When Sparrows Fall

I recently read When Sparrows Fall by Meg Moseley as part of the Blogging for Books program.  This was my favorite book so far!  I was hooked from the first page-literally!  I could hardly put this book down!  The characters were so well-developed and the story line progressed while still holding out on the secrets of the characters.  Not only was I obsessed with figuring out the answers to all my questions, the theological questions brought up were thought-provoking as well.  This was an easy read because it went so quickly, but it really got me thinking too.  Great job, Meg!  I'd love to read more of her books now!

I received this complimentary book from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group as part of their Blogging for Books program.

Ryker's 3rd Birthday Party

Ryker's birthday party was Saturday.  He requested a cowboy theme and seemed to love it.  I make a video of pictures and short videos that I've taken throughout the last year and set it to music for everyone to see at his birthday party every year.  Ryker LOVES it!  He watched previous year's videos at random all the time.  He sat so still and watched the whole video at his party too.  After everyone arrived, we watched the video, opened presents, sang "Happy Birthday" and enjoyed some snacks.  Thankfully many family members were able to be here to help us celebrate.  Ryker enjoyed his gifts and seeing everyone.  As we were cleaning up, he said, ""No, no, I don't want my birthday party to be over!"  The boy loves birthdays!  Here are some pictures that Aunt Kate took the day of the party. (Thanks Aunt Kate- You're the BEST!)

Opening Presents

The snake was a big hit!

One of the many adorable pictures Kate took of sweet little Kainen...I swear that boy just keeps getting cuter and cuter!

Blowing out his candles...He sang "Happy Birthday" to himself which was pretty funny!

Trying out his new ball and bat with Uncle Dave

He had so much fun playing ball with Daddy, Uncle Dave, and Joey...good times hanging in the backyard!

Happy 7th Anniversary!

7 years ago today I married my best friend.  I can easily say that it was the best decision of my life.  God has blessed us with 9 wonderful years together and 7 as a married couple.  We have an amazing son with another beautiful blessing on the way.  I love Robert more and more each day and am so grateful for the husband and father he is.  I cannot imagine life without him and look so forward to all the years we have to spend together in the future.  I love you baby!

Our 1st Dance

Mr. and Mrs. Brown

Wedding Party

And, just for comedy sake- this is the 1st pic of Robert and I ever.  Circa June 2002

28 Week Appt.

Today was my 28 week appointment.  I also took the dreaded glucose test.  I should hear back about my results in a couple days.  Prayers that I passed just like I did with Ryker!

Weight Gain So Far: 17 pounds
Blood Pressure: 122/70
Fundal Height: 28 cm
Baby's Heartrate: 152 bpm (That glucose drink made him go wild!)

*I passed the glucose test and all my other blood work came back normal.  Yay!

Brad Paisley Concert

Saturday night we met our friends, Emily and Jason, and headed north for dinner at Puccini's before going to the Brad Paisley concert.  Emily is pregnant as well and due 4 weeks before me.  We all had a great time together and were very pleased the weather was not nearly as bad as we had feared it might be.  We got there in plenty of time to see Jarrod Neimann and Blake Shelton.  It started to sprinkle during Blake and picked up just enough to be annoying for about 10-15 minutes.  I put on my rain coat and Jay and Em huddled under an extra blanket together.  Robert just stood there and "took it like a man."  It was over before long and we didn't have any rain the rest of the night.  It was Blake Shelton's birthday and his new wife, Miranda Lambert, surprised us all on stage and sang a couple songs with him and led the crowd in singing "Happy Birthday."  Brad put on a great show and we all had such a good time!  It was a late night to say the least (especially for me) but it was worth it! 

This is my 28 week pic.  I was saying something stupid about being preggers at a concert.

Em and I taking a belly pic...clearly Robert didn't want to wait until we were done smiling for Em's camera first!

There we go!

The Guys

Em and Jay....so cute!

Robert and I...I had to sit down for a bit and he was my chair...so sweet!

Holding

Last Thursday we were out playing in the backyard when Ryker let the dog out only to promptly shut his fingers in the sliding glass door.  I ran to get an ice pack and quickly scooped him up and sat out on the patio applying the ice pack to his poor little fingers.  After some talking and singing he calmed down.  Next thing I knew, he was asleep!  That never happens!  The last time he fell asleep like that was on Halloween and that was only because he'd missed his nap.  I just sat and held him for the longest time.  We'd been watering the plants prior to the injury and he'd gotten his shirt wet so I'd taken it off.  As the time wore on, I thought I should take him inside.  I stood up to carry him in and and he stirred a bit and said, "No, I stay outside with you."  How could I say no?  So, I sat back down and held him for another 30 minutes.  He stayed asleep the whole time and did so even after I brought him in and laid him on the couch.  These moments are so rare that I had to embrace it and cherish it for what it was.  I know that as time goes on these moments will grow even more rare until he longer needs or wants to be held at all.  Especially with his new little brother coming so soon, I might just spoil him a bit more with this holding thing.  I gotta soak it up while I can!  One day he'll be too big to hold anymore.  I might try even then though!  ;-)

Craft Day

We had a Craft Day last week where we worked on some fun little crafts I picked up at Dollar Tree.  First we colored a wooden cowboy that we plan on using to decorate for Ryker's upcoming cowboy-themed 3rd birthday party.  Ryker and I worked on it together and it turned out pretty nice.  I wish I would've known that the markers would stain my table though!  Eek!  Next up, we painted a birdhouse.  Ryker painted the whole thing blue and then took a nap while it dried.  After nap we painted some green accents and then hung it out in a tree after it was dry.  Ryker likes to check on it often to make sure it's still doing well in its new home.

