Did You? I Did.

Please do. This Country needs your vote in such a volatile time. So, whether you vote for the Obamanation that causes Desolation, or you vote for John McBush and Bible Spice, please get out there and vote--it's your right!

It's the Big One!

For as long as I've known Rich, he has dreaded this day. There is no terror in 50, no fear facing 40's doorstep, 31 even draws a smirk. But 30. 3-0. The mere mention of the number sends shivers up his spine. What a glorious day this is, though.

I love you, Rich. I praise God that you're 30, because that means that my kids have their dad another year. It means my best friend is still here for me, and I for him.

I know that you don't want me making a big, hairy deal about your birthday. I'm sorry if I've upset you by heavily encouraging you to have dinner with everyone last night, and insisting you have a birthday cake. I'm just so proud of you. You are an amazing husband and father. You are an awesome role model and teacher. You have grown like a weed in your spiritual walk, even in just this past year.

I realize this is sappy and you don't like that either. I just hope you know my heart and know how much I love you. Thank you for being you--for challenging me and helping me grow!

Here's to another great year--this time in the 30's!

You Are NOT Welcome In My Home

As I was tidying up, you know, doing the June Cleaver thing before my husband comes home, I looked up and saw Him on the ceiling.

You just wait until my husband gets home!!

"Seriously?!"...A Day

A day full of 'seriously' is what I have had.

Karen and I made Reed's b-day invitations today, and it was a blast! We even decided that we are going to (attempt) make our own Christmas cards this year....we shall see!

While we were doing this, Reed was entertaining himself...

SERIOUSLY?! Does it take THAT much tissue?

Then it was lunch time. I looked over and found this:

SERIOUSLY?! If you can, of your own free will, be that nice to your brother, why did you just kick him in the head not two hours ago?

Then it was time to conquer my laundry. You know what makes laundry easier? It's when you do it with friends. So, come on! Let's fold together!

I know it can be a little overwhelming at first, but SERIOUSLY this HAS to be done today. It musn't be allowed to grow any bigger!

There, now doesn't that feel better? Hey--where are you going? There's two loads of towels in the washer and dryer still......a little help.....SERIOUSLY?!

I Use Shampoop, and You?

This morning, Rusten wanted to get in the shower with me. He was analyzing everything I was doing, and wanted to know what I was using. I explained I was using shampoo, but to a 2-year-old that is most recently fascinated by poop, it is "shampoop", and there is no telling him otherwise. He also wanted to shave his legs, but I think I was able to straighten that one out....I hope!

We had a B.U.S.Y weekend, and I hope to get all the pictures up here tomorrow. My computer at work is down, so I suppose I have more time to fiddle (not so much on the actual violin).

Can't Think of A Title....Use Your Imagination

Yesterday we were back in the groove of things. We went to preschool, took naps, went to Uncle Nathaniel's football game, ate dinner with family, went to bed (after House, of course). It was a good day.

Rusten is always making me laugh these days with the things he comes up with...

--He looked at me and said "Hey, babe?!" I told him I wasn't babe to him. "Hey, Katie?!" You know, son, I EARNED the title "mom" when I gave birth to you, so..... "Hey, Mom?!" Ah, much better!

--Just a moment ago, he came here in the office with a HUGE booger stringing between two fingers. I'm not sure I've ever seen a booger that big before. He was so proud and said "Mommy, I pick brother's nose!" Blagh

--When we go to spank him, he'll be sure to throw in there "Don't spank me too hard, mommy." And if you DO end up spanking him too hard, he'll be sure to tell you, "You spank me too hard. Ouch, my bottom hurts (and sometimes he'll throw in), I kiss it."

--Nothing beats the embarrassment in public when you threaten your child with a spanking and they say loudly "No, don't hit me mommy!"

He has said so much lately, but I'm drawing a blank now that I'm trying to document it for him. Ah, well, I'm sure it will come to me, as I am sure there will be many more!

