Update Coming!

Please be patient! I am sorry I haven't been able to post. Taylor was on vacation much of July, then John and I went on vacation, and now I'm getting ready for school to start! The kids aren't sleeping as late, or going to bed as early, so I have less time to sit!

I promise good pics soon!

2 year Pictures and Toddler Beds

Please Continue your Prayers

Unfortunately, the little boy that I mentioned in my last post passed away on Saturday night. Please pray for Steve and Shiloh Staples (parents) and Abigail (his big sister.)

Bad Blogger Award.....goes to Jill!

SO Sorry!!! (I started this post last week, but am having problems getting pictures uploaded and to move around through the post. So...here are a few pics, and then I will post a separate post with just pictures.)

We've been busy enjoying the summer! We have gone swimming a couple of times. The kids like being in the water. I want to take them to the kiddie pool at our park, but it has just been so dang hot! Here are some pool pics....

Two weeks ago we (Taylor and my parents) took the kids to the Fort Worth Stockyards to ride the Tarantula Train. It was so much fun! They boys have really gotten into trains, so they were super excited. When we first got there I was holding Adam next to the train. He was saying "Choo-Choo, Please!" over and over again! He couldn't wait to get on! It was an hour long trip, and they did so good!

They have been talking up a storm! Adam is putting two words together, and all three are repeating just about everything we say. They love to sing! They try to sing "ABC", "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and "Pat a Cake." I need to get video!

I found out from a friend that there was a new recall on our baby cribs. The Government website for recalls had the cribs as the number one recall! Anyway, I tore down the cribs on Monday, took them back to Walmart, and got them toddler beds! They have done really well! As with anything, it has taken time. At first they would just run around their room and play. So, for the last two days I have let them spend a large amount of time playing in their room and on their beds. Last night I really emphasized that it was time for bed, and not play time. It took about 45 minutes for everyone to be totally asleep. Tonight it only took 15 minutes! Here are some new pictures!

Finally, we did the kids' two-year pictures at the golf course. It took us two trips out there, because it started raining the first time! She took over 200 shots, so here are some of the best. Adam is in the red shirt.

Please Pray for a Friend

A couple we know has a son in Cook's Hospital that has been there for 2 months. The baby's name is Kyle Staples, and his parents are Steve and Shiloh.

Here is a link to their blog. Please take time to pray for Kyle's healing.

www.kylebradleystaples.blogspot.com

Things Continue to Change

Aaron--Avery---Adam

I posted only 2 1/2 weeks ago, and yet it seems like things have changed so much with the kids! First of all, Avery has decided to talk! Just like the boys, she says new things every day. She still likes to point and let Aaron talk for her, but it is nothing like it was 2 weeks ago! They all try to say everything we say. It is so cute! Of course, John said "Horseshit" the other night watching a Ranger's game. Sure enough, Avery said "Sorse..sit." It is funny right now! (We both know we have to start watching our language in front of them. Ha!)

Adam is obsessed with Elmo, bugs, and golf on Wii. When he gets fixated on an idea, he says it over and over and OVER again. He and Aaron beg John to play "Ball" and "Golf" on Wii every day--which he gladly does. They both love it and yell "Home Run" when John hits one over. Adam also likes to sit with John and watch golf and baseball. Adam is a very sweet boy. He will give Aaron and Avery their favorite toys, give hugs and kisses, and say "Bubba" and "Sister" or "Avery." He always hits balls with bats around the house. We bought a tee last week because I figured they would like to try it. Well, here is a video of Adam just after John got it out of the box. He did so good! We think that he has amazing hand/eye coordination for a child that isn't even 2! Adam is also very observant, obedient, and funny. He has such a cool personality and the best hair!

