mommy of two precious boys

Sports

2010-04-11T13:37:00.000-07:00

This was typed up about spring break time. Ooops

The Crabtree family has been busy playing sports and having a great time doing it. First Hunter played basketball and Rusty took swim lessons. Hunter was amazing at basketball. He focuses so well when he plays.

Below Hunter is in the Orange. He made a shot and missed and now he is trying to get the ball again

Below Hunter has the ball and is ready to shoot. ANd he scored:) He was so awesome to watch. It was really hard to take pictures though!

Rusty waiting for his first swim lesson.

Rusty swimming. If you put Rusty in the water where he has control to touch the bottom he swims like a fish .

Rusty's swim lessons were at the same time as Hunter's game so Kevin and I took turns taking each of them.

Then both of the boys played soccer and we had a blast. Hunter loves soccer just as much as basketbal. Rusty had a very competitive coach who refused to let Rusty play any postion besides goalie. And if you know Rusty he like to be moving not standing still. Hopefully Rusty will want to play soccer next year and will have a lot more fun.

wow!!

2010-02-19T19:31:00.000-08:00

Last night I had an unbelievable GOD moment.
Hunter is playing Upward basketball at a church in Fort Worth where Kevin and I were once members. We have since started attending as well. I have prayed a lot lately about church and where do I belong. I don't always feel like I belong at our church that we have attended for years. I want a church where I can learn and worship but also have relationships as well. I haven't felt that in a while. I have always loved Pastor Steve's sermons but the rest is lacking for me. I'm sure it is just me and probably has nothing to do with anyone else. I see those who have their good friends there and I don't have that and leave feeling lost and left out. To make a long story short, we have been at my old church for about a month. The sermons are great and I have tons of family there. My kids are very happy as well but are confused about leaving the other church as well.
Other than family I have not really built any relationships there up until last night.
Some of you know about our difficulty with raising Rusty. Rusty has Oppositional Defiant Disorder and ADHD. Hunter also has been diagnoised as ADHD. Most people have advice for what I am not doing right or whatI should do and just never seem to understand. I often do not tell anybody simply because the looks on their faces tell you what they really think or they just stay away when they see how he sometimes behaves.
As a mother you often feel alone in this situation and you don't understand unless you have been there. Last night at basketball practice I sat next to another mother that I have talked to briefly before. Some how or another the topic of Rusty's O.D.D came up and I went to explain and she stopped me. She knew!!!! Her 7 year old has the same thing and they have been through the same thing!!! It was such an amzing feeling for someone to understand. As she talked tears came to my eyes I just couldn't believe that someone else really understood. I am sorry that she too has to experience this but so grateful that God helped us connect. We talked for an entire hour about our struggles and nodded constantly at each other because we each had the same experiences. However her husband has been in Iraq over a year and she has had to do it on her own. She is a tough and amazing Women. Thank you God so much for all of the improvements we have seen in both of our boys and thank you God for making Renee a part of my life.
It is amazing to me that out of the 100's of people I could have sat next to and spoke to in that gym and church that I sat next to the one that needed to hear my story I need to hear hers. I don;t know about you but I think it was all about God truely answering and making himself present!

where has time gone

2010-01-16T19:48:00.000-08:00

Each day I watch my boys in amazement of all they can do. When I look at them I am in amazment of how tall they are. Sometimes when they wake up or when I come home from work they seem to have grown a foot from the last time I saw them!

Rusty is now 4 and such an awesome kiddo! Today we had swim lessons and it is just amazing to see him swim with out a fear or care in the world and always with a smile. Another mom commented today how his smile is just contagiuos and how beautiful his smile is! He has learned to make new friends and to talk to people so well in the last few months. When Hunter has basketball practice Rusty joins groups of kids big and small and introduces himself and shares his toys. It touches my heart in a special way to see him being so friendly and loving with others.

Hunter also just amazes me! He is reading so well and can write like a pro when he wants to. Hunter loves playing basketball and is pretty darn good at it. Today was a little tough for me because Hunter had his first basketball game and I did not get to go:( (Swim class was around the same time so we had to split) But when we got home he had played a great game, was a good sport and was so proud of himself. Next week is my turn to watch him play and I can't wait but I'll miss seing Rusty swim. But I have many years to come to see these boys play ball of all sort and swim like fish as well.

Hunter turns 7 soon and it just doesn't seem possible that it has been 7 years. It seems like yesterday I saw his beautiful face for the first time! A day I will never forget!

This week I got to start taking Hunter to school the first day he just said bye. Day 2 he hugged me and waved back at me every 20 feet. When he got to the door he opened it and turned to me and blew a kiss! I thought I was going to cry and there were a few tears!! My boy made my day!!!!

Often times I think I talk about just the negatives of life often even dealing with my children!!! But they truely hold the key to my heart.

After my best friend's child was diagnosed with Cancer(Kendrick) I start to really realize that weather times are good or bad they are so very important. We never know what day is our last with our loved ones. I love you Hunter and Rustyand I am truely blessed to be your mother!

Christmas 09

2009-12-29T08:37:00.000-08:00

I am so behind on posting but I'm just going to start with Chrstmas.

The boys were very excited about Christmas this year. There was lots of talks about Santa and even a few calls made to let Santa know that he needed to watch the boys closely. We have so many Christmas gatherings and it is so nice to visit with family and friends. When we went to see Santa the line was not very long thank goodness because the boys couldn't wait to see Santa. Sadly Hunter was told that Santa was not real so it took a lot of convincing to make him believe. We just told him when you belienve he brings presents and if you don's he will not! Here are the boys waiting to see Santa.

They both could not wait to make their request. Rusty asked for a 4 wheeler, a DS and a Rocking Horse. Hunter asked for a new DS and a 4 Wheeler, and a Mario Game. They were so cute talking to Santa.

This was our year to stay in Texas. My kids were really upset because we were not going to Nebraska because they wanted snow for Christmas. Well, we stayed and still had snow but not as much.

Being with my family for Christmas was so nice, but much different without my dad and Meme. We remembered them by telling stories about them and remembering the good times.

Santa visits the Bush family on Christmas Eve night. Unbelievably the boys got their four wheelers which made for a lot of smiles.

I'll post more later. I have to go feed to hungry boys:)

Happy 4th birthday Rusty

2009-12-05T18:48:00.000-08:00

Rusty turned 4 this year!! When he woke up I asked him if he knew what day it was and he screamed "It's my birthday". I asked if he knew what that meant and he said it was his party day. I asked him if that meant he was four now and he did the funniest thing. He reached down touched his legs from his feet to his hips, he touched his belly and arms and screamed " I AM BIGGER NOW, I"M really 4" It was so cute and hilarous. He then jumped up and said" Hunter, Hunter, look at me I am a big boy now can you tell I'm big I am four" I wish I had the video camera out taping his excitment.

For his birthday this year we went to pump it up and had an amazing time. This best part was watching Rusty open his gifts and get so excited about each and everyone of them! He would say" It's mine all mine!" and Smile from ear to ear!

Girl Cousin's Weekend 2009

2009-10-19T09:39:00.001-07:00

Each year the Bush Girl Cousins get together for a weekend. We had so much fun this year dressing up, playing games and making crafts.

This was the eighth year that we have gotten together. It has been a great experience gettign to know cousins and hearing stories about them growing up. it make sme feel so close to me Papa and Daddy!

Jennie and Meagan were my summer sisters. I went camping for many years with their family and they have always been like sisters!

My mom was absolutely beautiful as always! i am so glad to have a mom that I am so close to!! I don't know what I would do with out her in my life!

After returning from the weekend I even made a birthday present for a friend of Hunter's using the same idea. Thanks Jennie for teaching us to be crafty!

Columbus Day

2009-10-19T09:25:00.000-07:00

Columbus day the boys and I got to stay home together. We ahd so much fun and we had free entertainment. They are working on our street and when you have boys they want to see all the action. We went and got donuts that we ate while watching the men at work. I'm sure they loved our stares . Here are some pictures mostly taken by the photographer Hunter!!!!

After watching all the men work the boys wanted to work and get dirty too! Rusty would not let me take his picture of him at work. He was digging up the empty flower bed and putting the dirt all over the driveway. It was a mess but he was having so much fun!

Kendrick!

2009-09-18T16:19:00.000-07:00

My best friend's five year old son passed away this morning at 12:45. Please keep him family in your prayers. he was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor last November.

6 happy thing

2009-07-30T08:11:00.000-07:00

I was tagged by Megan to list six different things that make me happy so here goes!!

1) I am so happy to have a Lord and Saviour that loves me and watches over me! I always wonder how those who do not have god as a part of their life make it from day to day!! I know every moment of every day My god is watching over me and listening to me. What greater gift could anyone ask for.

2)My number two would have to be my wonderful husband Kevin. We just celebrated our 8th anniversary in Branson, Mo. I cannot imagine my life without him. I love this man with all of my heart and I know he feels the same.

This is a picture of us in the pizza parlor at the Children's Museum in Nebraska.

3) My boys are a happy part of my life. They know how to bring a smile to my face. An example would be Rusty at the mall with me when I tried on a dress. He was very grumpy and ready to go. I put on the dress and he smiled and said my mommy is a princess. My hunter has grown up so much so fast. Yesterday at the grocery store I forgot to get chips for the salsa. He wanted to go get it for me so I sent him on his way and he did it!!! I was so proud of him and he was so proud of himself!!!This is a picture of the boys at the park in Arkansas City. They had a blast playing on the train but it was so hot that we did not stay for long.

Here are the boys at the Children's Museum in Nebraska, it is a very cool place to go!

4)My mom is one of those people that just makes everyone happy!! She brings out the best in everyone!! She would do anything to help some one else out. She is not only my mom but my best friend. This has been a very rough year for her and the rest of us as well. One year ago today my daddy passed away. I have never seen her hurt so bad, yet she has helped out so many others who have experienced her pain in the last few month. She calls and sends cards to those who loose their spouse and they are all complete strangers. I'm no the only one that this wonderful lady makes happy!

5) Vacations makes me happy! There is nothing like getting away from the real world to enjoy yourself and relax.

Here are just a few pictures for our Anniversary trip to Branson!

There was a Titanic museum. To bad they didn't allow camera on the inside:(

This is our hotel that we stayed in, The Castle Inn!! it was very nice!
We rode the Ducks while in Branson onto Table Rock Lake! It was fun except I got soaked when driving into the lake. I got a big splash right in my face!!!

6)And last but not least Friends and family make me happy!! I love getting together and catching up with those I love so much. We just need to do it more often!

Now I have to tag 6 people

Jennie

Meagan

Tammy

Alicia

Cheslea

Katy

Bring on the summer!

2009-06-10T10:12:00.000-07:00

TEXAS STAE AQAURIUM in CORPUS CHRISTI
The Smallest helper of the house helping day install a new faucet

Rusty and Hunter loved the coast!

AND thinks to alot of dead grass we get to have fun in the mud! God knew what he was doing when he gave me boys!! I was just as dirty as they were!

