Nathan comes home from lifting weights everyday and Ethan wants to see his Muscles.
The other day Ethan came upstairs and picked up 2 five lb weights - then he showed me his muscles and said, "Mom, look at these Hot Babies!".....
Baking lessons anyone?
After the past few days of my baking disasters, I have decided I am just not a baker.
Started with the ginger bread house I tried to make for the kids to decorate- and it fell apart. After 3 hours of trying to get it to stay, I gave up. Then I tried to bake my first 3 layered cake for my friends the other night. I got the recipe from my sister and when she makes it, it is delicious. Well leave it to me to over cook the cake. I put it together,added the icing and strawberries and it looked so pretty, but it was so dry you could not eat it... And let's end with the sugar cookies I tried to make this afternoon with the kids. I added all the ingredients and I mixed and mixed and mixed and it was not turning to dough. I went back and read the instructions 3 times to make sure I did not miss something. Then I called my neighbor that is the best cook and makes wonderful desserts! She came over b/c she felt sorry for me and immediately saw that I need to stop stirring with the spoon and stick my hands in the bowl and roll it into a ball to make it turn into dough...
My poor kids- when I told Laura I was not the best Baker, Ava spoke up and said, "your right mommy but you are a great cooker."
So I need Baking lessons if anyone is giving them!
i need a vacation from my vacation
I tried to go on a relaxing vacation-- ha, ha what was I thinking.
There was never a dull moment with Cullen or quiet one
here is how my vacation went in the Bahamas.....
- Cullen had major breakdowns on the airplane- so major the airline stewardess came to get him
- Cullen gets sick the first day we were there
- Naps... what naps?
- sleep... what sleep?
- screaming, crying and more screaming, crying
- eating stuff off the floor
- trying to play with the outlets that had no covers in the hotel room
- licking shoes
- destroying everything he sees
6 years ago today
God gave Ava Grace to Nathan and I. This sweet, sweet angel. She had a head full of dark hair and the sweetest round face. 23 hours of labor and she was finally here. A room full of people waiting for her- they took up half the waiting room- I will never forget after I had her they gave her to Nathan and I looked over at him and with tears in his eyes he smiled at me. An overwhelming feeling of love and joy came over me to see that she had 10 fingers and ten toes- and she was healthy- 6 years ago today I became a mother and I made a promise to Ava, I would be the best mother I could possibly be, I may not be right all the time and I know I will never be perfect but it was my job and I was going to give it my all. I thank God everyday for the 3 gifts He has given to me.
Happy, Happy Birthday to my Angel!
giving thanks
The month of November we have been writing down things were are thankful for. It is really sweet to hear what the kids say and very interesting.. it can be anything from God's Love to toenails! I thought it was very important we do this b/c so often our lives get busy and crazy we forget to be thankful even for the little things, a smile from a friend, a hug from a loved one or even that we woke up that morning! I want my kids to always be thankful and appreciative of everything and everyone because it could all be taken away from us in a blink of an eye.
Just a few things I am Thankful for:
my husband, my children, my family, my Savior Jesus Christ, my health,
my friends that love me, being able to be a stay at home mom, living in a country where I have the freedom to make my own decisions, a roof over my head and last but not least...
my life, Oh,,, and QUIET TIME!
who's your daddy?
the other day cullen was in ethan's room and he looked up above ethan's bed at his picture of Darth Vader and said "dada"?
what is going on in that little mind, I would love to know!
down on the farm
down on the farm
We went to the farm yesterday to feed the cows. This is the highlight of Ethan's week, when he gets to go to the farm. I have not been much so I have not seen Ethan feed the cows. He knows all of them by name. Mama Boss, Fluffy, Torro, Mud Duck, Rosa. I asked him which one was Mama Boss and he told me "the one with pretty hair silly." When the cows see the truck they all start to come b/c they know it is time to eat. I was shutting the gate and I was getting a little nervous at all of them coming straight towards me... And of course my husband wanted to be funny and would not let me in the truck.. but he did and we were off to feed the cows.. I put Cullen in the back of the truck so he could not go anywhere and he was in heaven. He loves to be outside and he loved animals! Ethan showed me how he feeds the cows. Torro the bull is still skittish so he will not let you touch him. Nathan got out Ethan's tractor (it was Ethan's great granddad's tractor) everyone got a chance to drive it. Then the kids climbed the "dirt mountain"- after a fun time at the farm we headed for some hot dogs at Percy Flowers... what a fun day at the farm!
