Kid Writing - this will blow you away!

Oh my word.  My kiddos have amazing teachers.  We feel so blessed with the ladies who get to pour into our littles.  Frequently, they text me sweet or funny things the boys do during the day.  I love the updates! They make me feel so connected! Last week, Mrs. Haggard, Jonathan's AMAZING kindergarten teacher, texted me these pictures... 

This was Jonathan's "kid writing" for the day - kid writing is a time of unstructured writing time during which the kiddos get to write about anything.  They have to work independently and then read it back to the teacher (that's where the corrected spelling comes!)  The only instructions are to draw a picture then tell a story about it.  Three sentences is the goal.  (here's what it says...in case you can't read it) "God died on the cross for us. Three days later he came back alive.  The people were very scared.  The people cried.  God was bleeding on the cross."   WOWZERS!!!!

Y'all - I was floored.  And crying. And amazed.  And proud. And grateful. What a sweet sweet boy with an amazing heart for the Lord.  I can't believe that THIS was what was on his mind that day.  It was totally unprompted too - it wasn't even our Bible story from family worship the night before or what the kiddos had studied at church the night before.  It's two-sided (hence the two pictures).  I may just have to frame this one... it's a keeper.  I'm so glad that he's starting to keep the word of God hidden in his heart.  My prayer has always been that they would choose to love the Lord with all their hearts and minds and souls... and that they would shine in a dark world. 

Sky Zone (run... go now!)

Oh my word... my hubby and I have been super spoiled lately.  Three weekends in a row with a date night.  Seriously, we haven't had three date nights total since baby Joshua was born and now 3 weeks in a row?  How blessed we feel!  Usually, when we actually do get a "date night," it's a date with a purpose.  We go eat and then go birthday shopping or Christmas shopping or birthday party shopping or running to a few places to return some stuff... anyway, you get the drift.  But, for Valentine's day this year, I was determined to have an intentional date - with no purpose other than having fun and being together.  I thought about movies - you know, I think there are movies out there that aren't animated.  :-)  But movies are great, but there's no communication allowed.  SOOOOOO, I planned our date this time and we went to Sky Zone - the indoor trampoline park.  Oh my goodness, it was so much fun.  We were the only "old" folks there not attached to little kids.  It was hilarious but it was really a lot of fun.  And a bonus??? After three babies y'all know how AWESOME THIS IS... I didn't even pee myself.  Now, if we'd jumped more than 30 minutes, I would've been in trouble.  :-)  Now, go.... take your hubs on a date there.  (oh - but do reserve your spot ahead of time online! - I did this and was so glad because when we got there they didn't have any open jump times until several hours later that evening!)  It was super fun.  We will definitely go back - next time probably with our kiddos, but it was a blast.  I smiled the whole time.  :-)  And that cute little blur??? That's my hubs slam dunking the basketball on the basketball trampoline.  Terrible picture but he was just too darn fast. 

Family Worship

About a year and a half ago, we made a real effort to begin and do family worship every night.  Now, I will say, we don't do it every night, but we do at least do a Bible story and prayer.  But we really have tried to add scripture memorization and music to our nightly routine.  It's a little crazy, since the Joshua requires a little more 1:1 time from mommy at night, so sometimes, I'm taking care of big boy and Daddy's tag-teaming the big boys...but, nevertheless, we try.  Usually, I sing songs with the boy and tell him the verses we've learned while daddy does the Bible stories and prayers with the big boys.  So I guess it's not really FAMILY worship, but we do the best we can. 

Occasionally, we get the distinct honor of doing worship with our dear friend Luke Wisley, who has an incredible gift from the Lord.  He comes by once every 4-5 weeks or so and we do full on family worship as Luke leads us with his voice and guitar.  Tonight, was one of those blessed nights for us.  We just love Luke so much.  So thankful to have wonderful young men to be Godly role models for our sweet boys.  Joshua was precious tonight... just staring up at Luke while he was playing.  Then, he started trying to give Luke things while he was playing.  So cute.  Really.  Most of the time, he just kind of played around doing his own thing, but when Luke played "Jesus Loves Me" - he flat out stood still and was mesmerized.  He clearly knows that's his "nite nite" song.  After it, he went to the gate and wanted his pacis.  So cute!  Thanks Luke for blessing us tonight - we love ya!!

favorite moments

One of my favorite ever momma moments happened last night.  And then just like that, one of the OTHER moments that defines motherhood happened today.  :-) They really deserve separate blog posts, but I'll just put them together. 

Last night, Billy was playing ball so I was home alone for bedtime...not a big deal, but not always the easiest task either.  SO, last night at 730, I had big boys get on their jammies and work on brushing their teeth while I gave Joshua his bottle and snuggled him and sang silly songs (MY FAVORITE PART OF THE DAY WITH HIM... and the only time he's still.)  He laughs and laughs.  I tell him all the Bible verses that the boys have memorized and he shakes his head whenever I say no one or never...  it's so cute.  Anyway, when I was done with him and laid him down, I came into the big boys' room to find this...

