Last Week

Last week we had a very busy week. We were trying to get ready for Grandma and Grandpa to come over the Labor Day Weekend. We also had soccer practice, a temple trip with the youth, preschool meetings, play group, and the list goes on and on.
Our ward has a play group that meets about once a month. We haven't been able to go since last year because we were always out of town on the day of play group. This wee was the first time we were able to go, and it was at one of our favorite places. The kids love to go to Wegerzyn Gardens, and we haven't had the chance to go all summer, so we were really glad when we could go with our friends from church. Here are a couple of pictures of the kids playing in the 'creek.'


In addition to everything else, I finally was able to make and put curtains up in our living room and dining room. I have had the hardware and some of the fabric for over a year, but it has taken that long to find the rest of the fabric to match. Once I did, I wanted to get the curtains up as soon as possible. Now if only I could get some of the toys cleaned up and put into the basement....

Out of the Mouth of Babes...

Or 4 year olds. Tonight for Family Home Evening, Carter had the lesson. He chose to give the lesson on reverence. This was his insight.

"Reverence isn't just sitting there, its when you think about Jesus."

How true. What a lot of simple insights I have to learn from my kids.

And so it begins....

We began with the ever famous 'Potty Training' with K a couple of days ago. She has done alright. C was much easier. She is so independent and stubborn and since its not her idea, she just doesn't want to do it. She knows how, and can physically do it. So the battle of the wills begins... (I'm sure my mother is just laughing right now and thinking to herself how much I deserve a daughter just like me!) We will have to see how much patience I have and how long this takes. I've already considered giving up...

On another note, our vacation was fabulous. The kids had a wonderful time, we had a wonderful time, I would love to do it all over again. Maybe in a few years. There will be more to come, as soon as I can sort through pictures and catch up on the laundry.

No time to talk. Mickey is waiting for me.

We are having way too much fun at Disney World. More pictures and stories to come later.

Homeward Bound

Thanks to some friends who are very good at the game of Jenga, the truck is packed to the brim (Thank you Glittersmama) and ready to roll out as soon as I get everything turned in and turned over at work. I should be able to get home late tomorrow night, be home for Friday, and ready to roll out on Saturday for the House of Mouse. This has been a true blessing of an experience, but I am ready to go home. I am ready to pet my dog, to sleep in my bed, to mow my grass, to work in my basement, and of course, being with my family. "Lucy! I'm home!"

His Father's Son

This was the conversation we had earlier today:

C: Mom, I know what we can do tomorrow! Its a great idea.

Mom: What, C?

C: We can watch the race. Its on tomorrow.

M: Sorry, C, We don't have TV right now, remember?

C: Oh man!

Drew has taught him well.

Some funny things my kids say...

"Hello, um.. no, he's a little bit focused right now, Can I take a message?" - C says this with his hand up to his ear like hes talking on the phone. I think he means, "he's not available right now"



hostible - means hospital, both C and K say it this way



"Boom, Boom, Bananas" - can't ever be just plain 'banana'



"The Little Murder-maid" - K's favorite Disney Princess

His Image

We had a wonderful Sunday School lesson today. Not necessarily because of the presentation of the material (not that it was bad), but because of the spirit invoked by the material. We are studying in Alma 5 in the Book of Mormon. This has always been one of my favorite chapters of scripture. As a missionary in Spain, I had a note card taped to my vanity mirror with the words of Alma 5:14, “…Have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received His image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this might change in your hearts?” There were days on my mission that I remember being able to “see” His image in my countenance staring back at me in that mirror, but there were also days that I did not. I think as time has passed, and as life has become “busy,” I have not done a lot of looking in the mirror. There have been days that I have definitely seen His image, but I fear that there have been many more that I have not. How often do we look upon our countenance and see our busy day, or pending deadlines, or worldly desires? It is only when we submit ourselves with a broken heart and a contrite spirit before the Lord, that we will be able to look in that mirror and see His countenance.

