3 Cheers for Mimi...

Hip Hip Hooray...Hip Hip Hooray...Hip Hip Hooray. Below is the little program that I used to choose the winner of my giveaway and #12 just so happens to be Mimi. I could not think of a sweeter person to win. So, what does she win? Well, that is just simply up to her. I would love to go shopping for her, but I also know she is raising money to go on her first Mission trip to Brazil.

You tell me Mimi, what will it be...a donation towards your mission or a sweet little surprise (you would be so fun to shop for)? If you don't know Mimi, you are missing out. She is one of the sweetest people I know and have adopted through blogging & she is definitely one of my favorites. Even my husband was so excited she won, after all she has provided him with lots of good meals through her recipe blog. I am here to tell you, if we lived closer we would be spending lots of time at Mimi's house. We just love her!

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:12
Timestamp: 2009-06-22 00:36:22 UTC

I think we would all agree that post are just more enjoyable with pictures, so I could not help but share this one with you. Afterall, food, Mimi, little girls & fun...they all have something in common.

We had Emma's 2 Best Friends and their parents over Saturday night for dinner and a play date and we had a blast. The girls played kitchen, dolls, paint, ate snow cones and just had a great time...we also enjoyed the company of their parents. These little girls are so sweet and are welcome at our house anytime (oh & their parents too).

Look how cute they are...I could just eat em up! We have an empty chair for one more to join in on lots of girly fun.

Happy Daddy Day

Today we honor and celebrate the BEST DADDY in the UNIVERSE. We are so blessed to have the most hands on, sensitive, loving, caring, patient, kind, sweet, hardworking, funny, playful, smart, praying, affectionate, giving, structured, God loving Daddy all to ourselves.

I can not think of a better example of a Father than Curtis and I think anyone who knows him will say the same. He is amazing in every sense of the word and is the kind of Daddy that every child and wife in this world deserves.

There is NOTHING he will not say or do for his children, regardless of where we are or who he is around. He is true to himself, his children, his beliefs and wants others to know that he takes his role as a Daddy very serious. I believe with all my heart that there are people in our lives that Curtis serves as a role model to on what a husband and a father should be. He is not perfect in anyway, however he strives for perfection daily and ALWAYS puts his family first.

I love the example Curtis is setting for our children in his daily walk with the Lord. It is always important to him to speak in a kind manner and love me in a way that is ALWAYS respectful and a good example for our children. I guess I am just totally amazed at the man he is and the Daddy he is to our children.

Thank you is not enough and does not even begin to show how much I appreciate you and all that you do for us on a daily basis. I will always believe that you are the BEST Daddy and Husband in the world.

We love you today and always with our whole hearts!

Happy Father's Day

Guess what happens when...

one attempts to unload the dishwasher, cook dinner, talk on the phone, puts her 3 month old on his activity mat and lets a 2 year old roam freely?

I knew she was being quiet, a little too quiet but I could hear him cooing. This Mommy thinks all is well and in a matter of minutes this occurred. I hear a sweet little voice say, "look Mommy, I did it. It's fun Mommy." I had to leave them on for 40 more minutes till Daddy got home from work.



Poor little fella. He did not seem to mind until we started pulling them off, OUCH!

She got him good, didn't she? I keep telling her he is going to catch up to her one day and she better watch it.

Looks like they still love one another the same, what do you think? They are some kind of wonderful, I tell ya! Nothing in life like having a sibling to share it with you.

Our baby is TWO !

Oh sweet baby, the joy that you have brought to my life is unbelievable. You are the one that has taught me how to be a Mommy and loved me unconditionally for the last 2 years. There is no greater reward at the end of the day then to hear you say, "I love you Mommy and you pray" when we lay you down to bed every night.

