Playing Cowboys {and cowgirl}

Oh if I could attach sound to these pictures! (I know I know...VIDEO but I don't have a video camera that I really like and I can't keep one more piece of technology sitting around at hands reach)

Gunner has been into playing cowboys since we saw Toy Story 3 this weekend. It's a hoot to hear what he comes up with! Force fields, bad guys, lost horses with their sticky shoes on...it's awesome! Ed built a 'fort' for them to 'devise a plan' on how to get the bad guys and to rescue the horses that had found themselves on the ceiling...those darn sticky shoes!

Rylee will not be left out. She is all girl 100% of the time...even when she's shooting the bad guys! (and she's a great shot!)

My treasure

Life has been a little testing at our house over the past couple of weeks. Many times I have thought I just don't have what it takes to raise our son. A wise person who I go to often for advise and encouragement gave me a picture that I hope I never loose site of.

Make sure you are raising your children because they are your treasure not your trophy. Too often I am concerned about what other people think. I get caught up in how I look as a parent as a result of how Gunner is acting. This wise person, who happens to be my sister, encouraged me to think of Gunner as my treasure. It changes your perspective pretty quick. Of course I want Gunner to be well behaved and do what mommy and daddy ask him to do, especially when we are in public, but the fact is that's not always going to happen. It's a process that we are in the middle of and if I make it about me he will never get it and probably end up resenting me in the long run.

Gunner loves life. He loves his Mommy, Daddy and Baby. He loves his Meemaw and Pawpaw. He loves his cousins. He loves his friends. He loves going to church. He loves playing inside, outside, it don't matter--he loves to play but not by himself, he wants to share that joy with others. He loves to get donuts on Saturday mornings with his Daddy. It's a double bonus if its nice enough outside to go play mini golf. He loves going to the lake house. He loves Brocco (his Pawpaw's black lab). He loves to ride his bike, look for puddles and go down hills. Honestly there aren't too many things he doesn't like--well maybe eating and getting his picture taken but I think that's just because he is required to sit still!

Gunner is my treasure. I love him more than life itsself and look forward to seeing what God has in store for this little man.

OK--I was going to post some pictures of him but it is taking For Ever and I just don't have time to wait. I'll try again later. Right now my treasure needs some attention!

Ed's Cheezy 37th Birthday!

So if you were at dinner at the church on Wednesday night you got to witness me and my cheesiness. Ed's birthday was Wednesday and Gunner was into it! When Gunner woke up Wednesday morning he wanted to yell 'surprise' when he saw Ed. He was telling me he would count one, two, three and then say surprise. I kept trying to get him to whisper while he was telling me his plan but getting Gunner to whisper is, well, impossible (any pointers on teaching a 3 year old to whisper is much appreciated). Anyway he yelled 'surprise' just as he had planned and of course Ed got a kick out of it.
Ed went to work and the fun began. Rylee decided to sleep in so Gunner and I made Ed a strawberry cake--his favorite. Gunner had a ball and as usual was thrilled to be doing something special for his daddy. Next was our trip to Target to get candles and a present. We secured the candles, Toy Story and a Wii Fit. The excitement was building and Gunner could hardly wait until he could give Ed his cake and presents. The only problem was, since it was Wednesday me and the kids would be at church and Ed was planning on working late then going to church to play basketball. Gunner would be in bed before Ed came home. So I called Ed and told him Gunner had made a cake for him and was going to be very disappointed if he didn't get to share it with him so we decided to celebrate at church. I felt like a major dork hauling in presents and a cake. Even a bigger dork when I pulled out the lighter and lit the 24 candles for Ed's 37th birthday. But to see Gunner's face made it worth it. We shared our cake with the Clarks and the Vincents and had our self a little party in the middle of the gym. I thought taking pictures would just be over the top so there are no pics to share!
The Wii Fit is still in the box. Ed hasn't had the energy to get it out. I told him I was no expert on exercise but I had heard that you gained energy by working out!
We watched Toy Story as a family last night. Gunner's still a little young and for a little boy who usually takes handfuls of toys to bed took very few last night. I really think it freaked him out!