Happy Special Day Mom and Dad

  Just wanted to say...to one very special man....the FIRST special man of my life....

  Happy Birthday my dear sweet dad - we love you so very much. Your love for us is so very real and sweet and we feel it.You are becoming sweeter and softer the older you get (and ,no, I don't think you are a cat) but at the same time you still are strong and have grit. You are admired and I (your daughter) love you so much for you. You are stable and true and a rock- I miss you.
   And...while we're at it - Happy Anniversary Numero 33 mom and dad, your commitment to one other is inspiring. I have loved watching you both these last few years, become such wonderfully good friends, I've loved watching you comfort one another in a way no one else could - and I love that you still crave each other's company more then anything else. Hope you have a very special day.

                                           HAPPY SPECIAL DAY

Ups and Downs and All Around

The last couple of days have been full of ups and downs....here's my weak and somewhat uncreative way of blogging them:

Up - Zac and I had the BEST date ever. It wasn't super creative...just dinner, ice cream and a movie but it was so very relaxing and it's been a long time since we've spent that amount of time (5 hours?) alone. It was extremely refreshing....the Mexican food was GREAT...the ice cream was even better....and we got to see a movie at the $3 theater that was suspenseful AND clean.

Down : the same day as our date I noticed 3 tiny bites on Trin and after inspecting her bed found THESE black spots ,which then led us to take a flashlight and look in all the little cracks where we found a huge colony of bedbugs. My eyes teared up a bit folks.....we haven't had ANY signs of these bugs ALL winter and now to find them all over her bed that Zac built....well...they messed with the wrong guy at the wrong time. Within 30 minutes of finding the little critters, Zac was in the yard and the bed was a heap of flames and ash. Yep...he set that puppy on fire...said he was going to *get rid of the source.* So....now we are still airing out her room from the chemicals we had to spray and are now in need of a twin size bed frame and mattress. Blah.

Up : Zac's cake turned out extremely moist and everyone loved it...Brady insisted on putting all of the candles that we own on it which resulted in all the smoke you are witnessing. Always fun having a party - Zac got some sweet clothes out of the deal and a little pocket change. :)

Up: Tristan is just so darn cute.

Up: We had a weekend of glorious sunshine and weather in the 60's meaning we got to go OUT. I can't tell you what a little vitamin D does for the mood after being deprived of it for 4 months....oh so good. I even got a frappuccino out of it.

Down : Brady has had 3 very hard days. He has been over the top moody, has argued with EVERY request or command we have given him...something has stirred up some of his *ticks* and he has been more tired than usual but won't sleep during the day. This has resulted in a little bit of an edgy household. I usually do fine with a couple days of his craziness but when I'm not seeing any improvement after awhile it gets rather disheartening.

Up: He has still had moments of being super lovable and really enjoyed doing his school work yesterday and today. I was inspired by Ashley to make a lesson plan for him....he did a math page out of Kumon today, wrote spelling words and he read to me 5 pages of the book Frog and Toad. Fun stuff.

Up: Trinity has been super hilarious today and I was mentioning to Zac how much her vocabulary is growing. Instead of using the word "pretty" she will say "lovely" and yesterday she was pretending to sip a pretend drink and she looked at me and said "Ahhhh...this is the superb life."

Down : Now I know this can't really be considered a *down* but she talks constantly...normally fine except that I have had the most intense headache now for 4 days.....I have had moments where the world was blurry and the headaches start in my temples, go down the back of my head into my neck...my nose is making popping noises and they have been so painful I've cried. Sinus infection? The constant chatter is a little much.

Up: Zac's sister Kate sent us a super fun package complete with some thrifted treasures, this lovely embroidered hoop for me (made by her own hands) and some T shirts for Zac's birthday. I love nothing more than a good package.

Up: One of the thrifted treasures was this cute hat for Trin...it makes everyone smile and she hasn't taken it off for two days.

Up : I FINALLY got a hold of the doctor this morning and they called in an antibiotic for me and some strong meds for my headaches. I'm so relieved at the possibility of feeling better soon - it's been 16 days now of straight sickness and I'm starting to feel very overwhelmed and like a horrible mother. Brady asked me to read to him yesterday and I had to say "no" - my head has so much pressure I can barely keep my eyes open...Zac had to take ANOTHER sick day off to stay with me because I simply can't function. Talk about making me feel like a heap of junk even though he assured me it wasn't my fault...I just have felt like a wimp and he had to use time he really needs to be saving for when Finn comes. So...let's hope the meds kick in and I perk up...I'm ready to start feeling somewhat normal.

