Monday, August 15, 2016

MELODY'S VISIT


Well it seems as if I have been away from blogging for WEEKS instead of several days, and truthfully my computer is soooo bad I am not sure I can even manage to get a post up, but I am going to give it a try  We are hopefully going to buy a new computer this week sometime, or at least on Sat anyway, so I guess worse case if I can't get this to cooperate, I will have a brand new one to work with soon  We had just the best week with my daughter, but SOO much went on I honestly don't know if I can catch it all up.  Maybe if I try really hard I can just give the condensed versions of everything, but knowing me I doubt it, lol.  Downloading pics is one of the biggest issues this computer has right now, so I don't know if I can make that work either.  Let's back up to a week ago last Thursday.  That night after hubby arrived home from work our dog Elvis just suddenly began acting strangely.  Now at 14 years old he had been slowing down for a while, and not quite himself.  But he had just taken a long walk the night before, and spent his day the way he spent most of his days that day as well.  I feel the need to mention since I know I have barely mentioned Elvis in any of my posts, that he is my husbands dog.  Actually he was originally Melody's dog.  She bought him 14 years ago, and yet the dog attached himself primarily to my hubby, so when Melody married and moved away eight years ago, Elvis was left behind with us. I guess I should mention [much to the horror of most of you I am sure] that I am just not a dog person. Not that I dislike dogs, I would just rather not hassle them.  We have NEVER been without a dog since we were first married however, as hubby and all of my kids felt very differently, and I was very willing to let them have these pets as long as I didn't have to do much.  Elvis is a Chihuahua btw. Anyway, within an hour and a half of my hubby arriving home, Elvis passed away.  It was really VERY sad, as of course my husband was quite devastated, and it has surprised even me how much his presence has been missed.  The good news is that Elvis lived a LONG and full life, and never suffered or was really sick while he was here.  He brought countless hours of pleasure to my hubby and kids and grandkids, and he will definitely be terribly missed.  I was glad that my daughter and her three kids were due to arrive the next evening, as I knew that it would be a very pleasant and busy distraction for my husband.

READY TO GO WITH THEIR BACK PACKS


Melody, as you might recall, was to fly in with the 3 kids by herself a week ago last Friday.  Considering the oldest is only 4, she had her hands full to say the very least.  It was all going very well however, until they went to land in Vegas. There are NO straight through flights from Midland Texas where they fly out of, to California btw, so there is always a lay over somewhere, usually Vegas.  Anyway, as the plane began the descent to land, it began bouncing quite violently.  A minute or so into it, Melody began to feel VERY sick to her stomach, like she might begin throwing up.  She broke out in a cold sweat.  Then she noticed Luke [the just turned 3 year old] had begun to cry, and Sam [the 4 year old] told her his tummy felt funny and he thought he might barf.  Luke then told her, me too.  Meanwhile 15 month old Claire sat on her lap wiggling and struggling and doing everything she could to get down..  Somehow she got both boys barf bags, and began praying she wouldn't need one herself.  Meanwhile, people all around them were vomiting and wondering loudly what was going on.  Melody has flown hundreds of times [or so it seems] and she has never experienced the rocking and bouncing quite like this.  Then......just as the plane was about to hit the ground, it suddenly swooped upward again, and now everyone was REALLY flipping out.  It made a HUGE circle and then began the descent again.  This time it was only a little bouncy, but by this time all 3 of her kids were crying, and Melody said if it would have done any good, she would have done some crying herself.  But the plane hit the ground, came to a stop, and everyone got off.  They never did know what had happened.
SO FAR SO GOOD IN THIS PHOTO
Thankfully her 3 had never thrown up and seemed to be fine as the plane came to a stop, and stopped crying pretty much right away.  Sooo then all she had to do was spend 2 and half hours in an airport with 3 little ones before getting back on another plane for the 45 min flight to California.  She said they really did very well with this.  She got them all dinner, they ate, and then she found them a place they could run around and entertain themselves until it got close to time to board.  Then she took them all to the bathroom, and changed the baby, and boarded the plane.....where they sat doing NOTHING for the next 45 minutes on the runway!  It was the straw that broke the camels back for the baby.  Claire was suddenly done.  She wanted down, and she wiggled and struggled and fussed.  Melody said it was kind of like holding a wet cat, lol.  The boys were angels however and she couldn't have been more grateful.  They FINALLY landed here almost a full hour behind schedule where grandpa and I were pacing the airport praying things weren't going too badly, lol  It was just the cutest thing when we saw her coming.  She was carrying the baby, pushing the stroller with her other hand   Luke was riding in the stroller looking exhausted, and Sam was walking beside the stroller holding obediently onto the side of it.  When the boys saw us, Sam quickly began running towards us, and Luke scrambled out of the stroller and followed suit, with both of them calling out, "look!  it's grandma  and Papa!"  at the top of their little voices as they ran into our waiting arms.  Everyone who saw and heard them was most amused.  It was just the sweetest thing.  A couple of older women who had been on the flight said to me as they passed by, "we knew there had to be someone important on the other end to make this gal brave taking 3 little ones by herself.....she did just wonderfully by the way."  We still had to wait for the luggage and then load 3 car seats into the car we had picked up for Melody to use until Mike got here on Wed as we don't all even fit in ours, lol  Goodness, what a time we had getting those 3 car seats loaded in and the kids loaded up,  all the luggage and the stroller in, and finally heading home.  Claire pretty much screamed the whole time! It was a couple of hours by that time past their regular bedtimes.  The boys remained as good as gold thank goodness.....lol...poor Claire.  She fell asleep the moment the car began to move, and since we had her bed sat up and waiting for her before we ever left, Melody was able to just transfer her into the crib, and she slept straight through to the next morning thank goodness.  The boys sat with me and heard a book while she cleaned them up and and got them into jammies, brushed their teeth, and got them into their beds too.  What a day!

