Baker Boy

I have been looking forward to this blog for a long time. I have been treasuring these stories in my heart and I am excited to get them down on paper. I am not going to tell you much about Baker.. just tell you stories and you can make your own inferences. I have learned that you can inadvertently teach your child things you never knew you were teaching them. Preference: Baker can open all doors (car doors, bedroom doors, fridge doors, etc.)

One day I came into the kitchen to find mustard and baking soda poured on the floor. The next day I came into the kitchen to find Baker pouring pepper on Beau's head. Yesterday I cam into the kitchen and he had the yogurt out trying to pour it into a bowl. Today he got the gatorade out and as he was trying to pour it into a bowl it spilt on the coffee table and Beau. Beau was blue. Mind you, I only have to be away for seconds for this to happen.

I am a girl, and I wear makeup. One day I was apparently looking in the mirror for too long and when I looked down he was putting mascara on his eyes. Yes, lid off on his eyes, just like I do. One other day he grabbed my makeup bag (I wear a loose powder foundation so you apply it with a brush) He had opened it and taken the large brush, dipped it in the powder, blew on the brush and applied it to his cheek. Now, this one I sat back and watched b/c I was like- do I blow on my brush before I put it on my face, and apparently I do! He didn't just make it up (no pun intended).

His longest sentence has been "Shoot gun big deer elk". We are preparing him for Thanksgiving. He talks ALL THE TIME. He narrates what he is doing. He is bossy, very bossy (which I know is no surprise to anyone). Today he looked at me, pointed his finger (like I do) and said "Be Quiet"! I was shocked, I didn't know how to handle the situation without slapping him and before I knew it, he said it again "Be quiet, Beau sleep." To which I obviously laughed b/c I tell him to be quiet when Beau is sleeping.

His favorite thing to do is "work." Anytime you ask him what he is doing, it's "working." He works in his car and in the basement and under the table. If he is doing something wrong like playing under the sink and I tell him to stop he says "working!" Like- MOM, seriously, I am changing the planet here and if you interrupt it everything might fall apart. It's hilarious. He always wants to go to Bob's house. He will get in his car and if he isn't going to work he is going to Bob's house.

His new favorite food is oatmeal! Who would have guessed. I have let him eat oatmeal for breakfast, lunch, and a snack all in the same day. This morning Brian made his oatmeal out of the large cylinder oat thing (I make it out of the brown sugar pre-made packets) and he refused to eat it. He said-Yuck. It was funny. He also loves sausage. When we eat breakfast on the weekend we have to fight him for it or we won't get any. He has moved to the big table now and Beau has the high chair for meals. He doesn't eat until we pray. He will sit by his oatmeal bowl in the morning and say Pray. We will pray, he will say his oatmeal is too hot so I will get up and add cold water. When I bring the bowl back he says- Pray. It's really cute and a good thing.

He goes potty on the big boy toilet about half the time, which really does us no good but he likes it. Everyone has to come see it when he does, even Beau. And HE MUST dump it by himself. His aim is much better now and I am so glad.

He loves the bathtub. Brian showers every morning and I don't think he can recall the last shower he took alone. When the water starts Baker makes his way into the bathroom and says "jammies off".

He likes to write peoples names. He knows people go in pairs at least for our friends up here. He knows if you say Stu you say Jennie. If you say Jay you say Emma. I you say Rick you say Mary. It's funny. He is great entertainment.

He loves to dance, which I am sure most kids do. He loves the pool and going to the gym once a week to play with balls. He loves Beau and playing rough with him, too rough most of the time but we are working on it.

Overall he is hilarious and so smart. I don't know if its just that when you have a baby and they start out helpless and you watch them grow and learn you think- Wow they are so smart or if they really are. He does know his colors which is amazing, I don't think that is suppose to happen right now. Brian and him play blocks EVERYDAY and Brian really works on the colors with him. Except for white. We don't have any white blocks.

He recognizes public places. If we drive by Applebees, he says- Applebees. If we drive by El Sombrero he says "chips, cheese" b/c that is all he eats there. If we drive by the gym he recognizes it. He loves Walmart. I think b/c he has figured out they have toys. He likes presents, he wanted to call Nan the other day to say he wanted a present. When we went to that birthday party a week or so ago he demanded Jennie open her presents upon Baker's arrival. He kept finding presents and bringing them to her.

Two is not any easy age. He is obedient for the most part but when he isn't, we are not sparing the rod. Needless to say, our patience is tested daily. We love Baker very much and like I said, he is great entertainment. Hope you all are enjoyed this

Beau Bee Doebee

I have needed to blog about the boys for a while, so we will start with Beau. He is 9 months old now. It's crazy how time has passed, it seems Brian and I have forgotten all the drama that his life began with. That was a long time ago!

