HE is the reason for the season!

It is so easy to let the true meaning of Christmas be lost in all the commercial parts. True, we all enjoy the tree, shopping for our loved ones, Santa, lights, etc. But, I am aware more this year, than any other since becoming a mom, that it's SO important to make sure our boys know, what Christmas is really all about. At five-years-old and two-years-old, getting new toys is most important in their minds at Christmas. They are such deprived children with such few toys, the poor little things.......I guess that's why they look forward to it! :) lol! But, I remember as a child getting so excited every year, awaiting Santa's arrival too, so I can't blame them. I just never want them to overlook the main reason we celebrate Christmas. JESUS!!!! Jacob knows as soon as you ask him, why we celebrate it--- 'It's Jesus and Owen's birthday', he'll say. I think it's so sweet that he always remembers Owen shares Jesus' birthday. Now, during our nightly prayers, I always include thankfulness for Jesus birth, so that they are aware.

Speaking of prayers, our little Ethan is already sparked an interest. Almost every night at bedtime, he'll ask for a turn praying. I have no idea what he says, but he whispers so quietly, you can't even hear him, for 30 seconds to a minute, then ends with a loud 'amen!' I love it, and always make sure Jacob stays quiet for Ethan to have his prayers. I'm so proud of them both, and their love for Jesus and interest in prayer at such a young age. Thank God for christian parents who molded Ronnie and I into parents who teach our children how to love and follow Jesus!

Christmas is quickly sneaking up on us-- can't believe it's less than two weeks away now. Still not quite finished shopping, but only a few more gifts to take care of. We're reminded this year, more than any other, how truly blessed we are to have so much. We're patiently awaiting, with increased faith daily, a new job for Ronnie. We are so thankful for his FedEx job, and the benefits it provides us with. God is good, and is still providing for us, and for that we are so thankful. We know He has a plan for us, and we just thank Him in advance for it, and try to stay patient. Please keep praying for our family as Ronnie seeks a new job. It means so much to us.

Our little man, Nathan, turned 3 months old yesterday. SO hard to believe. He's such a happy baby, and is growing up SO fast. He is a stubborn little guy, though, deciding this week that he WILL NOT take a bottle right now, on the few occasions we need him to, for me to be away from him. He was suppose to be with Mom and Dad last night with the other 6 grands, to spend-the-night, but that couldn't happen, without me staying with him. Guess we're getting a sneak peak of his little personality. I'd say he has some of his Daddy's determination! :) Nathan is almost laughing now-- soooooo cute! I'm soaking up every second of this time-- it goes by so fast.

Ethan is Mr. Chatty, talking SO much all the time. He's our persistent one, to say the least. And, those eyes......oh those eyes.....he's gonna have all the girls lined up with those gorgeous eyes. He can give you some looks, cutting his eyes at you with a puckered out bottom lip, if he's mad. Or, cut em' over at you with a little grin, showing how adorable he is, when he wants to be Mr. Cutie-Pie. He looks more like Ronnie every day! He's still loving preschool, and was so funny at his Christmas program Thursday night. He stood completely still not singing one word of the two songs his class sang, on the front row. It was hilarious!

Jacob is doing great in Kindergarten, very impatiently awaiting Christmas morning. It can't get here fast enough. He wrapped up his football season with an end of the season party with the team last week. Each boy received a HUGE trophy, about 3 feet tall, including a 5x7 action shot of themselves, and a mini-football helmet on top. I've never seen a trophy like this one. He's SO proud of it. Now.....where to put it???? I'll have to post a picture of it. His latest fascination is with drawing. I keep scribble paper and crayons on my kitchen table 24/7 now, since it's pointless to put it up daily, only to be dragged back out. His penmanship has improved so much, so fast over the school year. We're so proud of him. My favorite drawing by him, was made a few weeks ago, of me, with the word 'Mom' written below it. He wrote 'Mom' for the first time without asking how to spell it. He's learning so many words, and even reading a little already! It amazes me how quick he learns!

I guess that's about all for now. A long overdue post-- I've been bad about posting. I'll try to be better.

Merry Christmas everyone!!!! Happy Birthday, Jesus!!!

Spring Break

Sorry I'm just now getting back to update after my OB appt. this week. Really, until yesterday afternoon, I hadn't heard back from my blood work. Couldn't get through to anyone who could tell me. I did finally speak to a nurse yesterday, and as far as I know, nothing has changed. I say 'as far as I know' because she basically read all the medical jargon to me word for word, and I'm not sure how to interpret it all. And I really don't think she did either, even though she wouldn't admit it. I do think I gathered that the levels are the same. That along with the fact that they didn't call with a problem, makes me feel certain everything is fine.

