BBALL

I really enjoy that M is playing basketball. He just happens to play with 4 or 5 friends from school too. How lucky is that. In all the time we played baseball we never got a friend on his team and then he plays basketball and gets all these friends on there! And I love it too because B has someone to play with at the practices and I have friends to chat with. M loves it and keeps getting better each time.

Snow

My heart just swells with love for my kiddos.
Here they are playing in the snow at Grandma's house this weekend. 2days in a row! They were in heaven with the snowball fights.

Forgot!

Wow, Christmas was so much fun I forgot to do my blog for a few days! It was a blessing having family here (B's sister, uncle and cousin) and then to go to KY to spend a couple days with family. I started physical therapy today. And we are looking forward to this weekend we get to celebrate New Years with more family!

Eve

Enjoyed Christmas Eve. Uncle T took the kids to see a movie in 3D while B, Graham and I finished the shopping. Then I cooked all night some appetizers and mac and cheese while B made a pork roast. It was all yum. The Grandparents came over, Aunt M was here and the boys played their piano songs. Then we watched "The Christmas Story". Now it is snowing.

friends

Thankful that Laura came over with her kids today.

3 days

Thankful that Christmas is in 3days!

Christmas

Today the kids and I made Oreo truffles. Yum. We also layed in my bed and M read a bible lesson to B and I. (I have a book of kids bible lessons a friend gave us) M said, "We should do this every day mom!" AWWWW! I took them to Walmart today to pick out a gift for each other for Christmas. One had to shop in the boy aisle while the other was in the girl aisle. I gave them each a big gift bag to hide their present in. Then when I went to pay for them they had to go in the aisle over from me and look at Pokemon cards while I paid. (that was REALLY tough for them since they LOVE those cards) I have to say this really helped me get in the Christmas spirit. Me and the boys are sick of being in the house. Every day though I think tomrrow my back will quit hurting! We even heard on the news that it may snow on Christmas Eve! Wow!

Dishes

Thankful for Heather who came over today and offered to do my dishes for me! I was just so happy to have company and the kids to have someone to play with! MRI tomrrow.

Sweet boys

I am not sure what makes B say this but he tells me alot how pretty I am. Today he has been following his Daddy around like a puppy dog. He could've even spent the night with his Grandparents but he wanted to come home to be with us. If I could just stop time and keep my boys the age they are now! Of course I say this ever year! LOL! My sweet boys.

Football

B loves to run across the living room and catch a pass. I mean seriously this kid can catch a football! It is amazing. And I don't just say that because I am the mom. And he would do it 100,000 times a day if you would throw it. It makes me laugh just thinking about it. But he still tells his Dad that he won't be play football because you get hurt!

Lay down

I am about sick of talking about my back but B said today (which he keeps saying every day) , "Mom lay down" every time I get up to do something!

All I want for Christmas

Today M has been singing , "All I want for Christmas is my mom's back to feel better!" The kids played in the snow again today and we made Blitzen's Brownies (from a cookbook Grandma P got us one year) and cut them out with cookie cutters.

Singing

M was massaging my back with a tennis ball in a sock that his dad made for me and I told him to rub harder and him and B both say ,"But won't that make it hurt more if I press harder?" I love how they are always thinking. Then B wanted to know how he could help mom and I said to sing me a song so M starts singing about 10 Christmas songs in a row. When he was done he made me sing Jingle Bell Rock with him as the finale!

Earlier today the boys and I watched a couple of Christmas shows and they were caroling in one so M asks me why we've never done this. I asked him if he'd like to do that sometime and he said ,"maybe." LOL!

Today was our first day of snow. The kids were so excited they got to have a snowball fight with what little snow there was and then had hotchocolate and sat by the fire.

Christmas

The kids and B and I watched a couple Christmas shows tonight with the fire going. We always have to watch Charlie Brown. But we also watched Prep Landing which was cute! (new) They just had popcorn and B is asleep on the couch! It is pouring outside. How cool would it be if it turned to snow.

I didn't get to go to my work Christmas party or M's basketball game since I am still hurting but M said they won and he stole the ball a few times and shot at the basket. Even got to dribble this game. Can't wait to see it next week!

Thank you

With my lowerback pain and inflammation this week I want to thank some people for helping me get thru this week. I pray that I will be better ASAP!
My in laws for taking the kids a couple days this week, visiting, and checking on me.
Laura for cooking for us, bringing us dinner, and taking M to basketball practice. Not to mention all the listening to me she has had to do this week!
Cami for picking M up from school.
All my friends and family for checking on me thru texts and calls. Good thing I got unlimited texts this week because I have appreciated all the texts.!
Nanoo for coming to play with B.
My hubby for doing laundry, cleaning the house, bathing kids, putting them to bed, making sure i didnt need something.
My kids for getting me a blanket, heating pad, and giving me kisses and hugs to make it better. Everytime B saw me up he'd tell me to lay down!
My mom for always worrying too much because I have learned that is what mothers do and I appreciate it more then I did before i had kids.
I am so thankful for all of you! God has really blessed me!

Blakes words

I asked Blake to tell me what he is thankful for and he said:
Jesus
Mommy
Jimbo
everybody in the whole wide world except bad guys for sure
(exact words)

Ornaments

I love the smell of a real Christmas tree. I love how the kids hung the candy canes all where they could reach them at the bottom of the tree. They like to eat one every day till they are gone! LOL! I love looking at the ornaments and remembering special moments with them (our wedding, honeymoon, something the kids and i made together since we make a new one every year, or something they made at school).

