Snippets from Saint Simons Island

October in Georgia!

2010-10-10T13:36:00.000-04:00

Feb hodge podge

2010-02-15T12:36:00.002-05:00

The messy Christmas Eve Kitchen!

2009-12-24T20:11:00.000-05:00

Makin' a pie with dad.

I can't find the counter!

Fishing Day!

2009-12-19T20:01:00.007-05:00

Today we went fishing with some friends on their parents' private island.
This is the road to get there.

The bon fire--it was only in the fifties and very windy today, we needed this fire!
The golf cart--Anna's favorite part.

dinner
The anglers. . .

What we have left to show for our day. . . okay and full stomachs too.

Tree's up!

2009-12-19T19:59:00.000-05:00

Rainy and 80 degrees

2009-12-19T19:56:00.001-05:00

In Georgia, we play in the rain in December, instead of the snow.

A few Thanksgiving Day photos at Lisa & Glenn's House

2009-12-02T10:43:00.000-05:00

That pool is cold, but the hot tub is warm.

Sunday afternoon on Jekyll Island

2009-11-09T21:03:00.003-05:00

Brother, Commander Dave Koss, still out on Cruise, sent a photo

2009-11-02T18:43:00.001-05:00

Because Tami and Kim asked for this!

2009-10-31T19:37:00.000-04:00

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T19:13:00.002-04:00

A Day to Celebrate the kindness of the Lord!

2009-10-11T16:54:00.008-04:00

400 Yard Swim 15 Mile Bike 5K Run

8:30 am

October 11, 2009

I told the Lord, I don't have a rhythmic bone in my body, but I can do this. . .swim, bike, and run, so receive my race as a celebration of praise and thanksgiving for healing me. I couldn't have done this a year ago. But by the gracious hand of God, I am myself again and at 38 years old just completed my first triathlon today. It was a very hot October day, much of the race in the sun, but He met me, and I had fun. I am glad I did it, although a bit wiped out at the moment.

Anna and Tim wearing the cap I had to wear.

This is Dr. Cabeca's calf. We had to have our age on our calf. She wouldn't like knowing I did this.

Hurray Sarah No More Training Wheels!!

2009-10-11T16:52:00.000-04:00

Charlotte's Web Field trip for Anna's Class

2009-10-11T16:42:00.002-04:00

Heat index today 105!!

2009-10-09T08:05:00.000-04:00

It is October, and 90 something degrees outside, uuugh!

School Photos!

2009-09-29T17:02:00.004-04:00

It's that time of year again!

2009-09-22T11:04:00.006-04:00

. . .When the Graustein's head off to the beach after dinner. The weather is still very warm and there are few people at the beach. It is a gorgeous time of year and time of day to be at the beach. Any Marylander tempted to jealousy should know how sad I was to buy apples in a plastic bag from the grocery store the other day. . . it is apple picking time at Butler's Orchard, oh, and don't forget about the pumpkin patches too. I will be picking up a pumpkin at Wal-mart, doesn't that sound romantic.

My brother is on an aircraft carrier out to sea. I just made him this t-shirt for this monkey and sent it too him. Please pray for his safety. He also just got extended at sea for two months, pray for the spirits of all five thousand men serving with him. . .thanks.

Grammy & Grampa, Nanny & Pop Pop were here for Grandparents day at St Simons Christian School

2009-09-11T20:24:00.003-04:00

2009-09-02T11:56:00.010-04:00

As some of you may have noticed, my blogging has decreased in frequency. There is a reason for that. Obviously the first reason was the school move. That was a very time consuming venture. But as of 3 weeks ago I began working 2-3 days a week, only until 3 pm at a doctor's office.

I saw this doctor last May and it was the beginning of a life changing healing for me. I can honestly say I feel like myself again for the first time in years, and I happened to have lost over 40 pounds. Praise be to God!

Today I typed up a bit of my story for her to post on her web-site and I thought I would post it here too.

