Branning turns 2!

Ahhh...my baby is two! Where has the time gone? He is such a sweet boy. He is very independent but also loves to do ANYTHING his big brother is doing. He talks up a storm and surprises me with new words each day. He is so different from Bryson that it is crazy. He is more of the "Don't mess with me type." He hates to be treated like a baby and I have to really enjoy the brief moments that he wants to be held and cuddled. Though we are still battling some stomach issues, he is usually a happy and active child and I am so blessed to have him.

We had his birthday party this past weekend and he had a blast. We did a take 2 on the sprinkler party this year. Last year was the coldest day in May ever so we had to move the party inside. This year, the weather was great so we broke out the pool and sprinkler and all the kids loved it. Here are so pictures of the fun day!

School Program

Last Tuesday, the Mother's Day Out that the boys go to held an end of the year program for the 3 and 4 year old classes to show what they had learn throughout the year. I was so fun to watch him sing songs, say his "ABC's", and count to 30. I was so proud of him and so glad that he loves learning at school. Here is a picture of him showing off his award along with his brother that as you can see needed many bribes to make it through the program quitely.

So Blessed

On May 1st my 89 year old grandmother passed away. Her body had been going for a while but it was still unexpected when she passed. She went peaceful and surrounded by the ones that loved her most. I titled this post "So Blessed" because when thinking about Mam-Maw, that is how each of my thought begin.

So Blessed
... that she moved to Birmingham for the last years of her life and I got to see her more.
... that she got to meet and interact with my children.
... that my son will always carry her memory with his name, Branning, as it is her maiden name.
... that there is no doubt in my mind that she is heaven rejoicing with Pap Paw. She love the lord and some of my favorite memories of her are when she use to bust out randomly singing hymns.

Though the sadness remains and will for a couple of weeks, I know that she is enjoying rejoicing in heaven with a pain free body.

Bryson put it in to perspective of me with this conversation:

Bryson: "Mom, why are you crying?"
Me: Explain what has happened and closing with the statement "Mam Maw is in Heaven"
Bryson: "Don't be sad mom, now she can help God make the thunder, and clouds, and lightning, and sun." Then after a few minutes of thinking, "but she wouldn't make a lot of thunder because she knows I;m scared.

Oh..to think like a child.

Thomas the Train

Having two boys, my life is now filled with cars, trains, and really any thing that can roll and hit you in the shin. One of the boys' favorite charaters is Thomas the train. One of the railroads around here has a great event each year where Thomas the Train comes to the railroad. They have all sorts of activities that include playing with the Thomas toys, story times, a petting zoo, and of course train rides. Though the boys didn't get to ride Thomas (would have been almost $100 for all of us to ride) they loved looking and waving at him. We can't wait to go back next year.

Catch Up

The Careys have been busy so it is time to play catch up. Here we go.....

Sprinkler Time!

Every year during the spring and summer, the Birmingham Zoo has sprinklers the kids can play in. The boys loved playing in them last Friday. Though the water was a little cold, both boys had a great time and I am sure we will be back may times this summer.

Summer Hair!

Well, I finally let Michael buzz the boys hair since the warmer weather is here. I don't know how I feel about it yet but I think I will get use to it. They just look so grown up!

More Easter Pictures

Easter

This Easter was a little sad since we waiting for Branning to get his test done but we were glad to be surround by family for the weekend. Here are a few pictures from Bryson and Branning's Easter party at school and from Easter.

God is Good!

