The Wilson's World

Look at me........................

2012-01-15T15:35:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Jesus!

2011-12-30T14:44:00.000-08:00

So. We mailed our letter to Santa and then the very next day got a response back. Santa replied that he was more than willing to come a couple of days early since Dad was on call Christmas morning. So Thursday night we had "pretend Christmas eve"and Friday morning the kids woke up to fun surprises.

The kids, well really just Miller and Tucker, were excited all day Thursday. Miller was so matter-of-fact all day literally telling me all the things we needed to do to get ready for Jesus's birthday. It cracked me up. At four and a half, he was trying to remain calm and collected on the outside but on the inside he was about to jump out of his body, EXCITED! Miller told us around 6 that they needed to take a bath and get ready to go to bed. WOW, seriously!? So we did. Baths, PJ's, pictures, story time, Milk and cookie cake for Santa, the easiest bedtime routine it has ever been.

After a cool, calm and collected Miller all day Thursday, at snuggle time he finally ruptured! "I can't help it! I can't help it! I'm so excited and I can't help it!" All his excitement from the day had been bottle up and then he finally let it out!

I was so excited for them but was really struggling. Struggling to even get my head lifted off the couch. "Walking Pneumonia"swept through our house. Mallie then Tucker got it and now it was my turn. This beast of a bacteria struck me Thursday afternoon and it hit hard.

Well it got the best of me. Pneumonia and pink eye took me down for about five days over the holidays and it kind of seems like a blur. I should get Trent to write this post. He was awesome during that time. Took care of me, the kids, and well really did everything!

Miller came into our bed around 6 the next morning. We made him snuggle with us for about fifteen minutes before we went and woke Mallie and Tucker up. They were so precious and thankful to see how generous Santa was for Jesus's birthday.

They each received the three things they asked Santa for and some stocking goodies. Miller- Cars race track, astronaut costume, and leapster explorer games. Tucker- bike with helmet, Auburn Tiger pillow pet and big box of legos, Mallie- baby high chair, stroller with baby, and princess riding toy.

Mallie wasn't as much into the presents as she was into the Happy Birthday Jesus cake. Get that baby girl some cake!!!!!!!!

Ahhh, much better!!!

We traveled on Sunday to Montgomery and then to Auburn to visit family. And since this Momma was mostly out of it until Wednesday she never once even thought about a camera. And I'm so sad that I have not ONE SINGLE PICTURE from those places. It was a precious time none the less spent with family!

I hope you and your family had a very Merry Christmas!

2011-12-19T17:24:00.000-08:00

So I figured it would be hard for me to blog 25 WHOLE DAYS in a row! It was impossible actually. Last Thursday little Mallie got sick and was sick all weekend. Soooo While we were inside and at home alot I decided to try to push Tucker to potty train!
He is so proud of "mine big boy underwear" but not so interested in telling us when he needs to use the potty.:( I think Mommy was ready before he was.

On another note...................We knew this year would come at some point, Trent being on call Christmas day, but we have managed to avoid it until now. We just can't celebrate Jesus's birthday without Daddy!!! So we have come up with a plan.

Miller and Tucker added their special touch with writing (compliments of Miller) and drawings(compliments of Tucker).

Now that hopefully Santa will visit our house early, I have lots to get ready for him to come. We are still doing our calendar and the kids are loving it. However, I will probably not blog about them everyday due to time.

Merry Christmas!

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy spirit." (Romans 15:12-14)

Jesus was obedient

2011-12-15T11:02:00.000-08:00

"And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminals death on the cross." (Philippians 2:8)

(Tucker loves to put Mallie's bows in his hair)

" But I (Jesus) do nothing without consulting the Father." (John 5:30)

"I don't speak out of my own authority. The Father who sent me gave me his own instructions as to what I should say." (John 12:49)

" Because one person disobeyed God (Adam), many people became sinners. But because one person (Jesus) obeyed God, many people will be made right in God's sight." (Romans 5:19)

"Even though Jesus was God's son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered." (Hebrews 5:8)

Do these look like obedient faces? It was nice to be able to teach them this morning that even JESUS was obedient to his heavenly father. Tucker tilted his head and grinned and said "May I pease have mine Chocowate?" Miller (my thinker) said "Mommy do you have to obey? Who do you obey?" "Well I obey God, Miller." Miller quickly came back "Does God spank you when you don't obey?"

My children (whether they know it or not) always have a way of humbling me and reminding me who I really want to be. I want to obey God just as Jesus did. I want to consult my heavenly Father before all my decisions too. I want the words I speak to be not of my own authority but the very words of God. Wouldn't that be awesome?! Wouldn't the world be a much better place if we all did that?!

Jesus is LOVE

2011-12-14T13:41:00.000-08:00

"I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love." John 15:9
"I command you to love each other just as I have loved you." John 15:12
"Greater love has no man than this that he lay his life down for his friends." John 15:13
I often wonder what God told Jesus before he came to earth? I like to imagine the converstation. He obviously gave him the commandment of Love. I think the short of it went something like this...............

Jesus, I love these people so much. I created them to be my friends and bring pleasure to me. They just don't get it though. I want you to go to earth, as me, and show them how to love. Show them MY love. Teach them how to love. And when your time is up on earth, you will show them the ultimate love. You will literally lay down your life for them. Not just for one but for all, so that I can forever have fellowship with them.

I think Jesus probably simply responded without fear or hesitation "Ok. If that is what it takes, I'll do it for them. Because I love them."

That is real LOVE. How many people would you give your life up for? Honestly, I would probably do it for just a handful of people. Thank you Jesus that you did not choose just a handful but you chose to die for everyone!

The Candy Cane

2011-12-12T18:25:00.000-08:00

We took a break from the calendar over the weekend as we were out of town celebrating Christmas with family, but today we learned about the Candy Cane.........

A candy maker in Indiana wanted to make a candy that would be a witness for Jesus, so he made the Christmas Candy Cane. He incorporated several symbols for the birth, ministry and death of Jesus Christ. He began with a stick of pure white hard candy. White to symbolize the Virgin Birth and sinless nature of Jesus. The hardness of the candy was used to to symbolize the Solid Rock, the Foundation of the Church and firmness of the promises of God.

The candy maker made this candy in the form of a "J" to represent the precious name of Jesus, who came to earth as our Savior. It also represents the staff of the "Good Shepherd" with which he reaches down into the ditches of the world to lift out the fallen lambs, who like all sheep have gone astray.

Thinking that the candy was somewhat plain, the candy maker stained it with red stripes. He used three small stripes to show the flogging Jesus received by which we are healed. The large red stripe was for the blood shed by Christ at the cross so we could have the promise of eternal life.

"curtain-tearer"

2011-12-09T04:11:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was extremely busy. And to be honest I kept putting off our calender because I had not done my study. My pager went off,because it does every hour when my battery is low, and I realized it was 7:00 p.m. Miller reminded me for the tenth time, "Mom we have not done our calender!"

Trent had been taking care of them while I finished up a Christmas project that should have been done a long time ago. "Trent, would you like to do the calender tonight?" He gathered them around and they sat still as Daddy told the story of the.......................................... "curtain-tearer!
For the literals out there, this term is not in the Bible exactly. They refer to it as the "veil."

In the Tabernacle, their were two veils or curtains: one at the entrance of the Holy Place and the other between the first one and the Holy of Holies, where the Ark of the covenant was. Only certain people were allowed behind these curtains, but certain rituals had to take place before they could enter. Only the High Priest could enter through the second curtain and only once a year with blood from an animal to atone for his sins and the sins of the Jews. Trent explained this in simple terms and with much exclamation. Their eyes were glued. "Then when Jesus died on the cross, the curtain was ripped in two, and we can now go to GOD!"(Matthew 27:51)

At Jesus' death, the tearing of the veil signified two things: the middle wall of partition between Jews and Gentiles was broken (Ephesians 2:14-18) and that EACH believer now can have personal access to God! (Hebrew 9; 10:19-20)

Through the shedding of His blood, the barrier is torn between us and God, and we can have "unlimited access to God," he remembers our sins no more and by His Grace we have the gift of righteousness.

And that is the simple story of the "curtain-tearer!"
I don't know about you, but I need to know that today!

Prince of Peace

2011-12-07T12:27:00.000-08:00

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)

"Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord." (2 Peter 1:2)

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philipians 4:7)

I don't know about you but I need the Prince of Peace, especially on days like today. Just to be totally honest, I lost it today. Lost my temper, my patience, my peace. It all started when I did not get enough sleep. Big girl needs her sleep! I was woken up to three somewhat sick, sleep deprived, whiney kids who just needed their mom to love on them. I half heartedly did that and with the progression of the morning, certain events made it harder. After breakfast Miller went to plug in the Christmas tree that we had spent several hours on the day before just getting the lights up, only to realize that only the bottom strand was working. It was just all too much for me today. I dropped them off at school and it hit me like a ton of bricks. "You need to apologize to your kids and ask for them to forgive you," I heard in my head.

What an awesome time it was for them to see Mommy humbled and not perfect. I am not a perfect mom. I try really hard to be. Sometimes I think I beat myself up to be perfect to them. To be just like Jesus to them. I am not Jesus. I will never be perfect like Jesus. If I was their Jesus, then why would they need the real Jesus. Really my job is to teach them about Jesus and tell them what he has done. To help them realize that they are not perfect and they need a savior, just like Mommy. What better way to teach them, than to see imperfection and repentance in action.

I think my calendar idea may be a little too much for them this year. They are more concerned about the chocolate and less concerned with sitting still for me to teach them. But I'm starting a tradition and planting seeds in their little hearts.

Today, however, I think they will remember. We had a long talk in the car about Peace. Jesus is our Peace. I showed them (in toddler terms) in a real life situation that Mommy needs the Peace of Jesus. How do we receive His Peace? Peter tells us that through our Knowledge of Jesus we will have abundance of Peace. As we study about Him, know Him, have deeper relationship with Him, the Bible promises we will have peace that surpasses our understanding. So when crazy or hard times come, and they will come, our hearts and minds (therefore our mouths too) will be guarded with PEACE.

Peace be with you!

The great Shepherd of the sheep

2011-12-06T07:01:00.001-08:00

"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want." (Psalms 23:1)

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." (John 10:11)

"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me." (John 10:14)

"May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep." (Hebrews 13:20)

"For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and overseer of your souls." (1 Peter 2:25)

" And when the chief shepherd comes, your reward will be a never-ending share in his glory and honor." (1 Peter 5:4)

"For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." (Revelation 7:17)

The Vine

2011-12-05T18:41:00.000-08:00

"Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5

The Lamb of God

2011-12-04T11:20:00.000-08:00

"The next day John saw Jesus coming unto him and said, Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." John 1:29

"Under the old covenant the priest stands before the alter day after day, offering sacrifices that can never take away sins." (Hebrew 10:11) This act, sacrificing a lamb, simply covered their sin but never cleansed them. In fact they did this ritual continually in order to cleanse their bodies but never their spirit (Hebrews 9:13). " According to the law of Moses, nearly everything had to be purified by sprinkling with blood. Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin. (Hebrews 9:22)

God knew we needed a once and for all sacrifice. Not just a cleansing of our flesh but of our soul and spirit forever. So he sent Jesus to be our once and for all "Lamb." "Once for all time he took blood into the Most Holy Place, but not the blood of goats and calves. He took his own blood, and with it secured our salvation forever." Hebrews 9:12

"But this Man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, He sat down at the right hand of God."(Hebrews 10:12) Notice Jesus SAT DOWN! Signifying that His work was finished FOREVER! The Jewish priest never sat down. They offered sacrifices repeatedly and their work was never finished. At the cross, Jesus, offered one sacrifice for sins forever!

So because of the precious blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God, we can "boldly enter heavens Most Holy place" and know that He will "never again remember their sins and lawless deeds." (Hebrew 10)

Only Begotten Son

2011-12-02T13:34:00.000-08:00

Today when I picked Miller up from school, this title of Jesus jumped off the page at me as I read his monthly memory verse. John 3:16, we all know it, says "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life."

I remember that verse was the first scripture that I memorized. I never really thought to much about the phrase "only begotten Son" until today. What does it mean anyway? Monogenes is the Greek word for "only begotten." It means "pertaining to the only of its kind, unique in kind." Jesus was unique in that he was conceived by the Holy spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He was the ONLY in that he was God, the creator manifest in the flesh.

"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we behold his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14

"No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the father, he hath declared him." John 1:18

"He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God" (John 3:18).

"God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him" (I John 4:9).

Mediator

2011-12-02T04:11:00.000-08:00

"For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and people. He is the man Christ Jesus." 1 Timothy 2:5

"But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is a mediator of a better covenant which was established upon better promises." Hebrew 8:6

"That is why he is the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from penalty of the sins they committed under the first covenant." Hebrews 9:15

"You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which graciously forgives instead of crying out for vengeance as the blood of Abel did." Hebrews 12:24

Jesus rose from the dead and sits at Gods right hand and is our mediator. He Bridges the gap between us and God for all time. We can have uninhibited fellowship with Him because of Jesus. God no longer looks at the blood of bulls and goats (old covenant) but looks through Jesus to see us. Because Jesus was obedient to death on the cross, when God looks at us he sees the cleansing blood of Jesus. He no longer sees our sin, but sees the perfect spotless lamb and then we are declared righteous in His eyes!

AMEN!!!!

Emmanuel

2011-12-01T04:38:00.000-08:00

Let us not forget as we celebrate this Christmas season that the baby born many years ago was not an ordinary baby. In Matthew chapter 1, he records this baby was the ultimate fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy of Immanuel, which means "God is with us." All the fullness of deity came and lived with us in bodily form.

