Merry Christmas!

I hope you all are having a blessed Christmas season! It is entirely too busy around here:) We have been pretty good, battling sickness as goes with the season but nothing too major. We really enjoyed spending Thanksgiving back home with our family. Please see the slide show below for pictures of our trip. We were able to see the two new babies, Shane and Logan. What dolls!

As I write this I hope each one of you know the true reason we celebrate Christmas, the birth of our Savior Jesus. My prayer this Christmas season is that you may know Him and discover just how much Jesus loves and cares for you. Have a wonderful Christmas!

Joy

Pictures from Vacation in STL

Sears Pictures

Cameron is 21 months now. I feel like time has flown. We took the boys to get pictures for the fall. Here's how they turned out.

This one was actually

taken in August for

Nathan's 3rd birthday.

It took Cameron a

while to warm up

to the camera.

What a handsome boy!

Silly brothers!

Cutie pie!

A new arrival

My new nephew is so cute! I stole pictures from his Aunt Ashley's facebook album...no, I haven't seen him face to face yet...but we will soon! Enjoy the pictures! Isn't he pugdy? I love it! His stats at birth were 9lb 14oz and 21.75 in. He's a big boy:)


He's here! Shane Zachariah Bruza
and his sweet mommy, Katie.


Fatherhood is hard work, isn't
it Philip?


Look at that mass of hair!
Isn't he darling?!? Can't wait
to get my hands on him.


Chubby cheeks.

I just love naked babies!

Corolla NC Outer Banks Trip

The Atlantic Coast is beautiful...
We had so much fun on the outer banks of NC this year, Sept 20-27. Chad's parents, his brother Andrew, Grandpa George, and friends of ours, the Wrights, made up the beach crew. We climbed a light house, saw Kitty Hawk, lounged on the beach and had great food. Nathan also gave us a scare when he suddenly came down with bronchitis and we had to take him to urgent care. He hasn't been that sick before. I felt bad...he was a bit crabby for a couple days ( the prednisone). He and I were playing the "I love you more" game. I told him I loved him more than chocolate. Nathan's response to me? 'I love you more than trash.' Nice.
The Lord gave us beautiful weather during hurricane season, very mild and even hot a couple days. I am so thankful for my wonderful family. Katie and Philip (Chad's brother and his wife) weren't able to make it this time since she was 36 weeks pregnant at that time. She delivered Shane early Monday morning. He weighed 9lb 14oz. Wow! That is one big baby. I'll post pictures of him as I can. Enjoy the slide show below!

Beach Pictures

First Day

Nate with his "Cars" backpack.

My baby is a big boy...and I'm proud ( a little sad too.) Nathan had his first day of preschool today and loved it. He couldn't get to sleep last night because he was so excited...Poor fellow, he was still awake when Chad and I were getting ready for bed. This morning he was literally bouncing off the walls-I couldn't keep him still. On the way to school he sang "I'm going to school" over and over. So precious. He didn't cry when we (Cam and I) left. Overall, it went great. I'm sure he will do wonderful this year.

Cameron had a blast too. He played with his friends at Chick Fil A and had a great time on his own. I think sometimes it's good for him to be free from the shadow of Nathan. The other moms I was with were amazed at Cameron. He was a brand new baby without his brother. More outgoing and not so temperamental.

Summer in Review

We had a blast this summer! Chad's parents came out a couple times, Nathan and I celebrated our Birthdays the entire month (he made sure of that, Nate sang "Happy Birthday" every chance he got:), and Chad and I went to the mountains one weekend for our 4th anniversary.

Now we are getting ready to put Nathan in preschool, he is so excited! It's cute how he talks about going to school. My moms group has some fun things planned for this fall. Cameron is so precious these days, very loving. I'm going to end the post now and let the pictures do the rest.

Happy 3rd Birthday!

Curious George Cake

Cameron enjoying

his frozen yogurt.

Grammy got the boys

a new scooter...Nate

couldn't wait til morning.

The Children's Museum in Raleigh is alot of fun.

Cameron had a good time. He is watering the

plants with OJ and hefting the anchor.

Checking the label.

Helping...notice the slobber

on the cucumber.

Poppy's here!


So silly!

I love this picture.

Oh, boy! Motorbike rides.

Bouncing on the air mattress.

Nathan's new big

boy bed.


Panning for gems.

The hike to these falls

is longer than you

would think...

This bear was showing off to

get extra pieces of food.

As you can see, Cameron loves to wear hats.

Who told Noah to build the Ark?

According to Nathan Bruza...Noah's wife told him to build the ark. Just had to let everyone in on that little piece of family fun. And yes, we let Nathan know that God told Noah to build the big boat. Kids are a blast! Have a fun week.

