Brenley - 11 months old!

Our baby is 11 months old today! What a big girl we have. In addition to pulling up, she is walking around objects, moving across the floor really quick, and she loves to "walk" if you hold her hands. Isn't that too soon to be doing that?! I'm having a really hard time with this. I am going to be a basket case on her birthday (which I have already started planning!! I'm insane).

But let's see.........a bit about Brenley from 10 to 11 months old.......... She is saying a lot more "sounds" instead of just Da Da. She says Pu Pu, and Ba Ba, and she does say Mu Ma - but still never directed at me. She can clap now - which is a special treat for her and me! It's super cute. She hasn't got any new teeth, but they ones she has are getting so big! She has a great gap tooth smile!

And she is starting to eat more table food finally. LOVES her Gerber cheese puffs. Likes starches of any kind - french fries are a fave, bread, and mashed potatoes. And of course, she has a sweet tooth for ice cream.

She got a lot of great new toys for Christmas and is enjoying playing with them. Her favorite, however, is her brother's box of markers, which we keep on the floor under a table. Why we do that, I am not sure, because it is inevitable that she will find it and dump it over. She loves playing with those markers. Fridge magnets are also a favorite.

Well, that's about it for our Princess.......30 more days and our doll turns one!

Cowboy Basketball

The fam and I headed to Oklahoma on Saturday, January 3rd to meet up with my dear friend, Stephanie and her family - husband Casey and son Talon. We got to see her amazing new home for the first time, had lunch, and then headed to the Men's Cowboy basketball game that afternoon. The Cowboys came up with a big win over Northwestern State, and Beau got to enjoy his first Cowboy Basketball game (Brenley got some special love time at Grandma and Grandpa's house). Many memories from that arena for my friend Stephanie and I, so it was nice to watch the game with them, and share that arena and history with Beau. Go Pokes!

Happy and Healthy 2009!

Well, Christmas has come and gone and looking back on 2008, the only thing I can think of is.......where did it go? Our year started off the best way possible with Brenley joining us on February 6th. My mother had a pace maker installed the day after Brenley was born. To this day, she has flourished - thank the good Lord. Then we kicked off the NASCAR season with a Daytona 500 party the following weekend. Spring brought Beau and T-ball together for the first time, and a star was born! Mom then had another turn of events and broke her knee cap in early August. She was operated on later in August, and continues to struggle with the pain that comes from that. August also had us at the bowling alley to celebrate Beau's birthday on the 6th. Beau started kindergarten later that month - went through two teachers in the first two weeks - but got off to a great start regardless. Summer turned into Fall and Flag Football at the Y, which led easily into Y Basketball this Winter. Our guy loves his sports. But he also loves to practice his weekly spelling words. He is reading short books already! And now we are in the middle of winter having thrown my Mom a retirement party in early December, and now having celebrated Christmas and New Years! Whew! And all the while, Brenley kept getting bigger, funnier, and more lovable with her mouth full of teeth! Beau kept getting taller, smarter, and definitely more charming.

I tend to always get reflective at the beginning of a new year, or from a major change in my life. This year and time is no different. I read the papers and witness what is happening in the world around us and it makes me scared and sad. I hope I can protect my family from any fall out this war and recession brings. But I know that I can only control such small pieces of what God has in store for me. So I'll put my faith into Him, and just thank Him daily for the pleasures and blessings of my life, which are my family and friends. This year I resolve to try to live in the moment more often and stop worrying about all my "lists!" That is going to be a tough one - just ask my husband! But one thing this year has taught me is how precious our time is with each other. I want to soak up every kiss and hug and funny comment that are in store for me.

Have a blessed and healthy 2009!

Christmas, Christmas, time is near

Time for toys, and time for cheer!

Brenley's first Christmas and a 5 year old geared up for Santa.......it was a beautiful day.

We headed to McPherson last night (Christmas Eve) to celebrate Christmas with Brian's family. We had a great time exchanging presents and playing with the kids. We got home late last night in time to let a sleepy boy put out his cookies and milk for Santa and carrots and dip for the reindeer. And instead of waking up at the crack of dawn, Beau got us up around 8:00 - not bad!

It was a wonderful morning, full of surprised and happy faces. Sister was more thrilled with beating on boxes, but she had a good time, nonetheless.
Beau can't tell me which is his favorite present - he says all of them. And I believe him, because he has been in non-stop play mode all day. Brian will tell you Beau's favorite gift is a NERF air gun, that Beau just happened to get two of. Those boys played forever this morning. Not sure which one had more fun?!?!?

