Thursday, April 9, 2009

Compliments

Tonight while I was getting ready to go to Noah's game, Wynn told me "You got a bigggg tummy!"

Five minutes later, Shep told me "You look pretty."  It was the first time I've gotten a compliment from one of my children.  It was the sweetest thing I've ever heard.  If you know Shep, you understand why.  He has the sweetest voice.  He's my favorite child tonight!

But then...Shep was playing with something he got off of my dresser in my room.  I told him to put it up because I have had it for a long time and I don't want it broken.  He said, "Did Jesus give it to you?"  How old does he think I am?  

Life with boys...full of warm, happy feelings!

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Huh?

Wynn can't hear.  He constantly says "Huh?".  I took him to the ENT, Dr. Wiatrak who is his surgeon, on Monday.  His right tube was completely out and his left tube was stuck in his ear canal.  The Nurse Practitioner decided to take out the other tube in the office.  I held his arms and a nurse held his head and the N.P. used this skinny instrument and stuck it in his ear and pulled out the tube.  Wynn never made a sound.  WOW!  The doctor came in and looked at his ears and said it looked like he had maple syrup in his ears.  That's nice.  He didn't want to test his hearing again until he can put more tubes in them.  He said there is no way Wynn can hear very well.  I knew it!  Bless his heart!  So on April 21 he will have tubes put back in his ears and they are going to take out his adenoids.  Then post-op we will do the hearing test.  It's been over a year since his last hearing test.  So if you see us out somewhere and you want to talk to Wynn, SPEAK UP!

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Family Update

I realize I rarely update my blog.  I should do it more often but I should do a lot of other things as well.  I like to go back and read old blogs about our family.  So I thought I would take a minute to write what's going on in our lives presently.

Noah is playing 7/8 year old baseball.  He has really become a hitter this year.  Noah has played baseball for 4 years but this year it seems to "click" with him.  He asked his daddy to coach him this year.  I wasn't sure it would be a good idea but so far it's been great.  Their team is the Reds.  Scott picked the Reds because they have always been his favorite team.  Also coaching with Scott is his brother, Noah's Uncle Wesley.  I really feel like the family affair is helping Noah to feel more confident.  Noah continues to do well in second grade.  He's the top reader in his class.  His reading level is off the charts!  He loves to read.  He takes a book with him most everywhere he goes.  He gets that from me, not Scott.  I read every night before I go to sleep and I keep a book in the car to read whenever I get a chance, carpool especially.  Noah will be baptized next month.  He made the decision last year to ask God into his heart.  He recently went through the class at church that explains everything to children.  He was interviewed by someone on our church staff to make sure he understood everything and he did.  So his next step is to be baptized.  I'm very proud of him!  I told him he didn't have to do this yet and that it had to be his decision.  He says he's ready!  It has, by far, been my happiest parent moment knowing that we'll be together forever in heaven.

The twins are acting up to all the three-year-old expectations.  Shep continues to be my sweet, thoughtful child.  He is still a good sleeper and a good eater.  Wynn keeps waking up in the middle of the night for various reasons.  Usually he wants chocolate milk.  Last night, he and Shep woke up at 4 am and wanted band aids for their boo-boo's.  Shep wanted me to put his on and Wynn wanted Scott to put his on.  They both love school, their teacher and their friends.  They only go 2 days a week but would like to probably go more days.  Their play time is being spent by getting our phones and walking around the house having conversations with imaginary people.  Shep says he's talking to "his girls".  He talks about his girls all the time.  He says they live in a house in the woods behind our house.  When he listens to the radio he says his girls like this song.  It's so funny to hear him talking to his girls.  Sometimes Wynn talks to Shep's girls and sometimes he talks to a man.  I love listening to their imaginary world.  Shep seems to live in his imaginary world a lot!  He's the happiest kid I know!  Wynn...not so much.  He is constantly mad at someone in our house.  He has also become very bossy.  But when he laughs he can make everyone around him laugh.  He loves to play ball.  He can hit a ball with a bat like you wouldn't believe.  Of all the boys, he is the most athletic.  Both twins love going to the ballpark.  They are both adorable and very busy.  Their energy is amazing to me because they don't take a nap and haven't in many months.  They definitely make me exhausted every night.