Sweet boys

My kids have been so sweet today taking care of mommy and her hurt back. M keeps bringing me my heating pad for my back. They help me up and B brought me a blanket. They keep saying to me "Mom, we've been your big helpers today."

Things I love

Things I love: (not including the obvious like family, etc)
Being class mom
My kids playing sports
Piano recitals
Good health of my loved ones and myself
My kids giggling
Snow
Sledding
Flowers

*My kids running yesterday to help Mommy get out of bed to help her walk to dinner when Daddy cooked and Mommy had a bad backacke. So sweet!
*M running to help Mommy pick up her stuff when she fell down the stairs at the piano recital when her back gave out on her. I love my boys. So thoughtful!

Piano recital

Today, B (4) had his first piano recital and did so good. I got tearyeyed thinking of M being 7 now and when he started at 3 1/2 and how much he has grown with his piano playing. It is really amazing that they both can do that. It was a proud day.

Update on last few days!

I have had a terrible backache since Monday so I am really slacking on my blog. Thursday night Grandad and Nana came over and we celebrated Grandads 86th birthday with chili and cake. I really can't even describe how wonderful it was to have them here and to be able to celebrate his birthday with him! Friday we had lunch with them before they went home. Saturday (today) I took the boys to a Santa Pancake Breakfast where they got to get their pic with him, eat pancakes, and go to the Santa shop and shop for mom and dad. Then we had M's first basketball game and came home and decorated the Christmas tree and watched a Christmas movie together. (Shreck the Halls)

1st time

B's grandad is coming to see our house for the first time tomorrow. I put the Christmas stuff up yesterday (thank goodness since this 3day backacke is worst today) except the real tree we haven't gotten yet. I love how pretty the house is with Christmas decorations. And it smells yummy with all the candles lit. Now just need the chili in the crockpot and to bake a cake.

Thank you

Sometimes when I sit to write my blog all i can think is.....how thankful I am for my family. How did i get so lucky? Thank you God is all I can say.

Grandad

So thankful we got to see Grandad this past weekend AND get to see him this week too!

Smartie

My mother in law was telling me this story about M yesterday. He was playing a computer game where you build a city. So he built 3shops so people would come in and shop there and he made money on the game for everyone who shopped in his shops. A bus would drop people off and they'd go into his stores. So my mother in law tells him that he should build a bench to put in front of the shops for the people to sit on and he tells her, "But then they'd sit down and not come into my store." Smart kid huh?

BF's

Before and after.....

My boys

My boys. One of my favorite phrases. I took them to the golf course down the road from my inlaws today so the kids could run some energy off. They were sooooo funny running up and down the hills. And we are talking big hills! I found these pictures and had to post them of me with my boys.

Happy Thanksgiving

What a great Thanksgiving meal my mother in law cooked. I am still stuffed hours later! I think Thanksgiving is such a great holiday since it is a reminder to everyone to be thankful! B took the boys to play ball earlier today down the road and then I took them to the park and for a long walk. It was such a pretty day today! Probably the last pretty fall day.

I love you

I overheard B telling M today, "I love you " for no reason. And M said, " I love you too." awww....

Piano

My kids really should be in bed but since their dad is gone, I am using this as "piano practice time". Amazing how good they do when they get to stay up late.

My boys

I helped at M's school today. I got to paint the kids hands for a craft. Very cute! Had lunch with M. He always walks down the hall putting my arm around him and leaning on me. Him and B have gotten where they have to touch me when we are walking and shopping . Usually they are in a cart but if they walk they want my arm around them and leaning against me. What would I do without my boys?

Sweet

Today at basketball practice a kid fell down and was laying there for a minute and M ran over to check on him and help him up. I thought that was so good!

Wednesday

I just finished making mashed potatoes for my work Thanksgiving meal for tomorrow afternoon. Going to heat them up in crockpot beforehand. Never have done this but read about it online. I love the internet. Boys asleep in my bed. The house was quiet and I was taking a bath. My new dryer beeps so I ignore it of course since I am in the tub and it is so late I don't want to do laundry anymore. 5min. goes by and it turns itself on and then beeps again after a few twirls. I ignore it. Then 5min goes by and it does it again. Apparently in the month I have had this dryer my house has been too loud to ever hear that my dryer does this. So there went the quiet bath! LOL!

Tueday

Today the boys and I made cookies over at a friends house. M got out early and B didn't have to go due to a teacher inservice day or something? It rained most of the day. Then we had piano. I found out that the kids piano teacher may have to give up teaching lessons next year due to her husband losing his job and needing to go back to school, so she would need to work fulltime. I am really disappointed and saying prayers for her and her family. We have to all appreciate having a job in this awful economy.

Piano

The boys practice their piano twice a week. I am so proud of how M has come such a long way. He can play two hands at one time and press more then one key at the same time. His Dad and I don't know how to play the piano so that impresses me even more! And B just started in Aug. and he has trying hard too!

King for a day

Here is the king on his throne! LOL! Tonight when hugging him before bed he asked me when i was going to bed. I told him after I took a bath. Then he says, "and after you email Grandma?" and I said yes. (he's so smart) Then he says (with a GRIN), "and after you clean our playroom?" funny boy! : )

Saturday

Good day for M's bday party at the Jumpy place and then my brother and Dad's bday party at my house. Tradition to celebrate them all at my house since I had kids. Had mother in law, sister in law and my family all here. Enjoyed! Love this picture. How lucky am i?! M said that today was his best birthday party ever!

Cards

Hubby pulled out his baseball , football cards and comic books from when he was young and collected them. The kids were thrilled to look at them and he gave them some to keep. So B (the 4yr old) says to me when they are done , "Mom, can we get some more next time we are at the store with YOUR money?"

