"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!

Somewhere over the rainbow...

bluebirds fly...I am listening to this song right now. The rendetion by Israel Kamakawiwo Ole. I really love the melody of it :)

We had a baseball filled day today. Zachary's started at 9am this morning...at his age they do not keep score or get outs so they just hit and run. The goal is to teach them the game at this point. Zachary did pretty good today, he wasn't feeling well yesterday and I think some of that might have been lingering around this morning still. He still just isn't sure about the running part yet...he loves to play and hates to run...not a good combo! But I am sure he will come around but the more I watch him the more I wonder if some of it is lingering around from his problems last year (for those who are just tuning in...hit up the October 07 archive). Anytime we have to run he gets upset and says he doesn't want to, I think it may be hard for him still and we will just have to keep encouraging him. They said he may have some lingering effects and things he will just learn to cope with over time. Guess only time will tell.

After baseball we headed home for some downtime and then this afternoon ran off to Jakeb's game. They played the Angel's...an undefeated team...who are still an undefeated team. LOL. Yep we got spanked...18-2. Those kids are dang good...I only saw one of their players hit off the tee, every other kid beamed it right into the grass. Our poor boys didn't have a chance. BUT our little ball player got one of the only 2 runs of the game AND got it without the tee AND made it to 3rd (and was then hit in). So go Jake! He and I practiced this past weekend hitting sans tee and he did pretty well (actually so well that he beamed me in the schnoz leaving me with a bruised and battered nose--way to watch the ball Mommy!) so I jumped on the chance to point out that maybe just maybe the reason he hit the ball today was because he practiced at home. Hopefully that will help encourage him to want to practice. He wants to play but is in tears every time we try to make him practice at home...which he needs to do. Next year he moves up to coach pitch ie no tee and so far he's only hit 2 times without the tee so he needs to practice! Either way we are having fun with it all! I never thought I would be sitting on the bleachers hootin' and hollerin' away but I sure do!

So Jakeb is officially a first grader! He had his last day of school on Wednesday. He is sure excited for summer time and honestly so am I. No more getting up at 6:30 and having to get him ready and lunch packed...now I can get up at 6:30 and "lounge" around hehe. I of course took pictures of him (and Zachary) on the first day(s) of school and thought it would be cute to compare the first day and last day...Jakeb on the first day of Kindergarten.

and Jakeb on the last day of Kindergarten.

and Zachary on his first day of Preschool...

and Zachary on the last day...

and these two are funny...both of Zachary...same days first and last...and it cracks me up that I got goofiness from him both times--unprovoked...typical of the Zman. LOL

Memorial Day Monday

A Holiday today...for most just another 3 day weekend! Granted we all know (or should!) the reason for memorial day but I doubt too many of us actually stop and comiserate on the day and the meaning of it all. For those curious I did a little google search "what is memorial day" and found this nifty site telling me just that. Apparently this holiday was created or "proclaimed" on May 5th 1868 by General John Logan. It was declared to honor those that have died while servicing our nation. So there a quick tidbit on today!

So how did we spend our Memorial day weekend you ask? Well Friday was a field trip with Jakeb's school. We went to the Discovery Center, we have been before but it was nice to go again and hang out with my Jakey boy. They had tons of neat little centers set up for the kids...my fav part of the day was wading in the creek with the boots! Saturday I hosted a baby shower for my friend Hope...she is having a baby girl in June (hopefully!--she is having contractions already but we hope she holds on a little longer!) I had a really nice time and it was great to visit with everyone that came :) Plus baby showers are fuN!!

Sunday the fam and I headed up to David (my stepdad's) sister Cynthia's house for a family gathering. They have a pool and rented blow up slides for the kids so it's was great fun...esp for the kiddies! It was nice to see everyone also, we don't get to see them as often as we used to so it's always nice to get to hang out again :) That and the boys were EXHAUSTED! Can you believe we got to sleep in til nearly 8:30!! Seriously that NEVEr happens. They fell asleep in the car around 8:45 last night and Jakeb was up of course by 7:30 but he was content with cereal and some cartoons...Gavin woke up at 8:25 and Zachary slept til nearly 9. Wowzers!! I think we need to wear them out like that more often lol! Here are some pics of them from yesterday...

