My "other" little man

Most of you know I have two of the sweetest boys out there. They are my world and there isn't a day that goes by that I THANK GOD for them and then PRAY I raise them right....

BUT, there is another little boy out that that steals my heart. And his name is TRISTAN FOX.

Tristan is my sister, Beka's little boy. He's 6 months older than my Easton. And here is my story...

After I had my miscarriage, I wanted so badly to be pregnant again. I lost that baby in September, and in the following months I was getting depressed. I was praying and begging God for a baby. During that time in prayer, God told my mother (yep...not me...my mom) that I would have a baby--IN HIS TIME. So while I was praying asking God to let me know when I was going to have a baby God told me this: Beka would have a baby before me. I didn't share this with anyone--but kept it in my heart.

Around January, Beka called me one night and told me she was pregnant. No one knew but a few. She wanted me to be one of the 1st to know and I was SUPER excited for her. Someone asked me, "Did you cry when you learned that she got pregnant before you?" I responded, "NO NOT AT ALL! I was SOOO happy!" And I honestly was...because I KNEW that even though I wasn't pregnant with my own child, I would LOVE her baby (boy or girl) like my own.

When Tristan was born, I have NEVER felt such love for any baby in my life. The love was REAL. RAW. And full of emotion. I almost moved in with my sister and her husband to protect this baby. I didn't want to share him with anyone...because he was healing my heart.

I hate to say this, but, T wasn't the best baby. (ask Beka.) In fact, he was work. And not like your typical infant work....this baby was W.O.R.K. More so than any other baby I'd ever seen. But, I loved him and he loved me. So day after day, I'd find excuses to go visit Tristan and Beka. I'd clean their kitchen, fold their clothes, check their closets for hiding visitors. (true story)

He cried every time I sang a song to him. (when your sister sings like mine--I'd cry too if anyone else tried to sing to me) but--I could rock him to sleep and the only other person who could do that was his Mama. He was born wanting to walk, eat real food, and thought sleep was for babies. But, he was the most beautiful baby I'd seen--and was a KEEPER.

T and I were bonded...and just to seal that bond, I gave birth to his BFF cousin, Easton.

It's been a little over 2 years now. I'm busy with my own babies that it's hard to get one-on-one time with T. Plus, he and Easton love to play so I'm kind of like the 2nd fiddle in the group. I bring them snacks, press play on their movie, and help them overcome their "MINE" moments.

But--today--there was magic.

We were at church, and T didn't want to be in the nursery. I was sitting in my pew and T was sitting playing with his daddy's iphone. He looked at me while we were singing and he started talking to me. I'd wave...and he kept talking. It could of been about anything. Eva-Easton-Lincoln-Hadassah. Anything. Finally, I held up my arms to him and he came running. When I picked him up, that raw emotion came RUNNING back just like the day he was born.

I had missed him. He's my other little man--the one that I don't get to play with very much. But, for the remainder of worship he was mine. I held him in his little skinny jeans, as he watched Wall-e on the iphone. We sat and I fed him snacks (the way to get to his heart) and finally, he asked for Easton. So we headed downstairs.

Holding him, I almost cried. It had been TOO long for us to not share a moment. My little man is 2. He's talking so much and is learning words to read and count and working on being potty-trained. He's a little man now--a wonderful toddler--and as cute as can be. He loves adventure and all things pixar. He says the cutest things and makes me laugh. He loves to boss Easton and loves all things trains.

He is growing up so fast I can't believe it. We have a bond--T and I--he made me an aunt and I take that job very seriously.

I KNOW God has a BIG plan for Tristan Fox...and I'll be sitting in the wings watching it unfold.

Tristan...God has a plan for your life and I will be such a happy Aunt watching you grow into the man God has called you to be!

Tristan on Christmas Eve with his family. 

Tristan's Birthday gift!

My sister's little boy turned 1 yesterday. Such a FUN day filled with family and friends. We had pizza after church, then opened gifts and drove up to MN to a indoor waterpark. We had a blast. So much fun without naps. ALWAYS a good time. ALWAYS. Today: rest. AND: NAPS. For everyone.

