4th of July Fun

Every year our neighborhood has a 4th of July parade and it reminds me of something in a "Southern Living" Magazine. We decorate our wagon and bikes, get on our best 4th of July apparel, dress up the dogs, walk our one mile (usually sweaty) parade route with about 100 neighbors, then finish off the parade with lemonade, iceys, donuts, cookies, and Popsicles. My kids talk about it all year long.
This year was like many years previous in that Winston misbehaved the whole parade route and annoyed and barked at other dogs and then urinated on his 4th of July t-shirt. Woody of course made good choices. We also had our annual "pulled pork and baked bean" lunch with our inflatable bounce house in the back yard. This year was the best ever because we had lots of family in town. My sister Melissa and her husband Joel and my precious niece Harper came in from Washington DC. My Mom and Dad were also here and was actually my Dad's first time to meet Smith because when he flew up for the first weekend in June Smith had still not arrived. Jason's brother Travis and his wife Karie and my two nephews Jameson and Owen also came. Jackson and Mollie Jane were thrilled. Jameson and Jackson rode together in the parade together on their bikes and Mollie Jane and Owen rode together in the wagon. They all had a great time bouncing in the bounce house and playing Wii when we got back to the house. Jason's parents and some very special friends from Kansas City (my sister's Godparents) also made it up for lunch along with lots of neighbors and friends. We had a little rain but it still turned out to be a blast.

After our big lunch and party we headed out to our club and went swimming, jumped in more bounce houses, got our faces painted, chilled out with a very loud band, ate another fabulous meal and watched a great fireworks show. Mollie Jane was a little afraid of the fireworks but as long as she was on Daddy's lap she was okay. Jason's sister Jill and her husband David also came out to the club with us to enjoy the festivities. It was really a great day and night and I was sad when the day ended. How lucky to have all our family and friends around on such a fun day.

Smith's first big party

I feel blessed beyond words. My friends all know me so well and know I love get togethers, talking, sweets, and hanging out with friends. So several of them got together and gave Smith and I a fabulous Sip and See at this great little Art Gallery in downtown Springfield. My friends got their busy schedules cleared and went to much work to make sure everyone could meet our "Big Smith." I am so grateful to them and just looking at the pictures of all the yummy sweets makes me hungry and wish I could have another party this week. It was lovely and couldn't have been more fun. Smith got some fun gifts. It was great to get out of the house for a change and see friends and family. It has defintiely been a crazy year for our family with much going on and many "highs and lows." I was reminded again of all the love and prayers we have recieved this year and are continuing to recieve with the birth of our big man. I had such a fun night with my amazing friends.

Jason's Dad "Big" also came to the rescue and watched Jackson and Mollie Jane because Jason had to work last minute.

What A Great First Week And Now Welcome To The Real World!

We have had such a great first week and my Mom left early Thursday morning and therefore the real world has set in. She was like a regular taxi for the kids doing baseball, swim team, golf and the grocery store. It was such a nice two weeks off for me. She came in one week before Smith was born and really picked up the slack for me that week and our first week home. It was lovely. She left our house spotless, squeaky clean and no dirty laundry. After many sad tears for Mammy leaving, we are really doing well but still missing my Mom and sure wish she lived closer. Our first week consisted of lots of fun visitors, Smith's first bath, a trip to the doctor for our first checkup, and many yummy lunches, ice cream snacks and dinners on Mammy. We are just having fun hanging out at home and feel like we aren't accomplishing much during the day but are sure enjoying some great body rests. We are adjusting to less sleep but Smith is sure worth it. The kids are really loving him and every time Mollie Jane see me without Smith (like when he is in his crib or swing) she asks "did Smith go back in your tummy Mommy?" I just kindly tell her it does sort of look like that but he is here to stay.

My Mom's love language is serving. She loved pitching in and doing stuff for us and there is never a time when it is more appreciated than when you have a newborn. Smith sure misses Mammy giving him a bath and his "talk time" every night after his bath.

Coming Home from the Hospital

Baby Smith came home. I was a little sad to leave the hospital. The hospital stay is always my favorite part of having a new baby. I love it. It is heaven on earth. All the visitors, the around the clock care by fabulous nurses, unlimited food at the push of a button, hanging out in your jammies all day, Jackson coming up every day for his body rest with his favorite movie in our hospital room, calling the nurse to change the diapers, magazines and movies and just bonding with the baby and Jason. God blessed us with some fabulous nurses who were so kind and nurturing. We left the hospital about 6:30 pm and I could have stayed easily another week. Although, I would have really missed Jackson and Mollie Jane. We came home and my Mom cooked our favorite steak meal dinner. It was just Mom, Jason, Smith and I. It was actually so relaxing and quiet. Mollie Jane and Jackson were at our church VBS with a friend and got home later to celebrate with a "birth cake" for Baby Smith. Smith did great in the hospital and slept great even after all the poking and prodding and circumcising they did to him. I don't know that our house will be peaceful and quiet or there is great sleeping that is going to go on these next several weeks but now that we are home it feels great to start the adjustment to this fun family of five!

