Braden, Our Little Clothes Horse...

 

After running errands today, the boys begged to go to the mall just to "hang out." It was just after 10, opening time, so I agreed since I knew there wouldn't be many folks there.  We stopped at a Crazy 8 sale and Braden picked out this super cool-dude outfit. 

"You know, Mom, I'll wear anything, but I really like this one."  -Braden

Garrett on the other hand, would not pick out a thing, and so left the store with nothing.  He doesn't like anything I choose, so I tried and tried to get him to pick something for himself...nothin' doin'! 

"I don't like that, that, that, that, that, or that!" -Garrett

I gently reminded GJ that he would soon inherit the super cool-dude outfit his brother just chose, to which he replied...
"What's 'inherit?"  When he finally got it, he assured me that he would never, never, never put it on...not ever!  Hey, it's green, his color of choice every time...what more can I do?

Officially Unfinished...

As Eric and I prepared to leave the hospital with our older two boys, we knew we were bringing them home to cute, prepared, ready-to-go nurseries that had been completed months ahead of time.  You'd think, being the planner that I am, that Ethan's nursery situation would be the same...lucky for him, he's little and won't remember the unfinished, completely incomplete nursery that he'll have to come home to! 

With what little strength and stamina I have remaining, today I finished unpacking all of the Huggies boxes that contained seven years worth of various-sized clothing.  All of it was repackaged into Space Bags...my new BFFs!  It's amazing to me that eight diaper boxes and four plastic tubs worth of clothing (which were stashed in three different closets around the house) can now fit into one one small space below a shelf in the nursery closet.  Not a pretty picture, but it all fits.  Next is to construct some sort of curtain/covering so I don't have to look at all those Space Bags every time I get into the closet for a burpie or bib!

Eric and I (mostly Eric) will be painting the ceiling white on Saturday...it's currently a dirty, light beige of some sort and just really makes the room darker than it needs to be.  The unofficial theme of the room is birds, so I have some silver metallic bird art pieces to spray paint this weekend as well.  Silver is NOT going to work in a room of browns and blues, so we'll go for a more "hammered" bronze look...Lowe's, here we come!  I also have a couple of craft projects lined up.  Maybe I can get started on those tomorrow (today, actually, seeing as how it in the AM HOURS AND I'M AWAKE...again). 

My sister, Erica, and I have a double baby shower at church on Sunday afternoon.  My big plan was to wait until after this shower to see exactly what we still need to properly plan for Ethan's arrival home.  Well, Monday at my check-up, the due date was changed to next week!  So, I've gone on ahead and ordered a few NECESSITIES from my own registry, praying that they'll arrive before Ethan does!  He may have his fresh, new crib bedding ready to go...and he might not.  Like I said, it's a good thing he's too young to remember, because this boy's hangout won't be finished until, well...who knows???

It Is Not For Me To Question God's Will (Caution, tear-jerker)...

I know nothing compared to the Lord's wisdom and the plans he has in store for each of us; however, if I could ask God one thing, I would want to know why Eric's father is not here with us today.  On Father's Day, I have wondered that very thing for five consecutive years now...and obviously at other key times as well.  I wonder why he's been called to Heaven and has to miss t-ball and soccer games, Grandparent's Day, preschool graduations, school functions of various sorts, etc.  I know that he would relish being involved in Braden's Boy Scout activities and that he would put a firm foot down to help stop Garrett's suddenly "smart" mouth...but in only the way a grandparent could.  I know that he would sit in the kitchen and dunk Oreos with my boys (and me, too?) and that he would go fishing with them and their daddy.  I know that he would cherish Ethan the very same way that he doted on Braden and Garrett...the pictures of him snuggling our babies are now priceless treasures.

Our boys have experienced much loss in the way of fatherly figures and they know all too well the devestation of disease and old age.  "Cancer" is a common term for my children, even though they don't fully comprehend what it entails.  Braden and Garrett know, even at so young an age, that everyone's Earthly life will end at some point and that we must trust in God's love to bring us all together again in Heaven.  They remember Grandpa's passing, but were so young when Curley and Papaw passed...they only "remember" the stories we so willingly share of these great men who loved them, but have since gone on before them.  I have some solace in the fact that my grandfathers, at least, lived long productive lives, and were such a huge part of my own upbringing.  But, I am heartbroken at this one time each year that my husband has lost his father before his own children could revel in Papa Curley's love, affection, attention, humor, and wisdom.  These things can never be replaced by anyone else here on Earth, for nothing can replace the special bond between grandparent and grandchild.  I am so sad that our boys will never know that relationship, my own father unable to provide it.