"For in Christ the fullness of God lives in a human body, and you are complete through your union with Christ. He is the Lord over every ruler and authority in the universe." Colossians 2:9

"Christ is the visible imagine of the invisible God. He existed before God made anything at all and is supreme over all creation." Colossians 1:15

"For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and by him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of his blood on the cross." Colossians 1:19

While Santa is fun, we do not want to whisk through this season and forget who's birthday we are celebrating. Jesus! Our "Immanuel!" In our home to help us worship him each day we are doing our Christmas calendar different. Everyday the kids pull out a piece of candy (of course) and we learn or study a title or characteristic of Jesus.

My honest attempt is going to be to share them on the blog each day. However I do realize that it would mean that I must blog everyday for 25 days. I'm going to give it my best effort so that we can share what we are learning with you.

Our kids last night went to see Santa and "put in their order." Tucker went right up to him and immediately told him " I Tucker, I two. I want remote control speed boat, a gun to shoot deers at my Big farm, and ummmm." With that Miller was already in his lap "putting in his order." " I want an astronaut costume, a race track, and since my remote control helicopter still works I want a fishing rod." Santa was stunned I think. I was in the background trying to get Mallie to come see him. Her response "NO NO NO NO NO NO!" On repeat! It was a good visit and the kids really were in awe.

Pumpkin, Pumpkin Happy Pumpkin!

2011-11-08T18:37:00.000-08:00

Too big!

2011-10-30T11:31:00.000-07:00

So I ordered this big boy collared shirt in a 5T knowing that he would not wear it until next year. Until now Miller has not really noticed nor cared what he wore. This morning as we were getting ready for church he asked me if he could pick out his clothes. Knowing what he has in his closet, I agreed. Well he immediately went for this shirt! He was so excited! With a proud grin on his face he ran to show Daddy. "Daddy, Look at my shirt!" It was as if he knew he looked more like Daddy and less like a little boy. I then heard his footsteps run to the kitchen. With all the chaos of trying to get Tucker dressed while he was jumping off and on the bed repeatedly, him screaming because Mallie kicked him in the head and cleaning a poopy mess I forgot about Miller.

Until he returned to his bedroom with my head phones and said "Hey MOM! Will you put these ear plugs in my ears, I need to listen to music on my iphone!" What??? Really? Did that really just come out of his mouth! A. He has never listened to music on my iphone. B. He has never put the "ear plugs" in his ears! Is he really a big boy already!?!? Oh and I did not tell him to strike this pose. That was on his own!

We have a visitor

2011-10-28T19:07:00.001-07:00

We have a new visitor at our house this week. Miller is the camper of the week next week at school and Buster, the Bear, is here for the week to experience the Wilson household. Miller was so excited today that Buster was coming home with us. Buster has an exciting week ahead of him.

Buster and Miller kicked off their week by dressing up in their superman and super bear costumes to go to the fall festival at Church. Buster got to ride in Miller's back pack. They played games, ate candy, and rode some carnival rides. After a night full of fun, Miller and Buster were tired.

Then it was off to bed. Miller was so kind to let Buster snuggle with one "show" while Miller snuggled the other..........................................

Where are the Wilson's??

2011-10-23T20:08:00.000-07:00

" Here we are and we have been missin' you!"

Well actually if I am honest, not really. Since our last post we have just been busy. A good busy. I have had the blog hanging over my head as something "I've needed to do" (mainly because it is my scrapbook) but just have not had time to. So here I am trying to play catch up in a single post.

We have been playing soccer. I say "we" because literally everybody but me, either is or think they are playing. Miller REALLY is playing. Dad REALLY is the coach. Tucker DID end up getting soccer cleats (thanks Sissy) and a soccer jersey (thanks DiDi). He practices with the team and runs on the field a lot so he thinks he is playing. And Mallie just escapes out of my reach and sight so much that she runs on the field all the time!

Miller is playing well. He has scored 4 goals this year. I have not been fortunate enough to get them all on video like I did the first one. This has not been a winning season for the blue dinosaurs. And it is NOT because of the coaching :) or the fact that these little boys and girls play their hearts out.......................................

It is simply because they are sooooo little (just four years old-minus Peyton on the end who is five) playing a lot of 6 year olds in first grade. Their oponents TOWER over them! (Do you notice the honorary teammate in the TEAM picture). But we are having fun anyways and they really don't realize yet how bad they are getting clobbered.:)

Trent's fifth year of training (and last year might I add) has been fabulous. He has had a lot more flexability and free time. We have enjoyed it. Enjoyed being together as a family. Enjoyed each other as a couple. In fact Trent has enjoyed it so much that he has joined me in taking up something that in the past he has LOATHED! Running. Trent and I have decided to run in our free time and together train for a race. We will either run the rock and roll nashville half or full marathon in April. Stay tuned; it has been interesting so far.

The weather has been fabulous. Besides the week that the throw-up bug violently stormed through our house, there have been very few moments this fall that we have been indoors.

In fact, today we spent our day in Clanton, AL at the Grand Ole Pumpkin patch. Beautiful blue skies, cool breeze, happy, active kids, family time. Well it doesn't get much better than that.......

The kids enjoyed inflatables for kids over two......................................

but you can't tell this baby girl she can't do what the big boys are doing......................

The boys really enjoyed petting and feeding the animals.

Mallie enjoyed them from a distance but once they came in her territory she turned up her nose and was all offended! (this face!)

All my kids love some junk food (who buys it for them?- Daddy!)

Mallie and I enjoyed watching the boys ride the ponies.

We got to experience a little taste of Toas with an Indian tribal dance and Tee-pees.

Then off on our quest for the perfect pumkin.

Sissy definately found the prettiest and biggest ;) (I love this picture).

And what day isn't made more perfect with a visit from the grandparents. Sorry Sissy and Big for the mess-up! I'm thankful y'all love me no matter what!!

On another note..............I am going to try to be better about blogging. This stage is really so much fun. Miller's age is AWESOME! Fantastic Fours. I love it. Tucker is just out of the terrible two's and is saying and doing the cutest things. He is approaching the Terrific Three's. And Mallie has just several more months before she enters the terrible two's. So we are embracing it.

Miller's 1st Soccer Game

2011-09-13T18:31:00.000-07:00

Final Score: 2-2. The Under 6 Homewood "Blue Dinosaurs" gave the "Red Alligators" a run for their money. What you don't know is that our team was made up of 4 and 5 year olds that had never played soccer before. The other team was made up of seasoned 6 year old vets. Not a fair match-up you might believe? The Blue Dinosaurs beg to differ! We hung in there throughout. We didn't always know which goal was ours or understand that you can't pick up the ball, but that didn't curb our enthusiasm!

Miller has been ready for this game for over a week now. Our first game was supposed to be last week but got rained out. He's had his soccer gear sitting out on his chest in his room since then. Early this morning, he got up, put on his shin guards, soccer socks and cleats and was ready to go. Tucker of course wanted his too, so mom cleverly deceived him into thinking that these water shoes were cleats!

Here's Mills in his get up. Obviously Mommy is a little naive when it comes to soccer gear. The socks go over the shin guards Mom, not under! That's ok though. She's learning.

Here's Tucker in his soccer socks and water shoes, I mean, cleats.

Well, finally, the game was upon us. Coach Wilson got his players warmed up with some sprints, jumping jacks, stretches and soccer drills. They were ready to go. The warm-up was so inspiring that even Tucker (who wasn't playing) wanted to participate!

Miller enjoyed the game but also loved hanging with his buds. Here he is with Sawyer.

Tucker and Batch had a blast too! They played their own soccer game all night!

And Mallie, well, as usual, found someone with food and hung around them all evening. This poor boy thought he had a friend in Mallie......little did he know that she's was just playing him for some chips!

No season can begin right without a good pep talk. Be careful watching this video. . . . . .it may inspire you to do something great.

And for the highlight of the night, in the thrilling 2-2 tie, Miller Wilson scored the tying goal in the second half to keep the Blue Dinosaurs in it. It was an amazing break away from out of the pack and a drive all the way down-field, ending as he punched it into the bottom left corner of the net. Well placed, son. . . . .well placed.

Here is his beaming grin after scoring this first ever goal. He was so happy and Mommy and I were so very proud of him!

Beach 2011

2011-09-09T09:16:00.001-07:00

A couple of weeks ago we spent the week down at Didi and Den's beach place. Didi and Den came with us for the week and Daddy joined us on the weekend. The kids really had loads of fun swimming, crabbing, playing raquet ball, water sliding, boat watching and more. Everyone was worn out at the end of the week. I was bound and determined this trip to get a picture of them on the beach together. I took literally over 100 pictures (thank goodness for digital) and only ONE was decent. A comedy show was provided for everyone that was watching as Didi and Den acted goofy, running around like animals and so forth to try to get them all to look at me and smile. Despite thier GREAT efforts and some bribery with gummy bears, I did not get a picture that I just LOVED. Oh well.Can you imagine that this sweet precious face could ever do anything wrong? He did provide me with some extra frustration as he took his terrible two's to new heights :) There was really no middle ground. It was either cute, adorable, eat him up with a spoon or ummm, well to say it nicely. . . . . .challenging.

He loved building sand castles and smashing them down. However the salt water and sand mixture did not go over well with him. Once he got wet from the ocean he was ready to go to the pool. He LOVED the pool. I can't believe how great he can swim at two and a half. NO FEAR. He loves to take his life jacket off, run and jump into the pool. I then can give him a push toward the steps and he would swim by himself.

In fact, they all loved the pool. Miller has made HUGE strides in his swimming this summer. Now he can swim half the distance of the pool and can really hold his breath a long time. I taught him how to dive for dive sticks and he was loving the challenge. Mallie loved to splash around in both pools.

in this lovely yellow tube when she wasnt perusing the pool bags for food. She first hit up mine and then once she emptied my food bag she knew which ladies had food in their bags. She would approach then with this sheepish little grin and they would give in every time. Mallie ate more food on this trip! Her favorites were fish and shrimp.

Much to my surprise Mallie did not really care about the sand. It did not phase her a bit. She could have it all over her (including in her mouth) and she kept on going. She loved the baby pool on the beach but also loved the waves from the ocean splashing on her.

Miller however was the only one that wanted to go all the way into the ocean. I was so thankful Den was there because if I am honest I don't really LOVE going into water where I can't CLEARLY see what is below me.

When Daddy got there the boys love to go to the jetties and watch the boats come in and out of the bay. Pure entertainment for hours for these boys.

I think this picture started out sweet and ended in a good choke hold and a few tears. Love those boys!

Mallie on the other hand wanted to climb on the rocks and play in the sand.

First Day of School

2011-09-08T18:43:00.001-07:00

I'm not going to give any excuses as to why I have been on a blog hiatus, but I have. We have been on the go since Daddy's birthday and I am about ten blogs behind. So I think I am just going to go back in time starting with yesterday..............................................

We have been preparing the kids for quite sometime now that school is getting ready to start! Everybody needed to hear it. Miller was going to be changing schools, Tucker would be going to preschool for the very first time, and then Mallie had no clue, but she was going to start MDO (for MOMMY!) All of them at Covenant Day School. Everyone was excited! Tucker probably was the most excited about using his new "wunch box to see my fwiends." Miller was thrilled to be going to the same school as Madi and Olivia, our neighbors, and Mallie well she just squeals and is excited by nature. Our power has been out since Monday so nothing was ironed, their hair was a mess, and there school bags packed by candlelight but ,hey, we were ready on time.
I tried to get a group picture, but once Mallie was let outside she was off and not close for a picture. Then all of a sudden she ran to the car to strike her pose too!

This was my attempt to get a good one of all three of them.
The excitement escalated when we got to Covenant because Daddy surprised us by meeting us their to take everyone to class on their first day of school.

I really do just love the smocked clothes. I am by no means attached and there is nothing wrong with other clothes, these are just my preference. I knew the day would come that Miller would eventually grow out of them and some think I have pushed it far enough. Well he hasn't notice nor has he really cared until today. He must have noticed the other boys in his class because when he got home he said "Mom I want to change my clothes and put on something handsome. Like you know, what Daddy wears." Well I did quickly change the subject and he dropped it. We will see how much longer........................

Mallie was dropped off first. To Mrs. Ronielle and Mrs. Kelli, her teachers. As you can tell in the picture she did not know what was going on and then well......................................her teachers told me she pretty much cried the entire time. :(

Next was Tucker. He saw his classroom and ran into it to play with the toys. I made him stop for a picture with his teachers, Mrs. Asha and Mrs. Amy. After that he took off and never looked back for me to tell him good-bye. I really anticipated a great day for him. When I picked him up he immediately started crying and they said that he cried off and on all day. When I asked him " How was your day!" Tucker's response was "I want you Mommy, I bow my head and close my eyes and go boo-hoo!" (as he made a crying face). I couldn't help but laugh. I looked like a crazy woman carrying both down the hall way along with their school bags and lunch boxes crying................................

Lastly we dropped off Miller. He loves going to school so I knew his departure would be relatively easy. However we got to the door and this precious little girl was kicking and screaming while someone was trying to hold her down. Miller immediately turned around, looked at me and said "Mommy this is not my classroom. They are not having fun in there. I think I need to go to another classroom!" About that time his teacher Mrs. Christy came to the rescue. Mrs. Christy and Mrs. Melanie are his teachers and they are wonderful. He went right on in and had a fabulous day. When I picked him up he could not stop talking about all they did and the songs they sang.
While my little munchkins were getting educated I had for the first time, since I have had Miller and without paying a babysitter or having our families help me, FOUR HOURS OF FREE TIME! It was GLOOORIOUS! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE being with my kids but everyone needs a little ME time every now and then. I went running, visited the dentist, had lunch with some girl friends and went to Costco all by myself. I did miss them but picked them up refreshed and rejuvenated. More blogs to come....................................

