Can I flunk "blogging"?

Okay, I can't stand it anymore...I haven't blogged in 3 weeks! I go through the day thinking I'll get to blog when the boys go down for a nap and something always comes up. There is no way I can catch up for the last 3 weeks, so I'll just start new from today.

Tate was able to come home this weekend, and what a relief! Truett was about to come out of his skin he needed his Daddy so much. It's so interesting to me how little kids express their anger or sadness. Truett has been having a lot of stomach pains the last couple of months. I've been concerned it's something serious like ulcers, celiac disease....but last night after Tate left for another week in Ft. Worth, Truett said he can't eat. When I asked why, he said because his tummy hurt becacuse it was crying because it missed Daddy. I pray that is all it is. I also pray God can give me the words to help Truett get through this time. After he said that, his Poppa came over and they watched football, and Truett felt better. :) I can't believe it starts so early! While we were eating dinner, he said to Poppa that he wanted to play football and be a "giant" and Poppa could be a "cowboy", but that he would win, not Poppa. I have a feeling there will be a lot of sports in my future. :)

Another cute thing...this week we've all had colds or something like that. One night about 3 in the morning, I heard Truett screaming from his bedroom. I ran in there expecting vomit on the walls or something equally as bad. When I got to the side of his bed, his little head was face down in his bed. I asked him what's wrong, and he looked up at me with big, round, questioning eyes and said, "my nose doesn't work"! I asked him if he wanted to blow his nose, trying not to laugh, and he said again, " I can't because my nose doesn't work".

Despite always being tired with a baby who won't sleep through the night and won't take a bottle so I can have a little break, I love being a mommy to two boys. I love to see Truett learn about the little excitements in life and how he expresses his understanding of them. And I love watching Liam become more social everyday.

Some of you may know who the Duggar family is. They are a sweet Christian family in Arkansas who have 17 children and have another on the way. When I first heard about them, I, like most everyone else thought " are they INSANE??" But after reading their book, and watching the documentaries on their family, I have a lot of respect and admiration for them. What I love most, is that they ENJOY their children. They have left how many children they are to have up to God, and they trust Him in providing for them. And He has. But on days when I think, "Lord, I can't do this!" Whether it's Truett throwing a nasty fit, disobeying or sassing me, or Liam not sleeping again, or wanting to nurse only 2 hours after he last nursed, I remind myself of the Duggars. Not that they are super-human and can do it all, but in the midst of the craziness in their home, they are thankful for the gifts that are their children. I don't want 18 kids, but I am thankful for the ones I have and for the ones that are to come. Now if only I can learn to correct without raising my voice....

My boys

As Thanksgiving approaches, I have been thinking about what I am most thankful this year. The most obvious and what brings me the most joy are my two adorable boys. They are both healthy, Truett is very tender-hearted and loves to entertain. Liam always has a smile on his little chubby face. Even last night as he was throwing up from catching a stomach bug, after he would throw up, he would smile at me and coo.

Aren't they handsome?

Liam turned over for the first time yesterday! He's only 3 months old!

Don't they look like their Daddy?

Fall Fun

Sunday evening our precious life group came out to the ranch. We had great food, a lot of fun and a good game of horse shoes. The kiddos had a blast playing in the corn trough and "planting" the corn all over my yard. Tate and I are so blessed to be a part of such a sweet and supportive group of believers. Here are some pics from the evening.

Here the kids are in a little traffic jam. They really play well together, such a delight to watch!

Craig and Tate waiting for the horseshoe game to start.

When it got too cold and dark outside, everyone came in to eat some more and chat.

Here's the Fall cake I made for the evening.

And here are some cookies I made for the kids to take home.

My Mom's 60th Birthday Bash

Last week my mom turned 60, and I got to surprise her with a birthday lunch with her closest friends. She hates surprises, but I have to say, she enjoyed this one. I don't want to get too mushy, but I am so incredibly thankful for my mom. She has been such an encourager for me, my most trusted friend and a wonderful role model. I love you Mom!

My Mom and I at her surprise party at Hickory Street Cafe.

The birthday cake I made, her favorite, carrot cake. Yumm!

