I Hope I Never Forget...

I hope I never forget how much I sweat during this photo session! What was I thinking? Taking pictures after school is not a good idea...even with backup. But these do make me laugh!

There are so many things that happen in a day that make me giggle. Funny things that the kids say or that happen to us...I want to take a minute to jot down a few so that I will never forget this stage in our life.

Sadie loves her brothers and wants to be just like them. As sweet as that is, it can lead to some really funny or awkward moments. Like her playing until she had a pee pee emergency, so she just dropped trou and squatted IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PARK!!! Wha? No baby baby. Girls don't tee tee outside.

On the days when it's hot, the guys start stripping off their shirts. Sister follows and is so sad to hear that she has to cover up her "pumps". She calls her bumps "pumps". I wear my insulin pump in my bra. Whoops. Guess we need to have a "parts" talk.

She is also convinced she has a penis. Her belly button was an outie forever. For the longest time she would pretend to potty with the boys. She'd stand facing the potty, tuck her shirt under her chin and yank on her belly button just waiting for something to come out. Bless.her.heart! Luckily her belly button has gone in, and she just thinks it's funny to say the word.

Right now we are working on being ladylike and keeping your privates to yourself. Lately she keeps whispering, "Mom. They can't see my pirates!" Its just too cute and I can't correct her.

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I was lucky enough to join Owen for lunch at school last week and it was a blast. All the kids were SO excited about the "holidays" and the conversation started:

Joshua: "If you celebrate Hanukkah you get more presents than if you celebrate Christmas."

I giggle and he continues, "That's what my dad says." (bwahahaha)

They boys got to talking about who celebrated what, some both, some Hanukkah and most Christmas. So I asked, "Do you know why some people celebrate one and some the other?"

The boy next to me pipes up, "Yes! If you believe in Santa you celebrate Christmas!"

Oh man. Are we off or what?!?! I looked bug-eyed at Owen hoping he might think that was odd since we really don't do Santa. Nope. He just chimed in, "I believe in Santa!" Dang.

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Blake went in to practice the other day and a player told him he looked hung over. If you know Blake you'll know why that's so funny. Blake replied, "Listen man. I have 4 kids. It's always a party at my house."

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Sadie speak:

Her favorite bedtime delay, "Will you skwaatch my back?" Even after you HAVE skwaatched and skwaatched!

scabetti= spaghetti

wogurt=oatmeal or yogurt

my baby= Emery Faith

pena putta= peanut butter

When she gets in trouble, "Mama, eww bein wude to me!" ____________________________________

Sadie was jumping on our bed and we asked her to stop. She continued. Blake said something about her being sassypants. She stopped bouncing and said, "Daddy. I not fassypants. Ina hurt eww."

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I picked up Coop from school one day and he told me that his teacher didn't know the words to Jesus Loves the Little Children. I immediately knew what he was going to say. He explained she left out the color brown in her version of the song. It's so hard for kids to understand that song and what red and yellow mean and why brown is not included. So I just told him he needed to teach her how we sing it:

Jesus loves the little children,

All the children of the world,

Red and yellow, black, brown, white

They are precious in his sight.

Jesus loves the little children of the world!

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Blake and I have held off and not put the kids in organized sports as of yet. We got so excited because we found a church basketball league that is starting soon. Blake's schedule should be slowing down. The weather is getting cold and we need an outlet for our wiggles. Perfect timing for both boys. We excitedly tell them and ask if they want to do it. Cooper said no, and got mad as I questioned why. His response? I will sweat. I will get thirsty. I just like to shoot and don't like "real" basketball. Are you serious? Kid, you have awesome talent!! Crack.me.up! Owen quickly followed. They both were out and the more we tried to persuade them, we realized who their parents were. Holy bananas they are stubborn and so are we! ;o) We asked them to sleep on it and let us know this morning. Shocker, they are not at all on board. But they did both say, "We want to play football!"

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I pride myself in dying my own hair. It goes just fine about 90% of the time. But there might be a few times I've had to wear slightly purple or grey hair around. Yikes. Well this last go round I got caught up in a murder investigation show and before I knew it I was platinum blonde. Oops. The following night I was bathing the kids and Cooper said, "Mom. Your hair is kinda black. I mean. Up there it looks burnt. " Oh lands. He was talking about my roots people. _________________________________________

Funny things in Atlanta:

They use needles from pine trees as mulch. It's everywhere in the streets like tumbleweed.

There are endless numbers of Lowe's bags filled with leaves sitting on everyone's curb. Not sure what this is except perhaps a biodegradable bag?

