Mini Me

So I've been told, this looks all too familiar. If I'm that cute when I'm sleeping, then I should do more of it! Don't you think?

Hugs and a Sweet Spirit

I took these pictures a couple of weeks ago and thought they'd be fun to share. We've been busy this week with Vacation Bible School. We hope to be getting back to the pool very soon! Too many summer days have slipped by without a dip.

I have a sweet thing to share about Andrew. It is so fun to see his little personality emerge. It seems that as I grow bigger with child, he becomes more attentive. Not all the time, but there have been moments. Like for instance, the other day we were running errands with Grandpa. Grandpa had to stop at several places and at each stop the boys would want to get out and go in with him, while I chose to sit in the pick-up and wait. On about the second stop, Andrew quickly unbuckled and then said, "I'll just stay here with Mommy and the baby." Grandpa and Josh went on in and Andrew just sat quietly with me for a few moments. Then he said, "Mommy, why don't you want to go in with Grandpa?" I said, "I don't know, did you want to go?" He said, "yes." So I assured him I would be fine if he wanted to go in. He immediately hopped out and ran inside!

Then...a few days later he was helping me water Grandma's flowers (as she is away in Mexico). He turned the water on, filled the pail, and then turned it off again. Then he "tried" to pick up the pail, but it was much too heavy, so I got it. He looked up at me and said, "Mommy, is the baby heavy?" He seems to feel the need to take care of me, which I think is so precious. What four year old even notices things like that?

I should add that Josh is very sweet with me as well. He's constantly asking how the baby is and if he is awake or asleep. He did get to feel the baby kick for the first time a few days ago, which was a fun experience. And if I tell him that I can't do something (like he wanted me to walk to the back yard with him to get his bike, but my feet were ACHING!) he is very understanding.

I'm thankful for sweet little boys.

Lovin' on Mom


I just love the expression on his face!

All Locked Up

I thought I'd share a Josh funny from a couple of weeks back. My dad (Grandpa) asked him to go shut a gate and gave him a lock to put on it. Of course Josh was eager to accomplish the task and trotted off to do it right away. Some time later, Grandpa said we needed to go and look at how he had "locked" the gate. This is what we found....



Do you think this would keep someone from breaking in?

Still a Boy

I headed over to try and see our boy's face again today. It had been about a month since the last ultrasound. We still didn't get excellent shots unfortunately, but on a positive note...I get to go back AGAIN! How awesome is that? The technician seems to think that when he goes to the head down position we should be able to get some better pics.

Apparently, my placenta is attached at the very top of the uterus, which is where he likes to hang out. That means he gets both the placenta and umbilical cord in his face a lot. In addition to that...he likes to fold up like a pretzel and often has his legs stretched straight up over his head! So basically, the place where many times I feel strong kicks is where he has both his head AND feet! Maybe even hands too!

Baby Boy has definately grown and filled out in the last month. Even though the pictures didn't turn out all that clear, I was able to see on the video some glimpses of what he really looks like and let me tell you...(maybe I am a little biased) he's ADORABLE! He's got chubby cheeks, a sweet mouth and a button nose. I know you say...what baby doesn't!? :) Anyway...I hope you enjoy these quick shots of our little sweetie!

Here's what I look like today...bigger than a week ago, huh?


Fist in face


All folded up In case you can't get the perception...to the left of the screen is a leg and foot sticking up. In the center is an arm and fist and then the facial profile on the right.


Profile

Vacation Week

Okay...I have finally got our pictures downloaded from last week when Craig was on vacation. This is the first time EVER that Craig has had "real" vacation time off from work, other than military leave (which I'm not even counting). It was so wonderful to have him home for an entire week, uninterrupted by work!

We didn't have any big plans. We knew we "had" to take the boys camping somewhere, and Craig really hoped to get in a couple of rounds of golf. Thankfully, both happened and the rest of the time was fairly laid back and unstructured.

On Monday we took the boys to Mikey's birthday party and shopping for camping supplies. We left out Tuesday for a local state park and spent the night and all day Wednesday. Thursday and Friday Craig played golf and the weekend was just spent around here.

I hated to see Craig have to return to work on Monday. I'm so used to not seeing him much, so getting to be with him all week made me realize I really do still like him! HA HA Seriously we had a wonderful week and made some special memories. I hope you enjoy our camping trip through pictures.

Setting up camp


It is so fun here!


Hanging out in the tent Yes we tent camped with me at 24 weeks pregnant! Notice the air matress and we also had a fan.


Fishing Buddies


Chasing a goose The geese, birds and squirrels really wanted some of our food. They would come right up to the table while we were eating. We had our trash tied in a tree and the squirrels kept getting in it.


