Christmas

Happy Birthday Jesus. That is what we want our kids to know most about why we celebrate this day. Not the presents, not Santa, not the food, but Jesus. The day He came into the world. Our Savior. This is our first Christmas having a kid who can talk so it has been so fun to get to talk with Carter about it. Even as I am writing this two days past Christmas we had this conversation today.

Carter: "Happy Halloween Mommy"
Me:"Carter, we just had Christmas, so we say "Merry Christmas"
Carter: "No it is about Jesus"
Me: "Amen"

I love the childlike faith that encourages me so often. They just believe with all their hearts. This year we heard the idea on Christmas morning to make a cake for Jesus(well Carter wanted cupcakes) but he loves to help me bake, so we went for it. It was so fun. I hope next year Tucker is not taking a morning nap so he can participate, but Carter did sing his own version of "Happy Birthday Jesus" while he was eating his cupcake.

I adore this. I especially love the "all the tents(tinsel) in the whole wide world" instead of tinsel and lights. Priceless.

 Daddy helping the boys put together the tractor from Grandpa on Christmas morning. 

 Tucker sliding down head first and Bret and Carter at the park in Denton.

Tucker doing what he does best-eating

Cheeeeese

What is this big box???

Wow

"Cool" Lightning McQueen

Adorable

flying baby

Train Conductor Part 2:)

We had a great Christmas celebrating with our families. We spent a few days up in Denton and then came home Christmas Eve to have our own Christmas here. Then we headed to my family's later that afternoon. We are beyond blessed to have such wonderful families in our life. They LOVE love our boys and are just the best. I pray those little hearts continue to be thankful for everything we have. Lord you have given us so much.

Almost Christmas

It is 6 days before Christmas here in Houston. Today was 81 degrees. I am all about warm weather, but even I thought it was a little warm today. However, it does allow my children to play outside all day long. Amen. Bret has been working at night this week(boo) but I do love the time it gives us in the mornings as a family. Lately, it has been family gator rides to the park up and back the road and again and again:)

This morning Bret stayed home with Tucker for his morning nap while I took Carter to the park to meet up with one of his friends. It is so nice to have that option sometimes because most of what we do is planned around nap times. So for Carter to be able to just go and play during Tucker's nap is a win for everyone.

 Carter at the park is almost like Tazmanian devil at the park. I mean the kid is ALL over the place. He could be over at the ducks one minute and on top of the tallest play structure the next. No fear in this child what-so-ever. He truly just loves to play and I love that. On colder days he will just beg us to go outside. Good thing we have only had about 3 cold days all year. Carter was also being so sweet today. Sat down for lunch today and he grabbed our hands and just started praying. He was so thankful for everything today, using his manners so well. We were so proud of him. We always try to tell him when he is doing great at things because it is so easy to harp down on the oldest so often. Then, this happened.

Yep. My son took my blow dryer and burned a whole in the carpet. The funny thing was that he said "Mommy, come look what I did." As if he drew me a picture of our whole family. I was not exactly so proud in this moment. If there is one thing I have learned though from parenting it is not to freak out about every little thing. He did need to know that this was wrong. So I let him know, but at the same time it was ruined and there was nothing we could to do to fix it. So, we move on. I am sure that will be half our deposit when we move out, but kids are going to make messes and break stuff. It is not the end of the world. Now, don't get me wrong we punish our kids. He knows not to do that again- he even reminded me of it this morning:), but life is too short to send him to his room forever. It is also too short to be angry more than happy. Kids are defiant, but when they see that anger in you I feel as if it drives them to keep doing more. My tone of voice and how I react in moments can make or break that teachable moment. It is a lesson I learn everyday.

On a lighter note, it is the end of December which means in a month, my baby will be one.

Time please slow down.

My little men

I have laughed so hard at my kids lately. I mean they are just funny. Most kids these ages are, but mine just keep me rolling. I love to laugh. I love the little things Carter says or the insane things Tucker does that always make me realize how much I adore them and love being at home with them.

Carter's favorite game right now is "Mommy, let's get Daddy" or "Daddy, let's get Mommy". I would say its just a different version of hide and seek, but once you get the other person "Fireman Carter" has to rescue you and save the day. He will take his sweet chubby little hands and pull your head out from the other person that is on you. Then he says "Well, ok now let's get the other person." Most of his sentences start with well:) That kid is so funny. The best part of the game is Bret and I will pretend we can't find him saying" I wonder where Carter is" and then you hear a little two year old go "Hey, I am right here behind the chair"(while laughing hysterically). It cracks us up.

