books, laughter and memories

One of my favorite moments in time here lately is the sound of my boys' laughter, belly laughs that lead to snorts which of course, lead to more laughter.

Tonight I read "A Hole is to Dig" and "Open House for Butterflies" tonight, an old favorite of mine, for sure. The boys giggled all the way through at the words and illustrations... a worthy read.

I love laugher.
Awhile back I noticed the trend of mama's complaining about their little ones..."all they do is fight!" In summertime, I suppose that observation is even more frequent. I have heard that complaint again and again, and I got tired of hearing it.

I decided to start 'forgetting' the arugments (of course they argue! They're together all day long!) and paying close attention to when they play well together. And they do, oh they do.

Nate and Eli love to play together, games or swinging around in the backyard.

Eli and Joe love to play together, they have legos in common. They work together quietly. Occasionally I hear Joe teaching Eli, "B says buh."

Nate and Joe love to wrestle, they love to read together...
they all love to read together,
they all love to draw together,
to laugh,
to wrestle,
to swim,
to run and run and run....

I am a blessed woman.

*This post is brought to you by the inspiration of a post over at The Skyteahouse, String of Stories.

Reminiscent

Somethings

something good
something warm my red blanket
something cozy book corners
something bad fighting
something tomorrow rest
something hope eternity
something aggravating potty talk
something dirty potty talk
something done floors
something quiet dishwasher
something crafty muffins
something true "Never let loyalty and kindness get away from you!" Prov 3:3
something loud boys
something beautiful sunset over the mountains in January
something needful running
something eyefull

Simple Pleasures in a week

A good hard run,
lingering in bed,
a long hot bath,
cup of hot tea (licorice spice is nice),
a favorite book,
a cozy quilt,
a look in the Psalms,
a quiet hike,
rain and soup,
a chattery play date,
holding a baby,
a good beer,
some mindless tv time,
my favorite pillow,
stormy nights,
yummy lotion,
fresh flowers,
unexpected company (a lost act)
warm slippers,
stretched out in the sun,
the last load of laundry,
a long walk with a friend,
a read of a friend's blog,
a long letter (a lost art),
date night,
clean bathrooms,
dark chocolate,
waking to a little one curled up next to me,
quiet knit on the couch,
scented candles,
dried flowers,
stacks of books,
clean counters,
banana bread,
long phone chat with a sister or friend,
clean socks,
chocolate chip cookies.

How about you, friend? What's your pleasure?

I am amazingly blessed.

5 Years of Independance Day Memories

So the camera's not up, but do you think that should stop me? I think not! Just watch me go....

These photos are of July 2002, 2003 & 2004. They were taken in Oregon, California and Leesburg, VA.



These are more 2004 photos taken in VA, and 2005 taken in Virginia, and Maryland. Then there are 2006 photos taken in Oregon.



All of these 2006 and 2007 photos were taken in Oregon. (I couldn't NOT sneak in the sweet photo of Nate and his baby. Sorry)



I love our country. As of late I've been teaching the boys a bit about our country, how it was founded, on Whom it was founded, the inpirations, ideas and dreams for which it was founded. How many people in our country have given great service and lives to keep our country free, inside and out. How our country has been a refuge to those who needed some of that freedom.

We all know that the picture I've painted isn't all that makes up America. There is lots that I don't care to share with them just yet. I can still wholeheartedly stand today and say....with liberty, and justice for all.


We'll be traveling out of town for this fourth, but I can promise you more photos than you can shake a stick at when I return. Have a wonderful day, celebrate your independance; God Bless America!

Christmas 2004

Rub a dub, these sweet boys were takin a tub in our Leesburg, Wirt St house.

I took Nate and Joe to the mall to do Santa photos...but just took my own. I was surprised that they let me . Look at those sweet little guys!

This is Nate out in the back yard. In our Leesburg house we had a heavenly 1/2 acre, the boys loved roaming around back there. Gotta miss that!

This photo was taken of the boys and I just days before Christmas. Little did I know, I was barely pregnant with Eli. I found out on Christmas Eve! A gift of a lifetime!

Christmas' Past 2005

Was looking through the photos, thinking of the years preceding us. I found some fun photos of our family over the last few years. This takes us back to 2005, in Leesburg, VA. This is a photo of Nate and Joe getting ready to play in the snow. Ralph and I went to dinner with our small group too. Here is another favorite of Nate and my sweetie Eli, a big kiss for a big boy. The next is a photo of all three boys camping out on the couch in jammies. Here is another favorite of Nate and my sweetie Eli, a big kiss for a big boy. Already, I miss those days! Little boys get big fast!