Brenley May wasn't much into opening presents, but Santa brought her her first 2008 Holiday Barbie. Mommy got her an OSU Cheerleader doll. I guess the bigger news for miss Bren was the fact that she pulled up for the first time today on one of her new toys. She has been trying for days, but she got up today. Big girl! And finally, finally, she is saying Mum Ma on a more regular basis, although not directly at me. Each time I tell her to say Ma Ma, she says Da Da. Everyone thinks it's funny but me!

As we are now more than halfway through our day......we are still in our jammies, toys are scattered EVERYWHERE in this house, and I finally have a minute to reflect on the holiday season. We are very blessed to have these healthy, beautiful children. I couldn't ask for a better gift. We are so thankful for them, and our loving family. We are fortunate we got to spend time with Brian's family already, and we anxiously await our trip to Oklahoma on Saturday to spend time with my family. I can't express enough what family means to me. I really don't even know how to put it into words.

So I will leave it in the words of my son........Happy Birthday, Jesus!

The Baller

Beau has been playing basketball at the Y this fall/winter. He has improved so much since the first game! We are so proud of him. Dribbling is a lot tougher than it looks. And when you are a lefty and you watch right handed guys dribble and shoot, it's even harder. But practice in the basement with Dad has paid off. And of course the most important thing.....he loves it, and he is meeting new friends. Here is our guy in action (red shorts).

A 10 Month Old, a Party, and a Big Win!

We were blessed again with the celebration of Mom's (Grandma's) retirement party, hosted by her family, and taking place at the Bread of Life Center in Garber, Oklahoma. But before the party could take place on Sunday, the Garber Wolverines had to win the Class B State Championship in Football. And win they did. Mom, Dad, and my brothers and a few of the grand kids headed to Mustang, OK to cheer on the Wolverines. Everyone was excited to bring the win home to our little hometown.

In addition to the win, Brenley celebrated her 10 month birthday on Saturday, the 6th. I'm trying not to say.....again.....where does the time go, but seriously........make it slow down! She still doesn't love her finger foods, but slowly she is adapting. She loves these Gerber Cheese Puffs, and frosted cheerios. The first thing she does with the Cheerios is lick off the frosting. Super cute. Green beans are on her plate about ever night, and finally instead of her scowl, she is at least putting them in her mouth. Progress. She still army crawls everywhere, but is getting more curious by the minute and it won't be long before she is pulling up trying to discover more things she can get into. She continues to laugh at brother do the silliest of things. She hasn't so much been interested in the Christmas tree or lights, but loves the sound the little stool makes on the kitchen floor when she drags it around! And not sure if I have mentioned her baths before, but she LOVES to splash in the water. We love to see life through her precious eyes. I don't know how many looks Brian and I share at each other while watching or listening to our kids be just innocent and precious kids.

Okay, Sunday was the party. We hosted a Come and Go reception for Mom's retirement from the bank in Garber, where she has worked for 45 years. Mom is so ready to retire and the party was such a nice tribute to her and how much she means to the community. So many people came out to celebrate and they showered her with cards, flowers and gifts. We had cake, snacks, coffee, cider, and a wonderful DJ named Harold who kept things going with a mix of classic country and Christmas music. It was a wonderful weather day and we couldn't have asked for a better turnout.

It was a short get together, but the cousins played and played. They love to be together. As I type, I imagine Grandma and Grandpa are still napping. Grandpa only got an hour of sleep while trying to sleep on the couch Saturday night. The kids were just too wired to even sleep. You know it's going to be a long day when your morning coffee starts at 4:30AM.

Ah well, lots of memories made. And we anxiously await Christmas so we can all be together again. That is what it is all about........family, and celebrating every precious moment.

Thanksgiving

I'm a little behind in current events. Let's see.......Beau is still in the midst of basketball season. I'll need to post some pictures of our baller soon. He was off this past weekend, but we are back at it on Saturday. And he continues to break boards in Karate as a white belt. He karate chops everyone and everything.

Both of the kids had Thanksgiving "feasts" a.k.a parties at school the Friday before Thanksgiving. Beau had the traditional dinner with all the trimmings and mama put together a nice little package for Brenley so my picky little eater could celebrate in style.

On Tuesday of last week, we got a call that Brenley was running a temp. So she stayed home with me that afternoon and with Dad Wednesday morning to work out her little "bug." Then on Thanksgiving day we hit the road to celebrate with Brian's family. Here is a picture of our precious girl on her first Thanksgiving with her cute little cousin Luke, who was also celebrating his first Thanksgiving.

We have a lot to be thankful for this year. Brian and are reminded of our blessings each day when we look into our children's eyes. We have a family that loves and supports us, a roof over our head, a job to go to every day and Jesus in our hearts. Happy Thanksgiving!