BUT, before naptime...I want to show you what we gave Tristan. I found this little beauty at a PRE garage sale. My friend told me she was getting rid of it at her garage sale in two weeks. I told her I neeeeeded it NOW. And so: I owe her $3.50. That's right. I'm in debt 3 dollars and 50 cents.

Before: where the creative juices start flowing!

I looked in my paint stash that I have...and found this red. I stole borrowed the paint from my parents for my wedding---and years later---have never returned it. AND, so, my rule is...after almost 3 years of then not asking for it or about it...it's mine.

Next, after the paint dried...I got my Cricut out and in yellow and blue cut and mog podged Tristan's name on the front of the chair. All paper I used was from my NEVER-ENDING scrapbook paper collection that I have.

AND, since I'm a "retired" teacher I always want to promote READING...so I found a cute little boy reading a book and put it where Tristan can see it! Maybe one day I'll come to Beka's house and find him reading in his little chair. Auntie can dream!

Next, I took a trip with a friend to a fabric store. I brought along some samples of yellow and blue paper and started looking for some amazing fabric to make a little seat cover. I jumped up with glee when I found this fabric. MATCHED.PERFECTLY. I couldn't wait to get it home and sew. (I SOOOO need a craft room. ALL this was done in my kitchen...so you can imagine the sight!) Oh, I paid 1.50 for the fabric I used.

The final project! I spent a total of $5.00 on the WHOLE project!
Only it was lacking 1 thing:

A cute little boy to try it out! We couldn't WAIT to give this to Tristan. AND, yesterday he LOVED it! Sat in it for a whole 3 mins...and for a 1 year old...that's HUGE!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY T! Auntie loves you so much!

A hint!

My little nephew turns 1 on Sunday! Here's a PEEK at the gift I made him!!! Can you guess? I'll reveal the WHOLE project next week! Til then, HAPPY GUESSING!

Friday Night Dinner

My parents have been gone on vacation all week. They let us know yesterday that they get home tonight and want the grandboys at their house when they arrive! AND to make SURE we are there....they promised us pizza for supper.

We leave in 20 mins. Cause everyone wants pizza on a Friday night!

This week we (my sister and myself) took the boys to the park. This swing was PERFECT to share.

Without introduction...the grandboys my parents miss:

Easton Nolt and Tristan Fox

Cousins that one day will change the world! But for right now, they just steal their mommys' hearts!

Driving Miss Daisy

Last year (2009) was a GREAT year for our family. Beka and Zach gave birth to a BEAUTIFUL baby boy named Tristan on Sept. 5th. With all the JOY and FUN we had with Baby T...Beka forgot ONE little thing. To renew her driver's license! A VERY LONG story which you can read all about HERE with cops, and babies, and stolen cars....BUT, that is Beka's story...and today we went to get her license renewed!!

Beka's license expired in Sept. SO we were a LITTLE BIT worried she'd have to drive with the DOT. Well...I drove her to a town 15 mins. away. (Our town has a scary DOT and so...we avoid him at all costs) and the plan was for T and I to sit in the car while Beka went in to get her license.

After 2 stops at the WRONG government buildings...we finally get there...Beka had her phone and was texting me while she stood in line. The "lady on her right" told her that she'd have to take a WRITTEN TEST because her license was expired...I almost died. Phillips children named BEKA and RACHEL do NOT do well on tests. So...I grabbed my camera and started taking pictures. I KNEW it would be a day like no other!!


Tristan slept through the whole thing. He'd start to fuss and I'd drive around the block. I'm sure the cops around there scanned the plates of the WHITE MINIVAN several times due to my trips around the block...

Beka texts me about the written test...I START TO PRAY. I text my brother and tell him to pray. I call my father and tell him to pray. This is the conversation with dad..."Dad, Beka has to take the written test! BE praying!" Dad: "Oh dear God, please be with Beka and help her to not feel like a failure when she fails! Amen" I got laughing so hard and then I was SOOOO concerned she's be crying ALL.THE.WAY.HOME! As, as I'm driving T around the block over and over and over so he'd stay sleeping...waiting to hear from BEKA! AND, finally, after 30 mins...she comes out...


SHE PASSED!!! The eye exam! New Iowa law...you have ONE year past your expired date to get your license renewed! LOVE that new law!

So...we now have a new legal driver in our family! Beka...We are so proud of you!!!