Joy

Musings

We have lived in NC for 2.5 years now...and I've learned a few things...

1) To "cut on the lights" has absolutely nothing to do with scissors.

2) Most employees of fast food drive thru's are exceptionally courteous.

3) It's just as hot and humid here as in the midwest.

4) The dirt is red.

5) You start droppin' your ing's pretty quick around here.

6) Livermush...enough said.

7) The whole town shuts down when it snows (which isn't often)...so fun!

8) Like Ruth in the Bible I get to glean in the sweet potato fields...seriously.

9) The insects seem enormous!

10) And lastly, I have learned that God is faithful...faithful to provide work, friends, and most importantly faithful to love me when it would seem at times I am unlovable.

Have a fun weekend!

Joy

Picures as promised!

Provision

Hello to all my friends and family. I feel like it has been forever since I posted last, and I am eager to fill you all in on what God has been doing in our lives the past couple of months.

Around Easter Chad lost his job. He was able to see first hand what the boys and I do each day. I started working again, so God had everything under control even before we realized what was happening.

God has definitely been working on me...showing me areas that I need to work on and become more like His Son Jesus. I know He is preparing Chad and I for something bigger than ourselves. Please pray that we would continue to be open to God's prompting and His leading. I'm not going to post all of the details, but He is working and giving us miracles each day. Our Lord truly is Jehovah Jirah "The Lord Provides". He is teaching me to lean on Him and trust in His perfect plan. So, thank you Lord for providing for Your children, for leading us and showing us Your heart.

I hope to blog more often now. I will post pictures soon.

Difficulities

my blog is experiencing technical difficulties...I want to post soooo bad!

Pictures

Month in review

Waiting for Daddy.

Long time, no post. Quite a bit has happened over the past month! Let's see if I can get everyone up to speed on the Bruza happenings.

Chad's mom and dad flew in for a week Feb 10-17. We had a great time with them. Daddy Mike built us a great shelf compartment under the TV to store our electronics. Yay! It looks wonderful. Thanks so much Daddy Mike! Now the next project Chad and I have is to paint the house. I'm super excited about painting and getting the house to the way I want it. Mama Lynn helped me hang paintings and photo groupings in the living room. It looks nice, I would have never been able to pull that off on my own. Thank you! We also celebrated Mama Lynn's birthday--the second year in a row she was in NC for her birthday!

Chad's parents stayed with the boys while Chad and I went to Hilton Head, SC for a marriage conference over Valentine's. It was "A Weekend To Remember" presented by Family Life. Some of you may listen to Dennis Rainey on the radio, he's the president of Family Life and a very wise godly man who God has used to strengthen families across America. We had been to one before and had a great time. It's so easy to let your relationship take a back seat due to kids, responsibilities, and life in general. I was able to get a fresh view of the great man God has given me. Our weekend was so fun! And as much as I missed the kids, I didn't think about them the entire time...I knew they were in good hands. Lynn and Mike were able to see some dear friends while we were away for the weekend, the Bywaters. They stayed the weekend at our house and I hear they a fun time:) It was good to finally meet you all! You're welcome at our house anytime.

I also got a job at a local hospital. I'll start on Monday. I'm a little nervous, but I'm sure it will be fine. Orientation is eight to twelve weeks and my hours will be full time during that time. Once I'm on my own I'll work prn-about six days a month or so. We've been blessed to have a couple of girls who are home schooled to help with the kids so I don't have to place them in daycare. Aunt Mary Ellen has also offered to watch them. I am so grateful for these sweet people!

Cameron had his first haircut this Monday. I was sad...first haircuts are emotional for me. It means my baby is growing up:( Chad cut Cameron's hair and I held down the screaming child. Seriously, Cam thought he was going to die. Chad and I were having some "intense" conversation during the process, Cam was screaming his head off, squirming all over, and getting sticky sucker in his hair! (Whose idea was that?! ) In my defense, I thought it would distract him. Alright, here are the before and after shots. He is cute, isn't he?

Before (like I needed to clarify!)

After So handsome!

Sickness

Friends are special people. They know how to make it all better without saying anything, always know what your thinking, and are there in good times and bad. My sweet friend Missy has been so sick with this precious baby, and yet she found time to come see us for a short weekend...Well, sort of. Thanks for making the trip girl! Even if it was realllly short!! Hope you feel better very soon.

Last Friday and Saturday we planned to have some girl time but Cameron rearranged our plans. He woke from his nap that afternoon with pink eye. Missy and Bella decided to risk it and they arrived at our house for dinner. Not even an hour after they arrived, Cameron was puking! Of course, I was planning to have them sleep in Cameron's room. Since we weren't sure if it was a stomach virus our guests left for Missy's aunts house an hour away. Man!! We'll get together soon girl! I want to come your way before the baby and then we can all hang together (that means you too, Heather:)

Cam also had an ear infection, so we have been on antibiotics and eye drops all week. Needless to say, we are so ready to have a fun week. Chad's parents are coming in a couple days and Nathan is super excited to see Poppy and Grammy.

