Big Brother is a Good Babysitter

Big Brother is a Good Babysitter...he even makes sure Bryce goes down for a nap.

It's kind of sad cause I don't really get to use him to tend to much anymore, cause he is always busy working, but Bryce and I are both happy when he is available.

Smashed Finger

The other morning we were rushing to get out the door and get everyone to school and work on time. Bryce is at an independent stage so he really likes to do things on his own, which includes opening and shutting his own car door. Well he was getting in and I heard the door shut and then heard him screaming I jumped out and he was standing there with his finger shut in his door, he hadn't been able to pull it all the way open and it had shut on his middle finger. I quickly opened the door and looked at his finger. Honestly, I didn't know if I should take him to the ER, or maybe wait a bit until the Insta-Care opened and take him there. I eventually ended up deciding to give him some ibuprofen and put a band-aid on it and hope for the best. I told his teacher and babysitter so if it continued to hurt him they could call me. By that evening he seemed to be doing much better, and was happy to show it off (ignore the obscene gesture-lol-he doesn't know any better, but brother and sister sure thought it was funny). It seems to have healed up without any problems although he still insists on wearing a band-aid on it everyday.

This made me recall this sort of thing happening to Tanner at this age only that time his finger was actually cut off and a trip in the ambulance occurred. I am so glad that wasn't the case with Bryce. #BryceEE #countyourblessings

Truck Problems and Repairs

Over the past few weeks there has been some major fixing upping going on with Landon's truck. Most of it out of necessity and some of it stuff that has been needing to be done for a long time now.

It started out with the A/C system which pretty much had to completely be replaced (condenser, compressor, dryer, expansion) along with the replacement of the a/c we found that the radiator was also going to have to be replace so $2000 and several days later that was taken care of.

Next up was the upper and lower ball joints, inner and outer tie rods, coil springs and struts. Most of this at least Landon was able to do on his own, but it was very time intensive and he actually ended up taking a day off work to finish it.

We finally thought we had it all taken care of and in tip top shape and then his truck started dying. UGH!!! He took the battery in to be tested at Auto Zone and they told him it was fine, but they thought it was the starter so he replace that. Then the next day it started not starting again. This time he took it to a different auto parts store and they tested the battery and sure enough that's what it was, so he bought and installed a new battery.

It has taken a lot of time and a lot of money, but we think it should finally be running in tip top shape and hopefully not have to have anything more than an oil change done to it for at least a few years. #fingerscrossed

The Baseball Decision

I have been trying to write this post for a few months now, but just couldn't seem to put into words what I wanted to express. I guess knowing that baseball tryouts happened this week helped me to bite the bullet and write it. Here is goes-

TANNER IS NOT PLAYING BASEBALL THIS YEAR.

It is hard for people to comprehend. They ask if he's playing just expecting the automatic yes, and when I tell them he decided no to they don't know what to say. Here's the thing Landon and I have always have had the theory that if ever our kids decide they don't want to do something anymore (like baseball, swim team, gym, karate) even if they are good at it we are not going to force them. We are going to let it ultimately be their decision. Tanner told us a few months ago he wasn't going to play baseball this year. I can't say either of us was super shocked we knew he had been debating it for awhile. We asked if he was sure that's what he really wanted and then got behind him in the decision. The thing is I just don't think his heart was in it anymore. He has been playing since he was 7 years old and I think maybe he was just ready to move on and focus on other things. I would be lying if I said I wasn't going to miss it at all-I think maybe just a little bit, but it isn't like some of the other decisions my kids have made that have made me shed a few tears. Honestly it's almost a little bit of a relief I can't explain it, it just is.

Here is a look back on this journey...

2007-little league-the beginning 

2008-little league-another year

2009-little league

2010-little league

2011-little league and the beginning of comp ball (Rebels and then later Gators)

2012-little league year one with the Mariners

2013-little league another year with the Mariners and a championship win for the Gators

2014-little league and all stars also started playing with Dixie

2015-freshmen year (sophomore team)

2016-sophomore year (sophomore team)

It has been fun and we will always remember the memories that were made. Love you Buddy

Gathering Nuts

Bryce frequently goes to the park or on hikes or nature walks while at his babysitters. Usually when I pick him up he says "let me show you what I found" and empties his pockets of rocks, leaves, acorns, and anything else he has come across which he deems worthy of collecting. Luckily so far none of it has been alive. (knock on wood) The other day I picked him up and couldn't help but laugh as I noticed he had filled up his whole side pocket on his backpack with acorns. I guess his pocket just wasn't big enough. He must be getting ready for winter of something. Maybe he is part squirrel.

#BryceEE #snipsnsnails

Cleats for B

Bryce is going to play t-ball this year. You don't really need cleats for t-ball, but since I found these on clearance at Dicks for only $7.50 and they just happened to be in his size I bought them for him. They are seriously the cutest thing ever. He was so excited to put them on and it took a lot of bribery on our part for him not to wear them to church the following day. 

#BryceEE

Soccer Weekend

Last Weekend was a long weekend because of Presidents Day. Chloe had a soccer tournament, and had games on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. They would have also played Monday had they made it that far, but they didn't. The tournament was in Mesquite, so it worked out just to drive down there each day, since it isn't very far away. The only downside was that it was pretty much raining or cold the whole time. Which makes it hard to play in, and even more miserable to watch in. My Mom and sister were able to make it down to one of the games, despite the freezing cold and rain. Chloe's team won one, lost one, and tied one, so not great but not bad either. Kind of how they played. They just were having a hard time getting the ball in the net this tournament, their defense though was spot on like usual.

The game on Thursday night was super late, but luckily Bryce climbed in the wagon and went to sleep.

 Chloe

 Rain Rain Go Away