My little prayer warrior

Bradley can be a hoot sometimes with the way he communicates. He doesn't complain about going to school at all. I can wake him up and after a few minutes he's up and out of the bed and following the same routine with not really much fuss. There was one day that he said he didn't want to go, but got over it really quick. If you ask him if he likes school he will tell you "no, it's not fun at all" But he will just go with the flow. I'm backing up to day 3....you know the first week of school where momma wants to know it all and I asked all the same questions a million times like I'm looking for a different answer or something. He finally said to me after 3 days of school "mommy, I like school, but it's not fun and the only reason why I tell you that it is, is so I don't hurt your feelings" I was taken aback a little by his answer, but realized I as momma, who wants to know it all probably set myself up for a smart alec answer like that one. I have learned to back off a little bit and simply say "did you have a great day?" or "how was your day?" I usually get the answers I want and need just by keeping it simple. He'll still tell me that school is boring and that he didn't have fun, but he still wants to keep going. We are working on the attitude portion of those answers though. I've come to the terms these smart little ones know how to get your goat when they want to.

On another note I was on a high after leaving Bible Study and had to stop by Christian Lifeway before getting Bradley and quickly had to fight against a low and remember the Godly thing to do when I quickly had to escape Christian Lifeway because of a tempered 2 year old. I graciously did escape probably not unnoticed but wasn't going to allow it to rock my boat, but I was struck with a little blessing as a mommy when Bradley's teacher put him in the car and told me what a little prayer warrior he's been at school this week. Apparently he had been wanting to pray alot at school. She said she could really feel his heart behind his prayers. It did my heart good. Being thankful and praying more are the things we've been working on lately and it's times like these that really make me think.....WOW, it's all worth it. We are never promised we won't face difficult times in our season of life. Even mommyhood during these precious times of trying to rear our children in a Godly way, but with the right heart, attitute and much prayer it is much easier and our children will sense that and grow from it as well. I mess up alot alot, but am reminded alot alot and it is a fight worth fighting and a path worth taking and it isn't always going to be super easy.

Mommy I just want to be like you

Alayna is so very attached to her daddy these days it's not even funny. It even escalated to a ridiculous point(I say that humorously because it's now become a joke between Craig and I in our own humorous way) after this weekend when I left for a few days for a womens conference and came back to witness the attachment even more. She asks "where daddy?" all day long. She will always go to the bedroom thinking he's sleeping. She ruffs and tuffs with him, fights with him, wants him to put her to bed, wants him to read to her ect.....There are moments though where she does want mommy and wants to do what I do. They other day I was painting my toenails and she just perched herself by me and watched and then said "want some too mommy". KiKi introduced her to getting her toes painted. One may say she's too little, but I see no harm in it so I freshened hers up from the last time and she sat oh so still and even let them dry. Too cute for me. Anyway, I put the polish on the counter when we were done not thinking another thing of it. The day went on and later on I came into the kitchen from being upstairs and to my utter surprise there was Alayna with the damage already done with her little chair pulled over to the counter and her standing on top of it with her fingers painted, her toes REpainted, her lips painted and a portion of the hardwood floor painted. Oh dear......she wanted to be like mommy in that moment and time. These little eyes watch and wait in the shadows. Watch at what we do and wait until the moment presents itself. It's funny certain things can be dangerous at certain ages and totally fine for other ages. Nail polish in and of itself isn't dangerous, but used the wrong way it can be. Thank God she didn't eat it and was fine and I'm sure the little bit that was on her lips didn't cause any long term effects. It made me wonder and ponder the thought how God must look down on us at times and see what we do and how certain things we may get ourselves into at certain times can be totally fine, but when used in the wrong way or in excess those same things can be harmful. The bible study I've recently been apart of and it's only been a few weeks ( a Beth Moore Study-Fruits of the Spirit) who I've heard so much great things about but never taken a class has been so amazingly informative with simple things we may already know and need to be reminded of or deep thoughts to really ponder that as Katy put things we have a hard time to wrap our minds around. I can't even do it justice but her way of teaching and explaining things is incredible. I've really enjoyed the first week of studying and homework although it seems you really only scratch the surface of where you could go to study even further. I love how so far I've left each week wanting to be better...a better me, a better mom, a better wife, a better friend, sister, daughter ect....God can meet us where we are daily even though the work in us will be ongoing on what we need to work on specifically, He can meet us where we are in each minute of each moment we are faced with in each day if we fill ourselves with Him first and seek to please Him only because automatically that will reach out and have an effect on the ones around us. I had the opportunity this weekend to hear Karen Kingsbury speak at the conference we went too and I love her christian fiction novels and she said our life is a story that we are in the process of writing and how do we want our story to read? How are we treating the characters in our story? How do we want to be remembered? It was really neat the perspective she gave and again it's hard to say it how she did, but more to ponder and daily think on. Not sure how I got off on a rampage, but somehow from the nail polish to now my heart took over and is overflowing. I love some of the things I've been learning lately. It's been uplifting, encouraging and inspiring.