Hunter graduated form Kindergarten. This is his teacher Miss McDonald. My Muddy happy Rusty!

My Graduate Hunter Hunter played his second year of T-Ball and did such a great job. he was best on the pitchers mount where he earned 2 game galls for lots of outs!

Summer has started off great this year. We have had three great days filled with lots of fun! To bad I can't show you any pictures. Thanks to our dog Lucky who chewed up my camera. Hopefully Best Buy will call soon with news that it is fixed. So for now I an tell you about our summer.

The kids and I are trying to spend as much time as we can outside early in the day before it gets to hot. They should have legs of steal by the end of summer from all the running and bike rides. Each day we spend a little time doing what the kids call school time. We are trying to make sure he knows his colors. Sometimes he does and sometimes he doesn't but he is only three and he would rather trick you by saying the wrong color. So far we have practiced orange and green. And I think he has those colors down. I try to make it fun. We spend the morning looking for orange things while we are out and about. I have come to realize orange is his favorite color. We practice orange this morning by going to a park that had an orange playground, eating goldfish and oranges. Hunter has had a great time helping Hunter look for things that are the color of the day. We also worked on the #1 , what it looks like. Hunter and I are working on his writing. He usually complains because he would rather do something else. So we take turns writing. It reminds me so much of teaching 1st grade. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT MY HUNTER IS GOING TO BE A 1st GRADER!!!! WOW!!!!! So that has been our summer so far.

I also want to update everybody about the last post. Toby has pretty much made a full recovery. he will still need on going help to keep him where he is at but he is doing great. They are doing lots of Fundraisers to help with their financial situation. There is a benefit dinner on June 26th. Email me if you would like more information

Tyler my student will go into the hospital next week to start his Bone Marrow transplant. He is so lucky to have his grandparents. I don't know what he would do with out them.

Kendrick still wakes up each day with a smile. Some days are better than others. They are just living life day by day and enjoying the time they have.

As for Rusty, he has been diagnosed for now as having ODD(Oppositional Defiant Disorder). he has started taking medication and we have seen a huge improvement. he is not fixed it still is constant work but much more manageable. We are reading and learning as much as we can to help not only him but us as well. Things are really looking up in the Crabtree house. Yippee!!!

Well enough blabbering, here are some pics from the spring~

I think I have prayed more this year than ever in my life. Without GOD life would just be impossible.

2009-04-23T17:52:00.000-07:00

I haven’t written a blog lately to share the wonderful times we have had because there is just not much time. Lately I have been so down with what to do about Rusty’s behavior and I am always hesitant to share that side of my life. He gets evaluated on Monday at the Child Study center and I hope to get some answers. I have started an awards chart again and it has worked pretty well the last few days.
I have however really stopped and thanked God for giving me two healthy children. These behaviors are horrible but nothing like not knowing the future of your child. My two very best friends have children who are not healthy at the moment. Kendrick Alicia’s son was diagnosed around Thanksgiving with a brain tumor. He is doing well but I know it is a constant worry for his family. Tuesday I found out that Elisha’s son Toby has Encephalitis and is not doing well. He has lost use of his legs for the moment. He is unable to sit, hold his head up or walk. I also have a student Tyler who has Leukemia for the third time. He is suppose to have a bone marrow transplant soon. However the chemo is causing his kidneys to stop functioning correctly and it is effecting his breathing as well. It is really hard when you have no idea what to say to your best friends when they are hurting. I am asking everyone to please pray for these three little boys.

Surgery went well

2009-02-04T16:46:00.000-08:00

Kevins' Surgery is done and over. Now we just have to wait for him to recover. He is still in recovery due to a shortages of rooms so. I have only seen him for 5 minutes since he got out of surgery and can't see him again until he gets a room:( When you go through something like this you truely see how much you love a person. I love Kevin with all of my heart and can't wait for him to feel better. I love you sweetheart!
I have to also say that I have the best mother in the world. She stayed by my side all day today! And thank you Bridget for stopping by to keep us company:)

A busy week

2009-02-02T06:30:00.000-08:00

This week Kevin is having back surgery yet again! He has been down with his back since the early part of Dec. I hope with surgery he will be feling better soon. Hunter is also home today with Strep, yuck! I hope both of my guys are up and going again soon!

Christmas

2009-01-05T16:20:00.000-08:00

This year for Christmas with my family we went to my brother house a few days before Christmas to have dinner and Present and had a great time doing so. It is so different without my dad. It still seems like we should enter the room and him be sitting there. We did have a great Christmas and I enjoyed thinking back to my many precious memories of my dad. I will always cherish each moment I have with all those I love because you never know which moment will be your last.

The best present I got this year was a poem from one of my friends(Marion) Here it it:
First Christmas in Heaven I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below With tiny lights, like Heaven's stars, reflecting on the snow The sight is so spectacular,please wipe away the tear For I am spending Christmas withJesus Christ this year.I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear But the sounds of music can't compare with the Christmas choir up here.I have no words to tell you,the joy their voices bring,For it is beyond description,to hear the angels sing.I know how much you miss me,I see the pain inside your heart.But I am not so far away,We really aren't apart.So be happy for me, dear ones,You know I hold you dear.And be glad I'm spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.I sent you each a special gift,from my heavenly home above.I sent you each a memory of my undying love.After all, Loveis a gift more precious than pure gold.It was always most important in the stories Jesus told.Please love and keep each other,as my Father said to do.For I can't count the blessing or love he has for each of you.So have a Merry Christmas and wipe away that tear.Remember, I am spending Christmaswith Jesus Christ this year Author Unknown

This year was our year to go to Nebraska. I was not excited what so ever because I wanted to be home with my mom. I knew it would be a tough year. But we all made it thru. We actually had a White Christmas. It was so much fun and absolutely beautiful. The boys had a blast. Ever since I can remember Hunter has always asked when it would snow so he could make snow angels. And even if it did snow here there was never enough for snow angels. There was not much snow but more than we would have gotten in Texas and the snow is real now not Sleet! Here is the first thing Hunter did in the snow.

And he knew exactly what to do

He made many snow angels And they were just perfect.

Rusty made his attempts also but it was more like rolling with the giggles

If you know me very well you know that I hate the cold but I spent as much time as I could outside and I quickly learned to stay busy to stay warm. the plan was to get the boys the build a snow man but I did all the work. But I have to say I had the time of my life. watching my boys run giggle and have so much fun while bundled up like Eskimos and red little faces.

The boys quickly learned that throwing ice was not as fun as throwing Snow. Rusty was hit in the face and got cut. He was lucky that it missed his eye. There were a few tears but then he was off to play again.

Here are a few pictures from Christmas
Grandad and Rusty

The boys inside the giant tree in Great Grandma's yardHunter enjoying his new DS with his mommy

Grandad(Kevin's Dad) and me

Kevin and Nina(Kris - Kevin's mom)The boys playing guitarsThe boys and Nathan

My grandma and RustyMy grandma now called Nanny and the boysPa and the boys

Where does time go

2008-12-22T21:26:00.000-08:00

I never have enough time to blog any more. We are always on the go or busy playing here at home. So much has happened in the last few months that it will be hard to sum it up into one entry but I'll try my best.

First an update on Kendrick. Test results did come back and they were not good. Kendrick and his family were able to go home where they will celebrate Christmas with their family. Soon after Dec. 29 Kendrick will return for Radiation for 6 weeks M-F. They have said his life will be cut short due to the tumor that originated on his brain stem. My heart goes out to them for the pain they are enduring. They are strong Christians and they have never given up. Kendrick is such a good sport. I love when he smiles, his eyes just shine! Please keep them in your prayers.

What they have gone through has made me appreciate my family so much more.

My baby boy celebrated his 3rd birthday on Nov. 22. I can hardly believe that

he is already three. We a had a party with some of his friend and we had a blast. The huge monster truck bounce house was great entertainment. We have try to convince Rusty that he is 3 not 5. He knows he's three but he will tell you five and then giggle. He loved everyone singing to him.We have raked plenty of leaves this year however it takes a while around here to get them actually out of the yard and into the bag.

And now it is Christmas time where has time gone!!!! The boys sang in a Christmas program at church and they were so adorable. I didn't take video with my camera so only pictures for now. There is nothing like seeing your children up on stage singing at church. They love to sing!

This holiday season has been very difficult. I miss my dad and Meme so much and Christmas just won't be the same. I am so thankful for all the memories I have with them at Christmas time and all the photos I have with them. We are going to Nebraska this year. which I am not Happy about. I do not want to leave my mom but my little family needs me too. I hope and pray that next year is much different then this year. I hope it is filled with much love and happiness and I wish the same for all my family and friends!

Our God is anAwesome GOD

2008-12-03T18:22:00.001-08:00

Kendrick had surgery today and the family had been told they were sure it was cancer. They took him this morning at 6:15 and we heard a little throughout the day And 7:00 pm the doctor cam eout and spoke to Alica and Allen his parents. he does not think it is cancer any more but a biopsy is being done. He will be six for a while while recovering from such a long and difficult surgery. BUt when they said it did not seem to be cancer the whole room changed. it was like lifting this heavy weight off your chest that was keeping you from breathing. The faith that AQlicia and Allen have in the LORD is stronger than any other. And my faith has grown today watching them pray and praise GOD. Please keep them in your prayers.

Prayers

2008-11-30T05:41:00.000-08:00

I know I haven't posted in a while but I'll try to catch up later. For now I need your prayers. My best Friend Alicia who lives in Witchita Falls called me yesterday with and bad news. Her almost 5 year old had been careflighted to Cooks Childrens Hospital in Fort Worth. He had been acting strange so they had takenhim to a local hosptial. They found a tumor on his brain and have told them that it is cancer. Alica and Allen are both scared and worried out of their mind as all parent would be. Please pray for God's hands to be on their family at this time. They have 6 children the others are back in Witchita falls with their Grandma who are worried also. Hold your babies a little longer today andbe thankful for the little things.

Movie Date

2008-10-10T19:07:00.000-07:00

Tonight was so much fun! Hunter and I went to the movies. it was Hunter's first time to ever go! I know some of you are probably shocked that it is his first time but I wanted him to be ready to sit the whole movie and he did it. My kids are not big movie watching sit down kind of kids. We saw Beverly Hill Chihuahua, and it was great! Hunter has done so well at school this year and had to do things a little differently last week and it was tough on him. Usually Kris, Kevin's mom, takes Hunter to school so he always just get there at the bell to go to class. But the week she was gone to Nebraska I took him and because the bell rings at the same time at my school his normal routine would not work. he had to go to the cafeteria and sit for 20-25 minutes. The first day I walked him in and he cried because he did not know anyone and wanted me to stay. I left teary eyed and felt terrible. The Next day we simply talked about being a big boy and doing big boy things. he said what are big boy thing and we talked about being Brave. then I decided if he could be brave and sit for 20 min. reading a book in silence then he could go to the movies. At first He cried and cried the second day but once we got to school he said mom I'm brave I can do this. And he gave me a hug , kiss and a wave good bye and off he went. then I was really Teary! What has happened to my Baby! Yet I was glad that no one had to pry him off me. Before having my own kid go to school I though other parents were crazy with no being able to leave their five year old and the five year old crying but when it is your turn you see it totally different. I told Hunter he was my date tonight and he was so proud. I just love my Hunter and I am so proud of him!

