Matthew's 6th Birthday

Although Matthew & Austin are competitive, they are good friends. They love each other, watch out for each other and love Maggie. They are both so sweet to her and treat her with kindness. The photo above, they are playing WII with cousin Caleb. He is very good to both boys. He is much older, but he is patient and teaches them a lot. Anna isn't in the photos (sad) but she is so sweet with Maggie as well. When they got to the house, Anna came upstairs where we were fixing MJ's hair and she hugged Mags and said "I missed you Maggie". Maggie said it back. So sweet!

Last Sunday was Matthew's 6th birthday. With busy days leading up to it for Becky (end of the semester grades, testing, new students coming) and just running a home with her active family, getting a location nailed down wasn't easy. They made final plans for Gattitown, when he woke up on his birthday with a tummy ache. He decided he wouldn't feel well enough to eat much so they quickly made the call to everyone and we met at their house. Then talk about busy, she ran to pick up CUTE cupcakes (Spiderman, of course), big pizzas (Whole Foods, beside Joseph Beth) that everyone LOVED, humus/pita chips, and snacks. We went to church, then I came a little early and dressed Maggie (and she and I picked up her room....). Her room is normally very neat and tidy. Their whole house is adorable. However, the day before, MJ decided she needed something (she told pap she didn't like the panties she was wearing so she was looking for another pair), so she pulled everything out of every drawer she could reach. And the closet. Except for the clothes that were hanging out of reach. So, we had a job. I sure didn't put anything back where Becky had it, but the floor got clean:) She is a funny girl. She is so sweet and loving. I love her so, so much!!!!

Happy Valentine's Day

I started this blog with the photo of dad, but will end by saying I wanted to add a pic of my real sweetheart. Although he has sold his Harley, I love photos of him on it, because while riding it, he was "loving it". Just like dad, he always thinks of me before himself. He spoils me with nights out, fun rides, movies he knows I like even if he doesn't particularly, walks, dinner plans and wonderful vacations that he plans. He loves surprising me with "gifts" like jewelry, perfume, and the best....my little convertible. He does not like to buy me flowers:) That's just the way it is!

This is a photo of my first Valentine. I guess every little girl thinks of her father as her hero. To me, the third daughter, I was a daddy's girl. He never showed any partiality and my sisters who were older, had him first. I know they thought the same as me....they were "daddy's girls" as well. After they left home, I was still a young girl, with Kent there until I married. Daddy always spoiled me rotten. I loved him so much.

This is a photo of him in 1941 when he was drafted into the army.

I always said to myself I would marry a man like my dad. I did. I could not ask for a better man. I am blessed. He is as good to me now as he was 38 years ago.

Bunk Beds

After the baby bed was gone, we have been using blow up air mattress' for the boys. So today pap and I bought them bunk beds. They helped put them together. They did a lot and helped pap out. Matthew told his mom "I think there will be bunk beds in Heaven". Because of Katie, he speaks of Heaven more than most little boys might do.
Although it's not quite finished, and no bed coverings yet, they love it.

Working on Valentine's cards for their loved ones.

Maggie has shed her sweater to play and help the boys & pap.

Maggie in her pink boots from Kimmie.

Odds & Ends

Austin has taken to driving the mower with goggles & headphones. He is really good:) Matthew normally doesn't care to work, so he plays. Today he wanted to stay and work! They did a great job.
Thanks for the wood boys!

A small snack after working! Didn't want it to spoil supper, but they ate every bite. I asked them how they did today at school....both very strongly said "great"!

They are now watching monster truck races that pap dvr's. They love them! They choose a truck and root for it to win! Names like "grave digger" sort of scares me, but so far I haven't seen or heard anything too bad!

On another totally unrelated note, I loved the words of the song on Sunday. I have now heard it on KLove many times. The lines (chorus) that says something like:

"You are more than the choices that you've made...you are more than the sum of your past mistakes....you are more than the problems you create (these words may be quoted incorrectly:) .......you are remade!" I love these words for me, you and anyone that is concerned that their past is NOT behind them. It is....Jesus has forgiven, and it is forgotten. You are remade! Thank God for second (and third) chances.

Saturday Night with my Favorite Kids!

Guess which hand pap?
No, it's THIS one....hee, hee, hee......

Matthew playing nicely with his legos.....with pizza face:)

Austin taking time out to color a picture for each of us with all the colors in the lines.

Playing with pap.

At Atlanta Bread Co. this morning, having our usual whole grain bagel breakfast sandwich, Becky texted asking what movie we went to see last night (Lex. Green, Morning Glory). I know I need to join WW but I would miss our wonderful little drive down the road for this yummy bagel breakfast with ice tea. This is the cleanest little restaurant and we use a baseball team card where we get one free. We get egg, ham or bacon & swiss or provalone cheese. Back to Becky, I asked if they wanted us to watch the kiddos tonight so they could go out. She texted back they were on their way! No, they didn't come until suppertime and they got a "free" babysitting night out. When there was just Austin, we kept him most Sat. nights and our date was on Fridays. I believe this went on most weekends when MJ arrived and much less frequent since we now are a family with three:) Love them, wouldn't change one thing, but pap said it best this morning...."bring them on, one at a time"!!

The kids have been perfect tonight. Sweet, no spills, no crying, no pinching, just good playing together, alone and with us. They ate well, got into PJ's well, and just been a joy to have. Love them!

Thankful

You may say 2011 hasn't been too good for Becky & family so far. To begin, Jason hadn't felt well at our house on Christmas Day, then on Maggie's 3rd birthday, Dec. 28th, I received a call around 10 to say I needed to come over while they went to the ER. They went and got some relief from his pain only to wait out the passing of a kidney stone. This involved rest, drinking a lot of water, and another trip that week to the ER. Another few days of the same and he was feeling pretty bad. Thankfully this past Tuesday (I believe) he passed it! Went back to work on Wed. & Thursday then on Friday as he was on BG Parkway, the envoy slid (it was snowing) and he went off the side of the road. His SUV tumbled over on it's top and he got out the broken window. Last night his ankle was sore, at the time of the accident, he was bleeding from a few small cuts on his head, but other than being sore today, he is fine. That is a very big praise. How blessed our family is! Thank you God....2011 has been very good so far.

For keeping Jason safe so that he can listen to this precious boy. This is Austin's first book he has read to nana. He is in Kindergarten and just beginning to read although he has sounded out words for a long time.

First Week of 2011

On Tuesday at school we had our annual "regift" exchange. I chose the box that held the UK beverage container above. It was a fun gift and one I actually liked and have used already!
This is a picture missing Tricia:(

How many days I sit on my back patio, looking out at the yard, flowers, birds and pond? More than I could count.....now I have to be content knowing spring will come again!