Jessica, Chace and Julian

The Long Ladies

The Pitchfords move to IL

These are two of the sweetest boys I know. Grant is 3 and Jake is 11 months and daddy was picking them up to head north. We've watched Grant since he was about 18 months. Jake since he was a baby. You'll notice my three helpers, who did most of the work, are in the picture too.

Howdy

I think I haven't been on here in awhile so better get a quick update going.
A Julian funny: she claimed that she's becoming a woman now that she is carrying a purse most of the time.
Our schedule has kept us busy and though we've had some really good weeks, last weekend was busy and we got behind on the housework. By this morning I couldn't stand it any longer so I put a plan into action. The list had 40 lines, some with multiple tasks. These were all tasks to be completed by the younger three and me too. With the music cranked we busied ourselves and tackled the list. I hadn't realized how necessary this day really was until Jessica, in her dusting, came across the last Easter egg that was never found during the children's hunt. That thing was almost 2 months old. YUMMY!
Once the list was completed to the best of our abilities I took the kids to McDonald's for lunch. After the children ate they headed to the playground to burn off some energy. On our way out we spotted our Mailman eating his lunch and said hello to him. He immediately hopped up from his seat and headed to his truck to give us a package that he had for us. I thought that was a hoot, going to McDonald's and getting our mail.
From there we stopped and picked up the Christie girls and came home for a swim.
We've heard from Daniel and he is coming to Florida in July for a week. He is going to Ecuador for a year to teach English and is stopping here on his way over. We are really excited to see him and his new hairdo! He's excited to see the children and William and I too.
VBS plans are progressing nicely. William is running the whole shabang. He has me running Preschool, I love it. The box levels are dwindling in the house, I love that even more!!
By next week we should be able to use our full campus. In January there was a fire in one of the classrooms causing us to have to gut the downstairs of the educational building consisting of 7 very vital rooms. We are starved for space but God showed us how we can accomplish our same goals with less. The temple that shares our parking lot was kind enough to lend us space as needed. The rooms will be inspected this week.
Rain has been teasing us, just a little, but none of it must be hitting Lake Okeechobee because we are on major water restrictions.
Sonja took some pictures yesterday so I'll get her to download them and then I'll add them to the blog.

Daniel this is for you : )

Happy Mother's Day

On our way to a Mother Daughter tea and thought we should snap some pictures. Glad we did.

Exploring

After a day of shooting video for VBS at Amelia Earhart Park we let the kids explore. I slowed them down long enough to snap a few pictures. This is right after Jessica's haircut and right before Chace's. Julian's chin was free and clear so the kids also got to play in the stream after the photo session.

The new Jessica

Amazingly, we were able to cut 11 inches off of Jessica's hair. Discolored from the sun and swimming but healthy otherwise, she was able to make a donation to Locks of Love. Now her hair looks vibrant and thick and healthy and wonderful. So many times over she has resorted to the old long hair habits but with total glee. Sometimes she tries to flip her hair out of her shirt as she is putting it on or other times she sprays water on her shirt because she has surpassed the length of her hair. She loves her new hairstyle and the attention it seems to draw. We can still do many cute things with her hair and now someone else can too!
I give total credit to daddy who inspired her (financially) to finally allow the shorter do. Fortunately for us she loves it and is happy.

Would love to hear your comments.

Julian's Follow-follow-up

We are clear and free of bandages and infection also. As promised, I took Julian swimming today. The doctor sent her on her way with a clean and clear bill of health. Her skin is irritated from the tape but overall looks pretty good! I'm so glad we're this far into the ordeal. Now she just has to keep healing and not knock it anytime soon. YEAH

From the news, the state of Florida has over 120 fires burning. We can smell the smoke though our county has no fires currently. Our area had rain and storms with tornado activity Saturday evening and the water was well received by our dry, dry grass. It seems strange that a peninsula can't get enough water inland.

I have a request in for a picture of Jessica. Once one is taken, that I like, I'll add it to the post. Just wait until you see what she has done!!

Chace's dream water gun!!

Talk about a Super Soaker!! I just love his imagination and creativity.

Air Show Friday and Relaxing Saturday

First of all let me say that I just realized that Chace had to go to the ER for a chin injury when we had Daniel, our first exchange student. Now Julian with our second exchange student. Sensing a trend we may have to stop with the exchange students!

