Life in the Lone Star State

We love our DADDY!!!

2012-01-13T14:25:00.000-06:00

Ben has had a lot of time of work lately with his holiday schedule and we have LOVED every moment of him being home. There are pluses and minuses to the working from home gig but one of the things we love best is that he can take his lunch break with us or right at 5 he can come play with us outside. The non-existent commute and the fact that he can be with us right up until go time seems to almost make the travel worth while....no not really, I still hate the travel! Here are a few cute pictures of daddy with his kiddos, caution your heart might melt at the sight of such sweetness.

Dressed up in our OSU orange, ready for the Cowboys to win their first BCS bowl game!

Ring around the rosey, pockets full of posey....

This one will for sure go in a yearbook photo or wedding video!

We love you so much daddy, thank you for all of your hard work and for being the best daddy we could ask for!!!!!

Ready for a sleeping baby

2012-01-08T14:04:00.000-06:00

We finally got the crib and changing table put together for the new baby, what a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. My friend Rebecca had a set that she wasn't using at the time and was nice enough to let us borrow it for awhile. Brynlee is still in her crib and with enough other changes getting ready to happen I didn't want to try and force her out of her own and into a big girl bed. Benjamin was so excited to be daddy's little helper in getting it all put together. There were of course times when I think he was more of a hinderance than a help but his heart was in the right place to be a helping hand. One thing to check off the never ending list of ways to get physically and emotionally ready for a growing household.

Ready for a small sweet baby to slumber away.

This Weather is Ridiculous!

2012-01-03T13:19:00.001-06:00

God has been smiling down on us with this unseasonably warm weather lately, gracious how beautiful His creation is. Here we are in January and while one would think that heavy coats and scarves would be the norm that is not the case. We have been very spoiled with warm temperatures, beautiful sunshine, and lots of fun play time outdoors.

Notice the big wet spot on her shorts, no that isn't that type of accident but it is a girl thinking she is bigger than she really is drinking from mommy's cup.

Benjamin flying a kite, what a big boy he is!

Christmas Day 2011

2011-12-29T20:06:00.005-06:00

Christmas morning came bright and early in our house but luckily Benjamin is young enough we were able to put him off long enough for Brynlee to wake up also. He got up right at 7 and Brynlee was about 7:35ish, early for this mama but I know it could have been so much worse. Santa left his gifts in the office by the tree and fireplace, conveniently we can close that room off and the kids couldn't see any of the goodies before we were ready for them too. I got to sneak in with the camera and was able to get great pictures of the kiddos in their sheer joy of the moment. After opening gifts we had cinnamon rolls, sang Happy Birthday to Jesus, played some more, had a large ham lunch, took naps(me included), video chatted with grandma and papa, and spent the whole day in our jammies. It was a fab-u-lous day as a family of 4.5, fun was had by all!

Our big girl got a shopping cart from Santa

Buying gifts for Ben is so stressful but this year I actually got him something that he likes and wanted. He got new bar stools for the kitchen, score one for me!

Brynlee with her new balls

He loves his planes!

Mama got some new boots and a body pillow, that thing has been a lifesaver in this pregnancy.

Brynlee playing on the scooter Benjamin got from Santa

Merry Christmas from the Linigers!!!

Christmas Eve 2011

2011-12-26T19:41:00.003-06:00

For the first time as a married couple Ben and I spent Christmas Eve in our home with our kids and not in Tulsa with family. I was sad at the thought of not being around for all of the family traditions I have grown to know and love but I was excited at the thought of starting our own special moments. Christmas Eve started with Ben reading the store of Jesus' birth from the book of Luke, then opening gifts that aunts, uncles, and grandparents had sent for the kids. I knew that the kids were going to get plenty of gifts and didn't want Christmas morning to overwhelm them so we split the chaos up over two days, I think it went great! After gifts, we played, had lunch, took naps, then went to Christmas Eve service at our church. The evening was capped off with pizza in our jammies, yea this mama has decided that pizza will be our new Christmas Eve tradition...yummo!

Brynlee loved her pizza dinner, that smile gets me every time!

A little hesitant with the tearing of the paper but it didn't take long for her to figure it all out.

Benjamin wasn't too thrilled with doing pictures before gifts but he is a trooper.

HO HO HO!!!!!

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

2011-12-24T08:46:00.000-06:00

Every year Santa Claus invades downtown Ft. Worth for a few weeks and we always like to go visit the jolly fat man while he is in town. For 5 years now we have gone to see Santa, check this guy out and you will see he is one good looking Santa. Other than the fact that he stinks like smoke and his beard is kind of yellow he is a poster child Santa. It was rather cold Wednesday night and while we got there right when Santa opened we still had to wait in line for an hour. Luckily Ben took the kids into a Jamba Juice to warm up and to distract them from the long wait while I braved the elements and kept our place in line. We only got a few shots this time, like I said we had been there awhile and Brynlee wasn't exactly thrilled with the whole Santa idea.

Benjamin looks like a deer in the headlights but he had no hesitation being reunited with his old pal.

I tried to put Brynlee in Santa's lap but she was having no part of that, therefore I got to sit in the sleigh as well.

Santa, thanks for another great visit and we hope to see your smiling face again next year!

Catalyst Playdate

2011-12-22T20:04:00.004-06:00

Every month the moms in our Sunday school class try to get the kids together for a fun, Christian based play date. There is a new host each month and the host gets to choose what activity if any we do for the get together. The kids and I love these play dates, a chance to play with fun people we love and who we get to go through life with.

Tuesday it was our turn to host and to have lots of chaos and fun in our house. We had a great turn out and while we had some crafts to do it wasn't anything structured or planned. The get together being over Christmas break allowed for a wide age range of kids, from 6 weeks old to 10 years old. I got a few pictures of the crew but with that many kiddos all crammed into one house it was tough to have any control or structure.

We all love a good PJ party with our friends!

As you can tell these glasses were a huge hit with the little ones.

The big girls trying to show Maddie how to make some crafts.

The best shot we could get of all the kiddos in one area.

Little babies and their mamas watching all the mayhem.

Big Kid SleepOver

2011-12-19T14:23:00.001-06:00

Saturday night Ben and I hosted a Christmas party for our Sunday school class, Catalyst. While I was hoping Brynlee would sleep through most of the commotion I had no idea what the heck to do with Benjamin, there is no way that kid would stay in bed with 30+ adults roaming the house. I hated to do it but I contacted one of Benjamin's best friends mom to see if it would be okay if he could spend the night at their house. It would help me tremendously to have Jamin out of the way and I knew he would love the extra time with Hudson. Lucky for me Jen and Jay said yes so off he went on his first friend sleepover. Benjamin has slept at his cousin Seth's house before or grandparents without us around but this would be the first time to do it locally and without a family member. I was a tad nervous about how he would do but having a large gathering at my house with plenty of distraction for me.

Hudson's mom was nice enough to send me these pictures that she took of the boys together, I was so thankful that she thought to do so. I can tell that Benjamin is having a ball and probably didn't think twice about old mom and dad at home.

Notice that Benjamin is wearing a Halloween shirt while Hudson is appropriately wearing a Christmas shirt...letting Benjamin dress himself is just one battle I choose not to take on.

Sleeping on the floor isn't my idea of a good time but I know silly little boys love it.

Jen did tell me that the boys finally fell asleep about 10 and were up at 6 the next day, wow that is early! Benjamin had such a good time and keeps telling me, next time I spend the night at Hudson's or when is Hudson going to come spend the night here? So sweet to have a good friend who I know he loves and I feel totally comfortable with him being around. I hope we can return the favor soon and allow Hudson into our home for a fun and rowdy boys night.

31 Weeks

2011-12-16T14:18:00.004-06:00

Taken at 30 weeks

Today I am 31 weeks pregnant and I am feeling every one of those weeks! I had a doctors appointment yesterday and everything is going great with me and baby. The heartbeat was 169 which was high compared to the last one of 140, I have gained 18 pounds so far, my cervix is soft but I have not dialted yet, and the baby is measuring at about 32 weeks in size. I have been having some contractions this past week but my doctor wasn't concerned and just reminded me to be drinking plenty of water which I have not been doing enough of. Ben and the kids went to the appointment with me and while it was great to include them the room was rather cramped and I think Deem might have been a little overwhelmed when she walked in and saw all 4 of us there. I now have appointments every two weeks, and then every week for the last month. I also got to set up an ultrasound for January 12th to check the size of the baby and to make sure he/she is not breech.

Sleep has become a challenge the last week for me, I am at the stage where I just can't get comfortable and I wake up every time I need to roll over. I realize that God is getting me ready for the night time feedings but I am not quite ready to be sleep deprived. I feel that I have also entered the waddling stage, the floor is getting further and further away, and I am confident my feet are still under me but I couldn't swear to it as I can no longer see them. Oh well, this is the home stretch(or belly stretch) and I am hoping and praying these next two months fly by quickly for me and baby.

PS: I am still convinced it is a girl but everyone I talk to comments about how low the baby is sitting or how small I am so therefore it must be a boy. I mean strangers are giving me their vote, people at Chick Fil A, Michaels, the mall.....it is odd that every where you go someone has an opinion for you.

Miss Claus

2011-12-14T17:30:00.000-06:00

Being the frugal mom that I am(okay sometimes am) I like to try and do clothes shopping a year in advance when there are awesome deals. So last year after winter I bought Brynlee some cute dresses from Hannah Anderson, a line of clothes that I love but can't normally afford. I buy the clothes then put them away until I need them, if I can remember to get them back out that is. Sunday I stumbled upon this cute little dress that I bought for her about 11 months ago, it fits great and my word isn't she just darling!

Brynlee got to decorate cookies at school today as part of her Christmas party, to say she is a sugar freak would be an understatement.

Brynlee Claus hard at work helping mama make some Christmas yummies.

It's the Happ Happiest Season of All

2011-12-10T13:48:00.001-06:00

Yesterday we took the kids to see some Christmas decorations at the local park, and what had been a warm day turned bitterly cold by the time we got out of the van. We weren't at all prepared for the wind so we only stayed long enough to snap a few shots and do some running around. We will for sure have to go back on a warmer day, which we all know will happen in Texas.

I didn't get many shots of Benjamin because this is all he was doing the whole time, will he ever slow down?

Handsome snowmen!

Brynlee figured out her own way to get around obstacles and be Miss Independent.

Go Tell it on the Mountain

2011-12-06T21:00:00.002-06:00

Tonight Benjamin had his Christmas program at school, his third one since starting at the ELC when he was 2. In the past he has sang Jingle Bells and Joy to the World but this year his class got a big song, Go Tell it on the Mountain. I love that he is finally old enough to get most of the words out and not be too distracted by all of the people in the audience or seeing himself on the big screen behind him. The song itself took about 50 seconds to sing but he had been practicing for weeks and man was he ready to put it all out there. Way to go Benjamin, once again when you do things you do them well.

He has no pre show jitters at all. The two boys next to him are Hudson and Drew, two of his best friends in the class. Believe it or not I never noticed that they were wearing the same thing until after the show and I was editing pictures.

The Alligator Class

So proud of himself when it is all over...can't wait to see what he will do next year.

November in Review

2011-11-30T21:04:00.003-06:00

If I have never said it I have for sure thought it....if I get behind on blogging it is a beating to get back on track and I put it off as long as I can. Well a whole month has passed and while I would love to give you a good reason for the absence in blogging I can only say, life is busy and I am a tired mama. So here is the quick version of what we have been up to for the last month with a few pictures thrown in to keep you from being bored.

Ben and I got a few days alone in Kansas City, that's right adult time on our schedules. It was FAB-U-LOUS and if I am being honest it went too quickly and I wasn't ready to be back with the kids. I got to eat when and what I wanted, got to see movies, visit old friends, sleep in until 8:30, and just be with my wonderful husband.

We took a 9 day trip to Oklahoma to see our families and to spend Thanksgiving with loved ones. It seems like no matter how long we are in Tulsa it is never long enough and there are plenty of people we would love to have more time with. Grandma loved having all of her babies together and of course my kiddos loved being at grandma and papa's house.

I got to reunite with 5 girlfriends from high school while we were in Tulsa, and we rekindled the tradition of "Friendsgiving". Before we had kids and moved away we would all get together every year the week of Thanksgiving for a fun and friendly time to just laugh and live. Well 12.5 kids later and miles between all of us it was so nice to once again come together and be with these girls, friends now for the past 17 years and counting.

Some other highlights of our month:

-Brynlee battled a case of hand, foot, and mouth disease...ugh what a beating that was.

-I realized that I have a serious addiction to sugar and can't get enough dessert and candy

-Ben did quite a bit of traveling for work, I think every week in the month

-I got a sinus infection that kicked my butt and I am still trying to deal with 2 weeks later.

-We got all the Christmas shopping done, the house decorated, Christmas cards ordered and we are ready for the holidays this year!

-Benjamin went to a number of friends' birthday parties and is having a blast in school.

-I got bigger and bigger in the pregnancy and I am now 100% convinced that we are having another girl. I guess we won't know if I am right though for about 11 more weeks.

-I was able to enjoy some girl time with my friend Crissy, a night out with my old lady friends, and a few breakfasts with my girlfriends sans the kids.

-Ben and I have spent a lot of time this month realizing how blessed and rich our lives are. Ben has a job he loves, we have healthy kids we adore, our finances are in check and savings is growing, we have a great house to raise our kids in, we have a church family we love and adore, we have a strong marriage, we have personal relationships with our Savior......life is good!

What have I forgotten.....

It's the Country Life

2011-10-27T14:46:00.000-05:00

In the short 5 months we have lived in the country we have come to the conclusion that it has it perks as well as it short comings. One of the things we love best is that it is relatively quiet in our neighborhood, yea we live on a main road but the house in the back of the neighborhood really have it made with their seclusion. We love that you can see the stars at night and that we can let our kids play in the front yard or driveway and not worry about them every second they are out there alone. While I am not a fan of Ben traveling and leaving us alone at night I don't worry near as much in our current house as I have in the past, extra outdoor lights and a home security system definitely help in that area.
One of the best parts of the neighborhood(if you count 12 houses on one street a neighborhood) is that many of houses have animals. Not just your average dog or two but many dogs, chickens, horses, fish in a big pond, and cows. We love taking walks on the street and visiting all the farm animals, I hope our kids will be the type that you have to beg to come inside to eat or because it is just too dark outside to see anymore.

These pictures were all taken in our neighbors yard, they are the only house with a fenced in front yard just so they can keep the horses in. We have fed these horses a few times and while they love the carrots I think we need to do a better job of not just invading their space and getting to know them gradually. The horse on the left was so excited to get food and companionship that she kind of charged the other horse to back off, um we were standing right there when this happened and I got kicked in the back of both legs by the horse charging. It wasn't comfortable by any means but I was so grateful that some bruises and a cut on the back of my leg was the worst thing that happened...I would have gone crazy if one of the kids had been hit, if he would have kicked me in the stomach, or the horse had knocked me over and into a pile of poop. I think the next time we go visit we will stand on the other side of the fence and slowly get to know these furry friends.

Benjamin's Birthday Party

2011-10-24T14:24:00.003-05:00

In the past the kids birthday parties have been fun but they have always been attended by my friends as well as the kids friends. Well since Benjamin is now a very vocal 4 I thought this year should be all about him, only inviting friends from his class and not my friends thrown in the mix. Luckily for me I am good friends with a lot of the moms in his class, a win win for both of us but some of the usuals were left off the guest list this year :(
Benjamin had a blast though with his friends and isn't that what it is really all about.

Lots of little kiddos with mommies and younger siblings in tow.

Benjamin and his buddy Cole enjoying a snack together.

Benjamin's future wife Blakely taking on the pinata. Funny story, Blakely's mom couldn't come to the party until later because she teaches classes at 24 HR Fitness so she needed Blakely to come over early and have a play date before the party. No biggie, I send Ben and our two kids to the store for a few last minute things and that is where he picks up Blakely from Jacy. So can you just picture Ben in Wal-Mart at 8:30 in the morning with 3 kids and trying to get party food, I don't know that he will ever do that again based on the stories he told me about Benjamin and Blakely running a muck in Wal-Mart. Yet another reason he is the best husband and daddy ever!

Brynlee carrying around some loot from the pinata, too bad we didn't let her actualy eat any of it.

Benjamin is very blessed with great friends who love him and want to celebrate the wonderful boy that he is.....thanks friends for an awesome over the top fun party!

