Memories

I have been going through my mothers basket as I call it. It's not an easy task, tears come, giggles come, anger comes, but most of all it is a reminder that I'm 35 and I don't have a mother. Passing away at 50 on Mothers Day was cruel and unfair to her children. So for the last few days I have had this recurring dream of our mother being zipped up in her living room into a body bag, she was cold, my mom was never cold and I just wanted to clean the blood from her face but I was not allowed to do that. I watch that gurney being taken out of her house and I can remember not being able to see because the tears are flowing so hard I can not see anymore. We go back in her home and I just remember sitting in her room wondering why her, why so young, why my mom, why this day? I hate these dreams. I want them to stop.

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It has been a while

So whats new here at the Ortega Casa.......oh so many things! We are getting our grove back and making things work, though it can be challenging some days, but that makes it fun I suppose.  I for the very first time since becoming a mother left my children with their grandmother and left for a long weekend, to see an old friend from New Mexico, she is amazing, and watching her as a mother now was truly an amazing event.  She is a great mom, and her little boy is just as sweet as ever, I had a great time with him too.  The great news my grandmother, dad, and the children all lived.  It was great, the hardest part was coming home it took forever, I just wanted to see my kiddos!  I brought them home all treats and then we all slept in my bed well minus the oldest of course.

So here are some pictures of what we have been up to

 BEAUTIFUL PARK IN RALEIGH

 Mom is HOME

 She is back, and I am now an NC State Fan

 Flew home so I could get her from dance

 Gramma survived them all, even took them hiking, she is my HERO!!!!!

 This little one stole my heart 

 Of course canning

 More canning

 Day Trips

 Creating

 Preserving

And of course relaxing!

Taylor

This poor girl is dancing her heart and soul out, she has a lot of parts in this years Nutcracker, and then she will start rehearsals, for the February show, I think that she is wearing herself down, just my opinion, but we keep talking about being under this pressure and dancing seven days a week, and if she wants to take a break, of course the answer is always a NO!  I hope she can keep up, this ballet thing is so competitive, and the parents are so driven to push their children at all costs.  I find that sad, your drive should really come from you and what you want in life, not what your parents want you to do.  Being the best is NOT the most important thing in the world, trying your best is.  I so wish more people could grasp this concept!

Autism

I try to always see this as a  positive, but it can be hard, and guess what today is one of those hard days.  We are on meltdown number three, and it is only noon, this one is because someone touched something that belonged to her and it moved by I kid you not, two inches!!!! This has resulted, in a complete and utter breakdown, she is in tears, bawling her eyes out, kicking, screaming, well you get the idea.  She is sitting on my bed so that we can both take a time out!!!!!  I love her to death, and love most of the gifts autism brought to our life, but days like today, I wish with all my heart I could make it go away, for her to not be so bothered by the little things that other people can just look past.  It is not so simple for her.

June 8, 2002

Here it is you are two and in love with Blues Clues, we have that dog everywhere we go!!! You also love monkeys and dancing.  Grandma took you to see the nutcracker about six months ago and you have been in love dance since then.  I bought all the Nutcrackers at Smiths for you because you broke one at Brett and Kate's house on Christmas Eve and well you cried your eyes out, so they are stashed in the linen closet now for quick replacement.  You love all things pink, glittery, and dance related.  You will be starting your first dance class this week, and we are both thrilled.  We go and do every thing together since brother is in school now, and you have become my best friend.  I enjoy watching the world through your eyes, you and your brother are so different, you never seem scared to try anything, you just give it your best.  This is a bit terrifying for me, but I love that you are so strong and independent.  It makes me giggle, we are a lot a like in this way, and you are very headstrong....much like me!  We will see how that plays out in about ten years! Happy Birthday Tater Tot! 

Love, 

Mom

January 20, 1998

We have a boy, a real boy!  Who loves to play tractors, fire engines, and of course play gas station in your cozy coupe, this is the year we will be hitting the terrible twos, but wow, being your mother has not been terrible, you are sweet, very shy, and so lovable.  I see you have this seriousness about all you do, nothing seems to go unnoticed by you, you  pay attention to everything that is around you, even hesitate when you feel out of place, I suppose that will be your personality for awhile now, it is fine with me, I actually enjoy watching you, it is like you think everything through before you try something new.  I love this about you, I hope you never lose it!  You love green and love being outside, we build roads in the dirt, and then you come in to clean up right away, because well that is who you are, you do not mind the dirt, but it seems like you want it off as soon as you are done, a boy after his mothers heart.  You are counting to three now, learning colors, and just being so much fun to be around.  Happy Birthday Sweet Son!

