Turned upside down!!!

When things happen they seem to happen fast and the ones that take you for the biggest loop are those things in life you least expect. This past Friday was one moment that we least expected and has taken my family by surprise and it'll be awhile till we all get back to normal. What is it that has happened? Hope your sitting down.... my sister Tricia has broken her neck!! Yes, you have read that right!! On Friday evening she and my father and nephew were in a car accident. A 17 year old driver pulled out in front of them and change my sisters life for now and inadvertently our lives too. Thank god it wasn't worse as they were almost T-boned by a U-Haul truck but dad avoided that and ended up in a ditch. Thank god no one was killed and that my father and nephew were unharmed but Tricia was left with a broken neck. At first it looked like surgery but thank god after many CAT scans and tests they decided to wait on surgery and let it be for now and see how the fractured vertebrae heals. So that's where we are now. Tricia is in a crazy neck brace and in alot of pain but she seems to be making improvements so that is positive but the road ahead is long. My heart goes out to her as she will be down and out for some time to come. I can say if I were in her situation I would be losing it. I ask for your prayers for our family and most of all Tricia and Joe as they will need the love and prayers from many to help get thru this hard time.

Slish Splash!!

Keaton is taking really well to swimming. He has always loved water and being in the pool but he always had to have us pretty close. I am happy to say he has really gained confidence in the water thanks to swimming lessons. The picture on the left is of Keaton on the night where they were learning water safety using life vest.His confidence showed when this past weekend we went to my nephew Cadence's 5th birthday pool party. Keaton grabbed hold of some pool noodles and made his way all around the pool both shallow and deep. He tried to shoo us away but we weren't going for it, however he did find the vortex pool fascinating and had to be pulled out as mommy was getting nauseous going in circles for so long!! We are looking forward to the start of the next session of swimming lessons and I can only imagine what he'll want to do then.

Privacy

Ok, Keaton is getting older and yes, sometimes that's hard for me to accept but sometimes he's just to grown for his britches. Lately he has been asking for privacy, yes I know a 4year old needs his privacy!!! Chuckle, chuckle. To me hearing this means he is doing or going to do something that I'm not so happy about or it makes me wonder what he thinks he's going to do that requires me to leave him alone. Today I had to laugh as he asked for some privacy to go to the bathroom which I am fine to give him however when he was taking forever I checked on him and he was pulling up his pants and he shooed me away, when asked if he had washed his hands he informed me he needed his privacy again so he could get away with NOT washing his hand!! I had to inform him that privacy was not for getting out of an important thing like washing his hands, he than said "No privacy than just go away so I can do what I want." OHHHH my things are only going to get more interesting!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRANDON!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRANDON!!! TODAY IS MY LITTLE BROTHERS BIRTHDAY AND HE'S NOW THE BIG 32!!! I WILL SOMEDAY HAVE TO GET HIM BACK FOR WANTING A 80'S THEMED COSTUME PARTY ON A 90DEGREE DAY!!!

AUGHHHHH!

Let's just say that staying up late and my boys do not go hand in hand. Yikes what a morning we have had and thank god that as I write this I am the only one in the house that is awake!! Last night the neighbors all got together and decided to have some drinks and play yard games and so that equals a late night for all, fun last night, not so fun today!! Theirs lots of kids Keaton's and Ryan's age on our street so they play and run themselves into the ground all night well last night I called it an earlier night (9pm) to put Ryan to bed and Ben was to bring in Keaton to me in a short while however he was playing with his friend Rylee so good that Ben just let them play until after 10pm. In theory doesn't sound to bad except Keaton Woke up at the crack of dawn and by 10am was whining, and complain so much I wanted to put duck tape over his mouth!! "For the love of god child STOP THE WHINING!!" that is all I said to myself all morning long!! After lunch and a painful stop at Target all the boys in my life went down for a timeout nap and all is peaceful once again. Keaton hasn't napped in I don't know how long so I am truly enjoying this moment for all its peace!!! Needless to say I don't think a late night for the boy is in his future our ours as I almost lost my mind. Oh and as a side note to share of the painful morning we went to McDonald's to have lunch and let the boys play since it's so darn hot outside (96) and our beloved Ryan decided right before we were leaving that he would climb up into the play structure and not come down and while he was up there why not take a BIG POOP!!!!!AUGHHHHHHH!!! Then I went to the diaper bag and guess what NO DIAPERS OR PULL UPS!!! Cleaned him up and he had to be at one with nature for the drive home. I guess that sums up our fantastic morning. Oh what a fun Sat!!

