Let me catch you up on the last month or so...
Travis graduated!!!!!!! Please pray for the continual job search. We attended parts of the River Festival here in Wichita and other graduations of cousins all throughout May.
Later in May we got to go on a wonderful short vacation with my family in Oklahoma City. My parents got us all tickets to see the Broadway show "The Lion King" for Christmas so we went over Memorial weekend and had an awesome time! The show was incredible- I would highly recommend it to anyone- and we had a blast all around. Brenton calls vacation "cation"-- he doesn't ever say the va- part of the word, but he seems to love 'cation and spending lots of time with Grandma Tammy, Papa Matt, Randa Panda and Riah (those are their official names in case you couldn't tell!). While we were in OKC we also went to Frontier City, the OKC Zoo and Chick-fil-a-- yes, that is a landmark in my opinion! We have lots and lots of pictures from the past month so I am going to include a link to my facebook page so that you can see them all in one place.
To kick off the month of June we went on a second mini-'cation to Branson for the Sanders family reunion. The Sanders family is Travis' dad's mom's side-- just in case you wanted to know. :) Branson is a fun, fun place if you've never been, but wayyyyy toooo much traffic! We had not planned on staying in Branson Friday night originally so we had not booked a room at the hotel we were staying in for the reunion, so when we changed out plans last minute we bid on Priceline and got a room at The Suites at Fall Creek. Apparently this is an all-inclusive, fancy-schmancy resort and it was really nice to be there for all of the 10 hours we were there. :) We got in late, late and left early so we didn't get a chance to live the resort lifestyle, but the room was like a little apartment and it was really nice. While we were in Branson we took Brenton on the Ride the Ducks attraction. Travis and I rode this with his family the last time we were in Branson for the reunion in 2005 and we knew we wanted to take Brenton this time. The Ducks are WWII vehicles that drive on land and in the water and in Branson they take you on a tour of the strip as well as Table Rock Lake. Brenton says truck-boat now when talking about them and seemed to really enjoy the whole tour, especially the ride on the water (except the few minutes where he almost fell asleep!). PLUS for anyone who knows about the ducks you get this wonderful WACKY QUACKER (duck bill noise maker) that you get to keep-- FOREVER. We hear quacking ALL the time now! :) We also did a little outlet mall shopping and went to see the Baldknobbers show per my grandparents request. The Baldknobbers was like an old time country variety show and the comedians were really funny-- it was very enjoyable-- good, clean, family fun just like Branson is supposed to be. Also, at one of the shopping centers we went to there was a place called Ridemakerz that was right up Travis' alley. We had never heard of it before, but it is best described as the Build-a-Bear workshop of car-guys. You go through a line and build your own little custom car- you can change the wheels, add specialty parts, add decals, sound, lights, even remote control if you want. To say the least we walked out of there with one customized, remote control operated Dodge Ram something-or-other and one fire truck with sirens-- can you imagine?! Travis and Brenton have been playing with their new toys non stop! Branson is a long drive, but worth the fun.
So....we're back in Wichita now and thinking ahead to the rest of the summer. We have been trying to get to the YMCA water parks when we can, so if you'd like to go sometime- give us a call! We are trying to spend time outside-- never seems to be enough time for Brenton-- I think he would live out there if we would let him! And we are trying to spend time with family as much as possible.
In the meantime, Travis and I have started the Dave Ramsey course, Financial Peace University, and would like to request prayer as we learn to change our ways financially. We are anticipating some real challenges as we go through this 12 week course (just started last week), but ultimately will provide us with a better foundation as we hopefully can get Travis a job and move on with this part of our lives sooner rather than later.
On a side-note....Brenton took himself to a new Sunday School class two weeks ago. We were walking to his class which is at the end of the nursery hallway and he just detoured and B-lined straight toward the big-kid toddler class! Travis and I looked at each other and thought-- well, it must be about time. The big-kid class has actual structured activities such as snack time, Sunday School lesson time, playtime, etc., and they help parents tackle potty-training which we are about 85-90% on with Brenton. I almost cried when we got back to the sanctuary and I really started thinking about how quickly he is growing up! This is his 3rd class in the nursery at our church and the next time he moves he moves UPSTAIRS! I know that doesn't mean anything to most of you, but upstairs is where the kids stay until they finish kindergarten!!!! I just cannot believe how big he is getting!! So, as I always say, if you haven't seen him in a while you really should!
Thanks for reading my random babblings and we hope to see or hear from you all soon! Here is the link for the pictures: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2011686&id=151000976
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Day in the life...
