Its a healthy baby..

GIRL!!

Cozette Grace Zimmermann

(Cozy Grace)

is expected around June 14, 2009

it was so special to catch a glimpse of her moving and kicking around. She was opening and closing her mouth (does that mean another talker?), and just looking so peaceful. She had absolutely no markers for genetic problems, whew! What a relief!

A little funny for the night...

This was taken after I found her in my bathroom in my makeup drawer, she actually had put on mascara by herself! Other than some smugging she put everything on the Right place LOL! Thanks to Karsyn for showing her how fun makeup can be :(

Tonight has been a difficult one for bedtime. Daniel is working late so its up to me to wrestle them to bed. This is a literal statement for Braxtyn as of late. She has always gone to bed so easily, but after the holidays it seems she feels new freedoms. After about three major battles of trying to get her to stay in bed, she looks at me and says " The Dr. said I could get out of my bed!". And my quick response, " No he did not!". Argh...I wish I was as clever as her!!! I finally won, but oh boy, what will I ever do with that girl!

And tomorrow we find out if we are having a boy or a girl!!....

A death at Suchawee Ranch

We have suffered a terrible loss this weekend. Our horse Jake, died suddenly on Saturday. The cause is unknown, other than he had total kidney failure at the end, even with as much intervention as we could possibly give him. After pumping his stomach, an IV and lots of warm saline..he just couldn't make it. The vet thinks it might have been cancer and he just never let on until his final hours. He was such a great horse and the kids loved him. I have been so sad and poor Arlo, has been crying for two days, pacing his stall looking for Jake. He has all our neighbors feeling sorry for him too. I love animals, but honestly horses for me; are friends, so it is hard to lose one. we will miss him. After we did what we could, this is how we spent the day. My parents came over and my neighbors came and sat with us periodically. He will truly be missed at Suchawee Ranch.

In Loving Memory

Jake

3/10/90-12/27/08

Many Thanks to Dr. Tryon

Finally!

Oh, It's day five of getting home from vacation and everyone is finally unpacked! I finally got Daniel to put the tree up! I feel so behind, my tree is usually up the day after Thanksgiving. Only fourteen days until Christmas and I am finally getting decorated. I LOVE my house decorated for Christmas. I drive everyone crazy, insisting on a fire in the fireplace, with the door open to keep cool enough! hot chocolate everyday and all day Christmas music! I get a lot of mileage out Christmas and my birthday LOL! So Finally, I feel like its Christmas time and I can't wait to start baking.

I hope you all are enjoying the Christmas season!

Disneyland

What a great time we had!! As you can see in the slide show below, I'm no expert and I'm not sure why some of them are deleted, but if you can hang in there for 77 pics, they are cute! The one I'm posting above is one of Doni's. This was Noah's proud moment!!

Disney slide show

my fire metaphore..

What a time we've had in the last two months! As I reflect I have to wonder what in the world God has in mind for us. In the last eight weeks we have been blessed, crushed, over-joyed, heart broken and find ourselves searching for where God wants our hearts, minds and attitudes. I have to say that my heart and attitude have not been in the right place most of the time. Thankfully, God is merciful and he renews us with mercy's each and every day...if we are willing to accept them and recognize them for what they are. My prayer has been to open my eyes to them and let them overpower me with joy that makes no sense in today's trials. And again, God answers my prayers even when I fight it. To sum up the last eight weeks, I have been sick at heart and sick to my stomach. My joy came 7 weeks ago when we found out we are having another baby. We have been trying for 7 months and after a surgery to help us get pregnant, we realized I was pregnant during the surgery! Thankfully I was so early on, the pregnancy test at the hospital showed negative and our little baby just clung to life as my doctor did the surgery. I was 6 weeks by the time we realized I was pregnant. Which was totally the Lord protecting me from worry. I normally miscarry in the 6-7 weeks time and this time I was through it with a positive ultrasound and little beating heart! God knew I would need a reminder of His miracles over the next few weeks. And each day my heart hurt; my stomach turned and hurt and I was reminded of the healthy little baby growing inside me. I have never been so thankful for having the very worst morning sickness I've ever experienced. As each week passed and seemingly new stressful things happened, the Lord protected our family. Truly protected us..I can't be thankful enough how He had His hands in each situation, allowing us to learn through it and yet shielding us from the worst. It has taken me 8 weeks to be able to write this and even recognize God's hand in everything. I know these things to be true but I so easily forget. And so now, as each situation is simmering rather than flaming up I can say that yes, my heart still feels the searing heat of the fire but the shaping of God's hands in my life brought me through the fiery furnace with blessing on the other side.
I realize I haven't been super clear in this post, but I hope you understand that God is still working on me in all of this and to be clear would be to underestimate what God can do in each of these things. Ok, cryptic again, sorry thats all I have!

