Long time no blog

Yeah, sorry we've been MIA. In all honesty, things have been blissfully uneventful. But don't worry, I can always find something to blog about... ;)

I've had something similar to writer's block - but it is due to no photos. Not that I'm not taking photos - just that, well...they stink. While I never used the dslr enough, I'm now stuck in that place of no longer being content with the point and shoot. So the photography withdrawals are back with a vengeance. I still have so many dreams, and am still learning a great deal through online photographer blogs and tutorials. I heard a great sermon a few weeks ago that summed up my struggle to balance a hobby with the greater priorities of life. Already life is easing up a bit with the boys, so I can start to see how to put some boundaries around this interest and make it work. Please pray for me, for wisdom, clarity, and self-control.

Anyways, about the boys...

This past week Chuck made his quarterly trip to New Hampshire and I had the boys by myself with no help for the first time. It really went well, and I'm so thankful for that! We haven't had any sicknesses lately, and the boys really have been behaving and playing well together.

As for Chuck, he was freezing his Texas hiney off in NH. The morning he was to leave, he got out to his rental car - it was NEGATIVE 20 degrees - and it wouldn't start. Actually many cars at the hotel wouldn't start. So it took them awhile to get everyone going. So he gets to the airport with just minutes to spare before his plane takes off...he gets to security and realizes: he left his cell phone behind in the rental car. So he goes back for the phone and misses his flight. Thankfully, he was able to catch the next flight out. And get this, the pilot manages to get the flight in ONE hour ahead of schedule! Way to go, Southwest!! Needless to say, he's happy to be home...and we're happy he is home! Charlie said "Yay! Daddy can come home to work now!" I think the boys may grow up thinking all daddies work from home, ha!

And while the boys have been getting along well, there was one incident lately that I found amusing:

Up until a few months ago, Charlie would sometimes get mad at Chance and say, "I'm not your brother anymore!" Chance usually didn't quite get what he was saying, but of course I disciplined Charlie for saying it. So a few days ago the boys were playing in the backyard when I hear Charlie start crying loudly (which he rarely does). I assumed Chance must've hit him upside the head or something. But he comes into the house, with big tears running down his face and says "Chance told me he's not my brother anymore!"

Obviously, Chance is getting smarter and saying longer sentances, ha!

Chance is also my most affectionate boy, still. He often gives Chandler hugs and kisses. He also calls everything "her" lately. He might mean "it" or "he" but he says "her." "Mommy I kiss and hug her (Chandler)." It's kinda cute, so we haven't corrected it as much as we should, ha!

Also, Charlie has recently overcome a similar quirk. He would often start words with the sound "fa" instead of "re". Most often he'd say "fa-member" instead of "remember." So I was practicing it with him and he said "Mommy I can't famember to say remember!" LOL But he's just about eradicated it from his vocabulary now.

We also found out that a girl in his class talks about him often to her family, and says he's her boyfriend. Oh boy! Charlie only talks about the 2 boys in his class, he never even mentions any of the 7 girls. So I asked Charlie about the girl and he said "I don't like girls, Mommy." But what about someday when you grow up, you think you'll like a girl and marry her? "Nuh uh! No way, Mommy!" That's my boy! Oh wait, I want grandkids someday...sigh. ;)

And then there's Chandler. Starting last week he has officially entered the separation anxiety phase. Charlie had it from 6-18 months of age, and Chance didn't have separation anxiety at all, so I wasn't sure what to expect. But now when I put him in the nursery at church, or basically anytime I leave a room, he gets very upset. It's so hard as a momma to see those tears fall! He also still favors me when it comes to food. If I'm around and Chuck's trying to feed him food, he usually won't eat much until I take over. It's nice to be wanted, ha!

Also, Chandler has a few new tricks.

First, he is our appliance inspector. If you open the fridge or dishwasher, you will soon hear some pitter pattering feet followed by the Inspector coming to take stock of all the items in said appliance. If necessary, the Inspector will also remove the items for closer inspection (he's very professional, very thorough!), followed by toddler sounds such as "dis" and "dat." Once you get the hang of his accent, he's quite easy to work with. He's also very cheap, if you'd like to hire him. He works for sweet potatoes and bananas mostly. (Sorry, Inspector cannot yet work for peanuts.)

Second, he is a dancer! He can now combine his tricks, too, by dancing, clapping and singing! It is a major bonus when all 3 boys dance. Makes me understand the verse Proverbs 17:22: "A cheerful heart is good medicine" How can you not be cheerful when you see that sort of action? At this rate Chuck and I will never get sick! ;)

And while the atrocious cedar has been wreaking havoc on my sinuses lately (it's been 3 weeks since I could breathe thru my nose at night. I'm SO ready for cedar to get their pollenating overwith!)...we managed to enjoy this beautiful day and go to the zoo! That place just never gets old.The best part was that the hippos were awake and swam right up to the boys (separated by glass, of course) and they loved it!