Pumpkin Patch

We went to the pumpkin patch with Aby and McKinley last week and the kids had alot of fun running around and choosing their pumpkin to buy and pretending to ride the tractor. The weather is still very warm here and hardly feels like Fall or Halloween, but despite being in the 80's we had to go on our annual pumpkin patch outing.

MBR

My boyfriend rocks...

because he is a great gift giver. Chris is one of those people in which you don't want to tell him what you want as a gift for your birthday or Christmas because what he will come up with on his own will be better than what you could have asked for. He takes the time to listen and observe and he knows just what to get to make a gift more than just a gift. And it doesn't just go for me, he did great in picking out Troy's birthday gift too...so good that I thought his ex-wife did it!! :) He knows it doesn't matter the price tag amount or the brand name, but he always thinks about the receiver and what they would really enjoy.

I collect fun socks and here are a pair he surprised me with one day!!

Party!!

Troy had his birthday party over the weekend. We went and toured the fire station. It was a lot of fun and the firemen made it so special with the hats and goodie bags and letting the kids get in the truck. Troy received a ton of great gifts most of which consisted of Lightning McQueen or Thomas the Train, two of his favorites! It's so hard to believe he is 4, but everyday I realize he is growing up just in the way he talks and thinks. He is very articulate, but sometimes a bit shy. He loves the outdoors and anything to do with bikes or skateboards or scooters and racing them. 4 years ago I was nervous about having a boy and didn't know if I would be able to connect with him, but I realize now that was a silly thought. He is very much like me and in that way alone we are able to connect...and also butt heads, but he is a precious gift and I am so glad to be growing him into who God has created him to be.












And, of course, Teague LOVED the cake!!

Stop growing!!

Today Troy is 4...I wish he would just stop growing!!

More birthday festivities

Troy's birthday is still a week away, but Sonja and GG came into town to celebrate early. We celebrated by having the dinner and cake of Troy's choosing and, of course, gifts. Troy got a Leap Frog Tag Pen and different books to go along with it. It's basically a pen that reads the books to him and at any point he can stop on a word and it will re-read that word. He has been playing with it non-stop. It was so nice to spend some time with Sonja and GG, and Troy and Teague loved showing them all their toys. GG kept saying she couldn't believe Troy was turning 4 and really neither can I...only 5 more days with my 3 year old!

Air Show

Last weekend Chris and I took the kids to the Air Show in town. There were so many fun things to see and the kids really enjoyed all the planes and helicopters and military aircraft. Since Troy's birthday is in a few weeks I decided to take him on his first airplane ride. He was so excited!! When it was finally our turn to go up I think I was more scared than he was! As we taxied out we had to wait a bit and he kept asking "are we up yet, are we up yet?" Once we were in the sky his eyes were so big and just taking it all in. He would look out his window and then my window and then back to his window again. The pilot tipped the plane a few times to show us something or to turn and as I am grabbing the side of the plane to hold on, Troy says, "cool" and when asked what his favorite part was, he will say the tipping. As we landed, he immediately asked if we could go again. I just might have a future pilot on my hands. It was an unforgettable memory that I know I will treasure forever.

MBR

Chris is a great dancer. Not only did I get a degree from Tech, but that is also where I learned to two step and it is so nice to enjoy that with Chris. Dancing has quickly become something that we try to do whenever we have some free time without the kids because we have so much fun together. There is definitely an art to country dancing. It's imperative for the man to know how to lead and feel the beat of the music and know the correct steps, but there is also something so special about connecting with someone you care about while dancing together. Just one more reason why...My Boyfriend Rocks!!

Amber's Birthday

Over the weekend we all went to my sister's birthday party. She turned 27, which seems almost impossible since I still see her as a little girl!! We had a great time with all the family and her friends. The theme was Fiesta and mom went all out on the appetizers and food and drinks and cake. After she opened all her gifts we changed clothes and headed out dancing. I don't think me and Blake and Amber have ever all gone out together, so that was a first, but we had blast.

