Warning...Face mural.

Those who have baby boys or who will some day have a boy this is a warning. When you go to a fair or carnival that has face painting and in your mind you picture something small on the cheek like a football or maybe some wiskers. What your son has in mind is completely different! I just pray they never want a tatoo. Consider yourself warned!

Hands down, I would win.

I've never really been a competitive person, stubborn, but not competitive. But living in a home full of boys that compete over anything from going up the stairs the fastest to sharpening a stick the best, it has rubbed off on me a little. I know there are a lot of people out there that think their dad is the greatest or their husband is. Sorry folks, you are sadly mistaken! Our house holds the greatest dad ever.


In all honesty I have never met a guy that was born to be a dad. 5 1/2 years ago Matt dove head first into being a dad. Most guys get to wade in the waters of marriage for a few years then ease into the deep end of being a dad. Not my amazing husband. He jumped right in changing diapers and bottle feeding. And if he wasn't sure of something he would read about it in baby books. Over the past 5 1/2 years he just keeps getting better and better.

He has so many admirable qualities I could go on for days (I'll try and just name a few). One of my very favorite things about him is that he sees the potential in everyone. One of his favorite quotes is "treat a man the way he is and he will stay that way, but treat a man the way that could be and he will become that person" (or something like that). He is kind, patient, optimistic, and fun. And even though he is the closest thing to perfect, he is always trying to be better. He is always up for learning something new. If my boys want to do something and Matt has never done it he doesn't put it off or tell them he doesn't know how. He takes them out and learns with them. I don't think he has fished a ton while growing up, but Braxton is so passionate about going (daily) that Matt takes him, and Bo, and Friends too. Braxton and Bo always talk about going hunting and shooting deer, so Matt teases and says that he's going to have to take Hunter Safety with them so that he can take them hunting (and he probably will. He fishes, catches frogs, plays ball, swims, coaches, goes skateboarding- what doesn't he do!?! He is every one's favorite person in our home, we all fight for his attention the minute he gets home from work. In fact we all wish he didn't have to work because life is more fun with him around.

It makes me want to cry at how extremely blessed me and my boys are to have Matt in our lives. I'm Thankful for ALL that he brings to our marriage and our family. He really is the best! And if anyone begs to differ...BRING IT!

Bitter-Sweet!

This handsome Boy use to be my baby, in fact just yesterday it seems he was a little boy riding a bike with training wheels and now not only does he ride a two wheeler he also rides a skateboard, Rollerblades, and he has mastered Heeleys! He is a full on Boy. He catches bugs, frogs, lizards, and anything else that has a heartbeat. He even does fart noises with his armpits! What happened to my little boy?!? I took a little break to have a baby and my little Braxton grew up.

I have mixed feelings about this being a good thing, but unfortunately I don't have a say. How I would love to freeze time and have him stay this age, or even go back a few years.

It's sad in a way, but this week I am so grateful for the boy he has become. He is my biggest helper. He is the best big brother two little brothers could have. I wouldn't have survived the past few days without his help, and Bo may not have either. In fact some of Bo's guys (toy people) may not be with us today if it weren't for Braxton cleaning them up. I threatened to throw them away if Bo didn't clean them up and he refused, so Brax did. Does Brax even play with Bo's guys?- No. But he would hate to see that happen to his brother's favorite things, even though Bo doesn't care enough to pick them up!

That is a great brother. And a great son. As sad as it is that my baby is growing up, I have loved watching him grow. And I am amazed at the person he is becoming.

Honesty is a virtue...sometimes

"Hey Mom" Bo says, while looking at my stomach.

"Yeah bud?"

"Is your belly squishy?"

"Kinda"

"Can I feel it?"

Hesitant "Uh okay"

As he pushes on it, I flex thinking it's not too bad for just having a baby three and a half weeks ago.

"Yep it's squishy"

"Thanks Bo"

Maybe honesty isn't always the best policy!

He's here!

Our sweet baby is finally here. Actually he's been here for almost a month now, but his slacker mom has been in another world until now (still not all the way here yet, but maybe sometime soon).

Hayes TK Hickman was born May 10th (12 days early), weighing 7lbs 13oz and measuring 19 1/2 inches long. He was under the lights for jaundice for over a week, but is now healthy and gaining weight like a champ! I thought for a minute that he might be our little guy, but then at his two week he had gained almost two pounds and two inches. Looks like he's already trying to keep up with his brothers.

We are so extremely grateful to be blessed with three great boys. Life is so good at the Hickman house...crazy but good.