Confessions from the House House

Still rewinding Christmas

2012-01-22T07:30:00.004-06:00

My oh my how quickly these kiddos are changing! I remember Christmas 2007...vaguely. It is a foggy memory. We had moved, had 8 month old twins, my sister had 2.5 month old twins along with her 23 month old son and Taylor was 8. I remember a lot of crying. Maybe by me??

But, now I remember how that was our last Christmas season with my Grandpa Warren and Jereme's dad. And, we'd only have 1 more Christmas left with Grandpa Harvey. Oh how I wish all three of those men were here to see these kids. How they would delight in how full of personality each and every one of them is.

Long cousins...

House cousins

All my handsome boys!! Blessed indeed!

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What we've been up to this week...

2012-01-20T20:14:00.005-06:00

*Getting too big too quick. The little boys told me they didn't need me to go back with them at the dentist office. So, I had to sit out in the lobby as one-by-one they went back for a full check-up, x-rays, cleaning, etc. Wasn't it just yesterday I was convincing them at any doctor's office that they didn't need to cling to me like a wet cat?

*Apparently Jereme and I aren't even close to figuring this parent-thing out. For about 1 full week, Luke refused naps, wouldn't sleep at night, ran a low-grade fever and was just flat fussy. We chalked it up to the sweet boy finally entering "toddlerhood". But, after the suggestion of a wise friend to get his ears checked, I took him in. Lo and behold he had a RAGING ear infection in each ear, which had progressed so far that eventually his ear drums burst (which FYI is completely disgusting during an infection). After 2 days of meds, he was already almost back to being our sweet, easy-going boy.

*Boys being great helpers and doing chores! Earning their commissions for the week!

Jorden cleaning the bath:

Isaac unloading the dishwasher:

*Breathing treatments, breathing treatments and more breathing treatments

*And, a surprise visit from Poppa and Mimi! Made 3 little boys and one isolated momma's day!

It was just that kinda day...

2012-01-11T21:03:00.005-06:00

*Woke up. Eyed the heaping mounds of laundry. Wonder how it seems to go from oh I have a load or two to a mountain.

*Put on my fave unders. That would be MY fave, not Jereme's. Awhile back, alright fine a few YEARS back, Target had these awesome black hipster Hanes unders. I bought a 3-pack and loved them dearly. I was down to one final pair. Noticed a slight tear in the seam as I pulled them on. No biggie, right? Right.

*Broke up 599 fights.

*Continued on with my decluttering of our house event. Emptied out all the spices in the cabinet. The picture below shows all the expired items in my cabinet. And by expired I mean several of them had "Use by April 2002" on them. Contemplated that. Huh. I would've bought that probably when we lived in KC. Soooo, essentially that means, I moved them from KC to the rental house in Pratt then to the home we bought in Pratt then to Salina and now to Clay Center. Neato.

*Husband says at 4 pm, "we're going to the game (KSU) tonight still, right?" We've had a boy on a horrendous (and expensive I might add) breathing treatment schedule. Me, "Um, yes, of course, I totally planned on that." Race back to my room, put some make-up on. Realize I didn't get very far on the laundry but dang that spice cabinet looks good! Throw on some old jeans and a ball cap. We are good to go!

*Beg hubs to let me run into super nice store in Manhattan for a couple things. Stand behind a mom asking her approx 5 year old if she can borrow $2 and pay him back on Friday when she gets her paycheck. Work hard to not be judgmental. Hey, I don't know their situation. Conjure up all sorts of hardships they must be facing and contemplate offering her the $2 myself. Watch as her son reluctantly hands over the $2 and she purchases her one item. A pack of cigs. Yep, you got it. She borrowed $2 from her son for 3 days to get her smokes. Neato again.

*Think about telling Jereme about the bottle of lemon juice I found crammed in the cabinet that expired in 2006 and resembled moldy, chunky, cottage cheese. Decide against it.

*Take my sweet toddler to the bathroom for at least the 23rd time during the game. Of course we have to cram ourselves into one stall not made for a mother and her son. Luke tinkles. Momma tinkles. Luke opens door. I quickly and apparently roughly reach to pull up my unders. Remember the ones I picked this morning? Well, wouldn't you know it, my thumb catches it and rips out approx 5 inches of my underwear from my waistband.

*Stand in stall. What's a girl to do now? Attempt to rip the underwear completely apart and off. Doesn't work. Try to carefully put half off underwear all tucked back into my pants.

*Step out and truly look in mirror for first time since we left home. Are those "mom jeans" I am wearing? Really?? Try to remember when I bought them. 2001 possibly. Turn in mirror. Are they faded out denim? Check. Do they go almost up to my belly button? Check. Are they cute in any way? No. Do they fit more like mens jeans of the late 90s? Check. Oh holy crap, I AM wearing mom jeans.

*Crawl into bed that night. Feel something jabbing my shoulder. Find a naked Cinderella doll. Look at it. Think, "that's the least unusual thing about today" and toss her on to a nice soft mountain of laundry.

THE END.

Definitely not my strength

2012-01-06T13:39:00.003-06:00

Anyone who knows me well, knows I do NOT excel in the arts and crafts department. My former fellow teacher friends will attest to the fact that I rarely did art and usually had to do self-talk all week long to make it happen.

Sooooooooo, I was setting myself up in a big way when one cold afternoon I decided it was time for an impromptu gingerbread house making. Let's just leave it at this:

*I yelled.
*Candy was flung (not by me) from one end of the kitchen to the dining room by over anxious children.
*A repeat trip was made to the store where I may or may not have locked my kids in the car to go grab another box of graham crackers without it having to take 25 minutes with 3 little boys in tow.
*Some of the participants cried.
*One of the participants got a spanking.
*It's possible I made myself ill over eating INSANE amounts of candy to cope with the stress.
*I don't recall tasting any of it. I do recall thinking I would be mortified if anyone saw the huge handfuls I continually shoveled in while hiding behind a cabinet door.
*I had to have a drink at the end of the project.

But, the gingerbread houses were completed. Everyone appears to not have any lasting emotional scars. I will probably never do another impromptu craft. I may never do another craft in general. As the saying goes around here, "Fun times. Fun times."

r

Christmas Rewind

2012-01-04T14:11:00.002-06:00

I took a pretty big computer hiatus right along with my man. He shut off the "Monsanto Man" the night of December 22nd and he didn't reappear till January 3rd. BLISSFUL! On that same note, I don't know what happened over the holiday but as my man walked out the door, looking mighty cute I should add, I wondered what the heck had happened.

I texted a few close friends to find out if I should be concerned. He is now sporting a goatee. A goatee!? He did not shave for 13 straight days. Please, if you have EVER known Jereme to have facial hair, tell me! And, he also had on some boot cut jeans!! I felt compelled to ask him if he had a new girlfriend!?

Anyways, we had a fabulous holiday break!

Isaac and Jorden intently watching their individualized message from Santa on the computer

Luke-bean pretty excited about preparing Santa's plate

Speaking of Santa...here is his "helper" getting busy assembling gifts at 830 pm

Can I stand on my soapbox for just a minute...

2011-12-22T13:46:00.003-06:00

Nothing prompted this...just casual observation through recent interactions both in real life and via FB/blogs.

Girls, can we work really hard on something this next year? Truly, the "drama" in my life is pretty minimal. But, I think that's because I work hard at choosing to ignore it. I am noticing more and more a trend amongst all of us. Whether in social situations, on Facebook (WORST CULPRIT), blogs, playgroups, girls' nights out, and on and on, we are our own worst enemy.

So, for 2012, let's cut this junk out. Let's stop posting 'articles' online (blogs, FB, etc) that are not so subtly implying some method/choice of parenting is better than others or ambiguious call outs about 'I guess you know who your real girlfriends are'. I used to think men were so competitive. Be around a group of women long enough and you will see fierce competition about who is the busiest, most tired, most stressed, who only cooks from scratch because she loves her family so much, who nursed and co-slept longest and who hasn't had a moment to herself since 1994.

Don't forget stay-at-home vs work-outside-the-home, in shape vs outta shape, organic eating vs non-organic, scarf wearer vs no scarfs, jeans tucked in boots vs boots under jeans, college-educated vs non-college-educated, married vs not married. Seriously, this list could go on and on.

We all, apparently, want to be the martyr. God knows how I have fallen (and sometimes still do!) prey to this way of thinking! And, we also want to believe the choices we make are best. Embrace it, girl. The choices you make for you and your family are the best for you and your family. I love it! Go for it!! Just do it with an attitude that someone else might choose differently and that's great.

Let's call this what it is...we are allowing the enemy to divide us. We have to be savvy to his tactics!! So, my call to action for all us girls in 2012 is this: Let's stand united...shoulder to shoulder...supporting one another and loving each other even though the choices we make might be incredibly different.

Soapbox moment done.

Not jiving...

2011-12-12T13:31:00.003-06:00

Anybody who knows us well is aware that I have nicknamed Jereme "Safety Sam". I could list many reasons but, just one thing doesn't seem to jive. How is it that I had explain to Jereme for 30 minutes yesterday why it was perfectly safe and legal for us to let the little boys out of the 5-point harness car seats and into boosters with backs and yet a couple weeks earlier, this is where the little boys were with DADDY'S PERMISSION??

And, isn't it so typical that we would be at the KSU b-ball game and Jorden told me twice that "Momma should've brought her hairbrush". I said "What? WHY?" Of course, you know it was a silent moment that overcame the entire coliseum for Jorden to holler "You should've brought your hairbrush to brush that lady's hair right there!!!" And, right there would be 2 rows in front of us with no one in between. In his defense, it could've used a little work. In her defense, it was COLD and WINDY.

A few other funny kid sayings:
*Luke's fave new expression, "YEE-HAW!"
*Luke: "Isaac and Poppa Gary buy Luke 2 loaders. Daddy buy yellow combine."
*Jorden, while cheering ferociously at the b-ball game. "C'mon Cats! Get the ball. Go go go! Get a basket!" Which they did. He starts jumping up and down, "Momma, the Wildcats heard-ed me, they heard-ed me!"
*Isaac: Momma, why doesn't Luke like me better than Jorden? Me: Well, buddy, b/c you agitate, take toys and are too rough. Isaac: Hmmmm. LUKEY LUKEY LUKEY c'mere buddy let me hug you and give you kisses EVERYWHERE...and, then proceeds to tackle Luke and hold him down to accomplish this mission of love. It's such a mystery, isn't it???

