The Joy of Santa!

What a difference a year makes. We had so much fun celebrating Christmas with Calvin this year. He said thank you to everyone and wished family, friends, and strangers a Merry Christmas. He learned the red bucket with the 'jingle bells' meant he got to put coins in the bucket to help people.

Santa this year was still a hard concept to understand but he slowly got that Santa brings you a special gift. To our surprise, Calvin wished for an apple and a banana this year. When we saw Santa in Disneyland he got a big kick out of Calvin's request. He still did not want to sit on Santa's lap and that was fine with us.

(Bryon has a run in with the pillar- that's the thud and laughing)

New traditions...Bryon wanted to start a tradition of reading the Christmas story from the Bible every year. Since our Bibles aren't toddler friendly we found the perfect book to share the birth of Jesus with Calvin. Next year we will be adding the Christmas Angel tradition. Calvin and baby brother will give up one gift each and select a child in need to give to.

A Happy 2012 to all! We are so excited for the arrival of 2012 and our newest addition. We can't wait to meet him and see his little personality. Calvin is going to be a great big brother. He already takes his baby and puts him to bed patting his back and giving him a kiss on the head. We hope this year brings great news medical wise for Calvin. We hope to be released completely from the neurologist and hope we can get a hold of his allergies this year. Calvin is such a happy kid and brings so much joy to us and others. Bryon and I will be celebrating our 5th year of marriage in June and our 8th year being together at the end of January. As always we hope to have another year of safety for Bryon at work and all of the other officers out there. 

Have a safe and happy New Year's!

Love,
Bryon, Emily, and Calvin

Help Calvin be the cutest Santa Baby!

We entered Calvin into the cutest Santa Baby contest on KNIX. Please vote for Calvin! Voting starts today and ends the 22nd. One vote per day and you must enter a valid email. Thank you for your help! GO CALVIN!!

http://www.knixcountry.com/pages/santa-babies/vote-entrants.php#17

For all the Teachers

HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU'RE A TEACHER?


by Jeff Foxworthy

*You get a secret thrill out of laminating things.

* You can hear 25 voices behind you and know exactly which one belongs to the child out of line.

* You walk into a store and hear the words, “It’s Ms. Cathcart!" and know you have been spotted.

* You have 25 people who accidentally call you Mom/Dad at one time or another.

* You can eat a multi-course meal in under 25 minutes.

* You’ve trained yourself to go to the bathroom at two distinct times of the day, lunch and planning period.

* You start saving other people’s trash, because most likely, you can use that toilet paper tube or plastic butter tub for something in the classroom.

* You believe the Teacher’s Lounge should be equipped with a margarita machine.

* You want to slap the next person who says, “Must be nice to work 7 to 3 and have summers off”.

* You believe chocolate is a food group.

* You can tell if it’s a full moon without ever looking outside.

* You believe that unspeakable evils will befall you if anyone says, “Boy, the kids are sure mellow today.”

* You feel the urge to talk to strange children and correct their behavior when you are out in public.

* You believe in aerial spraying of Ritalin.

* You think caffeine should be available in intravenous form.

* You spend more money on school stuff than you do on your own children.

* You can’t pass the school supply aisle without getting at least 5 items!

* You ask your friends to use their words and explain if the choice he made was a “good choice” or “bad choice.”

* You have a secret relationship with alcohol.

* You are secretly addicted to hand sanitizer.

* You understand, instantaneously, why a child behaves in a certain way after meeting his/her parents.

And we are having...

A healthy baby BOY!! Everything looked great on the ultrasound, all vital organs are there and appear to be working just fine. He was very relaxed at the beginning and even had his arm up behind his head. Then we got to see him move around and kick his little feet.

Calvin didn't really understand when we told him. We asked him what he thought the baby was and he says, "boy girl." We changed the baby we recently purchased for him into a truck onesie and he was happy. He even wanted the baby to sit with him and watch Tom and Jerry. Once we get a name, hopefully it will slowly start sinking in for Calvin. In the mean time, he likes saying hi to the baby and giving my belly kisses.

 Here is baby's heart rate. Wish they could have captured the sound. It is the best sound in the world.

Here is his little foot before he started moving.