Aaron is so funny and sensitive! He is slow to wake up in the morning--which I like because he gives the BEST morning hugs! Aaron too loves to watch John play Wii, and will hold his bat and swing at the appropriate times. Last week Adam had to go to the doctor. (Taylor brought them to school and I just got Adam out of the car with his carseat and took him with me.) Well, Aaron FREAKED! He started crying and yelling "Momma...Bubba...Momma...Bubba!" Taylor took them to the park, and although he did play there, when they got home he just sat at the picnic table until I got home with Adam. Aaron eats like a horse, says everything we say, and gives the sweetest kisses. Tonight when I took the kids walking Avery had a sneezing fit. Aaron was sitting by her, and when she stopped, he leaned over to her and said "Sister" and gave her three big kisses! He helps us clean up the sippie cups, doesn't mind taking his medicine, loves to dip his food in ketchup, and hugs his brother and sister every day.

Avery's voice has really changed since she started talking. She still has a deep laugh, but she has the sweetest sounding little voice when she talks. I will whisper secrets in her ear (I do this with the boys too) and she will whisper back to me. The sound of her voice makes us melt! She is very outgoing and loves to give hugs and kisses to anyone that will hold her. She knows when she looks pretty too! I put a dress on her today and she immediately started holding it out to the side. When I put up her hair, she started asking for me to put a bow in her hair. She knows she's pretty! She loves the play equipment at the park, and is truly fearless. She does front flips on her own in the house, and will want you to flip her backwards over and over again. Her favorite thing right now is when I read "How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?" before bedtime. They all act out the book, but Avery is especially animated about it! When I pull the book off the shelf she starts laughing! (I really need to get this on tape.)

John, Taylor, and I took the kids to the Ft Worth Zoo last Sunday. It was such a fun day! The kids loved it....here are a few of the million pictures we have!

I have been so proud of the kids lately. It seems like all of the things we work so hard to teach them are finally being seen. For example, they are so kind to each other and so giving. It makes our hearts fill with love when we see them sharing toys, giving hugs and kisses, and giving things to each other. We are also so proud of how well they are using their manners. They say "Please", "Thank You" and "Sorry." We can easily take all three of them out to eat dinner. They sit nicely, eat their food, and make a minimal mess. Of course we have our rough days--they are toddlers--but they are truly amazing children!

22 Months Old!

John took this picture of the kids behind our recliners. Think there was any naughtiness happening here?

Yesterday was a day of highs and lows. First of all, Adam pee-ed in the potty! We always offer them the chance to go before bath, and Adam did it! I'm not sure he is really ready yet, but it was sure exciting!

Then, we found out that John's dad passed away around 7 PM. He has been struggling for the last 4 months--bypass surgery, staph infection, etc--but has been very strong. He had actually been moved from the hospital to a rehab center, and we were hoping he would come home next week. Well, yesterday he fell and hit his head and had a brain bleed. When John talked to him around 11 AM, he was fine--then he died in the evening. Everyone in the family seems to be doing ok...

Finally, around 9 PM, the Personnel Director called and said I had been approved by the School Board and was officially offered a teaching position! I will be teaching 5th grade at the Intermediate School--it is actually the school that first hired me in Glen Rose. Oh, the irony! After being away from school, and then back at teaching, I have realized it is my true calling in life! I feel thankful for the opportunity to teach again.

So, enough about us....The kids are doing great! The last month has flown by and the kids are funnier than ever. Aaron finds it humorous to tell us that he has pooped, only to laugh out loud when you check his empty diaper. Adam is talking up a storm. Everyday he wants John to play baseball on Wii. All three kids love watching! Avery is pointing, grunting, and getting her brothers to do all of the talking for her! She is doing flips all over the house, walking in play high-heel shoes, and enjoys showing us she can jump off the ground.

The kids LOVE Sesame Street! They ask for "Elmo" and "Cookie" everyday! It cracks me up!! They still love going to the park, and they want to be outside as much as possible. We finally got sand for a sandbox given to them as a Christmas present. Avery loved playing in the sand...Adam was a little tentative, but liked it....Aaron hated it! He did NOT like the feel of the sand and wanted out quickly. Here are some pics.

Also, our friend Sonja and I took all 5 of our kids to Fossil Rim two weeks ago. Same scenario as the sandbox...Avery was practically crawling out of the window to feed the animals..Adam sat in Sonja's lap as she drove and talked the whole time.....Aaron stayed as far away from the open window as he could. He kept saying "Oh, no" when a big animal would come up to his closed window! It was so funny!! I will upload pics when I get them from Sonja.