Pre-K Kiddo

This week the Peanut started pre-k. Three days a week he goes to school with his 3 buddies who live on our street. None of them are in the same class, but just the knowledge that they are all there together has bonded them even more. :)

He was SOOO ready to start. So excited....so fun. Really proud of his Toy Story lunch box.

He was confident, walking right in to his class and introducing himself to his teacher.

He sat down in his chair and started to dot-paint over his name, smiling and saying hi (somewhat shyly) to the kids sitting next to him. Patiently smiling for all the pictures I was taking.

Looking like a serious student as he watched what the other kids were doing. ;)

And then he (very sweetly) told me it was time for me to go. ;) Yes, he did. I needed that though...otherwise I might have stayed and watched until the teachers made me leave. Awkward. ;) So I left...with minimal tears. That's kind of a big deal for this mom who just dropped her youngest baby off at his first day of preschool. A first for him. A last for me.

And here's the after school pic. :)
"School was great, Mom. I LOVE school!"

I look at him and am amazed by how much he has changed so quickly. Gone is the tiny one who used to hide behind my legs when meeting someone new. In fact, that's exactly what he did back in January when we went to visit the school that he so confidently walked into this week. That little guy has been replaced by an older version who is much more sure of himself, will talk to anybody (I have to watch him even more carefully because of that), and loves to be the center of attention. He's funny and thoughtful, tough and cuddly, sweet and confident.

I think it's going to be a good year. :)

And I'm just going to enjoy it as slowly as possible, because next year he will be starting kindergarten while his oldest brother will be starting middle school, which just might put me over the edge. ;)

Love and Like

Last week we were sitting in the family room, enjoying a picnic dinner of Domino's pizza. It had been a long Sunday...Sunday school, church, and then a Sunday school teacher training after. 40 minute drive there and back. We were tired. Tired, but happy, and as I looked around the room at the 4 guys God has so graciously (and undeservedly) blessed me with, something hit me hard.

I really, REALLY like these people.
You know...we say "I love you" all the time. In the morning before we leave each other, for work, school, etc. At night when Brian and I are tucking the boys into bed. And lots of times in between. What can I say? It's a love fest in our house. ;) So much so, that I'm afraid sometimes that the word "love" is so overused in our house that it will somehow, over time,
lose it's meaning.

Love is typically instant, at least for me.
I fell in love pretty quickly with B. The second I saw him, I knew he was special.
Within the first 3ish months of our relationship, I knew he was the one.

And of course, when learning about each of our 5 pregnancies, the love was instant then as well. Just the knowledge that there was a little person growing inside me....there's nothing better than that.
That love only increased the second I laid eyes on each of our boys when they were born. And the love is the same for the two we lost...the two who I know are waiting for us, that we'll see again someday. I never understood that saying about how your heart is walking around in those little bodies until I became a mom. It's amazing.

But to say "I like you." That's different. It's not a guarantee that we're going to like everybody. You can love someone without actually liking them. And that's okay....we're all different, and we're called to love our neighbors, our friends, our family. But like? That's sometimes harder.

Today Hud came in our bedroom where I was watching "The Proposal" for probably the 100th time (it's one of my favorites), hugged me, and said "I like you Mom. A lot." And my heart swelled to much bigger than it's usual full self. :) Somehow saying "I like you" seemed to mean just as much as "I love you."

As these three get older, and taking them places is becoming less of a responsibility and more of a completely fun, easy experience....I see how much fun we have together. How each of their personalities are so completely different, and how they somehow complement each other. And I find myself getting excited with each new phase we enter with them, instead of focusing on having to let go of the phases we're leaving behind.

We're silly.

We willingly sit outside in the cold to work from home so that we can attempt to have a successful garage sale. ;)

We drive big tractors (actually...I've never done that. But Harrison helps my Dad a lot, and he's great at it.) ;)

And we ride the merry-go-round really fast and scream loud as we spin super fast around and around. And around.

Do we get on each others' nerves? Sometimes.
Are there days when we just need some alone time? Yes.
Is it always rainbows and puppies around here? Absolutely not.

But it's also home. It's us. It's mostly fun and crazy, with a mix of order and stability. A safe place where each of us gets to be us, without having to explain why. Where we love each other, and like each other too, and are trying to be the same way with the other people in our world.

5th and 2nd

Grades, that is.

5th and 2nd grades.
seems impossible to this mama,

but it's the truth...

...these two started school today. That doesn't seem right. Didn't summer break just start?
Sure seems like it. Our lazy days of sleeping late, vacationing, swimming, and being carefree are over. Sadness.

On a positive note...they both had stellar days. :)

Hunter had a blast getting into all of his big brothers' stuff. ;)
And I got the entire house clean in just under 3 hours.

Amazing indeed.

This is last year's first day pic.

This year their hair is shorter and faux-hawkish, they are taller,

and thankfully we are short a green cast. ;)

This time last year the tiny one was flying off to TX with my sis and BIL for a few days in TX.

This year we're starting our last year with him home with me, before he joins his brothers in school. He starts pre-k next month, and is super excited!

which leaves this question:
What in the world am I going to do with myself?

