Heaven for Real is that book for me. In a matter of hours I devored this book.

1st: Why did I even pick it up?
2 young men, both in their early 30s, died in 2011. Both friends of ours. One we went to church with, one a friend from college. Both left a wife and a small son. This hits close to home. Like everyone else, I struggle with why things like this happen. I also struggle with why don’t I feel more happy than sad? Afterall, they are with Jesus! Heaven! Isn’t that what we all strive to be?  One day in Sunday School, a classmate recommended this book.

2nd: Have you ever questioned Heaven? Have you ever even thought about heaven?

I have never doubted there was heaven. I think I have never really given it much thought. All I have ever thought about was how sad it would be to leave all these earthly things and people I love. But after reading this book, I have this happy confidence about heaven. It’s an awesome place. No pain, no worries, you’re reunited with loved ones.  Things this little boy says confirms everything we thought. If you truly feel like you will meet Jesus, how can you be scared to die? If you know, for sure, 100% chance that you will meet your loved ones again, it makes leaving a little less sad. The unknown can be one of the scariest things, this book can help you confirm what you already think, therefore making a lot less unknown.

3rd: Why should you read it?

I am not saying I am want to die (I am not trying to be morbid here!). I am not saying I wouldn’t be sad if my loved ones went to heaven before me. I am saying that this book will bring you some comfort. If you have lost someone who has left a hole in your heart, read this book. If you are worried someone you love might be going to heaven soon, then read this book. In general, this is an amazing story, that you should read.

10. Give him something to believe in
Because someday he will be afraid, or nervous, or heartbroken, or lost, or just need you, and you won’t be able to be there.  Give him something to turn to when it feels like he is alone, so that he knows that he will never be alone; never, never, never

It hit me like a ton of brinks. You mean I WON’T always be there to help my sweet boys feel better? I am the one who kisses all the booboos and play legos with them and make their forts. (well, Daddy does too!) Right now, all is right in the world. Our biggest concern is pooping on the potty and getting enough fruits and veggies. I haven’t even begin to think about the rest of those hard years. Of course I intellectually know that we won’t always be there for my boys, but reading these words in this post, in this context, makes it a little more real and a little more close to home.

You mean I won’t always be 2 steps behind him to intervene and guide his every move? I won’t always be able to model good words to use and how to react in every awkward situation?  I can’t protect him from being hurt and scared? And…(gulp) I won’t always be here…….tear….

So this is a great message from God. I am feeling the pull more than ever to make sure our boys know God, Jesus, Mary, the Bible and what to believe in. We HAVE to get this thru their little heads and hearts before someone or something else does.

Read the rest of the blog post, which is awesome and has cute pics to go along with it. I am sure you will appreciate and be inspired as I was.

I can’t imagine not being there for these sweet faces.

#1: My nickname for Mark this year was Buddy the Elf. He was SO excited about Christmas. His child like enthusiasm and excitement was contagious! Every Christmas light we passed at night got a “ooohhh, ahhhh! Mom look at that, Mom did you see that!” It was so precious!

#2: This was the first year we actually understood Christmas and Baby Jesus and getting presents. For most of November if you asked Mark what he wanted to for Christmas his answer were, “A Christmas Tree!” Thanks to a Blue’s Clue episode he was super pumped about cutting down a tree. So that’s what we did. Nevermind it was raining and cold, we did it the first moment we had after Thanksgiving. Good thing for us that Granddaddy’s farm is not too far away and has some good trees to pick from!

We are waiting in the truck while Daddy made the short hike up a steep hill to pick out a tree.

Here is the winner! We posed for a quick picture, Bernie cut several feet off the bottom before it made it in the house!

Shew...Daddy did all of this by himself!

