Texas State Fair 2006

Fall Is Here

Hello everyone! It has been a very long time since I have posted anything. Wow! A lot has happened in two months. With school starting for Jordan, a new "to do" list has been added to life. He absolutely adores school and we are so thankful for that.

Genesis Metro Church has been such a blessing to us these past few months. Our lives are greatly enriched because God put us on this path. Our family is blessed beyond measure by the family of believers we live life with.

Tim and I just returned from a wonderful trip to the Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island, Bahamas. Ty & Kelly Greneaux won a trip through the supplier who supports the garage door business they own and they invited us to join them. It was incredible! I will write more about that and post pics in a later post. I don't think I will ever be "wow-ed" again. In short, this place was breathtaking.

For today, I give you fall pics of the boys. They are growing so fast. Jordan continues to get taller and Titus is losing that baby look altogether. I can't believe it. Where is time going? I wish it would slow down, but from what I have been told, it only goes quicker each year.

Love to all of you.

Sisters

There is nothing like having a sister. Nothing! I am so very thankful for these two women in my life. Our relationships have grown--with ebbs and flows, up and downs--but they are a constant in my life and I love them dearly. Each of us has our own personality...we are all so very different, but we have a few things that keep us bonded.

Danyelle is the oldest---I won't tell by how much---she is a "C" personality -- organized, cautious, together, passionate, unique, adores children, takes things slow, and plans out everything she possibly can. She is the "older sister" and has always been. She has had her eye out for us ever since I can remember--looking out for all of us.

I am the middle--I am an "I" personality -- spontaneous, not very organized, people-oriented, trusting, exxagerater, fun in the sun (literally in the summer!), and energetic (think of the energizer bunny). I am the peacemaker.

Tami is the youngest---she is a "DI" personality -- fun, direct, spontaneous, outgoing, loves projects, endlessly the life of the party, and has a sweet sensitive side. Tami is the girl whom everyone wants to be friends with.

It is funny how we all came from the same genes, yet we all handle life so very differently. I love them so much as they meet me on so many levels. If you want to know what unconditional love is, the three of us have it. I am so very proud of our relationships with each other and so thankful that we have what we have.

I love you both, you gorgeous girls!

A New Era

Well, I am sure some of you are wondering what happened to my blog. I have not posted in months as this summer has been the absolute busiest, craziest summers of my life! I will try to make time for the writing, but there just has not been a lot extra of that lying around.

In two days my oldest son, Jordan will start his journey into the land of public education--he starts school. Tim and I have just been walking around in disbelief about it. We cannot believe we are the parents of a school-age child. It seems surreal that we are old enough to be in this position.

Friday night was "Meet the Teacher" night at school....I am walking in with Jordan attached to one hand and Titus holding the other. It is very crowded as all of the other students and their parents are there for the same reason. We arrive and walk through the double doors of this brand new facility and I am immediately overwhelmed. When we reached Jordan's classroom, my throat closed up and my eyes filled with tears. This is it. His first classroom.....his first experience with the influences of this world away from the safety and comfort of family. WOW!! What a sobering moment that was for me.....meanwhile, Jordan is combing the room for all the cool things that await him. At one point, he even made this statement upon finding a flannel board easel topped with individual alphabet pieces, "Ooooh, look at this creative little thing." He's so funny!!!!!

Jordan has been an amazing child to parent in the five + years we have had him. As a baby, he was easy...he was loving, (he has always loved people), obedient, fun, and charming. As a toddler, we absolutely loved watching him explore and experience new and interesting things. We would find cows while driving down the road and go into a chorus of what all the different kinds of animals say. His favorite book in those days was "Goodnight Moon". I think I could still quote it if asked.

As he transitioned from toddlerhood into pre-K and the big brother stage, his little personality just blossomed. He is a kid who likes to have fun, he loves to be around people, he is big on quality time with those he loves, he is very intelligent, he is focused, he is highly energetic, he is a charmer, he is a great negotiator, he is a Superhero and Star Wars lover, he likes to be good at things, he likes to try new things, he is forgiving, he is frustrating to his little brother and LOVES to antagonize him.....he is my adorable first born and the one I will always share that experience with.

I love him on so many levels. I am so proud of him. I stand in amazement that God has blessed Tim and I with these two precious lives--my Jordan and Titus. As "Big J"/"T-Bone"/Jordan begins this school era I am sure to shed tears and remember so many things about his little life so far. The anxieties about this chapter in his life are too numerous to count. However, I know that his life is not mine, he belongs to God and I trust Him.

