Praises, Dax's Birthday Edition...

** yet another disclaimer... This post was far more organized two hours ago when I started putting it together. After hours of picture sorting and trying to finish this it is not in any real order, and half the pictures I meant to put on disappeared and some random ones showed up, so I left them. It's been a good day and I am blessed to have three amazing kids, not to mention their daddy! This middle son, he is something, but most of all he is a beautiful blessing to our family. He inspired me to start choosing joy. These are actual pictures from the day the side bar story was written. Gotta a love a boy who sparks such a journey for his Mama.

Four years ago today we welcomed this beautiful boy into the world. Our world was forever changed! Making it through his birth!

Finding that falling in love with a baby boy is just as easy as falling in love with a baby girl.

Lily making it through the last four years and becoming a pretty great big sister even after being thrown off her only child pedestal after 7 years.

Making it through my pregnancy! Man that guy was not an easy one!

The feeling of being so blessed with a second child after so many losses, and pretty much giving up hope.

People not saying anything too uncomplimentary about us naming him Dax. It has come to totally fit him, but I'm sure there were some with doubts at first!

Dax knowing my Dad. Having had the chance to roll around on the floor with him and hang out with his Papa for a long enough to remember.

The humor that this child brings to our house.

How my heart melts when he says, "I love you, Mama, I really love you"

How he insists on at least two rounds of hugs and kisses before I go anywhere. The way he always asks, "can I give you another hug and kiss?"

The moments that he loves his siblings. The way he is so happy when he can help them. This would come between the hitting, pushing, and yelling, "I hate sharing!"

Those Dax moments. The ones I can't really explain. The ones that set him apart somehow.

His voice. (well, his voice when he is not whining or yelling) It has always been distinctly his.

The things he says that just crack you up.

Hearing all day what a great birthday this is. How much he loved all his presents and how these balloons must have "fallen from the sky".

I love that he still fits on our laps, love to snuggle, and still has some innocence. I was so sad to have to enter the "ugly isle" to look at things he asked for this year. You know the isle, the one with all the ugly boy toys..ick! And I would love for the snuggling to be suspended from bedtime to breakfast, rather than take a brief hiatus and resume at 2 am in our bed. But I know that in a few years sleeping between his mom and dad will be the last thing he wants to do.

His intellect. He thinks outside the box...hang on teachers in the town, I'm sending another out a the box kid your way in a year or so. Funny thing, he is out of the box in a totally different direction than Lily.

Dax's relationship with Finn. I love watching them grow together.

Four years of the chaos that only a little boy could bring.

You have rocked our world, Little Man, and we wouldn't want it any other way!

**PS If you've been just anxiously waiting for pictures promised, I had them almost all uploaded earlier when explorer shut down. I found this a tad frustrating and tossed them by the wayside. Soon, soon, I'll try again. Thank you to those that commented, you made me feel better! And Aunt Lynda, I'll have to send you my garage sale wish list...I know you have great ones there too!

The Anatomy of a 4 minute shower and 5 things I've already heard too many times today...

Turn on the shower. 8:20 am

Jump in quickly before anyone notices you are missing.

Hold in the yelp when you realize that the water is a tad to hot.

Settle into the warmth realizing maybe it's not too hot after all.

Open your eyes after quickly washing your hair (which answers question 1 over here) to see four eyes glaring at you from the other side of the clear shower curtain.

Curse the fact that you haven't pulled the fabric one out of the dryer and rehung it. 8:22

Nod attentively responding to the 15 questions asked by the two year old you can only half understand when the water isn't running over your head while you try to wash the important parts.

Keep reattaching the little suction cups on the edge of the curtain each time the two year old's head pops through them. Trying to prevent a bathroom flood.

Say a little prayer of gratitude for the furry set of eyes that is once again licking up all the water droplets on the side of the tub and the floor.

Finish rinsing.

Timer! Pair of hands shove you through the vinyl from behind. 8:24

Grab towel.

