Category Archives: Family

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Carter & Ammon Moments (Back to back)

. Family, Parenting . , , , ,

Our holding hands evening, and the 1st Day of Spring
March 20, 2012 (Tuesday)

The two sweet things happened minutes apart but both meant SO MUCH. With the onset of Daylight Savings Time,  our chore schedule inside and outside the house shifts.  Since the time has changed and it so warm in the evenings, we have returned to jogging about an hour before darkness sets in. We also eat dinner earlier and feed the Coonhounds earlier.

After dinner, Ammon, Carter, and I had gathered up the Coonhounds’ dog food, and we headed to the barn.  The three dog food pans with the moist kibble, bread, and lunch meat probably weigh approximately 5 pounds in total, so I carry them. Ammon and Carter were lagging behind playing, and I was headed to the dog lot. I turned around to see Carter running up behind me. I thought he was going to ask to carry a pan; however, upon reaching me, he went to my left side with my free hand and placed his hand in mine so he could walk with me to the barn. I smiled, and My Daddy H heart was thrilled and soft. Ammon joined us in a few seconds, and we entered the dog lot.

Upon feeding the dogs, we three exited the lot. Carter ran ahead to the swing set, and this time Ammon joined me and took my hand. I smiled again and thought about how 3 minutes earlier Carter had taken my hand, but this time, I had some dog food grease on it. I looked down at Ammon, and I said, “I’m holding your hand lightly because it’s dirty after I fed the dogs.” Without saying a word, Ammon took the back of hand, kissed it, and looked up and smiled. My dirty hand did not matter to her. As Carter, Ammon, and I approached the swings, I said a quick, silent prayer. “God thank you so much for my Carter and Ammon! They are such blessings!”

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Rhodes, Greece

. European Destinations, Family, Family Travel . , , , , , , ,

October 17, 2011

It was the first rain of the autumn in Rhodes. It had not rained for MONTHS!

Rhodes, Greece

I think we were all surprised how Medieval Rhodes was. The crusading knights who went to the Holy Land to deliver it from the Muslims decided to hang out there for several hundred years, and they built some medieval structures..

Rhodes City

One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, The Colossus, stood in the harbor several thousand years ago. It only stood for about 50 years, and it was toppled by an earthquake. Historians are saying that it did not strattle the harbor as depicted in many drawings because it would have hampered trade while it was being built, so, they say it probably stood at one side of the harbor.

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Colds/Sinusitis/& an Answered Prayer

. Family . , ,

After reading about colds & sinusitis, come back and enjoy some of my latest works.

http://www.manaboutworld.com/?p=2266

http://www.manaboutworld.com/?p=2590

Okay, winter colds/sinusitis…. I have a crappy cold right now. booooooooooo!

Since I started my blog last March, I must not have had bout of sinusitis, because to my knowledge I haven’t written about it. The more I think about it the more I do believe it has been two winters ago since my last experience. The family and I had taken a cruise in the Southern Caribbean (St. Lucia, Barbados, Puerto Rico, St. Croix, etc.), and when we transitioned from warm weather back to cold weather, my sinuses had a “meltdown”.

I think my most incredible year that I escaped a cold and sinusitis was the winter of 2008-2009. During the work week, I had decided that the babies and I would sleep in our living room. I slept on the couch, and Carter and Ammon were nearby in their bassinets. That way Sean would not be disturbed, and he could wake up fresh for work. We would feed the babies around 10:30 at night, and put them down to sleep. Around 2:30 am, one of the two hungry babies would make a peep, and I would dash off of the couch, grab the baby, change it, feed it, rock it back to sleep, get it in back in the bassinet, and whether it was awake or not, do the same for the other baby.

One night after I gotAmm on and Carter back to sleep, I had a scratchy throat, and I was a little fatigued. I remember standing in the utility room bathroom praying, “God, I CANNOT get sick right now. I have to take care of Carter and Ammon.” 24 hours later I was fine! It was an answered prayer. This cold I have right now started like that one, but God helped me “erase” that cold because I couldn’t bear it and do what I was doing with my babies. I was so blessed and thankful that God answered my prayer.

For all you people who are experiencing winter colds, I am totally empathetic. Let’s all pray that we get better soon.

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Christian Worship

. Family, Jesus Christ Follower . , , , , , , ,

I hope you all can find somewhere to worship today, or by the time you read this you will have worshipped. The fellowshipping, the singing, the prayers, the communion/Lord’s Supper/Eucharist centering on Jesus Christ…it’s all for our Christian fortification because we need it as we face our daily lives and jobs.

Hebrews 10:25- “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Have a Blessed Sunday, Everyone!

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Santorini, Greece

. European Destinations, Family, Family Travel . , , , , , , , , ,

Welcome Santorini Fans! Isn’t it an exceptional & unique place!

October 18, 2011

 

 

 

On Friday evening, I was skimming through my photographs of last October’s cruise, and I could not believe that I had never shared about Santorini, Greece. It is a Mediterranean marvel. About 4,000 years ago, it was a complete, round island. However, a volcanic eruption blew off half the island and caused a huge caldera (a volcano crater).

Sean, Carter (can you believe he was napping?LOL), Ammon, & Haven

Our tour of the island was very enjoyable, and it included a black-sand beach. We also had a very good lunch, breath-taking views, and a tram ride back down to the ship that was phenomenal.

Notice the Star Princess anchored in the caldera

I hope you enjoyed this practical, real-life, look at Stunning Santorini. If you have a penchant for European Destinations, check out some of my other entries.
Give me a Google “Haven Caylor” for some of my other works and enjoy a few links as well.

