Christmas Stories...

We all had an amazing time at Christmas...Brayden's 1st Christmas, and our sweet nephew's 1st Christmas....and Peyton was such a sweetheart in the way he was so patient with the 2 newest members of our family!  Peyton numerous of times helped Brayden open presents....and show him how to play with his toys!!!

So, Christmas began before Christmas for us.....we visited with Jason's grandparents for a little while and they gave our boys such sweet gifts, and they were able to love on them....they are such amazing people, and from Canada, and have the neatest accent!!!  Then we headed over to Jason's parents house, in which his brother and his girlfriend were there as well as Jason's mom's dad....We had an awesome time of just hanging out and spending time together!!!  It was mass chaos in opening presents, and this year was odd with Christmas at their house because it was later in the evening, and Brayden was awfully fussy...but we made it through, and it was so much fun.....I am so blessed to have amazing inlaws that treat me like their own!!!!

Then on December 23rd we headed to TEXAS!!  Whew! What a trip.....let me tell you God really tested all of our patience and totally wanted us to rely COMPLETELY on HIM!!!!  I am so bad at usually getting my boys out of their carseats when they begin fussing immediately, and I will confess to this!  But I took a defensive driving course, and I will NEVER do this again unless for a few minutes or for a dyer emergency!!  So, that said....Brayden sat in his carseat for 13 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I AM SO PROUD of him, and Peyton!!!!  For 8 out of the 13 hours, we went through a DOWNPOUR!!! We found out that we were in Tornado and Thunderstorm warnings once we were in Arkansas, it was TERRIBLE and lots of Prayers were going up....from our truck and from family all over the US!!!  But PRAISE THE LORD!!!! We made it to Van Alstyne, TX safely!!!!

Christmas Eve was very odd this year......in 2009 I lost 2 amazing aunts :0( and in 2008 I lost my beautiful Nanie (my grandmother) tragically....and last year we weren't in TX to celebrate Christmas Eve & Day it was our round to be in TN.....so it was just so different this year....but we made the most of it, and we made our new memories this year!  I wish more family could of came, but Texas was getting snow for the 1st time since 1983 for Christmas Eve and Day!!!!  So it was just our immediately family that was there......and it very special, just sad...because Christmas Eve, before I was even born was with my Nanie and my dad's side of the family.....I teared up a lot that night.....but WOW in 2009 we also gained 2 awesome little boys in our family.....;0)  We decorated Christmas cookies....and Peyton had a great time doing that, he CAKED on his icing....he said Santa needed it that way!!!  and Jason would keep eating his cookies he decorated HAHA fun times!

Christmas Day came, and it was a very nice and quiet day as well, all 4 of the Hall siblings were home and spouses, except Doug, he has been serving in Afghanistan....it was fun to have 3 young boys there to watch them open their presents and get spoiled :0)......during the reading of the Christmas story....Brayden started hitting on a present and it kept "singing" to him (it was his of course) and he would start hitting it HARDER and finally it broke open, it was HILARIOUS because this was through the entire Christmas story....it was fun ;0)!  It was a very nice day......

Jason and I were able to stay the night away one night for our 8th wedding Anniversary, which was on December 1st, but we wanted my parents to keep the boys and let them enjoy time alone with them....I was so nervous about this because Brayden is VERY spoiled by me putting him down!!!  and I was so thankful to hear that my dad, yes my DAD was able to put him down within 10 minutes! I was so proud of him :0) ha!
It was nice...Jason and I went shopping at the Stonebriar Mall (it's a huge mall...I love it!) and we ate at the Cheesecake Factory....then stayed at the Dallas Marriott Legacy Center Hotel...it was so nice to just have OUR time together...I love my boys dearly, but it's so important for couples to do this too.....

