Easter Week

So hard to believe the picture above was one year ago! This last week has been busy and eventful! After much thought and prayer, we decided to go on to Knoxville with Mark last weekend. Taxes were not nice to us this year. I'm not really one to spend when I know I owe someone, but all were looking forward to this trip, so I wasn't going to take the joy away because of something like that! We are always taken care of and I know this time we will be too! So...we left on a Friday and made several stops along the way for the boys to sight-see and enjoy the beauty of what we have so close to us! I'm glad we did because the rest of the weekend was a yucky mess! ;( We played at the mall where several hours were spent two years ago. We visited with a few old friends, and Mark and I went to a fabulous wedding. We realized just how much we miss living there. I'm sure if a job came open once finished, we could possibly relocate there. (However, after having grandparents here this week, Mark sees just how much they miss them)

We came back Sunday because I had an appointment Monday morning and his parents made it late Monday night. Bently didn't really know how to contain his excitement. He hid behind Mark's legs and said "This is scary!" as they walked up the sidewalk! I worked and let them stay home to soak up as much time as they could. Wednesday we all went to Edventure and the zoo. It was still a little chilly, but fun! Thursday they had their egg hunt at school and our auxiliary hunt that evening. I just knew they would crash, but it still took MaC and Pops to get them to bed before they left. Mom and Todd made it here late that night, so the boys woke up to a new set of faces Friday morning!! They came with a new, blue SANDBOX!!!! So we made a trip to Lowes for sand and made 2 new boxes for the garden this year. I love working in the yard and being outside when it's nice. The boys love the sandbox and will spend lots of hours in it, I'm sure! Every time I leave the house, Bently tells me to get new sand toys! He had his first real soccer game Friday night. He does really well on his own, but put him with a group and he runs around...not even following a ball...but has a good time!

Easter was nice, low-key. We decided to just go eat rather than cook and just like last year, the place we decided on was reservations only. So we scrambled to find something else that wasn't a chain and ended up at The Bowl Weevil! It was perfect. The boys enjoyed hunting eggs and we ended the day with the last series of The Bible.

It's been a while since I've been really sad about Mark going back to work, but yesterday it hit me. I love him being home with us and I know what a tough month this will be. No set hours and don't even know if he'll come home some days. It's 10 straight days with 5 off and so on. But it's one month...he was dreading it too and that is what made it worse. (Please keep him in your prayers.) Anderson went back with Mom this morning. I was crying when I gave him a hug. He asked, "Why you crying?" I replied and then he said, "Come with me!" He hugged his brother and left. Never thought of staying back since I was sad. Little toot! Bently and I have had a fun day today, though. He bought more sand toys with a Toys R Us gift card and we went to the movies. (we never get to with Anderson) It will be nice just having him and doing special things this week. We hope to go home Sunday sometime when Mark gets off and stay for a few days. This way we can meet a new nephew/cousin and visit with other family. Plus it's our spring break and Masters Week here!!

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter and life is good for you. We have had our moments this past month, but I'm praying for a better April!

Sorry for the picture overload!

Love!

Love this even more!

Elk on the side of the road when we came down the mountain.

Cheese! I may not smile with the bunny, but I'm smile with my brother!

At Bubba's cold practice.

SCORE!

Stretch it out..

EdVenture!

Like father, like son performing surgery!

Can really see the resemblance in their smiles in this picture.

No words!!

Daddy's first time at school!

I won't take a picture, but I'll share my chocolate with you!

Water boy / Snack boy

At the market with Nonnie and Papaw 

He was SO excited it changed colors.

Pretty eggs this year.

Ready to roast his marshmallows!

Easter 2013

Showing off his Batman belt.

Happy Spring!

As I am sitting here having a piece of my green pistachio cake, I thought I would share about our adventures this past weekend! Thursday through today, to be honest, is somewhat a blur! The boys had parades at school Thursday that I had to prepare for and then Mark had 2 24 hour shifts this weekend. Boo for him and boo for me too! I've decided parenting is rather HARD. To spank or to not? Timeout or not? Holler? What works and the same does not work for each child! I was embarrassed so bad Friday while in Marshalls. Both boys wanted to ride on the back of the buggy...big NO! They topple it over. So Anderson proceeds to holler "No" at me and continues until Bently started chiming in. To the bathroom we went. I had wanted to spank because I was mad, but a stern talk did the job! You just feel that women are starring to see if you are going to do anything and if so, what?! Back talk has been a big issue here lately!

