a date w/ my boy

his laugh is completely contagious

his gaze is flirtatious

his smile is warming

i treasure his trust

i love listening to his heart

we have deep conversations

which can be very rare

we also have funny ones

he can't stand church clothes

but asked me to buy him a tux

(i didn't)

his sense of humor is amazing

he's wise & perceptive

he took such time painting a ceramic dog

it looks just like roxy

he can't wait to display it

he held my hand

he shared his milkshake w/ me

he's growing way to fast

he wanted to go the book store

but it's late & a school night

looks like we have another date in our near future

(my picture from our night won't upload)

Laura Story - Blessings

these words could not be more perfect
for where i am 

or what i pray

or what i think

or what is on my heart

i heard it this morning on my way to work
i do a lot of praying at that time
then i heard this
what a timely blessing
i was running late to work
and so glad i was!

i hope you are blessed by these words as well

skamshots

beside my bed

i have my nose in WAY too many books right now

let me preface the following pic by saying

i am not proud of what is written

but it is real life at our house

(they do not even know i found this "note"

and definitely that i took a picture)

it says

"your a big fat stupid dude"

the reply in red

"i'm talking about you back"

then we have
"ideeite"
and
"you to."

oh dear . . . . looks like we'll be chatting again about
"May the words of my mouth
and the meditations of my heart
be pleasing to you O Lord"

and just a few short hours later 

this is what i found when i went to lay w/ them

Finally, all of you, 

live in harmony with one another; 

be sympathetic, 

love as brothers, 

be compassionate and humble.

1 Peter 3:8

they're struggling right now 

but i keep telling them 

that they really need to cling to each other 

now more than ever

these boys are amazing!

we're closer than we have ever been.

mostly they warm my heart.

run ben run

all season long we haven't been able to make a single practice 

for ben's race next weekend.  

that didn't mess him up though 

as we did make it to the last practice this morning.

i *almost* kept my promise 

and didn't cheer him on.

i forgot when he was finishing up.

i just can't help but yell out

"YAY BEN!"

to make up for breaking my promise 

i just *had* to take them to chik fil a 

for a drive through breakfast.

what a cool kid!

last night

we jumped on the spider & ram band wagon

the boys wore their u of r t-shirts 

and we had dinner on our vcu blanket 

while watching the game.

we had our sleeping bags ready 

for those who may fall asleep earlier!  

(i told jacob to wake me & tell me who won)

As Is

i heard this right after dropping the boys off at school.

my first thoughts were "eh . . . . this is cheezy"

but then i got to thinking & remembering

so many of these individuals we think of from the Bible,

we remember their good qualities

but forget how God used them & their mistakes as well.

he kind of reminds me of the good ole days w/ geoff moore ;)

do you hear what i hear

boing boing boing ~ 

the bounce of the trampoline

giggles of boys

bouncing of basketballs . . . 

yes that's plural

in the kitchen & in the cul de sac

breezes of trees

(the trees STINK)

birds chirping

boys' conversations

it's a boys world over here

      wednesday was a random day off for the boys

we were thrilled to have 2 more for the day

then 2 more from the cul de sac  came to play as well

imagine my delight when they pulled out the dress up box 

from the garage

sizes were not important

creativity was!

they played & switched around for more than an hour!

2 of ms. langes finest students

 echo lake should be proud

five friday favs

* park days & bike rides
   with my family & friends

* a night by the fire pit & a cozy cup of coffee with  my daddy

* a new recipe . . . we all LOVED this
   and soooo easy
   house smelled delicious
   it made a ton
   meg suggested it

* nighttime conversations w/ my jacob

* a brisk walk with a sweet friend on a glorious day = great conversation, exercise, fresh air

so not ready for this!!

yesterday with 4 boys in the van i found it interesting that the topic of "girls" came up in conversation

fast forward to today

my sweet 9 year old says to his buddys & his brother
     "okay . . . i do like "her"
                  and
     "you better not tell her!"

i just kept doing what i was doing
            THEN
HE asked ME as we were leaving the park
            "do you think "she" likes me?"

"of course she does buddy!  what do you think?!"

