Insane Day

Well people used to tell me, "kids do and say the darn-dest things". Do they ever! So Gavin has been in what I would like to characterize as quite a "mood" lately, and that my friends, is an understatement. WOW! He has been so difficult. "No" to this or that (even things he had just asked for, I go to hand it to him and its a no Mommy that's icky), "I can do it" or the "Go away Mommy I got it" or "This is mine not Mommy's" or the " Don't look at me while I try to go tinkle on the potty" and my all time favorite "I no like it"! AARRGGHH!!!!! There have been pivotal moments in the past few days where there was serious talk of a breakdown on Mommy's behalf.

The real kicker was today. Have you ever heard the expression "woke up on the wrong side of the bed"? Well, Gavin must have done a roll, two somersaults and a back flip off his bed today!!!Mike and I were shaking our heads and couldn't figure out what his deal was. So, before lunch he had been whiny all morning and then I thought well he likes apples lets give him an apple. He agreed gleefully I might add and then I go to hand it to him, and he starts crying saying "I no like apples they are icky mommy"! I replied with, " Gavin you are seriously driving Mommy BONKERS"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So here's the funny part I swear. He runs from the kitchen, into Mike's office where Mike is working and yells out while he is crying, " I NO BONKERS DADDY! I NO BONKERS!!!!!!" We both lost it laughing. That didn't help the situation, but either we laugh or we lose it.
Anyhow, that has been my insane toddler day! Enjoy!

Joy & Fun

We love eachother so much!

Hi Friends and Family! We have been settling in to the now warmer weather here in Texas. A few good storms, and alot of yard work!! =) We recently planted some flowers in the front yard, or shall I say I placed the flowers where I wanted them and Mike planted them. I'm not a fan of creatures that crawl. It looks pretty and we are gearing up for the summer months ahead.

With the warmer months approaching we bought a little plastic pool for the boys to play in. We thought they would have lots of fun, however, we did not intend it to become Rusty's pool as well. Gavin laughs and laughs because Rusty splashes around in the pool with him trying to get the cars that Gavin has decided to dump in there ( that is after Mommy said "no" but as you can see I did not win that battle). Gavin is doing great in school and loves his classmates and teachers. It is funny picking him up from school because he seems so big boy and all the little girls in his class walk him out and they are all chiming "Bye Gavin, bye Gavin, see you tomorrow"! So cute!

As far as the rest of us Bullards, we have all been busy with school, work, Monday night softball games, bible studies, and the biggest event of all is that Elijah sitting up on his own!!!!!!! Can you believe it!!!! He could sit with some assistance, but now he sits on his own and he can get himself from a laying position to a sitting position all by himself.We were so excited we didn't know what to do, and Elijah saw our excitement and started laughing. I would probably laugh too if I were him. We looked like a family of spazes cheering him on.=) Gavin cheered for his little brother and told him "Good job Eli"! We were just so excited for him.

I remember a conversation that Mike and I had recently with his pediatrician, (his pediatrician also has a special needs child) who said, that when you have a child who has special needs, watching them hit their milestones is such a joyful experience. Not that you are not excited for your other children when they accomplish such events, but it is the knowing and understanding of the great obstacles that are before them that they had to overcome to get to this point.That is what I felt, pure JOY! I wanted to laugh and cry all at the same time because I know what it has taken for him to get to this point. All of the countless hours of therapy that he goes through weekly, and it has paid off! We couldnt be happier.

We have been discussing joy in our women's bible study Thursday nights. We have been focusing on the different types of joy, but either way, they have been portraying a type of joy that only the Lord can provide. A joy that fills your heart and spirit, and this week I thought to myself "Wow! I would love to feel that kind of joy" and now I have. God is so good!

" Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight." Ps. 43:3-4

Gavin and Rusty, getting into trouble together.

