Sometimes I wonder. . .

Every now and then I wonder what our daughter would have looked like had God chosen to give us one. . .

Well, today I got a little glimpse of just what she may have looked like. . .

Goodness, I love you, silly little man!!

My Heroes!

Each day they save me from boredom, from loneliness, from lack of love & affection, and from having too much time on my hands!!

They are my heroes!!!

And, they are SUPER! No doubt, they are SUPER indeed!

Mama's Sour Cream Sugar Cookies

First Bowl: Cream * 3/4 cup margerine
* 3/4 cup shortening
* 1 1/2 cups sugar
(* I actually just use 1 1/2 cups butter instead of the 3/4 cup and 3/4 cup! Oh, and I use my kitchen aid mixer bowl for this part and set it on the stir setting to mix it up!)

Next Bowl: * Add 1/2 tsp baking soda to 3 egg yolks.
* Add 1 cup sour cream to egg yolks.
* Add 1 1/4 tsp vanilla
* Add shortening/sugar mixture to sour cream & egg yolks.
(I just use a regular medium sized bowl for this mixture)

Last Bowl: (I actually go back to my kitchen aid mixer bowl that I just emptied for this!)
Sift: * 1 tsp baking powder
* 1/4 tsp salt
* all purpose flour (I start with 3 cups)
* Add cream mixture to flour mixture
* Continue adding flour until you get a dough that you can work with and roll out.
Flour your surface and roll to about 1/4 inch thickness and have fun cutting out cookies. This works best if you have little hands that love to use cookie cutters!!!!

Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.

The icing we use is a simple mixture of powdered sugar and water. Just get it to a spreadable consistency. Then use sprinkles and have fun!! This again works best when you have little hands that love to generously sprinkle sprinkles!!!! Have fun!! And, enjoy!

Our Home at Christmastime 2008

Welcome to our home!
This is the sound and smell of choice in our home this season. . .

And, I love to make a little stove-top potpourri. . .

If you came to visit, I'd offer you you a cookie! The boys and I had fun making and decorating them this past weekend. Sour Cream Sugar Cookies just like my Mama makes ~ yum!!!

Our tree and a precious little boy. . .

The foyer. . .

And, I love this little tree in the boy's room! I had the grand idea that the boys should start collecting ornaments for their own special tree ~ ornaments from their favorite teams. Actually it is my ultimate goal for them to have all the SEC, ACC, and Big 10 teams represented. This will take a few years, but by the time they are in high school, I am hoping that they will be able to fill a 6 foot tree!!!

Have a great day, and a Merry, merry Christmas from our home to yours!

Sweet Days. . .

Being a mama is hard.

So, hard.

And, I am discovering that it only gets more difficult with each new stage. First, there is the lack of sleep stage/fussy baby stage. I remember with Joshua trying so hard to figure out why he was crying. Was he hungry, did he need to eat? Or, was his tummy hurting, and in that case feeding him might just cause him more pain? Or, was he simply overtired? Do I let him cry himself to sleep or is that cruel? It all seemed so difficult, so confusing, and though there were a thousand books out there to read, none of them were written about Joshua by someone who really could give me the answers that I wanted/needed. Unfortunately, he didn't come with a detailed owner's manual.

Next, there is the temper tantrum stage. Oh, Lord, have mercy on my soul! JCT has this stage mastered. This stage lasted about 2 months with my Joshua, but my JCT, my darling JCT, has been in this stage for nearly 2 years now! And, though, I can honestly say tantrums don't happen often, when they do, they aren't fun, and I do not like them, not one little bit. Elijah began this stage a few months ago, and so the two have overlapped on me, and, really, there should be rules against such.

And, I guess that I would have to say the next stage involves letting them leave the nest for a bit of time each day to go to school. Oh, my heart! My heart has left my body, and he is walking around at school all day. And, this stage can be so hard when feelings get hurt, when things are seemingly so unfair.

I called my sister a few months ago to complain. Her first four were born all in four years. So, she completely gets my life. And, I bow before her majesty, the Queen mom, because she now has double the number of children that I have. And, every time that I call her to complain, I preface my complaint with, "I know your life is a lot more difficult than mine, but remember back to when you only had four kids. . ."

