Happy 4th to My Dalton!

Today we are celebrating my sweet Dalton's 4th bithday. Something about the fact that he is in 4T/5T clothes and has been for several months softens the blow of having him growing another year older. And he definitely seems four. BUT, I have to throw in the cheesy line that it's hard to see him getting older. Every time he yells across the playground "I love you Mommy! I think you're bee-you-ti-fulll" my heart kinda breaks a little because I know this season is so short-lived, that he won't be a mama's boy forever (cue the tears). I mean, I don't want him to be, but, okay ... I kinda do.

When Dalton was born, I fell hard and fast. My mama's heart was already prepared on how to open up and love a baby (with Avery I was so overwhelmed with the responsibility it took me a few months to fall head over heels). But with Dalton, I just loved him from the first millisecond and was completely obsessed. I still am ... he's my sweetest child. It's true. All three clearly fill my heart equally, but Dalton just lovveessss his mama. He loves me to sit (and preferably sleep) right by him at all times, he gives me random undeserved kisses all through-out the day and just makes me feel like the bestest person in the whole wide world. He is a baby lamb. Dalton Boone LOVES all animals in every shape and size. I've been grilling him about birthday wishes and all he will ask for is more tiny animals. I finally got out of him he wanted a sword and shield and maybe a bow and arrow ... but really he's always happy with a little animal from Tractor Supply, but he will have to pick them out himself- no telling what he would want ... Other than that he's just very low maintenance.

I'm excited to spend this weekend at the lake with him ... swimming, jumping, treasure hunting, tubing and of course dining on delicious grub (which he's asked for ribs ... of course, he did). He's SUCH a boy. HE is constantly wanting to be naked (although he has recently discovered that wearing underwear makes a perfect holster for his swords (see above picture).

He gallops like a horsey everywhere he goes, constantly holding a club, sword, stick or some time of cooking utensil pretending it's s weapon. He just makes me laugh. And cry. And smile. He's lovely.

Dalton Boone, you are delightful in every way. You are so sweet, so fun, so loving and you just make every day more special. I love having such a helpful big brother who is so quick to watch out for his little brother AND big sister, how big are you?!?! You already have a heart for Jesus and love hearing all the bible stories. Your nightly prayers are the sweetest little things I've ever heard. I love how much you love animals and your swords, you are such a tender warrior- I pray you will you use all your love of adventure for Jesus, and I just know you will make such a splash in The Kingdom.
You are my most favorite four year old in the whole world, and I can't wait to see how much more special you become this next year!!!
I sure do love you sweet boy!
xoxo, Mommy

There's No Place Like Home.

"And when you figure out 

Love is all that really matters after all

It sure makes everything else

Seem so small."

Carrie Underwood-So Small

That song came on the radio on the 19 hour drive back to Arkansas and I couldn't help but tear up ...( I'm fully aware that I'm totally an emotional wimp). But driving down I-65 those lyrics just rang so true to inching closer home to see all our sweet family and  I was literally aching to hug on my mom and sisters necks ... you too, Weesa. Really, there isn't anything more important than being with those people you love. I really do like our little life in Pennsylvania, there has already been much good ... but I cannot WAIT to get back to Arkansas ... I just love it so much (Duh). Everything else just pales in comparison. Maybe God will change my heart, but I really, really hope not.

So, here's how we got here. Last Thursday my FABULOUSLY wonderful mother-in-law flew all the way to PA to help me drive the munchkins home ... who does that?!?! No, seriously, WHO does that?! My parents graciously offered to fly us home, but I can assure you there was no offering to accompany us on said travels. It is not for the faint of heart (and Mom did just do it a couple months ago, not to mention help me unpack and fill our whole house once we got there, so I guess she's off the hook). So Sunday we finally were up bright and early, finally pulling out of the driveway at 6:28am.We ended up driving a little further than we normally would so that we could stay with my BFF, Caroline and hubby Will, along the way in Nashville, TN (no small thing, SO, so nice of them!).

I was just a weeeee bit excited. 

To add to the glorious event of coming home, I also got to rekindle my fast-food-love-affair with some of my estranged favorites. When we saw the first exit sign showing Chick fil A I had to fight back tears ... It was beautiful. However, my feelings of happiness quickly faded away as I came to the ugly realization that it was Sunday. And Chick-fil-A is closed on Sundays. I may have dropped 4-letter word ... Because they were celebrating the Sabbath. *&$%

I have talked to the Lord about it, and we're good now. He forgave me. 

We ended up stopping at McDonald's ... of which I'm really not a fan at all. But check out this Mickey D's:

Craziness. However, I'm pretty sure I seemed equally crazy taking pics of the decor ... but it was just so unusual?!?! Seriously, what is going on here? Crystal-ish chandeliers? A pleather lounge complete with a TV and computer? What happened to the big red cone shaped deal that you dropped your quarter in and watched it go around and around until it finally fell in the bucket for the Ronald McDonald house (anyone, anyone?). I thought that decor was super classy. And philanthropical ... Quit trying to be something you're not McDonald's. Just be true to yourself. Geez.

