Hello, December....

....actually we are 5 days into December. 20 days away from Christmas! Speaking of Christmas, I haven't bought the FIRST thing. Nope. This is sad because I normally have at least half of my shopping done. I normally put my Christmas tree up around Halloween,or at least by Thanksgiving. This year I didn't get my tree up til December 1. Might I add it is so pitiful looking. The boys insisted on decorating it, so I let them. I have one branch that has six ornaments on it. If I find the time, and am ever by myself {before Christmas} I will re-decorate it.

Since, Memphis's Chuck E. Cheese birthday party wasn't the success that I hoped it would be; we took him bowling on the night of his birthday. He loved it. He wants to go back.

I had so much I wanted to blog about, but they are currently fighting, so I will just share some photos instead of details. :)

1. 

Happy Birthday!

Today, is Memphis's 4th birthday! Wow, I can't believe that he is 4. Four years ago I never knew that I could love so stronge, I never knew that I was physically that stronge, I never knew I could go so long without that much sleep, I never knew that something so small would change your world in an instant, and I never knew someone could steal my heart in just one instance. Memphis, I hope that today is the best day ever. Mommy and daddy love you so much. Happy Birthday! I love you to the moon and back!

Some of your favorite things: playing your ds, playing with the dog, watching "big kid" cartoons, playing outside, drawing.

Favorite foods: oreos, green beans, turkey, bologna, gummies.

I love you Memphis, and Happy Happy Birthday!!!

the party!

Well, Saturday we celebrated Memphis's 4th birthday. We had it at Chuck E. Cheese. I will gladly say that I will never, I mean NEVER go back to that place. I also fell like the worse mother in the world. It was the worse party in the history of parties! First of all he didn't want to be there once we got there, but was excited before we got there. Then there was a fight. Yes, a fight at Chuck E. Cheese. Even cops showed up to arrest people. Yesterday, a commercial came on the t.v. for Chuck E. Cheese, and Bo said, "I wanna go there." Memphis replied, "no, bo we already went there and it wasn't any fun." :( With tomorrow being his birthday I hope that we can make it up to him.

I guess I will share some photos, and I need to go to the store and clean this house. memphis ask me to clean because he says we can't let a baby live in this messy house. lol..... these poor kids wanting a baby. {i hope they get one soon ;)}.

Warning: TOTAL RANDOMNESS!!!!!

So, I am eight days away from my little man being 4!!!! I can't believe that he will be 4. Really?! Where has the time gone? It seems like only yesterday I was waddling around with him inside my belly, my feet so swollen I couldn't wear shoes, I hadn't seen anything below my belly {because of it's largely insane size}, and I couldn't dare bend over for any reason at all! Memphis has changed so much just in the past week. I tell that he has become more of a kid than a toddler. It makes me so sad. I'm not ready for him to being growing up. Both boys are now potty trained, which is great because I'm not having to spend $100 a month on diapers, but in the same sense they are growing up on me and I no longer have a baby anymore. I want a baby! I have those same feelings that I had before having Memphis. I have a feeling that now is just the time for another addition to come into our family. Maybe, when we are more financially stable, and have health insurance we can have another, and I will still have those same feelings. But in the same sense I know if God gives he will provide. I have faith that if God sees fit for us to have another one it will be a blessing.


***********Complete and random post!***************

Thankful

Awww.....where to begin?

 First, of all it's November. November, how bitter sweet you are to me. First of all it's the time to be thankful as we will be celebrating "Thanksgiving" later this month. I am thankful for God sending his Son to die on the cross for my sins. I am thankful for his love, grace, and mercy. I am thankful for my parents. I am thankful for my two brothers. I am thankful for my husband. I am ever so thankful for my two little boys. They are my life. I love them so very much!

Second, November is a month that I once thought would be the most dreadful month for me. I suffered a miscarriage in November of 2006. I can remember thinking that November that I would never be a mother. I thought, I have let my husband down, because he will never get to be a dad. I thought, I have let our parents down because they will never be the grandparents that they lone to be. I can remember that November as we said our Thanksgiving prayer at my parents I had to excuse myself afterwords to dry up the tears. The prayer my father prayed to help us become parents I thought was completely useless {I know, how selfish, but that's how I was feeling}. I can remember earlier that month thinking, oh next Thanksgiving we will have a little 4 month old that will get to try my mom's delicous mashed potatoes for the first time. But the follow Sunday, I went to church. Not really feeling like it. I can remember feeling as I was getting dressed, this is such a waste of time. Little did I know, God would give me a message, an answer to my biggest fear and prayer. That evening at church the guest preacher, preached about "There's a first time for everything." As he was preaching I have selfishly admit I was thinking, "why did I bother coming today, I should have stayed home and rested." After his sermon he ask for me to come for prayer. As he began to pray, he told me, "God said, for the the first time ever you will be called mom." WOW!!!! Those few words seemed to make my horrible November a whole lot better.

