Camping Out At Camp Lejeune*

This past weekend David I got to go see my high school friend Dallas and her daughter Sutton. Husband/Father Jay is a marine and currently in Afghanistan. We left Friday morning and got to North Carolina around supper time that evening. David and Sutton didn't miss a beat from their visit to us in June. In fact, David ended up "camping out" for a sleep over in Sutton's room for two nights! I bought him his first sleeping bag before we left and he was really excited to use it. Instead of sleeping in her bed Sutton slept on the floor right next to him.

They were so cute together the next morning. Just laughing, talking, and playing...

...and KISSING??? Yes, this was David's first kiss. Hum...will he be scared for life that his mama got a picture of it? We had a leisurely morning at their home *(okay so technically they live in officer housing at New River airfield, but its still on base just down the street from Camp Lejeune). After lunch we headed to the children's museum in Wilmington.

We spent most of the day there just watching the kids be kids! Here they are performing on stage. Sutton definitely had her act down!

I enjoyed watching them pretend camp the most. As soon as we walked in the room, David said "hey look its a kayak!" and he jumped right in.

Then Sutton joined him and they pretended to catch some fish.And then cook them...

...and eat them!

Upon leaving the museum we had planned on shopping and eating dinner in downtown Wilmington. However, shortly after we exited the building the heavens opened and in a matter of minutes we were all soaked! How is that for no rain in the forecast? We decided just to just pick up some fast food and go home for the evening so we could all get in some dry clothes.

The next day the bowling alley on base was open so we took the kids. That was David's first time bowling and he had a blast! I can't wait to take him again.

Monday morning it was time for us to pack up and go home. The weekend went by too fast. Thanks sooo much for having us Dallas and Sutton. We look forward to our next visit together! I just have to share this story of an event that happened Sunday night. David has had a dry cough for about a week. Before we left I kept asking him if his throat was sore and he kept saying "no". Sunday evening he starts coughing up a storm and then he points to his throat and says his "neck" hurts. He kept coughing so much he almost lost his voice. Then I start poking around his ears asking if that hurt and he said "yes". With that I decided to take him to an after hours clinic. At 7:30 pm we called to make sure they were still open and we were told that as long as I got there by 8 pm we would be seen. When we arrived I was surprised to find the doors locked. I knock at the door. The receptionist sees me, looks at the clock on their wall which reads 7:50 pm and then continues to file paperwork. I continue knocking and she never leaves her desk. I call Dallas and have her call their office to let them know I am waiting outside. They won't answer their phone. At this point I am pretty upset. I'm out of town, my child is sick, its late at night and this lady doesn't even have the decency to come to the door to talk to me?!?!?!? Frustrated I decide to leave and wait until I get home the next day to take David to our doctor. Once in the car David asks why I am so sad and I respond with "I'm just upset that those people weren't very nice". David says "Its okay mommy. I won't let anything bad happen to you." How about that? David went into "I'm the man and I'll protect you" mode instinctively! I was so proud of him I couldn't help but smile at the gift of my son. Turns out his throat and ears are red and inflamed but since he hasn't had a fever they don't know if its bacterial or viral. They prescribed some antibiotics just in case.

Also a special thanks to Grandma who watched Wesley for me the driving days, Friday and Monday. I knew that Jason and Wesley would get some good father/son bonding time this weekend, I just didn't know it would be at the doctor's office. Poor little Wesley has yet another ear infection. His tubes have been clogged ever since they put them in his ears. Ugh. Back to the ENT we go. Two sick kids=no fun.