You are an amazing little girl with a personality that is just breathtaking... everyday you make me so proud to be your Mommy. You are sweet, kind, loving, appreciative, smart, witty, funny and the list goes on. You recently became a big sister and you are a good one. Your zest for life is contagious and you leave a smile on every ones face that you come in contact with along the way. There are days that you want to sit in my lap all day and there are days that I can not pry you out of your Daddy's loving arms. I thought I was a Daddy's girl, but you have me beat baby (and your Daddy loves it too).

I love you more than I ever thought it was possible to love someone or something. There are no words to describe the way I feel about you. When you hurt, I hurt...when your happy, I'm happy...when you're scared, I hold you...when you smile, I smile...when you laugh, I laugh...when you need me, I am there & I always will be....YOU ARE MY WORLD!

I am crying as I sit here and journal these words to you, because I want you to have the best life ever...Happy Birthday. I will love you forever.

Love Mommy

It’s hard to believe that my “baby” girl is two years old today!? It seems like just moments ago that I held you in my arms for the very first time. I knew from the moment that I laid eyes on you that you would forever hold my heart. (While I am a bit partial) Emma Caroline, you truly are an amazing child, a child who I am profoundly proud of and privileged to call my daughter. As we celebrated your birthday, I found myself overwhelmed with the joy that you bring to our lives.

When you finished opening all of your presents, you stood up in your chair and so graciously exclaimed “Thank You!” This Daddy could not have been more proud of his little girl. It was at this moment that I fully appreciated the comments of my parents and grandparents, how quickly time passes us as we grow older.

In that moment, my mind raced to the day that I would walk you, my sweet Emma “Lou” down the aisle and you would again graciously exclaim “Thank you!” to all of your guest. I am forever indebted to our Heavenly Father for blessing your Mommy and me with you, my sweet baby girl. So today and always, I wish you every happiness in this world. Happy Birthday Emma Caroline!

I love you with all my heart! Daddy

Once again, we had so much fun with you at your FARM party and we are so proud of YOU!

One tired Cowgirl!

She is finally in bed after a very long day spent with 67+ family and friends. There were big people, little people, young people, old people and a farm filled with goats, pigs, chickens, ducks, donkey, pony, llama, rabbits and a deer. There was fun to be had for all and it was some kind of fun. Lets not forget playing on the swing set and getting our faces painted too. Lots of hot dogs, juice, chips, dip, cheese, cupcakes, ice cream, cake and CHILI...yes Darla, we got that Chili just for you.

It was a busy day, but one that I would do all over again to see the smiles on this little girls face and to hear her tell her Daddy as he was getting her dressed for bed, "Daddy, I had a good day!" She is so sweet and so thankful. She told us thank you over and over all day.

She opened her gifts, thanked her guest, shared, laughed, played and blew out her candles before the song was even over. You are a big girl baby. I must admit, I almost lost it when you stood up in that chair at the end and told everyone "thank you". It was all I could do to fight back the tears. Once again reminded me how truly blessed I am and how this little girl has stolen my heart forever.

Lots more pictures on the way, but this Mommy's hoofs are tired. More to come and I can not wait to share them with all of you.

By the way...the Farm theme was a good one...thank you Emma for making your Mommy step out on a limb and celebrate your 2nd Birthday with you in a way that reminded me of my very own childhood.

Gearing up for...

a farm party for a special little girl who is turning TWO in 5 more days. We will be having her party on Saturday and might be kicked out of the neighborhood by Saturday night. We are hoping the party is over and the animals are loaded up and gone by the time the HOA knocks on our door. I am just kidding, well at least I hope I am.

I have been trying to make this party as "girly" as possible, so I will give you a sneak peek of one of my projects.

This will be hanging over the cake table. I am praying my cleaning service doesn't think this is trash tomorrow and throw it all away (ha).

There is so much to do around here before the big shin dig, but we are all super excited. Especially the birthday "cow"girl who has been walking around here for a week singing Happy Birthday to herself!

