The Barber Family Blog

Kentucky Day Two

Day two of our vacation brought much fun! Jordan got up early....5:00am and went fishing with Horsepower and Andy. This fish was his catch. He actually whispered in my ear that he caught the most fish that morning. We are keeping that a secret. The boys cleaned up the fish and we enjoyed a fabulous fried fish supper that evening. Funny thing, Michael has discovered he is "allergic" to either the batter or the bass. As soon as he takes his first bite, his eyes swell up and he begins to sneeze. We thought is was fluke when it happened last year. Poor Michael.

A family photo of the Barber's in the Land between the Lakes. We look rather odd all wrapped up in the noodles.
A typical day at the Lake House consisted of sleeping until the kiddos wake up. Which believe me is not very late. Especially when you happen to be sleeping in the loft with the sunshine pouring in.(Central time has it's disadvantages) Eating breakfast outside on the picnic table as we try not wake anyone else up, we wait for the boys to get back from fishing. A leisurely golf cart ride or a two mile very hilly walk is also an option for the morning before it gets too hot. Then Kristi and I pack up the coolers for lunch on the lake and off we go. Two golf carts, 10 beach towels ; 2 coolers; 8 life jackets; 4 kiddos; 1 slalom ski (you go Kristi); 12 bottles of sunscreen (jk); 1 camera for capturing all the memories.

Does the wave runner look familiar.....anyone??? This Yamaha was Michael's first toy. Purchased in Lake Wales where it was used all the time, it just was not feasible to maintain and keep up in GA, where the season is so short. So......we sold it to Kristi's dad Horsepower, and Michael gets the best of both worlds.
This..... by the way is Riley Jack's very first ride on the wave runner. HE LOVED IT!Michael and Andy both pulled Kristi skiing behind the wave runner too.

What do you notice about this photo??????? That's right grandma's and grandpa's.....aunts and uncles.....friends. RILEY JACK IS SWIMMING. Up to this moment, Riley Jack did not feel comfortable in water, whether it be lake or swimming pool. Jordan and I have taken him twice this summer to the Lullwater Pool and he clung to whoever happened to be holding him at the time. I was beginning to fret. How could my son not like the water. After all.....I'm a swimmer right? Anyway, after clinging for about an hour to Michael or I in the lake, he just decided to try things out for himself......he kicks his legs, he makes swimming motions with his hands, he even blows bubbles in the lake water....YUCK! I can't wait to get him back in the pool and see what he does without a life jacket. We are so proud of you Riley Jack!

Kentucky Day One

Look at that smile! The Barber Family headed to our annual mini-vacation to Land-Between-The-Lakes in Cadiz, Kentucky. Kristi and Andy Hape, our best friends from our days in Lake Wales allow us to share a couple days each summer at Kristi's parents lake house. I think this is our 5th summer. We usually go around July 4th, however, due to the very soon birth of Baby Barber....we pushed up our date and met them early. Thanks so much Judy and Horsepower(Kristi's parents) for accomodating us. You are the best.

Mia.....Sophie......Riley Jack were great pals during this trip. Riley Jack kept asking were are my friends?

Riley Jack was decked out in his sunglasses....way too cute. On this first day, he wasn't too sure of the water. He got in with us, but was wary. He had on his life jacket as well as a noodle.

Jordan did well.....without a computer and his cell phone. Each day we see maturity.....and a little bit of growing up. Jordan was as always very helpful with his brother, playing and keeping on eye on him.

Baby Shower!!

Holly...Allyson...Leslie...Stephanie...Amanda...LaToyia...Krista
A thousand thank you's could not express my gratitude for the Wonderful Baby Shower you put on for me today. I love you guys so much. Every detail was perfect, and I know precious time and love was given for each thing. Thanks so much!

The food table was beautiful, and the food was delicious......Strawberries and Protein?????

I love the cute little clothesline....it was adorable. I'm holding a bowl full of pennies; we played this very special game, where I called out the year on a penny, and a guest with the matching year (passed out before hand of course) shared...."A penny for your thoughts" It was very sweet and special to hear how I was involved in people's lives and what they thought of me. It makes one cherish friends even more. Thank you.

Wow! look at all of those fabulous presents. Thanks everybody.

