Gotta Love 'Em

I love being a mom. I can't imagine missing the opportunity to witness what I did yesterday. After naptime, we were playing upstairs in the bonus room. We were playing with little toy where you press the buttons and the characters pop up and then you push them back down, only to do it over and over again. Well, I had gotten it out to start Camden trying to push them down and of course Brooklyn scooted herself right in there to show her little brother it was a toy she had already mastered! Anyway, so I asked Brooklyn to pop the characters up so Camden could try to push them down. I turned away just for a second and next thing I know, Brooklyn had taken Camden's hand and she was helping him open them. Once they got one open, I watched her clap for him and she looked right at him and said, "Good job!" I was so touched at how she knew he was only learning and it would be such an accomplishment for him. She proceded to play with him and grabbed his hands yet again to do Pat-A-Cake with him.
The little things like this make me so grateful that I am able to stay home with our children. These are precious moments that I can never get back. I wish I had a camera recording at all times so Cade, grandparents, etc...didn't have to miss these little things. Witnessing our children show compassion towards one another is so rewarding...I am confident their hearts are growing towards God. I love the responsibility I have in helping shape their hearts and minds and I delight in their learning even when it's hard (well, if I was being honest, I delight in it most of the time!).
Well, we're venturing into attempting to potty train Brooklyn, so we'll see where this takes me and how much I delight in cleaning up wet carpet and smelly clothes! We tried awhile ago and boy, it was a crazy 3 hours! Really, that was all I could handle. But, today we're starting again and hoping to last at least 3 days and hopefully she'll get it. If not, it's okay...we'll try again later!

Rough Start to the New Year

Well, we've had a rough start to the new year, but from an optimistic point of view, now there's no way to look but up! On Jan. 1 I headed to a "quick clinic" deal and found out I had bronchitis. By the way, Brooklyn already had a typical winter cold. Then, a day or so later, Camden started showing sign of having something. He continued getting worse and we went to the doctor. He had RSV and we were giving him breathing treatments. It's not a fun thing for a baby to have. Needless to say we didn't get much sleep and were pretty much dragging the first week of the new year. Camden is still struggling, but doing much better as of the last two days! It was good and bad that Cade went back to work. Good because he didn't get sick so he had the energy to help when he got home...bad because I could've used the help all day! His parents were nice enough to come up one day and watch the kids in the morning so I could get some sleep and recover myself.
Other than that we've been doing great. This week we're finally back to our schedules of going to Bible Study, MOPS, visiting the library, Children's Museum, watching Annabelle, etc... It's weird how much normality can be missed?! I've been feeling very motivated lately to keep up with some of my new resolutions. I've started training for the mini-marathon, started a new book, and have actually tried to limit my intake of sweets...this is by far the most difficult of all my resolutions...one I am bound to fail!
Some of you may know, but many probably don't, a friend from church and myself and working to co-coordinate a MOPS group for TPCC. Although we are still in the early stages, I have been so excited to have an opportunity to get back into leadership, which is something I have dearly missed since leaving college and the workplace. I look very forward for the opportunity for God to use me for His glory in our church and to reach out to unchurched women. I have felt such a tugging in my heart towards leadership especially in the last couple of months. I know this is His will and He will bless it!
Our kids continue to change so much. It's beginning to go so fast. The other day I was already starting to figure out when I would want to have Camden's first birthday...okay, it's a little early to be thinking about this, but he's just getting so big and fun! Watching him fly around the house in the walker chasing Brooklyn and watching her every move makes me so excited to see their friendship grow. Fortunately her phase of testing his breakability is seemingly over and now she is such a nurturer. Even at times when I get frustrated with him if he's crying and I just sit him up on the floor, Brooklyn's right there trying to make him laugh or bringing him toys. I can tell she loves him so much and tries to protect him in many ways. Speaking of Brooklyn, I just can't explain how much her vocabulary just seems to skyrocket every day. She's coming up with new sentences, using new words and expressions I would never have thought of! She is also such a love bug. She constantly is hugging our legs, giving us kisses, or trying to have us hold her...her love language is definitely touch! My favorite thing she has recently started doing is singing the "Barney Theme Song". She mostly sings it to me (at bedtime) or Camden during the day...sorry Cade:( Anyway, she does all the hugging and kissing and it's just the doggone cutest thing ever! I can't imagine my life without these two precious children...and Cade of course (he has to help keep making more!!!) Okay, so maybe that was too much information! Lots of love to you all and have a great week!

Christmas...Christ's birth, family, friends, gifts....