Surely I have seen the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. . .(ref Psalm 27)
My life prior to having children was a very productive, joyful, and active life, characterized by a love of exercise in the form of bike riding and jogging.Since having three children I have experienced severe insomnia, as well as depression that only resolved for a few months between my first and second child. By the time I had my third child my body seemed unable to recover without the aid of prescription anti-depressants.Yet, even with this medication, I still didn’t feel like myself.I felt better, but not like my pre-child bearing self. Not long ago, while weaning very slowly of off one of the medications I was prescribed, the insomnia came back full force, and so did a depression that was worse than any I had experienced up to that time. I fought hard to endure this trial. I was determined never to take any drug like that again; the withdrawal from the medication was worse than the original depression, which was bad enough itself.Months went by and I only came to realize that I needed something to help me to live a productive life for the sake of my family.Fearful of withdrawal, but sure I needed it, I ended up taking another anti-depressant.And again, I was helped, though I never felt as strong as my pre-child bearing self.

In July of 2008, God saw fit to move my family to Georgia, where my husband's calling was clear.Little did I know, he would meet me here too with an answer to 8 years of prayer for healing.I saw Dr. Cabeca in May of 2009 for the first time.She immediately started me on her detox program and placed me on some supplements.She also found some cysts on my ovaries, a likely relationship to some underlying hormonal imbalances related to how I had felt since 2001. For the first time in 8 years, since being on Dr. Cabeca’s protocol, I can honestly say I feel like my pre-child bearing self again. The thought of exercising is again a pleasure and not a chore.Finishing thoughts and making decisions comes easy.The thought of going up the stairs for the socks I forgot to get is not the burden it once was. And ultimately, I am sleeping like a normal person.I fall asleep quickly and am able to return to sleep with ease.Surely, God has answered my prayers, and brought healing to my body thru Dr. Cabeca’s vast knowledge and experience with the workings of a woman’s body.I couldn’t be more thankful.

I can not write this testimony without also giving thanks for Kim Stoy, Tami Holmes, and my precious husband, without whom, humanly speaking, I would not have endured this trial.

A Day at the Races!

2009-08-22T12:54:00.006-04:00

St Simons Christian School had its first Cross Country Meet today at the Sea Island Stables. Fortunately, it was overcast because our first race didn't start til after 11. Our team was 4th out of 4 overall; but one of our guys actually won the race for the middle school boys! Not bad for one week of training.

Alex won for the boys.

I single handedly replaced the carpet in Sarah's room!

2009-08-22T12:51:00.003-04:00

scraps.
The tools of the trade:

okay, Karl cut one side of it, I had a little help, but not bad huh?

. . .and a school was re-born!

2009-08-13T08:41:00.008-04:00

Just 20 days after finally signing the lease (It was hoped to be signed last May, but there were delays), this building is ready for school. Walls were erected, bathrooms made, counter tops removed, tiles placed, portables moved, stairs and ramps built, and of course, school contents moved. Parent volunteers are tired but excited. My husband has never worked so hard both physically and professionally for such long hours into the night for so many weeks ever in his life. Surely there are projects still needing completion but they are comparatively small. School has begun without hitch and things will get done in time.

They are putting dirt on top of the parking lot to make a field for PE etc. They are even putting an irrigation system in it.

We are moving!!

2009-07-28T21:48:00.004-04:00

We, the Whitefield School, that is.

And we are changing our name too. Here is our new logo. And a few shots of the new building. Karl is working around the clock, making lists in the middle of the night. He is tired, but having a blast, it really is turning out to be what he has really always wanted to do. Praise God!

Photos compliments of Jessi

2009-07-19T18:40:00.004-04:00

I took a camera with a dead battery on vacation; and no charger. . .so here are some photos my sister-in-law took in New Hampshire! Enjoy the better camera and better photographer!

Freezing in New Hampshire!

