lucky lady

I have failed at keeping track of the boys' sweet sayings lately and I know I will regret it later. So I have to get this down while it's fresh on my mind....

I was on the phone yesterday and Cale walked in the room and said, "Mommy, Can you please report to my office?" His "office" being his bedroom. Coby had put together one of Cale's Lego sets and I needed to see it STAT.

Then tonight Coby was helping me pick up my bedroom and put clean sheets on my bed. I was just thinking about what a blessing Coby is to me when he looked at me with a grin and said, "I'm so lucky to have you!" I couldn't help but smile as I was JUST thinking the exact same thing about him.

As we decorated the Christmas tree (about a month ago) Coby looked at me and said, "Why don't you just sit down and let us do all the work...you just take it easy!" He is always wanting to take care of me and telling me to sit down and relax while he does the work. He is such a sweetheart and I know that he is going to be a wonderful husband one day. I just hope and pray that he will have an equally amazing wife because Coby deserves someone who will really appreciate him. He is a one of a kind boy that deserves the world!

I think about a year and a half ago I blogged that Connor informed me that he was going to start calling me mom, but to this day I am still Mommy and Darren is still Daddy! One day (probably sooner than I'd like) I know it will change, but I just wanted to remember that as this moment (at almost 12) he still calls us mommy and daddy....and I love it.

And last but not least, I want to remember that I got flowers from my main man a few days ago. There was no reason for him to get me flowers, he got them just because, which if you ask me made getting them all the more special!

I am a lucky lady indeed!!! I love my boys...all FOUR of them.

it's beginning to look like Christmas....

I can't believe the holidays are just around the corner. It's unbelievable to me that Thanksgiving is just two days away (Can I just say that I am SO proud that I have the boys Christmas shopping done minus one more gift for Connor!?! What a great feeling!). Darren had an unexpected night off so we pulled out the Christmas tree and decor tonight. I was SO thrilled as I like everything up before Thanksgiving and I really didn't think it would happen this year.

I pulled out my Christmas Scentsy bar and "Jolly" Christmas warmer for the occasion. It made our house smell like we actually had a live tree for once. Yum.

We also had Blueberry Grape sparkling juice for the occasion. The boys loved it.

D, Cale and Coby (and Ellie) fan out the tree

Coby decided that the "tree fanning" was dangerous and told us that he needed to get a helmet.

We couldn't help but laugh as he emerged from his room in not only a helmet, but safely goggles as well!

Meanwhile...Connor was working REALLY hard! {We are LOVING (insert sarcasm here) the pre-teen years.}

I loved watching Cale help Darren string the lights. (Notice Cale's helmet? He was "Fert" the safety guy. He couldn't let Coby be the only one in helmet! He was "Fert, the safety guy" all.night.long. I love his imagination.

He had so much fun.

Coby took pics of me and Darren as we worked on the tree.

Connor and Cale digging through the ornaments.

Cale decorating the tree. He was all about being up on the ladder this year so our tree is quite top heavy!

Ahhh....all of my boys in decor mode...I just sat back and enjoyed watching them work together.

Connoroo decided to get off his butt Ipod and have some fun!

Yes, I know that Christmas is not technically supposed to go up until after Thanksgiving, but we just can't help ourselves. We like to enjoy Christmas for as long as we can. However this does not mean that we skip over Thanksgiving. Both Coby and Cale have been to the mall with me (on two separate occasions) recently and have each commented about how the stores are already ready for Christmas and have asked, "But what about Thanksgiving?" I was so glad they asked because I don't ever want to overlook our many blessings. We have SO much to be thankful for and I look forward to "giving thanks" {and eating way to much food!} with my family on Thursday!

