I think I am going to stop blogging but I did not want to quit without writing this.  I feel so guilty for not writing about the arrival of our newest grandbaby, Farrah Kate.  I don’t want her to ever think that she was less important or not as exciting as her big sister Bella. I have thought about what I would say so many times over the last month, never feeling like I could find the right words.  But here we go…..

 

Everything about the anticipation of Farrah’s birth was different from Bella’s birthday.  Katie was induced early on the morning of November 19^th at Piedmont Hospital, where as she went into labor with Bella on her own.  She was in labor for many hours with Bella so we thought there was no hurry to get down to the hospital.  Thought it was going to be another Survivor baby – Bella was born while we were watching the show in the waiting room. 

 

Bella had spent the night with us so we could make her feel special.  We got up that morning, made her breakfast & got her dressed to take her to Wamba Land.  No rush.  Just enjoying the morning.  Then Chris texted me & said that they broke her water & the contractions were getting closer together but no need to hurry.  Okay, let’s get going.  Still thought we had plenty of time.  We are pulling into Buckhead Church when Chris texts & says Katie is about to get the epidural.  Wait a minute!!!!   She better not have that baby without me there!!!!  We zip down to Piedmont, run in and they had just finished the epidural.  Katie is feeling great now.  So, Gregg, Chelsie and I hang out in the labor room with Chris and his mom Lynn & brother Brian. 

 

After a little while, Katie told the nurse that she was starting to feel pressure.  The nurse says she needs to check her – we need to clear the room.  I immediately go over to give her a kiss & a reassuring hug.  My baby is about to have a baby!!!  I go over & gather my stuff as everyone is saying bye and as I start to walk out of the room, Katie said “Mom, one more hug”  As I leaned over to hug her, she looked at me and asked me something I will never forget “Do you want to stay?”  I was stunned!!!  I looked over at Chris, wanting to make sure it was okay with him.  He said that if Katie wanted me there, he wanted me there.  There was no time to react.  No time for tears.  The nurse quickly gave Chris & I instructions on what we needed to do “Grab her leg like this & hold”  WhatWhatWhat??  So, Katie pushes and the nurse cries out “Hold up!  Let me call the doctor!”  The next 2 minutes are a blurr.  The nurse getting Katie ready, me trying to text Gregg to tell him where I am at.  The doctor comes flying in, throws on her scrubs & sits down to catch my new grandbaby.  I grab a leg, Chris grabs the other & we help Katie push as hard as she can.  On the third push, out she comes!

 

It is a moment that is frozen in my mind for the rest of my life!!  What a beautiful, beautiful, indescribable sight.  Yes, I participated in birthing 4 kids, but I didn’t have such a great and beautiful view!  After Bella was born, I didn’t know who I wanted to see more - my first grandchild or my sweet daughter to see if she was okay.  After Farrah was born, I was so amazed by the wonderful gift God has given us – a beautiful and healthy baby girl.  And the gift that Katie and Chris gave me – the gift that I can share with Farrah for the rest of my life.  The fact that I was there at the very moment she entered this world and have loved her ever since!

 

 

While outside looking at the meteor shower this morning, I was reminded of one of the great McIver stories of all time.  Years ago, we were looking to buy a boat.  Gregg spotted one for sale in Tucker & called the owner.  They arranged for us to meet at Lake Lanier to put the boat in the water & go for a test drive.  So, we pile everyone in the car & head with excitement to the lake.  The boat guy was late getting there - I know, hard to believe it wasn’t us late - but finally he arrives.  His wife backs the boat down the ramp & releases it into the water.  The boat won’t crank.  He tries & tries but nothing.  We pull it over to the dock & Gregg begins helping diagnosing the problem.  Tools were borrowed from fellow boaters, different things were tried but nothing worked.  Here we are, the whole McIver family, standing on the dock, waiting on our boat ride.  Then the story gets good.  I remembered there was to be a meteor shower that night.  It is getting darker & darker.   So, the boat owner says "Hey, why don’t you all get in the boat & I will pull you around here in the cove?"  Gregg & I looked at each other & not wanting to hurt the guys feelings or just plain tired  said "Sure!".  So, yes, we piled in the boat & the owner presceded to pull us around the cove with a rope.  Complete with boat noises in the water!  We sat back & enjoyed the beautiful night God gave us & went for our famous "Boat Float".  And no, we did not buy the boat!  We aren’t that nice!

 "Better Late Than Never!"  or "Always Late But Worth the Wait!" or "Don’t Be Tardy for the Party"  Not sure which one of those apply but here it is!!

This picture was taken the day we brought Chelsie Lynne McIver home to be part of the Blonde Family!  I love the looks of the faces of Keegan, Ryan & Katie as they inspected their new little sister.  

She has been a joy ever since.  We love to laugh in the McIver household & Chelsie always makes us laugh with her story of how she found the birth annoucement for Keegan that I wrote about in my last post.  When she came along 14 months later, she says she is not the caboose, she is the little handcar behind the train and has always been trying to keep up.  Truth is we are the ones that have been trying to keep up!  Chelsie loves easily & deeply if you are lucky enough to be her friend.  She loves to make you laugh & can make you cry just as easy.  I can’t imagine our lives without her.  I hope she realizes how deeply she is loved.

 

 

Happy Birthday Chelsie Lynne McIver!

And yes Morgan & Rebecca, I am not a cake decorator but anyone can make a round cookie cake!  Sorry this is a little late & kinda a repost which I did not realize until I was almost through!  Boy, I am getting old!  I may have to give this blog thing up because I am just not great about posting anymore.  But then again, I do have another grandbaby on the way!!!

