Southern Seeds

Michael's very gifted artistically. He can pretty much paint anything. When we lived in North Carolina, he did a few murals and paintings for people there. We never really gave it much thought at the time about doing it on the side to bring in some income. Mainly because he was already working and going to seminary at the same time.

The idea of Southern Seeds didn't really first come about until I was expecting Micah (about 3 years ago). While planning Micah's nursery, I knew I wanted Michael to paint something for Micah's room. We came up with the canvas below. A canvas like this bought from a store would likely cost around $75-$80.

When several friends saw the painting, they joked about how we should sell similar paintings. We threw around the idea, but the timing wasn't right. But, this led to more and more paintings for Micah's room and more encouragement from some friends to sell Michael's paintings. 

Then, when we found out I was expecting Asher, we knew we needed to move Micah to our guest bedroom and turn it into his big boy room so we could keep the nursery for Asher. We came up with the baseball theme for his room and added a baseball canvas. A friend saw the painting and asked us to do a football canvas for her son, so we did! 

Once we had Micah switched over to his new room, we started on Asher's room. Of course, I wanted Michael to paint something special for Asher too. 

So, we got a little carried away painting!  I always came up with the design and then Michael carried out the plan. And again, the idea to start sharing our creations with others came up. But again, the timing didn't seem right. We had a toddler and one on the way and the thought to add more to our plate at the time was a little overwhelming.

But, when Asher was about 6 months old and we had a pretty good routine down with the boys, we knew that it would be a good time to bring our idea of Southern Seeds to light. We prayed about it and talked about how it would work, so that we weren't adding too much more on Michael's already busy schedule. We figured out how I could help more so that Michael was not carrying the load. And with Christmas coming up, we knew that it was a good time to see how Southern Seeds could do. We started with Christmas door hangers, knowing they were big sellers around this time. We were so excited to see how well they sold and how many of our friends supported and encouraged us. Even if they weren't able to purchase anything at the time, just by liking our Southern Seeds Facebook page and our posts helped us spread the word about what we were doing and that was a tremendous way to support us! 

Some of our Christmas door hangers

We sold several of the Christmas door hangers but we also had several customers purchase items for Christmas gifts.  We have been very blessed with the ability to finally make Southern Seeds more than a thought and idea floating around in our heads and are excited to see where God takes us on this new journey! 

Some other projects we have completed

Check out our other projects and like our Facebook page at Facebook.com/southernseeds. We are working on an actual website too! Our website is under construction but will be coming soon! 

Immediate Obedience

My oldest child, Micah, is two and a half. Yes, he may be adorable. But he is also stubborn (after all, he's my child). Like most toddlers, I have to ask him repeatedly to obey. We are working on this, but it can be frustrating. Wouldn't it be great if he obeyed immediately? Is that even possible?

I wonder if God feels that way about me sometimes? April, just obey Me. Trust Me. Immediately.

While reading John 1:35-51 this morning, I was reminded of the immediate obedience in the calling of God's disciples. They didn't say wait, let me finish working. Or wait, let me go tell my family. Or wait, let me finish what I'm doing. Or make excuses. They went. They followed Him. They obeyed. Immediately. Without question.

Just like I desire my boys to obey me immediately, God desires our immediate obedience when he calls us. Maybe He's calling us to trust in Him. Maybe He's calling us to spend more time with Him. Maybe He's calling us to reach out to someone in need. Maybe He's calling us to go to someone and ask forgiveness or for us to forgive someone. Maybe He's calling us to reconcile a relationship/friendship. Maybe He's calling us to serve in our church. Maybe He's calling us out of our comfort zone and to step out in faith. Whatever it is that He's calling us to do, are we being obedient? Or do we make excuses? Or do we say wait, let me do _______ first?  Or are we too busy to even know He's calling us? Or do we question Him when he calls us?

Unfortunately, there have been times that I've made excuses or said wait instead of being obedient to God's calling, and I'm sure I missed out because of my disobedience. But, I know there have also been times where I have been obedient, and never did I look back and regret it. My desire is to always be aware of God's calling and to always be obedient. Immediately. Without question. Because it's what He desires from us.

