Very Little Time to Blog

It has been a crazy but fun few months. Lots of fun with friends, neighbors, school field trips, baseball, soccer, and on and on. We had lots of spring break fun with friends and family. I think I posted about those a few posts back. On Easter, my brother, his family, and Vicki came over to grill out and fellowship. Vicki brought my nephew, Will's new pet Honey Bun. Aidan took an instant interest in him.

We had an egg hunt with our neighbors.

Cousin Will, Aidan and Avery

Ryan and Avery playing football. I couldn't get Robert, Ramona, and Katelyn's picture. Maybe next time.

Aidan and Honey Bun

Vicki and Honey Bun

The boys are in to baseball and soccer full swing. Its the first time we have had both boys in something at the same time and its a little crazy. I honestly don't know how parents of more than two do it. This may be the last season that we have both boys in something at the same time. We enjoy our family time and just have not had enough of it lately. We still want our boys to be able to pursue extracurricular activities. The challenge for us is allowing them to do that without sacrificing our family time. Its something we will have to work on.

Avery hitting for the Brewers

Aidan kicking for the Little Owls (sound ferocious don't they). Owls can be mean. ;)

In the midst of the sports craze, I was able to take a much needed break for some girl time with an old friend in Pigeon Forge. Donna and I were such good friends through out high school and for whatever reason ( I like to call it life), we just lost each other after that. She went off to UT Martin and I went to WKU and other than seeing her brother once in the mall right after college, we never saw, heard from, or spoke to each other again... until... Facebook. If you don't have a Facebook account, I would so encourage you to get one. Had it not been for Facebook, Donna and I may never have found each other. Its been almost 20 years since we last spoke or saw each other and we were able to re-establish contact through Facebook several months ago.
You know old friends are good friends when you can pick right back up where you left off. And we did just that. It was a nice relaxing weekend where we reminisced about our high school days and caught each other up on our families and lives in the present. Made me wish we didn't live in different states. Oh well, we'll just have to plan another trip and soon!

Donna and me at high school graduation
Yes- it was the eighties. :)

We registered Aidan for Kindergarten on Friday. I think I'm sadder about Aidan starting school than I was with Avery. Don't get me wrong, I shed a few tears when Avery put on his backpack and headed out the door for the first time too. But, this is my baby. My last little one at home. Its what I've done for the past eight years of my life. I think I'm sad that he's growing up but I'm also a little sad that this era in my life has ended and well, I'm a little uncertain as to what is in store for me next. I'm praying about that and seeing where the Lord will lead me. I still want to be able to be a big part of my children's classroom experiences and be able to be involved in their school. We'll just have to see where He takes me in this new stage in my life. Be praying for me!

Aidan's Children 1st Pre-K class touring Kindergarten classes at Indian Lake Elementary

In between all of this, we have had time to have a little family fun. I LOVE my boys so much- including my biggest boy. God has blessed me with a wonderful family that I take for granted so often. My church is doing a series related to the book "One Month to Live- Thirty Days to a No Regrets Life" I have only just begun to read it but am already looking to see how I can put these concepts to work in my life. More on that to come. :)

All three of my precious boys

My sweet babies!

Yes, that is a sprinkler you see under the trampoline. ;)

Our makeshift water slide. :)


I love the things they come up with to play. Avery and Aidan were pretending the wagon was a roller coaster. It did get a little hairy rounding corners and Aidan almost came out.

Seriously...

... if you're going to drive like a maniac, weave in and out of traffic with reckless abandon, shout curses out your window, and flip people off- I want you to know that my wish is you wouldn't do any of the above but if you are regardless- please don't put a Jesus fish on the back of your car!

What's The Scoop

My boys were on Spring Break last week and as I was preparing for the week, I decided to pick up some craft stuff. Most of it was Easter related- just some things to do and have fun with while they were home. I was at Target looking on the craft aisle and came across the Crayola Window Markers. I suspect that dry erase markers serve the same purpose but these really are like crayons and wipe off glass surfaces remarkably well. I opened them up and Avery and Aidan had a blast drawing on our kitchen windows that look into the back yard. Seriously, they were entertained for well over an hour. I used glass cleaner to wipe it off- it even came off the white weather stripping around the window when Aidan accidentally marked on there. It was fun, they were entertained and when they were finished, I had clean windows. :) We also used them to write the boys' Bible verses on their mirror in the bathroom. I purchased these at Target for $3.99.



My new favorite teeth whitener product is Crest Vivid White. I have used the Crest White strips as well as the "paint on kind" of teeth whitener. The thing that I like about Vivid White is that it doesn't add an extra step. This is a toothpaste and whitener all in one. It gradually whitens as you brush and protects your teeth against new stains. There is a "day" and "night" version. I've only tried the day product. I also purchased this at Target for $3.39.

