A WiLd and CRazY Week.

Wow what a week. It seems as though we have been around the world and back. Well close. This past week, I had the pure delight of teaching the kids music and missions on the Boomerang Express at VBS. Each night I had a red suit case packed with Mystery Missionary Clues. It was the key to my success. I could spend hours before opening the suitcase.

On Saturday afternoon, well more into the evening, like 11 o’clock, I helped Ashley set up the replica of the land down under-Australia.

Sunday was the kick off and VBS started with an ice cream sundae party.

Monday was the longest day ever. I had to go into work to screen kindergartners. When I left home, I thought I would be finished by lunchtime. At 5:30, I was exhausted and ready to go home, when I noticed I had locked my keys in the car--- I had to wait for mom to bring me a spare set of keys. Needless to say, I arrived at church just in time to swallow my food whole and then dance the night away at VBS. After VBS, we had to completely clean the sanctuary for a funeral.

Tuesday I got up early to fix dressing, peas, & Mac and cheese for the family at the funeral. After lunch, several of us, worked diligently to recreate the Australian masterpiece in the sanctuary. We have the best church members any church could ask for :~). We thought we would take a quick dip in the pool before church, but as with most of summer afternoons we were rained out. So we only had a few minutes.

Wednesday was just as busy. Once again I had to work, this time planning our preplanning week for teachers. This was a GREAT meeting because we were able to clear a few days so I can go to the lake with my family for the first time in years. YEAH Charlee spent the day with her Aunt Margie and Katie and the kids went Meme’s. As I had mentioned in an earlier post, Charlee has been diagnosed with Sensory Integration Issues. Two days a week, we have a “play date”. She loves it and thinks it’s wonderful. Katie had friends over for a sleepover.

They were so funny. They played Barbie’s with Charlee, gave each other pedicures and laughed the night away. I wish I had pictures of the evening. I don’t know what was more hilarious the girls dressing Barbie or all three girls sitting on the side of the tub with mask on their faces and scrubs on their feet. My bathroom smelled like a beauty parlor.

Thursday was the BEST day of the week for me, but not for Charlee. Our youth went tubing down the Ichetucknee River. Each kid rented a huge inner tube, but after all the tubes were passed out we had one extra. We took the extra one for her. I tied Presley, Charlee, and the fish raft that was original brought for Charlee and my boat tighter with some hay string I found on the bank of the river. Being old and less invigorated by cold water, I tugged along the boat for myself. All the older grandkids made the trip with us. Due to my in laws recent kitchen and bath renovations we carried Charlee with us.

We stayed, surprising, together the entire journey, thank the Lord. I was just beginning to adapt to the frigid water when Charlee lend back to see the beauty of the sky when low and behold…… she flipped over. Without considering the near freezing temperatures of the water, I jumped into the water to rescue my child. Take note; I forget to leave my swimsuit cover and shoes on the shore. She was hanging on for dear life to the handles of her tube. I could see her wide eyes through the translucent tube. She may have been in the water less time than most bull riders hang on to a bucking bull. She never said a word nor did she cry….but she definitely made a grab for the boat instead of her tube. Katie noticing the commotion, immediately abandons her tube to help. Thank the Lord the water was shallow, but the current was like a raging river.

Once Charlee was safe again, I tried to position my larger than the hole body, on the tube. Needless to say, I looked like a whale perched on the tube. Katie tried diligently to help. The whole time the current is sucking our massive caravan down stream. Charlee is petrified that she is going to flip again. Finally, I made it atop my raft and then it was to secure Katie back on hers. She being the smartest one in the family “trespassed” on to some strangers dock and jumped back on her tube. We were headed happily back down stream when Charlee speaks her first word after the escapade “See, I told you, I shouldn’t have come”. Yes I should have known from my own past experiences, that a trip down the Ichetucknee is filled with adventure and moments of near death experiences. Example being, when I was a youth at PGBC, my mom hauled a group of wild hoodlum girls to float down the run. During our peaceful excursion we encountered a mom gator, which took it upon herself, to act as a river guide and float along with us. I encourage you to ask my mom about this, as it is much too lengthy and detailed for me to recall by myself.

