Lil' Greaser

Excuse our dirty bathroom!!
Vaseline all over his shirt too!

Today, Bradley was pleasantly eating his pancakes while I was toasting a bagel. A few minutes later, I noticed that he had disappeared from his pancakes. I found Bradley in our bathroom. He had opened our bathroom drawers and found a large jar of vaseline. This was pure petroleum jelly...very greasy stuff in SMALL quantities, but even worse if it is used the way Bradley used it. He had only been alone with the vaseline for about 3 minutes, but he had had enough time to rub it ALL over his head, his arms, his legs and his hands were just goops of vaseline. He had even rubbed a HUGE amount of vaseline into our dark brown bathroom rug. And, he was quite proud of himself. He thought he had done a good job. He knows we use vaseline on chapped lips and chapped cheeks and he thought he was helping. It was a huge mess, but I had to smile at how proud of himself he was. The biggest problem was that it's not easy to get vaseline off. I wiped off as much as I could and then I put him in the tub. I bathed him and got most of it off, but his hair looked a little bit greasy today and wasn't sticking up every which way like it usually does when it's clean. Silly boy!!!

A day with Nana & Pop

Rachel decided to push Bradley by herself
Everyone was enjoying the fish pond

Still enjoying the courtyard

the fish pond

Gramma is giving Bradley a ride

What a great picture!!

What a precious picture!!

Another GREAT picture!!

Me and my sweet Gram and my sweet boy

The girls

We had a fun but busy day today. We went to nana and pop's house to play this morning. We had a great time playing with all their toys! Then, we went to see Gramma for a short visit. We arrived right before lunch and Gramma was already in the lobby waiting to be seated. She was so excited to see us and show us off. Bradley immediately wanted a "ride" on Gramma's walker and she obliged. Mom and I were very surprised at how fast she was walking while pushing an extra 28 lbs.! She wheeled Bradley down a hallway and right into the kitchen. I'm sure the kitchen staff were quite surprised to see Gramma being so friendly AND pushing a toddler around. We also went into the courtyard to walk around and look at the fish in the pond (or as Bradley says, "pish".) The kids LOVED the courtyard area and we had such a nice visit with Gramma. She was in such a good mood and obviously was feeling very good. We left there and went to McDonald's to play on the playground. We ate lunch and then went back to nana and pop's to play for a little while longer. It was a fun day and it wore the kids out!!!

Swimming Fun

Max & Bradley

Kinsey swimming with her head underwater!

My sweet girl walking in the water

Rachel & Kinsey

John Scott, Jacob, Kinsey & Rachel

With gas prices so high, our travel distances are quite short when it comes to places to go and things to do. Thankfully, a short drive, with free fun, is Gege and Papa's pool. We've been over there for the past 2 days swimming. I was supposed to "host" playgroup at the pool yesterday. I haven't actually been to playgroup in about a year, but had offered the pool for playgroup this month. However, most of the moms and kids had their kids enrolled in VBS this week, so only me, my kids and Elizabeth and her kids were able to go. But, we really had a great time swimming, just the 6 of us! Kinsey is Rachel's age, and the girls have known each other since they were born, because Elizabeth and I used to teach together and got pregnant at the same time. She also has a son, Max, who is 15 months old. He's a cutie, and is constantly in "go" motion. He's also a big boy...he's maybe an inch or two shorter than Bradley, but he's 2 pounds heavier! Bradley's 28 lbs. and Max is 30 lbs. It's funny to see them together. Rachel and Kinsey swam and swam! Kinsey's very good at swimming and able to swim without floaties and can even put her head under water and swim and then raise her head up. Quite impressive! Rachel was really taking note of how she was swimming! Amazingly, Bradley did GREAT at the pool for the past 2 days. I really wanted to see how he would do if he HAD to stay with me, without the option of leaving the pool, taking a ride, visiting Pat and Kate (the mules), etc... So, Gege and Papa didn't even come visit us while we swam so as to not make Bradley long for their company and entertainment! He hardly even complained. Yesterday, he spent a good deal of time watching a movie and then got in the pool for a few minutes. Today, he very pleasantly sat with me on the lounge chair and played for awhile. Then, he decided to get in the pool and stayed in for about an hour. He floated on his tummy, with my assistance and really enjoyed being in the water! I was so shocked and very excited! I'm just glad to know that: 1. I can still handle my own son; 2. He does like the pool; 3. He still has fun with me and Rachel. Also, my friend from playgroup, Mary, came by today after VBS with her twin boys who are also 4. All the kids had a great time, and Rachel was the "mother hen" getting kids popsicles and entertaining Max. What a little sweetheart! It was a very fun morning!