I think I can just tell the rest of our week with pictures.  We got in two VERY fun whole fam day visits, and more cuddle and love time then you can possibly imagine.  The kids all said and did just the sweetest, cutest things, but I could never begin to tell them all.  I am missing them all something fierce this morning.  Mike drove out on Wednesday and was able to spend a couple of days relaxing before they all headed back home early Sat morning.  Thank goodness she wasn't going to have to make another flight day by herself, lol.  I am hoping to catch up with all of you in the next day or two, and get busy on my Christmas sewing next.  Hard to believe it's already mid August.  I was already knee deep into it last year at this time.  Hope your days have all been good ones.  Blessings to you all!  Debbie


I SHOULD REALLY HAVE A SEPARATE POST FOR THIS CUPBOARD AS IT IS SUCH AN INTERESTING STORY  I WILL TRY AND TELL BRIEFLY........WHEN I WAS 2 YEARS OLD AND MY SISTER DIANE 3, OUR GRANDFATHER MADE THIS CUPBOARD FOR US ONE CHRISTMAS.  WE PLAYED WITH IT FOR YEARS AND YEARS.  IT WAS PASSED DOWN TO OUR YOUNGER SISTERS EVENTUALLY OF COURSE TO ENJOY, AND THEN MY MOTHER KEPT IT AT HER HOUSE FOR GRANDKIDS TO ENJOY.  THEN, SHE GAVE IT TO ONE OF MY YOUNGER BROTHERS WHO ENDED UP LOSING IT IN A REPOSSESED STORAGE UNIT DEAL.VERY SAD......BUT THEN! MY SISTER DANAE JUST HAPPENED UPON IT AT AN ESTATE SALE ONE DAY.   WHATEVER WERE THE CHANCES??  WE ALL DECIDED IT WAS BECAUSE GOD WANTED THIS KEPT IN OUR FAMILY WHERE IT BELONGED   I GUESS SOMEONE HAD BOUGHT THE CONTENTS OF THE STORAGE UNIT AND SHE WAS SELLING ONE OF THE ITEMS....THIS WAS ONE OF THEM...SHE BOUGHT IT OF COURSE AND WAS KEEPING IT FOR HER DAUGHTER JESSICA TO HAVE...  HOWEVER, JESSICA DIDN'T REALLY WANT IT. SO MY SISTER OFFERED IT TO MELODY WHO JUMPED ON IT.  I PICKED IT UP, FILLED IT WITH SOME LITTLE DISHES AND THEY TOOK IT HOME WITH THEM WHEN THEY LEFT.  ALL THE KIDS LOVED IT!  MELODY AND I ARE BOTH SOOOO THRILLED TO HAVE SOMETHING THAT MY GRANDFATHER MADE FOR ME TO HAVE FOR HER CHILDREN





WE GOT THE BOYS BIG WHEELS TO RIDE AND ENJOY WHILE THEY WERE HERE, AND WE GOT THIS BIKE FOR VINNY FOR HIS 3RD BIRTHDAY AND THE BOYS ENJOYED FOR HOURS RIDING TOGETHER  THEY ARE JUST SOOO CUTE TOGETHER
GRANDPA ACTUALLY FOUND HIMSELF AN ADULT BIG WHEEL AND RODE AROUND WITH THE BOYS MUCH TO THEIR UTTER DELIGHT, LOL



AFTER THEIR BIKE RIDE THEY RELAXED WATCHING A MOVIE ON MY SON JAME'S PHONE

CLAIRE ONLY HAD EYES FOR THE WATER AND THE DUCKS, SO WE HAD TO BE QUICK ON OUR TOES AND AVOID THE LAKE WHILE SHE WAS HERE, LOL

CLAIRE AND LUKE BOTH LOVED THE CUPBOARD!

MELODY MET SOPHIA FOR THE FIRST TIME, AND ANNABEL ENJOYED SOME TIME WITH CLAIRE

THESE 4 COUSINS ENJOYED THEIR SWIMMING AND TIME TOGETHER AT UNCLE JOE'S HOUSE

JOE AND MELODY TOGETHER AT HIS HOUSE

SAM AND CODY BECAME GOOD BUDDIES

WE FINALLY GOT TO CELEBRATE MELODY'S 30TH BIRTHDAY

SHE WAS THRILLED WITH HER QUILT!