Dollywood (Country Music Singer’s Theme Park) in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Christmas Hawk

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Costa Rica/Carter & Ammon look for Dora the Explorer

. Family, Family Travel . , ,

Ammon & Carter in the Costa Rican Rain Forest

The more I see of Dora the Explorer from  Nickelodeon, her home in the rain forest, and parts of Central America, the more I think she is suppose to be from Costa Rica. A memorable part of Ammon and Carter’s recent cruise was a tram ride in the Costa Rican Rain Forest. It was so much like an episode from Dora where Dora and her friends play Hide and Go Seek.

Tram in the Rain Forest: Quick , was that Señor Tucán?

The last character to find in the episode is Señor Tucán (coincidence that it is Costa Rica’s national bird). The mode of transportation to find the toucan is a tram through the Rain Forest. Carter and Ammon got take a tram ride through the Costa Rican Rain Forest. The guide for Ammon and Carter’s tram was more interested in the flora, but the guide behind pointed out animals such as a sleeping sloth. Dora’s episode shows a sloth hanging upside down.

I think Dora is supposed to be a representative of all Hispanic children, but she does live in a rain forest. I have lived in the Yucatan near Rain Forests, and we did not have any trams, toucans, or sloths running around. Hey, Daddy H is thinking Dora is Costa Rican….we kinda have some proof now.

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Olympia, Greece/Haven’s Son worship

. European Destinations, Family, Jesus Christ Follower, Spiritual Fitness . , , , , ,

Well, we were supposed to see and experience Olympia on October 13, 2011, the site of the original Olympic Games; however, the operators of the historical sites chose to go on strike. I decided to stay on the ship. I am posting some “post card-type” pictures, but they are not mine. That morning I had a spiritual experience, and that is what I am sharing with you all now. Have a blessed weekend during this blessed season of Advent leading to Christmas.

Revelation 21:23

The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. (NIV)

Thursday October 13, 2011

After a great night’s sleep on Wednesday, I arose to a new day around 6:45 am. I got my coffee and water, and jogged for 20 minutes aboard the Star Princess. When I finished, I enjoyed a good breakfast that I carried to just about the highest point where passengers are allowed. The full moon was setting on the west side of the ship, the sun was rising above the mountains east of Katakolon, Greece (our port of call), and I was in between enjoying my meal. I had been waiting and waiting for the sun to rise the whole time I jogged. On the same platform stood 4 Asians who I am pretty sure were Japanese. One of the men had a camera, and I was quite sure he was waiting for the sun to peek over the mountains so he could get a good photograph.

I had already said several morning prayers as I jogged, and I had asked God to bless my breakfast before I ate, but I had yet to bow my head in prayer or kneel in prayer as I often do. I looked at the Asian gentleman, and he was, indeed, snapping a few pictures of the peeking sun. The two women seemed a bit giddy, and one was waving her hands in an upward direction “encouraging” the sun to rise. I was amused. When the entire sun was above the mountain top, the other Asian woman placed her hands in a prayer position, faced the rising sun and made a grateful shoulder-bow while the other Asian woman did the same in front of her. The only time I have knelt publicly in prayer has been for communion at St. Martin’s. When I saw the women bow towards the sun, the Holy Spirit moved in me, and my heart started beating faster. I knew what the Spirit was encouraging me to do: I was to kneel in prayer and thank my Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ (God’s Son) for the new day in view of those people. I have always been a firm believer in “going to your closet” to pray, and I have. Prayer is VERY PERSONAL and should not be for show. I placed my plate on the bench, went down on bended knee, placed my hands in the prayer position, and thanked God for the day. I was immediately ENERGIZED in the Spirit. I gathered my things and I did not look back to see if the Asians had watched. However, if they did, I wanted them to know that I was a Son worshipper, and not a worshipper of our nearest star, the sun.

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Wrapping Up New York for December 2011

. Family, Family Travel, Holidays . , , , ,

We had a great and safe time in New York City. We finished up with our 2nd Annual trip to Toys R Us for a ride on the Ferris Wheel with our picture taken.

Nana, Carter, & Sean: December 5, 2011 at Toys R Us, Times Square

If I can, I will try to make a copy of last year’s photos to you all can compare 2010 with 2011.

Haven & Ammon: December 5, 2011 Toys R Us New York, Times Square

Sean and I had seen “Priscilla Queen of the Desert” last May, and we knew then it would keep Ammon and Carter’s attention. It did not let us down. All 5 of us went to see it Sunday evening, and the children did, indeed, enjoy it.

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Mamaw’s Birthday: Sunday November 27, 2011

. Family

Mamaw, MaryLou Wimpy Caylor, turned 71 yesterday. It was a quiet, rainy birthday for her, and it was the kind of birthday she appreciates: No fuss or muss!

I know everyone enjoys “their day”, but Mamaw has always seemed to enjoy sharing the week with Jennifer, her granddaughter and my niece. Jennifer’s birthday is November 23. I host a birthday, pancake breakfast as a “transition” between Thanksgiving and Christmas for our family. However, the emphasis is on Mamaw and Jennifer’s birthdays. We had a great time with family, food, fellowship, and fun on Saturday morning.

Jennifer & Mamaw: November 26, 2011

Carter, Ammon, Sean, and I also visited with Mamaw on her birthday. We had placed Christmas poinsettias on Ammon and Carter’s grandfather’s graves, and on the way home, we spent some birthday time with her.

For everyone out there, I want to share, yet again, how much my mother means to me: love, support, acceptance. She is an awesome mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and mother-in-law. I am so blessed to have her as is everyone whose life she touches.