We successfully made it to the mouth of Santa Fe and the end of the run, ultimately the conclusion of our journey on the watercourse. We then proceeded with our “15 minute” walk back to the put in spot. Unlike the state park, this private section did not offer a taxi ride. Remember I told you, I forgot to take off my cover up, now soaking wet, well mixed with gritty sand, a 40 minute walk along a pebble/ lime rock road toting a boat, a fish raft, two large tubes, and Charlee--- it was miserable.

However, I felt more sympatric for the Musens, a retired missionary couple in their 70’s. Oh, did I forget to mention the massive thunderclouds and rumbling thunder ---the lighting came later. When we finally made it back to the post, I hopped in the truck to retrieve the missionaries (maybe they’ll put a good word in for me). When I got back, everybody was loading up on the church bus. The youth pastor was afraid of the terrible storm that was quickly approaching. Since the kids waited 20 minutes for me that morning, I offered to stay behind to wait for the man to return for the tubes. He had explained earlier, that they had a problem with other people stealing the tubes. I chuckled to myself “yeah right” but I waited any way. Katie, in-between lightning and the heavy down pours, climbs in the back of truck to get everybody a drink. When Lacey comments “Aunt B that man just grabbed 2 tubes” I jumped out of the truck as though I was the Tube Police and bounced over to the truck load with wool boogers and asked for the tubes back. The smoking dude, (to clarify, not smoking hot good-looking), in the back said in a lame kind of way “I thought they were the parks and were free”. Uh…. that would be a negative. I was waiting the houchie in the front of the truck to jump me. Funny enough, he gave them back and they went down the road looking for more tubes to steal.

We returned home to prepare for the final night of VBS. After the commencement service, once again we tore the stage apart. Luckily for a church in Bell, they gathered’ the extravagant decoration for their exciting week. By the time I had made it home Charlee was asleep. I grabbed her to lay her in bed when I noticed she was burning up with fever. I woke her up and gave her some Motrin. The next morning, no fever. By lunch, burning up again. I called the pediatrician. We headed for the BIG town, with everybody in tow. While we were in the doctor’s office Katie and the kids hit the new and awesomely improved playground up town.

At first the doctor found nothing wrong but ironically decided to do a throat cultural--- you guessed it STREP. This broke my heart, Saturday was the annual Quincey Family reunion. I knew there was no way I would reunite with my dear loved ones.

However, Saturday night my wonderful dad picked off peanuts and mom invited us over for HOT BOILED PEANUTS. My southern roots were overflowing with joy.

Mom fixed us sausage sandwiches.

The evening ended with a magnificent view-

Out side of visiting with my parents, this is my most favorite things about mom and dad’s house. Even though Charlee was still a little under the weather, she had enough energy to swing at Meme’s.

It seems as though everyday of VBS was filled to capacity with adventure. Maybe next year’s VBS week will be just as much fun and eventfull.

Pickin' Grass Seed

My man, on Sundays is the best looking, best smelling man I know. He is the image of anything but a farmer, well that is until you see is boots.

Monday through Saturday is a completely different story. His clothes smell nothing like the man I can’t get close enough to in church. If I could enclose a stractch and sniff you would totally agree. The first time my family meet Steven, they asked if I was sure that he was a farmer ‘cause he looked like a pretty boy in his hot pink Hilfiger (yes Isaid HOT PINK) and starched Wrangler.

For the last few weeks, they have tried to pick grass seed- our new sources of income since we have stopped growing tobacco. However, this past year the rain has caused pure havoc on the seeds. While waiting out the rain, they have spent numerous hours mechanizing on the mean green grass seed eating machines.

Despite the aggrevation, he still pursues the fields as though the bounty is plentiful. Last week, I had the privilege of helping them (Murrell, Robert, David and Steven) relocate to the next field of seeds. Steven has mentioned on several occasions that all of my posts are about my side of the family. So, I decided to do a post on the Hines Brothers men. The partnership originated with two brothers, Murrell and Robert and Murrell’s two sons- - hence Hines Brothers. Steven later bought into the partnership right after we married. They have dibbled and dabbled in almost everything except making moonshine. Come to think of it, Derrick makes homemade blueberry wine. Okay maybe they have been involved in everything.

