We Have Visitors

Last fall we started noticing odd occurrences in our garage.
Boxes and cabinets knocked over.
Rubbermaid container of cat food open.
Poo.

We leave one of our garage doors open just a little so our cat can get in and out.
Then, one morning we saw a coon in the rafters of our garage.
Just sitting there, looking down at us (for some reason I didn't get a pic of it).
So we borrowed my brother's live trap and that night caught ourselves a coon.
And, a few nights later, a second.
And, after another night or two, a third.

This is the first. Kinda' cute, huh?

Foolishly, we thought we were done.
Until the disturbances in the garage returned.
So, a couple of days ago coon #4 met it's match.

I've heard coons can be mean.
Ryan used a plastic cup filled with cat food as a lure.
It must have worked.
The food was gone, but he/she/whatever destroyed the cup.
There was also a whole lot of poo under that cage.
They must poo A LOT.

None of the coons have been harmed.
We've released them all several miles outside of town.
I'm thinking we've probably actually caught the same coon 4 times now.

Pretty sure I can hear him laughing.

We Had a Little Storm

with the little storm came a little wind.

we've been told that this tree is one of the oldest in town.

it took a little beating last night.

our other trees suffered a little too.

lots of sticks for the kids to pick-up.

won't that be fun?
we started landscaping saturday.

just a little at a time.

this new one just escaped the guttering.

somehow, the rest remained unscathed as well.

it's nice to see something other than dirt and grass next to the house.

this taller plant is one of my new favorites.

when the tornado sirens went off the kids got a little nervous.

they brought their most valuable possessions downstairs among the ever-present train tracks.

jake: mini nfl football helmets

brookelynn: american girl dolls, webkinz and soccer ball

ezra: many stuffed animals, a nerf gun that shoots foam balls, a speed racer car (he's not seen the movie so I have no idea why that is so important to him. although it is from grandpa terry and grandma connie.)

poor guy was more than a little nervous.

he was in tears and couldn't find evan his webkinz horse. very tramatic.

and one last thing: jake's Bible

loved seeing that.

his daddy wants him to be a preacher.
he always says no.
maybe he will be afterall?

The Big Leagues

We got the phone call Tuesday night.
Ezzie's first blast ball practice would be Thursday.
Two sleeps. He could hardly wait.
He picked out his outfit this morning.
It matches because both the shirt and shorts say Nike.
I was informed he had to wear long socks.

He seemed a little nervous when we first got there.
But he soon overcame that.
He was proud that he hit the ball all the way to the grass.
I was proud that he ran through the one, and only, base.
The base honks when it's stepped on.
Apparently that's motivation to get the kids to run to it.

To sum up the experience: That. Was. Awesome.
Look out Manny, here comes Ezzie!

Wiggle Worms

They started the meal out like this

Had to throw this one in to further support the terrible two's post. Jobie is pouting about something. I don't recall what since this occurs on a regular basis throughout the day.

Then they were like this

And then this

No, Jobie actually isn't pouting here. He is praying. Ezzie had prayed before we ate, but I guess Jobie suddenly felt the need. I caught the words Jesus, thank you, food and amen with lots of little mutterings in between. His hands are folded under the table.

Then they were like this

And it was at this point, that I gave up.

I'm fairly certain the cat ate the rest of their food.

My Tomboy and Flowers

Look what my girl brought me today

and helped me arrange.

We talked while we worked; it was great.
I love this girl.

And...They're Here

just like that, the terrible two's are upon us.
a little early, but here none-the-less.

just like that, we're done...

for now

then i remember...

the three's are even worse.

lots of tears.

lots of prayers.

lots of discipline.

lots of hugs.

for both of us.

Entz Easter Favorites

coordinating outfits and pictures before church

two crazy favorites of mine that will face more opposition

with each passing year

coloring eggs

and hands

and watching this movie as a family

the entire book of john word for word

Bring on the Marshmallows

In a previous post I mentioned a "someday" fire pit. Ryan decided that Saturday was that someday.

My man knocked it out in one afternoon.
The best thing about it: we didn't spend a dime.

The worst thing about it: we haven't been able to use it yet.

Just Me and My Blog

I'm having an identity crisis. This happens to me from time to time. I'm a wife, mom, daughter, daughter-in-law, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, niece, friend, child of God. This I know.

Maybe, to put it more accurately, my blog and I are having an identity crisis. I think I'm still trying to find my voice in this whole crazy thing. I am not a writer, photographer, designer. I'm not clever or creative. I have a hard time expressing myself.

I'm also restless. Part of it is I'm ready for warm weather. Part of it is my "baby" is nearing his second birthday...he doesn't need me as much.

I want something to do. Wait. There's plenty to do. Taking kids here and there. Laundry. Cleaning bathrooms. Cleaning out the fridge and pantry. Sweeping. Vacuuming. Dusting. Cooking. My house is far from perfect.

So, allow me to rephrase my previous statement. I want something NEW to do. But, I still want to be a stay-at-home-mom.

Seriously, couldn't we have come up with a better name by now? There are days I wish I could just stay home. Then again, there are days that I would like nothing better than to stay home all day...by myself or, better yet, just me and my guy. And, then, there are those mornings when I wish I was the one driving away to a different job, any job.

But, I digress...and ramble.

I truly am so glad I can be at home. I love my husband, my kids, my family, my house, my church. And, now, that I've put this all down on "paper" I’m beginning to realize what my problem is. I don’t necessarily need something new to do; I need a new perspective. Or a renewed perspective.

I’ve been comparing myself and my blog to other blogs. And even to the posts my guy made before I took over. Why must I compare myself to others?

Maybe I’m not the most eloquent, engaging writer. I’m terrible at journaling, keeping a diary, scrapbooking and, sadly, even baby books. My main purpose for “taking over” this blog was to have some kind of documentation of our kids and this seemed like the most fun to me.

So, I will continue to write about being a mom, my kids, my guy. And, I will stop (try to anyway) comparing myself to others. God designed me just as I am and for a specific purpose. Right now, I believe that purpose is to be a godly wife, mom, daughter, daughter-in-law…you get the picture.

Ps. 138:8a The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever

When Mommy's Sick

unsupervised play-doh play

uh-oh, what is she going to say?

i watched this mess slowly progress...from the couch

not sure what dinosaurs, pirates and a game of flippopotamus have to do with each other, but apparently you can't play one without the others

(and I have no idea what daddy's shoes are doing in the middle of it all)

why is it so much fun to dump everything out...and, then, play with none of it?

a certain couple of you...

you know who you are...

disagreed with the carnage in a previous post

is this "redemption"?