Happy Mother's Day!

What a wonderful day it has been! Nothing crazy. Nothing over the top. Just family bliss.

My husband and sweet kids took me to eat breakfast at Taco Buneo. Breakfast burrito....yummmmm!
I opened a cool hot pink slapstick watch and a gorgeous pink and white scarf that my daughter refuses to let me hold. She claims it as her own. Hmmm...sign of times to come? Here she is sporting her lovely necklaces, my scarf, and her backpack. Sitting on the bed watching Dora. She is in her own world of bliss right now.

Both kids made me sweet things at school. Bren had her footprint with a poem, and Beau made up his own poem. They are just the most precious keepsakes.  And of course I got lots of lovin'!!

Then we hit the road for a quick dine and dash with Mom and Dad. It wouldn't be Mother's Day if I didn't get to see my mama.  I love her so. My kids love her so. So even if it was only for a quick lunch with bonus ice cream (!), it was perfect.

Then my phone went ka-put, so I ran to the Sprint store to get it fixed, only to be told it wasn't fixable, and hey, did you know, you are eligible for a free upgrade?  You don't say?  Hmmm....
So guess Mommy treated herself to a new phone for Mother's Day or I'll just tell everyone that my dearest, hot husband got it for me!  Right on! :)

And now we wait for the pizza delivery man to arrive.......

We're talking pure bliss.......

Happy Easter and Happy Birthday Will

A bit different Easter for us.  I tried not to be too sad, but it was still hard not to be with my family on Easter Sunday. You see, we are expecting nephew #5 in the Levings family (grandbaby #12!) tomorrow (Monday) and Mom went down to help out my brother Tyler and his wife Brooke while they make their last minute preparations for the big boy!  And besides, when we get together without one of the siblings..it's just really not the same. So we'll make plans to be together hopefully very soon to meet the new baby and spend some quality time together.  And of course, we'll look forward to a wonderful Easter next year with all our different "heats" and celebrating a baby's 1st Easter!

So this weekend brought about a 1st birthday party for baby Will. Guess we have to drop the "baby" part since we have two new baby's on the Grant side and a one year old isn't a baby anymore. Although, he is still real stinkin' cute, and seemed to really enjoy his birthday cake!  We had a really nice afternoon and Kyle and Kate's, although it was a bit cold at times with that north wind. Who knew? Late Easter should = sunny and warm, but not really this year.

Then we came back to our house and hunted some eggs with Grandma & Grandpa and got to play with Laurie and Seth's sweet babies while they ran an errand. Why didn't I snap any pictures of those precious two???

Ah well, here are a few from the day....

Sunday we got up and went to church, came home for a nice lunch, and then just played and hung out in the afternoon.  Glorious day and here is to new beginnings as we are thankful that Christ died and arose again!

March of Dimes - March for Babies Walk - 2011

Each and every year we look forward to this fundraising opportunity. It gives us a chance to give back (which we don't do nearly enough), and it makes us feel truly blessed for the healthy babies in our lives - not just under our own roof, but our nieces, nephews, and all our friends sweet babies.

Babies are just the most amazing miracles, and we support what the March of Dimes does to prevent those babies from joining the world sometimes too early.

And not only does our fundraising go to a good cause, but the walk is fun and a great family activity. This year, it was a pretty cold morning. Windy, but nothing like the previous day.  So we started off really cold, but by the time it was over, it was beautiful out.  The kids weren't taking the best of family pictures, but here a few from the morning.

Hardball Classic - Pre Season Baseball Tourney

Well, first baseball games of the season are out of the way. It's going to be a fun year two of machine pitch baseball for Beau and his friends.  The first game Thursday night was a bit of a tough go, as the coaches realized they didn't practice in fielding nearly enough. But by Saturday, things settled in.

So Thursday night we lost. Saturday morning we won. That got us seeded 7th (yikes!), so we played again Saturday evening and won. Played Sunday morning and won. Played again Sunday afternoon, but lost. A win would have put us in the championship game. So I going to say we got third! Not too bad to start the year.

Bubba did awesome. I was so proud of him!  And I discovered what it was like to have a little girl in big girl panties who seems to be enamored by the porta potty! Eeehh! Ah well. Great, fast, and windy weekend. And besides a little ear infection (Bren) that slowed us down a bit on Sunday, it was a great one.

We have better VIDEO camera and........a new computer!

Ah man, if you only knew....  So my adorable husband actually read my blog entries and got me a FLIP video camera for Valentine's Day. After getting some video recorded, I was set to download the software and upload these video's.  Low and behold, our computer would not download the software.  I started reading the requirements, and it wasn't only a "no, we can't download this" but it was a "Hell no, we cannot download this."

It was at that point I SSSLLOOWWWLLY started to realize our computer might me outdated.  How could that be?  My beloved computer that has treated me pretty darn well for 10 YEARS!!!  That's right. I said it. 10 YEARS we have had this computer.  10 years in technological advances is more like 50 years.  But, I'm not kidding...I was not jumping at the chance to go buy a new computer. It seemed overwhelming, and expensive, and a little sad. My computer is a good friend. A companion. A source of comfort holding all my memories, financials, blog bookmarks...

