Monster Truck Jam

this truck was Harrison's favorite

and this was Anthony's favorite

The boys got to go on a date with their Daddy on Saturday. Anthony bought tickets for the three of them to go to the Monster Truck Jam. They had a blast! Anthony used to go with his dad to these types of events when he was a little boy so he was very excited when he realized there was one here for the weekend. A very boy thing to do! :) Addison and I got to stay home and take a nap. :)

They said it was very loud and they loved seeing the trucks crush the other cars. Of course they did, what boy wouldn't??? :) Daddy spoiled them rotten with cotton candy and popcorn and they loved every minute of it. I love the times when Anthony and I can spend quality time with these precious kids! We are making memories!!!

After the show, they headed over to Anthony's office so he could drop something off. They have so much fun checking out the place and he said they were on a mission to find any candy that was easily accessible. :) They probably think Anthony's office just eats candy all day!

It was a wonderful day spent with their daddy and I'm so glad that Anthony sees the importance of doing things with his boys...just the guys! I can't wait for him to be able to take Addison on little dates. How precious will that be??? :)

Basketball is back!

Coach Deon talking to the team

Coach Anthony watching the players to give them directions and Harrison trying to catch the rebound!

Harrison guarding his man!

Here are the cheerleaders! We had a few extra this game so that was special. Chris and Joe were already and the GA Tech Game so they weren't with us but Cody and Jackson had fun hanging out at the game.

The proud brother...this little guy loves his big brother Harrison SO much! You may be wondering why he is still in his coat? I do believe this picture was taken towards the end of the game. He didn't want to. He loves to have his coat on and will leave it on for a very long time if you'll let him. We went over to a his friend Jack's house last week and he took of inside. About 10 minutes later, he comes running downstairs with Jack and I realized he still had on his shoes and his coat. He was fine to leave it on. I convinced him he'd be more comfortable without it. He keeps me laughing. :)

Donovan

My big boy! Doesn't he look handsome in his uniform! :)

This year Anthony is helping coach Harrison's basketball team with Harrison's friend Donovan's dad Mr. Deon. We're having a lot of fun going to the games and cheering for our boy! Jackson has grown up a lot this year concerning the games. He actually likes to sit and watch. Last year Anthony and I took turns walking him around because he couldn't sit still and threatened to run out on the court during the games. :) We LOVE the Upward Basketball program and are so glad we get to participate in it again this year! GO HARRISON!!! WOO HOO!!!

A day at the office...

oh how I love my men!


Harrison was able to go with his daddy to the office a couple weeks ago. He stayed for the morning and helped Anthony organize his office. Harrison LOVED it! He was so excited to go to work with his dad! He often says that he wants to be a business man just like his dad! :) Anthony did a good job taking pictures for me! Harrison warmed all the hearts of the ladies who work with Anthony. Mrs. Beth Collins was his favorite. She promised him hot chocolate the next time he comes and that won him over. Anthony said he loved going to the different people's offices and chatting with them...and if you know Harrison very well you may have had the privilege to listen to him talk and talk and talk and talk to you about anything and everything that he can think of. He LOVES a listening ear! He was also excited to have a chance to wear his sport coat. He uses it at home to play "work" and this was the perfect opportunity to take it out on the town. I love this little guy and I love his daddy too! I'm so glad that Anthony loves spending time with these boys so much and is making an impression on them. They love him so much!!!

Carving Pumpkins and Trick or Treat

Anthony came through again for the second year in a row. Our week was so busy, at one point I wasn't sure we'd ever get to carve pumpkins. He got it done and the boys were thrilled with the results. :) Harrison picked a Haunted House because he thought it looked like a castle and Jackson picked a Pirate Ship.






"My First Halloween" - she had just woken up from a nap so she was still a little groggy! :) She is so cute!!!

Taylor, Aidan, Duncan, Jackson, & Harrison - neighborhood friends!

We had fun walking around the neighborhood with friends. The boys loved it and loved being cowboys! Thankfully, Jackson didn't ask to eat a piece of candy after each house like last year. :)

so proud of their pumpkins!

picture day

today is picture day at Harrison's school. hold that thought...