Lazy weekends

I haven't had much to blog about lately. We just haven't been up to much different than any other week. I feel like that probably gets a little boring to read since there's not much to it. So, I'll give you a few brief re-caps.

This past weekend, we went swimming on Saturday. It rained that morning, but turned out to be nice and warm. So, we spent several hours at the pool. Rachel hardly got out at all and we had to make her leave. Bradley hardly got in and we had to make him leave too. :) I took Bradley with me to Publix and Blockbuster that afternoon to give daddy and Rachel a break. They stayed home and did crafts. Bradley walked along the sidewalk between Publix and Blockbuster and examined everything he saw. He stopped at every door we passed (about 6) to look inside at the patrons. He is thoroughly enjoying his new "big boy" independence...when he wants it!

We did make it to church again on Sunday. We were late, but we were there, so that's always a victory. I hung out in the nursery again and Bradley did pretty well, but panicked if I was out of sight. We left church and went to the fellowship picnic at Memorial Park after that. I love Memorial Park, and we had a nice time. Rachel ended up playing with another 4 year old, Emma. They had a great time together and we visited the animals at the zoo. We came home, rested and then made pancakes, grits and omelettes/scrambled eggs for supper.

Working with Daddy

Well, Rachel has been asking for awhile now, and she finally got to do it. She got up this morning and went to work with Nick. She picked out one of her lovely summer dresses, packed a backpack with some toys and markers and left. Nick took her to chick-il-a (as Rachel calls it) and got her some breakfast before they got to the office. Once there, Rachel met several of Nick's co-workers and then played on his computer for a long time. She also colored several pictures to give to us. She was there for about 2 hours, had a great time and felt so special getting to go to her daddy's work and be a part of his everyday routine. I'm so glad that she got to do this and I'm so glad Nick took time out of his day to show Rachel what he does at work.

I remember going to work with my dad and how I thought I was so special to get to be in his office, sit at a desk and "work". I remember drawing pictures or reading or playing with his office stuff. I loved these days when I was got to have my dad all to himself and he always treated me to a special lunch too.

What special memories for both of us!

Blogger down...

Sick and Tired (mommy, that is!)
a little quality time with daddy before bed

Rachel's doll, "Orange Juice", makes Bradley laugh

when her eyes open and close

trying on mommy's hat

FINALLY feeling better!

Yeah! I love to use my mermaid goggles!

loving the baby pool

Bradley decides to sit in the

water wheel table

Well, I've been a "blogger down" lately, between our SLOW internet service and a sick little boy. Poor Bradley has fought and finally kicked a nasty virus that lasted OVER a week! We hope no one else gets it, since we've all felt the ramifications of the virus with Bradley's lethargy, fever, unattainable demands, crying and general unhappiness. He was definitely a different little boy this week and he REALLY didn't feel good. But, thankfully, he is doing much better. His fever finally broke last night (Wednesday) after 4 full days of running a temp. He also started eating again today after hardly eating anything for 2 days. I'm so thankful that he is feeling better and that his little body was able to fight off whatever infection was attacking it. It's so easy for me to get aggravated, frustrated, mad, tired, etc...when one of my kids is sick. But, I'm so thankful that we don't have some chronic or terminal illness that we have to deal with on a daily basis. I prayed for Bradley's health to be restored, for his little body to be healed and him to feel better and act like his spunky, silly little self, and God answered my prayer. Thank you, Lord! I know that my kids are a blessing from God and I give him all the glory!!!

Anyway, I've posted some pictures from the last few days, some were in "sick mode" and some were today when we had all pepped up again. :)

Happy Father's Day!

