Lincoln's questions

Tonight I heard Lincoln tell Brad: "I've been thinking that when I get baptized my legs will stop hurting." :) Sweet Lincoln. Now they are praying for healing for Lincoln's legs and that about Lincoln being a follower of Jesus.

Story change:
Last week I was singing a silly song in the car with Coleman. In a "rolling of the eyes" kind of voice Coleman said "Mommy, you're giving me nuts." I replied, "You mean I am driving you nuts?"

Digging for Worms

Coleman: Momma, can Caferine and I dig for worms?
Me: Sure. Why do you want to dig for worms?
Coleman: Because we want a worm for a pet. Lincoln doesn't like worms because of their slobber. But me and Caferine like worms. Their slobber doesn't bother me.

Lincoln

As I was folding socks, I was thinking about an incident that happened involving Lincoln.

A couple Wednesday nights ago, Lincoln was playing football in the gym with some of the boys. One kid, with anger all over his face, shoved Lincoln to the ground so hard that his glasses went flying across the floor. I immediately start to walk towards Lincoln to 1. to say something to the kid and 2. to check on his glasses, but I didn't get very far.

Lincoln hopped off the ground, grabbed his glasses, stood in the kid's face and yelled "Personal foul, 15 yard penalty" and he began to walk off the yards. Lincoln was unfazed by the kids anger and even used it to his advantage.

I hope that this is insight into Lincoln's approach to life. I hope that he is always able to hop up when life shoves him down. I hope that he can keep emotions out and remain focused in the game. And I hope that he always has a relationship with God because I know that there will be times that getting up won't be so easy.

Catherine's Tooth

In January, Catherine came home grumbling about how "everyone" had lost a tooth in her class except for her and "it was not fair". She immediately began planning all sorts of ways to make her tooth loose.

About a month ago, she came to me so excited because she finally had a loose tooth. "Feel it" she told me that day. So, I put my finger on her bottom tooth and tried to wiggle it but it didn't budge. I decided that Catherine wanted a loose tooth so badly that she was imagining it was loose.

As the weeks went on, the tooth apparently was getting looser. "I can wiggle it with my tongue! Feel it!" she said. I felt it. Nothing moved. She even tried to show me how she could wiggle it, and it did not move. How was I going to break it to my daughter that her tooth was not loose?

Two weeks ago, March 27, she was talking excitedly about her loose tooth. I asked her if I could feel it again- it did not move! So, I delivered the bad news. "Catherine, I am sorry but your tooth is not loose. I have never gotten it to move. It just isn't that loose yet." Catherine replies "But mommy, I can wiggle it with my tongue!" Wow. I knew this child had an imagination, but seriously, this was getting a little old. But I let it go.

The next day, the kids and I went to the local grocery store. The kind of store that still gives out suckers to the kids- yes, it is a sweet little place. :) We got home and I was putting groceries away when all of a sudden, she came rushing to me "Mommy, I lost my tooth!" Shocked, I said "What do you mean you lost your tooth?" Catherine "Well, I was just biting the last pieces of sucker off my stick and my tooth came out. See!!"

When I looked into her little mouth, there indeed was a hole where a tooth had once been. That hole looked gigantic. I wasn't ready for this. In those few seconds, my mind was spinning. Did she chip her tooth out? It couldn't have just come out. Her tooth wasn't even loose!!!

"Catherine, honey, where is your tooth?" She spits sucker pieces out of her mouth, looks at them, and concludes "I must have swallowed it. It is in my belly!" Lincoln quickly says "Walden swallowed his tooth,and the tooth fairy still came!"

Catherine runs out and mentions something about writing a note to the tooth fairy. She didn't care that she had swallowed it. She had FINALLY lost a tooth.

Me, on the other hand, was left standing there dumbfounded. Her tooth must have been loose, but how in the world did I miss it?? I was all over Lincoln's first tooth, didn't miss a thing with it.

I finally concluded that because Catherine's teeth are so small, I was never wiggling the loose tooth by itself. Then I felt badly because I didn't believe her.

Thankfully for Catherine, the tooth fairy did come, and since then Catherine has written her 3 additional notes hoping to trick her into another dollar. :)

Catherine on Heaven and Jesus

Tonight at bedtime, Catherine told Brad that she didn't want to go to heaven. When Brad asked her why, she said it was because she was scared of heights. After a pause, she asked Brad if stairs would be there. :)

During the same conversation, she said "I love Jesus because he died on the cross for us." 10 seconds later "Daddy, what's the cross?" After Brad explained Jesus' death on the cross, she asked if Jesus cried.

Lincoln's lesson on Catherine

This past Thursday night we hosted the teens from church for their $3 Thursday. Our kids were so excited and were counting down the minutes til their arrival. As the church van pulled in the driveway, all 3 kids were jumping up and down at the front door. The teens filed in, we greeted them, and began to eat (they don't waste time). Once everyone was served I noticed that Catherine was not downstairs. Apparently, she had high-tailed it up the stairs when she saw how many teens got out of the van (more guys than girls). She told Brad and Lincoln that she wasn't coming down and she wasn't hungry. She just wanted to "play".

