Room to Grow...

First off, Happy 2014!! I cannot wait to see what adventures and blessings are in store for this year!

Now...this last year, we had a little boy that was about to become a big brother. And, he needed room to grow. He needed his official big boy room! We decided to keep the baby room where it was, so O got bumped to the back guest/catch-all room. So we needed to do some work.

Joe and I decided we still wanted to have a place for guests, and with only three bedrooms, we really didn't have many options. Enter the Murphy Bed! Folds down when you need it, and up when you don't! Joe did an amazing job, and with a bed kit from Rockler, made the bed and accompanying shelving. Awesome!!!

We also put in a new door with glass only on half, because having a full panel glass door with small children scared the bejeebers out of me. And, as any good home project goes, we messed up the wall taking the old door out. But honestly, our stained wood wall looks amazing and kicks that old 'crow's foot' wall in the teeth.

I chose a classic comforter in hopes that O and his brother would have it for several years. O's bed is a bunk bed, and when the boys get a little older, I can't wait to bunk them. We had the dresser built with an extra thick top we stained to match the wall, and a great red color for a bit of pop and to go with the bedding.

We painted the walls a warm grey color to complement the walnut stained wall. We then chose a lighter grey for the bed and shelves as to lighten the back wall, but not be a giant white spot either. I love love love it. In addition to the grey, we painted the inside panel  of the Murphy Bed with chalkboard paint. As you can see, O's nana did a wonderful job using the chalkboard to bring the room a little holiday cheer. All the plane paintings were also done by Nana Holly. She is an amazing artist, and we are so blessed to have her art decorate our home.

This room was quite the process, with many decisions...by me, by Joe, and by Owen. In the end, I love it. Owen shows it off to anyone who comes over. And we have room to grow, play and have fun!

Way to go team!

I LOVE FALL!

Seriously.

I love it.

The cooler weather, which we so desperately need after a long, hot summer (where I was very pregnant, too)! Long sleeves. Leaves. And pumpkins.

Ever since we moved to Coppell, we've made a tradition out of visiting the pumpkin patch at a local church. We have enjoyed visiting each year, first with Jennifer and Jamie, then adding Owen, and now Madelyn and Corbin. It's so fun to watch our family grow!

Now, for the pumpkins!!

He just keeps growing! 

My sweet niece! Love her smile!

The Colvin Fam!

(I think this is how family photos are going to be for us for a while!)

Feel free to check out a bit more on Corbs on the O'Baby blog.

Some Pretty Exciting Goings-on...

Hop on over to the O'Baby blog to learn a little more about what's been going on in the O'Brien household the last month or so!

You'll get to see more about this guy:

And, get to meet this guy!!:

A Busy Summer...kinda.

This August marked two great things!

First, the END of Joe's 2+ year commitment to getting his MBA. For the past 2+ years, Joe has been going to night classes every Monday and Thursday from 6-10 pm, plus travel time from his work by the Rangers to way up north to Frisco. This meant his wife, son, and dog didn't get to see him much. Coupled with studying and group projects...we didn't get to see him a lot. Though, as awesome as Joe is, he doggedly woke up early and stayed up late to study and do projects so we COULD have as much family time as possible.

WAY TO GO JOE!!!

We also took our first out of town Pate/Colvin/O'Brien vacation too! We have, of course, all stayed at mom and dad's, but had yet to go on an adventure together. So, with the accomplishment of the boys graduating (Jamie too), we decided to pack up the families and meet in Eureka Springs, AR.

A lovely cabin, beautiful views, cooler weather (even just a little), and fun family time were just what the doctor ordered. (We also just made it under the wire for my "no traveling while pregnant doctor orders.") Of course traveling with a toddler and a 4-month old was a trick in itself. Everyone had different nap times and eating times. So not much site-seeing was done, but we still had an enjoyable time. I can't wait to do it again. O is already asking to go to the beach again, since we didn't make it this year. Poor spoiled kid has gone every summer since he's been alive amazingly...though we were by a river...see...water!!!

Now, we are back home. House projects are piling up in anticipation for new baby. We are building built-ins and a murphy bed in our back room, where O will be moving. Then we'll need to clean and re-purpose O's old room back into a baby room. Then...then...then.... It seems there is always something else, and people, we are getting down to the wire!!! 

