We're having a girl!

Did not see that coming. What the hell-o kitty? I just assumed this baby would be a boy for several reasons. We have 3 of them. We have a ton of boy paraphernalia already. Life is already a little crazy with lots of potential change approaching. I just thought God would want to streamline things a little for me. I know boys. I get boys. Yes they are loud and full of energy and rather rough. And dirty most of the time. But I adore being a boy mom. I could just envision my little boy band all lined up in coordinating khakis and button up oxfords.
And then I am laying on the table in the doctor's office having my ultrasound. We see a beautiful head and a four-chambered heart and two sweet little feet. Everything is looking great. Then the technician starts pressing harder trying to get a good shot. She scrolled around a little--I kept thinking, "we'll it's got to be there somewhere. He's a boy. Where is it? I seriously don't see it." And then she said, "it's a girl!"
"Are you kidding me?"
"No." Ultrasound ladies never kid.
I was stunned. Kris was grinning smugly. He knew. Mainly because he figured a boy would be the obvious, easy, simple route and hello--it's us. Life rarely ends up being obvious, easy, and simple so of course--it's a girl!
She is, right now, nameless. I have my pick (which, sadly, is not Elinor.) But her daddy doesn't feel the same sense of urgency I do to make a decision. This is not unusual.
The boys are very excited about their little sister--the notable exception being Simeon--who only wanted a puppy. But he'll come around. I hope.
Here she is at just a few days shy of 20 weeks. (Isn't she lovely?)





- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Sample Sale!

In an effort to maintain a great selection of Noonday samples, I've decided to part with a few items and hopefully make room for a few more.  Many of these items are currently offered on the website but a few are discontinued.  I have listed all of the pieces at 40% off the retail price.  They are all in great condition but since they are samples, they are being sold "as-is" and I can't offer any refunds or exchanges.  If there are any notable flaws, I will disclose them in the description.

All pictures and descriptions are taken from the Noonday Collection website.  You can view additional pictures of each item or check out the items that they are paired with there.

I'm listing each piece as a seperate post, so if you see something you want, comment on the picture with "SOLD" and your email address.  If you are local, we can make arrangements for pick up and if I need to mail it to you, I can invoice you via paypal.

Happy shopping!

Stacked Arrows Necklace

Retail: $39  Sale: $23

Stacks of arrows point you in the right fashion direction!

Handmade by a fair trade artisan group in India that creates avenues of employment for the economically disadvantaged.

17"-18.5". Composed of brass. Brass will oxidize over time and tarnish with wear. Handle with care. 

Packaged Pretty Earrings

Retail $38  Sale: $23

Hammered gold wire packages our individually handcrafted paper beads for a fun play for your lobes. This piece is handmade by African Style, a group that Noonday Collection helped launch in Uganda. 

jones design journal

Retail: $22  Sale: $13

One of our favorite bloggers, Jones Design Company, collaborated with us to bring you an inspiring spot to record your dreams. These journals are made from handmade cotton paper by one of 6 women who reside in a northern Indian slum. The income they earn from this has been a game changer for them. They contain 48 sheets, for 96 pages of writing space. Each journal is 5" x 7". Paper is made from recycled cotton. Each journal has a photo and the story of an artisan who made it on the inside back cover, along with Jones Design for Noonday Collection. LIMITED QUANTITIES AVAILABLE. 

Evening Horizons Necklace

(Gold beaded necklace only.  Top tagua seed necklace not included)

Retail: $42  Sale: $20  (currently backordered on website)

(over 50% off!) Dress it up or go casual, this rainfall of golden beads flows along azure and cobalt threads to stylishly grace the neck.

Handmade by a fair trade artisan group in India that creates avenues of employment for the economically disadvantaged.

22" long. Composed of thread and brass beads. Brass will oxidize over time and tarnish with wear. Handle with care. 