Things are "spensive" around here! Do you know I have to pay to park to go see the doctor? And it's $4 for the first 30-1.5hrs! I looked like a fool when I gasped at the toll guy telling me I owed $5 for going to the doctor. No bueno people. And I could hardly squeeze out of my car after I parked. For reals. To see Christmas lights, in your car no less, it's $40 on a weekday and $60 on the weekend.

The malls here are SWANKY. I had avoided them for multiple reasons, but had to get some StarWars cookie cutters from Williams Sonoma. So with 3 babes in tow, we headed to the one that was not as ritzy. The second we walked in, my eyes hit the floor. I couldn't make eye contact with anyone. I was wearing my normal SAHM clothing= jeans, tennies and a Tshirt. Mkay. Everyone else was in business/church attire. And then there is me, with 3 kids...and my 3 kids happen to be brown. And gorgeous. And we kinda already stick out. I pitted out my shirt in 5 seconds flat.

I have a new addiction to the Goodwill. There. I said it. We love shopping there. The girls get to play with the toys while I look for odds and ends I left behind in storage. We've found rain boots for the kids, books, toys, furniture. And you know it's bad when the workers know us now :/

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Okay. That's enough for now. I will try and keep better track of the sweet things my kiddos say so that I can tell them one day. Hope they made you giggle!

"MOM!!!"

At least once a day, but typically several times a day I hear, "Boy do you have your hands full."

The only reason I get annoyed is because of the tone in which MOST people say it. It sounds as if my children are some kind of burden to me. I realize that might not be one's intention when saying it...but I just think we need to be careful the things we say repeatedly in front of our kids...

Anywho, my usual response is a smile and, "I am really blessed, huh?" or "We prayed forever for these guys!" or "Aren't I the luckiest mom on earth?" But what I heard this afternoon made me giggle at all those times I've heard that statement.

I was helping Owen with homework after school today and heard this from Sadie who unbeknownst to me was in the bathroom, "MOM!!! Baby's playin my poop!" OH glory. Please say it's not so.

I ran into the bathroom and there she was, sure enough...hands in the potty splashin away.

I am so bummed this last pic came out fuzzy. Emery is a hoot with her expressions. This is her silly face and she knows it totally cracks us up!

So in case anyone is wondering today...4 is perfect for us! Our quiver is full. Our cup runneth over. Happy as clams.

"Don't you see that children are God's best gift? The fruit of the womb his generous legacy? Like a warrior's fistful of arrows are the children of a vigorous youth. Oh, how blessed are you parents, with your quivers full of children! Your enemies don't stand a chance against you; you'll sweep them right off your doorstep." Psalm 127:5

I pray that our children always feel that they bless us daily, even when they are covered in poop!

More adventures with Noonie and Papa Max

Notice how into this story I am? It's one of my favorites: When God Found Us You. I didn't prepare my mom for what a sweet tale it is of a parent awaiting a child in adoption. *tears*

Movie time! Notice Emery at the bottom of the pic. Our TVs DVD player is not working, so we have to use a computer. We're flexible!

Get this peeps...they took me to TARGET!!! Woot woot! For a girl that adores that store, and not having been in a month I was oober thrilled when they found a Target in Glenwood Springs! These pics of the kids dancing are outside of the shopping center we found. Blake and my dad took the boys so that my mom and I could browse. Be still my heart, it was goooood!

Notice the massive mountain behind them? They are beyond gorgeous!

Emery cracks us up with the funny noises she makes and the way she moves her tongue. I happened to get a shot of it. And we have been dying for Emme to say a real word. It finally happened yesterday, March 2nd and it was Dada. P.R.E.C.I.O.U.S She could tell we were all thrilled and yes, Blake was there!

Oh man, I never get tired of that smile!!

On Saturday my mom played with the girls so that I could go skiing with the guys. Look at this view from the top of the mountain!!!Even more exciting...my daddy took the boys skiing so Blake and I could have a day together! Did you get that? He wanted to ski with his boys so that we could have a date! It was precious because it's not easy to ski with these two. One is amazing and the other feels a bit defeated by his brother's skill. Then it becomes emotional. Poor guy. But my dad handled it so well and they all had fun!

This pic makes me laugh my head off. There was a time when I cared what I looked like when I was skiing. And now, it's totally about being warm. Can ya tell? Oh Lord help me, that is one hilarious pic. Poor Blake having to ski with me looking like that.

Even more awesome. I bit it so hard on one of our first runs. Good part is I didn't hurt a thing, I mean it hurt, but I didn't hurt any body parts. I reminded Blake that you don't fall like that when you are skiing with caution. I was so sure of myself, which made it funnier. I hope you're getting a good laugh out of it. It.was.good. I lost both poles and one ski, things were a flyin'! Blake said all he saw was one arm fly in the air and then a pole go the opposite direction. Pretty sure I went head over heels. HILARIOUS. Now it is at least. I left a pretty good butt mark in the snow.