SCHOOLS OUT FOR THE SUMMER!

Riley Jack's friend Addie Grace came for a swim on Friday. She was a real trooper...she was getting two teeth at one time.

Riley Jack is very independent and likes to do everthing by himself. Here he is demonstrating that independence.

Jordan and Riley Jack love swimming together! Riley Jack actually let Jordan "let him go" and Riley Jack floated in the pool on his own.

Schools out Schools out the teachers let the Monkey's out......Yeah! School out for the summer can only mean one thing......Jordan is here. We picked up Jordan June 1st. Riley Jack, is enjoying every minute of Jordan being home. He hero worships Jordan....following him around and when not in sight...asking Where is Jordan. My favorite part though of the past week.....Riley Jack bossing Jordan around. If I ask Jordan to do something, for example, come to the table for dinner....Riley Jack will follow up with...."Jordan, Mommy said come to the table NOOOOOOOW." It is so hilarious. Never the less, those two are quite the pair. Jordan is a very good big brother and never loses his temper or his patience with Riley Jack. It really is pure Joy to observe. I even let Jordan "babysit" RJ last Tuesday while I had lunch with some girlfriends. Jordan did a great job.

Hanging out in the dugout!

Mary Jane, Tyler, Hayden and Riley Jack are best buds. They love to cheer their daddies on at Town Center Community Church Softball games. Here they are hanging out in the dug out.

TCCC Softball

Pam and Trey enjoying the softball game on a sweltering June evening

Michael.....the fabulous first basemen for TCCC

Jordan watching the game....while holding Tina and Ben's new puppy...NIA. (Can you see Riley Jack in the background sneaking up the bleachers)

Riley Jack is so fascinated by dirt....he loves to rub his hands in it. I particularly love the oversized glove and glowing yellow ball.

Prego's have lunch

Myself (34 weeks), Latoyia (24 weeks), and Christi(28 weeks) are all expecting.....DUH! Thank you Christi for fixing a fabulous lunch, I truly enjoyed every moment. Tina, you are a saint for putting up with all of our pregnant talk.

Actually, I think their are a total of 6 girls at Town Center Community Church expecting babies within the next 6 months. I have the closest due date....July 19th, followed by Sara...in early August,(girl) Cynthia,(girl) shortly after, Christi(boy)...beginning of September. Latoyia(boy) end of September, and Candance(too soon to tell the sex of baby yet)......following behind with a due date in December. Christi, Layotyia, and Candance are all expecting their first child! Yeah!
Anyway, it has been very exciting, being pregnant with friends. Sharing stories, nursery ideas, and lamenting me b/c I'm the only one not finding out the sex of the baby. Sorry, guys, I just love a good surprise. I hope are babies will enjoy the opportunity to grow up together as we grow in our friendship.

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND 2008

Memorial Day Weekend the Barber Family decided to take a side trip to the Atlanta Zoo! Riley Jack loved it....so much, that we are considering getting a family membership. Riley Jack's favorite animals were the Orangatans and the Gorillas. Unfortunately, the Lions were away for the day and the Tigers were slumbering too far away to get a good look at.

Can you hear Riley Jack ROARING!!!!!

A miracle....everyone is smiling.

Riley Jack posing with Willie the Gorilla.

Cheryl and Buddy drove up from High Springs late Friday night. A very last minute trip...but as I always say, BaBa can't stay away from her Riley Jack for more than three weeks (the last time she saw him was the last weekend in April). Don't worry BaBa, you will have enough "love, time, laughter" to share with the new baby Barber. Thanks Pops for fixing our front window. (while spring cleaning around our front bed, we discovered the wood had rotted...yuck and needed to be replaced) Michael enjoyed every second of using the skill saw. Cheryl...thanks for helping me to haul down all the baby clothes and getting the room ready for the new arrival. Trust me...I am much relieved.

31 WEEKS AND COUNTING

Michael made me take these photos.......I'm going to the Doctor every two weeks now and will go back on the 29th. All is well, my blood pressure is fabulous, and the baby is moving around like a dancer. The heart rate remains between 145-150. I'm definitely carrying this one totally different from Riley Jack. Overall, I feel great, just sleepy, as my nights continue to be interrupted by a large head pounding on my bladder.....The joys of pregnancy.

