Puppy Pound Days

This blog entry was copied from Westin's blog book. . . Just wanted it in mine too.

Tonight, the daddy's went to golf with their new clubs. . . .and I got to keep you. I love when I get to keep you and honestly, you have stolen a piece of my heart. You are a well behaved and amazing little boy and you continually remind me of your mommy. :) You have a lot of her personality and I love that about you. I also get to watch you tomorrow too, so of course that makes me smile. Miss Kim watched you today.. .which is another blog for later. :)

So, tonight, I talked you into letting me give you a quick bath and then we were going to watch the veggie tales movie, which you love. During the bath, I made your water blue with food coloring and you were thrilled and in awe. You wanted more blue, but I didn't want your hair to turn green so we just used the small amount. Funny side note, while you were in the tub, you farted. I laughed and said, "Westin, did you fart?" and you said, "yeah, and it was a BIG one!" Ava, Christian and I laughed and laughed. Then we got dressed and headed to the living room for our movie spot. You asked me to watch it with you and you sat on my lap. I kissed you and hugged you and loved all over you, and finally you got down. :) But you sat and tolerated me for awhile.

Then we decided to play a game. You three kids were puppies. Ava was Simba, Christian was Mocha, and you were Mary. You stayed in your cages / doggie beds we made up and whimpered and cried to get out. Then when I let you out, I sat three bowls down with cereal in it and you all three ate your dog food. Then we worked on tricks like "doggy sit" or "doggy roll over" and you guys were amazing. :) So funny. You guys liked your bellies rubbed too.
Below are some pictures to show off our fun. . . . Kim stopped by after dinner and you showed off for her too.

Chocolate Makes Us Fart

Christian has issues sometimes with being REGULAR and so we have to try and get the bathroom thing on a schedule.  The Dr. advised us to use Mirilax, so each day in the morning, I use a little of that in his Chocolate Milk.  My goal is to get him on a Regular schedule so he goes each morning before school.  We shall see how that works out.  Anyway, so today, we were sitting here and he was drinking his Mirilax Medicated Morning Chocolate Milk Treat.  We were talking and all of a sudden he farts.  His eyes get really big and he says, "oh my goodness, Now even Chocolate Makes us Fart!"  He was so impressed with this.  It was most def. the Mirilax working but hey, it sure made me laugh. :)  LOVE HIM!!

Ava's First Field Trip

First Field Trip to Renfrew Park in Waynesboro.  I was signed up to help but didn't get to go in that day which made me real sad but the teacher and other volunteers took some pictures for me and Ava filled me in on all that happened. 

The night before, she was telling me that she needed to pack a lunch in stuff that can all be thrown away so she wouldn't have to carry so much and she didn't want to bring anything home with her.  She sounds like her daddy and I was laughing to myself as I was packing in all paper and plastic.  He is like that when he goes on trips, take throw away stuff, so we have less to bring home.  He LOVES bringing home less than he took, gets some kind of thrill out of it. :)  My two pees in a pod.  Then as I was packing her lunch she was informing me that it was to be along day so I had to make sure she got a good nights sleep.  These were all obviously things the teacher had told her that day, so I was glad to know she had been listening.  She reminded me too that she needed some sort of sunscreen and bug spray on her before she left.  Daddy was so excited the night before with her and told her that he remembered his field trip in Kindergarten to Renfrew.  She got that look on her face like she couldn't believe he had once done the very thing her class was about to do.  I guess it already starts. . . . they think we are OLD.

Right to Left: Noah, Isaiah, Josh, Kylee, Cameron, Lacey, Gracey, Elsiy, Madison, & Ava

Above are the pictures of Ava with her class on the field trip.  She had so much fun.  They dressed up and they planted pumpkin seeds to harvest.  They played games and listened as they were told how to weave and about historical stories.  I will say that she told me she had so much fun, but she did in form me that the ride to the field trip was SOOOOOO LONG!!!  This was a ride from Chambersburg to Waynesboro.  I remember thinking that was a long distance away too. The other thing was she was extremely emotional and tired the night after the field trip. . .and she conked for bed early.  However, she says she has lots of fun!