Love the Duggers

I just love that show, 17 kids and counting! What an inspiration they are as a family unit. I'm not wanting to raise that many children, I am not as gracious as Michelle Dugger. But I love their family values and modest approach to spending money. If you haven't seen their show tune into TLC, Monday nights. Its amazing they allow such blatant talk about Christ and the bible on TV. you hardly ever see that anymore, their website is really great too, I will post the link. http://www.duggarfamily.com/

What to do with this little girl!

Oh, isn't two fun! Braxtyn has been speaking her mind and its gotten funnier and funnier. I've known for while that she does not consider herself the baby of the family. This week she had been much more outspoken about it however.

A complete stranger at the store: How old are you?

Braxtyn: Four. (looks right at her never flinching)

Stranger: you're four? (looks at me)

Braxtyn: Yep.

Daniel: Braxtyn, its time for bed (picks her up to carry her to bed)

Braxtyn: You want a piece of me, little man? (fist in the air) and then cracks up at herself!

Daniel: (total shock and laughing with her) then wrestles her like a little boy!

Brooke: Oh, that's going to help us!

Noah: crying (after falling off his bike)

Braxtyn: (rubbing his back) Its ok little brother, shhh..

Just some funnies...

It must just be this time of year, i can't seem to get time at the computer to post anything. However, the last couple of days have made me want to share a few funnies. About a week ago, Josh, my brother, opened his third horseshoing store. He had to completely give it a makeover. It wash just a hole in the wall kind of place and so he re-carpeted, re-painted and remodeled. So we went to visit him and Braxtyn had to use the bathroom. Unfortunately for a newly potty trainer this bathroom had not been re-done. Braxtyn was mortified with the conditions and walked out to tell her uncle the situation:
Braxtyn: EWW..Goss! Uncle Josh your bafroom is disgusting! It's goss!
Josh: I'm sorry Braxtyn its not ready for girls yet.
Braxtyn: Ok, its goss!

Tonight Noah was staying awake in the car with me as we drove home late. We were talking about our upcoming Disneyland trip. He was getting so excited about it, he said:"Mom I think I'm just gonna cry I'll be so happy!"

Fall is here..with apple picking

Apple Picking in Wickenburg is the start of my favorite time of year, Fall.

A trip to Young, AZ

Last month, we all went to Young to stay in a cabin while the boys did some hunting. We had such a great time. The cabin was so beautiful and the weather was perfect. The girsl did makeup every day and the boys chased the cows. No bears, deer, or turkey's were harmed on this trip.

Makeup session

The back of the cabin

The barn

THe front door

The Great White Hunters

Bag Balm?? does not belong in the hair...

Bratyn found some bag balm under the sink while Daniel was home with the kids. She covered her hair and body in it. Since I was gone, Daniel dragged our neighbor into the clean up. After the Shipley's cleaned her up and put one of the horses away that got out, Daniel tried to wash her hair. Due to the oily content, it would not wash. So, he called the other neighbor, Holly, who went to work on the Internet for solutions. The following pictures are her hair covered in Corn Starch. It actually took two weeks for her hair to get back to normal!

Summer Camping

I am so behind in postings that I am back tracking to August for our camping trip! We had a great time and relaxed. This was the first time I have gone and not had a baby in a pack-n-play! So it made for much more relaxing. I actually finished a 500 page book:)

Busy summer

It has been a quick finish to summer. I know Summer isn't quite over, but I like to pretend that when September hits, we are starting Fall. Even though temperatures don't start going down until October. But July flew by and we are half way through August! I don't know where the time goes. Noah and I have been working on school since July and it looks like we will be done with Kindergarten by January! I guess we'll start something new and move forward, however, I don't want him in 1st grade too early. Graham has found his outlet with drawing and coloring..ON PAPER! He is enjoying sitting with Noah for some of the school work, but mostly enjoys playing or drawing during that time. Braxtyn, finds herself in trouble most days for getting into stuff; lipstick, lotion, bag balm, the sinks, ect. She is particularly interested in beauty products! Daniel and I are just trying to keep up and find time for each other.

