I remember now why we liked sprinklers so much.

Noah and I got to "help" daddy do yard work today.
By "help", I mean we mostly got in his way. Noah did help shovel dirt and stomp down grass and carry small rocks to the rock pile. Then things got really exciting when first Lydia, then Grayson came over! Sweet Lydia watched in amusement as Grayson and Noah tore it up in the back yard. Stephan was watering his freshly laid grass, resulting in two very wet boys. Add freshly-cut grass trimmings and you've got yourselves some super grassy wet boys. When it was time to go in, clean Lydia went in to wash her hands while humorously filthy Noah and Grayson were stripped and hauled straight to the tub to get hosed off. I would include the cute pictures that were taken of tub-time, but I don't want to get in trouble with any teenagers in the future.
   Witten, who has been having super screwy naps lately, is sleepy soundly. That makes me happy. But now, I have to go. I've got laziness to achieve. Thank You, gracious God, for lazy Saturdays!

 

two cute!

*play on words*
I have two cuties who are too cute! And they look so much alike! for example:

Noah Sias, 4 or 5 months old

Witten Allen, almost 3 months old

In other news, poor Noah won't stop being sick. I'm pretty sure it is allergies that are currently tormenting him. The worst part is his heavy cough that wears me out just listening to it.I thank God again and again that, whatever ails Noah, Witten hasn't been affected. 

and now, more cute pictures:

Champions

I very well might be the only one that reads that post title and instantly thinks of Queen. (Weeeeeee are the champions, my friee-eend. And  weeeeeee'll keep on fiiightiing til the eeeeeend!)
 Anyways, I just wanted to show the world what champs looked like in real life:

Can you believe these two just finished running 6 miles?

 Yessirree Bob, these two ladies, who may be very mad at me for posting this picture, ran that there 10 K that I was unable to run. That was Saturday. Yesterday, Monday, the lovely lady on the right agreed to go running with me. Poor planning on my part, as Aubrey was accustomed to going for miles non-stop and I, to state it plainly, am not. She was still gracious and patient with my sad attempt at fitness. And she didn't let me slack off, either. This was no walk in the park, friends. That chick turned all Jillian Michaels on me! And because of her encouragement, I am now delightfully sore all over. Which probably means I'm running wrong.

 In unrelated news, I have discovered that Noah has got some pretty heinous allergies. We're outside for  seven minutes and his eyes start watering and his nose starts running. The kind of good news is that I now know why he has a horrible cough at night. Zyrtec has been administered and positive results are already taking place.

I would really like to go to the beach.

 God bless you, faithful readers!

I don't care what "flavor" the ramen noodles are supposed to be, they all taste the same.

You know when somebody knows something you don't know, but you think you know what they know even though you're not supposed to know? I hate that. What if I'm not right in my secret assumption? Like when you're twelve and you think your parents are planning a massive surprise party for your birthday because they haven't mentioned it and the only alternative is that they really haven't given it any thought. Or if you know a friend/sibling/spouse/whoever is keeping a secret and you assume the very best because that would be awesome. I often set myself up for disappointment, thanks to my hyper-active imagination. Oh well.

This morning, the family went to Berfeld park to cheer on our friends who were running in the 10K that I pledged to run. I'm proud of them, they did awesome.

Witten has been resisting naps and/or sleeping soundly for the duration of his naps. That's kind of a new thing for him. I don't like it.

We're still not sure if we're going to go to church tomorrow. I wish someone could give us a definite answer as to how long it takes for hand, foot, and mouth disease to go away for good. Noah hasn't shown any signs of sickness in a week.

 Well, friends and readers, enjoy your Saturday. It is a beaut, and God made it just for us. This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!  

Sam's Club to the Rescue!

All I have to say is; if this last trip to the store doesn't last us at least a month, I will be amazed and dismayed.

Call me Mother Hubbard

 Rarely is there a picture taken of me and Noah. I came to realize this not too long ago. I'm almost exclusively the one taking the picture. So when pictures like the one you see above are taken, I treasure them.