Making brownies

Such great little helpers!

Father & Son
(I wish I had taken a picture with my dad to post!)

The kids weren't too thrilled to take a picture

because they were tired, but they really DO love their daddy!

Today was Father's Day, and unfortunately, we didn't make it to church. Bradley has been feeling a little rough for the past few days and I just didn't feel like trying to make him happy at church when he already has a difficult time. So, the kids and I made Nick a yummy breakfast...not healthy, but very delicious...bacon, eggs, sausage, biscuits and Rachel insisted on making daddy a chocolate chip smiley face pancake. We didn't do much during the day, and then went to Joe and Deborah's late this afternoon to swim and eat. Deborah made some yummy shish-kabobs with chicken, steak, shrimp, potatoes, onions, bell pepper and she also grilled some asparagus. The asparagus was sooo yummy! Last night, mom and dad came over to celebrate Father's Day, and were generous enough to bring yummy stuff to make fajitas. Dad seasoned the chicken with some great seasonings and we had beans, rice, sauteed onions and all the good fajita stuff. We got to eat some really great meals in honor of our fathers, but I didn't do a thing to contribute! Thanks mom and Deborah for making the celebrations so fun, delicious and easy!

The kids and I did make brownies on Saturday for Father's Day. Bradley wants to "help" cook too. He won't let it just be me and Rachel. He's pretty good about stirring as long as you keep a close eye on him to make sure he doesn't fling the whole thing out and get batter everywhere. He LOVES helping just as much as Rachel does and his little mouth is open in excitement the whole time. Rachel has a more active role, pouring in the ingredients and mixing them together. They're both so precious in their eager desire to HELP!

Onto the Father's Day thanks...

I have been so blessed to have my father in my life. My dad has ALWAYS been an excellent example of a good husband, father and christian. My dad always followed through on everything he ever said he was going to do. He loved (and still loves) to have little sayings that he reminded us of during various situations. One I remember, "Say what you mean and mean what you say." He always had a good attitude about life in general and when we would ask him how his day was, he would say, "Every day's a good day." He was an extremely consistent parent. He and mom always worked as a team and created such a stable, loving, nurturing environment. I remember ALWAYS being in church on Sundays and loving it. We had some really great church homes that we belonged to where I learned so much. I never wanted to disappoint my dad and he set such a strong example and I knew I was very special to my family. So, when I began dating, I was only interested in dating boys who I thought my dad would approve of. My dad has always been a loving, caring, supportive father who made sure I was well taken care of, provided for and left wanting nothing. Thank you dad, for being the absolute best dad! I love you so much and admire so many things about you! I'm so proud to have you for my dad!

Onto my father in law, Joe...

I have also been blessed with a loving, sweet, caring father in law. I never knew how much I would enjoy having another "father figure" in my life. Joe is such a giving, caring person to everyone, but especially to his family. I've enjoyed spending time with him for the past 13+ years and getting to know who he is. Most of all, I'm thankful for how he raised his son, my precious husband. He set such a fine example of what a father is to his family, how he should provide for them, love them and be there for them. Thank you, Joe, for being such an awesome father in law! I love you!

Now to my precious husband, Nick...

I am so thankful that we met, became friends and fell in love! I remember when you were my brother's friend, a boy in the youth group. Always cute, always funny and quite charming. I'm so glad you decided to pick me as a girl to date and get to know better. I'm so honored that you picked me to be your wife. You are such a wonderful husband AND father! Your love for your kids is precious, sweet and touching. There are so many days when you're at work when Rachel says, "I wish daddy was here." She loves her daddy so much and you are helping to make her feel secure, confident and loved. She is so lucky to have a daddy who reads to her, plays with her and spends quality time listening to what's on her little mind. You are already setting such a powerful example to Bradley of what a father and man are supposed to be. There are times when Bradley looks around and says, "da?" or "where da go?" (in his own little way) He's really become a daddy's boy lately and that will only continue as he gets older. I was and am blessed abundantly to have you in my life. Thank you so much for being who you are, for staying strong in your convictions, for providing for our family and for LOVING us all so much! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH, you sweet, handsome, man!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL THE DADS!!!!!!