Wednesday, September 30, 2009
An Autumn Evening!
I think the high yesterday was 73, and it was perfectly beautiful ~ clear blue skies and a soft breeze. I'm not sure if it was the weather or what it was, but I decided in the middle of the day yesterday that we were going to have a fun fall dinner. . . outside!!!!!!! So, I swept the back porch and cleaned off our outdoor table. Then I just played and played making it look festive and fun. JCT helped me make fall cupcakes during naptime, and after we picked up Joshua from school, we went to Wal-mart to pick out some mums and pumpkins to surprise Daddy with when he came home!
The finished product. . .
A close up of Lacy's YUMMY Salad. . .
And, what were the boys up to while I was so busy preparing dinner and table decorations. . .
They were playing with a frog. . .
The finished product. . .
A close up of Lacy's YUMMY Salad. . .
And, what were the boys up to while I was so busy preparing dinner and table decorations. . .
They were playing with a frog. . .
Bless his poor little heart!
Labels: Family Traditions
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Watch Out David Crowder!!
It is a glimpse into the craziness that is my life! And, people wonder why it takes me a while to return phone calls!!!! I love this video because it is so Elijah, so, so, so Elijah right now. He is loud and he is confident.
Labels: My Elijah, Video Posts
Monday, September 28, 2009
Meal Plan Monday!!!
Let's just see if I can be faithful to do this each week!!!! It feels like fall today!!! There is a cool breeze, and a wonderful crispness to the air!! Yay, for highs in the 70's!!!!
Yesterday I beat myself up the entire way from Wal-mart to my house because I bought $5 worth of marked down roses. They look like the ones that I carried in my wedding, so I couldn't resist! But, I felt horribly guilty after I left the store. I thought of all the "better" ways I could have spent that $5 dollars. But, this morning as I looked at my table, my guilt evaporated!!! How worth it they were just so that I can feel all happy inside when I look at them!!!! See what I mean. . .
And, now for the weeks menu. . .
Monday ~ (Erik has a make-up high school football game and won't be joining us) :-( So, the boys and I will feast on whole wheat pita bread pizzas and fruit!!!!
Tuesday ~ Lacy's Salad :-) Spring greens, walnuts, chicken, strawberries, cranraisins, and a yummy dressing!!
Wednesday ~ Church Night ~ Sandwiches - Grilled cheese for boys; Tomato Sandwiches for Erik and I.
Thursday ~ Pork Tenderloin, sweet potatoes, green beans, and salad.
Friday ~ Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup ~ per Joshua's request with whole wheat bread!
Saturday ~ Eat out!!!!
Sunday ~ Leftover Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup!
Happy Cooking, Happy Eating, and Happy Fall, Ya'll!!!
Labels: Weekly Menu
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Saturday Morning Smiles
I woke up and a smile came quickly to my face for several reasons. . . One reason being that it is Saturday, thus our family gets to be together all day! And, Erik makes the coffee (Bifferdoodle, of course) on the weekends, and his coffee tastes soooo much better than mine for some strange reason. Another being that I could hear the rain drops falling outside!! And, I love rainy days. According to Deana B (aka my favorite personal 24 hour news source), it has been raining for 10 days straight now. Last night as Erik and I drove through the gloomy weather to take the boys to enjoy their first Japanese dining experience (very fun after they got used to the large flames being so close to them! Ha!), he remarked on all the rain by saying that several people had told him lately that they just. needed. to. see. the. sun. I laughed and told him that I could totally live like this and never get tired of it!!!!!! I! love! rain!!!!!!! :-) The view from our breezeway this morning. . .
Isn't it cute???? And, with spiritual significance to-boot!
So, when I woke up to rain, I was happy, happy, happy! Then, after I got out of my bed due to a very happy and very awake baby ~ at 6:15 I might add, I saw the hat Erik surprised me with last night. You know when someone gives you a gift and every time you look at it you think, "Man, I really like that!" It is one of those gifts to me!!! I am going to wear it today! I love it so much! Here is why. . .
Isn't it cute???? And, with spiritual significance to-boot!
Then, as I was catching up on reading some blogs, I saw this video on Lots of Scotts! I showed it to Erik, and we laughed like children as we watched it! Hope it makes you smile! Now Erik and I are in search of tickets to see this guy live!! He is soooo funny!!!!!
And, if the video wasn't enough, the boys did something really funny! For breakfast this morning I made a cast iron skillet pancake (this is so easy ~ tastes a bit more like a crepe than a pancake, but we really like it! Super easy! Just melt 3T of butter in a cast iron skillet in a 425 degree oven. While it is melting, mix together 1/2 cup of milk, 1/2 cup of flour, and 2 eggs. Once the butter has melted pour batter in cast iron skillet and cook for 12-13 minutes. Warning: it looks really wrinkly and funny but tastes very good!!), eggs, and fresh cut up peach slices. All this to say, we had left over peach slices, and Erik set the boys free in the kitchen to cook.
They wanted to make "peach cobbler" for Erik and I to eat.
Scary, huh???
That is what I thought! Here is a picture of the finished product. . .
Imagine our surprise when we tasted it and. . .
it was really good!! Better than some real peach cobblers that I have tasted! And, I didn't even give them any guidance! The ingredients were as follows: fresh peaches, lots of sugar, and the secret ingredient. . . cheerios!!!!! They added whipped cream for presentation! Yum! Yum! Joshua suggested that I let them make dinner every night from now on! I wonder how long that enthusiasm will last. . .
Hmmmm. . .
My bet is until lunch!!!
Thank You, Jesus for rainy, peaceful, quiet, fun, Saturday mornings!!!!!!!
Labels: Chronicles of a boy mama
Friday, September 25, 2009
Minus 1
20-1 that is. Yes, Joshua is learning subtraction at school, but that is not what I am talking about.
