Family Date Day

Have y'all ever had a time period in your life that was just soooo busy that you felt like you never even got to see your own family? I'm sure you have! That's where we were this weekend. There have been lots of things going on in the past couple of weeks, and some of them have involved the whole family, however, not just the 5 of us together. We felt it was high time for a family date day on Saturday!

We started out by sleeping in (it wouldn't be a great Saturday otherwise!). We are very blessed that our kids like to sleep in too. Of course, there were a few night time feeding calls from ole Benjamin, but he let us go back to sleep afterwards :) Then we headed to town to have some fun!

Since we ate a really late breakfast, we just grabbed some Chick-fil-a fries for lunch. We shopped in Target for a little while for some summer clearance stuff. The boys love to ride in the Target carts that have the little double seats on the front. We then ran by a shoe store and Old Navy (which ended with visiting the mannequins for awhile :) 

We had a little time to kill before dinner, so we took the boys to Barnes and Noble to play with the train table. They LOVE that place! I always love to observe how my kids act while playing with other kids. We see some things we're proud of, and some things we need to work on! I had to remind Andrew of the verse that we are learning together a couple of times: "And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." Hebrews 13:16. 

It was a nice feeding/changing diaper pit stop for Benjamin too! Before we know it, he'll be playing at the train table too!

When we left the bookstore, we headed to a Japanese place for our family date night meal. We took the boys about a year ago, but the hibachi grill scared Andrew, so we haven't been back. We thought they would both really enjoy it now, so we talked it up BIG on the way. When we were seated, this is what Andrew looked like (his eyes were also closed most of the time):

Isaac wasn't looking toooo scared :)

And of course, sweet Benjamin. So thankful to be able to take him anywhere at all!

In the end, they all loved it and can't wait to go back. Andrew has very enthusiastically retold the events of dinner to everybody who will listen. He thinks he wants to be a "cooker guy" now!

We ended the day with a trip to a local park. Andrew and Isaac are getting brave on playground equipment! They about give me a heart attack! We were all worn out (partly because of no naps) by the time we got home, but it was the good kind of worn out. If you don't do family date days, I HIGHLY recommend it every once in a while. It's good for the soul :) Next up.... trying to find time for a mommy/daddy date! Hmmmm, that might be a little more difficult! :) 

Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. ~Psalm 16:19

Catch Up!

Well, I'm realizing that I don't have as much time to sit down and blog as I thought I might. (I wonder what could be keeping me busy? :) ) SO, the boys are asleep (for now) and I am going to jot out a little catch up of last week/weekend. Yes, I know this is Tuesday! I am trying to keep in mind that this blog is mainly to remember things about my family's everyday life, so if I'm not super punctual, it won't matter in the end when I'm looking back!

I have to start out with a scary story. Last Tuesday my mom and I were super brave and tried to get back into our weekly Tuesday grocery/coupon shopping trip. This was hard enough with two small boys, and now we are adding a newborn into the mix. Whew. Anyway, as is our usual, we took the kids to McDonald's for lunch. It's a great way to blow off all that energy that's been building up in the grocery cart! When Happy Meals were consumed (well, mostly), we told the kids to go play. They ran to the play area, which was literally a couple of steps from our table. We could see the whole play place. Mom and I returned to conversation and within about 30 seconds she said she was going to get a refill for her drink. She came back to the table holding a crying Isaac with a terrified look on her face. Isaac had not gone to the play place.We only assumed he ran and climbed into the equipment where we couldn't see him. He had actually run out the door into the main dining area, THEN out the door of the restaurant! He was standing outside the door BY THE DRIVE THRU, crying because he couldn't open the door to get back in. Now, I realize he could have only possibly been out there a few seconds, but things could have go sooooo differently. He could have run straight into oncoming traffic, could have gotten lost, could have been taken, and the list goes on. I can't tell you how the realization of that felt. I seriously felt like the worst mother in the world. So, all that horrible story to say this: NEVER take your eyes off your children for a second! I considered myself watching them, but obviously wasn't watching close enough. Thank you, Jesus, for protecting my child when I failed. (Sidenote: Anyone reading from around here has heard about the child being left in the hot car in Birmingham last week for 3 hours and not making it. I just have to say that I can't believe people are so judgmental of this mother. ALL of us make mistakes, we are just blessed that they happen to not have turned out the way her mistake did. I especially realized this last Tuesday. I pray for this poor family.)

