Cleaning house

The boys helped me clean house Wednesday. I vacuumed while they mopped. They really did a fantastic job. It took the floors about 4 hours to dry, I thought I might need a shop vac to get up so much water! They loved it.

Quick post

Just sitting here thinking what I want to post, and I just want to say a big "thank you" to the main man in my life - Jesus. I have been so blessed. Much more than I deserve. Mostly to know that I have the opportunity spend eternity with these people that I love so much. I am overflowing with love for my children and my husband, and my extended family. There is no happiness like knowing the ones you love will be with you in heaven.

Nate and Henry have this fascination with smoking. They pretend they are smoking cigarettes with straws and french fries. If we see someone smoking, they stare in complete awe, I see it in their eyes how they are glamorizing smoking. Tonight, laying down, I had a long talk with Nate about the dangers of smoking, what it means to be addicted, and about what your lungs look like after you've smoked for years. I could tell that I was finally getting through to him. He turned to me and said, "Mommy, I not like smoking cigarettes, I just like smoking cigars."

Mother's Day

What a great Mother's Day it's been! I have spent the day with Bryan and the boys and we've had a great time. We haven't done anything that different than any other Sunday and I guess that's what I'm thankful for. That every Sunday is spent with my family just hanging out, going to church and eating. I am so glad that Bryan enjoys spending what little free time he has right now with us. Nate is crazy about Bryan right now. In fact, I think he's a little disappointed when he knows he's stuck with me all day. Bryan (and that is what Nate calls him, not Dad) is the coolest in Nate's opinion. And I do hope that they grow up to be just like their Dad one day.

Girlie Girl

I'm a girlie girl. I love makeup, to talk on the phone, I don't like fishing or bugs. I don't really like any sports and I love to shop. When I found out I was pregnant with Nate, I wanted him to be a girl. When I found out I was pregnant with Henry, I really wanted him to be a girl. Obviously, I got 2 boys. Now, I see how "way beyond anything I could plan," God's plan is. I have 3 amazing boys/men in my life (this includes Bryan). I couldn't be happier. God knew just what He was doing when he gave me these people. Because, in the end, they are all I can take with me. And, I wouldn't want anything to be any different.

Date Night

I had a date with my hubby last night. We went to 356, a yummy/romantic sushi bar in Clemson. You know what's so exciting, I have more fun with him and I love him more now then when we first were married. If things keep getting better year after year, I will surely burst with happiness by the time we're in our 70s. We've been married 8 years this year. I am so glad that I don't look back at high school or college and think "those were the good ole days..." because to me, these days are the best.

A Rebellion

Today is an excellent day for my children to rebel. I have almost completely lost my voice due to a bad cold, and I just had my eyes dialated at the eye doctor. So, I can't see or speak. Hopefully my vision will return before they (Nate & Henry) burn the house down. Someone should check on us soon!

I ran my second race today! A 5K with my friend Tara. We didn't win any prizes, although we really wanted to win a door prize because they were giving away stuffed llamas. Here is a picture of me and Tara, and her sister Kristen in October when I ran a 10K. I forgot the camera today, so I don't have any pictures. Thanks Tara for running with me.

Easter Eggs

It's the day after Easter, and you have a refrigerator full of beautifully decorated eggs. What do you do? You make Egg Salad! Yum! Now for those of you who are egg salad fans, my recipe is quite simple: chopped up boiled eggs, salt&pepper, and mayo. (If any of you have a better recipe please pass along.) For those of you who have never tried egg salad, well, don't knock it till you've tried it. NO, I don't like mayo either. Be sure to toast your bread when you make your sandwich. Enjoy!

He Lives!

"He Lives" is one of my most favorite hymns and of course we sang it Sunday morning! What a fantastic Easter it was. Easter is one of my favorite holidays because all the pressure of gift giving isn't there, it's just a great celebration! We spent the day with family (like we do on most holidays) and it reminds me and Bryan of how blessed we are to have a big family that live close enough to get together frequently.

Cool Costumes!

Check us out! Here we are dressed up as a bible family for a play at church today. Nate loved being in it & Henry had a hard time understanding what was happening to Jesus. Tim (the guy in charge) did a great job with a lot of kids & adults who weren't sure what they were doing! I played Mary, somehow I am sure that she didn't have short extra light blonde hair.

Crocs

Check out my new crocs! I love how comfortable crocs are, yet hate how they look. However, these are so cute & comfortable. They are also coming out with wedges this spring! Yippee!

Yikes!

Well, I haven't blogged in a long time. I've been in a rut, a coma, hybernating through winter. Now the sun is shining & I'm ready to blog again. I think my moods are directly related to the seasons, spring, summer and even fall are great. Christmas is my favorite. But, those first months of the new year are so BORING. Anyway, Bryan is snoozing and I am missing 24, so I'll be blogging more very soon!

