Four

Tomorrow he turns four....

 I often think about the day we met him. How he came fast and furious almost 2 weeks early and how we were so shocked by his head full of  long black hair. He stole my heart the second they put him in my arms and his grip on me keeps getting stronger and stronger.

Our first year together was wonderful and so very hard at the same time.  He had severe reflux that caused him such discomfort and pain and caused my heart to break into a million pieces. It was then I knew the power of a Momma's love. I would sit and rock him and wonder what he would be like when he grew up and I can honestly say that I could not have even imagined he would be half as great as he is.

 You see Drake is the kind of kid who might come off as silly or sometimes even shy if you were to meet him on the street but the people that really know him, know that he is so much more.

He is witty, so very witty that it sometimes scares me. He can think on his feet and come up with a response to anything  in a second. He is funny and loves to make people laugh. He is sensitive and tends to get his feeling hurt easily. He has a heart for God.  He is a planner and always likes to know what we are going to do next. He has a smile that melts my heart and a spirit that shines.

I am so proud of the little boy that he has become and the man that he someday will be.

Sometimes I still can't wrap my head around that face that he is mine, that I was lucky enough to be chosen to be his.  He is so very blessed to be loved by countless people....but I love him the very most.

Happy 4th Birthday Drakie!

Eight

Eight years ago today we had no way of knowing what we would be like as we stand here today.

We could not have ever imagined we would be the parents to 2 sweet, handsome and smart little boys.

We did not know about all the work that goes into buying a house and being a homeowner or the stress of unemployment.

We were young and in love and ready to face whatever came our way. I was only 21 and you 23.

We had no way of knowing that today, eight years after we were married, that we would be more blessed and more in love than the day we said "I do."

I can't wait to see what is around the corner with you by my side!

Life Lately

I'm finding it harder and harder to find time to sit down and pound out a blog post. We spend every free moment outside playing. Our schedule is super laid back and relaxed in the summer. We eat supper when we feel like it  and come inside for baths way past bedtime. But I love it and I'm already dreading summer ending and the days getting shorter.  So for now the bullet point update will have to do. I have lots of good blog posts flying around my head but those will just have to wait for now.

Here is what we have been up to lately-

• Ben and I got went to Kansas City with our good friends for a long kid-free weekend of fun and relaxation. We had the best time touring Boulevard Brewery, eating BBQ, shopping, eating late dinners, swimming, going to a movie and going out on the town. Sometimes it is nice to be something other than "Momma" and fun to see that there are still parts of your college self that are alive and well!


• Speaking on Kansas City-Our hotel was totally overrun by teenage girls going to the One Direction concert on Friday night. Basically we learned that teenage girls in big groups of scary and little annoying. It also seems as though their outfit of choice consists of high-waisted jean short with shirts tucked in and converse sneakers unlaced. They might also be spotted in a belly bearing shirt with a belly ring showing. I'm pretty sure I never wore any weird outfits or was ever annoying as a teenager! ;)


• Ben and I will be celebrating our 8th wedding anniversary tomorrow. Eight years! After our crazy weekend I have a feeling that our celebrating will consist of throwing some sort of meat on the grill, playing with the kids and maybe if we get really wild staying up late to watch an episode of Revenge. The good news is that I can't think of anybody who I would rather do those things with than my husband!


• I'm turning 30 on Wednesday. My twenties were really good to me and gave me my husband and two sons and countless memories. I always thought I would be feeling a little sad as I turned thirty but instead I'm happy and excited to see what this next decade holds for me. I'm going to spend the day with my mom getting pedicures and going out for lunch and Drake wants to throw me a princess party when I get home.Sounds like a good way to start my thirties!


• My sister got engaged over the weekend and I could not be more excited for them.  They have been dating for quite a few years so my boys don't even know what life is like without "Uncle Chic" and we can't wait to officially welcome him into the family. And  don't even get me started on wedding planning! Nothing gets me more excited than talks of dresses and cakes and venues. SO.MUCH.FUN!


