Our very Full House

Christmas Eve program at Grape Creek

2012-01-27T20:12:00.000-06:00

For the past four years, we have had a children's program at our church on Christmas Eve, and I have had the privilege of directing it. This year was absolutely the most fun I have had yet--the program we did was wonderful! Plus, with all of 'my' church children getting older, we can do more things. It just keeps getting better and better!

My friends were gracious to take some pictures for me, since I was directing.

Ethan, heading up to the stage--all smiles!

You will see that is a common theme throughout the evening.

He marched right up to his spot, beaming the whole time.

He was one of the youngest on the stage, but you sure wouldn't know it by how grown-up he acted!

A moment later, Colin and Cameron filed in behind him.

{Colin's expression kills me!}

There they are! The children of Grape Creek Baptist Church.

Ethan, making his way up to the microphone for his line.

You will notice in many of the pictures that his hands didn't leave his pockets the whole time.

Ethan, Wyatt (middle, son of one of my best friends), and Cameron all had lines regarding the shepherds.

Ethan: "They were poor!"

Wyatt: "They were outcasts!"

Cameron: "They were definitely at the bottom of the food chain!"

There were lots of giggles from those three adorable lines!

Later, Chloe (daughter of same said friend) and Colin said their lines.

Instead of going back to his seat when his line was done, Colin stayed at the microphone.

I was so proud of him--he sang a solo (his second ever--last year he sang one in the adult program)

and did a wonderful job. No nervousness here--he has clearly fallen FAR from the tree on that one.

The boys' cousin Mason (my cousin Haley's son) had some lines too!

This looks semi-dorky. But it's just how I roll. *grin*

I had to end this post with the memories I have of Ethan.

Being the director, I have to focus on all of the children--but, even if he was not my son, Ethan just could not help but stand out. This child worked so hard learning all of the words of all five songs we sung. He listened to the CD over and over (and over and over) until he knew the lyrics better than I did! And he sand his little heart out that night.

I have--I counted--21 pictures that include him, with almost this exact same expression in every shot: mouth open wide, singing and smiling! So many others commented to me also, how well he sung and knew the words.

As a singer myself, I feel so blessed that God has given me

a little guy who loves to do something that I love too!

And who is so CUTE doing it!

Christmas Eve Day

2012-01-27T07:37:00.012-06:00

With Christmas falling on a Sunday this year, things in the present-opening-department went a little bit differently.

Backing up to Friday afternoon, I got a huge surprise when I walked in the door after a couple
of afternoon errands. Shane had bought, picked up, and installed a new hutch for me in my
dining room while I was out! It was one I had seen months ago and commented on.
We both really liked it--needless to say, it was a wonderful gift.
Shane was ready for me and got a great shot of the shock on my face!

The next day, Saturday morning, we decided on a whim to open presents that day.
We didn't want to have to rush through everything to get to church in time and have it be hectic;
we were so glad we did that!
We did stocking first. Lola was so excited!

The boys had the opportunity (at school) to spend some of their money in 'Santa's workshop'.

Our PTO puts it on, and they have some really cute things that are very reasonably priced,

so that the children can pick out their own presents for Dad, Mom, or siblings.

Colin used his very own cleaning money and bought me this ornament

(as did Cameron--so I am very luck to own two of them!)

And he also used his own money to buy Lola a very special necklace.

It is a black rope style necklace (perfect for the breakage factor) with a pink cross on the end.

She loves it and wears it all the time!

Then it was on to the boys' gift for their sister.

They all picked it out for her and couldn't wait for her to open it.

I love the look on her face when she saw all of the dress up inside!

Immediately, the items had to be taken out and put on Lolee. They just could not wait.

The boys opened up lots of goodies. I love to shop clearance all year round, and stash it away in a box. When Christmas came this year, I felt like I hardly had to buy anything because we had so much already and had gotten it all so inexpensively! Two birds with one stone. *grin*

Anything BEARS always brings smiles to their faces!

I found these great gift sets last year, late winter, for $4 apiece!

Each came with a t-shirt, a hat, and a football. Score!

Ethan was so cute. All day, anything he got had to be immediately put on.

Hence, the Mario pajama pants!

And the Bears sweatshirt...I could have posted five different shots of him wearing different things!

Cameron, just having opened a new Bears sweatshirt

And Colin, with his sweatshirt!

The Lolee girl opened up her second big present:

A Veggie Tales Nativity set that sings her favorite song, Away in a Manger!

She saw this in the store and loved it immediately.

I knew we had to get it for her and she plays with it all the time.

The boys have had so much fun with this Crayola crayon maker. Hours of creativity.

Love Ethan's face. This child absolutely adores anything Imaginext!

At the very end, we gave Daddy his gift. Does the shape give anything away? *giggle*

A new guitar! Shane has been asking for one and if you remember, even Cameron asked Mrs. Claus for one for Daddy! The boys wanted him to take it out right away, and as we suspected, he loved it.

We had so much fun Christmas Eve day....after a few hours playing with all our new fun things, it was off to our Church's Christmas Eve program!

To be continued....

Colin's school Christmas party

2012-01-25T17:18:00.000-06:00

With having two children in school now, I am finding that I have to make extra effort to make things "equal" when it comes to being a room mother. Since I was a helper for Cameron's Thanksgiving Feast, I didn't help with his Christmas party so I could, in turn, help with Colin's!

We had a great time. I baked cupcakes (seems to be a highly loved, always requested treat of the kiddos!) and Ethan, Lola and I took them in and spent a while with Colin's second grade class.

Ethan always loves seeing the bigger kids and feeling like he is part of everything!

Most of the children in Colin's class know him and always welcome him right in.

Colin and his friend and table mate (and neighbor!), Grace

Tyler and Olivia. Tyler and Colin have bonded over mutual love of Legos, and Olivia was the Prom

Princess when Colin was the Prince last year. She and Colin are very good friends--but, I'm told,

fight like cats and dogs sometimes! They are both so competitive, and most people that see them

together compare them to brother and sister because of the love/hate relationship. *giggle*

Mercee and Kylie.

I just love everything about what this picture says about how fun-loving second graders are!

Lola, enjoying her second-ever candy cane!

Mrs. Ducey is Colin's teacher. She is wonderful and loves Lola (just like everyone seems to!)

We have been so blessed to have such wonderful, gifted, patient teachers who treat the

children almost as if they were their own.

Enjoying some candy and cupcakes

Mrs. Ducey's second grade class!

(For my memory: Front, L to R: Kylie, Ellie, Sam, Colin, Emily, Destiny

Middle, L to R: Gavin, Madison, Grace, Maddie, Tyler, Olivia, Mercee

Back, L to R: Camden, Emma, Tiara, Kaelyn, Ethan, Mrs. Ducey)

Look who's TWO!!

2012-01-23T07:37:00.000-06:00

{And who has a new "smile" for the camera these days....}

Happy second birthday, my sweet girl!
(More to come, soon!)

This week, I want to remember:

2012-01-21T23:20:00.004-06:00

Monday, January 16

Having ALL of my boys with me, thanks to a day off of school in honor or Mr. King.
Lots and lots and lots and LOTS of Lego playing.
My friend and her kids coming over to visit and play a bit.
Colin coming up with a really good scrabble word all by himself.
Dinner as a family.
Baths without incidents. (Sometimes miraculous, in and of itself.)
A really all-around-wonderful day.

Tuesday, January 17

Cameron came home with a little hand that had been cut out of construction paper. The hand had a name scribbled on the back, and some numbers on the front. Cameron proudly showed me the hand and then said:

"Mom. Macie gave me this today to give to you. (Hands it to me) It's her phone number. (Pointing) See? Right on there? She wants you to call her so that I can go over to her house. She wants me to spend the night. Not tonight, since it's a school night. But sometime."

I chuckled to myself about the innocence of it all....but then thought I didn't think I was going to have to deal with these particular kinds of issues quite this early!

Then, a few minutes later, after asking Cameron how his day was, he said:

"Mom! Preston threw up all over his desk. Ick!"

And I laughed. Hard. Not because that was necessarily a funny piece of information, but because of ALL of the things that Cameron could have chosen to tell me about his day, he picked that.

