Christmas is coming . . .

Just a short post to let you know the boys and I are visiting family. I will try and upload pictures later of our adventures back in the Lone Star State. We are trying to catch up with family and friends. It feels great to be back home, but it feels strange to be homeless here. Please keep Jackson in your prayers. He caught a bug this week and has had a difficult time. Plus, he needs to eat. The little guy is not eating so he has a feeding tube. Please continue to pray for his parents. They need strength and REST!

Catch up of pictures

Benjamin making snow angels.

Carter loves making snow angels!

We try and have family fun night at least once a week. Several weeks ago, we went bowling. This was our first time to take the boys. They loved it! We had such a good time, and the boys did great! Now every time we pass a bowling alley, the boys ask if we can stop and bowl. Instead, we have family "bowl" night with the wee several times a week. Benjamin is awesome at this game!

Thanksgiving in West Virginia

Ryan's grandparents and the boys
Grandad and Carter

Grandma and Ben

We spent Thanksgiving in West Virginia with Ryan's grandparents. We had a blast. The drive wasn't that bad with the boys, they did a good job in the car. The boys had fun playing with their dad's/uncles' toys. Ryan's grandparents saved several toys from over the years. The boys went crazy playing with them, it kept them entertained for hours. They also had fun playing with the piano and bumper pool down in the basement. We also had to go to the park to show grandma and grandad the boys baseball skills. They enjoyed hitting "home runs" while grandma cheered them on. It was very hard to leave because we wanted to spend more time with them. Hopefully we can get back to visit next year.

Our First Down pour!

The boys using their new sled down our driveway on the way to the sledding hill.

Carter getting all bundled up!

Benjamin getting ready for Christmas.

Finally, a picture of our new house. This was taken on Monday 12/1, after our first little snow fall. It has been snowing all week, so the boys were able to go sledding today. I went to a brunch at church, and Ryan took the boys off to play in the snow. The boys had a blast. They loved going down the hill in the sled. They would scream and laugh on their way down. It was so much fun to watch and hear them. I was able to check a little bit after my brunch. Two things I realized I needed to add to my "snow" gear - snow pants and wool socks! It has been very cold here this week. I keep asking the "natives", "Is this cold to you?" Everyone is saying this is uncommonly cold and the snow is falling a lot sooner that usual - GREAT!

In need of prayers!

Our sweet little nephew is going in for surgery today at 1:oo pm. Please be in prayer during this time for him. They are doing a skin biopsy, removing a lymph node, and putting back in the central line for his medicine. More than anything, Doug and Melissa need answers to why Jackson's little body is not healing. This is his second surgery this week (Wednesday, was his third brain surgery in 2 months). Please pray for healing for Jackson, wisdom for the doctors, and strength for Doug and Melissa. When it rains it pours, Vaughn, our cute little niece is in the hospital too. She was admitted yesterday for dehydration. As of now, they should be able to go home this afternoon. Please add her to your prayer list too! Thank you for your continue prayers with our family!

A Little bit of snow!

Boys at the pumpkin patch in Lewisville Benjamin at the ER getting 4 stitches
Carter at the State Fair of Texas
Benjamin got the game ball at the next to the last T-ball game!

We woke up to a thin layer of snow on the ground, not too bad; but it is COLD here! The sad thing is it will get much colder here! We are almost all unpacked. I think I counted 3 boxes left in the bedroom. I should be able to knock those out today. We had a great weekend here. On Saturday, we took the boys bowling. This was our first adventure with them. We decided to go ahead and pay for 2 games. Well 1 would have been good. Even though we got through the 2 games it took us telling the boys they needed to bowl their game. The boys had a blast. Benjamin got a strike his first time. It was so cute, he was jumping around giving us high fives. Then he said, "yea, I am great at bowling just like my friend Rylan!" So Kelli and Lane, I think we may have a family challenge at the bowling alley next time we are in town! Sunday, we went to church, they boys seemed to enjoy their classes and new playmates. When we were leaving Benjamin asked, "is there not more mommy?" So I guess that is a good thing! I did meet 3 other women and we are getting together this week for a play date. Little Carter is hitting a funny spell, I think he is just now starting to get shy around girls. Two times last week, he got silly eyes and pointed to 2 different girls. We met Ryan for dinner on Friday night, Carter pointed to a girl at the next table, and then quietly said, "Hello Gorgeous!". She didn't hear, but I wanted to laugh so hard - he is a little charmer! Ryan spent Sunday afternoon playing baseball with the boys at the field down from our house, and I was able to run errands and go to the grocery store in one piece.

