Braden starts preschool

Braden started preschool again last week. He is in Mrs. Kate's class this year. She is about 80 years old and very sweet and Braden loves her. He had a harder time going this year than last. The first day he actually cried and didn't want me to leave. Last year he could not have cared less. He's had a harder time dealing with change this year. Anyway, we haven't had any tears since that first day but as he puts it, " He's still a little nervous." I think he takes after me...I never liked to leave my mom when I was a kid either.

This is how he likes to pose for the camera these days. I'm not sure what this is all about.

Emma Kate is 2

Here are the pictures from Emma Kate's birthday party. We actually celebrated it a week early because it was the only weekend we had available in September with John in the middle of soccer season. We had an Elmo party because that seems to be her obsession right now ( I really don't know why because we hardly ever watch Sesame Street). Emma Kate had a good time and especially enjoyed her Elmo cake.

Emma Kate opening her new "cell phone", with the help of big brother, of course.

Getting ready to blow out the candles.

Say cheese...don't mind the pizza all over her face. That's just the sign of a good party, right?

THE CAKE! My lovely mother took on the task of decorating this cake. I owe her big time. The last time we decorated a cake it took us over 3 hours. It is so cute and so worth it, right?

Pictures coming

We've been very busy the last couple of weeks and have pictures to come. We've been having some computer problems so I haven't been able to post pictures yet. Check back later this week and hopefully I'll have the pics from Emma Kate's b-day and more.

Confessions of a mother in need of grace

It's funny how you can be cruising along in life and motherhood and everything seems to be going well...
We've all been doing great at our house. The kids have been kind and obedient and when they haven't I have acted swiftly and firmly and with such grace. Do you see where I am going with this? I was beaming with confidence and full of pride to be a mother. Then the last three days came and I got a HUGE slap in the face! Nothing major has happened but nothing has seemed to go well either. The kids have been fussy and whiny and disobedient and generally in a foul mood. And, I have lost my temper and my patience on more than one occasion. I have had to apologize to Braden several times over the last several day. This morning I looked around and thought, "What happened?" I have been reminded today that I am in constant need of God's love and grace in this thing called motherhood, and life for that matter. I can't do it; I can't be the mother (or wife) I need to be without Christ.
I read Psalms 31:14-15 this morning, "But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, 'You are my God.' My times are in your hands." I didn't realize when I read this this morning that God was trying to speak to me. I just blew right past it until later. And now, here I am, saying from the depths of my heart, " I trust in you, O Lord. My times are in your hands."

Playing in boxes and the best chocolate chip cookies ever!

Who knew that one box could create SO much fun! Braden and Emma Kate spent hours playing in this box, he even got in it and slid down the stairs. Why do we continue to buy toys for these kids. Next time, I'm just going to take a trip to the dump and see what I can find.


So, I followed a Martha Stewart recipe for the cookies. Those of you who know me, know that I love to bake chocolate chip cookies. Nothing was wrong with the recipe that I usually use, I just wanted to try something new. I usually use Crisco in place of butter so I followed Martha's recipe with butter. This is the FIRST time I've ever had cookies turn out when using butter. Usually the come out way to thin and flat. I learned that the trick is to cream the butter properly and use butter and eggs that are room temperature. I was so excited, I will definitely use this recipe again!


Braden gave his thumbs up for the cookies.


I think this picture shows what Emma Kate thought of the cookies. Please excuse the no shirt...it had been a long day.

Brush your teeth

Braden found my "bubba" teeth in a drawer the other day and decided to try them on. He thought this was HILARIOUS! Don't ask why I have these...long story...Young Life was involved.
I finally had to make him take them off because he was drooling all over the place. I also made sure I told him his teeth would end uplooking like that if he didn't brush them. I couldn't miss that learning opportunity, right?

Watering the ferns

Emma Kate got a hold of the hose yesterday when I was watering the plants. She just looked so cute standing there holding the hose that's bigger than she is. She took the job very seriously as you can see in the last picture. This little girl always makes me smile.

We're still here

Yes, I know, I have totally neglected the blog. I could come up with a list of excuses, but it is what it is. I'm going to post the few pictures I took in Louisville. I'm so embarrassed that I didn't take but like 4 pictures and they were all of Braden...sorry Emma Kate.
Braden started learning to swim without swimmies and put his head under the water. That was the BIG accomplishment from our trip to Louisville. We spent most days swimming in the morning and in the afternoon. It's nice to have a Nana that has a pool! We all had a great time for our last vacation of the summer. Now, we're back in the swing of things. John is back to school and soccer, I'm preparing to become a soccer widow once again.


This was a big milestone for Braden. He was so proud of himself.





Braden glued to the TV at the hotel after a bath. We only get basic cable at home so he was in heaven watching the Disney Channel. I had asked him to go put his underwear on and a walked in his room 10 minutes later and found him like this!! I just had to take a picture, for black mail purposes later.