Lengthy Post

Has it been that long?

Well, my apologies for such a lengthy hiatus from blogging. I truly intend to blog but, as Marc says, there is always "something".

We are well here in the deep south, save for the flare up of some allergies for Marc and Jax.

We are still busy. Desmond is doing well in preK and likes it. Jaxter does "school" with Mama on the computer at home and then works on his own projects. We also go running and do yoga some days while Des is working hard at school.

Pictures:

 Thank you to Aunt Corrina and Uncle Maury for the awesome goodie filled package! Here the boys are showing off their new tee shirts.

 Beginning of bunk bed.... boys have helped a small bit every step of the way. =)

 Taking a night time bike ride.

 Caught a frog!

 Treat day.

 Slip n Slide at friend's birthday party.

The following was a great game.....

Desmond's turn....

 The younger birthday crew....

 Cheering for the older boys during the game.

 Pinata loot.

 Black tongue from Spiderman cupcake.

 Grassy knoll at Children's Museum.

Prince Jax.

 Astronaut Des.

 I really don't know why (perhaps a picture of mice eating cheese with holes?) but Desmond was recently obsessed with Swiss cheese. He asked and asked at the store if we could get some and I relented (why not?). This is the result. And you can guess who will be eating all that is left over! =)

 "Helping" Dad with bunk bed progress.

 Nature trail around the church's property.

 The other side of the lake (can see church in trees).

 Almost stepped on an adolescent alligator under this 'dock'.

 Glow sticks are the boys' new favorite thing - this is in the car heading back from a day in Savannah.

 Marc's MPT, 28Campaigns, performing in Forsyth Park in Savannah.

 Boys "dancing" or rather running, I s'pose.

 Helping Mom plant her seeds for an herb garden (this was a project to entertain while Dad was getting the 'real project' ready).

 Waiting for their turn. Desmond kept asking "Is it to the dusty part yet, Dad?" He really wanted to use his goggles that he got at Lowes during their kid workshop that morning.

 Sanding the finished project.

 Waiting to be stained!

Alligator gets closer every time! This is the "baby".

 

 Throwing "boats" into the water.

This is the clearest picture I have of the entire length of alligator.

Busy

I have gone from no commitments over the summer to several, some with purposeful planning and others just because that is how life works. I have chosen to be a part of 4 Bible studies this fall, one of which is a small group through our church and includes families and couples. The other 3 are women only. One of these I am extremely excited about as it combines Bible study with cooking with fellowship with mentoring. It is intensive but is only for 6 weeks. The other 2 are women's Bible studies, 1 I am leading and 1 I am participating in and they will run the duration of the semester. I have also accepted a position with the local chapter of PWOC (Protestant Women of the Chapel) here on post. I will be doing the Praise and Worship portion of each gathering as well as serving on the board. To be truthful I am not entirely sure what "sitting on the board" entails but I will be doing it, as long as it doesn't interfere with my duties to the boys (all 3).

Desmond has started preschool and has met friends, which means we have a few more playdates than usual. It also means getting up early to get life ready for the day (he has to be there at 0745! blech). This isn't so bad but for a Mama and two boys who are used to laid back, enjoy the moment kind of mornings this is a rude awakening. On the bright side, they love riding their bikes (almost) first thing for the day.

I also started working out again.

All that to say: we are busy now.

 Jaxter helping me do a sound check.

 He likes going to the childcare while I am at PWOC because he gets to dress up - he wore this the whole time he was there and loved it.

 This is how I did my grocery shopping the last time we went to the commissary. You would think this would make things faster but it actually took twice as long as it should have, but they had fun and were being helpful so... it was a win.

 This picture is to illustrate what Marc and I mean when we tell you we feel like we are driving in a tunnel. You literally cannot see anything off to the side of the road. You could be coming up on the biggest shopping center and you would never know it save for a small sign hidden in the trees. Its rather disconcerting and invokes a certain measure of clusterphobia.

 Went to Atlanta this last weekend to visit friends. They live on a few acres and have a forest to run around in and play. Very fun. The boys kept going on secret missions. =)

 The museum we went to.

 Hands on exhibit.

 Weather exhibit.

 Senses exhibit (part of the hands on).

 Dancing with colored shadows.

 We hestitated to go to this exhibit. Some things aren't ok even if done in the name of education. While most of the exhibit was "ok" some was definitely over the line. And.... as we have put a lot of effort into taming the pottie talk around our house this seemed like a step in the wrong direction. But... In the name of fun and a "special day"! We ventured in.

 Desmond saying Poop and knowing he is getting away with something...

 Playing the dung beetle game.

 Getting up close and personal with a few small animals. This is the legless lizard.

 Boys enamored.

 A snake, forgive me I forget the specific type.

 More dinosaurs....

 This is Jax pouting and refusing to smile for the camera because I wouldn't let him stand *with* the dinosaur to have his picture taken.

 The play area.. notice you can't see the boys... that's because they are gone - playing. They loved this section and there were a lot of little things to notice and play with.

 A "waterfall" (fog machine).

Got home from Atlanta yesterday but spent the day in Savannah hunting for bunk beds and the mattresses to go on them. This was our end of the day treat for good boys - playing in the fountain in downtown Savannah. =)

A holograph.

Dancing with colored shadows.

Petting the snake. And being patient, polite boys!

A long video - we played baseball with our friends in Atlanta.