Mini Tramp Memories

Just before we loaded up and headed home I sent the boys outside to run around the yard and burn some energy before the five hour drive. When I came outside I found this...

On the way home from Lubbock I asked Stacey III to list three of his favorite things from the weekend. He said:

1. Playing with Ryan (of course!!)

2. Getting new toys at Nana's (especially his Lightning McQueen car that didn't leave his side all weekend)

3. And jumping on the trampoline.

The third answer made me laugh for multiple reasons. For one he got to jump on the trampoline for about five minutes before we left. It was our second energy burning discovery after the treadmill. And the trampoline is actually a mini-tramp from my grandmothers garage. She has always had one (for those cutting edge work outs!), but I remember enjoying it when we were little too. Sometimes it's the little unplanned activities that leave the most lasting impressions. :)

Red Raider Weekend

We had a great weekend in Lubbock, visiting Nana and cheering on the Red Raiders. This is Stacey and Nana, what a sweet hug for a WONDERFUL great grandmother!!

Nana got a new table and chairs just for the great grand kids and it was a hit, Honey helped her pick out some fun new toys to keep at her house for future visits so whenever the kids got restless they just pulled out the goodie bag. But first things first, lets get our dominoes on :) My grandad played dominoes with the boys, especially Ryan, before he passed away so it is a sweet memory to see the boys enjoying them.

The kids also all enjoyed playing the piano. We have got some budding musicians for sure!! And what joyful music they made!!!

Here is me and my little Red Raiders on game day. I'm chocking Wyatt and Stacey is chocking me, but I love this picture. We learned on this trip that Wyatt loves tailgating, just like Daddy! He stayed out with Daddy while Stacey III and I went to the game and still had on a happy face when we made our way back out sometime after the 3rd quarter, which was WAY past his bedtime! What a trooper!!

Future Texas Tech QB perhaps???

Stacey on the other had was an absolute bear at the tailgate...short nap? too many people? who knows. These were our best attempts at a family picture.

Looks like fun doesn't it.

However, while a poor tailgater he LOVED the game and I had such a fun time with him cheering our favorite team to victory!! Get Your Guns Up!!

Making sure he got every last bite.

After half time he kept asking, "Where are the instruments?" (Watch Baby Einstein much?) "I want the instruments to come back on the field." He also enjoyed using GP's binoculars and would inform me when he "found the team."

Sarah joined us and it was so fun to have her along. She was a huge help all weekend!Here are my sisters and BFFs :), Angie w/Ally, Me and Kacey (with her "Red Raider on Board" T-shirt, just in case you couldn't read it - so cute) before the game.

And the whole Red Raider Family (minus Stacey who was already busy at the tailgate).

It was a wonderful weekend, I just wish it had been longer!!!

My Cutie Football Fans

Of course three is purposefully not smiling because I asked him to, while Wyatt might pull a muscle with his smile. He really knows how to turn it on when it is picture time!

Hungry Hungry Hippos

Daddy made puffy tacos for lunch - yummy!! (Thanks for cooking babe!!) We shut off the kitchen with the sliding door and the baby gate so he could actually move without the cling-ons at his feet whining "I'm hungry" like a broken record, but that didn't stop these starving boys from watching from the peanut gallery. Wyatt is standing on the endtable (is it end or in?) but not to worry I'm close behind.

Hot Mess

I know what you're thinking, I must have scanned this old photo in from about 1991 (actually not about, but precisely, this was Angie's prom dress her freshman year) but no, this glamour shot was taken just last weekend. Hannah, Stacey II's cousin, wanted a "formal" dinner for her 9th birthday, so you ask for it you got it. I remember hotgluing large blue rhinestones on a puffy blue hair clip for the original occasion - WOW! I tried to wear one of my stunning prom dresses, but I no longer own a strapless backless bra, wierd isn't it? I mean with all the strapless backless stuff I wear these days :) Shannon do the flats remind you of anything? Project Runway would be so proud.

Cowboy Baby

I was trading out shoes that are to little from the boys closets and tried these old cowboy boots of Stacey's on Wyatt. He would NOT let me take them off of him all morning. Happy Trails.

Sad Spoon's Makeover

I can remember vividly buying "Sad Spoon" or really spoons, a set of two wooden spoons bought specifically for discipline. I drew a very simple sad face on mine and Stacey (Dad) drew blood tears and fangs...? Um not trying to scare the children into obeying darling just letting them know it makes us sad when they disobey. Little did I know then just how sad it would make me! Or how difficult discipline would be...there is a reason they can't talk when they're born.

