GUILTY!

Guilty? Only for being cute! Brax wanted to get a picture of them looking like "criminals" (his words, not mine). Even 'Ole Busch got in the picture. There is a lot of things going on around here. Slowly it's becoming home. I'll try to post some pics later this weekend.
We were able to spend a lot of time in the pool this week during the day and had company over a lot this week. As Brax was climbing into bed tonight he asked who was coming over tomorrow!
Our baby girl turned 10 months old today. She's getting so big. I can't believe in 2 months she'll be a year old. Time really does fly when you're having fun. Look at our Baby Boy for proof of that phrase. He'll be in kindergarten in a month!

Why Bother?!

The playroom has officially opened for customers! Brandon finished the other night and as I'm sure you can imagine we've been up there all day! It's not complete because eventually I want to get some bookcases for their books and some other things for organizing.
We wanted to use as many of our old curtains etc and decided we'd go with the color from our old bedroom. Although it's not really a color you'd think of for children it looks great and the kids won't "outgrow" it anytime soon. It really has brightened up the hallway upstairs (3 rooms down LOT'S more to go) and it's perfect for them!Brandon and I kind of laughed last night after the babies were in bed because for the fist time in more than 5 years there was not ONE toy in our den.
I don't think as a child I ever wished for a playroom. My parents were perfectly fine with us playing anywhere we wanted. My bedroom was fine but I had a "bedroom" set up in the den at home for my baby doll. I had her cradle and highchair and all the other things I needed for her. I pulled out the highchair and cradle this afternoon and set it up in the new room. Mckinley isn't old enough to really enjoy them now but I'm so glad that they will get used again. It's a neat thought knowing my daughter will play "house" with the same toys I did.
I decided this morning that I really don't care how messy the room gets throughout the day. It is, afterall, a playroom.

What To Do, What To Do?!

Around our house these days there is plenty to do. I, for one, would like to continue gathering  all of the pieces from our house from family's homes that we scattered about during the long process of moving or better yet get the Christmas decorations that are preventing me from parking in the garage up in the attic but it seems that my children have better ideas. There are so many things to do in a new house! Which would you rather take part in?
 The kids are adjusting well. The baby wakes up every once in a while still a bit confused as to where she is but both of their rooms have been painted and personalized. We have a few things going on around here but we're settling in. I figured it took us 9 years to get our first house exactly like we wanted it would take a while for this one to get there too.
Braxton impressed us all tonight and used his life jacket to play in the pool. He LOVED it and after getting him out three times I finally was able to talk him into getting a bath and going to bed. Tomorrow.....I plan on taking him and registering him for Kindergarten (gulp).

Home Is Where They Are

Through the heat, the sweat, the tears, the stress, boxes, boxes, and boxes I've come to an important realization: Home is where THEY are.

Home Sweet Home

Ok- I'll do a better job than this but I wanted to give you a quick peek at our new home. After a VERY stressful few weeks, we closed on the one we were selling Wednesday morning and then our new one on Thursday morning. Through it all we realize how lucky we are that we were able to sell so quickly and find something that we love. We look forward to making it "ours" and making it our childrens' home.
It has so many wonderful things about it. I'll show you more very soon. Come visit us!

Somewhere

There aren't many days in my life where I can remember every. single. thing. that. happened. On the day my mom died, I can only remember bits and pieces. On September 11, I can only remember bits and pieces.Even on my wedding day I can only remember pieces from the day.  And for every other day of my life I can only remember some parts. Some parts may be bigger and more vivid but I can't remember the entire day. June 9, 2007 I can recall everything about it. It is hard for me to believe that my baby boy turned 5 years old today. From the time I got up this morning I've been looking at the clock and I can remember all the details about his birth day.
Life for sure is not the same as it was back then.
Braxton has blessed us in more ways than I could ever begin to describe. The chatterbox has such a genuine heart. He's got a great sense of humor. He LOVES being a big brother. And he's exactly what I prayed for all those years ago. Each night he asks for a bedtime story and for me to lay with him afterwards. I learned a long time ago that these days don't last for long so every time he asks me, I do it. I lay there every night and think about how fast he's growing and all the great memories he's given to us. I know that he's not mine forever and I try really hard to remember that every second I am with him.
I love that little boy more than life itself. When it comes to Braxton and Mckinley, I get really sad when I think of all the people that Brandon and I have loved who are no longer here to see them grow. I know in my heart that "somewhere" in the journey they all have seen them.  And that makes me smile!

Kids These Days

These were too funny to not share. Braxton and Mckinley playing the Xylophone on the iPad tonight was hilarious and pretty amazing.We already crack up when Braxton is playing on the computer and he touches the screen to get to the next place he wants to go.