Ready for Sunny Summer Days

*Be sure to see two more picture posts below.*

Where IS this baby's Mother??

Blue tongue and hands are what you get when you cross a crawling baby and a crepe paper, preschool craft project!

Woo Hoo!!!!

Can you guess what Josh is excited about??

Mommy and Me

We had a very nice Mother's Day weekend and I'm hoping you all did as well! I had taken my camera to church Sunday morning, intending to have someone take a picture of me with the boys, but never did. Unfortunately, Craig had to leave right after church for work and wasn't home to take one for us before we changed clothes for the afternoon. So....we attempted to take one on our own. And well.....here's the best we could do.....



Then Josh and Andrew took turns taking some....and these are what we got....







Not bad, huh?

A week or two before Mother's Day, Craig had taken the boys fishing and these cute pics are a result of that day...








And baby boy is really getting mobile now! As you can see, he can somewhat 'cruise' along the edge of the couch. He's not quite pulling up yet, but could if he knew it. He crawls really fast on his belly too!



Until next time....

Life is not a slideshow.

I just love slideshows....

You know the kind.

The music has meaningful lyrics and the pictures go perfectly with the words.

I'm always coming up with ideas for slideshows....

But rarely do I ever make one.

Slideshows make me feel all warm and fuzzy.

Even if they make you sad, they still seem to make things look so beautiful.

I've always wanted to be a mom.

I still want to be a good mom.

I can get all warm and fuzzy when I look at pictures of my boys.

Pictures like this one.....



Or this one...



Or Heaven help me...this one...



But see....

Then there is reality.

These sweet faces actually move and have life and personality.

Which is great...really it is!

But life gets so real.

It's real when one sweet dimple faced child somehow starts getting an attitude.

It's real when another sweet doe eyed deer tries to make a deal with me.

It's real when yet another sweet pumpkin screams bloody murder just to sleep close to me every night.

It's real.

Life is not a slideshow.

And really......I'm glad it isn't!

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Saturday marked 7 months for baby Nathan.

Can you believe it?

I still need to get a height and weight for him. He's real close to crawling and can certainly scoot around. Today I got a few toys out for him that had been stored away. He thought he was big stuff getting to play in the floor with the big boys.

Here's one of the pics I got for 7 months. You can see his two little teeth shining.

Sorry he's wearing an OU shirt Grandpa. It just happened to be what he had on and maybe you'll be forgiving since it was a gift from Ms. Pat!


_____________________________________________________________________________________

I have some more pictures that include Craig and I. But for some reason, my camera won't unload.....maybe next time.

Minnow Catch

This picture actually has nothing to do with the story, other than it is about Andrew.

Today, I had the pleasure of attending school with Andrew. I had told him a couple of weeks ago that I would like to do that before the end of the school year, and it just so happened that a note was sent home on Friday encouraging parents to come for some special activities going on this week.

Today's activity....tricycle races.

But that isn't what this story is about either...

This week, they are learning about fish, and one of the teachers had brought a bunch of minnows, and converted their sand play table into a little "fish pond." During recess, the children were allowed to play with them. Andrew was selected to go first today, since he had helped bring a tricycle back into the yard. He got to choose someone to play with him and he chose his friend D.

Now D was not hesitant at all about reaching in to grab a handful of minnows. Andrew, on the other hand, wanted to, but was scared. He was hilarious!!

(I did get a small portion on video with my phone...not sure how to put it on here though. Not to mention the fact, there are other kids in the video and I wouldn't want to post it without permission.)

Anyway....Andrew was squealing and screaming and whooping and hollering....and LAUGHING! Finally, he was able to bring himself to do it! He caught some minnows in his hands.

He said they tickled.

So glad I was there to see it!

Still a Blogger...I think...

Funny how I just love reading other blogs, but have such a hard time with my own. It isn't that I don't take pictures, or don't have any thoughts or humors to share.... I just don't take the time to record them, which is frustrating because I know I miss so much in the way of memories by not keeping a journal here. But hey...something is better than nothing right?

