Been a while.

I don't even know how long it's been since I have written on here. A year? More? I don't know.

So much has changed since the last time to be certain. We've ridden a roller coaster this past couple years. I feel like a dolt for starting this for the boys and not keeping up with it. They need to know how we made it through these times when their memories fail to connect the dots.

This next part is written directly to my sons, since that is whom I intend to read this in perpetuity.

My sons,

This is part of my life I will call "Learning to Endure". We have come up against challenge after challenge recently. Some days it feels like we are taking the same test over and over again. Some days the test gets harder, some days it stays the same. Always though, it is a test. One that I don't know if I am passing or failing just yet.

I am afraid that I may not find out how I did until you are grown men, taking the tests of life yourselves. This is greatly disturbing to me. I want more than anything to prepare you for the rigors of life, but some days I feel like I have failed. Up and down, back and forth failed. If I fail you two, what is worth of my life? To me...not much.

So I keep trying. Keep taking those tests.

If I can teach you nothing else in this life, I hope you learn from me to never give up. No matter what someone does or says, or how bleak the future looks, keep moving forward. Even if you feel you have succeeded, keep going. Dreams come and go in the blink of an eye. Your goal today, may be meaningless to you tomorrow. Don't quit. You two are capable of more than think you are. Always. You always have more in you. Don't quit.

In my life I have not always done what I am asking you to do. Learn from my mistakes. I'm not asking you to be better than me , just to let the best parts of you come out and never put them back.

When I look at you two, I see the promises I made to myself when I was a kid. I was going to be this...going to be that. Some things I set out to do, I accomplished. Many I did not. I am still trying for the rest. In your short time on Earth, I have seen in you a drive that I never had. You want to be who you want to be and no one can tell you differently. How awesome! Please hold on to that. Let it take you there and beyond. The world is not big enough to contain you. Reach higher. Be legendary.

Alright...that's enough of me preaching at you for one night.

I love you with all my heart and every piece of me. You are worth any struggle, any price, and any pain. Your life brings me a joy I never imagined possible. I cannot thank you enough for coming to me, and letting me share the journey.

-Daddy

Sugar High

With temperatures reaching 118˚, it is just too hot to spend time outside. After spending much of our lazy Saturday hanging around the house yesterday, Daddy had the awesome idea of heading to Dave & Buster's to play! The boys spent forever playing games and getting tickets and then we took a break to grab some Fatburger...yum! We headed back to D & B's for some family bowling. Jake won the first game and Brady won the 2nd. Looks like Mommy and Daddy need to brush up on their bowling skills! After bowling, we headed back up to the arcade to finish playing games and cash in our tickets. J & B put their tickets together and decided to get 25 GIANT PIXY STIX!! They plan to bring them to San Diego at the end of the month to share with their cousins. That is sure to be a hit! Thanks for such a fun afternoon and evening, Daddy. We love you!!

Happy 4th of July!

The Sweetest Boys Ever

On most days, Daddy brings his lunch to work. Last night after Daddy headed upstairs to bed, the boys wrote these notes for him and taped them to his lunch. This is what Daddy saw when he opened the refrigerator this morning....so sweet!






Then....this afternoon, after dealing with getting my car fixed and waiting around all week, the boys asked me not to come into the kitchen because they had a surprise for me. They made me this delectable dessert! It is a snickerdoodle ice cream sandwich with mini marshmallows and a vanilla wafer inside. So yummy! They also put a piece of banana bread and some fig newtons on the side. When I thanked them for my special treat, they told me they made it for me because I am a wonderful Mommy and they wanted to thank me for all I do for them. I am so blessed!!

"B.J. Bird"

Tonight the boys asked us to come into the living room for a performance. This is a common occurrence, but we never know what we are about to witness. Tonight, Jake came down the stairs with a booming voice, announcing the rapper..."B.J. Bird!" Brady was the rapper, and Jake was his announcer/body guard. The performance was awesome and Daddy and I will definitely be buying tickets for the next show! The rap went a little something like this.....

"I'm not a nerd (takes off his nerd glasses),
I'm B.J. Bird!
I can make a crime,
I can make a rhyme.
My favorite food is a lime.
I'm not a nerd...
I'm B.J. Bird!"