Baby Smith in his coming home outfit and lovely hospital pic. I never think these really look like my kids!

Jackson up at the hospital for his body rest with us.

Baby Smith in his "box" as Jackson calls it. We think babies in their boxes are about the cutest thing ever. My favorite sound at the hospital is the sound of the box rolling into your room from the nursery (even at 3am). It just doesn't get much sweeter. Jackson taped up a picture of himself and Mollie Jane for Baby Smith.

Smith Allen Brawner is Officially Here!

Smith Allen Brawner is officially here. He arrived at 12:11pm June 10. He weighed in at a whooping 9 lbs, 11 oz. He is our big boy with a full head of blond hair. I got induced after being 10 days late. It was a lovely delivery compared to Jackson and Mollie Jane in that I got a fully functioning epidural. My doctor whom I love was able to do the delivery. Smith sure took his time getting here but once he decided to come he was sure in a rush to come into the world. I was dilated to a 7 and the nurse turned me on my side and within about literally 5 minutes his head was crowning and before we knew it the nurse was holding his head in waiting for my doctor to make it. It was close but my doctor came in completely out of breath running from her office and within about 3 minutes of her arrival Smith Allen Brawner made his entrance into the world. He is officially in a size 1 diaper. The newborn diapers show his “coin slot” and he has pooped out of them twice in the nursery. We had to stretch out his Hospital T-shirt as it also does not fit and looks more like a football undershirt. His brother and sister came up to meet him tonight and were thrilled. Mollie Jane got a “Dora” car from Baby Smith and Jackson got a “Snoopy Snow Cone Machine” from Baby Smith. They gave Smith some “woobies.” We had a couple of visitors and had a little pizza party up in the hospital for dinner with everyone to celebrate his arrival. We sure appreciate everyone’s prayers and are thrilled for you to hear all about our big man and hope you get to meet him soon. As Jackson said tonight “He is such a special person in our family now.” Thank you God for blessing us with Baby Smith for he is truly “fearfully and wonderfully made” by a creator who has such amazing plans for this big man. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for him.

The new "buzz cuts" at the Brawner house

Jason our chaplain canidate

My Dad a 29 year retired colonel

The Brawner boys got buzz cuts. I can't say that I love them but they are growing on me and am afraid I will have to learn to love "the buzz cut" because Jason will have one for at least the next 20 years. I feel like most people know that Jason joined the Army National Guard this March and is currently a chaplain canidate. Therefore, he has a buzz cut. Jackson who was hesistant at first hesitant about Daddy becoming a soldier is now so excited and wants to get buzz cuts with his Dad. It will take Jason about 3-5 years of graduate school (going part time)until he will become a full chaplain. It is going to call for weeks and weeks away from our family the next three years with officer training school, one weekend a month in Jefferson City, two weeks every summer and then the very good possibility after the graduate school craziness is over that he will be deployed. We are all so proud of Jason making this big commitment. It was not an easy decision for either of us but we both felt strongly that the Lord had his hand in this. God really began to tug at Jason's heart to do this. Many of you know my Dad is a retired Colonel in the Army so in many ways this sort of lifestyle is not new to me. My Dad was in the army for 29 years and gave up many weeks and weekends to serve in the army. I am so proud of my Dad for so many of his accomplishmenst but one of the things I am most proud of is his service to our country. I know Jason has also. I think my Dad's example of service was one of the many things that inspired Jason. So if Jason get deployed for a year I may be swearing at my Dad (HAHAHA). I had to talk to our neighbors about Jason's new army venture because one neighbor saw him and thought he was going to a costume party. They already think we are nuts cauz we lead crazy lives but when they saw him multiple times in his uniform they began to wonder. So it is all straightened out now and the kids are excited because they love Daddy in his uniform. Also in typical Brawner style, when Daddy is gone once a month for drill weekend, they get to have a sleep over with Mommy and have donuts. WOOHOO! I am not sure how I will work it out when Daddy goes away for weeks at a time because Mommy can't eat donuts every night then or I will never loose this baby weight!
Jackson is so pumped to have a buzz cut like his Dad!

We are just waiting.

I feel like the nesting is finally complete. School was out this last week and we have been sleeping in and trying to rest up. We are ready for Baby Smith to come! The question is where is he? With my official due date being May 31 and knowing the Brawner's are not super early people, we will just have to wait and see. If I never see my sewing machine again or a paint brush, I might be okay. Jason is a little jittery and really probably more ready for Smith to get here than myself. Jackson and Mollie Jane love his room. Mollie Jane is obsessed with his mobile and that she will share her old crib with him. I catch Jackson in there laying on Smith's day bed with all his webkins just hanging out. Jackson asks every morning if Baby Smith is going to come today. I just keep telling him it is up to God and God knows when he is coming. So Jackson just wants to pray a lot more. Me too! We are just glad we are prepared for the big man and hopefully when he arrives (whenever that is) there will be no more project or severe nesting at the Brawner house. Just lots of holding Baby Smith. Poor kid I hope he is ready for our crazy life and a fun filled summer. I hope he gets here soon because I am running out of "Tums" and just the other day I had one woman ask me if I was diabetic (seriously, am I that big) and another woman who has twins herself asked me if I was carrying twins. I am definitely feeling chubby and the last two days we have gone to the pool and I am officially sunburned. I just kept telling myself I always feel thinner when I am tan but I am not feeling thinner just sunburned! Way to go Al!