Sometimes I wonder if I will remember anything about my boys being little. I had to smile the other day as wonderful memories of Joshua flooded my mind. He and I were having our usual school battle and for whatever reason I began to think about how alert he has always been to the sights and sounds of tractors. (I held him as I recalled some of these memories aloud.)

Before he could even talk, he would perk up and listen if he heard something outside.

And as he began to talk, he became increasingly obsessed with tractors.

When he was around two years old, we passed several places where there were tractors on our way to church. Each and every time he would shout out "John Deere Tractor!!" Indeed, they were.

He would make frequent trips to a neighboring town with Grandpa to a farm supply store. The lady who ran it was a softy and would unwrap a brand new Farmall tractor toy to give him nearly every time he visited. We still have them all!

What precious memories....how quickly he's grown....almost finished with 2nd grade!

I really need to do this more....Andrew and Nathan, you are next! Love you all!

Guess Who's 6 Months Old Today?!

Too Much For Me..I Need Him

Why is it that it seems like every post begins the same? With an apology for the length of time that has passed since the last post.... I'll just skip it this time, since it's obvious...

Let's see if I can do a little updating....what's happened over the last month?

Nathan

• Rolls over
• Sits alone
• 1st sick Dr. visit (bronchitis)
• Grabbing and vocalizing more
• Reaches for Great Aunt Grammy
  
• Eats cereal....not exactly, but has been introduced...
• Turned 5 months old, still weighing around 19 pounds
• Tries Honeycomb cereal and biter biscuit
• 1st trip to ER (high fever and screaming in pain, no diagnosis...but partially due to teething)
• Cut first tooth (bottom right)
• Spends some time outside in walker

Andrew is continuing to do well in and enjoy school. He's a delight to everyone he meets. He did a great job "signing" his name on Valentines for his classmates.

He had to hold his mouth just right to get it done!


Joshua is doing well with homeschooling. I was so proud of him the day after I had spent the entire night in the ER with Nathan. I explained to him that I needed to sleep but, that he still needed to get his work done. I gave him his assignments and he did them all with out any "prodding" from me. Such a blessing that day!

Here you can see the adoration Josh has for Nathan. When I wasn't looking they both ended up on Josh's bed for a little relaxing. (TOP BUNK! Aah!)


Craig is working hard at his new job. It is quite stressful at the moment, but a totally different type of stress than he had before. Although he's been working some very long hours to try and get the hospital ready to open (hopefully in just a few more days..), it has been rewarding work for him. His coworkers recognize his good work ethic and appreciate it, which makes all the difference!

As for me....

I just want to share a lesson I've learned recently through a devotional, as well as a sermon... I guess when you begin to hear the same lesson being taught over and over, you should listen..

Gideon's army was too big in the beginning, so God whittled away the number of troops because he didn't want the men to think they had won the victory in their own power. God made it seem like an impossible task to win the battle. How could so few soldiers overpower such a large army? But they DID and God got all the glory.

My to-do list can seem so overwhelming at times. And I'm not just talking about daily "chores" around the house, although those are important and part of what overwhelmes me. I'm referring to everything that is encompassed into being a wife/mother/homemaker/etc. etc. There is absolutely NO way that I can do it all. I'm just now learning (slow learner I guess) that I'm not supposed to be able to do it. If I could, then I would be smug and think more highly of myself than I should. I would claim the victory and the glory. So, in order that I not do that....God has to give me more to do than I can possibly do on my own. I need His help to accomplish all that I should, so he can win the Victory and the Glory! Not ME!

Time

It's kind of hard to believe we are already well on our way to the middle of February! I was sitting with the mother of a childhood friend the other day talking about how fast time goes. She told me, "just wait, it just goes by faster the older you get." I can't even imagine it going by any faster...

Oh, how I wish I could freeze time (sometimes that is!). Moments like this....


Or like this...



Or this...



Or.......okay, you get the idea.

Anyway....for an update...

We are doing well. Nathan had his 4 month checkup last week and actually weighed less than I expected! He was only 19 pounds 2 ounces! Still quite sound for his age, don't you think? Unfortunately, he came down with the congestion crud on Friday, and wouldn't you know, the pediatrician's office was closed. So we're just trying to keep him comfortable until tomorrow when, hopefully, we can get in to see the doctor.

