Trimming the Tree

Brooke Playing Princess

I had to catch this...cause it was so cute. She is obviously in her own princess world. Excuse this princess's runny nose and orange juice mustache.

Thanksgiving 2009

Big Girl Brooke and Scare me to Death Steve

My picture of Steve

Binkie Brooke --- 6 months

Brooke is a big girl now!! She is officially out of diapers night and day. (still accidents here and there) but something to celebrate. She is doing awesome!! We have also been binkie free for over a month! What??? It is kind of strange that the baby chapter of our lives is over. But, it is also wonderful!!!

Steve scared me to death the other day when he came home from work and looked really "off." He said he couldn't breathe, had chest pain, and jaw pain. He had been suffering since around 7 a.m. and had stayed at work to finish the day out!!! We took him to our doctor and they sent us directly to the hospital. He ended up staying over night and after a lot of tests including an ultrasound of the heart, a stress test, and a free chest wax via all the electrodes, the cardiologist decided that it didn't look like he had had a heart attack. They couldn't really tell us what happened but said if that happens again he would have to be checked again.

Things like this put things in perspective and make you think. First, I am so relieved that it wasn't a heart attack!! But, we all know that our bodies aren't perfect and things do happen. It just made me so grateful that I still have Steve with me. I honestly don't know what I would do or how I could live without him. On a funny note: He told me that with all of my health problems that it was about time that he got some attention around here. I have a picture of him on the treadmill all hooked up but I can't get it off the phone because the phone broke....so sad.

With Thanksgiving approaching I feel so much peace and gratitude. I had to give a spiritual thought at choir practive yesterday and there was a scripture that I loved in John 14:27:

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

I find amazing comfort in this promise. There are so many ups and downs. But, when I really stop to think about my life so far, I do realize that there has always been the peace that comes from knowing that my Heavenly Father loves me. We had another rough year last year....and I am sure that it won't be the last. I have come out of that haze now and am ready to face more joys and sorrows with my family. Others I love struggle and are in their own hazy patches of life, and I pray for them to recognize the peace in their lives. I think that it's always present....but we get distracted. I know that I do.

As I looked over at my sweet little boy holding my beautiful baby girl on his lap yesterday at church snuggling. (they fight a lot more now) I thought to myself it doesn't get much better than that. I have got to relish in those moments. I have got to let the peace in my heart be present and guide me.....for them....for Steve. That is harder to do than to say...but I am gonna try.

Some School Activities

Brooke after using the school water fountain

Tyler school has their field day in the fall. It was raining so we ended up in the gym. But, he had so much fun and it was really fun to watch him and all the other kids.

Steve was on the Social Studies Department Dodge Ball Team. Great uniform eh? They played in a tournament with students. We didn't get to watch but we wanted to! Would have been fun to see.

Halloween 2009

We want YOU!!!

He has been working out

our cute little halloween witch

Tyler is into his character!

This is what she did all night long....I am really surprised she didn't throw up.

Tyler and Zombie Hayden

More pictures to come. Steve's costume was hilarious!! I bought some fake fur for 3 dollars and whipped this beauty out. He won the costume contest at church and he will NEVER let me live it down cause I made him leave the room right before the big announcement so they gave his candy bar to someone else. OOPS!! He was the big bad wolf and I was little red riding hood. The kids had a really fun day. Tyler had a birthday party, then we went to trunk or treat and then trick or treating with some friends. By the end of the night both kids were spent.....and we were too :)

October