Moving on ... no pun intended ... Sunday was just an all together lonnnnggggggggg day in the car. Worth it, yes. But it felt never-ending.

Sawyer just practically refused to sleep, and was sneezing non-stop. Pitiful. By the time I got to Cabs house at around 8:30 (but we gained an hour, so it felt like 9:30 to us) We were exhausted ... I didn't even really have energy to visit ... We were beat.

There was a lot of this:

I really don't know why Dalton is out of his carseat ... or why it's on top of all the luggage, dangerously hanging above his head. I think I reached a point of "whatevs" ... but I drew the line with Sawyer getting out of his seat ... thus the 147th breakdown in the the pic.

The next day was muchhhh better. I got sweet Sawyer some Benadryl for his sneezy self and the child slept pretty much the whole 6 hour trek. We also found a Chick fil A before leaving Nashville, so the day was off to a great start. And thennnnn .....

Hip Hip Hooooorayyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!! Definitely cried. Shocker.

We dropped our sweet Maw off at her car and headed on to my parents house ... more tears.

We were greeted by Mom, Dad, Rach, and Emerson and there were again ... lots of tears. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh .................. Wonderful.

No words.

The whole crew came over for dinner Monday night and  Lisa came to visit twice ... I heart her.

It felt surreal to be upstairs with some of my very, very favorite people. In one of my very favorite places. Surreal because in MANY ways, it didn't feel like we'd ever been gone. And then strangely like we'd been gone a very long time. I just kinda hurt thinking about how much I've missed it.

We're just enjoying being home SO much ... I love my peeps. I love Arkansas. And I'm so loving being back.

Here's some more pictures because I just can't ever have enough ... many, many more to come.

Dear Rebekah.

Dear Rebekah,
Rebekah, in the future, that is. About 3 weeks from now to be exact.
I'm dropping you a note to remind you in a few weeks that you really do like it in Pennsylvania ... Because I'm sure after a few weeks at home-sweet-home, you're going to forget. Don't.

Every person that I've met up here and is sweet enough to be your friend, has made some sort of comment/inquiry about whether or not you're coming back ... Which obviously you are.
You are, Rebekah.
It's not a real question ... Don't get any crazy ideas.

So here are some reminders:
Uno. The hubs.










Clearly, the kids need a daddy. And their daddy is in Pennsylvania. And since he is funding your whole operation, you're gonna need to get your tail back up north. We had two and a half longgggg months separated before you moved the whole fam up to PA and it was a great lesson, that "leaving and cleaving" had to happen. So leave. And cleave to the hubs. He's cute. And he makes you laugh. And he's a dang good Yahtzee player- doesn't get any better than that.


Dos. The weather. Something tells me about now you're ready for the 75 degree, humidity-free, everything green Pennsylvania. I shouldn't have to talk this one up. It's obvious.










Número three. It's home now. It is. As hard as it is to believe it, it feels like home, too. There is something to be said about being in your own house, on your own routine, doing your own dishes, laundry and porch-sitting. So scoot along, you've had your fun. Go on home.

Fo. F is for Friends. God has given you some sweet friends up here, so it's not like you're going back to nomad land. God has you here for a purpose ... He's doing something here. Let Him finish the work (Finish it quickly, Lord!!).


Cinco. Fun things are around the corner. Trips are planned, visits are on the books and you'll be headed back to Arkansas for Christmas in just a few short months. It's gonna be A-OK.
Promise.

Love,
The younger, somewhat naive version of yourself.

*********************************************************************

"All our bags are packed, I'm ready to go!!!!"

To say I'm ready for some mama/sista/PLU/southern fun is such an understatement. I just heart my peeps so much and I've been crying for two days about being so excited to hug every one of their necks.
My fabulously wonderful mother-in-law flew up to help me drive back. I've kinda shocked the pants off everyone by insisting to drive. Especially my parents who graciously even offered to fly my crazy crew home ... But the thought of that started stressing me out to no end. The thought of packing for four of us for three weeks into a few small "airport-friendly" bags and then getting all of said bags through the airport sounds scary as H-E-double hockey sticks. Add in three connections, some occasional behavioral hiccups, and not enough libations to make it go smoothly and I'll take the car. ALSO, I couldn't stand the thought of not having my vehicle for three weeks and being at the mercy of other to tote us around. I'm trying to house-hop as much as possible to not outstay our welcome. And that's the beauty of having our own car. If it turns out we get ready to head on back, we can. Easy Peasy (kinda). Depending on when we come back and AaronBoone's work schedule Aaron will either fly down and drive us back or Rach will help me drive back and fly home.
However, I'm not thinking about that now. I'm thinking about coffee on my parents deck, lying on a raft in Lake Ouachita, the White Truffle Burger at Big Orange, dinners with my PLU's, pool days with my littles and filling up with enough girl talk to get me through another few months. I'm so excited I can hardly stand it.
Get ready Arkansas. We're coming hommmeeee!!!!!
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The End of an Era.

