Alligator Wrastelin'

When we go places, we try NOT to do "touristy" things. We like to try restaurants off the beaten path and take in new experiences. Well, on the gulf coast, most of thos restaurants are seafood, and since I don't want to take my husband to the emergency room again, we tried a "touristy" place. The boys had a great time. There was live music, hula hoops, beach balls, a kid play area, food, and LIVE ALLIGATORS. Malachi was too scared to touch it at first. Ezekiel boldly went to "pet" the aaa-gay-der. After dinner, Malachi wanted to hold and get his picture with the al-gator, so we did. It was a little pricey, but it scanned pretty well. So, thank you to Fudpucker's in Destin. We had a great evening!

Beach Pictures

Vacation Firsts

We've been on vacation this week, sort of. We left after church on Sunday to head down to FL to visit my brother & his family (who will be moving to Japan for a few years in June). We spent the whole day inside on Monday, thanks to some severe thunderstorms. We packed up the camper yesterday, and my bro hauled it down to the beach. Today is just us. Tomorrow we leave.

Here are some firsts for our vacation in random order. It really has been quite the adventure.

1. Ezekiel has been sleeping out of a crib (and fell off a few times).
2. Malachi & Z have been sleep deprived (not really a vacation first). Malachi has not done so well.
3. Malachi has decided that in his bad moods, he would take it out on his Daddy.
4. Ezekiel got only about 20 minutes of nap yesterday and did ok, not great, but ok.
5. The boys CLEANED A PLATE at the restaurant for lunch yesterday. We ordered onion strings. Usually they don't like onions, but it didn't taste like onions, and they literally ate it all. Malachi kept dishing out the little pieces to he and Ezekiel. It was funny. I don't think I'd ever seen them do that.
6. They both slept late this morning. Finally, their internal clocks were over-ridden by exhaustion.
7. Malachi busted his lip in the trailer when he was supposed to be sleeping. He was jumping from his bed to the trundle (Z's bed) and now has a fat lip. It wasn't a little bust, it was a big bust. It looked like someone chewed on his lip violently. Gross. Thankfully, he actually held a cold pack on it and took it to bed. It seems to have helped some.
8. Malachi "swam" in the pool for the first time today. I went to the dollar store before we left and got a set of arm floaties for each of the boys. Malachi is TERRIFIED of water, but he didn't want to leave. Thankfully, Daniel was able to talk him into it, and he was very proud of himself. He said, "Mommy, I can swim now!"
9. Ezekiel LOVES to swim. He would take off with his little tube from the steps when Daniel wasn't looking. He wouldn't kick his feet a lot, but when he gets his ear tubes out, I hope to put him in arm floaties, too, and turn him loose.
10. There is an AWESOME pizza place across the street from the campground. They do not skimp on the toppings or cheese in the least! That is a new one.

*I broke my glasses!!! I only have one arm on them now. It's a good thing that I only wear them at night and in the morning or middle of the night.*

***Pictures to come when we get home.***

Dear Malachi,

This is one of the hardest notes that I have written to you. The past few weeks, you have decided to throw fits. I don't mean little ones. I mean, screaming, crocodile tears, non-stop for at least 15 minutes. Those fits are usually over little things. I think we have discovered the "root" of these fits, but I won't have to tell you here. I'll remember for later.

We go through several days of fits until I can't take much more. This usually means a L.O.N.G. talk in the car-ride home & something drastic that we have to do (like going to bed without dinner - of course, after about 30min. that takes you to realize we mean business, then you can eat). I don't like these at all. I know that we have raised you to be polite & respectful and to accept "no" as an answer. You can't ALWAYS get what you want.

However, the next day, you are a perfect angel (like today). I wish we could have days like today all week long. It would make life so much less stressed. I love to praise you and hug you for doing the right things. I do NOT like to punish you. I don't like to punish anyone (even my students), but it is something that I feel that I have learned to do effectively.

Well, son, you are growing up so fast. You continue to improve on your speech. You are excited about going to school in August (4K). We have gotten free uniforms to last us through that year (unless you get an unexpected growth spurt). We are blessed, and so are you.

You love to pray for the food and at night before bed. Miss Nicki taught you "God Our Father." Anytime we talk about prayer, the first thing out of your mouth is, "Let's say, 'God Our Fa-ver.'" I love to see you say it at the dinner table (or at snack with your friends) with such fervency and eyes closed. It is such a blessing. I'm glad you like to pray.

And you L-O-V-E to sing, still. You and Ezekiel will belt some major tunes in the car or at home. Your favorite song is "I won't (don't want to) gain the whole world" by Toby Mac. You even call it "my song." It's funny that the song I wrote for you to the tune of Avalon's Adonai is now a distant memory to Toby Mac. I can't complain, though. As much as you like music (just like your momma), it is such a blessing to know that I don't have to worry about you singing inappropriate songs. You will sing almost any song on the radio, and that is a great thing.

I can't wait to see you turn 4. You've been expecting your birthday (July 9) to come since January, but you are waiting. I hope that we can move from the "trying threes" to the Fabulous Fours (?).

I love you, Malachi James. I am so thankful for you and the responsible nature that is within you. Many times you are so much more caring & thoughtful of others than I could ever hope to be. Keep that spirit with you always.

Much love,
Momma :)

Results

The doctor finally called me yesterday afternoon with the biopsy results.

It is a confirmed benign tumor. It should never become malignant but may grow (especially if more children are in our future). So, I'm cool with having a little extra something in me and not having it removed. I'm glad it is "nothing."

This experience has been a good one. I found out a lot about myself and my relationship with the Lord. God took something bad and turned it into good to draw me closer to him. How cool!