Caught in the Act

This is not the kiddo who I normally catch sneaking bites from the stove top. 

I underestimated Seth's affinity for roast beef gravy.

Memaw and Pepaw

Let me tell you a little something about Memaw and Pepaw:

They drove five hours to see us Friday night to be here for Seth's last soccer game on Saturday morning.  It was going to be a quick trip, because Memaw had to teach Sunday school at church on Sunday morning.  But it was worth it for them to see their babies. 

On their drive down, Pepaw got a Coroner's call which meant that more than likely he would have to be back home by Saturday morning.  Instead of turning around and just going back home right then, he pressed forward to Tennessee, with the hopes that something would possibly work out. 

Well, it didn't. 

And once Memaw and Pepaw arrived at our house around 8:30p, he got the call that he was going to have to turn around and go back.  I think he probably knew that all along, though.  He suggested that Memaw go ahead and stay, and he would come back to get her at some point.  Of course, Memaw was torn, because she wanted to have more time with us, but also did not want Pepaw to make that long drive alone.  She decided that she had better stick with her man and head back home with him.

So, they hung out for a bit and got ready to head out.  We were disappointed, but understood.  Everyone got hugs and kisses and then they were off, with promises of coming back in the next few weeks for a real visit.

Eric went upstairs to put the boys to bed, while I straightened up a bit downstairs.  About five minutes later, I heard something.  A knock at the door.

Yep, Memaw was back. 

Pepaw knew her heart and I am sure in those five minutes that they were headed back home, he did everything he could to ease her mind, encourage her to stay, and ultimately give his bride what he knew she so wanted...some time with her grandbabies.   And it worked.  Memaw was on our doorstep.

And we were more than happy to have her.

Pepaw reassured us that he would be fine and would text us multiple times on his way home so we would not worry.  He told Memaw that he would cover her Sunday school class for her and drive ALL THE WAY BACK to get her on Sunday afternoon.  Now, that is love.  Total sacrifice.  No complaining, just putting his woman first and completely covering her.  Yes, this is the example my husband grew up with, and helps explain why Eric complains little, loves a whole lot, and is an absolutely wonderful husband.

So, Memaw got to spend the weekend with us, watch Seth's last game, snag a couple of yard sale bargains with us, and rest up. Even though we offered to meet Pepaw half way after Eric got off work Sunday afternoon, he would not hear of it.  After he taught Sunday school, he headed back to Tennessee to retrieve his wife and kiss his boys. 

"Pepaw's here!  Pepaw's here!"  Yep, we knew immediately when Pepaw pulled up. 

He was back!   

We went to Moes (big surprise there) and then they treated us to Sweet CeCe's.  We were happy to finally have some time to hang out and relax with Pepaw, even if it was short. 

It was worth the wait for us, too. 

Thanks Memaw and Pepaw!

We love you!

Six

That is how many goals this guy scored today at his last soccer game of the season!!!!

Yep, Seth had the game of his short little career today and was just unstoppable.  It has just completely clicked with him over the past couple of games and he has been on fire.

Seeing how much he has developed his play and confidence from the start of the season has been so awesome!   He has turned into quite a little dynamo on the soccer field and has really enjoyed his first go with soccer.  We are just so proud of how Seth has given it his all and played his little heart out.  It has been so much fun to watch him this season.

He was most excited about getting his first trophy EVER today. 

Yay Seth!!!

8:27

Caleb's mile run for school was on Monday, and he just zoomed right through it!  He shaved nearly a half minute off of his time from last year, by completing it in 8 minutes and 27 seconds.  Whew!

Focused before the run

And they're off!

Great pace!  Super endurance!

He does not get that from me.

I tried to run ahead so I could snap a picture of him crossing the finish line, but he beat me to it. 

See, that whole endurance thing...I wasn't kidding.  I was winded just watching him.

Way to go, Biz, and all of your running buddies!!!

Great Run!!

By the Way...

Kindergarten registration went A-OK!!!

Yep, that smile says it all!

Seth even surprised me with how excited he was! When we got to the school, Seth was beside himself with happiness.  He was just giddy as he toured his new school and

saw all of the fun classrooms and heard about all of the neat stuff he will get to do next year. I was fully expecting a little resistance, but got none whatsoever.

I was also fully expecting to be blubbering before we even got to the school, but that didn't happen either.  Momma's eyes stayed completely dry the entire time. 

It was hard to be sad when Seth was bursting at the seams with joy.

Kindergarten was such a blast the first time around with Biz!!! We are excited to do it all over again with Seth in the fall! 

