Good reads on the internet

I was planning to do another post from Austin, but just haven't done it yet.  Instead you get- Good reads on the internet-

This woman is a widow with two little ones.  She wrote this raw and honest post about the type of wife she was- http://youngwidowtales.blogspot.com/2015/01/confession-time.html

How cute is this hotdog toppings bar for her little one's first birthday and baptism- http://windywilsons.blogspot.com/2015/01/claires-birthday-party-baptism.html

This blog is by an awesome 'boy mom' of three adorable kiddos.  I am slowly reading all of her old blog posts and came across this gem.  It made me think about my family and also my New Year's resolutions- http://houseofroseblog.com/husband-spiritual-leader-of-family/

A friend of mine shared this article on the loss of a child and how one child doesn't replace another. It is a really well written article- https://www.yahoo.com/parenting/i-will-always-mourn-that-baby-108828550802.html

Oh my goodness. I got teary-eyed reading this one.  It reminds me of another article I read about never knowing when the last time will be that you will carry your child, kiss them on the lips, help them take a bath, etc.  I think about this stuff often with Cooper, especially since he is a boy. I have been reading Erin's blog for years and she did a great job sharing her thoughts- http://blueeyedbride.com/2015/01/26/just-one-more-rock/


Let me know if you read any of these and what you think.  Or let me know if you have read something that you think I should read.


LINKING UP WITH FRIDAY FAVORITES- HERE

Little Updates

Friday before we headed to Austin we took Casen to his 18 month checkup. He is almost 20 months but with all of the appointments for his ears and moving I just hadn't gotten him an appointment.

 

He had to get one shot but otherwise did great.  He is 31.25 inches tall (5%) and 21 lbs 6 oz (9%).  I am surprised he wasn't closer to 25-30% but oh well.  I knew he seemed smaller than Cooper based on how clothes fit him, but I didn't realize he was that little.  I guess he might get his height from the Johnson side.  Or maybe he is about to hit a growth spurt.

 

 

Cooper is currently obsessed with his rain boots.  He was wearing his cowboy boots every day to school and at first I didn't like it (because he wasn't allowed to at his old school) but then I noticed quite a few kids wearing theirs. On one of the rainy days I let him wear his rain boots and he has worn them every day since, rain or shine. Kyle doesn't like him wearing them but I think it is pretty adorable.  I know all kids go through stages of being obsessed with particular items of clothing.  It could be worse...

 

Last week we switched Cooper to underwear at night and we are excited to announce that he hasn't had any accidents in 6 nights.  This doesn't really surprise me because ever since he turned 3 he has been dry about 6 out of 7 mornings.  But those occasional wet ones made us nervous to switch him and honestly we didn't want to deal with wet sheets.  But a few weeks ago I decided I was buying my last package of pull-ups and that was that. 

 

I am so glad to be done with them but I must say it is sad seeing him take one more step away from being a baby.

 

Oh and he has also mastered peeing standing up with out a stool or help. Super adorable but also super sad.

 

Yesterday the weather was gorgeous so I decided to take my boys for a walk (all 3 of them, notice the leash?). This is how we started.

 

Then someone got tired and wanted in the stroller. So I am pushing the stroller, holding the leash...

 

And holding Casen...

 

But then I decided to let Casen down and he insisted on holding the leash. He did a great job and it was just adorable! I actually let the boys take turns in the stroller to give me a break with Casen. It took us probably 20 minutes to make one circuit around the neighborhood which was about 10 minutes too long.  We were all tired when we got back but it was still nice.  We got to see (didn't stop to meet) quite a few neighbors. 

 

I think tonight I will let Cooper drive his Gator so he doesn't poop out on me.

 

 

Dirty Thirty in Austin

If you remember last summer I went to Austin with my boys and my mom.  You can read my recap of day 1, day 2, and day 3.  Kyle didn't go because he didn't have the time off so we put it on our list of things to do in the future. 

 

Fast forward to October or November and my parents won a free night at the Hilton Austin hotel at a charity event.  They decided to give it to us since they knew we wanted to go.  Since we were busy with moving and the holidays I mentioned it would be fun to go for my 30th birthday. Then I pitched the idea to our best friends David and Jen and they were totally on board.

 

Kyle and I took Friday off and headed to Austin around noon.  Had to take a quick selfie before we hit the road.

 

 

Our first stop was Slovacek's in West, Tx.  If you read my posts from the summer you know that my mom and I loved this place.  Most people stop at another local bakery, but we love this one. 

 

Kyle and I shared the brisket puff, pulled pork puff (our least favorite), and two different sausage puffs.

 

Then we had a chocolate kolache and cream cheese kolache.  Kyle had tried the chocolate one once before, but wasn't a fan of the cream cheese.  I must say it wasn't the best I have had.

 

We were happy campers after our yummy lunch.

 

Before we hit the road I checked out their deli area.  Again, if you read my posts from the summer you will know that my mom and I tried the original beef jerky spread and though we liked it we wished they had a spicy version.  I mentioned it on their facebook page and look what we found this time!

 

We got to Austin around 3 and checked into the hotel

 

Then we bundled up and headed out to 6th street during the day.

 

We found the Texas Lottery Commission.  At certain times you can actually watch the live drawings and they sell tickets.  We planned to come back later and get tickets, but didn't make it.