I know that "normal" is a relative term, and to say our boys have a "normal" upbringing is relative as well.  Their normal is a life filled with Mom and Dad, their grandmothers and greatgrandmothers, and countless other adults who almost fill the void left by those who are no longer in our lives.  Our family has been blessed by so many who have reached out to us, created relationships with us, and -most importantly- somewhat bridged the chasm left by the absence of this key member of our family.  There are others in this world who have suffered similar-and worse- loss of family.  There are others who have children with no grandparents to speak of.  There are others whose tragedy far outweighs what we've gone through, and continue to deal with, in the absence of Eric's dad, in particular.  It is not for me to question God's will or to sit around feeling sorry for myself, my husband, or our boys.  But sometimes I just wonder why it has to be this way...

What's Up With the Blogs?...

So, I was going through the list of blogs that I follow and noticed some very strange stuff.  Some folks have stopped blogging, some folks have gone private, and some simply seem to have dropped off the face of the earth.  My very favorite blog of all time was The Sew Cute Shop, which I ran across a few years ago on Etsy.  It's GONE!  WHAT?!?!?!?!?!  Ugh!  I LOVE this woman's work, crafts, ethics, and just plain dig her approach to life...and now she's gone...disappeared...poof...vamoosh!  Oh, the pain, the agony...

Blogger pals, so sorry to see you go...
(tear...sniffle...)

Ethan Robert Springs-35 Weeks...

 Personally, I think this child looks like Garrett Jake, but that's just me.  Honestly, only time will tell and we only have a few weeks left.  He will be born early due to his unusually large size (already nearly eight pounds).  He is a cutie patootie already and I can't wait to hold him in my arms, instead of just having him kick me all the time...although the boys really do get tickled watching this gentle giant make waves across my belly!  I hope they are as amused when he cries all the time and makes smelly diapers...

Reminiscing on Edwardsville...

We had a great time visiting with Eric's mom last week.  She took this photo of the two of us after we returned from a fabulous dinner at Andrea's Steakhouse...to die for! (the food, not the pic) 

We enjoyed taking the kids to the Children's Museum again.  They just love it there.  Unfortunately, it was that very same evening that Garrett came down with a fever...confirmed the next day strep.  He muddled through our trip the the St. Louis Mills mall (fever had gone away with Tylenol...I did not force him to go while running a high temp...I know what you're thinking...).  That evening, Braden began to complain...the next day, confirmed as strep.  What are the odds???

With both children under quarantine from the rest of the free world, we hunkered down for two days of Monopoly.  Garrett beat us every game!  He is ruthless!  I'm not sure he knows exactly what he's doing or not, but none of us have EVER beat him since we purchased the game last year.  Odd...

By the time we headed home on Wednesday, everyone was feeling fine.  I am SO LUCKY that I didn't get strep as well, seeing as how I ate after both children at the mall.  It's second nature, you know, for a momma to just finish up whatever her children leave behind.  Right????  Or maybe it's just because I'm a preggo...oh well...

2:55 AM...

It's nearly three o'clock in the morning, and here I sit...
Garrett came storming in around 12ish to tell me that he "needed" me.  After getting him back to sleep and wedging myself between two large pillows, I discovered that Ethan was awake, too, and rolling around on my rib cage.  NO SLEEP!  I did take Tylenol PM, but now I'm just groggy and can't sleep.  I've been sitting here on the computer for the better part of an hour or so.  Ethan is finally sleeping again, so perhaps I can attempt to go back to bed...or maybe not...

Bully Buster...

