Redneck Swimming

Last weekend Trav and I tackled the dreaded project of cleaning out the garage.  It was beginning to look like something from an episode of Hoarders, so it was high time we cleaned out that bad boy.  Our house does not have an ideal amount of storage space so it seems that the garage has become the go to spot when we don't know where to put the superfulous stuff. 

The children woke up from their naps and we were only about halfway through "Operation: Attack Garage," so we blew up the baby pool that I bought from Target for $0.99 at the end of last summer.  It entertained our two long enough for us to accomplish our project.  I'm sure our neighbors enjoyed the view of our redneck swimming pool, but hey, we now have a clean garage and two babies that love to swim.  

As always, the cautious one looks on from afar.

And tests out the water tempurature before entering.

She agreed to get in the pool, but was still slightly hesitant to get too soaking wet. 

Love her. 

And this guy was not so shy.  He jumped right in and splashed all over the place.  

My favorite moment (other than the clean garage that I can now park my car in!) was when Lucy Mills kept saying "It's okay Buddy, I hep you get in da pool."

"Come play wif me McClain-Clain,"

He loved every minute.  In fact I had to drag him out of the pool when everything was said and done. 

Summer 2012.  Bring it on. 

To the One I Love:

Happy Four Years Travis! 

In some ways I can't believe fours years of marriage has come and gone so quickly, and in other ways I feel like "really...just fours years? It seems like it's been at least seven or eight." {And I mean that in the kindest way possible! We've covered a lot of ground in this short span of time!}

I remember the day we met and the courtship that followed.  You were unlike anyone I had ever met, and you pursued me in a way that was honorable yet romantic.  I hope our own daughter is so blessed one day. 

While I didn't know what the future held for us, I love how God so beautifully crafted our love story. 

 Travis, thank you for loving me when I don't deserve it, supporting me in my role as a wife and mother, and leading this family in such an admirable way.  

My very own Prince Charming...

So thankful for you. 

Love, your bride.

McClain

McClain, if I had to hand pick you off the store shelf, YOU are the little boy I would chose to take home. 

You have the most pleasant disposition - much like someone else I know...

While you are always on the move, you catch my eye and offer up a quick, flirty smile before heading off in into the next mischievous activity.  Boys! 

At 17 months old you love bats and balls, baths and swimming, your "ba-ba," books, Dora the Explorer, saying hey to anyone and everyone we pass, climbing on things that are not meant to be climbed on, putting inedible objects in your mouth, saying Dada when I ask you to say Mama, playing outside, and keeping up with your Sissy in everything she does. 

Even though you are in constant motion during the day, I can always count on a bedtime rocking and snuggling with you sweet boy.

I'm so thankful for you buddy!

Sweet Girl

She is a helper, that is for sure. 

Rather if it's with the dust buster, the laundry, wiping the table down, or grabbing the handful of dog food out of her little brother's white-knuckled grip, she loves to be needed and to be praised. 

I always wanted a little girl.  She is the perfect combination of sugar and spice.  

I love that she looks up to me, wants to be like me, wants to make me proud of her.  While I know that won't always be the case, I sure enjoy my celebrity status with her in these fleeting "little" years. 

She is a gift. 

Randomness that I Want to Document

I absolutely love the words that come out of my two year olds' mouth.  Well most of them.  Like when she says Mommy, we drive on the innerstator {aka interstate}to go to Gee's house and to CBS.

Or this little conversation she had with Travis the other night...
Daddy: Lucy Mills, what do you think you want to be when you grow up? When you are a big girl do you want to be a mommy?
LM: ok
Daddy: You will be a great mommy.  Do you want to get married?
LM: I need to go read my Bible Dad {and scampers off to find it.}
Whew! Too much serious talk for her!

Travis taught the children a few Chinese words recently. {We have both been there on mission trips before.}  So now McClain only says thank you in Chinese.  When I prompt him to say thank you he responds with xie xie {pronounced syeh syeh} and he thinks its hilarious.

If you are ever around my children ask them to show you "their dancing feet." Us Masons have some mad dance skills and enjoy dance parties alongside Daddy's guitar playing.

McClain loves books and loves to be read to!  I have been diligent in reading to Lucy Mills and taking her to story time at the library, but not as much so with McClain.  He brings books to me all the time - hands it to me and then parks himself in my lap.  He listens so intently and really seems to follow right along.  I love my little reader! 

We recently added an extra booster seat so McClain could join us and big sister at the table.  He makes himself right at home...

This budding fashionista {I kid} and  her daddy like to scavenger for acorns and toss them in the creek out back.  She loves to hunt for these little treasures and show daddy how far she can throw them in the water. 

Here she is in Daddy's shirt.  Whenever she sees the "R" she says dat our church Mommy, dat says Radius.

And I will leave you with this image.  Parenting is hard work I tell ya. 

Yes, they are glued to watching their video while Daddy needs a lil' space. 

You Might Be a Redneck If...

you potty train your child on the front porch.

I am so proud of my Lucy Mills! 

She has been diaper free {except when she sleeps} and accident free for over a week now! 

Last Monday a friend of mine dropped off some clothes that her daughter had outgrown.  In the bag was a pair of Snow White undies.  Bingo! I thought.  As soon as Lucy Mills woke up from her nap I hurried to show her the treasure her buddy Mary Wallace had left for her.  LM was very pleased that "one of the big girls" brought her some "big girl panties."  She put them on and before I knew it she got the hang of this no diaper thing.  

I have been changing 10+ diapers a day for two and a half years people! 

What a relief to cut that number down by half.  Not to mention the $$$ I'm saving. 

Oh happy day! 

Beach Season Begins and a Birthday

We packed up our crew and headed to the coast to celebrate Trav's birthday.  

While we had a wonderful time being together and even got to see Aunt Tutu while we were there! The little saying April showers bring May flowers is apparently true.  We scored about a day and a half free of thunderstorms, so the children ate up every minute of beach time. 

My children have a completely different body temperature than I do.  I thought it was way too chilly and windy to even think about getting wet, so I layered them up in long sleeves, fully clothed.  Lets just say that within about 20 minutes of being on the beach we had two naked babies running around, jumping in and out of the bone-chilling waves. 

They loved every minute.  In fact, the little girl who once cried about getting sandy on the beach now rolls around making sand angels on the shore.

She was a little uneasy about the waves rolling in and out.  She let them chase her but never once catch up with her.  McClain on the other hand planted himself right on the edge and didn't mind getting wet a bit. 

Last year at the beach he was just learning to sit up on his own.  It was fun seeing him enjoy the beach to the fullest this time. 

Sweet thing. 

Daddy showed them how to make mud pies.  What a treat this was! 

Hours of entertainment I tell you. 

Upon awaking after naps or first thing in the morning, the first words out of Lucy Mills' mouth was "let's go pay at da ocean Mama.  You wanna pay wif me?" 

Of course I do. 

And since boys will be boys, 

there was lots of stick playing, shell throwing, and sand eating as well. 

And even some best buddy moments to charm the luckiest mama around. 

Happy Birthday my Love - thank you for the the fun beach memory.