Lulu Visit

We attended a great little children's play in Birmingham -The Frog Prince
I wasn't aloud to take pictures of the actual play-bummer. They did a great job and held the boys attention for a full 45 minutes-impressive.

Okay, this made me nervous. Notice Aaron tossing Ben on the hay, and then Ben jumping down into his arms....what I didn't get a picture of was Ben tumbling down from the top, no broken bones.

Another pumpkin patch, my favorite one- Old Bakers Farm. We get our Christmas trees from there too.

This is the first Pumpkin Patch that we went to.....local.

Aren't their pumpkins cute! The rule was that if they couldn't carry it, then it wasn't coming home with us - being pregnant and all, I had to create weight limits. Daddy wasn't there to carry the load.

Christian sang at the fair with our Churchs' Children Choir....he did really well. He was so loud that the vein on the side of his neck was popping out. Mommy and Daddy were truly proud. Also, he announced that he had to pee in the middle of the program....pride quickly turned to embarrassment.

Picnic and Play at a fun little park around B'ham.


Lulu (my grandma) visited for two weeks. She came at the perfect time of year, the weather has been so nice. A couple of first timers for her: Eating at a Jack's and eating a sausage biscuit (with mustard, of course) We enjoyed her company and I'm sure I have gained at least 5lbs. during her visit. Thanks for all the good 'ol home cooking. The boys woke up looking for you this morning. We were sad to see you go. See you next year, LuLu!!!

It's a Boy

We are having another little boy, oh my! He is really a cutie. We got to see the "4D" pictures and can already tell he favors Ben. It's hard to guess what he will be like. I feel like Christian and Ben are SOOO different in personality and appearance-this one is a wild card. The boys are excited. Christian has felt him kick and is puzzled at why his new baby brother kicks Mommy. He is much more active than either of his older brothers at this point. We are having a terrible time choosing a name. Three boy names are tough! We are open to suggestions if you have any. (No Dad, we aren't going to name him "Gator")

I will scan in the ultra sound pictures at a later date for all to see.

Christian's 4th Birthday

This is Christian's "Party" - a paper airplane party, he's obsessed.
(Points to Daddy for decorating the cake this year - what a huge weight lifted. Thank You Honey!)

Some things about Christian at 4

- He likes to make people laugh
- Very extroverted
- Does not like snakes
- Loves to fish/hunt even if he doesn't catch anything
- Very good at wrestling
- Has imaginary dragons that live in his room, a mean one and a nice one
- Enjoys singing and drawing illustrations of stories.
- Always wants to help me or Daddy with projects
- Loves Spiderman and Ironman
- Enjoys telling stories to his family, and is quite creative with them
- Looks out for his little brother
- Doesn't like to go to sleep
- Good at picking up his room
- Dresses himself, and likes to pick out his clothes
- Idolizes his cousin Bryson, Daddy, and his Poppy
- Likes to pee on bugs.....or anywhere outside
- Makes paper airplanes EVERYDAY


- Is loved Dearly by his family and most especially his Mommy and Daddy.

Christian, you are such a special little man. Your father and I love you so much. You are very much a funny guy, and I enjoy being around you. I am proud of you, and am excited to see the great man you will one day become.

More Helpers

I just wanted to recognize the Lord and his goodness. He takes care of his children and I am so thankful. Once again, I found myself asking God for helpers. He sent my Mom this time.

I have been feeling so rotten with this pregnancy and totally drained of energy. Mom took 3 days from her hectic schedule and drove down to help me with the children. Before she got here I told her the house was clean and the laundry was pretty much caught up. She laughed at my laundry when she looked at it. Her claim was that I had about 6 loads or so. To me, that's caught up. I have two laundry sorters that were full, and no piles on the floor. I thought that was great. My definition of "behind" is when the sorters are overflowing, the laundry shoot is full, and I have at least 3 clean loads sitting on my dresser waiting to be folded, and probably need to be rewashed. She entertained the kids, kept their nap schedule in line, cooked diner/lunch, and even man-handled our huge dog, Abe. (Such a bad dog.)