#3: Mark is so literal and matter of fact its scary. I was saving a trip to Santa for when we went to Murray. But Santa made an unplanned visit to the office childcare and Mark sat on his lap, told him he wanted toys, Santa gave him a coloring book and according Mark, that was it. So after that,  the line, “You better be good, Santa is watching, he might bring you presents, ” didn’t work. He would reply, “Mom, I already saw Santa, he brought me a coloring book.”

Mark on Santa's lap in Murray. He really enjoyed seeing Santa.....

....Maddox was another story. I wanted a picture for posterity sake. I giggle everytime I look at the expression on Santa's face....LOL. I am sure he was not a happy camper either.

#4. We made Christmas Cookies, went shopping for presents, decorated the house, watched and rode in a Christmas Parade, went to Lights Under Louisville, we visited with several out of town relatives, went to Christmas in the Park in Murray, went to Children’s Mass and Mark’s new understanding and excitement made it SO much more special to share. I guess this is what people mean when they say Christmas is for the children.

The boys right before church. Mark really paid attention to the wise men, angels, shepherds, sheep, Mary and Joseph. I really think he was putting it all together (or a least I hope so).

Finished products. I know dinosaurs aren't quite Christmasy, but when Mark saw that cookie cutter in the box, we couldn't help ourselves!

Can you tell who was in charge of the mini M&Ms? (and which cookie was his favorite!)

#5. As we reflected on our Christmas Season, Bernie made the comment that I did a good job teaching Mark about Christmas. We had to talk about it over and over again. In the car, in the bath, at bed time, with his teachers, at the dinner table, while we are coloring. ‘No, it’s NOT your birthday, it’s Jesus’ Birthday. Mark and Joseph where his mommy and daddy and these three men only brought him 3 presents, and they weren’t even toys!’ ‘Santa only comes to children’s house with good little boys. Santa only brings 3 presents, because that is what Baby Jesus had.’ ‘No its not your birthday, your birthday is June 28th, today is December ___,’ Over and over again. We will see how much of it sticks next year

We packed Christmas away and Mark was actually a very good helper. So now as we drive thru town and see a few remaining Christmas lights, instead of Ohhs and Ahhs we heard a month ago, now he says, ‘Mom, don’t they know Christmas is over?’

1st: This is just a glimpse of what it is like to be 6’8″ and fly in an airplane. This is my younger brother Aaron, who lives in Louisville. We traveled together which was very nice.

Giant man in a tiny plane

#2.   (Not the prettiest picture of myself , but anywho….) I was so glad I got to meet up briefly with Bernie’s cousin Ballard Boyd. He is a talented director and writer. He happened to be doing some contract work for Google that day! Jackpot! Coleman, Aaron and I got to tour Google. What an AMAZING place to work! They wouldn’t let you take pictures, but ask me later and I can give you some details on the cool decor and features of working for one of the largest companies in the world.

Myself and Cousin Ballard, outside of Google.

Google is right across the street from Chelsea Market and I took lots of neat pictures of that, none of my pictures are too impressive, but wow, lots of cute little shops, etc. Then we hit up The High Line, a very cool newly remodel part of the Meat Packing District.  The High Line is a public park built on an historic freight rail line elevated above the streets on Manhattan’s West Side. My pictures didn’t turn out very good, but its a neat space with great views! I would love to go back and spend some more time when its a little warmer.

#3.My nieces, Sarah & Abby, hit the jackpot when we entered this 5 story Forever 21, which was on Times Square. I went along for moral support. Wow! If I was 15 and 100 lbs, I would have gone broke in that store! Again, they wouldn’t let us take pictures, but we stood right outside the entrance and took a quick snap shot.

2 teenagers in heaven

We stopped in a few stores before a fun dinner at O’Lunney’s where we got to meet the rest of the families and other friends involved in the wedding. Julia is surrounded by some GREAT people! Everyone was so nice and great to talk to! I can see why she is so happy in NYC.

#4. This picture is a bit dark, but after dinner we did a quick walk thru Grand Central Station before heading back to Queens (where our hotel was and where Julia lives). It was neat, looks just like the movies and commercials!