In any case, enjoy some pictures from our football game yesterday!

They kept crawling everywhere together, then they sat up and posed for me.
I love these boys!
Rusten's just chillin' at the game.
Just like his dad! No, not with the butt sticking out and the underwear and all...I meant him getting into the game!
Uncle in action! Way to go bubba!

And....I'm Back and Running!

Though it was nice not having butts and noses to wipe, I'm more than happy to be back home!! I hate leaving home. I'm just a homebody I suppose...

It was a great retreat, and I think God really did some neat things for lots of women. I really enjoyed the fellowship, and Kathy and Marlo did an AWESOME job teaching!

***Fast-forward to today***

Kids wake up at 6 ready to go, spankings start at 6:30, kids eat and make messes, operation clean-up begins, obnoxiously long vet appointment from you-know-where, nap starts an hour late, etc--it's been a BUSY first day back!

Even in the chaos, I feel at home and content. Thank you Jesus for my home, my family and my life!

"Bye, Katie"

This weekend is our church's women's retreat. Getting mentally ready for this, in terms of weaning Reed, etc., is a whole blog all on it's own. Leaving my kids is never easy!

My mom came over this morning to watch the boys for me today while Rich is at work. Rusten and Reed were so excited to see her, and Rusten was immediately ready for me to leave! He was shutting the door on me, saying "Bye, Katie" "See you later, Katie". Ouch!

I will miss them terribly....and their daddy too!

A Sweet Ride

We went over to some friends' house last night to watch the baseball game and eat some delicious bbq tacos. It was a lot of fun! I especially enjoyed the boys playing with Chelsea's Barbie Jeep. Please....enjoy as much as I did!

Yes, that IS Rich helping his boys get settled into the Barbie Jeep. I think, in his mind, it is justified because it is a Jeep?!
"Okay, Reed, where do you want to go?"

"Wherever, bro, I'm just chillin'."
I better not ever see a shot like this on Cops.
Does Rusten's look not just sum him all up?! If you've never met him before, or you haven't seen him in a real long time, that is DEFINITELY Rusten.

This was Rusten driving around the Jeep on his own. So funny! He would just hit the gas and drive until he wrecked--we're talking light poles, trees, and...you'll see.

This is the boys rockin' out to some classic-rock-first-car-ride-must-have songs. You must stand up and dance whenever riding in a Jeep...I'm glad we're teaching him that early!

I just thought I'd throw this picture in there because it cracks me up! This is Paylen's favorite position to sleep in! I took this right before we left.

Paper Shortage

Apparently that's what we're experiencing here today. I was having a nice conversation on the phone with Auntie, and I could see that Rusten had a pen and one of my magazines.

Fine, whatever will keep you quiet while I converse. Then I noticed this:

A Picture Smorgasboard

As I was downloading the pictures from the last post, I realized I had a whole bunch of pictures that I've never shared on here. So, without further ado...

Paylen decided where her bed should be.
I think Rusten will fight her over that insipid blanket!
Nathaniel started playing flag football!
Nathaniel is number 24 in the middle of the picture with his behind facing us.
Sorry, son, if you ever get mad at me for posting this picture, but it was too funny not to share. He told us he had to poop, so when we came back in to check on him, he was sitting like this on the pot as though he were bored out of his mind!

Reed picks his ears (maybe because they're always infected? Hm.).
Rusten picks his nose.....
.....see?! Look at the 'trophy' he found!
Reed wanted me to enjoy his food with him!
The bestest boys in the world!!

Thank You, Son, For Choosing the Tub...

...and not the vanity, floor or couch to play with my toothpaste.

(Turn your monitor over to see these pictures because apparently my camera was confused.)

Then there's what Reed was doing while Rusten was doing that:
Then there's what happened while I was observing the damage in the back of the house and headed to the front to get the camera to capture the moment:

Um. We've been busy this morning.