Big Kids

2011-12-01T20:52:00.003-06:00

When did the little boys get so big?? Things I've noticed lately:

*A-t-t-i-t-u-d-e...Not that they don't come by it honestly. When both your parents are bull-headed, smart-mouthed, er, I mean quick-witted (right??) should we expect much less? Yet, it still totally peeves me off when I went in last night at 9:45 to tell the boys to knock it off and get to sleep and one of them (who shall remain nameless) covered his ears with both hands and shut his eyes so he didn't have to listen.

*One boy pushing a cart at the store with Luke in it and the other boy pushing a cart with the groceries in it. Sure, it's a little bit dangerous for the other patrons but that's a minor detail. And, tonight I only had to rebuild one display!

*Heading out the door with their daddy tonight to a KSU ball game, kissing me good-bye, carrying their "man-bag" of money to purchase their own snack with their own hard-earned money as happy as 2 little boys could be was almost more than my heart could take.

*Working hard at chores around the house to earn their commissions...they are already on their way to "Financial Peace".

*Secure enough in his masculinity, one little boy can verbally express that he kinda wants a Mermaid to just play with sometimes...not all the time, though.

I don't know...just seems like everyday it's something new and different. Some days that something new makes me crazy, some days it cracks me up and some days it just makes me stop and think when did they get so danged big??

Attitude of Gratitude

2011-11-24T13:01:00.005-06:00

God has obviously been preparing my heart for this holiday season. I have listened/read several messages on choosing joy and contentment during this season. So, on that note, here are a few things I am grateful for...things beyond my "standard" responses of my fabulous man and beautiful babes:

*That my sweet nephew "only" had pneumonia and nothing more serious...that he was "only" hospitalized for a few days...it could've been SO MUCH WORSE.

*For a washing machine. So that when 2 out of 3 children get the stomach flu bug, I can wash their sheets at 2 am without too much fuss.

*That when my "baby" puked for the 5th time last night, in my bed, that he actually vomited all over me and our bed and not on himself (again) b/c we had already changed him 4 previous times.

*For the chance to rock Luke to sleep one more time. This morning I rocked him to sleep for a short nap and I dozed off with him. When I opened my eyes, his were open. He smiled and said, "hi!"

*CAFFEINE, baby, CAFFEINE!

*That Isaac ASKED at noon if we could just go ahead and put him to bed b/c he "was exhausted and just not feeling very good."

*And, for this boy...who has yet to be victim to the bug. And that he picked his own outfit on Monday. And, that he proudly went to the library and found Miss Pixie to let her know that he chose his outfit all on his own. I am sure she had no idea!!

Thank a farmer...

2011-11-22T08:31:00.002-06:00

Blog-worthy

2011-11-20T20:26:00.004-06:00

Jereme felt the boys at church this morning was blog worthy. Whatever that means. The only thing that has changed from the last time I posted about the kiddos up at the front for children's time is that they have gotten louder and enunciate WAY better.

Ms. J: Tomorrow morning when you get up, I want you to say "yes" as soon as your feet hit the floor. Who do you think we should say "yes" to?
Isaac and Jorden (LOUDLY!): MOMMY AND DADDY!!
{insert Luke waving continually across the church to us}
Ms J: Yes, that is a good answer! We should say that to our parents but we are going to say YES to God and the plans he has for us. Ok?
Everyone: Ok!
Ms J: Next, I want you to say thank you. So, you will say yes and then you will say thank you. Who do you think we will say thank you?
Isaac and Jorden (Yelling): MOMMY and DADDY!!!
Ms. J: (to us) You have them trained well.
(Me, thinking, well, trained to ANSWER well)
{insert Luke still waving}-
Ms J: Ok, now we are going to practice jumping up and doing this.

Isaac and Jorden were right in their element then, jumping up, yelling this "Yes! And thank you to the Lord!"

They are too funny!

I also thought it was blog-worthy as Jereme and I were discussing what the future of our all-boy home looked like this convo transpired:
Me: Well, I guess I will at least console myself in knowing that I'll always be the queen of the castle, right?
Jereme: Sure, wellllll, so long as you don't get dethroned!!!

Playing Catch-up

2011-11-18T11:33:00.004-06:00

I can't believe it's Nov 18th!? I've been playing catch-up for the past few weeks!! Between Jereme's travels, my weekend out, Jereme's hunting weekend...well, it's been crazy!!

Heading out to T-or-T downtown on Friday night!

The "real deal" T-or-Ting!! The boys had a blast! The next day, they decided to keep a small stash of candy and send the rest overseas to our troops. Oh, if only I could have such a selfless heart about giving away sweets!!!!

Speaking of my weekend out. So.Much.Fun. No sleep and so much laughter, I think my face hurt after the weekend. Here we are headed (part of our group) into Women of Faith conference.

And, here is part of our group leaving the hotel for the Moms Gone Wild portion of the night...

A few drinks and appetizers before heading out to meet the rest of the group! Fun times, fun times!

And, what would a blog post be without a 'keeping it real' pic of a recent project of the little boys...

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-02T21:19:00.003-05:00

Bleeds Purple

2011-10-31T11:26:00.003-05:00

Isaac's preschool teacher sent this to me yesterday. She said the kids were all supposed to stand up and share what they were for Halloween with the rest of the class. This is what Isaac did:

I just love this kid. Notice how completely 'enthralled' his classmates are but that doesn't stop my boy. Perhaps, that's why I didn't hesitate for a second when he asked me to make him some cinnamon rolls today. Go Cats!

Jack-o-Lanterns!

2011-10-26T22:48:00.002-05:00

Sadly, this is the first Halloween we've ever carved pumpkins with the boys. And, after trying to watch/yell/keep three boys from grabbing knives while carving the pumpkins, I realize why. The little boys were super excited to see them lit up, though, and listen to momma and daddy tell scary stories while eating Monster cookies. We only had one renegade pumpkin that got pushed off the porch and rolling down the sidewalk with a candle in it. So, all in all, it was a success!

Trying to catch up...

2011-10-25T09:38:00.005-05:00

Luke's ability to squat in this position forever is rather painful to watch. His Grandpa Harvey would be proud as that skill obviously comes directly from him! You might notice that sweet little boy is wearing unders. He's done really well. He's not 100% there but he's pretty close!

AND, in other exciting news from the House house, the little boys are officially bike riders with NO TRAINING WHEELS. Their uber-patient daddy worked with them one Saturday afternoon and off they went!

Well, now that we can ride our bikes, should we make a break for it??

At least one of them still wants to come back!

Tough night for Jereme...

2011-10-10T20:50:00.003-05:00

It's been a rough night for Jereme. He made the fatal error of talking to me while I was cutting his hair. This distracted me enough to put the wrong size guard on the clippers and go straight down the top of his head. Here's hoping for a warm front as he definitely has his summer (or Marine Corps?) cut going on...he's even more thrilled since he is headed out of town for meetings this week! Whooooooops!

Then, in only a pair of athletic shorts, he leaned over to kiss sweet Jorden goodnight, Jorden pats his chest, er, pecs or whatever and says ever-so-sweetly, "Daddy if you have these like mommy then you need to wear a bra!"

Jereme walked out and proclaimed what people have been saying for generations on end, "Getting old sucks!"

3rd child...

2011-10-02T20:24:00.002-05:00

Luke has truly adapted to being the 3rd child. He has to conform to everyone else's schedule and I have to say, most of the time he does it well. He made it through a hot 230 pm football game yesterday with NO problems at all. The little boys did remarkably well, too, considering they spent the previous day with daddy out at test plots (NO NAPS 2 days in a row!). And, what a game...glad we made it to the end!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-09-21T21:10:00.002-05:00

Predicament

2011-09-19T15:22:00.002-05:00

Luke-bean found himself in a wee bit of a predicament. He was not pleased...and definitely not pleased at how funny his momma thought it was, snapping pictures instead of rescuing him immediately...

35

2011-09-18T00:01:00.000-05:00

Happy 35th Birthday, Jereme Jon!! Pretty darn sure the best thing I ever did was marry this guy!

Yesterday??

2011-09-14T21:14:00.005-05:00

Wasn't it just yesterday I took this picture?

Last night after hearing of a tragic accident taking the life of a young, young boy, I went in and laid with each of my boys while they slept, held them and prayed over them. Oh, how I prayed. I prayed for protection over our household but more than anything I prayed that God would use this inadequate girl to help those sweet things fulfill their God-given destiny.

I hope the next 2 years doesn't go as fast as the last 2...

Parenting 101

2011-09-12T20:31:00.005-05:00

Parenting is not for the weak...well or should I say, attempting to parent intentionally and positively is not for the weak. It is *WAY* harder than I ever imagined to see consequences all the way through. We try but dang it when they return from slightly-possessed-tantrum-throwing-heathens to those sweet yet slightly ornery little boys we love minutes later, it's not easy.

Yet, tonight, one of our boys is sleeping in his room with no sheets of any sort, no blanket, no pillow, no pillow pet, no lovey, no special lovey, no NOTHING. He's got a mattress protector. He had an exponentially better evening so he was allowed to choose one item, his horsey, to go to bed. Blech...it stunk to walk out of that room tonight to a little boy who was all smiles, blowing kisses and telling us he loved us to the moon and back all the while missing all his normal "comforts".

BUT, I guess we've been entrusted with this privilege...even when it's tough. *sigh* Parenting was SO MUCH EASIER before I had kids!!

A belated summer post

2011-09-08T12:22:00.005-05:00

Boys doing their first pedal-pull competition...I think their daddy might've been more excited than they were!!

Please note Jorden's safety glasses and koozie "protection" on his arm...you just never know when they might come in handy, right?

Random Thoughts from the KSU game

2011-09-04T14:26:00.004-05:00

*A W is a W. Amen?
*Nothing screams "we are here to parrrrr-tay" like rolling into the stadium/parking lot with windows rolled down and a Veggie Tales CD blaring!
*I love that my husband said in response to the above comment, "I wouldn't want to be here any other way!"
*I love old men that wear shorty shorts. And, I mean SHORTY shorts.
*Speaking of shorts, girls, if the lining from your front pockets sticks out below your jean short hem, then your SHORTS ARE TOO SHORT!
*No words can quite explain that feeling of the first game, stadium packed, pregame fanfare going on...it just feels like home.
*By the grace of God, we made it through our first full KSU game with 3 kids...and no meltdowns (parents included!).
*I love looking down our bleachers seeing our sweet friends from Pratt and college friends with 3 young kids, too...makes me smile to see the next generation of Wildcats!! "Loyal to thee thy children will swell thy cry...hail, hail, hail Alma Mater" takes on a whole new meaning!
*What is up with inflated prices at the concession this year? Seriously, $4 for a bottle of Gatorade??? That's 400% mark-up! C'mon, I thought this was a 'family reunion'!!
*Nothing confirms how far away from our college days we are like walking past the grassy area just beyond the East parking lot. Am I right fellow K-Staters??

