Please say you're kidding!

I can't sleep tonight. It is almost 12:30, and I am still up. There is something I have to get off my chest.  We have plumbing issues.  I could write an entire book about the ridiculous amount of time that it has taken for our plumbers to properly diagnose our problems and fix them, but that would probably #1 bore you to tears and #2 cause me to get even more uptight about this.  It is raining outide.  The sound is so relaxing, yet I am awake... thinking about the men who will be invading our home for the upteenth time to, no doubt, cause more problems.  We have already paid them a lot of money.  Every time they come it is just a hassle and we are left with a HUGE mess and a leak.  If you are up, say a prayer for me.  I will need an insane amount of patience tomorrow... toddlers and these particular plumbers are in the same category (in more ways than one). We won't go into details, but I'm sure I can share a few photos with you.  If they don't get the job finished, I'm going to have to break those pics out!  Thanks for letting me get that off my chest.

Whirlwind Weekend

This weekend we made a whirlwind trip to Beeville to celebrate Ky & Kerri's birthday.  I wanted to go to a baby shower Sunday, so we left late Saturday night.  We had so much fun visiting Matt's parents and seeing all of the cousins.  In only a few short years, Cayden is going to LOVE his cousin times.  I have the best memories of trips to Memaw's house with all of my cousins.  We used to get into so much trouble and have so much fun ALL at the same time!!  I love that Cayden is close in age to cousins on both sides of our families.  Cayden had a blast at Gigi & Pop's house.  They played outside on the Gator and even in the hot tub.  We had a surprise herd of goats that Cayden had to check out.  Having fun was the main objective. I don't think there is any other option when grandparents are involved!  Most of these pictures are of Brinley.  She was a big hit, of course... and so was her bow, courtesy of Gigi.

Cute as a Cupcake

Miss Ellie Bucks had her first birthday two weeks ago.  I forgot my camera and just remembered to ask for pictures so I can blog about the event!

It was SO cute and fun. Ashley was super brave and allowed the kids to decorate their own cupcakes... Cayden just ate the toppings and left his cupcake. Brinley slept most of the time, but my favorite part was the couch picture!! When we first started the playgroup, all of our sweet boys were tiny!! Now they're all SO big and most of them have a brother, sister, or one on the way. I can't believe they're growing up SO fast right before our very eyes! We are SO blessed to be surrounded with such WONDERFUL, Godly friends. I never knew how important a strong support system would be.

Cayden (21 Months) & Weston (23 Months)

The group when Cayden was 8 Months

Cayden (8 Months) Weston (10 Months)

Cayden at 4 Months

Weston (4 Months), Daniel & Cayden (2 Months)

Daddy's BIG Helper

Cayden has ALWAYS loved being outside. As an infant, he would cry and cry and cry. If you wanted him to stop, you either had to get him to sleep or take him outside. "Outside" was one of his first words. Naturally, he HAS to help Matt every Saturday and Sunday. They come up with a project or two and Cayden is his foreman. It's precious to watch,and I love that they are so close. Matt is so patient with Cayden and lets him do a lot of the work (with adequate supervision, of course!!) I LOVE it for many reasons. It gives me a huge break, and I can always count on Cayden (and Matt) having a lot of fun.

This weekend was no different. It makes me love them both more and more when I see them doing what they love to do.

Cayden knows where everything goes and he LOVES to get Matt's tools out and play with them!

This is Cayden washing my front door!

He helped Matt wash my car and he also washed his big wheel!

He was SOAKED! ...and so was everything he came in contact with! Saturday's project was trimming the tree branches.

(no worries, Cayden didn't assist with the cutting!)And you better believe he HAD to climb that ladder! Supervised, of course!