Circles Forever Bracelet-Silver

Retail: $25  Sale: $15

Hammered and welded circles made of brass wrap into an elegant, modern cuff and measure 2.5'' wide and 2.25'' deep. The Ana art Group is a family owned artisan business that receives a living wage for their work and is certified Fair Trade. "I had been working in this art for 10 years before I learned about fair trade. I now work only with fair trade buyers, I charge more for my products, and I finally can enjoy my work," says Naseem, on the artisans based in Delhi. 

Beaded Statement Bracelet

Retail $26  Sale: $16

Each bead is handcrafted from recycled paper and then strung to look like many bracelets. Choose from a variety of color ways. Wrap your wrists in love; each bracelet measures about 3'' wide, and stacks between 1.5'' and 2.5'' high. Handmade by African Style, a group that Noonday Collection helped launch in Uganda. 

Breezy Ikat Scarf

Retail: $42   Sample Sale Price: $25

Light-weight cotton is hand woven to create a breezy statement wearable any time of year.

Handmade in the Guatemalan highlands by artisans who earn a sustainable living by keeping a traditional artform alive.

38"W x 42"L. Composed of: Hand Woven Cotton. 

Minted Necklace Winner

And the big winner is comment #18 (adjusting for duplicates/replies) Alli!  Yay Alli!  I will have that pretty little necklace sent to you ASAP!  Congrats!

Noonday Blog Train!

It's kind of like Soul Train. But different.

During the month of January, thirty-one of the Noonday Collection Ambassadors are hosting a giveaway on our respective blogs.  That means the odds of you wrapping up January having scored yourself a little Noonday treatie-treat are very good indeed. I'll list the blogs at the bottom of this post so you can avail yourself to all of the opportunities to win.

Recently, I posted about how I got started with Noonday Collection.  It's a moving tale and why the Lifetime Movie Network hasn't called asking me for the rights to my story so that they can turn it into a miniseries I'll never know.  It is a beautiful story in which I utter the words, "well. if I totally hate selling this stuff and quit, at least I'll have a ton of jewelry."  I say touching things like this often.  Delicate and heartfelt.  I can't help myself.

BUT, I am pleased to report that I, in fact, love being an Ambassador.  (And having a ton of gorgeous, fair trade jewelry at my disposal ain't killing me either.)  I love that I get to represent the artisans and tell their story to the women who will wear their creations.  I love that I get to use words like "purpose" "redemption" "hope" and "dignity" on a regular basis as I share about the effects Noonday Collection has had around the world.  I love the time I put into planning, scheduling, presenting, ordering, and traveling does not drain me, rather it fills me up.  I love that I work for a company that understands making a difference and making money are not mutually exclusive.  I love that the distance between me and some of the most forgotten places on earth is about as long as a strand of beads.  I love that every stitch sewn, every seed strung, and every thread woven, points to a day when hunger ends, tears are wiped away, and "all the sad things become untrue."

And I love that I look freaking awesome in my Cascading Falls Necklace and my Embellished belt. I mean, let's just be honest, shall we?

One of my favorite parts of being an Ambassador is that moment when I share about a certain piece of jewelry or a certain artisans story and the eyes of the person I'm speaking with light up.  Because they get it. They get why their purchase matters and why it is so important to stand behind these women and something as simple as wearing a necklace really can change lives.

Like the Minted necklace, for example.

First of all, could this color BE more beautiful?   It's mint for crying out loud.  It looks amazing with so many things--especially coral.  Is "mint and coral" over?  Or will that always be the most perfect combination on the face of the earth? It's still all over Pinterest so I think we're good for now.  The Minted Necklace is made in Uganda by Noonday Style, a group started by Noonday Collection which affords the artisans, not only a dignified job but also, for some, an opportunity to buy into the company.  Equity stake in a business.  Not.even.kidding.

And I am giving one away! (YOU get a necklace and YOU get a...oh wait, I'm not Oprah.  There's just one. But you should totally buy one if you don't win because did I mention the "mint and coral" situation?)

To enter, please visit Noonday Collection and then come back and tell me which piece is your favorite.  Make sure your email address is included in your comment.  I'll pick a winner next Wednesday, Jan. 23rd.  Good Providence! (I'm a Calvinist, we don't say "good luck.") (I'm kidding.) (No, I'm not.)

