Joshua Mahlon Myers..

was born two years ago today. At 5:35 p.m. to be precise. He didn't wait near as long as Sammie, but that little boy sure didn't want to come out! Once they got me admitted, they did the ultrasound to see where he was....he was all the way up in my ribs. Almost like he was hiding and not wanting to let go of his mommy. =)

From the moment I saw him, I was in love. Even after months of fear of having a little boy. He still loves his mommy as much as he did when I was pregnant and doesn't like to let go of me. That's ok with me because it makes my heart smile. Even though it's only been two years, it seems like he has been part of our family forever.

This morning once he woke up, I did what I normally wouldn't do, but because it was his birthday....

he got a cupcake for breakfast!

Following suit from Sammie's birthday post, I will tell you a few things I love about this boy in a bullet post:

• his blonde hair
• those big blue eyes
• those precious pouty lips
• the closed eye, showing all his teeth smile (see above picture!)
• his precious heart
• the love he has for his mommy and daddy
• the sweetness of his "love you, momma"
• his big squeezes at bedtime and byebye time
• how he gives me all of his kisses (each cheek, forehead, nose, chin, and lips)
• watching him love on his 'sissy'
• how mischievous he is (even if it does get him in trouble)
• how he snorts when he laughs
• how he loves for me to hold him like a baby and sing "rock a bye baby" and once it gets to the end of the song, I drop him on the bed like he's falling out of the tree
• how he calls his hot dog, his "hot diggity dog"
• how he loves to stand at the door and watch the garbage truck and every time he sees him he says, "oh wow"
• he never wants to stop, but once he does, he's out
• watching him play with Anheiser like he's bigger than him
• watching him play with his Uncle John Morgan, who just happens to be 6 months YOUNGER than him. :)

There are so many more things about this boy that I could list, but I'll just let them soak in my mind and heart today (and every other day). I pray that Mahlon will grow up to be a strong, loving, independent, and Godly man. I wouldn't mind if he was a mixture of all the men in our lives.

Happy Birthday sweet Mahlon! I love you so much!!

Bad Notes

Does this face look like he could possibly be mean!? No, it doesnt. He looks absolutely precious and sweet right?

Well, take a look at the next one....

This is the REAL Mahlon. Ready to pounce on anything that makes him jealous. Seriously.

Last night while Matt and I were cleaning, I went to put away the kids lunchboxes and noticed a note in between them. I knew that I had already received their note about the Valentine's party and I knew that I still hadn't bought Kleenex for them, but that had only been a few days. As I pulled it out and noticed the "Behavioral Report" at the top, I thought 'oh goodness', but I let out a stern "MAHLON!". He came running, "huh? huh momma?" After thoroughly reading the report, I learned something that I already knew, Mahlon's jealous. Not only of his momma, but of anyone he cares about.

There's a little boy at daycare who is younger and of course, smaller than Mahlon. I thought they were getting along great from what Sammie would tell me. Should've known better. (Wonder if they'll cover for each other like this once they get older?? Lord, help me.) The note said that Mahlon had scratched the boys face and taken all of his toys. It didn't end there...it also said that Mahlon had colored all over the table, the chair, and the windows. Goodness gracious that boy!

This morning when I dropped them off, I asked the teacher about the whole situation. Apparently, Mahlon got the boy pretty good. She said he had two marks down his face. Poor baby. She also said that the mother of this boy had a total of 6 kids (Lord, help HER!) and was very understanding that things like this happen. Still didn't make me feel any better. I don't want to be known as the mother of the mean kid who torments their children!

The teacher also informed me that every time the little boy would come near her, Mahlon would pitch a fit and scream at her. He loves his teacher, but he wants to be the only one she loves. Kind of like he does with his momma and sissy.

Matt and I repeatedly told Mahlon last night that he had to be sweet to the little boy and not be mean. We are also telling him when he's being mean to sissy or anyone else that he needs to apologize and be a sweet boy. This morning as soon as he crawled in the bed with sissy, he slapped her. (seriously, Mahlon?! it's 7 o'clock!) I reprimanded him and told him he had to be a sweet boy. He curled up next to her, kissed her, hugged her, and said "Sorry sissy".

We're working on the stealing toys and respecting furniture and personal belongings as well, but I'm sure as with everything else that this will take time. But how much time??

Boys will be boys, I guess. *sigh*

Watermelon

My kids love watermelon. Clearly..

By the way mom, these are those shorts I sent that were "Mahlon's" :)

"I don't need no stinkin' spoon, I'm a boy"

Sammie started with a white t-shirt on..thankfully her daddy saved it :)

He was saying "Mmmm"

I'm not sure if Sammie's spoon ever touched the watermelon...