Also, during our visit, we were able to go to my grandparents house in Bowie, TX!!! They still had lots of snow....in drifts it was up to 12 inches!!!  and we had lunch with them, and my aunt and uncle and of course my sister and parents as well....it has been long-overdue for us to visit them, and actually eat at my grandmother's dining room table....I loved it!!! and the homemade food, especially the BREAD lol!!!!  Then my granddad took the boys and Jason and I and my dad out to his farm, and Peyton got to ride his huge John Deere Tractor...it was lots of fun!!!!  the younger boys slept in the car though lol!!!

We came home on the following Wednesday, it was sad to leave, but nice to get back to our house and take down Christmas Decorations and get our house back to "normal".....:0)

I will post pictures soon I hope......

What an amazing 2009 Christmas this has been!!!

Way behind...3 months to be exact lol!

O WOW!

I'm so behind and I'm very very behind....

But, hey, let me catch you up a little on what's going on with the Sharpe's and their amazing 2 boys ;0)!!!

Well, Peyton, is doing AWESOME in school!!!! We were SO concerned about him starting school as a very very young 5 year old, his birthday is at the end of June....but, he has far exceeded everything!!! He is excelling in everything he is doing...he has his "days" where he's not doing so hot, but HEY don't we all have those "days".....he is counting and writing to 100....and reading, and, cutting so great (even his hair!!! YES his hair! UGH) but when he started school he didn't do great on this topic, but once again, God is good and is helping him in every area of his development....We have prayed for Peyton every single day since the day we knew we were pregnant with him, and God continues to show up and do wonders in his life!!

In October, we were told that Peyton needed tubes in both his ears, and Adenoids removed....so, we did....and we prayed about this situation, and how he'd recover and if there would be any sort of change, once again God showed up, he had a lot of fluid behind his ear, and the Doctor cleared that out as he was putting tubes in his ears....and mind you before the tubes, this is how we found out he needed them, was that at school, he failed his hearing test in his ear, and failed it twice!!! But 2 weeks ago he PASSED with flying colors! He is doing so great with eye-hand coordination!!! He was tossing balls up in the air and catching them without thinking, AND he couldn't do this before, not consecutively....and catching balls that were being thrown to him, is a complete change as well!!! GOD IS SO GOOD! Just watch out baseball season this year ;0)!!!

Lets see....I'm sure there is more on Peyton, but I'm going to Blog better this next year I PROMISE!!!

Now to little Brayden, our youngest, my goodness, I don't think I'll catch everything he's doing, so I'll try in list form lol!

-Since I wrote well maybe he did before I wrote last, but he started sitting up on his own at about 5 1/2 months....

-He then managed to learn to roll ALL over the floors and would be all over the house with this method of getting around....UNTIL the first weekend in November, at 8 months old he was crawling FULL TIME, and now he's ALLL over our house, and is climbing now too....and he'll climb and walk himself down whatever he's standing up holding onto, such as the couch, he'll walk from one couch to the other holding onto it!!!! He's standing up on his own, here and there as well!

-He is saying, Dada, Papa, Bubba, Bye bye, and waves w/it ;0), and here lately he'll go MMMMMMMMMMMMM like he's trying to say momma he'll get it SOON

-He loves LOVES his big Bubba, and Peyton loves him, it's such a strong love that I'm tearing up right now as I write this! He squeals when Peyton enters the room, or attacks him if he's on the floor with him...I love it! and Peyton is equally in love with him!!!

-Brayden is so interested in this little table Peyton still eats at as well, and wants everything to do w/Peyton as he's eating at it, Peyton doesn't want him around so much when that happens LOL

-there is SOOo much more, I will definitely keep up better going forward, I PROMISE!

One story though, is that this past week we were watching a friend's child, and Peyton and her were playing with a video game, and Brayden climbed right on top of them trying to get to it as well LOL well, I decided to get bar stools out so that he wouldn't bother them, and they sat on them as he was trying to mess w/them....and then they brought out monster trucks to play with...once again you know who got into their space, so they ran to Peyton's room and shut the door, well here goes Brayden towards Peyton's room....it was HILARIOUS!!! and we had to keep catching him so he wouldn't bother them....OH THE JOY of sibling rivalry ALREADY lolol!!!

