My boys

I never thought I would enjoy being the mom of two boys SO MUCH!  The second time around has been quite a bit easier because I know what to expect - I know how the plumbing works, I know that we can't go anywhere without a car in our hands and I know that wrestling on the floor is just part of our daily routine.  But nothing could prepare me for how much love there is between these two and I even get a bit teary-eyed every now and then when Cooper looks at Ben with such adoration in his eyes, or when Ben unexpectedly comes and give Coop a hug and kiss, just because!

They are almost ALWAYS on the floor playing something, usually cars, and although there are times when sharing is not quite a priority, they are getting better.  Not sure how long they will be the best of friends, but I am hoping that it will last through the school years and into adulthood.  But I also know that my brother and I were not close growing up...in fact some might say we didn't even really like each other.  It might be the five year age difference, or the fact that he is a nerd boy and I am cool a girl.  Either way, we finally started getting along and even realizing we might miss each other the day my family moved me into my dorm room at KState!  Since that day, we have grown closer over the years and I am now happy to say that he is probably one of my best friends.  (okay enough mushy stuff!)

I know that "boys will be boys", I'm just so blessed that my two kids get to be boys together!

Come on Cats!

This past weekend, our Kansas State Wildcats once again fell short against the Iowa State Cyclones.  Which would not be a huge deal, except that our best friends up here in IOWA are Cyclone fans!  Our boys were all geared up for the game and were obviously pretty upset about the outcome...

Cooper took it the hardest...probably because he is such a big fan...or because we FORCED him to wear that sweatband.  Either way, he was quickly over it and we're looking forward to March Madness!!!

Marriage Retreat...one week later!

Matt and I were able to attend a marriage retreat at the Hole in the Wall Lodge in Akron, IA last weekend. My wonderful mother-in-law was willing to come up and stay with the boys so we said "yes" to this awesome opportunity and took off for a weekend of refreshing our marriage!  We had an amazing time, finding out new things about each other, meeting new friends in similar phases of life with young kids, and learning to have fun together again amidst all the little stresses of life.
We've now been back to reality for a whole week and I'm finding that we have taken several things we learned last weekend and applied them to our lives and to our marriage.  Matt is finding lots of little ways to help out around the house, now knowing that even clearing the table after a meal can help tremendously.  And I've been trying really hard to say thank you for all the things he does for our family...especially after a long day home with the boys when the last thing I want to do is pick up one more toy!
Will this "bliss" last?!  Probably not...at least not like it is right now.  Reality will creep back in more day by day, but now I feel like we have been given the tools to deal with them a bit better and have more insight into what the other might be feeling or seeing differently in a situation.  God designed our marriage, and designed us to be two different people within it.  Only with his help can we truly remember to Love & Respect one another and build upon a divine union so as to make our Father in Heaven truly proud of us!

Our wedding day, June 4, 2005 (photo by Sarah Winston photography)

In the beginning...

Here is my final, true attempt at blogging!  I've started a few other times but just haven't been able to get into it as much as I would like so...here I go again!  After reading a few other blogs along the way, I think I've finally realized what I would like to put into mine (and maybe what to avoid!)

I'll keep this first one nice and short...and leave you with a picture of the loves of my life! This was taken last March.  We really need to get an updated  one!