While we were gone!

As I mentioned, the kids and I were gone for 7 long days, and while Mike had a great time the first couple of days, (think poker, golf and more golf) after a while he started missing us and decided to redo the kids rooms! He painted Avery's and bought Jake a big boy bed and bedding! I had no idea that this was in the works! What a SURPRISE! Thankfully, my husband is talented and we have very similar tastes in decorating! Most women would shudder at the thought of their husband decorating with NO input from themselves, but I am lucky!

Pretty impressive huh?

Our trip to North Carolina

My mom, Aunt Edie, Aunt Agnes, the kids, the dog and I packed up my van and ventured out on a 12 hour drive to Raleigh, NC to visit my sister and her husband, Matthew. Crazy, you say? Probably! But we had a surprisingly low stress and smooth trip filled with lots of giggles and memories made! Mom, Agnes and I had done trips like this in the past, but it was the first time that Aunt Edie had joined us. She is my dad's sister, and the only girl in her family so a "girls trip" (sorry Jake and Matthew) is something she doesn't have much experience in. We did great!!

Julie and Matthew have a great house that was set up perfectly for us and we were all very comfortable. Avery and Jake surprisingly loved all 3 of their dogs, and Gizmo tortured them most of the time.

We went horseback riding and shopping. We did garage sales and landscaping. We checked ALL of Duke's campus (thank you Julz! haha), and went to consignment shoppes. The kids went to the Science Museum with Matthew and Julie, they had a BALL!! It was nice for me to be able to have some grown up time too!

We really missed Mike though and he missed us, as I will show in my next post!

Way Behind!!!

I have no idea for the fact that I haven't been blogging lately, so I will spare you any lame excuses. I guess I have just been uninspired!!

So, let's start with July 4th...

We started the day with what has begun a tradition among our friends, the parade. This year it was raining, so it really put a damper on things. (I am so clever aren't I? ;) We introduced some new friends to the group and had a great time nonetheless. Later in the day we went to the Cooney's for a cookout and fun. I mentioned that it had been raining so it was pretty much a muddy mess, but all the better for the kiddos! They had a GREAT time. Then Mike (Cooney), Mike (Good) and Steve put on the best home firework show ever! A great time was had by all!!

School!

When does pre-school start again?

Not soon enough! Haha! We need a distraction!!!!

The funniest thing

Jake to me: "Mommy, you watering the flowers?"
Me: "Yes, Jakey"
Jake: "You Jesus Mommy?"
Me: "What?!!"
Jake "Jesus waters the flowers Mommy. You Jesus?"

How funny! I guess a 2 year old does get it!

Avery's Birthday

We had a great weekend celebrating Avery's 4th birthday. We started out @ the PBS in the park with Nana and Pop, Uncle Bubby and Kai Guy, and Mamaw and Papaw. It was a perfect day! Then on Sunday we had a birthday dinner and cake and Avery and Jake got a puppy!! They were sooo excited! He is really a great puppy! On Monday we had some of Avery's friends over for a party and a great time was had by all!!

I can't believe that Avery is 4 years old! Although she acts around 30 most of the time, it seems like yesterday that I was really questioning whether I would ever be able to get pregnant! God needed me to learn that everything is in his time. I thought that I had learned that lesson, until I unexpectedly got pregnant with Jake. I remember telling my mom, as I was in complete shock, that I had already been taught that lesson, she said "Apparently not!" You were right mom! God had the perfect plan for our family and I could not be more blessed. I wonder what the rest is? I know, I know, patience and trust! I am just nosey!

Avery is such a special little girl, filled with love and joy. She is the most nurturing little one I have ever seen. Papaw calls her his little nurse, because she is always making sure he has on his medical ID bracelet, that he has taken his blood pressure, his medicine and more. She is constantly chattering and although it often drives me crazy, her thirst for information is amazing. Often it is not trivial, things like "Why did Zacheous hide in the tree from Jesus mommy?", "How does Jesus keep us safe?" , "Why can't I go to heaven and meet pop's daddy?", or "Is mamaw Jones still in that chair in heaven?" Complicated questions from a complicated girl. Truly a gift from God!

