Let's bowl, let's bowl, Let's rock 'n roll

I'm sorry there are so many pictures on the blog lately- I even thought about making it private so I could just use it as a scrap book. When I know other people can look I feel like I should write something- and there are a lot of things I'd like to talk about- my new Bible study, homeschooling, our new awesome schedule, sibling rivalry- as some point I will get to it. But for now- here are gratuitous pics of my kids so I can remember the things we do.

Today after church we all came home and took LONG naps- ALL of us. How wonderful! Then we woke up and it was raining. The kids started getting stir crazy so we went to Chuck E Cheese- it was a madhouse! Next door is the bowling alley- so we ended up going there for dinner and a family bowling night. It was so much fun- they had a blast- and were so well behaved. Much better than crazy Chuck E Cheese I'm sure. Marky tried his hand at "really" bowling.

Then he would help Julia set up the ramp thing so she could push the ball down- she loved it.

Daddy and Tucker gave pointers....

Tucker is a fat and happy spectator- and our team mascot.

Fun fact: Marc's Dad bowled in some professional tournaments and bowled a 300 in the qualifiers for the Firestone Tournament of Champions. He and Marc did father/son bowling leagues for a few years too. The night I met Marc a group of us went bowling- he brought his own ball and shoes- I didn't know the bowling "dynasty" I was entering into. :)

Port City Adventure

Every other month or so I go "home" to Mobile to see my parents so Marc can have marathon work weekends. If your husband works with "billable hours" I highly suggest this method. He can work late during the week nights and then work 12 hours or so on Saturday to really get good work done without feeling guilty about missing the babies. This past Thursday I went for a very quick trip home- I was there less than 48 hours, but Marc got a LOT of work in and the babies got to see BB and Poppy whom they adore! We spent Friday at the Exploreum- Mobilians you have got to go there on Friday after lunch- it was literally EMPTY besides us and we had the BEST time.

I think this boat section is about the cutest thing ever- they played FOREVER. Julia would get in the lighthouse and say blow the foghorn and say "watch out for deez wocks in da fog".

And they had a baby pod for Tucker- he was in there for a LONG time- he is the best "on the go" baby- I'm in love.

Happiness is....

...Julia singing "Yes! We have no bamanas...we have no bamanas today."

Standby...and cue 'em!

Today was such a wonderful day. EWTN studios in Birmingham was taping a show called Dana and Friends with Irish singer Dana and needed a baby to play the part of Baby Jesus in a little lullaby ballet performance. Guess who got the part? They had originally called a close friend of mine, but she couldn't do it and recommended Tucker. You can imagine their surprise when I showed up with the "infant" Jesus and he was 22 lbs and this little ballerina was supposed to hold him and dance around. I had to wait an hour or so in the control room while they taped other performances and Tucker spit up like 5 times, kept babbling and squirming and flopping and I was a nervous wreck thinking he couldn't possibly "perform" as the reverant, docile infant they were looking for. I prayed and prayed and specifically asked the Holy Spirit to come and calm him down for the show. Right before we went on he was laughing loudly and blowing rasberries and everyone seemed preturbed and nervous that it wouldn't work, but when the music started (it was a guy playing a guitar and singing a lullabye), Tucker totally calmed down and cuddled in to Mary and looked so serene. It was amazing. I knew God had answered our prayers. They had to tape the song three times- which is FOREVER in 7-month-old time, but Tucker stayed calm and didn't babble even once during the taping. The man was singing a song about "sleep Prince of Peace, King Emmanuel" and they did all these close ups of his sweet little solemn face. He was wrapped in a white toga-like blanket. It was so touching and I can't wait to see it in December. Thank you, Lord, for answering our prayers and calming Mr. Wiggles so he could remind the world that You once were a baby too with a mother who adored You.

TEAM picnic

Today we had a picnic with the members of our "team". We've been members of this couples accountability group for four years now. I used to call it a Bible study, but it's a lot more than that. We are very committed and we meet once a month with 7 couples and a pastor and also have a yearly retreat. Today we just had a fun picnic.

The great thing is that the couples are all different ages and in different places- which also means there are a lot of older children to watch and play with the smaller children. It makes it so relaxing for us. Tucker was probably held by about 10 kids at different times.

Tucker really enjoyed showing off his new crawling (mainly backwards) skills. Notice the TSU blanket- you know mama's representin'!

The group meets for three hours and the first hour is potluck dinner and discussing our months (did you pray with your spouse? did you have family prayer? how are things going?). Then the second is prayer and finally we end with a Bible study. I have been so blessed by it. It's wonderful to be around older couples who have walked the road you are traveling.

P.S. See Julia's pretty smocked dress? I found her in the creek up to her thighs in that pretty dress and said, "Sissy, what are you doing?!" She said, "I simming."

Baby Pod

Today after picking Marky up from school we ran by the McWane Center for an hour or so to get some energy out. Little man found this "baby pod" and was in hog heaven!

