Happy 1st Birthday Brandon Paul!!

Has it truly been a year since you have come into our lives sweet Brandon Paul? That is the funny thing about time. When you are living in the day to day of constant nursing and no sleep, it seems like the days (and nights) last forever. Yet, here you are a year later and it feels like the past year happened in a blink of an eye.

Now, I wont even pretend that the last year has been a piece of cake. I am still a year later dreaming of a good night's sleep. But there is something just so special when you have a baby in the house. My favorite thing that Brandon does right now is when he hears me coming up the stairs. I will start creeping up the stairs on my hands and knees and at some point make a noise so he knows that I am there. He then shrieks for joy and crawls as fast as he can toward the gate. He then tries to get his face up to my face through the bars. It truly is pure joy on both of our hearts.

So, Happy Birthday to my cruising, crawling not quite walking toothless one year old! I thank the Lord for blessing us with you!

Oil Ranch

Yesterday, Garrett's preschool class went on a field trip to the Oil Ranch. We were lucky enough that Daddy was able to take the day off and Mommy and Garrett had some special one-on-one time. Garrett really enjoyed it and kept hugging me and saying "I really like you Momma." My heart just melted which is good so I can forget all of those other "3 year old moments".

Giddy up!!

Chickens are just the right size to pet!!I might be a city boy but I've got farming in my blood!

Here is most of Garrett's class!

Do you like my pumpkin?
Must have refreshment after a hard day on the ranch!!

Happy Birthday Caitlyn!

6 years ago at 12:52 pm my sweet Caitlyn Rose decided to give her big sister the best birthday present ever - her!! Caitlyn is a true testament to the saying "the best things come in small packages." She is the most spirited, sassy child you want to meet all with a heart of gold.

She had a gymnastics party this weekend. It made me realize again that I need to get Caitlyn back in gymnastics. The kids had a blast playing on all the equipment. Caitlyn truly lived for the moment and the smile never left. Here are some pictures of Caitlyn along with her family and friends at the party.

Happy Birthday Allison!

9 years ago at 6:48 am, my wonderful Allison Claire came into this world. She was my climbing baby that has turned into the athlete of the family. There is never a day without a bump or bruise. She is also my most loving child and literally must be hugged and kissed about 20 times before getting on the bus and nighttime.

This weekend she had her 1st slumber party. It was lots of fun and the girls were really on their best behavior. Mommy (being the crazy woman that I am) decided to invite all the neighborhood kids to come for the 1st two hours of the party. Okay, I will admit, that part was a little insane. But Allison had a blast and that is who I do it all for. The camera was not cooperating and most of the slumber party pictures turned out blurry but here are a few.

Creative Thinking

What do you do when Centerpoint Energy leaves a broken transformer in your yard for 3 weeks?

I like my neighbor's idea - you make it part of your fall decorations!! I guess we should get them some green and red paint so we can redo it for Christmas since I don't think Centerpoint is coming back!

Here Comes Trouble

You would think that after 5 children that my house would be completely baby proof. I actually have found that my house is less baby proof the more children I have. Here's to mobile babies - heaven help my house!!

Terrible Three's

Whoever coined the phrase "terrible two's" did a disservice to parents everywhere. You think when your child is 2 that their behavior will be getting better once they get a little older. Then, your child hits the age of 3 and you are dreaming fondling back at those terrible 2's.

Case in point, my precious Garrettman!! Anyone who knows him who'd say he is just the sweetest little boy. That was until about a month ago. I don't know if it was turning 3, the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, spending too much time with older children or a combination of all 3 but my precious angel is showing a side of him lately that is not heaven sent!!

What is a unsuspecting mom to do when her 3 year old randomly hits another lady waiting for her child at preschool? You make them apologize of course! I told Garrett to tell the nice lady that he was sorry for hitting her. She bends down to get on his level and what does my 3 year old do? He spits at her!! This is a time where this mom of 5 was at a loss for words. What could I possibly say at this moment to apologize correctly and make it abundently clear that this behavior wouldn't be accepted.

We went home and Garrett did his "time" and then we had a little talk. He said he was sorry. I then told him that he needed to say " will you forgive me?" He looked at me and with a big hug said " Mommy, I DO forgive you!" I couldn't help but smile at the missed concept but it did make me realize that how rocky this road might be - it really isn't too terrible!!

Recovering?

After several people have mentioned that I need to write a post, I figured I would take a minute and do just that.

I wish I could say that I had some exciting and fun times lately and that is why I just haven't had the time to post. It's not that. It's just LIFE.

I didn't realize that after the power came on that it would actually take away for life to return to "normal". I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that school started, stopped and then started again. Then all of the kids activities just hit at once instead of easing into it. Life has been crazy to say the least.

But it got me thinking about all of the people who are really having to recover still from Hurricane Ike. I know of several families in our neighborhood who's houses have tens of thousands of dollars of damage. I'm sure they look at the rest of us who have put the pieces back to together and say "don't forget about me". Or what about all of those people who's houses were literally washed away. If it is this hard to put the pieces back together for my family what must it be like for them.

With 5 children, I really can't do all that much right now but what I can do is pray. I am going to try very hard and remember and lift this people up in prayer every day so that they can feel the loving hand of our Lord while they still recover.