Benjamin Turns 4

2011-10-21T13:53:00.003-05:00

I can't believe that as of Wednesday October 19th I am the mommy to a growing 4 year old boy, 4 blows my mind. Benjamin was so excited that his birthday fell on a school day and that he could spend his special day with all of his friends, I love that he is such a school enthusiast. Daddy was out of town on the morning of his birthday but luckily the idea of taking rice crispy treats to school seemed to be the main focus of the morning madness. After school I took Benjamin to Dr. Jones for his check up not realizing that this particular check up was one of the hardest on the kids. I dreaded the appointment all day, knowing that he was going to get a number of shots and that they could make him feel lousy on his actual birthday was almost more than I could handle. I preped Jamin by telling him that he was going to get shots and yes while they were going to hurt he would get a sucker and that we could go to the park afterwards for some fun. It broke my heart to have to lay on top of him while Kelly gave him the shots in his thighs, he cried so hard but after about 10 minutes seemed to be doing better and was ready to waddle off to the park. The guy limped for 2 days though afterwards saying that his legs hurt and he was bruised on the thigh as well, note to self never schedule appointments on actual birthdays no matter how efficient you think you are.
Other than the park another saving grace was that daddy was coming home that afternoon and he got to open presents before dinner. Yea for saving the fun until the end of the day, takes the sting out of the mean old shots!

My big birthday boy with a new Rangers baseball hat(daddy got a matching one also) and a new Transformer that daddy picked out for his little buddy.

Everyone got in on the present fun, even our neighbor dogs who are roamers and like to poop in our yard and take things out of our garage and destroy them.

A new Cars 2 shirt from Grandma and Papa

Since it is the height of baseball season we decided to get Jamin a tball set for his birthday, he loves it! As you can tell he is pretty good at hitting the ball also, now if we can just work on running the bases in order.

Ben told me that every year he wants to get a picture of him and Jamin together so he can watch and see how much he physically changes over the years. I think really he is just wanting to gage and see how long he has before the son takes over the daddy.

Benjamin at 4 years is 41 pounds(50-75%) and 43 inches tall(95%).

Benjamin I love you so much, I am so thankful for the sensitive and smart young boy that you are growing into. You amaze me daily with your tenderhearted nature, how you remember the most minute details, and while I don't always like the rough way of a boys nature you are a dream son for your daddy. He loves being your buddy and thinks that you are the most fun to be around, you really are two peas in a pod and the way you love one another warms my heart.

Happy Birthday Benjamin!

Orange Power

2011-10-18T21:23:00.000-05:00

In trying to pass my love of Oklahoma State on to my kids I like to dress them in as much orange and black as I can. The great state of Texas has the wrong idea of what orange should look like, they burn it for some strange reason. Lucky for me Ben had a meeting in Oklahoma last week and he picked up this adorable dress for Brynlee at a local Academy store. Oh and yes I have also taught my kids to wave their wheat when OSU scores a touchdown, Brynlee now says football, and they both know to shoot their guns in victory............proud mama indeed.

GO POKES!!!!

Toddler Talk

2011-10-17T15:14:00.000-05:00

The other day I overheard Ben and Benjamin talking about some pretty deep stuff.

Ben: Benjamin what did you learn about at church the other day?

Jamin: I learned God made me and he made me wonderfully.

Ben: Yea that's right, God made you. And you know that God made me too. He made both of us wonderfully. Who do you think made mommy?

Jamin: Grandma and Papa

You are wise beyond your years little man!

Pumpkin Patch 2011

2011-10-16T20:52:00.001-05:00

Yesterday some families from our Sunday school class went to the Flower Mound pumpkin patch, wow is that place big! We got there about 10 and while there was already a crowd there it was nothing compared to the hundreds if not a thousand people that were there by the time we left at about 11:45. I couldn't believe how much stuff they had to do at the patch, and other than paying $5 to park it was all free! Well the sno cone we got wasn't free and leave it to me to pick one of the biggest pumpkins there to purchase and that whopper cost a mean $20. Oh well, other than how ridiculously hot it was and the huge crowd it really was a fun morning for all of us.

Would you bail us out?

Yummy pumpkin!

Such a sweet picture of my little angels.

They really do like each other.

She thinks my tractor's sexy....

Peek-A-Boo

Small kid on a big slide

Best family picture we could get, seems next to impossible for all 4 of us to be looking at the camera at the same time.

Benjamin lost in the hay maze

What a smile!

Picnic Time

2011-10-13T20:42:00.002-05:00

We have had some great park weather the past couple of days so the kids and I have been taking full advantage. I know that it is going to be short lived and more than likely the Texas heat will strike again before we really get to enjoy fall but we have to enjoy it while we can.

Sophia, Maddie, and Benjamin enjoying a big kid picnic.

Brynlee enjoying her first ever juice box, yea she liked it. She didn't drink the whole thing and was quite fascinated with pulling the straw out of the box and playing with it. Don't grow up on me too soon little girl, there is plenty of time for you to enjoy all the sweet things life has to offer.

Serious Cravings

2011-10-10T19:48:00.002-05:00

As I have said I am convinced that this next baby is going to be a girl, and part of the reason I think that way is because of the ridiculous foods I am eating these days. Before Brynlee I was never really a sweets person, I like salty things like popcorn, pretzels, chips...well I am sure you get the point. Well when I was pregnant with Piggles I couldn't get enough candy, pastries, and anything that was loaded down with sugar. Unfortunately I think I am on the same crash course this go round, oh peanut butter M&Ms sound like a little slice of heaven. Leading up to this month the pregnancy had been going well and I had only gained 4 pounds, pretty sure when I go back on November 2nd I will have gained more than that just in the one month. I think Halloween is going to be a personal hell for me, I will want to eat all the candy and will enjoy it but hate myself when I get on the scale two days later. Self control where are you????

Other things I have been eating:

-Chicken Express(I had never once eaten there before this pregnancy but have dined at this establishment 3 times and see many more trips in the future).

-Ice Cream, what is is about pregnant women and ice cream!

-I had a chili cheeseburger for lunch the other day and I have never had one of those before.

-Cream of Wheat

-Pickled Okra

-Jalapenos

-I wanted to buy some Funyuns today at the store but when I saw they were over $3 a bag I decided not to...something that I am sure will change by the end of the pregnancy!

Seriously.....do you see anything wrong with this list??? Yes I do eat salads, fruit, meats, vegetables, and all that other healthy junk but not near as much as I should and it doesn't quite satisfy the taste buds. STRUGGLE!!!!

What a beautiful profile!

2011-10-06T13:33:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I had the BIG ultrasound to check out the baby and to count toes and fingers. Ben and I had agreed to not find out the gender of this baby since there is a good chance it is our last and having one of each already this is just kind of a bonus to throw the numbers one way or the other in our family. Thank goodness Ben went with me to my appointment, I think had he not I would have caved and found out the gender. I am such a planner and I love the idea of praying for the baby by name and really referring to him or her as a legit member of the family. Alas I didn't ask and we left the appointment with God being the only person to know the sex, our doctor or the ultrasound tech don't even know and that is exciting.

The appointment went great, all the organs seem to be functioning with no problems and all the necessary body parts were accounted for. The great Bambino(yes that is what we are calling the baby for now) weighs 11 ounces and was a wiggly little worm for his/her hour to shine. It was so surreal to see the little booger right there in front of us....love love love this one so much already! The only concern was the the baby appears to be breach for now but with how small he/she is there is plenty of time for a flip in the next 19 weeks. I have gained 4 pounds so far at almost 21 weeks, which is great for now but I know that number will grow quickly. I am feeling much better physically and my appetite is in full force! I am having problems sleeping at night and in my mind it is way too early for that problem, I am tired all the time. I am realizing that my age is probably a factor in my fatigue and also that I am chasing after 2 very energetic kiddos all day long and trying to keep a respectable looking house for Ben. I am trying to savor this pregnancy and make the best of it for the time that is remaining, I swear before I know it we will be a legit family of 5 and I will be out of my mind.

Last swim of the 2011 season

2011-10-03T14:38:00.001-05:00

Saturday when it was in the mid 80s outside Ben decided it was time to close the pool down for the year. We are fortunate that our pool came with a custom cover so after a few hours of cleaning and winterizing time was upon us to say good bye to the hazy lazy days of summer. I think that the water temperature was about 81 chilly degrees but that didn't stop my boys from enjoying one final polar dip before the cover was put into place. The swim was not planned, Benjamin jumping in fully dressed and Ben down to his unmentionables....my boys are crazy and I love their energy and zest for life together!

Love this action shot

What better water toy is there than a daddy!

20 Weeks In

2011-10-01T14:02:00.002-05:00

Half way done, gosh I thought we might never get to this point. Based on how this pregnancy has gone so far I am convinced that we are having another girl....I want a boy but will be happy with a healthy baby(that is the church answer). Here are a few shots of the belly and mama.

Benjamin and daddy are both thinking boy at this point, Jamin tells us that he already has a little sister so he needs a little brother next.

My white belly is not at all attractive or flattering but Ben says it needs to be shown and remembered.

Hard to see anything in this shot but Ben was playing around with shadowing and angles.

Brynlee at 16 months

2011-09-30T13:50:00.002-05:00

Wow, who is this little girl and where has my baby girl gone? Brynlee is now 16 months old and while there are days when she seems so baby like to me in how she acts I am realizing that she really is developing into quite the little girl. Her hair makes her look older to me, and the fact that she has a full set of teeth doesn't hurt either. She is quite the picky eater these days(and has been for months) so she has really trimmed down and lost a lot of the baby fat. When I had to take her to the doctor for her virus she weighed in at 22 pounds 4 ounces but I think that might have been a generous number. Brynlee has been walking for about 3 weeks now and she is improving daily with her balance and foot work. She tries to run which is hilarious to watch, it is fast walking that usually turns into falling because she just can't keep up with what her feet want.

Brynlee's extensive vocabulary:

Mama

Daddy

Baby

Shoe

Uh-Oh

Bye

Belly

Ball

Peas(please)

Duck(Benjamin loves to play duck duck goose and every time Brynlee is a duck so she will tap people on the head now and say duck...it is precious)

Doggie

Destin Revisited

2011-09-29T14:08:00.007-05:00

This week has been a rough one and since I can't really take a vacation from my life I thought a mental vacation might do the trick. Here are quite a few pictures from our almost 2 weeks in Destin, yes a picture heavy post but I had over 300 to choose from so cut me some slack.

Mayme and Granddad with their 5 lovely grandchildren.

The original Liniger 6, see Ben isn't the only red head in the bunch!

Typical sibling shananagans...Ben is the oldest and is on the shoulders of Angie the youngest then there is Bobby on the shoulders of Chrissy who is the third child.

All of us present and accounted for, next time we might need to get two houses to stay in.

Richard Benjamin Liniger II, Richard Benjamin Liniger III, and Richard Benjamin Liniger IV.

We weren't too successful on great snap shots of the 4.5 of us.

Love the smiles on my boys faces and their shadows in the sand.

Brayden's first trip to the beach.

A daddy and his princess.

Since we aren't finding the gender out we have decided to refer to the baby as the Great Bambino while still in my belly.

Super competitive bunch right here, notice the daughters on the daddies backs.

Benjamin digging in the sand with his cousins David(4) and Katie(3).

Why can't we all smile and look at the camera at the same time?

My sweet ladybug, not a fan at all of the beach.

A little bit of rest time on daddy under the canopy tent.

Benjamin absolutely loved the beach this year, he spent just as much time playing in the sand as he did in the water.

Daddy competed in a 5k race while we were there.

A little wiffle ball is good for the soul.

My silly monkey son having a blast in the sand and surf.

Daddy on a conference call at 7:30 in the morning on the beach, can't always be off duty but not too bad considering how long he was away from the office.

Daddy doing a little bit of surfing, well attempting to anyway.

Piggles and Jamin enjoying the view and loving life on the beach.

Quickly Losing It

2011-09-27T12:54:00.002-05:00

The Brynlee sickness saga continues and it is not a good story to be playing a key role in. Saturday's fever broke early afternoon and while the appetite was still absent her temperment seemed to be a little better and just wanted plenty of cuddles and holding from mommy or daddy. Sunday morning she was good for a few hours but then come 11 o'clock all hell broke lose and our life has been spiraling out of control ever since. Brynlee cried for about 4 hours straight on Saturday, through nap attempts, through lunch, while being rocked, while trying to play with her, anything and everything you can think of to try and soothe her we tried and all were epic fails! She finally cried herself to sleep for about an hour nap and was in a decent mood while we took food to friends who just had a baby a few weeks ago but there was no consoling the child. The fever still hadn't returned and other than a little gas and the crying there was nothing that we could tell was wrong with our normally sweet daughter.

Monday morning rolls around with no fever but after being up for about 15 minutes she was pissed off again and crying. I told Ben that I was worried that she wouldn't make it through a whole day of school and I was right, I got a call about 11:30 that she was inconsolable and they thought I should come and get her. By the time I got to the school she had momentarily stopped crying but was being held by a teacher and had refused to eat any lunch, no surprise there since she didn't eat breakfast and hadn't eaten a decent meal since Friday. Still concerned something was wrong I called Dr. Jones to set up another appointment for a recheck and to get some advice on what to do. We went home for a nap and once again after an hour straight of crying she fell asleep for 20 minutes before I had to wake her up to go to the doctor. After blood work, a strep test, her crying uncontrollably in the office, and a full evaluation he tells me that while he can tell something is wrong with her nothing is showing up on the tests and he thinks it is just a virus. WHAT THE HELL!!!

Our time after the appointment was more of the exact same with non stop tears on the car ride home, throughout dinner, a bath, and prayer time. The poor girl cried hysterically in her bed for 40 minutes before she finally fell asleep until morning and then day 3 of this ridiculousness started the exact same way. I am at my wits end, the crying is more than I can stand. I am yelling at Benjamin who is yelling at Brynlee to stop crying and it is a vicious cycle of craziness that I can't seem to stop. I am eating crappy greasy food to make myself feel better, yea that isn't going to turn out good for anyone. I don't know what to do, Motrin and Tylenol aren't doing a thing, she won't take her paci which she usually only gets at bed so you would think it was a treat, holding her doesn't help, car rides are pathetic with constant whimpering. I know that I have only been a mom for about 4 years and while I thought I had experienced a lot in Mom World nothing could prepare me for this. I feel like this is worse than colic because the crying and screaming are louder and she has more force and will power about her at this age.

So for just a few days I would like to resign as a stay at home mom, pack my things up and take a break. I don't care where I go or what I do but just get away from the noise, chaos, stress, and unsettled feelings that have taken over the last few days. I am totally run down, feel like a horrible mom, and need to recharge before I unload on my poor husband or my loving kids.

Snot Nosed Kids

2011-09-24T16:07:00.003-05:00

Brynlee has been in school for a total of 10 hours and has already brought a virus home, really already??? Stinking snot nosed kids sharing their germs, keep them to yourself punks! Yesterday she didn't eat much, was extra fussy, went to bed at 6:45 after a three hour nap....just not her normal perky self. This morning after a 13 hour sleep she woke up pathetic and with a fever, off to the doctor we go. We saw the pediatrician who was on call and while he isn't my favorite I am hopeful that he gave us a correct diagnosis and that it really is just a virus and nothing worse. We will have to keep a close eye on her, daddy goes out of town Monday for work and I swear no matter how long he is gone or where he goes one of the kids always seems to be sick when I am on my own....so frustrating. Brynlee you are so pathetic when you are sick, I love the extra cuddles and appreciate the extra sleep but the sad faces and not eating are really hard for this mama to handle. Praying it passes quickly and without getting to Benjamin, mama needs you both in school so I can keep my sanity and my hair appointment I have scheduled next week!

The first day of school, FINALLY!

2011-09-21T10:38:00.004-05:00

Thanks to an extra long vacation the kids missed the official first days of school, Monday the 19th was their day to shine and get to the school house. This will be Benjamin's third year at the ELC and Brynlee's first, we had originally thought she would only go one day a week but after we got pregnant again we knew it would be best for us if she went two days as well. This way I can go to all doctors appointments alone, get grocery shopping done sans kids, have a lunch date or two with a girlfriend or my wonderful husband, I can clean house uninterrupted....all the fun things that moms get to do.

Kick starting the day with a hearty breakfast of cereal, I love that they are starting to really interact with each other and play off of one another's actions.

Brynlee isn't quite sure if she is buying what we are selling, she is such a home body and wants to be with her mama and daddy all the time.

My big boy is ready to go, he looks so grown up to me with his tan and haircut.

Lucky for me Ben had a meeting downtown that morning so he was going to be the one taking the kids to school, I know I would have been an emotional wreck handing over my little girl.

Big brother Jamin looking out for little sister Piggles and letting her know that school was going to be a fun adventure....he melts me!

The first of many art projects for Brynlee, I guess they painted with feathers in class. Ben doesn't think that she did it alone and that it really was the teachers work but still it means a lot to this sentimental mom.

Brynlee's first day as a duck was kind of how I imagined it going, crying when daddy dropped her off, didn't nap at school, cried most of the way home, and then took a champion nap once she was home in her own environment. I am praying that her days get easier and that the tears are less frequent, I want her to enjoy this time and not feel like she is being punished for something.

Benjamin was of course a totally different story, he was very excited to be going to school and to be in the big 4 year old alligator class. He was lucky enough to get the same teacher he had last year as well as some friends from the past, this kid is in heaven. He came home telling us about acid and a science experiment they conducted with vinegar and cabbage...I didn't understand all of it but how awesome that he is so eager to learn and retell of his adventures.

