Catch-up or Ketchup

So recently, I decided when I get ketchup packets and don't use them with fast food, keep them and use them later....... a practice that many people probably have done for a long time, but I usually just threw mine away with the fast food bag (along with any unused napkins, which I am also keeping) It makes me wonder, with everything costing more should we be getting in debt or should we be learning to live off of less. Today, Brennan told me that "he needed the candy bowl with the hand in it" at Target. I gently said, "Brennan, you want that, you don't need it" He was ok with that and when we got home, at lunch today he said "Mommy, I really want that candy bowl with the hand in it, maybe I can ask Santa" I told him to take a minute and look around at our beautiful house, food on the table, more toys that I can count in a day.....we have to always be thankful for what we have not always thinking of what we don't have. As I taught that little lesson today, I recalled a poster I had in my classroom "People learn by what you do and not what you say". So very, very true. Ok, the end of my babble and back to reality.

It has been a while since I have updated my blog, Brian still in the ICU and he has a feeding tube and traech and will hopefully come off the ventilator in a few days. It is hard to be so far away to feel the disconnect; but it is hard for those that are there. Just continue to pray, really no matter where we are that is all we can do.

For my birthday, Jeff got me the K-cup coffee maker, and we have been enjoying trying new coffee flavors and teas. We went to the Third Day concert, with good friends and Third Day was awesome as usual, but we want them to tour by themselves! :) That concert certainly did our hearts good. Jeff had a Fidelity golf outing, which he was able to escape and relax for a day. We enjoyed going to our wonderful neighbors (Kevin and Laura's) to watch the Steelers game. Brennan also was playing Rock Band with "the guys". Brennan has been wearing a Steeler jersey every single day since then. Plus his Granny B got him Steelers socks and I can't wash them fast enough. He takes them off before bed and puts them on when he wakes up. Brennan also started his Computer Class (he is a computer bug) at Planet Child; this also gives me one-on-one time with Jenna which I LOVE. Our friend's the Bruty family (Jeff, Jen, and Hannah) came to see us from Florida. We went to the NC State/FSU game on Saturday which was pretty awesome for tailgating and 20 minutes, but then it poured down rain. We had a wonderful time visiting with them and wished they lived closer. We may try to plan a trip down to see them and go to Sea World soon! Brennan starts his at home preschool tomorrow! :) and Jenna knows where her nose is!

Because of lack of time and the fact that I am SO behind on the blog, I will attachthe snapfish link for the month of September. Copy and paste this into your browser to see snapfish pictures.
http://www1.snapfish.com/share/p=359301222810120255/l=428373701/g=8944876/cobrandOid=1000001/otsc=SYE/otsi=SALB

My precious husband

I don't have much time, and thinking back to all the things we have done in the past week.....this isn't a day to record that. Today is a day where all I can think of is how much I love my husband. His brother Brian is unconscious, he took a hard fall from a roof last Wednesday. Today Brian and Ashley celebrate their first wedding anniversary; not how they would have ever imagined. We hold to the hope that Brian will wake up soon and start to recover from this trauma. But all I can focus on is how much I love my Jeff; he means so much to me and our family. He really is my dream come true.
People often say "let me know how I can help" dear Brian, so please pray for Brian to wake up, pray for God to be Ashley's strength and courage as she has none of her own right now, and pray for all of the family. But most of all what YOU can do to help, what would warm my heart is if YOU pour out LOVE on your loved ones and those you encounter this day; tomorrow is never promised to any of us.

Let's play baseball!

