A new company year is about to begin.

Yesterday we got our letter from West Main Dance studio. Madilyn had tryouts in April. She was in 2 dances last year. This year she was chosen for 3 dances. Jazz, tap and hip hop. While I am proud of her I am also concerned. That is alot of responsibility, time and money. Patrick and I want her to do it as long as she wants to and is having fun. It is something for her and I to do together. The boys will not attend the competition weekends and Nationals next year. I do look forward to "our time" together.
I am so proud of her. How hard she works, the time she dedicates to it, and the love of dance she has. I look at her and am amazed. She is no longer a little girl rather a little lady. She has changed so much in just 2 years. She is smart, beautiful, a lot sassy, head strong and strong willed. I can only trust that God gave her those qualities to prepare her for what HIS will is for her life.
She is yours GOD, protect her, keep her healthy and safe. Thank you so much for my baby girl! Help us to lead and guide her to you daily.

Brandi
Mommy to a Madi!

The James' take on the zoo

Yesterday we met Marty, Peyton and Lily Grace at the zoo. (Grandmother James was supposed to come but changed her mind a few days ago and decided to stay at home.) We met around lunch and had a picnic outside the park of hamburgers from Hamburger Heaven. It had to be the busiest day ever at the zoo. We parked out by the road across from the Botanical Gardens. But the crowd wasn't going to stop us. We saw a bunch of sleeping cats. Zebra's and giraffes. The kids went through he butterfly house. They had camel rides. Lily Grace wanted to ride. We saw the hippo, rhino, all the monkeys. Rode the train, saw alligators, kangaroo's. We let the kids feed the lorakeets. Lily Grace loved it. (Patrick had Braiden looking at the seals while we fed the birds. We have a season pass to the zoo and go often so Braiden did not partake in all the events. He is teething his 24 month molars and has not been in the best mood. He just wants to be held and held more.) We then went to the children's area. We rode the carousel. Went to the petting barn and goat pin where you can pet and brush the goats. The first thing Lily grace picked up was goat poo and presented it to her mom. We left that area after washing our hands really good.Walked around the Alabama wild area where we saw a family of beavers. The mom had just delivered 2 kits. That was all for our zoo trip. M,P,LG went back to Brent. It was way past the babies nap times. On the way home I called Dad who was finishing up a job but was able to meet us for dinner. We met Dad, Janice, Jami and Blake at Logan's for dinner. Braiden did not have the best evening he was pretty much miserable. He didn't want to eat or even play with the rocks outside. You know he doesn't feel good then.He started having a clear runny nose and was generally grouchy with his fingers shoved in his mouth. So we ate quickly and left to come home.
Patrick cut the grass and we let the kids play outside for awhile.
It was a fun day, a hot day but we had a great time.It was wonderful to watch the kids play and experience new things. We will have to plan something else to do with the kids soon. Maybe the drive through petting zoo. We love you and can't wait to see you again.

Brandi

No I have four.....

I have been thinking about this post since Monday. After our picnic with my family we stopped by the store to grab things to make tacos. Brennon had asked for tacos for dinner and well that was a request I could grant. Braiden and Madi were asleep and Brennon was watching a movie in the car so we locked the doors and ran in real quick. At the check out was our old preacher from our old church. We hadn't seen him in years and he was now retired and had moved back to Cullman. We chatted for a few minutes and he said I heard you had another baby, so that makes 3 right. For the first time in a while it was like he threw a knife in my heart. I didn't know what to say, how much to explain, I just looked at Patrick and he took the conversation over. We said our goodbyes, got things for tacos and went home.
No I have four children. Three I get to share my life with, love and watch grow. But one baby I will never know, never hold. I know life goes on and moves forward but I do not want it to be like he was never here. Never alive and growing inside me. There are still days when I cry, grieve, and miss my baby. I miss all the things that will never be or happen. How do you explain the question (How many children do you have?) I still feel awkward answering that.
I rest in knowing that heaven will be the only home he will ever know. That he rests in his Father's arms. That he will never know pain or sickness, only joy and love. I just wonder if he will ever know my love for him and how much I desperately wanted him.
So, I am a mother of 4 children. 3 are here blessing my life daily and 1 I dream about and will hold and know one day. I am learning to walk this new road God has sent me on. His plan and timing are perfect. I look at Braiden and I am in awe of Gods plan. What a gift to not know the whole story and look back a few years later and have it come into view. He knew all along....

