Dream Big

Playing Catch-up

2011-07-18T10:39:00.000-07:00

Only two weeks till school's back in session and I can't figure out where the time has gone! I feel like I'm so busy with 3 that I'm not getting many pics (and I've ALWAYS harassed my mom about not doing/having pics/scrapbooking me since I was #4 child.) Here is part 1 of a few pics from this summer, but first I need to update on baby boy.
H is now 4 1/2 months. He weighed in at 16 lbs at 4 mos. check-up and has since been eating a little baby food. We've had peas, carrots, sweet potatoes, and bananas up to this point. Oh, and rice cereal, but I think he may have a little allergy to it, so I quit it. He rolled over for the first time on our anniversary, June 10th. His first little tooth (yes, folks, that's right - a tooth!) broke through around July the 8th and the second one came through this weekend. I can't believe it!

Update

2011-07-06T06:10:00.000-07:00

Not sure why the pic on the last post was so big, so I just deleted it. So far, I've started painting the walls (not so sure about the color, yet) and decided to tile a backsplash. Will post finished pics when I get it all done!

My Mother's Eyes

2011-05-22T07:05:00.000-07:00

I have my Mother's eyes and I feel like I'm beginning to see through them. You see, I found this picture of my mom with my oldest brother, Jimmie. I'm not sure if it's taken in the hospital or at home, but he's obviously a newborn. When I found this it made me tear up. I know that in the blink of an eye, I, too, will be looking at pictures of my children & comparing their features to that of my grandchildren. My heart already aches at the thought of everyone growing up. I just need everything to slow down a little. Let me soak up every time those tiny fingers curl around mine. Let my ears catch every sweet, little laugh. Let my arms embrace every hug and heal every ache. Please, Lord, let me keep all these memories and cherish these wonderful years.

1st Bath

2011-03-20T15:43:00.000-07:00

These are pictures from H's first bath. This "first" actually occured two weeks ago, but I've been a little behind on posts --- not to mention laundry, thank-you notes, grocery shopping, etc, etc.....
Anyway, as you can see from the pics, he's not too happy about this strange, cold experience. Even afterwards, you can see that he is still a little miffed :)

Wow!

2011-03-07T15:59:00.000-08:00

All I can say is, "Wow!" I just checked Kate's blog and saw that she had 93 comments on her last post. I started reading through them and just started crying (as usual.)
The difference this time is that I am crying not out of tears of sadness, but from feeling moved. I am overjoyed that Lucy is celebrating her 5th birthday and am completely in awe of how one little girl has ignited so much prayer and love across a nation. There are people sending prayers from New York to Texas to Illinois to the Carolinas. Wow!
Go Lucy Go- and Happy Birthday!

1 Week

2011-03-03T11:50:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it's already been one week since H's birth. Here are a few pics of from the hospital. He seriously did not look like a newborn next to those other babies :)

A Week Full of Prayer

2011-02-26T18:56:00.000-08:00

This has been a week full of emotion and frequent praying. As Wednesday came around, I found myself fearing the surgical process of having a baby, anxious to meet him, and prayerful that he would be healthy. It was a scary process with some difficulties, but we made it through. As soon as I met him, I fell in love. He is beautiful.
That night, though, I received the heartbreaking news about Lucy. I just sat in my hospital bed crying for my friends.
Thursday night brought another round of fear with tornado sirens going off and the hospital making us get in the bathrooms - btw, not easy after c-section. I worried about my children at home and about this new little one and my friends. But, like so many of life's little storms, we made it through.
This week, you'll find two bows at my house. The blue one to celebrate the life of my own child and the pink/purple one to celebrate and pray for the life of a friend's child. I pray that God will bless all of our families with health and healing.

Is It Time?

2011-02-16T16:43:00.000-08:00

That's the question I've been getting all week. At 39 weeks today, I feel bigger than ever, but also better. The only problem is that everyone at my house still isn't. In the past few weeks of baby preparation, I have Cloroxed this house down several times. Despite my efforts, everyone continues to get sick. It seems like someone always has a fever or sore throat or vomiting. I really don't think I can take much more!
Baby Update: This week's doctor visit included an ultrasound to check for position. He has been transverse (sideways) and has finally turned head down. The first question the sonographer asked me was if I passed my glucose test! She says he's going to be a big boy! Ultrasound said 9 lbs 2 oz, but it can be off a little.
Oh! And, I need help! With the boys, we used Playtex Premium Nurser bottles. Well, those are all long gone and there seem to be a LOT of new types of bottles out there. Tell me your favorite!!!

38 Week Update

2011-02-09T15:23:00.001-08:00

Today, I'm officially 38 weeks. I also have a terrible cold and we have more snow. I snapped a couple of pics from the door since I just can't make it out there between being sick and my huge stomach!
As I watched the boys play on the fort, I think about the new man about to come into my life. I've been getting excited about having a baby again (it's been almost 4 years!) and wondering who this little man will be. But, as the date approaches and the inevitability of another C-section creeps into my thoughts, I begin to get a little scared. Funny how things seem "everyday" and more minor when it's happening to someone else :)
Doctor update: I decided (a while back) to push my delivery all the way to my due date in hopes of some sort of spontaneity. Maybe my water would break and I would get that excitement of rushing to the hospital that you see on so many movies! What was I thinking?!? I could be doing this next week! Now, I haven't done ANYTHING and it seems that my little one is sideways (can only be delivered via C-sect.) I told Doc that I would just go ahead and take the next week delivery date, but it's too late now. They're all booked up. Looks like I've got to stick it out two more weeks.

Almost 37 weeks!

2011-01-25T15:10:00.000-08:00

Honestly, couldn't see these spots on the mirror until I saw the pic!!!

This pregnancy seemed like the gestational length of an elephant for a while there. Getting pregnant at the end of the school year left me sick through the hot summer months and not wanting to be in a bathing suit. Then school started and the "what to wear" phase began. Not quite big enough for full blown maternity and not small enough for regular clothes. Then came E's birthday (and cake,) Halloween (and candy,) Thanksgiving (big meals,) and Christmas (enough said.) Surely, I must have gained more than both previous pregnancies combined!
Anyway, going through all these different seasons and holidays sure stretched it out, but now there is finally light at the end of the tunnel. I'm going to enjoy these last few weeks of feeling that baby move and wiggle, the extra attention from hubby, and seeing my body like this for the last time. I'm excited to see him and hold him, but have to admit to a little sadness over thinking about doing this for the last time.

"Toothless"

2011-01-15T12:25:00.000-08:00

Yes, that's right, we lost our first tooth! E's favorite movie is "How to Train Your Dragon" and the dragon's name is Toothless, hence his new nickname from me :)

I am a little ashamed about the story behind losing this first tooth. Our last visit to our favorite dental hygentist revealed that it had "a little wiggle to it," as she put it, but I didn't know it had gotten this loose since. The boys were eating a snack in the kitchen the other night and E came walking in with it in his hand and said, "Look, Mom! I took a bite and my tooth came out!" Honestly, though, I think he must have dislodged it and then pulled it himself b/c there was a little blood on his shirt.
We've waited a couple of days before putting it under our pillow because he wanted to show several people his tooth --- which I have to say, is the tiniest looking little thing! Well, it's going under that pillow tonight. Wonder how much money the tooth fairy leaves for a "first" tooth?

Getting There

2011-01-11T07:38:00.000-08:00

With only 6 weeks to go, I took advantage of Monday's snow day to try and work a little more on the nursery. I added this tree to the wall and started his name, but decided I need a different color for the name. Still need a rug, curtains, rocking chair, canvases, etc. Wow! When I make an actual list, it sounds like a lot.

Ch-ch-ch-changes!

2011-01-02T10:26:00.000-08:00

Sorry, for the cheesey title, but that's the song that jumps in my head when I think about what we're doing. This past May we painted over the stripes in what had been the "nursery" to both boys as I decided it was time for my little man to have a big boy room. After converting the crib to the full size bed it can become and buying new Star Wars bedding and all that goes with it, I found out I was pregnant again! After much debate on beds, rooms, etc., I made the decision to go ahead and paint again and to get new bedding. After all, this would be the last nursery, right? I've decided to go monochromatic....greyish white against white shadow boxing. As you can see, the room was navy before (which I loved!,) but it just didn't work with the new bedding. And, I just didn't want to paint another shade of blue --again! Here are beginning pics --- one coat of paint, more to come!

