone had visited me on the night before we left to come here, I would have had a nervous breakdown!!

But, in spite of all the chaos, they packed, loaded, and left while we unpacked, unloaded, and stayed!! It was really great to see them --it had been a long, long time. They actually lived in Fort Worth for a while Glenn went to seminary and their first two kids were born there. That was about the last we'd seen of them (we moved off to Houston) and now their kids are 13 (Kayla), almost 11 (Jarod), and 2 year old Sydney. So, to say they'd changed was an understatement!!

They boys had a great time and Jarod was beyond happy since he only has sisters!! He actually met us at the car when we pulled up, he was so excited!!

About midnight, everyone went to bed and we've been off again today. We went to Duke University Medical Center where Grandma gets her treatments. We took a couple of the boys around the campus and we got to go into the gym where Duke plays!! It was pretty exciting...and surprisingly small! The campus is really neat, with an old, vintage-type look, and the basketball arena was no exception. Very cool!!

Tonight, Scott is taking any boys who want to go to a North Carolina State basketball game (not UNC or Duke, but still a basketball game!) and I'm going to finish up my shopping - hopefully - with Melodie.

Are we there yet????

That question has been asked approximately 39,348 times today. Seriously!!

About 100 of them were before we even got to Dallas!!

We pulled at out exactly 7:33 this morning headed east to Raleigh, North Carolina. We pulled into our hotel at exactly 7:29 this evening!! It was a really long day, but it went as well as it possibly could have. The boys were great even though they had no concept of how far we were actually going. They saw lots of things they had never seen before - crossing of state lines, Mississippi River, random universities and playing fields/arenas, and even Graceland!!

The single thing that made the day bearable is the amazing invention that is the DVD player. We have one that has two screens and I stupidly thought it would be enough for everyone. The problem is that the kids in the very back can't hear it at all so it just causes problems to be able to see the movie but not hear it.

Thankfully, I stopped by Deneise's house yesterday afternoon and they offered their DVD player. I really didn't think we needed it, but they strongly encouraged me to take it and I am SO happy they did!! It made a HUGE difference!! So, Shane and Deneise - you totally ROCK! Thank you so much!! I owe you BIG-time!!

Anyway, we're here, we've swum, we're ready for bed!! We've got six hours to go tomorrow so we're praying for great weather and smooth sailing!!

I've got some great pics but my cord is acting up again. Maybe later!!

The big 1-2!!

Approximately 12 years, 7 hours, and 9 minutes ago, a big, fat blond headed baby was forced from his mommy's tummy out into this big world.

The name he was given was Alexander Scott. He weighed a whopping 9 pounds and 5 ounces and felt heavy when held!! Have you ever thought -- wow, this baby is heavy, right after he is born?? Well, Alex was! But he was so cute too!! He had little blond hair that the nurses combed over to the side and big round cheeks. He was born with a little ridge across the top of his nose - a deep thinker, even as a baby!

That big baby has grown into a skinny 12 year old that loves playing basketball and video games. He loves giving his brothers trouble any time he can but can also be the most helpful kid around. He asks lots of questions and thinks about things, sometimes for days before bringing it up again. He is smart enough to make straight A's but school is getting kind of old to him and he's ok with mostly A's and some B's!! His closest friends are Reagan and Braxton but has lots of other school and church friends. If you were to ask him what he wanted to be when he grows up, he is confident that he will be an NBA player and will most likely be drafted straight out of high school!! His favorite place to eat (or lunch to be brought to school) is Chicken Express tenders, okra, and sweet tea! You can never go wrong with that!!

Alex, you're a great kid and we are very proud of the young man you are growing into. You add so much to our family and you handle the responsibility of being the biggest brother well!! Let's enjoy the last year before the dreaded teenage years hit!! Love you, man!!

Crazy Weekend

This weekend was Scott's annual basketball tournament. So, it goes without saying that life was a little insane this week.

This was the ninth year he's done it and though each year is always a little different, there are some things that never change about it. Those non-changing things would be the good basketball and the crazy long hours in preparation and actual pulling-off of the tourney.

The first year of the tournament, I had a small baby and I have been pregnant twice since then! So, my role hasn't always been one of putting in many hours during the weekend, but usually before it, doing what I could do at home. This year, with the last baby being a big boy of three-and-a-half, I was able to spend mucho hours at the tourney!! Thankfully, my mom took Landry for Friday night and most of Saturday so that gave him a little break.

My job this year was to help in feeding the teams after they played. Scott has always fed the boys one meal per day, but it's usually done at a nearby restaurant. This year, a couple of companies offered to bring their grills and cook hamburgers and hot dogs for the teams and they ate in the school cafeteria. So, it was my responsibility, along with my great friends, Emily and Sherry, to feed these hungry boys. So, feed them we did. I wish I knew how many hot dogs and hamburgers we served up.

So, it was a working weekend for sure, but it was also lots of fun. I am certain that it would not have been near as much fun if I had done it without my good friends, so thanks girls, for a great time!!

And so, I'm off to do things like laundry, cleaning, ironing, etc etc etc. Not doing laundry in that many days is no bueno for a family like mine!!

And no sleep is no bueno either! I've said more than once today -- we've been up till midnight for two of the last three nights!! It's time to catch up!!

