Wordless Wednesday {Never So Wordless}

Doing everything yourself is hard. While Brent is gone, I am it. I take care of the house, the pets, the yard, the car, the kiddo, oh and lets not forget my full time job! I am blessed to have Brent home most of the time but it's times like these that I can really tap into what it must feel like to be a single parent. It's hard and scary sometimes, and I count my blessings I have family close by and good friends as well.

I do honestly enjoy all the one on one time I get with Lucas while daddy is gone. I know I won't get these days back to just soak him up and to do things that only he wants to do.

We've eaten our fair share of kidy food these past few weeks, I'll ask him what he wants for dinner and no matter what he says that's what we have! We've got to spend lots of time with friends and family we normally don't get to see during the week.

I put a funny status on facebook last night about a play/support group for ladies whose husbands are away for a period of time. It was just a funny thing I was thinking at the time but now it has me pondering..... maybe that would be nice to have. Other people who get it. Who understand what its like.

Who know why you do this. To better your family. To teach your kids that life isn't perfect but we work with what we have. To understand it isn't all bad. To know we have a unique marriage that can only come from this lifestyle.

It's interesting you see. I get a lot of negative comments when I tell people that Brent is away but what they don't see is the beauty in it. It is hard, yes, but it is also so very rewarding.

So the next time someone says to you that their spouse is out of town for a while don't react with pity, that can be the most hurtful thing.

Because in my mind it isn't the end of the world, it's just another day in mine.

Our Weekend!

We had such a fun weekend. I am truly so happy these days. I know that sound very cliche but it's never been more true. God has really shown me how good I have it these last few weeks and I feel like that has helped me get over the last little slump I have been in. I could go on and on but I won't. My words and actions will speak for themselves :) I have so much hope for the future and I am even starting to feel some excitement about it.    

My sweet puppies. I've been letting Cooper come get on the bed with me in the evenings while I watch t.v., Brent does not know about this! ha!

Thursday I put some oranges and vinegar in a jar to make my own orange cleaner, I just thought it was pretty.

Lucas loves taking pictures of me, he is so funny!

I know the glare is bad but I got a poster print for this old frame my mom had. I just love the poster option at walmart. I can get big prints for nothing and they look great! So this pretty 11x14 picture cost be $5 because the frame was free! I thought about painting the frame but I love it as it is with that picture.

Friday night we stayed home and I cooked dinner, which I'm not sure has ever happened. ha! We had a very low key night just hangin out.

Saturday Luke and I went to lunch and hobby lobby with mom. Lucas thinks hobby lobby is a cool place, he comes up with the funniest stuff with all that he finds there. We will have to go more often.

A canvas I found at hob lob. I just fell in love with it. Love what it says, love the color and love the little birdys.

Brent spent Saturday at the shop with car stuff to do.

I cooked dinner again Saturday night, I have no idea what is wrong with me but I have cooked every single night for over a week! ha!

We didn't do much after that just watched some shows and Lucas fell asleep on the couch.

Sunday morning we got up bright and early to head north for the day! First stop was Cracker Barrel for breakfast! It was good. Lucas loved the bacon.

After breakfast we went to look at a hood that Brent wanted to buy for the Challenger. He says it was perfect so we loaded it up! It will have a shaker hood if that means anything to you ;) I love him and his car obsession so!  

After that we headed to devils den for a bit to play, explore, and take a few pictures.

  I love, love this one and wish I knew something about photoshop so I could get the shadows off our  faces but atlas I don't. Maybe that is worth some research. This one would be perfect above the fireplace.

                Of course I love this one too! He is so perfect to me. This one needs a frame for sure!

Walking though the woods. Lucas kept saying we were in the jungle! ha!

Next time I want to go in our hiking shoes with a picnic lunch and really get lost on a trail. That would be so fun!

My sweet boys who make my life complete!

Last night we had some family over for the super bowl and this is the only picture I took! Clearly you can tell my mind was not on football! ha!



10 things I love about you....

