Some Stellar Dudes

I keep thinking of things I forgot to post about before we left home. Maybe it's because I often long to be back there, or I simply have too much time to think about all the many things I forgot in that last crazy month in Georgia.

I guess the boys wanted to leave Georgia with a bang, and they both had a couple of neat accomplishments the week before we left.

Ethan scored his first home run in Baseball! He has always been one of those reliable hitters who can get you on first, but he finally proved he can knock 'em out of the park too! I wish I had gotten a video of it!

Ethan and Andrew both left Gum Springs Elementary on the top 20 AR earners. They were sad to leave as they will get no recognition for their year of hard work getting there. It's a LOT of reading! And I'm certain there were a couple of happy kids at Gum Springs when two spots suddenly opened up! I am sad that the kids missed the end of the year. There are so many people there we love and I wished we didn't have to leave like we did.

Andrew also earned another "Hall of Famer" at Gum Springs as he set the school record in the mile just before we left. 6:01. No--I can't keep up--I'm too old and I won't try anymore. So close to breaking into 5 min. territory!

Well now--he looks like rock star (or a punk!) in this picture doesn't he!!

Goodbye to an old friend

I have waited to post about this because it was a painful topic. However, everyday I think of it, and feel guilty that I have not paid tribute to our old friend.

Some of you know that our last dog Buddy had not been too well over the past 8-9 months. In fact, I was certain that he was going to die about 6 months ago but I couldn't bring myself to have him put to sleep. He was very old and had a couple large tumors on his neck and stomach. He had been having seizures on a fairly regular basis and we are quite certain that at one point, he had a stroke.

I am not one who feels very comfortable having my pet put to sleep. For some reason, I really feel they should die naturally. However, this time I was faced with a very difficult decision. We had to leave and we couldn't take him with us. I also feared that he was too old and sick to make the trip even if we could bring him along. I had talked to others about taking him and finally, was helped by a friend to the conclusion I already knew. I could either allow him to pass with us, or someone who didn't care would immediately do what I didn't have the constitution to do. I spoke with the vet and her tech and they agreed this was the best decision for his poor health.

The day before we left Georgia, I took my dear old friend, and put him to rest. We were able to bury him next to his old friend Bear before we left our home. In retrospect, I realized I probably should have let him go sooner.  I am grateful, and my heart is at peace, knowing he laid his head in my lap as he took his last breath, and was able to be buried at home where he belonged.

Goodbye to my dear friend Buddy. You have been a part of our family for so long. We love you and miss you.

 Thus closes another wonderful chapter of our lives. 

Buddy

 Dec. 21, 2001- Apr. 9, 2014

On my Mind...and in my Heart.

I'm late posting this, but we've had to get settled in a hurry and wait for all things internet to be reestablished.

The last month has been one of the hardest of my life. So many things happening. So much uneasiness about the future. So many heartbreaking decisions to be made. And while it was hard to get through, I recognize that the in the future, I will draw on this time in my life for strength to push through other trials.

I wanted to share a special experience I had a little over a month ago. It happened on the day our house went under contract. That was a very busy day with a lot of back and forth between us and the buyer, other people looking at the house, tons of phone calls, errands, and interviews. By the time we signed the final contract I was spent. I had cried a good portion of the day, feeling torn between the blessing of selling the house and struggling with the emotions of signing a contract on a house we didn't really want to sell. We had felt what we were doing was right but felt so lost in what it was the Lord wanted us to do with our family. That night we sat down with the kids to do our usual scripture and thought. This was the thought out of our book dated March 11th.

Though you sometimes may not be able to see the way, know that your Father in Heaven will never forsake His righteous followers. He will not leave you comfortless. He will be at your side, yes guiding you every step of the way.

Joseph B. Wirthlin

No coincidence about this thought--it was definitely meant for us, on this day. After reading it I felt deeply impressed that what we had suspected, and moved toward for the last year, was indeed true. It was time for our family to leave our beloved Georgia.

The next three weeks were a whirlwind as everything fell into place almost quicker than we could accommodate. And this is where I owe an apology to many of you. We didn't say goodbye to hardly anyone. Please forgive me.

I have never been good at goodbye--I prefer see you later--because you will. It was hard to face anyone and say we were leaving without becoming a blubbering basket case, so I waited til the last minute to tell anyone. Then to top it off, we had to come up here to quickly find a place to live and were soon informed we had three days to run home, pack it all up, and be back here. 

I want all my Georgia family to know how much we love you. Nine years ago, I didn't want to move to Georgia. Now here we are, leaving Home behind. We love our home sweet Georgia. We appreciate all of you-- your friendship, your service, your love, and most of all for just being the best southern rednecks around!!

Til we meet again. (and we will visit soon)

Love the Peacock Family

Two Year Old Stats

For my records. The girls had their two year check up today. Healthy by all accounts! Their stats:

Allison
29 in. tall  (far below 5th%)
18 lbs. even (far below 5th%)
17 1/4 in. Head circumference. (5%)

Katlym
28 in. tall (far below 5th%)
17 lbs. even (far below 5th%)
18 in. Head circumference. (45% - girl has a noggin!!)