"See, mommy, I can climb and flop"

"I can do this magnet thingy"

And what could be cuter than Tucker? How about NINE Tuckers? I love a little baby bottom from behind...good gracious.

I love you little Guy- you bring so much joy to this home!

As I type this I think about a conversation I had this morning with the moms from Marky's K5 class. We had a "get to know you" coffee and they were all talking about how crazy it is to have three kids. One said, "my sister told me she was thinking of having three and I said 'are you high'?" And they were like "oh my goodness- no kidding- how awful". Yes, I was sitting there holding Tucker and Julia was playing at my feet. How in the world can you look at this precious angel and tell me that I'm "burdened". I don't think so- I'm blessed. Beyond measure. Overflowing....

The new carpet...

Tucker LOVES it! (and he is our expert on carpet, spending most of his time on the floor and all).

What your house looks like....

...when you empty all three of your children's rooms (and closets) into the living room so you can get new carpet installed. I feel like cleaning this will be like putting humpty dumpty together again.

So grateful

Marc and I went this past Saturday to speak to about 20 engaged couples at "Engaged Encounter". We do it a couple times a year and this time we stayed after for the open forum where they ask questions. It was so precious to see the young couples so excited about getting married. They kept asking questions about in-laws, finances, job decisions, children...all the stuff that comes up when you become one with your spouse. Marc and I gave our two cents on what we thought helped us have a healthy marriage, but at the end of the day all I could think to myself was the reason that our marriage has been so wonderful is because Marc is so wonderful. I'm not sure any other man could have put up with me like he has. He is so patient with me and handles me with kid gloves, and it's that gentleness that has kept us on track. Here we are 8 1/2 years into this marriage business and I'm still just now learning how to manage a home and raise a family. And as I tell these young women to put their husbands needs first, I know talking to myself because I all too often put my husband on the end of the list of needs to be met. All that to say, I'm just so grateful that I somehow got my head on straight around the age of 22 and picked the perfect match for me.

P.S. we laughed at all the questions like how do you handle conflicts with "closet space", "decorating", "extracurricular activities", etc. Marc just said, "men, you will eventually lose so accept it now". We were laughing realizing that almost every piece of furniture he owned prior to our marriage went first to the basement and now is gone. His hobbies of volleyball and teaching martial arts- those are gone too. But he told the guys that there is nothing like getting clobbered by children who adore you when you walk in the door. And giving our all for our family is how we take up our cross and follow Christ. (and he still has hobbies- don't worry)

First day 5K

Marky is going to a 1/2 day K5 program (we're giving it a try) and they asked him on the first day to draw his family. This is what he drew. From left to right we have, "Mommy exercising, Marky playing soccer, Daddy with a huge bazooka gun (?), Tucker in his blue sleep sack playing with a toy, and Julia in her pink princess dress." I asked what the scribble at the bottom was- "is that grass for your soccer ball?" and he said "no, that's Rennydog." It really does look like Renny. What in the world must the teacher think with Marc having a huge gun? I mean, we are all doing the things we do everyday....except Marc. This reminds me of the story Marc tells of being in vacation Bible school as a child and making mobiles. He made a gun with bullets coming out that went around. They called his parents. Goodness.

Pilgrimage

On Saturday our family and some close friends went to Hanceville, AL, to see the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament. We'd never gone before, and it was beautiful and amazing. It felt like we were in another country. The Shrine itself is very grand and very quiet. You could feel the peace and tranquility and the presence of God.
The gift shop is in this gorgeous castle-type building with tons of knights and old documents and shields. You can imagine Marky and Daddy thought that was awesome.
We were also able to visit a sister while we were there. The sisters are cloistered, spending their life in perpetual prayer and adoration. You can meet with them through a gate. This particular one, Sister Agnes, was beautiful and kind. She brought the kids cookies and jelly beans and made us laugh. I felt like I was visiting the place in the Sound of Music. I definitely plan to go again.

Taste and See

Today's readings in church from I Kings 19:4-8:

But he (Elijah) himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree; and he asked that he might die, saying, "It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am no better than my fathers."
And he lay down and slept under a broom tree; and behold, an angel touched him, and said to him, "Arise and eat."
And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank, and lay down again.
And the angel of the LORD came again a second time, and touched him, and said, "Arise and eat, else the journey will be too great for you."
And he arose, and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God.

And from John 6:58-51:I

I am the bread of life.
Your fathers ate the manna in the
wilderness, and they died.
This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh."

So Elijah couldn't even go one day, but when given bread from heaven he could go forty days and forty nights. We cannot journey on our own strength. I think God is hammering me over the head with this message. We have to "arise and eat" lest the journey be to great for us. Taste and see that the Lord is good!

Friday night and my kids are....

...cruising the strip....at the top of our driveway. Everybody hit the road! Julia, have you been out in the mud? We will brake for Shih Tzus. Tucker is keeping an eye on Renny- he doesn't trust a dog that looks like a bunny.
Excuse me Mr. T., I'm going to have to ask you to sit down.