Brother's in Grand Central Station

#5. Wedding Time! Abby, Coleman and Aaron are waiting in the lobby of this beautiful building, The Liederkranz Club.

Abby with her Uncles, Aaron and Coleman

The Liederkranz Club Info

Reception Floor. Gorgeous Building!

A few pictures near Central Park before the wedding.

#6. My sister, Julia, married her partner of 10 years, Jamie. The ceremony was beautiful.The families coming together despite the difference of backgrounds was beautiful. We had Catholics, Jewish, gay, straight, Southerners, New Yorkers, young and old. The day was all about love and support those these two beautiful people.

The Beautiful Brides!

All the families!

#7.The Reception! Loads of fun, good food and dancing!

Abby and Melissa having fun at dinner!

Our family is never shy on the dance floor! Mom and Dad are one of the first people on the dance floor!

Mom and Dad cutting a rug!

#8. Sight seeing before we leave! We went to Ground Zero, which has made a lot of progress since the last time I was there, in 2002. I saw the Protestors on Wall Street. They looked like they were having way too much fun to be protesting a serious topic. Then we walked up to SoHo after hitting up several neat shops. We had to see George, at the hair salon where he works, Dop Dop. George Rylander, hairdresser by day, and part time ordained minister (amongst other things) by night,  officiated Julia and Jamie’s wedding. He was so much fun ! I love that we got to know him a bit, I can see why Jamie and Julia love this man! Melissa is a hair dresser herself, so it how fun to see how this fancy NYC hair dresser is working it.

Melissa and George @ DopDop!

#9. Talent! Julia has some talented friends! Her friend,  composer Michael Whalen, played the piano at the reception. Michael’s a two-time Emmy winner for his music for television shows and movies. Nicole Cooper and her sister, Tiffany, are beautiful girls originally from Louisville, met Julia while attending Murray State and now living her dreams out in NYC. Patrick Richwood was super fun to dance with at the reception! Not to mention he had did an animated reading during the ceremony. You would never guess this cool guy who rocked a kilt was a famous actor who has been in: Pretty Woman, Soul Surfer, Night Court, The Princess Diaries, Beaches to name a few!

Julia’s high school friend, Debbie Rutledge, is a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Dept. of State. She and her husband just got back from 3 years in Serbia. They’re back in D.C. taking lessons in Turkish. Their next assignment will be in Turkey sometime next year. Pretty impressive for a Murray High Grad! A real treat for me was to meet, Mike Saccio, Julia’s friend who is the Head Props guy on Law and Order:SVU, which only happens to be my favorite show!

I could go on….needless to say, Julia and Jamie are very talented and surrounded by some talented, inspiring people.

#10. My nieces are growing up!!! sigh……I will have to dig up a pic of when they are little so you can see how these sweet baby girls are now big smart, talented women. I had so much fun enjoying the city with them!

Sarah, 15, Abby, almost 13.

A few weekends ago we had a great afternoon at Gallrein Farms. This was our first time out there and boys loved it!

I believed Mark enjoyed playing the hay more than anything else!

Captain Hook!

Mark was not sure about this guy! lol

Maddox/Peter Pan was REALLY not sure about that Pumpkin Guy!

Here we go! So much fun! Mark refused to say, "Trick or Treat". He would say, 'please' and 'thank you'. But not Trick or Treat. funny. He also didn't want to wear his hook while trick or treating I am guessing it interfered with the candy collecting. Someone made the comment about the pirate with cowboy boots, Bernie said he must be a Kentucky Pirate, so true.... Maddox was a great rider. He just took it all in!

More pics of Mark and his buddies from school to come! Stay tuned!

We might be a little obsessed.

Bernie took a few pics for posterity stake. I thought I would share with you all things train.

