Another exciting day...

(photographed by Nick)

and let's not forget about this little man whom I love SO MUCH as well!
Unfortunately for us (and him), this was about the only time he smiled this whole weekend. Something in the air? In the water? I don't know, but he was crabby as a coot this weekend!! Let's hope that tomorrow brings a fresh start to a new week!!
Either way, I do love you tator baby!

I AM A CHRISTIAN
By Carol Wimmer
When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not shouting, "I've been saved!"

I'm whispering, "I get lost! That's why I chose this way"

When I say, "I am a Christian," I don't speak with human pride

I'm confessing that I stumble-needing God to be my guide

When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not trying to be strong

I'm professing that I'm weak and pray for strength to carry on

When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not bragging of success

I'm admitting that I've failed and cannot ever pay the debt

When I say, "I am a Christian," I don't think I know it all

I submit to my confusion asking humbly to be taught

When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not claiming to be perfect

My flaws are far too visible but God believes I'm worth it

When I say, "I am a Christian," I still feel the sting of pain

I have my share of heartache which is why I seek His name

When I say, "I am a Christian," I do not wish to judge

I have no authority--I only know I'm loved

Nicker

Is this boy not just absolutely adorable!! Ahh - breaks my heart!

He is such a chatterbox lately! So much to talk about and share and show. He also has realized that Mom loves it when he makes her laugh, so with his different voices and lines, he is my little comedian too. I love you so much my big boy!!

...and this is a picture that Nick took of me and the Tator.

Soccer Pics

So the week of Soccer Camp ended well with Nick saying he "wanted to play soccer all night long!" It was still a long week of "I want to be done" and "I love soccer", so we will take the bad with the good and say the we will definitely have him trying again. (Thanks for the pep talk Marsha!!).

Happy Birthday Brian (pics)

chillin' with the fella's...

Water Park Fun! (June 20th)

T-Ball

T-Ball started on June 16th... Interesting night as Nick didn't know quite what to make of it. We thought it was funny at one point that Nick must have told one of his coaches that he didn't know how to hit the ball and needed instruction (since when?) and then of course, check out that arm!!

June 12 - 14th (WI)

On the 11th, Brian and I went to see Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert & Lady A - such a good concert!!! Too bad I only have pictures of Kenny!

The next morning we headed up to see my family in WI. We had a great time staying with Grandma, enjoying June Bug Days and playing with our cousins!!

HOW TO KNOW IF YOU ARE READY TO BE A PARENT

MESS TEST:
Smear peanut butter on the sofa and curtains. Place a fish stick behind the couch and leave it there all summer.

TOY TEST:
Obtain a 55 gallon box of Lego’s (or you may substitute roofing tacks). Have a friend spread them all over the house. Put on a blind fold. Try to walk to the bathroom or kitchen. Do not scream because this would wake a child at night.

GROCERY STORE TEST:
Borrow one or two small animals (goats are best) and take them with you as you shop. Always keep them in sight and pay for anything they eat or damage.

DRESSING TEST:
Obtain one large, unhappy, live octopus. Stuff into a small net bag making sure that all the arms stay inside.

FEEDING TEST:
Obtain a large plastic milk jug. Fill halfway with water. Suspend it from the ceiling with a cord. Start the jug swinging. Try to insert spoonfuls of soggy cereal in the mouth of the jug, while pretending to be an airplane. Then just dump the contacts of the jug on the floor.

NIGHT TEST:
Prepare by obtaining a small cloth bag and fill it with 8-12 pounds of sand. Soak the bag and sand thoroughly in water. At 3:00 p.m. begin to waltz and hum with the bag until 9:00 p.m. Lay down your bag and set your alarm for 10:00 p.m. Get up, pick up your bag, and sing every song you have ever heard. Make up about a dozen more, and sing these too until 4:00 a.m. Set your alarm for 5:00 a.m. Get up and make breakfast. Keep this up for 5 years, while looking cheerful.

INGENUITY TEST:
Take an egg carton. Using a pair of scissors and a pot of paint, turn it into an alligator. Now take a toilet paper tube and turn it into an attractive Christmas candle using only scotch tab and a piece of foil. Last, take a milk carton, a Ping-Pong ball, and an empty box of Cocoa Puffs and make an exact replica of the Eiffel Tower.

FINAL ASSIGNMENT:
Find a couple who already has a small child or children. Lecture them on how they can improve their discipline, patience, tolerance, toilet training or child’s table manners. Make many suggestions as to how they can do things better. Emphasize to them that they should never allow their children to run wild, scream, talk back and more…

…and enjoy this experience, because it will be the last time that you will have all the answers.

Something to look forward to ?

So Brian and I were talking tonight about the excitement and anticipation of our future and the possibilites...and then I read this post from Jody's blog. Couldn't stop laughing! We will just have to wait and see...

When the going gets tough...??

I know I’m not the only parent that struggles with things like these…

I know that I’m not the only parent that weighs these types of decisions so heavily on my heart and mind as I know what I am decided for my children today will be the example they weigh their own decisions against in the future…

Even thought I am not alone – it doesn’t ease my internal struggle.

Let me explain.

Nicholas started his week long soccer camp this past Monday – this week being the hottest week of the year so far with temps in the mid to upper 90’s and the humidity at an almost unbearable level – so I realize that this was not ideal for the whole pep talk of “Hey, won’t this be great!”, however this is not going as expected…

My son LOVES to play soccer in our yard! He loves to kick the ball around, make goals, and play with mom & dad – LOVES IT! And while I realize that with my not putting this on our calendar and not having the time to prep him for the upcoming event, that this was sprung on him the morning of, I am amazed at his lack of interest.

He shows no interest in actually participating in the games the coach is organizing and refuses to listen to just about everything he says! ½ way through the hour on the first day, Nick comes back to me and states that he wants to go home – he is done. It is too hard.

Now what to do –
-show my son that even while this was chosen for him, that it is ok to quit when you feel things are hard, or
-be an example of sticking it out until the end (meanwhile both him and I will be miserable).

I don’t want to raise a quitter, but I also do not need to be away from work for about an hour and forty minutes each day watching him hate me.

So I pulled dad into this.

Having a conversation last night that involved calm discussion, we have persuaded Nick to give it another shot. We pulled as many examples as we could of things that he now enjoys that he once told us were to hard or to scary (going down the water slide alone, jumping off the side of the pool, riding his bike etc).

We will see how it ended up going today…

Not that this is the first time I have thought this, but I am stating it for the record: This parenting things is the most difficult (and rewarding) job EVER!!

Brian.

While I am definately behind on posting our lives...I didn't want to pass up what today is.

Today is Fathers Day.

Today is Brians Birthday.

So, Happy Birthday Brian & Happy Fathers Day.

I love you for being my partner and best friend.

We love you for being a wonderful and loving father.

Sunday Fun

It was sticky and hot on Sunday... So I thought it would be a great idea for a water balloon fight!

It took a little while for Nick to get the concept of "fighting back" (after he saw Brian and I go after each other, he got the hint)...and even Nate joined in the fun after a while. At least both of the boys are good sports about getting wet!

So Happy That Daddy is Back!