January 5

Today I am thankful for small excitements! H has lost his first tooth. Being one of the youngest in his class means sometimes he has to wait forever for milestones! Last week on the way to TN he exclaimed, "I have a wiggly tooth!" He was so excited! Today he went home from school with JP and as they were jumping on the new trampoline, it all of the sudden was in his mouth. They came running into the house so frantically that SP thought something must be terribly wrong!! H called to tell me and went on to tell L and Ek too. When we all got together tonight we celebrated by singing "Happy Losing your first tooth day to you..." and ate ice cream sundays. It was really fun to celebrate with my precious growing boy. And here he is with oreo crumbs to decorate his new mouth...

Brave H and L

H and L both had their tonsils out last week. on the same morning. one after the other. There were really amazing and I am so glad it is done. 3 kids, no tonsils. They were a bit scared when we first got there and during pr-eop until they had their "juice," but after that the rest of the day really went amazingly well. They neither remember the tragic waking up from anesthesia but both remember waking up peacefully in our 5th floor room. L was asleep on my chest, woke up and said:

L: where is that man?

me: oh, he is working. (no idea)

L: gasp, where is H??.

me: right there, pointing.

L: oh, why is the door so big?

me: so they can get beds in and out.

L: oh, what is that? (pointing to IV pole)

me: oh that is what give you something to drink while you asleep.

content with my answers, she laid back down on my chest and went back to sleep.

H woke up and called John over, "hey daddy, come here, I have a surprise."

J went over and got close and H pulled him in and gave him a big hug and a kiss.

what is not to love about that.

We spent the afternoon cuddling, reading and watching cartoons. oh and eating multiple ice creams, manilla, orange sherbet, Popsicles and powerade. We got dismissed about 5 and went home and tried to fill their empty tummies. They have done great and we can't wait to get back full steam to summer. Actually it is kinda nice to not be full steam. more on that later...

Refreshing Encouragment

After the race, the parade, lunch at Brian's subs, J's first canine eye consult and a nap for 4 out of 7 of us, the kids were really anxious to get wet, they very easily persuaded us that the sprinklers should be the next great part of our day. You know, winter is cold. Not much sunshine. You just kinda endure outside until you can get back inside. Then all of the sudden, you can't get enough sunshine. You can hardly make yourself go inside. It's like there is hope again that you really don't like to sit around inside all stuffy and cold. You really do like to get out and have some fun. Encouragement. Today being outside running, smiling, laughing, catching candy from paraders, and getting a cold burst of water to cool you off was so refreshing. Mom talked several times this weekend about what encouragement means. We can endure anything with encouragement. We just need to hear that we are loved, that we are on the right path, that we are going to make it, that things are going to be better. I think of the Psalms when David pleaded, "take not your spirit from me." We know in the New Covenant, by the blood of Christ that the Spirit is ours forever, but we sure can make Him quiet. And then, we confess, we pray, we repent, we seek and we hear. It feels like running through sprinklers on a warm day after a cold winter. Refreshing to feel the warmth, refreshing to appreciate the cool, and a rush to feel your heart beating. "Sanctify us in your truth Lord, your Word is truth. " (John 17:17)

H actually ran through the sprinklers whereas L preferred to run close to them. She did get wet some and I think she was having just as much fun!

Wow what a morning.

While I was at the Nutcracker school performance, and L was at Mother's Morning out, H needed a gingerbread house decorating companion. J joyfully accepted the challenge. I think they enjoyed it, from the looks of the house, yes, enjoyed. J said they were the 2nd to last done. I could tell! I'd like to live here; its colorful, full decorated, has a delightful fire out front and even comes with a car. When they finished they got to go out and play football. J did not kick it over the fence, thank goodness, and it may have rivaled the fun they had eating endless amounts of candy. (I guess its appropriate that J also took H to the dentist 2 weeks later to have cavities filled!! hahaha) J said when he left even JP gave him a hug. Nothing like a Daddy at school morning. Way to go J.

What keeps me busy...

Several weeks ago I had one of the craziest weeks with my kids activities. They had me on the go!

Monday, L was off from school for her fall break. You know those preschoolers, they really work hard and need a break from school!! It did give her some time to work on her new photography hobby.

Tuesday, H and I were off to a field trip to an awesome farm. We rode the

school bus together, played, and ate our picnic lunches together. We had a blast.