Receive excited greeting upon stepping out. "Mom!! Hi! Shower! Mommy! Hi!" Really, was I that far away on the other side of the vinyl?

Receive second greeting as newly turned four year old discovers the party is going on without him. "Hey Mom, you take a shower?"

Get bumped in the legs by the furry thing.

Take note of the size of our one and only bathroom. 6x6ish??

Reach for the door pushing through the 2x2 "entry area" over the three bodies.

Find door stuck.

Look around, panic only a tad...then pull really hard and whisper, "O Lord let me out!"

Sigh a sigh of relief, move on with the day. 8:27

5 things I've already heard too many times today....

1. Can we play play dough now?
2. Mom, can we play play dough today?
3. Mama, can we play dough outside now?
4. My balloons! No, MINE BALLOONS!
and finally...
5. Mom, play dough, now!

More than a week...

It's been so long since I've even intended to post that I had to re-loggin to my blogger site, and I momentarily forgot the password...but I'm here now. I have way too many pictures to post. I have too many things to blog. Whenever this happens it has this crazy snowball effect that sounds a little something like this...

*warning*what you are about to read is filled with very long run on sentences, inappropriate punctuation, and tons of inconsequential rambling that might lead you to believe there are voices in my head. There are, but I'm hoping you have them too so you won't be too concerned. Anyway, continue at your own risk.

"Oh shoot, I was too tired to blog Mother's Day. I really should have blogged Mother's Day, it would have been funny. Next year I think I'll spend the day with just my husband. Man, that isn't nice to say, because I'm really grateful I have three great kids and if I blog about how I want to spend Mother's Day without them that might sound bad. Oh well, the people that read my blog have read about my kids, they probably would get why dinner out with all of them might have ended with Mike and I looking at each other, rolling our eyes, giggling, and him asking if I wanted to eat dessert at a nice table by the window alone. They might even laugh when I mention that the best line of the day was uttered by Dax who upon being offered a cookie from the bakery in Kroger while throwing a tantrum stopped long enough to say, "you know, this isn't going to make me be quiet, it isn't going to make me calm down, it isn't going to make me happy" then he proceeded to eat it and continue his fit. At least he's honest. I think my loyal readers might totally get my thought that Mother's Day should be spent with your children if they no longer live with you and without your children if they do live with you. What about those others? You know, the readers I don't know are there? Yeah, I just ran into one of those people. Someone who mentioned they've been reading my blog. Someone I enjoy...but it made me stop and wonder, who is out there? And if they are out there, why does no one comment? Even my own family never comments, don't they know comments are like an addiction. It's like the UPS man left a package on my porch when I see a new comment! Speaking of packages, there have been a lot of those lately. Dax's birthday gifts have been coming, I kind of wish those people had all warned me that the gifts where not wrapped in the box. That boy has been lucky, he's gotten a UPS gift two days in a row now. He just keeps muttering "it's my lucky day, it's just my lucky day, mom". Now he's up one police Lego set, one transformer, one play dough set, a little tike's work bench from a garage sale...I should post pictures of that, it was one heck of a deal for $8, and one random orange robot also from a garage sale. This boy, he thinks he's gone to heaven! I'm his mother and I have yet to buy him one gift. I should blog about that...what a slacker mom I am that I have not bought him one gift and birthday is tomorrow. Actually his birthday is in less then two hours...I can blog about that tomorrow. Wait, did I ever blog about Lily's birthday? Oh crap, I didn't, I facebooked the pictures of the ear piercing but I didn't blog it! Sigh...she's going to think I forgot her. I better back blog the birthday before I blog Dax's. I never blogged the children's museum pictures either. Or all the choir stuff. Oh man, all those choir pictures. Did I blog about that? I need to go back and check, I did post something. Well, not all of it, I'm sure. Did I post that Lily got a 1 rating in the district? That they then went to state where they received a 1? Oh, I don't know...but,for an elementary school choir, they are amazing. She is loving it!! I really need to blog that, people must think I neglect Lily she is on the blog so infrequently. I have some great pictures of her from Mother's Day, maybe I'll post those. Yeah I should post those. Why does blogger take so much more time to upload pictures to than facebook? Why can't they let me drag and drop? I'd put off blogging less. I really wished I'd blogged praises last night so I could have mentioned all those little treasure chest cakes and swearing at my children(that would have exactly been a praise, but the fact that I finished them, with a little help, would have been). I also could have mentioned youth group and how excited I was that the girls were really interested in the subject and after my long study of Daniel, I had some answers, or at least some insight. I also might have mentioned how much I love seeing those confirmation crosses on a few of them all the time. If I back blog all this stuff now I'm going to hit post 250 before I'm ready and I want to do a giveaway, I've never done one...maybe new people will comment, then maybe I will want to blog more. Wait, I'm not supposed to be blogging for comments, I'm supposed to be blogging to record my praises and my family's day to day being...for us...oh man, I should really just do tonight's praises and go to bed, it's almost midnight."

