The One that I Wished For

Yesterday I wrote about my sweet Mercedes so today I want to write about my Kade.The one I wished for.The one I prayed for.Tom and I wanted to have a child of our own.That was us.So in we decided to try to get pregnant.It took about 13 months.I am going to have to say that was the longest year of my life.I wanted this baby so bad.I ached for it.Then on November 21 2003 I took a test.A test that changed everything in my life again.I wasn't feeling good and decided to take it.I just knew it was going to be another negative.When the 3 minutes were up I went to look and there it was...two very bright pink lines.I stood there in shock.Was it real?Was I really pregnant?So I went and bought 2 more tests.They were the same results.I was indeed pregnant.I had gotten my wish.Tom was over the moon.We both wanted a boy.We laughed and joked about names.We did all the things parents do when they are pregnant.On Febuary 18 2004 I went to one of my ultrasounds and found out we were having a BOY!!I was due July 16 2004.We were so happy.My pregnancy was a good one.I loved everything about it.I loved feeling him kick and move.But I wanted to hold him.Well my baby boy decided to make his entrance into the world on his due date.We welcomed a healthy 7lb 1 oz Kade Nicholas at 11:20am Friday July 16, 2004.It went pretty fast.Started labor about 2:30am and he was here at 11:20am.He came so fast I couldn't have any pain meds so he was born all natural.I was a mommy again.

We took him home a couple days later.I swear I sat there for hours just staring in awe at this baby that Tom and I created.This beautiful gift God gave us.My second miracle child given to me.I have loved watching Kade grow.As a baby he was very quiet and observant.He loved to smile and loved everyone around him.Especially his 'Sissy' which is what he calls Mercedes.He was a daddy's boy all the way.

Kade the toddler was a handful at times.He always loved to explore.Which usually meant getting into everything.He loved to sit there and just talk with you.Watching him learn the world around him and seeing everything through his eyes was an amazing thing for me to be a part of.

Now Kade is 6.He is still a daddy's boy.He loves all things military and wants to be a Marine when he grows up.He is in first grade and loves being friends with everyone.He loves to play outside and has a big heart for animals.He loves to hang out with his Uncle Jack.He loves being in Boy Scouts.He has a curious mind and will ask you a million questions til he gets it.He is still my sweet baby boy.

Thank you for reading!
Hugs and Love,
Brandi

The One who made me a Mommy

Most people venture in to mommyhood the conventional way.They meet someone,fall in love and have baby together.Mine was not near that.I hadn't fallen in love and I didn't get pregnant.In fact I wasn't even thinking about being a mommy.Especially when I was just about to turn 14.But life seems to make plans without asking you your opinion on it.In this instance I am okay with that.See I didn't choose to be anyone's mommy at this point in my life.She choose for me.This cute little blonde 2 year old decided I was her mommy.Maybe she knew that down the road I was going to fall in love with her dad,marry him and have her two brothers.Or maybe she just knew I was supposed to be her mom.I don't know the reasons or the why but I am glad that she choose me.I was scared at first.I was only 14 and what did I know about being a mommy.Now I was not your everyday mommy.I went to school and I went out with friends.I kept going on with my teenage life.But when I went to take care of this precious little girl I was her mommy.Nothing could convince her otherwise.Believe me I tried.I wasn't ready to be that much to a person.Especially a little girl who needed a mom.But nope...to her I was mommy and that was it.I am not even sure when it just become that,when I stopped running from the word and embraced it.One day,not sure when,I was a mommy.Now when I think about it I feel it was supposed to be.And out of everyone in this world that precious baby girl choose me!How awesome is that?That little girl,my sweet Mercedes choose me to be the most important person in her life besides her father.I don't think there is a better honor in this world that to have a child choose you.See my boys were given to me.I carried them and gave birth to them.There is no question that they are my sons and I am their mom.But Mercedes she choose me.To me that is amazing.My first real miracle.She saved me.At that time in my life I was hanging out with the wrong people and going down a road that only God knows where it would have taken me.Not a good place I know.I was suffering.I had lost my dad(he is still alive and in my life but that is a story for another day).I was hurting.I didn't reach out or ask for help.I did things I am not proud of trying to block out the pain.Nobody could reach me.Except Mercedes.She did.She saved me from destroying my life.Even when I was scared of getting to close to her she reached out and made me me again.She is my angel.I believe that she was sent to me as much I was I was sent to her.I love that I have been able to watch her grow into the beautiful 14 yr old she is today.I love that she is a normal teenage girl who loves to talk on the phone and is obsessed with her hair.I love the fact that we argue just like any other mom and teen daughter.I love that she comes to me with her questions(even when they are hard to answer) and problems.I love that we laugh and hang out together.I love that I am her mom.I love that she is my daughter.
                                       Could you resist this face?

Thank you for reading!
Hugs and Love,
Brandi

What's not to love about Sundays?

Well maybe those Sundays that you are breaking up the fights between your kids and your youngest has decided since he never has really been a crier he wants to make up for it by crying non-stop.The laundry still needs to be folded and put away,floors cleaned and all you want to is crawl back in bed til Monday.Yeah it has been one of those days!*sighs*The joys of being a housewife and mom...

