A poem by Clay

He He He

No, said Clay
Me said Dad
No said Dad
Then who?
Mom took
no said mom
then who?
Clay took
No said Clay

Clay He He

The cat hat at the hat at the park
he he he he he

Maw Maw

Just a quick post, because my good friend is here in town for a few days, but I had to post about Collin and he's "Maw Maw". Although we have repeatedly tried to convince him that daddy is dada or dad or da he continues to let us know we are wrong in our interpretation of this man and in fact he is Maw Maw. He yells Maw Maw everytime he sees him and doesn't stop yelling it until he is safetly and snuggly in his daddy's arms.

The face of Casanova

This is the face of Casanova. He's my son Clay and apparently he has all the girls wanting to be his boyfriend. He was kissed on the cheek at recess my someone and is constanetly being asked to go steady... did I mention he's in the FIRST GRADE!!!!

My son didn't come home professing this, no, I heard all of this at parent teacher conference last night from another parent who volunteers in the class. Apart from being a very attentive and a hard worker he is also a ladies man! I think this is hilarious, especially since he has absolutely no clue what is going on half the time especially when it comes to the opposite sex. His "girlfriend", who's in his class and also in church with him was asked what does a boyfriend and girlgriend do? "Oh we sit beside eachother in circle time." said matter of factually.

Who knew...

Raspberry berry picking

This friday I went raspberry picking with Cregan and Collin and some friends. We had a blast picking berries, and there were SO MANY! Cregan helped Collin too by dumping the entire pint of raspberries down the back of Collin's stroller. Then when I got Collin out of the stroller to clean him and the stroller up a little and retrieve any non-squished berries I had to run after Collin who was running around picking berries and leaves off the ground and putting them in his mouth!! Looking back a very cute experience but in the moment you can imagine my frustration..

But it got me really excited about the fall coming and all the fun things that come along with it. There's ofcourse the annual picking of berries, and apples but also we go get our pumpkins and hay and get all the fall things out. And as much as I love summer and never want it to go, especially when you have to look forward to the long winter months of Ohio, I really like the fall. And I am truely anticipated the season with a smile for a change...

Smartest boy in the world??? Maybe??

So today Cregan tells me that Collin smells poopy. So I say to Collin who is in the hallway, "Are you in the hallway, poop-head?" "Let's change your diaper"
No lying, he walked over to the cabinet that the diapers and wipes are in, sat down, opened the cabinet and then layed down. I assume waiting for me to change his diaper.
I'm convinced, yes, he is a genius!!

Remembering 9/11

So today on the anniversary of 9/11 I was thinking about what I was doing and how different our lives have become since that day.

I recall a conversation my coworkers and I had in the spring of 2001 about our generation never going to war and how lucky we were to not have really experienced that. I was so grateful for that especially since Josh was in the Army and I was pregnant. I probably remember the conversation so clearly because of what happened on September 11th.

I had taken the baby to the babysitter, and headed to work, it was a normal day at the mortgage company I worked for. Then a phone call came in, it was from a realtor in Fayetteville, telling us to turn on the news, and then another person this time our boss, then my sister called frantic, asking if I was OK, how about Josh and Clay??

I had no idea what was going on, ofcourse it didn't take long for the whole nation to know, who was this man bin laden?? How did you pronounce it?? Where was he from?? Why were they doing this??

First thing I wanted after seeing the news was my baby, then Josh. I called the sitter and told her I'd be there to pick him up early today, but Josh had gone to Ranger School and wouldn't be home for at least 6 more weeks, if not longer...

I like the rest of the nation was in shock and probably still am to some degree. I now know more about Bin Laden, the Middle East and the Muslim religion than I ever thought I would.

I pray for our troops who are out there fighting for our country and I will always remember 9/11/01 and where I was, and I pray for the families that lost there loved one on that day.

Grandma's Birthday

This weekend was Josh's grandma's birthday, she turned 86! All her children and grandchildren and great grandchildren came to visit. She lives in Negley, OH which is about 3 hours north east of us. Her son lDick who lives in Texas came and brought his grand-daughters that had never been outside of Texas. Audrea and Rachel came up from Georgia too. It was so nice to see all of the family, there was around 90 of us. Most of us camped out in the yard, some were smart and got rooms (the rest of us stunk by the end of the weekend). There was bon fires, fireworks, swimming in Sue's pool and tons and tons of food.

To provide for all influx of people, Grandma rented porta potties, which ofcourse one of my boys (Cregan) was playing in, that boy, I don't know what I'm going to do with him. Clay, Nick and Tyler played alot, and ofcourse all the girls, Maddie, Jordan, Lindsay, and Elise played with their barbies. It was a fun weekend!

Josh's birthday

For Josh's birthday I decided to surprise him with a Hawiian themed party, especially since he'll be gone to Iraq next year at this time. I sent him golfing with the guys and we (ofcourse all the women) decorated and cooked. And when he came home he was truely surprised, ofcourse I thought for sure the boys had slipped up a few times during the week and he knew, but apparentely he really doesn't pay attention to what the children are saying (for example, "Dad, can I have some jelly filled donuts on the couch???", "Sure, whatever...") So needless to say, he was surprise, the party was a success and entertaining. We had around 20 people and kids here and we swam and played games. We even had a tornado come through towards the afternoon which was excited for everyone. The kids had to go to the basement, then a few of us were glued to the TV and the insane ones (Josh included) were on the ladder outside looking for the tornado...

After most everyone left except for Jon, Kayla, Sophie and Mike, we all played charades!!! SO much FUN. I was glad the day was over but hopefully it was memoriable for Josh and the kids.

Clay

Clay started school this past week, although very excited and nervous, he informed me that he didn't want to go to school, that he'd miss his mom and didn't want to leave me. This has been his motto since birth and he swears that he'll not grow up and get married and leave us (Josh and I) but rather live forever in our basement. Ohh joy was it to hear that...

Needless to say after only a few days of school, he's glad to be back, loves his teacher, and wants to pack a lunch so that he can be "cool too". I actually may have to worry about him living in our basement forever :)

Attached is his pictures from the first day of school with our neighbors and Cregan.