Anyway, after much debating with my husband...I relented in looking for a new computer. The little 14 year old dudes (okay, I'm sure they weren't 14, but they looked it) LAUGHED at us when we told them how old our computer was. I even asked if they could upgrade it, and they nearly choked on their own spit. Okay, fine.  I suppose our computer was a little old......

So now about 30 days later....we have one. It's a MAC.  So not only did I jump into a new computer, I moved from a PC to a MAC!  Whoo hooo....the world is a changin'!

Now we do have our ole faithful set up in Beau's room, and I won't even mention the few hiccups we had getting that set up, but my beloved is still around. We've got to get pictures and documents off of it, but it will hopefully hold up for some gaming that Beau likes to play.

And that brings us here today.  Flip share software from my new HD video camera easily (and quickly) installed on my brand new fancy, powerful, and super fast MAC!

I've got a TON to learn, but am excited about my new toy - two new toys actually if you count my new FLIP camera.  Who knew it would all lead to this.....

Enjoy a short little basketball video of Beau. I took one of Brenley, but it was pretty long and taking forever to upload on here.  So I shortened it,  but can't seem to access it through blogger.  More work to do, but this one should work.  Stay tuned for hopefully - more video's!

BWFB - Big Weekend For the Boys

We had a full weekend. Beau played in a 2nd/3rd grade basketball tournament at the YMCA on Saturday and Sunday. He played at 10:00, 12:00 and again at 4:00. If we won at least two games, we were for sure playing Sunday based on the other teams in the tourney and their records from the regular season (we only lost one regular season game).

And win we did........both the 10:00 and 12:00 game. Stumbled a bit and lost the 4:00 game........or should I say 5:30 game because that's how far behind they were having the bright idea to only schedule each game for one hour when they were averaging one hour and 20 minutes each. Anyhoo.........I had a Saturday night date scheduled with my lil' guy and I didn't want to miss it. So I was glad when the last game was over for the day.

The reason I had a date night scheduled with Beau? Because Daddy was getting honored at the Class 5A State Basketball Championship in Topeka Saturday evening. It was 100 years of State Basketball Championships in Kansas and Brian, having played on two winning State Championship teams in his high school career,  got to walk out on the court during one of the games for his team to get recognized. Here he is with some of his playing buddies. Awww............so cute.

Anyway, that led me to my date night with Beau. Where did we go, you might ask?  To a WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment for those of you not familiar, and why would you be, really?) event here in Wichita.  Yep. Mom was going to a wrestling event.  Mind you........I've been to several before. When Brian and I were dating, he took me to a few of them. So I wasn't adverse to the fans (GREAT people watching) or what would happen. My hesitation was that this was not a televised match, so I wasn't sure which wrestling superstars would actually be there. I didn't want Beau to be disappointed (and me to be yawning from boredom).

It started at 7:30 and I backed up the babysitter to not come over until 6:45 since we were running behind from basketball. We raced home from bball. Showered Beau. Fed Brenely. Our babysitter arrived and we left. We went downtown, parked, and as we sat in our seats, looked around for a minute, the lights went out and the show started. Perfect timing. Finally.

Then match after match....my son grew more excited. It was really a fun night watching him. There were some decent superstars there, so I was happy with that.  And unfortunately I was able to capture ZERO pictures. Brian had our main camera with him.  My FLIP video camera was confiscated (I got it back as we left). My phone died (too much roaming earlier in the dead zone of a gym). So here we were with no photographic memories. HOWEVER, I stared at my smiling son enough for it to at least be burned in my memory.

And finally..........around 9:45, the main event came on and we got to see John Cena and Randy Orton!!  Two of Beau's favorites, and I have to say...........not so bad for this ole Mama to look at.  "Impressive," as Beau would say.  And that it was. It was a great match between those two, the Miz, and Alex Riley.

WWE ended and we walked to the truck around 10:20. What a long day...............but I had one happy little boy. We got home to find a grown up happy boy who was glad he made the trek to Topeka even if it was without his family.

Then Sunday came around and we geared up for our 4:00 Championship game, only to lose to a team we had beaten twice. Ah well. Wasn't meant to be, but we had a great (albeit tiring) weekend and a really fun basketball season!

And if it doesn't get any better for my two boys...............BASEBALL............here we come!

Feb end.........March begins.........what a week

So allow me to start my week on Saturday, February 26th.  Potty training boot camp (PTBC) began at the Grant house. I was determined this time. Heartbroken and embarrassed by the fact that ALL of Brenley's 3 year old friends were moving on Monday from the "potty training" room to the big kid room - the one full of field trips, new toys, paints, and cooler books.  It seriously hurt my heart, and it was up to me not to be fooled by my clever little child anymore.

The night before PTBC, we hit Target for a poster board, stickers, treats/presents and new undies.  She got to help pick ALL of it out. And even I was okay with the Diego boys briefs she picked out because at this point, I was for whatever worked.  Plus her little booty fills out boys briefs quite cutely.

