Moments of My Life

Braxton is at a stage where his little emotions are everywhere and he is trying to figure out how to deal with them, and sometimes its quite funny! We left his soccer game the other day and he was kind of upset cause we didn't have time to play on the toys afterwards, and as we were driving home, suddenly he just started BAWLING! His eyes were squished shut and his mouth was down in this adorable pout and he was wailing, "I miss Daddy SOOOO much! I miss Daddy! Mom, I really miss him!" Uh.....where did THAT come from? I tried consoling him by telling him we would be seeing him soon and its ok, we can call him and tell him you love/miss him, but it didn't ease his little heart's pain. Then when we got home, he walked inside and went straight to the back door and let the dogs in, then threw his arms around their necks and as they slobbered him with wet kisses he wailed, "I missed you too Marley! I missed you too Loui!" Wow...this coming from a kid whose idea of "playing" with the dogs is using them as a punching bag or footrest? Ya, SO not like him. It was quite adorable though and I loved seeing his tender little heart being so raw and open for a few minutes.

I had a dream the other night where I was tearing up the dance floor with swing dancing with an AWESOME dance partner (don't know who). I awoke with my feet twitching and heart pounding, ready to jump up and start where my dream left off. UGH I miss dancing! I certainly was no pro, but boy did I love it!! The music flowing through ya, body moving in rhythm to the beat. Its the most fun (and best exercise) I've ever had!!  Someday, I WILL do Ballroom dancing again. I promise myself this.

I pulled out the kids' summer clothes. Its only February, and I'm already pulling out summer clothes! Kind of depressing, huh? Of course, as soon as I did we had a cold front pass through and had to get the jackets back out for a few days, but I have a feeling any more winter weather is going to be few and far between. Farewell, winter. Our time together was short but oh so sweet.

Braxton was going potty at my parents house and I was sitting in the living room with some family members chatting away when suddenly he popped his head out and said, "Hey guys, I need it quiet in here! I'm trying to GO!!" HA!

We were at the doctors office and a rather large and rotund man walked in with a long white beard. Bella's eyes became as wide as saucers and her mouth dropped to the floor. I was trying to figure out what in the world she was so shocked about when she very purposefully walked right over to him, looked straight up into his twinkling eyes and asked,  "Are you santa claus?" I about died!! (Both from trying to hide my laughter and from embarrassment) He was a good sport about it and said "No I'm not,  but we go fishing together sometimes. I'll tell him you said hi!" Bless his heart.

We had a fun Valentine's Day this year. The Friday before, we met at Becca's house with some other little cousins and friends to make YUMMY Valentine's cookies and cupcakes. The kids had so much fun and walked away with WAY too much sugar in their bellies. We spent all day Monday making Valentine's for Daddy, and I decorated his car V-day morning with chocolate and hearts to let him know he was MY Valentine! The weekend before he asked me what I wanted for V-day, and I said "I want to go on a date!" not thinking that it would really happen since he works so late on Tues/Thurs nights. Well Sunday after church we are getting in the car and he says "I have a babysitter for Tuesday night!" I ask "For what??!" "For our date!" he says. Bless his beautiful heart! REALLY? We haven't been out for so long and never been out for Valentine's Day itself! I was as giddy as a love bug. He took me to a really nice restaurant in Scottsdale, and even though I could barely taste the food cause I had a stuffy nose from a cold, (gggggrrrrrr) I loved every minute of it. It was even cold and windy/rainy, which just made it all the more fun and enjoyable for me. Thank you Baby for making me feel loved and cherished for our special night. It know it probably wasn't that big of a deal for you, but it meant the world to me and I love you all the more for it. You're my Forever Valentine!

This and That

Bella's kitchen she got from Nona for Christmas is one of her favorite toys. I can usually always find her in her room, dressing herself up with makeup and shoes, or playing with her little kitchen. 

Conrad and Braxton love it almost just as much! 