Alright- everyone have fun crusing the strip and keep 'em at 10 and 2. Love, Mommy

Guess where we went today?

Yes, in addition to Children's Holy Hour, the McWane Center, Lowe's, Wendy's and the park, we somehow squeezed in Marky's first violin lesson today. Trust me, I'm no stage mom- this was ALL Marky's idea. I wanted to teach him piano b/c I could do it myself, but he had his heart SET on violin and has been begging me to do it for over a year. I think it may be because Quincy on Little Einsteins plays one. I'm just not sure where he got the idea. Anyway, we are renting this violin (lest you think I'm loco). I'm curious to see if he'll stick with it. He came home tonight and "practiced". Tucker says what's the big whoop. He's been playing the piano for some time now and it's not hard. Everytime he sits down by it I say "sit back, relax and indulge yourself in the smooth stylings of Tucker McChunky as he tickles the ivories". He loves that intro.

P.S. for those of you wondering about Julia's potty-training. We are giving it a rest. Yesterday she "held" it for over 9 1/2 hours and cried and cried when I mentioned using the potty. I was on the internet and became concerned about her health with holding it so long and being so stressed so we are taking a "wittle" break. I'm telling you now, no matter how many children I have, Sissybug will always be our 'baby'.

Happy Summer Days

It's days like this that I know I will look back on one day and miss so much. They have been up and down that little slide into the tiniest baby pool ever about 1,000 times. They are so grateful. Thank you Lord for these precious souls to raise.

P.S. (Notice the "wittle potty" out by the slide...just in case)

Six and a half hours

...that's how long Juliabug sat on the potty tonight. After playing outside in the baby pool I dressed her in underwear and then had a brilliant idea. We have a tiny potty that we hadn't tried with her yet. I had been using the "seat on top of the big potty" method that worked with Marky. Well, I put her on the "wittle potty" and she liked it much, much better and kept telling me I was too big to use it. Thanks.

Anyway, as she, Marky and I sat in the bathroom reading books and waiting...and waiting....and waiting...Tuckerman woke up and we had to go to plan B- there's just no room for the four of us. So I realized I could put the "wittle potty" in the den and let her watch t.v. and surely something would happen, right? I put her on there at 3:00 after she had not had a diaper on for a few hours. By the time Marc got home from work at 5:45 I said, "she has been on there over 2 1/2 hours- any minute she will break". She was happy, happy and just sat and watched Noggin and then read some books.

For supper I took her meal and sat it beside her (didn't want to break up our progress), then we waited some more. NOTHING! Eventually we put Tucker and Marky to bed and she stayed sitting on this thing longer and longer. The whole time she was drinking water- in fact, she had gone through 2 sippy cups and NOTHING. Then I got the bowl of warm, bubbly water to put her hands in around 8:45- nothing. Marc and I were praying and waiting and realized we couldn't give up or all those hours would be a complete waste. She was happy as a clam and watched a potty training video a couple times and we read more books.

Finally around 9:20 she looked really uncomfortable and started crying that she needed a diaper. We talked about how much fun it was to be big and all the great things she would get once she did it (dance, sucker, piece of pie, pajamas on, more stories) and she started screaming. I was about to give up and stood up to walk off and Marc took over and held her hands and said "you can do it" over and over and finally through the tears and major drama she went potty.

Oh my goodness. I was almost in tears wondering if we had pushed her too far, but after she went she was SO EXCITED. She smiled, we all danced, her stuffed animals danced, we got her pajamas, a piece of lemon pie, a sucker and watched yo gabba gabba (yes, at 9:35). We went on and on about how proud we were and she said she was happy and was going to use the "wittle potty" in the morning. Please, please, let her use it. I can't do 6 hours again. I really can't. Hopefully we've torn down a wall that will make this process get on track. I'm just saying...that little girl make look like a smiley sack of sweetness, but she has got an iron constitution and is apparently quite stubborn when she feels like it!

Running

So here's a happy face to start your week. He has a bottom tooth now that he shows us all the time. This is the easiest, happiest baby- I'm totally in love.

In other news, I'm running again. Donna do you run? Aren't you a big girl and clearly not made for running? Excuse you, yes I can run. Not very far or very well, but I get it done. I'm doing the "couch to the 5K" with Shana and Minda. I was having a rough start (it's been two years since I ran) and pushing through the first week and then I remembered I had an iPod shuffle. Oh yes, the music changed my life. Bring it on- last Friday it was time to walk on the schedule, but the song was so good I had to keep running. No, unlike Hillary, I don't have praise songs or something edifying. I'm using the Black Eyed Peas, Gwen Stefani, Kelly Clarkson and folks like them. There's even a little Christina Aguilara, and yes, those ladies may not be Christian southern ladies, but their music makes my feet hop to it and that's what I need. So let's move people....I'm off to meet Skrawny.