 This is my little stud-muffin. Watch out, ladies, he's packin' heat and he's not afraid to show off his guns!

"Woah, dude, breath mint!"

 Life is still rather abnormal. This lovely rain that produces plush, green grass and perfect sleeping conditions also makes my kitchen, which is open the the elements via a hole under the sink, smell rather putrid. Also, I haven't been very vigilant with my meal planning and grocery shopping, so, as the title implies, my cupboard is bare. And my fridge. And my pantry.     

I think I like this "bumbo" thing. Indeed.

There are, however, far more perks than downfalls to my week thus far. You can catch a glimpse of them in the pictures I included.  Truly, truly I say to you, these are a few of my favorite things.
   Well, friends, Witten is sleeping off a trio of painful shots he was given this morning, and Noah is hunting down pairs of shoes to bring to me. (Currently, there are four pair beside my chair). I gots to go make dinner ex nihilo, so I bid you all adieu, fair readers. May God bless you and keep you. 

Hand, Foot, and Mouth

...and legs and arms and especially hiney.
Somebody warned me not too long ago that a disease that causes icky, painful looking sores to pop up on three or more areas of the body was spreading like wildfire. Being the smug, confidant mother that I far to often am, I went, "meh", and thought nothing more of it. Fast forward to this past week. After a mild fever that lasted only a day, a vague rash appeared on Noah's torso and thighs. The doctor said that it didn't look like hand, foot and mouth disease at the time, since there were none of the affiliated sores in Noah's mouth or on his feet. Tylenol and snuggles were prescribed, and I went home with a warm toddler. The next day the sores showed up. Apparently, these nasty little blighters itch, 'cause poor Noah is having at his hind-end like a monkey. So much so that when I change his diapers, as soon as the diaper's off, he scoots his hiney back and forth across the carpet for optimal itch scratching.
  The best news is, this disease is going to have him barred from public appearances for a couple of weeks. Even after the symptoms go away, he could still be contagious for quite a while. Therefore, no church, no playdates, no trips to the park for Noah. Poor Noah. Moral of this story: diseases suck.
  Other than Noah's illness, life has been tumultuous this past week. A pipe under our house up and collapsed somewhere in/under the slab, causing drainage issues that make my kitchen smell straight-up gross. Our new insurance representative denied us any coverage for the issue because it's under the house, not in it. (Is there even such a thing as slab insurance?)  Stephan worked valiantly to fix the pipe without having to jackhammer our kitchen/living room floors. After hours of working in putrid sludge from old, cast iron pipes, he realized that it couldn't be done, and the floors would have to go. Poor Stephan. Moral of this story: what the heck do we pay insurance for if they won't insure us??
 
  Yet still in times such as these, when sickness strikes and we have to deal with seemingly overwhelming house malfunctions, I can say that I am blessed. I look at my handsome husband, working so hard to provide a safe home for his family, and I know I am blessed. I look at our children, so happy and loveable and sweet, and I know that we are blessed. Most impressive of all, I look at the Scriptures and read of all the things that God has done for a wretch like me and I am in awe of how blessed I am. Forbid it, Lord, that I should ever grumble! You have been so good to me.

  Have a blessed night, readers!    

Beautiful weather, Warm temperatures, and a virus.

It seems that Noah has been sickness-hopping for a few weeks now. Well, more like a few months. First was the February cold, then that frightening early-March cough, and now, just I was cleaning my hands of Kleenex and coughing spells, He wakes up with a lovely fever and a strange rash. According to the doctor, it's nothing Tylenol and snuggles can't fix, so I'm not worried. I am a little annoyed. Not, by any means, at my sons. He's the victim here. I'm annoyed at this merciless string of diseases that wont leave my poor Boogie Boy the heck alone! I realize that 'tis the season for sick babies, what with the weather changing again and again, but it still miffs me.
 Anyways,
Yesterday, while Noah was well, we hit up the park with friends! Did anybody else not know that there are two Faulkner parks, one in Lindale and one here in Tyler? I didn't. Neither did one of my friends who I was very much looking forward to seeing. We went to two different parks! Even though Noah didn't get to play with his newest buddy, Mason, he did get some fun in the sun time with Lucy! (or "Juicy", as the tots call her)

  Above is sweet Lucy and happy Noah on the teeter-totter. I bet you can't tell who's the heavier of the two.