Back to what I was saying...:) Saturday I took Bently to our St. Patricks Day Parade. It was fun. Lots of green and a rather long parade. He was happy. I left Anderson behind to rest with Mark because we had a potluck party after that at a friend's home. The boys played hard and even stayed long enough to roast a marshmallow or two! Sunday was cleaning day for the company coming next week and we played outside enjoying the weather! It was a beautiful weekend. I am ready for Spring to stay. But it looks as though it will get back cool this weekend.

Tomorrow I officially get the title as "Soccer Mom!" I'm excited even though a frazzled mom with kids everywhere in sweats comes to mind when I think of that title. Don't laugh if you see me out and think the same. I hope to have a little composure for a year or so! Mark starts vacation Friday for a week! So we are headed to Knoxville for the weekend for a wedding and a little sight-seeing with the boys!

Mark's brother, Brandon, matched in Knoxville, so they will be a little closer to us for the next 2 years. We are super excited about that! His other brother, Tommy, had his fourth child today, little Bridger!! We are happy to have another sweet boy around! No big news for this family though. We let them have the fun this week!

We love and miss every one and hope that life is treating you well. You are being prayed for and thought about daily!

Amber

I didn't realize it had been so long again! Anderson had his first week at school in undies and no accidents! I'm so proud of him! He's had croup this week, so he's required lots of love and cuddles. But I haven't really minded too much because Mark has worked late every night and we haven't done a thing. I'm still trying to swallow the fact that I don't have a little baby anymore! :( And none of my friends here have any, so I have no where to get my fix! They have been extremely good this week. After last, Thursday and Friday, I needed a week of good behavior.

We finally got an email on Bently's soccer and it starts March 18th. Their team color is green, so he is all but thrilled! I can't wait to see how this goes! Mark's test went well last Saturday or atleast he thinks it did. He won't hear anything for another 3-5 weeks. Thanks for your prayers. I'll leave you with just a few of the sayings I've heard this week from the boys that I thought were cute!

Bently: "You are not being healthy to me!"
             " Here are some maggots!" Nope, we don't have maggots in our house, he meant MAGNETS!
Anderson: "Running through the house like a mad-man. What are you doing? "I'm working out!"  
                   Guess i shouldn't complain!
I'm sure there are more, but those are the ones that have stuck!

I hope you have a fabulous weekend! It's sunny and 60-70's here on out, so we will be outside all weekend!

Hallelujah!!!

I am happy to share that potty training 101 is underway yet again in our household! I started Saturday and with lots of tears and plenty of fits, we survived the first day. He managed to tee-tee twice. We went to the mall Saturday night and he went in his underwear. He had an accident, but that was to be expected. I'm a believer in going all the way though and don't like pull-ups or a diaper here and there because I think it confuses them. He still wets a lot at night, so he WILL be in a diaper at night though. Sunday after church, I took his diaper off and didn't mention potty. He went on his own here and there. Then this morning I took it off and didn't make a big deal. He came from upstairs to downstairs to get on his potty and poop!!! This is a huge deal! ;) We went to music and he wore underwear. He stayed dry and while eating lunch said he needed to potty and did it!! Yay! This makes me happy after 3 years straight of diapers. I hope I have bought the last box! But at the same time, I no longer have a little baby. Rather 2 toddlers and one will begin to play sports in a few weeks. EEEKKK, can this be true? We all 4 were in the bed last night looking through all of their baby pictures and just reminiscing of the past several years. How many cities? How many homes? Life is a fun experience. You never know where you'll go or when, but as long as you love the ones you journey with you can't go wrong.

I had a childhood friend lose her father this weekend. He had a stroke Thursday and passed away Saturday. I don't know all of the details, but I do know it's a great example of the truth that we aren't promised tomorrow, so live for today. It's hard to believe and so very sad, but I know the family will eventually have peace because they are just that kind of family. Mark and I often think about the future and look at houses we can one day afford and dream about trips. God willing, we will see this all come full circle, but if not, we are living a life that we enjoy. Making memories with these boys that hopefully they will remember and teaching lessons that they can use and pass along one day. Sure there are up and down days, but in the big picture, we have all we need! Once again, I say, God is GOOD and deserves the glory. Please keep the Poindexter family in your prayers this week and throughout the weeks to come.

This is the frog potty. Smacked-dab in the center on the dining room floor!

Our little sport practicing soccer with Daddy!

Love to all!