Christmas 2010

2010-12-27T11:22:00.000-08:00

Well, I made it! That panic that was setting in a couple of weeks ago is gone. Christmas cards were sent out, the house was decorated (although, not as much as usual,) gingerbread houses were made, Christmas programs were attended, and gifts were bought/made and wrapped. Whew! I feel tired again just telling it all! Thank you to my wonderful sister that helped with my boys on Christmas Eve day, while Santa's elves brought this cool, new swing set/fort for the boys. What a surprise on Christmas morning to find this big item in the backyard that wasn't there the day before!
Now, on to Phase II of Christmas break ---taking all this stuff down! Oh, and there's that little project of a nursery that has to be done this week! Yes, that's right folks, we're in week 32 and the countdown to baby is on!

The Panic Is Setting In

2010-12-01T16:50:00.000-08:00

As I opened that first Christmas card today, I felt the panic setting in, knowing that I haven't ordered my Christmas cards, yet. I haven't bought the first Christmas present. I haven't even finished decorating. I feel suddenly compelled to make lists ---it's a coping method that makes me feel a little better. And, with only 2 weeks left before teachers get out for Christmas break, I feel even more overwhelmed thinking of what I have to get done at work! Not to mention the fact that there will be a new baby not long after Christmas that I don't have a nursery finished for! Okay, breathe.......I can do this.....tonight's mission ---order Christmas cards!!!

The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men Often Go Awry

2010-11-23T08:13:00.000-08:00

Well, it's Thanksgiving Break and the first week of my third trimester and these were my plans.

Plans for Thanksgiving Break:
1. Clean out closets
2. Put up Christmas decorations
3. Get some Christmas shopping done
4. Work on baby's room
5. Order Christmas cards
6. Spending time with my family

Not in the Plans
1. P having the flu the whole weeek R was in Canada (last week)--still trying to get better.
2. E getting pink eye
3. Both boys missing their school Thanksgiving programs :(
4. Now I'm sick ----going to doc today
5. Not getting ANYTHING accomplished b/c I feel miserable
6. Not sure if I'll be able to join family for Thanksgiving (depending on what I have)

Well, you know what they say...."the best laid plans of mice and men...."

Tell Me Your Favs!

2010-09-19T11:56:00.000-07:00

Wow, I can't imagine how someone feels who is having a baby 7 or 8 years after another child. It's been 5 years since we bought baby items (baby #2 came so quickly that we never even put up the other stuff.) I'm not really sure what we need to replace or what is just so cool that we can't live without :) We are definitely looking into a slimmer infant carrier now that we will have to squeeze 3 car seats across hubby's bench seat. Anyway, any advice will be appreciated, so tell me what's hot and share your favs!

Dear Diary.........

2010-09-07T15:30:00.001-07:00

I went for my 16 week check-up today (it feels like it should at least be my 30 week visit.) Baby's heartbeat was a little hard to find at first, but then popped up (exhale.) 150 beats per minute. I can't remember which way the old wive's tale says --boys fast and girls slow? Anyway, I have lots of fears this time that I don't remember having with the boys. I talked with my doc about the experiences I had last time with my spinal block. Kind of scary. He wants to set up a consult with anesthesiologist when closer to time. General anesthesia was mentioned and I feel myself being even more nervous. Are these fears completely irrational? I feel panic setting in....help!

Safari --Tennessee Style

2010-09-05T07:18:00.000-07:00

Some friends told us about the drive-thru "safari" in Alamo, TN and we decided to give it a try this weekend. We had so much fun! The animals come right up to your car and you can feed them with feed bought at the entrance. Some were a little too close for comfort for me! An ostrich thought some interior parts near the steering wheel looked edible and he kept popping his head in the window. An over-eager bull that Ryan nick-named "Leroy" was a messy eater and had his whole head in the window, but other than that most were timid eaters. At the end, you can park and go up to the petting zoo where you can feed goats, a giraffe, camels and see monkeys and macaws. And, as always, there's a gift shop! If your interested in going, see there website www.tennesseesafaripark.com and check for 1/2 price days.

Don't People Just Say Anything These Days --Take 2

2010-08-25T17:16:00.000-07:00

Apparently, I posted the title to this, but never the story. All you moms know how crazy it is! Anyway, here is the story behind the title.

Have you ever had one of those days where you just had to sigh and shake your head because CLEARLY people have no idea how they sound when they comment on you? Well, I had one of those days not too long ago.

A lady at work asked me if I'm having twins and when I responded, "Nope, it's just one!" she replied with, "Are you sure?" As Stephanie Tanner would say, "How rude!"

Then, a FIRST GRADER commented on my hair (which I had just cut off the day before) by telling me that it was "kind of fluffy" and that she liked it better the other way!

Last, but not least, my wonderful hubby, that same night, asked if I've ever tried putting V05 on my hair to smooth it down. You know, like the girls on those commercials? When I told him that, in fact, I had, he had the nerve to ask if I did it correctly?!?

I'm seriously developing a complex about weight and hair!!! Anyway, I apologize ahead of time to anyone that I might ever make a remark to or have made a remark to, that in any way hurt(s) your feelings or makes you feel bad :) Sorry!!!

New Name

2010-08-14T07:30:00.000-07:00

My blog name may be changing soon. I'm thinking, "My Three Sons." Yep, looks like we're having another boy. This week's doctor's appointment involved a screening that uses ultrasound. The ultrasound tech asked if we were planning on finding out and what I had at home already. When I asked her if she could tell anything yet, she responded with, "I think you're going to be surrounded by boys!" While we know she can't be 100% sure this early (I'm only 12 weeks,) she seemed pretty confident in her prediction. But, don't worry, I'm not buying anymore blue just yet! If you have a better blog name idea, please share!

True Love

2010-07-26T18:36:00.000-07:00

E, you never cease to amaze me........
You make me tivo "Great White Expedition" on the National Geographic Channel. You, like your father, are so very scientific and curious. You will sit, watching open-mouthed at all the wonders of the world and quickly tell me when I'm watching a "girl" show ;)
You surprise me constantly with your vocabulary. Today, Dad asked you how you liked the peach you ate from the Farmer's Market and you replied, "It was delightful and delectable." I'm not sure where you even heard "delectable!"
You are truly "fearfully and wonderfully made" and I love, love, love you.

Our little peanut

2010-07-19T06:51:00.000-07:00

For those of you who haven't heard, we are expecting another child. Here is our first ultrasound of the little peanut --- literally, the size of a peanut!
I really thought we'd wait a while to tell, but my body had other plans. Although, he/she is only the size of a grape, I feel like I'm 5 months. This may be the longest 9 months of my life!

Firsts

2010-06-10T06:41:00.000-07:00

Child rearing has made me very aware of all the "firsts" that occur and how memorable they will be ---and that everything needs to be caught on camera! There was that first coo, then first steps, first time at the beach (tear), first year to play t-ball, etc, etc. I do have to say, though, that my small mind sometimes envisions something so perfect and special that I am often let down. Why do I do this to myself? I just can't help it!!! But, don't you think that's part of our jobs, as mothers, to try to make everything special?
Here is our most recent first.....the boys first time fishing. There was a local fishing rodeo this past weekend & every time we passed, the boys begged to go. Daddy was helping on a project most of the day and promised to take them Monday. Well, as is usually the case at my house, we are trying to squeeze too many things into not enough time. After R worked all day, mowed the lawn, and took E to the ballfield (yes, we had a game, too.) P and I packed a wonderful cooler picnic for the night's dinner at the pond. All seemed right in my mind, until I got to the ballfield. E was coming out crying that he wasn't going to get to go fishing & Daddy was mad because E cried when he didn't get the ball. Aarrgh! I hate walking into that!
Well, we FINALLY made it to the pond. No time to eat the picnic while you continuously bait crickets. Oh, well. Every one (except me) left happy. And, I got over it. Especially, when I looked at my pics the next day :)

Time flies.....

2010-06-05T09:08:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been 2 months since I've posted. Things have been extremely busy! I took another class that was a "summer term" course. It was only 1 month (May,) but every day in Jackson :( Another one down! Here are a few pics to remember these last couple of months :)

First year of t-ball!

P's Batman 3rd birthday!

Making lots of end-of-year and birthday gifts for people!

Redecorating P's room.....this will be a full post later!

P's Post

2010-04-13T06:45:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the first day of Spring Break and P's surgery. I'm hoping that one day I'll look back at this post and be glad we made the decision we did. P had a frenulectomy. He was what is known as "tongue-tied." The frenulum (skin that attaches your tongue to the base of your mouth) was too tight. It causes individuals to be unable to clear out the back of their mouths, sometimes speech problems, inability to lick an ice cream cone like most do, etc. It makes the tongue appear heart-shaped. It's just one of those funny hereditary anomalies :) What was surprising is that the more I started talking about it, the more people started telling me they or their child had it. I didn't realize how common it is.

