Taking a moment

...to remember the kids. Sounds simple right? In the midst of a move like ours it can get pretty crazy with details, offers of help, dinners out and the lack of routine. I had to capture this time that Jim stopped what he was doing to read to the kids. They soak up any time we give them these days as they must know it is limited.

We have started packing and it's not quite as crazy as I thought it could be. I have found that it really doesn't take much to pack up a room. So, even though the house is a maze of boxes and packing paper it's not too overwhelming.

Tonight is the big bash that the church is holding for us. There is expected to be over 300 people packed into the fellowship hall tonight to bid us farewell. It will be an emotional time we know and we are looking forward to having so many of our favorite people together. So many of them have already spoken such kind words to us, many of them with tears in their eyes. It will be a hard move on both the congregation and for our family.

More to come after our big party!

Wisdom

...as in Jim's 4 wisdom teeth that got pulled yesterday. He's a great patient and already back to work today. (the day after) Face is quite swollen and seems to make my stomach turn just looking at him.

We're up to our ears in moving details. How do we get there, when do we get there, etc. We're ready to be done! But we know that won't come for awhile, so we'll just press on from here.

That's all for now.

Just life in general

Jim has been in Houston this past week so we've been busy playing with our friends and enjoying the last few weeks of our warm weather. Everyday is filled with something new. Here are a few pictures of what I mean.

Jim and Ella Jane at the church. "Jump to me!"

Matthew LOVES superman and posing for the camera

We love the Jones'...this is Lauren

New clothes from Grammy

Feeding the seagulls

Remember when you used the feed the seagulls as a child? I do. Tracy and I took our kids to Solomon's the other day to feed the ducks and seagulls and they had so much fun! We had fun too and it was fun to create these memories with them. Here is a fun picture from our day.

I'm so tough

Well, the bandaids are off now, but the bruises still remain. Ouchie! He's showing off the tattoo on his forearm.

Owwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Did you hear my Matthew this morning?

For those of you who have toddlers, you know how busy they are. For those of you who have taken toddlers to the peds. office you know how challenging it can be to entertain them in a place where they're not supposed to touch anything. As a favor I was watching our little friend Peter today so he came along with us to Dr. Lafeer's office for the kids' annual check-ups...and shots. yeah. I think I could stop right there and you might get the picture. But it just wouldn't do the morning justice.

In the waiting area Matthew was bossy and inapropriate towards another little guy and I had to take him out to sit with me. Matthew HATES discipline. I know nobody likes it, but most kids tolerate it a little better than my Matthew. SO...we have the full on tantrum in the waiting area. No one can hear themselves talk and I'm trying to convey the msg. that you can't just be mean to other little kids. All this after we'd been waiting for an hour. I impatiently began to check my watch every 5 min. When is it going to be our turn?

Finally we're called back, I've got paperwork for the kids and all three of them are being silly, silly, silly. I actually needed them to demonstrate physical and mental accomplishments so it was not easy getting them settled. I try to make it fun, we get through it and then....it's shot time.

Ella Jane went first. I finally understood when moms say it was soooo hard having my child get shots. I've never had a problem with it. They get a shot, they cry for a minute, and you're done. Oh my little Ella belle. By the time they got to the finger prick, she was trying her hardest to hold back tears (no crying at this point just the contorted little face) That was a little hard to take. But, give her blankies and passy and she's fine.

Matthew on the other hand....Now in his defense, he has had his share of being poked and prodded and has been and ABSOLUTE CHAMPION for all that he has had to endure medically. I had prepped him all week that he'd be getting shots but apparantly that didn't matter. When it was his turn, he lost it. I mean lost it. I had to physically lay on him and hold him still with all of MY might! And he had 4 shots and a finger prick. It was not pretty. But, he got 5 bandaids out of it!

and a lollipop. Peter even got one b/c he's such a great friend to join us for 3 hrs. at the doctors office. Kudos to all you moms next time you take your kids in for check-ups. I'm not kidding about the 3hrs. thing either.

Which one has sugar in it?

We had the big party yesterday and had so much fun!! Weather was nice and hot, just perfect for our pool party. Kids were wild and crazy and had a wonderful time. My two favorite quotes came from our little friend Peter who is 4 yrs. old.

When checking on kids during dinner he kindly told me he didn't like his hot dog. I chuckled and said, "Oh are you just going to eat your fruit then?" to which he replied..."no, do you have macaroni and cheese?"...no honey.

Later when given a choice of two capri suns to drink, he asked "which one has sugar in it?"... They both do honey.

The crown and the wand was a big hit with the boys. This is our little friend Jake Weller. Matthew decorated his own cake...it's a rainbow.

The Package Man...

came to our house this afternoon in a big brown truck. He brought us a box with birthday gifts inside! The kids thought he was soooo nice! I had to explain that the presents were from Auntie Teresa. It's been a fun week with a little something each day for BOTH of them. That's the way to go when they are young like this. No one gets left out. Ella Jane is in her new dress guarding her vitamins and Matthew is opening and activity book.

I've been so proud to see the pride on their faces when they tell someone they are now "2" or "4". They are so excited and willing to share. It's great fun to see.