 And then there is the walker Nona gave Conrad...her toys are always a hit! (Thanks Mom! :) ) 

Santa brought me a bike this year, and a trailer along with it to pull the kiddos so we can go on family bike rides. The weather has been SPECTACULAR so we have taken many a bike rides already this year! 

 Justin with C-Rad on his back. Conrad won't sit in the trailer...he just cries the whole time for some reason, so thankfully we have this awesome backpack (also from Nona!) to carry him in. HE LOVES IT! 

 Brax and Bella in the trailer. Bella being stubborn, of course. We love bike rides! 

And here is our Beautiful Bella Rose in her gorgeous dress from Aunt Patti! Bella looks just like a princess in it and it is definitely her favorite dress to wear right now. (Sorry Patti, I can't get the boys to pose in their suits, but I haven't given up yet! Hopefully I will have one for you soon.) 

 So how do YOU transport the laundry from the wash room to the kids room when your chillins' won't let you out of their site without screaming?? 

Here's how we like to do it! (There is a rope attached to the basket so I can pull them in it.)

Wahoo! 

Conrad was being really cranky for a couple days, which is totally out of character for him, especially since I knew he wasn't teething or anything. Then early one morning he had a NASTY diaper and I opened it to start changing it and what did I find??? 

A TINY BELL! 

Poor kid. No wonder he was cranky. I wouldn't be happy passing that through my system either. SO grateful he was able to swallow it though without choking on it. 

I'm a Soccer Mom!

Braxton started in his first soccer league, and he is doing SO GOOD! I have to say though, he is his daddy's boy through and through. Its been really interesting to see how he plays with the other kids and what his attitude is on the field. He is competitive and aggressive with going after the ball and making goals, so much so that he gets upset if he doesn't "win" when he misses the goal or if another kid gets the ball from him (which doesn't happen often.) This is a great experience for him to be able to learn some good sportsmanship, and to learn than its ok if he doesn't win. What matters is that you have FUN! (His daddy may think a little differently...we are working on a good balance. :) ) I love watching him play though. He has a blast. This is the start of a something great! 

HIS FIRST GAME

 PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!!

Angles Among Us

I had an experience the other day that a witness to me that the Lord does hear and answer my prayers.

We were in a friend's backyard playing and I was swinging Conrad. The swing was like one you would see at a park - a bar across the front but no straps. It was attached to the ceiling on the back porch. I didn't think anything of it since I was standing right there swinging him and he isn't big enough to climb out on his own. Braxton asked if he could push him, and I said "sure" but warned him to swing him softly, then turned for a few seconds to admire a fruit tree behind me. Literally, it was like two seconds. When I turned back around, what I saw made my heart slam into the concrete floor beneath me. Braxton was standing behind the swing looking panicked, and my sweet baby boy was dangling completely upside down from the swing that had somehow been turned over. It took me no more than 2 seconds to leap to his side, but every millisecond it took me to get there I pictured him falling a thousand times to the hard concrete below. And yet, hanging completely upside down from a swing with no straps, his arms flailing and body wiggling in fear, he didn't budge until I could grab him and pull him into the safety of my arms.

I pray every night for angels to watch over my children and be by their side constantly to guard and protect them, and I witnessed firsthand the answer to my prayers that day. I don't have any doubt in my mind there was an angel holding my little baby in that swing until I could get him out. There is no other way he could have been held in there. My prayers were much longer that night. :) I thanked the Lord over and over that He listens to the pleas of a mother's heart and sends his angels to be my children's guardians. And I am so grateful for a loving Father who loves me enough to make my concerns His own and watches out for my family.


"Oh I believe there are angels among us.
Sent down to us from somewhere up above.
They come to you and me in our darkest hour.
To show us how to live, to teach us how to give.
To guide us with the light of love."
Angels Among Us, Alabama

December

 December was a busy, crazy, wonderful month! So much happened, and I tried to document it all with pictures, so that means LOTS of pictures! Ready???? Here we go! 

OUR BEAUTIFUL NEW TABLE!!!

