Well Eric and I fell in love with this little bean

And then Eric, Brayden and I fell in love with this little bean

So, why not?

Brayden talks about it every day and makes up names: Quakelyn is the most recent. He's mentioned Brock so they can both have 'B' names, Jackson, Jessica, and seems to mention something about the baby every day. He definitely would prefer a boy but has mentioned just once that it'd be okay if it's a girl. :/ Whenever I'm feeling sick, which is 24-7 (give or take an hour), they have the most compassion I've ever seen my two children have. It's been really really sweet. They give me hugs and kisses and tell me to just think about my baby because then I will be happy. And Brady has assured me that I will be happier as a mother of 3 children. I will definitely be happier as a mother of 3 and not as a mother of 2 WHILE PREGNANT!!

Brayden and Madison love each other, adore each other, kiss each other. Yes, they also fight too but overall they have a sweet bond and are very close. I am so afraid one day this will end. I just hope and pray it doesn't.

I'm so thankful for these two. They are growing up so fast and I just pray God gives me what I need to teach them, love them and grow them up into mature individuals.

It's interesting how some days I feel like I know what I'm doing. Motherhood -- care for, love, teach, have fun with your children. Then there are other days like today that I scratch my head and think -- how am I supposed to do this? How am I suppose to speak REASON into my sons little brain? How am I suppose to teach my daughter that when I discipline her, she shouldn't laugh at me?

New challenges come every day but I'm so thankful that after 5 years, I expect them and know that I just have to rise to the next challenge because "I am the parent" and these little ones are smart but cannot outsmart me, yet!!

Well, most summers we travel far from home but this summer we decided to stick around, partially because we are working a lot at Fair Hills Estate but also because there are places we've never been around here and the kids are old enough to camp now. So we started the summer off with a 1 night overnight to El Capitan State park to try on camping in our new tent and the kids did great. We followed that with camping in Zion National Park which was absolutely beautiful. Then we headed to Palm Springs for some pool and waterslide fun in late May before it got too hot. In July we headed to Lake Tahoe to meet my parents to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. On regular days when daddy's at work, we stop by and say hi! This night (with Eric in uniform) we got invited to dinner. :) Then late July we headed to Hume Lake (paddle boarding) and Sequoia National Park for 5 more days of camping but this time in a travel trailer! :) Brayden also tried on soccer for the first time and really seemed to like it. We'll see if that keeps up. His latest fun is hours of riding a balance bike. Madison spends her time being sassy, silly and spunky...and sweet.

I couldn't be more thankful to have been given the gift of motherhood because of these two little ones God has given me to raise. Nothing has taught me more, stretched me more or filled my heart more EVER than being a MOM!!!! I love you Brayden and Maddie!!

(Both of my kids are starting to dress themselves! :/)

LOVE THIS WOMAN! So sad that we have to live 1,300 miles apart. Her wisdom, grace, laugh, humor and loyalty amaze me more and more each year. I LOVE YOU MOM!!!!

Today, I'm so thankful for these two blessings. They teach me patience, show me grace and reveal to me God's sweet plan for our family.

Praying these two little ones keep loving each other like they do. Besides the occasional passive aggressive hit, most of the time they say they want to marry each other.

So thankful that they have help bring me along my journey of grief back to living each day experiencing joy. They help me celebrate the little things in life.

Today I'm thankful for Brayden and Madison.