The Boys of Austin Farm: How Much Power Does a Push-Up Have?...

8.18.2008

How Much Power Does a Push-Up Have?...

Around here, a whole lot. Push-ups and Popsicles carry a lot of weight around here and can be used as bribery for just about anything:

-Hassle Free Diaper Changes

-Eating a Good Dinner

-Sharing

-Rewards for Not Fighting (This is especially for Sam)

-10 Minutes of Peace to Check Emails

-Cleaning Up Toys

-Not Whining

-Keeping a 10 Month Old Still for a Good 5 minutes

Yes, I use them as a parenting tool and I'm proud of it. I know many of you are shaking your head...can't I just discipline them and be done with it? Hey, I'm trying but there's nothing wrong with a little incentive to encourage a less stressful day. So for all of you mothers who understand where I'm coming from, here's to push-ups, ice cream, popsicles and any other frozen treat. For those of you that are doubting my parenting skills, spend an afternoon over here with my boys and Cade and Cannon, throw in a few fights, screaming matches and meltdowns and you'll be running to the freezer so fast your head will spin. Trust Me.

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I am the mother to three beautiful boys. I am a stay at home mom who spends my days adjusting costumes, refilling milk cups and folding laundry. And while this job is toughest one I've ever had, it is certainly the most fulfilling and rewarding. I am paid with wet kisses, long hugs and sweet smiles, which makes me the richest woman in the world. I am so thankful to spend my days with these three precious beings that I adore. I have been married to my best bud for six years. In addition to his job as a purchasing manager, he takes care of our ever expanding cattle herd. We own a cattle company that continues to grow and we are so thankful for all of God's blessings in our life. I am a Christian who longs to know more about God and his word. I know that teaching my sons about God is the greatest gift I can give them and my most important job as their mother. I enjoy a really clean house. organization, making lists, my iPad, photography, mexican food and when my People magazine arrives in the mail. We love our life on the farm, surrounded by family, with cows grazing beside our house, and wide open spaces for our boys to roam and explore. We are so blessed.

Sam is our six year old, firstborn son. He is a kind, sweet, inquisitive and compassionate boy who loves being the oldest and a big brother to his younger siblings. He is thoughtful and loving and passionate about learning new things and discovering new adventures. He is responsible and trust worthy and he genuinely hates to disappoint us or anyone else.

Sam loves cowboys and can often be found dressed in chaps, boots and a cowboy hat. He loves watching old westerns and hearing true stories about the "old west." Sam can also often be found dressed as a hunter or policeman and is rarely ever dressed in play clothes as "just Sam" as he likes to call it. He is meticulous about his attire and spends a lot of time making sure his costume is exactly right.

Sam loves guns and is an expert on his collection of toy rifles and pistols. He can shoot a bow and arrow perfectly and longs to ride a real horse and help his Daddy rope cattle like the real cowboys do. Always full of questions and known to be a deep thinker, he enjoys staying up late for long talks with his Mama and Daddy. He is our sunshine, our first love.

Jack is our second son who very proudly marches to the beat of his own drum. At three years old, he is spunky, free-spirited and funny and has an amazing ability to make others laugh. Jack is easy going and finds happiness in the simplest of things. He is mischievous and proclaims to be "sneaky," all while being amazingly sweet and wearing his heart snuggly on his sleeve.

He is smart and inquisitive and enjoys discovering how things work. He enjoys hooking up trailers to the appropriate tractor and loves to dress up as a cowboy or frontiersman with his big brother. Jack loves riding the gator with his Daddy to check fences and feed animals and truly relishes life on the farm. He will proudly tell you anything you need to know about cows and says Herefords are his favorite...just like his Daddy.

Jack can often be found running naked through the house and insists on falling asleep with a handful of his Mama's hair grasped tightly in his hand. He is always in motion, always smiling and is more affectionate than his older brother. He is cuddly and loving and is always ready for a snuggle and a kiss. He is our silly monkey, our joy baby.

Will is our two year old son. He is happy and friendly with a warm smile and an infectious laugh. Will loves cows, tractors, music, bath time, and snuggling on his Mama's shoulder, which I love just as much. He already has a great love for his Daddy and is happiest when he is outside with him, riding around on the gator and checking on our cows. Will seems to love farm life even more than his older brothers did at his age.

He is extremely ticklish and laughs and squeals when Mama and Daddy get his sugar. Will is happy and content and such a blessing to all of us. He flashes his sweet smile at everyone he sees, but hates large crowds. He makes the most precious sad face and is a pro at sticking his bottom lip out to let us know he's not happy. He is very busy and a budding daredevil that appears to have a mischievous streak that may rival his youngest older brother.

Adored by his big brothers, he will certainly be the most protected little boy around. His face beams with happiness at the site of his older brothers and he loves wrapping his arms around them, offering them endless kisses and hugs. In return, he is showered with sweet love and affection and he seems to enjoy his role of the littlest brother. He is loud and bosterious and works hard to be heard in our loud, crazy house. He is so loved and such a blessing to all of us. Will is everything we needed and didn't know we did.