Back in the swing

Just wanted to share a few pictures from our weekend. The first are of the boys watching football. We are a huge football family and enjoyed the games. Thomas in particular enjoyed watching his beloved Seattle Seahawks beat the Redskins. Go Shaun Alexander!

The next one is Thomas jumping from the top of the ladder. This is a no no in their room, but I was snapping pictures of them before bed and the boys were in a crazy mood. At least I got a fun picture out of it!

The next is Mary Beth in her bathroom. I love her in pigtails! It has been fun watching her play in her room and bathroom with all of her new toys. She made quite a mess in her room on Saturday and I asked her to help me clean it up. She informed me that she "wasn't strong enough" to clean her room!

Bryon had some business near his parents yesterday, so he took Mary Beth with him and I had 24 hours at home with the boys. I really enjoyed my time with them! Matthew read and Thomas helped me cook on Sunday. I cooked most of the day on Sunday and was able to freeze enough meals to last us the next few weeks.

Although I completely enjoyed my two weeks in hibernation, I am happy to be back on a schedule again! It is hard to believe the Matthew is now half way through elementary school. He is on the downhill slide! Thomas's newsletter came home yesterday and his teacher wrote something about looking forward to finishing up the kids' kindergarten year! This is going too fast!

When does school start again?

OK, I love spending lots of quality time with my kids. They are just the cutest things, bless their hearts. But the last 48 hours, I have been reminded yet again why I don't home school.

*I have vacuumed up an entire box of breadcrumbs dug into the carpet meant for an afternoon snack for Mary Beth.
*Twice, I have vacuumed shredded cheddar from around the refrigerator and inside the door.
*I have had 130 pounds worth of boys in my lap fighting over who could snuggle with me.
*Washed my daughter from head to toe after she discovered a bottle of glitter in the Christmas decorations.
*Washed my daughter from head to toe again after she found the powder to make Jell-O pudding. She is normally not destructive at all. What up?
*Sopped up water from my carpet where Mary Beth was transferring her "pot" from her sink to her new kitchen.
*Cleaned up dozens of games.
*Vacuumed up lint from the boys' new rug that gets agitated after countless wrestling matches.
*Introduced Matthew to the band Heart. I was watching a concert of theirs on TV recently and now he is obsessed. I hear "How do I get you alone?" at the top of his lungs constantly.
*Heard Angels We Have Heard On High and The Twelve Days of Christmas on the piano (Matthew's piano recital pieces) fast, slow, in upper octaves, in lower octaves which is really challenging my sanity.
*I have been asked an average of 30 questions per minute. "How many vice presidents have taken office after a president dies?" "How do you spell Tepee?" "What is 330x499?" "What, you don't know? I thought mommies knew everything." "What does insult mean?" "Will you teach me what percents are?"

Yes folks, the holidays are over. Time for school to start again!

Book Reviews and My Alabama Twin

Over the break, I have managed to read a few books:

Thunderstruck by Erik Larson:
Erik Larson is making his way up to the top of my favorite author's list. Thunderstruck is the third book that he has written that I have read, and I have to say that every time I read one of his books, I learn a ton about American and British history. My favorite book that he wrote is called The Devil In The White City which tells the dual stories of the mastermind behind the Chicago's World Fair and a serial killer who lived near, and took advantage of the fair to murder his victims. Isaac's Storm tells the story of the Galveston Hurricane in 1900 and the weatherman who never saw it coming. Thunderstruck tells the dual stories of Marconi and his race to make the world accept wireless communication and Hawley Harvey Crippen, the second most famous murderer in London's history. (Second only to Jack the Ripper) He was the first murderer to be caught by wireless communication, and this convinced the world of the importance of this type of communication. It was such a fascinating book and I had a hard time putting it down.

A Charmed Life by Liza Campbell:
Liza Campbell was the last person to be born at Cawdor Castle, the castle in MacBeth. She lived a life of incredible privilege and could trace her family back over 20 generations, but watched her father make many mistakes which changed their immediate family and the amazing history of this family. If you are a fan of Scottish history (MacBeth, Campbell/McDonald massacre, Culloden) you would really love this story. It reminds me of The Glass Castle and All Over But The Shoutin', but instead of the families living in utter poverty, the family was very wealthy.