CLAIRE IN HER NEW COW JAMMIES FROM MY SISTER AT MY NIECES HOUSE AFTER BIBLE STUDY

THE BOYS LOVED THEIR TIME IN THEIR COUSIN WESTON'S PLAY ROOM

MELODY AND HER BFF MY NIECE JESSICA WITH THEIR KIDS AT JESSICA'S HOUSE
MELODY AND HER KIDS SPORTING SHIRTS FROM JESSICA'S CLOTHING LINE.....SOO CUTE!


WE HAD GOTTEN THEM ALL SOME LITTLE PEOPLE AND A PLAY GROUND SET FOR THEM AND A BUS AND A PLANE..  HONESTLY YOU WOULDN'T BELIEVE HOW MUCH TIME THEY SPENT PLAYING WITH THESE.  THEY ALL LOVED THEM

SAM LOVED PLAYING WITH THE DINASOURS WHO FREQUENTLY ATE UP THE LITTLE CARS, LOL

SNUGGLED UP IN THEIR PAW PATROL BLANKETS GRANDPA MADE FOR THEM WATCHING ZOOTOPIA

WENT TO LUNCH WITH CODY AND JOE ONE AFTERNOON

CLAIRE LOVED THIS LITTLE WINNIE THE POOH TRAIN TOY THAT WE HAVE HAD SINCE THE OTHERS WERE ALL BABIES.............IT'S BEEN A FAVORITE OF ALL OF THEIRS

THIS LITTLE VIDEO GOT PUT IN THE WRONG SPOT AND THERE IS NO MOVING IT.  IT IS OF THE BOYS AND GRANDPA ON THEIR BIG WHEELS

CLAIRE HONESTLY LOVED THE LITTLE DISHES



SITTING ON HER LITTLE CUPBOARD.............SOO CUTE!







11 comments:

  1. I know you enjoyed your visit with your Grands as much as I did. It's so much fun having them around but it's also a reminder to me just how much energy you need with little ones. That plane ride sounds horrible, poor Mel, but it's sounds like she handled it like a real trooper. Enjoy the rest of your week.

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  2. I know you enjoyed your visit with your Grands as much as I did. It's so much fun having them around but it's also a reminder to me just how much energy you need with little ones. That plane ride sounds horrible, poor Mel, but it's sounds like she handled it like a real trooper. Enjoy the rest of your week.

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  3. I just loved this post....thank you for sharing and Melody sure is brave to travel with 3 young folks, smiles. Have a beautiful day, smiles.

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  4. What busy days you've had. The babies are so cute and growing. Melody is a trooper for traveling with all of them. I am sure I would have been in tears by the time I landed.

    So sorry about Elvis. I really do love dogs, but I'm so ready to not have any animals!

    Good luck with your new computer.

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  5. These special times are a treasure!! Despite the travel challenges, it looks like everyone overcame and spent many happy moments together! (I love that your husband rode big wheels with the little guys!)

    What an amazing story of the little cupboard!!

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  6. Debbie, I saw on the news about that flight-that would have scared me to death!! So glad no one got sick or hurt. Loved reading all about the time with Melody and the family. I'm so sorry about Elvis-I have always had dogs and bound so deeply with them that I grieve so much too. To me, a house is not a home without a dog. Just can't imagine it.
    Your grands are growing so quickly.
    I love the quilt on your couch and also the one you made for Mel.
    Have a great week.
    Hugs, Noreen

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  7. What a great visit! You and your Beloved are the perfect, doting grandparents. No wonder Melody was willing to make the trip and the boys have already learned how cool it is to visit you. Claire will be catching on next!

    My what a flight! So glad that it all ended well with no one actually vomiting. Yikes! Scary, unnerving stuff. I would think that the pilot might have had something to say.

    Fun pics...those darlings are growing up fast!

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  8. First of all, I am so sorry about Elvis. That must have been quite a shock.
    Poor Melody with her bumpy ride to California!! She is a trooper!!! Looks like a wonderful time was had by all!! And how amazing is that finding the cabinet your Grandpa made!!!! Amazing!!!
    Loved this post!
    xo Kris

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  9. I'm with you on dogs, I have no love lost on them at all. Our 2 labs are still at our old house and Hubby goes by every day and feeds them and pets them. We'll never have any more dogs once these two are gone. Poor Melody, what a horrible flight! Looked like a fun and busy time. Enjoyed reading about it.

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  10. More good memories in the making. it's so nice when cousins can spend time together. Those ties and memories will connect them in the future when older generations are gone.

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  11. I so enjoyed this pictorial visit with your babies, both big and little. Your story about the crying baby reminded me of a recent flight we were on when a baby was obviously very unhappy. I prayed for the baby and the parents, knowing their frustration with not being able to console this crying infant. Shortly, he was quiet and I praised God for His faithfulness. I so admire these young parents who can travel so patiently with their little ones.

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I am so glad that you would take the time to comment on my thoughts and feelings, it is such a blessing to me!