Rain, rain, please stay!

A rainstorm on Saturday kept these boys very intrigued.  They got so wet, cold, and dirty that they went straight to the bathtub.  I would say that makes for a very good day for three boys.  You know Daddy got in on that action.

Boca Burger?

I am quite certain that a Boca Burger topped with cheese and pulled pork BBQ was not at all what the makers of these vegan burgers intended.  Who knew a Boca Burger could taste so meaty?  Oh, and served with boxed mac-n-cheese on the side.  This wasn't one of my finer meals.  That is what happens when a woman takes a 2 hour nap...the first one she has gotten in about 2 years.

Reds No-Hitter!

Worth a second picture of the day...
My hubby and I listened to Homer's big night on the radio.  I love listening to the Reds on the radio.  It seems so All-American pasttimish.
...and this one belongs to the Reds...and to Homer Bailey.

The Truth of Breastfeeding

I will miss breastfeeding for many reasons.  Henry is not quite finished yet and I am hanging on as long as he is interested for nighttime.  There are so many benefits.  Tonight's benefit was like many other days when our crazy schedule keeps us out and about, and yet the breastmilk is always there and ready for an emergency pitstop along the road.  The truth about breastfeeding, at least for me, is that it is a miracle...that I am not yet ready to give up.

Nursing Home Visitations

Sometimes I get the chance to go with my husband on visits. I love taking the boys for two reasons: (1) the people at nursing homes light up when they see babies and (2) the boys get to see their father be the gentle, loving shepherd that God has called him and made him to be. These are the moments I treasure the most.  As these aging members fall in and out of sleep, my husband grasps their hand, speaks the Creed a little louder, and helps them confess their sins. 

"TUNNEL!"

Solomon has found the light at the end of the tunnel.

Mama Monday: Real life illustrating

Today we "illustrated" a book using real items we found around the house.  "I Can't," Said the Ant by Polly Cameron uses kitchen items and fun jingles to tell a story about an ant coming to the rescue of a broken teapot.  I collected all the items during naptime and then worked on vocabulary and identification of items while reading the story.  Great activity for toddlers learning language.  For older kids, you could make it a scavenger hunt to find the items themselves.

Where's Waldo?

Notice anything interesting?

Brotherly Love

Make room for me, Bro!

Birthday Shopping

Henry was sent money from family members.  He got a BRAND NEW TOY!  That is not very common around here.

Zoo Day

No way this day is a one photo day...

First Chilly Walk of Fall

A wonderful family walk on a beautiful morning.  I am so excited for fall.  Oh, and check out that spider.

Wednesday Happiness

No words needed.

Go Reds!

This is from Tuesday.  Seriously, the Reds are amazing!  The boys and I spent this week counting down until we clinched!

Mama and Dada Monday: Run the Bases

Not really a Mama Monday post, but there aren't too many times that Dada gets to take a break.  Today, it was running the bases at a local softball field.

New meanting to sleeping at church...

We have a full day today.  There is a Harvest Home in Charlotte, so we decided to stick out the afternoon in the church.  Solomon can sleep anywhere.  I am thankful to have one sleeper.

Church Picnic

Mount Calvary "pounded" us with pounds of food today as a gift for their pastor.  It was so sweet. 
Oh, and the game pictured below is correctly referred to as "cornhole" here..that made me feel like home.

Out with the Old...In with the New...

It is finally official.  North Carolina is home.  Our trip to the license branch was eventful.  Ask anyone there and they would remember us for sure.  We're the hott mess family with one baby blowing raspberries and one toddler yelling, "iPhone, Daddy, please!"  Oh, we are also the family who needed to get money from the ATM.  Oh, and when it wouldn't allow a withdraw of more than $200, yes, we, too are the family that had to void our new plates and go to the back of the line after that stupid ATM changed its mind 5 seconds too late.  Another wait through the line and $359 later, we can call it official.

Baby Proof?

The only drawer in the kitchen that I didn't baby proof.  Yep, gonna have to fix that.

Wednesday Youth Group

There is a new youth group at MT Calvary.  Pastor Stout taught them Hebrew today.  WELL, he taught them one of the five words he knows.  :)

"PopPop Where?"

Technology is really amazing.  I am blogging for the world to read about a photo I took on my phone of my son and father facetiming on iPads 10 hours away from each other.  Solomon heard a kid yell "PopPop" at the park today.  He whipped around and said "PopPop where?"  He looked so disappointed that I had to let him chat with PopPop when we got home.

Mama Monday: Carwash

Today's activity was an outdoor carwash.  I think Solomon charged Henry a discounted rate since they are brothers.  All you need is swim diapers, a bucket, old rags, sponges, or brushes, baby no tears soap, and some cars or tractors to wash.  Good clean fun!

Happy First, Henry!

A train ride for the Stouts on Henry's big day!

A pastoral birthday...

There were a lot of pastors at HenryMan's first birthday party today...along with 6 PKs under the age of 6.  I even made a cake - out of flour and baking soda and stuff. 

Two Funerals in Two Days

Christopher preached at his first and second funerals this week.  Joy and sorrow...joy and sorrow.

Mama Monday: Shoe Show

The shoe many change game - great for learning observation skills.  Seperate every pair of shoes you can find in your house and mix the singles all together.  Put your toddler in the center of one pile and show a shoe from the other pile.  Ask him to find the match by talking about color, size, and other particular characteristics (laces, buckles, etc.).  The game is even more fun if you sing a song at every match and let him throw the matches in a bucket.  Free educational fun - doesn't get much better than this.