1 + 1 + 1 = 3 Months

So hard to believe that our "little man" turned 3 months old yesterday. When I tell you that time flies, I mean time flies fast. It is hard to even imagine that one day I will wake up and my sweet children will be grown, but that day will come too. I often ask myself and others, "Why can't they just stay little forever?"

We are so proud to call this handsome, sweet, loving little boy our Son. I just can't get enough of him.

I know there will be a day when this boy will be rolling around in the grass & mud and I can't wait to roll around with him.

Gavin, you have added such joy to our lives and we are so thankful that you have COMPLETED our family and we can now call ourselves the Frazier Four!

You have changed so much in the last month. Here is the latest:

• You love to stare at your Big Sister and you keep your eyes on her constantly
• Your Daddy can make you belly laugh and it is music to our ears
• You coo and babble all the time
• We seldom see you without a BIG smile on your face ~ you are the happiest little fella
• You have great head control
• You have been sleeping all night for 4 weeks ~ Thank You!
• You are in 6-12 month clothes and wear a size 3 diaper ~ you are a big boy
• Bath time is you favorite time of day

My wish for you sweet boy of mine is that you ALWAYS enjoy life as much as you enjoy it right now. I don't know that I have ever met a happier baby.

I tell your Daddy all the time that you are very different and there is something SUPER SPECIAL about you, so we look forward to seeing how you will change the world. You have already changed our world and our hearts forever. There are no words to describe how we feel about you or how much we love you!

I agree with so many people out there...Yes, every mommy needs a little BOY!

Here we go...

I have been meaning to buy this book for months or should I say a few "fits" ago? A wise soul brought it to me today, thank you Therese. I was feeling good until she said, "hey, I might need this back one day I still use it occasionally"...uh, her daughter is a 15 year old, cheerleading, AP student, are you kidding me? I think what she was trying to tell me is it never ends with these strong willed children. You would think that I would know that since I was one MYSELF and my husband might choose to still call me this some days.

I am looking forward to seeing what this book has to offer. I sure hope the first 3 chapters does not waste my time trying to help me determine if I have a SWC on my hands, we have already accepted that fact months ago. So bring it on Dr. Dobson, we are ready to hear what you have to say about this sweet little girl we have on our hands.

Oh and if you get a chance click on the Madsen link to the right to enter to win this aweome bike and to help me win. I would love to load my two sweet babies up in this and stroll the neighborhood. The HOTY thinks it looks like something you would ride around a theme park in to pick up trash, but I love it and would be thrilled to pump one of you on the handle bars if I win.

The day has come...

...when I must return to work to finish up the last 4 days of school with my Senior students and prepare them for Graduation Saturday evening. This is a bittersweet return for me as you can imagine. I have been at home with my babies for 13 weeks...oh I am so sad.

Look at these 2 sweet faces, how am I ever going to leave them in the morning?

This sweet baby girl told me this morning as I was talking to her about returning to work, "Mommy, I stay home with you"...uh, rip my heart out!

This "little man" he can melt my heart any second of the day. He looks at me and just smiles all day long. He is the sweetest thing ever!

Please say a prayer for me...this is hard...it hurts...my emotions are everywhere as I type. I have been so blessed to be able to stay home this long and it is summer, so I will not have to work for long...but it is still HARD to leave my sweet children.

However, I have so much to be thankful for in Mrs. Jenny (this is who has kept Emma in her home since she was 5 months old) and she is truly a gift from God. She is a SAHM of a Kindergartner and a 3rd grader and there is no doubt in my mind she loves my sweet babies like they are her own. I could NEVER imagine a better person to leave my children with and she is so....I could go on forever, but I will just leave you with wonderful.

Thank you Kevin, Jenni, Tori & David for sharing your home with my sweet babies. We love you guys so much!

