couldn't ask for more, wouldn't settle for less: 2013

So much good

My dear, sweet Hootie is growing in bounds. We have recently started some work in Charlie's room replacing his flooring, so the boys have camped out in our den for the passed few days. The other night I went to check on them and Brady was out of his sleeping bag and freezing to death. I slipped him back down inside and he jumped up and said, "Mama, that sweeping bag is not so much good for me." I just smiled and banked that in my memory as one of those precious quotes. Today we had a make shift Christmas party with plates and Christmas cups. I gave the kids lemonade in their cups. After drinking until he stopped breathing Hootie says, "Oh Mama, dis is so much good for me."

Made me start thinking.....

This year has been tough. I have been faced with watching some of those closest to my heart go through physical and emotional trials. This year I have lost friendships, and seen changes in my life that I just can't believe happened. The political mess is so bleak, and I have lost faith in most all who call themselves "politicians." But,

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16

I have dwelt today on those things that I have been blessed with. How blessed I am to call Jesus my Lord, and I know I have no hope in this world. I know that through this tribulation I have so much to rejoice in. Today I am joining with Brady, and I am going to focus on all of the many, so so many, things that are "so much good for me." The innocent words of a child really need to be heard. I will be so thankful.

The Lord has been so much good for me.

Names

Longer blogs coming soon....I promise, but this is just way too cute not to share with the world. I love my big boys, and I am so proud of how much they learn. I'm thinking they are both already smarter than me and Daddy. Just don't ever share this with my third grade teacher. The fact that letters fell below the solid line might just make her hunt me down and write sentences. Enjoy.

Brothers

Pillow and randomness

Hello from random blog world. I have been up a lot at night recently. The usual, worries and the yell for water for need for a snuggle. It is these times I do my best thinking and praying. This was a simple thing that hit me last night. Literally, 3AM, large feather pillow hit me. Hootie drags everything his little hands will hold to my bed when he crawls in it in the middle of the night. I just scoot over and make room for stuffed dinosaurs, horses, rice pillows, blankets, teddy bears and so on. Last night he brought the huge feather pillow from his bed. As I am laying with him snuggled just close enough to touch him but not breathe on him (that's the biggest Brady Ward pet peeve of all time) I notice the pillow protruding from its case. It's a blue and white stripped material with patches all over it. I begin to think back...far far back.... When I was in high school and did a lot of house switching, my Nana gave me one of her pillows. Not any pillow, but a piece of Heaven right under your head. It smells sweet and forms right to your head. This pillow was with me when I had my tonsils out (death!!!) when I had more surgeries, I remember sleeping on it the night I lost my baby, I slept on it the night I tumbled with contractions before Charlie's birth, the day I gave birth to him...and then Brady. I nursed both of my boys on it. Both of them slept on it right between me and Jamie when they came home from the hospital. I loved that pillow. When Brady started sleeping in his bed, well, for a few hours a night. I gave it to him, and it really has helped him sleep better. My Nana told me about this pillow once. It is filled with real rooster feathers. She made it herself when she married my grandfather. Every now and again I find one or two scattered on the floor from a battle of some sort. I smile every time and imagine what life was like when it was being stuffed into the case.

I'm a sentimental nut. My sister had tried to condition me, but I have accepted it and moved on. I am glad my sweet Hootie snuggles this pillow. I steal it away on occasion, but I love the memories it holds. Just wanted to write them down. My memory is filled up daily with new sweet memories. I just don't want any to be pushed out.

Here comes Fall

Here's a little glimpse of our Halloween/Fall hooplah preparations.

Jamie and I visited our friend's pumpkin patch this year. The fellas picked up every pumpkin twice before we convinced them to get one with a stem. Hindsight is 20/20 because I carved them WAY too early and some rotting occurred. Just glad I have boys, they liked poking the mush.

My sister, Tiff, sent over some "fun" Flarp incredients. We made it, it was fun, and I rid our house of it ASAP only to find that my Aunt Myra and Uncle Dave love us SOOOO much that they purchased more. Blog to follow with the proper uses and some improper ones too.