Summer Time

We have been busier than usual this month with lots of birthdays, a spur of the moment trip to Cincinnati, the Great Wolf Lodge and Kings Island and father's day! For those of you who haven't been to Great Wolf Lodge it is a family friendly water park/hotel right next to Kings Island! A great time! Thanks for planning a fun trip honey!

Avery started gymnastics last week and she loves it!! It has been really great to see her so excited about it, and I love nothing more to hear her tell me her favorite parts.. "all of it!!" She is the most animated little girl I have ever known. She tries to talk to us just like an adult. It makes for really fun conversations with her hands waving and grown up animations. Just soo cute! Next week is her birthday so we will be updating with lots of pictures soon!

Jake is doing great, talking a TON, growing up very quickly and starting to show us his temper tantrums! Whew! He perfected them quickly!

Just as one child gets thru one stage, the other starts one. The joy of parenting!

We are looking forward to a fun summer with them both!

Have a good night!

The Sweetest Thing

Before I start this story, I will say, for the record, that there were 3 adults and 2 children that witnessed this event. Last Thursday Wanda, the kids and I went to Avon to visit my Aunt and cousins. While at lunch this is what happened:
Jake gets off of his seat and while I am in the middle of telling him to sit down until he is excused he comes to me, puts his hand on my knee and says "Mommy, you so pretty". Then he went and sat down.
My heart melted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Have you ever heard anything so sweet? Everyone just busted out laughing, and then the jokes about how wrapped he has me, but seriously, who wouldn't be wrapped with a son who says things like that! I just had to share... The sweetest thing..

Pictures from the 500 Parade!

Pictures from the weekend!

Yummy Corn!

One Down, One to Go...

This weekend we crossed a bridge... I realized that Avery can read her clock in her room and explained that she needs to wait to get out of bed until the first number is 6. That means no more coming into our bed @ 2, 3, 4 etc. She needs to stay in her bed like a big girl. She actually listened! It took a couple of tries, but she is doing it! Yeah!!! Now, on to Jake. He has never come into our bed.. until of course, Avery stopped! On Sunday night Mike heard a rustling on our duvet, which had slipped onto the floor and found him sleeping soundly on our floor at the foot of our bed. Complete with his pillow and 2 stuffed animals, Sal and Harpo. It was so sweet! Mike woke me up and told me it could be the cutest thing he has experienced thus far as a parent. He (Jake), never made a peep. We were not fully asleep when we found him, so he must have come in VERY quietly! Too cute!

We had a great family weekend last weekend. We spent time at the 500 Parade, planted flowers, went to church, went to a cookout, spent time with friends and family. GREAT! We did miss that there was no cookout @ Aunt Agnes' this year, so we didn't all get together but nonetheless, it was relaxing and we spent lots of time together, and that is what holidays are about.

Off to do the laundry!! Have a great week, it is supposed to actually feel like summer in the next couple of days!! Yeah!!!!!

Summer Break Begins!

Well, tomorrow is the last day of preschool for my kiddos and I am sad! We love their classes, friends and teachers and I know that we will miss everyone very much. Jake has really taken to his classmates and we didn't know how long that would take. It was a rough couple of months in the beginning. Avery has learned ALOT from her friends, not all good, but nonetheless, she does like them and will be asking about them daily! Notice I did not mention the fact that my time alone is gone for the next three months-- that has nothing to do with my sadness ;).

We are going to try to stay busy and have lots of fun this summer. Here are some of my goals:

Start a "chore/responsibility chart" for the kids. We need to reinforce our expectations. With Jake just learning them, the door is open for Avery to test them.

Practice writing with Avery. She has really come a long way in the past few months and she loves to "show off" her new talent.

Potty train Jake. He is not at all interested, so we will see how that goes. I won't push him too much.

Go to the zoo @ least 2x a month. We have to make use of our zoo pass right? Plus, its nice to visit our extended family! Hahaha! (you can decide for yourself which side they are on)

Stick to my yard work. Mike gives me a hard time about being strong out of the gate, but not much for stamina, so I want to work on that.

