Poor Ben...

Ben fell down the stairs on his face :(
He kind of looks like Jack in this picture!

Pumpkin Patch

Yesterday, we all had the day off from school and work. So we decided to hit the pumpkin patch. The boys had so much fun! We all did! Our favorite thing was the 'punkin chunkin'. It was so funny! We also rode ponies and climbed on and through bouncy houses. We bleached when we got home! ha! Here are a few pics.

Playing Catch Up

I have got to put blogging on my schedule or I'll never ever get to it! Well, I'm going to catch up now.

Jack and AJ are in school and Ben is in preschool. Jack had a rough go at Kindergarten the first few weeks. He is getting the hang of it! I'm so proud of him! He's writing and reading small words!

AJ is loving 1st grade, of course! I had my conference with his teacher last week and he scored 100% on everything on the TPRI. He will be in the GT class this year! Very proud of my smart loving boy.

We also had AJ's birthday party. It was a low key sleep over and he loved every minute of it!

 

 

 

More catch up...

 

Fall has hit! It got cold and rainy and we loved it!

 

We also got haircuts... nothing big, but I just LOVE this picture! I love how Ben looks up to AJ!



 

School's in Full Swing!

Well, school has started and it's the 3rd week. AJ is in first grade and is loving it and doing so well. He loves school and all that school entails! Jack is in kindergarten and is getting in trouble a lot. Poor baby. He's struggling with keeping his hands to himself and being impulsive. I knew this would happen. I thought I was prepared, but I'm not. It hurts me to see him getting in trouble. Yesterday we got home from school and I sat down to talk to him and just started crying. I didn't feel good either, so I'm chalking some of that emotion to that. Jack just looked at me with his big beautiful blue eyes and started crying too. He said he's so sorry but he just doesn't understand how to act. He said everyone hates him and he's sad. I lost it. I hugged him as tight as I could. I explained to him that we all love him very much and that is why we are trying to correct him now. I know he will eventually get it all, but this process is hard... for me... and him... Even AJ started crying and told Jack that he loves him. It's just hard to adjust to new stuff and new people and new procedures and rules. He can do it and so can I. We will work as hard as we can. I feel like I have lots of things I need to change/add to be a better mom. I love Jack so much, as all of you moms know...

Please God give me the strength, patience, consistency, courage and energy to handle whatever you have in store for Jack. He is the most passionate person I know. Help me Lord to help him use that passion for his benefit. In your name...amen.

First Day Jitters!

Well, today was the first day of school. I didn't think I'd cry but I sure did. Jack was such a big boy. He didn't even want me to walk him to class much less take pictures. But when I did, I could tell he was glad his mama was there.

Last night he was so worried about everything...what would he wear? what would he eat for lunch? what if he had to poop? So many questions. AJ comforted him and said he'd go check on him from time to time. So sweet!!

So today, Ben and I are sitting upstairs while I write and he watches a movie. He's so glad to have me to himself for a couple of hours. We may even get a nap!

More to come when I get all the details of today from the boys! Can't wait!!!

Summer Is Over...

Well it's almost the first day of school. I have survived the summer. Well that's relative I guess. By survive I mean the boys survived. They are so excited about school on Monday. So is mama! Gosh, I had so many plans for the summer. We were supposed to play school and organize the house and learn things and go on trips and scavenger hunts and camping trips and playdates and do science experiments. It's the thought that counts right?! My house is a disorganized chaotic mess. We did maybe 2 science experiments that made more mess and never ever played school. I think AJ forgot how to read and write. I sometimes suck at this mama thing. But like I said, they survived. They are fed and happy. I won't go as far as to say clean, but not filthy at least! We thrive on routine so hopefully this new school year will bring just that! I, however, need to be more intentional on this subject! I must get up earlier. I must have stuff ready the night before. I must chill when trying to get out the door in the mornings. All the other cleaning and organizing and hopefully relaxing with coffee can come while they are at school.