The watermelon was their "surprise" for the day and they were so excited when daddy told them to go sit at table outside. Mahlon was skipping and Sammie was jumping up and down singing "watermelon, watermelon, hey".

Cowboys..

I love cowboys. Always have, always will.

I remember when Josh went through his cowboy phase and I've seen pictures of Matt's cowboy phase. I guess every boy goes through it. Some boys, like Jesse, start young and stick with it.

I remember being at my grandparent's house and everyone having to ride Jesse around on their backs like a bull. He would slap his face and throw his hand up while holding on to the collar of your shirt. Good times!

That little boy has turned into this...

It all makes me wonder what Mahlon's going to do...cowboy or no? I think he's getting ready to follow in cousin Jesse's footsteps. I'm just not so sure that I'm getting ready!

no words are needed for this last one..

Silly kids..

My precious husband let me sleep late every morning this past weekend...Thank you!

When I woke up Sunday, I heard little screams and laughter out my bedroom window. After stumbling through the house to the back door, I discovered Sammie, Mahlon, and Savannah in the porch swing while Grammie (my mom) would pull them up really high and let them go. They were having a blast! I wish I had gotten a picture of it. Mom, I know you did! You'll have to email them to me!

Josh and Matt went and got breakfast for everyone and of course, Mahlon ate his jelly biscuit with ketchup...

and Savybaby didn't want you to see her biscuit...

Sammie's was gone before I got a picture. :(

After breakfast, we let the kids go swimming for a little while. Uncle Josh was crazy enough to actually get in the water with them! I put my swimsuit on and just laid around trying to get up the courage to jump in. That courage never came :).

Then it was off to Granny PattPatt's for some wonderful homecooking! We had beef roast, rice, gravy, mac and cheese, green beans, and biscuits. I wish I had taken some pictures, but I was just enoying the day and the company.

Meltdownless

This morning was one of the first in a LONG time that one of my kids didn't have a complete meltdown! Praise the Lord!!

Even still, it took me at least 20 minutes to get Sammie out of the bed (yes, mother, I understand where she gets that from:). Mahlon's not so much a problem as he wakes up at the crack of dawn!

Sammie got something from Nana over the weekend that has become attached to her almost like glue. As soon as she wakes up, she wants them on and she doesn't want to take them off until she's climbing in the bed. So in an effort to make things go smoothly this morning, I tried to plan her outfit around them.....here's my mini Taylor...(Swift)...

Mahlon, he doesn't care what he wears...he would rather go naked if I would let him. He looks rather handsome though, don't you think? We took these kids to LaCosta for dinner last night (upon Sammie's request) and as usual, they were a mess. Fairly well behaved for the first 5 or 10 minutes, but as soon as they spotted the McLain's, it was over! Mahlon insisted that he scream and shout and sit behind Andrew. Bless his heart, after Mahlon got ketchup all over Matt's shirt, Andrew was on the edge of his seat trying to avoid it! Sammie wasn't going to be out done by Mahlon, so she talked loudly and laughed at EVERYTHING! They're such hams! I did send Mrs. Jaime (as Sammie calls her) an email this morning and apologize for them! They wouldn't let them eat their dinner in peace! :) As we were leaving Sammie looked up at me and said "Momma, can I go tell Mrs. Jaime, PawPaw Paul (yep, she said it), and Brandon's brother bye?" After a snicker or two, I told her of course...but once she got over there, she chickened out! She had me tell them bye...only I forgot to tell Paul what she called him!! Hopefully I'll remember next time! :)

It's finally College Football week!!! I'm being the wonderful little sister that I am and sucking it up and ordering the Alabama game on PPV for my wonderfully awesome brother that is coming to town! Stay tuned for pictures and no doubt great stories!

lil' white

So, I'm sure that at some point over the last several years you've heard of Lil' Wayne and Lil' John....well, meet Lil' White...

Yes, I know..it's blurry, but he never stops moving!

Lil' White is the newest thing to hit the streets..decked out in his white K-Swiss' and his puffy mid-calf socks, he wows all of the girls and intimidates all of the boys..

His perfectly groomed hair with his tiny curls in the back drive the ladies wild and his plaid shorts and tucked shirts are the envy of the men.

That is, of course, until night falls and all the clothes come off...

Then, he's just wild and crazy! He likes to break it down after dark and let it all hang out! (well, with the appropriate cover up from Luvs)

If you see Lil' White out, keep in mind that he loves high fives and smooches, so watch out!

When daddy's away..

..we have to find ways to entertain ourselves!

Me and the kiddos broke out the camera and started goofing off. Hope you enjoy our pictures!

Silly Sammie

I love this girl! He was telling her all about his truck

Kisses!! *Look at Mahlon's face*

So precious!

