It's been way too long since my last post. However, the days and nights have been so filled that I haven't had much time to do anything. So I"m up late and wanting to write.

Last week was a challenging one as I was watching another 2 year old that I thought I would be watching permanently come the end of December. However, due to personality conflicts between him and Will we all decided that it wasn't a good fit. Wow, that was challenging because I really like the family.

Now that we're daycare child free in the mornings the boys and I have started to experience the library and running errands WITHOUT the stroller and they are impressing their mommy so much because they do so well withing hanging onto each others' hands.

Another tidbit; I've been taking a parenting class using the Love and Logic theories and I absolutely love it. It allows us as parents to offer our children many, many choices throughout the day in the plans to get what we want by creating children who are well prepared adults. Along with that I've been reading a book called Bringing Up Boys by Dr. Dobson and it has answered so many questions for me as our little boys are so boy. I have found that it's ok to say "boys will be boys" because they are so different from their counterparts (girls). While the saying doesn't excuse bad behavior it brings to light who to bring those under wraps and to let them think through things; making the consequences the bad guys and us (the parents) the good guys. They always have a choice just like we do as parents. We can treat our children with respect, and encouragement leaving them ready for adult life or we can always protect them, do things for them and make their choices leaving them unprepared for handling life and all it's challenges. Now I ask you: what type of a child would you rather have.

So the next post will probably not be so long and will be done much sooner.

Gabby Goo

While I'm always writing about my boys I never seem to write about my little girl, my second child. Let me explain as you may be wondering....when did I miss the first child and I thought the boys were their first children. Scoot our cat (who does not like her picture taken) was my first child and Gabby (our wonderful Border Collie) is our second child, which technically makes the boys our third and four children.

Now seriously, our Border Collie is a wonderful dog but hard to photograph as she doesn't typically sit still longer enough to get a good picture of her. However, I was able to get a picture of her Friday while the boys where playing ball with her. Many people said we would have to get rid of her when the boys starting moving around because she would herd them and if you know much about Border Collies the first stare, they then nudge and finally the nip at the heels of what they are herding. Mind you they can be relentless in this instict that nees to be honed and fine tuned. We haven't a bit of a problem with her because we took much time with her to teach that humans are NOT things to herd. So her job has become playing ball and frisbee.

It has been so much fun watching her with the boys from the time they were babies first home from the hospital to the present time where they throw the ball for her. She knows which one is which and will take the ball to whomever I tell her to. The giggles the boys let out when she flies towards them to retrieve the balls is a fabulous and wonderfully happy sound that I never get tired of.

Once again, something that we took the time with has paid off. A dog that is NOT suppose to be good with children adores and loves her boys.

Friday Fun

While a little later than I wanted; this post will still create some laughs. When you have two 2 year olds the mess is quite manageable. However, when you have four 2 year olds the mess takes on a new meaning. What they can do in the time it takes and adult to go to the bathroom just one door away.

Our First Trick-or-Treat

Oh what a wonderful experience our first Trick-or-Treating was! The joy it brings to my heart to see my little ones growing with such manners and fun. The sadness of them growing up too; it makes me realize how short a time they are this little. I want to bottle this time up and shelf it to experience again and again. However, God has lead us to this place to go forth and raise his children to be fine young men in this world.

We went to a friend's home, had pizza with the boys' friends, got dressed in their costumes and then went off to gather some candy! The pictures, while cute, were not the best as once you tell these boys there's candy the waiting is all over and they're gone.

Pictures in order:

• the boys taking pictures
• ok now Matt's had enough so he's getting ready to get down
• Matt's done with pictures so he's off and Will is getting ready to get down
• the boys at their first house learning how to
• Sandra and David (he was just a tad little to get the candy but he had fun any way)

Now all we hear about is candy, candy and candy. You'd think that we feed it to them all the time.

I'm going to bed this day a happy mother knowing that she has given her children another experience which will teach them and let them be children.