I'm proud of my littliest guy to. We have had 3 days of no crying or screaming or tantrums when I leave him in the morning! Hip Hip Hooray!!!! I hope to have more days like that! Rusty is learning so much. He does a lot of learning and not a lot of playing which he complains about but I think he is the kid who needs lots of structure. He know the months of the year, I was so impressed when he said them to me. I'll have to try to catch him on tape. Along with Hunter reading.!!!

Lucky

2008-09-09T17:53:00.000-07:00

We have new family member at the Crabtree House and we think her name will be Lucky. We have been told she is 8 weeks old but she seems kind of big. She belonged to a 16 year old boy who brought her home and his mother said no way! Which is really good for us. The boys have had a blast playing with her. Our other dogs are having to make some adjustments. Thye seem ok with her but try to stay away. We have had a lot of doggie time tonight trying to give everyone attention.

Brittney is not to sure, but soon Lucky will be bigger than her!
You can tell she is puppy because she plays and then takes a nap!

And her is Sandy just being happy!

Other than that Kevin has been sick. Whish is no fun considering today is his 29th birthday! Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband and a wonderful daddy!

2008-08-30T07:25:00.000-07:00

I just got bad news that meggie will not be coming to live with us. She did find a better home with a woman who lives on her own and needs a companion. Another person emailed her with the concern of her being 10 and joining a family with other children and dogs than she is use to. I am ok with the decision. All things happen for a reason:)

2008-08-29T17:09:00.000-07:00

Ok my blog has gone crazy! If you have a blog please email me at bushcrabtree@yahoo.com and tell me what you web address is so I can add you back in. I just now realized that the comment feature was gone:( I had wondered why there were no comment now I know why!

Meggie

2008-08-28T18:43:00.001-07:00

Today through the group messages at work I got this email:

This is our dog Nutmeg. (We call her Meggie.) She is a 10-yr old,
very playful, very sweet female chocolate labrador. We have tried for
a year to give her a good home here in Wylie but do not have a yard
big enough for her. We tried bringing her inside, but Ainsley cannot
tolerate it with her allergies. We have tried unsuccessfully all
summer to find her a new home. We are completely heartbroken to do
this, but she will be going to the shelter next week. We have prayed
with our girls nightly and cried many tears together hoping someone
would like to have her as a part of their family. The vet has told us
she has no health problems and would likely live another 5-7 years.
The no-kill shelters are full and the shelter here in Wylie will only
keep her a few days before she is euthanized because she is an older
dog. If you or anyone you know would like to have her, please let us
know. She is housebroken, spayed, AKC registered and has had all her
immunizations. She's wonderful with children and her only behavior
issue is her fear of thunder and rain. (She likes to be inside the
garage or house when it is rainy.) We'd be willing to pay the cost of
her first year of food and regular vet care to anyone who'd give her a
good home.

Attached was also this picture

I could not help it I feel in love with her! And I could not stand the thought of her being put down. So I called Kevin and he asked what I was waiting for and that I was wasting time. SOOOOOOO I emailed her and tonight I talked to her owner who is truely heart broken and we should have a new family member hopefully this weekend. From talking to Stephanie her owner now she seems pretty much like my Sandy. Her girls are very sad about Meggie having to leave. The boys do not know yet and it is going to stay that way until she is actually ours. I can't wait to see how Meggie and our other dogs react with each other.

Back to School!

2008-08-25T16:01:00.001-07:00

Hunter ready for his big day!

Rusty is ready for his second week of school
Today was a very exciting day. We all had places to go, except daddy who stayed home today to be a part of a very special day! Hunter started Kindergarten today! I can hardly believe it. Kevin and I took Rusty and dropped him off at his new school that he started last week. he is still crying a little bit but he does ok. He has had really great days which is really awesome. After dropping him off we were off to Take Hunter. We parked and walked him in. He was very excited and not as nervous as he was at sneak a peek. We walked in he put his stuff away and then went t ohis table and got busy. I couldn't believe there were no tears. After I dropped Kevin off I was a little teary eyed. It is so hard to believe that he is a Kindergartner.

Putting his stuff up for the very first time.

One happy little guy!

He had a great day and is excited to go back tomorrow! What a big boy! Here he is talking about his day. Sorry his crazy mommy help the camera sideways for the first half:)

Here is Rusty on his first day of Children's lighthouse! He was so excited:)

Another Loss for Us but a Gain for Heaven

2008-08-18T17:30:00.000-07:00

Today was another busy and difficult day! My Meme which is my dad's mom passed away on Thursday and her funeral was today. Losing her and my dad so close has been rough, it even sounds unreal or weird to say it. Sometimes I am ok and other times I just have a dificult time. The boys talk about my dad more now than ever before and they will add in that he is angel now. I try to be strong but sometimes I just can't. I have choosen to not just tell them about my Meme becasue Hunter took losing Papa really hard. he told me he was mad at me for not taking him to the hospital more when his Papa was sick. I always hate when my mom says that things come in three's but right now I hope she is right. In 5 weeks I have lost 3 members of my family and I think I have had enough. I know they are in a better place but I miss them very much. In honor of my Meme I have posted a picture of her. I hope she is up in heaven reuniting with the many people she has lost in her life. My Meme was my babysitter from 6 weeks old until I wasin junior High. She was a very dear friend and we could talk about anything. She was so loving and loved to take care of others.She has not been herself for a while now, but up in Heaven she is back to her happy, and jolly self. I love you Meme!

2008-08-09T13:33:00.000-07:00

It still doesn't seem real that dad is gone. However now I know he doesn't have to hurt or lay in the hospital bed that he hated so much. His service was wonderful and difficult. Mom and I have visited the grave several times , it seem to help her feel close to him. She has returned to work but is still having a difficult time. My brother and I spent a lot of time with her but now she is on her own more. She has been very upset because she wasn't there when it happened. But it just wasn't meant to be that way. I can't imagine how she must fell losing her husband of 34 years. In memory of my dad I wanted to share some pictures. I am so glad that I had the time I did with my dad. We had some really good talks, laughs and tears over the last few months that he was sick. Sometimes going to the hospital got old but I did it anyways. Now I wish I could go just one more time, but maybe that is selfish. I miss him and always will. I hope with time it will become a little easier for all of us. On top of losing my dad's, his mom, my meme, is not doing well Hospice has been called in and it is only a matter of time.

I love you Daddy!!!

My Daddy went to Heaven on Wednesday!

2008-07-31T20:07:00.000-07:00

Wed. morning I got a phone call from my mom crying she had lef the hospital earlier that morning at 7:30 and my dad was in great spirits and feelign great. They had watched a flock of white doves outside the window, Dad wanteed meat for breakfast and couldn't wait for the doctor to come in and release him to go home. he had receieved Chemo the day before and had no side effects and he was excited. I later found ou that the Chemo probaly caused the lung cancer to explode. Anyways mom left at 7;30 to go to work , Dad yelled out to her that he loved her and she left. 40 minutes later she was called to return to the hospital that dad had turned for the worst. When she got there he had already passed. When I arrived I was just kind of floating. And I have learned that no matter how ready you are it is still so very hard. I can't even begin to explain how it feels. I hope no one else ever has to experience losing a parent. I know that we all have to die but he was just so young. He was only 59. We are all doing as well as can be expected I guess. visitation tonight was very hard. But We survive. Please keep us in you prayer. I t hit Hunter tonight and he was wanting his Papa to come back. We talked for a long time and I only hope that tiem will heal his little heart. Thank you for the prayers. Tomorrow will be arough day with e funeral.

A fun summer

2008-07-15T14:49:00.000-07:00

The summer has been lots of fun with the boys we have been staying busy with lots of fun things to do. We try to playoutsie a lot but it has just been so HOT! Hurricane Harbor has been the favorite place so far. We have been to Six Flags several times but it is just to Hot to be chasing kids their and waiting in line.

For the Fourth of July we went to Granbury for dinner and fireworks. We had a really great time. Hunter met a few boys his age and they had a great time playing together an they even watched the fireworks together.

Here's Hunter and Rusty watching some other kids play ball.

I love this pictures. We were waiting for the fireworks and Rusty was very tired of waiting. So he and Daddy decided to relax. They both had their feet propt up on ice chest.

And here is our family ready to watch the show.

Another big hit was going to see Ronald Mc Donald. I was worried that rusty might be scared or shy becasue lately he has to warm up to people before they are allowed to look at him:)

Here is Rusty watching Ronald enter the building

Rusty and Hunter sat nicley and particiapted the entire show. I was so proud of them. A couple of time Rusty would run up to me and say" Mommy McDonald is Funny" and then he would run back to sit down and watch.

Here they are playing McDonald Says

And here are the two cutest boys taking a picture with McDonald. They had such a great time. My favorite part of that day however was when I was ordering Lunch, Rusty ran up to me in line and Said " Mommy, Mommy, I have to tell you something.....I love you:) And I got a big hug.

Boys can be tough and challenging but moment like these make it all worth wild.

A quick update on my dad. He went home last Tuesday but return to the hospital on Thursday and is still there:( He is suppose to tak Chemo starting the 22nd but I'm not so sure what will happen with him being back in the hospital. he had an infection from too many antibiotics and still feels crummy. Thanks for all the prayers they are appreciate.

More summer fun to come soon:0)

2008-06-21T21:51:00.001-07:00

Just a quick update... My dad is still in the hospital but getting stronger every day. HE is receiving radiation to stop the cancer in is lung from bleeding. However he does still have cancer in other parts of his body as well. I think we all hope for some miracle to cure him, but we all know that within time his time will come an end. But so will everyone else. We are just going to enjoy the time we have. Right now he has absolutely NO pain. Which is great ans I hope it stays that way. Most of the time dad is in a great mood and is excited to be alive. He has even spoken of attending church with my mom which he has never done and wants to find what it is that GOD left him here for. However today he was very upset and GRUMPY from no sleep so that was rough on all of us. My mom does not want him to be left alone just in case the doctors come so that we can hear what is next so this week mom went back to work and I have stayed with dad. I have enjoyed the time especially knowing that we never know when it may be taken from us. My kids and Kevin went to Nebraska and I have been home alone. I am so ready for them to return, which means less time at the hospital but that is OK I need a break also. Thanks for those of you that read this and have been praying for my dad. I use to wonder how people who were going through something like this could be so strong and so close to GOD, but I understand now more than ever. You have to be strong and rely on GOD to do his job(whatever it might be).

first week of summer

2008-06-12T05:35:00.000-07:00

I have been at the hospital every chance I have to be with mom and dad. They have been preparing us for the worst since he went in the hospital last Tuesday. However last night they were able to take Dad of the respirator!! And he really really wants to talk, but we have to tell him to concentrate on his breathing and get his throat better before he talks. I know he is not fixed but we made it through this part:) You never know what God might do. I read somewhere on someones blog about a family who could not turn the respirator off and I some what understand but I also feel that if there is no improvement that you have to let GOD do his part. God is definitely watching over us.

