Rising Stars...

Jack has been learning 'Praise to the Man' in primary at church (which I am sure I only know because I am also in primary...he can never tell me what he is learning, at school or church) and he sings it everywhere! He sings it in the morning when he should be sleeping but is in our room instead, or in the car, at meal times, just to name a few. He always makes me sing with him too! I love that he loves to sing and am pretty impressed with how well he knows the songs...even though he doesnt sing real loud so I am probably the only person that actually understands him! Oh well, it is a work in progress! They are learning the first and third verses, but I just got him singing the first verse because he knows that one the best! His favorite part is 'kings shall extol him and nations revere!'

Praise to the Man

Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah! 

Jesus anointed that Prophet and Seer.

Blessed to open the last dispensation,

Kings shall extol him, and nations revere.

Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven!

Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain.

Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his brethren;

Death cannot conquer the hero again.

And here is Brody with his version of Row, Row, Row Your Boat!!!

New York, New York...

Clay just got back from his first 'long' business trip. He flew out to New York on Monday and got home...well, he was supposed to get home late last night but walked in the door at 6:15am today (just about the time the kids were waking up). He was stuck in the airport/airplane for a very long time and we both thought he might never make it home, but we are glad he is back and made it safe and sound! He had never been to NY so he spent a little time exploring the city, talking to all the Brazilians (he said they were everywhere, which was fun for him), and seeing the sights!

He brought the boys home some FDNY shirts and they were very excited! Jack still talks about being a fireman when he grows up so it was perfect!! They wasted no time trying them on!

After Clay got a few hours sleep we decided to go to the movies (since the weather is pretty crumby). We have never taken Brody and we even braved the 12:25pm showing (yes, nap time) so it was an adventure! Once we loaded up on highly over priced popcorn and drinks we settled in to watch Kung Fu Panda 2 and Brody did so well! He was a little loud at times (happy loud) but made it through most of the movie with no problems...he got a little restless by the end. Jack only had to use the restroom once during the movie but has been going non-stop since we have been home!

We sure are glad to have dad home!

Rain, rain, go away...

The weather is still pretty unpredictable around here...it will be beautiful, warm, and sunny for a few days and then disappear behind the rain and gloom. Oh well! We are trying to soak up the sun as much as we can! A few weekends ago daddy came home with this really fun water table! Brody was in heaven! He played for hours (until he had to be pried away from it kicking and screaming) and was soaking wet. I decided I needed some sort of apron for the kids that would 'help' keep them somewhat dry. After a few rough drafts I decided to copy another apron we already had and made a couple of aprons out of some oilcloth in my stash! I think they will work pretty well (once the weather warms up again and we can actually try them out)!

 

Jack...

Jack takes after his mom in so many ways...have we said that before? Well, his dancing skills just seem to get better and more advanced each day...not sure where he is learning it because I am not giving him lessons! I tried to capture it all on video but it isnt his best work. Although I love that he has his shirt off (totally looks like a male ballet dancer to me)! Gotta love this kid!

Brody...

So easy to entertain him...give him a bike and a slight 'hill' and he is good to go!

At Roach Gymnastics for Jacks preschool field trip. Brody was so mad he couldnt get out with the other kids and play, so towards the end I let him play on a few mats in the corner of the gym (away from the other kids) and he was in heaven! He loves to hang on anything he can find that is just his height...bars, counters, shower handle, etc.

Brody loves to pretend to 'swim' in the bath tub and drink the water blow bubbles! I apparently need to get him into some swimming lessons!!

Mothers Day...

Being a mom is really one of the best jobs in the world! I am truly blessed to have such wonderful boys and wouldnt want to be doing anything else right now! But it does not come naturally to me. My boys were given to me for a reason and I know that, but they sure test me and all of my limits. Jack is stubborn and can make me so mad that I find myself screaming at him just so he will stop yelling and actually listen to me (no, it doesnt work, by the way). Brody cries a lot these days. I know he is still learning how to talk and express himself but it can wear on you when you have a little munchkin attached to your leg (pulling on your clothes) and crying. I find myself getting frustrated and wanting to go lock myself in my room for ten minutes just to have some 'quiet time.' But then I remind myself that I have two boys who love me and want my attention and love. All they want is someone to play with and teach them. My job is hard, but there couldnt be a more rewarding job out there! I love seeing them learn and grow and smile and laugh! I love it when Jack comes up to me and gives me a big kiss and hug! And when Brody brings a book over to me and gets all cozy under a blanket to read look at it! Motherhood is teaching me so much more than I could have ever imagined and I love it...all of it!

Oh, and apparently I play too much Super Mario Brothers 'Red Wii' with Jack. He came home from school last week with a cupcake (which he informed me was for me but then proceeded to tell me that he needed some too) and a sweet card. I can only imagine what his teachers were thinking when they asked him why he loves his mom and he said because she plays 'Red Wii' with me!

Time Out for Women...

This past weekend I had the wonderful opportunity to attend Time Out for Women with Clay's mom and grandma! It was up in Seattle and so Clay's parents got a couple of hotel rooms and we decided to make it a family event! 

Friday afternoon the kids and I drove up to Seattle and met Clay at his office to meet some coworkers! Then we headed over to the hotel to get situated and had dinner at Cheesecake Factory with his parents and grandparents!! Then the women were off to the conference and the men went swimming in the hotel! (Clay told me that Brody had a blast! Jack liked it for a little while but was done way before everyone else. Brody screamed when it was time to leave!) 

Saturday morning the women left bright and early again and the men packed up the rooms and then headed to Woodland Park Zoo up in Seattle. When I asked Jack what they did/saw at the zoo he told me they saw dinosaurs! Ok. He told me all about the dinosaurs he saw (oh yeah, and a few other animals)! And funny enough, the only pictures Clay managed to get at the zoo were of the dinosaurs!

The conference was amazing! I cried, laughed and took lots of notes! It was just the kind of weekend I needed! It was a little pick-me-up and I am so glad I got to go! All of the speakers had wonderful stories and experiences to share and it was just a positive, uplifting couple of days! Now back to normal life!!
 

 Walking to dinner...Jack insisted on holding Grandma and Great Grandmas hands!

 
 What a life! This is Brody in the hotel on Saturday morning. If you cant tell he is lounging, watching tv, and eating some fruit! Spoiled little boy!

 I love this 'moment' with Brody and grandpa!