More on the big fella...

Some recent artwork...this is his first drawing with people "proportions" which is very cool... at the top, it says "We are playing ball together."

And the name writing...Graham picked the third line as his best ...and so we slapped a happy face on that one.

Today is show and tell and Graham picked his big 'ol pop up Dinosaur book to show. Last night he sat it the little chair and practiced his pitch on us:

"Hello, my name is Mister Graham." (with a little smile and chuckle) "Today my name is Mr. Dinosaur. Millions and millions of years ago, there were dinosaurs...and then a big rock came and a big flood came.....and they all died. But I still like dinosaurs...especially the ones with big teeth who eat...(opening up to the big pop-up t-rex) BONES AND MEAT! LOOK AT THOSE TEETH!" (with some serious Steve Irwin-like enthusiasm) "And that's all, the end."

Potty Training and Prayers

We're in potty training process with miss big stuff...some days are "dry" days and some days have a few "oopsie's"...

So, tonight I'm walking into the bathroom with Hannah Reece because she had a little "oopsie", I can hear D.G. call out from the living room..."Mom, that kid needs to use that potty." Thank you very much, son, for your insight and encouragement.

Later, both children were tucked under the covers, I leaned over to pray with Graham first. Every time he gives thanks lately, it's thanking God for toys he wish he had..."God, thank you for the turtle van and the police car that- I think I really wish I could have...."

Well, before bed, it was the same type of prayer again so I explained, "Graham, let's thank God for what he's given us, not just for what we wish we had..."

"BUT, MOM-"

So I said a short prayer and started to walk toward Hannah Reece's bed next...and as I walked away...

"Dear God, thank you for my best friend Carson, and my best friend Eddie. They are nice to me....I like the toys that you gave me to play with. Amen."

"Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.
Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.
What a man desires is unfailing love; better to be poor than a liar.
The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble."
Proverbs 19: 20-23

A Tale of the Lizard Princess

Hannah Reece decided she'd like to have some "pink" applesauce at Grandma's house today...so she sat in my lap on the floor and ate it baby-style...

"pink appysause peeze, mama!"

"ok, oooh, this looks good Reecie!"

"no, don't ike it" (with a giant smile-as she takes the biggest bite EVER)

(swallows said bite....and proceeds to lick my shirt sleeve.)

"oooh yucky! Why are you lickin' me girl?"

(throwing her haid back laughin') "I izzard mama!"

"You're a lizard? Frogs have long tongues, too, and they eat bugs!!! Ewww! (she's lovin' it) Do you like to eat bugs little lizard?"

(giant smile and can't get the words out fast enough!) "uh-huh! bugs...me favwit... dinnah!"

(scoopin' up another helping of applesauce) "here's some pink fly sauce for the lizard..."

..." and some bumblebees, 'bzzz' (scoop 'n eat) and some ants (scoop 'n eat)"... she's totally cracking up, now...her fluffy Cinderella dress flies around and she stomps away in her pink kitty galoshes-trying so hard not to trip on that big 'ole princess dress...and she's buzzing like a bee...

Life is short...blog later.

I'm just sayin'...it's a struggle sometimes to balance time spent memory making (living life), and memory keeping (blogging, scrapbooking, journaling). My goal is to use this web log as a "tool" to share a glimpse of our lives with loved ones and also to chronicle our day-to-day life. Years from now, maybe our children will read this and crack up at their silly momma-uh, I mean revel in their glorious childhood memories. :)

For us, back-to-school means back to structure, early bedtimes, routine (which is so refreshing!) back to busy days and evenings. The challenge as the woman-of-the-house is to create balance in our schedule, to gauge how our activities fit our priorities, and leave margin in our lives for rest and worship. That's no small task! Whoo-wee, Lord, help us! I write this as I look at my to-do list and read..."plan daily schedule"...I think I'd rather do laundry!

Anyway, in effort to procrastinate planning our daily schedule a little longer, and since I'm feeling inspired to look back...here's my attempt to "re-cap" on what's been going on in the last month...

(pictured: Dad, Grandpa, Aunt Cindy, me and Reecie)

On August 18, my Uncle Keith passed away after a long battle with cancer. Uncle Keith was an avid hunter, a great daddy to Ashley, and husband to my Aunt Cindy...the thing I'll always remember about him was the way he could make people feel comfortable enough to be themselves around him...no pretenses, just a warm smile, and a kind heart that was so evident in his countenance. I so enjoyed getting to spend time with my extended family. Hannah Reece and I flew up to Indiana with Mom and Dad for about 5 days. This was Hannah Reece's first plane ride...she loved it!

