Nanny 911

Well, this summer without preschool is already about to kill me!! I literally wanted to sell Philip today on eBay for the most embarassing melt down you can imagine during his mommy and me swim lesson! We were in the water about 3 and a half minutes total, he melted uncontrollably and started kicking and screaming. At first I thought well at least he is kicking... maybe he will be swimming before we know it. However, his hands started to instead of swim forward be like paddleboards flying at my face, shoulders and anything on me he could reach. He was knocking the crap out of me. And no not because he didn't want to swim but because he didn't want to stop playing the floating balls game that we played for the first 3 minutes of swim class. We were supposed to move onto singing twinkle twinkle while floating on our backs - but Philip didnt want to float and he sure as heck didnt want to sing about some dang stars... afterall, I guess "twinkle twinkle" is a little overrated! And so we exited swim class... such a nightmare. I guess this is why they call it the terrible TWO's!! And not to mention everyone in and around the pool was staring at us, saying under their breath like we all have before "can she please control that child," and I am sure thinking that we needed to be next on the list for the nanny 911 show! Oh... what a day! Well, guess he isn't ever going to learn how to swim and as far as I am concerned, he can go back to swim lessons when he is 30 and able to drive himself!!

But as they say, guess God does only give us what we can handle!! Parker is being the perfect baby lately - he sleeps 13 hours a night (since he was 8 wks old). He smiles and laughs everytime he sees us and his little noises melt my heart day in and day out. He loves his new rainforest playmat and I can already tell he has rhythm as he loves to dance. He is just so chill... all the while little Philip is a wild man. He is truly Phil all over again as a toddler... he has never met a stranger, loves everyone, leaps on and off of furniture like he is superman... and has a laugh that is contagious! I really think he could go home with a stranger and never miss a beat... too bad there weren't any around at his swim lessons because I was taking offers!! But he has a heart of gold and is such a lover and he loves his little brother more than words can say! He wakes up and goes to sleep always just asking for "Carker." And of course both boys are real crowd pleasers as you can imagine... just like their daddy!!

So nanny 911... come to the rescue!!

Parker's 4 month Check-up

Wow... what an appt!! Our little chunky monkey is just growing like a University of Georgia lineman should... he definitely doesnt miss a meal and I am starting to begin to think food must be his comfort. But since he sleeps 13 hours straight a night and takes two 2 hour naps a day... I am not complaining... we are not going to change ANYTHING!! He tipped the scales at 16 lbs 10 oz. and was 25 1/2 inches long. He is in the 90% for weight and 75% for height. He is such a chunk of love and I just want to eat him up every second of everyday! We are so in love with you Parker!

Happy 6th Anniversary Lover...

Wow... I cannot believe it has already been SIX years! Who would have ever thought that that obnoxious guy who sat at the end of the row in my UGA marketing class would one day be the man I call my lover, best friend, husband and the father of my children?! I am so blessed to have you in my life and can't imagine what my life would be like without you... well, maybe more SIMPLE... but definitely not more FUN! :o)

I LOVE...

* that you are the first person I want to see in the morning and the last person I want to see before I fall asleep.

* that you can always make me laugh even in the worst of times.

* that you like to live life flying by the seat of your pants and I am the biggest planner I know and yet somehow we fit perfectly together.

* that you are more messy than our two year old and 4 month old... and that now I can truly say I have three children!

* that just when we seem to get settled into a place we call home, you seem to want to move yet again (I still cannot believe we have moved 6 times in just 6years... can't wait to see what the next 6years brings us... hopefully just not 6 more moves)!

* that you value family as much as I do and want a big family of our own someday.

* that you are so loud that I always know when you are home or when you leave (though I like the you coming home part the best).

* that you love ice cream as much as I do... (afterall who says it shouldn't be a staple to a heathy diet?!)

* that you make my life chaotic and out of control.

* that you love the Lord and are an amazing man of God who leads our family spiritually everyday!

* that we always have so much FUN together!

* that you can still love me even when I haven't showered in a few days and just want to wear my pjs all day long.

* that you still hold my hand, open car doors for me, stand up at a dinner table when I get up or sit down, and always kiss me goodnight!

* that even when I get upset with you... you somehow find a way to make me smile... it is just so hard to stay mad at you!

* that after 6 years of marriage, you still find the time to write me sweet love letters (who knew that the romantic nickname "Phil Flowers" was so fitting?!)

* that everything you do, you do to the nth degree (I mean afterall... you did almost break the guiness book of world records for having the most groomsmen in our wedding).

* that you love Georgia football as much as I do and bleed red and black!

* that in our opinion, we still hold the record for the best Grooms Cake ever (I mean... do you know anyone else that had real cut hedges from Sanford Stadium lining their groomscake?, I don't)!