Semi Anuual Neighborhood picnic

The little neighborhood shindig they have in our neighborhood is always a hit with the kids and I must say they do have an awesome quality BBQ as well. This was a few weeks back but the pictures got lost in the shuffle. They always have face painting and Bradley has been Batman, Spiderman and this time choose to be an Army Man. The girl asked if she could paint Alayna's face and I told her I didn't mind, but it could go either way with whether or not she'd allow it and amazingly enough she sat so perfectly still the whole time. She only did half her face. It was cute watching her be so still while they were doing it. They did balloon animals and Alayna went through 3 of them. Each one ended up popping at some point. Bradley choose a bow with balloon arrows, but that too was short lived. Those things never do last long. At the end of it Bradley said to me "momma, I bet you didn't even know that I had 4 snowcones today?" I said "no I didn't, you sneaky little thing" and then he said "yeah, the people didn't know either, they must not have recognized me to tell me I couldn't have another one." Silly boy.....

Happy Anniversay to Us

Not sure I like the weird hair or the chubby cheeks, but needless to say it's a picture Bradley took of us one night on the beach. We just celebrated our 16th wedding anniversay and am very blessed to call this man my very best friend, confident, soul mate, and lover. It's been such an adventure doing and going through life together learning a little more about each other as we go and raising our babies together with one mind. I love that we know so much about each other and accept each other just as we are and sees the best in each other, and still allows each other room to continue to grow into the people that we need to be as individuals and as a couple. We certainly would have loved to sneek away to an exotic island alone like we always talk about doing, but will delay for another season until the time is right. We were still able to get a sitter and sneek away for a dinner date night to celebrate and that was ok with us as we know one day we will be able to really get away and do what we want. Craig feels so bad and every year that has passed since our 10th we have been talking about doing something grand and I assure him that it's ok and our time will come when the time is right. So until then honey when we can get away and it just be us I love you and all that you are to me and all that you are to our kids and what you mean to our family. You are the best daddy and husband a girl could ask for!!!!! I thank the Lord for you!!

A night on the beach

Just some fun silly pictures of us down on the beach over labor day weekend.

Look at me...I'm a little dog digging in the sand!

Look daddy!

Mommy and her babies being silly

My Baby Girl Alayna--Happy Birthday Sweetheart

We didn't go all out and have a big fancy party this year, but needless to say that doesn't make her any less important in our eyes. We had the Ratz's come over for cookie cake on Friday night to help celebrate and Sue convinced me that Ham-ton needed to come over to sing to his little women so I politely agreed:)

Our Birthday Girl

Daddy showing her how to blow out the candles
Yummy....cookie cake



Before I let another day slip by I want to wish my baby girl a great big Happy Birthday!!! I can't believe you are already 2 years old. You are growing before my very eyes and I love watching you. You at times even seem so much older than you are, especially with the way you can communicate....it amazes me. I love everything about you....even the fiestyness and boy can you be at times. You are tuff in the way you will surely fight for what you want and will hardly take no for an answer, but you are just as tender in the ways you show your love whether by taking my face in your hands and bringing yours close to mine or coming to me and daddy saying "hold you mommy or hold you daddy" or "hug, hug" You are quickly learning each day how to be more and more compliant. When you get into trouble you quickly say "hi mommy, hi mommy" right in my face in a happy little voice. Like you are trying to distract me or something. I have to sort of snicker to the side so you don't see me. You are just precious and spunky to me and so full of life and energy. I am learning you just as you are learning me dear one. Some of your favorite things to do are color with markers and oh my color you do. Color on paper, color on walls, color on yourself, but again each day you are learning to keep it on the paper, but you still are full of surprises. You absolutely love playdoh and that's another thing I just let you have at it because you love it so much and will keep you entertained forever. You are learning to play rescue heroes, and power rangers with your brother and learning the little lingo and lauguage he uses to play. It's quite entertaining to see the two of you in action. Barney is still your most favorite thing to watch and it's so fun to see you sing all the songs you learn and can get them almost word for word. You are definitely a free spirit that enjoys not alot of boundaries, but again are quickly learning them and learning to abide. You love being outside roaming around and riding your motor trike and playing on the swings. I've said it before that you do have a feminine side for sure that knows when you look pretty, but I can dress you up all nice and yummy and sometimes within the next hour you look just like you've lived a whole day and then some. Sometimes it makes me fussy and sometimes it just makes me roll my eyes and laugh because that's just who you are. My little dirty faced, sweaty, hat on backwards, dirt from head to toe kind of girl. I do have to say your brother is a boy and doesn't break a sweat like you do. Too funny for me. The girl side of you loves to have your toes painted. Ms. Ki Ki started that with you and now when I take my polish out you say..."want some too mommy" I love watching you with your daddy and the special bond that has been developing since the day you were born. He is so taken by you and you by him. He gets just tickled by you and watching you in the things you do and say. You are definitely a daddy's girl. Well sweet one you have definitely won our hearts over with all that you are and love you for just who you are because you are exactly how God made you to be.






