Super Bowl/Super Lesson

Well, I'm not exactly a football fan, that much is obvious.  Much to my hubby's dismay, I do not like it at all.  Not even a little bit.  BUT, I do try to watch it with him some and I can crack a smile if the Packers win and I try to at least know who is on his fantasy football team each year.  Well, sort of.  I have no clue this year other than his QB.  My hubs is the ultimate sports fan.  Thankful we have boys - maybe they can share in his delight.  :-) 

I get that the Super bowl is a big deal.  I get that everyone watches it.  I get it.  I do.  But really, all that hype and all the money on the adds?  Bluck.  But, for the past several years, our church has hosted a Super bowl party for our church family and it's a lot of fun.  Mostly because I get to socialize and our kids get to have fun with their buddies.  Oh, and I guess there's a football game on the big screen. 

Last night was no disappointment - our church family knows how to party y'all!  Our party was super fun - complete with a Krispy Cream Donut eating contest (ewww!).  Jacob thought he needed to participate - he was a trooper.  He ate 6 donuts in 5 minutes.  The winner ate 12 1/2.  Ewww!  It was so fun to watch though.  The best part of the night though, by far???  Our halftime worship experience.  Forget Katy Perry...  our worship team flat out brought the house down.  They organized all our worship teams plus the student band which was probably 15 or more musicians.  It was great...  here's the best part: 

Yep, that's my little man.  Rocking it out for Jesus.  It was so cute and totally warmed my heart.  My first instinct as he was walking up to the front of the room was to grab him and say "no no baby.  Stay back in the back with mommy."  But, I let it play out.  And I'm so glad I did.  He was absolutely captivated by the music and just stared and danced.  And then one of our church members invited him to play the bongo drums.  Heaven.  This must be a little picture of what heaven will be like.  Everyone-  big/small, black/white, young/old joining together to worship the One True King.

I love how God works.  Yesterday, the lesson I taught in Sunday School was from Mark chapter 10 when Jesus welcomed the little children even though the disciples tried to shoo them away.  Jesus always has time for us. I'm so glad I didn't stop baby J from worshipping God in his own little way.  Jesus wouldn't turn him away.  He doesn't turn anyone away. 

You'll Shoot Your Eye Out, Kid + Jesus. Just Jesus.

This one is LONG overdue... but somehow, I find myself a drama/theater momma.  Not what I'd ever thought I'd be doing as a momma, but my big boy has definitely caught the acting bug.  He's participated in 5 shows at our local theater and loves every second.  It's a lot of work (I mean kick your bootie, get so worn down you get walking pneumonia, losing hours of sleep kind of work) but Jacob has really enjoyed it.  And so have I!!! 

Most recently, Jacob was cast as Randy in the SCCT's production of "A Christmas Story." - yes, the traditional Christmas movie that plays non-stop on TBS every Christmas Eve and Christmas day.  Randy is the little brother of Ralphie - the main character.  You know, the "you'll shoot your eye out" kid.  This was a major role for my boy.  He was practically on stage the entire production.  He had 5 costume changes and probably 30 lines or more to memorize.  The show was fabulous.  Not just because Jacob was in it, but it was really really good.  I'm so proud of Jacob - praying that God uses his confidence and stage presence for HIS glory all the days of his life. 

Here's Randy...the picky eater of the show.  Couldn't have been cast better.  Jacob is by far the pickiest eater on the planet!

Here he is with his on stage brother (Ralphie) played by Jack Swindler. 

 Jacob got to share the stage with his Papaw (Santa) - so that was extra special too.  Definitely one of my favorite parts of the play.  Randy pretended to pee on Santa's leg.  I just wish we could have figured out a way for Jacob to really get warm water on Papaw during the show.  It would have been priceless. :-)

Here's some lessons from a theater momma:
1.  If you show up, you WILL be a stage momma. 
2.  Stage mommas have to understand the lingo - stage left, stage right, cues, props, breaking legs and all that jazz
3.  Stage mommas need to wear black - otherwise you stick out like a sore thumb.  Don't really get this one - it's not like stage mommas are on stage THAT much, but when you are, you'll want to be wearing black.  Trust me. 
4.  Stage mommas will have every line memorized but have no idea what the whole thing looks or feels like until that magical moment when you are actually sitting in the audience. 
5.  Stage mommas should have a reserved parking spot -they don't, but should right outside the doors since for two months, you practically take up residence at the theater.  In fact, I felt like I should have been getting mail there. 
6.  Stage mommas will worry about the lack of sleep and homework and all other facets of normal every day life for the duration of tech week and the two performance weeks. 
7.  Stage mommas have a lot to be proud of - putting on a production takes a lot of practice. 

