Jack Everett's first CAMPOUT

It's official. Jack Everett is growing up.

Two weeks ago, Kim called and invited Jack to a campout in her backyard. For Spring Break, they had set up a tent and Kristen and Alli had a girls' campout with their girlfriends, and now it was the boys' turn. I knew Jack would absolutely love it, so we packed up and headed to Roundrock for an overnight stay. I am so glad we did.

The huge 10-person tent in the backyard; Left to right: Hunter (9), Sam (9), and Logan (6). Yes, it was a little much for me to see them playing with weapons, but they are boys, they are kind and careful, and I need to let him be a boy. Right? (I will keep telling myself that.)



Yes, another milestone... I let him go in and out of the house barefoot the entire night. He later recalled this as one of his "favorite parts of the campout."



Left to right: Jack, Logan, Hunter holding Davis, and neighbor Sam sitting around the campfire. You can see that by marshmallow roasting time, Jack and Hunter were getting a little sleepy.

He liked roasting them, and even ate a couple after I reassured him that his tummy could handle it.



When it was time to sleep, I wondered how he'd feel about sleeping outside the whole night. He came to me all secretively, "Momma, I don't want to wear a Pull-up because the big boys might laugh at me." I assured him, "Don't you think it would be worse if you pee-peed in the tent?" He said, "Right. Better give me that Pull-up." The big boys were very cool about it and made sure he felt included. An hour later, I went out to see what they were doing and saw an extension cord leading to the tent. Hmmm.... so much for "roughing it."



Jack felt like a big boy and talked about his campout for days. It was a peek into my future... sweaty boys running in and out, missing teeth, sound effects, roughhousing, incessant snacking, koolaid mustaches, burping, black feet, dirty fingernails, fascination with fire...

All that... times two.

Virtual Art Gallery

What do you do with all the unique beautiful toddler art? Throw it away? Frame it? Clutter the fridge? Keep it around all over the house?



So I date and keep much of his art... the REALLY special ones. But what do you do when your collection contains two dozen dinosaur posters that are EACH 18" by 24" and your little Van Gogh gasps upon the mere mention of recycling these huge masterpieces?

{This is one of my faves. He tried three times to write his and Davis' names... but just couldn't figure out how to fit them on there. He eventually just gave up.}

Well, I finally figured out what to do with all of them: That's right... check your mailboxes. Haven't received one yet? Just wait. Or comment and make requests... we have macaroni, foam stickers, hole punches... glitter... tissue paper... cotton balls... If you prefer sticky and messy, we have that too. If you are more of the tacky, gawdy type, we've got you covered. Have you received one without requesting it? (Julie, Heather...) Sorry, no returns!

{On a side note: Once I take a picture of a piece of art, he is totally fine with me throwing it away. If he ever wants to click on them on the computer, voila! For now, this satisfies both of us.}

Making Room

Okay, smarty pants is on a roll this week...

Jack: "I am so full..." whine... "I ate way too much chicken. I am stuffed..." Ugh... Whine... Sigh... "My stomach is so full from that chicken..." on and on...

{A few minutes later...he comes in all excited...}

"Mommy, guess what! There was one little part of my tummy that blocked the chicken! It blocked it and did not fill up with chicken!"

"Oh, really?"

"Yes! It's a empty part way in the back that's shaped like ice cream."

I swear. Where does he come up with these things?

A Matter of Importance

{Overheard in my house this afternoon.}

"Jack, it's rest time. Do NOT come out until the big hand is on the six unless you have to use the potty. DO you understand me?"

"Yes ma'am."

{Fast forward, oh, about eleven minutes.}

"Momma, I need to ask you something."

"If you do not have to potty, get back in your room. You can ask me when rest time is over."

"Momma, can I pleeease just ask you this one thing?"

"Jack, this better be SUPER important. If not, you get back in your room."

"Well, it's just kinda important."

"What is it?"

"How many days would it take for an ant to climb to the top of a cliff?"

"Jack Everett! I don't know. That was NOT important!"

"It's not important to Mommies, but it's important to ants."

Say it ain't so...

How to peel a cooked potato in two seconds...

Grandmama shared this link with me. I wish I had known this trick when potatoes were one of the very few things Jack Everett could eat. Truthfully, I just bought canned potatoes instead of peeling them.



I am posting this for all the people who make me my favorite - homemade potato salad. Especially Mel and Tracy. So, try it. Then invite me to dinner. Soon.

What Davis' crawling has taught me in just one week:

• I need to vacuum way more often.
• Our side table is too rickety and top heavy.
• The dog toy is absolutely disgusting.
• The space between the treadmill and the back of the couch is just wide enough for a baby's head and shoulders, but not his belly.
• The transition line between the carpet and tile hurts a baby's hand.
• The tile is too cold on bare baby knees and too hard on baby chins.
• Jack does not appreciate chewed up puzzle pieces.
• Jack does not appreciate wrinkled pages of books.
• Jack does not appreciate when his blankets get "slobbered."
• Sadie needs to drink her water right away or it will get spilled.
• Jack does not appreciate wet socks from dog water.
• Jack is used to getting his way all the time.
• The archway in our kitchen is way too wide for a baby gate.
• It's quite embarrassing when someone picks up the baby off the carpet and he has a wad of my hair in his fingers. [I know, gross. But true. Like I said, I need to vacuum more often.]
• It's time to get out the Pack N' Play.

