Luke looking at Jeff talking to Luke

Here is one of my favorite things...When we can talk to Jeff on the cuter. Thanks to Yahoo, we talk free. Usually we don't get video as well as audio, but yesterday we got lucky! They doodle together, play games together, generally laugh for an hour or so. Charlie was about home from school at the time of this picture. He then took his turn playing and talking.

Here is an up close of Jeff on the cuter. He got his packages that day and had already changed into a t-shirt and Clemson hat. That's the look that we are used to and it was good to see it.

IT HAPPENED!!!!!!!!!

Well, it's happened! Finally! Charlie agreed to get his hair cut! There was a hairstyle he liked from a guy in "High School Musical" and said he would like it. Samantha, or miracle worker, is in the background. He looks sooooooo good!
He stayed out of school due to his fever yesterday but is feeling better today.
Luke had to get his hair done, too. He told Samantha that he wanted it like a rocker in a teen magazine he saw- sticking straight up! She cut it so that he can put it up with gel (super glue) or leave it down. It looks good either way. He did NOT want his picture taken. I told him to hold still so that I could take a picture of his hair only! It worked! LOL!

Luke's birthday- he's 5 now!

We had a great time at Kiawah this weekend even though it rained all Sat and Sun. Since it was wet already and there was no severe weather, the boys got to swim and take an occasional bike ride when there was a lapse in the rain. We celebrated Luke's birthday on Sunday with cake and presents. He got a skateboard with Spongebob on it as well as all the necessary safety gear, as well as 3 new Monster Trucks...bringing the total to 30. There was a small petting Zoo at one of the farms near Kiawah so I took the three youngest grandkids to it on Sunday afternoon. Here is Luke with a miniature pony. Charlie loved these potbellied pigs and thought he had a real connection with them until he realized that they were trying to get to the apple slices he was holding.....
This is the "bull" that knocked Luke out of the way with his horn to get to my apple. He said quickly, "mom the bull pushed me, but I'm OK"


Charlie got a small jellyfish bite and felt lousy for the ride home. Today he came home from school with a fever! Just like Luke last week. He doesn't want to eat!!!! Something is definitely brewing in him when he loses his appetite!!!!!

See you guys Monday...

I just love seeing sleeping children. I could sit up all night staring at them. Their breathing so regular and unlabored, their bodies totally at ease. I wonder what they are dreaming of- slaying dragons or swimming in the best pool imaginable or just playing in the yard. I love to imagine fairies dusting their super long eyelashes with sleeping dust, then angels watching over them at night. We've all been in the same bed since Jeff left in June. Another milestone is on the way...Charlie has told me he wants to sleep in his own bed with none of Luke's things anywhere around. He has asked if he can lock Luke out. I encourage him to set up his room his own way and he is doing it slowly, but every night he slips into the "big bed" saying that THIS will be the last night.
Charlie is my early riser. No matter what time he goes to bed, he is up around 7am
Luke is my sleeper. He enjoys sleep like a good book, likes to be in bed around 10 and will sleep soundly until 11am the next morning.

We will be going to Kiawah for the Labor Day Weekend and will be back Monday afternoon. 3 days without a computer....what will the boys do!!!

Back to school!

Yesterday was Charlie's first day back at school. I was able to catch him before he left. Monday he rode to school with a friend, but today he rode his bike both ways. As you can see, he's thrilled to have his picture taken at 7:15. While sewing some curtains for the preschool at church, Angus decided that the sewing machine was the most interesting thing in the house. Loading the bobbin provided the most fun for him...it was a mess for me! Then he enjoyed measuring as pictured in the first photo.....
Next he found that the needle going through the fabric was the best thing ever....
Getting alittle too close for comfort! He was chasing a stray thread. I love his eye in the picture. I wanted to get a better picture of his eyes which were as big as saucers, but they all came out blurry.

Poor Sadie....

Poor Sadie! She is such a good sport! Last night as I was blogging, the boys dressed her as a Rapper. They even posed for me! They laughed until they cried. She didn't try to get down or even get away. I have never known a more patient dog!

Charlie giving "rocker fingers" with her....
Luke being pleaded with to stop the insanity!
Luke getting kisses and Charlie actually smiling for the camera!!!

Barbara had given him the tatoo.....thanks Barbara!

