Brothers

This is one of my favorite pictures of the 3 boys together.

This picture is from May 3, 2008

My men in the making!

All three of my men in the making are sick. Liam and Beau were up a good bit last night because they just don't feel good. Both Matt and I are blurry eyed today.

Dreadmill

Liam loves WipeOut – the tv show. He is so excited it is starting again this Sunday. We got a treadmill last week. I found a great deal on one at one of the local stores. Liam thinks it’s called a dreadmill!! LOL!! We think that is a fitting name for it so we haven’t corrected him. Beau wants to be like Daddy. I don't let him run on it but I found him pretending he was running on it and took a picture. Jennifer is even using it. I hope to find 20 minutes a day to use it myself.

Art

Art is always so much fun. Lauren’s parents got the little ones each a set of paints for Christmas. We got those out yesterday. They had to really squeeze hard on the tubes to get the paint to come out. It quickly became finger painting. I want to come up with someway to use these paints to make Valentine’s cards. I love that these paints are washable. We are going to pull them out today again. They really loved them yesterday.

They each have their own style. Lauren uses more paint and covers more of the paper. Liam uses less paint but tries to cover as much paper with that. Beau uses the least amount of paint and just puts little spots of paint on the paper. Liam doesn't like to be messy at all but he had a great time using his figures.

I love art. I hope to find a couple pictures they make to frame and hang in the playroom.

You just may see their pictures in a gallery one day! But until then the wall of fame in the playroom will have beautiful pictures!

Trials

Our life is full of all kinds of trials. Some large and some very small. The first large one is that my father-in-law has 4th stage melanoma cancer returned to his lungs. He is in a trial study and we are praying for a miracle. Yesterday my Uncle had bypass surgery. We are praying that his recovery is speedy. He was planning to move here too, but now he is going to wait until his recovery is over. Jennifer’s timing belt broke last Friday. My van needed new brakes. We just received a notice from our town they want to put an onramp to a new bypass on our street!!! Jennifer is having a hard time finding a job. It just seems like we are feasting on trials. I know God is in control and he is working all this out for His glory. I’m walking by faith and not by what I see. I’m going to sign up for the committee to make sure the onramp doesn’t end up on my street. Jennifer’s car should be fixed and ready to be picked up today. I’m looking forward to talking to my Uncle today. I’m looking forward to hearing his voice. I’m looking forward to the next scan my father-in-law has to hear how the tumors are shrinking or gone. I know Jennifer will find a job. Please keep all of this in your prayers.

Growing up

Liam isn’t feeling well. He has a fever and a cough. Normally he wants me to snuggle him or sit next to him and rub his back. He plays like normal during the day and takes a really long nap. Well today went pretty much normal for a not feeling well day. He hung out around the couch and watched some of the educational shows he loves. But tonight after dinner he wanted to snuggle Daddy! He is growing up. I know before long he won’t want either of us to snuggle him when he doesn’t feel well.

Jennifer today!

Today I took some shots of Jennifer. Brewster wanted to be in the picture too. I guess my dogs are different. They both like their picture taken. I want to have get a couple shots of her blown up and hang them with the pictures of the boys. I'm not sure which one I'm going to use yet. I think I'm going to take more this week then pick the 2 I love the best. I don't know why but so far I really like this one of her looking at Brewster. I think because she was laughing at the fact that Brewster wanted his picture taken too.

Can you tell Max is a ham? He loves to have his picture taken. He usually looks at the camera without me calling his name. Too Funny!

I think this is going to be one of the ones that I'm going to frame. I love her smile and that Brewster is looking at the camera too.

I also took a couple shots of the little kids with her. This is one of my favorite shots of all of them. I love that Liam has bed hair! LOL!! I don't know if you can tell but Beau's hair is starting to grow back! His curls are coming back!! I'm over the moon with excitement. I miss his curls.

God Provides

I’m always so excited when God provides for the things I’m praying for and over joyed when he provides even before I start praying for something. Hand-me-downs are one of the ways God continues to bless our socks off. Austin used to get wonderful hand-me-downs from friends but now that he is wearing men’s sizes and is so thin we are getting things for him on sale or the clearance racks. I also pick up things for the little guys from the clearance racks at work (Target). I pick up great deals a size or two big for next year for the little guys but I don’t pick up that much for them because God continues to provide for them with wonderful hand-me-downs. I’m soo thankful for the friends who think of our boys when they are cleaning out the clothes their kids have outgrown. One of our dear friends has even passed things to us for Lauren. I can’t tell you how loved I felt and how blessed I felt that she would think about her too. I love Lauren. She was just as excited as the boys get when we went thru the bag of new to her things. We have another friend that just sent us a couple of boxes/bags of random love. Thank you God!!