I've never been away from either one of the kids for more than one night, so we were all really missin' each other. The reunion was sweet...

Birthday girls and Build a Bear...

We took Aug./Sept. birthday girls to Build-a-Bear for some fun! Grandma joined in and we had a ball together...

Sisters Weekend...

Surprised Jen with a pre-baby sister's weekend on Ft. Myers Beach! One of our mentors in the Apples of Gold Program at church was kind enough to offer up her house for the weekend. To sum it up, our overnight involved plenty of junk food (especially chocolate!), shopping, manicures/pedicures and Nichole giving Jen and I haircuts! I think this will be an annual tradition!

Boy was I surprised to return home on Saturday night to a house that had been COMPLETELY altered (furniture moved around in every room) by my sweet husband. He also informed me that he had found a cute twin-sized bed for Hannah Reece over the weekend at a local thrift store...and that she was SLEEPING IN IT!! Wow, I'd better brace myself for change if I decide to spend the night away again! P.S. The mattresses didn't come from a thrift store, because my husband knows my germ-o-phobe tendancies.

Back to School...

Graham started Pre-K! A little sadness at drop-off for the first week...the second week was so much better....I'm sure bribery had nothing to do with that. It's only been 6 years since I taught Kindergarten...I can't believe the children are expected to know how to spell their names in the 2nd week of PRE-K! I remember teaching handwriting to my Kindergarteners on the first week. Wow, how times-and standards have changed. Here's our big name-spellin' boy...

And on our way out, Hannah Reece just sobbed, "I need Bubba" over and over-it broke my heart! So we just stayed away and played all day...library, grocery, chick-fil-a...because truth be told we both missed Bubba. Back to school is so bittersweet, I'm thankful that I still have one baby at home!

An exciting piece of news: Graham is no longer allergic to dairy or wheat products!!! This is so exciting from a meal planning stand-point...and it will give Graham more variety in his diet- which is super because he is a growin' boy! Our last hold-outs are eggs and corn.

Rock the Universe at Universal Studios...

Had the opportunity to join Dan and the youth group for this weekend Christian concert event...it was fun to ride rides and walk around the park like we were dating again!

Booga noses...

Hannah Reece had one of those colds that lasted for 3 weeks...where you just look at that little nose and say...poor baby! I just could not pass this one up....

Welcome, Emma Marie!

We are so very excited about the arrival of our niece/cousin...she's a beauty! She's also surrounded by EIGHT brothers, sisters and cousins who've been anxiously awaiting her arrival! All day (at least every 15 minutes) Reece says..."baby...Aunt Jen...belly...come out.......TO-DAY!" Welcome to the family, sweet girl...

Happy Birthday, Hannah Reece!

Tiny, precious angel...you are two today! I knew that from the second you decided to make your entrance into the world without doctor or nurse present...we'd be in for a wild and wonderful adventure together. Your smile lights up a room, your laughter is totally contagious. Hannah "father's joy" and Reece "enthusiasm" sure do fit. At the end of the day, I often fall into bed after chasing you around in attempt to keep you safe and care for your needs. Oh, but just as often, I wake up to your sweet little voice calling my name over the monitor, and race to your room to hold you in my arms and kiss your soft little cheeks. You are a ray of sunshine! I'm so thankful that God has entrusted you to us. Your fearless, carefree spirit is teaching me what it means to let go and have a little fun! Watching your friendship with Graham blossom is one of life's greatest joys for Daddy and I. You are a gift sent straight from the hand of our heavenly Father, who loves you completely and has plans for your life. Remain in Him. We'll pray and love you through each day. Happy birthday, sweet daughter, I love you.

Poor Sun Commander...

...just didn't see it coming! The little mommy is coming out in our baby girl...EVERYTHING needs to be wiped and diapered...even the superheroes are not safe from her sweet nurture.

Graham's favorite past-times these days are Lego building and Planet Heroes. I love to listen in on his quiet dramatic play...although I think it embarrasses him a little if he knows I've overheard. Watching these two play together just makes me smile!

Tonight Reece just cried because "Me wont to sweep in Bubba bed!!!!" As soon as we walked out and closed the door, I could hear the two of them laughing and talking....sweet times...I'm hoping they'll always be so fond of each other!