From Bad Wife to Better Wife

We've all had days like this I'm sure. The ones where your toddler has thrown 10 tantrums before you have had your morning coffee. Or you forgot to move the clothes out of the washing machine and into the dryer, and they have been there for a little longer than they should have been. Or your oldest child wakes up your youngest from his nap, after it took you forever to get them to nap in the first place. Or your newborn spits up all over you, and of course you had just put on nice clothes. Or right when it's time to get ready to go out the door, one child has a blow out while the other child has a meltdown because you told them that they couldn't bring their 6 dinosaurs to the store with them. Or dinner doesn't turn out the way you expected so you have to run out to the closest fast food restaurant to feed your family dinner. Or insert any other unexpected circumstance that you have ever had to deal with.

Yes, I'm sure we have all had days that are similar.

Days that do not go as we imagined. Days that can be long and frustrating. Days that have been so exhausting that you hand the kids off to your husband as soon as he walks in the door and you don't even greet him with more than a grunt. Days that you are just counting down the hours or minutes until it's bedtime.

Guilty.

Or am I the only one that has experienced days like that?

With two little ones at home, there is never a dull moment. Most days go pretty smoothly, even though there are always minor mishaps and moments that aren't so pleasant. But every once in a while, there is a day that totally throws me off and by the time Michael comes home I'm ready for a break.

But, I'm sure when Michael walks in the door, he's walking in from a long day too and wants to walk in to a peaceful house. A place that he wants to come home to. And it's my job to have that waiting for him.

I'm not saying that my house has to be completely quiet. I'm not saying that my house has to be in complete perfect order and everything in it's place. I'm not saying my boys have to be perfect angels when he comes home. I'm not saying dinner has to be ready and piping hot on the dinner table the minute he walks in the door.

Then what am I saying?

I'm saying that I need to welcome him home and not ignore him. I'm saying that I don't need to hit him with all that's gone wrong during the day, the minute that he gets home. I'm saying that I don't need to take my frustrations out on him. I'm saying that I need to ask how his day was. I'm saying that I need to spend time with him, even when I'm so tired that I just want to crawl in the bed. I'm saying I need to make my husband a priority.

It's easy some days to be so consumed with my boys needs, that I totally don't meet any of my husbands needs. It's easy to keep on my "Mama" hat, when I need to remember that I wore the "Wife" hat first! And yes, it is my job to take care of my boys and meet their needs. But my husband should be a priority too. In fact, he should be a higher priority than my children. And yes, it can be draining to run after the kids all day and care for them, but I know I need to be more aware of my husband and his needs. I want my husband to WANT to come home after work. I want my husband to ENJOY coming home and being with his family after a long day at work, and not to dread coming home. I want my home to be a safe haven for my husband.

And it starts with just being aware. Being aware of my attitude and mind set when he comes home from work. Being aware of his needs. Being aware of ways I can meet them. Whether it's giving him some time to unwind when he gets home before expecting him to hop in and help with things at home, or having dinner ready when I know he has to go back out for a late meeting, or making sure his clothes are clean and put away when they are needed, or making sure I communicate with him and spend time with him. There are so many littles ways to tend to his needs but how often do I let them slide?

Praying I can be the wife Michael needs me to be first and foremost, so that we can model to our boys what a healthy, biblical marriage looks like while meeting our boys needs too! Praying that my boys see me being a loving and respectful wife. And a loving mother as well.

Are You Consumed?

I will be the first to say that I am very thankful for technology. I'm thankful that I can text when I may not have a lot of time for a phone call at the moment. I'm thankful for facebook so I can connect with so many old and new friends. I'm thankful that I can search the internet to find information quickly when needed.

However, I've found more and more lately just how much we allow it to take over our lives. Just yesterday I was having a conversation with a friend and during the conversation they picked up their phone and started scrolling through their Facebook newsfeed and checking texts. I pray I have never done this to anyone (and if I have, I am SO sorry!), because it basically says, "I don't care about what you are saying. You are not important."

We have become so attached to our phones and iPads that it has hindered us in many ways. I know I've picked up my phone before to check notifications and a few minutes later I'm looking at it again, without realizing what I'm even doing. I've been in restaurants and looked around and instead of people having conversations, everyone is on their phone checking email, facebook, and texts. I've watched parents on their phones while they allow their children to play at the park when they could be spending time interacting WITH their children. I've been guilty of all of the above at different times.

