11 Years!!!

Today is our 11th anniversary! We got married on Valentine's Day in 1998.   Dana is a wonderful husband and father and I am so thankful to have him.   I am so thankful that God made our paths cross so that we could find one another.  It was a totally unexpected relationship.   We started dating in 1993 so that means we have actually been together for 16 years!!!!   WOW!   We have been through a great deal together over these years.   He has always been right there to help me.   He was right by my side when I was so sick and again when my daddy got sick.   He is also there all the time for me when I struggle with missing my daddy.   I don't know what I would do without him!   I love my husband very much!

Funny Sleepers!

Is this a sleeping ZOO? =)

Last night as I was going over spelling words with Keyton, Garrison fell asleep watching SpongeBob.   Then when Keyton came to bed, he insisted that he was so cold that he must sleep with a uniform on!   Now, keep in mind this was one of the warmest days, we have seen in months!  They had enjoyed a fun day of playing out in the beautiful weather.  Funny boy!   I let him get the uniform and it wasn't long until he joined his brother in dream land!   When I came back through later to check on them, I had to smile (and take a picture).   They were so cute!   Keyton in his big uniform. Garrison all snuggled next to the headboard, and stuffed animals all around them!   I love these moments and I know how much I am going to miss them one day!   My sweet snuggle buddies!   Oh yeah...and I had to find room to squeeze in there with them!   I did it...happily!   

I still remember...

This was my daddy's favorite picture of us!   

He had just made me taste a cream drop and I didn't like it at all! 

  I still don't like them! 

  He loved the funny face I was making in this picture!

Today is my daddy's birthday.  He was a "groundhog" baby.   We always used to joke about HIM seeing HIS shadow.  I miss him just as much today as I did the day I lost him.   I read a book to my boys today called:  What Is Heaven Like? by Beverly Lewis.  I bought it at the book fair Saturday because I thought it might help them with all of the questions they have.   They listened intently to every word!   I think it really caught them because it was about a little boy missing his grandpa and wondering what he was doing up in Heaven.  It was a very appropriate book for today and as soon as we finished it, we drove to the cemetery and left some flowers for my daddy.   Keyton wanted to know why we didn't get him a gift of some kind and leave down there.   Garrison agreed that people needed gifts on their birthday.  I agree with them and if I could find something that would endure the weather, I would cover the place with them.  Many people seem to ignore birthdays for lost loved ones...I can never do this...I still remember my daddy's birthday and I always will!   I love you so much Daddy!   Happy Birthday!   

How we sleep...

My little snuggle buddies!

This is how Dana finds us most nights when he gets home... When someone looks at this picture, they might wonder how I get a good night's sleep.   However, the answer is clear:   When you have the two most precious boys in the world snuggled in your arms...all is right with the world!   It doesn't get better than this!   I know that one day, I will be wishing they were back in my arms, so I am enjoying every minute of it I can get!   I love my boys!

A little fun in the snow...

Keyton in the snow!

Garrison in the snow!

Keyton wanting to have a snow fight!

Garrison making a trail!

Action Shot!

Well...we awoke to a pleasant sight of SNOW!!!!!   However, we were a little bummed because it fell on a day that we were already off from school!   We are hoping it will stay cold enough to keep it on so we can get ONE MORE day off!   How cool would that be??!?!   A SIX day weekend!   WOW!   They boys could hardly wait to go out in it and play for a few minutes.   They are much tougher than me because a FEW is all I could stand!   They could have stayed much longer!   They had fun, but they wanted to build a BIG snowman and lots more stuff....there just wasn't THAT much snow.   I am still hoping that it will come a HUGE snow soon so they can really get to do all of those things.   We have never had a REAL snowman in our yard, and I think it is about time for one!   So...bring on the snow!   We will even wait till next week!   :-)

Some big shoes to fill...

"Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes? "

My boys have always loved wearing BIG shoes.   They are constantly trying on their daddy's shoes and even mine as well.   So, it was no surprise when they walked in the kitchen and said, "Look at us, Mommy!'   It may have not been surprising, but it was sure cute!   Keyton was sporting his daddy's muck boots, while Garrison was wearing my PRETTY rain boots.   I say pretty with lots of emphasis because I really like them, but Dana thinks they are UGLY!   He has laughed at me and laughed at me for getting them.   Oh well, I have worn them a few times now and received many compliments from people who know a tad bit more about fashion!   Speaking of fashion, when did boots covered in DIRT become such a trend?!?! I'm just saying...

These sweet faces...

Keyton's sweet face!

Garrison's sweet face!

We have been given the wonderful surprise of a FIVE day weekend!   Yay!  It snowed a little so school was called off Thursday, and then again Friday due to the severe cold temperature.   And...if that wasn't good enough, we are off on Monday for MLK Day!   WOW!   I LOVE LOVE LOVE staying at home with my little boys!   I am enjoying EVERY minute of their precious childhood because I can see them growing up way too fast right before my eyes!   I just can't get enough of staring at these sweet faces!   

My Soft-Hearted Boys

Really into the Really Big Movie

Getting a little sad...

Today, the boys cleaned out their movie collection and decided to try and sell some of the ones they really don't watch.  I was very proud of them since they usually don't like to part with many things!   I didn't even ask for them to do this...they just came through the house with a stack to sell.   However, Garrison wanted to keep Clifford's Really Big Movie.   Keyton usually makes Garrison watch big boy shows with him so I asked Keyton to lay down with Garrison and let him enjoy Clifford.   Keyton used to love it so much!   Keyton was a very good big brother and they went in there and turned the lights off to enjoy the movie. I was in the living room watching some TV of my own when I hear Keyton yelling, "Mommy, this is kinda sad!" He sounded like he was almost in tears.   I went in there and both of them had their lips in a pucker.   It seems that Clifford had left Emily-Elizabeth and they were very sad for him.   I told them it would be ok and Keyton said he knew that but that he was still very sad.   They seemed fineso I left them to finish watching it.   About 15 minutes later...Garrison came running out crying as hard as he could!   He scared me because I thought he had gotten hurt.  I picked him up and asked what was wrong.  He just buried his head on my chest and said "Clifford and his friends are still LEFT!"  How sweet!  My boys are so tender hearted.   They were so concerned for poor Clifford.   It looks like they get emotional like me!   Hey...I teared up last night at The President's Farewell Address!   

Something to blog about...

Look at those great helpers!

Keyton was on a mission!

Dig, Garrison, Dig!

Keyton wanted me to watch how good he was at ripping boxes!

Garrison took a break to try on some old clown shoes!

The other night, the boys were playing in the basement in their playroom.  All of a sudden, I hear Keyton yell, "Hey, mommy...come down here and bring your camera.  We are doing something you will want to put on your blog!"  How funny!  He is into blogging already!  He will probably want his own soon!   Anyway, I went down there, camera in hand, anxious for the big reveal!   They had decided to wander over to the very unfinished den area.   This is the future den that they plan on helping their daddy fix up so they can decorate it all "manly!"  Right now, it is just home an old-fashioned wood stove.  (which we love because it helps heat this place sooo good and saves us money!) We throw boxes down sometimes to use for building a fire.  Anyway...they got the ideas that it would be of GREAT HELP to rip all of the boxes up into pieces for me so it would be easier for me to use in starting a fire.  They were oh so proud of their work.   They just kept asking me if I was proud of them.   Of course, I assured them I was oh so proud of my good helpers.   They worked and worked until no box was left unripped!   You just never know when there is going to be something great to blog about!   

Happy New Year!

My sweet big boy!

My sweet baby boy!

Getting ready for the countdown...

Watching the countdown...

After the countdown...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

The boys and I went to our church last night for a chili/spaghetti supper.   We had a great time- they played with toys and I played cards.   Dana had to work since it was a holiday.  It was supposed to be his day off so we were a little bummed, but I do understand.  We left church a little before 11 because the boys wanted to be home at midnight.   They played some more and then they came into the living room with me to watch the countdown on TV.   They thought that was a big deal!   I may not do anything fancy for a New Year's celebration, but there is no where I would rather ring in a new year than at home with my boys!