The World Record Paper Air Plane Book

  The boys' Nanny & Papa send them the neatest little treats. When we get a package from them, the boys are always so excited. They know it will be good. Last week, they got this book in the mail. It's awesome. They've been having the best time assembling the planes & flying them.

                                         Getting ready to race!!!

                                        Getting some height!

  I now have the coolest dining room on the block! Thanks, Nanny & Papa!                       

Some of my Favorite Mommy Memories (*warning* excessive snuggling is involved*) Include the Follwing :

            Snuggling my babies, including the one in my tummy (no, I'm not pregnant again: old pics).

 Snuggling my babies & the sweet smell of a newborn. This is the day I brought Gideon home from the hospital & that's Micah hugging his new brother. I know I look totally wiped out. Cuz I was. But I wouldn't change a thing.

More snuggling..........babies in my bed. That little spot between Isaac & Titus was my spot. Some mornings still look like that, although they're all a bit bigger now..........and I'm more squished.

Feeling a baby growing inside of me.

                                                                             
                                                                                 To be honest, I don't miss this part so much.

                                                   Making boo-boos all better.

                                                        Snuggling my babies............

                                                     Playing with my kids.................

...........watching them express themselves............

                                        Sharing motherhood with my sisters.........

                                        Not THIS so much.............



                                       Watching my kids love each other.................

                                     Watching my kids play together.................

                  

                                     Watching the love of my life play with our children..............

                                       Watching my kids snuggle...................

                                      Watching Justin snuggle my kids............

                              Camping with my kids..............and snuggling.........

                                      Seth has especially always loved the snuggling part.


                                             Getting dirty with my kids...........

                                Bringing new ones home from the hospital: Titus' first bath.

                                                                        

                                        My mama-in-law, who has always been there for me & my family, in so many ways. She has always been on my side & supported me.....through good times & especially the bad. I definitely don't recommend giving birth without someone like her to help. Mom, I love you forever.

And last, but most certainly not least..............snuggling my own mama, who changed my diapers, wiped my boogies, stroked my forehead when I was sick, talked with me endless hours about boys, love & life & put up with my bratty teenager ways. Mom, I'm glad God made you my mommy. I love you forever.

          Another favorite mommy memory: yesterday, when all my boys & hubby made me feel so special. Hope all you terrific moms had as sweet of a Mother's Day as I did!!!

Studying: Nerf Style

 This week was my "moment of truth" week. We do on-line public school at home. That isn't how I originally wanted to homeschool, back when Seth was little. But it's how I talked Justin into agreeing for me to homeschool the boys. It was our compromise. And, even though I WISH I was one of those really diligent, organized, structured, homeschool moms who don't need any help.......I'm not. The help I get from the OLS has been a blessing. This week was state testing time, which I have always found to be a horribly stressful time of year. It feels like a lot of stuff is riding on my shoulders. I feel extremely pressured. In my imagination, I just KNOW if my kids do badly, the anti-homeschoolers in my life will feel justified in their opinions that I never should have homeschooled to begin with. Who are these people? I have no idea. They are probably just my imaginary alter egos, who exist only in my mind & second guess my choices as a mother & worry that I'm destroying my kids' lives...and...and...and...so on. So, what did I do to help my kids really get ready for their ISATs & IRIs, when I was under so much (self-imposed) STINKING PRESSURE??? Well, we have a hard, fast rule around here: when all else fails...........have a Nerf-Gun-War!!!! OK. It wasn't actually my idea. The boys just love to do that every now & then........or every other day. Especially when they know they have studying to do, but Mom's procrastinating on making them do it. They hope that I will just "forget" about school for the rest of the day. And sometimes I do. But when my almost-15 yr old, who is going to LEAVE ME FOREVER in the next 3 or 4 years, is PLAYING OUTSIDE WITH HIS LITTLE BROTHERS (who are usually considered his "lesser-fellow-beings").........and killing them ever so lovingly with his Nerf Bazooka...........how can anyone expect me to put an end to their fun? It simply warms my heart & I wish it would never ever end. I will cry SO very hard when Seth is not here to murder his little brothers anymore. But, despite my bad homeschooling technique, the boys all scored great on their tests.........so I am vindicated! My non-supportive "Other Heathers" can kiss my big toe.

                                  Nerf Target

While They Were Sleeping

 “There was never a child so lovely but his mother was glad to get him to sleep.”

       Ralph Waldo Emerson

                                                    Sometimes, it's so very nice when my boys are asleep...................
 
                                  even him...............

 ..................and him.............

 .............and him....................

                                                             

 ................even him......................

        .............even him.............

    (awwww....look! My cute baby boy is still somewhere inside of that big man child. How I love him. He should really stop growing now. *Sniff sniff*)

                                                          ...................and sometimes, him too.
                                                              
This pic is for my mama-in-law, who raised such a very nice boy for me to love, after he grew up & left her to be my husband. Here's a pic of your cute little boy, sleeping too, Mom. OK. So he's a little hairy & scratchy. Don't you just wanna smooch his forehead? :)



God created sleep, so moms wouldn't eat their young.............and would remember how cute & precious they ALL are & start over being their mama again the next morning. With joy. :D