Well, below are the boys Christmas/Winter Pictures that my dear friend Athena Davis did for us!!! Enjoy ;0)

And Yes I'll keep up more, and add more fun pictures maybe to go with the above stories LOL!

Click here to view photos

Life Has Changed the Past Few Weeks.....

Peyton's 1st Day of Kindergarten!!

As of August 19, 2009, Jason and I were no longer parents of just 2 little boys, we became the parents of a boy in SCHOOL, and a baby.....we no longer just got up and rolled out of bed....and I went to work, and Jason got the boys ready and took them to his mom's, letting them both sleep in! Nope! Now it's me waking up at 6.30 and then "starting the process" of getting Peyton out of bed.....which we have to start way in advance because he isn't a morning person :0)!!

But, Peyton loves Kindergarten!!! I was trying to be the "good mommy" and pack him a cute little lunch and with a note in it!!! And I find out he hardly ate it, but he immediately told us he wanted to get a tray!!! And since then he has eaten in the cafeteria and hasn't wanted me to bring his lunch LOLOLOL! Kindergarten is so much different than when we were in Kindergarten!!! Now they are doing things that 2nd Graders did when I was little! Reading. Writing Sentences. a BUNCH of paperwork!!! It's just unreal!!! And Peyton just turned 5 and I sometimes wonder if we did the right thing by putting him straight in Kindergarten, but we all have a peace that he's in the right place and where he needs to be!!! God is in Control.....and He is with him when we cannot be.....and He is helping him when we can't comfort him....Peyton is God's Child, that God has blessed us with to raise.......so thankful He did!!!

Now Brayden, whoa! So much is changing in his life!!! He is rolling ALL over the place! If Peyton is in the room he rolls to where Peyton is. If we put a blanket down to help him not spit up on the rug, he rolls off of it....But it's the neatest thing to see him especially try to go where Peyton is! He is sitting up so well now too, not completely, but pretty steady!! He is saying a sound that sounds like "MMMMM" and I've been working with him to say MOMMA LOL! ;0) Sorry Jason!

So, life is just crazy, it's been an adjustment....but awesome for us, and we're so blessed once again of our 2 amazing boys!

Some Photos of Brayden.....and of him chewing on his highchair too :0)

Boys Boys Boys!

That's right being a mom of 2 boys has completely changed my life since February 27th! It's been nothing but an awesome adventure and challenge (not necessarily about the gender...I'm sure it'd be the same if I had a girl ;0)!) Just being a mom of 2 has been an ADVENTURE!! No one told me or gave me hints on how to balance 2 children, it's just been a learning experience since day one! And I have loved every minute of it, even the most STRESSFUL times, like Peyton doing one thing while Brayden is fussing....but the peaceful and loving times out weigh those horrible times by far!!

Some highlights are of Peyton just loving on Brayden or when Brayden hears Peyton's voice he immediately starts looking for him wherever he is at! The love that both of my boys have for each other brings tears to my eyes! I am so very proud of BOTH of them and how completely Blessed we are to have 2 very healthy little men!

My first born, Peyton....my little sweetheart! just turned 5 and is about to start Kindergarten, and today at lunch I was talking about this with my co-workers and it is so exciting and so sad at the same time, it just seems like yesterday he was coming home from the hospital and Jason and I had no clue on what to do with a brand new baby!!! Kindergarten and the morning routine of school is going to be all new to our family.....Some of the huge things he's doing now are: he's counting to 100, he's learning how to read little words, he is amazing on the computer, the child even knows how to print things!!!! Some adults can't do that LOL!!! I don't like him playing for long periods of times, but he is amazing with video games, no matter if it's the Wii, Xbox 360, or PS3, he is awesome at it, or even his own little PSP, he just recently got new games on the PSP and he picks it up and plays them like he's been playing for many many years!!! And Spiritually he is growing so much!!! How he talks about the stories in his Bible that we read him, and how he soaks it in, and then asks us questions later on....he is one little sponge that is taking it ALL in, and that's why I want to protect him so much from going to school....but it's part of life, and that's why God is there for us, and praying is a way for us to ask God to protect and to cover him from the enemy! I didn't know I'd go on and on about Peyton, but my heart is aching for him and what God is doing in his life....I pray that I am being a good mommy to him, and that God will give me wisdom to continue to be a good mommy.....

