The Bailey Buzz: June 2010

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Yea for plane rides.

Yea for happy children on those plane rides!

Yea for a safe arrival.

Yea!

I am so grateful today went so smoothly.

Yea.

Monday, June 28, 2010

...to be all loaded and ready to go!

It always takes so much longer than you think it will!

I am so grateful to be done.

Now, we just have to get it across the country and into our new place.

Hmmmmm, this may have been the easy part:)

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Today was a day of goodbyes.
We've met so many wonderful people during our time here in Georgia.

We are grateful to have known you.

Good luck on all your new ventures everyone. We will miss you.

Blue sparkly vomit...

Saturday, June 26, 2010

...doesn't make cleaning it up any more fun.

Russell ate some of his tooth paste today. It upset his belly and I got to clean up blue sparkly vomit.

Note: Vomit still smells bad, no matter how pretty and sparkly blue it is.

I am grateful it was just toothpaste.

Oh, Russell.

Diapers

Friday, June 25, 2010

Today I am thankful that I found Russell before he created a very big mess.

He was hiding behind a chair.
He had gone poop.
He had taken his diaper off.
I found him.

Thank goodness I found him before he sat down, or decided to play in it, or well, just about anything with poop would have been disastrous! So, that is what I am thankful for today. With so much going on and so much to do, I am glad I didn't have to add cleaning up poop to the list.

I can see...

Thursday, June 24, 2010

It's a miracle.

I am so grateful that I have eyes.

I have pink eye. It's painful, and I've had to wear my glasses instead of my contacts for a few days now. The prescription in my glasses is not quite strong enough, so my head hurts. It is so frustrating to not be able to see clearly.

Today I am grateful for my eyes.

Clever

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

So grateful someone thought of this:

If you've tried to find the end of clear packing tape, you know what I mean.

Serious Gratitude

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

My mother got into town this morning and I am feeling some serious gratitude. I am so thankful for her willingness to come here, help me pack and then travel with kiddos. Grateful x 10 . I love you mom.

Bed Time

Monday, June 21, 2010

I went in to check on Samuel before I went to bed the other night and this is what I found:

I love this boy. He makes me laugh. I am so grateful for his clever ideas, it keeps life interesting!

Happy Father's Day

Sunday, June 20, 2010

To our Fathers and Grandfathers:

Today we just want to say,

We are so grateful for you and all that you do!

Some Southern Hospitality

This weekend we spent a beautiful Saturday morning out in the countryside of Georgia.

Scott Carter, a fellow resident here at MCG, invited us and the other residents out to visit his family farmhouse and pond. Blue Hole Farm is a beautiful place. It's located about an hour away from Augusta. We spent the morning fishing, enjoying the sights, and having lunch. We had the pleasure of meeting Scott's gracious parents and enjoyed their southern hospitality. My favorite parts of the trip were, Sam catching his first fish, eating the very southern Brunswick Soup and Pimento Cheese Sandwiches(YummY!) and enjoying the company of good friends.

The fishing:

Enjoying the scenery:

Enjoying good friends:

We had a really good time together and the scenery was gorgeous. The Farm, though relatively new, already had such a wonderful history to it, of long summers full of swimming and fishing and fall's where the hiking is fun and the deer hunt plentiful. Thanks Carter's for sharing something you love with us. We are going to miss the friends we've made during our time here in Georgia.

Gratitude

Saturday, June 19, 2010

I am thankful today for my thoughtful cousins Mike, Mercy and Peter. They came to visit us tonight and we had such a great time reminiscing and eating good food. They had to drive over 3 hours to get here and then the same to get home. It was so thoughtful of them to come and visit before we moved and we loved seeing them.

I am so grateful for their love and wish them luck, to Peter and his fast recovery from his broken ankle and to Mike and Mercy on their house building adventures here in Georgia, their new Home Sweet Home.

Yea for indoor plumbing...

Friday, June 18, 2010

...you make it so much easier to do the dishes, bath the kids and clean up messes. The fact that I can choose whether the water comes out of the tap hot or cold is just fantastic!

I am so grateful for indoor plumbing.

Modern medicine...

Thursday, June 17, 2010

What a luxury that we have at our disposal simple medicines that can cure common ails, like a headache, an upset tummy or a fever. I am grateful today for that blessing in my life. I often don't think about them until I really need them.

I could venture even further into my gratitude for the blessing of modern medicine but I'll keep it simple and just share my gratitude for the simple relief of a headache.

Today I am grateful for...

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

...my favorite pair of PJ's. There's nothing like slipping into something truly "more comfortable" at the end of a long day. Ah, PJ's I love you.