Thankful Thursday

Many things to be thankful (and others not so much):

• healthy and thriving children - we were so lucky when they were born



• toddlers who are exploring their boundries with mom (not so much)



• A gracious God that loves us



• Children who want to pour their own juice all over the kitchen and living room floor because mommy is vacuuming their room (not so much)



• Children that love to read so much that they pull all the books of the shelf to bring them to mommy so she can read (isn't that so cute but oh so much work)



• The wonderful weather we are having which allows us to still be outside



• The fact that the holidays are soon upon us which means gift giving, cookies baking and a tree lit for wide eyes to look at



• The fact that the holidays hold so much traveling, running and a tree that will have to be watched so closely because there are 2 to 4 two years olds in this household on a daily basis (not so much)

It always amazes me that no matter how rough the day starts out when I look into their eyes things seem to melt away or when they come up to me and say "I wove ou" and give me a kiss. How is it that children know just what to say and when to give you luvs? It must be a gift from God because there is no other explanation.

Pumpkin Patch

The pumpkin patch trip with the Hoovers was an adventure to say the least!!! We had done a little research and decided to visit Whitewater Valley Orchard because they had; a wagon ride through the apple orchard followed by picking their own apples, then they could ride on a hand-made train (from barrels that was pulled by a lawn mower) and finally the petting zoo. However, when we arrived there weren't any animals in the petting zoo and the owner wasn't there which meant none of the above. How disappointing and frustrating it was that we chose to drive that far for nothing but expensive apples and donuts. Now that the 2 year old twin boys are asking for the train and the 9 year old quadruplets are asking for the hayride; no one is happy with the lack of the promised activities. So momma Hoover and momma Kundert decide to try another orchard on the way back home. We stopped at Sekapp Orchard and they were packed which to me was a GREAT sign. While they didn't have the train ride or the hayride they had lots of pumpkins on the ground and a small maze of straw bales for the kiddos to play in. Oh what fun they all had and how how the mommas and the papas had fun watching and playing with them all. What I thought was going to be a let down of a day turned out to be one of the best days of fall; the weather was balmy, the pumpkins were plentiful, company was chaotic but cheerful. I look forward to many more trips to orchards as the boys get older.

The day was ended with a fabulous meal of venison, mashed potatoes and carrots all cooked by the Big Guy they call Daddy. The boys were all tired from playing outside and in the cool day so bedtime came and went without a peep. Mommy went to bed late but feeling like the Good Lord had blessed her for another day once again!

Picture Info:

1. The Kunderts - Josh with Will and me with Les
2. The Hoovers - Melanie and Rick (still in love after how many years?)
3. The Hoover Kids - Noah, Nathan, Alyssa & Ashley
4. All of the kiddos munchin' apples
5. Will & Les on top of the apple
6. Noah & Nathan on top of the apple
7. Alyssa & Ashley on top of the apple
8. Leslie sitting in the pumpkin patch
9. William playing hide and seek (he was found)
10. Will & Les making a game plan
11. The Big Guy they call Daddy (Will on the left and Les on the right)

What a Beautiful Day

Oh what a beautiful day. No daycare kiddos at all and it was so much fun with the boys. We ran a few errands, bought another photo frame for the picture wall (as they call it) and went to the park after a very long walk. The fall colors are amazing and the boys absolutely love the leaves when they walk through them kicking all the way.

We are recovering from the spill Leslie had on Saturday. Mom wasn't excited about it but dad didn't handle it well at all. I've posted pictures that go with the incident. He decided to be Evil Knievel with with his Hot Wheel and ride it off the deck. Needless to say the biked faired much better than he did. I've now come to terms with showing people the pictures so enjoy. OUCH!!! He looks much better now and there have been no repercussions from the spill.

I realize today how blessed I really am to have the things I have. All because of that great and wonderful God we have. It's amazing how he knows just what we need and when we need it.

We are looking forward to going to the orchard over the weekend and I can't wait to post the pictures of it.

What to do...oh what to do?

Now that I've officially been fired from a job for the first time ever it's finally sinking in. Most of us would be panic stricken but not me....I'm relieve that God has taken it upon himself to give me what I need and what I've wanted for so long. My fulltime daycare family told me on Friday that it would be their child's last day that day. They of course paid me for two weeks like the contract states and gave me a reason that I do not think is the truth (but then again they are the ones that have to live with that lie). While I was panic stricken at first I realized that it was because I wasn't in control of the immediate situation and because it hadn't happened on my terms. You see this family was quite frustrating and rude, thinking only of themselves and very inconsiderate to the rest of us.

