thankful

Every year at this time I sit back and really count my blessings. I think, reflect and thank God for them all year long but it's now that I really dwell on them, all of them. and there are so so many. I am very blessed. I can get lost in a crazy day at home with 3 little ones where the boys are at each others throats over 1 tractor out of 8 that we own and start to hit each other before racing to me to tattle on the other and then Gracelyn is screaming while following me around the house as I attempt to do laundry and clean, which always proves futile. Then Brandon comes home upset because he wanted to go to his dad's office instead of coming home to us. Those days it's a tad more difficult to see but then the next day, or maybe in a few more, it will be prove to be all worth it. Like when the boys are standing on the bench while Britton is holding the microphone belting out a song, Blaine is jamming out on his guitar and Gracelyn is their back-up dancer. Oh and Brandon comes home, happy, with a smile on his face and actually tells me all about his day! I am so thankful to be a child of God, He has shown me in rare form his love and mercy this past year and I couldn't be more humbled. I am thankful for a husband who works his tail off so that I am able to be home. Despite the craziness that goes on, it's a time that I really cherish because next August I will have another kiddo in school. I am thankful for each one of my precious kids. Brandon is so smart and absolutely loves to read so he has so much to talk about, which stirs up lots of conversation and it's not like talking to a toddler. He's having a phenomenal, fabulous, amazing school year! We are so incredibly thankful that he has such a fair and loving teacher this year. Blaine is a funny, funny guy. He loves to make people laugh and will break out in song no matter where we are, mainly Wiggles tunes. He is loving CDO and learning so much, the Pledge of Allegiance, his letters and numbers and we're pretty sure that he going to take after me and be a lefty! Britton is my serious, strong-willed child. He doesn't do what he doesn't want to do, including but limited to smiling. He really is an introvert except when it comes to Blaine and I am kind of already worried about him when Blaine starts school next year. Gracelyn Paige is our miracle baby. From her birth when my hemoglobin bottomed out and our lives were at risk, to March when she contracted botulism and underwent weeks in the hospital and months in PT. She has shown me so much. I am thankful to the moms in my botulism support group that I've "met" because of Gracelyn's sickness. They give me tips and understand how I feel when it comes to Gracelyn. They make me feel like I am not crazy. I am thankful for my mom. I just love her. love.her. She was my rock during and after G's illness. She truly got what I was feeling after having been through a similar situation with my stepdad. My friends. I am thankful for my friends. They have listened, hugged, encouraged and been my rock this year. I am thankful for a lot. a lot more than this. but these are the biggies.

my mini loves.

I wanted to post a picture of my hubby and me but unfortunately Ryan and I have no recent pics together. sad after 10 years together. My goal is to have one taken today!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I wish you safe travels and happy eating!!

Britton goes bowling

Britton's friend Brooklyn had a bowling birthday party the Saturday before last. Britton had never been bowling before because, sadly, the last time we went was when Brandon turned 6 and Britton was only 5 months old then. I was so excited to take him!
Britton had a BLAST!! He had such a great time that he wouldn't let me take his picture. (well that's not out of the ordinary but even more-so that day!) Britton waited patiently for his turn, as patiently as an almost 3 year waits! He would ask me quietly if it was his turn yet but wouldn't make a big deal when I told him not yet. Britton really is such a quiet, reserved little man around others. He bowled, then I got him his drink from the snack bar while he started on his cake and then he sat and watched his friend Brooklyn open her princess gifts.











We had a great mom-son time!! He was so excited to come home and tell Blaine all about it and he told me that's where he wants his next party. I love my Britton Ryan!

13 months old!

Gracelyn is 13 months old now! It actually seems like the last month hasn't gone by so quickly, unlike the month leading up to her first birthday. probably because so much happened in the last month with camping and her youngest-big brother's birthday party on top of our "normal" craziness.

she wants to be front and center

Gracie is doing very!!
She is eating very well and loving pasta, grilled chicken, turkey, pancakes, eggs, bread, cheese, fruit, most veggies and is a champ at feeding herself! G loves water and I've actually been able to get her to drink 1 ounce of whole milk so far before she throws her sippy down. I'm adding 1T of mirilax to her sippy cup each day.
Miss G is walking all over the place, still a bit unsteady but getting there. Her daddy wanted so badly to make her Frankenstein for Halloween because she still walks with her arms out for balance. (I vetoed it.) As long as she is not sleepy or fussy, she takes the trips and falls pretty well and will jump right back up.
Being a girl, she isn't quiet, she jabbers constantly, but as far as actual words, "mama" is the main word and "duck" has been said a couple of times. Her daddy pleads with her to say "dada" but she laughs and growls at him. Animal noises are plentiful from Gracelyn, what do you expect with 3 big brothers?
Despite the top pic, she is still a mostly happy girl. Gracie absolutely adores her brothers, adores them! In the morning when I get her out of her crib she points to the door to go find them, and they all light up when she comes in the room.
G is doing pretty well in CDO. She is getting less fond of me with the other babies and will want to sit on my knee if another baby is in my lap. I am so impressed with her ability to share with her friends Taryn and Ellie. The girls do very well sitting and playing together! I think it's comes from having big bros that sort of "take charge!" so they are pretty used to it.

at CDO, she loves the baby dolls!