Ben's new ride

Well,we bit the bullet and are saying good bye to the tride and true Cavalier!! Yes, we are parting ways after almost a 11 year relationship but it's time. Ben's co-work has a son heading off to college and approached Ben about selling him our Cavalier for his son to take. Ben had been thinking about a new car but we have grown accustome to NO car payments, low tax and low insurance over the last 6 year so it was long consideration. Ben pondered and crunch numbers over the last few months and started looking at all the cars and found his ONE so he is now driving a Volvo S90 T6. Mind you it's used but it's new to Ben and he is excited as it's luxuary car compared to the Cavalier. I'm happy for my honey as he works so hard and is doing so well! He deserves a nice ride to work and a car that he can actually take co-workers out to lunch in. Yeah BEN!

The breakfast strike is OVER! (hopefully!)

Ryan has been on a breakfast strike for a month now. The kid wouldn't eat cereal, eggs, toast, even pancakes! All I could get the kid to eat some mornings was a frozen organic nutri-grain waffle and even than he'd only take a few bites. I am happy to report the strike hopefully is over!!! He has eaten cereal 3 mornings in a row and to top it all off he has added eating his veggies and mandarin oranges at dinner. It's been sometime since that happened also. I guess he knows what he likes however the boycotts are frustrating, as eating little fruit or veggies doesnt make me so happy but hopefully we are back on track. I have really tried hard to have the kids eat healthy but lately I just want the little guy to eat, so seeing him recently chow down half a can of mandarin oranges, 2 servings of green beans, 2 servings of rice and chicken made me see there is hope again.

Brothers

Just a little blurb to comment on my two little men in my life. I can say that I never have a dull moment with two little boys around the house. Some days it's amazing and some it absoulutley painful. I try and focus on the amazing days or I would probly lose my mind!! The boys are beginging to play more and more together. They love to chase one another and giggle and laugh hysterically while doing it, they also love building forts with cushions and blankets in the downstairs family room. They are starting to appreciate one another company alittle more each day. Keaton loves to go get Ryan from his bed each morning and after naps. He runs in like he hasnt seen him in years, it's so cute. It's nice to have a buddy around for each of them and it's nice that they both are learning to share, how to have some patience with someone else and how to negotiate to make things work out.

Now to how they fight like brothers!! Keaton at times likes his space and likes having things to himself and having that pesky brother coming around getting in his way, messing with his things sets off some battles. Now dont get me wrong, no fist are flying it's just the old fashion "MOM, get Ryan , MOOOOOOOM make him go away he's bugging me!" I have to give both of them credit as they both are pretty good natured boys and they tolerate each other pretty well. In the end someone is usually removed or the toy that is being fought over is removed and someones feelings are hurt but at least it's not a bloody nose or black eye... I've heard some not so nice stories about siblings fighting!!

Keaton is such a helper and loves his little brother, he helps him at all the big playgrounds that he's having trouble at, he protectes him when other kids are playing rough at the playlands and he alerts me if Ryan is having a problem or need if I'm not right there. Ryan too loves his big bro so much. He fallows him around imatating him all the time. Keaton does it, Ryan does it!! If Keaton's not around he'll walk around looking and yelling "WHERE'S BROTHER?" It warms my heart the relationship they are building now I am wondering what adding one more would bring to the picture.

The damn is opening!!

Ryan has been chattering for a while now but some we still didn't understand but he sure has turned the corner. He went from simple words and very simple sentences to fully communicating now. It all started with a dinosaur fossil which keeps breaking and he found that he gets much farther getting his dinosaur fixed when he uses he's words that I understand. "Momma, bones are broken! " "Dinosaur bone piece gone,momma!" "Dinosaur please momma, PLEASE get it!" Those are a few sentences that I hear constantly lately !! The cute one tonight was when I gave him some chocolate pudding for dessert. Yummy mommy, it's good!" and another to share is when I stole a small bite of fish off his plate at dinner and he looked at me and pointed to my plate and said "That's your yum, yum mom! That's mine!" Needless to say the damn is opening up more and more. He's been doing pretty well but he's really communicating now and I am understanding his needs even more which is SO wonderful. Ryan is a joy and so much fun! He's so playful and curious and my favorite right now is watching him dance! The boys got moves!!

New pics in the photo collection

Not alot of time to write about our fantastic trip over the Fourth but I posted the photo's and will post about the trip later today hopefully.

One whole year!

It's been a year already and I cant believe it!!! Yes folks it's been a year since we pack up and left our beloved Raleigh, NC and headed out here to the West and made our home in Colorado Springs. Time has been flying by is all I can say. The boys are growing and changing daily into amazing little men, Ben is doing well at work and I am finally adjusting to everything . We finally are adjusted somewhat to the climate. We survived a LONG winter, accepted that Spring starts in June and dark clouds mean nothing most of the time and that we live in a very arid, dry climate and things just don't grow like we were use to!!! We have also come to accept and love that there is NO humidity, no bugs for the most part (NO MOSQUITO'S) I can leave the doors open and the most I get is random fly. We have clear blue sky's and sun almost everyday, it's rare to even see a cloud in the sky until mid afternoon and that cloud is welcome to give your eyes and sun scorched skin a break. The mountains are gorgeous and over so many fun things to do. Overall the move has been great for our family in many ways so we have to be thankful for everything and enjoy life as much as possible as that's what life is I've found.... A Journey that is full of the unknown and that unknown is where you find what you least expected but hold most dear.

