Archive for August, 2008

Friends and Family Days

August 27, 2008 5:14 pm

A got a random text message from an old friend that our ‘ABC Patty’ was visiting from Virgina.  Love our ABC quick Reunions at Baby A’s.

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It’s exciting when you see friends begin to experience a new part of their world - through the confusions, emotions, excitement, wonder, and awe of it all - it makes me think back to 15 short months ago - crazy where time goes.  Here you’ll see little Jade Branham.  Well, you might not really see her - b/c she’s 5 lbs - but I promise, she’s in that blanket.

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Chris and I have been wanting all summer to take Tatum somewhere, since we didn’t get a vacation.  We chose Sea World - and had so much fun.  We weren’t sure how the day would go - since we wouldn’t really ride the water park rides - but we thought, what the heck - we’ll enjoy it if she doesn’t.   We started at the show with the Barnyardigans - I had no clue who they were, but that’s where all the kiddos were headed.  Tatum was so excited, loud, and clapping, that we actually has to leave in the middle of it. haha. And ew - she has food in her mouth.

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Tatum played in the baby water park section - she loves being wet in her bathing suit. Then we went to pet the dolphins.

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We floated around their river with Tatum in a life jacket - no picture, but it was hilarious.  She loved laying on her back floating (which Chris holding her).  Then off to see Shamu’s last show.  Is it normal to cry during “Believe” - ??  Randomly, it was quite moving.

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During the Shamu show - the storm came in - and we were stuck.  Our stroller was outside in the pouring rain and we had 1 towel.  So I wrapped Tatum up as best as I could - we hiked in the COLD, WET, HARD RAIN for nearly 20 + minutes.  It was raining so hard that I had to ask Chris to stop twice so I could wipe my eyes - I couldn’t see!  We made it to the last gift shop - bought a $20 Shamu beach towel (I guess this was our soveigner for the day!), and walked as fast as we could to our car.  Luckily I had consulted Amanda before going - bathing suit is smart to wear.

So, we get to the car with a game plan - toss our soaking wet child into her car seat, take our clothes off (bathing suits underneath), and JUMP IN.  I don’t think I’ve ever been so wet in my life.  And I’m not pretty wet.  Not even the least bit - poor Chris has to stare at me like that for nearly two more hours.  No mascara - wet hair. Ouchers to the eyes.

Traffic was piled up on 1604- so I took our newly bought towel - wrapped myself in it, and changed into my clean fresh clothes in the car.  I hopped in the backseat, stripped Tatum, cleaned her up, and she was so ready to sleep.  Fun day.  I hate being wet, but nonetheless - super fun day.  Sorry, no pics of us looking like wet dogs.  That would have been a treat.

Here’s Tatum sleeping on the way home - and a good family pic of us & Shamu.

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Reasons for Tears

August 14, 2008 5:51 pm

My reasons for crying:

Wednesday: 10:00 am I didn’t feel like ‘baby sitting’ people, but yet I had to at work.  2:00 pm A corporate lady SNAPPED at me on the phone while I was in the middle of a sentence, for no reason.  She emailed me later apologizing b/c I had ‘no idea’ how her day had been - um, yes, lady: DITTO.  7:00 pm At dinner with Papa, the stupid waiter forgot that Tatum was a young child - and put a sizzling hot skillet right in front of her - and yes, she grabbed it. Yelp - Scream - Cry.  Waiter: “um….I’m sorry….um….can I get you some ice…..wow….I’m sorry…..”  We left the restaurant.  7:50 pm Tatum better, then she falls with a toy, cuts up her lip & gums are bleeding.  Yelp - Scream - Cry.

Thursday: 5:45 am wake up for a very important meeting in Dallas.  11:20 am Intense (yet understood) questioning on our desire & call to plant a church in Austin.  11:45 am I begin to cry as I speak of Chris’ strengths - I can’t seem to get past Strength #2 - due to emotions - tears in front of 5 grown men.  12:20 pm Still teary-eyed speaking of our calling to Austin - and hoping that our words are convincing these gentlemen.  I don’t like to feel like I have to prove myself sometimes.  12:30 pm  These gentlemen pray for us - and I’m teary eyed and blotchy, they show me to the restroom.  2:00 pm  My hair is becoming flat because I am out of hairspray. I hate flat hair.  4:00 pm Getting on the road back to Austin and I am completely over-analyzing our meeting - thinking the worst (and furious that I cried in front of people).  4:40 pm Still over analyzing and causing a migraine for myself and I also feel bloated.  5:30 pm  Tatum wakes up from nap in car - extremely hungry.  We stop to get milk from a gas station - back on road - I feed her granola bar while she drinks her milk.  Yelp - Scream - Cry.  She’s choking/gagging while we are going 80 mph on I35 South.  I jump to the backseat while Chris pulls over.  Tatum throws up her stuff - and I sit in the back and sing with her, play blocks, and read a book.    6:50 pm 5 miles from home and Tatum is starving. More Yelp - Scream - Cry.  I am practically Yelp - Scream - Crying myself.

Good reasons to cry for today:

10:30 am Tatum got to hang out with “Tish” while we had our meeting at the District Office.  1:00 pm Had lunch with Miche & Lydia - who have returned from 6+ long years in New Mexico!  3:00 pm Met up with Michelle at Chic Fil A and saw Tate for the first time!  7:15 pm We are safe in our living room feeding Tatum dinner.  8:00 pm Tatum is playful and happy and sitting on my lap or dancing/singing a song.  Makes you forget about all the Yelp - Scream - Cry.  8:15 pm  Tatum asleep. Mommy blogging.  Needing a big fat hug from Chris.  Signing off.

Hello (Echo: Hello….hello….)

August 8, 2008 9:17 am

Wow, it’s quiet today!  Is everyone at lunch, on vacation, in bad moods - I feel like the entire floor can hear me eating my popcorn (1 point Weight Watchers), hoping that my Hillsongs Live isn’t blaring too loudly “Our God is an Awesome God” (Jen, An - we know this song well - the older verson…..Patrick Combs….singing bass…….yeah, you know you remember).

Chris is gone this weekend to a Church Plant thingy in Dallas (which happens to be held within 10 miles of two of my closest friends!), and I miss him!  While he’s away, Nicole and I will attempt to entertain their mom and husband! Wish us luck!  It’s so freaking hot outside - what’s there to do? We are contemplating the Capitol, Bob Bullock’s Museum, and/or LBJ Library.  San Antonio/San Marcos are OUT of the running. They require too much activity outside. :)

And by the way - why has no one noticed my new hair cut?  It’s super cute.  I mean - I’m even fixing it!!!  I don’t get it. I almost walked into my boss’ office yesterday and said ’so, do you like my hair?’  just to get a compliment! HA.  Maybe no one has noticed because I have literally worn my hair in a pony tail for 3+ weeks in a row.  So, maybe they just think: wow, Summer CAN fix her hair.  Thanks Amanda for giving me a good cut. Even if no one else notices or likes it, I do. That’s all that matters.

I’d like to welcome Karina Barazza-Branham and Kimberly Masengale to the “I am 30, Hear Me Roar”Club!  Life is good.  I am attempting to quit Sonic.  I know I’ve said this phrase many times in my life - but this past month, I get this icky feeling after drinking my DP.  So sad - but time to let go. 

Ok, my bag of popcorn is finished. Yum Yum.  On to HUSH HUSH now for their 2 for $10 sale. Wish me luck!