I am talking about teeth! Joshua is now officially minus one tooth!!!! In other words, the night we got home from the beach he lost his first tooth!!!!!
It had been loose for over a week. And, everyday that he went to school with it loose I would say the same thing to him as I kissed him goodbye in the morning. . .
"Joshua, please DO NOT pull your tooth at school today. If it gets really loose, quit messing with it and wait until you get home. I want to be there when you lose it."
When he realized that his tooth was loose, he was excited to lose it at school. Evidently his teacher pulls their teeth and puts them in something that they can wear around their neck????? I'm not sure, but he wanted to lose his tooth at school. And, this bothered me because I did not want to miss it!!! So, I told him that he had 20 teeth, and he had plenty of teeth to lose at school. I wanted to be with him when he lost his first. When he realized that I. was. serious. about. it., he agreed. And, his tooth actually hung on much longer than I expected. . .
But, finally Daddy said, "Enough is enough," and he pulled that precious little emblem of babyhood out of my sweet son's mouth!
His sweet smile forever changed in an instant!!! Now he looks like this. . .
Here is a close up of the gap. . .
About a month ago, I had a feeling that it would not be long before he lost his first tooth, so I asked Erik to pick out a pillow for the boys to use. And, this is what he picked out. . .
Didn't he do a great job??? I love this sweet little pillow!!!
Another milestone.
My babies are growing up!!!!!
Labels: My Joshua
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Santa Rosa Beach ~ 2009
I have fond memories of my parents waking my sister, brother, and I up before the sun to leave on vacations. I guess because I was excited about going wherever we were going I don't remember ever minding the early rising. I told the boys the night before that we were going to wake them up before the sun came up to leave for the beach.
They made me promise.
And, so I did. And, I delivered on that promise. Here they are early, early and happy, happy!!
When Erik reserved a beach house for us, he asked the resort for a three bedroom house. One room for Erik, Erik Daniel, and me, a second for my mom, and a third for Joshua, JCT, and Elijah to share. So, when we pulled up to a LARGE house, we were quite surprised!! The house had FOUR levels. Seriously ~ all for us!!! We only used the first two, but the boys enjoyed playing on the top two. The very top level was what Erik calls a crow's nest. It was one room with two beds and windows straight across on all four walls. Amazing. Then on the third level there were two beds a bath a couch a TV, etc. The second level was the kitchen, living room, and dining room. And, the first level had three bedroom and three full baths. This is what this particular resort considers a "three bedroom." It would have comfortably slept 13. I counted, and my mom checked my math, and Erik double checked it. The boys were in heaven running from one end of the house to the other! They slept on bunk beds in the hall on the first floor. They were built into the hall ~ so cute but hard to explain.
We haven't (cringe) been to the beach since Joshua was 18 months old. I know, I know that is not good. But, we don't live close, and we have vacationed other places. Anyway, it was awesomely fun to introduce our boys to the ocean at the ages that they are!! We didn't waste anytime unpacking and settling in. No, we headed straight for an evening stroll on the beach! At first they kinda tip-toed around. . .
The ocean is amazing, really, it is. The roar of the waves, the beauty of the water, the softness of the sand. . . It is a lot to take in especially when you are four and you think a lot. . .
It was a joy to see it all through their eyes!
Elijah was a little nervous about the water, but he liked the sand a great deal. . .
We had to tear the big boys away from the water! They loved it! I couldn't wait to bring them back in the morning!!!!!!!!
Every night, well, almost every night, I tell the boys a "Donald" story. One day I'll write a post about what that means and maybe even share with you a few of the horrible messes that Donald has gotten himself into! Needless to say, he is a fictional character that I made up, and each night I make up a new adventure for Donald to go on just to entertain two adorable little red-headed boys! My mom took this picture of me on our first evening at the beach telling the boys their Donald story before bed. I was doing my best to settle them down so they would actually sleep before it was time to get up and go play! I wanted happy rested boys to play with at the beach!!!!!!!!
Well, the next morning came before I knew it, and there were three happy rested boys running around our enormous house!! Here they are swinging on the, for a lack of better words, porch bed swing on our second story porch!!! Seriously!!! If you count it, the house would sleep 15!!! But, Florida is much too hot for sleeping outside - even in September!! :-)
My mom stayed at the beach house with Erik Daniel while Erik and I played with the big 3!! Elijah was in heaven with the worlds largest sandbox at his disposal!!!!
He wouldn't let me carry him into the ocean, but he would let Erik. I am still processing this. . . Does he not trust me? What did I do? I'm telling myself that it is because Erik is taller and farther from the water!!! Anyway, by later in the day, he was going fishy-fishying around in the water like it was a pool!
And, here is my big man, JCT, ready for some serious beach action. . .
JCT actually loves sharks. He can tell you all about them. I have to read him books about them, but they are not a favorite of mine. I thought his obsession with sharks might keep him from going very deep into the water. But, it didn't. Yay!
They made me promise.
And, so I did. And, I delivered on that promise. Here they are early, early and happy, happy!!
When Erik reserved a beach house for us, he asked the resort for a three bedroom house. One room for Erik, Erik Daniel, and me, a second for my mom, and a third for Joshua, JCT, and Elijah to share. So, when we pulled up to a LARGE house, we were quite surprised!! The house had FOUR levels. Seriously ~ all for us!!! We only used the first two, but the boys enjoyed playing on the top two. The very top level was what Erik calls a crow's nest. It was one room with two beds and windows straight across on all four walls. Amazing. Then on the third level there were two beds a bath a couch a TV, etc. The second level was the kitchen, living room, and dining room. And, the first level had three bedroom and three full baths. This is what this particular resort considers a "three bedroom." It would have comfortably slept 13. I counted, and my mom checked my math, and Erik double checked it. The boys were in heaven running from one end of the house to the other! They slept on bunk beds in the hall on the first floor. They were built into the hall ~ so cute but hard to explain.We haven't (cringe) been to the beach since Joshua was 18 months old. I know, I know that is not good. But, we don't live close, and we have vacationed other places. Anyway, it was awesomely fun to introduce our boys to the ocean at the ages that they are!! We didn't waste anytime unpacking and settling in. No, we headed straight for an evening stroll on the beach! At first they kinda tip-toed around. . .
