Thankful Thursday

My greatest blessings!

I am always thankful for everything I have in my life. I have been blessed with an extraordinary family! I grew up with amazing parents and a great big brother. Then, I was lucky enough to marry a man and create an incredible family with him. Today has been a very hectic day, but I had time to snap few photos tonight as Keyton was having Garrison help him practice for the 6-person relay he is going to be in tomorrow. It was so funny to watch them run back and forth passing a snack bar to each other! As I was laughing at them, it made me realize that no matter how mean and hateful people in this world may be, I can do anything as long I as I know I am part of such a wonderful family. I am thankful to God everyday for blessing me so greatly!

Wonderful Wednesday

Splish Splash...Mommy's camera will flash!

What is so wonderful about a Wednesday? These two boys make anything wonderful! Today, when we were having outdoor achievement day events at shcool, I looked across the road and happened to see my mom and Garrison parked. They were watching and trying to get a glimpse of Keyton in some activities. I walked over and got Garrison and let him come over and see his big brother for just a few minutes. He got to buy a Tootsie Roll Pop at the concessions stand. It was a very hard task getting him back to the truck! He would have stayed the rest of the day right by Keyton's side. He thought he was "big stuff" being at school with Keyton like that and Keyton had a great time "showing him off" to his friends. They even posed for a picture for Keyton's teacher! They had such a great time playing together in the tub tonight. I think they could have stayed in there for hours if I had let them. I just had to get a quick shot of them in there! I love my 'wonderful' little guys! :-)

Terrific Tuesday

Look at those muscles!

Well, Keyton was in the free throw shooting contest today. He got one in! Yay! I was so proud. He was in the running for 3rd place but didn't get it. It didn't matter to me. I was just so proud of him for being in it and for actually making one! This evening, after Dana went to work and I got the kitchen cleaned up, we went down in the playroom to play. The boys had a great time. Before we came up, we decided to chunk up the fire. The boys wanted to help me carry wood. Keyton and I were both amazed at Garrison carrying big pieces of wood. Keyton said he was probably the strongest two year old ever! Garrison didn't want to stop. I think he would have tried to carry wood all night. Boy, do I have two terrific little guys or what?

Marvelous Monday

This is their idea of another goofy picture...all covered up together! Silly boys! :-)

Four things to talk about today: 1.) This morning when I was getting Keyton's lunch ready for school, (he insists upon lunchables...YUCK!) Garrison said to Keyton, "Bubba, can my have one of your lunchables?" Keyton picked him one out! Garrison thought that was a real treasure and was so proud carrying it to the car. He was so excited when he got to my mom's that he wanted to eat it for breakfast instead of the wonderful sausage, eggs, biscuits, and gravy she has for him EVERY morning. I found out later he ate some of it as well! :-) 2.) Keyton participated in his first ever achievement day activities at school. Today he was in tug-of-war. His team got 3rd place. They tried really hard though. I forgot my camera but I did get to borrow one from another teacher. Tomorrow he is in the free throw shooting. I will definitely have pictures of that! He told me he practiced during early morning recess. I asked him how many he got in and he looked me straight in the eye and said, "Not a single one!" I can't wait to see him in action! 3.) My boys must have really missed each other today because once we arrived home, they were not apart for even one second! It was like a zoo! I have never heard so much noise in all of my life. I tried to hear something on the news and I had to turn the TV up to a deafening level ans then I could barely hear it! But, their laughter is such a sweet sound. Last but not least... 4.) When we finally got in the bed and I was trying to get them to go to sleep. I told them I loved them both, and they both responded with the same phrase. Keyton's sounded like, "I love you more than you love me." Garrison's sounded like, "My uv you mo than you uv me." My heart melted, but boy are they wrong about the love, for I know they could not possibly hold as much love for me as I do them. Mine is overflowing. These four things definitely add up to MARVELOUS in my book!

Special Sunday

Ready to go to church!

A special hug for Daddy! Dana was loving this!

Exhaustion!

A chocolate treat! Yummy!

This Sunday was special because...we didn't do anything special at all! We got up a little early this morning so the boys had extra time to play and watch cartoons. They played especially sweet together this morning. Then, we got ready and went to church. Children's church was really good. (I should know because since my boys are so attached to me, I must stay with them!) They talked about Jonah and the whale and made some really cute things. After we came home, we all changed in to our pajamas to relax. Keyton said we need to start doing this every Sunday! I cooked lunch and then while Dana took a nap, the boys and I headed to the basement playroom for some Wii action! I beat Keyton pretty bad today. He didn't like it much. Garrison had took all he could take and he just went to sleep sitting on the couch. While he was asleep, Keyton got a treat of a Skinny Cow ice cream sandwich. Later in the night, Dana and Keyton went back to the basement for a Wii showdown. Garrison kept sleeping! It sounds like a pretty dull and uneventful day, but sometimes those are the best kind especially when you have such a wonderful family to share them with. I love these cozy days with my 3 guys!

