A weekend with my boys!

We have had a fun-filled weekend!

I LOVE my boys!!

Saturday the boys accompanied me to get the car fixed.

Of course, 3 weeks after my husband leaves, something on it would go wrong.

Thankfully he walked me through exactly what to say on skype before I went. Ha!

I am lovin' this cooler "hoodie weather".

I am glad that it has finally stopped raining so I can take the boys to a pumpkin patch tomorrow!

My church boys. :)

I am so excited it is about to be sweater vest season. There is nothing cuter than these two dressed up for church! I don't know why but they love belts. I told them I would buy a couple more and a tie for each of them to wear. I know it doesn't matter but I love dressing them up for church, it was something we always did as kids...although I hated when my mom made me wear pantyhose. Ha!

Studs!! Tristan has decided he wants to grow his hair out now that Amari's is so long.

 Get ready for a mini fro/head of curls!

People just can't get over how "little ole me" had twins.

Well, "little ole me" only carried one in my womb but I carry both of them in my heart.

<3>

We went to lunch with Mimi, Poppy, and aunt Ashley afterwards.

Then, we were off to see Papa-daddy (Dwight's dad) and Granny!

Needless to say we've been busy and I am BEAT!

But, my heart is so full. :)

After a bath (and a breathing treatment for Amari),the boys were ready for bed by 7:45pm.

I forgot to post these the other day...

It was my sister, Natalie's birthday on Saturday! I stayed up and decorated while watching Love & Basketball, my FAVORITE movie. It reminds me SO much of me and Dwight, minus the fact that I am the most un-athletic person!

She loved it! Almost as much as the boys loved playing with all the balloons!

I have to end this post with a sappy sweet story...

Tristan and I use to live alone and after a couple of weeks of it, I was use to sleeping there by myself.

Well, when Dwight and I got married I was use to having him here at night. Since yesterday was Natalie's birthday she ended up staying the night at my parents...this presented a problem. Ha! My precious husband told me "I'll stay up with you on Skype until you fall asleep, baby." I took him up on the offer and put the computer by my bed and he literally watched me fall asleep. When I woke up this morning the call time was over 2 hours...he sat there for 2 hours watching me sleep. Granted, he did tell me he had a movie going but my skype window was open at the top of his screen for him to check on. I know he is thousands of miles away but for some reason knowing he was "there" made me feel so much safer. I love him!!

**side note**

The blog is about to get a makeover! I hope to have tabs up top that will guide readers through our story and break things down from the beginning. So many sweet people email me saying they went back to the first post and read up till now. Hopefully I can make it to where its easier to learn about us and our story with the new layout. Also, I have not forgotten about switching my blog to private. It is something I have always gone back and forth about doing. If I change the blog to private, I can only invite a limited amount of readers and since so many people asked to continue following I didn't know how to choose. So for now, it remains open. 

Off to get in my pjs and R-E-L-A-X!

Happy Fall, Y'all!

Have I mentioned that fall is my FAVORITE time of year?!?!

I love everything about it.

Tristan and I picked Amari up Friday afternoon, we were SO happy to have him home!

I took the boys to run some errands, pick out a new toy and then we came home to play.

These two play so hard together! While they did their thing, I cooked dinner.

I think they enjoyed it. :)



After dinner the boys got a good scrub down!

Tristan must have had a growth spurt because he has some inches on Amari that he didn't have a couple weeks ago.

After  playing, dinner, and bath...it was time for an episode of Halloween Mickey Mouse!

So you may be wondering what part of this blog post has to do with Fall...Ha!

Well, Dwight asked me to take lots of pictures of the apartment while he was gone (shocking)! This was our first home together and he said he didn't want to forget it. Awwwww =)

I decorated for fall 2 weeks ago before it "officially" got here but...it got done!

Living in a smaller space, I like to keep things simple when decorating. I am not one for clutter.

I added some fall pictures of years past as well as some pumpkins and such around the living/dining room and kitchen.

These two pictures are 2 of my favorites.

The first one was taken right after Tristan turned one year old, we were walking through a pumpkin patch.

