First Baptist Church Harvest Festival

Well first of all... let me just say something may I? My kids are so dag on cute I could eat them up with a spoon! And most of the time, they are the sweetest thing in the world. But it just seems so easy to write about what they do that stresses me out. I guess it just helps me laugh about it when I re-read it and I think about how funny it will be one day to tell them what their mama had to put up with one day! They will laugh just like I laugh at what my brother and I put my mama through! :-)



So let's start this off with.... my kids were off schedule, and they really don't do well if they don't get all their naps in at the right times. If they get a nap to early, well they are ill as a hornet way before bed time. If they don't get enough sleep, well again they are ill as a hornet. I know some children can go without naps, and do just fine. BUT not the Lowe Boys.

But usually if we are outside, they usually do pretty well. So I was not worried about it that much, because I knew the Festival would be outside and their would be lots of kids for them to play with!

I should have known better when I started taking their pictures, and one OR the other would be crying (example: the two pictures above and below) ....but I was determined to go!

I pulled up at the Church right on time.... then I started to get Sawyer out of the car, and I smelled stinky!
"Yuck",
I was thinking, but I guess I will change him right here in front of everybody. Little did I know that when I pulled his cute little gorillia outfit down, doo-doo was EVERYWHERE. I mean, on his shirt, all in his pants, on his stomach... well you get the picture.

But I had drug them out, and I was determined to stay. Plus Sawyer was so excited to go to the PARTY! So I took every wipe I had and wiped him as clean as possible. I wiped out his pants as good as possible... BUT he still stunk like a skunk! (I should have just dressed him like a Skunk) I guess he was the Stinky Kid, but oh well! We were at the party and that is all that mattered, right?

Then we wondered around and talked to Craig, Michelle, and Drake (whom helped me with Braxton while I helped Sawyer go down the slide), and lots of other friends and family that I hadn't seen in quiet sometime. It was a good outlet for me, even though I felt like I had to watch Mr. Gorilla like a hawk since he would just wonder off.

Sawyer had a blast on the slide. He had to learn how to wait in line... and he did really good, I have to admit. He, Parker, and Dalton jumped on the trampoline thing and had a great time. Poor Braxton was really good through all this since he really had to sit in the stroller for most of the time.

But I think this was the calm before the storm. It was time to go, and I conned Sawyer out of the jumpy thing... and then the tandrems began... from both of them! Braxton screaming and arching his back, Sawyer laying on the ground, rolling around screaming... and a mommy sweating. I felt like their were 100 kids around and my two were the only ones acting up. Lisa was standing there and she held Braxton while I was trying to pick up the shoes and bags that Braxton had thrown out of the stroller and was going to try and get Sawyer to the car. The next thing I know, Lisa is giggling and tells me that Sawyer has run back into the jumpy thing. In the mean time, Joseph is there to pick her up and she hands Braxton back to me! Ohhhh, please get me outta here! :-)

Well, when Sawyer finally had enough of the jumpy thing (10 minutes later), we headed to the car. As I was looking around, I saw many mother's with older children giggling at me. I know they were just thinking, "Been there, done that! Pooooor mommy!"


But, I would not have it any other way. My children bring so much joy to my life that I can't imagine it without them, tandrems and smiles... it is all memories that I will cherish forever!

It's 5:00 somewhere....

Well, I think my 5:00 somewhere gives "that" 5:00 somewhere, a run for it's money!! So here we go, I was sick as a dog on Saturday night... stomach virus, so we all know how that goes. So to start the story off, I just don't feel good, I haven't eaten much at all in two days and I have two kids to chase around all day. To make matters worse, Scott gets sick too and I don't want him anywhere around the kids. (so no extra help).

Anyway, so finally after dinner, I went to check my email and sat Sawyer down to eat some yogurt. Braxton was really fussy, so I just had him in my lap because he would scream every time I sat him down. I wasn't sure if he was coming down with the stomach virus too. By the time I sat Sawyer down in the kitchen... walked to the office... sat down in my chair..... I hear this SCREAM like no other from Sawyer! I wasn't sure if he fell out of the chair on the floor and busted his head, I didn't know if he was choking, or WHAT he did, but it scared me!

