Popcorn and Chocolate Chips

I had THE best afternoon with the boys Wednesday night before church. Liam woke up from his nap all lovey and cuddly. The house was quite. I had a little Ray LaMontagne playing softly in the kitchen and it was cold outside. A perfect setting for some laid back family time. However, I had no idea it would be quite so enjoyable. Liam has recently discovered a love of popcorn so I asked him if he wanted some for a snack. He shook his head up and down. He had fun watching the popcorn pop in the micro and listening for all the "pop" sounds. Giggling away at each pop!

Ok, don't look at Mommy in this one. I have no make-up on and popcorn in my teeth (gross!) But the photo of Liam was too cute not to post. After seeing this image, I made sure I put make-up on before going to church!

Jude woke up and wanted some snack too - so I got him his very own bowl. Liam and I were having Monster Mix with our popcorn but due to the peanuts, Jude couldn't have any of the M&Ms. To prevent a melt down, I found the chocolate chips in the freezer left over from Doola's famous cookies and added them to both kids bowls. Hello Happiness. Why does chocolate make each event a little sweeter and more memorable? Jude looks pretty ticked in the photo, but he's really just letting the chocolate chip melt in his mouth. Look at how grown up he looks. Boo hoo hoo. My baby is getting so big!

See what I mean about chocolate happiness? Liam was so funny. Every time I picked up the camera he would say, "teeze!" There was a whole lot of love in the house that afternoon and a lot of peace. Thank you Lord for my two wonderful boys!

Christmas Toys and Visitors

Christmas was BUSY! Whew...lots to do and lots of people to see. We started with Christmas Eve service at church and then went to Gramma and Pappa's house for the evening. Santa came to our house later that night and then Pop and Ma came over Christmas Day. Aunt Sister, Uncle Stevie and Alex came over Saturday as well as a good friend from high school. Then early Sunday morning Papa Dude, Doola and Anna arrived for a week's visit. There was so much to do, so many wonderful memories and a bunch of gifts! Again, thank you everyone for everything. We are so truly blessed to be surrounded by friends and family.

While the Iowa Fish were here, the weather stunk! It was so cold and rainy and to be honest, it hasn't gotten much better. We did manage to make it to the park one day and play baseball outside another day. Brrrrr... Doola commented that we didn't take many photos this time because we guess we were too busy living in the moment versus capturing it. Agreed.

Pop and Ma, as well as Gramma and Pappa get the same treatment. More livin' in the moment versus taking pictures to capture the moment. We even went over to see Gramma Pat last night, I took my camera, and not a single photo! Geez. But, lots of good times and memories always.

The boys have been loving playing the new Wii game that Uncle Aaron ("Uncle") got us for Christmas. Jude loves playing all the games and trying to beat Daddy. Laim just has to have a control in his hands so he thinks he's playing! It all works out and everyone has a good time. Thanks Uncle.

Aunt Sister and Uncle Stevie got the boys Gator Golf and both boys seem to love it. Mommy loves it because she can put the boys in the hallway to play and go do something else for a good 15 minutes at least. Many other gifts were received too - too many to mention - and the boys are loving all of them. I think other kiddos will benefit from the generous Christmas as well because I have a HUGE bag of toys that are going to either Watermark or Mercy Street (East Dallas Ministry.) Woo hoo. I love being able to pass on the joy.

Last but not least, it was a musical Christmas for the Fishes. We got electric guitars and a jazzy keyboard. I love this picture of Jude because it reminds me of the eighties alternative bands with their crazy hair and electric keyboards. ha ha ha ha. I think Heather's hair looked like this once but it was pink! Funny thing about the guitars, both boys got them and they each play with the guitar meant for the other. Jude loves Laim's and Liam loves Jude's. Oh well, at least they're happy and playing! And you know what? Mommy doesn't even mind the noise. It's WAY better than hearing them scream. We even broke out the pots and pans the other day for our drum set. Crazy right? I think I am going crazy, but that's another post for another day.

Recouping...

