Saturday, August 18, 2007

We traveled to Colonial Heights, Virginia this week to visit my grandmother. Landon, Ella and I made the trip and Landon was amazed that my grandmother is 89 years old. She is now being cared for by hospice after suffering from alzheimers for years. I was content to see that she appeared comfortable. Alzheimers is a horrible disease and I hope soon they will find a cure so others won't have to endure the frustration and pain.

Outside of that Landon and Ella had a great time visiting Nannie and Pops while we were there. They really don't want anything to do with me while they are aroung but I think that is how it is supposed to be with grandparents. We also go to visit with my cousin and his family. Landon loved playing with Tanner and learned how to ride a scooter (3 wheeled one). It was miserably hot while there, stretching into the 100's but when we returned on Thursday it was 102 here so not much better.

Mike has been sick all week with strep throat and a sinus infection. I think this is the longest I have ever seen him sick. It was probably good that we were away to help him to rest and to keep away from germs. However, by Friday Ella had a fever and today Landon has one as well. Knock on wood, I have avoided the viruses but have been really tired. Also, well worth mentioning, Mike celebrated his birthday last week. The kids had a great time making gifts and also a purple cake for him. They sang happy birthday on multiple occassions and wore party hats for the rest of the week. I think the kids would love having muffins with candles in them every morning (they each had a candle in their muffin as Landon told me they could because they were "invited to Daddy's birthday"). Mike and I were even able to go out to dinner with some of our friends, Joel and Keri, of which Keri celebrates her birthday on the exact same day. Makes for double the fun.

I just want to end by saying that our hearts and prayers go out to the Boyte family. We continue to pray for them each and every day but today has been a bit harder than most. I ask that each of you out there will say a prayer for their family and remember them each day. http://www.caringbridge.org/cb/inputSiteName.do?method=search&siteName=lillieboyte

Pictures today are from a variety of activities over the last week and a half.

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

This heat is brutal! I hear it was 102 degrees today and I surely believe it. Luckily we didn't have to spend too much time in it other than going to and fro errands. Our excitement of the day was getting to go have a 3-D ultrasound of Baby Joyce #3. It was very fun to get to see the little guy even though he wasn't very cooperative. I poked and prodded to make him wake up but he insisted on sleeping with his arms and hands over his face. It probably cuts out some of the noise that he continuously hears from me and from the other 2 Joyce kids running around. We took Landon and Ella with us but they were more interested in snacks and toys than in the ultrasound. I just can't believe the technology that we can see our children in utero as clear as this with just holding something on my belly.

Outside of that I was able to work a lot today on some counseling that Caroline and I needed to complete. Nannie also was here this morning and had to leave this afternoon. It will take several days to get the kids back to normal after having Nannie here since Friday, specifically Ella who was very attached to her Nannie and really didn't have much of anything to do with me.

I hope you are all surviving this heat wave and I am certainly looking forward to cooler temperatures this weekend and next week!

Thursday, August 2, 2007

I can't believe it is now August. It has been a very hot week and the kids have really enjoyed being indoors for Bible school. I am not used to the early mornings and getting out of the house ready, dressed and fed but it hasn't been too bad. I have actually gotten a lot done but am very tired now. Outside of Bible school we have also traveled to Virginia, gone to Chuck E Cheese, gone to the pool and missed Daddy for several evenings as he had meetings.

I have made a couple of purchases for the new baby this week and for getting Ella adjusted to moving to brother's room. We still haven't started the process but I will try in the next couple of weeks.

Gammy sent us home the other day with some home grown tomatoes and some homemade banana pudding. Can you think of any other two yummy summer foods? I ate a whole tomatoe tonight by myself for dinner and thought about eating a second one. I am the only one in our house that likes tomatoes so I will enjoy tomatoe sandwiches tomorrow and think I could eat the tomatoe by itself like an apple. The banana pudding I save for a late night snack after the kids have gone to bed, somehow they just don't like it yet (I think it is a texture thing) but Mike does so it's a fight between who gets the bigger bowl.

Hope you all are well and staying cool. Pictures are some random shots over the last few weeks. Putt putt adventures and our nephew Aiden celebrating his 1st birthday.