The 3-D Gearin's Adventures

It's the 1st day in the 1st grade!

2007-08-14T10:40:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that summer is over and school is here once again! And, I can't believe Dakota is in the 1st grade! How time flies when you're having fun!

Tuesday, August 14th...Look out Miss S. Qualls and the Temple Baptist Academy, here she comes! Dakota woke up bright and early this morning and was ready to go! She got all fancied up and had her breakfast in record time. We were out the door and at school 10 minutes early! Can you believe it? I promise you, that will never happen again!

Dakota pranced in to class with backpack, lunch box and water bottle in hand. All her supplies were already there; she had deposited all of them at the PTO on Friday night. She was in her desk and ready for mom and the boys to leave! We departed, actually very gracefully with no tears (except for the boys, who wanted to stay with Sissy or wanted her to come with us).

Miss S. Qualls, we're praying for you! Thank you for influencing Dakota's life. She is already "in love" with you!

I hope your first day at school is a great one, Dakota! We have been missing you and praying for you all day! Can't wait to see you at pick-up time!

The Splash Pad!

2007-08-09T10:22:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, August 9th, I organized a class outing for my Sunday School class. Being that they are all 2 years old, it actually turned out quite well! We went to the splash pad at Carl Cowan Park in Farragut. Moms, 2 year olds, siblings and other friends that were invited were among the crowd. We practically took over the entire splash pad and picnic area! We had a very good turnout!

Dakota, Dawson and Donovan tagged along (obviously), and they had a blast! Between playing in all that water, they "grazed" on their lunch. It turned out to be the hottest day of the summer, 102 degrees!!! It was a great day to get wet! With the mixture of sun, water, food and lots of running around, the kids all "passed out" on the way home. It was great fun and overall a great day!

Fireballs is our name, and T-ball is our game!

2007-08-07T20:29:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday, August 7th, I signed Dakota up for t-ball. What was I thinking??? Just one more thing to add to the agenda, right?!

Dakota's best friend's, Cassie, uncle is coaching a girls' t-ball team this year. Cassie was going to play and invited Dakota to join her. We went to let Dakota practice with the team and decide if she really wanted to do this or not. Of course, she loved it!!!

She was hooked from the get-go! She later told me that she was "the greatest ever" t-ball player and that her coach is "oh so cool"! Obviously, I went ahead and signed her up that night. She will practice two evenings each week and will start games in September.

Dawson was very upset that he couldn't play; I'm going to try to find a boy's team for him to play on later this fall. I can only do one kid and sport at a time!

Donovan didn't really care that he wasn't on a team. He just like throwing balls and running around everywhere! There's a dog that has claimed the ballfield as his home, and Donovan has claimed the dog!

Needless to say, my bathtub turned red within seconds of immersing three very dirty children!!! Actually, it was four kids! Cassie spent the night with Dakota after t-ball. I think both of my tubs are stained permanently! Oh well - at least they all slept good that night!

Stacy's Daycare!

2007-08-03T19:58:00.000-07:00

On Friday, August 3rd, Katie Newport was here for the day. She had actually come and spent the night the day before. Her grandmother was in the hospital and her parents needed a little extra help. Dakota and her get along great and had a really good time. We didn't really get to do anything very exciting. There were a lot of every day chores to do, so they mainly just hung out and played here at the house. We did go to Walmart; that's always exciting for little girls!!!

Later on in the morning, Tim and Kelsey Lott dropped off their boys, Beau and Jud. Kelsey had her gallbladder removed and they needed someone to watch the boys while they were at the hospital. Dakota thought she was the one being asked to babysit. Therefore, she took the task very seriously! Dawson tried to "help", but Jud ended up crying every time he saw Dawson. Donovan enjoyed having someone smaller than himself around. He thought he was big stuff!

All in all, everyone did really well. Can you imagine that I actually got all four of the boys down for a nap at the same time? Am I good or what? Not really - just lucky!!! Dakota and Katie played very quietly and were so good while they were napping!

Later that afternoon, Katie got picked up and took Dakota home for a sleep-over at her house. Dakota was more than thrilled by that point to get away from the boys! Her babysitting duties were shirked for more exciting events. Swimming being at the top of her list!

The Lott boys got picked up after Tim got Kelsey settled at home. They were so sweet and such good boys! Kelsey, we're praying for you! I'll keep your boys anytime - they were great! Tim, you'd better take good care of Kels! I know you will; you're great! Let me know if I can do anything to help you guys!