Speaking of seeing His image in your countenance, we were able to have a friend take some family pictures for us. She did an AMAZING job. It is the first time we have been able to do family portraits with a little flexibility of what we want. The pictures turned out great. I look at some of the pictures of the kids, and despite their expected “misbehaviors,” I am able to see His countenance. We are truly blessed with 3 great kids. They love each other, and they love us. They absorb everything we teach them and we try to teach them the gospel. It makes me proud to hear C tell me about what his lesson in primary was about or what we read about in the scriptures. I love to hear K tell me about her lesson in nursery and even tell us a little about what she understands the scriptures to say. E is just so close to our Heavenly Father that I can’t take my eyes off of him. We are truly blessed by our children.

Here are a few of the pics:

HOME

I have never really been a homebody. I love to go and do things. Even just a trip to the grocery store or Target. I like to be out doing. So, I never thought I would say this, but it is SO Good to be home. I missed my bed, my kitchen, my dog, pretty much everything about my house. Right down to the smell. I never knew my house had a smell. Walking in last night, I smelt my house, and boy did I like it!

Don't get me wrong. We had a wonderful time in Virginia. I am glad that I was able to spend the last few months with my husband. I am glad that we were able to do some of the fun, amazing things we did. I loved being able to go to the beach, and the pool. I loved taking advantage of everything that area has to offer. I loved seeing the sites, even the simple things like the concert in the park on Thursday nights.

But, I am glad to be home.

I think the kids are too. They missed their toys most, I think. Within a half hour of waking up this morning, every single toy was on the floor and had been touched, at least once. The excitement lasted all day. They missed the dog too. They were excited to see her. They were excited to run down the street to the neighbors house. They didn't want to get back in the car today to go to the grocery store. I can't say I blame them. I didn't want to get in the car either.

Now its back to reality. Back to doctors appointments, callings, errands, the gym.

It feels so good to be home.

Busch Gardens

Thanks to a program called "Salute to Our Heroes" and the Busch Family of theme parks, we were able to go to Busch Gardens. Drew had last Thursday off of work, so we took advantage and spent the day in Williamsburg, riding rides and having a really good time. Here are a few pictures from our fun-filled day.

C driving bumper cars.
K's first time behind the wheel. She couldn't hardly get the car to go. It was her favorite ride of the day, though.

This ride was a favorite too. I think they both enjoyed it because it was the only one they rode by themselves. No mom, no sister or brother, all by themselves.

We had a great time. Our day ended with fireworks in the park, and three really tired kids.

Lobsters

WARNING: This post contains A LOT of pictures. Don't say I didn't warn you!

We had a lot of fun yesterday celebrating Drew's birthday. His family came from Richmond to play at the beach and eat. We have really enjoyed having so much family so close. It has been nice to see everyone so frequently. We are really going to miss all of our cousins to play with!


All of the cousins eating BBQ and hot dogs after a full day at the beach.

Drew opening up presents.



Even E was able to enjoy some beach time.
K was so tired after the day in the sun she could barely hold her eyes open to eat cake and ice cream.
C and Ella enjoy some cake and ice cream together.


We had to take advantage of one more day at the beach before we head back to Ohio.

Here is everyone (well, almost all of the adults). We are so glad that everyone could come and enjoy the beach with us.
K, C, R, L, Amy and O cooling off in the water.
The girls building sand castles.

Drew and E walking toward the water.

It was a wonderful day. The worst part: we now have 4 lobsters in this house. Everyone but me got burned. Yes, even E got some sun. The rest of the family got some sun too. But, the kids all slept well last night and we have some wonderful memories of food, fun and family to take back with us.

Cape Henry Lighthouses

Last Friday we went down to Virginia Beach to see the Cape Henry Lighthouses. We couldn't go up into them (C and K were too short) but we did get some pictures and get to see them. You can go up into the one that is made out of bricks, and maybe someday we will get the chance to see inside. We also went to the beach and had a picnic.Then we walked down Atlantic Ave. to see some of the shops and other things. After a long, hot day it was time to come home with worn out kids and an even more tired mommy!

