Jack is 8 Months Old

and healthy as a horse. I don't remember exactly how much he weighs, maybe 19 lbs. and 14 oz. I remember that it was just a few ounces less than 20lbs. He just went to his well baby visit, and the doctor was asking a series of questions. "Does he sleep well? Eat good? Not too fussy? Been sick any? Rolls over?" Turns out Jack is a great baby, still. It goes without saying that the boy obviously has ears. Sometimes I get tired of others comments. I don't know why people think its okay to point them out so frequently. Do they think I'm blind? Regardless, I think he is a handsome fella. It's kind of one of those things where I can say something, because I'm his Mommy, but it's not okay for anyone else.

He loves both of his older brothers but seems especially fond of Christian right now. Christian takes his big brother roll very seriously. I trust him to look after Jack while I do other things around the house. Christian is his care taker while Ben is more of the Jester. Always entertaining and he can make Jack laugh the hardest. Jack is easily amused. He isn't fond of quietness. I suppose noise is what seems natural in our home. Nor does he like to be left in a room by himself. As long as one of his brothers is in there with him playing he is content. Even if that brother isn't paying him any attention. It's sweet. Jack is great about going with the flow-he has to be. Our lives are busy and sometimes hectic. I find myself treasuring precious moments with him. This may be our last, and I don't want to miss anything. We love you Jack-A-Roo!!!

Birthday!

Why do I do this? I got this great idea to make my Mom these cool contemporary looking pots for her birthday. They turned out pretty crumby. They were suppose to look like this. A big flop. Mom, it won't hurt my feelings if you throw them away.

Christian is giving Poppy very specific instructions of where he want him to be before he takes the plunge.

the plunge

pooped

Jack is trying out the diving board. Is this DHR worthy?

Holding on to his precious Loveee. This look means; don't take it away from me or I will SSSCCRREEAAMMMMMMM AT THE TOP OF MY LUNGS! I'm not kidding.

My Dad use to sit me down and give me these SAME talks as a kid.

"Amber, you've got to get in front of the ball"
"Amber you have to hustle"
Amber, did you do your best? Then that's all I'm asking for"
"...turn your glove like this...try this...good job kid...I'm proud of ya."

Here are some updated pictures of Mom and Dad's back yard. Concrete has been poured around the pool, plus more rock, a diving board, and a fountain. It's looking great! It's not too late to build us a guest house!!! (your could close in the outdoor kitchen, and put in a bed instead of a grill, oh, and nix the fire pit-just a thought)

Mom and I celebrated our Birthdays together this year. She is 75 and I'm 21. Ha Ha!!!!

T-Ball

Daddy is coaching outfield - making Ben pay attention is more like it. He looks so serious out there. :)

Go Christian!!!

Christian- 2nd Base

Run Ben Run!

Ben - Right Field.

Much improvement out of Christian this year. Every time he makes a play he quickly turns to Daddy for gratification. He told me today that he was tired of playing t-ball and ready for football. Football? This is definately coming from a conversation between he and his father because I haven't said anything about the sport. He even knows how old he has to be to play. Then he proceeds to tell me how he wants to play football and wrestle with other kids and use his strength. That little guy does love to wrestle and loves to show off his muscles. Ha! Why not soccer. Soccer is great! Fun, safe, engaging, safe....

Ben is the youngest one on the team. 3 years old, but he made the cut. Every time he walks up to the plate to bat he takes his time and slowly passes all of his adoring fans making sure that they all see him as he smiles and struts just so. It is really comical, and it's even funnier to see the parents respond to him. He is definitely loved by all and could care less about playing the game. He mostly loves the attention and cheers he receives when he hits the ball. While running the bases, he once passed third base and ran straight into the dugout to take of his helmet and have a seat. The crowd roared with laughter and I'm sure Ben felt like he had done something grand. Many times he has ran out on the field and forgot his glove, or went up to bat only to realize he left his bat in the dugout. I think he is a little too young to be playing but he begged to play and we caved. I think he just really wanted to be like his big brother.

Sunday Best

The weather is still so nice but freezing temps are just around the corner! I feel a certain urgency to get more outside picture before we have to start piling on the jackets. I'm such a wuss when it comes to cold weather.

CAP Picnic

Playing Funny Bunny. I had never heard of this game but it's cute. The kids put as many marshmallows in their mouths as possible and try to say "Funny Bunny!"

Normally this would make me a little uncomfortable, but I just let it ride. I barely knew this girl but she just LOVED Jack and was kissing on him and talking to him. He thought it was great and something about it being the 3rd child you are just so much more laid back. If he was the 4th I probably would've let her take him home. Ha ha ha!

C.A.P. stands for "Created for a Purpose. It's the home school co-op program we are affiliated with. Lots of fun, and I don't have time to go into details at length but its great. We attend once a week, and this was a get to know you picnic before the school year started.

Hannah Visits

Christian, Ben, Jack, and their friend Hannah.

I love these silly boys!

Hannah Banana wanted to eat leaves.

Hannah and Jack - do you see the crumbles leaves? Jack would get a handful and give them to Hannah to eat. Team work folks. That's what its about!

Look at those teeth!!!

Give thanks to God for children. They are little people with big personalities. They are fun to have conversation with. They are optimistic. Always forgiving. Innocent. Comical. Very Comical! I love my kids. I enjoy their company and appreciate their boldness, and the simple things they say that impact me more than they know. I love you boys!!!

Stitches and Staples

What I am about to say has NOTHING to do with watermelon, but I can't just write something without putting pictures with it! :)

With boys you make trips to the emergency room. It's been a while since we've had to go. I suppose we were due for a good one. We were having dinner at a friends house whom has 3 boys of her own. All of those boys in one house makes for fun "stuff". They really were not acting terrible. In fact, we were all in the same room together, so they couldn't get away with much. Long story short; the mantle fell, and and there was lots of blood. If you have a weak stomach then stop reading now. Once Aaron pulled the mantle off Christian's head blood was SQUIRTING!!!! Yes, SQUIRTING out of the back of his head. Talk about sending panic through a Mommas body. What a bad feeling. His chin was split wide open as well. One emergency room trip later he has about 12 stitches in his chin and 6 staples in his head. No concussion, no trauma of any sort, just blood. Lots of blood. He was a real trooper, and I was extremely grateful!

Christian surprised me that night. Not because of his injury, but because of how mature he acted. He was calm at the hospital and I really would have expected him to freak out a good bit. Sometimes he catches me off guard when he gets in that "mode." He turns into a responsible young man in times of stress and chaos. Another surprise - Aaron promised him a toy after the hospital visit, and Christian was adamant about picking out a toy for Ben as well. How thoughtful.

I was just talking with my Mother-in-Law lately about how discouraged I was feeling. I felt like the boys just didn't get it-kindness most of all. She was encouraging and told me to hang in there. The fruits of my labor were revealed to me that night of Christian's injury. Kindness - He chose a remote control car for the both of them. He could have taken care of himself and what he wanted but he thought of Ben. How sweet. (That isn't normally the scenario between these young brothers.) Thank you Lord, for showing me that, and thank you for my Mother-In-Law and for her encouraging words. Thank you for protecting Christian, it could have been so much worse.

Good Stuff

A relaxing Sunday afternoon in the hammock. Good stuff.