Today's post is brought to you by the letter "H"

Jacob and Jonathan have been going to a new sitter for a few weeks - and they love it there! Now, don't get me wrong, they miss Ms. Mary and the whole Wisley crew (Jacob still prays out loud for them every night - each of them by name!!!)...but, they really are enjoying Ms. Maureen's house and love playing with Ashley and Michael Trent. Ms. Maureen has been "teaching" Jacob and Ashley their letters. So cute - so this week, the letter of the week is "H." They sing songs and have a Bible story attached. This week's story was about the battle of Jericho when they all sounded the "H"orns and shouted "H"orray when the walls came tumbling down. Good stuff! (made me get out my Bible and study Joshua a little more closely!!!) Anyway, to continue the "H" tradition, Jacob and I had so much fun today finding all the stuff in our house that starts with the letter "H." Enjoy our "h"appy memories and "h"ere's "h"oping my boys are super smart because of these projects. :-)

Dear Jacob Man,

Hey there Jacob Man - (that's really Mamaw's nickname for you, but we love it and call you that a lot now!) You've had an exciting month - you turned three! I can't believe you are already three years old. Time really is going so fast. You are a lot of fun right now and say the funniest things. You keep us laughing and sometimes scratching our heads saying "where in the world does he come up with this stuff..." One of the most curious things that you say right now is when we're driving in our neighborhood and see some skeletons - you always say "I just saw Jesus." That's one of those scratch your head moments...why the connection, I don't know, but it really is sweet. You also say some really sweet prayers - you still love to perform little concerts and often during them, you stop to pray. Here's a couple of samples:

"Dear God, thank you for Santa and thank you for Ms. Mary." "Dear God, thank you for curtains and thank you for microwaves and lima beans." Dear God, thank you for mommy and daddy and Jacob and Jonathan and this fun family." Precious...no other words to describe it!!! You and Jonathan have a great relationship - it's really cute to watch. He loves you and you love him so much. I hope that bond is always that strong. Sometimes when we take ya'll to church, Jonathan gets a little sad and you always say, "it's okay, I'll make Jonathan happy." You are very protective of him! We still have our challenges with naptime and listening, but overall, you are such a good little boy. You are very polite and work so hard to use nice words. I love that you play nicely with other children and are respectful of adults. You got a new babysitter this month - Ms. Maureen. You love it there and we're so thankful you're in a great spot! Your little friends, Ashley and Michael Trent are so glad that you and Jonathan come visit for a couple days a week. Next month.....operation potty training. You are showing very little interest, but I hope we'll make some progress...you did pee in the potty four times the last week and I was so proud. You can do it buddy, we know you can!

Love you with all my heart and always will, MOMMY

Dear Jonathan

Hi Little Bug - I love you! You are growing so fast - your little winter clothes all make you look like a little man for some reason - I guess it's all the cute collared shirts from Baby Gap (I love me some Baby Gap!!!). Jonathan, you are a very special boy! Here's a few things you've done the last month...you continue to love your brother very much. You have a very special bond, and I pray that you always will love him and admire him like you do now. You continue to be a FANTASTIC eater (which gets major kudos at this house, since the other 75% of the residents in the Stover house are super picky!). You love grapes, blueberries and bananas, but you really will eat most everything - except broccoli. Don't blame you buddy! You love to eat, but for some reason, hate to be contained in your big boy seat, so when we sit down to eat, I know we have about a 10 minute window for you. You also continue to be a fantastic sleeper and are finally attaching to a "lovey" - you have a little white bear that you really do like. I'm so glad - I don't know why, but I really wanted both you and your brother to have a lovey - I guess because I did (and still have my Snowflake, but Billy did finally convince me I didn't need to sleep with him anymore.) You are still waiting a little bit to talk to us. You communicate just fine, just not with any audible words yet. We're working really hard on it and even have a special friend, Ms. Ann who's coming every week to help you. I know it's frustrating for you when you need to tell us something and just can't...be patient! We love you and are making you stretch and stretch your little voice and your use of baby signs to tell us what you need. You do the sign for "more" all the time. Great job - keep it up!!! Finally, you are a total TV junkie - I know I know, I hate that you actually watch any TV since the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no TV until 2 years of age, BUT oh.my.goodness.you.love.love.love Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. It is seriously the best thing ever to you! You may just follow in your daddy's footsteps - if he has the opportunity, the TV is on - usually sports. :-) Jonathan, we love you and continue to pray so hard for your salvation one day. We pray that you will understand how deep God's love is for you! Stay spunky little guy - love your smiles, love your dances, love the way you "read" books, and love it when you jump and fall on your bottom - you think you are such hot stuff!