Anyways, he is a busy body. He can crawl now and go from crawling to sitting and crawling to standing (both of which are a big deal). He doesn't so much like to crawl he just does it to get to an object or person so he can then pull up or find everyone else. I started taking a shower the other day by myself with the door shut. By the time I got out both boys had made it into the bathroom to see why I could have possibly left them. He wants to walk, I can see, but he is nowhere near.

His favorite person is his big brother. He is constantly watching him. Their favorite time together is probably bath time. Beau loves baths! He laughs at Baker when he cries and if Baker gets too close to him he yanks on his hair which of course, makes Baker cry. Beau is big, def bigger than Baker was at his age and he is starting to tell Baker "I can and will take you."

His second favorite person is his dad. Oh he loves Brian, even if he is driving Brian crazy at the moment. He face lights up when Brian gets home.

Beau is brave. We watched the Bachelor finale at a friend's house with a dog. Baker started whining and demanded to be picked up when the pug entered the room. Beau however bolted toward the dog. He was smiling and trying to grab him. Baker was always very cautious and nervous around animals.. but Beau doesn't have this characterisic.

Beau is a very good baby. He is much like his brother in that he is stubborn and tries to demand his ways. He doesn't want to eat baby food, he wants to feed himself! He doesn't like sitting, he likes standing! He likes to be held.

We had a little boppy chair that we sat Beau in while we ate dinner or showered or anything but he is like a little escape artist and always manages to get out of the chair. He can rock his body so he slides feet first out of the chair or he can turn over onto his belly and stand up in the chair and try to go over the back of it.

Anyways, I know most of you don't really know Beau, but he's great. Just thought you might want to hear about our Beau Bee Doebee.

2 Things I Endorse

Everyone knows I am highly opinionated. This is a place I can give my opinion to only those who choose to hear it. It's perfect!

So, we have been going to this thing at church called "The Truth Project". It is a video lecture series put out by Focus on the Family. I would describe it as philosophical debates about creation, our origin, the existence of God, the cosmos, science and other very interesting topics. It sounded very boring to me and I actually didn't think I would learn anything but Brian and I have loved it and I have learned so much that I really can't believe I didn't know before. Anyways, if it is offered at your church I would recommend it!

Secondly, is a short book by Jackie Mize called "Prayers and Promises for SUPERNATURAL CHILDBIRTH". I have been wanting to blog about this book since I read it in late December. I have been hesitant b/c it could come off as highly controversial but dang it- I believe it and I going with the Power next time I am pregnant (Lord willing). I have never known so many pregnant people in my life, so it has been heavy on my heart for some time now. It was introduced to me by my friend Laurel whom some of you know. Her and her husband were good friends with Brian and I in college. One of those situations where we were all friends before any of us dated our spouses and for a minute there we had a backwards love triangle. It's really funny looking back. Anyways... the Hanson's are ... different than they were in college. In college, or even after for a while we were the same but they have grown to a differnt spiritual place. They asked for more of the Lord and they got it. Their relationship with Him is characterized by full and complete trust. They changed and it was so obvious to me the last time I saw them and talked to them. They have recently moved to the Middle East for Jeff's job. I mean, who could do that if they weren't walking with the Lord? So, Laurel introduced me to the book and after hearing/reading her birth story I was like.. you have something I don't.That is NOTHING like my experience. Here is the link if you are interested, but I warn you... it's not like what most of us experienced... or I sure don't think so

http://sovereignvictory.blogspot.com/2009/10/long-time-coming.html

I am not even kidding when I say the concepts of this book changed my life. Seriously. I can't have another pregnancy like the last one. I have nothing to loose. Mind you, I was in a hell of a lot of pain!
The crux of the book, and what I believe to be the meaning behind the Hanson's blog title is found in Galatians 3:13,14,29
"Christ redeem us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit."
" If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."

I think the testimonies in the book speak for themselves. Let me know what you think if you read it.

Ebb and Flow

I know most people blog about their kids, but for a little while longer I need to blog about Brian and I. We go through serious ups and downs with our attitude. One day it's awesome up here and the next it's "if I ever get back to Oklahoma gonna nail my feet to the ground!" I suppose that is true with any area of life but I think we are finally entering a buckle down and dig some freaking roots stage!!!!!!!!

We have been feeling so sorry for ourselves and doing too much questioning which was not from the Lord. We needed a serious breath of fresh air. We have gone on 3 dates this month which is huge--- all of which Brian planned. My favorite was our Valentines date. A long, big city steak dinner with desert and all. He got me 14k white gold hoops and I love them. It was an extremely wonderful gift. I have attached pics of all that. So, things were slowly improving just b/c we had alone time that didn't include after bedtime but we still didn't really hang out with others so the weekend could get seriously boring!