Alayna was trying to convince Sue that she needed a hat too.
Giving Ham-ton a birthday kiss. These two are a hoot together!!

1st Day of Kindergarten

Me and my big Kindergartener on his first day

This was on the night of Bradley's meet and greet of him sitting at his new desk. The teacher was so creative to give them a snack and playdoh to keep them busy while she talked to us. He has 14 kids in his class.This was as we were getting ready to leave this morning...he would rather sit than stand he said.

What a big busy morning for us all.....Day One of Kindergarten was a big success!! Whew....I'm thankful for that. I was holding my breath all morning and the emotions and yes the sappy tears hit after I dropped him off. I was just overwhelmed with the whole new environment thing and it was a different feeling than preschool for some reason. We got up and we were out the door by 7:50...a little later than I planned, but they have until 8:15 to arrive so we were good. He walked right in, hung up his things and went right to the big boy desk and barely looked back so I had to go up to gives hugs and kisses and it just felt strange to walk away. I sort of walked away and was like....this is it? So my mind was consumed with him all morning. I came home to get Alayna and she immediately kept asking "where braddy go, where braddy go?" So I explained he went to school and she seemed fine with that. She stayed home with daddy while I brought him. I came home, picked her up and brought her to Sue's because today was the big ultrasound appointment(marking the half way point...YAHOOO!!!) Craig met me there and we got to see our little peanut in action. This was the longest ultra sound I've ever had. It was so fun to watch!! Each baby does it's own little neat thing during the ultra sound. This one kept trying to get it's thumb in it's mouth and it's mouth kept opening and closing really fast and it couldn't quite get the coordination down to put it's thumb in it's mouth. It was just precious and even the tech was getting a kick out of it. Oops better quit calling it an it because it's official.....I can say we are having a baby GIRL!!!!! We'd have the same excitement either way of course, but it's just fun knowing for sure. Everything looked great and I'm measuring right on track. I'm due January 15th, but they will take the baby on January 5th. A big sigh of relief knowing all is well. I was quite anxious about alot this morning and that felt great to hear.

So I pick up Alayna and Sue was anxiosly awaiting for Alexander's bus to come home and hear all about his big day and I headed off to get Bradley and I knew I'd know just by the look on his face as he came out the door of his school what kind of day he'd had. So I'm waiting in the carpool line and there he came and he spotted me and gave me a huge smile and I knew it was a great 1st day. He could barely contain himself..."MOMMA, do you want to see what's in my folder?" "Absolutely I do!" So I quickly got out of line and headed out and turned in the first neighborhood so I could hop in the back seat and see and hear it all. He made a new friend named Tyler and he played with the girls that he said were really cute, but couldn't remember their names. That's my boy...always scoping out the girls...Oh DEAR!!! His favorite part was going outside to play on the playground. No surprise there......He loves Mrs. Wynn and says she is very nice. I was worried about his shirt being tucked in all day would be a big deal because he wasn't too sure about that at first and made him fussy, but it is required. We kept telling him how handsome he looked and that he looks just like daddy when he goes to work and he just loved that fact. (ooooooh, he did look just like a mini Craig....too cute for me to handle!!!) When he came out of school it was still tucked in and assured me that it really was no big deal and that he was used to it now. I hope the same excitement stays with him as the year goes on. It's always so easy for them to have a great first day the way we build it up and the excitement just skyrockets from there.