I have looked everywhere for these original sad spoons (don't worry Dad's scary spoon version wasn't ever actually used), but they are no where to be found. This is is no way due to the fact that they have not been used but rather used so much that we can't keep up with them. So lately whatever wooden spoon is available works.

Anyway back to the face lift. This morning I heard Millye Hale, an amazing Christian woman from Watermark who loves God's word and knows it backward and forward speak about Biblical Discipline at Building Blocks. Among a plethora of parenting gems that were taken from her talk I left feeling challenged to know God's word so that my boys will hear it from me and they themselves will know it. And what better place to start than with the teachable moments that involve sad spoon.
So the once sad faced sad spoon is now covered front and back with scripture. Not only is it an encouragement to me in the discouraging moments of discipline that I am being obedient to my Father by loving my children enough to discipline them, but hopefully it will also help me use these verses with the boys and hide them in my heart!!

One verse in particular that was an encouragement to me today was Hebrews 12:11 "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."

The other verses finding a home on our sad spoon are:

• Proverbs 13:24
• Proverbs 3:11-12
• Proverbs 29:15
• Ephesians 6:1
• Ephesians 6:4

Here's hoping for the harvest!!!

5 Things I'll Miss About This Summer and 4 Things I Won't

I'll miss...

1. Sock-less laundry.
2. Backyard baths - a regularly requested occurrence around this house all summer and a Daddy special, oh don't worry we use soap.
3. SWIMMING, and baby Wyatt's undercover brown berry tan line.
4. Pock-a-cles (Popsicles), and the sweet little voice that asks for them.
5. Having absolutely no scheduled activities.


I won't miss...

1. Wearing a swimsuit.
2. Sweating.
3. Mosquitoes.
4. Having absolutely no scheduled activities. :)

Having A Ball

We had a great time at Chapman's 1st Birthday, a ball themed party this weekend! Alli made sure every detail was precious!!

The boys loved all the different balls and goals.
Of course our little sweater Wyatt was outside about two minutes before he looked like he had just finished a marathon.

Cupcake envy...don't worry he had cake.
Stacey got to have the gumball off his cupcake and he thought that was awesome!
Group photo, or at least a good attempt at one :)
Happy Birthday Chapman. We had a ball at your party!!

First Day of Mother's Day Out

Today was Stacey's first day of Jubilee Junction our Mother's Day Out.

This is how he felt about "school" (we know MDO is not really school, but that's what we call it.)
Um, don't forget about me Mom, Wyatt wasn't sure quite what was going on, but he definitely wanted to be a part of it.
To be fair this is technically Wyatt's backpack, but Stacey is "borrowing" it until Wyatt needs it.
Stacey went right in and was not one bit sad to see us go. He said, "You're gonna come right back and get me?" I said yes, you get to stay all day and we'll be back to get you this afternoon." And that was it he was happy as a clam with his play dough.

When I picked him up he had a special snack waiting in the car - cheese-its and M&M's - but trust me as far as he is concerned it was a top notch snack. The first thing he asked me was, "Mommy, can I share this with Wyatt?" What a sweetie!!

We already have our first piece of MDO refrigerator art, a lovely rendition of Stacey himself. I was admiring his handiwork on the ride home and as we were headed through the tunnel under Spring Valley he said, "Hey my pichure is going through this tunnel wiss us!!"

The copycat jumped into place for a photo just like big brother. I think they missed each other today. I wish I could have captured the chocking embrace they gave each other when we picked up Stacey. They ended up on the floor in true UFC fashion but were both smiling ear to ear.

Elephants, Gators and Gorilla's Oh My!

Honey and G.P. (my parents) were in town for a weekend getaway at the Gaylord so we met up with them after church on Sunday for lunch at the Rainforest Cafe and swimming at the hotel. We had never been to the Rainforest, but thought the boys would love it and they did. We got there a little early, but there was plenty to entertain our guys even before the doors opened.
Once inside, Wyatt fell out of his chair and got a little bloody nose, ouch! And Stacey wasn't too sure about the Gorilla's. They come on about every 15 minutes and move around and make, um well, gorilla noises, but after a small icy and a few more cycles all of which ended without any gorilla attacks, he warmed right up.

Wyatt also seemed to come around when his food arrived...although he looks like he may have a little case of jungle fever with this crazy face.
The boys LOVED the fish, fountains, giant butterfly, elephants and dinosaur chicken nuggets, but my favorite part was the volcano dessert. Don't you just love it when the grandparents pull out all the stops!

What a fun lunch! Thanks Honey and GP!!