"It's Good to be Alive"

This is from my 6 year old. I took the boys to the park TWICE today and as we got in the car after our first trip Jakeb told me "It's good to be alive. I am glad everyone's alive." I told him yes, I was too and then wondered what prompted that. Funny he should say that I have been thinking the same things lately. I told Robert this past weekend that I don't want to die ever and have discovered I am not a big fan of death...in fact I think I have real issues with it. So yes Jakeb it IS VERY good to be alive and I am so thankful that he is and we all are. So very, very thankful.
And with that....we had an awesome day today! Well minus the uh nature call in the woods (yeah don't ask). We left this morning and ran a few errands...one of which was paying off a bill!! Yay for that anyday! We met up with Hope and her...now 3 kiddo's at the park and let the boys play for a bit. The weather today was very fall like, in the 80's with a perfect breeze. After playtime we hit up Moe's (and funny when you go to their website it opens with "Welcome to Moes!!") for lunch...which is our new fav YUM! We ate lunch on the patio and the boys were relatively well behaved. Well for 5 little boys eating lunch outside LOL. We then headed home for nap and Jakeb and Zachary hopped in the pool for all of 5 min, the water was chilly and to top that off the air was just too cold for them. While Gavin napped I realized I wasn't ready to be home and inside yet so, Jakeb and Zachary and I decided dinner at the park was a fabo idea! I wanted to run by Beesley Spay/Neuter Clinic so I could pay for Maddie's surgery so we hit up Barfield Park on that side of town afterwards. We ate dinner and the kiddo's played on the playground. One of my favorite things to do at Barfield (ok my favorite...because I mean really I am too big for the playground) is to walk on the trail they have there...the trail ends at what I think is Stones River and you can walk down to the water and walk around in the water. We had enough light left so we hit the trails...the boys aren't really big fans of trail walking just yet but I am bound and determined to get them to that point. I love it, I wish I was in better shape and well the kids were a bit older so we could do it more often. Anyway the trail was very nice I don't think we passed anyone on the way down, so nice and quietish. Another family did catch up to us as we go to the end, they also had 2 little boys and had come to catch tadpoles for their "nature study". Which I thought was a totally cool idea and told the boys we are so going back to copy them...I think tadpoles are super cool esp once you can see their little frog legs developing! So we looked at all the little creatures and threw some rocks and headed back. I must brag on Jakeb a bit because he has gotten to be quite the bug man lately. This child who seriously 3 months ago was huddled in the corner screaming bloody murder because a fly was flying around the light, has now started catching grasshoppers and roly poly's...that is HUGE, something I never imagined he would do. And to give credit where credit is do, Zachary is the one who has helped with that. Of course Zachary is petrified of spiders and ants but he can handle other creepy crawlers ok. They recently caught a grasshopper, "Hoppy". Hoppy lived in a jar for about 2 days and then Jakeb decided he needed to be set free...poor Hoppy is now an amputee with only one leg. Last I saw he was alive...and hopping. And this was just as we were leaving so they didn't mess with him anymore. But that's a huge step for Jakeb! Both of them really. And I think it's too cool!

Sorry I am slacking on the picture posting lately. It's on the "to do" list I promise...just not very high up on it haha.

OH!! Please say a prayer for my bestest friends Amber and Phillip they have been trying for a baby for over 2 years now and had their very first IVF transfer today! I am so very excited for them and know they could use the extra thoughts and prayers. Thank you!!

Weekend poster

Apparently that's me hehe. Guess that's the easiest time :) Although with Robert being home on the weekends you would think I wouldn't be on the computer at night! I think the last couple weekends though he's had stuff going on--the nice wifey that I am I don't mind him hanging out with his "pals" LOL. And the nice guy that he is doesn't mind me doing the same. However tonight he is being a wonderful awesome husband and is staying the night with my grandfather so that my aunt and uncle could have a weekend trip on their boat. I have quite gladly volunteered us to help out anytime they need and I am glad she is taking us up on it! I really had intended on me being the one to stay but Robert jumped on it so I said okie doke...really I think he doesn't want to have to get up with the kids while I sleep in...I stink I know.
We have had a pretty grand ole' week of nothing too exciting. The boys had their very first swim lesson on Tuesday, they were hesitant at first but then LOVED it and had a great time :) I am so excited for them. My friend Renee' is doing them for us and she really rocks it with the kiddo's, they love her or at least did on Tuesday LOL. So that's so very cool.
Poor Gavy has had a cold this past week which has gotten his asthma and little lungs all very unhappy, he is now on the mend but we did have a trip to the doctor because I was sure on Thursday he had an ear infection set in. Fortunately not and I guess his monster 'tude was just from the cold. Seriously I feel incredibly sorry for his wife because he is going to be "one of those men" when he gets sick. He is SUCH a grump when he's sick. I mean really it's just a cough and runny nose but the kid won't eat and is just so crabby. Poor baby...we did try to start the potty training however when the cold started which set his mood on rollercoaster I thought it was best not to push it. Just a simple "come on let's go potty" might have set off the sirens!
Jakeb had a pool party today with the Marlins his baseball team. It was so nice to get to see everyone again, I really did enjoy the team a lot! We had a great time today and the kids were WORN out tired. They swam in the sun and rain and just had a ball.

