Pigs and Canceled Birthdays...

 "As good as it gets"....the two quotables just before Mothers' Day

We have been very busy!  Tim had an event this past weekend, so I took the opportunity to take the kids up to Maine to see the new piglet and chicks that my parents recently got.  It was a nice weekend with friends and family.  While there, we also got to see the World's Smallest Horse that was born in New Hampshire, not far from my parents!  Carter and Emilie got a kick out of that and loved all of the miniature horses, but especially 'Einstein'- the star of the show (the horse farm happened to be having an open house while we were there!).

Emilie proudly showing off her Einstein "Smallest Horse in the World" card

While in Maine, my dad gave Carter the difficult job of coming up with a name for the new piglet.  Carter did not take this lightly and spent two days coming up with what he thought would be the perfect name!  Well, here it is......Bologna (for those of you who need to sound it out "Bol-own-ee")!!!  I couldn't believe that is what he came up with!  What a ham (no pun intended)!

We are now back in Connecticut and are anticipating Carter's 4th birthday tomorrow!  He is so excited to be the birthday boy!  We will not have his official party until the 22nd, but he'll have cupcakes at school tomorrow.  Tonight as I was putting him in bed, I reminded him to stay in bed and that if he didn't go to sleep his birthday wouldn't come.  He replied ever so sweetly "Is God gonna cancel my birthday?!"

Our sweet boy reluctantly petting a miniature horse

We are so thankful for our precious son and the joy he brings to our lives.  We couldn't ask for a better child to raise.  We just can't believe it's been four years!  Happy Birthday, Carter Stephen!

Please Hold Your Applause...

This past weekend I had the wonderful privilege of going on the Women's Retreat held by our church.  It took place at a hotel in Hartford and I enjoyed every minute!  While I was away, Tim took the kids to Pennsylvania to see their Papa and Mimi!  They had a super fun time and were quick to tell me all about it during dinner!  While I was at my retreat, I received this picture on my cell phone of Emilie.  They were out to breakfast and this is what happened......who knew we had such a talented daughter?!!  Anyways, this just made me smile so much and I looked at it every day I was away from her!  What a HAM!!

When I grow up.....

This morning Carter told blurted out "When I grow up, Mommy, I want to be a Pastor!".  Be still my heart!  That was one of the sweetest things that could come from him.  Not because that is what I want him to be, but because it is from HIS heart and it shows me he has a heart for God.  He's always been very aware of God, creation, and heaven.  We have a lot of talks and there is nothing like the innocence of a child of God.  No one is without blemish or sin, but there is something about a true childlike faith that I think just warms the Lord's heart. 

 Our little Carter in 2006

I don't know what God's plan for Carter is, but I just pray that he will follow Him all the days of his life.....even Carter realizes how much he is loved by God and how special he is!

"The Dump"

Today Carter was walking around the house with a bucket and a hat on.  He would go back and forth between rooms pretending he was bringing his trash to the dump.  I found this so amusing.  Before the dump, he was "strawberry picking" with his "wife" (Emilie).  He's in a great imaginitive stage right now.

I love the fact that there was no shame in simply pretending to bring his trash to the dump.  No- it's not glamorous, but it's life.  Tim has to do that once in a while.  I have to say, I think the reason I found it so great is that I used to go to the dump with my dad every Saturday.  And can I tell you a secret?  When I am at my parents' house even at my age.....if I'm there on a weekend and have the opportunity, I STILL make my dad wait for me so I can go to the dump with him.  Why is it that those are the memories that stay with us?!  It's those small things that we remember.  Not the toys we had or the what's-her-name that was at our tenth birthday party.....or the grades we got or that time we sat in a time-out.  It's the everyday moments we share with our children that they will remember.  One thing Carter loves is going to the Home Depot with Tim, among many things.  And I love that 

We will never be perfect parents, but may our children remember the time we spent with them and how we spent it.......whether at home or at the dump.

Quick Quotes

All compliments of Carter, of course.

Lily- "Carter, is that your friend over there?"
Carter- (looking up) "No.  There is my friend!  GOD."

Lily- "Who's boat is that?" (we have our neighbors boat on our property)
Carter- "Oh, it's a LONG story."

After receiving a surprise outside our door today:
"Play Dough- boy I am glad to see that!"

Don't Talk to Strangers.....

Sometimes I feel like (even thought my kids are little) the things I say go in one ear and out the other.  Welcome to motherhood you say!  As most of you know, my kids are anything but shy.  Never have been shy, and never will.  Because of this, the kids tend to make friends with anyone- young or old!  Doesn't matter who they are or where they came from.  If they speak, bark, cry, or meow (among other things) they WILL befriend you.

The worst of it started about three months ago.  I had ordered groceries online (yay!) and the only delivery time was between 6-8 am.  I hoped it would be 8.  That morning, Tim left early.  Next thing I knew, Carter was in my room saying that "they" were here.  I assumed he had seen the truck outside.  I said "Where are they?" and he said "They are by daddy's backpack in the living room."  Hmm....that's weird.  So I throw on my bathrobe and head out to the living room.  And there they were.....all the groceries.  And there SHE was.  The grocery lady.  Standing there in my living room.  She says "Oh, he's so sweet!"  Yup.  Carter had opened the door and let her in.  She had unloaded all the groceries.  And all the while, she never wondered where the mom was, or didn't think it was strange a three year old was all alone?!  I was horrified!  It was then I attempted the "stranger talk" with Carter.  Unfortunately, we've had a few since, and they don't seem to be helping. 

So for the past couple of weeks we have- for the first time- had a consistent mail lady coming.  We used to be a "pick up route" and whoever made it to deliver the mail- and whenever they delivered it was up to them.  This new lady comes every day at a normal time and she drives the mail truck (which my kids love....the other people always walked). 

Today she happened to come right when we were getting home.  Of course, my kids, not taking any of the "stranger" talks I have taught them to mind, went right to her and started talking.  She was very sweet, thankfully. 

Here is what went down:  She now knows the kids names, ages, and birthdays.  Carter invited her to his Chitty Chitty birthday party and then proceeded to tell me that if he invited her, she would say "Thank you-that is very sweet, Carter."  She will be back tomorrow, her name is Mary, and she's no longer a stranger.  This is everything that went on between her and my kids.  Guess they don't even need me! 

Let's just hope they both keep their friendly personalities and I'll keep relying on the Lord to watch over them and keep them safe!!

In other news, today Carter kissed me and told me he didn't want me to die......

.....stay tuned for THAT talk.

Race Car Mom

Just a little something to add to your day:  Yesterday we went to a friends house for dinner.  After we arrived, Carter hopped out of the car, gave me a big hug and said "Thank you, Mommy!" I was a little confused so I said "For what?" to which he responded.....

"For driving super fast down the highway!"

I love that he THINKS I drive fast.  I'm sure if you asked Tim, he would think differently!!

Who says minivans can't be race cars?!