Anna Grace, my big helper

Yesterday Anna Grace decided to make up her bed all by herself for the first time.

Her form might need a little help.

Some Pictures

While it has been a busy summer thus far around here, we have been taking pictures. Here are a few of them. And yes I know that I still have not put on the pictures from meeting the firemen (Laura, you still need to send those to me) or Dean's birthday party. Hopefully I will be able to do that tonight.

I know there were lots of pictures of Caleb in there but there are more to come of the rest of the crew from the firemen and birthday party.

Oh, Dean

Yesterday I was nursing Caleb - trying to be discrete - and Dean walked up. He asked to hold "Talub" and I told him I was feeding him but he could hold him when I was done. Dean being satisfied with the answer left to go play. He came back a few minutes later. Here is our conversation:
Dean: Feed Talub?
Me: Yes I am still feeding Caleb.
Dean: Dean feed Talub?
Me: Tonight when he gets his bottle you can feed him but not right now.
Dean: OTay.
(A few minutes later)
Dean, lifting one side of his shirt up: Dean feed Talub?
I then realized what he was asking and told him that he couldn't feed Caleb that way but I would certainly let him help with the next bottle feeding.

The other day Dean and I built a tower

It was awesome.

Two Years Old

Dean turned two on Monday. However, as you can see it was not his finest day. He ran a low grade fever all day - doctor said it was a throat virus, thankfully we had the 2 year check-up already scheduled.

I've been thinking lots lately about Dean being the middle child around here. And I have come to the conclusion that he handles it beautifully.

He goes with the flow around here often times following Anna Grace's lead without hesitation (verdict is still out if that is a good thing or not). And one of my favorite things about Dean is that he soaks in each moment to its fullest, often not saying a word about it; but then when he gets Neal or me by himself he tells us all about it not sparing a detail. I absolutely love that about him. For example, when we were at the lake a few weeks ago he went on his first boat ride of the season. The whole time he just stared, not smiling, hardly blinking, barely moving. I thought he enjoyed it but was not sure because he gave me absolutely nothing while on the boat or afterward. Then when I put him down for his nap that day I asked him if he wanted to pray. He said yes and then he told God all about it. It was such a sweet prayer. I love to hear him pray. It always starts, "Dear God..." then it goes from there whatever is on his mind, usually in broken sentences with some words undecipherable. It might be something from a few weeks back, earlier that day; it might be something fun or recalling a rebuke from earlier in the day. I often find myself thinking of how Christ intercedes on our behalf to God as we pray (Romans 8:26) and wonder what exactly is Dean thinking/saying and what is Christ saying on Dean's behalf. Edmond McDavid says, "In prayer, what we say is more important than how we say it. A poorly expressed prayer from the heart is more important to God than a well-expressed one that is not." (Let God Speak, page 266) God is currently using a two year old to convict and challenge my prayer life.

Another one of my favorite things about the little man is that he is so content. While he gets fired up about things usually whatever he is doing at that moment is good to him even if the next thing might be better. He truly lives in the moment instead of wishing for what is to come. It is a great lesson for me to be continually reminded.

It is music to my ears listening to him call Anna Grace "Grace" (he can say Anna Grace just fine but for whatever reason he usually calls her Grace and she has come to accept and expect it). Neal loves that he calls me Mama and always has instead of Mommy. And we both get a laugh when he starts watching Caleb and can't help but chuckle at him even though Caleb is just laying there.

Dean since before you were born we have prayed and continue to pray I Kings 2:2-3, "Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the Lord your god, walking in his ways and keeping his statues, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn." I also pray that you will be a man worthy to sojourn in the Lord's tent (Psalm 15) and that you will be a strong planting of the Lord considered an oak of righteousness (Isaiah 61:3). Happy 2nd Birthday, Buddy; I love you!

Food for the Week

Sloppy Joe's
French Fries

King Ranch Chicken Casserole

Pork Tenderloin
Cheese Grits
Lima Beans

Mexican Lasagna

Sausage-Cheddar Quiche

Waffles
Fruit
Bacon

Home Again

We had a great time at the lake this past week. Like a knuckle-head I forgot the camera, sorry. Anna Grace was back in her element; swimming in the lake, riding on the boat and playing in their kitchen. Dean was happy just doing whatever and Caleb never knew he was not at the house.

It was great to spend time with all the girls - Jan, Jodee and Colley. Mallie Tate is the cutest little thing. First of all she is chocolate brown as only Gilder and Colley's child could be. Secondly she had a blast trying to keep up with Anna Grace and Dean but Anna Grace and Dean were equally excited about her. It was fun to see the three of them playing together. I can't imagine what the lake will be like in a year when Caleb is trying to keep up too.