GO CATS!!

Wow...

2011-09-02T11:35:00.003-05:00

The boys have been fighting with each other a LOT...especially over toys. At the peak of it a few days ago, Jereme and I decided that perhaps the boys needed to feel the sting of giving away some toys. We didn't ask them to give away new toys or special toys but go through ALL of our stuff and decide on what things really don't get played with (AKA thrown across the room, used as weapons, etc) and give them to someone who needs them.

Um, so two days later, we have filled 4 diaper boxes of toys. We also filled a trash sack with broken toys, ripped pages/books, etc. Then, we put all the Lincoln Logs (minus a "gun" or two for Isaac as some of you know!) and small farm stuff in their own boxes to get out and play with as quiet activities. You got all that?? Again, 4 boxes, 1 trash sack and 2 boxes set aside for special play time. You.can.not.tell.one.bit.of.difference.

Incredible. I'm embarrassed about how much 'stuff' our kids have! And, their parents, too.

And, another wow...tomorrow marks the start of our 11th season as ALUMNI (alumnus?) season ticket holders for KSU. That truly doesn't seem possible either. Funny how previously, we'd get there AS SOON as the gates opened so we could maximize our tailgating time. 11 years and 3 kids later, we try to time it to the second...how long prior to the game can we be there that will allow for a little fun but not too much fun so we can make it through most of the game with the least amount of meltdowns by the little people?? Wouldn't have it any other way!! GO CATS!

A few things to remember...

2011-08-29T15:54:00.004-05:00

**Side note...my niece, Taylor, decorated Luke's b-day cake...didn't she do a great job?**

All the kiddos had check-ups last Monday. Everyone also got shots. Needless to say I think it was most traumatizing for Isaac and Momma. Isaac does *NOT* do well with shots. It.Was.Ugly. And, let me assure you, his daddy will accompany him to the next doctor's appt that requires shots.

All the boys are healthy!! Here are their stats:
Isaac: 40 lbs (65th), 3'7" (85th)
Jorden: 39 lbs (61st), 3' 7" (85th)
**Isn't it nuts that after 4.5 years, they are still within a pound of each other and the exact same height?? I don't think they have varied much beyond that ever!**

Luke: 30 lbs (72nd), 3' (81st)

And, just so I will remember someday laughing hysterically over this little ditty Isaac told me after his nap today.
"You know momma, sometimes I just chew my toenails off instead of having you clip them. Do you wanna know what I do with the toenails? (Not really!!!) I just put them in my mouth and chew on them for awhile and then either I swallow them or throw them in the trash."
Okkkkkkkkkaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay, then.

Luke

2011-08-28T00:01:00.003-05:00

Sweet Luke,

Happy 2nd Birthday!! I am continually humbled by the privilege we have in being your parents. And, thankful. Thankful that we serve a God whose plans are so much greater than mine. The day I found out I was pregnant with you...well, it was certainly tainted by my fears of 3 little ones so close in age. Your brothers were not quite 20 months old and I couldn't fathom another little one. And, here we are, celebrating your 2nd birthday and I marvel at how one little person can bring so much joy, laughter, love and completeness to our family. *YOU*, sweet boy, are what we were missing all along!!

Even though I've missed a lot of sleep these past two years, I have enjoyed almost every minute of getting up with you in the night. There were times when I was frustrated but that was just the tiredness talking. Usually within a minute of putting you in my arms, I was grateful to have one more night of rocking with you. As I look at your older brothers and how quickly life changes, I realize my days of rocking in the middle of the night with you are almost over.

You love everything truck, tractor, construction related. You watch the road everywhere we go for "truck-trucks, lo-los (loaders), 'bines and tats (tractors)". Quite certain that you can do anything the big boys do, we see you jumping off the furniture, walking around drinking full bottles of Gatorade (without hardly spilling a drop) and climbing on their bikes. One thing you especially love is reading books. We will often find you sitting in your room or the boys' room, looking through books for long periods of time. In fact, you refuse to go to bed at night now without a couple books in your crib. I love that you want to be anywhere your daddy is...I pray you and your brothers always look to your daddy the way you do now.

We love you more than words could say, sweet boy. Praise God that His ways are always better than ours!!

A Perfect Sunday

2011-08-15T14:38:00.002-05:00

I love Sundays...they are my favorite day of the week! Yesterday was exactly what I love about them.

*Sleeping in (well, if you have kids, you understand this is not even close to what sleeping in used to be!!!)
*Family Breakfast
*Church (ok, and minus the inevitable yelling and racing around trying to find shoes, get kids in the car, etc that has to happen in order to get to church)
*Baby (and I use that term loosely) rocked to sleep
*Jereme snuggles with one boy, I snuggle with another boy for short naps
*Little boys make a picnic of blankets on the floor to eat nachos and watch was has to be the most annoying video ever, Fireman Sam, while Jereme and I have a "date" with our nachos at the dining room table and catch up for the first time in a week (or more???)
*Play time!!! Wrestle-mania (for the boys)
*Go for a drive with the windows down out in the country
*Books and bedtime for the little people
*Ice cream sundaes (why are my pants too tight again????) and Friday Night Lights

Rodeo!

2011-08-06T22:28:00.003-05:00

We headed to a great local rodeo this past week. I love going places like this b/c I am a BIG people-watcher and folks, let me tell you, there is NO PLACE like a local county fair, demo derby and or rodeo to get some solid people-watching. Anyways, the below items may or may not have occurred on our visit thus essentially assuring we are the people people-watchers are watching.

*I might've told my son his $3 ear of roasted corn was fine after he dropped it on the gross concrete shortly after opening it.

*One of my 4-year-olds may have lifted up my skirt from behind for all sorts of unfortunate people to view while my hands were occupied trying to carry Luke and a diaper bag.

*It's possible I did buy a bag of cotton candy for EACH child and proceed to let them eat the entire thing during the rodeo. Then, I remembered why I don't ever buy cotton candy.

*At one particularly restless point, we might have let Luke beg the people sitting next to us for a "bite? bite? bite?" until they felt obligated to share their food with him. And, then the 4-year-olds.

*I may have told the little boys to meet me outside the bathrooms not knowing I would need to tell them to meet me out there with their pants UP...really?? Do I have to be that explicit? Ok, so maybe they have troubles snapping jean shorts but pull them up for crying out loud!!!

*Speaking of our sweet children may have worn cowboy boots with their jean shorts...or should I be calling them jorts???

REDNECKS!!

A few vacay pics

2011-08-04T13:31:00.003-05:00

Luke's face as we rode the train up Pike's Peak...I can't say I disagree...also note the black eye!

Me and the boys...our one shot for 2011 that still proves I was around...don't the boys look delighted??

This kid is a squirrel!!!!

Jorden! Almost always a good cheeser!

Family pic--Jorden, hiding behind my leg, starting to get some altitude sickness!

Just for the record, I am unsure how it is August and almost time for our "baby" to turn 2!!!

And, I am also unsure how it happens that looking at the calendar for this month, I realize Jereme will be gone the next 11 out of 15 business nights!?!? That guy has the life. Hold on, wait, what? Oh yes...I am sitting in my chair in the middle of the day drinking a pop getting ready to read while my children take a nap...ok, ok, ok...I think I have that backwards. I am pretty sure I got the good end of this deal!!!

When it's 100-degrees days on end...

2011-07-27T11:17:00.003-05:00

clothing is optional (for the children, that is!)!!

It's never too late

2011-07-16T13:35:00.005-05:00

For a 4th of July post, right? I just wanted to be able to share with you what we listened to non-stop on July 4th from 815 pm until 1249 am. Fun, right!?

Luke's reaction to his first viewing of "All About John Deere". No need to post momma's reaction to her 196th viewing; I'll trust you can guess.

Luke sensing he was about to be left behind with momma instead of going with daddy (and brothers). He got his boots and hat on and wouldn't leave Jereme's side. He was right...daddy and the little boys went to the car races, Luke and momma went grocery shopping...virtually the same thing...

Jorden: You aren't seriously taking a picture of how you fed us dinner on a Sunday night, are you?

Of course we are!!

We had such a FABULOUS vacay last summer with strep throat all around, we are gearing up to do it again! Leaving Monday morning for a full week! I hope someone breaks in while we are gone...take what you need but also be sure to pick up a few of the toys in the basement, too!

Random Wednesday Post

2011-07-06T10:57:00.005-05:00

More pics from the 4th

Making daddy work!

Isaac's rather painful-looking sleep position

Getting along for a few minutes

Meltdown!!

Might go down in history as the most random blog post ever. But, if I don't write it, I'll never remember!!

*July 5th--both Isaac and Jorden prayed the sweetest prayer ever today and asked Jesus to come live in their hearts.

*Both boys are absolutely obsessed with how anyone and everyone died in our family. They want to know every detail possible about death...they repeatedly tell the stories and ask more questions. Be prepared to hear a few of the details!!

*Jorden and Jereme's convo a few days ago:
Jorden: Daddy, when we get to heaven Jesus fixes us and we aren't broken anymore?
Jereme: Yep!
Jorden: So, Poppa Rodger is fixed and not broken anymore?
Jereme: That's right buddy.
Jorden: Huh. WEIRD!
We laughed so hard!!

*Jereme went to check on little boys the other night before going to bed. They were both in Isaac's bed snuggled up together. The next morning we asked why they were sleeping in the same bed. Jorden told us he was scared of the fireworks so Isaac said he could come sleep with him. I *SO* wish I had a picture of that but it'll forever be a picture in my mind!!

Happy 4th of July!

2011-07-04T21:23:00.002-05:00

Happy Birthday, America from 3 little firecrackers!

(Nothing says Independence Day like John Deere green, right?)

Summertime!

2011-06-26T09:45:00.007-05:00

How is June almost over already? Here are a few things we've been up to...

"Pat-patting" Bonner-dog

Helping daddy clean out the rocks that washed in the flash flood

Taking a break under the shade of the deck

Getting ready to go to VBS

Loving riding in our cousin's cool car

Nightly wrestle sessions with daddy

Sporting our DEKALB attitude

Reading books with daddy

CONSTANT fighting, er, I mean wrestling

Smiling sweetly for the camera

And...

