Swimming day 4...

....went great!!!!!! Ryland did so good today. He did cry, but only when Mrs. T had him. He was laughing and clapping by the end of the lesson.

James is coming home tomorrow! Yea!

My parents are back from their beach trip after a long day at different airports. Ryland sure did miss them!

I'm tired and going to go to bed.....

Swimming Day 3

Well.....let's just say we started out not so great. When we got there, he just sat in my lap not making a peep. Then as soon as I told him to go to Mrs. Teresa, he started crying. I actually went home to get my swim suit and when I got back and I held him in the water, he did the same thing(uncontrollable crying). We decided to call it quits and come back after he calmed down. So off we went back to the house for a much needed nap. After the nap, I took him back and just he and I got in the water. He did great!!! I tried to make it fun by chasing leaves in the water. Whatever works, right? As soon as Mrs. T got in the pool, here come the waterworks. BUT...he did stop whenever I held him. By the end of the lesson, he was swimming to the stairs and sitting down and clapping. He did SO much better today.

On to tomorrow...swim day 4.....

By the way, James is in Spartanburg this week and we are missing him dearly!!!!!! Love ya babe!

My day.....

Yesterday was my 31st birthday. I really enjoyed my day. My mom and I went to get our nails done. I got a manicure and a pedicure. Those of you who know me well know that I don't really enjoy going and getting my nails done, but I like the finished product. Anyway, now I have pretty nails. I even splurged and got a flower each of my big toes! Afterwards, I went to Kohls by myself to shop. I bet I spent 2 hours in there. I love to shop by myself b/c I'll pick out several items and then at the last minute I play the "what do I really want to buy" game. I walk all over the store returning things to their original racks and usually end up buying things I didn't have to start with. Crazy, I know....but when you have adult ADD, that's the things you do. Afterwards, I went to an office supply store and bought a nice pen. I collect pens and I like to get new ones for different occasions. Once again, yes, I know I'm crazy. Last night, James and I went to Outback for dinner. I love that place and the only time we go is when we go out of town, usually to Destin. My mom watched Ryland for us, so James and I went to a couple of stores b/c I am out to find the perfect purse for me. Still looking.....

All in all, it was a great day....

Swimming day 2

Ryland and I went to his Day 2 swim lessons yesterday. More of the same. He cried the entire time. He starts as soon as he gets in the water. He is showing alot of progress. Mrs. Teresa showed me how he was putting his head underwater before she has to. He is doing great! James and I got in our pool yesterday evening to "practice". He loves it! He holds James's hands and jumps off the ladder and go under. He is doing great!

Today we don't have lessons b/c of the holiday. James and I took him out in the water again and he's doing great. He's very relaxed in the water. I am so impressed with his progress. Here's a video from today.

Swimming Day 1....

We didn't count the first time we took Ryland to his swimming lessons as day 1 b/c he was there for 20 mins and we decided to leave.

The next morning, Ryland and I went over to Mrs. Teresa's house again for our official Day 1 of lessons. Guess what??? He cried the entire time again. I told him bye-bye and went inside the house to watch. He cried the entire hour. The only time he didn't cry was when he was under water. His "friend" Gavon cried the whole time too so I didn't feel too bad.

Here are some pics of the first night with Ryland and James. I don't have pics of the first full day of lessons.

Ryland's swimming lessons

Well, yesterday we took Ryland for his first swimming lesson. He cried the ENTIRE time. James was in the pool with him and he still cried. He didn't want to go to Miss Teresa at all! We actually decided to go ahead and leave since he was so upset and she had a ton of kids there. So we made arrangements for Ryland and me to go today. Well, true to himself, he cried the entire time again. This time I went inside and watched out the window of her house. He cried and she'd try to calm him and he wouldn't listen. She had another little boy there, a 2 year old and he cried too, so I didn't feel so bad. The only time he didn't cry was when she would put him underwater. We go tomorrow morning again and then next week.

More to come on the drama of the swimming lessons....

Faith

James and I went to the lake this past weekend to attend a friend's birthday party. We had a good time, even though it was hot! Ryland had a blast. We've been camping with these 9 or so families for several years now. So they've been able to see Ryland grow and it's like extended family when we get together. Anyway, James and Ryland were playing around and I was taking pictures. When I took this picture, I instantly thought of Faith and an illustration came to mind. When we accept the Lord Jesus Christ, we put our life in His hands. He is what holds us up, not ourselves or others. We should live in a way that we can reach toward the sky and know that our Father has us, He'll never let us go. I love the excitement on Ryland's face. He knew his daddy wasn't going to let him go. I pray that I can have that kind of faith in ALL circumstances.