Family « Octolilly

our life lately.

February 15, 2012

I think I have reached the point where snow is no longer dreamy. Winter can pack herself up and head further north because my longing for Spring is alive and well.

Bundling up with coats, gloves, scarves, hats, boots, and applying lotion liberally so we don’t turn into angry chapped versions of ourselves – it’s too much. Waking to put on a tee and shorts and dashing into the sun? Yes, please.

We’re stir crazy.

Drew’s fists have been pummeling, his anger raging, and I’ve been exhausted trying to think of new things which will entertain him.

Watch Mommy watch the snowflakes falling. Watch Mommy cackling maniacally.

After a few weeks of CRAZY, we have finally found a bit of peace. His fists have stopped wildly flying about, his anger melts sooner, and even though I’m still horribly sick, my patience is better.

We make charts. We play Minecraft. We have a new timeout chair. And a new rule about no talking during timeout gasp and oh my, it works beautifully. We craft when he gets fidgety. We have new music for dancing. I found my patience again.

We also put on stage productions.

{He starts this by saying once upon a time… but I didn’t catch it very well at the start of the video.}

Excuse my not-so-adorable breathiness. I’m still sick. ;)

A few days ago, we attended a wonderful birthday party for one of Drew’s friends, Noe.

{go see the whole set}

Our Valentine’s Day was a bit low-key and yet still perfect.

I did this Pinterest Project!

Daniel bought me beautiful roses, we gave Drew chocolates, we crafted and read Valentine books, snuggled, received a basket of gorgeous fruit from my parents, and had yummy chili for dinner (complete with cheese hearts).

Drew wore the ribbon from Harry & David for the rest of the evening and crawled up on the hope chest for pictures before bed.

{go see the whole set}

All in all, a great way to spend the day with the two people whom I love most.

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christmas memories.

December 28, 2011

We’re in South Carolina visiting with our family for a week!

I haven’t caught up with Octolilly like I’ve wanted to but it’s okay. We’re wiggly. :) We made it through flat tire drama in Kentucky and are relishing family time now.

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thanksgiving in baltimore.

November 29, 2011

We just spent a few days in Maryland where we celebrated Thanksgiving with our family. Other than Drew being sick for the majority of the time, it was a good trip. I hadn’t seen most of the Bergey’s in over a year and I also got to visit with Miss Dottie, Trish, and Uncle Bob & Aunt Glenna. We enjoyed food, shopping, toys, games, raking leaves, and horsing around.

It felt really weird to drive away knowing that it’s very likely that will be the last time we celebrate a family gathering in Baltimore. Daniel’s parents are probably moving in the next few months so who knows where the next Bergey party will be. With Tim and Dani in Missouri, Ben in college in West Virginia, us in Michigan, and Steve and Cassidy in Maryland – I see a lot of travel ahead. Not that we mind!

Over the holiday, Daniel also took the opportunity to sort through years worth of computer equipment, toys, and nostalgia from his parent’s home. We brought back a box FULL of thirty-year-old legos in great condition and as you might imagine, Drew has been creating with them ever since we got home.

Now we’re on that inevitable holiday slide where time passes so quickly and before you know it, you’re taking down the Christmas tree. But I’m trying really hard to soak up the Christmas music, holiday planning, and hall-decking because this really is my favorite time of the year.

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day ten.

August 18, 2011

Our slow morning took speed as we visited The Children’s Museum for a few hours today.

The rest of our day was a mix of more pool-time, visiting with Judy & Milton, and a late night dinner at Cracker Barrel.

I’m exhausted again tonight. It feels like we’ve been enjoying each day up until the last second. That’s not a bad thing but it’s hard to sleep in when you have a four year old who wakes Wiggly and Ready for the Day very early.

Tomorrow is our last day of vacation here. It feels as though we’ve arrived too quickly and at the same time, that we’ve relished every second. My dear sweet parents have went out of their way to make memories with us and I am eager to spend another day laughing and playing.

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day nine.

August 17, 2011

I spent the morning going through old picture albums and scanning in pictures from my childhood while my mom and Drew made perler bead art. I marked all the pictures I wanted to scan so hopefully I can finish this project before we leave.

Our morning visit with Granny went really well as I thought ahead to pack a “surprise craft bag” so he wouldn’t get bored. Because Granny’s hearing isn’t as good as it used to be, I have to constantly interpret between them. And Drew’s patience level wears down quickly when we visit her because he can’t understand what she says and he is always disappointed that she doesn’t have toys. He’s played with the same china teapot, bible verse plaque, white doily, and stared at the fan for every single visit. Hee!

SO. I packed a bag of goodies! And it worked beautifully. He laid everything out on the carpet and played with popsicles sticks, pom poms, wooden blocks, TONS of stickers (my mom has enough stickers in her craft closet to fill a sticker store), and his favorite cars. Granny loved watching him play.

After lunch, we set up the pool and filled it ALL the way up and all three of us climbed in and had an incredible amount of fun for two hours. That was the best $10 my mom ever spent. Drew and I then slept until it was time to leave for Greenville.

Daniel had an appointment at the Apple store so he dropped me off at Atlanta Bread Company and I met up with Sara for dinner. We had a lovely time catching up and then she drove me over to the mall where I found my two boys at the Genius Bar.

