Penny Filled Thoughts

Well over a month

2012-01-31T19:03:00.000-06:00

My darling baby is now 5 weeks and three days old. Oh my, how time flies. The days have been glorious. Tough learning how to deal with a three year old while soaking in my new babe. Finding the opportunities to clean, spend time with each kid, finding time for myself, time for the hubby, when to run errands. It's all a whole new territory.
Today the three of us ran to T@rget and I almost forgot my wallet at the check out because of V crying and A dilly-dallying around! Life with two is NUTS! But I wouldn't change a thing.

Tomorrow the four of us are going to check out a pre-k for Miss A. She has been begging me to start school. I didn't want to start her in January right after V coming along because I didn't want A to think we were tossing her out for the new babe. But she still begs me.
It seems like a nice school. A friend's kid attends and a lady from church works there. So we'll see what we think of it when we look into it in the morning.

As for tv, I'm into a few new shows that I've just got to mention. Bryan and I are watching Once Upon A Time and we love it. It's about Fairy Tale characters being placed under a spell taking them from their world to ours. So far so good. I'm really bad about watching things on Netflix so I have a hard time waiting to watch the next episode a week later! But I'll just have to wait.. *sigh*
Another is Glee. I know. Don't hate me. Someone mentioned it on FB and I thought I'd see what all the hubbub was about. I love the singing! Such beautiful voices. However, the plot is sorta dumb but funny and lame but intriging all at the same time. I watched both season 1 and 2 in like 4 or 5 days and now have to wait for season 3 to start over or come to Netflix. I wanna know what happens! Ok, shoot me now.
Grimm. It's intriging and entertaining. Bryan and I really dig it.
And the last is Downton Abbey. EVERYone seems to be talking about it and I've only heard good things. I started watching a couple episodes but I wasn't sure I liked it or not. So a lovely friend of mine and I were talking about it the other day and she urged me to keep going with it. So I did and now I'm addicted. I watched the first season on Netflix and went to watch another episode only to find that was the end of the season and I have to start season 2! Only problem is they already started season 2 on TV so I have to wait. But OH! Lovely friend found that it's on the computer at PBS.org!! Lovely friend rocks. So I'll have to pry the computer away from my hubby as soon as he returns home from Worship practice.

And last Saturday my bf Emily threw a Sip&See for V and me. It was so lovely. People could just come and love on V, I could chat with grown-ups, and we could all sit around and sip hot cocoa (or tea) and munch on the goodies that Em made. It was fabulous. And other than having to nurse poor V about 5 or 7 times I think I enjoyed it more than a baby shower! Ok, maybe not. They're both awesome in their own right. But it sure was fun.

Tomorrow is a dear friend of Bryan and mine's birthday. She'll be 82!! She is a good friend of ours because she is the first person who really welcomed us at our church when we first came. We've been friends with her for over 5 years! My how time flies.
Wait... didn't I already say that?

The Long(er) Version - part III

2012-01-19T16:49:00.000-06:00

My doctor came in to check on me for the second time. She checked my dialation (I got up to 5.5 cm dilated all on my own before the epidural, yay!) and then asked if I wanted her to pop my bag of waters. I asked her if it was necessary and since she said no so did I. I figured it would pop when it was good and ready.
After she left I curled up with my really cozy blanket that I brought from home, got some chapstick on my lips, and shivered while I rested. After a while I thought maybe I had wet myself since I couldn't really feel anything. My nurse checked me and lo and behold, my bag of waters broke. Woot!
The nurse asked if I was starting to feel any pressure. I told her that I thought so. When I had A I couldn't feel anything let alone the need to push because the epidural was just that strong but I could definitely feel pressure with Miss V. She didn't want to check me since my bag of waters had broken so she wouldn't cause an infection. She decided to call in the doctor and wait for her to check me.
Once the doctor came back she checked me and sure enough I was at a ten. By this time it was about three in the morning and it was time to push.
Both my Dr. and my nurse asked again if I was feeling pressure and I was pretty sure that I was. And so I pushed. I pushed with all that I had. With A I didn't know if I was pushing right or not. I couldn't feel it at all and so I couldn't tell but this time I was either going to have a baby or a bowel movement.
As with A, V's heart rate kept dropping but this time I wasn't so numb that I couldn't move at all so they asked me to switch to my side to try to get her heart rate back up. It worked so I went back onto my back to push some more. After pushing her heart rate dropped again. So I went to my other side then back to the right side. Her heart rate went back up so again I went back to my back to push.
This time after pushing when her heart rate went down they had me get on my hands and knees to try to rotate her in case she was on the placenta (I think). That was a task with very numb and heavy legs but I did it. Her heart rate went back up so I went back to my back to push again.
At some point they had removed the monitors they were using and had changed it out for the one that they put into the baby's head. I wasn't very happy about this when I learned about it later on but what can you do? I thought the beeping sound of her heartbeat was from a different machine since I hadn't heard it before but I really didn't think anything about it at the time.
So, I pushed and I could tell my doctor was going to do everything she could so that I could have this baby naturally before a c-section was even an option. She didn't talk much but what little she did say was very calm and straight forward.
For whatever reason, I wasn't pushing her out on my own. The doctor informed me that she needed to do an episiotomy. I asked if she was going to do a pressure episiotomy which, at the time, I didn't think anything of it. All my reading about a natural birth must have stuck because it's best to get a pressure epi... if you don't already have an epidural. So, now I laugh at myself for having asked that question. My doctor must have thought I was a goob for asking such a question but she was good enough to not make me feel stupid for it.
With the epi only helping and not fully doing the trick the doctor informed me that she would need to suction my baby. Thankfully she only had to do it once because with that second to last push her head was out. One final push and my sweet baby was here.
And she was beautiful. The doctor held her up so I could see her right quick before the nurse took her to suction her. It felt like eternity for them to let me hold her. I remember thinking, "She doesn't need to be cleaned up, I just want my baby!"
But while they did that, one of my favorite moments was Bryan coming up to me, with tears in his eyes, telling me that I did it. I did it.
Soon my baby was in my arms and I just cuddled her, loved on her, kissed her sweet mucusy covered head. I was in love for the third time.

It wasn't the dream labor and birth that I had wished for. It didn't go perfectly planned having to need an epidural, the monitors, an episiotomy, and for them to suction her head to get her out. I didn't get to watch in a mirror or sit up to be able to see her come out. I didn't get to hold her right away since she had a bowel movement in the womb. I didn't get to latch her to get the placenta out.
But..
I also didn't have to have a c-section. I didn't have to be knocked out for them to stitch me up while they completely cleaned her up before getting to see her.
I did get to see her after my doctor held her up. I did get to hold her pretty close to right away. I did get to cuddle her while my doctor fixed me up. I did get to be awake and concious the entire time. And I did get the pleasure of being the one to announce her name.

Violet Grace
7 pounds 3 ounces
December 24, 2011
3:47 am

The Long(er) Version - part II

2012-01-11T14:45:00.002-06:00

The birthing center is only 3 minutes from our house which was good because I was so cold and shivering so hard through the contractions. And once we got there Bryan had to have the nurse up front ring us in because it was after 10 so I had to wait. Then when I got out of the car I had another contraction and just had to stop and breath through it. Thankfully the nurse noticed and got me a wheel chair.
They got us inside and into the back room to check to make sure I was in real labor. This is not the process that I'm fond of. Checking for dialation is thee worst part. I don't remember it ever hurting so much. I cried through the whole process, sobbed is more like it. The poor nurses felt bad for me too.
We were admitted and headed back to our room. Since I had previously had a c-section the nurse told me that I had to have an IV and I had to be monitored but she said that since she's the nice nurse she was going to give me the wireless monitors so I could still walk around and soak in the tub with the jets if I wanted.
I figured I'd wait to soak in the tub and opted to walk around with Bryan. He was being such a support that I really just wanted him to be near me. I remember that every time I would have a contraction I would just hang on him. He asked me to put my arms around his neck but I just couldn't do it. I had to let them hang down over his arms as he held me up.
It was almost midnight by this point and the contractions were becoming very intense. I could still tolerate them to where I had a break in between them and could talk and walk. But that wasn't going to last much longer.
The monitors kept slipping every time I had a contraction because my round belly was all baby and there was nothing for the monitors to hold onto when it went from round to squarish so I had to head back into my room. It wasn't a big deal since I could still walk around and now I had a tray to lean on while Bryan rubbed my back during the contractions.
By this point they hurt. Like nothing else I've ever felt before. I was nearly crying through the contractions because I just couldn't get past the pain. And I honestly think that the pain is different for everyone. God bless those that can get through labor without any medications because that was not me.
At this point my very kind nurse, Ashely, asked if I wanted to try a medication through the IV. She said it may not last for very long and would only take the edge off. The most it was suppose to last for was an hour but she hadn't ever seen it last that long. I agreed to it because I didn't necessarily want the epidural so if this took the edge off then I was willing to try it.
She gave me the medicine and it took the edge off of two contractions. Two! And by the third I was starting to feel the intense pain again. By this time the anasthesiologist came by to let me know that he had to be in the building on call since I had the c-section before. I remember him telling me that hopefully I wouldn't have to see him again after he made his introductions.
My eyes were closed to help me focus on the contractions while he was talking. And I remember that after he had finished talking another contraction came on and it was so bad, so intense, and so very painful that I told Bryan to tell him to come back! Well, turned out he hadn't even left the room. He was still filling out paperwork to the right of me! (haha)
I remember asking about the epidural. I asked my nurse if it was possible for it to be turned down once it was time to push so that I could feel what I was doing and also if I would be able to sit up more once I would be pushing instead of laying flat on my back. Yes, on both accounts. She said each anesthesiologist was different and gave the epidurals differently. Some were a lot stronger than others but this guy was good.
He got to work pretty quickly and as I was getting my epidural put in I remember thanking God that the pain was almost over. I just couldn't bear it any longer.
He was good and fast to get it all over and done with and I was thankful. Because, believe you me, I would have been one of those screaming mothers in labor because of the pain if I hadn't been able to get it.
Oh my word contractions hurt.

The Long(er) Version - part I

2012-01-09T14:06:00.007-06:00

*Disclaimer - This is a birthing story so there are going to be some gory details. In truth, this is really more for me and my baby, than for anyone else, to remember her beautiful birth. Proceed with caution (and don't say I didn't warn you) ...

Thursday the 22nd I had the horrible doctor's appointment. After having said something on facebook a few people had commented that sometimes doctors will be rough with the patients to try to induce labor. Seems about right to me.
Thursday night I had contractions sporadically throughout the night. They were like Braxton Hicks but with a kick, so to speak. But they pretty much died off by the time I woke up.
Friday morning I was having a few again but they were so all over the place and not consistant in any way I figured this would be a test run. I let my mom know what was going on but not to worry about it since I didn't think anything would come of it. By two I told her they were a little more consistant and that if they continued that way I would let her know by four.
My baby sister, Courtney, was also on her way up. She's in Missouri right now and wanted to come up to visit us whether we were going to have this baby soon or not. Unbeknownst to her that I was in labor. I didn't want to say anything to her until I knew it was real. No need to get her all excited if the contractions were just going to die off.
Once four o'clock hit I figured this was more than likely going to head towards real labor than not. Contractions were actually becoming consistant although still about 8 minutes apart and they were getting a little more intense. Called mom and told her to go ahead and head our way. And at this point Court showed up. With ice cream. She's a good sister :) I told her I was having contractions and she was extatic. She picked a good weekend to visit.
I continued counting contractions and eventually let myself take a shower. I didn't want to do it too soon but wanted to wait until labor was underway. By eight my mom showed up and we were all laughing and chatting in between contractions. Our three year old was a little concerned each time a contraction hit but Aunt Coco and Gramma were good to keep her entertained.
By nine, Bryan put A to bed which ended up taking a while. I was finally ready to go but now had to wait until the kiddo was asleep. I at least wanted us to be there to put her to bed so she'd sleep well instead of worrying where momma and daddy were.
Near ten we were finally heading out the door and on our way to the hospital.
I had made it farther this time that I did with A before heading to the hospital. This time I had to stop for each contraction so I could concentrate but also because it hurt so much that I couldn't really move when it hit. Mom helped me get around the car while Bryan moved hers and got ours started. I remember asking her if they got worse than this, and she gave me the truthful version - Yes.

Sweet Baby Coos

2011-12-24T17:01:00.001-06:00

I am currently in the hospital looking upon the sweet face of my second baby.
I'm in love.
She looks just like her older sister when she was born so I know she'll be just as beautiful. But most importantly is that she's here, her and I are both safe, and we are both bonding and falling more and more in love.
Baby V was born at 3:47 this am on Christmas Eve. After I struggled with the really bad make you wanna cry and scream contractions for a couple hours, after already dealing with contractions since the night before, I got an epidural while 5 cm dilated.
Thank the good Lord I did.
I was able to rest and relax letting my body become complete within only a couple hours. I was ready to push by about 3am. As with A, baby V's heartrate kept dropping, but after a I pushed with a contraction she had me move from side to side to get her heartrate back up.
By the time I hit my final push, the Doc had to do an episiotomy on myself and use the suction once on baby V. But I pushed with all I had and out came her head, then her body. It was almost surreal.
She had a BM in the womb so they had to take her right away to the warming table but I got her pretty quickly, getting to hold her skin-to-skin while the Doc stitched and cleaned me up.
7 lbs 3 oz and 20 inches long. Light brown hair and dark dark blue eyes.

I can see why more women are having home births

2011-12-22T14:19:00.002-06:00

I had my 40 week check-up today and since my doctor is on Christmas vacation I had to see another dr. A female dr. Don't get me wrong, I have a female family doctor that I see regularly who I actually really like and have been seeing for 8 years.
But my ob is a male doctor (Dr. B). I saw him when I was pregnant with A, continue to see him as my yearly ob, and see him now for this babe. He even delivered A so you can see why I prefer him over seeing another ob.
When I was 40 weeks with A, Dr. B was on call at the birthing center so I had to see someone else. I saw a female dr. She was rough, uncompassionate, and it kinda felt like she could care less especially when I told her that I just wasn't feeling right that day. It turned out I was actually in early labor but she dismissed it since I wasn't dilated past 1 centimeter. I cried and cried after my appointment with her.
Today was basically the same thing. Dr. B is out for Christmas so I had to see another female dr. I knew I wouldn't be dilated any more than 1 cm so I didn't plan on having her check me. I didn't need the stress or the pressure, let alone risking infection or something else for no reason.
So when the nurse gave me the thinned cotton sheet to cover myself I asked her if it was really necessary. I informed her that I knew I won't dilate until I go into labor so there was really no point. She said that since I'm 40 weeks that it's routine.
Fine.
The dr. comes in, measures me and checks the babes heartbeat,meverything looks good. She confirms that I had a c-section before and am hoping for a vbac this time around, I told her yes. She then checks me to see if I'm dilated. It hurts. Like a son of a gun, mother of pearl, piece of firecracker. (And it seems like only the women hurt like this. I think she was trying to count my baby's toes!)
And, guess what. I'm not passed 1cm.
...
She then proceeds to tell me that they "generally don't like the moms to go pass 41 weeks" and Dr. B will probably talk to me about "a repeat c-section at next week's appointment but if things are looking good he may let me go another week with a series of stress tests that they'd like to perform blah blah blah..."
What the heck? Whatever happened to letting moms go 42 weeks before becoming concerned? Why the series of stress tests if me and my baby are looking good and fine? Why the casual talk of a repeat c-section especially if it's not necessary but for the fact that I may not go into labor when you want me to??
I don't need this stress and I don't need the pressure. I just want to carry my baby until God decides its time for her to come out. So unless I'm going to die or my baby is going to die I don't want to discuss a repeat c-section. I want to have my baby naturally and in our own time and I don't want to be forced to do something I don't want to do.

*steps off soapbox*

A new stage of life coming right up

2011-12-09T20:36:00.001-06:00

Less than two weeks until my due date. Really? That's all? I mean, I realize that number isn't set and this babe could come earlier or cook for a while longer, it's just that it's crazy to think that I have tentatively two weeks left. Craziness.
I honestly think that I've kinda hurried this pregnancy along. Anxious for one milestone, then another, then another. And I've been so busy with A that I haven't just sat and focused on the reality that a new babe is really coming to join our family.
Life as we know it is nearing an end and a wonderful new chapter will be soon beginning. So scary. But I remember feeling this way before A arrived. Something new, different and exciting was gonna happen to our life as a couple and that was scary. Now we have a flow with the three of us and it's about to change.
Also, the reality of the birth is setting in. After an emergency c-section with A, I knew I really wanted a vbac if at all possible. It's hard to not feel disappointed in yourself for a c-section even if you did all you knew to do to get it right.
I don't know why I have the strong desire to have a vaginal birth other than that it's in my genetic makeup. But now that it's drawing near I'm becoming nervous. Nervous for all the what if's: uterine rupture and possibly dying or my baby dying, needing a repeat c-section and all the recovery that goes along with it, not being strong enough to do a vbac at all.
So insert September- Worrier Queen of all things to worry about, big or small, silly, or even non-existent.
I know this worry is legit, albeit small, and I also know there's nothing I can do about it but trust in God and go with the flow.
So with all the chaos throughout this pregnancy of life in general with a 3 year old, I took the time to stop and talk with the Babe last night. I won't say all that I discussed with her but I did tell her that I love her and that I'm ready and excited for her whenever she (and ultimately God) decides to come and greet us.
I'm sure it'll be a different but very good transition from a family of three to a family of four... Plus it'll be nice to finally reveal her name!

My gramma is cooler than your grandma.

2011-12-03T16:33:00.001-06:00

Welp, I failed at the November blogging but I was out of town all of thanksgiving weekend and then my gramma was here to deep clean my house. And oh my word does it look amazing!! It seriously hasn't been this clean in 5 months ever since I started becoming more and more tired from being pregnant. Did you know that a pregnant woman does the same work as a mountain climber? At least that's what I heard but I sure wouldn't doubt it.
But anyway, my gramma (who's awesome aside from cleaning my whole house) offered to come up here to help get ready for the new Babe. She L O V E S to clean and clean she did. So when we left for home after thanksgiving we brought my gramma home with us. And in five days my house was as spotless as though no one lived here! It seriously would have taken me 2 weeks to get it as clean as she did.
We also decided to rearrange the house (again) for the girls. Since we had moved A upstairs a few months ago it just hadn't worked out and she was back downstairs in her old nursery turned office. The room is tiny enough but add two desks and a toddlers bed and it's cramped!
Well, gramma made it happen. Aside from a few too heavy boxes and my desk, her room is back to a bedroom and is almost set for both girls. A's at least set up and we'll soon have the new Babe set up but we won't have to worry about it for a while.
And since she made the bedroom happen that also means she made the upstairs back into a work space/play area/hang out room. She deep cleaned every room except our bedroom (didn't have time for that one), having swept, mopped, shined, scrubbed, wiped, vacuumed, and dusted. I think we're ready!
I had been telling Bryan that I really needed two of me. Well, she was it! She's that energetic, selfless, second set of hands that I desperately needed. so, even though I know she won't See this:
Thank you Gramma!! You are such a blessing to me and my little family!!

Someday I hope to be closer to all of them. I miss them so I think that would just be glorious.

Oh, and this is how cute and in love my grandparents are.. When we met my grampa half way, he was outside of the car (in the rain) anxiously awaiting her. He had a huge grin on his face and flowers in the car. Hehe. He even called 2-3 times a day while she was here just to say hi! Oh my word. Too sweet.