Scott's schedule is as busy as ever.  He travels out of town on most Wednesday's.  He works very hard.  He is the head coach of Noah's baseball team and if they don't have a game they are practicing most nights.  He is also on the City Council and they meet twice a month for regular meetings and then at other times during the month for work sessions.  He serves on three committees for the city, including Parks and Rec which seems to call for lots of meetings.  Then at the end of the night after everyone is in bed, he works in his office until late.  He gets about 5 hours of sleep at night.  I could never keep up with a schedule like Scott has.  But even with all that, he takes care of me and the boys.  He plays with the boys every night before bed.  He gives the twins a bath every night when he's home.  Most nights he puts the twins and Noah to bed.  Every morning he wakes Noah up and gets him ready for school.  He fixes Noah's lunch and snack every morning and takes him to school.  I'm glad my boys have a father who is so involved in their lives.  He can make the house run without me here and that says a lot for a dad!

I'm finishing my last two classes at Montevallo to get my teaching certificate updated.  I go to class on Monday and Wednesday nights.  I have to take a state test in a couple of weeks and another one in May so I'm also studying for those.  But my top priority is still my family.  I keep this family going on a tight schedule most days.  Between my school and our family I don't have much time for anything else.  I always feel like I'm giving someone the short end of the stick.  I am the queen of mom guilt!  I hate leaving the children so we have people over to our house frequently.  This is how I get to socialize.  I love having friends  and their families over.  Scott and I actually do a lot of entertaining and we always tell people to bring their children.  I like that my children get to play with other children and the adults get to talk to each other and no one has to pay for a babysitter.  I'm hoping to go back to teaching next year, something I haven't done since before Noah was born (8 years ago).  I'm a little nervous about how my family will react to mommy having a full time job outside of just being mommy.  But I know if God wants me to do it then He will make it work.

Well, I guess that's the highlights of the Brakefield Bunch!  Our house is a little busy and a lot crazy.  But that's how we seem to operate right now.  I adore my Brakefield boys!  I just recently got a new car tag.  I've never had a personalized tag before but now I have one that says:  BRAKEBZ (for Brakefield Boys).  I hope to update again soon and tell more funny stories about the boys who provide me with free entertainment every day!


Monday, February 23, 2009

Skater Dudes

                                                                     Wipeout Wynn
Speedy Shepherd

Aunt Marsha gave the twins roller skates for Christmas.  Don't ask me why their pants aren't on because I don't know.  Maybe they think it will make them skate faster.  It took about 5 minutes for them to get the hang of it.  I really didn't think they would like them because I thought they wouldn't be able to do it.  I didn't even open them until January.  I had put them in my office and they happened to find them and of course wanted to put them on.  They actually wear the elbow pads and knee pads.  I won't let them go outside with them.  They have to stay inside.  I really don't think they even know you can take them outside!  Anyway, it's hilarious!  I thought you would get a kick out of seeing them all geared up and ready to skate!

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Snuggies


The Snuggies are here!  In December, Scott ordered me a Snuggie because I love blankets and when I kept seeing the commercial I had to have one.  Well, when he ordered mine he got roped in to some deal where he ended up with 4 of them.  He showed me the receipt after he ordered them and told me hopefully they would come before Christmas.  They came February 9th!  Anyway, he gave one to Mother and one to Grandmother.  Then we kept two of them.  They all came with a free book light.  I know you are so jealous!  The twins love the Snuggies! This is a picture of them with the Snuggies.  They are eating a PB&J and watching a movie.  By the way, it was totally worth the wait.  I hope Mother and Grandmother are enjoying theirs as much as we are enjoying ours.

Joey, this is so much better than your Sham Wow you wanted!

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

why

Why do I love Shemar Moore?

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Dating

Conversation I had with Noah this afternoon after we saw the high school students getting out of school and walking to their cars:

Noah:  There's a boy and a girl (chuckle)
Me:  Why is that funny?
Noah:  Because I think they're dating.
Me:  What does dating mean?
Noah: A boy and a girl does stuff together.
Me:  What kind of stuff?
Noah:  Eat food.

Wheww!  I was seriously holding my breath.  He asked me if he was right and I said "Absolutely!"  

Friday, January 23, 2009

Tagged

Bre tagged me.  This is my fourth album, fourth picture.  It's a pic of Noah at his Thanksgiving Feast at school in first grade (Nov. 2007).  I love the two missing teeth!  He had just been in a play at school and then his teachers had a feast for them and their parents.  His face was painted according to real Indian meanings.  The colors and the symbols meant something but I forgot what it was.  Thanks for tagging me and bringing back the sweet memory!  