2011-06-06T19:12:00.001-05:00

To add to my last post, these past few days have made me realize a few things:

*I must hold and carry sweet Luke a lot. He has spent a good portion of his days walking around with arms up saying, "Peez? Peez?"

*I am not ready for those days to end with him!

I don't even know where to start

2011-06-05T20:57:00.002-05:00

The past 4 days have been crazy, wild and exciting to say the least. Exhausting. Did I also mention exhausting? I really don't have many pictures to account for it. Wednesday morning found Jereme and me in Salina for me to have a complete hysterectomy. I apparently breezed through all the pre-op appts without much consideration to exactly how long and rather painful of a surgery this was going to be...but approximately 1026 am, I woke up in recovery and got a QUICK lesson.

I was in excellent care and actually felt compelled to send Jereme on back home to sleep in his own bed. My folks came up to stay with the boys. My parting words to him after several friends graciously offered up their homes in Salina were, "go to their houses or go home but just GO and get a good night sleep!"

Apparently, God had other plans. Jereme drove through a CRAZY storm and had to take several different paths b/c of tornado warnings directly in front of him. He finally made it home. I was just dozing off about 1130 pm when my neighbor called frantically b/c their basement was flooding. I quickly called Jereme who told me, "we have a helluva problem, Diane, I can't talk."

Long story short, SmallTown, USA experienced a Flash Flood on Wednesday night...something like 4.5 inches of rain in 30 minutes, eventually around 10 inches in just a few short hours. Thank God my folks were here (although I am not sure *they* were thanking God! Ha!) and mom and dad were able to help Jereme keep the water coming in to the unfinished part of our basement. Jereme also got to bucket out water from our egress window in the storm. Our damage was very minimal...the flood knocked out our ornamental iron fence but so many more lost so much more, virtually everything, so we are thankful.

Did I mention, prior to that, Jereme and my folks had to snatch the kids out of bed for a "rotating cloud" hanging right on top of SmallTown? Did I also mention that Salina was in a tornado warning and we had to be evacuated to the shelter? Did I mention that I had a cathedar and no one tied the back of my gown before racing off to get other patients so I was left to decide whether to let go of my balance pole/pee bag stand or cell phone in an effort to maintain a shred of dignity and not let my entire bum be exposed to God and everyone? Well, that decision was made easily enough...for crying out loud any woman who has experienced childbirth knows you only THINK you have a shred of dignity left. So, I kept a hold of my pee bag pole and cell phone and did my best to not send anyone over the edge with my open gown.

So, on this quiet Sunday night, I pray the week ahead only holds "boring" pictures of my kids doing random things for this blog!!

Last week...

2011-05-30T14:54:00.006-05:00

we played outside a lot

got some kisses from daddy,

jumped for joy when Poppa G put up some pretty cool display cases,

pushed the paddle boat to the pond,

went for a ride with daddy,

realized daddy didn't take me and got a little teed off,

but decided I wouldn't be mad for long,

posed for pics,

played at the park a LOT,

and promised momma this would be the only time she saw my sweet face behind bars!!

The Neighborhood

2011-05-23T10:46:00.002-05:00

Sometimes I worry that our redneck roots come out a little too much...you know kids half-clothed running around, peeing off the retaining wall. Or, when we do things like plant some Round-up Ready DEKALB corn on accident. Or, ride around the neighborhood every night in the Mule. I worry that we might belong out in the country (or Arkansas for that matter) instead.

But, then, I am woken up at 12 am listening to the neighbors behind our house screaming at one another until at least 1:15 am. And, the next morning, my next door neighbor is mowing her yard in her pajamas with a cigarette and I think, "you know, maybe we do fit in here after all..."

Already??

2011-05-19T15:09:00.003-05:00

Today was the little boys' last day of Pre-K. It's been a great year and we have been so blessed to have Ms. Kim as their teacher. She is gentle, calm, quiet and has an endless supply of patience. Essentially, she is everything I am not. The boys have loved going and have grown up so much since the beginning of the year. Good thing they won't go to Kindy for another 2 years...I'm not quite ready to think about that!

And, let's keep it real...here is Luke playing and smiling for the camera one afternoon. Unfortunately for him, this was the afternoon after I had run a half-marathon. I was not moving fast at all. Shortly after grinning here, Luke got out and turned his car around. He then proceeded to drive himself right off the retaining wall you see head first. He was okay and grinning again pretty quickly!

Bugs...

2011-05-13T13:29:00.003-05:00

Blogger is having some "issues"!

The other day, while at the park, Isaac found a piece of equipment covered in these delightful little creatures. Obsessed with bugs currently, he came racing over to me demanding I come check them out. He, of course, wanted to know what their names were. Did anyone else grandparents call them 'Democrats'? Only taking a split second to remember what their names were according to the grandparents, I responded quite somberly to Isaac that they were indeed 'Republicans'. He thought that over and practiced the name to himself several times. Not too much later, Jereme returned to the park after going to get drinks. Isaac runs to him, saying, "Daddy, Republicans are just awful, aren't they?" I might've laughed just a wee bit...maybe...

My oh my...

2011-05-07T20:12:00.002-05:00

Tonight, our darling, sweetheart of a baby of the family pooped in the bathtub as he was getting out. And, it was disgusting. We had 2 little boys running around laughing like a couple of hyenas, a baby crying that wanted out of there but needed to be cleaned off again while held in the air.

All I could think about was, "my oh my how times have changed in the past 11-12 years." 12 years ago would've found Jereme and I at our apartments, taking a nap or vegging out, before we went out. I mean 8:15 pm was EARLY...no one even started getting ready to go to Aggieville any before 11 pm. And, at 8:15 pm nowadays, I am danged near ready for bed!

12 years ago, I would've thought those poor, lame people that stay home Saturday night after Saturday night after Saturday night with their wild hellions of boys.

Now, I think, those poor college kids, they have no idea what's in store for them!! Ha! Just kidding!!!! I love my little family and love our little, possibly somewhat lame, life to pieces. Blessed indeed!

2011-05-02T13:44:00.003-05:00

Luke's one, true love...a Mack truck (or "truck-truck" to him)

Big Truck Day = Happy boys!

Three sleeping boys on a road trip = 2 happy parents who actually have a conversation

Love. My. Boys.

Happy Easter and ????

2011-04-25T18:55:00.003-05:00

And, it can only last for so long...hug? Heimlich? Takedown?

One more for the "I never thought I'd be saying" record book...who knew you'd have to train your children to not chew up their baby brother's booster chair???

Just so I will remember...

2011-04-21T22:35:00.002-05:00

I need to figure out how to print this blog off so I can keep it and remind my darling children someday when they have their own children of the things they said and did. Isaac was on a roll today. Here are just a few of the things I heard:

*"Momma, I want a real kitty cat. Not a pretend one like you gave to Jorden when he wanted one."

*"Ok, momma, I think it's time for you to start obeying me."

*"Ok, toot." (Me: Isaac, stop saying that word.) "Ok, diaper." (Isaac, NO MORE toot or diaper!). "Ok, pull-up." (ISAAC, I am serious, no more using any of those type of words. I mean it, if you say anything close to those words, you'll have a consequence.) *silence, then, very quietly * "Ok, rooster." (ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!)

*Me: (standing in hallway wondering what Isaac is doing behind closed doors)"Isaac, what are you doing?"
Isaac: "You don't need to worry about that."

That'll teach him...

2011-04-20T22:02:00.005-05:00

It was an accident. Really and truly. Sunday afternoon we were outside, enjoying a beautiful afternoon. Jereme and I were playing baseball with the little boys. Jereme was the pitcher and I was acting as catcher. Jereme was lipping off about how I wasn't doing a very good job. I thought, well, I'll show him next time...we'll see if he can catch my hardest throw. What I didn't realize was that he wasn't paying attention when I threw it and my aim might've been a wee bit off. And, a wee bit low. In fact, as Jereme was looking over at Isaac, I might've thrown a fast, hard ball and hit the poor guy in his um, er, groin-area.

I'd like to tell you that my reaction was to run over and make sure he was okay as his feet seem to fly out from under him and he face-planted into the ground and curled into the fetal position. Really, that's what I wish I would've done. Instead, I was laying on the ground laughing so hard I was crying and trying super hard to not wet my own pants.

The boys couldn't figure out what the heck was going on and kept asking Jereme what was wrong. Then, they'd ask me but I still couldn't pull it together to stop laughing. Jereme was near tears. Finally, he managed to to gasp, "YOUR MOM HIT ME IN MY BALLS!" (Which, I am sure will come back to haunt me in the most inappropriate moment one can imagine.)

Moral of the story...better make sure you're paying attention when you're smarting off to me!!

4!

2011-04-14T13:58:00.003-05:00

This past Sunday, on the 10th, our little boys turned 4 years old. I truly don't even know how that happens!? I can still remember holding those little feather-weights. They still love to be held and I pray that there are plenty more days ahead of that!

As with every age, I think there are such joys and yet also struggles. Our boys are so independent and they are FULL of personality. We love that they are high-energy, full of things to say and have wild imaginations. But, along with that comes rambunctious behavior, not always cute and delightful things out of their mouths, not a lot of peace and quiet and destruction. I sometimes feel like this age is almost as exhausting as the early weeks of twins nursing every 2 hours, almost.

But, we are so humbled and grateful that God chose to bless us with Isaac and Jorden.

Isaac still loves anything to do with farming. It blows us away the things he knows and talks to us about. He has no shortage of things to say and conversations with him could last forever. He does *NOT* like unfamiliar dogs but he *LOVES* eating at Mexican restaraunts. He is tall and lean, wearing mostly 5T clothing. But, to be honest, he prefers to just be nakkie.

Jorden loves race cars and really wants to drive one. He has a special green race car that Poppa and Mimi gave him about 8 months ago that he carries around most everywhere. Jorden loves to tease people closest to him. He is a sweetheart and loves hugs, kisses and telling you how much he loves us. He is also tall, lean and wearing 5T. And, as you might guess, nakkieness is preferred by him, too.

Both boys love their little brother and are usually very good with him. They take their job of protecting Luke quite seriously! They also love to "read" books and can't get enough of people reading to them.

For their birthday, we took the kids to Great Wolf Lodge. They had a blast!!

3 boys ready to go!!

Everyone was super excited about the "Wolf Den" and bunk beds!

Remember the nakkie comment? I am not kidding...when we told the boys we were going to go swimming, Jorden stripped his clothes off and ran to the door. He was halfway out before Jereme caught him!!