Dawson was devastated that "Sissy" got to go somewhere, so I promised him a special Friday evening of "boy" fun! Guess where he picked to go? The Mall!!! We did go walk around and looked at the Disney store (his favorite place) and ate at the eatery. Later on at home, they did take a "manly" bubble bath. We had a lot of water not in the tub, but they had a ton of fun!

Doctors' Appointments Galore!

2007-08-02T19:36:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, August 2, we had too many doctors' appointments!!! The day started off with a dentist appointment for Dawson. He had one cavity to be filled and two teeth with no enamel to be fixed. He did really well and even wore the dreaded "elephant nose" (laughing gas) with no problem. He made it through the cavity being filled, before he started pitching a royal fit. Dr. Townsend, the nurse and I tried to calm him down and finish up to no avail! Now, we "get" to go back again to fix the other two teeth! This time they've prescribed him so medicine that will really calm him down before they get started. Fun, Fun, Fun!!!

Our friends, the Naugles, had appointments right after ours. So, Mary Elizabeth and I took turns watching each others' kids during the visits. They were all very good and it didn't take too long! After that, we all headed to the house for some playtime and lunch. Ethan, Ben and Noah are so sweet and my kids had a blast with them! Dakota just adores Mary Elizabeth and claimed her to show off all her "girly" stuff.

Doctors' appointments were next. Dakota had her school physical and an exam on her wart that just won't go away. She had two shots and blood work done. Poor kid! Imagine this! Her cholesterol is high (like her daddy)! We're waiting on the blood work to come back to find out if she needs to go on medication for that or not. Plus, she has to see a dermatologist regarding her wart.

I talked to the doctor about Dawson's hyperactivity and aggressiveness. He suggested several books by Dr. James Dobson and then did a quick physical on Bubba. Come to find out, he has an accelerated heart rate (like his daddy) and therefore high blood pressure. That could explain a lot of the hyperactivity. So, they have put him on blood pressure medicine for the time being. We are doing a little experiment to see if this works, and he has a follow up next week.

Donovan also has a wart, that has now spread to two. So, he will be going to the dermatologist with Dakota to have it checked out! Dakota is wondering why he has warts, because he didn't even kiss that frog. (She did kiss a frog - her Grandpa made her do it - her version of the story.)

All in all, the kids are really healthy. I am very blessed that none of their problems are major. The Lord has been good to us!

Playdate at the Vaught's!

2007-08-01T20:32:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, August 1st, Lynn Vaught invited us over for a play date. Her kids, Lauren, Tyler and Matthew are very close to my kids in age. Lauren and Dakota were in Kindergarten and actually had their birthday party together.

We ate pizza, swam in their pool and played with every toy they owned! The kids really seemed to get along - even though my kids are crazy and Lynn's are so quiet. Dakota and Lauren "scrap booked" for a while; they had to lock the boys out. The four boys played train set and Dawson got to ride in the John Deere tractor (the toy he most envied and has been begging for). I didn't get one picture, even though I took my camera. Oh well!

Us moms hung out in the living room and talked. We did help straighten up the disaster we made and then headed home for much needed naps before church. We all had a great time! Thanks for the invite! Good times and great summer memories!

Lynn is such a sweet person and I have enjoyed getting to know her better this summer! She has been a great encouragement to me lately! Thanks, Lynn, for the listening ear and the all the prayers! You've been a blessing to me!

One busy Tuesday!

2007-07-31T19:38:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, July 31st, was one busy day! I volunteered to keep Kelsey Lott's boys, Beau and Jud, while she went to the doctor for her pre-op. She is having terrible gallbladder attacks and is going to have it removed.

She dropped her boys off around 9:00am. They were great! My kids had such a good time with them! Dakota thought she was officially in charge of all the boys. She bossed them all around unmercifully! Beau loved all the girl toys that are officially "off limits" (not manly enough), and Jud loved being pushed around in Dakota's shopping buggy! They were so good and we all had a good time! Their mommy was back before no time and we spent some time yakking!

Around 11:30am, I met Jane McGee up at Chick-fil-a for lunch. She had a doctor's appointment for two of her boys, and I kept the other three up at the playground for her. She got back around 1:00pm, and we all headed back to the house for a while. A long while!!! Try 6:00pm!!! She went through my baby boy clothes to find some that might fit her baby; the kids destroyed the house and yard; etc... It was fun, though, except for all the clean-up!

I was pooped, to say the least, after all that! I couldn't wait for bedtime for my kids! It was a good, but busy day!!!

Friends are Friends Forever!