A much needed break

2011-11-19T16:43:00.003-06:00

With my hormones all over the place, my sweet three year old can be much at times. Sometimes she's a little booger (just like any other three year old) but other times she really doesn't mean anything and I still stress out. It can be all the little Why? questions or wanting me to play with her all day long. Little things that she means nothing by but I still get stressed.
Why?
Because I'm a reproducing bag of raging hormones.
Before I got pregnant with Babe #2 I could keep the house clean, get my errands done, make supper, juggle 14 balls and ride a unicycle, all while getting to play with A and get my time in just to spend with her. Now, I can barely pick things up off the floor without getting tired.
And sometimes I swear there is three of her. I mean really, how can my tiny little girl make such a mess in such a massive amount of time?? There's gotta be three.
And where there really are three kiddos running around I'll be reminiscing of the days when there was only one to pick up after. Ha! Isn't that the way it always is?
Well, last week A and I hung out with my bro-in-law's wife, Alyssa. A just loves her and wanted to go home with her for the night. Alyssa said that this week she would be happy to take A for a night.
Whoop!
So last night Brent and Alyssa came and got her for the evening. I'm sure she had a grand ol' time even though I haven't checked. (Oops.) Then this morning they dropped her off at Bryan's parents for the day. We have a youth event to attend tonight and needed someone to watch her so we figured: What's better than a grandparent to take her for the evening? A grandparent to take her for the entire day!
Bryan and I slept in this morning (without being woken up by a 3 year old at 5 in the morning), went out to eat for a late breakfast (without a 3 year old dancing around the table instead of eating her pancakes), then I took a nap and he played the wii (no barbies involved).
Re. Lax. Ing.
I do love these little things that she does and I'll be happy to have her back but it's nice to have a day that we're just US so we can appreciate being US with a sweet little 3 year old.

...That is until she says something sassy. But it's all made up for with her sweet hugs and kisses. And when she does the Robot.

What to blog.. what to blog...

2011-11-15T21:47:00.003-06:00

I can't believe how ready for this baby I am at only (and just about) 35 weeks. I know once I hit 36 weeks I will be ready at any point to have this baby but until then I'm just anxiously awaiting that week.
However, with that being said, I know that I could very well go into the new year still pregnant. I'm okay with that too, even if I am cranky and uncomfortable. I want to go into labor naturally as I did with A so I will wait for this baby to be ready. Whenever that may be.

On another note...

May I just say that the 3's are the hardest age yet? Because they sure are. We have found that A is at that age where she wants to do everything for herself even if she can't, or struggles with it, or gets frustrated because she's having trouble accomplishing it. It's hard to just back off because we know we can just do it faster. But then it's not even that we want to do it faster, it's the attitude she'll give us for asking if she needs help because she's already frustrated.
The attitude, oh the attitude!
She gets it honest, that's for sure, from the both of us even!, but the attitude is sometimes by far too much. Every now and again all we can do is laugh because it's cute or funny. But that's only when we know she's not giving us the attitude and is just doing it to be cute. But that one's rare.
Anyway, it's hard but I can see why God made it so we love them so much because it keeps us keepin' on.

Well, I can't even think tonight. We have an overtired girl who won't give in and go to sleep, a worn out and sore daddy from sleeping in a tent with our kiddo last night, and a pregnant momma who's hormones are raging. I think it's best we all just call it a night.

Catch up from yesterday

2011-11-14T22:44:00.000-06:00

Yeah, so I'm not doing so well at keeping up with this everyday but I'm trying and I've certainly blogged more than I have in a long while. Probably last November!

Well anyway. Yesterday was a good day albeit busy. The Pastor and his wife have started a couples Bible study at church and Bryan and I are trying to attend it. Yesterday was the second Sunday of the study. We really like it so far but now I just have to pin my husband down to do the homework. (P.S. thank you Kathy for doing the nursery while that goes on!)
Then last night, we had a leadership meeting. Elected and non, so Bryan and I went. He for the music ministry and myself for the nursery. Since getting pregnant back in March, I really haven't don't anything with the nursery since I (with the help of JoAnna {thank you again}) finished the nursing mother's room. But I did get to talk about any plans I have for the nursery in the future. Plans that will have to wait until Spring but I'm sure it's all in God's good timing.

Today, A and I were suppose to go to the play group that meets every Monday but A decided she didn't want to go AFTER I skipped a (needed) shower and got dressed so I could get us out the door. The booger. And of course she told me around 3 in the afternoon that she wanted to go. Too late, little sweetheart.
I got a little cleaning done but wore myself out quite quickly so was done cleaning for the rest of the day by 11. Awesome. But I did manage to make lasagna soup for supper. Bryan loved it. I thought it wasn't too bad.
I also felt that A has been watching entirely too much tv lately so I said that today was a no tv day. It worked fairly well but by 4, when I started to make supper, she was making me nuts. She wasn't being naughty by any means, it was the Why? questions and the Look At Me's and the let-me-be-all-up-in-your-face-with-no-space neediness. I don't mind it when it's not all day but when it is, even during my nap, then I do mind and just need some quiet time. So I put on Beauty and the Beast.
Thank you Belle for entertaining my kiddo long enough for me to make this soup!
So to end the night, I escaped to the movies for some much needed adult quiet time and watched The Help with Miss Jolene. It was a very good movie and had you rooting for those sweet ladies! I really enjoyed it. So go see it if you haven't. Or rent it when it comes out to DVD. But one way or another it needs to be on your Need To Watch list.

You is kind.
You is smart.
You is important.

Our day o'fun

2011-11-12T16:07:00.001-06:00

It's a good thing that I've already failed once at blogging through out November because last night we lost our internet connection and there was no blogging for me. As it turned out, a lot of people had lost their connection so it wasn't just us, but still, it was a bummer.

So anyway, today I took my best friend's eldest daughter M out for her birthday. I am 11 days late with her gift but it was the first day I could do it. However, I don't think she minded once I picked her up to get started on her birthday day o'fun.
Since this sweet girl is a fun mix of races, she has the beautiful, thick, curly, blackish brownish hair. It's beautiful curly and it's beautiful straight. But I figured that since she does like to do it straight now and again I would take her to a salon to have them do it for her.
Seeing as she's only 11, she's just starting on doing her hair and it's not easy for her to straighten her hair to perfection. I'm sure I wouldn't be able to either. Heck, I have a hard time not missing pieces on my fine wavy hair. M at least has an excuse at the thickness and tight curls.
First we went out to eat. I let her choose the place but I was afraid we'd be eating appetizers at one, entrees at another, and dessert at a third since she couldn't seem to decide. She finally did and Red Lobster we went. It was good but I was sad we were too full for dessert.
She brought up the feathers in girls hair so I asked if she wanted to get that done for her own. She wasn't sure since it is normally curly but I told her that I thought it would look beautiful in her hair no matter how she wore it.
So off we went to the salon.
I had the lady wash, dry, straighten, and trim M's hair. It took her an hour and a half to get it all done. At one point when the lady was 3/4 of the way done, with a smirk on my face I told M that she looked a little to grown up and suggested the lady rewash her hair and just leave it curly. M only looked at me like I was crazy then said, "uh.. no." with a smile on hers.
I asked M if she still wanted the feathers so she took a look at them. There was only two long ones, one was brown with an orange and the other was two red ones. I really liked the red ones but M wasn't convinced. The lady was nice and sent us over to the other salon knowing they'd have more of a selection.
So off we went to the other salon.
M and my favorite hairdresser was there (whoop) and she pulled out the feathers as soon as we let her know that's what we were there for. Immediately I saw a purple one and I knew that's what M would want. M obviously saw the purple one too. At the first salon she could not make up her mind but here it was "Purple, yes, please and thank you".
She loved it. Got it in her hair and she looks rockin.
Such a pretty and sweet girl. I just love her but her parents are in trouble.

A new day

2011-11-11T11:04:00.002-06:00

I did not blog yesterday. Yesterday was a hard day. And by the end of it, I just wanted to go to bed.
I woke up not feeling like being a mom for the day. That's not a good start. But it was fine all the way up to my doctor's appointment and on my way home.

The appointment went good although quick. 10 minutes total. I asked about Thanksgiving and if I was able to go four hours away. He asked if there was a hospital nearby (there is, albeit small and not where I'd want to have my kid just in case).
Then figured out I'd have my next appointment right on thanksgiving if we were to go the exact two weeks. I have to have the strep B test done so he said he'd check my dilation. If I'm only 1cm then I can go but not if I'm like 4cm. Makes sense. So we'll just have to wait and see.
I trust my doc so I'll do as he says.
P.S. I'm 34+ weeks and everything is looking good. :)

After I got done with my appointment, I called my mom to fill her in. Got home and came inside.
Drama.
My kiddo has been so dramatic lately and I can't figure out why. Where did this sassiness come from? The eye rolling, getting so frustrated when we can't understand her right away, saying "forget it". Where did she learn Forget It?? And lately, if she's talking to one parent and the other one answers she'll respond with a "I taking to mom." (if I was the one she was talking to) with sass and attitude in her voice.
She responds pretty quick if we say we're going to put her in time-out. Thank the good Lord for that. She really is a good, sweet, funny kid the majority of the time. But when she's sassy, my goodness, she's all sass.
But yesterday I was at my breaking point. Pregnant, tired, my house is a mess, and we're home more often than we should be, so I decided to take her to the mall to play for a bit. They had to close the play area for 30 minutes to clean it so I said we could stay longer so she could play longer than 20 minutes. We did, and it was fine until I said it was time to go. She gave me attitude about leaving, then about her shoes, then her coat. I was done. And stressed so I was getting lots of hot flashes and Braxton Hicks.
I had to carry her out while she was crying and throwing a fit. I stopped and had a talk with her and it seemed to work. We continued walking out of the mall when she spotted a lone mall cart. She wanted to ride in it but it was time to go. Again with the not listening. I had to spank her and carry her again.
I was so frustrated and angry that she was doing this to me so I asked her why she was being mean. She laughed and said, "'Cause I'm being mean". That broke my heart. She had never acted like that before. She continued to laugh and act like it was just a game as I told her that this wasn't funny and when we got home she'd be getting a time-out.
We got in the car and I broke down crying to Bryan on the phone. I was so angry and so hurt that she had acted the way she did. And Bryan was very upet with her now as well. We got home, she got a time-out, a talking from daddy, then her and I had a talk.
She was better the rest of the day, still a 3 year old, but nothing like she was.

Here's hoping today goes better. All I can do is keep my attitude happy and loving and then hope it rubs off on her.

Warning Gross Topic Ahead

2011-11-09T22:03:00.002-06:00

I am trying everything to get my 3 year old to poop in the potty. I don't think she likes to do it so I think she tends to hold it in, then it hurts, so she holds it in more. Vicious cycle. Then it turns into a huge battle between her and her bowels, ending in her pooping in her underwear.
Is this all too much? I'm sorry, I've just got to fill you in so if you have advice then you can be well informed.
So anyway, to try to encourage her to poop in the potty I promised her a Ken doll. She has a lot of Barbies but no Ken and after watching Toy Story she felt she needed a Ken doll as well. Can't blame her, what's a bunch of Barbies without a Ken to go with them?
She would have a small movement here and there and would do it then and again in the potty but the big ones just seemed to end up being a big mess in her undies. Even after she would mess her undies she would know what she did was wrong and would say she's sorry.
We'd have a talk about how it was gross to poo in her undies and that it was gross for momma to have to clean it out. That she was a big girl now and big girls don't poo in their big girl undies. She seemed to get it but then the next time it would happen again and we'd have another talk. It was just never ending.
So I promised her a Ken doll for pooping in the big potty and today she finally did! A big poo and we had a celebration. A mini one in the bathroom that contained whooping and hollering but a celebration nonetheless.
I took her to Target and showed her two of the only three Kens that were available. One was a surfer dude, so that was out cause her other Barbies don't have swimsuits so no need to go there. And the other two were in tuxes. One was a groom and the other one was a Charm School prep in a nice suit. She chose the Charm school. Sounds good.
Now, let's hope that she'll continue pooping in the potty. Does anyone have any advice on how to keep it up? Any advice is welcome because I'm tired of shaking poo out of teeny tiny undies.

Wordless evening

2011-11-08T22:10:00.000-06:00

I really don't have anything to say today. So I will just say that I am very thankful for my loving husband, sweet sweet girl, and the precious babe growing inside of me.

Hope you all have a wonderful evening!

Baby hiccups!!

2011-11-07T21:26:00.001-06:00

They are the funniest feeling things in utero. At first it freaked me out because I didn't know what they were. I was worried it was a slowed heartbeat or something else that was wrong so I googled it. Hiccups!
I also love feeling her squirm and stretch, kick, and move her face. Even as low as her face is, it's still so cool. As hard as being pregnant can be (especially now that I have a three year old who's rough and rowdy) it is such a wonderful experience.
However, I'm exhausted! Someone want to come over and clean my house?

Some of the things I'm feeling (not to complain but to document so I can look back on it):
.my middle to lower back aches. Sometimes starts midday but generally starts in the late evening.
.I get chest pains around bedtime that'll shoot through my back into knots that are next to my shoulder blades.
.I'm exhausted by bedtime but then can't fall asleep right away and will usually toss and turn for half an hour or so until I get up, walk around, and stretch.
.my feet fall asleep if I sit on the floor too long.
.very low pressure.

There was a Monday play group this morning. I'm trying to do more with A with other kids. But I've heard that your child will respond to new situations with people her age the same way you respond to new situations with people your own age. Today I realized it's true. Its hard going into a new situation where all the adults seem to know each other and you're the newbie.
A reacted the same way with the other kids. And it's funny how no one really talked to me until we were all packing up to leave. But they were all very nice. I think it's just that they all new each other and the whole comfort thing. It's all good. We'll go back.

I like the daylight savings change. Before we couldn't get A to go to bed until 9:30. Tonight, she was out by 8:30. Yes, please and thank you, and Good Night.

My mom's here! and Babe updates

2011-11-06T20:22:00.000-06:00

Last weekend my mom, middle sister, and grandma went three hours south to visit my baby sister, the Courtster. I was jealous because I couldn't go. By the time I got there it would have been a 6 hour car ride for me. Too long of a drive for this pregnant momma. So they went without me. Boo. But yay for them. I know they were really missing the Courtster and vis versa but I was sad that I couldn't have gone too.
So since I couldn't go and I hadn't seen my mom since the beginning of October, she so graciously came up this weekend to see me! I love her. It's hard on her to drive the four hours so I know she missed us too.
It's so nice having her around. She's fun and funny and I just love her so!
Plus, as a bonus, she's been cleaning a bit for me too! With me being so tired I just haven't had the energy. And what little energy I do have, my 3 year old has drained from me with all her playing and sassiness.
Oh! And she's been taking over the playing business while being here. So nice to have a break from Barbies and dolls. I'm not a girly girl but I do try for my kiddo that is. However, my mom is the girly girl and that's where my babe gets it from. Diamonds, pearls, lace gloves and pouffy dresses. Things that sparkle and are fancy. That's my mom and my girl.
I wonder what this next babe will be like. I feel she'll be more like the side of me that's easy going and quiet. A has a lot of qualities that are like me so I wonder if Baby will be more like Bryan. The book worm who's smart and a thinker. Yikes! To have two of those in the house... oh my. What a brain fest that'll be!
So speaking of the Babe, I am 33 weeks last Thursday. I've been told multiple times that I may not make it to December. I've also been told a couple times now that they think she's dropped. I think she has too. Not significantly but enough where I can feel she's down lower. Especially when she gets the hiccups. That was interesting.
But this Thursday I have another doctor appointment with my OB and I'll ask him what he thinks. I will also have to ask about Thanksgiving and if I'll be able to travel.
Thanksgiving day I'll be 36 weeks and that weekend is my family's Thanksgiving dinner. In the middle of nowhere. Well, there's hospitals but not very good ones. I wouldn't want to be stuck out there to deliver my Babe while trying to do a vbac. I just don't feel that's safe.
So be praying for us if you think about it. About the vbac (which I really want to do but am terrified of the risks), traveling, comfort with how much longer I'm suppose to go, missing my family. I'm getting ready for this Babe to come. Outwardly and inwardly.

Belle Notte... infused with lots of laughter

2011-11-05T22:02:00.000-05:00

Tonight we had our Sweetheart Dinner at church. Bryan and I hadn't planned on going except that we were asked to sing so we figured we should probably actually go to it as well. Uh.. duh.
It was really sweet. They had a couple that had been married for 65 years go up front and tell some ways of how they made it. It was so cute to hear the words of wisdom they had, just how sweet they are on each other.
We also had a excellent meal accompanied by a string band that played wonderfully. At one point they had us all get up and dance with our spouse. I think it was the first time Bryan and I had really danced since our wedding. Maybe not, but it's the last time I actually remember.
However, I think my favorite part of the evening was sitting next to our best friends, Keith and Emily. It's not a wonder why we all get along so well. Emily is so much so Bryan's twin and Keith and I are so much alike which is why Emily and I get along so well as do the men. We all get along swimmingly.
I love it.
I hadn't laughed so much in too long. The comments that were made, the booty shaking that ensued, oh my goodness it was too much. In fact, if there are any volunteers to babysit our kids once a week only to be paid in hugs and kisses (and maybe from the kids too) we will gladly accept applications. Or just come and get them... well, as long as we know you :)

Play Group Etiquette

2011-11-04T16:45:00.001-05:00

I'm totally lame and didn't blog yesterday. Three days into November and I blew it! I'm ashamed. Ok, not really. I mean, I'm building a baby here! And as one lady put it, I'm doing the work of a mountain climber. And boy do I feel like it. I get tired getting dressed anymore! Hehe
Last night I went to my sister-in-law-in-law's (did you follow that ;) Norwex party. I've only ever heard great things about it but hadn't yet experienced it for myself. Pretty rockin' stuff but I didn't buy anything. I do plan on it, but with Christmas coming, I have to manage our money wisely.
At the beginning of the year I had planned on putting $30 from each paycheck into our savings to have for Christmas shopping. But then our missions trip to Ecuador happened, and that drained us. After that, I just couldn't get caught back up. Things kept coming up and more money went out. However, we're not hurting, not in the slightest. God has provided each of our needs. As He will continue.
First, new glasses for Bryan, new tires for the car, then Christmas, then the baby. It's all very good and exciting, just one thing at a time.

Today we were able to go to a sensory playgroup that only happens on the first Friday of every month. Since I had learned about it we managed to be gone or busy every time. But we weren't today, so I figured we better take advantage of it. It was very busy and crazy. Lots of kids, and each one with a parent, in a fairly small room. It was fun, though and I think A enjoyed it as well.
She was out of her element and stuck closely to me. I wasn't too concerned because she did get into the activities, just not so much the kids. However, there was one little girl that was around A's age who she interacted with a bit with the blocks.
The only problem that her and I have is when other little kids try to come over and take the things she's playing with. I don't want to offend another mother by asking her child to stop or saying "no,no". But at the same time I don't want to baby my child by constantly protecting her, so I do try to stay out of it a bit and tell her what she needs to do to handle the situation. It's slowly coming along, mostly because she doesn't interact with other children on a daily basis. Gotta love all the learning she and I must do as a parent and a child.

I promise. You did not ruin Christmas.

