I SEE...

I have recounted this story many times but for memory sake I will again retell the story of Brin and her new glasses…

I have been aware of the fact that our kids may have problems with their eyesight because of Justin’s terrible vision. So, being sensitive to this I have been watching Brin from the time she was little. But, there were no signs that she had any problem seeing; she is well advanced socially and mentally for her age. Her Preschool teacher said she had no problem understanding or participating. However, about a month ago as we were watching TV I asked Brin to change the channel to 8 and that is when she said “Mom there aren’t any numbers on the TV!” Well, yes there were and I could see them as clear as day. I told Justin about my concerns, he let me know of a free eye exam for kids and off I went.
We took Brin to do a prescreening (to see if we really need to get an appt.) She sat down and stuck her little head into a machine and the operator than asked her to read line 6. Nothing was uttered by Brinley, the operator than asked me “Does she know her numbers and Alphabet?” “Yes,” I answered. I then stuck my head in there and I could see just so clearly all the way down to line 10. So I asked Brin to read the biggest line. Perfectly she read line one and then line 2 after that she said it got blurry. SHE COULD ONLY SEE LINE ONE AND TWO!!! The operator promptly signed a paper for an exam.

We set up an appt for her exam and I was so glad that we were going to get to the bottom of this and get her seeing well. We meet with the Optometrists, and toward the end of the LONG exam he explained to me that she had a stigmatism in each eye, she was far sighed, and that she has NEVER seen clearly even up close. Her whole life she had never seen really anything clearly. I was so saddened by this news, but thankful that we were going to be able to help her. The Dr. then informed me that he wouldn’t get the to 20/20 that day because it would cause her headaches, he made an appt for October to see her and change her prescription again. Every time we would meet with anyone and they saw her prescription they would stop and say, “Wow, she does need glasses!”

As we walked out to get into the car Brin looking down at the feet said “Mom, I can see my shoes from way up here.” Since this incident we have heard many interesting observations from Brin because of her new found sight. Like “Mom I can see Mountains!” “The TV works from even way back here.” And just today “I like all the colors I can see when I wear my glasses!”

My Father...

I don’t know if it’s just getting older and wiser, the fact that I am overflowing with pregnancy hormones, or that recently a change in my Fathers life has gotten me reflecting, but I feel very overwhelmed with the appreciation I have toward him today. It is his birthday today and how I wish I could find either a present that would suffice or the words to express but I will always fall short in regards to my dad. He is one of (if not the greatest) examples of Christ like love and accepting. When I think of the ways he guided me gently toward the path of happiness, how he loves my husband as his very own son, and how he has tenderly opened his heart to my children I am in awe. I didn’t know how important it would be to have my parents adore my husband, I didn’t know it would bring our relationship closer, I couldn’t have foreseen that a grandfather could invite all the confidence of a young child. I do now know that these are great blessings. I have witness the unselfish service to the Lord and I try in my baby way to show that love as well. Thanks for the example you are to me and my family you are the greatest dad a girl could hope for!!!

Take me out to the ball game...

We have been busy watching daddies games. I have been watching baseball games for the past 10 seasons and while I still don't understand all of the game this is the first year that I look forward to going to them. I think its a mix between the weather, being pregnant & getting out of the house with the two kids, and watching Justin as the Head coach that makes this year different than the others.
Justin just loves coaching and he has done SO well with his team this year! They are looking at making the State Playoffs when last year the team only won 3 games! The kids just love seeing daddy after the games so they can run around on and help drag the field. What a blessing to be a part of daddies work! We are proud of you!!!

Justins dad is so nice to keep the books at every game!

Recently Justin took his team to play on the D-backs Main spring training field at Talking Stick! It was a pretty awesome experience and they WON in extra innings to boot!

I was able to make Brin a dress out of a adult shirt, that made my little Princess very happy!

Grow, grow little garden

For the past 3 years we have planted a garden in the Spring and so far each season has been pretty successful. This year we planted squash, cherry tomato's, mint, jalapenos, and zucchini. We are super excited to see what this season will bring us. Brin and Owen are so excited to see the growth of the garden and love to help harvest (just have to keep them out until they are ready:)

Owen helped for a minute but I guess he had better things to do than plant!

Take me out to ball game...

We didn't have a super relaxing Spring Break this year due to the fact that Justin is now the head coach he had more responsibilities than before. This means more time away. I remind myself often that its only for a few months and then he will be with us with a vengeance (summer break:) So we look forward to seeing his handsome face more often, until then we take every advantage of time with him. We were able to have one full day with him (and what did he choose to do?) First a massage, then lunch, and off to a Spring Training game (can't get enough baseball:) followed by dinner at a great Teppanyaki Grill near our house. It was a great day, we can't wait till the summer. For me it also means getting our sweet baby here so I am more excited than usual.

