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After a whirlwind of a trip to the eastern shore we have officially returned. Laundry is currently in process and toys are scattered all around the house....and I have 3 kids who when forced to take a quick trip in the car this morning melted down for fear of another long trip.....but.....we are home and very happy to be so. As you can see above...Aunt Jenelle got some really cute pictures of Ella and the family. We are really excited about them! We left on Friday morning around 3 a.m. hit some ice on the turnpike delaying us a bit but sliding on thru to the Maryland Pennisula. Uncle Colin and Aunt Jenelle have an incredibly small house, the whole house is probably a little bit bigger than my living room...yah....really small...so we stayed with Colin's adopted grandparents Millie and Nolan. They were great...though their house was full of breakables they were incredibly relaxed......Millie told me several times..."This is not a museum....we live here" Colin lives near Pokomoke MD which is on a pennisula between the Chesepeake Bay and the Atlantic I think it's only about 30 miles wide. Anyway it's about 20 degrees warmer there than here this time of year so Sat was around 45 degrees and sunny....but a little windy. Colin and Jenelle had a lot of locations to get some good pictures so we started out at a old building that was almost completely fallen down but was built in the early 1700's...it was pretty cool....such history in the area....we also took some shots in an old church that still had a slave loft....very interesting...anyway we headed to Chincateaque (sp?) the island off the coast that has wild ponies on it. On the way we discovered thanks to uncle Colin that NASA actually has a launching pad in the area. We got to see a rocket and found out that if Kennedy and Cape Canveral (sp?) were immobilized they would launch from right there....very interesting...it was all fenced off so we couldn't see much but it was still cool. We went to the pony island and got to see some of them running around and then hit the beach where we froze our butts off! They did have an ocean discovery place though and we got to see some sea horses...whale bones....dolphin skulls...ect...it was pretty cool and Gideon had an absolute blast. We hit a couple of Colin's church members homes too...one was up on stilts...it was on a small pennisula that used to hold a town but in the 1930's a hurricane swept through and made all but a small thin stretch into marsh land...pretty cool...we got pict's there too. Anyway we hit a local seafood place for supper and rested well....Sunday we headed to VA to see baby Walter. As we road through the mountains we got to see some bald eagles...no bears (much to Gideon's upset) and when passing D.C. we even got to see the captial and the Washington Monument...and we saw President Obama....well on a sign that is :).....anyway Baby Walter was absolutely adorable and Gideon especially loved him. Anyway we stayed the night at Melinda's family Get-Away at the edge of some mountains and then headed home yesterday. It was an incredibly fast trip but we fit a lot in and the kids really enjoyed it all! It's 12 hours out the Uncle Colins and from there 5 hours to Drew's so we were definetly tired of the car by the time we got home last night!!
Today is just a catch all day. Keith leaves tomorrow on another adventure for work...not gone too long though...just 1 night. Lucy is at preschool today and probably thoroughly exausted...I feel like I need a nap to recover from the weekend. Gideon was so hilarious at lunch today...for some reason he was on a kick talking about God and Satan...heaven....hell...a topic we talk about a lot lately....I don't know how good that is....anyway he was discussing how God is lightness and Satan is darkness...(he may have learned that in preschool...I don't know)....then he started talking about how we have to Beat that Big Bad Devil with the Bible Words.....I have no idea where he gets some of this stuff...it must be preschool...anyway he was quiet for a bit after that and then said very matter of factly...."Mom....When we go to heaven our bodies won't have to poop and pee"......well....I guess that 's true....thanks for the input Gid!! (So funny) Anyway that's it from here...hope you all are doing well! (Scott....so glad to here everything is ok...we've been praying!!)

