Catching Up #5 - Florida Trip - Disney World

So excited! This was Will's first trip to Disney World!

Love this one in front of the castle!

The first ride!
Everybody had to...

get their picture taken...

in these!

Can't remember which ride this was, but is was SUPER hot so we were glad to be in the AC!

I think Rich is more excited than Will on the carousel!

Richie trying out his driving skills!

Will is a BIG Pooh fan!

And an even BIGGER Buzz Lightyear Fan! I love the proud smile on his face here!

As we were leaving...we missed out on the fireworks because there was a downpour at about that time and everyone was soaked and ready to leave! Still, it was a wonderful family day!

Catching Up #4 - Florida Trip - 50th Anniversary

The purpose for our trip to Florida in June was to celebrate as a family with Rich's parents who had their 50th wedding anniversary this past April! We did some other fun things along the way. The next few posts will touch on just a few of the highlights.
Enjoy!

This is actually a picture of Rich and I on our 13th wedding anniversary. We were able to sneak away for a dinner out and a walk on the beach that night. Heavenly!

We had lots of play time with our new baby cousin, Kelly Joy!

Check out those smiles...love it!


Here is a pic of the whole family at Buca Di Beppo's when we went out for a 50th anniversary celebratory dinner! YUM!


Here are Dick and Joanne in front of the banner Rich designed for them...we took the liberty of hanging it on the wall at the restaurant for our viewing pleasure!

After dinner, we came home and celebrated with some yummy desserts. And what celebration is complete without a little chocolate fondue?

At least we are pretty sure that is what William thinks!

Boy-sterous Living: A Book Review

Well, if you are a mom of a boy or boys, the cover and title of this book will most certainly draw you in. Why? Because you will instantly KNOW that this author must really understand what your life is like! And she does. I have been reading this book by Jean Blackmer over the last couple of weeks and I absolutely LOVE it!

You see, I grew up in a family of all girls (except my Dad, of course), so when I imagined being a Mom, the things that came to mind were baby dolls, tiaras, and lots and LOTS of pink. The things that did NOT come to mind were soccer balls, light sabers, and Legos. It turns out, though, that God had other plans! And (not surprisingly) His plans now make so much more sense to me.

I adore my boys! I love cheering on the sidelines of their soccer games and watching them wrestle on the floor with their Dad. And most of the time, I don't even mind having to defend myself as I maneuver through a Jedi battle of light sabers. I love that my boys have a special place in their heart for Mommy and I think there is something quite special about having all things feminine in the house reserved just for me.

Of course, the simple fact that I am a girl makes relating to my boys at times a challenge. There is often a learning curve involved. The first time I dressed my boys for a soccer game, I wasn't sure if the shin guards went inside or outside the sock! And although I am learning, I still have to turn to my friends often during a sporting event and say, "um...what just happened?". I could really use a manual. And while we all know the only real manual we have for raising kids (boys or girls) has a different Author, this book works nicely for a supplemental and humorous read!

If you'd like to know more about this book, check out the details below. Also, enter a contest for a chance to win movie tickets and a snack for you and a friend!

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About the book: Raising boys isn't easy. Life with them is loud. If it's quiet, they're probably up to something. Boys are messy, competitive, fearless, and proud. Living with them pretty much guarantees that you're in for an adventure.

In Boy-sterous Living, Jean shares a few of the priceless stories and laugh-out-loud lessons that she and her boys have experienced over the years. With humorous insight and practical advice, she offers encouragement and ideas to help both mothers and fathers impact and shape the lives of their sons. From understanding their love of sports to overcoming the superman complex, Jean shows moms how to find joy and contentment in everyday life by celebrating the laughter, passion, noise, and endless energy boys bring to our lives.

About the author: Jean is currently the Publishing Manager for MOPS International and she's been free-lance writing for 16 years. She has been published in a variety of local and national publications, including: Guideposts, MomSense, Today's Christian Woman, Christian Parenting Today, American Girl, Proverbs 31 Woman, Chicken Soup for the Mother and Son Soul, Chicken Soup Cookbook for the Busy Mom's Soul, Focus on the Family's Teen Phases, Guideposts Miracle Series, and others.

She also co-authored her first book, Where Women Walked: Powerful True Stories of Women's Perseverance and God's Provision. (Tyndale/Focus on the Family, 2004) This book was nominated for a Gold Medallion Award.

Jean graduated from the University of Colorado in Boulder with a Bachelor's (1987) and a Master's (1992) degree in Journalism. She lives in Boulder with her husband Zane; three boys, Josh, Jordan, and Jake.

Would you like your own copy of Boy-sterous Living? Click here!

Check out what other bloggers have to say about this book here.

And click here to check out the author's website.

