Crazy Siblings

We can't help it....everytime I get together with my sister and brother we about pee in our pants. We have such fun together. I love you, Angela and Stuart!

Thanksgiving Day yardwork

We love raking the leaves in the front yard and then jumping into them. This was Luke's first experience rolling around in the crunchy leaves. He enjoyed it for a short while. Andrew enjoyed raking them into small piles.....or at least trying. He was a super helper!

Yuck-y

Ahhhhhh.....how many more weeks until my first trimester is over?!?!?!?!? I've never felt this sick. Yuck! Ick! Every smell grosses me out. The thought of food disgusts me. All I crave is water. I can't get enough of it. Oh yeah...I crave my pillow, too. I don't know how much I'll be able to eat this Thanksgiving.

We went to Ft. Benning today to watch the SILVER WINGS jump out of an airplane and parachute to earth. Andrew loved watching the red smoke come out of their boots while dropping at fast speeds. Wish I had gotten a picture of the event.

Stike a pose, there's nothing to it...

Woozy

I don't remember feeling this tired during pregnancies 1 & 2....probably because I wasn't having to keep up with two little ones during those times like I am now. I'm usually a night owl but now I'm longing for my mattress and pillow at 10:00 instead of midnight. I'm only up now because I'm working on school stuff for the office, which I get paid to do. Andrew has been getting up one to two times during the night (usually between 2-4 a.m.) and coming to the side of our bed. We have been sticking to our procedure (although it's tough on us and breaks my heart) of not talking to him and putting him back into his bed. Between the two sessions this past Saturday night, I picked him up and put him back in his bed 154 times before he finally got the idea and gave up. It seems my 11 month old is a better sleeper than my 2.5 year old here lately. Please tell me this is normal and that things get better!

Things I've Done

My friend Amy posted this on her blog so I thought I'd join the club. Here are just a few things I've done (in red):

01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with wild dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside outside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said “I love you” and meant it
09. Hugged a tree (to keep from falling out!)
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby’s diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk
42. Had amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your CDs
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Played touch football
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an “expert”
83. Got flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Kissed on the first date
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one/both of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently
95. Performed in Rocky Horror
96. Raising children
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Touched a stingray
110. Broken someone’s heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a facial part pierced other than your ears
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Touched a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad - and the Odyssey
135. Selected one “important” author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head
149. Caused a car accident
150. Saved someone’s life

Just a Swangan'

HELP!

Andrew

Andrew reminds me of my college roommate, Heather. Heather and I shared a room for a year. One thing that Heather loved to do was to play with masking tape...especially when on the phone or in a deep conversation. It's like the tape helped her to focus on what she was talking about. Well, Andrew likes to play with tape, too....of course, he's only two so he's not trying to concentrate too deeply on anything except for having a good time at whatever he's doing. He found my roll of masking tape and started tearing it apart, sticking it all over his face and fingers. Just wanted you to know, Heather, that you were thought of this week as I spent time with my son.



Andrew loves the camera....I snapped this picture of us while outside playing together in our backyard on the swingset. Yes, Luke was with us during both the tape adventure and our backyard play time but he didn't want to say "CHEESE" for the camera.

What an awesome day!

Today has been grand. I've received many birthday blessings, cards, presents, and hugs. After a morning to myself (besides standing in the long line at the polling station), Mitch surprised me with a babysitter (thanks, Chrissy!) so we could go out to eat and spend some time together. Also, a friend bought me a one hour massage so I'm REALLY looking forward to that appointment next week! Today is also the first day I've felt a little sick due to the pregnancy. It seems the small amount of sickness I have in my pregnancies always occurs in the evening. I think I'm going to bed now....night!

Big News

For those of you who haven't heard, Baby McGinnis #3 will make his/her arrival in early July. We are very excited! Thanks for rejoicing with us over our good news.

Costume Cuteness

Hope you enjoy these pictures of Andrew and Luke. We attended the fall festival tonight at our school and church. Andrew loved wearing his monkey suit but Luke only cared for the sweet chocolate cake.





Hope you enjoy these pictures of Andrew and Luke. We attended the fall festival tonight at our school and church. Andrew loved wearing his monkey suit but Luke only cared for the sweet chocolate cake.

