Very Sad Loss...

It has been an incredibly sad week for us. Beverly aka "GramBee" unexpectedly passed away on Sunday evening, January 22nd. It has been rough on Ashley and his entire family, as she was only 67 years young. I've gone through my mind over and over how I would update this blog about her, and there is just no way to do her justice with what I would have to say. I was going to make this lengthy and mushy (even brought in a roll of toilet tissue before I started because I knew the tears would be rolling)... but I've decided to keep it short and sweet.


She was a very talented beautiful woman
She loved beach music and other good music too - had hundreds and hundreds of awesome songs on her computer
She was a very good shagger, loved to dance... was going to teach Branson and Holden to shag one day
She was an artist, she dabbled in paintings a while ago... but her best artworks were her beautiful quilts she made - so gorgeous and detailed
She was a dog person - I'm a dog person too; I think it says something about a person if they like dogs ;)
She was incredibly generous and very kind and loving, always had a bright smile and a fun laugh
Loved to be around family and friends - knew how to throw a good party so everyone had fun; it also helped that she was a good Southern cook too
She loved being Grambee and she loved her three grandsons so much ~ Spencer, Branson and Holden

The part that really kills me is that Branson and Holden are only 4... ONLY 4 Years OLD! and it just doesn't seem fair that they won't get to grow up with her in their lives and really knowing her. She was a wonderful lady. That makes me the saddest when I think about it. What a loss for them and for us all. She was too young to die but I have to trust in God's plan. He has a plan for all of us and that gives me comfort.

Psalm 30:5b “weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” (*KJV)
Lamentations 3:31-33 “For men are not cast off by the Lord forever.Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men.” (NIV)

Go Tigers!

Clemson Tigers sure have some cute fans! haha The boys are really starting to 'get into' football this year; it also helps to follow a winning team. They are starting to learn the cheers and love to hear the cannon go off after a TD and also the LOUD tiger roar in the stadium ~ so cute to see them so excited!

First Day of PreK 4s!!!!

Hooray for preschool starting back!!! Last week Branson and Holden started school again and were very excited to see their old friends and teachers. This year is a little different in that they have separate classrooms and teachers. I was a little worried that they would be anxious but they weren't at all. In fact, I think they were really excited that they each had their "own" teacher and classroom. I've gotten great reports from the teachers on both boys that they are doing fantastic separated. (I've even noticed Holden has a little skip in his step these days. haha) Off to a great start this year!! WooHoo!

ps Branson is doing a thumbs-down mainly because I said let's do a thumbs-up picture on school starting. I think if I said please don't clean up your room... it would be spotless in about 5 min. ;) Love that willful boy!

New Family Addition! Dusty

Well, we waited long enough according to the boys,"years and years", to get another dog. So we went to the Pets Inc. place and Fate pushed lil Dusty our way; so we adopted him and brought him home with us. He was a new little puppy at the orphanage, dropped off that morning the evening we were there and the rest is history. He has the sweetest little personality and loves playing with the boys. We were told he is a Terrier mix and shouldn't get too big. Branson and Holden named him Dusty; Branson was adamant about the name and Holden was agreeable. We adopted him the day before Preschool started. Timing could have been a little better, but WTH... sometimes you just gotta roll with it.

Branson and Holden really love having a little dog around to play with. They want to help with everything. Feeding, brushing, giving treats and toys to, walking him, etc. Ashley may be more smitten with little Dusty than the boys! He's a good fit for our family. They keep asking if we have to give him back and if we get to keep him forever and ever.

Buzz Off Kid!

I know, I know... where are any new pictures?! I've slacked off for a while... updates will return when I get my sanity back (could be a while).

Today Branson was in the bathroom with the door locked. I knocked on the door and asked what he was doing. He responded "going to the potty... now buzz away please". I think he was trying to tell me to "buzz off". I guess kids really do pick up what you say sometimes!

Bowler Boys and Guppy Guys

We went bowling today! They really like bowling.
Holden was really getting into it; fist pumps and all!

Here's my man Branson, looking all serious like; nice form good grip!

Most days we try to make it to the pool. A couple nights a week, we wait for Ashley to get home from work and all go together. It's nice to go in the evening, and it helps these guys sleep well too.

The boys have practiced swimming a few times without the swim-vests and are really doing well. I'm thinking that if they weren't twins, they would be swimming now. But if only one parent is with them, it's hard to watch them both at the same time (makes me nervous); and they most likely would have had a little more one on one time in the pool. But nevertheless, they love the water and are getting so much better at swimming!

SUMMERTIME (kickin' my arse) FUN!

Geez Louise! The boys got out of school mid May... and will be out for summer break until around the second week in September!!!!! Not to complain or anything, but the days are long and the temperatures are rising. Hello!?!! I'm 40 years OLD...and I'm dyin' and beat down. ;) My bones are weary and we still have months to go. (sniff) Just wanted to share, that's all.

I know I shouldn't complain about God's precious gifts; and most days I usually don't. Today was just a long one ~ well really, this week has been a long one. They've been doing great, not fighting (too much) with each other and they could still practice on cutting back with whining. On a positive note, they are both pretty good helpers. They helped me clean out my car today and vacuumed it too. I bet you have no idea how messy and gross a car with twin 4 year old boys can get; I had no idea how bad it really was, and it was my car!

Branson is still a little bossy, but I'm thinking that just comes with the territory. He is the older brother afterall. He also likes to tease, but he's been doing that for years now. Holden has been cracking us up lately, on finding "coins". He gets soooo excited when he finds a penny or any kind of coin these days. And usually he doesn't mind if Branson tries to take a toy from him, but buddy watch out if you touch his coins! He goes ballistic!! I think Branson is learning.... don't take the man's coins OR ELSE.