I'll let you know when I figure that out. ;)

The Getaway

Two posts in two days? No way. ;)

Crazy...you'd think I'd have extra time on my hands right now or something. Huh.

B and I are on our last night of his work conference at Ridgecrest in North Carolina.

This place is beautiful. Peaceful. Restful. Thankful for the time we got to take to go away together, and for our brave family for happily taking care of the boys so we got to do this.

It was just what we both needed.

Kinda crazy about him. And this is hard for me to admit...but we really needed this. I mean, we're fine, of course...don't get me wrong. But in the crazy day-to-day chaos of work, raising kids, taking care of the house and the yard, and being in the ministry....I think it's fair to say that we as a couple got lost a little. We've spent the past few days talking, laughing, being spontaneous (what's that?!?)...and we really needed that.

And this was the perfect place for that.

Gorgeous, isn't it? And the weather is beautiful too. A nice reprieve from the ridiculous TX heat and the equally ridiculous GA humidity. It's hard to not rest and rejuvenate here. And rested we have...I actually slept in until 10:00 this morning. Crazy.

These flowers? They make me happy.

Yesterday B and I did a little hiking. Somehow he was able to hold onto his coffee, so it wasn't super strenuous. ;) It was really fun, and it rained while we were up there, but thanks to the tree cover, we didn't get wet.

A waterfall. In the mountains. So pretty.

And...we made friends with a turtle. Kind of...he was a little shy. ;)

Would love to know who lives in this tree...he wouldn't come out to visit us.

Again...it's been perfect. Thankful for the opportunity to reconnect with my husband without any distractions. Excited to get back home and to have all of my chickens back in the nest.

They get home Friday night, and then we will have ONE week to get ready for the bigs to start school. What?!?! Can't believe it. And I'm sure that month will fly and then it will be time for Hunter to start. All 3 in school? Not sure what to do with that....surely I'll figure it out. ;)

I have really missed these guys this week...

This one....

...and this one....

...and yes, this one too.

Love my family.

Gypsies

Gypsies. That would pretty much sum up the way we've lived this summer. :) It's been fun, it's been busy, it's been chock full of memories, and I've loved every minute of it. We've traveled from Nashville to Orlando to Texas, and now B and I are in North Carolina for a few days while the boys spend an extra week in Texas with family...work conference for him, relaxation time for me. Thankful I get to tag along. ;) And that the boys get some extra Texas time.

Our suitcases have spent the summer in our bedroom...no sense putting them back into the basement yet. Just unpack and repack, and head out again. I know one thing~ I'd never make it as a rock star. ;) And at the same time, this has been one of my very favorite summers EVER.

I've shared before that it has been really tough for us to be away from our family back in Texas. Even when you're doing exactly what you feel God has called you to do, there are still things that are hard. Being away from family and our friends back home (it will always be home) definitely tops the list....but God is faithful, and knows our hearts, and thankfully has provided ways for us to visit often. And for people to visit us often. It definitely makes it easier.

Here's a (somewhat) quick replay of our time there:

The boys with my dad and their birthday gift to him: a drawing of his tractor. They love the farm.

Hud opening his birthday gift from my parents...my mom passed down her iPod Touch. To say he was excited would be the understatement of the year. ;)

We spent A LOT of time swimming and hanging out at the pool. I love these 3 girls so very much.

It was hot. Really HOT. Thankful for cool swimming pools. And water squirters.

Aunt Beth and the tiny man.

I haven't seen this girl in a year and a half. Which is a year and a half TOO long. How very much I've missed her. And her girls. Love them like family...hopefully it won't be too long before we see them again.

All 6 of them picked up right where they left off...just like their moms did. :)

The super-cute, silly middle children. This photo defines them perfectly. ;)

I love the relationship these two have...only 10 months apart in age, and close from the get go. I love that they have memories reaching far back from when they were very little. Hope that continues for a very long time. :)

Hunter insisted on being in the photo. Harrison was less-than-thrilled. ;)


This is my cousin's baby....which would make him my cousin too. Or second cousin. Or first cousin once removed. Not sure, but he's family, and that's all that matters. ;)

He's darling, isn't he? And as sweet and happy as he is beautiful.

Have I mentioned that it was hot and we swam a lot? I haven't? That's weird. ;)

Did I mention that Beth and Todd have chickens? I didn't? They do. And they're hilarious.

Did I mention that it was hot? Like, 105+ degrees hot? Not kidding. When we weren't swimming we were having things like slushees and frozen yogurt.

I'm crazy about my sisters. The older we get, the more fun we have. Let's face it...high school was touch and go. It's a wonder we all survived, with all the fighting over clothes and such. Hahaha...seriously, it doesn't get much better than spending time with them. Hoping the boys will be just as close to each other as I am to these two. Few people know me as well as they do....

...and nobody makes me laugh harder. ;) Except maybe my Dad. Guess it runs in the family.

Hi Mom. :)

How much I love her. Love our walks, our talks, and how she takes care of me, even now at 34. I'm blessed.

And that baby....yummy.


We ate lunch at a place called Mooyah...great burgers. And they had this giant red wipe erase board. The boys were ALL over that.