Love,
Mom

Pictures

Some newer family pictures, Tater Tot is missing of course because she is at dance prepping for The Nutcracker!!!!

Happy went for a ride too

The beautiful ride through the Jemez, I love this place!

Fenton Lake, it is amazing fun to spend time here!

My babies feet, well he is not a baby anymore!!!! 

The "little fishies" Isaac wanted to catch and bring them all home, they stayed, lesson learned from our little lizard.

The goof ball!

Self Employment

Allow me to explain the difference to those of you who are confused, when begging me to hire you, "because you NEED a job", please be sure it is a job you want and not a pay check, there is a BIG difference between the two!!! A job, requires you to put forth effort, work as hard as I do, if not harder, and most importantly requires you to show up and treat my clients in a courteous and respectful manner!  A pay check is money, for work that you did, and hopefully did well, there is a difference between wanting a job and wanting a paycheck.  Now I understand that my business is not for everyone, but it is a job and one with insurance!!!! It is hard to come by these days, as you may know!

So, what I am trying to say is this, do not come to me if you are looking for a paycheck, I am VERY TIRED of wasting my time and efforts to train you and many others like you, for you to quit.  I am not hard to work for, I just want you to do a great job, show up, be honest, and do what I am paying you to do.... I am sick of training people and then they quit, I am not wasting any more time, like my grandfather says if you want the job done right do it yourself, it may take me an extra 30 to 45 minutes a night but I am more exhausted from all the drama of people who want a pay check, that extra time is NOTHING.  However, if you are looking for a JOB, please feel free to apply, if you plan to stay for 6 months or longer, if not do not bother, I have better things to do with my time!


I just do not understand people, I worked to get where I am today, no it did not fall into my lap, and I am grateful that I did, or it probably would not mean as much as it does to me.  Hard work pays off!  I am sure I am not the only business owner who feels this way, so just remember when applying for that JOB, it is going to require a small amount of effort on your part to keep it, and please small business owners are BUSY, you wasting their time is cruel!

This AMAZING woman I love

Well here she is, the woman I love and adore with my heart and soul, my grandmother, she gets me, she understands, she even went with us to buy the lizard a cage, she probably knew he would die, but she did not tell me, because she lets me live, and probably had fun watching the kids get all excited about having a lizard, she treasures the small things.  I love when she sends me old pictures in the mail, or a note, and when she comes to visit, I get so excited to see what new picture she has for me! I can laugh with her, cry with her, be strong for her (she always knows when I am faking), but most importantly, she lets me fall apart when I need to and says this same thing, I am always here for you dear.   I love her, for the amazing woman she is and has been, she has been through a lot herself, yet she remains strong for her family, sometimes we share the same tears, and I see her fall apart just a little, I love that about her because it shows she is a real woman, someone who feels and loves deeply.  I am grateful I have her, even happier I call her Grandma!!!!

Her and Grandpa, before he was too sick! He too was amazing, I miss him terribly!

Grandpa and Grandma together with Brandyn.  

Politics

This has been the first year in a long time I have not been actively following the election coverage, minute by minute and I am at peace with this decision, I am grateful not to be posting anti this, pro this, on my Facebook, well, I still do but not like I did.  I am learning so much more in this election year than I ever have in my life and I am loving it!  I have seen so much hate, people discussing abortions for babies conceived from rape (yes apparently not all women can shut their bodies down, despite reports to the contrary), health care, the war, the list goes on and on, but you know where I stand on these....... Here is my question what can we do to help??? Are we being generous to our friends, families, strangers, and what about starving families, children, or even foster children.  I am grateful for what our family has been blessed with, and I am sad for what we have lost, but guess what there is always someone in a way worse situation, ALWAYS.......

This past week we were at Furr's Cafeteria, and a young man who could not have been older than twenty asked if we had SPARE CHANGE so he could eat dinner, my daughter piped up and said you don't need change my mom will buy you dinner, we did!  He looked so grateful and happy I had tears streaming down my face, when he asked me if I wanted my change, I refused and said no.  I have never been one to hand out money and this young man taught me a lesson I will never forget, he just wanted a meal, just a meal, he was not trying to steal from me, rob me, go buy liquor, he sat down, offered me my change and ate.....what a beautiful picture it was!  

So please let us all remember do not judge, do not assume you know someone or their circumstances, when we do we usually are wrong!