Today

M woke up excited that he had basketball practice today. I look forward to his first game. B has a couple friends he plays basketball with on the sidelines during the practice so it is good for them both.

M had his Veteran's day program at school today where his grade sang "Yankee doodle dandy" and he told me that he was nervous singing in front of the whole school. As confident as he always acts that suprised me. Since M was up in the bleachers the whole time and even when they sang, B asked me half way thru it (after M and his grade sang), "When is Michael coming?" LOL!

My sweet boy

He opened his Pokemon gifts, Daddy made him his favorite dinner which was steak and he wanted me to make my mashed potatoes. Then we had an icecream cake. He had so many calls from all of his loved ones. He's so polite and sweet. I am proud of him. He was SOOOO excited about today. We picked up donuts on our way to school so he could share them with his class.

Bday boy!

I was just remembering how 7yrs ago, at this time, B and I went to the hospital thinking I was having M. We got sent home and then right after we got home, my water broke and we went back to the hospital and had him hours later. I was remembering how on the way to the hospital that my thought was "I want my mom". And my husband said, "then call her" even though it was 1am. That is definitely a person you can call at 1am. I still remember his birth and them handing him to me and being so thankful. And now he is going to be 7. I am so proud to be his mom. He is asleep in B's and my bed. And in the morning we will go get donuts to take to his classmates at school so they can celebrate his birth!

(this picture is from his 2nd bday party)

Anniversary

Saturday B and I celebrated our anniversary at Bonefish Grille which is yummy! Then we played pool at our hotel restaurant/sportsbar and when they announced our annivesary we even danced a couple slow songs. Great night!

B

I am so proud of B today for knowing all of this letters now (age 4) and he wrote them all for the first time today.

Super M to the rescue!!!

Last night on the way home from church we were listening to the christian station and the lady on there asked the audience what superpower they would pick if they could be a superhero. Of course, M picked up on this and started a big conversation on it. He asked me what I would pick and I said "healing", he picked, "flying" and B didn't feel like playing. M said he'd love to fly so today he tells me (out of the blue) that he wants to change it to "stopping time". Then he proceeds to sy that if he could stop time that he could stop people from drowning because he'd get there and when they started to drown he would stop time and save them. Then he'd help the police catch criminals but stopping time, handcuffing them, starting time and they'd be in handcuffs with the cops holding them. I LOVE his imagination and the fact that he thought of such good things to do with his superpower!

Sweet

At church tonight I was talking to a friend and M was looking around and saw his bible teacher he use to have on Wed nights when he was 5. So he asked me if he could go say hi to her. Of course I said yes and he went across the church to talk to her for 5min! Sweet boy!

Gorgeous Fall Day!

The kids were out of school today so Laura and I took them (and Donnie's daughter) to play at the park. We played baseball (and I do not exaggerate when I say I threw 100 balls to B), the kids ran on the real football field there (we pretended we had a ball and then when that got old we used the plastic bat as the ball), did tire swing, slides, took a discovery walk, had picnic, played in the leaves, etc....What a gorgeous day it was too! Then I took the boys (and Ainsley) to piano lessons and realized I didn't have my glove I have had since I was 9! So I let the two big kids go into piano and B and I ran back to the park to look for it. I was so distressed because we found the plastic bat and baseball scattered in different places around the picnic tables but we couldn't find me glove. So I prayed that we could find it and these two kids rode by on their scooters so out of desperation I asked if they had seen a baseball glove (imagining I'd have to say this to 40kids) and they excitedly said yes and ran over to the playground and found it for me! Oh I can't express how happy I was to find my glove. I kept telling B that I had that since I was 9 and he kept saying 19????

Ball

This boy loves to throw a football and a baseball. He would do it every day if possible. He hits like a natural. Even his stance was never taught to him. He is constantly throwing balls up in the air and catching them. "Watch me mom." 10 x's in a row.

A 6yr olds imagination

I was putting the boys to bed (Halloween) and M starts telling me that their is such thing as "dreamies". Apparently they are "little me's" that we all have. He tells me that they come out when we are sleeping and go to buffets. Also he says, "It is very rare for them to actually talk to you. I have never had one talk to me. And when they get crabby they have wars."

October

Busy day yesterday helping at M's school for Octoberfest and then had dinner with girlfriends last night (after cooking for family). I love Mexican food! Yum! B had Donnie and Ainsley over and they all had a fire going when I got home. Today I took the boys to a Halloween party this morning and then B and I took them to a bday Halloween party tonight. Is it bad I am ready for bed at 8! LOL!

What day is it????

Do you ever wonder where your day went? That would be my "today". I have so many of those days. I woke up and poor B had burned his finger on the fire last night while roasting marshmellows last night and it was a HUGE blister almost the size of his whole finger today. He was not in the mood to go to school even though he had a Halloween party. So he stayed home with me which meant my day got rearranged quickly! LOL! Did laundry, cleaned house, called my work accountant, called my boss (dealing with refinancing our house ugh!) finished planning M's Octoberfest at school tomorrow thru emails with parents, fed B, then went to vacuum out my car, picked up clothes for B that friend gave us, picked M up from school (and friend), went to park, went home, went to parent teacher conference, came home to eat quick dinner (and I mean quick!), went to M's last baseball game, came home around 830, gave kids bath, snack, bed, more laundry.....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Oh sorry, still have to finish laundry before going to help at M's school tomorrow! But my kids are sooooo worth it!
: )

Dress up

My kids love costumes. They have a whole bin or two filled with costumes. Fireman, Batman, pirate, cook, Star Wars, etc....I did a whole scrapbook 2page layout of them in their costumes because it was so darn cute! They just get inspired sometimes and come running down the stairs in costumes.