Hope you all have had a restful Sunday. Have a great week.

Snow and a birthday

As I sit here on a Monday night, waiting for 24 to start, things are pretty quiet around here. Chad it solving a puzzle on wheel of fortune (he says he doesn't like the show, but is always happy when he solves the puzzle): The kids are in bed. So I thought I would catch up from my Christmas post.

We had a snow day this past week! Nathan liked the snow...in fact, we still have snow balls in the freezer. The snow only lasted a couple days, but it was so much fun. Reminded us of home in IL. Even Chad got the day off. Check out my snow babies!

Since I have posted last, my baby has turned one! He is getting cuter each day. Cameron cruises very well, stands with only a few fingers for support on whatever he is against. Will not say mama to save his life!!! Dada, ga, and I'm not sure but I think he may have said papa tonight. Cameron tackles Nathan every chance he gets. It's pretty funny. We have his one year check up tomorrow. Last weight, he was 3 lbs less than Nate. We had a birthday dinner for Cameron and invited the Marshall's over (Chad's family in town). I made a cake, and chicken chili. We had a good time. Here are some pictures.

Mama and Cameron


Train Cake


Mmmm


Cracking himself up

Precious baby

Christmas back home

Christmas and New Years

Were back!!! Vacations are so much fun and go by way too fast. The boys and I did great on our flight by ourselves to STL. Let me tell you all about it....

So this mama was very ill the day before we were to leave. I told Chad that if I felt the same the next morning I didn't see how I was going to fly with two children. Cameron started the whole thing, he had been sick since early Tuesday morning, so by Thursday Chad had to stay home with me.

I did make the flight and the boys did great. Chad was even allowed on board to help us get settled. So we get to STL and all is good. I'm feeling better, Cameron is still under the weather but doing ok. My brother and sister in law came down for the weekend (they live 3 hours away)to help with the Christmas pageant at church. Would you believe they got sick?!? I felt like a dog for bringing sickness...uh..Merry Christmas? Philip didn't get to go to the pageant, he was supposed to be playing the violin and guitar. The bug also hit Chad's dad, my sister, and step mom. For the record I did warn everyone we had been sick but they all said "Oh, don't worry about it. Come anyway!"

We had a great time after that first week! Visited with a lot of friends and family. Grammy and Poppy took the boys to see the Christmas lights. Nathan rode a donkey! Soo cute. We must have had at least 3 Christmases between our families. Nana, Chad's Grandmother, turned 80 and we had a bash for her during our time there too. The new year was a lot of fun, dinner with Chad's moms family and then a low key movie night. I was so tired I barely could stay awake as the family prayed in the new year. It is so nice to be a part of a family who treasures and honors the Lord.

Everyone was so generous, we had a lot to load in the van. Thank you Nana and Papa for giving us the van! It was packed pretty full for our trip back. The boys did wonderful on the ride home. We stopped in Shelby NC to visit friends and attend a birthday party for Bella. Then we drove the last four hours home.

We sure did have a blast on our trip. Made a lot of memories and felt very loved and blessed. Nathan had added many words to his vocabulary and asks about our family by name. I hope you each had a wonderful Christ centered Christmas and New Year. Love you all!

Oooh! I almost forgot! I personally know a few movie stars and a movie director...Chad's childhood friend and his family have been working on their new movie for 3 years. We were able to watch it and it is really neat. They weave in the gospel, there's action, and a bit of romance. This is their third film and it is really good. Check it out! http://burnsfamilystudios.com/movies/pendragon/

Plans, playgroups, and precious people

Christmas is the best time of year! I love decorating, baking, and being with family and friends. This year we have a charlie brown tree since the boys and I will be going to St Louis in a week. I couldn't find a small angel topper so I am using an ornament. It's OK, you all can laugh, it looks a little silly! We have a "Cars" tree skirt. Can you tell I'm a mother of boys? Ha ha! The tree is still pretty and Nathan loves to look at the ornaments. And Cameron can't reach it very easily since I have it perched on a table. He has been more distracted by the Hallmark animated singing and dancing penguins I have on the floor. Hopefully next year we will have a real tree:)

I've been shopping, planning meals, compiling lists for our trip, juggling playgroups, trying to keep the house in order and the laundry caught up. Nana and Papa, Chad's grandparents were in town too. We had some fun visits with them. All of this is the reason I haven't been blogging regularly.