Y'all - Jacob is only 8... he rocked this show.  For real!  He knew exactly where to go and where to stand and where to enter and who to listen to for his cues.  He had a blast.  Each and every night - even the nights he was literally coughing his head off because he ended up getting walking pneumonia. (stage mommas also have bottles of water and cough drops ready and opened when needed!)

Reflecting on this play process has me thinking about a relationship with Jesus. It takes practice - I can't expect to be prepared to handle spiritual warfare if I'm not prepared.  I want to be so in tune with God's will and God's word, that I know all my cues and all my lines.  We, as a family, poured so much into the production of "A Christmas Story" - and it paid off.  Lots of laughs and praise involved.  Y'all - how much more important is our purpose in life?  To bring glory and honor to the one true King and to tell others about Him.  Reflecting on this play process has reminded me that being an effective Christian isn't easy.  It takes work and practice and prayer and studying God's word... and it's so exciting.  Every day, God's giving me opportunities to shine for him - on stage or behind stage as the stage momma, the opportunities are there.  Will I accept? 

trains on the floor and water stains on my mirrors

Oh my goodness.  So much to update.  I really intended to blog throughout the building/moving process, but clearly that just didn't happen.  So, we are indeed in our new home.  It's hard to believe.  We closed on December 22.  Yes.  Three.Days.Before.Christmas.  CRAZY - but awesome.  Building a house was stressful.  Fun mostly, but also very stressful.  The details.  The choices.  The keeping our house clean while it was on the market.  Oh man.  Never ever want to do that again.  I was a crazy momma. So now, I'm trying to sit back and enjoy the moments and memories we are making! 


Case in point, at this very moment, there are miscellaneous train engines and train tracks scattered in my new dining room (that has no table - it's still in storage!), there are water spots on my mirrors (WHY????  Why do boys always splash water on the dang mirrors?), there are dirty dishes in my new sink and there's a big bunch of empty boxes on my back porch that need breaking down.  Oh and there's lots of trash out there too because our trash service has yet to bring us new trashcans.  But, I'm really really really trying not to stress over those details.  I feel like over the last six months I had to say "just a minute" or "not right now" or "no, we can't do that because we might have a house showing" so many times that I'm really trying to just live and be with my kiddos and hubby.  It's hard.  Not gonna lie - I desperately want my new house to look like one of those perfectly staged newly remodeled homes on HGTV - I want rugs in the right places.  I want cool, trendy window treatments.  I want things hung up on the wall.  But those will have to wait, because for now, I'm too busy looking with fascination at the yellow trucks in our neighbor's yard and practicing spelling words and trying to put some healthy food options on the table (such.a.struggle.)

And, I'm trying to stay sane living with these beautiful, messy, loud crazies. 

catching up...

Wow.  Now that's a bloggy break.  No real reason... just life with three boys and a sweet hubby - I know one day I'll regret not taking the time to update the blog with the shenanigans of our sweet family, but I guess I've just been too busy living life to stop and document it.  Here I am, though, in my big comfy recliner with a few minutes while the hubs watches baseball playoffs.  The best I can muster is a few bullets to update our craziness.  Where to begin... (uggh - can't get pictures to upload...)  so a picture less update it is tonight.

Oh, how about this? 

YEP - we are building a new home.  What a crazy and fantastic process.  Our house has been on the market for a while and we actually had a contract on another house, but that contract ended and we decided to build in Old Mill Village.  A brand new home - so exciting.  Kind of a dream for us - we got in on this house late in the process, but we are getting to pick out most everything.  I'll try to update the blog with progress.  I go over there every.single.day.  So excited about all the kids and their awesome parents who live in this neighborhood.  Our prayer is that God will be exalted and that people will be introduced to God in this home.  Also that as the boys grow, that their friends will want to hang out at our house - that they would be totally comfortable there.

Whew... my brain is filled with projects pinterest tells me I must do... paint colors...cabinet and granite choices. Yikes.  Fun, but slightly stressful. 

We just wrapped up another theatrical performance by the oldest J boy... Jacob was in SCCT's production of Beauty and the Beast - it was a great show.  He seems quite smitten with this acting thing - in fact, he's already auditioned and been cast in the nest show, "A Christmas Story."  I'm a proud momma.  Jacob is so funny - and so full of confidence.  I love the spirit that God is growing in him and I pray that it is always used for good things.  He continues to love school and does very well, though the play has kept him so busy, it's hard to get him to focus on his homework.  :)

The middle J is still totally obsessed with all things basketball.  He shoots hoops all the time and makes up games in his head.  Usually when I ask the score, he says "I'm winning 154 to 120" - or some high score like that.  He also really enjoyed playing soccer this year.  We decided to move him up to U8 - even though he is only 6.  He totally proved us right.  He hung right in there with the big kids - he even scored two goals one game.  :-)  I love watching him grow and develop!  I get the pleasure of volunteering in his class every Monday.  He is a sweet friend and loves learning.  He's so very quiet at school and is a rule follower to a tee (like his momma!).  He has the most kind heart - I love his servant's heart.  He always thinks of his brothers.  He got to go to the UK/SC football game last night with this daddy and loved it so much. 



