It's Fall Ya'll!

Nothing says fall more than really hot temperatures and frozen yogurt, but that is how we welcomed the beginning of a new season!  It has been unseasonably hot so we have tried to enjoy being outside as much as possible since we know winter is coming.... and those of you that live up north.... try not to laugh at that previous sentence! ;)  We grabbed some frozen yogurt last weekend and it was the sweetest thing to watch Zander share his dessert with his younger brother.  Usually Maddox shares with me but Zander was very fair about taking a bite and giving Maddox the next one!

On Sunday, Zack and I headed to my first ever NFL football game!  Zack's work paid for us to go along with some of his customers so it was definitely a very special day with pretty amazing seats, good food, and great company!  Even though it was hot outside, I was able to enjoy the air conditioning while watching a football game and mingling with people Zack did and did not know!

 After the game, we met up with Aunt Maude and Uncle Henry who just happened to be eating dinner within walking distance of the stadium.  It was great to have an uninterrupted conversation since we didn't have two cute little ones with us! (Thanks Grammy for taking such good care of our boys while we were gone for the day!)

Zander and Maddox had superhero day at school last week... Zander was able to fit into his Halloween costume from two years ago for the event!  He wanted me to take this picture!

I took Maddox to the allergist to see if he stills has allergies to milk and eggs.... it was confirmed that these two continue to be a problem for him. We did further testing (where mommy had to hold his arm so the technician could get a vile of blood) to see what specifically in milk he is allergic to... this one is so puzzling to us since he eats yogurt and sometimes milk with no issue.  It was definitely hard to see him in pain, and he was glad to leave ASAP! ;)

 Maddox has been quite fussy this week.... I have no idea if it is because of new teeth appearing, the "traumatic" allergist appointment, busy week with very little Mommy-Maddox cuddle time or just the almost two-year old age.... but he has been quite miserable... making it hard to do many of the activities we typically enjoy!

 I got to meet the newest addition to our friend group!  Miss Sophia Hollins arrived on Tuesday which gave me the excuse to get some newborn cuddles in on Wednesday while bringing her mommy and daddy dinner to the hospital!

The boys (and Grammy) came to my school's reading night on Thursday night. Mom helped follow the boys around while I organized the event... Zander did a great job listening to teachers read books in tents for "Camp Read S'more".  Both boys were ready to leave before mommy was done working so Grammy to the rescue! She took the boys home and started baths while I finished up!  I am so thankful to have our family and friends close by to help on busy days!

Friday was Dress Like a Friend Day at my school and since Angie's Volunteers lost to my Gators, she had to sport a Florida jersey.  The boys joined in and matched mommy for school on Friday!

This morning, Linds and I fit in our last long run before our half marathon in two weeks!  We took a different route for our 10-miler and got to enjoy a scenic green-way type run into the city!  We both felt great for the run and had one of our best overall paces so we are hopeful that our race in two weeks will be just as great!

Today, Grannie came to visit us!  She entertained the boys while I finished running with my sis. After I got done, we took the boys to get a hair cut and out to lunch!  Maddox loved wearing her sunglasses around the house.  We always have fun when she comes to town!

We are all tired!

A few years ago (four to be exact) I had my first baby and I was going back to work.  It was my first week back at work and I was struggling..... struggling because I missed my sweet three month old that I had spent every minute with since he came home from the hospital and struggling because this newborn wasn't sleeping through the night but I was still having to get up to go to work.  It meant getting up at 4:30 a.m. to pump and nurse, to get dressed, to eat breakfast, to fit in my quiet time and spend a few minutes with my boy before going to my other full time job--as a curriculum coordinator.  On my way to work one day, I was venting to my sister about how tired I was... listing all the reasons I was tired and basically having a pity party.  My sister made the comment "Megan, we are all tired"..... and at that moment I felt that not all people felt as tired as I did but I now realize that my sister was SO RIGHT!  Linds has a way of helping me snap out of my pity parties (like the one above) and I appreciate her knowing when to listen and when to chime in.  What I have noticed in the last four years is that regardless of whether my kid (s) sleeps through the night or not, are perfect angels at "school" or not, work goes exactly as I expected it to or not, I am working full time or I am staying at home full time (in the summers)...... we are all tired!  I think that is part of life.  So whoever is reading this and whatever "stage" of life you are going through.... I get that we are all tired...... some of us are tired from working full time and rushing home to feed kids dinner, do baths and spend a little family time together before bedtime.... some of us are tired from wrangling kids all day and not having a moment to ourselves....some of us are tired because we have worked 30 + years and while we are "retired", we can't do things as fast or as easily as we used to..... some of us are tired because we play the role of grandparents who have to help support our kids/grandkids during life's "busy-ness".... some of us are tired because we are a single parent having to provide for our family and do the job of both parents...... there are many different scenarios I haven't even listed but what I realize now at the wise 'ole age of 34... is that we are all tired!  And we will continue to be tired as long as we are on this earth. I like referring to John 15:19 when I think about the weariness we sometimes feel while we are here....it is a great reminder that God did not intend for us to have earth be our final home..... how much sweeter heaven will be one day!  Until then, I am going to soak up the precious moments with my family of four, enjoy the time with extended family and friends, savor the conversations with co-workers, notice the moments I help children that are not my own succeed at something while at school and try my hardest to fit a few minutes of rest or sleep in between the tiredness.  Thanks Linds for the reminder.... we are all tired! ;)