August 25, 2005

Savannah,
Oh this year has been ever so challenging, we are moving this weekend, but I found my journals, so I am taking a break to write your birthday letter.  This year we have struggled with you on so many ways, the doctors are trying to figure out what is medically wrong with you, we have spent time in the NICU after you had your shots, which by the way you are not fond of, and we find ourselves at The Children's Clinic every week, sometimes more.  I am tired, you are tired and well, I am looking forward to the day that you no longer are on antibiotics for a period of more than three days.  It is so different watching you grow up, your brother and sister were so HEALTHY, yet here you are and you to me you seem so fragile.  I long and pray for answers to your health mysteries, I just want to see you happy and healthy.  You are walking, first one to walk before age one in the family, CONGRATULATIONS, you love your family, you seem to want to make everyone smile, at least on your good days.  We have spent much of your first year indoors at home, trying to get you healthy and back on track, so our favorite things are books, and you are taking up coloring, well you like to try and eat crayons.  I wish I had the answers your body is needing, I feel like a failure in this regard as a mother, but I have faith we will find answers that will make you blossom, we are off to UNM in a few months, and should know more than, but until we do KEEP FIGHTING! I love you so very much, thank you for keeping me strong, but exhausted, you mean the world to us!

Love,
Momma

A lizard

Well, Savannah found this lizard, and well it died the next day, we buried him today.  It was heart wrenching for her, and I as well, mainly because my daughter really wanted him to live.  I really wanted to let her keep it yes even the live cricket part, that FREAKED ME OUT, to no end.  We made him a really cool home in case he lived too, but he is now in lizard heaven, so here he is our little friend who we had thought might make it, but did not!

And one more

He was a sweet, little thing and the kids all loved his all too brief time with us!

Instagram

I have this app forever, but I finally got to play with it and I love it, a lot!  So in honor of my BFF leaving we pulled it out and here is some of us and some silly ones too........Sorry for being a goof ball!

Goofy footsies

More goofy feet

Smarty Pants

Another country, yet still there! Always!

Tot and her butterfly

She is so amazing beautiful, I still can not believe I helped create her 

Lunch with mom and gramma, he is so awesome!

The lizard we saved, his blue tail is awesome!

June 5, 2001

Hello Tot, another year has passed and you are doing beautiful......You are not walking yet you are the chubbiest baby I have ever seen in my life, and yes I have learned to do hair, mostly I put in a pig tail on the top of your head and poof you look just like Pebbles.  You love life all around you and are enthralled with flowers, outside is your place to be, and talking walks in the stroller is also a favorite, I find this odd as for the first four months of life if and when I put you in a car seat you screamed like we were beating you, which of course you did not.  Your favorite toys are your big brother, he really can make you giggle hysterically and it is the cutest thing, I almost would say you have this special babble talk just for him.  Watching you grow this year has gone by so fast and of course I have to say has been great, I am so thankful for you my little girl, I have so much fun dressing you up and yes at age one you have twenty pairs of shoes, lets hope this does not continue and hair bows every where, being a mom to a little girl is the greatest thing that has ever happened in my life, you are my sweet girl and I can't wait to be BFFS!!!!

Love,
Mommy

What I Will Miss

I will miss you

I will miss you waking next to me in the morning

I will miss you holding me in bed when the power goes out

I will miss our bedtime routines with the kiddos

I will miss cooking for you

I will miss the way you held my hand

I will miss the way you made me feel safe

I will miss waking up to you

I will miss making your coffee

I will miss your smile and your goofy jokes

I will miss talking to you

I will miss our holidays together

I will miss you telling me every Christmas Eve at 2am, that Santa did a great job 

I will miss you fixing things

I will miss our walks

I will miss the way you brush the hair out of my face when it is windy

I will miss you 

With all the things that I will miss, there are a few I wont miss!  I will finally be free of lying, pain, false apologies, my anger, my frustration, the feelings of unworthiness you left me with, the tears and the sorrow, the terror, the anxiety and the panic!  I am finally working on me, I hope and pray you will do the same.  You are and forever will be with me, as seventeen years don't just get shut off.  I love you enough to let you go, I hope that you can learn this lesson too, but that is not my choice.  Happy Anniversary!  I wish you well and together or apart I love you because I can and choose to forgive!