And, sweet Luke, took a pretty big spill and busted open his chin. But, nothing keeps Luke from being happy for too long!

Daddy's boys...

2011-04-06T13:29:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, Jereme called to see if the boys wanted to work with him in the afternoon. That answer was a resounding YES. The boys were near heart failure as they ran around getting their shoes, socks and hats on before daddy got home. Luke *knew* something was up so he quickly went and got his boots and stood waiting at the back door.

Boy oh boy was he heartbroken when daddy loaded up Isaac and Jorden and drove off. He screamed bloody murder forever after Jereme left eventually gagging himself and throwing up all over the floor. Seriously, could these kids be any more in love with their daddy!?

Anyways, the boys and Jereme delivered seed to a few dealers and stopped by the big test plot in Concordia to do a little work, too. Then, they all went to supper at Dairy Queen...it was just shortly before 8 pm when they got back home.

And, today, as the boys watched sadly when daddy drove off for work without them, they declared that yesterday was simply, "the best day of my life!"

(Early) Birthday Boys and Bikes

2011-04-03T20:51:00.003-05:00

It nearly breaks my heart to post these pictures. I am quite certain my boys aren't big enough to be doing things like riding bikes. The boys got early birthday presents this weekend from Poppa and Mimi. I can't even guess how many miles were ridden today...but, I can count that 1 bloody elbow and 2 scraped knees later meant 2 worn out little boys who barely made it to their pillows before falling asleep. That's my kind of math!!!

Meeting of the minds as daddy lays down the law...

Who are these big boys????

Couldn't be any happier!!

These are the days...

2011-04-01T21:11:00.002-05:00

Isaac: Bossing Jorden on how to correctly do his jumping/dance routine to Isaac's "music" and Monster Truck song...

Jorden: Happily ticking Isaac off by doing exactly the OPPOSITE of what he is being told...

Luke: Delightfully entertained by it all...

I can't compete...

2011-03-27T13:42:00.003-05:00

Jereme is the hero at our house. The little boys adore him, talk about him all day when he is gone, ask every morning if today is a day daddy will be home all day and beg most every day if they can go work with him, his dealers, at the seed warehouse, do some test plots, just ANYthing to be with him.

For the first year of Luke's life, he was SUCH a momma's boy. I was quite okay with this arrangement. But, it was if literally overnight, he became daddy's little boy. It was sooner than the little boys made that transition and definitely more fiercely than the other two. Luke says daddy, ball, uh-oh, whoa, Bonner, bubba, Jorden, Isaac, Poppa, Mimi, night-night, no-no, milk and several other words. But, ask him to say "momma" and you will get the EMPHATIC answer of "Da-deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!"

Jereme loves it and to be quite honest, so do I...

Spring is in the air...

2011-03-14T13:21:00.004-05:00

So many signs of spring!

1. Less layers of clothing and for some, only the 2 most important articles...a diaper and cowboy boots!

2. A MUCH perkier momma b/c of many hours spent outdoors with the kiddos who take naps more easily after playing hard.

3. A forecast that includes plenty of sunshine and promising warm temps!

4. Less runs on the treadmill (BORING!!) and more runs outside.

5. And, a stressed-out man! I always can feel spring coming on at our house...longer hours for Jereme, a Blackberry that buzzes incessantly, more business trips and just plain ol' stress etched on his face. But, this spring brought a new form of displaying the arrival of the busy season (you know, the next 9 months!). These are Jereme's shoes that he wore all day to run errands...

The Store

2011-03-10T14:07:00.003-06:00

I don't know why but grocery shopping as a family seems to be the trend recently at our house. I think it just kind of happened this winter for a "get out of the house" activity when you live in SmallTown, USA. Jereme usually pushes the twins in the car cart while I take Luke with me. Usually, the little boys are all over when daddy is with us. In and out of the car, climbing on the top, riding on the back, climbing into the cart, etc.

Last night, however, the little boys were unusually quiet. I wasn't paying much mind to them, just getting going on my big list. Jereme was picking up a few things. And, then, it kicked in. It being a momma's intuition...something is not right with this picture. I turned around to see the two little boys calmly sitting in the car cart. Hmmmm, this is strange so I walk back closer. Outstanding! They had each stolen an apple from the produce section and were eating it. I sighed and walked on knowing we were officially Rednecks.

But, Luke, not wanting to be outdone, waited until we got to the checkout line. Jereme grabbed him out of the cart not realizing Luke grabbed a Cadbury egg. I glanced over to see sweet Luke chowing down on a Cadbury egg...wrapper and all.

Ray's Applemarket HEARTS the House family.

His father's son...

2011-03-07T10:58:00.002-06:00

Yesterday, Jereme was talking to Jorden about driving a tractor. I asked Jorden, "do you want to learn to drive a tractor when you are 6?"

Jorden's reply? "No! I want to drive the combine and I can learn it when I am 5!"

And a couple other randoms from our house:
*If you see Luke, please don't turn us into Child Protective Services. He took a face-plant dive off the playground equipment on Sunday. It's possible he might've been "helped" by one of his brothers.

*Jereme was back home for 36 hours and is now gone again. I felt super sorry for him when he passed out asleep after only being home for about an hour on Saturday night. You know how it is..."working" in Vegas is a tough business.

5-year anniversary...

2011-03-02T08:02:00.002-06:00

This month marks 5 years since Jereme was doped up on morphine after his 3rd extensive knee surgery and he read Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover book. One night during his drug-induced recovery, he woke me up and said, "We are doing this!"

Little did I know what all that would entail. In 10 months, we sold the boat, sold our truck, bought a 10-year old vehicle with cash, paid off my grad school loans, paid off and chunked the credit cards and KISSED consumer debt good-bye forever.

Check out Financial Peace near you. It'll change your marriage and life! I dare you!!

On another note, Luke officially did in my laptop so I am awaiting the arrival of a new computer. Good thing that little stinker is so cute!! I don't know how it happened but he turned 18 months on Monday. These are his stats:

Height: 34 1/4 (90th percentile)
Weight: 28 lbs 6 oz (82nd percentile)
Cuteness: 100th percentile!!

Random picture update...

2011-02-20T08:52:00.005-06:00

What is it with boys?

2011-02-17T10:01:00.002-06:00

Why the constant need to call names, whether it is when they are mad or when they are just being downright silly?? I've talked to several other moms of boys who deal with the same thing. We've worked hard to discourage using "ugly" words or saying "ugly" things like I don't love you. So, they resort to things such as:
You a Jayhawk!
Ok, Cookie Monster!
No way, Peanut boy.
Seriously, what's the deal?!

But, here's the dilemma, does this next phrase fall under "ugly" category? Or, will it just produce more giggling and use of the word when I least want it to be used (AKA during Children's time at church)? All I know is I about had heart failure when I overheard its use 2 mornings ago...

Ya? Well, you a vagina!!

UPDATE on random comments

2011-02-13T14:28:00.002-06:00

Today, I took just the little boys to church for a pancake breakfast, SS and church. I think I visibly cringed when the sweetest couple at our church stopped and asked where Jereme and Luke were. We had quite an audience and I started to speak. Isaac said, NO, momma, I tell them.

Isaac says, "My daddy is sick and ..."

**WELL you know at this point I am about to die thinking he is going to inform them HOW/WHY he believes Jereme is sick!**

But, bless you, Isaac, this is how you finished:

"My daddy is sick and Jesus is going to help him feel all better really soon!"

Mark that down in the books, people, we went to church this morning and not one inappropriate comment was made by my children. Well, as far as I know...

Random comments...

2011-02-11T20:02:00.002-06:00

Today, the boys and I headed to Manhattan to run a few errands. Here are some of the comments we received...we normally get some but not this many in a 2-stop, 2-hour trip:

Oh, your boys are so darling! (So sweet!)

Wow, what a good-looking group of little guys! (Thank you!)

Are they twins? (approx 501 times)

Wow, you have your hands full. (approx 501 times)

Are they all yours? (Huh? What? Have we crossed some line by having three kids?)

Oh my, they have plenty of energy to spare, don't they? (I'm thinking that isn't so much of a compliment.)

OOOOOOOOOOOOH, are these JEREME'S boys??? (Um, yes, and I am just the live-in help that carried them, gave birth and nursed all of them. But, yes, they are Jereme's.)

Boy, they sure have been cooped up. (Again, compliment? Not so much.)

Are you going to try for a girl now? (I don't know, are you going to try for brains?)

You need a girl!!! (You need to bite your tongue!)

All you need now is a little girl! (Seriously??? Enough with the little girl comments!)

One more try and I bet you get a girl. (Ok, but what if it's another boy? Or twin boys? Then what? What's your name and number again?)

How old are you boys? (Don't bother to wait for me to respond...) Are they 6? (WHAT? Lay off the drugs lady!)

But, the best and most random comment of the day came from Isaac Warren House. Jereme has a little cold. Isaac asked him as he was crawling in bed tonight how he got sick. Jereme said, I don't know, sometimes we just get sick.

Isaac: Daddy, have you been touching your bottom?

Jereme: What?

Isaac: Have you been touching your bottom a lot and now you are sick?

You just never know around here!!

Monster Trucks

2011-02-04T14:27:00.003-06:00

There is a reason why daddy is the hero at this house...not only is he the guy who roughhouses with them, takes them to work with him, puts them on tractors/combines, watches sports with them and so much more, but he made Isaac's (and Jorden's to a point) dream come true by taking him to the Monster Truck Jam. Jorden was excited but not nearly as much as his brother. Jereme said this was Isaac's face throughout most of the event...

Jesus knows!!

2011-02-03T11:43:00.004-06:00

Our little Jorden likes to sneak plenty of items into bed with him at night. That wouldn't be so much of a problem if 1.5 hours later he wasn't still in there playing with his "special sheep" and "green race car from Poppa and Mimi". Last night, I heard Isaac calling for momma shortly after putting them down. I went in to check.

Isaac: Momma, Jorden has toys in his bed.
Me: Jorden, do you have toys in your bed?
Jorden: Nope.
Me: Are you telling the truth?
Jorden: Yep.
Me: (knowing that one must be very concrete with little boys) Are there any toys in your hands, on your pillow, under your pillow, wadded in your blanket? Are there any toys whatsoever close to you?
Jorden: Nope.
Me: (thinking, hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm) Ok, well, just remember Jesus knows the truth and He also knows if you are telling a lie. Good night boys, I love you.

As I am walking out the door...
Jorden: Momma, does Jesus know that I climbed out of bed and was playing with toys and jumped back in bed?
Me: Yes, son, He knows (closing the door and laughing hysterically with their daddy)!!!

