When did this happen?

Where did those freckles come from?
When did he lose his baby cheeks?
When did his eyes get so deep brown?
How did he get so tall?
And skinny?
What is that look?!?!
When did my baby become such a little man?  I must of dozed off or blinked!

Top 11 of 2011

Wow!  Unlike most moms posting their top 11 pics of 2011, it wasn't difficult to narrow my pics down to only 11.  What I discovered is that I DID NOT pick up my camera enough in the past year...complete embarrassment and shame!  This is something that is definitely going to change for 2012!
Here they are in chronological order...
1.  Taking pics for Mommy in the Texas bluebonnets was not Jack's idea of fun.  I caught this right before his signature dramatic sad face.

2.  Sweet Baby Jude turning 1!  This is just after the Bernal ritual of getting chocolate birthday cake smeared all over your face.

3.  Cracker Jack getting excited to see the animals at the Pumpkin Farm...genuine excitement!

4.  My sweet boys waiting, as patiently as little boys can wait, for the hayride.

5.  Jude giving me is best dimple face.

6.  Jack again, being not so eager to pose for Mommy.  This was caught in the middle of him getting as far was from the camera as he can!

7.  Loving bubbles!

8.  Sweet siblings.

9.  My Sweet Baby Jude suddenly turned into a little man.  This picture makes my heart swell and break all at the same time!

10.  A rare quiet and fleeting moment.

11.  A boy and his robot...pure bliss!

Cowboy Picnic

Being home with the boys the last few days has been a rare treat for Jer and I.  It has been a nice change of pace. We have forgotten our hectic daily torture commute and are just, well....being totally and completely LAZY.  It's been heavenly!  The boys have loved it too.  Lazy in their world means staying in pajamas and being more rowdy than any teacher, aunt, or even Granny would ever allow.
Complete freedom from routine has made them a powerful force...a force that brings me to my knees, in exhaustion and prayer, pretty much hourly. So, early this morning when the house became silent, I was terrified to look and see what new messy disaster was waiting for me to clean up.  To my shock and awe, I found my darling duo sitting quietly on their sister's bed having a "Cowboy picnic"...according to Jack.  

I think Jude was just taking a breather before taking on Jack in a jumping on the bed duel.

There was something so sweet and peaceful about my rough and rowdy boys being surrounded by girly pink, just enjoying some quality time together.  

Like most events similar to this, it was fleeting.  Jack broke the calm with a "YEEHAW" and duel was on!  First one to get a knot on the head that doesn't require stitches is the winner!
Life with these two is exhausting, but it will never be boring!

Hello! It's Me!

I know!  I know!  It has been forever since I have updated, posted, or even LOOKED at my blog.  It seems that my life has been on fast forward for several months now, and even more apparent that my pause, stop, or even my play buttons are all broken.  When things get that insane, something has to give, and unfortunately it has been this blog.

I have missed it!  I have missed the energy, creativity, and inspiration that writing brings, but most of all...I have missed the communication and interaction from my virtual friends.
So, Hi everyone!  This is what we have been up to...
This Sweet Boy turned 1!  We had a fun Monkey party and enjoyed many chocolate cupcakes.  I still can't believe he is no longer my infant.  The past year is such a blur!

We have taken a few road trips to Louisiana.  Mostly for the babies to get spoiled by Granny and Papa Joe, while Jer did a little fishing in Sportsman's Paradise.

This Miss Priss turned 6!  She was counting down the days, and couldn't wait!  As soon as this birthday past, she began her countdown for number 7.

We had some beautiful family portraits made by Watermelon Photography.  As you can see, Sweet Baby Jude was more interested in climbing stairs than saying "cheese"! I just love this picture!  Even though at the time all I wanted to do was cry.

My office made a huge move to Dallas.  It is a much further drive, but the offices are amazing!  I also have a new carpool partner.

Yep!  My sweet hubby Jer and I are now working at the same company!  It has been an adjustment for our entire family, but at the same time it has been such a positive change and rewarding experience for us both.

That is what we have been up to.  What has been going on in your world?

Throw Me Something Mister!