Harrison loves to do his hair every morning and will wet it and comb it into perfection. today as he was doing his hair, his daddy decided to get in on the fun and helped Harrison slick it back like he does. Harrison wants so much to be like daddy that this seemed like a GREAT idea to him!

after daddy left, i told Harrison how much i loved his hair fluffy, like a boy, and that he didn't need to do his hair like a "man". (trying to influence him to change it, of course!) :) he wouldn't go for it and said he would do his hair like i like tomorrow.

WELL! on the way to school Donovan (we carpool with another family) said he was excited because TODAY is PICTURE DAY!!! Oh my word! i had completely forgotten...something i am doing more and more these days and can't seem to get a handle on it. EVEN THOUGH i have everything written down! not helping all that much! the one day the boys decide to change it up in the hair department, it HAS to be picture day! Mrs. Cheuvront is probably going to think we did his hair that way on purpose because it IS PICTURE DAY!!! OH MY WORD!!!

it should make for an interesting first grade photo! :)

it pays to obey

Jackson had the biggest smile on his face the entire time! So fun!

I love his little arm hanging over the wheel! Harrison and daddy driving with NO HANDS!!! Probably not a good idea but fun nonetheless!

I love my three men!!!

Addison and I just hung out with the boys, loving every minute of it!

Anthony's so proud...future golfing buddings he's grooming!

Jackson made a hole in one! He was so excited! Aren't these boys so handsome!

mini golf courses have the most fun spots to pose! ;)

the boys loved hitting the ball in this one hole. it would go down a tube and roll out of the wooden track. very cute!

oops, Harrison lost his ball in the water and had to get another. :) daddy showing off his putting skills.

"hum, i think i should hit it a little to the left this time."

there were two elephants that were good for climbing, one for Jackson and one for daddy too!

afterwards we stopped by McDonald's and the boys bought chicken nuggets and ice cream with their money from Uncle Doyle and Aunt Linda. they loved paying with their "own" money! :)

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We were supposed to go to ride go carts and play mini golf on Saturday night. However, the boys had a TERRIBLE day in the area of obedience and our fun plans had to be canceled. This is the part of parenting that is SO hard! We had a big family meeting and some changes are going to be made around here. They are aware of the expectations and we will be trying harder than ever to be consistent.

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These boys are such sweet boys, but some behavioral issues are coming out of no where. It seems like you are going along as parents and things are pretty cut and dry. "Don't touch. Please stop. Let's share. Use kind words. Listen carefully." We are still saying all of these things and will be until who knows when. But, something switches along the way and it's hit me like a ton of bricks. So many issues we are dealing with right now are heart issues. They are deep and the answers and punishments aren't cut and dry for me. I am so often scared that I'm failing these boys. There is so much "talking" to be done and "correcting" to do but I wonder if I'm really getting to their hearts...to the heart of their problems. Especially Harrison. He's changing on me. He's becoming more "kid" and his trouble areas mean more and will determine who he becomes. I want so badly for him to "get it" and to make right choices. I want so badly for these kids to always want what God wants and to want it even when they don't get it. Who am I kidding...I don't even do this. I still struggle with knowing what God wants and doing what I know he wants me to do KNOWING all the while what I should do! Sometimes I think my expectations are too much. But I'm going to keep trying, keep praying and keep pushing them in the direction I know is best. and pray that God will hold on to their little hearts and they will start to GET some of the reasons WHY. Why we don't say certain things, act certain ways, react certain ways, love people even when we don't want to, be kind even when we don't want to, tell the truth, obey with a happy heart, trust our parents, look for ways to bless others, love and treat our siblings well.... I could go on and on. Harrison is questioning these things and I don't always feel like I have the answers. Don't always feel like the answer is good enough for him. Just praying I can point them to scripture and discipline them in love. That they will always know their parents LOVE them and want what is best for them.

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Anyway, Sunday some changes were made. They worked hard to obey. Anthony and I were thrilled to take them to ride go-carts and play mini golf. They were kind and loving. Harrison waited patiently for his brother to go first and didn't complain...something I know he had to work very hard in his spirit to do. They were a joy and we had a blast as a family. Oh how I wish it could always be that way! It was a great day and we're moving in the right direction. Gonna take each day at a time...