Here are all the other blogs featured this month--enjoy blog-hopping when you should be cooking dinner or watching your children! (I hear people do that--can you imagine?)

Jan. 1- www.leemeandthegirls.blogspot.com
Jan. 2-  www.foundbyhope.blogspot.com
Jan.3- www.veryeasilyinspired.blogspot.com 
Jan. 4-  www.sarahthacker.com
Jan. 5- www.ketnerlove.blogspot.com
Jan. 6- www.greenisthenewblue.blogspot.com
Week two: 
Jan. 7-  www.elderadventures.blogspot.com
Jan. 8-  www.glimpseofgetz.blogspot.com
Jan. 9-  www.raisingalittlehale.blogspot.com
Jan. 10- www.stinsonadoptionblog.blogspot.com
Jan. 11- www.suttersaga.com
Jan. 12- lwww.thefairtradefashionistas.wordpress.com
Jan. 13- www.sweetclementines.wordpress.com
Week three:
Jan. 14- www.myvisionsofsugarplums.blogspot.com
Jan. 15- www.summerscan.wordpress.com
Jan. 16-  www.jamierives.blogspot.com
Jan. 17-  www.loveonamonday.blogspot.com
Jan. 18-  www.jeremyandannie.com
Jan. 19- www.koningfamily.blogspot.com
Jan. 20- www.blessingsbytlcwithtlc.blogspot.com
Week four: 
Jan. 21- www.emilyhays.blogspot.com
Jan. 22- www.melyndamac.blogspot.com
Jan. 23- www.thedomorechallenge.blogspot.com
Jan. 24- www.laurajanephotographypa.blogspot.com
Jan. 25- www.andthensometwins.blogspot.com
Jan. 26- 
Jan. 27-www.careywillems.blogspot.com
Week five:
Jan. 28-www.aspot4mythoughts.wordpress.com
Jan.29- www.hapatasha.blogspot.com
Jan. 30-  www.kristineshafer.com
Jan. 31-  www.sanderandwhitney.blogspot.com

WYPW: Two Down, One To Go

Multiple Children Close in Age 101:  If one gets sick, they all will. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but eventually, it is going to happen.  And the moment you think you've dodged the bullet, you find you have not.

Asher threw up Sunday night.  He was fine Monday--played, ate, a little tired, but overall it seemed as though he was back to his old self.  We assumed it was something he ate since there were no other symptoms.

Last night, I was driving home from meeting Cheryl and I called Kris to see if he needed anything (I'm incredibly thoughtful.)  He informs me that Simeon had thrown up four times after I left.  But he let me enjoy my time away (He, too, is incredibly thoughtful.)

My point:  I am waiting for Jude.  It will happen.  He will wait til all the sheets are clean and floors have been mopped and everything has been Clorox-wiped.  But it will come.

Yours, Mine, and Ours

About two years ago, Cheryl and I went to our first (and one of the first I'm pretty sure) Noonday trunk show which was being held to raise funds for the adoption of Missy's daughter from Ethiopia.  We were really excited to find out what Noonday Collection was all about and for the chance to support two great causes--the artisans in developing countries and adoption.

I don't remember when I began learning more about the concept of "fair trade" and the impact that our dollars can make, for better or worse.  I knew Noonday Collection would be something I would love because I was (and still am!) in love with the "not-just-for-profit" business model.  I have no background in business but this merger of capitalism and compassion excite me to no end.  The idea that a company will just say, "Yes, we want to make money, preferably a lot of it.  But we will only be as successful as we are responsible" is just so inspiring.

I toyed with the idea of becoming an ambassador for Noonday from the beginning.  But I had three kids three and under and launching a business just didn't seem feasible.  About a year later, I explored the possibility again.  I hosted a trunk show (and I used my hostess rewards to buy this little beauty)

This necklace will change your life.  I kid you not.

I decided I still wasn't in a place to commit to being an ambassador.  The boys were a little older but it still felt like too much to take on.

