Bragging on Will

I was visiting with Pop tonight about Will's sweet nature and decided to write my thoughts down about my 2nd baby. As most know, he was dependent on me from birth and needed lots of love and nurturing. He clung to his mama like a baby bird and this last year I have slowly watched him become his own magnificent being. He seems to have a very compassionate spirit! In fact, just yesterday, his teacher bragged that he was "quite the chivalrous boy", always first to take care of the wounded, fearful, or broken-hearted.

One of my favorite stories about him took place when we were watching The Chronicles of Narnia. I am a huge C.S. Lewis fan, but was unsure if Will was mature enough to watch a movie of this nature. As we watched, I compared Aslan to Jesus, and when Aslan was being crucified, Will crawled in my lap and sobbed (literally). When I suggested we turn the movie off, he objected and continued watching. Throughout the remainder of the movie, and every night since, he asks, "Mama, how could we do this to Jesus?".

Another favorite of mine is that every night our conversation goes as follows:

"Mama, I sure wish you weren't old."

"How old do you think I am, Will? Do you think I'm old like Nino?"

"Mmm, show me your skin....yep, you're almost as old as Nino. Let's pray. Dear Lord, thank you for da pray. Thank you for mama and daddy. Please don't let 'em come and see you soon. Amen."

Don't be mistaken, he's as wild as any boy should be, but when it comes to the heart, he's got a good one, indeed!

A Particularly Silly Mood

Tate was in rare form this evening. Pop came for a visit so he was excited! Stacy (our favorite bachelor) and his sweet daughter Blaze came to eat too. We grilled steaks with all the fixings, so Tate kept himself busy by playing with anyone he could. He was in rare form, doing the "naked dance" to the men's delight, boxing with Stacy, begging Dad not to have to eat, but nibble on a cu-cake instead, telling his famous "wild dog" tale, and handcuffing himself (he literally wouldn't take the handcuffs off) for the picture.

Baby Ben (and hair)

Apparently Ben came into our world blessed with a headful of hair! I can't wait to meet the little mess pot! I thought these were some pretty sweet pictures.

A New Baby Boy!!

My baby brother and his sweet wife, Lauren, just had their first baby! Benjamin Alan Pittman came in at a whopping 8 lbs. 12 oz., 21 inches long! Guess he's going to take after his Papa! They will be such great parents and this makes #6 of the Pittman Cousin Clan! We are so thrilled and can't wait to meet Baby Ben!

A Little Under the Weather, but a Happy Valentine's Just the Same!

I woke up Wednesday morning feeling a little under the weather. By lunch I had the chills and was very achy. We decided to skip church and rest up on the couch (and catch up on Lost!) in hopes that I would feel like myself again the next day. After all, Valentine's Day would be here soon which means class parties, cupcakes, cards, teacher gifts, and all that goes along with having children! Somewhere along the way, Valentine's Day lost it's romance! I was feeling much better on Thursday, so that evening the kids and I decorated boxes, cards, and cupcakes. Friday was busy with 20 giddy second graders, parents in and out of the room, and trying to attend my own kid's parties. I sat down for a quick bite and realized that I was feeling sick again. By the time I got home that afternoon I was in bed with a fever of 102..yuck! My husband took it upon himself to take the kids to dinner and allow mom a little r&r..wow, what a man! I literally slept for 12 hours! The next morning, although feeling better, I was still puny, so Jerrod took the little mess pot to work that morning, and the two oldest ones with him to Becky and Calan's later that afternoon. Probably the best present he could've given me for Valentine's Day! Anyway, I'm on the mend now, so hopefully in a couple of days I'll be back to normal..after all, I've got another 1/2 marathon I'm trying to prepare for in a couple of weeks and this kind of puts a damper on my training!

Babies, babies, babies...

I went to Abilene this weekend to help host a shower for my sweet friend Aubrey who has waited so patiently for her precious baby girl, Ava Kate. It was so much fun getting everything just perfect for this special day. While she was opening her hundreds of gifts, I caught up with some girlfriends from High School, most of who are new moms. It was so fun to listen to all of the different experiences motherhood has brought them. After the shower we drove back for sweet Tripp's 1st birthday party and again, I was surrounded by expecting mothers! Many conversations were had about pregnancy and the much anticipated delivery of a new life, while I was in and out of the room wrestling with a grouchy 2 year old. By the end of the night I had hosted a shower, caught up with old friends, driven 2 hours, attended a birthday party, pulled stickers out of socks, ate way too much good food, watched my nephew play in his usual happy way, noticed my middle son is growing into a little man, wished my youngest one would get over his terrible 2's, saw my little girl wrestle with the boys and then play dress up with the girls, visited with family and friends, drove home, tucked 3 children in their beds, put another load of laundry in, and fell asleep satisfied, tired, and thinking how happy I am with my beautiful family and also how glad I am that I'm done making babies!

The table for Ava's shower...