I am really looking forward to a great year with a ton of growth from both of my not so little ones, yet another reminder of how quickly they grow and develop right before our very eyes.

Happy 40th Anniversary

2011-09-19T10:02:00.001-05:00

Yesterday was my parent's 40th wedding anniversary, can you even imagine being married to the same person for that long? Luckily Ben and I both come from lines of long marriages, my mimi and poppi were married for 62 years and Ben's nans and pops were married for 67 years(I think). In a time where marriage is a fad to some and divorce rates are at a staggering high it is so nice to see a long healthy marriage surviving. Yes I am sure my parents argue and have had ups and downs but their commitment to one another, to their faith, and to the vows they spoke 40 years ago is amazing. They are an inspiration to me and my siblings, something to strive for!

The happy couple at the anniversary party, so much happiness and love in their eyes and hearts.

My sister Joy Marie, husband Todd, and my mom's sister aunt Marcy. We swear that aunt Marcy looks just like Kathy Bates, the nice Kathy Bates and not the crazy lady in Misery.

My sister Michelle and husband JT, yes unfortunately he is an obnoxious OU fan but we still love him anyway.

The one and only boy in the family, my brother Ken and his wife Kelley.

You are never too old to sit on your daddy's lap.

I just adore this picture, their smiles and the laughter is what I remember most when we have family get togethers. Yes they are loud and the bigger the family gets the louder they are but we are always having fun and laughing at each other and ourselves, that is how a marriage and family works for so long.

Dad had a stain glass picture made for mom as her gift, such a sweet man he can be when he wants to be.

The original 6 Soerries clan.

Happy anniversary mom and dad, we love you very much and I am so grateful for the wonderful example you set for us.

From baby to big girl in one day

2011-09-17T09:42:00.001-05:00

After a horrible flying experience( a 2 hour delay, no napping, cramped plane, having to change seats before the first flight,a huge blow out diaper, Brynlee hitting her head on the window and crying hysterically, and then being told that my bag was too big for a carry on) from Ft. Walton Beach to Tulsa we finally arrived at Grandma and Papa's house and got Brynlee in bed at 11 Thursday night. Lucky for me she napped like a champ Friday morning while I ran errands to get birthday presents for papa and uncle JT before the party that night. After she got up the girls(mom, Brynlee, and myself) went to lunch and then to see great grandma Soerries for a visit before her much needed afternoon nap. We had a lot of fun at the party celebrating papa and uncle JT, there was a lot of food, a ton of noise with all the grand kids except for Benjamin there, and of course lots of laughs at everyone's expense. Saturday morning Brynlee took a bath in grandma's new sink.

Hey what are those tongs and dirty utensils doing over there?

Grandma this is fun, way better than the big ole bathtub.

Mom and dad got new countertops and a new sink a couple of months ago and all the other grandkids are too big to enjoy this luxury spa experience but not my sweet little girl. Later that day Brynlee decides that she is done being a baby and wants to be a big girl, so she starts walking. She has taken 3 or 4 steps at a time before but this day she decided to go big time and went the entire width of grandma's living room. At one point we counted 28 steps, after that we knew we didn't have to count anymore....the girl was off to the races. It is amazing how she just decided that it was time, on her own schedule and out of the blue(she didn't take any more than 3 steps the whole time we were in Destin). She seems like such a big girl now that she is mobile in a whole new way, I can't get over how it just changed her right before my eyes. I am so glad that mom and dad got to experience this, with us living 5 hours apart they miss out on so much of the kids lives that I was thrilled to share this with them.

There is a song that Ben and I often refer to when talking about our kids and it definitely feels appropriate today.....as Darius Rucker says, "it won't be like this for long".

Life's a Beach

2011-09-10T09:24:00.001-05:00

The Liniger's are on vacation! After a fun filled Labor day weekend with my sister Michelle and her family we loaded up the truck and headed to Destin, FL. Our plan was to drive the 12 hours in two days, see I hate car trips and knowing that my kids have a reputation for not doing so well in the car I thought it would be best for my sanity to take our time getting there. Well after about 5 hours in the car and the kids being champs we decided to go ahead and push through and do it all at once, left the house at 9 Monday morning and pulled into the drive of the vacation house at 9:30 that night. Brynlee slept for about an hour and a half total and Benjamin slept for maybe an hour of the twelve, yea like I said my kids are not car sleepers! Brynlee will be in Destin for 10 days then heading to Tulsa for my parents 40th wedding anniversary and Ben and Benjamin will be staying for 12 days total then making the drive home alone. Here are just a few pictures of the trip so far.

Piggles(yes her name was morphed from Wigglesworth to Piggles) touching sand for the first time, not a fan folks not a fan.

The bump and I enjoying some sun and fun! I of course had my belly pop out while on the beach in a bathing suit, oh well at least there is no confusing the baby with just a fat mid section.

Benjamin is LOVING the beach this year...running and jumping in the ocean, playing in the sand for hours at a time. He is being such a champ, even napping for us some days which is huge for me.

Daddy and Brynlee enjoying some cuddles, poor girl is scared to death he is going to put her down in the yucky old sand.

Mayme and Granddad with all of the grandkids, pictures with 5 children under the age of 5 is next to impossible.

My memory card on the camera is full and downloaded on Ben;s computer so it will probably take awhile to get all the pictures posted that I want to. I have no problem with dragging it out though for as long as I can, maybe it will help me feel like I am still on vacation sunbathing and lounging instead of back home.

Book Review

2011-09-02T13:50:00.002-05:00

I love to read and am always looking for new books, series, authors, anything that anyone wants to recommend or highly regards. For awhile now I have been hearing about this book, The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein and when Borders was going out of business and all books were marked down I decided to go ahead and buy it. I don't know if I am a cheap person or what but I have a real problem with paying full price for a book, I mean really it can get expensive when you love to read as much as I do.

I won't go into too much detail about the book so that you can read it for yourselves but I will say it was a good read and I would recommend it to others. The whole book is told from the family dog's perspective, I know that sounds odd but it was quite entertaining and was a refreshing change of pace. There is a lot of drama with cancer, legal battles for a child, death....enough stuff to keep me entertained throughout the whole book. My one big complaint and maybe it isn't a complaint, but the one thing I wasn't a fan of is where the book is talking about reincarnation. Yes some people believe in that and there is a whole following but I for one do not believe that when a dog dies he will come back to life as a human. I don't give the idea of animal death a ton of thought but I sure know and believe that when a human dies his destiny is determined by his choice to live a life with Jesus Christ as his Savior or the other option which is to not have a personal relationship with Christ. As a Christian it was tough to read about taking on another life form and your soul living in another shell after death, uh I don't buy into that idea. Having said that, the book was well written, had great character development, and kept my attention for 300 pages....all in all it was a good read and while it won't be on the top of my referral list I would suggest it to others for a quick read by an author I had never heard of before.

Silly and Thuggy

2011-08-31T13:34:00.000-05:00

You have heard of the most famous 7 Dwarfs but you haven't heard of their long lost brother and sister....Silly and Thuggy. Benjamin aka Silly has turned into quite the character when a camera is present and will ask if he can make silly faces instead of smiling and being serious. Well if I want a good picture out of the bunch I have to play along and go with the silly too....what a boy he is.

Then there is sweet Brynlee aka Thuggy.... daddy is the original silly and he likes to sometimes play dress up with the kids. I remember he used to do this with Benjamin when he was a baby, he would get to wear daddy's gym shorts or his dress up work shirts. Nothing is ever too big, looks too ridiculous, or is off limits when it comes to daddy dress up time.

Daddy's stocking cap, Benjamin's pajama pants, and daddy's socks complete this creation.

Looks like someone is throwing gang signs....

I think the pants should have been saggin just a little but what do I know, I don't get included in the dress up games.

Gettin Crafty Up in Here

2011-08-27T12:41:00.004-05:00

Anyone who knows me knows that I am not a hands on crafty person, yes maybe I am crafty with my quick wittedness or with one liners but I can't cut a straight line to save myself. I have tried scrapbooking before and that is totally not for me, too much cutting and everything needing to be just so. I have tried knitting and while I loved it I was really getting into it about the time Brynlee was born so that died out quickly when life got hectic. Lucky for me I am surrounded by creative friends who can do it all so now I am inspired to my hand at something just for me, an outlet that is all my own away from the hubby and kids.

I am very blessed with a mom who can sew(free hand or with a machine), she can needlepoint, make quilts, cook, knit, and I think crochet. She was in school at a time where home ec was huge and she thrived in all aspects of the class. Dad tells me that one of the main reasons he married her was because she won the Betty Crocker award out of everyone in the high school....he knew he liked to eat and be taken care of and she was the girl to do it. So when mom was here for her visit we went sewing machine shopping, and I got a beautiful new Brothers machine...oh she sure is pretty.

I started by learning how to sew a button, yes I am 32 and never knew how to hand sew a button on. Then I just tested the machine, didn't try to make anything just did some lines and learned about bobbins and how to feed the fabric in straight(or try to)....boring stuff but things you need to know. Knowing I am not super crafty I decided to make my first project something small and not too elaborate....decorative burp rags is where it is at.

Here is my first burp rag, just did a few pieces of ribbon and then to show off my button sewing skills I added some flair.

Since this is my first project and the lines are not even and the ribbon is short on some sides I decided to shadow box frame it as a reminder of where I started. I am going to add a little date card in there and make it cute and something I will be proud to display as my beginning point. Colors are orange and red for OSU and OU...we are a house divided through and through.

When mom was here I had her make some cute hairbows for Brynlee, every little girl needs a lot of bows and it is hard to pay for them all the time. This picture is one of two bows that I made all by myself after mom left, no perfect and still a work in progress but watch out I might be a triple threat with sewing, buttons, and now bow making!

My very cluttered work area, I need to figure out something better than the formal dining room table. I knew I needed a ton of stuff since I was starting with nothing I just didn't realize how quickly it could all add up....gonna be broke for awhile.

The second burp rag that I made, this one went much better than the first and I would even consider using this one for our new baby or giving it as a gift.

Mom trying to show me what all the pieces are and how it comes together to create greatness, Lord thank you for a mother who is loving, patient, creative, and likes to teach me new things.

Martha Stewart I am not but getting to be a more creative Brenda Liniger is okay in my books.

Wigglesworth first haircut

2011-08-24T20:40:00.001-05:00

With mom in town I thought it was the perfect time to give Brynlee her first haircut one week shy of 15 months old. She has been blessed with gorgeous hair since the day she was born and while I hated the idea of cutting it the baby mullet just had to go. It was a little tricky to get her to sit still and I was more than nervous to see her wiggling around with scissors so close to her head.

The long mullet on my sweet baby girl.

The cut in action

While I didn't get a great picture of the finished cut you can see from the side where it is all one length and I think it aged her a ton just by trimming her beautiful locks.

Such a big girl with a big girl haircut....before long this will be our reality and that makes this mama sad sad sad.

A weekend with grandma and papa

2011-08-23T20:23:00.001-05:00

This past weekend grandma and papa came for a visit and other than the relentless heat I was really looking forward to seeing them and showing them around the house. My dad is a real worker bee, I don't know if he will ever retire so I knew if I wanted to keep him happy that I should have a honey do list ready for him. Um you don't have to tell me twice to get a list together of things to be done around the house. He put Brynlee's swing up in the tree outback, helped adjust the lighting above the kitchen table, put in a new door stop in Brynlee's room, and made some adjustments to Benjamin's swing as well. I could have probably found much more to keep him occupied but he was enjoying the little league world series on TV and since it was so hot out I decided to give him a break.

Smooches from papa...his moustache tickles.

Mom is staying with us for a few extra days after papa leaves, she is going to teach me how to sew and I have all kinds of fun things in store for her.

It's a museum mom!

2011-08-21T21:09:00.004-05:00

Last month when my nieces were in town we all went to the children's museum for a day of indoor fun, well Jamin had so much fun that I decided to buy a family year long membership. Thursday evening Ben was going out of town for business so he gave us a few hours of his time that morning for family fun and off to the museum we went. Ben had never been before and only the second time for Jamin so that of course means I had to take my camera to capture the fun.

My silly boys, I just love that Ben is my unofficial third child.

That is one serious Lite Brite!

Wigglesworth is hard at work in the construction zone!

While the museum is geared for kids approximately 2-10 they have a little area that is for babies and toddlers. Soft play mats, little toys, and for some reason they put spiders and snakes in the wall that keeps the kids in.....um can you see the distaste and fear in Ben's eyes? One thing that he and I agree on is our fear and dislike of any kind of snake, I guess Brynlee is still too young to know just how nasty those slimy slithery things really are.

We met up with our friends the Meadors at the museum, Jenni was about an hour late so we didn't get to play too long but it was still fun to see her boys and sweet little Georgia....on time next time Jenni :)

The museum is great, I highly recommend it to anyone with little kids full of wonder and excitement. There are a number of different rooms where they can build things, color, play in the dark room with black lights and shadows, do a dinosaur dig, go grocery shopping, build train tracks, water tables outside.....and I am sure countless things that we have yet to explore. I see this being a great place to be when the weather is too hot, cold, or wet....yea for our membership!

A little boy and his shadow

2011-08-19T21:04:00.001-05:00

Benjamin has quite the little shadow following him all over the house these days, little sister Brynlee just can't get enough of him. She thinks that he is pretty cool in everything he does, whether he is watching cartoons in his underwear or playing in his room she wants to be a part of it. Benjamin doesn't quite get why she is ALWAYS around, I hear Brynlee don't touch me, don't play with that, that's mine, stop it.....more times a day than I care to think about. I do find it so endearing though that she looks up to her big brother and wants his attention and wants to do what he is doing. I pray that she will always look up to him and that he will be a person worth following and emulating, Lord please let them be good friends who will take care of one another and love each other no matter what.

Heather's Bachelorette Party

2011-08-17T11:02:00.004-05:00

Saturday night I went to my good friend Heather's bachelorette party, and had a great time celebrating such a great girl. Heather has some amazing friends who are a lot of fun to be around and who went all out for the party. There was a pink and black theme, along with a lot of wine to drink and yummy treats to snack on. Even though I wasn't able to cut totally lose and enjoy the wine I had a great time, like I said these girls are hilarious and a good time is guaranteed.

Heather and her maid of honor Amanda, doesn't A just look fab-u-lous in her pink wig!

Since it was a wine party Lacey thought it would be fun if we all decorated a wine glass, complete with pink rhinestones and pink and black paint.

Tasty boobie cake for dessert.

The hostesses were very aware that Heather shouldn't be the only one getting gifts at the party so we decorated "undies" to take home to Travis so he wouldnt feel left out. Oh my word, these ladies have some serioius skills when it comes to getting creative with men's underwear. I don't remember what all was on the undies but my partner Ashley and I decided that every man needs a pair of elephant trunk pants in their unmentionables.

Another game of designing lingerie out of two ply toilet paper, not too sure about this get up but I think I heard the word bondage and blindfold once or twice.

Heather got lots of pretty things to share with Travis on their honeymoon, and I don't think that he will be disappointed in his choices.

Heather, you of course looked beautiful at your shower but I know it is nothing compared to how gorgeous you will look on your special day. I love you so much and am so honored to have been a part in your parties and celebrating just how great of a person you are. I wish you and Travis a life time of happiness, laughter, health, commitment to one another, and a great sex life with plenty of pretty clothes to wear!!!!

SpiderSam and Princess Blakely

2011-08-15T11:03:00.005-05:00

Friday we were invited to a joint birthday party for a few of Benjamin's best buddies, Sammie and Blakely. Swim parties are great in this August heat and even better that the party was at 9 in the morning before it got too ridiculously hot. The party was a lot of fun but I have to admit that having a very mobile toddler who refused to stay in the shade or in the kiddie pool area was very stressful. I think I spent about 96% of my time at the party chasing after her and making sure she wasn't crawling on hot cement and getting to close to the big pool, I was tired by the time we made it home. Benjamin had a blast and was very happy to spend time with friends that he hasn't seen near enough this summer.

Princess Blakely taking a break from her royal duties to have a snack. This girl cracks me up, she kept the crown on her head the entire time she was in the pool swimming.

Brynlee going up and down the stairs, down is not near as graceful as the going up part.

All the kids lined up and ready to smack the heck out of the pinata!

Get it girl!

Sam is a beast, he is all boy and when you give him a bat or stick you have got to stand back!

Everyone got a turn hitting the big 4 and to say that there was plenty of candy to go around would be an understatement.

Princess Blakely, SpiderSam, and Benjamin all good friends having a great time together. Benjamin likes to frequently tell me that he is going to marry Blakely when he gets to be a daddy, well he might have things a little backwards but I would be thrilled with his choice of a wife.

Instead of having one big birthday cake they decided to give individual cookies to the kids, less mess and a genius idea. It is hard to see the detail but the design on the cookie is the same as the invitation, decoration, and the party favors.