2009-07-08T20:23:00.001-04:00

It is barely 60 and drizzly, cloudy here. The terrain is sooooo different here.
It is one thing to go from Maryland to NH but from Georgia to NH I feel as though I have gone to a different country. Glad I brought warm pj's for everyone. It is so chilly!!

The new St Simons Island Community pool and park

2009-06-12T17:37:00.004-04:00

family membership for the summer $110 can't beat that!

Anna's birthday party

2009-06-12T17:35:00.000-04:00

Sarah's end of year ceremony

2009-06-12T17:31:00.001-04:00

TWS presents "Godspell Jr"

2009-05-28T17:02:00.004-04:00

A day in the life with Tim.

2009-05-18T14:13:00.000-04:00

Karl on a mission to advertise our "Godspell Jr." production

2009-05-18T14:08:00.001-04:00

Tim knows what he wants to be when he grows up. . .

2009-05-18T14:05:00.002-04:00

A Go Fish Guy!! They came in concert as a Whitefield School fundraiser and it was a blast, Tim's new heros!

A Princess Party at School!

2009-04-26T12:58:00.002-04:00

Another playdate

2009-04-24T19:37:00.001-04:00

The Whitefield Difference in The Brunswick News (Aren't they soo cute!!)

2009-04-24T19:35:00.000-04:00

Watching Jackson at the school while his mom leads "Godspell" practice.

2009-04-24T14:40:00.000-04:00

The kids sang to us at Community Bible Study

2009-04-24T14:37:00.002-04:00

Mom and Dad passed thru for Grandparents day at the school. (Photos compliments of Sarah)

2009-04-24T14:35:00.003-04:00

Playdate with Sarah's friend Romy.

2009-04-24T14:35:00.001-04:00

The dried up snake Tim found on our walk.

2009-04-24T14:34:00.001-04:00

My new favorite place!

2009-04-24T14:26:00.004-04:00

So we joined the fitness center. I like the "Express Circuit" and the bike and treadmill. But the kids like the pool, it is even heated.

The best part is the wet towels go in their laundry not mine!!

2009-04-17T08:53:00.005-04:00

Couldn't help but draw attention to our messages from the last two weeks at church.

Pastor David Yarborough's conclusion to Job was a homerun; as was his Easter message about fear!

Click on the pictures above to go directly to the messages. Click here for information about all of our church's sermons.

Karl borrowed a limo to use for principal of the day!

2009-04-11T14:07:00.004-04:00

Principal of the day was an auction item from the Whitefield dinner in which a child, or sisters in this case, get to be principal for the day, it was purchased for only twenty five hundred dollars.

Springbreak '09--The Grausteins, The Grausteins, and The Grausteins!

2009-04-11T13:44:00.007-04:00

Thank-you Kurt, Jessi, Megan, & Ian for my birthday present!

2009-03-27T09:49:00.000-04:00

Resurrection Fern-a new phenomenon to me.

2009-03-25T08:39:00.003-04:00

See the fern growing on the trunk of the tree? It only shows up after it rains, the trees are beautifully covered with it. Then it seems to disappear until the next rain. Cool name, huh?

Anna and Sarah have strep, Allie sticks close by.

2009-03-25T08:38:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday Timmy--from Mom and Dad, Grammy and Grampa. . .

2009-03-25T08:35:00.000-04:00

New friends of old friends. . .

2009-03-25T08:29:00.002-04:00

If you remember Ken and Eleanor Lam, our precious landlords in the Calypso house, this is their son and family. He is temporarily working in Brunswick and may be moving here in the coming months.

Time to pressure wash that fence.

2009-03-21T12:50:00.002-04:00

The Whitefield Dinner Fundraiser was a success!

2009-03-21T12:46:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday Tim!

2009-03-21T12:41:00.002-04:00

I walked the Bridge Run today.

2009-03-21T12:37:00.003-04:00

5K back and forth over this bridge, windy and steep. Fun!

