Happy Birthday Braxton

Thank you Rosa for the great vacuum cleaner. Braxton's room is really clean!
The cake and ice cream were really good. Braxton really enjoyed them a lot.
Brazos had so much fun - the party was to much he slept through it all.
The cake!
Fun times with family and friends. Da, Mama Z, Andrea and Karl were all here.
Sharing Cake and ice cream with Rosa.
Blowing out the candles with mom.
More cake and ice cream.

I can not believe that it has been 2 years already. My how time does fly. We have had a very busy weekend. Da and Mama Z came up for Braxton's birthday and the fair. We went to the fair, had a birthday party, and enjoyed each others company. Our visits are never long enough.

Braxton had a good day. He enjoyed all of his friends being here to play. He really liked going to the fair and seeing all the animals. He had fun spending time with Da and Mama Z.

Brazos also enjoyed all the festivities. He was spoiled rotten all weekend. He liked all the lovin.

Here are some pictures from the weekend. More to come soon!

Thursday Thirteen

Thursday Thirteen

I asked my husband what I should do for my TT for today and of course he said I should list the 13 reasons I love my husband. Seeing how we reached a new milestone this week with 8 years I decided I would agree and tell you 13 reasons I love my husband and why I am thankful from him.

13. He is the love of my life.

12. He was my friend first.

11. He is my rock on earth

10. He is a great sounding board

9. He is smart.

8. He is the father to my children

7. He is the spiritual leader in our household

6. He is a wonderful dad to the boys

5. He is an aggie

4. He has put up with me for 8 years

3. He loves my family as much as I love him and his family

2. He always puts God first

1. He puts my needs before his.

This was one of the easiest lists I have ever made. I could make part 2 to this one and just keep going. People just do not know how wonderful my husband is. Thanks babe for always being there for me and taking care of our family. You are a wonderful man and I love you very much. Thanks for 8 great years. I love you!!!

Happy Anniversary to the Love of my life

Well today marks a very special 8 years for Andy and I. Looking back I really can't believe just how fast time has flown. I am looking forward to the next 80. Andy is a very special man who puts God first and his family second. We are blessed to have him as a husband and father.

Thanks Andy for 8 great years. Thanks for the being our provider, comforter, and friend. Thank you for always being there ready to help and make things better. You are a wonderful husband and I am so lucky to have found you.

Let the good times roll

As I sit here in a quite house I am learning just how far behind I am. I was going to kill sometime while the boys are still napping and thought I would check in on my friends and their blogs, only to find that I am way behind!

We had a good weekend and thought I would update you on our happenings here in Iowa. Saturday we went to the Sweet Corn Festival - sounds kinda funny right? Well it was great. They have a parade and then you go to the festival. It is all the corn you can eat (which is about 3 pieces) - it was SO GOOD!!! Then there were vendors and games for the kids and fun craft items for the adults. It was a lot of fun. We went with some friends from church. We enjoyed out day. We came home and grilled supper outside and enjoyed our evening out on the deck.

Sunday was a day full of fun, fellowship, and friends. We enjoyed our day.

Monday - today - we went to the Iowa state fair. Andrea and I took the boys to the fair. We walked and looked until we were give out. We then came home for a good nap.

The fair is in town for 10 days we will go again this weekend when my parents come up. We are really looking forward to our visit from Da and Mama Z.

Andy is in Moline all week for some classes. I am thankful that Andrea and Karl are here to keep me sane and help with the boys. They have been such a blessing to us and I am so thankful for them.

Well that is most of the updates for now. More to come. Have a great day!

Thursday Thirteen

We are well underway on Weight Watchers. It has been good for me and I am trying to keep myself motivated so I can accomplish all I need to. Today's 13 is list of things I have learned to appreciate, learned to do, and learned not to do over the last 4 weeks!

13. Count Points - I have learned how to look at a label and tell you how many points it is worth. There are some good things for small point values

12. Portion size - I have learned that the portion size they put on the side of things is often very small, but you can just eat that much. One cup of milk and one cup of cereal really do make breakfast!

