Thankful

On this night before Thanksgiving I'm reflecting on all the things I'm grateful for. The list is endless but I thought I'd share a couple of my things on my list. I'm constantly amazed at the blessings the Lord has given me.

-First and foremost God's grace and love. 
-My family. I'm so grateful for the amazing family the Lord has given me. My family is everything to me. I have two little boys who are my life, my everything. I can't even put in words what they mean to me. My life feels complete because of these precious miracles. They make each day brighter and more fun. I've never laughed as much as I do with them. They've taught me so much about patience and love (and so many other important lessons of life). I have a supportive husband who is constantly pushing me to be my very best and is always rooting me on. I'm grateful to have a partner who wants the most for me and our boys. My mom and dad are also my biggest cheerleaders and are always there for me and always have been. They've taught me what it means to be a great parent, to be hard-working, humble, honest, generous, and strong. My grandma- who's kindness and love is such a blessing. My sister, who is my best friend. I couldn't have picked a better sister. I trust her and admire her. I love that I have a life long best friend. Shelly and Dan, the counter-parts to my parents. They've given me so much love and have been such a big part of my life! My in-laws--all of them! I couldn't be more grateful to have married into such a loving, loud, and fun family! I really do have the best family and I'm sooo blessed!
-My home. It's been said your home is your sanctuary. And although it may be a wreck with toys strewn about and crumbs deep within the pores of our home, it's still home and it's such a lovely place filled with love. We've made lots of memories in these four walls of our very own. I'm grateful for the comforts that others dream of. 
-My ambitions. I've got big dreams and even though I'm not even sure where they'll take me, I'm excited for the journey. I know I have lots of supporters who make my dreams possible and for that I'm grateful.
-My health. 
-My friends. 
-The outdoors. It seems to be the place where our whole family goes to rejuvenate and recharge. Trevor is very connected to the outdoors and feels most at home while hunting and roaming around. The boys seem to have gotten that same gene. Since they were babies, they both have been happiest and most relaxed outside.
-Jesus Christ. This is the season where we are most reminded most of Christ's love for us, and for that love I'm eternally grateful! Forever and ever AMEN!

Hospital Update

Last week we had a scare. Victor and Trish offered to keep the boys for Saturday night so Trevor and I could go to his friend's wedding in Florence. We were excited; however, all night I felt a little uneasy. I swear it was that Mama's instinct.

The next morning Tate woke up with some breathing issues. Trish called while we were at breakfast to find out how to use the nebulizer and I knew it wasn't good. So Mom and Trish and Victor met at our house to get the breathing treatment. Tate seemed to improve but throughout the day began to have problems again. Around 5 we decided it was time to go in to the Urgent Care clinic to check him out. When we got there they immediately got us back because it was indeed urgent. They gave him a breathing treatment and a steroid to get him kick started but then they informed me he needed to have monitoring and I needed to go to the hospital.

Tate seemed fine, in fact he was happy and sounded great. But I didn't want to take any chances throughout the night so we went to the ER (This time of year I dread going around hospitals/clinics because of all the viruses spreading). They got us in pretty quick and with one listen the ER doc told me he would admit Tate. They brought in the IV and I was so worried but Tate didn't even hardly flinch. I was so proud. He did great the entire time!

He got sent up to his room and we got settled in. The nurses were sweet but I hated being there. Tate had to get treatments throughout the night and the next day he got steroids. Dr. Acton said he sounded great and we got discharge orders.

Tate did great through the whole thing and I was very impressed with his patience and bravery. He's doing much better now and we just finished the course of steroids (thankfully, he was a crazy man on them). We'll just have to be careful when his allergies are bad and keep taking all the preventative meds. Bless his little heart but hopefully he will grow out of it.

Thanks to all who said prayers for him! We are grateful he's back to his healthy self!

The way they play

I'd say 80% of their time the boys spend it wrestling each other. Which really means that they start out playing and then someone gets a little hurt and then it's time for Referee Mama to step in. Brothers will be brothers

Bakin' Cupcakes

We baked cupcakes the other night because I thought it'd be fun to let them decorate them for Halloween. Needless to say it was messy, silly, and fun. 

 Finger lickin' good too!