Bradley and Alayna were so exicted to see each other. They immeditately started goofing off and headed to the playroom until I called them down for lunch. It was cute to see how they missed each other.

So once again, day 1 was a big hit and pray he will continue to love it more as the years goes on.

Tomorrow's the big day.....

Tomorrow's the big day for my little/big boy. Little just because he is still little and big because I can't believe he's going to be a Kindergartener and starting his real little school career. I'm not sad because he's going to school because we've done the whole preschool thing and used to that morning routine of being gone. And there's no use getting sad that he's growing up because that's just a part of life that I'm realizing and accepting, but just floored at how fast and where the time has gone since that little baby was born 5 years ago. Even more mind boggling is I've had another one since then and another one on the way. WHEW!! I can't even say that I enjoy one stage more than the other because each one I enjoy so much and with each stage has it's challenges too. Before I had kids Michele used to say to me "you just wait, you're going to want to freeze frame each stage and want to keep them right where they are" and I get that now and she still says the same thing as hers have grown way beyond where mine are. She says, "I want to keep them right where they are and enjoy them right where they are" I love when I'm reminded of that. So as my children grow I'm just remembering to enjoy them "right where they are" Forget the challenges.....they are going to be there no matter what stage/phase they are at and you deal and move on as they do, but I just want to love where each of them is because each one brings just as much if not more joy. So I'm excited for my little guy to start kindergarten because I know how excited he is to go and can't wait to relish in the journey with him and hear all about his new exciting adventures in his new little/big world. We have the privilege of being able to send him to Great Bridge Christian. A story in itself....and much turmoil that went on in my mommy mind of wanting to do "the right thing" for him of what to do and not sure we'd be able to do private. The battle to do public vs. homeschool vs. public vs. private yada yada..... The plan was to do homeschool and then came the news of a new baby and the battle in my mind of can I really do it with a baby plus a 2 year old and be everything to Bradley socially and academically. I new the Lord would equip me with whatever He wanted me to do and just prayed for the right path and door to open or not open if I wasn't meant to home school that he would have to clearly open the right door and that He did at just the right time. Even when I again went through the mental battle I had yet another confirmation at just the right time and then I knew this is what I was meant to do at this time so I just had to sit back and say thank you Lord for being so clear in this with me and for me even though at times I just wasn't sure. It's crazy how we torture ourselves with things. I won't say I'm not still a little anxious or nervous for him as he goes to a whole new environment all by himself not knowing a single soul....unlike preschool, but I know once past the initial adjustment he'll do just fine. He can be a tad bit shy in new situations...sometimes, but not all the time, but adapts quickly and I wouldn't dare even say he's an introvert because he is not. My mind will be at ease the first time I hear him say how much he loves it. Soooo, hopefully I do hear them words......

I'm excited for getting on a new routine, accomplishing some things before this new little one arrives and spending some one on one time with my little Alayna before I soon have a new little life that will divide my time once again. So as one chapter of our life slowly comes to an end and another one is on the brink of quickly opening, I'm exctied to see how it all unfolds for many reasons.

To my Bradley....I'm so excited for you and this new journey you will begin all by yourself. To meet new friends, to learn new things, and become all that God wants and needs you to be. My hopes and prayers is that you will always be sensitive and in tune with what He wants you to be. Two of the things you told me you were excited about most were "momma, I can't believe I'll have my own desk" and the other one was playing. I love you my little/big boy and hope you are just as excited once you start as you are now.

Some Family memory moments

Just a few random family summer time memories....

On a mission.....
Down by the dock...Bradley says, "momma, I really wish we could have a boat one day" We were watching a family getting ready to load up and go for a ride. I'm like..."That would be fun wouldn't it buddy?"

Auntie Colleen gave Bradley a gift card for his birthday that we sort of misplaced, (sorry colleen) but found it. It was of course buried in a pile on the "junk counter" Bradley got to pick something out the other day as a late birthday present. He was thrilled when he picked out a power ranger with a motorcycle and learned later that the motor cycle transformed as well. Thanks Auntie Colleen!!!!
Any evening at Chuck E Cheese. Alayna has no fear of the big furry creatures whatsoever.

This was really cool!

We all love air hockey
Barney is my favorite!

My beautiful girl
Watching the birdies
My handsome boy
The locks park
It was the best investment to buy one of those intex pools this year. We've had some great fun in it with just us, company and sharing it with friends.

As Alayna would say....girl time, girl time

Flying high, oh what fun!!!

Daddy and his baby girl