Since he was about six months old he has been into cars, trucks, boats, airplanes, trains-if it moves and is a big machine, you can pretty much guarantee Carter will LOVE it. So, when our friend introduced us to a show called Mighty Machines our son was hooked forever. He even sings the theme song around the house. Its all about how BIG machines like tractors, fire trucks, boats, airplanes, trains all work. Bret and Carter will sit and watch it till the end of time. Yes, Bret loves it as well. Bret recently told me how garbage trucks are still so cool to him. I asked him "why?" He responded with "getting to hang off the back of the truck while it drives around." In other words, "duh, Ash." Yes, so still at 29 I am pretty sure Carter will still love mighty machines.

Something Bret and I have just loved lately about Carter is his voice. We always talk about how we want to record it so much so we never forget it. He just says the most precious things right now. AND hilarious:) Lately Tucker has been pooping more than normal so I told Carter while I was changing his diaper that he is my little pooping machine. Well Carter's version of that is "Hey Mommy, is Tucker a pooping washing machine." Yes, he heard machine so I must have said washing machine. So now he calls Tucker  a "pooping washing machine." It is hilarious. He is also into fixing everything right now. We constantly find him in the garage "fixing" the engine on his gator or "working on one of the bikes. I love what that kid comes up with everyday.

Now Tucker still can't talk yet by any means of the word at ten months, but he sure can get across what he wants. He will babble "mama", "dada", "baba", and he can shake his head back and forth violently to tell you "NO." I guess like any little brother they just want to keep up with the big one. I know I have mentioned how they love to outside. Two days ago it was raining and Tucker was pressing his sweet face against the back door I am sure thinking "Please mom, just let me go out there." I used to think Carter was the toughest kid I know, but Tucker takes the cake on that one now by a mile. Those two will wrestle and roll all over each other and just laugh. Their new thing is playing in Tucker's crib and Carter pounding his head on Tucker's belly, and they just laugh and scream at each other as if they have their own language. I told Bret the other day I always imagined myself with boys, but the wrestling and flinging each other all over the place at such a young age I was not expecting.AT.ALL.

I love all the little things that Tucker does at this age that remind me of Carter. It makes me feel like I can hold onto that age a little longer. Tucker drives the cars all over the place as he crawls around behind Carter. Lately as Carter drives his little power wheels, Tucker is right in stride crawling behind him. When Carter was this age he used to jump on the back of the couch up and down and T does the same thing now. They both crawl on the end tables and sit up on them so proudly, and have both fallen off of them. Oops. Both of them are climbers.(sigh) I was really only hoping for one. They may give me a heart attack before 30 with their mad climbing skills. The love for food this age is insane. They both also grunt for food at this age(please sign language kick in soon). Carter at least showed a little of that chub on him though. Tucker eats all.day.long and that kid is as skinny as a rail. I still feed him and have to give him bottles of formula in between because he eats so much(that is not including real meals) He eats more than Carter most days. But its not just food and milk he eats. He eats EVERYTHING. Today we were outside and he kept eating mud over and over as if he loved it. We are constantly taking things out of his mouth-dirt, leaves, trash, paper- you name it and that boy will eat it.

 mmm...love eating mud

 Sometimes...this is just the best way to play together(through the window:))

Lastly, I love watching them play together. Carter has pretty much been obsessed with Tucker since he was born. He always has to be touching that child. Which Bret's mom told me the other day Bret used to to do the same thing to his brother. (Thanks, Bret:)) That love goes both ways though. Tucker cries for Carter when he is still sleeping from his nap(or even when he goes to his room for pushing him) and will just stand at his door waiting for him to come out(it is the sweetest). Even when Carter has been a turkey to Tucker all day he still just loves and adores him. They have been riding in Carter's gator the past few months together and just love it. As much as I want them to get along, most days it more messy than not. :/ Tucker always wants what Carter has, and if Tucker has something Carter just goes and grabs it. I just pray the glimpses of love will always outweigh them driving each other crazy.

One day....

Today we returned from another funeral. Last week we got a call that Bret's grandma had a massive stroke while driving. A few hours later she was unresponsive. The next day she went HOME forever with our Savior. We got to celebrate her life today of 83 years, just like a few weeks ago we celebrated my Grandma's life of 68 years. We celebrated their lives. As hard as it is to lose someone, I still feel like we were able to rejoice at the lives well lived.

