I did it!

Some time in the fall Alison heard about this basket of the month thing at the River Market. You sign up for three months and receive one basket a month full of produce from Arkansas farmers + "the best eggs ever"+ some cheese+ a protein. I was intrigued, but since we were getting out of the fruit time of year I decided then that I would sign up in April. Each month as Alison and Julie got there baskets I couldn't wait to see what was in them. Mostly super yummy looking stuff with a few things that I wouldn't have known what to do with. April came and has pretty much gone and I just hadn't gotten around to it and this was the weekend of the pick up. So this morning was the first Saturday of the farmers market and Campbell and I went down to check it out. We had breakfast and walked around and as we sat to eat I longed to be one of the many people there to pick up their baskets. It is so cute, the man with the farmer hat slowly places each item into the bag, it is very ceremonial. And I love to see someone be so passionate about what they do. I decided that even though I had missed April I needed to sign up today, this way I couldn't just let another month float by. I turned my papers into the girl with the farmers hat and she told me it might be a minute because there were several people already in line waiting for their baskets. "It might be a minute?" I thought it was going to be a month? But it wasn't. They had enough for me to take my basket, yeah! And the man with the farmer hat even walked it to my car- cutie. Except the whole way to my car I thought he probably won't like me because I drive a big gas guzzling SUV, I am slowly coming to terms with that I rest somewhere between green and what ever the opposite of that is.

So here is Campbell with our basket.

Basket contents
2 large heads of lettuce
2 baskets of strawberries
bag of mixed lettuce
baby bok choy
1/2 lb. cheese
dozen eggs
fresh whole wheat pasta
brown rice
4 lbs. sweet potatoes
seasoning mix
some special sausage, I had a hard time listening to exactly what this was because Campbell was sitting on my feet and pretending to be a kitty cat.
And it is all from ARKANSAS.

Wilson is 4

Things I have learned over the past four years.
1. How to love another person more than myself. I love everyone more because I can see things through his eyes.
2. Everything there is to know about Elmo, Buzz Lightyear and Diego.
3. A small glimpse at the amount Christ loves me.
4. Relearning my favorite parts of all the Disney movies.
5. That you can talk about the frequency, amount, and many other details of your child's bathroom habits at any time, when you are a mom.
6. How to laugh at a joke that is not funny. Wilson has recently started telling knock knock jokes that make no sense, they are funny.
7. That I will always eat my words when judging others children or parenting.
8. I am learning everyday what a special person I have been given and what a great responsibility.
Thank you Wilson for teaching me so much. Happy Birthday!

Pirates sure can party.

Captain Wilson

Today we had a party for Wilson's 4th birthday. Per request it was a pirate party and it really was so fun.

We had hot dogs with flags to look like ships and a pirate cake.

The kids all got bandannas and eye patches and then had to work for the rest of the costume. They swabbed the decks and walked the plank( a 2x4 in our back yard) to get their necklaces and swords.

Pete and I are all about games so we then had a hunt for treasure inside a treasure chest. They had to dig away rocks to find more loot.

And then the pinata! This is the first year Wilson has put in request for his birthday and among them was a pirate ship pinata. He had never seen one, but it sounded good.

They all loved this more than I can explain.


PS. Pinatas do not break easy, but finally the Chinos broke their way in.

The little guys made a good effort, it was definitely entertaining.

Over all a great day. Thanks to everyone who made it. We missed you Grand Jules, Davidsons, McGoodens and Greers.

Cool Hat

I must admit it has been one of those mornings. I have some things I would like to get done, like the laundry, and I am growing increasingly frustrated with my children. They need milk, they need to do puzzles they can't do alone, their bear and dog need to learn to fold laundry, they need the exact toy their brother has at exactly that moment. I try to explain the ridiculous use of the word need. It's pointless. And just at the moment I think I can't handle any more, because now the "hold me, hold me" has started, they make me laugh. I was holding Campbell when he spotted some spiderman underwear and with a quick grab he shouted "hat" and started putting them on his head.

A big thanks to my dad who I am sure taught him this trick- it made me laugh.

To the park

I am constantly amazed at the relationship between my boys. I feel confident that Wilson could talk Campbell into almost anything. For example- yesterday we went to the park where Wilson needed to remove his shoes ( I do know it is 50 degrees, but not worth a fight) he then convinced Campbell that he needed to take off his shoes. The problem is Campbell does not like strange things touching his feet, he usually gets me to hold him and he lifts his feet, but he wanted so badly to follow Wilson. After a few steps he gave up and stood frozen until I would come get him. He was then so proud of his shoes that he continued to sit down and lift his feet in the air and show them off. The great news is they keep me laughing and so far the things Wilson talks him into are fairly harmless, how I look forward to the teenage years.

We then had the treat of Amy and Eli joining us. This fun was a little more Campbells speed. He and Eli are so cute together. They are really starting to play and it is really sweet.

Finished it off with a juice box. By this time Wilson is in a time out.

On the Hunt

On Saturday we went to an Easter egg hunt. We had really hyped it up by having practice hunts at home. Pete would hide the eggs and Wilson and Campbell would knock each other over to get to them. This hunt was a little different for 2 reasons...1. there were a million kids and 2. it was very cold. Wilson picked up about two eggs before he decided he needed both of his hands in his pockets. He asked my dad to carry his basket and when he would get to an egg he would remove one hand just long enough to place it in the basket. It was highly entertaining. Campbell was slow for a different reason. He opened each egg to check out the goods, our practice hunts had been without treats so this was an unexpected bonus. It was a fun time and so cute to see all the kids all bundled up and full of sugar.

Easter love

My parents spent Easter weekend with us. There is not much time to relax, but oh the love. There was plenty of hugs, kisses, and hand holding between Wilson, Campbell, Dylan, Reese, Mimi and Papaw.

Our attempt at a family picture on Easter. Not many smiles, but we are all looking at the camera.

Good Friday

Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

The first time I remember experiencing the Holy Spirit was in watching someone hold their body in the shape of a cross while telling the story of the crucifiction. Seems so simple, but it was the most beautiful picture to me. It took the cross, that I didn't give much thought to, and let me see it for what it was. I had and still do incounter a cross without thinking of the cross. The cross carried by Christ that was weighted down with the sins of the world, my sin. So today on Good Friday I decided to focus on the cross, they are all around us, and on what Christ did for me. I am still trying to understand what that fully means, but resting in the knowledge that he is giving me.

Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Thank you rain

We have finally made it outside again! In my previous blog I expressed my love for the outside and spring weather and that due to pollen we have been locking ourselves indoors, but today Wilson and I went on a walk. We went to the Old Mill which is a lot more fun with a 3 year old. Wilson loved running across the bridges and climbing on the rocks. He also found many trails. In all my years of going to the old mill I had never realized how much adventure there was to be had.

Campbell stayed home with Pete- I am still afraid to let him run wild among the pollen.