a good time

This past week has been peacefully chaotic. This was Rosie's last week with us, so we tried to cram in all the things that we wanted to do, but hadn't yet done with her. Some of the highlights: she had another art lesson with Tricia, she learned how to do a flip turn in the pool, she got a pretty deep gash on her foot by stepping on a nail, and she even babysat for our neighbors! But...the week is not over yet. My grandparents came to visit us yesterday along with my youngest brother Jonathan (he is 10). They are going to stay a few days and then take Rosie back home with them. We are really going to miss her. Yesterday, Gid woke up from his nap and kept saying, "Ro-Ro, Ro-Ro?"
While my grandparents are here we plan on doing a lot of relaxing, making a trip to Hobby Lobby, going to the pool, watching old movies, and eating good food! My grandparents are so cool. They might be older in age, but they are so very young in spirit. Last night we played Family Feud, and it was so much fun. Everyone participated, even Jonah. Although he would give answers like, "A,B" and "it's luggage Dad!" Which didn't really make any sense, but it did make it loads of fun. Well, this post is exceedingly long and rambling, so I will end it with this final note: I love my family!

painting with Rosie

. Today I have a guest blogger. Rosie went over to my neighbor and good friend, Tricia's house for an art lesson. Here is her experience in her own words:

Today, like Sarah said I went over to Tricia's house for an art lesson. First I picked out one of Tricia's paintings that I wanted to learn how to do. Then we got right to work. I sketched my painting with chalk and then started to paint. I started mod pauging the skirt and then painting the face. Next Tricia said to start doing the umbrella. Just then Sarah came over to see our progress and gave me the idea of doing the checkered pattern on the umbrella. After that we did the background and then the hair(which by the way is the same color as mine). Before long it was time for the final touches like, painting the sides of the canvas and writing my name in the corner. In 4 hours I had created a masterpiece...my masterpiece, and here it is!

My 3 Sons

Here is each boy doing something they love...

Caleb loves spending time with Mike doing anything, but especially playing golf. Since Caleb got his own set of clubs for his 6th Birthday, they have been playing a little Par 3 course up the road from us. It is wonderful Father & Son time!

Jonah is our little Jedi. He is out of his mind for anything Star Wars. In this picture he is showing a gem, while wielding his light saber. Jonah makes me laugh. He is always up for a good time and is incredibly sweet to both of his brothers, but especially Caleb. He always makes sure that Caleb never gets left out or forgotten.

And last, but not least is Gideon. Gideon is very musical. He loves to make music, he loves to listen to music, and he loves to dance to music. I love watching him dance. He squats down to the floor and bounces up and down, while holding his hands at his sides, fist balled up. He really is the cutest little thing!

I love my 3 sons. I'm so glad that God blessed us with all boys. Not only do we get them, but they in turn have each other. They have each other to fight with, pretend with, play with, laugh with, and sometimes even cry with. They bring so much joy to each other, and they are my joy as well.

not for the weak stomached

Conversation that would never take place if we had girls:

Me: Sam, do you want a wipe for that cut, instead of licking the blood off of your hand?

Sam: I like licking my blood.

Caleb: Yeah, blood tastes really good.

Jonah: Mom, I'm licking my blood right now, and it really does taste good!

my own little Randy!

Gid has lately taken to getting into the cabinet under the sink. It used to house bleach, sponges, and other cleaning aids, but when he started showing a particular interest in this little cubby, I cleared everything out except the trash bags. Here he is, enjoying some alone time.

p.s. Daddy is not coming home to "kill Ralphie"

brothers and friends

Caleb has been attending a soccer camp this week at a local university. We have been carpooling to and from the camp with Sam, our 6 year old neighbor and both Caleb and Jonah's best friend. Yesterday, on the way home from camp, the boys were discussing a training drill that they do every morning which involves passing the soccer ball. The conversation went something like this:

Sam: "I don't like passing....its so boring."

