Winfield Bluegrass Festival

We are now back from camping for a little less than a week in Winfield, KS... What started off horribly ended so good.

We arrived on Tuesday evening. My dad was too tired to camp that night so we slept at his house in Oxford, Kansas, which is about 8 miles from Winfield. We got up the next day and loaded all the camping gear and headed out for what was supposed to be the start of an awesome weekend.

Wednesday night is when things went horribly wrong. We started out just hanging out, catching up with everyone, unpacking what seemed to be an entire house worth of stuff.... Then a friend Jake got a call from his kids stating that they were getting alot of bad weather and hail in a town nearby. Being the motherly being I am, I immediatly got out my phone and kept tabs on the radar, updating Jake on the storm. From what everyone could tell it was just going to miss us... So, we just sat outside and watched a storm pass us by. Within minutes the sky became black, the temperature changed to cooler weather... and lightening started.
The next thing I know a lightning strike hit really close to where we were. Everyone started yelling at me to get the baby in a truck where its grounded. Dads truck was locked, so I ended up taking him into a camper and waited. The wind picked up, and then the sirens sounded. I opened the door to the camper and looked at my dad and he said "Maude, get the baby in the truck now." We run for the truck, strapping Sterling into the middle with no car seat, (which totally freaked me out), and started trying to find a safe place. We started by driving around the campsite, looking for a covered place to park. Traffic was horrible, and trees looked like they were going to break in half. So, My dad decided it would be best to hit the road and run from it. On the radio we could hear them saying that Winfield has lost all power, and that the tornado was on the ground 5 miles north of us.... Dad drove the opposite way. I immediatly began praying as we tried to get out of the campsites traffic, people running in the road trying to find cover, cars trying to run to a safer place, it was a mad house. We finally got out and started heading for Ark City (which I later found out that Julie's saint husband had to go the next day to fix their power, those guys need praise, they work so hard!!!) God was really on my side,  because the moment I started praying, Sterling fell right to sleep. The skies got dark, the rain was falling sideways.... I was worried about everyone at the campsite. So many things were going through my mind. I immediately called Mike and told him to start praying, that I was scared we werent going to make it, and that I loved him. My dad kept trying to find a good radio station with updates, as we kept loosing signal due to power outages.
We finally got towards Ark city and you could see the blue sky ahead of us... but in the rear view it was dark as night.
When we took a different road to get to my dads house, you could see all the funnels. Luckily I had Julie, who lives on the other side of Wichita, texting me updates on the weather, telling me if we were clear where we were at. Gave me a huge peice of mind. We made it to my dads safely, thank God. But that was one of the scariest things I have ever been through.
After getting to dads I called around to try to reach people back at the campsite. Our friend Jake, bless his heart, stood out in the storm holding our tent up so we wouldnt loose anything. No one was hurt, no one had any damage. A couple of friends that lived near by had severe roof damage to their home, but other than that everyone was ok. Jakes kids made it through also.
As I laid down that night, I slept with Sterling in my arms, holding him so tight. I probably kissed him a million times and thanked God that he was still with me and that my dad protected us. It reminded me of when Sterling was 5 weeks, and we had a tornado out at Mike's dads farm. Sterling and I were down in the cellar, I covered him with a blanket, and hovered over him praying that God would keep us safe. I watched the ceiling tiles move, and out of the cellar window you could see what looked like hell had taken over. It lasted only a few minutes but it seemed like forever. When it was all done, we came upstairs, house still standing, unharmed. But a barn had collapsed, and our brandnew greenhouse that the entire family put so much work into was gone. It was devistating.
So, Sterling is my little tornado baby. One day Ill look back and tell him these stories, and about how he is a little survivor, and how his grandpas, Dean and my dad, were hero's on both of those terrifying days.

After that things were great. We went back out to the festival the next morning, and nothing was lost or ruined. We had alot of mud from a little flooding, but everyone worked really hard together and got everything cleaned up. Sterling had a hay day with that mud too! I think at one point he was covered from head to toe! My dad made Sterling a little covered wagon (which I would post pictures if someone could show me how...hint hint) and we just pulled him around as we looked at crafts, and listened to music. My dads girlfriend Judy came down from Texas. It was great to see her, and she was so wonderful with Sterling! I even got a little mommys night out and got hang out with friends and drink some champagne. I got a little carried away, but I had SO much fun.

Music was great, friends were even greater.... and I cant wait untill next year! Leaving was hard. Watching my dad cry as he said by to Sterling killed me. I hate being so far away. I think I cried almost all the way home.

