My Wonderful Husband Strikes Again

I'm standing in the kitchen looking out the window when the UPS truck drives up. Knowing I didn't order anything, I asked Jim if he did. He didn't say anything and met the UPS man at the door. He handed me a package and said "This must be for you". I told him I didn't order anything and looked at the label from Amazon and addressed to Jim. I tried to hand it back to him, but he refused and said he was sure it was mine. So, I opened the box and nearly fell over. My wonderful husband had secretly purchased a Kindle (electronic book reader) and surprised me with it. He really doesn't like the impression to get out that he's a sweet man (macho thing), so his excuse was that we don't have room for all the bookcases needed to hold the books I read. For any who don't know, I am a paranormal romance junkie!!!! Anyway, I have to say the Kindle is amazing. I'm still trying to learn to work it, being technologically challenged and all, but have downloaded my first book and halfway through it already. Good thing is I don't have to go to the bookstore or order online and wait for the next load of books to come in. I just pick what I want and it's there in less than 1 minute. Blows my mind how all this works, but I love it. I also have to say that I have the best husband on earth. He always knows how to make me happy and is always full of surprises.

What's Been Happening

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. Busy, busy, busy. Kids started a new school year, Jim started building the new laundry room, have our sheet-rock guy starting in a week or two to complete the upstairs, have the a/c guys here today to put in new vent upstairs, and rain, rain and more rain. We are soon going to need a boat to get out of here. We also made the trip to Daytona to see our new nephew!!!!!! Sorry Kate, but I think I might be in line for the favorite aunt, then again maybe not if Kevin keeps teasing me with the movie line (private joke), I'll be scared to death of that kid!!!!!Had wonderful lunch with Mom and Papa Wednesday in Daytona. We don't get to do that often enough!!!! Anyway, life is moving along around here and keeping us on our toes. The good news is there aren't any bad problems to deal with, just normal life and remodeling. Can't complain when everyone is healthy and sassy.

Emily and the Prince

In case you didn't know, Emily is a huge Narnia fan (The Lion, Witch & Wardrobe, Etc.). Hollywood studios in Orlando, now has an attraction dedicated to the movies based on the books. We own the movies and Emily watches them repeatedly. During our visit to Orlando and Hollywood Studios, they had times for you to meet Prince Caspian (the love of Emily's life, next to the Jonas Brothers). They took each family separately into a room decorated as if you were in Narnia, and Prince Caspian would greet everyone and chit chat for a few minutes. The first time we went, Jennifer's knees almost gave way when she saw the actor playing the prince. During picture time, Jenny nudged Emily out and stood next to the Prince. Anyway, Emily was highly upset because this was supposed to be HER attraction and photo op. I promised her that we would go the next day and she could meet the Prince again without any of her sisters. To my amazement, Prince Caspian remembered Emily and said "At last, we meet again, Princess". I thought she was going to faint!!! Emily DOES NOT show her emotions much unless it is anger, but the smile on her face was from ear to ear. This was the highlight of her entire vacation and she enjoyed teasing Jenny about being the "Princess" and being remembered. I think she will remember this moment for a long time to come.

Update

OK, so I haven't blogged in a while. Last entry, I was waiting for stitches and staples to be removed from gallbladder surgery. Well, that was done. Doing great. And now I can tell you the rest of the story. A couple of months ago, Jim and I decided that we just wanted to drop off the face of the earth for a few days and take our "last family vacation" before Jennifer graduates high school. We secretly planned a Disney vacation with the works. We rented nice house with pool, ordered Disney tickets, planned out which parks, exact dates (so Jenny could ask for time off), reserved a spot in the kennel for Scooby, and told no one our plans except Jon (he had to feed the cat). Jim even agreed to turn off his email and not call into work except once a day while we were gone. Of course, anytime you plan something, what can go wrong, will go wrong. The week before we were to leave, I had my surgery. I was sure that our vacation was ruined. However, things went off without a hitch!!! I asked Dr. about it, and he said as long as I took a lot of breaks and didn't do any rides that everything should be fine. Our vacation was a BLAST!!! Kids had a ball and thought we had lost our minds. Whenever they asked if they could do something we said "Go for it". Lots of window shopping and walking for me. Kids got Jim on a few rides, including "Tower of Terror". After that one, he didn't trust the kids anymore and refused to get on anything they told him to. Lots of side stories to tell and will post some pics in future blogs, but needless to say it was a memorable time and I hope it will be a fond memory for the kids to look back on.