I have always believed in the power of prayer but God has really shown me the ultimate example of this during this past week. It started last Tuesday with what I thought was just a simple call to the nurse about diaper cream for Branning. As I was talking to her, I figured I would ask her about hemroid cream since he has been bleeding a little when he went to the bathroom. I guess I should explain that Branning has had severe constipation since around 6 months but it has gotten worse the last couple of months. Bryson had it when he was smaller and we had talk to the doctor about it many times and Branning has been on Mira lax and had a special diet for a while. All this to say, I thought that my call to the doctor was a pretty routine so I was surprise when they wanted us to come in. I packed up the boys and went to the doctor thinking he was just going to check out the diaper rash and maybe get a prescription for the constipation. From the moment the doctor came in he already looked concerned. He asked me what felt like a million questions and examined his bottom. He explained that Branning had lost over 5 pounds in less than a year which was not normal and that he was concerned. Then the moment came when my heart stopped, He said "I think he needs to be tested for Cystic Fibrosis." WHAT??? I didn't know what to say. I just looked at the doctor with tears in my eyes as he explain what would happen next. Branning would have to visit a GI doctor and would get a sweat test done to test for Cystic Fibrosis. I didn't know much about Cystic Fibrosis so of course I looked it up on the Internet. That is when I found what scared me the most....Life expectancy is 20 to 30 years. My worst fear as a mother has always been that my children would die before me and now it could happen. I began to pray out loud through my sobs for God to make the test negative and for Branning to live a long and healthy life. Two days later we headed to the GI doctor hoping he would cancel the test and tell us that there was nothing wrong. He didn't and we would have to wait until Tuesday to go for the test. The next few days were the longest of my life. I could think about anything else and all I wanted to do is pray and hold Branning. Finally the day came and Branning had the test. Waiting for the test was the hardest thing I have ever done. I sat and read my bible and prayed as I waited for the phone call (of course I did call the nurse 3 times to make sure the results weren't in yet). Finally the call came that the test was negative!! I broke down and cried as relief filled my body. God is so good! Though we still have a long road ahead to find out what is wrong with Branning, we can breath a little easier knowing that we are over the biggest hurdle. Thank you to all that prayed for Branning and for our family even if you may have not known what all was going on. As I have learned from this experience, prayer is definitely powerful!

Best Firends!

Big Boy Bed

As if Bryson turning four wasn't emotional enough for one day, we decided to convert Branning's crib to the toddler bed. He has been ready for a while but we finally had the time to do it. He did great and he Loved it! I woke up this morning to Branning climbing into my bed saying "I did it Mommy, I did it!" Such a big boy!

More Birthday Pictures

Bryson turns four!

What?? I can't believe my baby boy is four years old! Though I can't say I am too sad to see the 3's go(they have definitely been the most challenging age), I tear up at the fact that in just a little over a year he will be off to kindergarten. He has such a personality and like both of his parents LOVES to talk. The things that come out of his mouth amaze me, you can tell he pays attention to EVERYTHING. He is the sweetest big brother and it makes me smile to see how sweet and caring he is towards Branning (most of the time). They are truly best friends. I can not wait to see what age four has in store for Bryson.

Here are a few pictures from his party at Build a bear! It was a lot of fun and Bryson loved it! He also got a bike for his birthday and is finally getting the hang of it!

Little Boppers!

For Christmas Michael's brother gave the boys Socker Boppers. I was scared to let the boys try them in fear that it would just end in tears and bandaids. Bryson spotted them at the top of the closet today so I decided to let them try it. I am so glad I did! They had so much fun and I haven't laughed that hard in a long time (which is why most of the pictures are blurry). They would go full force at one another (missing most of the time) and when one would got knocked down they would just laugh and get right back up. Even I got into the action! After about 30 minutes everyone was worn out, but I am sure we will have a rematch tomorrow!

Yum!

Loving my Valentine's Candy!

Snow day in Bama!

Well, the weather man finally got it right and it is snowing in Alabama! It is really coming down and there is already an inch or 2 on the ground. The boys and I went out and play in it for about 20 minutes and they loved it. We don't get snow often but every time we have the boys haven't like it. This time I couldn't get them inside. Bryson loved throwing the snow at his brother and Branning then enjoy picking up the snowball Bryson threw at him and eating it. I am sure that we will go out and play in it more as the day goes on!

Not Again!

Okay I know this may get boring to you all so this is my lat post on savings for a while. The total for this trip was $60.97!! I saved $58 and it comes to an average of $1.33 per item!! Savings like this have cut the grocery bill by $50 a month and since I stay hope now every little bit helps!!

Zoo trip in January!

The boys got a zoo membership for Christmas and since it was 60 degrees today we decided to head out and see the animals. The boys had a ball and it was so sweet to watch them both. Of course we had been just a few months ago but they both reacted different this time. Bryson was interested in every animal and wanted me to name each one (which was hard because I couldn't pronounce half of the names)and if there wasn't one in a cage he would say "it's okay they just go see their mommy, they be right back." Branning enjoyed waving to all the animals like he was in a parade. He would point and name the animal and make their sound. I loved watching their excitement and can't wait to go back next time.