I think we have a favorite....

animal, that is.

Britton's 3rd Birthday

We celebrated Britton's 3rd birthday this weekend! His birthday isn't until November 27 but we had it early, before the weather was too cold.
Britton has quite an interest in tractors, okay, he LOVES them, so a local farm was the perfect place for the party. When I messaged my friend, who is the daughter of the owner, to reserve it she said it would be better to have it sooner, rather than closer to his party when the tractors will have been sitting for awhile. That was fine by me because his birthday is less than a month from Christmas. So this actually made it seem like I had plenty of time and I wasn't rushing to throw a party while still prepping for the holidays.
Britton and his friends, I actually think everyone had a blast! The barn was warm, the heater worked great! They brought a goat in to talk to Britton and sing him happy birthday. That thing was so loud and just kept "maa-ing" and Britton just kept yelling at it to be quiet. Then we went on a hayride down to the pumpkin patch, which Britton got to help drive the tractor. We had delicious cupcakes, opened gifts and before leaving the kids enjoyed a train ride and fed the animals. There was so much that we didn't get done simply because of time and the little ones were all so worn out. I'm pretty sure the adults were worn out too!
Britton isn't one to always show his emotion but he smiled and talked a lot yesterday about how much fun he had and ended up naming everything, at some point in the day, as his favorite activity!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

G's 1 year stats

Gracelyn went to the pediatrician Friday!

The doc was very happy with how well G looked, and said she was right where she was supposed to be! She couldn't believe how happy Gracelyn is and how well she is walking! Gracie was all smiles, as always and walked back and forth between the doc and me.
Our only concern is constipation. Of course all the foods G likes at this point don't help with the issue so we are upping the Mirilax in hopes that it helps!
Gracie tipped the scales at an even 22lbs and measured 29 3/4", both in the 75 percentile!
The appointment took longer than normal Friday because the pedi and I reminisced on the past year with Gracelyn. mainly Thursday, March 11, the day I brought her in limp and having no idea what was wrong. We shed tears together and group-hugged Gracie, who had absolutely no idea what the water works were all about! Her seeing for herself how far G has come after how far she was set back made her day!

Halloween 2010

On Wednesday before Halloween, Brandon had a Fall Party at school. At Open House, I signed up for cupcakes/cookies but Brandon requested chocolate cakes bites and got the okay from his teacher, so that is what I made! I unfortunately wasn't able to attend the party but he had a great time and I heard all about how everyone liked the bites!
Then Thursday the little boys had a party at CDO. I had my camera with me, but no card, so no pictures. Blaine's class dressed up and since his Buzz costume is a little bulky, he wore a Superman costume of B1's. Both of the boys classes trick-or-treated in our baby class, which all the babies loved! They had fun!

who can resist giving candy to that face?

Saturday we went to OKC to Mimi and Pappy's house to visit and trick-or-treat with them! We spent the day with them and had a great time. The kids got dressed up and we hit the block. It was a gorgeous evening, not chilly at all! The local sheriff was patrolling and handing out candy and badges. The boys loved the badges over the candy! We all had a great time and slept well that night!
Sunday was Trunk or Treat at church. I had the times wrong so we were late but we still were able to see some friends and eat a hot dog and kettle corn! The boys played a few games but we really didn't need any candy at that point!

Cowgirl Jessie

now that Gracelyn can walk, she is much too busy to stand still for a picture...

so we sat them on the bench!

her hat is a tad big!

Buzz Blaine

Britton as Cowboy Woody
(I bribed him with M&M's for a smile!)

seriously the best picture of myself with the kids.sad.

It was a very fun and exhausting weekend! I just love spending entire weekends with my family!

NOW PRESENTING.......

Gracelyn the WALKER!! She has tackled, head-on, ALL of the hurdles in her way since she was diagnosed with botulism. Now, she is walking, walking 2 months sooner than any of her brothers! G is actually walking steadier than the video portrays, she was anxious to get across the floor to the camera, which she loves, imagine that!

and, because she is so cute, our little Indian Chief!