Chelsea's Bday Dinner

Went to eat at Z'tejas. Food was alright, but I wasn't impressed. Was fun to hang out and be with family though...

HaPpY BiRtHdAy ChElsEa!

happy 22nd sista. i admire you're free, sweet spirit, your smile, your tolerance to pain. even though you are 2 years younger than me, you're taller, more grown-up, and way cooler than me.
...style with ease...
...amiable character... ...my sister.
i'm sorry i woke you up at 6:00am all those mornings and made you be my twin during my 'mary-kate & ashley' obsession. i'm sorry i fought with you during dance class your sophmore year. i'm sorry i took your letter of concern the wrong way.

thanks for being a wonderful sister through it all. you are super special and i love you.
happy birthday,
your big sis

BiRtHdAy BbQ

cheeeeeeeeeese!



Blue eyes, freckles, and chocolate frosting

Brax and his bff, Buzz

that's a gooooooooooood cupcake



Bryce just loves Uncle Guy


Grandma, Aunt Julie and cousins, Candice & Alyssa

Guy from Matrix or Father-in-law? You decide.

Chelsea & Justin, Geneva & Mead, and all the kiddos


Brayden & Aundra sittin' in a tree...

This Star Wars gun is truly amazing. Really. I played with it for a half hour and didn't want to put it down. Thanks Chandie!

Brax anxiously waiting for his all-time favorite...Buzz Lightyear

Thanks to the help of Daddy & Uncle Lou, Brax got all set up in his new car...

...And wouldn't ya know? it's a BUZZ car!

Braxton is truly Buzz's #1 Fan: Buzz car, Buzz backpack, Buzz t-shirt, Buzz stuffed toy, Buzz doll, and not in the pic: Buzz board-game and Buzz water-gun.

And Brayden got a new bike too!

Look how EXCITED he is!!

Awe, my little boy is a little man


4th of July RODEO!! (Didn't get many pics because my memory card was full)

Wasn't very impressed with the rodeo this year. Okay, it was lame.


Thanks to everyone for your help with food & drinks, your wonderful gifts, your patience with me, and for making my babies feel extra special on their birthday.
Huge squeeze,
Big D.

Are you a Chronic List-Maker too?

Guilty. I am a to-do lister and frequently make different lists. Seriously! And just to prove it, here is a list of the lists I make:
*the usual grocery store list
*bills
*what I need to get done
*what I want to get done
*potential crafting ideas
*craft supplies I need
*goals for the week
*goals for life
*things I'd like to research on the Internet
*Things my kids say
*Scriptures or quotes that hit the heart
...are you convinced yet? I got it bad.
My friends and family always comment about me being a Go-Go-Go-Girl. They tell me I need to stop doing so much. They must think I'm crazy. Maybe they're right? But then I can't help but think- Are they crazy? There is just TOO much I want to do in this life and time is never my friend! Hence the lists :) I like to live everyday to the fullest and get done as much as possible because there isn't always tomorrow.
...And yes, I always make time to rock my babies.

PS. I promise I am normal and do occasionally allow my freshly clean laundry to sit wrinkled in the basket until laundry day comes again.

And one more thing. Mind if I share some new additions to one of my to-do lists?

1. Teach our Enrichment Night Lesson next week (including craft activity, YAY!) -which is on... Don't spend the money, make it yourself!

2. Write articles on the topic of 'Interior Decorating' for EXAMINER.com!
-that's right. You're looking at (well, reading from) Examiner's new online addition!
http://www.examiner.com/x-57411-Mesa-Interior-Decorating-Examiner ...there aren't any articles available yet of course, since I just started, but soon there will be! Don't be shy, go ahead and subscribe.
(my link option NEVER works. Is there a trick I am missing?)

wait, what? i have a 5 year old!?

...just pinched myself and it seems to be true, I do indeed have a 5 year old as of yesterday. "HOLY CRAP!" -Frank, Everybody Loves Raymond. And soon, my middle son will be 3! "HOLY CRAP" again. -same person
They both were the same size at birth, born in July (1st & 31st), and have been bffs's since the beginning. The have brought endless barrels full of laughter, joy, and love to my husband and I. Here's to my first born son, my big independent helper, my sensitive sweetheart: Brayden James and to my forever-lovebug with an adorable crooked smile, and eyes that could soften the heart of a bitter stranger: Braxton Luke...
............................HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOYS!!

Words simply cannot express my deep love for these children of God. It is an endless pleasure watching siblings grow up together. I'm just so grateful for you both. (...and Bryce too, but his Bday is not until October, so he'll get a post aaall to himself :)