This was our Christmas gift from Justin's mother, (it actually came a couple months ago) and WE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!! It is hand carved from the trees around her home in New York, and it is so beautiful and perfect for our family and kitchen. We couldn't have asked for anything better. ( Or more needed! Our old table was falling apart...)

THANK YOU NONA!!! :) WE LOVE YOU! 

BELLA'S DANCE RECITAL

This girl was born to dance. And she's so stinkin' cute at it, too. I can't wait to see where this will take her in life. Ever hear of "living through your kids?" Ya, that will be me. :) 

BRAXTON'S FOURTH BIRTHDAY!!!

Theme: SUPER MARIO of course! 

We had planned to do it at a park, but when the weather turned cold and rainy, we moved it to our home, and I'm glad we did. It turned out really well and Braxton had a blast! 

The Birthday Boy!! 

                                   

My lovely sis Alisha

EVeryone's loving the TACO SOUP. That was Brax's choice, and a good one! 

                                   

The kids, going on a YOSHI EGG hunt! (Easter eggs with chocolate gold coins inside)

My other lovely sis SHALIAH with my boy Conrad

Bella swingin' at the Pinata

Wyatt Speakman

Braxton swinging hard. Hyrum was the one who broke it

CANDY CANDY CANDY

Aunt Angie with his wonderful Super Mario birthday cake. I had no idea what I was going to do for a cake, so this amazing woman saved my life. Thanks Angie!!! 

                                     

Super Mario Smashbros...what else? 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY SWEET BOY! 

DECORATING COOKIES

Its not Christmas ti' you decorate some sugar cookies! 

Our friends Aubray, Ginger, Harrison and Ransom joined us for the fun

You gotta love this kid's "Cheese!" face...he's such a goof!



GINGERBREAD HOUSES

WAY better than sugar cookies, if ya ask me...

Landon, Swanson and Angie

Of course they probably ate twice as much candy than they actually put on the houses! 

Ah! I love this kid! 

Adding the finishing touches to Landon's masterpiece

Again, he's a goof


CHRISTMAS PARTIES
Grandma and Grandpa Speakman's was the best!

More sugar cookies...

Grandpa, layin' on the love!!! 

My Pretty Bella Rose


THE POLAR EXPRESS
We took the kiddos up to Williams, Az to ride the POlar Express and see Santa this year!
One word to describe the trip?
CCCCOOOOOOOLLLLDDDD!!!!
I am so glad I live in Arizona! (Mesa, Az to be exact!) 

Braxton loved playing in the snow

It was alot of work with the kids being so young, but I'm glad we went. May wait another year or two to go again, but overall it was worth it! 

Boarding the train! 

Everyone is so excited! 

ITS SANTA!!!!!!!!

That look, right there, made the whole trip worth it.
Christmas is magical! 

CHRISTMAS 2012

Christmas Morning

Merry Christmas! 

Of course Conrad loved the bags and bows and ribbons more than anything else. ..

But then came Nona's (Grandma Bebe's) present...

He loves it!!! 

Bella opening her jewelry/make-up from Nona

Another Mario game from Santa. Wahoo! 

Bella's BEAUTIFUL dress from Aunt Patti!!
THANK YOU AUNT PATTI!!
The clothes/PJ's are WONDERFUL! 

Braxton opening up his brand new WAGON from NONA! He LOVES it and takes his siblings on rides in it all day long. Thank you Nona! 

I tried so hard to surprise Justin with something fun this year...

He was definitely surprised!!! Merry Christmas Baby!
(And best part?? Got the table from a friend, for a VERY reasonable price...FREE!! WAHOO!!! ) 

The "after" mess

Eatin brunch with Aunt Angie, Swanson and Landon...
Eggs, sausage rolls, pumpkin pancakes, orange juice, strawberry jello dessert, ...YUM YUM!!! My mouth is watering just remembering how delicious it all was.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

It was a wonderful year with lots of exciting changes in our family. 2012...Bring it on!!!