Inauguration Day

Well hello there Mr. President!

You might be big and importnant but this toy drawer is much more important to me!


Bryson and I enjoyed a nice quiet morning at home watching the inauguration of Pres. Obama. I must admit that I was laughing when he was waving at the TV like he knew them. Maybe he has a career in politics....oh wait, do they look into your parents background too???

(I just noticed that once again he doesn't have clothes on, I swear I dress my kid we just hadn't decided on what to wear yet!)

Hives......

I am covered in them this morning. I swear I look like a mutant. So, I am super itchy and now extremely tired because I took a Benedryl. I swear I feel like I didn't sleep at all now that the medicine has kicked in.

Awesome start to the day......it could be much worse and I know that, however, I still feel the need to gripe about it.

Splish, splash

This photo is rated PG.

This one, not so much!
When I saw this on my camera screen I just had to laugh. There is no denying that this girl loves her brother!! Purely innocent sisterly love!


Raise your hand if you don't want to kiss those happy cheeks......that's what I thought!

You think maybe she should wait for the water to warm up before she dumps it?

I am in love........

Dustin's company gave him some extra reward points for doing such a kick-a** job at work so he ordered the family this new camera! I can honestly say that I have always loved photography and have been jealous of my friends that have the eye for it! This camera rocks and I can't wait to take a class (or at least have someone show me how to use it properly) so that I can use it to its full potential! We have already taken some cute shots of the kids with it. It is my new obsession.

Watch out, I just might snap some shots of you!!!!

You know you are an emotional wreck when.....

you are walking thru WalMart with tears in your eyes because you think you have lost your son's pacifier!

Yes, I am the crazy lady walking up and down each and every aisle trying to find a paci on the floor....you know the one that is sticky from melted ice cream, spilled soda's and God knows what else. No, it was not on the floor, where we checked out, in the parking lot or in his car seat.

The good news is, it was found in the car!!!!

Here's where the sanity question comes into play.....I told my sister before we found it that even if it had tire marks on it I would take it home, sanitize it and stick it in his mouth.....who is really obsessed the paci, me or Bryson??

Heartbroken.....

Some say that writing helps heal the soul so I am writing this in hopes that it will. At least I know it will get the prayer warriors going.

We found out today that my SIL Angela and her husband Rob lost their baby. She was over 10 weeks pregnant and this came as a huge shock. This is her 3rd miscarriage and to say that she is devastated doesn't even come close to what she must be feeling. To make matters even worse Rob leaves in a few hours for Iraq where he will be stationed for the next year...this was of course a planned deployment but because of the short notice they were unable to change his orders.

Can you imagine? To think that I gripe about the little things in life all the time. Why does it always take tragedy to put you in your place? When will I learn to accept the things I cannot change and not sweat the small stuff??

I have said numerous times that we are blessed with great family and friends and so I come to you all today and ask for your prayers for Angela and Rob. We love them dearly and hate to hear that they are hurting.

Thanks in advance for your prayers.

UPDATE: Rob got all the way to the gate to board and they told him his orders had be changed. He gets to stay home for 2 more weeks. Just when you start to wonder where God is, he shows up!! Please continue to pray for them.....it is evident God is working in their lives, we just don't understand it right now.

2008 in review.....

So today I have spent the majority of the day cleaning my house and fighting off a headache. I woke up determined to start 2009 with a clean house! Mission accomplished on that front HOWEVER I have come to the sad sad realization that my house really is a mess. I need to organize every square inch of it and pronto. As most of you know, we would like to move at some point bc we are bustin' outta here with all of our crap but if I would just get organized I think we would regain some our sanity.

Therefore I am making my new year's resolution public so that at any point throughout the year you can ask me how I am doing and I will have to truthfully answer.

Mark my words: In the year 2009 the Bettencourt household will become organized!!!

Now, on my to my review of 2008.........
Of course we will mark it down as a great year because the birth of little chunky himself Byrson! What a trip this little boy is. He has such a "chill" personality most of the time and then before you know it he is playing in the dogs water bowl or pulling things down on top of himself. He is so different than Ramsey was at this age and we can't wait to see what 2009 has in store for him.

Ramsey has flourished this year and has amazed us with her big sister skills! She was meant to be a sister and share her love! What a great mommy she will make some day. Now, that is not to say that Bryson isn't tempted to knock her out someday but she truly just loves him so much she just can't get enough of him. Her mind is expanding so quickly and we are constantly amazed at what comes out her mouth. 3 going on 30!

Can you believe that I have been a SAHM for almost 10 months?? Dustin and I went into this promising that we would take it 6 months at a time and if we felt at any point that I should go back to work that I would. I am so blessed to have this time to stay home with them and we are SO blessed that Dustin has the job he has. 2008 was great for his career and I am looking forward to watching him kick butt this next year. I truly am so proud of him!

OK, so this is sounding a lot like a Hallmark greeting card and not like real life. Yes, life can be a drag sometimes and there are days that I wonder if I am doing more harm than good staying at home but when I really think about it I know this is where I am meant to be right now.

2008 was a good year for the Bettencourts and we have a lot to look forward to in 2009. For instance, Geoff will be getting his new liver this year! A new niece or nephew is due in July! Most of my high school and college friends are turning 30 this year so that means a lot of fun parties!! With all the good we know to expect some bad as well but we have faith in God that he will carry us through it all.

Hope you all have a happy new year! I am off to try to get rid of this damn headache!!