i’m just going to roll a bunch of stuff into one post.

multi-tasker?

or just lazy blogger?

last night, after everyone was tucked into bed, my seven year old came out holding a tooth.

i didn’t even know he had a loose tooth.

he is now missing four front teeth. it’s the cutest thing ever!

and i’m not biased.

at all.

brownie’s promise.

**************************************

i’ve been working hard on the photography workshop.

we have a name, we have a date, we have fabulous handmade shops donating fabulous items and so much more! tickets will be available for purchase in just a few weeks.

i’ll share more soon.

*************************************

i’ve thought more about my post the other day. a lot about it.

natasha gave me an idea. a fun idea.

what if we each did an {unofficial} race the week my optional races are scheduled. each participant will either need to blog about their race or share it on daily mile or some other site that’s similar and then come back here and leave a comment with a link.

everyone who leaves a comment with a link will be entered to win something fun.

i haven’t decided what that fun thing will be yet.

but, it will be fun.

because i’m giving it away.

and i’m fun.

right?

anybody can join in. if you want to walk, walk/jog, run, sprint . . . whatever.

thoughts? interested?

if so, that will provide enough motivation for me to push myself ~ knowing that many of you are out there pushing yourselves, too.

p. s. sometimes i really feel sorry for y’all. my thoughts come out in such a disorganized crazy mess. ::snort::

after our run today, i grabbed my camera.

i was itching to capture this guy.

i mean . . . how cute is he?

and this is after running.

by way of comparison, here’s my mug after running:

exactly.

we’ll stick with the cute one.

he has a love/hate relationship with my camera.

it’s like this.

he loves it as long as something sweet is involved.

bribery.

he’s my son.

he’s most definitely my son.

#canbebribedwithsugar

niiiiiiiice one.

love it.

wait.

i know this look.

where do i know this look from?

ooooooh.

it’s on the tip of my brain . . . .

that’s it!

it’s me first thing in the morning as i stumble my way to the coffee pot.

good imitation, buddy.

and there it is.

the smile.

i love that smile.

the missing teeth make it that much more sweet.

p. s. what can you be bribed with? oh, come on. ‘fess up!

Late last week, the crew and I headed down to Melissa’s place on our way to Dallas for Cotton Bowl weekend.

Can I get a Woo Pig?!

Melissa had rearranged her living room and mantel again. She does that a lot. Unlike me. I never rearrange anything.

Lazy much, Ruthanne? Check.

Back to Melissa.

I fell in love. All the gallery wrapped prints on the wall, the angled couch with the rustic table pushed up behind it, and the mantel filled with whatnots.

One of the things I adore about visiting Melissa is I always feel right at home as soon as I step in her door. Don’t you love places like that?!

The only thing it’s missing is a coffee pot. And coffee. And coffee cups. {Obviously, our friendship is missing a key ingredient. Coffee.}

Melissa took us out to one of her favorite spots for photography sessions. It’s a beautiful spot with a pond, gentle rolling hills and wooded areas. #jealous

You just never know when Darth Vader might show up. I mean you could be out in the middle of nowhere Arkansas and BAM! . . . there he is.

Kind of scary.

And fun.

Before we left Melissa’s place, I made her snap a picture of the kids and I using my camera.

P. S. I tried to figure out a way to bring that wagon home with me in my van. Without Melissa noticing. Or missing it.

P. P. S. Lil’ Darth informed me the other day that when he grows up he wants to find a wife who loves to play with Star Wars Legos as much as he does. Well . . . . alrighty then. Good luck with that.

Sooo, my man has a tradition he does every time we road trip it as a family. After he meticulously packs the back of the van . . . .

Please see below.

Yes, he wanted me to take a picture.

Is this a guy thang?

I’m just not gettin’ it.

Anway . . . where was I? Oh, yes. Tradition.

So, after my man meticulously packs the back of the van {deja vu, anyone?}, he proceeds to snatch our girl’s very old and much loved Winnie the Pooh and put him on top of the van.

Please note: Winnie the Pooh goes by another name in our house ~ Poobah.

When my man first started this tradition, my girl would get so stinkin’ upset. She truly believed we were going to leave him up there for the whole trip. We would feed her lines like, “Poobah likes having the bugs fly into his teeth” or “Poobah would be sad if he had to ride inside the van the whole time.”

Cruel parenting in action, y’all.

Now, we can’t go on a road trip without putting Poobah on top of the van before we leave. She insists upon it.

Like I said . . . tradition.

By the way, can y’all even tell that’s Winnie the Pooh? I promise at one time he had both arms. And a nose. ::snort out loud::

IHOP cooked us dinner last night after all day on the road.

It was super duper yummy.

P. S. I’m typing this out while the man has the crew at the hotel pool. I’m enjoying the peace and quiet. And trying to locate a Starbucks. I’m feeling a late night Starbucks run comin’ on.

I was snapping some photos of the crew this morning after I finished our combined schooling and while hubby was doing some French instruction. Important side-note: When my man speaks French, it’s sexy. That is all.

All of a sudden, I heard him say, “Dude. We’re not having an air raid drill. Get out from under your desk.”

I just about slobbered all over myself from laughing so hard. I’m still laughing.

***************

How was your extended weekend? Did you go somewhere? Hang out at home? Are you sorry it’s over?

My fourth child turned six yesterday.

Six.

Six?

Oh my.

My manly man and I {jokingly} refer to him as our post-deployment baby. *snort, slobber, riotous laughter, snort* {If you’re military, then chances are you know exactly what I’m talkin’ about.}

Mom. Dad. Stop reading now. This post might fall under the heading, “TMI” . . .

Back in 2003, my manly man was deployed over in the sandbox for a while. Here he is in his uniform. Hubba-hubba. Minus that hairy caterpillar above his lip, of course.

I feel now would be a good time to mention {again} how much I miss seeing him in his flight suit, since he retired. There’s just something about my man in a uniform.

Ok. Stopping now.

He came home about a week before Thanksgiving.

The week before Christmas, I found out I was pregnant.

Those of you with more than the average 2.5 children can probably relate to the following:

“Who wants to call Grandma and tell her we’re pregnant? Again. Anyone? Anyone? Someone?”

Silence. No eye contact.

“Okay, then. I guess it’ll be me.”

Nine months later, we welcomed Lil’ Dub into the world.

He lights up my world with his smile. He melts my heart with his hugs.

* I’ll be in my closet eating chocolate and staring at the skinny picture of me. Just in case you were wondering about my plans for the afternoon.

Raising boys.

It’s an adventure.

It fills up my days and squeezes my heart.

It tests my patience and inspires my creativity.

Raising boys.

It’s a journey.

It makes me laugh out loud and assaults my senses.

Literally. You all know what I’m talkin’ about.

Raising boys.

It stretches me.

It teaches me. It forces me to press on.

It gives me both joy and heart break.

Raising boys ~ It causes my cup to overflow.

***********************************************

This post is linked up to:

Be sure to check out some other great photos.

I’m also over at The Post today talking about When Life Throws You a Curve Ball.

And it’s healthy, too!

We received a great report today on my Lil’ Dub’s heart. I’m beyond thankful to my great God.

Back in July, when he fell off his bike and broke his arm, the doctor found a heart murmur. I didn’t feel comfortable sharing at that time, but with today’s news, I would love for you to rejoice with us!

Five years ago tomorrow . . . .

My sweet, sweet Lil’ Dub made his entrance into the world.

I love this guy so much!

We had a lovely afternoon together celebrating as a family. He told me this was his “bestest birthday ever” ~ what a way to make a momma’s heart melt!

P.S. He goes in tomorrow to have his cast removed. He can hardly wait!