1st Year of Preschool

The first picture is Taylor's last day of preschool, the second picture is Taylor's first day of school. Taylor went from not talking, singing, and barely participating to a chatty, playful, artistic wonderful preschooler. Her personality really blossomed this year. Next year she will be going to the same school two times a week and Nolan will be going once a week. She tells him tips about school all the time. "Nolan, when you are a big kid like me, you will get juice and crackers at school."

I Love You

This video is a reminder to myself that my little boy is so sweet even though he spends most of his time trying to convince me otherwise. Terrible twos has taken on a whole new meaning from my first experience. Somedays Nolan wakes up grumpy, goes to be grumpy, throws fits all day in between, and wakes up in a fit at 2AM. I am trying to stay sane through out this very temporary phase. I say that because if it is not temporary I will truly go insane. I love you bud, you are my best boy.

Heavenly Smile

I have often talked to my kids about my brother, Nick, who passed away in 2003. I have showed them some pictures to get them to link him to Ryan, Madeline, and the whole family. Today Taylor picked up a picture of my brother and I, one I hadn't showed her and said, it's you and your brother....I miss him like you do. Then she said I want to draw him a picture for when he gets back from heaven. Talk about pulling at my heart strings. Kids can be so insightful. Their pure honesty is so touching. I miss my brother every day and always wish he could see me in this life, as a mom, my most important job. My brother and I always had a lot in common, right down to a ridiculous stuffy nose. It would be a joy to share this time of my life with him.

Updates

I had an ultrasound today to verify dates. I am app. 12 weeks 5 days along, and am looking at a November 28th due date, the day after Thanksgiving. I will be carbo loaded for sure. The baby looks great....no worries. There is a lot of opt testing you can do to detect birth defects, genetic or otherwise. These tests have possible outcomes of false positive. For that reason, and because I am otherwise young and healthy I try to stay away from them. The doctors are always sure to spin the other side of the coin. There is a lot of stress and guilt and confusion being a mom, pregnant or not. Technology is sometimes a pain in the ass. My gut feeling is a girl, but I was wrong last time. We'll see.

A Few More Cousins

Just wanted to share a few more of my nieces and nephews with you...I have many. 4 nieces with another on the way, and 3 nephews. There is definately a few more of each in our future. Jay and I are both from a family of 5. Josiah on the left is our youngest boy in the family who will be one year this fall. Kyra with the stripes is four days older than Nolan, although her and Taylor are starting to look a lot alike. This is the kids having fun at Uncle Bubba's 30th birthday!

Operation Soaker

Here are a few sweet pictures of the kids at the park, one of our favorite past times. This week we picked the kids up as usual from Grammy's and Grandpa's, while we were visiting the kids were executing a perfectly planned op. "Operation Soaker." Taylor very slyly turner on the water at the spout, while Nolan snuck over with the hose holding the power sprayer. He soaked us! As I tryed to run away he followed me with the sprayer. It was too cute not to laugh. I have a feeling there may be more sneak attacks this summer.

Ry Guy The Fry Guy!!

Happy 11th birthday Ry! You and Maddie are officially 7-11, she has been waiting for this one for a long time. I am so proud of the young man you are, and always look forward to seeing you brighten the day. You have the best sense of humor, and could make even the grumpiest sole laugh. I am so grateful to have you in my life. Have a great birthday!!
Love, Aunt Minnie

Snacks, Snacks, and Swiper the Fox

With enough snacks and the looming threats that swiper the fox is coming to steal toys, kids will do anything you want. I had a few extra stow aways today, anywhere from 2 to 4 extra, and they all did great! We ate, played games, ate, played plado, went for a walk, ate, played in the water, played on toys, ate, and goofed off. By the end of the day I had a few live ones, and a few zombies. Thanks for being so good everybody. P.S. Maddie you rock....thanks for sweeping the floor and cleaning Taylor's room....you are always the biggest helper!

Summer is in the air

The kids are back in the swing of things for the start of summer. 4 wheel rides, bug hunts, rock hunting adventures, and fun with water. The kids new enjoyment is with their ant farm Grammy Dee and Grandpa helped them restock with some fire ants. They love it! In fact it is the center piece on their kids table in the dining room. Everyone should get one...young or old.

Here We Go Again!

Jay and I are happily expecting one more time! I'm app. 11 weeks along. So far so good. This pregnancy seems to be falling right in line with the last two. I am expecting baby #3 at the end of November right around Thanksgiving. I will have a "dating" ultrasound lator this month. Stay tuned!

French Bulldog For Sale

5 month old male french bull dog pup for sale. If you know someone who is interested please have them call me or email, we are willing to sale him to a good home for a great price. wjyoung7@aol.com These dogs are very loyal and sweet.

Runaways

My kids are notorious runaways. We are lucky to live in a country setting where we can be a little lax when it comes to what the kids can and can't do, but there is a definate downside. Here is my niece, Jenna running away with no shoes and her suitcase and Taylor sporting princess undies and high heels. I am such a proud mama.