I have been trying to get video of Brenton lately because I want to remember him at this (and every) stage of life. He is so fun to watch right now just bouncing from one thing to the next and letting nothing pass him by.
This is a very short clip of a usual conversation with him....I will get more posted lately. I am trying to catch him doing his favorite things-- singing, dancing, talking, and causing trouble. :) Enjoy!
This is a very short clip of a usual conversation with him....I will get more posted lately. I am trying to catch him doing his favorite things-- singing, dancing, talking, and causing trouble. :) Enjoy!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
21 months is coming!
Brenton is getting so close to 2-- I can't hardly believe it! I've been thinking about it a lot lately- how he's changing and growing and growing-up- really turning into a big boy! He still assures me, though, that he is my "little tiny baby" almost daily and will let me hold him in my arms and rock him. :) Of course it is all a game to him now, but at least I get those brief moments of pretending he is still so little!
Here is a "big boy" moment-- Brenton checking out his bed after we turned it into a toddler bed. He loves his toddler bed at my parent's house in Tulsa and we've been meaning to switch his here- just finally got it done in March.
Here is Brenton with his baby cousin Jacksen born March 17, 2009 (By the way, 3-17-09 has now been deemed "John Deere green day", not just St. Patrick's day :)):
Jacksen is so cute and Tim and Mandi are doing really well. It's nice having another baby around that isn't mine-- he has taken Brenton away from the constant spotlight which is good.
Here are some more of Jacksen for the Wells side of the family:
We really had a great Easter this year spent with family and friends just as it should be. We ate lunch with Grandma Wells and the family.
And then had dessert and easter egg fun with my family later.
And of course the Easter Bunny came and Brenton had a blast finding eggs and special surprises that morning!
We went to the alumni Easter egg hunt at Friends and the Easter egg-stravaganza at the zoo, too, but you can check those pictures out later.
Other highlights of our past month were Brenton visiting the fire station with Daddy (Brenton LOVES fire trucks and school buses!!) and the random blizzard we had here, which allowed us to make a snowman!
I have also been very busy at work. I received a promotion a couple of weeks ago that allows me to have more supervisory responsibilities over other tellers and have been training a new teller full time for the past week or two. I think in one of my past posts I talked about getting to plan a few events for work-- one of those was in March and the next is coming May 1st so I have kept busy finishing the details for that as well. Our branch received a 100% score on our quarterly customer satisfaction surveys and we couldn't be happier! We know we have been striving for perfection, but to see that result is awesome!
Travis was asked by some head-honchos at the bus place to drive for some special events and field trips that are coming up soon (this is a privilege as usually these routes go to seniority first). He still really enjoys driving and is still looking for a design related job. As far as we know he will not be driving a school bus after Wichita public schools release for summer at the end of May so please keep his continual job search in your prayers.
Otherwise, we are looking forward to April showers bringing May flowers and all that comes with "real" Spring! Brenton loves to play outside and we enjoy taking walks, riding bikes, going to the park and the zoo, and all of the fun things that come with nicer weather. Travis' graduation is May 9th and we will have a party afterwards-- I am so glad it is finally almost here!! He will be able to officially feel DONE with school and have some closure to all of his hard work.
God is teaching us to be more faithful and I know he still has work to be done in us so please pray that we would seek his direction and will in everything we have coming toward us. I have struggled a little in the past month or two with knowing what God wants for us-- rather, wanting more from God in the way of answers and direction-- so please keep us in your prayers. I have been very anxious for some long awaited changes to happen, but I know that God's timing is perfect and mine is not. Please, please keep us in your prayers.
I hope you enjoyed the update and the pictures!
Here is a "big boy" moment-- Brenton checking out his bed after we turned it into a toddler bed. He loves his toddler bed at my parent's house in Tulsa and we've been meaning to switch his here- just finally got it done in March.
Here is Brenton with his baby cousin Jacksen born March 17, 2009 (By the way, 3-17-09 has now been deemed "John Deere green day", not just St. Patrick's day :)):
Jacksen is so cute and Tim and Mandi are doing really well. It's nice having another baby around that isn't mine-- he has taken Brenton away from the constant spotlight which is good.
Here are some more of Jacksen for the Wells side of the family:
We really had a great Easter this year spent with family and friends just as it should be. We ate lunch with Grandma Wells and the family.
And then had dessert and easter egg fun with my family later.
And of course the Easter Bunny came and Brenton had a blast finding eggs and special surprises that morning!
We went to the alumni Easter egg hunt at Friends and the Easter egg-stravaganza at the zoo, too, but you can check those pictures out later.
Other highlights of our past month were Brenton visiting the fire station with Daddy (Brenton LOVES fire trucks and school buses!!) and the random blizzard we had here, which allowed us to make a snowman!