There was a LOT going on this holiday season. I'm pooped and the boys are too, but Jude would never let on! He is just fine as far as he's concerned. Liam doesn't want to eat dinner or sleep through the night and Mommy and Daddy are ready to get a hotel and leave them here! Ha ha ha. Thank you to everyone for making our Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year so filled with family, friends and lots of love. Pics later!

xoxo

Buried Treasure

I haven't blogged in a while and it has absolutely nothing to do with my lack of things to post! The holidays have just been so darn busy that I can't seem to take the time to sit a the computer. Kind of a nice problems to have. God has really answered prayer, as I have been asking Him to make me more of a doer vs. a looker. This year I actually made most of our Christmas gifts and finally made the boys stockings! Hooray!

Anyway, I have been meaning to post this for two weeks now. The other day was a beautiful Texas Fall day and the boys and I decided to play outside. We were swinging and running and sliding in the backyard and suddenly we became pirates protecting a buried treasure on the high-seas. Below is a pic of the buried booty.

Then a few days later, as I am doing the dishes and the boys are playing in Jude's room, I hear this from Jude,"Liam, just come here! Come here and let me get it. You have an oogie in your nose. Hang on! I can get it!" Liam is wailing, as he HATES having his nose wiped. I am thinking all is normal until I go into Jude's room and see that Jude has his finger so far up Liam's little nose that I am quite sure he is poking Liam's brain! It was VERY hard not to fall on the floor laughing but I managed and was able to thank Jude for his help and politely ask him to remove his finger from his brother's nose!

Gosh, what an incredible journey God has me on!

Brrrr...it's cold!

Oh my gosh...it snowed in Texas before it snowed in Iowa! We woke up one morning last week to our usual alarm clock - Jude breathing in my face saying, "I'm hungry, but I need to go pee first. Okay?" So, I slowly rolled out of bed and then I hear, "Mom, it's snowing outside! Does that mean it's Christmas?" He wishes! Geeze that kid can't wait to get his gifts! Can we for just one minute focus on the reason for Christmas? Hello??? Our King and Savior! As much as I try, he doesn't get it. Then I remember, he's four and it will come. I just can't give up! Oh gosh, I digress. Sorry.

Liam wakes up and immediately focuses outside and says, "oohhhhhh!!!" They were so cute watching each snowflake fall to the ground!

Then, in typical Texas fashion, the sun came out and within two to three days we were back in the 70's. Time to put on the glasses!

On another note, I almost wet my pants laughing so hard at Adam the other night! He shaved his beard into a lovely mustache. I bet him $100 that he wouldn't wear the "stache" to church. his reply was, "who cares, it's our money anyway!" Ever so practical! Anyway, when Adam plays with his hair he does this funny thing with his bangs and this rolled look is the end result. So stinkin' funny I had to take pictures. As you can see, he wasn't amused!

More White Rock Play Date Fun

Below are a few more images taken from our fun Sunday at the lake. And here are a few more quips from the boys:

Liam said his first sentence last night: "Night Night Moon!" but it came out as "Nigh Nigh Noon" So sweet!

Jude has formed a rock band. Their name is "Rock Stars in Harmony" and Jude plays the "kuitar." Oh, and last night he formed a new band "Cool Dudes in Harmony!" Where do they get this stuff?

So big!

Adam was rockin' this thing up and down while the boys giggled uncontrollably.

Jude Makes Me Laugh

Yesterday was a long day because Liam took one nap that was interrupted by a poop (lovely) and Dad had an event to attend. This left Mom to take care of both boys at dinner time and make sure they were both in bed by 7:00 before my accountability group came over. Although the day was a challenge, Jude lightened my mood with these zingers...

In the car on the way to Super Target (it's raining and cold)

Jude: Mom, do you know what the little sprinkles are?

Mom: What?

Jude: They're the rain's poopie!

At home while having dinner - Liam is piling Ranch dressing on his chicken nugget and sucking it off leaving the nugget intact and soggy.

Jude: Do you know why he loves Ranch so much?

Mom: Why?

Jude: Because he's a Ranchmaholic!

Oh, I thank the good Lord for the innocence of kids and the gift of laughter.