Two (what?) Year Pictures

I have come to believe that God gives women memory loss during pregnancy and after your children are born for a reason ... because if we could remember how bad things go sometimes, we would never try anything twice. It hit me today as we were leaving Portrait Innovations ... last time we had pictures made (March in Dallas) it was a beat-down ... hmmm ... wonder why I thought this time would be different?

The boys were great ... and we got some wonderful pictures of them. Addison was a mess ... but somehow, she is so cute, she pulled it off.

All-in-all, was it terrible enough not to do it again? ABSOLUTELY! But I will probably forget by tomorrow :)

So here they are ...

All 3--W, A, J

William is squatting down a little in this pic, but it was the only one we got of all 3 together that was half-way decent!

Pretty much sums up the day for my little angel! Jackson all smiles!

William looking like a model! Wow! Does his hair look red here or what! And again, our little Abercrombie boy!

And I'll close with two sweet pictures of Addison!

August is almost gone ...

and I have not managed to post a single time! To say that the past month and a half has been busy would be an understatement! Between fiscal year end at work and Jackson's hospital stay, there really just hasn't been time for blogging. And one other little thing has been in my way of blogging ... my husband!

Al has the best blog ever! Honestly, I can't wait every day to log onto my computer at work and check out his blog. How he manages to blog every day, I have no clue!!! But he does and I enjoy reading it. So much so that I have let my blog dwindle down the past month or so.

So, here is my first attempt to get back on-track. You may have read that Al and I recently sold our motorcycles ... well, his is gone as of this coming Tuesday. Mine sold first ... that is a point of some satisfaction for me. I always thought his bike looked a little cooler than mine ... but we both agree that mine rides or I guess I should say "rode" better. It was weird how sad I was that it was gone.

As Al said, it was the end of an era. But how much better this era is. I don't feel so much that I have "given-up" anything for my kids ... but rather I think about all that I have gained.

Mommy with Addison, Jackson and William on Daddy's bike!

Jackson looking cool on Daddy's bike.

William on Daddy's bike ... he is a born natural!

Addison says ... how do I make this thing go?

All 3 together!

Nap time on the stairs? Top to bottom -- Addison, Jackson and William

He is not a Christian is he?

OK, so for those of you waiting on updates about the trio, you will be disappointed this time ... or maybe not. But no update on the kids, no cute pictures, just the story of my lunch hour yesterday.

I went to Wal-Mart to pick up a few things. While in the kid section looking for good deals on clothes, I overheard a conversation ... a one-sided conversation between a gentleman (and I use that term loosely) and his granddaughter. I'm not sure what had happened to set him off ... he must have accidentally bumped someone with his cart and upset them. But he was ranting and raving at his teenage granddaughter because she apologized to the person they hit. He kept saying it wasn't his fault and no one was going to talk to him like that and she shouldn't apologize to people like that, etc., etc., etc.

Obviously, the poor granddaughter was very embarassed by the whole situation. As we passed in the aisle, she looked at me and mouthed and apology for her grandfather. Anyone who knows me knows that I have a hard time holding my tounge in situations like this. But for some reason yesterday, I was a bit more reflective. I started thinking about what a poor example he was setting for his granddaughter. I think the main reason I find myself surrounded by rude, inconsiderate, lazy people is because their parents don't teach them any better. And in this case, their grandparents.

So I think about this for the next 10 minutes as I finish my shopping. And then the opportunity presents itself ... to talk to the girl, not her grandfather. We pass once again in the aisle ... and once again, she apologizes for his behavior. I simply smiled and told her not to dare apologize for his behavior. And then I said, "So, he is not a Christian is he?"

Imagine my utter jaw-dropping suprised reaction when she replied: "Actually, he is a priest."

I have been guilty in the past of behavior that would not lead people to think that I was a Christian. I don't want to be guilty of this in the future. I want my children to really be able to see Christ through me. I'm working on it ... but I still have a long way to go.

The girl told me that her Grandfather was the best thing in her life ... I left her with "No, God is the best thing in your life. And if you remember that, you will always be OK."

Now, if I can only remember to always follow my own advice. Advice ... the one area where it is so easy to give and so hard to take.

Quenta

Progress Report ...

The kids go to a Mommy's/Daddy's day out program on Tuesdays and Thursdays at a local church. They love the program and have a lot of fun playing with the other kids ... even if some days they make up half of the class!

Each day they go, the school gives us a progress report at the end of the day ... here was a recent one:

"Jackson likes to try new things!"

"William plays well with other children!"

"Addison ... enjoys her lunch!"

And it is so true! Addison enjoys her yum-yums ... just like her Mommy! But isn't it funny that eating is what she is known for? :)

I stole this picture from Daddy's Blog ... if you haven't visited his blog yet, you really should. It is good stuff! You can click this link to visit his blog ... http://stayathometripletdad.blogspot.com/

Aldridge Gardens

Mommy had a day off on Friday ... and the weather in B'ham was beautiful! Sunny, mid-80's and low humidity (for a change)! So we loaded up the kids, fed them their waffle breakfast in the van and headed to Aldridge Gardens. Although not nearly as large and elaborate as the Dallas Arboretum ... it was very nice ... and did I mention free? :) The gardens were donated to the city and are known for their hydrangeas. There were not a lot of people out that morning ... this gave us a chance to let the kids off leash ... or out of the stroller! They had so much fun running around and checking out everything! Needless to say, I got so many great pictures ... I just had to share. If you are in the area, I would definitely recommend the gardens to you. It would be a great, quiet place for a picnic lunch with your sweetie or your kids! Or in my case, BOTH! All-in-all ... definitely better than a day at the office :-) Aren't these guys just as cute as can be!

Sunday afternoon . . .

I love Sunday afternoon ... this is one day of the week where we are bad parents in terms of what we feed our kids. But honestly, you can't beat Wendy's $0.99 5-piece chicken nuggets. We get out of church around 11:30am and head straight to the drive-thru ... grab some nuggets ... and head home. Usually the kids are beat ... they have skipped their morning nap and are tired and grumpy ... another reason the drive-thru is so appealing. Come home from church ... scarf down some nuggets and then we are all off to take a nap!

Mommy and Addison

Addison and the horse

Jackson trying to kiss Addison ...

Addison trying to kiss Jackson ... or pick him up?

Follow-the-leader!

There they go. One starts doing something ... going somewhere ... and they all have to go. Same goes for when they are doing something they are NOT supposed to be doing!

Backyard fun!

I am still amazed that we have a yard. Everything is bigger and better in Texas ... except the yards! We LOVE our new yard and love to be outside playing in our play house or on our swing set (thanks Mimi and Granddaddy for our early birthday gift!)!

William

Addison and Jackson

The boys running to the swing-set ... the first time they have seen it!

Daddy walking up our driveway with William and Addison.

Blanket play time!

Boys having fun!