Eastern Ribbon snake likes my pool

2009-03-12T16:27:00.002-04:00

Back to the beach

2009-03-09T17:26:00.002-04:00

Something in me just had to take a picture of the epitome of the retired life sitting next to us.

Water temp 72 degrees (in case you were wondering)

2009-03-09T17:20:00.001-04:00

Saturday at Nanny and Poppop's

2009-03-03T18:36:00.002-05:00

Whitefield Soccer!

2009-03-03T18:27:00.001-05:00

Seeing double-fun with friends from school and neighbor Nyah

2009-03-03T18:24:00.000-05:00

Thanks for the hand-me-downs Rachel

2009-02-17T08:48:00.000-05:00

Weekend with Tami at the beach

2009-02-17T08:42:00.003-05:00

Was hunting and hunting for sharks teeth in the coquina piles, then God just laid one in the middle of the smooth sand for me.

Happy Valentines Day (for the school party)

2009-02-12T17:00:00.000-05:00

Somedays, happy kids at the end of the day is the best we got--a few photos a real life sometimes

2009-02-12T16:49:00.002-05:00

Ice cream and park with friends

2009-02-12T16:35:00.000-05:00

Back at Magnolia Manor to give out Valentines from the school.

2009-02-12T16:24:00.001-05:00

Pobrecitos! (Poor things)

2009-02-03T06:54:00.003-05:00

Karl had it over the weekend, high fever, aches, cough, etc. Well he still is, but getting better, now it is the kids turn. We heard your first year after a move can bring a lot of sickness, it has been true for us, I am just glad we aren't throwing up which we have had twice since we moved, Tim and I shared a bucket for one of the episodes. Oh well, life in a fallen world.

Tim, all boy, sleeps with balls in his bed, plays with gusto and in the dirt.

2009-01-31T16:10:00.000-05:00

The snow in Georgia. . .

2009-01-31T16:04:00.001-05:00

Costs money!! Sarah had a birthday party she went to where they had a machine that shredded huge blocks of ice and made snow.

Oh, what a beautiful morning. . .

2009-01-23T12:33:00.003-05:00

After several days of that same arctic air that was over the whole east coast, with icy mornings and chilly days, this morning was warm again, and in the 60's. I was caught up in cleaning and chasing after Tim until Allie asked to go out, when I discovered the warm, sunny day outside. So Tim and I had to go out for a ride and enjoy it.

..

. . . And they're off!

2009-01-20T10:00:00.005-05:00

Tim and I just saw Grammy, Grampa, and Nana off. They have a long day ahead of them with long flights and a layover, please pray for them. Pray too, for the arrangements that they will need to make in the days to come.

2009-01-19T14:30:00.000-05:00

Against all odds--Miracle of miracles

2009-01-19T14:20:00.003-05:00

Did I ever tell you that the neurosurgeon told Alan "don't expect her to leave this hospital alive."
Well, here she is, against all odds, going for a drive to see Karl's school which she has never stopped asking to see. Grammy, Grampa, & Nana Belle leave tomorrow at 10 a.m. and you should see the smile on Nana's face when she states she is leaving tomorrow. She truly is a walking miracle, Praise be to God!

I had to take this photo because it so struck me as evidence of coming full circle. What once was the ambulance carrying Nana Belle on New Year's Day is now Alan's rental van taking her for a much requested drive.

View from the condo where Mum & Dad are sleeping

2009-01-18T17:37:00.000-05:00

Nana Belle

2009-01-18T17:31:00.005-05:00

Flowers for Nana Belle from Kurt & Jessi.

The grass is greener. . .

2009-01-16T11:47:00.001-05:00

. . . in Georgia in January!! Crazy. I wish I could get a good photo of the pollen on our windshields in the morning. . .

Grammy & Grampa return today to fly Nana Belle home

2009-01-16T11:46:00.001-05:00

Visit with Grammy after Church

2009-01-11T10:57:00.001-05:00

Evening with Grammy

2009-01-10T19:44:00.001-05:00

Friday night fun--Whitefield Basketball!