2007-07-30T19:41:00.000-07:00

On July 30, 2007, our good friends, the Webers, moved to North Carolina. Although we are so sad to see them go, we know that they are doing exactly what God wants them to do.

Sandra and I were roomies in college. That seems so long ago!!! Then, we both moved away, got married and had kids. Somehow, we both ended up back in Powell after all those years. Our kids were the same age and it was been great fun being together again!

Dakota and Taylor have been such good friends and made so many memories together over the last 2 1/2 years. They even braved Kindergarten hand in hand.

Dawson and Travis were best buds. Personalities were world's apart, but they still loved each other! Donovan just tagged along, aggravating everyone!

Tonight, Dakota and Dawson both prayed that God would let their friends move back! It was so sad! They both cried themselves to sleep, holding a picture I printed of them together this past weekend!

The entire family has been such good friends to us. They have been there for us during many trials over these last few months. Good friends like them are hard to find! We will always be friends and we will stay in touch!

David, Sandra, Taylor and Travis: You will be missed! Even though we are hours apart now, we will always be close together in our hearts and memories! We love you guys!

Supper with the Naugles!

2007-07-24T20:17:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday, July 24th, Mary Elizabeth invited us for a spaghetti supper. The food was delicious and the chatter was even better. Her boys are Ethan, Ben and Noah. They are such a precious family and have become such dear friends!

The kids actually all did very well. They played well together and even cleaned up as a team! They did great, until us moms couldn't stop yakking, and then things began to get a little out of control. Back in rein, we gathered them together for a picture before departing.

It was great food, great fellowship and great fun!!! The neighborhood was a much quieter place after the Gearin household exited! I'm sure all the neighbors were very grateful for that!

Thanks, Mary Elizabeth, for a wonderful evening! Your friendship is one in a million and means so much to me! Your boys are so precious and I love you all so much!

Pizza with the Webers!

2007-07-22T19:30:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, July 22nd, we were invited over for pizza after Sunday night church at David and Sandra Weber's house. David graciously relieved me from restraining Dawson during church and slipped out during the invitation to get the pizza. What a relief! We're not unspiritual, I promise! You should just see the wrestling match that goes on during church, trying to keep Dawson until control! It's quite an event, let me tell you!

It was kind of like a goodbye party for the Webers, since they are leaving pretty soon to move to North Carolina. Nothing like throwing your own party, huh?! It shows what a lousy friend I am. Sorry!!!

The Stocktons were there and us Gearins. Pizza, a ride in the golf cart, destroying the play room, and a movie were in store for the kids. Pizza, refereeing and a lot of "big people" talk for us grown ups. That was nice - the adult conversation, that is - for a change!

I forgot the camera, so I don't have any pictures of this evening. Hopefully, I'll get some of the kids together before they leave!

Swimming at the Lott's!

2007-07-21T19:21:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, July 21st, we were invited over the Tim and Kelsey Lott's house for a cookout and to swim. They have just recently moved into their new house and are enjoying their pool! It was so kind of them to invite us! Their two little boys, Beau and Jud, are cuties and my kids were so excited to be at their house!

Dakota, Dawson and Donovan were so ecstatic! Dakota jumped right in and didn't get out until I threatened to spank her when it was time to eat! She loved it! She jumped in a gazillion times and "swam" from one of the pool to the other over and over again! Dawson was so excited that he just jumped right in. After I "saved his life" (as he puts it), he was a little more cautious! Armed with goggles and some floaties, he decided to brave it again. The rest is history - he loved it! Donovan was like a fish in the water! You couldn't keep the kid out! However, he didn't want to wear floaties or anything. He would just jump right in! He was a handful, but he had a blast just the same! Mommy definitely slept good that night!

Kelsey made the mistake of mentioning that we could come over whenever. I kid you not, every time we see them at church, my kids attack them begging to go swimming! Sorry, guys! My kids have no manners!

Thanks so much, Tim and Kelsey, for the invite! We all had such a great time! I promise we will come only when invited (for real)!!!

Sorry - no pics for this occasion! I was too busy to snap a single picture. Maybe next time!

The 3-D's at World's Fair Park

2007-07-19T19:39:00.000-07:00

Dakota, Dawson and Donovan - the 3-D's headed out for an adventure to the World's Fair Park on Thursday, July 19th, with several other friends. The Fowler girls and the Naugle boys were among the many friends that showed up - some of their favorite people!

