7th Anniversary

Earlier this month Brandon and I celebrated our seventh anniversary. 7th!! Wow, can it really have been seven years ago. I look back at us on our wedding day and smile because we look so young. We celebrated the best way we knew how. We went to the Temple and did sealings for others who didn't have the opportunity in their own life. It was really special being in the Temple holding my Brandon's hand and looking into his eyes remembering that spinning filling I had seven years ago. I also felt the same if not more so now the strong overwhelming feeling of gratitude, to be so blessed, to have such a man in my life. We have been through a lot over the past seven years. Job changes, moves, difficult pregnancies, surgeries, the list could go on and on. More importantly we have been so richly blessed with two amazing boys, a house all our own, health, laughter, and many great memories. These seven years have been magical and we are ready to take on the coming years hand-in-hand, come what may.



"I love you Brandon Loring Mathis!"
Thank you for choosing me.


"I still can't take my eyes off of you after seven years. Your still a looker!"
-Brandon
(I asked for Brandon's input... )



Through thick and thin its good to take a break and not always be so serious.
Just for fun here are a few

Pass Time

My boy's new favorite pass time...

Donaven get's so anxious when he see's his Daddy driving up the driveway he trys with all his might to pull out the case. Brandon barely gets in the door and Donaven asks "Daddy can we play Ca-Tar?" Brandon tired from work and starving doesn't hesitate for a moment. Indulging his sons with a little daddy time. He is such an amazing Father.

Donaven can now "play" and sing Twinkle Twinkle, and I am a Child of God.
Emerson loves music and happily shakes his little bum along to the beat.

Grammy's Pool Party

Brandon's mother Susan, affectionately known as Grammy, closed on her new house today. She celebrated by inviting friends and family over for a pool party. When we drove up Donaven was so excited he exclaimed, "Mommy look a new house, a new playground, (gasp for air) A NEW POOL!!!"

Needless to say, it was a bit difficult getting him to wait until we had his life jacket safely on before jumping in.

Her pool has a nice attached sitting area just right for getting little ones acclimated to the water. It didn't take Donaven long to get really brave and try swimming out all on his own. He was all over the pool loving every minute.



Emerson enjoyed it as well, riding on floats with Daddy, and trying out his new racer with Mommy.



Coty and Grammy cooling off in the water.


It was really nice having something the whole family could enjoy together. Thanks for having us Grammy. I'm sure we will back for much more fun in the sun!

Library Surprise

The boys and I were at the library for our weekly visit. Enjoying this wonderful free resource of entertainment. Emerson normally can be found strolling around amongst the books.


Donaven's favorite place is playing in the "no play" reading zone, to the librarians chagrin.


Occasionally there are special guests. Today the Artsview Children's Theater was there with their show choir. After the performance, we were about to leave when the Children's Director came in and surprised us all with after show treats...


As you can see they thoroughly enjoyed it!

Play-school : Collage

Every morning I try to incorporate a few educational activities in the routine, we like to call it play-school time. Today was art day. I got my inspiration for this activity from one of my favorite blogs called, "Made by Joel." He is a really talented artist with 3 young children. He specializes in kids crafts and activities. We decided to try one of his collage ideas, taking scraps of scrapbook paper and cutting them into fun shapes and gluing them down to make really fun abstract collages. This was right up Donavens ally. No rules, just pure creative expression.

We discussed the different colors and shapes. His favorite part was me letting him be in charge of the glue like a "big boy." It also was a good exercise to help Donaven with his focus. He normally can sit still a whole 3 minutes in a chair. He amazingly enjoyed this activity so much he didn't want to stop with just one, we made three. We sat at the kitchen table for a good 35 minutes. Impressive, I know!

I like his pieces so much I might frame them and hang them on my wall. It was really nice to spend some quality one-on-one time with Donaven.



Here is a closer look.

Summer Goal : Part 2

At the beginning of summer Brandon and I decided we were going to make a strong effort to go to the temple each month June - August. Yesterday we were able to go and had a really great time. Donaven has been learning about temples so we decided to include the whole family on this trip.

Brandon was able to help his niece whom brought two family names to the temple to do baptisms. Brandon was able to officiate in the baptisms for his grandmother Thelma May Debok (whom Coty was proxy for) and his grandfather Charles Surbaugh (Coty's friend Brett stood in as proxy). Brandon said that he really felt the spirit strongly today at the temple. It was a special day for him. His grandfather past away over 20 years ago.

While Brandon was inside, the boys and I walked the grounds and talked about the importance of the temple.



Donaven was very excited when he found the angel Moroni with his "trombone."


Even Emerson seemed to enjoy being at the temple.



I really loved sharing my testimony with my boys. I hope that someday they to will gain a testimony of the work performed in the House of the Lord.





Brandon and I switched and I performed the initiatory for his grandmother Thelma. I was filled with hope as I was reminded of the promised blessings to those whom keep their covenants.



I saw so many familiar faces at the temple today is was so fun seeing so many friends and even family. My sisters Brandy and Angie came while we were there. We also saw Kim and Marco, T.J. & Tiffany, Delsa, Sister Owings, Jean Henderson and her husband, a hole ton of young singles from Longview, Michelle Allen and several others. It made me think that this is what heaven must be like in away. Reuniting with the saints, embracing and just being happy to see each other again.

It has added so much being able to go in June and July. I cant wait for next month. We are planning on doing sealings on Aug. 6th, our anniversary. Yeah for setting a goal and following through. It has made such a difference!

When I grow up...

Last weekend I got up early before the boys and headed to the farmers market. They had a lot of great things. What caught my eye and left be spell bound was a vendor from Henderson with beautiful floral arrangements. While watching her work with large sunflowers, zinnias and fragrant clusters of basil I fond my self mesmerized. Thinking to myself I want to do that when I grow up...



I bought this Texas bouquet for only $8




The flowers really brightened my table and filled me with joy. I was a little sad when they started to wilt. I think Brandon noticed because today he brought me home these beautiful miniature red roses. He is so thoughtful.



Now I'm researching and thinking about turning my vegetable patch into a cutting garden so I can have lovely bouquets like these all the time.



What do you want to be when you grow up?