A Year with Sting'em

It has been a year since we made a wonderful addition to little growing family-Sting'em. So I thought I would just share a list of Sting'em's Top Ten Favorite things. So here we go:
10. Any kind of bone late at night
9. Sitting on our shoulders during car rides-the only way he can get a good look out the window
8. His Georgia Tech blanket-do not use, he will try to take it away from you if you do
7. Sitting outside in the backyard-watching the golfers and chasing birds and bugs
6. Anything that squeaks-he attacks
5. Sleeping in between Greg and I under the covers-on his back with his feet sticking straight up
4. His food-or any food
3. Clifford the Big Red Dog
2. Tennis Balls-there are at least five bouncing around our house
1. Long walks around our neighborhood-chasing leaves, saying hi to passing dogs, and taking a run on the golf course after hours
Of course, his all time favorite is just being with us, no matter what we're doing. He is just happy and content when we are home with him. Sting'em is the sweetest little dog ever and we are thankful everyday that he is part of our tiny family.

Road Trip

It was time for the annual YW road trip for our ward for the Mia Maids and Laurels. Sort of, a high adventure, and I was able to join them. Debbie (our amazing YW Pres) and I took 5 wonderful girls to the road-Melissa, Jordan, Nashua, Sarah, and Megan. We didn't head too far away, to St Augustine. We left Monday to return Friday evening, for a week of packed full adventures, all planned by Debbie, who is absolutely amazing...I think I might have her plan all of my vacations since she is so good at it. So, here is a break down of our fun week.

MONDAY-Met at the Carter's. Packed (and I mean, really JAM PACKED) the car full of all our gear. Hit the road for our smashed together 2 hour ride to Debbie's brother's house in St. Augustine.
TUESDAY-Shopping in Jacksonville at Avondale. We walked around to check out the cute little shops. The girls found the Green Alligator- an incredibly cute toy shop. Right away, Sarah found these amazing little "plasma bikes." She was riding around the entire store insisting that everyone try one out. So, I did, all 5 feet 11 inches of me squished on this tiny little bike. It was a blast! So then we got Debbie on one and we took over riding them around the store. It was tons of fun. I think I would've taken one home, if only there was more room in the car to take it back. Hmmm...maybe next time.

Then we headed over to the Cummer Museum and took a tour, learning about the many collections of art they had. My favorite had to be the Garden, right on the river. It was absolutely beautiful. After the tour we headed up the the "Art Connection"-the more interactive part of the museum. The girls instantly found a huge screen to dance in front of and spent the rest of their time in the little room, dancing and singing at the top of their lungs. It was pretty entertaining. The girls all decided that they would want a colorful screen like that in their own homes. It was hard to tear them away when it was time to go.

WEDNESDAY-All about Flagler. We headed over to Flagler College and learned about Henry Flagler. It was a great Florida History lesson, Henry Flagler had a huge role in the development of Florida. We were able to go on a tour of the beautiful campus, which was originally Mr. Flagler's luxurious hotel, now made into a private College. What an amazing experience it must be to go to school there.

THURSDAY-After the girls woke up at 10 (exhausted from late night of partying in the pool), we headed out to Jacksonville Landing. We took a relaxing ferry boat ride around the river and then, as suggested by the lady at the tourist office, we set off to find the trolley to take us around town. I don't think that lady had ever ridden on the trolley before, if she had, she would certainly not recommend it. After driving around for about 30 minutes looking for a safe place to escape to or waiting for the driver to take us back to the Landing, the driver informed us that we were on the "homeless trolley". Sure lady! "Take the Trolley!" It was not a huge surprise for us to hear, we pretty much could tell after many people loaded on. Our girls were a bit shaken up, but had a good outlook on it. They said "maybe we were supposed to ride that so we can appreciate what we have." I love our girls!

Later that evening Debbie's brother, John, was nice enough to take us to the driving range to teach us a few things about golf. I, having been to the driving range before with Greg, so I knew full well how I would do. Let's just say I had some decent shots with the 6 iron I was using, but nothing consistent. I am going to go with the excuse that my tiny growing baby bump, as the girls so often pointed out to me during the week, got in the way. I usually rock at golf! Yeah, I will go with that. After about an hour and a half of trying to hit the balls, we called in a night. Of course, there was some pool time afterward for some of the girls.

FRIDAY-The big day! Nashua so kindly and patiently did my hair and painted my nails the night before. I have no patience for my hair anymore, seeing how it has gotten curlier over the past few years-but Nashua, the flat iron master that she is got my hair perfectly straight. I don't even think my stylist gets it that silky, smooth. Amazing. So, Friday morning we all got dressed up and headed to Sephora so the girls could get their make-up done for our big lunch. They all looked so beautiful! (But they always do.) With sometime to shop before we needed to head to lunch, Nashua and I hit every baby/maternity store in the mall. She, I think, will be my baby's stylist, whether I have a boy or a girl. So, I know that with the YW's help, I don't have to worry about babysitters or my baby not being fashionable. Lots to look forward to!We drove out to Amelia Island, a beautiful island right off the coast, with really not much on it. It was gorgeous. We went to Cafe 4750 at the Ritz and had a scrumptios meal. After two hours of talking and laughing, we were stuffed and completely satisfied. I know I was. I had the most delicious King Crab Cake Sandwich in the world. YUM! (I thought of my wonderful grandmother, who would've loved it.) We had such an amazing time, it was the perfect way to end a fabulous week!