Thursday's Praises....

If you've been to the Sullivan Sitcom, you know it was Pirate Day at school today. This is a praise, because it is also the day before Dax's birthday and his day to bring treats. Oh yes...bless those lovely ladies at preschool who thought this up! A themed party with 20 of Dax's closest friends (in costume). Treasure hunts, stories read, pictures taken, and all I had to do was spend 20 hours making treasure chest cakes, ok, so I didn't have to, but you know that Miss Traci sets the bar pretty darn high with her cute little goodies bags all the time. I love doing the project while planning it and while taking the pictures when it's done, it's that middle part I struggle with!

We made it to school on time this morning! In costume, with treats, and all we forgot was Dax's hook and Mrs. Turney's card.

I got to take some super cute class pictures of the gang in their pirate gear. It was great to be with Dax at school in the morning and not have him throwing any type of fit!

Having "Addis" at church this morning so I could drop off Finn before taking Dax to school. My little pirate never would have left preschool if he'd have gotten in there!

Spending some good quality time "crafting" and chatting with the church ladies.

Picking up Dax, sans most of his pirate costume, in great spirits from school and having a camera full of cute pictures of he and his friends. Thanks Mrs. Turney! Glad you enjoyed the camera! Someday maybe I'll even post some of these pictures!

Dax is done with his first year of preschool. I'm glad he made it through even if the mornings were sometimes a bit crazy! I'm thankful his teacher didn't just shake her head and send him packing the first day I dropped him off throwing a fit about hating school. Funny thing was, at the end of everyday school was great! Well, except for that one day when he said all they did was sit around and look at each other all day. Hmmm...I should ask them about that one! =)

A beautiful sunny day in the middle of all the rain! It was great to play outside!

Lily pulling herself together enough to make it home before she fell apart after one heck of a fall off her bike. I'm glad she's just sporting a goose egg and a scraped arm. I almost thought about how she needed a cell phone..... really, I'm still kidding....and I'm using way too many"...."

Spending my evening watching our local choirs perform. They really should be proud of how good they are. Let's just say I was not looking forward to lots of choir concerts this year. I was in choir once and they were really not fun to listen to for very long! Lily's director is great with them. I really enjoyed myself. It may have been that I was in part really thankful to have not brought my other children!

Taking Lily out way too late to dinner at a local bar, um, I mean family eating establishment. It was nice to just sit and have dinner with her alone. She's growing up! In a lot of ways I can't wait for 5th grade to be done! In others I wish she was the one turning 4! I love those preschoolers. They fit on your lap and sometimes life is just easier that way.

Coming home to three sleeping boys. Life is good.

You...those who are still reading. God bless you. You must be really interested or totally bored out of your mind. Thanks for making it this far. Now just so you know, this is post 246. When we get to 250, I just might be giving something away! Stay tuned! And hey, comment. If you made it this far you deserve some recognition! Oh, a picture post supporting this one, will be posted tomorrow. It's just to late to do it now, the spell check/correction alone may take 20 minutes! Aren't you glad to know this?