Library

Today I was thinking how lucky we all are to have a public library! I went today and borrowed a book for me and 6 for the kids. For free.....I mean where else can you borrow something ? And what is left in the world that is free anymore? I also was thinking how great it has been to be able to take my kids there all of these years for storytime, meet the fireman, festivals, see the toothfairy, etc.

Thankful

Every day I thank God for my children, husband, family.

I love M's deep laugh when he is really tickled.

I love how B will say , "love you mom" and when I say, "love you too", he will again say "love YOU too". (just for no reason out of the blue)

I love how I can sit on couch and M come up to me and cuddle against me.

M's week

So tonight I am cutting 43 toilet paper rolls and 80 half circles and making them into triangles to go on top of the paper rolls that go on top of the castles M's class is making at their Octoberfest party. (did you get all of that???? LOL!) So I ask my hubby to help cut since it is taking so long and he does. Oh, so thankful am I! Now he is glueing the paper bag onto the shoe box for the base of the castle. Fun! (Now I just need to get 37more toilet paper rolls cut this week and we are off to castle dreamland!) What a fun week for M. He gets to make BIG puppets on Tuesday (I know because I cut them out last week and then taped them to clothes hangers I stretched out) and the kids come up with their own group play to put on at the Octoberfest party! Can't wait to see that! The things they use to decorate them are awesome. And can you imagine them getting in a group and coming up with their own play? : ) Where do the teachers come up with such wonderful creative ideas!!!! I will take lots of pics at the party for everyone! LOL!

cousin weekend

We have the boys' cousin with us this weekend. This is what we have done since he got here Friday. Pumpkin patch, pizza, carved pumpkin with Uncle B, watched the movie "Where the Red Fern grows".

Saturday....Sam Davis Home....so beautiful this time of yr. Check out my pics on facebook if you haven't yet. (for those of you without facebook, hopefully i remembered to email them to you!)Then on to trick or treat at the park, then church, then retirement community. You should see the stash of candy each child got! Too be a kid again.....

Thankful

I am thankful for food, shelter, and family. M says this all the time!

Read

I love that M likes to read. He finished a whole book tonight. It reminds me of me. When we moved to KY when I was in 4th grade and didn't have any friends that summer yet, I would read and read and read. It became a new love of mine. I shared this story with M which I love to share stories of when I was a kid with him. He is reading 2nd grade level (half way thru 2nd grade) wow! Hope he hangs on to that love!

Favorite sayings/words of the boys

B's favorite sayings:
"When will we wake up?" "Mom, I love you."
"When are we leaving?" "Where are we going next?"
"Can I have a snack?" "You'll pick me up at 2 right?"

M's favorites:
"Mom"
"Pokemon, Pokemon, Pokemon"

These are a few of their favorite things. I have that song in my head now. I was thinking that I hear these things ALOT during the day (and I do not exaggerate this) and it made me laugh. So figured I'd write them down so in 20yrs I can look back on it and laugh.

What do you mean a locked door means stay out?

I went to take a shower tonight so I locked the door to my room. My problem solving smart 6 yr old son comes into the bathroom (after coming in thru the other door to my room via the other bathroom) and says , "Mom, why did you lock the door?" : )

Levetating (which I am probably misspelling)

Today I took the kids to the park after I worked and they got out of school. M kept talking about how he could levitate something. He learned this from a friend at school. Talking and talking about it and showing me but I wasn't seeing anything. So the kids are playing at the park and my friend and I are walking our 30min walk and I see the craziest thing....there is a leaf hanging like it is levetating from the tree. I mean seriously it looks like it is just floating there. So I get closer and it is hanging in the air by a spider web. So I put my hands under it and I yell for the kids to come see me levetating this leaf. So they come running and they are freaking out wondering how I am doing it. To make it funnier the wind is moving the spider web around so it is spinning the leaf midair. And they are yelling , "how are you doing that?" And my friend is just playing right along with it untill my curiously smart son gets close enough to see how I am doing it and sees the spider web hanging like a string and he says, "I see the string! I knew you weren't really doing it!"

Smells

Tonight I was cooking tuna casserole. It reminded me of my Grandma W. She always made that when we came to visit her. I shared that memory with my sons. Funny how food, smells, sounds, can remind you of someone. There is a certain perfume that I have smelled before and thought of her. (when working on a patient) And I always think of her when I smell the yellow Listerine. (the original) I hope someday that my sons think of me when they smell something nice.

Technology

I was just sitting here typing about how I appreciate computers. How they have changed people's lives so much. And when I got to the bottom of the page, I hit something accidentally which highlighted what I wrote and by one press of a button, I just deleted the whole thing. Funny that I have never done that while blogging but when I was blogging about computers is when I did it! Anyway, to sum up what I was saying.....technology has come a long way from (when I was young) Encyclopedias and libraries to (now) googling anything you need to know. From taking typing (when I was in highschool) to now taking computer classes when you start kindergarten. From mailing a letter and losing contact with a friend, to finding a friend you knew as a child just by getting on the computer. Wow. I better save this before I accidentally delete it again! LOL!

Suprise!

So I am upstairs tonight downloading the pictures from M's play he had at school today. (I got to go to that, eat lunch with him and help at his school all day) His Daddy is at a friends house playing darts. So I go downstairs and find M asleep and B in MY bed with lights ON and playing the DS.

Books

I am loving this book I am reading right now. Books are such a great thing to be thankful for!

