oh dear...

We've sure been busy this year and I have to apologize for not posting anything new for awhile. I guess the biggest reason (excuse) would be that I recently enrolled in 9 credits through San Antonio College and any spare minute I have is spent reading and studying for my classes. It's been busy... but I've been enjoying them as well.

The boys are doing great! Cael and Brecon are such good brothers. Right now cael is working the shift key AND making difFErent letters big or small. he giggLEs and laughs and thinks it iS REALLY funny.>> he is quite the jokester.

This first picture was takEN after Cael got home from school on the bus and I was talkinG To one of the neighbors when cael came running out to tell mE that brecON and tyler (our frieND) ARE eating too MUCH candy... I REALIZEd that they had found the EAster candy from LAST year (i don't know how that happened) and they were having a Ball!

Like Father Like Son

One day without any outside influences of any kind, both Ben and Cael had put on the "same style" shirt and boy-- was it cute. Luckily my good friend captured it on "film" (can you even say that anymore?) The look on Cael's face says it all "I LOVE IT". Brecon was a little jealous, but it didn't bother him for very long (see photo below). That kid, I just have to kiss both of those dimples everyday!

Baking and a Garden

Recently I figured out how to make sweet orange rolls, just like Mama Hoopes used to make (except they weren't "rolled" the same- OH WELL). I had tried the recipe a couple of times and the rolls were pretty puny. This time they got bigger! We're chalkin' that one up to adding more flour! Boy, I really had to hold back so I didn't eat the whole pan! Luckily I shared most of them with my friends and neighbors. This was a couple of weeks ago, but just looking at the picture is making me hungry...

ALSO... we've been working in our backyard and we even planted a garden. HOORAY! We had a lot of help from the boys, so I hope our hard work pays off with a bounteous harvest! Cael had the most fun with the water hose. Cael has been learning about plants and what they need to grow. He must think the same rules apply to baby brothers because Brecon got the brunt end of the water hose multiple times. He took it like a man and didn't cry until he got some water right in the face, then the party was over. Also, Brecon enjoyed the dirt, not just playing with it, but eating it as well. And when the dirt was mixed with water... we had a mud party. Kids love mud!

Sing Sing Sing... I love to Sing

Last Sunday I was the (substitute) teacher for Cael's sunbeam class. Singing time is wonderful, I have a tender heart for those sweet little voices and primary music, and I can't hold myself back from singing like I did back in the day. Many sunbeams (3-4 year olds) don't always know the words to many of the primary songs and are busy doing other things ie. turning around, standing up, wandering around the room, every part of their body is WIGGLING, right? Well I was very excited to hear my man Cael sing his little heart out to the "Father's are so Special" song! The music lady was very impressed as well and Cael was chosen to pick the next song. I couldn't hold back the tears for joy, I was so proud! I love that kid!
Also, Brecon who is rolling in at just over 8 months now, is starting to cruise around the furniture and has taken some un-controlled, wild, and very unstable STEPS!! I try not to encourage this sort of behavior, he is my baby after all, but the guy is trying his hardest to catch that big brother of his. It is so fun to have my 2 boys! They really are joys in my life!

Don't miss it!

I've enjoyed lately how Cael says "Mom, you better get the camera, you don't want to miss this." You know, he's right... I don't want to miss this. Our lives can get so busy, we get caught up in "doing things and being places" that sometimes we forget the everyday stuff of simply being together and enjoying life. We may often think how much better life will be when we finally get that dream job, when we move to our dream house, after we're done with school, when the kids are bigger...etc... but really we can be just as happy with life right now. Just a little something to ponder on.

SAY CHEESE!


Huge, dark, Saliva marks on Brecon... oh well! We're not changing because you match your brother!


YUM YUM YUM! Brecon already has parental preference-- and it is definitely in favor of DADDY! He insists that He feeds him (if he is home) hold him, and play with him. I try not to feel too bad, but I am his MOTHER- after all!

How to get to Heaven-- the real answer

During Sunbeam class on Sunday, the teacher asks "What do we need to do to return to live with Heavenly Father?"
Cael answers "Move there"
(The teacher felt that was an accurate answer coming from a Military Family)
We know what we're doing, So What do YOU need to do?

Hey!

Brecon is sure getting around these days. Not to mention his new "climbing" or "pulling" up to everything he sees. They grow up so quick!