Ahhhhh

I had a massage yesterday.

I had never had one before.

Wow.

Dennis had given me a gift certificate for one for Christmas, and I "cashed in my chips" yesterday afternoon.

It felt wonderful...and even if it hadn't, at the very least it was a half-hour in a quiet room, with soft music, dim lights, virtually no words, words that were spoken were quiet, and in those thirty minutes I didn't have to do anything for anyone else.

I think I'd save my pennies just to go lay on that nice warm table again--even if the massage woman wasn't there!

I have an idea now of what I want for Valentine's day, Mother's day, my birthday, Wednesday...

I Have a Baby Named Ivy

I have a baby named Ivy.

I don't post many pictures of her because

too often they look like this

or like this:

She's kind of a serious baby.

She lights up, however,

 when Nathaniel comes in the house or in the room

or if she hears his voice.

She is definitely his girl!

We tell him he's good with the babes.

*wink*

She blows raspberries a lot.

As in, pretty much every time I try to make her smile.

No lie.

But every so often, I can get her to smile at me.

Not when I'm directly behind the camera, though.

I have to peek up and around the side;

which is the direction her eyes look...

when she finally smiles.

Time for Stories

 Andrew loves to read stories to Ruby.

 Ruby loves when Andrew reads her stories.

 Even more so, Ruby loves Andrew.

You can see it in her eyes.

 When you have a lot of kiddos,

there is always someone with whom to practice one's reading.

 A willing participant, for sure.

 Did I mention Ruby loves Andrew?

 I love the pucker of her lips in this one.

 Oh, and did I mention Ruby loves Andrew?

 'Cause she does.

 You know, 

when she's not hitting him on the head.

Twins

Ha!

Okay, admit it:

some of you thought I was announcing twins,

didn't you?

I'm not.

I'm just posting about the two boys

that many people think are twins.

They're not.

They are 14 months apart;

Christopher (on the left side of the picture) is older, 

but slighter of build.

Elijah (on the right) is the younger brother,

and not so slight.

They are roughly the same height,

and they wear the same size clothes.

They like to dress alike

and they like to have their "own" things, too,

which I have heard is alot like twins.

But I wouldn't know,

because I've never had twins.

Just these two boys,

close in age,

who people think are twins.

A Girl and Her Chocolate

Ruby helped Mommy make a treat.

She asked if she could lick the bowl.

I told her she could and that I was 

going to take a picture of her,

since her hair was so perfectly done and all.

She was so careful to keep clean.

I mean, had I not watched her do this,

I may never have even known she'd been 

anywhere near chocolate.

See?

And her hair is still so...so...

perfect!

yummmmmm.

Clean and tidy--

that's my Ruby!

Puppy chow, before the powdered sugar.

Word to the wise:

A girl and her chocolate are not soon parted.

Super Ruby

In a pair of dashing glasses and 

a lovely cape, it's......

Super Ruby!

(which she pronounces "Booper Ruby")

Booper Ruby----awaaaay!!!

13

Today is Isaiah's 13th birthday.

I am now the mother of 

two teenagers.

When did that happen?

Probably when I wasn't looking.

More likely, when I was.

~ just a few hours old ~

Happy Birthday, Isaiah;

my second son,

the boy who lives to farm,

shares his birthday with Grandma Cindy,

(Happy Birthday, Mom!!)

loves his animals,

hates injustice,

thrives on fairness,

likes pop too much

and vegetables not enough.

You have stretched my patience,

and I've stretched yours.

We butt heads too often,

probably because we're both pretty stubborn.

You have helped me to learn patience

and perseverance.

Happy 13th Birthday!

I'm glad you're my son.