Mom and her boys


Dad and his boys


Striking out on a 3 hour hike Yes, I went. Me who gets zero physical exercise. I did make it. Barely. But I ended up with a red Muppet nose.



My scruffy Marine


Andrew didn't make it all the way. He actually ended up on Craig's shoulders, nearly asleep. I'm not sure why I didn't get a picture of that. Maybe because I was barely making it myself and was wishing I could ride on Craig's shoulders. Since Andrew wouldn't walk, we decided not to hike back on the trail and went up the main entrance to the park instead. I know the pictures don't show it, but some of the trail was pretty rugged. I will do it again when I'm not pregnant and am about 80 pounds lighter!


Andrew on the water slide Would you believe after all that hiking, the boys went swimming? Oh, and they also played miniture golf (no pics of that). Andrew was fearless! He went down the slide over and over.


Andrew loving the log roll


Daddy pulled him out MANY times to do it all again!


Josh just hanging out


FUN TIMES!

Baby Name Poll

I'm finally getting brave and posting a belly pic. Josh took this a little over a week ago, at about 24 weeks. I'm sure I have grown since then! Kristen, I think this is one of your old shirts. Remember how you loved stripes?

As you can see...I've been playing around with my layout and have added a little something extra over to the left. Please participate in my baby naming poll (just for fun!) We're having the hardest time making a decision. I say we, but really I mean me, because Craig doesn't seem to care. He just wants me to decide and quit "worrying" about it. I do believe it is harder this time around, after having already named two boys! Why is this so hard? I just believe that naming a child is a huge responsibility and I take it very seriously. Some would say, much too seriously. And please....know that these choices are only what I'm thinking about right now. I'm just 25 weeks along and who knows...I may come up with something TOTALLY different by the time he arrives! If you have another suggestion, please don't hesitate to share it with me, either in the comment section or by email. Thanks for participating!

*Just a note* You'll notice that Luke is in each of the options. It doesn't necessarily have to be used, but it was Josh's first suggestion, so we've been trying it out.

Happy Father's Day

I know this is a little late, and not that I didn't already wish my Daddy a Happy Father's Day, but Happy Father's Day Daddy. I've always known you were the one who hung the moon. You did, didn't you? ;) I'm glad I was able to sing Daddy's Hands for you this morning. Every one of the lyrics fit perfectly and they truly are the reason "I love my Dad." Thank you for the love in your hands and your heart. You're the best and I'll always be your little girl, no matter how "big" or old I get.



And Craig...Happy Father's Day to you! Thank you for being Daddy to our boys. (All three of them!) You are a wonderful father and they adore you, as do I. I appreciate your hard work to provide for us. I know it isn't always easy, but your work ethic is something to be admired. {We have thoroughly enjoyed having you home on "vacation" with us this week. I look forward to sharing some of our family adventures with our blog readers sometime this week.} Thank you for your love! We love you and you are wonderful!

Birthday Overview

Josh had a wonderful birthday. He got to celebrate for 4 days straight! That's the way we like it...just like Christmas. All spread out so it isn't over so quickly. On Thursday Craig's dad, stepmom, and Grandma and Grandpa O came over for hamburgers and brought a cake with some cards and gifts. Then on Friday (which was his actual birthday) we didn't do a whole lot, but ate pizza and dessert with Grandma and Grandpa B, again with gifts. Saturday, we met up with friends at another friend's pool for swimming, cupcakes, ice cream and yet more gifts. That night, Josh's good buddy Mikey spent the night. His mom bought them matching pjs to wear, so cute! So then...on Sunday we went to celebrate with Craig's mom, stepdad, sister, nieces, and Granny and Grandad L with pizza, pie and, of course, gifts! (Okay, really he didn't get nearly as many gifts as it sounds like. He's not quite THAT spoiled! Like I said, they were just all spread out! We did however eat as much as it sounds like! :) Here are a few pictures from a couple of the events.

3-D sidewalk chalk


Ready to SPLASH!


This is FUN!


Make a wish...


Best Buds

A Look Back

JOSHUA REED Born: June 6, 2001


2002 - 1 year


2003 - 2 years


2004 - 3 years (Daddy called from Iraq when this picture was taken.)


2005 - 4 years


2006 - 5 years


2007 - 6 years


2008 pics to come in another post.

Joshua's Day

D Day. To me, Delivery Day. Today is the day I became a Mother. Seven years ago a 7 pound 10 ounce baby boy was placed in my arms and our lives were forever changed. It's hard to believe that Joshua Reed is turning 7 years old today! Yet at the same time, it is so hard to remember life before him sometimes.

