A's

Today Austin brought home his report card. I'm soo proud of him.
Another straight A's report card!!! Well done son!
Things have been a bit crazy here but he has stayed focused and continues to do the right thing.
I'm so thankful he is staying focused and keeping up with his work on his own. One more step to adulthood!
I look forward to watching him continue to mature.
Yesterday he went with me comping. He was able to have me to himself and share some of his thoughts. Wow, this young man is really right on!
He has Biology and Bio-Medical right now. I asked him if he still feels like he wants to become a Biochemist now that he is in those classes. He gave me one very firm YES! He still feels strongly that finding cures is what he should be doing.
Austin, we are proud of you!

Race Car Driver

Beau dressed up as a race car driver.
Dress up is big in our house. The little boys love to pretend. When Beau was 2 he got this same outfit much smaller for Christmas. He loved it so much I couldn't get it off him for 3 or 4 days. LOL!

Halloween Pictures

Beau, Austin and Liam...Handsome took these for me
Liam and Beau

Austin and the porch guy!

Thank you Handsome for taking the pictures for me!!

Missed Halloween

This year I missed Halloween. Thank God for my Handsome! My back and ulcers took me down that day. I spent the day pretty much in bed. My sweet Handsome got me some medication and rub for my back and I pulled out the Nexium and prayed all day for God to relieve the pains. Thankfully I was able to sleep a little thru it but it did seem like every time I started to fall asleep someone would come in my room to talk to me. My loving Handsome took the boys trick or treating and they had a great time. He also took some pictures. I still have yet to down load those….maybe tomorrow. Austin handed out candy and the little boys only did a couple streets but they had a great time. I plan to not miss next year…make it bigger and better than ever since I missed this year.

Relearning Lessons Can be Painful

I’m relearning that no matter how much you love someone if they don’t love themselves they will continue to make bad choices…continue to hurt themselves over and over again. I can’t stop them with words, hugs or providing a safe place for them. In fact providing a safe place for them to continue to hurt themselves will only prolong this choice. UGH! I would be enabling them to continue this…so with a breaking heart I stopped. I pray one day…very soon…they are able to see clearly how they are hurting themselves and stop. Never stop praying….God’s timing is perfect and He always answers prayers. Sometimes with a no but He answers. I have found He tell me to wait a lot. So in this time of wait I will continue to pray and keep my eyes on God and be thankful for all things…even those that break my heart.

Krysta

Krysta, we are so proud of you!

Put God first in all things and keep doing your best!

Jr.

Meet Jr.! He is 15 months old and full of laughter.

I'm looking forward to seeing him grow and change.

He loves to run around the fireplace and play with Max.

What a sweet young man!

Happy Bunch

Monday Lauren was out of school. The little guys and I were thrilled to have her here. I had to get a picture of the 4 together. I love that Olivia's new smile has her tongue hanging out! We made a chocolate cake and had fun with the dress up clothes.

Prayers

At each age, stage and understanding each child prays differently. Here is the prayers of my little men….

Dear Jesus, thank you for this food and thank you for everything in the whole world. Amen.
Liam

Thank you Jesus for mom, dad, Austin, Liam, God , Jesus, Kendall, me, Lauren, Aunt Kim, Uncle Terry, Aunt Joyce, Krysta, Cassie, Olivia, Eunice, Tony, Brandon, Kylan, Jennifer. Amen
Beau

Liam is trying to say a fast thank you and get on with eating without leaving anything out. Beau lists everyone he can remember and doesn't care if the prayer lasts 10 minutes he wants to not leave anyone out.

Matching

I’m working with Beau on matching his clothes….so his idea is to find something the exact same color and be done with it. So today I have an orange child!!! Yep…orange shirt and orange shorts. That’s not even the best color for him to wear but he thinks they are his basketball clothes. He thinks his white clothes are baseball clothes and black are his soccer clothes! LOL!!! I know one day he is going to get this…but for now I have a solid colored child!

Corps Protects

Fall weather has started. The air is starting to be a bit crisp. You can stand outside and hear the leafs rustle in the trees. I love this weather. No need to turn the AC on, just open the windows and enjoy the breeze. Now that Austin is doing Cross Country I'm taking the dogs out more often. I took Corps out after Olivia went home yesterday. He heard the wind in the trees and ran out in front of me and growled...air raised and all! Then started to do his stuff...but when the wind pick up he quickly got in front of me again and let out a couple barks with another growl. I couldn't help myself...I had to laugh. I've never been protected from the wind like this before. How sweet...Corps loves me! LOL! This happened about 5 times before he could get everything done. Silly sweet dog!