He didn't care for my laughter and began to scold me (which just made me laugh more, of course....) "Mom! That's not funny! And it's kinda mean that you are laughing about it!"

We straightened out the reasons for my laughter, and then he was okay.

Later that night, while I was cutting Ethan's hair, he said to me:

"Mommy? What I really, really want for my birthday is....for God to turn me into an Angry Bird."

Wednesday, January 18

Waking up at 7:20--late because I didn't hear the alarm due to my current stuffiness--and panicking because I didn't think I'd be able to get the boys ready for school in time....

.....only to find them up, dressed, with their hair done and helping themselves to cereal.

Lola saying "No fair!" at least a hundred times. Sometimes inappropriately, but mostly in context.

Rearranging Lola's entire bedroom to make room for her dolls/accessories/dress up clothes. We've officially entered into a new era....her dolls have more space than she does.

Making a new recipe for dinner that everyone loved. When asked how it rated (one to ten):
Colin: "Ten!"
Ethan: "Ten!"
Cameron: "A thousand!"
Never one to be outdone, that Cameron.

Thursday, January 19

Ethan, as the boys were heading out the door to go to school, saying: "Can't my brothers just stay home and play with me today?"

So sweet.

That my boys still think it is fun to dress alike, and that they do it on purpose for

school on a regular basis. I'm going to miss that, someday.

That we had Nutella for breakfast.

And lunch.

(Oh....and we stayed in our PJs for....awhile. May or may not have been until bath time.)

How blessed I was to walk into Ethan's room to read before rest time, to hear Ethan teaching Lola how to sing "Blessed be Your Name". And to hear her starting to sing it back.

Ethan and Cameron playing the Wii; Cameron falling behind in Mario Kart and saying, "I'm never going to catch up!" and Ethan chiming right in, not missing a beat, with "You're never going to catch up with THAT attitude."

Friday, January 20

In the morning, as I was packing the boys' lunches, Cameron asked me for a chip clip to put in his lunchbox. When I looked at him questioningly, he said:

"Mommy, I don't usually get to finish all of the chips...and then even when I fold the bag, or try to put them neatly back in my lunchbox, they always spill out! Then they get everywhere inside and spill out on the bus. (Coming over to the drawer, opening it, and pulling out a clip) See? I need one of these."

And then he came home with his goldfish bag neatly clipped. *grin*

Watching Letter factory with E and Lo for the six zillionth time. And singing along as if it was my first.

Tombstone pizza, Star Wars, and snuggling with all of my kiddos. Hearing Ethan say things like "Why does he talk funny? I think he's weird." (Yoda) and Colin still calling him Dark Vader. *grin* A pretty good end to a pretty great week.

Christmas from Grandma 'Nette and Grandpa

2012-01-19T17:37:00.000-06:00

For Christmas this year for the boys, Shane's mom and dad graciously pooled the boys' money together and bought them something pretty spectacular: an indoor basketball hoop!

Now, this thing really is pretty great. It's NBA grade (so says my husband) with a real breakaway rim--and it has been tested at 180 pounds! One night, a couple days before Christmas, Shane installed it while the boys were in the shower.

(Lola helped.)

She's learning early how tools work!

This is her 'I know you're pointing that thing at me but I don't feel like giving you a real smile' smile.

Such a silly girl :)

The boys got out of the shower but we couldn't let them into the room, so they knew something was up and immediately began speculating. Somewhere, the picked up on the basketball idea and ran with it. I think they all had that idea when they came in, but we captured the moment anyway:

You can see they went kinda crazy with excitement! *giggle*

The next few moments (and hours, days, weeks, etc.) were filled with shooting and trying out this great new addition to their room. I think the funniest moment of the whole video is when Ethan is shooting with the yet-to-be-blown-up ball!!

Then, everyone began testing to see if the rim would hold....

Crazy girl hung there for a long time!!

A strong little stinker!

She lasted longer than Colin!

Col swung back and forth a few times and it still held....

But then....the true test. *giggle*

The boys (all four of them) have played tirelessly on this hoop for weeks now. Thank you Lynette and Roger for such a great gift!

Thankful for....

2012-01-19T11:41:00.000-06:00

(playing some more catch-up today....)

Around Thanksgiving, my Pastor's wife Kathy (who teaches our boys and Lola on Wednesday nights) did a project with the children. She had them trace their hand; helped them turn their hand into a turkey; and then they created feathers of all the things they were most thankful for to decorate their turkeys.

I thought the kids' were so cute, and they hang in my office to this day.

Colin was thankful for:

Jesus

Cubs

Bears

Mom and Dad

(maybe need to work on order of priorities, but at least Jesus is at the top)

Ethan was thankful for:

Jesus

the Bears

the Cubs

the Storm

(and all of a sudden, Colin's list looks better than before....at least I made that one)

Cameron was thankful for:

The God

The Bears

The Mom and Dad

The Jesus

and then an extra turkey because he was 'extra grateful'.

(written by himself, the same week that 'the' was a sight word in his K-5 class)

Lola, with some help from her brothers, was thankful for:

Daddy

Mommy

Brothers

Bananas

Hysterical.

Our tree, Christmas light style

2012-01-18T09:14:00.001-06:00

(Life is happening so quickly around me...and I feel like I am missing it because I am so far behind on my blog. I am determined to get caught up this week!)

Every year except one since we moved to Catlin, Shane has decorated our tree outside. It is a ton of work for him, but the results are so wonderful! I've never seen another tree like it, and Shane gets lots and lots of compliments on it each year.

This year, we tried to get some pictures. (Obviously you can see from the clarity that I am not an expert on night shots.)

It is SO lit up that you can see it from pretty far away.

This picture is as we come around the bend in our road.

See that big lighted blotch in the middle? *giggle*

Getting a little closer, you can start to make out the shape a bit more.

Shane individually wraps the strands of lights around each branch.

And closer....

It really is pretty spectacular in person--I wish the pictures did it more justice.
Shane ran into one of our friends the other day (who lives around the bend in the other direction
and sees the tree from afar every night) who said he wished Shane would leave the tree up all year
long because he loves to look at it!

Who knows....for the amount of work it takes Shane to do this, (and the fact that sometimes the lights don't come down until April anyway) maybe he will.....

*grin*

What Martin Luther King, Jr. means to a six-year-old

2012-01-10T20:54:00.000-06:00

Since my boys have off of school on Monday, the discussion came up tonight as to why.

Colin: "Because of Martin Luther King."

Cameron: "Junior."

Colin: "Yeah. Martin Luther King, Jr."

(This was funny to me in an of itself, because Colin--the oldest, of course--is always the one with the vast knowledge in our home--Cameron rarely gets to 'one up' him. However, it continued.

Cameron: "Mrs. Winkler told me all about who Martin was."

(Insert stifled giggle from me here. Cameron continues, with quite a bit of emphasis, since all eyes were on him.)

"He was a black man. And he preached. He preached aaaaaaaallllllll over because back then, there were bad men. They were white and they hid behind bushes. When little black kids came along the bad white men would take them away from their mommies and daddies and the white men would make the kids go live at their farms and cut down their corn. They were called snaves."

(I am rolling by this point...internally, of course.)

"The police told Martin not to preach anymore. But he just had to. He had to preach that those white men weren't doing what they were supposed to be doing! He just had to. So they arrested him and took him to jail. Then a bad, bad man shot him and now we have Martin Luther King--(looking pointedly at Colin) Junior-- day."

I think, for a six year old, he relayed a pretty good bit of understanding of what Mr. King did for civil rights. And I think he treated Colin to a bit of information in the process.

Win win.

*grin*

The Astronaut

2012-01-09T08:38:00.000-06:00

The other day in the car, Ethan saw some tractors sitting in a field, and it sparked a 'what I wanna be when I grow up' discussion.

Ethan: "Mom, I wanna be a tractor driver when I grow up."

Me: "You mean, a farmer?"

Ethan: "No," he said plainly. "I don't wanna to be a farmer. I just want to drive a tractor."

Seems reasonable.

He was quiet for a few minutes, and I could tell wheels were spinning. Then, he said:

"Mom. I ashually don't wanna be a tractor driver when I grow up anymore. I wanna drive a rocket......I wanna be a rocket man."

(And thanks to that new Volkswagon commercial that played 14 times during the Broncos game yesterday, enter Elton John in my head.)