Happy Birthday Daddy!

2011-08-11T06:49:00.000-07:00

It all started this morning when Miller woke up and said "I want to make Daddy a sign to make his heart feel good today!" So off we went to get some poster paper and birthday cake

Trent's favorite is cookie cake. It did look fabulous and I should have known not to leave it in arms reach but as usual I did not think about it. After our sign making session I went to the back to fold some clothes. I hear "Mommy! Buddy wike Daddy Birfday cake!" I ran into the kitchen to find that Tuck had gotten the cake off the counter and had it on the floor and he and Buddy were licking the icing. As you can see from the picture, not Bad, just minor damage.

Mallie was still asleep. I got in the shower and when I get out I walked into the kitchen to check on things and I find once again Tuck had gotten the cake down and was licking the icing. A little more damage this time.
Oh well. He really enjoyed it and could not deny that he was into the cake.
"Ma Ma Ma Mommy Tucker wike dat birfday cake."

The finished product. Miller is so thrilled about surprising his Daddy and was so proud of the sign he really work hard at perfecting and got frustrated when Tuck was not doing what he had in mind it was supposed to look like.

Daddy was surprised..............................................................................................................
Trent got to pick the dinner choice. Sushi and Habatchi. Yum Yum.

The kids were entertained and loved it.

The birthday night was sealed with a kiss........................
not one, but two.........................................
What blessed kids to have an amazing Daddy like Trent. Happy Birthday!

Rafting with birthday girl!

2011-07-30T06:37:00.000-07:00

A couple of weekends ago we spent the weekend in TN with the 30th Birthday girl! It was so much fun and relaxing since the eight kids between us were staying with grandparents.

We did get a little wild and crazy when the birthday girl lead everyone in a Wii dance off until the wee hours of the morning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You go girl!!!!!!

But the winner was.........................................

Allen!! It is not surprising with this exceptional form that he hit every move just perfect and scored the most points!!! Congrats!!!

REST

2011-07-22T04:19:00.001-07:00

In Acts 13 Saul(Paul) and Barnabas go on their first "mission trip" to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. I love at the end of his sermon he says with exclamation: "Brothers, Listen! In this man Jesus there is forgiveness of sins. Everyone who believes in him is freed from all guilt and declared right with God-something the jewish law could never do."

Live in forgiveness today. Be free from guilt. Quit working to win God's favor. You are already made right with him because of what Jesus did! REST in that today and forever! Thank you Jesus!

Happy Friday!

Freedom

2011-07-17T18:27:00.001-07:00

There is something about the wide open spaces of the country land that makes me want to scream "freedom!"

Freedom to let my children run, search and explore without watching their every move.

Freedom to let them pile on a golf cart and ride off without me on it.

Freedom to love on the great grandparents that we wish we could see more.

Freedom to love on my nephew without my own children around.

Freedom to walk along side your children without feeling the need to constantly hold their hand

Freedom to let Mallie love on dirty wet dogs :)

Freedom to jump,

play in the mud,

go topless, :)

and freedom to allow Miller to drive a car for his "first date night!"

And even if Big has to cram six children in this tractor,

or pull the golf cart out of the mud

at the end of the day we played hard and all feel a sense of freedom.

"sa-wip n swide"

2011-07-14T11:39:00.001-07:00

"Wets sa-wip n swide!" Tucker said as he woke up this morning. I told them last night that we could go get one after breakfast and they held me to it!

"On Mark. Set. Go!"

Tucker of course had to wear his goggles too. They are an awful fit but he keeps them on.

They were entertained for hours!!

Then the princess woke from her beauty sleep, splashed around a little bit to get used to the chilly water.

Then she gave the slip n slide a try.

But it was much too tiring................................ so she got some rest and sun rays.

Then she was off to explore all the neighbors yards, forcing Mommy to chase after her.:)Meanwhile these two brothers had a blast and I had to drag them off, even 10 minutes after I turned off the water, to eat lunch!

Happy 4th!

2011-07-07T18:34:00.000-07:00

We spent the fourth of July at Lake Martin with the Aman family.

These three boys LOVED being together!

Wilson enjoyed playing in the pools, fishing, golf cart riding,
tubing
making silly faces

and swimming!

Mallie enjoyed doing anything she was NOT supposed to be doing and going anywhere she was NOT supposed to be going! That is her stage now. She is BUSY BUSY BUSY! It is a good thing her Aunties love her because one night she wondered into their bathroom and put all their toiletries in the TOILET! Baby GIRL!

This bathing beauty did swim with her Daddy for a few minutes.

otherwise she was busy strutting her stuff in her swim suit but not wanting to touch the water.

There are a couple of things wrong with this picture: A. Mallie is holding the fireworks in her hands. B. Mallie is telling everyone what they need to do "DO DO DO DO!" C. They are listening (except Tuck!) After this picture Tuck was so worn out he started walking toward the lake house. Big said "Tucker. Where are you going?" "Um Tucker is tired. Tucker is going to take a nap."

I have finally gotten Mallie to down to taking just one nap, which is so much easier on us, but she gets exhausted around lunch time.

Miller and Tucker enjoyed riding the tube with Daddy. Miller actually rode it by his big boy self and proceeded to hold his little thumb up in the air numerous times for Big to "GO FASTER"

He has been taken swim lessons and has made great improvements in a week. By the end of the weekend he was jumping off the diving board by his self and swimming to the ladder.

His four year old self is sometimes too cool for pictures.

First ever pony ride

This was the first year that he (really any of them) enjoyed the fireworks. The sparklers were a hit and a good warm up for the BIG ones (that were not too loud). Miller was so proud that they did not hurt his ears this year.
Despite the look on his face, Tucker enjoyed the fireworks too. He was beyond worn out each day. He is enjoying swimming and has gained some independence as he will swim all by himself with his puddle jumper on.

Uncle Doug took the boys fishing one morning.

Tucker really just wants to do everything Miller is doing. If Miller swims without a life jacket, so does Tucker. Miller wears big boy underwear, so does Tucker (over his diaper;). You get the point?

He loves golf cart rides with his Big.

He was pretty proud of himself for riding the pony by himself. I loved what he told Big. "Hey Big! Tucker need my cowboy hat!"

8 Years

2011-06-15T13:03:00.000-07:00

Happy Anniversary to my best friend!

It has been a beautiful ride! A journey that I would not want to take with anyone else. We have been through our share of bumps and pot holes but God has seen us through and protected us. To God be the glory that our marriage is better than it has ever been. We have worked on it daily and prayed for it continually and He has blessed it. 8 short years of marriage and three precious children!

My children (and my husband) hardly ever see me dressed up. That is just not my stage of life right now. However Bets came to keep the kids so we could go and enjoy a night out. I thought I might dress up. I never want to forget when I walked out all dress up my little Tucker in his enthusiastic studdering voice said "Mommy, y-y-y-y-you be pretty!" Oh it was so sweet!

Super-hero!

2011-06-15T12:40:00.000-07:00

Can't believe we have a FOUR YEAR OLD!! Miller turned four on the 13th. He was so excited ! Much to his surprise though, he has not been able to do EVERYTHING that he thought he would be able to do "when he turned four!" Ever since Christmas it seems as though he has said non stop "When I turn four I will do this and When I turn four I can do that."

He is probably a typical first child! He is VERY particular about things. He eats his food one at a time and doesn't want the food touching. His shoes need to stay clean and dry. He doesn't like his hands dirty or wet. If his clothes get wet he immediatly wants to change them. He has learned my role well and loves to "mother" Mallie and Tucker. He has quite the imagination. He loves to pretend play. Mostly roles that Daddy does. Sometimes I am amazed at the questions he ask and the depth of our conversations. His mind is sharp. He can remember things from when he was two that I don't even remember. Thank goodness I have him to remind me of daily things like "Mom you forgot to buckle me in!" or "Mom remember we parked in B8." :) He, like most boys, LOVES to be outside playing. His favorite sport right now is baseball and he can't wait to play. He is a lover. He frequently gives hugs and kisses and wants to receive them to. He could snuggle for hours. Every now and then he can be stubborn but for the most part he loves to people please. He wants to obey Mommy and Daddy and he wants to do the right thing. Bless his heart, he tells the truth even when he knows it will get him in trouble. I pray these things never change. He thrives off words of affirmation like "you are awesome" "your are doing such a great job" "you are such a sweet boy!" I love how he gets so excited about the little things. He loves life and brings so much joy to our life. Such a precious angel!!!

He woke up early on his birthday eager to have his birthday breakfast cinnamon roll and open his present. We gave him a razor and he loved it!

At his halloween school party last year one of the kids in his class dressed up like Batman. Ever since then he wanted to have a Batman party "when he turned four." (In fact he has his parties planned until he is 7). I had never seen any of the super hero cartoons but was not too eager to let him watch them. (He still hasn't seen them). I did however talk him into a super hero party and he, Tucker and Daddy dressed up like super man.

Miller and his close friends swang,

jumped.......................................................................

and climbed at Premier Gymnastics!

Tucker and Mallie especially had fun since they normally have to sit in the waiting room and watch Miller do Gymnastics. But this time they got to free play too!

Even super Sissy showed up!

Then it was cake time and present opening time!

I would like to think that what we gave him was his favorite, but if I am honest, his two favorite birthday presents were hands-down his remote control helicopter from Didi and Den and his soccer shoes, shin gaurds, and ball from Sissy and Big!

Happy Birthday Mils! We love you!

Pictureless beach trip

2011-06-11T12:08:00.001-07:00

I had every intention to take fabulous pictures of the kids at the beach this past week. Instead I found that I never took the camera out of the case. I actually let it slip my mind that I even had the camera until I had a moment alone on the beach during their naps on Wednesday. I did not have my camera but my phone took this lovely picture. I sent it to Trent ,who was at home working, with the caption "Ahhh FINALLY!!" This is heaven on earth for me!
Sissy and I took the kids down to Gulf Shores to Didi and Den's beach place last week. They had a blast. Miller was a fish. He recently took swim lessons (still have a ways to go, but improving) and we could not keep him out of the ocean or pool. Tucker enjoyed the pool alot but could have done without the waves in the ocean or the sand scratching his wet legs and feet. Mallie was just a handful. She was all over the place. Actually she was everywhere that I did not want her to be. She could have cared less about the pool or beach she just wanted to explore all around the condo. I promise it was fun. Just BUSY.

We played with The McClellan family down there. Bryce and the boys had a blast. Mallie and Avery aren't really at the stage to play together yet but they will get there. We went to the track one night and I captured this picture with my phone. The kids giggled and grinned from ear to ear on every ride!

These pictures are terrible, I know. While they were confined and I was seated I finally got a picture. In the car, on the way home! They were exhausted! So tired that Mallie and Miller were awake the last hour but Tucker tried so hard to wake up but his little eyes just would not let him. Every now and then he would squint his eyes to see if he was missing anything and then without a muscle movement he was back in a coma. Miller got a new booster seat that he is most proud of. However it is horrible for napping!!

Sissy came to the rescue however and concocted this contraption that worked pretty well.

But with one stop at a red light his head was a flopping again so she added a little extra support.

I realize it looks as though he can't breathe....................................but he can! Through all the head flopping and head propping, he stayed asleep.

Since I did not get any pictures of them playing in the sand and water or those precious pictures of their tan little bodies in all white on the beach, I guess we will just have to go back!:)

Thanks Didi and Den!

Superman!

2011-06-04T19:10:00.000-07:00

"Superman to the rescue!" I have heard this phrase over and over as they fly through the "air" around my house. Superman and his "mini-me" are ready for June 11 to celebrate his 4th birthday at a superhero birthday party.

Memorial Day Fun

2011-06-03T14:40:00.000-07:00

Birthday party

2011-05-22T18:32:00.000-07:00

Baby girl woke up bright eyed and bushy tailed, anxiously awaiting her guest to arrive at the Lake for a family birthday party.I came from behind her this time with her party hat,

and she wore it for just a little while and then wanted it off!

So Uncle Frank took one for the team and wore it for her.
We sang Happy Birthday (but not without some cha-cha-cha fried chicken from Madi and Miller) then she dug into her cake without hesitation!

It was a little too crazy to open all her presents so she just got the one from us, a baby stroller (that was mine when I was a little girl.)

Miller and Tucker however enjoyed it probably more than she did.
After cake and ice cream

she had to get a little love from the grandparents.

she thought she was going to make the boat trip, but it was much too sunny and she hates the life jacket.

So she cuddled with Den and then she was down for a nap.

Miller and Tucker were most excited about our neighbors coming to celebrate .

They swam and tubed the rest of the afternoonIt wore everybody out!!!!!

After a quick trip to Auburn for a wedding and some fishing

we came home to open Mallie's birthday presents.
She however was not interested in the "girly stuff." After a second of holding the purse she threw it down and headed for the playroom to find her planes, trains and cars.
Tucker and Miller enjoyed feeding
and burping the babiesas well as playing in her new dollhouse!
I think the play got a little to realistic! They were exhausted and ready for a good night sleep!!!

Happy Birthday Mallie!!!