On another note. Hugely is not the only hospital I have spent time at this week. While washing the car, Hunter decided to ride his bike he hit the water hose and fell chin first. He now has 6 stitches. It looked terrible and he had another smiley face on his chin however he was wasn't smiling at all:( I am so thankful that my neighbor ran over to help. I usually keep myself Calm but I believe it about pushed me over the edge. Here are pictures of hunter and his bad chin. Poor baby!

Please keep praying for my dad he is not out of the woods yet. And Pray for my mom she has only left the hospital once in 8 days. She is cleaning up, eating and sleeping but she has to be exhausted.

My Dad

2008-06-06T16:35:00.000-07:00

My dad in the hospital in ICU . He is not doing well. And he does have cancer along with being really sick. He is on a ventilator now. Time will tell wether he will make it off of it. Please pray for him and us too.

One more week of school

2008-05-31T11:59:00.000-07:00

Well it has been a little over a month so I guess I have some catching up to do.

Here is Rusty when we came home from the hospital with the PH probe in his nose and his NO! NO! Arms that kept him from ripping the tube out. The beginning of that day was insane but Rusty adjusted well by the after noon and loved mommy sleeping with him that night. He had a little Black box in a bag that I had to chase him around with all day which kept me very busy and Rusty interested to see how many circles he could run me in. Rusty had his Acid Reflux test and we are on some new medication in the morning instead of at night which still doesn't explain the lack of sleep. But his sleeping is slowly getting better. Thank Goodness!!!

My dad is still not in the clear. They have found spots on the lung, liver and kidney and they are doing a brain scan this week. And they are 99% sure it is cancer. They hope to do a biopsy on the liver soon and he is having heart problems. So please Pray that God will comfort him and help us to accept whatever the future holds. When I think about losing him it eats me up. I am trying to be strong but it is really hard to do.

On a happier note! My Rusty is officially been potty trained for about a month or two. It is so nice. he still wears a pull up at night just in case. And let me tell you he is very proud of himself.

I have one more week of school and then I get to stay home with the boys! I can't wait. I look forward to the many fun moments. I just love when I catch them in action playing together and giggling. If you hear giggling something must be going on and usually you can catch them doing something silly. Here are a few pics of them together.

I stuck outside to take this one. They are sitting outside by themselves eating Ice Cream.

Swing Batter Batter

2008-04-28T15:15:00.001-07:00

Hunter is doing really well on his basebal team. He no longer lays in the field or spins in circles until the last inning:) They are so cute to watch we do however have a great team. We have not lost a game yet. The other teams appear to be much younger or more immature than our team. You end up cheering for both teams because they are just so cute!

Kevin and I take turns during the games watching Rusty play. He could care less about most of the game. But he still has fun!

Here is Rusty while watching the games. In the top picture he is drawing and below he is watching the game aon a very windy day!

On another note! I feel like I'm losing my mind. My dad went back to the hosptial coughing up blood again after being observed and getting the blood to stop again they sent him home. He has a ct scan next week to find out about the spot on the lungs that they saw this time. We are ot sure if it is the same spot or a new one. He seems to be doing great but he is depressed and tired.

Kevin has been down with his back for a week and will be going to the doctor tomorrow.

Rusty's behavior is going to drive me insane!!!!!!! And Rusty will be admitted as an outpatient next Monday for a scoping of his esophugus and an Ph brobe to test acid levels. They will put him to sleep and then do the scoping and place the probe. We will come home a few hours later with the probe in place and pray that he does not rip it out! Why are we doing this? Well for about a year or more Rusty has not slept many nights! He still wakes up and screams as if he is in pain. He and I spend most of our days exhausted. If I donot give him his acid reflux medicine then we will not get ANY sleep at all just a LONG LONG night!!!!! So finally the doctor has decided to see if it is his acid reflux or something in that area.... I hope this gives us answers. I often wonder is with a good nights rest how Rusty might act. I am reading another book to give me some parenting advice. Most people probably think that we never do anythng but we really do try REALLY hard. Sometimes it is not only exhausting trying to correct him and others reporting his behavior but looking for the perfect advice that will cure him. Maybe the terrible two's will come and go and give me a sweet Rusty all the time. Anyways enough of my problems!

2008-04-10T19:18:00.000-07:00

Well alot has been going on! Dad went home and is doing pretty good! He seems angry and I wish I knew how to help! BUt he is making some major life changes and it must be difficult. I get in a bad mood just from not having a DrPepper so I know it must be hard.

We had Easter at our house again this year. It was really strange to not have my mom and dad here to help celebrate. I had a hard time enjoying the day becasue I wanted to be with them, but at the smae time yu just can't miss Easter Egg Hunting with your kids. Hunter had a blast hunting for eggs but Rusty could have cared less. He would pick up an egg and put it back. We did however Easter Egg Hunt at church the week before and he was thrilled with the fact that he could pick up as many as he wanted to. I guess one Hunt was enough for him!

In the last few weeks Rusty has learn to ride his. He just got on one day and took off! The look on his face was priceless! He wants so badly to keep with Hunter but his little legs just can't move fast enough.

Kevin took the traing wheels off of Hunter's bike which royally ticked Hunter off! He was determined to never ride his bike again. Kevin worked with him but he kept falling off. The next day I tried working with him but without a sidewalk it is pretty difficult to help Hunter and keep Rusty from riding off to far. So I took them to the park. I got Hunter to trust me enough to help him and we worked for about 10 minutes and he was off on his own until he need to stop of course. But he never got hurt. The next day we practiced stopping and taking off and now he is a PRO! Now Rusty really can't catch up! It is awesome to see the two of them learn new things.
Hunter has also start T-ball I'll try to get those pictures posted soon.

2008-03-24T19:29:00.000-07:00

Dad was transferred today to a Rehab hospital for Respiratory therapy. The best news is that that the biopsy showed no Cancer but they will continue to monitor him. It is so amazing to see him after what he has been through. None of us thought he would make it through. Obviously miracles do happen. the nurses and doctors have told him that they never expected him to live after all he went through last Monday. GOD is awesome. I know all the prayer from family and friends were heard and answered. Now maybe dad will see life in a new light and make some changes.

2008-03-22T06:55:00.000-07:00

We are waiting for results to come back on his biopsy. They found what looks like a tumor in his lung. Thursday was a hard day for all of us. He was out again and the news about his lungs hit hard. Friday was a little better because he could look at us. Last night at our last visiting hour. Dad kept smiling and pointing across the room and then back behind me. I could pictures angel or my pap standing behind me looking over my dad. At first it scared me and made me think of death. But then to think that my dad was smiling put my heart at ease. His nurse last night was great she even had dad laugh a few times. I can't wait to get back up there:)

2008-03-20T06:35:00.000-07:00

Good news!!! They took dad off some of the medicines and he woke up. he can't talk because of the tubes but he can use his hands to tell you something and he looks at you and tries to talk! It is one of the greatest feeling ever:) I look forward to getting there and him holding my hand again. They are going to put him back under today and do the scoping to see what is bleeding. He is still losing blood. They gave him 2 more pints yesterday. Well that is all for now. This is a miracle in my eyes:)

2008-03-19T06:15:00.000-07:00

I am home for a little bit with the boys today while Kevin goeas to work and then I am going back to the hospital. Sorry for any spelling mistakes. I simply can think straight. They have taken away most of dad's ivs but he is still out and will be for a while. he has pnemonia which is not what caused the problem but it is there. They are not going to do a scoping to see where the blood was coming from because they are worried it will start again. Right now they want to get him in a better stable condition. he has been paralized so he can not breath on his own. He is sedated and cannot wake up along with the medications a they are given him. They did start a feeding tube yesterday and his body is excepting it. However they can not get his blood pressure or Blood sugar to regulate. It is all a mystery in my mind. I know and have been told that he doesn't take care of hi body and that the alcohol and cigareetes have done a lot of damage. I only hope that if he wakes up he will make some changes. He can't fix past damage but he to help himself. My dad has been an alcholic and smoker for 50 years Keep praying. I can't stand being at the hospital or at home. I just wish it would all go away.

It has never hurt so much!

2008-03-17T19:04:00.000-07:00

I was was waken this morning by kevin. He told me to get up and get dressed my dad was in the hospital. He has been throwing up blood. They really aren't sure that he is going to make it. He is on oxygen, 7 IVS, and lots of medication. They want to do a scope to see where the blood is coming from but they want him to be stable before doing thatKevin made me come home tonight and I really am scared to not be there but it is probably for the best. I am so tired. I have known for years that his day was coming but it doesn't make it any easier. I love my Daddy! I have told him many times today. But he is out. I know he can hear me but I just wnat him to wake up and hug me. I know God has a plan and I just want my daddy to be ok. And if that is not his will then I need stength and whatever there may be to make it all go away. My mom is trying to be strong but I know it is tough. Please keep him in your prayers.

2008-03-08T07:28:00.000-08:00

The Crabtree Family has been very busy! I hope to make it through this week without a doctor visit of some sort. We have had a little bit of everything, bronchitis, sinus infections, strep, pink eye, ear infection.... I am having problems with my back or my left side and no I have not been to the doctor I am too busy taking care of everyone else but I have made a promise to Kevin that if it is still bothering me by Monday that I will make a Doctors appointment.
The other thing we have been busy with is my brothers wedding! Yes, they are finally married. Hip Hip Hooray! Through the ups and downs of plans it turned out beautiful. I still can't get over the fact that my brother is old enough to get married. Celinda is now my Sister in law and I love her to death. Actually getting to the wedding date nearly drove us all insane but we all survived and hopefully no ones feelings were to hurt.

Presenting to you Clint and Celinda Bush

This is my mom and dad with the bride and Groom!

This is my handsome big boy, Hunter!

And here I am with the love of my life

And here I am with my brother and the bridesmaid.

2008-02-18T11:49:00.000-08:00

On know this is late, but better late than never!

On February 12, 2003 at 11:57 pm my Hunter was born at a big 9lbs 11 oz. Hunter was the most beautiful baby I had ever seen. All that black hair was amazing and his blue eyes! Every inch of him was just perfect.

The picture on the left is me holding Hunter for the first time! The picture on the right is Hunter about 30 minutes after he was born when we were able to share him with our family!

It is hard to bleieve that it has been FIVE years since Hunter came into our lives. That day my life changed in amazing ways. Becoming a mother was the best moment of my life. I don't think it can be topped. Anticipating his arrival for 9 months was an incredible journey all on it's own. But seeing him & holding him for the first time was ..... I can't even think of a word. I just cried when I saw him. The pain was gone and my heart was overfilled with joy! I remember them saying they were going to take him for testing really quick especially since he was so big. I didn't want them to take him. I had just laid my eyes on him and they wanted to take him away! I could not wait to get him back in my arms. I remember those nights in the hospital. Holding him, walking around the room singing to him and still crying. I could not get over the fact that this little baby boy was mine.
Here are pictures of Hunter at each of his birthdays.