We hit a milestone tonight ...










Honestly, we've never taken a crib apart (except to move) without having another up or in prep to move to a different bedroom. We actually had two cribs for awhile when Dalton was born because Avery was only 12.5 months old and still needed a crib. So, she got a new girly crib and room and D had her old gender neutral nursery.
Then when D started crawling out of his crib he ran straight to Avery's room and slept with her for a few months before we discovered Sawyer was on his way, so we never took it down. So we've had that crib in our house for over five years. True story.
The last week Sawyer has learned to climb out of his crib and starts roaming the house in search of me or chocolate chip cookies, whichever he finds first.
I've been reluctant to lock him in his room because he can't climb back in his crib, so that seemed kind of pointless.
However, tonight I came in to find Aaron taking down the crib. I
was a teensy bit upset, because clearly Sawyer is still an infant, but I think it's the right move.
And Sawyer LOVES it! When we told him it was bedtime he went FLYING in his room, chocolate milk under his arm, to get under his covers, waving "night-night" the whole way!





So, right now we just put his little crib mattress on the floor until we get back in July to decide what to do with his sweet self. I'm leaning toward putting Avery in there to have her own room and letting the boys share ... We'll see.
So wish us luck!
He's all locked in!! Yikes!





No more cribs ... Check! Now if we can just get him out of diapers!
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This and That.

A little of this, a dash of that, a sprinkle here and a splash of that.

I can't help but feel as though our days are becoming like some kind of special family recipe. It seems with my most favorite concoctions I never measure out the ingredients but knowingly reach for the right jars to make sure the dish is seasoned with everything that makes us come back for a second helping. Every day as we wake up and start mixing together the familiar ingredients the day begins to take on the comforting aroma of learning to slow down and enjoy the small things: Morning walks, picnics in the yard, long afternoon naps and trips to the ice cream stand. Nothing extraordinary or even uncommon, but full nevertheless.
The Thoelke kiddies are still here for a few weeks and we're continuing to love having them around. They totally entertain my littles and even though it has meant way more messes ... it's been great having them here.
Last week Trip turned 9 ... he had spent the night with us the night before and woke up requesting pancakes.

Isn't he the cutest? I keep telling him he can move in ... he thinks I'm joking ... I'm not.

Sweet boy.
After breakfast we headed into Vestal to go to (drumroll please ...) Chuck E. Cheese. I know, I know... shocking.



We loved spending the day with Trip!
This weekend flew by and I seriously can't think of anything especially wonderful. It's been rainy and chilly ... which after a heatwave was welcomed right on in.
Friday was National Donut Day ... so we were more than happy to indulge at a delicious little bakery we found. In hearing my southern accent trying to quiet the five children (two of which were missing shoes) huddled around me, plus the fact that I looked like quite the hot mess myself after wrongly expecting we would find a drive-thru, the regulars were definitely staring. Whoops. But totally worth it ... the best donuts I've had in a while! Yummy!!


The days have seemed muchhhhh longer the last few days as Sawyer has learned to crawl out of his crib. Instead of climbing out as soon as we put him night-night, he goes right to sleep as usual.
 No, the problem comes in the middle of the night. At random times he come stumbling out of his room, completely disoriented, refusing to go back to sleep anywhere except snuggled up next to me. Cue what I like to call "musical beds." We end up hopping all around and eventually give it up around 6:15. Now, in case you aren't familiar with my children, they're sleepers. None of my kiddos have ever been in routines where they get up before 8:30am. It's glorious. It's one of my favorite things about them. Kiddingggg. Well, kinda. So, needless to say, we're all a little disoriented around here now! Aaron went out looking for crib tents, but you have to order them. And since we're leaving in less than a week for Arkansas for three weeks and the tent isn't portable, I didn't want to start that until we're back in a routine. So ... bring on the coffee and concealer.

He now falls asleep at random times since his schedule is so off. Here he was playing on the iPad and two minutes later crashed. Bless it.

Another random tidbit is loving having big girls in the house who like to do girly things like eat fancy cheeses, drink sparkling lemonade from wine glasses (not that Avery didn't totally love that, too!) and talk about celeb gossip. Is it bad that I think even silly stuff like that is good for my soul?? Don't answer that ...


Avery has been prepping making homeade lemonade for the next pretty day when she can have a "lem-o-made stand and make lots of money." Already a little entrepreneur.


