Soon pictures like this will be scarce, the boys will have to share the spotlight with their little brother or sister. But for now at least they are happy posing for pictures as we make homemade pizza. I am very grateful that they love each other so much and they wake up each morning excited to play together.

Since beginning Kindergarten Bear brings home his work from the day along with a picture he's drawn for Brock. Last week he brought home one that brought tears to my eyes. He drew a picture of him and his brother holding hands under a rainbow. When he gave it to Brock he said, "You will always be my best friend." I could not have asked for a sweeter more perfect moment right then. They weren't talking to me, Bear wasn't doing it to get favor with me. He did that simple act because his brother loves his pictures and at this stage of their young lives they truly are the best of friends.

Fall 2009

I know that everyday I wake up I am one day closer to being with my Savior and one day closer to eternity. I think we tend to forget that with our business and short attention spans. I am so grateful to be using my time here on this planet to teach and train these little men. I am not worthy to be their Mommy but I am so incredibly grateful to have to opportunity to make memories and to instill truth into their little lives. They are such a joy and make me strive to be the best Mommy I can possible be for them. As I dream of this next precious child that God is forming within me, I pray that the boys will know our love is the same and overflowing. I want our family to be completely centered on Jesus and giving Him all the praise for the perfection He has created in this unit. If I sound over the top then good, I don't think we can ever have enough praise for the blessing of our children. It is not by accident that scriptures talks about the relationship between children and parents. This is at the heart of our Savior. So it too should be at our very center.

Milkshake with my brother

It is incredible to watch these two monkeys. I am so thankful that God allowed these two to be born so close together. They are very different but they are such good friends. Every morning Alfred and I listen to them begin their morning so happy playing Lego's and talking to each other. Barrett is generally giving instructions and Brock sweetly listening to his big brother. In the last several months they have fallen into this incredible rhythm and they are both so giving and kind with the other. I feel guilty at times because they play and entertain each other for so long that they don't need me like they one did. I suppose that too is God's way of "planning" our family since we are having a new baby in May 2010. Oh wait did I forget to mention that:)

Burgess monkey #3 was OBVIOUSLY a God thing and although a huge shock we are thrilled. Causing me/us to lean a little harder on our Jesus. On Tuesday I have an ultrasound and we will see and hear the baby, I can't wait for that! I sometimes wonder why God chose this timing and this path for us but then I look at Bear and Brock as I choke back tears and simply say thank you to a God bigger than me or my questions!

A new season

It is so hard to figure out why this is like a dream. Maybe because we lived in this house before or maybe because I have dreamed of the boys being this particular age for so long. Whatever is the case this is a surreal and wonderful season we've just entered into as a family. As of today we have been in our house in Stone Mountain for 2 weeks. Barrett has been in Kindergarten for 2 weeks and absolutely loves it. He gets in the van ever afternoon so excited to tell me what he's learned and show me his "homework". I honestly pray he ALWAYS has this zeal for school. Brock and I have had the gift of time. The two of us have never had this kind of time without big brother and although he is lonely at times I know he is loving it as much as I am. He is such an amazing helper and has the most gentle nature. I am so blessed by the incredible differences that compliment each of my boy's personalities. It is a joy. I have so many little stories from the move that I am going to take the time and blog over the next few weeks. Things I don't want to forget as the monkeys grow and mature. I want to remember this special time and this season just as it is right now, crisp and fresh!!

Beginnings of our move to Cross Pointe

So it's official and it's really happening, we are moving back and yes I did say back to Atlanta or rather Stone Mountain. In 2 short weeks we will be leaving this wonderful city, Austin, and going to begin a new chapter in the never boring Burgess story. I am filled with excitement and anticipation as this journey begins. Cross Pointe Church will be our new home and Alfred is going to be the Family Pastor under Dr. James Merritt. Pretty cool God-size stuff if you ask me. Now I only need God-size patience. Eh, not to much to ask Him, he daily gives me doses:)

At the present I have a great deal of things running through my head about our time here with our GHBC family but I am letting that simmer a few more days before I blog.

I haven't blogged here since I've worked on the one for bear's heart journey but now feel the need to resume. This has been a crazy but good week with nothing of great significance happening. Bear continues to do amazingly well and we were able to get out in the sprinkler for a couple of hours today which make him wildly happy. We also went to the movies yesterday and saw several of his friends from church, that really made him and me feel like our life was returning to normal. The boys are playing doctor alot and each of them have their own little medical bag they take turns working on me or one of their animal friends. It's hilarious hearing them ask, "What hurts". They miss my Mom and Dad alot. This picture was their attempt to look like "Poppa sleeping". Bear thinks he looks the most like his because he doesn't wrinkle his eyelids and his hands match Poppa's perfectly! HAHA

I am so grateful to have this time to watch them play and imagine and I have to remind myself almost daily to sit and imagine with them. This time is so short and so wonderful and it will be gone before Alfred or I realize it. They really are my monkeys!!!

Extra Special Mommy Moments

So we've been hanging out on "quarantine" for the last week and it's been wonderful. Not only have I accomplished several items on my to do list but Bear and I have had a great time. Last Wednesday Brock stayed home with us and we had such a fun day. It was the type day where everything clicked and we were all in sync. I got the closet that Alfred and I share cleaned out and stuff that needed to be bagged up for Goodwill ready. It took about 3 hours but the boys were patient and played while I worked. Then as a reward we went and picked up Chick fil A and headed to a new park for a picnic. Now I know most parents say this about their children, but Brock is a very funny child. I truly have a difficult time not laughing at most of what comes out of his mouth. For a 3 1/2 yr. old he has quite the deep voice with a mix of southern drawl and some flavor we haven't quite figured out thrown in the mix. We are sitting eating our lunch at a picnic table and Brock looks at Barrett and says, "Beautiful day to eat some chicken outside." That kid just cracks us up!!! We played on the play scape for awhile pretending it was a pirate ship and we had alligators in the waters below. Brock was yelling constantly "Mom I can't protect you if you get off the ship."  Barrett then told me he needed to go potty and since there were a lot of trees I figured we could make use of one or two. I told Bear to head over to the farthest tree and do his business but I didn't clarify he needed to face away from the very busy road that is adjacent to the park. About the time he commerced  I yelled stop your going to get Mommy arrested, and then I scared Brock so bad that he wet his pants. It was hilarious to say the least. I apologized for yelling and then told Barrett why he should be discreet when using public trees. haha! It was hot that day so I told Brock his shorts would dry soon and if he didn't mind we didn't have to leave just yet. Of course that was fine with him, he is not my finicky child. After spending the rest of our time defending the pirate ship from alligators we were hot, stinky, and tired. We went and got ice cream before heading home and sat in the backyard eating our vanilla cones and talking about how much the ants wanted our sugary goodness. A bath, book, and snuggling in Mommy's bed completed our time. Brock said it best, " God made our family the most wonderful." My sentiments exactly!