Pumpkin blahs

Well, our beautiful pumpkins that we spent all afternoon carving didn't last long. We went out of town this weekend to Madison, AL - Madison 1st Free Will Baptist Church, where Rick preached a revival on Sunday a.m. and p.m., and when we returned, our orange pumpkins had turned black! GROSS! I have never seen a pumpkin do this so fast in all my years of experience. I guess this good ol Alabama weather got to them! SO, they are still rotting on my front porch, although I have asked my dear husband to remove them. We will see how long they stay there!

We had a wonderful, but exhausting weekend. We went to the Fayette Co Fair on Friday night, I had to be at work Sat morning, then pack Sat afternoon, Rick had a wedding and we left for Madison at 7:30 p.m. hoping the kids would travel better. They did travel well, but did not fall asleep at bedtime before arriving at the room as we had hoped, so we got in the bed a little later than usual. We were so tired. The kids were so excited to be in a different place, I thought they would never go to sleep, but they slept in their own bed all night.
We got up early Sunday to go to church. Aiden went straight to Sunday school and children's church with complete strangers, and never missed a beat. He is my social butterfly. He told his Sunday school teacher when she asked, that he did not know how to sing Zaccheaus, so she tried to teach him. That is just so funny to me b/c the kid sings entire songs from the radio at random and has known Zacc. since he was old enough to walk!!! He has such and imagination and story telling ability....really concerns me a little.

By Sunday p.m. we were all very tired! When we got back to the rooms for bathtime, I just didn't want the kids naked hiney's on the hotel tub, so Rick gave them a shower! They love taking showers. They enjoyed running around the room and jumping on the beds (which they can't do at home) naked until dad was ready for them. Allee of course fell asleep before Aiden and he wanted me to sleep with him. When I said no and got in my bed, I could hear him talking. When I looked over at him, he had Allee all snuggled up and was kissing her and telling her that he loved her. It was the sweetest thing!

We got up early on Monday morning and drove home for me to get to work at 10. As soon as I got home from work we (me, Rick and Kayla) starting setting up for our first trial run of Upward Basketball registration. After registration and clean up, it was time for baths and bed again!!! WOW! I am running on borrowed energy today, but praise God He gives us that sometimes. Maybe there is rest in sight for tomorrow!

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

P.S. Aiden had a really cute "Aiden story" this weekend, but I don't know that I want to tell it to everyone on the internet. Let's just say, my 3 year old is very observant of the human body and daily activities. He is so funny!

Carving Allee's first pumpkin!

Tons of updates today! Sorry it is all so long, but I have been busy and my computer at home isn't up to par with updating a blog! One other quick note before you browse all of the new pictures of what has been going on in our lives....The kids have slept through the night the last 3 nights in a row. Did you read that? Three nights in a row. I feel like a new woman. Some of you may think I am crazy, but I want to give God all the glory. After revival last week and messages from my husband Sunday, I realized my prayer life has been slipping! To make a long story short, as a mom, a very busy mom, I am often interupted by toddlers, phones, etc when attempting to pray, leaving bed time for prayer time. This works for me, IF I don't fall asleep. So, I decided that no matter how tired, I am picking a time and my prayer will have to be said aloud! For the last 3 nights, yes, 3 nights (same as the sleeping) I have been speding, not more time, but QUALITY prayer time with God and really petitioning to Him for my needs and the needs of others. I can feel the difference it has made in my life already!

Hope you aren't bored with the updates!

Thank you Rick for carving these!

I know! Carving pumpkins may be sacriligious (I am not sure how to spell that), but I love to do it. We did carve one that says, "Jesus Saves" which was very difficult and caused some frustration and a small fit pitched by my husband (and a few straight pins to repair the damage), but we also have a scary face, by request from Aiden! All in all, the kids enjoyed the afternoon of family time (which was an afternoon job) and the end result was good. Aiden loves to light candles. Allee attempted to eat the insides and was more excited about that than the carving!

This is the look Aiden got when he was told he could not pick the tops up and throw them or they would break and then the pumpkins would not have a hat to wear!

Aiden helps dad get the "guts" out!

Allee tries to destroy the other pumpkin!

Allee with the finished product. Aiden was in a mood and refused to get in the picture and Allee had come our of her pants by this point in the afternoon!

Family Reunion

We were invited to attend a church members family reunion on Sunday. They are so sweet and there was tons of good food AND a hayride for the kids. The hayride was extemely hot, but I think Aiden really enjoyed it. Crystal and I swapped babies for most of the ride. Shelby wanted to sit with me and Allee with her, so we didn't have to wrestle with our own! All was well, until Shelby saw her daddy on the Kabota riding by, in the shade might I add, touring the facilities at their own pace with my husband in the drivers seat. Then, for the remainder of the trip she wanted to know where daddy was!

Allee and Shelby! They are either going to grow up best buddies OR be so jealous of each other that they fight all the time! I hope it is the first. Right now they Allee ADORES Shelby!
How sweet. Sorry Crystal. This is probably what prompted Shelby's fever on Monday!
Typical of my two!

Aiden and Allee all dressed up

Unfortunately, we had to attend a funeral last week. Aiden has a cute suit from the summer wedding, so I thought this was a perfect opportunity to wear it one more time. He loved getting to dress like daddy. Here is a snap of the two at church.

Alabama Homecoming Parade

We got to go to the parade for the first time ever! My niece, Abby, was marching in it as a majorette. I was still recovering from the stomach bug, but I am so glad we went. The kids had a blast and Abby was gorgeous, as always!

Aunt LeLe, Aiden and Allee anxiously await the start of the parade.

Aiden and Allee sitting on the nasty curb!
Aiden waved at ALL the girls when they went by!
Abby smiles for the camera while she twirls!

My kitchen set

I found Allee a kitchen set at a consignment sale and the outside storage room was as far as it made it to the house. We were cleaning outside the other day and the two kids wandered into the building. You should have seen their faces when they found a new toy to play with. This kept them well occupied while we worked.

Messy Allee

Rick and I had to run some errands and we had Allee with us while Aiden was at school. We had to make a quick trip to the mall and he is a sucker for the Cookie Company. While I was looking in another store, he bought him and Allee a cookie. Then, he thought it would be a good idea to give it to her in the car. Here is the result.....