i heart faces - soft & sweet

I tell her all the time, "Please don't grow up."

She always responds, "But, Mama...I have to. I want to be a veterinarian and a dog hair cutter person."


I guess she's right - but I'll glance at this photo every once in a while to remind me of how precious she is in the now.

This photo is my entry in the weekly challenge at i heart faces - I couldn't think of anything more soft and sweet.

Just being together

Believe it or not, these siblings really enjoy one another!

EASTER 2011

Just an update

Baseball season has begun! Andrew is playing his first year of Coach Pitch baseball and loving the challenge it brings.

He got quiet one afternoon so I went hunting for him. As I turned the corner into his bedroom, I saw him quickly hide the marker behind his back and look up at me with a sly grin on his face. "What'cha doin', Luke?", I asked. "Nothin'", he replied. Sure, little guy....looks like nothin' to me!

For the past week, she's been waking up every two hours. She's also been praying for a little sister so she'll have a roommate like the rest of her family members do. Sweet girl....she's even already given her future sister a name: Sparkle. HA!

When she wakes, we're usually still up so we take turns cuddling with her on the couch.

Playing in the park

Eating picnics, walking, and playing at ANY park is one of our favorite things to do. We spend most of our summer at one of the local parks eating PB&J sandwiches and exploring God's outdoor creation. While visiting my family over spring break a few weeks ago, we all spent a few hours enjoying each other while outside.


He wasn't really sad....just pretending to be sad about landing face first in the sand at the bottom of the slide.

See what I mean?

Cousins born on the same day, four years apart. My sister and I still "laugh" about that.


Yep, railroad tracks over the water that are still used by the rail line.....and by our feet!


Cousins laughing....so glad that they got this time together. With the age difference of 16 years, they still have a cute friendship.

He wants a dog so bad!

He is Risen!

How 'bout some blurry skating pictures?

My sister and I have decided that skating at our hometown local roller rink will now become a tradition with our kids upon my visit. They enjoyed it soooooo much and they have bruises to prove it!


By the way, did you know that Mitch's high school job was one of a DJ at his hometown's skating rink? Yeah, that's where the love for the R&B genre came into play, I'm sure. HA! Yes...he's sticking his tongue out at me in this picture. What!!?!?!?! You can't tell? Must be the lousy photography.

Abigail's prayer

Tonight upon closing of Family Worship Time, Abigail asked to pray first:

"Dear God, Please give us another baby. I want a girl and a girl so they can share bunk beds and then a boy and a boy, too. If you give me a sister, I can have someone to play with and a friend to be in my room. Amen."

Does she realize she just asked God for four more siblings, bringing our total up to seven children? It's fine by me but something tells me she won't like getting less attention.

I love you, my sweet baby girl.

Just some adorable faces

Egg hunt 2011

There were eggs everywhere and I think they found them all! After they finished and examined their loot, the parents began begging for pieces of candy.

9 Quick Takes

1. Tonight before bedtime, Andrew said, "Mama, I can spell Mississippi. M-i-crooked letter-crooked letter-i-humpback-humpback". Good try, darling. I remember learning how to spell my home state's name when I was child with the same mistakes. So cute!

2. I'm in love with Adele's voice. I'm always fascinated that Brits sing with no accent (well, that's how it sounds to my American ears, anyway). I don't think she ever sings off pitch. Perfection.

3. Our boys had their first baseball games today. Luke had a hit and enjoyed being on the field. He's mentioned that he likes playing on a different team than Andrew....I think he feels some ownership when he doesn't have to share multiple things like the spotlight, stories, and correction. During his game, Andrew hit a home run, scoring a point for his team - his team won!

4. We spent seven hours today in the beautiful sun and spring breeze while working and playing at our church/school for a fundraiser. And the funds we did raise! I guess it's easy to raise money when there are things such as snow cones, bouncy houses, silent auction, rummage sale, sweet treats, and Chick-Fil-A!

5. I enjoyed a good afternoon visit today with my neighbor across the street. Outside of our cul-de-sac, we haven't done anything together - but it looks like we might be planning a trip to IKEA soon as she is dying to make her first visit. Our kids play well together and we've been known to have a block party from time to time....ha! God is good to give friends and to provide friends for my children.