The ocean is amazing, really, it is. The roar of the waves, the beauty of the water, the softness of the sand. . . It is a lot to take in especially when you are four and you think a lot. . .It was a joy to see it all through their eyes!
Elijah was a little nervous about the water, but he liked the sand a great deal. . .We had to tear the big boys away from the water! They loved it! I couldn't wait to bring them back in the morning!!!!!!!!
Every night, well, almost every night, I tell the boys a "Donald" story. One day I'll write a post about what that means and maybe even share with you a few of the horrible messes that Donald has gotten himself into! Needless to say, he is a fictional character that I made up, and each night I make up a new adventure for Donald to go on just to entertain two adorable little red-headed boys! My mom took this picture of me on our first evening at the beach telling the boys their Donald story before bed. I was doing my best to settle them down so they would actually sleep before it was time to get up and go play! I wanted happy rested boys to play with at the beach!!!!!!!!
Well, the next morning came before I knew it, and there were three happy rested boys running around our enormous house!! Here they are swinging on the, for a lack of better words, porch bed swing on our second story porch!!! Seriously!!! If you count it, the house would sleep 15!!! But, Florida is much too hot for sleeping outside - even in September!! :-) My mom stayed at the beach house with Erik Daniel while Erik and I played with the big 3!! Elijah was in heaven with the worlds largest sandbox at his disposal!!!!He wouldn't let me carry him into the ocean, but he would let Erik. I am still processing this. . . Does he not trust me? What did I do? I'm telling myself that it is because Erik is taller and farther from the water!!! Anyway, by later in the day, he was going fishy-fishying around in the water like it was a pool! And, here is my big man, JCT, ready for some serious beach action. . . JCT actually loves sharks. He can tell you all about them. I have to read him books about them, but they are not a favorite of mine. I thought his obsession with sharks might keep him from going very deep into the water. But, it didn't. Yay!After the beach each day we headed to the "frog pool." Because the boys had wet swimming trunks and because we were only a few streets (inside the resort) away from the "frog pool" we let the boys sit on the floor of the second row of our van. I thought this would be exciting, a privilege, but they were concerned. Seriously. They were like, "Shouldn't we be in our seats" and "What if the police stop us? Will we go to jail?" They didn't like it, but after a time or two they got used to it, and I thought it was great fun to have all three of them right there smushed together!!!
And, if you were wondering why we call it the "frog pool" wonder no longer. . .
After the "frog pool" on the first day, we went back to the house and put the little boys down for naps. And, then, Erik and I took the big boys canoeing. . .
After 10 or so minutes they came back by and offered JCT another opportunity. And, he accepted!!! :-)
I love the beach at sunset!
And, if you were wondering why we call it the "frog pool" wonder no longer. . .After the "frog pool" on the first day, we went back to the house and put the little boys down for naps. And, then, Erik and I took the big boys canoeing. . . All was well and good, until we were actually supposed to get in the canoe. JCT freaked. No way he was getting in, so I sat on the dock with JCT and Matt (the canoe/kayak guy) and watched Erik and Joshua go for a little ride.
After 10 or so minutes they came back by and offered JCT another opportunity. And, he accepted!!! :-) Row, row, row your boat! I am so getting one of these for the backyard!!!!
So proud of my little man for facing his fears!!
After our canoeing adventure, we went back to the beach house and took showers and headed back to the beach for pictures and dinner! Here we are walking back onto the beach. . .
A family shot. . .
After our canoeing adventure, we went back to the beach house and took showers and headed back to the beach for pictures and dinner! Here we are walking back onto the beach. . .A family shot. . .or, two. . .
Daddy and his little namesake. . .
Wow! They look alike ~ my brown eyed boys! And, here is one of me and Erik. . .
Cheesy, I know, but, man, I love him!!!!!!!!!
And, we couldn't tear these two away from the water. . .
I love the beach at sunset!
Then, we ate at this neat little pizza place on the beach! Great atmosphere ~ perfect for kiddos ~ casual fun!
Mommy and me! I can't tell you how great it was to have her with us! Erik and I could always use an extra set of hands! She was great help and great fun!
Nana and the big boys who adore her. . .
Ohhhh, I can't wait to tell you what we did next!!!!!! We walked over to a little cupcake place across the street from the beach and got yummy cupcakes! It was fun to pick out our cupcakes and icing! Fun!!!!
Behind the cupcake place is a huge open area of grass where they hold concerts, etc. So, we had a little cupcake picnic on the grass!
Mr. "Cuckcake" was quite pleased with our choice of dessert. . .
After we ate, we played a little. . .
Sweet memories. . .
The next day we took my mom to the beach with us, and that was great fun, too! It wasn't sunny, but that didn't stop us!!!! Letting Erik Daniel feel the sand in between his cute little toes. . .
Still playing in the sand. . .
Erik Daniel took his morning nap on Nana at the beach. . .
More "frog pool" memories. . .
Mommy and me! I can't tell you how great it was to have her with us! Erik and I could always use an extra set of hands! She was great help and great fun!
Nana and the big boys who adore her. . .
Ohhhh, I can't wait to tell you what we did next!!!!!! We walked over to a little cupcake place across the street from the beach and got yummy cupcakes! It was fun to pick out our cupcakes and icing! Fun!!!!
