blessed beyond measure

So apparently Blogger has a bug, just for me, which is a convenient excuse for why it's been nearly two weeks since I've posted. The bug is not fixed, but creativity has finally triumphed. So much has happened in these two weeks. How is it that summer is busier than any other season? I don't have veggie pics, but we have canned 20 quarts of green beans (besides what we've eaten) and 7 quarts of squash (besides what we've eaten). Everything is looking so good in the garden, lush and green and healthy. Praise, praise the Lord. Giga and Poppop's gift to the boys for their birthdays was a new playset, which they worked so very hard on for an entire day. And it's an impressive sight. The boys absolutely love it, and the climbing is such a great outlet for their energy. We are greatly grateful. We hosted Father's Day dinner for Granddad and Nana, after which was even more playset action. I most often don't have my camera when we're aro...

We're not big on change round these parts. Exhibit A. Trey is well aware that his world will be turned upside down in late August, as he will begin Kindergarten. And it is tearing him apart. This is my fault. See, I kind of know how he is. The whole don't-want-to-do-something, cry-til-you-throw-up-and-someone-rescues-you methodology. This has been pulled many, many times. And so to hopefully counter that, I have been talking up school. A lot. For I know. There is no doubt in my mind that once we tackle the hairy green first-day monster, Trey is going to love school. Love it. Because he is basically me in a Brandon mask. And I am nothing if not a nerd. My plan is backfiring, y'all. Instead of the school hoopla getting him excited, it has turned him into a worrier. He is scared to death. Begs me not to go to work. When I'm home, sits at my side watching me work. Follows me from room to room, carrying whatever toy he might be playing with. Offers to h...

Aden here. Time to celebrate me! A little swimming and romping with brother, then some digging in my rock box, Daddy & Mama's special present for me! And when I say "in my rock box", I mean in my rock box . My peeps all came, even Ms. Maggie and my very favorite Nene. We ate lunch together (I had two lunches) , and then they brought me a cake but told me I couldn't eat it until they sang a song. Really? Do you know me at all?? I shocked the world by blowing out my own candle, and everyone cheered for me. I cheered for me too. The cake and ice cream were go-ooo-ood. I was a little tired by gift time, but got several super-cool things. Most of which Trey opened for me. What a great party. Fun, food, and a great big family. Not bad for two years old!

Two years ago today, our family grew. In the best way possible. Aden. Sweet, sweet Aden Levi. His vocabulary is exploding. He enjoys repeating words after us, and having us repeat what he says, to be sure we understand. We hold conversations. He can now request something without having to point, which is especially nice. He has learned the sequence of numbers to ten, but doesn't actually count yet. And he knows a sparse few letters. We'll get there. Leaps off the couch, climbs on anything even barely climbable, falls a million times a day, runs pretty much everywhere he goes. Sucks his left thumb, most often with a monkey clutched tightly in his right arm. Left thumb has some serious eczema going on, and we can't treat it because of the sucking. Typically naps 2-3 hours in the afternoon, goes to bed between 8 and 9, and gets up by 7. Will not be rocked to sleep. Sleeps with his monkey and monkey blanket. Eats. Period. Around 5 times a day, with three ma...

And when I say set-in, I mean over three years of being stomped on, run across, rolled over, and sat upon by various members of the household and their wheeled toys. The stain is just inside the doorway of Trey's room. At the risk of oversharing, I will hint that it came from a highly complex mixture of chocolate soymilk and stomach acid. That sat for much longer than it should have, as I did my motherly duty and tended to the spewing child before the mess. The vinegar carpet-cleaning instructions said to mix one part vinegar with two parts water in a spray bottle. Then to spray generously on the stain and let sit (set?) for several minutes. And finally to blot up with paper towels. After fifteen minutes I grabbed my paper towels and excitedly got to blotting. Guess what. The stain was still there. Taking a lesson from vinegar trial 1, I decided to take the high road and not curse carpetmakers and the Silk people. Instead, I grabbed a cloth diaper, soaked it in the vineg...