Happy Birthday Mallie

2011-05-17T07:21:00.000-07:00

One year ago today, I had been up all night long timing contractions. I remember vividly waking Trent up around midnight with a big shake saying "Trent I think we may need to go to the hospital, my contractions are about 6 minutes apart." "OK , wake me up when they are 3-5 minutes apart." And then back to snoring he went. Really??? Well, sunrise came and they had slowed to about every ten or so minutes apart. I called my mom as soon as I thought she might be awake telling her " I think we are going to have a baby today!" I got dressed, fixed the boys breakfast and took Miller to school. It was Miller's last day of school and I was bound and determined to make it to his end of the year party. Tucker and I returned home and the contractions started again and my back was KILLING me! They were about every 6 minutes apart but my back was hurting so bad that I called the Doctor. This is what he said "Come on in, I think we are going to have a baby today!" AHHH, today?! We were not quite prepared. Mom was there by now to stay with Tucker, so I DROVE myself to the hospital, checked in and then gave my husband the ole "911" page. That means....... "drop what you are doing and call me NOW!" My phone rang immediately. "I'm in labor and I'm driving myself to the hospital!" It seemed like only moments later out popped our surprise little GIRL!!!!!! Not, Walker Bailey like we thought but Mallory Claire Wilson "Mallie"
You gotta love the fact that I am willing to post a picture with all of my five chins!

One big happy family of five!!!! (I look drugged, Tucker is screaming, Miller is loving on Mallie so much he might be about to choke her, Mallie is hungry and Daddy is trying to hold the smile long enough to take the picture.) " Welcome to your new normal!", my mother so kindly says.

And then there is our sweet little precious angel............

Let me just say that I was fully prepared and really excited about having three boys (so I thought). It bothers me a little when people say"oh aren't you soooo glad you FINALLY got your girl?" as if we were going to keep making babies until we had a girl. I love having little boys and was perfectly content and excited about having all boys. Truthfully I was really taken back when Dr. Banks held her up for us to see "It's a Girl!" But let me also go on record and say that I would not change it for the world and I LOVE HAVING A GIRL. She's our little angel and she's got Trent and me wrapped around her little finger. She's so smiley, so content, so flirty and so precious that she just brightens up our life in so many ways. Now, we don't know what we'd do without her! It's going to be so much fun doing the "girl thing" with her, but don't be fooled by her beauty and charm. . . . she's gonna give those brothers of her's a run for their money!

She is obsessed with this car. If the side door opens to go outside she goes as fast as her little legs will take her to this car and screams if either of the boys get near it.

]

I also have put her in the "jumpy thing" and she laughs and tries to jump for hours. Don't let the fact that she is just 1 and tiny make you think she can't run, jump, climb just like the boys can. She manages to keep up with them pretty well and it wears Mommy out.

I personally enjoy wrestling an alligator every time I try to get her dressed (ughh) but Trent had the ingenious idea of putting her in head lock so she can't move :)

She woke up this morning to us singing happy birthday. We had our traditional birthday breakfast, cinnamon rolls with a candle. It was the first time she has had sweets (I think-umm well maybe not, she is the third child!)

"Hey Mommy please take this hat off me."
"Take this hat off me right NOW!!!!!

"Umm ok, nevermind this cinnamon roll makes it all better."

After we have our first birthday breakfast it is off to learn how to brush those little toofers and get that sugar off.

It was a busy morning so she decided to retire in the hallway with her blanket and thumb in mouth for her morning nap!

She got to ride in her big girl car seat today! She was so proud for a second and then I think she wanted back in her old car seat because she could see the boys better!

This picture is simply for my Dad! (he says I'm obsessed with naked pictures of my babies;) and maybe I am)

We are MOVING..........................

2011-05-02T19:03:00.000-07:00

Here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is Taos, NM! Yep, that is right. NEW MEXICO! I had never heard of such a place until Trent started his second year of residency. And truthfully I felt sorry at first for the first family that went there. Never in a million years would I EVER think that I (with my home body self) could ever get excited about moving cross country away from my family, friends and all my comforts, but we truly are excited. Trent matched in the sports medicine fellowhip program in Taos and will train out there for a year. We will pack our bags and head out west in the summer of 2012. "This is going to be the best year of your life!" This phrase keeps ringing in our ears as this is all we hear from the residents that have gone before us. So bring it on!
It is a ski town and we will live about 15 minutes from the slopes so you better believe that we will be there as many days as we can. Hopefully the kids will learn to ski and enjoy it as much as we do. We welcome any and all to come and visit!!! I don't know much about Taos (YET) except that it is the home of Julia Roberts. In this small town of about 6000 surely we are destined to become best friends. I am sure she is going to love hanging out with me and my kids. I'm hoping we can join a play group:).

If the rental property works out like we plan, this will be our view from our kitchen window.
I think I can look at that for a year. What about you???

BTW: I'm way behind in my blogging for many reasons... Most important reason is my camera card is messed up and I may have lost my recent pics. Hopefully not but once I get it fixed I will try to get caught up:(

11 months and walking

2011-04-17T18:34:00.000-07:00

And she is off.......................................... Just two days ago, she took her first couple of steps on her own and she is taking more and more every day. Crawling is still her primary mode of transportation. She stays just one step behind the boys. Baby girl is going to make sure she doesn't miss out on anything. She got her first bust lip today learning how to walk.:(I started a couple of days ago introducing her to whole milk in a sippy cup, thinking it might take her several weeks to get used to it and hoping to give me a chance to hold on to the nursing just a little bit longer. NOPE, she sucked down the first cup I gave her. She hasnt looked back. Now when I get the boys cups out she grunts and holds her little hands up like "where is mine." I thought the weaning process would be hard on both of us :)but she is ready to move on, and now I just have to get myself there.

She goobles down some table food. I mean like NO BABY FOOD WHATSOEVER! She eats twice as fast as the boys and probably twice as much. She eats what we eat. EVERYTHING! Salmon, hamburgers, salad, pizza, casseroles, any fruit, most any vegtable, pretty much anything! Her favorite food: purina one lamb and rice dog food! I just can't seem to put it down for Buddy to eat it and get it back off the floor fast enough. She usually has atleast one serving a day. I know it is AWFUL!!She is into everything. I clean up, she pulls out, I clean up, she pulls out, I clean up, she pulls out!! She destroys my house, so fast!! I can't clean up fast enough. She has figured out how to open my kitchen cabinets despite the fact that they have child proof locks on them! I think it is time for some new ones. The boys tried once or twice when they were little and then gave up, but Mallie has been persistent until she figured it out. All those pots and pans are about to be on the floor.She loves her brothers. She cracks up laughing at them. I think it is so funny how she wants to do just want they are doing. And she NOTICES! I think at times I can pull a fast one on her but she already notices. Yes this is my 11 month old standing up at the picnic table eating her dinner. I did make her sit in her high chair most of the meal:) You can't really tell in the picture but I am holding on to her arm!!! She loves to play peek-a-boo. She gets behind something and waits for me to say "where is Mallie?" then she pops out with this big little grin! And we repeat this over and over. Oh and our cute little picture that I take in her chair by the bunny every month is impossible to take right now. I can't get her to sit still long enough for me to grab the camera.:)

Going to the Chapel

2011-04-03T18:38:00.000-07:00

Heather and Payton are about to say " I DO!"

But before they do next weekend, we hosted a Bridesmaid Brunch at my house for her to honor her friends that are so dear to her.

Here they are in no particular order....................................14 of the 17!! ( Kaley, her MOH was on the playground playing!)

After lunch and the bridesmaids gifts, we all wrote on a card a prayer or blessing for Heather and Payton and tied them to a balloon and then released them for God to read! We hope he got the beautiful weather one first;)!!!!!

oops, some got caught in the trees and power lines!!!! With the winds help, God did eventually get them.

Trent took the kids to the zoo but they came back early so that they could see Heather and get there gifts. Of course, in good ole Heather style, they had HUGE lollipops attached to their gifts!!

I can't really put into the right words the blessing Heather has been to my children and to Trent and me. She has been an undeserved blessing and gift from God to us. God delivered her right into our laps almost four years ago and she has had a huge impact on my life as well as my kids life. Thank you Heather for loving my children unconditionally. Thank you for hugging them, kissing on them, cleaning their boo boos, comforting them, wiping their snotty noses and poo-poo bottoms, spoiling them, and playing with them harder than anyone. Thank you for disciplining them when they needed it. Thank you for giving me the freedom to keep up my license and skills in anesthesia. Thank you for helping me in times when I just needed a "me" couple of hours. Thank you for giving Trent and I date nights and Bible study time. Thank you for just being my friend and a listening ear. Thank you for being a godly woman who is led by the Holy spirit. We love you and you mean the world to me. FOREVER!

Pictures from the wedding to come.................................................................................................

Birthday Party

2011-03-20T08:24:00.001-07:00

A surprise visit from Baby Bop and his "cake Barney" made Tucker's 2nd birthday a special day! We celebrated on Saturday with family and neighbors. Tucker was super excited to see Baby Bop until she got close. Baby Bop then broke out into dance with music and all the kids warmed up to her enough to hug her and get their picture made. She was a hit!;)AS people were arriving to our house Tucker looked at me and with exclamation said "People come my birthday!" It was too cute.

Although no one got a greeting better than Bryce. Literally when he walked in Tucker attacked him screaming in his face "BRYCE! BRYCE! BRYCE come my birthday!" He scared Bryce but he was sooooo excited to see him.

Miller helped Tucker open every single present. He thanked people too as if family brought the gifts for both he and Tucker.

There it is, the long awaited "cake Barney" that he has wanted for months!!!!

Happy Birthday Tucker!!!

10 months

2011-03-17T19:36:00.000-07:00

Two words for her stage. BUSY BODY! She makes these boys look easy. She is all over the place. Mallie can make my kitchen go from clean to bomb went off in about 45 seconds. She manages to pull out all the bowls, plates and plastic tupperware out of the cabinet, pull down and tear the recipe books and magazines, and tip over Buddy's food and water bowl all before I can even get breakfast prepared. She amazes me! This supposed to be laid back third child has turned into a fire ball and I LOVE IT! She will have no problems keeping up or hanging with the boys. In fact I can even see her emerging as the ring leader. This baby girl can EAT too. She goes two fisted into every meal. Forget the baby food, she wants the real deal!! I saw her first temper fit thrown yesterday while we were at Railroad park. Baby girl had her first 1/2 cheeseburger and french fries (Miller would have NEVER eaten this at 10 months)! We were done eating, so I grabbed the french fry box from her to throw away. She hurled her arms in air and started screaming as if I had pinched her!!! Give BIG GIRL back her fries!!!!! Mallie hardly ever her gets upset, but take her food away and that is a different story. I can't even write down all that I have dug out of her mouth in her short little life. I WILL remember and they are AWFUL!

She has the sweetest angel like grin that generously is flashed to anyone that talks to her. My favorite time with her is right before naps or bedtime, thumb goes into mouth and her warm little body curls up next to mine. Oh I could freeze that time! She now has six teeth-four on top and two on bottom!

I don't care if you are for Auburn or Alabama, that is a cute picture!!!!

Happy 2nd Birthday Tuck!!

2011-03-17T11:37:00.001-07:00

We should have known two years ago, when we found out at 38 weeks that our little Tucker-boo was frank breech and his delivery was going to be completely different than my first, that he would bring life in a different way. And life has not been the same ever since! He is precious! He says the cutest things, has melt your heart eyes, cheeks that make you want to pinch, big juicy kissable lips that he bites all the time, sneaky little hands and feet that sometimes make you laugh but most the time get him in trouble, a determined mind but a teachable heart.

He is obsessed with Auburn. He points it out everywhere we go. Just a couple of months ago he used to tell everyone in the grocery store "EEE-UL hey!" I had to translate "War Eagle hey!" Now that he is two he tells them "Go Auburn, Beat Bama, War Eagle Hey!" All that is in one breath! His morning routine after breakfast is to run to his bedroom pull out his bottom drawer and get one or two jersey's. "My er-zy! put on peeease."

His precious little words are changing into big boy words........ "Na nu" is now "Tank u" "bubba" is now "buddy" "baby" is now "Mallie" "Mur" is now "Miller." Some of my favorites that have not changed yet are "unch"(jump), "loc loc"(chocolate), "no miwax"(no miralax-we got issues), "nug me"(snuggle me) "baseball place, football place", "ma mas"(Thomas), "go der,do dat" "wuv u" "rye-reem" (ice cream) "S" (yes) "pive" (high five) "oooes" (shoes) "isss" (Sissy). The phrases I hear ALL DAY LONG are "watch BARRR-NEY!" "No ma'am Mallie" "Tucker do it," "Hold me" "Tucker poopy diaper, change Mallie room warm wipes!"

One might think that since he tells me when to change his diaper that he would be ready to potty train. NOT EVEN CLOSE. Which is ok with me. I feel like I have just now gotten the hang of taking care of three. I'm not really ready to be thrown a curve ball yet. He does however want to wear underwear just like Miller. So I just put them over his diaper and that does it for him. I can't get either of them to look at the camera AND smile!!
This little look gets me every time. He might do something he knows will get him in trouble. In a stern voice I say "Tucker!" He then looks at me with these sweet little eyes, tilted head, and closed mouth grin. Yep, it gets me right in the heart.

Standing 34 3/4 inches tall and weighing 25.4 lbs has quite the appetite. He will pretty much eat anything that is not on HIS plate. He is a sampler. He wants anything and everything that is on everyone else's plate. It apparently looks and taste better than his does. Like most children, he loves sweets!!!

Like all little boys he loves to be outside helping Daddy with the yard work, playing with balls, swinging,riding his toys, playing with trains and cars.