2011-11-02T16:42:00.002-05:00

I was super excited for Christmas for the fact that I was going to get something awesome for Bryan. Don't get me wrong, this is not my whole or only reason to get excited for Christmas but if you know my husband then you know it is seriously hard to find something seriously awesome for him.
I love Christmas: celebrating Christ's birth, fun and time with family and friends, giving gifts, Christmas music, and cookies, snow, and hot cocoa under a warm blanket. Not to mention our baby #2 will be here around then. excIting! But when it comes to finding a rockin' gift for my sweet hubby who doesn't ask for much but what he does ask for costs a very pretty penny, well, it's tough.
But with my gifts he's very sweet and tries very hard to buy me something that I'll really like. It usually is not cheap and he gives it a lot of thought.
So this year, I had it. I knew what to get him. I was going to buy him a brand new flatscreen HD TV.
We've only had one TV our entire marriage. We bought it brand new right after we got married and it is now pushing 8 years old. It's had a few glitches here and there within the last 6 months. At one point we thought it was a goner but it's held on. So we've had it in our minds to get a new TV soon anyway. Here was just the perfect opportunity.
Well, a couple of weeks ago Bryan had his five year anniversary at his job (totally awesome babe!). And with his review he got a very nice gift card to one of the Geek stores (that I really appreciate but it's totally not my thing) to buy whatever he wanted. He wasn't quite sure what to get so I suggested some new things for his computer but he didn't need anything.
Then, THEN, he came excitedly to me one day saying that {this Geek store} sold flatscreen TV's. I knew that this is what he wanted and there really wasGn't anything else he would want to get. So I broke the news to him. I told him that that is what I was planning on getting him for Christmas. He said he felt like a heel but I told him not to feel that way because it was a difference of paying full price for a new TV OR paying the $80 of what the gift card wouldn't.
I'll take the TV for $80, please, Alex.
So, Bryan ordered the new TV, it showed up on Halloween, and he set it up yesterday. Our house is a disaster but it's nice (and fun!) watching television shows and movies in HD on such a wide screen. Ok, it's awesome.
However, now I'm back to square one of what to get Bryan. Any ideas of something awesome, let me know, please, because I am at a loss.

Here we go!...

2011-11-01T09:10:00.002-05:00

November is National Blog Month and as of late, I am terrible at blogging. For one, I don't have my own computer and two, I am a mom of a three year old and 8+ months pregnant with babe #2. So I am tired and find myself with no time. But I'm going to try my darndest.

Last night being Halloween we took A out with our friends to go Trunk-or-Treating at a local church. She had so much fun going from trunk to trunk that she would skip. Her and her friend C would giggle with excitement and squeal.
A made it about 2/3 the way through the trunk line before tearing into a bag of m&m's. Which isn't bad considering all the candy she was getting and we kept asking her to wait.

Did I mention what A was for Halloween? Belle from Beauty and the Beast. No one would've seen that coming at all since she has been wearing that costume nearly everyday since her birthday mid-September.

After ToT we stopped at our friends parents house. More candy in the bag and by this time A had eaten all three of her allotted pieces. There was no holding her back.
Then to our friend's bosses house. She's such a nice lady, I can see why Emily likes her so much. A wanted to go inside since we had at her parents house, especially since the Boss Lady had a dog.
We stuck around the neighborhood for a bit going door to door. At first A tried going into people's houses (I think she thought that's just what we did). Then after a few houses she had a We Are The Champion going on. She would yell "I'm coming!!" as she ran after her three friends. Then she would whoop and holler after she received her candy, holding it high above her head like she had just won Halloween. It was thee funniest thing ever. Made my entire week.
After about 10 houses we decided it was getting cold and late so we headed over to another friends house as our last stop. They had candy just for our kiddos because they're getting ready to move this week and I'm sure they didn't want to deal with a bunch of trick-or-treaters. More candy for us! Or at least our kiddos.
And before we left Miss Linda made me quote Juno because that's what I looked like. Totally not on purpose. All I was missing was a skirt to go over my jeans and a jug of Sunny D.
Once we got home A crashed. Too much excitement and sugar I suppose. And, well, she was running around like a crazed woman at a 70% off shoe sale.
I would have no idea what that's like. (ahem)

I have nearly missed October completely!

2011-10-24T22:14:00.000-05:00

My goodness, I'm failing at blogging as of late. You must give me a break seeing as how I don't have a computer of my own and the TWO that we have my husband uses for his at home job. I do use the ipad occasionally but that's not easy to write a whole blog on. So again, please forgive me. All two of you that read this :)
So I last left off with the dreaded glucose test. Turned out that they messed the test up so they asked me to go back in to redo it. My doctor even called me herself to apologize for the mess up, said they would only do the one hour (no charge), and sent me a $10 gift card to Casey's. Fair enough.
So two tuesdays ago, I went in to get the glucose liquid, wednesday morning I went back in and got my blood drawn, and then thursday I had my final baby check-up with my family doctor. It was crazy, especially since my doc is 20 minutes away in another town. It's all good. My blood test came back good.
The first time they checked my blood they did find that my hemoglobin was low so I've been trying to be really good and eat salads everyday. It doesn't always happen but I'm trying. And if I can't get a salad in then I try to drink a naked juice. I'll get the Green Machine which has what I really need in it. I'll take that over carrots ;)
As of last thursday I am 31 weeks. I can't believe I only have a little less than 9 weeks to go. Kind of insane to me. I'm excited but definitely nervous. If one kid takes so much attention, then how will I do with two?? I may as well not sleep :)
My baby appointments will now be every 2 weeks starting this thursday. First with my history appointment and then onto seeing my OB. I really like my OB. He's such a nice guy. I was even lucky enough to have him deliver A back in 2008.
I'm starting to have Braxton Hicks. I've been having hot flashes throughout the end of my second trimester and with the third. And now they've slowly turned into BH. It's exciting but nerve racking at the same time. It's getting close! Well, closer :)

Third Trimester: Comin' right up!

2011-09-22T22:22:00.000-05:00

I am 27 weeks today! Woot! I had a dr.'s appointment today and with it was my glucose test. Fun stuff right there. It just tasted like overly sweetened flat sprite. Not terrible but nothing to do a dance over either.
When I was pregnant with A, I only had to wait an hour to do blood work but this time it was 2 hours! I wanted to fall asleep in the waiting room. I was tired from fasting and the sugary drink. I just hope I pass it so I don't have to do the three hour one.
My doc checked baby out. She's doing really well. She's diagonal which doesn't surprise me with where she's kicking and hitting. Heartbeat sounded great and we're both right on track. And! I've only gained 8 pounds with this pregnancy. I'll take it :)
With the last days of the summer heat I was noticing some swelling in my hands so I took off my wedding ring and bought a simple band. I miss my ring though so maybe with the cooler weather I'll be able to put it back on.

A is potty trained! Only one accident last Tuesday because she got to playing and didn't pay attention but other than that she goes in the potty like a champ! Even when we're at a store she'll let me know and we'll run to the bathroom. She's even using the big potty on occasion instead of her training potty. Such a big girl and I'm proud of her.

Tuesday and Wednesday were extremely stressful but I was able to get a massage before youth group Wednesday night. I want to say it helped with the stress but it sure didn't. Believe it or not, I felt less stressed after having to sit in the waiting room for two hours at the doc's this morning! I think it was just being able to not have anyone need anything from me and the quiet time.

Poor A is coming off of a cold and Bryan has gained it. I'm hoping I don't get whatever it is that they have. Bryan has fishing this weekend with his dad and brother and I have an overnighter girls youth event. I don't really have time to be sick. The stuffy nose and getting kicked in the bladder is bad enough. I think pregnant women should be immuned to getting sick just because we have so much other stuff to deal with. Yes. That's how I think it should be.

Anyway, off to bed. I really need a good night's rest. We'll see if it happens.

To my Big Girl on her Third Birthday

2011-09-16T10:12:00.000-05:00

My sweet girl,
Today you are three. Three! How have the last three years gone so quickly?

Six months ago you started your terrible two's. Although we still see them now and again they have seemed to have gone. Thank the good Lord :)

You have thee greatest laugh. Even your fake laugh is funny. But what gets me is your mischievous laugh. I think you might have gotten that from me.
And you love to be tickled. Especially on your side or by your collar bone. You and daddy will get into tickle fights and the only way he'll stop is if you say the magic word: I love you Daddy!!

You also have this cute new little phrase that, although is a little naughty since you're not doing what you're told, is a little too funny. You like to respond with a "Nopey nopey nope." Ha! My girl.
And! when you sneeze I'll say Bless you and daddy will say Gesundheit but you'll say to daddy, "No. Bless you." Hehe

You're so tall! Whenever people would find out your birthday was only days away they would guess you were turning four or five. Nope, my big three year old. Your tall, thin, and have no bum. Makes for dressing you interesting.

I love the way you talk. It's not always clear but it's so cute.
You ask Why? for everything. It would drive me crazy at times but I think I've finally figured out how to answer you putting a stop to the Why? questions. Just keep answering you ridiculously until you stop.

I know you're my daughter because sometimes things are so dramatic for you. You can run hot and cold in the same breath. It's crazy. How your Gramma handled me I will never know... Oh wait, your Great Grandpa!
However-
You are such a good girl. You're sweet and polite, you use your manners and you share... most of the time. But you're getting better every day.

You are growing up into such a beautiful little girl. Not only physically with your curly hair, big gray eyes, and pouty lips (which I'm totally jealous of, btw) but inside, your heart is so lovely. You're so caring, making sure your friends have tissues, asking if people are okay if they get hurt, saying "Bless you" if someone sneezes. I love it. Please keep your heart of gold. Beauty fades, my little love, but your heart of gold is what will last forever, making and leaving impressions on people their entire lives.

The other day you were playing with one of your friends, Isaac. As you were playing I noticed that you would evoke the Damsel in Distress by reaching out your hand and saying "Help, help" and Isaac would quickly come to your rescue. Even though you were just sitting on the third step up in the church or on the stairs at the playground and were clearly in no danger or harms way.
Right now your best friend is usually Jamie. He's four years older than you but he'll gladly play with you since he's known you all your life. He's such a good boy. A couple of weeks ago I asked you what you wanted to be for Halloween. You said you wanted to be a princess and Jamie a King. When I asked if that's what you said you responded with a "Yes, because I love him." And you sure do! You get so excited whenever you know he may be around.
You also really enjoy Emily. She always has to come out of her shell every time you see her but she usually and eventually warms up to you and you have a good time. You sure don't give up on her.

Your favorite new toy is Barbie. I tried to put it off as long as possible but there was no keeping you away from it (thank you Gramma Jager). So, for your birthday your daddy and I got you the pink Barbie car and a Pet Vet Barbie. There are so many new ones out there that are too scandalous with the way they're dressed. I don't want you to grow up thinking you have to wear clothes like Barbie to be beautiful. It's such a misinterpretation of beauty and I don't want you to have that thinking. So, when I went out to buy you a Barbie, I searched for one that was still beautiful but was also smart looking and had some decent clothes on. The only other Barbies you had before this one was Disney Barbies- Belle and Snow White. Both with their lovely flowy dresses from the movies. Grandma and Grandpa Forbes added to your collection and got you Cinderella. You love that doll especially since she's a birthday addition and sings Happy Birthday to you when you press the bow on her chest. However, Belle is still your favorite of all time. (She was mine too ;)
Your favorite color is purple then pink. You'll choose purple whatever over almost anything else. For your party I took you to the store to buy a princess dress. I held up a Belle dress and a purple Tangled dress. You almost chose Tangled until you realized I held Belle's dress in the other hand.
Your favorite breakfast is cereal. Doesn't matter what kind. Just cereal. You can thank me for that. It's mine too.
At night you still like your dinosaur books. I think they're so familiar to you that nothing else seems to quite match. However, I will sneak in the book You Are Special by Max Lucado. Such a sweet book and I want you to know that you are loved just the way you are by not only me and your daddy but your Creator who made you just as He wanted you.

You're doing pretty good with the idea of a new baby on the way. You don't seem to quite get it as by you jumping on me or playing too rough but every now and again you'll touch my belly and say "Oh! She kicked me!" even when she didn't. But every time I do try to get you to feel her kicking, you won't. Cause you're a turkey. We still can't come up with a name but you tell us we should call her "Princess." Remember that for when you two are fighting in the years to come.

Last Saturday, Daddy wanted to take you out to buy big girl panties to help you with potty training. After seeing your friend Darci that Thursday just potty trained, Daddy thought you needed to be too. So out you two went to Target and bought a pack of Dora panties and a pack of Princess Panties. We waited until Monday to start since Sunday was so busy but it seemed to be the perfect day. I didn't think you were gonna do it and threatened to put you back into diapers to try the panties at a later time but once I did that you were off to the bathroom to sit on the potty. Lo and behold, you peed. I whooped and hollered and yelled and hugged. You had the biggest smile on your face. I tell ya, I was (and am) so proud of you. You did it again before nap time, earning your second star and m&m but after nap time it went kinda down hill. I think I got you to go in the potty one more time before bed but we went ahead and put you in a diaper for the night.
You woke up dry the next morning and had a few accidents. in your panties but you quickly figured it out by the afternoon and you were going on the potty like a champ. The only stopper to it all was when you had a #2. You refused the potty and instead went in your underwear. Daddy cleaned you up and had a talk with you about it so that later that night when you had to #2 again. I saw you on the potty with that look of concentration so I left you alone. When you were done I heard the big potty shut and flush so I went in to check on you. You had dumped your potty and took care of it all yourself. I was so stinkin' proud!! You got another star and, this time, TWO m&ms!
On Wednesday you were going on your own. Running to the bathroom when you needed to. Only once, right before bed, did you pee a little in your undies but you finished in the potty! And since you had earned 5 star stickers for going pee I was going to take you to the store to buy a new Barbie dress. However, you managed to earn another 5 bef ore we went so you got TWO Barbie dresses. Only 4 more stickers on the poop side and you get a new Barbie.
So I think I can officially say that a day before your third birthday you were potty trained. I couldn't be more proud of you!

My sweet girl, I love you so much. I think you are truly awesome, funny, clever, smart, beautiful inside and out. I love you cute... even when you make me smell your stinky feet and won't take a bath when I ask you to. Because you're still awesome.
Love,
Your momma

Last day of being 26

2011-09-04T22:49:00.001-05:00

Tomorrow morning, at 6 am, I will be 27. Oh my. Where are my twenties going?? And how does time go so much faster each year? The older you get, the years must feel like weeks.
My mom is here for the weekend along with my middle sister to celebrate my birthday. Having them here for the Labor Day weekend has been enjoyable. And an extra day is especially nice. Lounging and crafting and just hanging out. I'll take it.
Tomorrow I'm gonna celebrate. I have no idea what I'll be doing but I'm gonna have a grand ol' day. Maybe we'll even go out and buy a larger bed. A full doesn't really cut it when you're married and have a kid. And are pregnant. And it's hot. We'll see if we go through with buying one or not. But with a Labor Day sale you probably can't go wrong.

I'm also officially 6 months last Thursday. Whoop! Only three more months to go! We had to sit down and plan out our schedule of getting together for the next two months since I won't be able to travel after Thanksgiving. So crazy, but it's exciting.
And this baby is a mover! She is jumping up and down and around and on my bladder. It's enjoyable to feel her moving about, kicking and stretching and poking and punching. I'm going to love it because I know soon enough I will be pushing against her little foot to keep her from poking through my side.

And speaking of my baby, my big baby will be three here in 11 days. How is she already turning three?? Like I said, it goes too fast. I'm throwing her a little princess party. We've invited all the girls 10 and under from church to come and celebrate. They're to dress up in their fanciest princess dress and to come have a good time. I'm excited for her.

Anyway, my birthday! It's tomorrow. I'm very excited :)

And after all of that...

2011-08-11T11:02:00.001-05:00

A few months ago we decided to switch things around in our house. The upstairs, the "Master Bedroom" (which is not so much and you'll soon see why), was home to the office, the play area, and my craft area. It was hardly ever used. Bryan preferred to be downstairs with us, A never went upstairs because no one else was up there, and I never got the time to go up there to do any crafts. Because, well, by the time I got up there and got started on something, A would need me and I'd have to come all the way back down. So it was never really fully utilized.
We do have two bedrooms downstairs, Bryan and I have one room and A had the other. So, to fully use the entire house I figured we could move A upstairs, with her toys already up there, and there'd be plenty of room for the next kiddo. Then we'd change A's room downstairs into the office/craft area so Bryan and I would both have a work space nearby.
It worked! Ta-da!
That is, until I felt like A was too far away from us. And she, nor I, liked it. She wasn't sleeping well at night, she'd crawl into bed with us in the middle of the night. It just wasn't working.
So after much deliberation, Bryan and I decided to move our bed upstairs. We'd section off the room a little bit, she'd have her space, we'd have ours, it was perfect.
Until yesterday.
That's when we tried to move our Full size mattress up the stairwell. Our house is old. The stairwell is small. It wasn't meant for anything larger than a Twin to be moved up those stairs.
So now we're stuck.
I'm disappointed and frustrated. And, now what? Her old room has been transformed. We can't move up to her new room. A Queen size bed and co-sleeping? Buy a new house? Tear down some walls??
I'm bummed. And stuck. And out of ideas...

A Change

2011-08-08T16:34:00.000-05:00

After however many years here on blogger, with the same simple white template, I've decided to change it up a little and give it a new look.

What do you think?
I sure like it :)

Anniversary Weekend

2011-08-07T17:30:00.000-05:00

On Friday afternoon, Bryan and I took off for Des Moines to celebrate our 7th anniversary. We left our kiddo at Gramma and Pocka's house and away we went. Bryan had a work thing, so I hung out at the hotel for the evening.

Got myself some hotel food: personal pizza, chips and salsa, and a very large piece of blueberry lemon bar -$20. Yeah. But it was worth it. Sorta. Bryan took off about 20 til 7 and I hopped in the shower.

I was wanting to take a long leisurely bath but we got the last room in the hotel which happened to be the handicap accessible room. Still, very nice. And a huge room! I'm pretty sure it was almost the size of our first apartment.

So after my 40 minute, uninterrupted, quiet shower, I got out, put some pajama's on and crawled into our very comfy king size bed. It. Was. Awesome. And then I proceeded to watch whatever the heck I wanted on the tv for the next three hours. And none of it included Yo Gabba Gabba or The Pink Panther.

I fell asleep way before Bryan returned but I figured that would happen. It was all good.

On Saturday morning, we slept until 9. NINE O'CLOCK! AM!! We casually got up to get breakfast, ate slowly, chatted and just enjoyed each other's company. Then we proceeded to just hang out in the hotel room and watched TV until we had to check out at noon.

Since Gramma and Pocka were wanting to watch A for the whole weekend, we took advantage and our time in DM. Lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings, hung out at the mall (Bryan got to "shop" around at the Apple store), got some Cheesecake Factory cheesecake, then got caught by a lady selling flat irons.

She had me sit down and proceeded to do my hair. She was very nice but I kept waiting for her to only do half of my hair. I figured she would offer to do the other half if I would buy a flat iron, but she finished it off (curling it with the flat iron to show its diversity) and it looked very nice. She kept asking, "Do you like it or do you love it??" It's a professional flat iron by Herstyler so it's about $200 but it was on sale for $165 and today it was even more so for $139. I still wasn't sold. She kept making me a deal and going lower and lower (can you say PRESSURE!), also throwing in a free conditioner. She went down to $89 (pressurepressurepressurepressure) knowing that I was seriously a hard sale. So, I got it, well Bryan did, for my birthday (I straightened it this morning and it looks phenomenal, just sayin').

Leaving the mall, we decided to head on home. But it was such a nice, relaxing drive home. Bryan and I got to talk the entire way without any interruptions. And we had grown-up talk!! It was awesome.

When we got home we decided to watch a movie. Not being able to decide between two we watched them both! Because we could!!

Awesome anniversary but I am glad to have A back at home. I love that girl. Thank you Gramma and Pocka!!

We decided to find out after all.