My big project for the week has been to get my website complete. I bought it last weekend and receieved everything for it on Monday and got to work on it asap. I have been using free sites and what not for awhile now and have been dying to upgrade. I am seriously LOVING it! It makes all my work look fabo IMO, love it! I totally dig my song selections and have gone to my site several times just to hear them LOL. Geek I know...esp since I could uh, I don't know start up itunes instead. I honestly turn most songs off when I look at other sites but I still love it when I hear music start...even if I do turn it off LOL. So anyway yeah if you get a chance Check it out! Give me feedback, I would greatly appreciate it!! Here's the linkado :) Lilac Hill Photography

A long week...

or was it? I say that many times and then think back and realize maybe the "long week" wasn't all that long, afterall it's over already. This week sure felt like while I was "enduring it" but now that I think about it I guess it wasn't....although Monday sure felt like it was an awfully long time ago! So at one point this past week I had SEVEN little boys in my house by myself...I was the only girl--uh I mean woman (why is that STILL weird to say LOL) with 7 little boys. I felt a bit out numbered. I guess I will have a great many (if I am ever so lucky) days like that to come but it was a bit overwhelming.

So my friend Hope had her baby girl on Monday...Lauren Ryleigh and I am oh so very excited for her and cannot WAIT to get my camera on that baby! I kept her boys for her while they were in the hospital and they had a big time playing and what not. They are always good while they are here--minus the "i'm not your friend anymore" moments between Jake-Jake and Alex haha--so I don't mind having them over for a few days. I can be cool like that I guess, cool for my kids that is.

We are all settled back in from being in Florida and I can't wait to be there again! I sure love visiting and being on the beach but I dont' know that I would want to live there year round...of course I say that but if someone said "hey I have this house on the beach", I would be there before they could count to 10. It could be my summer home hehe.

Robert got home super late last night...er this morning thanks to delays on the airline. I stayed up late finishing up a session that I had done last week and he still wasn't home when I went to bed at 1. But he will be home for a couple days next week so that is awesome!

OH! and another bit of awesome'ness my wallet has been found!! I made a trip out today to finally get a new wallet...I had given up hope on ever recovering my trusty ole' thing. But much to my dismay found nothing at Target that even remotely suited me...Robert and the boys were not up for shopping around for wallets so we headed home and seriously about 10 min after we got home my mom called and said she had my wallet in her truck this whole time! I had to think back but yep sure enough I vaguely remember bringing it with me. So YAY!! My wallet has been rescued and I am a happy girl...er woman!

So yeah I said I would post a few beach pics from our trip...I could go so overboard with pics you would be sick but I will do my best to refrain :) I have pics from before the trip I wanted to post but I guess you snooze ya loose huh? I will post a big ole happy bunch of pictures for anyone who has hours to kill feel free to check out...HERE remember pswd is 123kids.

Gavin was so NOt into the sand at all...as if you can't tell...

Mr. Boogie Boarder 2008
I think we managed to convince him to do this once or twice....looks to me like he had a blast but he wasn't going to do it again!Jakeb and his best bud AlexProof I was there...can you believe this is NOT the pool!? That's some crazy blue water!Everybody jump on 3!and don't think I forgot the "pictures on the beach" Gavin has obviously mastered "THE Cheese"last but not least the family shot...a special thank you to Alex for getting us all to laugh and smile with his antics LOL

Miss Me?