 Now, I am tired. Curse you, Ben Franklin, your daylight saving plot has thrown my sleep cycle for a loop! Since both boys are currently sleeping, I will go and join them.  God Bless you all, readers!

How am I going to do this?

It's 6:15 in the morning. I'm wide awake, even though my sons are still peacefully sleeping. Stephan has left to do his morning work out, as is usual, but unlike usual I can't seem to go back to sleep. It started when Noah also woke up when Stephan's alarm went off at 5:45, a time that is unacceptable as the start to my morning. As Stephan was busy getting ready to go, I hopped out of my bed to tuck Noah back into his. His diaper was full to bursting, so I changed him quickly before laying him in bed and telling him to stay in bed until sleep-time was over. He said "yes ma'am", like good little boys do, and hasn't made a peep since.
  I tried to go back to bed. Even now, I think to myself that I am wasting a precious hour of rest. But once I was settled back in my bed, an image crossed my mind that unsettled me. I saw with my mind's eye my Noah as a 15-year-old kid. The terrifying part was, in this vision or daydream or whatever you want to call it, teenager Noah was sulking and sassing me as a result of being caught in some sin or another and I had no idea how to respond except to envision him as my sweet, little baby and cry. That brief trip down the road of possibilities set me to praying earnestly. I tearfully prayed that God would grant Stephan and I wisdom, and a lot if it, in times to come when parenting happy, mostly compliant toddlers becomes trying to reason with know-it-all teenagers.
  I'm honestly a little afraid. I'm afraid because I was a sneaky, defiant teenager once. I know what it's like. I know the appeal of doing those things that my parent's told me not to. I wanted to do them mostly because they were taboo. My dad or especially my mom telling me not to do something was like highlighting and emphasizing the dangerous fun that could be had. In retrospect, I was just a dumb, stubborn kid wasting my time with temporary pleasures when I could and should have been focusing on things with so much more eternal value. In retrospect, my parents were right and acted out of an astonishingly deep love they had for their baby girl whom they were worried about. I realize that now. I'm sorry now for my snide, sarcastic thoughts and remarks towards my mother. I'm sorry now for my sneaking and disobedience. But I sure wasn't then.
  That's what I have to look forward to. My precious babies are going to too quickly be teenagers. Lord willing, they will come to know the redeeming love of Christ Jesus at a very young age and grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior all the days of their lives and never fall prey to the temptations of this world and the prince of darkness who wants nothing but to diminish the Kingdom of God on earth. I'm most certainly praying toward that end. But odds are, my boys will be like most other kids, even the Christian ones that grew up in church, and fall into sin more than once. When that happens, I'm praying very hard that God will be with me in those times; to administer wisdom, grace, and love when my humanity wants me to react with anger, disappointment, and a marked lack of grace.
     When I became a parent, I discovered a love that is so powerful and compelling, I would do anything to ensure my children's well being. It really opened my eyes to the kind of love God feels for me, His child. He was there in my rebellious times, loving me unconditionally even though I largely ignored him and blatantly disrespected Him with my actions. I hope, with all my heart, that I can do something like that for my sons.      

Nostalgia. Ain't it grand?

I found these while rummaging through my dresser drawers a while back. There are five cd's, each loaded with pictures from specific dates in the lives of me and Stephan dating back to, as you can see, our wedding.

I couldn't stop smiling as we said our vows. I was overwhelmed with happiness.

 These are not professionally taken. They are pictures from a camera of one of my bridesmaids. (Hence, the shoddy quality.)

Thank God, for Sarah Ward and her camera. Her mother captured the moment Stephan first saw me at the ceremony.