Ethan: "Yeah. I wanna be a rocket man......a blaster driver!"

Apparently, he is calling rockets/spaceships/shuttles "blasters" these days. The things you learn in the car.

He sat in the back seat talking for a few minutes about rockets and being a blaster driver. I thought it would be a good opportunity for teaching.

Me: "Ethan, do you remember what blasters drivers are called?"

Ethan: "A blaster driver Mommy. No......wait.....a.....a.....a blast-tra-nat!! A blast-tra-nat!

I like his word better.

Christmas photo shoot

2012-01-04T10:10:00.000-06:00

A few days before Christmas, we dressed the kids up in their matching pajamas to take some pictures for our annual Christmas card. We got sooooo many good ones that it was hard to choose! These are my favorites of the group:

I love this one. Lola was really tickled about something!

I decided I had to have this one framed for my house.
I really felt like this picture captured the best of all of them!

Then we shot some individuals:
Colin

Ethan

Cameron

I was a bit worried if Lola would cooperate. She was feeling a little saucy at first. *grin*

But then she had a little chat with her Daddy, who always puts a smile on her face!

And we have her shot.
Cindy Lou Who.
I mean Lola.

We decided to try a "posed" picture as well. Shane came up with this, and helped the boys get into position. He handed Lola to them, and they all laughed so hard that they could barely keep their composure! Of all the shots I took that night, I'm pretty certain this one is my absolute favorite!

This is the one we used for the Christmas card--and I think my second favorite,

but definitely the one with the best smiles of all of them!

I'm such a blessed Momma!

Morning with Mrs. Claus

2011-12-30T14:16:00.000-06:00

A couple of weeks ago, we were so happy to participate in our library's "Read with Mrs. Claus" morning. The kids have enjoyed this activity several years in a row now--and this year, Lola was able to really participate too!

The kids got to spend a little bit of time in free play....

...and in writing their letters to Santa before the reading began.

Cameron was very careful about what he put on his list. He included a football and a football helmet. He 'wrote' the letter himself, and the biggest thing he asked for was not even for him--it was a new guitar for his Daddy! (Mrs. Claus seemed to really like that. *grin*)

(Mommy helping Cameron with his letter--picture captured by Mrs. Claus' elf)

Such a proud little guy--Cameron loves writing and practicing his letters,

so this was a very exciting activity for him.

Colin and his friend Sam enjoyed making a paper chain for the library tree.

And Ethan had just one thing on his list:

CARS.

{CARS 2 cars, to be specific.}

Lola, meanwhile, had found her favorite library toy--the PHONE! Typical girl.

Working hard on those letters

After letters, it was time for Mrs. Claus to read. She begins every year with a story of the nativity--and explains to all the children about the TRUE meaning of Christmas. Love that.

But there were lots of fun and silly stories too!

The pop-up books were especially attention grabbing.

(Mommy shooting Mrs. Claus--and that elf was shooting ME!)

Lola lost interest at about book number five....you do what you have to do to keep
little ones entertained, and the activity of choice was fiddling with Mommy's camera.

Then, it was on to ornament making and decorating.

Lola was even able to do her own! She didn't much care for the glue on her fingers,

but she got some glittery things on the ornament to jazz it up.

{And yes....I do know what Colin's looks like. *sigh* This will be funny for years to come....}

Then, it was time to tell Mrs. Claus what they were hoping to get on the big day.

While sitting with Mrs. Claus, Cameron disclosed the fact that he wanted his Daddy to get a guitar.
Mrs. Claus told Cameron that he should learn to play too--so, right there, they added
'a guitar for me, too' to the list! How funny.

Mrs. Claus was a bit surprised at Ethan's list--there was practically nothing on it!

But he assured her that CARS 2 cars was exactly what he wanted.

Lola didn't want to sit at first....but the candy bag helped coax her into it!

Mrs. Claus got a BIG kick out of Lola. She just loved her!

And, she got to give her her very first taste of a candy cane.

My favorite thing our library does (that I think is just SO special) is this:

After the children sit with Mrs. Claus and tell her their list, the library workers collect the letters. And, a few days before Christmas, each child who wrote a list receives a very personalized letter back from Santa himself. This is not your average form letter, as you can see! And this Mommy loves that attention to detail.

(You can tell that we visit the library often if you read through the letters.

Notice the reference about his ravine-tumbling incident....)

(Love this one....)

And Ethan's....

I've said many times how special our little village is...our library and this event in particular is just one of many reasons why I think so!

Thanksgiving, 2011, part one: The Chicago pizza tradition

2011-12-19T21:22:00.000-06:00

Every year, when these three brothers

get together at Thanksgiving,

there is one thing our family is never short on:

LAUGHTER.

Exhibits (above) one, two, three, and (below) four.

It appears as if,

perhaps,

those three brothers

have passed on

their contagious ability

to bond over Chicago pizza,

to be very, very silly

and

to laugh

at just about anything

to their 10 {beautiful} children.

Why I constantly fear having a cup

2011-12-16T14:06:00.002-06:00

Ethan, while he, Lola, and I were doing a Lite Brite project:

"Mommy, someone stinks!"

Me, bending even closer to the children, thinking it *must* be Lola and a diaper situation: "Oh...is it Lola? Is her diaper stinky?"

Ethan, recoiling away: "No....ugh...I fink it's your stinky coffee breaf."

{Anyone have a mint? Sigh. Nothing like your child to ~~knock you down a few notches~~ keep you constantly humble.}

Kindergarten Thanksgiving Feast

2011-12-15T19:56:00.002-06:00

A few days after we returned home from our anniversary weekend, Cameron's class put on one of my favorite activities: the Kindergarten Thanksgiving feast!

Both Kindergarten classes get together and host this activity. Ethan, Lola and I loaded up and headed to Cameron's class a bit early to help, and we had so much fun.

The children get to choose whether they want to be pilgrims....or Indians!

Cameron's Indian name was Strong Buffalo. It definitely fits!

After a brief time of getting into 'costume' the children line up

and all go down to the gym for their presentation.

They did several readings and songs and it was sooooo good!

My favorite song came from the old Veggie Tales show Madame Blueberry:

I thank God for this day,

for the sun in the sky,
for my mom and my dad,

For my piece of apple pie!

For my home on the ground,
for His love that's all around,

That's why I say thanks every day!

Because a thankful heart is a happy heart,
I'm glad for what I have--

That's an easy way to start!

For the love that He shares,
'Cause He listens to my prayers,

That's why I say thanks every day!

Ethan is always so excited to be with Cameron whenever we visit the school.

Cameron took us all around the gym, and showed us the teepee....

(Of course, looking with the eyes wasn't good enough--this teepee needed to be experienced!)

....and his pilgrim that he made! He insisted I take a picture of--his words--"the two of them together".

(This happy little pilgrim is now residing in Cameron's Kindergarten memory book!)

Cameron and his friend Christian

Then it was off to the actual feast!

It was so funny to see Lola sitting like such a BIG girl on the lunch room stools!

The food was very yummy. The Kindergartners (and their parents) and the teachers did a great job!

I'm always so thankful for my children's school....days like this are NO exception!!

Eleven on Eleven Eleven Eleven

2011-12-05T15:42:00.000-06:00

Shane and I shared a very special anniversary this year. Not the number of years necessarily, but the way it fell.

Eleven years ago, we married--on November 11, 2000.

That meant that we celebrated our eleventh anniversary....on 11/11/11.

We thought that was pretty cool! Okay--I thought that was very cool. I shouted it from the proverbial rooftops for every person who would listen to me!

My mother gave Shane and I the absolute BEST present of all--a whole 24 hours to ourselves! We decided to get away over night in Indianapolis.

We are fortunate to live pretty close to Indy. It is a wonderful city, full of great things to do but not too crowded ~~with scary people~~ ~~with traffic~~ ~~with overpriced everything~~ and it's easy to go there on a whim. So we Pricelined a hotel and headed off!

Quick picture before we got on the road. Photography lesson to be learned here?

Improper lighting causes terrible shadows! *giggle* I love the picture anyway.

We arrived at our hotel, which was nicer than we imagined it would be!

Score big points for Priceline!

The view that night was incredible! Love the city lights.

