Visit to the fire station!

We try to stop by the fire station every once in a while for a visit.  Our last visit was so fun.  Brian let the boys use the hose, spray foam, play ball, wear official fireman hats, and play in the trucks.  They had a blast.

When we got home that day Lucas took the vaccuum cleaner hose and started putting fires out all over the house.  He is a natural ; )

One!!!!

One year ago at 2:08 in the morning we received the most precious gift.  God blessed us with a second baby boy.  He joined our family at just the right moment and he has been a blessing since that day.  The months, days, and minutes leading up to his arrival I was worried about how this new life would fit in.  How would I be able to take care of both of my children and still make each one feel special?  I don't know how, but we somehow managed to get through the last twelve months.  I do know that God had his hand over us, leading and protecting us.  I have found reassurance for what I already knew: that one of the greatest gifts that you can give your child is a sibling.  My boys love each other so much.  They play together and they teach each other.  They are teaching each other about patience, kindness, generosity (some of these things we are still working on...okay all of them.)  They have also learned to wrestle, climb, and destroy.  That actually might be their motto.  I can just imagine them waking up in the morning and putting their hands in "the circle" for a cheer "wrestle! climb! destroy!  Go Team!"

Back to the point of this post.  Samuel has been here for one year, but it feels like he has been a part of this family forever.  He is cheerful, mischievous, determined, and sweet.  He loves to get a reaction (good or bad.)  He is very physical.  He is a professional walker, fetcher, and climber (We found him on the counter of his play kitchen last week).  He is very attached to his momma and follows me around the house all day.  It just melts my heart when his little arms reach out for me.  He is a terrible sleeper.  He is not that crazy about food in general.  He hates being in the car.  He loves playing with cars, being rough with Daddy, kissing his momma, taking baths, playing in the dirt with Lucas, and turning off the TV while Lucas is watching it.  He is dangerous with small animals.  Samuel is drinking out of a sippy cup full time, he gets frustrated when a toy doesn't do what he wants it to, he throws tantrums (on the floor with his head down and feet kicking, yup, not lying.)  He has very light blond hair, and the cutest thin build.  He has long skinny fingers that he uses to point.  He has been pointing that little finger constantly lately. 

I'm sad to see my baby turn one.  Its going to be hard to describe him as a one year old rather than ___ months.  While it is sad to reminisce, its is exciting to look ahead.  He is going to be able to participate more with us and the things that we do.  He is going to learn and change so much in the coming year.  I am so grateful that God has entrusted us with this precious gift.  I cherish both of my children so much and cannot wait to see what the next year will bring.  Happy birthday Samuel!  We love you so much!

YAY for Family!

My grandparents, two of my aunts, and one of my cousins came into town this weekend for a visit.  We were thrilled to get to spend some time with them.  This was the first time for them to get to meet Samuel and Anna. 

The Weatherford Boy's having fun at Grandma's house.



Samuel had and ear infection this weekend.  He mostly wanted Mommy but snuck in a few snuggles here and there



Anna and Samuel.  They are six months apart.  They seem to be interacting a lot more lately.
It is so neat to see them together.  Right now Sam is a little bit of a bully but I bet that Anna will
soon hold her own.

Samuel and Aunt Yvonne

The Great Grandparents and their five Oklahoma great-grandchildren.  This picture is
not perfect (obviously) but it is so hard to capture all five of these wiggly worms at the
same time.  Its real life.

Just because he is cute ; )

We celebrated Josh's birthday this weekend.  It is a big birthday year for him.
That makes me feel old too.  It is so crazy how fast time has gone.   Happy Birthday Uncle Josh!
You are an awesome bother-in-law and uncle!  We hope that many blessings come your way this year.

First Haircut

Samuel's first haircut was so hard for me to commit to.  Lucas didn't get his trimmed until he was two because he has so much less hair than Samuel.  I didn't know how Sam would look with his hair cut.  Would he look to grown up? sniff, sniff.  But, with family pictures around the corner I had to take the plunge.  He did so much better than I expected.  I thought he would have thrown a fit.  But, he sat patiently and didn't try to grab the clippers.  I was so proud.  Here are the before and after pictures. 





Before                                                  After

We did not go too short because I was nervous.  Next time I am going to be more daring.

Home is where your family is.