Melt.my.heart.  Jacob was reading the Bible stories and Jonathan was reading the little prayer at the end.  I ran down to get my camera and when I came back upstairs, they hadn't moved - so I did what all mommas do... I eavesdropped.  Come on, you know you've done it too!  I heard Jacob say, "I love reading the Bible.  Like, I LOVE it."  Jonathan said, "Yeah, me too.  God is cool."  Ahhhhh - almost erases all the tough moments - the fighting, the tattling, the WILD boy behavior, the dirty clothes all over the floor.  What a special moment for this momma! 


And then there's today... another snow day.  Sigh.  But it's been great.  A play date, Valentine's crafts, homemade cookies, lots of Brown Bear Brown Bear reading... and then.there.was.lunch.  Joshua was getting cranky - too close to nap!  So, I put some carrots and green beans on his tray and he immediately threw all of them on the ground.  He is a thrower, that boy!  I immediately took him out of his chair said, "Uh Oh" and put him in time out - only the second or third time I've really done it.  He was pitiful sitting by the door  - but totally didn't move.  I grabbed my camera and went in to get a sneak peak and this is what I got...  Can that sweet boy turn on for the camera or what?   love his heart - but the throwing??? not so much!!!!

What I Should Be Doing...

Goodness... I'm sitting here snuggled under covers, perusing facebook and writing this blog.  Feeling a little guilty while doing so...Y'all - you should see my house.  There's unknown sticky substances on my kitchen floor.  Dirty dishes in the kitchen sink.  Zaxby's sacks (yep - that IS what I cooked for dinner) cluttering the counters, and countless balls and little alphabet magnets all over the place. There are remnants of Valentines Day crafts on the table and scraps of papers the littles failed to pick up after craft time (they tried!).  The contents of every basket in the bathroom is dumped out in the floor and there's a game of Candyland that we started but didn't finish in the floor.  Oh and I can't forget the bags of stuff I pulled together to spend the night with some dear friends because our power was out today.  It came back on, but the bags are still packed.   And I should be cleaning it all up.  But I'm pooped. 

I've always tried to remind myself that at the end of the day, my kiddos won't give a hoot about a clean house.  Today I need that reminder.  I KNOW that they won't remember a clean house today, here's hoping they will remember the Candy Land game, beating me at Disney Beat the Parents (twice, but who's counting...), the impromptu dance party, watching Joshua bust a move and the Valentine's Day crafts we made for my new niece. Oh and to top it off - we spontaneously went to see a movie... Frozen is SOOOOO good.   Yes, those are the memories that build a family.  Not Windex and pledge and the trusty ole vacuum.  Here's to many more dance parties and fun games of "win lose or draw" on the chalk board... 

Oh Snow days, you.are.exhausting.  Fun, but exhausting!

Here's a few pics from the other snow day this week (Monday) - today, it was too icy to get out and play.  :-) 

 

snow day fun

I'm just going to go ahead and say it... I'm totally over the snow days.  Don't get me wrong... I LOVE being home with my boys.  We have a blast, but enough is enough.  Come on spring... please hurry.  I don't want my sweeties going to school in June.  But alas, today was yet another snow day, so here's some of our fun.


A family game of Mario on WiiU.  Joshua thinks he's playing too.  Little does he know he only has a fake remote.  Poor little guy.  Usually we have to keep him out of the room when they play Wii U because he just wants the cords.  But today, I found a trick.  Let him think he's playing too.  :-)  It worked like a charm.  For all of about 14 seconds.  HA!

Thanks to Pinterest, I created a couple of racetracks with electrical tape in the living room.  We had a tribute to the Olympics - Stover style.  It was so funny!  The big boys loved it.  We quickly learned that using crazy straws to "push" the fuzz balls was just too hard.  So we did different races with different body parts.  Their favorite??? Pushing it only with the booty.  It was hilarious!  I was laughing so hard I forgot to take pictures of that part.  Guess what little man was doing during our Olympics?  He was happy as a little bee - throwing little fuzz balls all.over.the.living.room. 

15 months

Fifteen things for Fifteen months...


1.  You are transitioning to one nap a day.  I thought I'd like it... I do not!  You do fine until about 6 pm - then you are super clingy and more sensitive than usual.  (dinner cooking time + clingy baby = bad news bears...especially when daddy works late.) Then for some crazy reason, you perk up at about 7 again and are your normal happy, playful self. 

2.  You lost (gasp) your lovey yesterday at church.  A very special green blankie went to church, but did not return.  I sure hope someone brings it back next week.  I'm sure it got put in the wrong bag by mistake. 

