When it rains, it pours... Prayers needed!

We're back from the beach. But before I enter that post I feel I need to ask for a major prayer request. Our families (both my side and Zac's) needs tons of prayers. On my side, I have many aunts and uncles that have had kidney transplants (thank God they are doing great) and one aunt, Aunt Sue, that still needs one. Pray she can get the transplant she needs, which includes a heart. I also have a great aunt, Callie Sue, that has cancer and is not doing so well. My mom's mother, "Granny" will be having a hip replacement July 28th. I pray she has a speedy recover. My sweet mom is staying at her house for 6 weeks to take care of her and Buster, the dog.

It has been super crazy on Zac's side in the past week. We thought his Uncle Chris had two cancerous tumors, but thankfully found out it was an infection. Unfortunately he is in UAB hospital ICU for a couple weeks until they can get him medicated enough to come home. He will have to spend a year getting this under control. We are so thankful to God for answering our prayers that he will be okay. He should come home soon. Please pray for Terri, Zac's aunt and Chris's wife. She found out the same day Chris was going into the ICU that her mother (Zac's grandma) passed away. This has been a difficult time for her and the family. We were greatful to have been passing through Birmingham on the way back from the beach so we could stop in and visit.

As if this is not enough, Maycell Smith (Walker's babysitter, Zac's Great Aunt) was diagnosed with bone cancer the same time Uncle Chris was going through his ordeal. We just found out today it is malignant. I can't begin to express the sadness I feel. She is a Breast Cancer survivor of ten years. Walker absolutely loves Maycell and Ralph. This most likely means Walker will be going to day care. I know one thing... I will always be dedicated to taking Walker to visit Nanny and Daddy Ralph as often as possible. These three have a bond I couldn't bare to break. Of all of this, the thing that makes me the saddest is Walker not getting to spend his days with his buddy, Daddy Ralph.

Wow! What was I thinking? One more major request. Please pray for my friend Roxanne. Her brother was just laid to rest. He was only 23. I know this family is having a tough time.

Okay... so do you see we need some major praying around here? I have no idea what the next few weeks holds. I do know one thing. I believe everything happens for a reason. I believe God knows why these things are happening. We may not understand, but God does and he has a plan for us all. I trust God! Please pray!

Here are some past pictures of Walker with Nanny and Daddy Ralph...

Chris and Terri

Kiddie Carnival & July 4th!

Hello all! We are heading out in the morning for the beach so I thought I'd better post what pictures I have from my camera. Since last post, we have visited the Kiddie Carnival in Athens. For those of you who don't know what this is... it is carnival type rides for small kids operated by the Lions Club. G-Daddy's (Zac's dad) church rented it out for the kids. He loved it since Kyle, Jenna, and Katelyn were there. He cried on every ride but loved chasing after his cousins.

This 4th of July we went around and visited family. We took Walker to the Athens Firecracker Festival to see the big fireworks. He loved it but wasn't too sure about the big booms. My mother came up that Saturday to visit. We cooked out and had our own little firework show that night.
Zac playing horseshoes with Anna Marie, Braden, and Anna Marie's dad.
Watching the fireworks...

G-Daddy & MiMi had all the kids over that Sunday for a bubble and sprinkler party.

Walker decided he needed eye wear! We enjoy meeting up with Aunt Brandy and the kids to go swimming.

I had to include this one... Walker still isn't potty trained but the sweet little thing keeps trying.

Don't forget to check back in a week or so... there will be beach pictures... my favorite kind!

Back in Auburn!