I know I've had to make a conscious effort lately to be more aware of when I'm on my phone or iPad. Am I allowing it to interfere with time with my boys? Am I so caught up in checking facebook and texting, that I'm missing out on time with my family and actually having real conversations with my husband? Do we hide behind texting and facebook and think we really know how our friends are doing because we saw them post about having a good time somewhere, so we think we know how they really are but we never stop anymore to ask them what's going on in their lives? Are we so consumed with technology and spend so much time using our phones for social media, that we don't allow time in the Word to grow in our relationship with Christ? I know I've been convicted lately about this topic for sure. I caught myself the other day trying to respond to a text, while Micah was saying "Watch me, Mommy." My reply, "Wait a minute, baby." Oh my. While there are times a phone call or text needs to be returned in a timely manner, my children should be my priority over a text that could have waited five more minutes.

My prayer for myself is that I will be more aware of how I use technology and social media. That I will make sure my priorities are certainly in order. That I will be available to have actual conversations with others and never make them feel that I could care less about what they are saying to me. That I would be all there for my family. And that I will use social media to encourage others while living out my faith, praying others can see Christ in me.

Our First Family Fun Friday

Michael and I try to be intentional with the time we have together as a family. We enjoy taking the boys on walks, playing in the yard, going to the park and just spending time together as a family. This past Friday, we wanted to spend the day as a family doing something we hadn't done before. Michael had just returned from a 12 day trip to India and knew he would have to readjust to our time zone so he wanted to force himself to stay awake during the day in order to be able to sleep that night. So I started looking for things to do as a family within a 2 hour drive from our house and got several great suggestions from friends.

We ended up going to the Children's Hands On Museum in Jacksonville, Fl. Micah LOVED it! It was such a neat place for kids to enjoy and I wish there was something like it even closer. Michael and I even joked about opening up one in Valdosta. They have different exhibits like Train Tables, Lil' Winn Dixie, Puppet Stage, Dress up, Castle Stage, Little Veterinarians, Kids TV and Radio, Emergency Rescue Station, and much more! Kids under 1 are free, older than 1 is $4.00 and adults are $5.50. The outside of the building doesn't look like much but I promise, the neat exhibits inside are worth it! 

Michael and I were talking on the way home from Jacksonville and decided that once a month we were going to have a Family Fun Friday and find things to do as a family that we haven't done before. Free is always great but I know there are also a lot of things we can for fairly cheap as a family. So, if you have any ideas we welcome them! 

Pictures from our first Family Fun Friday at the Hand's On Museum 

You can find more information about the Children's Hands On Museum by checking out their website here: http://handsonchildrensmuseumjax.startlogic.com/index.html. Be sure to click on the exhibit link to see what they offer.

Overwhelmed but Blessed

I hesitated to write this post, mainly because it calls for me to be more transparent that I would like. But, after talking to numerous women that have experienced the same thing, I knew I needed to write it.

Leading up to having Asher, I had two people tell me to cherish the last days of just having Micah at home with me. I was like, um, ok. I didn't really understand just how much I would miss those days of just having him with me to take care of, love on, read to, play with, and much more.  When we brought Asher home from the hospital, saying I was overwhelmed would be an understatement. I missed the one on one time with Micah. I missed having somewhat of a schedule. I felt like I was floundering because, let's face it, having a newborn is wonderful and overwhelming all at the same time. You are operating on very little sleep, crazy hormones, a little human that needs you every waking minute, and to throw in a toddler that still needs to be taken care of too? I was overwhelmed. How did moms that have more than one child do it? I was certainly trying to figure that one out. Believe me, I know there are moms out there with way more than two kids, and they managed, so I knew I would too. But for a person that thrives on schedules and organization, my world was rocked! I had this little, cute, crying, needy, sweet, hungry, non-napping blessing to care for and take care of. Along with a sweet, loving, caring, tantrum-throwing, easily frustrated, adorable two year old to still tend to as well. When I felt like I was doing great caring for Asher, I was feeling like Micah was being left out. When I tried to have one on one time with Micah, Asher was needing my attention. I would wake every day thinking I just had to survive until Michael got home from work. I felt sick to my stomach most mornings and dreaded the day before me.