I just love a silly bathtub pic. :) I can't tell you how many I have of my sisters and me in the same pose. I think my mom did this to our hair every night in the tub. Love.
Saturday night the Knoxes came over and we grilled out ... meaning the men grilled out and we sat on the couch chatting. Ahhh ...

And as usual, late night game playing with my love. I need to document I've beat him the last two nights. Thankyou very much.


Today was a fun day. Aaron told Trip on his birthday last week he was going to take him to a Mets baseball game and today was the day. Aaron, Trip, and Dalton loaded up to head to Binghampton for their boys day.
Ironically, I have no pictures of Trip ... but he was there!



All good things come to an end, and apparently today ended a little earlier than expected. The game went into a rain delay after the first inning and they ended up having to call the game. I think they had fun though!

Since the boys were off to day of manly business, we thought it only fair to treat ourselves to pedicures ... an obvious decision.







Sunday was kind of crazy day. I was exhausted and on a wee bit of an emotional rollercoaster. But after taking a trip out in the country to bring a friend dinner and seriously having to stop several times to take in the beauty of my surroundings I felt much better. The area we live in is appropriately called "The Valley," as we are surrounded by beautiful hills, mountains and ridges. I still get distracted driving down the road and looking at what surrounds me. Isn't it so cool to think about how nature is just one more way we can see God? That He really is beautiful? That it's His personality on display for us? I think beauty is so important to girls; things like flowers and decorations and pretty accessories are just refreshing. So seeing that those things are important to Him,too makes me love Him more. Makes me feel like He gets me. Ya know?




"He has made everything beautiful." Ecc. 3:11

The Graduate

It's starting. The cycle of starting and finishing. The years of getting older and passing the grades, summer vacations and steps toward empty-nesthood ... what in the world?

Yesterday I was reading through my bloglist and stopped on one of my favorites ... Rage Against the Minivan. She makes me laugh. But yesterday she made me cry. It wasn't entirely her fault, I'd just attended Avery's Pre-K Graduation ... by myself. In a strange place. I wanted my mom.

Her blog post was titled The Parenting Paradox talking about how obviously we want our kids to grow and flourish and do well ... but we want to hold on to the moments, as well: the snuggles, the "mommy-is-the-best-ever," the pitter-pattering of constantly growing feet that remind me of an impending withdrawal from mommies and daddies. They'll trade in all their preference for us and all that comes with being totally content spending the day fighting for our attention for independence and those who suddenly appear much cooler than us. So, if you want to cry and have a Xanax handy, feel free to hop on over and read it by clicking here. And since I'm in a recommending, hyper-linking sort of mood I'll tell you to go download the book, Mitten Strings for God: Reflections for Mothers in a Hurry by Katrina Kenison. I can't remember how I came across it: maybe it was a recommendation from purchasing another book, or someone told me about it  ... I'm a book junkie these days, remember? But it's a precious, precious book. It gets kinda cheesy and old school at times, but most of it is so sweet I could just cry with thankfulness about getting to experience the miracle of being a Mommy. If you have itty bitties and can spare a few minutes a day to read a chapter here and there, I highly reccommend it ... Okay, I'm done. Clearly, I've gotten distracted from the purpose of this post: Avery's pre-K graduation.

First of all, somehow I never got the letter that there even WAS a pre-K graduation ... meaning I didn't tell Aaron, meaning he already had a dinner meeting, so I had to go-it alone. And this was cause for even more emotions than usual. I can't remember a single event so far where I haven't walked into a childhood celebratory milestone linked arm in arm with tons of family. If the whole fam damily had been there then someone would have remembered to bring her a "Congrats Grad" balloon, maybe some flowers or at least some loud cheering when the preacher bellowed "Avery Elizabeth Boone" over the loud speaker and she made her way across the stage. Instead it was just me ... I did make it on the front row and tried to cheer louder than I usually would have and ran up to snap a pic with my iPhone. Obviously sticking out as the new Arkansas mom. But it's fine. I'm sure Avery didn't notice. She tends to always feel special, just ask her.

Here are some of the pics ... Her big smile reminds me that she always feels loved and probably didn't notice the ackwardness of just having one person cheering her on ... she was just happy to have me there to smile and wave nervously at from her seat.

Avery Elizabeth Boone, I love you so much it hurts!!!


The Graduate, herself!


Heading out for her big night.


I'm not sure why I didn't think about her suiting up in a cap and gown, but I didn't. And watching her put it on was the first time I lost it that night. Obviously not the last.


Avery with her teacher, Mrs. Fairchild. She was absolutely a delight and loved Avery. We were super blessed by her.


She, as usual, loves any form of dress-up.










Congrats Av!!




Love that they gave a whole little notebook filled with her work. Maybe I'll actually keep up with it ... no promises. That's why I have the Blog.


Some of the notebook content included this little evaluation ... You're already a great student, A!





Way to Go, sweet girl!!! Kindergarten or Bust!!