I promised my wife that I would not make a big deal about her...please understand that's very hard for me to do..for a number of reasons!

First, let me just say that of the two of us, I definitely got the "look at me" gene. Though God's brought plenty of humility lessons my way over the years, I've kindled a special friendship with Mr. Spotlight at times. I love people. I love being in front of people, sharing my heart, sharing God's Word, sharing a laugh (often at my expense). Ha!

Proverbs 18:22 says, "He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord." For me, that's like the understatement of the century. My wife is the absolute best gift (outside of God's saving, sustaining grace) that I've ever received! She is my helpmate, my best friend, my constant encourager and biggest fan. This past weekend I had the opportunity to be her biggest fan...as she ran a half marathon! So while mom was up at the crack of dawn to run her race, a little later in the morning dad and the boys went on a little adventure to cheer mom on. And yes, I did haul them all over in their pj's. Please know that I managed to change them before church that morning! We had a great time, and I'd like to think that Luke and Levi brought legit inspiration to hundreds of half-marathoners as the boys eagerly watched them race (or stagger) by.

 

the boys eagerly anticipate seeing mom



Steph ran a great race. After months of working and training so hard, the Houston Half is officially complete. The boys and I were witnesses! We cheered. We tried to hold up our "go mommy" signs but came up short when mommy passed. We lost a few Cherios in the grass along the way. But we were so proud of mommy for achieving her goal and pressing on through the finish. Way to go Steph! (thanks for letting me post this)

 

mommy was really excited that daddy was taking her pic after 13 miles!



pretty sure that guy's running shorts were not regulation...



Fall is finally here...

A few weeks ago, the boys and I headed to a local pumpkin patch to celebrate the arrival of autumn, which in Houston means our temperatures have finally plummeted into the 80s.  One of the nurseries around the corner from us had a day just for the kids, and we had a blast.   We (meaning mostly mom)  decorated pumpkins, crawled through the pumpkin patch, rocked on the front porch, and explored many new things.  Just wanted to share a few of our pictures from our autumn adventure. 

  

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free, but...

It may be for freedom that Christ has set us free, but this is not the point of freedom from mom & dad.

Many of you know that we moved the boys to "big boy beds."  Well after a 3 week experiment, the boys are back into the confines of their cribs! 

The first couple of weeks we saw small but gradual progress, however the week that we decided to move back was nuts! That particular week we had multiple parties in the boys' rooms until after 11 pm (sorry if you didn't receive your invitation- Jonathan and I didn't either).  It was with exhausted parents and little boys, we decided something had to give.

Then it came to us- we never tried to move the mattresses to the floor!  Their eyes can barely peer over the tops of their crib rails.  I think that first night all four of us had a huge sigh of relief. 

Let me explain our situation, the four of us live in a two bedroom townhouse.  The boys have always shared a room, and this has never been a problem...until now.  From what I've heard our twins follow a pretty normal twin pattern.  We have an instigator and a rule follower.  So my instigator, would regularly go celebrate his new found freedom in the bed of our rule follower.  At 20 months this freedom, no matter how many times he was redirected, was too much for our instigator.  The result was he and his brother, the rule follower, were absolutely worn out.

Lesson learned as a parent: upon attempting a new transition, if they aren't ready, they aren't ready no matter how much you want them to be. 

So from the much better rested Brooks household, hope you guys have a great week!

Male and Female He created them...

"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them."  Gen. 1:27

This verse has come across my path multiple times this week.  Now, growing up in church I have heard this verse many times, and for the most part have not ever really given it a second thought.  I mean how hard can it be, male and female...got it.  But now I have two boys! 

I  have been thinking a lot about this verse this week.  I would argue that not only did God  physically create us male and female, but something about our very being is different because we are male and female.  Here are a few things I have noticed about boys, that at least for mine are innate to them because they are male!

We love to be outside & sticks might possibly be the best toy!

We wrestle just because it is fun.

 Mess is my middle name.

  

Every mountain (or changing table) was meant to be conquered, and not just by someone but by me personally!

I have love my mom unconditionally.  (So thankful for this one!)

While mom is great, I want to be just like dad.

I look in awe at our creative God.  I too look at all He created and say "It is good."