All About Us...: Ashton & Ethan

Winter...

Fall has been mellow and unusually warm, but I am ready to jump into winter!!! I bought my first new winter decor for the season (if I wasn't so lazy I would load the picture I have of it and post it) and it got me all in the mood for snowflakes and sledding!!! Now on my to do list is to put all my other winter stuff out this weekend and wait for the snow to fly. Last year I couldn't wait for it to snow, so the boys could see and play in it for the first time, I am more eager this year. They will be able to run and jump and be so darn cute playing in the white fluff. I am looking forward to a snowman build by my three boys standing in my yard. And this year we will go sledding for real, not just daddy pulling them around in the yard. We are talking packing the hot chocolate and finding some hillls to zoom down.

My new photographer moments...

So I have been trying to do a little photography here and there...okay more like every chance I get! I have been trying to remember my camera most everywhere I go, just in case I see "that great shot", well so far I have captured lightening, a dragonfly, flowers, sand, and so many other great shots in which I am proud of. Not sure why, but it just give me that great feeling of accomplishment, maybe because that is the one constant in my life, the love of photography and the dream of actually being a photographer. So it is merely a hobby but still I can dream right?? *shrug* Here are just a few of my lates favorites!!!

Take the time...

I notice the beauty around me where ever I am, and I hope my boys do as well. Even in the ugliest surroundings there is something to be found worth taking a second look, or snaping a picture of. Just what I need to do...take more pictures. I have so many pictures that I can't even begin to remeber taking half of them, here it is the 19th of May, and I am on 718 pictures in my May folder. Crazy I know, but I just can't help myself, I love taking pictures of the boys, and I have started to take pictures of simple things around me. As soon as I get all my pictures sorted I am going to start to get a little deeper in editing photographs so I figure the more photos to play with the better *laugh*. No really I want a variety to choose from, and I have no idea as of yet what I want to do so will all the photos I am taking I should be able to get some inspiration. And wether my boys take a picture or just take the time to take a second look and put some thought into their surroundings makes no matter to me, as long as they take the time to do it. I want them to grow and appriciate the little things that surround them, and see the beauty in simple things.

I Have It All...

This morning I got up early and got all my boys ready to head off to soccer, twins go to grandma's and then Ethan and I are on our way. It gives us about a hour or more in the car just him and I, and a great time to catch up on the week or just chit chat. We talk about many things from soccer, school, to his friends. Today we talked about when he gets older and things he will do that will drive me crazy with worry; oh man I dred the day he gets to drive, or heads off on a date or to a party. We just talked about the usual, say no to drugs, never drink and drive, and ALWAYS call home for help if you need it. I know he is only 10, well almost 11, but still time flies and I can't imagine my little boy, a teenager who thinks he is invisable to all danger out in this world that is full of craziness. I see just how fast time goes, and I just try to stress to him to talk to me, and come to me for help without being scared of getting into trouble or being embarrised, I am so hopeful he gets how much I love him and that I will always be there, and daddy too!! I am so proud of him, he is a great boy, so polite and respectful, and he is always telling me "mom, you are the best mom in the entire world". Awww melts my heart, he tells me this almost every single day (and today on our way to soccer), and I am so glad he feels this way, and at times I feel like I don't deserve those great comments. There are times I am grumpy, stressed, and have a hundred things to get done at once, and am short with him and I push him so hard to get excellent grades and put his all into everything he does. I just love him so much and want his future to be bright, and I want him to have endless opportunities to be whatever he wants. Awww if kids only understood how trivial the friends that they have now are, and how in the big picture it is about good grades and going to college...then life starts! I think I am doing a good job and I think he does get it, I hope it just sticks with him in his teen years when he needs it the most. We are down to one more soccer game, and I am going to miss our road trips to the practices and games together, we will have to find a new reason to hang out just him and me. I am so lucky to have my three wonderful sons, and the best husband to go along with it. I really do have it all!!!

