Just a Swangan'

HELP!

Andrew

Andrew reminds me of my college roommate, Heather. Heather and I shared a room for a year. One thing that Heather loved to do was to play with masking tape...especially when on the phone or in a deep conversation. It's like the tape helped her to focus on what she was talking about. Well, Andrew likes to play with tape, too....of course, he's only two so he's not trying to concentrate too deeply on anything except for having a good time at whatever he's doing. He found my roll of masking tape and started tearing it apart, sticking it all over his face and fingers. Just wanted you to know, Heather, that you were thought of this week as I spent time with my son.



Andrew loves the camera....I snapped this picture of us while outside playing together in our backyard on the swingset. Yes, Luke was with us during both the tape adventure and our backyard play time but he didn't want to say "CHEESE" for the camera.

What an awesome day!

Today has been grand. I've received many birthday blessings, cards, presents, and hugs. After a morning to myself (besides standing in the long line at the polling station), Mitch surprised me with a babysitter (thanks, Chrissy!) so we could go out to eat and spend some time together. Also, a friend bought me a one hour massage so I'm REALLY looking forward to that appointment next week! Today is also the first day I've felt a little sick due to the pregnancy. It seems the small amount of sickness I have in my pregnancies always occurs in the evening. I think I'm going to bed now....night!

Big News

For those of you who haven't heard, Baby McGinnis #3 will make his/her arrival in early July. We are very excited! Thanks for rejoicing with us over our good news.

Costume Cuteness

Hope you enjoy these pictures of Andrew and Luke. We attended the fall festival tonight at our school and church. Andrew loved wearing his monkey suit but Luke only cared for the sweet chocolate cake.





Hope you enjoy these pictures of Andrew and Luke. We attended the fall festival tonight at our school and church. Andrew loved wearing his monkey suit but Luke only cared for the sweet chocolate cake.

Opposition

I had to delete a comment from my last post because an anonymous person accused me of being a Devil Worshiper. "Devil worshiping" to one = "loving your neighbor" to another!

Trick or Treat....or Reformation?

We took the boys trick-or-treating tonight. It was a first for them both. Andrew seemed to enjoy it but stuck really close to Mitch's side as we walked up and down the street. I pushed Luke in the stroller while he sucked on a lollipop. I really liked getting to meet my neighbors that I've never met before. Kelly just moved in across the street with her two small daughters. She stays at home, too, so we will probably start visiting with one another during the day when we're home. We also invited her and her family to church. The only reason we ventured out (and opened our front porch to strangers to receive candy) was to meet our neighbors. We hope Christ was glorified in our smiles, kind words, and laughter. I like what Tim Challies has to say about Halloween. God is to be glorified in ALL things so why not take the opportunity of Halloween to do so? I wonder if I'd get strange looks when at people's doors declaring what I really want to say; HAPPY REFORMATION DAY!

Zink

We attended a marriage conference over the weekend presented by "the other" PCA church in our area. Dr. Dan Zink was the speaker.....very encouraging. I appreciated his consistent application of scripture to the glorious gift of marriage. Made me love my Mitch all the more.

cupcakes and bubbles

Andrew loves cupcakes and bubbles. He attended a costume party today where he dressed up as a cowboy. All he wanted to do was eat the cupcake icing and pour more bubble liquid into the machine....oh yeah, and he wanted to hit the pinata` over and over, to no avail. Enjoy the pictures!

Guess what Luke had for dinner last night?

Relaxing

Andrew likes taking a bubble bath, but he's never liked laying in the tub on his back...until now. He's found that it's fun to surround himself in the bubbles and try to guess what I'm saying while his ears are covered.

Mississippi

Haven't blogged in a week.....been super busy and out-of-town. We just returned from a four day journey to Mississippi (my home state) to attend my cousin, Lora's, wedding. While there, we stayed with my other cousin, Brian, and his sweet, hilarious, cute, and insane wife, Heidi. We had a blast. Lora was beautiful so we took a moment to get a family picture of those on her side in attendance. After we returned to Brian and Heidi's house, I geared up to take an evening ride on Brian's Harley Davidson. It was awesome! I wish it hadn't been so dark and cold but I enjoyed it, nonetheless. My friend Crissy once shared on her blog about a time she went for a motorcycle ride. I thought of her story as I was riding behind Brian, feeling the wind against my face. It was amazing! Anyway, the boys loved Mississippi and I enjoyed spending time with my mother, who rode with us.

