Big Brother Corbin

Corbin is 10 years old and this past year has really stepped into the Big Brother role.  He makes me so proud.  Here are a few things I have taken note of the last few months.

*You are a very good swimmer.
*Helped Cannon to learn to swim  last summer.
*Holds Cannon when he starts to fall behind.
*Concerned about your brothers feelings.
*Likes to hunt and shoot guns.
*Likes the Texas Longhorns.
*Wants to be involved in all sports.
*Questions everything.  In a good way.
*Likes to talk politics, and that makes your Dad very happy.
*You will always be the first to bring Jesus into a conversation.  You have no doubt who Jesus is and what he does for us.

Corbin I love you sweet boy!!

Carrying your brother through the mall.

At your first Texas Rangers Game!

Christmas in Granbury!

Playing Chess at the Austin Children's Muesem.

SNOW DAY!!

The boys are out of school today for a snow day and I am so happy that Shane stayed home with us. He makes it so much fun. Th guys were out early getting the 4-wheeler and sled ready for the day. I was sure to say thank you to God for sending the snow. I have been praying for snow for a while now. He always answers. I love the beauty of the snow and the time I get to spend with all my guys!

The boys having a snow ball fight. Corbin is a Star Wars guy!

Shane helping Cannon paint his car.

Siesta SMT Celebration

Probably my favorite picture, all the ladies saying their scripture. Can you imagine what was going on in the Heavenlies? Makes me so happy!!

WOW what a fun weekend. Beth, Travis, and 506 other siestas meeting in one place to give praise and worship our King. I learned so many things from Beth's teaching that made me stop and think about my own walk. This past year has been a growing experience while I was looking up scripture, memorizing scripture and reading through all the other scripture that was posted on the blog. One of the funnest parts for me was reading all the new verses each time. And I also agree with Beth that if someone looked at my notebook from last year, they might have a little too much information about me! Yikes!

When we had our Q & A time I felt a little convicted about my own quiet time. Being a Mom with 3 boys I don't seem to have a consistent one at a specific time daily. One of the ladies asked the girls what they saw in their Mom that made them stay in the Word and continue their walk. Amanda answered that she saw Beth doing her daily quiet time. I am ashamed to say that my boys do not see me do that. I either do it during nap time or after everyone has gone to bed. They know that I go to Bible study at church on Tuesday night with the ladies, but is that enough? Being in church every Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday, is that enough? I want so much for my boys to grow into Godly men. I hope I do not let them down. I have been asking God to put a hunger in me for His Word and to direct me in raising these sweet boys.

Also, my sweet friend Cindy and I had an awakening Saturday morning that God spoke to both of us. It is so strange how He works that way. We were talking about how we were so pumped and excited to get there early but are we that excited to wake up early and have our quiet time alone with Him? OUCH!!

I am so appreciative to Beth for starting the SMT last January. I know that we will not know until we get to heaven all the great rewards that will come from the past year! It will be a great day.

The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy!! Psalm 126:3

After School

This is what the boys do as soon as they get home form school...EAT!! I'm thinking I will have to get a job as they get older. They will eat us out of the house. I love my boys!

My Baby Started Preschool

Yesterday was Cannon's first day of preschool at the Little Learning Ranch. He was so excited and had a great day. I was getting a little teary when we were walking up to the door but I pulled it together. We went inside put his backpack in his cubby and his lunchbox in the fridge. Then Ms. Trish took our picture. I wanted one with her but he started hiding behind me. Just like Carson use to do. We decided to wait until the end of the day.

The time came for me to GO. Oh, it was so hard and I cry now thinking about it. On one hand I am excited for him because he is such a big boy but the other hand says,"Where did my baby go? I want him back." I have had the wonderful privilege to be at home with my boys each day. I have loved it. I am so thankful for this time I have had. I know, I know he has two years of preschool he isn't going to college but it will happen sooner than I want!

OK, back to LLR. I gave him several hugs and left. I walked quickly to the car trying not to make eye contact with anyone. I closed my door and let it out. I cried all the way home and then some. I called Shane on the way home to cry to him. I think he was a little sad too. Not as much as me though!!

When I went to pick him up he had a great day and took a picture with both his teachers. He was asking to go back today. It is going to be an very exciting time.

I had the boys stand by the sign. Two former students and one present! We love the Little Learnig Ranch.

Summer Recap '09

I know it has been 4 months since I have written anything. I kept telling myself to do something but never did a thing. So, I thought I'd recap our summer. It was great and the boys had a lot of fun. There really wasn't much down time. That can be good and bad.

In June Shane and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary with a weekend in Fort Worth. We keep saying we are going on a trip but that hasn't happened yet. Maybe next June! We had two weddings and a trip to Great Wolf Lodge.

Mixed in June was Corbin going to Scout camp and Carson and Cannon had swim lessons for 2 weeks. We were busy but it was all fun.

July seem to fly by. Each week was something new. We spent the 4th at the lake with family. The next week Corbin went to RA camp with the boys from church and I prepared for Vacation Bible School. Then it was the week of VBS!! I love it. What a great time we had with all the kids and workers. We finished up July with a family vacation to Red River, New Mexico. The boys loved it. We hiked, rode the ski lift, hiked, played in the cold water, hiked, went driving up in the mountains in a rough looking truck that shook my insides and did I mentioned we hiked? It was a blast!!

Cannon is pretending to be a bear in the last one!

So, August was full of little trips. The boys and I went to Oklahoma to visit friends and family for a few days. Then I went on a girls trip to Austin with my "old" friends from Gainesville. It was the best! We tell each other that we have to stay friends because we know too much about the other. We had a massage, was lazy at the pool and laughed until way too early in the morning! Corbin started Pee Wee football and loves it. He likes to tackle and does a pretty good job. Having brothers has paid off. The first day of school came for Corbin and Carson. What a great day! They have wonderful teachers and are enjoying their classes. I spent the last week of August in Oklahoma with family. My wonderful uncle Dennis passed away and I was honored to read scripture at his service and be there for my Aunt Bonnie and cousins Jeri, Beth and Denny. My cousin Melissa flew in from Colorado and we stayed together in a hotel and had the best time talking and catching up. She really is more like a sister! I love her! She cracks me up!

So, that is about it. I'm sure I left out something. The Cody family Summer of 09! I miss it already.

He GOT Me!!

Well, he did it. The Big Guy got me! My Shane had a surprise party for me last night and I WAS actually surprised. I thought he would never be able to pull one off and he did. (I'm gonna have to keep a closer eye one him!) He called it the 20th anniversary of my 16th Birthday! If you know Shane that sounds just like him! Some people don't get him but I think he is so funny!

He and some "friends" have apparently been working on this for a little while. It was so nice and so "girly pretty"! And I love that! There were new friends and long time friends and family there. I was so happy! Shane had a few people stand up and tell a little story about me or a memory and they blessed my heart. I had to sit in a chair in front of everyone and if you know me that is not what I like at all! Center of attention ...go away!

My God has blessed me with so many loving and faithful family and friends! I grew up in a Christian home with my parents and 2 sisters. We were taught about Jesus from the get go! My Mom says,"You were born on Monday and in the church nursery on Sunday!" See, so I have no other choice! I have really had the best life. Easy...not always. But, God has seen me through losing my two sisters, parents moving away (and back thank goodness!), getting married and moving to a new town where I knew NO one, and having 3 boys to raise!! My prayer is that I will be able to point Corbin, Carson and Cannon to Jesus to love with all their hearts, soul and mind!

My God is so good!
Thanks Shane for the party! You got me!