They have grown really well this past year! For those of you that see them all the time you're used to them. For those that don't--I looked it up. At age two they are about the size of an average 9-12 month old. And for the record--runt Ava was 31 in. tall and 19 lbs. at age 2. (I just looked her up and she is now currently in the 10th% for height and the 5th% for weight--so she is catching up every year) What can I say-- I think the twins will catch up in time too.

Two

The Twins are two today! No more babies in this house. (even if they still look a lot like babies ;-) And if there was any question if they are really two or not...they are both beside me throwing two year old fits! (No questions here)
They are both doing so well this year-- growing and progressing greatly. They are still a little behind on most skills, but we don't worry--they grow how they grow and be who they be! We still can't pinpoint their personalities since they often change places from day to day or hour to hour. One day I'll think Ali is the outgoing one and the next day it's Kat. No matter though, we love them both either way. (Though to be honest we would prefer that they spend a little less time crying and fighting and a little more time playing independently. Hopefully that will come with time.) They keep us on our toes--that's for sure!
On to the festivities!

Their birthday cakes!  

Colonel Mustard questioned whether I really needed two cakes. I decided I'd better get used to it--they are                                                       not gonna be happy sharing forever.

Opening presents. They really enjoyed the present opening this year.

 I hope they like the quiet books that Mom spent way too much time on. And I hope they keep them more quiet in church!

Happy Birthday sweet girls. We love you so much and are so grateful for the fun and chaos you both bring to our lives!

Dad's Most Famous Lectures

The other night I was looking for some paperwork and I stumbled across a great find. When I was 14 years old I decided to compile a list of my Dad's most famous lectures. Partly as a joke, and partly so he could just give us a number and we wouldn't have to hear a lecture over again for the 576th time. Upon finding it, I brought it upstairs and Colonel Mustard and I got a good laugh from it since we hadn't seen it in so many years.

I then realized just how long it's been since I'd had the pleasure of hearing any of those lectures firsthand. Colonel Mustard has never met my father. (Probably a good thing or we certainly wouldn't be married.  If he were alive, I'd probably still be living in his house as a secret cat lady--no boys allowed!) This month it has been 18 years since my father died. And after thinking for a moment-- I realized that I have now lived more of my life without my father than I did with him. ( I had just turned 16 a month before he died) Kind of a profound thought. Not a sad one really--just a moment to reflect on how that event has so shaped my life and to a Great deal--influenced who I am.

The following list is presented just how I had written it when I was 14 years old. I have changed nothing and omitted nothing. Please know that my father was a good man. I love him dearly--however he, like the rest of us, had his rough edges and his faults. If you are easily offended please STOP reading now. If you had the pleasure of knowing my father--I'm certain you have heard at least a few of these and will enjoy a good laugh in hearing them once more.

Without further ado--THE List!

Dad’s Most Famous Lectures

1    1.      Remember who you are.

2    2.      It’s your damn friends; that’s your problem.

3    3.      What are you eating? Butter or Bread?

4    4.      Clean up that pig pen.

5    5.      Act like a white woman.

6    6.      What? Were you raised in a barn?

7    7.      What took you so damn long?

8    8.      Get that food out of the living room.

9    9.      Leave the damn doors shut.

1    10.  Where did you get that lead foot?

1    11.  I’ll take that damn car away.

1    12.  No marriage until you’re 26 and I approve.

1    13.  Stop your damn picking.

1    14.  What are you? A dog?

1    15.  Get the hell home. I don’t care if it’s done.

1    16.  Do as I say. Not as I do.

1    17.  I am always right.

1    18.  Get off your butt and do something.

1    19.  Get the hell to bed.

2    20.  Don’t say I never did anything for you.

2    21.  You think that’s funny or something?

2    22.  Do I have to do everything around here?

2    23.  It’s not clean enough.

2    24.  Get some damn clothes on.

2    25.  Forget that damn homework. It will keep.

2    26.  Tie your shoes. You look like a slob.

2    27.  I don’t want no damn leftovers.

2    28.  Tell your teacher to go to hell.

2    29.  Go get your damn money back.

3    30.  School sports are a pain in my butt.

3    31.  What the hell do you got to have that for?

3    32.  I ain’t got no money.

3    33.  What’s your sorry excuse this time?

3    34.  When I was a boy….

3    35.  You sound like a dime store phonograph.

3    36.  Where’d you get a dumb idea like that.

3    37.  You’re not going to do that again -- So plan on it.

3    38.  Where the hell have you been?

3    39.  This place looks like a damn junkyard.

4    40.  That damn Mickey Mouse contraption.

4    41.  Damn modern America.

4    42.  Turn that damn show off.

4    43.  Do we have to live off Taco Bell?

4    44.  Where’s your mother?

4    45.  What the hell’s the matter with you? It’s 50 degrees out here.

4    46.  All I need to know I learned in Kindergarten.

4    47.  That damn pool is a curse.

4    48.  I don’t want to go on no damn vacation.

4    49.  Why the hell do you have to know that?

5    50.  No hard feelings. Have a nice day.

First Trip Away

Andrew left this morning on his first trip away from home--to Jekyll Island for a 3-day 5th grade field trip. He was mighty excited when we pulled up to the school this morning at 4:55am and there were three fancy schmancy charter buses waiting to whisk them away. Fortunately, Colonel Mustard is gone with him as a chaperone, or I'd be a mess today.

I hope they have a great time!