Bed time routines

We have always had a pretty laid back bed time routine.  After getting our pjs on and brushing teeth, we all head to the boys room (most nights Tux, our 90 lb. lab joins in also).  We sit down as a family, hold hands, and Jonathan prays for our family and the boys specifically.  Then hugs & kisses and off to bed.  Pretty simple. 
Recently the boys have started a new game.  The only real toys they have in their room is a couple of baskets full of stuffed animals.  They each get to sleep with one at night (usually a horse or Aggie bear).  The new game goes like this: Luke throws all the animals in to Levi's bed.  They both stand by the bed pleading "jump, jump."  One of us gives in, and puts the boys both in Levi's bed where the procede to jump and play.  I think the video below will give you a better idea.  :)

Now I realize most people take the have a nice, quite, relaxing routine approach to bedtime.  But to those people I would ask, do you have two year old boys?  There is no such thing as nice, quite, and relaxing, but I wouldn't change a minute of it! 

Kind Words

One of the things we have been working on with the boys is using "kind words."  We often talk about showing kindness with them, and words like please, thank you, excuse me, and even bless you are phrases we are really practicing.  As a parent there are times where I just wonder what is sinking in!
Last night, Jonathan and I were sitting in the living room after putting the boys down just catching up on our day.  When I heard Levi start coughing.  Hooray for the ever changing weather in Houston, always causing someone to have a runny nose in our house.  So after a few coughs, I hear Luke quietly reply "Bless you."  I laughed so hard!  So maybe it wasn't a sneeze, but at least something is sinking in!

I don't have a great picture of them showing manners, but they
sure have a great example to look up to when it comes to showing kindness!

Snow Day!!

Please notice our snow day...ice melting into puddles of water.  YUCK!

So apparently the entire county had a snow day last Friday.  However, despite many promises from every weather man in Houston we got NOTHING!!  If the boys knew what they were missing they would have been incredibly disappointed, I guess ignorance really is bliss.

However, since our entire city shut down for this "cold day," Daddy got to stay home and play with us.  YEA!!  I love when normal days turn out to be not so normal.  So we got out some Christmas presents that still hadn't been used (keep in mind we get 2 of everything, so the boys get "presents" randomly after Christmas).   This day we attempted water color painting.  Hysterical for two year olds, but I must say we have a couple of budding artists on our hands. 

And one more makes 3!!

The Brooks family is expecting one more to our crew in late July!!! We are so excited about the new miracle the Lord has blessed our family with. So let me answer your first question right away....there is only one baby. We are very sure. :)

We will find out in a month whether baby bean is a girl or boy. This morning we went in for a normal checkup. While most of Houston is shut down because the weather is freezing, we kept our appointment. Lesson learned! My doctor was bored and didn't have another patient for awhile, so she took some unexpected ultrasound pics for us. Here's my favortie of little bean sucking his or her thumb.

Joy unspeakable

God uses my kids to teach and refine me on a daily basis.  I am not sure there is a more humbling job than the job of a parent.  I look at our boys and at times see that truly they are created in the image of God.  One attribute of God that I see over and over again in our boys is joy!
Throughout Scripture God calls believers to be joyful in all circumstances from trials to every day life.  Children, especially ours, have no problem with this, although adults seem to really struggle with this.  Whether it is navigating the Houston highways and squealing "wheeeeeee" as we go through particular areas, chasing our poor lab around the house and laughing with complete delight, zooming trucks through the living room, or playing with their suitcases our boys are full of unspeakable joy.  This is one thing I hope they never grow out of!

Thank you Lord for giving me such great joys in my life.

Weekend with the Grandparents

My parents wanted to give me a day "off" so they took the boys for a couple of days.  While I had girl time & a pedi with some friends, an extra nap, and a wonderful date night with my hubby the boys kept their grandparents very busy.  They all four went to a safari park to check out a few animals up close & personal.  They got to meet deer, ostritch, camels, and goats.  I'm not sure who had more fun, the boys or the grandparetns!
After a couple days, as much as I enjoyed my R&R I was so ready to see my boys.  Thanks Mom & Dad for a little break.  There's nothing like napping in the middle of the day, and not stressing about sleeping through snack time!

That camel got a little too close for our liking. 
Don't you know those things spit!!



1, 2 Years Old!!

Over the weekend, we celebrated the boys' 2nd birthday!  We had a blast with friends and family as we "raced" to their birthday party (they absolutely love cars).  The few weeks before their birthday we worked really hard on saying "I'm 2 years old."  The best response I've gotten so far when I ask "how old are you?" is the reply "1-2!" as if they were counting.  At least they know where to stop.  Thanks to all our family and friends who made it such a special day.

Luke & Levi, your dad and I are so grateful that God put you into our lives!  You each are a precious gift to us from Him.

Ands here's a video of their crazy post birthday party celebration induced by an extreme sugar high.

And I ask myself, why do we spend money on gifts when all you need are few balloons?