I love my son!!

I just thought that I should post today how much I love my son.  The Lord truly knows our needs and he knew that I needed this little guy in my life.  He is such a comfort to me being in a new area away from family and all things familiar.  He has become my best friend and I don't know what I could do without him.  Today we had a doctor's appointment for his 18 month check up and he just sat there and let them listen to him and rub his belly and look in his ears.  He also got two shots today and it was pure agony!! I know a small bit of how our Father in Heaven feels when we are sick or hurt or when we make choices that are not the right ones.  Being a parent is so hard sometimes but I wouldn't trade it for the world.  He is just growing up so fast and I can totally see his life just flying by me and I can't bare to think about it.  He has starting using the toilet before bath time and I know that it is just a matter of time before other things come along.  It is amazing how quickly they learn.  I am completely mortified that I am going to totally screw him up because I have no idea what I am doing but I am so glad that I have great women in my life that have experienced these things before and they have helped me so much.  I am so grateful to have him in my life.  The Lord knows what we need.  I just love my son.  He is my hero. 

My Love!!

This has been a great week for us. On Wednesday we celebrated our 4th anniversary. I know I can't believe it has been 4 years but it has been the best four years of my life. I have the kindest, sweetest, loving, most handsome husband in the world. He is such an amazing father to Vance and such a great example for both of us. He works so hard to make a secure future for us. I am so blessed that he chose me as his companion. Each day I fall in love with him more and more. We are very blessed in our lives that we have each other. I thank my Father in Heaven daily for blessing me with this amazing man. We are lucky because our anniversary falls on the 13th which is the day before Valentines day and so the whole world is celebrating their love the same time we are celebrating our marriage. Everywhere I went this week I was reminded about that special day in my life and that is such a great thing to have. Over the last four years there has been a lot of things that have come into our lives but the greatest blessing of all was our son Vance. He has made us grow stronger as a family and he helps us to remember to laugh at ourselves. Curtis is a great example to Vance and you can see the special bond that my boys have and I am thankful for that. We love all our family and thank them for the support they have given us and we hope that we can return it ten fold in the future. To my love, my friend, my rock, my life.... I love you baby, I am so excited for the rest of eternity that I get to spend with you.

The newest developments!!

So Vance is just growing up faster than we are ready for but it is such a fun time. He has a few things that he absolutely loves to do now. One of his favorite things to do is to get into the bowls and put them on his head and walk around the house with it on like one of daddy's hats. It is so funny as you will see below. He also loves to wear daddy's hats around the house as well. He has a stethoscope that Curtis gave him and he loves to put it in his ears and listen to my heart or his heart. It is great.Everyday it seems like he is learning something new and it is just so amazing to me. The other day I heard a noise and I went to find out what it was and I discovered that it was just Vance but the noise was him rolling his tongue and now he does it all the time. His favorite time to do it is when he is laughing so he will start laughing and the end of it will be the rrrrrrrrr sound and it is so funny. He loves to tickle now, thanks a lot Curtis, and so most of my day is spent letting him tickle me much to his delight. He even wakes up from a nap and the first things he does is give me kisses and then he tickles. It is hilarious. Another new development is that anytime he hears our camera turning on no matter where he is or what he is doing he will say "Cheese" and now he not only says cheese he turns his head to the side like in one of the pictures below. He is just such a character!! He loves his books and loves playing ball with daddy. Everyday he goes and knocks on the door of our room and says "Daddy?" and I have to tell him no that daddy is at school. He loves his daddy. Just a few fun facts about our adorable boy!

One of Vances newest and favorite past times. He loves his books.

This book is great!!
He disappeared for a while and this is where I found him, I'm telling you loves his books!!

This was our cleaning day and he saw me sweeping the bathroom and when I turned around he was in the kitchen sweeping the floor. Good to know!!
What isn't this how you are supposed to do it?
I am not that much bigger.
I love my Weeble Wobbles Aunt Michelle!!!
CHOO CHOO!! Train time!!
Vance eating his broccoli for the first time. I had to have proof for daddy.
Just being silly!
Cheese!!!
My new hat!!
Gotta love me.
I think you are going to be fine.
This is where he turned his head and said cheese. We just wanted to take a picture of him in his outfit from Grandma and Grandpa Birdno and this is what we got instead. I would trade for this any day.
OH HOW CAN YOU NOT LOVE THIS BOY!!!!

President Hinckley

I felt the need to post my feelings about the passing of our Prophet President Hinckley. It came as a shock for us but it was also a moment of joy for the reunion that is taking place with his sweet companion in heaven. He was an amazing leader with so much love for all of us. He has opened so many doors through out his years as president and has accomplished so much. We have grown up knowing President Hinckley and we have learned so much from his teachings and his example. I had the opportunity to see him when he came to dedicate the Snowflake temple and even though I didn't meet him personally I could feel his spirit as I watched him from a distance. He has had such a profound influence on my life and I have developed so much love and respect for him. Our prayers go out to his family and also to the Quorums for they have lost a great friend. Our lives have been impacted in so many ways by President Hinckley and we have felt his love for us in so many ways. He understood people and he understood our needs as members of the church and addressed so many of them over the years. He was a great leader and we love him so much. He will be truly missed by all. We love you President Hinckley, thank you so much for your service to all of us.

Happy Birthday Curtis!!

January 5th was Curtis' 26th Birthday. He is such an amazing man, husband, and father. I couldn't possibly imagine my life without him. He is my rock and I love him more than anything. I wish so many things for him because he works so hard all the time and he deserves everything in the world. We had a great time spending the whole day together. I hope that this was a great birthday for Curtis and we love him so much. WE LOVE YOU DADDY!!!!!

Curtis opening his gift from his parents.

Nice!!!
Hey that doesn't look like it is gonna fit.
The cookbook with all his Grandmas recipes in it.
He loved this gift mom and dad thank you so much.
Breakfast of what else biscuits and gravy.
Still don't think that is right but it sure is cute.
Vance trying to help daddy
No put it back on!!
This is great.
I like the pants, Thanks!!
What daddy does Vance does.
Curtis' birthday present tickets to the Wrestling match between us and Oklahoma State.
The boys are really excited.
Our family at the match.
Vance is concentrating.
There is Herky the Hawkeye!!!
Vance loved it and was clapping and cheering the whole time. Papa Bryant would be so proud. We may have planted a seed that night. Go Hawks!!!!!

Our Christmas Vacation!!!

VANCES FIRST HAIRCUT

The Ice Storms

Santa Clause

We had our Ward Christmas party on Saturday and it was a beautiful party. My cute boys had a ball. Curtis was given the opportunity to be Santa's helper this year. He was a little shy at first but "warmed" up to it rather quickly. It was so hot on the stage but he hung in there and sat with each one of the kids and even a missionary. What a trooper. He will be sure to deliver the wishes of the children to Santa Clause. Vance somehow knew that it was Curtis and kept yelling Daddy, Daddy so I was trying not to give it away to some of the older kids in line. I could not keep him from running and jumping on "Santa's" lap and I couldn't keep him off the stage. It was hilarious.

Our Santa Clause
WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
Look at this pose.
Merry Christmas!
Me trying to distract Vance so he would stop yelling for Daddy while we were waiting in line to see Santa Clause.
He made it by running across the stage and the whole room roared with laughter because it was just so cute.
Our second trip to see Santa.
I wanted my picture with Santa also so here we are. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!