Birthday parties, family, and surprises, oh my.....

This was such a busy weekend. It seems like everyone in my family has a birthday from January to the first week of February. Friday was my father-in-law's birthday AND my sister-in-law. Yesterday was my uncle's birthday (my dad's brother), somewhere in the last couple of days Chad's grandmother had a birthday, and Chad has a birthday on Friday. Whew. We celebrated all weekend long.

Friday night we went to Easely Amused for my sister-in-law's birthday and painted "Cotton Eyed Joe" (a cotton plant in the middle of a dirt field--- kicking it back to our Mississippi roots) which Chad wants to take to his office and hang up.

Saturday for lunch we went to my Uncle James' house and had some burgers for his birthday. He lives in what was once my grandparent's home and has a little pond for fishing and some horses. Brennan LOVES horses. I really wish we could afford to have a horse for Brennan, but they are outrageous to keep boarded and fed.

Saturday night my mother-in-law threw my father-in-law somewhat of a surprise party for his 60th birthday. He knew some people were coming, like his family and a couple of his very best friends, but way more than just immediate family and a couple of friends came. He was pleasantly surprised.

This afternoon we went to see my grandfather at the nursing home since both my brothers were in town. My mom wanted to get some pictures of all of us. You know how moms are....

A great weekend, but very exhausting. Especially after I have officially accepted that I am a homebody. I LOVE being at home--- especially in the evening time.... spend time with my boys, put them to bed, curl up with a good book, take a hot bath, and go to bed. Yes, very dull. But, what can I say? I'm not ashamed.

Anyway, here are a few pics from the weekend:

Ethan riding his Mickey Mouse 4-wheeler at Uncle James' house.

Brennan and the horses.

I think they loved Brennan as much as he loved them.

This John Deere was my Papaw's when he was living. He loved this tractor. I used to be intimated as a little girl because of how big it seemed. Now it doesn't seem so huge, but I am glad it is still in the family. It's probably as old as me. Nothing runs like a Deere. As a matter of fact, this was my inspiration for wanting Brennan's nursery done in John Deere when he was a baby. I used John Deere as decor before it became so popular as decor.

One of the ice cream cakes from DQ for my father-in-law.

My youngest brother, Brent, and his fiance, Melissa.

Chad and me.

My 2 brothers and me.

My father-in-law walking in to a house full of people he didn't expect.

Singing happy birthday to him.

My mom and brothers.

My mom, my brothers, and me.

My parents.

This is what Ethan did most of the evening.

Chad talking to his 3 year old niece, Bayleigh. She LOVES her Uncle Chad.

Now Ethan is getting very jealous.

That's MY Daddy!

Brennan and Papa Clayton.

Ethan loving on him.

Brennan jumped in this shot. He is such a mess.

Ethan HATES having his picture taken. HATES it.

Not Brennan. He is a ham.

Brennan and his Uncle Clayton.

Catching up....

Sooooo, I realize I have pretty much TOTALLY neglected my blog the last few MONTHS other than a few pics of holiday gatherings and what-not..... But I have had no serious thoughts to share. I think I have just been plain exhausted. As always Christmas came and went in the blink of an eye and my schedule at work was a little out of whack and I worked more than my usual part-time gig. It was nice to have a little extra Christmas cash, and I will reiterate just how much I love my job outside of the home, but BOY--- I sure love spending the day with my quickly growing 2- year old and my 6-going-on-16-year-old.

New Year's came and went with a bang. Literally. Thunder, lighting, and tornadoes.... OH MY! After the FIRST storm of New Year's Eve came and went, I slept right through the stroke of midnight (and the second round of storms), much to Chad's dismay. I couldn't even stay up and watch the ball drop in New York one hour ahead of our time. All the excitement of the New Year's Eve evening just made me want to crawl under the covers and ring it in peacefully and sleepily. So, I did. After all, I didn't get to go to Graceland, so I just decided to go to sleep.

And last week, JUST when we were all getting back on our regular schedule with jobs and school, here comes the dreaded ice storm.... (or as I like to call it, Ice-ageddon). No work, no school yesterday for anyone in this household, and after day #3 of being cooped up in the house together, we were all ready to murder each other in a way that only family can. Even Brennan and Ethan who get along GREAT 99% of the time, were ready to CLAW each others faces off. I was SO ready to get to work this morning. I think the van might have peeled out of the driveway on 2 wheels this morning.......