Wednesday night the moms group had a secret santa night out at the coffee shop. We had a blast! A bunch of women talking and exchanging presents. A dear friend gave me a framed collage of my babies from playgroups we attended. It was extra special since my camera had broken and I didn't get it replaced for a couple of weeks. She took pictures of my boys during the time I didn't have a camera. So sweet! Only a mama could understand the need to capture the changes that happen so fast. Thank you Babs! The picture is already on my wall!

I've decided to post a slide show instead of individual pictures since we have had a lot going on the past few weeks. Enjoy!

Thanksgiving Pictures

"I'd rather have a root canal"

And with that comment from Chad we left the portrait studio. Pictures are a blast with two kids, especially a two year old. OK, not so much! We did, surprisingly, get a few good ones. Notice Nathan's smirk in the picture above. Not a true smile, but I'll take it. I'll put a few on this post.

Thanksgiving is upon us already. I am very thankful for my wonderful family, all the friends God has given me here in NC, my church family and those dear 4th grade boys we teach. I pray each of you have a great Thanksgiving surrounded by those you love. May we all find joy in the little things and be thankful for each day the Lord gives us. Happy Thanksgiving!

Here are the pictures-- Nathan 2yr 3mo Cameron 10mo

Brotherly bonding

Here's a funny story I thougt I'd share. I was at Bible study when this happened so Chad filled me in.

Chad had put Cameron in his highchair, warmed his sweet potatoes, and stepped out of the room for a minute before he started feeding the baby. Nathan saw an opportunity and jumped on it. He took the potatoes, pulled up a chair to Cameron and started feeding him--using some of the words and phrases mommy uses. "I feed you Cameron!" "Big bite!" "That's good!". Instead of continuing to rattle on I'll just show you....

I'll feed you Cameron!


Mmm...yummy. A few bites

actually made it in!


Uh-oh

I'll feed myself Nathan!


Big bite!

Oops Nathan, Cameron is

gagging...


No more Nathan, please!

Have a great week! And Missy, I hope you feel better soon! Love to you all!

I've Got Sunshine on a Cloudy Day...

This weekend was a whirlwind of fun! My friend Paige married her sweetie, Patrick Edwards. The ceremony was outside at the edge of a creek by Paige's house and the reception was in her backyard under a huge white tent. So much work went into planning this wedding. They only had a 3 month engagement! Paige and Patrick worked endless hours getting the grass and landscaping just right. It turned out beautiful.

The evening of the rehearsal was soggy and intermittent rain. But plans were in full swing...rain or not! We were all praying that it would clear by ceremony time.

""

The wedding day dawned cloudy but not raining. As the girls were getting ready, the sun peaked through!! Funny how you pray for something and are sometimes surprised that God answers with a yes. The afternoon was warm and sunny, and the bridesmaids were taken the short distance from the house to the creek in a horse drawn carriage. So pretty! The bride and her daddy came in the carriage after everyone was in place. Patrick was breath taken, Paige was a beautiful radiant bride. They wanted to remind their guests of the Biblical plan for marriage and the Salvation message in the ceremony. Their wedding was beautiful and God honoring.

Father and Daughter

Patrick and the girls

""

Paige and the girls

Dancing to "My Girl"


They were nice to each other:)

Congrats Mr and Mrs Edwards!! Love you both!

Nathan and Cameron visit the fire house

As I write this I am sitting on my front porch enjoying the afternoon. Such a pretty fall day. Presently Nathan is standing on a tree stump hollering "I jump!" over and over. ( a spider was crawling on my neck just now!!! Oohhh, I don't like those creatures at all. I'm sure the neighbors got a good laugh with me dancing on the porch like a maniac. I still have the willys...hope his brother isn't around...)

The boys and I went to the fire house this past Friday to tour with the mom's group. How fun! There were 13 kids plus moms. The fire fighters were wonderful! They gave us over an hour tour and one of the fire trucks had to go to a medical emergency while we were there! Nathan stood at the window and told the fire fighters bye bye. The group posed for a picture with the fire fighters at the end of the morning. A sweet fire fighter held Cameron for me as I snapped a picture. When we were finished I started talking to one of the moms...and completely forgot about Cameron! Another of the ladies asked the man if he had kids and was going to take Cameron until I came to my senses at that very moment. How embarrassing!!

Cameron and his fireman.

Nathan in the fire

truck.

Nate begged the fireman to

"Please help, please help!"

And down he went.

The whole gang.

In other news...

Chad has been out of town twice this month. I don't think I would mind so much if it wasn't for the kids. Yes, I know this sounds bad, but the boys must be very aware that mommy is doing this parenting thing on her own for a few days, and they step it up a notch! Come home soon, Baby! This mama needs a break. I shouldn't complain, I do have great boys. Times apart like this remind me just how blessed I am to have Chad in my life. Love ya Chad.