Joshua is a very active boy and oh so very smart. He amazes me with what he knows. He's a typical boy who loves tractors, maps, mud, CARS, puppies, swimming, friends, and his little brother. He loves to create and make arts and crafts or build with Legos or Lincoln Logs. He is an excellent reader. He loves to give hugs and kisses and still needs to sometimes feel like he's small again and curl up in my lap. From the time he was a baby, he would play with my hair. I don't let him do that much anymore, but I remember last year when I would send him off to Kindergarten, he would twist my hair exactly three times and he told me that meant, "I love you."

I LOVE YOU too sweet boy! I pray that God molds you into His man.

HAPPY 7th BIRTHDAY Joshua!!!

P.S. I'm going to try to come back later and add some pictures. Blogger isn't cooperating.

Random pictures....just because...

I was looking through some pictures on my computer and found these that I have always loved of my baby Andrew. He was a little over 1 year old here. I loved how his chubby little body fit perfectly into the back of the dump truck. SO CUTE!

I don't have any of Josh's pictures from that far back on my computer, but maybe sometime I'll get one on here to show you what he was like too.

Let's blame it on pregnancy amnesia!

The other day I got to thinking about my last post and wondered... "Did I type husband or wife?" I thought maybe I was just being paranoid and convinced myself it was probably right. The thing is...I never went to check, until tonight. Wouldn't you know, I said that my sons would someday be someone's wife! And not one person ever pointed it out to me. Maybe all of you are crazy too! The correction has been made....

Raising Godly Sons...

...that is my greatest desire in all of life! If you have read the comments left to me under the comment section, you will have seen that my dear friend Stephanie and her sweet Mom Karen both made that point. They are so right. Craig and I have been given an awesome responsibility and privilege to raise BOYS. Boys that will someday be someone's husband, someone's father, and hopefully be someone's guide to Jesus.

I have said many times that I know our boys will lead (I particularly see leadership traits in Joshua) and that it is critical that they learn to lead the RIGHT way!

When I really stop and think about it...I wonder, "God, what are you thinking? Are we really the best candidates for raising Godly men? Isn't there someone else who could do it better? What if we mess it up royally? God...it's got to be ALL you and none of me!"

And there lies what God wants... He wants it to be ALL HIM and none of me or of Craig. We can't be the ones to take the credit, and we know we won't be able to. But, we serve such a gracious God that He will allow us just a piece of the prize too, if we are faithful. He will give us the praise we need as long as we turn it all back to Him.

Excerpt from The Wonderful World of Boys by: Dr. James Dobson:
"There is no greater privilege in living than bringing a tiny new human being into the world and then trying to raise him or her properly during the next eighteen years. Doing that job right requires all the intelligence, wisdom, and determination you will be able to muster from day to day. And for parents whose family includes one or more boys, the greatest challenge may be just keeping them alive through childhood and adolescence."

I pray that we are able to remain humble enough; muster enough intelligence, wisdom and determination; and to always remember that it is all about Him, so that, somehow, someway.....these three sons we've been entrusted with turn out to be MIGHTY MEN of GOD!


A Love Like No Other

Blog Title Remains As Is

Now let's see if you figure this out........
Be Devoted...in BROTHERLY Love...

Did you get it???

YES! It's a BOY!!!
I have been wondering for some time what I should do to my blog title if I were to have a girl. Now I know the title was meant to be. Yes, today we found out we are having boy #3! Of course we are thrilled no matter what!

We had both a 2D and 4D ultrasound this morning. Unfortunately, Baby Boy didn't want to cooperate in order for us to get a good look at his face. He had his head firmly planted near the placenta. At times it surrounded his face on each side, at others it sat on his head like a hat, and sometimes he had his face right in it. Also, the umbilical cord was across his face, which made for a distorted picture. Thankfully, we will have the opportunity to return for more pictures until we get a good look at him.

Josh and Andrew were asked during the ultrasound what they wanted to call their baby brother. Josh said "Luke." Andrew said, "Flower." ????? Not sure where that came from...although, Andrew has been known to call himself a pet skunk. (Remember Flower from Bambi?) Anyway....no decisions have been made on the name at this time, so just stay tuned for that... I can tell you though, it won't be Flower! At least not on the birth certificate.

Now for a couple of pictures. Hopefully we'll have some clearer ones in a few more weeks.

Redneck Cruise Night

MAN....do I wish I had taken a camera with us on Saturday night! We went to a neighboring small town across the river for their bi-annual "Cruise Night." Craig took the top off the Jeep and installed the back seat for the boys, and off we went! As we were heading over, I thought to myself, "oh this will be fun, but no big deal." As we cross over the river, I notice a classic car headed the other direction. My thoughts were confirmed..."this guy came and saw it wasn't worth the time and now he's taking his beautiful car and leaving." But wait! We round the corner and OH MY GOODNESS! Bumper to bumper traffic. Vehicles of ALL kinds and people lining the street.

