Small Change, Big Difference

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I had been looking for an easy way to spruce up the front of our house.  Planting did us wonders last November, but something was still missing.  Then one day I was walking in the house and mentioned to Craig that we needed to clean up the door.  It had a bunch of scuffs and dings in it and just made our entry look drab.  Craig said we should paint it.  I was all for that.  We did that at our old house and it make a huge difference.

I have always wanted a red door, but that color just does not go with our overall house color.  We needed something cooler.  I forgot to take a before picture, so this is from November when we did the landscaping.  Our door use to be cream colored.

Now it is a fun blue color!

To us, it makes a huge difference.  I really love the look of the house now.  Our neighbor actually came over and commented as soon as we closed the door.  I also planted new flowers all weekend.  So now I am very happy with the way the house looks.  It looks a lot more bright and lively!

Craig did an excellent job on the door.  I really love it and want to stare at it for hours, haha!

First Swim This Season

I have both been dreading and waiting for the onset of warm weather.  I want it to come so that I can go swimming.  I also don't want it to come because I know I am going to be so uncomfortable being pregnant in the summer.  This week it reached the 90s more than one day so I wanted to test the pool out with Lincoln. 

Friday I picked him up from school and we headed over to my mom's house to swim.  I was not sure how the pool would feel, but I knew it would feel better than the humidity.  The water was cold, but after a minute, if felt just fine.  Lincoln jumped in with me and we had a blast climbing and it out of the pool.

Cheese!  What a cuttie in his swim trunks.

When daddy got off of work he came over too.  Lincoln had a blast flying in the air with daddy.

We had a fun time and I am looking forward to more pool days ahead. 

Texas Rangers!

I love me a good baseball game!  This is a sport that is so much fun to watch in person.  I have been wanting to go to a game so bad and we finally got the chance on Monday.  My work sells tickets and so I took the first chance I could get to purchase some.  Of course, I had no idea where we were sitting, but I really didn't care.

We invited Niki and Philip along, I know Philip loves a good game too.  I had been so excited all weekend long and then on my way home from work it started to pour!  I was getting upset, but not because I was going to miss the game.  No, I was upset because I wanted to eat all the good ballpark food, nachos, hot dogs, turkey leg, oh and ice cream.  We decided to chance it anyway and headed to the game.  Sure glad we did, because then I got to eat all those yummy foods, hang out with Niki and see a great game. 

Niki and I at the game!

Philip and Craig enjoying some sunflower seeds.

Skateboards, Shopping and a Kick for Daddy!

Whew, we just got back from a weekend at Cory's (Craig little brother) house.  Craig got asked to play paintball down close to San Marcos a few weeks ago and I always jump at the chance to go shopping at the outlets!  After a hairy weather report and news that the game was not going to be that big, Craig decided not to play.  But it just so happened that Craig's parents were planning a trip the same weekend, so we decided to go anyway. 
We headed down Friday morning and after Linc took a brief nap, Youg, Chad and I headed over to the shops.  After a few hours we headed home.  When Linc went down, we actually got to go see a movie, and it has been months since either of us have seen one.  I am trying to remember, but I think New Moon was the last one I saw, oh man.  Anyway, it was nice to have someone to watch Lincoln so Craig and I could go on a mini date.

Saturday, bright and early, Craig, Yong, Lincoln and I headed over to the shops again.  I was so hoping to find Lincoln's train bedding at the Pottery Barn.  I know what I had seen was this season, but I was hoping they had last season version of it, but I guess they did not make a train bedding last year.  I had no luck finding anything for Lincoln.  But I had a lot of luck finding stuff for Kennedy.  I found so much stuff, even a Easter Dress.  I know I am crazy, but the stuff is so cute.  How can I pass up getting cute little girl things at such good prices.  Well I am going to have to resist from now on or I won't be able to afford a bed for her to sleep in, haha!  Needless to say I had fun, and Craig had a bit of fun because he got some new jeans!  It is kinda nice being preggo and going there because then you aren't tempted to buy anything for yourself, even though I saw a bunch of cute stuff.

Lincoln also had a good time at Cory's.  Chad had his motorcycle in the garage and every time we passed it Lincoln wanted to jump on.  They pulled it out in the driveway on Saturday and so I had to snap this shot.  Lincoln, this will be as close as you ever get to riding one, so I hope you enjoyed it!  Haha, as you can see I don't really like these things.

He also loved Cory's skateboard.  He wanted to be such a big boy and ride it all by himself.

Cory was so sweet to help him so he could go on a mini ride.

Look at me, I am riding a skateboard!

I just love the serious look on his face, he is such a big boy!

I can even put both my feet on and only hold on to one hand.

