Look....

what HE brought me, on HIS birthday no less! HE is 30. And I like to rub it in because I'm still experiencing the lovely twenties! But I should be nicer to him...he did bring be tulips in the dead of winter. He's a good one. You're a keeper, Joely! Happy Birthday!

Do you think they're related?

Seriously, this little guy doesn't look like his daddy, does he?! Holy schmoly...I have no idea who his mom is:))

I do have little things to blog about and I had planned on doing that tonight, however, we decided to watch The Departed after the boys went to bed. I love watching movies with my husband....but if you're looking for a funny, inspirational, pick-me-up, movie, full of life and loveliness...do not watch this one! Definitely a well done movie, though....especially if you like bullets!

here is my brain...

I suppose I could organize my thoughts into a post that has a purpose...one that flows and actually leaves you feeling like you read something valuable. I could. But I won't because I'm sorta lazy and I really have nothing important to say. I just feel like blogging while I have a minute and I will offer a quick snapshot of my crazed brain:) I feel like I am literally thinking about all of these things at this very moment!

~American Idol Finale tonight...so excited!
~I just made a dentist appointment today and I'm really terrified of the dentist. Terrified because I have deceptive teeth--They look fine but really are not! I really wish I could find a dentist who who would put me under for the cleaning!
~I'm using FlyLady.net to help me manage my household. Sort of overwhelming with all of the emails and such, but it actually is helping me get things under control and ease my anxiety about stuff that should be a small issue.
~My sister and I made-up from a fight we had. Actually, it was not a fight...she was just mad at me and I was mad at her for being mad at me. Read that sentence again. THIS is why I want all boys...females are crazy!
~I need to start reading more about potty training. I don't want to start just yet, but I really want to start preparing myself beforehand. Ugh...I'm really not looking forward to it. Any suggestions?
~We went to bible study last night and as I walked into the room, I instantly felt my heart go heavy...and I didn't know why because I was feeling great. Turns out that many people were dealing with tough stuff. It was an interesting feeling.
~I can't wait to start solids in a few months with Griffin. Love watching them taste new things! The mess, however, I could do without!
~I'm afraid that Griffin is going to get a flat head because he sleeps so much. I think it is already going in that direction. What to do!
~Been thinking about this passage lately: Righteousness from the law is nothing compared to knowing and being found in Christ.
~I have a little video to share and you better watch it now or else you might lose your chance. It might mysteriously disappear when a certain someone finds out that his skills have been made public:) My boys have some great moves. This video is from a reception we went to last weekend for our Aunt and Uncles 25th wedding celebration. How cool is that? I better sign off now before I do more damage...enjoy!

march madness at our house...

This is what March Madness looks like at our house this year! Parker was taking a nap during this game, but if he had been awake, I'd have a picture up of him running back in forth in our living room, pretending to be one of the "bee-ball" players:) I assume that, in years to come, our home will get a littler crazier during this month of basketball overload!

Griffin was wearing his Cougar t-shirt (thank you Auntie Kels) yesterday when WSU was playing but I could never get a picture without him making a strange face when the flash went off! Maybe this is why Cougar basketball is over for the year. Bummer. I can't handle watching teams lose. I just can't stop thinking about all of those boys' mamas and what they are feeling! I told Joel that it is better this way because now we can just sit back and enjoy the games without all of the pressure. I don't think he agreed with me:)

Praying Parker

It has been so fun having Joel home with us this past month or so. Parker has become quite a Daddy's boy--which I think is just great because next month, I'll be the favorite! Parker has also become quite spiritual lately:) In all seriousness, I believe children have a unique relationship with our creator and are able to recognize God in all sorts of ways that adults have lost since childhood. As parents, we have this special opportunity to relive that wonder with our children--if we allow it. It has been interesting to see Parker try to imitate some of our daily practices.

• Praying- Parker likes to get us to pray with him all the time. We hold hands and bow our heads and after many, many prayers, we have to start to be creative and thank God for Parker's teeth or something like that because it seems like we've prayed for everything else (I know...totally not possible)! Parker peeks all the time but he tries really hard to focus on the prayer! He likes to say, "amen".
• Reading the bible- Parker will often drag Joel's bible over and ask over and over to be read to. Joel does and it makes me so proud. Even though Joel tells me that it is because Parker really wants the pen that is inside the bible, I choose to believe that Parker wants to hear the bible stories.
• Musical praise- We keep Parker with us during the first part of the church service so he can be a part of worshipping God through music. Parker gets into a sort of trance when the music starts and just doesn't snap out of it! He waves his hands in the air like a mad-man and plays air drum like none other. The head-bop is also something else. I love how free he feels to express himself...t is such a great reminder for me!