d1's First Basketball Game

This Saturday was d1's first basketball game of his career. He is a proud Taylors Giant teammate at the ripe ole' age of 4. This is a church league and his coach is, of course, his daddy. Let me first say that D1 is thoroughly enjoying coaching these boys but he is finding it tough to coach his son because he has to be fair but equal. He didn't struggle as much when he coached t-ball but is a little more this time around. In any case, he is great with these kids (ages 4-6) and is really patient with them and their energy levels that exhaust me just from being a spectator. d1 and W are the youngest on the team (after the other 4's dropped out) but they don't let it stop them! They are troopers and next year, they will be the BIG DOGS running the show. For now, they are just super cute to watch!!

So, their game was at a local church. They begin the game with a pre-game prayer where all team members form a circle and hold hands while the coach says a prayer. Then comes tip-off - Giants get the ball first and we never look back. Fortunately for the other team, we don't keep score at this age because it would have looked something like 50-2. Our team tore it up and we were all so proud! d1 scored his very first basket towards the end of the game and he was so excited and I have to say that it was one of the proudest moments in this mommy's life so far.....d1 has been waiting for this day to come for SO long. I took d1 (and d2 when he came along) to many of D1's games when he was coaching high school b-ball and d1 wanted so badly to be on that court. He spent all the half times and post games on the court, shooting 'free throws' and practicing because one day, he knew he was going to be a 'bassetball player' and now he is! So proud of him!! Here are some pictures....please excuse the blurriness....I NEED A NEW CAMERA, HUSBAND!! My b-ball player is #33 and the ball handler in the second picture....oh, and did I mention his defense is stellar?

Pep Talk

Pregame Prayer

Defense Position

Driving to the basket

Role Reversal

So, looking back at my posts over the last year, I notice a pattern when it comes to talking about my crazy boys and our adventures. Our discipline struggles have been (for the most part) with d1. My, how the times are changing!!

In the last couple of weeks, D1 and I have realized that d2 is coming into a new stage in his life and it's a very mischievious stage!! This boy is SNEAKY! For example - not long ago, he hit d1 and sat in time-out for it. After time-out, he was told to go hug his brother and apologize. d2 proceeded to hug his 'bubby,' tell him he was sorry, and then he KICKED him. d1 hollers that d2 kicked him. I ask him if he kicked him and he says, 'Me no kick Dagen, me love Dagen' with his arms out wide as if to say, 'I wouldn't do that!' That's probably where we realized he had some tricks up his sleeve and it hasn't gotten much better from there.

On the other hand, d1's sensitive, SWEET side has re-emerged and I am welcoming this with open arms. Just this past weekend, we had a Darnell Movie Night where we popped popcorn, made hot chocolate and put in a movie - 'The Polar Express' this week - and sat down to watch together. Towards the end of the movie, d1 was sitting with me and when the lil' boy lost his bell from Santa's sleigh, d1 says, 'I wish he wasn't so sad, Mommy.' I told him to keep watching. Then he says, so pitifully, 'I don't want him to be upset. I think I'm going to cry.' Of course, I thought he was just being silly when next thing I know, he's BAWLING real tears!! And we can't get him to stop! It was the craziest thing and I keep telling him to watch the movie, that I'm sure he'll find it but he was absolutely distraught! I told D1 that our 'baby' was maturing and just has such a big heart. Other instances have also shown us that he's turning into a little man that doesn't spend half his day in time-out and we are also seeing a decline in tantrums. PTL!! Long time coming......makes all that hard work with parenting/disciplining well worth it to see some positive outcomes!!

ER Visit....Take TWO!

A little behind in this update but thought I would share anyway. On Thanksgiving Evening, we were at Uncle Bob's house (i.e. Uncle Bob's Carnival) with the Darnell fam. We got there around 4:00 so that the boys could go for rides with Uncle Bob on the tractor, the 4-wheeler, the golf cart and any other 'toy' he had out for their entertainment. Dinner was served around 5:30 and it was DELISH. After the boys had finished their dessert, they got up to play. d1 was playing with his cousin, Skylar, while d2 was goofing off with Grandpa and Uncle Terry. While I was trying to enjoy my SECOND piece of Italian Creme Cake, I heard a loud THUMP and jumped up, knowing full well it was one of mine. Next thing I hear is a loud scream; Uncle T grabs d2 and looks for blood or bruising on his forehead because it sounded like his head had hit something. Nothing on the head but blood was gushing from his face.....he had sliced his cheek open on the stone coffee table when he came up from crawling under/around it. At first glance, we thought it was his previous injury re-opened but soon found it was a different wound, directly above the other. Off we went to the ER.....AGAIN! When we get there and get checked in, we were thrilled (note the sarcasm) to see that the same doctor and same nurse were on call that sewed d2 up the last time we were in, less than two months ago. Good times!!!

