Friends

A few weeks ago, my dear friend, Amy, and her precious children came to visit my boys and me.  Jacob and Matt were on a "big boys' weekend" to see a Pirates game, so it was just two moms and five kids ages 6 and under.  Yes, that sounds...chaotic, but it was such a great time!

Amy and I have "known" each other for almost five years now.  The word "known" is in quotes, because Amy and I met through our family blogs.  We had a shared "blog friend" and through blog hopping, I found her blog and began reading (and commenting) regularly and she did the same. 

About three years ago, we met each other in person for the very first time.  We met at a restaurant near their home and where our family was vacationing.  It was a brief get-together, but we really enjoyed our time together.

Well, three years and two and a half kiddos later (Amy's expecting), we were able to get together again.

My friendship with Amy is such a blessing!!  Our children really enjoyed one another and Amy and I soaked up our time together.  There's nothing quite like a friend who's in the same season of life and has similar beliefs as you.  We talked and talked and it was such an encouragement to me!  

I am so grateful that despite the miles that separate us, our friendship remains!

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor;

If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.  

But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up."  Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

King's Kids Day

A few weeks ago, our church had a "play day" for toddlers and preschoolers.  We invited Jacob's mom, his other siblings, and PaPa and Mema.  We had a blast riding the train, jumping in jump houses, getting tattoos, playing games, watching Hubba Bubba the clown, and eating hot dogs together!  

Niki, Eli, and Will riding the train together.  I got to hold sweet Finley while they took their train ride.

Mema and her buddy, Abel!

 Abel got a tattoo.  My boys love tattoos!

Miss Finley had fun exploring in the bounce house.

Abel says, "cheese!"

Will had a blast shooting hoops!

The whole gang (minus me)--Mema and Abel, PaPa and Eli, Niki, Finley, and Will.

Eli was enthralled with Hubba Bubba.

Abel and Niki hanging out and watching the show.

 Hubba Bubba kept us all entertained!

 Eli was chosen to be a helper.  He was beyond thrilled!  I just love his little hands on his hips--so growny!

Magic!

I am so thankful for our fabulous church family and our children's ministry team.  This was such a great day for all of us!

A Halloween Treat

Last night was Halloween night, and I had two little boys itching to trick or treat.  It was cold and raining, which just doesn't go well with walking door to door with a one year old and a three year old.  You could easily say that I wasn't looking forward to trick or treating, so when I ran out to my WW meeting to weigh in and discovered very few lit porch lights, I wasn't disappointed.

While waiting at my meeting, I had time to think.  It was then I remembered that Halloween and trick or treating isn't about me and I knew two little boys who would be very disappointed that the porch lights were off.  I pondered the idea of loading them in the van to travel our neighborhood, but the idea of loading and unloading two children who require help at every house just didn't seem worth the effort.  On my drive home, I began to feel sad for my little ones, then I pulled into our cul-de-sac.  Let me just say that my cul-de-sac neighbors are the BEST!  Not only were all their porch lights on, but I quickly realized we could hit just these houses, visit with good friends, get the all-important goodies, never leave the cul-de-sac, and have two very happy boys!

With the covering of two umbrellas (one of which we snagged from the Little Tikes picnic table--I know, I know), we loaded the wagon and happily hit the cul-de-sac.  Our beloved cul-de-sac!

Trunk or Treat

Yesterday was "Trunk or Treat" at our church.  With food, games, fun, and candy, we just couldn't go wrong.  We had a family costume theme--Zany Zoo.  The little boys were a tiger and a zebra, and Matt and I dressed as zookeepers.  As a mom to three boys, zookeeper is a role I feel quite comfortable in.  The boys' costumes were handmade with black zip up hoodies, sweatpants, and colored duct tape--cheap, easy, and super cute!  I snagged the "zookeeper" khaki shirts from Goodwill for a measly $6, made some name badges, and we were good to go!  Jacob, his mom, stepdad, and siblings joined us and it was a wild, but super fun time.  Here are a few photos from our adventure!

"Mama-Zookeeper" (as Eli called me) and the wild animals

Precious little zebra mane

This tiger is "grrrrreat!"

"Let me outta this cage!"

I just want to tickle his whiskers

 Sloan Family Zoo

(Last 3 photos courtesy of Niki Wilbanks--thanks!!)

Enchanting...

Barbara Walters once said, "Parents of young children should realize that few people, and maybe no one, will find their children as enchanting as they do." Although she may be right, I'm not listening!! So, here are some cute pictures from recently.

This is Eli's new favorite sleeping position.

And this is best for playing...

...unless you have some friends over, then anything goes!

He built this city...

...he built this city with le-e-gos!

(Please excuse the liberty I took with Starship's lyrics. I just couldn't resist!)

Anyway, on Friday, I had a lunch date with the birth class buddies. Check out our cuties! They sure are growing like little weeds!

So, while I was gone, Jacob enjoyed a wonderfully healthy lunch of Top Ramen with his dad and then proceeded to construct this elaborate city out of legos, marble track toys, action figures, dominoes, and more. What a wonderful example of his creativity! He couldn't wait for me to take a picture of it. I love to see him proud of the things he accomplishes! It makes my heart happy! So without further ado, take a look...

