After 2 Years...

Safe in My Daddy's Arms

Today is the 2nd anniversary of when I lost my daddy. It is still so very hard for me to wrap my mind around the fact that he is really gone. I often find myself wanting to ask him questions that I am certain he would be able to answer. He was so smart about so many things. Sometimes, for a split second, I forget that he is gone and actually think I can ask him something or tell him about something one of the boys said. When I have something I really want to share with him, I can see in my mind how he would react to it and I can just see him laughing at something funny that the boys have done. He was always there to take up for them and keep them out of any trouble they might get in with me! Keyton talks about him almost every day. Garrison, who was only barely 1 year old when he passed away, continues to have memories of him. This both pleases and amazes me. Also, on 2 different occasions, when we have been going to bed, Garrison has looked up at the ceiling and smiled and said "Why is Poppy Bud up there looking at me?" He smiled about it both times and assured me and Keyton that he indeed saw Poppy Bud's face and that he was smiling down on us. This has given me such an odd but comforting feeling on both occasions that it has happened. I know that he is watching over us and I continue to feel him in our lives. I hope my boys will always remember the good times they were able to have with him and that they will both grow up to be honorable, humble, and wonderful men just like their Poppy Bud was. After 2 years...I still miss him so much I can barely stand it...

Cute Distractions

See how they match?

Who could resist these sweet faces?  NOT ME!

This morning we had to take my mom back to the hospital for a visit with the doctor to find out more about all of her test results.   This was a trip that we were really not looking forward to and I do not think I could have made it through going if it were not for my two amazing little boys.   They always keep me busy and put me in a good mood.   I took off from school today so Garrison got to go with me to drop Keyton off.   He thought it was a real big deal to get to walk Keyton to his room.   He gave him many hugs and kisses before we left.   Garrison was such a big boy all day.   He acted very well for a little boy that had to stay in a hospital all day without getting to eat anything but a bag of chips.   He handled everything pretty good with only a little whining.   My brother kept him entertained quite a bit and Garrison as nicknamed him "trickster."   Jerry has always got a trick up his sleeve.   We have decided he can make very neat toys and gadgets out of any object he finds.   He is a very resourceful guy.   Keyton was very glad to see us when we returned to get him.   It was a long day and I was glad to get home to my sweet boys and let them help me think about other things.   I am so glad God picked me to be their mommy! I hope I never let them or HIM down!

A Little Time Outside

Taking a break...

Bicycle time...

Pretending to be an old man...

My Precious First Born...

My Precious Baby Boy...

We have been looking for some sunshine ever since we have been off from school.   Today...we finally got to see it!   However, my mom had to go to the hospital last night because she got dehydrated from having a virus over the weekend.  So, our morning started off with Keyton going to the dentist and then we were off to the hospital hoping to bring her home!   We waited all day at the hospital before they finally told us they wanted her to stay one more night. She did feel much better today and hopefully will feel like new by tomorrow.  I think getting to spend time with the boys helped her a little too.   They sure were glad to see her and hated leaving her there!  By the time we got home...the boys only had a little time left to play in the sunshine!   They had so much fun out there.   Garrison drove his John Deere tractor he got for Christmas.  He wouldn't drive it in slow gear...only FAST!  He ran over me TWO times!  Then he started chasing me and Keyton and yelling "Pull over in the name of the law!"   We refused and became runaway criminals!  He chased us madly while giving us his best "mean lawman" look!   It was very funny!   Keyton rode his bicycle and then asked me to give him some tips on basketball.  So...I just had a practice session with him right there in the front yard.  I showed him tips on guarding, stealing, dribbling, and passing!  Hopefully he will actually use them in the games!  They had alot of fun and it was a welcome sight for me to help take my mind off of worrying about my mom so much.   We can't wait until the sunshine starts coming to visit more often so we can have more fun times together! Who need to take a vacation on Spring Break?   Not us!   We have so many good times in our front yard and there is no place I would rather be than...Home Sweet Home...with my little guys!

My baby is THREE!!!

First present of the day...

Impatient cake lover...

My sweet boys...

Mommy Sandwich...

Blowing out the candle...

Just had to have a lick...

One of the cute faces he made today...

Sweet brothers...

After he opened everything...

Well...my BABY is THREE!!!!   I cannot believe he is so big!   However, it will be easier on me now that he is actually three because every where I went, someone asked me how old he was.   I told them 2 and they would always say, "Are you sure?"   I would have thought he was four!"   Yeah...I am pretty sure I remember when he was born!   =)  Last night as we were going to sleep, Keyton said..."Let me kiss your sweet 2 year old cheeks cause tomorrow they will be three year old cheeks! So cute!  As soon as Garrison opened his eyes, Keyton wanted to start singing "Happy Birthday" to him!   Garrison got so excited and wanted all the fun to begin right away!   Keyton agreed to let him open a little present from him to make him happy.  It was a John Deere truck and he loved it!  Garrison looked himself over and told me he thought he had gotten bigger in his sleep!  He held up his hands and said they were bigger.   Keyton inspected them and agreed that they did look a little bigger! =)  He couldn't wait for people to come over and every time someone came, he thought it was time to open his presents.   I told him we had to wait for everybody! When my mom came, she brought him a cake and he had to have a piece right away without waiting for anyone else to come!  He loves cakes!  He chose Mickey Mouse as his theme this year and loved his Mickey ice cream cake!   He licked it after he blew the candles out!   He was the cutest thing opening all of his gifts!   He made some of the sweetest faces I have ever seen.   He got excited every time Keyton brought him another one to open!  He squealed, opened his mouth, and giggled!   He said, "Oh boy, I got a bunch of presents!"  Some of the things he got:  Mickey Car, Diego Jeep, Handy Manny, Police Vehicles, John Deere Toys, Clothes, Animals, Book, and Games...He appreciated every single thing he got!   I am so proud of my little boy!   He is such a joy to watch!   He made everyone smile today.   The other night I told him that he made me smile and he grinned real big and said, "I even make God smile!"   I am sure he does!   We are so lucky to have this little guy and we are so thankful for him every single day!  Happy Birthday Garrison!

Jr. Pro Time...

Mommy's MVP

Well...it is time for Jr. Pro basketball games to begin!   This is Keyton's first year to get to play because they start in first grade!   He played a few games on a training league earlier in the year but they only played a few times.   He practiced last Sunday evening and his first game was tonight!   We lost the game but they had fun playing and that is all that matters.   I was proud of him because he tried really hard and I could tell he had listened to my tips and is trying to do things right.  The teams in his section are mixed with first and second graders so of course the second graders are a little more comfortable with the game.   He looked so cute out there and after it was over he told me that he believed he was sweating on every single part of his body! Garrison offered plenty of tips to help him out.   He told him to always remember to throw it in the goal!   Smart boy!  I love these little guys!

Camo Trio

A mommy surrounded by LOVE!!!

Today we got up and headed to Wal-Mart to get things we needed for Keyton's program at school and Garrison's birthday party which are both coming up next week!  The boys wanted to wear their matching camouflage shirts and they were really excited when I surprised them by putting mine on too!   They said I was super cool!   It was sweet!   It feels good to get to match them every once in a while!   They usually only get to match their daddy, but I do try to find ways to join in the fun when I can! I love doing things with my little guys!

Sunday Sweeties

My handsome little Keyton...

My handsome little Garrison...

This morning after I got the boys ready for church, I just kept staring at them and thinking how lucky I am to have such sweet and handsome little guys to love as my very own!  They looked so sweet!   I love to look at them every day no matter what they wear, but they really melt my heart when they are all dressed up.   They look like little men!   I am a lucky mommy! 

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!