No pictures posted as I saw no real point....if you want to know what it looked like, see the post below for the first ER trip because it looked about the same. My lil' guy is turning into a real-life Frankenstein with all his scars on his face. We're praying they heal on their own (with the help of Mederma and Vitamin E); otherwise, we'll be paying some $$ for a plastic surgeon to help us out later on down the road.

I Am Thankful For....

As I now have children old enough to understand what it means to be thankful, I try to ask them (at least the older one) what he's thankful for. They have been asking these questions at school, too, so d1 has had some less-vague answers lately, most recent saying he was thankful for his family. That's great and I agree but I want him to eventually be more specific so I thought I would make a list of all that I am thankful for in my life. Maybe you readers can join along and post what you are thankful for.

* My husband who cooks dinner every night, cleans the house, does laundry, plays monsters and tractors with d1 & d2 (and he thoroughly enjoys it), changes the oil in the car/van, mows the yard and is the spiritual leader in our family. His family has been so good to me in the 8+ years we've been together and have really taken me as their own. We will enjoy Thanksgiving dinner with my father-in-law and all of his brothers and sisters and we can't wait! They are great people to be around....and they can all cook well, which I really appreciate as I LOVE to eat!!

*My little boys who know how to make Mommy smile (and frown at times but we won't discuss that in this post) by 'mauling' me on the morning drive to work, telling me that I look pretty, sharing their snacks with me, helping me bake blondies and pumpkin muffins on Sunday afternoons, napping with me and thus giving me some cuddle time, waving good-bye to me when I take them to school and telling me to 'hab good day' and saying 'buv you' when I leave and for their pure, innocent character that shows me that they will become the example we set for them. I am also thankful for the lil' guy growing inside of me. He is making me rounder and rounder by the day (or is it all the Bruster's ice cream and burritos?) but I already know he will have his own personality and we will have a special relationship, unique in its own, just like his brothers.

*My health and the health of my family. Praise the Lord we have all been flu/ear infection/strep throat-free this season and we are so blessed for that. For as long as I can remember (about 4 years, I guess), we have battled all of the above with one or the other (or both) and it was always continuous. This year we are striving to be more germ-free and really doing all that we can to keep our family healthy. I know there are times you just can't help the circumstances but I think we can attribute a little of the healthiness to the new environment the boys have been in since August. We love Covenant CDC!!!

*My awesome job that I started in August. Not only do I really like what I'm doing, I LOVE who I work with everyday. My co-workers are wonderful - we do some shopping at lunch, some dining out, and even some scrapbooking (love ya, CG!). My boss' are super flexible and accommodating to my schedule if necesssary....I no longer miss class parties, parades or programs!! WOO HOO!!!

*My friends, new and old. To say I have not have had a 'nuclear' family life would be the understatement of the year. I have a great brother, awesome aunts, uncles and cousins around the US but for the last 13 years, my friends have been my 'family' and have always been there when I've needed them the most. You know who you are and I wouldn't be the wife, mother, professional woman I am today without you! Thanks!! To my new friends - you have all made the transition to the South easier for me by showing such love and support. Thank you and I'm so glad you were placed in my life!

*My house! Yeah, now I'm being material but I love my house. So what if I'm 30 minutes from civilization....I love my house! We have lots of space for the 'monsters' to roam freely, we're less than an hour from the mountains, 4 hours from the beach.....it's great!

*My faith in God....this is a big one and one that has only grown with time. I've mentioned before that Dallas and I didn't have a Christian background until our good friends, the Schuman's, led us to a fantastic church many years ago. Since then, we have both grown so much as Christians and have such a different perspective on life. It's truly amazing what God will do for you if you will just LET him!

I could probably go on and on and on with all I'm thankful for but that's a good start. I would love to read what others are thankful for so if you get a chance, post it up and be sure to tell those in your lives that you are thankful for them today!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Almost 7 Years Ago....

This is a little early but due to the holidays coming up, I didn't want to forget to wish my wonderful husband a Happy Anniversary...not of our wedding day but of our engagement day, which was Thanksgiving 2001. I guess most don't typically celebrate it and we usually don't, either but I just love to reminisce about that day. It is definitely one of my happiest days and one I will never forget. A stroll down memory lane...