The next night, we all went out to Perini Ranch with my brothers, Tate's parents and some friends. It was cold, but we had great food, a fire in the pit and some really warm blankets!

My brother Patrick, Mom, my brother Michael, Dad and Vickie (my sister-in-law). I didn't get a picture of Patrick's wife, but she was there. I always enjoy when we can get together.

Truett just busted his head on the ground, but we took a picture anyways.

Weekend with Tate

Tate got to come home this weekend. I had no idea how much him being gone during the week would affect our lives. I'm adjusting, but Truett is having a real hard time with his Daddy being gone. It's so cute, when Tate comes home, Truett is like gorilla glue on Tate, you can't get him off! Here are some pics from the weekend.

Truett and Daddy spending some time together on the hammock.

Tate and Liam taking a Sunday afternoon nap.

Liam sleeping. Isn't he beautiful?

Liam sleeping so sweetly! You'd think he sleeps a lot, and he does, just during the DAYTIME! I am looking forward to the night when he sleeps a lot!

Truett is such a good big brother. He loves his little "baby Liam!"

So studious!

My Mother-In-Law's 60th Surprise

Both my mom and my mother in law are turning 60 this November. I love planning surprises, so I was able to plan a surprise dinner for my mother in law this past Saturday. My favorite part??? She had no clue! We had about 20 of her friends at one of her favorite mexican restaurants in town. Here are some pictures from the evening.

Surprise!

Some of her friends who came. Fun bunch of people.

Here she is about to blow out her candle.

This is Tate's grandmother, Memaw. She loved getting to hold Liam, and he enjoyed it too! Priceless picture.

Of course I had to get a picture of me and my cutie.

Group picture. Tate's dad, Sterling, me, Truett, Tate, Sharon, Liam and Memaw.

Look at those handsome boys!

I Love Fall!

I love everything about fall, the changing colors of the leaves, the brisk mornings and slightly warm afternoons, the anticipation for the first "cold snap"... I could go on and on! I love cuddling with my husband and sons on the couch with a warm cup of cider or tea. Maybe it's because I was born in the fall I'm such an "autumite"! And from my favorite movie, I love the "smell of scotch tape and bouquets of freshly sharpened pencils!" We'll see who knows what I'm talking about. :)

Though I would share these pictures of some fall flowers I took.

This is my favorite picture. Thank you Father for all your beauty and creation for us to enjoy!

My First Two-Tier

I love to bake cakes, cookies, everything. But this was by far my biggest challenge yet. For my mother-in-law's surprise 60th birthday party, I decided to make a two-tier harvest spice cake. It took me about 4 days to make! I had a blast rolling out 4 tons of fondant, coloring it autumn colors and cutting out hundreds of leaves! I don't paint anymore, so I LOVED getting to mold and paint sugar leaves.

Now this week is my mom's 60th birthday, so I'm excited to try a different cake!

Week in the Life

This has been a busy and interesting week. Here are some pics...

Truett helping me make cookies for Tate. He's inherited his Mommy's love for sweets!

I took Liam in this week for his 2 month check up and shots. He now weighs 10.9 lbs and is 23.5" long! No wonder all his newborn clothes are too small! I can't believe he's getting so big. I cherish every moment with him.

Another picture of bliss.

My happy boy.

Everytime I drive by this tree by our ranch, I always think "I wish I had my camera". Well this time I did. I love the sweeping pasture and lone oak tree. It looks so serene and peaceful. I'll try and take one when we get a snow this year...too beautiful!

And another HUGE answer to prayer! We finally got a van! We have been praying since we had Truett for a bigger vehicle, and it finally happened. It's a 2004 Toyota Sienna and it's in great condition! Thank you Lord!

My Love

Most of you probably don't know, but Tate left last Sunday for training in Ft. Worth for 2-4 months. Hopefully he'll get to come home some weekends. I had no idea how hard it would be to be apart from him. I've had him at home the last two months, so it was a complete shock when he left, and he wasn't here at all! Truett has really missed him, even though I don't think he realizes it. We all know "absence makes the heart grow fonder", but it also makes you appreciate one another more. Here are some things I love about my husband and friend.