Anyway, so we decided to clip it. R told him he was going to get a magic tongue at the doctor. Okay, that would have scared me! But, he was so brave. He went back without even crying (shocker!) They said that once they got him back, he began to whimper a little, but went under quickly. They came to take us back to see him. Many of you know the temperment of a child coming off anesthesia and it's not pretty! He wanted to know where his balloon was! I thought he was loopy, but the anesthesiologist had him "blowing up the balloon" that is attached to the gas mask. When I asked him about what happened after that, he told me he smelled orange juice! Again, I thought "loopy," but we were told the gas was fruit punch flavored! That's one good memory!

I was so impressed and grateful to the staff that took care of him. Our ENT prayed with us before the surgery, the anesthesiologist talked to him and joked with him, and the nurses just loved on him :) I was a little nervous on Sunday about it all, but after meeting with all the staff, I felt much better. No tears!

What a Difference a Day Makes

2010-03-23T19:42:00.001-07:00

Thank you, Alexander Fleming! Penicillin rocks! Woke up Sunday morning with a sore throat. 8 hours later, I was in bed with fever. By the next morning, I was in the doc's office with strep. Yuck!! Monday was awful, but by Tues. afternoon, I was feeling 75% better. What a difference a day makes --with meds!!! Praying my family doesn't get it :)

Red fish, blue fish, green what?

2010-03-06T07:03:00.001-08:00

In honor of Dr. Suess' birthday, we decided to have green eggs and ham. While I thought boys would love this idea, they thought it sounded gross. I let them help me so they would see that they're not really green eggs, we just color them. I even read the story at the table to encourage trying different things. Still, no sale. They ate everything, but the eggs! Oh, and notice that I didn't have ham, so bacon was the next best thing :) So much for being adventurous!

Favorite Pic of the Year.....so far!

2010-02-15T17:39:00.000-08:00

I looooove this pic from our recent snow days! I took the boys out to my mom's house (since our yard is completely flat.) We had so much fun and I loved hearing my mom laugh like that. It's good for the soul :)

So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye......

2010-02-03T17:43:00.000-08:00

NEWS ALERT.....This is a MONUMENTAL post.....there will be no more pull-ups at this household....I repeat...No more pullups!!!!
My little man is officially potty trained!! What will I do with the extra cash I save each month? Manicures? Buy myself flowers? Go out to eat? Nah, as most of you parents of boys know, it will probably funnel over into buying Clorox wipes!

2010-01-29T14:24:00.000-08:00

Vices

2010-01-02T08:25:00.000-08:00

What is willpower? Is it the ability to drag yourself out of the bed at 2am to give another feeding? Is it going out into the 20 degree weather looking for the dog when no one else will? Is it coming home from an exhausting day to cook dinner for your family when you really just want to drive through McDonalds? Apparently not. Apparently, willpower is the power to restrain yourself from doing something. And, apparently, I have none because I REALLY want that chocolate, glazed donut my kids are eating. Yes, I'm venting. Is there something wrong with me that medication can fix? Psychiatrist? Hypnotics? R has the metabolism of a 15 year old boy and eats any and everything he wants. After I told him I was dieting, he wants to order chinese! Uggh! Anyway, as I begged him to eat the last chocolate donut this morning so that I wouldn't be tempted (I only bought 3 so that I wouldn't have one,) he lectured me on willpower. Do I really lack that much willpower? Yes, I have a hard time dragging myself out of the bed to workout, but I get up all those other times when no one else will. Doesn't that count for something? Now, that I've vented, I feel better. Thanks, bloggers:) Please share vices!!!! Misery loves company :)

Quickie

2009-12-30T13:56:00.000-08:00

Here's a quickie post to explain the pics below. I ran out of time (kids calling me) to get an explaination out with the pics. Just wanted to show off my "homemade" goodies from R's family. The top pic is a really cool idea that my sis-in-law did. There's a website where you can put in your pics and it blows them up and divides them out and you print them on your own computer. She put it on foam board and I hung them with tacky-stuff so that I could position them as I wanted. I thought this was really cool :) My other sis-in-law made these cute little ornaments with my kids' pictures on them. My bro-in-law made his yummy pickles and tomato juice from his garden. The best part is seeing what others come up with each year!

2009-12-28T13:20:00.000-08:00

Hope You Had a SUPER Christmas!!!

2009-12-25T18:36:00.000-08:00

Yes, that is Superman riding a horse with a cowboy in red gingham pajamas. Only boys!!

Twinkle, twinkle little star

2009-12-13T09:55:00.000-08:00

When I was about 8, we moved to what I thought was the "country." Living just down from the high school, I thought 5 miles out of the city limits was country living. Ha! Anyway, once we got out of the "city lights", my dad would set up the telescope and show me the moon and the stars. I would look at the moon forever. Funny how much humility you can find on a cold, clear night with a sky full of stars. Makes you feel very small and in awe of the universe. We would get up for meteor showers as I grew older. And after I moved out of the house, my dad would always call me when there was going to be a meteor shower. R and I have gotten up to watch showers before. We even went to a big dam one year when we lived in Nashville to watch a huge shower. Tonight, is probably the biggest meteor shower of the year. The Geminids. This should be a great show (if there aren't too many clouds) because they shoot slowly and should be around 100 an hour. While I love having R to watch them with, the little girl in me will always wish my dad was standing beside me.

Brag

2009-12-06T18:42:00.000-08:00

No picture, yet, but I have to brag on one of our local high school's FFA. BHS sold Christmas trees this year. We took the kids down this weekend to check them out and they had the cutest little "shack" set up with trees. They had lambs out w/ felt reindeer antlers on them and sold hot cocoa. You know I'm such a sucker for anything quaint or "hometowny" (yes, I know that's not a real word.) I have to brag on them (and will post pics later,) but this is one of the prettiest trees we ever gotten. They had pre-cut the branches that stick out all crazy and they loaded it on the car for us. Thanks so much BHS! Great job!

Christmas Challenge

2009-11-29T07:23:00.000-08:00

After years of thinking up something for someone to give you or gift cards, R's sister came up with the idea of "homemade gifts." For me, this sounded like fun. Those of you who know me well, know that I love to "create," but you also probably know how I pile a little too much on my plate. Well, last year, between school and kids and work and Christmas, I was completely overwhelmed. You should have seen me snapping at R while stitching away at my sewing machine the day of. Well, not this year! I have been to Hobby Lobby and bought my "stuff." I AM going to be on top of it!!! I really do love doing this. It really is fun to watch everyone open them and it really does feel special to know that you made it. Here's what we did last year....R wasn't too excited, but everyone can make SOMETHING. He made his brother personalized labels on his computer for his canning. His brother gave us all jars of his pickles and tomatoes that he canned out of his garden. His sister made me a cute knob board and R a decoupaged picture frame with the kids. She made their brother an adorable personalized stepping stone for his garden with colored glass. I appliqued pjs for his sister and a sweat shirt for my other sister-in-law. Well, I can't reveal what I'm making just yet this year, but here's some pics of really cute fabric I bought. I'll show when it gets closer to time!! BTW, if you've got any ideas for the guys, please share!!!

Thankful

2009-11-28T10:44:00.000-08:00

Thank you Lord, for my beautiful, healthy children, for a loving husband, for parents that are still here, brothers and sisters to share with, and wonderful friends. Thank you for sending your son. Thank you, thank you, thank you...

Our First School Program

2009-11-20T19:52:00.000-08:00

Here are a couple of pics from our very first school program. He didn't do much, well, really anything at all. I thought maybe he had stage fright being in front of so many people, but he very nonchalantly told me he wanted to be an indian. Oh well, he looked like a cute little pilgram to me!

Busy October

2009-11-01T06:39:00.001-08:00

Let me just say that October has flown by!! We have been so busy this month..... E's birthday, Fall Fest, Halloween, midterms for me, parent/teacher conferences, etc. Time to change up house decorations already!

Halloween costume + bounce house + cupcakes + friends = fun!