Ok, so one picture. If you made it this far you deserve a little reward. See my son, he looks a tad like a pirate Cyclops with a bad attitude, what's up with that?

Wednesday Praises...

That the boys found the other brown shooter thing that shot the little mouse on a cheese wedge across the room so they'd stop fighting with each other over the one they had. The volume of "Brown thingy Mine" "No, brown thingy, MINE!" Was loud enough to wake the neighbors first thing this morning. If there are any neighbors our there reading this, I'm really sorry.

That the oatmeal that got spilled all over the floor this morning was straight out of the canister and not yet cooked.

That my mom gave us this sweet little vacuum that Dax can use to sweep up all the oats off the floor.

That Finn and Dax had so much fun and even a little science lesson checking out all the cool thing in the vacuum.

Lily spent a long time talking with her mama today. It was a rough day at school but she was able to come home and talk about it with no whining, yelling, or attitude. Maybe she's growing up. Now if the girls in the 5th grade would start being kinder to one another we'd be in good shape. Why is it that girls are so mean???

The nice neighbors across the street helping to track down Sophie (the dog) after she set sail on a neighborhood romp.

Dax not taking a nap.

My hubby being here with the little people so I could go to youth group and hang out with the bigger ones.

Big girls not throwing tantrums for being split out of the groups they chose.

Fun rides around town taking crazy pictures for a scavenger hunt.

Great conversations with great girls. I feel blessed to spend time with these girls. I missed the ones not there.

Coming home to two sleeping boys, a happy husband & a happy daughter.

A quiet house where all is well.

Praises and such...

A fun filled lunch at McDonald's after a fun filled preschool field trip to play and tour the kitchen. We munched with the Sullivan clan and only one of my children got into a fist fight in the climber. Overall, it was good. BTW if Dax tells you the secret pass word to his "rocket ship" is "Please. Broccoli, Please" really, he doesn't mean "punch me and come on in". Seems there are some kids who don't like to have to say a password before entering a public place. I would have been one of these kids, but I would have just decided it wasn't worth my time and have found another place to play. Those boys, sigh...

A beautiful day outside! The boys and I headed to the city after our lunch extravaganza to watch Lily and her choir perform on the courthouse square. They did a great job. Seemed like half our town was out there. I think 75% of the 5th - 8th graders from the town were, and parents for many of them. We really enjoyed just talking about the big buildings and soaking up the sun and flowers. Why do we live less than 15 minutes from the city but never really take the time to enjoy the bigness of it? Seems like it's the mall or the shopping that call us over, never the beauty of the buildings or the hustle and bustle of people watching. An occasional trip the riverfront is grand, but why don't we do it more? Mike will love it when I tell him I want to go downtown and take pictures for Mother's Day, won't he? =)

Yard Sale season is officially kicked off. Here, in this little burb in which I live yard sales can be similar to boutique shopping. The kids and I spent some time at a few choice neighborhood sales. Problem is, I like to think before I spend money. I missed out on a Little Tikes workbench with all the pieces in great shape because I felt the need to run back to the van to consult Lily before buying. When I finally got in line to buy it, the guy 2 in front of me asked if it was sold and handed the his $20. I know this means we did not need it, but I can't help being a little bummed...mostly just cause I lost, pathetic, I know! We did find Dax a matching booster to Finn's. We were planning to buy one anyway but they've only had pink at Walmart lately.

Kids who were remarkably well behaved on this long day of adventure.

Following up with an ice cream cone at DQ. Nothing says summer like a face like this!

Playing outside.

American Idol night. It wasn't my favorite. I think I might have grown a bit soft in my old age. I didn't mind Guns n Roses as a teenager, but now I guess I've moved on. Although I must say, Slash was totally not the guy I expected. He seemed almost normal with lots of hair...hhmmm, maybe old age has mellowed him too! Anyway, this prediction is totally and completely against the judges, but I think it might be Adam who gos home tonight. After all it's the 4th place. This is the shock seat. If I'm wrong, I'll simply delete this part of my post! Would want anyone to think I don't know what I'm talking about! Except that you probably already know that if you've been reading long...oh well.

