And one more makes 30

A birthday in our house is more like a birthweek. 

My big 3-0 is today... EEK! 

"Party" 1 - The celebrating began last Sunday up at Chad's parents house.  I LOVE Chad's dads ribs... they are seriously amazing!  So it was a no brainer that ribs is what I wanted to eat.  We all had a great time enjoying the creek and the weather. 

My ribs                                                                       Blowing out the candles

              Hunter and Ash talking to Grandma

   Love this Smash face                                               Brotherly love?


                    His hair is OUT OF CONTROL

"Party" 2 - Nolan took me and the younger two to lunch Tuesday.  He then picked Hunter up from school and took H and A birthday shopping for me.  (Nolan, thank you for taking them out, they were so worried about how they were going to get my gift).  Funny story- Hunter had to poop and tricked Nolan into believing that he could not wipe himself.  My poor 22 year old brother proceeded to help Hunter wipe his butt... man, Hunter is lazy and Nolan was fooled! 

"Party" 3 - Thursday after school, Jodi and her children met us at Par Tee Time in Easley (Jessica was able to join us after work).  The boys (and girls) jumped away and the adults got to sit and chat.  McDonalds followed.
  Again, CRAZY hair in mid-jump                            Jessica, Madi, and Jodi

Blurry picture of Ash playing putt putt

Shep and his buddy Connor

Head first

Hunter's buddy Karson with her cute little bob!


"Party" 4- Today- Again, Jodi and I teamed up and conquered the zoo with Ashton, Shep, and Connor.  Lunch followed at Jason Deli's.


Ash and Connor

The boys with the lions


"Party" 5 - Once Chad got home tonight, we headed to Cracker Barrell.  It was so good and the boys ate really good too.  We had a gift card that we had saved from Christmas so the out of pocket for my birthday dinner was a $5 tip and .39 cents not covered by the gift card.
Hunter, Ashton, and Shepherd gave me their sweet gifts which they picked out with Uncle Nolan.   They each picked out a pretty flower for the yard.
                                           The boys playing a game while waiting on food

 Love this face as he plays with Chad

Ashton being sweet!

My guzzler (spelling is wrong I do believe)

 Mom came over to watch the boys for about an hour while Chad took me "shopping."  Got to admit it is weird/ awkward going "shopping" with him and no children. When we got back home mom (and the kids) had "spooned" (it is supposed to be forked, but mom mistakingly bought spoons instead of forks- hahaha).  Anyway, we proceeded to eat a "Janet" birthday cake on Tangled plates.  (Thank you mom for taking a bit of time to make my entry into 30 extra special)

                         Singing Happy Birthday!

 

Olivia, I forgot about the candle until we had already started eating, so I quicly grabbed and lit it.  hahaha

 Beside my sign

The "spooning".  that just doesnt sound right : /

Queenie and the boys being silly.. Mom, are you a flamingo?!?!

     --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And here are my "gifts".  I got some really sweet things this year and I so appreciate the thought that went into each one.

The flowers from Nolan, Hunter, Ashton, and Shepherd. 

One of my best friends knows me well... Jodi gave me a gallon of Chick fil A sweet tea and a Panera gift card (my favorite cookie in the entire world comes from Panera... mmmmmm)

 My other best friend made, yes I typed MADE me this awesome tote.  It is reversable and washable.  Olivia has become quite the seamstress and does really good work.  I love this bag!

My mom bought me a scarf that was made by a friend of hers.  I can keep either the pink/ red one or the blue/ purple one.  Hmmmm, decisions decisions....  Mom has also insisted that she buy me some shoes, so we will go shopping soon.

 And another amazing gift is this bracelet.  It was purchased in 1941 by my grandfather (my dad's dad) whom I never met and given to my grandma.  It is made with coins and mother of pearl.  Mom and dad got the clasp repaired and handed it to down to me.  Besides the history of it, I flat out adore the actual piece.  I would buy this if I saw it in a store.

I come away from my 30th birthday with so much appreciation.  To say I am blessed is not adequate.  Thank you to my dear family and friends for making such an impact in my life.  I am anxious to see what these 30's have in store! 

Boys and Jeans

I dont know if this is an exclusive boy  problem or not BUT, my kids (especially Ashton) can wear out a pair of jeans so fast!.

Take these jeans for example.  These jeans were Ashton's last year.  They were bought exclusively for Ashton and within one month, they had not one but two huge holes in the same knee.

I, like, most of the other women in America have become quite smitten with pinterest.  Now, I am not crazy with it and I dont just scroll through looking for ideas, but when I have a problem, I will go to pinterest to find a solution.