The sick bug has bitten not one but TWO!

The nasty sick bug has bitten not one but both of my sweet boys and boy does it have them down and out! Keaton started it out on Thursday and Ryan decided to join in on the fun on Friday. VERY high fevers, body aches, extremely sore throats and the worst cough I've ever heard come from their little bodies. They have been in amazing spirits considering they are feeling so darn lousy. I am going to try and get them in this morning to the Doctors just to have them checked out as the fevers are so high 102 to 103 degrees and I want to make sure they don't have Strep. My poor little bugs!!! I just pray mommy and daddy don't get bitten by this as we are leaving really early for our 4th trip to my parents Lake house on Wed. and the last thing we want is to be sick. Time will tell I guess!!

Adjustment

Well, I often do posts on the boys but here is a post on mommy. For you close friends this isn't a surprise but I 've had a hard time adjusting after the big move. The kids adjusted wonderfully, Ben is to busy to really think about it much and then there's ME! Raleigh was a great place to live and I happened to have great friends, live in a great neighborhood and it was just an ideal situation that we left which made it twice as hard for me to settle in here. I AM HAPPY TO SAY, summer has done wonders to my mindset and I am finally enjoying Colorado and all it has to offer. With nice weather finally here the neighbors are out and we are forming friendships and getting to do things again like doing dinner with friends, playing cards, hanging out outside until midnight having drinks and enjoying the evening ,heading out to explore the mountains, teaching the boys to fish,hiking, visiting friends in Denver to swim and play and most of all making new memories for our family. I was to focused on what I left and not on what I have right here in front of me to build upon and enjoy!! I am more active then I've been in sometime and the boys are enjoying time exploring the wonderful outdoors we have right outside our door! Most of all we are all enjoying having some time with family which is the biggest plus of all. We are even driving to see my relatives that I havent seen in 4 years over the fourth which I would've never done while in NC so right there I should see a plus!!

I guess we all need sometime to adjust and my time just took a little longer than I thought it would. I am glad I've come around to see all the wonderful opportunities and adventures we have at our finger tips. We are giving our children a gift of family, adventure and and the ability to adjust and accept change! We don't know if well stay here forever but while we are here were are going to enjoy and see all we can and try and appreciate the beauty and opportunities we have for our taking.

YMCA

Keeping busy is a must when you stay home with a 2 and 4 year old. We have been doing pretty well but we added something new to our activities and that is we joined the YMCA. They have a child watch program so I can drop the boys off and work out or take yoga and plates classes, swim what ever I want!!! I'm pretty excited about it as I really have worked hard to get back into shape and this will just make things move along a little faster (I hope). Don't get me wrong the boys get more out of it than I do as they have a great kids pool and water slide, inside play and climbing structure, and they offer swim lessons,tumbling, t-ball, soccer,football and basketball. Keaton is going to be very busy. Ryan is going to take tumbling and then just do what he does best.... MAKE MESSES and RUN!!! We are hoping this will keep our family active and healthy so we are trying it out and hoping for lots of good times. Now I just have to wait for Ryan's nose to stop running so we can go again!!

Daddy's weekend adventures

I hope all you daddy's out there had a great day. Our daddy had a fun filled weekend. We joined the YMCA on Friday night which enabled us to go the next morning to their fun pool. They have a water slide and play structure in the pool for the kids. We spent Sat. swimming which was so much fun and to our amazement Keaton was so worn out he took a NAP later that afternoon! That night we headed to the Flying W Ranch and experienced the old west cowboy style. It is a running ranch that has lots of old exhibits to look at and takes you back into the Western days and all I have to say is I wouldn't have done very well back then. I am very thankful to live in this time period!!!! We had a cowboy dinner and then listened to some authentic cowboy musicians. We didn't get to stay to long after dinner as the boys were exhausted and ready for bed. Sunday morning was a daddy's favorite breakfast and then off for a day of fishing with grandpa. We went to the North Slope (http://www.springsgov.com/page.asp?navID=398 ) which is VERY high in elevation and lets just say we were very close to god the whole day. The boys,daddy, grandpa and grandma fished all day and I chased Ryan and kept him from drowning in the lake. Later that day we enjoyed some slow cooked southern BBQ that Ben wanted so badly. Caryn let Sterling know that he used his recipe for the sauce and it took us back to being in the South!! Overall it was a great weekend and we all slept very well as we were all exhausted.