2009-10-17T14:43:00.000-07:00

I learned an important lesson this weekend. You don't have to go all out, crazy-planner-lady to have a fun party. Sure, it helps if you invite people more than, say, 5 days ahead of the party, but that's another lesson.
My firstborn will soon turn 4 (shedding a tear) and time just wasn't on my side this year. As I type this, I should be studying for a difficult test tomorrow, but it can wait another 5 minutes. Anyway, I typically put forth lots of effort to plan a cool themed birthday party with lots of details. While you may never have noticed these details in the past, trust me, there was lots of compulsive analyzing going on in my mind. Well, what can I say? My baby was just put on the back burner this year.
Ultra-quick, ultra-cheesey photo invites were sent out the week of a party that was booked at the last minute b/c it was the only weekend available. No goody bags were made, no cake was ordered. Only homemade cupcakes, Domino's pizza, & a few other quickie snacks. No birthday themed plates, napkins, or cups. What's my point? Well, after my super-obsessing in the past, I realized my child still enjoyed having a few friends, a cupcake (or two,) and a celebration just for him that was thrown together in 2 hours (that includes pick up and setting up the bounce house!)

Punkin Pickin'

2009-09-27T13:14:00.001-07:00

This weekend, my boys went to their first pumpkin patch. My sister's mother-in-law (affectionately known as Me-me) grows a wonderful garden and plants pumpkins way down in the back. We let the boys and my nephew get back in there and pick a few. Here you can see that P has picked his out :) E found a little green one that wasn't ready, yet, but he tried anyway!

Photo Op

2009-09-17T18:21:00.000-07:00

Okay, for those of you that are Twilight fans.....is this Edward-ish hair, or what?

Gameday Cupcakes

2009-09-07T12:32:00.001-07:00

The Milky Way Cupcake

2009-08-25T18:11:00.000-07:00

Even, R said it was rich. Rich can be good, right?

Everything Changes

2009-08-14T14:31:00.001-07:00

Gone are the days of me making a "real" breakfast during the week. Now, it's cereal or pre-cooked sausage and biscuit. This was E's first day of school. Preschool, that is. Yes, this handsome, young man is just 3, although he looks (and acts) so much older sometimes.

After a lot of "talking it up" and me checking a thousand times to make sure I had everything, we settled in for a good night's sleep. I think E was so excited that he didn't sleep well. It seemed like he was up every few hours and especially early that morning.

Here we are loaded up, ready for the short trip to school. No, my kids really don't do stuffed animals. They've just never been attached to them, but we were supposed to bring a teddy bear to school (we have a dinosaur with a Memphis Tigers shirt.)

In the last pic, you only see his back.....and that's how quickly it happened. In a matter of seconds, my world changed. It's such an adjustment to bring that first baby home and be absolutely responsible for another person. Then, just as quickly as it was thrust upon you, he just says something like, "I want you to let me go by myself today" and hops out of your car without a second thought.

I can't even imagine what it's going to feel like when he turns sixteen and gets behind a wheel or when we take him and his belongings to college or when he gets married (God bless the girl.)

Boys will be boys!

2009-08-07T15:07:00.000-07:00

It seems like I know several people who are either about to have little boys or have just had little boys. Well, all I can tell you is that this picture just about sums it up. Cowboy boots, pirate shirt, golf club, video game in hand, and a pappy in the mouth ---all while climbing on the furniture!!! Boys!!!

House with a View

2009-08-02T15:40:00.000-07:00

Call me crazy, but I do love to look at the fields. I guess it's a "Southern thing." I don't like when they spray them, but I love to sit on the back porch and just look out at the view. While R cut the grass today & E played, I couldn't resist snapping a few photos of everything. All I needed to top it off was a big glass of sweet tea!

You know you're getting old when.......

2009-07-29T17:17:00.000-07:00

Does this guy look familiar to you? Okay, let me help you out. This is the dad in the new Disney made-for-tv movie, "Dadnapped." Okay, let me just tell you how old I'm really feeling right now. I just saw this advertisement and thought to myself, "No, it can't be!" Yes, that's right girls, this was one of my tv crushes.....all grown up now. He was the hot guy that Chris (Elizabeth Shue) met in "Adventures in Babysitting" (1987.)

Then he showed up again in one of my all-time favorite, uber cheesey movies --"Father of the Bride" (1991.) Of course he played Bryan MacKenzie, the all-too perfect fiance of Annie Banks (or Bahhnks as Franc would say.) Then, in 1995, another appearance as the perfect husband in "Father of the Bride II."

Over the years, he's popped up on some "Friends" episodes and several tv things here and there. But, alas, we are both at the stages of our lives where he is starring in Disney movies and I am watching them. On the flip side, at least we're still young enough that it's Disney :)

Life's a Beach

2009-07-27T08:19:00.000-07:00

Had to get these last few pics out from the summer and start getting ready for school pics. Wow. This summer has really flown by!

A Day at the Park

2009-07-22T16:38:00.000-07:00

I dragged R on another of my "family outings" the other night. I thought it would be fun to pack a picnic basket (a.k.a. sandwhiches & cookies from Naifeh's deli) and take the boys to the park. They had a blast! R decided it wasn't so bad, either. Moms really are the glue of a family. I look at my friends and think of all the little things we do for our children and our spouses. It's the little things that sometimes matter the most :)

How long is a long time?

2009-07-19T18:18:00.001-07:00

Okay, so it feels like a lifetime to me since I posted about being on my diet for officially a week now. I'm only at the 11 day mark :( The weekends are the hardest because we tend to go so much. It's just so much easier to grab something while you're out and there's just not much healthy fast food. On the up side, I do feel like I'm gaining more self-control. The less sugary foods I eat, the less I seem to crave them. I even saw a good friend of mine on a date with her husband and she ordered chocolate cake. While the cake looked beautiful (as did the eater -- ever notice how cake looks prettier when a slim, attractive person is eating it?) I actually did not feel too much of a desire for it. I think I would have even been able to refuse it if a piece had been set in front of me -- I think.

Turning Over a New Leaf

2009-07-15T15:39:00.000-07:00

So, I'm turning over a new leaf (or so I hope.) Let's face it. I'm swamped with the "stuff" of life and use it as an excuse not to exercise and quite frankly, reward myself with chocolate ____ and milk at the slightest sign of stress. I admit it!!! Anybody that knows me knows that I love to cook and eat and I hate to exercise. BAD COMBINATION, especially at my age (goodness I hate saying that!)

Anyway, that said, I tell you all this b/c I'll need lots of encouragement. I really, really, really, really wanted one of those fudge rounds my child was eating earlier, so much in fact that I told him to take it into the other room. I ask, no beg, that if you have any wonderful low sugar/low carb/low fat (did I take everything good out, yet?) recipes to share, please, please, please do!!! Broccolli and ranch is getting old REAL fast. On the up side, I have stuck to my diet for one week officially tomorrow and I have lost about 4lbs. I know it's mostly water weight, but it's a start :) Thanks to my inspiring friends --- you know who you are!!

Bunny fever

2009-07-11T15:19:00.000-07:00

I have been playing with cupcakes again (my kids love that.) Someone asked me to make bunny cupcakes and I haven't quite figured out how I want to do it. Please remember that all of these are extrememly basic with none of those final touches that would go on a finished product, but I think I like the little bunny in the middle with a few adjustments on color, grass, and add a bow. Any suggestions?

Great Expectations

2009-07-09T07:20:00.000-07:00

I don't know if it's because I watched too many sitcoms growing up or because I had a wonderful childhood or what, but I expect things (including holidays) to be a certain way. R jokes that my family is like the Cleavers. That said, I think I sometimes envision how we will be. For example, this 4th I would have liked to have gathered with my family and cooked out on Sat. and then gone with friends and kids to watch an awesome firework show that night---- just like last year.

Well, I made the boys their little shirts (the morning of, won't get to wear those again!) and set out to work on things for the day. R put on what I assumed was a pork butt/shoulder, but once taken out of the oven realized it was a pork sirloin? And was way overcooked. TRASH. My cute little star cookies that I made turned out dry and I decided I didn't like the icing on them. TRASH. My family all seemed to have other things going on, so no lunch. And, a storm was coming. It's sooo un-American for it to rain on the 4th of July!

In the end, I settled for some Capt. D's and fireworks from McDowell's. Luckily, some great friends came over, too, and I enjoyed the evening. In fact, I'd say that looking back years from now, my kids will probably remember how Dad would take them and buy fireworks at the local firework stand and we'd eat dinner together and then once it got dark, we'd go outside and sit around in camp chairs with friends and watch him shoot them (in the rain this year.) The small stuff. Isn't that what memories are really made of? The moral of today's story? Life is what you make it.

Pimento & Cheese

2009-07-07T06:46:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I need a little help. I seem to be having a craving for pimento and cheese. I have to have some dental work done today and know that my mouth is going to be sore and thought this would be a soft thing to eat. I've actually never made pimento and cheese and have found so many different recipes. Does anyone have a family favorite?

