Celebration

We celebrated our perseverance through swim lessons
with some Friendly's treats.
I haven't been to a Friendly's in years.
My Paw Paw loved to take us when we were little.
He almost always got Liver & Onions. Gross!

Final lesson

Owen was oh so excited to be done with swim lessons. His teacher was happy with his progress but could tell his heart wasn't in it. It seems Owen is not real motivated or interested in swimming, I guess he'll stick to dry land sports. His teacher is one tough lady, but has an amazing curriculum. Her students make amazing progress in 8 short lessons. She said his strokes look good for his age and now we really have to work on the tempo of his breathing. He doesn't inhale or exhale very strongly and therefore breaths too frequently. Now we have a month to practice so hopefully he won't forget everything he learned :)

On his certificate of completion she wrote that he demonstrated Persistence and Obedience. That's better than any racing time!

Soccer Camp

EJ and Owen had soccer camp this week. Owen LOVED it. Our church sponsored the camp in hopes of reaching out to the neighborhood kids. Each night during the water breaks they had several short talks about sportsmanship and teamwork and how their character on the field can glorify.
EJ spoke one of the nights. It was a tough audience. The age range was a broad and the kids were eager to keep playing. Owen still managed to grasp a few of the concepts. He talked my ear off every night when he came home.
Mason missed them a lot. We went over 2 nights to watch and he kept yelling, "go Owen."

Owen- far left in white tee and black shorts

EJ coaching

waterbreak and "talk"
Owen is right below EJ's left elbow

Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous

Today the boys and I lived the high life.
We enjoyed a morning at the very exclusive Country Club of Virginia (CCV).
A once in a lifetime opportunity that we couldn't pass up.
The facility is amazing.
We ordered lunch and were served by the poolside.
It was a little like being at a resort.



Long story short...
Last summer, CCV was being renovated. So our pool allowed their members to use our pool (for a small fee :) As a thank you to our pool, they invited us to use their new fancy facilities for 1 week. At first, I was totally offended. And then I realized I might never set foot in this very "Richmond" place. So about 8 friends of mine and all their kids descended upon CCV today. We felt like total outsiders, but everyone was very friendly.

I am not sure I could ever really relax.
Lots of rules, etc.
I'll stick with our pool any day.
Although I could get use to the serving of lunch and not needing our own towels :)

Why?

Why is it that men over age 50 like to comment about me having 2 boys? They almost always say "you must have your hands full" (even if they are being perfect angels). And "you need a little girl too" Like I have any control over that! Do little girls bring along extra hands? Because I thought mine were already full.

On His Sleeve

It appears that Owen wears his anxiety on his sleeve, actually he feels it is in his belly, but it's that obvious. Last week was a challenge. He and Mason had swim lessons and Owen was extremely anxious about going. I've decided I am grateful for this transparency. It's so black and white. There is no guess work involved. All last week, he learned more about trusting me and trusting God. We talked a lot and prayed a lot. It even got so that he would ask me to pray for him. Now obviously, I wouldn't wish such anxiety upon him, but it was a great experience. Owen needed to learn that he can't do everything on his own. He learned that God is always with him and can comfort him when he askes. As his mother, I felt his anxiety in the pit of my stomach too. I prayed for him too. Now through the eyes of a parent I can see why it's important for us to be in need of Him. If everything was a piece of cake we wouldn't lean on HIM.

How much more does our Father in Heaven want us to rely upon Him. We can not truly know our need for HIM if we are always comfortable. Should we specifically ask for tough situations? Not necessarily. At least I wouldn't. But I realized in church on Sunday as I was singing, that I can't feel HIS presence nearly as much when I am not in pain. Whether physically (yes, my neck is better. Praise Him) or emotionally or mentally in need of someone greater than ourselves.

Yesterday was lesson 5 and Owen almost went so far as to say he enjoyed himself. I could hardly believe my ears. He is doing great.

While Owen did his crying before the lesson, Mason cried during the lesson and continues to do so. He is still not having much fun. It's a mommy and me class, so I am not having much fun either :) Only one more to go. I think we will both be relieved.

BTW- My neck gets a rash when I am anxious. Guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Sweet Hubby

Yesterday, I left the house at nap time and spent 2 hours at our pool all by myself! It was fantastic. I read and worked on my tan. LOVELY!
Thanks EJ!

Cast your Cares

"Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you" Ps 55:22

"You can no more be a perfect parent than you can be a perfect human being. Lean on the Lord to make up the difference - and don't let anxiety and guilt steal the joy of parenting."
- James Dobson, "Night Light for Parents"

(Mason only woke up once last night. He was up at 6:15 a.m., but that is fine by me :)

To Wii like Owen

If only we could Wii like Owen. How sad is that? Our 5 year old is setting records in Bowling and we find ourselves wanting to beat him.

