The day after the President’s “First 100 days” speech seems like perfect timing to do a little update on our family’s current happenings (no approval ratings will be taken).

THE SWINE FLU– After all of the input lately about how to keep your children safe from the swine flu (and even Mr. President reminding us to cover our mouths when we cough), I’m pretty sure that if this flu is contagious in public places Cbug will be a prime candidate. Just while at church last night he ate (someone else’s) popcorn off of the floor, played peek-a-boo with his bear in and out of the trash can and walked across the church barefoot all the while sucking his thumb. No amount of hand washing can negate his germ-infested life right now.

THE ECONOMY– There are two economical issues in our house this last week. First, our dryer suddenly started taking HOURS to dry even small loads of laundry. Thanks to tips from friends and RRL’s resourcefulness we checked the vent to outside and founds a LARGE bird’s nest nearly blocking the entire vent. Thank you, birds. I can’t wait to see the electricity bill you caused this month.

A few weeks ago, a good friend who works for the local Childrens’ Hospital called to ask for a favor. The hospital was doing a photo shoot for advertising and informational purposes and needed some kids to come participate. I was VERY reluctant. I mean, I know my kids are incredibly cute (can’t throw things, its MY blog) and who WOULDN’T want to look at them in a brochure, but lets be honest…at this point in our lives trying to pose the two little rascals for decent pictures is one of the most stressful situations you can place us in.

Long story short, though, all of my excuses ran out (my haircut got canceled, the boys took great naps earlier than usual, the weather was perfect, etc) so we decided to go. AND WHAT AN UNEXPECTED BLESSING! We got some FREE professional pictures, by a photographer that was great at working with kids, and I only mildly sweated through my shirt in the process. Here are a few of my favorites…

There were two funny things that happened which I held over our friends’ head for awhile for “tricking me” into doing this:

1) When I got out of our van, the lady from the hospital that was in charge said “Oh, GOOD, I was really hoping we would get an expectant mother in some of the shots”. UMMMMM, excuse me, didn’t you see the two adorable blonds I brought with me. This is really about them, if anything I’ll make a nice background. But alas, they did take some photos of my nice round belly.

2) RRL couldn’t go with us and apparently there was a “vision” for a complete family in the photos…with an expectant mother. So, they asked if I would mind posing with a fake family- another man and his son. ACKWARD. In fact, so ackward that the photographer kept saying “If you guys want to look like a family, you are going to have to scoot a little closer and quit looking so uncomfortable”. Geez, how can you look NOT look uncomfortable “cuddled” up on a picnic blanket with another man. Pretty sure I haven’t been on a picnic blanket with anyone besides RRL since maybe highschool. No, not uncomfortable at all.

All of that to say, if you happen to see us in a brochure about the Children’s Hospital, just be assured…my marriage (to RRL) is intact, I haven’t traded in my kids for older models, and our kids are perfectly healthy, having never actually been admitted to CCHospital (praise the Lord!). But we did get some free pictures out of the deal.

ABL

Two years ago we got some fun pictures in the bluebonnets with one of KJ’s best buddies. The boys did not love the experience (at all), but the flowers were pretty!

Couldn’t you just eat them up (the boys, not the flowers)? I love when we are able to capture their fun-loving personalities. We are so blessed by both of these joys!!

ABL

We’ve joked that poor Cbug could not have had worse timing for his birth. I mean, really, if he HAD to come 3 weeks early couldn’t he have just come about 3 days earlier than he did? 3 days earlier would have meant some really important things for him…like a nice tax deduction as well as helping us further benefit from the tax stimulus plan. See what I mean? Those 3 days really cost us.

Our church does an amazing baby blessing once a year for all the babies born during the previous calendar year. So, even though Cbug was 3-months-old at the time the 2007 babies were celebrated, he just went to the blessing as a spectator and had to wait until this April to celebrate with the other 2008 babies. See what those 3 days cost you, dude?

Seriously, though, his birth could not have been better timed. Being born when he was meant so much GOOD for us. Most of my family “just happened” to be in town when he made his grand appearance and I wouldn’t trade that for any amount of tax dollars. Also, by waiting until this year’s blessing time he got to celebrate with some of our favorite 2008 babies.

This time is exactly as it is is named…a blessing. It is a blessing for the babies as they feel the warm hands of our Shepherds laid upon their tiny heads, hands and feet. It is something that the Momma’s and the Daddy’s treasure as they take a few moments to pray for their sweet little ones surrounded by a body of believers. And it is a blessing for our whole church family as we stand and remember what we are called to do- hold each other before the throne from the moment of birth through the moment we meet our Saviour. I truly love this night each year but of course it is especially sweet when I have a baby of my own being blessed and committed to the Lord’s service.