* that you trust me and I trust you without question.

* that you love to vacation at the beach as much as I do

* that you have given me two precious sons whom everyday I watch grow more and more into the image of you (I mean afterall... who knew God could create someone actually louder than you, right... but he did?!)

* that I cannot get through an hour of the day without thinking of you.

* that you miss me and I miss you when we are apart for even a day.

* that you believe in me and I believe in you with all our heart.

* that I am yours and you are mine always!

* that you have a passion for our Lord and together we create a Godly home for our family!!!

I love you more today than I did 6 years ago... my cup is truly overflowing! Happy Anniversary Babe!!!

Parker's Christening

Today marks a milestone and a very special day for our little angel... Stephen Parker Brosseau. Today, we dedicated Parker at our church, Forest Hills, where we promised as parents to raise him in a godly home and bring him to love and fear the Lord. My sweet parents came up and celebrated this special day with us as we prayed and lifted Parker up to the Lord. It was a really sweet ceremony as after they dedicated the babies in front of everyone, we all got to get together with our families and together lift Parker up in prayer. It was a moment that I never wanted to end and that I never will forget. My parents were both in tears of joy by the third word while saying their prayers for Parker. Parker smiled the whole time and Philip of course loved to always say "Amen" at the end of each prayer. Parker of course wore the Brosseau christening gown that his big brother Philip wore first and it is now monogrammed with both of my precious little boys initials and christening dates... dont you just love family traditions?! Phil of course complained all morning about the hat and said he looked like a linebacker in a dress... but I didn't care... he is my precious linebacker in a dress and I wanted to just eat him up all day! Thank you lord for this glorious day and for our amazing and perfect little blessing!

Our Prayers for Parker

Dear Lord,

WE thank you for this beautiful child, Stephen Parker, that you have blessed our family with this year. Humbly, we praise you Father for his health and the family and friends that love him dearly. We pray that this dedication today will mark the start of many prayers and guidance to lead Stephen Parker to your throne of grace and truth.

Parker it is our prayer that you will pursue honesty and truth first and always fear the Lord. Your great grandmother's favorite verses for your daddy which we now pass on to you are Proverbs 3:

My son, do not forget my teaching

but keep my commands in your heart,

for they will prolong your life many years

and bring you prosperity.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you;

bind them around your neck,

write them on the tablet of your heart.

Then you will win favor and a good name

in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make your paths straight.

Parker, today we dedicate you to our Lord and ask for his blessing on your life. We commit to love and support you to fear and adore the Father in Heaven. WE are so excited and promise to raise you in "the discipline and instruction of the Lord" (Eph. 6:4). The bible directs us to teach God's words "diligently to our sons" (Deut. 6:7) and to make God's laws "known to our sons and grandsons" (Deut. 4:9). We delight in knowing that we may stand fully and securely on the promises of our covenant-keeping God and, by his grace, expect the fulfillment of those promises in you, our child. So today on your dedication day, know that our Lord promises "to all who receive him, to those who believe in his name, he gives the right to become children of God" (John 1:12).

There is no job more important as parents than for us to raise you and Philip to know the unimaginable love of Jesus and also to have the humility to know that we have nothing without Him.

In the name of the Heavenly King we pray. Amen

xoxo,

Your daddy and mommy

Heavenly Father,

Please send angels to watch over Stephen Parker Brosseau. Keep him safe from all that may harm him. Protect his life and grant him a long life that is in service to You lord. I thank you for this child, and I thank you for this privilege to come before you today with the desire in my heart to dedicate Stephen Parker in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. I love you. Amen

Love always,

Your Gigi

Lord,

I rejoice that as a Christian, I am called to witness this event and to pledge my care for watching over the spiritual growth of Stephen Parker. I ask your favor upon this child as he grows in wisdom and stature. Bless and lead his parents who have made the decision for this child's dedication to Your service. I am thankful that church, family and friends recognize this dedication and responsibility to raise Stephen Parker Brosseau in the way he should go. Amen

Love always,

Your Papa Doc

A day out with Thomas the Train

Yesterday, we went as a family to spend a day out with Thomas the Train in Blowing Rock, NC. It was so beautiful and Philip of course was in heaven as we got to ride on thomas the train through the appalachian mountains all while singing the great thomas songs!! Our dear friends the Lucier's went with us... so we rented a suburban and with 4 kids under the age of three, 3 dvd players going playing different movies outloud, goldfish thrown all over the car and meltdowns at any moment... it felt like a chevy chase wally world trip for sure! However, it was an absolute blast and Philip, Tyson and Avery loved riding on thomas the train, jumping in the thomas blowup jumperoo and riding horses. And of course Parker took it all in as well but all he really cared about was making sure he got a bottle every three hours. When we were leaving... Philip was screaming and waving at thomas saying "I wuv you thomas, I wuv you thomas!" It was ridiculously cute... what can we say, he is in love with his new best friend... Thomas!!