Baby J... is so fun right now!  A little crazy ...okay a lot crazy, but he's so totally awesome!  He's starting to put several words together for his first sentences and he knows most of his colors (he always gets purple, blue, and yellow right!)  He's starting to say "love you" and it just melts my heart.  When we walk in his room this morning, he says "HI" like I am the best person in the world.  I love that so much! He loves to brush his teeth and is pretty obedient over all.   He has a new found love for screwdrivers and keys.  He carries them around all the time.  He's a wild man... we frequently say we've been Tazzed - like when he goes into the laundry room and dumps out an entire box of vanilla wafers or when he rips Jacob's homework into 20 pieces, or when he pulls all the clean clothes off the couch that are ready to hang up... or when he puts quarters in our CD player in the van and totally breaks it or when he marks on our hard wood floor with permanent markers... Of course these are all totally hypothetical.  My sweet little Taz would never do those things.  The cutest thing he says is what he says when he refers to his brothers.  He says, "where's bubba?" - to which I always reply, "he's at school." Then he says (in a high pitch sing songy way) "where's ubba bubba bubba bubba?" - he means other bubba, but it.is.so.stinking.cute.  Can't believe he's almost 2. 

In other news, I've been continually plagued with an annoying foot injury, plantar fasciitis  I absolutely hate it and am over it.  I get to wear a lovely walking boot for a while - praying this helps!!  rrrrrr.  So ready to be healed so I can run again.  :-)

See, I told ya we've been busy!  God continues to bless us much more than we deserve.  Billy and I are enjoying this phase of life, but sometimes we wish that time would just stop or stand still. 

Catching Fireflies with Pa and Grammy

It's summer y'all.  We have thrown bedtime out the window.  We are sleeping in (can I get an AMEN???).  Our house is messy.  The kids almost always smell like chlorine. There are broken water balloon remnants in the back yard.  Our van smells like a swim mom van.   Laundry baskets are full.  Sometimes we eat cereal for dinner.  We are eating way too much McDonalds.  Flip flops are everywhere.  The beach is on our brains.  Yep, it's summer time.  Thank God for special moments.  If I'm honest, my house and the laundry are totally stressing me out, but....

Sometimes you just have to stay up late and catch fireflies... oh the simple stuff that makes summer magical.  My house will be clean in 18 years.  Maybe.  ;-)

Little updates...

these boys... keep me busy and keep my house dirty, but also are the loves of my life and are so very special.  Here's a few updates about what's happening with each of my loves. 

First, Jacob  - my very spunky 7 year old.  He finished first grade with flying colors, reads like he's in middle school and LOVES sweet treats.  He is a terrific big brother and helps me entertain Joshua all the time.  He also loves to be with Jonathan and feels lost when he's gone for some reason!  He loves to watch TV, but would much rather be outside riding his bike, shooting water guns or playing on the swing set.  He is creative and has a passion for learning.  He is also the silliest of all my boys - never know what that boy is going to say! He continues to be a painfully picky eater, but is hungry all the time.  Probably because he only likes to eat carbs and he burns them like crazy! He is a total fish - would stay in the pool 24/7 if he didn't have to eat or sleep.  He's quite the talented swimmer too!

Second, Jonathan - my sweet, sweet 6 year old.  He is amazing and has such a kind heart.  That boy is OBSESSED with basketball.  For real.  We got him a goal for his birthday and our garage has now become a basketball court.  I don't know what he'll do when it's winter time and we insist that our cars be parked in the garage.  He loves legos and can do the entire set (hard ones!!) by himself.  He is a great reader too, but not nearly as confident as his big brother.  He recently was in the little Mr. Shelby County pageant and I couldn't have been prouder of him as he recited a Bible verse for the whole crowd. He got 2nd place - totally should have won, but oh well!  :-)   He is loving summer time and also loves to swim, but not as much as basketball!!! He's taken an interest in NBA just like his daddy and can name way more players than I can!  In fact, he requests that his daddy DVR every game he always wants to watch the games during rest time. 

Last but not least, Baby Joshua (TAZ!) - oh buddy.  How we love him so.  He is so busy and full of life.  He is talking a lot and says "where's da da?" at least 417 times a day.  He loves shoes and loves to bring them to people.  He is a great eater and has slowed down on the throwing food (thank.you.very.much!).  He loves to be "outshide" - in fact, you grab your shoes first thing in the morning and say "outshide outshide."  He loves bubbles and is still fairly fond of shovels and rakes, but finally, mommy and daddy got smart and hid the darn plunger so he can't carry that thing around.  He loves bedtime and is a fantastic sleeper and napper.  Praise the Lord!  His nighttime routine is so precious - one of my favorite times of the day!  He likes us to sing a few songs, say some Bible verses and sit in "momo" chair (Elmo) and read the Bible.  He's a bit of a fudger at bedtime - how could he ask for "mo bible" and us say no.  :-) 

(some photo credits - go to the amazing and awesome and fabulous Rachel Webb!!! - thanks Aunt Rachie!) 

