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.

What a Week!

Okay so what a week! It has been one accident after another lately. Monday I fell down the stairs. I was holding Parker. Since I was holding him and trying to break his fall I did not do a very good job at saving myself. I think Parker walked away with a small bruise on his cheek ... tears quickly stopped. Mine on the other hand. Lingered... Still Lingers! So when this happened my husband was upstairs asleep since he had gotten off a night rotation. I screamed for help cause first I needed to make sure Parker was okay and I was unable to move much. I'm a wuss I think. I've never broke a bone. Only had one sprain that I knew of and that was over within a day. So I couldn't tell if I had broke my ankle, toe, foot, but it was in pain. Husband immediately put ice on it. Everything calmed down and he went upstairs to go back to sleep. Still unable to move I didn't see my little Parker crawl under a table, he messed with a ladder that has sat there forever and never gets touched. On top of the ladder was a speaker. At least a 5 pound speaker. It came hurling down and punctured Parker in the head... so here I am gimping under the table... blood gushing from a head wound... Brant awoke to the screams of the baby and me saying Brant there is Blood I need you. Brant decided maybe sleep wasn't in his cards. So he stayed awake. I waited for a doctor to call me back on what I should do about this ankle. Finally around 5 30 we dropped the boys off at my parents and went to an urgent care clinic. Nothing was broke. Just sprained. I've heard it might have felt better if it had just broke.
So Tuesday night I went to the church to set up for the Halloween party. Brant had bowling league. He opted to take Braden with him. Braden was fascinated with the arcade. He wasn't well supervised but Brant did manage to catch a glimpse of him bending over looking at his toes as he jumped from one of the "car" arcade games. He went face first into the box where the seat is. First real nice shiner!

Same night I had mom watch Parker as I was decorating. Parker managed to go face first into the bricks around mom's flower beds. Tooth almost through the lip. Seriously can anything more happen this week? I'm not sure I can handle anything more "injury wise".

So Wednesday we had part 1 of our Halloween adventure. Ward Halloween Party. Braden was a cowboy. Parker a skunk.

A deadly skunk.

That loves BALLS.

Braden loves his 8 or older cap guns his father picked up for him. I have a feeling he will have them taken away alot. He shoots everyone and then tells them to Die. I told him that we only shoot bad guys. So He proclaimed that Papa B was a bad guy and shot him.

Today as I'm getting onto him I told him he was being a bad boy. He laughed and told me to shoot him.

Stink eye from the skunk. This costume was Braden's first one. I had picked it cause that child had some stinky diapers. Parker fits this costume cause he has the attitude and looks of a skunk most days.

As some might now tomorrow is my mothers Birthday! So we are going over there. We will be trick and treating and then handing out candy. And celebrating moms birthday! I'm looking forward to it. My mom is my best friend. She is there for me whenever I need her. She listens and doesn't judge me. She understands my trials. She knows my heartaches. And hey she loves my kids... okay she might have too but .... she's pretty darn awesome. I'm very lucky to have her so close and so available. I count that blessing every night.

So I'll have more photos tomorrow (or tonight for those that check the time stamp). I'm hoping Braden has fun getting candy from people. He enjoyed it the other night at the trunk or treat. I think he will enjoy giving the candy most of all. And that might be the best thing since Mommas toes still can not handle alot of pressure.

An October Day...

LOWES ROCKS

Saturday a friend reminded me that Lowe's was having their bi-monthly lil builder day. I didn't know how Braden would be able to handle this, let alone how I would handle him doing a "project" of sorts. But all in all it was a tremendous day! I was so impressed with Braden's "hand, eye" coordination. He didn't hit his or my finger the whole time... I on the other hand hit my own finger several times.
For those of you that have little ones and want a fun "FREE" project to do with your kids. Boy or Girl. Check out your local Lowes (not sure if Home Depot does it - we don't have one of those). On November 9th they are doing a Semi-Truck. Parker was signed up for that one. That will be a mommy project for P Wayne so that we don't have fights over the truck!

Saturday we had some fun. Brant took me to the Affair of the Heart in OKC. It is a craft fair, we are talking HUGE craft fair. I love attending. Last time I went Braden was lil. He was so manageable then. Myself and I think our Friends the Smiths are quickly finding we might need to invest in a good babysitter. I know of one that I'm sure could handle the chaos. Actually I can think of a couple. Next time I want to attend something they are so going to a baby sitter or the "Men Folk" can stay home and tend to the youngin's .
When we got home as a bribe to be good boys I told them they could play outside. It was a lovely fall day. Probably high 70's, with a crisp fall Oklahoma breeze. The boys played on the swing set and fort. Swung in the "Airplane" and the "Teddy Bear" both loved swinging.

This is one of Parkers faces he makes. He might grow up to be an entertainer. He seems to be preforming for his own make believe audience often. He seems to be a hit with them.

Braden is learning that the Big Boy swing is just as fun as the baby's airplane.

Here is Braden just about to head down the Slide. He Loves his fort. I cant wait to put the "tent" shade up. I know he will adore the feeling of his own place to be.

Okay this smile should be illegal! Finally got the Action Shot mode to work on the camera and oh my he was having a blast swinging back and forth.

Braden in the "infant" airplane swing. He loves this thing. It had been at grandma and papa B's house and not really getting much use out of it. It has a new FUN home now.

Can you believe this kid wrestles his brother, throws fits during the Primary Sacrament program, Say's no more than any human should be able to, can throw a toy down in disgust. Yes this sweet face. This lil angle does all of that... but most important he can be a sweet, hug and kiss giving, loving kid. What a doll!

We got the sidewalk chalk out and I helped draw their names and whatever else they wanted to see. Parker chewed on the chalk. Yellow and Blue do make green. Runny Green drool.

One of the places Braden loves to play is on his Papa G's trailer. We have it often at our house cause we are OFTEN doing home projects where we either need to go to the dump or buy way too much stuff at Lowe's. I think Braden also uses it as a stage. He is very animated when he plays on the trailer. Everything is always more fun on Papa's trailer.

Here the boys are celebrating that mommy is not begging them to get down off the trailer before they hurt themselves. Get a load out of Pwayne. This face is what you see when he is giggling in delight. ( that didn't sound very manly huh)

The boys played with the coupe alot. They shared the front seat which is SO very rare. They filled up their car with gas. Parker played "i want the door shut" game with Braden. Both thought it was HILARIOUS.

You know sometimes you see celebrities give the paparazzi looks when they are fed up with the intrusion? Yeah this is Parker's... "haven't you seen enough yet?" look.

Parker in mid laugh over the "Shut/Open" door game!

We had a decent Saturday. Loved going to the City. Didn't love my children's behavior. Got a few cute things to hang up on the walls and I will take photos asap. We have a list of renovations I need to accomplish before the holidays! Which are rapidly approaching.

Okay I have had around 15 hours of sleep total since Friday night. I must say goodnight/farewell/ ;)

This week is going to be filled with lots of candy, chaos and hopefully some fun. Hope the weather is nice. We have a church Halloween Party Wednesday, Downtown Ponca is having a Halloween carnival Thursday and then Friday is of course trick or treat night. I don't think Braden will make it to many doors but I know that as we Celebrate G'ma's birthday Halloween that he will enjoy handing out candy to all the cool costumes and such.

We hope everyone has a safe fun Halloween.