On another note I had decided to make Sunday the day that I post stuff on those lines...recipes and such.Things that I am constantly ask to share anyways and it will be easier to just post it here for everyone.Now I am not a crafty mom(for that you should check out my friends Megan's blog http://giraldohouseofpink.blogspot.com/ ...she is really getting that down)but I do like to share recipes and stuff.I am going to give it a shot.

I am asked most about this recipe.It is awesome during the summer and it is good hot or cold...

                                                    Zesty Chicken and Pasta(Food and Family)

1 pkg. (8 oz.) spiral pasta, uncooked

1/2 cup  House Italian Dressing, divided

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces

2 cups  small broccoli florets

1 large red pepper, chopped

1 small  onion, thinly sliced

1 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

1/4 cup  Grated Parmesan Cheese

 

cook pasta as directed on package, omitting salt.
meanwhile, heat 1/4 cup dressing in large skillet on medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook and stir 5 min. or until done. Add vegetables and parsley; cook 5 min. or until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.
drain pasta; toss with chicken mixture and remaining dressing. Top with cheese.

**I don't add any dressing to the finished dish as I have learned that many people prefer to add their own.I also don't measure the broccoli as my family loves it so much it doesn't matter how much is in there.

Hugs and Love,
Brandi

 

 

Did ya miss me??

Sorry it has been awhile.It has been a very long and hectic couple of weeks.And only more to come!So while I had a few extra minutes I thought I would post for you.Nothing to exciting happening around here, just the same old stuff...work and kids.I also celebrated my 26th birthday this past Tuesday...mostly in bed with a horrible earache.I couldn't even get a piece of my cake I was in so much pain.Not the best birthday.I did get a homemade card from my baby boy Kade.He is just the sweetest:)
Last Saturday we took Kade to his cub scouts event "Things that Go".The boys had a blast.They got to see race cars,monster trucks and even to get in a Coast Guard Boat(which Jake loved...we had a heck of a time getting him out of it).It was nice getting away from the house for awhile with the boys that wasn't dentist appointments or to the grocery store.
Other that that we have kinda been in a rut..work,clean and kids,then repeat the next day.But that is okay sometimes.It makes for a comfortable routine at times.With Spring coming up I foresee alot of kid activities and alot of me trying to grow flowers again.That is right...try!I have whatever comes after black thumb.I think the flowers start screaming and trembling every year when I go to Home Depot.But once again I am going to try.I hope I can a least get one to grow nicely this year.We will see.
Well I must go as Jake wants to play and how can I resist such a handsome face and his version of the word please.:)
But before I go I must share some pictures(of course!)

                                                    The boys at the Things that Go

                       They had some cool looking cars there...I like the cop car's back window

 

                                                          And just a few misc...

                                                                 Hugs and Love,
                                                                      Brandi

Jake wants to add something for everyone:)
 hyyyy uurhjjklkloo999ii7yz xz 7xz7  b chvc gvjgjvgvvgcgcggcggccgcggvcggggwj oi vv jkv vck vk

Outnumbered I am...

So I live in house full of guys.My only ally in this house of blue is Mercedes and it is sad to say she can be just like them.There are days that I ask myself why when I was pregnant did I want boys both times.I should have known that as they got older the more they would act like their father.But no I wouldn't change a thing.I know me...the reason I wanted boys is because I am not girly enough for more than one girl and boys are easier for me.



That being said it isn't the easiest job raising these boys of mine.Especially Jacob being a mini-Tom.For those who know my husband  you understand where I am coming from.There is also my fear of slimy and gross bugs.At this point I just hope they don't play or yes...EAT any poisonous ones.I will never get little boys fascination with bugs(YUK!!).I just turn my head and let the guys handle that one.Or the obession with beating each other up.I can't even count the bruises and cuts they give each other daily.
But the great  things outnumber the gross.Like the fact that they are best friends.Their love for each shows in so many ways and that brings such joy to me.When I got pregnant with Jacob I wanted a boy...not for me(I already had my girl) as much for Kade.I felt that with the small age difference that if I had another boy they could grow up best friends.And at this point I feel that I was right.Yes they fight and yell at each other but they are brothers too.Sometimes I can watch them together when they don't know it and I can see they great friendship that they are building that will only strengthen through the years.I am glad that no matter what happens they have each other.And they have Mercedes who both absolutely adore.It is amazing sometimes the relationships that siblings can build.With both my boys they attached to their 'Sissy' from day one.That is awesome for them.I could not ask for better children...maybe better behaved but not better.I am truly blessed with the best!

Onto another note.My husband and best friend decided to get a motorcycle.Most would say what is the big deal??I love to ride them myself.But my deal is now my 3 year old wants one!!!We can barely tear him away from it.I think he would be okay sitting on it all day and just give him his blanket and pillow and he would sleep on it.Yes I fear my car-truck-train-anything with wheels loving son is addicted to the bike!What am I going to do when the guys bring home a motorcycle for a 5 year old???

                                                            Jake with his Uncle Jack

                                                                   Hugs and Love,
                                                                         Brandi