So, while at Garrett's CHURCH LEAGUE ballgame last night, Braden and his friend Alex got into some trouble with bullies on the adjacent playground.  Specifically, Braden said he accidentally bumped into a boy who had an icee...and dropped it due to the bump...who then told Braden he would kill him for doing that.  Then, he proceeded to round up a friend or two to chase Braden around the playground.  He finally came to tell me and I escorted him back to the bleachers.  He insisted he wasn't scared, but I assured him there was no reason to push it...sit down and wait for the end of the game. 

Then there's the photo above.  Several older boys, probably 10-11 years old, were charging the smaller kids a quarter just to be able to slide down the slide.  Braden said he guessed the password correctly ("banana"), but Alex gave them a quarter to slide.  He came to tell his mom and she told him to go get his money back.  He was timid, so I offered to go with him.  That's Braden in the red T-shirt and Alex beside him in blue.  I just asked the one Alex pointed to if he had their money, but he said he hadn't taken anyone's money...but that he'd gladly give Alex a quarter if he wanted it.  Mmhmm...several kids then rolled their buddy under the bus and said he had, in fact, taken money on the slide.  The kid pulled, like, $2 in quarters out of his pocket and returned Alex's money. 

Just to insure that said bully's big momma didn't come lookin' for me, I finished up with a mini-lecture to the whole group about playing nice with each other on the playground.  At this point, some preteen lookin' girl piped up and said "I told them that, I told them!"  I guess she was supposed to be watching after them or something.  Big momma never did come after me, but I stuck close to the dugout until it was time to go...just in case...

Ethan Wants Out...

I'm having a very difficult time today getting ANYTHING done...Ethan has dropped, head down, and is constantly pressing on my left hip bone!  Really, all I want to do is lay down and nap, which will NOT work with two boys in the house. :0)  My next appointment in Monday and I can't wait to check his progress, then pick his birthday!  It's time, folks...it's definitely time.  Ethan wants out and Mamma wants him out...

Late Easter Post...

Yep, that's right...you counted five boys...and that's with Tyler missing!  Larry has two grandsons to add to the herd of nearly all male grandchildren already in our family! 

This was our now annual Easter tradition, egg hunting at the Eagles lodge.  It's a little strange, having small children hunt for eggs around the dance floor and in full sight of the bar, but it's a good time and always goes off without a hitch, rain or shine.  And, since this year's Easter was water-logged, we were all about the indoor hunt! 

Garrett's Grace Graduation...

How's that for an alliterative title???  Back in May, Garrett graduated from Grace Place Preschool...and was voted by his teachers to be most likely to become a track star because he's always running...and running FAST!

Nanny and Nanna came to witness this auspicious occasion...what a treat!

Aren't they the cutest????

Regression????...

Ummm...can you say regression???  When I took this paci off the diaper cake, Garrett Jake sort of lunged for it and begged me to let him have it.  "It's for my animals," he said, but you can see where it ended up.  And, the fight was on...Braden wanted something, too.  So, he got a baby feeding spoon to feed his animals.  The "nunnie," as it's called in this family, is floating around the house somewhere, turning up from time to time in one mouth or another...and promptly snatched by the mamma.  Perhaps it will need to be secreted away in the middle of the night, which won't be difficult considering I'm up at all hours of the night anyway!

Memorial Day Fun...

That Nana...she's one of a kind!  And what a good sport.  Not only was it her brilliant idea to entertain four little boys with silly string, she let them shoot it at her, too!

Great American Pastime...

*Before I go on, I just want to make it known that I am baffled by the way Blogger is refusing to turn my photos right-side-up when they are saved that way.  UGH!

Anyway, now that that's off my chest, I'm playing catch-up big time.  The next few posts are events that have passed, but are still totally important...just not so important that I was willing to give up precious family time at the end of the school year to blog about them.  Now that I'm officially off on summer vacay, things should be better...here's hoping! :0)

 These photos are from our very first Arkansas Naturals baseball game last Sunday evening in Springdale, AR.  We had a blast watching AA ball, but it was HOT!  How can it be this hot in early June, I ask?  What a trick...no spring, just rain and heat.

                                 Including the nephews, Tyler and Jacob. 

                          Can you say T-R-O-U-B-L-E????