"watch my tricks mom"
"watch my tricks mom"
A few weekends ago we went to the Morehead city seafood festival. We happened to come across this group out of Greenville that did bike tricks. They were doing a show so we decided to watch. They had the ramps and all that stuff. Doing jumps and flips in the air on their bikes. I was impressed and you better believe Ethan never blinked. So ever since we have been home he wants to show me "tricks" on his bike. (that he has never wanted to ride until now). He is so serious and he really thinks he is really doing something and of course I cheer him on like he is.
Ever since Soccer started his self esteem has shot up and he is starting to break out of his shell and I am so so happy! So I am off to watch more "bike tricks" and hope they don't end up in a broken arm like Miss Ava Grace!
first birthday
first birthday
These are always the best! First party, First presents, First taste of cake, First (and only I can do whatever I want day)
Cullen was so happy- It seemed as if he knew what was going on, that everyone was there to celebrate him! It was a special, special day!
My baby boy is one.... how quickly they grow up!
one
one
to my sweet, sweet Cullen Lee,
I love your silly little grin and your little toes, I love your blonde hair that looks white when the sun shines on it, I love those blue, blue eyes that sparkle, I love your sweet smile and your 7 little teeth (that sometimes bite me), I love your kisses (although, wet and slimy), I love your hugs, I love your smell, I love the way you call me Ma, I love your determination (even after the 50th time I have taken you off of the stairs), I love the way you get so excited when you see Ethan, I love the way you say oooo, ooo, when you see your daddy (your way of saying take me outside dad), I love the way you get quiet when you are doing something you are not supposed to do, I love that bottom lip that sticks out when your feelings are hurt, and I love the way you love me! You have added so much joy in my life that I could not have ever imagined. I love you, I love you, I love you!
Happy Birthday my baby boy!
the best of friends
the best of friends
Last night I went with Nathan to one of his best friends surprise birthday party. Joseph Hardee turned 35 and his wife Lisa put together a dinner at Sullivan's with all of his closest friends. She also made him the sweetest scrapbook that had pictures of Joseph with friends and family and everyone wrote something to him. As I sat there and I looked around I began to think how blessed this group of friends are. Not many people can say they have remained close to people they grew up with. In our lives people come and go but this group is different. Some meeting in grade school others years later, they have been there for each other through fun times, hard times, good times and not so good times and they still remain close. They still grab lunch together- they work out together- they babysit each others kids-some work together-they are like family. Not only did they grow up together now their kids are growing up together. That is special-something most people do not have.
What a wonderful group of people that truly are the best of friends.
I'm geting old....
I'm getting old....
The other day I am walking down the steps in my garage (with my hands full of stuff) and I fall.Not trip but roll down the stairs - I am usually very careful and not too clumsy- even when I was pregnant I did not have accidents. Nathan did not see it but he heard something so he came over and saw me laying there thinking I had broken my hip- He checked me out and assured me I was ok. I am so bruised and sore you would think I have been beat-
so I blame it on getting old..... oh to be 20 again!
Soccer Time
Soccer Time
23 days
where has this year gone? My sweet baby boy (probably my last) is going to be 1. I keep thinking life is going to slow down but I don't think it will- I am having a hard time excepting that Ava is old enough to go to kindergarten- she is gone for 7 hours a day- 7 hours she is depending on someone else to guide her-7 hours being on her own without me-7 hours that my heart breaks- Now I have to try to except the fact that Cullen is turning 1. oh me... I don't know if I can-
Cullen's favorite place
Cullen's favorite place
Cullen's favorite place to be other than my hip is the porch. If I leave the door open he will crawl onto the porch and stand at the door to look for 2 things. The cats and daddy. He will stand there and squeal at the cats and say "dadadadadadada" all day long.
early this morning I received a phone call from a good friend of mine that I grew up with but have not seen in a long time. At first when I realized who it was I thought something had happened to one of my friends parents. (There were 5 of us that grew up together). But it was not-thank goodness. She said she had a terrible dream about me and when she woke up she could not stop thinking of me. she wanted to call me to tell me she loved me-
It really made my day-
This past month has been very hard for me- I have realized that there are people in my life that I thought loved me and now after many years I know they do not. I have been hurt so deeply.
But this phone call made me realize I can't let one person get me down. I have so many people that love me and care for me and those are the people I need to spend my time with and make SURE they know I love them- Even if I don't get to see them a lot, a phone call or a card means so much-
I know this was God's plan- to show me what I need to focus on-
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)
It really made my day-
This past month has been very hard for me- I have realized that there are people in my life that I thought loved me and now after many years I know they do not. I have been hurt so deeply.