Luke has had a fever all day and just threw up. Say a little prayer for him...and that we don't get it!

Yesterday we went to Hard Rock....

Yesterday I took the boys to the Hard Rock Theme Park Backstage Tour. It's a free tour with a room demonstrating each of the areas of the new theme park coming next summer. It's truly awesome how big this thing will be- all in the old Waccamaw Pottery buildings. The Led Zeplin rollercoaster is visible from highway 501 only 2 streets over from Hwy 501. It has so many turns that loops that it's safe to say Heather Blankenship will never set foot on it! Jeff will probably be first in line! The backstage tour is awesome as well. My very good friend Kelli, Luke's teacher last year, has two boys aged 8 and 6, Cole and Kyle. With Jeff gone and her husband a pilot for JetBlue, we have been taking turns keeping each other's boys for an afternoon here and there. Above is a picture of all the boys in Austin Power's car. All the exhibits are hands on- which is good with 4 boys.

Luke is giving his best "rock star" pose from the Austin Power's car. It was in the British Invasion part of the exhibit.
Charlie in front of a screaming crowd....complete with fainting girls in the front! I always knew he had a great voice which would take him far!
This is in front of the Backstage Tour. I took this picture to have one with all the boys, but also for my mom and dad- a sculpture of Elvis. ALL those little hands wanted to dig in the sand SOOOOO bad! The next one is for Jeff-----

Danger, Will Robinson, Danger.....

We really wish you could have been there, Jeff! Love and XOXO

Having faith in God

I like to think of faith in very simple means. So many times when my faith is tested, I try to remember the tiny mustard seed that can move mountains. I like to find examples of faith in my everyday life. I decided that one of the most simple of God's creatures would help me this week. Do you see him in the first photo? His name is Chewie (after Chewbacca in Star Wars). He has many babies (don't ask me how) who are names Chewie1, Chewie2, etc. These guys visit my tomato plants near the end of the season every year. They are perfect in their design, have a pointy tail and a set of fake eyes near their tale. I have been known to spend 30 minutes at a time at the window watching them. The first two pictures were taken on Monday. The bush was lush and full of green cherry tomatoes. I think that if an animal so small can have faith that the Lord will supply his food until he turns into a moth, my lesson on faith is all spelled out. We had a storm, baking temperatures, and swords and baseballs by the boys threatening his special buffet, but he never stopped eating.

Don't think for a second that Luke didn't pick the red ones. He only had to see that they had a tinge of red and they were picked all season long!
Here he is today. When I checked on him at 3pm, there were three babies and another adult on the plant too. He stopped chewing immediately when I came near him and went into camo mode.
Here is a picture of the vine today...I always make sure that all of them are off before removing the plant. The boys love to help me make sure they're gone.

Nursery Mural

I have to show you guys pictures of the nursery mural I've been working on. It's almost done- 3 out of the 4 walls have been completed. I'm just in time because the preschool workers started decorating their rooms this past Monday. I've been trying to get this done for the past month. Probably about 20 hours. I based the pictures on a children's book that I found in a pile to be recycled. The pictures are so vibrant and bright that they had to be the subject. I just finished the curtains on Sunday night. The boys have been great in letting me get all this done without complaining of the long hours when noone is at the church to play with. I hope you all enjoy them.... Frogs in a pond and foxes under a tree. Luke told me which animals to put where. I like the bees under the tree...
The only thing not in the pictures is the bible verses which I have written on the wall...Mark 10:14-16, etc. Maybe I'll get a picture of them soon!
My favorite on this wall is the bluebird which has a bonnet on. Charlie likes the dragonflies.

I've been able to give some of the little girls painted pictures for their walls for their birthdays and have been doing family pictures with my own version of "stick people". I've got some orders for Christmas presents, too. I'm so excited about being able to make a little money for my art! I've sold 3 small pictures so far. I just wanted you guys to see my favorite hobby when I have a few minutes to myself.

Meet Jayne Grace

I would like for everyone to see our new niece, Jayne Grace Womack. She was born 2 weeks ago today. Jamie and Jay say that she is the greatest thing ever. She has a full head of black hair and huge dark blue eyes. Aunt Ha ( me) will get to meet her in person in October. Jamie is feeling good and loving being at home with Jayne Grace. Man, I love all my nieces and nephews!!! I'm so glad we are all blessed with some of God's little angels. Praise God for each one of them!!

