Every Girl's Crazy 'bout a Sharp Dressed Man

Had to share these pics of Ben in his sports coat. We were going to a funeral, so it wasn't a happy occasion, but BEN was happy and that made my day. I love dressing him up in little suit coats and such. I've been told I better enjoy it now since he'll soon be big enough to protest:-) The first picture is him slouching because he was imitating me crouching down to take his picture. The second is pretty blurry because he was running toward me, but I love the look on his face and decided to share even though it isn't the greatest picture.

FFF: Give Thanks!

This week's FFF theme is one close to my heart. I have been trying all year long to have a thankful heart and to remember that everything I have is a gift from God. So, I have so many, many things I could list under giving thanks!

I am thankful that I am allowed to serve an awesome God who loves me even when I am at my most unloveable.

I am thankful to be married to the most wonderful, thoughtful, and sweet man who has loved me unconditionally and put up with me through 3 years of dating and 9 years of marriage. (Love you, Will!)

I am thankful to be called Mommy by my miracle son, who adores me even when I'm having a bad day and who brings a smile to my face every time his sweet voice says, "Mama" (which is at least a million times a day!)

I am thankful for the privilege of raising my two nephews, who are turning into amazing young men right before my eyes.

I am thankful that I can stay home and spend my days looking after Ben and my niece. There is not greater joy or responsibility than raising a child!

I am thankful for my parents and the fact that they are alive and relatively healthy.

I am thankful for my church family, who has been an endless supply of support and love.

For more FFF, hop on over to www.memeandmonkey.blogspot.com

Silly boy!

I've been watching my cousin's baby girl for a few days while she spent time with her father, the one who died yesterday. Ben has loved having her here for a playmate. He cracks me up because he either wants to BE the baby or he wants to take care of the baby. My cousin's daugher is only 11 months old, but is nearly as big as Ben, so it is really funny to watch him try to feed her, change her, pick her up, etc. I'm attaching a few pics of him being a baby and being a big helper. Too cute!

Ben climbed in the carseat we've been using for the baby, buckled himself part of the way in, asked me for "help" then sat in it and sucked his thumb while saying, "Ben baby" over and over. He is such a goofy boy!

Ben got the baby's almost empty bottle off the kitchen table and tried to "help" me feed her. She thought it was a really fun game and so did he!

Sad...

Tonight I found out that cancer claimed the life of my mom's baby brother. He was 48 years old and has three children, a step son, age 25, a daughter, age 23, and a son, age 15. He also has 2 grandchildren who think the world of him. Would you please pray for his children, my grandma, and his siblings? His death was expected, but still very much grieved. Rest in peace, Uncle Daryl.

Catching up!

Wow! I have been a very lazy blogger this past month! I can hardly believe I haven't posted anything in over a month. Life has been pretty busy for us, so I guess that is my only excuse!

Last month we wrapped up Tony's last season of high school soccer, which was also Drew's first season. They had a record of 10-4-1, which is the most wins in school history and an amazing change from the past 3 years when they won 0, 1, and 4 games. I'm sad to see Tony's high school career come to an end, but happy to report that he MIGHT get to play for a small college here!

Tony is on to wrestling and Drew is on to indoor soccer now, so the business keeps on going. We're also in the midst of preparations for our church Christmas play, which both of the teenagers and Will are involved in and I'm directing. Ben doesnt' have an official part, but he is along for the ride:-)

Of course, no post is complete without at least one picture of Ben, so I've attached two here! The first is him showing off the fact that he can now climb onto my storage ottomans. The second is him as a fuzzy caterpillar. I'm not really into the whole Halloween thing, but I couldn't resist dressing him in this fuzzy, cuddly caterpillar suit!

Hi!

Saying "Hi!" and waving to anyone and everyone is Ben's new favorite thing to do. It is totally priceless and he gets soooo much attention because of it. Of course, he LOVES the attention, so that just motivates him to show off even more. I love how his little personality is just blooming more and more with each new day!

Soccer Boy

We sepnd a LOT of time at the soccer fields, so it is a good thing Ben is so happy to be there! He loves to walk around in front of all of our friends and family and ask for a bite of whatever they might be eating. He also loves to watch the boys on the field kicking the ball around. A few times he has tried to head for the field himself, but mostly he just watches. I think we may have a soccer star on our hands since he also already takes his ball and dribbles it all over the sidelines, knows how to do a throw in (although his arms aren't long enough to do it right yet!), and can stop the ball with his feet. I guess I'll be spending a lot of time at the soccer fields for the next 17 years! :-)