I jumped out of the chair, didn't get to check my email obviously since I just sat down....and run into the kitchen. And what did I see....





.... This!!!
Sawyer had put yogurt in his eye! In his eye????? I know, what was he thinking. I don't' know if he was just curious of if he could taste it with his eye, or if he just missed his mouth... not sure! But this is what he was screaming bloody murder over. And he stopped as soon as I ran in there. He just wanted attention. I wasn't in there, so he was going to find a way to get me back in there with him! He has been doing that a lot more lately! Jealousy finally kicking in full swing I guess.

But that wasn't the end of things, in the mean while I dropped Braxton off in the living room screaming, because remember... he would scream anytime his feet would get 1 foot from the ground. So here he comes, wobble, wobble....

This is the scene. He falls on the floor crying at mommy's feet. I know many of you have seen this before! He then proceeded to hang on my legs and try to climb up me like a jungle gym. Yep.... I am guessing that the 5:00 somewhere saying might have been a mother making that up, so they can go have a drink!!!!

So, anyway, my 11 month old baby not only is crying, but proceeds to have a melt down/tantrum and throws himself back on the ground and screams and screams until after I could pick him up! Wheewwww.... if my stomach would have felt better, I would have a drink!

Our day with the Walkers....

Friday....Brandy, Patsy, Jackson and Reagan came to visit! First of all, it is so much fun for the kids to hang out together. They love each other so much. So that morning, all Sawyer kept talking about was "Reagan coming to see me." He was grinning from ear to ear, squealing like a little girl because his big cousing was coming to play! He sat down to eat his breakfast, and he proceeded to talk about Reagan and Jackson... but then hugged his milk cup and said "Reagan NO drink my chocolate milk."

I explained to him, that Reagan could have whatever she wanted, and that the "I" bought the milk so Reagan could have some if she wanted it.

So the NOT sharing already started BEFORE Reagan got there. Why are 2 year old's so selfish?

When the crew arrived, they hugged and loved on each other and played very good. Reagan had to deal with the boy toys, but she is a tough little girl and will play with boy toys like none other!

**BURGER KING**

We then decided we would go to Burger King to play on the BIG slide since it was raining outside and the kids couldn't play out on our playset. We got there, and thank God for 3 adults! Patsy sat with the kids while we ordered... (we were going to let them play until we got our food, but the room stunk so bad we decided we would eat in the resturant instead). We had to sit in two booths because there was not enough room anywhere for all of us to sit down. I gave Sawyer his food while sitting with Grandma and Grandma also had to feed Braxton. (Yep, I pawned off my kids to Grandma). Brandy helped Reagan and I fed Jackson. It is amazing how many adults you need for 4 kids! Anyway, then we proceeded to let them play outside in "stink world". Sawyer couldn't climb up by himself, so I had to climb up with him... and had to avoid "pee-pee" on the way. He kept saying "water" and I kept saying "yuck gross, keep your hands away". Reagan then told me that she had stuck her hands in it, and I know Sawyer had too. But there was nothing I could do about it at 6 feet in the air and closed in. (by the way, it is not made for a 5'6 woman to be in). I was starting to get that clastaphopic feeling and just wanted to get out! I went down the slide so I wouldn't have to go back out the way I came in and avoid the pee-pee... however, I know pee-pee kid probabley went down the slide too! So I guess there was no way of avoiding it.

BUT, Reagan and Sawyer had a blast playing in it and that was the whole point of going, Right??? So after we drug the kids away, My two kids had dookie diapers like no other! Sawyer's coming up his back and Braxton's coming out the side. I didnt' mind them stinking up the playground some more, because it couldn't get much stinker, but I didn't want them stinking up my car! So Brandy sat there in her car laughing, while her two kids sat there with NO stinky diapers... and Patsy held her nose, and held a bag out to put the diapers in... so I could change my nasty stinky boys!