Here I sit, my laundry is completely finished, my house is somehow cleaner than before, and I feel like a load has been lifted. Thank you Lord, and thank you Mom. I feel like throwing up, but life is good.

I know I'm grumpy, and snappy. I feel sorry that Aaron and the children get the bulk of that. Mom saw a little bit of it too. My patience is so worn. I hope to feel better in the upcoming weeks. At some point things will turn around. I find that I am nicer when I get in the Word and continually pray throughout my day. I have to remember to find my joy in the Lord and lean on Him for strength, encouragement, and most of all, PATIENCE!!!! Oh, that patience....it is so hard sometimes.

Little Helper

Aaron has purchased this old farm truck. He thinks it's cool because it has some sort of big engine, it's 4-wheel drive, and it has a "granny gear" - if that means anything. It can climb steep hills quite impressively, I'll give it that. It is kind of cool looking and pretty mechanically sound, but has a long way to go. My sweet husband is practically giddy over it. Christian really gets into helping him fix it, because it needs so much fixing. :)

Hot Day, Hot Pool

The pool hasn't been very refreshing lately, but we swam anyway. Check out how high Aaron is throwing Ben in the air - yikes! Oh, and buy the way, this pool is "The Bomb!!" It looks as tacky as can be but we have totally enjoyed it. Just a little Wal-Mart pool......and worth every penny.

BUT, I think it may be a little embarrassing to my Dad, who owns a pool company. He builds the really nice in-ground pools that we can't afford-even with the family discount. If anyone wants a nice pool, you can check him out HERE. He really does build a perfect pool, and not just because he is my Daddy.

Canvas Wraps

So I took a load of pictures today of the boys. We can do these really cool canvas prints and wrap them around a wood frame up at the shop - like this. A lot of people don't know that we do them, and we are just now trying to push the product. I thought it would be a good idea to get some pictures of the kids and create these canvas wraps for all the customers to see when they come into the store. Of course I want to use them at home as well. I am really trying to control myself, but I am dying to get a photo gallery going down the hallway of the kids and spotlight them with some really cool lighting. Blah, blah, blah, so here are the pictures I took. (Mom, I know how you love to rip pictures off the blog and stick them on your facebook page, but I can e-mail them to you if you want better quality.)

Last Spring

I have had these pictures since spring but haven't had access to them. They have been on the office computer the whole summer and I just can't seem to remember to bring them home. So, here is last spring. Not a success. Very little smiling.

Woo Hooooo

No more diapers!!! Ben is done...well, okay, almost done. He does still wear one at night. Big Boy Ben by Day and Diaper Ben by Night-I'm good with that. I really didn't push the matter. We tried some, it didn't click. We stopped. We tried again, it didn't work. We stopped. Third time is a charm. It really didn't take much effort at all. He just understood it.

Wow, the differences between Child #1 and Child #2. Not so much in the children themselves, but in the MUCH more relaxed parenting methods. With Christian, at 2 1/2, it was "Okay, it's time and we are going to do this no matter what." Failure wasn't an option. I set out to potty train him and I was not going to quit until it happened. So sorry Christian, you are my little guinea pig, it's true. I'm learning through you.

I can remember how crazy I was about walking, crawling, sitting up, eating, and all the other baby milestones. My baby must be the smartest and the best!!! He He, I was so goofy - very different from the current Me. Poor third baby, when you get here I will probably forget to feed you and change your diaper....and most likely discourage you from any type of mobilization. Just kidding, of course. :)

Addition

Well, it looks like we are going to have another "Little Nutt" running around! I am about 3 months pregnant and feeling like total C.R.A.P. Truthfully, it is so refreshing to be sick. I am reminded through nausea that it's a viable pregnancy, and that is so good. Thank you Lord, for blessing our family once again. I'm not sure if it's totally okay to say "Crap" and "Lord" in the same paragraph....