So when I called this particular day, I was looking for empathy. Four needy children clammoring around me was driving me insane! I mean really does Elijah have to be held 24/7? My arms can only bear so much, and Erik Daniel needs to be held, too. And, JCT wants help with everything! Can't he play something that he can do by himself, something that doesn't require my constant attention. I mean really there is only one of me. I can only be stretched so far, and I am warning you guys I may break. Seriously, break, break into a billion pieces on the floor.

But, you'll never believe it, instead of empathy from my sis, I heard her sighing sweet sighs, as I described the details of my seemingly difficult life. The gist of what she said in response to my complaints was. . .

"Those are such sweet days, Erin. Enjoy them! There are wonderful things about having teenagers. They are independent. They are fun. They become like friends to you, but, Erin, they are gone so often. Between school and sports and work and church and friends, I don't see them that often. Family dinner has become a joke. I make dinner, and we all eat it on the go. When we do things "as a family," it is usually just Kurt and me and the little girls. The big kids are just gone so much now. The days that you are in right now are hard physically. The days that I am in right now are hard emotionally. I know it can be difficult, but those days are so sweet. Really, Erin, they are. Enjoy them. They'll be gone before you know it."

And, something in her voice sounded a bit like a longing, like she missed these days that she called "sweet." This truly impacted me. I think about her words nearly every single day. She has altered my perspective. The reason that I know that her words have impacted me is that I had this conversation with her before Thanksgiving, and I still can't get it out of my mind.

Now when I look at the little one standing at my feet, pulling on my pant leg, saying, "Com-on! Pay wit' me! Com-on,"I envision him as a teenager walking out the door, kissing me goodbye, and going off to do whatever it is that God called him to do that day, leaving me to do my housework alone, with no one to follow behind and mess up everything that I straighten, with no one to beg me to let him help fold laundry or put away clean dishes, with no one standing at my feet begging me to hold him or "pay wit" him. And, my heart pauses as I look at the sweet face of the one looking up at me, and suddenly I am not as frustrated, not as overwhelmed, not as aggravated, and not as impatient. And, I feel drawn to join in their play, drawn to kiss their chubby soft cheeks, drawn to hold them close, to sit and watch Diego with a child in my lap, drawn to soak up each moment of their childhood before it is gone. . .

All the stages are sweet. I love them all, and, at times, I dislike them all. But, all in all, the stages are wonderful, each is precious to my heart. I have watched my Joshua grow into a little man at school this year. And, this, more than anything, has made me realize that Kristin is right ~ time does go by so quickly. They will not be babies forever, even if it seems like it some days. I will not always have a baby in tow. One day shopping trips will be easier, dinners out at restraunts will be easier, traveling will be easier, but I won't have babies. I won't have little ones flocking to my side. I will never be here again.

And, there are wonderful things about being here.

Yes, here is a wonderful place to be.

I wouldn't want to be anywhere else,

anywhere on earth,

other than right here, right now.

Life is good.

Often it is hard.

But, it is always good.

How could it not be good when I get to spend my days with these smiling faces?

Sweet days.

Seasoned Father. . .

When I fell in love with him, a few of the things that made me weak were. . .



* the sound of his deep southern voice

* the freckles on his nose

* his calm, steady, and unshakable demeanor

* his broad strong shoulders and tall slender build



But, now all that has changed (although I do still find him very attractive :-)). Now the things that make me weak are. . .



* his big strong hands holding our baby's sweet head ~ protected & secure







* watching him lean over Joshua, teaching him how to hold a baseball bat or shoot a basketball.

* the fact that he is unafraid, untainted by the smell of a nasty diaper. He never runs and hides or even waits on me ~ he takes it upon himself to clean up the little stinky man.

* watching him make silly faces and talk baby talk to our infant







* watching him race Joshua across the yard

* or cuddle up with JCT for a long winter's nap





He is a seasoned father. He has (we both have) been broken in by these little ones. We have been stretched and have grown more selfless with each new child that God has given us. He is a seasoned father, and I love him all the more for it. . .





These little guys have taken our love to a new level. . .



It isn't flowery and silly. It isn't gooey and showy.



It is strong, steadfast, and secure. We don't have to talk about everything anymore. Some things we just know now ~ from the look in our eyes or the touch of our hands.



We don't think much about trying to impress each other anymore, trying to look our best or say the right things. Our love is confident and comfortable.



