Star Wars

Another big milestone in our little buddy's life. We totally converted James' bed today to a full size bed. I was so excited about this step because we were never able to convert Gracie's crib because of a recall. Tonight I feel like we got our money's worth out of this investment...he'll have this bed for a very long time.
James is all boy and loves mud, trucks, planes, trains, Toy Story, and Star Wars. My Mother-in-law made James the coolest kid on the block with "new" sheets for his big boy bed. Suzanne kept Jason's sheets from when he was younger and pulled them out a couple of nights ago for James. James took one of the pillow cases in the car with him this morning to school and held onto it like a lovey. James was so happy tonight when he got done with his bath and saw his bed made with the sheets. He loves finding all the people on the sheets and was very excited when he sat down and realized Darth Vader was right next to him! He even took Jason's old X-Wing from Bill and Suzanne's and tucked it in his sheets tonight. James went to sleep really well tonight and I'm just praying that he sleeps all night.

TX with the Bratchers

Going to TX is so much fun! We always have a blast when we go and this trip was no different. For me it was a special treat because it was just me and Gracie. She travels so well, so the flights were super easy with her. Although, our first flight stopped in New Orleans and since it was such a quick flight they never turned the seatbelt sign off. Gracie really needed to use the restroom, but was a trooper and held it until we landed. We didn't have to change planes, so we just darted for the back of the plane when we landed. Other than that, traveling is very easy with her. I thought for sure she would sleep most of the trip (it had been her first day of school), but I think she was just so excited about seeing the Bratcher's that she couldn'tfall asleep. She did sleep the whole way back to Birmingham on Sunday evening.

Saturday morning we enjoyed a few peaches from Ryan and Julie's peach tree that they planted when Noah was born. I should have taken a picture of the tree. It was beautiful and bursting with delicious peaches. Before the baby shower we shopped for the boots and a few last minute baby gifts. Julie's friends threw her a very sweet shower that afternoon. Julie and Ryan got the most precious things for Baby #3 and are ready with lots of pink! The kids had a great time playing together on Saturday. The weather was much more pleasant than we were expecting (it actually rained early Saturday morning and cooled things off a bit) and the kids were able to play outside a good bit on Saturday. When we walked outside of the airport Friday night I knew it would be hot, but I don't think I was prepared for the way it would feel. Julie made a comment about how it felt like being in an oven and then turning the hair dryer on...it was hot and it was after 7:30. Anyway, thankfully it wasn't that bad Saturday and Sunday. We had a wonderful morning of worship at Hope Fellowship on Sunday and then met Ryan's Mom and family friends for lunch. We had a nice visit with them and then headed home to rest before our flight home. It was a very quick trip, but we had a wonderful time. Thank you Julie and Ryan for letting us come and stay with y'all for the weekend. We love y'all!

We are so excited about Hope's arrival next week and can't wait to meet her. I don't know when we'll get back out to TX, but I sure hope it's sooner rather than later!

Before the baby shower

on the way to church Sunday a.m.

The Boots

What could be better than going on a girl's trip with your Mom after the first day of school? New boots I am sure!We picked up Gracie a little early on the first day of school to make sure we were able to catch our flight to Texas. Jason and James took us to the airport and thankfully we had plenty of time before our flight. Julie was having a baby shower to celebrate the upcoming arrival of Bratcher baby #3 (a GIRL!!!) and Gracie and I had the honor of getting to go to Texas for the weekend and be the family representives =). I thought it would be a fun treat for Gracie to get a pair (her first pair) of cowgirl boots while we were out in TX. She was so excited and loved the whole process. I am so thankful that Julie was with us for the shopping trip. I kept handing Gracie brown boots that had a little pink on them, but Gracie kept grabbing pink boots...very pink boots. Julie was so sweet and was even sitting on the floor with Gracie helping her try boots on while I continued to look for boots that were more my taste than Gracie's. The pair that I thought we were going to leave the store with were the total opposite of anything I would have ever picked (I should have taken a picture): they were pink, of course, with pink fringe and a pointed toe. As she was walking around in those we saw the above boots. Gracie could not have been more excited. They were pink, so that met that standard, they had horses on them (as well as hearts and flowers which she also loves), and they light up! Gracie has never had light up shoes before. I'm not against light up shoes, it's just never been anything I've really pushed before (or even offered I guess). To say she loves her boots is a bit of an understatement. She wants to wear them all the time. She doesn't wear tham to school, but often will put them on when she gets home and then wears them all weekend. She got so many compliments walking through the airport on our way home. We even sat by a sweet woman on the plane who said she had noticed Gracie's shoes walking through the concourse =)