We started talking in December about his birthday and explaining it to him. I have asked him FOREVER (trying to get an idea for a present) what he wanted for his Birthday and his response was...........................................listen to the video

Thus we are having a family Barney party this weekend. And he is getting his "cake Barney" that he has been wanting and a special visit from someone!!!!!!! Stay tuned to see who it is....................................We love you Tucker-boo!!!!!

5K perseverance run

2011-03-12T11:18:00.001-08:00

This morning we did the 5k/1 mile fun Perseverance run with our neighbors. Miller did his first ever race. He finished the mile in 13.10 minutes with only :( two falls and I only had to carry him just a couple of seconds for him to catch his breath after his falls. He was determined and persevered until the end and I was so proud of him....................................
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off

everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us RUN with perseverance

the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,
who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right
hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that

you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3

Happy 3-0!!!!!

2011-03-07T18:55:00.000-08:00

Happy Big 3-0 Birthday to us!!!! Trent and I just spent last week in Jackson Hole, WY skiing to celebrate our 30th Birthdays! We. Had. An. Amazing. Time. Enjoying each other....................................admiring the beautiful scenery......................................................................................................

good fellowship and friendship.......................................................................................

intense and incredible skiing...............................................................................................

inside jokes and belly hurting laughs (sorry Trent) .................................................................................................

remained free from injury because our expert skier husbands, Trent and Rhett............................................................

thankfully decided to hike to this run but DID NOT GO DOWN..........................................
This was an unforgettable birthday trip. We did leave the kiddos here with the grandparents and thankfully they agreed to keep them so this trip was possible. THANK YOU!!!

9-10 Months

2011-02-17T08:21:00.000-08:00

Dont' let the fact that she weighed in at a whoppin 17.12 make you think she is this laid back tiny little angel. Angel and tiny, yes but laid back, NO! She DOES NOT STOP! Mallie gives these boys a run for their money. She is into everything and a busy body. She is a content and happy girl but laid back, I don't think so. In fact she is getting really hard to photograph because she will not sit still. I figure she will be walking really soon.

She flashes this sweet little grin to everyone she sees. She still has four little (big) chompers (trust me I have felt them chomp down on places I did not want to feel them). She has two more teeth about to pop through up top. She is still nursing four times a day but I have this feeling she won't be hard to wean. She is much to busy to lay and drink milk these days. We skipped the baby food all together. I gave up. She inhales most any table food. She goes two fisted into all her plates.

She is learing to play patty cake and clap. It is cute to see her do it because she is so proud. She babbles a few syllables like ma ma, da da, ba ba.

Wise little three year old

2011-02-13T13:44:00.000-08:00

I was hurrying to get a few things done today for no particular reason other than it was beautiful outside and I wanted to get us outside a soon as possible. Admittedly I was probably being a little short with my children because it was taking me three times as long as it should to clean up after lunch and fold the laundry. My sweet little three year old says "Mommy, you are not being very nice today." I immediately responded in an offended tone, "I am being nice! I am just trying to get some things done and yall are making it hard on me!" He responded "Well you can do it and be happy while you are doing it." I was getting ready to respond when God stopped me and said He is right, you are not being nice at all and you need to apologize. So I got down on my knees next to him and said "You are right Miller. I am not being very nice and I am sorry. Will you forgive me?"

In the sweetest little voice Miller ended the conversation by saying "Mommy, I like it when you are HAPPY and NICE!"

snow day

2011-02-10T11:56:00.000-08:00

Daily Question

2011-01-25T11:58:00.000-08:00

To shower or not to shower, that is the daily question. " I just don't understand why this is such a big thing for you?!", my husband says when he greets me in the late afternoon or night when he gets home. What he doesn't understand is what I go through to actually get dressed in the morning. For him it is a quick five minute shower, HOT and ALONE, throw on some clothes, brush his teeth and hair. DONE! Fifteen minutes MAX. For me it is a ten minute, cold (because someone is opening the curtain constantly letting the hot air out, kids in and out, chill bumps all over my body (can't even think about shaving), water all over the floor, yelling back and forth (because I can't hear them or they can't hear me), dodging the bazillion toys in the shower that I have failed to pick up, shower. I then get out to a destroyed house. Usually some spill, broken toy, argument to break up, something to retrieve out of the toilet or trash can, or Mallie's mouth full of who knows what. Take care of all that and now I am at about twenty minutes and still naked with a towel wrapped around my head. I throw on some lotion and deodorant, brush my teeth (If I remember), and then put on some clothes.
Now we are at thirty minutes and I got to dry my hair. First, I pile enough toys in the bathroom to keep Tucker and Mallie occupied and my now somewhat picked up house, intact. Done. My hair is dry after ten minutes. Miller usually watches a cartoon, so the house is ok but now Tucker and Mallie are bored with those toys and are whiney. Miller now has gone to the bathroom ( #2) so I've wiped his bottom and I need to change for sure Tucker's poopy diaper and probably Mallie's. 1,2,3 poopy bottoms wiped now. I then put those toys up and get new toys so that I can throw on some make-up. Done after about ten more minutes.
It is usually a forty five minutes to a hour process. It is always frustrating for them and me. Miller actually said "Mommy I don't like you to get dressed. It takes too long." Sometimes during breakfast Miller will ask me "Is this a shower day?" By the time I am fully dressed I am ill, they are ill and I don't even feel pretty. Was it even worth all that effort?

However if I just throw on some clothes, pull my hair in a pony tail, and brush my teeth it takes about ten minutes total. My house remains intact, my kids relatively happy, and I am happy!

So therefore most days I do the latter. Surely everyone understands why??? I wish I could get my husband to. Surely I am not the only one with this issue? And as gross as it sounds my body has adjusted, and it is ok with not showering everyday.

These pictures crack me up because even though Miller and Tucker were playing with the bottle it makes me realize that I REALLY do have three babies. I forget that sometimes.........................

Mallie 8 months

2011-01-21T07:07:00.001-08:00

"Peek-a-boo, It's me again!"

"Time is flying," well at least that is what my Mom always says. She just can't believe that I am only four months away from having my first birthday. I am getting bigger and bigger and faster and faster. My hands and knees are taking me where I need to go these days. I still trail way behind those two Bros of mine but I am catching up.

You see my four little chompers? Well they are helping me eat more of what those other people eat. I reach all the time, wanting to get my paws on what they eat but Mom usually gives me that gross stuff on the spoon. She is easing up a bit too. Lately, I have been trying to give my taste buds a variety of flavors. Roach, dog food, dust balls, leaves, and peanut butter (oops?!) just to name a few. Mom usually digs them out of my mouth before I can get the full flavor.
During these cold days we can't get outside much. However, my Bros like this jumpy thing that they got from Santa. They get to jump most days while I hang out below waiting to get big enough to jump right in myself. This day I just gave Mom a photo shoot! I flashed her all sort of silly smiles ;)! She ate it up!

Tuck is getting better with me. At least he knows I exist now. He still calls me "baby." He will not say my name. He just repeats over and over "No Mame No Mame!" Miller thinks it is funny to dress me up. He puts these 200 pound helmets on my head that are bigger than my whole body. Does he really think I can hold these things up!?!?

My best friend, Avery and I got together the other day to play. I love her already! She is so funny! She's got a brother too. So us girls have to stick together around those boys. I wish we could live close together. Oh well, that won't stop us from being the best of friends.

Happy New Year 2011!

2011-01-19T13:54:00.001-08:00

We brought in the new year at 8:00 with our precious neighbors, the Hunsbergers. We ate dinner, played, dressed up, and celebrated with sparkling white grape juice!

yes I know I look pegnant in this picture, but I AM NOT!!!

2011-01-09T14:16:00.000-08:00

Once Daddy got off call on Monday morning we headed to Auburn to celebrate Christmas. You can tell we continued the theme and got Auburn football jersey's and football's.................Miller also got a baseball helmet to go with his uniform! It is ashamed he can't really play until he is four. But Hey we are ready!!!!

Tuck got a "Ma Mas" riding toy.......................................

Mallie girl enjoyed opening her painting for her room and clothes that she picked out :)!

Who thinks these two look alike????????

Monday night we enjoyed going to our annual trip to Calloway Gardens and looked at the Christmas lights. They boys LOVE all the lights and actually Mallie was mesmerized too.

Tuesday night we had our Christmas dinner that Didi cooked and then afterwards the boys got to decorate and eat cookies!

2011-01-02T13:21:00.000-08:00

We arrived in Montgomery Christmas afternoon. We opened presents Christmas afternoon, ate a gourmet meal (my mom always prepares) and then played our traditional and competitive game after that! This year it was minute to win it. HYSTERICAL, and I wish I had pictures! We had a great time and of course there is always money to win!

Miller was pretty pumped about his basketball uniform and goal that he got from Meme and Pop! Look how big and strong he is:)!!! (It was defiantly an Auburn uniform Christmas for him)Tucker received his very own riding toy that is AWESOME! For all you moms out there this is a must. It is battery powered (that he loves) but I can steer it from the back (which I LOVE ). No more chasing him down or running into cars because he doesn't know how to steer yet. I can steer him the whole time. The best part is he thinks he is steering it too!!!

Mallie-girl enjoyed her first little purse that Ann, Doug and Wilson gave her!!!

I know some families just dive right in and open all the presents at once but I love our tradition of opening one at a time so that you can see what everyone else got. However this year with all the chaos (one of my three babies whining or just plain out of control) I did not really get to see what anyone got and I barely knew what I got. It was sad. After it was all over I had to ask so who gave me this and who gave her that. So sad. Oh well. Thank you to all for your generosity.

We took the "jumpy thing" so Wilson could play too. It was snowing outside so we set it up in Sissy and Big's den. We wore them out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And apparently we wore Big out too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Can you tell he is asleep in his chair while kids are jumping and screaming around him. His feet were propped up on the sides and were just bouncing up and down with every jump. But that did not interrupt him. Pretty impressive, huh?? Why is it that only men can do that??? A woman could NEVER do that!!!!!)

Next our travels lead us to Auburn......................................

2011-01-01T13:55:00.000-08:00

Then came the big day...................................Happy Birthday Jesus! Santa came and gave Miller, Tucker and Mallie each three presents, as the wise men gave Jesus three presents to celebrate His birth!

Trent and I woke up at 6 thinking they would be up any second. We were ready and so we waited and we waited and we waited........................... until 730!!! They have NEVER slept until 730!!!!! Then they came into the den to see what Santa left..........................

The biggee was "our very own jumpy thing" as Miller called it...........................

Miller also got an Auburn baseball uniform. The batting helmet, bat, balls, and batting gloves came later. He is ready to go, it is ashame he can't play for real yet :( He also got some new balances that Velcro across just like he wanted.

Tucker got a big anywhere chair to match Millers (that they fought over) and some hunting boots (once again to be like Miller!)

Mallie-girl got a anywhere chair of her very own, her first baby doll...........................................

and the cutest little bunny slippers I have ever seen

Trent made our traditional omelets for breakfast and we sipped his famous Chi tea from Kenya. We ate birthday cake after breakfast, kind of yucky but the boys loved it! The boys jumped their hearts out on the Jumpy thing while Mallie took a nap. It was a great morning, but their was no time to stop and rest because we were off to Montgomery...............................................

2011-01-01T10:58:00.000-08:00

Next we celebrated with Heather, payt, and Bet-bet. In order for Miller to get his present he had to put his football helmet on and close his eyes..........................

It was a huge Auburn football tackle dummy!!!!!!!!! You can imagine how much energy this gets out. Thanks!!!

Tucker got a "DADDY" Ro that he loves to sleep with

Mallie got a precious Auburn hat and diaper covers....................................

And Trent and I got my most favorite gift of all times...........................................Truly a labor of love!!! Heather put together a photo book of our life from Miller's birth until now!!!! I LOVE IT!!!!!

Bet-Bet is not pictured but we truly love Heather, Payton, and Betsy!!!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

2011-01-01T07:44:00.001-08:00

Our Christmas holidays began in Ashford, AL visiting the Aman Family. Wilson and Tucker were so glad to see each other................................
We caught Tucker lovin' on Mallie...........................................

roasted marshmallows and made smores......................yummy!

Ann and I got to go for a little run and then played with the kiddos on the farm
ALL the kids love the pink "cado-wac" (cadillac)......................................

Mallie enjoyed opening her very first present..................................

Tucker was more interested in what Wilson got................(even though they got the same thing :)

Miller loved his digital camera................................

Frank would have enjoyed opening his presents if he could look down long enough without blood running out his nose...........................sorry,I know it is gross to most!

It ended with Ma and Pa getting their picture taken with all eight great grandchildren. We had a blast but I know we wore them out!

7 months

2010-12-24T14:02:00.001-08:00

Hey! It is me again. I am seven (and a half ) months old now. I am moving and groovin. Mom and Dad have these brown slippery floors and I am starting to figure out that if I move my arms and legs in a certain motion I can get where I need to go. Mommy tells me "Baby girl, you are going backwards!" Whatever that means?!?! I am getting where I need to go and makin' things happen!

I got FOUR of these things Mommy calls "my toofers." Two up top and two on bottom. They still hurt when they come in but this time Mommy gave me this bubble gum tastin' stuff that made the hurt go away.

Mommy and Daddy still are sticking that rubber thing in my mouth more than ever these days. Sweet taters are my favorite so far. The carrots aren't bad either. Dr. told my Mom she better get on it with me eating table food. And so they do. They give me that stuff three times a day. I would like it better if she would just chop food up, put it on my tray and let ME decide what I want to eat.