Drove back to pack up the car and get on the road. Our road trip came to an end when we pulled back into the Carters later that night. I had such a wonderful week with the girls and Debbie. I absolutely adore each and every one of them. I loved going on this trip with Debbie, she is so wonderful and researched every little thing we did (the trolley was where we strayed from her plan, but that was due to poor advice from the not so informed tourist shop lady). I just feel so lucky that I get the oppurtunity to serve with her in YW. She's great. And I love all our girls. It was such a blessing to see them and spend time with them all week long. They are each strong girls with beautiful testimonies. I am very grateful that I was able to go on the trip with them. As wonderful as it was to feel young again, staying up all night and going and going nonstop all day long...I have to say, it was amazing to go home to my loving husband and cute little dog, who missed me terribly, and sleep in my own bed Friday night. So much to be thankful for!!!Thanks Debbie and girls for the fantastic week!!!

Girls Camp

This week our YW went to Girls Camp. Although I didn't get to go out to spend the entire week with them, camping under the stars, I did get to go out there for a few nights after work. Our ward color was orange-for Choice and Accountability. Thursday night was skit night and our girls won "Most Original"-totally appropriate for their skit. Although, we as leaders we a little biased, we thought our girls deserved "Best Overall". But, I guess since they won it last year, they couldn't give it to them again, you know. I mean, how would the other wards feel. Our girls did a great job and made it through camp. It brought back so many memories of my camp years, camping in the Florida heat with the bugs and occassional Summer showers-which happened every day for these girls this year. It can be brutal. So, good job girls! I love these girls so much and it was fun to spend a few nights with them.

The Eustis girl's first day of camp dressed in our ward's camp color.
Bad bug bites lead to a good game of dot to dot."Most Original" Skit. Although I think we could've won every single award they were giving out.

Good Saturday

Saturday started early for us. We woke up early to drive to the temple to meet up with my mom, Heather and Matt, and the entire Berger clan-Kathy and Keith, Rebekah and Phillip Jarvis, Beth Galbraith, Travis and Valerie, Adam, Jared Burgoon, and Alex and Erin. Keith has recently become a sealer and Kathy thought it would be a great idea to take a Saturday and do lots of work. It was wonderful. We spent over 2 hours doing work for large families. The feeling was incredible. It was so fantastic to spend that kind of time with family and friends. And it was so great to do all that work for all those families. It was just a incredible morning. It made me feel so grateful for the blessing that I have in my life. For this gospel in my life. I was really overwhelmed with joy the entire day. I am so grateful for my family and for the Bergers (practically family), and especially my husband-I love them all so much. Greg is such a good man, he is a good husband and will be the best father. It is such a good feeling to do work for those that can't do it for themselves, especially when you can truly feel that they want it so badly and have been waiting for that moment. And it was so great to see the temple buzzing with people, that makes me happy.

After the temple, we all headed to Panera for lunch. We parted ways at that point. Greg and I headed to Chipotle (he didn't want a sandwich from Panera so we had to go get him a burrito). We walked around the Florida mall for just a bit and headed down to Cocoa Beach to get ready for a wedding. Unfortunately, Greg forgot that keys to the condo and we had to break in to get dressed. Ssshhh, don't tel anyone. It was our place, so we figured we could. We headed down to Melbourne for Shoady and Juan's wedding and reception.

Shoady and I became friends shortly after I got home from college. She is an amazing person. We have had so much fun together over the years. Even if it has been months since we have spoken, we can pick up the phone and just pick up where we left off. She is a great friend and I love her so much. So she married the wonderful Juan, who is just the perfect fit for her. He is a great guy. We were so happy to share in their day together and wish them all the happiness. We love you guys!

Heartbeat

Wednesday was the day that we had been waiting for, our 12 week visit to the doctor. I really didn't know what to expect, everyone seems to tell you something different. I have been very anxious for quite sometime for this appointment. After going over my medical history once again and a physical exam, they brought Greg back in the room with me. The nurse pulled out the little Doppler and placed it on me. The first spot she placed it, there was nothing, just a whooshing sound. That doesn't sound like a beat, oh please let her find this little person, let everything be okay. Then she found it. A heartbeat. It was the most amazing sound I have ever heard, 16o beats per minute. We sat there and listened for a few minutes. The nurse said the baby sounded absolutely perfect. I think it has truly, 100% hit me that there is a little person growing inside me. That it won't be long until he or she is here. That is the most wonderful and scary feeling. I am so excited! This will be an incredible year.