conversations with the critters....

We went to a different church the other night to hear a sweet lady talk about her ministry in Haiti. When we walked in, the church had some change jars set up to collect money for an orphanage they support. Such a sweet exchange the kids and I had.

ASHER: Mom, are those for money for the poor people?

ME: Yes. (both boys start digging in my purse to find their wallets. as they put money into the jars the conversation continues)

ADDISON: Are they hungry?

ME: Well, it is for children that live in an orphanage, that is a place for kids that don't have parents.

ADDISON: Well, maybe they can use this money to buy some parents now.

If you ask Asher what his favorite part of school is, he'll tell you PE and recess. Last night when I was tucking Addison into bed he says, "Mom, there is one part of school that is hard and I don't like. I don't like when they make me run around the track. That's hard and it's not fun." He's so much like his mother!! Asher on the other hand comes home so excited that they got to go to the track and race. He's so much like his father!!

last one....

ME: Asher, it's about time to do your spelling words.

ASHER: I don't like school. Why did they even make school?

ME: Why do you think?

ASHER: to learn stuff...

ME: And do you learn stuff at school?

ASHER: Yes, but learning isn't fun!

Breaks my heart to hear that. Learning is fun. Learning CAN be fun. But I have to agree those stinking homework worksheets are NOT FUN. I think we will practice our spelling words in a plate full of pudding. Now doesn't that sound like more fun than copying on paper!

awww...just a swinging....

The boys love this swing!!! They ask me to push them almost every day. As a compromise they will let me take pictures....just as long as I keep pushing. It is quite a challenge to really get a good shot....in and out of the shadows, constantly moving, trying to find the right light without making the kids squint.....

but every once in a while...






Though they aren't perfect, this momma just loves them. You know I'm referring to the pictures of course...my kiddos couldn't get any better!

Ok, so maybe I make it harder than it really is....Asher took this one of me


And here are a few Addison took....

Super fun times.

My baby is growing up so fast!

Asher turned 7 today. I can't believe that I am old enough to be the mother of a 7 year old! He has grown up so much this year. The other day it ocurred to me that he didn't need ANY help getting dressed. I mean, he has been dressing himself for years, but I have always enjoyed being needed every once and a while for the occasional impossible zipper or the stubborn button. He's reached quite a level of independence now though. I still like to baby him and fix and do for him, but he honestly can fin for himself pretty well on his own. He can make his own egg sandwich, cooking the eggs and all. Makes my bottom lip pout a bit. We definately don't want to hold our kids back and not see them grow and develop....awww, but it just makes me so sad that it flies by so very very fast! I wish I could remember it all better too. Things I didn't think I would ever forget have slipped away. I still feel them, but can't quite put my finger on the exact memory. Asher's name means, Blessed and happy....we knew right away it was the name for him. I truly feel blessed and happy to have him each and every day. He is so thoughtful of others, and loves the Lord so much. He trust in Jesus and wants to obey....How could a mother want for anything more? How could there be any blessings greater than children? I snapped this picture literally just before he walked out the door this morning. It is so hard to let them go! Go ahead and grow up though kiddo...you are going to be a great man someday! (sooner than I would like)



I couldn't choose between colr and black and white...so you get the same picture twice.

and keep those prayers coming for sweet little Jadyn. She still is "not out of the woods yet". She has RSV and pneumonia and is likely to have a lengthy stay in the hospital. I took this picture the day she was born. I love her hands folded so sweetly, almost looks like she is talking with God. Precious Baby Girl, keep fighting!!!

I should go to bed...but I'll recap the day real quick!

Addison stayed home sick from school again today. He gave us quite a scare last night. He went to bed early, but woke up before nine and was screaming in pain. I couldn't console him and he was thrashing around and crying terribly. He was burning up with fever and finally explained that his head was hurting something awful. Once we got his fever down, he rested peacefully most the night. He has run fever on and off today, and slept a good bit. For the most part he seems fine tonight though. He was very clingy and I got some good snuggles in today, as well as a few pictures. His eyes were so glassy and pretty, I couldn't resist.

Then he drifted off to sleep and I snapped a few more. Isn't he stunning, even when he is sick!



Asher was looking incredibly cute in his bright green shirt and was somewhat cooperative about pictures this afternoon. I can't believe he is about to be seven. Man...I wish I could stop time! Especially now with them gone off to school all day. I am missing them soooo much!

I wanted to play around in photoshop some, so I'm sure these aren't to everyone's taste...but I was just having some fun and entertaining myself...procrastinating about doing housework!

wow...he looks so grown up!

I just thought I would sneak this one in too (it is from last week some time), because it just makes me smile. The boys love their new swing and I love taking pictures of them on it. Asher thought he would like to brush up on his photography skills as well and ran to grab his camera too. Addi got completely tickled by all the attention and was overcome with the giggles. You can't tell me you can look at that and not smile.

I hope a few moments from our day has brightened your world as much as the boys do mine.

And unfortunately I need to ask for all your prayers once again. Our sweet baby Jayden is very sick and in the hospital. I can not even imagine what her parents are going through and how scary it was to hold their breathless newborn. She is stabilized and doing better, Thank the Lord!!! But please remember her family as they continue down the road to recovery with her. She is so tiny and has quite a battle she is still facing.

Pictures of the house

Just a few random BEFORE/DURING pictures of the house....

pantry/closet:



bonus room:


kitchen:

Addison's room:

guest bedroom:


the living room:

these floors were in pretty bad shape....just wait until you see the way they turned out....beautiful!

the finished product coming soon!

I'm back....wooohooo!!!

I have felt seriously disconnected from the outside world for the past month. We are so happy to be living in our new home! We have limped along, checking emails at friends' homes/businesses, standing in the back doorway to talk on the cell phone (pretty much the only place where you can get any reception in the whole town), and going between the cramped camper and the upside down disasterous house under construction. The house has come so far and things have moved at such a fast pace. It feels good to slow down a little and enjoy the comforts from our hard work. The boys have both had the flu and been home with a fever. Fortunately they don't feel too bad and have really kind of enjoyed getting to stay home from school. I have really liked having them around all day again and getting to snuggle anytime I want to as well. So just a few updates....

Addison's teeth are doing better. The dentist said he will definately lose one more tooth in the near future, but no permanent damage was done. He isn't having night mares anymore and is eating pretty normal stuff.

I wish these pictures were more honest, showing how swollen and black his little face was. What a cute little toothless smile though!

....and Little Miss Jadyn surprised us all coming three weeks early!

and just because it doesn't feel right not posting a picture of Asher....one from his first day of school

ok, well, spell check isn't working so please excuse the mistakes....and I didn't mean to make those pictures soooo huge...but too tired to change it right now...so hmmm, it's good to be back!