Caleb: "I have to admit, passing does get a little boring, but I can see were they are going with it. My passing is getting a lot better! You have to practice so that you can get better."

Jonah: "Yeah, you have to practice so that you can get better."

Sam: "Jonah, Caleb just said that exact same thing."

Caleb: "Sam, he copies me...because he loves me."

the week...a look back

So much and yet so little has been happening the past few days that finding the time to post has been almost impossible. As I mentioned previously, Rosie is staying with us for a bit, and we have been trying to show her our life here. We have taken her on our weekly trip to the library where we were entertained by a "silly singer." (part of our summer reading program) We went hiking at The Preserve, and there has been plenty of swimming thrown in. Mixed in with all of that we have been having daily reading time, xbox show downs, and errand running. We have had a marvelous time.

On top of all of the wonderful things we have been up to this week, we also had a small mishap. Jonah was playing with a bar stool, when it accidentally fell over and unto his big toe. His toe immediately turned a blackish purple color and swelled up. The night that followed was maybe one of the worst he or I experienced. He was in a tremendous amount of pain, and was only able to sleep for a few minutes at a time, off and on. He is doing much better now, after a trip to the doctor for some antibiotics and pain medicine. And we are trying to resume life as normal around here....

Of course today is Father's Day! And Mike is currently spending the afternoon of this day with Caleb at the golf course. He is busy doing exactly what he wants to do...playing golf with his son!

Rosie

We are back from our world traveling, and while I have many wonderful stories about our vacation I'm more occupied with thinking about getting settled back in to our life here at home. After returning from Jamaica we picked up the boys from my parents, as well as my 13 year old sister Rosie. She is going to spend a few weeks out of the summer with us. Having her here has been so wonderful. She has such a joy for life and is always making up songs and dancing around the house. She brings so much life to our house... and it was pretty lively already. There is never a dull moment around here.

On Sunday we went swimming at the Knights, and while Mike watched golf, Rosie got the boys ready to swim. When I asked Mike why he wasn't helping he said he didn't need to because Rosie was taking care of it. He then went on to say that we should either hire a nanny or keep Rosie here until she was 18 years old. Rosie is so quick to do whatever I ask her of her from vacuuming to reading with the boys to changing a poopy diaper. I'm really looking forward to to enjoying each and every day that we get to spend with Rosie!

(p.s. As I write this post, Rosie is busily choreographing a routine to a song that she made up with the boys. Lots of fun!)

Jamaica

Mike and I are in Jamaica this week. Kind of a second honeymoon for us, and we have had some very interesting experiences here. There is a lot to tell, but today I will share just one experience that we have had. Yesterday we went on a very interesting excursion. We hired a taxi to take us to Negril. It is a place that has 7 miles of the prettiest beaches in the world. However, the enjoyment of the beaches comes at a cost. The drive was an hour and a half of extremely fast, reckless, and curvy driving. The drivers here get very close to one another and passing in this country feels like a death wish. I felt like we were being held hostage in this van being dragged through a poverty ridden country.

And although the beach was beautiful, you couldn't walk 2 steps without someone asking if you wanted some pot or drugs. Once we left the beach (we stayed for less than 45 mins!) we headed to this place called Rick's Cafe. They had cliff divers here. These guys were amazing. They climbed up this really old, dead looking tree and then back flipped, front flipped or just dove into the water some 100 ft. below them. It was heart stopping. Our trip home was a bit worse because it was mostly in the dark! We were so happy to be back at the hotel! We immediately got in the hot tub and tired to shake off the experience. Our upcoming excursions are much closer and should prove to be much more fun!

The experience was one I will never forget. It was so very interesting to see how these people lived. Houses made out of concrete bricks or metal siding, so many people loitering everywhere, and seemingly no regard for other motorist when driving. It really makes me grateful for what we have: a beautiful house, wonderful friends and family, and street laws that are obeyed. More from Jamaica later...