Sleeping Boys

I still watch them sleep. When they were newborns I'd stay up and listen to them breathing. I'd be exhausted but I was consumed with this gift God has given me. They are so peaceful and sweet while they dream. I'm very grateful for my perfect little boys. I couldn't ask for more!

 Tate still snuggles bunny at  night.

Source

Halloween Festival

On Sunday we went to our church's annual Halloween festival. I thought I was being a good, well-prepared Mama by buying their costumes a month in advance. They loved Ninja Turtles and so I thought we would all dress up as all of the Ninja Turtles but low and behold the day they need to dress up they didn't want to be turtles anymore. Really kids?!? So we went and got Tate his new favorite- Megatron costume. He was pretty excited about it and looked pretty darn cute. Besides the fact that it was making him have an epic wedgy all night, he was pretty content!

Handsome little Optimus Prime. He was definitely in-character

And then he saw his best bud Caden and here's how they always greet each other. With fists and arm-locks.

 Bowen was having nothing to do with dressing up! Like NOTHING! He is getting his two year molars and has been a little miserable. Even dressing up in his day to day cowboy clothes was a tear fest. :-(

 But once he got to play some games and get candy he was in a little better mood

 a little bit. 

 Finally a grin came out once he got some chocolate 

 Doing the costume parade

 and after dinner we went out to the parking lot for the trunk-or-treat and the boys helped Gigi and Papa pass out candy.

 Tate was a good helper. Bowen was more concerned with his portion of the candy

I think he was making sure Gigi wasn't giving out his Nerds.

Love these two together! They have such a great time together. 

Happy Halloween!

Pumpkin Patch 2013

Every year we go to the Grape Creek Pumpkin Patch and it gets better every year! They always outdo themselves. They are such kind people and they put so much hard work into making it a magical fall wonderland for the little ones. The boys love it!

 Tate's "Mama, are you happy now picture"

 I had an idea for shirts and was very proud that I managed to (start and) finish them the morning that we went. I wanted to monogram the middle of the pumpkin but I'm happy I just got them done. 

Tate has some of the best facial expressions. He's very intense here!

 And Bowen is falling into his footsteps with equally expressive facial expressions

 My funny pumpkin

 Tate's favorite every year is the dump truck. He loves to fill it with pumpkins and dump em. I love that it keeps him busy and in one spot but I'm always worried 

And here Bowen is taking off with a scarecrow and after I told him to put it back this is his reaction- fling and run 

 I love that silly little grin

 Bowen's best cutesie picture. He was still for a couple seconds ;-)

 Silly little boys!

 This is about a good picture as I could get. They just weren't having it. 

 I had to hold him down and tickle him to get even a decent picture with them

Brothers! Love them so much and I love all of our little adventures. Happy fall ya'll! 

My little Ninja Turtles

Ninja Turtles are back! Who knew my kids would watch something that was huge when I was a kid! The boys love to watch it; although, I limit it otherwise they turn into toddler ninjas on each other and other children. So, a couple weeks ago before Halloween costumes made their appearance in every store Tate wanted me to make him a Ninja Turtle shell and I whipped up this from a paper bag. He loved it. It only stayed on for a few minutes because he wanted it taped to his skin but he had fun and felt like a real Ninja!

 Showing off his shell!

 and his abs

 and his Ninja moves

 Seriously, this kid cracks me up! Love his imagination

 Those expressive eyebrows

 and that jubilant smile

 and his contagious laugh! He truly makes me so happy and everyday is a blessing with him in my life!

 And when we came back in Bowen was showing off his impressive Ninja skills on poor Grandpa. 

Oh, poor Grandpa! hahah

Boys really are so much fun! 

It rained today!

Can I get a hallelujah! It rained all day long. Beautiful, soothing, healing rain, and it was amazing! The boys hardly know what rain is so they were excited although it took them a while to decide they really wanted to get wet. 

Bowen catching rain drops

And then this happened- full blown standing in the rain in his turtle pool and he loved it!

Dad even got in on the action. He still is a kid at heart- and that's what makes him magical. 

And at the end of the day I went and worked out then came home and made myself a yummy rainy day meal

Such a great day! I'm thankful