Too many pregnant people!

 As I type, an invitation to a gender reveal party flutters meekly on my desk in the breeze from the overhead fan. To my current knowledge, I have almost a dozen friends expecting a baby. Pictures of precious baby bumps cover my facebook news feed like cute wall paper. While I am excited for every one of my pregnant friends, I am mildly jealous. Yes, I have a smidge of the baby fever. Praise God, it's not a raging fever so as to overwhelm my mind and consume my every waking thought, but it is a persistent longing. I know that I will be able to wait patiently on the Lord's timing, 'cause He's enabling me to. So, until the time comes for Du Toit baby number three to get underway, I will be content to live vicariously through my friends' pregnancies.
I guess I could relish my time with the kids I already have, too. Maybe.
  But seriously, though, yesterday afternoon, my mother, sons and I were overjoyed to find two adorable, small kitties rubbing at our ankles and begging for affection. And food. Both of which we happily supplied. Friends, I could not have asked for more perfect cats for my family. (No, they're not quite ours, per say. We're just acting like they are. We'll see what happens once we move.)These cats are impossibly patient with my sons' rough lovin', quick to purr, love to be snuggled, and love to play. They are the perfect cats! Noah and Witten are in love with them! Noah named them Ecto and Feter. Ecto's a boy and Feter's a girl. After a day and a half of treasuring these two kitties, we step outside to find Ecto, no Feter. Is is wrong to pray for God to bring back a kitten we're had for one day? 'Cause I already have. Several times. Poor Feter! I hope she's okay! Please, loving God, bring back our new kitty safely!
   It's late. I'm going to bed. Good night, readers! Be blessed!

Pro's and Con's

In this life, there are things that I excel at. So much so that you might call me a "pro" in that field. On the other hand, there are areas in life that I am not that good at. At all.
You doubt?
Some examples:

 When it comes to mothering, I cannot claim to be the best, but I'm pretty good at it. My children are alive, they're pretty well behaved, they mind me most of the time, and they love me and give me kisses. Win

 On the flip side of that house-wifery coin, I'm lousy in the kitchen. So as to not be to hard on myself, I will say that there are a few dishes that I am pretty good at making with consistent success, though they'd hardly qualify as "well rounded" or "healthy" (Here's looking at you, lasagna), but for the most part, If I can produce an okay meal in a timely manner every other day, I'm satisfied. Below is my attempt to make "easy" home made whipped cream.

Yeah, that's butter.

 So, dear readers, if you ever see me out and about, looking lovely and well groomed, with my handsome husband and two adorable, loveable boys (This usually only happens at church. Once a week ain't bad), and you think to yourself, "Gee, that girl's got it all together. Is there anything she can't do?"
  Yes. Yes, there is.
There are many things most woman with average intelligence should be able to do with little effort, but I simply cannot. Decorating. Organizing. Picking an adorable color scheme for a room. Dressing fashionably. Properly mending clothes. You get the idea.
  But I'm okay with it. God created me with a mind meant for concocting bedtime stories and memorizing Disney songs. I'll gladly continue to excel where I am gifted and bumble hopelessly along where I am not.

Now for a cute story!
Last night, after a fun and very full day of celebrating Independence and stuff, Stephan and I were preparing the boys for bed. When we split them up and each handle one, we can get them in bed sooner. I had finished dressing Witten and took him to the bathroom in Noah's room to brush his teefers. Though it wasn't supposed to be my duty last night, I ended up brushing Noah's, too. Anyways, after teeth brushing, the usual course of action is to taking Witten to his crib while Stephan tucks Noah into his bed. This night, for some reason, was special.
  Stephan and I, as if sharing a single brainwave, decided to tuck Witten into bed with Noah. We then sang them their lullabys and wished them good night before slowly backing out of the room, watching the boys the whole time to see what they thought of this strange new arrangement. 
    The whole time, neither older nor younger brother did absolutely anything. Both stared, wide-eyes and motionless as we led them to believe that they were going to be left in that state the whole night long. I honestly think that had we actually left them like that, they would have had a ball, tearing it up and playing like lunatics until they crashed from sheer exhaustion on the floor. 

 Instead, we took a few cute pictures and then separated them. I'm so glad they like each other for the most part. Such sweet boys God has given me!
Okay, God, now for the girl. These boys need a little sister to dote on and protect! Someday, Lord, someday.