D1 and I had been dating about a year and a half at this point. We had discussed marriage but no plans had been made, nothing serious in the works...so I thought. In fact, just a week or so before the big proposal, we had a 'fight' about our future and it ended with him walking out of my apartment, telling me that he didn't know if I was the one he wanted to spend his life with and wished I would just leave him alone about the future. Come to find out, it was all staged....I think he thought I was onto him, yet I was totally clueless! So, fast forward to Thanksgiving Day. My little brother and I were going to D1's family's house for dinner. Right before dinner, D1's step-dad asked us to gather in the garage for a quick activity he needed to complete (on video) for him to finish his entrance into the priesthood. His step-dad had parts for each of us to read that was Thanksgiving-themed but also a little romantic, too, and told us to move in a particular sequence after we read our parts. Apparently I was more focused on eating so I didn't pay much attention to the words; I just read my part and moved to my spot. The entire family was involved - D1's parents, brother, sister, their spouses, my brother, and D1's 80-year-old grandfather, Poppy. By the end of the 'poem,' D1 and I were facing each other and he was down on one knee, asking me to marry him. IT WAS INCREDIBLE! The only two that didn't have a clue were me and my bro. I was so surprised, which is exactly what he was hoping for. My ring was exactly what I had described to him throughout the months before when I would talk about the ring I dreamed of having some day. He actually listened and made notes and took those details with him to the jeweler and had my ring designed just for me. When it was over, I immediately said, 'I have to call my grandma!' as my grandma and I were VERY close. As I was dialing (and she wasn't answering), D1 informed me that she already knew because he had gone and asked for their blessing a few weeks before. WHAT???STUNNED AGAIN! Back then, my grandma and I talked everyday and I couldn't believe she had kept such a huge secret. This was, by far, the biggest surprise of my life and I couldn't have asked for a more memorable proposal!!

Isn't it amazing how much life changes over the years? It's only been 7 years but our lives have turned around and around more times that we can count. We got married, became Christians, had babies, lost loved ones, changed jobs, moved 1,000 miles from 'home.' WOW! Writing that really shows me how far we've come and I just cannot imagine my life without D1. He has given me everything I've ever wanted or hoped for...and then some. Dallas, thank you for loving me in the good times and bad, for giving me two (almost three) wonderful boys that want to be just like you, for being my biggest fan! You are a good man and an amazing father. Together, we have created a beautiful family of our own and you are giving me the things I had always dreamed of as a little girl but didn't think I deserved. I could not have asked for a better partner to share my life with! You are my best friend and I LOVE YOU!

The Results Are In ~ It's a Boy! Again!

D1 and I went in for our Level 2 ultrasound on Tuesday and were quickly shown the 'proof' of another boy and there was no denying this one. We had an awesome U/S tech who showed us the coolest pics. Baby D constantly wanted to suck his thumb (see below) and he even waved a couple of times. Everything measured perfectly, she saw no problems or abnormalities and we are on track for our April 4th due date...but if he wanted to come a little early, Momma won't object!! I really thought I would be disappointed and I admit I was a little at first when we heard the early prediction but the more I think about it, I realize that a sweet, precious little girl wouldn't last in our household of boys. Our boys are full of energy but also full of love. d1 and d2 have become the best of friends ~ I think d1 even understands d2 better in his 2-year-old jabber than we do at times. I know lil' d3 is going to fit in just right and feel his brothers' love immediately. In fact, they have already begun talking to him through my belly and giving him kisses. Despite the 'shock and awe' of finding out about this baby boy, we are all adjusting to the idea of another baby in the house and we truly feel God's blessing upon us. We may not have planned it but He had a plan for us and everyday we feel it's place in our lives.

Such Innocence....

Each morning, on our way to school/work, d1 and I often have some off-the-wall conversations and this past Friday was no different. Lately, we've been discussing heaven as we explain where people that we love go when they pass away. It's pretty deep and difficult to describe to a four-year-old about death without scaring them so we keep it simple and say that those people have gone on to heaven to be with Jesus. He likes that and one day not long ago, he asked what we will do in heaven. I told him it would be great because we would dance, sing, play, and eat big 'ole meals. Friday morning as we are driving, d1 asks me when we are going to heaven to sing and dance and eat. Again, I kept it simple and told him that we will go when we are very old but that it would be amazing. I will never forget the next question that came....he said, "Mommy, when we get to heaven, do you think Jesus will let me give him a hug?" It was difficult to hold back the tears as I told him he could ABSOLUTELY give Jesus a hug and that would be wonderful. All day long, I couldn't help but stop and think about that profound question from my young child and how quickly he is growing up. As parents, we find ourselves looking forward to when they can gain some independence and do some things for themselves but that morning made me want him to stay my baby forever....and he will, even when he's 50.


I also want to mention how excited D1 and I were to have 'Date Night' this past Saturday, of which we have not had had since July. We thought about it and have not had any alone time away from the boys in over 3 months and we were SO ready for it. Thanks to some great friends who kept the boys, we were able to get a few hours away to do dinner and a movie. We had been told by several people what a great movie Fireproof was so we decided to check it out. WOW is all I can say! I highly recommend it for married couples of all ages....it is such a clean, uplifting movie with a storyline that is applicable to all of us and I believe everyone can learn from it. It is a low-budget film with a few cheesy actors but Kirk Cameron gave an awesome performance and I think he is a great role model for married couples today.....he has strong morals and he stands behind what he believes in ~ in his life as well as his career and I think there is something to be said for that. These days, character, ethics and values are being compromised at every level and it's very sad! I think I cried the entire movie but I was certainly not the only one...in fact, I doubt there was a dry eye in the theater. Go see it!!! Thanks again J & B ~ you guys are great friends!!!