Beach Tent

So, I got inspired by some tent images online and decided the boys needed their very own tent.

Ma'Lyn had some scraps of fabric left over from the clothes she had made the grandchildren.

I patched it together and draped it over the frame.

Drilled some holes in some molding I picked up at the hardware store.

And..Wa La..

a tent!

More beach pictures to come tomorrow!

Write it down...

Write it down.

Today,...

May 24th, 2011,...

Hughes threw his Nuk in the outside trash can.

I tried to get him to understand that it would be "Gone Gone Forever."

I pleaded with him NOT to throw the Nuk away.

Don't you understand Hughes?

Don't you understand if you throw your Nuk away, you won't have one ANYMORE?

Hughes? 

Do you REALLY want to throw your Nuk in the "trash."

No, Baby, it's not "drose". (aka. gross)

"Hughes, do you REEEAALLLY want to throw your Nuk in the trash?"

"The Nuk that you have had since the DAY YOU WERE BORN?"

"The Nuk that symbolizes that you are STILL a SWEET BABY BOY?"

"The Nuk that I can pop in your mouth when you need to hush up settle down?"

As I TRIED with every ounce of my Mommy being to talk Hughes out of throwing his Nuk away,

he stared up at me and said,

"Trash.  Drose."

"Are you POSITIVE you want to throw that Nuk away Hughes?"

Let's just throw our snack paper away.

We can keep our Nuk. 

(with my head bobbing yes and hands in pleading position)

"Trash.  Drose."

"Oooooookkkkkaaaaaaaaaaay."

"But if you throw your Nuk away, you WON'T have one ANYMORE."

"Trash.  Drose."

I very slowly opened the disgusting, army green lid to the trash can.

One last plea.

"Hughes,  Are you SUUURE you wanna...

Too Late.

Snack Paper and dearlybelovedlimegreenandturquoisesaviorofmysanityNuk has tumbled, hitting every single garbage bag filled with the nastiest, stinkiest diapers and waste of our life.

Ker plunk.

I heard it.

I heard my nerve endings sever with the thump.

I heard all hopes of sanity fall to the bottom of the dump.

It's over.

My love affair with the Nuk.

.................

Well, maybe we can find a spare....somewhere?

Maybe I was the one so attached to the Nuk afterall?

I will let you know if I fall ...even more so... from the graces of dentist and speech pathologist around the world...and more importantly the ones who care for Hughes, and pop open that spare pack we bought the other day.

(Now where did I put that thing?)

Gotta go.

Wiley is crying.

Now, where is his Nuk?

(wink, wink)

Music...Tuesday??

My Daddy and I share a love for Jazz music.

So glad it's getting revamped and mainstreamed!

Esperanza Spalding's voice is soothing and yummy!

Love Jazz.

Always Have.

Always Will.

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Pictures of Boys...Coming Soon!

While you wait, here is a video of them Saturday, if you haven't seen it already:

Hope you all have a Wonderful Week!

Silly Boy

Look at this silly boy!

Aunt Laura just happened to have these glasses in her purse...

she's cool like that...

and Hughes put them on for a good laugh!

Hoping you all have a fun and "silly" weekend!

Wiley is TWO MONTHS

Wiley was two months old Sunday, the 15th!

Weight:  10 lbs, 2 oz.

Height:  22 inches

You are wearing newborn and 0-3 size clothes.

You are wearing a size 1 diaper...even though it looks like it swallows you whole.

You are eating every 2-3 hours.

You are really liking the Nap Nanny that Smith let you borrow.

The doctor said, "He's not the biggest fella, but he's growing strong."

You love when Hughes, Daddy and Mommy talk to you.

You are beginning to smile and coo at us when we talk to you...

and it is the SWEETEST gummy grin!

Yesterday, I was looking for Hughes.  I found him.  Sitting in front of your car seat...on his knees...really close to your face...saying,

"Talk. Talk. Talk."

I said, "You talking to Wiley?"

"Uh huh."

Hughes likes to rock your car seat, when you are crying.

He also likes to SHOVE the nuk in your mouth when you are upset.

You LOVE tummy time on your pallet.

You LOVE getting a bath.

