The Old CRANKY man!

This KID CRACKS me up!!!

But apparently not everyone:)

So ... today, we went to Tom's Drive-in (a local hamburger joint that we go to about once a week). As I was getting ready to order, Liam and Quinn asked if they could go get a table and highchair. When I went to go to our table ... Q had pulled up and climbed into his highchair at a table that we normally sit at .... however, there was an old man sitting next to him (or shall I say Q was sitting next to the man at the corner of the table in his highchair) I laughed and said oh buddy it looks like you found a friend, but we will have to find a different table today while I slid him to the next table ... Well Q's new friend was NOT amused with Quinn at all ... he kept giving him cold looks every time Q would turn and smile at him ... I was actually sad. I figured if an almost two year old Q can't make you even crack a smile ... you haven't and probably won't smile for a long time. That is so sad!

Pre-School

Liam started pre-school today ... and was he ever excited!!! We couldn't even get him to stop and take a picture because he wanted to get to his class:) This mommy had a few moments of tears ... but it really wasn't too bad since I watched my child embrace his new adventure! And although I really missed him (2 hours ) .... I am truly at peace knowing that we made the right decision in sending him to pre-school ... and he is attending an AMAZING school with an AMAZING teacher!!!

As I drove away .. I did reflect back to the day he came into this world ... and am so grateful that God chose us to be his parents .... the tears flowed freely:) I love you Liam James Murphy!!!

Happy First day of pre-school!

Rub back again mommy!

Q doesn't stop for much during the day ... he is not much of a cuddler:( and he doesn't like TV at all! I can get him to stop once in a while to give me a kiss ... but, for the most part, he wants to keep up with his older brother and keep learning things every moment of the day - which keeps this mommy busy!!

But ... when it is finally bedtime ... he is usually ready:) We have always laid with our children to sleep at night. It is a precious time for me - I usually just lay and pray over my children during that time. Quinn usually just wants to go to sleep ... but recently I have been rubbing his back and he has let me while he falls asleep ... and when I stop ... he now says "rub back again mommy" ... precious!! And of course I do:) I feel like Q has been growing up so fast (he is turning 2 next month:) ... and I treasure these special times that he lets me cuddle with him!

Bath time

Look Mom .... The sun's out!!!!

Look, the sun's out mom ... it's a nice day .... this is what Liam says most days as soon as he wakes up and looks out the window ... and then wants to go outside NOW!!!! I am so grateful for these last days of beautiful weather ... but in the mornings, he has been a little surprised that it is a bit chilly ... I think he is going to miss summer as much as his mommy:)

I feel like as summer is coming to an end, I am cramming so much into our days and weeks!!! I just don't want the fun in the sun to end. We were all pretty bummed when we went to a man-made beach the other day to sadly discover that it was already closed for the season (even though it was about 80 degrees) ! I am thankful that we have a membership at a local Golf club that has a pool that stays open even after Labor days on the weekends .... and the water is HEATED:)

So ... I am tired and my house is a disaster (in my opinion:) ... but my children and I are having fun and making lots of WARM memories ... so I have decided that I can clean my house all winter long ... when I don't want to go anywhere or do anything:)

Rough Day

I never really imagined as a mommy that we would have rough days .... yes, in my dreams I imagined that since my children are the joy of my heart ... I would never yell or get angry with them. We chose to do peaceful and gentle parenting techniques for this reason .... I long to raise my children to have tender and caring hearts ... and I feel the best way is by example! Well, today, I was NOT a good example:( It was a big time failing day! I could give you my list of excuses ... the one at the top probably being lack of sleep ... mine AND my childrens:) but, yet, I don't want to be the mommy that I was today .... and I am sad! I had to appologize to Liam several times today for my tone of voice which was not always patient and kind:(

And yet ... as much as today seemed like a failure ... I do recognize that I am human and my children need to know that mommy messes up too and needs forgiveness.

And now as my hubby is putting our beautiful children to bed ... I am so grateful for God's grace and forgiveness and that HIS mercies are new EVERY morning!

Tommorow will be better:)

So, we may have rough days ... but being a mommy is still a SWEET dream... and my reality!!!!

Q

I am too tired to post .. though I have so much to say ... shocking:)

BUT .... MOST IMPORTANTLY....

.... please pray for Q as he continues to run a 103 temp and not eating much ... poor buddy ... it is tough seeing your babies sick ... and it gets tough having a sick kiddo when you have 3!

PS ... this is not a picture of him sick :)