Fast-forward one more year.  Our family was going through a lot of personal and professional changes.  We started homeschooling.  I started teaching a class for our homeschool group.  I had a 5, 4, and 2 year old.  So I picked THEN to become an ambassador.  Makes total sense.  But it has been a great decision.  I absolutely love that I get to combine so many of my interests into one role as an ambassador.  

That's my story.  And it overlaps with their story--the artisans around the world that have found sustainable income because we sell the products they create.  I put on my beautiful salmon-colored Cascading Falls necklace from Ecuador and all of a sudden, it becomes our story.  I wear it--not just on me, but in me.

As the picture above states, when you give a gift from Noonday Collection, you really do give twice.  Your friend, sister, wife, or daughter receives a beautiful piece of jewelry or a fun new accessory, and the artisan who made it receives dignity, hope, and--let's not over-romanticize this--a paycheck!  Do you like pay day? Yeah, me too.  Them, too.  Universal happy dance.

And just in case you need a few suggestions, here are some of my favorites.  The above necklace of course. A little pricey BUT you will wear that thing non-stop.  So divide $138 by a million to arrive at the price-per-wear and you will find that it's practically free.

Also, the Bethe Rope necklace and Organica necklace (both shown here) are lovely and versatile.

The Bethe is made in Ethiopia out of recycled artillery.  What's it called when you take something with a history of pain and sorrow and make something beautiful out of it?...oh yeah--REDEMPTION.  Now available in necklace form.

This one is sort of the quintessential Noonday piece.  It is well-made, well-priced, and goes with everything.

 The Beaded Statement bracelet is made in Uganda.  Oh the amazing stories coming out of Uganda. 

Another favorite, go-to, wear all the time with everything piece is the Angelica Infinity Scarf.

The infinity scarf is my favorite because it is such a no-brainer to wear.  You throw it on and it looks cute with no complicated tying or arranging.  

Ok, just one more.  Tea towels!  The absolute perfect gift.  If you have a kitchen, you need a tea towel. It says, "I'm cute but I don't try too hard."

This is the set of three but you can order them individually.  

I could go on.  But I won't.  You have until Sunday, the 16th to order.  So go ahead--give twice.

PS--There are a LOT of companies out there with the same heart and goals as Noonday.  If this isn't quite your aesthtic or products that fit your needs, I encourage you to look around until you find one that resonates with you.  A few places I can recommend are Trade As One, Ten Thousand Villages, and Krochet Kids

My new year's resolution...

will NOT be to blog more. That would be so 2009 of me. But life is going so fast now that I am in my late early thirties. I'm going to try to capture just a bit of our life and make it stand still in this blog. I mean, my newborn is 2 1/2. THAT is absurd.

I also want to blog more about issues that matter to me during December. I have a few posts rolling around in my head tentatively titled "My Santa Manifesta: You Do Know Where Liars Go, Right?" and "Every Day is Christmas If You Live in America, You Fat, Ungrateful Slob." I'd hate for you all to think I've gone completely holly jolly. I have my limits.

My shopping is almost done. We have found the four gift model of "something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read" to be a great fit for us, so all of four my guys have a little something from each category ready to go under the tree. I would place them under the tree now, but hello--Simeon.

I'm wrapping up a great first season with Noonday Collection. I have learned a lot! I'm looking forward to starting the spring season with a better grasp on everything but I'm really pleased with and grateful for how things have gone. (By the way, delivery by Christmas is guaranteed until the 16th if you need a few AMAZING gifts for loved ones. Or yourself. No judgement here.)

Asher threw up last night. No fever, no chills, just puke. So I drug out the "sick mattress" (a baby bed mattress we keep under the bunk beds for the ill among us to lay on. It's vinyl.) I was just waiting for the next wave to hit. Jude was still awake for some unknown reason (it was about 10:30.) He was wired and kept commenting on how he always manages to make it to the toilet when he needs to throw up and how Asher is kind of a baby in that regard. I had to agree. One of the best things about Jude is that boy holds it until he is standing over the potty. That in itself covers a multitude of sins.