To Almond or Not?

Hmmmm....play or slave labor? Maybe a little of both. Last week Brady was watching The Sword and the Stone and there was a scene where little Arthur was made to scrub out all the huge kitchen pots. For some reason this cleaning concept excited Brady to no end...so today I got smart and told him "I don't have any big black pots but you could scrub our shower if you want." He was delighted and spent at least 20 minutes scrubbing and whistling.
Brady's imagination has been running wild today...he's been a firefighter, a pilot of a Boeing (he was pretty devastated that I had no big boxes for him to use as a cock pit) and he's been a police officer and writing us tickets left and right all day. This morning Trinity wasn't listening to me so after several times of asking her to stop walking on my mopped floor I....well....errr... RAISED my voice just a touch. :) Three hours later I was handed a piece of paper off of his ticket pad that read "Do not yell." It was pretty humorous even though I had to remind him that he shouldn't *get on to me* even in subtle ways. :) I did apologize for yelling, however. :)

I never get to see Trin's clothes anymore because she is constantly wearing her Princess dress that she was given for Halloween. She has been Cinderella all day long...even though she doesn't actually pretend anything...she just says she's the "little Cinder girl." I wish everyone that read this blog could hear Trinity pronounce the word "girl." She sounds like she's straight from New Jersey - I have no idea why she says it the way she does but I've been trying to manipulate our conversation just so she has plenty of opportunities to use the word.

Zac is on shift today so after laundry and mopping we decided to start our party preparation. Both of the kids were given some paper and stickers to make daddy a card and I started on the cake. Brayden was unsure of how to spell some of the words he wanted to write so I wrote them on a piece of paper for him to copy. He said that he wanted to tell zac "Happy Birthday Daddy" and then on the inside "You are great daddy." Well, after some time had passed Brady brought me his card for inspection with the most delighted look on his face. The outside read "Happy Birthday Daddy" but then on the inside it simply stated "Daddy, your birthday is on MUNDAY." I laughed out loud and told him that his daddy would be delighted - Brady is quite obsessed with days and time so he's really been challenged with the concept of celebrating Zac's birthday on the wrong day (he has to work this year on his birthday.)

After making the cards I told Brady to go hide them somewhere and when he came back I asked him where they were and he said "a great spot....under daddy's pillow." He really is just cracking me up today.

I made a homemade white cake (they look yellow though...grrrrr) and then added some coconut to the batter. Tomorrow I'm going to make a butter cream frosting and then add a little almond extract and coconut....what do you think? I don't have any coconut flavoring and have no car to be able to go get some...in the morning Zac is going straight from work to go coach so I won't be able to get out to a store at all tomorrow either. Do you think almond would taste good with the coconut...I mean....hello - can we all say "ALMOND JOY?"

I'm excited for tomorrow since I get to have date night with my love. Mexican food here we come...and then off to Coldstone for a little ice cream treat. Zac use to work at a Coldstone Creamery in college so yesterday he informed me that we were going there since it's been a couple of years since we went to an actual ice cream shop..and listen to this - tomorrow the weather is suppose to be 60 degrees!!!!!! I'm thrilled. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.....party pictures to come.

Family Update....Gee Whiz it's November!

Life has been happening. Little girls have been growing older, babies growing into who they will become, boys slowly becoming little men (at least they are THINKING they are), mama's belly starting to expand...the world *almost* can see that there is life inside of me....and a husband...always kind, always strong, always available for what is the most important. Life has been good - not perfect - but very good.

