Saddest Thing Ever

Yesterday I put Brinley down for a nap and then about a half hour later I put Beckham down also.  He usually will fall asleep pretty fast.  So I layed him down in his crib and went to take a shower.  When I was finished, there was no sound, they were both asleep. Ah, so nice. So I went to check on my two sleeping children and that's when I saw this....

Isn't that the saddest thing you ever saw? He was facing the door, waiting for me to come and get him. He eben has marks on his face from the crib. He obviously didn't want to take a nap.  So sad.. my poor boy.  But its still pretty stickin cute!

Reminiscing

As I was cleaning the kitchen this morning a memory popped into my head. I thought it would be a fun one to share with everyone.  Darren and I went on our honeymoon to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico... It was fantastic to lay by my husband by the beach and the pool just grateful to be with such a wonderful man.  We spent about a week their just enjoying one another with no other worries.  Along the beach there was always some sort of merchant selling some sort of jewelry or artwork or something or another.  We were all packed up on our last day. I mean, really packed up, our bags were outside waiting for our shuttle. The bellhop told us that we still had about a half hour or so until we had to leave.  So with that much time, we decided to take one last walk down the beach.  There was a man there selling these containers of sort made of lemon wood.  I thought they were really pretty and thought they would be a great souvenir, unfortunately we didn't really have any cash on us. So I was admiring knowing there would be no purchase, all the while Darren trying to barter for us. The man finally said, "I really like your shorts" to Darren.  They were really nice black ADIDAS shorts.  Darren looked at him a little wide eyed and asked ,"my shorts?"  I really didn't think anything of it when my sweet husband went toward the hotel.  I thought he was going to see if he had any money in our bags.  Little did I know that he was changing his shorts in exchange for three of these containers.  one of which BURRUP was carved into for us by hand.  Really? I mean, Really? What other husband would give up not just any shorts, but one of his favorite pairs.  The answer to my astounded look was " I can get another pair when we get back home but this will make a great memory" I seriously think I have one of the most spontaneous, loving husbands a woman could ever ask for.  He keeps me laughing every day. And of course, it did make a great memory. The downside? He was never able to find another pair of shorts like those... The best part? Making a memory that is not only hilarious to look back on, but knowing I married a man who would always make me laugh and who will do absolutely anything for me (no matter how silly). Thanks for all the memories we have made honey. I look forward to many more to come...

Lost in Thought

So I feel like I am a slacker mom sometimes.  Why can't I do it ALL?  I want to give more time to my kids and stop worrying about the house being cleaned of all toys lying around and dishes in the sink.  I want to sit and play dress up with Brinley and make Beckham laugh all day long.  Instead I am too busy stressing about little things that in the long run really don't matter.  I was reading my aunt's blog and she was talking about who she wants with her because in the long run we can't take any of our possessions with us. Thanks for your post Heidi. I have been thinking about this for a while and you really put it into the right words for me. We can't take our books, our crafts, our tv's, we take our families. Our kids. Our spouses.  Why can't I always remember that? This is something I vow to work on.  I want to be a better wife. To actually make dinner for my family before I leave for school. To make sure my wonderful husband feels loved and adored. (because I really do adore him.) I want to be a better mom. Put down the book and pay more attention to their little features and the personalities that they are growing into because really they won't be this age much longer.  I want to spend time with the people in my life that really matter. The people I will take with me.    

Christmas Parties

We seriously got SO spoiled this year by all of our family. Here are a few pictures of the MANY MANY fun parties we had this year.  I don't have any of the pictures from the Riley Christmas, but that was just as fun!! We love you all!

Darren's dad got all of his boys the US coins map. They are really nice and Darren LOVES it!

 I love this picture. A few of the sisters with Grandpa Maughan. 

Darren and Grandma Burrup.  It was so much fun to have her there at our party. She sure is a party animal.

Jace opening one of the gifts from his cousin. He was more interested in the wrapping paper.

Ed and Julie went to Africa over Thanksgiving and brought back lots of goodies.  These aprons are just one of the many gifts we got.

A shirt for Brinley from Africa.  She LOVES it.  She is such an animal lover and wants to wear it all the time. Even though it is way too big, so we use it as pajamas.

Beckham in his new pajamas.  I absolutely love these on him.  Isn't he the cutest thing in the world?!

Brinley and her cousin Tyler. She follows him around EVERYWHERE!

Thank you everyone for all the great gifts and even better memories.