Fall Break.....It's the best!

This fall break I got the idea to make a quick trip to Gatlinburg. We had a great time, but oh how I enjoy being home. We did everything the kids wanted to do while there...well almost everything. Several times on the way there I thought that maybe Brad and I were going to go crazy. It is not easy traveling with the boys. Regardless of the road trip we sure had a great time. I am so glad that we made it a quick trip so that we were able to spend a couple of days at home before going back to school and work.

Cole's first day of school!!

Happy Fathers Day!!

Cole and Brad doing their "bloopers." That is what Cole calls dumping doughnuts in milk.


Cole and Brad on the sled....ready to go down the hill.


The early morning Luke was born.


Mathing boots....Cole and Dad.


Cole and Brad two years ago. How quickly time passes.

A busy start to summer vacation....Love it!!

My last day of school was June 3rd and we have not stopped running since. My son plays t-ball and I am his biggest fan. Love love love it!! Brad and I took a mini vacation ALONE to Chicago. Thanks Memaw and Pepaw, Nana and Pops and Joyce. Yes it takes everyone if we go out of town:) We have been swimming in the pool at least a couple days a week. Staying up way past our bedtime. Sleeping in late. Eating chocolate chip cookies in bed. Running barefoot. Roasting hot dogs and marshmallows. Riding the 4-wheeler. Grilling. Just hanging out with family and loving every minute. Here are a few pictures of our fun times so far.

We are so proud of Cole!

Today Cole learned how to ride his bike and we couldn't have been any more proud of him. It was so neat to watch him learn...he wanted to give up and then we watched him have the determination to get on and try again. My heart was beating a hundred times a minute. I kept thinking what if he falls. There are times when you just have to let go even if you think they might fail. Even if you want to protect them. Even if you know they might get hurt. I knew deep in my heart that sometimes this is how they learn. Sometimes you have to let go. I slowly took my hand off the bike with my heart racing. He just took off riding. It was amazing! I know this is not the first time I will feel like this, but it is the first for me. Way to go Cole!! Dad and I are so proud you.

~Happy Mother's Day~

Today is Mother's Day and it always gets me a little teary eyed. I love being a mom to Cole and Luke. They are so full of life, so rowdy, so energizing, so playful, so loving (sometimes), so caring, and just so awesome. There is nothing more in this world that I would have rather done today then to spend my time with them and the rest of the family. Tonight just before Cole's bedtime he said, "Mom, do I have to be nice to you everyday or just today because it was Mother's Day?" Now, is that cute or what. I also would like to say a quick word about my mother. She is a great woman who is always there for me no matter what. Mom....thanks for being you and giving us kids the best gift ever....someone to call mom.

Thankful Thursday!

I am so thankful that dad comes to get both my boys for me every Thursday before 6:50 a.m. He has done this since the beginning of school because I have early morning duty. This has came at a price though. Today he put Cole's shorts on Luke and sent him to DAYCARE. When I picked him up I didn't notice, but when I got home and put him down I laughed until I thought I was going to cry. The real question here is....Wonder what in the world they thought at daycare? Who knows?? I doubt I was even in the running for mother of the year anyway!! Thanks dad and mom for all you do for the boys!!

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Luke got these floats from somewhere. He carried them around for hours. I guess that means he is as ready for the pool as we are! Come on summer!!!!!!!!

A Rainy Weekend!!

Cole wearing his underwear not only outside, but inside out. I said, "Cole, do you realize you have your underwear on outside?" He said, "Mom, I know and really don't care."



Cole throwing things in the creek to see it go down the "waterfall".



Luke in his cousins pajama shirt....and yes she is a girl. Oops!!




The boys watching T.V. on the living room floor with their blankets, blues clues dog and each other. All they need!!

Is Luke really saying Mom? I think so!!!

Luke has started to say mom. That is like music to my ears. It is so sweet when he says it because he looks right at me and says mom mom mom. I just know that is what he is saying even if everyone else that hears it is not so sure. I love this little boy with all my heart. I had hoped for a little girl since before I was even pregnant. I read all the books on how to conceive a girl, looked at the Chinese birth chart, and gave it my best shot. When the doctor told me it was a boy I had such mixed emotions. I was so glad that everything was okay, but what happened to that dream of mine of ONLY having two children one boy and one girl? I am so grateful to God that things have worked out the way they did. That I gave birth to a little boy on March 1st. That I have another little boy to call me mom. That Cole has a brother to share his toys with. That daddy has yet another boy to take fishing, hunting and adore him. I love being a mom to him and am so grateful that I get that chance.

Where have I been?

Where have I been lately? The truth is I have been so busy with two little boys who so need their momma. Brad is STILL working nights seven days a week and that leaves me. Cole spent the night with his memaw and pepaw last week and he loves visiting them and honestly that gives momma a break so it is nice. I love my boys, but am ready for daddy to be home so that momma can have a little free time. My legs are so white that I'm afraid to even put on shorts. I might scare the neighbors. I like them and don't want them to run from me. When he gets off work I am going to go to the tanning bed, shop for the house, hit some garage sales, get my nails done, do some more adoption paperwork, take some of my kids at school out to eat and just enjoy my family. Of coarse I will probably have one of the kids, but it is so much easier to go with one than two.

The adoption paperwork is going fine, but Brad did have something on his record that we had to explain that had happened over 10 years ago. He had a gun during bow season. I am sure all you ladies who have husbands that hunt know what I am talking about. He said that he had the gun for protection, but the game warden didn't take that...he fined him and now it is on his record. He didn't shoot an animal, but was still charged. GEEZ!! That's okay, they seem to think a simple explanation will be fine. I think I live with a man who is a little on the redneck side, but that is okay I love him because of it. I also have to call the boys doctor back to have them to rewrite their statement. They left the boys names out. Other than that my homestudy is finished.

Here are a few pictures that I have taken over the weekend. I hope that soon I will be able to get it together!!

Wordless Wednesday!

They don't always get along....I guess that is what you call Brotherly Love.

Birthday Party with Good Friends!

It is hard to believe, but everyone has grown up and we now have kids of our own. Most of the adults at the birthday party have been friends since middle school. We have a lot of stories on each other and could talk about them forever, but we choose not to in front of the kids.......LOL. Anyway, it sure is fun to see everyone again. We have a connection and can just pick up and talk like time had never passed. These friends are so dear to my heart and I am thankful for them!