So, Jordan -- have fun, be good, remember "it's all about choices and the consequences to those choices!", be your own person, don't be afraid of individuality, stick up for yourself, be gracious and kind.......wow....that is a lot for him to remember....oh, how I pray he does!!!!

I love you, buddy. You are my absolute favorite 5-1/2 year old!

Daily Mom Stuff

I woke up this morning, as I do every morning, with a million things running through my mind of what I needed to already be up doing. This happens to me a lot. My "laundry list" won't let me sleep--there is too much to be done (especially if I am going to get to that pool later during good tanning hours!) I get up, brush my teeth, make the coffee, put a load of laundry on, water the plants, fix my cup of coffee, load the dishwasher with dirty glasses from the night before, pick up toys along the way, get some quiet time in, check my email, respond to emails, blog, drink my coffee, put on another load of laundry, pick up more toys along the way, take my 3 year old to the potty, fix breakfast and drinks for the kids, turn on the ritual morning cartoons, try to get a shower or bath hoping they don't kill each other while I am in there, and my day gets started.

Isn't this a typical day for most Moms? It seems like some days we have done a lot of work before our eyes have been opened for 30 minutes!!! The ones of you who have to get everyone, including yourselves, dressed and out the door before 8AM--I applaud you and I really don't know how you do it. I would have to get up at the crack of dawn to accomplish that -- I am sure most of you do!

We have big jobs -- us Moms. Are we thankful for our roles or do we resent them at times? We are blessed to have this opportunity, aren't we? To be able to raise these kids, nurture this household, love this husband? My heart is urging me to say that though at times I am overwhelmed by what I do, I am humbled and grateful for it at the same time.

May I remember the passage of scripture in I Corinthians 10:31,
"So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
Even putting on a load of laundry and cleaning up toys--may I do all of those things with a joyful heart and a right spirit--and be thankful for the blessing of family I have been given.

Cousins

My entire childhood I never really saw my cousins. There was the once - maybe twice - a year visit to Georgia where the rest of our extended family lived. Our little Harper group was in Louisiana separated from the others. We often times wished, dreamed, that we could be a part of their lives. That we could know our cousins on a daily basis and spend time with our grandparents in the ways that our cousins got to. But, look where we are today--we have all met our spouses and are living in happily married homes. Our lives would have looked totally different had our parents moved the family "back to Georgia" like they so often talked about.

Today, as many of you know, my sister, Danyelle lives just down the street from us. She has four kids, I have two. They all absolutely adore each other. My boys wake up asking to play with them and be with them nearly every single day of the week. Whatever social event comes up, they want to know if Caleb and Alyssa (the oldest of my sister's four) are coming. Whatever family event takes place, they want to make sure Caleb and Alyssa will be there.

Last night, Danyelle and I switched a kid for a couple of hours. Titus went to their house and Caleb came to ours. When I went to get Titus from Danyelle's, of course he did not want to come home. But, when we got in the car he was saying to me -- "I wike 'syssa. 'Syssa bahwy nice to me." How sweet is that? Caleb ended up just spending the night with the boys -- which they were elated over. When I put them to bed, of course, they giggled for over an hour before finally falling asleep. Tim and I reminisced about being with our individual cousins as children while we were listening to them. The laughter coming from that room caused us to take a little trip down memory lane....

We are so glad to have the cousins so close...I am happy that my kids will grow up knowing them and being best friends with them....how cool is that?!

It's Summer!

Around this household during the summer you will almost always find us at the pool. We have already been 4 times in the past week and in a couple of hours, we are going again. I have shown my love for the pool and the warm sun to my boys and they equally love it. I even caught Jordan one day "laying out" inside the house on a spot on the carpet that the sun was streaming down onto. Funny stuff!

I enjoy going so much because it is so relaxing and a quick "getaway" from the day-to-day. So, I just posted this to say -- I AM SO GLAD SUMMER IS HERE!!!!

My Trip in Review

So, my trip was a lot of fun. I actually just spent a lot of time writing about each day and then decided no one would want to read all of that, so I am starting over. We had a great time, me and the boys. We went to see Tami and Rob first, my sister and her husband. We slept in, played with her dogs, played putt-putt, watched the Dixie Stampede show and then Tami's show-Lost In The 50's, slept in again, ate a beautiful breakfast, shopped, and enjoyed late night dessert with family and old friends. I cannot think of a better visit Tami and I have had--it was long overdue...

