Daddy Time

It seems like Daddy has been gone a lot lately. Today Lucas and Samuel got some much needed "Daddy time."

Lucas got a foot rub and Brian was hoping for one in return. That of course did not sound like fun to Lucas. But he enjoyed getting one from his daddy.

Lucas and Daddy cuddled after nap time. This is tired Lucas...

...and not so tired Lucas. I didn't get my camera out to get any of Daddy and Samuel. But, Samuel saved a big milestone for Daddy to see first hand. He learned to wave today!!! It is the sweetest thing ever and he got a kick out of everyone getting excited about it. That little kid is changing every day!

Funniest Photoshoot Ever!

No words needed...

I love my nieces!

A Mother's Dream

Not much to say here except that I am thanking God for blessing us with these two little angels. Siblings are irreplaceable.

Let the playing begin!

OKC Weekend

We went to visit Mamaw and Pawpaw in OKC as a late Mother's Day for Mamaw. It took us a while to get out of town. But, after three bathroom brakes before we made it to Jenks, we finally got on the highway. It was a beautiful weekend. Mamaw and Pawpaw found a sand/water table that Lucas loved. He almost loved it as much as Brian.

Samuel is mastering pulling himself up on the furniture. He worked on that all weekend. He was all over the dining room chairs, couch, and coffee table.

We played outside, planted flowers, went on a walk, and went to the zoo.

The tortoises were my favorite animal there. It may sound weird, but its true. They were fascinating. They were walking around and interacted with each other just feet from where we were standing. I have never seen them move like that before.

Lucas really enjoyed the extra large turtles too.

Look at how close they were.

Mamaw and Samuel at the zoo.

Pawpaw, Lucas and Brian

Our little family.

This last picture is of us on the train. It was the last thing that we did before we left the zoo. As soon as we were done at the zoo, we got in the car and drove back home. Lucas and Samuel (and I ) slept the entire way home. When Lucas woke up the first thing that he said was "I wanna ride the train." I guess that means he like it! Thanks for a great weekend Mamaw and Pawpaw!

Listen to the Music

I love my family. I love my life. My job right now is to be with my children all of the time. Sometimes I feel like I fail at my job. I probably wouldn't get a bonus this year if it was based on my performance. I truly know that I am not failing when I sit down and think about it. But, the daily struggles of a mommy can make it difficult to see green grass on the other side of the road. I was having a hard time today accepting the fact that Lucas has been regressing in his potty training. Its like we have never worked on it before. But, when I was looking at these pictures after downloading them to my computer tonight I feel so much better. I love all three of my guys. They are living proof that God is real. He has blessed me with so much. My greatest blessings are my children and my husband. They all teach me something every day. Sometimes, I fail to see it, but there is always something to learn about God when you see or talk to children.

When we got home today Lucas stopped outside of our neighbor's window. She was playing the piano. He swayed back and forth and was singing. Yes, it was past our bedtime, but I let him finish listening to the song. Lucas, Samuel and I just stood there and listened. It was beautiful and kind of refreshing. I almost wanted to cry because I feel like I didn't enjoy my day with my kids because I was worried about the little things. Thanks Lucas for reminding me to stop to listen to the music. I love you!

Busy Weekend

I know that I have been tending to blog all at once. But, it seems like the days fly by before I get a chance to sit down and write. So, here is a late blog about last weekend.

Lindsey and Melissa graduated from OSU two weeks ago. My parents hosted a party for them last Friday. I volunteered to be the "party planner." There is nothing like planning a party at someone else's house with someone else's money. I have no clean-up and no reciepts to take care of. I had a blast cooking for this dessert party. The menu included multiple pies, cake balls, cookies, cheese and crackers, chocolate mousse strawberries, strawberry shortcake kabobs, and a pudding. Wine, coffee, dessert and good friends. That is my kind of party. I didn't get any pictures once the party started. Two little guys kept me pretty busy. But, here is the orange inspired table.

We also celebrated Emily's birthday this weekend. It was great because Brett returned home after being at training for a month. We had so much extra dessert that we didn't even bother with a new cake. Mom and Dad made homemade ice cream instead. Mmmm.

Cousin Fun

Lucas and Samuel have 3 cousins all of which are lovely ladies. The two older cousins are so much fun. Since Lucas has been little he has looked up to Abigail. She is so patient with him. He is such a little boy all of the time. He loves to get on her nerves. When he is not following the rules at "school," or sleeping during his "nap time," or holding hands when they are going to the "store," I will hear "Lucas!!" That is how I know that they must be make-believing. Because he does not always want to make believe the way that she does. But, she usually coaxes him back. She is so good with both of the boys.

