Every year at this time it becomes a mad scramble in the Ostrand household. Travel plans are a work of art when they come together and life seems to throw us more curveballs than should be allowed. September in our house is more than just cool mornings, football and pumpkin spice lattes. It's hunting season for Kyle. It's his time of the year where he takes off up a mountain with no cell service where he camps, hunts, and spends time in the silence. He has a a strong tie to the mountains and all that they produce.

It's not just about the hunting for Kyle. It's a time where he can disengage from work and the stresses it produces. It's a time where the distractions of life calm and his ears and mind are engaged. Engaged not only to the sounds around him, his next quiet step or his ability to melt into his surroundings but to the sometimes all too quiet voice of the Lord. For Kyle it's a time where he can reconnect with his Maker without the usual distractions. And it never seems to fail that just before we leave there are some very large, impending decisions that need to be made. This year is no different. The stresses of owning your own business can weigh heavy and can consume your thoughts.

So I am eager for him to head off to the mountains to do his manly-man thing and spend some much needed time with himself, nature and above all with the Lord. It's typically a month spent away with few calls or texts. Days go by with me waiting by my phone praying he got THAT ONE SHOT in so I can hear his excitement and the story that will soon follow. It's joy to see him in the midst of his passion.

While Kyle hunts I usually travel. It's the perfect time to head out to see family. I usually start my trip seeing my parents, but this year since I spent a month with them I am heading straight to Kyle's family ranch in Nebraska. Breckette LOVES the ranch, and with good reason. She gets to help feed the cows, ride four wheelers and of course spend an abundant amount of time with family. So it's a win-win for all of us. We will also be trying to get out to Denver to take Breckette to her eye specialist and hopefully get a good update on how her eye is doing.

What Wikipedia Can't Tell You About Kids

You've done the research and read the books, but are you really ready for kids? Below are 5 things Wikipedia won't  can't tell you about kids.

1. They are MESSY. Poop will be everywhere. On every thing. At some point you will wonder how in the world this precious little thing can produce....THAT...ALL THAT! So brace yourself, and when you are just about to leave the house and you hear the rumble from the carseat try to just smile. You're not alone. 

2. They are LOUD. Yes, they cry, squeal, and coo but they also scream - LOUDLY.  You can almost guarantee that the moment you are on the phone in the middle of a deep conversation -BOOM! They must have a sixth sense to them and they know the perfect moment to explode in the loudest sounds you've ever heard.

3. Your heart will GROW. You can never fathom the love in your heart until you have that sweet child. As they grow so does your love and pride for them. Their smile will melt your heart faster than the speed of light and you won't mind it one bit.

4. You will love your husband MORE. Well not always...haha! But seriously when you see your husband grow into a father it just does something for your heart. There isn't anything sweeter than watching your handsome manly husband tenderly kiss your little's itty bitty forehead, or hold their tiny fingers. 

5. You're AMAZING. Here me right here...if you don't read anything else I hope you hear this. YOU ARE AMAZING. You aren't just a teacher, cook, maid, or nanny. You are a MOM! Someone who carried and grew that sweet babe and fought to get them here. The extra weight and marks will fade. But the memories of your middle of the night kisses won't. What you do matters. So hold that little one a little tighter and hold your head high for you. are. amazing.

Beach Babes

SUMMERRRR! I have a mad crazy passion for the heat and summer! Kyle well not so much, he could live in fall temps all year long. So getting the chance to go visit my family in Virginia for a MONTH in the summer was something I just wasn't going to pass up. And yes I said a month. I have a really close relationship with my parents so going for a month was an easy decision. We spent many a days at the beach, long walks, and lots of laughing.

 We spent the 4th of July there. It was one of my summer bucket list items. My folks live in Williamsburg, VA so I don't know of anywhere else in the US that can feel any more patriotic. We listened to the reading of the Declaration of Independence being read from the Colonial Williamsburg Courthouse steps. It about gives you chills even in the hot, humid July heat when the people dressed in full colonial costume are cheering as it's read. It was pretty awesome. Later we got to enjoy the fireworks right down on the palace greens.

Breckette was a little fish when it came to spending time in the water. I really wasn't sure if she would stay out and just play in the sand or enjoy sitting close to us on the beach but touching the water. Yeah - NOPE! That girl went charging into that water with no fear, and good luck getting her back in! It was awesome! I was so proud of her.

And while we were there she learned to ride her "bike". Boy she was so excited, but if I'm being honest so were the rest of us. There is just something about seeing the joy. If you have a child then you know the kind I'm talking about. The kind that radiates from them so strongly you can feel it deep in your soul. That's the kind of joy she had and I LOVE IT!

It was really fun to get to have my very best friend get to come visit while there too. It was almost like being in high school again. Late night talks while laying on the bed. Deep conversations about our men, life, faith, the future, and of course WEDDING! She was my maid of honor and now I get the honor of being in her beautiful Kentucky wedding this September. I seriously couldn't be more excited for this girl. She deserves the love she has found in TJ and it will be a joy to get to celebrate their marriage. Also, if you need some great makeup tips check her out here. You can thank me later ;)

Kyle came out and joined us for the last part of the trip, and boy were we ready to see him! I didn't tell Breckette that he was coming so when we walked in after I picked him up at the airport I think she was in shock! It was adorable. That girl and her daddy!! I love their relationship. She was on cloud 9 seeing him there. Kyle and I got some very much needed no-kid time thanks to my parents. It was just what we needed.

Meet Braden Rex Ostrand

Welcome to the world - Braden Rex Ostrand!

November 16, 2015 was a beautiful day to welcome our son Braden Rex Ostrand. He came at 8:57am weighing 8lbs 7oz of pure boy!

I don't think I can explain in words how many emotions came with Braden. I knew what to expect, but I didn't at the same time. We had made it through all the baby stages with Breckette, and she seems to be doing fine. I mean, we have our days where I sure wonder whose kid she really is! I mean I sure didn't teach her....THAT did I! haha. Yet, there I was holding this new squishy bundle of yummy baby boy and I wondered - am I really cut out to be a mom to two?! Can I do this? To say

I was overwhelmed would be an understatement, because even with all those questions I felt a deep sense of peace and an overflowing of love. I watched as Breckette came and saw her big brother for the first times and her eyes lit up with excitement! She had no idea what was in store, but she was thrilled.

My dad  {aka: Bapa} 

This photo warms my heart!

All newborn photo credits go to Chelsa Schaefer Photography - Check her out! She is fantastic.