Saturday morning came and we promptly got into big girl panties.  We ate breakfast and drank our milk and I urged her to go sit on the potty. So sit on the potty we did......for 3 HOURS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  And no, not once did she even leak out ANYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!  It was the LONGEST morning of my life. By 11:30, I was fit to be tied. So we got up from the potty (me from the very hard bathroom floor), we gathered our books, and markers, and everything else we collected in the bathroom the past 3 hours, and we went about our day. 5 minutes later (maybe?) she peed ALL OVER our brown recliner. And she SOAKED it.  I was crushed.

I'll spare you all the gory details of our day, but let's just say, she finished "marking" her territory in our living room that afternoon.  She peed all over herself and never ONCE was any time in the "big girl" potty.

I will say it was one of the most emotional days I have had in a very long time. From tears and utter frustration, to a series of jumping, shouts and joys when it finally "worked" - and sometimes this would come within minutes of each other.

Breakthrough's finally started happening around 3:00 that afternoon.  We skipped Beau's basketball game. We skipped any usual Saturday errands. We were staying put in our pee stenched house until she started to get this.......and slowly she started to get this.

The evening rolled around and both Brian, Beau and I had a previous engagements, so Brian's parents came over to watch lil' B while we went our separate ways. Returning home a few hours later, I wasn't sure what to expect, but low and behold, she showed off for G&G and went potty in the big girl potty WITHOUT soaking her panties first, which is about all we got earlier in the day.  I considered the day a success.

Sunday rolled around and it was a little more of the same.  I refused to get out her out of the house because there were no more pull-up's going on her.  Finally by Sunday afternoon, we were starting to have some success where she would actually stay dry, and then potty in the big girl potty when prompted to try.  I will say, though, at this point my back was killing me as our bathroom floor and my behind became best buds over that weekend.

Monday came and I was sad for her. Sad that all her buddies would not be there at school waiting to play with her. But her panty clad booty marched into Northridge Monday morning and she proudly told Ms. Toni she potties on the big girl potty. So here we go.......

Every day when we picked her up this week, we were elated to see her in the same pants she went to school in that morning. Our big girl was getting the hang of this........finally.

On Tuesday, I discovered that my first administrative assistant that I had when I first started working at ole' Shep passed away from her brave fight with breast cancer.  I have never met someone more positive and strong than SB.

On Wednesday, Beau lost ANOTHER bottom tooth. That was the second one in the past week.  He looks toothless on that bottom row and the tooth fairy again was very generous with this handsome little boy.

On Thursday, we anxiously awaited the arrival of our two new nephews, and on March 3rd mid morning, Tyler Thomas and Brandon Martin joined the world.  My SIL is one strong woman carrying almost 13 pounds of baby that were each 20 inches long.  We couldn't wait to meet these two blessed boys.

Friday brought the funeral for SB. Talk about the Circle of Life. Pastor described SB as "living life in full throttle" and that certainly was the case.

And finally Saturday brought us to Beau's last regular season basketball game at the YMCA. He is such a little rockstar.  He did so good this season and we were so proud of him. I LOVED watching him play. All the boys on the team were a joy to watch. Sweet faced boys with killer instinct.  

After Beau's last game, we headed to a Mexican restaurant to celebrate with an end of the year party. They got their medals and trophies and Coach re-told a story of a great sportsman on the team.......his name was Beau Grant. Awww..........big feet and a tender heart.......that's our Beau.  Note the missing teeth in this first picture.

 

After our bellies were stuffed, we headed to batting practice. Then after batting practice we headed to Wesley hospital where baby T ended up on Friday. He had some problems breathing and they decided his best level of care was Wichita. After discovering he had a collapsed lung, they got him the help he needed and Saturday morning, "he was a new man."

So with L being released out of the McPherson hospital, the hubby, her and Baby B headed down to Wichita, which allowed us the pleasure of meeting at least Baby B.  He is awesome. So much black hair.  Sweet baby boy. Now we await meeting Baby T and getting to snuggle him a bit. In due time, though.

 

This is baby T. His Daddy snapped this picture for us while he was still in McPherson.

Now back to Princess B.  Thursday night, Mama had to take Beau and her to Beau's B-ball practice because Daddy went to McPherson to meet his new nephews and visit his Sis and BIL.  I was nervous because this would be our first dissension on the public restroom. She rocked it. No wet panties and no stage fright.   I breathed a sigh of relief.

Saturday we were literally on the go almost the entire afternoon. Princess B told me when she had to potty. We made it to the restroom and she pottied.....just like a big girl should. The pride oozed out of me.

Now I realize we are not 100% out of the woods. I failed to mention the "poop" incident earlier this week. Let's just say, "poop water" is now a funny phrase in our house. And speaking of poop........we haven't see any come out of her since our earlier incidence this week.......so time will tell on the ole #2. But look at her Potty sticker chart........she and I are both proud of this!

See, I told you this was quite a week. And on Sunday.........we played games and rested (and hopefully pooped)!!!