A Trip into the Windy City.

Thought this was pretty neat, how often do we see Scuba Teams.

Avery at one of the areas in the Children's Museum at Navy Pier

Thought this would make a pretty cute pic.

Having fun in Kid Town.


My mother, Avery and I on the steps of the Shedd Aquarium.

I love the view from the steps. Isn't it just beautiful?

Mamaw, Papaw and Avery checking out one of the exhibits.

A Shedd worker pointed out the newest building.
It is the tallest one. pretty unique.

The Rainforest Cafe

Sitting on the top of our booth

There were aquariums all over the restaurant

The elephants actually moved and their eyes blinked just like they were real.

The three Amigos

Found this photo op when we were leaving

Outside the restaurant

Some of you have probably been to a Rain Forest Cafe before. It was a new one for us. We loved it, all the animals and the sounds and the ceiling was incredible. We will definitely have to do this again.

My sweet parents.

Avery got a really cool three flavored Icee that was really good and a really cool cup.

A Day at the Brookfield Zoo

If you look closely at the pic of my mom and Avery, you can see a penguin through the glass. He was putting on a show for us.

Yesterday we made it to the Zoo. We went a couple of years ago but Avery was not quite 3. For the first time in over 74 years the zoo had to close on Sunday due to flooding from the last hurricane. Some of the exhibits were closed but there was still plenty to see. The Butterfly exhibit is one of my favorite. We had a great time. I got a few pics and will add some more later from my stepdads pics. Anyway don't have a lot of time so I'll just add some pics. And for my sweet hubby, I miss you too and can't wait to see you.

Chicago Bound

Okay, well most of you know that Avery and I are in Chicago visiting my parents. This was actually my first time to fly alone with Avery and I must say I was a little nervous. It went fine but she is so impatient. She didn't like the waiting, any of it. She didn't understand why we couldn't just get on the plane as soon as we got to the airport. And then after we boarded she wanted to know what was taking so long for the plane to take off. Too much waiting for her. We got here Wednesday. Our flight only ended up taking about an hour and 14 minutes; it was scheduled for 1 hour and 5o minutes like usual. But they must have hit turbo. I didn't mind one bit though, it always messes with my ears pretty bad.

So today is actually our 3rd day here. Today we hit the Outlets, I mean any store you could imagine is there. Then we had lunch at The Chancery, one of Wisconsins famous. Anyway, then on to the Jelly Belly factory. I toured it about 10 years ago and knew Avery would love it. And she did. I will add those pics later. We did some shopping yesterday and then found a park in a subdivion nearby. We all ended up on the playground with Avery. Even Mamaw took a spill down the slide. She refused to go down the twisty one. We are having lots of fun but I sure miss my sweetie. We are headed down into the city sometime this weekend. Till later...

Daddy's on Graveyards, so let's vacate the house.

Craig is on graveyards this week and today was my day to keep Jasper. I knew better than to have 2 kids in the house while Craig was trying to sleep. So we went and picked up Jasper and headed around town to kill time. 1st stop, Shoe Show, what was I thinking. 2nd stop, Cato, again what was I thinking. Then to McDonlads to burn off some energy and have some lunch. Okay that was fine. Then on to Stage, oh my gosh this was the worst. I had one in a death grip and the other tagging along behind and the ladies were getting a kick out of it all. They said now aren't you having fun and my answer was NO! I had to turn around and make sure my daughter had not picked up some Hannah Montana bag or something as we were about to walk out the door. That could have only been the icing on the cake. So we left there rather quickly, and then went on to the park where I broke out the camera and let them play...

Gustav

Well Gustav has left it's mark on Arkansas that's for sure. We have had much rain and wind and much more rain and wind. I am not fussing though cause it could have been so much worse everywhere. We were only without electricity for about 5 hours Tuesday afternoon. Thank God, that New Orleans was not hit as bad as expected and that hopefully we are at the tail end of this one. I got out and took some pics this afternoon of Avery in all the puddles. Some of them are rather large ones too. She had a ball, when we were saying the blessings for supper, she said and bless my mommy for letting me play in the water today. How sweet. I have tried uploading pics for this blog 2 different times and for some reason they are not coming up, I will try and add them later.

From a Dear Friend

I am headed to work in a little bit so this will probably be the only time I am on here today. I got this the other day in an email from a friend. I loved it, which I do love a lot that comes from Maya Angelou. I just can't help but think that she is quite disappointed in the stand that OPRAH has taken about Christianity. I don't know if any of you have seen it, but I tell you what I was mortified. And the thing that scares me is that many people follow Oprah and for her to say that Jesus is not the only way, all I can tell her is that she needs to get her bible out and read it. This political race is a scary thing, watching it, and hearing them call Obama the SAVIOR, what are they thinking? That's blasphemy. I know that what ever happens is what is supposed to happen, but this is our future and I just hope that Christians everywhere will get out and vote and stand up for Jesus. I don't want someone who will not swear in on the Bible-God's Holy Word. Our country was founded by Christian men and I want it to stay that way. Well I didn't start this blog with the intention on going in this direction but I guess what was in my heart spilled out.

Christians

by Maya Angelou

"A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to seek Him first to find her."

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'" I'm whispering "I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven

." When I say... "I am a Christian" I don't speak of this with pride. I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not trying to be strong. I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not bragging of success. I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not claiming to be perfect, My flaws are far too visible but, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I still feel the sting of pain.. I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not holier than thou, I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace, somehow!

Maya Angelou

A Play Date for Avery

Okay, so most of you know that I went to work one day a week. So Avery gets to go hang out with Jasper and Mrs. Ellie. Mrs. Ellie works part-time at AllState so we swap out keeping each others munchkins so neither of us has to pay day care. Works out real good. Anyway...my daughter doesn't want to come home after she has been with them all day. So now everyday she wants to have a play day. I mean every day. That's all I hear, Mommy I want a play date today. Today, is Labor Day and I am trying to get some things done to get ready for our trip since we leave in 9 days. And guess what? That's right she needs another play date. So being the good mommy that I am (most of the time) I picked up and called Stephanie and asked if Faith could come play with Avery. Yeah, she's here and Avery is once again content. Well I just tried to get a picture of the 2 girls but they went running and screaming through the house and out the door, so...so much for that. Well they just came in and said Mommy please take a pic of us so they went running down the hall and hid behind the bed and that is where I found them.