Happy Father's Day!

 

Ahhh - summer is in full swing here.  And I love it.  Every single second of it!  We are having so much fun.  I have so many blog posts that need to make an appearance, but they are mostly only in my head.  I know one day I'll deeply regret that since I don't have a great deal of time to scrapbook...but I'm going to try to keep this thing updated better.  My 60 year old self will thank me many years down the road.  :-)  I think I'll just start fresh and then if time allows, I'll fill in the gaps, so off we go. 

Today is Father's Day.  What a blessed day we've had. A great church service, a wonderful afternoon with sweet friends, a nice family nap, and the evening with Billy's family.  The night ended with daddy getting to watch the NBA finals with two of his special dudes.  They definitely have a special bond over basketball - especially daddy and Jonathan. 

 

 

I'm so grateful for this man.  I've said it before, but Billy really is the greatest daddy ever.  He was built and specially designed to be a daddy to our sweet boys.  There is no greater role model for them.  He loves the Lord, adores his family, respects others, works hard and is a friend to anyone he meets.  He teaches the boys to be honest, live with integrity and consistently try to be the man God wants him to be. This man is the same whether he's teaching little girls in Sunday school, working in his office or with judges across the state, playing basketball or hanging out with his friends.  I am so grateful for his consistency.   I'm so grateful that God saw fit to bring us together.  Jacob, Jonathan and Joshua all have a special bond with him - each relationship is unique and he loves them fully.  When he's home, he's all daddy - they get his undivided attention and his time, a special gift from parent to child.  Happy Father's Day to the love of my life! 

Happy Happy Father's day to my daddy as well.  Hate that we didn't get to be together today, but can't wait to celebrate with him next weekend.  I was always a daddy's girl growing up.  He, like Billy, gave of his time and energy to my sister and I every single day.  He worked hard, but when his work day ended, he was all about us!  Some of my favorite memories of my daddy were our weekly trips (dates) to Bowling Green for gymnastics or music lessons.  What adventures!  Yes, he is indeed a great daddy - but he might even be a better Pa!!!  He hung the moon in the eyes of all three boys and I love the relationship they have with him.  Pa is completely wrapped around their fingers and will do anything they ask.  Especially if it involves a trip to DQ or Dollar Tree. 

And lastly, I'm a blessed momma to have a super duper father-in-law too!  I love how helpful he is to everyone and how much he enjoys being with family.  Billy's had a great role model too - Bill loves the Lord and loves his family.  He is a TERRIFIC Papaw too - my boys love "papaw adventures" - that usually include going to breakfast and getting a BIG Hershey bar.  :-) So grateful for the legacy he is building and pray that the Stover boys continue to love the Lord just like these awesome men in their lives. 

Mother's Day - what a blessing!

 

My job is mommy.  Yes, I have a real J-O-B too - I'm a part time therapist.  But I'm a full-time mommy.  Y'all - it's better than any job ever.  Harder too, but definitely better.  I used to think my mom was cuh-razy for keeping all the homemade stuff we made her.  I mean my sweet momma STILL carries the ugly key chain I made her in 7th grade shop class.  It is leather and painted pink.  It is HIDEOUS, but she still uses it every single day on her car keys.  Did you catch that?  I made it in 7th grade... that's like a million and ten years ago.  Really it's like 24, but who's counting.  She carries it because it's special to her.  The same reason that I have my homemade cards under magnets on my refrigerator and the same reason that I wear the necklace Jonathan made me at school as often as possible and the reason that I carefully water the plants the boys made me so they do not die this summer.  I am a total sucker for anything with hand prints too.  Sigh.  I love my littles.  They are making my hair gray and they've made my body look way different than before, but I wouldn't trade places with anyone on the planet.  I know this is late, but happy mother's day!

 

 

Fancy Nancy Tea Party with my big boy Jacob at school.  See his little tie he made?  Precious and so fancy.  He was so proud. 

 

Mother's day dinner with the best momma ever... and oh, being Grammy suits her so well!

 

Me and my loves on Mother's Day after church.  Just so cute!

 

There are no words.  (oh and check out that new swing set lovingly put together by daddy and our good friend Andy-tales.)  I am one blessed momma.  My prayer for these sweet boys is that they truly seek the Lord and that they strive to do what's right in life, even when others do not.  I pray that they grasp how high and wide and long and deep is the love of Christ.