Just thoughts

Well...I am torn about the idea that my little Samuel may go to "BIG" school next year. We have been holding out on making the decision and kept "junior kingergarten" as an option for placement. Lately he is becoming such a big boy I am thinking that if we hold him off it only delays the inevitable for me. Losing another kid! He is very excited and told me the other day he didn't want to go to "baby" school anymore and wanted to go to "big" school. Guess he is ready to test his wings. Don't know if momma bird is quite so ready. It took most of this year for me to adjust to the idea that Bubs was gone all day. Now I am going to have to try to get ready for this...guess I better buy lots of boxes of tissue.

My little Gracie is growing bigger by the day. She now puts on her pants by herself and refuses to have let me feed me her most days. She is such a girl girl with all her purses and shoes and pink but yet will jump on Daddy and try to wrestle him anytime she sees fit. Most folks think she rules the roost. I think there is a chance of that but I hope to keep her from being too spoiled. Her brothers adore her (most of the time) and little did I know how this little angel would "complete" our family.

Bubs has had some horrible allergies to all this pollen lately. His eyes almost swell shut and then he rubs his nose so hard he looks like Rudolph. Breaks my heart! But of course he is so tolerant you hardly see a complaint out of him. He is talking a little more. Every now and then he lets go and we hear a two word sentence. I love those times. Gives me faith again that God can always do what seems like an impossible task!

My beautiful family would not be complete without my wonderful husband. It will be his birthday this week. I can't think of anything better to celebrate. I thank God so many times for bringing him into my life. What in the world would I do without him as my other (better) half. I couldn't have asked for a better husband for my kids. I think he is better at this whole parenting thing than I am.

Well... that's it for now...more thoughts later (whenever I get a little time to myself!)

Spring Break/ Easter

Here are some pictures of Spring Break and Easter. We did have a great time even though we didn't really take a long trip. We did take a trip to Charlottesville for the day. We ate at Mellow Mushroom one of our favorite pizza spots we miss from ATL. We also went to a Children's Museum there where the kids had a blast. Gracie and Benjamin enjoyed running through this big tunnel. Samuel really enjoyed all the educational games and activities there. It was a fun family day. We spent Easter afternoon with some good friends, eating and hanging out and the kids had an egg hunt. It was a wonderful day. I hope you enjoy the pics.

Soccer

Well we are officially a soccer family now. Both boys are playing this season and Dad is the coach. I would say both boys have given it their best. I think Samuel might actually continue next season but Benjamin seems to only like playing in spurts. He plays for about 3/4 of the time and then is ready to run and sit in my lap and watch. Samuel is really making friends on the team and seem to enjoy it socially and we are really proud of that. Here are some pictures.

Some pictures of our snow fun!

SNOW

Well...after three years of living up "north" we finally got the snow we had long been hoping for. We measured up to eight inches in the front yard. The schools were closed for three days and we had plenty of time for some snow fun. I would Samuel was by far the most excited about it. He was dressed and ready bright and early on the first morning, ready to head out and make snowballs. I think his most fun was having snowball fights with mom and dad. Samuel has been asking all winter for us to show him how to make one. He also was interested in all the icicles. We saved a couple of them in the freezer. I don't know how long that will stay there. Benjamin was a little less excited. Bubs isn't really that fond of being cold so the thought of trudging through the snow just to make some snowballs and snow angels didn't really sound like much fun to him. He would go out in small doses and after the second day, never went out in the snow. He did have fun watching Samuel outside playing in it though. Poor Gracie had the most trouble with the snow. She looked like a little marshmallow in her snow suit and was distressed when the snow stuck to her pretty pink snow boots. She was most content to sit in the stroller and watch. It was easier than trying to walk through the snow I think. All in all it was quite a fun time and we have quite a lot of pictures to prove it.

Making Memories

My grandma often tells me that our family is making memories to remember. Yesterday was a memory that I don't think I will forget. It was my birthday and I think I have to write down what happened so I don't forget.

It started with Brian surprising me with my favorite treat...coke in the bottle...(Sat he did surprise me with my next favorite treat...doughnuts!) I think hearing Samuel say "Happy Birthday Momma" when he woke up was another treat too but the best times came that night.

After a dinner of burritos and tacos from a new place we tried called Chicken Fiesta (which if you haven't been you should...yum yum), it was time to open presents. Samuel, my sweet sensitive boy, had decided some time back he wanted to get me a necklace. The necklace was beautiful...a sterling silver cross with blue stones. He definitely has a sense of style. Most precious was his comment..." It looks pretty on you!" He was also proud of the way he had tricked me but putting some magnet tape in the box to make it so heavy I wouldn't have guessed it was jewelry. He is going to make a wonderful husband one day.

My wonderful husband (and Gracie) gave me a beautiful dress. He thought "it looks just like you." and I would say it does. But I first will need to lose some weight and get a tan so that I can look as sexy in it as he imagines.

But by far the sweetest reaction was from my sweet little Bub. He had been waiting patiently for me to open his gift. His smile was priceless and by far one of the biggest I had ever seen. I knew what he must be thinking but doesn't have the words to say. As I opened his gift he could barely stand it...he was squirming, and moving and smiling with delight. There in the box were some blue sweatpants. How did he know that is what I really needed and wanted? Brian said once he saw the clothes in the store he knew he wanted pants and didn't waiver from that decision. I had been thinking that I should use some birthday money to get some new "comfy" pants. They were perfect. Exactly what I would have picked. How does my Bub somehow know what I am thinking...he is special like that. And although I miss hearing his sweet voice most times...I think I know what he is thinking just by looking at that most beautiful smile of his.


My wonderful night ended with a beautiful rendition of Happy Birthday. Even Gracie sang along in just her very own way...

Yep...Grandma was right...we are just making memories.

Proud to be a Mommy

So mommy has had some proud to be a mommy moments recently. First...I cannot begin to tell everyone just how proud Bub has made me at school. His teachers tell me how he has a group of four friends he plays with every day. And most importantly he is bringing home work with smiley faces and E's every day. He amazes me daily with how God is working in his life.

Well...sorry girls but Samuel won't be getting married any time soon! According to him he will never be getting married. Or at least not too any little girls...he says he is going to marry me! How innocent and sweet is that! One day he might wish I wouldn't tell him (or his fiance) that but for now it makes me feel pretty special!

Oh and Gracie...she has had her share of moments lately too. What a little girl she is. She and I have so much fun shopping, playing kitchen and baby, and doing "girlie" things. She amazes me every day with how independent she is. She wants so badly to be as big as the boys. I think her biggest new task has been taking her shirt off by herself. Too bad it was her PJ top in the crib one morning...guess we have to move on to the zipper PJs. :)