Our First Date!

I had originally had BIG plans for my little man this school year, while his sister was in her first year of school.  We were to have the entire year, just him and I, and I had all sorts of fun things planned out in my head.  It just so happens that LIFE doesn't typically work out as we plan it and this was one of those time.  This past year has flown by and I have had very little time with just the two of us.  Don't get me wrong, we still enjoyed this year very much, but I have missed out a lot on some of the important things I had wanted to do with my baby before he too left me to get on that big yellow bus heading to school.  So, yesterday, I was talking to Micah and we decided that it would be nice for me to make today special for our little guy.

After Ava left for school, I whispered to Christian that we had to hurry up and get ready for our "mommy and Christian Date."  His eyes got really big and excited and this of course made me so happy too.  He was rushing around to get his shoes and brush his teeth, which rushing is NEVER something that boy does.  He really was anxious to get going.  As we were leaving, I told him that the place I was taking him was somewhere we had never been and it was "our little secret place" that we wouldn't tell anyone where it was. Whenever we wanted to go out just him and I, we would head to this "secret" spot and have a blast.  :)  I had a friend who challenged me to just be quiet and let him talk. . .to do the whole thing of side to side verses face to face talking and see how he does.  It worked. . . he talked and talked and talked.  He ordered a hot dog and a drink and chatted the whole time.  It took him forever to get done eating cause he was talking so much. 

I had a surprise for him.  The night before, we had been at a concert, where they were encouraging people to sponsor World Compassion Children.  We chose a little boy named Malelkli and he is two weeks younger than Christian.  I introduced Christian to his little friend that he was responsible for praying for from now on.  He was very excited to meet his new friend and to find out that he was the one that was responsible for remembering to pray and think about this guy.  We talked about things we could pray for like clean water, good food and safety / health for him and his family.  This was a great activity and now every time we pray at night, he says a prayer for his new friend. :)  I love Christian's heart.

Christian's Chiwawa

Wow, really hard to fathom my time with little C being home with me is almost over.  He has two weeks left just him and I and then big sister finishes her first year of school and has off for the summer.  The year that was intended to have so many great memories and moments just him and I ended up getting so very busy and packed with other things and events in life that were not able to be controlled.  Now, we have two weeks left and I am pretty emotional about the whole thing.  WHERE did my time go and why is it over already?  He has this summer and then I have to put him on the bus with his sister for school.  WHAT?? Is it really happening?

Anyway, so one day we decided to go and visit some puppies at the Pet Shop.  We did this a lot when they were both home, but I am sad to say, we haven't done it as often now that it is just he and I.  So, I asked if he wanted to go and he was a "jumping up and down" kind of excited.  When we got there, he was ooh, and awwing all over all the different animals and then he saw it. ..  the Chiwawa in the upper dog kennel.  He was sure that was the one he wanted.  This baby Chiwawa was a sweet puppy and just loved all over Christian. We ended up coming back a few more times to visit even before the dog was sold because he kept talking about "his Chiwawa."  I found out later he was informing everyone and their sister that he had a Chiwawa. :)  I don't think Christian stopped giggling the entire visit with his dog.  The little puppy loved him too. . as you can see above.

May 20th - ATV Day

Four Wheeling at the Justus Homestead. . .our new fun hobby. :)  One Sunday afternoon we decided to head up and take our four wheelers on the big paths behind the Justus Farm.  They were amazing and the road was rough and tough and a blast.  We went through water that was up to our knees if our legs were down and then we went through huge mud puddles too.  The kids had a blast and I think the rest of us did too.  We ended up taking a whole group of us up to the top of the mountain and got our big group picture. . .thanks to Tabb Justus.  Then we came back down to eat a ton of food and homemade ice cream!  The meal was fantastic as per usual at a Justus family function.  Then the kids spent a majority of the afternoon, when they were not on the four wheelers with their dads, hunting for tadpoles in the wet weather creek behind the house.  Laura gave them containers to keep the tadpoles in and they had a bunch.  They named them and just had a general blast. :)

The Gang!!! Part of us!!!