He responds  "YES!"


okay, so all of this was great when he was THREE
            AND
     "she" was molly

however, ever since molly,
jacob has been so anti-girls
            until now.

say it isn't so!!

the silliest holiday . . .

but everyone who knows & loves me

knows how excited i get about 

leprechauns!

boys lunches

(the cheese & turkey in shamrock shapes)

applesauce too ~ i'll add in the morning.

they never get juice boxes

but i figured water wasn't green!

 their snacks

&

teacher treats

and a little treasure for them

next to their breakfast

l.u.c.k.y c.h.a.r.m.s

that's a treat in itself!

the leprechauns didn't do much this year

while the boys totally do NOT believe in this silly stuff

they do have fun with it

unless they are just humoring me

but jacob mentioned to his friends today 

that he can't wait to find where his underwear will be hanging.

i had a bunch of stuff left over from my 

"leapin leprechaun" camp at U of R.

so the stuff got 2 uses already

then i'll scoop it all up to take to pre-k

Nothing Like . . .

i loved nicole's blog prompt today and will continue with mine here . . . i read hers this morning then thought about it as i drove to preschool.  here it goes!

there's nothing like . . . .

~ a fresh bottle of coke 0 paired with fresh cheez its & fresh M&Ms
    ( no cheez its in our house!! ~ aaaaahhh)

~ the smell of summer rain shower

~ getting lost in a book with your toes deep in the sand

~ "nosey's" with my boys

~ stay home jammer days

~ cozy cuddles on the couch ~ also known as "mommy sandwiches"

~ a random hcps day off of school in the middle of the week

~ brothers getting along instead of arguing & instigating!

my new favorite artist

spoke to me

these words from this song spoke to my hear this morning

Your love is like fire

that burns for all to see.

My only desire

to worship at Your feet.

So let this fire

consume my life.

Let Your love take me deeper

pull me closer to where You are,

'cause all I want is more of You.

and I'll surrender to Your love

forever humbled by the

message of the cross.

I stand abandoned in

Your presence and Your grace,

and I'll never be the same Oh God.

listen for yourself . . . 

randomness

i'm behind
* on laundry
* on lesson plans for saturday's "leapin leprechauns"
* with 10k training
* in reading (i've started 3 books!)
* sorting hand me down clothes

wondering
* how a chipotle gift card randomly made it's way into my poc . . . . (thank you)
* how to get these darlin boys to respect & speak kindly to one another & myself
* why saying "honor your parents" & "may the words of my mouth be pleasing" aren't enough
* why a certain little 7 year old when given the choice to go ANYWHERE to eat on our date, he chooses TACO BELL . . . seriously?!  diSgusTiNg!!  more on that another time

Five Friday Favs

jenn's recipes for

sloppy joe & baked corn

our house smelled delicious

and the boys were vaccuums

* * * * * 

field trips w/ my pre-kers
this was my first time going to the teddy bear clinic
it was so fun
stitches & cast on all the stuff animals
one little girl said
"this was so much fun!"

* * * * * 

teacher luncheon volunteers

serving up grilled cheeses

in HAIR NETS

so. much. fun!

* * * * *

a break from facebook
silly i know
but i've heard from several how refreshing it can be
i'm giving it a whirl for myself
i like it
may give it up forever

* * * * *

roasting marshmellos w/ my boys

Five Friday Favs

preschool art shows

i've loved them year after year

when our boys were in prek
(when ben was in the 4 year old class)
and
(when he was in the 3 year old class)
(i also LOVED it when jacob was in preschool
but it was before i blogged!
i'll have to add some of those pics later!)

and with my class

one of my favorite events of the year

the kiddos are so proud of their stuff

* * * * * 

getting word that we do not OWE on taxes

but

will get some back

WHEW!!

* * * * * 

birthday dinner

with many of my favorite friends

we miss you lisa & jennie

flowers, pb pie, red velvet cupcakes
girlfriends galore
cuddling a baby
nuevo mexico
need i say more?!

* * * * * 

"May our sons flourish in their youth
like well-nurtured plants."
Psalm 144:12

* * * * *

a good night's sleep
early to bed
a rested mama
event planner for friday family fun night
i'm ready