And the bathroom reminded us of an upscale spa retreat!

I told Shane it was not sleepy time yet. We were going out for a night on the town!

We decided to eat dinner at the famous St. Elmo's Steakhouse. It was wonderful. Right up my alley! Fancy everything (Shane joked with me that the busboys were dressed nicer than him, which was true--they were in tuxedos!) with gourmet food to boot. I was as happy as could be!

Shane was really excited when they brought us out some bread...until he took a peek in the basket.
*sigh*

I believe his words were, "What the what?" but he was brave and tried each one anyway!

His words after eating "the black one" (which, incidentally,

the rest of the world would have referred to as "rye") was.....

"The salt on the outside is delicious."

Got to love that man!

The next day, we awoke to a gorgeous sky and warm fall temperatures.

The hotel breakfast was amazing...even better because it was free!
Compliments of the front desk, in honor of our special anniversary!

We headed out for some adventures. We did some Christmas shopping....

....and of course, another meal before heading back!

We had never eaten at Maggiano's before, but it will definitely not be our last time!
The food was wonderful and so was the atmosphere and service.
I would highly recommend it to anyone!

I love you so much babe! I had such a wonderful anniversary trip--and thank you again, Grandma Jane, for being such a wonderful care taker for the boys and Lola! We could not have had such a wonderful time without you.

Here's to another 11! And another....and another....

Back again, back again, jiggity jig

2011-12-02T12:54:00.000-06:00

{Alright...so I've heard the call from my blog, and I'm back! The type A in me is going to have to catch up chronologically, but for today, I just had to post this. Glad to be back!}

Officially titled,

"Little Miss Yogurt Head"

A letter to Devin

2011-12-01T15:36:00.002-06:00

Dear Devin,

I thought we were friends!

Where have you been? You used to share so much of your life with me. I miss the pictures of your children, the funny things they say, and your telling me about all of the events going on in your family!

I know for a fact you haven't told me about your 11th wedding anniversary, Cameron's Kindergarten feast at school, or how much fun you had over Thanksgiving with your family in Chicago. I know you must have adorable pictures of Lola....at least one or two hilarious things that the boys have said....and I can imagine that there is probably so much more.

Won't you come back?

I miss you.

Signed,
Your very neglected friend,
BLOG

Colin's 8th birthday . . . continued

2011-11-17T20:44:00.000-06:00

The day after Colin's birthday, most of us in the house started passing around a case of the yuckies. Some had this, and some had that....and it was over a week before we were all feeling back to normal! As soon as we were, though, it was time for the rest of Colin's birthday celebration!

Ethan and Cameron each wrapped their present to Colin, purchased with their very own money. My family and I are the janitors of our church, so for several months now, the boys have each been earning a couple of dollars a week helping us clean. It has been a wonderful learning process, showing them how far (and how not-so-far!) a dollar goes.

You can believe that shelling out $3.50 for these CARS cars was both joyful and difficult.

They realize now just how long it takes to earn that money!

Ethan clearly gets his wrapping prowess from his mother.

{Just crumple it all up, buddy. It's still just as fun to open!}

Colin chose Pizza Hut (shudder) so that's where we went for the birthday feast.

Lo was apparently getting really hungry waiting on that pizza....

Colin snuck Grandma Jane's glasses! *giggle*

{I think they make him look like me....}

Ethan, as shy as usual

And, of course....Mr. Cutler.

Colin was so excited to open and find two new CARS cars!

The boys had so much fun giving them to him, too!

The big surprise came a few moments later. Colin has been saving and saving his cleaning money for an mp3 player. It has been all he has talked about for weeks now. At the last minute, Shane found a really inexpensive used one, and were able to get it for Colin. He was overjoyed!!

After supper, Shane took the boys over to the ~~steal-your-money~~ crane machine....

....helped them figure out how to do the controls....

...and lo and behold, a few minutes later, we were taking home a new Illini football player and a weird skull-ghost-biker man.

The story behind this picture warms my heart, too....Colin tried once, then again, then again, and was not able to get anything from the crane. Cameron, on his first try, pulled two out. This caused a few tears, of course--but Colin's tears didn't last long, because his brother promptly handed over one of the prizes.

Love my little tender-hearted Cameron.

We had a great time celebrating Colin!

We all love him so much, and are enjoying each day, watching the man that he is becoming.

We love you Col! Happy 8th birthday!

Lola the vampire

2011-11-08T10:53:00.000-06:00

I came down the hall looking for Lola today, and found her snooping in her brothers' room....when she turned around, she looked like this:

I've said it before, and I'll say it again--you just can't make this stuff up! Love this girl!

Celebrating Colin's eighth birthday

2011-11-02T08:45:00.000-05:00

Colin's birthday is always such a busy, exciting day.

My entire pregnancy with Colin, I prayed and asked God for one thing: "Please, please, please....don't let this baby come on Halloween. Any other day but that one."

God knew best. :) I went into labor the day before, but Colin took a whopping 25 hours to get here--so a Halloween birthday it was!

Before he left for school, he paused a minute to show me how old he is!

Every time I take a picture of Col these days, I marvel at how big he is getting.

Something about those giant grown up teeth make him look so big!

After we got Col and Cam off to school, Ethan helped me bake and decorate some cupcakes. Between Cameron's birthday, the Fall party at school, and Colin's birthday, he's becoming quite proficient at it!

It being Halloween and all, we figured it'd be okay to wear costumes for our errands.

Lola was so excited when we got in the car and I told her we were going to see Colin!

We stopped by Daddy's job and had lunch with him....

....and one of Daddy's co workers thought E's costume was so good that he deserved some early candy!

Then, it was off to school. As soon as Colin saw us, he was all about showing Lola and E off to his class!

She stood in the front of the room with him while the class sang, "Happy Birthday"....

....and Ethan sat next to him and shared a few giggles during cupcake time.

Scratch that. LOTS of giggles.

These two could barely eat their cupcakes, they were laughing so hard!

Lola made her self right at home in Colin's chair.

When it was time to leave, I grabbed my camera and snapped a couple

shots of Lo out in front of the school.

Running from Mommy...she did not want to get back in the car! *giggle*

Miss Sassy--love her expression here, and how her hair almost glows in the sun!

*cutest leopard ever*

When the boys got home, it was time to get changed and head out for Trick-or-Treating!

Lola ended up with two costumes this year--so we did one during the day and one at night!

We were so fortunate to have our very good friends come with us this year for the candy grab. We had quite the crew--a Ninja (please don't miss the blood dripping down his sword--Shane was proud of that one), Wolverine, a little lady bug, Buzz Lightyear, Cinderella, and Iron Man!

Lola could not wait to go! I love the blurry picture....you can really see how fast she was moving!

She was always a few steps behind...but didn't seem to mind.

Every single one in the party fell at one time or another.

It's rough trying to move around in those costumes.

Love this one of me and my little love bug.

All in all, it was a wonderful day. We still have the big birthday "bash" (tomorrow night) so there is more celebrating to come! A great Halloween, great friends, a great birthday....can't ask for more!

EIGHT wonderful years . . . .

2011-10-31T16:04:00.000-05:00

....of this special boy!

{My...how grown up and big you look, my sweet Colin!}

Happy birthday to my sweet little man....Happy Halloween to all of you...and lots more pictures of our day to follow soon!

Ethan . . . . on clarifications

2011-10-27T12:15:00.001-05:00

Ethan, in tears:

"Mom, I'm not crying because I am losing! I'm crying because they are winning."

Perspective

2011-10-26T11:23:00.001-05:00

On this dreary

cold

cloudy day

There

sunshine

all

around me.

{thankful.}

Happy 6th Birthday Cameron!!

2011-10-18T14:39:00.000-05:00

Last Friday, the 14th, my sweet Cameron turned SIX! Ack--where are the years going?

He started the day with his favorite breakfast--zucchini bread!

All lit up, extra-special style, of course.

After Colin and I sang Happy Birthday, he blew out his candles and made his wish.

Sweet baby! You can tell he hasn't quite woken up;

my bright-eyed boy isn't quite so bright-eyed yet!

Love these two. :)

About an hour after I took Cam to school, Ethan, Lola and I

returned for snack time with birthday cupcakes!

