Happy Birthday, Maw Maw

Over the weekend, we were blessed to get to enjoy time with family and celebrate the birthday of my wonderful mother. (I dropped the "in-law" a long time ago. Abby still can't figure that out.) I won't say how many years she celebrated, but we hope she is around for many more to come.

She is an example to me in many, many ways. There are not enough descriptive words to describe her. There are the basics -- Daughter, Wife, Mother, Maw Maw, Woman. There are the descriptive -- caregiver, supporter, encourager, cheerleader, helper, friend, companion, listener, advice-giver, role model, teacher, among many others. Then there are the spiritual -- knowledge-seeker, Bible-reader, homebuilder, life-leader, wisdom finder, meek, humble, gentle, kind, loving, fruitful, etc.

But most importantly, she wears the name Christian. She is an inspiration to me, I am sure to the rest of the family, and to all those who meet her or come into contact with her. Thank you, Mom, for being who you are to me. I love you and I hope you had the best birthday yet.

Lighting the candles...isn't it fun?

Even more fun? Blowing them out! Granny is always there to hand out the LOVE! Thanks for a WONDERFUL MEAL!

Can't get by without a little silliness... Especially when Carlton's around!Aunt Janna is pretty fun, too. She is ALWAYS willing to play!Gotta have the "official" birthday-with-the-grandkids picture! I PROMISE, this is as big as the headcount is going to get!And, of course, it just isn't a party of ours until somebody ends up crying. I have a feeling that, for years to come, it is going to end up being someone that has to go home with me.Happy Birthday, Mom.

Hershey & Bacon

Well, we are officially pig owners. Abby would say they are her pigs, but honestly, it is going to be a great big group effort. And there is NO WAY Byron is going to let her go outside by herself to take care of them. It is going to be quite an adventure and has been quite comical already. What have I gotten myself into?

Dad and Abby are putting the finishing touches on the pens so that the pigs can be moved in. It is such a great bonding thing for them to get to experience together.

This is a picture of the boys and I staying out of the way so that Dad and Abby can get the pens finished. This is a very important step. We had been out at the pens watching, but it didn't take too long for Daddy to begin a slow, steady growl, so we found something else to do.So, let's see....which one should I choose? In the end it came down to what Dad and Les Sanders (the pig breeder. Sanders Show Hogs -- awesome establishment & awesome family!) thought. Abby and I are doing this together and have absolutely NO idea what makes a good pig....yet.Byron decided he needed one, too. Abby, bless her sweet little heart, is letting him believe the boy pig is his. How awesome of a sister is she?!
And HERE THEY ARE! Bacon is Byron's pig, the boy on the left. Hershey is Abby's pig, the girl on the right. (And yes, Kevin, I know that the boy is a boar and the girl is a gilt. Didn't think I was listening, did ya?) Aren't they SO cute?!?! (Yes, those really are the names they were given by my daughter)She was SO excited that she got close enough to touch them! She loves animals!Notice the pig is blurred? He ran from Byron at every opportunity. I kind of don't blame him considering Byron would probably have "pig-piled" him if he had gotten the chance. He ran after those poor pigs, around and around the pens, until he got too frustrated. He said, "Momma, I can't catch one!"So he decided he would be the pig. That is him saying "oink". The feeder is behind him, and, yes, he did eat some of the food. Just one piece though.....I think.....

That is one proud Piggy Momma!!!!I have the MOST beautiful kids in the world. I just couldn't resist the picture opportunity. I took WAY more pictures of the "getting ready for the pig" process, but that is all I will post. I got several of these: "Mom, are you taking pictures AGAIN?!?!" and an occasional, "Ok, Mom. Here's what we are gonna do. Do you need your camera for that?" from Kevin. At any rate, they still love me enough to let me take pictures. Thanks kids....

Wordless Wednesday

Abby's new bedding....She LOVES it! (Thanks Maw & Paw!)

The box the carseat came in was WAY more fun than the actual carseat!

Collin looks like he is having fun, right?!?!

Child Endangerment & Stupid Kid Tricks

There is probably a law against this in some state or country, but we are farm folks, so, really, what other way could we be? That is probably just an excuse, but we have fun and love our kids dearly and would never truly endanger them in any way. So, at the tender age of 3 years, 3 months, and 5 days, our oldest son learned how to drive the 4 wheeler. And might I say, he has done very well.....

So Kevin is really sick of the pacifiers we got at the hospital. I am talking REALLY sick. I think I hear him growling about it occasionally. I was determined not to even give this child one after dealing with them from the other two, but after Collin Mac cried the ENTIRE first night we were in the hospital, I accepted one from the nurse and a Soothie is what we got. As of late, Kevin has decided we need to switch brands (sounds like a cigarette), so I have been using a couple of different kinds. Have I mentioned Collin is not at all convinced we should switch?

It's been a busy week!

I had laid Collin down for a nap and went in the kitchen to bake or clean up or something useful like that and Byron was playing in the living room. When Collin woke up he seemed happy so I didn't bother him in an effort to complete the task at hand. He talked and rolled and cooed, so I knew he was ok. Then he stopped and I figured (wishful thinking) that he probably went back to sleep. But then I heard some rather strange noises, so I went to check it out. This is what I found.....











This is what drew him to it on the dresser next to the bed.

The boy could probably take a tractor apart and put it back together even at this young age if given the chance.






Some mothers could probably begin a freak out session if they found one child straddling another's head in a situation like this, but Byron has ALWAYS watched out for Collin. I hope this continues as the years progress....







I HAD to take this picture. I love, love, LOVE the look on Collin's face. " Are you really sitting in MY bed? Playing with MY toys? Does Mom know about this?!?!"






And here is what happened when all the playtime was over. I laid down with them and snuggled until time to go pick up Abby from school. It is shame she didn't get to join us for this. Oh well. She probably wouldn't have slept anyway.....






Lots, lots, LOTS more has happened this week! Check back later for more interesting tales in the life of the Tates! (Lord willing) Until next time.....