Your muscles get bigger while you're sleeping.

Three years ago, Hudson was 3 1/2 and Pierce was almost 2; Alayna was on the way and we needed to make room in the crib, so we put them in a queen size bed together. This summer we were able to get bunk beds for them, yet they still manage to sleep together some nights. Every day they're getting bigger, smarter, stronger. I love watching my babies become toddlers, then big boys. I love teaching them and seeing the fruit of it. I love marking the notch on the door frame that shows they've grown another two inches and seeing the excitement on their faces. Yet, something sweet hurts inside.

Smiling Kids

The battery in my van was dead yesterday morning when I tried to start it (I needed to go get some fancy, expensive coffee). Devastated and "trapped" I made a pot of coffee and rearranged the living room. Once I did that I had to do the playroom and got rid of a big bag of toys (you wouldn't even know by looking into the play room though!). Anyway, David bought a new battery for the van, I didn't spend $5 on a cup of coffee, my house looks all fresh and wonderful and I snapped some super cute pictures of my kiddos. Enjoy :)

Adelle jumping

Alana posing

Oh my goodness! Did I mention we've been practicing his smile?! Love those eyes.

HUGE smile to show off the missing tooth and two more loose ones!

Everyday for part of our spelling/handwriting, Hudson has to finish the sentence. Todays' was: I can keep from quarreling by ...

First he said, "Isn't quarrel something in the ocean?" Once he understood what "quarrel" meant he wrote, ... overcoming evil with good. A soft answer turns away wrath.

I love that my kids are hiding God's Word in their hearts and know how to apply it. I can't even tell you how rewarding it was for me to see his answer.

Teeth, coming and going

Hudson lost his first tooth Monday night. He was SO excited. David negotiated me pulling it vs. him just waiting for it to fall out by upping the tooth fairy fee. He decided to share the money with Pierce so they could choose a toy together. Pierce didn't lose any teeth, but I love that he's opening his mouth so wide in this picture!

Fall pictures - I need some picture taking tips for these kiddos. They never all look at the camera and smile at the same time. I think I need an assistant or a professional :)

Sweet girls - I love this one.

It is wild to have a child losing teeth and getting teeth at the same time. And I'm 30. Really feeling older these days - like a full-fledged adult. Yeah, it's wild.

We're working on some major fall projects that I've stolen from other blogger mommies. We're having lots of fun. I'll take pictures as we go. We're having fun over here!

Glory is Shiny

For Bible in school, Hudson and Pierce are going through Leading Little Ones to Christ by Marian Schoolland.  It's old.  My parents used it to teach me when I was Hudson's age.

Today's lesson was called, We Cannot See God.  It was all about how God is a Spirit and no one has every looked on Him because His glory and holiness are so bright.  We read the story of Moses on the mountain who had to be shielded from God's glory and still came off the mountain with a shining face.

The boys fiddle and wiggle during this lesson.  They can answer the questions, but I never really know how much they are absorbing.  Tonight during our bedtime prayers Hudson's exact words were, "Dear Heavenly Father, I just ask that you would show me a little bit of your glory, but not too much.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

YouTube link

Click the THIS IS WHERE YOU CLICK GRANDMA!!! to watch Pierce & Hudson reciting their Go to the Ant passage.

Sorry for the copy and pasting. This should work better ;)

A post for Shannon

I haven't taken any new picture the last few days, but I do have a couple of stories that I've already told everyone who reads this blog, except for Shannon.  So ...

The boys and I were talking about who's birthday is next and what kind of cake everyone should have.  Butterflies, robots, aliens, spaceships and planet heroes were all mentioned.  So they asked me what kind of cake I was going to have.  I said, "Well, what kind of things do you think I like?"  Hudson thought a moment, then answered, "Well, probably laundry and coffee."  So, I guess I'm going to get a pile-o-laundry cake ;)

I was holding Hudson after his nap the other day.  I never hold him anymore because he's huge.  So I said, "Oh Hudson, can't you just stay four forever?"  For the little boy who is constantly wanting to know when his birthday is, and can't wait until he's 8 (don't know why that's the magic number), this was a ridiculous question.  I continued my sappy mommy questions, "Are going to grow up and move away?"  He smiled, "Yes mom, but I'll invite you to my house."  Sniff, sniff.

A picture post

Crazy playing in the play room.

Boys being silly - they dressed themselves - it's about 40 degrees outside when this was taken, so of course they're in muscle shirts.

I had to get this shot because Hudson dressed himself in black cords "because they're black and they look awesome."

I told the boys that I wanted to take a "nice" picture, so they held hands - ha!

This is what bedtime looks like.  Daddy usually does this part.  Tonight he was the photographer.

The boys are into setting up their plastic super heroes and having me take a picture.  Seriously, I have 40 of these.  The boys are way into Planet Heroes.  Every planet has a hero and, for a price, you can collect them all.  They want the big $40 HQ.  We haven't given in on that one yet.  So right now the kitchen is called "Solar Quarters" and all of their guys are space heroes defending the universe from space monsters.  Any time Alayna gets hold of one of their guys she growls.  Think there's any chance of keeping her girly?

Notice my husband's handy work around the fire place.  Love it.

Hudson and I had a discussion today about limiting computer/TV time.  He'd been on the computer for about 30 minutes and I told him his time was up.  He came into the kitchen with shoulders slumped and sighing and said, "Mom, my imagination is telling me that I should throw a fit, but I prayed to God to help me obey and not throw a fit."  He's said this kind of thing on several occasions now.  It's great to see a little conscience becoming aware.  We've been praying for a few of his friends and family in different situations.   One of his friends had a scary visit to the hospital recently.  We prayed together for him and Hudson prayed that he would remember Daniel and the Lions Den and that he would be brave and know that God is with him.  I love hearing lessons we're teaching come alive in sincere little prayers.  It's amazing and so rewarding.

Did you know...

Dancing is for boys and girls to do together.  It's kind of like Ring Around the Rosies only you don't fall down. 

--Hudson Alexander Frederick