rover

I'm pretty sure I've never brought this up before, but Darren bought a Land Rover about a year and a half ago. It cost $350. Seriously. He really wanted a Land Rover that he could work on and not worry too much about if he screwed it up royally. So, a friend of a friend heard that Darren was looking for one and just happened to have a Land Rover sitting on his farm property. It had been sitting there for years and was in rough shape, hence the $350 price tag. It didn't run, but that got Darren even more excited about it. He bought it against my wishes and it has been taking over our third garage spot ever since. It didn't move for a year and a half, but Darren was busy working on it (as time and money allowed) on and off during that time. Darren pulled the motor/engine (not sure the proper term here). He chucked it and rebuilt the entire area under the hood from scratch. I had no idea that he had such talents (well, I had an inkling as he changes our oil, rotates our tires and can easily fix whatever is broken on the Sequoia), but still that's not an easy task. I didn't doubt him though. I knew he could do it. I just didn't know it would take quite so long and cause such a mess on our beautifully painted garage floor. Oh well, it's just a garage. At least that's what I keep telling myself. Maybe one day I'll actually feel that way!

Darren finally completed the motor/engine (whatever it's called!) and IT RUNS!!!! It took tons of work and for a while he was even questioning if it ever would, but after lots of blood, sweat and tears, he started that baby up about a month ago and finally drove it around the block in the last week or two. I will never forget the look on his face after he took it for it's first spin around the block. He said, "Tonight was the maiden voyage!" Cracked me up, but it was cute seeing him so proud of his accomplishment. I don't think he believed he could do it. I never doubted that he could. He may not be handy around the house, but by golly he can fix anything on a car. I think I'll keep him around! :)

OK, on to why I'm finally posting this. Tonight, after dinner was served, homework was completed, and Cale had been bathed we piled in the Land Rover for a family drive (just to the in-laws who happen to live in our neighborhood about two blocks away). I had to take pics to document this momentous occasion in case we all blew up or something. Trust me. I was worried! I said that I knew this car would start, but I never said that I didn't have concerns that it might blow up.

Darren detests having his pic taken (hence the fake-o smile), but I told him we had to document this big day!

This is when D got really tired of my pic taking and was ready to hit the road. Notice Cale is in the back sticking out his tongue at me. :) Just a typical day 'round here!

Yep, he still needs to work on the interior. Maybe one day he won't need the SCREWDRIVER to put the shifter into drive! ;)

Umm, me thinks Connor is hiding either from the camera or out of embarrassment from riding in daddy's LOUD car. Coby was happy though!

Cale was SUPER excited and wound-up. He was so excited to finally ride in the SUV he'd watched daddy work on for many, many months.

Poor Connor was wishing he'd stayed home!

Oops, did I forget to mention that while this car may look really good under the hood, the rest is still pretty rough looking? Ot that the interior has yet to be put back together? Did I fail to say that Darren has to use a SCREWDRIVER to put the car into drive because the shifter-thingy is still in a box on the garage? That there are wires hanging from the ceiling because he took the ceiling panel out to recover it? OR that the exterior is in serious need of a paint job/body work? Not to mention that it needs a muffler (wow is a car loud without one of those...trust me, the in-laws knew we were coming before we ever hit their street). I'm sure eventually these things will be taken care of, but for now I'm just proud that it starts and drives! I'm choosing to celebrate small victories!

Can I just be honest here and say that I still can't believe this is my life? It sure does makes me laugh A LOT though! Darren and I are polar opposites, but I guess it would be pretty boring around here if we weren't. I'll never know.

off to school

The boys started back to school a little over two weeks ago (August 19th to be exact). This has been the easiest transition back that we've ever experienced. I know it's early, but so far the boys are loving their teachers, excited about the friends in their classes and they come home happy every single day. It makes my heart happy to see my boys doing so well. I was especially concerned about Connor starting middle school this year, but he just loves it and seems to have made the adjustment flawlessly. Whew! Here are a few pics from the first day back...

I couldn't help but torture myself. I HAD to see how much the boys have changed since last year. They've changed A LOT. wow

The pic of Connor is the only one I got while actually at school. I love his face. He's like seriously mom? After I snapped this he was off and running to the middle school as quickly as he could! (Our Elementary school, middle school and high school are all in the same area which is so handy!)

Darren and I first took Coby to his class (not that he needed us to). We I insisted!

Then we were off to take the bug to his first day of Kindergarten (which was painless for me and him since I chose to send him just half day...first grade is the year that gets me with the kids. I hate sending them ALL day. Yes, I am THAT mom. :))

He did great. We barely even got a goodbye from him. He was too busy working!