Happy birthday Sam and Blakely, we can't wait for school to start next month and to play with you more often.

Bop It-XT

2011-08-13T10:44:00.002-05:00

We try not to watch a lot of tv in our house which can be a great thing but can also be challenging. There are days where I feel terrible(often in this pregnancy) or times when I am just tired and want to flip on the tube to entertain Benjamin just so we can survive. I do that sometimes but I don't want tv to be a main fixture for us or a sole means of entertainment for the kids or for me. We don't have a tv in our bedroom because Ben thinks that it will cut back on intimacy, uh include the miscarriage and we are on our 4th pregnancy in 4 years, do you think we are lacking? Anyway I see his point but when Jamin comes in our room before 7 I wish I did have a tv to turn on for him so that I could stay in bed for just a few more minutes and because I would love a chance to get a few sleepy cuddles in with my little man.

So what do you do when tv is at a minimum, well you get creative and try to find ways to keep yourselves entertained......enter Bop-It XT.

I was at Wal-Mart the other day getting a few birthday gifts for a 4 year old birthday party and stumbled across the most advanced Bop-It game I had ever seen. Ben and I are both super competitive and love to play games, either in a group or just by ourselves. Well it can tend to get difficult to find fun games for just two people to play so I am always on the hunt for new and exciting challenges. Oh wow, I had no idea what I was getting into when I put this little gem into my cart. This little handheld game has been fun, frustrating, and hilarious to play with. I think the original Bop-It had 3 different knobs to pull or twist but this one now has 6....double the fun!

First time playing Ben's score was a whopping 5!!!!

We are serious gamers and lucky for us both of our families are as well so I think this little investment will pay off nicely at family get togethers. I plan on taking this bad boy to Florida with us next month, I will own those Linigers and they won't know what hit them. So far the high score is up to 86(yea that's all me) but the competitor in me wants it in triple digits soon. Yea that's what we got going on instead of watching Big Brother or the Bachelor, we do it old school and have game night. I can't wait until the kids are old enough to play games with us and we can all be one happy competitive family!

Skinny Dipping

2011-08-12T20:12:00.002-05:00

Don't worry, it was just Wigglesworth who went without a suit this time, had Benjamin not already been in his suit I am sure he would have loved to join little sister. I don't remember why she was without a suit but she didn't mind at all, this little girl loved her "freedom"....oh to be a little kid again.

Brynlee Girl

2011-08-09T08:10:00.003-05:00

Brynlee is 14.5 months old and we are going through some things with her that I either blocked out of my memory from when Benjamin was that age or she just is a person all her own. If you ask most friends or people who see Brynlee at church they will tell you how much of a doll she is and how sweet her smile is. Yes, this is all true but when you live with her 24 hours a day you see a glimpse of a girl who may not have the red hair per say but the temperment of a raging red head is there.

Brynlee can be sweet as peaches one minute but as soon as she hears the word no something inside her goes off and melt down city. I mean I can almost be singing the word and in the nicest tone but she still knows the word and will start screaming and crying in an instant. Girlfriend, you are going to have to get past this because that is something you will hear countless times a day if things don't start changing. Ben keeps telling me that Brynlee and I are not going to get along when she gets older because we are both "controling" people, oh gosh how I fear the teenage years already.

Brynlee is growing up right before my very eyes, there are days when I think she looks closer to 2 than she does 1. Not sure if it is the massive amount of teeth we already have, the really long hair, or if it is the attitude she is already sporting. She may look older but we are still fighting some of the "baby" battles. At 14 months she is still not walking by herself, she will let you lead her around the house by one finger all day long yet she lacks the confidence to do it on her own. I know every child develops on their own and I think it it weren't 109 degrees out and I weren't pregnant I wouldn't mind carrying her around so much...but as it is mama is tired. I think she is on the verge of getting it very soon but I have also been saying that for a month now, as long as she gets it by February we will be all good.

Another hurdle to deal with is meal time, oh my word feeding this child stresses me out to no end! Benjamin was never and still is not a picky eater, I mean you can put most things in front of the kid and he will eat most of it or at least try a bite. Wigglesworth has recently decided to go on some sort of hunger strike, there are days when I doubt she is taking in 300 calories total. She used to eat meat, beans, bananas, olives and a number of other reliable stand bys and now she won't touch any of them. Is it possible to be a vegetarian at such a young age?? We throw much more food away then she consumes, I keep trying a number of different options hoping she will settle on at least one and unfortunately she picks and throws but doesn't eat most of it. So frustrating, I am worn out and in tears by the end of some meals.

Brynlee is still doing great at sleeping through the night but nap time is hit and miss, I think we are to the point of going to one nap a day. I am okay with the one nap because that means it is usually a long one, it is the same time Benjamin is going down, and it allows for some freedom to be out and about in the morning. One nap a day will also be helpful when school starts back up in September, she will be going two days a week and I am just hoping she will sleep on her nap mat surrounded by other kids in an unfamiliar environment.

Brynlee is a mama's girl, yes it is sweet and I love that she wants to be near me but it is suffocating. Sunday I volunteered in her class at church and girl was playing and having a great time with friends and toys but as soon as she saw me she started crying and wanting to be held. For the next hour and a half any time I put her down or tried to console another child it was melt down city and tantrums like I had never seen before. We spend 24/7 together and with daddy traveling for work I am the one constant in her life, a blessing and a curse for her and I. I love my girl and I am very thankful that I get the chance to stay home with her but we need a break from one another. I am soooo looking forward to those two days a week, 10 hours at school where she will be around other children and other adults for comfort and support.

Brynlee I love you and I am blessed by you but right now at this season I am challenged by you daily. It is a humbling experience for me to deal with the tears, tantrums, lack of eating, and things not going as I have planned. I pray that we can both make it through these difficult times and that our relationship will be strong and grounded when you are older and I am grayer.

What a Champ!

2011-08-04T20:48:00.001-05:00

Ben went out of town a few days this week and while I can usually handle life on the homestead while he is away sometimes I get thrown a curve ball. Tuesday was definitely one of those days where no matter what I had planned the day was not going to be in my favor. Breakfast was uneventful but soon after things went into a tailspin quickly. Benjamin started complaining about not feeling good, actually asked to lay down for a bit in his bed. Um any mother of a rough and rowdy almost 4 year old knows that this isn't a normal accurance but I went with it and said sure buddy you go rest(I am not a sucker and will take any break I can get).

Lunch time and he isn't hungry, and I am trying all his favorites but still nothing. Before he lays down for his nap I decide to take his temp and sure enough it is 102, a call to Dr. Jones is definitely in order at this point. He takes a quick nap, I have to wake Brynlee up from hers so we can get to the appointment in time and then time to hop in the car. On the drive to the doctor he throws up, and I mean to tell you the kid totally loses everything in his body. I was not at all prepared for this, he had never thrown up with me before and certainly not in a car when it is 108 degrees outside. Lucky for me we were driving past our old neighborhood and Amber an old neighbor was home and she helped up clean up the "situation" in the car.

10 minutes late but we get to the doctor in one piece, and come to find out yes he does have strep. So we load in the car again to head to the pharmacy and he proceeds to get sick again. Thank goodness Amber was nice enough to give us a bucket so the car is spared a second mess....and then a third mess. Brynlee is throwing a horrible fit because she was awoken from the only nap of the day, and Benjamin is pretty puney and whiney. Gosh, of all days for Ben to be gone I was almost to the end of my mommy rope! Brynlee finally gets to bed for the evening, Benjamin throws up one more time in the toilet and then thank God we made it to his bed time in one piece.

I had never dealt with a stomach bug from the kids before but I have to say that both Benjamin and I both handled it quite well. He never cried, just did his stuff and that was it. I of course didn't like what I was seeing but I was able to get through it without any stomach issues of my own, huge victory within itself. Am I strong enough that I want to do it again....certainly not any time soon but it is comforting enough to know that I can earn my mom stripes when I need to and should we get hit with another stomach bug I can hold my own. Fingers crossed Ben will be in town the next time we go down this nasty stinky barf covered road.

July, the quick version

2011-08-02T10:22:00.003-05:00

Time has slipped through my fingers faster than a $50 bill would pass through a shopaholics purse. I don't know where the month of July went, oh wait yes I do but let me get to that in a minute. Since I have no desire to try and remember what has gone on and back post I am just going to make one long list and try to go forward from there....depending on if we lead an exciting life will determine just how long this post is. Here goes:

-July 1st: Ben turns 32 and we celebrate the wonderfully generous man that he is.

-July 1st: Ben's family comes for a visit and for his cousin's wedding. There were 7 adults, 1 infant, and a very energetic dog that stayed with us anywhere from 1 day to almost 5 days.

-When Ben's parents left they took Benjamin with them for a week of fun in Tulsa. Brynlee got to tag along for the drive then she got dropped off at my parents for 2 days then back home. Benjamin had a blast in Tulsa with Mayme and Granddad and they did quite a bit of spoiling and adventure while we was away.

-While the kids were gone I did a ton of napping, sleeping in, Ben and I went to a movie, hit up about 3 or 4 different restaurants....did adult things that we had forgotten existed....it was glorious!

-Benjamin came back on a Sunday and along with him came my two nieces McKayla(9) and Alyssa(8 this month) who stayed with us for about 5 days. The girls were a big help in keeping Benjamin occupied but they were getting very bored here having to work around Brynlee's nap schedule and not getting to do fun "big girl" things.

-My brother Kenny, sister in law Kelley, and nephew Jacob came for a visit as well. They have friends in Garland so they only stayed one night with us but it was great showing them the new house and letting Jacob play in the pool.

-My sister Michelle has a girls weekend get away to Ft. Worth every summer and they stay with one of her old teaching friends. Well they also came over for a few hours to see the house, swim, we made them dinner, and let them recover from some massive hangovers at our place. Those girls get in trouble every time they are here, when will they ever learn :)

-Brynlee got to turn around in her carseat and we are facing forward now. Dr. Jones doesn't recommend you do this until they are 2 but that girl was so hot in her carseat and facing the back is no fun so we did the switch early. With temps being in the triple digits for a month now I am sure she is very grateful that mommy decided to walk on the wild side and switch her early!

-July 25th-July 29th was VBS week at church. It was a lot of fun this year with Benjamin being old enough to go into the big kid group and not just the nursery VBS. I was on story team again and while it was fun it is very intimidating to be on stage in front of a couple hundred kids and peers telling stories from the bible. The adlibbing I can do all day long but I stress about getting the biblical parts right, that God's true word and I need to make sure I am relaying it correctly! Brynlee was a trooper for the week but the poor girl was wiped out when it was all said and done and so was I!

-Friends came over for play dates, we went to a birthday party or two, I went to a bridal shower for my sweet friend Heather, we enjoyed our pool and new house, Ben did some traveling for work, had a handful of showings at the old house(now if someone would just buy it), and most importantly we announced to family and friends that we are PREGNANT and expecting our third baby Feb. 17th.

-Yes that's right, the Liniger family is growing and that means we are now saving money for this mama to get a minivan! This summer has been quite miserable since finding out the exciting news. The heat is unbearable, I am very nauseaus, and I am experiencing a sense of tired that I didn't even know existed! The pregnancy was a big surprise and it wasn't planned but God is in control so we are just rolling with the punches. I am not quite to the super excited stage yet, but I am hoping once I get out of the first trimester(this week) that I will start to feel better and get some energy back. The whole month of July was spent in the triple digits so the heat is not my friend right now, praying that I start to feel human again very soon. Ben says we aren't finding out the sex of this one because we already have one of each and if this is our last child we should make it exciting and special....I like his way of thinking but I am such a planner and control person I am not sure if I will be able to hold out. We do know that this new baby and Brynlee will be 20 months apart in age and whether boy or girl the name will of course start with the letter B.

I am sure I have forgotten some things but with my baby fried brain I think I am doing pretty good to remember as much as I did. Now to be more on top of the blog, get the camera fixed and start taking pictures, and give you people what you want.....snap shots of my sweet GROWING family.

Guilty

2011-06-30T16:47:00.001-05:00

Has anyone else ever gotten so far behind in blogging and when they finally take the time to post they have forgotten what happened in their blogging absence? That is where I am at, trying to blog about what happened a month ago when I can't remember what happened 2 days ago isn't good. I can't leave a gap in cyber space and I also have no idea if anything big went down on this date so I will post a few pictures of my wedding. I do know that June 30th was our 4th anniversary and no one ever gets tired of looking at their wedding pictures so here are just a few of my favorites. ENJOY!!

Fathers Day 2011

2011-06-22T16:32:00.002-05:00

I can't believe it, I didn't get a single picture of Ben with the kiddos this year on Father's day. Uh I feel like such a bad mom and wife, where is my mind these days? We were at the family reunion on Sunday so we both kind of won in the fact that neither one of us had to cook and got to spend the day with family. Ben is one of the most difficult people I know to buy gifts for, the guy doesn't need anything and won't tell you what he wants so he tends to get a lot of gift cards. Well I can't get him a gift card for Father's day but I was able to find a Little Golden Book Classic called "Daddies". It is a book from the 50s all about how hard daddies work during the day and while there are many jobs to choose from the best one is being a daddy and coming home to the family at the end of the day. He loved it, something he could share with the kids and is a good reminder that family really is the most important thing at the end of the day.

Ben, you are the best daddy in the world and we are so lucky to have you in our lives. You give so freely of your self and your time, you give 100% to your family at all times and we love you for that. I pray that Benjamin will grow up to be just like his daddy and that he will love our grandkids in the same way that you love him and support him.

Soerries Family Round Up

2011-06-20T16:14:00.002-05:00

This past weekend my siblings and I hosted a family reunion for my dad's side of the family, the Soerries side. Every three years as many family members as possible get together over Father's day weekend to eat, play games, tell stories, make fun of each other, and just have a great time. The reunion is kind of a big deal so we started planning for it about a year and a half ago....people come from as far away as Alaska and Florida so we have to make sure that it is well thought out. This year I think we counted about 90 people who made the trip to Oklahoma City for the festivities. I had been to a number of the past reunions but the hosts are always different so I didn't know first hand just how stressful they were and how much work they take.

While no one in my direct family lives in OKC we thought it would be fun to go a city that the reunion has never been at before, it was fun but it did create more work trying to get everything done over the phone or internet. Friday night we had a meet and greet with appetizers and drinks at the host hotel, and the kids were able to enjoy the indoor pool as well. Saturday we headed to the Orr Family Farm for a picnic lunch, family pictures, a special anniversary surprise for my parents(celebrating their 40th this September), and lots of fun activities on the farm. I don't know how it happens but it seems like every reunion no matter what city we are in there are record high temps for the weekend. This weekend was no exception, I think I heard that it got up to 102 on Saturday, it was way too hot to fully enjoy all the farm had to offer.

Sunday we had a catered lunch at the hotel followed by a silent and live auction. People bring items of all kind(old family heirlooms, quilts or knives that they have made, home decor items) and we auction them off within the family to raise money for the next reunion committee. I think this year we raised about $1500 to go to the next hosts who we will see in Minnesota in 2014, the money will be used as seed money for postage or to pay rental fees for the weekend. Unfortunately I have no pictures to share because my sim card is broken, hope to get that fixed soon. Soerries family reunion 2011 was a huge success and a lot of work, glad that it has come and gone but really looking forward to seeing everyone again in 2014 in Minnesota.

Girls Trip!!!!!

2011-06-13T14:31:00.004-05:00

I don't exactly know when I first started thinking about it but months ago I came up with the idea that I wanted to go on a girls only trip and lucky for me Ben was on board. After a lot of debate I decided that San Antonio is where the fun was at. I had never been before but I knew with the Riverwalk, Alamo, outlet shopping close, and fun girls to boot that it was going to be a great spot for mommies looking to get away!

Taking a break from a long 7 hour day of shopping, get girls and outlet shopping together and you better stand back because money is going to start flying!

Sushi dinner the first night there. Unfortunately Kim had to wait a day to join us so she could attend Chris' grandma's funeral so we opted to go without her....don't think she minded too much since she doesn't like the yummyness that is sushi.

Lounging on the roof top pool, 23 stories up.

A little shopping in the Mexican market, it was neat but I swear if you have seen one of those shops then you have seen all of those shops. They all sold the same stuff, I didn't understand how it was a profitable business for anyone.

I can't remember the name of this restaurant but it was fabulous Mexican food and was featured in Southern Living not too long ago. Lucky for us Elizabeth had made reservations for us because there was about an hour and a half wait for a table, and the crazy thing is that people were actually waiting that long.

This picture cracks me up!!!! Within the last year Kim got braces so she refuses to smile with her mouth open so people don't see her braces. Well she kept closing her eyes in the picture, so not only was her mouth closed so were her eyes....

After dinner we went back to the Riverwalk and hit up the bar Dick's Last Resort. The concept of this place is that the employees get to be rude to the customers and give crappy service to everyone. It was right up my alley, I have no problem being snide back to people and giving them a piece of my mind. I think I had a little too much fun and beer that night, oh the next morning was soooo rough on this out of practice girl.

