Amazing Love

The love of my life

Have any of you had those days where you just feel so incredibly blessed to be happily married? Today, I feel just amazed by the love that I feel for my wonderfully caring, supportive, and may I add adorable husband! When I met this man over 6 years ago I had no idea what God had in store for us. After just getting out of a bad marriage and seriously doubting whether I even wanted to date again, much less get married again, I just couldn't have even dreamed this kind of love. I know I am getting kind of mushy but, his eyes melt me and that smile just brightens my day. His humor is timed just perfectly and his laughter is infectious. I love the touch of his hands, his strong embrace and sweet soul. I am just amazed and often feel undeserving of the second chance at love. What an amazing God we have that gives us second chances and the desire to love completely again. This is what God planned for man and woman. A marriage full of love, support and growth together. It is not an anniversary or even valentine's day but simply a day when I just feel blessed to be loved by such an incredible man. Thank you God for creating this love for me. I love you babe'!!

Officially a Big Boy

Brackston sitting at his chair on the first day of kindergarten

My baby woke up this morning just rambling! LOL :-) The first thing out of his mouth was "I sleeped good all night Mom and now I am a Big Boy!" "I am going to Big Boy school today." "I am going to wear new clothes and I get to eat breakfast and tell my brother and sister how my day went!" As you can tell my baby's primary language is random. He was so excited today that he just couldn't stand it. I was pretty excited too. The morning went well, he got ready for school in a super fast record and was ready to walk out the door! He didn't want to wait for even the sun to rise. It was hysterical! I loved seeing his excitement. We walked to school today and he walked right up to his class but then, hid behind the wall to make his teacher look for him (always the little entertainer). When she peeked her head around looking for him, she said "Good Morning Brackston" and his face just lit up. He ran right to his seat and sat down ready to start the day. I stood there and took probably 20 pictures and kept saying "Ok, baby Mommy is going to leave now" (I know I said it at least 10 times). He looked so happy to be there, I just couldn't help but stay longer. Anyway, when I finally did leave I was about 15 steps from his classroom when the announcements came on and I wanted to see his reaction to his wonderfully animated principal's voice so, (yep you guessed it) I walked all the way back to his classroom to sneak a peek. They were reciting the pledge so, I stuck my camera around the corner and took another picture.


Brackston and his class reciting the pledge. (He is way in the back right!)

I know, I am a nut case!! I did finally leave and didn't cry not one bit. I was so proud!!! Go Mom!!!! The chaos came at the end of the day! I have signed him up for after school daycare (that picks him up from school) so on the days I work he will have somewhere to go. This is also the Pre-K that he went to so, he is familiar with them and they are familiar with him (too many changes are not good for him or for me.) I really wanted to pick him up for school on his first day but, I thought it was more important for him to get used to his routine so, I chose to go ahead and let him go to after school daycare. At 2:45 (when he got out of school) I looked at the clock and thought, oh my baby finished his first day..(sniff, sniff)! I hope everything goes smoothly with him getting on the daycare bus for the first time. Well at about 3:15, I get a phone call from my emergency contact (one of my best friends) that says "Oh, did the school get in touch with you?" I said "....Uh....no...why?" She said "Brackston didn't get on the bus today and he is still at school!" "AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH...ARE YOU SERIOUS?" I freaked. I got off the phone with her and immediately called the school. After no one answered I called the daycare and they said "No, I think he got on the bus, the school did call us and confirmed that he was suppose to be on the bus. His bus has not gotten here yet but I believe he is on there." When I got off the phone with the daycare I finally got the message from the school on my phone (you gotta love technology...can't live with it, can't live without it) that said "Mrs. Washburn this is ..... at Miller Heights Elementary...we are calling in regards to Brackston's transportation after school. We were told that he was suppose to be on the bus for Belton Education Station but we do not have anything from you in writing (UHHH...WRONG!!). That bus has already been here and left so, we need someone to come get Brackston. Are you kidding me?? My 5 year old missed the bus and now has been sitting at the school since 2:45 (it is now 3:25!) and has no idea where his Mommy is on the first day of kindergarten!!!! I could scream!!! I tried the school again and still no answer. So, I prayed and paced and waited about 10 minutes and called the daycare again to see if his bus had gotten there and if he was on it. I about wet my pants with excitement when they picked up the phone and confirmed that my poor baby was there safe and sound. I can't believe it....I was crazy with knots in my stomach but, super glad that he was ok! After working in the school system and knowing what the end of the first day of school looks like for the poor staff at these schools, I felt for them. Can you imagine being responsible that all those little bodies get in the right lines, the right bus and the right cars. It amazing that they all get through it. Anyway, after picking him up and him describing his day to me, it sounded like it went well and he is ready for another day tomorrow. Hopefully with a little less excitement. When praying tonight, he prayed for his family as always naming us off one by one and then says "And dear Lord...I want to thank you for letting me go to Miller Heights today....and that's all I have to say..In Jesus name, amen." Is that the sweetest thing or what? How adorable, and what a blessing. He does a Momma proud!!!