My sister's Wii system is hanging out at our house while their house is for sale. Just one of the few perks of having a basement. Although it didn't stay in the basement long.

Owen really perfected his technique the week he had pneumonia. At least he was getting a little exercise, right? Oh and you should see Mason pitch a fast ball in baseball. He is so good he can do it while running circles around the room.

Two is Tough

2 BOYS
2 ages
2 personalities
2 years old

Until now I have thought having 2 children was not that different from having one, just life at a faster pace. It was still the same daily routine. Well, having 1 plus a 2 year old is kicking my butt. I am sure it hasn't helped that my health has been less than perfect, but whose is?
It seems lately, I am not just tripping over the toys, but rather, lying prostrate on the ground next to them. And while I continue to wonder when I'll catch my "break," I realize this is exactly where the Lord wants me. He doesn't want me to do things on my own. He wants me to rely on Him. Why do these lessons surprise me? I have learned them over and over again.
I know I have raised a 2 year old already, but I forgot how much work it requires. How much patience and time and intentional teaching. Plus Mason is a different child, so although I've done it once, the same ways don't necessarily apply. He needs me to slow down and really be there for him. I am trying, but I am also trying to keep up with a 5 year old.

I am so thankful that I did not get sick last week. I am so thankful that despite the added stress, my neck has held in there. It continues to feel okay. I am thankful that although I will be putting the kids to bed 3 nights in a row, I have had amazing patience. Especially with the escape artist :)
I have felt God's hand at work. When I have needed Him the most, He has been gracious. I have been reading short bits from Proverbs when I wake up and before I go to sleep. And even though I am tripping and stumbling, His Word is softening the ground in which I continue to fall.

And despite my crazy days and sleepless nights; the moments and the lessons I have gained with 2 is priceless.

And because several of you have asked.
Yes, I cut off my hair. (Owen took this pic)
With the month I've had I am sure several have gone gray:)

Climbing Higher

Something big happened while EJ was gone this weekend. On Saturday, Mason figured out how to climb out of his crib. SAD! We were totally unprepared. It couldn't have come at a harder time. We just got back to normal sleep routine from the pneumonia and vacation. Plus, Mason is pushing the envelope ALL the time and is pretty strong willed about everything. Yesterday, we decided to just take down the crib and try the big bed thing. It is not going well. He hardly slept last night. His nap was terrible too. Falling asleep is hard enough, but he can't seem to stay a sleep. I have a bad feeling about tonight too.

Bye Crib!

This is the first time we've had a bed in the nursery.
It looks a little strange.

Owen was very excited for Mason's milestone.
He wanted to read Mason's bedtime story

Trying to get him excited.
We spent a lot of time in his room yesterday.

Treats with Grandma

We were spoiled this weekend. Grandma treated us to dinner and ice cream last night and bagels this morning for breakfast. She was having so much fun she spent two nights. Thanks mom, for the help! I think we exhausted her. It's funny the pace I am accustomed to and how having a guest reminds me it's a tad crazy.
Just to note, Grandma may be having an identity crisis. Her name might be changing to GiGi. Both grandmas have tried switching their names. We'll see if they stick.
EJ is back from a great weekend with good friends. He seems refreshed and I am glad we have a little time left in the weekend to enjoy him.

Girls Night

plus 2 little boys :)
Mom and Lissa will be here tonight for dinner and a movie. EJ will be out of town for the night so we are going to hang out, watch a chick flick, paint some toes. The house smells of brownies and I think Margaritas are in order.

Summer Concert

The boys and EJ were well enough to go and enjoy some great music last night at the open air mall. Every Thurs in the summer months they host free concerts.

When I make these plans, why do I still forget I have such physically active boys? Why do I expect them to sit for an hour? Even dancing in place would have been enjoyable. Not Mason, he doesn't seem to care if he can't see us. He would have been happy to explore the whole mall without us. Of course, all the while, flirting with the women he encountered.

Hysterical

Mason asked to go potty this morning, so I took off his diaper. Come to find out his real motivation was to put on a pair of Owen's underpants he found in the dirty laundry. I am not sure which was funnier, watching him struggle to put them on, or how he looked when he was done. He managed to put both legs through one leg hole and pulled them all the way up. If you were to see behind him, you would see his behind. Miraculously his front was covered, barely. At the exact moment I took this picture he was going "potty." Don't you love the look? Perhaps the blurred photo is for the best.

An Original

"Summer Fun" xxxxx12x48 xxxxx Water on Cement

Stir Crazy

Going from a house of 25 to a house of 4, 3 of which are sick, is NO fun!
EJ is back at work and still not feeling great.
We had to get out this morning.
We went to Maymont, a local park with animals.
It's amazing how much stamina they have both lost.
Each took turns in the stroller and we sat down a lot.

