IHeartFaces ~ Completely Candid!

What a fun week over at IHeartFaces where the theme is Completely Candid! And boy was it hard to narrow down what to enter for the theme. Seeing as I'm rarely without the camera during those Little Life moments I have a bazillion trillion candid photos (side story: my son once asked my mom do you want to get your camera as he rode the carousel outside of the grocery store - see? rarely without the camera). I let David help me pick which one to post this week and we decided this photo snapped earlier this summer in the backyard was So Very The Boy having a blast in the backyard playing in the sprinkler

You may notice the Boots With Bathing Suit - that's just How We Roll.

Make sure to head over to IHeartFaces to check out all the other fabulous entries for the week!

Rocket Ships to Jesus

The Boy amazes me more times than I can tell you. The thoughts he has - the things that he says - I am shocked that someone just barely 5 can think so deeply.

Jesus is the Son of God. And we need to tell people. So why do we only talk about it on Sunday & Wednesday at church?

Sure, he is still 5 and does think like a 5 year old boy a good bit of the time.

Me: Let's work on your Bubblegum Words. Can you tell me what this one says?
The Boy: But. hee hee hee It says but. Ha ha ha. But. You know, like that word I can't say?

Wednesday night after church we caught every single red light on the ride home. This means Prime Thinking and Talking time for The Boy.

Him: Mommy? I keep praying and praying for a brother and Jesus keeps saying no. And Daddy said it was because your body is broken. Why did your body break?

Me: (pause thinking do we really have to have this conversation now?) Well I got sick when I was at the hospital when you were born.

Him: But HOW did you get sick?

Me: I got an infection. (As soon as I said it I knew the next question)

Him: What's an Infection?

Me: When you get a germ and it makes you really really sick. I almost died and went to heaven but then I got better.

Him: But if you died then I wouldn't have a mommy. And that would be sad.

Me: But I didn't die and you do have a mommy. But my body is broken and you can't have a brother.

Him: But HOW do you know it is broken?

Me: Because the doctor told.

Him: But HOW did he sound when he said it.

Me: (wondering why this conversation tonight) He just sounded like a doctor son. He just said "I'm sorry but there isn't anything we can do you're broken"

Him: But I really just wanted a baby.

And then he starts to cry. And, well, my heart breaks. But he quickly stops.

Him: Mommy is heaven just beyond the clouds?

Me: What?

Him: Is heaven higher then the clouds and right before the outer space?

Me: Heaven is where Jesus is baby. I don't exactly know Where it is and you can't See it until your battery dies and you go live with Jesus.

Him: I think it is higher than the clouds and right before the outer space and the meteors. And you know what mommy? I am going to get me a rocket ship and I am going to fly up to heaven and you know what I am going to do? I am going to find Jesus. And I am going to talk to him. And I am going to ask Him where my baby brother is.

Me: Are you now. Well baby God knows what is best for you and it isn't always what you think is the best for you. Just because you want something doesn't mean it is the best thing.

Him: Mommy is that my verse for next week?

Me: Um No.

Him: Then can you tell me that one more time please?

Me: Just because you want something doesn't mean it is the best thing. God knows what is best. And right now he thinks it is best for it to be is a Mommy, a Daddy and you.

Him: Yeah. But I still want that crazy baby.

And what I wish I could do a million times over is grant that one wish the little boy who wants to get on his rocket ship to fly to Jesus wants.

But, you see, these? These are the conversations I am having with my 5 year old.

And I can't help but think to myself that someday?

Someday this little boy is going to do great things.

IHeartFaces ~ Contemplative

Fun week over at IHeartFaces this week, where they are All About Contemplative Faces. The guidelines? IHeartFaces dictionary defined contemplative as thoughtful observation; full or deep consideration; dreamily or wistfully thoughtful: a pensive mood; expressing or revealing thoughtfulness; quiet modes of apparent or real thought; can be marked by some sadness, but doesn't have to be.

I give you The Boy Goes Contemplative.

What I wanted? The Boy sitting on the brick road. Instead? He's 5 and has flung himself down on the brick road flinging off his shoes, resulting in a quiet mode brought on by one's mother stating Son Just Five More Pictures And We'll Go Get Some Dinner At Burger King. He's in deep consideration over the fact that we've taken several pictures and I did not allow him to get Inside the Fountain to get wet. The deep consideration is whether he should really go with the Burger King or maybe instead choose McDonald's.

Okay maybe not. Let's just call it - I lucked out on the header photo and this photo. He's a character and those photos are why we start in September for a Christmas card photo (wink).

