Monster Jam 2012

Last night, Brad, Tate, and some friends went to their third Monster Jam (Monster Truck Show). Tate had been looking forward to last night for the past 364 days - since he came home from seeing the one last year.  He  probably has over 80 trucks and watches Monster Jam on TV, builds ramps, or plays with them outside every single day.  Literally.  He knows all the truck names and who drives which truck.  He is completely obsessed and has now gotten Knox on the bandwagon as well.

The boys didn't get home until after 11pm and Tate was so amped up on adrenaline, he wanted to tell me all about the show.  He was especially excited that they went to the "Pit Party" before it started, so he got some autographs and pictures with some of his favorite drivers.  He couldn't have been happier.  

 With buddies, Kade and Carson

 Tate's Idol... Tom Meents

 Autograph!

My Big Boys

Love to y'all,

Tracy

MVP

Tate had his final basketball game of the season this morning. His little team tried so hard, but ended the season a whopping 1 and 7. They scored a total of about 24 points all season long.

I am so proud of Tate for how much he learned throughout this season. He really understands the game so much better now and he's playing a million times better than he did at the start of the season. One of my most favorite things about him is his heart - he tries so hard every time he's on the court and there's nothing more than I can ask for than that.

Today Tate got moved to point guard for the first time and he was great! He scored the team's only 4 points (his first baskets of the season). He was THRILLED!!! What a fantastic end to a fun season... despite our win-loss record.

Is it me, or do those kids on the other team look like second graders?!

Those were Tate's two points! 

Our Little MVP

Nothing like a little post-game love from your sister!

Love to y'all,

Tracy

My Loves

I remember when the days leading up to Valentine's Day were full of anticipation... What will Brad get me? What is the perfect thing for me to get him? Where will we go? The questions went on and on until February 14th finally rolled around. We'd go out for a nice dinner, exchange presents, and relax together... maybe at a movie, maybe at home on the couch. Just me and Brad being together.

Fast forward a couple years and here's what Valentine's Day looks like in 2012:

Brad texts and says he's running a little late and will leave work soon. Decide to make some fancy BLTs with Spicy Buffalo Sauce for dinner (that was supposed to be sarcastic). Make the bacon in the oven using a recipe found on Pinterest (don't you just love that?). Fold some laundry. Cook Tate a grilled cheese with one hand while holding Brady in the other. Check the bacon when the timer goes off - looks perfect. Turn oven off but leave bacon in it until I'm ready for them. Nuke some meatballs for Knox (not a big grilled cheese fan). Call the boys for supper. Brad calls (it's now an hour after he left) and says he's still 30 minutes from home because of a huge traffic jam on the Tollway. UGH. Put Brady in her swing (which she's not happy about). Make buffalo sauce. YUM. Cut up red onion, tomato, and lettuce. Decide to go ahead and eat without Brad. Realize bacon is still in oven. Take it out. It's black. YUM. Cook a new batch in the microwave. Make BLT. Take a few bites while standing at the kitchen counter. Boys finish eating and are still hungry. Make Knox some chicken strips. Heat up Tate's quesadilla leftover from lunch. Take a few more bites. Brad walks in the door. Cook another batch of bacon in the microwave. Make Brad's BLT. Finish my sandwich - yes, still standing at the counter.

My Fine Dining Establishment

Gourmet Dinner

Remains of a Grilled Cheese

Mmmmmm....

Fast forward a little bit... Brad gets Brady in the tub. I give the boys their baths. Tate gets out and gets jammies on. Knox refuses to get out and keeps splashing water all over the bathroom floor. Put away laundry. Pull plug on Knox's tub. Notice a something floating in water. Ask him if he pooped in the tub. He blames it on Tate. Good try. Dry Knox off. Put on his diaper and jammies. Clean tub and toys in tub. Read books. Kisses. Prayers. Good nights.

Valentine's Day sure has changed. But one thing hasn't. I feel more love on this Valentine's Day than I have in my entire life. I'm a pretty blessed mama. And I'm so very thankful for all the loves in my life.

The macaroni to my cheese.

The milk to my cookies.

The ketchup to my fries.

The peanut butter to my jelly.

Love to y'all,

Tracy

Lazy Days

We had one of those weekends where we just laid low and hung around the house. Tate had a basketball game (in which they got creamed: 24 to 1) early yesterday morning and we had some friends over for dinner last night, but it was still a really quiet few days... well not exactly "quiet," but you get my drift.

Today, Tate finally got dressed around 5:45pm (no clue why he even bothered). Knox has been in a diaper since he dumped a glass of water on himself at lunch. And Brady is in her second set of jammies since she peed through the first one.

As uneventful as it was, I sat at dinner tonight thinking, I'm one lucky lady to share my weekends with the four other people that were in my kitchen at that moment.

My sweet babies hanging out in Brady's crib... please forgive Tate's blue mouth (Sonic slushes do that to ya)

Love to y'all,

Tracy

Help Wanted

Every year around this time, our family starts to gear up for our annual participation in the March For Babies benefiting the March of Dimes.  We've been a part of this since 2009, less than one year after Nash passed away.  We raise money as a team and the proceeds go to this amazing organization that specializes in making sure babies are born healthy.  Many people know that March of Dimes does huge things to prevent prematurity in infants, but they also are responsible for funding research in order to lower infant mortality rates.  Nash was born full term, and yet his little heart wasn't working how it was supposed to.  I often wonder if there had been screenings or tests available for him, could we have seen the problems before it was too late?  

Raising money for March of Dimes gives me the feeling that I'm doing something in the face of the tragedy that our family lives with everyday.  By raising money, maybe we can save other babies' lives.  When Nash first died, people often asked us what they could do to help.  Back then, I wasn't really sure what I needed... but now I know how to respond.  By donating, people are remembering our little boy and helping other babies at the same time. 

Last year, our team finished in third place out of 400 Dallas family teams, and raised $10,590!  I am still blown away by this!  I am hoping to get to that total again this year, but I know that it's going to be a tough thing to achieve.  So please, if you would like to help our family reach our goal, please click the link below and donate.  I cannot thank you enough for you generosity.  

 Pics from March For Babies 2011

Click here to donate.

Love to y'all,

Tracy

Knox is TWO!

Knox is officially two as of today and he couldn't be more excited!  I think that with every birthday a parent watches their children have, we wish time would slow down a little bit.  I cannot believe two years ago, I was holding his little newborn self in my hospital bed, praising God for the miracle he sent to me.  Two years later, I still give thanks each and every day for that same miracle.  What a blessing this little boy is.

I love everything about Knox, but here are my top ten favorites as turns two:

10. The way he "dribbles" a basketball... envision the ball lying on the floor with him patting the top of it.

9. How he says "please" (or should I say, "peas") with EVERY request - which makes me wonder how's a mama supposed to ever say no?!

8. How he constantly wants to kiss Brady... and it's always has to be on her face.

7. The way he lies his head on my shoulder when I sing him his goodnight song.

6. His giggle... gets me every time.

5. His voice when he's saying, "Baby Nash."

4. His toes.

3. The way his eyes crinkle up when smiles.

2. That he COMPLETELY idolizes Tate.

1.Cuddling on the couch as we read books after a long day.

Lovin' him some Monster Trucks!

Big brothers are great for opening presents.

Best gift of the night from Grandma and Grandpa Smith.

My Little Sugars

I love you, Sweet Knox.  God Bless you today and always.

Love to y'all,

Tracy