RA Mother/Son Banquet

Last Friday was the RA Mother/Son Banquet at our church. It was the first mother/son type of event that I have ever been, too. The first of many, I'm sure! ;) It was so much fun! The RA leaders (including my sweet Hubs) did such a good job planning, decorating, and making everything so nice. I didn't really know what to expect, so I was very impressed.

There was a baseball theme throughout the evening. We all wore jerseys and Mike Brumley was our guest speaker. Mr. Brumley is a retired professional baseball player, who now goes on mission trips around the world ministering to children through his love of baseball. We all brought baseball gloves as our price of admission for him to distribute on his trips.

The boys all went through the dinner line to make their mother's plates and then served us our dinner. It was so sweet to see how excited that they all got to serve their Mamas. Sweet kiddos...

After dinner, we went to the gym to hit baseballs and play some wheelchair basketball. I have never been athletically inclined, so I am definitely behind the 8 ball when it comes to being a boy mom. Ha! But, I am learning to just have fun and try my hardest. I actually made contact with all of the baseballs that Mr. Brumley pitched to me! Clayton was pretty proud. ;) I didn't do as well at the wheelchair basketball, but I gave it the ole college try.

It was a fun night to spend with my Clay-boy in his element. I'm so thankful that God gave me boys. They have changed me so much - I just enjoy my life more with them in it. :)

Let's Go For a Swim!

Last week, both Wade and Todd were working a TON. So, Leah and I decided to take all of our kiddos to an indoor pool in our town to enjoy an evening of swimming and eating pizza poolside. It was super fun! I earned some major cool mom points with my little men! That happens so rarely around here, that I really enjoyed those fleeting moments. ;)

Clayton was all over the place and went down the big slide many, many times. Poor little Drew wanted to go down the big boy slide so bad! He was just a tad too short, though. Maybe next time, sweet Boy! He loved the smaller slide and play equipment. He was a bit cautious in the water at first, but eventually let go of me and was "swimming" in his puddle jumper.

Owen loved the water, too. They had a super shallow part with just a few inches of water, and he crawled all over that area. I carried him on my hip through the lazy river and all over the big pool. He was just happy to be there and never fussed once - I seriously could not have asked for a sweeter 3rd baby. :)






We had a really fun evening with the Hunt girlies! I hope that we get to do it again soon!

Valentine's Day 2012

I know that I have said it before, but I just have to say it again... I love Valentine's Day. I know that it is a "Hallmark holiday", but a day devoted to love is worth celebrating in my book!

This year was super fun! To start with, the boys came down to wake Wade & I up, and they were already dressed for the day. They shouted "Happy Valentine's Day!!! Happy Valentine's Day!" I was thrilled that they remembered and were so excited about the day. When I looked at them, I realized that Clayton had picked out red and white shirts for them to wear. Sweet boy... He knows what makes his Mama happy. :)

Then, we got through our school work in record time. Whoo-hoo! Our homeschool days typically last from 9:00-2:00 or 3:00. On Tuesday, however, we were done by 11:00am. It was a Valentine's Day miracle! Ha!

We decided to take a heart shaped Papa Murphy's pizza over to see the Hunt chicas. We gave the girls some mustache valentines and had a love-ly lunch. ;)

My life just wouldn't be complete without these three boys. I heard someone say once that having a child is like seeing your heart beat outside of your body. That's so true... They mean the world to me.

These girls are pretty special to me, too!


After Drew's nap, the boys played a game of hide & seek. Crazy Drew hid in the washing machine and then in the dryer. I tell you what... That kid is a regular cartoon character!

Then it was time for our Annual Pink & Red dinner. Yippee! The boys played upstairs while Wade & I made dinner, so that they would be surprised with the presentation. They were "making a river" for their superheroes while we cooked. Whatev, silly boys!
This year, we had breakfast for dinner. It was a big hit! We had pink pancakes cut in the shape of hearts, eggs that were dyed pink, cinnamon rolls, heart shaped bacon, and fruit. I threw in some strawberry Crush soda for good measure. Major cool mom points!



Baby Brother had banana/peach/mango and blueberry/pear/purple carrot baby food. It wasn't quite red and pink, but it was the best that I could do. ;) He usually gets 2 veggies for dinner, so I'm sure that he was happy with the double fruits. Ha!

It was a sweet day with my people. I just realized that Wade isn't in a single picture - Oooops! Sorry, Babe! I can assure you that he was there, too. He is so sweet to play along with my shenanigans. He cooked most of our meal while I decorated. He was particular about making everything just right. He's the best! I love him to bits, and I hope that he knows that.

Such a Happy Love Day... I can't wait til next year. :)

My Drew

When I am 100 years old and Drew brings his grandchildren over for a visit, I may look at his 72 year old body, but I won't see his grey hair and wrinkles.

I would just bet you that I will see the 3 year old version of my son...

I'll see him sitting in his car seat with his sippy cup beside him. I'll see him with disheveled blonde hair, wearing his Lightning McQueen footed pajamas. I'll see him playing with his Hot Wheels cars that are tucked into his cup holder. I'll hear his giggle as he tells his Mama jokes.

I love 3s. It's such a fun age...

Pre-Valentines Festivities

Yesterday, Clayton had his Valentines party at school. It was darling, as usual. We made Valentines for his classmates, courtesy of Pinterest. ;) They turned out pretty cute!

We love Clayton's sweet teacher. She expects A LOT out of her students, but she has such a gentle spirit. She truly loves the kids and wants them to succeed. She is a great mix of being tough, but kind and patient. We are so grateful for her.