Ryker's new cowboy proudly displayed on his dresser next to his cowboy hat.

Serious about painting

And so proud when it was all blue!

The finished product.  He had me paint a B on each side of the roof.  I told him it could stand for "Brown Birdhouse."

Hanging in its new home.

Italian Festival

Every year the Italian Festival is held downtown on the same weekend as Robert's birthday.  We make it a part of his birthday celebration every year.  We ate some delicious food (fried ravioli, antipasto salad, breadsticks, and cake)!  After all the eating we headed over to the "midway" for some rides and games.  Unfortunately, the ticket booth in that area had run out of tickets and the line for tickets at the other booth was ridiculously long.  Ryker was pretty upset about not being able to ride the teacups, but Robert distracted him with the goldfish game.  He bought 12 balls for $2 and let Ryker throw them.  He made 3 shots and won 3 fish!  This Mommy wasn't planning on adding any pets to the family, but Ryker was so excited!  He and Robert also played a shooting game that won them a prize too.  Ryker was in a fish mood and chose a stuffed fish as his prize.  We headed out after that and went to Meijer to pick up supplies for the new family members.  Each fish was in a different bag with different colored water.  We decided to name them based on their color.  So, we had a Blue, Red, and Green.  We bought a tank that can later be used to house frogs, etc. (considering the lifespan of a goldfish is about 2 weeks!)  We got their new home all set up Saturday night and fed them before going to bed.  Green looked a little wimpy Sunday morning before church but would perk up when you came close, so I thought he'd be OK.  Unfortunately, by them time we got home from church and lunch, he was a goner.  Robert and I explained that he was in heaven now with his other friends and we sent him to the ocean to see them again (i.e.-We flushed him down the toilet)  Ryker took it surprisingly well.  I'm sure it helped that he had the little guy for less than 24 hours and there were still 2 left.  So far, the other two seem to be very lively and might just make it (for a few weeks at least!)

Getting ready to shoot!

He made 2 out of 3 shots..I think he might have his Daddy's shooting skills!

He even picked a fish that matched his outfit!

Helping Daddy release the fish into their new home.

When there were 3...Blue is the gold one in the back, Red and Green in the front.

Happy Birthday Robert!

Friday was Robert's 27th birthday!  We're finally the same age again...for the next 5 months any way.  For 7 months out of the year I get to hear about how I'm older than him.  Robert wasn't too excited for this birthday since he said it meant he was officially moving out of his mid-twenties to his late twenties.  I told him he's still a PYT (Pretty Young Thing) to me.  haha!  Mom and Dad kept Ryker overnight for us so we could go out and celebrate.  Robert requested O'Charley's for dinner and a movie afterwards.  We saw Super 8, which was pretty good.  We had a great night spending time together and celebrating the awesomeness that is my husband! :-)

27 Week Appointment

Weight Gain So Far: 16 pounds
Blood Pressure: 124/74
Baby's Heartrate: 142 bpm
Fundal Height: 27 cm

All is well!  I go back the 20th for the glucose test.  Praying that I pass the first time just like I did with Ryker!  It's hard to believe I am officially in the 3rd trimester!  It's getting so close! :-)

A Day on the Kennedy Farm

Playing with rocks (and sweating like a pig)

Grandpa gave them all tractor rides

They were searching for frogs here.

Checking out Garyn's new frog

Yesterday morning, my cousin, Natalie, texted me and asked what our plans were for the day.  Originally we'd planned to go grocery shopping and to the library.  They were heading over to Grandma and Grandpa Sheepie's for the day, so we decided to forgo our original plans and join them instead.  Ryker absolutely LOVES playing with Garyn and Gigi.  Grandpa has 5 new kittens in the barn.  We visited them two weeks ago and Ryker was eager to check on them again.  The kids were very good with them and by the end of the day we had names for all five.  The mommy is named Sparky (Ryker named her a long time ago).  The kittens are now Barky, Smoky, Bing, Buttercup, and Butterscotch.  Garyn and Ryker each caught a frog that they took home with them.  Grandma got old Schawnn's containers out and poked holes in the lids for them and the boys put grass, etc. inside to make them a little home.  We had such a blast and didn't leave until WAY after nap time.  We decided to come home and cool off in the baby pool instead.  After showers, we headed to the library to sign up for the summer reading program.  It was a busy, full, but wonderful day!