You are starting to sleep in the swing right beside the bed during the night.

Bless his pea pickin' heart!

This little photo session was short...short lived!

One Month

Two Months

We love you so much sweet boy!

He is Good

He is good.

So so good.

Maybe I haven't told you.

But,  He is good.

God is so good.

On days when I'm not thankful.

He is still good.

On days when rice krispies cover our floor in one swift accidental elbow to the box.

And cereal crunches between your feet as you make your way to the broom closet.

And patience is out the window.

On days when love is lost.

God is still so good.

He gave His Son for me...

for my children...

for my husband...

for our families...

for YOU...

for every person in the world.

We yearn to know Him more and more each day.

We yearn for Him to be "real" in our home and lives.

We encourage our Hughes and Wiley to pray and talk to God.

We know that when we feel ALL ALONE...

whether deep in the woods all by yourself...

or feeling alone in the world surrounded by people...

we are never alone.

God is always a breath and thought away.

We must get to know Him personally.

Kent and I just watched the video found at the link below.

To say that this story moved me, is putting it lightly.

I don't say it enough.

Hopefully, you can tell by the way I live,

but I feel the need to tell you that I love the Lord our God.

He is alive.

And I'm in awesome wonder.

His powers throughout the universe displayed.

(Can't you hear the tune in your head now.)

When you get a moment, you should watch the following:

http://www.flameon.net/

Click on watch at the top of the page.

I found it on Kelly's Korner Blog today.

It brought me closer to Him today, as well as my family.

Music Monday

So many people have a Music Monday...

And I LOVE music...

Thought I would join the party!

Elli Goulding

She sang the first song at Kate and William's wedding party!

It is beautiful.

A little more upbeat Ellie...is "Lights"

...think it might be good for my workout playlist!

Happy Monday!

P.S.  If you wonder why I always put videos instead of JUST the song, there are two DISTINCT reasons:

1.  I am a visual person.  I like moving things.  Music brought to life.

2.  I don't know how to load JUST the music. :)

Birth Announcement

Just wanted to share Wiley's birth announcement with you all!

We sent them out last week...

didn't order enough...

par for the course...

So, I wanted to share with everyone!

Samuel Wiley Mortimer...

sweet baby boy!

The Boys

Wiley has been enjoying a bit of pallet time.

When Hughes saw that Wiley had a pallet, he thought he needed his own.

(You can see his pallet in the background...not that he stayed on it...)

I love that Hughes loves holding Wiley's hand.

How stinkin' sweet are these pictures...

When they are fighting a few years from now, I'm going to show them these pictures...

and make them reinact the scene...

you know...kinda like HAVING to hold your brother's hand...

when you are so stinking mad at them you could scream...

instead, you are stuck HOLDING THEIR HAND...

no one said you couldn't squeeze as hard as you wanted...

while...SWEETLY...holding their hand.

I'm just sayin'.

Hughes thought Wiley needed his pillow.

Which he might...

but not neccisarily ON TOP OF HIS FACE!

"THAAAANK YOU Hughes...That is soooooo sweeet.  Let's put it RIIIIGHT here."

Wiley has hit a little fussy patch...

I cannot leave his sight...

I mean... I CAN...

But you better believe I'll hear about it.

Wiley likes to see me...AT ALL TIMES...

Usually SEEING me just isn't enough.

He had rather me hold him.

But look at that face...who can turn that down?

Not me...

Even though Hughes is saying, "cheeeeeeeeese." 

He has a fever...

yes, in this picture...

with a double ear infection.

We took him to the doctor Wednesday afternoon.

Doc told us that he had a double ear infection, temp of 102 and both of his tubes had fallen out.

He also told us, "If Hughes has another ear infection after he has finished this round of antibiotic, we will set him up to get tubes again."

AAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh.....

Mama and the boys...

Hope you all have a great weekend!

AND...Happy Birthday Autumn!

AND...Aren't you glad I didn't blog about spin again?

he he

Workout Songs...

Best workout song...

My Mom even likes this song! :)

Deep down, she is pretty hip.

Just so you know! :)

I've been jogging/walking/tinch of running around the neighborhood this week.

