Look what Ezra is doing Mom!

Don't forward this to PETA! For those of you who are animal lovers "throw me a bone here". We have two fully functioning bathrooms in our house. They, for the most part, are cleaned once a week, the toilets twice. I have two men, one big, one small who insist on relieving themselves anywhere but in the house. My husband would die if he knew I was sharing these "skeletons" in our closet, but I am going to do so anyway. A few days ago the girls were outside with their brother giggling hysterically. Since it wasn't a blood-curdling yelp for rescue or the familiar sound of bickering which I am used to I decided to let them be. Little did I know that Ezra was walking around pants around his ankles peeing right in Rocky's dog bowl. Sophie proceeds to tell me that he does this everyday when they are outside playing. We have always encouraged him to water the plants or shoot for an ant but never to poison our beloved family pet. And you all know how much Rocky means to me. Now I know why the dog would drink from the sprinklers even when his bowl was full. The poor dog was dehydrated; however, according to www.damninteresting.com In June 2001, a Chinese news feed reported that more than three million Chinese people drink their own urine to stay healthier. This practice is called Urine Therapy, and its promoters credit urine with a number of curative powers. Wow-Who Knew!

Agh! me aching thighs!

What was supposed to be a leisurely bike ride suited for the family, ended up equivalent to a day on the Tour de France. We were supposed to take a little "stroll" on our bikes around Lake Ming enjoying the wildlife and scenery our east side haven offers. On the contrary I could barely peddle Ol' Bess and my Ol' butt up one of many hills. I have a red beach cruiser which pulls a bike trailer. My husband has a bike so amazing the largest weighing man on earth could sit on it and pedal around the world without breaking a sweat! The avid rider my husband is can climb just about any hill. He participates in a race rightly named the "Spooktacular" with a few of his friends every year where he rides 106 miles, scaling 12,000 feet in elevation. Granted after the ride he is "done" for the night, my wifely duties gently set aside for 2-3 days until he can regain feeling in his extremities. Nonetheless, he craves this kind of torture, prides himself in pushing beyond what is humanly possible and is always seeking a new challenge. Yes our ride was an adventure but I have to admit the landscape was beautiful with the mountains and clouds reflecting off the lake. As I climbed my last hill and watched my extraordinary husband pedal off in front of me I thought of how lucky I was to be married to someone so fit, healthy, and driven who has offered me more in life than I could imagine. But that nasty green bra someone left in road brought me back to reality real quick. So Gross!

A few of Ava's best friends

My sweet second born, spirited, shy, contrary, compassionate, and fun! She came wired with instructions in German, a language I am not familiar with. I have managed to learn what she is thinking, that her honery behavior means "I need a hug" She is not a rule follower, but has to complete tasks a certain way or she will buckle. She loves to be around her family, loves to be home most of all and shadows Sophia in everything. She finally likes her little brother. She has four favorite foods: chocolate milk, Reese's puffs cereal, cheese and mnm's. She adds so much to our family I would be lost without her, she is my Ava Marie.

Ezra's Favorite Things

Guns and bikes and some more guns and bikes are my sons favorite things (yes I have been placed on that never touched shelf collecting dust) It seems once the milk dried up that first week in May my boy left my side and became a man like daddy. When Clint is outside Ezra tells him to take off his shirt so they can ride bikes half-clothed. If it is time for a popsicle it has to be blue or green, he has to watch Handy Manny or Bigfoot Presents (4 wheel trucks) He rides his bike in his cowboy boots, shoots his gun in his boots and has managed to pee on the grass without hitting his boots. He feels a need to shave and use daddy's Old Spice body spray and deodorant before getting in the car each day. Although someday he will leave us and cleave to his wife, I made him promise to still hug me. It happened too fast, my little boy is fleeing.

Baby Sister?

Family of six...a bad mix! My mother in law has put a bug into our children's ears. She is hopeful that if our kids ask for a brother then we will have another baby. Why? I don't know. Isn't she busy enough with the three we have? We certainly are. Ever since I told her I loved the name Titus she has been gently hounding us about another grandbaby. The girls want a baby brother, the boy wants a baby sister, me and the hubby want nothing more! For now I think we will get a fish and name him Titus.

GOD is our Provider

Have you ever pondered God's providence? J Vernon McGee, a noted Bible scholar, says that providence means "to provide" When we look at our children we can't help but see that God had His hand in their conception, development and growth. It is easy to see that God provides for His children, he provided a lamb for Abraham, an unending basket of bread and fish for the masses. Setting the major aside look at the little things he provides in our lives. Areas we forget to acknowledge His presence in. Take for example a piece of fruit. I cut into a cantalope the other day. I love the cool, crisp flavor of melon in the summer months. Something caught my attention as I began to discard the multitude of seeds. Proof of God's existance, His stamp or birthmark if you will was all over it. In one cantalope there are more seeds than I care to count. One piece of fruit envelopes enough seeds to yield a sesons worth when planted and harvested. I asked myself why God put so many seeds into a cantalope? His design is perfect, never flawed. I began to think it was to capture our attention, to remind us He is our Provider. He gave His one and only Son Jesus Christ who took our sin to the cross. If he cares enough to provide for the birds (Matthew 6:26) He too will provide for us.

The Family That Grows Together Stays Together

Welcome Readers! Mark this day in history. I have turned over a new leaf and plan to communicate, vent and share the wonderful craziness of this blessed life with all who dare to care. One plus to putting off blogging is being able to have a bunch to share with all of you. As I listen to 80's music I wanted to invite you into my backyard. Some of you may know that we planted a pretty good size garden a few months ago and are now reaping the benefits of its fertility. Avid gardeners (which I am learning) know that it takes a little more than a sprinkle of water and some TLC to be successful. In fact it has required us to be out there 1-2 hours a day. Usually one in the morning and one in the evening. I have to pull weeds, turn up the soil, hoe, water and move rocks around. I am constantly reminding someone to get off the lettuce or not to pick the green tomatoes. Even though this seems like hard work it has been a great source of pleasure too.
I have wanted a garden for a few years but knew it was impossible with the big, brown, hairy beast that "waters" everything in sight. No I am not referring to a Yeti but our beloved dog Rocky. When we purchased our new home we made a game plan to reserve part of our yard for this purpose. Little did I know I would have something in common with Michelle Obama who planted a victory garden outside of the White House. I did learn that my grandma had a victory garden as a young girl; however, the joy of friends and rollerskates kept her away from it. The garden has inspired us to spend much needed family time while learning together. So the title of this blog is our motto. The chance to dig in the dirt, eat some strawberries, count the watermelons and measure the sunflowers has given my little ones an appreciation for gardening.