For This Season

{to be a kid again}

NOT!  Well, it was fun at the time. After I played with them until I couldn't feel my fingers (no gloves for me of course) I wimped out and retreated to the shelter of the porch.  And, they countinued to run and play and roll and throw and stomp through the puddles - it seems just like yesterday that was Shawn and me.  We would literally play and play for hours on end.  Sledding down the hills on some form of wall covering?  Strange I know, but whatever it was (silver in color) flew like a jet.  And, the impact from whatever we hit to stop caused a few injuries.  Just ask that culvert and stop sign I hit my head on.  They still have problems ;)   But, as I sat and watched them run W.I.L.D. tonight - I then understood why mom would bundle us up, make us warm up, allow us to go outside again, peel off our wet clothes and make sure we promptly went in to dry ones over and over again.  We actually had snow back then.  Lots and lots of it.

Here are a few pictures from tonight - at this point, I was from the perch of dry land - therefore not in the midst.  I think the requirement to be able to withstand it for more than 3.27 minutes - is to be under the age of 10. 

To look at their faces, you would think they've never seen this stuff.  Oh, yeah, they haven't.  Well, not much anyway.  They loved it.

Noah ran around like a crazy man with his mouth wide open catching all that he could!

   

My Snow Angels - notice the one that is face DOWN?

Oh...there he goes again....

Noah did not like the snow getting into his eyes, so he constantly kept his eyes under his hat.  I am sure his visual field was about.......hmmm........zero.

There he goes again!!

the "C-oldest" trick in the book.  Snow down your brother's shirt.  Not so nice.

Okay, Evan did not like the taste of our snow.  And, he will eat ANYTHING, so that's a scary thought.   

I had fun boys!  Despite the fact that you (Noah) thought it was funny to launch a never-ending snow ball attack on me.  I'll get you! I'm certain it will snow again before you leave home.   ;)

{oh my heart}

......someday it will explode.  (well, not literally, I hope)  But, seriously, it can so be just the little things.  Tonight, the snow was falling, the fire was flickering and to my left lay Evan snuggled in his blanket sleeping.  Is there anything more beautiful than a sleeping child?  That's when the first skipped beats started. Then, I glanced through a doorway and there was Noah, perched on a stool eating his Fruity Pebbles.  And, I just watched as my heart skipped some more.  They truly do mesmerize me. 

{Lord, help us}

It continues, Evan "snucked" out of bed and told me to please, please don't tell Daddy but he had a very "improtint" question.  Please don't faint as I write this...

Evan:  "Mommy, I have a problem.  I really, really want God to be in my heart.  I think he's there"  {remember, he is FIXATED right now.  I'm not sure why?  and, in particular, why now?} 

Me:  "Sweetheart, you are God's baby, he is taking care of you."

Evan:  he pinched his skin.  "he has me already"

Me:  "yes, baby, he has you"

Evan: {still looking at his hand} well, I just peed on my hand.  I was in the bafroom, after I snucked out and I peed on my hand. Daddy's gonna be mad betause I'm supposed to be asleep".

Then he asked for milk.    

(it's meme time....you're next}

My wonderful friend Jen, just sent me a meme....as you read through mine, get scared.  Very, very scared, because you will probably be next! 

Here are the rules: Go back through your archives and post the links to the five favorite blog posts that you’ve written. But there is a catch:
Link 1 must be about family.
Link 2 must be about friends.
Link 3 must be about yourself, who you are… what you’re all about.
Link 4 must be about something you love.
Link 5 can be anything you choose.

This is going to be quite the difficult feat.  Hmmmmm....

Link 1 - would have to be In Search of Mayberry, Part 1 as corny as it may seem to some, it's that unrealistic to me. But, I continue as it is truly is what my heart longs for.  So many function great in chaos, I do not.  I wish I did.  I can appear to on the outside, but, my little inner hamster runs so fast and furious - I would expect it to die of an MI (myocardial infarction aka heart attack) any day actually. And, I think my goal for this is more for my family than for myself.  I do not want perfection, just out of racing pit.   I'm still searching and making small strides. 

Link 2 - a very recent post that I am still in shock of the sweetness of the 'gift' of friendship girlfriends

Link 3 - hmmmm, this one is a difficult one.   Although not a lot of detail in the post itself, the words to the song lends to explain right where I am at.  I wrote it last year on the 3 year mark from the accident.  The accident has changed the course of this family, but, I hope I always live the words of that song, no matter, how difficult a particular moment may be......  February 9, 2004

Link 4 - of course, I love so much and so many, but, true blue love hitting the hard times swirled around my grandfather and his death,  Pepaw.  Granted, I have lost several family members who I loved deeply; my dad (that sting is often still as raw as it was the day I watched him die), my grandmothers, my sweet, sweet uncle.... but, I think due to being a different age, having a different understanding and truly losing someone and someone I was connected with in a way that is so hard to explain, a part of me wanted to die too.  I didn't even know how to function without him being such a huge part of my life.  BUT, now this immense love I have for him (as it has not diminished with his death at all) is becoming sweeter.  I think with my dad, because I was so young, he was so young, I could not truly comprehend the loss - that loss sometimes affects me so deeply now because of the impact of how it changed so much in my life.   When I look at my children and realize, that in this lifetime, he never saw them, my heart wants to shatter.  But, through the loss of my grandfather, the entire experience has brought about some peace in the fact that death truly does not take your love away.  I miss them all so much, that somedays I could just curl up - but, their love, that is with me every single day, just makes the days feel better. 

