Thursday, May 15, 2008

Going on Ferrari...?

So I look up a little while ago. Ash is trying to give Tate one of his hats. She does not want it and is complaining that she wants her own Ferrari hat. So I do some minor moderating. Tate gets her hat and all is well.

Next, they are off to the pantry. Ash has the door open and is looking for something very specific...something about food for the tiger. Then I get it. "Oh...you want food for the tiger... that you are going to find on your - 'Ferrari'. Right!"

So, I help them accomplish their goal and we begin hunting the tiger. Well, apparently Oliver, our tiger in residence, has by now caught on. We are not having great luck finding him. Then I hear from under the bed, "There he is! I found him!" Off he goes! My two hunters on Ferrari close on his heels. They capture him and get to the feeding. The tiger is game to play along. After all, it is not everyday that a tiger gets two handfuls of tender morsels.

I am distracted for a bit and finally tune in to the commotion in Asher's room. They even have the door shut, which is against house rules. So, I go back to investigate. These pictures are what I find...



"uh, so are we really gonna..."


"tell ya what - capture this!"


"hey, a little help here?!"

"what the...?!"


"...could you, uh..."



"...oh, boy..."


"...really?"





"hey, ya wanna loosen the grip just a touch?"

We promise Oliver was not harmed during this adventure:)




Oliver is a champ. He has grown to endure these kids and I think is looking forward to the day when he can go sleep with them. Until then it looks like our tiger will have to endure being sat upon because "he wants to move and run away."

I am laughing out loud. Ash sets Oliver down and lies on him, then picks him up and moves him to the other end of the bed and 'contains' him, then tries another spot only to trip and land on the cat...all the while Oliver's face and eyes pleading to be rescued.

I look forward to their next Ferrari and wonder what they will find...

Saturday, May 10, 2008

my wife, their mother...





this flower is orange
the sky is grey (today anyway)
here are a few things
I just have to say...

when it came to selecting our mothers
none of us got much of a voice
but when it came to selecting my wife
I couldn't be happier that I made you my choice

all of the wife stuff
we'll set it aside for now
and focus on children
ours are blessed, i mean...wow!

you clothe them, you bathe them
you bandage their boo boos
and, i'm sorry to say
still change tatum's poo poos

you play with them, laugh with them
daily you teach them
i know that your heart says,
"for jesus i'll reach them"

you're gracious, you're diligent
profoundly kind
you're longsuff'ring and patient
it boggles my mind

so day after day
hour after hour
you deal with our kids
...no time for a shower

so 'till asher and tatum
can speak for themselves
just take if from me
('cause they're still little elves)

i want you to know
that we love you like crazy
and we love that your favorite
flower's a daisy

so to sum up our wee little poem this year
let's leave it to solomon
they say he was wise
at least that's what i hear

"she looks well to the way of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness
her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

'many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all'
charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the lord is to be praised

give her of the fruit of her hands
and let her works praise her in the gates"



Alicia, I cannot tell you how blessed I am by God, first, that you are my wife, then, that you are the mother of my children. I am so glad that they are our children, even if only on loan from God - for a little while. It is easy for me to see why he has entrusted them to your care.


You are amazing. Thank you for not giving in or giving up. I know Asher and Tatum love you very much.


Me too.


More...

Picture Update

I haven't been in much of a blogging mood lately so here are some random pictures from the last
three weeks!
I celebrated my 33rd birthday with a trip to Northwest Trek with the kids...
...and a Keylime Cheesecake!
We moved Tatum to her big girl bed which she is thrilled with!
I've had this bedroom set sitting at my parent's house for about ten years ... It's from my great-grandparent's farm house in Iowa. It's pretty cool to see my little girl sleeping in the bed now!
Going for a "hike" with her new backpack from Uncle Sean and the binoculars that we made at Northwest Trek!
One of their favorite things to do these days


Asher enjoying a bowl of strawberries....just days before we discovered that he is allergic to them....oops!