So, thats the eventful story of our past weekend. I posted a video of some of the footage someone captured of all the tornadoes. I guess there were about 6 in the area. The hail  was 7.75 inches! Video is very neat to look at so take a gander!

Thats all for now. Back to the daily regular.
Hope all is well with everyone!

God Bless,
Molly

footage from our tornado

I found this video looking for cool pictures of the storm that we were in while camping out at Winfield,Kansas. This shows exactly what we saw, and sends chills down my spine! Another post to follow!

Counting Down

The Count down to Vacation begins! (acutally I have been counting down for a while now, but now that its getting closer Im getting WAY more excited!)
Every year my family has gone to a bluegrass festival in Winfield, Kansas. It has now become like a family reunion and its seriously always the highlight of my year. Not only do I get to see my family and friends, but I get to hear great music, enjoy lots of arts and crafts, and....here is the big one this year.... relax!!!  This will be little Sterling's first year.... we didnt go last year due to him being so little and the scare of Swine Flu and big crowds... but my little music lover is going to have a blast this year! He is at the perfect age and I am so excited to introduce him to everyone. The best thing out of this whole vacation will be to see my daddy... (yes, I still call him daddy, and I probably will in my 90's) Having him and Ster-Fry together to me is priceless. Sterling is so much like him in so many ways.... I hate living so far from him, but I sure do charish the times we have together even more now. Michael wont be able to go because of school, but we will still have fun!
So, All in All.... IM READY to go!!!!

The past few weeks have been a little rough for me. Besides the last post with the TICK , I have had a sore throat, My hub and I got into an arguement (which doesnt happen often, so when it does my world stops) and then I havent been getting sleep. So today... I slept in after work, took extra vitamins, and I am determined to be on the up and up. I cant take it anymore!

Sterling is doing well. We had his 1st dental appt on Wednesday, (we had to for his daycare) and all was good, of course! Thursday we got his second hair cut, and he looks soooo much better! Then Friday we had Family day at his daycare- where I got nominated to be Chairman of the parent commitee! Kinda fun! Im like the PreK PTA mom! lol. Oh my gosh, to make the PTA mom thing even funnier, Mike and I went to look for cars, and this dealership guy asked me if I would be interested in a van.... I said, "well, I would love the space, but Im in Van Denial."... he convienced us to sit in one.... leather seats, moon roof, SO MUCH ROOM, auto doors, 3rd row seating.... Not gonna lie, we kinda fell in love. We are applying for it! Mike even liked it! HAHA! So, yep, I'm soccor mom in the making.... or how about baseball mom in training!!! I like it!

 Sterling has also been saying more and more every day. He is still saying alot of jibberish, but he tries to copy more of what mommy and daddy say. His favorite word is (very dramatically said) "oooohhhhhhh kay".
Its absolutly adorable. The Dog is "dockey' then he makes the sound dogs make when they are out of breath... hheeeh heeeh heeeh heehhhh.... there are more, but Ive got so much else on my mind I cant remember them all! Ill start writing them all down and updating you all!

Well, Thats all for now.
God Bless, 
Molly

"ticked" off

What a week I have had so far. I have to tell you all the most interesting medical problem I have had thus far.

I have been having eye trouble with my left eye. It started about 2 weeks ago, just a little eye irritaion. I thought it was allergies and I noticed that when I wore my contacts it was worse. So, I've been wearing my glasses, and keeping my hands and eyes both free of germs just in case it was something other than that.
....... Doesnt get better. It gets worse. I'm walking around with a red, swollen eye, although no pain or itching I finally stop being stubborn and go to the eye doctor.

You would not believe what they found in my eye.......

........ a freakin Seed Tick.

I'm not even kidding. ATTACHED to my eye... small enough to be invisible to the naked eye, but under a microscope it there. I freaked out, asking "WHAT? HOW? HUH? ARE YOU SURE?" My doctor was in just as much shock as I was. What makes it even more discusting is that it was still attached, but it was Dead. I can honestly say I had a dead seed tick attached to the inside of my eye. That is Gross.
So, now Im on a heavy eye drop antibiotic just in case it was DISEASED (doctor said it like it was nothing, "we will put you on this just in case...") and a steriod to reduce the swelling and redness.

I am now paranoid. I feel like there are little seed ticks everywhere.
and Im sure those reading this are now paranoid too.... sorry for that, but thats the weirdest thing I have ever had happen to me.