My Beautiful Boys

2009-07-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite pics from the beach. I think a "back" shot is the only way I could get a pic where both of them looked perfect at the same time! Any picture that required them to both look up was difficult :)

We're Back!!!

2009-06-29T18:07:00.001-07:00

Where's Phil when you need him?!? This is the only picture of all 4 of us together at the beach and E is making a funny face. Phil is always so good at getting my kids to smile and look natural. I can't imagine why the perfect stranger that took this for us didn't have any bubbles or fun toys!

Anyway, I enjoyed reading everyone's posts this week while my kids napped and wanted to make sure I posted some pics from our trip.

What I miss most about the beach? The absolute freedom of no schedules, the seafood, and no mosquitos!

What I love most about being home? Sleeping in my own bed, not having to take 3 showers a day to get the sand off each time we came in, and being back with family and friends!

Not-so-friendly visitor

2009-06-20T12:37:00.000-07:00

My dog hates storms, so we typically put her in the garage when we know one is coming. Well, of course we raise the door about a foot to keep it well ventilated. I ran out to my car and stumbled upon this visitor that decided to also seek sheltor in the comforts of a garage. Guess the hole that he dug (that I blamed on the poor dog) was flooding. Now, the dog was scared of the armadillo, so she was hiding in the storage room in the garage! R had a tough time getting that little thing out of the garage. They are similar to a cat in that they make a hissing sound and jump much higher than I would have imagined when "shooed" with a broom. Sorry, fella, but there's only room for one pet around here and you had to go.

Somebody should have warned me!

2009-06-06T10:46:00.000-07:00

Yes, this is my 2 year old jumping off a box, imitating Spiderman. Why didn't anyone warn me of the #2 child?

#1 follows my directions. #2 tells me "no" with his arms crossed and mouth pouting.

#1 brings me things I need. #2 hides my shoes.

#1 uses the potty. #2 puts things in it.

#1 is friendly to all. #2 pretends to shoot those he doesn't know.

#1 is afraid of heights. #2 doesn't believe in the laws of gravity!

Whew! #2 is a handful, but how could I not adore all his mischieviousness when he thinks I hung the moon? #1 sometimes prefers his Daddy. #2 is a momma's boy. #1 doesn't always want to kiss me. #2 would kiss me a million times. I can tell you that I was definitely surprised about #2 coming along so quickly, but I wouldn't change it for the world!!!

If you know of any......

2009-05-27T08:28:00.000-07:00

While cleaning out closets today, I realized that I have several things with E's name embroidered on them. Diaper bags, clothes, etc. Anyway, if you know of anybody having a boy or with a baby that shares his name, please let me know so I can get rid of this stuff! I wised up when I found myself so quickly pregnant with a second boy and began personalizing with just our last name :)

My Birthday Boy

2009-05-20T16:39:00.000-07:00

I had to post this pic because I know all you moms would agree with me that it is definitely way more fun to watch your kids open presents than opening your own. Don't get me wrong (in case hubby reads this) presents for me are good, too, but the look on that face is priceless (spaghetti stains and all!!)

My "baby" recently celebrated his second birthday. I know, I know, you can't believe he's two! Me either! I guess I finally have to stop telling people that I haven't lost all my baby weight. It officially just goes under the "she needs to exercise and quit eating so much" catagory.

I thank God for this "surprise." I couldn't imagine how I was going to love another child as much as I did my first. God surprised me with this, too. Kind of like the Grinch, your heart just gets bigger :)

Happy Birthday to all of us!

2009-05-04T07:03:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I said I wasn't going to post this b/c after all the time I spent on this cake for Hubby's birthday (huge Star Wars fan) he made fun of me blogging it. Well, I said there was no way I was going to blog it after his comment, BUT I don't have any pictures of my own birthday cake (because there wasn't one!) so here it is.

Last week was R's birthday, yesterday was my birthday, and next weekend is P's birthday. Not to mention we have countless close friends that have birthdays in the same week. This leads E to continuously ask me when it's going to be HIS birthday. It's really hard to explain to a 3 year old he has to wait 5 months until his when everyone else is celebrating (especially little brother.) There is no concept of time, other than "IMMEDIATELY" for a 3 year old. I know this is awful, but I'm seriously debating making a cake for Cinco de Mayo and singing "Happy Birthday" or "Feliz Cumpleanos" in that case -hee, hee!

And so it begins......

2009-04-27T14:24:00.000-07:00

When we found out we were having a boy four years ago, my husband was elated. Being the sports enthusiast that he is, he was already so excited about sports with the little fellow. Well, the time has finally come where he can play something and while he's still too young for pee-wee football or even tee-ball, there is soccer. Ah, the world's most common sport now taught to three year olds with quick water breaks and Little Debbie's every 10 minutes or so. Here are a few of my favorite pics.

Fixer-upper

2009-04-13T07:38:00.001-07:00

These are my old canisters (you can see the tint is chipping off.) R has been hastling me about getting new canisters for a while now, but all the ones I like are waaay expensive.

Some of you may not know this about me, but I am a pack rat. I know, it's a nasty habit. I keep things, thinking that it may provide useful in the future. This pack rat is also closely related to the "fixer upper." I like to try to keep things by fixing them up. Sometimes, the fixer-uppers turn out and sometimes they are just tossed by my disapproving husband. We are 100% opposite of each other when it comes to this.

Anyway, here are some old canisters I found at a local antique shop that I thought I could fix up. After some help from my soooo organized friend, Amy, with her scrapbooking tools we had perfect ovals and rectangles and I just painted in them. I may still go back and add some grosgrain ribbon or something. Hubby should be proud that this only set him back by a grand total of $22.

Bunny Cookies

2009-04-11T12:33:00.000-07:00

Here's a pic of the Easter cookies I made for my niece and her class. Of course I quickly agreed to make these b/c I just love my sister-in-law and her children so much, but didn't realize the amount of time I would spend. Whew! In the end, I think it was all worth it when I saw the expression on their faces. I can always count on my sister-in-law to praise any of my "creations." Thanks Su, for always being so supportive! Love ya!

Eggs-actly what I needed to hear!!!

2009-04-08T18:53:00.000-07:00

Okay, I know, I know......really, the bad pun at the top is definitely the teacher in me!!! I have a thousand different "egg" words I can use just stored away for this time of year. Anyway, I wanted to post this joke b/c it's terribly funny and a little terrible, too. It's kind of a blonde joke, in a round about way, so to all my blonde friends ---you know I love you!!!

A man is driving along a highway and sees a rabbit jump out across the middle of the road. He swerves to avoid hitting it, but unfortunately the rabbit jumps right in front of the car. The driver, a sensitive man as well as an animal lover, pulls over and gets out to see what has become of the rabbit. Much to his dismay, the rabbit is the Easter Bunny, and he is DEAD. The driver feels so awful that he begins to cry. A beautiful blonde woman driving down the highway sees a man crying on the side of the road and pulls over. She steps out of the car and asks the man what's wrong. "I feel terrible," ! he explains, "I accidentally hit the Easter Bunny with my car and KILLED HIM." The blonde says,"Don't worry." She runs to her car and pulls out a spray can.
She walks over to the limp, dead Easter Bunny, bends down, and sprays the contents onto him. The Easter Bunny jumps up, waves its paw at the two of them and hops off down the road. Ten feet away he stops, turns around and waves again, he hops down the road another 10 feet, turns and waves, hops another ten feet, turns and waves, and repeats this again and again and again and again, until he hops out of sight. The man is astonished. He runs over to the woman and demands, "What is in that can? What did you spray on the Easter Bunny ?" The woman turns the can around so that the man can read the label. It says. (Are you ready for this?) (Are you sure?) (OK, here it is) It says........................ "Hair Spray Restores life to dead hair, and adds permanent wave."
H a p p y E a s t er !!! (BTW---not my joke, a forward of a forward and so forth, so I don't know who to give credit to!)

Smooshi, anyone?

2009-04-04T15:55:00.000-07:00

Just had to post this! E and I were having one of his typical, inquisitive conversations where I'm forced to explain "how and why." I thought it was so funny (could be my skewed sense of humor these days) that I wanted to share. Here's how it went:

E: When is dinner going to be ready?
Me: As soon as it's finished cooking.
E: In the oven?
Me: Yes.
E: What's an oven do?
Me: Cook things.
E: How? (I knew that was coming!)
Me: It gets really hot and cooks it.
E: How?
Me: (Like I know!) Well, it gets electricity from our house to run and the heating elements heat up and make the food hot. (Please don't ask me to explain further!)
E: Hummm.....we don't eat raw food.
Me: No, we don't. Well, except sometimes Daddy does when he eats sushi. You know, like he gets when we go eat Chinese noodles?
E: Yes. Daddy likes smooshi. It's his favorite!

