every captive thought

Before it reached 200* outside today the boys and I went outside to play this morning.  While we were visiting with one of our neighbors and meeting his new puppy, a beautiful little girl named Ivy came from out of nowhere.  I kid you not...this little girl was so pretty both of the boys and I just stared at her in stunned silence.  James finally asked her to stay and play while I started digging for information on where she came from.  Apparently she was visiting her grandmother.  That did not narrow it down as we pretty much live in a retirement community.  I also found out that she is 4 which she told me as she prissily put on her grape lip gloss.  James was totally entranced by this point.  Jude got bored and went off to eat dirt in the neighbor's yard...I think his type will be a little bit more low maintenance.  I asked everything I could think to ask a 4 year old little girl as she played with sidewalk chalk and kept a side eye on Jame...

James had his first soccer game Saturday!  He did great!  I was proud of him. Waiting to be put in the game... Listening to the coaches... As promised by Daddy...ice cream for a game well played.

Jude loves his little sister...and I think she is pretty crazy about him too.

James had soccer practice tonight.  He showed off his abs. Here is sweet little Addi as the goalie. His first game is Saturday.  I'm sure it will be entertaining.  A bunch of 3 year olds + Soccer = Awesomeness.

So I'm trying out a new thing with James called discipline.  And to be honest...it's pretty hard on us.  It is no secret that James has me wrapped around his little finger so I let him get away with a lot.  A whole lot.  He is such a sweet boy and so compassionate and good that it makes it hard for me to discipline him when he does act badly. I think I started out on the right foot but then Jude was diagnosed and my focus was turned towards him and his health.  Then a few months later I got pregnant with Katy Jane so along with being preoccupied with Jude's health, I was also exhausted and too tired to follow through on the threats I was calling discipline.  So James went from being 2 years old to late 3 when it finally dawned on me that I need to get this kid whipped into shape before things get out of hand.  For me, it is just so hard because he is so good most of the time that it hurts me to be hard on him when he misbehaves.  And it hurts ...

Happy one month birthday to my little princess.  What a joy you are!  1 month has flown by.  Your brothers are as in love with you as we are...especially Jude.  He studies you and always wants to be near you.  He has started trying to pick you up and hold you.  So sweet.  He is always bringing you your special crocheted blanket...especially when you are crying. The other day we all went to the pool.  I am not really ready for that...I realize that now.  Too many little people going in too many different directions.  But the kids had fun.  And Katy Jane got a good nap in the sun.  I mostly stayed under the shade with Katy but would occasionally go take a dip in the pool and tell James I needed to cool off.  He came over to where I was sitting and said he needed to "warm off" because he was so cold from being in the water.      Jude loved his floaty. A couple of years ago Mom and Dad got James his...

When I was in middle school the theater arts teacher asked each of us what we wanted to be when we grew up.  I told her that I wanted to be a "soccer mom".  She clearly found this disturbing and ridiculed me in front of the class.  I don't remember caring though.  All I have ever wanted to be was a stay-at-home-mom like my Mom was.  Well, the other day, James had his first ever soccer practice!  It's official.  I'm a soccer mom...complete with minivan. Dressed and ready to go James and Coach Jessica Watch out David Beckham! Keeping Daddy close   Listening closely Cousin Addi is his adorable teammate    

Six years ago today I married the love of my life.  Happy 6th anniversary Brad.  I love you so much.  Thank you for six amazing years, 3 incredible children, and more happiness than my heart can hold.

Jude is totally in love with his baby sister.  I love how sweet he is with her.  This morning he preferred watching her to watching his cartoons. This afternoon Nana, the kids and I ate lunch at Chick-Fil-A where the boys got these awesome cow hats.  James "moo'd" LOUDLY for the rest of the time we were there.  As we were walking out of Barnes and Noble (cow hat still in place) he proudly exclaimed, "I make this hat look good!  MOOOO!"  Healthy self-esteem, that one.   I got to see my sweet cousin Chelsea today and she met Katy Jane for the first time.  They bonded.  Katy Jane felt right at home with her cousin!

Lessons learned today: Do not take 3 children to look at houses with the realtor, do not try to feed your 3 week old infant while walking around looking at houses, when said infant starts to vomit uncontrollably in a house you are viewing, hope that you are with a realtor that is a mother of 4 and a grandmother of 4 and knows what to do because you will freeze and forget everything you know about mothering, bring a back-up outfit everywhere you go in case you ever get barfed on, 3 kids 3 years old and under equals a lot of kids. This morning we all got up and at 'em and headed to the farmer's market.  We loaded up on corn on the cob, cantaloupe, peaches and tomatoes. Jude LOVED the corn on the cob.  And Jude is a super slow eater.  He worked on this cob for a looooong time. A really.  Really. Really... Really long time. After the farmer's market we met the realtor to look at some houses...all disappointments.  Including vomitpalooza courtesy of Katy...

Saturday Katy Jane had some visitors so I got her all dressed up and ready for her company.  She first got to visit with Dr. Honey, Dannie and Gabbie.  James and Jude were beyond thrilled to have some uninterrupted time with the girls.  They would absolutely hold them hostage forever if they could get away with it. Next we had a quick visit from Mrs. Bean then later Zach and Lindsay came over.  We have missed them so we were so excited they came to town.  They even brought us dinner!  So kind!  My kids LOVE "Uncle Bean and Aunt Lindsay". They even helped us keep her awake so that she would sleep well at night.  It is a very difficult job. I can't wait for them to have some babies of their own.  They are going to be amazing parents. Today we went to the park since it was too cloudy to go to the pool.  I think Katy Jane enjoyed the sights and sounds.     Last night was a rough night.  Katy Jane maybe ha...