Next month is mine and Brent's 5th anniversary since we started dating! My how things of changed since then. Every year I wonder if we will still be as in love as we were then. Some days things aren't perfect and we get on each others nerves or we don't give all we should to the other. Some days run like a well oiled machine and while nothing significant happens all is good. And some days we get a glimpse of the carefree couple we once were. Brent is my everything he makes my life so good and I could never thank him enough for being a great husband and father.

Here are 10 of the many things I love about you!

• I love that when we leave each other you always make sure we kiss goodbye, even if I am just going on a walk or running to the store.

•  I love that no matter what my question you almost always know the answer, you are so smart and have a ton of common sense :)

• I love that whenever I start talking about our future babies you always smile, I know you dream of them like I do.

• I love the passion you have for life and you never let it slip you by.

• I love that no matter what I cook you will always eat it and sometimes you even try and convince me that it was good.

• I love that when you are gone and come back home you always tell me and Lucas that you missed us.

• I love that you never get lost and if I am lost and call you always get me back on the right track.

• I love your work ethic and hope all our kids inherit that!

• I love how on the weekends you always make sure we do something fun as a family.

• I love that you take Lucas outside to play and teach him the rules of playing sports.

• I love that you always look so handsome no matter what you wear, how grown out your beard is or how long your hair you can pull anything off.

• I love that you choose me everyday!

So proud....

I know every parent thinks the same thing, my baby is just a bit cuter, funnier, or smarter than other kids he is around and I am full fledged knee deep in those feeling these days.

Lucas has me completely wrapped around his little finger, it took him a while I will say. At first I was a "hard" mommy. When he was born my life changed (duh) but for some reason I was still trying to hold on to my old life, my friends, my commitments, my work. I wanted him to look and act perfect and was embarrassed when he threw a fit. But today I am a very different mom. Today I know he is 3 and he will make mistakes and I will make mistakes but that's ok because we are all still learning.

Having a whole week with my boys did something to me. It made me realize how amazing of a life I really have. Brent has my heart but Lucas is the light in my eyes and I am so proud to call him mine. I am so proud that Brent and I have created this awesome little person. And I don't mean create as in the pregnancy part of having kids, that's the easy part. I mean we have shaped his personality and his feelings and his ways into a breathtaking little boy. Countless people have told me what a great kid he is and that my friends is where I find inspiration. When he can make someone else's life a little better that's all he needs in this life. I hope he is always this way.

And then all those feeling skyrocketed once he started his new class room this week. He is SO smart it blows me away. He has adjusted to his new class and teacher very well and has been excited about it most of the week. He comes home with "work" he has done and is so proud of himself. He might just be one in a million.

Then I overheard some mom's at school one morning. Talking about how gorgeous he is, they didn't know I heard but it made my day. I know it's the hair! Gah that hair!

I hope to have more babies but if I am only blessed with this one that is all I will ever need.

I am truly blessed beyond measure!

Husband Love!

*I was reading in my blog role and came across a post called "headband love" from one of my favorite blogers I thought it said Husband Love and thought hey why not show the husband some love ;)

I don't talk much about Brent on here when compared with Lucas but he is without a doubt my main man! He means the world to me and most days I can't believe I got so lucky with finding him.

He loves us with all his heart and lets it show everyday. Lucas is so blessed to have a daddy that truly loves him and will take time to play with him even after an exhausting day at work. Brent never complains when I don't cook or when the house is a mess. He is always willing and ready to help when I ask him to do something with Lucas or the house. When my days are long or sad he will listen without judging me or making me feel bad and always offers advice.

I can't believe in less than a month we will be married for 3 years, time has sure flown and so much has happened in the time we've been together, I wouldn't trade my days with him for anything.

We compliment each other well, we are opposites but think the same about what truly matters, I think that's what makes us "work".

I take for granted how loyal he is and I can trust him through and through, I've never had to wonder what he's thinking or what he's doing (which is an invaluable asset when we are apart so much with his work).

I love him with every part of my being and can't wait to see where the future takes us, I know it will be good since I have him :)

I'm missing.......

This face today, his not mine.

Brent has been working long hours lately and it gets hard some days as much as we feel blessed that he is working at a good place the hours can be hard sometimes.

Hoping this week and weekend we will see him more.

Wordy Wednesday!