 

Then we made the walk to the State Capitol. The lighting was off with my phone but you get the picture.

 

Then we walked back to 6th street for some drinks and a snack until David and Jen joined us.  This place had an interesting margarita that was kinda fizzy or sparkled. And Kyle tried Mexicali, a Mexican beer.  We shared the queso and it was one of the best quesos we have ever had.  That says a lot because we try queso at every restaurant we go to.

 

Next up is when David and Jen got to Austin...

Weekend Recap

The weather has been gorgeous for the past 4 days or so.  On Friday when I got home the boys were having fun outside.  Cooper wanted Ranger to ride in his gator.  I decided to give it a try...It didn't work. But not animals were harmed during this experiment.

 

 

Cooper loves his gator and I must say he is an awesome driver.  He really impresses me with this thing.  That being said a toddler has been injured at time during this process because he randomly decides not to hold on while Cooper is driving.

 

I took this picture Saturday morning and I wish I had gotten closer. He had his boots, cowboy hat on, and the gator was going full speed.  Have I mentioned that I love our lot and the amount of room the boys have.

 

We charged Casen's Christmas present finally and Cooper showed him how to use it.

 

And he kept a watchful eye on little brother.

 

 

Casen had mastered it in no time.  Except it doesn't have a reverse button.

 

Later that morning Aiden came over to play with his parents.  The boys played with all of the toys inside and then went outside to ride the gator.  They had a blast and worked through the battery in no time.  Good thing Mimi and Grandpa got us a back up!

 

Jeff hung out with Kyle as they burned some brush and Tiffany and I got to visit.  We grabbed lunch from a local place and then put the boys down for a nap.  Tiffany and I ran to Kohls and the guys played disc golf.  It was just a wonderful day.

 

That evening we ran to Melisa's for a little while to eat stew and see my parents. They were missing the boys since we didn't see them the weekend before.

 

Sunday I got up early and went to church by myself.  Then when I got home I gathered up the boys to head to the grocery store while Kyle headed to Ennis to help my dad.  The boys did great at the grocery store, we ate a quick lunch, and then while they napped I snuck in a 30 minute nap too.

 

That afternoon Aunt Jen Jen and Uncle David came over.  Jen colored my hair while David wrangled kiddos.  Then we had some little trip planning to do.  Afterwards we headed to dinner and the kids were really good (except for the spilled sprite).

 

 

Last night when I got home we loaded up and headed to dinner with my family.  We tried a local BBQ place that was pretty good.

 

Once again the kids were so good and it was a nice dinner.

 

I have some pretty sweet nieces.  I just wish all four of my nieces had been there.

 

We had a full weekend, but it was wonderful.  The weather is supposed to turn cold again today so I am glad we enjoyed the nice weather.  Now if only I had gone for a run or two like I said I would...

Weekend recap (1/3-1/4)

One night Cooper worked on 3 or 4 new puzzle he got for his birthday.  He did really well at them which is good because he doesn't do them much at home. Maybe at school?

 

On Saturday my parents decided to have a slumber party with their grandkids. While we were there we did some target practice.

 

I shot a handgun for the first time and I think I did pretty well.

 

I find the picture of my husband below pretty sexy. 

 

This one not so much...He took a selfie of himself before the group selfie and I warned him I would share it on the blog : )

 

All of the recent selfies have made me want a selfie stick.  Do any of my blog readers have one? I need recommendations.  I asked on Facebook but go no results.

 

The kids having Cheetos before bed while watching a movie.  They love these 'boats' aka air mattresses.

 

Sunday evening we had some family game time.  Cooper doesn't care how many marbles he gets as long as he gets the gold one!

 

I made a pot of stew that was delicious.  None of my family would eat it so it was all mine.  And I loved every bit of it.  I was tempted to make more this weekend but didn't.

 

Helping with some construction work while I eat.

 

Kyle had chili and couldn't stop eating it for the photobomb.

 

It was a wonderful weekend.

Update on Casen

 

 

Casen thought he was such a big boy today and he loved the waiting room.

 

 

I got ready to take a picture of us playing this game but then he nudged me off the stool and wanted me to stop playing. This is him blocking me from the screen.

 

Our assessment was done by a sweet therapist named Lori. It started out with her asking me questions and then led to him playing and working with him. There was a variety of things she did but some of it was asking him to hand her items, play pretend with spoons and bowls, and look at pictures to identify things.  She was observing the sounds he made during the process and if he repeated any of what she said. Casen did great at cooperation which was a prayer answered.  Afterwards she stepped out to review her information and come back with the report.

 

He is normal in comprehension and some areas but he is delayed in others.  I don't have the list in front of me but nothing was severe. It was mild or moderate. Based on the assessment they are submitting information to insurance and we will hear in ~3 weeks on what they approve and will cover.  She is requesting therapy 2 days a week and 30 minutes each.  However, she said often they only approve one day a week and the sessions would be 45 minutes.  Children this age can't handle longer than that.  Overall the assessment went very well and we will wait and see what insurance says.

 

Thank you all for your prayers!

 

 

Afterwards we grabbed a quick lunch at Chickfila.  This is the before he realized I was going to take a picture.

 

Then he realized and gave his best smile! I don't think he gets that smile and squinty eyes from his Daddy :)

 

He was such a big boy drinking his milk

 

And then he realized I was taking his picture! Man I love this little guy!