Where did my little sleeper go???

Wow, am I tired!!!

No complaints, just facts.

My sweet little girl that seemed to love a good night's rest has taken a sabbatical!! For over a month now Erin Hope has been up EVERY night!! And some nights she has had me up for hours. Last night I was up with her for 3 solid hours.

This is the little girl that at 2-months-old was sleeping soundly all-night-long consistently. But, since her 5-month birthday she has regressed and worn her mommy out!!!

I asked her yesterday if her brothers had given her instructions on how to torture mommy. Andy said: "What is destructions?" He wasn't a good consistent all-night-sleeper until about 7 or 8 months ago!!! And these days he is up and in the bed with us around 6am every day!!!

So, if you are wondering, where all my posts are in this month of Thanksgiving---think of me taking a nap every single chance I can!!!! No posts in my sleep! Remember this job of mothering full-time it means 24-hours a day!!















Adam says she is way too cute to be mad at!! Yeah, I know, he is right!!! I also know how thankful I am for my 3 children sleep or not!!!

"Thanks Mommy."

"Thanks Mommy." That is what Nate said when he gave me a bouquet of flowers for HIS birthday. (his daddy is teaching him right)

It is so hard for me to believe that I became a mommy for the very first time 6 years ago!! Nathaniel Luke was born at 8:04pm and weighed 6lbs 2oz and was 21 inches long.

Nate has grown SO much in his short little life and I have enjoyed every moment with him. It is such a fun experience to watch your children grow. And to see their little (or BIG) personalities emerge.

Nate is all boy and loves sports. He told me some time ago that his favorite sport is whatever season it is. Which seems to be pretty true. Although he does seem to favor football and baseball. I actually think he favors them because of the neat equipment that comes with these games. Basketball just doesn't have enough of that.

He also really likes animals and says he loves dogs. But, it is funny...he doesn't always love Kobie so much. I guess, like his daddy, he loves dogs mostly from a distance.

Nate is a tender-hearted little guy. He has a sweet affection for his mommy and now his little sister.

I enjoy my little boy and I am so thankful for him every day...but especially on his birthday.

And, of course, the real thanks goes to the ONE who created my perfect little guy.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above." James 1:17

Such a Thoughtful Big Brother

Erin Hope is over 5-months old now. And my sweet and plump little baby is growing fast and newly waking every night to be fed. So, last night she got her first spoon-fed meal. And we have it all step-by-step in pictures. Andy joined in the fun and told me he was going to feed her. Of course I knew he wasn't, and of course he knew that he WAS going to feed her. And he wasn't concerned with my concern at all!!! So, I had to come up with a plan to get his mind on something else. I gave him the job of taking pictures. (Thank heaven for digital cameras) And he did take pictures. The whole time she ate he snapped shots of her. One or two good ones, but mostly just pictures taken by a 3-year-old. When Adam asked him when he was going to stop he said: "When she is finished with her food." (of course Daddy!!) And that is exactly what he did. He took 42 pictures of Erin Hope eating her first spoon-fed meal. Yes, 42.

I am glad he got to help. And I am also glad that he loves his little sister!! She sure loves him too!!

I thought I would share a couple of his pictures with you. (do note the pictures at the first of this post were taken by me.)

A Perfect Party for a Boy

Nate's 6th birthday is next week and he requested a party. We have had some sort of party for him every year. But, more than once we have chosen to stick with the party with family...and he doesn't mind. I figured why spend all of that time and money when he doesn't really care one way or the other, right?

But, anyway, this year (like in August) he said he wanted to have a football party! And he even told us who he wanted to invite. So, on Saturday, Adam spray-painted football lines on our back yard. And we had some of Nate's friends over for "tailgating" and football. It was the perfect fall day for football and I do believe that everyone had a nice time!! Nate's friend Charlie even said it was the "best party he had ever been too!" (Thanks for the compliment Charlie!!)

After some good ole' hot dogs, a yummy cookie cake and a game of football, Nate told me that he sure was thankful for his football party! And his mommy and daddy can't take any credit for it, because it was all his idea!! Well, at least not all the credit!!

And the Next President is...

I voted today. And I am glad it is over. Now every time the phone rings I want to say: (to that prerecorded message) SORRY, it is too late, I have already voted. Yes, I am nervous about what will happen on Tuesday. But other than the power of prayer I am through with this election. Thankfully I am not the ONE on the THRONE! And regardless of what happens on Tuesday, He will still be THERE on HIS THRONE!! And it is terribly comforting to know that He won't be surprised at Tuesday's outcome!!!

Now, Here is a new choice for you...Little Andy.
He makes an excellent candidate. He is cute and charming. And he LOVES to be the boss. He is a GREAT negotiator and he has picked up the habit of saying PLEASE a lot these days. You know, "Please, mommy, PLEASSSEEE? Please, Please, Please?"

Don't count this dude out. At least he thinks he is President in our house!!

Birthday Greetings from the DOG!!

Well, yesterday was my birthday. And I am thankful for birthdays. Even ones like yesterday.

My dog, Kobie, started it all off right. With poo in his cage over night. So, I was awakened (by Adam) to a desperate little dog needing a bath (badly) and a crate needing a hose!! Thankfully, my dear husband took care of the crate part. Andy tried to take care of the bath part for me, but Kobie smelled too bad! So, he left me there to do it all by myself.

I guess Kobie felt like making me a present?! Too bad he didn't just leave it in the yard.

Thanks Kobie for the birthday wishes!!

All Because A Boy and Girl Fell in Love

Today is our 8th wedding anniversary. It is hard to believe. Time really does fly when you are having fun!

The funny thing is: 9 years ago, I didn't even know Adam. We met in January of 2000 and he quickly swept me off of my feet. I think a lot of our friends and family were quite surprised at just how quickly our courtship and engagement went. To be honest, I was a little surprised too...but NEVER doubtful!!

Adam couldn't be any more perfect for me. I know that God gave him to me as a special gift! One I didn't deserve, but prayed HARD for! And I am thankful for him every day. All our days together haven't been easy, but they have still been perfect! I have been asked more than once if he has any brothers. Just sons. And I pray that they will grow to be men like their daddy. I also pray that his daughter will be blessed to marry a man like him.

He took the day off of work to spend the day with me. So, after I use my new vacuum (previous post)I am going to enjoy him being home!! (I actually only get to use my vacuum because he is home...Erin Hope doesn't like it-and she cries unless he holds her while I vacuum.)


Happy Anniversary Adam! I love you more and more every day!!!