I Love You More

Tonight over dinner I sat in between Brandon and Braylon. During a light-hearted conversation, I told Braylon, "Guess what? I probably love you a lot." He very quickly responded, "Well, I probably love you more than dad does." Laughs all around...

Hold My Hand

Last night we had a nice family dinner. Afterwards, Blaine watched Dora while Braylon and I did the dishes and Daddy ran on his treadmill. When Brandon was done, he let the boys get on the treadmill to the pace of a slow walk. It was pretty funny, I might add. Blaine was on it for about 2 minutes before he started huffing and puffing... I made him get off because it seemed like his breathing was really labored... But he stayed on it very well and kept up. Brandon held his hand the entire time he was on it.

Braylon, on the other hand, would stop on it so that he would purposefully fly off the back. Brandon thought it was hysterical. I'm sure Braylon has bruises today...After a few times, Blaine walked up to him and said, "Hold my hand, Bubba." He was concerned about Braylon falling off. It was adorable!

Movie Review: Game Plan DVD

Movie Review: Game Plan DVD Rated: PG
Starring: The Rock, Kyra Sedgwick

This film is about a popular football star who is self-centered and who only has a desire for personal success and wealth. He is startled to learn that he has an 8 year old daughter who shows up on his door mat one day. The story follows a 30 day span where he learns to accept that he is a father and bonds with his daughter while having his entire life uprooted through routine parenting activities.

Becky's rating: B

This was very much a formulated Disney film. No big surprises here. You could almost guess what would happen next, although the film was done well and the audience will forgive this predictability. The Rock did a good job being silly in his role and there is a really funny part where he has to talk like his tongue is swollen from an allergic reaction. The little girl in the film is just about as cute as they come and several times I mentioned to Brandon that I would like to just take her home with me. There was very little that would be offensive in this movie - It would be ideal for a family with small children to sit down and watch together.

Bottom line: Rent this for your school-aged children. It's sure to please and parents will enjoy it, too.

Holy Moses!

I'm sure that was the line of thinking when Braylon asked his Nana, "So how old were you when Jesus died on the cross?"

Just One More

This has become our new family theme - "Just One More." Blaine started saying this when asking for candy or cookies (that boy has a SERIOUS sweet tooth!!). Now he has extended it to just about everything. And what makes it so cute is his little index finger waving in the air as he says, "Just one more..."

A Grampy Weekend

I took the boys to Ft. Worth this weekend to visit with their Grampy (who met us there). We haven't seen him since Thanksgiving, so it had been just long enough between visits... The boys enjoyed special time with Grampy, especially swimming in the hotel swimming pool.

For anyone who doesn't know, my dad (Grampy), has been living in Atlanta, Texas since October 2006 caring for his 98 year old mother and ill sister. It's been a roller coaster ride for that situation and one that doesn't have much of an end in sight. We hope my dad will be able to come home for good in the relatively near future, but know that the situation calls for his help right now. No easy choices there...

Nevertheless, we savor the times we we can all get together and just have fun. Oh - And Grampy celebrated the big 6-0, which was the reason for the trip!

Cutie Pie

Just nothing cuter than a 2 year old singing praise songs using words he has a hard time pronouncing and concepts he won't know for years to come:

"Like a ocean breeze blowing on your face,
Like a summer sun with it's warm embrace,
Like a gentle rain plays a symphony,
That's what I want my praise to be.

Like a fragrant rose in the early spring,
Like an eagle soars when it spreads it's wings,
Whatever Lord you may need from me,
That's what I want my praise to be...to You."

Just nothing sweeter or cuter than that!!

Movie Review: 3:10 to Yuma DVD

3:10 to Yuma DVD
Starring: Russell Crowe, Christian Bale

The premise of this movie is fairly simple. A man who is a notoriously known murderer/thief is captured and will be sent to Yuma prison for execution. The story centers around the plight to get him to the train station by 3:10 p.m. on a particular day while the criminal's gang trails them. One man stands up for justice when no one else will.

Becky's rating: A-

Russell Crowe and Christian Bale both give A+ performances. I found it interesting that in real life both of these actors have either British or Australian accents, yet in the film you are completely convinced that they are part of the old West. Very convincing in their roles. Stellar performances worthy of awards. The story line was slow in parts, but overall captivated the audience's attention. There is a twist ending that is controversial. I loved it and felt it ended the exact way that it should have. Brandon, on the other hand, felt like some of the characters were short-changed for their efforts. Can't say more than that without spoiling it.

Bottom line: If you like shoot 'em up Westerns, this is for you...

Ladies First

Yesterday at church, Brandon assisted in Braylon's SS class with "tool day." The lesson was talking about how Jesus was a carpenter and would build things with his daddy. The kids got to do hands-on activity and learn about a relevant Bible story all in one. Brandon said he had as much fun as the kids...

During snack time, the SS teacher said, "Ok, let's let all the little girls go first, because that pleases God." One of the little boys piped up and said, "I don't like it when God made that rule!"

Chivalry at it's earliest....

Capital of Texas

Almost forgot this golden nugget of a moment ~

A few weeks ago at church I was leading a group of 4 and 5 year olds. There came a time when we needed to kill about 5 minutes. Anyone who has wrangled this age group knows that sometimes 5 minutes can seem much longer... Anyway, I was asking the group various questions, "Who can say the alphabet the fastest...What is your favorite color...How do you spell your favorite color?" Some of my questions were getting harder and harder, yet there was almost always someone who would answer correctly.

The last question I asked was mostly a trick question because I knew the chances of any of the knowing it would be slim. I said, "What's the capital of Texas?" A cute 5 year old boy quickly blurted out, "T!"