2011-08-04T21:47:00.002-05:00

We went round and round about finding out or not, and although I like the idea of not finding out, Bryan and I just felt so at ease with knowing. So, here's hoping the ultrasound tech guessed correctly...
It's a Girl!!
So, even though we found out the gender AND announced it, we will be keeping the name a secret until she is born. DUH duh dummmmmmm.
The suspense!
Anyway, she's good and healthy, a wiggle worm, healthy, squirmy as all get out, on target, and healthy. Because really, that's all I'm really concerned about.
And now, we prepare. We're doing the Bradley method this time around. I'm already enjoying it. I think I'll even fully enjoy the class to prepare even more. But I want to be ready. If I have to have another c-section, then I'm okay with it, but if I can do a vbac with me and the baby safe and healthy, I want to do it.
So, here's to another healthy 20 more weeks before we meet our baby girl #2!

20 weeks tomorrow!

2011-08-03T09:02:00.000-05:00

Before I do part three of Ecuador, I thought I'd give an update on baby #2.

Things are going well, so far so good. I started feeling baby move around a couple weeks ago. At first it was kind of here and there, and kind of like a "oh! I think that was the baby..." but now there is no doubt. This kiddo is a squirmer but that doesn't surprise me since A was as well. In truth, most babies in utero probably are but I'm glad this kiddo is one of them. Bryan almost got to feel baby the other night! But as soon as he came over, this kiddo stopped, even after wiggling for 10 minutes straight. A goober already.
Tomorrow we have an ultrasound. We have been going back and forth about whether to find out the gender or not. It sounds fun not to know but it's fun to know as well. So, no idea. I guess we'll find out if we'll find out.

(And today, Bryan and I celebrate 7 years of marriage! It's been a wonderful ride thus far. Thank you for making me your wife, Bryan. I love you!)

Their Joy easily became my Joy

2011-07-12T19:30:00.000-05:00

Wednesday morning the first thing we decided to do was provide for the children at Ramar. Our group piled into the tight van and drove to the location where we’d find a stove. At a discount, because we paid in cash, we got a 5 propane burner, cast iron, 15 year warranted stove. Bryan and another one of our guides/interpreters stayed behind to pay for and go with the stove and a driver back to Ramar while the rest of the group went on ahead to the mall.

Yes, the mall. Here we bought out the store’s $2 pillows, $1 pillowcases, and 35 bottles of lice shampoo. All that we needed was five dollars to provide each child with one of each plus a bottle of shampoo per two children.

Bryan had said that when him and our interpreter arrived with the new stove, Beatrice was so happy and grateful. When she saw the new hose for the stove she said to the other volunteer, “Now we don’t have to worry about blowing up.” Beatrice and the other workers were wrapping a wet washcloth around the cracked and broken old hose every time they needed to use the stove.

The rest of our group arrived with the new pillows, cases and shampoo and before the children came out to receive their brand new pillow we went ahead and put the cases on for them, leaving the plastic wrap on the pillows themselves to help deter the lice. When they girls came out to receive the pillows, they were so grateful, hugging and clutching onto their new treasure. The boys, of course, started pillow fighting. All in all, they were so happy. The children even learned and told us thank you in English.

After the pillows, the men brought in and hooked up the new stove. The workers were delighted when they turned a burner on and it worked. The looks on their faces were pure joy.

Later that day we stopped at another orphanage to revisit from the last trip. When they previous group came down before they saw the need for more space so the lady who ran the place could keep it open. We saw a before picture of the empty unused space and the results of their work- a new covered porch for the children to play inside.

We didn’t stay long because this orphanage was on the list to visit and provide for the next time the Dandor Amor group came to Ecuador. However, we left the children with coloring books, crayons, and fun colored and shaped sunglasses.

Thursday we walked and visited two Catholic orphanages. One orphanage was for only boys and another for both genders as well as a nursing home type place for older people.

In the first orphanage for boys, we met two feisty nuns whom you wouldn’t want to get on their bad side. Dogs are like vermin in Ecuador, and so one of the nuns was saying that she would walk with the children outside the orphanage, and when encountered by barking and vicious dogs would turn to them saying, “I am on a mission from God. You will stop your barking and leave these children.” And with that they dogs would turn tail and run. She would also do this to the snakes in the jungle when she was doing work out there.

This was also the home of boy who has since been adopted and now living with a family here in America. They keep his photo as a testimony that God does work for good in the lives of these children. And while not all are adopted out, a lot are, but they are all taken care of and given a chance at survival when it’s time to leave the home.

The second Catholic orphanage was the one for boys and girls as well as the older people who could no longer live on their own. While most of our group went on to take a tour of this location, a couple people went with the main people who run the place to discuss things for the orphanage.

When all was said and done, the rest of us learned that a girl who was about to leave the orphanage was going to have schooling, books, and whatever else she needed provided for to become a doctor. We saw her tear stained face show so much gratitude, so overcome by the love that she had just been shown, and grateful for the wonderful path that has been placed before her.

Before we left, a young woman had run up to the locked gates to see Rex. We learned that she was once an orphan, caused by her father killing her mother and almost killing her. Rex was the father she never had, so when she heard about him being in town, she left work and ran to where we were just to see him. She now has a good job, a wonderful husband, and beautiful new baby.

From here we flew out on Thursday night and back into our first city for a night of rest and two more orphanage the next day.

The beginnings of what touched my heart in Ecuador

2011-07-10T18:51:00.002-05:00

On Monday morning, half of our group went to pay a second visit to one of the orphanages. Having visited them the day before they saw some needs and decided to fulfill them.
As they walked in with new flip-flops for each child and one thousand pounds of rice, the nuns began to exclaim. “See! I told you God would provide,” the first nun said to the second.
Just that morning the orphanage ran out of rice. With no funds to get more all they could do was pray and ask God to provide. The nuns never mentioned the rice to the group, and the group didn’t know the orphanage needed it. God’s hand was truly at work.
The other half of our group, including Bryan and myself, went to take a shift at another orphanage. These children were just the first of the beautiful faces we’d grow to love in such a short amount of time. This was a Catholic orphanage, which meant it was well funded so every child was well cared for, played with and loved.
Something we noticed right away, however, was that the children were not to be held by the volunteers. This was to deter favoritism. This also meant that the babies were not held. Although well cared for, they were not getting the physical contact that they desperately needed.
Later that evening we visited a location that helps to provide for some of the nearby orphanages. They would take in the well-behaved girls to make homemade, recycled cards out of recycled paper and flower petals. This location also had fields of vegetables to be sold, guinea pigs (or “Qui” as they call them) to be sold to markets as a specialty, and hogs. They even had their own room to dry the tealeaves they grew and sell it for profit.
That night we experienced some of the culture at nighttime. We ate at a popular restaurant for supper that was located on the top of one of the highest hills. On our way back down we kept hitting detours and dead-ends. For a moment a few of us Americans panicked but we had one of the city’s best drivers.

Tuesday morning, we had a flight out of our first city to the second where we would visit most of the orphanages on our trip. The first place we visited was an orphanage called Ramar.
This group was renting a building that used to be a strip club. Since prostitution is very legal there, they had a building for the girls to dance and a building for the men to take the girl of the choice to. The boys of Ramar slept in the old building the men would take the dancing girls to have their way with. Each child had a fairly new bed from another time the Dando Amor group visited, so the boys were in good shape comparatively.
The girls of Ramar slept in the once dance club where the stage is still set, the roof leaks, the walls are cracked, and the mold hits you like a brick wall the moment you step into the room.
We asked the main volunteer who runs the place, Beatrice, about the moldy roof and the cracked walls when it rains. The roof is just a simple tin roof with no insulation, since it’s not needed with their weather, and a simple fabric covering on the inside. The fabric is molded, coming down, saggy from the water and reeks to high heaven.
The building was set into the side of a hill, so the crack at the top of the hill would get all the water that would run down the hill when it rained. And since there’s no word for “leaks,” Beatrice said that when it rains it doesn’t drip, it floods.
However, all the children had new mattresses and sheets from the last time the Dando Amor group visited. With the mattresses still in very good condition, the thing they needed now was a new pillow for each child. All the children had to use were cut up sheets sewn into pillowcases and stuffed with shredded old clothes.
After we saw where the children slept, we heard about their stove. The stove only had two of the four burners working. Beatrice had said that to feed the 70 children and the volunteers she would wake at five in the morning to start breakfast. After breakfast they would clean up and start lunch, then after lunch they would start supper, clean up, and start again the next day. Without question our group of fourteen knew exactly what we needed to do to provide for these children.
After Beatrice’s Ramar, we went to visit an orphanage that is run by one of our guides/interpreters, Rex. Rex’s orphanage cares for the mentally and physically handicapped as well as a few children who are healthy and capable. He doesn’t turn away a child he can care for but his main focus is those handicapped children.
He began by saying that sometimes he’s almost embarrassed for others to see his orphanage simply because it is so nice. But he quickly went on to say that his embarrassment quickly subsides knowing that it’s an example of how the orphanages in Ecuador can and should be run.
His facility is in existence because of a family here in the states. They saw what Rex was trying to do and knew it needed to be done so they donated 1.5 million dollars to construct a building that can fully facilitate the needs of the children. The rooms are large and roomy to accommodate the children in wheelchairs. The bedrooms are fully equipped with a large “crib” for each child to sleep three or four children per room.
The handicapped children we met we all very happy in spite of their condition. Some of the children were with a genetic deterioration, others who are crippled both mentally and physically, others with cerebral palsy, and some simply with autism. There were a few who had a minor handicap but were otherwise very healthy. A little girl with downs syndrome and a boy who was practically blind.
There were other children who were healthy in every way. There was a baby boy who was abandoned by the river under a bush only to be discovered by a fisherman. Another little girl was simply stuck in the orphanage because her mom has decided she wants the girl back while her two older brothers enjoy a new life in America.
We left this orphanage feeling hopeful with all that we saw. Of how an orphanage should be ran, the children should be cared for, and that it can be done.

Today is the day

2011-06-18T08:13:00.002-05:00

We are leaving for Ecuador in less than four hours. Technically we're heading for Chicago first. Then we'll fly to Houston. Enjoy a nine hour layover, then fly to panama. Sit for another enjoyable 8 hour layover then finally fly to Quito (somewhere in) Ecuador.
I'm not nervous to fly. What I am nervous about is leaving my sweet 2 year old. She'll be in good hands with her grandma and grandpa, it's just the fact of being separated from her for more than a weekend. Then it's only 1 full day of not seeing her, this time 7 full days. I'm gonna cry. I know I'll be homesick for her.
I've been doing a lot of praying this week trying to prepare both our hearts. For her, that she'll stay busy, have lots and lots of fun, and stay safe. For me, that I'll stay focused on the project at hand, and enjoy myself with my hubby and good friends.

So please keep us in your prayers. I'm sure I'll have lots of stories and faces to share once we return.

Much love.

Busy next few days.

2011-06-15T21:37:00.004-05:00

Wow. God is good. We are only $300 from our entire goal for our trip to Ecuador!!

Tomorrow I have my 2nd doctor's appointment for the new babe.

I was suppose to get my tooth fixed aft the doc but I decided to put it off until after we get back because it'll be fragile. And I don't want to break it in another country. That would stink.

Tomorrow night we finalize our itinerary for our trip.

Friday is cleaning. Then showing our house sitter around the house.

Saturday we pack, A gets picked up by her grandparents, I bawl like a baby, then we leave to catch a plane.

...I'm nervous.
Please be praying for us.

*Edit* just checked on my girl and she's running a temp. Please be in prayers for her because I don't want to go on a trip with her at home sick :(

I hope to not see those people again. No offense.

2011-06-10T13:27:00.004-05:00

Yesterday morning I needed to go back into the dentist. On Tuesday I noticed that my tooth had turned a slight gray especially near the gum line. Made me a little nervous so on our way to the pool I called the office. They asked that I came in right away to look at it just to make sure it was alright.
Sweet A was such a sport. Although she was so excited to go swimming, she was good to let me go to the dentist right quick. She even wanted to sit in the chair and have the nurse look at her teeth too! Guess it's passed time to get her in to see one.
So, yesterday I went back in unsure of what they were going to do exactly, nervous I'd have to go through those shots again. Turns out I did. My dentist wanted to go back into it and make sure there was nothing causing the graying.
They left the topical cream on longer to try to help numb my gum a little better. It did help. No tears this time. The dentist reopened it, took out all the filling and cleaned my tooth a little better. She rechecked it and didn't find anything which is good.
She refilled it, closed it up, and the nurse took an x-ray. It turns out she did a better job this time in filling it so it's a good thing I went back in. I guess ;)
Now, in a year we'll know the results. Praying for good results. Then, if it's all good, I'll get a crown on my tooth and it'll look all pretty. But for now I'll settle for a brand new, nicer and more matching filling.

***

A week from Friday we leave for Ecuador. We are still $700 short of being able to go on the trip and another $1000 to give to the orphanages. We're all a little behind on our goals, unfortunately.

Please be praying that we reach our goal. My heart really wants to go visit these children.

All caught up.

2011-06-06T17:41:00.003-05:00

So we've announced our pregnancy and we are 11.5 weeks, 12 on Thursday. Time is going faster than I thought it would. I guess it's because I wanted to get to the second trimester quickly. Don't get me wrong, this time around the first trimester has been way easier than it was with A. With her, i was nauseated for the first four months until Bryan and I had a bout of food poisoning. Then that was that.

This last weekend we went down to the farm. It always feels like home when we're there. I'd love to be closer to them and the slow calmness of it all. Maybe someday.
Poor A and I were suffering from allergies the entire time. What a way to spend the weekend! But she had so much fun with her aunts and gramma and great grandparents.
Great grampa took A for lots of rides on the four wheeler and re hen the lawn mower. She LOVED that. Her aunts and gramma took her out to see the horses and walked around. and great gramma took her out to see the baby chickens. Her daddy and I try to relax when we're there so we're thankful for family who loves our baby.

Today I had a root canal on my front tooth. When I was about 8 or 9 I slipped and fell face first on some ice and broke a good chunk of of it. A couple months ago I had to get the other top wisdom tooth pulled and when I did the dentist asked about my tooth. I told him about it, he took an x-ray and said I needed a root canal. Then after I fit the root canal he could put a brand new filling on it to make it look much nicer. Woot!
Scheduled appointment with the dentist two weeks later, I missed it. I rescheduled. Two weeks later I met the dentist. She took a look at it and decided it was worth a try but the outcome was uncertain. Scheduled for two weeks later, I found out we're pregnant so we have to push it back another 4 weeks so that I'm closer to the second trimester. Then today being thee day.
I tell you what, those shots hurt like a of a gun. Worst part ever. But I made it through with minimal tears. The canal had died at such young age that the canal was left huge so the end wasn't tapered like a normal tooth. They had to do a lot to fill it AND the filling went past my tooth and int my gums. I sure felt that.
After they were all done they took an x-ray to make sure it all looked good. The doc saw that my tooth looked like it fractured when I first initially broke it. She said that when that happened it should have split and caused an abcess and more than likely just fallen out. But what did happen is that it fractured but didn't separate so it simply healed. Thank you Jesus.
She was afraid the filling might have leaked through the fracture and if that happened then the chances were slim of saving the tooth. But the x-ray came back great. Woot! So now I've scheduled an appointment to have the filling fixed a week from this Thursday. Woo-hoo! Only 18 years after I initially broke it but there's a reason for everything and God is good.
So even though my tooth is throbbing I seem to be doing pretty well. Now we just hope and pray that the root canal takes then all will be well!

Monday, May 23

2011-06-06T12:52:00.000-05:00

Today I had my first ob appointment. I've been waiting nearly three weeks for this because I'm anxious for more confirmation and for all the baby stuff to start.
It does seem that I am right on target at 9.5 weeks and will be due Dec 22. This poor child will be a Christmas baby. That's all right. My uncle Jon survived and now so will this one. Except for birthday parties. Darn. Oh well, we'll figure it out. :)
My doc did search for the heartbeat today but she said it would be unlikely since I'm only 9 weeks. She was right but we'll try again in another 4 weeks.
I also had to do the dreaded blood work. 5 viles worth. When I was pregnant with A I got really sick when they did this. I even had the trash can on my lap because I really thought I was going to get sick. However this time the needles just hurt. She tried my left arm and couldn't get the blood to flow so then she had to do my right. Owie. And she's normally so good too!
After my appointment was all said and done I headed on back to my mom-n-law's. I dropped A off before my app so I needed to go get her ;) Plus she wanted to work on her dad's photo album using Snapfish. However, after deciding that we should wait for everyone's pictures, we decided to go and eat instead. Good idea! I was starving :)

And then tonight I had my d-group. We decided Red Robin would be a good way to end our meetings for the summer. I did suggest we meet once a month just to hang out and catch up and they all liked that idea. I do too. I'll be sad not to see those girls up to 3x a week but once.
I had been debating telling my girls (not thinking tonight was really the last night of our meetings) but then Holly asked if anyone had any exciting news. She was a little hyped up on her coke (she had 2 before our food even got there) and said she didn't care what just anything exciting. So I said, "Well, I'm pregnant" and they all became very excited and started asking all the questions people always ask when they here someone's pregnant. They were all so darling.

So now that those closest to us know first, I think we're gonna start announcing it to everyone. Now, how will we do it is the question...
After dinner they all wanted to go to Best Buy to take pictures of themselves on the computers. Since we has a bit of time I agreed. They were all so goofy. I just love those girls.

Friday, May 13

2011-06-01T12:10:00.000-05:00

Yesterday morning I finally got to my TMM group! I was dying to tell them the first morning I found out and then had group. Then again each time I saw them, which is quite frequent since we all go to church together including Wednesday night. But I wasn't going to tell them with everyone else around!
So I waited.
We got together, watched our video, did the questions, then started prayer requests. And of course I'm last. Ha. Started out with requests like our new dog. Oh yes, did I mention we got a new dog? Yes, we're crazy. New dog and new baby. I'm still deciding on what I think about the former. She's sweet and all, it's just all the changes and.. Uh. I don't know. We'll just have to wait and see.
Anyway, so after my requests I said that I do have a praise, that new baby (our last name) should be here in December. From them I got screams and laughter!
I do find it strange how people react differently to the second baby than they did to the first. So many questions with the first and not so much with the second. I guess it's because it's all new to the new mom and people want to know what she thinks, feels, worries, is deciding, etc. With the second, it's not as new although still exciting.

So, how am I feeling? Well, bloated, morning sickness in the evening, the headaches have finally subsided, but I am still tired. I've been so bleh lately that I haven't gotten much of anything done but today I did manage to fold the huge amount of laundry that's been laying around AND make lunch and supper! Go me!
I believe I'm 8 weeks along yesterday. Still waiting to have my first doctor appointment. I'm hoping they'll schedule an ultrasound just so we can be sure of the exact date but we won't know that until the 23rd.

Anyway, few more people to tell before we announce it to everyone. Who's next...

Tuesday, May 10

2011-05-30T20:53:00.001-05:00

Last weekend I got to tell my family about the new baby that's on their way. This time I told them all differently as apposed to the first time when I was pregnant with A. Then, it was my Gramma's birthday, so I wrapped up my pee stick. She screamed a very loud, albeit, happy scream. It was fun. But this time, being mother's day, I figured I'd just tell them each.
I started with my sisters on Friday(?) night. I still had the picture on my phone of the digital Pregnant, so I told them that I wanted them to look at some pictures. I did have some cute ones of A running and playing with bubbles so I had them start with that and work backward. When they got to the picture of the test, they had to do a double take. They seemed pretty excited.
Saturday, my mom, sister, A and I got together with my aunt Kimmy and my gramma for Spaghetti Works. my mom was giving me the look to tell them then so I figured why not. I guess Kimmy wasn't paying attention as I was starting the whole "We have a problem with Christmas plans" so my mom was like, "Kim! September's trying to tell you something!" with a huge grin on her face. So, I barely get into it and both of them figure it out. They ask me, "Why?? Because you're pregnant!?!" as they can't control their grins. So much for surprising them, haha.
On Sunday I had my grampa and uncle Jon left. After church I hugged my grampa multiple times and told him to guess what. He guessed once about something else and when I said no, he had a twinkle in his eye that he knew but he wasn't going to take the surprise from me so he let me tell him. He was elated!
Then last but not least was my uncle Jon. I gave him a big hug and told him I had an early birthday surprise for him. He said, with a twinkle in his eye,, "It's not a photography package that I'll never use, is it?" Haha, no! I said, it'll come it the form of a 7 ounce... He got it right away with an Ah-ha!! Poopr guy, his birthday is Dec 22, right next to Christmas, and we think that's when this kiddo's due date is. So another December baby in the family.