Back to my original reason for the post, Steven asked me to come to the field and being his work truck, then take him back to the barn to get the semi-truck. When we first started dating it amazed me that Steven could drive a semi truck. I’ll never forget my first ride in the big honker. I was terrified the entire ride. Steven had commented on the rats that occupied the cab. My mind could only think “where I could go if the rat got on me or even worse what if a snake sneaked up on me and slithered upon my feet”. Needless to say, I could barely enjoy the time alone with my honey. Since then I have learned to sit Indian style or better yet only ride with my honey-love if we haul the seeds in the comfort of our truck.

Back to the story—

We load all the kids in the truck.

We stopped at the barn to get Steven’s truck when I noticed the barnyard full of combines. We searched high and low for Steven when Charlee spotted him—so she thought it was actually David. It amazes me the resemblance between all of them. As we peeked around the other machines we soon found our dad. Unfortunately the men have spent more time it seems like repairing the equipment than actually using it.
Part of the convoy proceeded to the grass field- 3 combines, 2 pick ups, 1 semi and a truck load of children. As we drove down the on lane road, I thought-- I hope we don’t meet anyone along the way. The road is very tight and has he most beautiful canopy. It wasn’t long before we meet a car. they pulled over and patiently waited for the band of farm machinery to pass.

You would never know by the excitement, that everyone in the truck was farm kids. Dillon commented that when he gets out of high school he wants to work on the farm. His dad manages one of the BIGGEST farms in Alachua, plus they live on a small farm. He said “I wish Uncle Steven would let me ride with him”. I replied “yeah I wish he’d let me ride some time”, then Charlee chirped in “your too old to ride with dad”. As kid I loved to go the fields and watch my dad and brothers harvesting peanuts, baling hay picking soybeans, that was, until I got old enough to help out.

When we arrived at the hay field, David immediately began picking. Then Steven arrived he cleared a small area to park the semi. As we headed out the gate we noticed Murrell coming with the semi. We all laughed as he cleared his path into the field knocking over small trees and bushes.
Murrell rode back to the barn with us and the adventure was over.

Here's one of our grass pickers that doesn't need repairing.

Charlee's Night Time Routine

The other night we were sitting around my in laws table, it was getting late when the following conversation went down.

Mom: Let’s go home and go to bed.

Charlee: Can we watch Kai Lan?

Katie: I don’t like that show!!

Charlee gives Katie the evil eye.

Mom: It’s a good show. Last night, they talked about overcoming our fears and it helped Charlee sleep in her bed ALL night long.

Katie: Well, she is Foreignese.

Charlee: No, she’s not.

Mom: Actually, I think she might be Chinese.

Whining Charlee: No she’s not foreignese.

Mom: You're right Charlee, she is Chinese. (Trying to prevent a temper tantrum)

Charlee: Yeah Katie, she doesn’t have 4 knees.

EVERYONE laughs hysterically except Charlee.

*************************


As many of you know, I have struggled desperately to get Charlee out of our bed for several years now.

I have tried everything under the sun and nothing works all the time. Here’s some of the advice I have been given.

Marsha –Give her a CD player and let her listen to stories or music until she goes to sleep. Result – Hollers and complains because she wants to listen to her favorite song again or the headphones continue to fall off her teeny tiny head. Ends with Charlee getting a spanking.

Doctors—reassure her she is okay and let her scream it out. Result: I lose it and spank her for kicking, screaming and throwing a temper tantrum.

Our brilliant school psychologist -- Put her in her bed and don’t say a word. If she gets in your bed during the night put her back in the bed just before she wakes up in the morning so she thinks she spent the entire night in her bed. Where did he get his degree???? Result: What an idiot!!! My kid is a little smarter than that plus she’s a fairly light sleeper.

Tons of others—our kids still sleep in out bed. Result: The need for marriage counseling or divorce lawyer– most men like to sleep with their own wives;~)

Annie—you needed to have moved her out when she was 12 weeks old or two years old. Result: too late advice.

