Man, I can't keep up

We've been gone from Paris for about three years, but Jack and Bennett still miss each other.  So when Bennett's birthday rolled around we knew we had to meet in the middle for some sort of celebration...of course, Melody and I NEVER mind getting together either.  We decided to meet up at Sky Zone in Jackson so we could talk the kids could jump and celebrate.  And celebrate they did.  We finished the night off with Krystal burgers and we each headed home.  Sniff.  Sniff.  We are always sad when our time with them ends.  

 The Sunday after that Andrew was baptized. All of our family came in for the occasion and we were thrilled.

We have quite the crew surrounding us.  While I've never taken this crew for granted...the older I get, the more I appreciate them.  They love us, surround us, celebrate with us, and we are grateful.  It's because of the people in this photograph that we are where we are today. 

We had lunch afterwards and my man in the middle helped himself to a brownie right out of the middle.  I laughed.  He's a funny guy. 

 Several days later, Andrew came down with a stomach virus.  If you know me, you know I loathe a stomach virus.  In fact, I'd rather eat dirt and die than have a stomach virus.  This one was no exception. Andrew started Thursday and by Friday, I had it.  It's the worst.  The worst.  Thankfully, we were the only two victims.

 Fred goes into full on haz-mat mode.  Any time he came into our bedroom, this is how he looked.  I was quarantined to the bedroom and would just text him if I needed something.  Ahhh, text messaging.  How did we survive stomach viruses before that?!?

 Dash the Dog was very concerned about me and became my ever faithful companion.  He stayed by my side for days.  I'm pretty sure he liked me laying around, but whatever.  It was pretty much me, Andrew and Dash hanging in my bedroom for several days.  Good times...minus the stomach virus.

 As I mentioned, Dash was very concerned about me.  His need for personal space is not as great as mine.  He really wanted to check on me and be vigilant.  He was up for the task.  I was a little unsure.

 This was my view...bed to couch...couch to bed...bed to couch...and repeat for 36 hours.

I'm not sure what Clayton was wanting, but several days after I was sick I came into the kitchen to this note on the wall.  Well if that's not the sweetest thing you've ever seen?!?  He also came in from school and told me I looked like I needed a hug.  He was right.  I did need a hug.  And he gave me one.

At dinner one night we were just sitting around the table.  I asked the boys a question, "If you could meet with anyone for 10 minutes, past or present, who would it be?"

This was the answer: 

Clayton and Jack spoke simultaneously:

Clayton: Jesus

Jack: Steph Curry

Jack, upon hearing Clayton:  I'm just kidding. 

Jack: Mark Gasol

I laughed until I almost fell out of my chair.  

It is so rare that we have a night at home that I took a picture.  It was leftover night and everyone was just helping themselves, but I think these are the days and the moments I will want to remember.  

The night we were all home, we played several games of basketball outside with our boys and several neighbor boys.  We had the best time.  In fact, we played until it was dark.  Then Andrew suggested ice cream.  Who am I to turn down ice cream?!?  Of course we went!

I get up each morning to read my Bible and spend a little time in prayer.  One morning I woke up and it was storming.  I love a good early morning storm.  However, Dash does not share my affection for storms.  The 50 lbs. dog turned into a lap dog as he jumped up in the chair with me.  Funny dog.

 I don't get Starbucks very often, but when I do, it's going to be really good!  This iced coffee is great.  I'm pretty sure I didn't sleep that night because of all the caffeine.  Worth it.

We finished up basketball around here.  Jack's team remained undefeated.  He was pumped about the game.  They almost didn't win, but in the end they were victorious.

 Mimi and Tee came in for the game.  They made it around the third quarter.  Jack was not having the best game, but when he saw my dad it was just what he needed.  Those two are birds of a feather.

 Clayton had a game after Jack's.  It started in the middle of the night...8:00 pm.  What in the world??  Who starts playing basketball at 8:00 pm?!?

 Fred and Renee came for both games too.  We always have a cheering squad with us.  Basketball is over just in time for Andrew and Clayton to start soccer and Jack to start in another basketball league.