Any boxes

For the last 3 days, we have been unpacking close to 200 plus boxes. As of today, we have most of the downstairs completed. I am tired of unpacking boxes, but we still have several to go! We had great weather this week, but today it got chilly. We had a small amount of snow flurries, but they didn't stick. We had to turn on our heater. We talked to friends back in Texas, and they said it was 73, must be nice! As soon as I can upload pictures of the boys and house, I will. I will say the trees are beautiful here. I was driving to Target and looking at the trees. There was every color from red to green leaves. The trees are big and amazing. The boys are getting settled into their new room, they seem to enjoy the new house. We are looking forward to exploring our new city, hopefully we will have time next week. I just want to get the boxes unpacked to feel settled! More later . . .

We are here.

Just a very short update. It is Monday evening, we are having dinner at Panera Bread. I am using their internet because we aren't hooked up until later this week. The flight was great, the boys were awesome. We hit bottom with them when they didn't take a nap on Sunday. The closing on our house was today, no problems. The truck comes tomorrow with our things. I am hoping the transition to the house will get the boys back on their schedule. Hopefully I can send pictures on Friday. Thanks f.or your prayers

Baby Boy is a Little Man!

Benjamin at 1 week!
2 years old (Had to skip 1 year picture, it wouldn't upload)
3 years old
4 years old - little man

Today 4 years ago, I experienced God's greatest gift. The gift of love through a child. I remember the moment they handed me Benjamin and the rush of emotions that came with it. I realized at that point, my life would never be the same - it would be so much greater than I could every imagine. I also realized how much love I had for that child, Ryan, and God. I also understood how much my parents loved and still love me. I can't believe these 4 years have flown by so fast. Here are a few things about Benjamin: he loves all sports, but his favorite is still baseball. If he could, he would wear a sports jersey (baseball) everyday. He is a little pleaser, he always wants to help his teacher. Benjamin loves being around other children. His mind is working over time these days. He is interested in letters and numbers. He is starting to ask questions like "what does that start with?" He likes candy, gatorade, and gum. Benjamin is a funny little, and he was the perfect first addition to our family. We are excited to watch him continue to grow!

Moving Update

Finally had a chance to update on our busy lives. Ryan and I went to Chicago to try and find a house this past weekend. When I say try, that means we weren't successful! Other than the huge difference in prices, the houses are not what we were hoping for in our next home. We are re-grouping and starting over with a list of priorities! The area we are looking seems to be very family oriented. Lots of parks and areas for children to play, I was excited to see that for the kids. Each little community has a pretty cool downtown area (cute shops and eating places). We did go to church. We enjoyed meeting the new people, we were even asked to join a group for lunch but couldn't maket due to meeting up with the realtor. It will be very different from our lives down here, but I do feel better about moving now since we have visited the area. We even have a babysitter!!! Crazy, but like I said, priorities are important. Actually it is a funny story. Ryan and I went into Chicago Sunday night to walk around and eat. We met a younger couple on the walk to Nacy Pier, they asked us for direction. We tried to give them directions and an explanation and off we both went in different directions, both not knowing the exact way. When we crossed the street to get into Navy Pier, we met back up with the couple. We exchanged a few laughs and waves. Then we really couldn't believe it when we walked into the waiting area for the train and there they were. She was studying/reading a book (my kind of girl). We started talking and got to know them both. He lives out of state and was visiting his girlfriend. She was a graduate student at the local college (Marriage and Family Thearpy) in the town were are looking in for homes. We rode the train out together and got her number before we got off. This story may sound creepy to you, but she was actually very nice and normal.

Update on the Family!

I know, I know it has been over a month since my last blog. I can say this, this past month has been the craziest, most challenging month I think as a family we have ever had. I will start with the most important and work my way down the list. No pictures, our home computer has been sick!
As some of you know our sweet nephew Jackson is finally getting better after being sick (very sick). He is still in the hospital, but he is getting better and stronger each day. Here is a blog to read about him http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jacksonmerriman. Please continue to pray for his body to fight the infection that is still in his body.
Next, if you haven't heard, we are moving to the Chicago area. Ryan received a promotion at work. I am very proud of him! The promotion is in Chicago. Ryan will start working up there the beginning of October. I thought the boys and I would be moving the middle of November after Kellogg's bought our house (60 days with it being on the market).But surprise, after being on the market 3 days, we got an offer. So, on Wednesday, it turned into a contract. We will be closing the end of October. The great news about the house, the boys and I will not be away from Ryan as long as we expected! As much as we hate to leave family and friends, we are excited about this new adventure. It is allowing me to stay home with the boys. When I th ink that Benjamin will only have 1 1/2 years (by the time we get up there) before he goes to school, I feel this is a great time for us to move and me to stay home with them. This is time I can not get back with the boys.
On a great note, Carter is potty trained. We are havig a few accidents every now and then. It is an awesome feeling. I have changed diapers for 4 years straight, most of that having 2 little ones in diapers. I will try to do better the next few days and weeks keeping you updated. Thanks for your prayers and support with Jackson and the moving, we would not be here if it wasn't for good family and good friends!