And of course, the camera couldn't come out without a concert from Sammie Alabama!

Grabbing the fans hands! =)

Isn't she beautiful!?

We had a blast, but we did miss Daddy!

Anheiser

Welp, folks, I did it...I completely caved!

I told Matt that he couldn't have another animal until Mahlon was at least 3 years old. Everytime we get a dog, we have it for a couple of months and then he decides to get rid of it. Or in Coot and Snickers case, they figure out how to jump the fence and never come back. (If we could have Snickers back, we would never have another dog!)

So, for the past 3 or 4 weeks he's been pestering the crap out of me. I was able to put my foot down to him, but the man played my kids on me. He had Sammie asking for a puppy and even taught Mahlon to say "puppy dog". So, I caved. ugh! I hate when I do that!!! I told him that he could have his choice of puppy, but I got to choose the color.

We ended up with a brindle Pitbull. He's 6 weeks old and a chunk! The whole drive home, I kept thinking, "my goodness, this dog has GOT to be older than 6 weeks!" Once we got home and I put him on the ground, you could clearly tell he wasn't any older. He's a little chunk. And I guess I have to admit...he's precious.

I think he's still unsure of where he is and is a little traumatized, but hopefully he'll come around!

Needless to say, my husband and my kids are overly excited with our new and FINAL family member.

Meet Anheiser....

Boys..

"Boys will be boys"

"He's all boy"

"He's a boy, he needs to be dirty"

Those are just a few of the things I know that Matt and I say to each other very often when referring to Mahlon. Why? Well, because he IS all boy!

Last night, we let the kids enjoy some popsicles on the back porch.

Mahlon has finally figured out how to hold it by the stick, but he hasn't figured out how to eat it all before it starts melting and running down his arms. As I was sitting on the swing with him, I noticed his foot...

By the way, I have NEVER had to cut this boys toenails...

and then I noticed his hand...

it's a little blurry, but look in the crease around his wrist.. yuck!

but, "he's all boy" and "he needs to be dirty"!

Say Cheese...

This is what happens EVERY time Mahlon sees a camera..or anything that resembles a camera for that matter..

Cheese!

Operation Home Improvement

We are finally under way! We have so many projects on our "to-do" and "to re-do" lists, but we are slowly but surely marking them off!!

I started really crossing things off a couple of months ago when I re-painted and put up a new light fixture in the hall bath, but over the weekend I got even more done! I took on our bedroom bath! As you may remember, my husband, my neighbor, and a friend of ours put in a new floor and I'm in love! In order for the floor to lay just right, we had to take the door off and we decided that we like it much better without the door. Upon painting, I knew that I wanted it to match the bedroom, so it would "enlarge the room" so to say. Half of the wall is tile and I painted that part brown (to match the rustic wood paneling in the bedroom) and the other half of the wall is a moss green...this with our light wood floor looks amazing! Sammie and I made a trip to Wal-Mart last night in search of a new mirror..no luck there..but we did come across this beautiful light fixture. It's a tuscan bronze wall mount...one of those with the three hanging lights.. oh, how I love it! Once I find my mirror, I can cross that ROOM off my list completely!!!

In our bedroom, I've been wanting to decorate. Right now, there's really no "style" in there, just things put places. Yesterday on my lunch break, I took a trip to Burke's (in search of a mirror for the bathroom..ha) and found two green candles and two brown funky tea light holders. I got all four of them for $10! I alternated them on the shelves of our dresser and talked Matt into throwing everything away that he didn't need or use everyday. It already looks so much better!! Only a few more things to do in there and I'll be happy.

I'm trying to get my energy up to paint the laundry room. I don't want to do anything drastic because it IS the laundry room, but I'm tired of looking at white walls and place where my husband "yanked" a cabinet off of one wall just to place it on the other side of the room...so that he could fit a freezer in there.. men! I'm planning on painting it a khaki color with a little bit of brown, red, and light blue accent...hopefully it'll be as pretty as I'm imagining!

Annnnnd...drum roll please...we got our quote on the roofing and siding last night!!! We are very pleased with the price and the amount of time he is expecting to take!! Wooooohoooo!! I know that it's kind of ridiculous how excited I am, but hey..it's going to look like a whole new house! I promise to post before, in the process, and after pictures!!!

So, in preparation for them to begin work, Matt decided to cut down ALL of the trees, bushes, shrubs, etc. that were left around the house. He did this while Sammie and I were gone to Wal-Mart and I fully expected him to still be working on the same side of the house when I got back 45 minutes later, but noooo..he was done!! My kids are strange in the way that they love to help take the twigs to the road....here's proof....

This isn't illegal, is it?

Sorry they're blurry..I took them with my phone!

Here's to finishing most (if not all) of our projects THIS year!!