11. Chicken does taste good - while it is not my favorite meat, I am learning new ways to fix chicken so that I can eat it more that one day a week.

10. My husband can really eat - I am amazed that he is eating more than I am and it never does anything to him. I am so thankful that he does not have to deal with weight issues.

9. Lunch - You can have two pieces of turkey and two pieces of cheese and 15 pringles for lunch.

8. Snack - is a wonderful thing. There are good things out there like 2 point ice cream and 2 point pop corn. We like those things a lot!

7. Grocery Shopping - Seems to take longer than it ever has. It takes a long time when you have to count points on everything that goes in the cart.

6. Walking is fun - We have been trying to walk 4 times a week - we have been staying on track with that. It makes me feel good to finish the walk and just breath.

7. Swimming - We bought a family pass to the local pool - we have been going twice a week. Braxton loves to swim and I water walk with Brazos. The pool is open year round so we will be able to enjoy it even during the winter.

6.More points - you get more points when you exercise. They are called activity points and we love them. It allows for an extra snack during the day. It takes much better when you really work for it.

5. Easier - it is much easier to do when you have someone to do it with. Andrea and I are trying real hard to keep each other in line. Our minister and his wife are also doing it which make it much easier to stay on track.

4. Fair time - the fair is in town - While I am looking forward to going to the fair I am not looking forward to all the good food I will have to pass on this year.

3. McDonald's - Did you know you can get an ice cream cone for just 3 points - that is a wonderful thing. I seem to be enjoying this at least two nights a week.

2. Home - with all the change we seem to be eating at home more and more - this is a wonderful thing. It allows us time to be at home and enjoy more time as a family.

1. Health - We are making our lives better. While each day will be a struggle, habit is the key. One day at a time we will make things better for our health and my family.

I will keep you all posted as we make progress.

Just pictures

Picture Day

I love taking the kids to get their pictures made. I enjoy seeing how they smile and just how cute they can be. I took them yesterday for Brazos 3 month pictures and Braxton's 2 year pictures. Let's just say that the trip was a little overwhelming. The place was over crowded and running about 45 minutes behind. Our appointment was at 10:40 and we did not get in till 11:30, I was a little upset. But, all in all we got some good pictures. We will try again in 3 months to get some better ones of the two of them. Here are some of the shots we did get.

Well I am having a lot of trouble getting my pictures to upload this morning. I will post this and try again later. Enjoy the boys!

Camera Cord

I still have not found my camera cord. Andy forgot to go and get me one on Saturday morning (I think in part because I had him doing other things - thanks babe). However Andrea and Karl to the rescue. Their cord fit my camera! YEA! So I have borrowed their cord and I am back in business. So to catch up here are some pictures and this week I will try and get the stories that go with them out as well. Enjoy. I'm Back!!!

Thursday Thirteen

Thursday Thirteen

I am so far behind. I was in the car this morning when I realized it was Thursday. Today I am writing about 13 things that make me smile.

13. Getting on blog on Thursdays to see what ideas people have had. To see all the updates and what people are doing.
12. I love the fact that Karl and Andrea are here. I know it is hard for them to be so far from home, but it has been such a blessing to have them here this week. They are such a help around the house and with the boys.

11. My boys and their energy. I love that Braxton is going non stop all the time. I love the fact that Brazos is so laid back. I am so glad that Braxton loves Brazos. I love to watch Brazos smiles when Braxton comes around.

10. I love that I have such a loving family. I am blessed with great in laws and wonderful parents. I am so glad that God has blessed me with examples of people who love him. I am thankful that I have been shown how to love the Lord and how to make a marriage work. I am so blessed.

9. I smile when the afternoon rolls around and I still have extra points so I can go and enjoy the ice cream sandwich I LOVE!! Did I say how much I LOVE ICE CREAM!!!