Hooray for a wonderful first day of school and hopefully the beginning of the best school year so far!

Disney Day 3: Part 2 (May 28th)

Picking up where I left off...we headed toward the Canadian pavilion since we had reservations there for a late lunch. We passed the British flag on the way....

We had to wait a bit for our tables so in the meantime we relaxed and enjoyed the beautiful views surrounding the restaurant.

It took no time at all for Epcot to become my favorite Disney Park. The grounds are unlike anything I've ever seen. They are absolutely gorgeous. Beauty is found everywhere you look.

Finally we were seated at Le Cellier (which is a steakhouse made to look like an underground wine cellar...no windows)

This was my favorite place to eat (we are the first people that our travel agent has ever been able to get reservations for...now I know why!). It was delicious and the atmosphere was different than anywhere else we ate. We started out with bread (which consisted of sourdough, pretzel, and multigrain breadsticks). Each one was so good! We also ordered the Canadian cheddar cheese soup because {apparently} you cannot go to Le Cellier without having the soup! It didn't disappoint.

I think we all ordered either the filet or the NY strip steak (all except Coby and Cale who had to order from the kids menu...no steak on there!). As if we needed it, we all had dessert to round out our meal (it was included with every meal because of the dining plan and who would turn that down!?). The above pics are of Connor's meal and dessert choice (chocolate whiskey cake). On top of that Connor had a milkshake as his drink...Connor loved the meal plan more than anyone. :)

As we walked out from lunch we saw the cutest baby ducks and a rabbit. We watched them for a while...

After filling our bellies we rode a ride or two (I think...the days all run together after awhile!).

Coby and I saw this rainbow made out of flowers/plants on our way out of Epcot...

the family leaving Epcot for the second day in a row (and yes, we came back again later in the week too!)

Darren and Connor relaxed in the room after Epcot while mom, dad, Coby, Cale and I went to the pool. While we were swimming we realized that they make s'mores by the pool in the afternoons. Coby and Cale had fun making and enjoying s'mores with the other kids at the resort! (I didn't take my camera to the pool. Wish I had!)

After swimming, s'mores, naps, etc we walked to the resorts restaurant for a LATE dinner. It was a bit of a walk to get there, but it was a pretty walk....

Here is where we enjoyed sandwiches/wraps, yummy homemade chips and of course dessert (HUGE cookies).

If it seems like all we did was eat on this trip, you're right! Luckily there was a lot of walking too so we didn't actually gain any weight (but we sure didn't lose any either!).

5 {point} five

Cale is 5 1/2 years old today. He is growing up way too fast for me! He starts Kindergarten in a week and a half and I am so thankful that I chose to put him in the half day class. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly time passes by and I am SO grateful that I have one more year to enjoy with him before he goes to school full-time.

To mark Cale's half birthday, I thought I'd share a few things about the Bug...

He weighs 36 pounds. He's a petite little guy just like big brother Connor. Cale wears a size 10.5 shoe, size 4T shorts and 5T shirts.

Cale is by far our most outgoing child. He likes to be the center of attention at all times. I love that he is so friendly and talkative with anyone and everyone. It's such a change from Connor and Coby's personalities. It's really amazing how kids from the same two parents can all be so very different...it makes for such a fun, yet interesting family dynamic.

Cale is really happy to be the "smallest" (youngest) in our family. He thinks he can get away with anything because he's "so little and cute" (his words...yes, we need to teach him to be humble sooner rather than later!).

Cale has basically spent the entire summer in his pj's. I am not kidding. The only way this kiddo is getting dressed is if we are definitely leaving the house and even then it's a battle! He tells me his pajamas (he usually just wears a pair of pj pants, no shirt) are so cozy. He is a homebody. He does not want to run errands...ever. Little guy would never leave the house if he could help it.

Cale loves to play with cars, playing the Wii, swimming, playing in the sprinkler, playing with boats in the bathtub, riding his bike, playing baseball with his brothers, digging in the dirt field next to our house, and building/playing legos with Coby.

Cale has learned to swim over the past month. He is thrilled to be floaty-free because he can now swim under the water....he loves being able to do underwater flips, being able to jump in the water and actually sink, and snorkeling in the pool. He is a little fish just like Coby. They are so fun to watch together!