Unexpected Visitors

Before I even get started... No, my parents are NOT those type of people who just drop in, unannounced, and plan to stay for days on end. Thank goodness! Both of our parents have always been very respectful of our boundaries. I won't lie though. I do enjoy surprises, and I love to surprise people! (Hopefully I won't be one of those mothers who drops in on her kids and is not welcomed!!) Matt has been holding me back for years in this area. He loves to 'look forward' to people coming. blah blah blah! Rarely do I get my thrill fulfilled because we always have to 'announce' our plans. Today my mom called and said they MIGHT be dropping by after church. Just the thought of them possibly coming and possibly not was enough to get me super excited and really want it to work out!

We had a picnic lunch with the Bucks after church at the park and then we headed off to nap time. Shortly thereafter, Nana & Papa were there! There's just something wonderful about seeing your parents. I don't know what it is, but I hope Cayden and Brinley feel the same way.

Tugging on the Heart Strings

Give thanks for He is good. His love endures forever.
This is a family that Matt and I have been praying for. They are about to lose their precious baby girl. This has been pulling on our heart strings for months. Please join us in praying for their family and for baby Kelsey.
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http://www.theupfamily.blogspot.com/

http://tinysparrowfoundation.org/blog/

A Newborn Night

No, it wasn't Brinley. She (and Matt) were sleeping soundly while I was wrestling with Mr. Cayden until 3 am. He cried from 11:30-12:30. I was too exhausted to let it register. Finally, I woke myself up ran upstairs to check on him. Earlier, we spent the evening at our neighbor's house and all laughed because Cayden kept telling us he had "poo poo." Lovely, I know. We didn't see or smell it, so we thought we were safe. Wrong! When we finally got home, (and it was late) he was chapped. Poor baby. He almost had blisters on his tiny hiny. Okay, not so tiny, but it was still very sad. I was worried that he had done that again or that he was miserable, so I made the mistake of going in!!! Actually, I don't think it was a mistake. An hour of crying is excessive... even to me! So- Mr. Cayden and I crawled into the bed in his room and he played while I tried to sleep a little. Every now and then he would sit on my head... or there was the puzzle that broke over my head, and occasionally he would call out for Dada and Matt. (again- lovely!) We had about an hour of reciting his entire vocabulary... and I mean the whole thing... even "chips" and "yogurt." There was role call of all of our friends and relatives and he added "cat" in there just for me! After I had enough of Cayden's booty in my face and I felt that I had redeemed myself from being a bad mother and ignoring the cry of my child, I picked him up and put him in the crib. "NO!!!" he cried. "Bed, bed, bed" I think he had fun... too much fun!
One day I hope to be able to sleep with him. I love his snuggles.. though few and far between!
Both kids are still asleep this morning. Praise the Lord! I am able to write this blog and drink my coffee... alone. HEAVEN!

Camera down

I feel as if I should have a funeral. Our SD died this past weekend. I'm just glad I was able to get my pictures off and loaded on to the computer. Thankfully I had it with us in Lago.
Posts with pics will be on hold until further notice. We tried to buy a new card at Costco. Wouldn't you know we got the wrong one!! Culli style! Now I have cash for a card, but no card. Maybe Walmart can help us out. This is non-negotiable!!

Gigi & Pop to the rescue!

Bless Them! Grandparents are the BEST!
Matt's parents were kind enough to come and help me with the kids while I went to the doctor. Taking two kids under the age of two to the doctor seems impossible to me. (I know some of you out there are super mom.... that isn't me!!) I have wonderful in-laws and parents who help out a ton.... why not take them up on their offers?!?! Cayden always has a blast! Brinley will too, one day!! Right now she is a momma's girl! :)

Happy V-Day

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Here are a few pictures from our weekend in Lago Vista with my parents and Pap!

Our first father-daughter Valentine banquet....Matt & Brinley

For some reason, my Dad and I only have a hard copy picture... Maybe I can scan it later.

Papa's #1 Grandson

Pap, Nana & BrinleyPapa, Nana & Brinley

Matt's mom & dad gave Brinley this Valentine outfit! So cute!

She was a total hit at the tea that afternoon!

Meanwhile, Mr. Cayden and Papa took care of some business! :)