I have also been very busy at work. I received a promotion a couple of weeks ago that allows me to have more supervisory responsibilities over other tellers and have been training a new teller full time for the past week or two. I think in one of my past posts I talked about getting to plan a few events for work-- one of those was in March and the next is coming May 1st so I have kept busy finishing the details for that as well. Our branch received a 100% score on our quarterly customer satisfaction surveys and we couldn't be happier! We know we have been striving for perfection, but to see that result is awesome!
Travis was asked by some head-honchos at the bus place to drive for some special events and field trips that are coming up soon (this is a privilege as usually these routes go to seniority first). He still really enjoys driving and is still looking for a design related job. As far as we know he will not be driving a school bus after Wichita public schools release for summer at the end of May so please keep his continual job search in your prayers.
Otherwise, we are looking forward to April showers bringing May flowers and all that comes with "real" Spring! Brenton loves to play outside and we enjoy taking walks, riding bikes, going to the park and the zoo, and all of the fun things that come with nicer weather. Travis' graduation is May 9th and we will have a party afterwards-- I am so glad it is finally almost here!! He will be able to officially feel DONE with school and have some closure to all of his hard work.
God is teaching us to be more faithful and I know he still has work to be done in us so please pray that we would seek his direction and will in everything we have coming toward us. I have struggled a little in the past month or two with knowing what God wants for us-- rather, wanting more from God in the way of answers and direction-- so please keep us in your prayers. I have been very anxious for some long awaited changes to happen, but I know that God's timing is perfect and mine is not. Please, please keep us in your prayers.
I hope you enjoyed the update and the pictures!
Friday, March 13, 2009
Where did Spring go?
We were really enjoying the 60s and 70s-- what happened? It SNOWED a little last night! Last week and the week before we were going to the zoo almost every day, the park, flying a kite, blowing bubbles outside.....and now we have to bundle up again! We are ready for the return of Spring!
Let's see....where to begin? We had a fun visit to Tulsa a couple of weeks ago-- we got to see "Randa" in "Once Upon a Mattress", we got to visit with Jayme and Les and Baby O'Brien (CONGRATS again!), and of course we spent lots of time with Papa Matt and Grandma Tammy. I pulled my maternity clothes out and revisited a lot of wonderful memories (NO, not for my use again) and passed them along to Jayme for the next 7 months or so and it was really exciting and special for me to be able to share that with a great friend.
Brenton has been hilarious lately-- so cute in his adventures and, of course, his mischief. He pretends all the time, which is just another example to me of how intelligent we have been created. He is 19 months old and can really make you believe he is a puppy or the driver of a race car as he tips his little folding chair over and zoooooooms it all over the living room! And his speech-- WOW-- he amazes me every day. His favorite expressions right now are, "are you ________," with whatever he wants filled in the blank (Where are you?) and "Thank you, Mommy," which is probably the most precious thing I have ever heard come out of his mouth. His sentences are becoming so complex; he really is doing an incredible job with communication and it is a blessing. We started potty-training about 2 months ago and have had a lot of ups and downs. Potty training is-- by far-- the most difficult thing we have tried to teach (that and "Brenton, let's please use our INDOOR VOICES!!!!!" I just can't figure out where he learned to be so LOUD! :)). The things that we are stuck on are getting Brenton to make the connection that potty-ing in the potty chair is a NECESSITY not just based on your mood, and that it is really important to let us know you need to go before you start potty-ing, not once you've already started. Travis and I have decided to back off for a short time and see if those connections will happen a little less forcefully and then we will pick up the pace again in a while. I know other people have lots of other theories on this, but we think it will be a good fit for us right now. We'll see! You live and you learn!
Otherwise, Travis is driving his school bus and looking for a design job still. It is heartbreaking for me to see him apply for jobs and not get them when I know how talented and passionate he is at what he does. In all seriousness, there was a job here in town that he applied for, followed up on, was told they would be in touch, and then the next thing we knew there was a picture of this company's newly hired designer in the newspaper yesterday. It can really take a toll on a person to have to look at that and think, "what does that person have that I don't?" We are hanging in there.....clinging to faith. Please keep us in your prayers. We did just celebrate our 3rd wedding anniversary and had a great time. It is really fun for us to think about then to now and everything in between. I really have a wonderful husband!