The Winter Rose by Jennifer Donnelly:
I picked up an advanced copy of this one in the Fall and LOVED it! I am currently reading The Tea Rose, that tells the back story of the characters. It is a story of a privileged English woman who becomes a doctor in London's poorest neighborhoods and falls in love with a crime lord who really has a good heart. This one is just a great romance novel but I will caution that it is very long.

Also, I don't remember if I ever told the story of my twin in Alabama. I was reading Tesney's blog one day and clicked on a comment that someone had left on her blog. This person's name is Elizabeth. She's a Bama fan. She was born two days after me in the same year. She has two boys and a girl. Her girl is named Mary Elizabeth and is three years old! How crazy is that? Here is a link to her blog.

Bookshelf for Matthew

Here you go, Jacinda! I found everything I needed at Pottery Barn Kids. Matthew has really used his lamp a lot considering that he is a night owl and likes to read long after Thomas is asleep.

Days since Christmas

I just got my computer back after a service, so I am enjoying catching up on everyone's blogs!
We have had a wonderful few days just hibernating at home. Lots of books have been read, games have been played, and new rooms have been enjoyed!
I am so happy to report that the boys' room is finally finished! We put a book rack by Matthew's bed (not pictured) on Monday and closed this chapter. I must say that the room really looks great, and I am thinking about moving in because it is so much fun in there! I hear the boys playing basketball all day every day in their room.


Many of you who read this blog know that I have a huge disgust with all things teeth related. The day after Christmas, Matthew told me that he bit down on something funny and his tooth hurt. I asked him where, and he touched his first molar and half of it moved with his finger! Gross! I told him to finish the job and he was able to successfully remove it. He then started thinking of all the things that the tooth fairy could bring him. At this point, I was having "Magic Fairies Who Enter our Home At Night To Bring Gifts" overload and I told him not to expect much. After he went to sleep, I found this note under his pillow complete with a picture of him holding the tooth fairy's hand: "Dear The Tooth Fairy, I know you give everyone money. But will you cast a spell on my tooth so it will turn into a Madden '08 Nintendo D.S. Card? I know you are very magical, and I know Santa just came. But I don't care. You are a very nice fairy, and that tooth I lost was a very special tooth so can you give me a very special present?
Sinceraly, Matthew P.S. Sorry about the long fly up. (making reference to his new top bunk) Thank you.

Leave me a comment!

As you can see, I have been tweaking my webpage. Unfortunately, I have also lost all of my blogs that I read. Instead of taking the time to find you through other people's blogs, will you leave me a comment so I can add your link to my blog? Thanks!

New website.

The photographer who has taken tons of pictures of my kids now has a website! You will find lots of pictures of my kids and a few of James as well. Here are a few of the pictures she took of Mary Elizabeth when she turned one.

Funny things heard around my house this week

Thomas: "Matthew, when you are President of the United States one day, do you promise not to make a law against spinach?"
(Thomas loves the stuff, Matthew loathes it.)

Mary Beth says when I lean over to kiss her lips, "Mommy, please don't mess up my lipstick."

At school the other day, Mary Beth and I put on visitor stickers that happen to be black and white that day. Mary Beth puts hers on her black shirt and says, "The sticker matches my outfit." She then looks at me with a disgusted look on her face while I put the sticker on my red shirt, "But the sticker doesn't match your outfit." The secretary said she would try to give me a matching sticker next time!

me: "Mary Beth, please go put the drink in the fridge."
Mary Beth: "If you do it for me, I will give you a surprise!"
(Wow, I probably use that bribe a little too often!)

Thomas was sad yesterday and Matthew volunteered to help cheer him up by offering his "Bling bling". (a cheap gold necklace from the grocery store).


Matthew filled out his Book About Me. Under what noises he is good at making, he wrote "Beet boxing".

Also on this book, it asked how many beds were in his house. He wrote "2". I almost argued with him until I realized that the boys were sleeping on a palate on the floor until their bunk beds come in (this Sunday! shhh!). Yes, Matthew will have his memory book where he can read forever that our family had 2 beds for 5 people!

This next one is no representation of Matthew's spirituality, I just thought the timing was funny:
(Waking the boys up on Sunday morning)
Thomas rolls over and says, "We get to worship God today!!"
Matthew rolls over and says, "Who won the football games last night?"