Progress...

2011-01-26T13:30:00.002-06:00

If you remember this post, then I should update you and tell you we've made progress!!

This morning at playgroup, Luke picked up, ALL ON HIS OWN, a darling little pink-dressed baby doll. He held her for a few moments and I even got him to give her a kiss. Then, he looked at me as though he was a little embarrassed, dropped her on the floor and ran off, squashing her once with his ginormous foot (have I told you that he already wears a 7.5!?).

It may not be much, but it's something. Maybe there is a baby-doll in our future, yet!????!

Lord, have mercy...

2011-01-24T20:55:00.004-06:00

I am not ready for this.

Tonight, a new neighbor stopped by for a few moments. I've only met *D* a few times as they just recently moved in and well, it's winter. We are visiting nicely and the boys keep strutting around in a weird fashion. Well, so Jorden crawls up on the couch close to her and then, moves in behind her. All of a sudden, *WHAP!*. Jorden has a pillow and smacks *D* across the back of her head.

I was speechless. He hit her hard enough that her entire head flew forward and wrecked her pretty hair. I was MORTIFIED.

Ok, so at supper, this is the conversation:
Jereme: Jorden, did you like *D*?
Jorden: YES!
Jereme: Do you think *D* is pretty?
Jorden: Mmmmhmmm, yes! She is yummy!

EXCUSE ME? Jereme could hardly keep himself upright he was laughing so hard. Jereme did make him clarify and say that girls are "pretty".

I am really thinking the destruction, wildness, constant wrestling/running/climbing/jumping will be much preferable than the glimpse I just got of my future...

Isaac Warren House

2011-01-19T14:01:00.002-06:00

That kid. He's got a wicked sense of humor, an attitude to match any 13-year-old girl, a comeback/retort to whatever you have to say quicker than you finish your sentence and an independent streak a country-mile wide. I have no idea where he gets those traits...

But, today, I saw that boy be a big, brave, obedient and compliant child. Isaac is having a battery of tests run as a result of months of breathing/coughing/asthma (or is it really asthma?) problems. All we really know right now is that we just don't know. We met a fabulous specialist last week. He suggested we get some testing done as "something isn't setting right" with him. We agreed.

Anyways, Isaac and I headed out early this morning. That sweet thing complied with every weird request for swallowing, positioning, x-raying, poking, prodding, etc. He sat in that big ol' room, looking nervous but curious, with equipment everywhere, unfamiliar hospital staff while momma had to watch from outside the room. He was perfect in every sense of the word.

I'll be honest, I got quite emotional seeing what a big boy he is. And, then, I wanted to beat him with a big stick when we got home and he proceeded to terrorize our house and his brothers in less than 5 minutes. The end.

Who cares about recipes...

2011-01-18T18:39:00.002-06:00

When you can look at these darling things...

Seriously, this kid's dimple and hair just kill me!

What's for supper??

2011-01-18T16:14:00.002-06:00

Long story short, a few gals and I did a frozen meal exchange...I am CERTAIN I got the better end of this deal. I love these two recipes so much, I could cry. They are so yummy and SO easy!!! I just had to share:

Tresy's Mexican Lasagna
1-1.5 lbs ground beef
1 can rotel
1 jar taco sauce
6 cups shredded cheese (any variety!)
6 large flour tortillas
8 oz sour cream

Brown meat and drain (I added onion). Add rotel, taco sauce and sour cream...bring to a boil and then simmer for 20 minutes. Layer 2 tortillas, meat sauce, cheese 3 times in a 9x13 pan. Bake uncovered 20 minutes or until cheese starts to bubble. YUM!

Tiffany's shredded chicken tacos
Put in bottom of crock pot 1 can black beans, 1 can corn and half of a jar of salsa. Put 4 chicken breasts on top (can be partially frozen!). Put remainder of salsa on top of chicken. Cook on low 4-6 hours. Shred chicken and add back to mixture with a block of cream cheese. Let cheese melt for 20 min or so and serve!

How easy are those!! I recommend a heaping pile of guacamole on each one! And, maybe a Skinny Girl Margarita...

Snow Days...

2011-01-12T21:07:00.002-06:00

Tonight after putting 2 wild-child twinadoes down to bed, I told Jereme I now *distinctly* remember why I often felt like I had truly accomplished something last winter when day after day after day he could arrive home and not find me hiding in the closet with a bottle of vodka.

It's the not getting outdoors. Truly, I think that's it. Little boys MUST be allowed to be outside in wide, open spaces.

Items which may or may not have occurred in our home today:
1. Momma in kitchen cleaning up breakfast. Upon checking on the children in the little boys' room here is how everyone is arranged. Baby-dangling off side of bed? Check. One 3-year-old standing on bookcase? Check. Another 3-year-old wedged completely under a bed? Check.
2. Momma putting sheets on a bed with baby underfoot. Step back in laundry room. One child in washing machine? Check. One child in dryer? Check.
3. 5,001 fights and tears over whose race car this is, who took the New Holland combine or why someone touched my xyz.
4. 315 ear-piercing screams of laughter while running 315 laps through the house.
5. 2 little boys eating an entire bottle of chewable vitamins.
6. 1/2 inch of water on the entire bathroom floor.
7. Children go to basement dressed. Arrive back upstairs less than 5 minutes later buck-naked.
8. Momma realizes around 4 pm that the house is dang cold. Crud, heater is not working and husband in meetings until past 530 45 minutes away. She calls HVAC guy. Pay $67.50 for him to spend 30 seconds in my house flipping the switch back on the heater that apparently two little helpers "fixed" for her early in the day along with stripping down to bare-bottoms in the basement. Dang, they can multi-task.

Honestly, I must stop there. I fear continuing on with the day could send me to the closet anyways...

2011-01-10T10:42:00.006-06:00

Is it just me or doesn't he seem a little too much like my baby still to be sitting up in a chair eating like this?

Because this sight...3 big boys? I'm not ready for that!!

Someone (besides me, that is) *HEARTS* cookies!!

Snow Day! (Please notice my use of exclamantion point on that even though what I really want to say is, "Oh wonderful, snow day.")

Children, this is like 1843, the only way you can be outdoors is to be working so get busy shoveling the driveway...

Well...that lasted long, didn't it!?

January = $$$$$ ??

2011-01-03T14:40:00.004-06:00

Well, January is certainly shaping up so that we can meet our total out-of-pocket medical expenses for 2011 before the end of the month!!

This little cutie-pie...

saw the ENT today (and I'll try to refrain from calling him Dr. Good-looking!!). I talked with Dr. for a few moments, he looked in Luke's ears, said nothing, sat back and looked at me. About 10 seconds later, he said, "did you just tell me he finished 10 days of Omnicef this weekend?"
Me: Yes, he took 10 days of it, ending on Saturday, and the 10 days prior to that he was on Amoxicillian.
Dr.: You have a little boy with a very high pain tolerance. Both his ears a mess. Filled with fluid, very infected and bulging. He needs tubes...now. As in, do you have time tomorrow?
Me: No! We live in Small-town USA and we've got 2 other kids to figure out arrangements.
Dr.: No longer than 7 days. I want those tubes in by this time next week. He'll be on an antibiotic until then.
Me: Of course, I'll run away on a tropical vacation with you, but you do realize I'm married, right? Wait, I mean, okay, fine, yes, tubes it is!!

So, one week from tomorrow morning, Luke is getting tubes. So, I think I'll settle for leaving my house at 4:45 AM to get there by check-in time and praying God guides his hands the entire time!!

But, that wouldn't be dramatic enough for us so this little cutie...

is seeing a specialist in the Big City in about 10 days for his asthma. This has been a struggling, losing battle for us since about mid-November. He's been on antibiotics, several rounds of steroids, daily breathing treatments (NOT CHEAP!!) and we just can't seem to get a handle on it. All I know is they told us to make arrangements for our two as it will most likely be a long day of testing, pulmonary function stuff and who knows what else. I think that sounds cheap, don't you??

But, you know what, I am SO thankful to live in a modern time when as our pediactrician told...we can do better for him than this!!!

And, just for the record, a guy who is willing to let his 40-lb son do this for entertainment is who I would REALLY like to runaway with!!!

A little discipline??

2010-12-29T14:40:00.004-06:00

A small group of sweet gals and I are joining up with Beth Moore's blogging community and making the commitment to memorize 24 scriptures in 2011!! We are also doing our own "virtual" accountability with one another on the 1st and 15th of the months. Check out the blog post Beth wrote detailing the instructions. Just send me an email if you want to join our virtual accountability group---He's gonna do great things with us this year...I can feel it!!

And, guys...join us! I'll work hard to refrain from calling you sweet things, too!

Merry Christmas Eve!

2010-12-24T20:02:00.007-06:00

Jereme is having MUCH fun putting together the boys' Santa gifts this evening so I decided to do what I do best...get online! Most of you already know but the past 2 days have been a challenge. Our sweet, little Luke-boy has been very sick. After being unsuccessful in trying to get a 104+ fever to break, I headed to Manhattan last night in cruddy weather. The pediatrician who saw him was nearly speechless. He told me that Luke must have an incredibly high pain tolerance as both his ears were the worst, if not ever than in a VERY long time, he's ever seen.

It took us until 4 am to get that fever below 104 and lots of vomiting was occurring. But, Luke was Luke. Although needing extra comfort, he was so sweet and not much of a complainer. Today, his fever still can't seem to get under 102. But, we're praying and holding faith that maybe overnight, he can conquer this a little more. Thankful he was already scheduled to see Dr. G (and yes, that G could very well stand for GOOD-LOOKING!!!) on the 3rd!

Anyways, here are some pics!

The boys "working" on a cold winter morning...honestly, there have been a few times I've poked my head into Jereme's office and have seen the EXACT same expression...

Luke's jobs...1) emptying momma's cabinets and 2) smiling sweetly!

Jorden NOT impressed with Santa's visit to playgroup.

Honestly? This scares me. Call me paranoid but I feel certain they were plotting against me. I'm nervous about the future with these three *all* working together.

Christmas Program night...

A little nervous before going in...yes, I was supposed to be helping corral the swarms of children...I got a little sidetracked but I am pretty sure everyone made it up to the front...

Excited to open presents from momma and daddy...Luke cuddling with daddy so twins opened his presents!

It was right at this moment that I thought, "What in the h*** were we thinking buying them this?????"

And, thus began the 20-minute family parade of musical intruments to very LOUD Christmas music playing. If the neighbors already didn't think we were nuts, well, they sure do now!!!

