Halloween 2009

The boys had decided, as soon as they knew Halloween was close, that they both wanted to be Clone Troopers. Just some trivia here, Clone troopers are what Storm troopers were later before they went evil and worked for Darth Vader....anyway...Brooklyn dressed up as the sweetest ballerina. She begged me for weeks to dress her in pink and purple tulle so of course I just couldn't say no. :) We went to my sister Katie's house this year for a little party and then to trick-or-treating on her block. We had planned on going to their church festival but by 7:30 the boys were wearing down and their buckets of candy were literally spilling over - enough already! We also got some exciting news - Katie greeted us at the door with her very own costume - a bun in the oven...yep, she will be having a baby in June!! It was a very fun night! Click here for pics.

Brooklyn is 4 months!

I didn't set out to do a monthly post but it has turned out that way and I might as well not stop now! Brooklyn was 4 months on Monday...again, where does the time go? She has changed so much in a month. She's full of smiles for anyone who wants to look her way and will even give you a laugh. She's very talkative too, and has made a new friend named floor gym. They spend so much quality time with each other. I can't imagine what will happen when the exercauser enters the picture, oh what fun! I think she has pretty much stolen daddy's heart. I hear things daily like "you are the cutest little girl I have ever seen!" I am so thankful that Brooklyn has a daddy like Kenny and I look forward to watching that special relationship grow. I have witnessed many daddy/daughter interactions and it just about melts my heart. At the doctor's appointment, Brooklyn, to my surprise and amazement, was almost off the charts in height, weight and head circumference. She weighed 15 lbs (85%), was 25 inches long (85%) and her head measured 42.5 cm (85%). And to think that for her first month she had trouble gaining weight. When the nurse was measuring her she knew right away that Brooklyn was long and said "wow, you're a BIG GIRL!" It's so funny to me because the boys have always stayed average and now suddenly this little girl is big...go figure. She is a joy to all of us and we are so thankful for our precious baby girl.

Our anniversary :)

Today Kenny and I are celebrating our 9th anniversary! It seems like yesterday that I was planning our wedding and that I was experiencing those bride jitters as I watched from a distance as our guests filed into the hotel. It's also amazing that at that point, I had no idea how radically God would change our lives. About a year later, after being pursued and loved by family who challenged us about our relationship with God and challenged us with lots of hard questions, God saved Kenny and I. He saved us from a future death sentence, one that would've otherwise been complete separation from God and consequently darkness and pain. God chooses interesting things to sanctify us and He has done it immensely in both of our lives. I was just telling a friend that when I was saved, I had no idea what being a wife was about. Thankfully, God sovereignly placed very godly women around me at church and in our family so that I could learn from their example. I would later learn that God's Word is RICH in instruction on how exactly to be a wife (and thankfully He is not done with me because I have A LOT to learn!). I have no idea where we would be in our marriage had He not brought us out of darkness but I do know that we live in the light and that is something I cannot put into words. Thank you God for saving us and allowing us, through Your grace, to love you and to have your Word as our instruction manual. And Kenny, thank you for being an amazing husband to me. Thank you for encouraging and rebuking me with God's word. I am so thankful for how you desire to cling to the Cross and be an example to me of how to love Jesus. I love you sooooo much!

Below are pics from dinner and the U2 concert. Kenny surprised me with both which was very sweet! We had such a nice time! :)

Fleming's



Bono!

Arizona Science Center

Yesterday the Science Center was offering free admission so I, along with my mom, took the kids to check it out. They had a great time! I should clarify - Tyson had a great time running around but wanted nothing to do with loud noises or fire whereas Trey, on the other hand, wanted everything to do with fire and risky looking adventures :). I think Trey was at the beginning age that the Science Center is for and then up into school aged kids. There was one little area for toddlers but Tyson wasn't interested. Overall it was a lot of fun!

My mom and the boys

Tyson on the simulated airplane - he liked this one b/c they were playing a movie, and the plane didn't move or make loud noises




Trey laying on a bed of nails!

Mother Nature's Farm

Today our playgroup from church went to Mother Nature's Farm to "pick pumpkins." It was so much fun for Tyson and I to enjoy the nice weather, feed some farm animals, take a tractor ride and then get to pick and decorate a pumpkin. Thanks Kiki for organizing a fun morning and thanks mom for taking care of Brooklyn! To view more pics click here.

Trey

Because I use this blog to keep track of everything my kids are up to, I think I need to keep track of the newest little gem. I have to start by saying that everything I say that will follow is only by the grace of God. Whether it is the softening of hearts or sanctification of mommy :), it is all God's work and nothing we have done. Well, I have seen so much growth in Trey lately and I am so encouraged. Just when I think I am going to lose my mind or tear my last piece of hair out, or I start doubting that how we discipline is the right way, God reveals himself again...through Trey this time. He has really "stepped up" as a member of this family. I observe and hear such tender-hearted things in his actions and words, particularly in how he cares for his brother and sister and how he responds to Kenny and I. Tyson is happy to follow anything Trey does and how precious it is to watch when Trey lovingly leads him! I feel like there are always milestones that are reached as each birthday nears but I think this year there has been a huge jump from little guy to big kid. We are making huge strides in lots of different areas (home, school, church) and so this post is a reminder for me that when the storms come, and they will, that God is with me and faithful to answer my prayers. It is an honor that God has blessed us with Trey (and Tyson and Brooklyn) and that He trusts us to raise him up in the ways of the Lord.

"Grape"

The other day Trey told me that he was going to call Brooklyn "grape" because she is little and very sweet. It is very awesome to watch two very rough and tumble boy boys be so gentle and sweet with their baby sister. Trey even uses this special voice when he talks to her and it's so adorable. This morning I was feeding Brooklyn and Tyson came and sat next to me and started stroking her head so gently. Tyson also wanted to share his blankie with her which you will see pictured above. I love that the boys enjoy her. Such an answer to prayer!