Love More Than

For My Men in the Making

I love you more than all the stars in the sky.
I love you more than all the sand in the desert.
I love you more than all the water in the oceans, lakes, rivers, ponds, and seas.
I love you more than all the air in the sky.
I love you!

I love you!

Austin, Liam and Beau

I love you around the moon and back again.

I love you around the sun and back again.

I love you around the world and back again.

I love you around the Milky Way and back again.

I love you around the woods and back again.

I love you around the stars and back again.

I love you!

Grades

Austin got his report card on Friday! I'm soo proud of him. He pulled up the grade I was worried about. He started his new classes last Monday. My prayer is that he will stay on top of his homework and enjoy these new classes. I know if he will apply himself he can get straight A's. Please keep him in your prayers. He will have homework in each of his classes this time around and the homework amount should be more and harder. I'm looking forward to cheering him on and watching him continue to mature. He is a great man in the making!

I love you the Mostest!

Not possible!! (Austin will get that)

Daily Morning Walks

I’m not a morning person. Not at all. But I’ve been trying very hard for a while to get up early and walk to start off my day with some exercise and prayer time on my own. Well it just never seemed to happen. But for the last couple days Jennifer and I have been walking at 6:15am. We get to chat in the morning and get our day going. It’s nice. I have such an easier time getting up when I know someone else is counting on me to go with her. Thank you Jennifer!

Game Night

Last night we had our first game night of this year. We had so much fun. Austin got the old Wii to work. There were 2 games in the Wii – thanks Beau! He tried one more time to see if he could get whatever was stuck in it to come out and sure enough two games started to come out. He was able to take one out and then pushed eject and the other came out!!! So we had 2 Wii’s for game night!! We had one set up in the living room for the adults and the little kids. The teens played with the one in the family room until they moved to the playroom to play the Play station. We played 3 board games a couple times. It was a lot of fun. I think I’m going to get a white board so we can play Pictionary next time. We had such fun with the family and friends that came. We plan to invite them next month and some more. It should be even more fun! I had set up the morning room for the little kids. Austin and Jennifer put together the marble works in there. I also have the Geo track train and plane in there. The little kids had a blast. I’m going to try to come up with new things for them every month. I’m looking forward to spending more time with family and friends. It was so nice to get to know some of our new friends even better and have some great laughs with all. Next time I hope to remember to take some pictures!

Snow

Last night it snowed! School is out and we are all warm inside. It looked so beautiful out the window. It’s still slowing falling. It took me a while for them to understand how many shirts they needed to wear. Then we went outside. They were so excited…until we went outside and they touched the snow. After a short 5 minutes Liam was ready to come inside. Then he had a melt down because I wanted him to take off his shoes before coming inside. Ugh! Well at least it’s a beautiful view.

Austin is off to have snow ball fights with his friends in the neighborhood. I hope to get some pictures of him in the snow.

Fire Alarm!

Tonight I set off the fire alarm for the first time. We have one tied into our alarm so that if we aren’t home they can call the fire department for us. I made 2 packages of bacon for our BLT’s (part of our dinner) tonight for the first time. I normally only cook one package at a time. But tonight was Jennifer’s first night so I wanted to make sure we had enough. About 7 pieces into the second package the alarm goes off. I couldn’t tell at first if it was the house one or the alarm one (they are about 7 inches apart. Then I could hear a voice saying fire alarm, fire alarm, fire alarm…etc. I quickly put in the code. Thankful I did it in time for the alarm company to know we are home and the house is not on fire. I would have been sooo embarrassed if the fire trucks had come rolling up to find it was because I made some bacon! I told Matt if I didn’t get the code in in time I was going to tell them my husband is so hard I over heated! LOL!!! Thankfully no fire trucks came. What a welcome Jennifer got!

Hair Cut

I took Beau today for a short hair cut. I already miss his hair. I know it will grow back quickly. I think he looks younger with shorter hair. The stuff they put in his hair makes it stiff. I'm looking forward to seeing what it will look like after we wash it.

Video Bar

Laughter is an immeasurable medicine. With all the stresses in our days we need to just laugh sometimes. I will try to update it often with other videos that make me laugh.

Size

We were out and about today. While I was unloading the 3 little ones from the van they got into a discussion about size. Liam said some people are big and some are small, but he is medium. Beau quickly said he wasn't small he was medium too. Lauren said yeah me too!! I guess I should stop calling them the little ones and call them the medium ones!! LOL!!