So Asher is awake, Jude is awake, and I'm incredibly sleepy because I had just taken a benedryl for my horrific allergy attack. We all finally dozed off in the living room and then sometime in the middle of the night, Simeon wakes me up. Not for any good reason. Just because. I'm so groggy at this point, I don't recall what happened after that.  All I know is that Kris woke me up around 6 and told me to go get in bed and all 3 boys were laying on the floor near me.  Around 8, I  woke up with the eldest and the youngest in bed next to me. Sleep in heavenly peace, we did not. But no one has thrown up again at the time of this writing.  That, my friends, is a Christmas miracle.

Viva La Blog

I went back to the original title of this blog.  My cynical side (which composes approximately 88% of me) thought that maybe if I proceeded under the assumption that no one was reading this, I would be more likely to post.  Its really hard to use reverse psychology on yourself.  You see right through you.  You don't buy you for a minute.  You're not fooling anyyou.

So back to Grace Upon Grace.  I got the title from a Sandra McCracken song which I now commend to you.  The chorus says, "Grace upon grace every sin repaired, every void restored, you will find him there,in every turning he will prepare you with grace upon grace."  I add my hearty amen.

It's comin' on Christmas.  I'm embracing it all a little more this year.  We got our tree while it was still November.  Who ARE you, Jamie Rives?

I like to get my money's worth out of clothing, ok?

My holiday aversions are well documented here but this year I'm feeling a little more open to figuring out a way to create a special experience for my children without compromising what we value and without emphasizing what we don't.  I know I hold back because one thing I hate is to be disappointed.  So I live in this space of cautious distance from anything that might not meet my expectations.  My "all or nothing" syndrome is well-documented here too and I think that plays a big role in my hesitancy to get caught up in the holidays.

But it's like eating strawberries.  I think the goal of strawberry season is to eat so many strawberries that by the end of strawberry season, you are so contentedly full of strawberries that you don't have any regrets about your strawberry consumption, or lack there of.  You surrender to the berry.  You eat your fill so that when it's all over, you're OK with it.  You aren't longing for more or wishing it could all last a little longer.  It's done.  And that's just fine.

So I want to take a strawberry approach to my life--holidays, babies, education, age--anything for which there is a season.  Go big then go home.  I hold back far too much and too often.  But it would be better to risk.  I'm living my story.  It might as well be a good one.

Towards that end, I am doing a "countdown to Christmas" activity calendar.  Each day, the boys get to remove from a line of twine I strung up, one slip of festive green and red paper on which I have written something fun to do that day.  Some of them are your basic Christmas activities--go see lights, go to a Christmas festival at a church, etc, some of them are things to do for others, some of them are incredibly lame and were it not for me setting the bar so low in past years, may not even be considered fun.  But they are loving it.  And I am loving them loving it.



And just by way of updating you ALL, here are the Brothers Rives.  My how they've grown.

Asher is 5. And a male model.

Jude is 4. And a caffeine addict.

Simeon is 2. And a scholar.

Noonday Giveaway!

My sweet friend Carrie (author, supermom, international rockstar) is hosting a Noonday giveaway!  Stop by Carrie's blog and enter to win this Noonday best-seller! (Or just buy it--it's on sale!) 

Notice how it is styled with this--the PERFECT holiday accessory. (Buy it, too.  It's not on sale.  That's ok.)

To enter the giveaway, Carrie wants to know what job did you want to have as a child.  I'm pretty sure I always wanted to be a teacher (dreams do come true, kids.)  My sister-in-law wanted to be the person that cut fabric at Walmart which I think is hilarious.  My middle child wants to be a ninja when he grows up.  Our family is full of ambitious go-getters. 

Speaking of growing up with dreams (queue emotional, transistional music,) you really do make that possible for the children whose parents are employed because of Noonday Collection.  Because when you no longer have to worry about the necessities, you get to dream about the future. 