Friday morning I had a parent/teacher conference with Andrew's teacher. He is doing very well. I looked over his portfolio and am amazed at all he has learned and mastered. He is quite a smart boy!

Joshua enjoyed "recess" at the park with a homeschooling friend on Thursday. It was a beautiful day for it!

I am SO looking forward to when the days stay this nice for a while. I'm sure we still have some cold ones to come though...

Well, the big boys have just come in from a "hike" with their Daddy, so I better go hear about their adventures for now....

A Thankful Heart

So here we are...hunkered down amidst this icy wonderland. It's the second day the boys have been "off" from school and they are happily at play in their room, as they've been for hours on end. It's bliss..

I was just thinking about how very much I COULD have accomplished over the last two days if I had set my mind to it. Instead, I took the chance just to be...

Oh, don't get me wrong. I've done things. Maybe not the "best things." Like actually playing WITH the boys. (Although, it seems that I'd be in the way of the play they have going now.) Or, spending time in the Word and in prayer.

But, I've done things...like making sure the laundry and dishes stay caught up "just in case" the power goes out. I've been cooking more lately too....

It has been so wonderful having Craig home for supper most nights. Most of you know he got a new job that allows him more time at home.

I have so much to be thankful for.

I recently felt guilty for being frustrated with the many nights of interrupted sleep...

How blessed I am to have a healthy baby who is home in his own crib and not hooked to tubes and monitors in a hospital.

How blessed I am to have a husband who is home every night after working hard to provide for us all day, and not one who is absent or lazy.

How blessed I am to have not one child, but three handsome and healthy boys. So many long for just one...

How blessed I am to have a roof over my head and more food than I need, when so many others go cold and hungry.

Ahhhh....the blessings could go on forever. More than I could ever count. Although, maybe I should try sometime. You know the song.....

"Count your blessings, name them one by one.
Count your blessings, see what God has done......"

I want to have a thankful heart.

I recently heard a teenager say she was having the worst day EVER, just because she was bored. OH MY! If being bored is the worst ever, what a VERY blessed life she has.

Wow...this post is all over the place. You can get a glimpse into my shuffled up mind...


I'll end with a poem (not written by me), a video and some pics....Enjoy!

Lord of all pots and pans and things,
Since I've no time to be
A saint by doing lovely things
Or watching late with Thee,
Or dreaming in the dawnlight
Or storming heaven's gates,
Make me a saint by getting meals
And washing up the plates...
Thou who didst love to give men food
In room or by the sea
Accept this service that I do-
I do it unto Thee.

-Author Unknown

Nathan is now 4 months old and weighs just over 20 pounds. He's getting to be quite playful.


Icy picnic table


Pretending the ice is really snow...


Hat Hair

Fun with Momma's BIG Boys

A couple of Sunday's ago we snapped these fun photos in the afternoon. Josh and Andrew were being very silly...

CHEESE!


I can't even think of a good caption...all I can do is LAUGH!


Do I look scary or what? I once heard that in the Polynesian area (I think it is) that sticking out your tongue means "listen to me, I have something important to say." Whatever it is....it looks important doesn't it!?


Sweetness

Spinning Chairs

Josh is just full of funnies these days. Or, maybe I'm just easily amused?

His desk chair is an "office" type chair that spins. He often drives me crazy by spinning around and around when he should be working. Today, he was spinning and I was just about to get onto him when....

Josh: "Hey, when I stick my legs out, it slows me down."

Now normally I'm not too in tune with these teachable moments, but for some reason I caught it this time.

Me: "Yeah did you know that's science?"

He said he did and explained in detail all about it.

Me: "Josh, you are so much smarter than I was when I was 7 years old, I didn't think about stuff like that."

Josh: "Yes, because you didn't have a spinning chair."

Me: (laughing) "No, I didn't."

Josh: "Because you went to public school."

Such simple, yet, smart logic. The only reason I didn't think about "that kind of stuff" is I didn't sit in a spinning chair! Maybe public schools should think about using spinning chairs to encourage and inspire the learning of science! :)

Do you think any of the teachers would go for it?

