Busy, Busy.

Life is BUSY! But, not the bad kind of busy. The abundant kind! So that is why there has been a great lack of posting in the past month.

But, here is a quick synopsis of what the last month has looked like!!

After Nate turned 7 he lost both of his front teeth! And he looks adorable. I haven't ever seen teeth hold on like his do. The first top one he pulled while he was at school. YES, he pulled it! And finally as the second one held on with one little thread, he allowed his daddy to pull it out!!

This was the rotation year to spend Thanksgiving at my family's house. So we spent almost a week in Granite Falls. We did have to cut the trip short to come back for the finale of the NC State football season. It was my first actual game of the season. I did tailgate with the family once or twice before this year, but I actually went into the stadium to see the Wolfpack's win!! (thanks to Mimi for keeping the baby!)

My dollbaby was a little surprised at the big win, especially since she wasn't invited! (this is her surprised face---she has learned a few new tricks!)

She is now 18-months-old and is as busy as a beaver! Moving all the time and into everything! She puts her brothers to shame. She loves to RUN and climb and investigate. She does still love "babies" and girly stuff, but she is too busy for much of that! At least I get to dress her in pink as she runs from me! Just this weekend she told me "No" for the first time. So, here it goes with her! Another strong-willed child! Pray for me! They REALLY out-number us now!! And they are all much more determined than their mommy! But, Miss Priss is enjoying the season of Christmas. She loves the tree and all of its ornaments. And she frequently brings them to us. So far she doesn't get that we don't want her to touch it!!

My little middle man is good too. He also bounces around like a pin-ball! But at least now he does that at preschool 3 mornings a week. He is always saying something cute! At preschool the other day they had chapel. The pastor there was speaking to them about Gideon. And Andy said out loud: "I know him, he is in my Bible." I think his teachers enjoyed it! And I think they enjoy having him in their class!

We are ready for CHRISTmas and celebrating the birth of our Savior! Emotionally ready that is. Still working on the physical readiness! But, despite how ready we might be, Christmas is coming. And the paper chain-link count-down began at our house tonight!! I am hoping that as we continue to prepare our home for Christmas that we will prepare our hearts for a celebration of JESUS! Because that is what it is all about!

I hope I get to post again before Christmas, but I am not making any promises!

7

Seven years ago today I became a mommy! My precious first-born son was born on this day. It is so hard for me to believe that he is 7. I have learned a lot about mothering in 7 years. And I know I have a LOT more yet to learn.

On behalf of Nate's 7th year, I am going to share 7 things about my little boy.

1. Nate likes to take things slow. He was slow to nurse. (6 months later) Slow to warm-up to anyone but me. Slow to like school. Slow to like dogs. He likes to ease into things. And once he does, all is well!!

2. He is ALL-boy, ALL the time. The rougher the play the better. And the more he falls down when he is playing the more boy-like he feels! I have cleaned more grass-stains than I ever dreamed.

3. In line with being all-boy, he is a little guy after his dad's heart. I haven't ever known a child his age to be as knowledgeable about sports as he is. He loves sports and it THRILLS his daddy. He will even sit and watch games with Adam. Usually not to completion though, because he would rather be playing a game than watching one any day!!

4. He is a homebody. This little guy enjoys being home. Especially at night. And he has even told me that when he grows up and moves out he will come to see me every day. (yes, I know the difference between fantasy and reality)

5. He enjoys learning. And is doing wonderfully in school.

6. He is a perfectionist. He likes things to be just right. Even when he is playing his sports games...the more authentic the better.

7. Nate cares about trying to do what is right. And he thinks things through. Especially when he is at school.

Of course, I could tell you many more things about my son. But, the one last thing I will tell you won't come as any surprise. I love this guy. He is all I ever dreamed my first-born would be and more. And I am so thankful he is my little boy. I look forward to every day I have with him.

How do we Make Memories?

With LIZARDS!!



