Just for Laughs

Real quick... I just had to post this picture because it cracks me up! 

The other day Justin had gone into Brig's nursery to get him up from a nap when this is what he found...

Check out those fat little legs!  Don'tcha just wanna kiss those chubby toes??!?

A Visit with Auntie Em

My sweet-souled Harrison just adores all his family members, especially so the ones he doesn't see on a regular basis.  Aunt Emily and Uncle Russ live in Atlanta and they don't get to visit that often.  Harrison was in their wedding last year and asks about them often.  Aunt Emily came down for a short visit last weekend and had lunch with us on Sunday.  It was a nice little visit AND her first time meeting Brig.  Naturally, since she was on his turf, Harrison took over and had to give her the tour including his toys, trucks, bedroom, and most proud...his little garden!  This was in the midday sun and nothing had been watered yet, so the plants were a little droopy.  That didn't bother Harrison.  He showed off all his plants...Sunflowers, corn, watermelon, "maters," squash, and cucumbers.  Such a nice visit and a chance to catch up.  Can't wait to see them again later this summer!

Rollin', Rollin', Rollin'...

Finally, Brig is rolling over!  At nearly 6 months old, we wondered when he would start rolling over.  He's been right on the edge for months, and I am so very proud to say that he is now rolling over along with the rest ther 6-month-old's on the planet. 

Justin was watching him play in the floor one afternoon last week while I was working and that's when all the action occurred.  He said he was just laying there on his back, kicking and playing, then "bloop"...over he went!  Of course, he called me in the room and sure enough, he was on his tummy looking around like, "How on earth did this happen??!?"  I helped him flip back to his back and I could tell he was relieved to be in familiar territory.  I grabbed my camera because I just knew he'd do it again right then with my camera so carefully poised.  Nope.  "C'mon Brig!  Do it again!  Let Mama see you roll over!!"  Nothing.  I ended up walking into the kitchen and pretended to do something else.  Naturally, "bloop"...over he went.  Silly boy.

I did end up snapping a few pictures the next day and he has been rolling like a ball ever since!  It's amazing how one little gesture opens up a whole new world of things to get into.  Although a bit of a late-bloomer, this kid is a genius (although I'm a tad partial). 

Ready...

Set...

Go!

Ta Da!

Baby Dedication Sunday

"You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.  And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today.  Repeat them again and again to your children.  Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.  Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders.  Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."

-- Deuteronomy 6:5-9

Our sweet Brigdon David was dedicated to the Lord during a special service coincidentally held on Mother's Day...so appropriate!  Our church family has recently grown tremendously with all the new babies, so there were many being dedicated that day.  I remember Harrison's dedication not too long ago.  He was about the same age as Brigdon and in this very same church.  It makes me proud to know that my boys will have memories of growing up in this church.  Such an awesome family of believers led by an amazing pastorial staff.  I've heard it said that the sign of a flourishing church is one with old people and new babies...We definitely have LOTS of new babies!

(Please disregard that round lil tummy poking out, although it is perfectly cute!)

So, in addition to getting to spend Mother's Day with my favorite little guys (and their Daddy), B and Granddad also came in for Brig's dedication and we had the most wonderful brunch at The Brick afterwards.  Then spent the afternoon being lazy (my favorite Sunday afternoon activity) and had dessert with my in-laws in celebration of Mother's Day with them.  A beautiful end to a beautiful day. 

Who Am I?

"O Lord, you have examined my heart

and know everything about me.

You known when I sit down or stand up.

You know my thoughts even when I'm far away.

You see me when I travel

and when I rest at home.

You know everything I do.

You know what I am going to say

even before I say, Lord.

You go before me and follow me.

You place your hand of blessing on my head.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,

too great for me to understand!

I can never escape from Your Spirit!

I can never get away from Your presence!

If I go up to heaven, You are there;

if I go down to the grave, You are there.

If I ride the wings of the morning,

if I dwell by the farthest oceans,

even there Your hand will guide me,

and Your strength will support me.

I could ask the darkness to hide me

and the light around me to become night--

but even in darkness I cannot hide from You.

To You the night shines as bright as day.

Darkness and light are the same to you.

You saw me before I was born.

Every day of my life was recorded in Your book.

Every moment was laid out

before a single day had passed.

How prescious are Your thoughts about me, O God.

They cannot be numbered!

I can't even count them;

they outnumber the grains of sand!

And when I wake up,

You are still with me!

Search me, O God, and know my heart;

test me and know my anxious thoughts.

Point out anything in me that offends You,

and lead me along the patch of everlasting life."