Friday our world was hit with an unthinkable tragedy. Children, mothers, daughters, sisters, friends were taken from this world from a terrible act of violence. I was at the gym that morning when the TV screens starting flashing about a shooting at an elementary school. I used to teach in an elementary school. All I could imagine was those kids I loved so much being in that situation. My precious 6 and 7 year old kids I used to teach. I couldn't tell where my sweat begin and my tears ended. I used to think an elementary school would be one of the safest places for your children. That parents would feel so secure dropping their kids off at school. All that has changed. In the midst of Bret and I losing both of our Grandma's within weeks, my heart has been broken for these families, for this community, for the school, and those 26 lives were so short lived. Especially those 20 children who had their whole lives ahead of them. We were able to celebrate our Grandma's lives, but I feel like those precious kids lives were just cut so short. Innocent precious children.The question that everyone asks is "why?"

My only answer to that why is that we live in a broken and fallen world. Since the beginning of creation we all have seen this sinful nature. We are all broken people. There is only one fixer of our broken souls. His name is Jesus. No gun control, stricter laws, more police, NOTHING will ever make everything right. Only the King who sits on the throne will ONE day make it right. One day our rescuer will come. Days like these it cannot seem soon enough. One day He will come to make all things new. One day. My hope and trust rests in that alone. Until then we continue to pray and mourn with this community in Connecticut because they sure do need it.

My kids are not old enough to understand this terrible tragedy or the loss of loved ones in our own family. Right now I don't even know if I have would have words to try to be able to explain it to my kids. I find myself so grateful for that sweet innocence to not know the hurt this world can bring quite yet. I am thankful that when I came home tonight Carter greeted Bret and I with " I am so glad you are home and I missed you so much". I pray I would never take another day for granted with our two precious boys. If there is one thing this tragedy shows us it is truly that we are not promised tomorrow. May we make the most of every single minute we have with our kids today.

While we were gone at the funeral last night and today my incredible sister, Ana, and our amazing friend Amy watched our kids. I miss my kids when I am away from them. Like.Crazy. But going through things like this makes me so thankful that when we have to be gone for a day or two, we have SO many that we trust and love our kids like their own.
Some pics while we were away.....

  

 I hope these two stay friends forever....

 So happy in his gator

and so happy to ride along:)









May I never ever take one day for granted.....Lord thank you for them

Fall and Chick-fil-A

October and November were crazy hard months for us. My Grandma, who was only 68 years old was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She fought courageously for 6 weeks before the Lord took her home. I don't even feel like I blinked and it was over. It was so fast. It was so hard to see her like that. She was a huge part of my life since the day I was born. She was still in my kids lives. Today marks one month since she passed. I still cry a lot of days just because so much in my house reminds me of her. Toys, or outfits, or books she gave the boys. Jewelry she gave to me. Or just seeing a picture of her.  I will miss her till the day I get to see her again.

When she got sick, Bret had told Carter we needed to pray for my Grandma and Grandpa. He still prays for them every night. We try to explain to him she is with Jesus now and he will say, "Oh, that's great!" His little mind can't really wrap his mind around it all. What I love most about him still praying is these stories I will get to tell him as he gets older.

We drove an hour south to Seabrook where she lived as much as we could these past few months. Sometimes my kids can be a handful in the car,( need snacks, water, entertainment) but those 6 weeks they were perfect in the car. Carter would even ask when are we going to see Mamaw and Papaw(what we called them) because he got so used to it. Most of those times she was at her house, but sometimes she would have to go back to the hospital. Those times I would try to leave the boys with Bret, but once they sat in the lobby for two hours with my sister so I could sit with my Grandma. The time my kids and I had with my Grandma were priceless. They would crawl all over her, make her laugh and spent hours just sitting on the bed beside her. They were so sweet. These pictures are images that will never leave my mind of our last days with her. I'm sad they won't get to know their great Grandma, but so thankful that we will see her again one day and the stories I will get to tell them about her. She truly was amazing.

While all of this was going on, we were also in the middle of a big process with what is next for Bret's job. Three years ago last month we started pursuing a dream. Bret was getting tired of running his lawn business we had bought, but more so just looking for something he wanted to do long term. Like everything else our first three years of marriage, working for Chick-fil-A fell in our lap. My sister Angie, had a friend whose dad owned a CFA, and just like that Bret got in touch with him and he had a job. The same day we sold our lawn business, Bret started with CFA, because God is the God of perfect timing like that.

