Merry Christmas

My Christmas Wish is that you both always hold each other this close.  Your love for each other is loud, crazy, unending and yet peaceful.  You both are my entire world.  Merry Christmas my babies!

Breakfast with Rudolph

I love you two more than you loved having breakfast with Rudolph and Friends...and THAT is a lot of loving!  XoXo

Christmas Cookies

Christmas Cookie Day 2015

Saturday Mornings

Christmas PJ's, mugs of hot chocolate and brothers giggling.  There is no better way to spend a Saturday morning in December.

Trimming the Tree

Our tree is trimmed and we are enjoying the most wonderful time of the year!

Thanksgiving Feathers

Thanksgiving Feathers by Rustin...lots of glue, lots of glitter, lots of paint makes for some fancy feathers.

Brothers

Some of our best Saturday mornings are spent here.  At 8 and 6 years old they still love this room that has entertained them since they were 2 and 0.  For sure, things have changed over the years.  No more diapers and footie pajamas.  It's all athletic shorts and mis-matched hand-me-down character pajamas now.  Long gone are the days of Mickey Mouse Club House...instead they work together to sneak on old episodes of the Simpson's...and when they're busted they try making it right by telling me Daddy watched it when he was their age.  We don't have miles of train tracks strung across the floor anymore.  Now it is Skylander control pads and PS4 remotes.  I'm constantly finding Go-gurt wrappers and empty Capri Sun pouches stuck in the cushions of the old recliner that used to rock them to sleep at night.  I hear myself rant that habits like these will bring rats in the house, and they blankly stare back at me like I'm a crazy lady that yells ridiculous things all day long. In the beginning, I made time to make sure everything had a place...now I'm numb to seeing underwear and shoes strung in the strangest places.

Change always gives me a sense of sadness, but as I watched them this morning I was filled with joy.   Maybe this isn't change....maybe it is just progress...another chapter in their book. These two boys share an unbreakable bond of brotherhood, this room is full of memories, and I am unquestionably blessed to sit back and watch the story that they continue to write unfold....right here.

Halloween 2015

My most favorite Harry Potter and Pepperoni Pizza boys ever!  XoXo- Mom

Lunar Eclipse

Lunar Eclipse on September 27,  2015

Almost 8

This picture sums up everything I love about you most.  Ryder...you have a heart bigger than the state of Texas and you'd do anything for this dog.  I promise you that he'd do anything for you, too.  Hold on tight little man and enjoy the sweet ride being 8 will bring you!

XoXo- Mom

Saturday Mornings

How Saturday mornings should be spent.  A few of his favorite things...Pluto, the second couch cushion from the left and a remote control.  I love you more than all of these things combined Ryder Smith.  XoXo- Mom

Happy Birthday Rustin

 This boy had an amazing 6th Birthday.  How is that you are 6 already my littlest man?

 He was surrounded by some of his favorite ladies!

 We indulged on Rustin's favorite things.

 Oh and Harry Potter is one of his most favorite things this year.

 All of his cousin's received wands at the party.

 He was blessed with so many gifts.

His Daddy carved him this most amazing cake.  Special days are made in the simplest ways...I hope you loved it sweet boy!

First Day of School 2015-2016

First day of school for a big second grader and my silly kindergartener.  Prayers for learning, growth, friendships and many, many blessings this year!  All my love sweet boys!  XoXo- Mom

Summer Work

 Sometimes I can trick you into thinking summer homework is fun...

...by letting your wear "Mr. Smarty Pants" glasses while you work.  

 And when all else fails...I just let you make kissy faces until you can't stop laughing.  I love summers.  I love the lazy mornings, you two by my side all day long, trips to the waterpark and popsicles in the driveway.  More than anything...I love you both more than all of the stars in the sky.  May you always be best friends and may you always be my babies!

Summer Nights

Summer nights.  It stays light longer and the warm air feels good.  It's not spent better than by eating strawberry cake straight from the pan...with your fingers of course.  Love you my littlest man.

Rustin

Some days are harder than others, but no matter what I love me some Rustin.  Love you more than big t-shirts and comfy chairs my little man.

Last Day of School

You both survived another year of school.  A hard year, a new place and lots of memories made.  Not all good but definitely not all bad...and most importantly we were all together.  Here's to many more my sweet loves!