Thomas reassured me the other day, "Don't worry Mommy! I am going to go to college, then play a little for the NFL, and then I will come home to live with you again!"

The kids' Christmas lists

Every now and then, I will walk by my computer and see that Matthew has written something in Word Perfect. This one in particular caught my eye and gave me a laugh. I had NOTHING to do with any of these and copied it directly from Word Perfect.


Matthew's list:

Dear Santa Claus,
This years list is going to be dropped off at the richland mall. I will get to sit in your lap and have a great time taking pictures. ( If Thomas Mary Beth and I smile nicely, mommy will make our Christmas even more fun!) And Santa, here is my list for you and your elves.

1. A game boy
2. A wii
3.a to z mysteries books (like the zombie zone, the haunted hotel, or the deadly dungeon
4. Experiments
5. An alarm clock
6. Research books
7.almanacs
8. Mouse trap
9. A remote control helicopter
10. Text books
11. A box of 60 crayons with a sharpener
12. A portable telephone
13. A laptop computer
14. A new robe that goes down to my feet
15. A set of colored pencils
16. A Baylor bear backpack
17. A nerf gun
18. A new hair brush
19. A bulletin board
20. A glasses case

Mary Beth's Christmas List:
1. Make up (This is number one anytime we ask her)
2. A kitchen to make Daddy some food. (Am I sensing a little competition?)
3. A Princess bike with charms on it.

Thomas's list:
1. A wii.
2. Roller blades for my brother that aren't the same as mine so we don't get them confused.
3. Leap Pad things
4. Books

Hope Santa is good to my little ones this year!

Happy Birthday, Thomas!

Today, my little Thomas turns 6!

We had a great weekend full of parties, family get togethers, a Christmas program that the kids were in and I helped direct, and a little bit of strep in the mix! I will write about that tomorrow, but wanted to have a post just for Thomas today.

Here are 7 reasons why I love Thomas: Seven because Thomas says that really its his Seventh birthday because he has been alive for 7 December 10ths!

1. He is joyful. It is hard to imagine Thomas without a smile on his face! He will often say, "Isn't this the greatest day?" He was so thrilled that the Cowboys won the day before his birthday that he exclaimed, "This is the BEST day of my life!" Thomas has lots of best days of his life.

2. He always puts others first. This is probably my favorite quality about Thomas. You will never find his Christmas list for Santa without items for his sister and brother. If Matthew is in trouble, he will ask to take the punishment for him. When playing sports, he is so happy for anyone on his team, or the other team when they score a point! If I praise him for cleaning his room, he is quick to point out if Matthew or Mary Beth helped him. Thomas is my role model for selflessness.

3. He takes everything in stride. Thomas is very even keeled. Nothing ruffles his feathers. He does things quietly. One day last year, he just started reading books. He quietly taught himself to read without making a big deal about it!

4. He, like his brother, is a walking sports encyclopedia. For at least the last two football seasons, he can sit through an entire game and not get bored. He know the rules and will shout out what he thinks the next play should be. The most exciting present he got this year was a signed Shaun Alexander rookie card!

5. What can I say? Thomas is definitely a Ladies Man! Every day after school, two girls from our neighborhood come over to ask if Thomas could walk with them. Whether at my office, my inlaws' office, church, or school, he finds the prettiest girl and befriends them.

6. He is very good at math. We have always joked that Thomas is very literal. His thinking is always very methodical. This has manifested itself into a love of math. He is already multiplying and dividing one and two digit numbers in his head, and loves nothing more than for me to give him four digit numbers to add and subtract. We figured this one out when we started quizzing Matthew on math facts. Thomas would often answer the questions immediately, and, much to Matthew's chagrin, before his big brother! I was more of an English and History gal myself and can't understand the love affair with numbers, but I can certainly appreciate it in Thomas!

7. He is very affectionate! One of Thomas's greatest accomplishments every day is to say he was the first and last person each day to give me a kiss. I am greeted every morning while still in bed to a giant Thomas kiss! Then I hear, "First kiss of the day..." and he runs off to take a shower! He calls me "Sweetheart" as much as he calls me "Mommy". He loves giving hugs and kisses to all of his family and especially loves James kisses.