Wednesday was L's fall fun day. Maybe thats why they needed Monday off, to rest up for the big party! She dressed in my cheerleading outfit and had the most fun. She played every game at least 5 times. Pumpkin bowling was at the top of her list.

Thursday, Ek and I went to the same farm H went to. At first I thought I was seeing the same permission slip over and over again, I finally had to put the 2 side by side to convince myself I was going to the same farm on an hour school bus ride twice in 3 days. And yet, it was soooo much fun. Ek loved it too.

Friday was H's Farmer Brown Day at school. One of the most fun activity days of the year. It is very simple and very fun.

Saturday I stayed in bed all day. No not really. It was a really great week.

Between, part 2

We were really excited that our dear friends, the G. We met up with them at half time and planned to meet after the game and walk to a field for the boys to play a bit of football. WGbrought his ball to the game, that's commitment. So we quickly made our way to a wonderful field full of tailgaters for the boys to finally get their chance to play some ball. I mean, enough of watching other boys play! They immediately lined up to play. Sometimes they start from a line of scrimmage and hike the ball, and other times they kick off to each other. Considering their soccer background, they seem to really like the kickoff method a lot. And they have gotten really good at catching each other's punts. There is a lot of tackling involved. Funny note, at one point during the first quarter of the UGA game, H did ask if they were playing tackle. hahahaha The girls started out playing ball but quickly changed to tag. Good choice. It was a blast.

Saturday between the hedges, well not us, but the players were

I realize they are my kids and my husband and I get to see them everyday, but somehow I just can't get enough of them. Saturday John and I were blessed to get to take Ek and H to a winning UGA game and really had fun. I love holding their little hands all the way there, sitting close to them and trying to explain college football, watching them take it in and try to stay entertained, watching them eat a bag of cotton candy as big as their head, listen to my boys eagerness to find some grass to play on, watching my girl desperately trying to find the mascots in the binoculars, and wondering what they were thinking when John and I shot up in excitement over a touchdown. It was really a nice day and I appreciate the Dawgs going ahead and winning it. Oh, and the weather was perfect. And L had a blast with her Mops and Pops. Oh and I didn't even mention J and my run through campus with more runners that I have even seen in my life, past the band warming up and past 100 tailgaters with the most delicious smells, and J wasn't 10 steps ahead this time, yeah!

one and oh

Fall soccer season is underway! The girls and I skipped all the practices since school began and they needed to get to bed at a reasonable time (practice started t 7:45 several nights!), so I was so excited to see him play! He was so excited to get out they and play a game. It was 1000 degrees and 1000 percent humidity, I'm sure, but we were ready. After a quick team photo, they were off. H played great- he paid attention to what was going on, and stayed involved. He scored 2 goals to help their 7-2 win. He also played very hard on defense, he and JP really chased the other team down and tried to get the ball away and take it the other direction. He was not anxious to kick it down the field but tried to dribble the ball- in high traffic and even tried to position himself to receive the ball from JP. It was fun, most of all it was fun to see his huge smile and know he was having a blast playing ball with his friends.

Trust me on this one--- H aka #9 is headed for his first goal of the season, in about one kick...

See what I mean? Having fun...
2 goals today. Sweet boy though- team player wanted to hold up 7.

Despite the shirt, it really is fun

J's first reaction when I told him H could take golf lessons was "I knew this day would come." I'm not too sure how to take that, but I am so glad this day has come. H is having a ball. (pun totally intended) He has, for the last 2 months, taken golf lessons once a week with his friends. They are the cutest little group of golfers I've ever seen. Their coach has taught lessons to kids for years and has them chipping, putting and hitting range balls. He has taught them to stand like a golfer and be quiet and watch while another golfer has his turn, that may be as hard as hitting a hole in one, but one can try, right? I have to admit that he was not too sure about this golf thing in the beginning, he totally disagreed with the wardrobe. You would think that collared shirts have razors in them the way he avoids them, but as time has gone on, it has improved. Ek put a collared shirt on yesterday and said, "I don't know what the big deal H makes about collared shirts is all about, they are not that bad." Once he is dressed, there and with his friends, he has been having a great time. Just tell my H to hit or kick or throw a ball as hard as he can and he is happy. I'm proud him for trying something new and if his persistence has anything to do with it, he will be a great golfer in no time. The group picture will have to come later, one was missing at the time of these pics.

Good morning!