2009-01-09T20:18:00.002-05:00

2009-01-09T20:17:00.000-05:00

Mum & Dad are heading home--here are some photos from their visit.

2009-01-08T17:27:00.008-05:00

Looking Good Grammy

2009-01-08T17:22:00.001-05:00

84 degrees 2 days ago.

2009-01-08T14:38:00.000-05:00

Lipstick!

2009-01-08T14:32:00.001-05:00

Tim asked me to leave the bathroom so he could finish filling his diaper. I left for a moment and heard the lid to my lipstick hit the tile floor. This was his masterpiece.

2009-01-07T15:40:00.001-05:00

Grammy walked around the nursing station this morning. She is eating well and talking and understanding well. She has been moved to the nursing home down the street.

2009-01-05T18:49:00.001-05:00

Grammy was moved out of ICU to a hospital room on a ward this afternoon.

Grammy ate a full breakfast this morning!

2009-01-05T11:52:00.002-05:00

Dad is with Grammy now, we are waiting for another call but his first call told Mum--to know that she may not fly out tonight because she and dad may be able to fly Grammy home later this week!?!?!?

Grammy talked to Karl on the phone!

2009-01-04T09:32:00.002-05:00

Grammy is alert today. She said, "I can't believe I am still in Georgia, I just might have to buy a house here."
Remarkable. She is even reading the clock.
They will be getting her up to a chair this morning.

2009-01-03T15:48:00.002-05:00

Grammy is doing well today. She had a normal conversation with her son, and even stated that she was with Sarah, Anna, and Tim when she fell, a recent memory. CAT scan showed no increase in bleeding this is good. She is sleeping a lot, relaxed and calm and arousable. So far, so good.

update

2009-01-03T09:22:00.002-05:00

Thank you for your prayers and concern. No significant changes yet. Yesterdays CAT scan revealed 4 total places of bleeding or bruising on the brain. She answered all of her sons questions about her children's birthdates and anniversaries, but not surprisingly, can't grasp that she is in Georgia in the hospital. Grammy is getting another CAT scan right now. I just looked at the pictures of her on my blog. A couple days ago Grampa was telling me, that wasn't a long enough walk for Grammy, we need to go around the block again; and she was beating us in cards, and going into the bathroom with lipstick, face powder and a comb after each meal to pretty up. What a difference a few days makes. She has what is called a central line because they are giving her plasma to try to counter the coumadin and stop the bleeding. Today should tell us a lot more about whether her brain will stop bleeding and simply take time to heal or not.

2009-01-02T08:28:00.001-05:00

According to the nurse "Grammy is not the same person we left last night" she is not coherent and agitated. We are going to the hospital, please pray for wisdom in decisions and mercy.

January 1, 2009--not as we planned.

2009-01-01T18:42:00.001-05:00

Grammy Belle fell while making an attempt today to "see the kid's rooms upstairs" as she has been wanting to do all week. She had gone up three steps and fell backwards and hit her head and was immediately unconscious and breathing deeply. She is in ICU tonight watching her because she is on a blood thinner and the CAT scan showed a small bleeding area in her brain so the doc's want to observe her for 24-48 hours. As always, your prayers are appreciated.

Grammy, Grampa, & Grammy Belle are here!

2008-12-31T19:22:00.005-05:00

Christmas Day

2008-12-28T19:55:00.002-05:00

Christmas at the Koss' House

2008-12-28T19:39:00.006-05:00

Tim was fishin' in the dog bowl.

2008-12-24T13:14:00.000-05:00

Not in Montgomery County anymore!

2008-12-24T13:12:00.001-05:00

Yes, those are Coke and Sprite boxes at a local gas station!

2008-12-16T19:06:00.001-05:00

Notice the shorts!! It is December 16th and 76 degrees.

2008-12-16T19:02:00.002-05:00

"Wonder-full" Life Christmas Program at school!

2008-12-16T18:54:00.002-05:00