When we got back to the house, I looked at the clock.. and I couldnt' beleive it took us over 2 hours to have lunch! Holy cow! Back in the day, it would have taken us 15 minutes at the most!

**TARGET**

We were home for about 1 hour before Brandy decided she was going to head home. She had mentioned something about going to Target on the way home, and I decided that I wanted to go too. Even though Sawyer hadn't had a nap and Braxton hadn't had his afternoon nap.... but I decided, I am going to be on MY schedule today! Welp, not such a good trip. Patsy (thank God for Grandma's) did have most of the kids while I was helping Brandy look for halloween costumes. But I had the screaming kid... Braxton! In his defense, it was my fought for going somewhere during his naptime... but dang children, give mommy a break once in a while. All I wanted to do was help your Aunt Brandy out just so I could get out of the house! I proceeded to give him a plastic pumpkin.... he slobbered on it, and threw it out of the cart... screaming again.... I gave him my keys... slobbered on them and then threw them out of the cart... sceaming. I held him, and he went to bucking ( you mommy's know what bucking is)... wanting down. But if I let him down he would roll all over those nasty floors that everyone and their mother has walked on. So that was not an option. The only thing that would calm him down was some scary skelton that had flashing red eyes and and when you pushed the button, it would say "oooohhh ahhh, haaa, ohhhaaa" (aka that scary laugh). He would smile and laugh at that thing like it was so funny. I don't get it? Sawyer was whining, saying "No, NO, NO" to it and my baby was laughing at it!

The funny thing was when we were checking out....the young boy at the counter looked at me sarcasticly and said "YOU HAVING FUN???" Ha, ha, I guess he will be using some sort of birth control after seeing us go through the line!

Anyway, I need to take Lisa, Michelle and Allyson's advice and take suckers with me everywhere!

THE END!!! :O)

My pretty niece! This might be my only little girl to spoil!



Jackson... he is growing up so fast! 6 months old already! Sweet as pie!

This picture was taking right before Reagan decided she didn't want them near her tool box... so she side swiped them off the table! Told you she was tough!!!!

Braxton's favorite book!

Braxton has decided now that he likes books. He will sit down for 30 minutes sometimes and look at this animal book. It is amazing to me to see a child sit for that long, because Sawyer will not sit still for 30 seconds!




Here is Grandma and Grandpa (Scott's parents) reading it to him...



And here is Grandaddy Joe reading to him! Daddy had to hold Sawyer there for 2 seconds just so I could get a picture!

It is so cool to have my nephews that live right down the road from us. I think so much about how much fun they are going to have growing up together. We went down to mama's for Joseph's birthday dinner and the kids had so much fun. And fun is so contagious! When you see the children smiling and having fun... you can't help but join in! Joseph really is such a good daddy... he not only was "fighting" with Dalton and Parker... but also allowed my rough son to jump on his back and proceed to drag him around too!

Not only is it awesome to see them playing together, but is so funny how Parker, Sawyer and Braxton already look up to Dalton. It is like he is the coolest kid that has ever walked this earth. Sawyer likes it because he can be rough with him.. and Dalton doesn't cry. He can jump on top of him, hit him, and wrestle with him, and he doesn't CRY like Baby Brax Brax does. Poor Braxton gets the brunt of it when it is just us. BUT, Braxton can take down Sawyer when he wants too, and it AIN'T gonna be long before Braxton is taking down Sawyer ALL the time! The other morning Braxton ran up to, (well I guess he wobbled over to him) and grabbed hold of Sawyer shirt and threw him on the floor (well he maybe just grabbed hold of the shirt and Sawyer lost balance from backing up and he fell on the floor), but the first story sounds better. I was cheering for Braxton and he was just a grinning! I am sure this is the tamest it is going to be ... it will only get worse!

But, again.... I am so lucky to have family right here. My daddy visits all the time and the kids looove him and his "chewing gum". Braxton got his first sucker from daddy and I think he is now addicted to those things.
Mama, or aka "DoDo" is so wonderful to my kids! They love her so much!