• Drake will be turning 4 on August 1st and I want to do a whole post just about him and the things he loves and has been saying lately. He makes me laugh everyday with the stuff he comes up with. He just told me the other day "I'm your boyfriend." and then started singing Justin Biebers "Boyfriend" to my.  He is basically one of the funniest people I know and he is only three.


• Charlie has been keeping us on out toes. He is wild. He likes to climb the stairs approximately 100,023 times a day and loves it the most when we chase after him. He plays with cars by sitting ON TOP of the car table or if the mood strikes him he might just start jumping up and down on the table, He climbs everything and puts everything in his mouth.  But he has the sweetest smile and when you ask him what a sheep says he says "BAAAAAAA" in the best little sheep voice. He loves to curl up on your lap with a book and like you to hold him while he suck on his paci and cuddles with his blankie. He is so very cute and too charming for his own good.

Soaking Them Up

I can't help but feel like I am a little short on words this summer. I have been busy just soaking up these sweet boys of mine. We have been having such a fantastic summer making memories together. I have been grabbing my DSLR camera a lot more lately and taking advantage of the beautiful natural light outside to catch some pretty good photos of my boys. I can't help but smile as I take the photos knowing that I will be able to relive that moment again and again just by looking at a picture.

It is becoming very evident as Charlie gets older that I am raising two very different boys.

Drake is my cautious and wild boy. The one who is witty and has the best imagination. He will be turning 4 in a couple of weeks and I am just so proud of him.

Charlie is brave and such a little toughie. He has a magnetic personality and already has charm so thick that he can get out of most any situation using it. He  is almost 16 months and bring us so much joy.

Those 2 little boys seem to make summer so much fun and I'm going to spend ever second I can soaking it up.

30 Things Loved in June

Kelsey from Words of Williams shares what she is grateful for at the end of every month. I love the idea so here is my debut monthly "loved" post.

1. A chance to take our first vacation as a family of four. We had such a great time!

2. Surprising my husband with a date night to Exhile Brewing and rolling with the punches even though the experience was not quite what we had pictured.

3. Drinking beers with friends in the driveway with the hum of the baby monitor in the background.

4. A family trip to the zoo to celebrate Father's Day.

5. Hearing Drake comfort Charlie when he is upset.

6. A long weekend away with my whole family and the fun we had.

7. Potato packets (potatoes, olive oil, dry ranch dressing mix and a little cheese) on the grill.

8. $4.00 shirts at H&M

9. Thursdays and Fridays filled with adventure and memories.

10. Down alternative pillows.

11. Drake's sweet heart for Jesus and hearing all he took in at Vacation Bible School.

12. An impromptu visit from my sister.

13. Grocery shopping with Charlie while he smiles and waves and flirts with every person he sees.

14 Planning Drake's birthday party.

15. Watching Revenge with Ben on Hulu Plus all curled up in bed late at night.

16. Mini ice cream sandwiches.

17. 6:00 am workouts.

18. Reading a book on the Kindle on the deck while the boys nap.

19. Letting the boys stay up way past their bedtime just so we can play outside.

20. Grandparents who love my kids to pieces (and spoil them too).

21. Sunday afternoon beers with a friend on a patio.

22. Charlie walking around with Hulk Hands on and making superhero sounds.

23. $5.00 retro chair find at the Restore.

24. The amazing kids in our neighborhood that picked up after a big storm went through.

25. Skinner enjoying the kids swimming pool by taking a dip.

26. Watching Drake play outside at 7:00 am in his jammies while I make breakfast.

27.  A lilac bush that bloomed and was so beautiful and fragrant.

28.  Going to garage sales with Drake and watching him search for treasures.

29.  Babies with bright blonde hair and big blue eyes and tanned skin.

30.  A great sermon series at our church.

What did you love in June?