But this phone call made me realize I can't let one person get me down. I have so many people that love me and care for me and those are the people I need to spend my time with and make SURE they know I love them- Even if I don't get to see them a lot, a phone call or a card means so much-
I know this was God's plan- to show me what I need to focus on-
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)
adoption
adoption
Today was an interesting day. My 5 year old asked me a question that I was not prepared to answer. She asked me this "Mommy, I know you said Aunt Rosemary is your sister but why does she not come to Granny and Papa's house on Sunday's with all your other sisters and brothers?" I was shocked she noticed this- and I was put on the spot b/c I knew one day I would tell her I was adopted but did not think it would be today. So I got my thoughts together quickly and tried to answer her question as simply as I could.I said: "Aunt Rosemary is my half sister, this means we have the same mommy but different daddy's."
Ava asked: "So Aunt Rosemary was in Granny's belly?"
I said: "No, Aunt Rosemary was not in Granny's belly and neither was I because Granny is not my birth mother ." "Hazel is our mom and we were in her belly. Sometimes mommy and daddies can't take care of their babies, they may not have enough money or anywhere to live so other mommy and daddies take care of their baby for them. That is what Granny and Papa did for me."
Ava: "Oh, ok. So what is your daddy's name."
At this point I did not want the conversation to go any further b/c I don't have all the facts myself so I simply told her what I have been told and tried to change the subject. She was ok with that and moved on.
I just could not believe she put that together at such a young age-
I am glad I told her the truth b/c we are always honest with our kids but it just showed me how fast she is growing up- and that breaks my heart.
#3 just may do me in....
#3 just may do me in....
Cullen, Cullen, Cullen.... This child is into EVERYTHING. I know that is what babies do when they start to crawl but Ava and Ethan were not mischievous like this. Cullen will get something he is not supposed to have and go hide- He goes to the outlets (with covers on them) and tries to touch it, when I pop his hand and say no, he looks at me and reaches for it again and smiles- when he gets really quiet I know he is climbing up the stairs- he knows that is a BIG no, no but does it stop him? NO! When I take things away from him (like the remote) he hits at me-
Last week he discovered the toilet water. THANK GOODNESS it was clean-I turned the corner and there he was splashing-- oh me-
WHO IS THIS CHILD- AND WHERE DID HE COME FROM? Ava and Ethan NEVER did this stuff-
He will test Nathan too, I guess Cullen wants to try to be the Alpha male- but I don't think so!
The only time I know he is being a good boy is when he is in his crib, b/c he can't get out of that yet- but I am sure the wheels are already turning-
oh me Cullen-
Ava's first day of Kindergarten
Ava's first day of Kindergarten
About an hour ago we took Ava to school! It was so exciting- This morning I fixed her lunch and woke her up. Normally, she does not want to wake up but today was different! We got ready and we were off to school. The whole family went- Cullen was even excited- It was a little hectic going in the class b/c we did not know what the teacher wanted her to do first but we got it worked out- Only half the class was there today - and I was happy about that- Everything was going well when we left- we gave hugs, no tears- until now- I already miss her and she has only been gone an hour- this is harder than I thought it would be.
My dear sweet Ava Grace,
I am so proud of you! You have worked so hard to get ready for kindergarten and here it is! Your smile lights up a room and your personality makes everyone smile- I know you will accomplish great things this year b/c you are so determined and you love school- I will miss you every second you are gone- you are my entertainment, giggle box and most of all my best friend- who will sing songs with me and dance around the house being silly? who will help me with these two knuckle heads? But it is time for you to grow up I knew this day would come-I love you with all my heart and I am so proud to be your mommy!
fantasy football..... what am i thinking?
fantasy football... what am i thinking?
I get invited to this FF party. It sounds so fun, I would get some "girl talk" time and I could get out of the house for awhile. Sounds great... but one BIG problem....I have no idea about football-although, I do happen to know who Tom Brady is b/c he is cute and he is with a Victoria Secret model-- that's about all the football I know. So I have been on the internet reading Fantasy Football for dummies for the past 30 min. and I think I know a little more than I did to start with but not much- oh me..... what am I thinking.....
cullen's first haircut
cullen's first haircut
I can't believe it is time to get his haircut. Ethan did not get his first hair cut until he was close to 2 years old. Cullen is only 10months old. I really did not want Nathan to cut his hair but it was getting to long. So off the boys went outside to get their hair cut. It is like the Evans' barber shop-get in line, wait your turn then hop up in the red chair! Nathan did a great job and Cullen did not seem to mind- Now he looks so much older--- and I am so sad. Where did my baby go?
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