And, yet I still get butterflies from one glance into the eyes of this sweet seasoned Daddy. . .

Birdseed, "Cuck-cakes," and Movies. . .

Yesterday afternoon the boys and I made little pine cone bird feeders. This isn't the first time we have done this, but I think they were to young to remember the first time. . .

Anyway, after the one thousandth time they asked me for something "fun" to do, I decided that we would make the little bird feeders.

They loved rolling the pine cones in peanut butter and birdseed. The only problem was trying to keep JCT from eating the the peanut butter after the pine cones had been rolled in it! Yuck!!

Then, we took the pine cones outside and hung them on a few small trees near the window in our kitchen. This way they will be able to watch the birds enjoy their little kind gestures!

Enjoy our treats, little birds!!

After dinner, I made cupcakes for the boys. Partly, I made them because Erik asked me to make them, and partly I made them because I wanted to hear Elijah say "Cuck-cake!" and get all excited over them! "Cuck-cakes" are his favorite food!!!

Here is a little video I made of him when I showed him what was cooking in the oven. . .

After we enjoyed the "cuck-cakes," Erik took the boys up and gave them a bath. Then, he put Elijah to bed, and I started a movie for the big boys ~ The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything.

If you can imagine me sitting beside JCT, then, this is what we looked like as we watched the movie! I love watching movies with the big boys after Elijah has gone on to bed. They are old enough to sit still and enjoy a good movie. It is something special just for them. They get to stay up late and eat popcorn. And, to little boys this is very exciting and wonderful ~ and for mama's who enjoy spending time with little boys it is exciting and wonderful, too!

After we put the boys to bed, Erik and I watched Juno. It made me cry, and it made me think. In fact, I lay awake quite a bit last night thinking about it.

What a day! This is why I think everyday should be a Saturday!!!

The Plan for the Day. . .

Yesterday Erik said that he wanted to do something "fun" with the boys today (Saturday). Well, he woke up this morning with a little less enthusiasm. This is due partly to the fact that he has a virus, but mostly it is due to the fact that it is December and the thought of going anywhere to do anything with four children in the midst of all the craziness of Christmas shopping, etc. is enough to make even the strongest of us feel weak and powerless.

So, this is the way the day is playing out. . .

Erik is outside with the big boys. The big boys dressed themselves in adventure garb ~ complete with backpacks and boots. They are pretending to be in search of adventure in "Texas" because Texas is equivalent to the ends of the earth in their sweet minds! They do this from time to time. Erik walks with them, guiding them in their pursuit. They look for animals of all kinds from spiders and worms to turkey and deer. . . It is great fun as they search our property for all the wonders that little boys can find.

This, to them, is much more "fun" than Chucky Cheese or the park or anything else that Erik could have come up with to do today.

And, as for me, I have been left in a quiet house with two sleeping babies. I am in the process of putting together lasagna for dinner, listening to Christmas music, straightening up the downstairs, and playing on the computer all the while sipping cream colored coffee! I couldn't ask for a better Saturday!!

And, the plan for the afternoon/evening is as follows. . .

I will go to the movie rental store and rent two movies while Erik and the boys watch the Florida/Alabama game. I will get one movie for the boys and one movie for Erik and I. After dinner and bath, we will let the boys cuddle up in their sleeping bags and watch their movie. Then, we will put them to bed, and Erik and I will cuddle up and watch our movie!

Yay for Saturdays!!!

Christmas Card 2008 Attempts. . .

Last week we spent a few minutes attempting to get that perfect shot for our Christmas cards. We bundled the boys up and headed outside. And, these are the results. . .

This one is okay, but Lijah looks so sad. . .

We started out fresh and ready. . . But, after a while we started to get frustrated because it never failed ~ someone would look away or get upset or not want to sit still. Can you feel the frustration brewing. . .

But, after a few more takes the frustration turned to giggles. . .

and, then to downright silliness. . .

All in all it was fun, and Rain did awesome!! Good boy!

I think this picture best represents our family right now in our present state of transition from the chaos of three children to the insane wildness of four! Notice Erik Daniel. . .

And, this is, in my humble opinion, our best effort. . .


Merry Christmas, Friends, from our cozy home to yours!!

Happy 3 Months!

This past month you. . .

* Rolled from your tummy to your back!

* Said "Mama" or at least close enough for me to claim it!

* Slept all night!

