Connecting...

We're going on our 2nd week of no tv...Nolan's missed his morning cartoons, I my morning Today/Regis & Kelly shows and Ethan says "I don't like tv" and hasn't missed it one bit. We've spent more time playing games, putting together puzzles, reading, writing, watching episodes of Nature on PBS.org, and doing math. So, I shouldn't find it so surprising that we're connecting so much more these days, which actually makes for an easier time for me in being a 'single Mom'. I've realized what a crutch tv can be...the number of times bedtime is rushed just so I can watch my show, mentally pulling away and feeling like my boys are interrupting me. A few highlights of this last week...

Nolan offered me one of his precious teddy bears to sleep with and even went so far as to let me pick which one I wanted. Love that!

Ethan filled out his Valentines for his classmates and came up with writing 'I love you' on almost all of them. A little peek at his big heart...

Ethan spells out words often, so instead of asking for a snack he asks "can I have a s..n..a..c..k?" Since this has been happening more and more over a course of a few weeks, Nolan is now asking "can I have a s...c...o...k?" He 'spells' out words all the time too (just not quite as successful)...So darn cute :) It's important to keep up with big brother, ya know.

Ethan, Nolan and I are sitting in Baskin Robbins eating our ice cream when Ethan recognizes that we're the only ones in the place. Soon a man walks in and Ethan says "now there's 4 of us"...Nolan tries to debate him and says with a smile on his face as if to say 'I'm smart'..."there's 2 groups of us and 4 people". Ethan and I looked at each other with the exact same expression of 'Wow!'. He's so smart :)

Last night Ethan discovered his first tooth poking through. A new and exciting change in him! He was FULL of questions! "Will it hurt when it comes out?" "When will my tooth start to wiggle?" "Can I stay awake to see the tooth fairy?" "I wonder how much $$ I'll get?"

So, with the tv only offering us 'snow' to watch, maybe I'm better able to tune into what's really important and recognize how blessed I really am...Life is good!

We all live in a Little Lego World, a Little Lego World...

Who knew a constructive mess could yield such creativity! If you know me, this is a hard thing (and for Josh) to let happen. This picture was actually taken on a good day, otherwise, they're EVERYWHERE in the room. When they get picked up to vacuum, there's still the tiniest of the bunch that manage to get sucked up. And the guinea pig's cage is known to have a few scattered about...it's just the cost of creating... There isn't a day that Ethan & Nolan aren't playing with their legos (for hours). I know some parents talk about when their kids grew older, they missed the fingerprints and marks here and there, but I can say I'll REALLY miss stepping, sucking up and continually scooting little legos outta the way in order to witness our boys tap into their creative juices...I am continually AMAZED by their creative minds!
The first three below were designed by Ethan from last year. Look forward to 2009 creations later! Nolan has really just gotten the knack of making some great machines... his are the last three...Just for the record, our boys are 4 & 6 and these were ALL done solely by them. Gotta love little legos...

Ready...set...GO!

Ethan experienced his first Pinewood Derby as a Tiger scout last Saturday. To start, Josh traced the pinewood block to a piece of paper and then Ethan went to town drawing up the design. He cut it out and then traced it onto the wood block. Josh did the cutting and Ethan helped with the sanding. With a sore hand from coloring it all over in colored pencil, Ethan had a finished race car. Well, almost...I had my hand in adding yellow racing stripes and 2 layers of varnish. Add to that a proud Dad who spent a good chunk of time slickin up the wheels the night before the BIG race (one key element in winning, ya know).
This was all new to us, but what FUN! With Grandpa and Grandma Taylor, Uncle Todd, Erin and Grandpa Hughson there to witness Ethan take 1st place in his Tiger den and 4th place in the Pack..it was VERY exciting! A far cry from years ago when you had to rely on biased eyeballs. The results of these heats were projected instantly onto an LCD screen via computer. No replays or convincing needed. So, Ethan was thrilled to take home a metal AND a 1st place trophy! Just good clean fun for ALL...AND what better way to celebrate than to fill our stomachs with Culver's burgers and custard after wards.

The gift of being women...

LOVED this video and it was a good reminder for me why we need to put our hearts out there...gotta have both the laughter and the tears.

If I could have it ALL...

I'd be a Certified Nurse Midwife, pottery makin, livin in a cordwood house on the edge of some woods with a crystal clear lake to jump into, mom of three, friend to orphans and widows, church goin, world traveler, playin in the dirt gardener, chocolate chip pancake eatin, part time interior decorator drivin a 56 black n chrome thunderbird, lovin on my man, bikin & hikin chick who made a little God imprint on all those who knew me.

A purpose in heaven

Just want to say 'thank you' for all the kind thoughts, prayers and phone calls that were sent our way after miscarrying baby#3 last week. Even though we had only 4 weeks to revel in our new growing bundle of joy, it was still difficult to say goodbye to someone that was very much a part of us. Comfort comes from believing that our little one has a unique purpose in heaven and that one day we'll all be united again.

Our Little Soldiers...

Gotta love Grandparents for assisting in the costumes...this was our first year adopting the tradition that we'll spend money every other year on a "new" costume AND this was our year to be creative or wear last year's duds. Our boys chose to wear what they had and had they did...lots of army gear and it's hard to believe that there were zero fights over who would wear what...yay!
We had a great night visiting neighbors and then heading off to my cousin's house for a bit of trick or treating in Leland Grove...that was a new experience for me. WOW! There were a few houses with tables lined up with a spread of full size candy bars laid out for the taking. Definitely made me appreciate the less is more philosophy...for many reasons. It was a great night! Only caught Ethan in bed with candy under his pillow the following night :) You can always count on the younger brother to keep you posted on what the older one is up to :) How much longer will that last? Hmmm...love and adore my little soldiers...