3.  You have an old cell phone that you LOVE.  It's so cute how you put it up to your ear and say, "Lo." - and you bring it to us and say, "bo bo" - which means open. 

4.  You love to play hide and seek with us.  Your smile is so cute. 

5.  Your favorite book is "Brown Bear Brown Bear."   - you say "ba ba bo"  when you are looking for it.  You love to look at the pages but you don't really like to be read to... you wiggle out of my lap after about 3 pages.  (maybe it's the red bird that looks like a cardinal that scares you away... HA!)

6.  You got your first hair cut.  I was sad and didn't want to do it, but your hair really was out of control.  So many people called you a girl and you finally started walking into stuff because you couldn't see.  Hee hee.  You did great!  You sat in that red race car like a champ.  Perhaps it was the sucker that helped. 

 

7.  Sometimes when you are hungry, you go into the laundry room/pantry and bring out random food like crackers, noodles, potatoes...  funny boy.  And sometimes if I'm busy or not looking you might dump the contents of whatever you grab from the pantry in.the.floor. 

8.  You are still a pretty good eater, but would rather eat in our laps off our plates than in your chair and your plate.  Daddy lets you.  I do not.  :-) 

9.  Daddy may be becoming your favorite.  I'm not sure how I feel about that. 

10.  You throw everything you see.  Balls are cool, baby boy.  Picture frames are not.  Just sayin.'

11.  You adore your big brothers and like to get in their beds.  You say "ba ba" and point to their beds.  I think it's because of their sippy cups.  You think you are HOT STUFF if we do let you up in the top bunk.  (no worries - totally supervised!)

12.  You are still obsessed with the toilet.  uggh!

13.  You love your little slide you got for Christmas.  You also love your ball pit/tent!!!  It entertains you for hours!

 

You are a happy little dude and love to play with just about anything. 

14.  You are awesome at the grocery store.  My little shopping companion.  You play peek-a-boo with people behind us in line and laugh at the people at the deli counter.  You steal the show. 

15.  To entertain you at restaurants (and at home while we eat dinner), sometimes we give you the ketchup bottle.  You are slightly obsessed with opening it and closing it... sometime with your teeth.   I know - totally gross and germie, but hey, a peaceful dinner is worth it I suppose.  Don't judge. 



Oh sweet boy - you bring us so much joy and happiness.  I pray for patience during the next very busy years with you!  We love you sooooooo much!

Jesus + magic + Santa + presents... must be Christmas!

Wow - what an amazing Christmas we had.  Must be the ages and a lot of God's great grace, but really, I think this Christmas was my most favorite ever.  We try so hard to keep Jesus at the Center of our holiday celebrations, but I know we fall short.  But we try.  And we always will.  Despite some fevers and lots of snot, we had a great Christmas!

This year, we added a new tradition - for the 12 days leading up to the big day, we attempted to complete 12 days of service.  Each day, we did a little project for others - some of the highlights were paying for a stranger's coffee when we went to get hot chocolate, making brownies for one of our ministers, making rainbow loom bracelets for the principal and asst. principal at the boys' school and choosing 3 toys to donate.  Admittedly, a few days slipped by and I didn't get it done.  But guilt can't get me down...  (well, maybe!)  Anyway, hopefully we can make this work each year.  It was fun to get the boys involved. 

One of my other favorite memories from this Christmas was the Santa Shop experience... let me explain for all my mommy friends who haven't experienced elementary school yet.  Santa Shop is this wonderful little production supported by our PTO.  Kiddos are given the opportunity to bring money and "Shop" for others.  As a confession, I have to say that when I got the notice in the back packs about Santa Shop, my first impression was, "seriously?  They want money for something else now???"  (sorry - but it really does seem like there's something a couple times a week in the backpacks asking for money or something for sale all.the.time.)  So, we gave them Santa Shop money - I mean who could say no to that???  Each of them had 5-7 bucks.  When they got home that afternoon, the excitement on their little faces was PRICELESS!!!!  They had carefully picked out something for each other and their baby brother.  And mommy.  :-)  Bless Jonathan's heart, he said, "There was a tie I wanted for daddy but it was too many dollars.  If I got it, I couldn't get Joshua anything."  They both wanted help wrapping their treasures and of course, then they just couldn't wait to give them to each other.  Y'all - this in my opinion is one of my favorite memories.  Giving.  They had totally unselfish and giving hearts.  What a lesson. 

Anyway - here's a few shots of our celebration... 

 

Before we do ANYTHING on Christmas morning, we spend a little time reading the Christmas story from the Bible.  The boys were anxious to get  downstairs, but were also great about waiting.  I know one day they'll hate me for the bed-head pictures.  hee hee

 



This little cutie pie loved his Dispicable Me goggles - thanks Aunt Carol and Uncle Chris!

