The Melting Pot: Hello? Is it me you're looking for?

Um...... So, hello. Good to be with you all again! I know you all didn't really miss me, but I have a feeling some out-of-town friends and family have missed these 3 beautiful faces.

Before I get to the most important stuff - the pictures - here is a brief update. (I'm sure you don't want the unabbreviated version since it has been 7 months. And, honestly, I don't feel like writing it.)

Samuel: Brutus is 20.5 months old. His stature and capabilities sometimes confuse the general public, but just watch him cry, wail, and rub his eyes and you will be instantly reminded of his true age. Not saying that he does the above much. He is generally happy, but for those who wonder if he is always perfectly happy, no he is not. He's normal. Samuel loves to eat, sing, talk, tell "knock-knock" jokes, snuggle with his "night-night" (blankie), dismantle, destruct, push, pull, climb, and imitate any and all bad habits of his older brother. He grows at warp speed. In a 6 week period his foot went from a 7W to and 8.5 XW. He is moving into some 3T clothes.....that Andrew is moving out of. He is FUNNY. albeit, frustrating at times. Just last night he decided to get in the bath with Sarah wearing his diaper and Crocs. Maneuvers like this, since they happen so fast, mean I have to be ever vigilant with him. He simply thinks to do more at this age than the other two ever did. Sam is a daddy's boy through and through. He now cracks himself up calling me Daddy. Grrr.

Andrew: This Brain turned 4 in April. Still waiting for 4 to kick in. Still acting a little bit 3. Andrew is a very passionate child in his likes AND his dislikes. Andrew plays the role of middle child perfectly, and was playing the role before he was the middle. He is witty, clever, charming, theatrical, ridiculously adorable, and a whole bunch of fun to be around. He also challenges us the most as parents, keeping us on our toes with how best to help him put his energy, creativity, and passion to the best use. I fail a lot. He still idolizes his big sis, but has finally realized that Sam isn't all that bad. Just a few months ago he informed me that he loved his baby brother and told me that Samuel can be in our family. Whew, that was a close one! :) Andrew leads his "little baby brother" around the house and yard to play whatever Andrew wants to play. Baby brother always obliges. Andrew will start Pre-K in the fall.

Sarah: The Princess Athlete is almost 6.....and, don't you forget it either! That's an order! Sarah has two great loves, other than Jesus and me (she's a mama's girl for sure). The first is art. If she isn't working on a sports skill, you can be sure to find her at a desk with paper and markers. Come over to our house to visit, and you will most surely leave with one of her masterpieces. She burns throgh the paper trying to perfect her skills. When she is not at her art desk, she is flipping off the couch, cartwheeling through the kitchen, handling a ball, running like the wind, or riding her scooter with one leg projected in the air. Sarah started wearing glasses around Thanksgiving, but you won't see them in many pictures because she is always sneaking them off of her face when she is home. At the very end of the school year Sarah caught on to reading. Obviously, she is reading very, very basic books, but it was a thrill for her. One thing is certain with Sarah, she never ever gives up. We decided in the spring that Sarah will do Kindergarten again in the fall. Never an easy decision for a parent, but we are certain it is the right choice for her.

Still best buds.

Andrew at his 4th birthday party. The little turkey didn't want a party with his peer group (who is this kid?). He only wanted the university students from our church to be there. And, the real icing on the cake for him was that the party was at our senior pastor's house. Here he is on Dr. Miller's lap about to blow out his candles.