I have some precious pics of the boys with thomas... but somehow have the lost the camera card with the thomas pics on them... such a life of a mother of TWO! Hopefully I will find it soon and be able to post them at a later date.

Mimi and Grande's fun visit to Charlotte

This week, Philip and Parker's mimi and grande came to see them! We had an absolute blast just all being together and the boys loved getting spoiled with hugs and kisses. Philip loved showing his grandparents his new outside tricks with his big red ball, the water table and his favorite new toy these days, the "hose." And Parker was all smiles and babbles all week long as he loved showing off his new talking skills to his sweet grandparents! I kept saying that since Philip talks literally nonstop for sure God would give me a second child who would be much more quiet... but so much for wishful thinking. It looks like little Parker is following right in his big brothers footsteps as they don't know the meaning of the word QUIET! But I love their energy and especially their little voices... they melt my heart everyday!

Happy Mother's Day

Let's face it, as moms we have the toughest job on earth. Its a day-in, day-out marathon of giggles, poopy diapers, spit-up, skinned knees, runny noses, melt-your-heart smiles, dirt, no means no, report cards, doctor visits, first words and tears and as we all know, there is no such thing as retirement. And between Philip and Parker, all these things seem to be a daily reality for me! I couldn't feel more blessed as I love being a mommy more than anything in this world. I have a passion for children, especially mine and believe that being a mother is truly my God-driven purpose in life. I pray that I will raise my boys to be godly men that love our lord and that pursue their dreams and passions as I have mine in becoming a mommy. I also pray that I can be just as amazing of a mother someday as my mom is to me...

Mom, I love you so much, miss you more than words and hope you have the best mothers day ever... what can I say, you deserve it, you are the best mommy I know!! I couldn't have gotten through these past few months and all these trials without you... you are my rock and you are always with me no matter where I am. You give me hope, wisdom and love and for that I will always be grateful. And no matter how old I get, you are always my mommy... I love you!!

On Friday, when I went to pick up Philip from preschool... his sweet teachers had taught him to say "happy mommy day mommy" which he yelled right when I opened the door. He also then gave me his beautiful artwork that he had made special for me which brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart. I have posted his artwork and here is what his little letter said:

Sometimes you get discouraged

Because I am so small

And always leave my fingerprints

On furniture and walls.

But everyday I'm growing

I'll be grown up someday

And all those tiny handprints

Will surely fade away.

So here's a final handprint

Just so you can recall

Exactly how my fingers looked

When I was very small.

Love, Philip

"God created angels because he couldn't be everywhere at once... they are called mommies."

And to all you mommies out there... Happy Mother's Day!

A Spoonful of Icing...

makes the medicine go down! Philip is doing great and is feeling so much better... thank you all for your love and prayers!

Happy 2nd Birthday Philip!

Dear Philip, wow... how time goes by way too quick! I wish I could make time stand still these days as I am enjoying every second of you and don't ever want it to end! I can't believe my baby is already Two! You are such a fearless and wild little boy, you get bruises and scrapes all over your legs daily but I love that I am the one that gets to kiss your "boo boos" away and make you smile! You make me smile everyday! I love how you are talking so much now and using real words... except sometimes I must confess you wear me out as I think that you just love to hear your own voice ALL day long. I am not sure where you get that but I am going to go out on a limb and say it must be from your daddy! You make me laugh everytime you walk by an open drawer and shut it or pick up trash off the floor and throw it away... you are becoming more and more analytical and you are my little overachiever... which I must confess you definitely get from me! I love how you break into dance moves every time you hear music no matter where we are or what time of day it is. You melt my heart every time you say "bess you" when someone sneezes, "wuv you mommy" and "amen" at the end of all your prayers with your little hands folded like an angel. You have a smile and laugh or should I say belly-cackle that is contagious and brings joy to everyone around you! You are such a funny little boy and you make me laugh everytime you say "I'm gonna get you mommy." You love the Lord and I love that your favorite books these days are still your precious little bible stories books. You are the best BIG Brother in the whole world and I can already see that little Parker looks up to you in more ways than you know. When you kiss your baby brother, rub his little head or bring him his "taci" a.k.a for paci (which is your favorite), it takes my breath away. You truly are my greatest, most precious and perfect gift from God and we are so blessed to have you! We love you angel... now stop growing. :o)

Love, mommy

Happy 2nd Birthday Philip!!

