Hello, there... and Happy Wednesday!
I hope this finds you and yours happy and healthy.
I haven't posted since January with Baby Barnes's birth, and goodness, much has happened since. Things are very busy to say the least, but we are making LOTS of memories, and having a great time. I didn't realize how much we would enjoy having a baby again. He is such a sweetheart and we are truly enjoying every minute. It makes us smile to see our "three boys". I still find my heart happy to see them all together, big brothers loving on baby brother. So much joy.
I am not going back to school, and Lawson and Emmitt are only going to school three days a week - M,W,F. It is going very well, and I am enjoying it very much. While I thought I would stay on top of housework, laundry, grocery shopping, etc., it has not been as easy as I had hoped. Barnes requires so much attention, and Emmitt is SO MESSY. Right now there are lego's all over the floor, along with books, trucks and trailors, doctor kit belongings, and goldfish crumbs, to name a few. He's just a mess all.the.time. But... it's ok. Cooking three meals a day plus snacks means a mess in the kitchen and on the table, and the play room is so well used that I try to remind myself that this is the season in our life right now, and this is just part of a house with small children. Lawson doesn't play with toys too often, {mixed emotions}, he is constantly playing ball of some sort, or watching some sort of ball on T.V.. He loves it, and that's alright with us. Barnes has spent very little time in the floor. It's a "hard hat area", to say the least. :) His play mat fits perfectly in his pack 'n play, so that's good, and he still loves the bouncy-seat. :)
Pictures begin here, in no particular order. My camera "broke" the week after we came home from the hospital, and I just got it back last Friday. Needless to say, I feel like I've missed a lot, but am so thankful for the camera on my phone...
I very rarely used the boppy pillow with Lawson and Emmitt, but have used the fire out of it with Barnes. He has done so well with it. Or maybe I've done so well with it. :)
Mrs. Jane made toboggans for the boys, and Lawson wore his for like two days straight.
We have had more snow and ice than I can shake a stick at, and although it's painted beautiful scenes, I'm ready for green grass, full leafy-lush trees, and pretty flowers. Spring - I welcome you with open arms!!
Russ was out of town when one of our sleet storms came through, so to show him what we had, I sent him this sometime around midnight. Midnight baby feedings come with perks every now and then. ;)
First Wednesday night to church. Winter baby means seven weeks at home. I just knew it would bother me, but it was actually nice and relaxing with lots of cuddling as seen below.
So funny!
Barnes has slept in his swing right beside our bed until the last four nights. He is always so smiley when he wakes up in the mornings. So sweet.
Lawson mastered checkers, so Santa brought chess. His daddy is a great chess partner.
We were finally able to take Barnes to watch Westview play basketball... I'm pretty sure he's hooked. ;) We make such great family memories traveling to watch them play. These two pictures were taken at Crockett County. Chester County was the farthest destination to which we traveled. Our girls went to state this year, but sadly fell short on the score board. For memory purposes, Lawson's favorite player, Antonio Hogard, graduated last year... He has taken a liking to Parker Beale this year, and he's so sweet to give Lawson attention with high-fives and big smiles.
Speaking of basketball, Lawson completed his first season of Upward basketball, with more pictures below. He received a black eye after coming in contact with one of his team mates.
A local church youth group here in Martin, sponsored a city-wide "Boot and Blue Out Bullying", and our boys participated. Thanks Martin First United Methodist Church for sponsoring such a good cause; it was neat to see our boys so supportive and interested!
My 4th graders would have immediately broken out with "What Does the Fox Say?" if they had seen him in this cute shirt. Crazy song, but the students at MES love it!!!!!!
Sweet hand and little feet. Great memory.
The opening play of an Upward basketball game looks like this...
Last game of the season, taking the ball out.
Sporting his first tie, made by a talented church friend, Candy Ogg. So cute!
=Last Upward game of the season=
He loves his bear mat, and is able to enjoy it when his brothers are at school.
Eating dinner at Pizza Hut… I went to refill Emmitt's drink, and when I turned around to return to the table, this is what I saw. My sweet little family. I love them so much!
Basketball fun. A constant scene at our house...
Emmitt and one of his creative messes. I think this was his "camper"... :)
=Bundled up outside watching his brothers play and burn off some energy=
Tummy time with super cute shark pajamas...
Barnes's Sweet Smile!!
Two weeks ago, we spent several hours at the new "park", recently completed in the neighboring town of Union City. It was an amazing time! Several memories to follow...
=Playing in the military helicopter=
=His mean army face=
Hanging out in the Hum-V. Check out Barnes waving from the back seat. It was so funny!! My favorite memory from the day!!
Lasso Fun!
Farming and making a mess, I'm sure! Check out the dribbling basketball in the background. Perfect scene.
Cuddling with mama...
Hanging out with Mama while the big brothers play in the snow...
Lawson was giving me a "W" for Westview and for "WIN" as we were listening to the basketball game on the radio.
Aunt Julie came to visit... yay!!!
The Big Brothers had a great time at Grandmother and G-Dad's playing in the snow. :)
I love this picture!
Bath time - Russ is the BEST baby-bather ever!!
We had a house-full for Bible Study two weeks ago. Twenty-one present - eleven of them were kids. :) Making memories, no doubt. Love these kids and their parents.
Makes my heart happy!
We visited the dentist in Jackson two weeks ago, and E was so brave!
We accidentally discovered that Barnes loves to have a blanket over his head when going to sleep. Works like a charm, and is almost instantaneous. It always takes a while to "learn" your baby, and I am thankful for both of us that I learned this. :)
And that's all for now.
So thankful for our family, and for the joy we share.
I need to catch up on his monthly updates, so there will be more to come very soon!