We needed to run an errand down on the other end of town, so we "cruised" all the way through in our open air Jeep with onlookers checking us out as we drive by. I should have waved! It really was like being in a parade.

After we got what we needed, we were feeling a little dry in the mouth, so we headed to Craig's favorite "filling station" for a fountain drink. We ended up parking there to watch everyone else drive by. Talk about REDNECK! Where else can you go and find people cruising through town with their kids sitting in lawn chairs in the bed of their old beat up pickup truck? Even the General Lee from the Dukes of Hazzard was there. I must say...it looked very authentic to me. There was a guy with a John Deere green and yellow truck that said Mater on the front. There were even some folks crusing in a Kodiak, old diesal duallies, still others in minivans! HA....I don't think they intended to be IN the cruise! But everytime I'd see one I'd say, "cruisin' in the minivan!" Hysterical! Then you'd get these young boys out there who would rev their engines, blow smoke and generally act foolish with their reckless driving. All the while the cops are making passes up and down the street and don't seem to have a problem with all this crazy behavior.

One thing (among several) Craig and I found amusing is that the guys with the "real" cool, classic cars (who likely can remember when gas was 25 cents per gallon or less)were smart enough to realize that it is just plain stupid to drive up and down the street when gas is approaching $4 per gallon! So what ended up happening is that most of the "cool" cars were parked and everyone else was "cruising" up and down the street so they could see the cars. We did get to see some neat cars though, I have to admit. Overall, I would say it was a fun evening and I would do it again. I heartily recommend checking out the next local "Cruise Night" in your area. It will be worth tons of laughs!

P.S. Can you just imagine someone from a big city coming to an event like this? Oh to be a fly on the door panel!

School's Out, School's Out, Teacher Let the Mules Out

And Favorite Foto Friday "Fun in the Sun"




I've posted the pic of Josh before, but I love it too much not to post it again because it is so fitting for both my themes for the day.

We actually finished up 1st Grade on Wednesday (with the exception of a story or two more in one of his readers we need to finish.) Plus, a test I plan to have my Mom give to him just to see if he is up to speed with other 1st graders, which I'm sure he is!

We are happy to be getting a break and though I knew there were many neglected things that are in need of my attention around the house...I think the scales are finally falling off my eyes and I'm seeing the reality of how desperately that attention is needed! Whew....overwhelming. But it will get done. At least some of it! :)

We're looking forward to some beautiful weather for the weekend with soccer games on Saturday and likely a little garden work. I hope each of you have a fun weekend with the ones you love.

Mommy and Me

Here's a Mother's Day 2008 picture of me and the boys! Haven't they grown?!

Happy Mother's Day

I've noticed that many bloggers participate in what they call Favorite Foto Friday and each week there is a theme. I doubt I will do that...but this week was a Mother's Day theme and I thought it would be a good one to participate in, although I am a day late! But then again...Mother's Day is tomorrow!

First, let me say Happy Mother's Day to my Mom, LaNell. Momma I love you so very much and I am blessed beyond words to have you for a Mother. Thank you for loving me so deeply. I love how you are so fun, because after all, as Gillan would say...you are a COOL Grandma! You're never afraid to act like a kid again. I love that you are a busy body and know how to get things done. I love that you are the best nurse I have ever known and that because you are such a good nurse...I've never had to meet too many of them. You always make sure we are well cared for. I love that everyone loves being in your home, not because it is new or nice, but because you are there. I love your "elegant" meals and how you always plan and plan when company is coming. I love that you are willing to drop whatever you're doing in order to take care of someone else. I love that after almost 42 years of marriage, you still love my Daddy like you were newlyweds. I love that you love Jesus and made sure I would too. I could go on and on...I just hope that someday I can be as good of a Mom as you! Thank you for everything and Happy Mother's Day. May you have a most blessed day!

My Mother


I would also like to wish a very Happy Mother's Day to my Mother-in-Law, Cindy. Thank you for your love and support and for raising such a wonderful son. Thank you for being Nana to our boys and for all the fun little activities you come up with to do. Whether it be a trip to the circus, an Easter story, a sock snowman, planting flowers, or a wild ride through the woods, you seek out fun with them and I love you for that. I hope you have an awesome day and remember how deeply you are cared for and loved.

My Mother-in-Law


Now, I thought I would post just a few older pictures of me with my boys. I will try to get some recent ones in a couple of days. I am so thankful to be a Mother. It is all I have ever known I wanted to be for sure. I often feel that I'm just not the Mom I want to be, but hopefully God will continue to shape me into the Mom He created me to be.

2007 - Andrew 3 years old and Josh 5 going on 6 years old


2006 - Andrew 2 going on 3 years old and Josh 5 years old


2005 - Josh 4 years old


2005 - Andrew 18 months old


And finally...HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all my Mother friends out there.