There's also a special Pets category this week - couldn't pass up the opportunity to share a Mildred Louise photo, now could I? She was being Killer Attack Dog barking back at the neighbor's dog. All Bark, mind you, as if you came within 2 feet of her, she'd wet the floor before rolling over for you to rub her tummy.

Make sure to head over to IHeartFaces and check out all the other fabulous entries this week!

Just Chillin Out Maxin Relaxin All Cool

So much to catch up on & I know better than to leave it hanging on a weekend - especially with this being Grandparents' Day of all days - and speaking of WHO KNEW?! apparently everyone but me so before we even get started we need to give a huge shout-out to the Grandparents who Rock Our Socks Off. Happy Grandparents Day!

Since our last posting we've become a Spark for Jesus, gotten our White Belt in Karate, found ourselves immunized and caught up on shots for the next 6 years, had a spend-the-night-party at BigMama & Papa's where Prizes were given for getting shots AND hung out with the neighbors. And that was just The Boy. David had opening weekend of archery season but didn't see any deer & I had a migraine so we weren't nearly as stellar in the fun department.

But enough of all that jazz. Let's get to the important stuff - the photos!

These are the feet that kick Kee-yah and concentrate enough to get a white belt in karate

And this is the look of the screaming boy at Rivertown after getting shots. Why yes I was the one you allowed to step in front of you in line as I carried my 53-pound sunglass-donned sobbing hysterical son out so as not to scare your calm, cool and collected little girl for life. And dear Rivertown employee DOES HE LOOK LIKE HE WANTS A SUCKER? Ahem.

Here is the face of excitement over going to BigMama & Papa's and getting a prize for shots - the same face of excitement that woke just before 7 a.m. on Saturday full of excitement because of this prize

Now looking below you might notice the look that results from spending the day taking too many photos of your son

And here? I think he loves his new games from BigMama & Papa a whole lot, don't you? Sound asleep in bed right now clutching the Leapster with Up playing.

All I've got for tonight. I've got a full office day tomorrow & my guys have full days at school. Mildred has a full day in the crate til we get home. Toss up to who has the worst day ahead (wink). G'night!

Karate. Keeeee-Yah. Sir.

Today The Boy started Karate. Thursday they may ask him not to come back.

You see, his listening skills during his private lesson today? Less than stellar. I'd even venture so far as to say They Royally SUCKED. Wait, no. I'd go even further and state that they were Nonexistent.

He acted like a 2 year old on Red Koolaid, cupcake icing and chocolate M&M Crack.

But he rocked out the outfit, right? We make Karate look Goooood.

Boundless energy, inability to focus long enough to get a direction - to the point of once? He was being told where to put his hands and mid-putting-his-hands our son goes Oh Look There's An Airplane Out the Window.

Head.Banging.Against.Wall.From.Parents.

We managed to gather our wits and get it together enough to practice kicks. Barely. Took a little bit more redirection even with the kicks

Today we learned about saying SIR. And that if we don't follow directions and pay attention? Mommy & Daddy will make us say I'm Sorry to Mr. Berryhill. And that until we get our White Belt we can't go out in the Big Room with the Other Kids. Thursday's the Big Day for White Belt - here's to hoping The Boy gets it together between now & then.

I will say fatigue/exhaustion may be a contributing factor & we best get a good night's sleep the next night before. This was The State of The Boy at 7:45 this evening

Side note unrelated to Karate: The Boy rocked the house on his Progress Report from school. Kindergarten Rocks!

Labor Day Family Fun

Great day with my guys (and the dog!) driving all over taking photos. Managed to get a few good ones and Millie had herself a grand time playing in the water over at Flat Rock Park! We hit all my favorite photo-snapping spots & even tried out a new one (enh, kind of a bust but did get a few good ones). And we also backed in to a Non-Moving Tree that was camoflauged by all the other Non-Moving Trees we were running over. Ahem. Please note the truck was not damaged as we hit said tree with the trailer hitch. Also note if you are going 10 mph and you hit a tree with your hitch? Your truck will STOP. Ahem. Grilled out for dinner some most fabulous ribs. And are about to call it a night since we all have extra-early days tomorrow. Can we have Labor Day every Monday, please? Thanks.

IHeartFaces: Back To School

This week at IHeartFaces they are All About Back To School! I dug in my archives from last year and am posting our First Day of 4-Year PreK photo. Nothing screams Back To School like donning your neon green rainboots on your first day, right?