The advice goes on and on.

After we returned home from church camp, I knew something had to be done. And so the adventure would begin. Steven had gone on a trip to Nebraska so I knew he wouldn’t be around to be bothered with the whining, wailing and crying until she went to sleep. Unknowingly, a friend at church, Stephanie gave me the advice that has made the longest running difference in my child’s sleep patterns.

We start the evening off with a good meal, some family quality time (lol). Around 8:30 –9 o’clock, we begin the struggle with bath time and the fight to brush teeth, for most kids this is their favorite time of the evening. Not at our house. To let you know how bad it is, the pediatrician is thinking Charlee may have some sensory issues and is sending us to an occupational therapist. After we have settled down, Charlee then picks 3 books to read. We read the books while I sit or lay in her toddler size bed that is barely big enough for failure to thrive Charlee. At 10, we watch Kai Lan. I am beginning to wonder if this is a mistake.

Out of no where, she starts screaming—“I don’t want to sleep by the window, the monsters are going to get me.” I have not figured out who has taught my child about monsters--- but I will hunt them down and show them what a real monster looks like. After we have the discussion that monsters are not real. I have to get our monster spray out and demonsterize our bedroom.

I spray the windows, under the bed, under the dresser everywhere a monster might lurk. The Mr. Clean man AKA the Monster Man works to keep the monster away during the night while we sleep. Needless to say, either our house is completely free of monsters or it’s the freshest smelling house in the neighborhood. Finally around 11 o’clock she gives in and goes to sleep.

The new thing this week is for Dad to sleep on her side of the bed because he’ll kill the monsters and protect her. I am not exactly sure if we are making any progress but every night she goes to sleep in her bed. Some nights, she sleeps the entire night in her bed . But for the most part, she wakes up about 4 and gets in our bed. I typically lay her back in her bed but on occasion, I am so dead to the world that I don’t even know she's in bed with us. However, the other night the roles were reversed--I got into Charlee's bed during the middle of the night. I rolled over and landed in Charlee's bed on top of her. Steven gently grabbed me and put me back in our bed.

We returned home from church camp on June 24, Charlee’s 5th birthday. Since that night,she has gone to sleep every night since in her bed. It may have cost me a $30 trip to Build a Bear but it was completely worth it.

If you should need some monster spray for your home, it is sold locally at your nearest Hitchcock's, Walmart or Dollar General.

Time Flies

I know, I have not posted anything in a couple of weeks. My camera is on the blitz. On a good note, that means a trip to TARGET.

I hate it. I have lots to write about but no pictures to guide my stories. Plus it is raining cats and dogs, hence we have not had our daily afternoon swims.....yuck. We've had a fast and fantastic summer, celebrated lots of birthdays and did a lot of canning.

Despite my unwillingness, Ashley has set me up an account on Facebook. Like I, have time to manage two blogs, a Facebook, cook 2 meals a day, work 10 days for GCSD, and swim everyday at 2. Something has gotta give. Not to mention, our school board had the nerve to change our school calendar, so we have to go back to school a week earlier---- no comment. I hope you enjoy the remaining weeks of summer---don't forget the sunscreen.

Youth Group Blog

I know that many of you follow Ashley's blog...but if not here is the address to our new youth group blog.

http://www.mphighsprings.blogspot.com/

Camp was the most wonderful adventure. I had the opportunity to teach one of the groups for our family group bible study. It made me realize how much I miss the class room. if you currently read your bible day--make it a point this week to look at the verbs or the action words. It is amazing how they illuminate what we as Christan should be doing. Another thing I had the kids do that I am going to use in my prayer journal. 3-2-1

3 praises for the day
2 people who need to know Jesus
1 question - Lord, what do you want me to do for you today? IF you are a night time studier you may want to change it to what did I do to further the Kingdom of Christ today?

I actually have watched the power of Christ make a radically transformation in child's life since he has accepted Christ as his Saviour. Because of this others are coming to know Christ. I think this has been especially exciting for me because most of the people I have seen come to know Jesus were raised in church and basically acted, talked and behaved similar to their previous standard. This person's attitude, language, behaviors, you name it --- made a "flip". If you do not know this ultimate POWER, please let me take this moment to share Christ with you.