Halloween

After a little glitch with my memory card I was finally able to get the pictures I thought I lost. This was Calvin's first year trick or treating. We didn't know how he would react to all of the costumes but to our surprise it had no affect on him. The night before Halloween we carved pumpkins outside, well Daddy carved pumpkins and I took pictures and made pumpkin seeds. Calvin enjoyed helping Daddy pull out the pumpkin guts until it all stuck to his hands.

Halloween night Calvin wasn't too sure he wanted to wear his costume. After we told him we had to show our neighbors, Calvin hesitantly put on his costume. We had the camera ready to take pictures not quite sure how long it would be on. I went to a few of the neighbors house's earlier in the evening and dropped off Calvin friendly treats. After Calvin started to trick or treat there was no stopping him. Bryon brought him back early because he was slowing down the neighbor kids too much. After Calvin begged and begged to go more I took him to a few houses. After seeing how much fun he was having, we decided he wasn't going to eat the candy along the way to it was safe to trick or treat to the homes I didn't give treats to.  We had SO many kids on our street I ran out of candy and had to use two bags from the neighbors. We even used some of the candy Calvin collected since he couldn't eat it.

 "Argh May-May"

Getting ready to head out with the neighbors.

They patiently waited for Calvin to catch up. 

Happy Late Halloween!

A Police Officer's Wife

I'm sure pregnancy and 2 days of Calvin are the cause of emotion and tiredness, however, I received this a few years ago while teaching after the family found out what Bryon did for work. The father of my former student was also a Phx Officer. Someone posted something on Facebook that made me think of this. It has been a long 2 days as Bryon is still not home from work. As I don't mind the dinner left on the stove that sits waiting for him or the change in dinner plans all together, I get sad when Calvin asks for Daddy over and over and all I can say is he's at work, hopefully he will be home soon. 

A Police Officer's Wife

A special kind of woman

A cut above the rest

Always rating her

among the very best.

How many goodbyes are shouted

without a fond embrace.

As duty steals her man

for the danger he must face.

How many meals are ruined

or tender moments disturbed.

All for the call of loyalty

to which her man must serve.

She can push the mower,

or paint a room in need.

How she can stretch a dollar

is a miracle indeed.

She's a mother, a lover,

a chauffeur and a nurse.

A living symbol of the phrase for better or for worse.

Rich is the man indeed...

That becomes this Woman's life.

Fallen Glendale Officer

This was written by Phoenix Police Sergeant Phil Roberts.

Anyone wonder what happens to a police officer "after" he is killed in the line of duty? Unfortunately, I had the sad opportunity and yet the privilege to find out firsthand. Several days ago 27 yr. old Glendale Police Officer Brad Jones was shot in the line of duty by a suspect who is not... worth the dirt we walk on. From the moment his ......"brothers and sisters" arrived on scene he was never alone. While the fire department treated him, transporting to the hospital and during his final moments here on Earth he was surrounded by family and fellow officers. Then when he left the hospital, as a matter of reality he had to go to the M.E.'s office. Escorted the entire way by officers from St. Joseph's Hospital and never left alone. 24 hours a day a Glendale Officer was posted at the M.E.'s office. Brad was never alone. When he arrived that fateful morning at the M.E.'s office every available patrol officer in South Mountain Precinct in Phoenix, where the M.E.'s office is located, lined the streets with overhead lights flashing, stood outside there cars and rendered a hand salute...at 3:30 AM. Glendale Officers stood the watch with Phoenix Officers constantly checking if they needed anything. A sandwich, a drink or maybe just a brief break. Brad was never alone. Then yesterday afternoon it was time for Brad to be delivered to a funeral home. I was privileged to be part of an estimated twenty police cars formed at an impromptu moment just from South Mountain Precinct in Phoenix to pay what respect we could. We lined 7th Avenue at the beginning of rush hour, stopped with overhead lights on and standing at hand salute. As the procession pasted the Phoenix Police Department's Crime Lab over twenty lab technicians came out to the side of the street and paid their respects to the M.E.'s vehicle with Phoenix Officers saluting, led by two Glendale Motorcycle Officers, a Glendale police car and two Phoenix Police Cars as they made their way to the funeral home in Surprise Arizona. Respect, total respect is what happens to an officer "after" he is killed in the line of duty...as it should be. Tonight a wife and two little girls go to bed without their father and daddy. But Brad is not alone...he never was, never has been and never will be.

 

 

Joyful News!!