Beautiful Fall

We love this fall weather. Seasons change....God is good. Luke certainly thinks so! Mitch and I celebrated seven wonderful years of marriage yesterday. He and the boys brought a dozen yellow roses to me and then Mitch took me out to eat last night while my sweet sister-in-law & brother-in-law babysat the boys for us. Thanks, Valerie, Emma, Ella, and Tyler!

Funny Face

I just couldn't resist. I had to share this picture.

He's such a HAM!

Saturday morning with Pooh

We went to Barnes & Noble this morning to get our picture taken with Pooh during his autograph session. Andrew loved seeing Pooh but Luke wasn't quite sure what to think of the large character.

Exhausted

So much to do....my TO DO list is long. I've been reading what the girls at GIRLTALK have to say on this matter and it's encouraging.

Roaches

People are hesitant to discuss roaches....but the truth is, we all see one from time to time in our houses (some more than others!). Andrew loves to hit them with his flip flops. Yes, we are teaching him that God created all things for HIS glory but I sometimes wonder about roaches (and snakes). So, here's a picture of the unlucky guy that crossed our path recently. Thought I would share....aren't you glad I did? By the way, if you click on the picture, it should come up in a second window - enlarged! The details are great! I can't wait to read your comments!

Saturday activity

Andrew loves to jump in those moonwalk things.....especially if it involves climbing. He went to a birthday party today which had a pirate theme; hence the inflatable pirate ship. Luke loves to be held. Daddy is good at that.

It's been a long time.....

Can't believe that I've gone this long without posting. It's mostly due to just returning from vacation and doing the usual such as unpacking, washing laundry, preparing lesson plans, and getting the boys back into their routine. We had a great time in Florida but it's always good to get home into the familiar.

It's the beginning of October, a month that makes people think of the cool crisp fall weather....but not here. It's still hot and humid. Mosquitoes everywhere. So, I sprayed down the boys and let them play outside in the pool after sweating on the swingset. Luke is tolerating Andrew a bit better. Andrew, being only two years old, still struggles with being gentle when playing with his baby brother....but he's improving. They enjoyed playing in the water together and Andrew thinks it's great that Luke has a swing right next to his.

Roller Coaster & Harleys

Luke rode his first Harley Davidson this past week when we were at Downtown Disney. He had fun! Also, can you spot Mitch on the roller coaster (top back with hand in the air on outside end)? I can't believe that I managed to take this photo at just the right moment!

Family, spiders, and faces

Just wanted to post a few more pictures of our vacation thus far. As I type, Mitch and I are in Orlando (going to SeaWorld tomorrow). The original plan was to let both boys stay at their aunt's house but we decided to bring the youngest one with us as not to 'cause distress on anyone (me included!). Look at that spider hanging in its web outside my sister's house in her backyard! WOW!

Heidi & Brian

My cousin, Brian, and his sweet wife, Heidi, have spent the past three days with us....we've had a blast! Heidi is a hoot, just like her husband. She fits right into the family. We've gone to the springs to swim with Angela and her kids, eaten, rented movies, eaten some more, and spent good quality family time together. Family is the best.

Sweet smiles

I love capturing their smile. Joy is written all over their face. O, what abundant gladness it brings to my own heart....I'm smiling, too.

Oh my goodness...can he be more adorable?!?!?!?

Yes, that's my baby!

He loves the camera!

5:53 a.m.

It's 5:53 a.m. as I begin typing this. No, I'm not up this early to read my Bible, although that is exactly what I need at this moment. The reason I'm up is because Luke is up. He's been up for four hours so I've been up for four hours. I think it's due to teething but he relaxes and falls asleep in my arms when I go into his room to calm him but starts screaming the minute I put him down. I've tried everything....ambasol on the gums, singing, nursing, rocking, walking around....he's fine when in my arms but doesn't want to go to sleep. He's mad at me now....I can hear his angry cry from his room next door. He shares a room with Andrew so I asked Mitch to put Andrew in our bed (since I'm obviously not occupying the space) so Luke could scream and not bother Andrew's sleep. So, I am really typing this post to take up some time and allow me to vent. I need something to do between calming sessions! In the meantime, here are a few pictures of the boys over the past few days (awake and happy)

Andrew loves to practice the breaststroke in the tub. He had so much fun in the deep water!



Luke is going to be a good student one day. He loves his little library of books.