I was amazed with him this time.  He did so great on both the ride there and back.  He also had people to talk to, which I am sure helped out.  We had no meltdowns and only had to watch Thomas the Train a few times.  I would say it is getting easier for him to be in the car for longer periods of time, which is great.  I can't say the same for me, most of the time I just want to stop so I can get out and stretch.

On another very exciting note, Craig felt the baby move this week!!!  Kennedy has been kicking up a storm and I was sitting in a meeting one day and realized that I actually felt her kick on the outside.  It was funny, but I laughed a little in a serious meeting, haha.  It is nice that he can feel her now because that means he wants to snuggle more, and I am all about snuggling.  I hope you all had a great weekend as well!

My 2nd Mothers Day

What would my mothers day be without this guy?

It would not be a mother's day, because you are my first born, my love, my sweet little boy that makes being a mother special every day and not just today.  You light up my life and bring renewed adventure to all my days.  I understand now how my mother feels, and only you could have shown me that.  No one can tell you how great and special it is to be a mother.  Sure, there are hard days, but when I look at his face, it all fades away.  I love you Lincoln, you have opened my eyes to joy I never could have imagined I would be blessed with.

And now you are going to be a big brother.  I know you will show your little sister how great it is to have a mom.  Just like I see from my brother how much he loves our mom and how our lives would be different without her.  I feel love from my mom everyday and I hope that Lincoln and Kennedy will feel that from me each day as well.

I love you Lincoln, you are my sweet baby boy!  Thanks for choosing me to be your mommy!

This year for mother's day, we all went out to eat.  My grandmother, aunt and sister in law were all there.  I love my Mom!

Ryan, Ginger and I. 

Ginger, Mom, me and Grandma.  What a special mother's day.

Linc would not sit still to take a picture today, so I was having to hold him down for it.

Here we are, finally!

Daddy said cheese and he cheesed!

I got the most awesome mother's day gift.  I got a sewing machine!  Ever since Niki introduced me to sewing when she got one, I have wanted one.  Sure, it takes a lot of time, but it is so neat to see something you made yourself.  Craig got me one that I could sew with and embrodier.  I took a class with it this Saturday and feel a lot more comfortable with it.  Check her out!

My first time to personalize something!

This was my first big project.  I saw on Tori and Dean, Stella had on this cute bib with a big S on it.  I wanted to try to make it and it seemed simple enough.  Well for someone whom has only sewn a straight line a few times, it was not that easy.  It took a few hours and some stitch pulling, but I finally got a finished product.  While it is not perfect, I think it is pretty good for my first complete project.  Check it out!

The back part is terry cloth which is not easy to sew with for sure.  It was a super fun project and I am going to do another one for her.

I hope all you mother's and soon to be mother's had a wonderful mother's day.  I know mine was great and I can't wait until next year, when I will have two babies to celebrate with.  Love you mom!

A May Birthday Celebration for Avery Mae

Last Saturday, Avery Mae Brawley had her second birthday.  She was born almost 2 months after Lincoln on April 28th.  Niki planned a fairy princess party for Avery.  Maria and I helped her the night before decorate and bake goodies for the party.  It was a great time for us girls to catch up and have some girly fun.  Everything turned out so great for the party and Avery was so excited the night before.  I am sure she was super happy when she woke up to a fairy house in the morning.  Niki and Maria even made her a special fairy dress just for the party and she looked so cute.  Here is Linc arriving at the party.

They made these yummy strawberry lemonade cupcakes that were so good!

Here is Avery's cake table.

The birthday girl, she is 2!

Avery getting the party started!

My shy guy.

All the kiddos waiting to play the song game.

Avery decorating her butterfly

Linc's turn.

Taking a chill break.

Cake time.  Avery was not too sure, she cried, but it was her birthday and she can cry if she wants to.

Both preferred to just eat cake with each other, haha.  What a cute little couple.

After all the guest left, Levi, Avery and Lincoln went outside the Brawley's to play.  Philip had charged the 4 wheeler and Linc was ready to ride.  Avery wanted to ride too, so Lincoln told her to get on.  It is so amazing how much they change in a few weeks.  It seems like instead of Niki and I telling them to play together, they actually play on their own.  It seems like they are actual friends now.  Here they are riding the 4 wheeler.

Lincoln actually asked Avery if she was having fun, it was so cute!  She replied with a big Yes!

What a great way to end a birthday party!

Seeing all of Avery's party stuff and grily dresses makes me even more excited for a girl.  It will be a different expierence and I just can't wait.  I have been working on some stuff for her already, and Lincoln loves to help.

Niki, great job of the fairy party, we had a blast.  You and your family are great party throwers!  Happy 2nd Birthday Avery Mae!