32 DAYS PEOPLE! September 24 is coming fast!!!

In this last bit of August, our sweet puppy has turned 6. I still don't know how we've had him that long. As much as he drives us crazy, I love him more and more.

AND, both of O's awesome uncles celebrate their respective birthdays. Whew!! What a hot, crazy month!

Pinatas = Fun

Before O's 3rd birthday, we got to go to our friend Jacob's 4th birthday. Jake and his family always throw a fun party. This year they had a pinata, which seemed to leave a great impression on Owen.

You see, O is a boy...who is turning three. If you've been around one of these creatures before, you might remember that sword fighting and hitting things is a BIG deal and LOTS of fun!

I asked Owen if he'd like to have a pinata at his party and he said yes. We even found a coupon for one at Target and he picked out the big blue sneaker! 

O did a great job taking charge and running into battle to clobber the shoe to death. But, he did just as great of a job sharing with his buds and cheering everyone on. It was awesome and hilarious. 

Seeing my son in a crouched down, hands-on-knees stance cheering on his friends gave me a glimpse of sports to come and maybe one day being a coach.

Our 5yo friend, Austin, had the honors of giving the shoe the death blow! And all the boys shared the candy well too!

Mr. Pinata, you gave us great joy! I think we'll invite you back!

When You're Three

Some blue-eyed, blond-haired crazy sweet boy turned 3 in this house last week. You, guessed it! It's the O'Bear!

We had fun celebrating the birthday boy with a fun swim party, cake, presents, friends and family. We then got to celebrate our favorite dads the next day. It made for a very celebratory weekend.

So...being three...did you know that this comes with the ability for all sorts of new adventures?

What kind, you ask.

Well, when the sky brings rain and your yard has dirt, and the three-year-old of the house asks to play in the mud, surprisingly, the mom says yes.

I know, I was kinda shocked too. But, hey, it's just laundry and bath time. And the smiles and the laughs were well worth it!

And, without further ado, O'Bear and Mommy present, "Mudding--An Ode to Being Three."

Feeling it out with Chuck...

 Hey, this is pretty sweet. Cold and squishy!

 Stomp!!

 Stomp! Splash! Stomp!

 It's so squishy!! 

Hehehe!!!!! Mmmuuuudddd!!!!

The event concluded with a ceremonial hose-off followed by a warm bath. The three-year-old went back for an encore before we left to get dinner. The encore was sadly met with motherly opposition for the performer, and a strong reprimand was given. It seems old-fart adults need to be mentally prepared for these events.

We Survived the Vet

I received the post card in the mail. I put it on the fridge. And I stared at it for a week or two off and on -- The Vet.

Don't get my wrong, the people at the vet we go to are always very gracious. It's just well, it's kinda like when you have a baby.You are charged with this life you have to take care of basically 24/7 and they can't really tell you a blasted thing. It's a lot of guessing. Eventually your kid starts to tell you stuff, but after 5 years with this guy, I'm still left in the dark on most things.

We have had numerous ups and downs with Ryker dog...thankfully more ups than downs and I would never want to not have my pupster around. That said, this dog drives me bonkers a lot. The one thing that was gnawing at me about this visit was his teeth.

Ryker...or his alter ego, NoNoBadDog, chipped both his top canines pretty darn bad. So bad that the one on the left is broken off just about right at the gum line. I cried when I saw this. I felt I let me dog down. Why does he feel the need to freak out so badly when we leave that he can be so destructive?

My fear was that our vet, Dr. Clawson (ha! I know), would say we'd have to pull his teeth. Not only would this be expensive. Joy. It would be so sad. I'd have this beautiful, fluffy dog with no teeth.

But I sucked it up. Called the vet. Hauled me and all three boys (baby counts at this stage, I feel) to the vet, and we waited.

Ryker passed with flying colors on the health scene. I asked about his teeth. He did a little poking and after examining, he said that though yes, pretty bad, he was fine and showed no signs of pain.

Thank you Lord!

I know, it's silly to be grateful to God about your dog's teeth. But it was my worry. I didn't want him to suffer. Knowing he's ok makes me a happy puppy mom, and so thankful we can take our silly concerns to our Father and he helps us through.

I have my fuzzbutt curled up with me as I type this. And I just gotta say, I love my crazy, stupid, snaggle-toothed dog.