The little things in life...

Brody and Peyton have been bickering a lot lately...so, when I saw this photo op taking place, I had to take some pictures and record this moment of companionship, brought together by a bowl of brownie batter.

Tonight has been such a great night! Nick is at work (that's not great), but the kids and I decided to make the best of it. They helped me cook dinner (spaghetti, garlic bread and green beans), and for dessert? Well, brownies of course!

Brody LOVES Kindergarten!

And Kindergarten LOVES Brody! Despite the 6:30 wake up time every morning (which I am not too fond of), going to school was exactly what Brody needed. He gets the socialization, and structure that he has always craved. He is such a smart little boy and needs to keep busy all the time.

His favorite thing about Kindergarten? Recess of course! His best friends at recess are Cadence, Audrey, and Grace. He assures me he plays with boys as well, but the girls are just "cool".

His teacher, Mrs. Myers is amazing! She is very nurturing and loving and Brody adores her. She does a good job of keeeping the parents informed of what they are learning and doing in class each day/week. I walk him into the school every morning so I get to catch up with her when I drop him off. She has reported that Brody is a "pumpkin" and that she could sit and listen to him talk all day long. :) Love my little Kindergartener!!!

Thoughts about kindergarten...

Brody starts Kindergarten tomorrow and my emotions are running high. First, I can't believe I have a kindergartener. It doesn't seem possible. When they tell you to cherish the time with your babies because it goes by too fast...they weren't kidding. Second, it's hard for me to believe that he is about to start a whole new realm of independence. Although, I am VERY excited about this part of his life. One of my main goals as a mother is to teach my children that they can depend on me for whatever they need...but the importance of self sufficiency, and independence, in order for them to grow into strong, successful adults.

I told Brody tonight at 7:10 that he had 15 more minutes until he needed to go brush his teeth and go to sleep because he has to get up at 6:30 in the morning for school (that's right folks...Arkansas is backwards and elementary school starts at 7:30 and high school starts at 9:00!) He complained a little bit and fussed a little bit but agreed to do as I asked. About 5 minutes later, I looked over at him, and the little nugget was sound asleep on the couch. We are skipping teeth tonight, and I just carried him to his bed to lay him down. So excited that he is going to get such a long night's sleep before his first day tomorrow.

His teacher's name is Mrs. Myers. I had never met her before until the kindergarten orientation night, but she seems to be an excellent teacher. I have heard nothing but wonderful reviews from other moms whose children have had her. She even sent Brody a postcard in the mail, which made his day. Brody's favorite thing in the world is getting mail!

So, tomorrow, Brody and I both start a new routine of getting up EARLY (not excited about this part), and getting ready for school. Our lives will never be the same again! It just dawned on me that I will have kids in school for the next 24 years. Oh boy!!

Pictures to come tomorrow!

Update..

I'm beginning to see a pattern...as the kids get older, and I get busier, my blogging goes down the toilet. I have SO much to catch up on it's not even funny!

Synopsis:

• Baby #3 is on the way. It's a boy! Woohoo! We are beyond thrilled to have another sweet boy in our family! Nameless as he may be right now, we are so in love with our third bundle of joy who should be arriving at the end of November/beginning of Decmeber.


• Brody (5) is starting Kindergarten on Monday. I can't believe it. Monday is going to be a great day for him, but a rough day for mama! I am just floored by the fact that my little man is old enough to go to public school.


• Peyton (3) is a pistol! She loves to sing, dance, do gymnastics, and entertain. She will be starting Joy School in September. She is equally as excited about this new adventure, as Brody is about school.

He Lives

I am so thankful today for the knowledge that I have that my Savior lives. I know that He was crucified, after He had atoned for the sins of the world. He suffered, He bled, and He died. Three days later, He had risen, and lives today. I am thankful for the sacrifices that He made for me personally. This year I have had plenty of opportunity to seek the blessings that He has made available to me through the atonement, and I cannot begin to describe the peace it has brought to my heart through all the many trials we have faced this year. So, today, I rejoice that He lives.



*Don't you love my cute little sign? It says "He Lives, my kind, wise, Heavenly friend." They made these at church the other day, and I was having a not so good day, so my sweet friend made mine for me.

Baby #3...

...will be here on or around December 3rd, 2011!! We are so beyond excited about this new addition to our family! We found out about 5 weeks ago, and I wanted to wait to share the news until I knew for sure things were going well. After 2 good ultrasounds and a fantastic heartbeat, I couldn't contain myself any longer!


The kids are really excited. Peyton sings songs about the baby in my tummy all the time, and Brody says "I can't believe you are having a baby!" It is going to be strange having Peyton go from our littlest to our middlest, but I know she will be a good big sister. I already know how Brody will do because he is an EXCELLENT big brother to Peyton!


Like my first two pregnancies, I have been really sick with this one. In fact, I think I have actually been sicker with this one. I'm grateful for the sickness though, because I know it means that the baby is healthy and growing at a good rate. However, I would be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to not getting sick every few hours anymore.

Our "Gummy Bear" at 7 weeks

Brody and Peyton update...

Brody is...

• Almost 5!!!! He is going to be starting Kindergarten in August. I'm not quite sure how I feel about that.


• He is in the CTR 4 Class at church, and LOVES primary. He always comes home from church excited about the things he learned.


• He is very loving towards his sister, although she hurts his feelings almost daily.


• Along with the above post, he is very, very sensitive. He has the softest little heart.


• He is learning to read, and can recognize all the letters of the alphabet and knows what sound they make. He is also getting better at writing his letters.


• He plays Soccer for the Sounders.


• He is also in Mixed Martial Arts (we are very busy!)


• He has gotten GREAT at riding his bike! We are going to try without training wheels when the weather gets a little nicer.


• He just got his very own dog from a co worker of mine. The dog is a beagle mix and his name is ALSO Brody and he is ALSO 4! It gets a little confusing around here, but the kids are insistent on not changing his name.


• Some of his cute phrases right now are "What in the cornbread heck?", "Snubbed by the sister!", and he loves telling knock knock jokes!

Peyton is...

• Almost 3!!! Holy smokes! I can't believe my baby is not a baby anymore!


• She loves dresses and skirts, and anything fashionable.


• She loves dolls and playing "mommy."


• She is left handed, just like her mom, uncle Ryan, and Grandpa Shaw!


• She is kind of mean to her brother...sometimes putting him into tears with statements such as "no me love you, Blody!" and "No me want to play with you!"


• Her favorite song is "I love to see the Temple."


• She is in dance class on Monday nights and does tap and ballet. She LOVES dance class!


• Some of her cute phrases are "nothingbody" (instead of nobody), "No way hose-way!", and "What chu talk?" (what did you say?).