So, now that all my family knows we can start telling friends. Since our besties already know the next up is my Thursday Morning Momma's group...

Monday, May 2

2011-05-28T19:20:00.001-05:00

So first of all, I'm pregnant with baby #2!! We can finally share it with the world.

(I am starting to type this all out way before we do actually share it but I don't want to forget anything :)

We found out (officially with a pee test) on Thursday, April 28th. I had a good feeling something was up but wasn't quite ready to take the test. Not that I wasn't ready for a positive but that I wasn't ready for a negative. Then I'd have to wonder what the heck was up with my body if I wasn't pregnant after all?

So wednesday night, after feeling super weird (insert Pregnant here) I grabbed a pee test and placed it by the toilet for the next morning.
I slept oddly all night because, and I'm sure, of the anticipation for the next morning. I think I woke at 6 but wouldn't let myself get out of bed yet knowing that if it really was a positive I wouldn't be able to go back to sleep and would have to wait forever for Bryan to wake so I could let him know.

I slept until 7 and just couldn't wait anymore. I got up, did the test, and kept glancing at the test. It went quick and before I knew it there was a digital Positive staring at me from the screen that was sticking out of the wrapper.

I was beyond excited. Oh my word. I tried to get ready but kept anxiously glancing at Bryan to see if he was awake yet. I was just going to let him wander into the bathroom and find the pee stick on his own but realized after a while that he'd never see it.
Then God gave me an idea. Knowing that the first two things he does when he wakes is he grabs his glasses and then his iphone. I grabbed his iphone and snapped a photo of the digital Positive and set it to his lock screen. This way he wouldn't miss it. And sure enough he didn't.

I saw him look at his phone. Then a double take. Then study his phone. He finally looked at me with a smirk and a Really? Well, yeah! I wouldn't make up a positive you goober, haha.

I finished getting ready and then A and I headed off to Thursday Morning Momma's. Bryan and I weren't going to say anything at this point so I just had to keep my mouth shut. But boy was it hard. I was nauseous and had a headache but couldn't say why.

After TMM, we headed home and I made an appointment for a blood test to confirm our at home test. This is just what I did when I found out I was pregnant with A. Then, I found out the next day but this time I had to wait until monday. So I did. It was hard, let me tell you.

Friday we decided we wanted to at least tell our parents. So Bryan called his mom and I called mine. This Christmas is my family's turn so I started off with that. I said that we may need to switch Christmas plans around because that's when my due date is. I said it so casually that she had to do a double. She was like Wait? What?? That's when she started hollering in excitement that I could hold my phone from my ear and still hear her!

Then that night we went to an open house for a friend's grand opening of her new studio. As it turned out, Bryan's sis-in-law, Alyssa, knows our friend's brother, so she was there too.

Surprise!

At this point we weren't going to tell family members but Bryan basically gave it away so I told him to go ahead since he practically already did! It was nice to finally be able to talk about it to someone else! We told her not to tell anyone, especially her hubby (my hubby's brother) because we wanted to be able to do it.

That night when we left I felt a bug coming on. At first I thought it was just allergies because it hit me all of a sudden. It was really strange.

So Saturday Alyssa asked if Bryan and I would like to join her and Brent for a hockey game if I was feeling up to it. I had been super nauseated and then with the bug I was feeling pretty yucky. I was still hoping it was allergies at this point but was starting to wonder if I could be wrong. We felt bad but ended up opting out and instead made a more definitive plan for two weeks from now.

Sunday, I felt bloated and like I was barely hiding anything. Luckily I still have some tummy left over from my pregnancy with A so I just blamed it on that ;) Especially when an older lady in the church decided to ask me if I was pregnant! I couldn't believe it. Of course I was but I sure wasn't going to announce it right then and there!

And then this morning I just couldn't wait for the results any longer. I had to call. I already knew what the answer was but I wanted one more solidifier. So when I got the nurse on the phone and she told me I was most definitely pregnant, I cried because I was so happy.

I finally went and told Emily and she was so excited to hugged me three times. The goober, every time I would say to her "Guess what?" She would respond with a "You're pregnant!?" Well, this time she received a "Yup!" and she was stunned and then she squealed. It was fun.

I'm already noticing my change in appetite. Food doesn't sound appealing and then when it does it doesn't taste as good as I know it really does. It's all a big let down. And cheese! Cheese is a gag this time around and I like cheese! At least I'm pretty sure that I do, but every time I try to remember if I like it or not the thought of it just makes me want to Gag.

It still seems a bit unreal. We were planning to get pregnant, we just didn't think it would happen so quickly. With A, it took a year. With this one, first time around. We're happy but nervous. So now we wait anxiously for an ultrasound to determine how far along we are as well as the doctor appointments. But first I have to tell my family!! This weekend I sure will :)

Praying for our new baby!!

Survivor(wo)man

2011-05-24T16:24:00.005-05:00

Survivorman is a yearly thing that our youth pastor puts on in the spring for all the guys in our youth group to attend with their dads. It's a right of passage into manhood- they go and rough it in the woods, living off the land and learn how to survive.
Last year there were some girls who spoke up about wanting to go, and since I was jealous of Bryan every year prior, I was definitely in as one of the leaders. I'd be a surrogate mom since my kiddo is too young but I knew I would be.

We headed out on Friday, us girls joining the boys. We had 6(?) boys and only two girls but it was a start! Especially considering it was the first year. It was starting to lightly rain on us before we even got out to the sight. But once we got there we found that the rain missed it completely and we were able to set up camp before any rain got to us.
The boys were learning chivalry this weekend so they came to help us learn how to start a fire with a fire starter (after our first two failed attempts) as well as learn how to set up our sleeping area with tarps. Then the girls learned what stick to use to roast and we ate our one hotdog with bun. Dry. But it wasn't bad considering.
After we did our lesson on becoming a Proverbs 31 Woman we called it a night. At 9:30pm. We're lame, haha! Then we all slept miserably. I swear I woke every hour thinking it was morning. Once it finally was, we all got up and started getting ready. Then we learned it was 10 til 6! Guess we were all anxious to get going.
So then we had to wait on the boys. They took forever to get up and around but I guess they stayed up late playing flashlight tag. Soon we had our first challenge to earn our breakfast. The youth had to learn to use a compass and read the instructions to find the ammo boxes. As soon as they did we earned our eggs. The girls did awesome and were the first ones done. Jon was nice enough and brought us extra eggs (shh). We also got cheese and fully cooked turkey sausage. Then we made our eggs in a bag. It was yummy.

Second challenge was for our lunch. Everyone had to make survival bracelets. Very cool things. They took rope and cobra knotted them. Then they had rope in case of emergency, they only had to take out the knots. And, actually, those hemp bracelets that you see in the summer, that I've been making since Jr. High, it's the exact same thing but with rope! So it was fun helping everyone get the hang of it.
So after our challenge we all had free time and with it we all decided to go fishing. I think everyone but one person caught at least one fish. I had a bass but lost it. However I still managed to catch two croppies(?). I even took them off the line and unhooked them thanks to Pastor Phil and his handy gloves.
We took our catches and went back to the boys camp. We had exotic fruit (I.e. Mango, papaya and coconut) and we cleaned and cooked the fish. One fish had a title head/neck in it's gut (gross) and another was a female full of eggs. Yum.. We all tried the fish but us girls didn't care for it. We thanked the men, however, for making it for us and headed off to do our next lesson.

For our third challenge we got to shoot rifles. This time it was for our supper and if they hit the farthest target they got a whole Cornish game hen. Everyone hit it, even me! I went last and Jon talked me through it and i hit the first target on the first try. The second target, the farthest, took me three times but I got it!
Keith had his pistol and offered that for everyone to shoot. I passed because of how loud and how major the kick was. But Jon had his of a smaller caliber and let me try that one. Too much fun. I hit my target 5 out of 8 times. First three I missed because I was getting used to it but it was such a cool thing.
We went back to the boys camp to cook our hens. Keith had some rub that made it really good but I was so sick of meat at this point that I couldn't finish it :-/ We again thanked the guys and headed off to our camp to finish up our lessons. Since there were only two girls it made it easy to get personal with them.

Soon Keith came by to start the ceremony. He asked that the girls follow suit with the guys and remained in silence until we started the ceremony. Us adults got together to pray and to chart out our positions. As soon as it was dark, Keith had the youth start out one by one with a five minute gap in between each youth. I was the third stop so I had a bit to wait. Besides, the kids had to find us, in the dark, with no light, only our tiki torches to guide their way.
For the guys I talked to them about chivalry from a woman's perspective. How we're sensitive, and carry things with us for our lives, that we're not always right but we always want to be heard, and how everything they do affects us for good or bad, and if it's bad, someone else will have to pay for it. I cried a few times.
With the girls I talked about beauty and how we need Christ before we can ever have a relationship with a guy. This time they cried. I love these kids.
We had started at 9 and ended at 11. We all crashed and this time I was so tired that I slept right through all the storms that hit us that night. I still woke up at 7:30 but this time I was ready to be home instead of my next challenge. Not that there was any, just food and cleaning up to leave.

All in all it was an awesome weekend. I had a blast and I know the other female leader and the two girls did. The boys were awesome in welcoming us into their yearly passage (thanks guys!!). And I will absolutely do it again. I hope other girls will want to as well. Even when sleeping on wooden planks, it was so worth it.

(Hope this helps, Haley!!)

Announcement for anyone who doesn't already know:

2011-05-03T13:51:00.004-05:00

We're going to Ecuador! We've been invited to join a missions trip at the end of this June to travel to Ecuador, visiting orphanages and caring for their needs.
Bryan and I are so excited, a little nervous, and praying a lot that God will provide. We're waiting on his passport and my info to go get my passport. We'll have to expedite it so we're praying God steps in.
We also need to raise $5500 to go. $2000 of the money we raise will go into a larger pot with everyone else's and we'll decide together what to do for each orphanage we visit. On previous trips they have bought brand new mattresses for the kids because they were sleeping on practically nothing. Another time, $1000 in food. Another time they fixed a leaky roof above the computer room and another hired a tutor for a year to teach the kids English.
Because the children are left with very little chance of hope of surviving in the world after leaving the orphanage, their chances increase dramatically if they have computer skills and/or can speak English. This organization helps those children have a better chance of succeeding and survival when they have to leave the orphanage.
If you would like to donate to our trip and help send us to help these sweet kiddos, please contact me through the comments, or if you know me personally you can contact me via phone, email, or in person!
We need all the financial and prayer support we can get.

Craziness, hence not knowing where to start.

2011-04-11T22:12:00.002-05:00

Uh.. My fingers are blue. And purple, and I think green.
My d-group tie-dyed shirts tonight for our fun night. We also gave up on our gloves because they were just getting in the way. It was fun.
This past weekend, A went to her gramma (my mom's) house for the weekend. First weekend that she's gotten to take her ever. I feel bad that A is 2.5 y/o and my mom just now got to take her. I'm selfish. What can I say but that I like my kid.
Bryan and I were able to get things done, however. Friday afternoon/evening I made paper purses for table gifts for the women's brunch the next morning. It was exhausting and I went to bed at nine. Plus it was after I had driven four hours to do the A exchange. So, long day, to say the least.
Saturday we had our woman's brunch at church and it was lovely. Emily and I did a Fashion Segment which was more of a talk-about-what's-in-style-for-Spring-and-our-favorite-things-and-places-to-shop. She did buy three new dresses to showcase and ended up locking her stuff in the stairwell that she was changing in. It was craziness. I'm just glad she was fully dressed before she shut that locked door!
The speaker was wonderful! I truly enjoyed everything that she had to say. Loved it. If she were to write a book, I'd read it. Fo sho.
Food was delish, the company was great, I need to read the list of books people suggested because I could use a new read.
Then Em and I took her three kiddos with us to Sonic for lunch and then Target. It was crazy but they were good. And then Saturday night, Bryan and I spent the evening painting part of A's room the same yellow that was in her nursery. It's so sweet but I really need to sleep less and work more. Like, sleep, 4 hours a night and then just clean and organize because that is the only way I feel I will ever be able to get anything done!
Sunday, I was in the nursery which was a joy. Even though A wasn't in there, I got to hang out with the other kiddos and they were just dolls. I was even able to go through the toys and purge the ones that are broken, had small pieces, are originally from McD's, or are from the 70's. I'm making room for a soon to be had Toy Drive! Yay :)
Soon after church, Bryan and I headed out to go get A. We were ready and really missing her. I think when I finally got her back I just held her for 10 minutes straight. I love that girl. It sounded like she had fun but that she was also ready to be home. I think my mom was feeling the same way! Ha!

Then after we returned home, an hour later we headed over to our friends, The Lloyd's, to watch another episode of Lost. As always, we got to talking way too much and only got to watch one episode. But that's a good thing!
This morning, my lovely friend JoAnna helped me start the soon to be Nursing Mother's Room at our church. There's a wallpaper boarder that we started on and it sure did take longer than we anticipated. And we're still not done! Goodness. But I'm excited for things to come. It's nice to finally have the NMR finally underway. Tomorrow I'll have TWO ladies helping me!

Oh, to update on things of A:

Today she got her first Barbie doll- a Snow White from her "uncle" Keith. Ha! How special :)
The last couple of nights she's been saying how the shadows are scary. I wonder where kids learn that sort of thing. So we moved Pete, our dog, upstairs to sleep next to her bed, hoping that helps.
Tonight, she tried to do some acrobatic move in the bath tub and ended up splitting her top lip.
She is my girly girl through and through. She does have a tomboyness to her but she loves her dresses and "neckies," twirling, shoes that make noise and curtsying
She is sassy, but polite. How did I do that? Oh right, she's my kid.
She loves purple and green and pink.
She loves suckers. Especially if it's a puple sucka.

I love her. She rocks. Even if she is a sassy, girly tomboy who can't get enough of pink dresses and purple suckers.

As a numbed-up chipmunk

2011-03-21T22:45:00.008-05:00

This past week I could feel my wisdom tooth coming back up (again) and it grew more painful with each day. We don't have insurance but a discount plan so I was putting off getting my wisdom tooth taken out as long as possible. However, come Friday I was hurting pretty badly and couldn't take it any longer.
About this time last year, my top left wisdom tooth was doing the same thing. I had to go into a dentist that I didn't know but that our discount plan approved of and have them extract it. I was grateful for my friend, Lisa, who worked there at the time but still he wasn't very nice and I didn't want to return to him, so I put it off.
Saturday we tried finding a dentist off the list that would be open. There was one out of the 16. We went in and then found out they weren't sure if they even accepted our plan. They said we could go ahead and be reimbursed if they did accept it ...OR... pay out the nose if they don't. We decided to wait.
Come Sunday morning I could feel serious pain in my cheek. For neither tooth was it the tooth that hurt but the pain it caused my cheek. Ugh.
Well, someone in church recommended whiskey. Whiskey! A couple others confirmed it. Off I went to the grocery store to purchase this terribly awful gross stuff. I was desperate. I just got a shot and was explaining to the manager what it was for. He didn't believe me. I told him that if it worked I would let him know the next time I saw him.
Now, if you know me, you know that I do not drink. I think alcohol is gross, disgusting and not remotely worth the time. But, the JD worked. Believe it or not. I just swished and spit. Yup, spit it right back out. All that I needed was the alcohol on my cheek and gums and then I was finished with it. But it was oh so gross.
Sunday night we had a youth group event. I opted out because of the pain but said Bryan could go if he found someone to watch A for us. He did, they left, I stayed home with movies, 4 advil every four hours, extra strength ambesol, a pack of ice, and the Jack Daniels. I still hurt but not nearly as bad as I would have if I had been without those things.
This morning my wonderful hubby called into a new dentist that was recommended to us by a good friend and they got us in right away. They were so nice and accommodating. The first dentist numbed me up so I wouldn't be in pain waiting for the next dentist who specialized in tooth extraction. I did have to wait an hour or so but that isn't bad considering they got me in that day with other people to see as well. I was happy to wait.
He did talk with me about my front tooth. He x-rayed it and found that it was a dead tooth and was very surprised it wasn't hurting me. I've had it for 17 years and it hasn't once bothered me. We talked about a root canal and replacing the filling to make it look better. I've wanted to replace it for ever now and was so happy to hear how little it would cost. A root canal is not as cheap but I'm doing a consult in a couple weeks so we'll see. No idea how we'll pay for it all but God will provide!
The second dentist was just as nice and got me in and out quickly but not rushed. She had said to me, "You've nearly gnawed your way through your cheek, darlin'!" No wonder I was in so much pain!
What's funny is how much pain I was in before hand and not at all now. You would think I'd be in pain from having the tooth removed and the novacain having worn off, but nope. I'm happy as a clam.
So now that my monday has felt like a Saturday, I can now begin my week. Yay. Lots of cleaning ahead of me since my momma and baby sis are coming this weekend. Excitement that you can now read on my face since my numbed-up chipmunk look has worn off.

When I have too many things to posts as status updates...

2011-03-18T17:03:00.005-05:00

...then I know it's time to blog.

-I love busy days when I'm running around like crazy. It's fun. I enjoy it. Makes me feel like I've accomplished something.

-Got to chat with my momma today. I love her.

-I didn't get to hang out with Alyssa and baby Vera today but when I stopped at the Dr's to get a prescription there they were! But instead of saying hi to the parents, I just attacked the baby. And when I say attacked, I mean smothered with my aunt awesomeness. And when I say smothered I mean I talked to her through the car seat cover.

-On my way back into town I saw a dog on the road. She seemed really scared and was getting too close to the cars. So I stopped and backed up to help her. The owners found her and stopped too. I got ready to leave but they couldn't seem to convince her so I came to the rescue. Who did she come to? Me :) They were grateful towards me but annoyed by her. Made me want to take her home myself.

-Stopped at HV to pick up bread. Saw Linda walking in so I cat-called her. Then when inside and chatted with her for an hour. I like that lady.

-Chatted with the girl in the floral center. Remembered her from a couple months ago and that she was engaged. I asked if she was married yet and found that they broke it off. She's 7 months pregnant and he cheated on her. I told her she was better off and the right guy was worth waiting for. She was touched that I had remembered her.

-Tonight I get to watch two of my d-group girls perform in the musical Bye-Bye Birdie. I got them flowers cause I'm so darn proud :)

-My mouth hurts because I need my wisdom teeth out. They're revolting against me. It's not nice.

-We rented Despicable Me. I had to keep it for three days because A liked it so much. Good thing it's a darling movie because we watched it nearly 100 times. I think we'll need to buy it.

All for now...