-- Psalm 139:1-12, 16-18, 23-24

It's been a crazy past month or so here in our little world and I keep coming back to this passage.  Always so guilty to become a grouch when things are a tad too hectic, I need this passage to bring me back to earth.  The world does not revolve around me, sadly.  I am blessed beyond measure--more than I could ever name--and when things go awry, being the human that I am, I quickly lose sight of those blessings.  This passage reminds me of how small I am and how great my God is and I most definitely don't give Him enough credit.  Brings to mind the simple words of a newly-added iPod favorite:  "Who am I that You are mindful of me? That you hear me when I call?  Who am I that You are thinking of me? That You love me?"

That being said, I've committed to cement this passage into my ever-fading memory so that I can recall it instantly in those times that get the best of me.  I'm a work in progress...

I'm still here...

Hello my sweet little blog!  Yes, I'm still here.  Though it seems I have forgotten you, I have not.  Making it a priority to catch you up on the happenings 'round here these days.  I'm workin' on it...

Bye-Bye Cavity Bugs

Harrison made his first dentist visit last week.  This was a big deal for him because he's been numerous times with Mama and Daddy to have our teeth cleaned, but he's never been the one in that cool, comfy reclining chair with the TV.

Since it was his very first visit, our (awesome) hygienist Andrea took her time and showed him all the tools and let him touch them and patiently explained what she was going to do.  She asked him to guess how many teeth he thought he had.  His reply, "maybe 6."  Hardly....more like 20.  Anyway, Andrea let him practice filling a little cup with water from her sprayer thingy (real professional language here) and then suck it up with the vacumn hose, which she aptly called "Mr. Thirsty."  When she explained the big overhead light and that it was so she could look in his mouth because it's dark in there, he says "yep, like a cave."  To sheild his eyes from that bright light, Andrea gave him a pair of "super cool" sunglasses.  The most favorite Diego shades that Santa brought and he adores are now second place; these ugly lime green things have stepped up.  (see photos)  The most important lesson learned that day was that he had to take really good care of his teeth by brushing them really well to get rid of the "cavity bugs."  I think I've answered 35 questions about "cavity bugs" since that dentist visit. 

All in all, Andrea said he was the best little patient.  He patiently let her polish all 20 of those teeth and even let her scrape some build-up off of the back sides of his front teeth...something she said most 3-year-olds wouldn't allow.  The rest of the day, he kept looking in the mirror at his teeth.  I was relieved that his first visit was not traumatic.  He actually had fun and asked me when he could go back!

Introducing...

After much encouragement, I've decided to start a website with things I've been crafting lately.  Check it out a http://www.mamacouture.net/.  This domain name is in transition, so it might not quite be running at 100% yet.  If that link gives you trouble, try http://mamacouture.blogspot.com/. 

Take a second and run over there for exciting news about a giveaway! 

Way to get things off to a good start, huh? 

Sweet Summertime!

The early heat wave that has recently settled in + a teething-like-crazy 5-month-old = Popsicles! Anyone who knows our little family, knows that we all have a sweet tooth. All things in moderation. So after supper and Daddy off to work, my boys and I settled in the shade of our back porch for cool, sweet popsicles. Yum! This was Brig's first popsicle and he took to it quick. What can I say...the kid's got skills!

I think this may become a new, post-supper tradition for us. I hope when my boys are grown that they'll remember simple times like this. Shady porch. Popsicles. Mama.

Sweet summertime!

Side note: How sweet are those cheeks??!? Makes you wanna kiss 'em...and I do on a daily basis!

"Gardenette" Update

I know, I know...it's been a while since I updated the goings on of Harrison's little "gardenette." Surprising to me, he (and by that I mean WE) has stuck with the maintenance and care of it pretty well. He's sure to water it daily and pull any stray weeds. Although no veggies yet, our plants are doing great!

The morning glory flower seeds he planted on the porch are growing like crazy! They will have blossoms on them very, very soon. I even had to put a trellis in the planter for the vines to grow on.

Our cucumbers and tomatoes already have pretty yellow flowers on them and even more buds beginning to sprout! I'm excited for him to see mini-sized vegetables begin to grow...

At this point, I will give myself a pat on the back and say this (so far) has been quite the learning experience for my big guy! He's learning about patience, diligence, responsibility...good stuff. No doubt I will kick myself in a month or so for even saying that because we have been prone to fail as gardens of years past have proved. So far, so good!

Make It & Love It

ATTENTION CRAFTY GIRLS (AND NON-CRAFTY GIRLS TOO)!!

See the button at the right side of my blog?? The one that says "Make It and Love It"?? This is a blog that I follow of the most wonderful handmade things for home, baby, storage...everything! The owner, Ashley, has a knack for sewing and crafting that I can only aspire to. I get plum giddy when I see that she has a new post up...it's that amazing!

So, if you're a crafty kinda gal like myself, click the button and go drool over her blog. Your head will be spinning with ideas!

AND if you're not so much a crafty kinda gal, you can get to her etsy.com shop through her blog where you can buy many of the projects she's developed. All good stuff!