{Because what 6-year-old doesn't need sugar at 9:30 in the morning?}

Cameron had a birthday crown and was so excited to see us!

I loved the look on his face when Mrs. W. instructed him to climb on his chair,

so the class could sing him the Happy Birthday song!

He was so cute--but embarrassed!

He looked down the whole time. For such a funny, outgoing kid--he sure has a shy side!

The cupcakes....

....were a raging success!

*giggle*

Ethan and Lola made themselves right at home in the classroom!

We actually got to stay at the school for a while, and be a part of fire safety day!

The kiddos were attentive and sat very well....

...and they learned several things about fire safety, including what to do if a pot caught fire....

....or what to do if you were sleeping in your bedroom and smoke started pouring in from the door!

You guessed it--go OUT the WINDOW!

The little Miss even earned her honorary fire badge.

I just crack up when I look at this picture--with Lola and Ethan, right in the midst of all the 'big kids'--but it makes me so grateful too. My children go to *the* most wonderful school. So warm and welcoming,

with friendly staff and teachers who want nothing but the best for the children.

I always leave there feeling so appreciative of all the faculty/staff!

Later that day, Colin's best friend came over--and brought Cameron a gift! We thought it

was such a nice gesture, but couldn't imagine the goodness that was inside: a Cutler jersey!!

Cameron has been dying for one of these, and his face just lit up!!

Of course, Cameron had to put it right on.

This is how he answered when asked, "How do you like it, buddy?"

I think that's means a lot!!

That night, we rounded up the troops and Grandma MJ for a trip to Cameron's

favorite pizza place--the same exact place we went this time last year!

{Oh, my...how the kids have changed in just one short year!}

I have to stop and make a note here about Cameron's balloon bouquet. Grandma Jane volunteered to pick up some "Bears" balloons for Cameron (much like his tractor bouquet from last year!) but the lady at the shop didn't tie them properly. When my mom went to open the door of her car at the restaurant, the Mylar football-shaped balloon that said "BEARS" flew out of the car and into the sky! (Of course, it would have been the $5 balloon, and not the plain ones....) So, Cameron was left with three plain balloons. Then, we walked into the restaurant, and a little boy about one year old spotted the balloons. Cameron went over to his bouquet and took one of the balloons out and gave it to the little boy!

Such a sweet gesture--but it left him with a pretty puny-looking bouquet! *giggle*

{He didn't seem to mind!}

Lola snuggling up to Grandma!

Cameron got a card that transformed into an Iron Man Mask--of course that immediately went on.

Colin and Colden

The birthday boy with Daddy....

....and Grandma....

....and Mommy.

Lo giggling at her brothers

Such a happy girl!

As I was decorating Cameron's cake, he asked me: "What are you going to write on there, Mommy?"

I said, "Happy 6th birthday, Cameron!"

He responded: "You already wrote that on my cupcakes. Can you write instead....ummmmm....'My best birthday of ALL'? And then sign it, 'Cameron'. Can you do that?"

Yes. Yes, I can do that.

Making yet another wish!

We came back to the house after dinner and opened presents.

I wanted to snap a quick picture of Cameron with his present bag before the paper started flying--

if this picture does not capture my boys' nature, I don't know what does!

A new superheroes shirt,

a Bears sweatshirt,

and a Bears coat! Which, he immediately had to model for us, of course.

Of all the pictures I took on Cameron's big day, this series has to be my favorite. All of the boys have been begging for a certain Wii game, and we gave it to Cameron for his birthday. Here is the result as he opened it, and make sure to check all three of the faces in each picture!

Discovery

Shock

Disbelief

Very excited ~~and very loud~~ yelling

{Love Ethan here, looking at Daddy like, "No WAY!!"}

And then, pure elation all the way around!!

I am so blessed to have such great boys in my home....

....and to be celebrating yet another year with this one in particular!

Happy birthday Cameron! We love you so very much.

Always willing to lend a hand

2011-10-12T15:35:00.001-05:00

Today, before we could take a bike ride, I instructed Ethan: "Buddy, you need to go get some socks on."

"Does Lola need socks, too?" he asked.

E is always very helpful with his sister, and I thought it was great the concern he was showing for her...she indeed did need socks, and I told him that.

"I'll get some for her, Momma!"

Score! I had a few things to finish up before we could leave, and his offer would knock one more item off of that to-do list. About four minutes later, I heard him call:

"Mommy! I've got socks on! And some for Lola!"

As I walked into Lola's bedroom, I was treated to this:
{please note the *very* proud look on his face}

I'm pretty sure she loves him more than life--but knows he's awfully silly!

Checking out the apparel....

How dull and boring my days would be without these two and their antics!

Emotions

2011-10-04T14:08:00.000-05:00

Irritated

(at Mommy and the camera)

Enthralled

(at the flowers)

Tickled

(at Mommy's peek-a-boo game)

Really tickled

Curious

(about that squash)

Proud

(of being such a big girl)

Cheesy

(one of my faves)

Shy

(seen only once in a while)

Happy

(seen most all other times)

Happier

Happiest!

Showing off

(quite frequent)

Exploring

(must keep up with those brothers)

Determination

(enough for the household combined)

Caught!!

(giggle)

Pondering

Nervous

(heights)

Serious

(no way she's smiling that far up....)

Subdued

(wait...maybe...just maybe....)

Gloriously, wonderfully joyful

(ah...there it is.)

So thankful for my beautiful, emotional girl.

Treasures from a nature walk -- some you see and some you can't

2011-09-30T09:43:00.001-05:00

I believe everyone goes through it every once in a while. The past few days, it's been me.

I've been in a bit of a funk.

It's weird. Nothing is 'wrong'. Most things are, well--right, actually. I feel close to the Lord, to my kids and my husband, we have everything we could possibly need, we are healthy...the list could go on.

{his "hugest" leaf--an oak}

I couldn't put my finger on what was up, but Wednesday night in my ladies Bible study, Beth Moore smacked me upside the head with it. (High five if you LOVE that woman too.)

Even if you are not a Christian, stick with me here for a moment.

{seeds from a sweet gum tree--referred to by E as "spiky bombs"}

I am doing the study of Esther, and we were discussing how Esther's circumstances of being an orphan had radically affected her life. Beth had done an internet survey, inviting women of all walks of life to talk about some of their situations, and she was reading one of the ladies' survey questions aloud.

One of them went something like this: I feel like the jobs I am doing every day at home as a wife/mother don't matter--and at the same time, I feel guilty for wishing for significance, recognition, and importance.

{the maple tree seeds--he intends to plant his own tree}

Beth talked about the things that that mother probably did daily: wiped snot, cleaned up toys or throw up or toys or dirty dishes or toys, broke up arguments, fed others numerous meals (oh, and cleaned up after each one, too) and got up sometimes countless times a night to deal with who-knows-what. Things that don't seem at all like they make a difference--let alone are glamorous.

{the entire haul from his bucket}

Until, one day, tragedy strikes; and, out of the blue--that mother is gone.

Boy, are those 'insignificant' things that she did awfully noticeable now, once she is not there to do them on a daily basis.

{beautiful huge acorns}

That hit me so hard, but not in the way you might think. I realized not that I am searching for something more glamorous, or important, or significant, but that I am not seeing the joy and significance already present in my everyday life. I am not seeing what I do as purposeful in anyone's eyes--and I'm missing opportunities because of it. She was able to phrase things in such a way to bring me around to seeing what the problem was.

I get up. I feed them. I clean up. I eat (maybe). I do chores. I play with them. I clean up again. I feed them again. I read to them. I work while they sleep. I help with homework. I feed them again. I clean up again. I clean them up. I read to them. I tuck them in. I go to sleep.

{ooooh-ing and aaaaahhh-ing over the spiky bombs}

Then, I do it all over again the next day. And the next. And the next.

Can you relate?

But here's the deeper reality: I've cared for every single need they have ever had since the day they were born.

And, to find true joy, I need to choose to stop looking at these things as chores--and start viewing the mundane as the biggest things anyone will ever do for them in this life. Ever.

Being everything to them for now, while pointing them to the True Everything who will take their lives and do with it only what a loving, all-knowing, all-gracious God can.

{"I love these ones, Mommy....}

Seeing the little things as opportunities.

Like when your child says "I want to give some of my acorns back to the squirrels, Mommy....so they won't be hungry."