Sterling has been doing really well in daycare. I drop him off, and he no longer cries. We have a really good routine now and things seem to be alot better for him while he is there. Family Day is next friday, so Im excited about that.

Well, I have lots to do, so I hope everyone has a great night and Ill update more later!
God Bless
Molly

God Speed Little Man....

So, Whoever is reading this, this might be a little emotional in the beginning but I promise to lighten it up!

Sterling woke up again, within an hour of being asleep, screaming and trembling. So, again I run in. Pick him up into my arms and begin to sway (as im standing) him back to sleep.
Back and Forth... Back and Forth. His eyes just going in and out...
So, I said to myself, sing to him. I havent had to really rock him in a while since he has been going to sleep on his own, and I had to think of what used to work for him.

1st song we sang in choir in high school, but the words are so beautiful I always told myself to sing it to my child... "Mother rocks you, Humbing lowly, Hush my dear one, go to sleep. Angels hover, ever nearer. Looking on your smiling face. I will hold you, close, unfold you, hush my dear one, go to sleep...."

It worked. Instantly. But by that point I was enjoying something that I have missed in so long. Holding my little man in my arms, watching him sleep, and singing him lullabies.

Next on the list- You are my Sunshine. My daddy used to sing that to me, Infact we still sing it together in harmony. I used to sing that when sterling was a baby and it was the only thing that could make him quiet.
Then I start tearing up thinking of how big he is, and how that really wasnt that long ago.

3rd Came- Jesus loves me. I refuse to let Sterling go to sleep without prayer....and in youth group we made up a more contemporary version of this song. I love to sing it, and its very soothing. Who doesnt want to hear that Jesus loves you? I know I love to sing it and lift him in praise!

Lastly, This one is the kicker.... God Speed (sweet dreams).
Here are the lyrics.

"Godspeed (Sweet Dreams)"



Dragon tales and the "water is wide"
Pirate's sail and lost boys fly
Fish bite moonbeams every night
And I love you


Godspeed, little man
Sweet dreams, little man
Oh my love will fly to you each night on angels wings
Godspeed
Sweet dreams


The rocket racer's all tuckered out
Superman's in pajamas on the couch
Goodnight moon, will find the mouse
And I love you


Godspeed, little man
Sweet dreams, little man
Oh my love will fly to you each night on angels wings
Godspeed
Sweet dreams


God bless mommy and match box cars
God bless dad and thanks for the stars
God hears "Amen," wherever we are
And I love you


Godspeed, little man
Sweet dreams, little man
Oh my love will fly to you each night on angels wings

Godspeed
Godspeed
Godspeed

Sweet dreams

If that doesnt make you tear up I dont know what will... My mom used to play this for my brother, and now that I have a child it has a whole new meaning.
I got to kiss my child to sleep, successfully lay him down without waking him, and come in here and ball.
I guess that what being a mommy is all about.

A few good notes:

• WE FINALLY GOT RAIN! Holy crap have we been waiting on this or what! I couldnt stand to be outside anymore. Our grass is dead, its been awefully hott, and our weather man has been totally wrong for the past month! Thank God we finally have some rain. Our pour grass trees and plants have needed it. 
• Sterling is the official owner of a potty. So far, he thinks the "pee blocker" is a toy that makes noise, and that the inside of the toilet bowl is a treasure chest for toys. We did get him on it once, but it was for a quick picture, then off. I just want him to slowly become comfortable sitting on it. When he is ready, He will tell us!
• This may not sound good to start, but it gets better. Sunday night I was at work and started having horrible shakes, I was having a hard time catching my breath, and my heart was racing.... I thought that it was an anxiety attack, but it didnt feel like that... I thought maybe i needed to eat? nope....  I ended up going to to hospital, and they said that my potassium was horribly low. As many times as I have been to the doctor, no one has ever ever ever told me to watch my potassium. I didnt know! So I guess I was having something similar to a heart attack, but not. wow. Good news? Im not a person with heart attack history ( meaning im ok) and I have potassium pills to take which seem to be making a difference. 
• Last one. Walnut Valley Bluegrass Festival is coming up. Im so excited. I get to take Sterling camping, enjoy friends and family and even go see Julie! Hopefully we can meet up in Wichita! If any friends have vacation time they can use I highly recommend coming! Its the 3 weekend in September in Winfield Kansas. 

Well, I better get to bed. 
Goodnight all..... and God Speed. :0)
Molly