Philip had a big second birthday full of Thomas the train... his favorite! He literally wakes up everyday and says "Thomas, play Thomas!" So for his birthday, we bought him a Train table for all his Thomas and friends trains and engines! He even had a Thomas the train cake which he of course ate the icing off of all by himself!! We had planned to go to the zoo but that has been postponed since he got sick and had a febrile seizure just 4 days before his birthday. However, we did get to go to the beach the next weekend and celebrate turning two with his Gigi and Papa Doc at our favorite place in the world... St Simons! He had an absolute blast playing at the beach with his brother and daddy who he even buried in the sand, getting ice cream in the village and of course running wild around the pier! Happy Birthday baby... we love you so much!!

Yay... I love cake!

Philip and Parker... opening all of Philip's exciting birthday presents

It's my party and I will cry if I want to!!

Philip in deep conversation talking to his Papa Doc and Gigi on his birthday

This is Philip ready for bed... and of course still playing with Thomas

Parker's first time on the beach

Do you believe in ANGELS?...

We do and we met one today!! His name is Van Goodman and he works at Ace Hardware and today he was Philip's angel sent from God. Today was the scariest and worst day of my life as a mommy and I never want to experience another one like it. Philip had a febrile seizure today at 5:00 as we were leaving the Harris Teeter after picking out his unbelievable "Thomas the Train" birthday cake since he turns two on Tuesday, April 27. He was literally dancing and singing "b-day cake, b-day cake, b-day cake" in the grocery store and when I gave him a huge hug, I noticed how unbelievably hot he felt. I said Philip, you feel like you have a fever, lets get home and take your temp and get some medicine. But just after the words came out of my mouth and we exited the store, my baby went into a dazing stare into the sky and I said, "Philip, Philip" and I got no response. Seconds later, his eyes rolled back in his head and he went limp in the cart. I immediately picked him up, started hitting on his back b/c I wasnt sure if he was choking on the pretzel he had been eating and started screaming "HELP, my baby isnt breathing, HELP please!!" And as I screamed my baby just laid in my arms limp, unconcious, and not responding! Then out of nowhere, our angel appeared. He immediately grabbed Philip and started doing CPR. He told me he works at Ace but was previously a child medic. Can you believe it, what are the chances?! He got to us within 30 seconds of me screaming but what felt like eternity in mommy time. Then he found a pulse on Philip immediately and laid him on the sidewalk on his side and we called 911. When I didnt know the address of the shopping center at Park road to tell 911, yep, you guessed it, our angel knew it! Then the paramedics came and we rushed him to Presbyterian in an ambulance and it was determined there that he had a 103 fever and had experienced an atypical febrile seizure b/c he never shook but just had a staring episode seizure followed by 10 minutes of unconciousness. They kept us over night and ran multiple tests which all came back totally normal. We learned that these febrile seizures are very common (happen in 1 out of every 25 kids before they turn the age of 6), they suffer no long term issues from the seizures, they are not linked in anyway to epilepsy or any sort of seizure condition, and there is no way to prevent them as they are caused from a quick spike in body temperature. However, kids who experience one are more prone to experience more before they turn six and then they grow out of it. Praise God... My baby was completely perfect and fine... however, I wasnt. I sat up by my baby's bed that entire night and barely blinked as I watched him sleep just to make sure he was breathing every breath. I will never be the same after that tragic afternoon and I have only gotten through each day since on my knees praising our almighty Lord who loves us and takes care of us in ways we cant even imagine. That day while I was lying on the sidewalk holding my baby unconcious and praying to God that he take me instead of my precious child, I felt the presence of the Lord and through his angel, he was right there lying with us on that cold, barren and hard sidewalk. I can't thank you all enough for the prayers, love and support! It is so hard on days like these to live so far away from family but we are so blessed with amazing friends here who love us and who are truly our family in Charlotte. We can't thank the Harrells enough as they dropped everything the minute I called and came immediately and got Parker from the hospital so we didnt have to take him inside and they took him home with them to play with their new little angel Holden for the night. Kevin and Holly, we love yall so much and cant express in words our indescribable gratitude for what yall did for us. I know that Parker, at just 8 weeks old, and Holden, at only 6 weeks old, had a big time at their first sleepover but I know it couldn't have been easy on yall as parents with 2 babies all night long! Yall are our family here and we couldnt be more blessed to have yall in our lives! Now that we are home and I look back on that terrifying day, I know one thing... My Lord is great, he is my way and he is almighty! He has angels and he sends them to us when we need them most. And most of all He was with me and Philip when we were lying on that sidewalk that day! I cant even imagine what it feels like to lose a child, but I know that I never want to ever feel that close to losing mine again. I love you Lord and I praise you in this storm!

Family, Thomas the train and Friends got us all through this scary time

Parker and Holden , B.F.F's, at their first sleepover.... I am pretty sure they are talking here about picking up chicks... oh how they just grow up too fast!!