An opportunity to discuss loving others; giving; unselfishness; putting others before yourself; kindness.

Or when he asks you before putting each leaf into his bucket "Do you think this is a good one Mommy?" You say "Yes" over and over and watch him put the leaves in the bucket; then decide to test him on one by saying, "No...." and you watch as he puts it back on the ground.

An opportunity to realize just how much your opinion of things really means to him.

We had a wonderful walk together and made wonderful memories.

I will treasure our day yesterday forever.

And now, I'm off to go find something amazing in my day. It'll be there. Guaranteed.

Soccer photos, 2011

2011-09-27T09:22:00.000-05:00

Storm U6 boys

(Cameron: middle back; Ethan: front left)

Cameron

Ethan

Storm U8 boys

(Shane, coach; Colin: front, second from left)

Colin

{Aren't they just the cutest!?}

We've left the TEEN months

2011-09-23T22:41:00.000-05:00

My sweet girlie has left her teen months.

Today, she turned 20 months old.

She is doing and saying so many things. I thought about listing all the words she says, but it literally changes daily. The list would be very long, and I'm sure I would still forget so many....suffice it to say that she is speaking very well, and has more words in her vocabulary than I remember any of the boys having at this age!

She also understands very well. She follows even two and three step commands when we give them to her. {She must take after her father in that, because everyone knows how much I like to follow given directions!} Every mother says it about their child, but she just seems exceptionally smart!

She no longer sleeps in her standard position--she has a new wacky spot every night. It's fun to go in after she has fallen asleep...you never know what you're going to find!

She loves to dance, and proceeds to show off whenever music comes on.

{Even hymns in church--now that is some funny stuff.}

She has the funniest, cutest expressions. And you never know when you're going to see them!

She runs to the door when Shane gets off work hollering, "Daaaaaadeeeeee!" Talk about cute.

She loves him, and he loves her even more--a special bond there for sure.

She has lots of hair in the back, but hardly any on the sides of her head!

Enough for our favorite, though--PIGGIES!!

She. Has. Attitude.

*grin*

She is loud. Like, supersonic loud. (I have no idea where she gets that from.) Instances this would include would be: screaming when she doesn't get her way; screaming (screeching?) when someone is trying to take a toy or other beloved object from her grasp; screaming when she is excited about something; yelling for Mommy to come and get her from her crib in the morning; or yelling "Guys! Guyyyyys!" at her brothers, when she wants their attention.

She loves to support her Salt Fork Storm soccer-playing brothers!

She lu-hu-huuuuuvvvvs Nutella.

Also just like her mother.

Recently, she discovered that she can skip the whole wheat English muffin altogether--

and just lick the Nutella right off.

Not. Good.

On that note, she also picks the chocolate chips out of the granola bars;

eats them; and then discards the granola. *grin*

She has a smile that lights up the room.

And my heart.

She recently has developed a new skill: climbing. She climbs every stationary thing in our house. She's quite good at it, but still. Scary.

In the video below, I *somehow* managed to capture three of my favorite things:

She knows the 'clinking' sound of the treat jar. When she hears it, she runs into the kitchen and begs for whatever happens to be in there at the moment. (Which means I have to be in constant stealth mode when I'm sneaking peanut M&M's if I don't want to share ~~which is always~~.)
She knows what the Wii is, and can say "Wii", but it's almost German-sounding. It sounds a bit like "Vvvvfeee". Hysterical.
She calls Ethan "E-E" now. He is her buddy--the two have become inseparable since the biggies went back to school. If he is not in the room, then she is searching for him!

I warn you: the video below is horrible quality, but you get the idea. Enjoy my girlie in action and be jealous that I'm surrounded by this face each day! :)

Lola Claire Fransisca, every day is made better by your presence in it. We are thankful to

God for the 20 months He has blessed us with you! We are immensely enjoying watching

you transform from a baby into a sweet, tender, beautiful little girl.

Happy 20's!

Wordless Wednesday: "Hey boys....SMILE!!"

2011-09-21T22:01:00.000-05:00

Old Cars

2011-09-20T13:54:00.000-05:00

My Cameron is such a unique individual. {If you know him in real life, you know just how much 'weight' that sentence really carries.}

One of the things he has displayed to us is a love of "old cars". Since the time he was very young--almost from when he first started talking--he could recognize, point out, and say "Old car! Old car!"

The real kicker is that neither Shane nor I ever pointed those kind of cars out to him and taught him they were old. I guess he just instinctively knew.

We were always amazed at that.

{I feel quite certain he got that love from his Grandpa Danny, who also loved cars from the time he was knee-high.}

To this day, he still sees (and hollers out) at those old cars. So, when I heard that our local Fall Festival was going to be having an old car show, we just knew we had to check it out. We were lucky enough to have Grandma 'Nette and Grandpa down for a visit, so they came along--and we felt sure that Grandpa Danny was there with us in spirit, as well!

Checking out the Impala

Ethan in front of a corvette

Blue Stingray!

56 Thunderbird!

Are you impressed that I knew that?!

Yeah....don't be.

Checking out the whitewalls

Ethan seemed to be particularly drawn to the RED ones!

Cameron loved this one....

....and the mini-cooper!

Herbie!

Cameron didn't care for the Do Not Touch signs, and needed to be reminded several times :-)

He just kept inching closer and closer!

Austin Healey 3000

A 57 Chevy!

Cool!!

Cameron said this one looked like a red "Doc" (from CARS).

Love this picture!

We saw a few roadsters....

{Colin loved this yellow one, and insisted on a picture with it}

....and even a Model T.

Ethan even got to sit in one (which I think, judging from how 'keep-your-kids-away-don't-even-let-them-breathe-on-the-car' crazy most of the owners were, was a pretty rare opportunity)

A racing engine

We all really enjoyed our time at the show.

Who knows, maybe someday Cameron will own and rebuild

one of these himself, and we can go to his very own show!

Just because I love this picture . . . .

2011-09-19T07:55:00.000-05:00

Chalk Masterpiece

2011-09-14T08:41:00.000-05:00

Here is a story,

told by pictures

{and a little narrative from Mommy},

of what happens

when three little boys

and one teeny lady

find some sidewalk chalk they forgot they had....

"SWEET! Chalk! Let's draw something. Here....I'll show you how."

"Oooooh....that's nice, Colin!"

"Look--you can make the hands like this."

"Did you know that when you rub your sweaty face with chalk hands, it makes colors?

Also, on a different note, I need purple.

Has anyone seen the purple?"

"I haven't seen it. It is most definitely not hiding behind my head."

"Wait a minute...."

"Yes it is!!"

"But if you think I'm sharing it with you, boys....you have another thing coming."

"I'll put the purple in all by myself, thankyouverymuch."

"Whatever. I'll just use blue."

"Hey guys....check this out."

"Cool, huh? I know."

"LET'S ALL DO IT!! YEAH!!!"

"I just don't know what gets into you boys sometimes. Such silly adolescent games."

"Clearly, mother...I have not added enough color."

"I'll work on that!"

"I simply can't comprehend this behavior.

I don't understand why Mother is allowing this!"

"Here Ethan....let me help you."

"Really, Mom? Now you're letting them do it to each other?

I'm taking the chalk and I'm out of here.
I'll have no part in this nonsense."

"Hold still! I've got to concentrate really hard."

*pause*

"Because the ground doesn't move when I draw on it, that's why."

"I can't help moving! It feels funny."

*several minutes later, after getting back on track....*

"The masterpiece is done, Mommy! It's our favorite man of all time."

In my book....it might as well be a Picasso.
*grin*

Belly laughing

2011-09-12T15:02:00.000-05:00

Soccer is HERE!!

2011-09-09T11:13:00.000-05:00

We've had so much fun with all three of the boys in soccer this year! Cameron and Ethan are on the same team, and Colin is in the next league up, with Shane coaching again. Last week was our first game, and I wanted to share a few highlights!

Ethan, dribbling through several defenders--he went on to score after this....

....and got a high-five from his big brother!

Cameron, concentrating....

Love this shot of Ethan!

In the first part of Cameron and Ethan's game, Grandma Jane showed up. My boys, who were in the middle of a play, ran off the field to greet her. It was pretty funny--but maybe not to the boys' coach!