I thought it was so appropriately re-named!

Top Ten

2009-03-21T08:06:00.000-07:00

Recently, a preggo friend of mine posted "50 Facts About My Pregnancy" and it was hilarious. We've all thought what you said and much of it has happened to most of us.

People do BOLDLY tell you they don't like the names you've picked out (then why did you ask me!?) This may not have happened, yet, but random strangers WILL come and touch your stomach ----if you don't even know my name, you probably shouldn't be touching my body!!!

As I was thinking of all those funny things and how my children are now, I decided to add my own list............ This one is called "The Top Ten Things I Said I'd Never Do." Now, many of you excellent mothers are much more disciplined than I and you will think I'm insane, but my number one rule of motherhood is "do what works for you!"

10. My children will not run around with a snotty nose like other kids (hey, snot happens.)

9. My children will not take a pacifier (until I discover it reduces the rate of SIDS and makes him stop crying.)

8. My children will not eat junk food (until you're worried he's too skinny and you feed him whatever he will eat.)

7. I will not plan over-the-top, ultra-competitive birthday parties (WHATEVER!)

6. My children will be on a strict naptime/bedtime schedule (unless I have class, work, trip, etc.)

5. I will teach and read to my children all the time (Mickey Mouse Clubhouse also does a pretty good job and reading 4 out of 7 nights seems like pretty good odds.)

4. My child will NOT fall off the bed --what is wrong with people!?! (at least not the first one....)

3. My children will wear the cutest, most expensive clothes (seriously, was I planning on getting another job?)

2. My children will not sleep with me (all I can say is I get sleep this way.)

and the number one thing I said my kids would never do........

1. My children will never throw a "fit" lin the middle of Walmart (Target, Stockdales, the list goes on and on!)

If you enjoyed/empathized/sympathized or want to add to this list, post it!!!

Remember when............

2009-03-02T17:25:00.000-08:00

Does anyone else remember it being this difficult to build a snowman as a child? Maybe it was because my daddy was the one doing all the work, too! Everyone is saying that it's been 41 years since we've seen this much snow. Back in '68 --- I wasn't even born, yet. Maybe another reason I don't remember it being this hard was that I wasn't trying to do it in 3 feet of snow (or so it felt like!)

E did a LOT of supervising as Daddy rolled and rolled that snow into one decent looking snowman. I had elaborate plans myself of putting a Callaway golf hat on it and a golf club in his hand, but was completely exhausted by the time I put that carrot on! He got a cowboy hat, some blue lollipop eyes, and milk duds for a mouth. R says the dog ran off with the carrot as soon as I walked in. Poor snowman. Oh, well. He wouldn't have had that mouth long anyway.

Hot Dog, Hot Dog, Hot Diggity Dog!

2009-02-14T07:56:00.000-08:00

Thanks to a friend of ours that had extra tickets, we were able to make it to the Friday afternoon show of Disney Clubhouse Live. If you're not sure about the title of this post, then you either don't have children or they are over the age of 5. The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse dance is the "Hot dog" song by They May Be Giants. If you haven't heard it, then you are definitely missing out! We had a great time. Thanks N.H.!!

Click the play button on the screen to the right to hear the song!

Couldn't Resist!

2009-02-07T09:26:00.001-08:00

I was looking through some old pics and couldn't resist posting this! This was E's 2nd Halloween (he was only a few weeks old on his first!) Have you ever seen a "Yoda" cuter than this one?!? I, actually, look forward to the time when my boys are old enough to watch and love "Starwars" like their Daddy. How funny that this would be a goal of mine?
As I reflect on the years that have so quickly gone by and look forward to many more "first times," I remind myself to live in the moment. Not to dwell on the past and wish for the future, but to cherish each and every day.

Valentine's Day in New York

2009-02-03T19:43:00.001-08:00

View from the top of the Empire State Building

R in front of Central Park sipping his Dean & Deluca

The N.Y. Stock Exchange

A cold view of the Statue of Liberty

Us on the pier

One of my most memorable Valentine's Days was in 2005 when R decided on a spur of the moment trip to New York. Along with some friends, we flew up for the weekend. Now, mind you, I knew it was cold, but I greatly underestimated the power of the wind in between those tall skyscrapers. Nevertheless, we bundled up and trudged on block after windy block to see the sights. We saw "Phantom" on Broadway, we dined at Tavern on the Green, we went to the Today Show (which, by the way, you have to get up PRETTY early in the morning for!) ---all those famous New York "things." It was great --and extrememly cold!

One of the best presents of the week, though, was found right at home when we returned. That's when we found out I was pregnant with E. E's been to the Big Apple and doesn't even know it! Although this Valentine's Day will be a little less glamorous, it will be spent with the 3 men that I now have. Who could ask for more?

Self-discovery

2009-01-27T15:13:00.000-08:00

I am planning to make cupcakes for the upcoming baby shower of a dear friend and thought I would practice with my fondant. After baking them, icing the cupcakes, and topping with my fondant "creations" (yeah, I know the pacifier is a little lopsided,) I decided to take a picture and post.

I realized that I have a problem (and we all know admitting it is the first step!) I am constantly inspired to do things. One day I want to paint & redecorate the house, another day I'm going to decorate cakes, another I want to sew my children their own clothes. We won't even discuss the days that I decide I'm going to start exercising each day! The problem with this is that I never really stay with one thing long enough to master it or at least become decent at it. Wonder if I have adult ADHD?

Anyway, new goal for 2009? I'm going to try to stick with something long enough to be good at it!!! But, that will probably change by tomorrow!

PS ---If you think they're even half-way decent, tell me which topper you like best!

Mad Skills

2009-01-19T09:22:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I'm sure everyone is a little impressed from time to time at the things their child can do, but seriously, isn't there some type of award for a three year old that can use chopsticks on the first try? Wow! Maybe there is hope that he will not be cursed with my lack of coordination.

Bitten by the Bookworm

2009-01-07T18:20:00.000-08:00

Okay, so if your wondering if I dropped off the planet in the last month, well, rest assurred I didn't. Just been disallusioning myself throughout the holidays by reading the "Twilight" saga that has, apparently, had girls of all ages swooning.

In fact, a friend (and fellow addictee) and I joke about how consuming the reading can be. I found myself staying up 'til the early hours of the morning just to spend more time in my imaginary world.

In this world, no one is sick or crying or needs me to fix them dinner. There are no presents that must be bought or places to be..... Only two things, that seem unimaginably important at the time, exist -- the hero and heroine.

Like other love stories I have read before, I find myself longing for that "butterflies in my tummy" feeling again that dissipates slightly after years of marriage. However, after a little more thought, I realized that I traded in (thankfully!) those butterflies for something that won't disappear so easily. Still having that "can't wait to see you at the end of the workday" feeling after 8 years, now that's true love!

And, really! The hero in the book is constantly concerned with her health. Who is really going to worry that much about your well-being ALL the time? Your mother, that's who! No guy is going to worry that every flinch or bruise might be something more. Only a mother can take the verbal abuse of "I don't like you anymore!" and still adore the little, mad person saying it, all the while wondering if he has a cold!!! In case you hadn't guessed, E's been a little cranky today.

Let me just end by saying that I'm glad I got my love story. I'm thankful that my husband still loves me after stretch marks and pounds that weren't always there, after all my clumsiness, after morning breath and no make-up, and let's not forget any hormone induced ravings. I love you, too. Thanks.

Naughty or Nice?

2008-12-13T20:46:00.000-08:00

I knew this year's picture with Santa would be a memorable one, with my little one being big enough to be possibly terrified by the man in the big red suit, but this was too funny not to share! As you can see, when closely examined, my hands are holding him and I had to lean out of the picture. This was the best we could get! How funny this will be to show his girlfriends or wife one day. :)

WHAT!!!!!

2008-12-08T11:00:00.000-08:00

Panic has just set in as I looked at the Freckled Frog sight and saw the flash banner at the top! I am fully aware that it is December, but it's still somewhere around the first, right? Didn't I just eat turkey and dressing last week? Still plenty of time to get presents and decorate my house for Christmas? I'm sure that the banner flashing 16 DAYS 'till Christmas has got to be wrong!!! That's barely two weeks! Santa's gonna need some coffee!