From the Noonday Collection blog--one of the artisans viewing a picture of a Noonday Ambassador wearing the scarf he made

We were able to see the weaving process first hand at Migual’s house, whose entire family is involved in the process of making our Nod to Neon scarves. His children Alicia, Irmer, and Minor are all grateful for the work their dad receives. On Siggy’s last visit to go over a new order , Alicia called Siggy later and said, “Thank you so much for continuing to work with my dad. It is because of these orders, that I am continuing in school.” When I asked this bright 18 year old her dreams she said, “I am studying to be a preschool teacher so I can work with small children and keep our native language, K'iche’, alive.”

There are many children today who now get to ask themselves the question, "What do I want to be when I grow up?"  You play a part in making this possible with each purchase from Noonday Collection. 

Two Vital Pieces of Information

You must know...

1.  I am a Noonday Ambassador!  Noonday Collection is a company that is devoted to bringing stunning jewelry and other accessories handmade by women lifting themselves out of poverty to the marketplace.  (Think Anthropologie aesthetic meets fair trade values. I mean, hello?)

Check out the website and fall in love. 

2.  There is an amazing sale happening right now!  Fall line launches Tuesday so until Monday (9/3) we are clearing out some inventory!

Helping others by looking cute? Don't mind if I do.

Breakfast

I find breakfast to be a highly frustrating situation.  It's usually the first decision I have to make for the day.  I do not relish early morning decision-making nor do I relish having to make a meal so soon after rising.  I need time to ponder these things as I am not so much a meal-planning-out kind of girl.  I am more of a "have a general direction I'd like to head and see what happens" kind of girl.  So this early morning scene were I must be reminded of the consequences of being a poor planner and a non-morning person I find rather aggrivating and not at all a pleasant way to begin the day.

I remember those commercials from my childhood for cereal where the announcer told you that the cereal they were advertising was part of a well-balanced breakfast and then they showed you a glass of orange juice and a small plate with a slice of white bread, toasted, with a pat of butter on top and maybe a banana or some other pedestrian piece of fruit surrounding the bowl of cereal.  The implication was "You idiot, no one is asking you to pour a bowl and cereal and think you've made breakfast.  Didn't you hear us--PART OF a well-balanced breakfast." But who lays out a spread like that?  The whole point of cereal is the one-dish preparation. 

So we eat cereal several times a week.  It's my way of keeping the expectations in check around here.  If I scrambled you eggs or made you breakfast cookies yesterday, do not come into the kitchen with a quizzical look on your face wondering what delicacy awaits you this bright morning.  You know.  Are you about to go hoe a field or break some colts? I thought not. So this bowl of wet sweet wheat and/or corn will do you just fine.

I spent the better portion of my life unable to touch wet food.  I have texture issues, many of which linger.  But I've had to get over this one.  I am forced to reach into the disposal to retrieve some utensil or misplaced toy almost daily so I've had to overcome my hesitancy and stifle my gag reflex.  There are still times when I use tongs to probe the nether regions of the disposal but if I can see what I'm going for, I can voluntarily cause my mind to black out for a few seconds and go after the lost item.

Cereal is wet food.  There are not many dishes in which one pours a liquid over something perfectly dry.  And then the race is on.  Because while I can now touch food in the sink that may be wet, I cannot in good conscience eat soggy food.  Incidentally, I can't listen to people eat crunchy food either.  I pour my children's cereal and I walk away.  I urge them to eat it quickly because the soggy cereal fate will soon be theirs if they fail to make haste.  But I can't hang around to offer more direction than that. Because the crunching.  No, say I, to the crunching.

So before 8:00 in the morning, I have to face a decision AND a task AND my psychological issues AND self-doubt AND the crushing reality of the disappointment that accompanies unmet expectations I have of myself as a home manager, mother, and wife.  Not to mention the looming fear of not kick-starting my already less-than-illustrious metabolism by not eating soon enough after waking.  Are you kidding me? 

And doing all this only raises more questions than it answers.  The first of which, of course, is what's for lunch?

Just reminiscing about hanging out with our good friends, John Paul and Joy.

Man that was an amazing show.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Bi-annual update 2012

We are about to embark on our first official year of homeschooling.  I like to think I've been homeschooling since February 7, 2007 but in the sense that we will have an actual curriculum and will actually (somewhat) be following it, I guess this is technically the beginning of that. 