San Antonio was my first girls weekend get away and you better believe it won't be my last, 4 blissful days of no kids or responsibilities sign me up again! I have known these girls for just about as long as I have known my own family (Kim 26 years, Elizabeth 20 years, Julie almost 18 years, and Allison almost 10 years). Thank you ladies for a great time and I can't wait to see where the next trip takes us......

I'm how old???

2011-06-08T13:54:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was my 32nd birthday, yea it is hard to grasp the age this time. I swear I just had one of these birthday things last June yet here we are again. No really, I actually love my birthday. I feel like it is the one day a year where it is really all about me, just my day and I don't have to share it with anyone else. You see at Mother's day yes it is about me being a mom but we also celebrate my mom and Ben's mom at the same time and then on our anniversary well that is about both Ben and I. So my birthday is the one day out of 365 where I am selfish and want all attention on me....gee Brenda let's not be quite so outspoken about where you want all the focus to be.

Anyhow, my super great friend Crissy and her boys Jackson and Calvin came in town from Austin to spend part of the day with me. I decided that would be a great excuse to invite some of our mutual friends over to swim in the pool, everyone always loves a good Crissy get together and I enjoy getting kids together for play dates.

As you can tell by the picture we had friends over close to Brynlee's age and a whole slew of older kids to play with Benjamin. If I can count correctly(big if) then there were 6 mommies(Jacy had already left by the time I got the camera out) and 14 little kids of all ages at the house. I had a great time with these ladies and their kiddos and I know for a fact that all the kids had fun as well.

We got a sitter for last night and Ben and I went to dinner at Bonnell's Fine Texas Cuisine restaurant. I had heard great things about Bonnells and thanks to a Groupon deal we bought a few weeks before it was something that we could actually afford to do without breaking the bank. The food was super yummy, and I know this sounds crazy but I think the best thing about the meal was the peace and quiet that came along with it. To be able to enjoy a conversation with Ben and not be interrupted or to not have to threaten anyone to eat what was on their plate was delightful.

All in all it was a great birthday, I am not too thrilled that the number of candles on the cake keeps increasing but I just have to go with the flow. Age is just a number and a state of mind but these darn gray hairs are a totally different story........

Cake cake and more cake

2011-06-04T10:43:00.000-05:00

Memorial day Monday we decided last minute to throw together a 1st birthday party, housewarming party, kick off to summer party, and Memorial day party at our place with a few friends. It was just 4 days after move in so I was exhausted, trying to give tours of the house, make sure everyone had enough food, see to it that the kids were having fun in the pool, and take care of a clingy hungry birthday girl....I don't remember much of the party to say the least. The pictures that I got on the camera someone else must have taken because I don't remember even seeing the camera that day let alone getting behind it. I know that my kids had a great time, from what I hear others had a good time, and there was plenty of food and cake enjoyed by all. I don't know why or how I thought it was a good idea to have a party so close after moving but oh well, it happened and here are the pictures to prove it.

Hey hey hey...whatcha' got there mom??

Oooooh cake......I think I like it.

The yummy cake that Aunt Pange made for the adults...she was such a big help at the party!

This cake is yummy, fun, and man is it sticky!!!

Big brother Benjamin had to get in on the fun and make sure it tasted ok...he later told me that he had to show her how to do it.

Daddy got to hose her off after the yummy adventure, that girl was a M-E-S-S!!!!

The Birthday Girl

2011-05-29T22:28:00.002-05:00

I can't believe it, my little Wigglesworth is 1 today! Any mom knows that the first year is the most sleep deprived, emotionally exhausting, exciting, selfless, and greatest year in a young child's life. Some days it seems like Brynlee has always been with us and other days it seems like just yesterday I was riding in the car on the way to the hospital excited and scared at the prospect of another life to care for. I can remember the day she was born so vividly, the contractions started after breakfast and just kept gettting stronger and stronger until we went to the hospital at 3 in the afternoon. At 11;47 pm the most gorgeous brown haired bundle of baby girl sweetness was born and our lives would be forever changed. Brynlee you are one of a kind, I am lucky to be your mommy and I thank God every day for you. I pray that I will raise you to know and love the Lord above all others, and I pray that you will be a sweet spirited child who has a zest for life and passion for people.

Our sweet birthday girl, watch our world....she is one and looking for fun!

We decided for her birthday she would get a mini strawberry shortcake for a treat, her first taste of dessert and my word did she love it.....girl has the Liniger dessert gene for sure!

Daddy thinks he needs to help her eat the yummy shortcake, think again daddy!

Aunt Pange trying to go in for the kill, leave that girl alone and get your own food!

I think we have a dessert fan on our hands, give her self control where mommy is lacking!

First Swim at the New House

2011-05-28T10:19:00.003-05:00

Well after a lot of craziness, a failed moving plan, and more stress than I care to remember we have now officially moved into the new house. The house itself is in total disarray and it will take me longer than I want to admit to get all settled in, who knew you could accumulate so much stuff in one house. The rest of the move can wait but with how hot it is the pool can not wait, we had to enjoy perk to the new place right away. Here are a few pictures of our first dip in the new pool, I am sure this is just the first of many hours spent enjoying a cool dip to help withstand the Texas heat.

1 Year Pictures

2011-05-24T14:31:00.000-05:00

I love a good deal, getting something high quality for cheap or splurging on something that you have wanted for awhile but had to wait because you just couldn't afford it. Well professional pictures are falling into the category of too expensive but want it so bad that I can't stand it. Thanks to the great internet companies like Living Social, Groupon, Seize the Deal things that were once a dream can now be a reality. About 4 months ago the Living Social deal of the day was a 1 hour on location photo shoot with all proofs on a cd and copyright for only $79! Uh yea I jumped on that deal with the intent of using the session for some new family pictures and for Brynlee's 1 year shots. I love how they turned out and I am so happy with Bobby Cornelius Photography. He took 99 pictures and these are just some of my favorites....so hard to pick favorties when it is pictures of my loves. Enjoy!

Do Your Boobs Hang Low, Do They Wobble Too and Fro?

2011-05-18T15:32:00.003-05:00

Anyone who has ever been pregnant or birthed a child knows that the moment that little tiny baby is in your belly your life will never be the same. Whether you have twins, a 10 pound chunk of a boy, or a 4 pound premie your life and your body is no longer your own. Your body goes through a transformation like no other, and like nothing you can prepare for. Certain body parts get bigger, move, get a different shape, sag, get extra hair...I mean the list can just go on and on. Some women are lucky enough to have pre baby bodies back in no time and then there are others like myself whose body will never ever be the same no matter how much I plead and pray to God. I gained 42 pounds when I was pregnant with Benjamin and then 19 pounds with Brynlee. Yes it would be great to say only 19 pounds on the second go round but since I didn't lose most of the weight from round one it wasn't really much of a victory for me. You see when I got pregnant with Benjamin I was in the best shape of my life, was doing a lot of running and was eating small some what healthy meals. Well once I had my little Sugarbear I didn't take time for myself any longer, it was all about making sure he was fed, happy, healthy, and rockin' life as a boy. I was cramming food in when I could get some peace and quiet, and was "over" the running thing and didn't care to be exercising. I thought I had a right to hold on to my pregnancy weight because I had a 9 pound 4 ounce baby to show as the reward for 23 hours of labor and a c-section to boot.
Then I was so sick with Brynlee that I lost 10 pounds in the first 4 months and then slowing started putting on the weight with her. Once again I wasn't concerned with losing the weight right away or with getting back in shape, after a bout of colic and her not sleeping through the night until she was 6 months old I was just in survival mode. January rolls around and after a long nasty look in the mirror I realized that I had to make changes to my body and my life, 3 years later than it should have been but I had to get rid of the baby weight. I am happy to say that I have lost 16 pounds since January and strive to lose about 15 more. My energy level has increased now that I am down some weight and that helps me know that I can continue to lose if I make healthy decisions.
While I have some control over how much weight I lose, I have no control over the shape that my sad saggy body is in. I don't know if my hips will ever go back where they once were, my breasts will never be quite as perky as I would like, and my hair is nothing but a big ball of frizz thanks to pregnancy hormones. I made a decision before I had kids that I would nurse them until they were 1, we are almost to that point with Brynlee and there is sheer excitement in the idea that my body will once again finally be mine. In the 47 months Ben and I have been married I have been pregnant or nursing 36 of those months.....75% of my marriage my body has not been my own! I love my babies and I am thankful for them but this mama is ready for her boobs to be normal again....normal now being saggy and small! Brynlee is down to her morning nursing session, something that she LIVES for. I mean seriously if she doesn't get to eat first thing when she gets out of her crib she starts to cry and is in full tantrum mode, I am dreading the drama that comes along with cutting her off for good. Oh but the glorious day when it comes and my body is mine, all mine! It will be a blessed day indeed for this tired and saggy bobied mama.

33:13

2011-05-14T14:39:00.001-05:00

Alcon(Ben's employer) is really into the health and well being of their employees, so much so that there is a gym on site and a long list of different athletic events during the work day. There could be a sand volleyball game at 10:30 on a Tuesday morning, or a spin class at 3 on Wednesday afternoon, or even a kettle bell lifting group at 11:30 around the outdoor track. All of the sports are open to their employees, all they need to do is join the team or simply arrange your lunch break around the time of the event. I think it is such a great investment they are making into the health and well being of their employees, not only for insurance premiums but also for the over all morale of the work environment. One of the "extras" they offer is that about 4 times a year they sponsor a 5k race and it is free for employees to participate in. Ben signed up to do a race today and last night I was somehow able to talk him into letting me run for him. He was sore from a work out a few days before and I was just itching to do a race after the tarential marathon relay in OKC 2 weeks ago.
When I woke up this morning I wasn't really sure if I was ready for the race, I was running as Ben and didn't want to mess up his track record of having fast races. He likes to joke with me that the pain is temporary but internet results are forever! Thanks for not adding any pressure to an already anxious situation. The temps were in the low 50s, some what windy, and the course was very hilly and not ideal. I am happy to report though that I finished in 33:13, averaging just about 11 minutes a mile and a whopping 2 1/2 minutes faster than my last 5k in March. My best race time ever is 31:51 and that was December 2006, my goal for the end of 2011 is to beat that time by atleast 10 seconds. My hope is that I can continue to train, lose weight, and improve my time so that the faster race time will be my reality. Now that we are entering the warm months in Texas it will be a challenge to get in as much training as I would like and to improve my time but I am willing to put forth the effort to make it happen.

Mothers Day 2011

2011-05-10T20:39:00.001-05:00

I am a big "holiday" person, I love to spoil others with gifts or attention when it is their special day so unfortunately for Ben I expect big things when it is my day. Mothers day is a day where I get a pass from the kitchen and in the 4 years I have enjoyed the day I have also gotten breakfast in bed each time. Since I am by no means a morning person it is a treat to be able to lounge in bed longer than normal and to have yummy food and coffee with me makes it just that much greater. Unfortunately this years breakfast in bed didn't quite so as planned......
Brynlee had been sick since Tuesday which means we were on day 6 of the constant crying, not eating, not sleeping, and just all around being a grouch. She got up before 7 and after I nursed her once again she went to tears, I mean nothing would console the sweet girl. Ben came to help out and was able to finally stop the crying by walking around holding her....um he can't really deliver my breakfast if he is holding a baby so I got up, went to the kitchen for my tray of food, and brought it back to bed where I dug into the pancakes. I just couldn't take the crying anymore so at 8 on the dot I called the doctors office(I love that our pediatrician is open on Saturday and Sunday mornings) and made Brynlee an appointment to be checked out.
So after a few gifts(a mom Tervis tumbler and a photobook with pictures of me with the kiddos) and a nice card Ben headed to the doctor with Brynlee while Benjamin and I went in the direction of church. When I met Ben back at home after church he had a big fancy brunch of eggs and biscuits and gravy waiting for me....2 breakfasts in one day! The rest of the day consisted of a ton of crying and stress from Brynlee and more yummy food prepared by my sweeter than pie husband. It was not at all the Mother's day I had envisioned but as any mother knows, your days are all about the kids and normalcy is something of the past once there are the sounds of little feet in the house.

Sugars from my little man, oh how I could cuddle with him all day!

Brynlee wasn't very happy that I was trying to get her to sit still for a snapshot, oh that girl was a mess! Of course if I had fluid on my ears, swollen throat and thyroid, pressure on my chest, and congestion in my lungs I don't know that I would be a happy camper either.

Too Much on My Plate

2011-05-05T12:31:00.003-05:00

Life is super busy and chaotic right now, someone please slow down this roller coaster that is my life! I have a TON of stuff to blog about but don't have the time or desire to try and tackle it right now. Here is a short list of what we have been up to the last 2 weeks.

-Ben went on a business trip to Minnesota for 3 days leaving me to take care of the kids by myself. Don't get me wrong I love that he has a job, especially a job that he enjoys but I don't dig being a single parent so it is always tough for me when he is away.

-We went to OKC for a few days for the MS walk for my cousin Laura and then the OKC memorial marathon the next day. Marathon day was like this: 30 minute delay start because of a lightning storm, 40 degree temps, rain, hail, 20-25 MPH winds, and awesome girls to run the race with. My team, "What Were We Thinking" consisted of my sisters Joy Marie and Michelle, cousin Amber, sister in law Angie, and myself. While the conditions were less than pleasant we had a great time at the marathon, each person was able to run their leg without having to walk, and we finished in a little over 5 hours. Considering the weather, the fact that neither of my sisters had ever done a race before, and that I had only ran 3.5 miles in my training yet was able to run all 6.2 miles(in one hour fifteen minutes) on race day I was very impressed with us!

-After OKC I took the kids to Tulsa for a very short trip(not even 2 full days) so that I could go see mimi and poppi's house one final time. The house will be on the market in a few weeks with an estate sale on Memorial day weekend. It was the first time I had returned to Tulsa since mimi's funeral so it was sad for me to know that they were both gone and that the house would soon be gone as well. I took a few keep sakes from the house and was able to reflect on just how much love and laughter filled those walls. I used to love spending the night there and I will always remember how special they made me feel when I was with them.

-Ben got his new company car, a bright red 4x4 Ford F-150 Crew cab.....it is one good looking truck!

-Brynlee has 2 new teeth(for a total of 10) and has been crying non stop for 3 days now. She is not eating, having explosive diapers, running a fever, and all around cranky pants! She also turned 11 months old last week and will be 1 year old later this month, OH MY WORD!

-And last but not least we have bought a new house and will be closing on it 3 weeks from today!

As you can tell from the picture it is a beautiful house that sits on 1.26 acres, has a pool, a garden, lots of trees, plenty of space inside and out, and we absolutely LOVE it. It is a house that we can see ourselves growing old in and is a place that our kids will thrive and grow in.

So that's our life in a nutshell right now, I got so tired just thinking about all that we have done and all the packing that lies ahead that I need to go sit down with a big bowl of ice cream just so I can make it through the day.

Easter 2011

2011-04-25T15:51:00.004-05:00

Saturday I took Benjamin to an egg hunt and he was so excited to get his picture taken with the Easter bunny. Lucky for us he never once asked about the bunny and the gits that the bunny is known to bring kids.

Family picture

With Benjamin's allergy to eggs we can't do the typical dying of Easter eggs but he was able to draw on some confetti eggs that daddy found at the store.

We bought Benjamin a new puzzle that he "found" during the egg hunt in the house, it is a 48 piece floor puzzle and he was able to put it together all by himself!

Daddy busting a confetti egg on Benjamin

I was a little bummed that we had no plans for Easter and that it was just the 4 of us but it turned out to be a great day. We heard an amazing message at church, I made ressurection rolls to share with Benjamin's Sunday school class, had a yummy pot roast for lunch, and enjoyed a nice walk around the neighborhood before the rain rolled in. Benjamin was asking a lot of questions about Jesus dying on the cross and how it was all for our sins, it was AWESOME to see it all come togehter in his eyes.

Puzzle Factory

2011-04-20T14:49:00.003-05:00

We have really been intentional on limiting Benjamin's tv time lately, too much tv makes for a cranky kid which make for a cranky mama. So while the tube is off we are trying to find ways to keep him busy and self entertained. The kid loves puzzles, I mean he is really great at them. He can do a puzzle in about 4 minutes and then he will do about 6 back to back. It is wonderful for him to use his mind and also do some problem solving at a young age.

This morning I caught both kids doing puzzles at the same time, our own little assembly line if you will.

Brynlee had to get a taste for her puzzle to see if it was good.

Okay mommy I will stop and pose for a picture but I am a little bit of busy right now.

On a Hunt

2011-04-18T14:07:00.005-05:00

This past Saturday our Sunday school class had an Easter egg hunt and gosh you would have thought we were taking Benjamin to Disney World with how excited he was about it.

A shot of my babies with their baskets before we head out.

Boots had to get in on the fun too, man does Benjamin love that dog!