Ended up listening to this song AT LEAST three times!

Another good workout song is...

(I'm not suggesting you watch the video...

just listen to the music...

turn it up...

pick up the living room...

make your bed...

or whatever room your computer/iPad is in...

Is not a new song...but good...

trust me!)

I am ALWAYS looking for new GOOD workout songs!

PLEASE let me know if you have a favorite that gives you an extra boost while those ear buds are in your ears!

Just wanted some of you to check out what a spin class would look like...

if you don't already know!

This is from a Regis and Kelly segment.

But you must know, the BEST part of the workout, is the...

LIGHTS ARE LOW!

It's almost dark in the room.

Another way to get to "spin it out"!

Foyer Bench

I found this fun bench at an estate sale recently.

LOVED it for the foyer.

Thought the blue color would really pop off of our deep grey walls.

I also found two of these pictures at the estate sale.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE art that has texture.

Actually, these days, I don't buy anything else.

Even when I paint a canvas, I add my own texture.

This bench was also in the Delta magazine this month.

They feature it with a thick cushion.

Great Idea.

We will do that in the future...with a fun fabric of course.

I'm really into pink.

I think it is because I am surrounded by boys.

I don't even NORMALLY LIKE pink.

But, in these circumstances, this house needs a tinch more estrogen.

So, that's it.

Pink somewhere in the fabric for the cushion or throw pillows.

Also, now that I am looking at this picture, I think a rug would also look great here.

Not today.

But maybe one day.

Decorating Tip for the day:  The lens gives a whole new perspective!

Take a picture of your room.

Any room you are working on.

Looking at the image through the lens gives you a different perspective.

For instance, I didn't even think about a rug in this foyer, until I saw the photo.

Hope this helps you make your house a little more of a home.

Hope you all have a GREAT day!

HGTV...Do you hear me?

We have made the decision to move forward with the landscape...

BY OURSELVES!!!

But since we have a blank canvas...

horrific..

I know...

believe me...

It drives me BONKERS...

Back to the topic...

Since we have a blank canvas, we started on the design and Round Up yesterday.

We had a plan.

Mapped it out with a water hose, spray paint and our neighbor's help.

P.S. Our neighbor's yard looks AMAZING.  He is always working in his yard and the hard work definately pays off!  Their yard puts ours to shame.  So, we MUST do something about it!

I plan on posting pictures as we continue through this process.

This process will take years.

But, we have nothing but time.

Enjoy.

If HGTV came to my house, I would ask for painted greyish khaki brick, wood stained shutters, thick and substantial wood stained columns, stained concrete porches, new front doors with simple lines and 3/4ths glass, two lanterns flanking the front door with gas flame, pergula built off the front with matching gas latern hanging from the center while whispers of the whisteria dance in and around the beams of the beams...and of course landscaping.

And in the backyard, a covered kitchen including the following:  built in gas grill, built in Green Egg, fireplace with a flat screen tv over the mantle, rustic dining table with mismatched chairs, brick wall around the perimeter and a fire pit encircled by adorandak chairs and tables sprinkled with blooming flowers at every nook and cranny.

I'm just saying.

HGTV...

DO YOU HEAR ME?

We are definately a desperate landscape.

Would love to have a Insides Out backyard.

How do I sign up?

HGTV...

Do you hear me?

Will work for shrubs.

I know how to sweat.

We can find some helping hands.

We will give you good TV.

I will cook the entire crew rice krispie treats to munch on during the yard work.

HGTV...

Do you hear me?

Well, until HGTV comes to the BIG TOWN, we will toil on and create our own little masterpiece.

Mother's Day Weekend

Our Mother's Day was filled with fun times!  Here are some pictures of our Moms!

