He's a character

These pictures say it all. He's a bit theatrical.  I promise, all the drama comes from T-rav's genes, not mine. It's all from their Pappy!  Ha!















As for Tucker, he's a bit more serious. Not quite as dramatic as his momma brother tends to be on occasion! I promise when I say the dramatic stuff comes straight from their Daddy!

Brothers, best pals forever

The boys are getting to the stage where they actually enjoy playing together. Tucker is still more hot headed then Carter. Carter tries to be as patient as he can with Tucker. They're mischievous together. Carter usually eggs Tucker on, but then again Tucker doesn't need much egging.

From playing in the pasture, to water troughs, to the bathtub they're loads of fun!  Without a shadow of a doubt, they are all b.o.y! They'll find the freshest pile of cow poo to step in, they love to play in the water troughs or throw the dog in, and bath time is just a big party for these two! Bath toys are useless. It's no fun unless you have fifteen or twenty matchbox cars in the tub, along with tractors, cows, trains... you name it. Whatever happened to rubber ducky?! He's a thing of the past here. Bath time usually entails me cleaning mopping the floors. How can two little people manage to get so much water on the floor?  Hmm...

They're plotting against me in this picture, I promise! 

As I've said a thousand times, it's their giggles that make me enjoy the moment. Those giggles that come from way down, deep inside. The ones that take Tucker's breath, the one that makes Carter cackle at the top of his lungs. I can't get enough of them. If I could etch that sound into my memory and play it over and over again as life progresses, I would. The boys remind me that it's the little things in life. It's water dripping down the wall, bubbles on their heads, toys all over the floor, and the normal chaos of our typical days.

A couple months back, you know when the black dirt was a daily happening, I finally got some fun bath pictures of these critters. Bath time is almost the most chaotic part of our day.  You put any two kids in the bathtub fill it with toys and see what happens. I guarantee you there will be water everywhere with those giggles from deep down inside that I was talking about.

Hot Summer Days

The dreadfully hot days of Summer almost seem unbearable at times. When your kids sweat after being outside for just a matter of minutes, you know it's hot!  However, my two could care less about the heat they just want to be outside playing in the dirt and the water hose.


There's a favorite summer snack around these parts, the watermelon. My boys eat their weight in watermelon. I've learned that this sweet little snack is much better prepared outside. They make the messiest of messes. There is juice everywhere, seeds flying by your head as they have seed spitting contests, and their clothes well... if the juice gets on 'em, you can just about throw them in the play clothes stack. They're usually done for.

Then there's the "black dirt". Oh, the dreaded black dirt. If there is black dirt, my children are just drawn to it. I've come accustomed to it now. It's a part of who we are. White socks=dingy grey socks. I vividly remember as a little girl, my momma saying, "Jennifer! put your shoes on or take your socks off!" I am being paid back ten fold for ignoring this request as a child. I buy new, pearly white socks only for them to turn dingy within a week. I give up. Grey it is for the Higg boys.


It's not about the socks. It's not about keeping the boys clean, it's about them enjoying their time as kids. The day that I sat on the porch and shot the pictures of them playing in the "black dirt" is one I'll never forget. For the longest time they had no clue that I was taking pictures of them. That's usually the pictures I end up liking the most. Dirt covered faces, clothes, and skin. They play so hard they even get dirt in places we won't discuss.


Just look at their faces and smiles, you can't tell me they weren't having a great time. I think the best part was when Carter walked away for a minute and Tucker spotted his McDonald's cup. He took off and drank as if he were a camel in the desert. Poor Carter came back to an empty cup. This night I had to beg and plea with them to wrap it up and come inside for their baths. Boys will be boys, I suppose.


These days are quick. When they grow up and have kids of their own, I hope they remember days like this. Dirt, giggles, tractors, and each other.

Carter turns SIX!

Six. Six fun, exciting, heart warming, blessed years. A giggle that is unmistakable, eyes that still sparkle as bright as they did when he was a baby. He has such a sweet spirit and always wants to please us. He loves playing in the dirt, singing at the top of his lungs, watching livestock auctions and Call of the Wild man-"WOO HOO, Live action!"

I sound like my mom when I say, it seems like just yesterday that we were watching him learn to walk. I look at pictures over the past few months and all the baby-ness of his little face is disappearing. The chubby cheeks, the tiny hands and feet, all but a sweet memory in my mind now.

Your first born always holds a sweet spot in your heart. They're the one that teaches you that you can love something on this earth more than life itself. If your not a mother yet, or a dad, you really don't understand what true love is about. He's made us proud from day one and continues to do so with each day that passes.

