Why you should never...

Why you should never leave Jack unattended with a highlighter...



In collins' news. He got his first tooth, went swiming, and took a bath in the big tub... all in one week! He's been busy!!
He loved the pool!




Brendan and I are getting excited about leaving for Point Clear for a couple of nights to celebrate our anniversary. This will be our first time to ever leave Collins overnight. I am trying to stay calm about the issue and I know both the boys will be in good hands. I am sure we will have a wonderful time and I will take lots of pics to post!
Courtney

Happy 4th Anniversary Brendan

Well, today marks our 4th anniversary! We don't celebrate this as our big day, rather the day we met. This day represents the random date we picked, the day we met represents the day God stepped in and introduced us in a way only He could! So while October 17th is the day we choose to really celebrate, we also mark this day as another happy year. Honestly, this day more represents the day all hell broke loose... to say NO one wanted us to get married ( with exception of a few- Thank You!) is an understatement!!!! However, we knew what was best for US and we continue to stand by it! I don't for even a nano second question my decisions. Marrying Brendan is the best thing I have ever done. He represents everything good in my life, I married way out of my league!
While I will be the first to admit we have had very tough days, as do most relationships, we have come through them. We have the real deal... good days, bad days, and everything in between. I think our secret is just making life as fun as possible. I can honestly say we have a lot of fun!! As my dad says, "we play well together".
Brendan makes having fun easy. He is always up for a good time! He is so many things: provider, cleaner, chef, counselor, handyman, bug stomper, yard boy, plumber, and about a thousand other things.
Brendan, I cannot begin to express how much I appreciate you, thanks for marrying me! I love you so much!
Love never fails,
Boo
( Courtney )
A couple pics from the beginning days

Lost focus

One thing Brendan and I have always been super focused on is our finances... not so much the amount, but honoring Christ in our financial dealings. We believe so strongly that Christ should be the center of your finances that we lead a small group dealing with just that. Because of that, I think Satan temps us in that area sometime. When it was time for Brendan to buy a truck, he used his strategies. You see, my sweet husband loves trucks, but for the sake of keeping with our budget he went without one. He went over a year truckless. We both actually got use to it and it quickly became a non-issue. However, we are on the brink of some huge changes around here ( I'll get to that another day ) and a truck is now a necessity. So, Brendan went out and found a great deal on a truck he loved and got a loan! Great Right??? Not so fast, about a week after that, the Lord started dealing with us on that decision. You see we had made the comittment to live debt free... we have ZERO debt other that our mortgage which we are believing will be paid off in the sometime near future. I started wondering, why do we feel so guilty for this loan, everyone is covered in debt, what is a a small loan? So I went to the Bible to see if this was a "gray area"... ummm... its not!
"Keep out of debt and owe no man anything" Romans 13:8
"Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender" Proverbs 22:7

I could go on and on, actually there are 2,350 verses in the Bible that deal with finances.
So, we knew what we had to do, and because we have been faithful with our finances we had the ability to do it.... go PAY for the truck. So, I think we had the shortest loan in history! It was certainly a weight lifted. The Lord also used it to pull me out of my "season of want" and refocus us! Some people call us extremest when it comes to the issue, but I can't even begin to tell you how the Lord is blessing us through this decisions. Honestly, there are many months when I open the ledger and I see a "loaves and fishes" kind of miracle. We have more than what Brendan made!! I just close the ledger and smile, I KNOW He is taking care of us!
Our prayer is that our boys feel the peace of financial freedom and seek it for themselves one day!

Courtney

A Salute to Brendan

I remember the time I told Brendan we were pregnant for the first time. I was a little uncertain as to how he was going to take the news; would he be overwhelmed, stressed out, nervous? Too unsure of how he would react to the good news, I hid the pregnancy test in his bathroom drawer and waited for him to open it. After work, as he always did, he open the drawer. He stood there starring, closed the drawer, and opened it again. With a big grin on his face he looked at me, " really, we're pregnant" and began pacing in excitement. He was so excited, although he knew nothing about fatherhood, he was ready. From that moment on he has jumped in with both feet. He is such a leader in the family and has begun a new lagacy, with new traditions. I appreciate him so much, and these boys adore him.
Happy Father's Day Brendan!

If you think his arms are full, you should see his heart!



This little boy loves Daddy

...and so does this one!

Seriously....

OK, so I have been fasting from the internet, but not by choice! While we were at the lake this past weekend our phone/internet line got messed up during the storm, not to mention our house got electricuted and other misc. items got fried. We called AT&T to get a tech out here and they are still a no show... and based on my phone call with them, I'm not expecting them anytime soon. Ugh!!!! So, right now I am sitting on my front porch picking up a kind neighbors wireless service. I have major bed head and wearing pajamas that I would blush if you saw me in! But I'm blogging.... trying to stay up on a book about our life!

Collins turned 8 months this week! He is growing big and into everything. He is scooting all over the place and pulling up on things. Jack is constantly yelling " no Bubba, thats mine! " They are starting to play together and having a lot of fun. So glad they have each other!

Well, I've gotta run. Stay tuned for a post all about Brendan and Fathers Day Celebration!
Courtney


Jack is OBSESSED with goggles.... they are a must when even talking about the pool!

The following pics were from last weekends wake boarding adventures... notice that he is not standing up in any of the pics:)


Getting frustrated??? Don't worry... you still look HOT even floating!

Could I please have...

...a new broom, paint job, king bed, picture frames, clothes, running shoes, gym membership, tumy tuck, rug, vehicle, backyard pool, babysitter, couch, and... hmmm... I think thats it - for today at least!

Ok, so clearly I am in a season of WANT!!! It seems like every second I am wanting something new. This is so unlike me, I am usually a very content person. I actually think a spirit of contentment is one of my spiritual gifts, so this season of discontentment is driving me nuts!! What on earth has gotten into me... someone put a freeze on the bank account before I drain it!!
I must admit one purchase that I did go through with is a BOB Stroller!!! I am so excited about it and I don't feel the least bit guilty about it! BOB is my new best friend and he looks hot!

In other less dramatic news.... we are all melting from this heat wave and covered in mosquito bites! I guess thats what happens when you spend your days in the baby pool and jumping through spinklers.

Courtney
( if you were wondering... I've lost 2.5 pounds now.. I know... very unimpressive! )

At the lake last weekend





picking blueberries

bath time


Me, BOB, and Collins

All in a weekend

Just wanted to throw up a post about last weekend. To say it was busy would be an understatement! The highlight of the weekend was staying at Ross Bridge with nine of my high school girlfriends! We had a wonderful time lounging by the pool, eating, and catching up on the latest. Saturday night we gathered at Mary Catherines house and had a couples party to celebrate Aimee getting married. We had so much fun boiling crawfish and shrimp and getting our hands dirty. The highlight of Brendan's weekend was getting a new truck! We have been a one vehicle family for over a year, so this was a huge deal. I am happy that he has a new set of wheels and his "manhood" has returned! I must say that I think Jack is about excited as anybody about the new truck... "His" truck as he calls it.
Thank you Brendan for taking care of the boys so that I could have a weekend relaxing with my friends! Also, thanks to Grammy ( Brendans mom) for watching the boys Saturday Night, it was grately appreciated!
Other than that, our time has been consumed with park picnics, pool parties, haircuts, and the usual.
Enjoy the pics,
Courtney






My favorite tree fell to its death

Jack after a much needed mommy haircut