Just a bit more about the Braves game and the fireworks~ They announced before the game that it was a fireworks game. The fireworks would begin 20 minutes after the last out. The kids were, needless to say, quite excited. They missed 4th of July fireworks since J and I were watching them overlooking the harbor in Maine. ahhh ME. Well those Reds tied the game in the 8th (I think) and so we got some free baseball. Thankfully the Braves went ahead in the 10th and won it. horray!! I was very thankful it didn't go to like 16 innings. Well, H just couldn't quite make it. In the 10th, he got very still in my lap and fell asleep. Crowds were cheering and standing around us. Loud announcers, people taking pictures, passing by to the aisles, H slept. Game over, homerun contest, ohhhhs and ahhhhs, H slept. Fierworks begin, loud music, H slept. Me shaking him, throwing him around, yelling in his ear, "H wake up, H fire works!!!!" H slept. oh well. We ohhhed and ahhhed. They were amazing. amazing! They were set to movie soundtracks. L was not a big fan of the noise, J covered her ears the entire time. Ek plugged her ears at times. H slept. We loaded up, headed to the car, buckled in, drove to the hotel, took the elevator, undressed H, stole gum from his mouth, kissed him good night. H slept.

The next morning, he woke up and I went over to hug him a minute and the first thing he said was, "Mommy, there weren't any fireworks last night!" really H? I said, "yes there were H, you were asleep, I tried to wake you up." he said, "Nuh- uhhh! I didn't fall asleep!" ok, H. I know my H well enough to know arguing is not a good idea. He may come around but I was not in the mood at that moment. The Lord spoke to my heart in that minute and made me wonder how often I sleep when he is trying to wake me. I know he speaks in all ways and often it is a still small voice but I'm sure he gets louder at times! My hearts prayer in that moment is that I wake when he calls to hear and see what He has for me. I know He wants to show us even more glorious things than fireworks and I don't want to sleep through them and then try to tell him there were not any. I think of Ephesians 5:14" Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Maybe next time, H. And I hope next time for me too.

Close call

I have been meaning to write about a crazy moment in my mommy life. The kids last ball game was on the last day of school. At noon. Wowsiers it was hot. Not a very good turn out for that one. J wasn't even able to make it. H's team played one inning. Really? one? yes. So we headed over to Ek's game. Her opponents only had 4 players and they called up an adorable rookie. H timidly went onto the field and played a big of first base. He did great. Once we helped him a bit. After all his team had batted, H was moving to the plate ready for his turn. They were so kind to let him bat. He got a hit pretty quickly and it went straight to the first baseman who happens to be his sister. oh no! and she quickly dove for the base. oh no! and they just about tied at the bag. oh no! and looked at me! really? you're going to make me make that call? H looked at me? Did I make it? Ek looked at me. Did I get him out? really? really? not fair at all. Good reason to hire umpires. safe. I say. good call, good call. Please Lord, I umpire enough, not on a field again!

Five

H is 5. wow. Time is moving very quickly. He was pretty subdued about the whole thing. Almost as if his whole self was saying "its about time!" He was pretty bummed that his party had already happened and that the club pool was closed just to make that disappointment sting. I had to remind him of great details from his party to comfort him. We ended up going out to lunch with the P's and the G's. Then Ek went home with CG and JP and BP came home with us, for 5 hours. Appropriate. The boys played amazingly. They played Pirate legos, hours of Hulabaloo, Operation, and Hungry Hippos. The only sat still for one cartoon and played for hours. It was wonderful to hear their happy laughs and I am so grateful for a sweet friend for H. We went out for pizza later that night and dragged his bday one day when we went to the pool Tuesday for swimming with friends and ice cream there.

H is an amazing boy. He loves deep and is very affectionate. He still loves to be held, carried and cuddled. He is my boy that almost every morning just needs a minute to be held before he can get going good. He has an amazing laugh and smile. He is shy with new people but full of life with friends. He has tremendous energy and sleeps hard. He loves to help. He will run to get something if I ask him. He makes his bed everyday and has his animals very strategically placed in 2 rows at the end of his bed. Puppy is still his number one and Sam is his number 2, Sam has on a UGA football uniform right now. H's favorite sport right now is probably baseball followed by basketball. He rides his bike more than is scooter and is very fast. He loves to swim and his freestyle is really coming along. He can jump in and swim to the shallow all by himself. His cannon ball is fierce and enjoys a front flip of the diving board as well. He is silly and fun and adores his sisters. He and L can get to laughing like no body can. He really looks up to his Ek as well. H is a mamas boy and a daddys boy and has a hard time letting us go. He is always anxious if he doesn't say a good good-bye especially if he forgets to say I love you. He is smart and takes his time at his work and is all round wonderful. His smile still melts my heart. I love my boy.

building

I am really quite disappointed that I did not take my opportunity when I had it. Today Ek and H were playing legos. Ek was building houses and H was building trucks. While he was building his truck he decided it was a marshmallow truck and he made marshmallows. So he made a truck that had an attached trailer that held his mini marshmallows. adorable! He even had a lego hand truck to tote them on loaded in his truck. My disappointment was I didn't get a pictures. I did get a picture of their home.

