Our lives lately...

Have been jammed packed with stuff! I HAVE to get a planner, my phone is constantly going off with reminders. Ha!

Last week at school Tristan's teacher came in my class and told me to come look at Tristan. He was sound asleep with his "woobie" (security blanket) in his mouth! He doesn't get his pacy at school so I guess he got desperate and chewed on his blankie instead. Ha! It's moments like this that I love being in the same building as Tristan, I don't have to miss anything! :)

Friday, Faith came to school (she comes twice a week) and Tristan was SO excited. These two have the cutest relationship. Faith definitely runs the show, but Tristan doesn't mind...clearly! :)

While I was at work aunt Ashley texted me and said she had bought tickets for us to take Tristan to the circus. What a sweet, thoughtful aunt she is!! Before the show they had vendors and concessions stands set up. We got domino's pizza, chips, hot sauce and queso from the Fresco's booth and more!

Here are Poppy, Mimi and Tristan enjoying a pre-show snack!

Poppy is Tristan's best friend. Plain and simple, no denying that. They have the SWEETEST relationship and Tristan has started saying "Poppy is my best friend!" Poppy took Tristan to get a balloon animal before the show started.

Showing off his balloon dog! :)

The circus was held at a church in Keller so it was a Christian circus. They brought in clowns, tight rope walkers, the motorcyclist and the cage, plus a ton of other acts. The best part is that the theme of the entire show was based around Christ. It was such a fun way to start our weekend. Tristan loved it! Thanks Ash :).

Of course Poppy and Mimi had to spoil Tristan. Tony (Poppy) hunted down a clown selling these light up balls. He also came back with two things of cotton candy, skittles, drinks, and chips. Ha!

During intermission my parents went and walked around to look at some of the booths, Tristan and I stayed put and I attempted to take our picture.

He did okay at first but no smile...

Then he got really mad at me and made this lovely face...

And then I brought out the big guns and bribed him to take his pacy out and say "cheese" for some more candy. It worked. :)

Love this boy!!!

About 30 minutes later Tristan crashed and was sound asleep in my arms. But the next act was the motorcycles which he LOVES so I had to wake him up!! It wasn't easy, but he finally came to and he was in awe.

Saturday we slept in...okay, I slept in and Mimi spent some quality time with her favorite little boy! It was a much needed rest. We went to Jake's 3rd birthday party at McDonald's later that day. I was so proud of Tristan for helping me pick out birthday presents for his friend and not throwing a fit that they weren't for him. I was also pretty proud of my wrapping job! :)

Ready to go!

Sweet Jake! 

Tristan loved playing...

And of course, eating!

He came home and slept for 3 hours. This is the LAST time he had his pacy. Yep, that's right, it's gone...for real and it was all an accident. (I'll explain later!)

After his nap Tristan found his bf and helped vacuum his room!

Then he played trains and cars, his favorite thing to do these days.

I love that my parents are so involved with Tristan. It helps me out a lot and lets me get some down time here and there. While Poppy and Tristan played I read "Heaven is for real". Such a good, easy, encouraging read. I finished the book in about 3 hours. Loved it!!

Later that night we had a slumber party at my bf', Krystle's house. I totally forgot to pack Tristan's pacy because he doesn't have it all the time anymore. Usually just at nap/bedtime. I really didn't want to go out and get it so I just held him and he fell right to sleep. He asked for it twice, I said I didn't have it and he was fine. The next night at home I told him the same thing. We are going on day three with no pacy, at all.  MIRACLE!!!

To say that Tristan loves Krystle is an understatement!! 

We all woke up and got ready for church. I joked as Krys and I were getting ready together in the bathroom and T came running in that "this was how it all started." Krystle was my college roommate and one of the first people I told that I was pregnant. She took such good care of me; switch bunks with me so I could have the bottom and not have to climb up top while pregnant, she researched stuff with me, cried with me and was just there for me. It is so crazy to see how things have come full circle. No more bunkbeds (thank goodness!), no more dorms, and no more tears...well, there are tears of joy of where God has brought us both.

