Fishermen, Hunters, Army men...oh, my!

So, it started as an innocent love of fishing from my husband.  And, as his passion for fishing has grown, so has his "fishing attire."  This led to conversations with the boys about proper attire for your job...and somehow we got to talking about camouflage.

And, then it occurred to Emmanuel that one of his favorite people on earth, Carl Bean, must wear camouflage.  (Carl Bean is my mom's first cousin--they are like siblings--he was one of my dad's closest friends--he is Eli's fishing buddy--and also happens to be one of the greatest role models/mentor that a woman could want for her husband or her sons...oh and he hunts and fishes and everything else).

So, Emmanuel said, "Wow--I'm gonna go hunting with Carl Bean one day, so I need some camo pants to blend in."  (I am thinking, "Hmmm...I'm not so sure I want my 4-year-old thinking about hunting...maybe we should become vegetarians..." but of course, I love to encourage a creative mind...so I listened and went with it.)  He found some camo shorts (he went through his hand-me-down box) and bought a bow and arrow with his treat money from the dollar store.  (Again, still thinking, hmm...what is going on here?)

He starts practicing with his bow and arrow, but it breaks after two days.  (All I will say is that Reese and cheap toys don't mix).

In an effort to help Reese not feel scared in their room, I suggest building a fort to keep the bad guys away, and I talk about God as a mighty fortress...and how He is our great protector, but all Emmanuel heard was "fort" and "bad guys."  We set up operations in the fort...we broke out our walkie-talkies...we used our binoculars to make sure no one was trying to get us.  In the middle of one of our "fort meetings," Emmanuel said, "Mom, I think we are in the army."  (Hmm...what is going on here...doesn't he want to play something that doesn't involve getting hurt...how about pretending to be a teacher or a computer scientist or an artist...no way!  He wanted to be "army.")

And, then, while buying a present for a birthday party, we saw them...Camo pants...on the sale rack for ridiculously cheap...in his size (and Reese's)...and well, this "camo craze" has grown from fishing to hunting to armying...and Reese is all in it right along with him.

As long as they don't ask for some pink camo for Moriah Grace, then we will be all right.

My baby's got asthma....

So, technically, my "baby" doesn't have asthma...Moriah Grace seems to be perfectly healthy...

But, my baby boy, who is 2 and who is starting to remind me that he is a "big boy, not a baby," has asthma.  Our pediatrician has been tracking his breathing for over a year.  At his 2-year-old well visit, she finally diagnosed what we have been seeing in him for a while as "asthma."

He's a tough kid--probably one of the toughest I've ever met--but when he runs really hard or exerts himself too much (crying, laughing, jumping), he will usually begin coughing a lot and throw-up.  When this happens in public, other moms would say, "um...is he sick?" (and then sometimes they would look at me as if to say, "How dare you bring him to playgroup...or the library...or to church...or wherever we happen to be that day?) But I would always answer, "No, he's not sick--he just throws up."  Weird answer, I know, but well, it was true.

As I explained his symptoms to our pediatrician.  She said, "Carmen, it's time we call a spade, a spade.  Reese has 'sports,-induced' asthma.  It doesn't mean he can't run, play, and jump like other kids, we just have to watch him and give him meds to make his lungs stronger."

So, that's what we are doing...taking one day at a time...learning about asthma...and paying close attention to Reese's little body...

...because even tough guys who aren't babies anymore still need some TLC.

Guess who's back?

Our MAC crashed a couple of weeks after Moriah Grace was born.  Apparently, two-year-olds and a cup of water close to the really expensive computer aren't a great mix.  We definitely found that out the hard way.  We are saving to purchase another computer, so my time on the internet is spotty...hence no blog posts for two months!

We are adjusting to being a family of five.  I thought going from 1-2 was hard, and it was...it was real hard for a while.  But, 2-3...well, let's just say that there are many days that Eli and I look at each other and say, "Man, 3 is a lot."  And, maybe, three isn't a lot if there is a huge age gap (like in both of our family of origins)....and, maybe, three isn't a lot if they are all the same gender...I don't know...but three in four years is, well, a lot.

Moriah Grace has gotten so CHUNKY!  She's a far cry from the 4 pound, 9 ounce preemie that was delivered in June.  At her 2 month appointment, she weighed 9 pounds, 4 ounces, and I bet right now at 3 months, she easily weighs 11 pounds.  She is such a delight...a bit of a diva...and it takes everything in me not to hold her all day long (ok--Reese makes sure that I don't hold her all day long!)  She has such a huge and inviting smile...and she would talk all day if somebody would listen.  I am totally captivated by Ms. Moriah Grace...who knew but the Lord?

We had a lot of fun hanging out as a family this summer.  Here are some of our highlights!

Reese sitting on Moriah Grace (oh, wait...how did that get in here!)

The three when she was itty-bitty!

 

And, now the chunky mama...with her Sunday hat on at the church picnic!

Proud papa...my beloved husband adores our little family!

Not much is sweeter in life to me than capturing this moment of my granny and MG.  They are 80 years apart.

Joshua lost his first tooth (with a little help from Eli.)  He started kindergarten and has gotten so big!  I'm so proud of him.  E and Reese ADORE Joshua!

Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-Fil-A:  I didn't find out until 4:30 PM that day that  you could dress your family like a cow and get a free meal!  I was all over that!  We had so much fun that night.  (and, yes, Reese has on bunny ears...smh!)

We deepened a friendship with a sweet family in our neighborhood, Doug, Jamekra, and Kaylee.  Jamekra is super crafty!  I am amazed at how creative she is.  She had us over for a "Drive-In" Movie Theater, and she made the children their very own cars.  She had balloons, a snack station, complete with movie-themed candy...it was AMAZING! 

The back of the cars had a license plate with each of their names....

Jamekra also had us over for an Opening Ceremonies party for the Olympics! The kids dressed in red, white, and blue and made bracelets.  We also had trophies, medals, and a medal stand.  Like I said, Jamekra is AMAZING!

 Kaylee's bracelet...

 A 4th of July Craft at their house...

Eli built the boys a birdhouse...and they painted it with Joshua's help!

And, then, sprayed Josh with the hose! 

The boys "saved the world..."

At the nature center!

Our church member surprised the boys with an awesome gift.  He is a firefighter (and my boys love their rescue heroes) and our pastor's brother.  One day he said, "Carmen, I've got an old hat for the boys...do you think they would like that?  Can I give it to them?"  I was like..."Um, of course...they would be in heaven!"  The next Sunday, he gave them the hat...it says "Captain...Nashville FD" on it.  Emmanuel wears that hat everywhere.  He said, "Mama, I like using my imagination, but this is the REAL DEAL!"  Emmanuel is hilarious, and now he thinks he's a captain, too!

The boys are constantly in MG's face, and she not only loves it, but she expects it. 

First Sunday at church with all of the kids.

People are always telling me how she will be protected with her two older brothers (and let's not forget her three male cousins who also think it's their duty to watch over her)...I love how they are holding her hand in this picture as though they are "protecting her."  I love how they are wearing their Under Armour and the slogan is "We must protect this house."

I am so grateful that she is already learning that she is loved, she is valued, and that she has protectors.  It is our prayer for each of our babies that they would realize that their true love in Jesus...that they would find their true value in Jesus...that they would know that Jesus is their true protector.

We MUST protect this house.