6. Andrew turned 7 last week and I haven't blogged about it as usual. I've felt really bad about it but it's on my BLOGGING TO DO LIST this coming week. That sounds awful, I know...but it's just a blog post.

7. I guess it would have been neat to make #6 actually #7 but I can't think that far ahead right now.

8. This week I'm going out with the girls...but I've never been out with this group of girls before. You see, these girls that I'm going to get coffee with are also wives and mothers with hearts for adoption. I'm so excited that they invited me to share conversation with them about how we can pray and support the ministry of adoption in the families throughout our city and surrounding counties.

9. Summer is fast approaching. School will end in May and then the summer adventure begins. I'm already making a list of all the fun activities will can enjoy together as a family, including sleep (ha!). Get your pool ready, Pop! Prepare for the invasion, state parks! Bug hunting we will go! Rock skipping will be accomplished! Road trip will be refreshing. Amusement park will be conquered. VBS will be amazing. Tent sleeping in the backyard will be a joy. Church meals will be eaten. Family visits to both ends of our state will be taken and lots of picnics will be enjoyed in various city parks. COME ON SUMMER TIME!

Grandchildren

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
Psalm 127:3

Mom? Mommy? Mother? MAMA!

Some kids call their mother Mom, Mommy, or Mother....

...mine call me Mama and I like it that way.


There's something that's so endearing to hear them refer to me as Mama. I'm sure it has something to do with my own childhood and what I still call my own mother to this day. The sound of hearing "Mama" come from their mouths makes me so, so happy.

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more,
with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent,
and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ,
to the glory and praise of God.
- Philippians 1:9-11

Hey, Melanie!

See, I am posting late just to show you "how I do it"!

It's 1:55 AM......are you asleep?

I am looking forward to hanging out together soon, my friend!

Did you read that article I gave you tonight?

Will you make me some more peanut butter brownies?

I have so many questions.....

And she cried....

She wasn't in the mood to pose or kiss her parents in return. We thought it still made a cute picture. Love that little tater tot.

It's not The Masters but it's FUN!

'Cause I like to look at him

A kitchen wall (thanks, IKEA!)

When I went to IKEA with some friends this past Saturday, I had no idea I would walk out with six items (not including the famous cinnamon rolls!).


We've been in our house for four years and the kitchen wall has been bare for most of that time. I made a poor attempt of decorating it a year ago but it just ended up looking.....well....sad. So, as of today, I'm glad to show you that my kitchen wall now has some spunk to it. I still want to add a touch of color (orange/rust red) here and there when I find those "perfect items", but I'm willing to wait (I mean, why not?).


Thanks to Jennie for challenging me to pick the paint colors and get it done!

Happy wedding day, Brysons!

I had the joy of taking these pictures for a sweet couple in our church. It was lots of fun and I'm so glad they asked me to take part in their special day as their photographer. I felt the pressure of capturing all those memorable moments but the bride seemed to trust me, which put me more at ease throughout the day. Love you, Ryan and Beth!

Names

Last week in my preschool class (you know, the one that allows me to be with one of my children all morning - I love it!), we discussed the meanings of our personal names, how our parents came up with our name, and said our middle names out loud, too. Then, I asked if they had any nicknames that their parents called them that I might not know.

First child, "My mommy calls me Punkin' Tater."

Second child, "Oh yeah, sometimes she calls me Princess."

Third child, "My daddy is funny. He likes to call me Snookums."

Fourth child, "Just Sweetheart....that's all I am at home."

My child, "Booger!"

I was so caught off guard that I busted out laughing! You can imagine the laughter among my 4-5 year old students, too. But, he's right....I have referred to him as Booger:

"Get your shoes on, Booger, so we can load up and get to church."

"Hey, Boog....where's the marker you borrowed and said you'd put back in the drawer?"

"I love you, Booger! What book do you want me to read to you tonight?"

At least he's listening and hasn't asked me to stop....although, it is kind of nasty. Maybe he won't notice or care if I stop calling him that. I DO HAVE OTHER NICKNAMES FOR HIM, I PROMISE!