My Identity In Christ

"Because of Christ’s redemption,
I am a new creation of infinite worth.

I am deeply loved,
completely forgiven,
fully pleasing,
totally accepted by God,
and absolutely complete in Christ.

There has never been another person like me
in the history of mankind,
nor will there ever be.
God has made me an original,
one of a kind, really somebody!"

Tonight I begin to take a group of 30 women through an 8-week "Search for Significance." Please pray for me as I facilitate this study and share with these women how drastically it changed how I view myself, my kids, my marriage, and most importantly, my relationship with God.

... 8 months old, and on the move!

That's right - our little steamroller has finally figured it all out and is on the move. As you can see, it is impossible for me to take a one-minute video of "just Davis" without Mr. Peanut Gallery making a dramatic appearance.

Jeff stayed home from church Sunday because Davis (Mr. Red Nose) was under the weather. When I came back, I found these pics on the camera. They were playing under a red blanket. Gotta love the static hair. Dads think of games Mom would NEVER consider. For instance...

The ol' "Let's let the 4-yr-old shine a flashlight in the baby's face!" game. But, as usual... they loved it.

So proud of himself after motoring across the living room on his own!

Update: We started re-introducing the fruits into his diet and... NO REACTION! I can't believe it. So, he loves all the new tastes he's been able to experience over the past few weeks. Maybe just maybe this little guy won't have to worry about his diet as much as his big brother. That would be AWESOME. Still no teeth, but as evidenced by the drool on his shirt above, he is starting to show signs of teething. Still won't take a bottle, but the nursing is down to four times per day, which is much more manageable. He still sleeps like a champ, but I imagine the day is not far off that I go into his nursery and he will be standing up in the crib.

We love you, Big D, and can't imagine our lives without your smiling face!

Too Cool for School

Jack Everett: "You know why I don't like school, Momma? It has way too much instructions."

Birth Defect

We were watching the inspirational story about Kurt Warner's visit with a boy who was born without a lower jawbone:

Jack, totally fascinated: "Daddy, why does his face look like that?"

Jeff: "Well, when he was born, his jaw didn't grow properly, so the doctors are going to fix it."

Jack: "Why did it not grow right?

Me: "Well, sometimes babies are born with different problems. God made every body special. You know, like Lawtie? God made her eyes special so she wears glasses."

Jack: "Yes."

Jeff: "And like YOU. You were born with a special tummy, so you can't eat certain foods."

Jack - immediately: "Just like Davis, who was born with a crying attitude."

Ring Bearer made us proud!

Posting the wedding pictures from Kyle and Tara's wedding has taken much longer than I had hoped, but here they are! There were hundreds of photos (literally) from which to choose, but here are some faves:

The Rehearsal: Friday, February 6, 2009 - Springfield, Missouri

Kyle presented the pillow to Jack and explained the importance of the Ring Bearer role. This was the first time my sweet nephew made me cry that weekend, but certainly not the last.

The rehearsal went off without a hitch. His smile was precious and he took pride in his special job. Jeff and I were instantly optimistic about how he'd do the next day.

The Rehearsal Dinner - Pleasant Home Fellowship Hall

Nephew Kyle and Niece Kayla with Jack and Davis.

Lacey, Jack, and Hope at the Rehearsal; Family photo at the dinner.

The BIG DAY! Saturday, February 7, 2009:

Jack just before showtime; Kyle seats his mother. Second time I cried. That could be me one day. And then... the Bell Ringers and Ring Bearer appear... the strings accidentally stopped playing before the boys came down the aisle, but they just walked down in silence.

I was so proud of each them. They did great!



Kyle couldn't hide his emotion when his beautiful bride came down the aisle. I captured the last few moments on film. It was so sweet. (Third cry.)

Here they are - Kyle and Tara Griffin! Sometimes I accidentally call them Kara and Tile, but luckily it hasn't happened to their faces... yet.

On right: Greg, Sharon, Tara, Kyle, and Kayla (who sang beautifully at the wedding.)



Greg, Sharon, Kyle, and Kayla. I loved the black and lime green dresses Tara chose.

Jack relaxin' after a hard day's work!

Jack Everett LOVES "his" Kayla. He follows her outside for some outdoor shots.



Jack ran away just before the "jump shot."

The Reception - Wow, what a party!

Jack with Aunt Mel just BEFORE the server spilled 10 glasses of grape juice down her new dress. Luckily, Melody took it like a champ and was very kind to the mortified (sopping wet) waitress.

After a formidable fit in the elevator, Jack turned his frown upside down and loosened his tie for some food, fun and dancin'!

Nana sure missed Papa on this most special occasion, but two little boys made sure she was never left without a gentleman to dance with!

After being dressed up for over eight hours, Jack Everett had had enough, so we called it a night.

Here are the rest of the wedding pics (in a Facebook Album) - check them out!

What a memorable wedding. It is so enjoyable to celebrate a couple who is starting their lives together the RIGHT way. Their patience in waiting and following God's design for marriage was quite a testimony to everyone in attendance. The wedding ceremony itself was the worship service God intended and it was an experience few will forget.

Welcome to the family, Tara! We love you and are very proud to call you "ours!"