These are from tonight!

Notice the dress... totally daddy... well except for my headband that Zac has in his hair!



My boys!



He definitely gets his moves and faces from his mama!

Finally some Photos!

First Day of School! It was crazy so I didn't get that many photos!



Ben loves his saucer! It provides him a little protection from precious Zachy!



Mommy & Ben!



Doesn't he look like an angel!




I found my toes and I love them! (Nate used to put his in his mouth but Ben is not that flexible!)

Zac's First Day of Preschool

Yesterday was Zac's first day of "preschool". He is going to be going two days a week. Below is a letter that I wrote for his scrapbook that best describes the event!

February 19, 2008

My Dearest Zac:

Today was your first day of school (2 yrs 10 mos.). Daddy left yesterday for a 90 day detail in Missouri so we thought letting you start school might help divert your attention from the fact that daddy is gone and give mommy a little extra time to try to keep the house in one piece. You’ve been asking for months now when you will be big enough to go to Nate’s school. Well my precious, I guess you are now big enough. I spent last night feeling guilty and hoping that we were making the right decision. You woke up this morning and while you were eating breakfast I said “Zac, you get to go to school today with Nate” to which your replied, “I’ll go tomorrow when I’m 4”! I thought, to myself, this is going to be a long morning. We got you dressed, packed your new lunchbox, and gathered your new nap mat (and Elmo) and backpack. Then you, Ben, Nate, and Grandpa and I headed to school. When we got there, Nate walked you in and you took off running and a lot of the kids yelled, “That’s Nate’s little brother…” and off you went. I went to give your teacher the “low down” on your precocious, sometimes mischievous, but always loving personality and of course my biggest concern… your peanut allergy. Sweet Mrs. Kerry is so soft spoken… I just pray you bring her lots of laughter and don’t overwhelm her too much. After visiting with her, I went to get you to bring you back to your room. You walked right in your room and turned around and said “Bye mom, see you later!” to which I replied, “O.K. I love you buddy, be good.” Then I said one more time, “I’ll see you after naps” to which you replied, “O.K. mom bye bye.” And off you went checking out the room. I turned around, and I had fully expected you to have at least tears in your eyes… but instead, it was me that was tearing up. You are such a big boy in so many ways, but in so many others, you are still my precious baby. It will be a joy watching you come into your own.

When I picked you up from school today, Mrs. Melinda said, “That Zac is quite the entertainer… he is funny.” To which, I replied, “ Was he O.K?” She laughed and said, “Yes, he is going to be a lot of fun”! My precious Zac, this will be an interesting 3 mos!

I love you buddy and look forward to our mommy days!
Love, mom

God grant me patience.....

The past month has been full of craziness! At the end of January, Tim came home with the nasty flu! Bless his heart, he was out of commission for at least a week and still felt pretty terrible for another week. Needless to say, his help was greatly missed, as I felt like a single parent for much of the time. We tried very hard to keep him and the boys separated. Luckily, none of the boys caught the flu, except for Zac who we think had a very mild case (he was on Tamiflu) and was over it in a couple of days.

In the middle of the flu drama, Tim found out that he had been selected to fulfill a 90 day detail (basically like an internship) as a Forest Supervisor in Donavan (sp) MO. As a mom of 3 boys, I must say the timing sucks (for lack of better word). However, the opportunity is a great one for Tim and a testament to his hard work and skills. Luckily, he will be able to come home on the weekends (5 hour drive). Although, I will miss him greatly, I think it will be the hardest on the boys (all 4 of them) as Tim will miss T-ball season and other events. I am very fortunate that I have my parents and my in-laws close by as they've already volunteered to help out. I know I could do it by myself if I had too, but its a comfort to know that they are willing and able to help. In the middle of all of this, I have completed one contract job and have another one due at the end of April!

ON to the fun stuff... Zac will be starting at Nate's preschool 2 days a week (beginning this week). He is very excited and I thought that it would be good for him and provide me with a litte time to accomplish some things while Tim is gone. I'm very nervous (because of peanut allergy), a little sad, and very excited to see how he does in a group setting (outside of sunday school and awana). Ben is growing too fast and no longer has his passy and only has one night feeding (most of the time). About 3 weeks ago I begain the "crying it out" at naps and nights and so far it has worked really well for him. He is getting so big. He is an absolute joy and brightens even my most challenging of days with his little smile. He has found his feet and loves to hold on to them. He's not so big on rolling over and I suspect he will be sitting up in a couple of weeks! Nate is learning how to read! He will be 5 in March and he can already read simple sentences like "Sam is sad"... etc. I'm so proud of him. He is a little sponge who loves to learn.

Nate had a Valentines Day party at school and had a wonderful time! They decorated cookies, had a bing bag toss, and played Valentine Bingo. .. and of course had way too much sugar! Zac had a Valentines day party at church on Wed. night at AWANA and enjoyed all of the hoopla!

Days are busy, the laundry is always backed up, and the house is never clean... I'm trying to make peace with the fact that that is just the way my life is right now.... and its O.K. because my little guys are growing too fast and I don't want to miss a single minute (except for the not so pleasant ones)! Hugs to you all and thanks for being so patient with my infrequent blogs!