I love his sweet hugs that come out of the middle of nowhere. I truly believe that his giggle will be what always makes me smile. He has such an amazing outlook on each day. As most kids do, he sees it as fun. Find the adventure, make the moment, enjoy. Again, I learn from him.

For his birthday, we celebrated with family at the bowling alley. To say that he had fun is a complete and utter understatement. He thoroughly enjoyed himself. Of course, there was that giggle. He's a tad bit competitive but that's okay. He had a transformer birthday cake and ribs from Cross Creek. I do believe he received every transformer on the market.

When I tuck my babies in bed on the night of their birthday, I can't help but be extra grateful for the sweet year the Lord has given us with this child. It is my prayer that God will continue to bless Carter's life. I pray that in all ways He will seek God first. May his life be filled with the joy, happiness, contentment and love that it is right now. I pray that he grows up to love God with all of him. It is my duty as a momma to teach him the love of Christ. Although I may fail from day to day, I pray that he will one day look back and remember that I taught him to love Jesus and honor Him.

Carter-bug, I love you more than you will ever understand. I love your eagerness to learn. Your forgiving heart is so tender and sweet. You bring sunshine to our cloudy days and excitement to the boring ones. Your giggle is music to my ears. May your life be all you ever dream of. Make your dreams come true and don't settle for less than you deserve. If you dream it, chase it. Remember, always, that your momma is on your side and cheering you on each step of the way. Love Jesus, love others, and share your joy with everyone. Sweet blessings and all my love to you!  xoxo-Momma.

Welcome to First Grade

Exactly how did I go and get myself a first grader? Seriously, is he really old enough to be in first grade? It's true, it's very, very true. As the day drew closer for school to start, Carter begged to ride the bus to school. I couldn't bare the thought so he still rides with me. However, I do let him ride in the afternoons. Baby steps, right?

Day one of this new adventure started with smiles and his favorite, Lucky Charms. Not necessarily the best breakfast in the world but it's what he wanted. Is it normal for momma's to get a little choked up as these milestones pass? Life as a mother is so bittersweet. I love seeing him learn new things and growing but I really do wish there was some way I could bottle up the littleness of him.

After the routine first day of school pictures, we were off to school. He was grinning from ear to ear. He definitely is not shy. He was roaring to go!  School started back a few days before his birthday. Typically it starts right after his birthday. He was super excited that for once he'd get to be the kid in class celebrating his birthday. That Friday he proudly wore his birthday boy shirt and we celebrated with cupcakes.

The school year is well underway now (I'm blogging in February 2012... so far behind). Carter is doing great and loving every minute. He reads like a champ!! They have an Accelerated Reading (A.R.) program at his school and I'm proud to say he's in the top five for his class!!  Way to go, Carter-bug!! He's in the walk-run club and will be running in the Gate River Run this Spring. Super exciting.

He also ran his first race back in the winter. It was just over a mile and he finished strong with Travis at his side.

Mud boggin' & "MonKer trucks!"

Mud, big trucks, loud engines, and boys go hand in hand. One weekend we decided to ride to one of the local mud bogs, Soggy Bottoms. The boys were both super excited. They could not wait for us to park so they could unbuckle and start watching. Tucker was in sheer amazement. He loves him a good 'ole "monker" truck. Anything with the slightest bit of a lift on it, is a monker truck.

Watching the two of them hoot and holler reminds me that they will one day be teenagers... heaven help me. I have a feeling they'll find their way to the big mud holes. If they hoot and holler the way they do now at six and two, how on earth will they act when they are sixteen and nineteen?! Oh boy.

They weren't very happy when we started to leave and are still asking to go back from time to time. We're taking them to the Monster Truck Jam in a few weeks to celebrate Tucker's birthday. He can not wait!!!

Eucharisteo... thankful.

I must admit, I've been absolutely horrible lately when it comes to blogging. Life just seems to get so busy that finding the time to sit down here and jot about our life takes a back burner. Summer has come and gone. Fall came and went. School started back and we found ourselves with a big first grader. Carter is doing great and loving every minute of it. The holidays crept up on us quick! The year just flew by. I'm going to do my very best to catch up.



Our summer was slammed full... of nothing. We didn't do a lot but we seemed to stay busy. How exactly does that happen? The boys spent the days playing on the water-slide, or in side playing with whatever the toy of the day was. A lot of the days were spent indoors trying to keep cool. Our Summer was very hot. We did spend a couple days at the beach with family. The boys enjoyed the water-park, the walks on the beach and the many hours spent in the pool. I do believe they are real boys and not fish... sometimes.  I must admit though I really tried to just slow down and enjoy them being little. They're changing with each passing day. It's like watching a movie and you want to rewind to watch your favorite part again, but I don't have that option.