We all had such a blast - the moms watching and the kids running around getting soaking wet. It was such a beautiful day and the weather was great!!! We all took picnic lunches and finally convinced the kids that they needed a break and were hungry. After that, we dried off and went for a walk.

We ventured up into the "gold ball". Guess what??? We were able to see the "whole world"! It was really beautiful, seeing much of Knoxville from that far up!

We continued on to Market Square, where Mayfield's was giving free samples of their new flavors of icecream - Old Fashioned Caramel, Chocolate Cream Pie and Coconut. It was a very refreshing treat!

What a sight we are were trasping throughout Knoxville with that group of kids! It was great! The walk back seemed much longer than the way there, and wore the kids and moms out! We all had such a wonderful time though! Needless to say, nap time was gooood that day!

Sleepover with Cassie!

2007-06-29T20:04:00.000-07:00

On Friday, June 29th, Cassie came over the spend the night. I've never seen a set of more excited girls! They played American Girl dolls all afternoon before heading out to Sonic for supper.

Shopping was next on the list. Three hours later...we headed home with sun catchers to paint and beads to arrange and iron together. Projects done; It was time for a bath in the jacuzzi tub. You should have seen the bubbles everywhere! I would post the picture, but won't for privacy shake. It was too cute! Next on the list was popcorn and a movie! There was a lot of giggling, but they did actually get some sleep after that.

The next day was the Fourth of July church celebration at the camp. So, we all dressed in our red, white and blue and headed out for Camp Moriah. Water balloon fights with Pastor, sprinklers, slip-n-slides and the big water slide were on the list of events for the day! It was great fun!

Even after all that, they still didn't want to part at the end of the day! They are so cute together! Great memories!

Sleepover with Katie!

2007-06-26T19:50:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday, June 26th, Katie Newport spent the night with Dakota. We had a lot of fun! They played outside most of the day and ran around in the sprinkler. Later on that day, we baked cupcakes with lots of sprinkles on top. The tops of the cupcakes were not the only places that the sprinkles ended up. I think I cleaned up sprinkles for a week after that! For supper, we grilled out hot dogs and ate in the "clubhouse" - underneath the trampoline. Great fun! After baths, we popped popcorn and watched a movie. Believe it or not, the girls actually did some sleeping!

The next day, we went to the Carl Cowan Splash Pad out in Farragut. We packed a picnic lunch and stayed for hours! They wore themselves slap out! Then, it was time for supper and to get ready for church. Dakota really enjoyed the "girl" time. Not much of that around here with two crazy brothers!

Dakota's Favorite Gift!

2007-06-07T19:40:00.000-07:00

Dakota's favorite present of all on her birthday was...her little kitten! She got a bike; she got a boy baby (it had to be a boy); she got a car seat and a stroller for her baby; she got a new outfit and book for her American Girl doll; she got a snow globe to add to her collection; and she got a kitten. We can thank her Aunt Shelly for that!

Princess is her name and curiosity is her game! She is such a sweet kitten and so much smarter than any old dog! Don't get me wrong, I love dogs. But, kittens are so much easier to train! She is sweet natured and very playful!

The kids just love her to death - almost literally! I have to set the timer on the stove to make sure each kid gets to hold her the same amount of time! Then, after everyone gets a turn, the poor cat gets a two hour break! It's crazy what you have to do to keep the peace!

Dakota's 6th Birthday!

2007-06-06T20:02:00.000-07:00

Dakota Salene Gearin: Born on June 6, 2001, at 7:31pm; Gwinnett Medical Center in Lawrenceville, GA; Weighed: 8 lbs. 1 oz; Length: 20 3/4 in.

That was 6 years ago! I can hardly believe it! How times flies when you're having fun! And fun, it has been! Dakota is a such a delight to have for a daughter. She is incredibly beautiful and has such a tender heart. Yet, she is also impossibly stubborn (just like her momma). She has filled my life with such happiness!

This year, we decided to combine her party with two friends from church and Kindergarten - Cassie Fowler and Lauren Vaught. We called it "one big party for three special girls". It was great! We had it at the Little Ponderosa in Clinton. It is a type of petting zoo and has pony rides as well. There were, but not limited to: goats, donkeys, camels, emus, zonkies, snakes, iguanas, and wallabies. The pony rides - I believe was everyone's favorite! We had a great turnout and it was such a blast! It was an incredible party!

Happy 6th Birtday, Dakota! May this year be one of full of God's blessings on your life. May you trust the Lord as your Savior and yield your life to His will. May this year be full of good times and friendships that will last a lifetime! I love you, my precious girl!