Sorry Jodi there's nothing going on here!

So I went to check out to see what was going on with my cousins Kristin and Jodi and I find a plea for people to update their blogs from Jodi. I too have the mentality that I need to attach a photo and I have not taken any new pictures in a few days except with my 35mm. So here is an entry without a picture. Sorry but I am not a person with major excitement going on so this will probably be pretty boring!
Camden is cutting his third tooth and screams whenever he bites down on one of his Gerber puffs, but he's a trooper and will continue to shove them into his mouth (more likely he just hasn't made the connection).
Brayden is getting more and more independent every day. He now wants to wash his hands by himself and if we even get close to the bathroom he sticks his hand up like a stop sign and says 'no I can do it myself'. Very cute but my bathroom ends up looking like a duck stopped by. Oh well, it's staying clean with all that soap and water splashed around!?!?!
It's getting colder here in Minnesota and there may be a BIG snowstorm coming on Wednesday. They say it may miss us but if it doesn't we are going to get dumped on. So my husband freaked and went out and bought a snowblower. He was showing it to me last night and couldn't remember how to start it!!! I think we might be in trouble because HE WON"T READ THE MANUAL!!!
As for me I am enjoying my MOPS group and getting together with a couple of my mom friends once a week. And of course shopping! (That was for Jared!)

Murphys Dream Come True

Murphy is now 13 years old but he still acts like a puppy when it comes to chasing a ball. Brayden has discovered how much fun it is to throw the ball for him and even has the "drop the ball Murphy" part down. The two of them play until both of their tongues are hanging out from exhaustion. I knew the day would come when these two would become buddies, I just hope it doesn't kill the dog!!!!!

Brotherly Love

These are the moments I KNOW I need to cherish and get documented because someday soon I'm sure these times will be few and very far between. Brayden sat next to Camden and just leaned over and gave him a big hug and said "I love my brother". To which Camden was all smiles at his brothers attention. Camden's face lights up when his big brother comes into a room. There are times when Camden is screaming in protest to having his nose wiped, face washed (he will most definately be my little pigpen when he gets older) and all I have to do is get Brayden to come over close and Camden turns on the smiles and happy screeches. If I could have one wish it would be that they would always be like this and never fight, yeah right!!!!!!

My Little Trick or Treaters

Here are my little men before Brayden left for trick or treating. Brayden was a dragon and Camden was a puppy dog. This was Jareds first halloween home since Brayden was born. So I don't know who was more excited to go trick or treating, Jared or Brayden?!?! Camden stayed home with me to pass out candy. I am guessing we had around 70-80 kids come to our door, which was very neat. This is the first place we've lived where we've had that many trick or treaters. In New Jersey we were either too close to a busy road or out in the country too far. Jared said when he was out with Brayden in the neighborhood everywhere he turned there were kids in costume. Our new Minnesota neighborhood definately gets a big thumbs up when it comes to trick or treating!!!

Yum Chocolate!!!

This is Brayden's very first chocolate bar, a Kit Kat. Jared and I were trying to hold him off on candy until he was 3 years old, obviously we caved on halloween! After he had a bite I asked him what he thought, he replied "I LIKE IT!!" Now after every meal (even breakfast) he asks for a piece of candy!!!

So here is my first attempt at blogging! A little unsure about this whole thing but we'll give it a shot. My cousins; Janine, Kristin and Jodi have inspired me to give it a try!

I will start out by giving the reason behind the title, Contentment in Minnesota. I read an article long ago (before kids) where the author was commenting how when we are young we are always looking for excitement, but now he realizes life is best when he is content. Some would say "how boring" and I probably did too when I first read the article.

Now fast forward to my life with my Gehle boys. Raising children is anything but boring, on any given day I go through many feelings and emotions. There are extreme highs and bottom out lows (and that's within 15 minutes of waking up!) But somewhere between the highs and lows there are moments of contentment; when Brayden is 'reading' a book to his brother or the boys are just smiling at each other for no apparent reason. Those are the times that stick with me and get me through the day. Those are the moments I will cherish forever and the moments that make me realize how wonderful my life really is!

I thank God every day for such a wonderful husband who gave me two equally wonderful little boys. My childhood was not always easy and I remember thinking things are hard now but God will make sure my life is better when I get older. I was around 13 when I thought this not really understanding what better was going to be, now I know!