My two fish

Yesterday we had a birthday party for Ashley from Luke's school. It was in THE FARM, a neighborhood in Carolina Forest. They have the coolest pools!! They have already built 3 pools in their neighborhood in the last 3 years! Thats how big the neighborhood is. The big pool that we were in had a mushroom water shower, fountains spewing water every way, and a progressive entrance, all in the shape of a shamrock. It was really impressive. Luke LOVES the progressive entrance. The rope behind him marks the end of the 2 foot pool. He played and played for 3 hours with his friends! Charlie was very busy playing with my friend Kelli's son Cole. I slathered them both down and they were fine....I forgot to do my own sunscreen....Ouch is the word of the day for me. I look like a cooked lobster. For the last hour, Luke played by himself in the first section and I got to sit in the chairs talking to my friends!!!!! They are both getting so independent.

At the end of the three hours, they were both so tired that they just pooped out! They slept very well last night.

Well, maybe this time.....

A little birdie told me that I needed to post some pictures of the boys. Here is a picture of a cougar who likes to be petted. If he is petted, he will stay nice. If not petted, he gets mean. The sofa is his cage. Did you know that cougars can turn flips on the sofa? Mine can. The cougar named Luke told me today that he comes from Australia and that he needs to go there as soon as possible. Here is his stalking pose. Fierce, isn't it! The cougar said that this picture would scare Pop!
Charlie staying as far away from the cougar as possible. He loves his legos. He will mix and match to get all sorts of ancient warfare arms and armor vehicles. He did not want to smile for the camera! LOL!

We went to the bowling alley yesterday with Barbara and her niece and grand nephews. Luke beat everyone!! Charlie and I really tried our best and we couldn't catch him! I want to know how a ball going 0.0000001mph can knock down 9 pins all at once. If he didn't get a strike he got a spare on almost every try. Here is the bowling stance used by Luke after he has sent the ball down the lane.
Here is my big boy goofing off...I don't get many of these shots. He gets shy as soon as the camera is out. I'm glad he has these silly moments.

Hello, I'm still here friends!

Hey guys, it's me.

I have been having a really bad time with my computer

and trying to upload pictures.

I also agree to the blog challenge.

For today, here is my contribution:

O

cute, huh?

I do enjoy reading all the blogs

every night.

Make sure you look below for the rest of today's blog...

Here is one!!! One for Charlie

I can't believe it!! I downloaded a picture, my computer then left the internet as it has been doing lately but kept the picture first! YEAH!!!

This picture was taken as we finished putt-putt. The sign says not to touch the teeth, so we did everyting but touch them. I have so many pictures to post...Ya'll just better be warned for when my computer is back up!

Jeff, are you out there?

Dear Jeff,
I just talked with your mom and she stated that you haven't gotten my emails every night. If it's a glitch in the email, maybe we could talk over this blogsite. I still read each of them every night. The computer problems I've been having will not allow me to post any pictures of the boys. Please, if you check the blogs, please let me know. I am always praying you're safe and that we will get to hear from you. We will be going to Clinton tomorrow for PaPa Joe's funeral on Thursday, but I will be hurrying home on Friday to check the email again. I hope to hear from you soon.
Always, Heather

This one is about Luke...

Today will be about Luke...

Luke was really surprised to see our neighbor, Todd, on a new Harley. With it being Harley week, both boys are motorcycle wild. Luke wanted a short ride. They went up the street and then in a cul-de-sac clinging to Mr. Todd. He loved it.

Nana, do you see his crocs? They haven't been off his feet since he got them. :)

Luke got to play first base today at T-ball. He was also given the option to be thrown the ball by Connor's dad or use the Tee. Luke opted for the throwing, of course. He hit it hard- one of the only kids who connected with the ball!! It surprised Mr. Jeff so much he had to hop off the ground to not be hit. The head coach for Carolina Forest Cougars has a daughter on the team and was really eyeing Luke hard!!!

I think he has the baseball stance down pretty well...:)

Wednesday's new Geese!

Look at these little ones!

They are new to the pond yesterday.