 These little glimpses into one of the best, most memorable days of my life sure do make me happy. I love how joyful Stephan and I look. (and how tan I was)

More happiness. Happiness everywhere!

Yup, that day was the beginning of good thing. I thank God every day for my husband. He's a good one.

success!!

I said yesterday that I had it in mind to go to the zoo. Since I always get my way, ZOO PICTURES!

 Noah, Lydia and Lauren hit the zoo in style. Above you can see Noah and Lydia enjoying the comfort and style of the two-seater red wagon. Below is Lauren scowling at me because I had the audacity to ask her to "smile" while looking at the sun behind my head. 

 The first place the tots enjoyed, as usual, was the otter exhibit. I have a video of the kids chasing the otters back and forth and back and forth, but it's pretty long and for some reason I sound like a man, so I'll save that for myself.

 Next was the mountain lions. Ask any of these cuties what a cougar says and they'll say "ROOOAR!"

 Then we got to see the newest exhibit: the white tigers. this picture doesn't really do these big cats justice. They were huge! As you can see, Noah wanted badly to be closer to the action. I'm pretty sure the only thing that kid is scared of is loud noises near his daddy. (He thinks Daddy's getting hurt. it's pretty cute, but a story for another post).

 Then we got to experience another first at the zoo. We checked out the "wild bird walkabout". Noah and Lydia absolutely loved seeing all those colorful birds up close. Lydia tried to catch them. Noah would point, but not touch.

 I got to hold a few!

 Lastly, per usual, we visited the "petting zoo". The way I see it, what is so exciting about petting bored goats. Where are the pet-able lions and monkeys? But, as usual, Noah loved it. Below is Noah "hugging" a goat. (Look, ma, no hands!)

Above is a video of the wild bird walkabout. Pretty fun, amiright?

  And last, but most certainly not least, I finally caught Witten smiling on camera. Ain't he precious! 

 Be blessed today, readers!
(P.S., I was totally j/king about always getting my way. WE were blessed to go and to be joined with such good friends on such a beautiful day! Thank You, God!)

It is well!

And by "it", I mean me.
I have survived. Not of my own strength, no, but by the power of Christ within me and with abundant help from my amazing, giving husband. I really do not know what I would do without that guy.
Any-hways,
While I was down and out and hidden away so as to reduce the risk of spreading my sickness, Stephan stepped in and became super-dad.

This is the tent he constructed out of over-turned furniture, bed sheets, blankets, and pillows.

As Noah is an avid fan of tents, he stinking loved it. Stories were read in there, flashlights were flashed in there, and I don't think Noah came out until someone said "eat". The best part of it was that I didn't have to clean it up! Stephan also took Noah for a bike ride and let Noah help him pull weeds in the back yard. It seemed to me like Noah's dreams came true this past weekend, and all I could do was watch and cheer from the sidelines.
 Now that I'm all better and the weather is beautiful, I am itchin' to be outside. I'll probably be pestering my friends to join me for a trip to the zoo or more fun-filled jaunts to the park. Those are always fun. (Especially now that Noah can slide down the slide by himself. He sits on his hiney about a foot away from the slide and then says "scoot! scoot!" while scooting forward until he successfully slides down the slide. I have trained him well.)

 As a sign off, I have a treat for you. I include it not because it is super exciting, for in reality, it's rather boring, but because it's the first video I thought to take of Witten and if you are a mother or someone with a nurturing heart, you'll think it's super cute. Enjoy!

  
 

UUGGHH

I am not going to apologize for being late with the update. I have a darn good reason for it. My son was scary sick. Now, I am miserable sick. I am only typing an update because at the moment I am feeding Witten in between feeble, snot-hindered attempts to nap. and yet, in my misery, God is good to me. My parents have come to my aid in Stephan's absence and taken  noah for the morning so that i may nap as best and often as i can until Stephan gets home. i don't even care to type correctly i'm so uneasy.
on a lighter note, last night was another fun night by the Lurhs' firepit making s'mores. Even though I was feeling the onset of sickness as we drove home, i still had lots of fun last night.  I thank God for my friends.