Disappointment

Several months ago we applied for a new school for Caleb. The school is 1/2 home school and 1/2 traditional school. We really liked this model of education for Caleb because of his learning styles, and his becoming bored and frustrated with his current private school. Well today we received word that he was not accepted. They gave no reason, just that they could not accommodate him for the upcoming school year.

We do not want him in the public school system, (I know all too well what goes on). We like his current school, but the cost is way too much. We are also not in the position to home school. I am disappointed at being rejected as a family to participate in the educational program that we applied for.

We need to pray about what we need to do about his education.

10 Months Today

Madilyn is 10 months old today! She is growing up so fast. Her first tooth has finally come all the way in and she has a second one that has just broken through. She is one of the fastest crawlers I have ever seen. She really gets around. She is trying to walk, and does great when there is something for her to hold onto. She is starting to stand by herself but can only do so for a few seconds before falling. She has the most beautiful smile. I can not believe that she has been in our lives for 10 months already. Time is really flying.

Reflections on Easter

I remember as a little girl the excitement of Easter. The candy, stuffed rabbits, new shoes, and dresses. We very seldom got new cloths or shoes, but we knew that every Easter we would get both. As a child I did not think much about it, it just was. As an adult I continued the tradition, I would get so stressed out about a month before Easter about having to go to the mall to find the perfect outfits for each member of the family.

Then something changed....

We started going to Revolution Church about 2 years ago. They are a come as you are kind of church. So last Easter was our first Easter with them. It felt strange not to go shopping for the perfect dress and matching shoes and bag. I almost did, but decided not too. I went to church in an outfit I would wear on any given Sunday. And guess what Easter was still Easter, with or without a new dress and shoes.

This year I did not even give Easter shopping a thought. It is just not part of my thinking anymore. I had no desire for a new outfit and shoes. I just wanted to be at church to celebrate the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior. I did not even buy the expensive frilly dress for Madilyn even though she would have looked so cute among the ruffles. Easter is not about how you look or what you wear. It is about Jesus, taking on the sins of the world and dying for us so that we could be saved.

This weekend a lady from my college years came to mind. I used to help clean her house with a group of girls. I offered to take her to church since she could no longer drive. Her response to me was, "I would love to go but I don't have anything decent to wear." She was right the church we went to frowned upon not being in "Sunday Best." Getting ready for church was a chore, I felt I had to look perfect, no wrinkles in the dress, or scuffs on the shoes. Now when people tell me that I just laugh and say "what you have on is fine."

I wonder how many people never go to church because they fill like they don't have a thing to wear. It is a shame that people are dying and going to hell because they feel that due to their appearance they can not go to church. It is refreshing to see that some churches are waking up and seeing that it is not what is on the outside, its whats inside that matters. God loves us all, no matter what we are wearing.

This Easter despite the family being ill with allergies, was one of our best Easters yet. We put aside the man made traditions and focused on the true meaning of the day. I am not saying that there is anything wrong with Easter outfits, baskets and egg hunts I'm just saying that sometimes we need to step back and really focus on whats really important in our lives and the lives of others. I would hate to go to a church where people felt unwelcome because they could not "fit in" because of their attire.

Spring Break (Thursday and Friday)

Thursday was an awesome day in Tybee. We went to visit the Tybee Island Light House and Museum. The Museum was closed for renovations, but it was cool to see the lighthouse.

We had lunch at "The Sugar Shack" http://tybeesugarshack.com/index2.html. This place was looked really dumpy but had the BEST milkshakes I have ever tasted. The food was really good too.

After lunch we went the beach. It was a beautiful day to relax in the sand and by the water.

Friday we packed up and headed home. We had an uneventful trip, but has heavy traffic. David and I are both sick with allergy problems so the trip seemed to take forever even though it only took about 5 hours to get home.

Now we are watching the news and listening to the radio to see if we are going to have a tornado.

Spring Break (Wednesday)

Today was a lazy day for the Lloyd family. The weather was still chilly but warmed up during the late afternoon. We took Madilyn to the beach for the first time. She crawled on the sand and explored her new surroundings. We had a nice walk along the shore of the island.