Thankfully, my job is blossoming all the time. I am pretty sure I have said this before, but I have one of the most incredible managers I could ever imagine and that makes all the difference in the world when thinking about going to work every day. I have taken on the responsibility of planning a couple of Customer Appreciation events at our branch (one next Friday and one May 1 if you would like to drop by!) and that has been right up my alley. Turns out I seem to have a little bit of my mom in me!! :) Next week we are having a March Madness theme day complete with bleachers for seating, basketball goals for shooting contests, hot dogs, nachos, cotton candy, popcorn, and a little team competition that, obviously, KU fans will win! Then, in May we are having a mas grande fiesta de Cinco de Mayo complete with a live remote broadcast with Fiesta 92.7 Mexican radio, 5th grade dancers doing traditional Mexican dances, pinatas, tacos al pastor, and hopefully lots and lots of reaching out to new customers in our neighborhood. I am having a blast and am thankful for the opportunities I have been given-- it truly is a joy for me to do these things. I will also begin some training next week that will likely lead into an advance in my current position that will allow me to begin opening accounts and doing more account maintenance things for customers, more than the basic teller functions.
Hmmm....Travis is off work today because Wichita schools are now on Spring Break and he is still sleeping! I better send Brenton down to wake him up! He is probably dreaming of his graduation coming up on May 9th because he picked up his cap and gown yesterday!! :))))) And, I just realized I've been typing a way and am running out of time to get to the gym this morning, so I better go! Know that we think about our friends and family often and love hearing from you all! When the weather decides to turn nice again give us a call and we can go to the zoo!!! Pictures to follow....
Let's see....where to begin? We had a fun visit to Tulsa a couple of weeks ago-- we got to see "Randa" in "Once Upon a Mattress", we got to visit with Jayme and Les and Baby O'Brien (CONGRATS again!), and of course we spent lots of time with Papa Matt and Grandma Tammy. I pulled my maternity clothes out and revisited a lot of wonderful memories (NO, not for my use again) and passed them along to Jayme for the next 7 months or so and it was really exciting and special for me to be able to share that with a great friend.
Brenton has been hilarious lately-- so cute in his adventures and, of course, his mischief. He pretends all the time, which is just another example to me of how intelligent we have been created. He is 19 months old and can really make you believe he is a puppy or the driver of a race car as he tips his little folding chair over and zoooooooms it all over the living room! And his speech-- WOW-- he amazes me every day. His favorite expressions right now are, "are you ________," with whatever he wants filled in the blank (Where are you?) and "Thank you, Mommy," which is probably the most precious thing I have ever heard come out of his mouth. His sentences are becoming so complex; he really is doing an incredible job with communication and it is a blessing. We started potty-training about 2 months ago and have had a lot of ups and downs. Potty training is-- by far-- the most difficult thing we have tried to teach (that and "Brenton, let's please use our INDOOR VOICES!!!!!" I just can't figure out where he learned to be so LOUD! :)). The things that we are stuck on are getting Brenton to make the connection that potty-ing in the potty chair is a NECESSITY not just based on your mood, and that it is really important to let us know you need to go before you start potty-ing, not once you've already started. Travis and I have decided to back off for a short time and see if those connections will happen a little less forcefully and then we will pick up the pace again in a while. I know other people have lots of other theories on this, but we think it will be a good fit for us right now. We'll see! You live and you learn!
Otherwise, Travis is driving his school bus and looking for a design job still. It is heartbreaking for me to see him apply for jobs and not get them when I know how talented and passionate he is at what he does. In all seriousness, there was a job here in town that he applied for, followed up on, was told they would be in touch, and then the next thing we knew there was a picture of this company's newly hired designer in the newspaper yesterday. It can really take a toll on a person to have to look at that and think, "what does that person have that I don't?" We are hanging in there.....clinging to faith. Please keep us in your prayers. We did just celebrate our 3rd wedding anniversary and had a great time. It is really fun for us to think about then to now and everything in between. I really have a wonderful husband!
Thankfully, my job is blossoming all the time. I am pretty sure I have said this before, but I have one of the most incredible managers I could ever imagine and that makes all the difference in the world when thinking about going to work every day. I have taken on the responsibility of planning a couple of Customer Appreciation events at our branch (one next Friday and one May 1 if you would like to drop by!) and that has been right up my alley. Turns out I seem to have a little bit of my mom in me!! :) Next week we are having a March Madness theme day complete with bleachers for seating, basketball goals for shooting contests, hot dogs, nachos, cotton candy, popcorn, and a little team competition that, obviously, KU fans will win! Then, in May we are having a mas grande fiesta de Cinco de Mayo complete with a live remote broadcast with Fiesta 92.7 Mexican radio, 5th grade dancers doing traditional Mexican dances, pinatas, tacos al pastor, and hopefully lots and lots of reaching out to new customers in our neighborhood. I am having a blast and am thankful for the opportunities I have been given-- it truly is a joy for me to do these things. I will also begin some training next week that will likely lead into an advance in my current position that will allow me to begin opening accounts and doing more account maintenance things for customers, more than the basic teller functions.
