Monday, October 30, 2006

Family


My mom and brother were here for a visit last week. The boys had SO much fun with them and we got to do so much in a short amount of time. We visited the Dallas Zoo, numerous parks, the rose garden, the science center, the Tyler zoo, the pumpkin patch and Henry's favorite--McDonald's (twice!). They both went home on Thursday, and my boys are still recovering and catching up on lost sleep! :)

It's tough to live so far from my family. I miss my mom, and talking on the phone just isn't the same! Also, for most of my life, I've lived very near my brother and I'm still getting used to not seeing him every few days. He's going through a hard time right now, and I'd love to be close enough to help. For now, I can just pray and know that God is in control! Which is really the most help I can offer him anyway.

It was really great to see the boys with Grandma and Uncle B. Henry and my mom have always had a special bond (first grandchild!), and this visit she and Jonah really hit it off too. Jonah is a child of few words, but he did start saying "Grandma" in a very short period of time!

I am so thankful that the Lord has surrounded me with such wonderful family!

Friday, October 20, 2006

A Lesson From East Texas


Some things I've learned living in East Texas:

1. If you mow the lawn wearing sandals, the fire ants WILL bite your feet.

2. Don't try to fit in. They know you're not local.

3. If you are in a hurry, forget about it.

4. If your children aren't careful, they will have fire ant-bites in strange and scary places.

5. There's more than just a geographical difference between "Texas" and "East Texas." And quite a bit of pride.

6. Anything can and will be deep fried.

7. Red dirt will cover every surface of your home. Don't fight it.

8. You will be frowned on if you get up before the sun rises.

9. Y'all really is a word, and "Ma'am" (with the right inflection and drawl) can constitute an entire sentence or question.

10. Texans are the friendliest folks in the world!

Thursday, October 19, 2006

Just a couple of angels!


My "angels" are feeling spunky today. I took them out to do some fun things this morning and planned on getting some serious house cleaning done this afternoon. However, my boys don't seem to think cleaning is a good way for me to spend my time.

Since getting up from their naps, they have:

  • loaded a dvd player with view-finder discs
  • loaded a fax machine with pennies
  • unrolled a roll of toilet paper and a roll of paper towels
  • spilled a glass of milk in the kitchen (somehow covering every surface that I had just finished cleaning, and requiring me to mop and also wash the walls and windows)
  • scattered books and matchbox cars throughout the house jumped on my just-made bed, messing up the one clean-looking spot in the house

and finally:

  • Henry informed me that they can't play outside, because (at 63 degrees) it is just too cold outside (were they seriously born in Montana?)

So right now I'm having a "time-out." Seemed like a good idea. The boys have been banished from every room except the play room (I don't even want to think about what it might look like by now!) I guess this is my cry for help. HELP! Somebody send me a babysitter and a maid! :)

Monday, October 16, 2006

Double time

Sometimes one spoon just isn't enough.....



Here's a boy who takes after his mama! Gotta love ice cream! :)

Friday, October 13, 2006

Sleeping


Ever since having my first child a little over three years ago, I've wondered about the phrase "sleeping like a baby." Did the person who came up with that ever have a baby? Certainly not a newborn! They aren't the perfect little models of deep, long, restful sleep that you would think!

But I think I finally understand it. They must have really meant "sleeping like a toddler!"

How else can you explain this child not even stirring after I took three pictures (with a bright flash!)? Henry was asleep on his bed across the room-he also didn't even flinch.

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Health Nut

The boys had oatmeal and a banana for breakfast this morning, at Henry's request. About half-way through his bowl of "yoatmeal," Henry pushed his bowl to the middle of the table.

Henry: Mommy, I don't really want this for breakfast.

Me: Oh? What would you rather have to eat?

Henry: Hmmm.....maybe....I think I would like some broccoli!

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

The Tricycle


Henry learned how to ride his tricycle!

Until this week, he has REFUSED to even try to put his feet on the pedals. His feet can reach the ground, so he has become very efficient at "walking" the trike around. This week he wanted me to push him around on the trike. I told him I'd only push him if he put his feet on the pedals. It took some serious convincing (and a lot of practice!), but he figured it out! For a while he needed a "starter push," but now he can even get started all alone! Now he's a madman, racing around on three wheels! This boy can ride completely by himself, and he couldn't be more proud of himself!

Way to go, Henry!

Almost forgot...he saw his helmet hanging in the garage yesterday, so now he will not even consider riding his tricycle without his helmet on for safety! He keeps it hanging on the handlebars when he's not using it!

Monday, October 09, 2006

clowns like us


I ordered the boys some clown costumes off of ebay this week. I thought they looked like fun and they were really cheap. I figured I'd have to modify one a little since they were both sized quite a bit bigger than Jonah. I was pleasantly surprised to find that with all the elastic used, they fit both boys just perfectly!

I was not so pleasantly surprised to find that they didn't want to take off the costumes after trying them on. So far I have them convinced that clowns don't go to the store or the park, but I'm not sure how long they're going to buy that. From the time they get up in the morning, Henry and Jonah both insist on wearing their new costumes!

Saturday, October 07, 2006

Toddlers...

Sweet little Jonah is 20 months old today. Now, I'm not the kind of person who keeps track of the weeks/months very well. I never know quite where my kids are on the ages in months.

But this morning I was really reflecting on the fun personality traits that keep popping up in Jonah lately. We're seeing more and more of who he is becoming: his great sense of humor, his optimism in everything, his absolute adoration of his brother, his budding imagination, and infatuation with his daddy. And I started to think how close he is to TWO years old already! This is such a fun age, and I love watching my children blossom!

I was also thinking today that Jonah is the age now that Henry was when JoJo was born! They are so similiar is so many ways, yet complete opposites in so many others. I just keep remembering the funny things Henry would do and say at this age. He was so determined to be independant. (Jonah doesnt' mind depending on me still!)

So here's a picture that was taken just a few days before Jonah was born....so you can walk down memory lane with me!

Friday, October 06, 2006

"the jaguar"

Overheard at my house yesterday........



"Mommy, I peed in your bed. But that's okay!"

Monday, October 02, 2006

Daddy's Home

The pictures are vacation highlights, but the point of them is this: These boys love their Dad!

Sam was gone the last few days to help facilitate a boot camp at teen mania. We went to visit him a few times, but that is only a few minutes at a time (and Sam was busy working while we were there).

So last night when he came through the door, we had quite a joyful reunion! Jonah was squealing with delight (in between screams of "Dadd-eeee!"), and Henry was a giggling machine--they could hardly contain themselves! They had some great bonding time and rough-housing and made up for lost time. Then Sam was pretty tired and actually went to bed before Henry did last night. Henry thought that was really funny!