Harrison's drawing...pretty cool, huh? Mooyah actually re-tweeted this pic I posted on Twitter. Impressive, H. :)


And here's Hud with his bird in a tree drawing. Love it.

And Hunter with his self-portrait. Amazing likeness, right? ;)

What can I say? They're artists. ;)

Ok...if I was to describe myself, the last words I would use would be funky, cool, or trendsetter.

Because I'm not. I'm more of comfortable, flip flops and jeans, play it safe kind of girl.

Who now is wearing a feather in her hair. ;)

I know...not like me at all. And I love it.

Looks like a brand new can of worms has just been opened. Watch out.

She's a Grand Ol' Flag

And we really love to celebrate her. :)

I love a holiday. Any of them. But there are extra special memories associated with July 4th.

Mostly, those memories are of my childhood...we spent a couple weeks at my grandparents' house in Missouri every summer, and there are a couple of odd things I associate with the time I spent there: the Wimbledon tennis tournament, and fireflies.

Wimbledon because somehow it always seem to fall when we happened to be there.

Fireflies, because I don't remember seeing them anywhere but in my Momo and Dandy's backyard, which just solidified the already growing idea in my head that it was indeed a magical place. Trust me, it was.

I also remember spending the Fourth of July there....don't think it was every summer, but several of them. Lots of happy memories of fireworks, and fried chicken, and summer nights on their back patio, enjoying strawberries and watermelon, my Momo's apple pie, listening to the Royals' baseball games with my Dandy on the radio. My Mom, my aunt and uncles, cousins, sisters....happy. Simple really...nothing extravagant. That's not us. Just lots of love, lots of laughing, lots of time together. Something I treasure.

And something I want to continue with these 4 guys that God has so richly blessed me with.

So that's what we did. Celebrated a very important day in our nation's history by just being together. Talks with the boys about how much we have to be thankful for, and about the men and women who sacrifice their everything so we can enjoy life here with our everything. Little American flags and pinwheels humbly stuck in our front flower beds. A cake with a flag on it, made out of blueberries and strawberries. Dinner with some sweet friends, and our own little fireworks show right in our front yard. ;)

This guy right here? He loves fireworks. REALLY loves them. The past several nights our neighbors have put on quite a show....honestly it sounded like a warzone. And each night I'd find him sitting in a rocker on our front porch happily watching the display. You gotta love those rednecks....and we're thankful for the beautiful (albeit LOUD) show we got every night this weekend. ;)

And now I feel the need to assure you that we are a safety first family. :) As much as the boys would LOVE to be right in the big middle of Daddy lighting the fireworks last night, it was a no-go. They were allowed to help set them up, then back to the porch to watch as he lit them.

I don't really understand this need they all 4 seem to have to blow things up. Don't think I'm made that way. ;) However, I can appreciate the beautiful results of all the blowing up.

Love these guys. Love days like this that are happy, and fun, and peaceful.

Just being together at home. Simple and perfect.

They were thrilled when it was finally time for sparklers. :)

Life here is crazy. And funny. And loud. And silly. And...tiring. ;)

And I wouldn't have it any other way.

seven

I mean really....how does it happen so fast?

I know every mom thinks that, most of us say at least once each time one of our littles has a birthday....but really. Where does the time go?

Hud was just two days shy of 3 months old in this photo.

Seriously...look at those rolls. He was the squishiest baby ever. :)

When I would carry him (which I spent much of his first two-ish+ years doing, he was somehow able to mold his little body to mine. Not sure how...the squishiness, I guess. Those eyes, the hangy-down cheeks....yummy.

And now, today....he's SeVeN. Seven...really?

Long gone are the rubberband arms, the hang-y down cheeks. I'm happy to report that he is still a little squishy. :) Super soft skin, I guess.

And he is really growing up.

Today....this one is smart. Sweet. Incredibly intuitive. Very much a gentleman. He is spiritually-minded...noticing things that the rest of us might overlook. He's a Mama's boy...and at the same time a huge fan of his Daddy. And speaking of his Daddy....he looks so much like him, mixed with a little of my Dandy. Definitely got his dimples, a few of his mannerisms, and the furrowed eyebrows when he's being serious or skeptical (although his Dad has a similar expression, so I can't say for sure who he got it from). ;)

He loves to swim and play on the computer. He's the one I ask for help when I can't figure out how to do something on the computer, my phone, etc. He has a heart for animals. He loves comics and Legos, and he's a pro at building them, unabashedly calling himself the Lego Master.

He's funny, and has some crazy-mad dance skills. Not kidding...this one has some moves.

On the flip side...he also has a temper. He's persistent. Stubborn.

But really...he's related to me and his dad...and a long line of other stubborn people,

so who can blame him? ;)

About 95% of the time he's our sweet, laid back, easy-to-please middle child.

I'm so thankful for this kiddo, and on his 7th birthday I want him to know how very important he is to this family. How proud I am for how incredibly well is he is carrying the name of his great-grandpa (Hud knows how important his middle name, Henry, is), and how much fun we are having watching him grow up.

Happy birthday, Hud-Man! We love you to the moon and back one million times. :)