Watching Fringe with my hubby after all were in bed. I think he slept through the last 20 minutes. Oh well, I'm not telling him what happened! Lost and Fringe have become our grown up late at night shows. Nice to have a couple nights a week to be on the same brain wave that is totally out of our normal box, even if Mike doesn't usually make it through a whole episode.

Praises...

Pajama Mondays. Dax was the only one who managed to stay in his PJs all day. If I was playing "Not Me Monday" I might say something like, "That was absolutely not my son neighbors and passers by saw helping Daddy mow the lawn in very mismatched jammies at 6 o'clock this evening."

Getting re caught up on laundry. I'm still not sure how I managed to have 6 loads accumulate in one weekend!

Watching a movie last night with just my husband.

Fresh Sheets on everyone's beds. This is one of those silly things we take for granted but I love when it happens all in the same day!

One super cute 2 year old who can still fit in the sink for a bath.

Two insane little boys who love each other dearly (when they are not fighting!)

Seeing some real work on a history homework assignment from one 5th grade daughter, who is not a fan of hard work when it comes to homework.

Finally getting a few Easter pictures ordered. I was so excited to see that MckMama couldn't get good pictures of her four all together that I didn't feel so bad about my endeavors! I may even attach a few at the top of this post when I'm done typing...

Being here at the end of this day. Living in a place with friends and family within driving distance. Being thankful for each moment we have. None are guaranteed, each is a gift. This weekend my 27 year old neighbor down the street collapsed in his yard while doing yard work. He didn't make it through the night. He left behind a young wife and a one year old little boy. They were here for his work, but are from India. I can't imagine losing my young husband, let alone being in a faraway country. My heart goes out to them.

And again, I sit here taking stock. All is quiet. All is well. This day was blessed.

Praises

Sleeping in after being up a tad too late last night!

Kids and a husband who can feed and dress themselves on a Saturday morning. They might not be able to clean up after themselves, but who would want it to be that perfect? That would simply be no fun if I got to sleep in late and had a clean house! =)

A beautiful sunny Saturday for playing outside.

A birthday party with ice cream cake...gotta love a good ice cream cake!

Kids playing, neighbors laughing, the sounds of spring!

A candle lit Italian dinner for two! Beautiful guitar music and a string ensemble. Twinkly white lights, and yummy food. Amazing service, from beautiful, smiling servers. Nursery care included!

Those many servers, dishwashers, cooks, hosts, and fellow patrons who stopped by for a chat and made the night more interesting!

Our youth earning money to go out and learn, serve and bless others this summer.

Everyone going to bed on time with no fights.

Getting my project sent in just under the wire...whew! Nothing like procrastination. How can I fault my children for a trait I have handed them honestly? Any advice?

Getting the messages on Facebook from some guy I have a little crush on.

The fact that that guy is sitting about four feet away from me on his computer...loving the wireless thing. =)

Praises

Walmart, alone. (really do I need to say more?)

Mrs. Addis. Can I get an Amen? Without this woman there would be no Walmart alone. This woman should be nominated for sainthood. She has been taking care of the church munchkins for years and years. They love her. Many call her simply, "addis". Like MacGyver or Cher, she only needs one name. This woman heard a calling at some point in her life and has followed through big time. I just hope she realizes that God blessed her with one amazing gift and has blessed all of us Mamas in our church with her!

15 minutes of time in my car alone with good music, my journal and no questions or comments!

Cooking with Dax. He is quite helpful. shhhh...just don't tell Finn and Lily that I cook with him while they are sleeping and at school. I'd be in big big trouble!

Warm sun on a cool day.

Crazy kids, in bright colors digging in the mud. "Mud Cakes" delightful! Is this the new and improved take on Mud Pies?

2 year olds who at least acknowledge the fact that the binky is a sad, sad addiction.

