crack me up!

So, my kids give me a lot to laugh about these days! Most recently, Tucker was the culprit!

We went to church Wednesday night, and once we got home I decided to feed him a little more baby food since he didn't eat as much as normal before we left for church. I fed him a jar of sweet potatoes, then gave him a mum-mum (yes, that's really what it's called...I think maybe it's french for "a rice cracker with a fancy name so you'll pay big bucks for it even though it's not that different than a Saltine").

First, Tucker started a new "trick" - sharing! It was precious. He'd take a bite of his mum-mum, then offer me one, and so on and so forth. Too funny, and too cute...and I must admit impressively generous for a 10-month-old! I'd like to think he learned it from his sometimes-incredibly-generous big brother and sister.

Then, all of a sudden, he starts sticking his tongue out, like he had just discovered it for the first time. Hysterical!!! And I was lucky enough to catch a little video of it! Maybe it won't do as much for you as it did for me, but I hope it at least gives you a little chuckle and brightens your day a bit! (And I apologize if you get a crick in your neck watching it...I'm not sure why I videoed it sideways???)

And before I close...Happy Birthday, Pops! You are incredibly loved by a family of 5 in Columbus, TX! I hope it was a wonderful day, and can't wait to celebrate it with you (a little late) in a few weeks!

it won't be like this for long

I apologize for my lapse in updates...I guess that's what happens when you live in a town long enough to "have a life." I'm mostly kidding. But, seriously, this fall has been comfortably busy. We took a trip to Tyler and I got to go to Denver for a wedding, and we've settled into life in Columbus, getting involved at church and enjoying time with our Columbus friends.

I have no idea how to adequately update you on all that has happened in the past month, so I'll stick with the important stuff...the kids!

Ten-month-old Tucker the Traveller:
Well, Tucker has been "inching" since before camp ended, but he is now officially crawling, and crawling fast!!! I've thought several times since I became the mom of 3 mobile children how I wish the Lord gave moms one extra hand for each child they have after their second. Actually, though, Tucker seems to be able to entertain himself quite well now that he can get where he wants to go. He is also eating some table food: lunch meat, cheese, cheerios, spaghettios, etc. And probably my favorite of his new talents is his ability to pull up...I LOVE walking in to get him up in the mornings or after naps and finding him standing there waiting for me. Oh what a blessing Tucker is in our lives! His huge smile, his bright eyes, and his cuddliness are almost just more than I can handle!

One of Tucker's favorite tricks these days!

I think he looks like such a little man in this outfit

don't worry...it's not a real lizard
visiting Grammy

Landry the Little Lady:
Our Miss Priss has developed quite the vocabulary over the past month. There's not much she can't say - and not much she doesn't. Purple has joined pink on her list of favorite colors. She continues to have a great appreciation for pretty things, and continues to have strong opinions on which items in her closet qualify as pretty things. I'm a little nervous about when the temperatures finally start to drop here, because I don't think Landry thinks pants or jeans are very pretty. We may be wearing a lot of skirts with tights, which I think will be a nice compromise that is both pretty and functional. Some of Landry's favorite activities include being mommy to her dolls (and Tucker), playing with play-do, taking bubble baths, singing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, and doing whatever Hank is doing (or trying to ruin whatever Hank is doing, depending on her mood). I know I am quite biased, but I truly believe she is the most beautiful little girl I have ever set eyes upon, and we are loving teaching her that inner beauty is more important than outer beauty.

splish, splash!

one of Landry's ideas of pretty...the more bows, the better! and notice what's on her tummy...it was when she had the stomach bug and she wanted a band-aid to make her feel better :(

I put her in a skirt and tights on the one cool day we had this fall...I'm not sure what she's doing with her hands, but she's been doing that a lot lately

Handsome, Happy, Helpful Hank:
Hank never ceases to surprise me these days. I am truly in awe of how big...and smart...and responsible he is. He is growing like a weed...he looks so tall and skinny! He has an amazing memory and is learning so much. He can recognize all his letters now and knows what sounds most of them make. I have a feeling that sounding out words is just around the corner...hello hooked on phonics! He knows his days of the week, too...is that normal for a 3 year old??? And Hank truly is my little helper. Although there are occasional exceptions, he is so good at cleaning up after himself, looking out for his little brother and sister, and lending a hand when I need it (which is very frequently). I am so proud of him. Where has the time gone? I feel like it was just yesterday that Hank was the one learning to crawl and pull up and eat table food. My little buddy isn't so little anymore!

he's showing me the snail he found

so big, so tall (relatively speaking, of course...he still barely fits in 3T clothes and he's about to turn 4)

Pops is so funny!

So, if the title of this post didn't sound familiar to you, then you probably haven't had the pleasure of hearing the country song called It Won't Be Like This For Long by Darius Rucker. (Warning: it's a tear-jerker.) I'll end with sharing the lyrics, because they do a good job of summing up the thought process I go through often during these oh-so-wonderful-yet-sometimes-so-challenging days...

He didn't have to wake up
He'd been up all night
Layin' there in bed listenin'
To his newborn baby cry
He makes a pot of coffee
He splashes water on his face
His wife gives him a kiss and says
"It gonna be OK"


It won't be like this for long
One day soon we'll look back laughin'
At the week we brought her home
This phase is gonna fly by
So baby just hold on
It won't be like this for long

Four years later 'bout 4:30
She's crawling in their bed
And when he drops her off at preschool
She's clinging to his leg
The teacher peels her off of him
He says "What can I do?"
She says "Now don't you worry,
This will only last a week or two"

It won't be like this for long
One day soon you'll drop her off
And she won't even know you're gone
This phase is gonna fly by
If you can just hold on
It won't be like this for long

One day soon she'll be a teenager
And at times he'll think she hates him
Then he'll walk her down the aisle
And he'll raise her veil
But right now she's up and cryin'
And the truth is that he don't mind
As he kisses her good night
And she says her prayers
He lays down there beside her
'Til her eyes are finally closed
And just watchin' her it breaks his heart
Cause he already knows


It won't be like this for long
One day soon that little girl is gonna be
All grown up and gone
Yeah this phase is gonna fly by
He's tryin' to hold on
It won't be like this for long
It won't be like this for long

(you can watch the video of this song at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53Rm-Vgf7h8)


Oh, Lord, may I be willing to cherish the challenging moments right there along with the cheerful ones...May I make the most of every opportunity and savor every experience, recognizing them as a blessing from You!