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Mama

Gran, also known as Mama, Rose and Lisa (real name)...oh, and Cupcake #1 (my Daddy calls her that, he calls me Cupcake #2), is my NUMBER ONE Mom!  We have gone through many phases in our mother-daughter relationship and we now find our selves at the friendship phase.  For the first 18 years we had the parent-child relationship.  She didn't try to be my best friend, she filled her role as a Mom, as she should.  This foundation is why we have such a strong foundation as friends.  I will ALWAYS appreciate her care and tough love when I was younger.  She taught me right from wrong, even when the lessons were hard to learn.  I now realize, being a mom myself, some of those lessons were harder for her to teach.  You know the old saying, "This hurts me more than it does you."  Well, when I was the one "learning the lesson" I always thought, "YEAH RIGHT...wanna switch places lady?"  Well, now that places have switched, I'd rather be back in my jelly shoes learning the lesson instead of the high heels...or house shoes...I wear now!

Mama I appreciate all you did and continue to do for me and my family!

Hughes and Gran cooking THE BEST cookies in the world!

Kent and I call them "Healthy Cookies"...they are not...but they have oatmeal in them, therefore,

They. Are. Healthy.!  Hughes LOVES these cookies, too!  I'm sure Wiley will start to look for them under the cake plate the way Hughes does when he gets his first taste!

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Mama

(Since all of my computer woes...I cannot find the pictures of Ma'Lyn with the boys...

frustration. So, here is a picture of Ma'Lyn and Francie.  I think she looks gorgeous!)

Ma'Lyn, also known as Mom and Ethlyn, is truly a blessing in our life.  Rodney and Ethlyn raised two wonderful children, Mary Love and Kent.  Kent's manners and good nature are the first thing I fell in love with about him.  He was so genuine and caring...hard to come by these days.  His Mom's influence and expectations really formed the man Kent is today.  For her, I will always be thankful.  Kent is absolutely a "Momma's Boy" ... and if she was your Momma, you'd be a "Momma's Boy", too!  I am so thankful for the relationship I have with Ethlyn. 

Now that I have boys of my own, I don't know how she let her baby boy go.  How do you allow some other woman take care of your baby?  Surely, they won't do as good of a job as their Mom has done.  Will they comfort them when they are sick the way Mama does?  Will they cook warm dinners the way Mama does?  Will they pray for his well-being the way Mama does?

Ethlyn, I promise to continue to take care of Kent the way you would want.  I can't promise to ALWAYS...or hardly ever...have ironed shirts ready in the closet, but I promise to love and adore him forever.  Thank you for sharing your baby boy with me.

Attention Future Wives of Hughes and Wiley:  I don't have anything to say here, except,

Please treat my baby boys the way you will want your baby boys to be treated.

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Mama Jean

Mama Jean, also known as Jean, Mama, is my Daddy's mother.  She raised five children:  Joy, Bud, Jerry, Sammy and Mark.  Mama Jean is the picture of strength.  If she were to write an autobiography of her life, you would be inspired to stand tall, empowered to be better in everything, craving to love the Lord the ways she lives and amazed...period.  Her boys...and daughter...are also, "Momma's Boys"...and again, if she was your Momma, you'd be a "Momma's Boy", too!

Isn't she gorgeous? Nearing 80 and looks at least 20 years younger! Hopefully, I will get her genes in the youth department!

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Grandmother

Grandmother, also known as Mama and Polly, is my Mom's mother.  She has raised three children David, Marty and my mom (Lisa Ann).  This woman is also amazing.  P.S. She can can a mean pickle, jar scrumptious jelly and cook turnip greens so good you would EAT them...and then never eat them from anyone else!  Grandmother is a God fearing, compassionate and strong woman. 

Isn't she beautiful?  It is very rare that she allows us to take a picture of her, but this one will be framed in our house!  Granddaddy is one lucky man!

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Don't ask why, but I didn't get a picture with Hughes and Wiley on Mother's Day. 

I'm actually pretty upset abput it. 

So, I will post a pic of Hughes and I last Mother's Day.

For the Mother's who have gone before us and I wasn't able to meet, you live on through your children.  We still talk fondly about Grandmama Brown and Grandmama Mortimer.  I love hearing of your travels, stories and our family thrives on the lessons and morals you taught Ethlyn and Rodney. 

Happy Mother's Day Week to you All.

Our Mother's.

Mother's of Mother's.

Mothers who adopt.

Mothers who long for a child, yet haven't been able to.

 

Mothers who have lost a child.

We also think of you this week.

Once a Mom, always a Mom...love, loss and everything in between.