On our way home from church I asked Tristan what he learned and he told me "Mommy, Jesus saved me! He saved my friends too!" Those were the sweetest words to my ears. I know Tristan doesn't fully comprehend salvation yet, but God is preparing his little heart. I told him that he is right, Jesus came to save all of us! Then he told me "And mommy, Jesus holds me. He holds my friends too." I again told him he was right. I took the opportunity and alone time to tell my precious son that Jesus is ALWAYS there holding him, when he is sad, happy, afraid, lonely...whatever the case I told him that Jesus will never, ever leave him. I will always cherish that conversation.

Well it is Monday (already) and I have an almost 3 year old who is POTTY TRAINED and PACIFIER FREE. Life is good, God is GREAT!!

Crazy Week!

Wow. This has been a CRAZY (but great) week! I knew life was going to get hectic once school started I just didn't realize HOW hectic it would be. I want to document what our week looked like so I can glance back at this one day and a.) be grateful of how far I come and b.) see that I can do ALL things through Christ!!

Monday I was up at 6am. I try to wake up an hour to an hour and a half before Tristan so I can do my morning Bible study, pray and prepare myself for the day. I fix a quick breakfast and get ready. Around 7:15am I hear "Mommy...Mommy... MOMMY!!!" I go back to Tristan's room gush over him and give him lots of kisses. If he is still asleep I'll sing "Rise and shine and give God the glory, glory!" as I open his blinds. We usually snuggle for a few minutes and then I get him ready so we can be out the door by 7:45am. He gets to eat breakfast at school. I worked from 8am till 3pm, went home showered got ready and went back up to school at 5pm for "meet the teacher". I met all my student's parents then went straight to church for the 6pm single parent family dinner and group afterwards. We got home about 9pm and I was TIRED...so was Tristan! How awesome is our church's nursery/children's center? Tristan wanted a picture next to the railroad sign! :)

Tuesday I went to work from 8am to 3:30pm, went straight home, changed and was out of the house by 4:15pm so I could be in Dallas at DBU for my 5:15pm class. I thought it started at 5:45pm but found out I was thirty minutes off. I have class every other Tuesday at DBU from 5:15pm till 10:30pm. On the alternating Tuesdays my classes meet online. Thank the Lord! Here is my sweet little man eating his afternoon snack before I left. Love him!

Wednesdays I got to work until 3pm then I have to be in Dallas for my class at 5:15 until 7:45pm. This class is the most amazing class. It is called Counseling Victims of Trauma. I learned SO much the first night and I can't wait to continue to learn. Even though it can be exhausting having night classes, my heart is all in it (or I couldn't do it). Graduate studies are so different than undergraduate. I love that everything I am learning WILL be important to the kind of counselor I hope to be one day. I took this sweet picture on the way to school Wednesday, Tristan told me "Mommy, I want to hold your hand." So the whole way to school we held hands!! My arm was getting tired and I tried taking it away but he got upset. So I just enjoyed the fact that my little boy is still little and totally okay with holding his mommy's hand, it won't always be that way...

Wednesday was also a special day because Faith started school! Tristan was beyond thrilled. :)

I took this picture on the way to class last night. I love how beautiful DBU is. I love hearing the bell tower playing hymns on the hour as you walk through campus. I am so different from the girl who started there in 2006 as a freshman...I have so many memories at this school. Some I wish I could forget, others I cling to. Regardless, I know that God has used them all to shape and mold me into the woman I am today.

Today is Thursday and I have NOTHING to do after I get off work. I am beyond excited and ready for the weekend. I plan on resting, a lot. :) I had to buy books last night for all my classes so I decided to grab a few extra items in the bookstore. I got Tristan and I each a DBU Patriot shirt and we both wore them today!

Tristan listening to his worship music on my ipod on the way to school!

It started to rain and he said "MOMMY, WHAT IS THAT?!?" Ha! I had to remind him of what rain is!

Weekend Wrap Up... LOTS of Pics!

I know it's Texas, I know it's always hot during the summer but this is EXTREME!! If you know me you know I am the most cold natured person but I am not enjoying this weather. Saturday we went to my mom's best friend's granddaughter's (you got that?!) birthday party! The first 30 minutes I felt like I was going to pass out from the heat but once I cooled off I was good to go.