I love these rare moments of brotherly love.

So Sick

So the boys are really very sick. I just got back from the Dr. They both have a mild case of pneumonia. Owen is worse than Mason. Probably b/c we are catching Mason's earlier. UGH!

EJ is home from work.

This should be fun!

Back Home

EJ's mom just gave us a tent she no longer wanted. EJ brought it home from his trip last week. Owen has been dying to set it up. Not sure what prompted EJ, but notice the lawn mower in the background. Yep, he stopped mowing to set up the tent. Perhaps he is secretly sad to be home from vacation and needed thoughts of future trips. We can't even sleep well in a gorgeous master suite, how will we ever manage in a tent?

It was pretty hot in the tent.
But he wouldn't let that stop him.
Just needed to take off his shirt so he could enjoy lunch.

Our other HOT one.
Mason is a very light sleeper. This is totally out of character.
He is one sick boy.
This is his second nap of the day, before Noon.
Right now he is going on a 3 hour nap in his crib.

Some Favorites

On the dunes at Jockey's Ridge State Park

Our date night

Family Time

I wouldn't say this was our best vacation. To be honest it was hard. Owen woke up Sunday morning with a deep cough. By Tuesday he had a very high fever which continued on and off through Friday. Mason finally started coughing on Thursday and has been sick all weekend. Owen was such a trooper, he never complained and tried to keep the pace. He slept a TON, Mason didn't sleep well at all. We finally packed it in on Friday and came home. We were sad to go, but it was time.
The boys loved being with so much family. Normally our group of 20+ stays in 2 houses. My immediate family in a seperate house from my mom's cousins. For various reasons our numbers have dwindled so we decided to try 1 house. It allowed EJ and I to hang out with everyone after the kids were in bed. This wasn't possible in past years. Plus we had lots of extra help. Mom graciously took Mason for walks in the morning. For some reason he was up at 6 a.m. almost every morning.
Without sounding too negative, here are some highlights in no particular order:

1. Catching up with family
2. Yummy fancy dinners (each family took a turn)
3. Double date with my cousins David & Heather
4. A long, quiet soak in jacuzzi tub with a good book (we scored the master suite)
5. Laying out in the sun
6. Dunkin Do-nuts, just the 4 of us
7. A game of Putt Putt
8. Laughing so hard as my husband ran and rolled down a giant sand dune
9. Watching multiple fireworks displays from our deck
10. Cooking meal with Lissa and EJ

A little music

Playing Games

Playing with Cousins

Mason made up for lost sleep by the pool...

and the beach

Finally by Friday
Owen was feeling well enough for a little Putt Putt Golf

The Putt Putt was super fancy.
We rode on a train to the first hole.

4th of July

We traveled down to Kill Devil Hills, NC on the 4th of July for my families annual Beach Week. I thought I would reintroduce the boys to my extended family with a "warning". Just so they knew what they were getting into. I made 4th of July rocket shirts that said "I make a lot of noise." By the end of the week their early morning noise was considered preferable to the middle of the night noise coming from the 7 "20 somethings" and their friends they meet on the beach. I guess we have a lot to look forward too :)

We drove back last night and are glad to have a full weekend to recover.
I never thought I'd need recovering from vacation until I had small children.

Thanks Mim

EJ came home from his trip with gifts from Mim.
They loved them. Thanks Mim!

They loved the pillowcases too.

James Robert Fuller

James R. Fuller
11.7.1921 - 6.27.2009

EJ's "Dad Dad" passed away Saturday night. I mentioned on Wed. that EJ was in PA. He drove up on Tues. for a morning service on Wed. I was very sad to miss the service.

EJ really enjoyed the time he had with his cousins, aunts, uncles and family friends. He is thankful for the memories and stories they were each able to share.

I just love this picture. Mimi and Dad Dad traveled all over the world together and always had such wonderful photos and stories to share. Their house was beautifully decorated with memorabilia and artwork they collected on their trips. They even took EJ to London after he graduated from college.

Thankfully we had the opportunity to see Dad Dad the week before on our return trip from Avalon. We will miss him very much.

Dinner at the Pool

I took the kids to the pool tonight for dinner and a late swim. Owen took his 3rd nap of the week (i hope he is not getting sick) so I knew he'd be up later than usual. EJ had to drive to PA yesterday and isn't returning until late tonight.

We had a blast. The water was warmer than usual. Owen is becoming quite a fish. His swim lessons aren't until mid July. I am glad I waited b/c he is much more comfortable in the water now.


Mason decided he wanted to learn how to "spit" out cherry seeds. I think he was just thrilled I was letting him spit. It made a huge mess, but a little pool water cleaned him right off.