Merry Christmas!!

A new thing...

2010-12-16T17:19:00.004-06:00

The boys have acquired a new skill. Here are a few clips from convos:

*Luke crying*
Me: Jorden, what just happened?
J: I hit him with my fishing pole.
Me: Go throw it in the trash.
J: I don't want to.
Me: Bummer, you hit him, it's gone.
J: When I get big and you get little, I am going to throw all your toys in the trash.

Isaac: You let me have a piece of candy or I'll scream and wake up the baby.

Jorden: I want some juice or I am going to be really mean to you.

Isaac or Jorden: You let me (insert anything a 3.5 year old boy might want to do that is inappropriate) or I am going to (insert anything from bite you to run away).

My response to any and all of the above: Do what you need to do...my policy is the same as the USA's...I don't negotiate with terrorists.

My Sweetheart...

2010-12-15T21:59:00.002-06:00

This sweet little guy got taken to the doctor today...the result? Pink-eye in each eye, ear infection in BOTH ears AND a high fever. Obviously the above picture is not from today but I'll tell you he is still as good-natured, loving, smiling, cuddling as ever. I've already decided that Luke can never move out.

All I know for sure is that 4 rounds of antibiotics in 3 kids over 5 weeks isn't adding up...where art thou summer??

All boy!!

2010-12-12T21:10:00.002-06:00

I was just emailing a friend who has an all-girl home how vastly different the toy selection in the photos of her girls are from our house. Most of you can guess what an all-boy home looks like...I mean besides the dings in sheetrock, gouges in the hardwood, cock-eyed bottom row kitchen cabinets, divits in my table, blah, blah, blah...

Dang it, though, I just want one of my boys to love baby-dolls. Why? I don't know. I just do. I've tried so hard with the boys. We go to a community playgroup on Wednesday mornings and they have a good selection of dolls and all their accessories. I used to try and convince the boys before going to try playing with the baby-dolls. They, of course, completely ignored me.

So, you know who that leaves. Luke. I decided to give him a try this past week. He hadn't slept well the night before so I thought it would be my best shot. He would want momma holding him or right beside him at all times. I played with him for awhile with random toys.

Then, we stepped over to the side of the gym and I grabbed a baby-doll. I held it up for him and said, "oh look, Luke, it's a sweet little baby-doll. Do you want to hold her?" He looked at me funny but took baby-doll by the leg. My heart skipped a beat for a brief moment. Luke then took baby-doll and smacked her against the bleachers three time, chucked her across the floor and made a bee-line to a dump truck about 5 ft away. Apparently, I'll have to wait for the granddaughters...

Random pics

2010-12-08T12:58:00.002-06:00

This is how Isaac and Jereme slept every nap and both nights when we were in KC watching the Cats play ball. I need to hang this picture up someplace visible so when he is working late for umpteenth night in a row, I will be reminded that there isn't another soul on this planet who loves those boys like I do...except him!!

I've got my daddy and my trucks...please leave us alone!

Unfortunately, a new nightly routine...Isaac = breathing treatment, Jorden = thrilled with watching TV.

CUTE!

I want to remember this!

2010-12-07T13:34:00.002-06:00

I'll post pics soon, I promise! But, this was part of Isaac's bedtime prayer last night:
Dear Jesus, I love you. When it is your birthday, please tell Santa to bring me everything I want...

Apparently we need to keep working on these concepts a bit!

Luke's 15 mos stats:
Weight: 26.5 lbs, 80th percentile
Height: 33.5 inches, 95th percentile

Things I am not ready to talk about...

2010-11-29T15:12:00.002-06:00

*Lunchtime discussion today:
Jorden: Daddy, when I get grown-up then *I* get to make the decisions and *I* can be the boss.
Isaac: Yeah, I then I will spank the boys bottoms and spank you and momma's bottom.

*Jorden: How big am I when I can drink pop, coffee and beer?

*Luke learned how to crawl up and sit in the dining room chairs last night, which means I turned around to find him sitting on the table while I fixing lunch today.

Picky, picky!

2010-11-18T21:18:00.005-06:00

I don't know where in the world Luke gets it. The boys have always been good eaters. Jereme and I will (and do!) eat most anything, too. If it's cheese,yogurt or fruit then no problem. But, if you're talking meat besides fried chicken or a vegetable, well, fruggedaboudit!

Yet, he does have one food he is *LOVES*. It comes directly from his Poppa Gary. It's called anything pasta with marinara. Most nights, Luke makes no mess at supper b/c well, he eats not much at all. But, not tonight!!!

By the way, I am thinking Isaac must've been thinking of Poppa Gary earlier in the day when I posted about him...

Isaac...

2010-11-18T14:47:00.003-06:00

One of the things we've had the boys do this past year is provide a drink to the great men who work for the city and pick up our trash. We've missed a few weeks here and there but almost every Thursday, the boys can be found running a pop, water or Gatorade out to them. Recently, we've been giving them Pepsi since we don't drink regular pop and somehow have a ton of it in our fridge.

The trash truck was late today and the boys were napping, or so I thought, when they came. Isaac just came running out of his room and yelled at me, "Momma, we didn't get the guys their beer!!"
Me: "What??"
Isaac: "We didn't give the trash truck guys their beer this week!!"
Me: "Honey, we give them a Pepsi, not a beer!"
Isaac, running out the door screaming his head off for everyone in the world to hear, "WAIT, come back, I'll get you your beer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

I can only thank God that the windows are closed this time of year.

And, rest assured, the guys will be back in a few hours to pick up the recycling stuff so we'll be sure and get them their "beer" then!

Luke's words...

2010-11-14T08:37:00.007-06:00

True to form for little boys, Luke isn't much of a talker yet. Well, he converses a LOT, it's just not in English. But, he has three official words.

Momma--he learned that pretty early...smart boy.
Daddy--which must be said with a high-pitched squeal for the last syllable.
Bubba--in reference to either of his brothers and with much delight, well, most of the time.
And, of course, NO--which he says which much conviction and then giggles hysterically...I think I might be a little afraid...

A rainy Friday

2010-11-12T11:05:00.003-06:00

I am quite certain this is what my mom and dad had in mind when they bought me this hope chest for my high school graduation...

The little boys have been spending more and more time on these chairs. As the weather turns colder, we are spending more time inside. More time inside means WAY more fighting. More fighting equals more time on the chairs facing each other. There is no theory behind this method. I don't know what else to do with them...I figure for now this works b/c it always results in them laughing, giggling, making faces, telling silly stories. How many more days till Spring???

And, this is usually how "chair time" ends up...

Luke rather enjoys the boys spending quality time on the dining room chairs...freedom to play with anything he desires for a few short-lived moments!!

Tough kid...

2010-11-02T22:01:00.003-05:00

That Isaac, he is one tough cookie. Seems like he has been fighting a cold for a month. Wait, it has been a month. Ok, so he got a cold a month ago and then it snowballed into this asthma flare-up that resulted in a scary moment last night. Took him to our pedi today. He also has nasty ear infections in both ears. Super-duper. I had no idea. The kid never complains about feeling sick.

LITERALLY Jereme has to pry his mouth open at night for me to give him meds b/c he normally sleeps like the dead. You could pick him up, throw him in the air and I guarantee the child would never wake up. And, bless his cotton-picking heart, I WANTED him to sleep with us last night after getting his breathing controlled and he cried b/c "he wanted to sleep in his own bed and not our bed". Love.that.kid.

Soooooooooo, now he is on steroids, antibiotics and breathing treatments 4-5 times per day. And, with Jereme out of town and me still being at Walgreens 45 minutes away at 745 pm with 3 tired kids, I may or may not have backed into some guy's car. No worries, though, the minivan is STILL rocking it out. Long live the FREESTAR, baby!!!!!!!

Nothing sweeter than 3 (well, uh 4, apparently) boys at bedtime!

2010-10-31T14:05:00.001-05:00

Pumpkin Patch

2010-10-31T13:35:00.006-05:00

A few Hawaii pics

2010-10-30T19:57:00.007-05:00

We made it!!!

View overlooking the back of the resort grounds

View from our balcony...golf course and ocean

An Austrian military vehicle that we took off-roading.

This is obviously just as we got going b/c a pic taken any time over the next 40 minutes would have me looking like I wanted to puke.

Waterfall hiking. We had had quite a bit of "fun" the previous night at the awards ceremony and I was expecting a leisurely hike. Um, not quite. Needless to say, we hiked/sweated that alcohol out of our systems!

I don't know what we were doing when we took this photo?? Apparently swimming...maybe this was the Catermaran excursion trip.

Scary self-portrait before going out on the last night. I was obviously done with straightening and doing my hair.

MY Master Sales man!!!

Still waiting to get our link for the pics from the trip the photographer took!

Interesting (okay, RANDOM) thoughts from Hawaii trip

2010-10-24T11:24:00.002-05:00

*After 7 days in a row of blow-drying out and straightening my hair, I can guarantee you one thing, I'll be getting it chopped soon.

*Much to the astonishment of my husband (and all who know me well), I was able to put make-up on 6 days in a row and not any yoga pants.

*I could possibly be the only human alive that went to Hawaii for 7 days and came back with not a lick of a tan. 2 empty bottles of sunscreen prove it.

*Honestly and truly, I only took about 20 pics while there...Monsanto hired a photographer who was at every event, excursion and even the beach/pool (CRINGE!). It was a fantabulous perk!

*It is almost as much of a language barrier to talk to the folks from the Carolinas as it was to talk to the people from S. America, India, Netherlands, etc!!! Seriously, I couldn't understand them!!!

*It only took Luke about 3 days to forget about me and start calling my mom, "momma".

*I am quite certain the twins missed us, oh, um, NOT AT ALL!

*The more formal the event, the more clothes the men put on and the less clothes the women have on.

*You'll see it all at the beach. The Indian folks dressed in full attire (and of course by that I mean the women, the men were stripped down and in the water) from neck to toe, never entering the water and the ladies of S. America in dental floss swimsuits.

*One drink at a Hawaiian resort will literally cost you $15. On the other hand, any Monsanto-related function means free-for-all on the booze so it all evens out.

*Seeing your man accept an award that only about 100 people get globally in a company that employs around 18,000 people is pretty awesome. I am super proud of him!

*And, even more proud of him when on Day 5 he looks at me and says, "I'm ready to go home and get our boys!"

That's all my brain-dead mind can handle for now. We were up for around 37 straight hours, minus a few dozing hours on the plane...FANTASTIC EXPERIENCE...absolutely delighted to get my kiddos and be back at home in Small Town, USA!!!

