An October Morning at the Arboretum

Steve took of work Friday for a nice family outing at the Arboretum. It was perfect weather and the boys had a great time exploring and playing in the pumpkins and hay. I was so happy to get pics of them in their adorable matching Halloween shirts from my favorite children's clothing store, Janie and Jack.

Sweet Hayden is having a fantastic time.

As usual, Evan is on the move as Daddy tries to get a pick of us together.

Hayden enjoys taking the time to pose with Mommy.

Daddy somehow manages to get E to cooperate for just a second to snap a pic together.

Daddy helps Evan walk across the tops of the hay bales.

Evan loved throwing the hay around. I think that was the best part for him.

Hayden's First Staple - Ouch!

Hayden had his first boo-boo requiring one staple this week. He was playing on the playground at preschool and fell back and hit his head after colliding with another child. His Daddy came rushing in right behind me from work as soon as he heard with the Blackberry already to his ear calling the doctor to wait further instruction and asking his symptoms. Apparently I come to find out that Steve dashed through the main office without even stopping to wait for a name tag and sign in -( such a sweet concerned Daddy!)
Steve took Hayden to the doctor while I took Evan back home for his nap. He said he did great and was such a trooper. Of course Daddy took him for a Wii Game rental and ice cream afterwards - nothing a little TLC couldn't fix. He gets his staple out tomorrow. I am so glad. I think seeing the staple bothers me more than the wound. It looks like it would hurt but Hayden forgets it is even there on the back of his head. I guess if we made it to almost 5 years with 1 staple being the worst injury so far we are doing good :-)

Go Texas!

Nothing like a Texas Skull Cap and
"Texas Fight" from little E
to cheer the Longhorns to victory!
Go Horns!
Texas 38, Colorado 14

Soccer Game Fun

Go Raptors!

I kept seeing Hayden in his "runners stretch."
(He watched a lot of Olympics with Daddy.)

He kicked that ball with great determination!

I didn't ever figure out what this boy was
yelling at my sweet Hayden about. He
was getting the finger point and everything.

Anyhow, he loves his soccer practice and counts
down to his games each week.

let's play guess which cut was done by a "professional"...

Let's play a fun little game called "Guess who cut which of my boys hair"

Exhibit A


Exhibit B


Which one was done in a salon and which was done by me??
Drumroll.........

Yes, I actually paid someone $20 to cut Hayden's hair!!
This picture was taken even after I took him back to attempt to fix
this haircut.
Not that little E's trim is any sort of masterpiece but oh my goodness
what was that woman thinking??!!!

Let's go back and revisit Hayden's "do". Does it not look
like I brought this in to her and said, "This
is exactly what I want!"
Don't get me wrong, Hayden is precious as always
but what in the world did he do to deserve such a haircut??
On top of that he has his soccer pictures tomorrow.
Thank goodness his hair grows fast!

First Day of Preschool

So Mommy is a bit behind in posting about the first day of preschool. I am a procrastinator often times. Anyhow, I didn't get Evan's first day art back until Tuesday so my delay paid off :-)

The backpack is virtually bigger than E!

Evan is not quite as excited about the hug as brother.

Hayden helps little E adjust his backpack.
Evan is SO excited about his backpack.
He loves to wear it and refers to
Dora the Explorer by singing "backpack, backpack."

So they are not really walking off to the school bus or anything
but I figured it was a better visual than the garage.

The boys stare at the neighbor kids
actually getting to leave for school through
the front door. They look quite awed by it all don't they?

This is Hayden's kissing hand. This was done based on a sweet
story where a Mommy kissed her child's hand and
whenever he felt scared or sad she told him he could
put his hand to his cheek and would get a kiss from Mommy.

The boys did great on their first day!
I think they are going to have a wonderful year.

Soccer Is Back in Session!

"The Raptors" are back and ready to start the season strong!

Hayden could not be more excited about counting the
days down until practice and soccer games each week.
Daddy is even doing a little assistant coaching where needed.
It is basically the exact same group of boys and they
really are learning to play well together. We are so
proud of the little cuties.