Opposition

I had to delete a comment from my last post because an anonymous person accused me of being a Devil Worshiper. "Devil worshiping" to one = "loving your neighbor" to another!

Trick or Treat....or Reformation?

We took the boys trick-or-treating tonight. It was a first for them both. Andrew seemed to enjoy it but stuck really close to Mitch's side as we walked up and down the street. I pushed Luke in the stroller while he sucked on a lollipop. I really liked getting to meet my neighbors that I've never met before. Kelly just moved in across the street with her two small daughters. She stays at home, too, so we will probably start visiting with one another during the day when we're home. We also invited her and her family to church. The only reason we ventured out (and opened our front porch to strangers to receive candy) was to meet our neighbors. We hope Christ was glorified in our smiles, kind words, and laughter. I like what Tim Challies has to say about Halloween. God is to be glorified in ALL things so why not take the opportunity of Halloween to do so? I wonder if I'd get strange looks when at people's doors declaring what I really want to say; HAPPY REFORMATION DAY!

Zink

We attended a marriage conference over the weekend presented by "the other" PCA church in our area. Dr. Dan Zink was the speaker.....very encouraging. I appreciated his consistent application of scripture to the glorious gift of marriage. Made me love my Mitch all the more.

cupcakes and bubbles

Andrew loves cupcakes and bubbles. He attended a costume party today where he dressed up as a cowboy. All he wanted to do was eat the cupcake icing and pour more bubble liquid into the machine....oh yeah, and he wanted to hit the pinata` over and over, to no avail. Enjoy the pictures!

Guess what Luke had for dinner last night?

Relaxing

Andrew likes taking a bubble bath, but he's never liked laying in the tub on his back...until now. He's found that it's fun to surround himself in the bubbles and try to guess what I'm saying while his ears are covered.

Mississippi

Haven't blogged in a week.....been super busy and out-of-town. We just returned from a four day journey to Mississippi (my home state) to attend my cousin, Lora's, wedding. While there, we stayed with my other cousin, Brian, and his sweet, hilarious, cute, and insane wife, Heidi. We had a blast. Lora was beautiful so we took a moment to get a family picture of those on her side in attendance. After we returned to Brian and Heidi's house, I geared up to take an evening ride on Brian's Harley Davidson. It was awesome! I wish it hadn't been so dark and cold but I enjoyed it, nonetheless. My friend Crissy once shared on her blog about a time she went for a motorcycle ride. I thought of her story as I was riding behind Brian, feeling the wind against my face. It was amazing! Anyway, the boys loved Mississippi and I enjoyed spending time with my mother, who rode with us.

Beautiful Fall

We love this fall weather. Seasons change....God is good. Luke certainly thinks so! Mitch and I celebrated seven wonderful years of marriage yesterday. He and the boys brought a dozen yellow roses to me and then Mitch took me out to eat last night while my sweet sister-in-law & brother-in-law babysat the boys for us. Thanks, Valerie, Emma, Ella, and Tyler!

Funny Face

I just couldn't resist. I had to share this picture.

He's such a HAM!

Saturday morning with Pooh

We went to Barnes & Noble this morning to get our picture taken with Pooh during his autograph session. Andrew loved seeing Pooh but Luke wasn't quite sure what to think of the large character.

Exhausted

So much to do....my TO DO list is long. I've been reading what the girls at GIRLTALK have to say on this matter and it's encouraging.

Roaches

People are hesitant to discuss roaches....but the truth is, we all see one from time to time in our houses (some more than others!). Andrew loves to hit them with his flip flops. Yes, we are teaching him that God created all things for HIS glory but I sometimes wonder about roaches (and snakes). So, here's a picture of the unlucky guy that crossed our path recently. Thought I would share....aren't you glad I did? By the way, if you click on the picture, it should come up in a second window - enlarged! The details are great! I can't wait to read your comments!

Saturday activity

Andrew loves to jump in those moonwalk things.....especially if it involves climbing. He went to a birthday party today which had a pirate theme; hence the inflatable pirate ship. Luke loves to be held. Daddy is good at that.

