Top ten things we love about Daddy....

10. Ending the day together-bathing, laughing, reading and praying-you make us feel so content, we go right to sleep

9. Shootin' our Nerf Shooters at each other while chasing each other all over the house

8. Your BIG Daddy hugs and whiskery sugars that leave rugburn on our soft little cheeks

7. The way you help out with us and household chores after a long day at work-we know how much you love our mama, it makes us feel happy

6. Your yummy dinners, we love mealtime "Chef Boyoedy" style-we really like your homemade fries

5. The way you teach us about Jesus-we see glimpses of our heavenly Father in you, Daddy

4. Your spontaneous spirit to jump in the car and drive to Disney on a whim so we can play together

3. The way you go "all out" for whatever we're interested in at the moment, we know that you are proud of us

2. You are a BIG dude with a BIG heart and you make us feel safe and protected

1. The way you walk in the door, put your bag down and we ask what the best part of your day was, you say, "coming home to you!", and we know that it's true.

Happy Father's Day! We love you SO much, Daddy.

Friday Flashback

Before the ride...

That was fun...I think?

These photos were taken on our annual "Road Rules" trip with the Middle School youth group back in June, 2005 when Graham was about 17 months old. These trips are about typically 4-5 days long, and just like the show, the students have no idea where they're going!

Graham and I tagged along this time and the itenerary included the Everglades, Key West, and the Dolphin Research Center on Grassy Key. Very sweet memories...Graham was SO serious about this airboat ride, but when it was over, he talked about the "fast boat" to anyone who'd hear about it-even to the lady at the check-in desk of the hotel lobby!

Notice how we're all wearing earplugs, airboats are very noisy things! D.G. wouldn't have any part of the earplugs, but Daddy covered his ears tightly the whole time.

I am so thankful for the influence of these young people in our children's lives. Graham calls them his "big kids" and even now at age 4 1/2, he'd rather go to youth group on Sunday afternoon than just about anything else!

Graham getting some special attention from his "big kids"

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12

Friday Flashback

I took this photo one afternoon last summer during rainy season...hurricane/rainy season is here again for these parts. Bring on the rain...and the bugs?!

If you came to our house...

You would see...

some folks who are glad you came! If we know you're coming, you'd see shiny floors and open spaces...if not, (watch your step!) you might have to manuver around some balls, cars, baby dolls, and other various items that tend to "escape" in our little two bedroom condo-just come on in!

We'd probably feed you...

Chef Boyoedy's specialty of the day. And until it's ready, we've usually got some chips and fresh salsa or fruit to share.

We'd undoubtedly ask you if you'd read...

a book to us! (Graham and Hannah Reece) And then Hannah Reece would back her little self up into your lap to listen.

We'd want to play this music for you...

a soundtrack to one of our Wednesday Night/VBS programs at church (which we all have MEMORIZED-especially because Graham can operate the stereo on his own now!) or 95.3 OLZ (oldies) Get ready to boogie!

We'd want to tell you the latest about...

the stuff we've been up to; our latest trip to Disney, Graham would tell you about learning how to play soccer, show you his lego creations and he might tell you that he want's to be a T-Rex for Halloweeen, Dan and I would share about his schooling and new things happening at the church and how we're thinking about homeschooling, Hannah Reece would tell you about her Cinderella "rella" baby and echo (enthusiastically) what big brother's chatting about.

We'd probably suggest a game of ...

the Settlers of Catan! Philip and Amanda introduced us to this game-it is so much fun-but it can be tricky to play when little people are present because there are a bunch of tiny pieces! And if it's Graham and Hannah Reece's choice, a lively game of "Gone Fishin" or "Zingo" Picture Bingo.

We might show off...

Graham's race car bed-a kind hand-me-down from Graham's buddy Nicholas. When the students from youth group come over Graham meets them at the door and says "hey guys! Wanna come check out my race car bed?" The funny thing is they dig it, too!

We might get on the computer and show you...

how to get into this blog to see our daily antics-or Graham might want to show you a monster truck video clip.

If it was a long enough visit, we might watch...

a pick from the library that week...like Blues Clues, Franklin, Charlie and Lola, or Elmo.

What would a visit to your house be like?

Please comment if you read this and wanna do it, too, or just comment so we know you came by for a visit today! Thanks, Kim, for sharing this neat idea for a post!

Bedtime Buddies

The bedtime routine is: bath/teeth, jammies, stories and prayers. Most nights the first part is a group effort and then Daddy reads stories and prays with the kids. On this night, Dan was working and Graham and Hannnah Reece had a serious (but not rare) case of overly-sleepy slaphappiness!
Graham chose a book for me to read. I'd start to read a few words only to be interrupted by someones giggles, an insatiable urge to jump on his/her bed, or some person's bodily noises, which of course led to UNCONTROLLABLE laughter...and more antics! Finally, I said (trying just way too hard to be serious) "Now, I guess I'll just put this book away if y'all aren't going to listen"...to which my son replied in HIS most serious tone, "Mom, it's ok! We just like each other."

What's wrong with this picture?

Hannah Reece left me this little surprise a few days ago! Her latest trick is to strip down at lightening speed, and announce to all present "I go poopoo teetee!" Then she runs for the potty chair and sits down with a good book. This has been going on for a few weeks now, and I roll with it- not fighting it, but not really encouraging it, either. I just cannot believe that she's showing signs of wanting to potty train already? She's just over a year-and-a-half old! Maybe it's that she's my baby so I don't want her to grow up or that her brother didn't potty train till he was 3 1/2...or maybe I'm just one lazy momma. Don't get me wrong, I know that the end result is good, no more diapers, more independence...but it's a lot of work! Anyway, I think it's time to get down to business with the whole potty-training thing, because I don't want to find another surprise like this again anytime soon!

Oh, where was Graham as this event unfolded? Hiding under the covers of his bed. When I went to look for him, he just poked his head out and asked in his most matter-of-fact tone..."mom, did you clean up that poop yet? It stinks!"

Big Brother & Baby Sister

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12 (NIV)

Hannah Reece wants to do what she can to keep up with Graham. She's his little shadow, partner in crime, and can illicit his laughter (even when he's grumpy) with her sweet, silly antics. Sometimes, Graham gets a little irritated about this and wants to be "all by myself", but mostly he loves it and enjoys her company. On this morning, I was behind the camera and the kids didn't know I was watching. Graham had already dressed himself and Reece was a little frustrated that she wasn't dressed, too!