Dear Dryer,

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

I really wasn't sure what to think today as I was folding some laundry I had just removed from your innards. All of the clothes had small little black marks all over them. Upon closer inspection I felt sure I recognized those marks as ball point pen. Oh, I wasn't sure if I was really mad or just going crazy because I am religious about checking for pens in pockets. Especially since my last episode with a pen in the dryer.(It ruined about 5 sets of Ryan's scrubs, not to mention the mess in the dryer!) So, I was truly puzzled as I started to look everywhere for what I knew could only have been a pen.
I checked through the clothes, on the floor, in the dryer, and the washer. NOTHING, anywhere. I was stumped. After another thorough search I decided it had been a fluke and that I should continue with another load. Much to my dismay, as I unloaded the second load I was noticing the SAME markings, everywhere. Ugggh! I was so frustrated because this time I had actually ruined a few of the boys shirts and I was so mad I had done it. AGAIN. Well, due to some screaming in the background I had to drop my search for the infamous pen and go take care of everyone. An hour or so later, while the kids were eating dinner I was talking to my mother on the phone and I mentioned my mysterious laundry problem. While checking all of the places she suggested I began desperately running my hand along all of the surfaces inside the dryer drum. Though I couldn't see it, I felt my hand run over a small bump on the back surface of the drum. There, poking 1/4 of an inch into the dryer was THE pen. The rest of it was hidden completely from sight behind the drum through the vent holes. REALLY. What I want to know is, How in the world did it make it into the washer, let alone the dryer? AND how did it get wedged into a small hole barely large enough to hold it(I had to pry it out with pliers) and then, how did it get stuck with the writing end poking INTO the dryer? That must have taken some serious planning on your part.

Although I am still a little bit bummed about you ruining a few of our things I have to hand it to you, that was some trick. I am still shocked I even found the pen but I am very Grateful you weren't broken during the whole incident. I really enjoy having your help around here but I'm starting to doubt my laundering abilities. Could you please try not to do that ever again?

Thanks for listening,
Me

P.S. I'll be sure to remind Ryan to remove all pens from the secret places he hides them:)

No need to sneeze

Monday, June 14, 2010

Today I took Russell to an allergist. He did amazingly well as they tested him for common allergies with the pin pricks test all down his back.

I am grateful today to learn that he is NOT allergic to any foods, only a few things like dust mites and one species of tree. Nothing serious, so it's great news!

Something I've always wanted...

Sunday, June 13, 2010

... was a hydrangea bush. A big beautiful bush with blue blossoms. So, as soon as I moved somewhere were the climate coincided with this wish I went out and got myself a small bush and planted it in my favorite pot.

After learning a little about hydrangea bushes, I knew that the PH of the soil is what determines it's color and so I proceeded to try and encourage my bush to produce blue blossoms by lowering the PH in the soil.

After a few weeks my hydrangea was not looking very happy. I was doing my best to take care of it but it was fading before my eyes. Even the single blossom had turned from pale blue to white and I couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong. I was pretty much heart broken when it lost all of it's leaves and seemed to die. I ended up putting it on my back porch and forgot all about it...until spring.

One morning I opened my blinds and was shocked to see little buds growing all over the once dead looking branches. Really?! What luck! I was going to get another chance. So, instead of trying to alter the soil I just let it be and made sure I kept it watered. Sure enough, despite all my gardening faults it started looking really happy and one day I noticed it was starting to blossom. Not just one blossom like before, but a lot of blossoms. Oh, I was giddy.

I am grateful for this beautiful plant that makes me smile every time I pass it. It now sits proudly on my front porch and I even cut myself some blossoms the other day. I just love that it's turned into such a happy plant and I didn't do anything. Some day I will try again to get my idyllic blue blossoms, but for now, I'm loving the beautiful pinks and purples.

The only way to beat the heat in Georgia

This weekend our good friends the Rogers had a little birthday party for their son Tyler. He turned two this week. Tyler and Russell are great buddies. They really like each other and play well together. On Saturday we went over to their place and had a little barbecue and party with cake and ice cream. The food was delicious and the boys had a lot of fun. Ryan and Paul took the boys swimming in the community pool and they loved it! It is incredibly hot here now. The temperatures are consistently in the 90's close to 100 and the heat index is above 100. It's like walking into a sauna when you walk out the front door. Nice.
The boys playing on the outside deck. They seem unfazed by the heat.
Ryan and Paul coming in with the food Paul barbecued outside. Thanks for battling the heat for us Paul. The food was fantastic! Seriously, there is nothing like a burger cooked over charcoal heat.

Tyler the birthday boy. Isn't he a doll?

We decided that the only way to beat the heat here during the summer months is to drink cold drinks and swim in the pool. Preferably at the same time.

On the way home from the party Sam announced, "That was a really good party."

Shhhhhh...It's a secret.

Saturday, June 12, 2010

At least it feels like one as I quietly lace up my running shoes and head out the door.

It's my Saturday morning, and as much as I'd love to be sleeping there's just something about getting up before everybody and running away from it all.

Just me, some good tunes and the road ahead. I like the sound of my feet hitting the pavement, and the feel of the moist air.

The race is on, as I try to beat the heat of the sun and the clock before the kids start their day.