The appt. Monday went well. It was Spring Break this week, so we took Jacob and our niece Mercedes- since we had her that day with us- to hear the baby's heartbeat. Unfortunately 'little one' wouldn't cooperate and kept moving around, so it was hard for the doctor to keep him/her on the monitor long. We could hear it for a few seconds at a time. Heartbeat sounded good, and we'll go back in 3 weeks, May 5th, for another check-up.

Right now, we're just counting down to May 2nd, when we find out what we're having. Of course 'little one' could choose to keep us in the dark and not cooperate. I'm still convinced it's a boy after seeing our 12 wk. ultrasound, but we'll see. I am picturing a boy, but have NO IDEA what the little guy would be named. Ronnie and I, I guess, can only come up with 2 names to agree on for a boy-- Jacob and Ethan :). Girl's name is easy, and I'll share that name if we were to use it, later on. Ronnie and I did go shopping at Kohl's today with some gift cert. we both had held onto from our b-days, and I kept cutting my eyes over at all the precious little baby girl outfits. I want to buy all of them!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But.....I really don't think I will be. We'll see.

Last weekend turned out better than anticipated. By Sunday, Ronnie was SO much better. Those antibiotics kicked in fast, and by Monday morning, he was pretty much back to himself. I was so relieved for him. Being sick is not fun for him......or any of us.....so it's better when Daddy is well :)

The boys and I met Heidi and her boys at the park last Sunday and had a blast! They are crazy, but love each other so much, and have so much fun together. Monday we met up again with Mom also this time, at Kangaroo Kids(blow-up warehouse) for some playtime. The boys were all worn out after several hours, and I know my boys didn't fight me for bedtime that night!

Tuesday was wonderful with Rebecca, Micah, and Madison at Noah's Ark. For those of you who don't know, Rebecca is one of my closest friends, and her twins are just one month older than Jacob. Ever since they were all born, we've become really close, and our kids love being together. Our husbands basically grew up together, so it was nice when we instantly clicked not long after we both had babies. Micah and Madison call me 'Aunt Alice', and my kids call them aunt and uncle.

Ronnie took off a few extra days this week from FedEx, so it's been so nice having him home at night. Jacob is loving it, and dreading him going back. Every day he asks if daddy has to work tonight, and I tell him, 'no, not until Monday'. He always replies back with an enthusiastic 'YES!' Ronnie says we have 2 Momma's boys, but I think they are quickly becoming Daddy's boys too!

With him home at night, we took advantage, and headed to Stone Mountain Thursday night for the Laser Show. Jacob's 2nd time going- Ethan's first. They both LOVED it, and were motionless once the show started. I love it so much there, and think we'll get season passes. There is so much to do now with the kids.

Last night, we had dinner at the Messer's and left Jacob behind to spend-the-night. He would live there, probably, if I'd let him. He is far from a home-body, and loves to be anywhere but home. Think he and Ethan enjoyed the break from each other. Ethan is such a different baby when he's alone. He played all day so sweet and peacefully. Boy did things change when we picked Jacob up this afternoon! :) They were really excited to see each other, and got back into their wild ways quickly! :)

It's been a nice Spring Break, and really I'm not ready for Jake to go back to school Monday. He's the greatest kid, and keeps me smiling with his cute comments and never-ending questions. Oh- does he have some questions. I always say he's playing catch up since he started talking late. Not Ethan-- it's so strange having a 1-year-old being so vocal. His clearest word is definitely 'no' and he says it often. Me--'Ethan, let's go night-night.' Ethan-- 'No, night-night, Mommy, no!' We laugh at him a lot now, because his stern 'no!' is so funny, but I have a feeling it's going to get him in a lot of trouble before long.

Looking forward to Sunday tomorrow, since Ronnie doesn't have to work. Anticipating feeling the baby move any day now. I think I may have felt him/her a few times, but I'm not quite sure yet. I'll let ya know as soon as I do! :)

T-ball & Easter

Well, this past weekend was pretty eventful, to say the least. We started it off with Jacob's first T-ball game Saturday. It was so great! Funniest game I've ever watched, and so sweet. I actually teared up the first few minutes of the game, it was so sweet. I told Mom and Dad, 'I am SO pregnant, if T-ball makes me cry' But, my little boy is growing up!!! I am so my mother's child! :) Anyway, the game was great. Jacob had a hard time at first understanding when he didn't get every ball. He would even throw his glove down when another player would get the ball. It was hilarious! But, Ronnie finally convinced him to root on his teammates, and he started saying 'good job' with a thumbs up every time another one would get the ball. The field was full, by the way, with parents. A parent for every player, I think. It was just so cute. Two highlights for Jacob I think: One ball, he caught on the ground-- rolled right into his glove. He was SO proud. Then when he hit the ball of the 'T' and got to round the bases. The rules are very fair. Each child gets to hit each inning, and you only run one base no matter where you hit. Then each child runs until they make home plate. Jacob was grinning from ear to hear when he got to home, and just stood there watching all of his fans cheer for him! :)