Maybe one day she really will be a cowgirl!

More to come on our trip to TX later.

Kindergarten

meet the teacher morning

After school on Tuesday

First day of school. She couldn't have been more excited.

I knew this day was coming, but it sure did sneak up on me. Gracie started kindergarten just over a week ago. She was so excited and couldn't wait to start. We "met the teacher" on August 11 and then she had her first full day on the 12th. As we were walking down to the car on the morning of the 12th she said "I've been waiting for this for like...(pause for thinking) a year!!" Gracie loves her teacher and loved her from that first time we met her. Mrs. Cannon reminds Gracie of one of her 3K teachers and I think that helped. School has been a big adjustment for her. It's a long day for a 5 year old. She loves school, but is just having a hard time with how long the days are. Friday was our only bad day in carpool, and I'm a little anxious about Monday morning.

Gracie got to pick out a nap mat the week before school started. She was delighted when we got to the store and they had a cowgirl patterned mat. I should mention that along with being a dentist, Gracie really wants to be a cowgirl when she grows up. The day we went to buy the nap mat Gracie actually wore her winter boots saying they were her cowgirl boots. I thought it was perfect that that mat was there. She is enjoying naptime at school. She told me she slept on Thursday and Friday. More to come on Texas boots in another post.

update: Gracie did great in carpool this morning!

the beach, June 2011

June 2011 Cook/Bratcher beach vacation

We had a wonderful time at the beach this year. We always do. Family time is so very special and the kids love spending the week together! Bill and Suzanne are so generous and we are so thankful to them for the vacation and the wonderful memories. I have a ton of pictures, but this will have to do for catching up for now. We stayed at a new place this year and loved it. We had our own pool and the kids couldn't have been happier. James liked the beach but always wanted to go to the pool first and then we'd just end up staying. Gracie loved the beach, but was so comfortable in the pool that I think she loved it even more.

a little accountability

I've run (and walked) in two half marathons. I just registered for my third: Life Without Limits, Florence, AL, Oct, 29. This race benefits UCP and I'm really excited to participate in it.

I've really let my running take a back seat in life and am eager and excited (and a little scared) to get back into it in training mode. The last time I did a long run was...mabe the Nashville Half? I'm not even sure. It's been a while and I'm thankful to have some time for training. I start my training tomorrow morning, so if anyone is up at 6 am, feel free to think about me =) I walked a little in my first 1/2 (Mercede's) but walked a lot in my second (Nashville). I don't want to walk at all in this one. I'm writing this down to motivate myself and to keep myself accountable. I increased my time in Nashville (not what you want to do) and really hope to take time off my Mercede's time. I think I can do it. It will just take a lot of effort and determination. I'm not a fast runner (at all) and want to do a little speed training this time. If anyone is reading this and can give me any advice on speed training I'd love to hear it.

I've got a lot I want to blog about, but it'll have to wait =) Must get some good sleep tonight.

And he's TWO!!!

