Have You Ever Drooled Over a Computer....me neither

I want to win this HP TouchSmart computer soo bad. You can enter to win too.

How you ask?

Well- you actually have 5 chances to enter.

Head on over to these great blogs to get all of the details. You will just love these blogs if you don't already read them I bet you will want to- they are all great!

Kelly from Kelly's Korner

Stephanie from A Year of Slow Cooking

Jennifer from My Charming Kids

Nie Nie from the NieNie Dialouges

Sophie from BooMama

So go enter to win this great new computer. If you win and I know you personally I may come to your house and drool on it...or sneak it out at night!! No I won't really do that.

News Flash

My sweet hubby works really hard and is a great mechanic. The shop has recently created a fan page on Facebook and I just wanted to share so if your on Facebook I would love for you to become a fan- and of course if you need your VW or Audi repaired you should consider giving them a try.

Der German Imports

Promote Your Page Too

Giveaway Alert

I just wanted to share with you about a great contest over at Living Locurto. She is giving away an Apple iPod Touch! You should also check out her blog for all of her great downloadables and great ideas!

Click Here to go see how to enter to win!

5 Years Ago....

my life was changed in imeasurable ways.

My sweet Koen was born.

I loved him so much with just the sound of his cry, before I had even seen his sweet face. The love you feel for your child is instant. .............

But grows stronger and amazes you more with each passing day!

Happy 5th Birthday "Koko"! What a joy these 5 years have been!

High School Reunion

I really wanted to document this for memories sake.

This was one busy weekend. It began with my high school reunion. On Friday we started out with a tailgating party and a tour of the high school. It has changed so much and it is beautiful. Koen and Gannon came with us Friday night and they thought that they were so cool to get to see the high school. They especially loved the gym. This is kind of ironic because that is where I spent so much of my time in high school. I cheered and had to be there at 6 a.m. every morning and we practiced till I think around 8:45. The gym has been slightly redone, but the area just outside the gym was totally different.

The boys and I got a quick picture overlooking the gym.


We had a few friends over after the football game. It was a perfect evening. We hung out on the patio and had a fire in the chimenea and our fire pit. It was perfect. We reunited with some old friends that we had not seen in a while.

Saturday we went to the banquet for the reunion and had a wonderful evening. Brandon and I won the High school sweetheart award. I am so happy to have spent so many years with him, I wouldn't change a thing.

The reunion was great! It was so good to see old friends. I can't wait till the next one!

We ended the weekend by celebrating Koen's 5th birthday. I will blog about that soon!

The B Word in Spanish

Just for fun I thought I would record how our morning went today. Just so when I am so far out of these having two young kiddos that I fail to remember these things.

Gannon has been fully potty trained for a long time- except at night. He just can't get the hang of it. Well- for two weeks he woke up with a dry pull up. Two weeks seems like long enough- right? So last night he slept in underwear. Guess who was in my room at 2:19 a.m. ( well actually it was 2:09 because my clock is 10 minutes fast)? Yep- you got it- Gannon. And guess what he said- "Mommy you forgot to put a pull up on me I AM WET!" And ringing wet he was! So I got him changed, his bed changed and back to sleep we went. He was quite grumpy yesterday so I let him sleep in this morning. When he woke at 9:00 I just knew he would be more chipper. And it seemed as though I was right until.....

We were going to have cereal and bacon and fruit for breakfast. We had talked about this last night- that's what they had requested. So as we went into the kitchen Koen announced " I want a nutrigrain bar." Gannon shrieks NOOOOO! He did not want Koen to have a nutrigrain bar. After all we had already discussed breakfast and what was on the menu the night before right? Well- I somehow got that fire put out and got the cereal boxes out for them to choose. There was this one type of cereal out of 4 that had very little in it. And they both wanted it. So I told them they would have to split it- Gannon MAD! So I split it between their bowls and - Gannon MAD! I was being calm and explaining that we would buy more next time we went to the store blah, blah, blah. SO I get the milk and as I pour milk into Koen's- Gannon is still MAD- but now for a different reason. This is NOT the kind of cereal I want! Oh really- problem solved!

So the rest of Breakfast was pretty good until....