Summer Games

Taking a break in the dug out
Up to bat!
Michael "Carter" Phelps
If you are wondering why I haven't written in awhile, we are glued to the television watching the Olympics. We love them. Above are a few pictures of my athletes. We love watching the swimming. The boys enjoy watching Michael Phelps (who deosn't like watching him win so many golds), they have even started calling themselves Mikey. Watching swimming did get Carter to take his lifejacket off and start swimming without it. Both boys can now jump in the deep end of the pool and swim across to the steps - thanks Michael! We still try and get down to the baseball fields, it is hard with it being so hot! Both boys take turns pitching, hitting, catching, and sliding into home plate. We have to take all of our stuff and hang it in the dugout like the big boys. Benjamin starts T-ball very soon, so that will add excitement to our lives. I can't believe summer is over, I start back to work next week. It doesn't feel like it is time. But, when I look back 2 summers ago I started 2 weeks ago! With this school school comes new changes, my schedule is very different. Instead of every other day, I go everyday for half day. The boys are starting a new school on Monday. They seem excited, I am nervous for them (new places and people are not my speciality).

Summer Fun!

I need to get new pictures off the camera, these are last month pictures. The boys having been playing so well together this week (granted it is only Tuesday). It does make for a much easier week when everyone is getting along. Short update on the boys: Benjamin of course is in baseball mode still, still watching baseball every chance we get on TV, and still playing it all the time. We have moved up in the baseball world from blast ball to T-ball. Now that we are in T-ball, he wants to wear long black socks like "real" players. If fact last night when we strolled down to feed the ducks, Ben had to wear a pair of Ryan's black socks. He pulled them up to his knees, he said he had to look like a "real player" incase anyone saw him! I couldn't find the camera, but it was priceless. Daddy wasn't with us, and I thought it was too cute! Carter is the little funny man, he loves making anyone laugh. He still loves Blue's Clues and always has to have his handy dandy notebook with him. Carter LOVES to draw and color! He can sit at the table for almost a hour just coloring (comes in great when I am getting dinner ready). Both boys love to swim. Benjamin (believe it or not) is my no fear in the water. That kid can dive down and get anything on the bottom. He has really picked up swimming, now we are working on diving! Carter is "no fear" because he still wears his life jacket (not a problem with me). The both love jumping in the water and trying to get everyone wet! We have really used our pool this summer, we try and get in it everyday! As for me, I can't believe I have about 4 1/2 more weeks until school starts, crazy! We are excited about spending time with family these next few weeks! Summer really is the best time of the year!

Still here!

Sorry for the delayed blog. Things have been busy around here. I just pulled up my blog and realized 6/29 was the last - wow! My niece has been with us this week while my sister has been on vacation. We have really had a great time with her. The 4th of July came and went, we spent a great day with family and friends enjoying our community events. I can't believe half of the summer is already past! I have had fun with the boys this summer.

Fish Camp Pictures

I love the last picture because Carter thought he had caught the little fish on the end of his line. He didn't understand that it was his bait. He would wind up his fishing pole all the way to see it, and then slip it in the water and pull it back up. He did this for about 30 minutes. Everytime he would pull up the line to see the fish he would yell, "Fish"! Carter turned out to be our little fisherman, especially when we got his ring pop! Benjamin enjoyed fishing too. He was more excited that daddy caught a catfish on his fishing pole. He kept telling us, I caught the fish because it was my pole! Thanks to the daddys (we went fishing with friends) who were very patient with the small fishermen!

Jelly man!

On day 3 when Benjamin would finally get in the ocean past his knees, he got stung by a jelly fish. The top picture is meat tenderizer that a couple next to us had for stings! It was quite painful for him, but he did feel so much better when we got to drink my coke (diet, caffine free - just in case anyone was worried about the caffine or sugar). Ben was up and moving not too long after and did get back in the water the next day. We still have a scar from it two weeks later. Now he has earned the nickname - jelly man. We kept quoting the movie line "You took on the jellys!" from Finding Nemo!

More Beach Pictures

Beach Pictures!

This is one of my favorite pictures. Benjamin is trying to keep up with the bigger boys and their body boards. This was the first evening we were there, Ben didn't use his that much!
Uncle Doug came over one morning to play and see everyone!
YES, we had a head shaving party one night, 3 men and 1 child got in on the action!

All the kiddos, plus Meredith (not pictured). We got matching shirts for them to wear. It ended up being the shirts they worn on the nights we went crabbing!

If you have wondered where I have been the past 2 1/2 weeks, we went on vacation and I am still not recovered! We went again to Alabama with friends and family and spent a week on the beach. Here are a pictures from the trip!