One of the things that I am so grateful for is that Thomas was born on my Dad's birthday. We weren't expecting that, because Thomas was due on Christmas Eve. Not only was I thrilled to give Dad the best birthday present ever, but I was also happy not to have to carry that 9 lb. 3 oz. bundle of joy for two extra weeks!

My sister wrote a great blog about Dad that expresses how we all feel about our patriarch. I adore my Dad and am so blessed that God gave him to me to be my father. He is such an amazing and unique person. Thank you, God, for my two birthday boys!

Questionaire

1. Name: Elizabeth Ann
2. Birthday: July 29
3. Birthplace: Montgomery, AL
4. Eye Color: Blue/Green
5. Hair Color: Light Brown with highlights
6. Height: 5'6
7. Ethnicity: Caucasian
8. Weakness: good food at expensive restaurants, dishes, antique rose bushes, books for me, cookbooks, children's books.
9. Most missed memory: 1)college 2)Christmases and Vacations as a kid 3)The summer I started dating Bryon 4)sophomore year of high school.
10. Thoughts first waking up: Has Bryon started the coffee maker? I hope the kids can find something cute to wear today! Please tell me it's Saturday!
11. Last time you cried: I don't remember. Not much of a crier.
12. Song title that currently says how you feel: "It's the most wonderful time of the year!"
13. What is the perfect day for you: It would have to be a snow day. We are all stuck in the house all day long. I get up and make a big breakfast for everyone. Then, we play lots of board and card games. After lunch, every one sits down next to a roaring fire and reads together. I will just happen to be reading an incredibly engrossing book that I can't put down! After a cozy afternoon, the babysitter will come and Bryon and I will brave the cold and enjoy a wonderful dinner at my favorite restaurant!
14. Ever been asked for an autograph? No
15. How do you vent anger? talk it out or internalize it.
16. Who do you talk to most on the phone? Bryon, Mom, sister, friends Ashley and Amy.
17. As a kid, were you a lego builder? No, I was a Fisher Price Little People person myself.
18. Do you chew on your straws? Never.
19. Do you sing in the shower? No. I save my singing for the car!
20. Who's the last person you stayed up late talking to on the phone to? Bryon, when he is working late.
21. The last place you went to in a plane? Disney World
22. Do you cry at weddings? No. I just look forward to eating wedding cake!
23. Are you afraid of the dark? No. However, I am afraid of driving in the dark.
24. What are you addicted to? Coffee, Diet Coke, reading, gardening, being room mother, House, The Office, 30 Rock.
25. Crunchy or creamy peanut butter? Crunchy
26. Who do you fight with the most? Family members. We always work it out quickly, though!
27. Who can you tell anything to? Bryon, Lauren, Mom
28. Who can't you get enough of? My family and a few friends
29. Who makes you laugh the most? My kids
30. What is the worst feeling ever? Of course, when people I love are hurting. More superficially? When my jeans are tight!
31. How many pillows do you sleep with? All I need is my one contoured pillow!
32. How many rings before you answer your phone? Lots. I can never find my phone.
33. How many times do you press the "snooze" button? Not my job! Bryon is my alarm clock.
34. How do you sleep? On my left side then on my stomach.
35. Last time you laughed: A few minutes ago when Mary Beth was searching the refrigerator for a "good berzert"! Also earlier today when Matthew told Thomas not to get annoyed with Mary Beth because "she's just a midget!"
36. Ever looked at someone ugly and said "EWWW"? I am sure it has happened in the past. Probably in junior high.
37. What is your favorite color? green and brown. Can you tell I love the Fall?
38. What is your favorite state? Texas

A fun weekend!

What a fun weekend! First off, we put most of the final touches on Mary Beth's big girl room. I am so excited about how it turned out! She has adjusted beautifully and is happy to no longer be in a "baby bed". Every time she walks in her room, she starts laughing! The last thing I need to do is hang ribbon on her initials. Not feeling a lot of motivation to brave the crowds at Hobby Lobby right now!

Friday night, Lauren and Josh watched the kids so Bryon and I could have a date! We had a great Mexican food dinner and headed to Toys r Us to finish up the kids' Christmas presents.

Saturday night was Bryon's work Christmas party. My parents watched the kids (and got them those adorable Christmas pajamas!) and they had a good time watching Christmas movies. Bryon and I had a great time at his party. The food was great and I enjoyed getting to know more people who work with Bryon.