The flowers. I know, they come every spring, but it never ceases to amaze me those first weeks when they show up. Beauty and new birth, God's little signs of grace all around!

The colors of the sun setting over the flowers, breathtaking!

Walking around and taking pictures for no reason at all. Being able to record the scenery with perfect color some amazing bokeh (blurry backrounds) with no post production anything. Let's be honest, I have zero clue what I'm doing after I take the picture, so until I find the time for a class in photoshop what you see is what God placed in front of me and I was able to capture ...all His beauty no human hands could even come close!

My little brother, Dosh, and his "guys" who do what they do each and every day so that we can play, dance, watch American Idol, debate the first 100 days of a new administration, go out to dinner, chat with our friends, run to walmart to pick up a few things, or just sit on our porch on a warm spring day not worrying about our freedom, or safety. My little brother lost a very good friend in Iraq yesterday. He gave his life for ours. We are blessed. My prayers are with his family and those who love him.

Bloggers out there who stepped out of their comfort zone and went to those places where things are so very different. One of my favorites went along for the ride. If you are having one of those days where things just aren't going your way, you can't see that joy around you and you're whining about something, again (oh, yes, we all have those days) read this, and suck it up. (I I swear I say these words with love)

Friends. late night laughter, and chats about silly things.

The crazy way God works. The way he just knows who you might need to call you or who needs to randomly (yeah right) cross your path. Sometimes it just blows me away.

My husband, who sent me out again tonight after the little ones were asleep. He told me to go earlier, but I felt guilty, so I stayed. This guy is a good guy, and you know what? He smells good too! =)

Praises

Little bits of sunshine on a gloomy day.

Flowers in bloom!

The smell of Lilacs.

The fact that all those loads of laundry were done and off the floor before last night's rain that sent a little creek through my basement.

Bible Study. Beth preaching on! =)

Taking pictures of my Mini Men playing in the fresh air.

Good friends. Especially those who are getting glimpses of my strange obsessions and not judging me harshly for them. =)

Nights out with the girls.

A husband who puts little people to bed with no complaints.

A brother who serves our country despite the costs and loves God with his whole heart.

Ending the day the same as last night, surrounded by the quiet buzz of the computer, peaceful in the knowledge that my house is filled with family I love, and that the rest of my family is out there in a safe slumber as well. Blessed.

Praises

Getting all my "chores" done before 9 am.

Finally seeing the bottom of my laundry room floor after 13 loads. (really, it's only been a week!)

Starting yard sale planning in advance, and being excited by it!

Knowing that even though I have about 8 back blogs to write I can still throw out a praise post and no one will mind.

A very sweet blogger who sent me a great award! (That "8" meme is in my list of 8 back blogs to write, I'll get there!) It was a good reminder to me that it's time to get back to business around here and quit stressing so much about the above mentioned back blogging.

The Great Attitude/Spirit of Gratitude Award

Working on a scientific sibling name compatibility list (oh how impressive that sounds!) for a friend who will be happy to know there are only a few "C" names and I did it in Excel. =) I haven't done one of these in a while and I must admit it brings me some weird giddy joy. (laugh, it's ok, my family does!)

Finding I actually have more than 1 follower, crazy!

Finding that if I create challenges and I spy type games out of cleaning up the toys, my kids will actually think it's fun. Why did this take me so long!

Learning to twitter my husband. Having him tell me they go right to his cell phone. He bumped MckMama for me, I feel so honored! =)

A 4 year old who seems to be in that "in love with his Mama" phase. He actually sat beside me with his arm around me the other night when we were out to dinner. It's totally cracking me up!

Kids who love to sing and dance to God music.

Youth who have the most beautiful smiles! Tonight there was just not enough time to chat, but I enjoyed seeing them!

Successful God time with no one jumping on me or yelling. Daniel and Esther, I enjoyed spending time with you today!

Knowing that this day was the day the Lord made. I have a God in Heaven, a wonderful family around me, a roof over my head, food, clothing, and the freedom to live and study what I believe. This was a blessed day.