On with the rest of the (less scary) week! On Wednesday nights I have finally returned to choir practice, with Benjamin in tow! I'll have to take a picture of our setup tomorrow night :) Each of the other boys came with me when they were tiny and they have all enjoyed it!

We had a super happy day on Friday because my sister, known to her nieces and nephews as Emmy, came home for a visit! She lives and works in Georgia and we miss her around here! We spent the afternoon/evening with all of my family and some friends; visiting, breaking out the slip and slide, going to a kids consignment store, and eating. Although each get together is so much fun, it's a different fun when you have 6 children ages 3 and under at your party! We had a 3 year old, two 2 year olds, an 8 month old, 6 month old (family friend), and 4 month old! Not much "down time". :) I could post some really cute pictures here, but that would involve getting my camera and uploading them, which defeats the purpose of this "quick recap" (that's far too long already). 

Saturday, Brad and I took the 3 kiddos in the stroller and wagon around our neighborhood to meet some neighbors. We had a church outreach that morning to just let the community know that we are here for them and to ask for prayer needs. Let me tell you, 3 cute kiddos are real ice breakers when you are going door to door! I recommend it! That night we went out to Brad's parents' house for swimming and supper. We had a wonderful time, as always. We are so blessed to live near our families and to get to see them often. 

Sunday was church day! Always busy, always good! We love Sundays!

Monday and today the boys and I have stayed home and cleaned, played, and done piles of laundry. They are actually pretty good little laundry helpers! We had a scare this morning when Isaac woke up and threw up twice. He NEVER throws up. There is a virus going around and some of our friends have had it. Yikes! However, since then he has seemed ok and not had anymore "spit up", as Andrew called it. I'm praying it was nothing and we can avoid any sickness around here! It would be terrible if Benjamin got anything. 

Well, if you've lasted this long, you are truly my friend! Ha! I'll try to be better about posting more often, and with shorter posts! Not to mention pictures! (Bad blogger.) Thanks for reading!

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. ~ Psalms 91:11

Alabama Summer = Water Fun!

Everyone who lives in the deep south knows that you can't play outside in the summer unless there is some water involved. It is waaaaay too hot! (Although temperatures have been strangely mild this summer.) So, this past week we had fun with one of Isaac's new birthday presents. (Thanks, Grams and Granddad!) This water table has been a huge hit with the boys. We've already spent many hours playing with it. Not only is it fun, but something about the combination of water and sun wears children out! We've had some GREAT naps and earlier bedtimes. :)

PLEASE take note of the excitement on Isaac's face!

When you're thirsty, just take you a little drink off the water table. 

After all that water fun at home, we got to have some great water excitement this weekend. We went to Fayette on Saturday evening to visit Anna Katherine (my sister) and family for a fun time at the new aquatic center in town. Their church rented the whole place for the evening and invited their members and family and friends to come enjoy some water fellowship! The kids had so much fun! And the adults did too!

Isaac, cousin Ella Grace, and Andrew could hardly be bothered for this picture!

Daddy and Uncle Blake took the 3 toddlers down this huge slide multiple times! They loved it and thought they were so brave!

This is the worn out look that I referenced earlier! Isaac was so tired.

You knew he was tired because he was snuggling with me! Well, that and cold. :)

I especially enjoyed getting to "show off" our little miracle, Benjamin, to some of his prayer warriors from Calvary Baptist. We will forever be grateful for friends and brothers and sisters in Christ who lifted up our baby boy during his hardest times. It was so great to have him there with us, happy and healthy! Praise the Lord!

This is how Benjamin enjoyed the water park. :)

We ended the night with a little more water. I think all of our fingers and toes were wrinkled like raisins. The cousins enjoyed a fun bath together before we went home!

Too tired to even give me a good smile!

And what kind of aunt would I be if I didn't show a picture of the whole crew?

I sure do love these babies!

But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. ~ John 4:14