Jakeb and Zachary catching air on the slides! Zachary LOVED them...Jakeb did as well--when the water was turned off and it wasn't as fast hehe.

And this is Gavin and Jaxon, my cousin Christy's youngest--they were so cute playing together (and fighting LOL) They are a little over 4 weeks apart and are both too dang cute! Jaxon has the best little smile ever I could just squeeze him up!

TOday was spent lounging around "poolside" --ie the kiddie pool was filled, the boys played, and I lounged (as much as possible!). We did get some very much needed rain this afternoon so that was good! We had dinner with Robert's parents tonight as well :) More burgers and dogs LOL! But it was yummy! Bryan (robert's bro) cooked for us all and he did a great job! It was nice to hang out with everyone there as well :)

Little Catch up play...

Goly gee---tell me it's not been almost TWO weeks since I last posted?! Seriously I thought it was just about a week ugh! Well let's see. We are winding down with the very first year of Elementary school. Jakeb has a field trip tomorrow so today was really his last day of school. They go next week for 2 hours just to pick up report cards (seriously why even have this day?)
Jakeb has done quite well in school and seems to enjoy going--well enjoys it enough LOL. Zachary had his last day on Tuesday and can you believe Mr. Never wants to go to school actually said he didn't like that it was his last day because he wouldn't get to see his teachers? Sweet as it was I am shocked! Takes him nearly the entire year to warm up to them, he's so funny about new people. I tried to get Gavin in for the fall but I drug my feet about it so there aren't any openings right now, darnit! The way he has been lately I NEED him to go LOL! But seriously he can be SO sweet! I am loving and hating his age right now...he's so darn cute and so darn NOT cute LOL. When Jakeb was this age I had already had Zachary and when Zachary was this age I was about to have Gavin so I haven't REALLY gotten to solely focus on one child at this age and it's really kinda nice! While I THINK we want another, I think we have decided to put it off for a little while longer. Cute patootie Gavy Gav is such a handful right now and I know he won't be but I need to get in a groove with being so busy with school and baseball and all that before I start trying to add more chaos with a new baby. As much as I want one I seriously am begining to wonder if I can handle another. So I need time to reevaluate so to speak. Although if it happens it happens and I will be thrilled but for now we won't be preventing nor really trying. Guess we'll see...I say that this week but seriously in two days I will be singing a new tune!

It's finally been warm enough consistantly for me to set the pool up so we did that this past Monday and the boys have been in it everyday---I love that thing! Maybe one day when they are older and I am not terrified of them drowning we can get a REAL pool---maybe LOL.

I have a TON of pics I want to post but they need to get converted and Grey's is just about finished recording and I am dying to go watch it! I will have to post again in a bit---a bit meaning hopefully tonight but more than likely in a few days! So I am off to watch my show!

Happy Mother's Day & wear your coat!

Isn't there a rule somewhere that states something about the weather no longer being able to dip under 67 degrees past April 31st...much less plummeting into the 50's!? I mean come on--this is Tennessee it should be in the high 70's by now! But it was COLD outside today, then again this IS Tennessee and the weather is completely unpredictable. So I had to breakout the long pants and jackets today, but that's ok it will be 80 something tomorrow I am sure hehehe!

