It Has Already Been 10 Months

The Boys are into everything
Everything Super heroes.
Everything Legos.
Everything Star Wars.

These 2 are great laughs, especially when they're together.

I walked in yesterday to find Little Brother relaxing in Big Brother's lap.  This. Never. Happens.  First of all, they're never still.  And second of all, there's usually wrestling and screaming in place of the quiet relaxation.  I snapped a picture more for myself.  

Proof is in the picture

Joey and Team Turbo finished the soccer season strong!

Joey brought home his class pet, Doxie.  The 

three super heroes kept the family safe all weekend!

"Ice" See More Clearly
Samuel has an infatuation with ice...truly.

Joey and I had been having a debate on whether the white substance littering the church lawn was mushrooms (which he would offer a swift kick) or more likely just ice someone had throw out on their way in the building.  As we're quickly saying our good-byes to Daddy and he heads in church, I turn for one moment.  One. Single. Moment.  And then look back to see Samuel crunching something.  Ugh!  The ice from the grass - quite possibly from someone's mouth/cup or even a cooler storing raw meat (ok, maybe the cooler scenario is a little extreme) - was now in Samuel's mouth.  And oh the rejection on his face when I said "Spit it out.  Spit it in the grass."  I'm still not sure if the look was from the rejection of his action or simply the disgust that I would force him to waste perfectly good ice.  Note to self: Samuel really likes ice.

Oh, the places we will go (according to Samuel)...
Joey School.
Daddy Work.
Mommy Kitchen.
Samuel Store.

And what really raises questions...SuSu Work School.  CoNfUsInG!

Common Words and Phrases Heard From Samuel

Wootman (Superman)

Biiiiiig Poop (He brags)

One More (holding up one finger in front of the cute smirk)

Want it (head shaking actually means don't want it)

Mormon or is it Woman or is it Robin?  Nope...it's Fireman!

We're quickly approaching a year home with our tiniest love.  As I tell Russ, sometimes I can't believe it's almost been a year, but at the same time I can't believe it's only been a year.  I realize there was brokenness in our stories (for both Samuel and our family) prior to welcoming him home, but that seems to pale in comparison to the family love we now share.  God is good.

Birthday celebration for Mommy

We're all smiles!

Family, Fall, Fun

She keeps getting better and better
Samuel and I traveled to Arkansas for my mom's birthday almost 2 weeks ago.  It was a surprise!  A surprise party.  A surprise visit.  And it was a success!  

I called Saturday morning to wish her a happy birthday.  We talked about Joey's upcoming soccer game and Russ' discussion of visiting the State Fair that afternoon.  Both were true.   I just forgot to mention that Samuel and I would have to miss out.  I was convinced my mom had figured out our motives for a casual Saturday birthday lunch with Aunt Lucy though.  Something in her voice seemed giddy...giddier than usual.  Maybe that's what happens when you turn 70!  

Complete Shock!

I'd give away my car right now to see that look on her face again.  Priceless. Unforgettable.   And all suspicions that she had figured it out...were gone.

Lucy, Frank, Annie, Dawn, Samuel

And after the party came the next surprise...my dad.  He didn't know Samuel and I had driven in the night before.  We had talked briefly that morning on the phone.  After receiving a voicemail from him a few hours later, I casually sauntered up the truck as he returned from the gym.  I announced that I had received his voicemail and wondered what he needed.  All he could say was "this is just so weird".  Thankfully we are no longer limited to a landline.  It lends many opportunities to surprise those we love.  

Sheer Determination

Determination. He's got it!  Oh, baby, he's got it!  Samuel's personality is becoming more apparent day by day.  He is such a cuddler at times.  He still grabs my face at bedtime for a quick smooch.  He's quick to give us all a thumbs up at mealtime if he finds his food to be "good".  Samuel loves to tell people "hi", except that he doesn't speak.  He waves silently.  And when I point to my mouth to tell him "say it out loud", well...he just points to his mouth and continues to give a quiet wave.  We're working on communication.  He seems to have it down very well when we're in the car.  

In fact, when he and I were headed to AR I had a few moments where I needed full concentration and complete silence to navigate traffic.  Much to his dismay, I was unable to talk to him for a few moments, which I'm sure seemed like years to him.  He was quick to tell me loudly "TALK".  Then, he went on to say "Joey talk" as if to say that Joey would talk if he were there.  That is certainly true.  

This sweet little face can also get quite unruly when he wants something NOW.  If determination is evidence of a great level of comfort, we have arrived.  I'm still convinced this determination will one day be channeled to a different avenue - one where world problems are solved, cures are found.  When you notice the boney little finger pointed in your face and the solid, adamant "no" spewed in your face, you know he's serious.  This "determination" could last 2 minutes or 30 minutes.  It's always a surprise.  We like surprises over here.  It could occur in a discussion about picking Joey up from school or something as little as which shoes he should wear.  And all this from the little guy who...

dips his grapes in hummus

prefers to watch "Wootman" (aka Superman)

eats fish sticks with a spoon

wears his super hero cape to the grocery store

Our Big Boy

The kiddo has lost yet another tooth.  He is obsessed with Lego Star Wars and we have channeled that enthusiasm to encourage family responsibilities.  It's working!  He sleeps on top of is comforter so that he doesn't have to make his bed each morning.  Also, he has a girlfriend(s). 

He announced in Sunday school during snack time that he has a girlfriend.  And then he went around the table speaking each girl's name and informing them that they are his girlfriend.  Whoa!  All this while his teacher (read mother) was standing a mere 5 feet away.  My heart sank.  You see, I'm still stuck back on the days when he would argue with Russ over whether I was his or Russ' wife.  Where are those days?  I want to be his only girlfriend, at least for 20 more years!

A trip to the pumpkin patch with the Webb pumpkins

The guys enjoyed a sunny (warm) day at the pumpkin patch recently.  They appeased me with a few pictures.  Samuel seemed shocked at the abundance of pumpkins!

Scooby Dooby Doo

Why have a cute dog that resembles a famous movie star if you don't take advantage of it?  That might be the question you would ask...maybe.  Just maybe.  And don't feel sorry for Gracie being tricked into a walk with these 2 characters.  She scored a few dog treats along the way.  

Shaggy, Fred, and Scooby Doo

                              Happy Fall!