Week 45, Big News

Well, this week was just full of big and exciting news!  Even though they all occurred on different days, I am going to start with the main theme of all of this great news--BABIES!!!  Not us...at least not for now, but I would be lying if I didn't say I was yet again contemplating it--you're all making me jealous!  Our good friends, Cameron and Eleanor, officially announced that they were expecting a new addition at the end of May in 2013!  We've kind of adopted Caleb as a cousin for the boys, so we're excited to add another one to the mix :)  And, another exciting announcement from a couple in our old small group who is now living in Pennsylvania--they will be expecting their second child in April--congrats Brian, Jodi, and little Brady!!

Raise your hand if you're going to be a big brother in May!!   Isn't Caleb such a cutie?   Eleanor is pretty cute too :)

As if that weren't enough big news, more good friends of ours, the Farlows, were excited to finally get to meet their new addition--welcome Jacob Carter Farlow!!!

Big Sis Natalie LOVES her baby Jacob <3

So, there you have the most important of the big news!!  As for us, our week started with a nice brisk Sunday morning.  When the season finally changes enough to break out some new clothes for the boys, it always makes me happy.  I'm usually tired of their previous season's clothing, and they always seem to look so cute in their new duds!

I had to snap a picture of my handsome guys in their sweaters on the way to church  :)

The boys still think it's Halloween :)

On Monday, I was treated to a very fun day with a couple of great friends, Amy Humphrey and Iris Clement.  They came over right when the boys went down for their naps, and we just sat around the kitchen table chatting and drinking coffee for the next 3 hours--it was sooooooo nice!!  I wish I could do that everyday during naps!  Iris had to leave to go tutor some students after that, but Amy treated me to dinner and a little shopping for a belated birthday present!

Here's my friend Amy getting a few lessons on bone broth haha :)

So, in other big news, we put our house on the market!  I know it's kind of odd timing, but we thought we would give it a try and just see what happens :)  Here's what our first house looks like--in case we do sell it, I want to remember it well!!  We have actually LOVED this house--it is our first house, and we have just tons of warm and lovely memories here <3

Front of the house

Kitchen :)

Living Room

Side view living room

Sitting Room

Master Bathroom

Master Bathroom

The Playroom

reading nook

full shot

lounge area

Guest bedroom

Ethan's bedroom

Tommy's bedroom

Somehow I just noticed that I don't have the Master Bedroom on here, but it looks good too--promise!

I won't lie, for a few days there, we all but ignored the kids while we were trying to get the house ready.  They took it like champs--they've been doing a really good job amusing themselves and each other lately, which has been sooooo nice!!  Still, this mom was feeling pretty guilty about the lack of quality time with them, so I decided to treat them to Chick-fil-A the day the house went on the market!

Ethan and Tommy enjoying their chicken nuggets :)

After we finished eating, we decided to head outside to play on the playground!  There was another 3 year old there, and Tommy went right up to him and waved in his face and said, "HI KID!"--they played together the rest of the time!  That boy cracks me up sometimes!

Ethan smiling for the camera!

Ethan loves a good swing :)

We continued to let the good times roll the next day by going to visit Grandaddy at Hit & Run for a little baseball practice!  Now, the boys (and, honestly our whole family) have been fighting off this lingering mild cold for weeks now.  It's like it won't just go ahead and run it's course!  So, the boys weren't as energetic as usual for sure, but they still had a great time!

Grandaddy helping out Tommy's grip :)

Nice hit Ethan!

"Yayyyy Tommy!!"

Ethan's form is definitely a little more refined than Tommy's !

I love seeing that big smile on my Dad's face!

Granddaddy gets a kick out of Ethan--he thinks he has to sit down for some reason before he  grabs the bat to take his turn!

He's starting to get tired here--head down running :)

And, there we have it folks--he's rolling around on the ground!

Ethan was done with practice, so he decided to hang out with Mommy some!

"HI MOM--I'm coming in for a landing!"

I love my Ethy bear <3

I just love this picture!  Tommy is happily still practicing with Granddaddy, while Ethan is about to lose it!

I know what'll turn that frown upside down--a treat from Granddaddy!

Sounds good to me too Mom :)

Mmmmmmmm--oatmeal cream cookie!

Delish!

Tommy's not too sure about this cookie!

Happy as a clam again, and ready to resume his Dennis the Menace ways!

Oooohhh, this looks mischievous :)

Yayyy!!  Water play at Granddaddy's work!

The boys had a little too much fun splashing in the water fountain, but Granddaddy didn't care <3

That night, Laura came over after a long week at work for a little fun and relaxation!  And, what can be more fun than eating stir-fry and watching Matt Bomer in White Collar?!  On Saturday, we headed over to my parent's house for a showing that didn't really happen.  Those morons couldn't get the lock box opened, so they didn't go inside.  The lot isn't our house's strong suit, so it was unfortunate they couldn't get inside.  Meanwhile, I got it open on the first try when we got home after watching the Wolfpack blow out the Deacs!  On Sunday, we were invited to a bonfire at my friend Katie's house in celebration of Veteran's Day.  I went alone just for a little while since none of my boys were feeling that great because I wanted to see baby Levi!

Katie and her son, Levi :)

Life Lesson:  Be Your Own Man/Woman

So, something else happened this week that was pretty major I guess....the election.  Now, let me go ahead and say right now, that what I'm about to write will be "controversial" in the sense that probably 99.9% of you will not agree with me.  I'm fine with that, hence the life lesson title :)  This election has been different than any other election for me personally.  For the first time since I've been eligible to vote, I actively chose not to.  Here's where I imagine everyone saying what I've heard my whole life--"It's your civic duty to vote"..."It's your responsibility as a Christian to vote", and finally "Don't complain about anything if you didn't vote."  I'd like to play devil's advocate a little bit here.  Now, I know this won't hold true for everyone, but let me walk you through how it played out in my mind.  First and foremost, I already have a leader...and not just any leader--he's called the King of kings and Lord of lords--that's right, give it up for Jesus!  I'm not just saying this; I believe it.  No matter who takes office, I personally will not be doing anything that is against God's law.  Secondly, I have come to think of my vote as a personal endorsement for a candidate.  In this election, unlike previous elections, I felt it to be against my conscience to endorse either candidate--one mainly on policy, and the other mainly on trust and sincerity.  I feel very much the opposite of how the Israelites felt in Samuel's age.  Although they were God's chosen people, they desperately wanted a king here on earth to rule them like every other nation.  Having God as their king was apparently not enough for them, and so despite the dire warnings from God relayed through Samuel, Saul was appointed king of Israel.  I answer to God and God alone, and He is more than enough authority for me.  In the future, should I feel that a candidate is truly seeking the will of God, I will most certainly vote for them.  As I did not feel that either candidate met that criteria, I chose not to vote. We did,  however, make a point to still "vote", albeit rather symbolically.  While our facebook pages were blowing up with friends berating and unfriending each other, we took the time to go to our church, Crosspointe, and take Communion together as a family.  I prayed for our family.  I prayed for our country.  And, I prayed for our president.  So, although it totally goes against popular opinion, I did not compromise my beliefs, and my conscience is clear.  I think that's about all any of us can do--behave in such a way that our consciences are clear. Don't let anyone steer you or pressure you into doing anything that you are uncomfortable with or don't like.  Let God and your conscience guide your decisions.