Splish Splash

We spent the day in the sun rain yesterday with family at Dwain, Marla and Peyton's house. This was Emma's first time to be in the pool this year and she loved it. She loved it so much that we were unable to take our eyes off of her because she walked right into the pool and had to be snatched up by the back of her swimsuit. Crazy kid...at least we found out early that we can not take our eyes off of her for a second. Literally she was standing right beside me and her Aunt Stacey and then boom, she was under the water. Needless to say I did not get many pictures because she made me a nervous wreck.

Emma, her Daddy, Aunt Stacey, Camryn and Hunter enjoying the pool. My SIL might get me for posting this picture of her.

We planned for this big boy to enjoy his first dip in the pool too, however because it was raining off and on we decided it was to cold for him.

Emma was begging her Nana to get in the pool and join in on the fun. Needless to say, the kids loved it even though it was a bit chilly. The day was filled with lots of food and fellowship. Marla is always the best HOSTESS and serves the best food.

Subject change...my oldest brother was involved in a horrible accident Friday evening and we actually did not find out about it until Saturday morning. Long story, but a message was left on an answering machine of a distant relative and my Mom was not contacted until the person got the message Saturday morning. He is still in the hospital and has 3 broken vertebrae in his neck and back along with a huge gash on his head. He is in a tremendous amount of pain and we are unsure of how long he will be there. Once released he will be in a back and neck brace and require a tremendous amount of physical therapy.

Thank God he is alive and the Lord was watching out for him. My Mom went to see his vehicle today and said he is very blessed to be here. We do not know exactly what happened, because he passed out as soon as he was hit and remembers nothing except waking up in an ambulance. There were 2 other cars involved and he was initially hit by a DRUNK DRIVER and then a 2nd vehicle. He is waiting to speak with someone tomorrow to get a copy of the accident report and hopefully find out everything that happened. All of that is pretty irrelevant at this point, however it is just CRAZY to me that people drink and get behind the wheel and drive. Actually it makes me SICK! I am just so thankful that my brother is alive today and hopefully the DD has learned his lesson and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Please add my brother to your prayers, he can sure use them.

I hope that each of you enjoyed a great Memorial weekend with your families, while remembering those who fought for our freedom.

Babies Galore

We went to our cousins 30th Birthday Party today (Happy Birthday Bryan) and enjoyed a great day filled with family, food, fun & BABIES. Today was the first day Emma & Gavin got to meet their twin cousins, Chance and Brynlee. These little guys slept most of the day, but we did catch them with their eyes open for a little bit. Good Luck Melissa, I hope you get to catch some ZZZ's tonight before the big day tomorrow. We can not wait to see you guys again...2 days straight...woo-hoo!

Here is Mr. Gavin (aka Andre) with his twin cousins...uhh, anyone want to take a guess in the age difference? Uhh, let me save you some trouble 1 WEEK....yes, you read it correctly 1 WEEK! These little cuties weigh what our "little man" did when he was born. We just sat and stared at them forever, they are all so cute.

We were not the only ones amazed by their cuteness...Miss Emma thought she was the babysitter today. She could not get enough of all the little ones or Mr. Hudson either. She could not stop touching them, helping with their bottles, giving them their pacis and saying, "2 babies, 2 babies, a boy and a girl, two babies."

Oh, in case you did not notice, my blog has changed thanks to Faith at A Design of Faith. She is so creative, sweet, wonderful, reasonable and easy to work with...you must check her out.

Happy Memorial Weekend to all of you.

If this doesn't...

...put a smile on your face, then I don't know what will. Look at those rolls, those cheeks, that smile and those eyes, would ya?

Oh, he brightens up ALL of our days. We got one happy boy on our hands that loves to watch his big sisters every move. Yep, this is it...short & sweet, just like him.

Only 1 more month

Only 1 more month and my baby girl will be 2 YEARS OLD! Where has the time gone? We are working fast and furious planning your 2nd Birthday Party that is going to be filled full of "Farm Fun". Yep, you have chosen to have a farm party and it is all you talk about these days.

