Family Pictures

 We got to see our old friends, the Ameys, from Texas on Labor Day!
We had so much fun catching up and introducing our little ones to each other.
I asked Colette to take some pictures of our family, and she did a great job.
Here's are some of the ones she took.  Thanks Colette.

I think I'm going to have this one made into a large print to put in our bedroom.  I love my little family of five.

Old Fashion Fun at the Drive in Movie Theater

 

If I haven't said this on my blog, let me say it now.   I love Chattanooga, and I think this is a great place to raise a family.  One more reason I love my home is the drive in movie theater.  A couple of weekends ago, we all went to see Cars 2 and Transformers 3.  It cost about $20 for the whole family to watch two new blockbuster movies and eat a HUGE bucket of popcorn.   I should have taken a picture of the screen.  They boast they they have the largest and most unique screens in the world.  I believe them.

The weather was perfect--just right for snuggling and blankies when the sun went down.  The boys preferred a bed on the ground while they watched their movie.  Clark fell asleep toward the end, but Joel was ready for the second movie at 11:30 pm.  He's our late night owl.  :-)

I can't wait to come here just with my husband on a date! 

So needless to say, I HIGHLY recommend you try it out too if you live in the area! 

Apple Pickin'

I love September for many reason, and one of those is it's apple month.  So we hopped in the car and headed to a local apple orchard.  I wanted the boys to see where apples come from and get to pick their very own apple.  A team of wild horses and any threat I could make would not have stopped them from plucking a delicious fruit from the tree.  My boys' need to pick an apple reminded me of the temptation Eve must have felt in the garden of Eden. 

 

No farm is complete without a tractor.  And to be honest this is more popular than the apple tree. 

There is something about boys and horse power.....

 

Here's the cute little store.

The boss--holding the real power (the money)

 Each boy picked their own apple or two, and I bought 80 pounds or two bushels of number #2 Galas and Empires.

Applesauce, apple pies, apple crumble, apple oatmeal, Waldorf salad, and crisp apple snacks are on the menu at our house!!

Super Cookie Woman and Sidekicks

My boys are so into good guys and bad guys that I am constantly in a major battle or swapping from one secret hero identity to another.  Today I was Super Cookie Woman with the powers to make incredible cookies.  We baked a cookie the size of the house which was a gigantic feat.  Then, we defended our giant cookie from the bad guys that wanted to eat it all up.  And yes, Clark usually decides my super powers and name.  I decided that I would risk public humiliation to share our little adventure in hopes to inspire the super hero in all of you.


I hope you too will get caught up in a child's imagination, and go on an exciting adventure.

Heros in the Front Yard

Today the boys wanted to play in the front yard.  I asked why the front, and Clark (I mean Super Police Officer Clark) explained that there were people to rescue in the front.  So that sealed the deal.  

Who am I to stand in the way of Truth, Justice, and the American way?

Immediately, they found a bad guy--the lady with the camera.  She is always suspiciously following the boys around.  Hey! Spider Man come quick and help get this bad guy.

 The super heroes conquered all the odds to defeat the bad guy.  

They had to even climb into the Red Volcano.

 

With all epic battles there are tradegies.  Our friendly neighborhood Spider Man took a tumble during the fight.

 

No worries, his buddy comes to the rescue.

 

Hooray for the good guys.  Another day safe because of the hard work of our super heroes.

 

"It's really nothing ma'am.  Just doing my job."

 

This is just an innocent bystander enjoying the show.  I'm sure the whole neighhorhood did too. 

These super heroes were LOUD! 

Off to dinner and chocolate chip cookies for dessert.  These super men need their super powers recharged.

Labor Day

Awww....Labor Day. 

  Today started out just right!  All five of us slept in late and woke up to beautiful rain pouring down and grey skies.  Michael made us breakfast: eggs, bacon, and toast.  Then I started working on finishing up a project upstairs.

I caulked and painted around a window that Michael installed a few weekends ago.  As I was finishing up, I heard Clark squeal, "Daddy, I am so excited I could do the happy dance."   I walked downstairs to find the two front rooms had been turned into roller coaster train track!

 The boys were having a blast watching their trains fly down the incline of their monster track.

 

We took advantage of the weather and played in the rain.  So far 7 inches of rain and counting.

 

After dinner they took a nice warm bath.  It was a great way to end a perfect day!

 

Levi the Lion

 

Here's Levi in his first ever pajamas!! 

For You, Grandma!

I really did try to capture a cute photo of the boys wearing matching shirts that Grandma and PawPaw gave us. Here's what I got.

 

This was my only photo with all three looking at me.  

 

Here's Joel showing off his bottom (literally and figuratively) while Clark protectively looks after Levi.

 

Then it all fell apart when Levi decided to go for the tambourine.

 

But this picture by far says it all.  

WATCH OUT HERE COMES TROUBLE. 

Oh, and thanks Grandma for the shirts!!

Peek A Boo! I See Me!

 

Here's Levi seeing himself for maybe the first time.  I think he liked what he saw.  

Oh how I wish we could all look upon ourselves with similar acceptance and awe.

 

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. 

Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.  Psalm 139:14

 

Levi, My 5 Month Old Cutie Pie

Levi Joseph is now 5 months old and 21.5 pounds.  He loves bouncing, being held, and his momma.  So he spends much of his day being toted around in his momma's arms.  He is super smilely.  He loves to roll around the house and play hide and seek.  We have lost him a few times when he rolled under furniture.  He's wearing 12-18 month clothing and size 4 diapers.  He sleeps 10-12 hours a night (hallelujah) on his belly (by his choice not, ours).  He hasn't started solid foods yet, and we don't have any plans to start soon.   He is almost sitting up by himself.   He is a delight and a joy to us all. 

Enjoying the Little Years

I am so blessed.  I often feel unworthy of all the goodness in my life.

I have an amazing husband who loves me more than himself.  I feel that love every day of my life.  I have three amazing sons who make my heart melt over and over and over.  Even with all this, I have to be honest, I get a little bogged down.  Sometimes, I let the little things steal my joy.  I often long for what I don't have like freedom, independence, quiet, time to think, and alone time.

           Lately I have had zero time alone.   I often long for moments of quiet or an hour to accomplish anything without having to tote a little one (by little I mean 22 pounds or more) around too.  I go to bed with my body physically exhausted from all my mommy duties--piggy back rides, races through the house, carrying loads of laundry up and down the stairs.

Lately I have been getting up in the 5 o'clock hour just to have a few minutes to myself to pray and think.  One recent morning, I had a revelation.  I needed to stop and be thankful for the lack of time to myself and the fatigue and the noise and the messes. 

Here's the truth:  

Holding my baby in the wee hours of the night and breathing in his baby scent is so much sweeter than browsing the perfume counters at the mall.  Playing good guys/bad guys and running around the house for the 100th time is by far more valuable than hitting the treadmill at an elite gym.   Reading Green Eggs and Ham with four wiggle worms on top of me is more precious than cuddling up with a good novel and cup of coffee.

If I am not careful, I will miss all these treasures of the little years.

 

Here's us during our little years.

 

My family in our true form--

Levi whacking Joel.  Joel being distracted.  Clark being goofy.

 

 

This is our miracle photo: everyone looking.

Thanks Grandpa and Grandma for taking this one!