I think that is all for now...................................Be back in a couple of weeks cause I will be eight months!!!

"Header" gave me this cute hat for Christmas. It has an AU in the middle of the flower. I am going to sport it for the big game in a couple of weeks!!!

21 Months

2010-12-17T06:32:00.001-08:00

"The days are long but the years are so short." This saying has never been more true to me than now. I won't say everyday is long but some days are SOOO long but my weeks, months and years are flying by. Trent and I realize we have such a short time with our children to invest in, love on, impress upon, play with, that we really want to soak up every opportunity we can with them. We want to live life with, by, and through them.

One of those little kiddos that adds so much laughter and excitement to our lives is "Tuck Tuck." He is 21 months old. He is hysterical to us. In his own little world most of the time, he plays so well by himself. He is content to roam the house and find something to get into. Our house is usually destroyed most days and it is because of HIM! He takes toys all over, unfolds my folded laundry, takes food out of pantry, takes plates and bowls out of cabinets, unpacks the diaper bags, etc etc. He still is my good eater. He will try anything. He is one that wants to eat off his plate and then once you get yours he wants to eat off yours too. My food always looks better to him! Which is a good thing because he has tried such a wide variety of foods. He gets HANGRY! Food makes him happy!

I hate to use the word mischievous because I don't think that is it, but he is just SPUNKY. He knows mostly what is right and wrong and he looks a lot of times to go right up to the wrong with out getting close enough for a spanking. Usually I just give him my little look and say "TUCK!" He then will tuck his chin into his chest, tilt his head and flash that cute little grin and giggle.

He loves his brother, Miller. He feeds off of him so much. If Miller laughs, he does too. If Miller jumps, he does too. If Miller sits, he does too. He wants to do and say everything "Mur" does. The "bah-by" is another story. He WILL NOT say her name, Mallie. He refers to her as "bah-by." Lately I have seen him hand her a few toys but mostly he is taking them away from her. He is noticing Miller loving on her all the time and occasionally he will love on her too. Otherwise, he just ignore her.

His verbal skills are expanding more and more everyday. There are still certain letters that he doesn't even attempt to say however the words he does say are more clear. He is saying a couple of two word phrases. Some of my favorite words that he says are "anjjj-duice" (orange juice) "Mur" (Miller), "nan-dy" (candy), "nah-nu" (thank you), "isss" (Sissy), "Wa-wa" (Wilson) "wuv u" (love you) "baw-be" (Aubie-he is obsessed with Auburn) "ry- reem" (ice cream).

He loves shoes. He goes every morning to his shoe basket and gets two shoes and puts them on. It is hysterical to me because most times they are two different shoes and on the wrong feet. But he is so proud that he got them on. He wants to wear Crocs everyday! You can imagine the fuss that it causes now that it is freezing outside.

His new trick is jumping off the ground with both feet. I bet he does it a billion times a day. I hear all day "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy" like a broken record, to watch him jump, climb, throw, or do something. I think his love language is affirmation. He needs affirming all day. It is sweet to see what really makes him feel good.

He loves anything sweet! Just like his brother he goes straight for the good stuff. Unlike his brother though he doesn't understand that he has to eat his food before he gets sweets :). I am still working on this!

He loves to "NUH" (snuggle) at bed time. Trent and I both love this time as we know it is going to end one of these days. He also adores his "Ro" (frog blankie) that is a must to have when he sleeps.

Curious little one

2010-12-14T18:25:00.000-08:00

Miller: "Mommy, did Mary eat Jesus?"
Me: "What?!?! Miller what do you mean?"
Miller: " I mean how did Jesus get in Mary's tummy?"
Me: "Well God put him there."
Miller: "So God put him there and then he just popped right out of her tummy?!?!"
Me: "Yep thats pretty much how it happened Miller."
Miller: "Did God put Mallie in your tummy?"

Are we really about to start this at age three!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Me: "Umm yes God put Mallie in my tummy."
Miller: "Did you go talk to God and ask Him to put Mallie in your tummy?"

Not really knowing exactly how to respond, I sat and thought and then came up with this. "Sometimes God does things when you least expect it. But He always knows what is best."

Miller: "We should go to Bethlehem and see Mary and baby Jesus sometime."

Me: " Your right Miller that would be fun."

Oh the wondering and curious mind of a three year old!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Christmas Fun!

2010-12-13T18:31:00.001-08:00

We have had so much fun this Christmas Season! Miller, really is getting it! He knows it is Jesus' Birthday. We have read the birth of Jesus in the Bible and he somewhat understands and ask lots of questions. My favorite, "Mommy, does Jesus pop right out of Mary's tummy like Mallie popped right out of yours?" Another favorite was "Mommy, why did the wise men bring Jesus Gold, Frankenstein, and Burr? What is Burr?" He knows that Santa brings presents to everyone to celebrate Jesus' birthday just like the wise men did. He has lots of questions about Santa too. Thankfully they have not been too hard yet but I love this one, "Mommy, how does Santa live in the North Pole if it is so COLD there?" And this one made me laugh too, "Why does Santa have a big tummy? Does he have a baby in there like you had Mallie in your tummy?"

We had fun decorating the tree..................................................................................................................

only a few broken ornaments............................................................... (You can tell who picked out Miller's PJ's..... He is VERY opinionated these days).

We made gingerbread houses at his school............................................................He was so excited that HIS Mommy got to come visit HIS school.

Sissy invited us to eat Breakfast with Santa. Miller was not so nervous this time, however the first time he saw him he was truly in awe. He swayed back and forth and fiddled with this fingers. His face was splotchy red and he just starred. I told him "Miller why don't you tell Santa what you want for Jesus' Birthday." A nervous Miller said " A baseball uniform, basketball uniform, and a basketball goal!" WHAT?!?!?! That was the first I had heard about that!!!! I informed him that Santa had probably already made most of his gifts :)))) We will see.....We met Annie and Wilson...................................................................................................

We watched a very interesting puppet show and even got to play with them........................................................................

Tucker was up to something............................................................................................Sissy had her hands full..................................................................................................Miller and Wilson got to make a gingerbread house ...........................................

while Tucker just went form table to table and ate all the candy. And yes I was that inappropriate mother that let him do it most of the time. Oh, but he was so happy and surly he won't go off to college doing that?????
Miller was so proud of his house and both he and Tucker got to eat it after naps.....................Boy, what a sugar high!!!!
But most of all we just had so much fun..............................................................................

Can't wait until the Big Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Until then Hugs and Kisses

Grandparents

2010-12-05T18:58:00.001-08:00

We are lovin' us some grandparents!!! For many reasons, of course, but they have been more than willing the past couple of weekends to play and love on the kiddos while Trent and I had some alone time. It has been FABBBB-UUUU-LOUSSSSSS!!!!!!

A couple of weekends ago we went to Atlanta for a wedding reception for dear friend from college, Lauren, and her new hubby Chris. Trent and I got away for the whole weekend, stayed in a hotel, slept late, shopped, relaxed, and pampered ourselves.

This past weekend we went here!!!

That's right, the SEC championship game and watched Auburn HUMILIATE USC (56-17)!!!! It was awesome.................................................................

We got to sit with my best friend, Layne, and her husband, Adam...................................................We only went for the game and then got back to Auburn after midnight to see Toomer's corner lookin' like this....................................................................................

In Tucker's words, " WAAAAAR EE-UL, Hey!!" And a big "Na-Nu" (thank you) to the grandparents for making it possible!

Dear God,

2010-12-02T18:22:00.000-08:00

Here, in this world that you've designed

From the rolling plains to the oceans deep and wide.

Where are the words that can say what's in my heart

All that I am is amazed by who you are.

The one thing I desire, is just to know you more. To live a life that moves and breathes

and loves to bring you joy. So fill me with a fire that burns away my doubts and all my fears, into a place where you are all I hear.

It's the one thing I desire, to do what you require. To love when I'd rather turn away. To give when I'm more resigned to take. To reach out a hand to someone who feels alone. The way you reached for me when there seemed to be no hope.

I'll live my life serving Christ, offering a sacrifice of praise. I want to know you Jesus. It is the one thing I desire.

Lord, let this be the song of her heart.

Mary, did you know?

2010-11-30T07:58:00.000-08:00

Ever since Miller was born, this song has been my favorite. Tears fill my eyes and my heart is moved with joy every time I hear it. This song takes me back to the delivery room. The first time I held my precious little ones and looked into their little eyes was so special. It was a moment where I felt God sitting right next to me, smiling and He said "Here you go Mallory. Take this child I have blessed you with. Love him and cherish him, but most importantly teach him to Love me!" At that moment I felt for the first time a desperation for my children to deeply know, love and serve God. I pray they will be used mightily for His Glory.

Can you imagine how Mary felt? She knew that the Holy Spirit had placed this baby in her womb. God told her He was going to be the Lord of all creation. But do you think she truly knew the impact he would have on the world, forever? Do you think she REALLY believed God when He told her that her child would be the king of the world? Do you think she ever prayed with desperation for her child to know and love God? I wonder if in His younger days before His ministry started if she REALLY KNEW what He had the power to do? Did she know he was God? Do you think she knew that He would walk on water, give sight to the blind, raise the dead? Do you think she really knew that when she kissed Him for the first time that she had kissed the face of God? I like to wonder. That is why I love this song.

Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.
Mary did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.
The blind will see, the deaf will hear and the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb.
Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding is the great I am.

Mallie 6 months

2010-11-22T19:10:00.000-08:00

It's me, Mallie, again. I have had yet another birthday and it is time to celebrate!! I am half a year old!! Miller said we needed to have a party but Mommy gave her usual answer "That is a great idea, maybe later." Anyways I am growing and changing fast. Before long I am going to be as big as Miller. I got two TOOOFS now! It was a booger trying to get them to come in but now that they both have popped through I am much better. I hope I don't have too many more! This time instead of trying to feed me all the time my Mommy put this tingly stuff on my mouth and it made the hurt stop! Ahhhh! I am still working on sitting up on my own. I can catch my balance just long enough for Mommy to clap and then I topple over. She is right there to catch me so it doesn't hurt. I still prefer to be perched on my tum-tum so that I can watch what those silly boys are getting into. Miller is good to me. He speaks like Mommy to me. "Hey sweet girl" is what he says to me all the time. He touches me softly and hugs and kisses me all the time. I love him!

"Tuck-Tuck "(so he calls himself) takes my toys, pulls my ears, sits on my head, pokes my eyes, wakes me up, and UGHHH the list goes on and on. Mommy tells me that he doesn't know any better and that he is still a baby too. Maybe she is right!?!? He is very close to my size. Oh well , I am sure we will be best of friends one day.

This lady they call "Mommy" is nuts over me. She is always making these silly faces and noises at me. She cracks me up. In fact the more I laugh the crazier she acts. She says my cheeks have lots of "shhhu-gaaaa" on them. Believe me she kisses them all the time! I love that lady though. She gives me the good stuff when I am hungry, gets that smelly stuff out of my diaper and holds me when I cry.On the other hand, I am really starting to love this "Daddy" guy. I am finally realizing why they go crazy when he comes home every night. It is great! He comes in and everyone screams "Daddy's home!" and they run to the door. I don't like it if they leave me behind. So then I scream so that Mommy will come pick me up :) (it gets the job done!). He is so much fun. The best is that he always tells me how pretty I am. He calls me "his little princess."

I wish Mommy would quit giving me that nasty baby food and just let me get some toes and fingers! They taste just fine. Well I guess that is all for now..............................................................

Time for bed........................................Good night!!!!!

Life, UNEDITED!!!

2010-11-17T11:12:00.000-08:00

For those of you who are kind enough to say "You make being a mom of three look easy!" or "Do y'all have many bad days?" or "Do you like having your kids this close together?" or " Your kids are so well behaved!", I have two DAYS worth of venting to tell you about. I have debated about posting this because I don't want it to be taken the wrong way at all. I LOVE my kids whole heartedly and would truly lay down my life for them but these two days I had hit a wall and I was beyond frustrated!!!

Sunday night Trent informed me that he would have the day off on Monday. "Hooray!" I thought, wanting to spend time with him but also that meant I would have help with the kids. Before my excitement got out of control he quickly said that he would eat breakfast with us (which is a rarity) and then would go into work for a while so he could get a few things done. Hiding my slight disappointment, I smiled and said "Great!"

Monday morning came early! The kids are still not adjusted to the time change and one if not all three are up before 6. This morning was no different. Mallie first, then Miller woke himself up coughing and then Tucker followed. Getting Miller dressed was the usual battle. HE WANTS TO WEAR WHAT HE WANTS TO WEAR! Some days it is worth the battle, others it is not. Today for some reason I decided it was worth it. Tucker did not care what he wore just as long as he had on his crocs. Well he pitched a big fit because it was literally a monsoon outside and the crocs were not going to be a good idea today. After getting both of them dressed, I felt like I had suited up, climbed into a wrestling ring and fought for my life against two alligators thrashing around. We were all dressed and ready to go eat at Dunkin Donuts by 7a.m. Breakfast was somewhat calm. Nothing out of the ordinary happened other than trying to get three babies into the restaurant in the pouring down rain. After breakfast it was time to take Miller to School. I pulled into carpool, said my goodbyes and off I went into the pouring down rain headed straight for one of the most frustrating days of my motherhood!

