Fall is in the air

I love this time of year-the colors, the fresh air, the beauty.


I looked outside and saw that our vine is turning this beautiful shade of red and just had to get a picture.

Time Flies

I was remembering Miguel as this beautiful little baby and then I realized that he is almost 3 years old. It feels like we were just taking this baby picture and now he is running, talking and doing most everything on his own. It will be hard to see the change take place in him as we bring another baby home. I remember with Traeton, it was like overnight he just became this big boy. I have struggled with the decision to have another child. For so many reasons, financial-emotional-physical, I have wondered when would be the right time for another addition to our family. I love my kids and I feel so blessed that Jeff and I have been able to see the world through their perfect eyes. The sacrifices that come with family and parenting are so worth the blessings! We really would not change a thing.

What a summer-

The start of our summer-Dinosaur Park

This dinosaur was especially exciting, because it moved and looked like the real thing.

Hogle Zoo

Off to School

Traeton's first day of Kindergarten


As you can see Traeton was not too excited to get his picture taken. He really just wanted to get going.






This is Traeton saying "Come on Mom-Let's go already!" I love my little character-I have no idea where he gets his dramatic flare. It couldn't be from me.

Traeton's first ride home on the big bus! Jeff and I were so proud of him and how confident he has been. As a mom, I have worried so much about him and if he is okay. All the questions play over in my head- Is he safe? Will the other kids be nice to him? Will he be nice to them? So far things have been great for him-- he really loves school. I cried for a while and still have moments when I just want my baby to come back home, but I am happy that he is doing so well.
It seemed like every picture had the sun right in his face-Oh well, he is still the most adorable 5 yr. old I know.

It's a girl!!!

So Friday morning Jeff and I went to get the ULTRASOUND. I was so nervous about it. It's not that I did not want a boy, but there is something about wanting a daughter, when all you have are boys. We tried to let the specialist know that we thought it would be a boy, based on the fact that Jeff only has brothers(4) and there are only grandsons(5) on his side of the family. As she asked for a drum-roll I felt myself trying to prepare for It's a boy-but she said It's a GIRL.

All I could say was REALLY? I was in disbelief. Jeff seemed quite surprised too. She showed us on the screen and we went over and over it because I think she could sense our hesitation in accepting that we might actually be having a girl. The specialist stated that the shot was pretty clear, her legs were straight out, nothing was blocking the area like if her legs had been crossed or her hands were down. Luckily our beautiful baby turned over by the end of the ulstrasound and we were able to get another shot from behind as to whether it was a boy or a girl. I am praying that the specialist made the right call. She told us that people would try to convince us that it would still be a boy, and she was right. Before the night was over we started hearing stories about people that thought they were having a boy and then it was a girl, and vice versa. I don't care-what a great surprise and story that will be if this beautiful child does turn out to be a boy. Atleast I get to dream for 4 1/2 more months.

Ride em' Cowboy

Just thought I would add a few more cute pictures of my boys-can you tell we love to be around the horses.

The Great Outdoors

We love Camping! Well, maybe the boys in my family love it just a bit more than I do. Jeff loves to be outdoors and of course Trae and Miguel can't get enough of it either.

I think I love the idea of being out in the woods. The reality is not always what I imagine the trip is going to be like. We always have a good time, but honestly, I don't like being hot, stinky, and surrounded by bugs. My sweet husband is trying, he really is.




Because Jeff had to get one of the biggest tents at the store, we no longer fit in any designated campgrounds, which doesn't bother him or my two little ones. Trae says we are "really" camping. But with "real" camping, comes the reality of no bathrooms, too. Jeff has worked out a plan for that, just like he always has some sort of plan. I have given up on the idea of a nice trailer, running water, a shower, toilet, bed. Jeff reminds me that we have most of those things right now, just in tent form. I love him-I do. Enough of my complaining-it is fun being out there, away from everyone else. Just me and my boys-





























We had to have pizza the first night. Thanks Grandma Contreras for that tradition!!

Giddy up-

I love my little cowboys!! Looking back on things, I can recall wishing that I could ride horses when I was little and I am so grateful that my boys are able to share that love for horses. Fortunately for them, Jeff also loves horses. His parents have four horses right now-with one that Jeff is breaking. Some of the time I am scared to death, but there are moments when I am riding when I just feel free. When the horse and I connect and the fear is gone. It is a beautiful thing.

I'm 26!!

How crazy that I am 26 years old. I still feel like I am 18 and then I look around and I see my husband and my kids and I am overwhelmed by the beauty of my life. Jeff and I are coming up on 7 years of marriage and I really can't say enough great things about my husband. Though he causes a lot of my stress, he really has been so wonderful. As much as I complain about things, there are days when reality just hits me and I have to thank the Lord for all the blessings that I enjoy. Life is good! My birthday was back in April, but I am playing catch-up

Our beautiful family

This is our latest picture-
Traeton is 4 and Miguel is 1


This was taken about a year ago, I am terrible with getting current family pictures. It seems like there are always a million things to do. We are also expecting our third child in February-we are all hoping for a girl this time around. But a boy would just fit right in so either way we will be okay. I am scheduled for an ultrasound in just 2 days-I can't wait!!

Here we go...

So I thought I would jump on the band wagon. My sisters blogs are great and I seem to be hooked on this bloggin business, but I will admit I have no idea what I am doing. Hopefully I will be able to pick it up as I go. Wish me luck-