About Me

My photo
Welcome to my blog. I'm a Mississippi country girl transplanted to Grapevine, TX. I have been blessed with a great husband, and my kiddos, Aleck and Ella. When I'm not eating bon bons on the couch, I am my kid's room mom, PTA member, Sunday School teacher, taxi driver, amateur photographer and personal chef. When I'm not doing those things, I'm running a small jewelry business, 2nd Amendment Jewelry (www.2ndamendmentjewelry.com), that I started with my twin sister, Glenda. It's a crazy and busy life, but I wouldn't trade it for anything in this world. I am so thankful for all the blessings in my life!

Monday, August 23, 2010

Aleck’s First Day at St. Vincent’s

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Tom took Aleck to his first day at his new school, St. Vincent’s today.  Since Aleck will likely attend St. Vincent’s when he starts school, we decided to go ahead and move him to the 3 year-old class this year.  We are looking forward to a year of new beginnings with Mrs. Jordan.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Green is for a King, Pink is for a Princess

The following conversation took place today while I was preparing lunch.

Aleck:   “Mom, I want a green bowl.  Ella can have the pink bowl.”

Me:  “Why do you want a green bowl and you want Ella to have the pink bowl?”

Aleck:  “I’m a king, Mommy.  Ella is a princess.”

Me:  “Can a King use a pink bowl?”

Aleck:  “No, Mommy.  Ella use the pink bowl.  Ella a princess.  I’m a king.”

Well, alrighty then.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Mason Jonah Thomas Brooks

Our family was blessed at 11:15 a.m. with the birth of Mason Jonah Thomas Brooks,  6 lb, 9.5 oz, 19 inches. 

Eryn and mason

Mason is one of the most beautiful babies I have ever seen. This picture was taken when Mason was 8 days old.  I love the look of contentment, joy and love on Eryn’s face.  Her face radiates complete happiness.

Tom and I are so happy and looking forward to a new chapter in our life as grandparents.  My babies have grown way too fast and I am looking forward to the smell of an infant snuggled into the crook of my neck making baby sounds. 

Thank you, Lord, for all the blessing in my life.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

It really is all about the lighting

Those who know me know I love to take pictures.  It’s nothing for me to take several hundred pictures on a busy day.  My philosophy has kind of been if you take enough, some of them are bound to be good.  Lately, I have been trying improve my photography skills.  I took this picture in June when we were home visiting family.  Tyler, my nephew, is holding Ella in my parents back yard.  The sun is setting in front of him and you can see the golden colors reflected in his face.  This picture makes me all warm and fuzzy, much like the beauty of the sunset on that evening.DSC_8245

Monday, August 16, 2010

Hello, my name is Brenda, and I’m a label addict!

In an effort to keep my house from looking like this,DSC_0495

I bought this.

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Now the toys are much neater, and look like this,organization 002

and this.

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I didn’t stop there.  I realized that if everything had a specific home designated by a label, it would be so much easier to keep the house clean and organized.

Now my kitchen cabinets look like this,005

and this.013

Aleck and I were teaching Ella body parts the other day, and I even pulled out the label maker and labeled Aleck’s arm.  I’m not sure where this obsession is going to take me, but man, I am enjoying the ride.

My Dearest Windows Live Writer,

Where have you been my whole blogging life?  With the busy life of raising two small children, time for blogging has been nonexistent.  Sure, I was in awe of the supermoms who could raise a family of 5 kids under 5 years-old,  and still find time to post several times a day.  I told myself that those kids must be going hungry and in serious need of a diaper change.  How else could a mother blog so frequently during the day?  Now I know the secrets that successful blog mommies whisper about in the corners of dark rooms.  It is you, my beloved Windows Live Writer.  You make multitasking while blogging possible.  I know we just met, but I think I love you. 

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Choo choo!

Aleck has a great imagination.  Occasionally, during meals, Aleck will “see” an object in the food he is eating.  He usually sees a car or an animal.  Today, he saw a train when he was eating his toast.  He carried it one step further and created an entire string of train cars.  He proudly displayed his train for Mommy to see.  I love the way he arranged the train cars by size.  Of course, he made one heck of a mess, but I am so blessed to get to watch that little mind work.DSC_0273

Monday, August 9, 2010

Fort Worth Stockyards Train Ride

To say that potty training at our house has been challenging would be the understatement of the century. Aleck is beginning to use his Lightning McQueen potty. Aleck is crazy about all things train so we rewarded him with a ride on the Grapevine Tarantula Train. When the train pulled into the Fort Worth Stockyard Station, Aleck was so excited. The train was red, so Aleck decided the train was James. Ella was a bit fussy, but decided that with a green apple sucker in her mouth, she could tolerate the heat for the sake of an open air train ride. The temperature was 100 degrees, but when the train started moving, the ride was very tolerable. I am so thankful for these memories.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

There’s a snake in my boot!

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I think we have started a family tradition of visiting the Grapevine Farmer’s Market on Saturday morning in hunt of fresh produce.  We then take our finds home and have a wonderful meal of fresh vegetables and fruit Saturday night.  Aleck was especially excited about the fresh strawberries.DSC_0175

This morning during our outing, Aleck insisted on taking Woody shopping with us.  He left poor Buzz at home.  Luckily, Mr. Potato Head, The Monkey, and Big Baby were at home to keep Buzz company.

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Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Dallas Museum of Nature and Science

Tom took off work early and we took Ella and Aleck to the Dallas Museum of Nature and Science.  Ella and Aleck loved playing in the sand at the Dino Dig. DSC_0073
Ella loved looking at the dinosaur model with Daddy.  At first she was a little scared, but with Daddy's reassurance, she decided it was alright to get a little closer look.
Aleck loved dressing up as a fireman and driving the fire engine.  He thought he was so cool in his sunglasses.  We usually go to the Fort Worth Science Museum, but I think Dallas is definitely worth the  drive.
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More Spaghetti!


I'm not sure what Ella loves more, eating spaghetti, or playing with it. 

Ella recently learned her first sign language word, more.  It looks like she is clapping, but that is how she signs the word more.  My sweet girl is so adorable she makes my heart melt.

Monday, August 2, 2010

This Little Piggy

While I was reading Aleck a book tonight, he slapped at his toes and said, “Stop it toes, stop it toes!”  I asked him what his toes were doing.  He replied, “My toes are playing with different ones.”  A little while later, he said, “Mommy, my toes aren’t playing with each other any more.”  That’s good honey.