Loving fall

I love the fall with my kids. I love to play in the leaves with them, to run around at the Sam Davis Home. I love the weather, the colors of the trees, the fact the bugs go away! LOL! I love the pumpkin patches, and I mean I love them. I take the kids to 2 or 3 every fall. I love sitting outside while they ride their bikes, taking walks, baseball games, roasting marshmellows, campfires and trick or treating. And when I say trick or treating I mean we trick or treat 2 or 3times. Atleast once in the neighborhood and once at church and the retirement community. Not to mention if there is a Halloween event I can take them to(which can be fitted into our busy schedule)! How I love October. How I love my kids.

Heaven

I was sitting on a bench watching the kids play in the corn at the pumpkin patch when I looked over and saw this beautiful sky. I told the kids to run over and stand there because I wanted a picture of the sky looking like heaven. So suprisingly they run over and pose like this and then after I took it, Michael runs to me and says, "Mom let me see the heaven shot you took."

Good Luck charm

Michael's team has only lost one game so far this season. So last night on the way to his game he said, "Wow, Mom we have only lost one game!" And I said, "yeah, and that happened to be the only game that you haven't been too!" (he was in GA) And he says, "I must be their good luck charm then!"

Thankful for my crockpot

I love my crockpot. It makes life so much easier when you know you can come home to a cooked meal that you threw in the crockpot that morning. I really need another one too because at our cookouts it is always nice to have two and I end up having to borrow one when we make chili for alot of people or something. It keeps you from having to use the oven for your sides too. Poor B needed the oven when he was making his ribs the other day but I had my hashbrown casserole in there. If I had two crockpots then I couldve made that in there too since my macandcheese needed the crockpot too.

Friends

We had friends here last night so I didn't write my blog out of "tiredness". That sounds better then forgetfullness from tiredness. But we had the best time and enjoyed the fact that they have kids the same age as ours. It is a shame they live far away. B made ribs, chicken and hotdogs. You know he can never just cook one thing. I made the best mac and cheese in crockpot ever! And my famous hashbrown casserole. Then I forgot to set out the carrot cake! Which is not good because now I have 3/4 of it left! The girls at work will be excited come Monday!

Dinner

The boys and Iwent to the park this afternoon with our friends. What a gorgeous day! Made potatoe soup in crockpot with salad and a carrot cake. The boys each have to have a veggie their dad says with each meal so we told them they could pick what it was. M said lettuce and B said carrots. M ate the soup and bread with his veggie but B wouldn't even try the soup. So stubborn! So he ate a bunch of carrots. So M had two pieces of carrot cake. I put pineapple in it. Grandma P would have loved it!

Fall Break

The boys and I had a great time visting with family over Fall Break in East TN. We got to stay in a hotel, the boys got to swim (top priority for them at all hotels), go to Wonderworks which is an upside down mansion that got thrown by a tornado so the story goes. A scientist was doing many experiments inside which we got to experience. The boys had a great time and as usual they make me feel like a kid again! And to share it with their Grandparents and cousin made it even better! A couple dinners with the extended family and off to home again. It went by too quick but coming home to play baseball with Dad made it easier to come home!

The Boys Thankfulness

Last night I couldn't get the computer to cooperate with me so I wasn't able to blog. Tonight I am going to do this different since I have the kids here.....

3 Things Michael is thankful for:
1. Family
2. Food
3. Shelter

3 Things Blake is thankful for:
1. Daddy, Jimbo, you and Michael, Pawpa and Meemaw (Pawpa and Meemaw is sick so I pray for them) Family....
2. candy, cake, Mommies food she cooks
3. birthday parties

Bangs

At school, M had to do a project where he wrote "How I've Changed" (since being a baby).

He wrote:

1. I have made new friends

2. I like new stuf

3. I know how to talk

4. I grue bangs

SOOOO funny. He is very proud of his bangs.

Bday

M is putting together his bday invitation list. It really cracks me up to hear him tell me who to invite. I had a bday party in the 4th grade at the skating rink. I remember being so excited to invite my friends. This is the first one I have let him tell me the guest list. He's getting so big. I got a deal on the party that I am excited about. I saved $100 by buying the party early thru the Christian radio station. I had always told M he couldnt have a party there since they are so expensive so I was really excited to tell him he was going to have one there!

Civil War

It is amazing how excited kids get about shooting a gun. Girls and boys all ran to get in line to be able to pretend shoot and be a member of the military in the Civil War on the field trip yesterday. Of course I brought up gun safety again for the 1000th time to M.

Busy Day

Busy day.....exercised, field trip with M, work party, baseball game. I am exhausted. But looking at this picture makes me smile. That is what I get exhuasted for! : )

Love

Today I am thankful for love. The kind of love that looks at you blindly. (meaning you look good no matter what!) The kind of love that loves you unconditionally (even when you mess up!) The kind that puts you first over anything else. And the kind that holds your hand and tells you you're loved just for no reason other then....you are loved.

Fall

I am thankful for Fall finally! And the things I have to look forward doing with my kids this fall! Crisp air, pretty leaves to jump in, pumpkin patches, etc....

My Sunday

Today I am thankful for my church.
I am thankful for Laura who makes me walk. And what a beautful day it was to walk on the Greenway today!
I am thankful for my father in law taking the kids for a while today so I could sit on the couch which is always a treat!
I am thankful for my husband for painting around the garage door and mowing the lawn.

Homerun

Michael got his 2nd homerun today. It was another one of those "oops, they threw it over the base " ones but we will take it! He was booking it around the bases.