The second was taken when he was 3 weeks old as a part of his newborn pictures. :)

This picture was right after Tristan turned two and he was in his giraffe Halloween costume...oh I could just jump through that picture and eat him up! I can't wait to get pictures of all 3 of the kids this year.

I looove this pumpkin!

I got it on sale last year at Marshall's. Its hard to tell but it is covered in glitter, and I'm all about the flare!

Then on the table I have the most amazing smelling pine cones!

They make the house smell like pumpkin/cinnamon spice. Yum!

And some more of my favorite fall pictures of Tristan on the side of our fridge. :)

The boys and I also enjoyed some pumpkin cookies for dessert!

There is no better way to end a fall day then with a light rain outside the window, children freshly cleaned and tucked in their beds, dishwasher running and a delicious candle burning...only thing that would have make it better is if my hubby was home to enjoy it with me!



What a week!

How is it already Friday? This week flew by for me!

This Sunday will be THREE weeks that my hubby has been gone.

On one hand I feel like time is crawling...on the other it feels like he just left yesterday.

Time is a weird thing!

This was my busiest week since Dwight has been gone. It was crazy!

Between having class till nearly 11pm Monday and Thursday, Tristan's 4 year check up yesterday, play therapy today, seeing clients and some other stuff in between, I am one tired woman.

TGIF!

This little boy has been cracking me up lately.

His new favorite saying is "that is hilarious!"

He is still lining up cars all over the place. I tell him he can line them up on the counters/table/floor as long as he cleans up after. This is only a 4th of his collection...we counted the other day and he has about 200.

We have Mimi to thank for most of those cars, although I am getting him a new one today since he did so good at his dr appointment yesterday! It's a cheap reward, 99 cents. :)

Last Friday Tristan and I went to dinner with 2 of my very best friends, Allie and Ashley!

He had them laughing so hard, it was in Tristan's words "hilarious!". Ha!

Little man before church last Sunday.

I took him to his class and the teacher kept searching through the attendance to find his name and check him in. She finally asked me "Is he still 3?". I replied "...um, no, I forgot...he turned 4 on Tuesday." Meaning, he promoted classes. Made me SO sad! He only has 1 more class standing between him and the kindergarten/first grade class.

Wednesday was one of our down days this week. I love taking our mornings slow and doing whatever we want during the day! :)

To say I have been scattered brained this week would be a complete understatement.

I have so much on my plate between school, clients and Dwight being gone that I think my brain is on overload. I made waffles for myself the other morning and went back to make Tristan some, but I could NOT find the box anywhere. I finally went to put the toaster back up and look where they were! I had put them away in the cabinets. Ha! On Monday I buckled Tristan into his carseat and drove around town running errands and then an hour to Dallas. What I failed to do was buckle the carseat to my car. Thankfully the Lord kept my son safe while his completely unaware mother drove him. I sat in my own gum last night, before class (how does that even happen?!?!). I had to present a recorded video tape I made of one of my counseling sessions to show my class. I brought the video recorder, the tape and myself (which is a miracle) but forgot the cord to hook everything up to the tv. Needless to say I have had to remind myself to

 S-L-O-W down!!

Yesterday, Tristan had his 4 year check up!

He was such a big boy getting his blood pressure taken.

He talked Dr. Deitchman's ear off and told him "you're a silly doctor!"

Then he found out he would be getting some shots. His demeanor completely changed!

I have him on an altered shot schedule based on some research I have done and personal beliefs I have on vaccinations (everyone is entitled to their opinions, this is just whats best for us). Little did he know, that I spared him of about 4 other shots. :)

He also had his vision and hearing checked. It was precious and he scored perfectly on both!

Tristan is 43 inches tall (approx 3 feet 6 inches) and he weighs 36lbs (still a skinny boy!).

I think its safe to say I have a GIANT on my hands.

Here he is with the mask and sucker he picked out after he was "tortured"! :)

Today is Tristan's last play therapy session for a month or so. I wanted to get him in after Dwight left and make sure he is understanding/adjusting appropriately. He seems to be doing well but as a therapist in training, I had to make sure!! :)

Happy Friday to YOU!

