Summer

Hi to those of you who are still checking in!! I know I have not updated in a few days but let me tell you we have been so busy! Eric makes fun of me for my calendar that I keep for scheduling my days out and what playdate I have on what day, but it is so fun having so many different and all amazing friends!! We are back in the swing of things with swim lessons, three times a week so that is an ordeal itself! Trying to get both of them fed, dressed and to the pool with sunscreen and ear plugs just in time for the lessons is a big task! We always seem do make it with time to spare I am not sure how! And this week was a big accomplishment for Mr Caleb, he went the entire lesson on Tuesday without crying at all! It was awesome, I was able to sit and watch him and not worry about all the other moms looking at me wanting me to get my child under control!! I was so proud of him! There were a few times he wanted so bad to just cry out for me but he got control and just kept trying. Many of you might ask, "How did you get him to make such a big change" BRIBERY my friends it was awesome, why I did not think of that weeks ago I don't know, oh well, maybe I do know, I could not hear myself think over his screaming. As for Parker, he is a little fish, he amazes me!! His favorite thing to do is to go underwater! The amazing thing is he is actually swimming! And can swim to the side and grab the wall! He still cries the whole lesson though.
We saw, or let me say Eric and Caleb saw the final summer movie today, Parker and I got to know the lobby really well, just for the record, an 18 month old is a little young for the movies, especially three within a two week period! he was over it after the first 30 minutes. Let me just say, I forgot how hard 18 months is! For those of you who don't see us on a regular basis, my sweet, darling Parker . . . WOW he is on his own agenda and most of the time, it is not the same as mine. That kid can be the most loving adorable thing giving the best kisses and if I tell him "hold mommy tight" he comes up and wraps those arms around me and just squeezes me so tight, I love it but ladies and gentelmen (mostly ladies i am sure) he has quit the temper!! Sometimes I wonder what in the world I will do to avoid a big scene in public! I know it is just a phase but Lord help me!! Caleb I know had his moments but he was always so laid back 3 has been harder with him than any other age. If 18 months is like this what in the world will 3 be like!!
I have taken many pictures of the kids lately so I promise to get some downloaded and posted soon. It is way past my bedtime and everyone else in the house is asleep so until next post . . . goodnight!

A Trip to the Movies

So today was a first for me!! Every week during the summer the movie theatres show free kids movies. It is awesome, you get in free and if you bring a canned good you get free popcorn and a large drink for $1.00. Pretty cool!! So I have been thinking about doing it all summer but was worried about taking Parker and not knowing how he would do in there for 2 long hours. So today I finally did it!! Keep in mind, I had to get there an hour before showtime because there was 10 of us going and we wanted to make sure that we got seats together incase one of us had to get up with one of the four babies that went (plus the four three year olds). So here is a picure before the others got there as we are trying to save seats and keep the kids happy until showtime. I learned today that neither of my kids eat popcorn. What up with that???? I could eat it all myself!! That is what I was counting on to help me keep Parker happy during the movie. Normally as long as he can snack on something he is fine. Well, I learned before the movie started that he did not like it at all! So I'll let you guess who ate it!! Anyway, once we got through the waiting part it was great, as always, Caleb did great during the whole movie, he loves going and he really loves the M&M's and Skittles he gets (I pack them so I don't have to spend $5.00 on it) to eat while watching the movie. Parker was quite the trooper. I was so proud of him! He sat pretty still for a while, i kept thinking he would go to sleep, I brought his pappy (pacifier) and lamby thinking he would just pass out but no such luck! He did great though, when he got tired of sitting he would just stand in the row and watch the movie or go from person to person to see what snacks they had. There were enough of us there in our group to give him some options but for him not too bother strangers. It was great! I must say it was a lot of work for a free movie but with movie prices at $10 a ticket hey, it was worth it. I am trying to decide if I want to venture out again tomorrow to see the Bee Movie or if Parker will think two days in a row of it is too much!!

Kenyon Update

Well here is the smiling sunburned face of my sweet Caleb who yesterday firgured out what swimming at the pool was all about! I was so proud of him!! He has been completely afraid to do anything other than jump off the side to you and would not leave the steps even with his swim trainer on but yesterday I told Eric, once he jumped in to him, to just let go of him and see if he could swim. I knew he had the ability because I have seen it at swim lessons, even if it was while he was screaming bloody murder at the swim teacher. So Eric let go and Caleb was off, he had so much fun at the pool!! It is amazing what a little bit of confidence does for you!!

So this was this morning as we were getting ready to leave for the grocery store. Caleb made his crown yesterday at church and Parker could not find his so he found the next best thing . . . my headband. I don't know if he was trying to be like Caleb here or if he sees me in that headband so often that he figured he would try it on! I guess I need to start fixing myself up a little more during the week! And yes, that is how we went to the store!!

This was just a sweet picture of Parker having breakfast the other day!! It was his first time figuring out that he really does like to dip his pancake in the syrup!! Before when I would put it on his plate he would scream at the thought of trying it, not sure what made this day different but he was enjoying every bit!!

Eric's grandparents came to stay with us last week! It was such a special treat!! It is so awesome that Caleb and Parker get to know their great grandparents!! I don't have any grandparents left on my side so it is really special to me that they will have the memories with Nana and Big John!! I just had to put this picture on here Parker was not happy about being in the picture so he decided he would run in the other direction when we were taking it! Thanks Nana for coming!! You are welcome anytime!!

This weekend we are off to Eric's other grandparents house in AL to be with all of his mother's family! It will be a short trip but it will be nice for the kids to get to spend some time with them as well!