Last night, my good friend and I hosted our monthly book club. This involved two of my favorite things: cooking and talking about books! We enjoyed trying out new recipes and getting out the Christmas china!

I think the boys' bunk bed will be here this week or at the latest next week. I can't wait to get that part of the house finally finished!

The Great Bedroom Shake Up!

We are just now starting the process of switching out the kids' rooms. I guess this is a difficult time of year to start the process, but it is what it is!

First of all, my sweet in laws bought the boys bunk beds for Christmas. They don't know about them yet, so hush hush if you have contact with them! They have been sharing a bed (the bed I slept in at my grandmother's house growing up) since the summer that Mary Beth was born. This worked out fine for three and a half years, but they both have grown quite a bit since then, so it is time for a change.

We are doing an "All Sports" room for the boys. I am wanting to do a light "Pottery Barnish" blue room. Any good suggestions on paint colors? Bryon and I bought their bedding yesterday at Pottery Barn. They had a really cute all sports quilt on clearance! It was meant to be. My family members are buying the boys different accessories for their room for Christmas. I can't wait to see it all in place! Also, my incredibly sweet blog buddy, Karen, got me a signed picture for the boys from Nick Saben, the head coach of Alabama! I can't tell you what this means to me! Thank you, thank you, Karen!

Meanwhile, little Miss ME is finally going to graduate from the crib. That crib has been in constant use for 8 years and it will be bittersweet to say goodbye! Lauren and Josh (or should I say James?) are going to get her dresser. We are going to transfer my grandmother's bed to Mary Beth's room. I have fallen in love with the Shabby Chic collection at Target and have been watching it for a few weeks to see if it will go on sale. The quilt I love looks a lot like her precious "Bibi" so I am pretty set on the green quilt with pink flowers.

I am so excited to get started transforming!

Happy 8th Birthday, Matthew!

Matthew turns 8 on Sunday and we are looking forward to an exciting, fun-filled weekend!

Before I talk about the weekend, I wanted to write my top 8 favorite things about my little man in no particular order:

1. I love how he can carry on a conversation with any grown man about sports. Whether its college football, professional football, baseball, or basketball, the boy is an walking sports encyclopedia! Several weeks ago, he was getting his haircut and talking to the barber about the 11 teams in the Big 10 conference, and "I wonder how xavier will do today?" Now that Illinois bumped Ohio State as the number 1 team in the BCS, Matthew has jumped on the Illini bandwagon and has worn his Illinois shirt all week long!

2.I love how much he loves his family. This morning, he woke up so excited! Not because he was having a class party today. Not because of Jump Rope for Heart. Because Aunt Lauren and Uncle Josh were going to take him out tonight! He worships the ground my brother walks on. He adores his grandparents. He loves being a big brother and takes the responsibility very seriously. Nothing makes him happier than hanging out with his Daddy and brother at sporting events. But most of all, he is a big time Mama's boy. I love having my full of testosterone, sports loving, Man's boy, little guy melt in my arms. He can't go to school without me kissing his hands! What a heart melter!

3. I love reading his stories. He loves writing and illustrating stories. He comes up with some hilarious stories! My favorite thing about the last day of school these past two years has been to receive his daily journal and get to read what was on his mind every day. Matthew's teacher this year was a journalism major in college and I have loved seeing her challenge Matthew with his writing.

4. I love his intensity, focus, and love of a challenge. "Intense" is one of the favorite words people choose when describing Matthew. He has a certain face when he is really concentrating that I love. This comes out quite a bit while he is playing sports or practicing timed tests at home. One of the best things about school for Matthew has been the accelerated reading system. The kids read books and take test over what they read on a computer. Each child is in competition with themselves to get as many points as possible. Of course, Matthew is never just in competition with himself, and he makes sure every year to have the most in his class! This is right up Matthew's alley and he has a large number for his goal this year. If he makes his goal, we are going to take him somewhere special. The one place he wants to go? Mount Rushmore!

5. I love watching him play sports. Matthew has more energy than I know what to do with. If anyone knows Bryon, you know Matthew comes by it honestly! Sports has been a major way for him to channel that boundless energy. He seems to have a knack for every sport he plays.

