Logan's Top 25!

We celebrated Logan's 9th birthday on November 10, and per our tradition, here is his top 25!  Enjoy:-)

1) Logan currently weighs 83 pounds, stands 4'9" and wears a size 9 shoe...
2) Logan's favorite sport is football. He would do anything to play tackle, but this mama isn't remotely ready for that.
3) He is, however, playing flag football and loves it. Not to brag or anything, but he really shines on the football field.  He has speed, coordination and agility all of which must have come from Lyndon!
4) Logan's favorite movie is Hunger Games, though I think he is a bit young for it:-(
5) Logan's newest interest is cooking!  I love that he is into this, but I am very sorry that I suck at it and am limited in what I can show him.  I may need to invest in classes for him.
6) He also really enjoys fishing, skateboarding, playing football with friends and swimming.
7) Logan's favorite meal is grilled chicken with broccoli and buttered pasta.
8) His least favorite thing to eat is cauliflower.
9) Logan's best buddies in our new neighborhood are Luke and Gabe, but he still very much misses Jake, Jett and Carter.
10) Logan's favorite TV show is anything with Gordan Ramsey, but in particular, Master Chef Junior.
11) Logan's favorite subject in school is science.
12) Logan still has a huge heart and wants to save any animal we come across.  I love this about him, and I hope he always takes care of creatures!
13) His favorite colors are hot pink and green.
14) He is coming into his own style which includes long Nike socks with anything he wears.
15) His favorite book is still Diary of a Wimpy Kid.  He has read them all and is now rereading them all.
16) He wants to make a lot of money when he grows up so he can buy an expensive car.  I have strongly encouraged this, but we need to work on his concept of what a lot of money looks like.
17) He still loves to collect Pokemon cards.
18) His favorite game on the Xbox is Madden.
19) His favorite game that does not involve electronics is the classic, Twister.
20) He loves his little brother most days and would do anything to protect him from others.  On other days, he loves to torment Luke for his own satisfaction.
21) His current hairstyle is surfer, just rolled out of bed, I don't have a hairbrush-style.
22) Logan has always been and continues to be my hugger!  He still lets me kiss on him even in public, even as he gets ready to walk across the busy street to school.  I hope he always lets me love on him.
23) Logan has a maturity about him that is very unusual for his age.  He can carry on conversations with adults and really wants to be a grown-up most days.  While I am grateful he can be helpful, show true leadership and come to the aid of others, it bothers me that he wants to grow up so fast.  I really try to reign him in on this.  He is 9, and I want him to be 9.  I love when he decides to sit in the middle of the floor and put Legos together or take his fishing pole to the pond to fish with friends.  Most days he shows up covered in filth, and I could not be happier!
24) Logan still loves to dance, sing and listen to any kind of music.
25) Logan has a big year in front of him as he approaches the double digits.  While I could not be happier to have a happy, healthy child, my heart breaks daily as I watch him become more and more independent.  I catch myself trying to make plans for him to stay home after school just so we can hang out.  I know as he gets older, my time with him will get shorter and shorter, as it should.  But, I can't help but feel lonely for him sometimes.  For a short 22 months, it was Logan that was my constant companion when Lyndon was working and before Luke came along.  I cherished each and every day, but somehow it wasn't enough.  I have to remind myself that this is the natural order of things, and that one day, he will have a family of his own.  I have to enjoy my time with him now and pray that I what I am doing is enough to carry him onward and upward.

I could not be more proud of you, Buddy!  Remember that we will always love you and will be there to cheer you on:-)

Halloween 2014!

I finally got out my Halloween stuff!  Trying to get into the fall season around here even if it is still 95 degrees!

Happy October!!

The Nature of Things!

Just thought I would share some pics with you just because it is my blog and I wanna! Enjoy:-)

Despite our efforts, the squirrels are pretty good at getting food!

This guys lives in our backyard. Surprisingly, I am ok with it.  He leaves us alone, so I will do the same for him.

Rosemary

Mint

This guy was trying to get across our front walk.  He was taking his sweet time which allowed for some photo ops.

My orange and lemon trees!

Banana tree, or that is what we were told it is:-)

Ummmm, so we have resident bears.  This guy was roaming not long ago looking for some dinner!

It is a little unnerving to see bears walking down the street, but he seemed more afraid of us...

Maddi keeping watch on the giant Sand Hill Cranes, not that she would know what do do with one if she caught it:-)

Some tense moments at the vet last week with Mason and Molly.  They were desperately trying to hide! They still got poked:-(

Resting after walking the boys to school. 

Maddi tolerates the cats though they both love to cuddle with her.  They also try to clean her, but it rarely goes well.

