The Cross

Two years ago for Christmas Uncle Ken, Aunt Ashley, and the cousins gave Ford a Bible for Christmas.  It really is fabulous for kids.  Yes, some of the terminology was over his head at 2.5 years of age, but I would explain as we went.  Now that Ford is 4.5 he completely understands what we are reading.  He sits in “big church” with us every Sunday and flips through his Bible and always stops at the same place.

 He is infatuated with the story of Jesus dying on the cross.  I honestly believe we could read it to him 5 times a day and he would still want to know more.

 The picture of Jesus on the cross upsets Ford.  He wants to know WHY the Roman soldiers put him on the cross and hurt him.  Explaining “sin” to a child can be difficult, but Trey and I try to always answer his questions as best as we can.

 I am so glad Ford loves the Lord and is eager to learn more and more.

 Onto a lighter note, “school”.  I get excited about packing Ford’s lunchbox and snack.  Sometimes I leave him surprises like sweet-tarts or notes that say I love you.  One thing I always have in his lunchbox is a cute napkin.  When I taught school every Friday I would pass out a newsletter which I called The Weekly Letter to my students.  This was all the information they needed to know about what would be going on the next week at school, spelling words, vocabulary words, and reminders.  My students looked forward to their weekly letter because it was always on cute paper.  I didn't go with plain-boring white copy paper.  Oh no!!!  We had fancy paper each week.  It was also easy for them to locate it in their folder when we needed to refer to something.  I miss my weekly letters, but for now I get to be excited about packing cute napkins!

 Ford spent some time coloring a tractor yesterday.  He was pleased with his work and wanted me to document it.

 Today we went to see a friend who works with horses.  My boys love animals so I knew this field trip would be a success.  We started off by feeding each horse a treat.  Both boys found this activity to be very enjoyable.  Oh yes, and Ford decided to get in character too....notice his attire!!!

 Next, they both got two turns to ride Norman who was a 12 year old horse and very gentle.     

 And lastly, we got to see Jessie get a bath!     

 Our church was ready to print a new directory and we all had to sign up for a family photo shoot.  Ours was pretty much disastrous and ended rather quickly.  Before we left John Brantley had a fit to wear his crocs.  Who knew they would show in the picture!!!????

New blog below…..

Nose Honker and a bag full of goods

Time sure flies when you’re having fun, and for the last 19 months we have had some F-U-N at the Lamar household.  Bitty was 19 months old on the 13^th and is livelier than ever.  Some things I want to remember about John Brantley at this stage in his life:

John Brantley will go to the refrigerator, grab the handle, and make noises until I come open it for him.  He will then grab his cup of milk and Ford’s.  He is very kind to take Ford his cup, but makes sure to sample his milk on the way over.  This absolutely drives Ford over the edge.

 He has a shoe fetish.  If you plan to come visit don’t take your shoes off.  It bothers John Brantley and he worries about them being off.  BoomPa, my dad, likes to throw a shoe across the room when he visits just to get a rise out of Bitty.  Like a good boy, he delivers him his shoe back promptly.  He is beyond obsessed with his navy blue rain boots.  Why he owns any other shoes I do not know.   He wears them around the house, on top of his footed pajamas, to church, and grabs them if he thinks someone might be going somewhere and he needs to be included.

John Brantley doesn't like to be left out.  Closing doors with him on the outside is a major No No.  He will yell, scream, holler, and literally try to beat the door down until you open it.  I made the mistake of not letting him in the bathroom while I showered.  I desperately wanted some peace while I was in there so I didn't have to watch him cleaning out my drawers, licking the toothpaste, or trying to get to the potty brush.  Instead he used his sippy cup to beat the door to death!  Ford purposefully shuts the door on him just to push his buttons.  

 The boy also has a high regard for a nose.   If you are within an arm’s reach of him he will more than likely test your honker out.  He also likes my chap stick.  This isn't a good habit to have.  I have ruined my lips since middle school by applying chap stick every few minutes.  I think he is more into rubbing it on his cheeks and having me chase after him to get my addiction-fixer back!  (There are THE BOOTS).

 The little guy still isn’isn't talking.  He understands whatever we say and communicates beautifully in his own little way.  He will say “bye- bye”, “Ma-ma”, but most of the time it comes out as Maaaaaaaaaaa like someone from the Bronx would say.  He can say tractor which comes out as “tac-ter”.  I’m pretty sure that no amount of speech therapy will help my strong willed child at this point.  He might be their worst patient yet!!!!

 The biting is better, but I did get chomped on today.  I got on to him and he put himself in time out!!!

On Thursday, my mom went in to have surgery for pancreatic cancer.  The procedure wasn't successful because she had a spot that was on her liver.  They were unable to perform The Whipple Procedure.  Mom is home and recovering from being cut open.  My dad has learned how to run the washer and dryer, turn on the dishwasher, and make a pot of coffee.  I think that is quite the accomplishment for a man who will be 63 next month!!!!