I saw this cute idea for patching the holes in jeans.  And since Shepherd is already wearing Ashton's clothes from last year, I had to try and salvage the jeans.

Those who know me well will chuckle when I say that I actually thought about using my hot glue gun instead of a needle and thread... YES, I do in fact own a needle and thread.  I doubted that the glue would hold up through multiple washes so I went digging for my needle and found it!

I bought 3 squares of felt at Hobbly Lobby for .25 cents a piece.

And, wahla!

Cute monster jeans repaired.

This picture makes me laugh... this is typical Shepherd.... goofy! (his cheeks are flushed from a 3 hour!!!!! nap this afternoon.)

I think I should add that after I put these on Shepherd and took his picture he told me he didnt like them and wanted his other pants back on.  Oh well, I think they are cute and he WILL wear them.  I will bribe him or something. 

Happy Saturday!

Proverbs 22:6

 With the weather being crazy warm, the weeds that are our lawn needed to be cut.  I look outside to see this precious, but more importantly promising, picture of Hunter helping Chad mow! 

Now, dont flip out!  I am well aware that Hunter is a good 6+ years from doing this task solo.

I was reminded of a Bible verse from Proverbs.  "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."  I am voting that one way of "training" is round and round the yard pushing a mower.  I am banking that one that all three of my boys will be my go-to mowers when old enough. 

Because, goodness knows that though Chad "loves to mow" and though I really dont mind it, I am already looking foward to 10 years from now when we will have not one, not two, but three extra "assistants" in the mowing arena. 

A Weekend with GorDean plus a little updates

Another Saturday without Chad led to a great weekend with mom and the boys.  Mom was headed up to see her parents Friday.  The boys and I decided to tag along since we had not been up to see GrandmaDean and GrandpaGordie since Christmas.  We slept their Friday night and the boys did amazing!  I was seriously so proud of them with their behavior and their sleeping!  Go H, A, and S!!!

Nolan and Aunt Christy  joined in on the family gathering Saturday.  The girls decided to leave my 3 boys (and GrandpaGordie) under Nolan's care as we went out to Mary Joe's and a couple other little shops.  It was good to get out with some of the women of my family... and Uncle Nolan did a great job with the boys... Thanks Nolie!

I didnt think about pictures until the very end. 
Quick shot of dinner

Hunt and Ashton chowing down

The good byes.  Mom and Aunt Christy

GrandmaDean saying bye to the boys.  GrandpaGordie was even able to make it out to bid us farewell!

The boys listening to GrandmaDean


We got home Saturday night.  Sunday afternoon, I left Chad in charge of the boys to go and see Clemson's production of "Guys and Dolls".  Mom invited Chad and me to go but Sunday afternoon is a hard to time to get people to watch the boys plus Chad hadnt seen them much this week, so it was just mom and me.  The show was really good especially considering it was college students!  I had never even heard the plot of "Guys and Dolls" before but I am definitely a fan.  The music and orchestra was great and the acting was good too!  Thanks mom.  :)
                                                                       The program

And, now we are on Monday.  Ashton had his first ever dentist appointment.  He did fabulous!  The hygeniest was amazed with his canine teeth... how "pronounced" they are for baby teeth... afraid he got my canine teeth.    Forgot to take a picture.

Shepherd has turned into the king of puzzles.  He amazes me (and others) with his ability to do puzzles.  He know most of his letters.  He is a smart little sucker.  He is still a momma's boy to the nth degree. 

Shepherd's little feet when doing his puzzle

To conclude the day, I was 20 minutes late picking Hunter up from school because Ashton and I lost track of time while playing baseball in the backyard.  When we got home, I had 1/2 gallon of paint pooled on my driveway.  The wind has been crazy today, so to prop Ashton's basketball hoop up, I sat the (what I thought was a) closed can of paint on the back.  Turns out, not closed... OOPS!  Hunter was such a good helper and did a great job hosing the paint off.

The mess  and Hunter helping clean it up.  He has become such a better helper the past few months.



Clemson Baseball Game

Chad had another coaching clinic this weekend.  Poor thing "had" to go to to Myrtle  Beach with his best buddies.  I just dont know how he does it!  In his defense, he had meetings the whole time (or so he says...)

The boys and I (along with Mantis, Queenie, and Uncle Nolan) decided to go to a Clemson baseball game.  Though we have been to high school baseball games, I had never take the boys to a college game.  Nolan's roommate is the star pitcher for the Tigers, Kevin Brady.  Here is Nolan and his roommates... (Nolan, I swiped this picture off of one of your friend's facebook pages... is that weird?!?!)

Kevin, Michael, and Nolan

We had a really good time.  The boys start baseball in the next couple weeks so it was good for them to see the big boys play. 