I guess this one should have been titled "Long Overdue" seeing as James has been TWO for almost a month now! I'm sure I will continue to say this every year, but I can't believe he's two! Time flies. James is so funny right now. He says funny things, he has funny mannerisms, he talks funny sometimes...just a funny kid. Tonight he said, about 7 different times, "what's that Mommy?" I would then tell him whatever it was that he was asking about: a specific book, a loud noise, a friend's toothbrush...and then he would respond with "Oh, I love it!". We had a great little family birthday party for him back on May 1. He is every bit of two and all boy. He loves sticks, cars, trains and being outside. He hates vegetables, unless it's in a dip (like spinach and artichoke). He loves Gracie and wants to be where she is and do what she's doing. He talks all the time and has a great vocabulary. He started climbing out of his crib a couple of weeks ago so we "converted" his crib to the toddler bed/day bed and he's doing really well with that. He also LOVES his paci and lovey. I'm trying (not very hard) to get him off the paci, but I'm a little afraid of what will happen. He's around the 75% for weight and height. He's a perfect little buddy.

Long overdue

I have started carrying around a little journaly notepad kind of thing in my purse and I hope to put it to good use for more than my grocery list. Over the past several weeks I have thought to myself "oh, I should blog about that" and then five minutes later I've forgotten all about it. Our kids say some pretty funny things that I know I should be writing down and they also say (well, just Gracie right now) some pretty cool and deep (for a five year old) things that I don't want to ever forget. I did not make a note of this, I'm not sure I could forget this, but just in case I do want to write it down (also, I need to get it into gear and help her act on the things her little heart is learning, so this is a great motivation/reminder for me to get going). About a week or so ago Gracie was having a really tough night. She wasn't listening and was being a little defiant. After finally getting through brushing teeth, using the restroom, and getting on pajamas (not difficult tasks) we finally had a moment of calm laying in bed. I got on a tangent talking about how there are plenty of people in the world that don't have clean water or a toothbrush to brush their teeth, so she should be very thankful that she has both. I told her that whenever she brushes her teeth she should thank God for the clean water we have, the toothbrush that she has (2 of them actually), and healthy teeth that she can brush. She then, very seriously, asked me what state these people live in. I told her that there were people in Birmingham (she knows this is our city) that didn't have a toothbrush. I then went on to tell her that there were people in every state without things that we have and also in other countries. I don't think I've ever said to her "there are starving kids in Africa", but I did tell her that night that there were people in Africa that don't have clean water to drink or brush their teeth with. The whole time I was talking she was very quiet. After I finished my little rant of frustration to/with her about complaining about brushing her teeth she leaned in close to me and whispered in my ear "one day can we go to them and take them clean water and food?" I don't know why she whispered, but it was such a tender moment with her. Giving and serving is not really a new idea for Gracie, but we have been doing more and talking about it more and maybe just being five she understands more. I know the seeds have been planted and they are growing! It is so very exciting to see the Lord work in a young child. A few days after the tornadoes we were gathering some items for a friend's family who lost their home in Pleasant Grove and Gracie was quick to tell me that she didn't want to only get the old toys in the basement, but she wanted to get some of the toys from her room too. She already has such a giving heart and wants to help others. Back to the other night. After Gracie asked about taking clean water and food to people that needed it, I told her yes. Then I started telling her about our friend, Mitzi (who we had just seen at the McWane Center), and how she was helping get things to children in Alabama that were affected by the tornadoes. Gracie was very intrigued by this and we talked about getting a "box of hope" ready for a child. She was so excited about doing this. I am sad to say that I just now went and checked Mitzi's site www.kids4al.com and the deadline for "boxes of hope" has passed (for Alabama). There was something on there about getting boxes to MO, so maybe that will be something we can do. kids4al is starting it's second project, Boo Boo Bags, and this is also something that I think Gracie would enjoy getting together and giving. I don't want to let these moments pass by without helping her and I want the ideas to grow and be encouraged.

Sweet Day

Today is such a sweet and special day. I am so lucky to live in the same city as my Mom and Mother in law. After church we went to Jason’s parent’s house and had lunch with his parents, my Mom, and Jason’s Grandmother (who also lives in town). I am so very thankful for both of our Mom’s and the rich relationships we have with them.