 

Baby Joshua LOVED his little Batmobile.  So much fun.  He was excited about ribbons and bows and boxes too.  Presents were kind of an after thought for him.  :-)

 

 

We surprised Jacob by getting his last two play posters framed.  He was super excited. 

 

And this (even in our jammies/sweats) is my life.  Thank you Jesus for this crew that I get to call my family.   And yes, as long as possible, my kiddos will wear matching jammies every Christmas Eve and all day Christmas day.  I got no shame.  :-)

 

Merry Christmas everyone!!!!



What I really want for Christmas...

 DISCLAIMER:  I saw a similar article as this on FB one day, so the idea is certainly not my own, but I laughed so hard when I read it that I thought I'd create a similar blog post that is my own. 

Dear mom and dad, 

I know you are having fun shopping for Christmas presents for me and my big brothers but if I may, here's a few suggestions: 

Forget about getting me any plastic keys.  I'm way smarter than you think...I know they aren't real.  I want real ones.  In particular, I want the exact ones that you need to drive the car.  The extra set won't do. 

Forget about stacking cups or building blocks.  I'm perfectly happy dissecting the contents of mommy's makeup bag - I especially like the ones I can get open.  And the powdery stuff that makes a big mess?

 

- yes please.  I'll take two of those. 

Since you are always asking for help with chores, I'll take a broom.  And I guess a mop.  But again, no need to get me a toy one.  I like the big super size ones.  The dirtier the better too. 

I'll also take any trash can filled with trash.  The one in the bathroom is my favorite though.  Just wrap up that for me, but make sure it has dirty toilet paper and Kleenex in there.  Those are my favorite. 

And while you're at it, that cool contraption on the bathroom wall with the fun rollie paper?  I want that really bad.  I really like it when I can roll the paper all the way into the kitchen or even to the living room. 

Oh and don't even think about getting me a toy cell phone or remote control.  I'll take your iPhone - the one in the pink case...and all the TV controls.  I don't really like the ones that sing cute songs or have Mickey on them.  I like the ones that really make the TV go on and off.  You know, the big great ones?  I really like the red button - I think you call that the record button or something.  I want a real one with lots of red buttons.  I like recording stuff. 

Oh and for the grand finale, please oh please get me my very own Wii U cords.  I love those more than anything.  And I really like the one with the white paper sticker on it.  Please please please can I have that? 

Thanks and I love you bunches,
Baby Joshua

He's BACK... and some other stuff

Guess who's back??? Chipperson, our trusty little Elf on the Shelf.  Y'all - the boys have been talking about Chipperson for at least two months, preparing for his arrival, speculating about his shenanigans, and writing him little letters to take to the North Pole.  I love all the magic.  It's so fun!  So, Chipperson made his debut by flying to Cave City first.  He sent the boys on a scavenger hunt around Grammy and Pa's house and they finally found him drinking out of the pancake syrup bottle.  They were so cute!  Jacob wrote him a note that said, "please hide up high so Joshua can't get you!"  PRECIOUS!!!  Then, Chipperson found his way back home to Shelbyville, but before stopping at our house, he made a pit stop at the Shelby County Community Theater to catch Jacob in "The Christmas Carol" on opening night.  The next morning, a program from the show and a little note was included and Chipperson was hiding in our Christmas card basket.  Since then, that little rascal exchanged our stockings for underwear, played tic tac toe on our bathroom mirror and ate a bunch of brownies.  Wonder where we'll find him next? 

And just some other stuff I just don't want to forget...
* Joshua says "Ho Ho Ho"  all the time and it is so cute.  Any Christmas decoration he sees he says it. 
* Each morning when I go get him, he makes sure to tell me all his words - "ho ho ho" "bye" "Ba ba" "uh oh" "mama"  "hi"
* He is into throwing his food off his plate and it makes me crazy - he's still a pretty good eater, but it seems like we only have a three minute window to give him some food on his tray
* He hates getting dressed!  He gets into everything - it's nothing for him to go in a room and come out with the most random stuff in his hands.  Hilarious!
* JONATHAN IS READING!!!! Really well - it's precious!  I love hearing him read and working so hard
* We have a meeting tomorrow at school for an IEP for him to get speech services.  It makes me sad, but I know it will help so much. 
* He recently went to a princess peacock birthday party.  There was one other boy there, but he totally held his own.  I love that they have such good friends that are girls. 
* Jacob has really enjoyed his role as Tiny Tim in the Christmas Carol at the SCCT.  He does a great job!  I'm so proud of him.  I think he has a little acting bug!
* He continues to love school and thinks his teacher hung the moon - the other day, I got my hair cut and colored and he said, "it almost looks like Mrs. Fallen's..."  I knew that was a huge huge huge compliment!
* They are both slightly obsessed with making Rainbow Looms for others
* The big boys are actually "into" playing with the boy.  It's cute - the favorite games are peekaboo and hide and go seek.  Joshua craves their attention