We went out to feed the geese and looked down the pond and saw these little ones. They wouldn't come down the pond for a pic, but today mama goose brought them down. We watched as mom and dad both surrounded them and didn't leave their side. I'm sometimes scared of the water being in the backyard, but know the boys have a healthy respect for it. The best thing about the water is all the wildlife. We have had so much fun.Here is Bubba this afternoon feeling much better after the stomach flu. I'm sitting in a chair with my head back taking the picture. I had been ill all day and didn't feel like being out of bed, but Luke wanted to play outside as well. Since I can't let him out alone, I sat in the shade watching the impromptu ball game.

Please note the lack of shoes...he IS my child!!!

What a preppy man!

This is quite a preppy man. He got some hand-me-downs from Christian this weekend and he went through them like the proverbial kid in a candy store. They all had to be tried on, the big ones put away for later and the ones that fit were worn to school today. He got so many whistles and comments when he came in sporting his blazer and button down shirt. He was so proud.

I had to take Charlie to the MD today due to 2 tick bites on his rear end which I saw in passing this morning. They were the size of silver dollars with huge welts. That and the fever /vomiting over the weekend had me seeing Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever or Lyme Disease. Dr. P said that he'd rather be safe than sorry and put Charlie on Keflex and measured them to ensure they don't get any bigger. I wanted to post a picture of the bites, but Charlie completely refused. I told him it was for Science, but he said the answer is still NO. I guess that's just the nurse in me. He feels as right as rain right now. Going back to school tomorrow DEFINITELY!

I'm back!!

Here I am again! It feels like so long ago that I blogged! Almost a whole month! Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there. I have had a great day with my two and my great hubby. We drove to Greenwood yesterday after the games for Mother's day and my mom's birthday (5-14). All the grandkids posed for the picture with mom and dad. We managed to get a few good ones between us all. The great lady in the green top is mom's cousin, Bonnie, who has been around us three girls our whole lives. She is our honorary mom. She was not blessed with any children, but loves us and our kids like her own. I could not believe how much Lucy, Harris, and Chris have grown! Such beautiful children!
This is one of my favorites from the weekend. My two sisters are my link to this world. The only one missing from the picture is Mamie. She is our sister now, too. When I said that all the grandkids were there, there was one missing from the picture. She is "Tiny Tigress", growing inside MiMi. She is feeling well, is just starting to show and is a beautiful blooming new mom-to-be. Jay wasn't able to come, but she flew out anyway. It was so good to see both sides of my family this weekend.

On the way home, I counted some of my many blessings and was very comforted to know that when Jeff is away I have such a great family behind me for support. God is SO good!

Yesterday's news.....

This is yesterday's newspaper. The Sun News has a Neighbors section every Thursday. Luke is in the picture in the bottom Left. We don't get the paper, so Haven, my friend, showed this to me. Now he is the local celebrity in the neighborhood!
Here is an enlargement of the picture. It's a little fuzzy, but it's the best I could do.

Sorry I'm not able to post during the week as much as I used to, but somehow 3 boys in the house is a little more work than two. I welcome the work just to have Lt here!

Lions and Tigers and....Llamas???

This is sort of a cheat since these shots didn't come from today, but they're recent. The other day Heather wanted to go shopping...ALONE....so she dropped me and the boys off at the Waccatee Zoo in Socastee. It's a small little zoo that is pretty cruddy in my opinion (I tell Heather that it's exactly what you would expect from a group of rednecks that had some extra 2x4s, and chicken wire and decided to start a zoo), but the boys like it. The end result of the day was that Heather had some great alone time and we boys got to hang out together.

Here is a cattle egret. There were thousands of these things nesting around a little cypress pond.

This is the Southern Copperhead. How do you tell it's a Southern Copperhead? Because it hisses with a drawl. There are about a dozen fish tanks filled with snakes like this as you walk in the front door. Our neighbor, Barbara, won't go there for that very reason.

If there was one peacock, there were a thousand. I wanted to get a good closeup of one of the "eyes" but the blasted things wouldn't hold still long enough. I remember Mama Mixson used to have peacocks around her house. I recall them being mean, but that was a long time ago.

I like this picture for the black and white patterns and that doleful black eye in the middle of it all.

I took this one for the boys because of their favorite video. When you get a minute, go to www.youtube.com and search for "The Llama Song". Charlie and Luke watch this for hours. It's pretty funny about the first two times, then it's just annoying. About two seconds after snapping this picture, Charlie found out that llama's have a taste for hair. Luke thought that was even funnier than the video. Charlie??....not so much.