Feel free to check in on my progress, I sometimes need a thump on the head to remember all of the things I wanted to do.

PS. Larry came out of surgery well and should come home tomorrow.

PSS. We had our last MOPS meeting last night, and to any of you who may see this, I will miss you this summer and had a great time over the past few months. It was great to meet you all! It is really encouraging to know that there are so many other moms out there just doing the best they can to raise good, god fearing,well balanced children in this crazy unbalanced world we are in! See you in the fall!

Pray for Larry

Please pray for Larry as he has surgery today. From what I hear it is pretty routine, but extra prayers never hurt!!!

Pics from the week

At the zoo with Aunt Agnes, Grant and Tyler, Matt and Grandma Helen

Avery giving her baby a bath during our yard sale at Aunt Agnes' house
Jake was so enamoured with the peguins.
My to waddle, waddle, waddle buddies!
Oh how I love them!

The Days of our Lives

We have been going nonstop for the past few weeks, and it feels GREAT! Sometimes I feel like we do the same things everyday and it has been refreshing to have places to go and people to see.

The kids are growing up so fast and keeping me on my toes. Jake has started talking up a storm since we took his paci-wire, and I swear he has grown up 6 mos. worth in the past few weeks. It is great to hear his sweet voice all day. I have never heard "Why mommy?" sound so sweet and pure. It is truly a testament to God's wonderful plan. Kids are so innocent in this crazy world of ours. "Why hold your hand mommy?", "Why no spoon in my water?", "Why no running away from mommy?" Too sweet!

Avery, on the other hand, whew!! She has taken me on a ride the past few weeks! I have a almost 4 year old who is turning 15 soon. She is sweet and bossy, a caretaker and a toy taker, happy and angry, humble and snooty, thankful and greedy, all within a blink of an eye. We are banging heads at every single corner, and to be honest, I am at a loss. I am the only one she challenges in this way. I am sure it is because we are so much alike, but nonetheless, I have to figure it out and SOON! I can't figure out how to "Break the will, without breaking the spirit". Of course I know that this is installment #1 or 2 of hundreds we will have over the next years, I just want to start out on my feet.

Other than the above mentioned, things are great. Daddy gets home soon from the Philippines, and it will be good having him back on American soil. Wanda and Larry are home from Wilmington, and I am thankful to have them back in our state. Mike is home and doing well, putting up with me with a smile on his face. Thanks honey!

I will write more soon!

Busy, Busy, Busy!

Since my last post, like I have been going nonstop! Let me catch you up!

Mike got home safely and we are all together again, Thank Goodness!

Julie and Matthew (my sister and brother-in-law) came home for the weekend and we had a wonderful visit! Matthew arrived earlier than we expected, so he spent the evening with us until Mom and Julie got here. Saturday morning we went to Aunt Agnes' for a huge breakfast and family time. Then, down to Bedford for more play and church on Sunday morning. Matthew and Julie have only been married for a year and live in N.C. so our time with them is precious. Although Julie was tied up with a baby shower on Sat. afternoon, it was really great to spend a lot of time with Matthew. The kids really loved his attention! Aunt Julie made a big impact and taught Avery a few new Sunday school songs. She loves "peace like a river". It was great to see them both!!! I really miss my sister especially as we get older.

My dad left for the Philippines on Wed. the 23rd and will be gone 17 days. He is having a great time and is very tired! He is preaching 3-5 per day for the next several days! Pray for him to keep rested and for the Lord to keep him safe on his trip! He is in a very dangerous area and they do not like preachers of any kind teaching the Bible, much less an American preacher who doesn't tend to sensor himself for his audience :). Check out his blog @ goensmyway.blogspot.com.

This weekend we had a garage sale at Aunt Agnes' house and had a great time! Aunt Agnes' worked herself silly and I can't tell you how much I appreciate it! She is the best! Mom came up to help us out and between the three of us, it was a very successful weekend! I have so much fun with these two women and feel so so blessed to have them in my life. They are everything I hope to be. They are a constant example to me of how I want to live my life, as mothers, wives, friends and ladies. Thank you both for all you do!