We celebrated our first Halloween this year and I absolutely LOVED the fun of dressing up kids, taking them to other's homes and hearing my children say "Trick or treat, thank you for the candy!" I have ecspecially enjoyed snitching Reeses in the evenings...I think that Zac and I have had more of he candy then the kids. :) Our friend had the loveliest party that they called "Hallogiving" because everyone brought a dish to go along with the two turkeys they cooked. Such a fun time to celebrate the fall and others, a time to share (not only food and candy, but costumes and hand me downs)...yes siree, this MK will definitely be celebrating Halloween forever more. :) You can make a holiday what you want to...Halloween can be associated with evil, or it can be a time for people to stand up and say "it doesn't have to be that way...this can be good." The same for Christmas...we can make it a time of greed and over eating, or we can make it a time of family togetherness and praising the birth of our King. My internal fight over whether to celebrate Halloween has finally been put to rest...feels good. :)

Our little busy bee has gone from walking to almost running...he is constantly into everything and is a quick learner. Usually I only have to say to him "no touch" about twice and he gets it! Such a nice break for this little mama. I'm so very tired all of the time, having a hard time finding motivation to get ANYTHING done. The cold makes me want to go into hibernation mode. It's too bad I can't tuck myself away into bed and then wake up the morning I go into labor with Sweet Pea (what I've named this babe until we know who he or she is.) Of course, then I would miss all of the growing up that my other littles would be doing during that time...and all the sweet loving I would get from my fireman...so I guess I best keep myself awake. :)

Trin has been learning all of her alphabet sounds and LOVES playing matching games (matching cards with words on them to the coordinating pictures.) The last few days she has wanted to help Zac and i cook every meal ... I've let her help about half the time, sometimes I'm just to overwhelmed to have a little person in the kitchen with me. A little sad since I want to develop that helping spirit in her...but by the end of the day I'm just a tad too frazzled to worry about a little kid getting burned or putting two cups of flour in a recipe when it calls for one.

I met with Brady's therapist for the first time yesterday and it was WONDERFUL. She was so encouraging and basically just wanted to talk with me mostly. She met Brady at the end just so he wouldn't feel "jipped' and she assured me that we would find answers. Later down the road we may need to do some testing with a psychologist. Next time I go, Brady will meet just with her in her comfy cozy room and do play therapy...then I will talk with her afterwards.

It feels so good to have this all out in the open and know that we aren't alone...that hopefully soon we will start to get answers. I'm so happy that God directed us towards a Christian counseling center so that we will receive encouragment in the way that only the body of Christ can offer

Brady is such an enjoyable kid...we never want to cut him short of his full potential. We want so badly to just be better parents to him and have learned that we need help. I think God will honor this attitude, even though for awhile it was hard admitting to.

Celebration of the Littlest's Life

The sun rose a little too early on Tristan's special day...but it was lovely all the same. I (uncharacteristically) left many things for the last minute so I had to have an early start to make sure everything was ready for the 10 am celebration....

The day started with Zac planting 5 trees in our backyard....strange, i know. He was up at 6 am outside digging holes and chopping up huge clods of clay with his pick. Brady loved the action...probably was nice for him to see us actually moving in the morning instead of sitting on the couch in a coma absent mindedly sipping our coffee.

The little man of the day was up early too...sporting his new birthday crown. When i think of Tristan I think of strength like a mountain, steady like a river....always growing and forever changing with the different currents but still remaining the same....remaining a river, staying strong. This is my prayer for his life....that with good times and hard times....finding himself and becoming the man God wants him to be....he would just "go with the flow" but always remain a son of God....keeping himself firmly grounded on truth...but being a free spirit....being unique and lovely, sure and strong. My friend Joy gave me these verses for him and I love them...

"Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. " Song of Songs 8:7

" There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells." Psalm 46:4

Tristan's name comes from the Spanish word triste.....but I don't think of him as sad, instead I see him as compassionate and loving. That's the kind of man that he will turn out to be.

The side view....

Happy little boy on his birthday....I think he can tell he's one. :)

And his little red bird for a touch of color and to symbolize a free spirit....but hopefully one that will always find his way home. :)

My day began with packing up the little party favors. I found these cute little canvas bags (i try to stay away from disposable everything if I can help it) and just wrote the names of the guests on the front with a fabric marker. The bags all had stickers, an organic fruit leather, a little party blower, and the girlie bags all had a stretchy headband and the boys came away with a new toy car. I think the total cost for 8 bags with favors was like 6 bucks....maybe 8...so I think that was pretty good for what they got. :)

I left wrapping his gifts for the last minute too. My mom and dad sent some money to Tristan meaning i got to go on a shopping spree. This little wooden spoon was one thing I bought from Tiny Bird Organics and also the little felt ball. I was extremely stoked to find this website because they had free shipping on everything....and it was all very fairly priced. I was going to make him a little ball for his birthday but after I looked at the cost of roving it was actually cheaper to just buy this one....it was handmade in Kenya by little girls - Fairtrade yall. The little mouse was a gift from Joy. :)

The cupcakes were iced...and sampled.

