Izze's Birthday!

Izze enjoying her presents, and her birthday cake!
Izze's friends and family!

Izze with her birthday boa!

Our Precious 2 Year Old!

Time goes by so fast. Our Isabelle turned 2 July 10th. She looks like such a big girl now. She talks all the time, which she has been doing before she was one, but now she is starting to put sentences together and we love it. Some of our favorite Izze sayings are "Don't see it," "Hold ya," "Oh Babe," "Please and Thank You." She is so amazing, every new thing she does, every huge and kiss she gives us, we are so thankful that the Lord choose us to be her parents - she is so much fun, her laugh is contagious.

We did a tropical theme birthday party for her and invited our friends and family. Izze and her friends played outside, doing bubbles, chalk on the patio, the sandbox, slides, balls, they had so much fun. Brian cooked hamburgers, and I made the cake. Brian also made a cake for me that was an "Old-Fashioned" birthday cake for my birthday that is coming up. The cakes were great! Her little friends took home party favor bags with bubbles, and play-doh, and leis. She got her first tri-cycle from Nanny & papa Lin, she loves it, along with many more presents. She loves to ride it outside with daddy, and put things in the trunk. Sometimes I think to myself, I wish I could capture these moments and freeze them in time, but I know she has to grow and change, and I know I will love all the new moments that will come. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY! DADDY, MOMMY & IAN LOVE YOU VERY MUCH!

Ian's Little "Markings"

Funny thing, as I sit down to write this blog, I think to myself please God let this be the one and only time this will happen in Ian's life time (at least until he is married.) I walked around for about a week with 3 little bruise spots on my arm (better known as hickeys)from my precious little baby boy. I was attempting to finish up a phone conversation while holding Ian. It was a little passed time for him to eat, so I was holding him trying to conceal the crying while I talked to the person on the other side of the phone. I noticed that he was sucking on my arm, more like slobbering all over it, but it wasn't that hard and I didn't think much of it, as I was more tuned into the conversation that I was having. When I ended the phone call I proceeded to feed him and noticed I had new markings on my arm. Brian laughed and I was a little embarrassed. There was really no covering it up, because it is too hot to wear long sleeves. I think I may have spotted a few looks, but not many that I noticed. It was just a new "birth mark" for a week. Funny things happen when you have kids I guess. I also walked around with a green thumb and fingers for a few days because I was experimenting with the food coloring for Isabelle's Birthday cake. I think you learn not to take yourself as serious maybe when you have kids, because we are just living life the best we can. Hope you enjoyed the story, until next time!

10 Random Things About Myself!

I have been tagged to write 10 random things about myself so here it goes....

1. I like to color my hair, and change it up pretty often.
2. I have a tendency to be a perfectionist. I would rather not do something, if I can't do it all the way and the way I think it should be done.
3. I really enjoy chocolate, ice cream and rootbeer.
4. I really really like to shop and accessories are a favorite of mine.
5. I like to take pictures and photography is interesting to me.
6. I absolutely love being a mom to Isabelle & Ian.
7. I like eating out rather than cooking.
8. I like to watch movies.
9. I love being with my bestfriend - my husband, Brian.
10. I love spring and fall, it's like a new beginning every time.

Now I tag whoever reads this blog.

4th of July!

For the 4th this year we stayed in Edmond. We just relaxed for part of the day, then we went to the Randel's house (old family friends.) Brian's dad invited us to come over for steaks and everything else you could imagine. The best part for Izze was the swimming. She got to go swimming with daddy for the first part of the evening, along with some of the other kids, and grand-kids. Ian of course slept through the whole thing, and woke up just as we were leaving. The food was great you couldn't ask for anything more, except maybe for the home-made ice cream that always seemed to be a tradition in my family, but Sonic served the purpose well on the way home. The night ended with Izze waking up about 10:30pm screaming and running to our bedroom because people were shooting off fireworks and scared her to death. She stayed in our bed for a while just terrified to go in her room. I finally got her back into her bed about midnight. Maybe next year she won't be as afraid. Hope everyone had a great 4th!