Christmas Past

2008-12-07T08:46:00.000-08:00

Today is just one of those days where I don't feel like doing or going anywhere. I finished decorating our Christmas tree yesterday and the boys' trees and the mantel. I haven't done my dining room, but it's all laid out. It just always seems like so much to do. I need to finish swapping out our winter clothes and put all the summer clothes up, finish decorating, clean the house, start wrapping gifts, finish putting the playroom together, paint some canvases, go to the grocery, the list goes on and on and on. I decided to procrastinate and work on my Christmas cards instead. That counts for something, though, right?

As I looked through our pictures I ran across last year's Christmas pictures. Boy, how quickly they grow. I felt a little like Clark Griswold when he's sitting in the attic watching old movies as I sat on my couch, still in my robe, reminiscing. Here's a few pics from last year. My babies are growing so quickly.

Gingerbread Mess

2008-12-01T20:59:00.000-08:00

We made our first gingerbread house, like so many others, this year. It was VERY hard for me to let the boys do it themselves (as particular as I am,) but they did a pretty good job. My lil' man just played "Hanzel and Gretel" and ate the candy most of the time. My big boy decorated as he pleased, as I globbed the oh-so-very messy icing all over.

The next morning, he had his dinosaur pretending it was eating the gingerbread house. I couldn't resist snapping a shot of what appeared to be "Godzilla meets the Gingerbread Man." Boys!

Bright and Shiny

2008-11-29T19:34:00.000-08:00

I was a little apprehensive about our first visit to the dentist, but my big boy proved to me just how big he really is. He did great! It also helps to have one of your best friends as your dental hygentist. He knows her so well that he didn't even flinch at the thought of her putting that cleaning tool in his mouth. We really trust our mi-mi (that's what my children fondly call her!) She gave him his own "cool shades" to wear to help block the bright light and, boy, did he love the water dispenser and spitting in the bowl. Little boys seem to love spitting! Thanks to our favorite dental hygentist and dentist for doing such a great job!

So long SUCKER!

2008-11-12T20:27:00.000-08:00

We finally lost our beloved "pappy" this week. I didn't think we would use one before we had children, but after reading how pacifiers helped prevent SIDS, I stuck that thing in his mouth right after he was born. In fact, there was one on the cart at the hospital! We put it to good use, too. It's been my friend in so many ways......to help stop tears, to help him go to sleep, to help me get some quiet time in the car:) But, alas, it's time we said farewell.

I had planned on us giving it to the baby monkey at the zoo this summer, but that never happened. My next plan was to leave it for the baby reindeer this Christmas, but fate took over. After searching and searching for it Monday night, I just had to send him to bed without it. I think I worried about it more than he did. While I'm glad that he's finally given it up, I'm a little sad that we are moving on to a different stage and he's not a baby anymore. Next thing I know, he won't kiss me in pubic. Agghh! I think growing up is just as hard for parents as it is for kids.

Cold Turkey

2008-11-10T12:58:00.000-08:00

First, let me begin with a joke.

Why can't you take a turkey with you to church?

Because of his FOWL language! He, he.

The cold weather kept us in today, so I decided we'd make a craft. You would think as a former school teacher, crafts would be second nature to me, but I really don't do them with my own children because they are such a pain at school. Making 25 of anything is a pain. And, generally, at least half of the work is done by you. Anyway, I have to promise myself I will take on the challenge (and the mess) and do it more often because my kids LOVE it.

I decided that lack of Thanksgiving decor and lack of funds would inspire our idea, so I spray-painted an old canvas that I had and did the "hand print" thing. I snagged up a Ralph Waldo Emerson quote off the internet and stuck that baby on the kitchen wall. It's whimsical enough and I dated their handprints. As you can see, the little one decided to smear his first handprint. Oh well, that just means it's authentic! I think we'll make turkeys out of toilet paper rolls next ---just kidding!

Red, White, and Blue?

2008-11-09T17:42:00.000-08:00

Our post-election week has been rather eventful. After the stress of election and the hubby being out-of-town, I thought I would make his return as nice and stress-free as possible.

I worked to get the house nice and clean, the kids fed, dinner ready on the stove, and chocolate chip pecan cookies in the oven. All was going so smoothly. As I stripped the kids down to nothing but a diaper and underwear and stepped into the laundry room, I heard cries.

My big boy had fallen into the corner of a small table and had a decent size gash in his forehead. Well, with blood everywhere, I knew there was no point in dressing him. As calm as this sounds, you might think I actually thought that. In reality, I was shaking and knew there wasn't time to get them both dressed and wasn't exactly how to do it all by myself. I had one on each hip and loaded everyone up and raced to the emergency room. The one time I had a reason to turn my hazard lights on and I didn't even think about it. I just made him hold a dish towel to his forehead and drove as fast as I safely could without using up what little gas was in the car because my gas light was on.

Let me just tell you, if you walk into the emergency room with your children barely dressed and covered in blood, they take you straight back. I'm just lucky my mother-in-law was able to meet me there and take the little one. Poor thing was scared to death (as was I.) I had to get my mom to go get the boys clothes and turn off the cookies that I'd forgotten about.

And, I must give credit where credit is due, they did a wonderful job. They gave him stickers and a Hot Wheels car and got him all calmed down. They were able to glue it and get us out pretty quickly. Guess that'll teach Daddy to leave us alone.

The only thing now is to get it to heal. He's already made it bleed once since we left. Boys!!

Soap box

2008-10-31T08:04:00.000-07:00

Okay, it's not terribly often that I get on my "soap box," but today I'm going to. There are many, many topics from our candidates that are very important, but I want to tell you one more that most people probably don't think about. During a recent debate, McCain stated that he would further studies to find the cause of autism. Obama fired back that it would require money (of course.) I just wanted to express my concern for this and how important I believe this is.

As a former special education teacher, I can tell you that when I started my program in school, the rate of autism was somewhere around 1 in 3000 children (or so I was told.) A story in the NY Times says that in the 80's, the rate was somewhere between 4 and 5 out of every 10,000. Today, the current rate is 1 out of every 150 children. This rising rate is alarming and is why we are hearing so much more in the media today about autism.

My personal opinion is that it is vital, at this rising rate, for us to find the cause, so that we may prevent this. I have done ABA therapy in private homes with children with autism and I can't even tell you how difficult it is for families. As a mother of boys, it is even more alarming that the rate is 3 to 4 times more prevalant in boys than girls.

Just something else for you to think about.

Road Trip

2008-10-29T05:45:00.000-07:00

As our children are getting older, we are braving up to more and more trips. We decided (against R) to go to the beach this summer. It was great. The boys loved it.

Recently, some friends of ours invited us to go with their family to Branson for a few days. I was a little unsure of sharing a condo with another family and how the boys would behave with other children staying with us, but it worked out wonderfully! I almost think every trip from now on should be with other couples and their kids. We did things with the kids all day and then, after dinner each night, we'd settle all the kids in one room and put a movie on and stay up and play cards. It was nice to have adult time while the kids entertained each other.

Well, let me just tell you, in Branson, they do things a little bit differently. This picture is my baby with, yes, a WHOLE chicken on his plate. We went to the Dixie Stampede, which for those of you like me that have no idea what this is, it's a dinner show. We were on the front row of the South side (of course) and apparently the Civil War is fought over and over again here. The horses were so close to us that dirt was actually slung in my lap a couple of times. Now, I know what you're thinking, this doesn't sound like my "cup of tea." But, I will admit, I enjoyed it. As silly and over-the-top as it was, my kids were in awe. There was singing and dancing and they got to see all the animals (horses, ostriches, pigs, and cattle) up close. The food is a set meal. Everyone gets a bowl of soup (that I swear is gravy,) a whole chicken, a piece of pork tenderloin, a half of a potato, a piece of corn-on-the-cob, and an apple turnover. The drinks, oh yeah, in the mason jars and there is no silverware. You eat everything with your hands. Don't you know the kids were thinking this is how it should always be. It was just hilarious to see that big 'ol chicken in front of my little feller --- oops, I'm falling back into that Branson slang!

Future Indi driver

2008-10-24T21:46:00.000-07:00

Birthday memories

2008-10-22T11:53:00.000-07:00

I have told the story of the day E was born to many of my friends, family, E, and random aquaintances many times. It's one of the most traumatic, wonderful, scary, beautiful days of my life. I had more feelings wrapped up into one day than I knew what to do with. Anyway, I'm going to tell it one more time, just for nostalgia and to remember how drastically my life changed 3 years ago, this week.

I had a scheduled C-section (although I tried my best not to) because that big boy wasn't budging. Not the slightest bit of dialation, no dropping, nothing. He measured 8 1/2 lbs at 38 wks, according to my ultrasound, and so we conceded and booked it.