Catching up

Man, it is so hard to keep up with everything these days, but I know if I don't keep up with this blog, I'll be so disappointed one day.  So... here's the Halloween re-cap.  Halloween is such a fun time for our family.  We love all the fun HAPPY stuff about Halloween.  I could skip the yucky scary stuff.  :-) 

Oh sweet Taz - you earned this nickname.  You can destroy a room in just a few seconds, but you have the BEST, most lovable personality!  Your smile is truly contagious.  We were surprised how well you did with your costume - you didn't mind it at all!  This was the weekend before Halloween - you guys went trick or treating at JCC.  :-)  You had your first sucker.  I think you fell in love.  

 

 

One of our family traditions... going over to visit Mamaw and Papaw and helping (just watching really) Papaw carve the pumpkin.  This year - a Scooby face.  

 

It's a Looney Tunes fest here - the cutest little Sylvester, Taz and Bugs ever.  Jacob's ears just wouldn't stand up very well, so mommy did emergency surgery with a couple of rulers and hot glue gun.  Yep, mommy can fix anything with the hot glue gun.  

 

Of course, Halloween wouldn't be complete without a family pic!  Can't believe we are all actually looking at the camera.  

 

Grammy and Pa always love being here for Halloween.  Such a treat that they live close enough to be so involved!

 

Trick or Treating with some of our closest friends - a new tradition for us, I hope.  It was awesome!  We hit every house in our neighborhood that was open.  We are blessed with great friends! 

 

Almost done, Taz...  poor guy.  He felt awful all day (had croup) - even went to the doctor that morning.  :-(  But of course we had to go to our favorite neighbors... the McTales family.  

Happy Birthday Baby Joshua! (TAZ!)

I cannot wrap my hands (or heart) around the fact that my baby is now one.  It's been an unbelievable year!  Baby Joshua gives us so much joy - it's like God knew exactly how our family needed Joshua to feel "complete."  He fits in perfectly and I cannot imagine one single day without him.  Life is so busy with three sweet boys.  We are busy volunteering at church - teaching, pastor search committee for daddy, deacon meetings...  We are busy with homework and back packs and lunch boxes.  We are busy with play dates and helping out our teachers with special projects.  We are busy building legos and playing superheroes and putting on plays at home with multiple costume changes.  We are busy with diapers and finger foods and balls.  Lots and lots of balls.  :-)  We are busy with slobbery kisses and sweet hand holds.  We are busy parenting and trying to teach these kiddos about Jesus and His mercies.  We are busy failing at that last part, but we try.  And we pray.  And we pray some more.  We are busy.  But life is SOOOOOO good. 

I'm a little late for this, but Happy Happy birthday baby Joshua!  I'm so afraid the busy-ness of our lives is going to make me forget how precious these days are for you.  So here we go - lots of things I just don't want to forget about you:

• You smile all the time!  Seriously - you never ever cry (except in church lately... hmmmm)
• You are an amazing sleeper - you go down at about 8 and sleep until 7:30 or 8.  We don't even have to rock you or anything.  You love to sleep with your little bear, green blankie and about 4 pacis.  You also have a glow worm in your bed and you've learned how to push his tummy to make him sing. 
• You take two naps a day - one at about 10 and one after we get the big boys at about 3 or 3:30. 
• You weighed 20.8 lbs and were 29" long at your appointment.  You are a little smaller than our other guys were at this age. 
• You took your first steps on October 1.  You are still a little wobbly, but oh so cute.  You are walking all over the place. 
• You are down to two bottles a day, morning and night.  If you see one during the day, you really want it bad - but you are easily distracted.  :-) 
• You love balls - it's your most clear word. 
• You are a great eater - you eat almost anything, except blueberries and celery.  I don't blame you bud! Your favorites I think are gravy and biscuit and chili. 
• You have a cute sense of humor - if I put something silly on my head, you think its hysterical.  When I throw a ball and catch it, you think it's the greatest.  And of course, you laugh all the time at your brothers. 
• When changing your diapers, sometimes you hold the diaper cream.  You can get it open.  Hope it's not too bad for you if you get a little in your mouth. 
• Whenever we are hanging out in your room, you sneak over to your bed and get your blankie and paci out.  I've been working in there a lot lately, going through clothes and getting your new big boy clothes all ready. 
• You love cords - especially the Wii U cords. 
• You love to open cabinets and dump out the contents.  Actually, you like to dump out the contents of anything. 
• You understand "No No" really well and seem to be a good listener so far. 
• You love going to Ms. Erin's - your face lights up when you see her. 
• You finally got a new big boy carseat.  You feel like hot stuff in it. 
• You are going to be the Tasmanian Devil for Halloween.  It really (for real!) may be the cutest thing I've ever seen. 