So, here's the relaxing week ahead ...

Monday - first Upward practice - coaching Kindergartners - please pray for me!!! :)
Tuesday - Alex's birthday - family coming over for Christmas
Wednesday - church
Thursday - I'm open!!
Friday - packing for trip
Saturday - leaving for North Carolina!!

It's going to be a super fun week! After all, it IS the most wonderful time of the year!!

Reason #589 why boys should not go shopping with their moms

The shopping season is in high gear and it seems, more often than not, that Landry accompanies me on my shopping adventures.

He is actually pretty easy to shop with. He doesn't mind riding in his stroller -- most of the time. Toss him some food or gum every now and then and he's good. He is usually good for some interesting conversation.

But sometimes, it's nice to just go alone.

Case in point ... yesterday I HAD to go to Kohls because I had $20 in Kohls Cash that I had gotten from my amazing shopping trip on Black Friday and it expired yesterday. So, Landry and I headed off to Kohls to find something, anything really, to spend my cash on.

I had just a little $$ left when I decided to try on some velour pants/jacket that I could always use. We head into the dressing room and Landry is looking around, not really sure of what we're doing. I guess it's been a while since I've tried anything on while he was with me.

We go into our little room and as I'm taking off my pants, he says rather loudly, "Why you tatin' off you pants??" So, I say, "I'm gonna try on these pants on."

Then he says, rather loudly again, "Why you not bring your undies???"

I bust out laughing and say (practically yelling), "Landry, I have my undies on!! What do you mean you crazy boy??"

It was about that time that I realized the pants weren't going to work anyway, so we quickly made our exit and made eye contact with no one!!


I'm still not really sure what he meant!!

Santa from a different angle

Life is semi-crazy around these parts lately. Work is busy with a pretty much full student load. The boys are keeping busy with all their stuff. And, of course, Christmas is knocking on the door and that brings a little extra busy-ness!!

I saw a student this morning, dropped off work at a student's house, ran by 3 schools, stopped by the post office to get the must-have gift that finally arrived, and dropped by a different student's house to finish up some paperwork. I then headed downtown to see one of my fave students who is battling leukemia and has been in the hospital for a week. I saw "J" on Tuesday and she was in a lot of pain, was very uncomfortable, and just not doing very well. So, while I totally wanted to go see her again today, I was a little nervous about seeing her and really hoped that she had made some progress.

When I got there and the nice little volunteer grandma/information person called up to let them know I was coming (she's in isolation so there's a little protocol to follow), she didn't get an answer. I went on up and found her in the playroom working a puzzle with her mom. She was doing MUCH better and seemed so much more herself and I was so thankful! We chatted a bit and she excitedly told me that Santa was coming that afternoon and she was hoping to get a present!! After we talked and puzzled for a while, a Child Life lady came in with a jacket and hat/gloves for her and told her she better head down if she wanted to see Santa. So, she bundled up and off we went.

When we got downstairs, there was already a group of kids/parents/nurses lined along the drive of the hospital. It was such an unusual sight to see all these kids, most of whom had masks to protect them from all the germs, and many of whom were connected to their IV/oxygen poles. They pretty much all looked very sick. From missing hair to gaunt eyes to bandages and bad coughs, they were just sick kids. We had to wait for a few minutes and the kids were growing restless as they talked about how Santa would arrive on a firetruck. Interestingly, many of them knew that Santa normally came in on a helicopter. I wondered how many of them had been hospitalized during the holidays before.

Younger kids started crying and even my sweet little J started wondering if he would really come.

Then, at last, a firetruck turned the corner with lights blazing and SANTA in the front seat!! He had the bullhorn and started hollering HHHOOO HHHOOO HHHOOO!!

Oh.my.goodness! Those kids!! They started screaming and jumping up and down and waving!! It was unlike anything I've ever seen. They simply could not contain their joy!! I wish so badly that I had had my camera!!

Santa and his convoy (2 firetrucks and lots of vans) pulled right up to where we were and unloaded themselves. He had a whole fleet of "elves" with him. These were all grandmother-ly ladies that were dressed to the nines in green dresses and red legs and shoes and bells ALL over them! Their faces were painted up, they had elf ears on, and they were excited!!

Santa started walking down the line of children talking and being so sweet. He spent time with each one of those kids and knew exactly what to ask or say to them. J waited patiently for him and when he finally got to her, he gave her a big hug and asked her how she was feeling. She answered his questions and then before he left her to go to the next child, he asked her, "Has anyone told you lately that you are beautiful??" She thought for a minute, and slowly shook her head "no". To which he said, "Well, you ARE BEAUTIFUL!!!"

I almost cried right there!! I wanted to hug Santa and tell him that he was one amazing Santa!! She was so proud to talk with him and he could not have chosen anything more perfect to say to that sweet girl who has not one strand of hair on her head.

So, today I was reminded that it didn't matter what else I had on my agenda (because I had a few things to do after my visit with J that didn't happen) and with all the little stuff that worries me, I have four HEALTHY children. No masks, no oxygen, no IV's, no bald heads, no constant worries about germs and infections.

And to those people who made a little magic for those sick kiddos today, you ROCK!!