My Little "Men"

I feel very blessed to be a stay-at-home-mom!! I get to witness my children thinking, playing, creating, and imagining so many things! For the longest time, people who know Will have known he has a somewhat disturbing taste for all-things girl. He is constantly telling me what to wear (ex. "Mom, I wish you would wear that blue dress today") or what color nail polish I should buy. He also tells me what jewelry I need to add to an outfit! I can laugh about his fashion fetish because I also get to see the boyish side he has. He loves all-things boy too. I claim he is like this because he is at home with me all day and he wants to be involved in my life so he gets interested in girly things! All this to say, I think the girl phase has hit Ben now!! For the past two days, Ben has been taking care of this baby just like a mommy would. He feeds the baby, burps the baby, puts the baby to sleep, keeps the baby warm, rocks the baby, etc.... This is one of AP's baby dolls that he took from her room. He even gets in fights with Will and Ann Phelps if they try to take the baby! He hasn't gotten into fashion yet, but it probably won't be long! I can joke about this because I also get to witness both my boys being boys - they love all-things boy too!

Complete

At First Pres. Jackson, when your child starts 3 year old Sunday School, they begin learning the Children's Catechism. Each year they have a set number of questions to learn. Once they learn their questions for the year, they receive a crown! Will has amazed us by learning his questions and receiving his crowns both years! Yesterday he finished his memory work for this Sunday School year. I would love to say that the crown and the knowledge of knowing God more is enough to get him to succeed - but we also have to add the privilege of getting a prize from Target! Either way, I am happy that he is learning more and more about God!!

A Picture Diary

AP got a tutu and new sparkle shoes


She enjoyed being an only child for
a whole week while the boys were
in Carrollton



We have new lunch boxes for school
Will picked out the race car, Ben has Buzz!


Both boys moved up to big boy car seats

Will got a Mr. Potato Head for his birthday -

I was tired of all three fighting over his potato

head, I bought Ben and AP one too!!

We are trying to get AP to completely

give up the bottle - she only has one

before bed - the Dora cups have helped

big time - she thinks she is like her brothers

drinking from a big cup!

I took the boys to see Nick Jr. Live!

Here is one of the $15 lights that

they no longer have interest in!!

My souvenir from the show -

I had to have something to carry

the expensive souvenirs in!

One of Will's many inventions-

I don't understand the Mr. Potato Head

parts around the crane boom?

I feel like my kids (my boys especially) have spent the majority of July visiting with grandparents! I haven't been good about having my camera handy, so I have gone back and taken pics of most of the things we have been up to! We are now in countdown mode for school - my boys are excited!!

Happy 5th Birthday, Will!

Ms. Sassy

Ms. Christina's yummy gluten-free cupcakes!

Today is Will's "real" birthday. We had his party on Saturday (July 10) and he has had a hard time comprehending his party day from his real birthday. For the third year in a row, we had his party at Pump-it-Up! We tried to convince him to choose another venue, but he loves having parties here - we don't mind because it is easier on us! I can't believe it has been 5 years since God blessed me with my first child- the child I prayed so long for!! Since then, God has increased my blessings even more! I am a little sad today because Will and Ben decided to leave Saturday to spend the week with Grandmother and Pop (Rhyne's family). I know I am crazy to feel sad at having a break from my two active boys, but I am. I was looking forward to waking Will up today singing "happy birthday"! I know I am being silly because I know they are having so much fun getting spoiled!! Believe me, Ann Phelps makes up for the boys being gone- she is having a great time being an only child because she is such an attention-hog. She has been putting on a show for Rhyne and me!! Tonight when Rhyne gets home, we will let two balloons go in memory of Will's brothers, Matthew and Harris. Everyday I think about what our life would look like if God had left them here with us. I also think about the reunion we will have when we get to Heaven!! I also think if God had left them here, would we have the blessings we call Ben and Ann Phelps?! God truly does work EVERYTHING out for good no matter how low in the valley He takes you!! Praise be to Him for Will and the joy he has brought to us!!

One of those weeks

Buster-Man


Duke and Buster early years

His early years, before he turned gray

His last Christmas

I sit here today and rejoice that another week is going along. Last week (June 28-July 4) was very tough. My dear little friend, Buster, left us. I got Buster February 2000. I wanted a Chihuahua like the Taco Bell dog. I found an add for Chihuahuas and went to pick him up. When Rhyne and I got there, he was the last one left in the box and he was black as night. I didn't care, I wanted him! So, for the last ten years my little black dog has been with me. God brought Buster into my life when I needed him the most. I was having a tough time emotionally and Buster gave me joy. I loved being able to "take care" of something because I was having a hard time taking care of myself. God knew I needed a companion. Before Rhyne and I had human children, Buster and Duke (our Lab) were our children. We took these dogs everywhere!! Of course our priorities have changed since God blessed us with three children, but Buster still was my first in theory! Every night, Buster would cuddle up to me under the covers and sleep so soundly. I am still easing into the bed at night thinking "I don't want to smush Buster" - and he isn't there. I knew the day would come when our little friend would leave us, but I didn't expect to take it so hard. Justin was sweet enough to be with Buster when the vet put him to sleep and my Daddy buried him - thank you both so much. My sweet friend, Amy, made impressions of his little footprints for me (thank you Amy) (and Mary Claire for the prints you did)! I think I have cried everyday since last Monday. People say this all the time, but "there will never be another Buster"!! He was so unique. It will take me a while to get over losing him. *All you non-dog lovers probably don't understand this*

On top of losing my friend, I had minor surgery too. Wednesday I had surgery to remove some cysts, endometriosis, and scar tissue - gotta love being a woman! Thankfully we have wonderful family who always come to the rescue. The kids divided their time between Carrollton and Acona. Now we are trying to get back into the swing of things minus Buster.