8. I smile when nap time comes! When I have a couple of hours of sanity in one day. I love my children and I love the break I get from the each day.

7. I smile when My son (Braxton) tries to use the potty all by his self. He is such a big boy. He has been wanting to potty train, so we have been working on it little by little. He has gone all by his self most of the week. There is a possibility we could have this down in the next month or so.

6. I smile when I feed Brazos. I love when he looks up and me and smiles. To know that he is in my care and I have been so blessed. I love that I am able to feed him and enjoy the bonding we are able to share.

5. I smile when Braxton goes swimming and just jumps right in. He loves to swim. He smiles and gets real excited. I love to see him smile.

4. I smile when the phone rings and it is a familiar voice on the other end of the line. We love to talk to family and friends. I wish I was better at making the calls, but I do love to receive them.

3. I smile when I see just how wonderful my husband is. He is such a man of God. He love our family and he loves our boys very much. He is such a good father. He plays with the boys and makes sure we are all taken care of. He supplies us with love and material blessings. He works hard so we can stay at home and play. I love my husband!

2. I smile when I think of Texas. My home is where my boys and my husband are, but a part of home will always be in Texas. I look forward to the day when we will move back to be closer to family and friends.

1. I smile when I think of the love that God gives us each and everyday. He loves us so much he gave his son as a sacrifice for us. I can not even begin to fathom that kind of love. I love my children. I can not imagine how God could give up something he loves so much. I understand more and more each day that I am with my boys just how much he loves us. Thank you God for loving us so much!

What makes you smile?

Coming soon!

My son has placed my camera cord in a special place. A place he is kept very secret. Andy and I have been looking for the cord for two weeks now and have not had any luck. I have a lot of new pictures and stories that I would like to share, but Braxton does not agree at this time. I will keep looking - if it is not found soon I feel a trip to Best Buy coming our way. Just wanted to let you all know that I have not forgotten - just have been discouraged from blogging from my eldest son! More to come soon - I hope~

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things I love about the summer

1. Outside - Being up north as been a big adjustment for me. Braxton loves to be outside, however due to the weather up here we are only able to be outside 5 months out of the year. Needless to say we use as much of that time as we can get.

2. Swimming - We love to go to the pool and swim. Braxton is a little daredevil. He jumps right in and kicks hard. He is a good swimmer and loves the water. Brazos also likes the water. He does well.

3. Ice Cream - Why is it that ice cream tastes so much better in the evening after a long hot day? We love ice cream. Braxton is able to eat some without breaking out. His favorite is cookie ice cream!

4. Visits - Being that the majority of our family are teachers we get to visit and are visited more in the summer. We love to see and spend time with the family.

5. Sunshine - We love to go outside and see the sun a shining. I think that God is smiling on us when the sun is shining. It is such a blessing to warm us the way that it does.

6. Fresh Veggies - I love to go out and pick fresh tomatoes and squash. They are delicious and we enjoy them very much. Braxton likes to pick the tomatoes off the vine and eat them before we get to the house. GOOD STUFF!!

7. Watermelon - We like to sit on the deck and eat watermelon. It makes a bit of a mess, so then we have to get the water out to clean up our mess. Braxton enjoys every minute of this.

8. Cool morning and evenings - It is so great to go outside in the morning and play come in during the hear of the day and go back out later in the evening to play again.

9. Eating outside - This is not something we did much that I can remember except on Sunday afternoon at Granny's. We like to dine outside in the evening if it is cool enough. It is a way to see all the beautiful things that our God has created.

10. Park play - We love to go to the park and release Braxton's energy. He loves to slide, swing, play in the sand, and go on the merry-go-round. He loves the park, so we love to take him when we can.

11. Birthday Parties - All the kids we know up here were all born in the summer months so we get to attend and host birthday parties during the summer. It is always fun to see what great ideas people have.