And in honor of starting Kindergarten back on August 6th, I bring you the Kindergarten Collage, jam-packed with classroom, new shoes, brand new back-pack and First Day of School goodness!

Make sure to check out all the fabulous Back to School entries over at IHeartFaces this week!

I can take pictures, too.

I can, from time to time, pry the camera out of Shannon's hands to take a few pictures. Today was one of them. You see, I spent the weekend off dove hunting and planting food plots at the hunting lease. SO, I told Shannon we would have a picture day, today as a family outing. Something I thought she would certainly enjoy. So, off we go. As a family. We even took Millie. I seized the opportunity to catch a photo of nature doing, well, nature things. She has been giving me grief all evening about that photo. Thus, influencing the caption....

"You ever feel like someone is always on your back?"

It's That Time Again

It's that time again - Football Season - no, wait - that's not what I was going to talk about. Hrm. It's that time - when we wear white one last time! Wait, no no no THAT wasn't it.

Oh. That's Right.

It's that time again! Hunting Season. And the start of my snapping to get our Christmas Card Photo. They seem to coincide, no? It's fitting. Because with Hunting Season I become the Hunting Widow. All invitations to attend events cease, as most everyone wants to get together with The Couple not The Wife & Child. Our social circle lacks Hunters so I'm a Rare Bird - and speaking of birds, I would have been Shot this weekend as That Is What Was Being Hunted. Ahem. So I go off with my camera and The Boy. Why?

Well today it went down like this: The neighbors weren't home when we were home. The Boy, having been couped up with me all last weekend thanks to the Flu? Was already calling it the Most Boring Weekend Ever and doing the whole whining woe is him thing. Plus HELLO does he ever not chatter and talk and go on and on? Ever? Can I get two minutes of quiet? Please? Because even when I'm LOCKED IN THE BATHROOM he is OUTSIDE THE DOOR TALKING TO ME.

I digress.

So I opted to take him downtown and snap a few photos. Because I start early working towards Christmas. And is it any wonder seeing the few I've posted thus far?

His true colors shine through. But compared to last year, at least we're looking towards the camera this year, right? Right. We're bound to have a winner by October this year!

And The Hunter? He's going to hang with us All Day Monday so we hear. Rock On. Maybe I can talk both my guys in to a photo shoot again on Monday? We shall see. For now I'm exhausted and it's already almost tomorrow as it is. So I'm going to call it a night myself. G'night!

We are Sparks for Jesus!

Awana Kick-Off is pure awesomeness when there are inflatables & RED KOOLAID. The Boy says Mr Clint making it all happen? It was The Best Night Ever. Even if it rained. Is the rain the earth crying tears? Why did it rain? But that was okay. Because we came inside and got to play with the giant red ball. And dat is why it was my best night ever.Looking forward to learning our verse so we can get our book & Sparks vest next week!

Flu = Bahr-in

The Boy: Mommy The Flu is Bahr-in.

Me: Yes the flu is very, very boring.

But we at least make the flu look cool

And we keep hydrated with awesome things like popsicles

And rest

Often

No school for tomorrow - Tuesday remains questionable. Meanwhile I am Ready to return to work tomorrow morning simply because I will be able to Get Out Of This House. I've never in my life observed a more energetic flu patient - and being confined with said patient has taken all my patience since, as we've already established, the flu? It's boring.

Hoping for Fever Free tomorrow!

We'll Take Flu for $200 Please Alex.

Today was to be The Boy's 5-year-Well-Child-Visit. Except for that part where he woke up with a temp of 101.3. Today was to be the dreaded Day of Shots. Except for that part where You Don't Get Shots When You Have a Temp. Today was to be the day we sat on the Oh So Wonderful WELL side. Except you don't sit with the happy non-coughing kids when you're contaminated and are instead regulated to the SICK side.

Even though we were SICK and not WELL we still did the Well-Child-Visit stats and talks and checks. For those keeping record, The Boy is 46.5 inches tall and weighs 53 pounds, placing him in 98+% for height and weight. Rock On.

We had to do fabulous things at the 5-year, like pee in a cup and don a gown! Here we find a crappy cell phone pic of The Boy hiding under the counter, still uncertain if he would For Real not be getting those shots or not and informing me "I'll just stay down here and hide from Dr Oliver so he can't see me and give me those shots because this is my very bad day"

Dr. Oliver quickly reassured The Boy there would be NO SHOTS today. Hooray - no shots! Boo - this meant No I-just-got-shots-so-I-get-a-new-prize-from-BigMama&Papa.