Look who is ready for some fun in the sun. One thing missing SPF 50 that we must keep you covered in, my little fair skinned red headed child.

You are such a girly~girl, oh so prissy and love to be in front of the camera. This picture pretty much says it all.

Look at those little legs, would you? You are always up to something and your rarely ever sit still. We would not change one single thing about you Emma. You are perfect in every way.

Happy 23 month Birthday "itty bitty", that farm party is right around the corner and we will have animals roaming everywhere.

Off the chart!

Finally got to take my "little man" to the Dr. today for his 2 month check up and shots. We were a week late because of the swine flu and trying to play it safe and keep this healthy little guy out of the Drs. office until we had the clearance from our Pediatrician to bring him for his appointment.

That is a size 2 diaper he is sporting that is soon to be a 3 when the box is empty. If you look real close you can see that he weighs a whopping 16lbs 1/2 ounce and 24 inches long! Yes, my 9 week old is HUGE! He might be a thumb sucker too.

Don't strain your eyes to hard, here is one up close for all of you to see.

Sixteen pounds of pure sweetness too. Oh, he is so pretty to me. My Daddy would have thought this big ole boy hung the moon.

Look who was not going to let anyone do anything to her baby brother. She told the Dr., "no shots for my brother, no shots for Gavin."

Here we go, the first part of the vaccination has begun and he is taking it like a champ!

Hmmm....not so much for the shots. He was not happy with the nurse in this one. My poor "little man" big boy...just give him to me and let us go home.

This is the 1st time I have ever gone to the Dr. for one of my babies to get shots without the HOTY and it went quite well. I am not going to say that it did not make me a little sad, but we made it through.

Mother's Day 2009

Emma & Gavin ~ Thanks to the both of you and only you, I get to celebrate this day with all the rest of the Mommy's in the world. Some days I think my heart might explode because of how much I love the two of you.

There is nothing in this world that gives me more satisfaction than being your Mommy. I never understood how my own parents felt about me, until I had you and then it became crystal clear. I love every single thing about both of you from the hair on your head to your tiny little toes and everything in between. There is not one little piece of you that has gone unnoticed by me, your Mommy.

Everyday I thank God for blessing me with you and allowing me the privilege of being your Mommy. The one who hugs you when you get hurt, kisses you goodnight, prays with you, teaches you right from wrong, loves you unconditionally, protects you, teaches you about Jesus, makes sure your needs are met and oh so much more...my job as your Mommy will never be done.

Today as you are celebrating me, please know that every day I celebrate the two of you. I love you both more than I can ever tell you in words, therefore I will live out my days showing you.

Thank you my sweet babies, thank you for teaching me how to be YOUR Mommy!

Woo-Hoo 8 Hours

Yep, you are looking at him this morning at 6:02...my "little man" that is 9 weeks 1 day old and slept all night long. I am not usually up this early taking pictures or blogging, but this was a must.

Between waking up all night wondering if something was wrong and my boobs (yes, I said boobs on my blog) about to EXPLODE, seriously I looked like Dolly Parton when my feet finally hit the floor...I feel good great. Thank you Jesus & thank you GAVIN!

I will be back with more on that silly little girl of mine later on today (hopefully).

Oh BOY...2 months

Snips, Snail & Puppy dog tails...that's what little boys are made of ~ I am thinking this little boy is made of lots of sweetness too. Just look at him, couldn't you just eat him up? Look at those little feet and toes, yummy! When I say that we could not ask for a better baby, I mean every word of it.

This was my Nanny's rocking chair that her grandfather made and gave her for her 1st Birthday. We took Emma's 2 month picture in it, so we had to take Gavin's picture in it as well.

Look at those cheeks...we grow them big around here. I was looking forward to taking this Little Man to the Dr. tomorrow for his 2 month check up, so I could see how much he weighed. I am thinking we will be in the 90th percentile with this little ham bone. Just look at him...oh those cheeks are so big, more for us to kiss on.

