Life is hectic. Four kids, husband, full-time job - these things seem to control our lives at times. It is during these times that we often lose sight of what is important. We start to complain about the job that we have when we should be thanking God that we have one. We complain and grumble because our spouse isn't meeting the unreachable expectations we have set for them instead of just loving them for who they are. We gripe because we have to take care of the children that God has so richly blessed us with instead of thanking Him for the blessing that they are.
Tonight when I got home I turned the TV off. There was silence in the house. All that I could hear was the laughter and squeals of the twins. I missed hearing the older two adding their noise to the mix but thanked God that I had two healthy children to miss. As I sat in the floor playing with the babies, I realized that there are times that life just needs to be simple. We need to take the time out from TV, chores, all the adult stuff in life and become a kid again sometimes. That is exactly what I did tonight. I played peek-a-boo and just simply played with them. Life as hectic as it, slowed down for a little while tonight.
As I sit in the silence of the night, I am thankful for a God that can use moments like tonight to remind me that being quiet is good. It's good to slowdown, reflect on Him and enjoy life being His child.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Football Camp
After years of begging and I do mean some big time begging, we decided to let our little red-head play football. Yesterday was the first day of camp. It was hot but he was loving it. When I got there after work, they were doing a running drill with a parachute.
It was funny to watch some of the kids running and then trying to look back and see the parachute up in the air behind them. I personally can't imagine running drills like that in this heat.
After their drills, the kids got to listen to Bobby Humphrey. For those of you who don't know who that is, he played for the University of Alabama. And here in the South, that is a big deal. He spoke about playing football at Alabama and in the NFL. He spoke about life.
Yet the most important thing he shared was the gospel. He shared that as great as it was to play football and do the things that he has accomplished, he wanted to be remembered as a man of God. It was great to see a man with some much influence share his testimony the way that he did.
This Saturday we pick up his helmet and shoulder pads and then it's back to the second day of camp that afternoon. Pray for those kids out in this heat. It will be rough but I am sure they will all love every minute of it.
It was funny to watch some of the kids running and then trying to look back and see the parachute up in the air behind them. I personally can't imagine running drills like that in this heat.
After their drills, the kids got to listen to Bobby Humphrey. For those of you who don't know who that is, he played for the University of Alabama. And here in the South, that is a big deal. He spoke about playing football at Alabama and in the NFL. He spoke about life.
Yet the most important thing he shared was the gospel. He shared that as great as it was to play football and do the things that he has accomplished, he wanted to be remembered as a man of God. It was great to see a man with some much influence share his testimony the way that he did.
This Saturday we pick up his helmet and shoulder pads and then it's back to the second day of camp that afternoon. Pray for those kids out in this heat. It will be rough but I am sure they will all love every minute of it.
Pink & Green Thursday - Beach Bum
Here are some shots of one of my little beach bums. She loved to sit on the beach and watch the waves come in. Yet she was not so thrilled about actually getting near the waves.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Putt Putt Anyone?
Every year we go to the beach, we spend several nights playing putt-putt. We love it and often times the competition can get rather fierce. This year, the hubs and I were at a disadvantage because the courses don't have enough space for a double stroller which means he carries one and I carry the other one.
And then when you can put one of them down, they seem to want to go after the ball.
Our favorite (at least the older and two and me) is the Orignial Goofy Golf. It's cheaper than most places and has all the crazy stuff that makes goofy golf fun. The hubs kept the babies and that gave the older ones and I some one on one time together.
It was great, but the course kicked my butt. It was awful - I couldn't make a hole in 2 to save my life. I hated that the hubs didn't get to come along but so thankful that he kept them so I could take them. Even if they get a little goofy at times themselves.
And then when you can put one of them down, they seem to want to go after the ball.
Our favorite (at least the older and two and me) is the Orignial Goofy Golf. It's cheaper than most places and has all the crazy stuff that makes goofy golf fun. The hubs kept the babies and that gave the older ones and I some one on one time together.
It was great, but the course kicked my butt. It was awful - I couldn't make a hole in 2 to save my life. I hated that the hubs didn't get to come along but so thankful that he kept them so I could take them. Even if they get a little goofy at times themselves.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
A Little TV Time
Studies show that babies shouldn't watch a lot of TV. But people who do these studies often time don't have kids and four at that. I try to limit their TV viewing time and for the most part the babies totally ignore the TV. Only when Mickey Mouse Clubhouse comes on do they stop what they are doing and watch.
