Oh, You Make Me Smile!

In the book "The Life You've Always Wanted", John Ortberg states that everyone should have a 'joy mentor' in their life. Someone who is an everending source of joy to your day and is someone that even on a bad day can make your heart swell just because they are in your presence. Well... by golly... I have 4 little joy mentors running around my house...

Ohhhh Spaghetti Max... Isn't he just babylicious?!?

And yes, he's on our cream sheets...

I love that the one thing the boys look forward to the most about the weekend is that they get to sleep together. They were upset that Max couldn't sleep with them. I guess we don't need another set of bunkbeds... just one kingsize. "Four little monkeys sleepin' in a bed..."
Just a little peep into our giggly, yet crazy home!!!

Oh, You Make Me Smile!

The Greatest Gift of All!!!

A night out with your girlfriends is a very healthy thing... it is... you have to have a night where you giggle 4 hours straight, and you hang your head out of a sun roof singing, and you order every dessert on the menu to share... it is truly healthy and a wonderful birthday gift.

But I tell ya... nothing is more wonderful than being given a day with my family. I woke up Saturday morning, at my own leisure, walked out of my room to find 4 little boys and 1 big man singing "Happy Birthday" to me with a lit candle in some Texas Crunch that they had made the night before when I was out. There was a beautiful stack of homemade cards that so excitedly dove into. At that point.. I knew it was gonna be a good day. We just played around the house for the morning... no work, no housework, nothing... just play!Then, decided to grab a bucket of chicken and go have a picnic at the pond. We all crammed on one side of the table to admire the beautiful view.
After lunch... we threw out a blanket and just relaxed while the boys played.

Jackson and Max had some sweet cuddle time.

Colby and Bo had there "Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer" time. We all then headed up for a wonderful midday nap! We then enjoyed an afternoon of swimming. I got to lay out in a lounge chair and read "The Notebook" while watching Sam and the guys flip, dive, and frolic in the water. Then, it was time to go home and get ready for...
Our date!!
Sam said the night was mine to choose whatever I wanted to do. I had grand plans to go to a restaurant that has dinner and dancing... then we thought about going to Night of Joy at Disney... but I just decided that I wanted talk to my hubby and enjoy a yummy meal, slowly. So, we found this All You Can Eat Seafood restaurant and REALLY enjoyed our 2 dinner of talking and comfortable silence.

So, I must say 31 is off to a wonderful start...

31 is Gonna Be Fun!!!

If last night is any representation of how my 31st year of life is gonna go...

IT'S GONNA BE A GREAT YEAR!!!

My amazing friends (minus some very special ones who couldn't make it) surprised me and took me out for my birthday! We went to Houston's and they reserved the private dock for us to spend the evening. Magnificently beautiful and special. It was definitely a night that none of us will forget... one funny story immediately followed by another funny story that caused all of us to wake up with a few more "smily wrinkles" this morning.

It's been said that if a woman has one special friend her entire life that makes her very fortunate. Well... I am one blessed gal. To have these friends that walk through the trenches with me when I'm hurting and hang out car windows with me when celebrating a birthday... makes my heart beam and my smile glow!!! I love ya, girls... keep dancin', laughin', and smilin'!!! And remember...

"What Happens on the Dock, Stays on the Dock!!!"

A Little Chocolate, No Cast, Less Hair, & The Beach!

While watching my children, I am quickly learning that the need and the ability for pure fun just runs through their veins. It shouldn't surprise me... Sam and I both grew up in VERY fun and active households. My mom was the head of advertising for a water park, so me and my sister have very fond memories of running around the waterpark weekly! When we were with our dad on the weekends... oh my goodness FUN! From bikerides to beach trips to ice cream to gardening... we had fun! Sam's dad was ALWAYS playing and coaching sports with him. His mom is just one of the most fun and lively people I know. So, the search for fun and memories is just engrained in us... seizing every opportunity to have fun...here's a little peek into our crazy and fun week...

Bo found the chocolate syrup... "No need to clean up, let's take pictures... then, lick it off!!!"

Colby got his cast off... "Let's go swimming!!!"
Max got his first haircut... "Let's make it a date" ... just mommy and Max!


Labor Day Holiday... "Let's go stay a night at the beach!"Yay, Sam!! A picture of the boys... with their mom!!!
Gotta love watchin' your biggest boy run into the big waves!
Max's first trip to the beach!! He LOVED it!!!

Oh, Bo!! You just ran and ran and smiled the entire time!
Sweet Colby! You just flopped in those waves with your little body and freshly healed arm. Those waves knocked you over and pulled you under, but you came up with a smile after every wipeout. Have I ever told you you're my daredevil! :)My party boys!! The big boys and momma headed out to Ron-Jon's Surf Shop after we put Max to bed...
Jack, Colby, and Bo couldn't believe that we left the hotel at 8:09pm so we had to get proof... Sam and I couldn't believe we were out at the ocean the next morning at 8:05... Seize the moment for fun, right!!!

Look at those waves... Hurricane Gustav was stirring it up!

Go have a little fun today!!!!