Look at my lil skier! We met up for lunch and to warm up and then the boys went out again with my dad for another 4 runs. Funniest thing ever was said when I asked the boys at lunch how the day went. Cooper said, "It was great. I just pulled on Papa's yanker all day." It was all I could do to not bust out laughing. He meant he held onto Papa's pole and he pulled him.

June is Crazy!

Not sure why, but our June is filling up fast! Nothing bad, just lots of play stuff.

I want to post more pics from camp...you simply can't cut from 500 down to 6, so there will be more to come!

Sutton and Cooper being silly in the pool!

Grandy and Noonie with the kids at the aquarium! Grandy was a camp counselor this year!

Best buds just relaxing by the pool.

Playing at Incredible Pizza

Movie Night. My mom's cousin who lives within miles of my parents (that sounds country, but it's true) has a movie theatre room (not-so-country). They invited the kids over to watch a movie! Too fun! This would have been fun to watch. I think this might be a dance game???

I LOVE this picture! Look how little Ragon looks on the end!

Yesterday was Blake and I's 8th Anniversary! Sadly enough, he was on call, but we did get to have dinner together after the kids went to sleep. What a treat! Then he went back to the hospital from 8-3:30 am. People...he then got up at 6 to head back in. Nuts I tell you. Those that think professionals go into medicine for money are seriously mistaken...this takes dedication and ambition.

It's crazy to think that for the length of our marriage, he has been working towards this goal. And when he is finished with all of his training we will celebrate 10 years. I still remember back to when we got engaged and I was in nursing school. All of my professors seriously warned us about getting married before medical school. Knowing me and my stubborn Murphy side, I just told them we were different. But I did listen. Blake and I have worked hard to keep each other first. We've said NO to lots of things going on around us in order to stay in love. And my honey has given up so much to put our family first. I believe he does this out of deep love and respect for us. I never thought it would have been possible to love him more than the day we got married, but I certainly do. So, happy anniversary honey. There is no one else I'd rather hold hands with than you! I am so proud to be called a Shockley!

Blake's gift to me...helping me paint and put hardware on our cabinets in the kitchen. Oh my this was time consuming, but SO worth it! Doesn't it look great! Thanks babe!

In other news, Cooper and Owen went to the dentist today and are cavity free yet again! Thank you Jesus, 'cuz Lord knows we don't brush our teeth 3 times a day and floss daily! Am I the only mom that struggles with that rule? (Below showing you their pearly whites!)

We did have an exciting thing happen while at the dentist, besides our squirmy 21 month old sister bouncing off the walls! "Does the crayon go in my ear or my mouth mom?"

Cooper came out after his cleaning saying that he had a peanut up his nose. I giggled knowing he must be kidding. He hadn't complained of such a peanut before going back with the hygienist. He kept tugging at this nose, so I took him and sister to the bathroom. He blew and blew and sure enough....a popcorn kernel popped out! What in the world? Where did it come from? Which one convinced the other this was a good idea? Who did the forcing it up there? Surely the hygienist must have seen something odd on the x-ray of this adorable 3 year old?!?! Oh mercy! Life sure is fun at this age!!!! The dentist was new to us, maybe we just shouldn't go back! So embarrassing!

This must have been pre-popcorn-kernel because I was in the room here.

Cute pics

Last night before bed time Sadie jumped into the convertible toddler bed. We've had it up since you know when and we never took it down. I asked her if she would like to sleep in her big girl bed and she just stayed there. So I grabbed her stuff and did our normal routine and she just stayed put. She chatted with herself for about 20 minutes and just acted like it was no big deal.

When Owen saw that she was going to sleep in a big bed, he told me he wanted to sleep by her door so that she would be okay. He said he was worried she would fall out of bed and walk around the house and get hurt. He is so stinking sweet! I made sure to update him when she had fallen asleep!

That was too easy. When she woke up this morning, she pulled some pictures off of the bulletin board, but didn't get out!

Nap time today, not so much! She wanted to sleep in the big girl bed, but wouldn't stay put. Not sure this is the right thing to do, but I just put her back into her crib saying if she couldn't stay in bed she would have to sleep in the crib.

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These were taken this morning...it's so nice outside we spent all morning out until lunch!

She hasn't quite mastered the spoon and yogurt...but still it's lots of fun to try!

Batman has been with us quite regularly lately. He doesn't even want to be called Cooper anymore. It's either Buzz Lightyear or Batman. But certainly don't call him Cooper or he'll give you a heck of a look and quickly correct you!