Thankfully, just like most struggles, the overwhelmed feelings were only temporary. I survived those first few weeks. I won't say I passed with flying colors, but I survived and so did my boys! I had to learn to wake every morning and give my day to the Lord, praying for strength and the ability to love and care for my sweet boys to the best of my ability while trying to find the new normal for our family.

We now have somewhat of a schedule (as much of you can with little ones). Asher is sleeping more at night and napping much better during the day. He still eats a lot, and often. He's my big boy! But his feedings aren't taking as long and he's a much happier baby during his awake hours (for a while there I was wondering if that would ever happen). I have found ways to incorporate one-on-one time with both boys on top of including Micah in "helping" me with Asher. Micah likes to lay beside Asher and talk to him during Asher's tummy time or play time on his play mat. Micah likes to be helpful and bring Asher toys to look at and he "reads" to him too. I've also found that Micah likes to help me with stuff around the house. If he sees me doing laundry, he immediately stops what he's doing to come help. He loves to help load the washing machine and then he helps to move the laundry over to the dryer. He likes pushing the buttons to turn them both on too. (To Micah's future wife, you will thank me one day for teaching him this early, so you're welcome!)

I've finally figured out all of Asher's different cries and what they mean. I've figured out how to get him to nap. In the hospital all the nurses kept telling me what an alert baby he was. That he was the most alert baby they had in a while. I later realized what they meant was he doesn't sleep. From day one, he's done well at night for a newborn. But during the day, he didn't like to nap. If he did fall asleep, he woke easily (so unlike Micah). He wouldn't nap in his crib, only in the swing or if he was being held. I had to work hard for several days to transition him to napping in the crib and he finally will, for about 45 minutes at a time. That's much better than the ten minute naps he used to take in the crib.

I write all of this to say that feeling lost and overwhelmed is normal. I've talked to so many that said they felt like they were doing a terrible job at handling the transition and that they felt overwhelmed and that is was even hard to get out of bed in the morning. So many women go through those feelings. The key is what you do what that. I knew I didn't want to continue feeling overwhelmed and that I wanted to feel "normal" again. I had to lean on God more and more daily and spend more time praying for each day and what it would bring. I leaned on a few close friends for prayer support and encouragement. And my husband is THE best! He's so helpful with the boys when he's home and so selfless!

Most know that Michael and I prayed for years for children before finally being blessed with Micah. Now we have been blessed with Asher too (Asher actually means blessed). We are so thankful for both of our boys! There are hard moments and sometimes all out hard days, but it's all so worth it in the long run. My prayer is that I always view my boys as a blessing from the Lord and that I do all that I can to raise them to love Him and live for Him!

Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.  Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth.  Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. Psalm 127:3-5

Expectations

Micah's at the age where he gets frustrated easily when things don't go the way he expected. I see this in him daily, especially when he's playing. The other day he was playing with his trucks and trains and lining them up on our ottoman. One of the trucks kept rolling off and falling to the floor. Instead of just picking the truck up and putting it back on the ottoman, he would break down in frustration because he expected the truck to do just as he wanted. This is only one example of times Micah has gotten frustrated when something didn't go as expected. But, it made me think about times I've expected something to go one way, and my reaction when things didn't happen as planned.

Lately, there have been several times I expected something to go one way, and was highly disappointed when my expectations weren't met.

The main one that sticks out right now is Asher's birth. (There are many more though.)

I expected a regular delivery. I didn't have one. Never had it crossed my mind that I might have to have a c-section. Leading up to my going into labor, there was never a reason to think that might happen. But, it did. When I was told after 12 hours of labor that I was being taken for a c-section I was definitely disappointed. At the time though, I didn't have time to dwell on it. I didn't have time to react. I just wanted Asher here safely. Afterwards, I was disappointed, but it was over and Asher was fine! It was out of my hands and there was nothing I could do about it, except to move on. Not dwell on it or allow myself to react negatively about it.