I am grateful for the time to myself, and nothing beats the view.

Well, maybe until I can run along the coast...<>

TGIF

Friday, June 11, 2010

Thank goodness it's Friday!

Today I am grateful that Ryan is home from work now, and doesn't have to go back for two more days.

Because...I'm tired.

Plus, I really like him.

As the day comes to a close...

Thursday, June 10, 2010

I think I am most grateful for Sam's prayer before we ate dinner.

In it he thanked Heavenly Father for "Mom and the good food she makes us."

After a long day, at the park, library, and the grocery store. I was feeling a bit DONE, and I was so grateful for his little prayer. It almost made me cry.

Thanks for noticing Sam, I do it for you.

Painting pastimes

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Today we sat down together and painted some pictures. I love getting out the art supplies and getting the creative juices flowing. It's hard work keeping that paint from getting everywhere but the paper but it's usually worth the effort because I know the boys love it.

I like the progression of these photos:

Russell picks the color and opens the paint bottle.

I've put it on his plate and he's going to start painting...except, wait, this stuff looks like it may taste good.

Yes, he has to try everything! Yummy.

Sam is starting to really understand some color theory and we had fun mixing the primary colors into secondary colors. He then of course mixed them all together and got brown.

Evelyn was there of course, but she did this:

It is impossible to keep all of the paintings that are created, so I pick my favorites and put them up in a collage on the wall. I started doing this a few months ago when Sam was in school and usually came home with a couple paintings every week. I just keep adding to it, but eventually I will have to choose 1 or 2 of my favorites to keep. For now, I love having their art work displayed and I am grateful for the punch of color it gives the apartment. It brightens my spirits when I look at it.

Big Baby Blues

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Oh, how I love you!

My heart is full of gratitude for those sweet baby blues!

Carpet + playdough = unforgiving mess!

Monday, June 7, 2010

I spent an hour or more today cleaning playdough out of the carpet. Sam tried to get an impression of the carpet a few weeks ago and it's been drying out waiting for me to attempt clean up ever since. The stain would mock me every time I walked past it, "Go ahead, try to get me out! HA, ha ha ha ha!"

Yes, the mess was talking to me.

Are you worried about me yet?

Well, I succeeded in cleaning up the mess. But only with the help of my trusty steam cleaner! So today I am grateful for my in-laws, who saw the messes in my future and gave me the steam cleaner. It works great at getting playdough out of carpet!

My "Mouse"keteer!

Sunday, June 6, 2010

"All for one, and all for one!"-Samuel Bailey (aka the "mouse"kateer)

A few weeks ago we borrowed from the library the movie, The Three Musketeers Disney version starring Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy. Sam was officially obsessed after the first watch and soon became a "Mouse"keteer himself. Which is what he thinks it's called. I just bought the foam swords recently to replace his makeshift sword made out of a plastic golf club. Almost every morning Sam gets up and dresses himself, puts on his gear, which includes some Spiderman snow boots, any hat he can find and usually socks on his hands. Then he asks me if I will play "Mouse"keteers with him. Sometimes I even get to be the princess...

So today I just want to say, thanks Sam, for including me in the fun.

Take me away, to Coos Bay...

I've been waiting months to write this...and now I feel like I can officially say our new home will be COOS BAY Oregon! The papers sit before me on the desk, ready to review and eventually sign.

We've known since Christmas that we were interested in purchasing the practice in Coos Bay. After traveling there to check things out over the Christmas break I think it would be safe to say both Ryan and I were pretty excited about it. The practice seemed to have exactly what Ryan was looking for, and the location was more than ideal. After months of conversations, accountant calculations and attorney's drafting contracts, the final paperwork sits before us.

(Proposed signage, in the works)

We couldn't be more excited. Ryan is looking forward to beginning his professional career and we both are looking forward to setting our roots down in a more permanent place.

The big move is at the end of THIS month, and it will be no small feat to get all our stuff and ourselves across the country. But this is one adventure we've been looking forward to for a long time.

Take me away, to Coos Bay!

Sweet Baby Smell

Saturday, June 5, 2010

I love the way my sweet baby smells.

Not the diapers,

or the sour milk,

but the warm, sweet smell that's there every time I kiss her.

I am so grateful I get to smell it anytime I want to.

All Day today...

Friday, June 4, 2010

I thought about how lucky I am that Evelyn sleeps all night. Typically 7 hours in a row and then 3-4 more after a feeding in the morning.

Last night was the first time she only slept 3-4 hours between feedings and it makes such a difference! I think she may have hit a growth spurt!:) I am so tired today...I am so thankful for my usual amount of rest. I am truly spoiled.

24 hour

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Today I am grateful that the grocery store is open 24 hours, because I did not want to take everyone with me to the store today. The kids usually do great but I was just not up for it. So, since Ryan is going to get home at 10 pm tonight, that's when I'll be headed to the store. It can't wait any longer, we need food. So, I'll go...

(I'd rather be sleeping)