Just another Windy Day in Georgia!!!!

Just as we were about to sit down to our fabulous Mother's Day Feast (which Michael had prepared all by himself), the phone rings. Sara Beth, our neighbor informs us our Bartlett Pear is down.......literally. High Winds that afternoon left us with several large branches broken from our tree. Those of you who know......Bartlett Pears are one of the last trees to loose there leaves in the fall.....and what a mess they make. So, it didn't hurt my feelings at all to lose a few branches. Luckily, our other neighbor Rob (and Jenn) had a friend in the neighborhood who needs no excuse to "break out" his chainsaw. The men had the mess cleaned up in no time. Thanks Pat for coming to our rescue. Another exciting day at the Barber house.

Happy Mother's Day 2008

What Mother's Day means to me...........

A day to reflect on what being a mom truely means. Pure JOY! I just peeked in on Riley Jack as he slept, and the feeling that welled up inside of me was one of pure JOY, wonderment, and AWE

Forget the sand that is all over the house (thank you daddy for filling up the sand box under the play ground ), that I had to feed you each bite of dinner in order to get you to eat....or that there are easter eggs and easter grass still strewn all over the house....even in my shower. (I'm too big to bend over and pick it up and I couldn't tell you no when you wanted to play with it, even though it was already packed up)

JOY! is what I feel when I reflect on being a mommy.

Jordan and Riley Jack you have been a blessing and I love you more both each day. You make me extremely proud.

JOY, when Riley Jack buries my feet in the sand, or sits in my lap for a snuggle. JOY, when Jordan calls everyday on his way to the bus stop.

Wonderment as I watch these boys grow and mature. A tween to a teenager, YIKES. A baby to a toddler, and soon a boy.

AWE, as I look forward to their futures and what God has in store for them. AWE, that God trusted me to be a mom. AWE, that God will continue to stand in the gap, when I struggle.

Jordan, you are turning into a mature and wise young man, I can't wait to see what God has planned for you. The love and patience you show to your little brother makes me smile. When I watch the two of you together, I observe a selfless young man putting the needs of a three year old before his own. WOW!

Riley Jack, you are my doll baby. You are such a smart little boy, I am amazed each day by your vocabulary and your capacity to show compassion and love towards others.

As we await the arrival of our new addition, I anticipate new challenges and new rewards. I willingly look forward to them. Being a mommy has and is my greatest accomplishment. Though I will choose the wrong battle and mess up I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I will strive to be the best mommy and seek daily HIS guidance.

Thank you boys for my fabulous Mother's Day present.......I love it.

13 YEARS OF FRIENDSHIP!

I wonder how many photos we have of the five of us together? Dozens probably. This is us standing on the dock of Grandma Bert's Withlacoochee River House! After much wishy washiness (is that a word) we decided to meet in FL. We stayed in Dunnellon at Grandma Bert's (Michael's late grandmother). Thanks Cheryl (Michael's mom) and Uncle Rudy for letting us stay there. While our time was short.....we managed to see historic Dunnellon, enjoy a fabulous dinner at The Ivy House, and witness a real live RODEO! Good ol' Williston (which incidentally, is where I taught my very first teaching job...thank you Williston Middle School and Ernie Korgein) was putting on a high school rodeo. This was my first opportunity to view such a sight. It was both entertaining and lively. I can't wait to go to another one. I hear J.R. Miller park here in Marietta, GA can put on a doosey of a rodeo. Anybody game? One memorable event of the evening, .......the slaying of one poor opossum. Sorry, little guy, but my brother taught me never ever and I mean never......swerve. So, I didn't. The racket as it went under the van was atrocious.

Sunday, we enjoyed a wonderful day basking in the sunshine at YankeeTown Beach. I was threatened with bodily harm.....if I posted any of the photos taken with us in our bathing suits. So....you will have to use your imagination. Thanks ED for sacrificing your time in getting the boat ready for us. Don't be too hard on yourself, the main purpose was for us girls to be together. (the original plan was to leisurely coast up the Withlacooche River, but there was a problem with Ed's boat) We feasted on a luncheon fit for Queens and eventually headed back to civilization. We parted ways shortly after and all but Terri feasted at The Front Porch know for it's delicious pies.