Gannon has been testing the waters lately with the B word- butt. We don't allow the boys to say it but (oops) Gannon really likes to try to slip it in- for reaction from us of course. So we have now told him that he will get his mouth washed out (man I hope he doesn't continue to say it- I don't want to wash his mouth out!) At breakfast he was saying something nonsensical and silly- this is Gannon we are talking about, and out comes ButtKick. He immediately covered his mouth and said I won't say it anymore. Of course the GREAT mother that I am was choking back laughter- have you heard a cute as a button three year old say BUTTKICK lately? It was funny! So he then rambles on in Gannon language. Koen is gearing up to watch the soap washing that is sure to come and when he realizes that it may not be coming cause Mommy is laughing I am sure his smart brain strted scheming. Well, as Gannon rambled on in his own speak Koen said

" MMMMMMMM, Gannon said the B word in Spanish!!!"

Gotta love this life- never a dull moment at the Bruski's!

You know how some days are just different than any other? You can kind of feel it coming. You know that it will be monumental (your little slice of the world monumental). And then when it arrives you know it is going to be different THAN MOST OTHER DAYS.

Today was one of those days.

For 4 years 10 months and 23 days Koen was always with me. Always is relative, but mostly always with me. He went to work with me- yes he wasn't always in my classroom, but he was there. I have left him with family, friends, or Daddy and been without him. So why would today seem so different? Not sure- I am still trying to figure that out. I know that a piece of this puzzle that I have tried to solve all day has not so much to do with today but more to do with the past 4 years, 10 months, 23 days that we just left behind and the next years and years to come. I think every Mom has felt this as they faced the day like we did today. Maybe Dad's too- not sure. I felt alot of emotions about today...happy SAD anxious uncertainty PRIDE- and I knew that everything that I have done for him in the last 4 years, 10 months and 23 days had prepared him for this day. I just hoped that he would keep his senses today through all the excitement that he was feeling to remember all that we have taught him- manners, kindness, understanding, diversity...

So today came, and Koen was talking ninety to nothing about what his day was to hold. He was clearly EXCITED! I talked to Gannon; giving him fair warning that today would be the day that Koen would leave for awhile and he would not. I just knew that Gannon's little heart would break a bit missing his big brother. He said "OK Mama." In the end it was Koen that missed Gannon- go figure!

The time finally came so Koen got dressed in his new clothes and shoes. He spent a few extra seconds in front of the mirror looking at how handsome he was. I was glad he slowed down long enough for me to admire my sweety as well. He came downstairs so HAPPY that Daddy had come home from work to see him off. He knew it was picture time- I am his mother after all! So he headed to the fireplace (default pic spot in our house) to have his photo shoot.

First he was a little shy for the camera.

Then he warmed up a bit.

Put his backpack right on.

Showed off that backpack some more.

I loved on him for a sweet picture- Molly even wanted to send him off right.

Snuggled up to Daddy for a sweet pic.

And he was one handsome boy!

We arrived with plenty of time...at a brand new school...

Walked hand in hand with Daddy- shoulders held high.

Stopped one last time for a picture before going inside.

With much excitement Koen found his room.

Mrs. McLoughlin had his name sticker ready as we entered.

As he put his backpack away in his cubby his eyes were wide with excitement as he took in all there was to see in the classroom.

Koen then gave us both hugs and kisses and took his seat on the carpet just as his teacher had asked.

And off we went...into the 4th year, 10th month and 24th day of his life. We are more proud of this little boy than I ever thought a person could be. And as I drove away through blurred vision, I knew he would do great, love it, thrive on learning, never cease to be curious, but for some reason letting go was hard today.

It was so great as I drove into the loop, saw him in his little line of classmates, pointing and waving "That is my Mommy" he said. As he got into the car I knew he had a great day. He couldn't have been more happy at that moment.

What a great FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

12 Hours of Music, A Loaded Car and Wind Energy

Today we left for vacation. We are ultimately going to Montana to see Brandon's Grandparents. We are heading to Denver today and tommorow we will go to Jackson Hole Wyoming. Tuesday we will meander through Yellowstone National Park before heading into Montana. Before we left we loaded up 12 hours of music, probably more stuff than we need and the handy dandy DVD players and off we went. Today we saw a wind energy farm in Hays, Kansas. It was a neat site. Something this Oklahoma girl has never seen before. In Gannon's words- That was cool.

To Make a Long Story Short...