 I got crafty.  I know it doesn't really warrant a picture, but I got crafty.  That never happens.

I do yoga several times a week.  When I do it in the living room, Dash thinks it's a team sport.  It's not.

Speaking of yoga...I played around with it one morning while all the boys were gone and took a picture outside.  What you need to know is that when I started yoga several months ago, I could not touch my toes.  I was a sight.  It's been fun to see my progress.  I can tell I'm so much stronger and flexible.  I just love it. 

Fred preached at Union this week.  Mun, Janice, Mimi, Renee, Fred, Elzie, Francis, and Billy (Fred's roommate/our friend) all came.  It was a really good time.  The boys wanted to come as well. I'm sure it was so they could skip school, but whatever.  It was a fun family day.  

If someone had tapped me on the shoulder at 18 and told that 20 years later I would be sitting in this chapel listening to my husband preach surrounded by not one, not two, but three sweet boys I never would have believed them.  To say that this moment was surreal is a gross understatement. 

This week

Clayton went skiing with our youth group.  I'm pleased to report he came home happy, healthy, and in one piece. Success.

We are in the middle of basketball season.  Here's a little video of Jack playing.  He loves playing basketball and it makes my heart happy to watch him. 

Andrew decided he wanted to work out with Fred the other day.  They did a little running and a lot of talking.

Typically on Sunday afternoons I attend a yoga class with some friends.  They were unable to come, but one of my friend's sons showed up at the class.  We took a picture together to document the experience.  

Our sweet friends celebrated their birthdays (which are within a week of the other) and we kept their sweet son.  He loves bacon so I made bacon for Sunday breakfast.  Clayton was out of town so I just swapped one kid for another. 

Each Friday I go to a house that has two dogs.  Dash is VERY curious when I come home.  He follows me around like this for quite some time.  It's pretty funny. 

Speaking of Dash the Dog.  Fred sent me a text the other day asking if I ate all three breakfast cookies that were in the kitchen.  He included this photo. 

I told him I did not eat all three cookies.  He then sent me another text and photo explaining that he felt certain he found the culprit, but he wasn't wanting to talk about it. 

I filled out the paperwork for Clayton to start high school.  WHAT?!? Since when do they allow four year olds to register for preschool??

The boys were out of school last Friday...ahhh, it was glorious.  Clayton's middle school hosted a spirit night at Jumping World (a trampoline park).  I waited with my friend and listened to music that was WAY TOO LOUD while my fellas jumped until their little hearts were content. Andrew loves being around "the brothers" and their friends.  I'm pretty sure he stuck to Clayton like glue and smiled the entire time. 

 That's Jack playing basketball at the trampoline park.

Andrew had a birthday party for a classmate.  He was so sweet playing with his friends.  It's so rare that I get to see him with friends his own age.  He typically hangs with an older crowd.  

By Sunday, Andrew was kicking my kitchen cabinets and screaming because his ear was hurting so badly.  Of course all of the clinics were closed.  I kept him home from school on Monday because he was sick.  Look at that sweet fella sitting with me at the clinic.  He looks sick, doesn't he?!?  We went to the Kroger clinic and the wait was FOUR hours!! FOUR HOURS!  I made an appointment with our pediatrician and he confirmed that Andrew had a raging ear infection.  He has to take medicine twice a day.  Bless him.  As the third child he reminds me to pour his medicine.  I feel like all this training as a youngest child will grow him into a responsible adult.  At least that's what I tell myself. 

 Tuesday morning I set up a chocolate fountain for the teachers at Appling Middle School...except that the fountain part didn't quite work.  Bummer.  So, the teachers had a chocolate dip.  Whatever.  It was delicious.

 This little Valentine got in my car on Tuesday afternoon looking just precious.  I just had to take his picture.

Happy Valentine's Day from our crew!

This month...whoops

January just kind of slipped up on me.  For some reason I never posted.  Whoops.  A lot has happened this month.  It's just really called, "Life as we know it".  It's full.  It's non-stop.  It's everything I hoped this season would be.