Candy Land - Mother's Day

Sometimes, with Life speeding by, I forget to stop and count my blessings. I get so caught up in "okay, if I can just get through this week, then next week I will have some free time" and in all of that said, I rush through my life.  It is sad, but I think alot of us do this, just because the speed of life is crazy fast.  I love when I have a moment in time, where life is speeding and whirling and then for a few seconds, all seems to stop.  Time stands still and I get a glimpse of what really matters.  In fact, I love these moments so much that I simply can't wait for the next moment, when life catches me off guard and I realize where my priorities should be.

Tonight, I happened to have one of those moments.  Micah and some buddies were heading out for Jason's birthday, and it was the kids and myself here tonight. The kids were extremely tired and grumpy today, so I wanted them to go to bed early, so I started their bedtime routine at 6:00. I know this sounds insane, but guess what, they were both sleeping  by 7:00 and not because of my fabulous parenting skills but because they were just that tired!!!  As they were getting really tired, I was playing Candy Land with them and realized they were really starting to drag.  At one point, as I was mentally rushing them through the game, so I could get some me time when they were sleeping. :(  I realized, they had both gotten tired enough, they were laying on either side of the board game.  They were so happy to be playing with me, that they wouldn't surrender and just stop playing, but they both were laying down and asking me to move for them. I was flipping the candy land cards, moving each person and they were basically watching.  As I was doing this, I looked up, saw the beautiful amazing children that GOD blessed me with, and I literally got all teary eyed. I have been emotional all day, but this was it.  This was what Tomorrow (Mother's Day) is all about. . about those moments that make ya smile and be really happy that you are a mom.  I wanted the moment to stand in my memory forever, so I ran and got a picture, but it still doesn't capture what was going on in my heart. 

I am so proud of Ava for who she is and how she stands up or what she believes in.  She is honest and trustworthy and she tattles on herself even when it gets her in trouble because she has an amazing conscience.  She is orderly and very organized and promptness is NEVER going to be her issue in life.  She talks a lot and has many opinions and yet, she still is very compassionate.  She worries about others' feelings and she is quick to come and apologize if she is wrong.  She is hyper around you if she KNOWS you well and she is a little shy if she doesn't KNOW you well.  She takes things to heart and she doesn't miss a beat, so be careful what you say around her. . it will come back to haunt you no doubt. :)  She Loves her brother, but she also loves to irritate him.  I think her main love language, the way she feels loved, is probably quality time and words of affirmation. 

Christian is the other little person that makes my heart sing.  He is joyful and funny.  He can laugh at the drop of a hat, even why he is crying and still has tears in his eyes.  He is talkative and very random, which makes him hilarious.  He is not prompt, or orderly, but he is extremely sensitive and compassionate and LOVES PEOPLE.  He is constantly affirming others with words and randomly will say, "I love you Ava" just out of the blue.  He is pretty compliant though he also has a stubborn bull headed side that was certain to have saved his little life as a preemie.  He is a dreamer and he loves to act out things in his head.  Often you can see he is not even in the conversation you are having with him, as his thoughts are most def. elsewhere.  He is my junk food eater and it doesn't matter, as long as it is not good for you, he will eat it. :)  That's my boy.  This boy has an incredible memory and can repeat things from years ago, that we never thought he would remember.  He also is one that picks up on the smallest details, and notices EVERYTHING.  I think his main love language is words of affirmation and touch.  He loves to cuddle and sit on my lap.  He also smiles from ear to ear when being affirmed and he will sometimes come back to me and say, "what did so and so say about me?"  and when I repeat what that person said about how sweet he was or whatever, he smiles and shakes his head.  It makes him feel so special.