Please note the diving board from two levels. And the stairs to the second level. I think it may be a beach house since it is on risers but I did not ask. Ek was an eye doctor who had taken the week off to catch up on charts. hahahahahaha Great building kids!

Field day

H had a blast at field day! He especially liked the "turtle" race. Love that he confused hurdles with turtles! I asked him if he through they were pretending they were jumping over turtles and he said yes! They did a bunch of track and field events- races, relay races, shot put with tennis balls. Wonderful! He was also a big fan of the long jump, he chose to jump and slide. Love watching that boy fun and play.

I remember those cakes too.

So H and I are riding home from school today and we were just talking. I told him he that we moved to GA the day after he turned one. His little faced lit up in wonder. Then he said "mommy, remember when I was 3 and I had all those basketball cakes?" What in the world, I thought. I literally turned and looked at him and said, 'what did you say?' He said, "you know mom, remember all those basketball cakes when I turned 3?" oh my. Actually H was turning 2. It was a little over 2 weeks before L was being born and the Ranslebens arrived the day of his party. His very large, very hot party. Kim arrived to an undecorated football and a big bowl of brown icing. And like a hundred (time has made the number grow) of cupcakes that I wanted to be baseballs, soccer balls and basketballs. So there you have it. H's earliest memory that he has expressed. Mom and I have talked many times wondering what will be remembered. I always hope it wasn't the tantrum in Kroger over cookies or the fall off the slide at the park. H remembers cake. He is my son!!! Well I must say that I remember Kim decorating them. I remember her wanting to settle into the corner of my kitchen and I told her "no! you must come to the center so I can see your face while we talk." I remember her not being able to leave until she saw L's face. So I remember weeks of my dear friend here. I remember all the honest talks when I could share my heart and know she would tear up quicker than I would over my woes and speak truth that would take me right to our Lord. I remember the morning we talked over the Trinity and we stood in her driveway with amazement over the majesty of our God. I remember watching Brennan run into the house for the last time in the fish dress and cutting it apart to make it into a blanket very soon. I remember repairing that blanket after a few months of love. I'm so grateful that I could call my dear Kim today and tell her 'hi' and 'love you' and 'we remember you.' Can't wait to see her again. Love to see her in my life all the time because of the impact she made on me. And so glad H remembers her cakes.

Singing

We had so much fun at a youth rally the other night. Shane and Shane came to play and minister to the youth of our community. We are so grateful when we get opportunities like these. We took Ek and H to the First Baptist family life center and settled into the second row. One of the moments that I hope to remember forever is, there were two guys that opened up for them. One of the guys wrote “Oh how he loves us.” He said it had been taken by many artist over the years and has many versions. That was funny for me to hear because I have two versions on my ipod, John’s fav and my fav. H was in J’s arms with his feet on the chair in front of him. He sang “Oh how he loves us” with such joy and such enthuaism that my heart just soared the rest of the night. He also enjoyed very much dancing along to the music and even played along with his air guitar and drums a few times. There was such a peacefulness there that night. The music was so wonderful, they were so talented and we just enjoyed sitting and listening and singing along. Ek laid her head in my lap for a long time and watched thought the shoulders of the kids sitting in front of us. I was playing with her hair and there was something in her part, I asked her what it was and she shrugged and said, “paper mache?” Oh I laughed and laughed! It was a delightful evening.

H rode a horse!!

Henry rode a horse.

Wow. That one just needs to sink in a minute.