10 More Days...

Only 10 more days until the big day... the twins turn 1. Wow is that hard to believe, crazy how time flies when you are sleep deprived and running you butt off after 2 lil' monsters, and keeping Ethan going in all his stuff as well. The big day falls on a Tuesday, oh bummer dad has to work that day, so we are doing the party on the Saturday before. I have been planning the party for nearly 6 months now, oh and I am still not done. I wanted to do something big and fun, for the entire family. I think it is sad that families don't get together enough so why not use this day to celebrate the big day as well as get everybody together to catch up and have a day of fun. I am hoping after all the work and planning I have done that the day is fun for everbody especially my boys... all three of them!!! We have came so far this last year and now it is time to say bye-bye babies....hello toddlers. YIKES the terrible 2s times 2! ugh what a ride this will be. :)

For 9 years it was just Ethan and everything was so simple, we could pick up and go camping, fishing, or to Ethan's practices and games with such ease. No I get all frazzled just thinking of how I am going to accomplish getting Ethan to practices, games, and coach his soccer team all while taking care of the twins as well!!! As it so happens most of these events happen while daddy is at work so here I am just me, myself, and I to get it all figured out. It has been such a change for Ethan having 2 little brothers, I am trying my hardest to keep things "normal", and trying to not have him miss out on things just becuase it is more difficult for me to take him places and to events. So I sit here and think wow I am crazy busy now, what happens in 4 years when the twins start baseball, soccer, football.....ugh no this could get even crazier before it gets easier. I am so lucky to be able to be home all day with the boys and not miss a thing, or not to miss any of Ethan's things but contrary to somes beliefs I do not sit and watch soaps all day it is a full time job, I just don't get breaks, or vacation time, but I guess you could say the pay is GREAT if you consider hugs, kisses, and lots of love pay *smile* So when I am out at the store or somewhere I get stopped lots, and they say all sorts of things, ask many questions, and make some funny comments about the twins, and I have heard so many times from people that have no clue who I even am... man you have your hands full, and I must say with 3 boys, YES I DO, and I LOVE it!!!

Soccer!!!

Soccer has officially started!!! This is Ethan's 7th year playing soccer, and he is my lil' soccer star. Dad got him started and I was a bit reluctant all that rain and cold weather in the spring *YUK*. But now I am hooked, and am even coaching his team. I was so bummed I didn't think I was going to be able to help this year, I had nowhere for the twins to go. But they signed me up to help without calling and checking with me so I had to make it work. I am glad it is a great way for me and Ethan to have some time alone without little brothers and do something fun just him and I, he needs that and so do I. Last year I was worried I wasn't going to be able to help either but I did, I am sure I was one hell of a site being preggers with the twins and all *laugh* but I made it and only missed the last week because I was in the hospital, or I would have been there!!! So I am looking forward to our season and will be positng some AWSOME soccer pictures soon.

Counting down the days.....

Only 5 more days until the twins are 6 months old. I can't believe it time has went so fast for us. But I must say it has been a rough 6 months for this family. It was a big adjustment for us all, but we are managing. Ethan having to adjust to not being the only child, and not getting to do as much with mom and dad because we are often busy with babies. Poor Ethan, he has been really good about it though. He loves his little brothers but is looking forward to them getting a bit older so he can play with them more. And mom and dad...... well we have had to adjust back to baby mode, and doing it with little to no sleep most of the times. I am hoping that the last 6 months of their first year is a bit easier, and I HOPE THEY START TO SLEEP at some point this year!!!

Rolly Polly Olies

Dylan and Ashton have been scooting all over the floor lately, and Ashton has even got up in the crawling positions a few times. But yesturday Ashton rolled over!!! He was moving all about on the floor chasing toys and over he went. I think that he suprised himself because he was not happy about it at all. Then today Dylan rolled over. Dylan was happier about it and stayed on his tummy and played. The twins have also been try to sit up. They can sit but still need just a little help, but it won't be long and they will be sitting on their own. Dylan tries to sit from the laying postion it is just so funny, he tries SO hard. It is so hard to believe that they are days away from being 6 months old, they are getting so big so fast.
Ethan is doing great on the drums he is really seeming to like it. He has decided he want to play the snare drum. Today he was practicing and Kong hates it, he tried to bite the drum sticks. He is a dorky dog! Dylan liked it he even got a hold of a drumstick and drummed a bit too, Ashton was sleeping and missed out on drum practice for the night. Guess we will be buying drums for all for Christmas!!!