For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling,
Psalm 116:7-9


Brandi

Memorial Day

We spent Memorial Day at Noccalula Falls with my family. We rented a pavillion and all brought food to share. It was a wonderful lunch. The children played football, raquet ball, bubbles, uno and wondered around. It was so good to see everyone and spend time with each other.
Here are a few pictures from our day.

From Four and a Baby

From Four and a Baby

From Four and a Baby

From Four and a Baby

From Four and a Baby

From Four and a Baby

From Four and a Baby

From Four and a Baby

From Four and a Baby

From Four and a Baby

From Four and a Baby

From Four and a Baby

Black Bombers

Brennon is having a fun year this year in baseball. He is on a team with his best friend and Tyler's dad is the coach. It has been a fun year, not the best record but a fun year. He has started pitching this year and he plays 3rd base as well. We are headed into All Stars soon with only 3 regular games left.

From Four and a Baby

From Four and a Baby

From Four and a Baby

From Four and a Baby

You can't see his number too well, it is #37. From Psalm 37:4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.


Brandi

Water hose

From Four and a Baby

From Four and a Baby

Spraying my brother and sister is tooo much fun!!!

Dance dance baby

Braiden has grown up around dance. He is at the studio with Madi, watches her practice at home and goes to competitions with us, so it was no surprise when he dances anytime he hears her music. Here is a small video for you to enjoy and laugh at. It really is sweet. He is feeling the groove.

From Four and a Baby

Brandi

Pretty in Pink

From Four and a Baby

From Four and a Baby

Let the record state that it wasn't MOM who gave him the bright pink poster marker..
Uhhhmm.

Brandi

Company Banquet

From Four and a Baby

From 2009-05-01

Madilyn and Jordan her best friend at dance. Jordan has decided not to do dance next year and to take a year off. We are a little sad but are wanting her to do what will make her happy. We will miss her and her family next year. The girls play so well with each other.

Grandmother and granddaddy James kept the boys while we were at the dinner. This is what we came home to.

From Four and a Baby

How cute, Lil B played so hard and just passed out. Notice the baby gate behind the chair. B would pull out the connections from our main computer so we had to gate it. We have these up all over the house.

Brandi

The new babies in my life

No I am NOT pregnant nor do I plan to be anytime soon. My OB has not released me to get pregnant yet. Not sure when or if that will happen. We are taking it one Dr visit at a time for now. We will have to see, only God knows the plan. I learned after the last 2 pregnancies that it is HIS plan, so I will step to the side and let HIM do his thing.

But I do have a few new men in my life I want to share with you.

Jami is 29 weeks pregnant this week, moving right along. And the last ultrasound showed improvements from the front view. We are still praying for a complete healing for baby Noah.I love you baby Noah, I can't wait to meet you and love on you. Oh and Blake got a new job. A prayer answered! Please be safe in all your travels you are a dad now!

My SIL found out she was also having a boy- Cooper will be here sometime in October. Everything is going well with them. I hear he has his daddies feet and is big for his gestational age.


So our family is growing and I am looking forward to being an Aunty and loving them and giving them BACK!!!!
I mean I can't get my own weaned, did they really nurse for 3 years in biblical times - poor women.

Brandi

School's Out for Summer

Well it is official school is out and I have reclaimed my kids. We are all so excited. We have many things already planned. It is so nice to have them home all day. Braiden isn't sure what to think. He sometimes acts upset, like his brother and sister are invading his space and his time. We are all having a ball.
Speaking of balls- Brennon's team this year has been hit and miss. Sometimes they play like all stars and other times not so much. He has been nominated for all stars, but a decision hasn't been finalized yet from mom and dad. It is alot of time and can go well into July.
Madilyn's recital went well. She danced and shook all she had. You can go to Propix.com and check out some pictures of her. She was in Mary Lou Retton, Barbie, Lucy Recardo in the evening show- Cruella Deville and Annette Funicello in both shows and the finale. We have a few more weeks off before company starts back. This year I have a feeling will be a growing year for her. Her best friend at dance isn't dancing this year so we are a little sad.
Patrick's business is picking up. I am a little afraid at how well it is picking up. But the money is great to have. Anyone need anything video taped let us know. The moto is We tape anything. I told him might want to clarify "anything".
Summers here time for flip flops, pop cycles, swimming at the new rec center, sprinklers, no real bedtime, late night movies, snuggles on the couch, playing late at night in the hot tub (my kids love this), and doing what you want.
I do require them to do math and read daily. They also have a chore list to do. I know I'm a slave driver.
We have several things planned in the next few days. A family picnic at noccalula falls on Monday and a zoo trip with my in laws next Saturday.
I hope everyone has a safe and happy summer.