Zac was in a friend's wedding in West Point, GA which meant we got to stay in Auburn. We miss living there. It was nice to go back and visit. Everyone got to see Walker for the first time. That day was pretty crazy. For starters, it felt like it was 400 degrees. I forgot what it felt like to be down there. The humidity is unbelievable. We went to Oakhurst about 2:00 to drop Zac off for pictures. To kill time Walker and I went about 15 miles to Pine Mountain, GA. We were told they had a bunch of cute little shops and a cool ice cream store. I'm not a fan of ice cream but thought it would be fun for Walker. He loves it. So... since we were already dressed for the wedding (which didn't start for another 3 hours) I thought it would be smart to get a milkshake verses an ice cream cone. Turns out I'm not smart at all!!!! Walker took one large sip of it, held it in his mouth, and then SPLAT, spit it out all over me and him. His cute little outfit was covered in chocolate. After the initial shock I noticed it was on my dress, arms, legs, and face. I can't even begin to explain the feeling that shot through my body. I was hot and mad. I pray to God everyday to help me get through the toddler years. Anyone that knows Walker knows he is all boy and very active. He is so sweet but I believe we're heading into the "terrible two's" full speed ahead. So... I gave up the fun mommy and son time and we headed back for Oakhurst. Fortunately I was able to get most of the chocolate out by using a Tide Pen. It did get better as the night went on. Walker loved dancing (with himself) and getting his picture taken by the photographer. The rest of the trip we took Walker around Auburn to see the campus. I wanted pictures to double frame for the future in case he picks Auburn for college. HA! Walker paused dancing for two minutes to take a picture with his daddy.

This is the pic I'll double frame one day...

He loved that tiger!

At the wedding... Can you see the stain?

QUEEN OF THE IRIS

One of many iris beds.

Japaneese Snowball Bush

The yard of Maycell Smith, AKA "Nanny", can not go unmentioned this time of year. I love to walk around her yard in the spring. It is absolutely gorgeous. Over the past year, I have learned that she loves Irises. She not only collects them, she also trades them and hunts for special kinds. I can't begin to name all the different types. I had to show her yard off since in a couple of weeks the color will all be gone. Walker especially loves staying at Nanny and Daddy Ralph's in the spring. He gets to enjoy the outside while they work in the flower beds.

Oh... and they've added a sand box. I need to get a picture of that too. Walker has had tons of fun playing with that but I think the discovery of worms has made it all worth the while. Yes, I said WORMS! This child will play with them all day. He thinks they are funny. Maycell said he puts them in his bucket and totes it around all day. HA!

WALKER UPDATE: I found out some awesome and exciting news yesterday. Walker has been tee-teeing in the potty. Yeah! He even did it for me today. He gets so excited when he does it. Now if we can get him to do that all the time.

Outside Fun

I am so thankful to have warmer weather. I would much rather be outside playing than stuck in the house. We just got Walker his first kite and he LOVES it! After Walker and I flew the kite, we went to visit Hank, the sheep dog. Walker thinks Hank is the greatest. I noticed a few duck eggs lying around, which isn't unusual. The dogs usually find them and enjoy a tasty treat. But Hank for some reason became fond of one of the eggs. He would carefully pick it up in his mouth and carry from spot to spot. He would lay next to it and act as if he was protecting it. At this point I took a picture of this somewhat unusual behavior. Don't let this fool you. He later dropped it next to a hay bale, hiked his leg on it, and had himself a tasty treat. ? Anyways... When I use the word "duck" Walker likes to flash me his duck face. Some of you have been blessed to see this cute sight. It is hilarious!

While I love my son more than life itself, I cherish the moments he is with Zac doing guy stuff. I can't believe the time has come for him to do things with his daddy. I've tried very hard to catch all of Walker's "firsts" in pictures. He went out with Zac to plant some trees in the back pasture. Sure he was covered in mud when he came in the house, but it was well worth it. I love watching those two play and do things together. There is something special about a bond between a father and son. There is no doubt in my mind, Walker is going to be an outside kid. Being a teacher I know several kids who simply don't play outside. Why? How can you not want to run, play, and explore as a kid? What's happening to our society? Everything has changed from when I was a kid. That's not that long ago! Was it? All I'm saying is... AMERICA, shove your kids outside and get them off the couch! While you're at it, teach them some manners!

Sorry. I am now off my soap box.

I'm Jumping on the Blogging Boat!

It's taken me a while to get started, but I feel this will help me keep everyone up to date on what's going on in the Fleming household. Since we are prisoners of "dial up" I don't send out pictures and emails as often as I would like. We are checking out the Verizon Wireless card in hopes that we can ditch the phone line altogether. If anyone out there has one, please let me know what you think of it. Is it faster, does it have a monthly fee, and most importantly, do you like it? We are, for a lack of better words, DESPERATE!