Rainy Day

It was estimated that we received 15 inches of rain over about two days last week and the flooding was so bad in a lot of areas that the schools ended up closing for the day, but when it rains that much you can be sure of one thing...great PUDDLES!!!

LA

Over Labor Day weekend Chris took me to where he grew up in Minden, Louisiana. I was able to meet his dad and step mom, step sisters, aunt, uncle and cousins. Louisiana was so pretty and his family is very laid back so it was nice to just relax. He showed me Shreveport and all the casinos, the house he grew up in and schools he attended, and we had a bbq at his aunt and uncle's where he took me on the four wheeler to see all his family's property. Cade and Caitlyn really enjoyed playing with their cousins. For some reason Cade was not into pictures this weekend, but he really was there!! But out of everything I saw over the weekend I think the drive thru margarita joint was the most bizarre.

Finally

It has been a LONG year and today was a great day. I dropped Troy at school and Teague and I came home and he had a play date with McKinley while Becca and I drank coffee and talked. Then it was lunch and naps and off to cleaning the house and changing sheets and baking a little. As I was doing the house work I thought 'I am so content.' Just having that thought took me off guard because it has been a long time since I have been able to truly say that.

Finally.

I always knew the storm would pass and things would settle down and life would return to some sort of normalcy, and for the first time I can say today feels like that for me. Although I am not a full time stay at home mom, God has blessed me with a job where the hours are flexible. Although Troy is now gone 5 days a week instead of just 2, God has blessed Teague and I with great one on one time on Tuesdays and Thursdays. And although I now have to support my household as a working, single mom on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, God has blessed me in feeling so rewarded in helping families less fortunate than mine.

Finally.

It's amazing what the last year involved and looking back I have no idea how I survived. That's not true... of course, it was only through God's help, but it just amazes me. There were so many nights where I laid awake wondering what a year down the road would look like and I knew I would be in a better place. And today I feel like I am there...

Finally!!

MBR

My Boyfriend Rocks...

because he has such a giving spirit.

Isaiah 58:6-8
I'll tell you what it really means to worship the Lord. Remove the chains of prisoners who are chained unjustly. Free those who are abused. Share your food with everyone who is hungry; share your home with the poor and homeless. Give clothes to those in need; don't turn away your relatives. Then your light will shine like the dawning sun, and you will quickly be healed. Your honesty will protect you as you advance and the glory of the Lord will defend you from behind.


I have seen him live out this verse in a number of different ways just in the short time that we have been dating. I have never met someone who is so willing to help others in whatever way he can.

First day

Troy's cubby























Troy's first day went pretty well I think. Of course, he slept until 7:45am that morning and I had to actually wake him to get him out the door on time, but overall it was a smooth morning. When we got there everyone was washing their hands and getting ready for breakfast. Ms. Paula and Ms. Susan were great about showing him what to do and where things were. As Troy was washing his hands, I took a few pictures around the classroom. It's so neat to see his name on everything. When I picked him up they were all eating their snacks and he seemed to feel right at home. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get much out of him on how the day went except that he played outside and took a nap with his shoes on. This morning he was anxious to get there, so that is always a good sign!




He doesn't look too happy here.

Sweet and Twisted

Since this weekend I was without the boys in tow I had registered to do another triathlon. It was an all female race called the Sweet and Twisted!! It was alot of fun and there were quite a few of us from church participating and that always makes it more enjoyable. Chris was a real trooper and went with me, leaving at 5am and standing in the heat til almost noon! He is great with a camera and got some great action shots!! The swim was a little further than last time, but overall pretty easy. The bike was hilly but scenic and I did not get a flat, so that was wonderful!! The run was just HOT!!! They had water stations and ice sponges along the way, but I was tired and the heat made it worse. At the end of the race they served cupcakes and mimosas, keeping in theme with sweet and twisted. It was cute! It was exciting to show Chris a huge part of who I am and have him there cheering for me!

MBR

My Boyfriend Rocks...

because he is so huggable. There is nothing like being wrapped up in his strong arms.