The Bewley Family will be expanding this Spring, April 21st !! I finally feel good enough to share our newest blessing. This pregnancy has been completely different than with Calvin, some similar things but lots and lots of new things to go through. For example, you can't hide an expanding belly as long as your first pregnancy, you can develop allergies to things you have had for years (prenatal vitamins/ watermelon), and your morning sickness can be completely different (YIPPEE!!!) to share a few.

Calvin is beyond excited to become a big brother! He thinks the baby is a girl which is completely fine by me. I am secretly hoping it's a girl too since things are different than last time, but as long as the baby is healthy we won't complain.  Calvin will say hi to my belly and call the baby "baby sister."  He enjoys looking at the ultrasound pictures. We were able to get two pictures so far! First one at 7 weeks old and the other at 11 weeks old. We go for our big ultrasound on November 21 and will find out the baby's gender then! Just in time to shop for Black Friday (don't tell Bryon :)  )  

Our monthly belly pictures we take. This was taken three weeks ago!

Can't wait to share the gender with everyone on November 21!! 

Calvin's 2 year old pictures!

It has been a long wait to get his pictures completed. We battled strep throat, scarlet fever, mommy's horrible cold, and two attempts to get Calvin's pictures completed. Only two months over due but I think we had a pretty good excuse or two.

Calvin loves music! He loves to play it, sing it and dance to it. Calvin got a guitar for his birthday so we thought it was very fitting to show in his picture what he liked at that age. Plus we got to show off his new glasses that he is doing great with! Knock on wood we have stopped making weekly trips to get them readjusted. (I'm sure something will happen now that I have mentioned that) :)

Here is our sweet boy at 2 years and 2 months :)

I love this picture, Bryon however thinks it looks like he is lifting his leg to have gas...

The jury is still out on this one :) 

Our 2 year old!

     A very overdue post about Calvin's birthday! It has been a bit on the crazy side here. We were down at a/c unit at the house. It was a hot 84 degrees on the right side of our house making the other unit work extra hard to try to keep a decent temp in the house. We avoided being at the house as much as possible. Then just when we were figuring things out with the a/c company and waiting on our new unit to arrive, Calvin spiked a 102 fever. He has never had a fever before so I was a bit on the worried side. After day 2 of the fever I took Calvin to the doctor. He tested positive for strep and we put him on meds. Then just to top it off, Calvin broke out in a rash all over his face, neck, and torso. I again put in a call to the nurse and she told us it was scarlet fever. GREAT!!! I thought here we go to urgent care, but the good news he wasn't contagious and his fever was gone so we just had to make sure we finished his meds. Then I picked up a wicked cold just as Calvin gets back to his regular self...

     Happy Birthday to by not-so baby boy!!! Calvin's birthday fell on a Tuesday this year so Bryon was off and we got to spend the day as a family. We took Calvin to Arizona Sea Life were he was impressed with all of the fish. We went at his pace and let him walk around touching whatever he could get his hands on. Sea Life is in Arizona Mills so after we went through Sea Life we wondered around some stores to see if there was anything we couldn't pass up. Bryon took Calvin back through Sea Life one last time while I looked around the stores some more. It was lunch time so we went to Calvin's favorite place- In & Out! As soon as we pulled up he said, "french fries" from the back seat. We got our order to go and took some burgers to Bryon's grandparents' house.
     Calvin had so much fun playing toys with Great Grandma. Great Grandpa finally got a high five out of Calvin and was very happy. After a few hours of playing we headed home hoping Calvin would fall asleep in the car. Wishful thinking I know. He polished off his milk and then asked to watch a movie. Go figure. As Bryon and I were chatting away I noticed it was pretty quiet in the back. I thought Bryon was joking when he said Calvin was asleep, but he did it!!! I think we can count the number of times Calvin has fallen asleep in the car on two hands. We were shocked and thought maybe this is what big 2 year olds do!
      We had spaghetti for dinner and then sang Happy Birthday to Calvin with a cupcake. He was so cute waiting to blow out the candle. He of course was a ham and made us laugh and laugh.

Happy Birthday sweet boy! Mommy and Daddy love you very much!  We hope this next year brings you as much joy as possible.

Here is a quick montage of Calvin's party.

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Happy Birthday Calvin!!