Last night we went to API's 13th Annual Gumbo cookoff. It was a really big deal, half the town came. It looked like Bourbon Street at the Quality Inn. You can see from the pics how serious these people are about their decor. It lasted from 10am- well into the night. We didn't stay all night as our agenda was different from others but we had a good time and we are making better friendships.

Anyways, the whole point of my blog was to say tonight we went to Jenni's birthday party and we had a wonderful time. We have met people and that is good, but we haven't had a rip roaring time where we laugh and talk deep and stuff like that. The good stuff. This is such an encouragement to us. The message at church today was like straight for Brian and I about trusting God to accomplish His purposes through our circumstances. We are here for a reason!

"Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you." Psalm 9:10

Lastly, I have to give 2 shoutouts. One to Kel- I had no idea you read the blog. I am so glad you do. I am also glad you are able to update my maid of honor concerning the events or non-events of my life. Also to Tom and Sharon, I can only imagine what you all think sometimes when you read this, but seriously- I think we will be lifetime friends and I am glad you are able to keep up!

Confessions of Pride

Well. Like you might have heard me say before, I really enjoy blogging. It is good for me to get my thoughts down on paper and share them with others, especially considering I have been stuck inside for like... 3 months now.

We have a contract on a house as of this morning but I feel that I need to explain some background before I tell you about the house b/c it was not the process we expected.

With the exception of my newest follower (Tricia) and maybe 1 or 2 others everyone knows how much we LOVE Dave Ramsey. Well, yes I love him much more than Brian does but his wisdom or common sense has played a priceless role in our marriage and finances. A huge amount of our success is due to the lessons he taught and I praise the Lord that we went to his class. That said- this house hunting thing has been awful!

You know, I drove my first car for 7 years. Brian and I sold it at an auction for $400 I think. Then we bought a 1996 Honda Civic and we put lots of repair money into her. Everyone knows we were saving for a car and in my mind all my suffering was going to be justified by the awesomness of the car I was going to get. Dave says "you aren't what you drive" although many people don't believe that, including me at times. Anyways I was so psyched when it was finally time to buy until I saw what our money would get us. I was dreaming of an Endeavor and we ended up with a Hyundai. Now some of you may be dreaming of a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe and that's great, but most of us dream of a Pilot or 4-Runner or Tahoe or the Acura that Ferris drives, all beautiful cars worthing of being coveted-- but this car... not quite close to those. So, I threw a fit for a whole day when Brian wanted to buy that car b/c one of my long time friends had just sold hers. And I was like- Sarah just got rid of her exact replica of this car and now I am suppose to look forward to it??? What??? I don't want her left overs, and no offense to you Sarah but it was my pride.

After I realized it was a good car and a good deal for what we could pay then I gave up and gave in. I now LOVE the car, its great and its status or lack of status is fine with me. And that is where we got with a house.

We fell in love with a house, MLS#10-57 I think, maybe 58 but like I said earlier, we didn't get it. We have greatly benefited by moving to ND financially speaking. The Lord has been so good to us, better than He ever has before... which was so shocking b/c life was great for us. So, with all this blessing I was like... alright, we are going to get a bomb dot com house and I am freaking excited. Again, our home in Tulsa was great and we loved loved it but it was modest at best and super inexpensive. It was 1200sq ft, 2bd, 2 bath. It suited us well. But this time we have 2 kids and maybe someday we will get a girl (Lord willing) and I guess I felt justified to something better. So, it was like I felt that by sacrifing early on that I was going to show off all our glory and it never works. "Pride comes before the fall and a haughty spirit before destruction." That is what Proverbs says and I believe it. I am a sinner!

So the house we bought is simple again and conservative. It is not majestic like I dreamed of. No one will covet this house! Brian and I are not that excited b/c well... we had set our hopes real high and this stinkin town is so expensive that we can't get all we want in a house without jumping up 20K in price and that is ridiculous. We still follow Dave's principles and doing that would not allow us to. So it was like Brian said the Lord had a house for us that will fit our desires, but I said my desires are prideful and ridiculous and I just don't know if I believe that. Anyone who has read Crazy Love knows that it changes your perspective on things and that was in the back of both of our heads. So this is a basic ranch style Nodak home in a basic Dickinson neighborhood. No glitz, no glamour, still not suited well for entertaining but we will get there. Its a 4 bed 2 bath 1900sq ft house with a single garage. The kitchen is nice, I will actually get ice and water in my fridge door which is literally something I have dreamed about! The only downside is the one car garage but overall it is a great house in very good condition. You can read about it online if you want (MLS 10-17) but still not our dream home. But seriously- we still have time, Brian is only 25 you know!

