Hunting 2009

You know you are a mom of boys when you have to empty their pockets before you send them into school. Nothing better to find than a bulging pocket full of empty gun shells in your 4-year-old's pants. I can't imagine the time he must have taken in collecting those shells the past few days!
We are finally home. Arrived last night to the screams of our poor Smokey Kitty. He crawled into the linen closet before we left and no one noticed. And here we were worried that he didn't have enough food and he was going to eat the little frogs. The cat has meowed at us all night and all day, and we are not sure if he is going to stop lecturing us any time soon.

I'm afraid I'm short on stories and pictures this week. I can, however, announce that Jamie and I celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary on the 10th! Go us!













Our wedding announcement picture...




















The marriage that many said would not last. I'm sure by hearing this statement, they made us work that much harder on staying together. It's amazing that our relationship has survived some of the worst times and some of the most beautiful, life changing times.
Our marriage has held together by Jamie's willingness to acknowledge that I'm always right and my willingness to forgive him if I am wrong. Though this phenomenon has happened so few times, why even bother mentioning it??
I'm not proud to admit it, but this anniversary we just let quietly slide by us. I found myself doing dishes, while Jamie put together some shelves for the laundry room downstairs. We even found ourselves contemplating what to have for dinner when Jamie was suddenly called out to work.
When Jamie left, I was forced to start cooking or fall prey to Trae's constant mantra of "I'm hungry."
It seems that when Daddy left Mason felt that it was time to tease. His victim is Jamison. Poor Jamison, it seems he gets the most teasing from his brothers, but truth be told, he is the one that screams the loudest, cries the easiest, and fights back the fastest. He might as well have a big red target on his back. So off Mason went to fart on his brother. After several attempts on his brother's life and Jamison's constant gagging, Mason was sent to his room.
After being released from his "prison", he came to find out what was cooking on the stove. Upon hearing that chili is what was for dinner, he had a massive breakdown of laying on the floor crying. He then proceeded to tell me I couldn't make chili because he would get the farts again.

Funny boys on our ride home from the zoo.















Watching the penguins, watching a dragonfly.















Total chaos ensued when trying to get all the kids together to take their picture.



















Another week has gone by and more memories were made. We had a great time going to the zoo with my brother and sis-in-law and my cousin and her kids. We were finally able to see all the new baby animals and enjoy one of the busiest days at the zoo. It was a tight fit, but at least we had fun.
The weather is getting colder and I'm sad to report my tomatoes have finally met their doom. At least I don't have to take credit for that one. I was able to keep them alive all summer. Yeah me! Bad cold weather!
The kids and I had a great day with Cami and the kids again on Saturday (are you sick of us yet?) while the guys spent the day fishing. When they arrived home Cami and I ran away... too bad it was just to the grocery store for salad fixings, but us girls can pretend it was for something big.
On Sunday, Jamie and I (make that I) painted a "focus" wall. It is a very dark color, but I love it! We also moved the laundry room downstairs. What a fiasco that was. (Thank you Mary for the use of the hand truck) It started out fine, but then he heard me grunt when I was helping roll the washer down the stairs and told me to stop. I heard "stop", backed away, and allowed him to take control. The next thing I knew, the washer was rolling down the last 3 steps and taking Jamie with it. They both rolled to a stop at my feet. He now says that I misinterpreted those words he said and should have stayed under the washer, just without lifting. uh, yeah... So anyway, now the washer and dryer are downstairs and they seem so far away. I have a bigger laundry down there, but it's just not convenient. Maybe I'll find my rhythm again and it won't seem so bad. Isn't that how life always is anyway?!