As the teens did their devo, Lincoln complained 5 or 6 times about Catherine being upstairs. It was absolutely driving him crazy that he and Coleman were down with everyone and that she was too shy. He said "I keep telling her to come downstairs and she won't listen to me!"

Me telling him to "not worry about it" and "it's okay if she's upstairs" didn't work. So finally I said "Lincoln, God makes us all different. He made Catherine shy around new groups of people and we are going to respect that. God didn't make you that way, and he didn't make me that way, but he did Catherine. Now, be respectful of your sister." He still wasn't hapy but he left Catherine alone.

Eventually, she came down the stairs and peeked at our company. She told me she didn't want them to "look at her".

As the teens were leaving, I did carry her squirming body down to say good-bye. She didn't want to go, but I told her she had to say good-bye.

less than 24 hours later- A Not so shy Catherine
I took an excited Lincoln and Catherine to a birthday party at our good friends house. A few minutes after I got home, I get a phone call from another mom who said ".... I heard Catherine talk more in that 5 minutes than I have ever heard her talk in her lifetime." :)

A Catherine funny

Last night at the grocery store:
Catherine is in the very front of the cart. On each leg she is cradling/holding a half-gallon jug of milk. Not knowing I was listening, she looks down at them and says ever-so-sweetly: "And what would you two like for Christmas??"

Also last night (and for a first time), Coleman came down to our in the middle of the night. The first words out of his mouth were "Mommy, I've missed you. I've missed you very much!" What a sweet way to be awakened!! Truthfully, I was afraid it was going to be followed by a whiny "I want to sleep in your bed...." like a big brother and sister might do, but I took him potty and he went back to his bed happily. It was so sweet! Coleman's heard me repeat the story several times today- I can already see it happening again during the middle of the night tonight and tomorrow night.... and the next night... and then he'll be at grandmommy's so he can repeat it to her.... :)

December Fun

December is a busy month, isn't it? I would have to say, though, that it is one of the most exciting months of the year! There have been times in the past where I dreaded the hustle and bustle of the month, but this year I seemed to have embraced it. It has been so much fun!! Here are a few shots of what I have captured. The kids decorated the lower half of the tree with their handmade ornaments (thank you MDO!!).


The Christmas parade

My older 2 plus the Wheelers older 2 at the parade.

Our FIRST snow (we are hoping for a whole bunch this year)!! What you can't see is that Catherine has on Lincoln's hand me down boots and Coleman has on Catherine's hand me down boots. Hand me downs are GREAT but the boots Coleman has on are PINK! :)

This is the book Catherine got from her book swap at Mother's Day Out.

Coleman and Catherine with Santa at MDO. Catherine thought about being scared of Santa. Thankfully, she found some courage!

I really try hard to get a good picture of my children. I somehow fail every time.
This is the only one where Lincoln's mouth is closed. :)

Brad and I took a day to spend with just Catherine and we had a GREAT time. We went to the Radio City Music Christmas Spectacular. She loved it!! I did too- it was my first time as well. She liked the "girls and guys dancing and singing", "baby Jesus", and Mrs. Claus. It was a great show!

The 3 of us before the show starts!

Thanksgiving 2009- Tullahoma

Thanksgiving was in Tullahoma this year. Everyone, from siblings to first cousins, was able to come. I think it was everyone's on year. There were 18 adults and 17 kids. Thankfully, the weather was nice- the kids stayed out all day. Everyone brought dishes and the meal was DE-licious! It was a GREAT day and it was so good to see everyone. The kids loved playing with their extended cousins!

Here are some pics from the day.

Below- Coleman watching TV in the kitchen. Note-I was never allowed to lie on the counter.

My 3 playing outside before all of the cousins arrived.

Cousins- Molly, Catherine, and Kathryn.

Sarah's daughter Molly hanging upside down.


Coleman trying to copy Molly

Greg, Brad and I decided to take the little ones for a walk (the big kids had their own game of wiffle ball going on). Below, Greg with the girls.
From left Molly, Kathryn, his Madeline, my Catherine

Coleman and Brad caught up.

We let the kids throw rocks into the pond, roll down the T-box on the golf course, hike through the fields, and then went back to the house where the girls went upstairs to play dolls.

Here are all the cousins below- each row in order by age.

Back Row- Shelby, Olivia, Tyler, Riley, Reagan Anna Lea, Landon

Front Row- Ty Ty, Lincoln, Jack, Catherine, Madeline, Kathryn, Molly and Coleman.

Not pictured- Tucker and Maddox- they were napping. :)

Below-First Cousins

Jeff, Amy, Sandy, me, Sarah

Greg and Susan

Halloween 2009

Halloween 2009

The kids in costume and Papa and Gran's house.

I am not sure if this is Trick or Treating or a hold-up. :)

Coleman with friends Elijah and Anzly at Mother's Day Out.

