Anyone for Tea?

It's THURSDAY! This means it is our long day (without daddy until about 9:00 or so tonight). Izze and I thought we would embrace the day and have a tea party in her princess tent. She was all dressed up in her pink and purple boas ready for tea. She would pour the tea (pretend tea) in the little tea cups, and we sat in the tent sipping away. Of course we had to bring her lamb in with us so lamb could have some tea too. We don't do much without lamb there with us. As I sat there sipping and laughing, I thought to myself this is what I want her to remember, moments like these. Later today we plan to do some errands, which she likes too, but I know this "tea time" will be one of our favorite things to do together. I know it will be for me.

Friend Time!

I got to go out last night and spend some time without the kids with a girlfriend of mine. I am so glad that the Lord puts people in our lives that are just those people you know you will probably always be friends with. I have a few people like that, not many, but at the same time I think there can only be a few to fill those spots in our lives. I had a great time catching up and talking without any interruptions. Thanks to my friend for being you, just genuine you!

Thanks and Giving!

Every year I am reminded of how very blessed we are. I try and think about all the things that the Lord has blessed us with and to thank him for them. This year was no exception. We have a beautiful little girl and a handsome little boy, and we adore both of them. That right there is blessing enough.
We headed for Ponca City on Thanksgiving day to spend some time with family and of course eat all day long (or graze as some of us call it.) The day is filled with all the things a Thanksgiving dinner should be filled with. From the turkey to the dessert, and don't forget the appetizers before the main course. It's amazing how one day could make you not want turkey again until the next Thanksgiving. Thank the Lord for ham on Christmas!!! The kids enjoyed the trip, and they both took naps. Izze did so well she took a nap on aunt Cindy's bed, so proud. Izze and Ian both got Christmas outfits from nanny Carol and papa Lin. They are so cute.
My brother and his family stopped by and it was great to see them. His girls are growing up so fast, and they are so beautiful. We had a great Thanksgiving, and are thankful for all our family and friends. See you in about a month.

Taking It Easy!

Vacation Time! How we love this time. It's so nice not to have to worry about being somewhere or doing something. Everything is on our time (and the kids schedules!) We took another road trip to Dallas for a little Christmas shopping. We went to our favorite stores and a few new ones this time. We stayed another day so we where able to fit a little more into the schedule. The kids are doing really well on these trips. Izze keeps asking if we are going to go on another trip. She got to ride her carousel ride, and she always has to ride the brown horse for some reason. We figure by this time, if we would have kept all the ticket stubs we would have a free ride by now. She got to ride it twice this time and got a balloon. We went to our favorite places to eat, including la Madeline and we brought some of their tomato soup back with us. It is so good, I think we ended up eating it that night when we got back. Oh, how I wish we had one of those here. On our way back we stopped in Norman to take a look at what Marshals had for Christmas, we ending up finishing up some of our Christmas list there. I wish we had another one of those closer too. Anyways, it was a great trip, we always enjoy it. I think it is becoming a tradition in a sense. Izze talks about going back to Dallas on a trip. She is already getting use to going. Time together is sooo great!

To one incredible husband & dad!

Brian - you are amazing! You are such a great dad and husband, we couldn't ask for more. I love to see the kids faces light up when they see you, and I just love being around you. You are my best friend. You are our hero for everything you do for our family! Love you! The family

Daddy time...well, not really

Brian Here...thought I would jump in for a quick post to tell the world how incredibly blessed I am with my family!

Alicia-you are my hero. No really, I'm being very serious when I say that you are an amazing hero of mommyhood. I don't know how you do it, but I see the results every day in our wonderful family. I love you beyond the very words I could ever express.

Izze-when we laugh and tickle and play and bounce and dance and sing and eat fruit snacks, I am transported to a world that is all our own.

Ian-a new level of bonding is happening with us little fella and it is beyond belief.

Rush family, I love you.
Dad (Brian)

Me Time!

Today, as I sit to create this blog, the outside is already reminding me of the winter cold to come. But, today I do seem to enjoy it. We (the kids and I) had lunch with our favorite person, Daddy! This is daddy's long day, so we try and meet with him on Thursdays to spend some time with him. Right now both kids are down for a nap and it's just me listening to Vince Guaraldi (A Charlie Brown Christmas) and a hot cup of tea. We have all been a little under the weather lately, and this is just what the doctor ordered for mommy (me) today. I am thinking about the Christmas list next to me, that I need to start on. It can wait a bit. Izze ask about everyday if we can put up the Christmas Tree. We keep telling her in about a week. To her though there is no time, at least that she can understand. We plan to take her to a Christmas Tree farm this year. The ones I know about have hot chocholate and candy canes. She will love that. Can't wait to see her face light up. Well, here's to many more great Thursdays, and "ME TIMES."

Our "BIG" Little Man!

Ian is sitting up now pretty good. He still needs a little help, or he starts to fall. The boppy is doing the job here. What did people do before the boppy?








Look at that smile. He has both of his bottom teeth in now, and I'm sure more will
follow soon. He drools continually.









Those big eyes, just like his daddy. Who couldn't love those. They are more hazel now, like daddy's, but some days they look more blue. Brian's do that too, but his will seem more green on some days. Not a bad quality to have.

Holding Brother

These are our gifts. God has truly blessed us. Every time I look at our children, I know it is so true. He chose us to be their parents. He didn't have to give them to us, but by his mercy and grace he did. Now, with this great responsibility, Lord give us wisdom to raise them with grace and success.

Izze wanted to hold brother as she does often. You can tell by the expression on Ian's face, he doesn't seem to mind. I know inside, he is just waiting for the day when he can get up and do whatever she is doing or go wherever she is going. Izze is having fun, she keeps pushing brother's head back to make him sit still. She does it out of love, of course. Out of a heart of gratitude, thank you Lord!

SWEET BIG SISTER!!

I love to watch Isabelle and Ian play together. When he is in his exersuacer, she will pile the toys so high they will be up to his neck. She likes to sing, and talk to him. When she talks to him it's like she is trying to talk big with all these words that don't make sense, even though she can talk really well. She doesn't like it when he cries. She will tell him, it's ok baby, or brother don't cry, and then sometimes it's stop brother. She likes to go with me to get him when he gets up from his naps. She will pull the bumper pad down and say, hi brother, or brother wake up. He loves to watch her. He will bobble his head all around to try and follow her. He smiles so big when he sees her. There is nothing like seeing them bond this way. I thought one child was the best, but I really do enjoy the two. Knowing that they will be close and love each other so much , makes it all worth it.