I will write again soon, have a great weekend!!!

A long week

We have all had a long week this week. Mike has been out of town all week in sunny California for work and while I am sure that the warmth and sunshine feel good, I know that he really misses us! Thank Goodness! haha!

We have really tried to have a good week, but the kids miss their daddy, Jake has no paci, mommy has a cold and no one is sleeping really well.. Ugh!!!!

I don't know why everytime Mike leaves town, I get something...sinus infection, the flu, something. For those of you who have a husband who travels some you know that when daddy's away we, as mommy's, have to step up the fun factor. We have to do something to take their minds off of the fact that at 5:30, it is still only mommy. I have not been able to do that this week. Sorry kids!

I did make a promise to Avery that if she was a great listener and went to sleep like a big girl all week that she could have a surprise today. She has been REALLY good (she loves to take care of me when I am sick, that must come from Aunt Julz or maybe Mamaw) so she got a scooter today and she loves it!

Jake has done pretty well without his paci, except at bedtime, so for that I am thankful. I will be very happy when he starts sleeping through the night again though! Whew, I am tired! On a better note, he got his "big ole band aid" off this week and is starting to use his hand more everyday! So far, we are think we are not going to have any physical therapy or surgery! Thank You God!

That is about all for us this week, I hope yours has been great!

No More Paci-Wire

Yesterday after naps I decided that our precious boy no longer needed his paci-wire, as he calls it! WOW!!! To whoever reads this post and thinks it is cruel to take things like this away when they are little, I strongly disagree! It is so much easier when they are little! When they are 2 years old and can tell you how sad they are..that is cruel! I held him as he cried for 2 hours straight, I watched him as he threw himself on the floor, I laughed as he sang " I love my Paci, oh yes I do..." (yes, he really sang that). I have heard all of the ideas people have, have a paci-party and send them off with balloons, cut the tips off, give them to a baby, etc. and that is what my intention was. But yesterday when I asked for him to give it to me and he wouldn't. I decided it was time.

For those who know me, this is not a surprise. I will procrastinate for a long time, but when I decide to do something.. Watch out.. No one is safe.

If I could only decide to eat healthy. If I could only decide to exercise-every day. Maybe someday.

I have to go...another round of crying is starting. Pray for us! He is really sooo sad! :(

Spring Break

We have been having a great week, finally lots of sunshine! It has been so great to play outside! It is amazing how hungry the kids get after running around the backyard! We have been to the park and the zoo and its only Wed. I just wanted to share some pictures with you! Thanks for checking in!

I am Thankful

I am feeling especially thankful today. Nothing special happened today, no special phone calls, no unexpected checks came in the mail, no breakfast in bed, just a regular day at home with the kiddos. It started out as all mornings do with Jake calling "Mommy!!!" We cuddled for a 1/2 hour and started our day. Avery told she loves me, and we all came down for our "fuel". Coffee for me, milk for them. We have been cleaning while watching the Bee movie. Nothing special.

I am just thankful for being able to be home with the kids.

Hearing Avery's excitement as she says
"Mommy, LOOK! All the water Jesus has been sending to the flowers is working! They have big green leaves on them and will be growing flowers soon!"

Being able to blow her nose for the 700th time this morning, cuddle her when she is sad and teach her how to clean the baseboards. (No laughing! I was actually cleaning the baseboards, and she wanted to help!)

Hearing Jake sing "Happy Birthday to Jakey" and tell me its his birthday(its not!). And watching him watch in awe as the bee's on the TV swirled around in front of him.

Nothing Special. Everything I signed up for when I quit work to stay at home!

I am so thankful that I am able to be here for those little moments that are so easily missed and most often taken for granted.

I am so thankful for my husband who is encouraging, thoughtful and supportive of me.

I am thankful for my family. I have the best family a girl could ever ask for. My parents, in-laws, brother and sister and their families, aunts and uncles... No drama or fighting (ok maybe a little :) ). Close friendships and lots of love and laughter!

I am thankful for my friends. They are a constant source of entertainment!

I am thankful for God blessing me and my family so much!

Enough already.. I know. Thanks for reading.