Debra aka Gig did such an amazing job hosting her grand baby's party!! She loves her so much, reminds me of another grandma that I know. :) Tristan was the only boy but he did not care. He cracked me up hanging out with the girls!

Debra ordered build a bear material online so each child got to build their own bear. She got all the girls a girl bear and Tristan a boy bear! Is she prepared or what?!

I love watching Tristan at parties now because he is totally old enough to understand what is going on. He has such a blast being with other kids and it makes my heart SO happy to see him SO happy.

I had to have a serious talk with him before the party and tell him that it was Jade's party, not his. I have been working with him on being happy for our friends when something good happens to them or they get something special like a toy. So, I reminded him of how we are happy for Jade and want to show her we love her (by not stealing the spotlight. Ha!) by celebrating her special day.

He did pretty well, but he is definitely still 2!!

I asked Tristan what he wanted to name his bear and he said "Hips". I tried to persuade him that Teddy was a better name, but he wouldn't budge. I have no clue where he got the name, but it has stuck. Poor Hips got whirled around a time or two before the party was over. Ha!

Jade's theme was Justin Beiber. Debra had a cd of his playing, rockstar glasses for all the kids and a 6ft cut out poster of JB that she ordered off line. Tristan said "I don't like Justin Beiber!" Jade's grandpa replied "I don't blame you." Ha! I think Tristan was just trying to be funny because he definitely enjoyed bustin' a move to all the songs playing! :)

After the party Tristan napped and then we went out with one of my very good single mommy friends and her 2 children. We wanted to let the kids ride bikes but we had to wait for the sun to go down...is it fall yet?

After bikes we went to dinner at a yummy Chinese food place then to get frozen yogurt. The kids had so much fun!!

Tristan and I crashed hard that night. I seriously think we were asleep by 10pm. We had church Sunday and then I went up to school to decorate my class and get ready for "Meet the teacher" which is tonight. But first, I rocked my "baby" to sleep. I love that Tristan is such a cuddle bug and loves to be held. I try to do this every Sunday. It's my favorite!

I guess I should've called this "Weekend plus Monday Wrap Up" because I snapped a few shots of Mr. before school today. I am really cherishing this time I have with him at his school. I am so blessed and so happy to be where I am. God is good!

Ready for work/school!!

I know I said I was keeping birthday party stuff under wraps but I HAD to share this picture of Tristan's birthday shirt. It is PERFECT!! I ordered it off of Etsy the same place I ordered last year's shirt. It came in the mail Saturday right after Jade's party. It turned out adorable and I can't wait to see my boy in it! My favorite part about it is the Disney handwriting. We are counting down the days till the BIG day!

Birthdays!

Tristan is infatuated with birthdays these days. We have talked about his birthday quite a bit so I think that is what sparked his interest! We celebrated my sister, Ashley's birthday on Wednesday and Tristan did not understand that it could possibly be someone else's birthday. Ha! He told us "it's not Ashy's birfday...it's mine!" I had to break the news to him that he was wrong. Although it would've been his birth moth since he decided nearly 3 years ago to make his appearance two months early. Thankfully the amazing doctors at Baylor Grapevine delayed my labor for a month and instead of an October baby, I got a September baby! :)

My mom had a beautiful display on the table and Tristan asked if he could drive some cars on it. She told him he could pick TWO cars and this is what he came back with...about 20!

Aunt Ashley and Tristan with his new "cheese face".

Of course he had to help blow out the candle!

Have I mentioned how much my son LOVES sweets?! :)

Mom made the most delicious homemade cupcakes and icing. It was amazing!! Next up are a whole lot of Mickey cupcakes and a Mickey smash cake. She is so talented!! 

Tristan looked like such a little man on his way to school on Thursday. I overheard him talking to two boys in his class telling them that they could come to his birthday party. They were SO excited. I guess the guest list is expanding!

I had posted on FB last week that Tristan asked to go pee pee standing up like the boys at school. I had no clue how to teach him such a "trick" ha! We have worked on it for the past few days though, and he did it! He went in the urinal at school and I was there to see (and capture) the moment. It is the cutest thing and he has done it about 3 times since. My baby is definitely growing up!