CANCER...

This is one word that I can honestly say that I hate. It has touched my life so much that I have always sort of assumed that someday it would touch someone even closer. I have prepared myself that it may someday touch a parent, sister, or myself. Yet, I don't think that anything can prepare anyone for the moment that they hear that their mom or dad has cancer. Two of our dear friends are dealing with this battle right now and my heart breaks for them. One has asked for anonymous prayer at this time, but the other requests lots of prayer and so I will gladly add them to our blog so that our fellow friends and family can add them to their chains.

Please pray for our great friend, Paul Mortenson. He is the dad to our friend, John Mortenson. Last weekend we had a wonderful visit with all of the Mortenson's; including Genie, Heather, and Keith too. We love this family so much and ask that God provides healing for Paul's body and for his family member's hearts. Once again we are reminded that no one is without trials in this journey called life. I always try to remember that the word Cancer has the word CAN. God can and will provide healing with prayer. John, Heather, Genie, Laura, Nathan, Keith, and Taylor; we are praying a whole lot of love and healing your way.

For my other friend that needs to remain quiet right now, please know that God hears every word that you speak and that I am here for you too. I can't begin to put into words how you must feel right now. Please blogger friends and family add our friends to your prayers.

Bronson at 13 months: January 2009

Bronson is now 13 months old. He spent his little day in the doctor's office trying to figure out what is wrong with him. I never hesitate to take him to the doctor's if he is not feeling well. I was just sure that he had an ear infection, but to our dismay he has his first real live COLD. Yes, I think I have complained about him having the sniffles before, but this is a big one. It sucks!!! I haven't been this sleep deprived since he was born. My whole body aches for sleep. I am going to be taking my MIL up on her offer to hold him Saturday night so that I can sleep. She loves him so much and I don't doubt that he will be getting some rest in her arms, while I get some rest in a big comfy bed.

Well, I am no longer sending out emails with Bronson's stats, so I will now be giving his monthly stats on this blog. I have to admit this month has seen some great strides in development and it seems that he is becoming such a big boy all of the sudden. With his big boy personality has come some major tantrums. His always easy going personality is going out the window, he is getting quite demanding and at times a little naughty. Yes, a baby can be naughty especially when he wants something that he can't have. Hence, example #1 and #2 on my kitchen counter: two broken candlesticks courtesy of Bronson William Deets and yes, I did use his full name when he broke the second one. I wasn't mad at him, but I really wish he would leave stuff alone. My house looks so bare because I had to totally babyproof aka toddler proof.

Here are his updates:

• Weighs 19 pounds, 6 ounces



• Height 27 3/4 inches long



• New favorite word MAMA (I love it)



• Favorite food: crackers



• Learned how to crawl and walk all in the same day



• Cruises by holding wall with one hand and then letting go to get to bigger and better things



• Is obsessed with electronics and knows how to use the remote



• Now requires us to pull him on blanket to put him to sleep



• Favorite Person: Daddy

I hope that you enjoy the video, pardon the background noise. We were watching a movie that I would not recommend, the language was horrible!!!!

No Longer Miss Independent

Recently a great friend of mine, Jamie Davis-Woodard came down for a visit. I was SO happy to see her. We don't get to see each other that often, but when we do it seems like not a day has passed since our last visit. She was the only one of my friends in my wedding. We didn't want anyone to feel left out and it made it easier to have her instead of choosing between my high school friends. I can still remember the day that we met in college. She just turned towards me in one of our many health classes and said, "Hi, my name is Jamie...you look like a cool person, do you wanna hang out?" That is just the type of person she is. She is probably one of my most analytical and wild friends that I have and I just love her.

Anyways, during her visit we were having a long talk about that changes in her life since marriage and the changes in my life since Bronson. She made a strong statement that has got me thinking a lot. She said that it seems that ever since Kyle and I had Bronson we seem more like a couple than two individuals. She said that she had always admired our ability to live two individual lives, but felt that Bronson had been just what we needed to make our relationship more of as one rather than two ones running around.

I happen to agree with her completely. When people ask if your relationship changes after kids, I would say definitely. How can it not? For Kyle and I it has made a life change in our relationship. I didn't think that we could ever be closer, but we have become so much closer since the birth of our boys. I realize now that before I had Bronson I did mostly my own thing and same with Kyle. We still loved each other, but we spent most of the time doing stuff individually. We now feel more like a family should feel like. I feel that those first four years were necessary for us to grow as individuals, yet I am so happy for this chapter in my life. I am also happy that we have a strong foundation to carry our marriage through all chapters of life. Having children has truly made the spark come back in our relationship and watching Kyle with Bronson makes me fall in love with him over and over again on a daily basis.

Thanks Jamie for pointing out this change in my life. I am so happy that you are beginning your new chapter of marriage in your life.

A Quick Change

I changed the look of my blog to make it easier to read. I hope that you enjoy. It was getting harder to read, so I thought this might help.

Goodbye Little Sister

Hair done by Nanny Ashee
Wardrobe by Auntie

Ash and GI JOE

Bronson playing with his toy from Auntie SHE SHE (Yes, she has lots of nicknames)

I will never forget these past two months. I didn't know at times if I could get through it, but we did and I am so glad that we had the opportunity to have my sister, Ashley live with us for awhile. We have been able to really sit down and talk. Bronson has gotten to have lots of special cuddle time in the wee hours of the morning and I have been able to build a closer bond with my little sister.

There was a time in our lives that Ash and I weren't very close, but in the past couple of years we have gotten really close. I am sure going to miss her during this new journey in her life. I am already going to be counting down the days until May. I know that she won't be gone forever, but it is going to be hard to have her several states away. Good luck Nanny Ash!!! Bronson is already pointing his chubby little finger towards your room wondering where you went. We will be praying that all your dreams come true. We love you!!!!

Feeling better...

In the past couple of weeks I had been having a hard time with feeling super lonely. I think that part of this is because I had been feeling like I never had any time to work on my friendships. I felt that I was always having to cancel or change plans because of family obligations or for fear that Bronson might get sick from my friends' kids. Things have been slowly getting better. Kyle and I are getting less scared that our son is going to constantly catch something and I have been making more time for myself. (Without feeling guilty)

Tonight was wonderful!!! I left Bronson with Matt for a little bit until Kyle came to hang out with him, while Alex and I went out to a very yummy dinner. It was so nice to be able to catch up. It is also nice to be reminded that I do have great friends that live in Dallas. I am thankful that I am beginning to feel like myself again. I promise for all of you that read this that I have been flaky to in the past year, I am slowly starting to feel better and will be more available this year. I feel that making this effort is going to start changing things for me.

The best thing about being pregnant...

is not having to worry about child care. NOOOOO, I am not pregnant. I have just been having this thought lately that I am so tired of always worrying about where Bronson is going to be while I am at work. I had been contemplating going back to work full-time, but the thought of him in child care makes me go crazy. Our new solution is that I am continuing to work part-time until June and then we will make a more permanent decision. As for now, God answered our prayers and our dear friend, Amy Bertolini is going to be watching Mr. Boo on Wednesday for us. I just love having great friends that love my son so much!!!