I Know I Have Said it Before...

...but my heart runneth over!

Sometimes these little faces are just too much.  I just have to give Christ all of the praises!  I have been blessed far beyond measure!  Thank you, Jesus, for Seth and Caleb!

What a fun adventure!

Zoo Trip with Granny

Granny came to visit while the boys were on Spring Break earlier this month.  The weather could not have been nicer, so we were more than ready to whisk her off to the zoo with us!

It had been over a year since we had visted the zoo, so there were some fun new changes to take in.  The boys were excited to rediscover one of their favorite places and show off their zoo knowledge to Granny.  Maps in hand, and we were ready to go!

 

The elepants are always a big treat!

This time, the elephant waved back at Caleb.

Yeah, little boys think elephant skulls are pretty cool.  I think Granny did, too.

Plus, the boys weren't the only ones to take a spin on the Merry-go-round!

Granny was along for the ride, too.

Caleb and Seth are always fascinated by the Unseen New World exhibits. They are especially fond of the snakes and bats.                                                                     

It must be a boy thing.

We were bummed that the porchipines were asleep, but moved right along to my favorite newer exhibit ....the flamingos.

We also saw alligators, giraffes, meerkats, monkeys, tigers, zebras, and other neat creatures. And did a whole lot of playing on the gigantic playground.

It was a great day at the zoo with Granny!!!

91st Psalm

Oh, how I love and praise you, Lord. In you I trust.  Thank you!  I am encouraged today by your Word.


He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
² I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress,
My God, in whom I trust!”
³ For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper
And from the deadly pestilence.
⁴ He will cover you with His pinions,
And under His wings you may seek refuge;
His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.
⁵ You will not be afraid of the terror by night,
Or of the arrow that flies by day;
⁶ Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.
⁷ A thousand may fall at your side
And ten thousand at your right hand,
But it shall not approach you.
⁸ You will only look on with your eyes
And see the recompense of the wicked.
⁹ For you have made the LORD, my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place.
¹⁰ No evil will befall you,
Nor will any plague come near your tent.
¹¹ For He will give His angels charge concerning you,
To guard you in all your ways.
¹² They will bear you up in their hands,
That you do not strike your foot against a stone.
¹³ You will tread upon the lion and cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you will trample down.
¹⁴ “Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name.
¹⁵ “He will call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
¹⁶ “With a long life I will satisfy him
And let him see My salvation.”

Psalms 91

Anticipation

When I went to check on Seth, after tucking him into bed, this is what I found:

"Kindergarten Registration" is what he was marking on his calendar.

It will be a big day tomorrow.

And even though he won't outright admit it...this Big Guy can't wait!

Cupcakes...Ninja Style

This year, I wanted to make Seth's birthday cake, which is quite a feat for this non-baker.  While perusing the internet (and surprisingly not on Pinterest...I think I may be the only person who is still not a member.), I ran across a cool ninja cupcake idea.  I actually just googled Ninjago Cupcakes, and exactly what I was looking for popped up.  Yay!  The idea looked simple enough, so I thought I could recreate them for Seth's party. 

Insert Ninjago , in the place of Cookie Monster, and this is how I thought it would all turn out:

(photo from thejproject2010.blogspot.com)

But for once, it really was as easy as it looked. 

Here was my example:

(photo from bakingmakesmehappy-brianna.blogspot.com)

And here was my end result:

(photo from my camera)

Not too shabby for a rookie

I had lots of help in the kitchen!  In this season, Seth wants to help with EVERYTHING, so he was more than happy to step up to the cupcaking making task.  I think licking the bowl was the major motivation.

Stirring and taste testing proved to be Seth's greatest strengths in the kitchen.  He is also a mighty fine egg cracker.

He was also very focused and precise in his cupcake batter measuring skills.

   

While Seth was with Tante and Uncle Tim for a birthday treat at Chuck E. Cheese's, Caleb, Eric, and I did the decorating.  I wanted that part to be a surprise for the birthday boy.  I had no cake decorating experience to draw from (and I am pretty sure neither did Eric or Caleb), so I pulled up the internet picture, whipped out my array of colorful icings and we went for it.  It was a lot of fun and not nearly as stressful as I had envisioned!  

And the result was:

Success!!!!

Viola! Ninjago cupcakes, complete with one green ninja for our birthday boy!

Really cute and totally edible. 

And no big mound of icing to dig through.

Just a simple treat that made our five-year-old birthday boy VERY HAPPY!!