Luke 6:43

"For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit; nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit."

Boys you are part of our fruit...

Put God first always!
Speak with love the truth always!
Before you decide to take advice from someone look at their fruit! Is it rotten?
Seek Godly advice before you make large decisions.
Don’t make someone else your god.
Thank God for all things!
Don’t settle for less than God’s will.
A mistake only remains a mistake if you don’t learn anything from it!
Remember hurt people hurt people…most the time it’s not really about you, it’s all about their own hurts.
Serve the least and the lost!
Pray for those you love and don’t love…they all need it!
When you know you were wrong apologize sincerely.
Don’t say things in anger you don’t mean.
Be an example!
You won’t crave what you have never done!
Remember the Bible is a love letter….read it daily! God wants you to avoid the pains caused by stepping out of His will!
Your parents love you!
Remember who you are and Whom you represent!


The old saying the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree…that is another way to say Luke 6:43

Monkeys!

I got one of those phone calls no mother ever wants to get this last Tuesday.

I was at work for a whole 10 minutes, then the phone rang. It was Handsome.

Beau had gotten hurt and was bleeding.

I rushed home.

Beau had lied to Handsome and said he ran into the wall.

One look at his face and I knew that wasn't the truth.

I HATE lies!

Thankfully Beau told me the truth, he had been jumping on the bed!

He fell off and hurt his head!

Okay so Beau what did you learn from this?

Don't jump on the bed.

He looks awful!!!

I'm thinking he will learn this lesson now and I won't have to talk to him about jumping on his bed anymore.

WRONG!

I sent the little guys upstairs today to clean their room.

I heard tons of noise that didn't sound like cleaning. I found them in Austin's room playing with a ball! They aren't allowed in Austin's room when Austin's isn't home. So time out on their beds!

Ten minutes later I hear more crazy noises. What do I find???

Liam and Beau both jumping on their beds & singing "5 little monkeys jumping on the bed..."

Are you kidding me??? Don't they get the song? Didn't Beau learn from falling and getting hurt? What is it going to take for them to learn to stop jumping on beds???

I want to get them a trampoline for Christmas. I would feel much better about them jumping like monkeys on that than their solid wood beds!

Future

I've been asking Beau for a while now "What do you want to do when you grow up?"

For a long time he has given me things like Pirate or Daddy.

But this week he decided he wants to be a basketball player then a rock star!

I think it's going to be a couple more years before I get a different type of answer.

Liam told me he wants to be a fire fighter. I think we might take a trip to the local fire station for him to visit and see the trucks. I think he will love it!

Austin still says he wants to be a Biochemist.

I hope he finds a cure for cancer!

I'm excited to see all the plans God has for our boys!

Cross Country

Austin

I'm so proud of you!

I'm looking forward to going to your Cross Country meet.

I know I won't be able to go to all of them, but I'm going to go to as many as I can.

No matter what place you come in, if you do your best, I will be SO PROUD of YOU!!

I'm going to bring Your cheering group with me!

Keep making good choices!

Love YOU!!

Dr.'s Office

Today I had a Dr.'s appointment. I had to take the boys with me. They feel asleep on the way there, so when I woke them up we were parked in the parking deck. The first thing out of Beau's mouth was are we at Mr. Dan's place!!! LOL!! He thought we were at the airport to pick up Mr. Dan! I tried to explain we were in a parking deck but not the one at the airport. Once we got into the Dr.'s office they both realized we really were somewhere different. Of course on the way home they again feel asleep.

Corps, Beau & Liam

I don't have Olivia today so I am spending part of the day working with Corps.

He chews up bones so fast I found this dog toy in our dog box and hope this last longer. I think it will. I'm also working with Beau not being afraid of Corps. Corps has a large bark...I'm thankful since that will be one thing that makes someone think before breaking into our house but it also scares Beau. Corps loves the boys....

Aaww...sitting so nice together.

Ok time to sit next to Liam...

Liam is worried Corps will be gassy!!! LOL!!

Corps has no idea why they laugh so hard at him!

Almost found the right spot,

Make room Liam!!!

Ok maybe it's me, but I think he is one of the cutest dogs I've ever owned. Handsome thinks he isn't very cute. How can you look at this face and think it's anything but cute?? Ok so he snores very loud and has horrible gas, but he brings so much laughter to our lives and loves us sooo much!

Olivia

Meet Miss Olivia!!