He's a stud!

My hubby sure is a STUD!

I am so proud of Dwight and what he is accomplishing while in Finland.

Not a day goes by that I don't miss him, and I know he would say the same thing about me. He tried to convince me to come to visit him this upcoming Tuesday and stay for 2 weeks. Ha! Seeing as though I saw  8 clients this week, took 2 midterms, wrote a paper, had class 2 nights this week, the plane tickets are $1,200...oh and our son needs to be taken care of, I told him we would have to wait. :)

We have both talked about how this time apart has already strengthened our marriage and allowed us to appreciate/love/respect/cherish each other even more. I can't wait to have him home!!

I love my husband's heart, he truly is an amazing man.

Life has not always been perfect for him but he sees how God is using all of his imperfections to make something beautiful. As his wife, it brings me so much joy to witness it all unfolding.

I checked my email the other day and Dwight had sent me a few pictures that he has taken while overseas. I thought I would share them with y'all. :)

Something that I thought was cute/funny: My husband is not a huge fan of taking pictures (I'm sure most men are not)  but he knows how much I cherish them. I couldn't help but smile at the fact that he had to have had one of his teammate take most of these of him so he could send them to me. I love him!

I LOVE this picture!

**See the teammate in the mirror?!** :) And the one on the bench probably thinking "Crazy Americans..." Ha! D says there are only 3 Americans on the team, including him.

He took this when he was out shopping one day. :)

My husband is so NOT the "take a picture of my food" kind of a guy, so I thought this picture was extra sweet. Ha!

Well, there is a little dose of Finland for you!

I will update tomorrow about Tristan's 4 year check up he had this morning. I took him to school after then came home and wrote a paper that is due tonight (procrastinator!!).

I am off to run to Target, pick Tristan up from school and then go to class until 10:45pm, say a prayer for me! :)

Wife, Mother, Student & Intern

I am all of those things, but most importantly I am a daughter of the King.

Sometimes I have to remind myself of that when I get so wrapped up in the other roles I must fulfill each day. Dwight and I were talking last week and I told him "First I am a child of God, then I am your wife, after that I am a mother and last but not least, I am a therapist in training. I have to keep my roles in that order so that I can be the best at each of them."

 I usually do a post every semester about what one of our days looks like, so I can look back one day and remember how crazy life was while I was in school. This semester has been the CRAZIEST/BUSIEST of my entire college experience (undergrad included). I tell Dwight all the time that I miss him SO much, but I don't know if I could focus on my studies like I am if he were here. Ha! So...here is a typical week for us.

Mondays: 

9am to 1pm: We run errands, go on a play dates or I catch up on stuff around the house.

2pm: I start getting ready for school; pack Tristan's bag (pjs, tooth brush, toys etc) to take to Mimi's or G-momma's house.

3pm: I drop Tristan off and head to school. Sometimes I'll run an errand or get there a little early to finish up an assignment or print something off for class.

4pm-5pm: I'm driving my 1 hour commute to Dallas

5:15pm-10:30pm: I have 2 classes; Psychological Testing (HARD!!!) and Practicum (my class that monitors the internship I do at the counseling center)

10:45pm-11:30pm: Pick Tristan up

12am: Come home, put little man in his bed (he is knocked out at this point)

12:30am: Eat a snack, do homework, talk on skype

2am: Bed time for me!

Tuesdays:

7:30am: Rise and Shine!

8:45am: Leave the house

9am: Drop Tristan off at preschool, walk down the hall and get ready to see my clients.

9:30am-12pm: I see 2 clients, catch up on documentation etc

12pm-1pm: I take a quick lunch break then head back to the counseling center for supervision

1pm-2pm: Supervision. Thankfully I am under the supervision of an amazing therapist who goes over my cases with me and makes sure I'm on track with the things I am doing/saying in session.

2pm: Pick Tristan up and head home

2:30pm-5:30pm: Tristan naps (I joined him today) and I do homework or relax.