Counting Blessings...

It is soooo easy to keep your focus on the tough, challenging, and sad things that go on in your day. We all have hurts going on within ourselves, within our families, within our circle of friends, within our community, and within our world. But God clearly tells us to "Not worry" and to "be still and know He is God" and that "He is in control" and to "Trust in the Lord Always."

So, you know what... I'm clinging to that truth... doggone it... and I'm gonna count and enjoy the blessings that are in my life and let God take care of the other "stuff." I just prayed, "Lord, I'm praying hard for all the turmoil, but I'm gonna go play and enjoy these beautiful things You've given me. Let me know when you need me to do anything." Because He will. He will place on our heart what we are supposed to do and when we are supposed to do it. So, go and enjoy this life, but keep your heart open for God to use you when He's ready!!!!

Well. Sweet Max is 10 months old!!! Still not crawling, but who needs to crawl when their our 5 people eagerly awaiting to pick you up!

He wore shoes for the first time this Sunday! As if we have nothing to do on Sunday mornings... the big boys decided they wanted to dress Max up... who says you have to have a little girl to dress up?!?

He had his first biter biscuit... gotta love those messy things!
He did!! See his two teeth on bottom... scrumptious!
He has the exact same little dimple on his shoulder like his momma! He talks to Rolo... he says, "puh, puh, puh, pee!!"
The big boys are at school... Max is taking his nap... "Let's get messy, Mom!" Alright!!!

Watching brothers outside and dreaming of the day to play along!
Okay, so the big guys wanted to sleep together tonight. They all crawled in the top bunk and I let them know... it's a school night, so you have to go right to sleep! "Okay, mom!" (hee-hee-hee as I walk out the door) I stood outside the door and just listened to their little conversations, giggles, and "sounds." Oh, Boys...
I poke back in and they are all giddy with excitement...
I walked back out, soon to hear them... wrestling... I let them know they better have enjoyed this because it's never gonna happen again if they don't go right to sleep...
Well... what-a-ya know... Snug as three little bugs in a bunk bed!!!
Jackson and Max took a bath together... Jackson got Max to say "buh-buh" for brother!!

Oh, the blessings.. thanks you, Lord... I'm listening for ya!!!

1st Day of School... Oh My Heart!!

So, the day has come for my Colby to start Kindergarten and my Jack to dive into another year. Our house has been excited all summer for this day. The day Jackson could walk Colby to his classroom for the first time... the day for Colby to be in an environment that really utilizes his smarts... the day for Bo to feel like the big brother at home... the day for us to send half of our crew truly into God's hands out of our nest!

It all began with a yummy pancake breakfast by daddy on the plates mommy surprised the boys with when they awoke!

First day of school pics...

Off we go....
Daddy led us in prayer waiting in the car line...
And then they were off...
So, we returned home with Bo and Max. I must say it was eerily quiet around the house. No squabbles or squeals... no way Bo is gonna argue with Max! Now I'm used to sending my Jackson off to school... he's been doing this kinda thing since he was little. My Jack is my "pride and joy" and sending him off is a joy for me because he shines and excels and I love hearing his grand stories when he returns. My Colby on the other hand... this is the first time he has gone off to any kind of school. So, as I put his beloved white bear on his bed and his favorite clean clothes into his cubby... I fell apart. I just knew I would be fine on this first day of school because Colby is so confident, brave, and independent... I had nothing to worry about because he had nothing to worry about. But I didn't factor into the mix that I would miss him so tremendously. When Colby was born... I felt he was my "breath of fresh air." So, as I took notice that he wasn't home, I realized how much I missed his presence! Once I cried on Sam's shoulder and Sam assured me that Colby would " be a breath of fresh air to his teacher and to his classmates", I was ok. I couldn't be sad long because my "Love Baby" (Bo) and "Joy Bug" (Max) were waiting for my full attention and I loved every minute with them!!!

So, they are all home now because school closed for the hurricane for two days... it's a little loud and busy, but I tell ya... when they go back to school Thursday... I sure an gonna miss those loud boogers!!!

One Woman Among Five Men

When reading the Bible, I am always amazed at how much I learn. I can read one thing that I have read for years and it has a whole new meaning and teachable moment. Isn't it great that God's Word is that way? Well, being one woman among five men... I am always learning something new... be it simple and humorous OR profound and inspiring. Take a little peek into just a few of my insights....

Give boys a pack of tattoos and they will have hours of fun!

And they will get mom in on the action, too!

Break an arm...
and you get alot of Tampa Bay Buccaneers signatures! Have some organizing to do...and a little boy stuck at home with a broken arm while his brothers go swimming...
You choose little boy and have a good ole time with Hershey Kisses


You have a husband that uses a child's Lightning McQueen tackle box as his own and uses it when fishing with his buddies...

You've got a man with his priorities in order.
Got 5 minutes? Grab your baby, run off to their sweet little nursery, close the door, and don't take your eyes, smiles, or kisses off of them!
After spending an hour planting new plants in your pots and beds...
you can expect a basketball to find a new home.

THE JOYS OF BOYS!!!