Happy Easter

From the Waters Family to yours!

And the angel said, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said He would!" Matthew 28:5-6.

Baseball Ready

Its that time once again. Baseball season. This year Avery is playing in the 8 and under league. Its a big step for him because after the first few games, the coaches will no longer be allowed to help in the outfield. There have always been coaches (dads) every where on the field at every game since he started playing. He's excited about this season. His team was the be the Red Sox until there was a shortage of red team jerseys across the league. The Civitan assigned them a new team name- The Brewers. We're not too excited about the team name (personally I feel like the league could have come up with a better team name in light of what the "Brewers" represent); however, that won't keep us from cheering loud and proud for them. Here's a few pics of my big man - Baseball Ready!

Spring Break

This week has been Spring Break for my boys. It started out a little questionable as it was 40 degrees and below Monday and Tuesday but warmed up nicely on Wednesday. We were able to salvage some of our outside plans. I have so enjoyed being home with Avery and Aidan. It has been a fun week.
Here are a few pictures of our Spring Break fun. Saturday evening our friends the Eversole's came over. Ms Saundra brought all of the goodies to make Easter Bunny Peep cars. It was a fun visit!
Sunday night Drake and Kinsey came to spend the night. It was a fun night of cookie decorating, egg dyeing, and movie watching. We played a mean game of kickball. We'll need to have a rematch and get Ralph and Meredith in on the action.

On Wednesday we were able to meet friends at the park and play there most of the day.

On Thursday Jim took off and we traveled downtown to visit his work and the TN State Museum. The boys really enjoyed getting to see Daddy's office. I think the last time we were there was when Aidan was a baby so its been a while. Jim works in the TPAC building and the State Museum is in the basement. After visiting his office, we walked downstairs to check it out. Avery has been studying TN and TN History so it was a perfect visit to reinforce some of what he's learned in school-- and its free.


We left there and went to Dragon Park. It was a beautiful day and we just enjoyed being together. After that, we stopped back by Gigi's Cupcakes for some scrumptious cupcakes. My pictures really don't do them justice. Jim complained saying it was crazy to pay $3 for a cupcake; however, once he took the first bite, that sentiment quickly melted away. His analysis-"That's the best cupcake I've ever put in my mouth. Worth every bit of three dollars!" Just to put that price in perspective, a elderly man came in behind us and ordered two dozen cupcakes. His total...$79!!!!! Yeah- we won't be having those for a birthday party. But if you're on Broadway, stop by and get a treat.


On the right is the wedding cake cupcake and on the left you have the Turtle cupcake.

And we rounded out our week in good old Middle Tennessee fashion- with a trip to our neighbor's house who so graciously shared their safe room during the tornado warnings. Its not the best picture but Ms. Ashley's sweet mom read books to the kiddos while they were waiting out the storms in the safe room.

As this week draws to an end, I love the fun we've had. I love this time of year for many reasons but the most important is Easter. It brings tears to my eyes when I think of my savior's love for me- for all of us. That Jesus Christ hung on a cross to pay the price for my sins. That He loves me with all of my faults and in spite of everything I've done and will do. That I am His forever...
"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
I hope you and your family have a very blessed Easter.

Avery or Aidan?

What do you think... Avery or Aidan?

Good Friends, An Egg Hunt Indoors, and Lightsaber Bubbles

It was over eight years ago when I met my friend Lori. I joke and say our friendship is the only good thing that came from working where we did at the time. We had worked together a while before we actually met. It was a common thread that brought us together- pregnancy. We were both pregnant with our first boys. There were many mornings spent in Lori's cubicle discussing the aches, pains , and joys of pregnancy.
I love that we have grown closer through the years. I love that our husbands share a common thread as well. I love that our boys like each other and have fun when they are together. I love that they are easy to be with and fun to be around.
We got together last weekend and had an egg hunt. It had been 70 degrees the day before but was only 45 on the day of our hunt- that's why the pictures are inside and the boys have their coats on outside. It was still a lot of fun. Thanks to Ms Lori for the cool "lightsaber" bubbles.
"I always thank God for you..." I Corinthians 1:4
"A sweet friendship refreshes the soul." Proverbs 27:9

Twilight

I've finally done it- given in. I watched the movie Monday and bought the first two books today. I haven't started reading yet but hope to soon. I know a lot of people who read the books and when the movie came out, were not impressed. I have to say that I enjoyed the movie- I mean it wasn't mind blowingly thought provoking but it was very entertaining. I'm anxious to dive in to the books.