Unfortunately I left my camera at mom and dads house so the pictures are from my sub par camera phone.  I would also have taken a lot of pictures of the actual game (and Kevin pitching) but again the phone wasnt going to take action shots.  But, at least the phone took these (sorry Nolan, the only picture of you is on mom's phone and she couldnt figure out how to sent it to me).

Ashton being silly and snuggled with Queenie.

Mercy, he makes me smile.

 2 of the 3 boys.  Actually you can see Ashton and Queenie's head behind us.

A quick shot of the Clemson boys in the 7th inning.



Thank you to the parentals for inviting us.  The boys and I had fun- they are still talking about it.

Eucharisteo Part 21

756-Pastor who stands by the Word

757- Growing Sunday School class

758-Afternoon thunderstorm

759- 4 year old excitement/ anticipation over a basketball game

760- Little boys piled up on my lap

761- Warm water on cold hands

762- Little hand in mine

763- The awesomeness of the chore chart

764- Day spent in pajamas

765-The clear voice

766- Quick sickness

767- Morning drizzle

768- Evening walk... just  Molly and me

769- Clean countertop

770- Hunter not gagging

771- "normal" teacher hours for Chad this month

772- Dishwasher full of plastic kids plates

773- Barefoot January days

774- Pee pee in the potty even if it requires 4 outfit changes

775- Sleeping in the middle of the bed for a night or two

776- Fresh coat of paint on dirty baseboards

777- Coolness of a cave

778- Camera that takes pictures even when it is almost black

779- Weekend at mom and dads

780- Chad safely back home

781- Heater back in bed

782- Last minute b-day partys

783- The best parking spot not once but twice

784- Days when he doesnt fight the nap

785- Walking out of Wal Mart empty-handed

786- Little boys playing soccer without shirts

787- Therapy in pulling of weeds

788- God changing me

789- A Sunday afternoon nap

790- A Godly husband who works so hard

791- Worn Bible

792- Girl's Night Out

793- A new dress in my favorite color

794- Shopping in the girl's department for a birthday party gift

795- Shep's hair growing and covering up December's "trim"

796- Size 11 footprints on freshly mopped floors

797- The moon exploding in size

798- The characteristics of Jesus

799- The calling to a few men

800- New beauty in the "gift" of a dandelion weed

801- Being told I look prettier than anyone all because of the weed (dandelion) in my hair

802- Sunlight streaming through blinds

803-Opening blinds in the morning

804- Saturday morning pancakes

805- Night free from coughing

806- Father-in-law who will/ can put in new windows!

807- Dental insurance mess up all working out

808- Good dental insurance

809- Helmets on heads

810- Cough-free!

811- A little going soooo far

812- Mom's "promotion"

813- Weak winter

814- Impromptu visit to Dunkin Donots with the boys

815- New found appreciation for coffee

816- New flannel sheets

817- Break from school routine

818- Puzzles everywhere

819- Glistening embers in the dark

820- Stars too may to count

821- Spinning 'till dizzy...

822- ...and the laughter that ensues

823- Hunter's reading mistake that causes us all to laugh

824- Chad does the dishes

825- 3 loads of laundry piled on laundry room floot

826- Laughter with friends

827- The bounce of the trampoline

828- Friend taking time to text me sweet update about Hunter at recess

829- Envisioning Hunter's sweet smile while playing at recess

830- The way an orange can make the whole room smell fresh

831- Shep's bear hugs where he pats my back

832- Headache going away without any medicine.

It's 11:30 and the "boys" are jumpin' jumpin'

This weather is just ridiculously beautiful.

A few of us stay at home moms have been getting together for playdates at either Chick fil A or at eachother's homes.  We always have a great time and the kids love it. 

We were at Leah's today.  She has 2 boys (2 and 10  months maybe).  Her oldest, Jackson, is actually only 1 day younger than Shep.  We were in the hospital together.

I have mentioned Jodi before.  Her daughter is in Hunter's class and her son, Conner is buddies with Shep (and Ashton).  Jodi and I normally have a standing once a week go and do something date
.
And then Katie has 2 kids.  I didnt ask her for permission to post about her so I will not name her kids yet.  But she has a boy and a baby girl.

Leah has a trampoline so as soon as the sun semi-peaked out, we were outside and all the boys were jumpin' away.  Shepherd has gotten sooo much better on the trampoline.

 And a picture of the wild men.

Once we got home, we washed the van.  I absolutely love washing the van with these kids.  They love it and they are actually getting pretty good ;)

 And here is my pretty girl.... supervising.

More posts to come.  I am going to try and pick up the pace on blogging... I have been a bit slack this month.