Easter 2008

This Easter was our very first spent in the South....and it was a great one! We visited Uncle Bob's on Saturday and spent the entire day with Grandpa and lots of other relatives in Woodruff. d1 had lots of fun riding on all of Uncle Bob's toys....I think his favorite is the orange tractor by far. Both boys did get to catch a slow, safe ride on the 4-Wheeler (although it just makes me numb with fear, even in the safest conditions). Of course, in the midst of all the chaos, I forgot to grab our camera.....UGH!! How irritating!




On Easter Sunday, the boys woke up to find that the Easter Bunny had visited our house while they were sleeping and left them a few fun toys to fight over. We attended church and then after our nice, relaxing Sunday naps, we got up and played at the park for a bit and then came back and colored eggs. Yeah, I know....a little behind but we didn't get home early enough Saturday night to do it.....and the boys are too young to know the difference so we went with it. Here are some pictures I did sneak while they were dying the eggs with D1.....it was quite a mess at times but nothing too disastrous....

How Did They Do It?

Honestly! How in the WORLD did women raise families of 4,6 & 8 children? If I could travel back in time, I would be very interested to see how they managed to stay sane. Seriously, there weren't "happy pills" like there are now so how did they manage to keep themselves together all the while dealing with a crazy flock of children? I really used to consider myself a strong woman but these days, I feel like the weakest link by the end of the day. All (mostly) due to the screaming and fighting that occurs in my house....no, no. Not between me and the hubs but between the two little DD's that have sprouted horns on their little heads. Below you will see a "Before" shot that was taken at the beginning of one particular day....and this really fits ANY given day in our household....

Awww, aren't they sweet??? HA! Fast forward, oh....maybe an hour and you will find a different picture....

I used to be able to say it was all the older one's actions but these days, it seems pretty split. Little d2 has figured out how to get under d1's skin. The only difference is that a good, stern "NO!" brings d2 to tears. With d1, we are still trying to figure out what makes him tick (and what will deter his behavior). We cannot figure out how to curb his aggressiveness ~ he's not like this with any other child, just his lil' bro. We have tried everything from time-outs (does NOT work with this one), spankin's (we love and believe in THE Dr. Dobson but he needs to meet this "Strong-Willed" child), reward systems, taking things away, etc. Everyone tells me it's the age and at this point, I'm ready to agree because if it's not, then OH MY GOODNESS!!!! At least with that theory, I have a light at the end of the tunnel. To all of you that have successfully raised boys (without having the neighbors calling CPS), GOD BLESS YOU!!! And I'm open to suggestions.....

I'm So Over Winter and READY for Springtime!!

I've never been a fan of winters and I hate complaining about it this year, especially since we haven't had to deal with snow and ice like we are accustomed to. BUT my kids cannot stay healthy.....and I'm going to blame the up-and-down temps just because I have nothing else to blame. We have been battling sickness since October with strep throat, ear infections, pink eye and once one of the boys recovers, it's a matter of hours before the other contracts it. Why can't we stay healthy? The boss is not loving on my once-a-week phone messages (that I leave at 5am to ensure he hasn't arrived yet!) that tell him I will be MIA AGAIN! What can you do? Our babies need us when they are feeling puny.

I will give thanks for this....and I HOPE AND PRAY I do not jinx us but we have been flu-free this season, despite the horrible cases going all around us. As a family, we did receive flu shots ~ whether that's the primary reason we are staying healthy, no one knows but I'm so thankful for that. If we can just make it through another month or so!

A funny thing did happen last night. When d2 is stuffed up (as he is now), we are all aware that if he sneezes, he's likely to create quite a mess from his nose. Well, while we were eating dinner, he sneezed and out came a perfectly round HUGE bubble that remained in tact until I could wipe it up with a tissue. At least we were at home for this production; usually I'm driving and trying to wipe it from the drivers seat, all the while running off the road and steering with my knees.

On a final note of griping, d2 currently has another ear infection ~ second one this month. We have probably paid more in healthcare costs in the last 5 months than we have in the last 4 years (baby deliveries included!). Absolutely absurd! We're pumping him full of yet another antibiotic and praying that the fluid stays far away. We dodged the bullet last year of having tubes placed in his ears so pray that we miss it again!

House for Sale

Well, it's official ~ our house is on the market! By that I mean we stuck the "For Sale By Owner" sign in the front yard and we are just waiting for the right person to drive by. D1 and I have decided to take a leap of faith and see what happens....so many unknowns right now but our first priority is for me to become a SAHM with the boys. That's just not financially possible if we drop my income. It's amazing how much priorities change within just a few short months. If someone had told me that I would want to be a SAHM a year ago, I would have fallen on the floor and laughed until I cried. It was NOT in our plans....but something has changed in me. I never imagined it would be a thought I would even entertain. All I know is that right now my beautiful boys see their daycare teachers more than their Momma and Daddy on a daily basis. It's time for a change....