12. July 4th - is always a big thing! A time to get together with family and friends. A time to get wet and make a big mess. Reverting to our childhood as our children watch us break every rule we have taught them. What a great time!

13. The endless joy of children - Kids are allowed to get dirty, splash people, use their imagination, and many things parents never find out during the summer. The outside is a wonder place for adventure and fun. Thank you God for all the wonderful blessings you have given us.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Double Trouble and soon to be more!

I best that got the addition of some. I thought I should post some pictures of Karson and Braxton playing from our trip. They really had a good time and seem to enjoys being around each other. Brazos was just as happy in the swing.

Congratulations to Aunt Cheryl and uncle Brent as they are expecting our newest cousin. They are due on January 17 which is a very special day to our family as it is Emaline's birthday and it was also my Mama Denton's birthday. My mom said it sound like a good day for a girl. Guess we will have to see what God has planned for them. I think a girl is just what this group of boys needs.

Things are going well here. Karl came up this weekend with all of their belongings. We are very excited to have them up here and look forward to all the work that we can do with the church. There is strength in numbers and they are powerful workers. Thank you God for such a blessing!

Enjoy your day and more to come soon!

Thursday Thirteen

I have been looking at this banner for a month or so. I think it is really cute and a great picture of what a day can be like around here. So my 13 for today are the 13 reasons I enjoy being a mom.
1. Braxton
2. Brazos
3. Being able to watch them grow
4. Cleaning up all day long
5. Doing laundry (I still think their clothes are too cute!)
6. Seeing how excited Braxton gets when we say Bible Class
7. Brazos smile
8. Braxton's energy
9. Their love and dependence on us (Andy and I)
10. Playing outside
11. Knowing what they are saying when no one else does
12. Feeding Brazos and watching him smile while he eats
13. Watching Braxton and his no fear attitude toward everything
My boys are very special and I am truly blessed to have them in my life. I thank God for them daily. I am so thankful that I have such a wonderful husband that works hard and allows me to stay home and raise our children. Thanks dad for all you do. We love you!

Texas Size Fun

I have not stopped to take the time to tell you how much fun we had on our trip to Texas. We enjoyed seeing everyone. Braxton has not stopped talking about all the people (family and others). He really enjoyed himself as did the rest of us. Brazos has recovered and is now trying to keep up with brother (or stay away from him one). They are both growing like weeds. Braxton had a good time with cousin Karson. Here are some pictures of them swimming (now one of Braxton's favorite things to do). There are a couple of pictures of dad and the boys - they really enjoyed have time to spend with dad. One picture of Karson at the dinner table after a long swim - he was just to tired to finish! One of Braxton napping after a fund trip swimming (he loves his baby). Over all we had a very enjoyable trip - more stories and pictures to come.

Say Cheese

Well we are home and starting to get back in routine. This week has proven to be one of catching up and getting ready. We are excited with the news that Andrea and Karl will be joining us soon. We have not told Braxton yet, as he is still talking about them from last week. He will be very excited to have them here.

We have been cleaning out some things that should have been done a long time ago. It sure does feel better when you get done. I feel a garage sale coming on! We'll just have to wait and see if that gets done or not.

Above are some family pictures we took while we were in Lamesa (thanks Uncle Brent). I think they turned out well. The boys were tired and not really wanting to participate, but I think they still turned out good! Enjoy!

Thursday Thirteen

Thursday Thirteen

13 I love about being and having sister (and sister-in-laws)

13. Cheryl

12. Amy

11. Andrea

10. Open communication

9. Someone special to share emotions with

8. Someone to experience pregnancy with

7. Special reasons to visit Texas

6. Honesty

5. Fun times at all places

4. Being involved in each others lives even though we are miles apart

3. Being able to share and build our faith through each other

2. Special Aunts to my boys

1. We are both physical and spiritual sisters

I am very thankful that I have such a wonderful family and a special bond with my sisters. I am glad that we have such great examples to follow in our parents in what family should be. Have a great week! More pictures and stories to come this week!