Thankful

Can you believe that it's already the week of Thanksgiving?  I haven't partaken in the daily facebook thankful post (I love to read them) but I still want to jot down just a few of the things I'm most thankful for this year.

1//  My faith.  My faith is my foundation.  I am far from perfect but Thankfully, God is loving and merciful – eager to forgive!

2//  My Husband.  Tyler is our rock.  He keeps me grounded and treats me like his queen.  I often tell him I love him and adore when he responds with, "I'm in love with you."  There is a big difference.  We are In Love.  He still makes my heart flutter ;)

3//  My little cowboys.  Both of these little guys have filled my heart with so much love.  We waited over five years to have children.  We were selfish/young and scared... I don't know if anyone is really 100% ready but somehow once Keeler entered our world it just made so much more sense.  I still think regularly, THIS is what life's about.

 4//  My career.  I am so thankful that I have a job that excites and challenges me.  I get to be creative and work with some amazing people.  We live in a rural community without a lot of opportunity and I am so thankful that God led me to where I am today.

5//  Our Family.  I have the best family.  My parents and sister are amazing.  I have always had such a loving, caring and supportive nuclear family.  Growing up I almost dreaded dividing my time with in-laws because I loved spending time with my family so much.  My mother-in-law found this out first hand when my aunt told her at my bridal shower that I once said I wanted to marry a man who's mother had passed so I didn't have to 'deal' with a mother-in-law (yes, true story - I almost died of embarrasment!!).  Again, I am overly blessed because not only has God given me the best family I also married into an amazing family.  I remember finally spending a holiday with Tyler's family and enjoying myself so much.  Yes, I missed my family but Loved my new family.  Best of all, I am so thankful that my little cowboys have ALL these amazingly supportive, loving and caring people to call their family.  Over the years my parents and Tyler's have become great friends.  We even spend Thanksgiving altogether - who gets to do that?!  Beyond thankful!      

Wishing everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

Weekend Whoas!

Just a quick recap of a cold weekend at home.

We got SNOW on Friday, close to 5" of snow!  

Saturday the little cowboys played in the snow with Tyler while I went shopping with a friend.  I missed out on getting any pictures of the boys in the snow but scored some cute Christmas gifts at our local bizarre.  

In the evening the boys and I watched the Polar Express while daddy went and played poker.  

 The little cowboys are going on the Polar Express next weekend with Mimi and Jim-Dad.  I thought watching the movie would make it that much more fun.  Keeler loved it!  I loved cuddling on the couch with popcorn ;)

On Sunday afternoon we decided to go look at new washers and dryers.  After almost ten years our's are starting to make some pretty strange/loud noises.  We didn't intend to buy but found a great deal.  We also got the little cowboys some snow boots.  Who would've thought snow boots would bring on so much excitement?  

 We had a nice lunch at "the best sandwich place ever" (according to Keeler, aka Arby's) and a quick trip to Target before someone had a major meltdown... 

It was a "you're so lucky you're cute" kinda day for this guy! 

Cousin Photos

It's become a holiday tradition to do an annual cousin photo shot for my mom.  We always make her a Shutterfly photo calendar for Christmas so these pictures make for a great cover and fillers!  

This year we ended up with some great photos and it was pretty painless. I think we got all these poses in less than 20 minutes.  Last year, OMGosh it was TERRIBLE!  The kids, the dads - it was a bad scene.  What's so painful about taking pictures? 

This year, I asked my sister to do a quick session for our Christmas cards - you would've thought I told all three cowboys we were going to get teeth pulled.  Luckily we ended up with one great photo so it was worth it. 

How'd we get that one photo? This sums it up perfectly....

 Thanks again to my sweet sister that had to witness it all.  Any tips on how to get everyone more willing and excited about the process?  There is nothing more than I want than a beautiful family photo.  A girl can dream...  