I've gotten to be the mom that I've always wanted to be the past two days only having one daycare child in the afternoon (he fits so well it's like having another child of my own). We've taken a trip to the park, played in blankent forts today and tomorrow we're going to run some errands and go to the park again. We've played in our cars and will play in them some more. I'm relaxed when my hubby comes home and we don't fight like we were because of the stress this one little boy caused. I'm the person and the mom that I have always known that I am. I'm journaling more and complaining less, I'm laughing more and eating less, I'm chasing my boys around the house more and procrastinating less....all in all I'm a much happier person which is sometimes hard to believe because I didn't think I was unhappy.

I'm the mom I've always wanted to be but now, what do I do for me? What do I do next?

The joy God has given me through this one act of someone else's is amazingly wonderful!!! I'm the mom I've always known that I could be!!!

Followers

It's exciting today as I've learnt how I can add "folowers" to my blog spot so I encourage to stop back often. I do believe there is a way that you can have an e-mail sent to you each time I update this site so feel free to do so. I unfortunately do not have time to blog every day but I'm going to try to do it more often.

Oh How I Love My Boys

It is amazing that they are two and oh how they have changed. I remember when they were so little and so dependent on mommy for EVERYTHING but now they can do so many things by "I do it". While this brings joy to my heart it also saddens it as they are no longer "mommy's little boys". I keep reminding myself that God gives us these beautiful and wonderful children so they to can go out into the world and live a productive and healthy life continuing on the Lord plan.

Their b-day party was fa bulous and I do believe that everyone enjoyed themselves. It's getting to be more fun because I get to enjoy myself too as I don't have to be right them with them every second of every moment.

Once again the Lord hath provided a wonderful and joyous day for us to praise him during!

Traveling Trio

We've made it to "grammies" house as they call it. From the moment they are told that's where we are going they say her name non-stop all while they are awake. Of course, this is interrupted for the times that we see animals along the way along with the different crops that I point out to them or the occasional "ig truck" we see.

The boys want nothing to do with go old mom as long as "grammie" is around. While this is great for mom as she gets a little reprieve from "mommy", "mommy", and more "mommy" it makes for a tired "grammie" as the end of the visit.

Exploring in "grammie's" backyard is always full of surprises because it's not our backyard. However, exploring "grammies's" house is even more fun because we can find out what she forgot to put away. The fun these two wonderful little boys have with grammie is absolutely joyful to watch and hear. Our phrases used are amazing because they are always coming up with something new to say and sometimes scary. YIKES!!

What a beautiful day the Lord hath gave us to enjoy while traveling and spending with family.

Thoughts of Truly Happy Mommy

As I sit thinking of the birthday party coming in about a month it's hard to think that they are already going to be TWO! Where has all the time gone? At the same time, I'm thankful we're where we are because they are so much fun now. They are my favorite little guys! The summer has been filled full of firsts just to name a few:

• first time in a jumper


• first words


• first sentences


• first naughty words; thanks to the big guy we call daddy


• first time on a four wheeler


• first stay in a hotel

We start to contemplate and be thankful for the fall harvest season to come. It is also going to be a time of firsts as pumpkin patch time comes about, fall leaves start to fall and then a winter with snow suits and mittens will be here. I'm so thankful that the good Lord above has blessed us with these two beautiful boys.

Bubble Blowing Lawnmowers

Saturday we bought a bubble blowing lawnmowers for the boys. We only bought one because they're really good about sharing. However, this particular toy almost cause WWIII in our home. I have never heard two little boys scream so loud as mine did. While this is not good behaviour to condone it was so hard not to laugh because of the actions they were using to throw their fits. So last night, we stopped back at the store and bought one more bubble blowing lawnmower for mommy's sanity. Oh the things we do for our children (or should I say ourselves, our sanity).

Bubble blowing lawnmower is so worth the money spent in our home because it has kept them entertained all day. The laughs and giggles they have created in our home is music to my ears. Will & Les talk about them non-stop and want to play, play and play some more.

A Day of Two Boys

Make a Smilebox scrapbook