Thankful

Tonight I am thankful for:
campfires,
marshmellows,
cameras,
glowy things,
Jets pizza,
and memories.....

Trouble

"Mom, tomorrow I am going to put 'school' in the big part of my brain and move 'Pokemon' to the little part of my brain so I can concentrate on not getting in trouble at school (for not listening). "Then when I get home from school I will put the 'Pokemon' back in the big part of my brain and school in the 'little' part of my brain again. This from a 6yr old....

Song

I am thinking happy thoughts about my sis being a mommy. She will be such a good mommy and Dempsey will be such a good Daddy.....I sound like I am writing a song.....hehe!

FALL

Bring on Fall! I am ready! I love to take the kids to pumpkin patches, playing in the fall leaves, making pumpkin spice cake with them, etc.....90's need to GO AWAY! I am ready!

Homework

"Excuse me just a second, I have to go find my Pokemon cards," Michael just said to his friend on the phone that is in his class. We were sitting down to do his homework and he had written that he was supposed to do a worksheet and it wasn't in the folder so he was calling his friend in his class to see if the teacher had changed the assignment while he was in the bathroom. (this is what he is telling me) So i give him my friends cell phone number so he can call her son (who is in his class) to get directions on his homework. I am telling him, "Dont forget your manners when talking to his mom when she answers the phone." Because the first time he called them in the past, he just assumed she knew who he was when he called. (and she had no idea what he was talking about or who he was calling for etc.) So now 15min later he is still using his manners on the phone with his friend while they discuss all of their Pokemon cards. We may get to the homework sometime tonight! LOL!

My job

I have said this before but am saying it again, "I lived my whole life to be a MOM to my kids." I feel like that is my greatest accomplishment, job I was put on this earth to do, greatest joy, greatest test, greatest honor. I always thank God for my family. The fact that I ended up with the husband I have and the kids I have. The fact that my family is all healthy. I am thankful for my relationships as daughter, friend, sister, wife, mom, daughter in law, aunt, etc.....I look at the joy in this child's face when I am at his school and I KNOW that what I am doing is right. I know that the sacrifices we make are what we are supposed to do. Our relationships are what lasts. Not the cars, not the clothes, etc. And as my kids ask me from the living room where they just finished Uno with their Dad, "Mom PLEASE come play Uno with us", I HAVE to say yes! : )

cute

Blake tells me alot lately, "Mom, I love you" so I reply with ,"I love you too sweetie" and then he will say , "I love YOU too!" He's so darn cute!

Lucky

Michael told me , "Today was the BEST day, mom". I went to his class today and read a couple of books. The kids sat at my feet so attentively! Then I had lunch with M and got to meet his new friends. Some of the kids fought over who would sit by me, meanwhile M hung on to me. Hugs all around from the kids I knew from last year. Such sweet kids! Then I helped in his class till they went to Spanish. I went with them so I could get a pic of them in their spanish class. Afterwards I went back and picked up the class to take them to the gym where their teacher suprised them and the whole school by dressing up in costumes and dancing around. Michael leaned his head against me the whole show. Then off to the end of the day of school and on to the carnival . What a fun day! I felt so lucky to be able to share this with M.

Ball

Michael got the game ball tonight. The look on his face when they gave it to him was priceless. He looked shocked and he was finally caught without words! He plays on a very good team and is the youngest on the team. They even have travel team players on there. But tonight he had a single, double, triple, 3RBI's and 2 balls hit to him that he fielded and threw in. So the coach's (and we) were proud of how he played tonight!

MP3

Michael has me listening to the song "Boondocks" by Little Big Town. His Grandma J gave him and B a MP3 player that she doesn't use anymore. They love it! They are cracking me up with it. Michael keeps wanting to tell me how to use it, etc...Now B just came over and is teaching me how to use his too. I wish you could see the proud look on his face.

M's Funny story

At school today, M's Spanish teacher was telling the class how she has a hole in her heart and how she was going to the doctor tomorrow. So apparently she asked the class to raise their hand if they had ever had something sad happen. M says to the class, "When I was born I was all bruised up because I was hard to get out of mommy's tummy. The doctor said I almost died." So his teacher and his classmates all told him that he was "one of the lucky ones" and he keeps telling me that now! LOL!

Cuties

Aren't they the cutest thing? This picture makes me smile so I am posting it. My thought for the day is about M. When we got home and he was doing his homework I always have to check it to make sure it is right. I had to laugh at the end of his work where it says : She had 4 roses and she gave 2 away , how many did she have left? Of course he put there were 2 left but the last question made me laugh when it asked him how he came to that answer. He put "I counted them". Short and simple and to the point.

Water

This picture cracks me up! B was playing in the water inside at the Center and got SOAKED! Luckily it was a hot day and he dried pretty quick but Christie and I got a kick out of him. There is not usually this much water that comes out of it but he managed , to his amusement, to figure out how to get the water out!

LOVE

One of my sweet boys! What will I do when he won't sit in my lap anymore? What will I do when he won't cuddle with me anymore?

friends

B was so cute tonight with Ava. He wanted her to sleep in M's bed since he is out of town with Dad. They played so good tonight. She wanted to sleep in M's bed too but got nervous and ended up in her moms bed. So B ended up in mine too. 3 and 4yrs old is such a cute age. He was so excited for her and her mom to come stay the weekend with us! We sure are lucky for them to be in our lives!

Baseball again

1st game of the 7-8yr old league. Wow, is it different! These kids can throw from third to first without batting an eye. And most can hit out to the outfield. M fielded every ball hit to him in right center which was a few. Threw them in. He told me when we got home that he liked playing outfield. I was glad to hear that since he has always played infield. Beautiful night and B was good too. He loves an icee and popcorn!

