I'm hoping my sister Jennette gets another good nap in. Her nephews kept her busy. We had a great time during her stay here. We visited the botanical gardens, Natural History and Science Museum in Tallahassee, Lake Tholocco at Fort Rucker, and Falling Waters state park (future post).

Brian giving out sand pizzas. Doesn't that look appetizing?

Jennette took Lil B kayaking and he went down his first water slide. He was so brave.

Since Jennette was Military we visited the PX and the commissary. The boys loved every minute of having Aunt Jennette here. We hope she'll visit again when she can. We'll try and stop by El Paso to see her on the way to Cali in a few weeks.

Saturday we headed down to St Andrews State Park (next to Panama City beach). There was a 50% chance of rain and we watched as the dark clouds came in. We did get a few drops and started packing up when we saw our good friends the Murrays. The boys were still not crazy about the water. They loved the sand the most. I kept Jacob in his carseat most of the time cuz I didn't have the heart to wake him up and he looked so content.

Little Brian is always on the go with lots of energy. (he's taking off running in the 2ndpicture) He is also sweetheart and enjoys stopping to smell the flowers.

Lucas is our curious one. He likes to stop and pick things up to see how they work. He was fascinated with the water fountain and the windmill.

If I had my Child to raise again.

A poem that inspires to me to be a better Mom..

If I Had my Child to Raise Again

I'd build self-esteem first,
and the house later.

I'd finger-paint more,
and point the finger less.

I would do less correcting,
and more connecting.

I'd take my eyes of my watch,
and watch with my eyes.

I'd take more hikes,
and fly more kites.

I'd stop playing serious,
and seriously play.

I would run through more fields,
and gaze at more stars.

I'd do more hugging,
and less tugging.

-Diane Loomans


So my goal for this weekend is less stressing and more connecting.

How do I convince this lady to stay? This is my Mom.
She's been here a month and a few days. She leaves tomorrow. :(
I wonder if she'd stay I offer a
year's supply of non alcoholic pina coladas or
a large Sonics cherry limeades for a lifetime
I'd pay her but I know I couldn't afford her.

The best gift that I could receive is the gift of family. (The next best gift is pictures of family- Thanks Stacy!) I want my boys growing up knowing who their family is. I'm so grateful that my Mom could drop everything and come stay and help out. She cooked, cleaned, mended clothes, entertained the boys, gave free babysitting, offered emotional and physical support etc. I'd be a wreck if it wasn't for her.
The boys have had a great time with her. We'll carry on her singing idea at family prayer to invite the spirit. Dinners will be a breeze with the freezer meals she made. She missed her 35th wedding anniversary so she could be here. I love my Mom and and continues to feel the love from her. She is an example of selflessness and loves her grandsons.

My Mom is Anakin's favorite person but my Mom doesn't feel the same. He thought that he just had to be in the picture.

We've gone from this...

To this....

We've always had chew toys but I guess they weren't enough.

We bought a bunch of rawhide bones. The only problem now is that he chews them in half, swallows them, and then pukes them back up in the backyard. Hopefully he learns to chew more and we'll remember to get a bigger size bone.

There also hasn't been any chewed up items cuz we brought the dog crate back out for him to stay in at night.

No more puppies from now on.

3 weeks. Seriously? Already?

What's your hurry lil guy?