Now Brayden....my almost 5 month old (on the 27th!) What a little ball of Sunshine! Literally! He's 18 pounds now and 26 inches, in the 90th percentile guys! My boys come out small but end up big as an infant lol! Brayden is learning to move so much on the floor, he hates tummy time which I worry about at times and how I don't want him to have a flat head, so we move him on his tummy so that he will have equal time on both back and tummy.....He is holding on and enjoying his little toys and rattles that go in his hands! He is laughing and cooing and smiling so very much, I LOVE IT!!! He just recently got a jumperoo where he is learning to jump and move around in it, and he is doing such a good job with it!! (Thanks Crista for letting us borrow it!!!) He is learning how to enjoy cereal now at night and I just introduced him to applesauce, which he DEVOURED lol, my child likes to eat!!! LOL!! In church he is doing so much better, which he never did bad just sometimes he didn't want to fall asleep in church so he'd cry out, but now he TALKS out, and I have to leave the sanctuary, but I'm not ready for him to be in the nursery yet :0) he'll only be a baby once!!! and in classes at church for years to come!!! AND he is sleeping so well at night....he goes to sleep about 8.30 or 9 and sleeps through until about 7 or 8 the next morning! KNOCK ON WOOD!! but I'm thankful for it right now!!!

I am so in love with my 2 little men, and of course my amazing husband, but I just needed to update on how our 2 little guys are doing, and how very blessed we are to have them as our children, and to call them ours, our Gifts that God has given us to raise, and I pray DAILY that God will lead and direct us to raise our boys up to be Godly men......

This scripture is so true for both our children:

1 Samuel 1:27

I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him.

to my Peyton Isaiah Sharpe....

Newborn

One year old!

15 Months

18 Months with Uncle Shane (Shane's favorite sport!)

2 Years Old!

3 Years Old
4 Years Old

and now ;0)

Peyton,
I cannot believe that we are 2 days away from your 5th Birthday! Just seems like yesterday you were born! I was scared to death to be a mommy for the first time and to be so far away from my family that lived in Texas.....The first moment I held you in my arms my love for you just overcame me like a huge wave, it was so overwhelming and so strong!!! You had the prettiest jet black hair and you were the tiniest little thing at just 6 pounds 5 ounces and 20 inches long!!! Our journey began that day on June 21, 2004 at 6.15 p.m. of being parents!! You have DEFINITELY paved the way for little Brayden ;0)!!! You were such a sweet baby, (still are sweet ;0)!) you got so chubby so quickly, you came out tiny but grew instantly LOL ;0) You didn't start out crawling, but would roll everywhere, you started that like at 7 months and did it until you were 12 months then you crawled for a like a month and then began walking!! You were so adventurous!! I used to try to put hair things in your hair, and daddy hated it, so he immediately taught you about sports and how to play video games (how ironic that your birthday party tomorrow is a Wii birthday)!!

But Peyton, God has definitely blessed us with your life!! You have taught us so much about ourselves through your life, God has used you at such a young age, to teach us things!! You are God's Child that He is ALLOWING us to raise up...and what an honor it is to be your mommy!!! I love you my sweet Peyton! Happy 5th Birthday!!! I hope you enjoy it!!! You deserve the best!

In Daddy's Chair in his office...

1st Sunday outfit March 22, 2009

All Smiles

Our Wonderful Boys!!!

Peyton loves to quiet Brayden LOL

MORE Smiles!!!

