Thank Heaven for Brants little Quirks

Okay so about a month ago we had taken Parker into the doctors to check on his circumcision at the end of the day I looked in the mirror and only had one of my diamond studs in my ears. I was heart broken. I felt like crying for a week straight. Brant had gotten them for me on Bradens first Christmas. I felt so special. He told me that over the years he can brings these back to the jeweler and upgrade them. So to my horror I had lost one. I figured it happened at the doctors office, parking lot, parents yard.... so many places. It wasnt in the bed, wasnt really visible anywhere. I was heartbroken.
My husband has an annoying habit. Those that know us, hear me gripe about it often. My husband LOVES the hair dryer. By this I mean, he is like a snake in the morning, so cold blooded. EVERY morning he crawls out of bed makes it somehow lol to the bathroom a few steps away, lays on the floor, props a hair dryer up and turns it on. And passes out for his "snooze" sleep.... or HOURS of sleep. He says he loves the hum of the hair dryer and it makes him warm. ANNOYS me beyond all end. If we were ever on the Newlywed Game and was asked what annoys you the most about your husband.... BINGO --- strange odd habit.
SO today while he was trying to sleep in the bathroom he eyed my ear ring!!!!!!!!!!
He came downstairs not sure if he had found the one that i was supposed to be keeping.. or if he had stumbled upon the other one.
IT WAS MY MATCH!!!!!!! I m so lucky!!! I felt like a new woman lol... it was a great pick me up for the day.
Monday the house will get touched up with paint and new wood around windows and the soffits!!!! This has been 7 years in the making. While the outside is being completed we will be deciding on one more color for this house lol... the entry way. Trying to find the perfect brown.
A family in our ward came by today, she asked what all we were going to do to finish up before we have to move. I started the list lol.... oh my we have alot but I know we will get it done and we will love this house lol....

I'll be sure and get some before and after photos! I need to share with you all the extreme makeover on a little budget this house has went through!

My family is so blessed! Tomorrow we will be sitting down at the table before we join family in Kansas and list those things that we are thankful for. I am going to start a thankful box. At the end of thanksgiving I am going to bind those things together or do a page, so we can keep them and reflect on those things next year. I hope everyone has a WONDERFUL thanksgiving!

Buzz Cut

So Friday I was frustrated with Parker's hair. So I got the clippers out! BUZZ cut! He's such a good boy when it comes to letting me mess around with the clippers... cause I have no clue what I am doing! I still need to get my husbands shaver out and finish stuff up. Probably should do that before bedtime since we get to go to church tomorrow. I've found a few stray hairs today while I've been looking at him.

We've had a lazy day. We've not accomplished anything! WHAT a day! Sunday it supposed to be nice, so I think we will be doing a few things outside.

Last night I went to see Twilight with just about every 12-18 year old girl in Ponca (And a few adults lol). I have to say I was pleasantly surprised that it was as good as it was. It is soooo very different from the book, a different feel, definitely not anything like the book in the way it would draw you in. Not on the same level. But it was a pleasant movie. My husband will now be reading the book and commented during the movie that he can see why we love Edward and why we loved the book. The movie is about 25% as good as the book. I will be rereading the second book this week. My Bella Edward addiction was sparked again last night. I think I might even want to go view the movie again this week.

Shortly will be the OU vs Texas Tech game. BIG GAME for the Sooners! So here's to a lazy day of just relaxing and decompressing from our week, our month, our year - we dont do it enough I think, of course we are feeling guilty for wasting a full day. Oh well I think we are entitled to it every once in a while.

Happy Birthday Cowboy

My Baby is THREE!

I can not believe that three years ago he was placed in my arms, tiny, sweet, so precious. Today a vibrant rootin' tootin' cowboy/doctor who loves to play with trucks, cars, and watch fun movies.

Braden is a pretty special little boy. He has a smile that literally makes you melt. He is so friendly and includes everyone. Okay sometimes he doesn't include his brother but he will include any stranger or new kid. He usually has a very sweet nature. He is doing better with sharing his toys. Is quickly learning to offer other toys to his brother so he can keep the one he wants. He loves his family. Braden loves his father, he talks about him all day. Wants to call and talk to him often. Loves to rough house and play trucks with dad. He adores his brother. This year I think is going to be so awesome. Parker is too the age that he is enjoying interacting with Braden. Granted most times it is him playing along side of Braden and not with him but I think that is going to change and I really cant imagine what great little friends they will be. His grandparents on both side are pretty darn special to him. Currently he is staying with his Papa G and Nana G with Great Grandma Garrison; for the whole night. He gets to spend alot of time with Papa B and Grandma B, he knows when to "turn" when we are driving towards their house. He probably has it down so well he could walk it if he got the nerve. He really is a loving kid. There isnt alot in this world that he dislikes! Sitting here I am not sure if there is something that he is totally against (other than the naughty chair and the vacuum). Everything in life seems to be so awesome through his eyes. I am pretty lucky!

So here is his cake. After I took the candles off... My first attempt at a "themed" cake. I think it is pretty scary looking but I learned alot and if I have the nerve next time I'll try again. Actually I think I need a cake making kit thingy - I was not prepared...