I AM SO THANKFUL!

Sawyer....

 

Well, 2 1/2 is such a fun age. It can be difficult too, but mostly fun! For one, Sawyer is starting to talk a lot more. It is funny to see him start to pick up little phrases that I say, and I don't even realize I say... until he says it. For example, I looooove pictures. I have albums and albums of pictures... from way back to middle school. Just recently I decided that it would be a good way to show Sawyer some of MY friends that he doesn't really know that well... but maybe heard me talk about, or maybe has even talked to them on the phone. So, apparently the first time I went to my albums to show them to him, I was talking out loud to myself...scanning all the shelves up and down, saying "let's see"... until I picked one out to show him. So now when he ask me if he can see the pictures, he then proceeds to run up to my albums.... puts his finger on his chin like he is thinking really hard and scans the pictures from the top to the bottom and says..." Eeeeets see"... until he finds the Right album he wants to look at.

He also looooves Scott's friend Daniel. And whatever Daniel says... Sawyer says. Daniel took him for a ride on the four wheeler the other day and he was climbing hills. He told Sawyer to "Climb it". So now Sawyer takes his big truck at home and he yells "climb it" as he is running his truck over the pillows on the couch, over the table, over the steps... whatever he can Climb. Cause Daniel told him to "climb it".

Another really funny thing Daniel told him, because he has blue eyes... He told him that his Daddy is the milkman. So now when you ask Sawyer who his daddy is??? You guessed it... "Daddy the milkman!" At least Scott thinks it is funny too!

I am going to have to watch what they teach him down at the shop! It might be some stuff I dont' want him to say at Frist Baptist church daycare!

But the cutest thing he says to me is the "how much I love him phrase". I ask him, How much does mommy love you?????? "Toooo the mooooooooon, aRRRounnnd the moon, and to EVVVVVVVVVVVVVVery starrrrr." It is the sweetest thing in the world!!! (I tell Braxton I love him as much as I love hersey kisses!)

I thank God every day for giving me my boys. I think children show you how much patience and how much "pure" love you really can give someone!

Lisa!

 

Lisa Hardee is not only a beautiful girl (or woman as most would say), but she is as sweet as they come! I really enjoyed hanging out with her this weekend and she really is so much fun! I have to say that I am lucky to have her in my life as a sister in law, and OUR FAMILY is lucky to have her in our lives! Thanks for a fun time this weekend Lisa.... the dog jokes wouldn't be funny without you there... or if the lights were not on the floor, it would have made it much less funny too!!!!!! Cheers to RENDAL's Room.

It is so nice to come home to this!

As I stated in an earlier blog, my mom and her friends invited Lisa and I to go and hang out with them for the night at Atlantic Beach. It is so cool to have a mother/mother-in-law for Lisa, to actually be able to hang out with! When we got there, Lisa and I were handed a map so we could find our way around the beach cottage it was so big! (and beautiful!). We watched "The Devil Wears Prada" in which I would have never seen because it is a REAL chick flick and Scott doesn't allow things like LifeTime, Chick Flicks, etc in our house! :-) (He really does, he just jokes about not allowing it.)

We then all got ready and went out to a really nice resturant and Lisa and I had the BEST clam chowder that has ever exsisted! Really, it was so dag on good! Then we went to a hole in the wall bar and Lisa and I played with the lights on the floor.... we acted like we were 10, BUT I guess that is what happens when you are happily married and don't care about guys that look like Orangatangs! is that how you spell that?

Anyway, it was a great time and Scott said it was well deserved... since he said that I never get anytime for myself.

BUT, the best thing was coming home. No matter how much fun you have, you really realize what is so important in your life. I walked in the house and Scott had done 3 loads of laundry, cleaned up, rearranged the living room, BOUGHT me a "present! WOW! He bought me a glider to go on the back porch so I would have somewhere to sit while the boys play! Not only was that awesome, but I got a huge love from Sawyer and he was kissing me all over and would not get down from my lap. When Braxton woke up from his nap, he hug me and would not let go.... mama was in there and she said he wouldn't stop smiling. He did that for at least 5 minutes! It is so good to know that you are loved and appreciated. I hope I will remember those moments when the kids are 13/14 years old and back talking me and not wanting to talk to me or hug me. I will try and appreciate everything they do now, so I can always hold that sweet memeory of my little boys! My husband, well, he is going to have to be nice to me always and forever! You think he will do that????

