In the Silence...

What do I do? Kristen was here for the weekend with her boyfriend, Ryan & his friend, Dave. It was a fun, chaotic weekend with a houseful of fun! We learned a very fun new game, got addicted & played way too much...even when we should have been tending to other responsibilities. Oops! The children were cared for, loved upon & included in the game time...everyone was happy so everyone wins! (messy house but who cares? that will still be here tomorrow!) Kristen & Ryan took Xander back to Redding for a few days. Xander is having a sleepover with his Aunt Kk. He keeps telling me all about the little trip he is going to take with his Aunt Kk & Ryan. He is so excited...especially since he got to sit in the front seat of Ryan's truck! What a treat.
Brandon is at youth group tonight. We are doing a youth event with the high school students delivering Turkey Dinners to families in need. I really wish I could be there but right now I am focusing on keeping my family happy & healthy. This morning I noticed that Uzziah was sounding a little stuffy. He was breathing heavy & he was getting a little snotty (literally...not in attitude. that will come in a few years) So I decided to keep Uzziah home for the evening so that he would not get sick before the holidays. And I think he appreciates the little breathe of rest & quiet as well. He is all worn out from screaming last night...probably screamed about 45 min long at least 4 different times last night (oops! no more spicy mango habanero hot wings for me while I am nursing...sorry, Uzziah!)
So I sit in a living room cluttered with toys, and couches overflowing with laundry (did I mention Xander explored Kristen's make-up bag this weekend?) and I think about all the wonderful projects that could be accomplished while Uzziah naps. Yep! that sounds good to me- a nap! Good Night!

Aunt Kk

Aunt Kk came to visit us this weekend & as always, we are having a blast. She is such a great Aunt & thoroughly enjoys spoiling my babies! (I still can't get myself to call Xander my "kid" or my "child"...he is still my baby...I just have 2 now!) She always bursts into the house with such enormous energy, showering us with thoughtful gifts, love, excitement & time. She takes time to sit with Xander & play, or watch his movie with him, read stories or just play pretend! She takes Uzziah for me so that I can have my arms free for a moment...changes his diaper, feeds him, or just love on him! It is such a blessing to me to have such a lovely break. I love her dearly & am really looking forward to having my other 2 sisters join us here for the Holidays very soon!

Now-if i could just get her to take the 3 am shift with Uzziah...

Weekend Getaway

Brandon and I are having a great "alone" time on our Weekend Getaway. We are so blessed to have some wonderful friends who offered to take Xander for a few days so that we could get some much-needed uninterrupted time with each other. THANK YOU!!!
As we talked about our plan for the weekend, we decided to abandon our typical adventurous agenda and plant ourselves in our room & do absolutely nothing. We wanted to take advantage of the wonderful time we had on our hands so we brought along our videos & photos that we had yet to upload from the past several years. We have enjoyed reminiscing through the past and relishing all the stolen moments of Xander's first few years of life as we anticipate the arrival of his new baby brother! Yes- we have exciting news: Brandon and I will be having a baby boy in August!!! We are going to be very busy preparing for another little boy, while trying to cherish every moment we have with our family during this exciting time in our lives.

South Carolina

We had an incredible time visiting Aaron & Carrie in South Carolina. Brandon spoke at a their camp for several days & then we got to hang out with them. They are such great friends of ours & we really miss them dearly. It has been so fun getting together with them & watching our kids grow up so quickly before our eyes. Their little baby Camille is just darling & I hate that I don't get to see her more often.
We also got to see my family while we were on the East Coast. We met in Jacksonville at my aunt's house and made the most out of a 24 hr whirlwind visit. It was lots of fun being with my family- such a treat that we don't get to have nearly often enough. We will be spoiled this month because they are coming out here next week for Xander's birthday!!! Yay!- twice in one month...that never happens!!!
Dear Sunday, Monday & Tuesday...please hurry up & leave.

We almost have a 2 yr old

His first swing set

When Mimi and GP were here, they surprised us by getting Xander his first swing set! It is really incredible. It has a slide, a glider, a teeter-totter, two swings and handle bars to swing from. He absolutely loves it (of course) and asks to go outside and swing every day!!! Of course, now he wants me to come out with him and push him really high! ;) It has been so fun watching him enjoy such a fun gift...Thanks, mom and dad!

Drive-In Movie

We had a successful event with our high school students in Waterford last night. We hosted a Drive-In Movie @ Elly's house. Elly's family owns a lot of property & have a perfect location for hosting large events. They have been very gracious to let us have 2 events there so far.
It was a long day for Brandon as he left the house at 7:30 am and did not get home until almost 11 at night! He stayed in Waterford after church with a few guys from the high school group who helped him set up all the media equipment...of course there were a couple kinks & problems with the sound system so it was a good thing they decided to set up early. I got out there around 6 pm, after running to the store and getting all our last minute items & leaving Xander with our friend Charisse, who is so awesome to watch Xander when we need some help! We watched the Nightmare before Christmas & the students loved it. I was surprised that many of them had never seen it before, or did not remember it because it had been so long ago. They all seemed to have a great time & we were happy to have about 75 students come out for the event! It was a lot of fun & we are encouraged to see the students warming up to us & feeling like they are getting to know us.
After the movie, one of the guy's trucks wouldn't start so we had to search for jumper cables & took about 45 minutes to get his truck to turn on. Most of the crowd was gone by then. We were all packed up & ready to be home so we loaded up & drove away. As Brandon was driving up the hill to leave the property, one of the girls' trucks stopped working. She claimed her battery died and she coudln't get it to start again. They let her work on it for about 10 minutes until they finally decided to all back up & they would roll her truck backwards to jump start it. ONce they had all moved their cars, one of the guys got in her car to jump start it & as he turned the ignition it started right up. Turns out she hadn't had the clutch all the way in...
Always some sort of excitement at a high school event!