It's been a long time.....

Can't believe that I've gone this long without posting. It's mostly due to just returning from vacation and doing the usual such as unpacking, washing laundry, preparing lesson plans, and getting the boys back into their routine. We had a great time in Florida but it's always good to get home into the familiar.

It's the beginning of October, a month that makes people think of the cool crisp fall weather....but not here. It's still hot and humid. Mosquitoes everywhere. So, I sprayed down the boys and let them play outside in the pool after sweating on the swingset. Luke is tolerating Andrew a bit better. Andrew, being only two years old, still struggles with being gentle when playing with his baby brother....but he's improving. They enjoyed playing in the water together and Andrew thinks it's great that Luke has a swing right next to his.

Roller Coaster & Harleys

Luke rode his first Harley Davidson this past week when we were at Downtown Disney. He had fun! Also, can you spot Mitch on the roller coaster (top back with hand in the air on outside end)? I can't believe that I managed to take this photo at just the right moment!

Family, spiders, and faces

Just wanted to post a few more pictures of our vacation thus far. As I type, Mitch and I are in Orlando (going to SeaWorld tomorrow). The original plan was to let both boys stay at their aunt's house but we decided to bring the youngest one with us as not to 'cause distress on anyone (me included!). Look at that spider hanging in its web outside my sister's house in her backyard! WOW!

Heidi & Brian

My cousin, Brian, and his sweet wife, Heidi, have spent the past three days with us....we've had a blast! Heidi is a hoot, just like her husband. She fits right into the family. We've gone to the springs to swim with Angela and her kids, eaten, rented movies, eaten some more, and spent good quality family time together. Family is the best.

Sweet smiles

I love capturing their smile. Joy is written all over their face. O, what abundant gladness it brings to my own heart....I'm smiling, too.

Oh my goodness...can he be more adorable?!?!?!?

Yes, that's my baby!

He loves the camera!

5:53 a.m.

It's 5:53 a.m. as I begin typing this. No, I'm not up this early to read my Bible, although that is exactly what I need at this moment. The reason I'm up is because Luke is up. He's been up for four hours so I've been up for four hours. I think it's due to teething but he relaxes and falls asleep in my arms when I go into his room to calm him but starts screaming the minute I put him down. I've tried everything....ambasol on the gums, singing, nursing, rocking, walking around....he's fine when in my arms but doesn't want to go to sleep. He's mad at me now....I can hear his angry cry from his room next door. He shares a room with Andrew so I asked Mitch to put Andrew in our bed (since I'm obviously not occupying the space) so Luke could scream and not bother Andrew's sleep. So, I am really typing this post to take up some time and allow me to vent. I need something to do between calming sessions! In the meantime, here are a few pictures of the boys over the past few days (awake and happy)

Andrew loves to practice the breaststroke in the tub. He had so much fun in the deep water!



Luke is going to be a good student one day. He loves his little library of books.

Back home

I'm back home from my weekend in Atlanta. The conference was refreshing but I'm pooped! I took Luke with me and glad I did...he cut his first tooth and began crawling all within a matter of three days. He didn't feel so well the first night of the conference and I asked my brother, Stuart, to come be with me while the others in my group carried on. Luke pretty much lost his appetite and....well, let's just say that I barely brought enough diapers for the weekend! I saw MANY friends at the conference whom I hadn't seen in a while, like April and Christi (pictured). Wish I had taken a picture of the others, like Becky, Shannon, Susan, Suzie, Thalia, Rebecca, Christy, and Diane. I can't wait to go back next year!

Out-of-town

I'm leaving to go out of town today....heading to Atlanta for a three day women's conference. Yeah! The blogging will be light; probably nothing at all until I return. Pray for the boys!

Feeling better

This is my gum chewing, flip flop wearing, juicy cup drinking little guy. He's feeling better, thanks to the stinky antibiotics that we have to endure for another nine days. He's already back in school, being that he's no longer contagious. What a cute fellow!

Again

Andrew has strep throat....again! This is the second time this year. I'm just glad it's not allergies. At least this time there's no vomiting....just coughing and a rash. Antibiotics are wonderful, although they smell.