I'm the BIG BROTHER!!!

Such exciting news!! Mr. Carson will be a BIG BROTHER in October! Several weeks ago (in Feb.) I was talking to my sister...and I just had this feeling... Guess it's the special bond that I share with my sister (which I am so greatful for)! I guessed, and I was right. My sister begged and pleaded that I keep it a secret..not for a few wks, but for a few MONTHS! Ah, it was so difficult because I'm an Aunt with such PRIDE. I wanted to climb to the top of the smokies and shout it, but kept my promise. Carson finally delivered the exciting news to our friends and family last weekend!! I love the process of pregnancy, child birth etc., so I'll enjoy living vicariously through my older sister the next serveral months! Here is the very proud big brother...

Happy Easter

Thank You for the gift of HOPE

You gave us on Easter morning.

Because of You we know

That no problem is too difficult

And even death does not have power over us.

Thank You for the gift of JOY

You gave us when You were resurrected.

Because of you we know

That no matter how challenging life may be,

In the end we will rejoice again.

Thank you for the gift of LOVE

You gave us when You laid down Your life.

Because of You we know

That there is no sin too great to separate us

and we are incredibly valuable to You.

Thank You for the gift of LIFE,

You gave us when You left the tomb.

Because of Easter we know

this world is just the beginning

and we will spend forever in heaven with You.

We celebrate You, JESUS,

With hearts full of praise and gratitude

For who You are and all You’ve done for us!

2nd Birthday

 Bryce had a wonderful 2nd Birthday. We enjoyed celebrating 2 years of wonderfulness :) Once Bryce went to bed on Friday night, we filled the room with surprises. He was so excited to wake up and see all the presents. He immediately ran to his choo-choo....which made it difficult for him to take a break and open the rest of his gifts. Later in the morning we went to Chuck-E-Cheese where Bryce enjoyed driving the big truck, riding on the horse, and eating pizza! He refused his afternoon nap by repeating "I want to play" over and over and over. So instead we invited my lovely friend Jessica and here 2 sweeties to come over for cupcakes and sing the little man Happy Birthday! 2 Years Old...Just like that!

Happy Birthday Bryce Jaxon ~ April 23, 2011

Bryce,

I sat pondering the words to write for your first birthday letter just yesterday (1st birthday letter)…well, ok, a year ago, but it feels like yesterday! This second year has slipped between my fingers like the quick sand in an hour glass. Although some of my most favorite memories come from your first year, your second year does not trail behind as it has truly left me smiling at all your big boy accomplishments and fun memories that we have shared. I find it difficult to summarize your second year in a way that does it justice. If It was 20 years from now and I had to explain to you your second year, I guess it would go something like this…

I would tell you how excited we were to watch you take your first big boy steps. I wanted so badly to keep you a baby forever, but I shined with pride as I saw you take those first steps across our living room in Kawatuska (watch Bryce's first steps)! How fun it was to watch you walk from place to place and discover how to make your mom go crazy by making a total mess.

I would tell you about your favorite toys, and how you spent countless hours driving around in your Cozy Coupe. Or how you had a fascination with lawn mowers-one particular evening the only way to get you in the car was to safety belt your mower in the seat beside you. You loved your “Choos Choos” too! I loved how you would line them up from one side of the room to the other! Trucks were pretty cool also! Your daddy chuckles at the memory of you on Halloween night and how you seemed more excited with the passing trucks (stopping, pointing and making your own version of a truck sound), than you were by receiving handfuls of candy.

But, the memory I would be most excited to share with you from this second year would be the time that your little brown eyes looked up at me and said, “I love you”. I love the way you love me, Bryce. It’s ok to me that you have a bit of separation anxiety… that quick sand continues to fall and just.like.that…you’ll be three, than four, than five... Thankfully your daddy has given us the best gift in the whole wide world-for me to stay home with you. I’m so thankful that in this second year I haven’t missed a moment… because I know too well that in a blink of an eye you really will be 20, and the idea of this won't just be hypothetical!

Happy Birthday Big Boy! So thankful God handpicked YOU for ME! I love you!

Momma

Refusing to take a bath!

 Too young to be refusing a bath and only agreeing to a shower...we're in some big trouble with this little 2 year old (almost) going onto 20!

Great Grandparents

Bryce was blessed to have some very special visitors stop by today-his Great Grandpa and Great Grandma Rothenberger. He was excited to take them both by the hand and lead them around his new home. Thanks Grandpa and Grandma for the wonderful lunch at Red Robin and for spending the morning with us. We love you!

Cheese Ball

I have been so busy lately...but wanted to put a quick picture of Bryce on the blog. The cheeseball now fake smiles. I can say "fake smile" and he'll put on this silly grin. I can't help but smile each time he does this! P.S. The tears have already started to fall at the mere thought of my baby turning two in 10 days...send some tissues this way!

and look at those dirty feet ...

Snug as a Bug in a Rug

Here I go again...another bath type picture, but come on ... he's so dang cute when he's all clean and wrapped up! This little goober has been spending more time outdoors which usually results in mud, bugs, slivers, and anything else nasty that he can find. A bath after being outside is a MUST as my son sets a personal goal each time he's outdoors to get himself more dirty than the time before! Oh goodness...I can't imagine my life with out a BOY! :)

Blog-a-holic

I'll tell you why I LOVE to blog...It is so much fun to have a 'journal' to look back on and reminisce! This was my blog entry almost 2 years ago to the day 4/3/2009 (3 wks before the charmer came into this world). Blog entries like this have me smiling on the fact that I'm a blog-a-holic!

Happy Tuesday to all my Followers!

He's our CHAMP!

Bryce's Dadda is such a champ! This morning Mark ran his second half marathon! Bryce was his biggest fan as he cheered "go dadda go!". Way to go dadda!! You amaze us both!

recovering...



Here's prince charming on the mend! So much easier to take pictures when he's not bouncing off the walls like normal! Thanks for the well wishes and prayers...goodbye mr. flew bug!

  

yup, puke on bed equals thorough bed cleaning