The summer has flown by at record speed.. 

We have been so busy my blog has unfortunately taken a back seat.  

Here's what's going on 

York began k-4

Loves his teacher and new schedule (8-11:45)

Perry is adjusting to mornings without brother

Baby is walking well and is his brothers shadow 

New House has been sheet rocked and ready for flooring

(Move in date has moved to early November)

We have an amazing new girl (Sydney) who helps me 2 days a week with the boys

We have thoroughly enjoyed the Oak Mt amphitheaters concert series!

Perry has become a momma's boy and I'm not complaining 

York is getting great at carpool (which has been a learning experience for me!)

Wes is worn out from working at pharmacy then at new house... 

I'm gearing up for the annual golf tournament for the YMCA, helping with a charity (jks) drawdown, and a live auction! 

Perry and I have had a few dates while York is at school and they are great. Nothing like one on one time with each of my babies. 

York comes home gushing about his day and my heart smiles. He already recited his first bible verse.

York rides with Wes each morning to school and I think it's a highlight for them both. 

Ramsay is saying lots of words and signs in the cutest voice to loud music. He is super smily and will eat anything! 

Ramsay and perry will begin Mother's Day out next week. (2days/ 9-1pm) pray for sweet Rams since he has only stayed in church nursery and it is epic fail each week! 

Hoping it gets better...

Life is crazy, exciting, exhausting, and fulfilling all at the same time. Help me, Lord, to drink it up!!

Pictures soon of boys and house. Promise!

Baby RAMS is ONE!

Happy birthday precious Ramsay!

On Tuesday (July 16) we celebrated doll babies first birthday.  Ramsay has brought so much love and happiness into our lives. He wakes each morning with a big pacifier grin. He rarely fusses and adores his brothers. He began walking two weeks ago and is loving his new found independence. He tries so hard to keep up with the big boys and is close behind their ever step. He is growing entirely too quickly and will soon catch up with P in weight! (21 pounds at check up)  We have transitioned to whole milk, sippy cups, and a forward facing car seat!  Will time please slow down?  How incredible it is to look back on this past year!  Completing our family of five has come with its challenges but far more rewards.  This perfect little man rolls with the punches and is an absolute blessing.  I am savoring our good night lullabies and morning time together without brothers. He has a couple of words. (ie momma, dadda, bubba, etc)  He currently enjoys uninterrupted naps, ice, one paci in mouth/ one in hand, toe nibbling, yelling, using most things as chew toys, blowing raspberries, belly laughs, dogs, baths, all table food, being held, occasional head butts, ice cream, being naked, loud music, and all of his brothers attention. 

We are having a party on the beach for sweet Rams this week with smash cake and all. Instead of gifts we've asked family to donate to www.justkeepsmiling.org a foundation who supports families in need during terminal prognosis or illness of a child. I encourage you all to check out their site and see how they are making a difference in Alabama. 

Stop and smell the roses

June has been crazy for the Harless family. 

step fathers birthday (6) 

Wesley's 32 birthday (13)

fathers day (16) 

7th wedding anniversary (17)

We took a family beach trip to celebrate and enjoy the beginning of summer. The kids had a blast and made wonderful memories catching crabs, flying kites, building castles, fishing, and swimming mixed with minimal fighting. It was a much needed trip and a wonderful way to spend Wesley's big day and our 7 married years together. We did break away for one date night and it ended with a trip to wal mart! Woo hoo! The joys of being married/ traveling with children.  

Amongst this chaos of summer I've managed to sit back and enjoy and reflect (if only momentarily) on some incredibly special moments. York and Perry met some friends at the beach (Sam /age 11 and Gunter /age 12) who stayed at the house beside us. They were amazing little men and adored my boys. They woke each morning anticipating how their new "friends" would fit into their day. We even invited them to dinner one night. They braved the waves, "taught" the big boys how to fish, built a massive sand castle, and dominated any snack food I provided. It melted my heart to see these older boys so engaged with mine. And quickly reminded me that time doesn't stop and soon mine will be out on the beach standing taller than Me.  We became Facebook friends (hehe) and hope to keep intouch.  They set a great example to my boys in many ways with their stellar manners and incredible patience. We are still talking about those two and I hope York and Perry will always remember their first beach friends.... 

