The Joys of Growing Boys!!

I went shopping tonight and Austin wanted to tag along. While we were at the store he was being very sneaky so I asked him what he was doing. He told me nothing. Well he kept playing in his pocket so of course I thought maybe something had made it into his pocket but he insisted it was just a piece of paper. I believed him and kept shopping. Well we finished up and headed home. We no sooner got into the door and Austin took off to find Preston. I of course had my Mom instinct kick in and followed him. I entered the bathroom to lots of giggly boy voices. Austin was showing Preston a picture. He crumbled it quickly and told me it was nothing. I took it from him and realized what he had taken in the store. It was a tag from a bra with a picture of a woman with large breasts wearing a bra. He found that to be so awesome. When I showed it to Mat he thought it was funny too. Oh the joys of growing boys!!! Lord help me through puberty!!

It's About the Little Things

As I complain about life and the things that get me down do I ever stop and remember the little things that I am grateful for, nope. I think that most people, especially in these harder times, complain about the big things that we think matter the most in our lives. Today for some reason, maybe the long wait at the doctor, or sitting at church, had me thinking about being grateful for everything, not just money or material things but literally EVERYTHING. Do you ever stop to think when you are griping about cleaning the house that maybe you should be grateful to have a house to clean? Probably not but you should because not everyone has a nice home so today I thought about being grateful for my home even if it was dirty and needed to be cleaned. Onto the laundry.... I am sure we have all sat around staring at it thinking why we do always have so much laundry? But today I am going to be grateful for the laundry because it means everyone in my home has clothes to wear. Onto my boys, which of course I am grateful for. What I mean is when they are talking to you are you grateful that your children can communicate with you? You should be whether they talk or whine too much at times, be grateful for it. Stop complaining about the stuff you should be grateful for. Are you grateful for your partner in life? Sometimes I complain on end about Mat but am I grateful for him, absolutely. He may not be perfect but am I, no, nor will I ever be. So once again stop complaining and try your hardest to be grateful for everything. Can your children give you hugs and kisses and share a book with you, then be grateful. I am so sick of hearing people complain about stuff that should make them proud or happy. I am guilty of it too but I do get it that I should stop and see all of the little things that God has given me. I have three wonderful little boys, a husband who works hard for his family, and parents that love and adore me (which I do about them too). I am so grateful for those wonderful parts of my life but the fact of the matter is when the big things are getting you down maybe focus your thoughts on the little parts that should make you smile. And do just that, smile. From now on I am going to try and focus on being grateful for every part of my life. We only have one life to live so we might as well enjoy every aspect of it.

The Sports Are Upon Us!!!

Austin's basketball season is coming to a close with the play-offs here this weekend. Then we are onto baseball. Austin already tried out and was drafter to his team yesterday. We have already received the call and he is beyond excited. Nicholas and Preston will be playing on the same team this year since they are both on the rookies part of little league. Nicholas is not so keen on his brother being on his team but I am sure they will keep each other competitive. They do like to play catch with each other so I am sure they will enjoy being on the same team eventually. Austin on the other hand is such an awesome player. He gives it his all and loves every minute. He has so much potential. Now if he would just be as driven with his school work we would never have any problems with him. But I guess you can't ask for everything. So as of March 1st our life becomes that of baseball players 24/7. Trust me though we wouldn't have it any other way. We love sports and we love to watch our boys play them.

Fight Against Cancer

On February 4th the world celebrates International Fight Against Cancer Day and I did not realize that until facebook reminded me of it today. I have a huge victory to share with the world about a man who fought for his family against cancer and WON!!! My Dad!!! He fought a long hard battle to overcome the odds against Hodgkins Lymphoma but he came out far ahead in the battle. Yes the treatment left him with life long ailments but we have him here with us today. My boys are able to spend time with him in the flesh and the best part is that he was able to be around when we added Preston to our family. I cannot express my gratitude enought to all the doctors and nurses who helped him through but I hope they realize that they helped to save a wonderful husband, father, and Papa. We have had the past 8 years with him because of that effort. Lord knows that a lot of the effort went to him for a long hard fight. He is such a courageous man and we cannot be happier that he is here with us today. So hug those extra special people in your life this month (and always) and send special prayers for of those children and adults who are still in a cancer fight. There will be a cure someday. I am sure of it.

The Pillow Shield

This post is about exactly what my title says. Nicholas and Preston came up with a huge blanket tied around pillows. They put it around their necks and then fall or jump to the ground and bounce back up. It really is a great invention but scary to watch them throw themselves down. Pretty funny though that they came up with an invention to help themselves not get hurt because they usually have more fun hurting themselves. I guess I will never fully understand the making of a boys personality but they sure are hysterical to watch. But I think so far in their short years here on earth that the pillow shield is their best invention.

A Miracle on our Block......

So the inevitable always happens when we have a party or get together. Someone in my family gets hurt and of course it is one of the boys. It would actually have been funnier had I gotten hurt while doing the running man during a touchdown for the Colts. But no, Austin decided it would be a good idea to wrestle around with his friend and hurt his foot. At first he said his toe bent back and it was hurt bad. He was crying but since he is always getting hurt we didn't think much of it. We wrapped it up, gave him some tylenol and he went to bed. This morning he came out of his room crawling and crying saying he couldn't walk. So off to the dr we went and the next five hours are a blur. We had to see the dr, then sent off to get x rays, and then back to dr. All the while he is hurt, riding in a wheel chair at the hospital and then hobbling around at the dr. Well, our dr came in and told us their was no fracture or sprain, just a little swelling. The next part is nothing less than a miracle cause all of a sudden my hurt son could walk. As of this moment I truly believe in the power of a dr saying you are healed and then BAM, you are healed. It really was an awesome experience. I hope to repeat it, well never but then again is that a reality, probably not with three boys on my hands.

The Right Time

Is there ever such a thing? The Right Time.... I used to think that there would come a time in our married lives where it would be the right time. The right time to host a barbeque, the right time to have friends over, the right time to host Christmas at our home, the right time to do just about anything as a family, with our friends or any event for that matter. But I have come to the realization that there is never a right time. You just have to go for it in life and realize the time doesn't stand still for the right time. I love my family and friends and love having them over. I have come to realize though that some have the right time perception in their views inhibiting the events that I want to have. I guess for some the perfect home, the food you serve, and what you have at your events is really all that matters. I love the laughter and sharing my time with people I love and care for and wish the it was the same for everyone. Although I realize that some things will never be The Right Time. Life is too short to sit and hope your home is perfect and you have all the money in the world to provide what you feel is right for everyone. It's not and nor will it ever be. So realize that life is too short to wait around for the RIGHT TIME.

God's Mailbox

We were leaving Awanas tonight and Preston noticed the mailbox at the front of the church. He asked me if it was God's mailbox and I told him no that it was the church's. He didn't believe me and said it was God's mailbox and no one should check it but him. He was so cute and it all made sense to him. I tried to explain to him that God's mailbox it through prayer but he said that God needs a mailbox at church too. I couldn't argue with him anymore cause he was too darn cute when he was explaining it to me.