So, I guess the next topic brings me to "Project 2011". Otherwise known as a "baby". No, we are not pregnant yet. Yes, we have been unofficially- officially trying. And yes, my kids make me crazy. But so does my husband and my dog. I'm high strung. But, I still want a 3rd child. My mom thinks I've lost my mind. Well, that sort of happened a long time ago. As crazy as my kids make me, I love ALMOST every moment with them. Fortunately, I have a GREAT baby's daddy (a.k.a., my husband) who really helps with the load of child-rearing. And I have a great mom, who never hesitates to help out when I need a last-minute sitter or when I need anything. She even does my laundry sometimes while I'm at work.

Maybe I am crazy for wanting a 3rd child, but at this point, I can't imagine my life being anything but chaotic. But it's the kind of chaos that I will miss one day. Ethan has really grown almost overnight, and I keep staring at his baby picture thinking to myself, "Wow, wasn't that just yesterday?!" It seems like it, but time sure does fly.

Brennan prays every night for a baby sister. I just want a healthy baby. The pregnancy part has not happened as fast as I had anticipated. But, that's okay. I know it's not all about my timing. After all, my first two kids came before I even realized HOW it happened. (Okay, that's sort of a joke.) I know if it is in God's plan to conceive, then it will happen. It's not all about how I want my life to pan out. Besides, the sooner we have another baby, the sooner it will be grown, just like my other two babies.

Anyway, hope to do better on my blogging..... I certainly need some therapy!

These are the days I want to last forever and ever....

Brennan's Christmas present to Chad and me. He was SO excited for us to open it, he couldn't wait until Christmas day.

And that is just the wrapping paper in the above picture.

And there is his masterpiece that he is SO proud of!

Ethan is rockin' out with his new guitar from MiMi and Papaw.

My middle brother, Clayton.

Still rockin' out.

My new purse/bag. I love this! My friend, Bonnie, has the smaller purse, so I had requested one like it. I LOVE it!!!!

Yes, these are Chad's new boots. Him and both boys got some John Deere boots from my parents.

Brennan is decorating the birthday cake for Jesus.

Christmas Eve: Time to open presents at Chad's parents.

Chad's grandmother and Ethan.

Yes, Chad and his mother have on the same shirt.

I love this picture.

Our niece, Brooklyn, and Chad's youngest sister, Lindsey.

Bayleigh and Brennan.

Brooklyn and her mom, Lauren.

The 3 of the 4 grandchildren.

Memaw, Lindsey, and Alex.

Opening presents!

This was hanging on Brooklyn's tree, and when I told her I collected birds, she went and took it off her tree and wrapped it up for me. So sweet!

Memaw got this for Brennan. This was also the first verse Brennan learned when he was four years old.

Chad got his dad a little grill. The inmates at Parchmen make them in all sizes, and Chad's company sells them. We thought it was the perfect size for the two of his parents.

They don't make 'em like this over there in China!!! It's true quality and craftsmanship.

Mother and daughter.

Home from the Miller's and now feeding the reindeer.

Sprinkling the reindeer food all across the yard. And brrrrrrr! it was cold.

Chad and Alex made this cross last year. You can't tell from the picture but it glows very brightly. Very cool!

Santa Claus has come!

Um, yes, my 6 year old asked for a kitchen set. Chad about had a cow, but finally gave in. I do believe Brennan is secure enough in his boyhood to be okay with having a kitchen set and not having any long-term consequences. Once again, it's Brennan's creativity coming out.

My bird hanging on my tree.

Santa even came to see Dixie and brought her a new blanket and bed. She needs it after all the excitement the past few days.

And the kids are awake! I think they were the only kids in America that had to be woken up on Christmas morning. They were exhausted.

Oh boy!!!

Ethan's big gift, a Mickey Mouse 4-wheeler.

Brennan's Christmas present to Chad. He picked it out at the school store all by himself!

Brennan's present to me! A painted bottle cap that is also a necklace. Very pretty.

My new robe.

Ethan's Ole Miss baseball bat and ball.

Yep, I got me some cowboy boots. I have wanted them for a long time, but didn't have the money to spend on them. Chad picked these out all by himself.

Elvis was in my stocking.

That's my child under the tree. Don't ask me what he was doing.

His new building blocks.

Dixie is so tired!

My Uncle James and Ethan playing with Brennan's guitar he got for Christmas.

My grandmother (my dad's mom) and my grandfather (my mom's dad).

MiMi loved her painting. Brennan's teacher painted it.

At the end of a long, tiring day Ethan and I curled up and watched "A Christmas Story".

Christmas was a TOTAL blast this year. My boys were so much fun and I hated to see yesterday end. But, I was so tired after all the fun!

Next up is New Year's. I'm trying to talk Chad into taking me to Graceland again, but I doubt that's going to happen. Oh well, a girl can dream.

Hope you all had a great Christmas!!!!