I wanna wear my shoes!

So today, Braden got new shoes and will not take them off! Who needs pants when you have cool shoes, right? Anyway, today Braden took a little stroll down brookside for the first time. It was so nice outside, and he loved pushing the buttons on the crosswalks. We took lunch to Josh today at the hospital, and Braden listened to Mommy's heart with Josh's stethescope. I asked him what my heart was saying and he said, "beeeeeep!" Jeez, I hope not! Anyway, we've actually had a rough day since our nap, and I think Braden is getting sick (he hasn't eaten anything really all day, and he is GRUMPy!) Keep us in your prayers! Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Connor comes over for bathtime

So Braden's best bud, Connor, came over last night so his Mom could have a little break (we all need them from our toddlers!) and the boys had so much fun in the bath! They were cracking me up! We stayed in there so long that the water got cold!

Josh's aquarium pictures

So my camera died .... and I finally got ahold of Josh's camera ..... enjoy! This one's for you, Grammy!

touching a starfish

It looks like Josh is in the tank!

Braden, meet octopus .... in Formalin!

How many legs does it have? Oh well, he's close enough

Look, Momma!

Stingrays .... we got to touch them, but didn't get a picture because we all three instantly turned into children and were soaked clear up to the shoulder! It was awesome!

Sneaky with that quiet little camera, Josh

Having an emotional day

I know ... why on earth would I post these pictures ...... keep scrolling ..... Ok, I might be nuts but just read it! Hope everyone is doing well!

So tonight while I was getting Braden ready for bed, I caught myself stuck in a memory (see last picture). I have that picture framed, and for some reason I found myself staring at it for a long time. I could almost feel exactly what I felt the very second that picture was taken. I had so many emotions that day ... I was scared, excited, happy, overwhelmed, lonely, a little bit angry, and most of all more in love than I think I could ever be. As I find myself 2 and a half years later happier than I've been in a long time, and finally comfortable being a single mother .... I think it's important to keep these pictures where I can see them every day. That tiny little thing brought so much happiness into my life after I thought this was the worst thing that could ever happen to me. That sounds horrible, but it's true. And now .... he is the reason I am alive, and he is the reason I decided to put God first in my life and begin learning how to live a better life. It all started with this little kiss 2 and a half years ago ...... Thank you, baby, for saving Momma's life!

Kami, wanna play cars?

So when I was too busy to play cars with Braden, he moved on ..... to Kami! She doesn't look too interested in the monster truck that Braden gave her to play with. Poor guy didn't quite understand why she didn't get in the floor and push the truck! He is so funny.

Can you roll your tongue?

Well, I remember doing a study in the 7th grade on whether people in your family could roll their tongue or not ... aparently it's genetic ... a recesive trait if I remember correctly. Anyway, here's a link if you wanna learn more! Ha I'm such a nerd! http://www.discovery.com/area/skinnyon/skinnyon970226/skinny1.html

Oklahoma Aquarium

So before my camera died, I got a few good ones. Braden has been going on and on about sharks, so I finally took him to see them .... now that we have someone crazy enough to do these kinds of things with us! Josh, you're a tropper! Anyway, he is worse than I am about having his camera attached to his face, so when I get his on my computer, I'll post some more. For now ... enjoy! And oh yeah by the way .... He did NOT like the sharks! Jellyfish were his favorite!

Braden's first guitar lesson

So today, after spending the afternoon at the aquarium, Braden got his first guitar lesson. Ok so it really only lasted a second, but you gotta hand it to Josh for even letting the little man anywhere near his guitar!

Braden shares his blog!

So I decided Braden may have to start sharing his blog .... with ME! I went ice skating with some friends last night, and I just had to share with you some pictures! These crazy people all work at the hospital (or use to) and play on a kickball team. They are pretty funny with their off the wall costumes and themed parties. They are the group that organizes the 80s prom that Christy and I went to last year and that I will be attending again in a couple of weeks! Enjoy .... I'm sorry about the lack of Braden, but we are going to the aquarium tomorrow, so I'm sure I'll make up for it! Julie and Kenton

The Bartons, the Bierachs, and Jeremy

Josh and me

The Bartons pre-costume change

Cookie night 2009

Braden had his friends, Kylee and Lawson over last night to make cookies, and they had so much fun destroying the kitchen! It was so much fun! Such artists! Lawson and Kylee even decided to make their Mom and Dad a cookie ... very sweet kids. Kent and Becky were good sports and ate EVERY bite! Yummmm!

Incredible Pizza!

So here we are again. I wish I had the picture from last year because Makayla, Ray Ray, and Braden did this exact same thing last year for May's birthday. They love to act goofy on the stage! This time, little Addy got to join in! They had so much fun running around in the gameroom. Ray Ray was finally tall enough to ride the gocarts .... maybe next year, Braden!

My new DVD player

So after a year of hours and hours of video watching, our car DVD player finally kicked the bucket. Here is it's replacement ... an ebay refurb! It's a really cool portable DVD player that mounts to the back of the seat in the car. It's really much cooler than the one we had! I can't wait ...... our daily trips have been pretty tough without it the past week! (I know we're spoiled a bit!)