Pretty in Pink

Alone....at last....for now at least

Ok....so have any of you guys had one of those mornings that you just can't hardly wait for rest/quiet time for the kids? Today was totally one of those days! Gideon and Lucy were wrestling and fighting all morning (while Lucy was here) and Ella screamed all morning. I called Keith is San Fran at around 7:30 (his time) and left a tearful message for him. I don't know what was in the air but extreme emotion was the theme of the morning for everyone (including me). Luckily now....Lucy is at school, Gideon in his room and Ella sleeping. Once Lucy left for preschool it got significantly better but I dread her return, since she's normally cranky anyway then. ...it may be a long night. Anyway....enough negativity.....last week was a great week and I am happy to report that not only did Keith make it home from Las Vegas all in one piece but we had a very quiet relaxing weekend. On Friday Keith and I even got a date night! Get this, we called ahead to a place called Blue Water Grill (seafood) and the only available time slot for reservations was 5....so we frantically called my mom to babysit and Keith got off early and we high-tailed it to the city :) to make our reservation time....on the way we realized we were going to be at least 15 minutes late so we called the restaurant again to see if they could "keep" our table for us and they said we could.....out of breath :) we arrived at the restaurant...only to find out that we were early enough we really didn't even need a reservation....they were seating people upon entery!! Hahaha....we had to laugh at our franticness!! Anyway we enjoyed a good meal...we got fried calamari that was just about the best I've ever tasted and had really good bread and salad before our meals came.....Keith's was awesome....he got Sea Bass and it was absolutely delicious! Mine....well ....lets just say that I need to read the menu a little better.....I ordered what I thought was tuna steak.....with rice and vegetables...what I didn't read right was that it was only pan-seared....meaning it was absolutely raw....in fact....quite cold (like ice) in the middle.....now I am all for exotic food and I really even like some sushi...but this was a little to much for me even...I was polite and ate some...but I won't order it again! Anyway, it was a really relaxing evening with just the two of us....man do we need to do that more often!!! Saterday was my grandparents 55 anniversary...so we all went out to a restaurant for lunch. It's so awesome to see my grandparents so happy after all these years. The reality of thier relationship has been such a blessing and a testiment for me. They have grown togethor through tough times and through good times and their love has not only remained but has grown stronger! I am thankful for their example of perserverance, respect and love...and I enjoyed celebrating that with them on Sat!
Sunday we just relaxed all day..as the kids and I did yesterday as well while Keith flew off yet again to San Fran. We had a little Presidents day lesson...Gideon colored a picture of George Washington and Lucy Abraham Lincoln...Gideon was funny...he said...."Lucy...I am coloring George Washington....he was president when I was a baby"....:) time is so hard for a 5 year old to understand!! :)
Well anyway I hope you all are doing well....we are headed out this weekend to see our new baby nephew/cousin and to have my baby brother and his wife take some family/Ella's 1 year pictures in MD! May you all be blessed this week with the peace and love of the Savior!! Love to all!

Big Laughes...Big Tears...

This last week sped on by......last Tuesday was just the beginning of the hectic week but definetly the worst of the days. It seemed like at the end of every day I was running until it was time for bed and then it seemed I couldn't get enough sleep to make me not tired the next day. Pathetically one of the highlights of my week had to do with my washer. The repair man came on Wednesday and let me tell you all it was not good news.....the washers transmission was bad....and just like a car.....that means $$$$$$$$$!! Anyway....my repair man is so nice...he told me to call the Maytag number and really sing them the blues....he told me exactly how to say what was wrong and what I should mention....he stated that there was no reason why a washer that's only 2 years old should have to have a new transmission and that Maytag should be a responsible party and pay for the parts to fix it or pay for a new washer. So.....I hiked up my pants and put on my game face....yah...ok....so I'm not so good at confrontation or "demanding" from a company who's wronged me....I tend to feel guilty and cave really easily....(case in point--the magazine salesman who called me 3 years ago....I'm still recieving really stupid magazines....at least for free....but I don't even read them they are so unapplicable to my life) so I wasn't sure I could do this....but....by the end of the conversation I found myself cool, confident and convincing.....and.....SURPRISE....they are paying the bill for the parts....YAHHH!! All I have to do is pay labor so instead of being a $500 dollar bill....it's going to be more around $75-$100!! So yes....my life is pathetic but it was a highlight for me!
On Friday, the family and I went to a farwell party for Kent and Ang who left for Albania yesterday. It was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be. Ang is my sister and it was hard for me to not only see her go but to know what awaits her and what she will be going through and growing through the next 3 years and not be close enough to give her hugs when she needs it and literally be there with her! I didn't choke until the end but I left the house (after giving her like 5 hugs) in one of those try to compose yourself...quick inhaling....sniff sniff.....teary moments...Love ya Ang...even when you're miles away!!!
Saturday....we began to tackle the backyard...tree disaster....they just cut down the trees leaving us with the clean up of branches and stuff....so Keith's mom and dad came over with the truck and Jim and I worked out back for an hour while Keith took Gideon to swim class and then after lunch the men folk tackled the job and got it almost all down....one more load and it should be good...then we need it to freeze again....yes I did say that.....me who wanted warm weather so bad only a week ago....the ground has to be frozed to take the stumps out and to move the little barn back into that corner so....come on freeze.....so we can finish the job! While the guys worked the kids and I went to the new church and played on blow up rides and in their indoor playground. The church is really nice and the kids had a blast....well Gideon that is....Lucy was waaaaayyyy overwhelmed and wouldn't leave Gramma and my side.
Sunday was nothing but rest and relaxation....despite one attempt by Keith to get the last load on the trailer.....in which....he got stuck in the front yard and just about couldn't get out....and decided the ground was just too thawed to back the trailer into the backyard...... did I say it's 58 degrees here today.....Very warm for February!
So that's the week and weekend! Tomorrow Keith begins travel season again...he'll be gone every week until mid-March now....trips to Arkansas, Minnesota....China and Chicago are in the works......that means single parenthood for me...which really stinks. At least we'll be busy with the preschoolers and swim and dance classes....
Tootle Loo!! (I've been watching Andy Griffith reruns with the kids for 1/2 hour before bed....can ya tell)

GRANDPA WALTER DIBLE (with Gideon)

GRANDPA GARELD ALLEN (with Ella)

PRECIOUS LITTLE WALTER ALLEN

(so sweet....it makes me want to cry!)