Mt. View was of course great to be in again. Life is simple there. Easy going, laid back, slow. Nice. But, by Monday I was chomping at the bit to get back home. Sunday was good to be in church with my parents. I must tell you all about the service on Sunday night. As my parents and I were practicing to sing at church that night, Jordan decided he wanted to sing also. So, he bravely got up to sing a song that he knows from our church, "Be Strong and Courageous." He did great!!!! He is a natural....he kept saying he was going to be too embarrassed, but after it was over he said he was "none embarrassed." After he sang, it was our turn, so the boys just had to get up on stage with us. Well, as I have told many of you already, while we were singing, they were behind us "sitting and waiting on us", well, not exactly. The congregation was just giggling throughout the entire song and after church they let us know that the boys were, unbeknownst to them, entertaining the masses. Jordan figured out how to balance the chair he was sitting on on the back two legs and was very proud of himself until he lost that balance and fell backward, feet and hands waving in the air to pull himself back up. Titus was on the bench, facing the empty choir, dancing with his bum to the beat of the music - the fast-paced southern gospel tune, Way Up In Gloryland.

We all enjoyed a few laughs about that....Tim and I got a kick out of it. Later that night my parents and I took the boys to their first drive in movie- yes, they still have one that operates in Mtn. View, Arkansas. They absolutely loved it. I am glad they get to experience things with my parents that they don't get to experience here--it makes their visits with them that much more special.

So, they stayed there and I will go and get them on Monday. I am sure they will fish, play video games, make smores and snow cones, ride the 4 wheeler, and be spoiled more than I could possibly imagine. By Monday Tim and I will be pining to have them home again, but until then we will enjoy the the quiet around here and each other. I am, for certain, glad to be home.

My Trip

Well, tomorrow the boys and I will leave for what is becoming a little tradition it seems. For the past couple of years we have gone to Mountain View, Ar. to see my parents at about this time of year. We also stop in to see Aunt Tami and Uncle Rob on our little getaway. Oh how much fun we always have! We will go to Branson, Mo. and stay 3 nights at my sister's house, enjoy watching her in the show she performs in twice a day-5 days a week, shop at the outlets in Branson, and hopefully find something fun for the boys and me to enjoy together while she is working. Tami and I will get to catch up and be sisters....I really do miss her sometimes...I look forward to it -- Yeah!

Then, we will go to spend the weekend with my parents in their quaint, picturesque town nestled in the mountains of North Central Arkansas--a beautiful little spot! On Monday I will come back home and the boys will stay and enjoy a visit with their Grandee and Grandaddy without the parents around--this is where their fondest memories are made. I am so thankful for them to have this time to get to know their grandparents, it absolutely means the world to me for them to have this great relationship with them. My parents have always just loved having their girls around, and now, they are LOVING having their grandkids anytime they can get them.

I know it is strange, but I actually look forward to the drive. I get to sit in the car with nothing else pressing to do, sing to the top of my lungs to the songs of my choice, and totally veg out! Why? Because the boys got a portable DVD player for Christmas that plugs into the car! Yippee!!!!! This way, everyone is happy....I leave them alone, they leave me alone, and most importantly, they leave each other alone! Great little set-up.

So, I am off to enjoy some good old fashioned family time...nothing in the world like it. Tim won't be able to go with us so tonight we are going to transform our front room into a "movie theater" and watch Chicken Little with the boys. Family time with Daddy first, then on to the rest of our fun.....

The Simple Things In Life

It is Saturday morning. The kids get up...they get us up...they want "bekfas", according to Titus. So, here I go on the journey to decide on what to have for breakfast. After going through all of the options we decide on pancakes. And not just any pancakes, they want Mickey Mouse Pancakes like Grandaddy makes. So, this is how our day started. The four of us enjoying pancakes, bacon, and eggs together.

After clearing the table and cleaning the kitchen I got a quick run in before we had to get dressed to go to Jordan's last soccer game of the season. This is our second season of soccer with him and OH MY GOODNESS!!!! How he has improved!!!! He made two goals today...two! We were down 3-2 and Jordan was going in for his last quarter of the game. As I was tucking in his shirt, I say to him, (in "non-competitive" soccer), "Son, we are down right now. This is your last chance to score. This is the last game. Now, go out there and kick that ball in!" "Okay Mom!"--with a quick thumbs up and great big smile. He starts for the middle of the field to join his teammates on the line. The next thing I know Jordan is scoring the tying goal and then the final goal of the game---giving us a last game win of 7-3. (Tim is proud to say we won 9 out of 10 games in his soccer coaching debut season!)