Yesterday the kids and I went to the beach to watch the rehearsal for the Air and Sea Show. Since I don't do crowds Friday was a good day to see some of the show and enjoy the beach. We had 6 families in our group with just enough children for everyone to play with. I counted 22 ranging from 10 months to 17 years. Around 5 we gathered up and rinsed off to go to dinner. Three of the fathers met us and we had a pleasant dinner at Bubba Gumps. One of the mom's was looking to help during our short walk to the restaurant so I gave her the task of being prepared to answer the question, "how many?" when we got to the restaurant.
Chace spent most of the time jumping off rocks into the water and catching sea creatures. Jessica and her group used their goggles to search and explore all the underwater excitement. Julian, poor Julian, she wasn't allowed to get her chin wet (Dr.'s orders) but we were at the beach and I didn't have the heart to be strict with her. So she spent more time in the water then she should have. I was more worried about sand then I was salt water with her injury.

We all came home tired and content and ready for a good nights sleep, after a shower of course.

Saturday and no plans, no parties, no games, no nothing. A first in how long??? By lunchtime it was Julian and I at the house by ourselves. So much for no plans. William went to the office to get some work done, Sonja went out with friends, Jessica went to run errands with friends and Chace ended up at a friend's house. At 10:30, I now have the three younger kids at home and in bed. Sonja is out with another group of friends and William is at the movies with the father of Jessica's friends. Again, no plans, just a relaxing Saturday.

Tomorrow starts off another busy week. Think I'll go to bed to get myself ready.

Julian's follow-up

William and Julian are back from her Dr. visit. She looks great and is down to only one piece of sterra-strip. The first bandaged was removed completely (and I'm so glad I wasn't there). The Dr. indicated she is healing nicely, there is no infection and the tape will be removed on Tuesday. She still can't get it wet but he OK'd our beach trip tomorrow. I think Julian was happy to get the old bandage off as it was peeling underneath and it was a lot more noticeable than the current one. The wound is closer to the front of the chin than I remember. Not sure if this will make the scar more noticeable later but am certain it won't bother Julian either way.
OK that's enough of that kind of talk. Yuck.

May 2, 2007

The much talked about and long awaited picture of Chace with his white stripe on his orange belt. Ta Da

May 2, 2007

This picture was taken because this is the first time Rainey has snuggled up to Sonja. Rainey turns 18 this month so she does as she pleases when she pleases. The scowl on her face makes us wonder if she is so vain to say that her fur wasn't just right for the picture. It's hard to imagine that she is even older than Sonja!

Upon viewing the picture Julian exclaimed, "Oh good, you can hardly see my chin!" This might be the only picture we get of her bandaged up so thought I would include it in the blog.

May 1, 2007

Hello and Happy May!!
We've started this new month with quite a bang! Today marks the first anniversary of the death of one of our cat's.
And that not being enough to deal with today, Julian allowed us a visit to the Urgent Care last night. The 5 of us were out to run errands, in fact we were at our first stop. The store had bars meant just for children to swing on, right? Only Julian ended flat on the floor with one shoe on. The other was a good 3 feet away assuring us in the short amount of time we were in the store she had gained some significant air in her swing. I thought she had the wind knocked out of her until a quarter size splat of blood fell onto the floor. Daddy grabbed her and I grabbed for tissues. Upon inspection I exclaimed, "we've got to go!" By God's grace we were within 2 blocks of the Urgent Care AND I remembered where it was.
William pulled up to the door and I carried her straight into a room. A nurse happened to be in the waiting area on his way to his car and he immediately opened three doors for us. Once through the second door the doctor stopped us long enough for a quick peak and ushered us right into room #2.
Julian was very frightened and almost hysterical. William got the older two busy keeping Chace away from any blood sightings. My time was coming though. The Staff was each fabulous with us and handled the situation with kid gloves and golden hearts. Julian was reassured that no needles would be involved. She ended up with tape or sterra stips or what we've named a chin cast which she finds uncomfortable and annoying.
When she was bandaged up she was instantly ready to leave; but there was no way I was standing up and staying upright. The blood and such had me a little light headed. William had nicely informed the staff to watch out for me and they frequently asked how I was doing. I was fine as long as I had my head to my knees. Then I noticed the Dr. was asking me questions and my first thought took me to many a splinters with dad digging and mom distracting me with conversation. But I soon realized he was asking medical questions so I knew I must be quite pale. Good grief. I profusely apologized for making this about me and not completely about Julian. I don't know how long it took me, I do know we were in and out in less than 1 1/2 hours and that I did NOT pass out.
In case you hadn't heard, 2 May's ago Chace had me in the ER with a similar injury. Being the only adult at home I handled the event wonderfully. It wasn't until the next day that I passed out when the injury was reopened.
OK so the Longs have had yet another eventful moment. May you laugh at my expense and pray for quick healing for Julian.

Julian has to be seen by the Dr. on Thursday and William will be taking her, not me. I will though update you on her progress.