Hmmm....Travis is off work today because Wichita schools are now on Spring Break and he is still sleeping! I better send Brenton down to wake him up! He is probably dreaming of his graduation coming up on May 9th because he picked up his cap and gown yesterday!! :))))) And, I just realized I've been typing a way and am running out of time to get to the gym this morning, so I better go! Know that we think about our friends and family often and love hearing from you all! When the weather decides to turn nice again give us a call and we can go to the zoo!!! Pictures to follow....
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
18 Months!
Brenton is going to be 18 months old on Saturday and in many ways I cannot believe how big he is getting, but this 18 month milestone is also bringing back "baby" memories because he has a doctor's appointment, probably shots, and we're going to get new pictures done. He IS getting so big, though!! Yesterday he told his daddy, "baby- BIG BOY!" Essentially he was just warning us that he is a "big boy" now....yes, I did say WARNING....no explanation needed. :)
Brenton is so smart and I know I have been saying that all along, but if you have heard this kiddo speak you would know what I mean. His communication skills are amazing and I just stand in awe almost every day. He is repeating everything he hears perfectly and without fail, and is putting sentences together like 'it ain't no big deal'. :) We often hear him adding "yes, please" with a cute "yes" head shake when he wants things....you know, "Brenton-taco meat- yes, please" (shake shake) or "Brenton do- yes, please" (shake shake)....how can you say no to that??! He can identify so many animals, sounds, body parts, colors.....and if he does not know what something is he WILL figure it out before navigating away from that thing.
Anyway....as I mentioned above, we are planning to have new pictures done as this is a pretty significant milestone-- it's kind of like the passing of the official threshold from infant to toddler-- even though we've considered him a toddler since he started walking at 10 months. Of course since pictures were scheduled he just had to get a big, fat lip tonight while he was playing! So...the pictures may have to be postponed a little, but we will see!
On a different not-about-Brenton note-- Travis has had a few interviews and we are just wishin' and hopin' and prayin' so please keep us in your prayers, too. Things are going well at the bank- I will begin training new tellers as needed soon and will be promoting to the highest level of Teller fairly soon as well. I am so blessed to be where I am right now and so thankful for the job the Lord has given me. I have never been in a place that was so focused on the personal growth of each person there (except for Grad. school...but that's a whole different ball-game). My manager and the people I work with are so wonderful; we have constant feedback and so many opportunities to try yourself in new roles. I truly pray for the same type of environment for Travis in whatever he finds-- it makes such a difference individually and in your family life.
The BIG BOY is up a little past the usual time since Daddy is at a bball game and I've been working on this, so I better run and get him settled in! We hope to hear from and see each of you soon!!!
Brenton is so smart and I know I have been saying that all along, but if you have heard this kiddo speak you would know what I mean. His communication skills are amazing and I just stand in awe almost every day. He is repeating everything he hears perfectly and without fail, and is putting sentences together like 'it ain't no big deal'. :) We often hear him adding "yes, please" with a cute "yes" head shake when he wants things....you know, "Brenton-taco meat- yes, please" (shake shake) or "Brenton do- yes, please" (shake shake)....how can you say no to that??! He can identify so many animals, sounds, body parts, colors.....and if he does not know what something is he WILL figure it out before navigating away from that thing.
Anyway....as I mentioned above, we are planning to have new pictures done as this is a pretty significant milestone-- it's kind of like the passing of the official threshold from infant to toddler-- even though we've considered him a toddler since he started walking at 10 months. Of course since pictures were scheduled he just had to get a big, fat lip tonight while he was playing! So...the pictures may have to be postponed a little, but we will see!
On a different not-about-Brenton note-- Travis has had a few interviews and we are just wishin' and hopin' and prayin' so please keep us in your prayers, too. Things are going well at the bank- I will begin training new tellers as needed soon and will be promoting to the highest level of Teller fairly soon as well. I am so blessed to be where I am right now and so thankful for the job the Lord has given me. I have never been in a place that was so focused on the personal growth of each person there (except for Grad. school...but that's a whole different ball-game). My manager and the people I work with are so wonderful; we have constant feedback and so many opportunities to try yourself in new roles. I truly pray for the same type of environment for Travis in whatever he finds-- it makes such a difference individually and in your family life.
The BIG BOY is up a little past the usual time since Daddy is at a bball game and I've been working on this, so I better run and get him settled in! We hope to hear from and see each of you soon!!!
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