Well, that IS a capital in Texas... Can fault him with that answer!

Like Mother, Like Son

This a.m. Braylon woke up and told me that Blaine was crying. I went into his dark, cool room to find a quiet Blaine snuggled next to his life-sized, stuffed Elmo. Wasn't sure what Braylon was talking about, but I asked Blaine if he was ready to get up. Blaine groggily said, "Just one more minute, Momma..." I thought this was so cute I let him have several more minutes. He ended up "one more minute-ing" me nearly enough to be late for school/work. But, alas, we made it on time.

Now, I don't know where he gets this.... Hmmmmm.... Ok maybe I do know where he gets it...

Oops!

Brandon kept the kids home from "school" yesterday so they could have some good daddy/son time before his semester starts tomorrow. After a full morning of activity, lunch and a nap, Brandon treated them to a soda and a long trip to the park. While leaving the convenience store after buying a drink, Brandon was distracted with Blaine and didn't notice that Braylon had dropped his drink. Brandon says he hears a loud, "Ohhhh, great!" He whips around to see the drink has fallen straight down, still upright and Braylon covered in soda especially all over his face. Brandon says he couldn't even open his eyes to see, but was grappling at trying to make sure the soda didn't fall over. He says it was a sight to see! He and Braylon had a good laugh afterwards...Our new saying is, "Ohhhh, great!"

Go, Go Gadget!

The other day when traveling in the van, Braylon dropped something and he asked me to pick it up. I was driving, so I told him that my Go, Go Gadget arm was broken. He looked up and me and said, "You're what is broken?"

Ahhhh.... I'm that old, un-hip mom now!

A Glimpse Into the Future

This weekend was good - relaxing, even. When you have 2 preschoolers in the home, such weekends are treasured. You just never know what to expect with the little ones...

But this weekend I got a little glimpse into what the future holds. Brandon and I are done with the baby stage (at least I have determined that, still working on him to be 100% sure about it!!!). Blaine is 90% potty trained and communicates quite well these days. Last night Braylon helped me in the kitchen by drying the dishes after dinner. Wow ~ Didn't expect that at age 4! Temper tantrums still happen at our house, but not as frequently as in the past. Now beating up your brother when you don't get your way ~ Happens a lot.

Ahhhh ~ We're no longer in the baby stage and entering boyhood! Priceless.

Love and Marriage

Over my hiatus from blogging, Brandon and I celebrated 8 years of marriage. Here's what I have to say about that ~

I'm thankful to have a husband who respects my opinions and lets me have freedom to make decisions that impact our family. I'm glad he listens to my input, even when he disagrees.

I'm thankful that in the last 13 years that we've been together we have grown up and together. I've seen plenty of couples who grew up and apart. I'm glad that's not us. I can honestly say that I enjoy Brandon so much more now than I ever have before.

I'm thankful that Brandon "gets me" and knows I need space. I'm thankful that he doesn't smother me and lets me have time to myself to grow as an individual. In that respect, I am also thankful that Brandon encourages me to grow in my relationship with God. He is eager for me to read my Bible and is always open to discuss questions about unclear passages. I am thankful that he can act as a spiritual leader in that way.

I'm thankful that Brandon is a loving father who is interested in the lives of his children. I love that we can talk forever about our children, yet that we have plenty of other things to talk about, too.

I look forward to at least another 8 years!!

Did You Miss Me?

One of my very favorite things about having a 4 year old and a 2 year old is the fact that you just never know what will come out of their mouths next. Sometimes remarkably profound things, sometimes obnoxiously silly things, sometimes endearing, sweet words... Don't know where this next quote falls in...

After Brandon and I returned home from two nights away, I asked Blaine if he missed me. Blaine said, "YES! A lot, Momma!!" Feeling brave I asked, "Did you miss Daddy?" (Daddy was sitting in the next seat over mind you...) Blaine quickly says, "No, nuh uh." Thankfully this was responded to with a quiet, knowing smile by Daddy....

National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets

Movie review: National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets
Starring: Nicholas Cage, Jon Voight, Helen Mirren, Ed Harris

This is the follow-up to National Treasure that came out a few years ago. Nicholas Cage reprises his role as Benjamin Franklin Gates and picks up several months after the last story ends. Ben Gates has restored the long-despised Gates family name in the historical community only to find that the family name is again challenged by the Ed Harris character. Ed Harris's character (name forgotten) raises suspicion that a Gates patriarch was involved in the assassination of President Lincoln. This sets the story into motion of how Ben Gates must prove this theory wrong by finding evidence that it is incorrect. A detail-ridden mystery of a treasure hunt ensues.

Becky's rating: A++

National Treasure is one of my favorite movies ~ This movie had big shoes to fill to measure up and it did! The humor is spot-on and appropriately timed. The Riley character makes the laughs come in all the right places and bounces off of the Ben Gates character perfectly. As in the first movie, I did not catch any notable curse words - All clean humor and situations. Ample action. Storyline captivating. Can't think of anything else to say but "everything I want in a film!" Best part, they alluded to a National Treasure 3 at the end of the movie!

Bottom line: Go see #1, then go see #2 - This movie is worthy of your time in the theater!

Back From Hiatus

I'm back - Took a break from blogging to enjoy my family at home and take a little side-trip to Fredericksburg, Texas. I had a nice, relaxing time over the holidays and took things as slow-paced as possible. For me, that's a welcomed change. The kids enjoyed their visit from the jolly, fat fellow and I am happy about getting my house recovered from Christmas decorations and new presents.

All in all, a great holiday season!