I still have so much to learn about these sweet children in my home, my life and my heart. I ask God to continue to give us wisdom on how to train them up right, so they can go serve His purpose in their lives someday. In the meantime, I am gonna love on them like there is no tomorrow.  Thank you God for my precious babies, and for the one out there that is not currently in our home anymore. . my heart will NEVER stop spilling with love for you too.  Happy Mother's Day Everyone!!!

Ava's Kindergarten Spring Music Concert

I have talked before about how sentimental I am in life and how there are certain things in life that make me tear up immediately, and unexpectedly.  Usually they have to do with when I am simply experiencing something I have dreamt about for years and that finally I get to experience.  It happens when I am in the moment, with NO warning, and I just have to go with it.  This def. happened to me on my wedding day, when I first saw Micah at the front of the sanctuary, waiting for me!!! I tear up thinking of it. . .how he was my dream come true.  .the whole day was.  It has happened numerous other times in my life, for the big events and for the not so big events, but all the same, it is whenever I am experiencing something I had dreamt of at one point.

So, Ava's FIRST music concert was another of those moments.  She was so proud as she got out of the vehicle in her spring dress and jacket and literally (being the all time leader in life) LEAD us into the school.  She showed us where we were supposed to go and then said her goodbyes to go and be where she needed to be.  Below is a picture of Micah, Christian, and Pappy as they were waiting for the concert to start.  I snapped this picture and then spent the rest of the time videoing the seven minute concert as my sweet Baby sang so proudly up on stage.  She was very studious and numerous times would turn around to CORRECT the children behind her and to HUSH them for the teacher. :)  That is my daughter.  Love that girl.

Ava has been singing songs around the house, and they were sweet songs.  One was about not waking the sleeping bear because he will be ANGRY and another was about the penguins and they did the penguin dance.  The Kindergartners were all so sweet and adorable of course.  Some would laugh and smile and wave throughout the concert. :) One song, they all had a type of musical instrument too.  They followed their music teacher's cues very well. The little boy to Ava's right is Trevor and he is one of Ava's best friends.

I did get a chance to talk to Ava's teacher, which we LOVE by the way.  She said Ava was has really "blossomed into her own" as of late.  I smiled as I realized she was being very kind with her choice of words.  She then said that she would have never expected Ava to be as outgoing as she has turned out to be.  Ava was very shy and sad and quiet at the beginning of the year. . .but now she is showing her personality LOUD and CLEAR.  hahahha.  Mrs. Boward has done a fabulous job with her and the whole class. :)

Grandma and Pappy made it to her concert and they actually had three music concerts that same week for three of their granddaughters. :)  They said they enjoyed it too though and Ava was of course happy to see them.

Pappy Saves the Day

There was this morning, when Ava was to have her spring fling party for her class at school. I was the room mom and very crazy busy and a little frazzled, so as we were getting ready for school that morning, I told her we didn't have time for breakfast.  She was complaining and not too happy about it.  She didn't know this, but Pappy Sweetheart was stopping to get Reece and then coming over to watch Christian for me while I went to the party. I hadn't told her because I figured she would rather skip her party and stay home to play with the boys.  So, we here this knock and she opens the door.  Her face lit up like a Christmas Tree when she saw her pappy standing there with a big box of DONUTS for them all to have breakfast together.  She was jumping up and down and squealing all over the place.  Pappy Saved the day.  I love how they are all showing much of their personalities in these pictures.  Oh and her sweetheart of a pappy snuck a zip locked bag with a donut in her lunch box to surprise her later on that day.  She informed me later how excited she was at lunch. :) Brianna later informed me that Sofia was crying about not getting to go with Pappy over to Mimi's house, and so he gave her a donut and she shut right up.  :)