Hayden has been working some great defense!

Little E intently watches brother from the sidelines with some
delicious animal crackers.
(Yes, poor baby still needs a good hair cut.)

Our Little Fish

Hayden has done beautifully with his swimming lessons this summer.
We are so proud of him!
He has been really eager to learn and asks
quite a bit to go to the pool around the corner to practice.
This is definitely not the same child who was screaming
last summer just to put his face in the water.

A Sweet Brother Reading Session

I sometimes find Hayden and Evan up on a bed together playing. It usually involves getting under Mommy and Daddy's covers, hiding, and then throwing or kicking off the covers and screaming in delight. It is one of their favorite games.

On this particular afternoon they snuggled up in Hayden's bed to read a book together. Hayden even let Evan borrow one of his favorite bed time buddies, Corduroy, as you can see tucked under Evan's arm. Hayden is of course holding Bevo. This was such a special sight to see because the boys have done a lot of fighting lately (usually over toys). It was wonderful to not have to "referee" this session and just watch them sharing peacefully together.
I pray they will be best friends for life.

Happy Birthday Sweet Angels!

Today would be Cathryn and Corynne's second birthday. We celebrated the sweet lives of our friend's daughters on a beautiful hill in our neighborhood and the girls celebrated in Heaven with their Savior.

If you have not yet read their story, I encourage you to visit www.angeltwins.org
and make a donation today.

Gorgeous flowers!

A special birthday cake in memory of the precious darlings.

Hayden is eager to send off his balloon. (done waiting, Mom!)


Pink and purple balloons were released
with their little Angel Twins cards
attached so anyone lucky enough
to find one could read and share their story.



Hayden and Colin (one of Cathryn and Corynne's older brothers)
have become fast friends.

Happy Birthday, Cathryn and Corynne!
Though hearts ache to see you and miss you terribly, we rejoice in
hope that will see you and celebrate with you one day
again face to face.

If you click the You Tube Video at the beginning of this post, the song you are hearing is Little Wonders by Rob Thomas.
It is a song that holds so much meaning to my friend Kristen and
was played at both memorial services for Cathryn and Corynne.
I can't not listen to this song without tearing up.
I hope you might take the time to read it.
Feel free to post comments on what
the song means to you.

To me it is about embracing the little precious moments
because before we know it our time on earth is gone.
In eternity our life here is but a moment.

It reminds me that our trials shape us and to
let them soften not harden our hearts.
It is not to dwell in our trials
but to learn from them
and hold dear to each other and what is precious
in our lives.

It reminds me also of James 1:2-4 when the song talks about letting your troubles
fall behind you and that in the end it's the heart that matters.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4

Little Wonders Lyrics

let it go,
let it roll right off your shoulder
don't you know
the hardest part is over
let it in,
let your clarity define you
in the end
we will only just remember how it feels

our lives are made
in these small hours
these little wonders,
these twists & turns of fate
time falls away,
but these small hours,
these small hours still remain

let it slide,
let your troubles fall behind you
let it shine
until you feel it all around you
and i don't mind
if it's me you need to turn to
we'll get by,
it's the heart that really matters in the end

our lives are made
in these small hours
these little wonders,
these twists & turns of fate
time falls away,
but these small hours,
these small hours still remain

all of my regret
will wash away some how
but i can not forget
the way i feel right now

in these small hours
these little wonders
these twists & turns of fate
these twists & turns of fate
time falls away but these small hours
these small hours, still remain,
still remain
these little wonders
these twists & turns of fate
time falls away
but these small hours
these little wonders still remain

E caught napping "in the buff" - no worries, totally G rated!

Little E is obsessed with taking his pants and diaper off these days and running around. Hayden never did this so this is new for all of us. It is all fun and game until "accidents" happen. He just doesn't understand what the problem is with being unclothed from the waist below. This happens most often during nap time when he is not ready to go to bed or mad at me for putting him down before he is ready. It is always quite the visual when I go to turn the video monitor to see what he is up to.