Okay, I lied. I've made time in the midst of the holiday craziness to tell about our Christmas. Thursday, the 20th, we took Brooklyn, Camden, and our friend Annabelle to Christmas at the Zoo. The kids sat on Santa's lap...and no crying! They also decorated a cookie...and ate it, and then we saw some of the animals and the dolphin show. This was a great way to kick off a fun week of Christmas! Then, we spent Fri., the 21st- Sat. 22nd with Cade's family. All of us had a great time opening gifts and visiting. Cade's mom always prepares a great meal and delicious cookies! Sat. evening we ventured home to spend time with my mom, Rich, and my sisters. We stayed up late Sat. night opening gifts and playing games...and laughing, lots of laughing! Sunday after church was more time hanging out (and eating!) and then everyone went home. Monday morning was kind of our "Santa" time with the kids. Brooklyn really enjoyed her gifts and actually Camden liked eating and pulling on the paper too! Next we headed to Ft. Wayne to spend Christmas Eve with my dad's side of the family. Afterwards we put the kids to bed and opened our gifts and played more games and laughed, and laughed, and laughed!! The next day Brooklyn knew it was Jesus' birthday. We did have a cupcake with a candle and we sang happy birthday to Jesus...Brooklyn loves to sing, and loves cake! We're finally home now and enjoying sleeping in our own beds and putting the kids down for the night early. We were so grateful to all our family this Christmas and their generosity. We have plenty of new toys, clothes, and Cade and I are looking forward to going out on a few dates with gift cards!
Last night we met up with Cade's family again and went to Chuck E. Cheese. Brooklyn loves Chuck, the games, and being with her cousin, Avery. The funniest thing when we were there was the classic picture of the kid picking her nose while on a ride that takes a picture....it's hilarious!
The most precious moments we have been enjoying lately with Brooklyn have been her prayers. It's amazing how much and who she remembers. She thanks God every night for Mommy, Daddy, Camden, Papa, Dawn, doggies, Papa, Gigi, GoGo, Rich, Amy, Molly, and whoever else she might have seen that day. She even thanks Him for pancakes, Barney, or whatever else she enjoyed for a meal or playtime. It's too cute and moments we never want to end. Today I had a lot of good Mommy/daughter time with Brooklyn when we went to paint pottery. Brooklyn wanted to paint a candycane ornament. If anyone knows me well enough, you would understand that it took all I had in me to actually just let her paint a candycane red, yellow, black, and green...very camo. It was good for me to just let go and let her express herself and have fun...even if it meant making a mess! Then, we went to Chic-fil-A and had a yummy lunch and Icone (as Brooklyn calls it).
Well, we're looking forward to the new year and everything it will bring. Obviously we have new resolutions, but more things we just hope to permanently change in our lives. We pray all of you are able to make the changes you need to grown spiritually, physically, and emotionally as well. Happy New Year!

It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas!

Well, knowing the way I blog, I can confidently say this will be the last blog of the year! We are definitely feeling the hustle and bustle of the season. Things are going well as we are almost finished shopping (just a few last gift cards) and cleaning up the house for family and friends. Brooklyn has really loved our couple days of good snows as she has bundled up and went out to play...she loves to throw it and loves to eat it! Camden usually sits by the door and watches her. Speaking of Camden, I think he's going to get his "two front (bottom) teeth" for Christmas. He's been madly chewing and drooling this last week, so hopefully they come in. I'm also hoping Camden gets this crawling thing down soon (well, kind of). It kills me to watch him lift himself of high with his arms, but he can't seem to coordinate that with lifting his bottom up in the air as he's on his knees...he just needs to put it together so he can go! He's getting around well though and in his walker he can pretty much get into everything and around everywhere, so maybe the whole crawling and walking thing can wait!?

We are really looking forward to our time with family this year, and we can't wait to see Brooklyn open her gifts. She hasn't totally grasped this whole concept yet, but I think after this weekend she will. However, it has been so precious to be sharing the real reason for the season with her. We've been doing an interactive Nativity with her all week and she does know most of the people. She really loves Baby Jesus and we hope to keep that our focus. On the flip side of Christmas, she has really liked seeing Santa (even though she doesn't know what he does) and all the snowmen. Also, we've probably watched the movie Elf every day!

Cade and I did purchase ourselves quite a Christmas gift this year. For over a year we have been saving for a Minivan and one crossed our path recently that we too good of a deal to allow to slip through our hands. We're pretty happy to have it and it worked out perfectly that we will have it to travel over the holidays! It's so sad that I'm so excited to have a Minivan, but yeah, it makes a mom's life easier.