Behind the cupcake place is a huge open area of grass where they hold concerts, etc. So, we had a little cupcake picnic on the grass!
Mr. "Cuckcake" was quite pleased with our choice of dessert. . .
After we ate, we played a little. . .
Sweet memories. . .The next day we took my mom to the beach with us, and that was great fun, too! It wasn't sunny, but that didn't stop us!!!! Letting Erik Daniel feel the sand in between his cute little toes. . .
Still playing in the sand. . .Erik Daniel took his morning nap on Nana at the beach. . .
More "frog pool" memories. . .
This is Erik throwing Joshua into the frog's stream of water. . .
All in all, we had a wonderful, wild, happy, loud, crazy, fun, restful, relaxing time!!!!!
Yay for the beach. . .
All in all, we had a wonderful, wild, happy, loud, crazy, fun, restful, relaxing time!!!!!Yay for the beach. . .
And, yay for great memories!!!!!!!!!
Labels: Vacations
Monday, September 21, 2009
The Hardest Part About Going on Vacation. . .
is coming home.
Period.
End of sentence.
Erik, the boys, my mom, and I spent the end of last week and the weekend at a resort in Destin. We had an amazing time. Playing with the boys, feeling their excitement, their enthusiasm, their utter joy made me feel young and free and to use a very surfacey word ~ happy. I had the best time. We ate at restaurants where the ocean breeze blew through our hair. We laughed out loud. Erik and I went out on two, count them, two, romantic dates in one week! And, on one of those dates I felt his heart, his soul as he talked to me, so deeply that I realized once again what it means to "be one." I got to shop with my mom, watch a few good football games, go canoeing for the first time, swim in a gorgeous pool with mosaic frogs spitting water on my head :-), take a few leisurely strolls oceanside, and listen to my boys howl with laughter. It was wonderful ~ everything that a vacation should be.
But, unfortunately, now it is over.
And, my heart is sad.
About an hour ago, I looked over at the computer and a beach picture that I downloaded last night flashed up as part of our screen saver. And, as my eyes fell upon the image, I literally felt my heart drop and my tummy churn. A heaviness and a strange longing came over me. What I wouldn't give for another day, just one. more. day! As a family we have so many vacations to look forward to, and I thought about that a lot as I took in the last few days. These fun vacations of chasing little boys in the sun will not be forever. We are so blessed to be enjoying them now! But, this vacation in many ways was special. The last six months have been, for a lack of a better word, serious. They have been hard and sad, difficult and busy, painful and overwhelming. They have ushered a new season into my husband's life and mine and the boys' lives as well. And, the warm ocean air was like a healing balm to our mending hearts.
But, yesterday we had to come home.
And, it has been more difficult than I ever imagined it would be.
Vacations, true vacations, are funny things, really. Because when you are away, you virtually forget that your other life, your real life, even exists. You live in the moment. You make plans no further than an hour or two in advance. You feel carefree ~ laughter comes easy, as well as, tears.
And, then upon returning home, you are reminded, abruptly ~ I might add, that real life does very much exist, and it is depending on you. And, quickly we are once again swept up into the ordinary, everyday life that we live.
This morning I woke up at five to a to do list so big I didn't even take the time to sit down and write it. I just dove in head first and completely overwhelmed. I have mountains of laundry, an entire mountain chain, actually. My mac isn't working, and our PC is slowing dying. I have bills to pay and so many thank you notes to write that I am scared to start. I sent Joshua to school only to realize at 10:00 that I forgot to put his spelling and his speech notebook in his backpack. I have phone calls to make, moms in touch meetings to begin, checks to order (how did I let myself run out completely before I reordered??), bags upon bags to go through and put away, counters full of clutter to put away, grocery shopping to do, a dog to pick up at the vet, and dinner to plan and make. Not to mention four children to diaper, nurse, feed, and help do homework. So, I'm not sure what is more difficult the back to life, back to reality aspect of being home or the inner longing to be alone with the ones I love most with no responsibilities except to fill our days with as much sun and fun as is possible in 24 hours.
Erik will have to work late tonight in order to catch up on the days that he missed. And, he has college Bible study on Wednesday night, a Jr. College game on Thursday night, a high school game on Friday night, and a duathalon on Saturday. We are back to the busyness that is our life in this sweet little town in which we live.
I just think that the older I get the more I appreciate the good times and, perhaps, the bad as well. And, I am realizing that things will never be perfect, and for a perfectionist that is a big realization. But, somehow, magically, they appear perfect in hindsight, perfectly sweet memories created and woven together by a good and loving God. And, I can't wait to write about them. As soon as my crazy life and my crazy PC give me the opportunity to do so!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Just a Swingin'. . . Through Time.
I don't remember what exactly we were talking about this particular day as I pushed my little man on the swing. But, I remember that I was completely taken with him ~ his silky shiny strawberry blond hair blowing in the breeze that the swing provided. And, he chattered on and on and on incessantly. I was listening to what he said, but only halfway. My thoughts were focused on capturing the moment forever in my memory ~ his hair, his voice, his enthusiasm, his childishness, his utter cuteness.
All of this I was trying to record forever.
Some days, I am simply overwhelmed by them and by the fact that time is literally slipping through my fingers.
Can't I somehow store these things, these moments somewhere in a bottle of sorts, that I can return to and visit whenever I'd like to ~ like when they are in their 30's? This morning, as I stared at a 16x16 inch picture of Joshua when he was 3 that hangs in our living room, I wished that his little 3 year old face, body, and voice could come back to me for a moment. That my little 3 year old Joshua could come running into my arms, talking to me in his 3 year old voice. And, I could hold him close and listen to him for a while. And, my heart, though so grateful to love him, hold him, and know him as a 6 year old was slightly saddened by the thought that I will never get to see him at age 3 again except in pictures. They are growing up so fast, and there is no going backward. I was reminded of this once again this week as Joshua and I discovered together that he has his first loose tooth. Soon even his precious little boy smile will grow up a bit. . .