Sarah and Lucas have had a love/hate relationship. They are only 10 months apart and sometimes clash. But, lately they have been playing so well together. We have found them wrestling (without anyone crying when they get hurt.) Today they were playing like they were sleeping and then screaming when they woke up.

It's so nice to see them interact together. I love to see all of their smiling faces.

I do it!

I've recently discovered that I have two big boys. One is changing so fast that I can hardly keep up. His first year is speeding by so fast. The other little man truly believes that he is a man. His favorite phrase is "No, I do it." When I say favorite, I mean that he says it all of the time about everything. He wants to pour his own milk, put on his own clothes, open his own car door, get into the car seat, buckle his own seat belt put on his shoes, wash his own hands, feed his little brother, turn on his own movie. I could go on, and on, and on.

This picture is of the aftermath of Lucas dressing himself. He was very content with an itchy tag on the front of his neck all day long.


Speaking of clothes, Lucas is very concerned about why his little brother is wearing the same thing. He has been pointing to the tractor of Sam's shirt saying "My tractor." I continue to reassure him that his tractor is on his shirt and that Samuel did not take his. Very complicated for my two-year- old.

Lucas can reach all of the drawers in the kitchen...scary! He has befriended this screwdriver. It has fixed a lot of things around the house including numerous trucks.

Onto Samuel happenings. Lucas and I greeted Samuel this morning together. When we walked into the room, we saw Samuel standing up in his crib! I couldn't believe it! Lucas was pretty excited too.

And, here is another picture from today. Samuel is a pulling up machine. Time to screw all of the furniture into the walls.

Seven Months and Another Milestone

Some mothers rejoice in their children's Independence. I'm pretty sure that I did with Lucas. I couldn't wait for him to get to the next milestone. I pushed him to grow up and that makes me sad. Yes, I understand that eventually they will all grow up. But, I cannot stand it this time. It breaks my heart. Maybe because I see how fast Lucas' last two years have gone. But, like it or not, Samuel is growing up. He has been busy this week. He learned how to sit up from his crawling position, and he is pulling up on things. The furniture is still a little too high for him, but boxes, and big toys are not. We weren't sure at first if he was getting to a sitting position by himself or not. I noticed a few times that he had been crawling and I would turn around and he would be sitting. I had a fear that Lucas was helping him (scary.) But, at 3am when he woke up the other day I saw it happen! So fun, even at 3am. He is so proud of himself. The big grin that we get when he is able to reach the magnet on the refrigerator is priceless.

Samuel slept through the night for almost an entire week. Then, we went to Texas. It hasn't been the same since. I was never going to be a mother that had a baby still waking up at night. I always thought that I had that part down. But, I am that mother. There is something about that cry in this little apartment that gets to me (or maybe that is my excuse). Whatever the reason, it's still happening. But, we are working on it and I know that it will end one day. For now, I'm enjoying how sweet and cuddly he is. I'm enjoying how he holds on to me. I'm enjoying how he grabs my face to give me a big (open-mouth slobber) kiss. I'm enjoying his big smile when I look his way. That is all it takes. I love my happy baby so so much.

Happy Mother's Day and Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday and Mother's Day Mom! You are such and amazing woman! You don't even know all of the wonderful things that you have taught all of us. One of the biggest things that you have taught us is how to be selfless. That is what you have been for all of these years. You have selflessly given your time, your clothes, your makeup, your gas money, your own hobbies, your weekends, ect. You have given us all of the little things and the really big things too. You are one awesome mom. We love you! Happy Birthday and Happy Mother's Day!

Texas

Our trip to Texas was bittersweet. We went down for Grandpa's funeral, but we also got to spend some good family time together. Here are a few pictures to document our trip.

Brian and Lucas enjoying some books before bedtime. Lucas got some major snuggle time in last week because he shared a bed with one of us each night.

Lucas and Samuel loved getting out of the car. Samuel squealed with excitement during this particular stop. Facing backwards in a car with no one to talk to is hard for a sociable kiddo like him.

Aunt Mary and Uncle Marian's pool. Paradise!

Lucas got braver and braver as time went on. Eventually he was in the pool all of the way with Uncle Mike.