This picture absolutely cracks me up, Brian checking Eloise's diaper to make sure all the goodies stay in place....something all parents have done at one point or another.

Girl time!

Reid, one of the hosts for the hunt decided to extend the invitation to a young mother who was at the neighborhood park with her mother and two daughters. What a great example Reid set, invite someone you don't know to your home so that they can see first hand Christ's love and the great sacrifice Jesus made for us at Easter time.

Killing time at the park while the mommies hide all of the eggs.

Yes that is Chris flexing his muscles

We had such a great time with our friends, you never need an excuse to be social and to get together with some amazing people but there is no better reason to do it than in celebration of the ressurection of our Savior.

Sweet Cheeks

2011-04-16T13:49:00.002-05:00

Love this little girl and the sweet round cheeks that God blessed her with!

Out of the mouth of a 3 year old

2011-04-13T21:38:00.000-05:00

Benjamin is saying some awesome things lately:

I had just finished nursing Brynlee one morning when Benjamin looks at me and says:
"Mommy put your boobie back in your shirt"
It was as if I could see him rolling his eyes and being embarrassed by his "old mom".

Looking outside our window to the neighbors yard he says:
"Mommy is Seth home?"
"No sugar, he doesn't live there anymore because they moved to a different house".
"Well that's stupid".
I then proceed to tell him that we don't say stupid and yes it is a bummer that his one friend on our street has moved away.

"Benjamin, mommy needs to go potty so you sit in here and play with Brynlee".
"Well hurry mommy and make sure you don't have an accident".

"Boots is my doggie, and she loves me very much".
"I want a hug and a kiss, hug me 20-80 times". I have no idea what 20-80 times means but that is the number he uses when he wants something really big......that is huge in his mind.

Retreat

2011-04-11T21:13:00.000-05:00

This past weekend I had the opportunity to go away for 48 hours with some ladies from my church for a women's retreat. Sky Ranch is a little over two hours from home and it was a beautiful destination for some soul searching and to get lost in mother nature. There was everything from a ropes course to a zipline, a lake for canoeing and a pool for sunbathing....it was beautiful. This retreat was my first time to be away from Brynlee for more than 12 hours and the first time for Ben to be in charge of the kids by himself. I was anxious to leave the kids, not because I didn't think Ben could handle it but because I knew I would miss the kids and I didn't want them to do all kinds of cute little things while I was gone. Saturday afternoon I got the following text from Ben:
"I've had to repeat myself about a million times. This was good for me...you are now a saint in my book and I'm sorry for not appreciating how demanding your job is. My offer to switch places and stay home while you work is officially off the table. How are you not an alcoholic?"
It melted my heart to know he respected me and acknowledged all the hard work I put into being a mom and wife. Taking on the roll of a mom is one of the greatest yet toughest jobs out there, a blessing some days and a curse on others. It was nice to know I wasn't the only one who struggled and had days where I doubted my ability to be a good parent and to not lose my cool.
If I got nothing else out of my retreat weekend it was all worth it to get this validation from Ben and to feel that I don't go unnoticed and unappreciated.

Dentist, What's a Dentist?

2011-04-08T10:47:00.001-05:00

For months now I have been thinking oh, we need to get Benjamin in to see a dentist. Nothing is wrong with his teeth but I wanted him to get checked out and to get him comfortable with the idea of a dentist. I don't think we had dental insurance growing up so I am not a huge fan of going to the dentist myself and I don't want Benjamin to have the same anxiety that I do. We had talked up the concept of a man looking at his teeth and making sure that he would keep him mouth open for some digging around. The appointment itself only lasted about 10 minutes and Benjamin did great, he of course wanted to talk the whole time that Dr. Preece had his fingers in Benjamin's mouth. This mama was not at all surprised by that, the kid talks ALL the time!

Benjamin didn't hesitate at all to get into the fun chair that laid back, he was a champ with no reservations about the appointment.

Dr. Preece did a great job of telling Benjamin exactly what he was doing the whole time, right down to informing Benjamin that his gloves were not only purple but they were grape flavored also.

Brush brush brush your teeth morning noon and night, up down and all around makes your smile bright.

Super excited to get a new toothbrush with a dolpin on the handle, not to mention a Dinosaur Train sticker.

Other than his teeth being tight and a little close together Dr. Preece says everything else is great. We have another visit in 6 months and at that one Benjamin will get his teeth cleaned and some X-Rays done. I hope that we will have as much luck at that appointment as we did this one, just another sign that our little boy isn't so little anymore and he is growing up (FAST)!

Three is gonna be the death of me

2011-04-05T10:53:00.003-05:00

Whoever coined the phrase terrible 2s must not have had a 3 year old because I think 3 is way worse than 2 was for Benjamin. OH.MY.GOSH.3.IS.GOING.TO.KILL.ME. Many days I feel like I am not going to make it to bed time without strangling him or losing all control of myself. Of course I am only kidding when I say I am going to strangle him but my word we are at a very challenging stage of life. Benjamin is discovering himself and is wanting to exercise independence and free thinking, of course his ideas are not at all in line with what I want. He wants to watch tv all the time, won't obey us or his teachers at school, only wants to eat junk food, and has mastered the art of whining and tantrums. His school uses a stop light method to measure behavior, green means they behaved and had a great day, yellow is not so good and had to be corrected a number of times, and red is not obeying at all and just the worst option there is. In the last 3 days of school he has been on yellow twice and red once, we have never had problems like this before and I am not happy we are dealing with it now. His teachers assure me that he is just being a boy and that it is a phase but I don't find it to be acceptable behavior, he is not obeying, talking all the time, and won't do the things that they repeatedly ask of him. I adore his teachers and I know that they want the best for him and they repeatedly give him chances to make good decisions yet he is not making good choices. Yes I know it is a sensitive subject and not everyone agrees but we are spankers so Benjamin unfortunately has had some spankings lately but it doesn't seem to be phasing him. I am trying to be diligent and consistent in how I handle the struggles yet I can't help but feel like I am failing as a mom and teacher for my kids. I find myself very stressed out, yelling at the kids or Ben when I just can't take it anymore, and tired of being a stay at home mom some days. I am in a very challenging position and need to lean on the Lord to make it to bed time, oh bed time seems like a life time away when the noise is constant and the tantrums are never ending. Rumor has it that boys are the most difficult the first five years and after that they gain some independence and chill out, Lord help us to make it to the five year mark without killing each other. I have to remember that this is a short season in life and with some level headed decisions, some time in prayer, and some REALLY strong margaritas we will survive these truly terrible threes.

Mayhem in McKinney

2011-04-02T16:15:00.004-05:00

Yesterday afternoon we loaded the kids up and headed north(I think) to McKinney for an overnight visit. Elizabeth, my friend of 20 plus years lives there with her husband Travis and daughter Emery. Although we only live an hour and fifteen minutes away from each other we don't do a very good job of getting together on a regular basis, visits being too few and far between. Ben had found a small 5k race in McKinney that he wanted to be a part of so it was a fun excuse to get away and to see some good friends. I had been hoping to do the race with him but I injured my ankle on Monday so I had to sit this one out. I was very sad when I couldn't run but it was nice to just be a spectator, this was the first time I had been there to just cheer and support instead of participate. Elizabeth and Travis were nice enough to watch the kids for us during the race, it was nice being able to fully focus on Ben and support his efforts uninterrupted.

Geared up and ready to run, he was hoping to set a new PR at this race but it was already warm at 9 so he wasn't sure if that was going to happen or not.

At the front of the pack, the guy in the white right next to Ben was the overall winner and the one in the black and red came in second place. The little girl in the picture was 9 years old and she ran a 5k(3.1 miles) in 26:30!

Heading to the finish line, still going strong and looking good.

Okay so I had a picture of him crossing the finish line but it some how disappeared, GGGRRRRR! First place in his age group with a time of 22:50, a new personal best by 10 seconds! He was actually on pace to finish in under 22 minutes but the last mile was all uphill and a battle, he still did awesome and I am so proud of him!

Messy girls enjoying a yummy lunch from Chipotle. Emery is 5 months older than Brynlee and is a doll baby, such a sweet face and the most beautiful eyes and lashes I have ever seen.

Poor Benjamin was out numbered with girls and was surrounded with a smidge too much estrogen.

Thanks for a great visit Doyle family, your house is always so inviting and the pedicure on Saturday was a much needed break for this mama and her scraggly looking feet.

9 month check up on 10 month birthday

2011-03-29T11:22:00.004-05:00

Today we had Brynlee's 9 month check up, because of all of the ear infections we had to push it back to a time when she was healthy so it actually fell on her 10 month birthday. Here are the stats:

Weight: 20 pounds 5 ounces (75%)

Height: 29 inches (75-95%)

Head: 18 1/4 cm (95%)

She is definitely growing quickly and doesn't have a failure to thrive like her mama did. Dr. Jones was a little concerned that she isn't crawling yet or pulling up but he comforted me and let me know that it was more than likely due to her big head. He siad that 9 times out of 10 when babies weren't quite where they needed to be in their movements it was because their head was so large and heavy to move around. We will reevaluate the situation at her 1 year appointment which is just 2 short months away! He did tell me that she will not be walking by her birthday and that made me a little sad but in the long run who cares, it doesn't define who she is or make me a bad mom. I have been struggling to know that it is okay that she is not developing as rapidly as Benjamin did, I think because he was our first and he seemed to do everything so early that I have held Brynlee to that standard. I need to change my way of thinking, as the youngest I constantly felt compared to my siblings and I hated it. I don't want Brynlee to grow up feeling the same way, she is her own perfect little person and I need to treat her that way.

Brynlee,

You are becoming a very emotional little girl, you laugh when you are happy and scream when you are mad. Demanding is one word that I could use to describe you, if you are hungry and want food you want it now and aren't afraid to let us know. You are eating almost all table food at this point, lots of fruit and even meats. I do find it challenging to constantly try and find things for you to eat, I don't remember it being so taxing when I was doing it for Benjamin. You have the prettiest hair and I love pulling it back into little sprouts and Benjamin likes to pick out what bow you should wear. You are showing more interest in crawling and will stand up for minutes at a time if you are leaned against something or we are holding your hands. You have almost out grown the infant carrier, your cute little piggies hang off the bottom and before long you will be in the big kid car seat. Just the other day you and Benjamin sat in the back seat of the car "talking" and laughing with each other, it was the sweetest sound. Brynlee you said your first word this past weekend and I am happy to say it was "mama". I just love you so much Brynlee, your cuddles warm my heart and your deep eyes melt me.

Love and Respect

2011-03-27T11:01:00.003-05:00

Thanks to Ben's parents coming to watch the kids for us this weekend Ben and I were able to attend the Love and Respect marriage conference at our church. Dr. Emerson Eggerichs and his wife Sarah are authors, public speakers, and after 35 plus years of marriage I would say they are relationship experts. The basic concept of their work is that men need respect from their wife(or females in their life) and women need to feel love from their husband. While I might not understand why respect is so important to Ben, I do understand why I have such a desire to feel loved and to have people show me love. Ben sometimes is speaking into his "blue" megaphone yet I can't hear what he is saying through my "pink" hearing aid. Man and wife are meant to compliment and complete each other so for that to happen I must show Ben respect and he needs to speak to my need for love. There are times when I think Ben doesn't understand my needs at all and I am very guilty of not giving him what his heart desires. We had received the book Love and Respect as a wedding gift from Ben's parents so I knew the basic concept but having it presented to me first hand really made it real for me. I try to show Ben love and I feel it comes naturally but I definitely fall short in showing him respect, something that has caused more than one argument in our house. Ben works hard for our little family and he needs to be reminded how much I respect his desire to care and provide for us. My prayer is that after this conference Ben and I will be more aware of how to love and respect one another which will in turn strengthen our marriage. If you ever have the chance to go to this marriage conference or any marriage conference I highly recommend you do so, while we think we have it all under control a little help and guidance never hurt anyone. And if you haven't read the book Love and Respect I think you should, it will help with any and all male/female relationship in you life.

Guest of Honor

2011-03-24T15:51:00.003-05:00

If you are anything like me and company is coming for a visit then you clean the house like a mad woman. Making sure everything is clean, nothing is out of place(which is nearly impossible with a very active 3 year old boy), there isn't a crumb on the floor or a wrinkle in the bedding. You have to make your house presentable and to appear so polished and perfect, heaven forbid that your company knows that your house is actually lived in. What I have come to realize is that while I do all of this cleaning for people I don't see very often, I don't do it for the people who live in this house every day. My husband and kids deserve a clean house just as much as my in laws or friends from church, more so than the "guests". How is it that I overlook the need to prepare the house for a king when I have a king that lives in the house already? Ben not only works to provide for his family but he also helps with the kids, cooks meals, does some of the housework, and for the most part he does so without complaint(most of the time)!
I take my husband's generosity for granted and overlook the fact that he deserves a comfortable and clean place to relax. I don't like cleaning, I mean I really don't like it but I don't know very many people who do. I just need to suck it up, that is my job as a housewife and mom...I am a caregiver and I need to care for my family and their needs. My goal is to start treating Ben like a guest in our house, yes I will fall short many times but I do strive to better my homemaking skills for his sake and for our little ones. Ben, I am not promising hospital cleanliness any time soon but I do promise to start putting your needs above those who only frequent our house on rare occassions.

Right of Passage

2011-03-21T15:31:00.003-05:00

At 9 1/2 months Brynlee is growing up so fast! It seems much faster this go round than it did with Benjamin, I guess maybe because I have 2 little ones to chase around and with that comes less down time and more chaos. With being such a big girl we figured it was finally time for her to start taking a bath with big brother Benjamin.....

not something she was too happy about......

Brynlee usually loves bath time but not so much when she has to share her pool with Benjamin.

Benjamin was a champ at letting Brynlee into his deep waters, he tried to play with her and be silly to make the crying stop.

Finally a hug and kiss from her sweet brother was the only thing that would calm her down.....oh the drama!

Brynlee is also advancing with her eating, not so much into the baby foods anymore but really digging the big people goodies. When we are at the table and we are eating something that she thinks looks good she will start screeching and screaming until we just put the food away or give in and share with her. It is amazing to me how she already has such a demanding little spirit, where oh where could that be coming from?

Every kid needs to experience some yummy and quite messy spaghetti at a young age.

Well maybe the messy part isn't just for the babies....

Yea all the way down into the diaper. To me that is a sign that she is enjoying the food and thinks that mommy is a good cook.

Daddy you are funny.

A genuinly happy little Miss Wigglesworth, this face melts me.

Off to the tub we go for yet another loud and crying filled bath with Benjamin.

Good Intentions

2011-03-18T15:05:00.002-05:00

If you are like me and you look at Facebook you are stunned at some of the terrible situations that your family and friends can be in. Whether it is illness, financial problems, marital issues, or just having a rotten day we all are faced with hardships. When I see that my friend is in a less than ideal situation I am quick to reassure them that I am praying for them, because some times praying really is the only thing that I can do. Yes I have ever intention of praying for them right away and to speak to God on their behalf but I don't always seem to follow through no matter how pure my intentions are. I either keep reading other people's status updates or I click to bloggerland to see what else is going on via the world wide web. I do pray every day at least 2 or 3 times and I will pray for my friend at some point but I feel convicted that I don't do so right away. I gave this person my word that I was praying for them yet I didn't take 2 minutes out of my oh so busy internet time to do so right then, how silly and selfish I am. I am a firm believer in the power of prayer and I know that God hears every one so I need to be much more diligent in when I pray and how I pray. We all could use a little prayer on our behalf, so please if I tell you that I am praying for you call me out and make sure that I am praying as I should be. I want to be a reliable prayer partner and not just a good intentioned one, I am literally praying this second to be a better disciple of Christ and that my actions can back up my words.
Where do you stand on this issue? Are you a good prayer warrior? If so, can you give me some tips on when or how you talk to God? I know that I am a work in progress and can always improve on this and many areas of my life, I strive for growth and strength.

In a Better Place

2011-03-16T15:10:00.000-05:00

After a lonely and pain filled year Mimi passed away peacefully at home on Saturday March 12th. She had slowly started to deteriorate about 6 months ago and then a little over a month ago things got progressively worse. It is hard to believe that in one month she was in the hospital, in a nursing home, and then finally back home where she would spend her last two weeks. I know that it was a terribly exhausting month for all as family rallied together to support one another and to make her final moments as comfortable and pain free as possible. Mimi was such a wonderful person and a living example of how to live a life of servitude. I can't ever recall a time where she turned anyone down or wasn't the first to volunteer if ever there was a need. Mimi will be greatly missed but how sweet it is that she has been reunited with Poppi after a year apart.

Family picture after the funeral.

All 8 of Mimi and Poppi's grandkids. No matter how grown up we are we still remember the times of all spending the night together in the living room or talking them into taking us to McDonalds for happy meals.

10 great grandchildren, I pray that Mimi and Poppi's legacy will live on in them and that they will know how to care for others before themselves.