So, what does this mean for our new life here in the South? We don't know at this point. Lots of things up in the air and we are likely to have tough decisions to make in the near future. One thing is absolutely certain ~ we trust that God will lead us in the right direction and we know that where He guides, He provides. Now all I need to do is work on that "giving my worries to Him" topic we so often discuss in BS. Please pray for our family that we make the right decisions and that we feel peace with whatever path we journey upon.

And if you know anyone house hunting in the Greer area, I have just the home for them......

I'm Going to See Kenny Chesney!!!!!!!

Those who know me well know that I am a fan of country music, but I LOVE Kenny Chesney! I have been waiting and waiting and waiting to see him live in concert for about 4 years now and it seemed like everytime he came to town, I was pregnant and about to pop! D would never take me because he was always afraid I would go into labor while I was singing loudly to "The Woman With You" even though I promised I would keep the baby in until the show was over. No budging!


Well, I heard last week that KC was coming to Columbia and....whattya know....I'm not pregnant (a minority these days with all the preggers I'm surrounded by). Soooo, as a Valentine's/Birthday/Anniversary present to each other (for the next 2 years), D and I are going to see Kenny in April!! Yaaaaaay!!!





Now, let's just hope our childcare doesn't fall through at the last minute.....or the little d's might be going to their very first concert!

Christmas 2007

A little behind on the Christmas pictures but better late than never, I suppose. Despite this being our first year in SC, we decided to travel back to Missouri for the holidays. With D1 being a teacher and having a nice, long break and myself having a little vacation to burn, it just made sense to take a little trip. We had a FABULOUS time! The boys had great quality time with Grandpa and Grandma S. d1 had a blast feeding the cows and swimming in the hot tub. We got to visit with Uncle A on Christmas Day, we visited Papa M's farm (with a ride on the tractor AND 4-wheeler, against my better judgment), and we got to visit all of our friends whom we have missed TERRIBLY. Both boys got so many wonderful gifts from everyone, and Santa even remembered to stop by and leave a few things as well.





"Santa remembered" - well, for the most part! d1 sat on Santa's lap back in November at Haywood Mall and asked him for a red and purple bicycle (tricycle). I think Santa got his colors mixed up....or maybe D1 sent Santa a memo asking for NO purple? In any case, d1 was very excited about his gift!

"Look at me, Mommy!" Uncle A got d2 a cool Tonka truck that he can ride on and tow other cars with. Unfortunately, he doesn't get to play with it much if d1 is in the room....we are officially to the "I Want What He Has" stage and it stinks! It doesn't seem to matter if they get the EXACT same toy in the EXACT same color....they will inevitably fight over it. I can't count how many times I find myself saying, "Leave him alone!" or "Give it back to him!" or "Get away from each other!" One thing is certain, though...d1 may have 20+ lbs and be a head taller than d2 but d2 will not be pushed around. He gives it right back to d1 and he doesn't show any mercy. D1's mom has told some stories of D1 and his older brother when they were kids and it's extremely frightening to hear what the future may hold for our household. Hammers through the wall, forks being used as weapons.....good stuff! Oh, I often daydream what it must be like to have a sweet, CALM little girl.......guess I'll never know! As rough and crazy as these boys are, though, they are also the most precious gifts God has bestowed upon us and we praise Him everyday for them!! Especially when they are asleep......

For the Love of the Game...

Ever since d1 has been walking, there has usually been a ball in his hand. I guess it has a lot to do with his daddy being a basketball coach for so long but nonetheless, he has a passion for it. This is the first year that D1 isn't coaching so we wondered if d1 would lose his desire but we see that is not true. The last two years that we went to cheer D1 on, d1 would just sit, stare and eat popcorn with an intense study on his face. Most toddlers his age would be interested with running up and down the bleachers but not him. He watched, waited and cheered "Two Points, Mama" when our team would score. He picked up quite a few pointers over the score of games we attended. And his own skills have only benefited from it. I may be biased but I think he's pretty darn good for a 3-year-old. He's graduated from his Little Tikes 3-ft-goal to the Kansas Jayhawks rim-over-the-door hoop in his playroom (about 6 ft tall). He can dribble, shoot a lay-up and knock down most free-throws! See my future Jayhawk below! Such aspirations!