March thus far

2011-03-15T09:27:00.005-05:00

(I'm typing from the iPad! First time I've gotten it to work for my blog. It's a Christmas miracle!)
So much is going on already, but first, it's getting closer to spring! I don't like daylight savings Spring Forward because it throws me off so bad. However, I sure do like the more sunlight!
On the third, my bro-in-law and his wife had their baby, Miss Vera Lynn! And that makes me an aunt for the very first time!
Two Saturday's ago I got to go on a date with my bff (Emily, that's you!). We went and saw a double feature at the cheap theater. But the first movie, Black Swan, was sooo bad we walked out and went to Kohl's instead. Then we went and saw the Fighter. Pretty good but how much they used the F-word was horrible. I started to count but gave up after 10 in the first 2 minutes. Oh well, I love hanging out with that girl so it was a good evening out.
This last weekend we went down to my grandparents for a visit. It was a good weekend. My mom even made me pose for a photoshoot.
We're getting the change of the bedrooms finished. Having the office on the first floor makes life so much easier. I still panic a bit when it comes to A being upstairs with the steep stairs that we have. I suppose as her mom I probably won't ever stop worrying about something.
Anyway, I have been taking photos of the transformations so maybe this'll be the time that I actually remember to post them. We'll see ;)
Yesterday A and I got out of the house. went to the bank, then the pharmacy, lost my keys, found them in my purse, was reminded that I'm severly absent minded, went to the grocery store, ran into another awesome friend (Sheila, that's you!!), home and took a nap, went for a walk around the block three times with A, and even ate out on the porch. Pretty good day.
Well, since it's almost 10 I better get to gettin'. And now that this has worked I'll be able to blog more often. Hopefully it'll work again.
Have an awesome Tuesday!

P.S. Yesterday was so nice that I got to sit on the porch glider for the first time this year. Another reminder of why I'm thankful for awesome friends! (Cynthia, that's you!!)

I was 19 and he was 21

2011-02-28T16:43:00.000-06:00

Seven years ago today Bryan proposed to me. I was 19 and he was 21. How beautifully this song puts it, us and our relationship. Not only with each other but mainly with Christ. A love built on Christ.

Thank you for asking me to be your wife, my dear Bryan. We knew it wouldn't be easy, and it isn't always, but it sure is worth every moment.

I think I just lost two days...

2010-12-17T17:48:00.004-06:00

Christmas is 6 days away. For real, I know. Crazy.
I am thankful that I had all but one gift bought. This last gift has been a doozy getting, though I must say. I didn't know what to get this one person. Said person gave me an idea but it wasn't soon enough to get said persons gift here on time. They may not have a gift on Christmas morning. Aaah! I feel bad. And then to top it off, cause not having it on Christmas isn't bad enough, I accidentally hit standard shipping instead of overnight. So they probably wouldn't get it until the New Year. Ack. Insane.
So, now after an hour on hold waiting for Customer Service, I think I may have the first half of this problem figured out. (I'm still on hold to do the second half of my figuring out while I write this. Shouldn't let this time go to waste!) They still may not having it for Christmas but they may have it the day or two after. That would be nice. Goodness. Nothing like waiting until the last minute to order something.
I'm just that awesome.

So much is going on.. This month has just been crazy. I really can't remember much of it. Trust me, I'm trying, but it's such a blur. I think it always is because of the holidays and two birthdays thrown into two months.

So here's what I have to look forward to, how 'bout that?

Sunday is Mrs. Kringle's Bakery. I'm frosting and baking cookies to help with the sale. There are always such yummy treats there. Our church members are rock stars in the kitchen.
And then we are practicing for the Christmas Eve service. Bryan and I are singing in it. I'm excited albeit a little nervous since we haven't practiced it much and neither of us know it very well.
Sunday evening we are celebrating our "Family" Christmas with the Pitts! Now having done this for a couple years and working out the kinks (especially in the food department) we have decided to order Chinese food. This way no one has to cook and we can all just relax and enjoy.
Excitement!

Bryan only has to work through until Wednesday then he's off til the end of the year. We'll have our little family's Christmas on Christmas Eve morning. I'm excited to set up A's playhouse and for her to see it. I feel kind of bad because she only gets to open one gift and her stocking. The rest can't be wrapped because it would just be silly. But I hope she enjoys them still!
Then later that day we'll head over to church for the Christmas Eve service and then to Bryan's parents to spend Christmas. We'll stay through til Saturday night but then have to head home because Bryan is on Worship that morning. We'd love to stay longer but it's just too much to try to squeeze everything in.

To spend Christmas with my family, we haven't decided if we'll leave Wednesday or Thursday. Wednesday night there's a concert in DM of one of Bryan's favorite bands. They're on their final tour before they break up.
If he decides not to go then we'll leave Thursday evening and wait for my baby sister to drive behind us. She can't leave until she finishes work that day.
(still on hold)
Then we'll stay through til the end of the year.
(Yay! It's been taken care of!)

So if I don't get on here again before then, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a brand new and beautiful New Year!

Where did the month go?

2010-11-30T08:57:00.004-06:00

December is tomorrow.

What?!!

Yeah, I know, right!? So where did the year go? Sometime I'll have to do a recap of each month but I've got limited time on the computer so it'll just be quick.

I've finished painting my living room, dining room, kitchen and breakfast nook. I knew I should have taken pictures when my house was the cleanest it has been in way too long, and now it's messy. I did manage a couple pics of the breakfast nook and the back of the bookcase. But I'd like to get a few more of the rest of the house. I'll do my darndest to get it photo worthy today.

We had Thanksgiving with Bryan's folks on the actual day. It was fun. Mom and I brought crafts to work on which meant lots of girl time with the only three girls in the fam that are over the age of 2. A just ran around with the uncles and took a nap while us girls decorated sugar cookies. And of course I didn't take a picture of the whole lot of finished ones. Brent created a loot load. He was going to town.

My very chocolatey Cookies. They were yummy.

The most creative. Take note of the dismembered Santa done by Bruce,

the naked Santa done by Alyssa, and the Tree at Night by yours truly.

I tried my hand at making purple icing but failed miserably. It turned out black.

So Brent went nuts making Death Creations.

However, the most really awesome Santa is mine. Can you see the skull?

My Snowman Family (awwwww)

Bruce's Blue Man Group

(and of course I didn't take any pictures of his "Art inspired" cookies.)

Then we moved on to the ribbon trees that I brought. I didn't get a chance to take pictures of those. 2/3 of the way through we get a call from our friend Keith saying Em is having abdominal pains and is going to the ER. He asked us to take J for a bit and we offered to keep him over night. So we had to leave. Priorities but I'll take a photo of my tree later on.

Then we went down to my grandparents for Thanksgiving weekend. It was crazy. We ended up playing a game that my sister and her hubby suggested. It was too much fun. It had 5 games in one. My team won- Go Team!!

Too much pie and loads of turkey later, we headed home on Sunday.

We'll head back down to the farm for New Years. Then we'll celebrate a b-day, Christmas, and New Year's all in one shot. I'm excited for it all!! Now, I need to finish Christmas shopping...

25 Things I'm Thankful For.

2010-11-25T07:19:00.000-06:00

Thanksgiving sometimes seems to get overlooked being so close to Christmas. And with all the hubbub of finding the right gift, only-so-many-more-days-to-buy-buy-buy, and Black Friday being right after the day of Thanks, the Turkey day seems to get glossed over or becomes a second thought.

So, because of Thanksgiving Day, I thought I'd take a moment to count my blessings, if you will.

1. My husband. He is wonderful. He's human and knows he has faults, but he tries his darndest and works hard at trying to be like Christ each day. He is also good because he knows I have faults and loves me in spite of them.

2. My baby girl. Who's not so much a baby anymore seeing as how she is 2 and 2 months. She's so smart, and kind, loving, compassionate and polite. She's a wonderful kid and I am blessed as a mom to have her as mine.

3. My extended family. They are amazing and I'd have lost my way a long time ago if it wasn't for their love and direction.

4. My in-laws. They've taken me in as their own, love me, care for me, and I'm proud to have them as my second mom and my dad.

5. My dearest friends. They may as well be family.

6. My church family. They are loving, gracious, supportive, generous and encouraging. It's lovely to see a church body really strive to be like Christ. We fail continuously and everyday but it's wonderful to know that we are trying.

7. The roof over my head. It may not be much, but it's sweet, cozy and home.

8. The clothes on my back. I don't have many and lately, it's by choice. Freedom right there.

9. The food in my belly. We are never in want or in need. He blesses us each day with our daily bread.

10. The car we drive. We only have one and sometimes we could use another but we have what we need.

11. My hubby's job. We are blessed with a job he loves, people he really enjoys working with, and being able to work from home. Not to mention, I don't have to work because of it which brings me to...

12. Being able to stay at home with my girl. And not having to miss a single moment with her.

13. Our stinky dog and snooty cat. Hubby loves the dog, the cat loves me. We all win. I think.

14. A warm comfy bed to curl up in at night. It may not be as big as we'd like but it holds us both (and the cat) and all is well.

15. Art. I love it. It feeds my soul and makes me happy.

16. Snow. I know, I know. People will think I'm crazy for this one, but I love it and I can't help it.

17. Sleep. It renews me, energizes me, and there is nothing like waking up to the sound of rain, the sun shining on your face, or to a fresh blanket of snow.

18. Photography. Yes I know this is considered art, but there is something separately special about it. Snapping photos and never knowing if you really got a good one until you get the chance to look them over. Then you're surprised at how many good ones you really ended up with.

19. Age. With age, usually comes wisdom. That is if you're willing to learn.

20. Stories. Stories bring up memories and vice versa. There's nothing like talking about some old memories that capture you and drag you into the story.

21. My grandparents farm. Although I was heartbroken when they moved from their last house, I have grown to love the farm. It has acreage of grass that waves in the setting sun, wondrous smells, and some of my favorite people. It's a place that warms to heart and feels like I've come home.

22. Dancing. Such freedom in dancing.

23. Music. Sometimes you just don't know how to express yourself until you've heard just the right song. It can bring you to tears, make you laugh, bring you to your knees, and make you stop and think.

24. Laughter. There is just nothing like laughing until you cry. Or cackle.

25. Last, but certainly not least, my Jesus. I'm thankful that he loves me and I don't have any years without his love and support. I'm thankful he's always held me in his arms whether I wanted him to or not. I'm thankful for my faith and hope in Him.

Shoes!

2010-11-14T21:43:00.003-06:00

I love shoes.

They rock my world.

No matter what size clothes I wear, how I'm feeling that day, whatever- Shoes always fit and they always make me feel good. And they make me happy.

On Saturday, we went shoe shopping for Bryan. We had done so a few days before but Bryan was undecided after a couple of stores (Kohl's and Famous Footwear) as well as we needed to return home to our kiddo before my sister had to leave for work. So, we went back out... with our kiddo. We hit almost every shoe store in the mall and ended up returning back to the sister store of Famous Footwear where we found him some shoes.

He ended up getting a pair of running shoes, pumas, look nothing like he would ever buy on his own. But, if you knew how he dressed himself before we started dating and now, well, let's just say I've had an influence on him. A good one, mind you, but one nonetheless.

I was also on the hunt for some new sneakers. Mine had given up. I think I've walked and exercised and loved them to death over the last three years. They've been good to me. But it was time for some new ones to love to death.

So, in every store that Bryan looked, I looked for myself after finding him every option to possibly try on that I thought he would like. I had no luck either. I had a couple considerations but then finally found some shoes that were the girl version of the pair he finally chosen. However, they had a purple stripe but were a shade of gray that Bryan thought looked dirty. So I didn't get them.

Hey, he asked for my opinion and took it, so I did the same.

I was bummed, but, whatevs. I'd find something. So after buying him some new shoes, we headed home so A could nap.

I headed back out on my own back to Kohl's where I found some shoes I thought I'd give another shot. They were "eh" and I wasn't in love, but I bought them and took them home. Turned out I really didn't like them. They were cute but they were tight and leather.

I didn't want to have to worry about breaking a pair of shoes in. Especially not after Bryan kept gushing about his new shoes that felt like slippers and were a perfect fit from the get go. Jealous!

I kept thinking how I liked the girly version of Bryan's shoes. Then I remembered that I did try on another pair at the first FFW that were white with pink. So today I returned my leathery, harder-than-crap, didn't-want-to-have-to-break-them-in shoes and went back to the first FFW. I found those white with pink pumas and I bought them. I think they're just great. However, they run a bit small, but that's all right. They had my "extra" size.

So, here, I thought I would share a few of my favorite shoes:

On the left are my new shoes!! On the right are not my "just loved to death" sneakers but these are my beloved Adidas that I've had since about 8th grade. That's right folks, 12 years. But they are still so comfy, don't smell, look a little warn, yes, but, they're my go-to shoes.

Thank you, my Adidas.

My favorite high heels. Fav Or Rite. Love. On the left are my sequined gold shoes. I debated a bit when I was trying them on because I didn't know if I'd have anything to go with them. Turns out they go with a lot. And I love them. I do have to take special care of them, though, so the sequins don't get ruined.

In the middle are my beloved black shoes. They are pinstripe, sophisticated, and gorgeous dahling.

And on the right are my brown pin-ups as I like to call them. Or my 1940's inspired, because of the way the fabric covers the entire shoe. I've had all three shoes for more than three years. Love, love, love my shoes.

And lastly, my biker boots. These make me feel tough, rough and like I could go jump out on my bike (as though I had one {someday!}) and go for a ride. These are my don't-mess-with-me boots. My sweetie got them for me last year for my birthday and I still think they're awesome.

So, to recap: I don't choose my shoes lightly, I love them til there is no more loving to give them without a hole through their sole, and I'll wear them forever.

Have I mentioned I love flip-flops too?

My exciting Saturday (of last week)

2010-11-13T20:57:00.003-06:00

Last Saturday was excellent.

First, I got to go to Book Club for the first time ever. It was very cool. Not only did I get to sit around with a bunch of lovely, godly women, but I got to talk with them about a very cool book. We read (before hand) and discussed Friendship for Grownups by Lisa Welchel.

This book touched my heart and helped me to realize the areas I needed to grow in to develop loving friendships. She had wonderful first hand, personal experience that I was able to relate to. And those ladies know how to talk! In a good way too! They were wonderful to listen to, and stated 95% of my own thoughts. I loved being able to sit back and soak in such wonderfulness these ladies radiated.

Then we ate salad.

It was yummy. We had a salad bar which everyone brought a topping and a dressing then created their own from everything that was brought. It was so good. I'm going to try to recreate it a bit this week because it was just that good.

Then:

My aunt Kimmy, organizer and simplifier extraordinaire, had come up to visit us on Friday night, along with my grama and my sister Sarah. I had invited Kimmy to come and do a Simplicity Seminar for the ladies in my church. Unfortunately, if was a very busy Saturday so not a lot of people were able to show up.

However- It was still most excellent. Kimmy has thee most awesome ideas of simplifying your life. Not to mention organizing as well as saving money in the process.

She gave us many ideas for each room and things within that room. She also talked a lot about purging anything you don't love or need. Insert FlyLady into my life once again. Not that she ever left, I think we just needed a reintroduction.

The ladies that came seem to be so blessed from what Kimmy had to say. They asked questions, gave thoughts, and discussed things to help get themselves clutter free. It was awesome.

I seem to always take something away from her whenever she comes up or I get to see her on one of our family visits. I love her.

She is like my big sister. Yeah, we're 16 years apart but in my family, my aunt Kimmy and her hubby are my close family. People don't seem to understand just how close we are, and truthfully, I never really understood just how they couldn't understand. That is until I met Bryan and got close to his family.

In their family, it's Parents and Siblings. No aunts and uncles. Not really even grandparents. Makes me sad for them. It's like I have a really, really big family. And I love it. And so very grateful for it.

Tomorrow I'll post some pictures, but let me tell you, I've cleared out my closet, given away unloved things that I've been holding onto because they were given to us as wedding presents, and pitched and tossed like a pro.

I only buy exactly what I need knowing just right where I'm going to put it. I am getting clutter free. So this entire week I have done all my FlyLady each and every day. I even bought a mop to replace my swiffer mop and did a full blown job on the kitchen and the bathroom.

Now, if you know me, cleaning the bathroom gives me the heebie jeebies. Hair, bodily fluids, soap scum.. I shudder. But I did it. I, me, did it. And now they both look so very nice.

My kitchen still has a bit to go because of the repainting but it's almost there. I just need to take care of the breakfast nook, sand, paint, and clear off and clean, then I'm done. Huzzah.

The Start of a Catch-up

2010-11-12T21:34:00.005-06:00

Being with an internet connection is beyond frustrating. Not only was the connection on our phone slow because we had to be on 3G but Bryan had to work out at the church.

So it was just me and the kiddo.

That's not easy when I'm used to occasional help from the works-from-home hubby. I really enjoy a "vacation" to the store for some alone time while A naps. Bryan can still work without the distraction of a 2 year old, thanks to the convenient baby confiner of a crib. And I can run errands without having to map out the quickest route before the inevitable meltdown.

I am very blessed. And very thankful.

I did feel bad for Bryan, though, he enjoys being at home and so it was frustrating for him. Finally, they were able to fix it by Wednesday. Something had chewed through the wires and water got in. Simple as that.

So, we're back up and running. And I can finally edit my photos. Hopefully by tomorrow.

Bryan will be leaving again on Sunday, again for NC, again for a week. We're not excited but you gotta do what your boss tells ya to do. And, so, it's a good experience, builds up his resume, blah blah blah ;)

So now I will leave you with my top 10 favorites:

1. My favorite book is This Present Darkness

2. My favorite dessert is hot oatmeal chocolate chip cookies with a scoop of vanilla

3. My favorite flower is peonies

4. My favorite season is late Autumn/early Winter

5. My favorite hobby is photography

6. My favorite colors are blue, green, blue green... and white.

7. My favorite number is 7

8. My favorite verse in the Bible is Hebrews 11:1

9. My favorite animal is the polar bear

10. My favorite place to be is at The Farm

A quick nothin-to-do-with-nothin

2010-11-11T22:01:00.000-06:00

I'm really disappointed that four days into November, our stupid internet connection with Mediacom went out and I had to miss blogging for the past week.

Stinkin' Mediacom.

But it's back up and running so here I am.

So, to get back into the groove, I have four memories of each of the four places that Bryan and I have lived in since we've been married, and I thought I'd share it with y'all.

1. Crazy memory: Our very first apartment. First floor and it was tiny, clean, and perfect. We had a half kitchen with a half stove. No dining room, one small bedroom, little bathroom, cozy living room. It was a straight shot through, from the front door to the back of our bedroom. Like a giant rectangle.

We never had to worry about our neighbors, everyone was quiet. The most we got was a dog across the street that would bark at our kitten whenever she would sit in the large front window.

Well one night, in the middle of the night, I woke slightly thinking I heard someone knocking at the front door. I kind of woke Bryan but we didn't hear anything so we went back to sleep. I'm sure seconds later we woke to someone banging on our bedroom window. I mean banging on our window. Right next to us. Scared us half to death.

It turned out to be a police man. He knocked on our front door but we didn't answer so he came around to the back and knocked our bedroom window. As it turns out, he was at the wrong apartment anyway. If I remember correctly, it wasn't anything serious anyway. But still.

2. Freaky memory: Our second apartment. This time we were on the third floor. Thankfully. Because New Years 2005 we had gone to bed early, 10:30-11ish.

Probably around 2 or 3 in the morning Bryan and I woke to the sound of gun shots and screaching tires. Bryan called 911 but he wasn't the first. Turned out someone had tried to run over another guy. When that didn't work they fired their guns.

No one died, which I think is a miracle. We could even see the tire marks that ran up into the grass. Nuts-o.

3. Annoying memory: Our first rental house. Two morning straight at about 3 or 4 in the morning, Bryan and I would be awaken to the sound of a car alarm going off.

I couldn't stand it. I couldn't go back to sleep until it went back off. Bryan can sleep through anything. The house could fall down around him and he still wouldn't wake until he was ready.

We called the cops after an hour the first morning. How could no one else wake to that??

