From our perspective: 2013

Thursday, November 07, 2013

Boys do halloween!

Spider-Man!

Harry potter. My mom made that Amazing hooded cape for him. She just whipped it up in a few days without a pattern. Sure love my mom!

The boys at Ethan's school carnival. They tried 2 years in a row to win the cake walk, and still have yet to walk away with a cake! My poor kids, they looked so depressed after losing!

They did the dress rehearsal at the Disney store, Ethan went as batman while mom was finishing his cape. They both were a but tuckered out!

Harry.

We found the glasses and tie at value village. I had to color the red on the tie to make it work, and after trick or treating we for s that the permanent marker on the tie bled through all of his clothes, white shirt and sweater! Whoops. Shout spray n wash got it out, luckily!

Carving his own punkin this year.

Brad helping Gavin.

Out ward trunk or treat. Brad protected his candy in his gorilla suit and made every kid take a piece from his hand. It was so funny to watch kids try to be brave just for a piece of candy.

The kids separating their candy after trick or treating.

The loot. Gavin gave up trick or treating half way. He literally sat down on the sidewalk and told me to take his bucket around with Ethan and trick or treat for him. I don't think so buddy! So he ran home and left his bucket on the ground. I was so embarrassed because I had to carry Gavin's bucket with me as Ethan trick or treated! People thought it was trick or treating too. I was dying and trying to hide the bucket! Besides that, the kids scored big with the candy and I'm happy to say that it's all gone now. With the help of my parents, brother, brad, me & the kids, the candy was polished off quickly! Yikes! There are only remnants of the gross stuff like fireballs and sixletts. That stuff is good for decorating gingerbread houses, so no worries!!

I loved trick or treating with Ethan. He was so charming, if people asked if he was Harry Potter he would reply, "yes, did you like Harry potter? Which is your favorite character?" And proceeded to have a conversation with everyone. Then he would leave and say, "thank you and happy halloween!" This scored him brownie points, and would usually end up with a handful of extra candy. He would hold my hand and say this is the best day of my life! Haha. Oh the simple things! :)

The boys turn 5 & 7.

We had a superhero party for them. My mom made these incredible superhero capes for every kid that came. They got to decorate the back with their name and wear them throughout the party to help with their superhero adventures.

Checking out their presents.

So glad I have these two, brothers & best friends!

Brad's swearing in- he's official!

Back in September, Brad became, Brad Puffpaff attorney at law! It was an exciting day for everyone. Brads mom flew in for the swearing in ceremony. We all dressed up and headed to the courthouse to see a group of young and eager for life swear that they would uphold the Oath of Attorney. I secretly cried and tried to wipe away my tears as quickly as they came. It's a start to a new chapter in our life! What an amazing journey. He is for real, so if you need any legal advice, look him up! :)

Waiting for it to start with both grandmas!

Brad swearing that he will be an honest attorney.

Brad and his mama. She has been his #1 fan and a continuous source of support for our little family!

My little stowaways hiding in the law library during the reception.

Official family of B.L. Puffpaff, Attorney at law!

My parents- we could not have done this last year without their selfless love and support!

Now Brad is working hard as an attorney. He already has family and friends hitting him up for help. Which I guess that's a perk to have an attorney in the family. I would prefer a plastic surgeon, maybe Ethan can bring that to the table ;). But Brad has decided to fly solo, and do his own thing, and create his own practice. We all know, that he has never been okay with working for "the man" and having someone besides me boss him around. So far, a month out he has been doing great and bringing in enough income that I get to stay at home with the boys. He said he'll let me know if I need to go back to work, but for now I'm loving my new role as a stay at home mom.

Oh, the blessings we have been given!

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

A sweet goodbye

Very quickly our life turned upside down. I went in to the doctor on Friday for a routine OB visit to finding out that we had lost our sweet baby.

On Saturday I delivered a precious tiny little girl.

We named her Lucy.

It's hard to describe a broken heart. And how to heal one is beyond me. But we know that there is a time a place for everything. And that God is good and heals all pain.

I was able to hold her in my hands, and felt peace and comfort wash over me. I cling to this moment when I try to move on with life as everyone else is doing and I am frozen from the pain of a broken heart.

They say that people who had a well lived life get buried in the ground, but a child is forever buried in your heart. And that is where Lucy will be.

It will just take time to mend and grow from the pain. I have never asked why me; for every baby is a blessing, even an 18 week baby. And for her, I am grateful.

Sunday, June 09, 2013

Brad Puffpaff, JD. Attorney at Law.

My favorite picture. My three boys!!

Ecstatic family. We did it!

Giving dad hugs before the ceremony.

Jumping for joy, even the baby in my belly is jumping!

Wahoo. It's official!

Brad Puffpaff CUM LAUDE! I'm so impressed, he deserves it!

A feat I thought would never end, actually did! Brad graduated law school AND with honors.

I reflect back on my thoughts about this adventure and remember how scared I was to take the plunge to go. We definitely did not have it easy, and I wish I could say it was easier than I thought. But in reality, it was harder than I could have ever imagined but one of the best experiences of my life. A true blessing.