Hunter's 1st Birthday

Hunter's 2nd Birthday!

Hunter's 3rd Birthday

Hunter's 4th Birthday

Hunter's 5th Birthday!

When I look a Hunter now I am just amazed at how much he has grown in a short amount of time. He has become his own person. Hunter I love you more than you will ever know! You still bring so much Joy and Happiness to my life1 I can't wait to keep watching you grow and change!

Update

2008-01-15T19:40:00.000-08:00

The last two days Rusty hasn't even whimpered about me leaving him at the daycare. Monday I walked in and they got his breakfast for him and I sat him down and tried to sneak out but it didn't work. Hunter yells out" I need a hug" which is sweet but at the same time I needed him to be quite. So I walk back over give him hugs and Rusty says the same thing hugged and kissed him too and then left with no fuss or even a tear. I even got a bye mommy love you from Rusty:) And the same happened to day. Now if I can just get him to sleep at night I would have it made. They are both growing up and learning and it is incredible to watch. Rusty put his own shoes on and now will only let me help, he drinks out of a cup and not a sippy cup most of the time. Rusty is even asking at dinner to pray before we eat and sometimes at bedtime. Then we argue over who will pray before dinner is cold. Hunter loves to pray but bless his heart his prayers can last forever and then he throw in something silly. That's a four year old boy for you:)Hunter of course jokes around as always but is learning also. He is into rhyming. Every morning we rhyme and make silly words. Well off to hopefully sleep tonight. Rusty has a twin size bed and we hope that will be of some help. Only time will tell!

Starting KinderCare

2008-01-11T05:48:00.000-08:00

Here is Hunter excited about his first day Of KinderCare! He decided he should give thumbs up. The First day of KinderCare Hunter was so excited. I woke him up and within 5 minutes he was completely ready to go, however mommy was not. Hunter had decided he would eat breakfast there which is unusual usually he wants to eat when his eyes open. Rusty on the other hand had woken up with a fever and for a couple days before had a bad cold and cough so he and I were going to stay home. A we drove to the KinderCare the boys argued over whose school it was. We went in Hunter hugged me and was ready for me to leave. Rusty on the other hand cried because he could not stay. I had to fight to get him back in his car seat and then he cried for the next hour about Hunter and school. I couldn't wait for Hunter to come home and tell me about his day. He came in all smiles and said it was great. The next day when we went to school Rusty got to go also and he was perfectly fine with me leaving. They said he did fine until the separated the two boys then he cried a lot:( They took him over to see Hunter at one point and Hunter told him " I told you to be good so stop crying" Patricia one of the many ladies at the daycare said it was all she could do not to laugh. Everyday after that he cried when I left and a lot throughout the day. It makes me so sad to think that he is there crying and I can't make him smile. The second week was a little harder. Monday I ended up crying with him. They told me that it would take about a month for him to adjust and not cry. So I am ready for the month to fly. He has gotten to the point where he doesn't cry all day and doesn't always want to leave. Hunter still loves it and talks about it all the time.

Here are pictures of our Holiday guest Joe Python. Joe came to our house over the holiday so that he wasn't stuck at school alone. The boys and I had fun with Joe but Kevin couldn't wait for Joe to return to school.

Here is the Love of my life. We have now spent 9 Christmas's together. Kevin means the world to me. I don't know what I would do without him.

A Wonderful Christmas

2007-12-30T19:15:00.000-08:00

Our sweet family on Christmas Eve!

And this is my precious Meme with Hunter. I am so glad that Meme was able to join us for Christmas. She is very precious to me:)

My Dad and Rusty

Christmas has been a very busy time for the Crabtree's. We have seen lots of family and friends and open way to many gifts all of which we love. The boys have really enjoyed all their new toys. Rusty seems to just now be getting the hang of opening presents up. He likes to open one and then he wants to play, the others can wait. Every package both boys opened was followed by a "wow, or look mommy". And they have done a super job of remembering their thank yous. Hunter was really into knowing who each gift was from which was very precious. This year we stayed in Texas for Christmas but we were able to spend time with the Kevin's crew we usually meet up with in Nebraska. It worked out perfectly. Christmas Eve we went to my family and had Christmas. After dinner Santa came and we opened gifts. The boys are really amazed when they walked in and Santa had made a delivery! Santa brough Hunter a train and Rusty a tool bench with tool. And funny enough they switched gift just like last year. Which worked out just as well.There were three other kids there that night and they all had a blast playing with each other and they did so good also! Thank Goodness! That night we came home and had Kevin's
cousin stay with us.

I felt terrible because nobody got any sleep. Thanks to my Rusty~ I think Rusty was not meant to sleep. Maybe he was to excited! Anyways in the moring believe it or not Santa came and brough yet another gift. And here it is!

Even though it was freezing we bundled up in our PJs and went out to play. They both had a blast. I just love Rusty in his upside down glasses!LOL

You will notice that by the end of Christmas day even after a nap, Rusty was really really tired!

And these are pictures from a few days before Christmas with not only our wondeful friends both the God Parents of our boys and their two children

This was PJ day at Dana's and I gave the boys bed head for the day! They loved it:)

Well I hope everyone had a MerryChrsitmas and a wonderful New Year to Come:)

Time with Santa!

2007-12-19T19:22:00.001-08:00

Hunter was so excited to see Santa. We waited in line for what seemed forever. We kept trying to talk about Santa and show Rusty Santa so that when we got up there he would be OK. He is very nervous and shy when he is first around someone. By the time we got up there Kevin and I were worn out from trying to keep the two entertained. When we finally got up there Hunter went right up to Santa and got on his lap. Rusty on the other hand was not so sure. He help on for dear life and shook like a leave. But Santa was able to bribe him with a sucker. Hunter told him he wanted a train and a vacuum. This makes the third year he has asked for a vacuum. He has one but it is broken, So he is getting one but not from Santa.

Getting Ready for Christmas

2007-12-19T19:22:00.000-08:00

Getting ready for Christmas this year has been better than ever before. The boys have been so excited. I told my mom back at Rusty's party about Rusty calling Santa"HoHo". At dinner after his party while waiting for our table a was holding Rusty and he started climbing up me. I had no idea what had gotten into him. After a few minutes of trying to clam him down he started saying"HoHo" is the most excited voice. When I turned around well there seemed to be Santa behind me but he was in his everyday clothes. We told them man who Rusty though he was. His wife asked my mom quietly what the boys names were and we walked up to the boys and asked if they had been good and that he was taking a break from making toys to check up on some boys and girls. Hunter had no clue whatsoever. To him Santa is the man in the red suit. But Rusty was extremely convinced. While we were eating that night he would shrug and ask where Santa Hoho was. Then Hunter started catching on as well. So he tells everyone we ate dinner with Santa and that Santa eats too. You would have thought the big belly would have given that away a long time ago:) Below is a picture of Rusty just in Aww of a plain tree!

Then came the Christmas tree. Hunter about drove us crazy after that day about putting the tree up. He just could not wait! So out came the tree. When we put the stand out and the shirt Rusty was so excited. he sat on it and petted it forever and all he could say was "WOW!" I did get the camera out and capture some of the moment. As the tree went up he just Kept saying WOW! I was just overjoyed by his excitement. A plain tree was just perfect for him and by that point we decided to wait to decorate until the next night. Hunter was devastated. He wanted to finish it but it was late so we had to wait. Here is Rusty placing his ornament.

When we did decorate it was so neat to see Hunter light up. He wanted each one of the ornament to look perfect, which meant to hang them all from the very bottom and we let him:) Then he started moving his pieces up. he loved when he got picked up to put them up high. He would comment on how each and everyone was so beautiful. Here is my big boy Hunter making the tree look beautiful.

I am so thankful for my little boys. They are truly a gift. Every moments is so precious and everlasting. After a hard last few weeks with making difficult decisions with childcare stuff, I have become 100 times closer to my boys, Kevin, and God! Everything happens for a reason. The boys will be starting a Preschool program at KinderCare on the 31st. They are so excited and so are we. We drive by everyday to see their"school" and the argue over who it belongs to. Which makes it so much easier. It will also make next year much easier also. With Hunter starting kindergarten next year I would like to be able to take him in the mornings and now I can because Rusty will be at the day care right around the corner. For now the boys are home with me for the Christmas Break. Today was the first day home with them and we had a blast. We went and bough Daddy's(Kevin) Christmas present which was so much fun. The we went to McDonalds and they were just awesome. And tonight we went to visit Santa. I can't wait for them to wake up tomorrow and to have another fun filled day. I'll work on posting Santa pictures tomorrow:)

My Baby Boy Turned Two

2007-11-30T20:09:00.000-08:00

This is the smile that I just love to see!

I can hardly believe that it has been two years since Rusty was born. It seems like yesterday. We have been working for weeks to get him to say that he is two. When you asked him a few weeks ago how old he was, his response would be good. Now he actually answers with saying two.

Before the party Rusty was in a real Crabby mood. But once the guest started showing up he got excited. He could have cared less about opening presents. he had not interest at all. He did how ever want to play with everything that came out of the bags:) We got him a bike because he always climbs up on Hunter's and I just know it is an accident waiting to happen. Hunter and Kevin went to the garage to get the bike so I had to literally hold Rusty down. When they came in with the bike Rusty ran past them and cried where's my bike?

He thought Hunter was bringing his bike inside. He will of course not pedal the bike yet but eventually he will get eager enough and do it:) He was so cute when we were singing to him.

Hunter was a good sport about the day being for Rusty as long as he could have cake and of course know that the presents would be toys that they both could use.

We really enjoyed all of our guest. Happy Birthday Baby Boy or should I say Big Boy!

Single Parents

2007-11-10T19:44:00.000-08:00

You are probably wondering what my title means, well here goes. Kevin has been out of town all week long. He left Sunday morning to go to North Carolina for training and got back on Friday morning. However, he left again Friday at 4:00 to camp with the Church Youth! I just don't see how a single parent can, work take care of their home, be with their children, and somehow take care of themselves all the time! I enjoyed the special time I had with the boy but I'm tired! We went to the park and played one day after work, had a day at McDonalds for dinner. Had my parents over to visit , had a picnic with Arby's food which is Hunters' favorite. We rode our bikes everyday. And I saw Hunter put on dozens of puppet shows. And many more fun things along with working all day. All which I can deal with and enjoy more than ever but bedtime is a killer. The boys haven't gone to bed well this week at all. Lets see we started at 8:35 and it is now 9:46. Hunter has finally stayed in bed and Rusty is now staying in bed also but he is crying!!!! We had one night at bedtime that went great and I did nothing different that night than any other night. I give them milk and we all sit and talk for 15 minutes or read a book their choice, which is usually both. And showering!!!! LOL !!! Single parent either do not shower or they do it with the help of their little ones. Big Kuddos to those single parents or parents that have spouses that travel a lot.