Carter, is Carter. Full of life, spunk, excitement, and fun. He's always up for an adventure. He's a giggle waiting to happen. He's eyes that sparkle even when he's sad. He has a heart that is so tender. His arms squeeze me tight and without saying a word his eyes say, I love you. He's curious about growing up, and as much as I want him to be frozen in this moment, I know that God has great plans ahead for him. For this sweet child, I'm so very thankful.

Our big boy turned six on August 19. Wow. Six, really? I'd be lying if I said to you that as each year passes my heart is saddened some. I watch him going from a little boy, playing with matchbox cars to a big boy wanting to join new clubs at school and reading books... all by his self. Not a day goes by that I don't stand back and watch him and thank God for placing him in my life. As Summer grew to a close and school was on the horizon, the excitement to see his friends grew. Oh how that is a fond memory of my childhood, as well. Just like his momma always did, he walked into that first grade classroom with no hesitations. A smile on his face (that you couldn't wipe away), shoulders back and ready to get the show on the road. I'm so grateful for his independence, his self esteem and the sweet spirit he has about him. I pray that as the school year continues on, that he'll face each day with that smile! One day after school when I picked him up from the bus stop he looked at me and said, "Momma, I got a yellow... I'm so sorry." A yellow means he didn't obey and his name was turned. That night as I tucked him in bed he told me that he wasn't a good kid because he got a yellow. I begged to differ. He is a good kid. I encouraged him and told him that we all have good days and bad days. He just had an off day and that he needed to pray and ask God to help him to be a better listener and to help him obey his teacher. As I walked out of the room I could hear his whisper from the top bunk, "please God help me to get a green tomorrow." The simplest of prayers, but God still hears them. I closed that door and just smiled. My heart was blessed knowing that he's learning to seek God. The next day as he got in the truck he said, "MOMMA! I prayed last night and I got a green!"

Tucker's been keeping me on my toes. He wasn't pleased with Carter starting back to school. The mornings have been a bit different with just me and him. He's growing so fast, too. He's talking up a storm and full of life. He's curious about everything, and I do mean everything.

His little hands, always up to something. He is lost while Carter is at school. Not really sure what to do, what to play, or even what shows to watch. Usually around 1:00 he will start asking for Carter. When I say, "let's go get Bubba!" You'd think it was Christmas morning. His eyes light up and he runs out the door to the truck. He'd always rather be outside than inside, even if it's raining. I love watching him run through the yard and the sun makes it sparkle with the prettiest golden, red hue.  I'm loving his hair right now. It's crazy, out of control. We have to soak it down each morning before taking Carter to school. We attempted to potty train in the past few weeks, he's just not ready. How do I know, you might ask... because he thinks the pantry is the greatest place to "make water". So... we'll wait a little longer to press the issue.  He now counts to fifteen, sings his ABCS's and to hear him sing "twinkle, twinkle little star..." melts my heart each and every time. He asks for it each night when it's bedtime. He's becoming more independent each month. He wants so badly to do what Carter does. He is still Travis' little shadow. He loves riding the pastures with Trav in the new work truck. He stands up in the seat so tall and thinks he's so grown. For his shyness, sparkling blue eyes, and sweet kisses, I'm thankful.

How is it even after the most hectic of days I can put these two precious little ones to bed and still find myself in awe of them? They fill my heart full of happiness by the joys they bring to my life. So many times I find myself just rubbing their heads as they drift off to sleep and all I can think is, "thank you, Lord." That's not even nearly enough to say, for they truly are the sweetest and most precious joys of my life. They remind me daily that we only get once chance at this. One chance to smile, laugh, enjoy, take it all in. One chance to watch them giggle until their breathless. One chance to take in the sweet sounds of their voices chatting away in the backseat. Yet again, I find myself thankful.

I recently read a book called, "One Thousand Gifts" and it has been a complete reminder to me that this is it. In each moment that God allows me to breathe, there is beauty. There is joy, a blessing to be bestowed upon me. God has allowed the author of this book to remind me to be thankful. How often do I allow countless moments of my day to go by without giving thanks, Eucharisteo.  Oh how I long to be thankful for every aspect of my life. The joyful, happy times, and even the gloomy, dark times. Please dear Lord, open my eyes that I may see you in each moment. May my children watch and learn from me that true joy, a fulfilled life comes from a relationship with Christ. May they learn by actions to be thankful for everything in this tiny piece of the world we live in.

Will you take time out today to seek the Eucharisteo in your life? It's all around us. Every moment of every day there is something to be thankful for. I highly suggest the book, One Thousand Gifts. If you're interested in reading it, click the link below and order yours today!