What do ya think????

Although Morgan Kate loves Sawyer... I think her and Braxton might make a nice couple one day!

Since Eddie and Scott have already traded land, and hunting rights for Charley and Sawyer (AND HE IS OFF LIMITS) to marry, we are trying to make sure that we have all our boys married off to pretty little girls with "cool" parents so we can always keep an eye on them!

Looks like it is working!!! Let's start talking Paul and Meredith... they sure do look cute together!

Melinda.... surprise!

We had a surprise "welcome home" party for Melinda Friday night. She has always been such a good friend to everyone through out the years, and the DDP's decided that she needed something special from us!

We had oysters, Kathy's "coleslaw and potato salad" that she so happened to become pro on since Eddie's mother has been staying with them, Ali's yummy baked beans, Deanna's always well prepared food, Meredith's precious little girl to play with, wine, beer and MOONSHINE!!! That always makes a party! It was really nice to have everyone together!

Melinda, this is for you being such a good friend and we are so happy to have you in our lives!

Going out for the night...

My mama has asked Lisa and I to go down to the beach to hang out with a bunch of her good girlfriends for the night. Well... here is me trying to pack to go down there. I had my outfit folded and ready to go...
And here is where my outfit ended! On Braxton and Sawyer! This is also where the clothes that I fold end up too! I might as well just ball them up and throw them in a drawer! That is what it ends up like anyway!
This is when I told Braxton that he had to put my pants down so mama could pack and go have some fun! He didn't want his mama to go out of town.... he wanted his mama to stay and play with him!!!


When I told Sawyer that I was going out to the beach with JoJo to have fun... he jumped in my arms and said, "Me's to the beach and have fun, me's have fun!" I bet it would be fun out with him!!!

Take mes picture....

So I believe I have a little Jodi on my hands.... Take me's picture mama! Yep he has to be center of attention at all times. And he is my little gorilla!

Tub full!!!

I thought our tub was a big tub... until all the boys in the neighborhood decided to take a bath together! We had so much fun with Dalton and Parker this weekend. We danced and wrestled and ate LOTS!

All the little boys look up to their DALTON! He is the coolest!

Things I love about Braxton

I love the gap in between his two front teeth!
I love when he looks at you, and squishes his nose up, and grins and makes this "hehe, hehe" whispering sound!



I love his cute little grin!
I love the sound he makes after every bite of food he gets... "mmmmmm".
I love how good he makes me feel when he snuggles with me for no reason! Just to show me how much he loves me.

I love how much he loves his BIG brother and tries to copy everything he does.
I love when he sees Scott come home from a long day of work and he smiles, laughs, and reaches for his daddy like he has seen him in ages!
AND I LOVE HIS BIG BLUE EYES! AREN'T THEY SO BEAUTIFUL!

Making daddy proud

"
As most of you know, Scott is obsessed with Duck hunting. So yesterday, he tried to teach Sawyer how to use the duck call (for those of you that don't know what that is, and I am sure most of you don't, it is the brown thing in Sawyer's hand).


Well tonight, Scott turned on one of his Duck Shows from the DVR, while I protested to watch Dancing with the Stars.....but then Sawyer heard the ducks... he got so excited, yelling....

"Ducks, Ducks, Ducks.... Daddy I get my duck call!!!"

He proceeded to run around the house until he found his duck call that Scott had given him, and jumped in Scott's lap to watch the Duck Show... all the while blowing this horendous noise.... "Quaankkk, sqqeeek, Quannck, scrreeq"

BUT, Daddy was so proud as you can see in the picture! He even said he was going to take him in the swamp with him to see the ducks fly in!

NOW, you see why I need a little girl!!!!!