Well, well...what have we here?  Oh, double-chin girlie and her hubby.  I love doing things like this together...he's such a good daddy and a wonderful helper for me when those ornery boys get a little out of sorts!  Fun, fun, fun!

Ethan's Baby Shower...

Today, my friend Jennifer and I had a double baby shower at school.  It was thrown by our friends Hannah and Sara, who are awesome! 

 Jen and I at the shower...below is a photo of us abour 2 1/2 or so years ago that mysteriously showed up on the shower table. We were suprised in a good way!

I really have no clue as to why the belly photo is turned sideways!  It's right side up in my computer file, so I'm baffled.  Just the same, 7 1/2 mos. of belly is there...big!

Our Cub Scout...

Tonight, we attended Braden's Cub Scout end-of-year cookout and graduation ceremony.  His new yellow scarf represents his transition from Tiger Cub to Wolf.  The weather was very breezy and humid, but we all had a great time.  As soon as we got home, they both started asking for food...go figure...we just left a cook-out! :0)  (Please disregard my double chin and horrid skin...side effects of Ethan.)

Time Gets Away...

Braden is shocked by how hard Ethan kicks! (Ignore my double chin and focus on the amazed child!)

I am very dilligent about keeping up with who and what on FaceBook, but not so much with blogging.  Time does tend to get away from us, doesn't it????  Just a few pics to (somewhat) bring you up to speed with The Springs'.

 My enormous seven-month baby belly...poor Garrett...it's pretty intimidating to have to stand by it!

What more could a mother ask for on Mother's Day?  One chocolate-covered kid and one who was forced to smile...that would be Braden.  Literally, we had to threaten him.  What gives???

If Heaven Weren't So Far Away...

This song reminds me so much of my own grandfathers, from selling produce on the side of the road (Papaw) to beating around in the old truck (Grandpa).  And what I wouldn't give to be able to drive on up to Heaven and introduce my boys to Papa Curley...Ok, so I cried on the way to work the other day when I heard this. 

My Guys...

A single picture is truly worth a thousand words...

March, 2011

Tulsa Zoo

Flat Stanley Rides Again...

Garrett's preschool class project for March was to photograph Flat Stanley, that lovable book character, in as many interesting places as possible.  We sent FS to Grandma Susie in Illinois and to Aunt Stacy in Massachusetts.  He's been around, let me tell ya'!

 Closer to home, our adventures with Flat Stanley included batting practice with Garrett.

 As well as planting our summer garden...he's posing with the onions, although he'll never eat them!

 Flat Stanley also accompanied the family to the Tulsa Zoo, where he first pretended to be eaten by a lion (water fountain).

 And, as is tradition, we had to have a pose at the front entrance with the bronze tigers.

It was too much for Braden.  He just had to get in on the action and both boys were psyched to pose with the "Indians" in the rainforest biome.  By the way, Braden was totally ticked that there was no FS project when he was at Grace...and I quote..."What's the deal?"  From the mouths of babes...

The Toof Fairy...

So, the backstory with Braden's teeth, is that they've been ever so loose for ever so long.  They were beginning to become discolored because they really were just sort of hanging in there...no longer attached to anything official.  While brushing his teeth, I just slid a floss stick in between and popped the first one right out.  The other, I just gently tugged with my fingers and it was the same thing.  I told Braden he was lucky he didn't swallow them before now!

So, both teeth went in a baggie and under his pillow.  Well, I'll just go ahead and admit that Eric and I both forgot...but Braden awakened me the next morning shouting that the tooth fairy had not left any money because his teeth were "stuck to Garrett's face!"  Oh my...

The baggie had fallen onto the bottom bunk and Garrett rolled over on it, thereby sticking the plastic to his drooly cheek.  Braden told me he snatched them up and put them back under his own pillow, but then realized the sun was up and it was too late.  We made a plan to stick them under a different pillow the next night (he's only got, like four) and that surely the tooth fairy would try again.

Try again she did...and left $20!!!!!  Holy cow! In the end, all of the tears and worry over changed speech patterns was well worth it.  Now, combined, the boys finally have enough money to purchase the coveted Hoth Lego set...they've saved up their Grandma Susie Valentine money and some chore money.  The tooth fairy just put them right over the top!  The only problem is, now Garrett is plotting just how to go about getting one of his teeth out...