These are the Valentines that we made. I saw them HERE. I cut the mustache shapes out of adhesive felt and then attached them to the card with a glue dot. The kids could pull them off, remove the paper backing, and wear them. Clayton thought they were "awesome," and that is what counts. :)
Drew got to make a couple as well. Couldn't leave him out. ;)
He got to wear one of the practice mustaches. Ha!
We couldn't leave Baby Brother out of the fun. There is NOTHING funnier than a baby wearing a mustache. There just isn't. Ha!
He liked it on his pacifier, but wasn't a fan of having it stuck straight to his face.
Speaking of Baby Brother... I'm so thankful to have another little Valentine this year. I love him so...


Our annual Pink & Red dinner is tonight. Yum!

Fondue Rendezvous 2012

We had Fondue Rendezvous this weekend and it was super fun! (For the history of Fondue Rendezvous, click HERE.) Katie & Wes hosted us again this year, and everything was soooo nice! We had a wonderful time eating yummy food, reminiscing about our college days, and catching up on all of our lives. I'm so thankful for these precious women that I got to live with in college. They are so special to me!

We missed Cindy & Laura! It would have been even more fun with them completing our set of 6 couples. Maybe next year we could have all 12 of us??? That would be the best...


Fondue Rendezvous fell on Wade's birthday this year. So... he got to blow out a candle on top of pound cake that he would later dip in chocolate. Yum-O! A fun, non-traditional birthday cake! :)


I love our 2521 roommate tradition. I hope that we are still meeting up for fondue when we are old and grey. ;)

Owen is 9 Months Old!

Our darling baby boy is 9 months old! He is growing and changing so fast! We cannot get enough of this sweet little thing!



At 9 months old:

* Owen weighed 18 lbs. 8 oz. (18%) and was 28.75 inches (60%) today at his well check. His head circumference was 45 cm (41%). He is sticking to his long and lean profile. :) Dr. P. was very happy with his growth and weight gain.

* He wears size 3 diapers. His clothes are mostly 9 month, 9-12 month, or 12 month.

* He still has 2 teeth - bottom central incisors.

* He is an eating machine! He still nurses 4-5 times a day, and eats 3 baby food meals. He has tried all kinds of new purees this month - blueberries, bananas & mixed berries, sweet potatoes & corn, spinach, mango, and pumpkin & banana. He sometimes makes a tart face with some of the fruits, but has yet to refuse anything. The boy is a fan of his food! He also loves puffs and Mum-Mums. Thus far, he has only had fruits and vegetables. Dr. P. said that we could start to add yogurt and meats. I've already got the Yo-baby ready and waiting for in the morning. :)

* They asked me today if Owen was playing peek-a-boo on his own (hiding and then revealing his own face). I said no, and immediately felt badly that I wasn't practicing with him more. Of course, he decided to show off and start his own game of peek-a-boo with his bib when we got home. ;)

And then proceeded to figure out how to take his bib off. Awesome. Mealtime is about to get much messier...
* O is taking 2-3 naps a day. If we are home all day and he gets to nap without being woken up, he takes a 1.5-2 hour morning nap and a 2-3 hour afternoon nap. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I usually have to wake him up from his afternoon nap to go get Clayton, so he takes a short evening nap as well on those days. He is sleeping 11-12 hours at night (knock on wood!).
* This month, Owen learned how to go from lying down to a sitting position all by himself. He did it first on January 16th, but I convinced myself that Clayton or Drew sat him up, because I didn't actually witness it. I just knew that I had laid him on the floor, and then turned my back only to see him sitting up when I turned back around. He did it again the next day, and I saw it with my own two eyes. I had a "my baby is growing up" teary moment. Those strike me at the weirdest times...
* Owen isn't crawling in the traditional hand, hand, knee, knee form so much, but that little booger is the fastest army crawler that I have ever seen. I had my first, "Where did he go???" moment the other day when he crawled from the playroom into his bedroom while I was bathing the big boys. Oh my, life is about to get very interesting...

He starts out like he is going to crawl regularly, but then flops on his belly and army crawls. :)

* He is cuh-to the razy about his Johnny Jump Up! He gets some major air in that contraption! It is so fun to watch him bounce, bounce, bounce.
* Owen has a few baby tricks that he has learned this month. He is a fake cough master and knows how to shake his head "no." He knows that either trick will get him a laugh, so he does them over and over again. He says a lot of "ba" "da" "ma" and "guh" but not necessarily associating them with any person or object. He also will lay his head on my chest and give me a snuggle when I say, "Give Mama some love." He is less consistent with that trick, but I melt into a puddle of mush when he does it. Oh, so sweet...
My Darling Boy,

Will you ever know how crazy I am about you??? I positively cannot imagine my life without you. I am so grateful to God that you are mine. When we decided to have another baby, I had no idea how you would bless my life. God knew that my soul needed you.

The other day I was lamenting the fact that your first year of life was 3/4 of the way over. And, all of the sudden I had a light bulb type of moment. I just realized that I get to spend the rest of my life knowing you. Isn't that cool? What a privilege it is to watch you grow. I'll know 1 year old Owen, and 2 year old Owen, and 3 year old Owen, and 55 year old Owen - God willing. I love you the way that you are now, and I'll love every future version of you.

You have grown a ton over the last 3 months! I remember holding your tiny 6 month old body and commenting on the fact that when your neck was in the crook of my elbow, I could still hold your tiny little bottom with the palm of that same hand. I could hold your whole body in one arm. Now, when I cradle you in my arms, your legs spill off of the edge of my lap! It's crazy to me how much you have physically changed in the last few months.

You have such a sweet spirit, my Love. You have been such an easy baby, and I am so grateful for that. If I could order up 4 more of you, we would be a family of 9! Ha! You are one in a million, though, Precious One. And, I love you to bits just for being you!

I love you to the moon and back,
Mommy