6-9pm: I go back to the Counseling center and see 3 more clients

9:30pm: Pick Tristan up, bring him home bathe him, play/watch a movie and put him to bed

10:30pm-12am: Homework

12am-2am: Skype with Dwight!

Wednesday: FREE DAY!!!! Nothing planned, no where to be, no clients to see...just me and my boy! As you can imagine I usually am exhausted by this point and need to relax. I try and take it easy, spend lots of quality time with Tristan and of course...do homework.

Thursdays:

9am: Take Tristan to preschool

9:30am-12:30pm: I see more clients

1pm-2pm: I run an errand, grab lunch then go back to pick Tristan up

2:30pm-4:30pm: Nap time for Mr. Every other Thursday I have 2 classes that meet in Plano which is a little over an hour from my house. On the weeks we meet Tristan usually doesn't nap. Instead we come home, relax, play and eat a snack. I pack his overnight bag, take him to my mom's (he stays the night) and I leave for class.

3:30-5pm: HELLO Dallas traffic...commute to Plano for class

5:30-10:45pm: Class; Career Counseling and Contemporary Christian Counseling

12am: I stumble in the doors, take off my makeup, throw on some pjs talk to Dwight for a little bit and end up crashing around 1am.

Fridays: FREE DAY! I usually schedule Tristan's play therapy appointments on this day, get homework done when T is napping, grocery shop, clean, do laundry etc.

So...that's my crazy schedule. I feel like we are constantly on the go, because we are. I know that in a few short months I will be graduated and out of school so that keeps me going! Tonight, I will be up at least till 2am taking 2 midterms online and writing a paper. Thankfully we have all day to chill tomorrow and I need it! :) Dwight is such an encourager and gives me the drive to go full speed when I feel like pulling over and going zero mph. Ha! I know that getting my Master's Degree is a privilege, it is not something I am entitled to, so I try to keep a positive/grateful attitude when I feel like I have reached my limit. I had a client tell me something so sweet and encouraging at the end of one of my sessions today and that gave me the fuel to finish out my day knowing that I am making a difference and I am exactly where God has called me to be.

Thankful!

Phone Pics!

Mimi has been spending a little too much time in Dillards. She asked if Tristan had a hoodie and I told her I hadn't gone fall shopping for him yet. She came over with a new Polo hoodie, jeans and shirt. Where was this woman when I was a child?!? :)

Park day with my boys a few weeks back!

I know Dwight misses getting random pictures like this one from me throughout the day. Ha!!

 

Seriously, how cute is Amari?!? He likes when I spike his hair and gets mad if anyone tries to touch it. Ha! I am excited to see him Friday, he is spending the weekend with us. :)

Cute brothers!

Out to eat with mommy and daddy after church. I miss these days, can't wait for them to be back!

Fake driving with daddy. Tristan always asks "When do I get to take my drivers test?" or "I don't want a mini-van...I want THAT car (as a lexus drives by)!". Oh little does he know...haha

This is how happy my son gets when he eats Chick Fil A, he is addicted.

Tristan's hair grows SO fast. I go back and forth with growing it back out, but I know that means more work for me. He gets a cut every 2 weeks and is such a big boy when he gets one, now.

Look at this sweet-blue eyed baby. Tristan and I got to spend the morning with him last week, he is SO sweet. Maybe Mimi's blue eyed gene will be passed down to one of her grandbabies. :)

The labels I had made for T's party. I think I took this pic to send to my sister...

cupcake labels!

Tristan went on a date night with Mimi, Poppy and aunt Ashley on Friday night. They took him to eat pizza and then he got to stay the night. Saturday they went and rode the train while I stayed home and did mounds of homework from 9am to 5:45pm. Yuck!

I love that Dwight appreciates fashion. I went shopping for our niece a few weeks ago and had to sent him pictures to see which one he liked. Ha! I love little girls clothes!!

When he got this picture he said "THAT'S THE ONE!". I should've known...!

Well, that's my random collection of phone photos! :)