Thursday, January 22, 2009

J Lo

Tonight Shep and Wynn brought me a book called "My Little Red Tool Box".  Jen gave Noah this book 6 years ago for his 2nd birthday.  This made me instantly think of her and all she has done for my boys.  They adore her.  When I go out of town they always want Mrs. Jennifer to come over and keep them.  They are best friends with her daughters.  Noah and MJ have literally grown up together and now the twins and G are doing the same.  Many, many years ago she and I started our friendship.  We have been friends since elementary school.  When I was in the fifth grade I was Miss Thompson Elementary and the next year she won "the honors".  I got to crown her.  We grew up in much the same way.  In high school we both dated the quarterbacks of the football team (not the same person).  The four of us would sit at a table in the lunchroom by ourselves.  We were in our own little world.  I remember when she got her first car and she called me from the dealership (red Civic).  We went on double dates to Six Flags and Vulcan where she made us take the steps because she was scared of the elevator.  We wore matching outfits in our yearbook pictures (and we will show you).  We lost touch a little while in college but soon after made our way back to each other.  She sang in my wedding, helped decorate my first home and taught me a lot about being "real".  We have been through more than anyone, besides us, probably cares about knowing.  My point is that she is my best friend and I could not make it through the tough times and would not want to go through the good times without her.  I want to send some love to her this week because I haven't had the greatest week but I know she hasn't either.  She and I are a lot alike.  She took a survey one time about friends and it said we were "twin souls".  What an understatement!  We are tough on the outside but not so much on the inside.  We hate to ask anyone for anything.  We can power through almost anything and have many times.  We don't need words to express how we feel about each other but this week I want her to know I love her very much.  She is what the term "best friends" was created for.  You make me smile and allow me to cry, you entertain my husband with your thoughts and expressions and my boys think you rock!  love...

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Millie Girl

Apparently, Millie Girl has nervous tendencies.  She is constantly scratching her face.  She doesn't have fleas or ear mites or anything else that would annoy her and cause the constant scratching.  But she won't stop.  She has scratched a hole on both sides of her face.  I took her to the vet for this problem for the third time on Friday.  This time, she got an antibiotic, a pill for the itching, and a calming spray for the areas.  The vet said she is doing it because she is nervous and that she is causing these places on her face of her own free will.  Fabulous!  Do you see what living in my house will do to you?  These boys are crazy.  Of course, I didn't tell the vet about all the places the twins have put her:  the warming drawer, the washing machine, the laundry basket, the bathtub...you get the picture.  Anyway, I love her and can totally sympathize with the nervous tendencies you get from living here.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

New Year's Eve


Jen had a New Year's Eve party this year.  But instead of dressing up and toasting with champagne at midnight, we wore our sweats and toasted marshmallows and never saw midnight!  The kids had a blast!  Jen cooked chili and I brought hotdogs.  Noah, Shep, Wynn, Maggie Joe, Georgie and Alex sat around the fire pit roasting marshmallows and hotdogs.  The twins have done this before but it never gets old.  Then Uncle Wesley shot off the fireworks in the street.  I kept waiting for the big finale of fireworks but never saw them.  I don't think Uncle Wesley is a professional fireworks shooter!  Wynn was scared to death and Scott had to take him inside.  Shep sat in my lap and never said a word during the show.  Georgie kept saying "Do it again Wesey!"  Alex and Noah helped Wesley.  Then we all went inside to warm up.  After a few minutes the kids decided they wanted to go light the sparklers.  Scott and Wesley went outside to light them and supervise while Jen, Jill and I stayed inside.  After a few minutes the door flies open and all the kids came running in and screaming crying!  I mean screaming at the top of their lungs "The grass is on fire!"  You know the song "Ring of Fire"?  We had two of them.  In the back yard.  We jumped up to see Jen's backyard on fire.  Jen ran out to help the guys put out the fire while Jill and I tried to settle the kids down.  They were very scared.  Apparently, some of the sparks got on the grass and ignited it.  It made two circles of fire.  A good size fire.  And one of Jen's water hoses didn't work so they had one hose and had to stomp out the rest.  I wish someone could have taken a video clip of it all.  Scott and Wesley's pants have burns in them.  Anyway, the kids calmed down but we didn't do anymore sparklers and it was a good lesson on why you should stay on the concrete when using them.  Thanks to Jen for all the entertainment and food!  I love watching my children have fun and am so thankful we have best friends and family to make memories with!  

