So we love to hang out with the Taylors. They are so good about coming to all of our special meetings, and other events too, so last time they were here we decided that some of us would plan a trip over to see them. Several of the folks hadn't seen the Atlantic Ocean so we decided a beach trip was in order. Unfortunately several folks were unable to go with us on Saturday, but those of us that went still had a great time. 
Kelly, Hannah, Olivia, me, Gary, and Britt all left from the Abernathy household around 8:30 on Saturday morning and treked it on over to Vero. We met up at the Taylor's before we all went to the beach. As we walked up we saw a yellow and purple flag. The sign said that they meant caution big waves and danergous marine life, but Isaac informed us that yellow really meant fun and purple meant sharks, so it wasn't caution, but "Yeah! Fun Sharks!" It was a nice day, not too hot. Isaac and Gary, and Hannah and Olivia went WAY out and were jumping and playing in the waves. Which were pretty big. Kelly and I quickly decided that the water was way too cool for us, so we sat just in the edge and held Britt and talked. Sister Sherry and her three youngest had alot of fun running in and out of the waves.
We were out there about an hour and out of nowhere a storm came up, so we were all scrambling to get out of the water (well not Isaac and Gary, I think they had a death wish). Before we could get everything gathered up and get to the cars, it came a down pour. Britt who had been unhappy with the water and sand, was really unhappy when it started pelting him. He just squalled, poor baby. It came down hard maybe, maybe 5 mins. By the time we had all run through the wet sand lugging everything we owned and made it up to the cars, it quit.
We decided to just go back to the Taylors and we played in the pool some, and Bro. Chris grilled some hot dogs and we all had a great time just talking and visiting. Sis. Sherry, Sis. Kelly, and I all talked about homeschooling. Kelly's definately going to homeschool Joshua, but I'm not completely sold on the idea. Hannah, Olivia, and Isaac all sat around playing on the piano and acting crazy. Of course Gary and Bro. Chris were talking and mostly telling jokes. Of course being the PBs that we are, we had to do some singing. We had a great time visiting, and hope that we can go back to see them real soon. After all they come to see us so very much, it's only fair that we go and visit with them from time to time.
Doesn't my child know that he's a baby? I mean come on! It's one thing to want your own cup at 6 and 1/2 months. It's totally different to start trying to walk! His is pushing up much better, and crawling a little bit Mogli style, but only enough to get over to something to pull up on. Infact, he pulls up and tries to take steps way more than he tries crawling.
Tuesday for the first time, he managed to scoot and crawl over to Gary in his chair, and he put one little hand on the chair, and one on Gary's shoe and pulled himself up. Then he proceded to put hand over hand up Gary's bluejeans, and took a couple of steps before falling over. Then on Wednesday I came in from mowing to find Britt standing up and holding on to the side of the crib, just a grinning at me when I opened his door. He was so proud of himself. Everyone is warning me that he's going to be an early walker and climber. Say it isn't so! 
...and the back yard that it took me two and half hours to mow today with our PUSH non-self propelled mower, was kinda pointless. The grass that was 2 ft high because it hadn't been mowed in 2 weeks cause the old mower needed a new part, that I thought I was going to have a heart attack trying to push, could have just waited. Here I was feeling like an eye sore because we were living in a jungle. I told Gary that if I was Bro. Chris and Sis. Renee that I would have Troy cut the yard by now, and tack the fee onto our rent. His reply, "Let's not buy the part to fix the lawn mower, but let's put a car up on blocks instead!" All that hard work on my part was made to look like nothing. Since Gary was able to do the remaining 1/2 or 1/3 of the yard (depending on which one of us is doing the measuring) in an hour.
Yeah, so I'm lamenting a little over the fact that I slaved in the yard today and fought with the demon possessed thing that is our push mower. But in truth I can't wait till he teaches me how to use the thing, this is going to make the yard way easier.
We really needed a bigger car. In my old 2 door Sunfire it was incredibly difficult to get the car seat in and out, and almost impossible for me to squeeze back there with him when we needed. However, we really thought it was completely out of our reach right now. However, we kept hearing about people getting really good deals not only on new cars from bail-out companies, but used cars too. We decided we would go looking for newer used car, we decided what our maximum price was, and what we wanted. Ok, more like what I wanted because I said no more low to the ground cars, and definitely NO mini-vans.
To our surprise we found the for very little more we could get a brand new Kia Sportage and have a great warranty so Gary started bargaining. Several VERY long days later he had them talked down to our price range, and so I said good bye to my little car. We now have a car payment that we didn't have, but at least our insurance is going to be significantly less. 
I hated to say good-bye to Beatrice as she has been a great little car, but as I told her the night we parted, she was just too little. This was the car that got me through college and on several road trips to varies Church meetings, seeing Gary, and always carried me back home. She was a gift from my grandparents so that I would have reliable transportation. Just a week later, I found out that she had been sold to a single 19 year old gal (for almost twice what we got for trade in I might add). I hated to see her go, but oh my goodness how much stuff we were able to pack and how much room we had coming up here to Alabama this time!
The next project was to put edgers around the flowerbed from the car port to the steps, then from the steps around the corner and down the side of the house. This was a longer project, because I had to dig up all the weeds and grass that had grown into the bed. We also planted several plants, seeds, and I even moved the Monkey Grass around. I'm hoping to get some Tiger Lillys from Mother while I am home to put down the side of the house in between the Monkey Grass.
I have been asked about the cats now that they are outside only. Mara seems to love it and she spends most of the day out and about. She is only home in the evening and early morning. In the heat of the day she lays in the pipe that runs under the road. Brodie on the other hand isn't loving it as much. However he has adjusted. He stays on the porch most of the day, and follows me around in the yard much like a puppy dog. However, once I crank up the lawn more, he hides under Troy's shed.
James and Heather had their baby last Wednesday. We were able to go and see her on Friday night. She is such a little doll, and I told Gary that I want a little girl, but he says no, they are nothing but trouble and worry. I think the real reason is that he knows that she'll be the one calling the shots. haha!
Elisha Britt. That's my son's name. It was important to me to have a name with meaning, and for him to have a biblical name to always be a reminder to him to be a man of character. His daddy wanted him to be Gary Britt III, so we kept the middle name in the middle position. I told him that we could call him Britt, but to pick a new name. Britt's great-grandfather's middle name is Elisha, so we went with that. Elisha was the greatest prophet of the Old Testament so I was happy. It gives him a Biblical name and a family name with alot of meaning.