Crazy Kids

We went to a concert at Ft. Monroe last Thursday evening. This is what happens to my kids when they have a little bit of free room and some loud music. Enjoy!

Happy early 4th of July

We absolutely love Peter Breinholt, and this is an amazing song and video.

You know its Summer When...

You know it has to be summer and your kids are 'fish' when...

You are on your second bottle of sunscreen and its only June (last summer we didn't go through one whole bottle).

You have to do an extra load of laundry twice a week, just to wash bathing suits.

Your son gets some sunburn on his knees and says, "Its okay mom, its comfortable."

and..
You take your kids to the playground, (yes, a park, no water around) and both kids pitch a fit because you didn't bring their bathing suits and there is no pool or beach at the park.

Hope your summer is going as good as ours is!

Our Weekend

We had a wonderful time this past weekend with Grandad and Nonnie at their house in Mathews.
C, K, Daddy and Grandad went out into the John Boat into the Chesapeake Bay. C went swimming by himself in the Bay, and he couldn't have loved it more. They checked the crab pots and brought back crab for us to eat. Then we went fishing.

K wouldn't let anyone else hold the fishing pole.

After Grandad cooked the crabs, it was time to eat!
Drew and I picked crab until we were full. (I was thinking of you, Cari!)
The kids enjoyed having some alone time with Nonnie reading before we headed home for the evening.

Chubby Cheeks

How is he already getting to be so big?

What a View!

I thought I would post a few pictures that I have taken over the last few weeks. These are all pictures that have been taken at different times from the back porch of the place we are staying. I have to admit, we are pretty lucky to look out and see this everyday. It is a constant reminder of all that Heavenly Father has done for us and the beauty that He has surrounded us with.

Slacker

I know I have been a slacker lately when in comes to blogging, so here is my meager attempt at catching up. We haven't been doing too much around here lately. C and K went and spent a few days with Grandma in Richmond. They left the day after E and I came home from the hospital. So, I had about a week of being a mom to one, not three. It was really nice. Thanks Grandma! I have had all three kids for the last week and a half, and it hasn't been as bad as I predicted. Don't get me wrong, its definitely tougher than just two, but not as bad as 4 toddlers. It helps that E sleeps - a lot! And doesn't cry hardly at all. Next week will be the real test when Drew has to go out of town. I will have all three kids, all by myself for the entire week! Here are a few pictures from the last week or so.

Nonnie got the kids a blow up pool and they have already had hours of enjoyment!
C loves his little brother. I have a hard time keeping him from Smothering E some times. It is nice to see how much he cares for him and how sensitive he really is. As I write this, C is singing to E and trying to get him to clap his hands. How cute!
This is just a shot of the three kids. The two older ones were watching some TV and E was asleep. I couldn't believe that they were all still and quiet, all at the same time.

On another note, Drew had a biking accident last week on his way to work. He hurt his arm pretty bad and when he went to the Dr., they told him he broke the bone in his elbow. He has been miserable for the last week wearing a sling and trying to be comfortable and not too hot. He went to see the Orthopedic doc yesterday and he was told that the break wasn't that bad and they just gave him a sling. Thank goodness! He was worried that he wasn't going to be able to take advantage of the pool or the beach at all this summer. It is pretty bruised, and stiff, but other than that, he should be good to go.

We took E for his 2 week appointment and he already weighs 8 lbs 11 oz. I forgot how fast little babies change and grow. He already seems so different from two weeks ago!

We are looking forward to a few more fun things here in Virginia before we head back to Ohio. I will try to post a little more often.

Go Archie!!

Ethan Andrew Glass

Ethan Andrew Glass

23 May 08

7 lb 4 oz

20 3/4 inches