Abby and Phill's Wedding

Yesterday was the big day!  Everything was absolutely gorgeous and it was a total success!  Ryker wasn't into having his picture taken, but we did manage a few.  We even got a cute one of him kissing Abby on the cheek.  He made it down the aisle and back up again after the ceremony.  I was thrilled!  Daddy stayed with him to talk him into going down the aisle and I was waiting for him in seats on the opposite end of the aisle up front.  I didn't see him beforehand, but apparently he was throwing his pillow down and trying to run away.  Daddy told him he'd never get to see another farm animal in his life unless he walked down the aisle with Gigi and he snapped right in line...lol!  He did a great job staying with her.  He kept fairly quiet during the ceremony sitting with us.  I brought a bag full of books, animals, and snacks to keep him entertained.  The weather was calling for a 25% chance of spotty showers and thunderstorms.  It was sunny and calm until right before the ceremony started.  The wind started picking up and the clouds looked ominous.  As they were saying their vows it started raining in the field right next to the ceremony site but never moved beyond that point.  It was amazing to see the rain pouring down no more than a couple hundred yards away and never come any closer.  I know we were all praying really hard!  It's amazing how God cares for all the little details of our lives!  We made it through the entire ceremony and the dismissal of the guests before the sprinkles started.  It got a little hairy for a bit, but we were all under the tent nice and dry.  Ryker had a great time dancing with his cousins and Robert and I enjoyed socializing with family and a ton of friends from church.  It was a great wedding!  Congratulations Abby and Phill!

Ryker and Gigi ready to go and looking so cute!

Courtney and Zach singing while Lindsay played

He made it!

This is right before his giant cheesy grin and big hug he gave me.

Bride and Groom

Abby getting ready to say her vows

Robert and I at the reception

Everybody doing the Macarena

Ryker, Ashlyn, and Gigi dancing

Baby Bentley crashed with Aunt Lisa

Abby and Phill's Rehearsal

Yesterday was my cousin, Abby's, and our friend, Phill's wedding rehearsal.  Ryker is the ring bearer and his cousin Gigi is the flower girl.  He was pretty excited about it going into it.  However, Gigi's older brother, Garyn, was there and he and Ryker got to playing right away throwing rocks into the creek.  So, when it came time to practice, he wanted nothing to do with it!  The 1st time down the aisle he completely missed.  The 2nd time I carried him down screaming (it was SOOO much fun-insert sarcasm here!).  After a long talk with Daddy and a bribe that he would get to see the sheep, llama, and cats after walking down the aisle like a good boy, he was very compliant the 3rd time.  I don't have high hopes for today.  I'm just hoping he'll make it down the aisle without crying or screaming.  If he doesn't go back down or stand up front during the ceremony I could care less!  Hopefully he's cooperative for pictures and can perform his minimal duties without causing a scene!

On the 3rd (and successful) trip down the aisle.

Abby and Dan coming down the aisle

Playing by the creek...this was all he wanted to do!

The bride and groom!

Keepin' It Real

One of my goals for this blog when I started it was to keep track of all the funny things Ryker says and does.  I haven't always done a good job of recording them though.  So, this post is all about our regular, less-than-glamorous lives.  Ryker has been a bit of bear at times over the past few weeks.  I've decided that the terrible two's don't exist.  Instead, it's the terrible-three's!  With Ryker's 3rd birthday quickly approaching (26 days), he is exerting his independence more than ever.  He certainly has a mind of his own and is not afraid to express it.  His listening skills have been lacking and so has my patience I'm afraid!  He's even lapsed on his potty training with no rhyme or reason to it.  He'll do great some days and horrible others (as in, peeing his pants 3 different times)! 

In spite of all this, he is still a lot of fun and is definitely keeping me on my toes.  Thursday evening we were pulling out of the car wash and he pointed to O'Charley's next door and said, "Hey, Mom!  Look over there!"  For those of you who don't know, Robert and I met while working at O'Charley's in high school.  Ryker has heard that story many times and I said, "Yep, that's where Mommy and Daddy met."  Ryker followed that up with, "And I was in your belly."  LOL!  Not quite Bud!  I told him that didn't happen for a long time after Mommy and Daddy met.  He then said, "You and Daddy kissed and then I got in your belly."  LOL!  I asked him who told him that and he said Papaw.  (Papaw claims to have nothing to do with this, so we're not real sure who gave him his first lesson in the birds and the bees).  Later that same evening, we were leaving McAlister's after dinner with Aunt Karen.  I had Ryker go around the passenger side of the vehicle as I was loading things into the car.  I came to the end of the car and rounded the corner to find him peeing in the parking lot!  We have been outside all week playing in the pool and I've been letting him pee in the backyard.  Apparently, he thought it was ok to pee anywhere if you were outside.  He was literally facing Washington Street just peeing away.  I was shocked and horrified, but also amused.  I was trying not to laugh, but I couldn't quite help it.  I thought I'd explained that we don't do that in public only to find him peeing in the driveway yesterday morning after getting home.  Clearly, we need a bit more help in this area!