Colin and Grandma cheering the younger boys on

Cameron surprised us all by showing some incredible talent on the field.

He had scored seven goals by the time the game was over!

He also showed a bit *ahem* of pride....yeah, that's

something we're gonna have to be working on! *giggle*

(In all fairness, after the game--when we questioned Cameron about this move, he said: "Mom, I was just doing what the soccer players do on the Wii." When we went back and checked out what he was talking about, we found that the players on the FIFA Wii game point at the back of their shirts--as if pointing to their number--when they score. That made us feel a bit better! LOL)

Love this shot of his face after he missed a shot on goal

Grandma helping corral Lola while we watched the game

And yes--I know how she is dressed.

I realize tutus are not typical soccer attire.

However, we (Storm) are white, grey and black--

and this birthday outfit is the ONLY thing she had in her drawer with black in it!

{With the help of Etsy, we're working on that!}

Love this shot of E Ry taking on three defenders all by himself.

He did so well, too, for his first game ever! Scored two goals!

Celebration

Cameron listening to coach Dave in the huddle

Love this one, too!

After the younger boys won, we headed down to watch Shane coach Colin's game.

Lots of fun and excitement at this level!

Daddy giving some last minute instruction

Colin dribbling

He did so well!

I was so proud of Colin--his team ended in a tie, but it was a good game.

He fought for the ball the entire time!

So looking forward to the rest of the season. Go Storm!!

Wordless Wednesday: Bumblebee Piggies

2011-08-31T23:37:00.001-05:00

Dear Ethan:

2011-08-26T13:31:00.000-05:00

When did you start looking so grown up?

{Stop it. You stop it right now.}

"Perfect Picture" -- FAIL

2011-08-23T21:17:00.000-05:00

{Yet, I love these pics just as much....}

First day of Kindergarten--take two (Cameron's turn)

2011-08-19T16:43:00.000-05:00

Today was a big day in the life of Cameron.

He started kindergarten.

I remember the day Colin started like it was yesterday. (I remember how Cameron was such a goofball all day, making me laugh at every turn. Even at three years old, he knew Mommy was sad--and he knew he was just the boy to cheer me up!) I know all parents say that about every milestone, but I really feel like I blinked and two years have passed.

Though I shed several tears yesterday, and quite a few (in hiding) today, I did much better today than I did with Colin--but, in all fairness, Cameron was only gone for an hour and a half. Monday is the first full day--so, we'll see if I'm singing the same "I'm okay!" tune then. *grin*

To start the day, I grounded myself with my normal morning quiet time. I knew I would need it, and it was amazing--my daily reading was from Jeremiah, where I came across some of my favorite verses of all time: verses 11-14 of chapter 19. They read:

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good, and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days, when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me; I will be found by you," says the Lord.

It was very moving and comforting to me to know that, even in what would be considered a very mild trial of 'losing' my child to school, God's promise was for good things in my life, and in Cameron's....and that He was listening. Even when there was no audible speech--He was listening to the sound of my tears hitting the bathroom floor when I couldn't muster any words to pray. He knows all of our griefs, and promised to carry us through--the big ones and the little ones.

Speaking of good things--I decided the first day of school should be celebrated with some donuts. *grin*

After a yummy breakfast (which I did not feel guilty about in the least, knowing they would be back home before the poor teachers would experience the sugar crash) we snapped a ~~hundred~~ few pictures.

I can't decide if I like this one....

....or this one the best. Either way--I'm pretty sure I have a framer on my hands!

{Seriously--I am one incredibly blessed Momma to have these amazing gifts!}

The boys had to show off their Bears backpacks!

Cameron....oh, Cameron. How I will miss your goofiness and your wise cracks all day long!

I can't get over how big Cameron is--almost as big as Colin!

My two little men

Then, it was outside to snap a few pictures in front of our special tree.

I love this one.

First stop at school? Dropping this little man off at his second grade classroom! I did alright--until I hit the doorway to take him in the room. Good thing there was a box of Kleenex right in the entry way! I was able to dab the tears away before he saw them. We snapped a quick picture, and then I was off....

....to the K-5 room! We were greeted by an 'Old West' theme.

Cameron immediately searched out and found his desk.

It is in the very back of the room...and I'm fairly certain that that won't last long! *snicker*

We are so fortunate to have Mrs. W. again! Colin had her--she is an answer to my prayers! A wonderful woman. I'm looking forward to another year with her! She made Cameron feel welcome right away.

He found his hook....

....and his supply box....

....which he immediately began loading. I have to admit, it was very cute--he was so excited.

Pausing for one last shot before Mrs. W. called things to order!

The children met on the rug. As excited as he was,

you can still see the uncertainty on Cameron's face in this picture.

But he quickly got into gear, answering some questions....

....and even introducing himself when it was his turn.

I quietly hugged him goodbye, told him I would be back in an hour, and slipped out of the room. As much as I thought it would get easier with each child, today proved just the opposite. Good thing I kept that Kleenex from before handy. I needed it.

Just as I was composing myself, I got a glimpse of this:

and I realized that it would be another blink before both of these two were walking these halls as well.

We got back home. To the mess from the scurry of the morning; to the dark of the house from the cloudy day; to the quiet.

Too much quiet.

And I shed a few more tears.

And then?

In that moment, I realized....then, there were two.

Lord, please give me the strength to get through the tears. Through these days adjusting to missing my two oldest babies....and give me the courage to continue on, knowing You are right beside me; beside Colin; beside Cameron. Thank you for this special time with my two youngest babies--and please, please help me to use it wisely.

I love you, Cameron! Immensely. I miss you already.

But I am excited for this year, and excited to see how God uses you to bless so many

others--the way you have blessed me for these last five years while I have had you at home!

The gift that keeps on giving

2011-08-18T16:58:00.002-05:00

Last Friday night, Shane surprised me on date night.

Well, surprised is putting it mildly....truly--he blew me out of the water.

He took me out to dinner (normal) and then he pulled into the Best Buy parking lot (not normal). He informed me that we were going inside, and that he was buying me a new camera.

Not just any new camera--our point and shoot is not that old, and still works well--but the camera I have been drooling over for several years now--a Canon Rebel.

I nearly died from excitement, and have spent the last several days getting to know some of the basic ins-and-outs--reading about aperture, f-stops, ISO, and shutter speed on Pioneer Woman's photography section. I bought a Canon rebel for dummies book (oh yes I did!) from Amazon, which should be arriving any day now. I can't wait to learn more, but for now, I am having so much fun taking a zillion and a half shots each day. I thought I'd share some of my favorites from yesterday.

Ethan, helping out in the garden

Showing off his 'prize'

Marigold in our garden--natural pesticide {bugs dislike the smell}

My favorite seven- and five-year-old tomato unloaders!

Out of focus....but something about this shot makes me love it anyway

Colin, showing me his favorite of the treasured 'special rock' collection

Cameron, so proud of his garden helping abilities

E Ry, looking so sweet I can hardly stand it!

Colin, who is missing more baby teeth every time I turn around

Lola, fresh out of the garden (with dirt still on her nose....)

Photography experts would tell you I have a lot to learn--but I can't wait to! I am thinking there are going to be a lot of posts like this in the coming weeks. Thank you, Shane--I truly love my camera!!

Mommy's naptime accomplishments

2011-08-17T16:33:00.001-05:00

Done:

7 bags at 6+ cups each = over 42 cups of carrots preserved!

{I used my Food Saver for easy freezing--I love this quick and user-friendly storage method.}

Working on:

{Mixed peppers}

Coming up:

{Roma tomatoes}

Yes....again. *grin*

Garden haul of the day--carrots

2011-08-16T23:17:00.001-05:00

This morning, we got quite the yield of carrots from our garden!

The boys got right to work pulling the greens off.

It was a bit more difficult than they thought it was going to be...

...but they got the job done!

We found some VERY interesting looking carrots--you sure don't see these in the grocery stores!

Carrots are determined to keep growing downward, and will go around whatever is in their way or do whatever it takes to get there. Even if it means sprouting another root or three!

After we beheaded them all *grin* we brought them to the sink for a good cleaning.

I let these soak for a little while to give the dirt time to loosen up a bit.