"Chalk It Up"

Isabelle had a blast at "Chalk It Up," in downtown Edmond this last Tuesday! They always have activities going on for the 4th, and our mom's group checked it out. We had our own little square of cement and the kids could paint and use chalk to make their own little "art" masterpieces. Of course Izze's masterpiece is just lines everywhere, but to her and I, it is something very beautiful! She also enjoyed getting to play with the bubbles. Did I mention that she loves doing bubbles! They had a little pool with bubbles and wands and she started out with one wand and at one point had at least three in her hand. Also, she almost took a swim with the bubbles, she got her right foot in before I could slow her down from getting all the way in. She just knows that she likes it, that's all. Maybe next year she will be brave enough to jump in the big blow-up things (whatever those are called). She almost made it in this time, but in a moment she turned around and asked me to hold her, so I don't think she was ready for such an adventure! Ian was just relaxing (in the heat) in the his car seat, next year he will maybe be able to keep up with his big sister a little better! Have a great 4th!

Father's Day Times 2!

This Father's Day was a little more special for Brian! This year we not only had our precious little girl, but we had our little guy here to celebrate being a Daddy! Izze did the sweetest thing. We had bought daddy a card and she had made her doodles inside and I told her when daddy gets home meet him at the door with the card and tell him "Happy Father's Day". She did it perfectly. I enjoyed hearing her say it and the look on his face said it all. Brian bent down to her level and said "I love you baby", and thank you. You could tell that she knew she did something great for her daddy by the smile on her face. Of course lets not forget about Ian, he shot his daddy one of those toothless smiles that just melts your heart and that did for his daddy. Love like no other. We also got to take Brian's dad out for lunch on Father's Day, so it was a great day in the Rush household. Happy Father's Day babe!

9th Anniversary!

Wow, how time flies when you are definitely having fun!! Brian & I just celebrated our nine year anniversary on the 13th of June. We went out for dinner, and it was so nice to just talk, and have no other distractions. Some very dear friends of ours, the Hood's watched the kids. Izze always likes going to their house because they have a swing-set. We have been in full time ministry for about eight of those years. Oklahoma City/Edmond is by far the best move we've made! Not knowing exactly what the future would hold we moved here in Jan. of 2002 to help start a church with the Cooper's! Church planting is much different than we could have ever known. It has been an exciting and learning adventure! While here we have had two amazing children, who continue to grow and shape us just as we are growing and shaping them. We have made some friendships that will last forever, and we are apart of an amazing team of Pastor's and leaders. How could we ask for more, we are truly a blessed family. My husband, where to begin. I am so thankful for him in my life. He is the best husband and father that you could ask for. I love that he knows me so well, that while at a store he could pick out an outfit for me, and I would love it. He always thinks about me, even little things like my favorite candy. He wants his kids to know him, and to love God with all their heart. I would have to say that he is great at what he does in ministry. He is the love of my life! So to many more happy and adventure filled years!!

Fast Forward!

Hey everyone! Sorry for the lack of keeping up with our blog, but mom's (me) been a little sleep deprived lately. Just a little thing we like to call NEW BABY BOY!! Despite the lack of sleep, it is truly an amazing adventure. Those of you with kids or new little ones on the way know that it is true.

We have had a great summer so far. We just got back from staff retreat at Grand Lake. Izze had a blast. She swam a lot and got to go on her first boat ride, with Daddy driving! Ian got to come along as well, so he has had his first boat ride without knowing of course. He slept through the whole thing, even when we hit a big wave and Izze and I got really wet sitting up in the front part of the boat. It is always a great time with the other staff, just to hang out and relax together. We eat way to much and stay up late talking or playing games and then eat some more. What a great team we are apart of!! Can't wait for next year!

Ian is changing almost daily it seems. He is more alert with his big blue/gray eyes and smiles when I or his daddy talk to him. He is starting to gurgle and coo some, which brings a smile to our faces. There is just nothing like it to light up your face and make the day a little brighter even if it has been a challenging one. We have been through the first smiles and coo's with Isabelle, but it never gets old. It's still new, just like the first time she did it. You can already tell his voice is different than Izze's (which it should be right, he is a boy of course), but it is still interesting to me. He seems different than Izze in so many ways. He is more cuddly, and eats faster than Izze ever did. It will be interesting to see their different personalities as they grow. Izze I think for the most part likes him. She likes to give him kisses and rub his head and say nice baby. I think she realizes that he is here to stay.

Isabelle and Ian both had their doctor's appointments today. Izze her two year check up and Ian's two month check up and both are doing good. Ian is already 12lbs. 8.5oz. (75%), 24 1/4 inches long (95%), so he has out-grown Isabelle when she was his age.

Well, until next time, may your days be a little sweeter as we take a moment to appreciate the simple things in life, like the love of family and friends.