Third, although I thought November would be a dainting, horrible month that I would never be happy during God's timimg was impecable and would make November one the best months ever in 2007. Because I would be a mom for the first time ever in November. That's right our first little bundle of joy was due Nov. 19, 2007. I experienced the most amazing life experience on Nov. 16, 2007 at 11:43pm. I gave birth to a beautiful, chubby cheeked, 8lb 4oz. boy, Memphis Carter. I never knew love could be so stronge. I never knew I was that stronge. Now, November is one of the months that I look forward to every year.  I get so excited about planning his birthday parties, and to see his little face light up when he gets those gifts he has been asking for, for months.

I have completely lost my mind and agreed to have his 4th birthday at Chuck E. Cheese. Yes, next Saturday we will be heading to Chuck E. Cheese to have the most rad Star Wars birthday party that has ever been thrown at Chuck E. Cheese. He's getting so big. He doesn't want to watch "baby cartoons" such as, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Dora, Seasame Street. He is now pooping in the potty! His head is still so big that when he lays flat on his back he can't pull himself up. He wants everything he sees on t.v. He loves to eat bologna, hotdogs, chicken nuggets, candy, drink milk, and his favorite candy, "KIT KAT", he also likes Lucky Charms cereal.

Cruz, ask daily for a baby, he is potty trained, and refuses to wear anything that isn't pajama's. He thinks he should only wear mis-matched pajamas. He always looks like a hobo. He sings and has started liking me to read to him. He likes the "Llama llama" books.

Until next time.....

It's safe to say that this Marlow household has a bad case of "baby fever." Yep, all four of us. Bobo says he is Meme's baby, and he needs a baby. Memphis told Brandon the other day that he wanted another baby and this time he wanted it to be a cute one. LOL!! Brandon said, "I only make cute ones." I totally have to agree with him.

My little Memphis will be 4 in just a few weeks. I can't believe it! He can't decide if he's going to have a Scooby Doo, Transformers, Phineas and Ferb, or Star Wars party. He's running out of time.

Now for some pictures:)

A Little Catch-Up

So, I'm a little behind. We survived the boys first football game. I think it's safe to say that the boys had fun {and of course mom and dad did too.} Memphis really wanted to have his picture made with Smokey. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see Smokey up close enough to have his picture taken with him. Of course I have lots of pictures from the game. I'm so thankful and glad that we was able to take the boys to the game. I think it meant alot to Brandon. I tell he was one happy and proud daddy. The most amazing thing that happened at the game was that Bo fell asleep just 3 minutes after the game started! Amazing how he can sleep at Neyland Stadium, but can't sleep at home.

Memphis will be 4 in a little over a month, and I can't believe it. Four years ago I was so big that I couldn't bend over! lol. I think we are going to do his birhtday at Chuck E. Cheese. Yep, I've lost my mind. He is talking about what he wants for his birthday, and what he wants for Christmas. I'm not ready for my little baby to grow up. I'll be sending him off to school next year and then I will blink and he will be graduating from high school. Makes me sad.

Last Friday, I took them to Knoxville and did their pictures. I feel so sorry for all of the photographers that I have used before in the past, because my children are hard to photograph!

Now for some pictures:

Memphis has stepped on  a splinter and things he will not be able to walk at the football game Saturday. Bo pooped on himself, and he said momma I pooped and it's dirty. Right now he is wearing nothing but a pair of snow boots. He has quite the fashion sense. Earlier, I was editting some pictures and Bo was saying, "that's my girl, momma." It was so sweet. Memphis informs me of how many times I kiss him in one day. Evidentally, I kiss him more than he thinks I should. He's so funny.

The teenage years have set in early at the Marlow household. Memphis thinks he should not go to bbefore 1a.m. Its now 10 o'clock and I do believe it's bedtime. I must say that Memphis is the best big brother in the world. He cares so much for his brother, and I find it to be ever so sweet! We will be taking the boys to their first UT football game on Saturday, and I can't wait. I hope they enjoy it. Memphis will be 4, in less then two months. I am so not ready for him to turn 4! I just love watching my boys play. They have so much fun together, and love each other. I just love my family.

the boys and i went to norris today. i was hoping to get some great pictures of the two of them, and memphis was hoping to find rudolph the red nosed reindeer. unfortunately, neither of us got what we were wanting. lol...
bobo has began using the potty. both 1's and 2's. he has horrible aim, might i add, but refuses to have any help because he likes his privacy.
next saturday we will be taking the boys to their first ut football game. i'm so excited. i just hope we all have a good and safe time.

as i was driving down the road today, i saw this man that i used to wait on at the bank, and he had groceries in his hand. just before i left the house i was complaining about my car. ya know what?  it was like God was showing me something. so many times i take for granted all the things i have. but i thank God for them, and for showing me those little signs to remind me of his great love and mercy. he didn't have to send his son to die for my sins, but he did. he didn't have to put a roof over my head, give me two healthy children, shoes on our feet, food on our table, a good christian up-bringing, and a great husband but he did. i just have to say thank you Lord for all of your many blessings. i'm so undeserving in my eyes, but in your's i'm not. thank you for looking at the inside and not the outside. my prayer tonight...Dear God, please help all those that are broken, homeless, lost without your love. thank you Lord for all you've done for my family and friends. You're so great. in Jesus' name. Amen.