Be blessed, dear readers!

The farm

We went to the farm today!

Kyle was trying to encourage Witten to hurry up.

 With 13 children in 13 car seats dispersed amongst 5 cars, most of our regular playgroup headed to my in-laws' dairy to pet goats, ride ponies, and eat a picnic.

Noah took some coaxing to get on a pony. They were such sweet ponies, too! I want one!

 Sias and Marlene asked a friend of theirs who shoes horses for a living if she would bring out some of her tamest ponies for the toddlers to ride, and she kindly agreed!

This is Polka Dot the mommy pony.

 Every willing child got to ride the ponies as many times as they wanted. Even cousin Bear got to "ride" for a while. Honestly, I think Witten enjoyed it more than Noah.

Ride little horsey! And yes, that's a baby pony next to the mommy pony. It was as sweet and pet-able as a puppy. I almost tried to sneak it home in the minivan.

 The goat herd was resting right on the other side of the fence where we were eating lunch. The kids loved them!

Kyle could contain his excitement!

It was very warm, indeed, but I believe everyone who went had fun. And all the mommies got to take home a free bar of goats milk soap. Many of them also bought a fresh gallon of milk. (Cow's milk, not goat milk) I got a half-pint of cream. Just straight-up cream. If anyone knows what to do with cream of cow, please let me know!
  Now, I must rest. That trip took a lot outa me!
Be blessed, readers!

Just so you know that I'm alive-

We went to the zoo this morning with the Skinners and the Hydes, minus the daddies. It was very muggy and fun, and quite a bittersweet time for all. You see, the Hydes are heading up to Wichita Falls in 6 days to start a new page in life. They've only been here for around 2 years, yet they have become close friends to us. Most touching of all is how close Wyatt and Noah are.

   Since the get-go, Noah and Wyatt were best buds.

This was their first meeting.

 Anyone can easily tell that Noah and Wyatt are best friends. Noah gets excited just thinking about seeing Wyatt. Considering how much Noah loves his little buddy, I can tell that this is going to be a hard separation.

Their last outing to the zoo.

  Meredith and Rob will also be sincerely missed by many folks in the Tyler area. I hate that they have to move, but it's been made very clear that Wichita Falls is where God wants them, so you can't argue that. I do hope and pray that the distance will not extinguish the friendship our families have formed, 'cause it's a good one.
   All that to say, we will miss you, Hydes. Please don't be a stranger! And also, be open to spontaneous visits. I foresee a few in our futures. Most of all, may God bless all of you richly in this next stage of life you are entering. I sure will miss you guys.

  Now, to plan 6 more days of action-packed fun!

Prepare for words.

Stephan is at basketball practice. That makes me smile. He joined our church's brand new team that plays in a city-wide church league. Assuming the best, the Sylvania team charged the court for their first game last week and were handed a powerful loss by a team of super-ninja ballers. After this loss, and in looking at their future competition, the team decided that it might be best for them to start weekly team practices. I love it that Stephan is doing this. He deserves some manly, down-time activity. Also, I really want to watch him play!
 While I was driving my boys home from the Skinners tonight, I glanced behind me to see that Noah was out cold. As I've mentioned before, Noah has decided he doesn't need naps. (I was hoping for at least 2 more years of regular afternoon naps, but alas...) Well, a combination of no napping and intense wrestle mania reenacting with Lydia wore him slap out, and he was asleep in the car at 7:00. As I was glancing back at my sleepy big boy, I see Witten staring at his brother with a goofy smile on his face. Then, Witten looked at me, pointed at Noah, and, holding a chubby finger over his mouth, shushed me very loudly and with a lot of spittle. I laughed very hard. These boys wear me out daily, but there are so many moments of superseding joy and love with these two that I never ever regret my situation or long for another life.
  I wrote in an earlier post about Sias Du Toit's health scare. Now that the best has happened and the trouble has passed (praise God forever!), I can share the extent of this health scare. Sias' tumor was cancerous. Stephan's father had cancer. I say "had", because the doctors removed the tumor and a lymph node gland and checked the gland for cancer as well. The lymph node came back clean. Sias was, and is, completely cancer-free. He's also lost upwards of 15 lbs and the doctors fixed a hernia while they were in there. The weight of the possible, horrible medical battle that Sias might have faced had the cancer spread outside of his tumor has never settled on my or Stephan's mind, and I thank God for that. My grandma battled 3 forms of cancer and surpassed all the doctors expectations, and still she was only with us for 7 more years. If Sias had been given a possible expiration date much sooner that we were ready for, I don't think this family could have handled it. God is good, He is good, His loving kindness endures forever!
  In other news, Noah and some of his similarly-aged friends are learning to swim!