Jackson is offically a first grader!

I cannot believe Jackson is done with Kindergarten. We had his Kindergarten graduation today and they wore a cap and gown and marched in. It was priceless. Of course Jackson was all business during the ceremony and stuck his neck out trying to keep his cap on. We could not have asked for a better kindergarten year or better teachers. His teacher was crying and could hardly talk because she is going to miss the kids so much. It was like a flashback to when I taught kindergarten. It seemed like just yesterday I was teaching my own kindergarten students and now my child is actually done with kindergarten. Time is flying by way too fast. Jackson got the determination award. Which Jason and I think is code for the "Mr. Anal" award. He is so funny. He also got the handwriting award. Seriously? Jason's handwriting is illegible and I got extremely bad marks on my student teaching evaluation for second graders on my handwriting. We honestly look at each other and are not sure whose child he really is. His teacher talked about how determined and precise Jackson was and when he wants to achieve something he just sets his mind on it and works hard to accomplish it. Jackson's best friend Madie came with her sister Jenna and Natalie. Jason's Mom Sue-Sue even made it for the big event. I know Jackson will do great at all day first grade next year. He loves school and thrives at school with his "all business" personality. I am just so thankful for lunches with He and Mollie Jane every day this year, a class full of sweet kids who all come from good homes, body rests, his teachers who love him and love the Lord and just having Jackson around. I guess I will have to teach Mollie Jane how to make my my body rest spritzer next year of sprite and pomegranate since Jackson has officially graduated to the first grade.
Jackson's synopsis of what he has learned in Kindergarten this year!

Jackson's Kindergarten class picture

A Happy Mother's Day

I woke up to this awesome Mother's Day card. I love that I am the "chubbiest one" on the end in purple with Baby Smith in my tummy! Priceless!

We had a great Mother's Day. It kind of went on all week last week. Jackson had a Mother's Day Tea at school last week. He wrote me a poem with illustrations and presented me with a handmade flower pot. Mollie Jane also had a tea at her school and made me a candle and was more into the buffet line with the cakes and cheeses for her tea than her gift for me. Jason and I celebrated by going out to our favorite Mexican food restraunt in Branson Friday night and just relaxing. We had a great day Sunday lunch at our club and then came home and worked our "biscuits off" trying to finish Baby Smith's room and it is still not quite done (AHHH) but we're getting closer. We also celebrated Sunday night in typical Brawner style a dual celebration of Mother's Day and completion of Mollie Jane's potty training with donuts in the loft. We did the first phase of our potty training in December and that was very successfull so for Mother's Day we think we completed phase #2 (literally-HAHAHA) of potty training for Mollie Jane. That was about the best present I could get. So we enjoyed a low social schedule for the weekend which is usually not been our style the last several weekends! So all in all it was lovely.

Jackson's Career Change

Jackson with the one of the best pilots in the whole world a Thunderbird!

Jason and Jackson had an awesome day at the Air Show in Branson. Branson opened a new airport and they brought in all kinds of military aircraft and shows. Jackson and Jason got their picture taken with Patty Wagstaff (the Amelia Earhart of today). Jackson got to see the Thunderbirds and we had pumped him up that these were the best pilots in the world. He was so thrilled to meet one of the best pilots in the whole world and has always said he wants to be a pilot when he grows up. He knows Daddy was a pilot. I always give Jason a hard time and tell him he's not really a pilot anymore because he doesn't fly much. But Jason insists that he is still a pilot and just a notch or two below these guys (HAHAHA). We talked to Jackson about how brave these Air Force pilots were, how hard they have to work and how much they studied in school and college to be the best pilots, how they eat super healthy foods (Jackson thought they probably don't eat a lot of donuts) and they get lots of sleep for their bodies. What a great teachable moment I thought. These guys are it for him. Then Jackson (our overly cautious first born) decided after seeing all their stunts, flying backwards, and how noisy the planes were that he just wants to be a soldier that helps people like Daddy when he grows up and be the kind that doesn't carry a gun (which chaplains don't do). Another fun filled day for the Brawners and possibly a big day for Jackson in that he has decided to once again change his career path at the age of six. After seeing that the best pilots in the world were daredevils, he has reassessed. I guess he still has a few years to develop his daredevil personality but Jason and I won't hold our breath. Just goes to show me that no matter what kinds of studly role models we introduce him to and teach him about, Daddy takes the cake. I in many ways can't argue with him there even if many days I want to ring Daddy's neck. Daddy is the best.