What did I do?

**This is the 2nd time I’m typing this post. Not sure what happened to the first one, but I’m going to guess that this 2nd version will be shorter. :)**

It seems that I started a bad habit. Suddenly (since my post last week-ish), it seems it’s impossible for my boys to go to sleep with out me sitting in their room. Guess I have a chance to keep my blog updated now.

So, here’s a couple pictures. Cuz I like to show off my handsome little men:

(Couldn’t love these boys more!)

(My future football player)

(This one has attitude, I tell ya!)

The Sound of Sleep

Tonight I had big plans. I will admit that I was excited to slip away all by myself. What did my big plans consist of? I was going to take my Bible, my computer, some paper, a pen and enough $ for a Diet Coke (and probably a Scotcheroo – I have no idea how to spell that word), and I was going to sit at a coffee shop in town. All. By. Myself. And it was going to be awesome.

But then… it got icy. And the fog is so thick. But, to be honest, I still considered going.

And then…Karter wanted someone to snuggle in bed with him. And while it took every ounce of willpower to say no… I told him he could climb in bed, we’d say prayers, and then I’d hang out on Brody’s bed until Karter fell asleep (while Brody is downstairs with Daddy).

So… my night was even better than planned. I grabbed my computer, pulled up Biblegateway.com, tucked Karter into bed, prayed with him, and am now listening to the sound of him sleeping. And, as if that weren’t enough, I can hear Brody and Brent playing downstairs.

Does it get any better than this?

Maybe only if I had a Diet Coke in here with me.

Jesus, thank you for the sound of Karter sleeping in his warm bed. Thank you for nightlights and blankets and bedtime stories. Thank you also for Brody’s one-on-one time with Brent. Thanks for rocking chairs, cartoons and farm toys. You are so good to us, and I am overwhelmed with gratitude. Jesus, we love you. Amen.

Names

Karter’s votes:

- Boy Name: Toby (I think someone watches too much Good Luck, Charlie!)

- Girl Name: Ashley

Brody’s votes:

- Boy Name: Pencil

- Girl’s Name: Pencil

Hmmm… we’ll see what happens. Good thing we started this process before placement!

Here we go…

This is it. This is my last week as a parent with no kids in school. Well, last year Karter was in preschool, but that meant he was still little, right? Nope, not anymore. Next week, I will get my two babies boys ready to go. Brody will still go to Gretchen’s house, just like he has 5 days a week for since he was 2 months old (insert sigh of relief from this Mama). Karter, on the other hand, will get dressed in his new clothes, his new shoes, and his new backpack, and he will enter a brand new phase of his life.

Yep… Karter is heading to Kindergarten. One week from now he will officially be a Warrior! He is so excited to have the same teacher that he had the day of Kindergarten Round-Up (which I’m very excited about, too, because I just know that her personality will be perfect for Karter). He already knows a few of the kids that will be in his class, but he’ll also have the chance to make a lot of new friends. He gets to ride a bus (which he’s dreading) to and from school.

I’m so sad and so excited that we’ve reached this point. As much as I would love it if my little fellas could stay little… I love the fact that they’re growing up. I love the people they’re becoming, and I’m so excited to see what God has in store for them.

Karter – I am so proud of how you are growing. I love your heart, little boy (just let me call you that, ok?). I love that you still miss Kevin, the dog, because it shows me how much you love others. You are funny without trying to be. You know sarcasm (which scares me), and you use it appropriately (which scares me even more). You are kind and respectful (when you want to be). Even though you like the Lions more than the Bears… I’ll keep you around. Mom loves ya buddy!

Brody – You are three (for another month and three days), so please stop acting like you’re 8. You are one crazy little kid, and I LOVE it! You can not get enough of your Daddy (I don’t blame you), and I think it’s awesome. Almost every morning you wake up talking about animals, and it shows me where your heart is. I love how passionate you are. I know you’ll miss your big brother when he’s in school, but you have good buddies at daycare and you’ll have a great time! But seriously… stay little a little bit longer, k?  You’re my baby, and I love you!

God, thank you for the opportunity to send our kids to school and day care. Some people long for these days and don’t get to experience them. May I never take these milestones for granted.

** Don’t worry… pictures are coming… soon.

All Things Brody (again, pull up a chair)

Oh, my little Brody Alan Hooyer. How is it that you’re getting so big already? How is it that you’re 3 years old already (in a couple weeks it will be 3 1/2, but I’m not giving you that satisfaction yet). You, my little buddy, are quite something.

(We had to quick take pictures while there was some snow, because there wasn’t much this year.)

You keep us busy, and that’s OK. You have an attitude, that’s for sure, but I love your spunk.

You usually know exactly what you want, and you don’t give up until you get it. The other day you were bound & determined to ride your bike. Unfortunately, it wasn’t very nice outside. So, you dressed yourself and headed out… dressed in your shorts, sweatshirt, winter coat (with gloves, of course) and your flip flops. And guess what… you rode your bike!

You snuggle with me. If it was up to you, either Mommy or Daddy would snuggle you to sleep every single night. You’re all boy. You like to play in the mud. Here’s some proof…

You got lots of sun that day. You had white spots all over your back from when you were splattered with mud.

Here’s some of our more recent pics of you:

In this last picture, you were upset because we weren’t going to lay with you up in bed. So you snuck downstairs (or you thought you were being sneaky), and you fell asleep at the bottom of the stairs. There, that was better than laying in your comfortable bed, huh?

Brody, you are so loved. And I love that you love us, too.