A few realizations...

So, we're back!!  We had an amazing, exhausting, emotional, and fulfilling trip back to good 'ol Kansas.  One of my oldest and best friends, Wendy, got married and P and I were both in the wedding. I can't tell you how blessed I felt to be a part of her day.  

As always, I came to a few realizations while we were home...

1.  Have 'gator' will travel.  P loves his 'gator' at my parents' house (I am not really sure why we started calling it this).  He could ride on it every day, all day.  He even convinced my mom to push him all the way to the park once.

2.  Seeing my whole family does my heart good.  My brother came home for a few days...unfortunately, it was the same weekend as the wedding and our time was limited, but definitely better than nothing.  He also brought his beautiful girlfriend home and I am so glad I was able to meet her!!

3.  Sometimes it is necessary to refuel on friendship.  I never get to see everyone I want to see when I am home...it just gets too hard to spend time with family and see friends when you aren't home very often.  However, my best friend, Jamie, drove down from KC (yeah, I know...she is an AMAZING friend)  for a quick girls lunch with one of my other good friends, Heather.  I didn't realize how much I needed to be around friends who knew me before I was Brady's wife or Parker's mom.  I know it sounds silly, but just going to lunch re-charged my spirit.

4.  P loves salad...and ketchup...especially together

5.  P finally tamed the beast (my parents' dog, millie)...she actually let him pet her...numerous times...crazy

6.  I have definitely missed this other little man, Greyson.  He is Lindsey's son...she is one of my absolute favorite people which makes him one of my favorite little guys.  I swear we did not mean to dress them alike!

7.  P should not see his cousins on less than 8 hours of sleep.  As you can tell from the picture below, he was not exactly awake and totally missed out on the fun because he was a walking zombie.  Too bad...he woke up the next morning asking to see Kyler and Kamden...shoot!!

8.  We need to see cows more often...P loves animals...Papa Marvin even waited to herd the heffers and their calves until we got there...it was pretty awesome, but P thought they were too loud, ha.

9.  P loves goats...seriously.  Last year at this time he was terrified and this year, he saw them on three different occasions and loved it.  My favorite 'P' quote from the petting zoo, surrounded by goats, was, 'hey guys, excuse me...excuse me guys.'

10.  All a boy needs is a club...my dad took P golfing...he even found a putter that could be either right or left (because P swings with his left and throws with his right so we're still not sure) and cut it down to size.  P was in heaven.  This was G-Dawg/ Parker time and I don't have any pictures...shoot.

11.  Never underestimate the power of 'baseball socks'...P was growing a little weary of shopping and I when I had to open a pair of black socks to try on some black shoes for the wedding, his mood instantly lifted...'baseball socks, yay!'

 12.  A good neighbor is hard to find...luckily the bride and groom are also good friends with our old neighbors, Cate and Brian.  This means I got to see a lot of them while we were home.  I seriously miss them so much!!

13.  Old friends never get old...I had the pleasure of hanging out with my two best friends from high school for almost three days straight.  It always amazes me how quickly we can pick up where we left off and always reminds me of how lucky I am to have them in my life.

14.  When your date is wearing a three-piece suit, it doesn't matter how tall he is...seriously, how cute is he!!

15.  Watching a good friend find the love of her life never gets old...so happy!!

16.  If you agree to let your son have a Woody (the toy)...always ask if it talks first!

17.  It takes a village...it never fails, every time we come back, I wonder if we've done the right thing.  I see how P is with our parents and I wonder how we can possibly raise him without them.  They are so amazing and always seem to think of something to teach him that I have forgotten.  I love that he is so close to them and that there is never any time lost between them.  I am so grateful for all they do.

18.  Home is sweet...even though being far away is hard and I love going back to see family and friends, I love coming home to see Brady even more (it doesn't hurt when the house is clean and flowers are on the table:).  I know that I am so lucky that he lets P and I come back without him and I am so grateful.  We are so very blessed.

finals week

This week is Brady's finals week...no, not really, but I have had flashbacks of what Brady was like during finals; studying during every free minute, a little on edge.  As I type, he is taking his first test of the week...his driving theory test.  If he passes, he can continue as planned with his driving practicum test in two weeks.  If he passes that, he can drive (HALLELUJAH!)  

Immediately after he finishes his test today, we are driving to Lincoln so that he can take his fertilizer test first thing tomorrow morning.  He has been taking classes and preparing for this test for the last two months.  Normally, I wouldn't be worried because Brady is a smart guy and usually doesn't do anything halfway, but this test is hard and there are more than a few people in his class that have failed it multiple times.  He has worked and studied so hard for this so I'm saying a little prayer right now that all of his hard work pays off!