Anyways, wanted to share that with anyone who actually took the time to read this far. The Lord is still good to us despite our pride and I am very grateful we even found a house. Things are getting down to crunch time here in this little town and everyone says prices are about to get jacked up even more! One friend told Brian that soon no houses will be available b/c there are just so many people moving to town.

So, I wouldn't have written this if I thought this struggle was mine alone. I will say it is nice b/c style is not a big deal up here (sorry if anyone from Dickinson is reading but I am certain you are not). No one cares if I have designer jeans b/c they don't even know what they are! There are only like 2 stores in town so everyone wears the same clothes from Maurices or Herbergers. Seriously, you think I am kidding, but I am not! I may have given up pride on a house but I am still not there with what I wear! Anyways, just sharing what I am dealing with it could at all encourage anyone in the same place.
love,
Becky

Baker's Birthday!

Saturday was Baker's 2nd birthday and here are some photos of our fun day. First, he has marshmallows for breakfast, b/c they are his new favorite thing. Then he and daddy went to the pool. Baker loves to swim so he had been anxiously awaiting his bday so he could go to the pool. Then we went to Applebee's for lunch, not b/c he wanted to but b/c we had a gift certificate. Then it was nap time. After nap we had a "party". Brian and I worked hard on conforming our dining room to a party room. Baker didn't really seem to notice though. He loved the balloons. We did a lot of skyping and opening presents. I was very upset b/c he didn't eat his cake that I worked so hard on but I am over it! Then we had pizza for dinner which is maybe his 2nd favorite.

Brian was a little sad b/c we had no guests and he wasn't sure if Baker felt special but I am certain he had fun. His 1st birthday was about as good as they get so it wasn't good for comparison. The hardest part was trying to video and get pics and enjoy the show. Thanks Tim for taking care of all that last year! He really loves to open presents. He is enjoying his desk and we are very glad to watch some new Barney videos. Geez I was sick of the ones we had!

Anyways, life is good, just wanted to share some pics.

Home much sweeter home

I don't have any pics to post but I do have a lot to say. Things have been progressing quite well since we decided to stay in ND. Yes, Brittany, there was an opening in TX and of course we wanted to be closer to family so we were for sure going to move there.. obviously until Brian visited. So..
We have been attending EBC,Evangelical Bible Church and I am really enjoying it. I am not sure Brian is 100%satisfied, but I believe it is the best in town. The people are becoming friendlier and I am being as outgoing as I possibly can. We met a great couple, who happen to be OU fans (so rare up here) and we really like them. They are our age and of course don't have kids but we get along great. They are both natives and she actually knows Anne Hullinger- how crazy is that?

Anyways- we were invited to our first game night on Saturday and we had a great time! I think people liked us... hopefully. When we left Brian said "so I guess there are people like us up here." It was nice.

Then, today I decided to host my own playdate. I love play dates and I think they are necessary for my sanity!!! Especially if Brian is having a busy work week. I passed out little hand written notes Wednesday night at church and we had 3 moms come- woo hoo! I always get nervous when hosting an event that no one will show up. So that was 7 kids total. It was great to play in our huge basement or what I like to call Toys'R Us. Baker had a lot of fun. We can tell that he misses interaction so I am trying to get him involved. He loves to go to church and they gym. We have been going to this thing at the rec. center called Kid Fit. It is really for 3yr olds but Baker does okay. They run and play lots of imaginary games and throw balls. It burns energy.

Baker's 2nd birthday is Saturday and we are excited to celebrate. It will just be the 4 of us but that is okay. It's hard to believe he is 2 and I have 2 kids now and some of you that were at the hospital when Baker was born STILL DON'T HAVE ANY! It's okay though- to each his own.

So, just wanted to let everyone know that things are looking up socially. As far as house hunting goes... I don't have anything positive to say. We found a house we loved, made an offer, raised our offer, and then they accepted someone else's. All during the first day on the market. It's like a war for a house. Anyways they are just different up here. Not many people have master baths and NO ONE has a one story. They are all crazy levels. Brian says the Lord has a house for us and we will see. They are much more pricey up here but that is okay. I just don't know if we will get one in our range. But, like my dad says- we have time. We like our rent home just fine. I know some of you are.. on the nosy side (like myself) so if you want to see what we are looking at then the website is
crerealestate.com
If it has an R beside it, it means it is under contract. So... yah. That's all. Just wanted to update