January 14, 1997

We have a boy, one who is almost walking, well if mommy holds your hand you do it, pretty sure that will change in just a few weeks, when you realize that there is a whole world waiting for you to explore.  Well it has been a year and I think I am more in love with you today than I was on your last birthday, maybe that is because we both are sleeping, yes through the night, well only because I gave in and you sleep with me. This year has been amazing, you went from this tiny little guy who did nothing to this boy who crawls, babbles, loves the park, we like to swing on the swing, once in a while, you go on your tummy alone but not often, you are pretty cautious, which I think I love about you, you like cars, and you sit with me when I do my homework, which can be hard at times, you do not love Mickey Mouse, which really bothers me, but you do like Winnie the Pooh and oh yeah firetrucks and tractors.  Grandpa Barry gave you a fire truck for your birthday this year and heaven help me the thing is about as big as you but you push it every where and so far it goes everywhere with us.  That is fine though as one day you probably wont want it. Well you are one, learning and growing every day, I am proud to be your mom, and you have stolen my heart.  Happy Birthday Baby, you are one special boy!

Love,

Mommy

Eight is GREAT

Happy Birthday Sweet Savannah! Eight whole years have come and gone and boy do you know how to keep me on my toes, this was a bitter sweet birthday for you, I know but many more birthdays to come so lets keep focused on the positive here!

8 REASONS I LOVE YOU TO PIECES

1. Your creative, in everything, and I love having a daughter who appreciates crafting with her old mom

2.  Your sensitive side

3.  The way you care about everyone around you, without fail you care so much, and you always think of others first, even buying ice cream for your brothers and sister, before buying yours!

4. Your smile is contagious

5.  The way you always remind me to do the right thing

6. Your loudness, oh all right this can get annoying 

7.  The way you can remember everything

8.  Your uniqueness

So Happy Birthday to you sweet girl, you have taught me so much, given me so much faith, and make me proud to be your mother!! I love you!

September 3, 2004

Well we are home finally, you our sweet and tiny little girl, wow what a rough three weeks we have been through, almost losing you, not being able to hold you for the first five days of your life, I am glad that finally you are home safe and sound in my arms where you belong and off all these lifesaving cords, IVS, and the rest of it.  I am grateful that you are a fighter, strong, brave, and have a will to live, and be here on this earth, as my daughter.  You were born so fast and quick, and your grandpa and grandmas where there to be a part of the entire thing, it was a very special day for us all.  You all ready have brought so much to me, you have renewed my faith, shown me how to fight for you, and given me courage to face the unknown. I never knew I had it in me to watch my little angel fight for her life, the very first time I held you, it was 3:10 in the morning, I walked down to the NICU as I had been doing for so many days, there you were hooked up to every machine possible and so tiny, I would reach in with a glove and touch you and try to comfort you when the nurses changed your IVS, but this morning we had a new nurse she let you out of the cage, that is what I called it and squared your oxygen away and I held you for just about a minute and then your levels dropped, and she had to put you back, I stood over that cage and prayed with all my heart for you to heal, so I could just enjoy you and your life, well five days later they let you come home.  And here we are, you have an amazing older brother, who hoped you were going to be a boy, but he all ready is in love with you, and a sister who now has to share her room with you, well guess what she has not asked us to return you yet so I am hoping that you and her will have an awesome sister relationship, and currently our world revolves around keeping you healthy so we will not ever go back to the NICU.  You have joined us, and we are all in complete love with you Savannah!

Happy Birthday
Mommy

June 10, 2000

Dearest Daughter,

Wow, a daughter!!! I am the mother to a daughter, I do not know where to begin! Too be honest Taylor Rose, we will call you Rose after your great great grand mother, my greatest fear in life was having a daughter, see you have this older brother and well I play trucks and race cars great, build awesome card houses and I love to be outside, so the fear part........I do not know how to braid hair, dance, play dress up, do make up, or anything that little girls like, I never had a mother around to teach me.  I want to be perfect for you, do it right, be sure you feel my love always, I want to be your best friend, hold your hand, do your hair perfectly, and dress you in the cutest little dresses (all right I all ready have that part down), today I bought you a pair of satin ballerina shoes, size one and still too big, but you are growing so fast that in a week or so I think that they will fit, for the record, you are wearing them now, too big and all but they are so cute!  You hate your car seat so I have to sit in the back of the car while daddy drives so you do not cry, I am not sure if you have inherited your mommy's temper, but it appears so.  You are my daughter, I remember sitting in the hospital just a few days ago staring into your eyes, which are gorgeous and blue, like mine, I hope they always stay blue for the record, and saying a little prayer for you, so here is what I can remember praying for you, unconditional love from me always, love forever, trust, friendship, and a relationship with you that will never fail.  You are my love, my first born daughter, this week has shown me what I needed in life a daughter, I was missing out on the greatest gift of all, a little sweet angel, her name is Taylor Rose, and she is my daughter.  I love you Rose, yesterday, today, and for all the tomorrows we will have!