Independence

Beau is having a hard time with independence. At home he is fine. He likes to do things on his own and does really well with most things. But being away from me or Matt is just something he is not ready for or just doesn’t want. When we drop him off at Sunday school he has a melt down. Beau doesn’t calm down in a couple minutes. For the entire time we are gone he has a complete melt down. It breaks my heart. There are times when he is ok with me going to work and other times he cries for a while even with Matt home. We are going to try putting Beau in the same class with Liam and see if that helps. I stayed with Beau in his class today. I did that with Liam 2 times when he was 3 and then Liam was fine on his own. Beau won’t look at the other kids. Beau won’t play with the other kids. Beau won’t do any of the songs or movements at the special fun place the kids go to for their program and story. He even started to cry when he was sitting at the table in his classroom when I picked up the toys that were out so the teacher won’t have to. Please pray for him. I want him to feel comfortable and safe even when I’m not there. At home he is such an outgoing fun-loving guy. I’m hoping this is just a stage he will outgrow quickly.

Panthers

I was looking forward to the Panther's being in the Super Bowl. But it just isn't going to happen this year. Maybe next year!!! They did much better than those Lions!!!

Diet

I've been on a diet since Monday. So far I've lost 4lbs. I'm thrilled I'm loosing weight but I would love to eat of hot fudge Sunday!! That isnt something I normally have but now that I can't have it I can't stop thinking about it. How weird! I'm counting my carbs. I’ve been eating shrimp, scallops and tons of salad. Most days I don’t even eat 60 carbs. I hope to loose at least 20 lbs by the end of April. Tomorrow I’m going to treat myself to a Sunday! Then back at it. I think next week my treat will be right out of the oven beer bread with honey. Yum

What?

Beau says the most interesting things! One of his favorite things to say is "I farted in my mouth"! My sweet three year old calls a burp a mouth fart! He always laughs so hard when he says it. I’ve explained several times he burped and he needs to say excuse me, not I farted in my mouth! He is all boy!!!

Silly Models!

My silly ones. I asked if I can take pictures of them today. They love when I take pictures. Usually I ask them to sit together or put their arms around each other. But today Liam said I want to take pictures on my back. See below. Then Beau wanted to take some being silly. My little models!! Liam

Beau

Beau, Liam and Lauren

Beau, Liam and Lauren

Liam’s Hoe

Liam and his hoe

When Liam was 2 years old I got him a plastic gardening set. His favorite toy was a plastic hoe. He loved it. He carried the hoe around everywhere. He would ask if he could sleep with his hoe. I never thought I would ever say “yes honey you can sleep with your hoe” but I did all the time. He loved his hoe. If I took him to the store he would take his hoe…I made him leave it in the van while we were in the store. When we went for a walk he took his hoe. I had to take it away because he started using it to hit others.

Another shot I foud of Liam and his hoe

Jennifer is coming!!

My cousin is coming to live with us this month. I'm so excited!! I've got to get all the Christmas stuff put away and in the attic. Clear out her room and get her a bed. I'm also looking for jobs for her. Her birthday is this month!! She is going to be 20! I am looking forward to all the fun times that are ahead for us together.

Beau and Jennifer

Jennifer we love you!! We are looking forward to having you here!!

Trains, Trains and Air Planes

The boys love their new trains. Even Stare Wars guys have come to hang out in the train station. Thank you Grandma Jean and Bob for the new Train Station and the Air Port!!! They love them! Lauren got her own train for Christmas to bring with her when she comes.

Liam is walking his guy down to the trian for a ride.

In this picture you can see how big their track is and the Air Port. I love the sounds the trains and planes make. I have a feeling this will be our winter toy set for years to come.

Max & Brewster

Poor Max. He misses going for long walks/runs with Austin. Now that the weather is cold Austin only takes the dogs on a 15 minute walk. Max is 4 years young and full of energy. Both dogs chase each other around the fireplace then around the ottoman. Max is our rescue dog. We got him from the local pound. Max is the sweetest, most gentle and very loving dog. Max is Austin's dog. Max knows when the school bus is coming to bring Austin home. He will wait by the door or one of the front windows. It's the sweetest thing to see. Max loves the fireplace. If he is getting too wild in the house I turn the fireplace on. It only take about 2 minutes for him to realize it’s on and lay down right in front of it.

Brewster hates cold weather! Brewster hates hot weather! He is our high maintenance dog. He will curl up into the tightest ball to try to stay warm. I will try to get a picture of him walking on his back legs for you. He gets so excited when people come over that he walks on his back legs and waves hi.

I would like to get another dog. That will probably have to wait until next year.

Here is Brewster asleep in the sun. Yes he is covering his eyes so the sunlight doesn't bother his nap! Sometimes I'm not sure he knows he is a dog!

This is a picture of Max waiting for Austin to get home from school. He opens the curtains himself. I know when Austin goes back to school Monday Max is going to be lost for a couple days.

Happy New Year!!

I'm looking forward to all this year holds and sharing it with the ones I love. We had a Wii tournament last night. Matt is now a Pro at bowling! I lost points...LOL! It was fun. I'm looking forward to doing that more often.

Beau hitting homeruns! Just like Dad!

Austin finding out how old he is.

Happy New Year - Austin, Beau and Liam

Happy New Year to our friends and family!