Dressing up is a big thing at out house right now.  At any given moment, you may meet Spiderman, Thor, Captain America, Darth Vadar, Luke Skywalker, a fireman, Thomas the Train, a cowboy, or any combination thereof.  Asher and Jude do not like to commit to just one identity so they usually combine several items to create a new superhero that fits their current mood.  Now would be a great time to insert a picture of that.  Alas.

Simeon is very loquacious these days.  He has mastered the phrases "I don't want to" and "NO!" which has not gone well for him.  He has yet to be convinced that throwing a fit is not an acceptable way to deal with disappointment so we have quite a few "discussions" throughout the day in which I persuade him to change his flawed thinking.  I carry a wooden spoon everywhere I go...you know... in case I need to stir something. 

But as challenging as he is at newly two, he is equally as charming.  Those eyes that won me over the very first time I saw them still have their power over me.  He is hilarious and loves to make us all laugh.  This is why we crack down on the discipline.  Anybody with this much personality better learn some self-control early on.  He likes to grin and give the double thumbs up whenever he likes something.  He pronounces coffee "fahkee" which causes my to giggle every time I hear it.  He is Asher's shadow and Jude's accomplice.  He can count to 11 or 12 and then he takes a little creative license.  He loves singing "I cast all my cares upon you" and "Holy Holy Holy."  His favorite food is guacamole.  Incidentally, he pronounces it "holy" so I think that might be what he thinks that hymn is about. 

Jude just turned 4.  He and Asher both are enamored with Legos!  We took a little trip to LegoLand Discovery Center in Dallas to celebrate Jude's birthday.  It really is fascinating to me how boys just take to Legos so naturally.  I know not all boys get into them, but the idea of putting together all those tiny pieces just to take them apart again does not appeal to me at all, not has it ever.  But these boys will sit for hours and build things and then act our scenes with them and then break them apart and star over again the next day. 

I'm starting to feel more and more outnumbered here as the only female in the house.  Don't get me wrong, it's good to be queen, but between the light saber fights and legos and general tom-foolery that goes on around here, it is clear I am in uncharted territory.  Not that I was an overly girly-girl, but my experience with baby dolls and kitchen sets did not prepare me for the testosterone fest I find myself attending every day.

Asher is 5 AND A HALF.  He is definitely the leader of the brother pack.  All 3 boys get along pretty well and are quick to forgive and forget.  This is one of the many reasons I love having all boys.  Very little drama.  You hit me.  I hit you back.  Mom gets onto us both.  We apologize.  Life goes on.  Feelings don't get hurt often and when they do, they are quickly mended.  The down side to all boy land is that it is constant activity ALL THE TIME.  There are no quiet tea parties or gentle games.  It is full throttle or they're asleep.  I hear "Wow, you must be busy" basically anytime I leave the house.  Ya think? Now go take my cart back for me.

When I tell Jude that we will do something later or go somewhere later, he asks me, "Will you remember that in your heart?"  Not sure where that came from but it's his way or ensuring I do not make empty promises.  He also recently gave up his lovey.  That precious, nasty piece of cloth that he has had with him for the better part of 4 years is no longer his constant companion because, you see, 4 year olds do not have loveys.  At least 4 year olds who suck their thumbs anytime the lovey is in their hands don't.  So in order to minimize the orthodontic damage, he gifted his beloved lovey to Miss Iris Wimberly, a newborn friend.  It eased the pain knowing that Baby Iris will take good care of it for him.

Asher and Jude have learned how to swim this summer.  They are both able to swim underwater for short distances and Asher has started to get the hang of coming up for breath and using his arms more.  They are all perfectly at ease in the water and I really hope they are ready for swim team next summer mainly because it sounds like it will tire them out and not much does.  Simeon loves being in the pool too and is not quite convinced that he can't swim.  We've had a lot of fun this summer in the water.  It's fun for me to see them take to swimming so nicely because I grew up swimming almost every day at our local YMCA.  Safety breaks, chlorine-scented hair, eating snacks with wet, pruny fingers in a lounge chair.  Simple pleasures.