Happy Birthday
Mommy

January 21, 1996

Dearest Brandyn,

Wow, an entire week has past sine the day you were born, it seems too be going by so slow, yet so fast, it could just be my sleep deprivation though.  Today was your due date, twice I was told you were going to be a girl, I just always knew I was having a boy though and sure enough I got a Brandyn not a Britney.  Your birth was an amazing thing, you gave me something I have been dreaming of since I was seven or eight and sticking baby dolls in my nightgown with my cousins pretending we were all going to be mothers, I will show you pictures some day, the title mother.  What does that mean for me, for you, will I be enough, will I fail you, can I make you proud, will you love me, will be enough for each other, all these questions run through my mind as I sit and watch you sleep, you are so fragile, and yet so tough, yes I can see it in your eyes all ready.  I am so proud of you and all you do is eat, sleep, and throw up on me.  I gave you your first bath today, and I was terrified I was going to drop you or you would fall out of my arms, well you survived and so did I.  I look forward to playing with you, walking with you at times that are not between 2 and 4 am.  I am grateful I get to take so much time off from work to be with you, you are the single most important thing in my life, I look at you and wonder how this happened that I could have a son, a beautiful son.  You are inspiring me to do more and be more, I love you and am so proud that I am your mom, no one else will ever have that job.  I can not wait to grow with you, to learn with you, see what you like to do, what you will be, what you will like, what you will not like.  Just know that you are sitting right here beside me in your bassinet and I feel like I won the lottery!!!!  I love you son!

Happy Birthday,

Your Mother

The Time Has Come

Every year since I have had a child on their birthday I have written a letter to each one of children, on that day (well sometimes a day or two later), I feel so strongly that I need to get these down on my computer just in case, so that they can and will be handy for my children in case they want to read them someday! So the next few posts are not for you but for my children, but you can read them too, as mothers I am sure you will share the same feelings at times!

Something New For Me

So the entrepreneur in me has struck again, I am now a Thirty One Consultant!  Well I have been for a few months but life is crazy and well, I have not had time to share the exciting news.  Here is my website and you can order directly there or of course contact me, have a girls night, and earn some awesome gifts!

Be sure to visit me soon, and pass the word please!

www.mythirtyone/heathero

Isaac and the Camera

So we have this three year who wakes me up every morning with the camera flash, takes pictures of anything and everything, and asks to have his picture taken all the time so here it is, Isaac's Photography 101........

Mom, wake up!!!!! I despise mornings!

My feet

Wow, the camera works both ways!

Trying to get Happy, guess she is too quick for me!

The pretty sky.

Some Summer Fun Pictures

I love the Jemez, it is probably one of my all time favorite places to go and the kiddos seem to like it there also so here are some pictures of the last trip........

The girls, being goofy!

Finally, Isaac tried out the water, he has refused, so much like his older brother, but this trip he finally played in the water!!!!!!

Climbing in!  These two have no fear, none at all!

Happy Birthday Isaac

Well it was official, we have a three year old and all the fun that comes with being three, loving life, and refusing sleep in any form!  He is so much fun, in love with Angry Birds, Cars, and taking pictures.

Gramma and Grandpa know this boy, and Aunt Liz completed the it with an angry bird gift bag.  He carried that bag until it could no longer be taped.  We even used duct tape, finally the bag gave out on us, he was heartbroken!

Yes he still hides when you sing him happy birthday, so I still have not one picture of this child with an uncovered face on his birthday.  Maybe next year.  

Taylor is 12

Wow it is official I am the proud mother of an amazing twelve year old daughter, twelve years have come and gone so fast I just do not know where to begin, so I will start with twelve awesome things about her!

1. She is my first born daughter, and the day of her arrival was so special to me

2. She is the most caring and compassionate girl

3. She is an amazing dancer, and is beautiful on stage

4. She loves passionately

5. She loves animals and has a heart to help and love them all

6. She is a great big sister to all her siblings

7. She has a way to make me laugh and smile like no one else can

8. She loves sewing and knitting and is great at both

9. She has a stubborn will and determination, which can be frustrating but I know that it will carry her far in life, so for that I am grateful

10. She never gives up, she just keeps going

11. She loves to learn, read, and write

12. She is such a beauty

That is my girl teaching me to sew!  Yes, she can be that patient! 