Ben will go to preschool 2 days a week. Jack will be in kindergarten. AJ will be in 1st grade. Time does fly by. Some days I wish it would go much faster. But then I get the hugs and kisses and the 'you are the best mommy ever's and I want to stop time then! I love my babies so much. It's very hard being a mama. It's the most important job anyone could ever have. Thank God for teachers I can send them to for a few hours a day!!!

Summer Stay-cation!

Instead of driving somewhere else after getting back from Alabama (and almost driving off of the Tennessee River Bridge cause the boys were driving me nutso), we decided on a staycation! Daddy took the week off and we did FUN FUN stuff all week!! Monday was zoo day. We had so much fun, until the whining commenced right on schedule at lunch time! We were mooned by a giant gorilla. I'd say that was the highlight of the visit! Gross AND funny! Boys loved it!

Tuesday we went to Hawaiian Falls waterpark. That was way more fun than we thought it'd be! I was thinking 3 boys, a grumpy daddy and me would not be a good mix at a place for kids to go crazy and almost drown. Glad I was wrong. It was perfect for the boys and Lindsey even had fun! Ben and I did slides that I thought were kinda scary, you know, the kind you land in the water so fast your swim suit goes up your butt crack! It was fun though!

Wednesday we took a break. I had errands to run for Jack's 5th birthday party! Now that was fun!! Oh but wait, then Thursday we went to a movie, the aquarium, then surprised the boys by driving up to Great Wolf Lodge. We had the best time. I'm still tired! Not sure if I will ever recover from that one!

Then the week was finished off on Saturday with a 5th birthday bash! Complete with waterslide and lifeguards and birthday prizes!! Lindsey got Jack a BB gun! There will be an entire post devoted to the insanity of this purchase!

Summer with my boys

Summer has been so challenging but tons of fun! The boys and I went to Alabama 2 weeks ago. We stayed for a week. We swam, and swam, and swam at pools and a lake that looked like a beach! We were there for the 4th of July, so we got to shoot fireworks! That was so fun, especially seeing one chase my nephew down the street! (a firecracker, not a kid) We went to a party where Ben entertained about 200 people with his dancing. Kid has skills!

I already miss Kiki and Coco! We will be heading back soon for football games. Corey is a senior and this is it for him! I can't wait til football season! On that note, the boys will be playing football too. TACKLE! This will be an interesting fall! Jack also starts Kindergarten. In 5 weeks! Gosh, where did the summer go??!!

Jack's Baaaaack!!

Jack has been at my mom and dad's house since Friday. I miss him so very much. The house has been too quiet. I have not had to get onto AJ and Ben much. Jack is such a spirited kid. I'm working on embracing this instead of wondering how to change him. He is so passionate about life and everything he does. He's all or nothing. I know God gave me this child for me to look after and to raise to be a God seeking adult. I admit some days it's just putting out fires, but others Jack is really intent on learning and figuring stuff out. Mark my words! He will be a world changer one day! (Let's hope it's for good and he's not a rogue military person or something. haha.)

In all seriousness though (because one day he will read this), I want him to know that I thank God for him everyday. He is a blessing to us all! Anyone that knows Jack loves him and wants to be around him (except for his brothers sometimes..ha).

Dear Lord, I know you desire for me to raise a God-following adult. Please give me Your wisdom as I seek to become the parent You called to this high honor. Redirect my perspectives and equip me for this task today, and everyday. In Jesus' Name, Amen

It's Summertime with an Outbreak of Crazy

Ok really? I have not blogged since September. What kind of writer, mother, wife am I? Gosh! Well, the Fall went so fast, then Winter, then Spring, now Summer. It's a crazy time with a 6, 4 and 3 year old. Yes, Ben had a birthday. It was fun and full of toy stories! Jack will be entering Kindergarten on August 27th. What? Jack in real school? Is he ready? Am I ready? Well, we hope so!

As for summer, let's just say it's very spirited! The boys have had way too much togetherness! They fight, they hit, then they love and play. It's fun, but so tiring trying to keep up! I love every minute of it though. They keep me on my toes. A verse comes to mind. Hebrews 12:11 All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.  I CAN DO THIS!

Oh, and I'm really going to start blogging more. My life is so funny sometimes; I really need to remember all this!