Back home

I'm back home from my weekend in Atlanta. The conference was refreshing but I'm pooped! I took Luke with me and glad I did...he cut his first tooth and began crawling all within a matter of three days. He didn't feel so well the first night of the conference and I asked my brother, Stuart, to come be with me while the others in my group carried on. Luke pretty much lost his appetite and....well, let's just say that I barely brought enough diapers for the weekend! I saw MANY friends at the conference whom I hadn't seen in a while, like April and Christi (pictured). Wish I had taken a picture of the others, like Becky, Shannon, Susan, Suzie, Thalia, Rebecca, Christy, and Diane. I can't wait to go back next year!

Out-of-town

I'm leaving to go out of town today....heading to Atlanta for a three day women's conference. Yeah! The blogging will be light; probably nothing at all until I return. Pray for the boys!

Feeling better

This is my gum chewing, flip flop wearing, juicy cup drinking little guy. He's feeling better, thanks to the stinky antibiotics that we have to endure for another nine days. He's already back in school, being that he's no longer contagious. What a cute fellow!

Again

Andrew has strep throat....again! This is the second time this year. I'm just glad it's not allergies. At least this time there's no vomiting....just coughing and a rash. Antibiotics are wonderful, although they smell.

Mary's reception & water balloons

We went to Atlanta this past weekend to celebrate the new marriage of my college roommate, Mary, and husband Darien. It also seemed like a mini college alumni reunion. Pictured here are many of my close friends from my college days. Now we're all married and carry the title of Mommy. Boy, we're old!



While we were in Atlanta, we decided to save the money by not staying in a hotel but rather stayed overnight with our sweet friends, Amy and Sam and their five kiddos. We had such fun chatting about football, crafts, kids, and theology until 2:00 in the morning (I hope I don't fall asleep during Mitch's sermon tomorrow!). Today we went out in their front yard and enjoyed the weather by throwing water balloons at each other. Mallary and Samuel are teaching the art of the overhand throw to Andrew in this picture. In the bottom picture you can see Andrew getting ready to use his overhand to soak his daddy!

Close & In Your Face!

I couldn't resist.....I love taking pics from weird angles of funny faces.

Sin...ugh

I hate my sin. My sin was never REAL to me until about ten years ago. That sounds weird, I know. Something happened in my walk with Christ. It deepened and I saw how dirty I was. I also saw, and still see, how redeemed I am. Sin is ugly. Nothing about sin is pretty. Everything about Jesus is. I feel empty because my time is filled with other things rather than meeting with Christ. Yet, He delights in me. He rejoices over me. Zephaniah 3:17:

"The LORD your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing."

I shake my head in disbelief. How could I sin against the Father? Why am I not consumed with Him like He is with me? Why am I so eager to please myself and others moreso than pleasing Him? The Gospel is true. I need reminding of it everyday. I need to repeat the questions/answers in my head like I do with my son: "Who made you? GOD! Why did God make you? For HIS glory!". Oh, thank you for the cross, Jesus. Prone to wander, Lord I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love. I cling to your cross.

I'm glad He exposes my dirt. I'm desperate for a Savior. Good news...there is one and His name is Jesus.

Missing Dad

Today marks six years. It's been six years since my father passed away. He was young; only 59. Each time a huge event happens in the world, I relate it in time to my father's death: the shuttle returning to earth and burning up, September 11, the birth of my children, and so forth. Every detail of THAT horrible day stands out in my mind. I remember the phone call at 1:00 a.m. I remember all the emotions; screaming, crying, pounding the bed, hugging my husband. I remember being surrounded by family that week. Time can take away some of the pain and freshness of losing him but there are still so many things about him that will never be forgotten.

* Daddy's voice was low. I loved listening to him sing in those deep bass tones.
* When a little girl, he would sometimes wake me up in the mornings by rubbing his prickly whisker-face on my cheeks.
* He loved to listen to the "old men" of music, as I referred to them: Elvis, Sinatra, Glen Campbell, and more.
* I remember his pale white skin.....reminds me of my own! He would burn in the sun just like me.
* I remember his laugh. He smoked a good bit of his life so he had a raspy laugh. He quit smoking later in life but the raspiness stayed with him.
* I remember his love for sports...sometimes his love kept him in his recliner so I would often serve him his supper on a UGA dinner tray.
* He loved being a salesman. THE DEALMAKER - #1!
* He LOVED the Georgia Bulldogs. He had several coke bottles commemorating the UGA 1980 football championship sitting around the house. Sic 'em Dawgs! I enjoyed listening to him tease his brother, Uncle David, during football season since because, for some odd reason, David turned out to be a Gator fan - despite having grown up in South Carolina and Georgia. What a weirdo! Just teasing, Uncle David!

The list goes on.....I think I'll stop here and thank God for the 25 years I was able to enjoy with my father.