Admit--that you are a sinner. We are have all sinned and fall short of the glory God. He wants us to repent and turn from our sinful nature Romans 3:23 Repent means to completely change directions-- make an 180 degree turn. Ask the Lord to forgive you and guide you. For the Wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans
6:23

Believe--that Jesus is God's son. For everyone that calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved Romans 10:13 The gift of salvation is free. All that he ask is that we call upon Him. He does not have a love that is based on conditions. He died a sacrificially death so that you may have eternal life with him in paradise. Our relationship with Him is not based on the works, the money we give or the perfect life we live, but that we yield our life to him. IF you truly seek Him, you will surely find Him. Seek him through prayer and reading the Bible.

Confess--Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. That if you confess with your mouth that "Jesus is Lord" and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9. When we confess it literally means to come clean or admit, we ask the Lord to take the burden of sin away. To accept Christ as our Lord and Saviour, you may say a simple prayer like this:

Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner,

And need your forgiveness.

I believe that you died for my sins.

I want to turn from my sins

I invite you now to come into my heart and life.

I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Saviour.

In Jesus Name ,

Amen

If you prayed this prayer, I encourage you to seek a local church. Talk with the preacher about your decision and make a public profession of your faith. Become active in church, read the Bible and pray daily. May God Bless you.

Kimberly

Oh goodness, Sakes alive--- Charlee's Five

Happy, Happy Happy birthday,

I can't believe my Charlee is five,

She is growing a tiny bit each and every day

like a pumpkin on the vine.




Now that she's five,

No longer a cuddly little baby (lol)

But a precious little girl

That has a lot to see in this big world.

Unfortunately, we were unable to have big celebration today. Steven flew out to Nebraska early this morning and I returned from youth church camp that was at Orange Beach, Alabama. Thank goodness, when Aunt Annie brought her to the church to meet us, she was able to celebrate with leftover cupcakes from Wednesday night supper (thanks Michelle D.) She enjoyed thecupcake and as we sang "Happy Birthday" she looked at us as though we had lost our minds. I am hoping, we can have a blast of a party on the Fourth.

Big Times in Cowtown for Kate

I am beginning to wonder if Katie needs a personal manager. This past week she was at the FFA Convention. To Katie’s surprise, she took home the BIG prize of State Winner in the area of Beef Production Entrepreneurship, plus a little cash.

Which means another trip will be scheduled on her agenda. Hopefully with some help, from an expert in FFA Proficiencies, she might stand a chance of winning nationally. One of the Judges, offered to help us prefect her application.

Typically they only allow older kids to win, due to the stiff competition higher up, but he felt as though her project has the potential to win-or a least be in the top 5.

Katie owes a BIG thank you to Ms. Marsha Cook for her talent in vivid descriptive writing, her dad for the money and knowledge to help develop her project.

Next week she leaves for the Cattlemen’s Convention, where she will work in the Angus booth sporting her tiara and sash. She’ll enjoy fame, the beautiful beaches, while dancing the nights away. Did I forget to mention, maybe she’ll meet some cute cowboys? What more could a country girl ask for? Sounds like a cowgirls dream. She will travel with my sister and her family.

Katie returns home on Friday and leaves again for youth camp on Saturday. However this road trip mom will be in tow. This will be the first youth camp I have been to in 15-20 years. I am very excited but would like to solicit any prayers that you may want to offer for our kids. A lot of the youth going with us are not Christian nor do they come from families that support them spiritual. I will have to say they are awesome kids and every time I am with them, I am blessed beyond means. I will be leading the middle school youth for our daily church discussion and Bible study. The theme is FLIP meaning that when we accept Christ, we should flip /change from our old self. There will be about 35 people going. Specifically pray for wisdom for the adults, pray for positive attitudes (everybody) safety traveling, that the HOLY SPIRIT will move in a massive way and that lives will ultimately be changed for eternity.


I hope July is not quite as hectic….