Our family is for sure super, so I ran with the requests of the boys this year.

I'm not a fan of this time of year, but I love seeing the boys smile, so I believe I can trudge through :)

The Wace is on

Picture this....one messy Subaru, one cup of strong coffee, 2 lunchables (WITH cookies), a little Adele, a whole lotta cars, 1 mama, 2 boys, 15 woolly worms. Yes, this happened. Every year since Charlie has been with us, we have taken the boys to Banner Elk's Woolly Worm Fest. I don't have many talents, but handling over crowded and over excited festivals with grace might possibly be one of them. For weeks the boys gathered worms in their cage Paw Jimmy built for them. Of course Hootie just yelled for Charlie when he found one. He has serious phobias of hairy or squishy things. We sat in traffic for years. I ultimately ended up calling in a favor from an anonymous business owner in Banner Elk :) and got a rocking parking spot. We piled out, picked the most spunky worms, and headed to the race. It was wild and crazy, thus, I didn't have my camera, but we registered the Ward 2014 Worms: YODA and GEORGE. While we waited on my Aunt Susan and our cousins Emily and Jeff to arrive with their sweet Savanah, we snuggled on a hay bale right up front. After I accepted the fact that I really needed a belt and boogies were undoubtedly smeared all over my scarf, we settled in for the wait for our race. The boys soaked in the noise and excitement, and I just loved the fact that I had brought Nutella on a stick and was listening to the "Funky Cold Medina" blaring on speakers without guilt. The boys got grouchy and hateful, but in no way was I going to let this damper their day.
Anyway. Yoda ran a fine race, but of course wimped out at the end. A sweetly dressed Savannah and Hootie raced George, and despite a while lotta cheering we think he feel asleep. As I always end up saying. This may seem so minor in the worlds of everyone else, however, these are the moments that I know have etched their way into the minds of two very special boys. I love the rush, I love the mess, I even kinda like the cold. What I loved the most about the day was spending it with family that is separated by distance and a Charlie and a Hootie who lost, didn't cry, and are already talking about next year's training tactics :) If you haven't been to the festival....brave it and go! Thanks to Susan, Emily, and Jeff for the pictures.

Hootie Does

I've been meaning to write about Hooties sweetness with pronouns and helping verbs. He's been cracking me up lately, so I just wanted to get one recorded before I forget. When Brady was under the weather this week, Jamie drove him wherever he wanted. Ended up being to get breadsticks, M&M's, and to see Tony at Jamie's work because, let's face it, he's the funniest guy we all know.

Me: "Im' glad you're feeling better, buddy. Daddy's a good daddy for getting you those, huh?"

Hootie: "Him is."

Me: "You love him?"

Hootie: "I does Mama, I willy does."

Myrtle 2013

Well...as usual, time has slipped away. I'm so behind, but I really feel strange when I stay on top of things. Anyway. This year Jamie and I ran away to Myrtle Beach with two very excited and pale skinned boys. I hyped it up so much, because let's face it, that's what I do best. We snuck out early in the a.m. Charlie looked up as I carried his wrapped up little self out, and said, "Where are we going, Mama." "To the beach hunny." He smiled a sleepy smile, "That's what I've been wanting you to say." They both slept in their trunks. The trip down was very pleasant. Thanks to my mom who made them two super fun activity books, and my sister who hooked us up with an entire season of "Duck Tales."
We spent the week splashing and eating and splashing and eating. The Ward family rocked the lazy river! Charlie spent a little time avoiding the over-serious pool cop, and Hootie went from pool to pool. We spent some times doing the traditional wave jumping. Charlie and I ate enough seafood to choke a shark! No joke. LOVED IT. Although I gained 5 pounds, but I brought back much more. We hunted crabs, played mini golf, rocked the aquarium, watched a poolside movie, and laughed and laughed and laughed. Hootie even realized he was not a fan of fast amusement park rides. "Dis scares me, dis scares me!!!" Ha ha
Every time we get away, just us, together. It is always so nice. I am reminded that I am exactly where I want to be in my life. It may not be the life others envy or even understand, but I love it. These memories are the ones that will matter one day. I am so thankful for the week we had. It was more than fun, and I hope my boys feel the same. I just added a few pictures, but you can see them all at https://withthewards.shutterfly.com/pictures/2157 https://withthewards.shutterfly.com/pictures/2157

