Many Miles~

Many Memories.

It has been 3 years this month since we bought our minivan. I LOVE it! There are a lot of other cars I dream of driving but with a family this is the perfect vehicle to have. As you can see we have put a lot of miles on it. It had 30,000 miles on it 3 years ago and now its over 100,000. Lots of trips to see friends and family.

Heres to going another 100,000 Miles!

Moments Like These~

are hard to come by when you have two rowdy litte boys running around.

but we'll take all the calm peaceful moments like this that we can get!

Proud Mommy Moment~

Of course as a Mom I have lots of proud Mommy moments but this is one of my all time favorites watching Christian write his name for the first time (poor thing he has 9 letters to write). He did AWESOME and was so proud of himself. Here are a few pictures of his great work!

YAY!!

CHRI

STI

AN

New Addition~

Meet the newest addition to our family: Rocket

Beach Weekend~

This past weekend I had the privelage of going away with some of the ladies from our Sunday School class to Myrtle Beach for the weekend. We had the BEST time. It was the first time that I have left both the boys and Ed for the weekend. The boys had a awesome time with their Daddy they have been telling me all about it since I got back and they were quite sad to learn he had to go back to work today and wasn't taking them for another polar bear swim (more on that to come later). I enjoyed so much this weekend while I was gone so I made a short list of my weekend blessings:

*Getting to share and learn more about some of the wonderful ladies I was with (19 of them!)

*not having to take care of anyone else for three whole days!

* staying up late and sleeping in until after 9am!

*eatting my dinner when it was nice and hot

* reading part of a book

* shopping without pushing a stoller

*going to the movie sand seeing an adult movie (Inception)

*going to the bathroom and showering all by myself (hey its the little things! =)

*laughing with other Moms

*Swimming in the ocean

*Riding in the car without handing over toys or listening to veggie tales

I could go on and on. I am so thanful that I was able to sneak away for a few day and greatful that my wondeful husband took care of the boys and even cleaned the house and had all of the laundry done when I got home. It was a much need break and I got some great R & R.

Wordless Wednesday~

Not exactly what I was trying to capture...

Zoo

This week Aunt Rhonda came in for a few days with Kayla and Aidan. We usually try to get together when the kids are out of school for a few days and this Summer was slipping away so we threw it into this week! We didn't take a lot of pictures but here are a few from the day we decided to head to the Zoo when it was 100+ degrees.

We got a picture of all 4 kiddos looking at us after taking about 20 of them but hey its worth it right.

Christian 3 Aidan 6 Benjamin 2 and Kayla 9. Love this picture of Benjamin grinning as he is "flying" the plane he is soooo mischevious! Another picture of all the kiddos climbing up on the JeepBenjamin and AidanBenjamin and Kayla Kayla & Aidan- they acutally like having their picture taken now.
It was a HOT day to be at the Zoo but the kids had a blast and we got to see a lot of the animals. We look forward to all going back again...when the weather is much cooler.

Homemade

Pizza!! This past weekend we made pizza at home with the boys. The LOVE when they are able to help in the kitchen.

I have come to realize that ordering pizza is not nearly as fun as making it at home (not to mention a lot less money). Here are the boys with our pizza crust super excited to help make dinner!

Spreading the sauce- he looks so big to me in this pictureBoth boys adding some cheese Pepperoni- they put some on the pizza but they also enjoyed a few pieces =) Waiting for it to bake Love this picture of Benjamin even those his mouth is full of delicious pizza My big man enjoying his pizza as well MMMM Good! Cheese- I cannot believe this boy is only 3 months away from being 4!!

Role of Love in Mothering~

I must admit that I am "stealing" this from a friend of mine (Thanks Pam). She posted it on her website and it stepped on my toes just a little bit. I felt like it was worth sharing. Enjoy~

"As I've thought about the role of love in mothering, I've been stimulated by 1 Corinthians 13, which I have paraphrased:


If I keep my house immaculatley clean, and am envied by all for my interior decorating but do not show love in my family-- I am just another housewife.

If I'm producing lovely-things --sewing, art; if I always look attractive, and speak intelligently, but am not loving to my family-- I am nothing.

If I'm busy in community affairs, teach Sunday School, and drive in the carpool, but fail to give adequate love to my family-- I am gain nothing.

Love changes diapers, cleans up messes, and ties shoes-- over and over again.

Love is kind, even though tired and frazzeled.

Love does not envy another wife-- whose children are "spaced" better, or in school so she has time to pursue her own interests.

Love does not try to impress others with my abilities or knowledge as a mother.

Love doesn't scream at the kids.

Love doesn't feel cheated because I didn't get to do what I wanted to do today--sew, read, soak in a hottub.

Love doesn't lose my temper easily.

Love doesn't assume that my children are being naughty because their noise level is irritating.

Love doesn't rejoice when other peoples children misbehave and make mine look good. Love is genuinely happy when others are honored by their children."

Wordless Wednesday~