Love you forever and always, Mommy

A Funfilled FALL day

Today was a great day! Even though it was freezing this morning, we decided to go to the Pumpkin Patch - aka Gallrein Farms. We really shouldn't have gone - the boys and myself have all been a little under the weather...BUT, we always go to the Pumpkin Patch and I just couldn't let this last chance before Halloween get by. Even though it was freezing, we bundled up and had a great time. Jacob found us the perfect pumpkin and Jonathan had a ball touching all the pumpkins in the patch. Then, tonight, we went to a "monster bash" - a party one of Jacob and Jonathan's little friends threw in Louisville. The boys wore their Tigger and Pooh costumes and looked oh.so.cute!!! They got to play with cool toys and paint a pumpkin. So much fun! My hubby is a trooper - the only man there. (sorry honey, I really thought some other dads would come too!) I love weekends! If only we had week long weekends. :-)

quote from the Doctor's office

Yesterday at the doctor's office, Jacob said the funniest thing. The doctor was teasing him a little and telling him how big he is. She asked him if we was driving yet. As serious as can be, he said," But I don't have my license, silly." So cute! Love this little person!

my new project

Thanks to my friend Tiff (proud momma of Sir Tucker!!!!!), I was motivated to create a window treatment. No, I don't own a sewing machine, though I sure wish I did!!! I made a cornice for my bathroom. Well, so I can't really take all the credit - I had the vision and my daddy had the tools and the man power to use the staple gun on all that fabric. Me and my daddy make a pretty tough combo - what can I say - once a daddy's girl, always a daddy's girl!!! It looks FABULOUS!!! I really like it and think it adds some pizazz to our little room!

This exact time three years ago, I was...

eating the yummiest Wick's pizza ever!! Why in the world do I remember what I was eating three years ago??? BECAUSE IT WAS THE DAY I GAVE BIRTH to my sweet sweet baby boy, Jacob William Stover. A day I'll never forget from start to finish. At about 9:00 pm, my sweet sis in law, Kelly, drove to Wicks and brought us the best tasting pizza ever. I was starving. Jacob was born at 6:33 pm and I had been in labor since 8:30 THE NIGHT BEFORE. That's right folks, 22 hours of labor (and no food, which is why I was hungry!). Crazy times. Sweet times. Scary times. Joy. Terror. Tears of joy. Tears of pain. Exhaustion. Pure and absolute love for another being in one split second. The whole nine yards.

I can't believe that my baby is already 3. We've had quite the celebration week - a nice fun party with all our family on Sunday and a quiet night at home today (well, not really quiet since we bought him a drum for his b-day) to celebrate just the four of us. Jacob woke up this morning and said "i don't want another birthday. I'll just stay two forever." Sweet boy!!! Happy Happy Birthday big boy. I love you so much!

I never knew that being a mom would make me so emotional. I just can't get over how much I love my boys and how much I pray for them every single day that they would choose to love the Lord with all their heart, mind soul and strength. What a great reminder of the Father's love for me.

Bye Bye Mr. Mullet - I sure will miss you!!!

Here's a couple of shots of our day: Before, During and after the cut:

Today was a big day for Mr. Jonathan...I totally took the plunge and got him his first big boy haircut. You see, he had a mullet - an all out mullet. Little on top and long in the back. Very Billy Ray Cyrus of him, I know. But Jonathan's little mullet, you see had a few curls. And curls =girly, I suppose. We kept getting comments like "oh she's so pretty. How old is your daughter...??" REALLY - do you not SEE those sports balls all over his shirt??? And don't you know that if I had me a girl, she'd be all decked out in frills and bows and everything she wore would be monogrammed. I digress. Anyway, we took the big boy to Kid O Cuts in Middletown - fun place. A little pricey, but special for the first time! Jonathan got to sit in a little car shaped cutting chair and watch Mickey while sweet Cathie worked on his new look. He didn't scream, but he just sort of whimpered the whole time. He really doesn't like water on his head, so when she took the water bottle and started spraying, I knew we could be in trouble. But he made it and now looks so big and grown up. An added bonus - he got his first ever sucker. Suckers + 16 month old + big blue van = sticky mess. Man he loved that sucker!! I was so proud of myself...I didn't even cry. Now I feel all nostalgic. I can't believe my boys are getting so big. Amazing!

Did he really do that???

I have a really funny story and I just know that words will NOT due the situation justice, but I'll do my best. Today, we had a special visitor at our house from First Steps. I've been a little concerned about Jonathan's communication skills, so we looked into First Steps - totally recommend it by the way if you're even curious!!! The evaluator was great and Jonathan took right to her. He does seem to have a slight communication delay, not a receptive delay...he understands everything we say, he just doesn't vocalize it the same way... Anyway, so the evaluator was here, playing fun games with Jonathan and near the end, Jonathan had ventured away from the living room and came out fully decorated with some of mommy's underwear. That's right friends...he got into my panty drawer. My "pretties" as we say here. It was hilarious and very embarrassing!!! He had some around his neck and about 5 pair in each hand and was so happy to show our new friend his treasures. She was great and just glazed over it, but I had to pry those suckers out of his hands. Billy was in the kitchen and was enjoying the whole thing a little too much - he thought it was hilarious. And it was. But also VERY embarrassing!!! :-)

Favorite Time of Day

Here's a few shots of my favorite time of day with my family. My favorite time of day by far (on work days anyway...) is right after dinner with my boys. We have so much fun. Usually, all four of us pile up on our bed and sing songs, read books, watch tv or just play. The boys love our bed for some reason. Jonathan loves to jump and fall on his bottom. He just laughs and laughs! It's always been somewhat of a bonding time for us and I just love it. I often smile and tell Billy that these are the simple moments I want to remember forever. Nothing spectacular like a vacation or trip to the zoo. Nothing that costs any money. Just plain uninterrupted family time. Now, I don't know what our future will look like when the boys get bigger, but I sure hope we never ever stop having family time after dinner.

* the picture of Jonathan is just a bonus...such a cutie patootie. This shot was taken last weekend at Chuck E. Cheese. Fun times!!!