Board Kid??? Not really he cried when he had to leave he thought he and his daddy were going to be able to play with the pro's! He did bring a smurfs glove that he said he would have shared with his dad so that they could have played:)

Brin just loved the pink lemonade, it was $5 though so she only got to have one:)

Owen kept called the the chiefs "Firemen" because they made fire on the grill.

Its getting Pink around here...

Brinley settled on a Pinkalucious 5th Birthday Party so lets get the party started... Welcome to Brin's Pinkilicous Party...

All the festivities started with reading Goldilicious (Pinkalicous' Make believe Unicorn)! Thanks Grandma Otis.My baby turned 5 can you believe it?!

My aunt Kristen made this amazing cake ...Next the girls stuffed the most adorable pink Unicorn's and added a heart and a wish...

After that, the girls moved on to the dress-up cart for wings, tutus, crowns, & rings!

Brinley had the most wonderful time (at least thats what she keeps saying over and over.) We are all so grateful for the most amazing support system of family and friends.

Thank you Brinley...

Five years ago today I took a road that I will be journeying for the rest of my life... My baby girl made me a mother. On a very raining day in Monroe, LA ,overlooking the Ouachita river at St. Francis hospital, I delivered our sweet Brinley Ella. As soon as her tiny self saw this world she literally cried ONE time and I don't think I heard a peep from her for days. She just sat there taking it all in. Straight from the hospital she slept 6-8 hours through the night. She was a perfect baby, and she continues to make parenting relatively easy on her mom and dad. Our little rule following daughter loves to help others and cares so deeply about others feelings. We are surly blessed to have her with us and cant wait for many more wonderful years to come.

Happy 5th Birthday my sweet Brinley Ella!!!

I love this parenting thing!

Fun Facts

One fun fact about each of my kids,

What shoes to wear today???...

Brin and I cleaned out her room the other day and as we approached her shoes I felt very overwhelmed I mean how many shoes can a four year old really need??? ...

Okay I counted, dare I say, 40 pairs of shoes. Not just shoes that all fit now or are for the spring and summer. Yes, I am a little ashamed of the indulgence of these cute little shoes but I am not the only one to blame I do have a very generous family and Brin is the only girl on both sides (not for long lone Princess your going to have to share the crown;) but for now 40 pairs of adorable shoes for one little Princess. Hope you’re not the only one!!!

Owen and his obsessive behavior...

Owen is in love with Spiderman. Yes, I choose my word carefully he is indeed in love! He carries a toy around with him constantly unless Spidy is tired then you can catch him tucking him in to bed, kissing his tiny plastic face, and telling him gently "goodnight Spidy I LOVE you." Not for long though guess Spiderman with all his Spider powers doesn't need a very long nap because Owen can’t let him alone in there for more than a few minutes. We have to watch at least one episode of Spectacular Spiderman each day (only thing he sits through) they are just 20 min cartoons. And it seems Owen may just have some "Spider-senses" of his own. Anytime we are out he will be able to spot any Spiderman book, paper, toy, ad that may be around and then yes we do have to stop and gawk at it.





A couple of stories I don't want to forget...

1) Me-"Owen did you dump all these crackers on the floor after I told you no more snacks?"
Owen- "I am not Owen call me SPIDERMAN!"
Me- "Okay, Spiderman did you do this?"
Owen- "yes"
Me- "Then you need to go sit in the corner!"
Owen- "Silly mom Spiderman doesn't sit in corners"
and turned around and off he was before I could figure out what just went on. Spiderman obviously does sit in the corner he did have to serve his time for dumping out the crackers:)


2) The first Sunday after the Spiderman discovery I was prompted to let the Nursery leaders know that he may just let loose and web every kid in the room. (Let me back up we did have a long conversation that Spiderman doesn't come out at church and that for that day he is to be Peter Parker) But I didn't know if he could contain himself. So after talking to a leader in the hall I decided to just peek in and check on him. And there he was with a kid in the corner pretending to shoot him with webs. (Sorry Carson Man) I walked pulled him to the side and told him we don't do that at Church "but mom he is the Rino Guy and I had to get him." Oh, the imagination.

So if you see something like this...


He just probably thinks you are, The Green Goblin, the Rino-Guy, Black Cat, Sandman, Dr. Octopus or several other bad guys he just has to take care of:)

Had a Dr. Appointment and they told me that my placenta is in the front so that I may not feel movment until 24 weeks, grrrrr!!! And she seems to be sticking to that, no movement yet. Still feeling sick but the days are getting better and we finally setteled on a name just have to work out the spelling and a middle name!!