Scratch Wednesday's post...

I am just baffled as to how in the world my kids could STILL BE SICK! Symptoms returned Friday for Nathan, about 6 diapers that weren't "normal". Then Saturday, about 6-8 more. I was thinking maybe it was just his tummy trying to get used to food again, or it was the orange juice. Today it was 10-12. I just don't get it. This thing started LAST weekend and here we are...still at it. Hannah completely shocked us, having gone 5 days without symptoms, woke up vomiting at 11:30 Saturday night, shattering any hope that I could make it to church. Poor thing, she's feeling isolated too. The first thing she said was, "now I can't see my friends! (big tears)". I almost took them to the doctor this morning but figured what's the point. They are eating and drinking well. The doc is just gonna state the obvious, "yep, it's a virus." So I opted out of that little adventure and we just hung out here trying to make the most of the day. (Sigh...)

Back in the Pool again! (we're finally well!)

A hug
a sweet smile
a picnic

It was a Looooonnnngg couple of days...but we're well and spending our time on much more pleasant tasks. We hit the symptom free for 24 hours mark today about 1pm. This morning, although I knew we needed to avoid people for one more day, i was bound and determined to get out of the house! So we went on a hunt for some much needed kitchen chairs. I've had my eye out for several months but today went by this big "rent to own" liquidation tent of used furniture. They had the perfect chair, used and a little battle scarred for $25 each! Solid wood so I know they'll stand up to even Nathan's loving use. :) Now my nicer chairs can be moved into the dining room with my new dining room table that Ben bought and finished(it was unfinished) for me this Summer. Ben was a real sweetheart and hung some pics for me last night and put together a bathroom cabinet. It's nice to feel even more moved in, settled.

The kids and I got a fabulous much needed nap in this afternoon and didn't get up till almost 5, which is when the panic set in... that means they're gonna be awake all night! So we filled up the pool and the kids made mud pies till the mosquitoes chased us back in.

If you would, pray for RUF Large group at Texas A&M which is tonight and pray for the ministry of RUF on the campus. Check out the website- www.aggieruf.org - for new pics, news, etc. as part of your blog reading routine and pray for us then. We are so excited to be here, have help from our new intern Katy Simpkins and be into the first week of school. I don't get to see firsthand alot of what's going on but Ben comes home with exciting stories about meeting new students and being involved with so many ministry opportunities.

The past several days we've had...the stomach bug... and the worst one we've ever had at that. The requirement for watching TV is to sit on the futon covered with a sheet and to hold a bowl. They're catching on, although Nathan keeps putting his bowl on his head and calling it a hat. At least his humor is keeping me sane. :) Pray for us.

A Birthday present...

...and an extreme case of jealousy.

ONE!TWO!!
THREE!!!
FOUR!!!!
My baby girl turned FOUR today! Happy Birthday, Hannah!

Little Olympians and Synchronized Diving

Ben and I have been recording the Olympics the last two days and watching in the evenings. Hannah was absolutely enamored with the opening ceremonies (As was the rest of the world! They were incredible!) So when the synchronized diving started tonight, the kids got really creative...
Look at the sheer GLEE on that child's face.
The diving started on top of the coffee table into the plushness of the leather couch but I decided that wasn't safe so I moved the little olympians into the playroom.

We had two tired little monkeys tonight. :)

Nathan

Nathan is an absolute joy at bedtime. He is so enthusiastic about his books. His favorites in order are:
1. Curious George and the Bunny
2. Brown Bear, Brown Bear
3. Goodnight Moon.

I try to keep bedtime prayers simple.

Me: "Dear Jesus, Thank you for Daddy..."

Nathan: "Daddy" (all grins, with hands clasped and bright blue eyes)

Me: "...Mommy and Hannah."

Nathan: (at the same time) "mommy, HANnah"

Me: "amen"

Nathan: "meh" (still grinning)

Enough to melt my heart over and over again. I don't even care about the offending crayon all over my walls.

In the morning, he'll be the FIRST one up wanting to be dressed COMPLETELY, yelling "Shirt! Shirt! Shirt!" and "Shoes! Shoes! Shoes!" until he is all ready to "Go, Go, GOOOOO!!" at 6:15 in the morning.

Thank you, Lord, for every day with my sweet children.

imaginations...

Hannah came to me one day this past week wanting to create a "beach party". She said she needed her umbrella, sunglasses, a sunhat and a towel. She went on to describe how the umbrella needed to be sticking out of a table,etc. She was very precise about it all. "Now, I need a beach chair."
You would think from older posts I would ban Nathan from markers but I just can't do it for so many reasons, one being that he's too cute imitating Hannah as she draws,etc. Notice he's got something in each hand!

The sewing machine is paying off!!

Hannah's skirt has scottie dogs on the bottom so I did the best I could to draw a scottie dog shape for the applique on the skirt and I'm pleased with it. I 've made that skirt before but this one is my favorite! Nathan's john-john is the first john-john i've made and I figured out how to get snaps in the bottom for diaper changes. We took these pics a few minutes before we left for church this past Sunday.


Hannah was too sweet when i showed her what I had made for the her the next morning. She said, "I like all the things you made for me, Momma."
When we got home, Nathan found a marker without the lid. Yeah, it was washable but I still had to WASH him and the fouton cover too! Gotta love those boys!

Helmet heads

Some of our students came to the RUF summer party at our house on their motorcycles. The kids had a blast with their helmets! I love it when they both get the giggles at the same time.