Pretty awesome, huh?

Tons of fun!

Yesterday, I got to hang out with my friends from birth class, Lauren and her son Cole and Aubrey and her son Wyatt. I figure if nothing else pans out for our boys, with names like theirs they can start a cowboy gang. :) We met at the park for lunch. Despite the suffocating heat, we had a great time thanks to the individual Ben & Jerry's ice cream cups Lauren brought...I kid...we would have had a great time without the Ben & Jerry's...maybe. The boys have gotten old enough that they noticed each other and there were smiles all around!


Jacob is officially out of school for the summer. YEAH!!! It's much different having both kiddos at home all day, but Jacob is turning out to be a great helper, and things seem to be working out beautifully! Tons of summer fun are sure to come and we'll keep you posted. Until then, enjoy this picture of my silly kiddos hanging out together!

Weekend Wrap-up

Disclaimer: Be prepared for a barrage of images and information!

I'd like to introduce you to our cows. I say "our" very loosely as the cows are only ours in the sense that our yard backs up to their pasture. I love our cows! Yet another reason I love living in the country!

My nephew Joshua celebrated his ninth birthday with a party this weekend. It was baseball themed and I think my sister did a great job on the cake and cupcakes. Look, even a forty-year old can be creative! Okay, just a joke...my sister turns forty this year and I have been ragging her about it. P.S. I turn 30 on Thursday, but don't tell anyone!

We encourage the combat play in our family. With the sheer numbers of children at any family gathering we figure it's survival of the fittest :) So here's a picture of our very own version of American Gladiators. My nephew Wooten and Jacob had a blast!

PaPa had fun on baby patrol.

So did Becca and Anna Gracen! Look what great cousins they are to our little guy!

And just because I somehow missed getting a photo of Christian on Saturday and he's just too cute, here's a picture from the photo archives of "the grandchild formerly known as the youngest"

We also did some minor projects around the house. My tireless husband installed a storm door on the front of the house. It is wonderful and allows so much more light into our home. I unleashed my inner grafitti artist and grabbed the spray paint. Jacob joined in to help and I attempted to teach him how to use the spray paint (and hopefully how to NOT inhale the fumes) Our old, hand-me-down, been 5 different colors, lived at three different houses, but still hanging-in-there wicker furniture now has a new coat of colonial red and brings new life to our wrap around porch.

And to top it off, Eli turned three months old on Monday. Here's a picture of him celebrating the milestone with his new favorite pastime...sucking his thumb!

Hope your weekend was as fun as ours!!!!

Baby, baby, baby!

Today some friends from my birth class came over for lunch. They brought their adorable little boys and we were able to visit and catch up since our deliveries. We discovered during class that we all live quite close to one another. It is so nice to have some girls to share this first-time mommy journey with. Look at these adorable baby boys!

Left to right: Aubrey's son, Wyatt; our little Eli; Lauren's son, Cole.

Bountiful Blessings!

Thank you so much to all the wonderful people from our church, C3 Church, who have blessed us for more than two weeks with meals! It has really taken the pressure off Matt and me. Neither one of us had to stress over whether we had a dinner prepared for our family! I'm overwhelmed at the outpouring of love from our amazing church family! Special thanks to Jenny for organizing these meals and for being a great leader in the Open Arms ministry while I am out with my new little one! We are blessed and grateful!!

**Updated to add**
Another wonderful blessing has been my parents. My mother has given so much of her time to help us adjust to having a new baby in our home. She's held and rocked Eli when he was unconsolable (see picture below), folded laundry, unloaded the dishwasher, dusted, vacuumed, and so much more. I'm not sure what we would have done without her. We are so thankful for her!!

crying with Mema

smiling with Mema

Birth Class Buddy's Baby

We met two great couples in our birth class that we have kept in touch with and now call friends. Aubrey and Joel were due on the 15th like us and Lauren and Bryan are due today, the 23rd. I just got an email from Aubrey to let us know that Wyatt was born on Feb. 17th at 3:59am weighing in at 9 lbs, 8 oz. He was born via an unexpected c-section, but mom and baby are both doing well! Congrats to Aubrey and Joel!! He's so precious!! What a blessing!! It makes me all the more anxious to meet our little miracle!!

Friends with Einstein(s)

This past Sunday, Matt and I were able to visit with my best friend from college, Sammie, and her husband, Rich. Sammie has been accepted as an Einstein Fellow and will be leaving tomorrow for Capitol Hill. This was the blurb from the website about Einstein Fellows: "The Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program offers current public or private elementary and secondary mathematics, technology, and science classroom teachers with demonstrated excellence in teaching an opportunity to serve in the national public policy arena. Fellows provide practical insight in establishing and operating education programs. Fellowships increase understanding, communication, and cooperation between legislative and executive branches and the science, mathematics, and technology education community." We are so proud of Sammie and so excited about what she will be able to participate in!

On another note, our own little Einstein, Jacob, starts third grade on Monday. This will be a big transition year as third grade moves into more abstract concepts and state-mandated testing. Summer fun will surely be missed, but we know Jacob will sail through with flying colors, as usual!