On the way home from the beach, baby girl decided that she would watch Mickey Mouse a little up close and personal while her brother slept. I starting to believe that she is a little too smart for her age.
On the way home from the beach, baby girl decided that she would watch Mickey Mouse a little up close and personal while her brother slept. I starting to believe that she is a little too smart for her age.
There He (She) Is
Peek-a-Boo has turned into a everyday game with the baby. They love to play it and laugh so hard when they do.
The other day my baby boy actually used his shirt to play.
His sister is starting to come around to the game. She likes to play the game but would rather you do it so she can sit and laugh. We are discovering that she is a little head strong and does things her way.
The other day my baby boy actually used his shirt to play.
His sister is starting to come around to the game. She likes to play the game but would rather you do it so she can sit and laugh. We are discovering that she is a little head strong and does things her way.
Typical Brother and Sister
My older two just kill me sometimes. They love each other to death, but always seem to pick on the other one at any given time of the day. This past week on vacation was no exception.
We attempted to take some family pictures on the beach late one afternoon. The younger ones swam and played most of the day without a long nap so they were not in the picture taking mood that I had hoped for. We all do it, we set expectations of things that we hope for and have it all planned out only to realized that life rarely plays out like it does in our heads. Needless to say I didn't get all the pictures I wanted this year.
But what did come out of the attempt was some great candid pictures of the older two doing what they do best - picking on each other. In fact, they get in trouble all week for all aggravating that they were doing to one another.
I was actually rather comical to watch them and the expressions on their faces. My red-head would stick his tongue out and my oldest would curl up her nose at him
As I watched them and took pictures, I couldn't help but think how time was flying by and they were growing up. It just seems like yesterday that I was showing them the ocean for the first time or teaching them to swim. I couldn't help by smile and think about how blessed I was.
I hope that one day when they are older that all four of my kids will be close and realize the value of family and each other.
We attempted to take some family pictures on the beach late one afternoon. The younger ones swam and played most of the day without a long nap so they were not in the picture taking mood that I had hoped for. We all do it, we set expectations of things that we hope for and have it all planned out only to realized that life rarely plays out like it does in our heads. Needless to say I didn't get all the pictures I wanted this year.
But what did come out of the attempt was some great candid pictures of the older two doing what they do best - picking on each other. In fact, they get in trouble all week for all aggravating that they were doing to one another.
I was actually rather comical to watch them and the expressions on their faces. My red-head would stick his tongue out and my oldest would curl up her nose at him
As I watched them and took pictures, I couldn't help but think how time was flying by and they were growing up. It just seems like yesterday that I was showing them the ocean for the first time or teaching them to swim. I couldn't help by smile and think about how blessed I was.
I hope that one day when they are older that all four of my kids will be close and realize the value of family and each other.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Happy Monday
Happy Monday friends! If you are having a typical Monday, then here is a little something that should bring a smile to your face.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
There's No Place Like Home
We are finally home. It was a great week but we are so glad to be home. The older two are headed back to their dad's for one last part of their summer time with him and then it's back home on Friday to start getting things ready for school and the start of football practice. Yes my redhead is playing football this year but I will save that for another post.
I will be updating about our trip over the next day or two. I have images and videos to upload to Flickr and posts to write. After taking a week off from things, I hope to get back to updating my blog daily and really getting things rolling on the site.
I will be updating about our trip over the next day or two. I have images and videos to upload to Flickr and posts to write. After taking a week off from things, I hope to get back to updating my blog daily and really getting things rolling on the site.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
The Beach
It's hard to believe that tomorrow will be the last full day we have before heading home on Saturday. I will post later about the beach trip along with some pictures. But for now, I need to go get some sleep since we will probably be busy as a bee tomorrow soaking up all that we can before packing up and heading home.
So until then, have a great rest of the week friends and I will post again this weekend! As my oldest would say "Peace out!"