Sunday, as always, was a busy Easter. We started the day with a wonderful service at church, then kept the nursery the 2nd hour. We headed to Mom and Dad's afterwards for an egg hunt and quick bite to eat, before heading to the Messers'. Easter's tough for us since both families have lunch and egg hunts around lunchtime. But, we manage, as we did this year and seemed to be able to enjoy our time at both houses. Dad's devotional was special as always reminding us what Easter is all about. HE IS ALIVE!!!! Lunch was delicious at Mom's, as usual, with her best ham yet, in my opinion. And, at my mother-n-law's house, her dressing was, as always, the best thing on the table. Yum! We enjoyed lots of family time there as well with aunts and uncles, and several cousins, with a huge egg hunt. Ethan actually knew what he was doing, and gathered several eggs. Jacob filled his to the rim, and I had to empty it midway through for him to get more. Lets just say the Messers don't play when it comes to egg hunts. Estimating about 600-700 eggs for about 10 kids!!!

Hard to imagine next Easter we'll have a 6 mo. old to add to the mix. But, I welcome it, and am so excited about it!!! Sure, buying a frilly yellow, pink, or purple dress would be fun. But, I'm prepared to find a 3rd sweater vest to handsome-up another little boy! We'll see!!!

introduction

Okay, everyone else has one, guess it's my turn. Heidi gave me the idea with her blog, and I love the idea of keeping a journal of our lives, especially for our kids to read when they are older.

As for me, most of you know, I stay home full-time with our boys. And, we'll be adding a 3rd kiddo to the mix come September. We don't know yet if that will be a boy or a girl. Have to wait several more weeks to find out. I'll be 12 weeks along this Friday. I'm feeling good most days, with the exception of staying sleepy and having NO energy. I've had a touch of naseau, but I won't complain after hearing how bad so many women have it. I find it such a priviledge to stay home with our boys full-time. Sure, it's hard some days. I miss adult interaction, and do get a little cabin fever here and there. But, for the most part, I'm a home-body anyway, so it works. Being able to see our boys grow up is so special, and I try to never take that for granted. Challenging? Oh yes, most days I have at least an hour or so of that. But, Ronnie's here sometimes during the day to give me a breather, or if not, I learn to walk away and take a time out myself! :) All in all, I wouldn't change it for the world. I believe it is God's will for me to stay home right now, and I thank him for it. September is a bit scary to me, but I know we'll adjust. My biggest worry is Ethan-- he's my biggest Momma's boy!

Ronnie is staying busy, busy, busy with both his jobs. He has his own business with his best friend. Well, really it's two businesses they have together-- Masterpiece Custom Trim Inc. and Decks'R'Us. And, then he works nights Sun-Thurs. at FedEx. I do miss him at night, but I know this is how things have to be right now. We're praying for a management job with FedEx in the future. He's done really well at FedEx, and was promoted about a year ago. He's been with the company now, about 5 years, and really likes it.

Jacob is four now-- will turn five in June. He's in the Ga. Pre-K program, so he goes five full days a week- 8a-2:30pm. He LOVES it, and misses it so much when they are out. He's been blessed with two wonderful teachers, who are so good to him, and have only wonderful things to say about him. Ronnie's sister, Tanya, works at the same school. It's nice having here there. Jacob is learning so much-- a little sponge, really. His speech has come SO far over the past 2 1/2 years. He's still in speech therapy, and we will welcome it as long as he qualifies for it. He talks non-stop-- it's not quantity that's the problem at all!!! He is just continuing to work on clarity, and strengthening the muscles in his mouth. We are so proud of him! Jacob is very soft-hearted, and Ronnie's says, a lot like me with his emotions. He can get his feelings hurt pretty easily. But, on the same note, remembers everything you tell him, and is always concerned about family and friends. He starts T-ball practice tonight. This will be his first year, and we're really excited for him.

Ethan is 20 months old now. Hard to believe my baby will be two in June! He is such a mess! Little attitude, for sure. And, he drives Jacob crazy. He's Jacob's shadow, as most little brothers are, and he's gotta be hanging onto him constantly. Gets on Jake's nerves, but he tolerates him pretty well. Yes, they have their share of fighting, but I guess that's to be expected in brothers. Ethan is a talker, for sure, with his vocabulary growing more and more every day. He LOVES Mickey Mouse, and we probably watch 5 episodes a day! He knows all the characters, and never gets tired of it. He's for sure my Momma's boy! I worry how he'll be the bigger I get, and the less I can hold him. I worry even more how he'll react to a new baby in the house, and the attention that it will take away from him. He does love babies, and points them out every time we see one. Maybe that's a good sign??? He's our cuddly boy.

Well, I look forward to keeping everyone up to date on us. Thanks for reading!