Dinosaur, Tennessee ball, Abracadbra!

Strange title, you say? Well, maybe just a bit. ;). Saturday night I was reading my bible, trying to prepare for my Sunday school class, and Bo was sitting beside me. I noticed that he was "whispering", so I began to pay attention to him. He had his eyes almost shut and was whispering away. I said, "are you praying?" He said yeah. Then outloud he said, " dinosaur, Tenneessee ball, abracadbra!" Then he threw his hands in the air, and got down and played. So, I'm assuming that was his little pray. Might I add, one of the sweetest I've ever heard. He has became quite a little talker here lately.

Memphis went to the dentist today. He got his teeth cleaned and even let them take a few x-rays of his teeth. He done very good until the dentist came to see him, and then he freaked out.

Fireworks, Choo-Choo, Dollywood, and Go Big Orange

MEmphis on the 4th of July!

Today, we went to Bryson City, NC for "A Day Out With Thomas." The boys loved it. Cruz was so excited.
He had been saying for a month that he wanted to go ride choo-choo, and the day finally arrived. He had been so excited every morning this week when he would wake. Memphis enjoyed it, too. He was much more excited about getting to play with the trains than the actual train ride. On our way back we stopped at Clingmans Dome.......BEAUTIFUL!!! Driving through the Great Smokies National Park just makes me so thankful for God's beautiful art work. We can truly find beauty in the everyday life if we just take the time to take it all in.

My dearest little Liam Cruz is growing so much! He is talking and has the cutest little voice. To be so rotten he is so soft spoken. Some of his favorite things to say, "get this off of me", "wanna ride choo-choo", "crybaby", "let me go", and  "Meme". That last one is what he calls Memphis and he loves him. Cruz has also gotten into this little phase that he only wants to wear certain clothes, and he doesn't want to wear shoes; he only wants to wear socks.

Memphis, is growing up too. He wants a baby in the house! (which I can't say that I disagree:)) He wants to go to school, and in September he will be starting basketball. I'm totally excited. He doesn't really understand, but once he starts he will and love it.

The above part was written 3 weeks ago. So, needless to say that I have been a weeeee bit busy! I have finals coming up on Thursday, and I'm trying to do my homework. I have also fell off the "weight lose" wagon. I have to stop writing to break up a fight. Will hopefully pick-up before the weeks over.

Well, I must say that this post is getting a little out of hand! The part written in blue was writen last month sometime :/. {sad that i don't even remember}. the things i do remember are taking the boys to dollywood for the first time, which they loved! bobo has started giving kisses, ad talking up a storm! he and memphis love each other so much. they make the best pair of brothers that God has ever handed out! :) I have got to do better about my blogging. And since I can't remember everything they have done or said in a month......or two. I am just going to post some photos. :)

The elephant ride was Cruz's favorite ride.

On the way to Dollywood!

Daddy and Memphis on the train ride.

Cruz on the train ride.

This was Memphis' favorite ride. The tea cups, and when he says the tea cups it sound like he is saying hiccups. He rode this ride 10 straight times.

Dollywood was a bit hit. We stayed until closing. The boys loved it, and still talk about wanting to go back.

Bo's newest talent is that he has learned how to burp on his own. That is all he does.

Buzz Lightyear comin atcha on the Fourth of July! Yes, he wore this to his dad's family get together for the Fourth in 100 degree weather!

Memphis wants a mohawk!

family time after Thomas trip @ Clingman's Dome in Gatlinburg.

Sleepy head!

This past weekend brandon and I went to the UT game! We had alot of fun, but missed our boys. We are thinking about getting Memphis tickets for his birthday. He does tell me he is going to play football for Rocky Top. i might i say he has the cutest version of Rocky Top ever! Goes a little something like this: "Rockdee Top, Rockdee Top, Rockdee Top, Whooo!"

We left the boys at mamaw and poppops house for a little bubble blowing fun ;).

A little tailgate action!

 

 

VOL WALK!

Derek Dooley and his bright orange britches!

I think that's about all that I can remember. I have a 2 year old up with me at 1:30, so I better be getting to bed. But I just had to finish this long crazy random post!