John 15:19....."If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own.  As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen YOU out of the world.  That is why the world hates you."

And now for some pictures from my tired, busy but wonderful week!......

The boys had picture day last Friday.... I think Zander was ready for his picture but Maddox was not! I was told by his teacher that he refused to smile.... which I am noticing at home has been harder to get a picture of my sweet Mad Man!

Linds and I knocked out ten miles last Saturday in preparation for a half-marathon we have coming up in three weeks.  We will be running 8 miles (hopefully) this morning! ;)  I love getting a work out in.... at least once a week... and it feels great to catch up with my sister and talk about all things full time working mama, etc.

 Captured a picture of my youngest stationary for a moment... he had climbed in the toy box for a bit!

Daddy took the boys grocery shopping while Linds and I ran..... I loved getting these pictures of them riding around in the cart and apparently the boys demanded they wear hats to look like daddy! ;) haha

 Maddox was a little fussy/under the weather last weekend (which probably adds to everyone's "tiredness")..... he fell asleep in my arms while we were out to eat for Grandpa Buzz and Great-Grandma Nancy's birthdays.  Maddox rarely sits still for long these days so I enjoyed the extra cuddles!

Zander helps me take out the trash and recycle containers every week... as a treat, he helps me park the car in the garage.... so thankful we still have 12 years until he is officially behind the wheel by himself!

Yesterday, we got to visit the birthday girl.... she gave the boys her birthday balloons which were a huge hit!

 Last night, I took Zander to see a high school football game at Uncle Boomer's school.... we were able to meet up with the Kennedys for dinner beforehand and Grammy went with us while Grandpa is away on his annual golf trip!  Zander loved it and I can't wait to go to more games in the future!  Zack stayed home with Maddox since Maddox probably wouldn't have had the attention span to stay seated and enjoy the game.... maybe next year all of the Houstons can go!

First Day, 5K and a Family Reunion!

Last Tuesday was Maddox's first day at his new preschool!  It is impossible to capture a picture of my sweet (almost) 2 year old.... so these pictures will have to do!  He loves having pockets in his shorts, pants or jackets these days so I thought it was only fitting to try to capture him walking around with his hands in his pockets.... you can also see Maddox has mixed emotions about starting at the preschool (or maybe he has mixed emotions about Mommy trying to document this occasion with pictures!)

 Our school was recognized this week for Exceeding Expected Growth and we received an A rating from our district.  The news crews came by for our superintendent to have a press conference to announce the school grades were being released.  It was so much fun to have so many familiar faces represented at our school.

Grammy and Grandpa went with Zander and Maddox to breakfast at their preschool on Friday morning for a Grandparents' Breakfast.  It started at 7:00 and it was so nice to have them take the boys to school so I could head straight to work!  I think they had fun spending time with the boys since they don't see them as often now that Maddox is at school too!

Daddy and our friends (Sarah and Josh) ran a 5K on Saturday to raise money for our orphan ministry at church.  The boys and I cheered for them at the finish.  Zander wants to run a race in the future so he practiced running with daddy after the race was over.... maybe I will have a new training partner?!:) We were able to hang out with the Williams family Saturday evening as well.  We grilled out at their house and watched the kids play for hours!

 We were able to soak up some sunshine.... the weather has been absolutely beautiful!  The boys love playing at any of our local parks... it was so nice to spend time with our little family of four!

 Today we headed to a family reunion for Zack's side of the family.  The boys were already worn out before the trip even got started!  (The first picture was taken within the first 30 minutes of our drive.)  The reunion was very special.  Some of the people there we hadn't seen since we added Maddox to our family.  Also, the cousins were able to meet for the first time and I think Zander and Maddox are both already in love with Henry.  We got a few good pictures of all three boys with Grannie and I got to snuggle my nephew for a little bit as well!! :)