That has been all we are hearing at the Weller household. We went to our second Durham Bulls game this past Friday night. Brennan was over the top into the game this time. He still enjoyed the cotton candy guy, but the actual baseball made a "hit" with him. We have been out in the yard playing every day. Jeff lets me hit a good bit when we all play ....remembering the good old days....... Jenna managed to stay awake the entire game and for fireworks (didn't even cry) We had such a wonderful family night out! On Saturday, I had my MOPS retreat so Daddy had some special time with the kids. Then we went to dinner club and had a blast. Dinner club is a little group of families with young children from our church. Jeff is SO good with all the children, we are so thankful to have him! We take turns hosting and do pot lucks. This time was "comfort foods" and everything was delicious. It has been such a great way to connect and I can't wait to make some of the recipes. My good friend Amy makes the BEST apple pie, but I don't know if I have the patience to do all that work! :) So yummy! Then on Sunday we went to Matt's house for a labor day gathering.(Jeff's boss). And Monday, CiCi, Ryan, and Marissa came over and we went swimming and grilled out! and we of course are still really enjoying the wii! (I am the bowling champion!) Did I mention that the dining room to school room conversion is almost complete?

New Job

It has been an exciting week here. We enjoyed having Vanessa and Landon here on Monday and Tuesday. Then Tuesday evening, I had my interview at church. Wednesday morning, we went over Misty's and Bren/Jen had a great time playing with Chaz and baby Cullen. Misty and I were tired and so happy our kids wore each other out so they took good naps. After nap time, I met Jeff and the gym and then went over to church. I got the job; so I am now the nursery coordinator. I am really looking forward to it, it will be exciting to do something new. I start um......immediately so that should be great. Of course, I am still staying home, this is a very part time position :) Jeff is going to watch the NC State game over a friend's house tonight, so I will have some "me" time. What will I do??, well one thing I know that I am not getting on the computer, which is why I am doing this now. I get on the computer for what I think will be 5 minutes and it always turns into much longer...... Hello craiglist, I don't need anything..... Friday night, we are going to the Bulls game (Thanks to Misty for our super tickets and parking pass) and Saturday I have my MOPS mini-retreat and our dinner club at Stephanie's......then Sunday we have a gathering with some of Jeff's friends from work. So a busy weekend ahead and lots to look forward to. I especially am looking forward to Monday, Jeff is off and we have no plans as of yet...... possibly a day at home, we will have to see......My sister is on the babysitting schedule a good bit in September, lots of things coming up. Oh yeah, and dining room conversion is still making progress......

Monkey Joe's

Busy and exciting weekend! Jeff WFH on Friday so we were able to go to the gym together in the morning and enjoy some time together. Brennan, Jenna and I met Brody and his family at the gym for dinner and swimming Friday night. It was a lot of fun. Brody was Brennan's best friend from preschool last year so he was excited to see him! Saturday, Brennan, Jenna and I went to Vanessa's 4th Birthday party at Monkey Joe's. IT was a blast! They guys from work took Jeff golfing for his b-day and he shot a 77! The guys came back here after golf and Jeff grilled burgers and dogs. Then, our friends Stephanie, Si and Hailey came over for swimming and dinner. Jenna and Hailey got a bath together, that was too cute! :) Brennan loved having them over, he beat Mr. Si and Daddy at bowling on the Wii (and they didn't "let" him either) They brought Jeff an ice cream cake and we enjoyed that for dessert! :) Brennan moved up to his 3 year old Sunday School class on Sunday. There were only 2 children in his class, so I think they are combining the 3 year old rooms next week. Vanessa and Landon are with us Monday and Tuesday and we are having lots of fun!

Hopper's House

Yesterday, Aunt CiCi played with the kids at Hoppers House (a bounce house geared mostly for pre-k) while I went to get my hair cut. It was long overdue, I think I was scaring people with my mad layers. I like it now though. The kids loved Hopper's House, Brennan actually made a basketball shot in the hoop they have there. He was super excited and had to tell everyone we saw. (really) The kids took great naps and we met Daddy for dinner, they sang Happy Birthday and he shared his ice cream with the kids. (Because he is the best daddy and husband!) Plus, we are making progress on our dining room/play room transformation which is taking some time. We (ok Jeff) took down the chandelier and put in a ceiling fan and he picked up a table I found on craigslist. I love my husband! :)

pictures from weekend