Good luck Daddy!!  We love you!

Be Mine

Happy Valentine's Day!  My valentine is actually in Switzerland this week so I spent the day with my other love.  We had a FANTASTIC day!

P Diddy asked to go to the gym today (ok, so he just wanted to play with the Buzz Lightyear toy they have).   I never get to go to the gym two mornings in a row because of other activities, but this week is half-term so we had a clear schedule.

I got to run 6 miles yesterday and 4.5 today...not a lot, but definitely made the most of my 50 and 40 min workouts...plus, I think it helped finally convince myself to sign up for a half marathon here...I heart running.

 P was a trooper for 2 hours of errands and I was finally able to get frames for our maps, his letter chart and my antique flash cards...WAHOO!

P told me the story of the three bears and the french fries (this is not your mama's Three Bears:) around twenty times today.

When I got to the checkout at The Range, I found three chocolate cows in my basket...apparently P is also a cow smuggler.  I probably should have gotten mad and made him put them back, but I totally bought the cows.

I made two batches of brownies for dessert...:)

Finally, my friend Mandy offered to come over with her three kids and keep us company for dinner.  Her husband had to work late (he actually made it here less than an hour after they did) and we all had a great time watching the kids play.  I LOVE having good friends here!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Happy birthday Daddy!!  You are the most amazing husband and father anyone could ask for and we love you so much!!  

Hello Piper!

This is Parker seeing Piper for the first time since moving.  This was the end of a 10 minute reunion...if only I would have remembered to turn on the camera sooner!

Christmas Recap

Christmas is my favorite time of year. I love all of the decorations and music and really just the joy that is in the air. I know that sounds super cheesy, but face it...that is just who I am:). This year was especially fun because Parker was able to really get into the whole season. Below are just some pictures from my family's Christmas and Brady's family's Christmas. We are so blessed!!

Gram Gram and Parker!

Uncle Landon with the new shirt he got Parker!


Grammy and Parker



Christmas Eve

Hay-rack ride!! Yes, we sang and delivered cookies too!

Uncle Cortney and Parker

Hi Puppy!

Our annual Ugly Sweater Party!

Parker did not like Santa.

Waiting for Santa to come on the fire truck at the Boys & Girls Club!

Thanksgiving Recap

Ok, so I am super, super, super late with these posts. I thought about not posting at all, but in reality, I post for myself and to have a online record of milestone's in Parker's life. I just feel so blessed that I have such an amazing little family with an incredible extended family.

This past Thanksgiving we visited Brady's family in Mankato and my family went to Dallas to see my brother. I was reminded of how fun it is to see Parker grow up and inherit traits of different family members. I love that he thinks before he speaks like his daddy (for all of you wondering...yes, I am aware that I do not always do that:), and has the beginnings of a sense of humor like GDawg and Uncle Landon. I hope that he inherits his grammy Deb's and grandpa Marvin's work ethic and his gram gram Kim's heart. He will also hopefully get Uncle Cortney and Uncle Landon's smarts (ok, and maybe know how to have fun like they do, but not too much fun:). I can't wait to watch him grow into a little person! I am so blessed and pray every day that we can make a positive impact on the person he becomes!

This is a picture taken right before Thanksgiving of Parker's new high chair. Papa George and GG refinished George's high chair from when he was a baby...how neat!

All of us at the farm!

At the K-State/North Texas game in Dallas.

How time flies!!

Warning! This post is slightly cheesy!! Almost nine years ago, I met my best friend; two years ago, I married him. Brady was the first boy I met in Manhattan (well, at least the first boy I can remember:). We had both just joined greek houses and were at a joint event for both of our houses--ok, ok, it was a keg race (don't tell Parker) and I had had one beer over my limit (yes, that means one beer). If you know me at all, you know this means I was extremely talkative. I had a crush on Brady from the minute I laid eyes on him and went right up and introduced myself. After that, I told everyone I met that, "I was a big fan of Brady's!" "Barn Party" 2003

From that point on we spent a year and a half dancing around the idea of dating. Brady was the boy I couldn't admit I needed and I was the girl who wouldn't kiss him. I finally came to my senses and asked him to our formal our sophomore year-I know what you are thinking, and yes, it wasn't until he stopped chasing me that I finally realized I wanted him. From that moment on, we were inseparable.

Two years ago, on the first happiest day of my life, I became his wife. I am so blessed. And then, nine months ago on the second happiest day of my life, I became the mother of his child--brady's little mini-me. I know that this post is super cheesy, but I was feeling a little nostalgic and wanted to say a big thank you to my husband....you are the best!

I just wanted a chance to say how happy I am to have such a wonderful husband (seriously, who else would put up with my neurotic behavior!)