I sat in the parking lot for a moment to strategize the next three hours. Betsy and John were at my house helping me clean. I knew they were in a hurry so I thought it would be best if we stayed away until noon. I had lots of errands to run and Christmas shopping to do! Off to Kohls we went. Mallie screaming the whole way because she was so tired. My hope was that she would fall asleep on the way. Well not so much. Twenty minutes later, she is still crying and it is time to go into Kohls. "I guess she will just miss her morning nap?!" I thought to myself. The rain seemed to come down harder and harder, especially the hardest in the Kohls parking lot:). There was really no easy way to hold two babies(because surely they have shopping carts), an umbrella, and bags of clothes to return and NOT get wet. I managed to keep Mallie and Tucker dry. However the bag of clothes were wet, my purse drenched, and my new, cute but cheap shoes were ruined by the big puddles that I was running through. People stared at me as I walked in, I am sure wondering if I was going to stay long. I got in only to hear the lady say "our shopping carts are all broken with seats, you may want to get your stroller!" UMM really???? Has she not seen the monsoon outside??? I really did not want to take the babies back out in it. Tucker, however was not trust worthy to walk beside me and I had more than one thing to do. As stubborn as I am I decided to go back outside and get the stroller. With Umbrella and two babies in tow, we go back outside and get the stroller.

Let me just back track a little and say I am THROUGH buying anything used at KIDS MARKET unless it is clothes. I have gotten some great clothes there but everything I have bought used that moves has turned out to be a disaster. So I bought this used Peg Perego double stroller a year ago at Kids Market. It looked brand new but once I got home and put the kids in it, it moves like it is 10 years old. It is the HARDEST thing to push especially one handed. I rarely use it because of that. Today, I had to!

I arrive in Kohls, once again, with my patience still intact. Mallie cried unless I was holding her, Tucker whined because he wanted out, and I fought that DARN stroller one armed the whole time. I quickly did what I needed to do and no more than that. Back out to the car we went. I was one wet rat and had slight tendonitis in my elbow from wrestling the stroller, but my babies were content. RIGHT NOW. They both fell asleep before we got out of the parking lot. Mallie for whatever reason woke up at the first red light. Screaming her head off now, Tucker remained asleep. We arrived at our next destination, the Galleria. I decided to feed Mallie in the car before we went in and let Tucker sleep. Hoping that while feeding her, the rain would ease up a bit. Wrong. In fact the longer I waited the harder it came down. Mallie was done and we still had an hour and a half to go before we needed to pick Miller up from school. We could not go home because B and J were still there cleaning. Trent, I am sure, was enjoying himself in Starbucks somewhere in peace and quiet, warm, dry and sipping some nice chai :)!! Admittedly, I was irritated that he was not with me on his day off. Determined that this was not going to be a wasted day, I decided to head for it again. I once again loaded the kids in the stroller in the pouring down rain. They were not dry this time. By the time we got into the Mall, we all were drenched. I took off my shoes just to pour out the water that was sloshing around in them. Soaking wet we took the plunge and went in. As soon as I walk in the door, Tucker precedes to tell me "Mommy, poo-poo!" "AHHHH, are you serious? Tucker do you REALLY have a poo-poo?" He shakes his head. Conveniently the bathroom was right there. Fighting this DARN stroller on the way, we made it into the bathroom. I was convinced at this point that Mallie was just not going to be content in the stroller so I laid her on the floor. Yep, right on the bathroom floor! I changed both diapers and used the bathroom myself. I had just gotten Mallie quiet when I head out the bathroom door. Because the DARN stroller got caught in the door way I hit Mallie's arm on the door way and then closed it in the door. She went to screaming and rightfully so. I stopped. Tried to regroup. "Maybe we should just got home!?," I told them. Tuck shook his head as if he really knew what I was talking about. I about gave up and went home but I turned the corner and saw the scarves. Perfect, I need one of those. As I went through the racks, poor Tuck got whiplash from the stroller hitting every rack we went through. Scarves were flying on the floor because he was pulling them off. As I picked on up, he threw one down! I swear I picked up 10 before I spanked him right then and there! Well then you know what that lead to. Tuck crying because he got a spanking and Mallie crying because I had to lay her down. Not putting too much thought into my decision at this point, I grabbed the first decent scarf I saw. I was sweating. I was sweating from fighting the stroller, bending up and down picking up the scarves and bird Tuck kept throwing on the floor, holding Mallie, and trying to walk in my ruined, cheap, filled with water shoes. As soon as I got everyone in the car, I sat in my seat. Smoke coming out of my ears, my heart rate about 150bpm, I tried to calm down. I immediately called the one person that I take all my anger out on :). POOR TRENT! He answered the call probably wishing he never did! I went on and on about our day. Not really knowing if he heard me loud and clear I preceded to TELL him that I was going to buy a new stroller TODAY, no matter the cost! Knowing how frugal I am, his ears perked up and he knew I was serious. We went to pick Miller up from school and went home to a nice CLEAN house! When we got home Daddy was in the driveway! HOORAY, Daddy was home to save the day!!! I did manage to cool down after lunch. That night he took the boys and they purchased a new double stroller!!! That was the best money I have spent in a LONG time.

Whew, that took a lot out of me to relive that morning. It may not sound as frustrating as it was but it literally drained me. I had had enough! And the poor soul that came in front of my path until I cooled down! I will spare you the details of the second day. Lets just say it involved more crying, a three year old wanting to help do everything and asking a bazillion questions, and throw-up all over me!

So there it is, pure and simple! One of my unedited days! Thank you God for granting me patience and wisdom when I ask you for it. Thank you God for forgiving me when I don't!!!!

Saturday Fun!!!

2010-11-13T13:14:00.000-08:00

Tucker's morning ritual after we eat breakfast is to go to their shoe basket and get some crocs on. He then comes running into the kitchen with a huge grin feeling so proud that he got them on all by himself. It is precious. They are always two different colors and on the wrong feet. Everytime! He wears those a while and then goes back for two more. Once again two different colors and on the wrong feet.

Gearing up for the big game today against Georgia, both boys wore their uniforms and decided to play a little football in the front yard. It did not last long because Miller was too concerned with making rules for Tucker instead of just playing. Tucker got tired of that so we slid down the hill on cardboard boxes. We attracted the neighborhood kiddos because before long we had our neighborhood friends sliding too.

Notice Tucker now has on a different pair. I think his third change of shoes!!!

Mallie was just a cheerleader!!!!!!! War Eagle!

Should-a-known

2010-11-03T11:27:00.000-07:00

It was right before nap time and I was cooking a casserole that we are taking to a friend who just had a baby. Tucker found some sweet peas in the pantry and wanted to eat them. I started out feeding them to him and he wanted to have the whole can to dig them out himself! So I let him! I went to put Mallie to bed and then came back in the kitchen to finish up the casserole. It was then that I realized it was WAAAAAY to quiet! Still not remembering I left Tucker with the can of sweet peas I called to Miller. "I'm in the play room coloring Mommy." "Oh great" I thought because that rarely happens. Then I said "Tuck, where are you?" Tuck's response was "huh??" And there it was..............I found him dumping sweet peas on the floor and then smashing them with his little fingers. Quietness is not always a good thing!!! I should-a-known that giving him that whole can was not a good idea.

Trick or Treat

2010-10-31T18:34:00.001-07:00

We had a great weekend with Daddy being home, a church fall festival, a neighborhood party and trick or treating. Miller LOVED dressing up in his football uniform at every occasion. He is actually sad that he can't wear it tomorrow. He asked me tonight at dinner "Can we do Halloween again tomorrow?" Miller was an Auburn football player (Bo Jackson as he told people), Tucker was a lion (that would not wear his head piece but for a couple of minutes) and Mallie was a bunny.

Miller out of no where told daddy "Hey look at my strong muscles?"

Our little princess was once again a little trooper and did whatever she needed to do......................

However on Halloween night she stayed in her costume all of two minutes because she decided she wanted to eat all the fur off.

Miller remembered EXACTLY what to do from last year. He ran from house to house and had a blast. Tucker would go to one house, take a break and eat his candy in the stroller, then go to another house and then back to the stroller to eat his candy. He made it to a total of four houses and when we got home all his candy was gone. Eaten. Which was ok because Miller had enough candy to feed our whole family. And that is exactly what we did...................We got home, dumped all Miller's candy on the floor and we told the boys they could have at it and eat all the candy they wanted until bed time. Once bedtime came the candy was going in the trash. Let me tell you there were only a few pieces left. They DEVOURED it!! Mommy and Daddy managed to help them a little :). Miller said "Hey Mom every football player needs to eat lots of candy to get big and strong!"
Tucker-boo did candy sampling. He would open something, take a few bites or licks, throw it away and then move on to something else. After all his sampling ,his favorite though were the skittles. Miller said his favorite were the NERDS.Good times and Great memories!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome Home???

2010-10-31T18:19:00.000-07:00

Welcome Home DADDY!!!!! Thursday night (once again I know I am behind) we picked Daddy up from the airport after his MONTH long medical mission trip to Kenya!! Oh boy was everyone excited. We drew lots of attention, as we usually do, in the airport waiting on him . Miller's sign really drew the crowd and we had about five families that were anxiously waiting with us wanting to witness our reunion. It was really sweet. Miller would not take his eyes off the escalator as I told him to watch it because that is where Daddy would come down. He did not turn his eyes for one second. When he saw him he took off, and ran and jumped into his arms. I cried and I think we had all five families crying too. It was such a precious time.
He is still recovering from jet lag but is doing great and is so glad to be back with us. He had an amazing experience and you can check out his month long journey at trentsafricanadventures.blogspot.com.

I'm 5 months

2010-10-26T18:41:00.001-07:00

Guess what everyone?! I'm 5 months old! My mom said she has been really busy lately so I thought I would write my own post. Sorry it is a little late but with everything going on around here, that is just the way it is right now.

I finally figured out this whole sleeping thing. Mom puts me to bed around 8, after she has rocked and singed to me of course, and then I don't wake up until 6:30. Sometimes, I wake around 5 or so, play a little while in my bed, and then go back to sleep. I try to be quiet so as to not wake everyone else up but sometimes I just can't help it and my little mouth makes this funny squealy noise. I like to hear it over and over!

Mom still feeds me her milk. I like it but sometimes she tries to over feed me. I have this new growl noise that I have learned to do and it gets the point across to her that I am THROUGH! I mean has she not noticed my double chin and thighs!! I got enough fat on my body to last me a few days! Every now and then lately she has been trying to stick this rubber thing in my mouth with some awful tasting stuff on it. I keep my lips tightly sealed but she manages to shove it in. Finally after tolerating a couple of bites, I usually gag and spit up, and FINALLY she stops!

My brothers are a real trip. That Miller makes me laugh constantly. He thinks he is so funny. He likes to play this boo game with me. All he really does is scream and spit in my face, but hey he thinks it is funny so I do too. He kisses and hugs me a lot and makes me feel really special. He calls me "sweet girl!" Tucker......well I don't really know about him. He mostly just ignores me which is probably pretty good right now because he doesn't know how to be gentle with me. Every now and then he will jab his finger in my eye or nose but Mommy is always right there to help me. I like to watch him because he is close to my size but he needs to keep a good distance because he doesn't really know how to play with me yet.

My mom is working on me sitting up. I can't seem to really catch my balance for too long. I will get it soon though. I got my first TOOOOTH!! Oh it hurt so bad. I tried to tell mommy one day how bad it hurt but all she kept doing was trying to feed me! Finally last Saturday night that thing popped through and gave me some relief! I love to be on my tummy. It is the best way that I can keep a close eye on where my mommy goes and what my brothers are doing. I have discovered these things that mommy calls "toes." They are funny looking and I like to try to get them to my mouth to chew on. If I can't get them I always have my thumb. Oh how those fingers and that thumb are sooo good!!!! Actually just put me on my tummy, give me my thumb and I am one happy girl!
Here I am trying to turn on my tummy.....................

Ahhhh now that is more like it!!!!

Mommy loves to hear me laugh so here is a video she took of me laughing. She cracks up when she watches it and I hope you will too!

Time for me to go to sleep now. Good night!

Latest happenings

2010-10-25T11:53:00.000-07:00

Well many people have asked where we have been and we have been on the gooooo!! For reasons I will not discuss now, we have been busy busy busy these last four weeks!!! The last two weeks, we have been to the South Alabama state fair with cousin Wilson.....................................

To the Montgomery Country Club to play a little golf....................................

To visit the pumpkin patch......................................

To the Auburn vs Arkansas game for the cheerleading reunion....................

Miller loved Aubie and gave him a fist bump, Tucker liked "ba-bie" from a distance, and Mallie just looks like she wants to eat!!!

Tailgating with Frank and Yaya .............................................

Then it was off to the beach! Sissy, me, and these three munchkins........................................

I attempted a picture............................................

Not a single good one!!! Mallie was the only one that would somewhat cooperate and that was because she did not know what was going on. Miller wanted to really badly only because he knew what his surprise was if I got a good picture-go cart ride, Tucker just really did not care to ever look at the camera or sit still no matter what was riding on it!

It has been a WILD month!! The days have been long but over all it went by really fast! A few more days in counting.................................................

Race for the cure

2010-10-09T14:45:00.001-07:00

Jennifer, my neighbor, inspired me about six weeks ago to run the Susan G. Komen breast cancer race with her. Considering that I had not run in a long time I devised a plan to get me back into running shape so that I would be able to complete the race. It was a very emotional and inspiring race. Among the 16,000 participants, many were running/walking in memory or in celebration of someone affect by breast cancer. Before the race started they had a survivor parade that moved me to tears. Most shedding tears of joy, these women paraded proudly while being truly grateful that they had overcome and survived this horrible disease. It was so touching to see young kids, families and grown men running for this great cause. Probably due to adrenaline and Miller cheering me on :) I finished the race in probably my best time yet. While I have not personally been affected by breast cancer, I felt proud to be apart of such a great cause.