• You have the craziest hair!   Some cute curls!  :-) 

                                             

• You lean in and give kisses when I ask.  It melts my heart!
• You like to turn off the lights in room. 
• When you wake up and we come get you, we say, "drop your paci" and you thrown it in your crib (or across the room if you choose!).  In the mornings when you wake up, you don't even cry.  You just sort of sit there, play and wait for us. 
• You just started to put your hands together when we pray before dinner.  It is so cute!

I have to say, I think you are my momma's boy.  The big boys are most definitely daddy's boys, so I'm secretly glad.  I'm so grateful that my part time work schedule allows me to be with you so much during the day.  I wouldn't trade places with anyone for any reason. 

I love you to the moon and back and more than that!
Mommy

Scooby Dooby Doo - where are you?

Have I ever mentioned that I love being mommy to God's three little gifts?  Well, I do.  Sometimes, admittedly, I feel like my head may spin off my head with frustration with all the messes and the occasional arguing that occurs at my house.  Ahem...  BUT, I love it.  Last weekend was one for the record books, let me tell ya. 

For Jacob's 7th (yes - my baby is almost 7 -WHAT??) birthday, he requested a Scooby Doo Party.  And a slumber party.  So, I got busy planning.  We decided to have part one of Scooby-palooza at our church.  Y'all - it was Scooby city in there.  Here's the front door. 

 

Just inside - yep, that's right, Jacob's very own Mystery Machine - made by his Papaw!

 

There were Scooby Snacks (Jacob helped me name everything... Scoober-iza, Scoob-tato Chips, Mystery Juice and Scooby Cakes.  We also had cheese balls - I just couldn't bring myself to call them Scooby Balls or better yet, Shaggy balls... Ha!!!)

 

A fun photo booth with special little props

 

A Mystery Machine painting project (we split up the kiddos in 3 teams)

 

Then, the teams had to help solve a mystery... Jacob's presents were taken by a mysterious villain.  The teams had to follow clues around the church to help solve the mystery.  The final clue was tied around Daddy's leg - he was the villain.  It was hysterical to watch the kiddos try to catch him.  Finally, the last clue led Jacob to the Kids Studio for presents. 

 

Not sure who had more fun... Daddy, the villain or the kiddos.  :-)  Jacob said this was his favorite part.  It was a lot of work, but so totally worth it. 

 

Finally, the night ended with individual shots in the photo booth with Jacob and all his buds.  And then, yep, for part two of Scooby night, we had a sleepover at our house.  7 kiddos came over.  We watched the Scooby Doo Movie, played a few games, did legos and went to bed.  Girls in one room, boys in another.  :-)  Yes.  We did have a co-ed sleepover.  Hee hee!  The kiddos were amazing.  All asleep by 11.  We got them up early and all went to church with us the next morning.  Jacob was a very happy little boy and kept saying, "this is the best day ever!  Thanks for working so hard on my party mommy."  Yes, yes,  I'd do it all over again to see that smile.  I love my job as m-o-m.  Thank you Jesus! 

 

 

 

 

36 things

(this bloggy post is LONG overdue! - It's been in my saved drafts FOREVER - was gonna add pictures, but text only is all I've got today!! - but here's to remembering the little things and blogging more often!)

