One for the Cats

Here's one for the Wildcats! I'm so happy they are playing so well, and it's nice to win a few big games...hopefully it continues, and Jacob Pullen continues to show up to play his BEST!

I really do love this picture. I believe Myles has a bruise on his forehead, and I remember trying so hard to get these yardbirds (a Denny Bramble word) to sit still long enough to snap a picture. I believe the Cats were either going to a Bowl game or playing in one. It does not really matter---we are a Wildcat family.

BTW, the chair they are sitting in was Sean's grandma's. I remember going to her house and sitting in it thinking it rocked so nicely. Believe it or not, the chair still sits in the boys' room, and they still let me rock them every once in a while. I.am.lucky!

Time to Golf

Today when we drove home, Myles told me today was a perfect day for golfing! The poor boy is dying to get outside and hit some balls! As soon as the snow started melting after our last snowfall, Myles told us he wanted to go golfing as soon as the snow was gone. Bless his heart, each day he would tell us it's getting close to golfing time.

Both boys have been out in the front hitting their "practice balls". They make me a nervous wreck...they seem to have no care in the world for what's going on around them. I'm constantly telling them to watch out for each other! It makes me so nervous that I told Sean he should be the one out with them rather than me!

I'm hoping for some nice weather on a weekend soon. These sweet things need to go to the driving range with their dad...I'll be happy to stay home!

Prayers for Melaney and Edward

I hate to say this is one of the few pictures I have of my sister-in-law, Melaney. This is her on her wedding day with her big brother, Sean. I have a wonderful feeling when I look at this picture. It reminds me of the glorious day she wed Edward and all of the McDaniel clan were together to celebrate in Dallas.

Melaney and Edward have endured a rather rocky journey in attempt to conceive a child. Yes, it hits so close to home, and Sean and I have have been through much of the same things. It's been years since they began trying, and currently Melaney and Edward are going through the IVF process. It's been great to hear Mel's great attitude and determination when I talk with her on the phone and read her blog. Thursday will be the day they will retrieve the eggs, and I'm looking forward to it almost as much as they. It seems like not long ago Sean and I were headed to the hospital for our retrieval, and the day is vivid in my memory. Luckily it's a sweet memory, and I pray they can say the same of theirs.

No one says life is fair, but I will say going through a fertility process is very difficult. It doesn't seem fair that two people who love each other have to struggle to create life. I won't get started in my whole feeling of the situation, but I will say I know it's making Mel and Edward better people, and Sean and I are better humans because of it, too.

Please keep them in your prayers. I know God has His plan for them, and I am hopeful this is the time for them to begin their journey as parents.

McDaniel Miracles

I saw this "old" picture in my collection, and it brought back so many memories! This was the picture I used for our birth announcements which I named 'McDaniel Miracles'. I remember trying to take a picture of Max and Myles to use for the announcement, and I got frustrated because one would constantly move. When I took this one, I loved it. I love babies in white, especially onesies! When I showed this picture to Sean, he told me it looked like Max was ready to punch Myles.

The announcement picture also reminded me of this picture. Once again, it looks like Max is ready to punch. Let's just say "personality"! I frequently tell Max, "Don't let anyone tell you that you don't have personality!" He most certainly does! So does his brother---and we are so glad! Both boys are so special and precious to us. We are reminded each day of God's gift to us, our MIRACLES!

I Love You to the Moon and Back!

Guess How Much I Love You is a book the boys, Daddy and I read together. If you're not familiar, it's about a rabbit and his dad who tell each other how much they love each other. It's a great story, and Papa Tim bought the boys this sign for Christmas. He also gave them their own book with a neat message in the front. It was great! I absolutely love this picture, especially after trying many times to take a family portrait for our Christmas card this year. I thought it would get easier to take pictures of these two, but it does not seem much different from the times I put them in the chair together to take a monthly picture. (You can see what I mean below. Notice how sweet Max's face is in the first picture. I guess one out of two was not bad...)





I'm going to try to be better about posting in 2011. I did not do well in 2010, so we shall see if I can improve this year!

Our Visit with Gramie and Pops

This past weekend, the boys, my parents and I went to visit my grandparents, Gramie and Pops in Northern Iowa. Sean had tickets to the Big 12 tournament, so he stayed at home. We drove in the van for 5 hours and the boys did great! I was nervous about the drive, but they did well. Luckily we had our portable DVD!

This picture was taken as we were getting ready to leave. It was morning, and Gramie had been busy fixing breakfast, so she is still in her pjs. Notice how cute they are! I sent them to her and have a pair myself!

Both Pops and Gramie look great, and we had a wonderful time. I only wish we could see them more often. I've always wished they lived closer, and I especially do now that I have my own kids.
Myles never wants to pose for a picture!

Gramie will be 92 on March 20. Can you believe it? She looks and acts much, much younger. (Notice Max and Myles helping her to blow out her two candles....and Myles in his underwear!) It was lots of fun!

I am so blessed to be able to spend time with my grandparents and my children. Not many almost-39 year olds have grandparents still living. What a blessing!

I'm Back!

Where does the time go? Honestly, it's been since September since I've written on here, and I have no excuse. I have been busy...school and family. I've been trying to cut down on my time spent at school once the kids are gone, and I've done pretty good. Thanks to my dad, I have a motivation. I meet him at the gym around 4 which motivates me to get out of school! It's a win-win situation. (Now, if I can just keep it up!)

We're getting ready for Christmas around here. I LOVE this time of year, and I especially love to read books to the boys at night by our Christmas tree. It's been a special time when we (Daddy, Max, Myles, and me) talk about Christmas, Santa, Jesus, and happenings around our house. It's been great. I brought home some Christmas books from school, and we have all enjoyed reading them.

I'm looking forward to spending 2 weeks with my precious boys (Sean won't be here every day, but some!). Our life has been too hectic, and it's nice to slow down a bit. I'm secretly hoping it will snow and be too cold to get out of the house. Then we can stay inside TOGETHER! :)