Garland was hung...

For some reason I accidentally uploaded the blurry photo....my deepest apologies. I wrapped all of his gifts in scrap fabric this year...aren't they lovely? There's something so real about packages wrapped in fabric and brown paper with cloth bows....

Celebration of Life table decorated. I like the idea of having one candle placed in the house for each year of life....could get dangerous around age 32 or so.

Brady and Trin with the birthday boy....who was not cooperating very well in the group photo shoot.

Had to add one with Trin's tongue hanging out...it's impossible to not get at least ONE photo of her a day with her tongue hanging out like a German Shepherds. Impossible.

Guests arrived and cupcakes were handed out, the sprinkler was turned on and general chaos began. Tristan devoured his entire cupcake in about 2 minutes....maybe 1. He is now in love with sugar.

Brayden was ecstatic to have friends to play with. He kind of always just runs around in a circle giggling his head off in pure delight....like everyone is playing with him when in reality no one is....well.....all of the kids were like 3 and under....they weren't really into group activities. :) I think this little 4 dollar sprinkler has been the best investment we've ever made....so much fun and kid's are entertained while giving the grass a drink. I will miss our yard so much some day when we move....whenever that may be....sigh.....

Presents were opened on Grammy's quilt under a tree... he got lots of lovely new clothes for the fall. It's so nice to new clothes bought just for him....not always big brother's hand me downs.

So, the day was a success. A little too much sugar and lots of sunshine....laughs and fellowship....pretty clothes and new sippy cups (thanks Grammy and Granddaddy)and lots of activity. We ended the day with burgers from Red Robin....another uncharacteristic move on my part....but oh my gosh so delicious. I've been craving burgers here lately....Tristan LOVES anything he can eat so he was fine with our dining choice.

Happy Birthday my little Koala. You are such a delight and have been such a source of comfort to your little mama's heart....you always will be.

My Baby is Four Today

Brayden Allen ....brave and strong, full of life and wonderment...leaves Zac and I without words to REALLY describe him. My friend Joy made this collage for him and I love the verses she chose. Brayden means brave and I love how God encourages men to be full of courage...to be on guard and to stay strong in the faith. I hope someday Brady will enjoy a personal relationship with Heavenly Father....that he will be strong in a world that is so very deceptive...that he will see a snake when it's indeed a snake and not an angel of light. Brayden's middle name Allen means *handsome * (which he is) but there is also an alternative meaning....Rock. Brady will have to rely on God (as we all do) but maybe in some other special ways that I don't have too. There are a lot of things that are very difficult for him that aren't so difficult for *normal* people...and there are some things that are extremely easy for him that are hard for most. He is very special and gifted but also challenged in many areas. He will need a Rock to stand on and a fortress to take refuge....I thank God for being that since Zac and I will not always be able to help him.

Brayden has brought me SO much joy. He had to have this picture taken with his flashlight. Today is "post" birthday and he had kind of hard day after all of the activity and sugar yesterday. He hears things from two rooms away that I have to go into the room and put my ear up against the object to hear ...I had to answer the same question all day long...I had to dry tears that would come after he was so frustrated with something not working how it should. On the other hand....I got to ask him different random words and he knew what letter each one started with (without ever having a reading lesson ) he asked me (this is kind of funny) where I bought my bra at...I said Wal Mart not remembering...and he corrected me and said "no mom...Target." I did indeed....but I didn't remember because it was 7 months ago that this happened. Brayden Allen you are so loved and mommy will always answer your questions, even if it's the same one 20 times a day. I will always give you everything I have to give...I hope you see the Light in me and your dad and you are attracted to it. May that light come to stay and burn in your heart forever and ever. May that precious smile be shared someday with your wife that will give you *lots of babies* (in your own words). I hope you will have the most simple yet joyful childhood imaginable. We love you.