Thank you to all that came and shared this special day with Braden. I know he will remember it. He had alot of fun today. Hope to see all that were unable to attend soon over the holidays!

Cool Dude

Parker Loves his brothers sun glasses - I repeat L-O-V-E-S them. There are moments in the day that it becomes a very annoying compulsive behavior. He will bring them to you and request help to get them on his face. Then will take a few steps they will fall down cause they are HUGE on his face. The the whole things starts again. We will do this for an hour some days. This is a photo from a few weeks ago - we were playing as a family in the living room and out of like 25 photos this is the best one and this one has been doctored. Yes I photoshop his face.... a motherly task of cleaning his face.
Saturday is Bradens 3rd birthday, we are so excited around here. We are doing a small family gathering. My parents, Brants parents, Brock (Brants brother) and his girlfriend Stefani and possibly my brother. I will be attempting to make a "boot" cake. We are doing a cowboy theme since he is all about cowboys right now. It will be nice to see family again, we havent seen my in-laws in ...... a month? or more. Crud I cant remember. With the whole "move" weighing on my mind sure makes these moments more special. Who knows what next November will hold for us.

A moment to remember

Okay I'm going to start a new label - moments to remember - there are many times the kids do something cute, loving, funny, or even ornery . Seems like most of the ornery or destructive things get put on this blog. So here is remembering the little moments of adorableness.

The other night Brant and I were watching our shows we DVR . We were waiting to start another show and it was quiet throughout the house. We heard Braden let out the LOUDEST - ROOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRR.
All was peaceful - no more noise -
Brant looked at me and said did he just Roar? I said - Yeah we've been talking about monsters ALOT lately. Guess he showed them who's boss.

Bartlesville or Houston

Family's in Ponca City were put on notice that their jobs will be moved to Bartlesville or Houston. We hope to find out in January. Here is to a ton of prayer that it is Bartlesville. Our family really has no desire to be in Houston (No offense). I know that my husband will go and try it out at least for 6 months, but I just dont know how to process this. I was born in Ponca City, never have left, my family is here. Both of our families are in Oklahoma and lets face it Houston is a long drive. Long with two little ones. I dont know. I know the Lord will provide for us. He will make things possible. Everything will be fine. I'm just having problems with the whole not knowing thing. I'm up for change. I'm not against moving an hour away. Or moving out towards Bartlesville.
Its really surreal right now. When my husband was hired on they said they wouldn't move them. They had put in all this money and moved everyone over to Ponca and they wouldn't be moving. At that point even though we had talked about moving a few different places because of insurance jobs, I kinda thought Conoco wont leave Ponca. We will probably be here forever. Which I was okay with. Guess the powers that be have/had other plans.
Okay it is almost 1 am - I'm headed to bed. Friday is looking to be hopefully a productive day. I would like to paint either the entry way or my dinning room. Depends on how long the grandparents can watch the kids!

Get out the Vote

So I arrived at our polling place at 9 30 - took about 15 minutes including travel time. (Two blocks away). No line but one had formed as I was leaving. But all in all things were moving smoothly. Lot of "first" time voters - I could hear questions that I didn't expect. Several of them were older people. Some had to redo their votes. I am so proud that people are voting today. No matter their vote. It is such a blessing to be able to have this voice. To show what is popular today. To point the direction of the country with our obligation to vote. So many people have in the past not cared enough or didn't value this enough. I am so glad that things have changed. I totally feel that this election alone will help the tone of the country. History will be made today. Either an African American will win the Presidency or a Woman will hold the Vice Presidents' Office. I am so tickled to be apart of history - I've got to get my box ready to put all the memento's up and be able to document this special moment.
Tonight the husband and I will be ordering pizza and staying up till who knows when to see this historical moment happen. I was one of those that stayed up all night in 2000. Politics, before my children was a pretty consuming thing. I have to say that it has become less consuming but still as important as ever.

Quick Photos and Philosphy

Friday night was Halloween. This is the first Halloween we did more than two houses. It was a long night. I do think the boys had a decent time. Braden got many compliments on his "cowboy" costume and again the "skunk" costume was gushed over.

Today (Sunday) I had to teach Young Womens at our ward. A lesson that I didn't feel I should give, smile, but we don't get to pick the lessons we want to teach. I'm sure this was to help me as much as the girls.

I've decided that I need to become more Black and White in my life. I've always accepted alot of grey. But I'm learning that grey area's don't work. Things I've found out the past month. Time is important. It is all about time. Making time for the things that are important. Important to the progression of my family and those goals that we have. Character, it is so important. Just like we discussed today, surrounding ourselves with things and people that bring light into our life, that sustain us in our lives. I've figured out that when there are things that bring darkness it can consume you.

So it might be too early for a yearly resolution but I have had a personal revelation that started three Sundays ago. A lesson that at the time didn't seem to apply but within two days everything that was discussed started happening in my life and I was confronted on how to handle it. I now know what problems I have to work on. It is hard teaching the youth in our church. They look to you to be an example. How poor of an example I can be with some things I allow or accept in my life. Time for an adjustment. I'm ready for this adjustment.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween. November is here and with it a time for reflection on the things that we are thankful for. Its also the month that Braden will turn 3. How exciting. The next two months go by fast and I'm tightening my seat belt.