I was so proud of my boy. Here is how it went down. Friday was Cowboy day. I'm not sure I've ever seen a cuter cowboy than he was. SP got crafty and made JP some chaps. So I followed suit and did the same. Oh they were adorable. Too bad I left my camera at home. Pictures will come around as soon as Dana gets around to it. So we got to school. Played wonderful cowboy games including a pony race (on a broomstick pony), pony lassoing (hollahoops tied to a rope to toss over a chair with a pony on it), s'mores and a story around a campfire. I mean, that would have been enough. But all morning, we had a glorious view of the K5 kids riding ponies in a circle out the window. And then came our turn. Oh I was hoping he would do it. His teacher, who is amazing, offered to put him on. J and I were close by but not involved. She put him on that pony, the lead pony, "Lightening." He wasn't named for his speed though, I'm sure. H's face almost wrinkled into tears the first circle, but after some cheers from us, he setteled in to a look of mild fear. Suddenly I thought, Ek can't miss this!! I looked at my watch and she was 5 minutes from going to the lunch room, so I took off to her classroom and hollered her name, didn't even explain to her teacher and we were out the door of the building before her best friend C realized she had followed us at top speed as well. It was well worth it, H's face competley lit up when he saw her. Ek was so pleased and excited for him. He had his full turn and was cautiouly proud of himself. Much later in the day, he declared it was so great. Wow, H rode a horse. Didn't think I would say that of my boy. So proud of him. Can't wait to see the pictures.

Welcome spring.

After the St. Patricks parade, we were at home hanging out with mom and dad. It was beautiful out, I mean perfect afternoon beautiful. The sun was shining, the tank was clean (sorry a "Nemo" line just popped out!) and when the breeze wasn't blowing and you were in the sun, it may have been just about 70 degrees. Perfect weather for--- da-da-da-daaaaaaa-- an afternoon in the sprinklers.

Thats right, bathing suits and all. I didn't actually get bathing suit pictures because by that point I was way too comfortable lying on my towel in the sunshine. Ek and H were so happy to pretend like it was summer for a minute and actually, I was too. Mom and Dad had to head back to Athens for a party, so we headed over next door and grilled steaks and asparagus, made mashed potatoes, creamed corn, squash and onions, rolls, salad and a key lime pie for dessert. What an amazing day. From race, to parade, to mom and dad being here- of course- it was St. Patrick's, to sprinklers to cookout. Amazing.

Mad for bball

H has been all about a basketball lately. Maybe its because the weather is a bit warmer and we are out a bit more, and that boy has been in front of his basketball goal. Last week, he and I were shooting. We both had a ball and were both shooting and keeping track of how many we made. I had 2 and he had 5 at one moment and he said, 'here mommy, I'll help you, let me have your ball.' So he took my ball and made three baskets and caught me back up to him, then joyfully returned my ball and picked his back up and went back to shooting. What a generous boy. :) He has been dribbling up a storm and is even working on some new moves. He is becoming a fan of the under on leg dribble and a spin move that I think will come in handy one day. Yesterday I was calling and calling the boys of my home to come in from shooting for supper-- finally they came in, H was first and proclaimed he had 21. John came in a few steps behind to say he had 17. That's right, H out shot. He has been playing in the driveway, dribbling up and down the hallway and shooting above the door frame and in his room on a over the door hoop. I guess we are having some March madness around here too.

2010 Leprechan RR

Wow what a weekend! It may take me weeks to recount all the fun we had. Where to begin? Where to begin? hmmmmmm. I think one of the biggest highlights was during Friday night dinner we saw an ole familiar car pull up and raced to the street to give hugs to our Pops and Mopsey. and the big times began. Mom commented on how H makes such a fast bee-line to Pops these days. Gotta love Pops!

Saturday morning was the race. I do love the race. It makes me so happy to see all those people, over 1000 this year, out running, walking, smiling, cheering and having a great time. I love it! Last year the big kids ran and L hung in the stroller. J was recovering and I ran the 10K. I had the most amazing cheering crowd that followed me all around the course. The kids ran the mile, without stopping, in about 11 minutes, I ran in a bit under an hour. On to this year-- the kids ran without stopping or asking to stop!! in a bit over 9 minutes and J finished a fast 46 minutes. His first 10K race, by the way. My knee kept me to the mile only, but it didn't hurt!! horray! I can get back at it now. Amazingly Ek's friend Leah finished with us just like she did last year. H's buddy JP finished about a minute quicker. I was amazed watching the racers come in, there were so many fast kids! and I can't wait to help mine run fast too! What a blast. I forgot my camera, but thanks to email and FB, I have these shots.

I love this picture! J is running so strong!

My fast runners after the finish line!
Ek and her 2nd cousins, who ran awesome! watching racers come in.