-He never meets a stranger
-He always sees the good in people over the bad and ugly.
-His cup is always half full.
-He truly has a heart for the Lord and is constantly seeking Him.
-He wants to share the Love of Jesus with anyone who doesn't know Him.
-He loves and ENJOYS his children.
-He likes to play monsters, horsey, cars, hide and hide and watch Diego and Clifford more times than is natural.
-He loves and respects his parents as well as mine.
-He has lived right next door to my parents for 4 years without grumbling.
-He learns new things even when they are hard to learn.
-He finds joy in listenting to our 3 year old tell stories and sing silly songs.
-He dances very silly dances to make our 3 year old smile (he dances like that anyway).
-He washes dishes, takes out the trash, mows the lawn, makes the bed, changes diapers and helps Truett go poop. :)
-He prays for those who persucute him and for those he loves that can't seem to let go of the past.
-He worked 4 years in a job that brought no joy, fulfillment or a sense of success just to support his family.
-He can write songs, play them on the guitar and sing it. He has a beautiful voice and tons of talent!
-He has an odd, but funny sense of humor.
-He has loved me through all my hard times, sicknesses, irrationalities, fears, bad attitudes and selfish desires.

I could go on and on. I love you Tate more now than I ever imagined when I married you. I am amazed at the man and father you've become and am so excited to stand by you in the years to come. You make my heart happy!

I'm 30, Finally!

It's official, I'm finally 30! My husband (and everyone else) thinks I'm crazy that I'm excited to be 30, but I'm so glad to be out of my 20's! I'm looking forward to the wisdom that comes with age (that's my prayer), watching my children (and hopefully more children) grow, enjoying my husband and growing closer to my Lord.

My sweet, dear husband planned and pulled off a surprise party out at Perini Ranch in Buffalo Gap. I'm so impressed he did it without me knowing! We had great food, conversation, wonderful friends and family...Thank you Tate!

One of the things I love about Tate is his ability to write a great song. He wrote, played and sang an awesome birthday song for me. You blessed my heart honey!

Sitting down to eat some really good steak!

Awwww....how sweet. But what you don't know is that Tate just ate a bunch of onions on his salad. Yumm.

This is the most beautiful birthday cake I've ever seen. Thank you Mom and Dad, I loved it! And it was pretty darn good too!

Me and my honey.

My good friends Cindy and Sherry.

My good friend Kathy from our life group. Thank you Kathy and Marco for coming even though y'all didn't know anyone!

Tate's best friend Brandon and his wife Danyel and daughter Mya.

I had to get at least one picture with my little man on my birthday. Liam slept the WHOLE time, so I didn't get to get one with him.

Yummy birthday kiss!

Answered Prayer

A prayer Tate and I have been praying for a long time has been answered...Tate got a new job! It's with an environmental construction and environmental remediation company out of Eastland. He leaves for Ft. Worth next Monday for training for 2-4 months, then he'll work out of the Eastland office. After so many years of praying and waiting, we are still in shock. It will be an adjustment, as the hours are longer and the drive to Eastland is an hour. Tate is very excited to learn about this business and they actually do a wide variety of very interesting things. But please keep us in your prayers as we are apart and we adjust. I'll keep you updated on how he's doing.

Here are some pictures from the last couple of weeks.

We are so blessed Liam is such a happy baby. These pictures are a progression from a giggle to a flat out belly laugh. He's so fun!

Getting bigger

Full belly laugh!

Truett "giving" Tate pointers on how to play the softball game. Tate's team won.

Truett being like Daddy in his boots.

Today we had Liam dedicated at our church. It was a very sweet time with our families and friends around us to pray with and for us.

From left: Sterling and Sharon Ellison (Tate's parents), Me with Liam, Tate with Truett and my parents, Truett and Lea Roberts. I'm so thankful they were all there with us.

Our sweet friends Webb and Kristi Murphy with their son Carson. Carson was born 4 days after Liam. They're destined to be friends!

This is a picture my parents took this last week. They went up to my family's cabin in Colorado for a little vacation. This is what we see when we look out our front door. It's so beautiful when all the aspens start to turn! I wish I could have been there!