* Found your thumb!

Yes, you just may be my first ever thumb-sucker!! You always manage to find your thumb, but I pull it out and stick the paci in instead!!! We'll see who wins! My guess is you ~ since I am unwilling to hover over your crib all night long! Besides, you look so cute when you do it!

* You got a new bed! Daddy moved JCT's old crib (Elijah is in Joshua's old crib) downstairs to our room! No more pack & play for you! You have room to stretch out now, and I think you really like it! I really like you!!!!!

A few things that you love, sweet one. . .

* Watching ESPN late at night after your big brothers are in bed!

* Joshua ~ Man, he is a great big brother!!

* Talk time with Daddy! He is so funny!!! :-)

Elijah is sick, and it has been a serious struggle to keep him away from you! I don't want you to get sick!! I have a sweater that I put on over my clothes to keep Elijah's virus off of you!! That sweater comes off and on all day! It is crazy!! But, your health is more than worth it!! Jesus keep you well, sweet one!!

I love you to pieces! What a month, my big boy, what a month! You are a sweet thing, and I love you with all my heart!

A Good Day. . .

I woke up this morning with a little bounce in my step. As I slipped my feet into my favorite pair of asics, I marveled at how wonderfully comfortable they are, and I said a little thank You prayer to God for them! And, my coffee, oh, my sweet wonderful cup full of steaming wonderment, smelled excellent and tasted even better! But. . .

the best part is that it was/is raining cats and dogs outside.

And, I love a rainy day!! Love, love, love cool, overcast, rainy days ~ when I have nowhere to go and nothing vitally important to do!

Actually, I began the morning hurriedly getting the boys dressed and ready. We had to take Rain to the vet, the big boys to get flu shots, and Elijah to get his ears checked (temp 102.3). But, we were home by 9:30, and my coffee was still warm. . .

The boys played playdoh all three in a row on a bench at the kitchen table while I sipped coffee and started laundry.

Home, you have to love it.

Home sweet home.

The sound of clothes being tossed in the dryer and soft piano music playing. . .

The smell of coffee and my pumpkin spice candle. . .

There is no place that I'd rather be. . .

The world with all it's charms doesn't even compare. . .

To the warmth of a home filled with little ones on a cold and rainy day!

Lijah didn't last long. By 11:00 he was ready for another dose of Motrin and a nap. So, I gave him his medicine, carried him up to his room, lay him down, and he has been sleeping peacefully ever since.

I came back downstairs and bundled the big boys up in their rain gear and boots. Then, I set them free on the back porch. I sat in a rocker and watched as they played together sweetly in the rain. They love to play in the rain!!

After 30 or so minutes, I went inside to change out laundry. In between folding the clean, dry clothes and filling the washer and dryer again, I peeked out the window at my little men to make sure all was well. And, this is what I found. . .

All I could think when I saw them was that this is what they will look when they are in their forties ~ sitting around rocking and talking. . .

Buddies for life.

After playing in the rain for about an hour, they decided that they were ready to come inside. So, I took their wet clothes and added them to my mountain of laundry. Then, I put them in nice warm clean clothes. They are now bundled under a shared blanket on the couch watching a Christmas movie.

Good gracious me, I love rainy days. . .

JCT's Thanksgiving Dinner. . .

You simply have to love this silly little pilgrim. . .

Oh, yes, he is something. . .

something very special indeed!

This past week I had the great privilege of attending Thanksgiving Dinner at JCT's preschool. His class was dressed as pilgrims, and Afton's class was dressed as Indians. So, here is a picture of the little cuties!

Deana B and her sweet little girl. . .

My entourage. . .

What Erik Daniel did throughout the dinner party. . .

JCT's big buddy at school. . .

Sweet, happy girl. . .

(Looking like her mama!)

Lijah even got into the spirit! He stole some poor kids hat and put it on before I could catch him! It never occurred to him that he was younger than the other children! Cute little Indian boy! Don't worry, we gave it back right after the picture!

I love the opportunity to highlight one of the boys, to make the day all about them! JCT loved getting to be the center for a little while! I love that little man to pieces. . .


Precious child, I am thankful for you! You can always make me smile! What a loving little boy you have turned out to be! Your Daddy and I rejoice over you! Thank You, Father, for giving us this darling little boy to raise up to be a man after Your heart!!!!