I speak only for myself when I express these thoughts as I am sure Brad thought it was difficult but I rarely saw him stressed and if he was he hid it well. He was such a rock at law school. Coming home and making sure he was home and not bringing school home with him. He made sure the boys felt loved while I was at work often having movie nights, wrestling wars and even taught the kids to ride their bike during his little free time. Why I am so impressed that Brad did so well in school is because I felt he had it harder than others he was competing with at school. I worked 5 nights in a row, which meant Brad had to come home from school and watch the kids, even during finals weeks. This cut into his study time, while others could stay at the school as long as they wanted. For Brad to juggle home, church and his school he worked very hard to make sure there was a balance and it paid off. I'm quite proud, can you tell! I have a pretty amazing husband.

I started the adventure of law school lonely and scared. I had no friends, no family and often felt alone and tired. I had been placed in a schedule at work that was the only thing available. Working 12 hour nights, it was 3 on 1 off and 2 more on. Basically 5 shifts in a row. I was a walking zombie. I hated it. But I found a way to manage. I was often reminded to cherish my children. I can hardly remember this, but Gavin was still in diapers and taking 2 naps during the day. He wasn't talking well, and Ethan was a little cherub talking my ear off. We would go for walks even though I just wanted to sleep on the couch, and I hold those moments so precious. My boys got me through those sleep deprived hopeless states. I became friends with the women at work, an amazing, kind and loving group of women. Each had a story to tell that made me want to be better. I felt welcomed and loved while I was there. They were a light that I am so grateful for. I miss them dearly. Brad and I eventually moved apartments, which meant we joined the student ward at our church. What can I say about this. My heart is full. I met so many amazing girls, a lot were law school wives experiencing the same thing I was. The spirit was so strong at church. These faithful women kept me buoyed to my priorities which were God and Family and the rest would fall into place. Which it did. I felt comforted and loved by my Heavenly Father. I was tested a lot but always strengthened from them. I became friends with the most amazing families, that I am sure to stay friends with until we die. I cannot talk about this charmed life, being a law students wife with other amazing women without my heart skipping a beat, or wanting to burst. Helping each other, lifting them when they are down. Having dinner together, joining friends as if we were family. Our family away from family. I become down right teary eyed when thinking about that opportunity I had to be placed there and to meet these families. Again, a true blessing. I know God is good. He listens when we feel we are alone. He places friends and people in our path to bless us with His love. Keep the faith!

I felt it was important for Brad to walk for graduation. I wanted the boys to remember how boring it was but that their dad did it. I was surprised how much Ethan enjoyed it. He was so proud to have a dad walking. He would stand up and walk right up to Brads row where he was sitting during the ceremony and take his picture or go for a hug. I couldn't stop him because Gavin passed out in my lap. At least one of my children will remember this amazing moment.

After all, we did to it together- Brad, Ethan, Gavin and I all graduated law school.

Tuesday, May 07, 2013

It's about time!

It looks like Ethan has been working hard on his math work at school. I love his comments on the bottom of EVERY page we get home from school!

It is about time to post that I am expecting baby #3! We are so super excited, it has been a long road and a long time coming. When we started law school, Brad and I wanted another baby, but then we went to school... I had to take on a lot of responsibility by working full time nights putting Brad through school and also being a full time mom and wife. I was stretched so thin I often wonder how we made it through. It was difficult to say the least. There would have been no way to add being pregnant and a brand new baby on top of it all. So we waited, patiently, for the right time to come. We moved in with my parents while Brad finishes law school and takes the bar (in July!!), which has been a HUGE blessing. My parents love my boys while I work, they get spoiled by family, and so do I.

One day Gavin came to lay on me while I was on the couch. He usually cuddles right up and fits perfectly. I snuggled him close as he closed his eyes, his breathing got heavy and his legs and arms sprawled past me on the couch. I about died right there. When did my baby grow up so fast? His chubby legs have become lean and strong. His face has thinned into a mature 4 year old and his excitement for life is expressed in his conversations with me. Where did the thumb sucking baby go, that fit perfectly in my arms? I now have a child who lays next to me instead of on my lap. I have held on to my children to get me through the tough patches of life. They bring so much joy and light, I absolutely LOVE being a mom. To know that I would not have anymore children was like a part of my heart was stolen. I knew it was time for another, and so did Brad.

I was so happy to find out that I was pregnant. It has been a while, so reality came quickly with all day long morning sickness. I can truly say I have been miserable. HOW do we get through this and continue to have children! Haha! Luckily, my parents have allowed me to sleep through the worst of my sickness while they manage the boys. That has been my saving grace. I am 12 weeks, so I am hoping it will ease up soon, yikes! Ethan absolutely loves knowing we are going to have a baby. We told him first, but to keep it a secret until we had the ultrasound. He was obviously too excited, and drew pictures and comments on his papers that I was pregnant! His teacher was the first to find out, haha! He often comes up to my belly to talk to the baby. When I am throwing up, he pats my back and reminds me that the baby is just growing. I sure do love my oldest boy!! I feel SO blessed to be adding another precious child to the Puffpaffs!