Everything else is going great around here! Eric and I are off to Lake Tahoe in a few weeks so I am very excited about that! He has to go there on business so being the sweet husband he is, he thought I would enjoy some rest and relaxation so I am going along! I don't know what I will do with myself on a plane ride for four hours with no children! We went on this trip last year together and it was great to have that time just us!!

Other than that . . . summer is just flying by!! Caleb will be in school three days a week in September! That is going to be weird I won't know what to do with myself! Parker will start two days a week in Feb. and maybe by then, we will be planning for a family of five!!

An Amazing Story

http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/mar/30/an_unshakable_faithramey_reeves_belief_j35455/?print
Here is a link to one of the most amazing stories!! Here is a girl I went to college with, although I did not know her well, i wish I would have!! I just thought I would share her story, it is one that can touch all of us! Life is so short and can change in an instant!! God is so good and he works in ways that are just amazing!! After viewing the link I would encourage you to go to the blog created to tell her story and read the blog entry Rameys Journey Complete http://prayforramey.wordpress.com/2008/07/09/rameys-journey-complete/ the story of the dream her little boy had just touched me!!
I am sad to say that Ramey passed away this week after finding out 3 months ago she had a brain tumor. I only hope I can live my life and touch half as many people as she did!! Her light was always shining for God!! I am so thankful for my amazing husband, children, family and friends, I am truly blessed!!!

The Latest House Pictures

share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8Abs3DVw1cOGG9
Here is a link with some new pictures of the house since we painted! Many of you have been asking for me to send some new pictures since we have painted and I just kept forgetting! I did not get the house straight before taking them so excuse the mess. The playroom is a wreck but at least it gives you an idea of what reality is like up there! That is why I am glad it is one the third level and I don't have to look at it! Enjoy the pictures, they do not do it justice, I think it looks so much better in person!

Our 4th

We had a great 4th of July weekend! We sadly realized we had not been down to my parents house in a year, I know, that is terrible!!! So we loaded up and left Thursday afternoon and headed down! It was such a great trip, the boys had a great time playing in the little blow up pool, chasing the puppies, playing with all the toys and the little trip to the mall where the above picture was taken. Eric and I ate like kings and queens, my parents spoiling us and cooking ribs, steak, shrimp and all kinds of other good food for us! It is always great to be at home, thanks mom and dad for a great weekend! We came back on Sunday and then Monday Eric took the day off and we took the boys to White Water! We were a little scared at first that it would be a mistake but we met up with our friends Bobby and Tish and their son Mac and it was a blast!! I would really recommend it!! The boys had so much fun!! They were exhausted by the end of it all but it was a great long weekend as a family! Hope all of you had a great 4th!!

ThankFul for the Rain

Well, here are the first little "Maters" we have!! They were quite thankful for the big thunderstorm we got last night!! We are so excited, it seems like everything that Eric and I plant, dies so we have been trying so hard to grow these! We were beginning to wonder if there was any hope, the leaves were looking rather sad and we thought there is no way they are going to make it. We have two big pots planted and these were the first to pop up and the other pot has it's first buds on it so we are hoping this rain will help the other one along. Caleb is really excited about this and everyday wants to check on them to see if they are growing. Last night when it rained he said "thank you Jesus for the rain, it will help the tomato grow" I could not help but smile!

A Little Bit About Me!

I have seen a few of my friends do this on their blog so I thought "What the Heck"
A is for Age: I turned the big 33 in January
B is for Burger of choice: I will never turn down a good burger, but I have to say Eric does the most AWESOME cheddar ranch burgers on the grill
C is for what kind of Car you drive: A Bus, also known as a Suburban
D is for your dog's name: Well, we had a dog named Asa and traded him in for a second child, no regrets, thanks mom and dad for taking that HIGH Maintence Dog!!
E is for Essential item you use everyday: There are many but I would have to say diapers, Lord knows if I did not have those everyday, there would be trouble!
F is for Favorite TV show at the moment: The Bachelorette, oh my gosh who will she pick, she was stupid to send Jeremy home
G is for favorite Game: ummmmm, with adults, cranium and with Caleb, Cariboo
H is for Hometown: Bainbridge, GA
I is for Instruments you play: NONE
J is for favorite juice: Orange juice I guess
K is for whose butt you would like to kick: I can't think of anyone at the moment
L is for Last restuarant you ate at: I will give you one guess for all of you that know me well . . . CINCO'S, I did not get this girlie figure by eating at healthy places, MEXICAN ANYTIME!!
M is for favorite Muppet: who came up with this thing? Is this all we could come up with for M? I guess Ms. Piggy since I feel like her when I leave my favorite restuarant!
N is for Piercings: 2 one in each ear, I am not one who enjoys pain and got mulitples, if I could have stopped after the first ear I would have
O is for Overnight Hospital stays: Twice when I brought my two Wonderful children in the world
P is for People you were with today: Well, I was in bed next to Eric till 6 when he got up and I kept snoozing, Caleb and Parker of course, and all my old buddies from the old neighborhood, we all spent the day at the pool it was great!
Q is for what you do with your Quiet time: What is that? I gave that up 3 and 1/2 years ago!! Jsut kidding, spend time with my husband, family, friends or SLEEP!
R is for biggest regret: This is getting too personal!
S is for Status: Married to Eric kenyon, if you did not know that about me, you should not be looking at my blog
T is for time you woke up today: 7:30
U is for what you consider unique: Got me on this one i don't know
V is for Vegatable you love: Peas
W is for Worst Habit: SWEETS
X is for xrays you have had: the dentist
Y is for Yummy food you ate today: This Awesome leftover Homemade Tomato Basil Pizza a friend made!
Z is for Zodic sign: Capricorn

There you go, a little (more than you wanted to know) about me!