This world is sooo very small

It was cheaper this year by far to come to the beach on vacation than to go to Nashville. However, that has made it more difficult for me this summer because other than the quick trip home with Zoe in the spring when my grandmother was sick I have not been able to spend time at home with my family and friends. But, in perfect God fashion he finds a way to put Nashville near me when I am hurting. Today's small world story (thank you D'lyn for coming up with that phrase)- I met a family at the pool today with 3 boys- 10, 8, and 6. The man was from Nashville - His wife from Atlanta- turns out he knows tons of people that I know and even went to a tiny, rival christian school in Nashville. I loved visiting with him and talking about all the people we knew in common and all the similarities in our worlds. I am thankful that God finds a way to put peace in my heart when I feel anxiety about not being "home". Thank you God! For my Nashville friends that follow this blog the man's name was Ken Whitehead (I think) and he went to Goodpasture to high school. To my college friends, while he did not go to Lipscomb growing up his best friend was Kyle Coker. ( Kyle Cokermania)- Strange small world!!!

seagulls

Jaxon: Daddy come yook at the googulls - we can feed dem and eberyting

(traslation: daddy come look at the seagulls we can feed them and everything)

Cooper: There must be at least 10 mommy seagulls out here and the others are twins of each other-

huh?

Poor little city folk boys - learning about the rats with wings is a whole new experience for them.

On a separate note we went to the beach to play today- It was great to see the boys getting used to jumping the waves and learning to boogie board with daddy. Zoe didn't think too much of the water rushing around, but she loved running around and carrying her bucket. Jaxon fell asleep in our little tent and then we discovered he was running a fever. Poor little beach buddy!

Treasuring those moments

Today was the first day of our vacation- a real vacation- just the six of us. We are staying in Port A near the beach. I remember being excited as a child when travel time would arrive. My dad was always very intense about loading the car "right"- there were 6 of us then as there are now and I know why now! He was a great packer and taught me everything I know. We had to help bring the luggage out to the car and I can remember how frustrated he got if we brought out the pillows or toys first : ). This morning while loading and packing Jaxon and Cooper were already in the car. Jaxon actually had his seatbelt on, even though it took me a good 30 min to pack the car the way I wanted it packed. Oye! Thanks dad for teaching me how to pack a car. We loaded up and got to the exit of our subdivision only to realize that neither of us had the directions to where we were going. We turned around and about the time that we did I heard Jaxon in the back say, "are we at the beach yet?" I knew then it was going to be a long 3 hour "tour". The trip wasn't too bad and the kids love the place where we are staying. Cooper said it felt just like home! He said at dinner that this was the happiest he had ever been. Then he thanked us for taking a vacation. I have mentioned several times in my life that I love how The Bible makes mention of the fact that "Mary treasured all of these things in her heart." I will never forget the looks on my kids faces seeing the beach for the first time. Zoe smiled from ear to ear. Mason couldn't believe you could drive on the beach- he thought that was very cool. Jaxon loved loved loved the sand and the water!! Cooper - that sensory boy buried his feet in all the different textures of the sand and said several times that he wanted to feel the waves on his feet. That is my boy! Even Jeff who is relatively silent about most things unless asked said out loud with no prompting- wow it is really pretty here and look how happy the kids are! I stopped and thanked God for those 5 blessings standing there by the ocean and put it into my heart. God is Good!!!! All the time!!!!

Imagine my embarrassment...

Imagine my embarrassment when I looked over at Jaxon in the middle of lunch outing today only to see him with the salt shaker in his mouth-  IN HIS MOUTH!!!!  Imagine my relief when the man at the table next to us laughed and said not to worry it wasn't the first time he had seen it and it probably won't be the last- boys will be boys.  Thank you sir for your kindness during my moment of shock and awwwwww (yuck/oye).  

Imagine my embarrassment when my Cooper said out loud at Occupational Therapy today, "mom, I want you to squish me with the big ball you're not as fat as Ms. Robbie"  Imagine my relief when she laughed really hard and said, "Cooper you are a hard one to please Mr. - Last week Ms. Lisa wasn't heavy enough and now I'm too heavy!"  Ms. Robbie please forgive my son for his open mouthedness - you have taught him too well how to use his words to say what he needs instead of throwing a fit and having no idea what his needs are.

Imagine my embarrassment when Jaxon asked the sacker at HEB to pull his finger- Imagine my relief when the checker laughed - and said, "I love it when little boys say what their daddy's say to them : )  Turns out she had 4 boys!

Have you had moments like these?!?  If so let me know!

Hug your kids

Yesterday I learned of a family who lost their two year old little boy in a pool accident.  Life is unpredictable.  Go hug your kids right now!

I should've known better

In an effort to create a little more fun for the two 3 year old boys that are hanging out here at the house together this summer I bought a little pool this weekend.  It is one of those that has one small ring to blow up on the top and then the pool stands on it's own as it begins to fill.  Needless to say they have been thrilled today!  I have it right out on the back porch so it doesn't get too much sun and they have toys galore.  Every once in a while the water rushes out of the pool from some little feet standing on it and we have to put a little more in.  So, with water running and children laughing I decide to come in and check email, fb etc...  I opened the window right beside the computer table (which is in the dining area of the kitchen so it is right there where I can look and talk to them while they are playing.  Imagine my surprise when I was hit with an enormous shot of water that soaked my right side, everything on the computer table, the keyboard, the end of the kitchen table and halfway across the edge of the kitchen floor.  After the moment of shock wore off- I had to laugh at myself and say "I should've known better.  Currently they are now on the trampoline jumping up and down and spraying each other with the hose- water waster- nope - you can hand water at anytime and it is about time the grass under the trampoline got some water : )  Here is to each of you and your summer fun- May you use more common sense than I do!  Enjoy!

Did I say that?

My children hear this phrase come out of my mouth often, "enough of the whining already."  Imagine our surprise this morning when Cooper responded this way to Jeff.

Jeff:  Cooper don't forget to brush your teeth

Cooper:  Daddy enough with the teeth brushing already

Mmmm me thinks I need to watch my phrases and me thinks a young boy needs to get his teeth brush with a bar of soap for his backsass.  Jeff dealt with it in a perfect manner and then we got to giggle about it just before he left for work.  Jeff said he sounded just like me when he said it and he was right.  Cooper is definitely my son!  On a side note I have been keeping my boss' 3 year old just about everyday.  He and Jaxon are both 3.  As I post this I am sitting at my computer by the window watching and listening to them in the back yard.  Should I be concerned when one says to the other, "Hey ants, cool- get your shubel" (aka...shovel)  Maybe I'll end this and step outside for a while.  : )