Back From Florida

It's amazing what two weeks will do. We came back to a nice lush, green North Carolina. The boys were happy to see Mr. Egg today.

Eli and Turbo, one of Mr. Egg's labs.

Mr. Egg said the Easter Bunny had left something at his house for the boys. He gave them each their own adorable little basket with chocolates inside. How sweet!

Mr. Egg, Eli, Turbo and BJ
Toby was enthralled with his little basket of candy.

Eli loves playing fetch with Turbo and the other dogs.

Boy's best friend!

Toby learned how to peel the foil off the chocolate right there in Mr. Egg's yard.

Eli refilling Turbo's water.

This afternoon I also planted cucumber seeds. I hope I did it right. We are going to have our first little vegetable garden if all grows according to plan. I'm also planning on growing peppers, tomatoes, herbs, watermelon, and pumpkins. We'll see what happens!

I Love My Husband (Even If Point of Grace Doesn't)

BJ and I went skiing on Valentine's Day. Best date in a long time!

Today is my man's 29th birthday and in honor of him I would like to share this story from the Summertime of our youth when we'd go to King's Island in Cincinatti, Ohio for a Christian music festival to hear the likes of Newsboys, Audio Adrenaline, Toby Mac, and Third Day.

I don't remember what summer it was, 2002 or 2003, but we were hot and tired from riding roller coasters all day and we were waiting for the Newboys to come on. Point of Grace had the stage and while I'm not sure how many women are in that group, if my memory serves me correctly at least three of them appeared to be in the early to mid part of their third trimester. BJ was on his feet trying to make the most of this experience and he was swaying and dancing to the tune of "Circle of Friends." That's when it dawned on him that if he took my backpack and put it on the front of his person he would look about 8 months pregnant like the 3 Point of Grace singers and it would give us all something to laugh about to pass the time. So I tossed him my backpack, he put it on and continued to sway and sing "Circle of Friends" like he was at Woodstock.

I'm sure the people sitting around us probably thought BJ was on drugs or suffering from heat stroke or something, but I was getting a real kick out of this. The next thing we know, we see one of the Point of Grace gals talking to an usher and pointing at BJ. The usher then started walking toward us.

Now we all know BJ and what a goof ball he can be. I love how he makes me laugh and (sometimes) I love how he couldn't care less about what people think of him. Well at this point BJ gets excited because he thinks Point of Grace is going to call him up on stage or ask to meet him or something. He just assumed that 3 very pregnant women singing in 90 degree temperatures during their third trimesters are going to laugh and want to meet the man in the audience singing along to their ten year old songs while pretending to be pregnant too.


However, as the usher approached us the look on her face told us otherwise.

"Sir," she said. "Just what do you think you are doing?"

"I'm singing to Point of Grace." BJ replied.

"Why are you wearing that backpack like that?" The usher asked, motioning to BJ's makeshift baby bump.

"I'm supporting them in their condition." BJ replied.

"Sir, if you don't sit down I am going to have to ask you to leave." The usher replied.

And that is how my sweet, loving, wonderful husband almost got kicked out of a Point of Grace concert.

Happy Birthday my love! You've always had a way of making me laugh even when I was the one nine months pregnant with one of your kids. Our boys couldn't ask for a better dad and I am so blessed to have you as my husband!

FLAR-DA

Daddy, These pictures are for you. Enjoy!

We've seen this guy a couple of times next to a pile of brush. We also had an encounter with a Pygmy Rattlesnake that Grandad "took care of." Boys love this kind of stuff! Mama does NOT.

Eeek!

These Days Are Ours

Spring has arrived here in the south. Toby's favorite word is outside. He says it in a funny high pitched voice and does a little dance everytime I ask him if he wants to go outside.

The boys have aleady gone through 2 bags of sand.

Eli loves his wheels:

And he loves to climb this tree.

I love the tulips that bloom in our yard every year.

Silly Toby:

This is what happens when we let Eli dress himself:

He likes ties.

I found Toby eating out of a jar of peanut butter. His entire hand was covered in peanut butter.

Loving my days with my boys!

Party Pics

We had Eli's Curious George birthday party at church in the cafe (youth room). Eli loves where Daddy works and it was such a treat for him to have fun there with his friends!

I had fun playing Ace of Cakes. Even though it took a few days of baking- including a couple of layers that had to be trashed because one crumbled and another did not bake all the way through. I also had an almost full carton of eggs fall off the counter and break open all over the floor. What a mess! And then I accidentally stepped in it! And I learned a lot more about fondant this time around. I really need to take one of those cake decorating classes at the craft store if I'm going to keep this hobby up!

I think he's excited!

The kids enjoyed some time outside too.

Playing "pin the butterfly on the log."

We are so blessed! Thank you God for such a beautiful day and thank you even more for a precious little boy that has brought us so much joy!