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Twin's Birthday





The twinkies turned three on Monday, the 22nd!  We had a safari themed birthday party at our house.  It was a lot of fun!  First I had a craft for all the children to do with their parents.  They could choose from a lion, tiger, bear or monkey and make a hand puppet.  It is a Martha Stewart craft from Wal-Mart.  Scott took a picture of us from the balcony overlooking the activity.  Then the children played Pin the Nose on the Lion.  I also had a carnival game of throwing beanbags through the jungle animals for points.  And I had a safari themed growth chart to mark how tall all the children are but we never made it to that.  We did birthday cake and opened presents and the children escaped outside.  The twins didn't open half of their presents.  Scott and I had to finish for them.  Thank you to everyone who came to the party.  It's hard when your children have a birthday party so close to Christmas.  I was afraid everyone would have Christmas obligations and not be able to attend but I think we ended up with about 30 people. 
 Happy Birthday, my little babies!  I love you with all my heart!  I can't believe three years have passed us by.  Their birth was such a blur to me due to my own health at the time.  I was in the hospital 6 days (3 in ICU), Shep was in the NICU 18 days and Wynn was in the NICU for 28 days.  Leaving those babies in that hospital while I got to come home was absolutely awful.  A mother's heart can't take being separated from her children.  Not this mother, at least.  I was so happy to be able to bring them home.  When Shep came home I felt so torn.  I was happy to have him with me but sad that Wynn was there without a mother and his brother.  Shep was so sweet and such a good sleeper from the start. When Wynn came home I put him in the bed with me the first night and slept nose to nose with  him so he could feel my breath and hope that he would feel bonded with me.  I will never forget that night and smelling his breath as he slept.  Scott and I tried for 4 years to get pregnant.  It was a hard journey and I lost two babies in the process.  But those little boys are more than worth the wait.  I know many people who know why they were put on this Earth and what they feel like their contribution to the world is.  Mine is to be a mother.  I treasure it everyday.  I don't enjoy it everyday but I am so thankful God made me a mother.  I love you twinkies!

Monday, December 22, 2008

Christmas Program


Shep and Wynn were in their Christmas Program at their school on Thursday.  It was precious!  They sang three songs and it lasted about 7 minutes.  Shep was really into it and sang and did the motions.  Wynn picked at his lip during the first song, picked his nose during the second song and sat down on the stage during the last song.  During all the songs he yawned. Notice in the first picture where Wynn is pulling his shirt off. Luckily we made it through the whole program without either one of them taking their clothes completely off.  But it was priceless being able to watch them.  

Friday, December 19, 2008

Sick Update for Party

Hello friends!  For all my mommy friends who are planning on coming to the twin's birthday party tomorrow...my house is sanitized!  My cleaning ladies came today and cloroxed it from head to toe.  All the rugs have been washed.  All the hand towels have been washed.  Everything is crisp and clean.  All three children are on an antibiotic and therefore not contagious.  The pink eye is gone.  All we have left is ear infections (Noah got added to the list today.  Scott took him to the doctor and he had an ear infection.)  But you would never know they were sick this week.  They are wild today and everyone is outside playing in the warm air.  Scott is cutting the grass and he has Noah blowing leaves with the big blower.  This is Noah's first time to do real yard work.  He's having a ball but I'm guessing his arm will hurt tomorrow from carrying the blower.  Wynn has helped me clean the windows outside.  Shep is in his own world doing whatever Shep does.  We are ready for tomorrow and seeing all our friends.  Wynn keeps asking if it's party time.  My kids love to party!  So, I hope you guys will come and Bre:  you can come with your kids; I promise not to infect them! Ha, ha

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Noah's Party


Noah made it to school today and had his Christmas party.  I have no idea where the hat came from.  It's not his and when I walked in the room he was the only one wearing a hat.  Maybe I should have asked.  When he saw me come in the door he asked me if I brought his eye drops (for the pink eye) and I told him no.  Then I asked if he needed them and he said "No, I did not want you to put them in my eyes in my classroom."  Well, OK.  They had lots of stuff to eat and he received a lot of gifts.  I'm glad he was feeling better and able to go to school.  While I was at the party, his student teacher came in.  Her last day was last week but she came back for their party.  On her last day, I sent her a gift.  I packed a bag full of  teacher supplies for when she gets her own classroom.  Well apparently when she thanked Noah for the gift last week, he told her I just put things in the bag that I had in my office, except the ruler, which he thought I actually bought.  She tells me this story at the party.  I could have died!  I bought every single thing I put in that bag.  She laughed.  He's a mess!  Now we have the twins Christmas program and party tomorrow.  They are feeling much better so they will definitely attend school.  I can't wait to see their performance!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Sick House

We took the twins to the doctor Monday.  Wynn - double ear infections (and his tubes were out) and pink eye; Shep - sinus infection.  Then I went to pick Noah up from school and when he got in the car both his eyes were red.  I said "Noah, you have pink eye."  He said they itched all day but didn't tell his teacher.  I called the doctor and he called me in the eye drops.  Then Scott and I started with a sore throat.  So today, we were all five at home.  Merry Christmas was not the attitude in our house.  I am praying everyone is better by tomorrow.  Noah's Christmas party at school is Wednesday and the twin's Christmas program and party at school is Thursday.  