The Weatherford Family has learned this phrase well.  Since we were married four years ago, we have moved four times.  We moved again last weekend and with at least one more move in our near future we have figured out a few life lessons.

1.  Home is where your family is.  No matter if its in a beautiful new home or a small apartment, we are a family.  We are there for each other, we love each other.
2.  God loves us and He wants what is best for us.  Recently the Lord led us from a very bad move that would have created a lot of stress in our lives and could have been dangerous for our children.  We had already committed to the brown recluse infested home when we kept running into setbacks throughout our move.  Obviously, God was giving us time to notice the extreme bug issue so we could get out without any problems.
3.  Children are resilient.  Every big change we have ever had has caused Brian and I to stress and every time the kiddos have proven us wrong.  How will Lucas handle a new brother?  How will he handle a big boy bed? How will they ever share a room?  How will they handle the move?  Well, they handled it perfectly.  No problems, no crying, no missing sleep, nothing.  They handled it like they believe #1 (above.)
4.  You don't need stuff.  Obviously we have way more stuff than many people all over the world.  But moving has allowed us to evaluate what we need.  We have really edited our life down to the important stuff (Except for photos and albums.  I have been told that I have a problem with this.)  I'm still a normal American that sees that cute shirt that I "have" to have, or that treats myself to a Braum's banana shake when I have just spent too much on groceries.  But, we really have tried to simplify.

After a full day of moving, we finally brought Samuel and Lucas home.  We walked in prepared to build it up to something grand but we didn't have to.  Lucas was so impressed that all of his stuff was here.  He walked around taking inventory and saying "wow!  My toys!  Wow, my bed!"  What a relief that was.  Thanks to everyone that has supported us over the last two years of moving.  Thanks to our family for helping us out in so many ways.  We love you!

ahhhh

After almost three months of scorching weather we finally had a break from the triple digits.  The weather made me so happy.  It is amazing how nice weather can effect your mood.  We took advantage of the incredible temperature and spent all Sunday outside.

The big kids relaxing before lunch.

Aunt Lindsey and Lucas

Brian and I after church

Brian and Lucas after church.  I love to see my boys match.

We took Sarah and Lucas to the nature park.  They had so much fun.  Lucas chased Sarah, they pretended, they threw dirt, they found bugs, they jumped, and they climbed.  We ended up taking the long trail by accident.  It was good exercise (especially with two little kids on our shoulders.)

After the nature park we went to the playground.  I could have just stretched out on the grass and fell asleep.  It was such a pretty day.

Lindsey and Me.  Lindsey and Abigail met us a little later for some fun.

Samuel and Anna stayed behind to have some bonding time. 

This weekend was Samuel's 11th month birthday.  Where has the time gone?  He is getting so big.  He is walking about 90 percent of the time now and is standing up on his own without pulling up on anything.  He is 100 percent a momma's boy and is loaded with a huge personality.  I love watching him change and grow.  I cannot wait to celebrate his birthday next month.

What we have been up to lately...

This is what we have been up to lately...

Lucas was sick again.  Two months in a row.  This time he had fever as high as 104.6!  Hopefully the trend will not continue like it did last fall.  He got sick once every month for about seven months.  Its exhausting.  You begin to feel trapped after a while. 

He actually fell asleep in this position.

 Mamaw and Pawpaw sent Lucas a really cool Buzz Lightyear as a "get well present."  Buzz is his new buddy.  He says "To infinity...and beyond" all day long.  Literally all...day...long!

Samuel is getting into everything.  He is squeezing into the smallest spaces and then getting frustrated that he cannot get out.  He has also been pushing me.  Yep, pushing me.  He does it most often when he wants to get into the cabinet under the sink.  If I am washing dishes and he wants to get in he will push me with all of his strength until I move.  It's kind of ridiculous how focused he is on his goal.

Samuel is adapting to his sippy cup.  Although he would sometimes prefer to throw it rather than drink from it.

 We have been having a lot of pony rides.  Our horse's name is Max.

Brian and I have been on a few dates.  We are really lucky to have a great sisters to help us out as babysitters.  Brian has been out of town so much lately that a night out is much needed for both of us when he returns.

Mornings and evenings have finally cooled down a little so we have taken advantage of outside time.  Samuel has been getting plenty of fiber while eating playground mulch. 

 Daddy and Lucas going for a walk.

 My sweet boy.