Moral of the story. . .
Gotta live each day to the fullest!
These are such sweet days. . .
And, they will not last forever. . .
But, that is as it should be.
Life is good, really it is so good.
All of this I was trying to record forever.
Some days, I am simply overwhelmed by them and by the fact that time is literally slipping through my fingers.
Can't I somehow store these things, these moments somewhere in a bottle of sorts, that I can return to and visit whenever I'd like to ~ like when they are in their 30's? This morning, as I stared at a 16x16 inch picture of Joshua when he was 3 that hangs in our living room, I wished that his little 3 year old face, body, and voice could come back to me for a moment. That my little 3 year old Joshua could come running into my arms, talking to me in his 3 year old voice. And, I could hold him close and listen to him for a while. And, my heart, though so grateful to love him, hold him, and know him as a 6 year old was slightly saddened by the thought that I will never get to see him at age 3 again except in pictures. They are growing up so fast, and there is no going backward. I was reminded of this once again this week as Joshua and I discovered together that he has his first loose tooth. Soon even his precious little boy smile will grow up a bit. . .
Moral of the story. . .
Gotta live each day to the fullest!
These are such sweet days. . .
And, they will not last forever. . .
But, that is as it should be.
Life is good, really it is so good.
Labels: Chronicles of a boy mama, My JCT, My Joshua
Friday, September 11, 2009
Jesus and Joshua and Friday Nights
In the fall Erik has a lot of football games to attend as team physician for the local high school and Jr. college. This means several months of Friday nights at home alone with the boys. I usually try to make these evenings fun or at the very least a little interesting or different. 
Joshua has been seriously into Jesus lately. Like, really, he is. I'm not just saying that. He thinks about Jesus almost as much as he thinks about his Grandma, and that is a lot. He says he wants to be Jesus for Halloween. And, he draws pictures of Jesus at school - usually on a cross. And, the other day when the children were working on free writing, the teacher had them brainstorm some thoughts. Written in his little brainstorm clouds were, "I like the cross," " the cross reminds me of Jesus," the cross reminds Jesus of me." And, it is not uncommon for my sons to act out the crucifixion. Joshua always gets to be Jesus while JCT and Elijah are Roman soldiers. It works for them. Erik is Jesus every year in the Easter Musical, and Joshua has already asked me to ask our Choir Director if he can play Jesus when he gets a little older. JCT says he wants to be a Roman soldier when he grows up. This is all very amusing to me.
Here Joshua is pretending that the crossing of the wood on the door is his cross.
So, tonight I thought the boys would get a kick out of watching some old DVDs of Daddy playing Jesus. He has been Jesus for the past 7 years, so we have some serious choices of videos and DVDs to choose from!!
The boys were so cute! They would watch for a while then ask me to pause it so that they could act it out! The first DVD I pulled out for us to watch had a scene with Joshua in it ~ he was 2 months old at the time!! I squealed like only a lovesick mama can when I saw him!!
It was a fun evening! All the while they watched and played, I iced a yummy chocolate cake! Thanks for the leftover icing, Deana B!!!!
It was a lovely two tone cake, but tasted quite yummy!! A successful evening! And, now I am resting and waiting on my sweet one to come home!!!!!
Labels: Chronicles of a boy mama, My JCT, My Joshua
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
The Making. . .
JCT walked up to me very casually this afternoon and said. . .
"Mommy, thanks for making Erik Daniel. I love him."
I can't take credit for making him. . .
but I sure am thankful God chose my body to make the little man in. . .
I love him to pieces, and you, too, Mr. JCT!!
Saying Goodbye to Summer. . .
So here I sit sipping a homemade Chai latte while the beautiful sound of distant thunder rumbles in the background. I have been longing for a rainy day for several weeks now. I am so ready for fall it is crazy. I'm done being hot ~ completely over it! Bring on the cooler temps!
We had a great weekend! I like to think of Labor Day as a chance to say goodbye to summer. So, we grilled out and had a picnic dinner. The plan was to have a pudding fight/dessert after dinner. Doesn't that sound like fun? Well, it wasn't. The boys were tired, due to lack of naps and a full day, so what could have been a blast, was not at all what I had hoped. In fact, we had to postpone the pudding fight until this coming weekend because no one (except Erik and I) ate their dinner. There was a good bit of crying, fussing, whining, wailing, and gnashing of teeth over a variety of silly, insignificant things. So, Erik and I transformed into a superpower duo and bathed, read to, sang to, and tucked in four little boys in record time. And, when I came downstairs after kissing them for the last time, Erik and I made eye contact and smiled. Then, he let out a huge sigh, and we laughed for a few minutes. It had been that bad if you know what I mean. And, we were ready to be alone. I'll tell you one thing, parenting together will bond you like nothing else. I can't imagine doing this without him. So, after all the babes were finally asleep, we sat curled up on the couch together watching the FSU/Miami game, and all was well in the world.
A few memories from earlier in the day. . .
Here we are at Chick-fil-a eating our free chicken sandwiches!!!
And, the boys wanted to have another pie war! So, we made whipped cream pies and let them fly!!!! Here are my sweet boys. . .
I love, love, love holidays! I just wish they lasted a little longer than one day!!!!
I am learning that having four children six and under can be tricky. Going places and doing fun things is not easy. It is a challenge. But, about a year ago Erik and I had a big discussion, and we decided that we were not going to let that stop us. We decided that we were going to go on and do fun things even if it is hard. We want them to have super-fun memories. I don't think, or at least I hope and pray, that they won't remember that at times we were super stressed or super tired. I am hoping that they will simply remember the fun things we did! We'll see!