You can see how dirty the water got--and this water had already been changed a couple of times.

But they came really clean! No need for peeling. Many of the nutrients are in that outer layer--you don't want to peel that away! A good scrubbing is all these guys needed.

Did I mention....that....we had a bunch!?

As I washed, I enjoyed the peace and quiet and the scenery out of my kitchen window...

...this little guy was keeping me company.

(Well, him and three of his buddies--but I never had my camera in hand when they were all there together!)

{*Dear Shane--Have I told you how much I love you AND my new camera?!?*}

After the carrots were all clean, I got to lopping--the icky parts off of the ends, that is.

See that green circle? That's not ripe. Want to get that off!

Same carrot. Much better.

I chopped the really large ones in half....

...and then the chopping blade of my food processor got to work.

It did this for me....

....in a matter of minutes!!

After all was said and done, I was left with a giant bowl full of carrots!

I put the bowl next to a pint of tomato sauce, so you could get an idea of how large the bowl really is.

(It holds a whopping 32 cups when the lid is on--let alone overflowing like this!)

That is a LOT of carrots--they'll be going into the freezer tomorrow! All in all a great day in the preserving department!

Lesson FAIL: Those less fortunate and keeping things clean

2011-08-15T09:36:00.001-05:00

I try. Really...I do.

But sometimes, lessons we teach (or in my case, apparently--try to teach) our children just don't seem to be grasped the way were were hoping for.

This past week, we--and by we I mean all three boys and I--have been working on two things: counting our blessings and keeping our room clean.

We've talked about those who are less fortunate than we are, and how we need to help people in need.

We've thanked God for the big things: our home with a roof over our heads; cooler days so our van isn't so hot when we ride around in it; the money we have to buy our necessities; and the fact that Daddy has been kept safe on all of the jobs he is currently working on.

We've thanked God for the small things: bike rides; unlimited books we can check out from the library and read for free; finding Indian beads at the park; zucchini bread; new (and very cool) boxer brief undies to wear to bed at night; nunchucks for the Wii; and Mt. Dew frosters from Circle K.

{Okay...maybe that last one was me.}

AND, we've also been cleaning up the boys' room each and every day before rest time.

I've been stressing to them the importance of keeping things neat and tidy (one day, their wives will thank me....of that I'm quite certain....) which has meant quite a bit more picking up and straightening than they are normally used to.

Apparently, all the extra work finally got to Cameron, because the other day, while in the middle of picking up yet another pile of toys, he said in a quite irritated tone:

"We need to give some of this junk away to some poor people so that we don't have to pick it up all of the time!!"

*sigh*

I guess we'll keep working on those lessons....

For the love of tomatoes

2011-08-12T08:26:00.002-05:00

Lola has a new love.

Bet you'd never guess what it is!

Ah, yes...home-grown tomatoes.

She eats them like they are going out. of. style.

Good thing we have plenty around here....

Colin, on escaping certain duties

2011-08-03T17:02:00.000-05:00

Witnessing Mommy changing a poopy diaper (up-close-and-personal-style) Colin says:

"Mom? Will I ever have to change poopy diapers?"

Me: "Well, not Lola's, honey....but when you become a daddy and have babies of your own, you'll have to change them."

Colin, after a bit of contemplation on that thought: "I sure hope Jesus comes back before that happens!"

Lola and the shinguards

2011-08-01T06:42:00.000-05:00

think

someone's

ready

for

soccer

season!!

Tutorial: Making basil pesto

2011-07-26T16:09:00.000-05:00

I planted six basil plants this year.

Every year I say I'm going to plant more basil; this year, I actually did it. And boy.....are we currently up to our ears in it!!

We love basil. We use it in so many things--one of our favorites being pesto. In case you've never tried making your own, I thought I would show you just how easy it really is! With the help of three very cute boys*, of course.

*cute boys optional in your kitchen

When I brought in our latest load of leaves from the garden, it almost filled our entire dining room table! If I had to do all that leaf-picking myself, it would take me forever. Luckily, I have three amazing helpers--and it only took about 20 minutes.

Cameron was much happier about this process than he looks.

Maybe.

The boys are young yet, but they really are very capable in the kitchen.

Even Ethan gets a lot done all by himself!

{Stop it, Colin! Okay, I promise this is NOT child labor!}

We have a leaf pile and a 'garbage' pile...and we pickpickpick until everything is in one those piles!

I wash the basil (in several batches) in the sink....

....then run it through the salad spinner to get most of the moisture off.

I add about 4 cups of leaves to my food processor....

(which promptly DIED about half way through making this batch--I nearly died with it!)

....some kosher salt....

....and freshly ground pepper, to taste.

A side note here: you actually can make pesto without a food processor, just using a large kitchen knife and chopping everything well by hand. I speak from experience on this--I had to do more than half of my batch this way after my processor died. It is a lot more work, and you won't get the emulsification like you would in a processor--but the flavor is still incredible. We had some of the hand-chopped stuff that very night, on some pizza--and it was just as good! So: no food processor? No excuse! *grin*

Now, 1/2 cup of pine nuts--you can add these raw if you'd like;

I toast mine in a dry pan for a couple of minutes, to bring out the flavor!

And 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese.

Next? Garlic.

Ahhhhh. Garlic.

Another side note: I grew garlic for the very first time in my garden this year, and it could not have been easier. You start garlic in the fall--so if you'd like to grow your own, start thinking about it now! You simply purchase garlic (either online, which is where I got mine, or some even say in the grocery store bulk bin--but I have a friend who has not had great success with that) and divide up the bulb into cloves. You plant the cloves a couple of inches into the ground, and the following July/August, each clove will have turned into a whole head!! It is incredible, really--and hardly takes up any space in the ground. I am so glad I tried it last year and will never not grow it again! One of the bonuses--I will take 3 or 4 heads that I grew this year, dry them out, and plant them again...so it's a gift that keeps on giving! *grin*

I use about 2-4 cloves for a batch this size, depending on how big they are.

The nice thing is, the garlic doesn't need to be chopped. Just lay it down on a cutting board...

....lay your knife--blade side facing away from you--across the top of it....

...and give it a quick but sturdy whack with your fist.

As Rachael Ray says, you accomplish your job and let out some frustration!

You end up with a clove that is slightly mushed (technical term)....

...and whose skin just peels right off.

As Colin would say: easy peasy, lemon squeezie!

{Please take note of the meticulous manicure. That's just how I roll.}

Once you have all those goodies in your processor, start pulsing.

A little more....

STOP!!

Right about here. See? It's not all ground to pieces, which is what you want.

Now, start a thin stream of extra virgin olive oil into the hopper, and turn the processor to on.

About 3/4 cup of olive oil and 15/20 seconds later, you'll have this! Perfect.

Like I said, I make a bunch at a time--you can see the pile of leaves still on my counter

behind the bowl--so I pour each batch from my processor into a giant bowl.

Batch by batch, I combine it all; then, at the end, I scoop it into jars and freeze.

You want to cover your pesto with a thin layer (maybe 1/4 inch thick) of olive oil before freezing it--it will help protect against freezer burn. Make sure you use a proper freezable jar (the freezable canning jars have straight sides, unlike your normal curve-top ones) and leave about an inch headspace in the jar for expansion.

That's it! Easy and delicious!

Piggies!!!

2011-07-22T09:39:00.000-05:00

Some one has pigtails!

{cute ladybug pigtails, at that}

And she's happier about it than she looks.

Promise!

See!

{Grandma 'Nette gave her her first ever piggies, but this is the first time they've been captured by the camera. Thanks for the inspiration, Grandma--we didn't think we could do it!--and thanks to Aunt Aimee for the adorable lady bug clips!}

Prediction:

2011-07-20T17:13:00.000-05:00

I see....

some pesto....

in our future!

Friday Funny

2011-07-15T08:38:00.000-05:00

A couple of weeks ago, my cousin, Haley--who is really more like a sister to me--went to Florida. She brought the boys some really cool shark-tooth necklaces back as souvenirs...but was 'stumped' on what to do for Lola.

Haley has quite the sense of humor....and this is what she came up with.

And, wait for it....the back.

We got an awfully big kick out of it....and I hope it brightens your Friday too!

I mean--how could this face not brighten your day?

Have a fantastic weekend, everyone!