"Throw Me Something Mister!"  That is Jack's new favorite phrase to yell throughout the house while throwing leftover beads in the air.  You will be happy to know that I didn't swipe all of them from the kids while they slept.  I just had them past them out to all their friends! hehe
What a fun trip!  My first Mardi Gras as a Mommy was a success, and surprisingly very little drama.  The children were fun, content, and well-behaved.  The food was heavenly.  The weather ended up being enjoyable and the parade was a blast!  A few of the kids (and Roxy, the dog) got pegged in the head with throws, but no permanent damage.  Oh, and no one choked on the baby from the King Cake!
Here are just a few shots of the fun that was had...

Brooke, Delaney, Izzy and Roxy waiting for the parade to begin.

Me and my siblings...Tricia and Troy.  Yes, we are Tracey, Tricia and Troy.  What can I say, it was the 70s?

Iz and D enjoying the scene.

It's fun seeing floats now run through my childhood neighborhood.

Jude catching who knows what from tasting the beads!

Jack wondering how in the world he is going to get untangled.

D weighted down!

Sweet Macey enjoying her first parade.

Jer and being silly with the Bug.

There is nothing better than being surrounded by all the ones that I love most!

Mardi Gras Road Trip

As I type my post title, I am laughing to myself on how much the meaning of a "Mardi Gras Road Trip" has changed for me in the past twenty years...has it really been that long ?!?!  
Twenty years ago a Mardi Gras road trip would have meant a great time in New Orleans with friends, fun, great food, beads, and several hurricanes. If you have ever been to Mardi Gras you know I am not talking about a major weather event went I speak of hurricanes.
Now a Mardi Gras road trip consists of a trip to Shreveport with family, five children under the age of six, fun, great food, beads, and several sippy cups.  Not to mention the diapers, wipes, and "lovies" that need to be packed.  
For my Louisiana readers, I am happy to report when Jack realizes we are heading to Granny and Papa Joe's, he has the over whelming desire to bring every piece of clothing, toy, and book that is purple and gold or has this image...  

He must think that they will send him back if he isn't prepared to prove that even if he is a Texan, he has decided to grow up a Tiger.
Needless to say, getting ready for a trip to Mardi Gras is dramatically different than it was twenty years ago.  I am beyond thrilled to be with my entire family and share this special event with my hubby and kids. 
I look forward to watching all the baby cousins play, spend quality time with my siblings, and enjoy my parents.  I am also looking forward to teaching my kiddos how to catch these...

The appropriate, family-friendly way that is.
I can't  wait to overeat on treats such as these...

After I poke my fingers through it to make sure my kiddos don't choke on this...

Stay tuned for pics and I am sure entertaining stories on my first Mardi Gras as a Mommy.  Since I have no doubt that our car will be fifty pounds heavier with Mardi Gras beads, I am already planning ways to store and organize them...more like plotting ways to get rid of them without the kiddos noticing.

Looking Back

About this time in...
2008...We were engaged to be to married.

2009...Had a brand new baby Jack.

2010...Enjoying that sweet face!  And me in the background with baby Jude about ready for his arrival.

2011...My precious boys playing so nicely together.  I wonder how long that brotherly love will last?!?

I still can't get over how much my life has changed in 3 short years.  I am so incredibly blessed!

A Rare Event

Another snowy day.  We're going on Day 4 of this winter storm, and the snow is still falling at my house.  It is actually starting to come down harder as I type.

There haven't been many times in my life that I could look out my office window and see this view.  I can count them on one hand.

This winter weather has caused the city to come to a screeching halt.  Schools closed, universities closed, businesses closed...you name it and it is probably closed.  I had already had plans to work from home this week.  There was a hiccup in my schedule which meant juggling the boys and the office for a week. 

This unusual event didn't throw off my plans too much.

Yes, I am going nuts like most moms who have been stuck inside with their darlings all week.  Little ones need to roam, run, play.  They need to burn off that youthful energy that we would like to bottle and save.  Several inches of ice and snow and below freezing temps make that difficult to do with toddlers.  

My nerves are wearing thin...

But as I think about the rarity of this storm, I realize it is just as rare that I get to enjoy an entire week in the presence of my little ones.  Most days I yearn to be home with them, but can't.  Many weeks I anticipate the weekend knowing I get to enjoy time with them....just time.  I am always searching for time...more time.

I am not going to lie.  There are many days I am so very happy that I get to jump in my car and get away for the day...even if it is just to the office.  There are weekends that I dream of childless vacations to all those un-family-friendly destinations.  Hey, I am normal!

But today I am going to soak up this rare event.  I am going to enjoy the snow, even though I despise the cold.  I am going to enjoy this blessing of time.