Totally Texas

Whenever Texas plays, Nick pulls out all the garb. A friend of Nick's knew he loved them so much that he bought Brady a texas outfit too! Pretty cute boys, if I do say so myself!! (Krista, he's wearing his warmsie!!! WAHOO)

This is what you get......

...when you combine the following: cute suit w/ tie to match daddy + massive bum explosion at church + no extra set of clothes = BABY CHIPPENDALE

5 Years Ago......

......he asked and I said yes - and have been happy every since!

Gap Casting Call

It's shameless, I know. We entered Brady into the Gap Casting Call. I have no excuses - just thought it would be fun and harmless. Anyway, if you want to participate in all the fun, you can go to the Gap Casting Call website and vote for him. He has five entries and you can vote once a day for all five or pick your favorite. The only downside is that you have to register to vote so if you think it's a pain, no worries. I think it's a pain, too, but I'm his mom!

Quickie Beach Trip

On Thursday morning, we packed it up and headed to Ocean City. We wanted to do something fun with Michele before she headed back to school and Nick had a couple of days free so we hit the open, rainy road. It was very rainy the whole time but we still had so much fun. Our hotel was amazing (thank you mom and dad!) so we just chilled out there and it was great! We were right on the ocean and our room had a balcony so we went out there and enjoyed the beautiful, crashing waves. There is little I love more than the sound of the ocean so that was so great as well! We went to this amazing seafood buffet and ate until we couldn't breathe and then headed back to the hotel. Then we went swimming at the hotel pool and played charades in the water and it was so funny - you might have had to be there :-) Then we went back to our room and played games and watched a movie! It was such a fun little getaway!

Parking it Up

I am a little late reporting Brady and I's latest park adventures. I know he can't run(walk OR crawl yet, don't get me started) but this kid LOVES the park. A couple of weeks ago we got together with my sister in law, Becca, and her son, Brooklyn, and then a couple days later we went to a park up in Hagerstown with my mom and Grandma. Brady loves the swings and I think he would be fine to spend all day in one if we had the time!

Last week, my little guy turned 9 months and he is just getting better all the time. Unfortunately, his stats will have to be recorded at ten months because I neglected to make him an appointment - I told you, I am a slacker mom! What I can report is that he has two and a half teeth now. He LOVES mashing food with his gums, even food that doesn't require mashing. He has succesfully survived a pretty bad crash off our bed onto our hardwood floors - I did not come our as well, I am still suffering mild nightmares and a slight twitch! He can scoot 365 degrees and backwards but has yet to mastered crawling forward. I am trying to be patient with him because I know my life will change dramatically once he's mobile. I am just getting a little tired of the toy fetch game - one he has learned to LOVE! He sleeps through the night and goes down without any rocking or feeding which has changed my whole life! I am sleeping - YAHOO!!! He has become a great napper and I am enjoying those couple of breaks during the day as well! I have been crafting!! Here's a pic of my latest project: You can't really tell how fabulous they are in this pic but they are covered in black glitter too!

And this picture is just cute so I thought I would add it!

Something VERY important I forgot

NICKY BOYS BIRTHDAY!!!! What kind of wife am I??!?!?!? Don't answer that! On September 21, 2009, my hubs turned 28 and boy, did we celebrate. On your birthday, you get to choose the restaurant and Nick chose Fuddruckers. It was so fun and I was glad he chose such a bright happy place where Brady can carry on joyfully and no one gives us the ol' crusty! Nick ate a 2/3 pounder and even had room for my homemade German Chocolate Cake that I made especially for him! The Fudds in Columbia is really clean and fun and filled with celebrity memorabilia. They had some rockin' plastic statues of "The King" and Marilyn Monroe. We introduced Brady to both and he seemed to be more interested in Elvis - thank goodness! As we were walking out to leave, we saw a bunch of coin machines. I always stop at these because I am a gumball fanatic! There weren't any gumballs but there was a machine that had stick on mustaches and we six - one for every one of us, including my parents. I don't have any words for how hilarious it was to see Brady in a mustache, or myself for that matter, so I will let the pics speak for themselves. Anyway, it was a great time and it's always great to celebrate the life of someone who has changed my for the better in every way! Love your guts babe!

Emma and her dog

A couple of years ago I was teaching the young women in my church. There was this little girl, I think 12 or 13 at the time, that wanted a dog SOOOO bad. Every Sunday she would talk about the dog and how she was going to convince her parents that she needed this dog or her life, as she knew it, would be over! One Sunday, she came in and said she had sat her parents down and carefully planned a presentation for them outlining how this dog was going to smoothly transition into their home, plans on feeding, playing, training, etc.... Her mom and dad were leery, but figured only a mature child would so thoughtfully outline the plan for getting a dog. Lately, I have been feeling like this is how I approach my Heavenly Father. I approach him with all the eagerness and maturity I can muster, most often with a well thought out plan. I present to him my ideas and move forward, feeling confident that He agrees. This is not always the case. As carefully thought out my plans may be, they are not always what my Heavenly Father wants for me or for my family. I have learned so much this year about trusting in the Lord, leaning on him and sometimes allowing him to carry my every burden until I am strong enough to do so myself. Thank goodness for a wise Father who loves me!