Braden's "Lost" Teeth...

5 1/2 Months...And Counting...

I stick out in both directions now, but anyone who's known me for any length of time knows that my "back bump" has been there since birth.  I just stick out, period...always have, always will! :0)  It's hard to believe that we're past the half-way mark, and the days are just ticking away.  Missing out on the first two months of the pregnancy (due to denial on so many levels) really has sped things up.  Even my doctor can't seem to stay caught up with what needs to happen and when.  She was shocked when she discovered I hadn't been scheduled for an ultrasound...but we couldn't arrange one for two more weeks!  Like I said, can't seem to get it all together, but maybe we're on the right track now. 

On a similar note, my little sister, Erica, is due to have her baby a few weeks after ours...we found out today that she is having a boy as well!  So, that's six boys between us!  WHAT ARE THE ODDS????? 

Braden and Garrett were disappointed at first that they weren't getting the little girl of their dreams.  However, reality is sinking in and they are dreaming up all the fun things they can teach their baby brother...I'm having nightmares about it!  What this child won't think of on his own, Darrel and Darrel are bound to put him up to! 

As for names, we are tapped...all the really good ones are taken, after all!  I have wracked my brain for names that mean something to me (as I did for my other boys), but nothing works.  I may have to resort to a baby name list.  In the mean time, some suggestions from the boys have been Lightbulb, Count Duku ("Doodoo"), Darth Vader, Luke (Skywalker), and Boba Fet...see a pattern?  I have officially declared all Star Wars names off limits!  Wonder if George Lucas had any inkling that SW would be so popular with the next generation...

Braden's Big Win...

This morning, Braden competed in the 2011 Boy Scout Pinewood Derby, racing the Lightning McQueen car that he helped his daddy build...and that Mommy graciously finished painting Thursday evening!  It was a great project that they worked on together.

This is Braden finishing up placing his car on the track for the final heat of the Tiger Cub division.  On the left is his long-time church friend, JD, and on the right is his long-time preschool/public school friend Alex.  It was so great because these three boys took 1st, 2nd, and 3rd!

Braden took the whole affair very seriously, following every direction, staying calm, and not running wild the way he usually does when he gets excited...he made Mamma proud! 

Alex, Braden, JD...yes, they are all the same age.  My son is a giant!

Braden will now move on to the district competition, which will take place in May.  He tripped as we were leaving, mangling the wheels...Daddy's got his work cut out for him...
*Just a side note...those are two good-lookin' boys.  Can't wait to add a third future-hottie to the mix! :0)

Boy Scout Banquet...

 Last week, Braden was promoted in the Boy Scout ranks.  The banquet was a good time and he LOVED having Nanna and Nanny there to cheer him on!

 Braden Riley does love his Nanny.  He asks about her all the time, we pray for her at night, and both of the boys were tickled that she decided to join us for a night of BBQ, treats, and family fun!

 This is our little family right after Braden attached my mother's pin...it will hold all of his Boy Scout pins.

                                             Ok...this kid is in Heaven!  Look at that face!

This is the pinning "ceremony..." the actual pin on the back of my ribbon fell apart, so we had to replace it with another.  It was a little cumbersome, but we managed.

Our family placecard...my own design!  The whole evening was a fun success and we are so proud of our Boy Scout, Braden Riley!

The England Project...

 Garrett attends a very good preschool (which Braden attended, also), and they do the most grown-up, amazing things with these kids.  He had to create a cereal box presentation about the country of his choice.  Much of our family, on all sides, are from England, so we chose it for the big day!

 So, how does Garrett's (my) box look?  He told his class all about the queen, her palace guards ("the fuzzy hat guys"), the crown jewels, the "Union Jack" flag, and the Queen's fav vacation residence...Windsor Castle, built over 900 years ago by William the Conqueror.  Garrett was really hung up on the 900 years ago bit...really interesting to him (yeah, he loves history!).

Here, he's showing the class the lovely Brittish countryside...ahhhhhhh...simply pastoral.

He made a superb presentation and Mom made a really nifty box!  I'm sort of proud of my work, as if you couldn't tell!