Before the boys went to school they helped me clean the house.  It was glorious.  I turned over the upstairs to them.  Glorious.

Just a few days after we got back in the groove of school, we had a snow day.  Well, it wasn't really a snow day.  It was more of a dusting, but we got out of school and that's all that counts!

On snow days we have pancakes or some sort of big breakfast.  We chose pancakes this morning.  As you can see, everyone was super happy.  

 Clayton asked if he could make a chocolate chip cookie skillet.  Just when I thought I didn't have any control issues left, he had to start making cookies.  I retired to my bedroom as he did this and, wouldn't you know, those cookies turned out divine!

 January is the beginning of basketball season.  Which at our house translates into, "Yes, he is 10.  Yes, he is tall.  Yes, I promise he's 10.  He won't turn 11 until June."

 Mawmaw and Pawpaw have attended all of Jack's games and Mimi and Tee have come as well.  Clayton is playing too, but he hasn't had any games yet.  One game when Mimi and Tee came we went to Central BBQ.  If you are ever in Memphis, I recommend the nachos on house chips. Yum!

 One Sunday night Renee had a meeting after church and our boys were in Jackson with Mimi and Tee, because they had the next day off of school.  So, Fred, Fred, and I went to McAlisters.  I had nachos and Mr. Fred had a salad.  It was a dramatic turn of events.  We had to take our picture to capture the occasion.

 Jack had a DARE graduation at school.  I'm not sure what it's all about, but he got a certificate and had to wear jeans to school.  Wearing jeans to school is a greatest accomplishment in this entire scenario.  Jack never wears jeans/pants to school.  I would just glad he had some he could wear.  If anyone is taking notes, my 10 year old wears a 31x30 from the men's department.  Yes, you read that correctly.

 Since the weather has been rather mild this January, Dash and I have been running.  If Dash the dog could, he would do a back flip when I put my running shoes on.  He loves a run.  He is on high alert the entire time.  He takes his job very seriously of protecting me from scary things like squirrels, birds, and falling leaves.  Here he is demonstrating that he CAN be a good dog.  He is trying to sit patiently until I get my things ready to go.  Unfortunately for Dash, I know the real truth.

I even went to Oak and had a little lunch with two of my favorite fellas.  Apparently when you are in middle school, it is not cool for your mother to dine with you in the cafeteria.  What?!?

We headed to Nashville to celebrate my dad and my Aunt Christie's birthdays.  While we were there the guys did a little rock climbing.  They just love rock climbing. 

 My nephew, Adam, is a little monkey.  He just makes me smile.

 Since December is over, I'm back at the grocery store.  Boo.  I loved using Click List over December, but it's time to get back into a budget routine...so back to Aldi we go.  As an added bonus, I usually have a sweet helper with me when I go to Aldi.

 Our friend, Sam, signed to play soccer at Union the other day.  We are so proud of her and can't wait to see where God takes her.

 Speaking of being back into a routine...no more desserts unless it is a special occasion.  So, here's to nature's dessert...the orange, banana, grape, and apple.

 Clayton is skiing this weekend with our church.  I thought it would be a great idea to have two of Jack's friends over to fill the void.  (I know...what was I thinking?!?)  They went to bed fine, but they woke up at 3:00 am.  Fred went upstairs and told them it was too early to get up.  Thankfully they went back to sleep, but they were up at 5:50 am making pancakes.  They fixed us all breakfast.  It was nice.  A little scary.  But nice.

 Finally, my cousin, Richard, was in town for a conference.  He and Aunt Janice dropped off lunch for the middle schooler.  Apparently, this is proper protocol for 13 year olds and lunch. He was very grateful for his tacos.

 And then they made a stop at Oak to see the other boys.  These two were grateful for their lunch as well.

Aunt Janice took Richard to the airport and then she came to our house to visit and took us to dinner at Chick Fil A.

All in all, it's been a great January.  It's been full.  It's been exciting.  Next month, I'll try to do better with updates and stories.  I'll try.