October

2007-11-03T20:54:00.000-07:00

I am just not good at keeping up with my blog any more. I always seem to find something else I need to be doing. Tonight Kevin is watching the Mavs so I thought i would take the time and blog. So here goes. October has been so much fun! The boys had a blast this past month! We spent a lot of time at the pumpkin patch at our church. The could run for hours around the same pumpkins and never loose their smiles. Rusty however did like to pull my leg every now and then and run for the street!

I also got to attend the Bush Girl Cousins weekend that went really well thanks to my cousin Jennie's hard work:) Here we all dressed up .

Kevin was also in charge of putting together our church's Family Fun day this year which I was really nervous about how much time he would spend on. But it was great and we sold a lot of pumpkins that day and meet the October goal! So all of his hard work paid off ! There were lots of different activities, bounce house, big slid, games, hayride. I was lucky a couple of the girls from our youth group helped outwith the boys. It made the day a lot easier on all of us.

This is Katie Helping Hunter launch a pumpkin across the lawn.

Rusty and I took a break for a hotdog.

There was a station to paint at and Rusty loved it. As he would bend down to get paint his head would hit the board. Here he is determined to get paint on me. Look at that little tongue.

Katie , Hunter, Kayla and Rusty on the hayride.

The best part that day was the firetruck. When they got to the church they asked if anyone had a camera and Kevin gave them mine I worried at first because as you can tell from the pictures I NEED my camera. The firefighter took it to the top of the ladder and took pictures, It was AWESOME! And the ladder was so high in the air the boys along with mommy and daddy were just mesmerized(sp).

We also had Pumpkin math night at school I took Hunter with me and he did such an awesome job. He decorate a pumpkin and even wen tot the math stations and participated on his own with out me. I can't believe he starts school next year. Where has the time gone?

Luke and Hunter hard at work and having a blast!

And then there was Halloween. The kids were so excited we did not enter a store all month long without a long visit to the Halloween area. Hunter was a Ninja Turtle and Rusty was an Army Man. A good friend of ours (Roger) Bought the outfit for Hunter when I was pregnant with Rusty before leaving for Iraq. Well he came back but is now back there again. I thought it would be neat to have Rusty dressed up and send pictures to him.

The boys had a blast trick or treating and Trunk or treating! Rusty however at the end of the night though anybody with candy was giving it away. So he would walk up to other kids Say"Tinker Teat" and dig into their candy it was funny and yes we gave the candy back. Luckily he did not up set anybody:)

They grow up so fast!

2007-10-07T11:21:00.000-07:00

Rusty and Hunter just amaze me when they want to help. They simply love t take out the trash It is awesome! It would be so nice if chores would always be this easy:) They both want to help do everything. Sometimes however it is more work with their help and I just have to say no.

The boys ask every morning if they can take the trash out and if it is not trash day they are a little extra grumpy in the morning.

Rusty is now sleeping in his big boy bed. He has done really good.

The second morning after taking the rail down I went to get him up and he was gone. I was having a panic attack walking around the house searching frantically when I finally just sat down on his bed to cry. Thinking what in the world has happened. When I heard him start whining. He was under his bed! I have never hugged him so hard in my life. Later I laughed about it but at the time it was far from funny. Luckily it has not happened again.

Look at that smile:)

I really want to get him pottied trained. He knows when he is going most of the time and he tells me sometimes that he needs a diaper. He has done his business on the potty a few times but he is just not interested. however Mommy is ready! I guess that doesn't count:) I guess I get it easy with one child and not the other. I simply told Hunter we are not wearing diapers any more and if you have an accident you get all wet. He had very few accidents because he could not stand to be Dirty at all. Rusty on the other hand wets his underwear and never notices.

We are also having problem with Rusty behaving. He has bitten a few to many times. We have tried rewarding him for good behavior and spanking him, talking and time out when he is not so good. I wish I could make him stop. We have tried and we still are. Luckily the mothers of the victims have been very understanding while I just want beat his bottom and make it never happen.

Today at church, of all places, a lady told me that my child was just out of control and a handful rambunctious child. At times I would agree with her but this is the first itme she has ever seen my child. I just wanted to punch her lights out. My children are wild at times but not all the time! They are kids!!! And she had no right!!!!

Well enough said for now!

Sick Baby:(

2007-09-16T19:38:00.001-07:00

I just hate when my babies are sick and you have to watch them feel so terrible. Rusty has has a fever all day today and a yucky nose. He gets up every now and then and runs around and then comes crashing down. I just want to hold him all night and watch him. He has had those sad puppy dog eyes today that say with out words how he feels. I do however enjoy the fact that I can hold him more than two seconds before he runs away. Days like today make me think about those who have really sick children or have lost their little ones. I can't even imagine. I am thinkful that he will be better in a few days and that I am well enouhg to care for him.

A Jumping Good Time

2007-09-08T17:04:00.000-07:00

A couple of Fridays ago we met the boys God Mother and her kids at the Jumping Party in Fort Worth. We were so happy to have Camryn along to play with us too! We had so much fun. The kids came home and slept really well. I think Rusty takes after me becasue he does not like to go up and then down. I'm ok going up but going down is not for me:) But we all had a blast! Here is Camryn in action. We were so glad that she was able to join us and she was so good! It was nice to have alittle girl around for a change:)

Toby is so fast now and so big I can hardly keep up with him. What a cutie!

This is Rusty at the mouth of the Giant Caterpillar! So it looks like he is being eaten!

Rusty and Madison are so cute together at least until Rusyt decided to taka swing or a push at Madison. This was his I'm sorry for puching you down again hug! But as you can tell she was very forgiving:)

This is the big slide they had a blast waiting for each other and sliding together. You will notice this is the only shot of Hunter I couldn't ever catch him being still enough for a picture to turn out. Talk about Quick!

Rusty's favorite ride is definitley the Caterpillr. He can almost do it by himself but he will not go up the slide part. I know he could if he tried but he get scared even with my help. But running in the tunnel is alwasy fun:) BUt boy oh boy look at that hair. He was definitly in the need of a haircut! AGAIN!!!! So I have to post a picture of his new haircut! He look like a new kid! That is my grandmother behind him.

Summer is over:(

2007-08-25T20:40:00.000-07:00

Well summer is offically over. This week was so long and I missed my family so much! I had to work late pretty much all week getting ready for a new school year but I think now I'm ready for Monday. It has been strange not to spend every moment with the boys. It has been really relaxing at times to not have constant noise but at the same time I miss it. Well any ways here are some pictures of us at the lake this summer. The boys love the boat and Hunter has gotten to fish a little this summer with his day. I would loved to have joined them but Rusty is a little to small for the being still part of fishing, in fact that seems to still be hard for Hunter also! LOL!!!

These two are going to hate me taking pictures someday! It is so hard to get them both smiling and looking at once. Good thing I have a digital camera so I can just stap away and pick the best. And I you can tell you still can't get them looking at the smae time. Oh well They are still as cute as can be!

Rusty was really quite on the boat I think we might Have been a little scared being his first ride. But he never cried or whined. He just held on for dear life. Hunter on the other hand would have stood up the whole time if we had let him. He loved being able to drive with daddy. I enjoy watching Kevin teach him how to drive and what to look for. Moments like this you can tell will be treasured memories for both of them:0)

He like his own seat but it looks like he is being blown into the seat.
This is my brother Clint and his fiance Celinda.

I love close ups of the boys not looking. This is Rusty pointing throwing bread to the ducks.

Hunter loved throwing rocks in the lake we did however have to move away from the ducks because he had a pretty good aim:) I just love watching HUnter at play! He gets so excited about little things. He loves teaching Rusty how to do everything(The good and the bad). Sometimes he just acts so grown up and to see how much he has grown over the summer just amazes me. I should record him talking. He is just so funny and so interested in the world. And of course he has so many questions, which can be annoying but he just wants to know everything. All I can say is WOW! I love my boys they are just amazing to watch grow up:) I look forward to coming home each day tired or not and getting my big hugs from all three of my boys and then off to play with what energy I'll have left.

Update:My last post was about my friend A and she has gotten better and gone home. Hopefully she got the help she needed.

Prayers!

2007-08-18T20:46:00.000-07:00

I am really behind on blogging I never have time to add pictuires to the blog and I love that part so I just don't keep it up to date. So eventually I will add more of my millions of pictures fromt he summer. Right now my heart is Heavy for a lady which I will call A for now! She wants no one to know anything about this so just in case I want to honor that. A admited herself to thehospital for what we believe is Postpardum physocis or something. They have 3 children a 5 year old a 3 year old and a 4 week old baby. I was called later this week about A and that they needed help with the kids while the she was seeking help. And of course I was glad to help. Well I tried and tried to help but it was like pulling teeth to do so. Eventually Iwas able to help out by taking the baby. It was the most amazing thing to hold a 3 and half week old baby girl. Oh my gosh a baby in my home. Her mother is still no better and her husband is not telling us much of anything because A is so embarrassed which is understandable. But it is not her fault. Her husband has been by her side the whole time. The baby stayed with me for 3 days and two night. It was an honor to have been able to help them out. She was precious and I miss her as if she was my own. I pray that A will get the help she needs and I'm so proud of her for seeking help. I pray that she will get better and be able to return to her children. I also pray that until then that the kids will be taken well care of. I wish so badly that I could help more but with school starting Monday I just can't Which breaks my heart. I wish I could solve the problems of the world but only through prayer can I even begin.

Fun with 6 boys

2007-08-12T10:33:00.000-07:00

I kept 4 boys for my friend Alicia while she took he baby Cheyenee to the doctor. I was a little nervous before they got here wondering how I was going to do it, but it was not bad at all. Everyone behaved just perfectly. Hunter seemed a little overwhelmed to begin with but I think it was because he was no longer the oldest. He soon adjusted and loved all the play time they got. And believe or not I even got them all to sleep!
Here they are minus Rusty in the fort of the swing set From left to righ Hunter, Christopher, Benjamin, Kendrick and Nathaniel sitting on the slide. Rusty was up there also but I was nervous that he would fall while I took the picture.

Here is everyone playing in the sand box

Ihope when my boys are away from me they have the manners and behavior that these 4 did. Christopher the oldest cleaned up after lunch for us and he noticed the trash was full he he just started taking it out and asked where to take it! WOW! Nathaniel really cracked me up he kept tellingme things he was allergic to which I knew was a joke becuase he had his daddy's joking smile and dimples. It was a dead giveaway! Below is Kendrick playing with the Umbrella he kept telling me to take his picture:)

The younger two were just as kind and sweet! I really wish they lived closer than Witchita Falls:( I not only miss spending time and talking to Alicia but I miss watching her boys grow.

Here Rusty and Benjamin work on their sidewalk art.

Here is everyone in action. If you look closely you can see Hunter climbing the basketball goal!

And here is Cheyenne she is13 months old.