I expected, during labor, to have an epidural that worked. It did, for a short time. But only a short time, and then I was miserable for hours. Especially the last two hours, when I was given pitocin, and the contractions were every 2 minutes and lasting about 30 seconds each. It would have been nice to have a working epidural. But I survived it! And I know many women have survived worse labors than mine. But, I expected one thing, and got another. Again, it was out of my hands. I could dwell on it or move on. It was over, I survived, so I moved on.

I expected to get pictures, and lots of them. I wanted a picture holding Asher right after he was born. I didn't get that because he was taken away since I had to be taken to the recovery room. I wanted a picture of us with our midwife/doctor. That didn't happen. I wanted a picture of our midwife/doctor holding Asher. That didn't happen. I wanted a picture of Michael and I together with Asher right after birth. That didn't happen. I wanted a picture of Micah meeting Asher for the first time when Micah was brought up to the hospital to see us. That didn't happen because Micah had strep and couldn't visit us. I was definitely disappointed because these are all things that can't be done later. Asher will only be born once and we will only have that short time to get those pictures and once the moment is passed, it's gone. So, yes, I was very disappointed.

To say I moved on would be a lie. For some reason, I was really bothered by not getting these pictures. I could never go back and redo his birth and would never have pictures of those memories now that it was past. So, I dwelt on it and allowed it to affect me negatively.

God was definitely working on me in this area of expectations though. I know He has been teaching me, through many situations and not just this one, that HE is in control, not me. HE has a plan for my life, better than any plan I could come up with, and that I needed to get on board and allow HIS plan to play out instead of worrying about my own plan. Expecting one thing, and getting another, time and time again leads to disappointment. But when we look at life through HIS eyes and truly grasp that HIS ways are better, we will be much better off.

For me, it comes back to control. My husband can tell you (and anyone that knows me well) that I am a little bit of a control freak (ok, maybe a LOT of a control freak). I'd like to say that I'm a recovering control freak, but I know I still struggle daily. I want to be in control of how my day is going to go, but with two little ones, my day never goes as planned! How do I respond to my expectations not being met? Sometimes I roll with it, sometimes I show my frustration. I wonder where Micah gets that? Convicted. Thankfully, God's still working on me in this area and doesn't just give up on us!



For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a futre and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6

My Boys

Many people have said that Asher looks a lot like Micah. I see it, sometimes. But most times, I don't they look alike at all. They are very different, starting from early in pregnancy. My pregnancy with Micah was very easy and smooth, with a little back pain near the end. My pregnancy with Asher was a little more complicated with minor issues throughout and bad back pain most of the pregnancy too. Micah's delivery was very quick (only 3 hours) and pretty painless, thankfully. Asher's was nothing of the sort. I was in labor with him for 12 hours with an epidural that wasn't working and then ended up having to have a c-section. Thankfully they were both healthy babies and cute too! 

Micah 

Asher 

Both my boys had a head full of dark hair and blue eyes, of course. Micah's hair turned blonde by about 4 months and his eyes stayed blue, a bright blue! It will be interesting to see what color hair and eyes Asher ends up with. Time will tell! I think his hair will stay dark and I hope his eyes will stay blue. Right now they are a very dark blue. 

Both my boys were jaundiced but Micah's was worse. Both lost about a pound while in the hospital but gained it back fairly quickly. Micah was born 3 weeks early (supposedly, pretty sure due date was wrong) and weighed 7lbs 9oz and got down to 7lbs in the hospital. He was 20 1/4 inches long. He was so little! Asher was born 2 weeks early (pretty sure due date was wrong for him too) and was 8lbs 10oz and got down to 7lbs 14oz in the hospital. He was 21 inches long (and is already 22 inches long now at 6 weeks old). Micah wore newborn clothes and diapers for weeks. Asher wore them for about a day! He's already filling out his 0-3 month outfits and weighs 11lbs 6oz right now, definitely bigger than Micah was at this point. Asher is my big boy for sure! 

Asher on the left and Micah on the right

Micah had his days and nights confused at first so we had to wake him often during the day and try to keep him up so he would sleep at night. It took a while to help him get his days and nights straightened out. Asher didn't have that problem and for the most part has slept much better at night than Micah did at first. Asher is much more alert than Micah was at first. In the hospital, the nurses told us that Asher was the most alert baby they had seen in a long time. Micah slept most of the day away if we let him. Asher fights sleep during the day and is awake a good bit. 