Like I have been saying- I am going to play catch up.

Short, sweet honest and to the point- hopefully.

May………………..

I started my new job as Assistant Preschool director.

It’s the perfect job for me.

The boys started T-ball.

Koen’s considered designated hitter.

Brandon and I celebrated 7 years of marriage.

We've now been married longer than we dated.

June……………

We had a garage sale with Mom.

We made $400 dollars exactly.

We had VBS at church. Gannon got to watch frogs eat crickets. They both got to see a man on a bike play a didgeridoo.

Mom had surgery after discovering something abnormal on a PET scan. Her ovarian cancer has returned. She got her “tattoo” today. She begins radiation soon.

July……………….

We celebrated the 4^th of July on the 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th.

We broke tradition and did not go to the river for fireworks. Good thing we didn’t.

Koen and Gannon completed swim lessons. Koen advanced 2 levels and Gannon passed on to the next level.

I think this will do, if you know of something I missed please let me know.

Pitter Patter

I have been so bad about posting and I know I have said this before, but I am going to play catch the blog up. There have been a lot of things happen that I need to blog about- not all good unfortunately, but that will come later.

Today I have one really important thing to post. This is a conversation Koen and I had when we were in the car by ourselves on the way home from the store today.

Koen- Mom- I’m going to live in Tulsa when I grow up.

Me- Oh really

Koen- Yeah, but I’ll show ya where I live so you can come see me. And- when I grow up I’m gonna be a Daddy.

Me: Wow- that’s great.

Koen: But- I don’t think I will get married.

Me: Oh- you have to get married to be a Daddy.

Koen: Ok Mom- I need to talk to you about something. It’s kinda about girly stuff. I’m gonna need you to find the best girl in town for me to marry. Since you know about that kind of stuff. Can you just line it all up for me?

I had no answer to that !!!

Immediately following:

Koen: Mom- I just don’t get the whole baby thing. Does it just come out of your belly and then just come to life? I don’t get it but one thing I know for sure is I love you!

My Heart definitely skipped a beat!

I NEVER WANT TO FORGET THIS CONVERSATION AS LONG AS I LIVE!

I LOVE this boy more than words could say!

A Mood Adjustment

It has been very rainy here!  I want the sun to come back out.  I have been so busy, and I know I keep saying that I will blog more often.  I so want to...it just doesn't happen.  I am settling into a new rythym of life that will change again come the end of May, so MAYBE then I will blog more!  Well..I do not feel like typing much tonight so I will just post a few pics and in an attempt to change my mood/energy level I need to take a look at some things I am thankful for:

The green grass that the rain has brought!  
The BEAUTIFUL flowers that are blooming in my flower beds.
The previous owner of my home who planted all of the flowers!
Great lunch visits with co-workers these past few weeks.
A fabulous co-teacher that keeps me grounded on crazy days.
The delish pork chops my dad made me for dinner.  There is just something about your parents home cookin' every once in a while!
The love I feel from my husband even when we are so busy that the only words we speak to each other in a day are :  "Good Bye Honey- Love you." and "Good Night Honey- Love you."
A nice night by an outdoor fire with an amazing long time friend.
Children who never let my life be boring.  

Yes...I do feel better already!

Our "We Inherited it With the House" cat- Kitty

Mr. Gannon- looking down at me from the fort.

Soccer Cuties!

Y/N

Yes, I finally got a whole bunch of pictures loaded from my camera.

No, I am not going to show you all of them, just a lot!

Yes, Gannon really does like to have his picture taken.

No, I never get tired of taking pictures of my kids.

Yes, I love this fun yes/no way of posting.

No, I din't create it- thanks MckMama!

Yes, Gannon sat still for quite a while as I snapped thses pics.

No, that is not completely normal for him.

Yes, these are snow pics.

No, these are not that old...it snowed in April!

Yes, the boys had a great time building a snowman.

No, I didn't go out and help them.

Yes, I should have gone outside with them.

No, I am not fond of cold weather.

Yes, this is a snow fort.

No, they couldn't all agree on that fact- Gannon swears it was a boat.

Yes, this is my new backyard.

No, I didn't have to get out in the weather to take this- thanks to my big covered patio!

Yes I have more pictures I want to post.

No, I can not take any more of the slow process of posting to blogger- more later!