Jackson

2010-10-09T13:55:00.000-07:00

We just got back from Jackson, TN after a visit with Trent's grandparents and extended family. Mema and Daddy Pete enjoyed seeing the kids and they thoroughly entertained them. Mema kept the nursery at her church for 50 years, so she especially loved holding and cuddling Mallie. We tried to get a picture of them all together and it is impossible to get everyone to look at the camera (even Mema and Daddy Pete).

Funny story: We went to a barbecue restaurant one day for lunch. Miller all of a sudden screams while pointing "Mommy Mommy look!!!!!! It is Santa Claus!" Humiliated, I tried to calm him down. I looked up and sure enough a man with rosy cheeks, long white beard, and a round belly was standing in line waiting to get food. Hoping he did not hear Miller, I just waved and smiled. He returned the gesture. As we were walking out of the restaurant I passed his table. For some reason I felt obligated to apologize to him. I said "I am so sorry but because of your beard my son thought you looked like Santa Claus." Much to my surprise he responds, " Well I am Santa Claus." "Really!" For a second I was so excited as if I still believed too. He did not ride his sleigh however he drove a truck with a big picture of Santa Claus on the back. Even Santa needs some good barbecue every now and then!

Back to the farm

2010-10-05T18:59:00.001-07:00

Where is Miller???????

"Here I am!!"

In a grain bin full of corn! Just hangin out on the farm visiting family and having fun.....................

picking peanuts...............................

picking up corn..........................

dirty faces....................................

riding the pink cadillac

"tac-too" and "bart-bart"rides (translation:tractor and golf cart)

loading bags full of oats................................

looking at cows, horses, chickens etc......................

petting the animals........................

picking cotton..........................

snuggling...............................

and of course every farm girl needs a silver rattle to chew on......................

lovely picture, I know, but even Mommy got to enjoy a run by herself!!!

War Eagle hey!!!

2010-10-04T07:59:00.001-07:00

We traveled a couple of weekends ago to Auburn to visit Didi and Den and also take Miller to the Auburn game. We started the weekend with Trent and I taking a trip down memory lane, touring the new campus. As we ran through campus, I thought for sure that I looked like I did when I was there seven and a half years ago. I felt like I did and surly everyone else thought I looked like I did. Then Trent reminded me "Mal, we are driving around in a suburban with three car seat!" I realized then, I no longer look like a college girl. I am officially a mom, and the college students think so too!!! We went to the Auburn high school football game on Friday night. We got to hear Trent relive the GLORY days:)!!! Pat, do you remember those???We rode a little in the paddle boat, played around the house and just visited with folks in Auburn.

It is "blue-out" day around campus and I am so glad that we got the memo and were not those losers to show up in all orange! Miller had a blast! We made sure we were there to see the tiger walk, play some games, and visit a few tail gates. We made it into the stadium to see the eagle fly and watch the pre-game show. He did great until kick-off........................Then he said "Mom I am ready to go home!" I managed to get him through one quarter, then the second quarter he and I walked around. We all left at half time.

When we got home we had to have our own tiger walk..........................................
and football game!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mallie 4 months

2010-10-04T07:01:00.000-07:00

This little angel turned 4 months on September 17th. I know I am way behind. I have about 10 post to catch up on too. So stay tuned...............

Back to Mallie. She weighed in at 14lbs and was 2??? inches long (I have currently misplaced the sheet that has it on it :)). She is one big happy baby. The most content little thing. She is smiling and laughing all the time. She screams and squeals I think to get attention from the boys. She growls at me when I try to force her to drink more milk and she is DONE. I wish I could get it on video, it is hysterical. She is rolling over both ways. I could swear that she is getting teeth in because she constantly is drooling and chewing or sucking on her fingers. I have yet to have an oral baby like her. I know it will not be cute when she is three still doing it but she sucks her thumb to go to bed. I will fight that battle later because it works for her now!! Is that a sign of a third child or what??? She is so easy and fun; she makes me me want to have a couple more just like her. Don't worry Trent, I know we are through.

Everyone says she looks just like Tucker. I maybe see it every now and then but I think she has her own little sweet look too. What do you think???

This is Tucker at 4 months

Mallie

and Miller at 4 months
I hate to even give a complaint but I guess I am anyways. She still will not go longer than 7-8 hours at night. I know that might be crazy to some but I was spoiled by the boys. If I stay up and feed her at 10 she will sleep until like 5 or 6. However if I feed her at 7 put her to sleep at 8 (like the boys) she is up at 3-4 ready to eat. The boys at this stage had been sleeping from like 8-6:30 or 7 for months. You would think that by baby three I would have this figured out but she has thrown me a curve ball. As much as I hate getting up though in the middle of the night, she is such a snuggle bug at that time; it is really sweet.

Tucker 18months

2010-09-21T10:56:00.001-07:00

Tuck, T-man, Tucker-boo or booger-bear are some of the many names this little one goes by. He responds to them all. He calls himself "me." He weighed in at a whopping' (drum roll please..................) 22.8lbs and 30.5 in tall. I'm sure our Dr. questions if he eats but let me assure you that is not his problem. This kiddo eats everything in site. In fact I hear the word "eat" all day long. He must just have an incredibly high metabolism. I wish I knew his favorite thing to eat but really he has so many favorites. He will eat any fruit or vegetable, loves a "cacker," doesn't really like meats or sandwiches, and just like his brother and Daddy, he LOVES dessert. He is a funny child. Many refer to him as being like my brother, Frank. He just keeps us all laughing and entertained. He rivals with Miller to be the center of attention. He wants to be WAY more independent than he needs and is able to be. He gets that from watching Miller. He loves Miller ("Mer"). . . . .well, most of the time. They do love and fight like brothers should. He wants to do and have what Miller has. I still think he is somewhat indifferent to Mallie. He likes her ok. He just does not know how to be gentle with her. Or maybe he does. This little one KNOWS exactly what I am saying. We have started with the big boy discipline in the last couple of weeks. No more pops on the hand. He will down right do something he knows he shouldn't do and get your attention before he does it! After the first few times, I laughed because he would flash this little grin while cocking his head to the side. However, when he hits Miller HARD on the head with a drum stick and then looks at me, tilts his head and grins, it is NOT funny anymore. Verbally, it is still somewhat challenging to understand what he is saying. He knows EXACTLY what he is saying and most of the time I do too. However, he and I both get frustrated when he says "bis" or "bas" (which is his word for alot of things) and I don't know what he is talking about. My favorite two words right now that he says are "neigh-nu" and "waa uuuu." Does anyone think they know what they mean???? Thank you and love you, of course!!! He knows most animal sounds. He loves to give hugs and kisses. He gives the best puckered up kisses. He wants to go poo-poo and tee-tee in the potty just like Miller. He is so not ready to do that. Trust me and neither is his Mommy! That is all I can think about right now. We love this little guy to pieces.........................

This is that little smirky grin that he gives us!!!! It screams "hey mom I am about to do something I am not supposed to do!" or "I already did something, did you see me?"

Beach 2010

2010-09-14T18:36:00.001-07:00

Last week all FIVE of us went to Gulf Shores and had an absolute BLAST! With three babies however it was work..........HARD work. There was not many moments of relaxation for Trent and I but for the first time we got to watch Miller truly enjoy every second of the beach. Everything was so exciting for him. He loved the sand, ocean, jumping the waves, pool, building sandcastles, finding all the sea animals, watching the boats, fishing, crabbing, eating out, playing ball in the sand, burying himself in the sand, and the list goes on and on. I loved this because the BEACH is about the closest thing to earthly heaven to me. I LOVE the beach! All of it, every single bit of it! I could live there, well wait a minute, I did live there. One summer and don't think I did not relive many of those moment in my head and out loud and probably drove Trent crazy telling him the same thing for the 100th time. Remember Layne, that awesome summer? I have to apologize because my photography skills were slacking majorly. No excuses BUT I rarely had an empty hand.

The only sandcastle that Miller got to build without Tucker smashing it. You can see by the picture he is making his way over to the castle. Tucker was not so good at building sandcastles :(

Catching minnows (can't really see in the picture)

This little one however did not have the best of time. And quite frankly, he made it somewhat miserable at times. He was hot, hungry and tired pretty much all the time and that was hard.

I quickly learned the hard way to give the boy some shade........................................
a juice box and a full tum-tum..................................

not anywhere near the ocean or waves...............................

and EVERYONE was a happy camper!!!!!

One of his many fits :)!!!!!

This little angel was a trooper. She went from the pool to the ocean and back and forth and back and forth. Napped and nursed on the beach. And did not complain one time.

One of my relaxing moments..........Mallie was fed and asleep, Trent took the boys to the rocks to watch the boats come in and I sat on the beach by the water and stared. I appreciated the sounds, sites, and smells more than I ever have!!!!

And for the record we did not see one drop of oil in the water or sand!!!!!!! Can't wait to go back in October.

Mr. Mom

2010-09-03T19:01:00.000-07:00

Today was the big day. The day I have been waiting for for some time. The day that Trent was REALLY going to know what I go through on a day to day basis. The day that he was going to appreciate all I do in a whole new light. The day he was going to see why most of the time the house is not picked up, laundry is not folded, the kids are not dressed, I have not had a shower, and dinner is not ready and waiting on him. I secretly was really excited about it! Role reversal. I went to work and Trent stayed home and kept ALL three kids for the first time. About mid-day I called to check on him. Much to my surprise, he was cool as a cucumber. "Everything is going great!" He told me. That was not what I wanted to hear. Selfish, I know. I wanted the words "You are awesome." "I don't see how you do what you do." "I could never do this everyday." However, I got the opposite. I replied "Oh great, well I will be home around 3." After I hung up the phone I really wondered if that was the truth......................................Well I got home to this.....................A perfectly spotless house, three kids completely well dressed, well fed and not whining, a showered husband not in his PJ's, the dishes and laundry washed and put away, not a single toy anywhere, and not a spot of dust to be found on the floor!!!! God once again humbled me and put my prideful heart back in its place. My husband handled it with grace and actually did a BETTER job than I do. And now I have a lot to live up to.
Then I looked in the playroom and saw this, so I felt better.

Just like him to add the finishing touch, a candle burning just to have it smelling good! Little booger made my job look like a breeze. He did it WAY better than I do! Maybe I should work and he should stay at home?????

Then later that night we got a visit from the soon to be Mr. and Mrs Peyton Junkin! Heather is engaged!!!! Her ring is gorgeous and Miller and Tucker were so excited! They gave them the cutest little (BIG) suckers with their picture and the wedding date on them. The story was so sweet and special! Peyton, you did an AMAZING job and we can't wait until April 9th!!!

first day of school

2010-09-01T09:01:00.000-07:00

We have been eagerly talking about this day for weeks now. I thought when he woke this morning, and I excitedly talked about him going to school today, he would be thrilled. Instead I got "Mommy I don't want to go to school. I want to stay with you and Tucker and Mallie. Can Tuck go to school with me?" After I told him No and that he was the only one old enough to go to school I heard him whine for an hour................... "Moooooommmmmmyyyyy, I don't want to go to school." I simply just ignored him. Then in typical three year old fashion, BAM.............. "Hey Mom (in his deep voice), after I woke from my night nap I did not want to go to school but I talked it over a little bit (umm with who I am not sure) and I think I am ready to go now." Umm go figure, I guess it is on his timing and no one elses.

Notice who won the shoe battle this morning............Don't get me wrong I think his new balances are precious but I do love his little red and white keds too. I just had in mind that on the first day he would wear them. I KNEW once I bought these tennis shoes it would be a battle and for sure it was. I let him win today!!!!
I couldn't not include this little bundle of sweetness too..........................

Boys Fishing Adventure

2010-08-29T18:18:00.000-07:00

Mal and Sissy had big plans this weekend to get some sewing or something done and so I had strict instructions to take the boys and disappear for the day Saturday to stay out of their hair. With a little help from Big and a gracious offering from our friend Jackie Bushman, we all headed out to Bushman's farm for a little fishing outing. The boys were so excited, especially Miller, but I think Big and I were probably even more excited about the day. Big got the boys some new rods and reels and early in the morning they were ready to go.

Let me go ahead and say that this wasn't your everyday pond and so this wasn't your everyday fishing trip. Miller might've gotten a little spoiled with it since he literally caught a fish every time his hook hit the water. I guess he'll learn the hard way one day that fishing isn't always that easy!!! Jackie was so generous and really help make the day a whole lot of fun for us all but especially Miller. Here he is helping Mills reel in his first fish.

Miller was so proud of his nice little Bream. He learned a lot about fishin' throughout the day and by the end was able to cast, set the hook and reel the fish in all on his own. He loved it. Of course it didn't hurt that he caught so many! We brought home about 15 or so large Bream and threw back scores.

What kind of fishin' trip would it be if you didn't take your shirt off and go a little redneck?!?!

Things really got exciting when Jackie hooked this 4-5 lb. large mouth bass and let Miller "help" reel it in.

Tucker fished a little and even caught one, but he was more of a liability than anything with a hook in his hand. Plus, he had trouble staying focused and found it much more fun to go on 4-wheeler rides with Big.

We had a great time fishing and really appreciate Jackie for sharing his place with us. It was top notch.

Later that night after we got back to Montgomery, Miller and I met my dad at Riverwalk Stadium for a Biscuits game. Miller had a blast and he and I are both glad my dad came all the way from Auburn to hang out with us. All in all, it was a great boys day, and I'm looking forward to many more.