(I'll post pix later)

We are also enjoying swimming.  York learned last year and had a rocky start remembering. In fact I gave a pep talk (while in pool screaming at the TOP of his lungs shouting things like "I will choke and DIE"--- all parents watching and judging) "it's just like riding a bike! Son -You never forget" to his appropriate response "mom- I don't know how to ride a bike! Duh!". Right.  Ok  

Implement plan 2--I just chunked him in!  That worked like a charm. My little nemo swam to the ladder like a pro. (still onlookers are judging). After a very harsh look from York and the realization that he was in fact alive -he did a little chuckle and began swimming like micheal phelps. Ok so maybe phelps little cousin but nonetheless he is enjoying it an I don't have to pay for swim 

Lessons again! Woo hoo!  I am now contemplating trying the "sink or swim" method with ole P who thinks he can do the breaststroke already.  I'll update on that as we progress...

Our new favorite place is steel city pops! If you haven't gone it's an absolute must. Heaven on a stick! I am not joking. My best friend Kelly has been telling about the Popsicle phenomenon (because she is alway in the know about incredible new kid things) for at least a year and I can't believe I didn't go sooner. As York would say-"it has changed my life."  and that my friends is NO exaggeration.   Find a store near you and if I may-- order a butermilk and eat until your hearts content. (also good are strawberry and chocolate).

I have to blog about the other night before I forget. I put both Ramsay and Perry to bed and let York watch some cartoons in my bed for awhile. It was getting late so I told him that he could stay until he fell asleep then I would move him to his bed. He then asked me if I would hold his hand as we slept so we could dream together... And that is precisely what we did. I woke up about 3 hours later his small little hand in mine and my heart is still full thinking about it.  As I stepped out of the sower the next day I said "York you sure were funny in my dreams last night. So glad you were able to come!" and he said "I dreamed about you too, mom. The holding hands really does the trick". Yes it does sweet boy.   I will dream with you anytime. 

Perry is talking a ton! He has a very sweet heart and is quite the character.  My favorite is when Wes will tell him "I love you P" and he yells "I love MOMMY!".  It is hysterical and he only does it because I laugh so much. He went with me to the nail place recently and as they were doing my pedicure (him in my lap) they reached up to rub some lotion on his leg.  The nail lady sweetly looked up and said "that feel good?". From then on he continually repeated in his best baby Asian voice "that feel gooooood! That feel gooooood! Mommy- do that feel guuuuud?"  It was definitely the highlight of my day and maybe 3 or 4 other ladies that heard him. 

Ramsay is almost walking. He has taken a few steps. Some willingly and others forced by brothers who get too pushy. (literally)  He is strong and can hang with his brothers without a problem.  He loves to eat and hasn't found a food that he doesnt enjoy.  He has a tender disposition and just goes with the flow. As long as brothers are in clear site he is happy.  He will be a year old in just a month and I am again wondering where the time has gone. What a blessing he is to our family and my sanity.  Not to mention he has a killer smile...

House update 

We are in the framing stages of the build and I have a gazillion pictures to post to document our progress. It is exciting and the boys are finally understanding that in October / November  we will move into this house we have watched go up. Bigger post to follow on details. 

Enjoy these days of summer my friends. Until next time. 

Ev

Yorkism--Pinglish

Yorkism's...
"Do you have a girlfriend?" - pop pop

"No oo o ...they are too expensive!" York  

"I love you petal to the metal" - York 

"Mom -you need a sleep number bed." -York 

((too much television?))

"I have kong fu skills" - York 

"Oh great day" -York 

(learned from uncle Scott)

"I love snails -I think they are gorgeous!" -York 

"I feel so free mom!" -York 

(walking naked after bath) 

"I don't do sleepovers " - York 

(when asked to stay the night) 

"Girls can not go to home depot.  It's just too dangerous. You can like it mom but you can't go!" - York 

(justifying a boys trip to the depot) 

"I want to change your name to Dave mat-u" -York 

(Dave Matthews -- bc of my hysteria surrounding last post/ concert)

"Do you know what I like to do for fun? I like to kick people's 

buts." -York 

"I'm not cute I'm cool" - York 

"Dot call me kid ...call me preschooler!" -York 

"Mommy your an expert " -York 

"I love you so much even when you make me 'mad as I can go'." -York 

"Heaven has a gift shop" -York 

"What does heaven look like? " - me

"It had beautiful flowers and lots of hummers"-York
(York's obsession w daddy's humme
r has hit an all time high)

"I don't like the color you are when u tan" York to me

"Is that why you bought me these water Guns? ...So I could protect you from lizards!" -York

"I've been hunting for days. Shot 10 ducks" -York
(duck dynasty)

"I've been walking for years ...that's why my shoes have holes" -York
(wearing crocs)

"Stay close someone might snatch you." - me
"I'll snatch them --they don't know about me!" -York
(where does he get this confidence??)

