How to Boost Your Self-Confidence 101

1) Birth a little 4 pound preemie who fights for his life.
2) Over the next few years, watch him grow into a solid, manly boy who has a tender spot for his mommy.
3) Then wait for him to say things like:

"Mom, you are so cute."

"Mom, you look really beautiful in that outfit."

"Mom, I really like your shiny lips." (new lipgloss)

"Mom. You're pretty funny."

(sigh) "Oh, Mom. I just love you."

I'm telling you what. It will make your day.

A drive home and some mathematicians

It went like this:


Trevor: I have to go potty!!!

Me: Okay, honey, we'll be home in about 4 minutes.

Trevor: 1, 2, 3, 4. Okay, well, we're not home.

Me: No, that's 4 seconds. 4 minutes is longer....Basically, you have to count to 240.

Trevor: Well, I can't do that, but Paigie can.

Paige: (after a glance at me in the rear-view mirror and a short pause) Okay, Trev, count to 10.

Trevor: 1, 2, 3, 4 ,5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.

Paige: Now, you just need to do that 24 times.

(My passengers proceeded to count to 10---24 times....)

Paige (to Trevor): Can I tell you something? You just counted to 240!

Trevor: Hmm...well, we're still not home yet.

Are 9-month-olds allowed to eat chocolate cake?

Apparently.

And, studies show, that they really, really, really enjoy it.

I love my life.

This particular morning, Preston was marching back and forth behind Trevor while chanting some sort of pirate oath or what-not. It was one of his funnier moments because he was oblivious to any of us.

He just kept marching.

And chanting.

And then he and his big bro obliged Mom for a pose.

{This particular morning, Preston was also dressed in a "Gap Girl" shirt. Don't know why.}

A practical portrait.

What do you see?

I see a mother with a bored three-year-old, who is teaching her children not to waste our precious resources.

She's not quite green, but working toward, saving the "green"--if you know what I mean.

I'm a poet and I didn't know it.

The end.

Friend.

Seriously.

Deliriously.

For Sale

When Paige gets an idea....

...nothin' stands in her way.

I wish I was this cool when I was seven.

Entrepreneur and her apprentice.

Total Profit: $5. 25.

Sweet.

The Brothers' Club

We made a fort.

And then our baby brother said, "Whatcha doin' in there guys?"

And then we said, "Here, baby brother, we'll show ya."

Later that day....

"And this is how you get the bad guys..."

Quote o' the day

"Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be."

--Abe Lincoln

*Honest Abe is also the author of another fave quote: "Whatever you are, be a good one."

A day in the life.

Trevor says...

"Paige, you are pretty impressive."

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"Mom, Preston is freaking me out!"

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(After I've made PB&J and apple slices): "This is what I call a meal!"

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(Gum found on the carpet): "This is a sticky situation."

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(Trevor heard, crying) Me: " Trevor take a deep breath and try to shake it off, honey."

Trev: "But, Mom, it's my bummer that got hurt. I can't shake my bummer off!"

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Mom: "Trevor, do you know how much I love you?"

Trev: "Um, like...a thousand dollars?......or eighty-five dollars--that's bigger!"

#3 turns "3"...

...and it's pure glee!!! Preston had his b-day a couple of weeks ago and his mama is finally posting some of the fun. Do you love the cake(s)? He kept saying he wanted a baseball cake, so I threw a bat in for fun.

Is he blowing out or spitting on the candles? Can't tell.

We had eight 3-year-olds, plus our kids and Preston was thrilled that he had so many "best friends" come to his "paw-ty".
Our little "jock" got lots of sports games and parafunalia, and he thought it was pretty much the perfect day.

This picture was taken the next day, on his actual birthday. I've always wanted to make those cute sports-themed cupcakes, so "viola!"

We love you so, so much Preston. You make our lives vibrant and joyful and LIVELY! You are a spirited spirit and we can't believe you are "3"!!!!

Funny things our three-year-old does:

* You say "yeps!" instead of "yes".

* You start a sentence and then say, "...oh, nevermind..."

* You say, "Mom, can you ask me something?" This means you are ready for some dialogue and just want to talk.

* You are so friendly with strangers, ask their name and then ask where they live and if they have any friends....

*You are a great dancer!

*You are always in character--pirate, etc.

Happy Birthday!

Loving her.

Favorite quotes from Paige today:

"Dad, after we finish our ice cream, can we go out and shoot some hoops?"
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"I know the best plan! I am going to start a reading class with Trevor every Tuesday at 4:00 and I'll be the teacher."
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"Wait! Turn the channel back to the election!"

Pirates and pom-poms and powers--oh my!

This wins as my favorite photo of Halloween. My two little pirates were mesmerized by the big pirate who shared some of his "booty" with them.

Other highlights:

• Preston proclaiming his pirate status to every passerby and treat-bestower.
• Gavin's giddy-ness throughout the night. It's like he knew he was really cute in that costume and found it funny.
• Trevor offering to donate some of his candy to our bowl for the trick-or-treaters after we ran out.
• Paige's excitement as we gave her the green light to trick-or-treat later than her brothers (with the neighbors)
  

Fullness

Have I mentioned my boys' love of pretend combat? Oh yes, that little post right here. It is commonplace for Trevor to start his day, by dressing himself, shirt tucked in, belt on and sword or arrows in place as seen here:

Even if there is no fight on the horizon, he just wants to be prepared. {That cute little man will be a star in Scouts someday--he already counts down the years to when he will be a Scout and get to try out a real bow and arrow for his Archery patch}.

Though Trevor and Preston store their arrows this way, they have also been found with their arrows down the back of their shirt, because they don't have that "arrow holder like Robin Hood":

Of course, they are referring to a quiver.

Robin Hood, Legolas, Hercules--all good arrow-carrying archers have them. Trevor wants one. I have suggested he continue to use his imagination or we could just jimmy-rig one for him.

All this quiver-talk reminded me of a scripture:

"Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord...As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them..." Psalms 127:3-5

Our quiver is full and happy are we.

What Jason's camera saw. {aka more from the Florida Chronicles}

The following photos are proof that I:

1. Really went to Florida.
2. Have not lost my baby weight.
3. Obviously wear sunscreen.
4. Need more quality time with the sand and surf--it's good stuff.

Me & Steph

Gavin's toes grace the ocean with their bitty-ness...

...and they like it...



...a regular sea-farer, that Gavin.


He's a big fan of this place.

Big cousin, Chase, showing Gavin the ropes.

A couple-who-isn't-so-sure-about-how-to-pose-on-beach-boulders. {Also, they are not savvy on the ways of avoiding waves before they get drenched.}



Coral and Stephanie show me how to pose.

Wet family=happy family.

A picture of a picture.

A candid moment.

Me and my big brother.

{Sorry, Steve. I had to edit you out of this one on account of your eyes being closed.}

Sand. A good diet.

See how curly my hair gets in the humidity? Eating sand and curly hair--pretty much a perfect day.

Love these "rinse-off" pics. It takes so little to please a little person.

The chef in front of his fancy grill.

Rockband time, Chase on bass.

I wish I was this cool when I was ten.

I told you it was tropical in there!

I'm really serious about my music, man.

Thanks for the good times guys!