I had a FANTASTIC birthday.  I am one blessed momma.  For real!  Here's to 36! Just some facts...
1.  You never ever get to turn off "Mommy" - sometimes I wish you could, but the thoughts, the worries, the feelings of being mommy never go away. 
2.  I'm not complaining - I love my job as mommy, but the constant feelings of "am I a good enough mommy?" or "wonder how they are feeling right now?"  or "hope they are enjoying reading today at school."...never.go.away. 
3.  Being mommy of three boys makes me totally outnumbered.  Not that I wasn't before, but sometimes I just need a little more estrogen and a little less testosterone.  Ha!
4.  I clean the bathrooms in my house, but I'm ready to pass the torch.  I mean, I can promise you that I AM NOT THE ONE WHO GETS PEE ON THE FLOOR AROUND THE POTTY! 
5.  My house can be clean one minute and totally cluttered the next minute.  How does that happen? 
6.  On days that I work (Tuesdays and Thursdays), I feel as though I miss out so much on the boys' lives.  I'm so grateful for my part time work schedule, but those days sure are long. 
7.  Jacob had a really yucky bike wreck tonight.  In the grand scheme of things, it wasn't too bad, but when you see your baby face down on the concrete, your heart will stop and you might accidentally pee your pants.  I was a little concerned that his permanent teeth were damaged, but all is good.  
8.  I'm really grateful for new friends God has placed in my life over the last year. 
9.  My hubby's watching football.  Blah - I'm trying to enjoy it with him. 
10.  Year 35 brought exciting news of a new baby!  Here's to never having that news again. 
11.  Year 35 also brought us to the hospital with our sweet baby for breathing problems.  Here's to NEVER ever being in the hospital again with our sweeties. 
12.  Jacob is in another play at the Shelby County Community Theater.  Fun times. 
13.  Jonathan is really enjoying kindergarten and is working so hard on his reading! 
14.  We affectionately refer to Joshua as "TAZ" - short for, you guessed it, Tasmanian Devil.  His personality just fits the description.  He's into everything!
15.  Billy is still working in Shelbyville - thank the Lord.  That is such a huge blessing for our family.  Our gas expenses too! 
16.  Joshua is a bottomless pit.  He eats anything and everything in sight.  I sometimes wish someone else could feed him - just to expose him to all the things the picky Stover crew never will. 
17.  I love running - but not by myself.  I'm running about 15 miles per week.  It feels good.
18.  Billy and I are 100% totally addicted to the show 24.  I know we are about ten years late to the party, but we just happened to find the reruns and are loving it so much!
19.  Jacob's play was time consuming, but so amazing.  It was called "Jack and the Giant." 
20.  The songs from the play continue to run through my head.  Especially, "fee fee fi fi fo fo fum." 
21.  Parent teacher conferences were successful - boys are doing great!
22.  We are excited to be having another niece in a few months.  We are thrilled for Kelly and Shawn. 
23.  Joshua opens the cabinet in the kitchen with his plastic bowls and plates and completely empties its contents - at least 20 times each day.  TAZ!!
24.  Billy and I are teaching 1-3 grade girls again this year at church.  We are really enjoying it.  For some reason, God's got me camped out in the Old Testament.  Enjoying seeing how all the stories flow. 
25.  A gallon of milk spilled in our van last week.  It reeked - still does, but is better!  Did you know that a bag of charcoal under the seats neutralizes odors???
26.  It does not seem possible that my baby is almost seven and Joshua is almost one.  I just want to put on the breaks. 
27.  Billy's on the pastor search committee at church - it's super time consuming, but I'm so proud of him.  Praying hard for our church.  We have SO much potential. 
28.  Every morning, we carry the boys down to our bed.  After they get their school clothes on, they watch Tom and Jerry - I love how it makes them laugh. 
29.  One of my most favorite times of the day EVER is going in Joshua's room first thing... his bed head is awesome.  He smiles HUGE.  He tries to hide from me in his crib under his little blanket. 
30.  After I pick him up, I say, "drop your paci" - and he throws it back in his bed. 
31.  He also likes to turn off the light for me - when he does, he claps for himself. 
32.  Three boys = lots and lots of laundry!
33.  Joshua and I love stroller rides - but running with him is no joke. 
34.  I'd really like to work on publishing a book full of social skill practice activities.  I do a weekly social skills group and love it, but I'd really like to formalize all my ideas into a book - anybody know how I could/should get started?
35.  Joshua loved to put the pegs of his little puzzles in his mouth and it's so cute.  I distinctly remember the other boys doing the same thing! 
36.  I am so blessed.  I love my life!  I pray that I would not allow the enemy to steal my joy as I live life in the trenches of a busy momma! 

How's that for some random thoughts???

10 months old... 10 facts (and some bonuses)

 

1.  You LOVE to eat - seriously.  Anything we give you, you seem to love.  I'm trying to teach you the sign for more, but you do this really cute arm swinging thing when you want more. 

2. You had a scary allergic reaction to cottage cheese yesterday - you immediately broke out in red bumps/splotches.  I called your doctor immediately and they totally freaked me out - told me to watch for blue lips, decreased breathing and such.  But, you were fine in a few hours.  :-)  No more cottage cheese for you for a while. 

3.  You got introduced to Wick's pizza - oh my word.  YOU devoured it.  A chip off the ole block - mommy and daddy LOVE Wicks pizza so much. 

4.  You.are.a.man.on.the.move!!!  You are keeping me on my toes - if I look away I might find you in the cabinets, inside the laundry baskets or up the steps.

5.  Yes, you at ten months old can climb the stairs.  Fast. 

 

6.  You have crazy hair - when you are hot and sweaty or it's really humid outside, it's a little curly.  Super cute.  You may need a haircut before you turn one. 

7.  You almost always have your mouth open.  It's so cute.  It's a half smile/half surprised look. 

 I love it. 

8.  You say "ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma " over and over and over all day long.  Occasionally you say "aba" and "dada."  But mostly, it's "ma ma ma ma ma"

 9.  Your little photo shoots are getting more and more difficult.:-)    You are growing so big and so strong.  I love your sweet little personality.  You are such a laid back easy-going little dude. 

