Getting Some FANTASTIC Memories Back

The cuties and I are busy living it up in Myrtle Beach right now; it is soooooooooooo nice to be back home!!!!! (even if I do feel somewhat like a tourist) I had forgotten how AMAZING the ocean breeze smells; isn't it great when you get a memory back?!!! Right now we are all headed to the beach with Daddy for some fun in the sun: digging in the sand, splashing in the water, jumping some waves, and picnicking on sandwiches and goodies; could it be any better?!!! Well, it would be nice (actually very nice) to have Rich here with us, but he is coming up on Friday night; I hope he is ready for some fun, Myrtle Beach style!

Have you ever...

...been overcome with love for your children? Have you ever looked into your child's eyes and seen a little piece of Heaven?Tonight as I looked into this little boy's eyes, I was overwhelmed with how much I love him and what an amazing spirit he has; as I examined his sweet fingers and toes, kissed his angelic cheeks, and looked into his beautiful, blue eyes, I was blown away by the feelings of love that engulfed me. Colton is, without a doubt, a little piece of Heaven on Earth!

One of Those

Do any of you have one of those children that you want to squish one minute and hug and kiss the next?

I do, and here she is now.

Hmmm, Very Interesting

Yesterday Braden informed me that I needed to have another little girl, and I should name her Kailyn. Hmmm, very interesting, but not feasible at this time; I have to get my sanity back in tact somewhat, before I am willing to sacrifice it for another baby. I will definitely keep that advice in mind though, because you never know!

Those Blasted Fish

Do you see these two precious children staring at the fish that will NEVER die?!!!! (Notice the fish are facing the camera; it's like they are posing.)

Why will they never die? Because I keep saving the blasted things, that's why, and also because of my impeccable timing. Within the last month, maybe a little over a month, twice I have walked into the kitchen when one of the fish has been laying on its side at the top, breathing, but just barely. I hate to admit it, but today when I walked in the kitchen and saw Brooke's fish at the top of its container, I briefly thought, 'Yay, it finally bit the dust!' Of course, I then thought about how Brooke's little heart would be broken, and then, as seems to be my lot in life, I noticed that her fish was still breathing, but barely.

Do you hear the music? What music?

The Mighty Mouse theme music of course.

Here she comes to save the day!

Super Mama! Super Mama!

I yet again came to the rescue of that blasted fish; I quickly scooped the fish out of the water, placed it in a cup of distilled water, and got busy cleaning out their container (NASTY). Once it was clean, I filled it with water and put the fish back in their little home; I explained to my sweet Brooke that I had done all I could, and now all we could do was wait. As I continued to make supper and clean the kitchen (Oh, did I forget to mention?! I was in the process of cooking supper, loading the dishwasher, and I had Colton in a sling when I set out on my rescue mission; Super Mama I tell you!), Brooke sat on the bar stool staring hopefully at her little fish. As I looked at her little blue eyes filled with so much concern as she watched her small orange fish, who she lovingly named Madison, even I began to pray for that fish's life; it then hit me, I was now cheering for this little fish to make it! I tell you; they will never die, and now even I am on their team, those blasted fish!

What will he say next?

Braden is most definitely coming into his own; his personality is really starting to evolve, much to my amusement! Friday night, we went over to the Carters' house for a little pizza and a Wii tournament (still trying to convince Rich we need one), and in the middle of one of the many matches, Braden announces for all to hear, "I was born funny!" Tonight while we were all preparing our hamburgers, Braden gets up from the table, walks to the silverware drawer, explaining, "I am going to cut mine (referring to the hamburger), because I'm good like that!" What will he say next? I'm anxious to hear, but I'm sure whatever it is, it will me make me laugh; he was "born funny" after all!

Would you ever have guessed...

...that these pictures were taken just minutes after Colton got four shots?!!! This is one happy baby! As long as he has food in his tummy, people to lavish attention on him, and a good night's rest, life is good; even a little momentary pain can't stop him from enjoying life!

(I'm sure glad I had my trusty diaper camera to capture the moment!)

Slip and Slide Fun

Last night Rich was in charge of the FHE lesson, and he also designated himself as the one in charge of our activity. For those that don't know, part of Rich will always be a kid, so I wasn't surprised when he came home last night with a new slip and slide for the cuties to try. Once the cuties understood what to do, they loved it; to help them out a little, Rich picked each child up and threw them down the slide, which they thought was fantastic!

Here are the pictures:

(Yes, Braden and Brooke are still in their clothes; when they couldn't find their bathing suits, Rich declared they weren't necessary.)

My Happy Sweet Boy

I have yet again stayed up way too late in an effort to actually have some alone time (I'm sure all mothers of young children are saying, "Amen, sister!"); before I finally retire to bed though, I leave you with these pictures I took today of my sweet boy. Colton is such a happy little thing, and his whole face lights up when he smiles; yeah, he has me wrapped, I admit it! Can you blame me?!!! Look at that smile!

Maseda 80's Dance

Today as I was reading my book once again, I found myself contemplating this quote from Anna Quindlen, which the author had included in the book.

Here is the excerpt:

Author Anna Quindlen reminds us not to rush past the fleeting moments. She said, "The biggest mistake I made [as a parent] is the one that most of us make...I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularyly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of [my three children] sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages six, four, and one. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less."

I think this quote is so true and so powerful; how often do we truly savor the fleeting moments we have with our children? Tonight as we sat down to supper, I intently studied each one of my precious children's faces, trying to soak it all in and not let that time pass too quickly. I noticed the creativity Brooke put into the selection of her "unique" outfit; I watched Colton's sweet face grow serious as he intently studied everything going on around him, and I watched Emma's chubby cheeks and sweet little hands as she hurriedly ate. I noticed how mature Braden's face is becoming, realizing that my little boy is not going to be my little boy for much longer. I noticed Emma's sweet blonde curls, Braden's adorable dimples, Brooke's beautiful smile, and Colton's tiny little toes. I also listened: to their laughter, to their sweet voices, and to the thoughts they were so freely expressing, and as I sat, I realized how much I may have missed in the past; I also vowed to do what Anna Quindlen wishes she had done, treasure the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less, and that is the reason I agreed to have a

Maseda 80's Dance.

There were lesson plans to prepare (homeschooling Brooke preschool), articles to read, and ideas to search, but I knew that taking that time with my family was much more important tonight. So, Rich bought a collection of 80's songs off of itunes, adjusted his outfit to fit the 80's theme (popped his collar, rolled up his pants, and put on penny loafers), and we were ready to begin, starting with Rich going all out showing us all of his Michael Jackson dance moves. Alas, Rich threatened to stop if I pulled out the camera for his performance, so I just sat back and enjoyed (It was good though, really good; man, I wish you could have seen it). After his solo, the kids joined in on the fun, while I took pictures and video.

Here are some of the pictures:

Here are the videos, starting with Braden and Brooke dancing; I have to admit, I was very impressed with Braden's dance skills. I love how he just lets loose!

Rite of Passage

Sunday Colton was introduced to his first taste of solid foods, smashed up bananas, and this was his reaction.