Birthday Girl

Happy Birthday Tess!

This girl has the most beautiful soul.
I have yet to find its match.

For all of you who didn't know her back when she was cuter than a bug's ear,
Or for those who did and would like a trip down memory lane...

September...

Just one of the boys on our way home from checking the mail last night.
We could not ask for more bea-u-tiful weather!
Have I mentioned before that this is my favorite time of year?
Lovin it!

Spidey Tighties and Princess Panties

In the throes of potty training.
Yes, we are.

The last of the twin "milestones" that have filled me with dread.
(You know: pregnancy, nursing, NOT sleeping through the night, walking. All the things you cringe about when you imagine it in a double dose.)
Had I known how easy these two would make it,
I would have done this months ago.
But, then, maybe it wouldn't have been this easy months ago.

I thought it sounded easier to tackle one at a time.
I tried Gwyn 1st. She seemed the most ready for it.
But after days of doing great she would suddenly decide she wanted nothing to do with it and refuse to go in anything but a diaper. After all, that's what Jude still got to do.
And Jude, not to be outdone, started begging to go on the big potty like Sissy got to.
So "double the fun" it was.

Only, they've done GREAT!
Easier than Camden was by himself, if I'm being honest.
Yes, I practically live in the bathroom.
And they still have accidents.
And Gwyneth still gets spittin mad she can't go standing up,
like her brothers get to.
And I pack a bag full of unders everywhere we go.
But this time the constant rivalry these two share seems to have worked for MY benefit.
And just maybe it'll be the same with things like schoolwork...

I'm not holding out any hope.
But for now I'm reveling in my new-found freedom from changing diapers and having this milestone crossed of the dreaded list.
Not to mention the $$$ saved on diapers.

Oh, yes.
It does feel grand.

Good-Bye Summer...

Hate to see you go...

Oh, how we'll miss:
The warm sun on our faces...

Icy-cold drinks straight from the hose...

Playing in the sprinkler...




















Pesky bathing-suits...





















Evenings at the lake...

Warm, fuzzy beach towels...

Stimulating conversation in the backyard...

and cuddles under the trees...

Until next year...

Such a boy...

Jude saw me taking photos of Sis the other day and insisted he have a turn.
My, how things have changed!
I think they've figured out that when Mama has the camera pointed at them they get my undivided attention. Never mind what the others are up to. And that doesn't happen very often.

The boys have been acting very much like boys these days. Sword fights, cowboys and indians, rocks and sticks. Jude loves sticks. He decided he'd show off with them...

See?
























There's that look.
The one where he coos.
He's been doin it since he was a tiny baby.
It means he's happy...
I love it!























How else can I impress?
I know! Fishy lips!
Mama always laughs when I do these...























My favorite...























"All done!" he says.
But not before Mama stole this one.

8 Years ago...

today.

It sounds like a long time.

I can hardly remember my life before Lyle.

And I don't really want to.

I am not complete without him.

He is my everything.

He is my happily ever after.

There was a little girl.

Who had a little curl.

Her name is Gwyneth.

She is mine.

And she is exquisite.

May I never forget these untamed locks...

The perfect way they frame your pixie face.

Their determination to stubbornly hang in your blueberry eyes.

The unruly mass created after you've slept on them.

How they bounce animatedly upon your shoulders when you strut your stuff.

And the lovely shade of honey they become when they glow in the sun.

For you would not be Gwyn without them....