Mark likes to line up all of his trains. Then he tells you all of their names. Yep, they all have names. This Thomas the Train Series  is incredible! Once I feel like we have them all, there is more!

We have train bedsheets, shirts, PJs,  cups, bowls, backpack,coloring books, bubbles, bath toys, train tables, videos, beach towel, and a TON of books.Oh yeah, way too many train tracks.

We have ridden on Thomas and must do it again next summer. Not to mention I would love to visit the train station again because I hear they do a neat setup at Christmas time, think real life ‘Polar Express’!

Mark loves bridges. He loves to make tracks very tall. The only issue we have with this right now is that if Maddox is awake, there is no way I can keep him out of Mark’s way for that long. Once he makes these elaborate tracks, he would love to keep them up for a day or two. Maddox is a train destroyer. SO Mark is always asking if it’s Maddox’s naptime so we can build train tracks.

A few of many....

Bernie even let Mark watch Youtube videos of other kids playing with Thomas! Its incredible how much Thomas is on Youtube! He would watch for hours if we let him!

One thing I do love is that Mark is not train biased. He likes real life trains as much as cartooney Thomas and Chuggington! Once he sat and watch an hour long special on KET about the real railroad system in the United States. ALL real life trains. He was glued!

These guys are all the side kicks. Those who roll without the tracks. Bertie the Bus, Trevor, Harold the Helicopter, Terrance, and....I can't remember them all....but Mark knows them!

The funny thing is when Mark was a baby, my mother-in-law said, “Mark has to like trains”. Only halfway joking because she had this HUGE train stash that she had collected due to my nephew’s train obsession. I thought, ‘He won’t have to  like trains, he will like alot of things!”. Well that is only partly true, not matter what I try to encourage, Mark LOVES trains!

Another thing I like about this obsession is that it’s not taking over his life.  He loves trucks, cars, balls, puzzles, coloring, Mickey Mouse, Blues Clues, his sandbox, the park, swimming, helping Daddy build stuff, cooking, etc.  Trains just seem to be 1st in his heart right now.

But I know I am not alone here. Every time I turn around I see another boy who is a huge train lover like my guy. The crowds at ‘A Day Out with Thomas’ can also speak to how crazy popular he is.

Check out pics from Halloween 2009! And to think that was just the beginning!

DISCLAIMER: We have probably bought 1/4 of our collection! The majority of his toys are hand me downs or gifts. Our generous neighbor’s little boy outgrew his train obsession and she just passed the boxes along! How amazing! So I will definitely be eying a younger little boy to pass our collection on to when my boys move on.

Wow ! I am a blog slacker! I will try to give a brief synopsis. Work, life, 2 kiddos, home improvement, you name it, its come up. So sorry for the delay, especially those of you who just like updated picks of the boys! So here are some pics to show you what we have been up to:

Splash Park! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this! Free, new, not to far from our house. Guaranteed good time here!

Water Park!

And when I don’t have a lot of time, we have fun in the backyard!

The Happiest Baby EVER! Maddox Burnett!

Maddox had his 1st Birthday! A few pics from our mini photo shoot in the backyard!

Happy 1st Birthday!

this guy is on the move! Can't turn your back for a second!

We had a fun trip to Murray to visit with the fam!

Cousins!

Mark likes to help Daddy with his garden!

Maddox is getting in on the action too!

Mark turned 4! Super small family party for the big boy of the house!

Mimi and Mark playing before Mark's party.

Hopefully I can find time to expand on the little fun moments of our lives, that you all might find entertaining.

WOW! Where has the time gone? I can’t believe I have a 4 year old!

I am not sure why 4 has hit me so hard. I am feeling way more nostalgic than the 2nd or 3rd birthdays. (insert a long sigh)…maybe I am starting to really see that ‘toddler phase’ in our review mirror. I am very much excited about the big boy phase in our future, but its like a closing of a chapter I wasn’t quite mentally prepared for. But ready or not…MARK IS FOUR!!!