With the flu running rampant in The Boy's Kdg class (5 out Wednesday, 10 Thursday, 12 today) AND with the all-day-except-for-when-we-show-up-to-the-doctor temperature AND the sneezing, coughing, etc. we opted for the Rapid Flu Test. Now, at this point The Boy is playing, crawling on the floor with a toy, full of energy. We fully expect a negative result and will just call it a cold and go back to school Monday.

Except both myself and the doctor are shocked with the positive flu results. The Boy Got The Flu. And we're stuck inside until we're fever-free for 48-hours.

We're hoping he bounces back pretty quick, as from what we are hearing most kids are getting over the flu fairly quickly. The Boy is already wanting to know what he missed learning at school today so it'll be rough having to miss any more school!

Wish us luck stuck inside all weekend - I hope not to lose my mind watching Larry Boy ad nauseum and also hope to effectively care for The Boy without catching the flu! Happy Weekend!

20/20 Isn't Just A Show on ABC. And The Mom Brags

Eye Appointment today for The Boy and Great News - All Is Well! 20/20 vision, depth perception is Spot On (sign that boy up for archery, says Dad!) & no worries about his eyes see ya again in two years - Rock On because The Boy felt the eye doctor? Was "bar-in" (boring).

And since I am in to bragging about great things - Check Out the Awesome Job The Boy did on his Math homework tonight! DCE doesn't play, btw, and Kindergarten Isn't For Sissies - homework is a challenge for us most nights but The Boy loved cutting and did a Fabulous job writing his numbers tonight!

Busy day today and an even busier one tomorrow so we're all calling it a night a wee bit earlier. G'night!

Open House - I Love School!

We had Open House for The Boy tonight! We were able to see some pretty awesome drawings in his August journal, sign up for things like Guest Reader & Field Trip Volunteer and pull off Wishing Stars for things the classroom "wishes" for. The Boy was quite the artist in his August Journal!

And why yes thanks for asking we're still trucking along with homework. Below you'll find words that rhyme with "pan" - a Man in the Sand next to a Hand

Tomorrow's another big day (and not just 'cause it's Granny's birthday, either, but while we're thinking about it HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO GRANNY!) - we're heading to the eye doctor! And then homework involves cutting, pasting, coloring AND writing. Fun Times. For now we're all calling it a night!

IHeartFaces ~ Nostalgia

Special week at IHeartFaces - Nostalgia. I remember looking at the topic and trying to figure out just what I would choose for this week. I had no ideas, a rarity for me since I can usually dig through the hundreds upon hundreds of photos of The Boy to find something that would fit each week's theme.

Early Friday morning Grandfather lost his battle with cancer. He went home to be with Jesus and is no longer suffering - for which we are glad but still find ourselves mourning for the great man we've lost. Grandfather was a wonderful man - I assure you if you met him, you would have loved him. Grandfather could grow anything. I'm certain he could fix anything. It's highly probable he had The Whitest Legs I've Ever Seen. And I will miss him so much.

So it seemed quite fitting that this afternoon, after the funeral was over and the family had a meal together and visited that I walked back up to my grandparents with David & The Boy - we went down to Grandfather's barn and pulled out the tractor to snap a few pictures. And then we went up to Uncle Bubba's and snapped a few more pictures of the tractor that belong to My great-granddaddy. I remember sitting on tractors as a child pretending to drive much like The Boy is doing in the picture below

Many more wonderful entries and stories over at IHeartFaces this week so make sure to check them all out.

Handwriting's For Sissies.

The Boy shows so much more enthusiasm for volcanoes instead of handwriting. Because who really cares about writing 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 when there are volcanoes to erupt?Not I, says The Boy. He's So There with the vinegar, all ready to pour and Make Things Happen.And happen it does! Incredibly thrilled with the progress

Because when it all comes down to it 6 was really afraid of 7 because 7 8 9 and 10 (number humor, folks - I'm here all week)

Wasn't enough for us to stop with Volcanoes - we went for Pile of Baking Soda on Plate + Vinegar = Super Cool Trick as well

All in all Much Fun had with baking soda and vinegar and a little toy volcano this afternoon!

IHeartFaces ~ Bubbles!

Fun week over at IHeartFaces this week where the theme is BUBBLES! We love bubbles 'round here but wouldn't ya know I've already used my Most Favorite Bubble Shot Evah. So I'm going with a not-your-typical-bubble-blowing photo and opting instead for the kid-covered-in-bath-bubbles Bubble Photo:Head on over to IHeartFaces to check out all the other fabulous entries this week!