Today is Keegan’s 22nd birthday!  Oh my gosh, it is so hard to believe.  If you know our family & you want a laugh, check this out:

 

Notice the "Caboose" statement (Little did we know Chelsie would prove us wrong 14 months later!).  Keegan was the cutest kid with his curls & dimples.

 

Then he grew up!  Just kidding.  When I was pregnant we could not decide on a name.  Gregg wanted Kyle - but after my sister Kristy said Kyle sounded like someone with a hairball (sorry all the Kyles out there!) and I wanted Keegan.  Robert Keegan McIver.  It sounded so great!  But Gregg was holding out for Kyle.  So, when Keegan was born, and when the nurse came in with the documents for the birth certificate, I told her we couldn’t decide.  She told me you have up to a year to name him.  Game was on!  We went home with "Boy McIver".  So we made a tally board by the phone and when people would call to congratulate us & ask his name, we would have them vote - Kyle or Keegan.  After a few weeks, my Nana called & asked me "Have you named that baby yet?  It’s not like you didn’t know you were pregnant!"  To which I replied " You know, we have up to a year to name him!"  Gregg overheard & announced "I give!"  He went down to the state department that day & filled out the paperwork - Robert Keegan McIver.  Thinking back, I really trusted him to fill in the right name.  Who knows, Keegan could be Robert Kyle McIver!  No, he is not a Kyle.  Keegan means "little & fiery".  Little did I know he would grow up to be big & fiery! 

We took Keegan & his sweet girlfriend Eden out for lunch today to celebrate.  Keegan apoligized for his "Funky Monkey" fit in Breckenridge,CO many years ago.  Long story.  But to this day, when I see a monkey, I think of him.  Happy Birthday sweet Robert Keegan McIver - our first caboose!  Life would not be the same without you.

 

My summer trips started out with Lauderdale by the Sea with Gregg - see post below for story on that fantastic trip.  Had a week home then off to Great Escape with the Middle Schoolers.  What a great week of worship, games, mud pits & Epic slipnslide.

 

I believe this was the start of a downhill slide .  It looked like so much fun!  I just could not resist.  The first attempt was great.  Okay, I survived that.  Just one more time.  Ready Set Go.  I was doing great until a youth bumped into me and I fell backwards, hitting my head HARD on the ground.  My friend Katie asked me if I was okay, did I have a concussion.  I said "I don’t know, what are the symtoms?"  She said you feel extremely tired.  I said "I feel extremely tired!!"  Turned out to be a mild case of whiplash.  But my back has not been the same since.   The youth that went with me were so much fun to be around.  It would not have been the same without each & every one of them.  Check out our Outback Blog for stories on that retreat and my next adventure after at week home - Salkehatchie. 

This was my 4th time to go to Salkehatchie.  The first 3 times I was a co-site leader.  I have worked along side someone who knows alot about construction & has an endless supply of tools.  This year we had 9 sites and not enough males to go around so I became site leader of a house that needed a extreme kitchen makeover.

A young couple with 2 month old twins lived in this house.  The den also needed painting & new carpet.  And we took out a wall that was making the foyer very small.  After 5 days working with 5 great youth & 3 fun adults and a sweet member of the church with a truck full of tools, we made this house a home. 

These pictures don’t do the job justice but what a blessing the week was.  We took out the center cabinet that was closing in the kitchen area, moved the frig over & put a new stove in place of where the frig was.  We painted the dark cabinets and paneled walls.  New countertops, floors and sink finished out the look.  It was beautiful if I say so myself.  We also took out a wall that was closing in the front foyer, repainted the front room and den & replaced carpet down in the den.   All for under $1700!  My back/leg was bothering me all week, I would have been in a much better mood if the pain had not been there.  But I am so glad I went.  Now I have 2 weeks to recoup before going to Jekyll Island with the High Schoolers for Fun in the Son.  Then a week home then off to end my summer trips with a family vaca at Cape San Blas.  I am so blessed!

 

Theme Song to our Anniversary Vacation

(Sung to the tune of "Gilligan’s Island")

*My apologies to Gilligan & the Skipper*

 

Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale,

A tale of an eventful tour.

That started from Ft. Lauderdale,

Aboard this red Rav 4, Aboard this red Rav 4.

 Now Gregg is a crazy driving man,

And I with my iphone in reach.

Set out to hunt everywhere that day

For a tent for the beach, A tent for the beach. 

 

The weather started getting rough,

this Rav4 was tossed.

If not for the determination of us both,

We surely would get lost, We surely would get lost.

We were searching for a special tent that Gregg had seen before.

With a sunscreen,

Flexible poles,

Plenty of room for two!

Everyone was sold out.

Even Sports Authority & Dick’s

Here in Lauderdale, Here in Lauderdale.

So this is the tale of the rest of our week,

Just chairs we will try.

We’ll have to make the best of things,

We hope we will not fry, We hope we will not fry.

The second day it began to rain,

So we left our chairs on the beach,

Returned seeing strangers sitting there.

Good manners we need to teach, Good manners we need to teach.  

 

Bubba Gumps for dinner one night,

Grilled shrimp & ribs after that.

Lobster Sandwiches at Aruba’s,

We surely are going to get fat, We surely are going to get fat!

No laptop, only my trusty iphone,

I surely will survive.

Seeing 133 Sea Turtle eggs,

Made me feel so alive, Made me feel so alive.

I am going to add another verse

Because we were quite perturbed.

Didn’t think the front desk would give out our key

To a drunk from Pittsburg, To a drunk from Pittsburg.

 

So join us here this week next year,

When our tale will be long as a mile.

Again we will visit Lauderdale by the Sea,

And that makes us smile, That makes us smile.