6. I love carrying on conversations with him. He reads constantly which I think has really increased his vocabulary. It is funny listening to an 8 year old using large words all the time. He is just a really neat kid to talk to. If he is ever having a difficult day, all I need to do is sit down and talk, "big person to big person", and we can solve almost anything.

7. Matthew does not like to follow a crowd. If everyone in his group likes one thing and doesn't, he will very confidently state his opinion. He has always been confident in his choices. One day in school, a boy made fun of the shirt he was wearing. Matthew just said, "I like my shirt", and carried on like it was no big deal.

8. I love the little stinker inside of him (most of the time)! Whenever I have taught little kids, even before becoming a parent myself, I have always been attracted to the stinkers. They just make me laugh and make life more interesting. Wouldn't you know that God would bless me with my own personal little stinker right off the bat? Of my three, he is definitely the one who gets in more trouble with me. He never ever gets in trouble at school. He just saves up his best "Stinkerness" for home! ;) I have always said that Matthew makes me laugh and cry the most. I have mentioned this many times on the blog, but one of the most endearing things about Matthew is his ability to say he is sorry, and really mean it, without prompting. This will serve him well in life, don't you think ladies?

Well, that is my Matthew in a nutshell. He has been such a joy to us. These past 8 years have flown by. In 8 more years, he will be driving! Yikes!

I am looking forward to his friend party tomorrow afternoon at a local kids sports spot and then a family party on Sunday. I will have pictures on Monday. Have a great weekend!

Our weekend

 
After finishing up our crazy, fun, exhausting, stressful, jam packed week, this picture sums up how we were feeling!





 
 
 
 
 
 
 

We had a great time in Arkansas. When we woke the kids up at the hotel, Thomas said, "I can't believe my whole body is in Arkansas!" I love the things this kid gets excited about!

Saturday morning we had our picture taken. I think there is at least on in the over 300 that he took that might be OK. I am anxious to see them!

Then we headed to Hot Springs for a little get away. Bryon and I went there the May after we were married and had a great time taking in nature and going on hikes. We thought that was right up our kids' alley. We also remembered a cool Putt Putt place and were very excited to see that it was still open!

After we got to our hotel, we put on ESPN to check our football games. Of course, I was so bummed to see that Alabama lost, but was quickly cheered up to see Illinois beat number one Ohio! I spent most of the first five years of my life in Champain/Urbana while my Dad was getting his Ph.D. What a great victory!

Anyway, we woke up this morning and took the kids on a hike up a small mountain (hill?) in the Ozarks. The kids had a blast and I enjoyed every minute of the hike with the fall foliage around its peak. We also took a ride up to the observation tower at the top to get a better view. I think as long as I have small children, I don't ever want to be that high off the ground again!

We finished the trip going to play Putt Putt. The highlight of that adventure was when Mary Beth putted a hole in one all by herself! Bryon and I were jumping up and down and I think she thought we were crazy! Below is a picture of her by the green and then walking on the green to get her ball.

It was good to get away for a while, but it is always wonderful being home again!

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

"The week"

Well, this is the week that I have been looking forward to, and slightly apprehensive about, all Fall!

First of all, our church is hosting a Marriage Matters seminar from Sunday through Thursday. It has been interesting. It's always good to get a shot in the arm every now and again and learn new techniques to enhance our marriage.

Second, this is the week of my big P.T.A. project. All week long, I will be hanging out at school, which is fun and tiring all wrapped up in one! I dread getting up and dressed at the crack of dawn, but love seeing the boys in their environment. Adorable!

Third, we are going to Arkansas on Friday! Years ago, Kristen's family introduced us to a great photographer in Camden, AR. The last time we visited him, he took a wonderful picture of my family which included my cute 2 and 4 year old boys. We still have it displayed in our living room, but poor Mary Beth will walk by, point, and say, "I am not in this one!" I guess it is high time we made the trip to Camden! This is my only concern: The last two times we visited him, I became pregnant within a few months of receiving the picture, thereby making the family picture not accurate very long! Here's hoping for an accurate family picture for a VERY long time!

And a side note, I got a call from Mother's Day Out today that ME wasn't feeling well. I took her to the doctor because of our impending trip. It turns out that she has PNEUMONIA! Of all weeks! Thankfully, she is now on antibiotics and has the green light to travel this weekend if she is feeling OK.

What a week!