So Happy Mother's Day!! I had a good ole' day--got to sleep in, til I was awoken by screaming children (playing screams) thru the baby monitor. At which point I realized I was not smelling breakfast cooking and I layed in bed for a while longer sulking that Robert had done nothing and had the kids do nothing to celebrate "my" day! Now I will say that I bought myself some clothes recently and I told him that could be for my birthday and mother's day but that the kids had to do something for mother's day LOL. So I got up ready to be "angry" and instead found 4 cards sitting on the table---3 homemade ones from the boys and a store bought one with a sweet little homemade message in it from the good ole' hubby. So good for them! We then got up and headed out for breakfast which was of course yummy! Waffle House is ALWAYS yummy LOL! After that we made a quick trip over to my grandparents house to say hi and grab the lawnmower--and of course make the kids let me take more pictures! (which I will post one or two--no worries haha). Overall we had a good day--didn't do much of anything! Works for me!

Yesterday I helped shoot pictures for a second wedding--this was my good friend Jen's wedding and it was so fun and they were all so cute and fun! I had a great time and I am so happy for her--for both of them! The wedding was "squeezed" in between Zachary's baseball in the morning and Jakeb's baseball in the evening. Zachary's doing much better! He of course said he did not want to go but had a good time once he got there. They did a practice scrimmage and at this age they don't keep score or even have outs...so basically each kid gets a turn hitting and the other team throws the ball all over the field while the batter runs the bases. Zachary hit off the tee AND when he was pitched to--and yep he RAN the bases! Once took some pushing from the coach and the next time he took off, so YAY for Zachary!! Poor kid is SO shy, but he's coming around.

Jakeb's team lost their game by 4 pts. but they did very well playing and Jakeb did great...stopped a ball hit his way, made a run in and got on base the other times he hit! They are having lots of fun with it!

Good weekend here...hope everyone else had the same!

And here's a few pics...

Here are my cards from today so sweet!

This picture CRACKS me up...the boys hopped up on the swing (as told of course LOL) and I stepped back to snap some pics and Maddie was running all around having a big ole time in the tall grass but then hopped up there by them just watching me...so I had to include her and I think it's so darn cute!The next 2 are just Zachary (obviously) he was have the best time in this grass/hay it is taller then him and today was incredibly windy so it was loads of fun LOL!

Holy Guacamole...

I will be THIRTY in TWO years!?! Wow seriously I do NOT feel like I could possibly be that old, I really feel about 20! My 10 year reunion is this summer, but I think I just graduated like 2 years ago...not TEN. I mean so incredibly much has happened in the past 10 years of my life but it feels like very little time has passed. When I think back to the last time I saw people and find myself saying that it's been 10 years ago I am blown away...really TEN years, wow. I saw someone at the mall the other day that I thought I recognized from...ten years ago but wasn't sure really...then realized it's been TEN years since I had last seen this person so I have no clue what this person would or should look like. I mean I look essentially the same (+25 lbs--darnit!) but other people of course may not. Anyway wow, I will just stay in denial I think. I AM only 20 and I am not real sure where these kids came from that call me Mommy.
Anyway yeah Happy Birthday to me...my 28th birthday was yesterday hence my nonsense rambling about age and 10 years etc etc.
My mom was so very nice and took the boys and I out for dinner at TGI Fridays and then we shopped around the mall a bit, for some much needed clothes for yours truly. Since I have gained +25lbs over the past 10 years---15+ being over the past 6 months I am in dire need of clothing. It was nice to be able to get a few things, granted I am positive it would have been nicer without a fit throwing 2 yr old, and rowdy 6 and 4 year olds in tow...but beggars can't be choosers, right? So a big ole' thank you to my ma for putting up with ME and the kids and getting me some clothes---and food!
Robert got home last night and will be home the rest of the week, he's actually talking to customers on the phone directly behind me. When he isn't traveling he's often working remotely from home, which is nice to be able to do.
Rainy Thursday here, hope everyone stays dry!

Cinco de Mayo!

About 8 years ago today would have been a wonderful excuse for some partying...but here we are now 3 kids later and I totally forgot that it was Cinco de Mayo til this afternoon LOL!

