Aunt Barbara's Painting

Erik's Aunt Barbara painted this beautiful picture for Erik's dad in memory of Erik's mom. It is so precious to all of us.

The picture is of Erik's Dad's coffee cup sitting beside his mom's tea cup, Bible, and glasses. Erik's dad is so proud of his picture as he should be. It is beautiful and so very special.

Playing Football with Pop!!

Isn't he great???

We are so enjoying having Pop here this weekend!!! He and Erik took the boys out in the miserable deep south heat (100 degrees, I think!) to play football!!!

Erik and Pop were on a team, and Joshua and JCT were on a team!

So, fun to watch!! I think Pop really enjoyed himself despite the heat!!!

I cannot remember who won, but I will not soon forget the smiles, sweat, and laughter!

Happy days!

Pop's Little Buddy. . .

I'm not sure if it is that they share the same warm brown eyes or the same warm loving personality or what it is, but there is something special about these two. Erik Daniel hasn't seen Pop since Thanksgiving, but as soon as Pop was in Erik Daniel's view, but still a good 20 feet away, he began reaching for him. He loves Pop and prefers him to me or Erik when he is around!! Erik Daniel just wraps his sweet little arms around Pop's neck and hugs tight! You couldn't pry him off no matter how hard you tried!!!!

I took about 8 pictures like this, but these 3 were my favorites!

Little does Erik Daniel know it, but he gets to see his Pop again in less than a week!!! Yay!

Waiting for Pop. . .

"Mommy, when will Pop be here?" he asked for the 17th time in the last 20 minutes.

"In about 3 hours." I answered for the 17th time in the last 20 minutes.

"Mommy, is that a long time?"

"Not really, Baby."

"Is it longer than 40 minutes?"

"Oh, yes, Baby 3 hours is much longer than 40 minutes. There are 60 minutes in an hour, and. . ."

He cuts me off exasperated, "Pop will never be here! He will never ever be here! It is taking too long, Mommy!"

"Why don't you lay down in my bed and take a nap? That will make the time pass faster and before you know it, Pop will be here!"

"No." he said and returned to his post ~ standing by the backdoor looking out the window. At one point he swore to me that he could see Pop's truck coming ~ even though Pop was at least 300 miles away at the time! Several minutes passed and I began busying myself with work around the house. I was focused on meal preparations and tidying up when Erik asked from the family room, "Where is JCT?" I stopped what I was doing and began looking. It didn't take long to find him asleep on the bench by the backdoor.
Too afraid he might miss out on Pop's arrival, he couldn't take a nap in my room! No, he had to sleep right by the backdoor, so he would be right there ready to hug Pop's sweet neck when he walked into our home! His backpack for a pillow, there lay my JCT all snuggled up tight in a ball. . .

Pop is loved! That is for sure by a whole gang of red headed boys!