Tough Questions

This week I was faced with a question. In true Charlie fashion, it stumped me. As a mother I think that I can confidently answer a question, or sometimes, when appropriate, weasel my way out until I can get some backup from Daddy. My plans don't always pan out. I try my best....

Charle: "Mama, I fank I know why Hootie doesn't like church."

Me: "Why?"

Charlie: "Cause Preacher Jerry was talking bout the Holy Ghost and that scared him."

Me: "Charlie, the Holy Ghost isn't scary. It isn't a ghost like you think. It is the Lord on earth. It helps us to feel what God wants us to do, or things we should not do."

Charlie: "Is it actually alive?"

Me: "It is." (not wanting him to think it was not real)

Charlie: "Well, where does it live."

Me: "The Bible tells us that it is everywhere, but it lives inside of us."

Charlie: "What???? Lives inside us!!?!?!"

:)

Pre-Beach Flashback

I'm a little behind on our 2013 trip, but I couldn't help but look back....

Emerald Isle 2009

Emerald Isle 2010

Myrtle Beach 2011

(notice this was the year Charlie was on the run)

Emerald Isle 2012

Myrtle Beach 2013

Do Good

This was my daily e-mail devotion today. Really struck my heart, so I thought I would share.

Luke 6:32-35

32. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.

33. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.

34. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

35. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

Blessed

This week of family time has made me realize just how wonderfully blessed I am.

AT&T and Trickery

AT&T Helpline Operator: "mdnfjkhioehrsndkfhid" (translated, "Hello, my name is Bob, how may I help you?"

Me: "What??? Anyway....this is the third time I've called you guys. My wireless keeps randomly going out and coming back. I've done all that troubleshooting mess. I am paying you guys for a service, and I am tired on getting on the computer and finding a big red X beside the connection box. Really? There are other providers, and yes, I've unplugged and reset it before you ask me to do.....hold on sir.....Brady, what are you doing down there?? Stop switching off the power bar!!! So sorry, sir. Thanks for your help. Think I've solved my technical problems. Have a nice day :)"

Think I'll go eat crow.

So thankful

Brady's Prayer

Thank the Lord for the prayers from the heart of a child. We hear this prayer everyday, sometimes three times :)

"Thank you for our blessings,

our family, and our missionaries, and somebody sick,

and Paw Jimmy feel better so he get band-aids on his head. Amen"

Click here to go directly to the video link.

Who cares about order?

I've always thought order was overrated :) It wasn't until today that I realized Charlie might have the same opinion. Ha ha. I only hope he doesn't inherit that madness from me.

click here to see the video directly

Sentimental Saturday

If anyone knows me, then you will know just how special this shot is. Only wish his red hair was showing through :)

He's sorry...well, kind of

click here if you can't see the video

Blueberry Adventure

At the end of a bumpy mountain road lies a hideaway from Watauga's usually College town bustle. Follow the neatly painted wooden signs off of Highway 421 and onto Brownwood in Deep Gap to Mr. Chuck Lieberman's family farm. Mr. Lieberman has been a neighbor for 29 years, and I am grateful that now I am able to experience this sense of community with my own children. Mr. Lieberman has constructed a crafty homemade swinging bridge adjoining his blueberry patch. For years I have enjoyed grabbing a bucket, filling it at leisure, and stuffing my payment into the tiny slot in his rustic barn. Sometimes he's there, other times he's not, and I jump at the chance to savor the example of old-time honesty. I enjoy these small moments. I know I am making memories because I have built so many there myself.

(also published on GoBlueRidge http://www.goblueridge.net/unewz/20612-blueberry-adventure)

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