While Mommy Works...

Well, first of all... Jake got his long-awaited trip to Mimi and Pop Pop's too!!!!! It was much shorter because of reasons beyond our control, but he enjoyed every minute with them! And I don't think he even cried when he left me this time!?

Shower time... his favorite!!!!!Pop Pop came to assist and offer technical support for a photo shoot (i.e. got the tractor set up for me to use as a prop... and brought lunch.... and babysat!), so he brought Jake back and Sam was actually my little helper on the first leg of my photo shoot!

Then, while I went to my next shoot, Uncle Bo and Pop watched the boys... the pool has a leak, so the water level is the perfect height for two little boys of the approximate ages of 2.5 and 4!

And yes... they were naked (sorry about the weird coloration... camera phone!)

MAYBE I should mention that they were naked in the pool because they had just gotten back from a 4-wheeler ride and a romp in the creek that had left them soaking wet and DIRTY! So the clothes were in the dryer while they 'rinsed off.' Ahhhhhh..... life at the farm!!!!! Every boys' dream!!!

On This Day...

Nine years ago....

I married the love of my life!

A lot has changed in nine years... including my love for BJ - but I can most definitely say that I love him so much more today than I did on that day!

What a blessing he is to me. He is an amazing man of God. He is an amazing husband. He is an amazing father. He is an amazing friend. He is an amazing man!Our favorite picture to remind us of the love that surrounded us then... and still does today!

Here is what I got him for our anniversary... Long overdue, but I am so excited that his jewelry is now current too!!! ;-)

I love you my dear! Happy Anniversary!!!

How We Choose to Live...

This hangs on our wall in a prominent location in our house... to remind us everyday of our MANY, MANY blessings!!!! We choose the latter...

You Guess...

What are they doing? Popsicles!!!! Under controlled variables!!!!!

At Long Last...

Mimi and Pop Pop are back from Key West, and Sam gets them ALL TO HIMSELF (Jake will too - don't you worry!)

Playing with our new towel... And getting Pop to wear it (he's going to kill me for posting this pic! Whatever Sam wants... ;-)

New big wheel all together and ready for action...

Chocolate donuts... check!

Powdered donuts... check!

**Not pictured: brownies, cookies, and whatever else he asked for at the grocery store!**

Pop Pop let Sam paint one time he was out there, so now everytime he's out there, he wants to paint! Here he is - ready to go...Working away!The finished product!Dirty Hands! But this is the most fun to this little guy!!!!!Jake had some fun with Mom and Dad at the farm... Both boys LOVE the outdoor shower! They even ask to go to bed, just so they can shower!Breakfast time - Jack's favorite time!

And Jake wearing HIS new towel!!! Gotta be fair...

How we ALL missed Mimi and Pop Pop... and are SO GLAD they are home!

As Promised... Swimming Lessons!

At the pool a little early to practice...

And play...

See why we need to know how to swim? He would run on out there if I wasn't watching!!!!Shoot Mommy!!! Great idea until the camera got shot...

Jake never stops talking... ever... unless he is asleep... I'm not exaggerating!

Sam has his moments... but he's not as bad as Jake - he gets that from BJ!

Cutie!

Here we go... reviewing from yesterday - went something like this:

Ms. Katie: What rules did we learn from yesterday?

Sam: No running

Ms. Katie: Jake, stop kicking! Right.. what else?

Sam: I need an adult

Jake: I have a batman car

Ms. Katie: Good job Sam. Jake, can you tell me something that you learned?

Jake: I get candy!

Sam: No rough play

Ms. Katie: (snickering)... good Sam - let's try to see if Jake remembers something...

You get the picture now!!!!!!

Go Sam, go! He has really surprised me... by his willingness to try and actually do everything that is asked of him! I thought HE was going to be the timid/difficult one...

I was wrong. Here's Jake 'entertaining himself' while Sam and Ms. Katie practice.Discussions before the return trip...

Jake 'practicing' his kicks (aka splashing and entertaining himself some more!)

Talking...

Contemplating...

Talking/not waiting...Unlike his brother, Sam is patiently waiting for Jake to go...

Patience... Sam's ready to go again!

The bug crawl... Jake talking some more (I was out of sight for the most part, but Jake would talk to a brick wall if it would listen!)

He just can't wait any longer!

Here he goes...Little man is so proud that he 'did it like Bubby!'

Mommy's pretty proud of her guys too!!!