RAMBLING

Every Monday night we go to Moe's (because they have a 20% military discount on Mondays, not to mention their food is amazing).
I had a chocolate chip cookie. Bad idea. The sugar sent me into a crash, but nothing a hot shower can't fix! I just love clean hair. It always makes me feel one million times better.
My days start early. Maddox is early to bed, very early to rise. We ran some errands this morning and it was already stifling hot. At the post office, I finally got a sheet of stamps so my thank you notes can go out. Maddox got a sticker. That's the last thing he probably remembers, because he passed out in the car.
Check him out in my $1 shades. Literally - $1. I give up on buying nice sunglasses-they always end up broken.

We had a good and busy weekend.  Maddox was a weekend angel - he loves to go, go, go and be around people.

There was shopping in Destin (for TaTa) then a big Target trip. Maddox racked up. He left Target with a grill, a prickly ball, new spoons, a dish set, and water guns. We had a hard time getting him out the store, though, because he spotted a play kitchen - or, as he called it, a "'tove." He was in love. Head-over-heels love. He talked about it all day. He thinks it's "gone gone," but he'll see it again...on his birthday. Let's hope he still loves it!
On Sunday he got to flirt with Erika and play with her hair. He got to fire up his grill as TaTa fired up his, too.

I love having friends over. It makes a house feel like a home. We had smores on the grill to top it off and some good laughs. Maddox even wanted Aaron to put on his pjs. Maybe he is getting over his "man" phobia.

Now, back to Mom patrol. Andrew just offered Maddox milk and he yelled "No, CoCa!"

I think it's time for bed.

And time for me to make a pot of coffee.

It's been quite day.

FOUR YEARS AGO....

....I was walking down the aisle of a quaint country church, surrounded by all the people I love. I was walking toward this man. He had tears in his eyes and they were filled with love. We were 21 - young and with a lot to learn, but here we are, four years later and probably more in love now than we were then.

In four years, we've moved into two houses, lived in two states, had two dogs and are about to have two children.

We didn't do anything grand to celebrate. I told Andrew we were worse than old people! We just enjoyed each other's company all day - no presents, no fancy dinner (that's kind of hard to do when you have a toddler and no babysitter!).

But it was fun. And sweet. And we both gave each other the chance to have a nap, which...in my current opinion...is the best gift EVER.

I love you, Andrew.

You make great-looking kids.

You always ask about my day and try to help me out however you can.

You appreciate all the weird and quirky things about me.

You totally get my sense of humor.

You are gentle, generous and kind.

You're a wonderful daddy.

I am so proud of you and so thankful you popped the big question on that freezing day in the park in February.

"Kristen, will you be my bride?"

Yes. YES I will! Now and forever.

THE YOU-KNOW-WHAT TWOS

Of course, every week we have to watch TaTa cut the grass. (Oh, sidenote - check out this hair. It's no wonder why the deli lady at Publix called my he a SHE...)

But back to the lawn mower watching. We go all out - pop open the beach chairs, cheer when Ta cranks it up and then watch him go all over the yard.

My favorite Maddox word (well, one of them) is lawn mower. He calls it a "mawn mow." Other favorites include:
thunder = "thundah"
baby= "bebe"
Bella= "bubba"
bandaid= "banday"
booboo= "bObO"
snack= "'nack"

And he loves those "papa pants." He has parted ways with the diaper and only uses it when he sleeps. This means I get 9 weeks 6 days of not changing dirty diapers! We let him pee outside, too, like a "country boy." He especially loves that. The other day he peed on the deck, filled a cup with water, washed the pee away and proudly announced "PEE GONE!"

However...he has now also reached that fabulous stage in life that so many call...THE TERRIBLE TWOS. Ask him any question and he will immediately say "no no no."
His tantrums have been taken up a notch...well, a few notches. The whine is the worst. And if I'm not looking at Maddox, playing with Maddox, talking with Maddox - he will let me know.

But, as in all things in life, I suppose it is just a stage and WE WILL SURVIVE IT. I just hope it passes quickly!

THIS & THAT

This afternoon, Andrew and I enjoyed some of this on the patio...

while Maddox enjoyed some of this....

...and this.

And then we all enjoyed a little guitar from Ta-Ta...minutes before we spotted a downpour coming toward us across the water.

Needless to say, I've washed a lot of towels today. And Maddox got three baths. Yep...a pretty good day.

p.s.

I hear the Gamecocks could use some new talent. Spurrier should start looking here, don't you think?

SOAKED

It all started when Maddox decided to wash his foot under the spigot.

A wet foot became wet hair.

And then a wet face.

And a wet tummy.

It all ended in a bath.

And then he pooped in my tub.

Boys.

Can You Taste the Summer?

Summer days are long, but summer days with Maddox are...very long. He likes to get up when "TaTa" does. I am not so fond of the 6 am mornings. From then til bedtime, he is full speed (except for that blissful period known as naptime). He is a child who seldom entertains himself and he demands my constant attention. I can't whine too much about it because supposedly I had an identical personality when I was a kid. BUT...it is so exhausting. And yet...I look foward to these long days, where we eat our lunch together at the coffee table, where we play out back on the hot hot deck, where we read Llama Llama a couple times at least.

Today we shared a sherbert. And we also shared a frozen yogurt with blueberries. Maddox got a new chair to go out back. It was a good day.

We watched our ducks.

We played with leaves.

We had more ice cream.

Summertime is... sweet.

INDEPENDENCE DAY

Every July 4th, my parents host a big family party. It ranks up there with Christmas for my favorite holiday get-together. There is something about gathering with family, friends and lots of good food in the middle of the hot SC summer that draws me.

Last July 4, we were all preparing ourselves for 8 months without Andrew because it was his last weekend home (before basic training and tech school). This July 4 here we are - together again, happy and about to add a #4 to our little family.

The visit home was short, but very sweet. I am a fortunate woman to have such a huge close-nit family. It is a good thing to pass on to my little boys. Maddox won't remember this 4th, but he will be able to tell from all the snapshots that he enjoyed himself. I hope there are many more 4ths...and Christmases...and Thanksgivings...to come :)