Labels: Chronicles of a boy mama, Happy Holidays
Saturday, September 05, 2009
Howdy Birthday, Afton!
I am privileged to be friends with Brother and Deana B for many reasons, many, many reasons. But, one of the more superficial reasons why I am privileged to be friends with them is that they know how to throw a party. Seriously, when they throw a party, they do not play around. Today we went to Afton's fourth birthday party ~ a farm party because that sweet little girl loves horses.
She was all about riding the horses that Sean and Deana had brought to their home for the party. She wanted to ride again and again!!
Joshua riding. . .
Erik Daniel riding. . .
Some of Deana B's incredible decor. . .
Deana B and her little man. . .
Deana's Daddy, I think he has ridden a time or two before. . .
Riding with the birthday girl. . .
I love the look on Afton's face in this picture. . .
A picture of our whole family! Wow! That never happens!!!! :-)
All the kiddos. . .
The cakes. . .
And, now let the fun begin! As the party came to a close, the kids began to play in the hay! I love, love, love these pictures!!!!!!!!! :-)
My doll baby. . .
The three Musketeers. . .
And, I have to show you this! Deana put together an adorable party favor bag, and in it she put a number of things. But, the most amazing thing was this bag of M&Ms that, seriously, say "Howdy Birthday" and "Afton" on them. Personalized M&Ms, seriously. It is all in the details, people. And, Deana B is all about details.
Okay, I admit the picture below is a silly picture. But, I think of Afton a lot like I think of my own kids, and I notice little things and get all mushy. And, for some reason throughout the party I kept looking at her little feet, her little toes. She didn't wear shoes most of the party, sweet little barefoot girl. So, by the end of the party her cute little feet were quite dirty, and they were just precious to me. Thus, I had to take this picture. . .
And, I will end there.
She was all about riding the horses that Sean and Deana had brought to their home for the party. She wanted to ride again and again!!Joshua riding. . .
Erik Daniel riding. . .Oh, my goodness, I love this picture. . .
Some of Deana B's incredible decor. . .
Deana B and her little man. . .
Deana's Daddy, I think he has ridden a time or two before. . .
Riding with the birthday girl. . .
I love the look on Afton's face in this picture. . .
A picture of our whole family! Wow! That never happens!!!! :-)
All the kiddos. . .
The cakes. . .
And, now let the fun begin! As the party came to a close, the kids began to play in the hay! I love, love, love these pictures!!!!!!!!! :-)
My doll baby. . .
Sweet sleepy Quin. . .
The three Musketeers. . .And, I have to show you this! Deana put together an adorable party favor bag, and in it she put a number of things. But, the most amazing thing was this bag of M&Ms that, seriously, say "Howdy Birthday" and "Afton" on them. Personalized M&Ms, seriously. It is all in the details, people. And, Deana B is all about details.Okay, I admit the picture below is a silly picture. But, I think of Afton a lot like I think of my own kids, and I notice little things and get all mushy. And, for some reason throughout the party I kept looking at her little feet, her little toes. She didn't wear shoes most of the party, sweet little barefoot girl. So, by the end of the party her cute little feet were quite dirty, and they were just precious to me. Thus, I had to take this picture. . .
And, I will end there.
Labels: Brother and Deana B
The Power
When Erik and Sean were in residency, they did everything together. Seriously, I think we ate dinner with Sean and Deana five out of seven nights a week. Sean and Erik were nearly inseparable. And, every so often, Deana B would get frustrated with Sean for going to play basketball with Erik or for going to a game with Erik. (You must remember that we were both newlyweds at the time.) So, Sean started saying, "Deana, he (Erik) just has this power over me. I can't help it. He asks me to do something, and I just can't say no." And, Erik's "power" became a joke between the four of us.
Well, today Erik attempted using his "power" on Deana B. You see, Erik and Sean go on one sports trip every year. They have done this for years. They have gone to the ACC tournament, the final four, the Big 10/ACC challenge, Duke vs. Carolina, etc. Well, Sean promised Deana that they were going to take a year off with the new baby and all. But, the baby was born 7 months ago, and in the meantime he and Erik have concocted a plan involving. . . 2 trips. One to see the Steelers play the Vikings, and the other to see Duke play Wisconsin. (Erik just proofed this post for me since it is about him, and he wanted me to tell you why these trips are sooo important. He is just defending himself, but I'll tell you. The Steelers are Seans favorite pro team, and Erik loves Brett Favre. Sean, of course, loves Duke, and evidently it is difficult for any team to win at Wisconsin, thus making it a great game.)
So, now you can understand why Erik was attempting to work his magic today! Just look at her eyes! Judge for yourself if you think his power was working. . .
Here he is laying out the plan. . .
Well, today Erik attempted using his "power" on Deana B. You see, Erik and Sean go on one sports trip every year. They have done this for years. They have gone to the ACC tournament, the final four, the Big 10/ACC challenge, Duke vs. Carolina, etc. Well, Sean promised Deana that they were going to take a year off with the new baby and all. But, the baby was born 7 months ago, and in the meantime he and Erik have concocted a plan involving. . . 2 trips. One to see the Steelers play the Vikings, and the other to see Duke play Wisconsin. (Erik just proofed this post for me since it is about him, and he wanted me to tell you why these trips are sooo important. He is just defending himself, but I'll tell you. The Steelers are Seans favorite pro team, and Erik loves Brett Favre. Sean, of course, loves Duke, and evidently it is difficult for any team to win at Wisconsin, thus making it a great game.)
So, now you can understand why Erik was attempting to work his magic today! Just look at her eyes! Judge for yourself if you think his power was working. . .
Here he is laying out the plan. . .
Making a little eye contact with Brother. . .
I love the look on her face in this one. . .
Now for a little group discussion. . .
And, here is Sean adding his two cents. . .
