Always a Cutie

Clean or Dirty, Black and White or In Color...He is always a cutie!

All Boy

Dog? Cat? Fish? Turtle? None of that! Brayden has a pet stink bug, it's huge! Also, Mr. Josh caught a red back spider (poisonous). That jar is kept on the ledge above the sink for safe keeping. Makes for a nice centerpeice. Brayden helped Mr. Josh clean the habitat and brought flies for "Charlotte" to eat.

Daddy and Aslan having fun in the mirror after a bath. Aslan is either funny or aggressive. There is no in between. Could hitting be a love language? He will come over to hit you and then it is followed by a hug. Could be instant remorse or maybe to him it means the same thing. Maybe he thinks he is giving a high five even when others aren't ready for it. Don't I sound like a mom? Making excuses.

One more burst of energy before bed. Let's jump on Daddy until we are all worn out! Aslan is always that loving to Brayden!

Brayden loves being outside. Especially since we have overcome our fear of scorpions. He stays outback for hours making things or destroying things. He has a slingshot now. Pray for everyone's safety. The other day he chipped all the bark off these two sticks and tied them together to make a cross. He is so cute.

Miss You Too

We are missing you Momma (Nanna D)! Just a few more weeks. Love ya to the moon!

Mexico Fun

During the week, John and I are in class and the boys are with a babysitter. It was strange at first to not be with the boys all day. I have been used to that for so long. It was kind of hard for them too. But Mexico hasn't been all work and no play. If you work hard then you should play hard, right? And that we have! Our weekends are filled with day trips. So far we have visited the capital, Mexico City, the city known for its silver mines -Taxco, the Ecological Center, a family circus (what an interesting experience), Mayan pyramids in Xchiocalco, and parks. Our time is getting short but our list of fun and educational things are long. I wonder what will get accomplished.

Brayden especially understands all that he has had to give up; his friends, toys, familiar faces and places. He knows the sacrifice but he also knows why we are doing it. But still, he is a child. To reward him for it all is easy. He gets excited of the littlest of things- like some cookies after he finishes his school work, being able to catch bugs out in the yard, or a $3 sling shot at the market, or a new notebook to draw in. But boy, when he gets to climb a pyramid or go in a cave or see a pit viper, he goes crazy! Seeing that in him also helps me know that for everything we have had to give up, God has filled the void with joy.

Know we are missing you.

Boys on The Field

This is Brayden in front of an open fire stove. Homemade tortillas! Yummy!

During our ten weeks in Mexico, we visited 2 villages to do some outreaches . They were very far away. People there lived very simply, as you can see. Both brayden and Aslan had a blast playing in the outdoors all day. Aslan especially has no fear of new places, people or animals. We played games with children, gave testimonies, handed out clothes and food. Most people have to travel over 2 hours to the closest store. When we came all the way to them, they were thankful.

From our Mommy

Mexico -September 2008

Pre-sibling rivalry
my couch potatoe!
Starting 1st Grade. Don't I look excited?
Can you hear Aslan's scream?



From Mommy

This Kid Says the Darnest Things

"How come the walls in here aren't green? This is Walgreen's, right?" -Brayden

This is Brayden's attempt at saying "thank you very much" in French, ..."Mercy Bird Poop."



From our Mommy

French Fry Funnies

From all the way in the 3rd row of the van, Brayden calls out,

"Hey Mom, look!" I glance back to see french fries stuck up each nostril.
"Nasty, Bray don't do that!"

a minute later,

"Hey Mom, look!" I glance back to see Brayden "smoking a cigarette" with a french fry.
"Nasty, Bray don't do that!"

a few minutes later,

"Hey Mom, look!" (what now?) I look back to see Brayden holding a small fry and a big fry up together in the center. "It's the Verizon sign!"

Funny Kid!
From our Mommy

Sharing Toys and Sharing Joys

"Oh yeah, I know that!", "Yep, I can do that too.", "I did that once but it was bigger, better, cooler."

I have been listening to Brayden and his friends interact lately and I have some work to do! I so don't want Bray to be one of those kids who disregards his friends excitement to then follow up it up with a "one upper." I want him to share toys and share joys.

I want to hear things like,"Wow, that's so cool.", "Good for you!", "You are so good at that!"

From our Mommy

Brayden's 1st Shot

Pop Pop shows him what to do,
then he aims and POW!,
Boy, that was loud!
Did you get the target (aka paper plate),
Good Shot!

"I can't wait to get BIG!"

Hurry! Get the camera! Aslan is amazingly STILL! For many moments he watches big brother Brayden and his friend Louis play baseball out back. As you can see, he wasn't still enough for Mommy to finish dressing him after the last diaper change. :)