We had a really good weekend, it was really nice out both days and I of course love the springtime weather so bring it on! Robert's brother graduated from MTSU on Saturday morning so we headed to that which was as most graduations are....boring! BUT I did happen upon my friend Susan from high school, which was super cool. There are only a few peeps I am interested in keeping up with from the 'ole high school days and she is definitely one of them. We were inseperable for a bit in high school and all I remember is having great silly fun with her! So I am stoked to have run into her (actually saw her mother first). Hopefully we can catch up sometime soon.
After graduation we headed to his parents house for some BBQ and to visit with the fam which was nice to do for a bit. We didnt' get to stay too long because Jakeb had another baseball game that afternoon...another game that they WON! AND Jakeb crossed home plate TWICE and hit other players in so go Jake!! I was so excited for him! Because of the way the line up has been he has not had a chance to actually run home but they changed it up on Saturday and he was able to get home! He also was given a game ball for doing so well, which he of course was super siked about, so go Jakeb!
Sunday we just hung out really, took the boys for ice cream and enjoyed the gorgeous day.
Robert is in Chicago this week, and after being home for 2 weeks it will be a bit of an adjustment for us I am sure. We both love his job and the perks of it but we also really miss each other and I know he misses the kids like crazy as they do him. We talked about this job for a great while before he ever even applied for it and at first said no way...but money talks LOL and we changed our tune and felt that he should take it while the kids were still young and the opportunity was available. He's home a great deal really but never enough for him to do all the things he would like with them. It's a fun job for him though and that is important for sure! Sometimes I get a bit jealous that he gets to travel so much--I am all about it--which is one of the reasons I love his job because we get to travel so much more AND it's cool for him to get to :) Anyway yeah...not sure why I got on that tangent.
I am trying to get caught up on editing some pics from a wedding I helped shoot a few weekends ago as well as just random pics we have. One of the neighbors must be having some sort of shindig so I am jamming to my yahoo music thing (to help drown it out!) and working on some pics...and obviously taking a moment to blog :) Hope everyone had a fab-o weekend...enjoy the weather, it's rockin' this week!

Can we get a HAPPY BIRTHDAY?!

Happy 2nd Birthday to our Gavy Gav!!! I seriously cannot believe "our baby" is 2! He's not a baby anymore :( We all still call him a baby though so it's ok, he's so itty bitty he still seems like a baby even if he doesn't act like it. He's Mr. Independent for sure, and wants no help doing a great many tasks! He's talking up a storm lately...his latest is telling us "that way" when we are driving or saying things like "Sit. Mommy. Lap." He has his own little words for things--lala=water, gaga=Zachary, lao=lay down...I guess things he just can't quite get out. He likes to end most peoples name with -ey, like Evie=Evan, Jakey, Davey=David etc. It's so cute listening to his little voice and hearing him talk--he is talking later than Jakeb and Zachary did so it's interesting seeing how he is coming around to it. He said the other day when he saw Robert getting dressed...Daddy. Stink. Bot. which was Daddy stinky bottom had me cracking up! He is a little pistil for sure! His personality certainly does not fit with is little body. He has a mind of his own and does not hesitate to let people know what it is. He struts and marches just about everywhere he walks esp thru groups of people. He is of course still a little sport prodigy (IMO LOL) He is quite full of himself lately and it is just amazes me! He's so gosh darn sweet and cute and I really can't believe he's 2!

We had an awesome day today...first off it's Gavin's birthday so that is cool in itself! But we started off with Jakeb recieving a Star Stallion award at school. Which is awarded to students who are doing well and what not, I think it seems that she has alternated every 6 weeks with him recieving one. So that was fun! We had lunch with my mom and Gavin got a birthday ice cream sundae. BUT tonight Jakeb had a baseball game---and they FINALLY WON!!! This is their very first win after 5 or 6 losses! So this is VERY exciting for the kids...and parents!! We were stoked! AND Jakeb HIT the ball WITHOUT the tee!!! He has always done well hitting the ball and has only struck out one time but has always used the tee to hit but tonight he did so awesome and hit without the tee! We were VERy excited for him! He made it to 3rd base and the boy after him got out :( So no run but he still hit it!! So yay for him!