Me and my babies

Playing in the sandbox after pictures!
Suzanne with her Mom
Jason and his Mom
Cook/Howell Family (we miss you Julie!)
Mom, Me and Gracie
Grandmom, Mom, Me, Suzanne and Gracie
James was done with pictures by this point
Gracie was not interested in taking pictures...she only wanted to play in the sandbox. This was the face she gave me when I told her we needed to take pictures first.Silly face
Gracie developed a love for the Word of God at a very young age and James is following in her steps as well. They both brought their Bibles to breakfast this morning and then took them back upstairs after before church. What a joy to see my babies this morning with the Word.

24 hours

We all have the same amount of time in every day. Most days I wonder where the time has gone. Even by 8:30 a.m. I am usually perplexed at how it's already 8:30 and not still 7:25 like I feel it should be. I do the same at night...all of a sudden I look up and it's 10 p.m. and I haven't done much at all since putting the kids to bed. I struggle with time management and I am sure the hurried look on my face most mornings when we run into school shows it. I don't like being late, at all. I've told myself over the past couple of weeks that I would do better with my time. I have made progress in some areas, but not in all. I would have been on time to school on Friday (the first day all week), but I didn't see that Jason's car was parked behind mine and I backed into it, spilling my coffee, thankfully only on my seat and not my lap. So, I had to run back inside to get a towel to clean it up and then get Jason to come move his (unharmed) car. Back to the time issue. I thought blogging once a week could work for me, but it clearly isn't and I don't want to feel guilt over that. I will plan to blog once a month and maybe get an extra blog in every once in a while. I am not a writer and often struggle with what to write on here. I've been taking plenty of pictures, but it's just the everyday stuff that we do, nothing that seems blog worthy, so it's hard to feel motivated to sit down and blog. And it's really all about choices. Some nights I would just rather fall asleep on the couch at 8 and not even think about blogging (or cleaning for that matter!). I don't know how you dedicated bloggers out there do it!

One major area I'm concerned about and praying about is my time in God's Word. I am working through a Beth Moore Bible Study with Janelle and it has daily homework and a video to watch. I have spent the last couple of weeks waiting until the end of the week to do the homework and I know that's not the best way to go through a Bible study like this. I would learn so much more I'm sure if I would take the time daily to do the homework and actually be able to meditate on God's word and not just fly through it in a rush. I am loving this study and can't wait to see what all we learn from this.

Ok, so here's for a little update on the fam. Gracie and James are both doing really well. James is still growing like a weed and his vocabulary is growing daily it seems. He talks all the time! He is obsessed with all things Toy Story, Mickey and Thomas. It's going to be a hard call to decide what kind of cake to make for his birthday, which by the way is in less than a month! I can't believe that he'll be two! Gracie is just as active as ever and also talks ALL the time. She wakes up talking and goes to bed talking some nights. She is such a wonderful big sister (most of the time) and is a great helper to me. She loves James and is protective of him already. She is learing so much and still really enjoying school. Gracie participated in her first race this morning. She did the UCP Race Without Limits 1 mile fun run and couldn't have been more excited! I ran the 8K with Preston and Janelle and we had a great run. Gracie did really well in her run and we were so very proud of her. She wanted to hold my hand most of the run and that was fine with me. At one point when we were taking a little walking break she said very seriously "we shouldn't waste any time, let's get going" and was off running again! She received a medal at the end of the race (actually two, because Janelle was super prepared and got medals for the kids on Team Hite) and was so proud.

Jason is still doing well in real estate and that keeps him busy. If you or someone you know is looking to buy or sell, be sure to give him a call! He starts playing church basketball this week with a team of church buddies and Sunday School classmates (who are also buddies). I'm sure we'll be up at the church watching games and cheering him on.

I'm still running and have signed up for the Nashville half marathon on April 30th. I'm really excited about this run and have heard great things about it. I'm hoping all the music will be a great distraction! I have had a really bad strained muscle in my left calf since Mercedes and am starting a little physical therapy this week to see if that helps. I can still run, but have constant pain when I run and soreness when I'm not running.

Well, surely that's more than enough for now!

Gracie helped me make pizzas last week. She had so much fun and was so happy to help! James had fun playing with water in the sink!

Me and Gracie at the starting line for the fun run this morning...cutest kid ever!