I came across this song by Jason Mraz recently. I think it's a really good one for all married couples. Some days/weeks/months are hard but truly it is not worth giving up on. Look this one up, download it, it's worth it folks!

"I won't give up"

When I look into your eyes
It's like watching the night sky
Or a beautiful sunrise
There's so much they hold
And just like them old stars
I see that you've come so far
To be right where you are
How old is your soul?

I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up

And when you're needing your space
To do some navigating
I'll be here patiently waiting
To see what you find

'Cause even the stars they burn
Some even fall to the earth
We've got a lot to learn
God knows we're worth it
No, I won't give up

I don't wanna be someone who walks away so easily
I'm here to stay and make the difference that I can make
Our differences they do a lot to teach us how to use
The tools and gifts we got yeah, we got a lot at stake
And in the end, you're still my friend at least we did intend
For us to work we didn't break, we didn't burn
We had to learn how to bend without the world caving in
I had to learn what I've got, and what I'm not
And who I am

I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up
Still looking up.

I won't give up on us (no I'm not giving up)
God knows I'm tough enough (I am tough, I am loved)
We've got a lot to learn (we're alive, we are loved)
God knows we're worth it (and we're worth it)

I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up

{The Time of My Life}

What a week this has been, chalk full of rain, lazy evenings, bad dinners, good mornings, some crazy dogs and emotions all over the place.


Lucas hanging out in Coopers "room"

This week has been rough at times but easy at others, I guess that is the way life goes. Some things I can't control while others I can. I am working hard on being the wife and mommy I want to be and know that I can be.

Last night while Lucas was in the bathtub I stopped. I stopped cleaning, or putting away laundry, or doing something on my phone. I just sat down and we sang songs and said prayers and I was having the time of my life. That is what it is about. We all get busy, I get way busy, and that doesn't mean we are bad people, I get caught up in the shiny and new and the money vs. bills but at the end of the day it doesn't matter what my bank account looks like or how much I needed to get done around the house but didn't. What matters is if my little boy goes to bed happy. And last night I am quite sure he did.

Blessings to you and yours this weekend my friends.

{Today}

I am thankful, thankful for my many blessings and thankful for my husband who never ceases to amaze me. Truly I am one very very spoiled girl and most of the time I don't even see it.

Brent will give Luke or I the shirt off his back if we were in need and I know that is such a blessing. He knows how to be a man and knows how to really care for his family and make us feel loved and cherished.

He is my rock and I will never be able to thank him enough for choosing me.

What more could a girl ask for......

Valentines Day at my house is not far from any other day but just with a little added fun!

Lucas had his big Valentines Party at school complete with ice cream and bunches of candy! He loved getting to tote his valentine box home to show daddy :)

We got home and I had picked up dinner and a few treats for my Valentines.
We had Popeye's Chicken for dinner ( yes you read that right) ha! Brent loves it and we hadn't had it in a while and I picked up some brownies and cookies from the Cookie Co. Lucas also got a balloon with some cars tied to it. He was very happy!

Brent has been sick with the flu the past few days but still managed to get out and get me flowers and a card, so sweet!



My favorite!

We ate an early dinner and really didn't do anything exciting. I wanted to do some laundry and wash our bed to try and prevent some germs spreading. I got the bed washed and put back together and was watching the last episode of Teen Mom 2 (embarrassing) and had both pups on the bed. I saw Coop sniffing around and thought ok just wait for commerical and I will take him out. Well needless to say he didn't get the memo! Pee peed right on Brent's side of the JUST washed sheets! As tempted as I was to leave it, being Brent's side and not mine, I didn't. I was SO mad! I could have cried but went back to my show: and watching that train wreck made my problems seem hardly there. So never the less I was doing laundry until 11 on Valentines night ;)



Valentine's bad boy!



A face only a momma could love.



Cooper seems very interested in Chloe's tail sometimes I swear I can see him thinking "where's mine at?)

This morning was Brent's unofficial first day back at work, he finally felt good enough to try and go. I think him going back will bring some order back into our life, I could be wrong! ha!