Brackston age 5 First Day of Kindergarten at Miller Heights Elementary

Cutest Kindergartener Ever

Brackston with his Kindergarten teacher Ms. Rackley

Look at that adorable face. Tonight was meet the teacher night and my little man was super excited!! He played shy (which we all know is like crazy) for a slight second but, then he warmed up! He was a bit overwhelmed by all the girls in his class. When we were there all the other students that were there were all girls. He was so funny!! His reaction was super cute. He told his teacher "What are all these girls doing in here, I don't know any girls." It was hysterical!! His teacher laughed and I found that to be the best time to inform her that he might possibly be the entertainer of the group. She laughed and said I think that is great, every class needs one. So, maybe she will be a good teacher and will appreciate his humor and quirkiness!!! Let's pray that she is incredibly patient and is good with loving my baby boy!! I will keep you updated and will report back. We start school officially on Monday so, I will send more photos then.

Fun with family

Our family spent the last few days with my family in Hempstead. Wow, we had such a great time!! We very rarely get to go on a trip with all 5 of us. Bless his heart, Bryan is normally working hard for our family so, we normally have to go without him or we are without a couple of the kids or something. Not this time. Bryan took vacation and we all got to go as a family!! Yea!! What was the event you ask? We went for a family fish fry!!! Gotta love those! My cousin Jason and his sweet girlfriend Kim hosted a party in honor of my cousin Billy (a.k.a Buck to those of you that knew him when he was a little guy)! He is in the Army and home on leave from Alaska before leaving to join our forces in Iraq fighting for our country. I am so super proud of him. He has become an amazing man and I loved spending every second possible with him. I am blessed to have him as a cousin and lucky to call him a friend. These last few days were filled with lots of laughter!! I love getting together and reminissing! Here are a few pictures of the weekend! Billy leaves for Iraq in September so please, remember him in your prayers.

Billy Ray Kirkham proudly serving our country


My hubby Bryan with my cousin Billy


My cousin Jason, Me and my cousin Billy


My goofy cousins Billy and Jason


My beautiful baby girl with her baby cousin Madison (my cousin Jason's little girl)


Billy with all 3 of my babies, Kyle, Brackston and Brittanie


Kim and Me (Sorry about the photo, I left my make-up in Belton)


My cousin Jason and his adorable girlfriend Kim

They grow up too fast!!

I just wanted to share today that babies grow up too fast!! Today, I registered my youngest of three for Kindergarten. I can not believe that he is already going to school. I always thought I would be extatic to send him off to school but, now that the time is here I am really kind of sad! He will be attending our neighborhood elementary school, Miller Heights! We all went today as a family to register him and he was beside himself. He wouldn't quit talking about it. He wanted to meet the Principal and see his class and wanted to know who his teacher was. It was so funny to see how excited he was. I think Bryan and I have enough anxiety for all of us. Brackston doesn't seem to have any fears! He is ready and counting down!! Earlier this week Bryan and I walked him down to the school to just see the outside and play around on the playground a little. He hasn't quit talking about going to big boy school since!!! We will go August the 21st for meet the teacher night and then my baby will start school officially August the 25th. I took a picture of Brack in front of the school today and I thought I would share so you guys could see how big my baby is getting!! We are really excited for this new phase in our lives but, I imagine that it will not pass without a few tears from his Mommy (sniff, sniff)!

The Proud NeNe

I know I haven't posted in awhile. Things have just been crazy. I have so much to tell you guys but, today I have decided to focus on one of the true joys of my life, my nephew. Those of you that know me, know that I waited for what seems like forever to have a niece or nephew. I have only one brother and I didn't think he was ever going to marry and make me an aunt. Looking back I am very glad that he waited for just the right one. I am blessed with an amazing sister-in-law who is beautiful, hysterical and an incredible wife to my brother and mother to my adorable nephew. My sweet David Austin is growing so fast. He is 1 year and 5 months old. That almost kills me to say that, I can't believe he is so big. Anyway, he has started talking and my brother downloaded a video on youtube that I thought I would share with my new blog friends. Have fun watching this quick video of my baby! Talk to you soon.