Joe, Ashley, Owen, & Mason: September 2010

Thursday, September 30

Mommy Moments...

Moms, don't you hate it when you're multi-tasking eating and say returning emails and without even realizing it you go to take another bite and low and behold the plate is clean?! I just ate my entire lunch without even realizing it! I don't even know if my french toast was any good. :(

Moms, why is it that your kids have their hardest days when your husband isn't around to help?! Yesterday Owen was cutting two teeth which for him means a runny nose, whining, 6 poopy diapers, and difficulty sleeping!! And Joe was out of town! On the upside-Mason hardly spit up at all! I never even had to change clothes! :)

Moms, is it bad that my 19month old always assumes he needs shoes if I put clothes on him?! I suppose we may be having too many pajama days and I only dress him if we are leaving the house! :)

Moms, do you ever forget what the date is...or even what day of the week it is...or even worse....what month it is?! Please tell me I'm not alone! :-/

Moms, am I a bad person if I truly believe with all my heart that my two boys are the most beautiful people God ever created?! I mean just look at them!

Owen today being silly! I didn't mind him sucking on the paci because Mason very rarely uses it.

Tuesday, September 21

Much needed time with The Brewtons!

What an awesome few days we just shared with the Brewtons! It is always such a blessing to be with this amazing family. I know that no family is perfect, and I know that there's not one perfect way to "parent" your children...but boy are they doing something right! I'm not usually one to look to others for advice or to admire another's way of doing things (unfortunately I have too much pride to allow that), but I truly hope my parenting skills mirror those of the Brewtons! I want my children to be as much of a blessing to others as their kids are to me, Joe, and my boys. Emily and Wendell are such proactive parents who are so intentional in every way they raise their children. I'm sure their children aren't perfect and I'm sure their parenting skills aren't always perfect, but they've laid the foundation by focusing on heart issues not just behavior. Each of their children are so obedient, respectful, and loving towards others....and as a bonus they are each playful, funny, and beautiful! I will never short change Emily by saying "Oh, you just have calm children with good temperaments" because I know each of her children have unique personalities and temperaments, she has just dedicated her life the past 8 years to the ministry in her home. She has sacrificed so much along the way in order to raise her children in the way God intended. I'm sure not everyone has agreed with or understood her way of parenting (especially during those early weeks of life), but I must say to those people--Look at the "product" that her parenting has "produced" and don't be so prideful not to give her a little credit! :)
My hope and prayer is that in some way I will be able to learn from Emily's wisdom. I feel like I will be a better parent just because I know the Brewtons. I just wish I could "do life" with them more...

These Friends are such a blessing!

Joe and all the kids playing a game of catch-Conner was an excellent score keeper!

Me and Emily (It was quite the process getting her kids to take a good picture of us! 3 kids, 2 cameras, 50 clicks of the camera, maybe 1 good picture!)

Owen had such a great time playing with his friends!

Owen and Addison (I'm beginning to believe more and more in arranged marriages!)

Brother Time!

Sweet Mason!

I love this boy!

Such a happy boy!

Our boys!

Owen making his first homemade pizza! The first of many to come!

Joe is so thankful he has Owen to help make the chore of mowing the lawn a little more enjoyable!

Mason

Owen reading his book about Things That GO!

Silly Time with Mommy! Glad someone was actually there to capture the moment!

Wednesday, September 8

Family Vacation 2010

We took a quick family vacation last weekend to Hutchinson Island/Jensen Beach. It was so great just to be a family of four on vacation together! Although the beach was not as nice as our usual spot, Siesta Key, it was great waking up in the morning with a view of the ocean. What was even better is that the entire vacation was less than $100! Gotta love those Marriott rewards points Joe's earning through work!
When we began to plan this vacation, I don't think we considered the amount of work involved when staying in a hotel room with an 18 month old and 8 week old! We were just giddy about taking a much needed break from the normal routine. So, on the day we left I was talking to Beverly and some how she mentioned the stress that could be involved with putting Owen and Mason to bed each night and for naps! Why had we not thought of that!! I suppose we didn't think of how difficult it could be because Owen has always done great when we've stayed in hotels...we just didn't consider how adding Mason to the mix could change things. Well, weren't we surprised when we put the boys down that night for bed...they were both perfect! Owen actually fell asleep laying on the bed with Joe (for the first time ever!), and he transitioned nicely into the pack-n-play (which he barely fit in)! Mason continued his trend of sleeping through the night (8:30-7am...with a feeding I wake him for at 11pm)! Can I just say we were thrilled they both did so well!
They were also great when we went out to eat each night. Owen usually becomes a bit restless at a restaurant but he was great (probably because we sat outside and he was able to watch cars and motorcycles drive by)! And Mason just sat in his seat wide awake taking in the new scene!
Although it may have been a quick vacation, and it may not have been to any fancy resort, theme park, or destination-- it was our first family vacation of four and I'll never forget it!
Our view...wish I could have this view every morning!!

Mason's first trip to the beach!

Owen and his shoes! These happen to be Owen's favorite shoes (his hand-me-down green Crocs) We just about lost these shoes on the first day of our vacation when a giant wave (as a result of Hurricane Earl who had just past), came up and swept away all of our stuff on the beach! Thanks to Joe, the shoes were saved!