Probably not because you didn't know I was gone...(that and from what I can tell about 3 people read this blog...my mom, Robert...and...me, 'tis ok I at least can entertain myself right?). So yeah on a complete spur of the moment we managed a trip to Florida...Destin, FL to be exact. My mother says Destin is NOT Florida LOL...I am sorry but that little FL stands for Florida and quite honestly I just want the beach, flat horizon, sand in my feet, moon on the salty water, and as long as I have a little waves I am good to go! Anyway Jennifer was down there with her kiddo's and mom and had asked us to come down with them a few times. I kept telling them no and that as very tempting as it was especially since Robert was on vacation we didn't even have the gas money to get down there much less back. However Monday Robert did some work for my grandfather and gave him a little moola and seriously within 10 min of talking to Robert and finding out that my friend called with an offer we couldn't refuse to get us down there! LOL. So all signs said "GO to the BEACH!!" I mean really how could we not?! So we decided about 3:30 last Monday to go and left at 9 that night with Jakeb's best buddy Alex in tow. And we had a GREAT time! The kids did great in the car and had a blast down there :) Jakeb had his buddy Alex and Zachary had Caroline so they were mighty happy about that! This is only my 3rd time going to the gulf, my family has always vaca'd on the east coast but I am beginning to prefer the gulf I think. The beaches are just nicer and the water is so darn clear...sure the waves aren't as big but being that I put away the surf board a few years back I think I can manage hehe. That being said it's going to be pretty hard to actually plan vacations away from the east side...don't know that I will be able to!
I of course have plenty of pictures for everyone....all 3 of us... to look at but haven't had a chance to get them up just yet...slacker right?
I am super excited about tomorrow because my best buddy Hope is going to be induced and FINALLY have her baby girl!! I can't wait to get my hands on that little girly! It's taken much self control to not run out and buy all sorts of cute little GIRLY outfits for her! I have her 2 boys Alex and Evan for them while they are at the hospital so I can't rush up there too soon but you bet I will be there as soon as I can be. I am so excited for her and Brian to have their final addition to their cute little fam! :)

Well guess I will head on...and btw if you happen upon my wallet please let me know! Seriously the thing has gotten up and walked away! I can't find it anywhere...but thank god I have my check card (the last time I had it was when I took my cc out of it to get gas) out of it so I don't have to worry with all that mess. But I have no ID which is a big ole' PITA! So yeah...blue and brown Vera Bradley, it's cute and I am bummed I lost it! :( Anyway nighty night!


And Happy Father's Day!!

The best teeball Game EVER

Tonight was Jakeb's last "official game of the season". And seriously it was the best game ever! They won their game in overtime 20-21. They played the Braves which is quite a bit higher in the rankings than we are so it was super exciting to win...especially so up there in the points AND in overtime! We were jumping up and down excited! Jakeb scored 2 runs and OMG...he HIT THE BALL every time WITHOUT the tee!!! NO tee..at all! Go Jake! We were so stoked for him :) I am totally pushing the "because you practiced" junk on him now LOL :) The kids all did great though and we have some good little ball players out there. Especially from where they started they have come a LONG way. And we have had so much fun with the team and the other parents it's really been a blast. Anyway this post is solely about Jakeb's game. My head hurts, I am exhausted and I can't go to bed because the kids aren't asleep yet grr!!

So off to kick some kiddy booty (not really but I am going to go stand over them like a hawk til they go to sleep!)

You busy? I'm busy. We're all busy.

June!! Holy schmokes it's June! And June 3rd at that...
I am trying to slow down the busy bee train a bit and chill out about all the things I think NEED to be done pronto. It's nice that the boys are getting old enough to help out in the household "work" particulary cleaning up after themselves and each other. Their latest argument is "but I didnt' do that" my retort? "I didn't do 75% of the messes I clean up all day so do it anyway" LOL. I really am quite glad that they are old enough to say that to! I realized quite some time ago that I am a pretty neat and tidy person. However since having kids that has gone to crud of course. Problem is that my anal retentive ways are still pretty set in stone...so the toy clutter is enough to send me over the deep end. I think the past couple years I have managed to deal relatively well (Robert I am sure would argue otherwise) but I think I have gotten to a breaking point. Yet I still can't quite figure out what exactly to do about the issue at hand...clutter! I doubt that I will anytime in the next 16-20 years LOL. So in the mean time I am trying to declutter and destress as well as chill out about it...not exactly an easy task(s) to accomplish. Don't tell the kids but I hauled off a black bag of goodies to good will this past weekend hehe. I do wonder about those women who seem to manage it all...the house, the laundry, the kids, themselves. They seem to have endless hours in a day, I really don't think it's fair! Of course then I stop and realize they probably don't handle it all they just act well hehe.
We have been enjoying the weather and the kiddie pool in the back yard. I am sure the water company loves us this month (er summer). I may fall out when I get the bill...I sure hope water is cheaper than gas! Oh.MY.God. seriously it's costing me over 60 bucks to fill up my VAN...is that not ridiculous. I have never really been good about watching our gas or checking prices but I am really trying to be more aware of how much we are driving around and shopping around for better rates. Seriously--no lie--when I graduated high school and moved to this little ole' town gas was 75 CENTS! and that was only ten years ago! I could fill my little Honda up for 8buckeroo's. I have told my mom that and she doesn't believe me but really it's in my year book I have proof that it was that low. It's just nuts.
Well the boys were out by 8pm and my goal is to be in bed by 10:30...I stayed up entirely too late last night and am struggling now. ANd seeing that 10:30 is 21 minutes away I best be moving on now....HOpe everyone's June is rolling off to a good start!