Bankstons are BACK!

Hi Friends!

Ok, so I've had a few people ask about Jo's Prairie and it's been on my heart to start our family blog up again. Sooo.... we're back : ) My goal is to post once a week. 

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In the last few months, Kruz turned TWO, Kuper started Kinder and Kade began the 3rd grade. Today is Chad and I's 13 year Anniversary!! Amazing, right? I sure think so : )

Both the big boys are excelling in school. When I pick them up in the afternoon they are ALWAYS smiling, happy boys. We are so blessed by MLCS and couldn't imagine them anywhere else. For those who don't know, it's the private Christian school that Chad and I both graduated from. It's dear to our heart and we feel so lucky to have our boys attending.

"The Brothers"continue to have a very special bond and play very well together. There is a lot of Ninja and Spy play : ) Kruz has been growing into quite the wrestler, the wild man, the true "baby" of the family. He definitely adds a special spice to the family!!

 Celebrating Thanksgiving with the Kinder Class

 Play time in the Brothers Room

After School Popcorn with the sweet and lovely Neighbor Girls

Halloween

Kruz is TWO!!

My Good Men

 

A Few Good Men...

I am truly blessed to have wonderful fathers in my life. I thank God for my best friend, my husband. He is a wonderful dad to our boys.  

My Brother is a patient and loving dad who I am so, so proud of:) His girls are very lucky!

I am thankful for my dad who I love so very much! He is a great dad and grandpa to "his boys".

My Father-in-Law is such an amazing person and is always a Godly example to his family.

Wish I would have gotten a picture of Chad and his dad today... we'll have to do that one very soon. The Bankston "boys" are quickly growing in number, I need to get a picture of the handsome group.

Madelynn with her Daddy and Papa

                                                    

The Fathers Day Fly-In, Columbia Ca.

 

        

                                    

Maa Maa to the rescue:) Some of the jets are very loud and baby wasn't a big fan.

Highlights

 

Highlights of My Day

*Farmer's Market- first one of the year!

*Planting the Garden

*My New Curtain (finally done and hanging)

*Friends

Center of Attention

Baby was center of attention today with his "Ya Ya" and Papa. 

Sweet kisses and hugs had to be caught on camera.

Kruzee, you bring us joy! Your smile is so contagious. You are six months old now and growing very quickly. I'm not sure how much you weigh but your a big, healthy boy:) You've started to scoot and I'm pretty sure that you are teething. We can't get enough of you and love you more than words can say!

We Were Four

One year ago we were four... today, we are a complete five.

Guess we're in need of a new family photo:)

It Takes Three

There's nothing sweeter to this Mama than to see her "men" at work... melts my heart:)

Highlight of my day was watching the big boys play and mow the lawn while I bar-b-qued dinner. 

A Good Ending

"Let Your Speech Always Be With Grace"- Colossions

Lord thank you for answering my prayer this morning. I asked and I received, just as your Word promises. I needed patience and compassion that only you could give me today. As I woke up to chaos, I knew that it would be a miracle to get through the day. Only YOU God can take my very bad start of a day and turn it into something wonderful.

We started off the morning with tears but ended the day with joy and peace.

A little sunshine was a HUGE blessing today!!

Thank you Vanessa for reminding me of this book. All of my friends have read it and raved about it. Very excited:)

Random February Moments

Thanks to my best friend, I have this beautiful picture of Kruzee Boy.

Thankfully, we had some sunshine this week! I miss it already though.

I don't think I've ever been so anxious for Spring.

A much needed granola break.

Cousin Maddie Lou Lou (well that's what I like to call her) is pure energy and fun!

We love that she lives just down the road:)

When boy met girl....

It all began 11 years ago at the young age of 18 when boy met girl.

two years of friendship...

few months of flirting...

10 days (yes, days) of dating...

*girl goes shopping for a ring*

There was never question or doubt.

We're blessed to have been able to grow up together.

I've always loved our crazy story:)

Chads Grandmother bought this ring for his Grandfather, "Papa". She passed on to be with the Lord so it has much sentimental value as she was very, very loved by her family.

When Papa found out we were engaged, he took his wedding band off and passed it down to Chad

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Domestic Bliss

It's days like these that I don't want to forget.

My time working, cleaning, and cooking was joyful.

I even made it through the grocery store without a wimper or whine from either baby or toddler! This in itself made my day:)

This evening is perfect...while the children are cozy in their beds, fresh baked bread is on the counter (it smells incredible!), I'm sipping red wine and watching project runway.

Pure Bliss.

Thank you Heather for passing on your bread recipe!

This came home in Kades folder last week:)

Love it.

A Blessed 2009

It may be kind of late but...

I wanted to post special memories of 2009 and as you can see, the family has many.

We were far from short of blessings this past year.

I could have arranged hundreds of pictures- hopefully I'll get them all into an album someday.

Thank you friends and family for being apart of our lives. You make our lives rich and full of happiness. We look forward to all that 2010 will bring.

Marvelous Grace

But even before I was born, God chose me by His marvelous grace.

Galatians 1:15

Rock-A-Bye Baby