We will not be going to the Dr. tomorrow at the advice of our wonderful pediatrician, due to the swine flu (they have recommended we wait a while). Little do they know that we live with a little girl that would kiss a pig with the swine flu if she had the opportunity (ha ha).

Oh Gavin, you are such a good boy. You are now holding your head up better, rolling from your stomach to back, following us with your eyes, smiling, cooing at us when we talk to you, sleeping 6 hours straight at night, sucking on your hand and nursing like a grand champion. You love to watch your Big Sister, even though she can be a little very loud and rough at times.

You have been such a joy to us and I can not believe we ever lived life without you. You are a trooper and accompany us on shopping trips and out to eat and you are a perfect little gentleman. I wouldn't expect anything less of you...you have the perfect role model in your DADDY and he is so smitten over you.

We love you so much Gavin Thomas Frazier and I know that my heart will never be the same, it now walks around with you and Emma. Sometimes I just sit and look at you while tears stream down my face, because I feel so blessed that you have joined our family.

People often tell me (other boy mommies) that there is no love like the love between a Mommy and her son. I have learned this to be true when I hold you in the wee hours of the night and you look up at me with those big blue eyes. I look forward to the days ahead, my sweet BOY!

I am one tired Mommy!

Best Baby Gadget Ever

I must admit that being a Mommy has been much easier the 2nd time around and here is my favorite little gadget these days. I wanted to share it with all you Mommy's out there in case you have never seen it. It is called itzzbeen and is a very inexpensive way to monitor your babies daily routine. I will be the first to tell you that breastfeeding stressed me out for the first few months with Emma and I kept a journal of when she ate, how long, slept and woke up. This little gadget has made life so much easier for me and my little man.

You got it ~ this little beauty has 4 different timers that keep track of the last diaper change, feeding, sleep and we use the * button to let us know how long Gavin has been awake. It also has a clock on it, a little flash light and a button for you to indicate and remember which side you nursed on last. Works out great when the HOTY gets home or I have to run somewhere, all the information is right at his fingertips.

So, all you Mommy's out there, Mommy's to be or someone looking for a great shower gift...you can not beat this little luxury. One thing is for sure, you will always know how long itzbeen.

We might be entering...

the TERRIBLE twos a little early. This "itty bitty" has been very BOLD the last couple of days and pushing the limits with her Mommy & Daddy. I never thought it would be so hard to teach my child to do the right thing, but it is hard. Of course, we correct her every move and try to do it in a positive manner ~ but it is still hard.

She is just so darn cute and funny that many times we have to turn our heads and laugh so she will not see us, but quickly turn around to correct her behavior. It makes it really hard because she is so smart and is fully aware of the things she is doing wrong and will look at us to see if we are paying attention to what she is doing. I truly feel like she is just testing us and her test are pretty tough at times.

Last week I purchased a timer from Target to place in her room to set when she had to go to time out. The timer is just a little cheap kitchen timer that has a bell that rings when the timer goes off. I thought this would be a great way for her to know when she could get out of time out and leave her room. Well, since the day we brought the timer home she has been saying, "I want to go to time out to use my timer"...hmmm, perhaps that was not the best idea (especially since she has been going there a couple times a day here lately).

Need I tell you that I will be heading to Barnes & Nobles soon to purchase the book, Parenting the Strong Willed Child.


Here she is this morning after trying to rip her hair down.

Swinging away at Papa Ronnie's and Grandma Margaret's house.

She really admired all Grandma's flowers and attempted to pull up an entire plant when she got caught by her Daddy. Her Grandma told her she could pick one and assisted her in her efforts.

All of you know what a dog~dog lover she is and today she decided to crawl in Toby's kennel at her grandparent's house. I am thinking we might purchase one of these to keep her in, so we can survive the terrible twos (this is a JOKE...don't report us to the authorities).

Honestly, I think we will just pray our way through the terrible twos.