Judester and Thad

Brent, Mel and Thad and my mom and dad came over last week for our last small group gathering. Last year Brent and Mel led a small group at our home and we abruptly got cut off when Thad decided he wanted to come 3 weeks early.

All summer we've planned on having our last, reflect and see the great things the Lord did in our midst, meeting. It was amazing reflecting back on our lives over the past year. And the intimacy in our "small" small group.

Judester and Thad got some quality male bonding time.

We had great food!

Jadon and Haven got to play with their friends Brent and Mel.

Aunt Mal came and showed us all the video of the Uganda team rafting the Nile River. All I can say is WOW and apart from me probably drowning, it looked so much fun!

We reflected and prayed one last time together as a small group; Todd and I are now at Glidewell and Brent and Mel stepped down from leading to take care of a more special project, raising Thad.

Jude was pretty determined throughout the night to pull Thad's hair, you can see him eyeing Thad's hair in the first picture. Then he makes his move, quick like a chetah after his prey. Mr. Cool (aka Thad) played it quite cool though.

My Little Accident Waiting to Happen

I now pass the torch to my darling daughter. Our torch passing ceremony is not quite as laborate as the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics and passing the torch to London. We still have passed our own torch.

When I was a little girl I was constantly falling, getting scrapes and bruises. My mom used to say my legs looked pitiful in skirts because of all the bruises. Well, I unfortunately have passed that graceful trait down to my own daughter.

Sorry, my sweet beautiful Haven. Your legs will be in constant shades of purple and red and blues. Your sweet little face will often be scraped or with bright purple bumps. Hopefully like your momma you will make it through childhood without broken bones.

When I went to pick the kids up from Mema's on Thursday I arrived to see a scraped, bruised and banged little face. She had fallen out the back door of the sunroom onto a concrete pad. And as you can see her face broke the fall.

With any traumatic experience she has enjoyed the special treatment she has received from family.

Aunt Mal Is Home

Aunt Mal has returned from the mission trip to Uganda. I took Jadon and Haven to the airport on Sunday to surprise her. Todd and Jude stayed home because the plane was to come in late, I really debated on taking the other two, but seeing Aunt Mal definately out weighs sleep.

Jadon and Haven made a Welcome Home sign and they each picked out a flower to give her. Jadon was concerned that we wouldn't get there before Aunt Mal did, he kept asking if we were going to be there before her plane. We beat it and got to wait in the airport for her to come out.

It was so good to see her, I know she was exhausted. They have been traveling for about 27 hours after spending 3 weeks in Uganda.

I haven't had an opportunity to sit and talk with her yet. I'm excited to hear about the ministry they did and about the people in her pictures. While waiting for her luggage (which wasn't on the plane) I looked through the pictures on her camera.

Plus, she will probably need a couple of days to really process everything. I'm just so proud and excited for her.

The sign Jadon and Haven made.

The flowers they each picked out to give Aunt Mal.She's so tired, yet still so beautiful! Aunt Mal knew the perfect presents to bring for Jadon, Haven and even Jude.

On another note, my baby sis starts college on Thursday. I can't believe that she is a college student! How old am I again? Today is also one month away from her 19th birthday. My mom made a comment last week, this is the first year in 25 years she will not have a child in a public school.

We Have Chipmunks

Thanks to the always low prices of Wal-Mart and grapes finally hitting those lower prices my kids have been enjoying grapes, grapes and more grapes. We have enjoyed green, red and even black grapes. A giant bag has lasted little more than 2 days around here.

Since having grapes continually in our house of late they've found this cute little thing they do with them to make themselves like chipmunks. They stuff a grape in each cheek and walk around pointing out they are a chipmunk.

It usually ends up with grapes flying out of their mouths, or worse grape juice, and mommy telling them for the 100th time to "please just eat your grapes!"

So, for now we have taken a break from grapes and hopefully they will forget about chipmunk cheeks. I did go ahead and get pictures, because apart from the messes it was quite funny.

My Mommy Cup Runneth Over

I am so proud right now to be the mommy of a thoughtful, smart, snake loving, spider hating, music loving, sensitive, rambunctious little boy.

On Saturday he and daddy did their weekly Saturday morning breakfast together (which Jadon absolutely loves his quality time with daddy). After breakfast Jadon went and helped daddy at work for a couple of hours. On their way home they took a detour by the store.

Jadon came home with a beautiful bouquet of flowers he picked out and when he handed them to me said the most precious thing I've ever heard:

"Mommy, thank you for all you do for me and around the house."

My heart melts again just remembering it. He even picked flowers that were my favorite colors, pink and yellow.

It's going to take a good long while for my mommy cup to dry up after this.

Thanks Nana For The Dragonfly

Nana came over on Friday to drop off a dead, yes dead, dragonfly she has found. It was all intact and was pretty cool looking.

Jadon wasn't sure about it at first. Well, he became skittish of it when he reached out to hold it and Todd jumped and yelled like it was attacking him. Way to go honey!

Haven still does not like it. She walks around saying "it scare me, it scare me."

Jadon did get over the traumatic experience from his daddy and now likes to hold it. I don't think the dragonfly will make it much longer. Which is fine with me, I feel sort of an obligation to keep it while it's still all intact. But, the moment a wing or the tail falls off in the trash it goes.

When Jadon finally became brave enough to hold it, I think seeing it for a couple of days laying in the same spot helped, he requested his picture taken with it. Here's the ever so brave Jadon and his dragonfly.

6 months

Jude, today you are six months. You have changed so much. There are those rare times that you cry (when you're hungry) but mostly you are the happiest baby. You are starting to get around, not crawling yet, but if you want to get somewhere you get there. You've started experiencing the unpleasantness of having teeth come in. You have handled it with a great attitude and a smile, like usual.

We've been working on sitting up and except for the times you see something you want and reach for it you do pretty good.

Jadon and Haven adore you. We often hear Haven talking to you in the highest octave she can talk in. You are never lacking in hugs or kisses when they are around.

You tried cereal for the first time and liked it very much. I've even started making it thicker and you like it even more.

You are very ticklish, I can't touch the under side of your arm without you giggling and squirming. Kisses on your belly and neck make you laugh and squirm. There's spots on your legs and the back of your head that are ticklish.

We've been blessed beyond measure with you. We love you and can't wait to see what else is in store for us as you grow. You are a joy!

Love, Mom and Dad

Jude sporting his sunglasses.