I can see it now....20 spinning chairs and a teacher with an insane case of vertigo!

Coffee Bean Sandcream

I just have to share this Josh funny before I forget....oh how I wish I had recorded ALL the times our boys have made us laugh out loud! Anyway...

Yesterday I impulsively bought a half gallon of Coffee Bean Frozen Yogurt. I dished up a bowl of it as soon as I had the utensils available and, much to my surprise, discovered it was very gritty. Hmmm.... weird.

So fast forward to today.

I decide to try another bowl.

I'm looking at it....and it occurs to me!

It's like eating wet sand! Only it really tastes good!

I asked Josh if he'd like to try it.

He said "Yes, give me just a little bite..............(thinking).. cause I know I've had a little bit of wet sand in my mouth before."

Have you had a good laugh today? :)

Are you ready for this?

It's picture catch up time. This is a little bit of a whole lot. Forgive me if a few are repeats. I couldn't remember if some of the first ones I had already posted or not. I know these are a little heavy on the Nathan side and yes, I know I still owe Josh his own post. I hope I get to it soon...but boys, please know how very much your Mommy loves you. It's not the number of pictures that counts, but the love I have for you in my heart.

I hope you enjoy....

Trying out the jumper for the first time...wasn't quite ready, but may be by now.


Kickin' back with my dimpled self.


Watching one of the many Christmas programs on T.V. Probably either Charlie Brown or The Grinch.


Do we look like brothers? Raised eyebrows and all.


Stocking Stuffer


I love that Joshua's homeschool curriculum is Biblically based. See JESUS on his paper?


Grandpa and I took the boys to the Farm Show. Basically just a trade show where vendors set up their wares for advertisement. There are tons of tractors and farm equipment of all kinds. Sound boring to you? Not for Josh and Andrew... No need to spend a fortune at Disney World when the Farm Show is FREE!

We've always wanted a tractor with a "buddy seat."


We thought this tractor was pretty cool. It has two steering wheels and seats, plus a bench seat in the back complete with seat belts. (I should note, this was most likely not for sale, there was an antique tractor club there I believe.)


Andrew milkin' old Bessie.


Just checking to see if he still knows how to take a bottle...he does!


For the last couple of weeks, Andrew has been saying that he's a possum. Or would that be opossum? What's the difference anyway? So...as I was saying....Andrew pretends to be a possum "who likes to eat fruit." He's been constantly asking for grapes. He even went to church as a possum once. Apparently, possums don't like to wear sweater vests...who knew? Several nights ago...maybe weeks, I've lost track, I was taking some pictures of Andrew and he was saying he was a possum.....again....and this is the face I got. (I think he was actually eating grapes at the time.)


So then....I went into the room where Josh was and asked him if he was a possum. He immediately struck this pose...

OH MAN, did I laugh!!!! Could a boy look anymore like a possum?

One day, the boys and I made these cute Reindeer Rice Krispie Treats. You know, I'm trying to be a "fun" mom, but making sure to take pictures so they will remember it when they're grown.
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A Rudolph close-up...


The cousins (Gillan and Gracie) were here along with my brother (Rudy) and sis-in-law (Christy), but for some reason I didn't get many pictures and didn't get some of everyone.

Gillan, Josh, Gracie, Andrew and Rudy


All the boys think Gillan is IT...he's the oldest! Now the story has been told (and there is a recording somewhere to prove it) that when I was a baby and my brother was about Josh's age (7) he said he was "the special one" because he was the oldest. Not sure where he got that idea. Maybe from my Dad's older brother? Nevertheless...Daddy made sure he knew I was equally as special, and Gracie....you are too!!


Pretty Girl


Nathan got a little warm one night, so he stripped down and started kickin' it to the beat of some Bluegrass.



Santa Baby's 3 Month photo shoot....just a few of my favs! Oh, and he's pushing 18 pounds!

Pouty Lip


Ho Ho Ho


You know I'm cute..


Hey hey, Good Lookin'.


"...like a bowl full of jelly."


Did you make it all the way through? Thanks! Maybe I'll not try to fit so much all in one next time!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Many blessings to you and yours for 2009!