Friday, July 16, 2010
5 Months Ago
It's so hard to believe that it's been 5 months ago today that we lost my daddy. It seems like an eternity since I heard his laugh, got one of those 50 emails that I got everyday from him, held his hand and heard him say "Love you" to me. I go places that I would see him and I realize at times that I am looking for him around every corner. In the back of my mind, I knew that one day he would be gone but I still wasn't ready for it.
This week it has really hit me hard that he is gone. I don't know quite why. It could be that we leave tomorrow for our annual family vacation and he won't be there. This time so important to him. He so enjoyed having all of us down there - playing putt-putt, eating out - just being together as a family. Or it could be that the babies are turning 1 next month and they won't even get to know him. He loved and cherished his grandchildren - all six of them. He would bust with pride when he talked about them and showed them off every chance he had. I feel like my kids have gotten the short end of this deal. I am not really sure what it is, but this week has been hard.
As life continues on, the hole in our family will remain. There will be another vacation, birthday party, holiday or any day that he won't be missed. But the things that we learned from him - the good and bad, the values he instilled in us and our memories of him will live on forever. That is what we have to cling to. They say with time that it gets easier. You don't stop missing them, it's just that you don't cry every time something comes up.
So as we pack tonight for our vacation tomorrow, I will remember the good times we had and how much he would want us all to go and have a blast. And because it was so important to him, it will be important to me.
Daddy, I love you!
This week it has really hit me hard that he is gone. I don't know quite why. It could be that we leave tomorrow for our annual family vacation and he won't be there. This time so important to him. He so enjoyed having all of us down there - playing putt-putt, eating out - just being together as a family. Or it could be that the babies are turning 1 next month and they won't even get to know him. He loved and cherished his grandchildren - all six of them. He would bust with pride when he talked about them and showed them off every chance he had. I feel like my kids have gotten the short end of this deal. I am not really sure what it is, but this week has been hard.
As life continues on, the hole in our family will remain. There will be another vacation, birthday party, holiday or any day that he won't be missed. But the things that we learned from him - the good and bad, the values he instilled in us and our memories of him will live on forever. That is what we have to cling to. They say with time that it gets easier. You don't stop missing them, it's just that you don't cry every time something comes up.
So as we pack tonight for our vacation tomorrow, I will remember the good times we had and how much he would want us all to go and have a blast. And because it was so important to him, it will be important to me.
Daddy, I love you!
Harvest Time
Our good friends have a big garden this year. This past Sunday they invited us over to swim and cookout. While the kids swam, we helped them take the silks out of the fresh corn and help prepare them to put up. And let me tell you it was a lot of corn.
When we were done about 4-5 hours later, I was sick of looking at corn. It may be a little while till I am in the mood for corn, but somebody decided she would try it.
She got a piece and started chewing on it. When we first tried to take it away from her, she got so mad. I wish I had gotten a picture of her when she pitched a fit, but I was too busy laughing. So we just let her eat away on the corn. It was the cutest thing.
Her brother on the other hand slept right through it.
When we were done about 4-5 hours later, I was sick of looking at corn. It may be a little while till I am in the mood for corn, but somebody decided she would try it.
She got a piece and started chewing on it. When we first tried to take it away from her, she got so mad. I wish I had gotten a picture of her when she pitched a fit, but I was too busy laughing. So we just let her eat away on the corn. It was the cutest thing.
Her brother on the other hand slept right through it.
Okra
The babies tried some fresh fried okra the other night. And for the most part I believe that they enjoyed it. They are learning how to pick up their food and feed themselves and not doing a bad job of it. There are even times that they will get mad if you try to feed them and not let them do it.
But sometimes when you can't quite get your food to your mouth, you can always go to your food. Not quite sure where he picked this up, but it was too funny.
But sometimes when you can't quite get your food to your mouth, you can always go to your food. Not quite sure where he picked this up, but it was too funny.
Anything to Beat the Heat
And no I am not talking about LeBron James and the Miami Heat. I am talking about beating the typical summer time heat that we have here in the South. Here lately he has been so hot and getting the kids outside to play has been a difficult task at times.
This past weekend the kids we got the kids to go outside. Since rain has been a rare event here lately, the hubs went out to water the plants. And that is when he decided to start spraying them down. They loved it.
The babies even got in the mix but only got their feet sprayed. I think they had more fun watching the big kids run around being crazy.
I don't even want to think about what my water bill will be like this month, but it was totally worth every penny.