We officially have a 2 year old running around our house!  I can't believe 2 years ago today we got to meet Calvin for the first time! He is such a blessing in our lives. Calvin gives us so much joy and laughter. He is such a ham!
We had Calvin's birthday party Sunday with some friends and family. We had snacks and cupcakes, which were all Calvin friendly. Calvin had so much fun playing with everyone. (No we did not teach him to eat like that)

 Sedona

Before his party

Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!

Texas

We had such a wonderful time in Texas visiting Kevin! It was a busy five days and the time change wasn't easy to get used to. Calvin had a rough first night and was up most of the night wanting to play. We had early morning and long days and for the most part Calvin did great! We definitely pushed his limits, but he let us know when he was done.
Here is our daily recap:
Wednesday- Happy Birthday Mom!! We flew into Texas, picked up our rental car and headed to the house. The GPS told us we has arrived at the house, however, it was nothing like the pictures looked. After Bryon was brave enough to knock on the door to see if it was the correct address, we quickly left to try and find the correct house. (Nick -Mr. Tough stayed in the van.) After we crossed the main street we were relieved to find the correct house! After we arrived Katie and I headed out to get groceries while the others hung at the house.
Thursday- After a very rough night, only 4 hours of sleep for me, we were up and getting ready to see Kevin. We got to see "the run" and cheer on all of the Airmen! After the run we had to hang out for a few hours and wait for the coin ceremony. It was getting very hot and Calvin was ready for a nap. After two long months we finally got to see Kevin! Since he had to stay on base, we ate at a BBQ restaurant while Bryon, Nick and the kids picked up Kevin's friend Peyton at the airport. Kevin was so surprised to see his friend. He didn't know what to say. We did some shopping and then called it a day.
Friday- Graduation Day! We got our seats early to see Kevin graduate. The graduation was very nice and it wasn't too bad out. It was so humid that the camera lens would fog up. After graduation Kevin was free to go off base. We made a quick trip to his dorm area to see where he slept. His locker was SO clean and organized. It was nothing like how he lived at my parents' house. We relaxed at the house for a little bit and then all of the guys headed to Bass Pro Shop for some fun. Mom ditched me and Katie with the cranky kids to find a Goodwill.  After dinner Kevin had to head back to base.
Saturday-  Mom and Dad picked up Kevin and we headed to the Riverwalk. We took a boat ride around the area and learned about the history of San Antonio. We wanted to go to an Irish Pub for lunch but they had peanuts all over the restaurant so that was out. Didn't want to have to use the Epi Pen on Calvin. After lunch we went back to the house for Payton to gather his things to fly home. We took Kevin back to the base and did a little more shopping. Uncle Kevin bought Calvin an AF shirt. Mom and Dad went to Henry's Puffy Tacos for dinner and brought us back delicious sopapillas.
Sunday- Our last day there. We went to church with Kevin in the morning. Calvin was scared with how loud the music was so Kevin had to hang outside with me for a while. The song in the montage is one of Kevin's favorites that they played at church. He said church was a nice place to have alone time and they played great music that they could sing along with. The "Sneaker Weekers" (1st weekers) walked in crying. It was so sad but Kevin said letters from home were the best things. It was a nice service from what I got to see of it. We hung out in the mini mall for just a little but and then had to head back to the house to pack up. The kids did great on the plane!! Southwest was great with Calvin's allergies and did not serve peanuts on the plane. We got to preboard and get the nice seats with extra leg room. Thank you Calvin!
It was a wonderful trip and we can't wait to see Kevin again! We just found out Kevin gets 10 days for Christmas. He gets his phone now so we can call him whenever we want. Hope you enjoy the pictures. Kevin in the blue pants and blue shirt with the buzzed head. :)  hahaha that was our joke the whole time when searching for Kevin

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Happy 4th of July~

Happy 4th of July! We had the privilege of joining our neighbors at the AF base to see fireworks this year! We had such a fun time. They put on quite the event for the service men and women. The base had free drawings, face painting, bounce houses, water balloon toss, Radio Disney, food and of course fireworks. It was a nice long firework show that Calvin loved! He said wow and cool as he watched the sky light up. They also had a fly over with four jets. It was so cool to think that we were on a base watching fireworks and Kevin was on a base watching fireworks too. 

(Please excuse the pictures, I was having camera issues. Later learned one of the settings were changed by accident.)