Farm Life...

"Aww! Look how cute they are!"

"Look! We are holding chicks!"

The Baby Chicks

The Goats

I grew up on a farm and always loved it. I may not have liked to do all the chores, but I still loved the peaceful feeling of living there. I was lucky enough to marry a man who loves farming just as much as my daddy did. Now, we have our own farm. We only had cows until recently when Dana brought home 2 goats. Yesterday, he got a bunch of baby chickens. We have had them before but not in quite some time. The boys didn't get to go look at them yesterday, so we all went down to the chicken house to see them this evening. They were so excited!!! They just kept saying, "Aww!" It was so cute. Dana let them each hold one for a little bit. They they got to help feed them. They are excited to watch them grow up. I will be glad when we can start getting eggs. They are so costly right now at the grocery stores! We had a good time with the new baby chicks! We love our farm life!

Bedtime Bloopers

Funny face, funny face...say cheese!

They each think the other is the funniest!

Starting to get tired...FINALLY!

Tonight after I gave the boys their baths and got them all ready for bed, they got themselves up in the bed side by side and told me they wanted me to take some "funny pictures" of them. Of course, my camera is always ready! They are so funny together! Can you tell that I am head over heels in love with them? I can honestly say that I cannot remember what I ever did before I was a mommy! I must have been so bored! They complete me!

Laughter & Tears

A lesson in patience
Our sidewalk art

Watching over us

Flowers for my daddy

Today was a day full of mixed emotions for me. We went to church which uplifted me, and the boys made me laugh all day long with their funny ways and clever words. They were excited to have beautiful sunshine to allow them to play outside. Dana stayed outside with them while I went for a jog. When I got back, Keyton tried to teach Garrison how to ride a tricycle. It was so funny watching him try and be patient with him. He did a pretty good job. When he would start to get mad at Garrison, he would end up laughing instead. It was such a sweet moment. After that, they asked to draw on the sidewalk, which I of course let them do! Garrison wanted me to write all of our names. Keyton wanted me to write my daddy's name like he was watching over us. That really touched me because I have been having an especially emotional week of missing my daddy. As Dana left for work, I had him follow us to the cemetery to put some flowers out that I didn't get to earlier in the week because of the rain. I had such a hard time down there. I just completely had a breakdown. My boys held me and "made me better." I think I needed to get all those tears out. Even with all the tears shed today, it was still a beautiful Sunday full of blessings and I just have to remember that I am very blessed to have had all of the happy times that I did with my sweet daddy.

Happy 33 to ME!

These two are a new "present to open" every day!

I am so thankful I am their Mommy!

The beautiful flowers from my sweet friend, Lindy! :-)

Oh my! I am 33 today. I feel like my friend Heather...I still feel like I am 18. Honestly, sometimes I think I have only been out of high school a little while. Then, I sit down and think of everything that has changed in my life since I was 18. Some people would love to relive their youth....not me. If I were 18 again, I would not be in the wonderful marriage that I am in nor would I know the joy of being a mommy to such precious and beautiful boys. I always knew I wanted to be a mother, but I really didn't understand how much love your heart could hold when that moment becomes a reality. It truly amazes me...

Today was just an ordinary Saturday around my house, except for the fact that when we woke up, the boys started singing "Happy Birthday" to me. It was so cute. We just played and talked and had breakfast and lunch together. We went downstairs and played our new "Wii." We got it last week. I love it as much as they do. It is really good exercise. I got lots of calls, emails, and txts throughout the day with birthday wishes. This evening, my mom baked me a cake and took my family out to eat supper at the Farmhouse. As I finished eating, every employee there, came out to sing to me and give me a piece of cake. I was so surprised...

Also, yesterday at school, I got a wonderful surprise from my friend, Lindy. She had her mom deliver me a fresh cut bouquet of beautiful flowers. She is such a dear. I love her like she is my family. And, the last thing I want to mention is that I was so happy to turn on the computer this morning and find that Heather had sent me a sweet award saying that reading my blog "Makes her day." How great is that! I may be getting older, but the blessings keep multiplying! Happy Birthday To Me!

Spring Fun

We have been enjoying the little bit of warm weather and sunshine we have been blessed with lately. When I went for a jog, Dana and the boys went for a short walk together. Then to keep them occupied until I returned, he gave in to their requests to ride on the trailer that he had hooked to the lawn mower. He only rode them around the front yard a few times very slowly, but they LOVED it! He is such a sweet daddy! As I was coming up the driveway, they were waving and grinning ear to ear! Keyton was holding on to Garrison like a good big brother and Garrison looked like he was proud to let Keyton hold him. Even though it was a very short ride, it was not short on fun for them. We cannot wait for more warm weather and we are especially excited for summer vacation! Oh, what fun we will have playing outside together!