Opening some birthday gifts, her little sister made for her.  

So for you my precious daughter, I just want to say I am always proud of you, even when you don't think so, I love you, even if you question that on days, and you will always me my BFF, even when we disagree, you see that is what happens between mother and daughters, it is a complicated relationship, but just always remember you are my world, you are my daughter and I will make mistakes, but I love you, and will always be here for you, always through thick and thin!  Keep dancing your heart out, and always stop and take the time to smell the flowers on your walks, and never forget you are an amazing and talented young woman, I am grateful I get to call you my daughter and best friend! I love you Tater Tot! 

A Girl and Her Bird

I have this amazing daughter who loves every animal she meets, no matter what it is she falls in love, hence our three dogs!  She found a baby bird outside, it had fallen out of its nest, poor baby and she naturally tried with all her might, but to no avail, the bird lived about 24 hours.  I had tried to prepare her for this, even though she was positive she could keep it alive, she woke up every two hours to feed and water her, made her a bird house the whole thing, but still there was not a chance this bird was going to make it.  The next day was rough, the bird died, and Taylor cried half the morning, she has suck a gentle kind spirit, and loves to help everyone, especially animals.  This was one of those mother moments, when you know that all you want to do is take away all her pain and sorrow and you can do nothing more than sit on the couch, hold her, and let her cry.  I wanted to reach into her heart and make it all go away but I could not.  I too tried to save a baby bird, who died when I was little, and sharing my attempt seemed to lessen the pain a little bit for her but the best part, bonding over our birds, we loved briefly, but realizing that we are not in control, of these things.  We wish we could be, and believe me I prayed for that bird to make it just a week or a little longer so she could enjoy her new found friend, but I guess God knew what was best for her and our bird, and took the bird sooner than she liked, it was one of those heart wrenching lessons but all I can say is I am glad she had the opportunity to pursue the love and care of the bird, for a big part of love is loss and letting go.

For Mothers Day

How, I have been dreading this day of celebration for the past year, I did not want it come, I did not want to celebrate it, all I wanted was for it to pass me by, for this one day meant one thing, a year since we lost our mother.  Yes, she died on May 8, 2011 but to me the date has no significance, she died on Mother's Day, try as I may, this will be the day I remember her passing, no date or number will make that change in my head.  Well I had convinced myself I was ready to face the day, I was not, I got my first migraine headache and was in bed all day, guess that was my way of coping, so we celebrated on Monday, which was perfect for me!  I got a brand new fire pit for our patio, we will be using it all summer and fall, I hope! So as we roast hot dogs, and make Smores outside, I will be grateful for the life my mother did give to me, her legacy will continue through us her children and grandchildren, and she will be remembered as she was our mother, perfect with her imperfections.  I have learned so much about forgiveness, love, loss, grief, trials, and tragedy this past year, I wish it would not have happened all at once, but it did and does so I shall get up and carry on with the life I have been blessed with and hope and pray that I live my tomorrow today, for my tomorrow may never come!

For you mom.....your highly valued grandchildren, all together!

We love and miss you daily!

Brothers

What a gift we have in brothers in sisters!  We always knew we wanted just one more baby and after a son and two daughters, I was ready to bring some blue back into our lives and play with trucks and cars for a change, and well we got Isaac, 100% boy.  The problem being that our boys would be almost 14 years apart and I had worries, would they love each other, would they bond, would they find common interests to share together like brothers should?  I have been so relieved that even with an age gap, they do love each other, they do play cars together, and even better Isaac just thinks Brandyn is the coolest thing, well right after Tow Mater, I am only half kidding here!  So the fun thing they do is go for drives, which I find so cool, I do not know why this is so great for both of them but I find it sweet.  Isaac will ask every morning "Brandyn can we go for a drive?' and his big brother pulls out the car seat and puts it into his truck and they drive, together.  They both come back refreshed and Isaac is usually grinning from ear to ear.  This last week it was Brandyn doing the asking Isaac and me being the overprotective mother that I am, I just had to know what they do so I asked.  Apparently not much, they talk, they listen to music, they look for animals, and look at the mountains, in other words they are bonding just like brothers should!

So here are some pictures of our boys to celebrate this awesome friendship in the making!

Nap Time

Some early morning relaxing

A little reading

Some fun in the sun

I love these brothers and I am so glad that they love each other!