Happy Birthday Grandma

2011-03-14T15:41:00.001-05:00

Today is Grandma's 62nd birthday and we are lucky enough to be in Tulsa with her on the special day. Unfortunately it has been quite a year for mom with her mom Mimi passing away just 2 days ago and a little over a year after Poppi passed away. Mom is one of the strongest women I know being able to deal with all of life's stresses and still taking time for others. I pray that Mom will be able to get through this difficult time, that her year only gets better, and that she has health and happiness in the upcoming year. I LOVE YOU MOM!!!!

St. Patricks Run 2011

2011-03-13T15:03:00.004-05:00

Saturday was the St. Patrick's 5k race, the same race that Ben had proposed to me at just 4 short years ago. I had only completed 7 of 9 weeks in my couch to 5k program so I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to run the whole thing but that was definitely a desire. I set 2 goals for the race, to run the entire thing and to do it in under 39 minutes. Just 8 weeks ago I did the Jiggle Butt run in 40:50 and I was using that as my platform to compare progress against. We made the race a family event with Benjamin and Grandad doing the 1 mile fun run while Ben and I signed up to compete in the 5k(3.1 miles).

Richard Liniger II and Richard Liniger IV pre race.

Benjamin did so great on the run, he kept telling me before hand that he was going to win the race. I know it is silly but while my guys were on the course I shed a few tears, after the health scare of grandad's cancer earlier in the year I was just grateful that he was still with us and that this was a moment they could share together.

Benjamin crossed the finish line in 15:36, pretty impressive for a pair of 3 year old little legs. He had a great time, I don't know if he will get the running bug like I have but it is nice to exercise together as a family and to share a common interest.

He just kept going even after he crossed the finish line, this kid has an energy I have never seen before.

The race seems to grow every year with just over 2600 people registering for this years 5k. With that many people I decided to start at the back 2/3rds of the group so as to not get in the way of the serious racers, I think that is called race etiquette. I did get nervous as it neared the start time, nervous that I wouldn't meet the goals I set for myself and also because I knew I was on my own. Ben was going to run his own race and then circle back and meet me on the course to be with me as I crossed the finish line, something that he did at the last race we did together.

Go go go go go!!!!

Ben towards the front of the racers, his pace is much faster than mine so we decided it would be best to split up.

His legs look so long, and he has quite a stride going. Ben did better than he thought he would, finishing in 23:37.....like I said his pace is much faster than mine.

Here we are about 100 yards before the finish line, I had set a good pace throughout the race so I was able to really push and sprint for the last bit. I am happy to report that I was able to exceed both goals I set for the race, I ran the whole thing and according to my stop watch I did so in 35:59. Unfortunately the official results show I did it in 36:27 but they didn't use my chip time just the gun time, well with 2600 people I didn't cross the start line until at least 30 seconds after the gun went off. Either way I did much better than I thought I was going to and I felt like I had enough energy to keep going once I crossed the finish line, something I don't know that I have ever felt before. Needless to say I am a huge fan of the couch to 5k program and I believe that it can work for anyone as long as you put the time in.

YEA to a great race and I for sure have the race fever.....can't wait until the next time I get to cross the finish line.

Slow and Steady

2011-03-08T13:07:00.002-06:00

We are now in the third month of 2011, the year I vowed to eat better, lose weight, exercise more, and to make more time for myself and my health. While there are days when I want nothing more than to chow down on a 1/2 pound burger and fries from Fudds, overall I have done much better with my food self control. I do allow myself a burger and fries every once and while but I make sure that I have had fruits, vegetables, protein, and plenty of water already for the day so that I am not pulled too far into the food darkness. One thing that I have noticed the past week or so is that I feel an addiction to sugar, to me sugar is a drug that I feel I must have every day. Some days I am good with just getting yummy creamer in my coffee but other days I want a handful of M&Ms, a cookie, a brownie, a honey greek yogurt, or an ice cream treat from Braums. One can never have enough sugar in their life.......
My running has slowly started to improve as well, I have completed week 7 of my couch to 5k program and this last week so a tough one. This week is a 5 minute warm up(walk), 28 minute run, and then a 5 minute cool down and that is 3 days a week. It has been challenging to keep running for that long but it is nice to finally be able to run for 2 plus miles without stopping and to not be as winded when I finish these runs. I won't quite be done with the 9 week program when it is time for the St. Patty's 5k race this Saturday so I will just have to listen to my body race morning to see how hard I can push. My goal for the race is to try and run the whole 3.2 miles without walking and to also do it in 39 minutes total, that would be almost a full 2 minutes faster than I did the Jiggle Butt Run at the beginning of January.
I can't tell you how much weight I have lost so far this year because the battery in the scale went out at the end of last week. It has maybe been about 2 weeks since I have weighed myself, maybe that is a good thing and I will be shocked when I can get back on there. If I were guessing I would say that I have lost 10 pounds in a little over 2 months, and while that is great it is not really where I was hoping to be. I would be thrilled to have lost about 15 pounds but hey a loss is a loss and I just have to work harder to get bigger results, slow and steady wins the race.

Best Buddies Reunited

2011-03-04T12:41:00.003-06:00

Last week we were lucky enough to made the trip to Austin with daddy for business, he was the business and we were the leisure! It had been about 5 weeks since we had seen the Kinley's so the visit came at a perfect time, everyone was well and fun was to be had. We didn't tell Benjamin where we were going because we didn't want to listen to him asking for Jackson for days on end and we also thought maybe he would fall asleep in the car if he wasn't too pumped about seeing his friend. We were wrong, he didn't nap but he was so surprised when we pulled up to their house, I guess the boat parked in the drive way was a dead give away because before we even got out he said, is this Jackson's house.

Jackson wears boxers instead of underwear so the boughts thought that Benjamin needed to wear them as well, Benjamin kept saying he needed to wear some foxes! They went into Jackson's room on their own and stripped down so they could get into some matching clothes.

This picture cracks me up, the boys were in the band and Brynlee looks like a groupie in the background just stretching and begging to be included!

These little sweet potatoes got along so well, Calvin was very gentle when he was wanting to pet the baby and Brynlee went with the flow.

LOVE LOVE LOVE this picture, posing and playing coy with her friend.

Lots of time playing together, Calvin was awesome at sharing his toys but wasn't too thrilled to have to share his brother with Benjamin.

Playing Captain Hook

Going on a snipe hunt

A few things we realized:

One night is plenty for these boys right now, we got there Wednesday afternoon and by Friday morning they were both having melt downs and losing it so the trip was headed south and quick!

San Marcos has some great shopping and I need to go down there by myself some time so that Crissy and I can have some proper girl time.

Kids are much more independent from their mommies when they have other friends around their own age who can keep them entertained, it was a nice break for both of us!

March 1st

2011-03-02T12:20:00.002-06:00

March 1st was a pretty hard day for me for a couple of different reasons. Ben was out of town and with Brynlee still being sick I found it difficult some times to juggle a rowdy 3 year old plus take care of a sick baby on my own. This year Brynlee didn't get a 9 month birthday because well there just wasn't 29 days in February so I also had the realization that my baby girl is growing up! Ben and I still go back and forth on if we are done with having kids or if we will continue to populate the earth with more beautiful Liniger babies.....well if we are done this is the last 9 month milestone and that can be sad. I didn't get a picture of Miss Wigglesworth because she was just too pathetic and we have pushed back her 9 month check up until her 10 month birthday. We have been to the doctor so much lately that we needed a break and Dr. Jones wants to see Brynlee when she has healthy ears, while I don't know her height right now I do know that she weighs 19 pounds and 5 ounces. She is getting so big and my heart just melts when I get smiles from her.
March 1st was the one year anniversary of when Poppi passed away, gosh how is it possible that it has only been a year. It seems like a life time since I have seen his face and had him wrap me in a bear hug. I think of him so often, I was lucky to have him for 30 years but it doesn't seem like long enough. Poppi had so much love in his heart for his family and friends, it was always about others with him. It has been a lonely year for so many without him, yes we have moved forward but the memories are still there and the love is still strong. Poppi I know you are looking down on me from heaven and I pray that I have made you proud, I love you today and always.

Sick

2011-02-28T14:56:00.003-06:00

Brynlee has been to the doctor twice in 3 days and the outcome is a double ear infection and a viral infection, poor sweet Wigglesworth. I noticed it Thursday and Friday of last week but was hoping it wasn't anything major but I guess this maternal instinct stuff is for real. I am worn out, yea Brynlee has been sleeping a lot through the sickness but it still wears me out when she cries more than normal, doesn't eat well, needs to be held every waking moment, and our schedule is all out of whack. Just like the last time Brynlee was sick Ben is out of town so knowing that I have to handle the kids on my own really wears me down also. Times like these really make me appreciate all that Ben does for us and makes me sooooo thankful that I am not a single parent taking care of life on my own every day.
I think that we have single handidly taken care of Dr. Jones mortgage for the month of February, 3 visits in one month is good for him but bad for us. No really he is a great doctor and I appreciate the fact that he makes time for us and lets me express all of my concerns.
We had a great time in Austin last week hanging with the Kinley's and when I have more energy I will post pictures of the kiddos reunited.

Before I lose it...

2011-02-21T09:38:00.004-06:00

Benjamin is such a fun kid right now!

He likes to play "duck and goose" and also like to play hide and seek. He counts to five and then says, "ready to come or not" instead of ready or not here I come.

The other night when I was leaving for my girls night out he gives me a kiss, tells me he loves me, and then says, be careful tonight mommy......such a sweet boy!

When I was nursing Brynlee this morning, he says....mom I can feed Brynlee too, she can eat off of my boobies next.

Look mommy, I found the tickets to the games. And yes just so you aren't wondering those are indeed condoms that he got out of my nightstand. I thought it was hilarious, I didn't want to make a big deal out of it or he would have asked questions and it would have turned awkward so I continued to let him play with them. He then hands me one, one to daddy, and then says there aren't any tickets for Brynlee. Daddy at that point says, yea there aren't any tickets for Brynlee for about the next 30 years! :)

He walks up to me yesterday and says, mommy I want to give you a hug. He then puts both hands around my leg, squeezes and then the sweetests words ever came out of his mouth....mommy, I love you very much.

Benjamin loves to run, I mean not just when he is playing in the backyard but when daddy and I are on walks or jogs he wants to run with us. The other night he was begging to get out of the stroller and run with us so daddy of course gave in and let him run, um the kid ran for about a mile or more. Yes it is a slow run at about 4 mph but he ran the whole time, and wasn't winded or anything when we got home. I think we are going to sign him up for the St. Patty's day fun run in 3 weeks when we do the 5k, he is going to rock it!

We're just like you, only prettier!

2011-02-20T13:49:00.007-06:00

Two of the most amazing girls I know are both turning 30 this year so a BIG BASH was in order to celebrate their special days. A big group of pretty women+yummy food+cowboy boots and short skirts+frosty beverages+Miranda Lambert at Billy Bobs=Successful girls night out!

Amanda and Heather sure know how to throw a party and have a rockin good time.....happy birthday sweet girls.

I love this picture of Heather, she looks so pretty!

Yes when you get a group of moms together a minivan ride is going to be involved somehow. I just love the night portrait option on the camera, very funky background.

Tiffany dresses her beer in bow ties.....we call her fancy pants.

Miranda live in action, she has a ton of energy and puts on a really good show.

Miranda was happy we came to see her, she forgot to give us a shout out but she knew we were there.

The whole group in front of Billy Bobs, the biggest honky tonk in the world. Now I am not exactly sure what qualifies as a honky tonk but non the less I am cool because I can know say that I have been to one.

To say Amanda had a good time would be an understatement.....it was a great night for all of us and I can't wait for the next girls night out with these fab-u-lous ladies.

Oh and just so you know, the post title is a line in one of Miranda's songs.....I wouldn't just brag about our prettiness to be cocky.....but looking at these pictures it is a true statement.

Clap Clap Clap

2011-02-18T13:31:00.001-06:00

Brynlee's latest trick is clapping, something that she is very good at!

You want me to do what?

Oh am I on?

Start out slow and steady...

This is getting fun.......

Oh yea, I got it now!

And for the finale, a belly shot!

Be Mine?

2011-02-16T13:36:00.002-06:00

Another Valentine's day with the loves of my life.....

Brynlee agreed to be daddy's one and only, at least for about the next 18 years or so.

She loved her little puppy dog from her main man....Benjamin was nice enough to pick it out for baby sister.

Sugars for his sugar.

Benjamin got quite a bit of stuff from his classmates, yea there are only 12 kids total in his class and this is what he scored.

Beautiful flowers and a nice card from my kiddos, couldn't ask for anything more from my babies.

The weather was soooo beautiful out that Ben grilled up a delicious meal complete with wine and chocolate covered strawberries for dessert.

Sweet cupid baby

While my gift may have shown up a day late it was such a thoughtful and generous gift. The Bob double jogging stoller is something I had been drooling over for awhile and thanks to Ben I now have one in my grubby little hands.

I love my family and I am so grateful for the love that they show me on a daily basis. I hope that you are just as blessed as I and may you feel love all the days of your life!

Family Value

2011-02-14T10:09:00.002-06:00

Today is the one year anniversary of when Ben's grandpa Pops passsed away, hard to believe it has already been a year. I remember we were in Tulsa when he died and while we weren't ready to lose him we were thankful that his sufferning had ended and that he was in heaven with his Savior. A few weeks later my own grandpa passed away and man was it just a really dark time for me, two great losses in such a short amount of time. Ben and I were both fortunate enough to have strong men in our lives, men who knew that God and family were the most important things in life. Without their heavenly Father and their earthly family they were nothing, they served us and loved us with all that they had.
Thinking of these wonderful men makes me reflect on my own family, am I there for them the way that I was taught to be? This year feels like a repeat from last in the fact that both of my grandmothers are now battling health issues and there are big decisions that need to be made for their futures. My parents have a lot on their plates right now trying to do what is best for their mothers, they are fully commited to making sure that the grandmas feel loved and know that they will be taken care of. My hope and prayer is that I can in turn be there for them when they need help, I don't want to think about it but there will be a time when my parents will need me to step up and help them out. I pray it is my desire to put them first and not a career like some do, I mean really how could you think that a job is more imporant than the people who have given you life. I feel it is the children's responsibility to take care of their parents when they can't care for themselves, not one child but all the children in the family. I love my brother and sisters and I feel confident that when the time comes we all will have a part in our parents future. Our time on this earth is not guaranteed but we should make the most of it and concentrate on the people that matter, our family.

Grandma Came to Play

2011-02-11T09:23:00.001-06:00

Ben was going to Florida for a business trip so the plan was for mom and dad to come and visit the weekend before the trip and then grandma was going to stay a few extra days to help me with the kiddos. Well because of the massive blizzard in Tulsa that wasn't an option, instead we flew mom out on Sunday night and she stayed until Thursday afternoon. Brynlee was still battling an ear infection and maybe even the flu so instead of a fun filled time it was more of a hang out at the house and lets get well trip. Brynlee was fussy all day long and did a lot of crying while mom was here, thank goodness she was was here to help with Benjamin while I dealt with fussy pants. Unfortunately we didn't get to do a whole lot while mom was here but it was still nice having her all to ourselves for a few short days.

We gave Brynlee her first set of pigtails, they were super cute but didn't last long because her hair is just so thin.

Grandma and her mini me

Brynlee went through 3 outfits this day thanks to the antibiotics she was on for the ear infection, sick kids just wear me out.

Thanks mom for coming to stay with us, hopefully next time you can bring Papa with you.

Perfect

2011-02-09T15:18:00.003-06:00

In anticipation of being stuck indoors today due to another cold and wintry day I decided yesterday we needed to get out and run around town if only for a little bit. With grandma here with me for a few days while Ben is away on a business trip to sunny Florida I knew I had a trusty shopping sidekick in tow. We were looking for tie backs for the curtains that mom made for my bedroom months ago, so Bed Bath and Beyond was the most logical place to go. While I was rummaging through some clearance items Benjamin came across a Discovery Kids digital camera that he just had to have. I had been wanting to get him a camera for awhile but I just hate buying him things just because, I swear the kid thinks that he should get something every time we go to the store. Anyway, it was on clearance and I had a coupon so I gave in and got him the camera....I think it was a wise $11 investment. Positives: it holds 160 pictures, is easy for him to use, has a usb cable so I can upload his masterpieces, he loves playing with it. Negatives: it doesn't have a flash so indoor shots are dark and blurry, and once he hits more than 160 shots all of the previous pictures are erased and replaced with the new ones. Yea within 2 hours of having the camera he had already exceeded the 160 pictures, I told you he just loves this thing.

A few of his snapshots:

Any guesses what this is: Brynlee's hair.

He had to get one of his two buddies Buzz and Woody.

It's all a white fluffy ice covered blurr.....

