Lock down

Ella just locked herself in her room. I can hear it now, "Not Ella, she wouldn't do such a thing." I had to talk her through unlocking it from the other side. She is at the stage where if you ask her a question she will nod her head rather than answering. This form of communication does not work if you are on the other side of the door or telephone. So, I would say, "do you see the little piece that sticks off the door knob?" Silence. "Ella, say yes". "Yes". "Turn it". We did this several times. Eventually she was free and decided she was hungry. I ignored this request and put she and Streed to bed in my room. Why? I am tired and trying to get a few minutes on the internet. It is 8:55pm and they are now in the den. Nate occassionally makes noises. Hence the hiatus from the blogging world. It is too frustrating to post or read other blogs. So, maybe sometime this month I will post pics from their party.

too busy

this blog will be unmanned for a while. too busy. too tired.

"hide" n seek

Streed and Ella were playing hide-n-seek with me before I left for B'ham. This was their last spot. I thought it was too cute that her feet were sticking out, not to mention the two lumps under the blanket.

New with Nate

These pictures represnt Nate's current passtimes and pains. He is sitting really well and he is also teething really bad. How the bottom picture represents this is the red-tipped nose. He was sitting up while the kids and I were picnic-ing at the park when he took a nose dive. When he woke up from his nap his little nose was skinned.
As I type this he is in the jumper. I have been trying to get him to sleep for almost two hours. His mouth is killing him and keeping him awake. For the first hour he kept Streed awake. So, I decided to get him up and just let him play. That's what Baby Wise suggests :)

Mini Me

I don't remember what I was doing when I took this picture but I know I was standing with one foot propped on the other. I look down and Ella was mimicking me.

Lifestyles of the old in college ministry

On a pretty afternoon last week I took the kids to Chip's flag football practice. They (I) did not care anything about the practice. It was just nice to get out and breath some fresh air. Streed was running around.

L-A-Z-Y...You ain't got no alibi

This comes to my head all the time. I feel so lazy. I feel like I can't do much well. I am starting to cut back and just focus on my family. I am still going to work but I just feel like I put the kids to the side a lot of times...to meet with people, talk with people, clean, cook, straighten, laundry, check something on the computer etc. They are to the age where they are super needy for my attention. They have always been really good at playing by themselves. It just seems that lately they are starved for MY attention. I am going to indulge them and let them be full! So, I say all that to say...I am tired and am too L-A-Z-Y to make a post that you can read on either Donna or Shana's blog. However, I must add that CHIP is an AWESOME AND BRAVE TROOPER. And, the only reason he is a TROOPER is because he LOVES ME! He kept all 3 kids from Friday night till Monday at 2! And, this was the 2nd time he has done this. He kept them all when Nate was 8 weeks old for me to get a few days away. They of course all had a blast with their daddy. It was good for us all I think.

Cousins Cousins

Ella loves Taylor! I think the feelings are mutual. I found these and thought they were too cute not to share.

Running for cover and comfort

Once Gustav jumped to a Cat 4 hurricane I decided that the 60 mile northward evacuation we had planned was insufficient. We knew we were welcome to go to our friend's parents' home but it was against my better judgement to waltz in there as a family of 5, knowing they would lose power. So, we decided instead to inconvenience my sister and brother-in-law for 8 days! It was great to be able just to relax, enjoy A/C and television. We watched the hurricane updates as well as the RNC. Our home was fine and our power returned about 30 minutes after we returned home. That was the Lord's goodness! Of course we took lots of pictures.

Here are a "few".

Ella and Taylor watching Praise Baby

Nate trying to crawl. They all loved the carpet. We have laminate.
Loving the Johnny Jumper to the point of exhaustion.
Sweet Baby Tay

Passing the time.

Making potato salad. I think we are laughing because some fell on the floor

and Streed put it back in the bowl.
Keeping them contained (mainly Ella)
Mama brought over a tricycle. Robyn stuck a flag in it. My mother, the former preschool teacher, title this passtime "The Gustav Carport Parade"
Loving on each other

A great time was had by all...I think!

thought process of a preschooler

I just walked in from the gym. The conversation is as follows:

Streed: What did you work on?
Mommy: My whole body!
Streed: Why?
Mommy: I want to be in shape.
Streed: I don't want you to be in shape.
Mommy: Why?
Streed: Then you will be a triangle.

I just laughed and hugged him...and decided it was time to update the ole blog and chain.