I am excited to be blogging during this pregnancy, so I can do a better job documenting the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Oh, and speaking of bad; I broke my tailbone last Monday night. It was dark, and I am clumsy- a dangerous combination. Aaron had to take an entire week off of work and take care of the kids while I was laid up. It's humbling to have to ask my husband to put on my underwear, pants, shave my legs....help me sit/get up off the toilet.... Christian learned how to load the dishwasher. Of course I freaked out and called the Doctor in case you were wondering. She basically told me that the baby is great but that I am going to have to take it easy and try to stay in comfortable positions. Ha. Comfortable positions? I couldn't take any decent drugs due to the pregnancy. Tylenol was my best friend, and a really sorry friend at that. Tylenol is a pathetic excuse for a pain reliever....and my pregnancy anger is starting to come through.....

Subject change, Christian wants a baby sister, or so he says. I think the thoughts of another Ben are a little scary for him. Ben is indifferent. They have been looking at old albums from when they were a baby and starting to grasp that there will be another one soon. Ben is surprisingly sweet with babies. He pets them like little puppies, and even talks "baby talk." I don't know where he got that because neither Aaron or I are "baby talking" kind of people.

One more thing while I am rambling; We were in the grocery store the other day and Christian notice a baby drinking out of a bottle. He found this very disturbing and began to ask questions very loudly.

"Momma, why dat baby drinkin' juice?"

"Momma, babies don't drink juice!"

(I am trying to ignore him until I can make it down the next isle to answer his questions)

"But Momma! Babies post to drink THESE!" (he starts pointing to my breasts, frantically. He was desperate for me to confirm that he was right, and all I could do was walk faster and faster - must get away form the juice baby!!!)

After we turned the corner I assured him that babies are suppose to drink "THESE" and that it's okay for older babies to have juice. This baby that caused all the commotion was probably 8 months old or better, but to him it was still a baby......just another day with a curious child.

Bucket List

There are two things that Aaron has always said he wanted to do;

1. Become a self made millionaire by the age of 25.

2. Sing in a southern gospel group.

Congratulations honey, we are millionaires!!! ..............um, or not.

He was asked to sing in a quartet about 1 or 2 months ago. I am very proud of him. You can check out the group HERE.

Just so you know, you look really HOT on stage.

Boogers

Ya ever get boogers
Way up in your nose?
And they won't come out
Tho you blows and you blows.

What do you do?
I haven't a clue
Cuz boogers like that
Are tougher than glue!

You might grow your nails
And use them as a pick,
Cuz boogers like nails
And to them they will stick!

And now that that booger
Is stuck on your hand,
Would you mind telling me,
What is your plan??

P.S. I'll end this poem
Cuz it's time to go.
Think I'll try
Once more to blow!!!

Written by Christian and Bens' Great Grandmother - LuLu. LuLu was a preschool teacher for years, perhaps that's what inspired her to write this poem. I need to ask her. When I was a little girld she would recite this poem to me. It's always been one of my favorites.

Funnier

The older they get the louder, funnier, and more destructive they get. This is just an example of funnier. Ben likes to wear his floaties in the house. I remember when Christian use to do the same thing. They LOVE Daddy's boots.

Visit

Yep, this is from a month ago. I took these pictures on a different camera that I don't use as often, and in turn forgot about them. Oops.

My Mother-In-Law came to stay with us for a few days and help me out - she seriously washed and folded ALLLLLLL of my laundry. Guys, I am not lying when I say that there were AT LEAST 15 loads. God bless her soul. Thank You so so so much, Beth, for working your heart out. So, um....when can you come back???

(Jennifer, do you remember praying for God to send me helpers that late night in your living room. Well, there you have it, he sent Beth. Thanks for the prayers, Jennifer, and thanks for the help, Beth.)

Horseback Riding

Black Heart

Wildfire & Scooter

We all hung out at Erika's house last weekend and rode horses. It was a lot of fun, and I think my husband realized how much he missed being around them. He is helping Erika break "Skooter." Thankfully Scooter is a pretty laid back horse and has been mostly cooperative through the process. I think Aaron really loves the excitement and satisfaction of it all.

The boys are scary comfortable around the horses. Both of them have come close to walking under them, and Ben wants to hug their legs. They enjoy watching Daddy ride and especially like to ride themselves. Something tell me we are going to start spending a lot more time over there.

(I forgot my camera, so our friend-Wendy, took all of the pictures.)