Vacation Part 2

After our Swamp Tour, we drove through the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans.
This is where Hurricane Katrina hit the hardest.
My kids were shocked at what they saw.
I was heart broken as we drove through the streets and saw the destruction.

We learned what the X on each home meant.
In the top of the X is the DATE they searched the home.
To the left is the UNIT that searched the home.
To the right are the DANGERS ie: Downed Wires, Gas Line, Infection, etc.
In the bottom, the number of deceased bodies found in the home.

(Last night on Dateline, they talked about Katrina and the first five days after it hit.... My kids and I were mesmerized. We had just walked and driven the streets and stood in line at the Conference Center, where many people went for hope of help. We had JUST visited the places we were watching on TV. What you can't see on the TV is the HEAT. It was good for my kids - and me - to see.)

Of course, we had to see Bourbon Street -
DURING the day, because we have small children.

We stopped at the Flea Market and listened to the fun, loud, music playing.
We walked the Riverwalk and ate dinner.
We were exhausted and ready to head back to our hotel.
A dip in the pool and Day 2 was complete!!

We were all very excited for Day 3's events!!

Vacation Part 1

Sat. Aug, 14th, we arrived in New Orleans

or as Hayden would call it "The Hottest Place on Earth".
We found our hotel - the Marriott Residence Inn,
it was in a great location - walking distance to everything,
but didn't feel like the "safest" part of town.
We unpacked and set out to find dinner - on foot.
I have NEVER been so hot or more sweaty in my entire life.
view from our hotel room
We found a fun Cajun restaurant called Mulates.
There we feasted on Fried Alligator.
Everyone devoured it - Weird!
We walked home and allowed both boys to develop
large red blisters.
We jumped into a bug infested pool
and Day 1 was complete.

Sunday morning we walked to pick up our rented Camry.

We found a Walmart and purchased
new shoes for Mackay and a supply of Band aids.
Then headed to the Swamp for a tour.
It was a little unnerving as we sat on picnic tables
(approx. 10 feet from the water)
waiting to board our steel boat
- watching many alligators watch US!
Not to mention - we were sweating profusely!!!

Our Captain explained
the swamp, the trees, the birds, the bugs, and the alligators.

He gave the kids marshmallows to throw into the water.
Out of NOWHERE ... ALLIGATORS were everywhere.
Our Captain then pulled out chicken necks
and tossed them into the mouths of awaiting hungry alligators.

As our tour was coming to an end,
ELVIS entered the building!!

(or got pulled out of a box in the boat)

Each willing passenger was allowed to hold Elvis.

Aaron held Elvis.

Kenzie held Elvis.

Mackay held Elvis.

This is as close Hayden got to holding Elvis.

As for me.... no thanks.
I like the "Look but Don't Touch" rule.
2 pm, We got off the boat,
still dripping with sweat and headed back into town.

That is nothing but sweat all over
this red-faced, drenched little boy - he is just like his mother.

Part 2 of Day 2 to come...

Life is Good!

Life is GOOD!!

Kenzie spent the week at Oakcrest. I missed her & worried about her all week, since she left -not really kicking & screaming, but not real excited to go... SHE LOVED IT!!! She made lots of new friend, is on a spiritual high, loves Mormon pop music (which she mocked before), & is so happy. I love it!!! I am so happy she had such a great time.

Mackay spent the week (every night for 2 hours) at football try-outs. He is exhausted but LOVING it!!! He is with Aaron right now finding out which team he made & breaking the news to his coach that he won't be there for the first week of practice AND.... has to miss the weigh-in. Missing the weigh-in means he can't play the first game. He is soooooo sad & has shed many tears. His life is all about football. I would like to remind some people that these boys are 8! He is HAPPY though (sore but happy) & that makes me happy.

Hayden has made a new friend this week & even played night games until 9:30 pm last night with him. His name is Oliver & he is a doll. He is so excited to go on a big airplane today & then get on a big boat. So... he is HAPPY too.

Aaron and I couldn't sleep last night. Either stressed that we are forgetting something or too excited (sort of like Christmas eve) for time-off/vacation. Not being able to sleep makes for a long night & an even longer day. Oh well - plenty of time to sleep later. :)

Life is Good & Everyone is HAPPY!!!

Inspiring....

What an Amazing and Inspiring Story...

Spiderman Dance

A few days ago, I told you that my blog was for many reasons, but I failed to include "Nonsense".

Recently, a friend blogged about a blow-up Spiderman slide that was deflating. Spiderman was in a strange pose - sort of bowing with his knees collapsing - or possibly he was doing the potty-dance... This reminded me of a different Spiderman dance.

Back in the 90's, on Barnwood Bay, us Dorius kids would gather around Mom's computer. We would shake our heads and laugh, while Mom concentrated on the computer and seriously asked us to "learn the dance". She thought it was "AWESOME Choreography."
Josh was the only one that really tried to learn it. He actually does it quite well.

Day 1 of Try-outs!

Tackle Football Has Begun!!

Mackay has been obsessed with football his entire life.
He is so excited!!!
He finally gets to play TACKLE not Flag football.

He was up early this morning to "eat a healthy breakfast" (his request).
Aaron and Mackay left at 7:45 am for Day 1 of try-outs.

I am a nervous mother.
I am not nervous that he won't do well,
although his nerves occasionally get the best of him
- just like HIS mother.
I am nervous he will need to go to the bathroom
and won't dare to say anything
- just like MY mother.

Today I am Bragging!!!

I decided when I started this blog that it would be:

A place to journal .
A place to VENT -
A place to remember lessons learned -
A place to brag about my family -

Today I am Bragging!!!

Kenzie has always had an out-going and strong personality. She isn't shy about sharing her talents. She lives for parties. And she makes friends easily. You could say Kenzie loves to be “Part of a Crowd”.

As her parent, I worried that she might ,one day, have the “everyone is doing it” mentality. But, I learned in November 2007, that Kenzie knows being “Part of the Crowd” doesn't mean she has to “Follow the Crowd”.

Kenzie was trying out for a play. She went to the first audition and did well. She was asked to come back a few days later for a “call-back” to read for a lead role. I was so proud of her.

When we arrived, the audience seats were filled with nervous children and their parents. Kenzie's group was called up. Only four girls were left for this role. All eyes were on these poor girls. They were asked to act out certain situations - act like a bully, pretend to fight, be rough and mean. This was out of Kenzie's comfort-zone, but she pretended and did fine. Then they asked each girl to read from the script. Kenzie was first.

She started reading. The director was responding for the other parts. Kenzie sounded great. I was so excited. Then she stopped. We all knew it was Kenzie's turn to speak. She kept looking up at the director. I sat there stunned. “What was wrong?” The audience was SO QUIET. We were all wondering why Kenzie had stopped reading.

The director finally asked, “Are you uncomfortable saying that word?” Kenzie nodded. The director told her it was okay to skip it and go on. Several parents in the audience turned to look at the nervous mom in the back of the auditorium. My eyes filled with tears. My heart swelled with pride. There was a smile on my face.

Kenzie had many eyes on her that day. But, she wasn't going

to say that word. She had the courage to be silent.

She didn't get the role. But she was my shining star, that day.

Now, I don't worry about her “following the crowd”. I know she has the courage to stand for what

she knows is right, even if it means being silent.