Merrick's b-day party

Last weekend we had Merrick's b-day party. We rotate "parties" every year and this was Merrick's year to get to have a party. On the odd years, he will have a dinner out with family/friends or something very low key.

He picked Laser Tag. He invited family and a few of his close friends. We had a great time (about as much fun as the kids did!). He was blessed with a ton of fun presents that he has played with non stop the past week (did you see our snow day post? Good thing he had so many things to play with). The pic above is right before the 2nd game (and I'm not sure what's up with all the peace signs but that's OK. I think they started off as bunny ears:)

We are so thankful to live close by our family. We also have some great friends for our kids 9and for us:) Merrick turned 9. It is amazing to me how fast time flies by. I still remember bringing him home from the hospital. It seems like yesterday.

Thank you to those who constantly support and build up our kids. You have no idea what that means to us :) I never knew that being a parent would be so rewarding but I am loving every minute of it.

SnOw DaY!

Well, it was 3 snow days to be exact. In Oklahoma, when it snows/ices over, they just close everything down. We still had power thankfully, but were literally inside for almost 3 days straight. On day 2, we ventured out into the backyard all bundled up. After about 5 minutes, the boys declared "We're cold. We're coming inside". Well, it was only like 15 degrees so I don't blame them for wanting to come in. The picture above was from the 2nd day 5 minute adventure:) We got a lot more snow on the 3rd day!

We did homework, read books, watched movies, did some baking, played with toys, played games...it was the life, let me tell you.

But, human interaction is so important. I was so thankful to have e-mail and twitter to keep up with what everyone had going on. I also got my full share of blog reading in. Overall, it was a fun time. I loved hearing the boys shout with glee each day they found out they didn't have school the next day:) There were a few meltdowns but I'm so thankful I had 3 full days with my boys. I forgot what it's like to have them home all day.

What do you do on "snow days"? Do you even have them where you live? I remember having them as a kid too and it still brings warm fuzzies- how about you?

Wisdom from a 6 yr. old

Ethan was talking about giving and receiving gifts.

At first he said "Getting/giving money is the best gift because you can get whatever you want".

Then he said "No, LOVE is the greatest gift.That is the best gift to give and receive!".


I agree with him:) Got a smart little fella, huh?

Walking with Dinosaurs

We took Merrick on a surprise adventure for his 9th birthday (which is this Wednesday, Jan 28th). We went to a show called "Walking with Dinosaurs". It was awesome! Here are some pics from our night:

Right before the show (don't I have some handsome men in my life?)

Look at those Dinosaurs. Don't they look real?

It was a feast for the eyes!

After the show- me and the boys.

And this studly man is also known as my husband. I love my life:)

~Christi~

We really are just kids!

H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y B!!

Today, my man turned 35...35?...Yes 35. I turn 35 next month.

We still feel like kids just pretending to be parents responsible for 2 young boys.

Kids that happen to pay a mortgage.

Kids that laugh and play games a lot and enjoy life to the fullest!

Kids that are naive enough to think that we have met our soul-mates and dreams really do come true.

Kids that still get excited on Christmas morning (only now it's to see our kids faces as they find their "special" present)

Although we may be moving up on the age scale- we are living and loving LIFE! We are enjoying the ups and downs. Looking forward more than we look back...

Guess that comes from maturity, huh? Shoot!

We are kids at heart and always will be.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY VERY BEST FRIEND IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD. BEST FRIENDS FOREVER (aka BFF like in 7th grade).

Camp W-O-W!!

We had a fabulous time last night! I can't tell you how proud I was of our Kids dept. They really know how to reach kids for Christ! Here are some pics from the night...the above pic is right after Merrick was baptized. We are so proud of him:)

Here is Brandon and Merrick entering the lake for baptisms

Right after Merrick came out of the water! WOO HOO!

Reunited and it feels so good....

They had a bomb.com firework show after camp ended. It was awesome!!

Brandon and Terry S- don't ask me what they are doing.

Merrick and Terry. Terry has an excellent pirate accent by the way

Merrick and Ketric (another one of the pirates and a great friend:)

Merrick and his amazing leader, James. We were so happy Merrick was in James' group. He had an excellent time! See you next year.