Grading

Michael was having a hard time with his homework tonight (nonaction verbs which I had to google the definition of since I was in 1st grade a long time ago!), so he was not wanting to do it. So I told him if he didn't do it, that his teacher would give him an F and he says, "Is that the worst grade you can get or is Z?"

Piano

1st piano lesson! He did good. He sat for 30min while M and I did homework.

Sleepy

I am thankful tonight that the kids went straight to sleep. They were worn out from their fun filled weekend at Mom's. Today they played on the swingset most of the day and we played baseball.

Top 10 list

Things I am thankful for today ....(not in any specific order)
1. Mexican food
2. Friends and family
3. Late night calls
4. Hugs and kisses
5. I love you's....
6. Affection showed
7. Memories
8. Soft beds
9. Computers
10. Texting

Thanks Friends!

Today I am thankful for friends. Because without them to talk to , how would you know you go thru the same things they do?

Takeover

My bed....you wouldn't know it would you?

Homework

B had his first night of homework. Brian said he was smiling and acted very proud telling his Daddy he had homework for the first time. This is great too because he has been telling me he doesn't want to go to kindergarten since they have so much homework!

Family

After the boys went to bed tonight, I overheard Blake say to Michael, "Do you know why I love you?" pause..... "Because we're family."

Tye Dye

I took the boys to tye dye shirts the other day.

Weekend

We had a great time visiting the family and seeing Christie and family. I feel very lucky! Then we returned to celebrate Frances 82nd bday with another side of the family. Great food and fun! This picture is sweet of Dawson reading last night to the boys.

Friends

SO happy to see Christie and family today. The boys just loved seeing Ava . The boys had her constantly giggling. M said when we were leaving ,"Mom she is the happiest person. She is always laughing." Wow. What a compliment! We could learn alot from a 4yr old!

Bangs

Michael had school pictures today and so at the beginning of the week I mentioned getting him a haircut and he said, "You can't cut my bangs because they look good long. Kinda like a rockstar."

Sweetie

Due to car trouble today and running late for baseball, my night was not going so well. But leave it to my 4yr old to give me some joy! He says to me for NO reason at all, "Mom, I love you more then my DS". And let me tell you, that is ALOT!

Funny story

Keep in mind as I tell you this story that I was very tired and went to bed with the kids at 9 last night. Anyway, the kids and I were running around last night , me cooking dinner, doing laundry, dishes etc and trying to get everyone out the door on time to go to the baseball game when Blake came in the room saying he had an accident and needed to change his clothes. So I tell him to go get some underwear on and i will get him some shorts. Well, for the 1st time ever he goes and put on new underwear and shorts. i am so busy i kinda forget that he actually changed himself. (because he isnt running around naked or in underwear) so we run out the door and get the the baseball park and i finally sit down to breathe (we were running late and my car light was coming on saying my car was going to overheat so i was stressed) . so we sit on the bleachers and i look at my 4yr old and realize that his shorts are red and they dont match his orange and blue shirt. so i think oh my , my child doesn't match, how did that happen?. but what can u do at this point right? so half way thru the game he has to go to the bathroom and i take him and when he pulls his pants down his underwear is on BACKWARDS......all i can say in my defense is....he did change himself and learned some independence! LOL!

Funny story

Michael had his first scrimmage game with his new team tonight. He played right center. At one point during the game, it got really quiet and Blake was sitting next to me and very loudly (for absolutely no reason at all) says matter of factly "Mommy, you are older then Daddy". And then he continues to play with his truck on the bleachers.....

Funny

When M's dad is working late or out of town, M always checks all the locks on the doors and then will come and ask me if I checked them. (as if he didn't already! LOL)

I was playing with my camera last night and found this setting called "old time photos". Thought it looked cool.

Blake went to children's church for first time today. I sat in the back while he sat next to brother. I actually learned probably as much as they did today. It was very good! B told me that he would go by himself next Sunday! Wow, What a big boy he is getting to be.

1st sleep over

M spent the night with his buddy from school last night. He had a big time. They are all into Pokemon and the DS. The boys mom said all they talked about was Pokemon. She had to have them sit on the other side of the bleachers because they wouldnt quit talking about it and they were so loud and excited! (at the older brothers game) LOL!

Water

It's funny how water is so relaxing. Whether it is a lake, river, ocean, or a bathtub. They all are relaxing. When I think of water I think of happy thoughts. When the kids are in a wild and crazy out of control mood, I put them in the bathtub. It usually calms them down.

Mom

Some how a little frog ended up standing in the middle of my kitchen. It is lucky I didn't step on it. (and yes, the thought DID run thru my mind to take a picture of it since it was so funny sitting there but I didn't) I tried to get the boys to pick it up and put it outside but they refused. I figure that is why God gave me boys was to take care of stuff like that and bugs but apparently not! So here I am trying to chase this thing out the back door with two paper plates. (who knows where I get these ideas) Michael finally decides this looks like fun and takes a plate and we manage to chase it around half the kitchen before we finally get it out the door. But the little frog does finally get the hint and leaves. All in the day of being a mom.....

Ball

My handsome boy. He's getting so big! He starts baseball tomorrow again.

School

I found these vanilla cookies in the shape of alphabet letters that Blake and I practiced learning his letters with. He is getting really good at them. We have been thru so many workbooks and my sweet friend Penny passed on some more workbooks that she isn't using anymore now that hers kids are older. One of them is Hooked On Phonics which he likes. It kinda makes learning into a game. Michael is always telling stories to me about school and today he was talking about their discipline system at school and when he quit talking Blake started talking about his discipline program at his school and he was just grinning from ear to ear telling it like he was so proud that he could tell a similar story! He was so cute!