Weekend Whoas

Our weekend was far from eventful.  Granny called me late Friday afternoon to report that Kal woke up really congested and wheezing after his afternoon nap.  By the time I was able to pick him up he was terrible and was running fever.  I just knew we were going to end up in hospital like in the spring since it was too late to make a regular doctor's appointment.  Luckily I still had breathing treatments and medications from his last "episode."  Tyler made him a little croup tent with a humidifier and blankets and then we just stayed on top of medications.  By bedtime he was playing and his fever had broke.  We were so relieved and thankful.   

 On Saturday, Keeler and Tyler went to the farm.  Kal and I took it easy.  He was still sluggish and just wanted mommy.  When the big cowboys got home, we Keeler and I decided it was time to decorate for Christmas!  (Yes, we're "those" people.) 
Mid Saturday afternoon through evening my house looked like Christmas had exploded!!  I forgot how much work it is but it's so worth it.  I love my new taller tree!!  Keeler really wanted our old family Christmas tree in his room but Tyler talked him into one that was his same height - great thinking dad! 

Yesterday I stayed home with Kallahan and took him to the doctor.  She started him on some antibiotics and sugested we keep him on the steroid.  There's nothing worse than seeing your children ill.  I hate it.  The only silver lining is I loved cuddling with him and having some relaxing one-on-one.  We watched several episodes of Paw Patrol and then he took his afternoon nap on my lap.  I soaked it all in.  

Everyone seems to be feeling much better so it was back to routine and reality this morning.  I really didn't want to leave the house.    All I wanted to do is sit on the couch with my little cowboys, look at my tree and watch Hallmark movies.  Anyone else addicted to the Holiday movies on the Hallmark channel?  They just make my heart smile.

P.S. // a Christmas tour of homes is coming soon!  

High Five for Friday!

This week has been crazy busy.  We went out of town last weekend, arrived home late Sunday evening and it seems like I haven't had a spare moment to even collect my thoughts since about Wednesday of last week - hence the lack of blogging.  I'm looking forward to a weekend at home.

1// Last Friday we got to meet our newest cousin, Sterling Slade!

He's the sweetest :)

We are so happy for Shay, Ashley and big sis Brynlee.  I've been thinking about Ashley all week and we have a phone date scheduled for tonight.  I can't wait to hear about her first week as a mom of two and of course how she likes being a "boy mommy!"

2// This week we've started decorating for Christmas at work.  We had a fun evening trimming our big tree and my boys had a fun evening "test driving" toys!

3//  Yesterday I had a doctor's appointment in a nearby city.  After the appointment I treated myself to a trip to Target and some Starbucks.  Shopping alone was fantastic and a little dangerous on the budget! 

We won't mention the speeding ticket I got on the way home.  Totally killed my shopping high :(

4//  We might be a little early but high five for Christmas pajamas.

5// Last but certainly not least, I received the best news this week... one of my best friends is moving back to our town!!  We're praying that their relocation goes smoothly and is stress-free as possible.  I'm already looking forward to impromptu family dinners, playdates, long runs and of course shopping trips!    

When I grow up...

Last week our local newspaper did a special insert that included group photos of all the area preschool and kindergarten students.  After taking the pictures they asked all the students what they wanted to be when they grow up.  It was so cute to read the different answers and of course we weren't surprised with Keeler's response:

...would like to work on a farm with his dad.

The newspaper explained that they will do something similar when they graduate and go back and compare the two.  How cool is that?!

For work I was asked to help sponsor the piece.  I came up with the ad on the bottom right.  Of course I had to use a picture of Keeler, ha!  #shameless

And speaking of shameless marketing, Keeler is back in the radio business.  A couple weeks ago I had him help me cut a year-end buying ad.  He did great!    

Then we decided since we had him in the building that we would go ahead and use him for our holiday greeting clip.  By this time he was pretty much over it so we had to take several clips. He was getting really loud in the mic and talking really fast.  The radio personality called me so excited because they pieced it together and came up this...

It made me laugh!  "Are you ready?!" 
Already folks in the area are telling Keeler they've heard him on the radio.  He thinks he's pretty big stuff!