Mark and I on our recent vacation.

Top Ten Things about FOUR year old Mark

1. He is such a good big brother. He lights up Maddox’s world. He lets Maddox pull his hair and ears. They communicate on a different brotherly level that is too precious to watch! He is learning how to distract and replace toys so that Maddox won’t touch his ‘important toys’ but not snatching things away from him. Its a fine art really. I can tell this brother things is going to be soooo great!

2. We are about 50% on the potty training. #1–we have almost down 100%, #2 is a nightmare! Between constipation issues and embarrassment, I am just hoping we can get this kid figured out by Christmas!  (*I know he is 4 and he should be potty trained by now..don’t judge! This kid is a different breed!)

Mark was REALLY into the sand at the beach!

3. He still loves trains! He loves most cartoons, KET or any movie Disney has produced, but Thomas is still the go-to guy! Trains of any kind are great. We don’t discrimminate with Chuggington or the good old generic old school train that roles thru Shelbyville. If we hear or see a train, this boy is tellin’ you about it!

Mark thinks his big cousin Ashton hangs the moon!

4. Speaking about trains…..Mark’s speech is completely different than it was 6 months ago. He has finally come around in his own time. At times he is hard to understand. But daily he is pulling out words that surprise everyone around him.

5. Mark marches to his own drummer. I hope this continues. I don’t want him to be a follower. Especially if the people he is following aren’t making the right choices, but for the most part, he doesn’t always do what all the other kids are doing.

6. Mark loves technology. Reason # 587 he is like his Daddy. Mark is obsessed with Bernie’s iPod Touch. He wants to watch Youtube video’s constantly! Youtube Videos of other kids playing with Thomas of course! If we let him, I really believe he would watch that iPod touch 20 hours a day!

7. Meltdown Mark is still around the corner. At any moment, the rollercoster of emotions can pop off and Mark is a crying puddle on the floor. Sometimes we can reason him thru his issue, sometimes we can’t and he has to spend some alone time in his room. He usually can regroup pretty quickly. But I am really hoping this Emotional Stage starts fading away during this 4th year of life. (which I am sure will return for the teenage years!)

8. Mark is a smart little boy. I know I am his Momma, so I am biased. But he is really starting to pick up on things. He completely understands when the ‘battery has died’ on the iPod touch and needs to be ‘fixed’ or recharged. He is VERY quick to apologize after he has done something he isn’t suppose to. He is also very quick to talk to Daddy after Momma tells him no.

Mark's 1st day on the beach!

9. Mark loves his friends he has at our office childcare. He talks about Lana, Makray, Jackson, Laney, Riley, Avery and Gina alot! Their names come out like, “Anas, Kray, Jackson, Waney, Wiwey, Avery and Gina”. He tells me when they get in trouble, when they are ‘sad’. He actually even tells me when he gets in time out. Which really cracks me up! I wonder how long he will continue to tell on himself. It’s so funny!

10. Mark is VERY independent. He is now taking showers. Really he takes a half bath, half plays with the detachable shower head. But either way, he insists I leave the room and close the shower curtain. He also doesn’t want me present to brush his teeth or when he puts on his clothes (about half the time–which usually results on his underwear on backwards, but that’s ok, right?! lol)

Granddaddy, Maddox and Mark on the beach at HHI!

'Yeah! Uncle Coleman is so much fun!'

A few weekends ago we took a family trip back to good ol’ Murray-KY to visit my family. It is always so nice to go home. I like where I live, but I do wish my hometown wasn’t quite so far. We always have such a good time!

So glad Uncle Coleman could come visit.

Grandma & Mark making pancakes!

We went swinging for the 1st time! Maddox loved it! Thanks for pushing Sarah!

Check out Murray's trolley!! So cool!

Mark thinks he is riding on a train. We took a nice air condition ride around the sweet town of Murray!

Oh how much do we love our cousins!!!