Big Boy

California Fun

Hello! Well I just returned back to Texas from an amazing couple of days back home in Sunny California! I ran around for a few days like a complete spaz trying to catch up and visit with as many friends and family as I could in the short amount of time I had. However, I was childless so that did help! The big event of my weekend was that my very dear friend Adriane ( I.M.B., he!he!) had her bridal shower. The shower was held at a tea house in Brea and it was wonderful. She looked as beautiful as ever and it was MUCH MUCH needed time spent with my very best girlfriends. I already miss them terribly, but I look forward to seeing them all in May for Adriane's wedding on the 24th! Wahoo! The entire Bullard family will be flying into California for the big event as I am in the wedding and we decided to make a vacation out of it! We cant wait and we look forward to seeing all of our family and friends as we miss them tons! Love you all!

The girls! We dont usually prance around town in feathers, but it was a special occasion! I miss you and love you very much!
Michelle and the Bride-to-be!
Me and my Holls!
Peaches and I at our favorite place, The Coffee Bean (they dont have those in TX)
The Rodriguez family. Love you.

Elijah's 1st Bday

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY ELIJAH!

Our sweet Elijah had his first birthday on Sunday and sad to say we had to cancel his birthday party on Saturday because he was still sick. So, we opted for a Bullard Sunday cupcake extravaganza! At first Eli didn't know what to make of the colorful object that his Daddy had placed in front of him, but he soon figured it out. Gavin also had a blast assisting in the demolition of the cupcake. What are big brothers for! =)

We feel so blessed and had so much to celebrate! What a year it has been for Eli! He has had to face and overcome so much already in his short life. The Lord has truly blessed our family with Elijah and his sweet spirit and we know that His hand is continuously at work in Eli's life and the life of our family. Elijah is a fighter and we know he will continue to fight, smile along the way and continue to bless us and amaze us everyday. We love you sweet boy!

"I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." Psalm 18 :1-2

He was not sure what to think of the cupcake or the silly hat!
Now he is getting the hang of it!
Messy messy messy!
Big brother helping!

Toddler Joy!

Ok! So in the chaos that has been my week of myself and Elijah being sickies on our birthdays, lets not forget a little toddler by the name of Gavin who was still wreaking havoc as usual!
So I had just gotten Elijah and Gavin to take a nap, or so I thought. I decided to do some picking up and then I was going to "attempt" to take a shower.( Showers are so overrated by the way=))As I was putting around I heard the chime on the backdoor that alerts when the door has been opened. At first I thought maybe it was Mike, then when I opened the backdoor I saw the real culprit, Gavin David Bullard. Gavin had taken matters into his own hands and decided that he no longer needed to nap. Might I add it had been like 30min. He gleefully looked at me in his diaper and boots and said, " Mommy! I AWAKE"! I thought, really...hmmmm......who would have thought! Ugh! Just when you think that you are going to get a break

Here he is playing on his swing set like a crazy kid in diapers and rain boots!
I couldn't help myself from laughing!

Boat Fun!

Well we made it out on the boat and the boys had a blast! Gavin was quite the co-pilot, telling Mike which way he should turn etc. It was quite a hoot. It is so surreal to see him as such a big boy in the boat now. Elijah also loved it and just smiled the whole time and checked out the scenery. About halfway through the drive Mike and I looked over and Gavin had totaly passed out cold in the chair. He must have been really relaxed! It has been a crazy week thus far with myself and Elijah sick and all of our birthdays and trying to gear up for the big bash on Saturday! Hopefully all of us will be well by then! Other than that it is business as usual. We hope you enjoy the pics!

Wahooooooo!!!

Hello everyone! We hope that you like our new blog page! Wahooo for superheros!=)

We are all doing great here in Texas. Elijah has been sick all week and on breathing treatments, but as usual, he is persevering.

We have been busy getting ready for boat season! Mike and Gavin are very excited and Mike and his friend John are going to be working on the boat tonight to have it ready for next weekend. All Gavin can talk about is going out on the boat so lets keep our fingers crossed that it is ready in time!

Also, next week is quite the eventful week for us Bullards. It is Mike, myself and Elijah's bdays next week and Elijah's first bday party is on Saturday. We are having it cowboy themed ( appropriate we thought) so we are very excited to celebrate the day with all of our friends!

We miss everyone and love you all!

Blessings,

Bullards