Brayden is a teenager!

the day has arrived, my baby is 13! a teenager. 

i could say, i can't believe it....but i won't. mainly because brayden's maturity the last couple of years, has astonished me. 

so to now look at him as a teenager, it seems fitting. 

the weekend started with the best gift ever, a complete surprise visit from......

our CHANDLER! Home from College....

HUGE THANK YOU to Katey and her parents. 

Having him home for this special weekend such a blessing. 

braydens gift (laptop) was under the fortnite drop box....when he lifted it up, he thought it was his brothers. he was so surprised to find out that it was his!!

pizza on the porch

then cake....

the boys had fun laughing at the canvas i made of pictures of braydens first year....

after lots of gaming (and they actually worked on their english essay) ...it was finally time to watch a movie & go to bed.

donut breakfast "do nut grow up"

 gifts for brayden and his friends

to my littlest, brayden 

 your love of others and christ....makes me so proud 

your sweet face.....makes me smile 

your kind heart, positive outlook, forgiving spirit, humble heart, sense of humor and overwhelming joy....amazes me daily

I have loved you every single second over the last 13 years.

I am excited to see how God continues to mold you into the amazing (young) man I know you are & will continue to be. 

do you B...you are doing it well so far. 

I love you sweet boy. 

~mom

Caps Hockey Game

Brayden and I went to the caps vs toronto hockey 

game on our way to maryland. 

(headed there for the national rough riders tryout)

even though the caps lost, we had a blast!

I love this picture. I took it in the same spot that I took the boys picture, 5 years ago...for a caps vs penguins game. 

with it, i realized how much bray has grown 

and how much we miss chandler. 

I cannot be believe the time has come. summer is over. 

time for both of the boys to start at new schools!

Chandler (college)

Freshman at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 

in Daytona Beach Florida

Brayden (middle school)

7th grade at the Upper (Hickory) Covenant Campus

Im super proud of these two, we are very blessed yet we've had a couple obstacles the past couple years....

they have taken it all in stride ~ 

 with a continuous smile and an eager spirit. 

all in all, God has taught us so much. 

lacrosse try outs

Brayden has been working hard for 2 days.....

packin' up

packin chandler up for college...

getting ready for a 12 hour drive!

Easter Egg Hunt

Emmet's First Egg Hunt. He Knew EGGXACTLY what to do! 

As he walked around he was constantly shaking the eggs, that's why the photos were blurred....So cute.

 

Here is a picture of Brayden and the Fide Boys...

My Sweet Brayden. 

I feel like my days are numbered with my last child and events like this, an egg hunt...Hes getting to big to fast. 

So I cherish days like today.

Love this picture of my sister and her boys....

Another picture of the boys and Emmet running to the hills!

Proud Mama. 

Beautiful Amy with her boys. 

It was really nice to spend time with family and friends. 

So blessed. 

Capitals Hockey Game

The boys love Hockey. Brayden's Team is the Capitals. Chad surprised the boys with tickets to their last game. 

Also, we got to watch from a suite!

Slapshot!

What a fun family day! This will be a memory we will always cherish. For Brayden, it was a dream come true. 

Sweet Emmet is One!

Chad and I were so excited to host my nephew Emmet's First Birthday Party. 

Look how cute he is....

I love the cake Julie got him, perfect.

Here is a picture of Jamie, Julie and Little E. 

They made it through year one and they are still smiling. 

Success.

Look at this face, makes you wanna just kiss him!

Cake, yummy...

we love you sweet boy. 

we are excited to watch you grow and learn in the years to come.

God bless you today, on your special day

 and always. 

love, uncle chad & aunt melissa

My Grandmother passed away

She was amazing. 

An amazing wife, mother, grandmother, 

sister, friend and believer. 

 

She was truly a pillar in my life. A woman I adore and admire. 

Due to her love and selflessness, she raised my brother, sister and I. How blessed we were that she chose to do that. That is something I will never forget, she is someone I will never forget....

I always knew her love. My kids knew her love as well. Her Joy was her kids and grandchildren. Here she is, beaming. 

Grandma, i am really going to miss you. thank you for everything, your words of wisdom, your love and kindness- most of all, for your example. I pray that I can be half the woman you were. I love you so much...for you I am so grateful. 

While I am sad that my mom has passed away and now my grandmother, I have peace because I know you lived a good life, you ran a good race - the finish line is Heaven, that I am sure of. 

I love you. ~ melissa