Thanksgiving 2006

9pm on Thanksgiving Day. We've driven from my Nana's house for lunch to Bryan's Grandma's for late lunch then back to my Granny's for dinner and finally home. 3 Thanksgiving feasts with family that I love. No, I'm not complaining about being tired & busy & overscheduled. I am so thankful that loved ones are near & still want to gather even though my family brings chaos & messes to each home. And, can I just say how thankful I am for my husband. Bryan is amazing. I am constantly surprised at his parenting - he's really good with the boys. And a great husband too. I am so blessed. I won't go into all the other stuff that I'm feeling thankful for right now, like my country and my church, my brothers & their wives & parents, and for friends, like the ones who drive 10 hours to spend time with us (Thanks Robin & JD). I'll just end with "I'm thankful for Thanksgiving" because we all need a day to reflect on what God has blessed us with. Now, back to my leftover potato salad.

It's a bird, it's a plane, no it's Nate & Henry dressed as Batman & Superman! They did a fine job of watching over the neighborhood last night, and still managed to gather a few pounds of candy! Please note their costumes, created by Joy, a mere 6-7 hours of frustrating needlework.

Sometimes people ask, "now, what is it you do?" and of course I answer, "I stay home with my boys." Being a stay-at-home mom.... Why don't I feel like I'm doing enough? Why do I feel like I need to be doing more? Why do I feel like I need to explain that I flew with Delta before I had Nate & I am planning on going back to work selling real estate one day. Being a stay-at-home mom doesn't impress anyone. Why do we women feel like we have to impress by balancing careers, marriages, families and still stay in perfect shape, cook dinner every night, have great skin & wear cool clothes? I've been struggling with this the past few weeks and I've decided that I don't have to do all that. I really think that the media (TV, magazines, etc) give us an unrealistic ideal to try to live up to. So, I've decided that my priorities should be 1- my relationship with Christ, 2- my husband and 3-my children. Now, just trying to implement this is the next step. And besides, look at these 2 boys. They are a gift from God. I don't think I'm wasting any time devoting the next 20 years to them.

Preschool

My boys started preschool last week. 3 days a week, 3 hours each day. When I dropped them off this morning, they were both crying hysterically. I'm talking, the kind of crying that has snot all over your face & you're snubbing, they kind in a mother's bad dream. It takes every ounce of strength I have to walk out the door. I call a few minutes later and they're okay. So, I'm sure they have fun once mommy is gone. In fact, Henry walked out of school on Friday wearing a macaroni necklace. Anytime noodles end up around your neck, you've gotta be having fun!

We have this incredible worship service at my church (Welcome Wesleyan) called "The Flame." It's on Sunday nights. My boys love it. This isn't your ordinary worship service now. It's dark, loud, electric guitars & drums, lights & a cutting edge "sermon/message"that is a multimedia experience. Sounds exciting, huh? Anyway, Pastor Matt heads this up. He always has a message that's pertinent to our life given from a stool, not a pulpit, in flipflops, not black shinys. The music, led by Dustin & Hannah (who by the way are a great match both on stage & off) is contemporary & those exciting drums - played by Thom Wood- are just so intriguing!!! If Thom only knew..... So now, we have 2 sets of "little boy drums" that stay on my screened porch (so I can close the door). Nate & Henry have played them so much that they've busted 2 of the smaller drums. They actually think that one great day, they will get to play drums with the Flame band. Watch out Thom, they're getting pretty good!
By the way, Sophia is dead & Dorothy has diarrhea. I am hoping she may join her roommate in a few days. These fish are starting to give me the creeps! I can handle baby poop a lot better than fish poop!

Sophia & Dorothy!

The much anticipated reward for successful potty training has been realized! We are now the proud owners of 2 goldfish - Sophia & Dorothy! Nate & Henry are thrilled & so far are responsible pet owners. The fish tank stays in the bathroom because these fish just love to watch the boys brush their teeth! I am actually growning quite fond of the "girls." They're low maintenance & don't talk back! Oh yes, for those of you considering getting goldfish, I just want to let you know that they prefer eating fish food to spaghetti noodles!

How would you like to drive this bunch around for a few days?
Wow, just recovering from a great visit from my dear friend, Robin. She flew to SC, with her 2 young children, and stayed for 5 days. Yes, she is still alive, flying alone with 2 babies didn't do her in. And, we had a great time. Here you see us in the car going to watch the movie "Cars" at the theater. I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful friend who would actually go to all the trouble to come visit just so our children would know each other. And now that they're all gone, my house feels so lonely. So, what did I learn from 5 days with 4 children all 3 and under?
Well, #1, When young babies go to bed at 10 and get up at 6:30, they really do need a nap. So do their mommies. Enough said!
#2, Grilling is an art. Bryan had to work late & I was planning a cookout with another friend who flew with us at Delta. I wanted to bbq chicken on the grill. I didn't even know how to light the grill, first of all. Or, clean it. Or cook on it. To summarize, more chicken ended up stuck to the grill than was served. Next time, I'm leaving any food cooked outdoors to the man in my life, Bryan.
#3, our babies are only babies for such a short time. And even though life is sometimes really tiresome & frustrating, I have to remember that this moment will only last such a short time. One day I may wish for the days when my babies cried out for me during the night & argued over who would get to sit in my lap.
and finally #4, friends are so precious & worth all the effort of staying in touch when life gets busy. I'm so thankful for my friend.