Playtime with friends

2007-07-26T19:17:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I baby sat Toby and Madison. We had such a blast! I think it is easier with four than two or at least it was most of the time:) Madison is 5 weeks younger than Rusty and Toby will be four in September. So he is right in between Hunter and Rusty. This was lunch time:) The babies were so cute together. Rusty was either hugging her or pushing her. It was hard to tell sometimes. Maddi was not wanting Hugs every 5 second and I don't blame her.Hunter tried to be the one in charge as usual but he did a good job. He tried to make sure everyone was happy especially Madison. Hunter would walk her around and show her things, like the bunny and then they would talk about how to touch her, and then how to get the dogs to come to the window and top priority was that Rusty did not make her cry. He was Super!

I also loved how Madison and Rusty would have their own conversations. Rusty talks but not like Madison. There were times I would walk by and they were just talking an nodding their head like big people! I love it! Everybody really did a great job. I really enjoyed watching them all interact together. It is amazing to think that I have been there to see all of these beautiful babies since day one and now to see them playing and so grown up. God makes some incredible creations and children are definitely one of them!

This is Toby and Hunter laying in the bed playing with their airplanes. It took a lot to keep them still for two second in order to get a picture:) Here is everyone ready for nap time. I turned on cartoons and told them they had 10 minutes and everyone was going to bed. Madison lasted about 2 minutes and then she grabbed her nap pad and said bye. I took her and laid her down then Rusty drug his blanket and off he went as well. The two older ones made it a little tricky but after a few talks and some stares they were all asleep!
Truck were the big hit of the day!

And then the toys get old but the containers are still fun!

Elisha, their mommy and the God mother to my boys , surprised us with dinner when she picked them up! CHICK FILA!!!!! It was AWESOME! It was also really nice to sit down and talk with Elisha. I miss her living close enough to see all the time. But it makes our time together even more special!

And tomorrow I am watching Alicia's 4 boys:) I am sure it will be a blast:)

Happy 6th Anniversary!

2007-07-23T10:11:00.000-07:00

On Saturday Kevin and I celebrated our 6th wedding Anniversary! Our plan was to got to San Antonio for the night but we stayed in town and had a great time. Kevin's Parents kept the kids for us Friday night and all day Saturday. It was strange to be at home together without kids. We had dinner together Friday night and then came home to watch a movie. We then got to sleep late Saturday! Wow that was awesome. No getting up in the middle of the night and no little ones to be the alarm. We got up and went to breakfast or by that time brunch and then went to the mall. After the mall we went fishing. Some of you are think, wow on your anniversary! But that is how Kevin and I met and I love to fish. Unfortunatly the fish were not really in the mood to be caught. Kevin caught one and I caught, .... well none! But we still had a good time.

I just love this picture. You can really see his mind working hard:)

As you can see the fish was huge! The funny part was trying to get the hook out. I had my hand downthe poor fishies throat becasue Kevin's hands were to big. We should have taken a picture of me doing that!

After fishing we wnet home and washed up for dinner time!

By the time the day was over we were both really ready to see our boys. When we pulled up we jsut sat there in the car watching them paly in the driveway. Hunter waved and kept playing . Rusty stared like he had no idea who we were and then started jumping up and down and screaming mommy.. daddy. It was pricless!!!

I am so lucky to have Kevin! I love him so much and can't imagine the world without him. Meeting him 9 years ago was a dream come true. He has truely shown me how wonderful life can be. He and my boys are what make my world go around:)

Rusty's Reading Habits

2007-07-16T13:25:00.000-07:00

I have been reading a book in my spare time

(Which is not very often!) Rusty takes his every chance to get his hand on it. He always gets comfy and lays down to read the book also. He lays there and stares at it forever like he is really reading. We read a lot of kids books too, but this seems to be his favorite. I am impressed that he enjoyes and book with no pictures:)

Sea World

2007-06-26T10:47:00.001-07:00

We took the boys to Sea Word and had a blast. Watching their faces glow with excitment was incredible. We drove in from Corpus and they were so glad to get out of the car. We were worried that we might get rained on but that might be refreshing was our thought. And it di rain but not until we were readu to leave. Running from one show to the next was a challenge but once we got thereit was well worth it. Hunter rode his fist small roller coaster and loved it. I think if he was big enough he would have riden anything. Rusty was just amazed at all he had to see.

He was fussy at times and just wanted to run so we would take breaks from the crowds and just set him free. However when there were animals around he would just stop and stare in amazement. You could see the wheels turning. He kept saying " Pool fishies and then trying to get in with the dolphins. And he was really dissappointed when he could not get in. We did go to the water park area but Hunter was still not big enough to get on the slides. Whichwas fine with me because I'll go up but I'm not much for sliding from way up and water. But I would have done it if he could go. kevin talked about going up and I talked him out of it. All I need is for him to have back surgery again! NO THANKS! We did play in the wave pool and the lazy river. I wish I could have had my carea i nt he water. I need to get a water proof camera for this next ime. In the wave pool Rusty and I stayed int he shallow end he had on a life jacket and he would fall and roll over int he water. Face int he water and all. yet he would stand back up laugh and do it again on purpose. It was the greatest. After doing it many time he would come up hug me and fall again. Hunter and Daddy jumped the waves and had a blast. Hunter kept asking why it was a little ocean and not big. later we did the lazy river. We stuck a life jacket on Hunter and let him swim to us. He had a lot of giigles. And I held on to Rusty form a tube and just let him swim away. When we got to the rapids each time he would laugh and squeal and everyone else would laugh with him.

Then the bad part came. We had to go home. TEARS!!!!! Screams!!!! and here comes the fits. but we survived and they were asleep in their car seats before we left the parking space.

This was the ride out to the car after the fits ended. Mommy and Daddy were POOPed and so were these two

I have to say trips with two little one is a lot of work and difficult but I would do it all again right now. There were so many unbelieveable moment that I will trasure forever.

Even the car ride as crazy as it was at times we had some good laugh. From Rusty saying "NIGHT NIGHT BEEBEE" everytime he was ready to go to sleep even in the middle of the night, which is what tell him when he goes to bed. The the talking dophin that Hunter and Rusty kept pretending to be, And the Simple words from Hunter. Mommy can the truck stop so that you can just hold me please:) Wow being a mom is amazing and incredible.

The beach

2007-06-26T10:47:00.000-07:00

We were actually able to go on a short vacation this year. With kevin's new job we were not sure it would actually happen. Rusty and Hunter had a blast. The first day on the beach was a bit crazy. We drove Kevin's new truck and did not consider how it might drive on the sand. BUt it took us anout 5 minutes to find out. WE GOT STUCK!!!! The first time we worked and dug our way out but them we just maded it worse. We ended up digging off and on for an hour and then we called for help. We have a roadside assistant plan but who woul have guesses it doesn't cover you 100 yards off a paved road so we called a tow truck and evnetually got out! The left back tire when all ws said and done was about 2 feet in the sand. However we still had a blast and just laughed about the crazy morning.

When Hunter was this age he was terrified of the waves and didn't like to get dirty. But Rusty dove right in. At least until he fell in and was slashed my a wave. Hunter had a blast jumping the waves and just laying in it.

We had a blast in Corpus. Hunter and Rusty could live right on the water and never leave:) I had a blast watching them have so much fun. God has some beautiful creations, The ocean the sand and my beautiful family.

And the summer is just starting

2007-05-27T16:07:00.001-07:00

We have had so much fun and summer has not even started yet. These two are so cute I could not resist sharing. Teh water is still cold but watering the grass is so much fun and entertaining.As some of you know that Briggs truck sitting in front of the house is Kevin's work truck. Well it is gone:) Kevin quit last week and starts a new job on Tuesday. He has been blessed with the oppurtunity to join a new company. Hopefully he will be much happier and more money is always nice:) so that leaves me with the boys from wake up to about 5 by myself. I can't wait. We are going to have a blast. They are both at the age that they will play until they hit the floor. They play well with each other sometimes, however other times they both like to pick at each other. But in the end they both say they are sorry and go on their way. We are trying to teah them both to use their words not their hands. And Yes Rusty talks up a storm. He has started saying more than one word at a time. Yesterday I gave hunter candy and he said. I want it too!

And if you count to him to stop something you have to hold back the smile and laughter. For example I'll say Rusty get out of mommy's room. 1... ANd Rusty says, 2,3,4. It just blows my mind. Well I guess two blogs in one day is enough. Happy Summer!!

Look at his tounge! I look watching the boys explore the world!

Fun in the mud

2007-05-27T16:07:00.000-07:00

Well as you can see we went and played in the mud. The boys had a blast. Good thing I don't mind getting muddy myself since Ihave two boys. There has been so much rain thatw e just never get outside time. So today in between rain falls we went out and look what fun we had. Hunter usually is Mr. Clean or else guy but not today. Rusty on the other hand never minds. In fact he fell in the mud puddle face first. Whinned a little and then died laughing. Just look at his face it is covered in mud. I should have taken a picture of the bath tub!

2007-04-21T14:16:00.000-07:00

For Rusty's 1st birthday my inlaws had his pictures made. Kris, my mother in-law was worried that there would be no good pictures to choose from because Rusty was on the run the entire time. However he was obvisoly smiling the entire time. He is just so perfect he looks like a doll.

We really wanted a picture of Rusty with the cowboy hat. Hunter had it in his 1st year picture and it was just so cute. Rusty did not want anything to do with the hat. After a few times of hiding the ball underneath it. I guess they got the perfect shot.He had so much fun playing with the photographers assistant.
If you look closley you will see that the chair is actually tiping over. Rusty loves to take risk just like his brother. It's kind of like they think " what can we do to scare mom today."
This was 3 months ago and I just can't believe how big Rusty is. He is now 17 months old going on 4. My boys may wear me out but at the end of the day I am so in love with the life I have. What a blessing my boys and husband are to me.

New Camera

2007-04-04T19:46:00.000-07:00

Hip hip horray! I finally have camera. My old one broke and I have 26 rolls of film to develop, but now I have a digital:) My husband took our income tax and surprised me with a carea. I am so excited:) So here is a picture that I took of my boys hugging. A sweet moment:)

SLEEP:)

2007-03-06T18:49:00.000-08:00

I am knocking on wood as I type...... Rusty slept all night last night and the night before. It is awesome to sleep all night:) Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers. Thanks God for the break:)

Smiles

2007-03-03T18:38:00.000-08:00

Rusty has been on his new medication for 6 days now, and we have seen some change. He is sleeping better at night. He still wakes up twice but is not as wild and crazy. he cries and throws his fit yet tells me"juice" which mean a drink. Then he has been laying with me and just talking away! He says- tank u, wuv u, juice, baaaa(bath), side (outside), gogog(dog) noooo noooo, and many more words I just love hearing him talk and he gives amazing hug and kisses

Hunter is such a sweetheart also. I had to take him to the doctor on Thursday and he thanked me for taking care of me. He had to have breathing treatment and I told him it would be ok not to worry he got off the table came over to me and said " Mommy you don't need to worry either I am a brave boy you can be brave to mommy" I though I was going to cry. I'm an emotional person and it doesn't take much.