Everyone was excited to see Tom (aka Big Daddy) and Neal Friday night. Anna Grace and Dean were fired up about time with Neal down there.

I leave you with this question Neal and I have been pondering tonight...Why does it take hours to pack up to go home yet when you get home it takes about 30 minutes to get the car unloaded and the bags unpacked?

Music To My Ears

Since we've (and by "we've," I mean the children and me) made it to Friday afternoon of my first week alone with three children, I thought it only fitting to share the top 5 things I have heard throughout the week around here. They have each been bright spots within the day and each of them remind me of how blessed I am. The first 4 are in no particular order...

5. "Hey Tay-lub!" ~ Dean
4. "Mama, I shared again." ~ Anna Grace
3. "I want to hold It." ~ Dean
(When he wants to hold Caleb he calls Caleb an it. Don't ask me.)
2. "...Wake'n or sleep'n my precious my my." ~ Anna Grace
(That is her version of the last line of Be Thou My Vision. The correct line is "Waking or sleeping Thy presence my light.")
1. "I'm home!" ~ Neal

We have had a wonderful week around here. However, I am thankful that next week I will be spending several days at the lake with the girls (Jan, Colley, Jodee and the 4 children). I know that it might be just as chaotic there but at least there will be some backup for when things get out of hand during the day.

I will do my best to update the blog before leaving on Tuesday. Otherwise it will not be until the following week sometime - no internet at the lake.

It's Only Wednesday

Honestly things are going well around here. However, lunch was a little bit of a challenge today.

Things started off really well. Anna Grace and Dean each had a hot dog, apple slices, cheese and milk. Caleb was happy in the bouncy seat. I'm happily chopping vegetables for tonight's soup. Then it happened; I am not sure how but the next thing I know...Caleb hates his bouncy seat and is crying, very loudly, to make sure I know. Dean decides that the bathroom is his favorite place to play - running in and out, slamming the door shut each time. And Anna Grace decides to sing some new songs in her outside voice. I quickly realized that each time I asked them to stop (obviously not Caleb, I just took him to his bed for a nap.) my voice got louder and louder.

All of this led to the big question...Really is it only Wednesday? No seriously, I did think that but the question was...Is consistent, first time obedience possible around here? I see other children who obey at the first request. Some would say that my children obey at the first request - and often they do. But I want them to quickly obey when in their minds no one is looking. And if they don't consistenly obey me what makes me wonder they will obey when the parental eyes are focused in a different direction? Are my expectations too high?

Never fear though, I popped open a can of Root Beer and suddenly the need to "fix" my children became a thing of the past and all the questions seemed to make my head hurt. So we came downstiars to play. Funny thing though, at the moment she is Mary and he is Joseph and next they want to be "the boy who fights Goliath" so it seems that there might not be as much to worry about as I thought 15 minutes ago.

I never knew there was so much prespective to be gained from a can of Root Beer; maybe I should drink another!

my favorite pictures from the past 3 weeks

As promised yesterday, I got the pictures off the camera and onto the computer. Now I will share some of them with you. I am sure this will be picture overload but these days it is blogging feast or famine with me.

Neal's first time to hold Caleb.
(Is it just me or does that hat accentuate Neal's already large noggin?)

My first time hold Caleb.

Our first family photo.
(Dean was not sure about Caleb right at first.)

Anna Grace was sure about Caleb immediately.

Really checking out their new brother.

Caleb is great but lunch is better.

Dean inspecting Caleb.

He spotted the Auburn booties.

Caleb alert.

Loving on Caleb.

No this is not her babydoll.

Our St. Vincent's model

Ready to head home.

The whole family at home.

Dean's turn.

Sleeping.

Anna Grace and Dean got to take a break from life with Caleb to go to the zoo with their Juju.

She loves the train.

Dean decided it was fun after a few minutes.

Checking out the animals in the petting zoo.

Yes, she wanted to ride the camel.

And, yes, they let her ride by herself!
(Dean was interested in something else at the time.)

She had a blast.

She looks so small up there.

The tiger was up and walking - that is a big deal for Dean.

A picnic lunch outside the zoo with school buses to look at...just doesn't get any better!

Caleb use of his time while they were at the zoo.

Back to life at our house.

We've done our best to keep Dean tuckered out.

Still sleeping.

Caleb is now 3 weeks old!

Sleeping again.

It is tough to wake up and eat.