Ryan's growing up not out!!

Ryan went in for his 2 year well visit and the boy is following in his brothers footstep. Can I say TALL and LEAN!! Another bean poll! Ryan weighed in at 24.6 lbs and a whopping 37inches in height!! He is at 20% on the weight chart but a astounding 96% on the height chart. I don't know why this amazes me so much as Keaton has been the same way his whole life. I guess I don't have to worry about the obesity issue now so I should be thrilled. Neither boy has a ounce of fat on them, now I just wish I could say that about myself!!! I knew Ryan looked different and seemed to morph into a little man over the last few months but I had no idea that he had grown close to 4 inches in the last 6months! Wow, that's alot of growing!! He checked out with a clean bill of health other than the battle I continue to wage with him and his dry skin. I finally got a prescription lotion to help. Colorado is soooooo dry and it has been a battle that I have had no luck winning so I am hopeful this lotion will help restore some moisture to the poor kids skin (I may sneak a little myself). I am thankful he is so healthy and that he is growing and learning so well. We truly do have so much to be thankful for.

Our little man is 2!

Our sweet Ryan turned two on the 27th of May but we threw him a big splasin party on the 31st. He had 10 little friends and their parents and fun was had by all. I did a Bee theme for him as he has been smitten with bumble bees for awhile now. Everything was in bright yellow and black and I even made the cake this year. I couldn't find a cake I liked so I took it upon myself to make one and I have to say it turned out pretty awesome!! I made a bumble bee out of vanilla cake and did chocolate cupcakes all around. Ryan kept looking at it and saying BUZZ, BUZZ! Needless to say he was pretty happy to finally get his hand on it. We had a outdoor party with a pool, our bounce house, water table, and sand box. I also handed out buckets with their names on them that had all kind of water toys inside. The favorite was the squirt gun. The kids ran around like maniacs forever squirting one another and even the grown ups got into the fun. Over all the day was wonderful and most of all Ryan had a great day. Our little bug is growing up so fast and I am just trying to make out of each moment.

Happy Birthday Ryan

Our Ryan is 2 years old today! Happy Birthday my little man!!

You sure have grown up fast!!

A trip to the Mountains

I don't even know where or how to start to describe our weekend other than AMAZING!! Ben has working alot of long hours, I have been taking care of kids on my own for long hours and what do you get but two parents who needed a change of scenery!! Late last week we decided last minute we needed to get out of town and that we did. After lots of Internet searching for a place to stay we found Pine Haven Lodge which luckily was right outside of Rocky Mtn Nat. Park. We made the reservation, packed the bags and took off early Sat. morning. It was a easy drive and we were there before the kids even started to get antsy! The drive into the mountains was beautiful and Estes Park (http://www.estesparkresort.com/ ) is such a special place with lots of little shops and not alot of commercialism. Peace and tranquility was what I seem to experience right away. I had a sore neck and back on the way there but I guess I de-stressed once there as the pain seem to melt away. We stayed at Pine Haven Lodge ( http://www.estesparkcabins.com/PH-CabinsAndLodge.HTML ) which is a cute little place that now holds a special place in our hearts as it was our first real mountain experience as a family. Right down the road was Rocky Mtn Nat. Park which is a truly amazing place. The views and wildlife were just amazing. We could have stayed 3 or 4 days longer if we could as we only saw very little of all the wonderment. Keaton loved hiking and hiked almost 2 miles up to the falls. He is a trooper as Ben and I were pooped so I don't know how his little legs handled it! Ryan was in a back carrier and had the best spot of all of us. Keaton also caught 2 fish after lots of time spent fishing. He was SOOOOO proud!!! This trip was nice for the boys and daddy as they really bonded and did lots of daddy and son stuff. Mommy enjoyed herself too as I was just enjoying the scenery and enjoying watching all the men in my life be so happy being boys. I do hope that if any of you who are reading this from afar will seriously think about coming out and experiencing the beauty for your self.

Lots of Pictures from the trip in the photo album! Hope you check them out!

Keaton's a preschool graduate

Keaton graduated this past Tuesday from his 3/4 year old class at preschool and he had a little graduation ceremony which just melted my heart. His class sang songs and did hand motions to the songs. Keaton sang his little heart out! We are so proud of him. Soon after the singing they had a diploma ceremony and he got a diploma and hug from his much loved Mrs. Stratton. It was a very special day for Keaton and our family as he was so proud. We have been blessed to find such an amazing preschool for him to attend. He is now out on summer break and will return to Mrs. Strattons 4/5's class next fall. I am enrolling him in soccer and swimming lessons along with lots of play dates with friends to keep us busy. Our little boy is growing and becoming a big boy way to fast.