Bad Weekend

Well, last Sunday started with a tummy ache. Then came the throwing up. It didn't get better so went to Dr., Wednesday, who had a strange look in her eye when she examined me. Went for ultrasound, back to her office, then straight to the surgeon's office. Friday morning I was in the OR getting my gallbladder removed. Surgeon told Jim I had enough gallstones to make necklace AND matching bracelet. Such fun. Stayed in bed most of the weekend, still have stitches and bruises, but am feeling like I am getting back among the living. Missed Sara's baby shower, Rachel's 5K run(she came in first in her division), and several softball games, but had the cutest nurse you have ever seen. Jim (my nurse and loving husband) thinks I'm made of fragile material and will break if not handled with care. I think he stood at the bedroom door and growled like a rabid dog every time someone tried to get near me. He had everything under control and the kids working when they weren't trying to hide from him. Jennifer was thrilled when she had to go to work...escape!!! Should have stitches out by end of week and hopefully put this behind me. Thanks to everyone for all the calls and prayers. You're great!!!!

Update

Not much time for blogging these days. Jim is out-of-town again. Rachel is at softball practice and I'm trying to close out last year's school work so I can order this years. Can anyone say "YOUR LATE!!!"? Seems like I can't get things done. While I am working on one thing, I get pulled off to work on something else and can never get back to the project I was working on originally. While the kids are on a break, we started cleaning the yard...gosh, what a mess. I has rained so much that the grass and weeds have taken over, not to mention all the fallen limbs and trash that has blown through. We look like our house has been abandoned. It has finally gotten to the point that we can walk through the yard with bogging to our ankles, so now it's clean up time.

Had good Easter. Made the bunny cake...tradition in our Holcomb household. Easter Bunny came to see the "kids" and we met Mom, Papa, Kate & Bert for late lunch in Gainesville. Rachel was worried that since she wasn't home that the Easter bunny didn't visit her. Of course, I played on that fear, but saw relief in her eyes when she found her basket. She had a ball in Atlanta with family. Lots of pics on her blog.

Took twins (Jake & Emily) for their booster shots required for 7th grade. Naturally Emily took them like a champ...Jake said 7th grade wasn't worth taking shots. Nurse had him nervous when she filled all syringes for both of them at one time...she told Jake that they were all his. I thought the boy was going to pass out. And for any of you who have seen Jake lately, he would just have to lay there, because there is no way I could pick up my "baby" anymore.

Working in the yard again tomorrow and softball Saturday. Sometime between then, Jim should come home. Hurry, honey!!!! Will try to post more later. Too much going on!!!!

Busy Weekend

JR and the B'day cake
Boys and the Easter Bunny

Playing Together

It's Grandma with the camera again

What can I say. This was a busy weekend. Chris, Tammie and Christopher arrived Sat. morning and it was chaos and laughs from then on. I can't believe how big Christopher is getting. Jon, Krystle and JR came over Sat. evening, so both babies played together. Later that night, Jim and Rachel dragged out all of the karaoke equipment and guitars. Have a lot of video footage that they really wish I didn't have. Everyone (not mom) took turns singing and picking songs for each other.

Sunday was JR's 1st birthday party. I hope Krystle has room for all the loot!!! I'm posting a pic to show how JR handled his cake. I don't think I have laughed that hard in a long time. We also took the boys to have their picture made with the Easter Bunny. Our kids are SO glad that the grandkids are here. They believe this let's them off the hook for Bunny and Santa pics. I told them that no pics means no baskets or Santa. I don't think they believe me.

Kids went back to Ozark Monday afternoon and life returned to "normal" ---whatever that is. Can't wait until the next visit!!!!