Day at the Farm

Okay, okay! So we are summer blogging slackers! We've just been having too much fun this summer to take time out to blog! So now we would love to catch you up on all our summer adventures.

First up, a day at the Rucker farm. Jonathan's Aunt Pam and Uncle Jim own a huge piece of land near Berea, Kentucky. Both Pam and Jim are pastors of local churches, but they also manage this fantastic farm! Caroline got to meet goats, chickens, and a donkey named Cinco. She especially loved gathering the chickens' eggs...she wouldn't let go of the basket! What a great day!

Nana surprised Caroline with her own 'MP3 player' for the ride up.


Beth had a blast riding Uncle Ronnie's Harley...my first motorcycle ride!


Check out this video of Caroline meeting Cinco the donkey. Listen closely...


Caroline and Riley the dog had an instant bond. It was so cute! Riley stayed right with her the whole time...


Jonathan rowing out into 'Lake Rucker'


The Ruckers also board horses (this is KY, folks!). Here's a great group shot of some of the family after walking down to admire this beautiful animal. He's a prize winning race horse!


After an exciting day and with a belly full of Aunt Pam's famous cake, Caroline finally zonked out. Check out Jonathan and cousin John trading Mac 'tips'...ha!


Thank you, Ruckers, for hosting us! It was so great to see everyone. We had a fantastic day and can't wait to see you again soon.

-Beth

Sorry, just a little longer...

I realize that it has been a long time since I have posted at either this or my other site. But I just wanted to let you know of my intentions. We have a bunch of good pics and videos from several events and vacations over the past 2 months. I will be blogging back-dated events hopefully starting this week. Expect the following post within the next 2 weeks:

day at the farm
Disneyworld (at least 2 posts)
Night at Nana's
Oak Ridge Children's Museum
Splash Country
Hilton Head Island
and probably a good 4th of July post as well!

check back soon,

-jonathan

More pics from the Rose Gardens

Caroline holding some "mulch".


Theresa captivated by the flowers.


Who is that peeking around the corner?


Caroline playing in the corner of the garden.


A nice walk with daddy.


Daddy gives Caroline a stick.





Daddy's attempts at flower photography (click to see the full size):

Saturday Fun

Yesterday we went to the cousin Michael's baseball game and then to the rose gardens with Mimi (for Mother's Day)
Here is Michael smashing a pitch from the coach.


Ready to steal third.





Cheering on Mike-Mike!



Then we went to the rose gardens at the open house on Keller Bend.


More rose garden pics coming later.

-jonathan

Trip to Dollywood (a ton of pictures and videos)

Here are some pictures from a trip we took to Dollywood last Sunday. Here is a shot of Caroline after eating lunch in the car on the way up.


Caroline and Mommy waiting in line for the Piggy Parade.


On the piggy parade ride.





Mimi, Pappaw, and Mommy.


Caroline on the Busy Bees.




Caroline on the Lucky Ducks.


In line for the Elephant Ride. It is a big girl ride.



Here is some video of the Elephant Ride. Check it out when we start going up and down.


Sliding on the big girl slide.


Posing on the playground.


Daddy soaking some kids on the new River Battle Ride.


Caroline, Michael, and Catherine.


Crashing after a long day.


Waking back up for dinner with Pappaw at Red Lobster.

P-Joe

Hello friends and family. We wanted to let you know that Beth’s Pappaw Wilson (also know as P-Joe by his great-grandchildren) passed away yesterday morning. Pappaw was a strong Christian man, and he loved his family. He lived a full life, including almost 61 happy years married to Mammaw! He was a very patriotic man, having served his country in WWII. But more than anything, he loved the Lord, and that fact was evident till his very last days in this world. Pappaw was having trouble remembering things during these last few months, but he could always quote the Scriptures by heart, and he always had a Bible story to tell anyone he met!

Please remember Beth’s family in prayer this weekend as we mourn this loss, but also celebrate that a good and faithful servant has gone home.

We love you P-Joe, and we know we’ll see you again someday!

Surgery is Over

Well, we made it! Surgery is over. Thank the Lord that he took care of Caroline (and Jon and I) all day.

We were worried about the beginning of the day, because Caroline could have no food or liquid until after surgery. Thankfully, she slept late, but it was still over a four hour wait until she could have the ‘happy juice’ (first level of anesthesia…we got some video of her being quite silly!). She was absolutely wonderful during this time! I guess the whole new experience of the hospital was enough to keep her mind off of her hunger. Jon and I just kept thinking of the parents all around the world that have to wait many more hours or even days to provide food for their little ones. It breaks our hearts.

Some of the highlights…Caroline and Daddy saw a bird building a nest in the courtyard while waiting and we all watched part of Happy Feet in Spanish. Then it was Caroline’s turn to go up…

It was, as promised, quite fast. The doctor explained to us that both ducts were completely clogged at the bottom. After surgery Caroline was almost shockingly swollen, and she was in a pretty bad fog because of the anesthesia. She cried a bunch, but finally Jon and I both sang to her, and then she fell asleep while I held her. When she woke up after about 45 min (when a nurse’s assistant tried to take her blood pressure), she was again in the fog. But this time, thirst prevailed and she drank an entire juice cup with fervor. She was a little happier then, and she was even able to feed herself some jello (yum!) and a couple of crackers. Before we knew it, the nurse said it was time for us to go. This felt a little weird to us, since after Caroline’s first two surgeries, we stayed several nights, and although she had infections, she was able to ‘recover’ from those first effects of surgery. So, we made our way home with a swollen, pitiful baby. She seemed thankful to be home, though, and played relatively well for the rest of the evening. Then, she slept for almost 13 hours!

Today has been a restful one for all three of us. I guess we didn’t realize how much that one day would take out of us! Caroline is almost her old self again, and her swelling has gone down almost completely.

Thank you so much for your prayers! Please continue to remember her recovery (there’s a very small chance that the ducts would re-clog). Love to you all!

-Beth