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Sick Sunday



Welcome to the sick house.  This is what my family looks like today. All three boys want to sit with daddy under a blanket.  Here's the rundown:  Noah - sore throat, low fever; Shep - green snot, cough; Wynn - cough, pink eye.  I will be paying quite a big co-pay at the doctor.  If anyone needs to reach me today I will be holding a child.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Happy Birthday, Noah!



Today my little Noah turned 8!  Time has flown by.  I can't believe I have an 8 year old.  We had his party on Saturday at Game Zone.  Then he had two friends spend the night with us.  I'm not sure they actually slept.  I went to bed when they were watching Star Wars (I don't remember which number).  Scott said he turned off the tv at 11 but at 12 he heard Noah turning it back on.  He got a DS from me and Scott and a game from the twins.  His Aunt Marsha and Uncle Wesley gave him DS games also.  He loves it!  He got lots of other great gifts as well and I think he's up to about $140 in cash and gift cards from people.  He is like his mother and loves to shop.  I'm sure he will spend his money this weekend on more games.  Now he has a Wii, XBox, XBox 360 and a DS.  I should start having birthday parties for kids at my house and just let them play with all his game systems. Anyway... to Noah:
I am so proud of you!  I prayed so hard to have you and when you were born I kept saying how perfect you were.  I know you are not perfect but in my heart you are still that baby who changed my whole world and has brought more joy to my life than you will ever know.  I am so honored that God chose me to be your mom!  Happy Birthday, I Love You!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Parade



Our family was in the Alabaster Christmas Parade on Saturday.  We rode on top of this RV.  Our float (RV) was the City Council float.  We were the first float in the parade.  We told the children that they were going to throw candy at people and they were very excited.  Well, we should have given better directions.  Noah chose to stand beside the mayor.  We all had buckets of candy we were throwing.  Noah took his bucket and threw all of the candy at one time out to the people below.  Needless to say, he hurt some folks!  The mayor did a quick lesson on how you only throw a few pieces at a time.  So to all the babies who were left crying after the parade was over because of anything my children threw at you, I am sorry.  It was a lot of fun.  Scott said that in all his years of growing up in Alabaster, he had never been to a parade.  I think he had as much fun as the children.  

Monday, December 1, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving

This was our annual Thanksgiving picture in Aunt Margaret's yard.  We had a great trip to Memphis for Thanksgiving.  This is an annual trip that revolves around lots of food and fun.  Every year we have a BBQ feast on Wednesday night at Mom and Pop's house.  They have a banner that says Patterson Corral that they hang up for the night.  Mom always has everything decorated perfectly for the hoedown.  Unfortunately, this year Pop was too ill to host.  We had the BBQ at Uncle Pat and Uncle David's house.  Kendall decorated beautifully.  They were wonderful hosts.  I'll post pics later of the kids.  Kendall had a fire pit in the back yard with hay bales and the kids got to roast marshmallows and make smores after dinner.  They also played football.  Shep and Wynn didn't realize they were to little to tackle and dove right in with the older kids.  We had a delicious catered meal from Corky's BBQ.  
The next day we went to Aunt Margaret's for lunch.  We had just walked in the door and I had not even made it into the living room when there was an accident.  Aunt Margaret has a pool and a hot tub outside.  Both are covered for the winter.  Well Shep went outside with all the other children and walked right out onto the pool.  Sam (10 years old) came running in and got Scott while Noah "watched" Shep.  Scott fished him out as he was sinking into the pool.  It scared him to death.  We had not even had our picture taken yet.  We took his pants, socks, and shoes off and put them in the dryer.  The family picture of us was taken after the incident.  Noah is standing in front of Shep to hide that he doesn't have shoes on.  Shep is still clinging to Scott because he was still upset.  Luckily, that was the last accident of the day.  We had a wonderful lunch with all the Thanksgiving fanfare!  We stayed all day and had a wonderful corn chowder soup and sandwiches for dinner.  We finally went back to the hotel around 9:00.  We were all exhausted.  
On a sad note, we came home on Friday afternoon and on Sunday morning, Pop passed away.  Scott and I will travel back to Memphis on Tuesday for his services.  He was such a patriarch in their family.  His absence at all our festivities this year was noticeable.  I am so thankful we were able to spend some time with him on Wednesday.  I am thankful God allowed all of us to see him one last time.  We will miss him beyond words can say!