It Was Bound to Happen

Well, as a result of living next to a construction project and having two boys who don't know remember to close the door half the time, it finally happened.

Early the other morning, I was sitting on the sofa drinking coffee and when I turned on the TV, I thought I heard a rustling behind it. Chalking it up to me being in a pre-caffeinated state, I went on about my waking up. Then the boys awakened and then their bellies awakened and then it was time for breakfast. I opened the pantry door and turned away for a second and when I turned back towards it, in skittered the fattest little mouse you have ever seen. I called Jacob, who is in training to be my bug/spider/mouse/creepy-crawly killer. Luke followed right behind him and oh, the conversation that ensued:

Me: "Jacob, how are we going to catch that mouse?"

Jacob: "Well, I think we should get toothpicks and glue them together and stick a piece of cheese on the end. Then, when the mouse starts to eat the cheese, we just pull on the other end of the toothpick and lure him slowly out of the pantry then catch him." (I think he was banking on the idea that our little plumpkin of a mouse would be more concerned about his next meal than his life).

Luke: "Well, first of all, don't touch his bottom or he will sting you. Then you should get a plastic bag and put it by the door, then when the mouse goes inside it, get the bag and put it on the counter. Then put it on the stove and fire it up and it will burn and it will be AWESOME!"

Boys will be boys and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Have I mentioned lately that I love those two?

Happy Father's Day

Jason, when I see you with our children, I simply could not ask for more. To watch you with them is amazing. You are fun-loving, kind, compassionate, understanding, yet firm enough to shape them into good little people. Your desire to be a good father is reflected every day in your choices and actions. You put so much time and effort into being everything our children need in a father. With your love and kindness towards them, you are creating a legacy that I know will be passed down through generations. What an example you are! Through your work ethic and your love for Christ, as well as your love for them, you are teaching them so much through your actions. You seem to know just what boys need (tickles, wrestling, fishing, and lots of electronics) and now, as I see you with sweet little Hannah, you are the best daddy ever to our baby girl too-so sweet, so gentle, so complimentary-she will always have a special spot in her daddy's arms! As much as you are known for your ever-ready smile, I know you for your amazing heart towards your family and for that, I am forever grateful!

12 Years

Well, actually 16 if you count all that datin'! Happy Anniversary Jason. Through all the ups and downs, highs and lows, joys and sorrows, laughter and tears, there is no one I would have rather shared it all with. My love, my soulmate, my friend; what a great journey we've had and I know there is much more to come. To the sweetest man in the world, I love you!

Happy Birthday Daniel

Hey Big Brother, Happy Birthday. I still remember when we spent our days eating watermelon, pretending we were archaeologists or king and queen, swinging from vines, fishing, or just walking through the pasture. We are a lot older now, but I still love you bunches. I am glad the Lord blessed me with a big brother like you and I am so proud of you. You are one of the funniest people I know and no one can tell a story better than you. How thoughtful and tenderhearted you are! I love you and thank you for what a good man you have are. I hope you have a wonderful birthday and a great year!

I'm six months old - look at my new trick!

Hannah Kate is six months old. Well ok, six and a half months and boy, is she cute! Maybe I'm a little biased, but I could just eat her up. She is as precious as she can be and continues to change every day. Now she can roll over both ways, sit up a little, talk up a storm (it's just babble, but still...), eat baby food, and most importantly, stick out her tongue. Yes, she learned this a couple of days ago and can't stop doing it. It is the funniest thing ever. She even greets me in the morning with her tongue stuck out! Love you, Hannah Bear:)

Bye Bye Baseball

Jacob's last game was on Tuesday and what a wonderful season it was. I love watching him play baseball and seeing his skills, as well as his friendships grow. He had a great coach (thanks, Coach Tommy) and a great year. Lots of practices, lots of hits, lots of sliding into home and, most importantly, lots of snowcones! Until next year...

Pool Party

This Sunday, we had a family pool party at my Uncle David's house. It was so much fun to get together with some of the dearest people I know. The boys had a blast swimming. Luke loved playing in the water with Daniel and my aunt Karan. Jacob and his cousin Will jumped off one of the big rocks over and over and over. We pigged out on the best burgers, pies, fruit, and tenderloin ever. Lots of laughs, lots of fun, and the perfect summer day. Needless to say, when we rolled back in to Stephenville at nearly 10pm, we were bushed! What a fantastic day. We are blessed beyond measure and I thank God all the time for that!

Jacob and Will
Look closely and you will see my mom helping Luke at the edge of the rock. Yes, he was doing what a country boy does best...

Uncle Daniel and Luke

Four Generations

Some of the sweetest, funniest people I know. Boy, do we laugh a lot when we get together!

Oh Boy!

Well, Jacob graduated from kindergarten this year and let me tell you, the tears they were a-flowin'! What an amazing year; filled with field trips, experiments, dissecting of frogs (Jacob's favorite memory), Sonic slushes every Tuesday after library day, and lots of fun times in the classroom. His teacher, Mrs. Lindsey, was awesome and he was blessed with a very special group of classmates. Most of these kiddos have been in the same class for three years now and are the best of friends. As they go off to the wide world of first grade next fall, I know their lives are about to change forever, but they will never forget their wonderful kindergarten year at Wee School.

Graduation day in itself was quite a celebration, marred only slightly by the fact that Jacob had been diagnosed with strep the day before but had been given special permission by his doctor to attend graduation. His MiMi had driven in all the way from LaGrange (kids were beyond excited!) for the event, as well as my Mom and Dad and my sister Sarah. Before the ceremony, the kids met in the classroom one last time and signed each other's yearbooks. It was precious. Then the parents went to the sanctuary and the kids got dressed in their caps and gowns. The ceremony was so sweet-they sang several of the cutest songs, received their "diplomas" and watched a video of the year's activities, complete with interviews with the kids. For the record, Jacob's favorite part of school is math (just like his daddy!) and his favorite field trip was to Sonic (a weekly occurrence after their trip to the library). Then, they were allowed to turn their tassels and throw their caps in the air, just like the big grads! The kids loved this. Once we were all good and teary-eyed, the marched off the stage and we all met in the banquet hall for a celebratory lunch. It was a wonderful day and one I hope to remember forever.

A Belated Birthday Blog (say that five times fast!)

I realized at about 3:30 am last night (it's when I have all my best thoughts), that I forgot to give my sweet sissie Sarah a birthday shout-out! Her birthday was May 9th, and it is almost a month late, but if you know my family, you know we're usually late. Generations and generations. To the point that if we all have a family gathering and someone inquires as to what time it will begin, we all just laugh because we know. It will start an hour or two behind when it is "supposed" to start. Alas, this is not a blog about lateness but about Sarah. Sarah, I love you so much. What a blessing to hit the sister jackpot not once but twice. You are funny, adventurous, laid-back, and thoughtful beyond measure. You cheer me up when I am down and laugh at my jokes. I can't wait to share our babies' lives and I can't believe we are only a few weeks away from meeting your sweet little one. Happy birthday Sarie:) Here's to sisters!