2011-02-06T14:42:00.007-06:00

Unless you have been living under a rock I am sure you have heard of the freakishly out of character snow storm Texas was hit with last week. It started on Tuesday and as of Sunday afternoon there is still snow in certain areas, almost all gone only to be told that we might be getting more in the next few days. There was so much ice at the beginning of the week and then snow towards the end that businesses and schools shut down for days, schools were only in session on Monday. I am not at all a fan of cold weather but as long as I have a warm house to take refuge in I realize that it could be much worse, worse hit on either Tuesday or Wednesday when we had to deal with rolling black outs. This storm was out of control, we were stuck at home for 4 days and there were moments were it was uncertain if sanity was still in tack. What does one do for 4 days with small children, just about anything you can think of to keep them happy and mental breakdowns to a minimum.

Naps were taken.....a little extra sleep never hurt anyone.

First day of snow/ice we did a little playing outside.

Fun baths with daddy help pass the time.

Getting big brother involved is even more fun.

We let the creative juices flow and we try our hand at making some Valentine's for some special loved ones....sweet boy made 11 in all and has more to finish up this week.

We watch the snow fall and wonder what it would be like if this was our real home.

We admire the beauty in God's work.

We watch Beauty and the Beast over and over and over and over again.

We drink lots of coffee and make 2 batches of oatmeal raisin cookies.

We run a fever for 3 days and then wind up with an ear infection. At this point we also get very irritated with the cold weather and the snow.

We make large snow angels.

We have silly snowball fights.

We dress up in warm clothes that make us look ridiculous.

We make small snow angels.

We build life size snowmen.

We eat snow slushies.

We spend a lot of time in the kitchen cooking, baking, cleaning, and eating.

We enjoy the fruits of our labor, spice and pumpkin cupcakes.

Lord thank you for the sunshine you sent yesterday so that we might get out of our house and breath some much needed fresh air. Old man winter you are dead to me, don't you dare come back for another visit any time soon.

January Recap

2011-02-01T10:06:00.002-06:00

It has been a little over a month since I made the decision to start eating healthier, exercise, chop off my hair, and make a transformation of myself for the new year. There have definitely been a number of ups and downs during this time but over all I am pleased with the transformation. I have only weighed myself a few times and while I am not thrilled with the lack of weight I have lost I do know that I am headed in the right direction. I meant to weigh myself one more time to see how I really did but alas I forgot, I would guess that I have maybe lost 5-6 pounds total. I realize any kind of loss is a positive yet it is still a defeated feeling when I feel like the changes I have made should result in bigger numbers.
While the weight has been disappointing, the sense that I have my portions under control is a major positive and makes me feel great. I still take the time to enjoy eating and realize a good meal can turn a bad day around but I don't over do it like I used to. My food intake is down and healthy eating options are up! I have incorporated a lot of fruits, veggies, meats, and green smoothies into my daily diet. Most boxed and processed foods have been eliminated from our house and while I strive to not consume carbs there are some days that it just doesn't happen that way. I have realized that if I totally deprive myself of things that I like there is a greater chance that one day I will just snap and over indulge on sweets, breads, crakcers, and all the other oh so yummy carbs that are bad for me. If I allow myself just a handful of pretzels or one cookie during the day I am more likely to be satisfied with that then cave and head to Braums for a large mix or fries.
My exercise is also getting better, I get to the gym 3 or 4 times a week and while I am still focused only on cardio I know in time I will start adding some weights in there also. I am currently doing a couch to 5k program, the goal is at the end of the 9 weeks that I should be able to run a 5k without having to stop and walk. I am pretty sure I will have to redo week 3 this week because of the nasty weather and the gym being closed for a few days. I haven't ran since Saturday and now that it is part of my routine I actually miss it and want to be at the gym instead of stuck inside on the couch trying to stay warm. A couple of years ago we bought a treadmill but I didn't use it much and we sold it, now I wish we had it back so I could stack on track. Having a few off days is ok but I dont' want to get out of the habit of exercising, I know my personality and if I am off for too long it will be difficult for me to go back to it.
Overall I am content with the first month, not happy but content and looking forward to keeping up the healthy changes in my life. I am not only doing this for myself but for my kids, so that I can be around longer for them and so that they have positive role models to look up to. They need to know that fruits and vegetables are great and exercise is good at any age, Benjamin is still young but never too young to learn how to lead a healthy lifestyle.

8 Months Old

2011-01-29T20:37:00.003-06:00

My sweet little daughter, I can't believe that we are once again celebrating your growth and development at 8 months old. Today I was replaying May 29th in my mind, how it started out as any other day but at 11:47 pm my life was rich beyond measure. My pregnancy with you seemed to last so much longer than it did with your brother but I think it was because I already knew how great of a blessing kids were and I was ready to be your mommy. You were an answer to so many prayers, my heart is overflowing with love for you and Benjamin.

You have so much personality lately, you can go from smiling and playing one minute to crying and throwing a tantrum the next. Brynlee you look so pathetic when you are throwing a fit but it is hard not to laugh at you when I know you are being overly dramatic and there is nothing wrong. You love to smile and when you are truly happy you scrunch your face in the sweetest way, you really can melt my heart.

Brynlee you love your big brother so much, if only he gave you more of his attention. He is finally warming up to you though, he likes to make you laugh and will even kiss you good night if we ask him to. Now sharing his toys or his "space" with you, that is a whole other story. I am convinced the more your personality develops the more he will want to play with you and talk to you.

My sweet Wigglesworth you have the prettiest hair I have ever seen on a little girl. It is getting so long, I think we will need to keep plenty of headbands and clips handy so that we can keep it out of your eyes. You love to take baths every night and giggle and splash when I am trying to wash your lovely locks, one of the funnest parts of our day.

You have 8 teeth

Love to eat food, you will sit in your high chair for an hour as long as you have food to keep you occupied. Nursing is still going well and you eat 4 maybe 5 times a day depending on your naps

You are sitting like a champ, for 30 minutes at a time these days

You take 2 naps a day and it is a struggle to keep you up until 7 at night

You have been sleeping through the night for about 5 weeks now and life is glorious

We took you to the doctor last week and you weighed in at a whopping 18 pounds 10 ounces

You love love love our dog Boots and will let her lick your face and slap you with her tail

We are working on your first words but so far you just like to babble and spit at us

This past month has been one filled with smiles, laughter, love, and growth. My sweet daughter I love you beyond words and feel so honored to enjoy this roller coaster called life with you.

Mr. Sandman Bring Me a Dream.....

2011-01-27T16:05:00.004-06:00

A couple of years ago we bought a video monitoring system for Benjamin and loved it so much we bought a second camera when Brynlee was born. Getting to watch them in their beds whether they are sleeping or not is the best reality tv you could ever see. I have gotten in the habit of looking at the monitor every night before I go to sleep, I want to make sure the kiddos are okay and to see if Benjamin is sleeping or just playing in his bed. Well last night when I looked I couldn't see Benjamin anywhere in the bed, I know it seems silly but I have this fear of them getting abducted out of their beds at night. I think I have watched one too many 48 hours mysteries and that in addition to an over active imagination is not a good combination. Anyway I decided since I couldn't see him in his bed I needed to sneak a peak just to make sure he was there and sleeping like he should have been. When I cracked the door this is what I saw......

He had moved off of his pillow and was lost in the middle of his bed, he seems like such a big boy to me until he is in the middle of that big ole bed by himself.

Upon further inspection he wasn't hiding at all but snuggling with his good friend Woody, he is actually laying on top of Woody and using him as a pillow.

Life is so chaotic and busy and when Benjamin is awake he is usually going 100 miles an hour, it was such a surreal moment to watch him sleep and to be still for awhile. In that instant I realized that while I am in the depths of toddlerhood it will all too soon be gone, as my friend Aimee recently said in her blog these sweet moments are passing me by all too quickly. Before I know it he will be in school, on a sports team, getting his first pimples, and then I don't even want to think of the day when he is too old for hugs and kisses from mommy and daddy.

After this way too sad realization I decided to sneak into Brynlee's room for a peak at her also, oh melt my heart. She was in transition from one sleep cycle to the next and was making soft sweet moaning noises in her sleep, was she maybe dreaming? It is like the song from Darius Rucker says,,,,,,"It won't be like this for long".

Sweet dreams my little Wigglesworth, see your beautiful smiling face in the morning.

Time to Saddle Up

2011-01-25T14:19:00.003-06:00

With Ben now working at home and using our formal dining room table for his desk(he likes that it is tall and prefers that to a regular desk right now) we have open space in our dining room. What better way to fill that space than with horses and cowpokes.

We thought Benjamin had outgrown this horse but I guess if you hide toys for long enough then kids will view them as brand news ones that need played with. Brynlee thought it was so neat that her big brother actually wanted to "play with her" instead of ignoring her like he usually does.

Look mommy no hands!

Happy as can be just playing along side her big brother, such a sweet moment. I know I should store this in my memory bank so in a few years when all they do is fight and scream I can remember a time when she looked up to him and thought he was the greatest.

Who says you have to go downtown for the Ft. Worth rodeo, we got our very own live show right here in our dining room!

Pizza and Cookies

2011-01-21T10:43:00.003-06:00

Tuesday morning when I got on the scale I didn't have huge expectations but I was hoping to have had a some what successful week with the diet. Disappointment quickly set in when there was no change in my weight, I mean not even a tenth of a pound had disappeared. I couldn't believe that nothing had changed, I went to the gym four times and had cut back on my portions. It was so disheartening to know I was sticking with my desire to change yet I had nothing to show for it, the scale was the enemy. While most people would just work harder and really clean up the diet I decided instead to treat myself to pizza and girl scout cookies for dinner. It was a defeated mentality, if I can't have big results then I don't want it at all so I might as well enjoy dinner and feel sorry for myself. Yea I had pizza but only 2 slices of thin crust and 3 samoa cookies when what I would have done before my desire to change would have been 3 or 4 pieces of pizza and maybe 5 or 6 cookies. It was cheating for sure but not to the extent that I have done in the past, not an excuse but it does show that I have made progress in my way of thinking.
I have only been to the gym twice this week and one day of outside running, not as much as the week before but after the disappointing show on the scale I just didn't feel it....I felt defeated on many levels. I have a sore throat and feeling very run down but decided to stick it out at the gym yesterday and I am glad I did, it is a case of I really don't want to but once at the gym I am happy with the decision to go anyway. I did 2 miles on the eliptical, 25 minutes on the treadmill and then it was time to get the kiddos before the day care at the gym closed. I am still not feeling good today so I am going to take the day to eat healthy, get some quality rest, and then hit the gym again in the morning.
I need to keep my head on straight, it took me awhile to put the extra pounds on so it is unrealistic to think they are going to go away in a few weeks time. I need to be diligent in my eating, don't over do it in the gym to fufill the desire to see smaller numbers on the scale, and I need to stay positive about the changes I am making. This life change isn't a sprint, it is a marathon that is going to take time, patience, and self control.....a true test for me.

Rocking Baby Brynlee

2011-01-19T15:24:00.002-06:00

Brynlee is going to be 8 months old in a week and a half and I can probably count on one hand the number of pictures of the two kids together, Benjamin is just too busy being a very active 3 year old to slow down for little sister. Benjamin loves to play in Brynlee's room so the other night after baths he was eager to have a little bit of sister time.

I am not sure if it was daddy's idea of Benjamin's but somehow he got in the rocking chair and was rocking Brynlee back and forth. It probably went on for 5-10 minutes and it was such a sweet moment to enjoy as a family, I think he really does love her.

As you can tell by the grin on Brynlee's face she just adores her big brother, he gets quite a few smiles from her every day. And the best part is that he isn't even trying, he can be playing by himself or talking to me in a very energetic way and she laughs in delight at the sound of his voice.

Brynlee is still just a baby but she already wants to be a part of what he is doing, checking him out to see what is going on. I have a feeling that this will prove to be challenging in the years ahead when Benjamin won't want little sister tagging along or when he is old enough to want just a little bit of privacy. It is so tender for me as a mom to watch them interact with one another, she adores him and I am praying that he is finally getting into her as well.

It is very easy for little boys to get distracted, he is busy telling me that he is rocking baby Brynlee and the next thing I know he is rocking her with one hand and then no hands. At that point I get to swoop in and rescue my sweet baby girl, oh life is about to get very interesting in our house.

Frank Under the Bridge

2011-01-16T14:44:00.003-06:00

Friday night my friends Susan and Paige told me that they had seen a gentleman living under the bridge on highway 377 for at least 6 months now. What, a homeless person living under a bridge that I drive past on an average of 2 times a day...I couldn't believe it. I had never noticed him before, I am too involved with myself and my little family that I hadn't taken time to see obvious situations around me. Yes I know that there are homeless people all over this country and I have seen them in downtown Ft. Worth but it is different knowing that it is right in our own backyard and all around us.
So this morning on our drive home from church I intentionally looked to see if I could find the mystery man that stays so well hidden and tends to only come out at dusk. Sure enough there he was sitting at the top right under the ledge, wrapped up in a blanket and all of his worldly possessions in a few bags scattered around him. It broke my heart, here we are driving along in a nice warm car thinking about what we are going to have for lunch when this gentleman is cold to the bone and who knows when the last time he got a hot meal. I told Ben right then and there that we had to do something, I didn't know what but no one should be living outside in these chilly January conditions.
Well we get home and Ben needs to run to Wal-Mart to get a few things for lunch and dinner, yea we are blessed to be able to run out at a moment's notice to get more food because we have our heart set on a beef stew even though we have plenty of food in the house. While he was gone I couldn't get the lonely man out of my head, what was his story and how did he get to this low place in life? I called Ben and asked him to pick up some food at the store and take it back to the man under the bridge, I didn't care if it was canned meat, fruit, or chips but just something so his belly could be full for awhile. Ben was a little flustered that I was asking this, he had a list of what he was going to get and the extras weren't on there and he wasn't sure just what the man would need. Instead of buying groceries he went to KFC and bought a jumbo box with 3 or 4 different meats, a couple of sides, and a large drink to take to the man under the bridge. I am so glad that he took the time to do this, while it wasn't something he had at first set out to do he felt in his heart that it was our duty to help this gentleman out and to show compassion to someone down on their luck. What's even better is that Benjamin was with him so he got to experience how to show compassion and grace to someone in need, he got to see his daddy for the strong giving man that he is.
Come to find out the guys name is Frank, he is about 56-57 years old, he is a father, and has been applying for jobs all over Benbrook without any luck. Frank was very appreciative of the meal and the little bit of money that Ben shared with him, it wasn't much but it is a start. Frank did tell Ben that he knew the Lord and that he was sometimes angry at God and that he would talk to him and yell; you better believe I would be doing the same thing if I were in this sad situation. Ben invited him to go to church with us some time yet Frank declined saying that he wouldn't want to show disrespect by going in his dirty clothes and in such a ragged appearance. We don't know how Frank got to this place in his life but in the short visit Ben had with him he seemed to be a sharp guy who hadn't given up on himself or God. When I asked Ben if he felt that he was in danger by going up to a man whom he didnt know and he reassured me that he did not; when he is doing God's work or helping others he feels protected and knows that his work is for God's glory. Wow, what a strong faith my husband has and how wonderful that he was able to share it with a stranger.
I can't get Frank out of my head now, wondering how I had never noticed him before and how he spends his days and nights without a place to call home. I pray that Ben and I will feel compelled to help him in any way we can; with food, clothes, conversation, prayer, or maybe even help him find a shelter or church where he can turn his life around. If you are ever exiting highway 20 onto 377 look for Frank and if you have a few minutes stop and say hello, I can guarantee it won't be a decision you will regret or soon forget.

Adios Kinleys

2011-01-15T14:11:00.002-06:00

In mid December we got some very sad news, our best friends the Kinleys had accepted a job in Austin and would be moving within a few weeks. Unfortunately that time has come, the moving boxes have arrived and the sad good byes have begun. Tonight we got the chance to say a proper good bye thanks to the Evans hosting a huge adios fiesta. I can't even count how many families were there, people came out of the wood works to love on Travis and Crissy and to wish them well on their new adventures.

Brynlee giving Calvin a good bye kiss, she is sweet on this boy.

Crissy looks great with her new dark hairstyle, a new hairdo for the new city. Austin is so lucky to have this little lady coming their way, her light for Christ will shine so bright for all those around her.

Benjamin's best friend is Jackson, these two little guys love each other with such a passion that it pains me to think of Benjamin losing that special someone in his life. Yes they are only 3 and they are resiliant but I don't know that they are quite savy enough to grasp the change that is going on around them. We have told Benjamin that Jackson is moving to Austin but he thinks that Austin is his friends house(there is a friend from church and school named Austin) and not another city. My prayer is that in time Benjamin will adjust to Jackson being in another city, that we can visit them and that their friendship will withstand the distance.

Best buddies!!!!!

Calvin loves his mommy and will follow her to the ends of the earth with a devotion and love that is true.

Kinley's we cherish the wonderful friendship we have built with you, we pray blessings upon you in the newest chapter in your life. We will miss your smiling faces but know that we will see you again soon, God Bless you and Austin has no idea what is coming its way!