Link 5 -  this has been a great reminder as why I do this!  I have loved looking back through.  A great treasure!  For my just because link, it's nothing special, but, my heart melts when I see it....such childhood innocence, but a picture of a big world ahead of them with prayer coming from this mama that they will use the gifts they have been given....and make that world a better place.  I just love the pictures... Wonders

Now, who will be the next victims......I, mean, tagged friends......how about....

1.  (Flutterby Kisses)  Missie

2. Sharon (The Scogin Family)

3.  Kelly (BusyBusyMommy)

Tag you're it!  You can thank Jen for that! ;)  Blame her.   It's all her fault.  ;)   

{questions}

Out of nowhere.  Well, actually as he sat watching me mop the floor.  Evan asked... "does Jesus have lungs?"  It must be in the air, pardon the pun because I have another friend who has a daughter in Evan's MDO class - Sharon is being hit with questions too.  Time to dust the 800 Questions Kids Ask About God off.   It's whatever the next question may be that scares me. ;)  It could be anything, with the Evan-twist.  Scary.

But, he has been on a little "journey" lately.  EVERYTHING is about Jesus and God, and power (of course), and good versus evil, and keeping his heart clean, etc, etc.  It's hard to balance as his three-year-old view is a 'little out there' - but, I'm resting assured that it should be.  Remember, I should approach it more like him - without all of the things we adults add to the mix.  He needs a little guidance and simplicity.   But, it is exciting to see this new found adventure he is taking.  I'm sure the ride (and the questions) will be pretty fascinating!

The ride to school is quite entertaining, because it is nonstop chatter about the above from Evan. Then, there is my little theologian Noah.   If you see us riding around with ducktape on Noah's mouth, no worries, I'm just attempting to squelch some of his adult-like input.  Remember the ride to school involving the flames of hell?  Enough said.   Noah is such an old man's soul in a little body.  I learn alot from him too. 

What would I have ever done without them.  Okay, enough, I'm heading down a different rabbit trail.  But, wow, I am so utterly thankful.  ;)

{boy bunny?}

Well, without providing too much detail.....I think my Savannah will need a name change.  Let's just say that the problem I have with the boys and the shower curtain - well, we're dealing with the same issues with this little fluff ball.  Splash guards will be assembled today.  Will keep you posted.

{name that BUNNY}

Here she is.........or here he is....... we have not a clue what gender this one is, but we do know that it is so stinkin' cute that we all just want to sit around and play with it.   It is a total fuzzball!

The pictures do not do this bunny justice.  It looks much bigger in the pictures than it actually is....she (for some reason, I think it's a she?) only weighs about 1.5 pounds.  It has a teeny, tiny body underneath all of that fur.  She is THE sweetest thing!

The boys are LOVING her!  Poor thing!  The saddest thing is - she truly is so incredibly sweet.  She loves to be loved on.  Apparently, she was dumped in the country somewhere and managed to make her way up to a farmhouse.  The owners were kind and thoughtful enough to take her in to the animal shelter, thus our call last night.  I just can't believe someone could do that, it breaks my heart.  She was dirty with alot of matted hair when we picked her up.  We've actually had to cut alot of her hair because it was impossible to get all of the tangles out.  I'm glad we got the call.  Scarlet and O'Hare have yet to meet her.  We have her inside the house in her little kennel as she's had a rough past few days.  We'll let them play together tomorrow. 

So, we need your help.  With an unknown gender and our current Gone with the Wind theme - I had considered Ashley, but, the boys hated it.  So, then I voted for Savannah, but as certain as I am that she is a girl, they are that certain she is a boy.  So.....within or outside the realm of GWTW - place a comment on a name choice.   We need all of the help we can get.  Well, I think I'm off to play with a bunny! 

{coloring outside the lines III)

He is still wearing shades of purple - the Bath Buddies would not do the trick.  At least this time it was not my wall, it is not permanent and this too shall pass....

{mockingbird}

Evan came running to me tonight very angry with his brother.  "He's following my words, Mommy!"  Not a happy camper!

{new critter}

Well, it looks like we will be adding to our "rabbit" family tomorrow. We just received a call that another rescue bunny needs a home.   This one is an angora - so, lots and lots of fluff.  The boys are beside themselves.  Scott and I are nuts, but excited too.  However, they have been the BEST pets to have with Scott (& the kids, after all that's who they are for right?) - no barking and with no sounds at all (besides their sweet purring) he is not tense around them at all.   We might as well put this farm to use. ;)  And, I think I may cave this spring and allow Evan to finally have his pet.......chicken.  I know, I know!   Will post pictures soon.......

-zillions of cows and calves (according to Noah)

- down to one horse, but what a sweetie!

- 3 dogs

- tomorrow it will be 3 rabbits

- one fish

- several (#?) goats

Yea, I think we're doing okay on the farm additions

We had a cat.  But, either he fled (I hope) or has been up in the tree for about a year.  ;( 

And, I've heard (okay read in the blogging world) that THE best pet for a child is.....are you ready.......a RAT!  I can't stomach that one, but, apparently they are awesome, intelligent, fun, loving pets!  Can't go there!  Will not go there!