This is the very sweet 15 weeks old I'm now watching. She is a very happy baby! She rarely cries and has the best smiles. I'm excited to watch her grow. I was a little bit nervous that the little guys might be a little jealous. Not at all. Liam was so excited to see her when he got up. They both wanted to know if we could keep her and she could be their sister! Just yesterday they realized she lives next door! We are working on rolling over and sitting up. Beau has already said he will share his special blanket with her. He won't even let Liam touch his special blanket. How sweet! Liam told her yesterday "I love you Olivia and I'm glad you come now!" Beau tells me everyday "Can she crawl yet? Put her on the floor I bet she can." He wants so much for her to be able to play with him.

Thank you God for another sweet girl to love on! We miss Lauren greatly!

School Time

We are back at learning something new each day or reinforcing what you have already learned. Beau is much better at sounding things out now. I'm looking forward to seeing how much more you little guys will learn this school year. We are also working on fruit, veggies, and dairy. So far you guys are doing pretty well with that too! I'm proud of you!

Lauren

My sweet Lauren!

I love you always! I know you are going to do well in kindergarten! I'm excited to hear all the new things you are learning and about all your new friends. Remember no matter where you are or what you do we will always love you! I'm looking forward to seeing you at holidays and game nights!!

Enjoy your adventure of school!

Learn all you can!

Be proud of who you are!

Know that you are loved!

God has great plans for YOU!!!

Hugs and Kisses!

Value

Know that your value doesn't depend on what you do for a living!

Your value doesn't depend on your grades!

Your value doesn't depend on your car!

Your value isn't from who you are married to!

Your value isn't from who your parents are - even with all the love we have for you!

Your value doesn't depend on where you live!

Your value doesn't come from what company you work for!

Your value isn't from what you do!

Your value isn't from what you eat!

Your value doesn't depend on what you wear!

Your value doesn't depend on what type of bank account you have or how much is in it!

Your value is from what God says about YOU!

So study the Bible, learn Who you are, What promises God has for You!

Stand firm on the Word and put God first!

Love you always

Mom

Blog

I started this blog for the boys. I wanted to put down what their life was like as children and write love letters to them to find one day. I was also thrilled that in doing it this way other family and friends can see our boys grow and change. I'm going to start writing them life lesson letters. I know I have said these things to Austin and I will to Liam and Beau but just incase they forget I want them to be able to look back and find it here too!!

Boys I love you!

10th Grade

Today is Austin's first day back to school. I am praying for him and his teachers. Last year was a hard year. I'm hopeful that this year will be easier. Austin is going to join the cross country team. I'm looking forward to cheering him on. I'm excited to see what this year holds for him.

I love you Austin!

Park Time

Last week I took the kids to the park. Lauren is starting school full time next week. We are going to spend as much time at the park as possible before then.

What fun!!!

Photos

I've decided to start doing some photos....here are some I took for Jennifer and Richardo.

Thank you guys for modeling for me...enjoy the pictures.

Corps

Our puppy is changing daily....this is the face that greets us now!!!
What a mug!!
He is all muscle, very strong, sweet puppy!!

Irish Festival 2009

The Nicoll boys at the Irish Festival!

I love how it looks like the sign is going to grab one of the little boys.

Handsome in his new shirt from the Irish Festival.

The boys eating their ice cream and Chubby in the backround.

The little guys won't stand with Chubby for a picture, maybe next year.

Live band...I can't remember the name of the band but I enjoyed listening to them.

Bouncy House...always fun!

This is the shirt we got the little boys.

Matt is 25% Italian so this fits well!!!

The boys had some ice cream while we were there...very yummy!

My Handsome and boys...Thank you Handsome for taking us to the Irish Festival!!

I'm gonna marry....

One night while I was at work Liam and Beau told Handsome who they are going to marry....just so we know.

Liam said he is going to marry Lauren.

Beau said when he is grown up he is going to marry Mommy!

I already love Lauren so that works for me!!! Aaaww!!! Beau how sweet! So after talking about it for a couple days....Beau has decided he is going to marry Kendall! I've always thought they would be good together.

It's it funny how a 3 year old can very calmly tell you who they have decided would be a good spouce, then tell you why they want a Star Wars birthday and ask for something to eat without noticing you are still stuck on they are talking about getting married. LOL!!!

Our Anniversary

Sunday wasn't just Matt's birthday...it was also our anniversary!!! Every year is sweeter than the one before. I'm so thankful for our family. I pray this year is full of more blessings than bumps and more joy and laughter than tears!

Thank you God for My Handsome and our Marriage!!

Happy Birthday Handsome!!!

Sunday was My Handsome's birthday!!!

I love you!!!

We got him a new Wii game.

