Bud's actual birthday... today!

Caeden is officially 3 years old and I can't believe it!! He and I had a fun day together. We enjoyed a casual morning in Pjs and then he said he wanted to go to the mall to the play area, to see the puppies and have McDonald's fries. So we did. After nap time daddy came home and we got to open more presents. One of his presents was a new big boy booster seat for the car. He has actually been asking for one for awhile as he thought he was getting too big for his other seat. He was very excited to be using the same strap and buckle that big people use. He got to take his first ride in it to Chuckie Cheese where we had pizza and played lots of games. His favorite was riding the horse that was actually racing on the screen and would move depending on how Caeden moved the reigns. He is starting early with a love for horses like his daddy. Jay thought it looked so fun he actually took a turn too. Fun night with my boys!

Caeden's Birthday party

We celebrated Caeden's 3rd birthday on Saturday with both sides of the family and his 2 best buddies and their families. We had a great time at Roadrunner Park, eating lots of food, playing games and opening presents. Caeden was blessed with lots of presents that he has been enjoying the last couple of days. One of the pics is bud with Ella and Josh wearing hats he got from Josh. He loves to wear hats at Josh's house and now he has his own. Other pics....bud with the cake that Auntie Jillers made for him (it was a Sea World themed party), Caeden hanging out with the ladies and wearing Uncle Dutches shades while he tries out his new trike. It was a great day!

Wow, what a work week!!

This has been a super duper work week at our house. Last Wednesday night when daddy got home from work, Caeden and mommy took our hammers and daddy an ax and we chopped down the half wall. Then Saturday Uncle Mark and Jay were hard at work buying more supplies and getting more odds and ends prepped so that the mudding could take place. Then on Saturday we were blessed by Uncle Mark who said he and his construction partner Dan could come out this week and work Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Needless to say they have been our angels!!! It sped our project way up!!! They were able to do all of the mudding, corners, and texturing in both rooms and the hallway. Oh my goodness, it is looking great!!! So 5 of the last 7 days we have been in construction mode around here, thank you Uncle Mark!! Jay and U. M. will get together on Saturday, November 1st to do base boards and put in the bedroom door and closet doors. Then Jay should be ready to tackle a whole lot of painting in the weeks to follow. :) Thank you God for providing everything we have needed for this project, you are ohhh sooo good!!

Grandma Phene

We are quickly approaching my son's 3rd birthday which is so fun! At the same time I have started to realize it is a difficult time for me too. My grandma Phene passed away from her Earthly life last November (the day before my birthday) and entered her heavenly home. The last day that I got to have fun with her before her stroke was at Caeden's 2nd birthday party. So as his birthday has been approaching I have started getting really sad and missing my Grandma a lot! Isn't it funny how dates, occasions and life can trigger us in different ways? So as I am journeying through my emotions it was suggested that I take the time to write the reasons I am thankful for her and the relationship that we had. I share with you today....
I am thankful for....
* our long chats
* the words of wisdom she always had to impart
* our dates together
* the black and white way she saw so many things
* the love she showered on those she came in contact with - family, friends and strangers
* her ability to laugh and have fun with life
* her witty way with words (yes even her use of the word shit)
* her positive out look on situations and circumstances
* her love for new things... travel, restaurants, clothes, etc...
* the fact that she would sit in her prayer chair day in and day out talking to God about her concerns, hopes, fears, and dreams (for her own life and so many others)
* her heart was to see how she could bless others
* she was so devoted to her family
* she loved God, trusted in His plan (even when she didn't like it) and loved attending church
* I loved "her" smell (Oscar de la Rente) I still spray it in the air to remind myself of her presence in my life
* she always reminded me not to compare people~ everyone is unique and special, love them just the way they are.

It is said that we can become anything we want. I want her legacy to live on in me. I want people to still see the Grandma I've been so blessed by, even though she now lives with the Lord. May we all stop and take the time necessary to see who we've been, think about who we want to become, move towards that and be thankful for the people in our lives.
I love you Grandma Phene!! Thanks for helping to make me a better person, I am grateful for your life!!

Pre Birthday

Caeden and I have been attending (with our friends) a monthly gathering at the mall with Webster the Wart hog. Each month they celebrate the Birthdays of the kids in attendance. Caeden was so excited that this month he got to go on stage with Webster and everyone sang to him and the other kids. They gave him a little goodie bag to take home too. :)

Yeah for family!!

We have been so blessed by our family with the addition in our house!! Yesterday my brother Kevin (or as Caeden calls him Dutch) came for the day to help with the dry wall and insulation. I was so proud of my hubby and brother for tackling a project they had never done before and I think it looks fantastic!! When they were finished last night Auntie Jill came to give her expertise in room decorating and she and Jay moved the furniture into 3 different locations. We have settled upon what you see in the picture. It feels nice and cozy. Next Saturday Uncle Mark and Jay will continue to work on the closet, door and maybe "mudding" the dry wall. Yeah, for you little one, we are so excited to be doing all of this to give you a place in our world. :)

The beginning of October

I love when the month of October rolls around. I enjoy that our AZ weather starts to cool off and Fall is in the air. We also have a very festive Oct, Nov, and December with lots of family Birthdays and holidays and Jay and I have our anniversary too!! I love the Fall and beginning of Winter.

We have 2 pictures today. One of the house, as the framing got completed this weekend. And two of bud holding a Birthday count down that he and mom made this week. He will be 3 on October 28th and boy is he excited. Every time we ask him what he'd like for his Birthday he says cake, ice cream, and candles. I am enjoying that he is that simple right now. I know in the years to come I will be given lists of the latest and greatest toys created that he just has to have. :) Until then I will make sure my bud gets his cake, ice cream and candles.

Here's Baby Murphy

We had a second ultrasound yesterday and it made me so excited to meet my little buddy in a few months!!! They say he is healthy and everything is working wonderfully! Caeden went with us to the appointment and after the ultra sound he got to help the Dr. measure mommy's tummy and put the "goo" on and use the heart beat detector. He was smiling from ear to ear!! He also got to feel baby move in the tummy last night and he's not sure what to think of that yet. :) Construction will resume this Saturday to prepare the room, yeah!!!