Micah on the left and Asher on the right

I know there will be many more differences in my two boys. I don't write this to compare them, but to show that they are each unique and both are such a blessing. I can't wait to see what adventures lay before us as we raise two boys! Micah already loves his baby brother and I pray that they grow up close and the best of friends! 

My sweet boys! Love them! 

My Sweet Micah

I have to brag on my sweet Micah for a minute. I haven't had a lot of one on one time with him since coming home from the hospital with Asher and I've missed that time with my first little man. Since having a c-section this time, I've also not been able to hold him and do some of the things I used to with him. So, the other night I wanted to be the one that put him to bed instead of Michael because I missed getting to do that. I got him ready for bed and he wanted me to lay with him for a few minutes. He kept saying, "please stay momma." So I did. Laying with him and praying with him of course made me cry, because I had missed being able to do that for a while. As I'm crying and holding my sweet boy, he reached over and wiped my tears and said in his sweet little voice, "don't cry momma." (And yes I'm crying as a type this.) That's my sweet boy! That boy can throw some tantrums, but he can also be super sweet and compassionate and caring. So blessed to be this little boys momma!!

Asher's Newborn Pictures

We had Asher's newborn pictures taken when he was a week old. The awesome Tina Wilson, a friend of ours, took the pictures. Below are a few of my favorite. 

Asher Nathaniel Buffaloe's Here!

Saturday, May 11, 2013 started out with running errands and spending time together as a family (my parents were in town too). That evening, Michael went to church (we were going to go on Sunday, Mother's Day) and then was going to meet us for dinner afterwards. My parents, Micah, and I got to Chickfila around 7:00 and ordered and were waiting for Michael to join us. Micah was being unusually defiant and spitting at the table so I took him to the bathroom to have a little chat with him. Little did I know this little bathroom trip would be so life changing. While chatting with Micah about his behavior, my water broke. I knew immediately what had just happened, even though I never experienced that with Micah. I walked Micah back out to the table with my parents and told them what had happened. I called Michael to see why he wasn't there yet, and he told me he was stranded at the church because someone had taken his keys. I told him he needed to find them and come get me because it was finally time! He found them quickly, thankfully, and came to get me. I left Micah with my parents and our car so they could get him home and in bed, and off we went to the hospital. Because Micah's delivery was so quick and easy, I think I had it in my mind that this one would be that way too. I should have known better, because this whole pregnancy was a lot harder and different than Micah's. 

Around 8:00 we were admitted to the hospital and the waiting began. The nurse told us she didn't think Asher would be here before midnight and that we would probably have a Mother's Day baby. After a while, I finally asked for my epidural, thinking surely Asher would be here sooner than later. At two in the morning, there was still no change (I'll spare you all the details) except the epidural really wasn't working and I could feel each contraction and certainly wasn't able to sleep. Around 6:00 in the morning, my midwife arrived, and there still had not been any change. They started me on pitocin. That was a fun experience. Pitocin and a NON-working epidural with contractions now every two minutes.....let's just say I was completely miserable. After over an hour of that, and still no change, I was told they were going to prep me for a c-section. Never did it cross my mind that it might come to having to have a c-section, so I was shocked, but at that point we just wanted him here and safe! 

So, after 12 hours of labor and then a c-section....Asher Nathaniel Buffaloe made his arrival at 8:13am on May 12, 2013 (Mother's Day)! He weighed 8 lbs and 10 oz and was 21 inches long.

I got to see him for about 10 seconds before they took him away and then took me to the recovery room. I didn't get to see him again for almost 2 hours.

Asher's scar from the scalpel during the c-section....our little scarface! (It's barely noticeable now)

Daddy/Asher Time

 

Snuggle time with Mommy 

 

Recovery from a c-section is a lot different but we had some awesome nurses and of course, pain medicine that helped! I was very impressed with the hospital staff, even the doctor that did my c-section. He wasn't my doctor, just the one on call, but he was great and even came to check on us afterwards and the next day. 

We are so thankful our little blessing is finally here and that big brother seems to like him too! Micah wants to be a helper and I know he will be a great and protective big brother to Asher! 

 Our sweet boys!