I'll keep you posted on whether or not they go on both trips or one trip or no trips! (When Erik proofed the post and looked at the pictures of Deana's face, he laughed and said, "We're not going!") We'll see. . .
I love the look on her face in this one. . .
Now for a little group discussion. . .
And, here is Sean adding his two cents. . .I'll keep you posted on whether or not they go on both trips or one trip or no trips! (When Erik proofed the post and looked at the pictures of Deana's face, he laughed and said, "We're not going!") We'll see. . .
Labels: Brother and Deana B, Daddy
Friday, September 04, 2009
My Baby Takes the Cake!
I LOVE this part of first birthdays!!! If I can get my act together, I am going to frame pictures of all four of my babies digging into their first taste of cake and icing!!! :-) I can appreciate this because I am a total sugar addict!
Once again we tried the birthday crown, but the little man said, "No, thank you!"
I love how at first they are always so confused. They are so used to being spoon fed purred baby food! They can't help but wonder what Mommy is up to putting this white stuff in front of me?
In all honesty, I am not sure how much cake Erik Daniel actually ate. He mostly just played with it! :-)
So, so fun!
I think he had a good time!
Yay for cake! And, yay for firsts!!!!
Once again we tried the birthday crown, but the little man said, "No, thank you!"
I love how at first they are always so confused. They are so used to being spoon fed purred baby food! They can't help but wonder what Mommy is up to putting this white stuff in front of me?
In all honesty, I am not sure how much cake Erik Daniel actually ate. He mostly just played with it! :-)
So, so fun!I think he had a good time!
Yay for cake! And, yay for firsts!!!!
Love you, little man!
Labels: Erik Daniel's First Year, My Erik Daniel
Birthday Party X 2
We had a few close friends and family over to our home last weekend to celebrate Elijah's second birthday and Erik Daniel's first birthday. And, here are a few pics of the special evening. Here are the cakes. The "e" cake and the dump truck were Elijah's cakes, and the number 1 cake was Eriky D's special cake.
I have made a lot of cakes for my sons over the years ~ many of which have been 3 dimensional. But, for some reason the "e" cake was my husbands favorite cake of any that I have ever made! Go figure! The number 1 cake was very fun to decorate. I cut out tin foil circles and lay them on the cake then iced around them. I added the colored icing last. Super easy, and I thought it turned out cute!
In the truck I just put chunks of chocolate cake layered with a chocolate pudding and cream cheese mixture. And, I had to throw in some gummy worms for fun!!! :-)
Now, I could eat him up. . .
Mommy and her big boy!
The Grill Master! :-)
Pretty girls. . .
My sweet Mommy and me. . .
Lijah blowing out his candle. . .
I did what Kate (of Jon and Kate) does for her sextuplets. We sang "Happy Birthday" twice ~ once to Lije and once to Eriky D.
Elijah likes cake, oh, yes ma'am, he does like cake. . .
Pop and Joshua. . .
Pop and Eriky D. . .
The one and only. . . James Christofer Truett! (I love that kid!)
Special friends. . .
Cutie Quin was all partied out. . .
This is Erik Daniel with his friend Sam (see picture below). We put them together in Erik Daniel's play-yard. The only problem was that Erik Daniel kept bopping sweet Sam on the head. My sweet and gentle baby boy bopping his friend on the head. . .
Doesn't Sam have gorgeous eyes!!!! But, in between every couple of bops, Eriky D. would stop and kiss him on top of his head!!! He's a lover not a fighter!!!! :-)
I must end with a little brother-love! These two have a special bond! I love it!
So sweet!
I have made a lot of cakes for my sons over the years ~ many of which have been 3 dimensional. But, for some reason the "e" cake was my husbands favorite cake of any that I have ever made! Go figure! The number 1 cake was very fun to decorate. I cut out tin foil circles and lay them on the cake then iced around them. I added the colored icing last. Super easy, and I thought it turned out cute!
In the truck I just put chunks of chocolate cake layered with a chocolate pudding and cream cheese mixture. And, I had to throw in some gummy worms for fun!!! :-)
Now, I could eat him up. . .Mommy and her big boy!
The Grill Master! :-)
Pretty girls. . .
My sweet Mommy and me. . .
Lijah blowing out his candle. . .
I did what Kate (of Jon and Kate) does for her sextuplets. We sang "Happy Birthday" twice ~ once to Lije and once to Eriky D.
Elijah likes cake, oh, yes ma'am, he does like cake. . .
Pop and Joshua. . .
Pop and Eriky D. . .The one and only. . . James Christofer Truett! (I love that kid!)
Special friends. . .
Cutie Quin was all partied out. . .
This is Erik Daniel with his friend Sam (see picture below). We put them together in Erik Daniel's play-yard. The only problem was that Erik Daniel kept bopping sweet Sam on the head. My sweet and gentle baby boy bopping his friend on the head. . .
Doesn't Sam have gorgeous eyes!!!! But, in between every couple of bops, Eriky D. would stop and kiss him on top of his head!!! He's a lover not a fighter!!!! :-)
I must end with a little brother-love! These two have a special bond! I love it!
So sweet!
Labels: Erik Daniel's First Year, Fun Projects, My Elijah
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Nothing More
I just poured my last cup of morning coffee. Whether or not I will make a second pot at nap time has yet to be decided. I'm leaning toward chai today for my afternoon cup of peace.
About three feet from me are two little boys playing together nicely. JCT and Elijah are playing with their little superhero action figures while Erik Daniel is crawling from one end of the downstairs to the other. He is presently under the kitchen table chewing on a plastic play cooking utensil. I can hear three things aside from the obvious children playing sounds.
One- the gentle hum of the washing machine cleaning the guest room sheets from Pop's visit this past weekend.
Two - the CD player playing the song I walked down the aisle to - Cradle Prayer by Rebecca St. James.