This was a special time of prayer with an elder and his wife that are so special to our family. I’m not joking when I say that he had some sort of God-ordained touch on Cbug’s leg while he prayed. I have never seen our little man sit so still and listen. That in itself was so moving to me. KJ sat very still and listened, too, but of course he had been bribed with cookies.

Ok, so maybe the whole night was not sappy sweet (if this family photo is any indication). It is always a crazy adventure to wrestle two little boys into any situation like this. If you notice a little pregnancy glow, just attribute it to the fact that I was a sweaty mess by the time this party was over (a party that ended without anyone blowing out any candles, much to KJ’s chagrin)!

Be blessed!
ABL

Two words….MARCH MADNESS. Gotta love it.

The Duke vs Texas game was an especially exciting one for our family as we have loyalties on both sides. As evidenced by the photos, we will let our boys wait until they are old enough to make the decision for themselves before we influence them. In the meantime, KJ can say “Go Duke” while holding up his Texas Long horns hand-sign. Poor kids may need counseling someday to survive this “holiday” at our house.

Time will tell who will win the family challenge this year! I can’t wait until the boys can do their own brackets!!

ABL

The same only bigger…

…our family is growing and so is our ride!

Sweet baby sister is so high maintenance that she required a new vehicle (before she even arrived)! Not that I mind…owning a minivan is a dream come true for me. As excited as I was, though, to bring home the new wheels, there may or may not have been a few tears shed over leaving the Camry behind. I’ve had the car long enough that we pulled these out from under the seat before we left the car at the dealership.The Camry was the first car I purchased on my own, the car that I loaded up to move to Texas, the car I drove to work at my very first “real job”, the first car I put Texas license plates on and the car that we washed in our wedding attire. While it is silly to “love” an inanimate object, I sure do love all of the memories that were packed in that little vehicle. So, it won’t come as a surprise to you that I made the car salesperson pose for the below pictures.

Goodbye, Camry! You were an amazing car. (Even the salesperson could sense my mixed-emotions and put his arm around me as I handed over the Camry keys…how funny is that!)

Hello, Sienna, and the memories still to be made. KJ for one already thinks this car is the coolest thing ever and just likes to go for ride in it. A child after my own heart!

So, we’re moving on to bigger and better things around here. Anybody need the Annie soundtrack on cassette tape?

ABL

“God be in my eyes, and in my seeing”
(while covering your eyes)

“God be in my ears, and in my hearing”
(while covering your ears)

“God be in my mouth, and in my speaking”
(while covering your mouth)

“God be in my life, and in my living”
(while pointing to your suspender straps)

“God be in my heart, and in my loving”
(while crossing your heart…or giving yourself a love squeeze!) AMEN!

I know, it is February, but well…this is my blog and I can rewind back to Christmas if I want to, right? I just need to get a few more of these pictures and memories into the mix and then I can move forward. There’s the disclaimer, now for the pictures (and boy do I mean A TON OF PICTURES).

I loved spending time with all of our extended family and wouldn’t trade the memories of having so many loved ones gathered around for anything. That said, though, my very favorite part of Christmas was the special time that we spent with just our little family of 4 (and 1/2). Here are a few glimpses into our family time and some of our traditions.

Even if I don’t get a Christmas card sent out (I’m averaging every other year), I still like to have at least one really good family Christmas picture from each year. I frame them in a Christmas frame and pull them all out to decorate each Christmas. This is our annual picture/Christmas card from 2008:

I could probably post about 100 failed attempts at a Christmas picture, but here is one that pretty well sums them up. The picture is blurry because I’m trying to catch Cbug while snapping the shot. KJ is *fake* crying because…well, who knows. He’s 2. Need I say more?

Tradition #3- The candlelight service

It was great to be in town for our Church’s Candlelight service on Christmas eve. The place was PACKED and worship was incredible. What a great way to stop and remember why our family celebrates the season! My family was especially thrilled to get dressed up for yet another family photo (they just thought I would stop after we got ONE good one- yeah right!)

Tradition #4- Before bed:
I love Christmas pajamas. Aren’t they adorable (even if the wearers would prefer to wrestle instead of pose).

Before we go to sleep we have to read the Night before Christmas and the story of Christ’s birth. Here, Nonna is getting ready to read us the Night before christmas (via web cam) while we enjoy hot chococolate (or a bottle).

Almost ready to go to sleep, first we just need to leave a treat for Santa. I had it on good authority that Santa wouldn’t mind eating one of the leftover Christmas cupcakes instead of a cookie this year. KJ picked the perfect one, then we left a note.

Tradition #5- The finishing touches

After the boys were asleep, RRL and I began the task of wrapping presents and putting together the boys big gift- a basketball goal. This was our first year to have something to put together on Christmas eve- RRL did a stellar job…the first of many, I’m sure.

Lots of traditions, lots of memories, LOTS of fun!

ABL