A Mad Scientist on our hands???

2010-10-13T14:25:00.003-05:00

Jereme thinks Luke is destined to be a mad scientist since he already has the hairdo down...

And, a little bathtub/shower fun!!

These are the things I don't understand...

2010-10-11T18:50:00.005-05:00

***I don't understand why these two are so stinkin' cute...even when they are doing the exact opposite of what I told them to do?
***I also don't understand why they are getting so big so fast?

***I don't understand how one child can be this darling? And, ornery? And, bullheaded? And, sweet all at the same time???

And, what I REALLY don't understand is why I can be completely caught up on all laundry on Thursday night and 4 days later I have this much to fold and put away? Seriously!? Thank goodness I don't have girls...can you imagine? Where do all of these clothes come from in that short amount of time????

Dancing

2010-10-04T18:00:00.002-05:00

First things first...my big boy in his Wildcat jammies!

Tonight as the kiddos were eating their supper (Jereme working late...surprised!?), we were listening to some praise music. The boys asked if they could get up and dance so I said sure. Here they are dancing...even Luke joins in. One of the twins said, "Momma, we are dancing for Jesus". Be still my heart and keep those tears at bay...my prayer for all three boys...that they will always dance for Jesus!

Momma's boy

2010-09-25T20:41:00.003-05:00

I've just discovered yet another VERY big positive to having a momma's boy. Luke is definitely momma's boy. He loves his daddy and has definitely come around on letting Jereme hold him even when I'm around. But, he still has pretty big googly eyes for momma. So, besides getting to hold that darling thing a LOT, tonight proved to add another one.

When momma's boy pukes a LOT on his bedroom floor and by a lot, I mean a LOT, complete with chunks and all, well, he only wants one person to hold him. His momma. And, of course, his momma was wise and barely got any on him while holding him during the episode. Soooooo, it was pretty easy to slip his pj's off, snuggle him in the rocker while his sweet, sweet daddy scooped it up, sprayed it down, scrubbed the carpet, etc. A few little giggles might've even been heard but I am almost positive they came from Luke...

Things I love, Part 3 (or something like that)

2010-09-23T10:31:00.010-05:00

I haven't had a "little boy" post in quite awhile. So, this is dedicated to Isaac and Jorden.

Isaac:
*My daddy gone all the time so he makes my momma sleep all alone!
*Poppa, Caleb and Jorden won't listen to me when I tell them to stop honking the horn. What should I do now?
* WHAT IN THE WORLD???
* Oh d@mn, this one is really stuck. (WHOOPS!)

Jorden:
*(Driving a 4-wheeler with daddy out at the farm and popped a wheelie!?!?) Laughs hysterically!
*I'm gonna get big like my daddy and catch a big shark.
* YOU BE KIND!!

Some other things I love:
*Giggles from all the boys when they are all playing together in a room (rare!)
*Sweet little faces beside my bed in the morning, ready to crawl in and snuggle
*Crawling into my bed and finding combines under the sheets
***MY FAVORITE***
Took the boys to do a test plot with their daddy one afternoon and when they arrive the other guys are teasing the boys. One fellow Monsanto guy asks the twins if they like the Jayhawks and this is the response he got, "The Jayhawks and Pioneer STINK!!"

3 year stats (ok so perhaps they are 5 months overdue but I am sure that 3 year well child check just means sometime during the year after they turn 3, right?????)
Isaac: 40.5 inches tall (87th), 36 lbs (72nd)
Jorden: 40 inches tall (80th), 35 lbs (65th)

And, just one little blip on sweet baby boy, Luke. Here are his one year stats:
31.5 inches tall (90th), 24 lbs 2 oz (70th)

Next generation of DEKALB/Asgrow guys:

Birthday boy!

2010-09-18T12:09:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday to the best guy I know! I love you!

Sunday afternoons...

2010-09-12T14:30:00.002-05:00

There is nothing that I don't love about Sunday afternoons. Jereme napping with the little boys. Luke taking a nap on his own. Me, a book and a diet pop. Blissful...

Steps!

2010-09-07T16:41:00.002-05:00

Just so I have it documented someplace...Luke started taking steps today! He's been letting go and standing for awhile but today just out of nowhere, he took a few steps and is now up to 4. I know it's a just matter of time before those sweet little first steps turn to running feet!! We'll see if we can get it on video tonight...he thinks he is super funny. And, when I showed it to the boys, their reaction was priceless. I thought they might get excited...they looked VERY worried and said, "good job, Luke" while racing back to their room and shutting the door!!

School begins!

2010-09-07T13:38:00.009-05:00

I don't think any of the boys (all four, that is) are happier or more content than when they are on some sort of tractor. As you can see, even the babe is content.

And, today Pre-K began. I can hardly believe it! We all did well. I even waited until I got back out to the car to cry, which only confirmed to Luke once again that I might be (slightly) nuts. Boys did good. They won't go to Kindy till they are 6 so let's call this year what it really is...Mom's Morning Out, twice a week!! But, they think they are big stuff and by the pictures below, they really do look BIG to me!

K....S....U.......WILDCATS!

2010-09-05T10:03:00.007-05:00

Gameday yesterday!! Our little Wildcats were awesome. They endured 3+ hours of tailgating and a multitude of walking and climbing steps! Whew, it was a big day. And, it was warm!! Twins were dang near perfect. They loved it and were beyond excited about K-State (which thrills their parents!). Luke, ever true to form, was a doll. He slept for about 20 minutes in his stroller. That was it. But I don't think he cried once all day. He was a delight and did wonderful, too!!

Please note my attire in my pic with the boys. A tank top. I never wear them. I also never go to the pool with my kids until after 4 pm. We are WHITE...shockingly white, that is. I greased everyone in the family up with sunscreen, except one person. How could I not put sunscreen on??? I am the whitest of us all (I know that shocks you who are around me most...I know I appear so tan!)!!! Needless to say I am a lobster!!!

Thursday's boys!

2010-09-02T15:32:00.013-05:00

Oh, this boy. Love him. Just a few weeks ago at one of Jereme's test plots someone asked him if he knew what "that" was over there. This was his response, "Momma, what's that name again?" Me, "Honey, that's an anhydrous ammonia tank." Isaac, "Oh, ok. (Turns back to the guy) That's an anhydrous ammonia tank and you bring your tractor in and back it up and hook up to it, then you drive your tractor to your field and you drive through your corn with it and then it will make your DEKALB corn grow big and big and big and really strong." Seriously, this child can talk (I have no idea where he gets it) and I think he's pretty smart. Of course, this is also the same child who told me after he pooped the other day, "I am going to shut the lid so the stink does not get up on me." ANYWAYS, he's dang cute, though!

Ok, this child's face kills me. Could it be any cuter? Could he be any sweeter? Most days will find Jorden telling me something along these lines, "It's okay, momma. I'm sorry Isaac won't obey you. It's okay, though. I be a good boy for you, momma." Apparently being a good boy means unrolling a whole roll of toliet paper and flushing it down the toliet. But, that smile!!

And, this little doll? Oh my. Luke went 5 straight days with either not napping at all or waking up after 20 minutes. 5 days, people. 5 days that child slept no more than 20 minutes during his 12-13 waking hours. Cry it out worked well for the twins but what do you do with a child who won't cry in his crib? That stinker will sit in there and play, giggle, laugh, sing, jump, etc for 2 hours. How do I know? B/c I've let him. And, I guess that's just how we roll around here.

It's the moments like these that literally make my heart skip a beat. They aren't set-up. The twins really do love that baby and he loves them right back. Well, except when they take all the good toys and try to exchange him some baby toy for his John Deere truck. Then, I don't think it's quite love he is feeling. And, it probably wasn't love he was feeling either earlier in the summer when they sent him to the ER with chemical burns in both eyes, but those are just minor things. 99% of the time he thinks they are pretty cool!

KSU football opens this weekend. This will be our first year ticketing the boys and planning to take them to most, if not all, of the games. I am sure you'll hear us before you see us. So, if I look right at you and seem to not know you, it's b/c I am trying to find my happy place. Grab me and shake me by the shoulders, ok??

GO CATS!!!!!!!

HELP!

2010-08-31T09:15:00.001-05:00

Bloggers, help me out.

I've been struggling the past few weeks with Blogger. When I upload pics it puts them all over the place. Then, when I try to put captions either above or below pics it shows on the sides and not matter what I do I can't seem to get it moved. Help???!!!

2010-08-31T08:35:00.009-05:00

Facebookers, you'll probably want to skip this post as it is mostly a repeat of the pics I posted on there. Although, those kids are pretty cute...

Family pic time! We have so few. And, I love all the comments I've already gotten about my hair...I really do have it!! I just really, really, really, really, really like my visors and ball caps. Keeps the sun off my face (and allows me to not have to fix my hair!).

Confessions from the House House

Still rewinding Christmas

What we've been up to this week...

It was just that kinda day...

Definitely not my strength

Christmas Rewind

Can I stand on my soapbox for just a minute...

Not jiving...

Big Kids

Attitude of Gratitude

Thank a farmer...

Blog-worthy

Playing Catch-up

Wordless Wednesday

Bleeds Purple

Jack-o-Lanterns!

Trying to catch up...

Tough night for Jereme...

3rd child...

Wordless Wednesday

Predicament

35

Yesterday??

Parenting 101

A belated summer post

Random Thoughts from the KSU game

Wow...

A few things to remember...

Luke

A Perfect Sunday

Rodeo!

A few vacay pics

When it's 100-degrees days on end...

It's never too late

Random Wednesday Post

Happy 4th of July!

Summertime!

And...

I don't even know where to start

Last week...

The Neighborhood

Already??

Bugs...

My oh my...

Happy Easter and ????

Just so I will remember...

That'll teach him...

4!

Daddy's boys...

(Early) Birthday Boys and Bikes

These are the days...

I can't compete...

Spring is in the air...

The Store

His father's son...

5-year anniversary...

Random picture update...

What is it with boys?

**UPDATE** on random comments

Random comments...

Monster Trucks

Jesus knows!!

Progress...

Lord, have mercy...

Isaac Warren House

Who cares about recipes...

What's for supper??

Snow Days...

January = $$$$$ ??

A little discipline??

Merry Christmas Eve!

A new thing...

My Sweetheart...

All boy!!

Random pics

I want to remember this!

Things I am not ready to talk about...

Picky, picky!

Isaac...

Luke's words...

UPDATE on random comments