Funnies:

(in the middle of Old Navy Shopping)

Brooke - Lets go to the dressing room so I can try on these clothes

Graham - So no one can your penis, mom?

Brooke - Be quiet Graham (grimacing), And mommies don't have penis's

Graham - Can we just call it that anyways?

Brooke - Let's just be quiet and find the dressing room!

________________________________________________________________

Brooke - Noah and Graham stop talking to each other like that, right now!

Braxtyn - Noah Reese! No! No!

(Reese, is Braxtyn's middle name, she must think its the name we use when your in trouble)

________________________________________________________________

My Mom and Dad

Too cool you have to check out these links and u-tube videos!
http://www.acmsa.com/Patrick%20Morris.htm

http://www.acmsa.com/Dawn%20Morris.htm

A Troubled Artist

What a week for Graham. Poor guy, could not stop doing things he wasn't supposed to. His first offense was during nap, he found my dry erase markers (thankfully)! He colored all over his bed, the lampshade, his finger nails and toenails and his face. Pictured above. The strange thing is it happened for every nap that week! Urgh! We could not figure out what would make him not want to do this....what is most important to Graham? His cowboy boots, this pointed out to me by my neighbor.:) So in the picture below you will notice Graham is missing one important element to hi cowboy outfit. Yup, the boots.

And now, after a pretty tuff week on my little cowboy, he's got the picture and has been quick to go to sleep! And has not parted with his boots!

Braxtyn's birthday week

Happy Birthday, Boo!

The girls (missing Tori)

Gyselle Cake

Braxtyn's birthday party at Darin & Jodi's house

What Fun!

Braxtyn' s American Doll

When I was in New York, last December, my friend Amy and I bought Braxtyn and Caroline, twin American Doll's at the store in Manhattan. I was so excited to give it to her, but she hasn't been ready for it until now! We gave it to her on her birthday and she just loves her. Her name is Elizabeth, after her friend in North Carolina, Caroline Elizabeth Roberts. Caroline has one named Reese. She was so cute with her. Here are some pictures..

Good Morning Arizona!

Daniel and I went on Good Morning Az this morning. Thankfully it was early, and Saturday, before most the people we know get up and watch TV. Unfortunately Tivo has made it difficult to hide. We knew the moment my mom asked us to model with them for National day of the Cowboy, it would be cheesy! It was an experience and after watching ourselves, if we ever did it again, we would change a few things! First they sent us clothes to wear we had never tried on before, thankfully my mom got them a day early and ironed and took some of them up! The clothes were all donated by Western wear sponsors and the good thing is we got to keep it all. Daniel and I ended up getting about $1200.00 worth of clothing, boots and jewelry. That was exciting! We returned a couple of things at the local western wear store for better things, like a terrible buffalo head bolo tie (yes, I said bolo tie) for a couple shirts and some jeans for Daniel, that fit. It was funny because we walked into the studio and they didn't tell us what to do until 2 minutes before going on, so the uncomfortable looks on our faces was not good acting, it was nerve racking! It was an experience...and one that was fun to share with my parents and their friend Jana! No, I will not invite you over to watch it on our Tivo...someone accidentally deleted it!

Just a quick Graham funny

Graham: mommy, I'm gonna be so big when I grow up

Brooke: Yes you are!

Graham: I'm gonna be bigger than Derek (Roberts, he's very tall)

Brooke: You think so?

Graham: I'm gonna be so big the Hulk will call me momma!

Brooke: LOL!

Home Schooling

This post is for Heidi:)

I am starting Noah on the Abeka level K curriculum and I really like it. Its a Little slow for him because we did kindergarten last year unofficially. But its great to really drive home the basics and gives him a lot of confidence.
I ordered the level K kindergarten pack but not the Teacher guide. Its so easy to follow you don't need to spend the other $200 on teachers guides. I'm sure as we get into the next grade levels we'll want to.

Letters and Sounds K- has an assortment of coloring, multiple choice and fill in the dots to answer questions. They can actually work on their own which is a good thing, because a lot of homeschooling kids get so dependent on mom helping them, they can't work alone.

Writing with phonics is great. I love how Abeka teaches them to write, using the basement, upstairs and attic to teach them how far to draw their lines when writing a letter. (ie. i - would only be in the upstairs and the dot is in the attic space a j - is in all three spaces)

Kindergarten writing tablet - this one is kinda redundant. We don't use it much, only when he needs extra writing practice. I've been incorporating homework he can do on his own time with this one.

