Seven Days and a New Blower Motor later...

WE GOT IT FIXED! About time too. Josh couldn't fix it up, so we had to call our people. LUCKILY, it was under waranty. So after 7 days at the inlaws (not so bad) we finally are able to move back in! We stayed an extra night though so our house could cool down. It was a good constant 95 degrees in our house. I'm just praying we don't have to go through this again anytime soon! I will remember not to take advantage of this luxury ever again, because it really IS a fabulous gift!

And the FUN Continues...

Sooo life with the Darnell's these days. Well guess what happened last night, OUR A/C BROKE! What a tragedy in this 110 degree weather. It was 930 at night and 90 degrees in our house! What a joke! We went outside to cool down! Well, needless to say we didn't stay in our house that night. We went to our friend's house and stayed there so Josh and our friend are in the process of "fixing" it right now. We'll see how it ends up. Man, not the time to live in AZ!
We are doing good besides that and are enjoying our new house!

Been Awhile!

So I guess you're all wondering where we are? We are in our new house!!! And yet again it's back to monthly blogs (if that). We are working towards these luxuries of the internet and a house phone and cable... but these are luxuries we feel we can sacrifice especially in these hard economic times in order to have a house. We actually enjoy the extra time we have to be together instead of always finding ourselves in front of the tv or computer. Our relationship as a family grows much faster it seems when we don't have these distractions. But that doesnt mean we don't enjoy a good night of American Idol!
I look back to when we were in the apartment and wonder how I ever kept everything clean and in order? O wait, I didn't! And if I thought it was hard keeping our tiny apartment organized... you should see how well I do with our house! But I find it better to have a messy kitchen for a night or dirty floors one day than to miss that time with Josh when he is home or to just sit and talk and play with Braxton. I have had so many good memories and wonderful moments with my two loves that I don't get so upset at myself for not being as perfect as my sisters or mom or as i'd like to be at keeping the house clean and in order. I have such a great life and I like enjoying it the best I can! Now don't get me wrong, it's hard to have the Lord's spirit in the house when it's a disaster so I keep it clean the best I can, but that doesn't mean it has to be perfect!
Well life has been good to us and We have been so blessed. I look forward to the new adventures in our home. I will update as often as I can, and most of the time there won't be many pictures but I will try!

Crimson Tide

One of the reasons we were so busy this last weekend was we got to pick up our little Crimson Tide (we just call her Crimson). She is such a sweet little girl! She is still working on potty training but has done really well so far. Only one or two accidents a day. She loves to chew on plastic and metal (watches, necklaces). She loves Braxton but has learned that he is not a puppy to play with... she still tries to play with him sometimes but knows better. Between her and Braxton I hardly have any other time during the day... but I love it! I have been waiting for her for a long time... now we will see how I do with two puppies and a baby!

She love love loves her naps! They last like an hour at a time.

Our 2 babies sleeping.

What's going on?

This morning I was doing something with Braxton and when I came out of the room I found her like this.... snoring and all. It was just too cute I couldn't get myself to move her!

Cereal Galore!

Braxton had his first cereal last week. It was a crazy weekend so I didn't get a chance to put the pictures up until just now.

His first bite!!



Hmmmm how do I eat this? (Longhorns Bib... tribute to my family in Texas!)



I like it!

Day two.... Feed myself.

Just Kidding!
So Braxton Likes to try and feed himself.
I can never get the food to him soon enough. He will throw his face towards the spoon and get it all over him! He's such a porker! But at least he likes it!

Braxton is such a blessing in Josh and my life! He is such a happy baby and always makes everything seem ok. It was a rough start with nursing and feeding but once we got that down it has been such a joy since then. He's almost never upset about anything! Even when our new puppy Crimson jumps on him. I couldn't ask for a more special and awesome son!

Darnell/Parks Campout!

So let me relay the story to you...
We get out to the campsite and start setting up. First of all, it was windy as all get out! Braxton doesn't like the wind... He must have had some tragic experience with it that I don't remember because he's been like this since I can remember! So Braxton isn't having a good time. Second... because of the wind Rachel and Bobby's tent kept trying to make a getaway! It was kind of funny trying to watch Rachel hold the tent from flying away while Bobby and Josh come to her rescue. Third... it started raining at 8:30 that night and didn't stop until... well it just never stopped! We were packing up in mud... and the inside of our car is caked in it! I still haven't cleaned it out!

All in all it was still a fun trip! We did get some games in before the rain started up that night. And since we couldn't make our breakfast the next morning we went and had breakfast in the closest city (Cave Creek). Braxton likes to grab anything in his reach and somehow I let him get in reach of my hot chocolate.... yup... all over me!! But we really enjoyed being able to spend time with Bobby and Rachel. It will definately be a trip we remember!


How do I set this thing up?



Finally! We are in business.... just for the record, we got our tent first!



Braxton and aunt Rachel

Braxton and uncle Bobby

Having a good time

This was Braxton before all the Rain and Wind

This is Braxton after the rain started... wet and tired and not happy!

So on our way home we made a little detour. Josh wanted to show me the place where he wrecked in car playing in the mud over a year ago.

Yup, that's the ditch that he drove his car into.. it's bigger than it looks!

1,000 dollars, 2 rental cars, and a month later we had the car back.

4 Months old!

Braxton will turn 4 months old on Friday, so yesterday he had his doctor appointment. He is now 14lbs 2 oz. (36%) and is 24 3/4 in. long (47%) and this is the one that I laugh at... his head is 40 cm (6%) Small head apparently for his age... but who wants a kid with a giant head anyway?! I think it fits him great!


Braxton just waiting for the doctor... he seemed to know that something bad was going to happen.


He just loves his feet now!



All smiles... this place isn't so bad afterall...



Just Kidding! It's terrible! They shoved 5 needles in my legs! Cruel people!



Things you probably didn't know about Braxton....

1.- Braxton has stinky feet! Whenever he wears socks and gets sweaty... they are pretty smelly!
2.- He loves icecream! His dad sneaks it to him when i'm not around! Sneaky Josh
3.- He gets his dad and uncle confused sometimes... Josh and his brother look a lot a like, and his brother Seth is always around during the day and plays with Braxton while Josh is around more during the later afternoon/evening. When they are both around Braxton just stares at both of them and doesn't really know what to do! But he loves his daddy lots! And he doesn't get confused too often.
4.- Braxton loves colors and patterns! He will literally sit for 5 minutes straight staring at Josh's ties on Sunday! He loves them! And he loves his books. I can read him book after book for hours and he will sit there quietly the whole time!
5.- Braxton has a birth mark on the Right Shoulder blade about the size of a grape. It was so light at first we didn't see it until he was about a month old.



My baby boy is growing so fast!