Oh it has been a journey. I wouldn't change a thing(well, today at least;)). It has been five months since Bret turned in his Interim manager application and they let us know recently, in 2 more months we would finally know our answer. Seven months seems like years sometimes, but I know one day we will look back and it will feel like nothing.

My favorite thing about Bret working at Chick-fil-A is how much he loves it. I love seeing him learn, grow, and enjoy his work. It is so incredibly fun for our family to get to be apart of it. When Carter was a little younger any CFA he would walk into he would yell "Daddy, Daddy" looking for Bret everywhere. I loved that. Now that he knows which one is Daddy's he gets so excited when we get there. If we are at home he will say "I want to go to chick da lay to see Daddy". And if u ask Carter where he works he will say," Oh me and Tucker work at chick da lay with Daddy." I love that.

I love that we have a playground to play on to go see Bret at work. HUGE PERK. I love how my
kids faces and Bret's face light up when they see each other at the store. More so I love what this company stands for. This company was founded on the word of God. They are all about serving others. I  hope that the Lord will continue to open this door for us. Stay tuned at the end of January for big news :)

Cow Appreciation Day 2010

2011

2012

Now and then

Before I share all my fun stories from my kids these days, I guess I should share why the link to this blog only says Carter's name on it. I had heard people talk about blogging vaguely before I had kids. I had no idea there was a blogging world out there.I thought it would be fun, but honestly I really didn't know if staying at home was for me. I truly struggled staying at home those first six months.So I tried to start a blog, but never could get it going.

Before becoming a mom I was an elementary PE teacher and coach. It was a high energy job with long hours. I left my house about 6:30 everyday and got home around 6:30-7 everyday, and if I had a game it was more like 9 or 10. BUT I LOVED MY JOB. It was perfect for me. I felt like I was in my element.Yet, I get asked often which is harder, being a mom or a teacher? Both equally have their things. As a coach I was physically exhausted everyday. My feet hurt at the end of everyday and I slept like a rock. As a mom it's more exhausting mentally, but physically at times too(especially with boys:)). The moment I became a mom that rock hard sleeping stopped. Seriously, I can hear my baby breathing a little loudly, a cough, or even a little whimper in the middle of the night. But without a doubt being a mom is harder. There are no days off, no off periods, no lunch breaks and at the end of the day you don't send the kids home. I went home and could do whatever I wanted. When I had Carter I truly felt lost. One, because he sleeps like Bret and he never woke up the first three months of his life, but I was at home all day. I used to be home only to sleep. I had finally starting getting a little used to it and then God led us to move to Houston. It was so clear to us to move it would of been nothing but disobedience if we had not followed.

The only place Bret and I had ever known together. Where we met, got married, all our friends were, my mom friends( which are like gold I found out), and our first home. I felt alone. I missed everything about New Braunfels. I remember Bret and I both talking about how we missed home. So, I thought maybe going back to work would help. Something part time. Make me feel more apart of something, or just have someone to talk to. But the thought of not being there when Carter woke up from his nap , or missing a milestone, or flat out just missing him didn't feel right. So I prayed and I prayed more.We moved in October and by January things were looking up. We found a great church, starting meeting people and had found out we were pregnant. We were so excited. Then a few weeks later we lost that baby. It was hard. But God still was working on Bret and I in different ways. I was finally able to get back into bible study fellowship that January( it had been full when I tried to transfer from New Braunfels to here) and also got into a women's study group at my church and met some of the most incredible moms. Really, I mean if I could just morph myself into each of them that would be awesome. I learned so much from those ladies. I still learn so much from them. They were so real about being a mom. I never knew other moms struggled? I thought I was the only mom out there who thought" there is no way I can do this"? That Spring of 2011 my life changed. I've never thanked God so much for taking me through the hard. It was incredible. At the end of that semester we had our second little blessing coming. That same month Bret went to a class in Atlanta to become a certified grand opener. Which in a nutshell meant he would be gone a lot for a few months that fall. God knew if I would of had a baby that fall, Bret would of been gone.He knew he would finish up months of being gone and then in January our sweet baby would come. God is always right on time.Staying at home with my kids is the best decision I have ever made. It took awhile, but some days I may feel like this is my element now. Well, a little;) I truly love it. I hope the words on these pages and the stories encourage someone who may struggle with the same thing. Carter is almost 3. Two more years and he will be gone more of the day than he is at home. I want to have every little moment to hug, kiss and teach these boys while I am able.

