Times Three

Luke Skywalker (aka "JED")

Today we got a puppy! He is a black lab. This will be Ethan's dog. At first I was hesitant to get a dog for a 3 1/2 year old that has a hard time remembering to feed his fish and it would be one more thing for me to keep up with but... I went with it. Although, today Ethan has surprised me. He has been very concerned about the dog and curious. He asked me where would he potty. I told him he would potty in the woods, Ethan got a serious look on his face and said "Mom, he can't do that he may get a tack like me and cry!", I giggled because he meant to say "tick", last week he was in the woods and got a tick- that was not fun- Next, Jed had gotten into the kitty cat's food bowl and Ethan ran inside and yelled, "Mom, Mom Jed eating cat food, come quick!" - and then tonight after dinner he asked if he could walk his dog-

afterwards he came in and said "mom, I love my dog" and that just made my heart melt-

he has a new best friend- and every little boy needs a puppy!

SURPRISES!!

Surprises

I just love Surprises. When you get that ticklish feeling in your stomach and the overwhelming feeling of excitement. I remember as a little girl on Christmas morning giggling with excitement when I opened the door to the living room to see what Santa had left me! As I have gotten older there are few Surprises- my last real Surprise was Feb. 2008, we were out getting last min. things for our trip to the Bahamas when Nathan mentioned stopping by the Toyota place for a min. just to look- I did not think anything about it b/c for 2 years I have been telling him I wanted a Sequoia- and he said we would have to wait- so I had really given up on the thought of ever getting one- so we drive through the lot in the rain see a few Sequoias and Nathan said lets just get out- still not thinking anything b/c we had done this so many times before I hopped out to look- and of course all of them were to expensive- then I see one up front by the door, with balloons on it with a sold sign- Nathan says "Let's go look at this one", I said ok still having no idea- (it looked just like the one I had been wanting)-Nathan told me to get in it just to try it out, and I told him that it was sold to someone and I was not getting in someone else's new car- It was so clean and had a rose in it- Nathan insisted I get it- I was not about to do that- Finally he called out the salesman to talk to me- He told me it was ok to get in it- Still I hesitated then Nathan said it was ok b/c it was mine- I did not believe him- even when the Sales person knew my name and my children's name I could not believe it! It took me days to get over the shock- That has to be one of my top Surprises-

Now I live to Surprise my children- I get that silly feeling in my stomach every Christmas morning- Easter morning when they see the bunny prints all through the house- Birthdays- and surprise trips! I am overwhelmed with excitement for them! And tomorrow I will start to get this feeling when we load up the car and have them guess where we are going!

A Surprise Trip! I can't wait to see their faces when they guess that we are going to .....

Can't tell yet... it's a SURPRISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Evans' First Annual Cornhole Tournament

Last Saturday we hosted a Cornhole Tournament! If you have never heard of it before it is simple- you try to throw a bean bag in a hole for points-Weather was perfect, although it did turn cooler as the day went on and a few drops of rain came down- of course it had to rain some b/c we were throwing a party at our house. The kids had a wonderful time with the silly string and bubbles! Plus all the cookies and cupcakes they ate.. oh my! At the end of the day the Champions were Chan Pittman and Craig Lee! Congrats! It was a wonderful day with wonderful friends! Hope to do this again next year! Next time we should have couples against each other.. that would be interesting! Start practising!

80 years

Today we celebrated my dad's 80th birthday. I can't believe how time has gone by. I never thought my dad could get old. Being a daddy's girl that I am it has been difficult for me to grasp the thought. My dad has always been my hero- he has always been a wonderful husband to my mom and a loving father. He has always taken good care of his children but also people in our community. Growing up anyone was welcome to my parents garden and still are, if there was someone in need my dad has always been the first to do for them, he visits people every week that are in the rest home and hospital, he has given so much to his church - he has never missed a Sunday in more than 50 years, he has been on mission trips to help others, always thinking of others before himself. He worked at Wake Med as a painter for 40 years and also barned tobacco every year to have enough money to put 5 children through college (if they chose to go). He has lived in the same house they built over 50 years ago. Every time they would get alittle money they would add on, little by little. It is a nice, simple, small house, just enough. He has always lived the simple life. I always remember my dad setting an example- he always has put God first and tried to raise us to do the same. I know my dad has his faults and is not perfect but as his little girl I can't name one. And to know that 31 years ago he took a little baby girl into his home and loved her as his very own! I love you daddy.

my boys

Ethan and Cullen;

I can already see how much you love each other. Cullen watches everything his big brother does... and smiles. One day he will follow you Ethan like a shadow- it will probably start to get on your nerves, but remember he will always be your best friend! - always be there for each other, no matter what - believe in each other - trust each other and most of all love each other! Keep your word, be honest and never forget your mommy loves you with all her heart!

"I don't do Schedules!"

Cullen turned 5 months old yesterday, and I decided it was time to get on a schedule.

I strongly believe in schedules and organization... it keeps everyone orderly and happy.

Although for the past 5 months I have let Cullen sleep when he wanted, eat when he wanted, play when he wanted and sleep in his swing (that he loves)-b/c it has been easier that way and he is my last one (probably)- So I make out a schedule for him yesterday morning- this will be easy,I told myself..... HA HA HA!

Cullen was not having any part of my schedule!

I tried to give him formula in a bottle- he threw a fit!

I put him in his crib to take a nap- he threw an even bigger fit and made himself throw up!

He cried and cried all day- unless I was holding him, and when I went to put him down he would start crying, and when I picked him up he would stop but sniffle to remind me he was still upset with me-

I tried to talk to him- and he just looked at me like

"Lady, I am the BOSS of this house, I don't do schedules!"

oh me..... the next 2 weeks will be interesting....

so if anyone has any advice on

1) how to get him to drink formula from a bottle

2) take a nap in his crib

3) and get on a schedule

I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IT!!!!

"Getting Handsome"

Every little boy wants to be big like their daddy and mine is no different. Whatever Nathan is doing Ethan is right by his side! One night Nathan was shaving and Ethan thought that was a great idea so he asked his dad to shave him! Of course Nathan used the opposite side of the razor but Ethan did not know the difference. So just about every night before shower Ethan and his Daddy get "Handsome"!