Presenting....Taryn's 5th Symphony....

So...does anyone know where Tuesday the 3rd of February went? I don't know about you guys but yesterday was COMPLETE AND TOTAL CHAOS!! Too many things in one day! Here goes the run down.....

Woke up.......1/2 hour later the phone rings.....and it never stopped ringing all day long!
The first phone call was a good one though!! My younger brother Drew and his wife Melinda (avid followers of my blog....thanks guys) in Virginia had a baby!!! YAYYYY!! It was a 9lb 2oz baby boy....holy cow huge!!! I am so proud of Melinda for her laboring!! Word is she did great but the little buddy just didn't want to come down so....they had to c-section...it was all well and good though...baby and mommy are fine and daddy is very proud!! I must admit I am a pretty excited aunt too! CONGRAT's DREW and MELINDA!!! They named the baby after my Grandpa's and he was born on my Grandma's birthday so it was pretty special! Gideon is super excited about his new "BOY" cousin (I hope you caught the emphasis) ...when my dad asked him about he whole thing he said....."Now it's uncle Colin's turn to have a baby" .....There ya go Colin....the pressures on from that little one:)

After that there were numerous calls back and forth to and from different family members
Around 9:30 the forestry guys came to cut down our neighbors tree and our three dying really messy pines in the back yard....they were here chainsawing from 9:30-5:00....SERIOUSLY ALL DAY!!! All I heard was BRZZZZZZZZ.......THUNK.....BRZZZZZ.....THUNK....(that is not the sound of the tree guys falling out of the tree for those of who are thinking morbidly)

10:45- Got Lucy on the Bus for Preschool....came inside....did homework with Gideon..
11:45-Got a call from my friends I am babysitting for on Monday wondering if I can come at 1:30 to get fingerprinted (fostercare babysitting)....
12:00Call my dad....he says he can come watch the kids/man the house while I'm gone
12:15 Make lunch.......call the washer repair man (yes our washer is on the fritz again)...leave a message...put Ella down for quiet time....wait for my dad to come....wait.....wait...wait......
Ok...so he forgot and was far from home..unable to come back....called Margaret...cancelled the fingerprinting.....got a call back from my dad...apologizing for forgetting (he felt horrible)....interuppted by a call beeping in from my mom..(she's got new details on the baby)...interupted by a call from Bryan the washer repairman beeping in.....interrupted by a call from Margaret beeping in to say we don't have to do the fingerprinting...that's ok.......WHEW!!!
Holy cow..I thought I was never going to put the phone down....I am surprised Ella slept through it all...with the chainsaws abuzzing in the background ....
2:30- Lucy gets off the bus.......back......her cranky self....from preschool......
2:45-Run outside to pay the tree guys who are just now coming over from the neighbors and starting on my trees....
3:00- Give my kids a snack of yogurt while they watch the tree come down... (On a side note I have got to stop saying Crap....Lucy looked outside and said...."Mommy....wook at all the cwap in our yayd"---and they say her speech is delayed...hahahaha!!!
3:30- Ella wakes up...cranky.....
3:35- Split up the 100th fight of the hour between Gideon and Lucy
3:45- Start making the pizza dough for supper
4:00- Calming Ella down.....keeping the other two from eating eachother alive....
4:30-Stick in a movie for the two kids so I can have some peace and make supper.
5:00--Pizza is finally into the oven....more comforting Ella while trying to finish the salad and get the table set for supper...
5:15- Get a call from my prayer partner asking if I want to meet at Mcdonalds at 6:30 to pray
5:20-Discover Lucy has been snitching food off of her plate and drinking Ella's milk...
5:25- Go out to the living room where Lucy has managed to get the pull tab lid off of the free samples of Enfamil that I got in the mail( that I was planning to give away by the way) and spread the formula all over the couch.....Yah!! By this point I was about to really....and I mean really loose it.....
5:30- Keith calls and i answer his Hello with a desperate cry...."please tell me you are on your way home and not working late again tonight"....to which he replies....yes....I'll be home in ten minutes.....
HALLELUJAH....HALLELUJAH.....HALLELUJAH....HALLELUJAH....HALLLLLEEEELUUUJAH!!
5:35- Vaccumming the couch cushions
5:40-Beep...Beep....Beep....Pizza's done
5:42-Keith walks in
5:45-Sit down to eat
6:15- Clean up what I can....run out the door to meet my friend
7:30....Return home....to clean up my kitchen....help Keith put the kids in the bath....
8:00...Relax with a popcorn snack with my kids...
9:00....put the 2 big kids in bed
9:30....put the baby in bed
9:45...Peace
10:00....Quiet
10:30....Night Night

Hope you enjoyed my symphony of the day!!! I'm just glad it's all over! Hope you guys are all well!!