They also include quite a few Small learn to read books that go from I learn to read, I do read, and I read well. Noah is liking the stories and moving through them quickly. They have a Word Blend Book that just focus's on vowels. All good stuff!

Numbers Skills - we did Singapore math last year, so this is really a review for him. But its very colorful and incorporates learning money and telling time with every math lesson. So I really like how its all put together. This is his favorite book.

Numbers writing tablet - a practice book for writing numbers and seeing numbers written in patterns to learn to count by 2,5,10's ect.

I purchased separately - God's world
Its a science book. It's a great beginner book about the 5 senses, the weather, the seasons, animals, seeds, and ocean. it incorporates God's plan in all these things and how they apply to us. Very simply stated so Graham is enjoying it as well.

Art Projects - I love this one. They are already printed and ready to go art projects. hardly any planning required. he can pick the project he wants to do and do it independently for the most part. They don't require a lot of extra art supplies and are very colorful.

The only thing is we might be done a little early this year. So I may add some Singapore math back in just to keep him busy. We will do the second year kindergarten math they have.
Overall I'm pretty happy with the ease of it and how he enjoys it.

My bible curriculum is my own Right now, but I will probably order Stick Figuring Through the Bible http://www.grapevinestudies.com/to start in August. Its artsy and fun, Graham can do it too.

Hope this helps!

Braxtyn turned two July 21st

She has been telling everyone she's 3, but we finally talked her into being 2, for now. She had her first of two celebrations, Monday With the Morris side of the family. It was a small gathering of 25 people or so:) Friday night we will have the Zimmermann Family party and the numbers get bigger! Our family is growing so huge, our little house couldn't hold everyone! So Monday was 1/2 the party and Friday will be the other 1/2. Thanks to Jodi and Darin we will have it at their house with the pool. Isn't family great! Outfit #3

Uncle Josh look'in cool

A bridesmaid dress is useful again!
Dress #2

GG and her grand kids

Party Dress #1

Weekend Away...finally

We have been trying to get away for about two months now, and finally we did it. We were going to go camping, but due to Daniel's schedule we decided to take the easier route and get some rooms along the way. We started in Sedona and stayed at the Kokepelli Suites, ate at the Cowboy Club (Grammy's favorite restaurant) and then hiked a trail with some old ruins and a beautiful stream. We then traveled through Flagstaff to Happy Jack Lodge. It was fun and tiring too! The kids had a great time, we came home more tired than when we left, but isn't that how its supposed to be?

Were you born in a barn?

Graham has been having issues with using his manners and being very demanding. So here is our conversation today:

Graham: (in a monster voice) Gimme a drink, I'm thirsty!

Brooke: If you aren't going to use manners and be demanding you can go drink out of the horse water, its like you were born in a barn or something!

Noah: Jesus was born in a barn and he had good manners.

Well, now I am reminded, Jesus was the exception for absolutely everything!

Farm girls don't need bathtubs!

This week has been one of T-R-O-U-B-L-E, but spelled BRAXTYN! She had this infatuation with toilets and sinks. Last week her Swimming Dora doll was found bathing in the toilet and this week it was all six of her ponies! She will repeat back to you how gross it is and that its sooo yucky, and then look in the toilet and smile. ARGHHH! I have unclogged the toilet finding cars, sticks and candy. It is so frustrating! So she has again found another way to play with water in the house and this time it was a bit more sanitary. The pictures speak for themselves, she got in on her own and turned on the water full blast. She was fully clothed at the time!

Family Updates and pics

Twirling

A few things happening here..some funny and some that leaving me wondering...What to do!

Sticking out her tongue is the new Braxtyn trick. she gets in trouble for it, so now she puts her finger over her tongue while its stuck out and then puts on the most innocent of smiles afterwards.

I thought with two boys the hitting and pushing would be at its worst, but now I'm finding the Graham and Braxtyn dynamic is worse! He cries more from her hitting him than Noah! She mostly does it for the reaction, and the power:)

Noah and I have started Kindergarten this month. It gives me more leniency for breaks and I think it will be fun for him to finish school in the spring when he can play outside more. We are doing Abeka and its so easy right now, but we will keep going, it gives him confidence and reinforces his writing skills. Yesterday he found a card from grandma Sweetie, so he wanted to make her one. He did it on his own and it was the cutest picture of them both and he wrote Sweetie like this : 2Wete - the two is supposed to be an S. He learned to write 2's this week and has been stuck on them. It was so cute!