They say the simple things in life are the things you cherish most. I agree. Nothing could satisfy my boys this morning like Mickey Mouse pancakes. Nothing is more rewarding than watching your children start something, like soccer, and only improve at it as they go. When he kicked those goals in, (every mother that is reading this knows what I am talking about), it was as if he had just won the gold medal at the Olympics...pride swelled up in me as I leapt to my feet with excitement! Jordan's eyes scanning the sidelines to cross sight with me...to make sure I saw it...to make sure I knew how proud he was...and to find affirmation in me.

The blessings God gives us in the simple things in life. What a reward.

The Morning After Core

There it was. Evidence that something incredible had taken place over the weekend. Sunday morning, which just happens to be my favorite time of the week, was proof that the men of GM had experienced something intangible at the 2006 Men's Retreat -- CORE. The place was abuzz with electricity from the moment you walked in the door. The stage set with all men - on instruments and vocals - some for the very first time. The freedom I felt, that flooded the room, the inhibitive factors seemingly gone...liberating. It was as if all of us were one on one with the One to whom we were focused. The shackles of religion, the chains of embarrassment...no longer present.

This "fire" did not stop when the music stopped. As Tim got up to speak, this fervor continued. The passion with which his points were made, the involved story-telling, the way he fought back tears (he would not admit this, but we all saw it!), this was evidence that they all experienced what they hoped they would, what the creative team had prayed they would.

As the service came to a close and I stood at the back waiting to greet anyone who was there for the first time...I was in speechless awe at the sights I beheld. Here at the end of the service, with more music, the passion felt in worship was more powerful than it had been 30 minutes earlier. Hands in the air, voices belting out in unison..I could not speak or sing...for my heart was bursting with gratitude that I was able to witness this. That I was brought out of the comfort and chains of religion to a place where I and so many others experience God and our relationship with Him on a personal, intimate, liberating level. What an honor it is to be here....I can't imagine what is in store for us as a church and as individuals.....

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine..." Ephesians 3:20

5 Weird Things About Me

Okay...I saw this idea and it looks fun...

I am going to tell you 5 weird things about me and whoever wants to join in and list your own, feel free...

1. I am obsessive about how my dishwasher is loaded. I just can't stand it. On the top: drinking glasses on the left, plastic cups on the right. Bowls in the middle-lined up neatly; everything else stacked around it in a tidy manner. The bottom: on the left: glass plates lined up by size toward the back, plastic plates lined up by size toward the front. On the right: pots and pans, glass pyrex lined up neatly. Weird! I am not even an organizational freak sort of person....

2. I don't like candy. Only chocolate. Some would consider that a candy. I consider it another food group.

3. Towels are put away in a certain manner at my house - rough side facing inward so that all you see are the neatly tri-folded stacks.

4. When I "lay out" in the hot weather, I must balance the sides. EXACTLY 20 minutes on the front, EXACTLY 20 minutes on the back.

5. I LOVE surprises...if Tim tells me way in advance about a gift he is thinking of or getting for me, it just makes me irritated...I would rather wait for the surprise! I could stare at a gift from October to December and not open it until Christmas Day...the anticipation just gives me a rush!

So, there you have it...my list...I can't wait to hear some of your weirdness!!!!

Easter

Hi all! So, I am a couple of days late on the Easter pics....sorry! My parents will enjoy this even if it is late!!

Easter this year was great. A monumental day in the life of GM...two services, which were successful. Several people commented on their communication cards that they accepted Christ during the service...now that is what it is all about! The worship was incredible, as always. The sermon, well, Tim shared the gospel in an easy-to-understand way that touched the heart of the crowd....and God added to our number...

Lunch with family....I totally felt like my Mom that morning...got up at 5:30, finished up the ironing for the day, put a pie in the oven, fixed Easter baskets, got dressed, got the kids dressed, put the ham in to cook while we were away at church, set the yeast rolls out to rise....WOW! I really am an adult!