AAARRGGGG!!!

I don't want my kids to grow up....

I'm loving the stage we are in right now with the boys. I realize this will change once we adopt but am enjoying it while it lasts. The boys are independent (which I love), they are great at going places (I love even more) but they are also getting so stinkin' grown up (which I wish I could stop just for a bit!)

Even though I have loved every stage, I think I am having time to stop and smell the roses during this one. Sometimes I complain about our life being too comfy cozy right now, but I don't take for granted the fact that we have great family times right now and actually get to enjoy one another's company. We are staying put for a while at least:)

So- let me give you a couple of examples of my 2 grown ups...

Ethan (age 5) loves to cuddle and snuggle. He also can't go to bed with out a big hug and kiss and I love that part! So, the other night, I place a big smouch on his lips and he asks "Mommy, are you wearing lipstick?" I say no. "Hmmm, well what was that wet thing that you just got on my lips?" . I told him "It was just a big juicy kiss " and laugh. He says "no more juicy ones please". Oh- I was crushed. I mean it wasn't a french kiss or anything. I guess he just wants more of a peck on the cheek (note to self: only give Ethan a big slobbery kiss when he is already asleep!)

Merrick (age 8) is my explorer, big time reader, very cut throat honest guy, our future CEO. So, we are talking about how tan the boys are getting. He says "I like tan skin". I say "oh you mean you like the way your skin looks?" he replies "No, I mean I like it when girls are tan". HUH? What?? (Note to self: Go purchase a muzzle and some duct tape, I need to tape a boy down until he's at least 10 yrs older!!)...(and Kim H, I actually did have to check my spelling because I spelled it duck tape just like you said we do!! ha ha. )

So, lovin' the stage, and hatin' the shortness of it :) Thank you Lord for my family!!

I don't want to grow up...

Remember that song? (singing)..." I don't want to grow up, I'm a Toys R Us kid....there's a million toys at Toys R Us that I can play with"...(man they should really give me some endorsement money)

But seriously, I don't want to grow up and am not sure when I ever will. Take for instance Saturday night. ABC had a Disney night (like they used to when I was growing up) and they showed an Original Disney movie called "Camp Rock" starring the Jonas Brothers.

You should have seen me and the boys cuddled up on the couch. Each commercial was about a Disney show or video. They even had "Wipeout" commercials (which my boys are dying to see- ha ha). After the movie they went behind the scenes and showed some music videos.

I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT! Not just because I got to bond with my boys, and cuddle up on the couch with them, and order my favorite Pizza hut breadsticks to have delivered (which is a special treat in our home because it's usually only Little Caesars around here).

It was because I got to feel like a kid. I went from actually being a "kid", to remembering when I was a kid, and now getting to enjoy things with my kids. Very cool.

I was telling B that although we both hit (clears throat) *35* at the end of this year- we are both just kids. Kids at heart, kids learning the way, kids enjoying the simple things.

And that's just the way I like it! Growing up is so overrated :)

Goobers

NO, not the candy. The "urban dictionary" says a goober is a stupid person, airhead, slow, a kindhearted, rather oblivious goofball, a term of endearment. Not sure how calling someone an airhead is a term of endearment, but anyways....

Last night we had a "tif" between the boys. Well, actually it was a full blow kick from one boy to the other in the stomach in front of a neighbor we were meeting for the first time. Can you say embarrassing?

We brought them both inside to talk it over and figure out consequences. Merrick decided it would be a good idea (and we agreed) to make up a sheet of his own ground rules that he should read in the mornings. They included things like obey, use positive words, etc. He did a great job. Ethan wanted to join in. He made his own little rule that was supposed to say "I want to be good!". Instead it said:

"I want to be goob"

Simple mistake of making a b instead of a d. We all turned into 5 yr. olds ourselves and started calling each other "goobs" all night. We even said "Goob night" instead of good night. Every time there was a chance to say good, we said goob. Doesn't take much to make us laugh around here I guess. See- it is a term of endearment!

It made a serious situation turn into a lighthearted one. I love my goober family :)