We are hoping his little exhibitionist phase will be short lived. We really don't want to see him running in the back ground at a live televised football game someday :-)

I have a friend who had to resort to duct taping her sons diapers closed so as to avoid the inevitable presents that may be left in the crib during nap time.
Hmmmmmm, thought that sounded like a lot of effort but now I can see why this might be necessary. I am completely open to suggestions, folks!

(FYI- You may be wondering why I didn't just take a pic instead of video but my camera makes too much noise when I snap it. Unfortunately, I woke him up anyway trying to be quiet as you can see at the end of this video!)

Love You Forever my Angel baby....

Three weeks ago on your Daddy's birthday we found out we were expecting you - what a special surprise and gift God had given us. You were just meant to be we thought!
We loved you before we knew you. I already wondered if you would look like one of your adorable older brothers, if you would be a boy or a girl, and what we would name you. I immediately started making plans on how I would take care of you in my belly and we started looking through the Pottery Barn Kids catalog to see what we could do with your nursery. I planned to take more pictures this time of you growing my belly and to try and just enjoy being pregnant more and treasure feeling you move in the night without counting the days until your delivery.

Thursday morning I saw the sonogram that showed the tiny sac that would be your home within me until April and the tiny yolk that would feed you. We could not see your heartbeat, though. God had called you home.

Thursday night, August 14th, I started the labor pains I felt with your brothers. It was then that instead of being delivered to us, you were delivered straight to the arms of the Lord.

I couldn't sleep much that night. I couldn't stop thinking about you and how much I wanted you back. It was about 4 am that I woke up crying and went to the family room to see it was raining with large drops flowing down the window. I thought of them as tears for you but I know that Heaven has nothing to be sad about - your beautiful and perfect little soul is dancing with the angels now.

Our hearts ache that we won't be able to hold or kiss you in this world but we have comfort that you will be of the first to greet us in Heaven I am sure.

You have already helped us to remember how much we are loved with so many sweet calls and notes from friends and family. You have helped us to remember how precious life is and that we never know what path God may lead us down. It was a miracle that He gave us you if only for a moment.
We are reminded that God can do amazing things even in our darkest hours. Kristen, my dear friend who of all people, lost both her precious daughters this summer (Cathryn just over 3 weeks ago) was the first person to show up at my doorstep with a hug. I am still incredibly awed and humbled that God would work in such a way to show me that He can provide healing and selflessness through even the most broken hearted. He chose Kristen to be my Angel that day. I can't even describe how much that meant to me. Thank you my sweet friend. I am still speechless when I think it was just 3 weeks ago that I stood with you sharing hugs and tears by the side of your sweet Angel, Cathryn. Maybe our darlings have met one another by now....I would like to think so.

I Love You forever my Angel baby. Your little life is written carefully on my heart.

Love,
Your Mommy

I included the lyrics of this beautiful song heard in this post. It gives me a reminder that because of the hope we have in Him, He will have us together again someday with nothing but joy.

To those that read this, I hope you might stay long enough to listen to the end of the song. (if you want to hear song, please click play button at top of post). It is wonderful. Pain brings a different kind of comfort. No matter how broken we are, we always have Hope - I pray you do, too.

Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed

My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, Amazing grace

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, Amazing grace

My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, Amazing grace


The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forget to shine
But God, Who called me here below
Will be forever mine
Will be forever mine

You are forever mine

Haircuts and Popsicles - My plan is foiled!

As you can see, Little E clearly needs a haircut! The poor guy can barely see. I had what I thought a great idea to let him eat a Popsicle for distraction while I attempted to give him a trim. After just a few seconds I realized he was not going to allow this to happen as he twisted and turned all the while trying to avoid the scissors and enjoy his delicious after dinner treat.

I quickly gave up and decided to let E enjoy his Popsicle and (who am I kidding) avoid an inevitable accidental scissor stabbing. I weighed the risks and it was just not worth it.

He decided to make sure sure I could not disturb him any longer so decided to retreat to his little house so he could enjoy it all by himself. (I wish I had a little house I could go eat a meal in peace in - ha!)

Very dirty and proud little boy. Mission accomplished, Mom!