Brandi

All in a morning

Today was just like any other morning here in the James' house. Kids up, get ready for school, lunch packed, breakfast, things signed, things forgotten and out the door for a ride with dad to school. All of this takes place with a ton of help from my sweet husband and their wonderful father.
On this day however Lil B decided to test my patience and to see just how tolerant I can be. Well first he ate my deodorant, got the water bottle and sprayed the kitchen floor to the point we are both slipping and sliding, poured my glass of tea (I had just poured and sat on an end table while getting things ready to nurse him)in the middle of my bed, changed him, nursed to nap, woke up, snack, bath because he is somewhat sticky from something?, I get ready to go and teach later in the evening, while he has climbed onto a chair and reached the pledge bottle and is using it like hairspray, no time to bathe again, go pick up children from school, come home wash his hair yet again, get Brennon ready for his ballgame, fix dinner, wait for Dad to get home so I can leave, Dad home I leave for work, teach my class after having issues with the podium and the computer, rush to watch the last 15 minutes of Brennon's baseball game, starts to sprinkle, get there score 4-11 we are the 4, watched a great comeback and overtime final score 9-12 we are the 9, but the fight was good so all OK, come home to get the children in the showers and ready for bed and school and what do I see in my closet.... My sweet baby boy has pulled my shoe organizer and the shelf down after I left for work. Long sigh here.
So yesterday was very trying for me, but I love it. I love that I get to spend my days with my children. the good, bad, clean, messy all of it is a blessing.
This morning woke up to the tornado alarm going off.. Here we go again.

Brandi

Not Me Monday is back....

OK if we are being completely honest here and will not be judged in anyway I participate...

I did not let my oldest son stay at home on Thursday because some children in his class behave so badly when there is a sub. He didn't want to write sentences for the actions of others in the class. We did not go and have a picnic lunch with his dad and I certainly did not let him ride his 4 wheeler all day. I am a responsible mom and that would have been wrong.

I am not a part of Madi's recital with a mom group. I do not Not know our dance and I do Not Not feel like a spazzz doing it. If you have seen Hannah M movie you know what I am talking about. (Pop it lock polka dot it) Hoedownthrowndown say what? This should be interesting. Recital is in just 4 days, yikes!

My son did not pitch an almost perfect game. 3 Innings, 6 strike outs, 2 outs at 1st and 1 walk. Go Brennon!!! We lost by 1 point but what a fun game to watch. He did not get the game ball and he did not play with it all weekend. I love baseball season, it is so much fun.

We did not Not get to go to our niece's 2nd birthday party Saturday while waiting for the day in the park to start, only for it to be cancelled at 10am the party @ 11, 1.5 hours away. We miss you Lily Grace! Hope you had a great day. Can't wait to see you soon.

Yesterday we totally were not lazy and hung around the house watching TV. We are very busy little bee's all the time. Patrick and I did not steal some snuggle time while the kids were playing out side and the baby was asleep, like I said we are very productive bee's.

Braiden did not sleep till 5 am this morning with out waking up. That was not the 1st almost whole night of sleep I have gotten in 18+ months. Ahhhhhh!

Madi doesn't have Sever's dz. in her R heel. She isn't running and jumping on it. And it is Not Not getting better. We are not hoping that after recital this weekend that we can rest it for awhile and not end up in cast all summer. Oh God please heal her foot and make her feel better.( In all seriousness she is a great deal of pain. After being up on it she is in tears. Motrin and frozen peas are our friends. Poor baby girl)

So go ahead and air out your dirty laundry. We will not judge and are dying to hear.

Brandi