Our Aweful Beautiful Life

This time of year especially, I feel like life is just a constant state of chaos. I don't think that it helps that Christmas is basically right on top of Thanksgiving this year. I about had a nervous breakdown last night because although I'm done shopping -- our poor kids don't have a single wrapped gift to wonder about under the tree. They probably think they are getting stiffed this year. (They kind of are, but I'm hoping they are young enough to not really realize that!). I take that back, there is a lone gift under the tree -- a wrapped package from Colton to Jason and I that he put together at school. LAME, huh? I'm not winning my Mom medal of honor for this move, I have a feeling -- but I just don't feel like there's been time to do it all. Add in Keaton's fighting a cold, and now Emmalyn her first UTI...we've been a little preoccupied. I'm just happy to have my shopping mostly done. (Update...Jason and I wrapped EVERYTHING last evening, an...

It's the week before Christmas and all through the house....I realize I've been a bad blogger, as quiet as a mouse. (Okay, I won't quit my day job...) But seriously -- it's been so crazy, I've got some catch up posting to do! Thanksgiving was a nice long weekend this year. Late in November, but still fun. We kicked off the eat til you puke season with the Stockment side on the 16th. The kids had a BLAST at Luke & Karlie's and we got some great pics of these two cuties... Brooks Benakovich & Keaton -- just a mere month apart in age! Colton had such a good time playing basketball with Isaac ... that he fell asleep on the way home. I have no idea how he managed to sleep like this... Sore neck, anyone? Colton got to take part in his Thanksgiving Feast at school. I worked hard to create a cute little Indian costume for him, as they were to either dress as a Pilgrim or Indian. He left the house that morning looking like this. Yes, he's pret...

Emmalyn, you were the one we SWORE would never talk. Grandpa Kent would ask over and over, "Is she ever going to talk?". Funny, he didn't ask that question again after you rode along for some errands a few weeks ago. I think he knows the answer to that question, and has since changed it to "Does she ever STOP talking?". Pam, Dad & I have concluded the answer to that question, is a resounding NO! We think you even babble yourself to sleep....and you're 3 1/2 years old! However, when we stop thinking to ourselves "all this talking is wearing me out", and listen to what you have to say, you're pretty funny. Here's a few worth hanging on to.... - Recently, you and Keaton stayed the day with Jenna while I worked and Pam was closed. You were talking away, and out of nowhere you said, "Will Jenna feed me there? I'll be hungry!"....to which Jenna laughed...of course she fed you! - I caught you talking to your baby, and I hea...

Emmalyn got baptized into the Boilermaker legacy last week. Uncle T took her as his special date, while Colton & I got to use Mamps & Paps tickets. What a fun night -- Wendy's dinner date and a basketball game. Both kids were fantastic through the game, and Emmalyn was completely enamored with the cheerleaders. Perhaps we have a Purdue Cheerleader in our future? Great memories -- thanks Uncle T! (And mamps & paps for your tickets!) She couldn't focus....too much to see & do! A little better... Favorite place on earth...with Uncle T. Crazy muchkins! One of my favorite places. Ever. And when I got home that night, Daddy took the kids to bed, while I got to spend time with this sweetie... Perfect Black & Gold night.

What a fun Halloween this year. And by fun, I mean rainy, windy, ridiculous weather, and a far too many stops with three young kids!! I now give my parents props for hauling us three all over God's country for a little free candy! We LOVE visiting all the people do, and are so thankful for how wonderful they are to the kids, but holy cow....it was a lot of running! It didn't help matters that it was a school night. We're finding out (and quick) that this school night routine is slowing ALL of us down! Probably a good thing, in all honesty. We could use a slow down. Anyway -- the kids were adorable. I was very proud of my Becky Homecky ability to sew and modify their outfits this year. And seriously - the picture of Keaton alone. Makes me smile every time. Love these kiddos. Mario, Luigi & Princess Peach (or Princess Toadstool....per her Uncles) Luigi. ADORABLE. So glad Aunt Marsha was home for Trick-Or-Treat this year! Aunt Dee, Uncle Dan & Aunt...

To anyone who reads this blog, and graced me with their presence to shower me with love when I was expecting Colton 5 1/2 years ago -- I'm talking to you. You obviously didn't love me then. You all told me how WONDERFUL being a mother was. How ADORABLE our baby would be. How we would snuggle and cuddle, how my heart would melt when they coo at me, or smile for the first time. You coo'ed and giggled as I opened adorable little teeny tiny baby outfits that all smelled of Johnson's baby soap. You talked about how fun they are when they start talking, and walking and reaching new milestones. It was all grins and giggles that day...ooh's and ahh's. Surely you were snickering at my innocence as you ate your cake, took your baby bootie filled with candy and left the party that day. SURELY. Because although I did have the blessed opportunity to encounter everything mentioned above...not one single one of you told me the FLIP SIDE of being a mother. You didn't me...

I remember a time when Colton was just starting to jabber...and being SO excited for him to talk. First time parents with our first baby, we couldn't wait to hear his sweet voice. And then he started talking at what seemed like a fairly early age. And didn't stop. Then Emmalyn came along and it seemed to take her a bit longer to start talking. Grandpa Hall often asked, "When is she ever going to start talking". Last week we sent Emmalyn on an errand to Howard & Sons with Grandpa & Uncle T.....she didn't STOP talking the entire time. At all. Keaton - we can't wait to hear your sweet voice either -- but we are loving all the coos and giggles right now. We love that you don't mouth back, aren't sassy and don't scream like a wild banche indian. Some day that will all change. We know. But, since they talk so much -- they've had some fun things to say: - Colton, after losing his second tooth - "Mom. Does the tooth fairy ever leav...