We had a great time playing it most of the day. Of course

Handsome is already a Pro at some of them!!!

Once I figure out how to upload pictures from the new camera

I will add some more.

Every year he is more Handsome and I love him more!

Storms

We have been getting some aweful storms at night. I'm very thankful for the rain. Thank you God for watering both yards for me!! I am up late tonight watching Sherk. Beau feel asleep before the strom hit but Liam came running down and the dogs started to freak out so here I am having a slumber party with them. I have a feeling I'm going to need a nap tomorrow!!

Old Pictures

I've been having a lot of fun pulling out old pictures and scanning them in. I don't have very many pictures of me from my childhood. So everyone I find is exciting to me.

I must be about 3 in this picture...I see a lot of me in Beau
I think I'm 2 in this picture...yes I think I'm wearing a boys jacket, it was a hand-me-down from one of my mom's best friends.

Here I am climbing rocks

I think I'm close to 5 in this picture.

Here is one of the only pictures I have of my dad holding me. I'm 13 months in this picture.

I take so many pictures of my boys because I wish I had more of me when I was younger. I think tomorrow I'm going to take more of the boys!!

It's nice to walk down memory lane but even more fun to look forward to what God has for you!!

12 pounds!

I'm down 12 pounds!! I'm thrilled. I still want to drop another 20lbs at least...30 would be great! I should get Jennifer to take some pictures of me. I'm having fun pulling out clothes I haven't been able to wear in a couple years.

A Lesson from a Child

Two weeks ago at Church I saw a lesson from God in a child I didn't know. We sit upstairs for our Church service. There are more kids up there than down stairs. Most people put their kids in Sunday School but if they aren't used to it or maybe too young or for whatever reason you can have them sit with you upstairs. There is a quiet room to take them in if they start to act up. I used that room when I was breastfeeding the little guys. I think that is why we got used to sitting up there. After the songs we sat down and they took up the offering. The plate passed us and it was almost over. Then this little boy sitting near us started to cry and he cried loudly. I thought Oh please take him to the quiet room so I can focus on the service. I saw his mom get up and follow him. He was already up and starting to walk away from where they were sitting. Ok good they are on the move and I will have no problem hearing the service. Well yes they were on the move but they weren't heading for the quiet room...I thought ok maybe it's potty time. No they weren't heading for any of the doors. He walked up to one of the ushers (still crying) and said please let me give my money! I was brought to tears. That's how we should all be! He was so excited to give and then when the plate passed too fast it broke his heart. As soon as he put his money in the tears stopped and he was content! So many people write their check and give out of obligation but they forget it's an joy to give back it's a privilege...it should be done with a joy filled heart! Thank you God for the reminder!! We should all be like little children! Yes I did tell the mom and the little guy thank you for the reminder after the service.

Dread Mill Again

Ok so I got crazy busy and beyond stressed...and I stopped doing the dread mill. I put 3lbs back on...UGH! So now I'm back at it again. I've dropped those pounds in about 4 days and now I'm looking forward to dropping more quickly...or that's what I'm hoping for! I would like to drop 20lbs....or maybe even 30! But I'm thrilled each time I weigh and see any movement in that direction. I'm also counting carbs and protein again. I hope to post good news soon.

4th of July

This year was interesting. Austin got invited to spend the weekend with a neighbor at the beach. I knew he would love watching the fireworks over the ocean and have a lot more fun hanging around with a friend. So he left bright and early on Saturday morning. We have great neighbors and I’m thankful they invited Austin to join their family. I’ve talked to him once a day and look forward to his return.

Liam, my sweet Liam, still doesn’t like loud noises. I wasn’t sure how Beau would react either so we planned another quit night at home watching movies with the little guys. From about 4pm we started to hear loud pops and bangs. Our poor dogs hate fireworks and freak out greatly. None of our dogs allowed upstairs…except on the 4th of July. Well I got Beau to check out the fireworks from the windows at the back of the house. Liam joined us. We went outside…Liam hated it. The noise was sooo much louder outside. So Beau stayed on the deck with Handsome and Liam and I came in. Liam watched the fireworks with me from the windows. Liam loved it once we were inside. Maybe next year we can view the neighbor’s fireworks from the deck as a family. They shot off fireworks for about 3 hours!

Missing Handsome/Father's Day

I miss Handsome. He is out of town for the night for work. I'm very supportive of him going on his business trips. He works very hard to support our family and is a great provider. When he is not here I just don't sleep well. I miss his smell. I miss listening to him breath. I miss his snore! Yes can you believe that??? I miss feeling him next to me.