This morning as I was in Luke's room picking out his clothes I stepped on something cold and wet! Puppy poo! O my word all I could do was laugh. Brent cleaned it off my foot for me, I thought that was pretty romantic :)

So all in all I had a wonderful Valentines Day! Flowers, cards, time with my loves, a little work, a little yuck and some romance.
What more could a girl ask for......

Our Love Story

In honor of Valentine's day I wanted to talk about my hubby a little bit and thought it would be fun to join in for a linky party!

1. How long have you and your significant other been together?

This October will be 5 years!

2. How did you meet? {What's your "love" story?}

{Short Version}

Brent and I met though mutual friends, we both went to their party, didn't talk much at all that night but he ran into said friend at an event here in town a few weeks later and asked if he could have my number he called me that same night and we made plans to go out the next night, I knew after that first night he was mine! The rest is history I suppose....

3. If married, how long have you been married? If not, is this the guy you hope to marry? {do tell}

We will be married 3 years this August!

4. If you are married, where did you get married at? Big or small wedding? If not, where would you like to get married? And will it be big or small?

We had a very intimate wedding in Branson, Mo with just a few close friends and family members.

5. Do you have any nick-names that you call one another? Do share!

Of course, I call him Hunny Bunny, and he calls me Honey, baby, and being parents we call each other momma and daddy too. Ha!

6. Name 3 things you love most about your honey.

I love that he is so determined, I love that he is funny and that he is so easy for me to talk to.

I love that we can "fight" and argue and then 10 minutes later neither one of us remembers why we were! ha!

7. Tell us how he proposed? Or your ideal proposal?

Also in Branson, at the Branson Landing (one of our favorite places) in front of the big water show (water shooting, fire, and music) on a park bench with Micheal Buble playing in the background just the two of us. We were there with family and that was so fun to be able to celebrate with them after.

8. Is he a flowers and teddy bear kind of guy for v-day, or strawberries, champagne, and rose petals?

Flowers for sure!

9. Are you a sunset dinner on the beach kind of girl, or pop a movie in and relax on the couch?

Both I guess, we love to travel and be on the beach but day to day we are a movie couple :)

10. Tell us one thing you'd like to do with your significant one day. If you could do anything? Go anywhere?

O gosh there is so many places we want to go together!

11. Tell us what you plan on doing on this Valentine's Day.

Hummm probably not much we might be able to sneak away on the weekend for a date.

12. Are you asking for anything this Valentine's day?

I asked for the new Twilight movie and got it! :)

13. Give us one piece of advice of keeping a relationship strong and full of love.

Wow, I surely don't know a whole lot but talking and really listening works so well for us!

14. Show us a picture of what love means to you

To my one and only...

Happy Birthday!

How did I snag such a catch?! I love you so much and I am so thankful you were born today!



And here's to many more birthday's together....

My Boys....

Today I am so thankful for them and I have to write what is on my heart :)

Lucas has been "really" potty training since Tuesday night and he has done so well! We have a few accidents yes but he woke Brent up this morning to go peepee in the potty so that was a good sign! I think we are on the road to no more diapers!

Brent and I also went to his parent teacher conference at school yesterday and he is doing amazingly well! His teachers said he already knows most of what he is expected to know at the end of the year and the year isn't even half way over! They also said he is so sweet and compassionate to his classmates and follows directions all the time. I am so proud and could not ask for a better behaved little boy. Which at the end of the day if he is nice to people and polite that is all I really need him to be, to me he will never have to be the smartest, most athletic, or best looking by any means but he does have to treat all people kind and that is the biggest thing I want to in steal in him as a man.

This leads me to my other "boy" my husband.

There is nothing more special than knowing you are growing old with your best friend. It is no secret that Brent and I have always had a communication issues, I wouldn't tell him anything and he wouldn't listen when I did try and tell him something but it seems we are changing with all that. I have learned to tell him anything and everything I think that may be the true key to getting along so well between people, maybe I am wrong but I can feel it working for us.

Last night he said something about retirement and about how it will be just me and him, all our kids will be gone etc. and I just got this warm and fuzzy feeling and couldn't help but smile a little bit, knowing it will be me and him.

I am a blessed blessed girl having these too in my life.

"What if you only woke up with what you thanked God for yesterday"