Mason really struggles with relaxing.  Poor thing is just so stressed!

And, a favorite of mine.  This beauty was out one morning on our way to school.  I have never seen a double rainbow!  I guess that is what I should expect when it rains everyday!

Happy 10th!

I cannot believe it, but we celebrated our 10th anniversary on October 2nd!  It just doesn't seem possible that we have been together that long.  Maybe it is because we haven't been in the same place more than 4 years?  At any rate, it just keeps getting better, and we are blessed beyond words.  I am grateful for everyday with him.  I truly appreciate just how much he must love me to put up with all of my tries and fails.  He just shrugs his shoulders and tells me to try again.  He never questions my purchases, though he probably wonders what I could possibly need that much of at Target.  He lets me cook whatever and tries it all.  And, even if it sucks, he still tells me thanks for giving it a shot.  And, though he may question my sanity some days, he is usually happy with the walls I knock down or the walls I paint or the stuff I move around.  I love that he ALWAYS opens doors for me and holds my hand every chance he gets.  He still takes me out on dates and talks to me as well as listens to my ramblings.  He gets that so many times, I just need to shut down and be away from everyone because it is people that exhaust me most. I love that he loves to sit and just watch a funny show on TV sometimes, and sometimes he will indulge me in a scary movie.  He works hard, and has a talent for talking to people, something I simply cannot do.  I am amazed at his ability to lead and allow for leadership, something so many people don't know how to do.  He is funny and can make fun of himself, something else so many men cannot do.  He also is not afraid of his girly side as I am guessing he is confident enough in his masculine side to let it shine through.  As his wife, I appreciate that because that just means he can appreciate a chick flick or that bracelet that I want.  It also means that he understands me when I am "emotional without cause" and just need to cry or talk it out.  He seems to love me just the way I am, and thank God someone can do that because I am a hot mess!  Happy Anniversary to a good man! I love you endlessly:-)

Luke Turns 7!

Yep, I am behind on posts as usual!  It seems like we are having a more difficult time getting organized and settled this time around.  I can't seem to get on top of things, but more about that later.  For now, here is Luke's top 25!

1) I still call Luke "Bubba," but he now hates it and begs for me to stop; however, it is my privilege as his mother.
2) Luke now weighs 50 pounds and stands at 4 foot 2 and 1/2 inches.
3) He still has those huge brown eyes.  While they aren't as good at keeping him out of trouble as they used to be, they still melt my heart when I look at them.
4) Luke is now in 1st grade and doing very well.  He likes school, especially math. I am grateful he has that skill set from his father!
5) Luke still loves the color blue.
6) He is still playing soccer, though it comes with new challenges down here like a much larger playing field and ridiculous heat.  He struggles to make it through a game and sometimes chooses to sit on the field, but he swears he still loves it.
7) He has made some new friends since moving here.  S, notably is his bestie here, though, he still misses Trent from back home.
8) He has discovered reading this year and really loves it.
9) He is still my sugar kid and will never turn down sweets.
10) He has, however, started eating a few more greens with the prompting of us and the doctor:-)
11) Luke is proving to be quite creative especially with building Legos.  He is smart and creative, a dangerous combo!
12) He has a huge collection of Pokemon trading cards.
13) His favorite toy is Big Boots and Legos.
14) His favorite movie is STILL anything with Scooby Doo.
15) His favorite TV show is "Pokemon."
16) His favorite sweet treat is chocolate ice cream.  When he eats it, he closes his eyes like it is just him and the ice cream.
17) His favorite non-sweet treat is weirdly salmon and gnocchi.
18) His favorite things to do with his free time are play games on the IPad or Xbox, play with S or swim.
19) His least favorite thing to do is clean his room or take a shower.
20) Luke loves to be hugged and loved on, but it has to be on his terms.  If he isn't in the mood, don't push it!
21) He HATES kisses no matter who or what the circumstance.
22) He has decided that he wants to be all of the following when he grows up, mostly in this order: a billionaire with his own mansion (I get to live there, but Lyndon will have to find other arrangements), a firefighter, a police officer, an animal rescuer and a builder.
23) He is not and will never be a follower.
24) He tolerates his big brother on his good days. By tolerate I mean he is ok with the fact that Logan exists as long as he stays out of his way.  Other days, he would like to trade him in.
25) Luke has, and I pray, will always step to the beat of his own drum.  He is unique and doesn't mind being just who he is.  I love this about him and hope he never lets people's opinions get to him.  I am proud of him and love him for his bullheadedness even if sometimes it pushes me to the edge!

We love you Luke, and hope that this next year brings even more exciting opportunities for you to explore!

Number 12 on the move!

One of my favs.  He still has such a sweet face!