I watched P.S. I love you tonight with Jennifer. I cried thru most of it. I can't imagine my life without Handsome. I don't want to go there. I love him beyond words.

Father's day was last weekend. That is always a bitter sweet day for me now. Handsome is a great Dad. Our three boys are blessed to have him for an example. Each year is better than the one before. Handsome's parents came to celebrate Father's Day with him. I know it means a lot to Handsome to spend as many holidays with his Dad now. Knowing about the cancer has made each holiday that much sweeter. For me it's that much harder. My Dad is not a part of my life. I miss him greatly. I want so much for him to know my family. Each holiday that passes is that much more painful knowing that is just another holiday he has missed.

I hope to take some new pictures of Handsome with the boys this month.

I love you Handsome!

Rain

I'm so thankful for all the rain we are getting.

The garden is growing and the grass is starting to fill in.

The grass at the other house is starting to turn green again.

The blackberry bushes are growing!

The bushes in the back that didn't do anything last year are growing!!!

Thank you God for all this rain!

Dump Trips

The last couple days I've been loading up items from the old house (better known as the rental house) and taking them to the dump. The renters left an amazing amount in the garage. Sadly they left "food" in both frigs. We had to take one to the dump. There was no saving that one. I don't understand how someone can live in such a dirty place. The house is in good shape, thank you God!!! But they were dirty. I'm thankful the house just needs a good cleaning and it will be back on the market. Sadly the agent told us about how many people were upset about the dirty house that has seen it. I had to wait until I could get into it before I could do anything about that. Today Matt took the day off and helped me with that frig and mowed the backyard. I have the best husband!!! Thank you Handsome!

Bouncy House

One of the things the renters left was a bouncy house. I know why they left it...it has a hole about the size of my fist. Right now I'm using tape to fix it but I need to come up with something better because they tape isn't staying. Hole or no hole the kids love it. I surprised them today with it. We had to clean it really well before I felt ok with them being on it. The kid parties we do from this point on just went up a notch!

Mess

I'm slowly cleaning out the rental house. The house isn't as bad as I thought it would be but it is gross! I'm slowly taking things out of the garage. Today I took a load of cardboard. They drank more soda and ate more fast food than anyone I know! Why those empty containers didn't make it into the trash or recycling I don't know or understand. But I had a full truck load of empty boxes and there are more to be removed! I have a feeling this is going to take a week or two before I'm done. UGH!!!

Tomorrow is Eviction Day!!

I'm soo excited to get back into the house and see what all we will need to do. I drove by it yesterday and spoke to the renters - who are now 3 months behind in rent! They were taking loads to a storage unit. I pray they are completely out by the end of tomorrow. I will have to get the electricity back on. Once the house is clean I'm going to stage it as much as I can. Please pray it will sell quickly.

Great Grandma B

This month my Grandma B (also known as Grandma Jenny) is turning 85! She helped raise me when I was little. Sadly she hasn't meet either of our younger two. I hope she is able to come out for a visit soon. I would love if she can visit this summer. I think she would enjoy seeing all the boys. Austin is taller than her! LOL!! She was in the room when Austin was born.

We love you Great Grandma B!!!

Two More Days

Two more days until eviction day!! I'm so excited the 11th is right around the connor. I'm looking forward to getting into the house and getting it cleaned. Please God sell that house!

Shifts

I'm so thankful I've been able to continue to pick up several shifts. I have to work 1000 hours a year to keep my insurance. Because they cut back hours I have struggled to meet my monthly amount. I think with the extra shifts I've been able to get I just might make it!! The extra income is a huge help too. I just wish I made more. Hopefully next year my raise will be much better. I understand why they switched from a set about (.50cents the max) to a percent of your income (2% max) but when you make less than $10 2% just isn't much at all! I am thankful for it. I have to wait until next May for another raise. Until then I will work as hard as I can and be thankful for the hours I get.

Baptized

Today Matt and Austin got Baptized!!

I can't begin to tell you how happy I am!

I cried tears of joy watching Austin get baptized.

I'm looking forward to the day when Liam and Beau get baptized. Grandpa Mick and Grandma Gigi visited our Church to be there for Matt and Austin.

Please join me in praising God!!!

Summer Reading

I'm looking for some type of summer reading program for the little ones. I came across this http://www.barnesandnoble.com/summerreading/ It's for kids in grades 1st thru 6th. Our little ones aren't there yet but if you know a child that is this would be wonderful for them. I'll post any other programs I come across.

More Corp Shots

Corp is growing and changing. He is full of engery. At what age will he become the lazy dog?? I took him for a good walk before I took these pictures.