"I just burped on the interstate"- York

"Get your bloody face away from me" -York
(after my fall)

"Mom you're Acting like you're 22!" -York

"Those dogs in the doggy trap are mean!" -York
(perhaps that's called a dog pen)

"Is he into those ?" -York
 (Ramsay eating Cheerios)

PINGLISH...

"I love you so much" -P

"Thank you brother sir" -P

"Santa watchin you!"- P

"No cut my chicken fingers!" -P

"What chew think about that!" -P

"Hey broda bear!" -P
"let's jam momma! Windows down.. Turn it up!" -P

"I love mommy boo boos" -P
(after my fall)

"How bout that!"-P

"Whose your best friend ? - me   "SteFAnie" -P
(his teacher)

"Chocolate nilla " -P
(what he calls chocolate krispy Kreme donuts)

"You s bad boy-- you go jail !" -P
"perry did you bite that boys?" - me
"he a bad boy.. I bite him 2 times!" -P

DMB = incredible

This is my brothers girlfriend "kitten" and me at Saturdays Dave Matthews band concert!  I absolutely love Dave and have since middle school. I'm on the corner of obsessed and crazy girl when it comes to him/ my music. Sweet hubs gave me tickets for my birthday in January and I have been looking forward to it ever since. He did NOT dissapoint! Seats were amazing, company wonderful, and nachos perfection! Yes I did rock a Rambo style headband ... On a dare but I think I did it justice! Ha! I have finally learned how to upload picky iPad so I'll be posting more frequently. I'll leave you with one of my favorite DMB songs... And his encore song!

"The space between the tears we cry

Is the laughter that keeps us coming back for more. "

Plain and simple

Life is hard.  Raising little people is difficult.  Some days need a do-over!

Plain AND simple. 

Other days are incredible, impossible to forget, and rewarding beyond measure. Hey moms... This stuff isn't easy, there is NO manual, and we are all in the same smelly-sleep deprived-sticky boat! Some days our boats are sailing beautifully into the sunset and other days we are capsizing and washing upon shore.  My house is a wreck, my car atrocious, and my mind is overwhelmed with daily schedules and logistics. (( We need groceries! ...there are 100 loads of clothes to do!...we are out of diapers!..."don't touch your brother!"...have the dishes been run?... Oh -here is that dirty diaper in the back seat I forgot about 3 days ago! ... I have to run those clothes again because they smell like mildew!!... "please don't touch your brother"....Here is a nutrigrain bar and propel because we are out of all lunch items AND milk...sorry I forgot about cowboy day at school- mom's cowgirl hat from college really looks good on you - I promise...what's for dinner?... "if you touch your brother again I will get the spanking spoon"... No the baby cant have chips!... We need groceries!)) I hope some of these things resonate with you!  It's life... And in between the 426 questions per hour you are answering -while juggling dinner, diapers, baths, and hubby's conveniently, inconvenient phone calls -the most amazing things happen. You overhear your little one tell his brother he is his best friend.... shares a toy without your prompting ... leans over to kiss the boo boo of his best friend... attempts to entertain brothers bc you can't get to them immediately... Bows his head and thanks God for his day and his meals... Rubs your arm while watching cartoons...sings softly with you as you rock him to bed...and  reaches for your hand in public just to know he is safe. Wow- these seemingly unimportant everyday occurrences are tiny moments etched in your hearts and minds forever. And while we are caught up in our day to day chaos these little seconds of the "good stuff" are slowly fading away. Our babies are growing and I'm reminded we are in a season of life. A very difficult but incredibly important season.   These moments when I'm stress to the max and about to loose my mind I have to remember to be patient, kind, and choose my words with love. They will remember my temper, if my words were shrewd or compassionate, and will model it. These tiny sponges are looking to us for guidance. I hope we all will think before we speak, only react with love in our hearts, and show them love as Christ loves us.  Soak up each moment... And vent about the tough ones!! Praise him for the days in the sun and praise him for days in the rain.  When it's a really bad day... Blog about it- we have all been there!

:) Ev 

Life is GOOD

 Here are a couple of recent pictures of the Harless Hams... enjoy!