Yes, lizards. My boys and I have been playing a "gotcha last" type game with my mom for some months now. And the boys LOVE it. I started it on our trip to the lake this summer. I happened to pack a container of lizards for the kids to play with while we were there. (yes, it was just by chance--no pre-conceived intention at all) Real lizards love the lake...and it gave me an idea. I proceeded to hide a bunch of these cheap, plastic lizards all over the place so my mom would find them. Coffee pots, silverware drawer, her make-up bag, next to her toothbrush. And after a few days, the boys caught on and started playing along. These little characters love it and we have spent a lot of time coming up with new places and ways to get Nana!! And don't be fooled by my ever-sweet and genteel mother...she plays right along with us!!


Making memories is a part of life. Some memories are so much fun and some we would rather leave behind. My mom has tried to teach me that everything has memory-value. Even those things that do not seem fun at the moment. She has said to me in moments of complete disgust: "We are making memories." So, I strive to make as many happy memories with my kids as I possibly can. I am not always very good at it. Because I have found I am not very creative. But it doesn't take much. Sometimes all it takes is a little plastic lizard.


I will even stop here and share a very fond memory from my childhood/teenage years. All it took then was some oddly placed, cheap waterguns. My middle brother decided he was going to start something. Instead of screaming and hollering that the house was going to get drenched, my mom chose to join in! At the time there were only 4 of the 5 of us at home. My oldest brother must have already gone off to college. But the rest of us played water-gun-war in my house that day!!! It was simply a blast. I don't think it lasted a very long time. And I personally don't remember a huge mess. (but I probably wasn't the one that did much of the cleaning either) But the simple fact that my very orderly and good-housekeeping mom was able to let down her clean-house guard and have some real light-hearted fun with us was precious!!! And I will not ever forget it.


I hope that I will remember it enough that it will make a positive difference in my children's lives.

"Don't sweat the small stuff." And go out and make some sweet and fun memories with your children!!





And by the way, mama, we got you last!!!!

Thoughts from A Big Brother

I know I have spoken before about the challenges of sibling rivalry! I face this issue every day. Mostly, of course, between my boys. They (the boys) are still pretty enamored with their sister. And they LOVE to watch her grow and change. It is exciting to them to see the new things she is learning every day. It is fun to watch the three of them interact when there is peace involved!!

Earlier this week Nate and I were talking about his sister. Sometimes we have really neat conversations. But, I asked him what he would do if anyone (a boy) ever hurt his little sister. You know, like made her sad. And without a second thought he immediately said: "I would punch him in the face." It surprised me that he was so quick to answer with such violence!! And of course I told him that that probably wouldn't be the best reaction. But, wow! Still made me smile to think I won't ever have to worry much about my little girl. She has two big brothers that will come to her rescue in a flash! And as girl with two big brothers that is a refreshing thought. I don't think I was ever scared of much of anyone. I knew the "heavies" had my back! And I know I have told you before my brothers never have loved me as much as my boys do their sister!!

So for any of you future potential suitors for my daughter (or at least the parents of those suitors) BEWARE! Her brothers are watching!!!!

Have you ever...

Seen such a sight?

These dogs sure have it all figured out, don't they?!! And yes, they both rode there. This isn't just set up for the picture.

I will give it to the dog underneath. He is my dog and he is 12-years-old. So, he is old and we walked for over 3 and 1/2 miles.
Now, the little dog in the seat is NOT an old dog. Just lazy! (sorry mom!)

Talking to Jesus

My little man! Such a boy. I have not ever known a child like him. And I will not go into detail about the challenges that we have together. I spend a lot of time talking to Jesus about this child.

God is wise and all-knowing. And He knew when He gave me this little boy that we would have some struggles. He isn't at all surprised by anything that this little guy does! However, I find myself very surprised on many occasions.

I know that I couldn't love this little guy any more. And I am SO thankful for him and his zest for life. He is healthy and smart and even, let mommy brag, beautiful! But, he has me on my knees begging the Lord for wisdom. Yes, of course, all children tend to send parents to their knees and for that we are thankful. But, this little person sends me to Jesus in a way that I never expected. So, here I sit, praying for this little man. Praying that God will transform his heart. And also praying that He will change me into the mommy that Andy needs! And that despite my mistakes this little man will come to know and love Jesus.

"Thank you Lord for my precious children. And today thank you especially for Andy. Thank you for the morning we had together, albeit, a hard one."

Wordless Wednesday (Labor Day Weekend In Pictures)