Whoa, I'm behind on blogging, above are the latest pictures of our new life!!! Brayden Josiah is now TWO months old as of yesterday!!! Happy Birthday baby boy!! He is doing great! He wakes up about twice a night and is now sleeping in his crib....(as of last week)! He is really cooing and smiling a lot lately too, I love it!!! And I love just to talk to him!! Unfortunately, I had to return back to work last Monday, it was really tough, but God has helped us, especially me through it...last week went by really fast actually. I'm just exhausted when I get home, and I have no clue how I'm going to keep my house "perfect"....it's tough...I need to figure out a routine, or something! I just want to love on my boys when I get home, NOT clean the house!!! Brayden's eyes are still a light blue, they haven't changed much, I did notice they looked a little green yesterday, (Jason has green eyes) so I don't know what color he'll have....he still has a lot of hair :0) Peyton looked a lot like Brayden did at this age, it's crazy seeing pictures of both of them!! God has truly blessed us with 2 amazing little men!! We just daily need guidance from Him on how to raise them up to be Godly men....

Next are pictures of Peyton, he is playing teeball for the first time! And doing a great job! Jason is his coach...it's hilarious watching them! First time Peyton went up to bat he made a HOMERUN!!! YAY!!! :0)

February 27th Changed our Lives!!

On Februrary 27, 2009, at 1:11 p.m. our lives as just the 3 Sharpe's changed instantly! What an amazing day!

At 5 a.m. we checked into Women's East Pavilion in Chattanooga into Room 8813! It was so early, but that was the time the Doctor wanted us there for my Induction....At 8 a.m. the Doctor came in and say hey and see how I was doing then she broke my Water!!! The pitocin drip started at 6.45 a.m.....By 11 a.m. I was having very strong contractions....and I knew then it was time for the EPIDURAL!! i was able to rest for a two short hours, because at 12.50 I knew it was time to have Brayden! The doctor arrived about that time, and within 5 minutes of her arriving I was ready to push, and within 15 minutes of pushing (NO LIE) I had Brayden Josiah Sharpe, he was 7 lbs 5 oz and was 20.75 inches long and had a head FULL of hair, mostly in the back but still a lot! That was the quickest morning I had every experienced.....it went by so fast....the following day I went home too!

Since that day, so much has happened in our lives....and I have been beyond overwhelmed....but GOD has been there for me and has helped me through it because no one has been there to....First of all, on the Sunday after Brayden was born our church had it's Church Dedication because we have an amazing new church to worship in!! And they had a revival through Sunday, that meant Jason was not around pretty much from Saturday through Wednesday....after coming home Wednesday night he went straight to bed...he felt AWFUL, and couldn't move, we find out Friday Jason had the FLU!!!!!!!!!!! But from Wednesday until Friday we couldn't keep Peyton out of his room and face, so Peyton went to Jason's parents on Friday night, and early Sunday morning, Peyton comes down with the FLU!!! I was so emotional! I couldn't be there to help Jason get better (we left him in his room) nor could I be there for Peyton, because we did not want Brayden to get it, or he would of had to go to the hospital....it was just tough, BEYOND tough!!!! But, God has healed my two guys!!!! PRAISE THE LORD!! And they are feeling so much better!!!

Another thing that has been overwhelming is just keeping the house clean, because the first 2 weeks you're not suppose to do anything strenuous like major house cleaning....so it was tough seeing my house getting dirtier and dirtier and knowing there are flu germs everywhere.....so I used the Lysol Wipes and Lysol spray and did the best I could!! :0) Anyhow....I'm just venting....:0)

But! Today I went to Target for the first time with both boys and I survived!!! Yay!! I know this is silly to most people but I'm such a worry wart! And I didn't know what Peyton would do, if he'd run away from me in the store or what....it went well, although Peyton did throw a fit because we didn't stay at the games longer so he could play....but overall it went great!

I am posting a link from Facebook of the photos that I had posted there...:0) enjoy them!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=68434&id=501868302&l=1c04a419bf