The second morning someone ele called them. It turned out that the car alarm was broken and would just go off. But it only did those two times. At four o'clock in the morning.

4. Happy memory: Our first home. We moved in when I was 6 months pregnant. 3 months later I gave birth to a sweet baby girl. Then for many, many months I would be woken up several times during the night.

But each time I was rewarded with a sweet baby, I could lovingly hold in my arms as she nursed. I love, love, loved it. I still love the memories. I'm still bummed that those moments are now only memories but I love the new moments we share each day.

She wears her tutu, does the hula, and shakes her cute little tush. She gets in the dogs kennel, makes me look, and laughs and laughs and laughs. She says "pease" and "daent you", "bess you" when someone sneezes, "sooze me", and "ya yoo" in response to our own I love you's.

I'll have to do a better catch-up soon but that's all for now. Have a great night!

Stinkin' stinkin-stinkin.

2010-11-10T21:53:00.003-06:00

I'm back! Stupid internet connection. I'll post tomorrow. Tonight I will be finishing up my Bible study.

Have a great night :)

And to finish 'er off.

2010-11-03T16:38:00.003-05:00

First, let me state for the record so that I may bring this up to my daughter when she's older and hold it over her head, we called her twice on Saturday. Once in the afternoon which she responded with a "Hi Dadda!" and a "No Momma". We think she was telling her grandma that I wasn't there and didn't realize I was on the phone.

The second time was later on toward dinner time. We though we'd call to see how trick-or-treating went for her. It went well, however she didn't want to wear a costume, so she went as a stubborn little girl. And when it came time to talk to us for the second time in one day, we both got rejected. Yes. She said no to wanting to talk to us.

I am, however, really glad she had such a good time. I actually didn't even remember to think about her until midnight on Friday night. And the rest of the weekend, I was okay. It was nice to get away and have some free time. Bryan and I are definitely willing and excited to let her leave for the weekend or even just an over nighter here and there.

Only took 2 years.

So!, Friday. No, Sunday. Which day is it again?

Sunday morning was our day to "sleep in". I put quotation marks around it because that's just what it wasn't, however, it was still nice so really I'm not complaining. Just pretending like I am.

All girls, not just my cabin, woke to the lovely sound of banging pots and pans. The boys thought it would be a good idea to bring a wooden spoon and a pot down to our cabins and so lovingly bang on them to graciously give us a wake up call.

..yeah..

I wasn't startled or anything, it was just like a really terrible alarm clock. The boys even thought it would be a good idea to come back around for a second time since they saw no movement coming from any of the cabins. This time they put the pots directly onto the windows and banged as loud as they could.

I still barely moved. As well as the other girls.

I ended up laying there for another 30 seconds to a year and a half, couldn't really tell just how long, but I got up and woke the rest of the girls up. It's hard being a den mom because I don't want to be a bad guy as well when waking up a bunch of girls. But they were sweet as could be and got up when I told them to.

Good girls.

Breakfast consisted of NO bacon, thank you Brian, and it was tasty.

Worship wasn't too bad, but we were all so tired and my hubby picked such upbeat songs it was hard to get into it but we did the best we could with the little energy we had. The first song pathetically lacked energy but we picked it up by the second and more on the third.

Bryan's and my voice was so shot we were glad it was the last set of music for the weekend.

I don't think I've sung anything since. Yeesh.

I'm actually surprised we hadn't lost our voiced. Impressed actually. And I'm proud of our little worship team. A bass, guitar and two singers. One kid actually jumped on the beat box for a few songs to give it a little depth. Which was nice. Note: Drummer next year, please :)

We ended with our very own Pastor Keith riding in on his motorcycle to bring home the message of A Rebel With A Cause. He did an alright job. It was just okay. Not bad.. Eh.

He seemed to tie it all in together and the kids still listened; even though he was the fourth speaker of the weekend, it was early morning, and they were all super tired- they listened. That means something.

And it was so cool because we had 2 guys who were popular in HS, were going to go somewhere with sports, had everything, then God took it away so they'd make Him first in their lives. Then we had the other two guys who were geeky in HS, no one liked, picked on, and wanted it to be over when God stepped in showing them He would happily carry everything and be everything in their lives.

So, which ever category those kids fell into, there was someone who could relate and spoke on it. So cool.

We ended it off by cleaning up the camp, saying our good-byes and 'see ya next year's, and driving home.

It was a very cool weekend.

When Bryan and I got back to the church we got to stop and talk to our friend Sheila about the weekend. She was so bummed on not being able to go this year that we were excited to talk about it with her and fill her in on the juicy details, fun stuff, and awesome ridiculousness of it all.

After we dropped the last two teens off at home, we headed home ourselves. Thinking we'd get a few hours just to rest, unwind, watch some Dr. Who.. Grandpa dropped off our A. She was super excited to see us, as we were her, we were just too anxious to see 8 o'clock roll around so we could go to bed.

Yes, 8.

We didn't end up going trick-or-treating. We didn't have anyone to go with and our A isn't all that into it just yet so it would have been more trouble than it was worth. So we stayed home, had Papa Murphy's pizza, and ate a lot of chocolate. Don't judge. It was Halloween.

At 6:30 our friends the Pitts' stopped by and we got to see their kiddos cute costumes. A Crockeye..er.. I mean a Hawkeye cheerleader, Iron Man (I think), and Dorothy with a real Toto. He was my favorite.

Thankfully A didn't take a nap so she was ready by 8 to go to bed. Bryan and I went soon there after and fell asleep about 9, 9:30. And everyone slept in until 8:40ish the next day. And all was well.

My Rad Saturday at camp Wannahockaloogie

2010-11-02T19:50:00.004-05:00

Saturday morning came way too quickly. I love mornings but I'm not a great morning person unless I have to be. And in this case I did have to be.

I was up at 5:40am to be at the lodge at 6:30 to get breakfast ready. However, there were more girls than there was for things to do, so most of the girls just sat around for the longest time. They rest of the girls did have to do clean up, but I'm sure they wished they could have slept in if they had known that. I do understand that.

Having to lead a group of teenagers in worship early in the morning is not an easy task. Still asleep myself, we had to do what we could to get ourselves going. And if that meant shaking our butts and acting goofy, well, then I was all for it.

The first speaker was Pastor Chris. He did an awesome job. I took notes. I figure that even when the message is directed at the kiddos, that doesn't mean us adults can't take something away from it. And I sure did. Good job Chris.

We had free time, which for me meant watching everyone else play dodgeball. There was no way I was getting involved when the game consisted of volleyballs rather than your typical dodgeball. I saw way too many people get hit in the head. Nu-huh, no way, no how. So I sat out and talked with Mr. Tim.

Lunch and the next speaker followed. Pastor Nate. We only heard the second half, because Bryan and I went out to call our kiddo and see how she was doing. She was great. Really great. So great in fact, she didn't even want to talk with us. Ha! Goober.

Afterwards was the second free time. A group of 15 went to walk the nature trails around the camp that led to caves. It was cool. I have realized that I am so not 16 anymore, but for a 26 year old, I should not be as out of shape as I am. I will have to work on that.

After the first bout, about half the kids headed back to camp, the rest of us went off to find the Mystery Cave. It was worth it. It looked like not much of anything but it fit all 8 of us into it. So cool. I did crack my shin on a rock and I now have a very nice bruise to show for it.

We all even climbed into a tree and got our picture taking. This is when I really realized I'm not 16 and fearless anymore. My shoes weren't as "grippy" as they should have been. But it was fun.

That was the second bout and four split off from us heading back. The last of us finished the full trail off and went to see the labyrinth and the tree houses. Very, very cool but my legs were so dead at this point. I really just wanted to be back at the camp.

From start to finish, approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes of hiking. And not just a flat trail, but over rocks, up and down hills, a bit of rock climbing as well as tree. I was beat.

We had about an hour before dinner and I really just wanted to lay down and rest. I knew that if I did, however, I would not be waking back up before dawn the next day.

So, I got myself out of my cozy flannel sleeping bag, put my bunny slippers on and went on back to the lodge to mingle. Sorta. I sat and let everyone come to me. That's my kind of mingling.

We heard Pastor Phil speak and then dinner. It was soo good. Really so good. This lasagna came back to bite us in the butt.

(more on that in a few)

Then it was Pastor Terry. I must say, all these pastors were wonderful speakers. They flowed together so nicely. Later we found out that they didn't coordinate their lessons. In fact, they didn't even talk about it before hand. It was most certainly a God thing.

He's kind of awesome that way.

Afterwards there was free time. The kids went and hung out while watching a movie. Bryan and I stayed back to talk to the cook Brian. Very cool guy. However, this is when we found out that he put bacon in the lasagna. BACON. Bacon, folks. And when I say it came back to bite us in the butt, I was being quite literal. I'll just end it at that, though, to spare you.

We talked until 10 when I excused myself for a much needed shower. It was sooooo good. Especially after that long hike. On a pretty warm day. When I wore a long shirt under a short sleeve shirt. You get the picture.

Devo's then bed. I hit the sack so hard, I was out before my head hit the pillow and I didn't move until morning. That's rare. I am a wiggle worm when I sleep. But not when I'm that tired.

Morning felt like it came too quickly. And the boys were rude.

Just sayin.

And we're off!

2010-11-01T19:53:00.004-05:00

It's national blog month once again. I will do my best to blog each day and now I've been challenged to comment on each blog as well. I will sure do my darndest.

So, to begin, I'll start with this last weekend. It was a slow weekend. Very calm and relaxing. Lots of rest and quiet. That is, aside from spending it at camp with 80 Jr. and Sr. high schoolers.

Bomb diggity.

Yes, I did just say that.

First, I'd like to say, that is was the very first weekend, even a single overnighter for my hubby and myself to spend away from our 2 year old. Long over due, but I wasn't ready until now. And no one could make me before then. It took me a year to let anyone else hold her. Do you really think it'd be any less than two before I'd let her spend the night away from both her parents??

So, Friday afternoon Bryan's parents came and got A. She was beyond excited and couldn't care less that she was leaving us behind. Needless to say, she had a great time at grandma's and grandpa's house.

They left, then soon after we headed for the church to meet the teens. Six kids were able to go. 3 boys, 3 girls. Four sponsors. We were out numbered. But we tricked them into liking us and behaving themselves the entire weekend!

Bryan and I led worship, which meant I had to do actions and be lively and lead a bunch of teens who thought it to be uncool to move during worship. Heaven forbid they encourage a 26 year old and jump around like teenagers.

I eventually got them to. I tricked them, again, into thinking it was cool. Cause it is cool. Who doesn't want to wave their arms around, jump side to side, and point to your butt when you sing the word "end"?

I sure do.

I had the three girls with me for the nights since I was the only female sponsor for our church. But I sure didn't mind. They were such good kids. But we did have to share a cabin. It wasn't bad after the first night.

Strange sharing with a bunch of other people when you're one of the two leaders and you've never been there before and the other person has and she's older than you and probably knows better at what she's doing than you and you're only 26 years old!! But it was all good.

I led devo's for the weekend and the girls did pretty good to listen, pay attention and respond back to the questions I asked. The first night we talk about Philip and the Eunuch. I'm sure glad they didn't ask me what a eunuch was. I would have been able to explain it, I just didn't want to explain it to them. Awkward. Maybe not.

I even brought a bag of mini twix. I slipped into their hearts riding their love of chocolate. Then I made them all tell me a favorite something of theirs. I may have made that too broad of a topic. One girl responded with a, "My favorite is hot guys and men who smell really good." I should have stuck with favorite color or food. Maybe day of the week?

Anyway..

We ended going to bed at midnight which was the bedtime on the schedule. So I cozied up in my flannel sleeping bag topped with a second flannel sleeping bag with my flannel pillow. It was freezing outside of my sleeping bags but I was warm and cozy. I slept alright, only waking once or twice to roll over. I forgot how tiny bunks are so I was afraid I'd fall off. But I slept fairly well.

Then I had to wake at 5:40. AM. It wasn't pretty, but I did it.

Stay tuned for Saturday at Camp Wannhockaloogie...

Long Week

2010-10-15T09:33:00.003-05:00

Let's start with the rough:

Sunday.. no, let's back up, Friday night we went over to Bryan's brother and sister-in-law's for dinner and ended up staying until 11. We had a really good time, however, we also had A with us and her bedtime is 8:30.

She's a lot like me and doesn't just fall asleep with so much going on. I wish she was, but she's not, so she was up til 11 right along with us. That made for a hard Saturday.

Saturday, we got up and picked up the Pitts', because they're just cool, and we all headed west and south to a pumpkin patch.

There we did a corn maze, jumped hay bales (those large round ones are still called "bales", correct?), pet a cow (well, I did), and picked out some rockin' pumpkins. Ours has warts. Lots of warts. And I got some gourds and made a pretty display on our dining room table.

Later Saturday night, Bryan and I were finally able to see his brother's band in concert. They weren't too shabby. Okay, they were pretty good. I dug 'em.

Out again late, and Sunday we had church, them off to take Bryan to the airport. For NC. For a week.

*sigh*

I was able to occupy my mind that night by hanging with Em. But Monday was hard. Really hard. It was a crappy day. In fact, it just sucked. But I was able to write three letters for three really awesome people who celebrated their birthday's that night. And I got to give it to them. The end.

Tuesday was the start of a much better week with A and I getting along, me having the patience to be mom without the support and loving breaks my husband so graciously gives to me. And we had a pretty good rest of the week. We got to do dinner with my favorite 80 y/o, some Youth Group, Bible Study, lunch with a sweet girl, and helping a friend get her dresses finished to sell.

My momma and gramma even came up a day early to help me out. It's so nice. I'm typing this in quiet...

Tonight I get to pick up Bryan but before then there will be painting of the kitchen, a photo shoot with a dear sweet friend and her very nice hubby, hanging with my kin folk, and, more than likely, cleaning.

Next week will be another long week but I won't be thinking about that until Monday. I'm just going to sit back and enjoy the next three days.

2 more days

2010-10-04T19:40:00.003-05:00

We just got back from a really nice weekend with my family. We just spent the Saturday hanging out and around but Sunday was busy. Good but busy.

It was my cousin Mattie's 9th birthday on Sunday. She also wanted to get baptized the same day. So we headed to their church to watch her born again. Praise God for her faith. She is the sweetest kindest little girl. She has a heart of gold and a personality to boot. Plus she's beautiful. Inside and out. Love her.

I did get to see one of my best friends from college. It had been since him and his wife got married. In between our last visit my hubby and I had a kiddo, and him and his wife had a son followed by a set of twin boys. And how handsome they are. Well, I only got to see one twin, but he said that "If you've seen one, you've seen them both." Heh :)

After church, my aunt and uncle had a little party for her rebirth. We had pizza and cake, then wrote our memories of our own baptism day. It was a very good (and large) celebration.

My mom and sister Courtney, A and I soon left to head back to my mom's where we met up with the rest of the family to celebrate Miss Mattie's birthday. She got to open gifts, then we just hung out and around the house. My family plus Courtney left for home around 6.

We didn't get home til 11 and I felt sick with exhaustion. I slept through til 9:30 this morning not even hearing our kiddo wake.

Yeesh.

Bryan and I also have to do 2 more days of Phase 1 to make up for the weekend. We tried to stick with the MD but it's really hard when you're away from home. We have all of the foods we need for phase one but can't expect everyone to have the same. So, we went off of the MD knowing we'd have to make up 2 days for it.

We had pizza twice in two days and it felt so heavy. We haven't had grains for nearly two weeks by that point and it just felt like too much.

We also had some sweets. So I did not feel well by last night and was happy to start healthy again this morning. So today and tomorrow, we'll finish the first phase, then move on to phase 2. It'll be nice to add in lots of fresh fruit to our eating habits. We're restricted to berries, cherries and grapefruit in P1. I've never been more excited to have my choice in fruit!

Day 6, Phase 1 and a Quick update

2010-09-25T10:38:00.008-05:00

Day 4 is always hard. Always. And I always want to give it up. I'm so hungry at that point and I want a heavy meal. Something yummy with bread and ends with chocolate. But this time I read a friend's health blog and she talked about cleansing and that's when I remembered that's what the first phase is, a cleansing.

"Oh yeah," I thought, "I can do this... I can do this with God's help."

He got me through eating sweets and He can get me through a cleansing.

And in the end, this change of eating habits does work. I've already lost a few lbs, so it is worth it.

A had her 2 year check-up on Thursday. She did pretty good. I mentioned my slight concern for her tininess but the doc said she was healthy and tall so there was nothing to worry about. Sounds good to me. But will I need to bring out her 18 month winter clothes? Or suck it up and buy those pricey jeans with the adjustable waist?

We're home this weekend. We were suppose to head to my family's for a friends wedding but we wouldn't get to see my grandparents. That would mean that it would be 3 months before we'd get to see them again for Thanksgiving. I can't not see them. And only having the funds to get down there once this month sealed the deal.

So, I'm gonna go enjoy my Saturday with my little family. Have a great weekend!

Here we go again...

2010-09-20T12:27:00.003-05:00

Things have been a little crazy around here. My baby girl turned two, my hubby left for a Men's Retreat on friday and returned on Sunday, my awesome friend celebrated her birthday, I'm working on things for the improvement of the nursery and starting a new thing for the youth group, as well as returning to my love/hate Maker's Diet.

So to update quickly and briefly on the subjects... A'sbirthdaywasacompletehitAllthekidsenjoyedthemselvesaswellastheadultsWehadbonfirecakeandicecreampresentopeningandagoodoletimeBryanhadagreattimeattheretreatandAandIsurvivedwithouthimBarelyWeareveryhappythatheishomeIdon'tknowwhatwe'lldowhenheleavesforhisbusinesstripsoIthinkwe'llgovisitfamilyEmandIcelebratedwithsomeHuHotItwasjusttoogoodnottohaveforeverybirthdayfromhereonoutThenurseryisselfexplanitoryandthenewthingfortheyouthgroupisn'treadytoberevealedyetAndI'mbackontheMaker'sDiet.

Whew!

Hello, Maker's Diet. How I've not missed you. But it seems to be the only way to lose weight. The hardest part is to get through the first 4 weeks. After that, it becomes much much easier to survive. I just always feel so hungry all the time. I need to stock up on strawberries :) And the bad thing is that the one place that I can find goat milk placed a sign that read the company will no longer be making milk products. So I am now dairy-less for four weeks. So, now what?

I don't know.

I'm also going back off sweets. I can't seem to handle it. I have a hard time saying no because I just like it so darn much. I did so much better and it was easier for me to be off of it consistently for those 6 months. So here I go again. September 20th marks day one of no sweets as well as Day 1 Phase 1 for the Maker's Diet.

Pray for me that I don't eat my foot.

To my baby on her 2nd birthday

2010-09-16T03:30:00.000-05:00

My sweet, sweet girl, you are two today. Two. I can't believe you are already two. It has been a remarkable two years. You are so amazing in how much you've grown, have learned, have mastered, can now understand. You are awesome.

Just the other day I heard you say "love you" for the first time. My heart skipped for joy to hear those two little words.

You still speak a lot of gibberish but you are using more and more words in context. It's so much fun to hear you say what you are learning! Guess I better not use the word "crap" around you anymore.

Yesterday afternoon I really felt like a mom when I called you to the dinner table. Then you even responded with a "Kay!".

You are a rascal when it comes to changing your diaper or brushing your teeth. But it's gotta be done. No one likes a saggy bottoms-monster breath baby- No, big girl.

You still love to watch a few television shows here and there but you really love to read. And you really love to play with your baby dolls.

You have a beautiful heart that is full of compassion. You show it with a concerned "she sad" whenever a baby (or doll) cries, the dinosaurs in your book show tears, or someone in a book has been splashed. At least you care :)

You still love instruments and play like a rockstar on the guitar. You have no idea what to do with your left hand but you strum like a pro with your right.

