Something to pass the time...

Collin seems to have some kind of obsession with drawer handles. If I am holding him while I open a cabinet door, he practically jumps out of my arms trying to get to it. If he is on the floor, he use every method of movement he knows to try to get to it. It must be something about the shiny-ness of it or something weird. He was in the floor, supposedly playing, when I heard the noise that I knew to be a drawer handle in his room. Honestly, the boy played with the handles for 5 minutes, at least. He would lift it, and it would drop and bounce a few times. I can't find the joy in that, but I do find the joy in the fact that he finds joy in that. That makes perfect sense, doesn't it?

So, this is the video I managed to get. When I arrived with the camera, it was almost like he smelled it and decided to quit immediately so as not to have evidence. But I persisted and got a little of what happened. As always, Byron wanted to get in on the action as well, and ended up getting smeared with his own peanut butter in the process. This is also the spoon full of peanut butter he was suppose to be eating in the kitchen. Oh well, that is one of those minor battles in my book.

Collin is so very close to crawling. I don't know what "step" would be in crawl-language, but he took a couple of "crawls" today. It won't be long now and Christmas will be FUN!!!!

Happy Birthday, Nana

I have been really bad about blogging lately, but I hope to remedy that situation in the next week or two. Of course, by the time I get caught up to today, I will have another week or two to catch up on. Oh, well. I have PLENTY of material to keep me going.

My Mom, the fabulous Marianne McGowan Richardson, was able to celebrate another birthday on October 27. Yes, that means both of my moms are October babies. Sadly, as much as I wanted to be with the woman who gave me life on the day she was given life, it was not meant to be. My mom lives in Florida now, so I don't get to be with her as much as would like, or any at all for now. Luckily, my wonderful brother and his beautiful, sweet wife get to look out for her and be with her as much as they like. Plus she gets to spoil a couple of grandkids as often as she likes. That's not half bad.

What to say about my mother? Where to begin? All of my short life, she has been a single mother. With 4 kids. FOUR kids. I struggle with my 3 and my wonderful husband is there to help me as often as I scream for it. How could she have raised such amazing children (and I speak more of my 2 fabulous sisters and the aforementioned awesome brother than I do myself)? She raised us to fear God and always to put him first. She struggled to make it at times. ALOT. But she did it. But you would never know of the trials she faced based on her outlook on life now. She fears God and her ultimate goal is to serve Him in Heaven someday.

But that's not all. She raised 4 Christian kids. And then she had her own life to live. But then, in October of 2005, she chose to quit her job and care for her cancer-striken mother, my Godly grandmother, until she passed away in February of 2006. The story doesn't end there. Her father, my amazing grandfather, was so grief stricken at the passing of the love of his life, he almost immediately required more care. So for the next 3 years, 5 months and 4 days, she was by his side every minute of every day, caring for him in absolutely any way he needed her. He had been by my grandmother's bedside for almost every minute of her last few months. He ate there, prayed there, talked to her, and slept in a recliner holding her hand until she faded away. It took a toll on this 79-yr-old man, and my mother was there to pick up the pieces and care for him until he went to be with her in July 2008. And she did it without complaint and fantastically. There are a couple of extra stars in her crown if you ask me.

Mom, I love you more than you will ever know. I miss you every day. I know you are happy in Florida and I am glad. Thank you for the example you set for your children and your grandchildren. Your legacy will live on in them and in me as long as I live. Happy **th Birthday. ( I won't tell the actual number!)

Byron took this picture. If you want to be in one of his pictures, you have to duck to get into it. And FAST! But this one wasn't too bad!Mom, with my brother and sweet nephew and niece. SIL didn't get to be there this time.

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.....