Lucy, Noah, Wyatt, and Lydia, only a little afraid of the water.

I love Wyatt's face in this one. He's clearly a little bit proud of himself for jumping in the pool.

The kids are actually quite good at listening to Miss Amy. Most of the time, anyways.

It's Noah's turn to jump!

Yeah, Noah!!

 These 3-ish year olds are (hopefully) going to be swimming in no time! Especially Madi. That little girl is a fish! But don't call her that. She will very seriously tell you "No, I am not a fish."
   last Saturday we went to the Jacksonville tomato festival with the Robersons, sans the daddies. It was muggy and warm and there weren't a lot of actual activities, but Madi got to have her picture taken with Dora the Explorer, so she can die happy now, and Noah got a free balloon, so it was a successful outing after all.

This is before the sweaty, flushed pictures. And Wyatt was also there for a bit. 

This last one is a picture of Noah hugging brother Witten and cousin Bear at the same time in Oupa's hospital room when we went to visit him. It was sweet, but they didn't really pay much attention to Oupa. Silly, loud boys!

  Well, friends, you have been updated and I have the hiccups. Oh wait, we closed on out new house today, so that's some awesome news to add to the list. If you take anything away from this post, dear readers, let if be this: God is good all the time. His methods may seem questionable to us at times, but He can see the big picture and knows how to cause all things to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Therefore, be of good cheer!
  Be blessed, readers!

Super quick!

Noah has officially been graduated from daily nap time to daily play-by-yourself quiet time. I'm sad. Quiet play time lasts about an hour at best. 

Kinda makes you think

Health scares make you think more about your health.
I'm fine, don't worry. It's my precious father-in-law.
After a few days of intense pain, Stephan's mother dragged his father to their hospital in Jacksonville. He was immediately transported to Tyler's Mother Francis hospital after a CAT scan showed a large mass in his abdominal cavity. The doctors at Mother Francis found a 7lb tumor the size of a grapefruit pressing on his stomach. We have yet to find out the results of the biopsy, but, needless to say, it has been an eye-opening experience for all. Sias, my father-in-law, has given up any and all unhealthy habits he has casually embraced for years and years. And when Noah wanted to call Oupa last week, and he said, "I love you, Oupa", that sweet old man cried on the phone.
  As for us, we have re-realized the importance of praying for our loved ones. I know that prayer makes a difference, and though we pray for Ouma and Oupa every once in a while, usually during Noah's bedtime prayer, we have now made a far more conscious effort to pray for them daily, along with all of our family members.
 Also, we are trying to be very present and in-the-moment when visiting Ouma and Oupa. Somehow, that equated to a few crazy moments during our last visit to the farm.

Riding a cow is fun!

I believe this is called the redneck swimming pool?

I love that my boys love both set of grandparents so much. Witten seems to favor his grandfathers, though. Every day, he's on the lookout for Papa. Every time he sees my dad, he loudly calls him repeatedly until dad acknowledges him. Then, he'll pause for a moment, and start at it again. "pa-PA! pa-PA! pa-PA!" It's the same at Ouma and Oupa's house. "o-PA! o-PA!" He'll gladly point out Bebe or Ouma, but the party don't start 'til gramps walks in, as far as he's concerned.
  And since we're talking about health and junk, let me declare, here and now, that Taco Bell is a HORRIBLE idea for anyone recovering from a stomach bug. Even if you think that's all your uneasy stomach wants, just say "No!" Stephan is recovering from the same 24-hr bug that I dealt with yesterday. Praise God for Phil. Stephan's back-up cook stepped in on very short notice and allowed Stephan to spend the day resting at home.

Witten crawled up there himself so he could watch the game like Daddy.

 Looking at the above picture makes me realize that my family is all men, save for my lonely lady-self. It also makes me thank God profusely for such a wonderful family. A handsome, loving, hard-working husband, an energetic, happy, imaginative big boy, and my squishy, funny, cute little guy. Though they tire me, and oft' cause me frustration, I love them all so much and would hate my life without them.

 Be blessed, readers. And be aware of your health.