This past weekend the kids we got the kids to go outside. Since rain has been a rare event here lately, the hubs went out to water the plants. And that is when he decided to start spraying them down. They loved it.
The babies even got in the mix but only got their feet sprayed. I think they had more fun watching the big kids run around being crazy.
I don't even want to think about what my water bill will be like this month, but it was totally worth every penny.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Sippy Cups
I have had the hardest time finding a sippy cup that the babies would take. We have tried 3 types all resulting in a fail with all 3. One of them we just threw away because my two figured out how to make them leak.
After a trip to Buy Buy Baby, I believe we may have found a cup that they will use. At least for now but you know how quickly things can change.
And it helps to put sweet tea in the cup too.
After a trip to Buy Buy Baby, I believe we may have found a cup that they will use. At least for now but you know how quickly things can change.
And it helps to put sweet tea in the cup too.
Our New High Chairs
We recently got the babies a new high chair/booster. It straps on to one of the chairs at the kitchen table. They love being about to sit down with us now and nibble on what we are having instead of us holding them.
And of course the only way that I could get them to laugh like this was to recruit the help of someone who can make them smile at anytime. Their big brother.
And of course the only way that I could get them to laugh like this was to recruit the help of someone who can make them smile at anytime. Their big brother.
A Little Accident
We had a little accident the other day. Our oldest son thought it would be fun to play on one side of the gate while his brother was on the other side. That's fine as long as we remember that the gate is not made to hold a 9 year old. Needless to say the gate, the 9 year old and our neighbor's youngest child came crashing down on top of him. We are lucky that this is the only damage that was done.
Jump Around
Last Wednesday, our church had a family fun night. Supper was provided along with activities in the gym for the kids including blow up for the kids to jump around in. Right before it was time to head home, I decided once one of the blow-ups was empty that the babies could give it a try. So big brother jumped in and helped me out. I believe they like it.
It was a great night had by all.
It was a great night had by all.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
My Older Ones
After a long 10 days, the older two came home this past Monday. We were all so glad to see them. My girl looks so grown here. My how time flies.
Celebrating the 4th
What a great 4th we had. We went to Lake Tuscaloosa to enjoy the day at a cabin on the lake. There was so much good food - over 20+ slabs of ribs, hamburgers, hotdogs, chicken, and more. You would think that there was a hundred people there. And plenty of help with the babies. The older ladies were all over them wanting to hold them. Of course I didn't mind since I enjoyed the break. Kids were swimming and we all kicked back enjoying the day. The only thing that would have made things better was if the older two had been there.
The babies crawled around this cabin, which was built in the early 1800s. My boy got a splinter in his foot. And they both were dirty from all the crawling at the end of the day. Our girl had to change her outfit since she had sweet tea all over the front of her.
I got out my camera to take some pictures of my sweet babies only to realized that there was no battery. I forgot the battery charging at home. I was just sick. My sweet hubby offered to go and get me one, but I declined the offer. I probably should have taken him up on it and had two but it was the 4th and I didn't think it was that important for him to run around all over Tuscaloosa looking for a battery.
The babies got to see a few fireworks from the pier before passing out from exhaustion. All in all, it was a great day.
So here is a couple of pictures I got that day.
The babies crawled around this cabin, which was built in the early 1800s. My boy got a splinter in his foot. And they both were dirty from all the crawling at the end of the day. Our girl had to change her outfit since she had sweet tea all over the front of her.
I got out my camera to take some pictures of my sweet babies only to realized that there was no battery. I forgot the battery charging at home. I was just sick. My sweet hubby offered to go and get me one, but I declined the offer. I probably should have taken him up on it and had two but it was the 4th and I didn't think it was that important for him to run around all over Tuscaloosa looking for a battery.
The babies got to see a few fireworks from the pier before passing out from exhaustion. All in all, it was a great day.
So here is a couple of pictures I got that day.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Guys and the Remote
I am discovering that no matter how old guys are they love their remotes.
And my little boy loves ours.
And my little boy loves ours.
A Few Smiling Faces
While we still haven't been able to get video of our baby girl taking a step, I wanted to start off the day with a couple of smiling faces. Have a great Friday!
A couple more never hurt either...
A couple more never hurt either...
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