Calvin trying to salute the jets.

One of the best give aways- a fan that lights up as a flag and fireworks

 The wrestling bouncy

The before...

The after... soaking wet

The back end of the fly over

Happy 4th! Thank you to all of the service men and women. God Bless the USA.

Yoga- Day 1

I love doing yoga. It is so relaxing and I get to workout at the same time. When we lived in Buckeye the community center offered a yoga class at a price that was too good to turn down. Since we have moved, I can't find an affordable yoga class. So I bought this video in hopes of not having to sign up for a gym membership. I am very zen right now eating my brownie bite (I did just workout)  and blogging. I hope to continue to do the video when Calvin naps. The video is set up in 5 segments. Day 2 -4 requires yoga blocks, I missed that when I read the back of the dvd. Hopefully I can get one at a good price on ebay or amazon. Maybe someone had good intentions to use them and never did.

Calvin found my yoga mat out the other day when I tried a Tai Chi dvd from the library. Tai Chi is not for me, very zen but there was no workout. I taught Calvin some yoga moves that I remembered from my classes. Calvin was very quick to learn 'happy baby'! You lay on your back and grab your big toes and sway your body side to side. I will get a picture and post soon.

Summer Fun!

I can't believe we are only a few days away from July. June flew by and our July calendar is crazier than June. It is definitely getting hot here. We have had a heat advisory the past few days with 115/114 degree days. So when we have the chance we love to swim or play in the water.

Pictures date from Father's day weekend to beginning of June.

He looks so big there~  Swimming at Uncle Troy and Aunt Alison's house for Grandpa Bewley's bday party.

Happy Father's Day! 

 New shirt from Grandma Bewley- It says One Tough Cookie with caption bubbles saying "Hey Ladies" & "Which way to the gym?"

 Wearing his new comfy clothes. Cousin Connor passed down the light up shoes. Calvin loves them! He wore then for 45 minutes the first time we put them on him stomping all over the house to make the shoes light up.

 The best $10 spent! He loves playing in his pool. He even "swims"



Straightening Mia's hair

Directing Daddy on where the new shed should be placed.

Happy Father's Day!!

Happy Father's Day!!

 

     This weekend we get to celebrate our dads! We started our celebration with breakfast at my aunt's house with my grandparents and family. Because after all we have to celebrate Grandpa's too! Then we get to have a fun afternoon planned at Troy and Alison's wishing Mike a very happy 60th birthday and father's day! Sunday we get to have lunch with my dad and mom. After that, the rest of the day is dedicated to whatever Bryon wants to do. I think he mentioned BJ's for dinner and I'm sure the fact they have pazuki for dessert crossed his mind when choosing the restaurant.
     Bryon is such an amazing dad. I am probably biased when I say this but he is the most loving and caring daddy. He worships the ground Calvin walks on and yet disciplines him in a loving way so he will grow up to be kind and respectful. The black and white picture is Calvin's newborn pictures when he was 2 weeks old. He is so safe in Bryon's hands. The other picture is when the nurse gave Calvin to Bryon for the first time. He was so gentle and just looked at him in a way I can't express in words.
     Happy Father's Day to my dad as well for all of the things he has done throughout the years. All the way from changing dirty diapers to using garbage cans as batters so I could become a better pitcher to walking me down the aisle to loving my son the way he loved me. Thank you Dad!! We love you very much!

4 Years of Wedded Bliss!

Yesterday Bryon and I celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary! We were talking about how it seems like we were just planning our wedding and now here we are 4 years later with an amazing son. We had a quiet night at home just the three of us. I made chicken tacos and then we headed outside to enjoy the cooler weather. Calvin is into bubbles so we played with bubbles and drew on the sidewalk with chalk.

Bryon's parents surprised us with a night at a hotel for Monday. We are going to lay by the pool and try to get some sun. Then we get to have dinner just the two of us! My parents are taking Calvin for the night and then going to join us Tuesday poolside. Mike and Denise may also join us, we will make a fun two days out of it!

Here are two photos out of the many favorite ones I have of our wedding.

Bryon and I saw each other before I walked down the aisle. (The best idea ever!)  The Brad Paisley song "Waiting on a Woman" comes to mind when I look at this picture.

I can't wait to grow old with Bryon and see all of what God has in store for us! He is an amazing man, best friend and father!