The 2nd Annual GM Easter Egg Hunt (this is the 1st one outside, last year, we got rained out!). The kids loved it! The Easter Bunny came and took pictures with everyone. Some of the little ones were scared of him, but he was great! Jordan really got into the hunt, as you can see, I could only get a picture of the back of him because he couldn't stop to take a picture. He rejoiced as he counted out all of his candy when he was finished. Titus...well, he didn't really care about the egg hunt, and he sure didn't want any of that candy! He was highly irritated that anyone was trying to give him extra candy. Great photo ops, though...

Also, as I am forgetting, Sunday was my 30th birthday....it was a bit of a whirlwind, but it was just fine! Tim and I decided we would celebrate my birthday with his next month since it is just too busy around here right now. It seems crazy to me that I have reached this age. I sure don't feel like it....

Love to all and from our family to yours, we hope you had a wonderful Easter!

Friends

Okay, so I have got some great friends! There are so many Proverbs that speak to friendship. There is so much to be cherished. Friendship is a gift. We connect with different people in different ways. Certain personalities just fit. And that is where you find the best of friends.

Recently, I have experienced, once again, having a friend move away. I have been through this many times being the daughter of a preacher, and then the wife of one. You learn to live with it. People come and go. You come and go. But, it has been a long time, I guess 4 years now, since I have really dealt with this. You get close to someone. You become a part of their lives and them yours. You spend time together. You cook together. You shop together. You laugh together. You cry together. You watch movies. You feed husbands. You dress children. You deliver babies. You obsess over body fat. You work out. You eat. You eat some more. You work out some more. There are so many memories....the list just keeps going. And after the dust settles, that is what you have - the memories. These little nuggets that you hang onto and cherish as if a fragile slice of something that you guard so that no one can take it away. Friends who are separated is a hard situation in life. There is nothing fun about it. Except the memories. When we are left alone with our thoughts - this is when we start to enjoy our memories.

I have many friends who live here, who are a part of my daily life. I have friends who live far away, who may not be a part of my daily life, but are a part of me in other ways-blogs, text messaging, emails, phone calls. I count myself rich with blessing that I have been given the gift of friendship. So, thank you to God for the supporters in my life - the connections - the strength - the laughter - the memories - that I share with my friends. What a great life I have been given!

Titus' 3rd Birthday

Okay...so I have taken a little hiatus from writing this week. It has just been busy and writing has not been a priority. Anyway....Titus turned 3 last weekend and we had a Star Wars party for him. I went totally simple this year...trying to keep from outdoing myelf for every single birthday...good grief...they are still 5 and under, I can't keep killing myself every single time! So, anyway, simple--presents, cake & ice cream, play outside. They loved it. That's really all they care about anyway. He was overjoyed with all of the little toys he got. He is into everything that Jordan is into. No more Dora, Blue's Clue's, Sesame Street...no, no...we are on to Power Rangers, Ninja Turtles, Fantastic 4, and, of course, Star Wars. Tim's Dad came in and got to go to Jordan's soccer game and to the party...the boys loved seeing him. We had a great time celebrating Titus with our friends and family....Titus you are so blessed to have so many people who love you. I am so thankful for the network of supporters in our lives...here's to Titus and his wonderful little life!

Don't Have a Title

Okay, so as I re-read this last post, I thought it sounded a bit materialistic. Let me re-word some of this. I do love shopping. In every store I look for the very best bargains I can find. Something inside of me does love to buy. Why is that? I think different personalities get a kick out of spending money. My husband, Tim, just loathes spending money. So, here we are two different worlds colliding. Yes, I love the mall. Yes, I love Target. Yes, I love Hobby Lobby. I love to get out and see the newest thing, the best deals, the cool home decor. But, when I go overboard, and I usually know when that point is, that is when I cross the line. So, here is my semi-confessional...just wanted to clear a little bit of that up!!!

A Day At The Mall

Don't you just love a day at the mall? I mean, nothing can lift my spirits and put me in a great mood like spending a day at the mall. Even with my two boys in tow, I had a wonderful time. Yesterday was playgroup...that means we started out at Barnes & Noble for storytime, then went up to ride the carousel and get some lunch, then started out on the real fun. Two other Moms were with us, both with their children, but this did not slow us down for one minute. This is the test of a real shopper--through running, screaming, wild-acting children--will continue on their course unwavered! You hope that the kids meal you bought them 30 minutes ago had a cool toy included, but if it did not, then you buy a toy, buy a snack for them, anything to prolong the experience and get in just one more store! You see, as we entered one store, the Mom who was new at shopping with us said, "You guys don't understand. I am a shopper! Don't come crying to me when you are broke and your husband is asking you why!!!" I thought this was great...just think of what could happen without the children present! Yesterday was fun, even at times chaotic. But, of course we true shoppers persevered....thank goodness for Stonebriar Centre...don't you just love it here?