Kevin and I had a day alone today. His parents kept the kids and we went to Canton. I think we really needed it. To walk together holding hand and talking really made my day and there were no interruptions. Every couple needs to make alone time. Kevin is such a wonderful husband. Lately he has made sure that I have time away and for myself and has made sure that I take care of myself and not just everyone else. I think I'll keep him:)

Prayers are being heard:)

2007-02-26T18:23:00.001-08:00

Sunday at church we mentioned to several people that we were having such a terrible time with Rusty Sleeping. We had not really shared it much becuase we know it could be much worse. Everyone said they would include us in theri prayers. Last night we set the video tape up to record Rusty in action at night and we joked that he would probably sleep. Guess what???????
He slept until 4 and then I changed his diaper and he rolled over and went to sleep. This is the 13th time since October that we have slept all night without Rusty up for hours screaming, kicking and head bashing us. I really feel that we were in the prayers of many people last night and God stood by his side patting him to sleep. I however woke up many times wondering if he was ok or if I had slept and not heard him cry.
We went to the doctor today for Rusty's 15 month check up. He weighs 25.8lbs and is 34 inches long. We talked about the whole sleep thing and the doctor suggested shortening Rusty's naps. But he sleep about 45 min in the monring and 1hr 30 min after lunch. He then kept trying to leave the room and send the nurse in for shots. But we kept reminding him that we are not sleeping. He then said he didn't know where to start he mentioned that their was only one thing he could think of and that Rusty really showed no other signs. ACID REFLUX~~~~~ But Kevin has had Acid Reflux since birth and so has Hunter. If anyone was around Hunter as a baby you know how he would spit up. It was terrible. Rusty only spit up sometimes and only a little. However he has been spitting up a little lately in the evenings. Anyways we are trying a medication to see if it solves the problem. This would only be a minor problem and it would be great to have found a cure!!! I can't wait to see the turn out of the next few days. I pray that this is it. Thanks to everyone for your prayers!

It's about time!!!

2007-02-15T18:48:00.000-08:00

I know it has been forever since I have posted anything new. I just can't seem to find time to stop and write sometimes let alone post pictures. I have 18 rolls of film to develope so I actually have no new pictures. So now for a catch up session.
School has been crazy. We had a teacher that we hired in August leave so we had to hire a new teacher. To be honest it was an answeres prayer her and I really knew how to make life miserable. She thought everything that I did to help her was a waste of time and she felt it was necessary to tell me along with other not so nice comments. Anyways to make a long story short we have hired a brand new teacher that is just wonderful. She is easy to work, flexible, smart and a great teacher. Sorry the other teacher that I have bad names for had none of these qualities. So the stress has changed a little bit. However I'm really feeling the TAKS pressure and it SUCKS!!!!!!! Along with TAKS we have a principal who comes up with Crazy idea like an American Idol Talent Contest!!!!! I can't sing or dance. But however tomorrow I will be on stage doing both with my team!!!! OH Great!!!! I'm sure it will be funfor the kids and they will have something to think about while they are stressing on the test to cheer them up.
Anyways enough about school@!
Kevin and I have become very involved at our church and I just love it. He spends a lot of time witht he youth! Sometimes I'm jealous but I know he is really being a supporter for those kids and they need it. I work with the k-1 in our children's service. Last week I spent my time with a 5 yr old autistic child. Although he took all my energy I really felt blessed to work with him and I feel like we connected. It also made me that more thankful for my boys even if they are a handful.
My boys have really grown Hunter has turned 4 and it seems tobe a magical age. He wants to act like a big boy now(sometimes). He has decided that it is ok to learn and he is excited to learn the light bulb really turned on last week. It is awesome. We have to pause TV all the time for him to tell us what letters are on TV. I owe it all to our sitter forher hard work. Once I get home there is not much time to make him do it. Now that he is interested that is all we do when we get home. He recognizes letters all over the place and sometimes he even knows how they sound. What a CHAMP!
Rusty has become a hugger he loves to hug. An he sings MOMMA, MOMMA after every bath in such a sweet tune. he even tells us Nit Nit when he is tired. He falls way to much and seem to be brusied at least once on his face a week. Hopefully know one thinks we beat him. He just moves fast and plays rough.
We are however really struggling at night time with Rusty:( HE has woken up almost every night since October throwing an hour to two hour long fit )sometimes longer) He kick throw his head, arches his back and screams. Eventually he wears down and falls asleep. Sometimes we are lucky to get him in bed and other times we start all over again. The doctor thinks it is nighttorres an suggested giving him benedryl. Well that makes my kids hyper, what luck. So we thried a stronger drug Attarax. The first couple of night we are up all night fighting him and then we have a few days where he will sleep all night. I don't want to get him addicted to the meds and that be the only way he can sleep. We are now once again trying the attarax for two weeks to see if we can fix the problem. I have spent many nights awake with him crying because it seems like he is in pain and I can't fix it. They also say it could be teething but for 4 months straight??????? Please pray that whatever it is is figured out so that we can keep it from happening. Not only am I tired but worried. At least he is ok during the day. I guess that is a blessing.
Wll that is probbaly enough rambling as if someones actually going to read all of this. However it just feels good to get it all out. WOW I think I wrote a book:)

Visiting Santa and family pictures

2006-12-02T06:46:00.000-08:00

Today we went to get our family pictures and then we went tovisit Santa since the boys were dressed so darn cute. They were both just awesome for pictures. Hunter tried to pull the I'm not going to smile for family pictures but the photographer was awesome an she had oth boys smiling forboth pictures. It was actually fun and not a pain. Hunter was so excited about Santa we had told him that we sould probably just walk by because I figured there would be a line. Howerver, there wer two kids in line so we joined the Santa line. Guess what Hunter ask for? A new vaccum. Yes my child is crazy. He got a toy vaccum last year that now needs batteries and he thinks he needs a new one. he wil not tell us anything else that he wants. Crazy little boy. As for Rusty he was fine with looking at Santa but di not really like teh idea of being on his lap. Out of the three pics to choose from this is the only one that he is not looking at Santa with a very concerened sad face.
Afer us there was a baby gong to see Santa that was about 7 months old. His reaction was so cute. He just stared at Santa with open mouth. They could not get his attention. So they just took that pose. Santa decide to have the same open mouth look as the baby. It was adorable.

Trick or Treat

2006-11-06T20:13:00.000-08:00

This year we carved two pumpkins. We let Hunter direct us on what kind of faces we wanted He cleaned the pumpkins, Kevin and I cut them, and Rusty well he played, ate and made a mess. But we had so much fun. I do not have pictures yet but Rusty was Superman and Hunter was a skeleton. Hunter wanted to be a scary monster, which to him was a skeleton with guts coming out. However we talked him into a regular skeleton.
Every October we make the joke that we are going to lock Hunter up during the month. Every year he get hurt.
1st year 2 stitches in head, 2nd year fractured leg, last year just a black eye and cut next to eye. and this year he ran into a wall running and once again got stitches above his eyebrow. He was sucha tough guy. He wasn't crying when I arrived to take him for stitches, however I was pretty close. he only cried when he got a shot and then just laid there and got stitches. I watched every move the doctor took and thanked God that it was only stitches and nothing more. I hate to see my baby hurt.

Rusty's First Steps

2006-11-06T20:05:00.000-08:00

My Rusty will not be a baby to much longer. He took his first steps on Oct. 6th at my mom's house. We were about to leave them with my mom and I told her he is so close to taking steps, and if he does do not tell me I want to think I saw it first. The little rugrat stood up and took 3 steps. Wow if he always follows directions this well then I am in for a treat:) He took 8 steps tonight to walk to me. He has become extra loving. He hugs and kisses. But the kisses are dangerous and messy. He kisses open mouth and well with 5 teeth if he closes his mouth it is a bit painful. I just love the smiles of my boys. PRICELESS

So tired

2006-09-25T18:47:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry it has been so long since I have posted anything. I need new pictures the boys are changing so much. But I haven't been able to develop any just yet. We have been so Busy in the Crabtree house. School is wild and none stop. I have two new team mates on my team and I feel like I am still so new to 5th grade yet I have to teach them the ropes. My classes are so low and I have been taking it personal. Am working so hard yet I'm not getting any thing back. I pray that by the end of the year my hard work will pay off. This is just a tough group of kids. Kevin has been gone a lot and it's really hard. He is the junior high youth leader at our church now and it takes a lot of our time together away. I know he is doing God's work but I really need more time with him. Is that selfish of me? He is also still taking college courses and filling out applications all over to try to get a police officer position. I have also taken on a role of a Shepard in our children's service. I love it!!! It is so rewarding when doing GOD's work. It gives you such a wonderful and powerful feeling. But then again I am so tired. I just need to breath for a minute. I have to say that typing this is actually relieving my stress and helping me to express what I really can't put in words. Well enough rambling for onenight:)

The Best Sound

2006-08-21T21:17:00.000-07:00

Tonight we had Meet the Teacher Night at school. Oh boy hip hip hooray. Actually to be honest it went really well. I'm getting a little less nervous each year. Anyways since we had Meet the Teacher I didn't get home from work until 7:55. When I walked into the door Hunter came running screaming "mommy, mommy your home... I'm so glad you are here." It is awesome to hear your child say how much he loves you in such great words. It was like in the movies when you see people running to each other and jumping into each others arms. Then as I continues to talk to HUnter. Rusty started giggling. When I walked into the leaving room Rusty was standing on Kevin's belly jumping smiling yelling with joy and reaching for me saying"MMMMMMMM" WoW!!!! What a welcome home. I'm sure Kevin was just as happy to see me as well. He probably needed a break:)

On a different note. Kevin needs prayers. He has hurt his back again. H is on lite duty at work and has physical therapy 3 days a week.

Dana

2006-08-20T10:54:00.000-07:00

We have the best sitter of all times. It is so nice to go to work and know that my kids are not only save but having fun also. ON the left you see Hunter in his Larry boy hat. On the right you see Rusty and one of his play mates just cracking up.
Dana our sitter sends me pictures almost everyday. it is so nice to see what they are doing and to know that they are happy. I thank God for blessing us with Dana each day.

My boys

2006-08-01T21:01:00.000-07:00

Rusty Thomas 7 months old

Hunter 3 and a half and Rusty 7 months

I love being a mommy! It is incredible. Hunter is 3 and a half and Rusty is 8 months old. I can hardly believe how fast they have grown. They learn so much so fast. I wish sometimes they would really slow down. While at other times I can not wait for Hunter to grow out of the "Why" stage and Rusty will learn it is ok for mommy to walk two feet away. I know when those stages pass I will miss the moment. I go back to work on Monday I am going to miss them so much. I know there is no way I could mentally or physically be a stay at home mom, but I love my summers of and my school years working. It is just hard to get in the routine of leaving. Enough rambling, here is a picture of my two little handsome men:)

The blog world

2006-08-01T20:55:00.000-07:00

Well here I am finally with a blog. I have a myspace account but Kevin hates me using it with the bad rep it has. But I only use it to keep up with High School friends. I love begin able to click on here and just talk or read others blocs and feel like I'm getting adult time. I love my boys but sometimes I need to feel connected to the rest of the world too. It makes you wonder how people survived in the old days. No Phones, no TV, no computers.... I guess they were addicted to these things like we are today.