Fall Fun

We have been having LOTS of fun at our house! Braden has been a blast to be with and play with and watch him learn new things. He is so amazing and we are completely blessed to be his parents. As you can tell, I think that this age is amazing!! He is always making us laugh and making every second with him a good time! He has been using sign language a lot, which has been neat. I think it has really helped him be less frustrated because he can communicate easier with us. He knows the signs for please, eat, more, milk, and thank you. We are going to do some more, but haven't decided what would be good yet. He understands when we ask him if he is hungry, or wants to take a bath, and can ask us for a bite or a drink. He also shows us if he wants something- he will take our finger and lead us to what he wants. So can you recommend any other signs that you have found to work well with your little ones? Here are some fun pics for your enjoyment:)

Playing in his toy basket:)

Hey Mama!

Peek-a-boo!! I see you!

Eating breakfast with my buddy Colton:)

This is our new table and chairs- we love it!

The boys playing basketball

Cheese!

Putting up the Christmas lights with Mimi:)

Yes, it's early but it is a beautiful day to do it!

Trick-or-Treat 2009

Here is our little golfer in full swing:)

Close up:)

At the first house getting his treat:) He was so excited!

Helping himself to the candy:)

Checking out his loot:)

Handing out treats to the kiddos- too cute!

He kept dumping out the candy!

It took him all of one minute to crash!

He didn't even finish his milk.

He had a GREAT night!!!

Happy Fall Ya'll!!!

I would have updated sooner, but our computer was acting STUPID!! A friend fixed it and told us we had 300+ viruses on it!!! YUP that would make it STUPID:)

We survived the all nighter, but were up at about 7AM waiting at the door for them to bring him back home:) I'm sure it will get easier each time we do it and he really enjoyed his Mamaw Kathy and she enjoyed him too! We have been on Fall Break this week. It has been really nice to spend the extra time with Braden and Jill. We even got an early start on some Christmas presents.

We took Braden to Trunnel Farms for a friends second birthday party. He got to go on his first hayride and pick a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch. There were lots of kiddos around his age so he had a blast. He played corn hole, went through the hay maze, and climbed the BIG haystack with his mommas.

Last night we carved a pumpkin-- I think he LOVED it! He had his hands all in the goop and was throwing it around. We have so much fun doing all these "firsts" with him. He is such a blessing and we are TOTALLY and COMPLETELY crazy about him!!!!!

Here are some fun pics...

Cooking with Mama (He flung the batter on me:)

Sleeping with Mimi

Pumpkin Patch

First Hayride!

Hay Maze

Watchin Franklin with Mama- big buddies:)

First Pumpkin Carving
October 22, 2009

Scooping the goop:)Is there anymore down in there?????

Kid Free- Will I Make It?????

Tonight is Braden's first overnight with his Mamaw Kathy (Jill's Mom). It was SOOOO weird putting him in her car and him driving away. I almost cried right then and there. However, I kept myself together and am still fighting the tears. What is crazy is that we asked her to do this... so why am I having such a hard time. Jill and I really need some time together to just focus on us, but man I already miss that little guy!!! We are going to try and take full advantage of a kid free night and go to eat and do whatever we want, when we want, without worrying about diaper changes, nap time, and bed time. Man with that be different! Pray for us!!!!

Here are some pics of our trip to Reid's Orchard. They have lots of little activities for the kids to do. It is called Reidland and Braden had a pretty good time, once he opened up a bit:) Then some other pics just for fun:) Enjoy and have a great weekend everyone!!!!

Playing in the corn pit:)

Walking the pipe with Mama- he really didn't care for this:)

Just lookin cute:)

Crawling through the tires

Going up the big slide with Mama!!

Going down the big slide with Mimi:)
He giggled all the way down- and it was a BIG slide!

Cheesin' with Mimi

Crawling through the pipe!

Mini Coach handing Jill her play board:)

Spaghettio Night- What a mess, but he is still so darn cute:)

Life in the Fast Lane

Life has been real busy lately. Jill has pretty much lived work and soccer with a little family time on the side. That has been tough, but we are hanging in there. Braden and I have been to most of the games. He really enjoyes hanging out with the team and being the mini coach:)

I cannot believe how much he has grown! I look at him in his crib and he is so LONG! I remember when he was just a tiny little thing in the big crib. Man time flies! He is such a joy and I cherish every moment we are together. I love when it is just Jill, Braden, and I and we all get in the floor and play together. Sometimes we play with toys, or look at books, wrestle, etc... We have so much fun with this little guy! I thank the Lord above for him everyday!!!!!

I would like to ask for some prayers for me and my poor excuse for a mother. I found out some disturbing news this week. About 6-7 years ago my family just dropped out of my life. I just assumed that they felt the same way my parents did about my lifestyle and decided that they did not want to see me anymore. This hurt of course, but I realized that was just part of my life now that I came out to everyone. Well I found out that was not exactly why. My wonderful mother decided to give my family an ultimatium- either they see me and my mom cuts them out of her life, including my dad and brothers. OR they are a part of their life, but they do not see me or include me in their lives. I don't blame them for just losing one family member instead of four, but really-- a mother could do that to her child?!?!?! WTF!!! Not that they like what I am doing, because they do not, but I think that they would have liked to at least see Braden and I and be a part of our lives. So that makes a little more sense and explains a lot of what happened all those years. This new information plus the other lies she tells the family like I refused to go to counseling! CRAZY- I am the one that called and asked her to go and made the appointment and she refused because he was not a CATHOLIC counselor. That was her choice to make! Of course the rest of the family does not know my side because we do not talk/see each other. So the lies continue! I am just so tired of the lies!!!! Tell everyone I am gay and flauting it (as she puts it)- I don't care, but do not spread lies!!!! So I ask you to pray for this closeminded "family" that I have and to pray for Jill, Braden, and I-- that we survive the storm an even closer family:) Thankfully Jill's family has been WONDERFUL through it all. Jill's dad even sent me flowers to brighten my day, and her mom sent me a beautfiul card to let me know she has been praying for us. I do not know what I would do without her family! They are my family now and I LOVE THEM!!!! We do have a wonderful support system of friends that are our chosen family now and we truly appreciate all the support and love they have for us and Braden.

On to more wonderful things... Below are pics at the soccerfield:)

I love you coach!
I love this pic!

So sweet:)

Go girls!!

This one is at Jill's Mamaw's. We go there every Sunday and he

loves getting in her spice cabinet. He decided to strike a

pose for the camera:)

16 Month Milestones

* Very good eater:)
* Stacking small blocks.
* Now says hot, bird, bye, bock bock (chicken), belly, baby, eye, bu (book) and shoes!
* Understands when we say "Do you want to eat?", "Are you ready to take a bath?", "Take this to the trash.", and "Let's clean-up."
* Loves Franklin Videos!!
* Likes to kick the soccerballs.
* Likes Matchbox Cars.