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!

Kindergarten!

Well, I have fully embraced Kindergarten life! It's been a crazy hectic start, but I actually love it almost as much as AJ does. I am room representative, of course. I tend to volunteer too much! I just want to be known! You know... since Jack will be there next year! ha... Jack is doing very well in preschool. So well, that we will probably not hold him out another year. His July 20th birthday is tricky, but I think he will be ready!

I'm also the PTA chair for the yearbook. Um... have they met me? My kid will be on every page! Oh well, that's what they get. It'll be crazy, but fun.

On these notes, I am soooooooo beyond blessed! I have everything I ever wanted and needed (except a bigger laundry room - 3 boys are dirty!) and a hard working husband which allows me to stay home and do all this extra stuff for/with my boys. Life is good! God is awesome!

Growing Boys

Well... it's happened... AJ has learned how to ride his bike with NO training wheels! I was so proud and happy and clapped for him... Then that nite in the shower, I cried. He is growing up WAY too fast. I know all of us moms feel this way, but it still sucks! I want him to grow and mature and prosper, but I also want him to need me and still be my baby. I guess Jack and Ben are quickly next. I can do this! I can!

Fathers DO NOT get it though. Lindsey sees them and says 'that's my boy'. When I say something about them growing too fast, he says something like 'it's supposed to be that way'. So, we moms must stick together and stop this growing! ha! I wish...

This comes to mind... But the child's mother said, "As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you." 2Kings4:30

I will let them grow, but I will never leave them.

It's FALL!!! Yesterday was Labor Day and a cool 87! We played on the backyard fort all morning! We haven't played on it at all this summer cause it's been too hot and it burns our hineys on the slide! I love Fall...