I also saw this Twilight Mom. Yes, that is Taylor Lautner on her laptop.

I hate malls. ^_^

We shopped in the toy store for a bit (banana scratch and sniff stickers! a new car!) and then drove back to Liberty.

Each time we get in the car Drew immediately asks “is this a long, medium, or short trip? And do we go medium speed?”

And AMAZINGLY, I have convinced my mom to get on Steam! So, it’s all set up on her laptop and she’s currently curled up in her sofa chair playing The Tiny Bang Story.

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day eight.

August 17, 2011

I am completely and utterly exhausted right now. BONE TIRED. I just asked Daniel to bring me my headphones so I could escape into some music while I write. I know he feels like my wearing headphones cuts me off from the flow of conversation but after the day I’ve had, I just need to sink into music therapy. And a hot shower.

Drew and I trekked off to Greer this morning to spend time with my dearest friend Kerry and her little boy Deacon. A wave of nostalgia hit me when we hugged. Those long nights talking in her room. Watching her brush her hair over her sink while my fingers danced on the glass of the fish tank in her old room. Playing Myst in the A-frame at The Wilds. All our years in high and college. All.the.memories.

Our paths have woven together at different times since college. Some times we keep in touch a bit more than others and there is always that hesitancy of will it be the same? Does friendship last this long? What if you change as individuals? Can you still have that same bond? But every single time we come face to face again, all those tiny worries melt within seconds. And we part again with tears in our eyes.

Today was extra special because our sons were giggling and roaring at each other. OUR SONS.

It was also my first time seeing her new home and swoon it was beautiful!

Drew and I finally pulled ourselves away (we missed seeing the chickens! boo!) and drove back to Liberty in time to see Aunt Judy! Mom and The Grandboy curled up in the swing on the back porch so Judy and I could have some aunt/niece time to talk/hug/share. I hadn’t seen her in a LONG time (over a year!) and it was so wonderful to sit and talk.

I knew she must have a myriad of emotions going on right now as Jonathan and Tara are in Russia and she’s missing them, worrying, hoping, praying, and loving from afar as they bring home their little M. I got to see pictures though!! I teared up while looking through them and felt such love for the entire process of adoption.

After Aunt Judy left, Mom took us to her now-that-she’s-retired-job (she tutors children in town). Drew and I both loved her office and he immediately began playing with a chart she had on her desk. It was especially nice to see this new chapter of her life.

Then it was a trip to the store as we shopped for food and pool things! When we pulled back into The Valley we saw that Dad/Poppy was already home from work and Drew was thrilled to show him his new dump truck.

We had an evening meal out on the porch and watched Drew splash in the lop-sided pool (I didn’t realize I set it up on a slight hill) until dark.

I also saw a little sneaker playing with a “toy” near the path to the creek. I went to see what he had and it was one of Milton’s gardening gloves. I SAVED IT. :D

And imagined what it will look like when Stephen and Drew will be playing all over the backyard next summer.

As we were finishing up pool-time, my Aunt Dena stopped by and we had a lovely visit as well. She brought Drew a solar-powered car and we had immense fun trying to get it to do ANYTHING by holding a flashlight over it. It wriggled around a bit but I’m imagining some morning sun will have it performing beautifully tomorrow. It was great to see her and I felt happy to have soaked up so much family/friend love today.

But I’m bone-tired. I tucked Drew in bed tonight and he fussed and fussed about needing a particular car to sleep with and because I was so achy and tired I told him no, not tonight. Just snuggle your bumble bee and go to sleep. We went back and forth over this for probably ten minutes with both our voices becoming louder and more fussy. And finally I loudly said, I JUST DON’T FEEL LIKE GOING DOWNSTAIRS TO GET IT. I AM SO TIRED I WANT TO CRY. And Drew’s little tiny voice said, “but Mommy, it’s just down on the floor beside my bed.”

Yes, I felt awful. So I apologized all over myself, gave him his car, and kissed him a thousand times. And within minutes, he was sound asleep.

And now I’m done writing, these earbuds are killing my ears, and a hot shower is calling my name. Thank you, day eight, for making my soul feel so full even if my body is crying for rest.

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day six.

August 15, 2011

Our first day of vacation has been lazy, water-filled, and full of exploration. But before I get to all that I need to share a few pictures from our trip down.

The highlights of today were:

Relaxing on the back-porch and hanging out with The Adorable Stephen.

Bouncing all over the house and exploring every nook and cranny. I should go ahead and admit that before I’d see anyone else this morning, I snuck into my mom’s craft closet to poke around. I’m so nosy. There were STICKERS and PAPERS and SHINY THINGS and oooh, I want that and I NEED THAT.

There was time for silly pictures, too. Drew informed me today that I was the “best silly face teacher EVER.”

Stephen has a new swing set/fort in The Valley so Drew climbed all over it and spied on neighbors. I think he will be in there all week.

As the sun started to set, we got the sprinkler out and had enormous amounts of fun.

Also, it is my parent’s 34th anniversary today! This is a beautiful picture of them on their wedding day.

We also got to hang out with Granny this evening and even though Drew bounced all over her house in HYPER MODE she still gave him chocolate balls. They are best friends now. :P AND, we had Zaxby’s chicken today. Food coma + swoon + die happy.

Here’s the ongoing South Carolina Vacation Flickr set.

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