Things God Hates

Yes, God hates. In Proverbs 6, there is a list of things that God hates. Want to know what they are? These are found in verses 16-19---seven things God hates:
1)proud (arrogant) eyes,
2) a lying tongue,
3)murderers,
4)hearts that plot deceitful schemes,
5)feet that run quickly to trouble,
6)false witness who pours out lies,
7)man who stirs up dissension among brothers.

Now, some of these we would consider worse than the others. But, Proverbs tells us that God hates them all. The lying tongue, the false witness who pours out lies-like a faucet, the man who stirs up trouble--these are things that most of us struggle with from time to time. As I was reading this morning, I read in Proverbs and Ephesians. Cross these scriptures from Proverbs with Ephesians 4:29-32
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

Proverbs tells us that God hates a liar, one who runs to tell lies and He hates one who stirs up trouble. Look at Ephesians. Whatever is in our hearts come right out of our mouths. Any ugliness in there cannot stay in. Bitterness, rage and anger, slander...these come crawling out of our mouths in the form of unwholesome talk. YUCK!!! Ephesians also tells us that this grieves the Holy Spirit. They fall into the category of things God hates. When we are tearing others down, this is a form of pride (proud eyes)---when we are being untruthful even in the smallest way, this is lying, being a false witness---when unwholeome talk comes out of our mouths, this certainly does not build up, but tears down and causes dissension.

May I be one who pleases the Lord, may I not fit into the category of things God hates. Instead of ugliness, may I be kind and compassionate, quick to forgive, may I build others up and exude the love Christ has given me, not the ugliness that comes from my human nature.

I love what I do!

So, here is why I love being at home with the boys. This......we can all stay in our pajamas all day if we so choose. Oh, to be this carefree forever. Nothing better than sipping on a drinkable yogurt on your basketball beanbag watching your favorite TV show in your PJ's! The boys are doing great this week. We are getting ready for Titus' 3rd Birthday coming up this weekend. I cannot believe he is 3!!! Time has flown. My Dad was just telling me this weekend that he just cannot believe he has daughters that are in their and approaching their 30's. He was saying that you basically go through life and then look up, and your kids are grown and you have grandkids. Your mind still tells you that you are young, but your age does not reflect that. Anyway, I wish they could stay little forever, but that is not possible. As Jordan just told me 5 minutes ago, "I will be turning 6! I am not staying 5!"

My Boys

I can hardly believe that in two weeks Titus will be 3 and Jordan is currently 5-1/2. I can hardly wrap my mind around this. In so many ways you both seem like babies to me and in other ways, I see how much you are growing, and I am just blown away. You both amaze me in ways that only children can do. You are full-fledged brothers - sworn enemies one minute and best friends the next. What a special relationship this is. I never had brothers. I have two sisters. I have always said that if I had a girl, I would want to have two so they could know what it is like to have a sister, because the relationship is so special. But, as I watch the two of you, I see how unique this relationship is also. You are already taking up for each other when you think there is something to fight for. I can only imagine what this will look like when you are older. It's funny, too, how Titus always wants to do whatever Jordan is doing. If Jordan is playing soccer, Titus wants to play. If Jordan is doing schoolwork at the table, Titus wants to do it, too. If Jordan is getting a spanking, Titus asks, "How bout my fanking?"

Titus has been telling me, "Mommy, you de bes Mommy in the whole word." This of course melts me in a million pieces. And both of you ask me all the time about getting married. (Titus only does this because Jordan does.) So, after considering this subject over and over, they have both made the decision that they are not getting married, that they want to stay with us forever. Titus' version of this is, "Us not get maweed nevo evo!" (My sister Tami just loves when I do Titus impersonations!)

So, this is why I started this blog. To talk about my kids and our family life, to keep long-distance family up to date on the goings on with them. I feel like the most blessed Mom in the world to have these boys in my life. I also feel blessed to be able to see everything that they do. I am so glad I am called to be a stay-at-home Mom.