 10.  You now smile big time whenever I get the camera out.  It's like you "get it."  I got out the little red car for you and you feel like hot stuff.  It occupies you for a good 30 mins or more. 

Oh buddy, how we love you so.  Your brothers adore you and are always going to watch out for you.  I love the way that you bust out laughing spontaneously at the most random things.  You love it especially when we dance.  You love it when Jonathan does the hula.  You continue to be an amazing sleeper - not the best napper, but nighttime is awesome.  You talk A LOT more when the big boys are at school than when they are home.  You do not like to ride in the car, unless mommy is sitting right beside you feeding you puffs.  You are crawling everywhere and pulling up and trying to cruise around on furniture.  You prefer finger foods over pureed foods, but still enjoy those too.  You love to dump things out of buckets or baskets.  You still put EVERYTHING in your mouth and get pretty ticked if I have to get something out.  You are an amazing little dude and I'm so grateful I get to be your mommy.  I'll never ever tire of you crawling up to me and saying "ma ma ma ma ma" and reaching up to be picked up.  I love that.  So much.  At your nine month check up, you weighed 19 lbs and were 24 inches long - somewhat smaller than the other little men were in our house at that age.  I'm still pumping milk for you, but only 2 times a day now.  You are getting about 1/2 formula and 1/2 breast milk.  It has not been a problem for you.  Though I know it's best for you and certainly less expensive, I am so ready to throw my pump in the street.  It's been a huge sacrifice and I'm ready to be done.  :-)  From where I stand, 10 months is pretty awesome.  XOXOXO

Lump in My Throat

I'm sitting here with my computer in my lap and what do I hear?  Silence.  Wow - not what I'm used to.  The big boys are (gulp) at school and the baby is asleep.  I don't hear a peep in this house.  And I don't like it.  Don't get me wrong, I've been cleaning and playing with my third little sweetie today - and I love that time.  But, admittedly, I've looked at the clock a ton of times wondering is it 2:20 yet? 

I've got a big ole lump in my throat today.  This feeling has happened several times in my life - always a sign of change.  I remember feeling this way the first night I was away at college - laying in that twin bed wondering what was in store for me...  I remember feeling this way the first night I was in Africa 9 years ago - laying in a strange "bed" wondering what was in store for me.  I remember feeling this way the night before my wedding (although it was a very happy lump in my throat that night!!!) - laying in my childhood bed wondering what was in store for me.  I remember laying in the hospital bed on October 13, 2006 wondering what it would be like to be a mommy - wondering what was in store for me.  And again on May 29, 2008 - the night before I would be a mommy again - wondering what it would be like to love two beings with all my heart.  And yet again, on a hospital bed on October 11, 2013 wondering what life with three amazing boys who give me the title mommy.  Last year around this time, I laid on the floor beside my boys' bunk beds wondering through tears, how this momma would make it with Jacob going off to school.  And darn it, that same feeling is back today.  I'm sitting here on my bed, with a big ole lump in my throat wondering - how in the world is it possible that both my big boys are in school today.  Yep, today, I'm the proud momma of a first grader and a (GULP!!!) kindergartener.  And I'm wondering - what's in store for my littles.  Y'all, I'm missing my babies.  I know they are in great hands and I feel great about the school they are in and I know they will love learning new things.  Jacob is so excited.  I love his exuberance about learning and exploring.  CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR ABOUT HIS FIRST DAY OF FIRST GRADE!  Jonathan is another story...  he is so sweet but for some reason seams a little more vulnerable than Jacob did this time last year.  I know he's quite a bit younger and maybe it's his sweet little speech delay, but whatever it is, I'm more worried about him.  He was super excited though, so that makes it easier.  Last night, the lump in my throat was HUGE.  Before bed, I was feeding Joshua and trying to read to big boys and do worship.  Joshua wiggled out of my lap and guess who was quick to crawl in... yep, my sweet Jonathan.  He crawled up in my lap and asked me to hold him.  Then, while I was reading a story to them, he brushed my hair the whole time.  I mean, melt.my.heart.  I held him extra tight and snuggled him a few more minutes than usual and prayed the whole night long.  Literally.  I don't think I slept more than a couple of hours.  Today, I snapped some pictures, wiped his face and fixed his hair and sent him off to kindergarten. Seems unreal.   Praying he has a fantastic first experience with learning. Praying he doesn't feel lonely or afraid.  Praying that he won't have trouble with his belt or pants button if he needs to go potty and that he will be able to open his straw okay on his juice box and that he knows exactly what to do at the end of the day for car riders...  oh God, help me not worry.  They both have wonderful Godly teachers and I'm so grateful for that!   Praying God surrounds my boys with great friends who also love the Lord and make good decisions.  Lord, they are yours.  Use them for your Glory.   May they always be willing to be light in a dark world and true salt of the earth.