The Wild Wild Wests

Summer is among us. I am now home with all three boys and I am loving each and every minute of it.  We have spent pretty much every day thus far at the Waterpark or in the pool. I have lots to share, but for tonight I am going to go cuddle with the most amazing little baby who is in my bed waiting for me and let the "catch up with life" happen tomorrow. So I will leave you with this for now... How deeply it touches me that they have each other! ~J

So yesterday we returned from a long weekend trip to O.H.I.O,  kid free I might add.  Ohio is where my husband was born and where he spent the first half of his childhood. Most of his family members remain there, which explains why we went to a wedding for his cousin. We spent a couple extra days there so he could drive me around and to say the least, I fell in love... Like really, really fell in love. For once I am not talking about my children cause we all already know the depths of that love.  I am talking about this: We were in God's country.  There were no strip malls, condominiums or subdivisions surrounding us.  There was land as far as the eye could see, not a sound to be heard except crickets chirping their songs and the sweet smell of fresh cut grass or maybe that's just the smell of the country... I opened the windows as we drove breathing what may have been the freshest air ever. It seemed to rejuvenate me, add life. I imagined the boys an...

Oh. My. Word It starts innocently: So cute, playing in the shower, until I  realize this: Covered in my hair conditioner.  Not cheap stuff and truly he is proud! Or.... Dumping cookies all over the floor on purpose To play hide and seek "finning" them! "Fine em' Aussin fine em!" Course there's falling out of the bathtub just for fun... And hiding in Mommy's hamper only to have brother spoil the surprise And climb on in to see just how much the thing can hold And really who needs clothes or rest...Why not strip and climb all over the furniture instead of napping! Or rearranging your furniture and throwing your mattress on the floor to play "SUPERMAN!"    Thought I ought to point out the touch up paint on the wall in these pics too, because life with boys means taking a car to bed each night and using the wall as a racetrack.  Needless to say, the touch up paint didn't work so I guess it's time to paint the whole room...

Why is it that I have never loved Summer more than I do this year?  I can only attribute it to my children.  They bring me back to a time where days are filled with the smell of sunscreen and chlorine. Where bedtimes extend far beyond what they are during the fall.  Time seems to stand still, the days grow long, driveways filled with toys and popsicle drippings.  Picnics by the pool feeding little bellies... Running around with brother finding trouble where trouble is to be had Taking A Load Off Floating About Or Not ; ) Popsicles To Cool Off The Hottest Of Days Birthday Parties, Balloons And Cake (Notice The Empty Plate) Oh' that hat, so priceless! **************************** Because really these two pictures melt my heart.... The obvious love radiates Yes, yes I do love Summer! I look at these pictures and know that I am blessed beyond belief and give thanks for the gift ...

It is 6:30 in the morning.  I have been up since 4 am. I have already fed and changed the baby, worked out from 5 to 6 and showered.  I am now sitting in my favorite chair, the house ever so silent, which is rare around these parts, staring out our window at the lake. The sun is just beginning to rise and I am content.  There are many what ifs in our world right now, but for the moment, maybe just these next few minutes before the hustle and bustle of life begins, I am at peace with whatever lies ahead. The world before it has woken... oh' how I love it. The early morning hours when life is still still, it's my favorite time. To reflect. To pray. To love. To stare. ************************** Paxton is having some heart issues. We are headed to Tampa to see why this is.  In all honesty the doctors don't know what is going on with him. They can't explain why he continually looks sun burnt and bloodshot.  This was to be expected just after surgery, but not six we...

We're still here and we've got a lot to say! Be back in jiffy ; ) ~J and the boys

This day holds  many different emotions for so many. I have spent a great deal of time today thinking of the many Mommy's who spent the day today in a hospital room bedside to their child.  I have spent time thinking about the Mommy's who have babies in heaven. Who wish this day never existed because each time that it rolls around it ribs the scab that has formed since the last reminder.  I have spent a great deal of time today thinking about my own Mom. Who I do not presently know and have not seen since grade school. How that is possible, I will never know, because lord help me if ever there were a day that I didn't have access to my babies.  I have spent time thinking about the Mommy that I am and the Mommy I will continue learning to be, because really the learning never ends.  I have spent time thinking about all the Mommy's in my life and in my kids lives.  I spent time thinking of our baby boy in heaven. It is... a day that makes us all stop and ref...