And because this just doesn't last long enough.
Carter, our head full of hair baby and Tucker, our little bald baby:)

So I begin

I have been debating since I had kids to have a blog, but when they are little they just sleep a lot. Then we moved. Then Bret started traveling. Then we had another baby. So here I am 2 1/2 years into being a mom and I begin:) Carter and Tucker are just at such a fun age lately(2 1/2 and 10 months) I really want to make sure I am writing everything they do down and all the fun things they say. So, really this is more for me, but if anyone wants to read along, you are more than welcome.

Today was a great day. It is December 7, 2012 and it was 82 degrees in Houston today. So, like always our day was mostly outside. I seem to live outside these days with two little boys(which I love). Carter this week has a new fascination with his boots. He wears them everywhere. No matter what he is wearing or how good they look with his clothes. He even wore them for naps this week. I honestly love it. I think it is adorable. This kid melts my heart these days. One of my friends told me before I had kids that the two's  weren't the terrible two's but the terrific two's.I always try to keep that in mind daily at this age. Now, don't get me wrong this kid can have his days, but he is so sweet. He lately has been into saying"Mommy, I love you so much more."  He loves to give kisses and hugs. After his nap, he always still wants me to hold him. The other day he said"Mommy, I want you to hold me with both arms"(because my other arm was holding Tucker) Which is how it goes most days. I need four arms these days. But for now I love the cuddles with both of them in my lap.

Carter has also been obsessed with birthdays for awhile now. He sings happy birthday mostly to himself everyday. All day. We have been explaining to him how this month we are celebrating Jesus' birthday. So now I hear him singing Happy Birthday to Jesus all day. I love that. There is nothing I want his sweet heart to love more than Him. At BSF this year he has learned lots of hymns like "Good morning God" and "God is so good". One part of God is so good it says "Glory, Hallelujah" - He is constantly going around singing"Glory, Hallelujah". Except is sounds more like "Glory, Hawewuyah." :)

Carter also loves his little brother. Sometimes a little too much, but that is with any big brother. Today we were outside and he had his big truck out there and said "Oh Mommy, I think Tucker needs a toy" He runs inside with his boots on and runs back out with a truck for Tucker. Most days I feel like I can't keep them from going after the same thing, or sharing anything, but in that moment my heart was just so happy. He saw his brother crawling around with no toy and ran in as fast as he could to get one for him.I desire for them to be the best of friends. I pray it so often.

Tucker. Oh my little ten month old mover. I am not sure why the Lord picked me to have the sweetest little boys(or the most energetic little boys:)), but I am so thankful. Tucker has not stopped moving since he was in my belly. He scared me in the womb. Although as much as he is right on Carter's heels, his demeanor is a little less intense than Carter. He is way more content to be held than Carter ever was. He will fall asleep on anyone at BSF or church if he is tired. His eyes do melt my heart in every sense of the word. If there is a loud noise or my voice is raised the slightest his little lip lowers and he is off and running to my arms. I may not be ever able to tell him no. (just kidding.)I already have to since his favorite things right now are playing in the toilet and the trash*sigh*.

He is my tummy sleeper and Carter is still my back sleeper. He is also my little mess. Carter was always so neat, never wanting to be dirty, but this kid he loves dirt. He also is the messiest eater ever. Pretty sure tonight at dinner he had his carrots in his eyes, ears and what little hair he has. Peas all in his diaper. Yum. As if I don't have to see those already in there in the morning.

Things that are so similar in these two little munchkins are their love for food. If you have food, they come running. Seriously, right now if you get something out of the fridge they want it. Both of them. Tucker has tried everything already he probably shouldn't have because he will scream if he doesn't have what Carter is eating. I mean, I really don't want to hear screaming. And he's cute. Everyday Bret comes home and eats a bowl of cereal,or a sandwich, or some chips, or some fruit, well he sure does try. If people start to wonder why Bret is so skinny its because his kids eat everything he has. I even caught Bret last month giving Tucker a powdered sugar donut. Carter just tried those for the time a few months back. Like I said, Tucker is ruined. They love them some yogurt too. We got through gallons of yogurt. Yes, I said yogurt. They both love to dance. They both love their bath time and their love for outside is through the roof. Even tonight we had our family bike ride to the park after all day of being outside. One of my favorite family activities we do.

 God blessed us tremendously with these two. I don't want to miss a moment with them. I love that I am the one to see them every morning when they wake up and before they go to bed, that I know every little thing they are wanting with a noise or sound or look. God chose Bret and I to be their parents for this short time we are here. I am forever grateful He has entrusted me with being their mom and raising them up. I want to remember the details of every little thing. So, here is to helping me do that.