My sweet friend, Meg, brought over a bag loaded with all kinds of goods for me to take to the hospital while we waited on mom last week.  I thought that was so thoughtful of her to put together all these goodies for us.  Thank you for all the prayers for my mom, Gran, and my family.  Please keep them coming.  This battle is far from over.  We will beat this terrible disease!!!

Getting the ears lowered

Yesterday was a sad day for Trey.  It was one he has put off and dreaded for a while now.  What might you ask?...  John Brantley’s first haircut.  My baby is almost 19 months old and had never had a real haircut.  Sure I have been trimming it around his eyes for months now, but we have been protecting those precious locks in the back.

I made all 3 of my boys hair appointments yesterday.  Ford went first.  John Brantley knows the drill.  Ford sits there real still and then he gets a sucker.  John Brantley also knows where the suckers are kept and he decided to help himself as soon as we got there.  Trey told him “NO” and he cried the “ugly” cry.  We then told him he had to wait until after he got his hair cut.  I will have you know that he sat very still.  It was amazing. 

Some before pictures….

 Ohhhh those sweet baby curls!!!!

The BIG day….

 He sat all by himself.

 The after….

 Ford’s haircut…  Yes, Ford wore his batting gloves to get his haircut.

 Fancy’s turn….

 Last night we had dance party in the kitchen.  There’s nothing like jamming out to Crocodile Rock.

 Like father like son…. Both of them are looking at the meat in the oven.

My very own Clark Griswold

I was beginning to think I was going to rename Fancy to Clark Griswold from the “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”.  No, our house wasn't covered in thousands of lights, but the Representative WOULD NOT take my blasted tree down.  I decorated before Thanksgiving, which has NEVER happened might I add, and then last Saturday I was ready for some normalcy.  I took all the décor down and all that was left was my tree.  I waited.  I asked.  I demanded.  I asked again.  Finally today I said he HAD TO TAKE IT DOWN.  He was in there complaining more than a woman about taking the 3 piece Christmas tree apart.  Then he started saying that next year we would have a real tree and he was going to throw my fake tree away.  I am pretty partial to my “artificial” tree and think it’s lovely.  He told me it was heavy and he couldn't get it into the attic.  I was sick of hearing him whine and fuss.  I gave him three choices: 1.  I take the tree up and if I get it all the way up there he has to succumb to my “honey do list”.  2.  I take the tree up and if I don’t get it up he can take a nap and I won’t disturb him.  OR 3.  He can do it himself.  Well, Fancy agreed that I COULD TRY.   Before I began he told Ford to get the phone ready to call 911 because I was going to hurt myself.  I will have you ALL know that I, Jill Anthony Lamar, got that tree IN THAT ATTIC!!!!!!!  And don’t think I didn't do a little jig when I got up there and sing a ditty too.  And no, he didn't complete his honey do list.  =(

I really have been slacking on my blogging here lately.  Last Friday night we went and stayed out at the farm.  We started the night off by grilling steaks.  I bought two 8 ounce filets, thinking that would be plenty, for Trey and me to eat and to give the boys some here and there.  Remind me next time to get John Brantley his own 8 ounce filet.  The boy might only weigh 21 pounds, but he definitely is a carnivore.

 Ford was more interested in lying on the couch than eating a steak and potato.

 Delta had herself a FINE time licking the dinner plates when everyone was done.   

 You can’t have a big ole steak without dessert.  Next, we headed out back for s’mores!!!  I was all fired up about this activity.  I should have known that Trey and I would be the only ones to participate in the eating of the s’mores.   Ford sort of flipped out when the marshmallow wasn't completely white anymore and refused to eat them.  Both boys settled for chocolate only and collecting wood for our little fire.

Saturday morning Trey went hunting, of course, and the boys and I went home and headed to our neighbor’s train birthday party.  Sweet Micah turned two!  

 Santa brought Ford his VERY own razor and shaving cream.  My little space nerd was thrilled to find this treasure in his stocking on Christmas morning.  He proudly announced to everyone that he could now shave his legs.  Trey quickly chimed in and said he had been around his mother way too long and boys only shave their faces!!!!

 Every night before we go to bed my babies need them some milk!!!

One day last week we went out to our property, where we hope to begin building in the near future, to burn sticks.  Ford likes to bring his 4-wheeler out there so he can ride where he has lots of room.  Naturally, Bitty wants to ride too and this is irritating to Ford.  I told him he had to take John Brantley on a quick spin.  

 It definitely was quick.  He dropped John Brantley off and said he was going riding somewhere that was much too dangerous for his brother.  Oh the excuses begin!

 I can’t wait to look out my window at this view every day!

 John Brantley found sticks too!!!

 Ford found a really big one!!

The end!!!!!