For dinner we went to Uncle Bubbas Oyster House http://www.unclebubbas.com/ for dinner. The food was really good. We left stuffed and all of our plates still had a ton of food on them. The wait time to for seating was around an hour which is long when you have kids with you.

We have upload pictures to our flickr account. Friends and family please let me know if you have lost the link and I will resend it to you.

Tomorrow should be awesome with temps in the 70's. It will be a great way to end our trip to Tybee.

Caleb and Madilyn at Tybee Beach

Madilyn crawling on the beach

Tired Madilyn

Spring Break (Tuesday)

Today was entirely too cold and windy for the beach, so we spent the day in Savannah site seeing. We first went to the Savannah History Museum http://www.chsgeorgia.org/shm/home.htm. It was not as glamorous as the brochure made it out to be, but it was something to do that was inside away from the cold air and wind, and did have some interesting displays.

After we finished at the museum we went to historic River Street. We visited a lot of the shops and had to buy fudge at both of the candy shops on the street. For lunch we went to the Moon River Brewing Company http://www.moonriverbrewing.com/restaurant.html. Service was slower than slow, but the food was pretty good.

For dinner we went to AJ's Dockside Restaurant http://ajsdocksidetybee.com/. The place looked like a hole in the wall. But we all know that the hole in the wall restaurants serve the best food. Dinner was great. They have both inside and outside seating. We would have loved to enjoy the sunset while eating outside, but the winds just made it too cold to do so.

After the kids went to bed, David and I spent time planning our adult only trip in June. It has been almost 2 years since we have taken a trip by ourselves. The trip we are on now was originally planned for July of last year, but due to Madilyn's unexpected arrival we postponed the trip and made it a family trip.

Our allergies are killing us but we are still trying to have a good time. Hoping for a warmer day tomorrow.

Spring Break (Monday)

We traveled from Kingsport TN, to Tybee Island GA on Monday of Spring Break. The trip went very well. We traveled through the mountains of Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina. The views we saw were beautiful. It was neat to see the different colors of spring emerging.

We arrived in Tybee around 4 pm. The condo is wonderful, very nice and spacious with a view of the beach. For dinner we ate at the Crab Shack, not to be confused with Joe's Crab Shack. We had a shell fish platter that more than fed the three of us. I think it was some of the best sea food I have ever had.

Madilyn is miserable, due to sinus issues. Her nose and eyes will not stop draining. She has been as happy as ever, but she hates it when we have to clean her eyes and nose.

Spring Break (Friday-Sunday)

We spent Friday night traveling to Kingsport TN to visit our friends Joey and Cheryl Manis. It was a long trip but we made it to the hotel just before 10. Saturday we had the honor of attending the baptism and adoption party of the 4 Manis children (Sarah, Lydia, Joesph Jr, and Joshua). We are God-Parents to Sarah. We had a blast meeting the children and seeing Joey, Cheryl and thier older children Melissa and Marlana.

Sunday we went to church at the church where Joey is pastor. After church we hung out with them at their home until late in the eveing. We had a good time reconnecting with them and building relationships with the kids.

Much Needed Vacation almost here

I can not remember a time when I have needed a Spring Break more than I do now. Life has just been moving really fast and I need time to relax and do nothing. I know many of you will say, Donna you just had a week long cruise in December to Mexico. I know but I really need another vacation, besides 3 months is a long time. I guess I am at a time in my life where I just want to have more down time and less work and stress time.

We will start our trip on Friday night by heading to Kingsport TN. We will be celebrating the adoption of the Manis children by attending thier dedication and adoption party on Saturday. We have not seen the Joe and Cheryl in years and are really looking forward to spending some time with them and their children. We also get to show off Madilyn and Caleb. They have not seen Caleb since he was a baby.

Monday morning we will head to Tybee Island Georgia. We plan to relax on the beach and at the condo from Monday until Friday morning when we will head home. I have posted a link to our condo, so you all can be jealous of the views that we will have :)

Spring Break Retreat Condo
http://oceanfrontcottage.com/rentals/the-desoto-jewell-unit-209/.

I will post pictures and a link to our Flickr account when we return home.