Catherine in the leaves at Papa and Gran's.

We were so glad that Megan was with us this weekend. She was able to take the kids door to door while I drove the car. That was extremely helpful. Brad was with us for the majority of the time- right up until the UT game started. :)

My first Half-Marathon

I am so happy to be crossing the finish line!!


For the past several months I have been training for the Putnam County's YMCA Haunted Half Marathon. One year ago, had you told me I would be running 13.1 miles this October, I would have laughed at you. See a few years ago, Brad ran a half marathon and then a full marathon with a friend. I thought he and my other friends who were running were CRAZY to run for 2 to 4 hours straight. Who would want to do that???!!

Well, here am I an accomplished Half-Marathoner. I did it in 2 hours 15 min! I came within seconds of Brad's Half Marathon time- which is an accomplishment! It was a cold morning (40's) and it was windy. I kept a 10 min per mile pace (which I had never done before) for the first 10 miles, but started slowing down a little once I was by myself (my running partner had strep and another had the flu. My faster friend went on ahead to achieve a new personal best). The last 3 miles were torture as we ran into the wind the entire way (I regretted not having my iPod). My take- if I can do decent in these conditions then just think how I might do if it were less windy? I may try another one or two next year. I enjoy competing.

I learned a couple of things during this training. One is that I looked forward to running because it was something I did for me. It didn't involve the kids, Brad, the house, groceries, cooking, and it was OUTSIDE. I forgot that I LOVE being outside. Two, before I started training, I laughed at people who said it was easier to train on the road vs. the treadmill. It is so true and having a friend makes it even better. Three, there are days when running 3 miles is a breeze and days when it is like you've never run before and that's okay. Just keep going! Fourth, I was reminded continually to be thankful to God that I was physically able to complete such an event. It is easy to take health for granted.

About a mile from the finish line, I passed the Johnson's and Brad and the kids. Lincoln's encouraging words to me as I ran by? "Mommy, you aren't last!"

He was still trying to really process why I wasn't going for first place.

Later I told him thank you for cheering me on because it was special and he said,

"That's because YOU are special." :)

My official result:

Place 151 Time 2:15:09 Pace 10:19

Kidside Fall Fun Night at Amazing Acres

Amazing Acres in Sparta, TN

Some of the kids on the hayride.


Coleman, Will and Foster- 3 to watch as they grow up!

Catherine and Shayla on the .... Cow Ride (pulled by a 4 Wheeler).

Visiting the Herren's in Savannah,GA

Over Fall Break, we had the opportunity to go visit our friends Joey and Sharon Herren. They have two girls Kylie (6) and Kadie (3). It was a weekend trip that went way too fast. It made us miss them even more, and we look forward to seeing them over the holidays. Lincoln took a picture of us at this yummy pizza place in downtown Savannah. Lincoln ordered a salad (At age 5 he decided he didn't like pizza. It's the tomato sauce. We don't always show him sympathy.)

Brad and Joey looking for gators at the Wildlife Refuge.

To their delight, we saw this one just under the surface.


Looking for gators (this was not a warm weekend in GA)

Sometimes, Catherine's hair turns to ringlets around her face. I love it!

Tybee Island, GA

Tybee Beach

Coleman doesn't like the ocean. He thinks the tide is really taking him into the ocean as it receeds back over his feet.

Coleman and Catherine's little toes.

Brad and Joey took the kids (minus Coleman and Kadie) to the top of the
lighthouse. The adult you don't see at the top is Brad. He has a fear of heights- he gets it from his mom. I am proud that he let our children out of the tower to see the view. Lincoln and Catherine did not get the fear of heights trait but I think Coleman did. :)

Kylie, Kadie, Catherine, Lincoln, and Coleman

A tuckered out little guy!

Blackbirds having Small Group

Returning home from errands, I noticed a flock of blackbirds in our trees. As we passed the trees, I pointed the birds out to Catherine and Coleman and rolled down the windows so they could hear them "singing." As we pulled into the garage Catherine said "Mom, you know those birds in the trees back there? Maybe they are having small group." Yes, Catherine, maybe. :)

(Background: We just had our small group from church over to our house this past Sunday night. It is something we all love!)
_________________________
This is something I posted on Facebook already. I just don't want to forget it.

"Well, Catherine just missed the potty. I heard a kid moving upstairs- looked up there and spotted Catherine , pants down, tinkling at the top of the stairs like she was on the potty. It is making me laugh- Bless her heart. She won't remember this in the morning. :)"

The next morning I asked Catherine if she rememberd tinkling at the top of the stairs. She grinned her sweet grin and nodded her head yes. She then immediately asked me where her rainbow pajama bottoms were- you know the ones that got wet and I removed the night before. Yeah, she remembered alright! ha ha :)

A Perfect Weekend for.....

Flying a Kite

A little of this....

and this...

A front yard bonfire


with hotdogs (and smores of course).

And a little peek a boo from my hard to catch 2 year old.

A beautiful weekend to be outside!