We pray that everyone be happy and safe over the next couple of weeks. We can't begin to thank so many of our family and friends for supporting us as I stay home with our kids. It is an amazing gift to watch them grow each day...closer to us, to each other, and to the Lord. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Life Update

Wow, it's been forever since I've posted a blog. Everyone who can keep up with this stuff...kudos to you! Anyway, we've just been really busy, but a good kind of busy. I will try to keep the update short, by giving a little snip of everyone's life in a nutshell!

Cade: Cade is doing well. He likes the NCAA, and work is keeping him busy. Cade is such a great dad and very helpful with both the kids. I appreciate all he does and it always makes me feel better when I have to be gone to know he can have the house and kids under control. I love him a lot...more each day!

Brooklyn: She turned 2 on Oct. 9, and lately she's going thru quite a stage. She's totally fine if we drop her off somewhere or leave her with a sitter, but when we're home she is attached to my hip! I think it's some delayed jealousy with Camden and she just wants to make sure she's not losing her Mommy. She's been absorbing so much though and saying so many funny things. Lately, she's been saying "Oh my gosh!" It's hilarious! She knows her ABC's and sings them a lot, and she can count to about 13. She also enjoys singing songs. Overall, she has such a great heart and is such a lovey kid. One of her favorite things to do each week is see Annabelle. I watch Annabelle on Fridays and we usually go to the zoo or Children's Museum. It's definitely a weekly highlight!

Camden: He will be 6 months this week. Let's just say he's kept me up a bit lately. He's totally cutting his 1st tooth. Last week was the fun diarreah part and this week is just a painful cry. He's getting through it though and is still a happy baby! I love his personality and the joy he has brought to our family. I have been giving he and Brooklyn baths together lately and I just love to watch him watch her. He adores her and thinks she is so funny! Camden is finally starting to eat solid foods. We're still in progress though. Today he did have some oatmeal and sweet potatoes!

Me: I'm doing pretty well. I've been trying to put any stress into running. I have enjoyed being able to take the kids out. On Thursdays I do Community Bible Study where we are studying Luke. On Fridays we have MOPS, which is just a great time of fellowship with women. At both, the kids get to go to class and they're having a lot of fun. Tonight I'm trying a new thing...Dinner by Design. I'm hoping this will work out for our budget and help us to have more complete meals. It will make it easier for me in the evenings before Cade gets home.

Well, hopefully this has caught you up. We had a good Oct. Brooklyn liked going to the Pumpkin Patch with Grandma Debi and Grandpa Jon. She enjoyed her Halloween being a ladybug and visiting with GoGo. Camden was Superman! And of course, she always loves being with GiGi and PaPa, and Papa helped her carve her pumpkin this year! She gets to see PaPa (my dad) tomorrow, so she's looking forward to that and her M&M's! Well, I will try to stay up on the blogging! Take care, all!

Brooklyn @ the Dentist, and Camden Just Being Cute!

It's been awhile

Wow, our lives seem to be so busy lately! Camden and Brooklyn both seem to be keeping us very busy. Brooklyn enjoys going to the park (every day!) and playing on the swings. She's also been singing lots of new songs. The best is Row, Row, Row Your Boat. Let me illustrate how she sings it...Row, Row, Row your butt, street, Merry, Merry, Merry, Merry....it's too funny! She also loves Twinkle, Twinkle, Ring Around the Rosie, and ABC's. She's also been back into reading books again, which makes me very happy! Brooklyn also had her first visit to the dentist yesterday, which was quite a treat! She did so well and they were able to brush, floss, and do a fluoride treatment on her teeth. Finally, Brooklyn has started memorizing scripture verses and she is doing so well. It's amazing that she can't speak to us in sentenes yet, but she picks up on these verses and loves to say them. When you see her, you'll have to ask her about it.
Camden, well, he's a healthy boy! He is doing just wonderfully! He is about the happiest kid I've ever seen from sun up 'til bedtime, the kid just smiles and coos whenever he isn't sleeping. Seriously, God could not have blessed us with a better kid! Camden isn't doing anything to exciting yet, which at times worries me, but I know they all have to grow at there own pace. I'm still not sure how much to account for since he was early. I mean, at this point, he definitely doesn't "look it" but I'm sure some of his first milestones can be affected. We go for his 4mo. appt. next week, so I'm looking forward to hearing what the doc has to say!
Just to brag on myself a bit, I did just get my life insurance license. Yep, I went a couple weekends ago to an intense class, and took the test last week and passed! I definitely want to know what I'm doing as Cade and I build our business through Primerica. It's an opportunity God has really blessed us with. Well, have a great week!