It was a Thursday morning, Oct 20th, and also my grandmother's birthday. Now, I did not want to have him on her birthday. I wanted him to have his own birthday. But, apparently, Virgie had more pull upstairs than I did. My doctor only delivered on Wednesdays, but the hospital was already booked up that day. He wouldn 't let me go past my due date b/c of his size, so they called me back with the Thursday date, and said Dr. Kennedy was going to come in on his day off. With that, I decided that it would be special for them to share the same birthdate and I figured I no longer had a choice.

I think I must have watched "Father of the Bride II" about a dozen times that summer. I pictured the exact same scenario for myself. My water would break in the middle of the night and I would wake R up. He would be running around just as panicky as Steve Martin did. We'd jump in the car and make a mad dash to Memphis. By the time we got to the hospital, my forehead would be glistening with sweat and I would be doing that breathing technique that I learned in my class. I would push just a few times and R would cut the cord. We'd all be one big happy family. Here's where the record scratch sound comes in!

Instead, I showed up starving and thirsty b/c I couldn't eat/drink anything after midnight and had to ride with R sipping his Starbucks all the way to this place where they were preparing to cut me open. I was taken to this little, scary room that looked like something out of a third world country (a little dramatic, I admit.) The wallpaper was peeling off and the floor was scuffed. It was about the size of my bathroom. I immediately began to cry when the nurse left. Upon her return, she assured me this was only a holding room where my iv would be started. Okay, I can do this, I thought. While starting my iv, R thought that I would somehow find humor in the situation if he commented on how the blood was squirting out everywhere. There was no blood, she did fine. I, however, felt completely sick. I wanted to throw him out, but I was too scared to ditch anyone.

I was rolled into a surgical room just like on Grey's. Here's the part I was really scared of. I thought that when it came time to have an epidural or spinal block, I would be in so much pain that I would want anything to relieve it. When you feel fine and just really want to come back and try another day, the last thing you want in your back is a 25 guage needle. Enough said. If I talk about it too much there may never be a 3rd child.

Surprisingly, the surgery wasn't so bad. It was over very quickly. It was the strangest thing to see this miniature person that really was living in my body for 9 full months. I was a little sad that I would no longer get to feel him kicking me or see his little bottom sticking out on one side of my stomach. All that was quickly replaced by this overwhelming feeling of awe at the miracle that life is. And, then followed by (I'll admit it) the fear of being responsible for another person 24 hours a day for the next 18 years!

I can't imagine my life without him now. I am amazed at the things he says and does and the thoughts he has. I am occasionally angry with him. I am often moved to tears by his kindness. And, like most mothers, find him to be the most brilliant and beautiful 3 year old in the world. I thank God for him and his little brother and thank my grandmother who got to share one birthday with E while she was still here with us. Happy Birthday, Grandma and happy birthday to my wonderful, big boy!

The Next Monet

2008-10-10T12:53:00.000-07:00

My oldest definitely takes after his momma. He loves to draw, paint, glue............um, this isn't sounding quite as good now that I think about it. My little man decided that he would "decorate" his wall with a pen he found, then later, his closet door with a sharpie. The last straw was when he found my ONLY tube of waterproof mascara and "colored" his hardwood floors and himself with it. Well, after all my disciplining efforts that seemed to make no difference, I decided to follow the old saying "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em." We painted pumpkins together to allow his creativity to be channeled into something that required less clean up and more aesthetic quality.

2008-10-06T13:56:00.000-07:00

I've finally begun painting the playroom, after days of making paint color decisions, taking down the bedroom suit, and buying the things I needed. And, yes, there was a little procrastinating! While, I LOVE the idea of changing things and am usually excited to get started, I get bored about 3/4 of the way through and am ready to be done. So, today I got two walls done, only two more to go, plus painting a chalkboard, moving all our toys up, and decorating it. You know, I could really get a lot more done if I just didn't need to sleep at night. Anyway, I figured if I posted pics, it would drive me to finish it quicker. So, here's my first two walls!

This one's for Kate

2008-10-04T17:45:00.000-07:00

I fully support your recent blog. Wear that blue proudly. Nothing says more about one's character than supporting your team no matter what the "weather" (fair-weather fans are a pet peeve of mine!) Here are my cookies that I decided definitely taste better in blue!

Dear Abby...............

2008-09-28T18:14:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'm sure many of you are wondering what in the world this is a picture of. Instead of what it is, let me tell you what it was. It was a wonderfully, shiny countertop (notice the reflections you can still see in it) that I had worked so hard to clean and shine that is now covered in cookie crumbs.

I tried to clean my house today, but to no avail. I just can't seem to get it. I've had kids for almost 3 years now and still haven't figured it out. Am I just plain dumb? Lazy? Maybe, I just don't have the necessary tools? The situation that led to this disasterous looking countertop went as follows:

I lit a candle, loaded dishwasher, took clothes out of dryer and into bedroom, put washer load into dryer, cleaned countertops with Lysol wipes, dried with towel (can't let the wipes dry or it leaves spots,) shined with Pledge and wiped dry b/c Pleadge will leave funny spots if all the moisture isn't wiped in or off. Then I vacummed the floors where all the little crumbs from earlier were left under stools. Everything was looking great. When I came in to make dinner, I cleaned up as I went along (which is usually difficult for me to do as I usually have tons of things cooking at once.) Everyone had eaten, except my little one b/c he had napped late. So, I got his together and had to feed him b/c he was still so sleepy. Rember the movie "Christmas Story" where the mom has to feed the younger brother b/c he won't eat and she makes these crazy pig noises? That's what I feel like. I have to bribe him to eat. Well, while all this is going on, my other little angel comes in and wants a cookie. Well, like the little perfect mom that I want to be, I get him one of my freshly baked chocolate chip, m&m, pecan cookies. And I wonder why I don't lose weight! As I finish up feeding the little one, I turn to see the HUGE mess of crumbs on the counter. I'm not sure that he even ate any of the cookie!

Well, you can imagine my frustration. Does anyone else experience this? Any realistic tips? We've tried the whole mat thing under his food. He just smears it all over the counter anyway and then I've got to clean the counter and wash the mat.

To my new friend........

2008-09-17T20:52:00.001-07:00

Okay, most of my blogs consist of short explanations of pictures b/c by the time I can blog at night, I'm exhausted-not many brain cells left to use. BUT, today I have something to say. A new friend has been blogging about her adoption process and she has several links to other families who have also adopted children from Ethiopia. Watching these video clips of these families has been so inspirational and heart-breaking at the same time. I look at my own children and it absolutely breaks my heart to think that just a flip of circumstances, it could have been MY babies who didn't have enough to eat. It could have been me that had to give up a child that I loved, but couldn't afford. I have feelings of guilt for all that we have and the luxuries we take for granted. While the top ten poorest countries in the world are all in Africa (except one,) there are starving, homeless children everywhere. How do we save the innocent of the world? My support and admiration goes out to all of those who are taking on this challenge. May God bless you.

The local zoo!

2008-09-10T11:45:00.000-07:00

It was so nice this weekend that we made a trip to the zoo. The boys love going and it makes everyone nice and sleepy that night. Is that baby Bono on the bottom?

Guess what's for dinner?

2008-08-26T16:24:00.001-07:00

Show-off

2008-08-25T17:23:00.001-07:00

Okay, so I had to show this off because I did think it turned out really cute. I really enjoy painting things, eventhough I'm not nearly as good as I'd like to be. I've been painting different things for a few people here and there and thought this Dino turned out better than I expected. Give me fairies or girly things and I'm fine, but I'm not really experienced at "boy" stuff. But, I am learning ALL about boys these days.

Back-up career

2008-08-25T17:14:00.000-07:00

Okay, so if my big boy doesn't make it into MIT, I think there's always a back-up career as a baseball player. I was astonished (and Dad was delighted) that he was able to actually hit the ball as Dad pitched it. Obviously, he doesn't have my athletic inability.

New Addition

2008-08-17T12:19:00.000-07:00

Announcing the new addition to our household ---Nemo! I know it's SUCH an original name, but I'm sure you can guess who named him. Anyway, I've decided this is a great pet. So low maintenance ---feed once a day, very cheaply I might add, and that's about it. We tried to give Nemo a friend snail, but somehow the shell was left and I couldn't find the snail. Maybe Nemo likes escargot!

2008-08-08T15:05:00.000-07:00

Okay, by request, here is the goofy cake I made. My sister ordered a western themed cake for her dad's birthday. When she picked it up, she wasn't pleased with the way it looked, so I offered to try. This was the best I came up with! I don't think they'll be letting me join the crew at Charm City anytime soon, but it was still fun to try!