Cale is so full of life and has a very big personality. He can be so much fun, but boy can he be a mess too. He has the attitude of a teenager which is not fun to deal with. I just hope that we're getting the teenage years over early and that it will be smooth sailing from here on out {here's to dreaming!}.

I can't help but share the cute things that Cale has said or done over the past 6 months....

~You are a good cooker mommy! {he tells me this all the time!}

~Mommy, I'm never going to stop loving you.

~I love how Cale rubs MY back when he's injured and I'm trying to comfort HIM. {Precious!}

~in March Cale called the x-box the sex box {too funny...especially because he had no idea what he was saying and how funny it was. He really thought that's what it was called!}

~one of Darren's officer friends was injured and became a paraplegic back in February, Cale still prays for him every single night. The funny thing about this is that the officer's last name is Peery, but Cale very seriously prays for "Officer Period" every night. {he has NO idea, but it always gets a chuckle out of me and D!}

~Cale HATES onions. It amazes me that he can always tell when our food has onion it. He'll say, "What is this white thing in my food. It's onion!" I'll say no it's not! But he ALWAYS knows. One day I was sauteing onion and he came in the kitchen and said, "What is that horrible smell?" I'm telling you this boy despises onions. The rest of us like onion, so I have to pick every. single. onion. out of Cale's food nightly! {he's a mess}

~When Cale dislikes a food, he says that he's "allergic" to it. So far he is "allergic" to onions, mushrooms, peas and steamed carrots {he likes raw carrots though}. I know there are more that I can't think of at the moment.

~Cale is a momma's boy. He is always giving me hugs and kisses or saying I love you to me. He cracks me up when he wants to give me a kiss as he'll have his lips puckered out big time. It is so cute...I don't know what I'll do when he doesn't do "the pucker" anymore!

~Cale was walking naked thru the house {not unusual}. Cale: This is how I roll. Me: How's that? Cale: Being naked is how I roll.

~One nights Cale was playing police {wants to be like daddy of course!} with Ellie who he said was his police dog. He told me "I have a gun and I'm not afraid to use it."

~One day I was crying and Cale said, "What's wrong mommy? Did daddy break your heart?"

~One day I asked Cale why it was so cold outside {obviously more toward winter time}. He said, "Well, I guess God decided to make a cold day." {Duh!}

~Earlier this week Cale and I were discussing the proper terms as they pertain to boys anatomy. I told him that balls are actually called testicles. Cale very seriously responded with "Hey, squids have testicles too!" Me: Actually, squids have TENTACLES, not TESTICLES. {never thought I'd have that conversation!}

~Cale and I have basically the same palate when it comes to our food choices. We both love tomato soup. He especially likes the tomato soup he gets at Pepperoni Grill. One day I bought some canned Wolfgang Puck soup at the grocery store. When Cale tried it, he said, " This is the kind of soup from the mall!" I asked him how he knew and he replied, "Because I'd recognize this taste anywhere!" {alrighty then!}

~I typically make dinner every night and one day Cale requested that I say "Dinner is served" when his food comes. {nope, he doesn't ask for much!}

~While he and I were eating lunch at the mall one day Cale looked at me as seriously as can be and said, "Mommy, did you know you're not very tall? You're not very big. Some people are bigger than you. Look at your legs. {Um yes, I learned a LONG time ago that I am SHORT buddy! Thanks for reminding (all five feet) of me!}.

~Cale love love loves pink. Yes he does! He proudly wears his pink Polo shirt and when asked why he's wearing pink, he boldly tells his friends, "because it's my favorite color!" {I hope he always has this confidence and security about him!} He really wants his room painted pink too, but we're going with a nice shade of khaki instead. We have to draw the line somewhere! Actually I take that back about the pink room...his most recent request is that we paint his room camo and his bed pink. What a combination! {Not worried...this kid is ALL boy!}

(this is the animal he picked out at Disney World...why? Because it was pink. Her name is "Precious" haha)

Oh how I love this little guy! He is my baby...always will be. I just love him so. Happy half birthday Calebug!