Boys Night Out

Austin, Matthew and Thomas with Spiderman.

I know they were in absolute Heaven on earth! They all love Spiderman.
I believe pap said to buy a t-shirt the line was long
and to get it autographed it was longer. So, at age 5, the boys were excited to have their shirts signed by the drivers of the 4 wheelers. They went around the rest of the night trying to show off their signed shirts.

Hey pap, is this where these go? Huh, no Austin!

This is the coolest night ever Pap. They had such a good time.

You can tell by their body language, they thought they were the coolest little boys at Rupp!

All My Boys

This has certainly been a full week. Becky has been in a two day (overnight) technology conference in Louisville and to help out a little, Jessica (who helped out the most) got the kids after school and brought them to nan and pap's house. Jason, who travels out of town during the day, is late getting in at night (evening). We LOVE having them here!!! However, short a visit, they are a delight. They make us laugh. One of those days, I overheard Austin sounding out words, asking pap how to spell this or that, and then he placed his note in an envelop sealed with his name on the back and "to pap" on the front. Sad face:( I have just tried scanning his note to pap that said "thanks for the Monster Jam tickets". He is the sweetest little boy.
The boys like seeing monster jam trucks race when they come here. Pap dvd's the competitions and they all choose a "winner" then root them on.
Last week pap bought tickets for them to go see them race in person tonight at Rupp. He bought one for each Jason, himself and the three boys (Thomas is Jason's girlfriends little boy). So, the six of them are heading down soon to see the "pits" and then the race. Clyde showed Austin the little earplugs they would be wearing. At the end of the evening, he had to laugh when he saw Austin had gone and got his and put them in his ear.
Another funny (to us) was a couple of weeks ago. We had the boys overnight (due to me messing up Becky's van and it was in the shop) so Clyde was taking the boys to school. On the way there, he told Matthew he was the "navigator" and Austin you are the "co-pilot". After explaining what the navigator is to Matthew, Austin said "yeah, you tell us which way to go, and I'll sit here shoveling the coal" (with shoveling actions)....Clyde laughed and told Austin he wasn't a "coal pilot" and explained what a co-pilot is. I guess too much Thomas the Train.
When I got home with groceries recently, the kids were here and I asked them to come help. I told them they were a little heavy (of course I gave them the lighter ones) and as they were bringing them in they were saying things like "this isn't heavy to me, not one little bit"....and other comments making them feel very important and helpful. They were even "flexing" a bit. Then along comes Maggie.....gave her a bag, and as she went in "this isn't heavy to me, not one little bit". She copies everything!

This was sent from Rupp....Austin says his favorite so far tonight is "Grave Digger Legend".

More photos

This is the book Matthew made (with mommy) and took to share last week when he was "student of the week". He is finishing his first year at Huntertown (Kindergarten).
My brother Kent and his son Christopher.

Mom sharing dad's photo (earlier blog post) when he was drafted in the Army (1941). The other ladies on the left is Kimmie's nana, and her mom, Elaine on the right of mom (looking at them from this view). Matthew's family on Daniel's side always come to most big events in his life. His Aunt Laurie (Kim's sister) his cousins Britt Britt (that's what he calls her) and James were all there.

Austin, Matthew & Maggie don't see mamaw often, so this is a sweet hug.

Something I want to add here, this Friday (tomorrow night) my niece, Angie, made contact to each of the cousins and a party is waiting to happen at Becky & Jason's house! (just reread that last sentence and it isn't worded right, but I am out in the waiting room at the MRI place and blogging isn't easy on my lap). I am so thankful they are doing this. Most all the cousins will be there and their families. Her desire is the same for Becky and each of the others I am sure. If they plan on being a family after their parents are gone (say it isn't so!), they want to be connected. Better be connected now! I know it will be tons of fun and more laughter (at our expense?) than you can imagine!

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.