Garden

I really don't brag about my cooking hardly ever but my hubby was impressed with my pasta carbonara I made last night. Tonight we are having the leftovers with a tomato salad I made with the tomatoes Brian has grown in our garden. I also have a chocolate banana pie in the fridge I made. First time to make either so I have my fingers crossed. The neat thing is that Brian was able to also go in our backyard and pick the green onions that went on top of the pasta carbonara. I wish he could have a giant garden. He is so good at that kind of stuff.

School

Brian took this cute pic of B on his 1st day of school.

Back to school

Our first week of school is over! I invited Michael's kindergarten class from last year to a "Back to school party play date" at the jumpy place near us. The kids had a blast and the moms enjoyed chatting.

Bragging about hubby

I am thankful that my husband knows how to fix things! He just fixed our a/c, thank goodness or we'd be sleeping upstairs tonight. And I am thankful he takes care of my car for me!!!!

Update on school

B had the first two days of school where there wasn't any crying. Then the last two he cried. Apparently the newness is over already! His teacher said that he has the hardest time first thing in the morning but then is fine. She said he asks her constantly all day when he will be picked up by mommy or daddy. I've decided I wouldn't want her job! LOL!

Pokemon

On the way home from church, M was talking nonstop about Pokemon for 15 straight minutes. Then all of a sudden the conversation turns to heaven. So for 10minutes he is asking me all of these questions and I am trying really hard to answer them and then he says, "you know you have to face alot of different people and go to different levels". And I say, "huh??? Are we still talking about heaven?" and he says, "No, I am talking about Pokemon Mom". Sometimes I can't keep up!

My tough boy

Blake kept telling me today (and last night) that he didn't want to go to school today. He wanted to stay home with me. So I told him I was going to be doing all the things he doesn't like to do, like grocery shop, go to bank, etc.....while he got to play with his friends. He said he didn't care. He still wanted to stay with me. So I wrote on his hand I (heart) you! with permanent marker and then wrote it on my hand and told him when he was sad (he kept saying he was going to be sad without me, all the way to the door of his room) that he could look at his hand and it would make him feel better . I told him even though we might be sad that we had to be tough too. So he went into his class room and had another good day, halleluhia! So when school was over and we went to pick up Michael from school, Blake told him that he was "tougher" then Michael! LOL! Not sure where that came from but I still had to stifle a smile!

Proud Mama

I am so happy to say that B was smiling when I went to pick him up from school today! Brian said he looked so sad when he got dropped off but he never cried. When I asked him how his day went he said, "good"!!!! Wow! My big boy is growing up! Tomorrow I take him, so that will be a big test too but I am so relieved he liked school today!

School bus

The boys and I have a tradition where we decorate the kitchen and we make a sweet treat for a private (usually me and the boys) "back to school party". This will be our 4th year. We have made a pencil cake, chalkboard cupcakes, and school bus cupcakes. This year we made school bus cakes. Our friends Ainsley and Jayme joined us this year for our tradition.

School

This picture is of M meeting his teacher last Wed. and getting to see his new classroom. This is his new desk. He is really excited about starting. He told me he can't wait. B on the other hand has been telling me he isn't going. But we had a great night Wed at church bible class. He actually went in without a problem and his teacher said he was her big helper! So hopefully we will have a great first week at his school. Brian will be taking them and I will pick them up. I can't believe how big the boys are getting. Honestly it makes me sad how fast the time seems to go. But I am proud of them for their accomplishments too. We are all set. New lunchboxes and shoes, backpacks packed to go and haircuts. I just vacuumed the car out and am washing their carseat covers.

Hod day

What a hot summer! Today it cooled off to 90 ! Sad, when 90 is cool! LOL! We went to the zoo with friends today (the boys and I), and had a good time but I think I sweat off a few pounds. By the end of the day, the kids were all eating the icecubes out of the cooler. They love to ride the carousel so I let them do that a couple times. We finally got to see a show. As many times as we've been there we had never done that. It was on birds. They thought that was pretty neat since the birds would fly past us. We had a picnic. School begins on Monday. 3days to go.

Planting seeds

Michael just came up to me and said, "Mom have we gotten in trouble yet today?" (It's 10am LOL) So I tell him no. And he says to me that he's been trying really hard to be nice to B. He says he looked at a picture of them together (that is framed in their room) and it reminded him of when they use to not fight as much. He said he's been feeling mad today at B but he makes it go away because , "you shouldn't let someone steal your joy". (which is what i have always told him) He says, "I want to be nice to B like in the days when I was sweet to him. " (I told him the other day that they need to quit fighting because when they were younger they use to get along much better and they were always sweeter to each other.) So I hug him and tell him I am proud of him . I guess sometimes the seeds you plant in your children's minds do grow! : )

I just heard Blake say to M, "I'm being nice aren't I Mike?" (as they play Pokemon)

Today

I took M to meet his teacher this morning. He was really excited to see all his friends. I really liked his teacher. I decided to be class mom again. M kept saying he was so happy and thank you mom for being class mom. His big boy desk (they have separate desks now, not tables they share) is right in the front row. He sits by a girl from his class last year that is rather shy and a boy that he doesn't know so that is a good fit for him! He told his Daddy that he shouldn't have to move his star for talking since he probably won't talk much to them! LOL ! M said he really liked his teacher and his classroom.

Picture

My sister took this picture the other day at work! He looked so handsome I had to post it!