Father's Day with Poppy

On Sunday we celebrated a late Father's Day with Poppy. In typical Poppy fashion, he got a bunch of Peter Piper pizza for dinner because that's what his grandkids love. The boys played some Sport Court baseball with their cousins, and we all challenged each other to some sporting events on Poppy and Ma's new Kinect video game system. J & B are so lucky to have a grandpa who loves them so much and does everything he can to make them happy, and I am the luckiest daughter in the world to call "Poppy" my dad.

Checkin' Out

This morning we headed to the library. It is obvious we haven't been in a while, since J & B walked out with 22 books and magazines!

Future Astronaut

Our summer is off to a great start! We've been enjoying being able to do whatever we want with no set schedule! Today we ended up hanging at the mall with Grandma. Brady has been dying to try this spinny thing, so today he did! Check out our future astronaut!

Daddy

I am way behind on updating our blog, but I couldn't let Father's Day go by without recognizing Jake and Brady's main man....their Daddy. In a world where people are too busy, too selfish, and too disengaged, our Daddy is the complete opposite. There is no place he would rather be than with his family. He is strong, compassionate, loving, and patient. The boys trust him with everything. He is the one who makes them feel safe, the one who knows EVERYTHING, and the one who is willing to do anything for them. J & B know they can tell their Daddy anything, and he will always understand. He is their greatest teacher. He coaches them in football and more importantly...in life. He sets the example for what a great man and father should be. He shares in every success, disappointment, and dream the boys have. He is always there to make them smile.

Mauri, thank you for being the man you are. I couldn't ask for a better Daddy for our sweet boys. They are growing into such great little men, thanks to your guidance and example. Thank you for always staying strong, especially when I'm not. Thank you for always putting the boys and me first in your life, and for always showing us how very much we are loved. I love you...Happy Father's Day!

This year, we had a low-key and very relaxed day. We let Daddy sleep in while we got breakfast ready for him. After some breakfast quiche, pancakes, and bacon, the boys gave Daddy his gift. They chose to get him an HD Flip camera, which he loves. We are getting him the waterproof case for it so we can take it to San Diego this summer and record all of our water fun! Our day was spent cuddling, napping, and having quality family time. Then we went out to dinner with Mimi and O at Cracker Barrel. Jake and Brady each beat O in a game of checkers after we ate, which really put a smile on Daddy's face! When we got home, Daddy and his boys had a wrestling tournament in the living room, complete with entrance songs and everything! I should have broken in the new Flip camera for that! We topped off the night with peach cobbler, ice cream, and snuggling on the couch. Definitely a great day to celebrate our wonderful Daddy! Next weekend we get to celebrate with Poppy!

Instead of a card, the boys wrote these for Daddy. I love how they both think he looks silly when he dances! :)

Go Tigers!

When it comes to college sports, we are huge ASU and LSU fans. Back in January, we were all watching a big LSU game when the boys disappeared upstairs for a while. They came down all decked out in their LSU gear and wrote all over themselves!! We just can't be mad when they are showing their Tiger pride!

Monday Night Raw

One of the gifts we gave the boys for Christmas was tickets to WWE Monday Night Raw. The boys were so excited and couldn't wait to see some of their favorite wrestlers live in action! They only had to wait a few weeks, and the big night was here! Jake, Brady, and Daddy had a "guys night" and Daddy said they had the best time. Although I am not a huge wrestling fan, I must admit that I had it on here at home just thinking about what a fantastic time my boys must be having. Daddy took some great pictures of the wonderful time they had. They are already talking about going again!!

A Fun Way to Start the Year

Daddy took Uncle Vaughn to the Fiesta Bowl on Saturday night, thanks to some great tickets from one of our incredible friends. J, B, and I decided to go hang out with Poppy, Grandma, Makayla, and Hailey for a while. We ended up going to Peter Piper Pizza and having a blast! Jake was especially looking forward to using the tickets his cousin Mike gave him at Christmas. It was a fun evening, and a great start to 2011!

Poppy with his biggest fans

Hailey and Grandma

Hailey with the ball Jake won for her

Mak with the ball Jake won for her

J & B showing off all of their goodies to Poppy

Ringing in the New Year

Saying goodbye to 2010...


To celebrate New Year's Eve this year, we went over to our good friends' house for their annual block party. It was FREEZING, but we all had a great time. We are so thankful for all of our blessings in 2010, and looking forward to the wonderful things 2011 will bring. Happy New Year everyone!

Our great friends, Jen and Keith

Trying hard to keep warm!

Such good buddies
Brayten, Jake, and Brady

Wrestlemania!