And, three - the roar of a lawn mower cutting our grass.
Life is not perfect here in our neck of the woods, but it sure is good. Ours is a happy home. It may be, at times, chaotic and loud, but it is always filled to the brim with love and laughter.
The older I get, the older my children get, I am realizing that the greatest things, the most wonderful, most memorable things are not certain major events, vacations, or milestones, they are the everyday ordinary things.
Things like waking to Erik's soft sweet kiss every morning. Like the fact that all our little boys still want to sit in our laps when they first wake up in the morning. The fact that nothing makes my big boy's day like a surprise lunchroom visit from Mommy. Listening to Erik Daniel belly laugh when we play peek a boo. Almost tripping over JCT's frog boots sitting outside the backdoor. Watching Joshua run to the car with pure joy at the end of long day at school. Getting to be the damsel in distress that my sons fight to rescue every afternoon. Pushing my boys on the swing set and playing hide and seek. Making dinner while children play at my feet. Dinnertime conversations and the smile dessert brings. Watching Erik throw the football with the boys at sunset still dressed in khakis and a dress shirt. Bubble-headed boys laughing and playing while Daddy tries to bathe them. Kissing and tucking clean, sweet smelling little boys into bed after a full day of play. Moonlight walks with Erik when we take the dog out for the last time before bed. Ending the day sitting beside my love on the couch discussing his day, my day, how we are doing, how our kids are doing, and our plans for the upcoming weekend. Falling asleep holding hands. Waking sometime in the dark of night to the familiar sound of my baby's cry. Stumbling in the dark to find my sleepy baby crying in crib, picking him up - his crying instantly stops, and soothing him back to sleep the way only Mama can. Then waking once again to Erik's soft sweet kiss.
Comfy, cozy home love. There is nothing like it.
I could ask for nothing more.
About three feet from me are two little boys playing together nicely. JCT and Elijah are playing with their little superhero action figures while Erik Daniel is crawling from one end of the downstairs to the other. He is presently under the kitchen table chewing on a plastic play cooking utensil. I can hear three things aside from the obvious children playing sounds.
One- the gentle hum of the washing machine cleaning the guest room sheets from Pop's visit this past weekend.
Two - the CD player playing the song I walked down the aisle to - Cradle Prayer by Rebecca St. James.
And, three - the roar of a lawn mower cutting our grass.
Life is not perfect here in our neck of the woods, but it sure is good. Ours is a happy home. It may be, at times, chaotic and loud, but it is always filled to the brim with love and laughter.
The older I get, the older my children get, I am realizing that the greatest things, the most wonderful, most memorable things are not certain major events, vacations, or milestones, they are the everyday ordinary things.
Things like waking to Erik's soft sweet kiss every morning. Like the fact that all our little boys still want to sit in our laps when they first wake up in the morning. The fact that nothing makes my big boy's day like a surprise lunchroom visit from Mommy. Listening to Erik Daniel belly laugh when we play peek a boo. Almost tripping over JCT's frog boots sitting outside the backdoor. Watching Joshua run to the car with pure joy at the end of long day at school. Getting to be the damsel in distress that my sons fight to rescue every afternoon. Pushing my boys on the swing set and playing hide and seek. Making dinner while children play at my feet. Dinnertime conversations and the smile dessert brings. Watching Erik throw the football with the boys at sunset still dressed in khakis and a dress shirt. Bubble-headed boys laughing and playing while Daddy tries to bathe them. Kissing and tucking clean, sweet smelling little boys into bed after a full day of play. Moonlight walks with Erik when we take the dog out for the last time before bed. Ending the day sitting beside my love on the couch discussing his day, my day, how we are doing, how our kids are doing, and our plans for the upcoming weekend. Falling asleep holding hands. Waking sometime in the dark of night to the familiar sound of my baby's cry. Stumbling in the dark to find my sleepy baby crying in crib, picking him up - his crying instantly stops, and soothing him back to sleep the way only Mama can. Then waking once again to Erik's soft sweet kiss.
Comfy, cozy home love. There is nothing like it.
I could ask for nothing more.
Labels: Home Sweet Home, My Heart
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Take Two. . .
I asked him this morning as he lay on the bath mat outside my shower if he had decided yet what he was going to do today when Daddy dropped him off at school.
"I haven't decided yet," he said, sucking his two little fingers and looking up at me, "I don't want to cry, but I think I might cry anyway."
"Well, if you don't want to, then just don't do it."
"But, I may have to cry because I'll miss Mommy. I'm still thinking about it."
Erik drops the boys off at school on his way to work, so I gave him a sufficient amount of time to get the boys to school and call me. But, he didn't call, so I searched for my phone. Silly me, I had not turned it on yet! By this time, I had not only missed his call, but I had also missed two texts from friends asking how JCT did this morning! :-) I quickly called Erik to find out what JCT decided. . .
He said JCT got out of the truck, took Mrs. N's hand, looked back at him, shot him a peace sign, then walked into the building like it was no big deal.
No tears.
No drama.
Go figure??
"I haven't decided yet," he said, sucking his two little fingers and looking up at me, "I don't want to cry, but I think I might cry anyway."
"Well, if you don't want to, then just don't do it."
"But, I may have to cry because I'll miss Mommy. I'm still thinking about it."
Erik drops the boys off at school on his way to work, so I gave him a sufficient amount of time to get the boys to school and call me. But, he didn't call, so I searched for my phone. Silly me, I had not turned it on yet! By this time, I had not only missed his call, but I had also missed two texts from friends asking how JCT did this morning! :-) I quickly called Erik to find out what JCT decided. . .
He said JCT got out of the truck, took Mrs. N's hand, looked back at him, shot him a peace sign, then walked into the building like it was no big deal.
No tears.
No drama.
Go figure??
Labels: My JCT