Gavin's Birthday Party was this past weekend. He had a fun rainy party at the park. It was decked out basketball themed and we even brought basketball goals for the kids to play on and they all seemed to have a good time with that! I wish we could have had a dry party but it turned out pretty well all things considered :) Gavin had a good time and I guess that's what matters most :) Here are some pics from his Partay...

And these 2 pics are from this past Wednesday at my grandparents house...I love this one of them! Gavin is trying to be all posey wosey cuddly with them LOL. And here is ALL the boys...Jakeb, Alex, Zachary, Gavin, and Evan....crazy kids!

Do the Humpty Hump

'tis Wednesday. Oddly enough Wednesday is my favorite day of the week, maybe it's the odd spelling or simply that it's the middle of the week and is the day that pushes over into the 2nd half of the week! OR {and a reason I haven't considered} it's the day I was born---which I might remind you that today also marks exactly one week from my birfday ;) Please refrain from any renting of party rooms or expensive gifts, I really would like to keep it simple this year.
So yeah, anyway. We had a good busy day today. This morning I picked up Hope and Evan and we headed out to grab some flowers, 2 haircuts for 2 little boys (Evan and my Zman) and then on over to my grandparents house to weed and plant flowers! My Aunt is out of town this week and my grandfather is staying at the VA while she is gone so I thought it would be fun to have a little surprise for them all when they get back. My grandmother has flower beds all around the house and yard and it's so very much for them to keep up now, so I hope it helps out some :) I know she really loved working in the flowerbeds and it's just a neat thing for me to be able to work in the same soil she did and see the things how she left them. It makes me miss her :( but at the same time makes me feel closer to her. I really hope they are happy with what we have done. The kiddo's had a good time and were worn out! We hit up Olive Garden for dinner and it was yummy as usual. We have a busy rest of the week and hopefully will be able to chill on Sunday!
Robert's brother graduates from MTSU on Saturday morning, Jakeb has a game on Friday AND Saturday. And I have a bachorlette party as well Saturday evening....so busy b we will b!

Have a great few days!

Slacker---slackerson

Well one day I will get this "posting everyday" think down pat....someday.
Things have been pretty well since Monday. The boys had school and what not and really nothing of too much excitement to blog about. Maddie girl is doing well and is currently barking at the cat behind me. We are still of course struggling with the gosh darn potty training but she is doing A LOT better...she does know to go outside but hasn't figured out that she can ONLY go outside and of course how to tell us she needs to go. She's getting bigger and a little rougher in her play so we have to help teach her to be gentle, the boys when we first got her loved to have her chase them...and I knew then that that was not a good idea because when she's big and trying to chase, right you get the idea. SO we have got to stop that habit on all fronts because she thinks anything running is something to chase, particularly little children and cats LOL. She's a sweetie though, so far no regrets!
Jakeb had a game tonight....he is doing A LOT better, still not catching or hitting far BUT is catching on in other areas. I am so proud of him for actually getting out there and playing, I really am. Now after saying that...I will add that I wish he would put some effort forth! Jakeb thinks that if he cant' do it right he's not going to try until he feels like he can...problem with that thinking is that as he gets older there are somethings he isn't going to get without practice--a bit of a catch 22, I guess. He'll get there though, I know he will. I hope our encouragment helps and he see's it as that and not nagging LOL! oh...and they lost the game :( BOO!
Jakeb didn't have school today so we headed to the zoo for the first time this year, it was really nice out today so that was a fun trip. We pulled up and about died because it was SLAMMED with field trip kids, but I think we timed it right because we never saw them past the first few exhibits. It was a nice trip :)

We ll we have a busy weekend. Gavin's 2nd Birthday party is Sunday at the park...pray for SUN!!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!!