Also, don't forget the contest! Details below...

CONTEST: Enter your grossest or funniest moment as a mom of a boy (No boys? That’s okay – we still want to hear your story!) and you could win movie tickets and a snack for you and a friend to escape! Share your story by emailing your entry to amy@litfusegroup.com or posting it on the Moms of Boys facebook page!

Catching up #3 - Will's 5th Birthday

Enjoying the perks of helping Mommy bake his birthday cake! Yes, I let them lick the beaters...I've done it all my life and never had a problem! Admit it, so have you!

Doesn't he just LOOk 5?

Our yummy creation!

This is from Will's friend party...he shared a party with his friend Tessa!


Check out the cool Thomas!

Mommy and Daddy with the birthday boy (Richie was at camp)!

Catching up #2 - Will's Preschool Graduation - 2009

Last time walking in the door to preschool...

A picture really does tell a thousand words...


One seriously cute preschool graduate!


That same preschooler with his seriously cute Daddy!

Mommy and her little graduate!

Graduate buddies!

Will with his wonderful teacher, Mrs. B!

The Last Day to Vote...Bloggy Friends Unite!

Calling all bloggy friends! I need your help! The organization I work for (Big Brothers Big Sisters) is trying to win a grant to send our Littles to a Christian camp this summer! We are competing with another organization that simply has a lot more manpower and contacts that we do so I'm asking for your help.

Could you take just a few minutes to ask (read BEG and PLEAD) your blog readers to vote for us? I would be so very grateful! Right now we are 134 votes behind. What do you say, friends...will you help the underdogs!? Here's the link...

Check out this Nike Back Your Block application and vote

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Catching Up Post #1 - Mother's Day Tea with William - 2009

Will with Mommy's special place mat!

Will and Mommy!

Sweet friends Janelle and Loulabelle!

Sweet friends Dixie and Tessa!

Preschool Buddies!

See, I told you!

I told you I would be back soon with a real post, but I bet you we're expecting it to be this soon. I mean my track record lately with posting has been less than stellar. However, I am home with a sick kid for the 5th day out of the last 7 and I thought maybe I could use a little of my time here for something besides attempting to seize and destroy all the germs in this house!

So, how ya been? We've been pretty well. We had a really big event recently when my youngest went to Kindergarten! He is loving it! And once I was able to work through all the emotions and implications of this event in my life, I have really been loving it, too! I have been reminded about just how crucial alone time is to my psyche. I am still working three days a week, but I now have two days BY MYSELF to get things done at home and elsewhere. I will admit that I have been home more than elsewhere because it just feels so good to be alone in my house. Of course, I miss the boys, but I find that I appreciate the time I do have with them even more. I guess absence really does make the heart grow fonder!

The second big event in our life as of yet involves a word that starts with a B. And no, it's not BABY! The B word I am thinking of is not as cute and cuddly as that one. The B word I am referring to is BUDGET. I know. A bad word for some of you, maybe, but I'm actually finding it is not as bad as it sounds and that I really find a lot of comfort in it.

One of the biggest changes has been our frequency of eating out. This has been huge for me and I thought it would be a lot harder than it has been. Rich has been a huge help and we have really enjoyed cooking together at times and he has been a lifesaver at helping me clean up. Yep. He's a keeper. I have also enjoyed the quality time at the table as a family (somehow it is just different than being around a table at a restaurant). Also, I have found the boys have been eating and trying more new foods because...well, there is no short order cook to give them exactly what they want. It's good.

Another big change with the budgeting has involved meal plans, grocery lists (what a novel concept!), coupons, sale papers, etc. I have been truly amazed at how much money I have saved just by having a plan! It takes a lot of time initially, but I believe it saves time in the long run. Seriously, how many hours of your adult life have you spent standing and staring at the freezer/refrigerator/freezer pondering what to have for dinner? It's nice to be able to go to the kitchen and just do instead of think. Ya know?

Anyway, I guess that's my little update for now. I'm going to download some pictures later and see about putting a few of those on here to catch you up in visual form.

Later!

If Anyone Is Still Reading This

I don't know if anyone is even still reading this blog anymore (aside from my Mother and Mother in Law), but if you are...I need your help! The organization I work for (Big Brothers Big Sisters) is trying to win a grant to send our Littles to Kids Across America (A Christian sports camp). For most if not all of our Littles, this will be a bright spot in their summer and year! We need your votes to help us get there. So, please go to the link below and vote! It only takes a few seconds! And then go to your blogs, Facebook pages, Twitter pages, and email address books to ask your friends to vote! Please! We are behind in votes and only have a couple of days left! Thanks so much. I promise to be back soon with a "real" post.

Check out this Nike Back Your Block application and vote

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