We have ARRIVED!!

Look at this precious girl and her ponytails!!  FINALLY.  I am in love.  Yes, I know you knew that.  But, isn't she just adorable?  And I never did get a good picture of her today.  Bless her she was actually screaming to me: "No take my picture!"  Oh well.  At least she looks cute.  I am working on the "Beauty is as Beauty does", so be patient with us on that one.

Celebrating 8!!

 Today we are celebrating Nate turning 8!!  It is hard for me to believe that he is 8!!  Precious boy sure did change things in my life. I have learned so much more about life because of this guy.  And I couldn't be more thankful for him. 

Happy Birthday to my first born.  What a blessing you are!!!

Action Packed!

This weekend was another abundantly full one.  On Saturday my husband took my middle man to a birthday party across town and then he and my oldest went to watch NC State football.  He called me after the game and said: "I want you to know that everything is ok NOW."  My heart sank.  He continued to tell me that he and our almost 8-year-old got separated in the crowd of people when leaving the game.  He seriously could not find our child.  So, after a little help from the cops and a LOT of help from our heavenly Father, our child was found and retrieved to his daddy.  When they finally got back to our car my husband asked our big boy if he thought he could possibly find our car on his own.  He responded: "Maybe after about three days." 

Next on the list of action in our weekend: Poor old Kobie got his head closed in the baby gate at the top of our stairs. Yes, he had some help from a pretty little two-year-old.  That old dog screamed like his leg had been severed from his body.  Thankfully he was fine.  Again.  (go ahead and start praying for me now for that day when he is not fine)

Finally as we settled into bed Saturday night our smoke alarm went off.  You know that kind of alarm!  The one that you don't hear all day, but when everyone is in the bed it sounds.  There is a reason those things are called ALARMS.  They are ALARMING.  After the second bout of it, we started our investigation.  Adam took the thing down from the ceiling and our whole security system began to scream.  We got it shut off without one child awake.  However, I realized this was the fire alarm connected to the security system!!  I tried to call and cancel our pending fire truck.  But, it was too late.  So, at 12:15am we had a friendly visit from the local fire department.  They did come in and try to help us, but after about 15 minutes they moved on.  We did finally get to bed and asleep, only for me to be awakened by a wrong number on the cell phone at 3:30am!  Guess you can guess who was late to church Sunday morning. 

This morning our sweet little princess decided to get up at 5:20am.  I tried to convince her the weekend was over, but she didn't buy it.  Is it naptime yet? 

One of Those Moments

 I finally thought to pull my middle man's tricycle out of the attic today for the little princess.  I got it out during her nap, so she was none the wiser.  I told this big brother that he could give it to her since it technically belongs to him.  So, after supper he took her out to the garage and gave her the tricycle and his old helmet.  You would have thought he gave her a brand new car!  She was thrilled. And he was so happy for her. He spent time trying to teach her how to ride it.  She kept asking him to push her.  It was one of those mothering moments that made having more than one very worth it.   I am pretty sure if he had all the money in the world,on most days, he might just give it to her!!

(I tried my best to capture it on my camera, but if you have ever had a two-year-old you understand!)

No, the helmet isn't pink and the tricycle isn't pink, but seeing him give her something that was his...was worth more than pinking her up.  I guess I will just have to make sure she is dressed really girly when she is riding it.  Oh, wait, that isn't a problem! 

A Month of Thankfulness

The month of November seems to bring out gratitude in a lot of people.  I think that is good.  It is important to me to get on my knees and be thankful for God's blessings.  My mom used to tell me to count my blessings in order to fall asleep when I was little.  I did not understand the magnitude of that simple idea.  There is a lot of peace at the foot of the cross.  Especially when you go there with an attitude of gratitude.

My sweet friend Jennifer (http:homewardboundbridges@blogspot.com) (sorry mr. linky isn't so linky today) is posting a thanks for every day of November.  I won't pretend that I can do that.  Obviously it is the end of the first week and here I am on my first post.  Maybe Fridays this month will be my day of thanks.

Today, I am thankful for this guy:

No it isn't our anniversary, or even his birthday.  Today he chose to stay home to take care of me.  Yesterday I had my first root canal.  It wasn't the worst experience of my life.  Nor was it the best.  But, my sweet husband decided to work from home today so he could be here for me.  It certainly isn't the nicest thing he has done for me.  However, it just adds to his list.  Adam works hard.  And I believe he works hard to be the best he can be.  I know he is pulled in many directions and sometimes I know he struggles to make it all work.  But, he is an answer to my prayers.  God knew just what I needed in a husband and He was generous when He gave Adam to me.  I am grateful that He thought enough of me to give me such a wonderful husband.  Even if I had to go through a Bozo first!!  Adam makes it all worth it!!

Thanks Adam for what you do for our family.  And thank you Jesus, for Adam!!

Here he is in his element backpacking in the mountains. You notice I am not there with him.  Not my element.  But he still loves me the same!!

Do NOT Climb?

Yesterday my boys brought home their first report cards for the year.  I was thrilled to see that BOTH of them have done the very best they could and made the Principal's List for this quarter!  Yes, that is the best possible.  All A's!  And I am all smiles.  I actually cried when I read my middle man's teacher's comment: "He exhibits an excellent attitude towards his school work.  He approaches his work with confidence.  I look forward to the wonderful year of learning we will have."  No, it isn't necessarily "crying material", but this is the child that I was so worried about going to school.  He loves it and is doing wonderfully.  I am proud of him and the accomplishments he has made this far.  I am also proud of his big brother and the fact that even he spurs my middle man to learn more.  You know that sibling rivalry is good for something!!  My oldest is a very smart boy and it seems to encourage middle man to strive for that too.  Not that he is not as smart as his brother, but it is nice to see both of them doing so well. 

I know a lot of parents give their children prizes or money for making good grades.  My parents never did that for my brothers and I.  I was told I was expected to get good grades and I would NOT be paid for it.  I will admit I had a generous adopted grandmother that started paying me a little.  I was thankful for that, but I am also thankful that my parents taught me that all hard work doesn't come with a paycheck.  That lesson is paying off now in mothering full-time!! 

This picture was taken at the State Fair this year.  I thought it was appropriate for this post---however I will say that I hope they DO climb higher and higher when it comes their school work.  Good job boys, mama is proud of you. 

My New Favorite Song

I just heard this song yesterday and I love it.  Thought I would share. 

Click this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=re5EIUIXbhc

This is my prayer for my three blessings.  And not just for my personal blessings, but for the precious blessings I received from being a sister and sister-in-law!!  My sweet nieces and nephews.