You are infatuated with shoes! You wear momma's shoes all the time, dancing around in my fancy gold shoes with all the bead work. I fear for their lives! But you've got great moves and have improved your "slide".

You know how to shake your groove thang and have become an excellent hopper.

You are very good when it comes to praying before meals, although you tend to sneak a bite or two, and you listen when momma prays with you before bedtime.

You have become a "daddy's girl" and he finds it hard to work from home when you're too cute not to play baby doll's with.

You still have your beautiful curls and they manage to disguise how long your hair really is.

You officially do not like baths.

But you love to swim.

As long as you don't get splashed.

You're not dramatic at all...

You have a beautiful singing voice and awesome dance moves, especially in the car. I love hearing a "momma!" only to turn around to see you showing me how your groove to the song.

I love when you read out loud to yourself. And even to momma or dadda when we were trying to read to you in the first place.

You're very good at sharing... when you want to.

You're a good "momma" to your "babies".

You always seem to request one more book at night even though we've just read four. And I always seem to be suckered in.

You love to squeal and run away. Especially when we're trying to get you ready for the day.

You have a funny thing of running back and forth between the tv, landing on the couch.

You love your new bean bag chair. You even dragged it from your room to the living room.

You're a good listener. Especially when I start counting to three.

You had a naughty streak of saying "two" if I said "one" in my countdown.

You're loving, kind, and compassionate. A wonderful little girl and I hope to have 10 more just like you.

I love you so much, my sweet baby girl. You'll always be my baby, no matter how old you are.

Momma

Day six as a 26 year old.

2010-09-06T19:45:00.005-05:00

Yes, I am officially 26 years old. Turned another year older yesterday. Now my question is:

When do you start to feel like an adult?

More to come....

(I apologize in advance for all the exclamation points)

2010-08-30T07:38:00.005-05:00

Good morning!!

I am up and at 'em this morning and I like it! I hate to say that I am not a morning person and I often wish I were. I seem to be tired all the time with a thyroid condition and it's easier to stay awake than to wake up. But this morning is different and it's a nice change!

I haven't blogged in a while because it feels like nothing exciting has happened since then. I have been busy with things but nothing blog worthy... until now!

First, the last two Wednesdays we have been preparing to start up Youth Group. I'm excited!! We have a lot of sponsors, which is good because that means lots of ideas. I'm so ready to get to know these kids and help them to grow in Christ. I pray I can bring things to the group, lift them up, and encourage and not hinder in any way. I've wanted to be a part of this for a long while now but I had to wait for God to call me into it. I think I'm ready. I hope I'm ready.

Secondly, we had a Youth water park trip as an end-of-summer celebration/let's-get-this-school-year-started-off-right celebration. It was so much fun. The place was big enough for grown ups to play and have fun.

Most of the time when you go to things with your kids, the place is too small and adults have to squeeze through to be able to play with their children. Kind of a like an unspoken Adults Not Welcome So Go Chit Chat With Other Adults sign. So, we squeeze through tunnels and passageways with our little ones who are too little and timid to go by themselves until we're too tired of maneuvering our way around and tag our spouses to take over.

But not this time! This time there was all sorts of running around (and by running I mean walking really fast because the ground is wet and we don't want to get a whistle blown at us from a nearby lifeguard cause, geesh, that'd be embarrassing with your youth kids there), going down slides multiple times, standing under the giant bucket waiting for it to sound the alarm that it was about to dump on you. Ahh, it was a good time.

But. But, my poor hubby. He wasn't feeling very well and our daughter only wanted Daddy that day. She wasn't able to take a nap anywhere and was so hungry that she didn't know what she wanted. I kept asking her if she was hungry and she just kept saying, "Nooo," and start whimpering. So Bryan held her for hours. I told him that after we eat I'd take her so he could have an hour of so of doing whatever he wanted.

She was much better after we ate and perked right up. She didn't mind hanging with me on the lazy river for a while but it was right next to the water basketball area and that's where daddy was. She wouldn't let me do anything else but stay close to daddy.

He finally held her as he played some b-ball and eventually he went to the lazy river. They floated around in a double raft where she finally found contentment. Then we had to leave. She wasn't very happy. Poor baby.

When we got out to the car, she settled right in and played a little with our friends kid, M, who was also in our car. But 1oish minutes into the car ride and our kiddo was out. At 7:30. You'd think that'd be a problem for the rest of the night but it wasn't at all.

Home at 8:30 and stopped to let M out to go with her parents, not a peep from our kiddo. We even stopped at DQ and got an ice cream. She didn't wake until we stopped at home and I took her out of her car seat. Even then she just rested her head on my shoulder, then curled up in her crib when I put her down. Didn't even ask for milk so I know she was beat. Slept through til morning at around 8. I even had to drag myself out of bed but it was well worth it. Such a fun day.

And finally, us girls had our annual birthday celebration for one of us again. It starts in September and goes right on through. Except we have more girls now, so more birthdays. Fun!! Ate too much food, had good laughs, and a funny movie to boot. Next is my birthday!

Youth groups starts on Wednesday, we get to see family this weekend, and what a long weekend it will be, and my birthday on Sunday! Yay!

Enjoy your day!

Raptor Center

2010-08-19T21:32:00.009-05:00

This week has been crazy but yesterday, on a whim, I decided to take A and Emily's M and J to the Raptor center. My sis, Courtney got to tag along with us. She's an animal nut and wouldn't have been missed it.

Well, there's two Raptor center's around here and I meant to take them to the closest one but I didn't. At all. I got directions for the place and didn't bother to check them and wound up passing the closest one by 20 some minutes to the next location.

However!, it was gorgeous out there! I told my hubby that

we have to take a family day to spend

the entire day out there walking the trails, seeing the sites, boating, fishing. It was just so gorgeous.

We got out there and I told the kids that we were asked to keep our voices down so we wouldn't scare the birds... they didn't do too bad. They had thee cutest owls. Some where so little and the kids asked if they were babies. They weren't, they were just little. We also saw a bald eagle, which was magnificent, a vulture which was so weird looking, and a hawk eat, or rather, tear into a mouse.

They checked out their wing span compared to that of an eagle's 7 ft. They fell a little short ;)

We found a trail at the end of the cages and decided to walk it down. We ended up close to the water but I wouldn't let the kiddos get any closer. Don't need someone falling in. So we just stayed our distance. But it sure was gorgeous.

At the end, on our way back, we went through a butterfly garden and saw mostly bees with only a couple butterflies, but still way cool. On our way into the place a butterfly landed on my hand. I tried to get the kids to see it but J kept looking around me when the little guy was right there on my hand. And on our way out of the center a butterfly was chasing J around in circles. Then he decided to run with his eyes close. We'll just have to take his word since he was running away from us.

All in all, it was fun. Definitely going again.

Tomorrow I'm painting another room. Stay tuned...

Whew!

2010-08-14T22:36:00.003-05:00

Here I am, sitting at the computer, exhausted, sleepy yet not, yearning for my bed yet not in it, and eating chocolate graham crackers because my hunger has just now caught up with me.

I was in bed at nine. Just, so ready for bed. But then when I curled up to fall asleep, I couldn't. So I thought I would recap. Recaps are fun.

I love the exhausting busyness of the last couple days but, my oh my, am I tired.

Yesterday, my mom-in-law came over to keep my kiddo company. And God bless her because I got a ton done. I cleaned so fast and til I could clean no more.

It's amazing how a person gets to a point where their house is picked up and it seems clean because you have a little person running around who terrorizes your couch, your movies, dragging their toys to the living room, crying, tantrum throwing, hungry cute little beast making you crazy!.. (whew)

But yesterday I got it really picked up. So much to the point where all I had left was the deep cleaning instead of only the top layer picked up with three more underneath that before you can see the floor again. Toys, stuff, everywhere!

I shall throw it all away and start anew!! Maybe tomorrow.

Well, after I finished cleaning and it was time for A's nap, my sister and I had to head over to clean some more. Our new pastor and his family were on their way into town from the Big Apple. Their new house was bought yet not quite ready to move in. The previous owner was still in it!

My hubby found this out when him and two other people (friends{Walters}), from our church, went over to set up a large fenced kennel for the incoming dogs. They met the guy. He happily showed them the place. They were baffled with how much he still had left to pack.

Bryan was going to go back over with Walters to help him pack up so he could get out of there. I offered to go since A was sleeping and Bryan had to get back to work. I got there an hour after Walters and was surprised with what I saw. However, I was told it was an improvement from when Walters had seen it that morning with Bryan and after they greatly encouraged him to get going.

Anywho, after two hours, and lots of encouragement we got his stuff out of there. The Fosters (new pastor and fam) showed up as we were loading the last of it. The previous owner had a few things left, and really wanted to take a break because of the rain, but the four of us continued on to get him out of there so the Fosters could take over.

Fortunately there wasn't a lot of cleaning to do. He kept a pretty clean house. Just not so hot at the moving part. Can't really blame him. His wife was in DM waiting on him while he stayed behind to sell the house. Two years he's been apart from her and longer than that, been in that house. Maybe he had a hard time letting go.

We all understood, so we were kind and loving and helped him in any way we could.

Afterwards, we got back home, had dinner and set out to work on the yard. Bryan mowing and I trimming the bushes with an owner operated clippers. We worked til we were working til street light.

Second time I was dripping with sweat that day. First time without the rain beating on me as I was trying to work. Not complaining. It actually felt really nice.

Today, we went back over to the Foster's new house but this time to move things in. After about a half hour of being there I get a call from my sister. Inside a noisy house with people trying to move things does not a heard phone call make.

All I could hear was my sister asking me to meet her. Me asking where. Her crying and trying to tell me what happened beneath the noise. Me panicking. My sister Courtney does not cry. Rarely. So I knew it was serious. I had no idea what happened. Just that she was working at her vet job and she was now heading to Mercy Care.

I get there and, thankfully, she's doing fine. A dog bit her while she was trying to give him his meds. Only a little broken skin in between her index and middle finger but her thumb was swollen stiff from the bite. She still can't use it very well but the doc put her on antibiotics so that should help.

Went back to the Foster's and the stuff was all moved in but the VV crew was helping to unpack. So unpack we did. I did. My sis took their dogs (she's tough, what can I say) back to our house to care for them for the day. We all worked our little tushies off until noon when Bryan and I had to leave.

At noon(ish) my awesome aunt Kimmy and my rockin uncle Jon showed up with their two beautiful kiddos to bring us lunch. They were just passing through but we got to hang with them for about four hours.

I didn't put A down for her nap until 3:30 which was not a good idea on my part. She wanted out to play, and was just so off that I don't think she got more than an hour and a half of a nap. That made for a grumpy kid.

We eventually had to take the Foster's dogs back home. We were all kinda sad to take them back, especially A. They kinda blended into our little home. But there is always dog-sitting. I think, however, that I sorta promised to get a big dog for A... kinda sorta.

We made a run to MtV and back home for a bath for the stinky rugrat. That catches us up to now. I'm tired. Maybe now I can sleep considering Bryan's going to make me get up at the butt crack of dawn to go to church at his crazy hour. We have to leave a 7! Can you believe that!? A even lets me sleep til 8.

Goodness.

But I get to sing with the worship team tomorrow so I'm excited. First Sunday of our new pastor fam being there to stay, friends back from a long vacation, getting to see everyone. Should be a great day.

P.S. My daughter can tell me all the names of the Fresh Beat characters. I'm wondering if I should be worried.

Our Wednesday

2010-08-12T08:54:00.005-05:00

Yesterday was off to a tiring start. A had stayed up late the night before and didn't get to bed until 10. Which was awful for her. We were just out and about and didn't get home til late because of Worship practice and so yesterday morning she got up before she got enough sleep. That made for two trips back to the crib just to sit in there just for her binki. It isn't suppose to leave the crib so back she goes if she wants it.

Anyway, I ended up putting her down at her normal naptime, 12:30, even if she wasn't quite ready because I was. Since my sister was over, because of car dilemmas that I'll get to in a moment, and my husband working from home, I headed out to the pool for the youth Wednesday.

Sheila and three of her four kids, Jolene with her two kids, Pastor Keith with two of the three, and four youth kids were all there. Us adults sat in the shallower end talking while the little ones would swarm and splash at times. It was nice to just sit in the pool. It was only the second time I've been able to go this year but the first time without someone to have to keep an eye on. It was kinda nice.

About 45 minutes before I had to leave, I laid out to dry out. I figured I could get a little sun so my legs weren't so pasty before autumn hits and we're all back in jeans again. My sunblock had worn off on my shoulders so they got fried for the billionth time this summer. My legs did get sun but they also got blotchy. Good fun. Apparently I don't tan very well. Go figure. It's alright. I'm actually looking forward to the winter where all my summer color fades and I'm one color once again. Silly, I know. But I enjoy being pale. And one color.

So, I took off and took Courtney to work so the men could work on her car that evening. Home, shower, then off to the Pitts'. They fed us and us girls got to gab like we haven't since before they vacationed. Then we played with the apps on our phones. Don't mock us. :)

The men worked and worked on that car and decided it would have been over $1000 if she had taken it in to a shop. In the end it will only cost her about $150. Not too shabby. Thank you Bryan and Keith (and even Dave although he wasn't able to physically help because of a wasp sting to his hand). We didn't end up leaving until 9:30. I think we all were tired.

The men are finishing the car this morning, which meant that Courtney stayed again last night and Bryan took her to work this morning. But thankfully, the car should be finished soon and all will be right with the world. (Love you sis!)

Hopefully today will go well. A has already made one trip back to the crib for her binki and I can't decide on what to do with the day. The Park? The Pool? Stay Home? I don't know. Any ideas would be welcomed. I need to get us out more. Even in this blistering heat.

Randomness just to get caught up.

2010-08-11T09:34:00.000-05:00

August 3rd, we just celebrated our 6th anniversary! My how time flies. And so weird. It's weird to think that my husband is two years from 30, I'm leaving my mid-twenties, and our daughter will soon be two. Two!! I was just pregnant with her! So crazy.

Speaking of crazy, I think I may need to go back to my "no-sweets" thing. I think I just like sweets too much. If it's around, I wanna snack on it. If it's not, I'm okay but I just don't know if they're worth it anyway.

I made it that 6 months, maybe I should try for 9....

Last night I got to go to worship practice. It was too much fun. Singing loudly in some ridiculousness. And other times just in worship. But always having a good time. We even had a fill-in drummer who doesn't drum. Not too shabby, Miss Sheila.

We went and saw Mewithoutyou on Friday night. Totally awesome. Last time they were here I was pregnant so we couldn't go. I was soooo sad. But we got to go this time!! And it was awesome!! I think I've already said that...

Summer's coming to an end. I try to enjoy each season as it comes and not wish for the next. I do love summer, it's just the humidity. Give me a nice warm day any day.

My garden isn't turning out too bad. I discovered I have cucumbers a month or so ago and even got to enjoy one. But they are now taking over my garden. And my pumpkin... minus any pumpkins, just the vines, are taking over the yard. I will definitely know better for next year. I'm just happy that I know I can do it! Maybe next year I'll even try my hand at flowers.... Hmmm.

Since we were blessed with this laptop from Bryan's work, I'm hoping to be able to work on my photos with it. Maybe I can drum up a business from it.. I really love photography.

Anyway, I think I'm caught up for now. Maybe something exciting will happen today. Or maybe just the Splash Pad...

I am back!

2010-08-07T08:36:00.003-05:00

We have been without a laptop for about a year and a half. But just the other day Bryan's bosses decided to send him one so he was able to do some work in OSX (I know what that means!!!). For free. I love his job. Actually, I don't always love it because of the long hours at times, but I am so very thankful for his job and more importantly the people he works for. They are so kind and thoughtful. They treat us well and they're just, well, awesome.

So, here I am, on the Macbook that they have generously sent to us. I think I'll be blogging a lot more.

A lot more..

Day 172 of 175

2010-06-23T08:42:00.004-05:00

I'm nearing the end of my "no sweets" ...thing... Here, I don't even know what to call it.

A while back I had talked about giving up sweets for 6 months. I had a couple of people say they didn't think I could do it, or I was crazy, or I shouldn't give it up cold turkey. Well, I did do it and I did give sweets up cold turkey and I've been doing it now for 172 days.
Saturday is Bryan's birthday. The day I said would be the end of my anti-sweet diet. And I've got to say, I'm a little nervous. It has become easy for me to pass on dessert. Even at my mom-in-law's, who makes incredible desserts every time.
But now that it's getting closer, I find myself thinking about sweets a little more than I have been. And each time I do, I become a little more nervous to taste a sweet once again especially come this Saturday.
In fact, Bryan has already had one birthday party, and I passed on dessert there, then this weekend we'll have another, but I may pass again until next week when I try my hand at some cookie ice cream sandwiches.
The whole point in me doing the 6 months of being sweet free was to "reprogram" myself when it comes to sweets. I feel like it's my drug and my go-to. And, so, I will just have to watch everything until I can get a handle on eating sweets again.
During my 172 days there have been times when something will come my way for me to taste. Someone would point out that it has sugar in it and to not eat it, but I'd have to remind them that this wasn't a sugar-free fast, it was a craving fast. Some things I could have like my caramel frappachino from Starbucks while others, say the chocolate cherry mocha sinful goodness coffee at Starbucks, I'd have to pass on. And it was okay. I would just say, "Welp, can't have that again." and I wouldn't.
So maybe I just have to take those kind of lessons and apply them generously at day 175 and on. Maybe now I can just have a little and not over eat every delicious thing in front of me. Okay, so it wasn't that bad. But I do need to have better self control. And that was the whole point. And truthfully, I'm giving all props to God. Because, without prayer, I wouldn't have made it past the first week, let alone these 6 months.
So, now, after reading this, y'all probably think I'm crazy, or making a big deal out of nothing. I can assure you, though, it wasn't nothing to me. I don't want to turn to a giant warm cookie topped with delicious ice cream instead of taking my stresses to the Lord.

And that is the point.

It has been far too long.

2010-06-12T21:24:00.007-05:00

Recently I've been busy working on a painting for our church.

Since May of 2009 we have been without a pastor. For a year we've had a committee dedicated to prayer and allowing God to lead us to the new Pastor that he had in mind for our church. During the prayer process, the committee came to a verse that we have adopted as the church's reminder~

Behold! I am doing a new thing... Isaiah 43:19

Around last December, there was talk to find a vinyl lettering to place at the back of the sanctuary, on the balcony wall, so you'd see it as you left the service. After finding that there wouldn't be one large enough, they were going to have a member in the church make one with a Cricut machine. But that wouldn't be able to make one large enough either. So then they came to me, told me what they were thinking, and asked if I'd be willing to paint it. I was. I really, really was.
Well, having a year and a halfer running around made getting to it very difficult. I kept putting it off and putting it off. Until finally I decided to just get it done. I found a font I liked, printed it off, got a transparency of it, ran it past the Wonderful lady in charge of the whole thing, and after she loved it from the first moment I was determined to get 'er done, as in the words of my beloved dad-in-law.
So I got started.
My plan was to have the larger black lettering done in the first week and the smaller blue lettering done in the second. Yeah, well, that didn't happen. I did get the larger lettering done in two days, 8 hrs for that first week. {Praise the Lord for nap time and a hubby that works from home.}

So after I got the "Behold" finished, I was going to wait to start the blue. But I couldn't. I just wanted to keep working. So I went out and got a blue paint and got to work. I finished "I am doing a" in 2 days, 6 more hours. That's when I had to call it a week.

Come Saturday, A got sick, then Sunday I was down with her. I was disappointed to not get to see everyone's reactions that day to the big black lettering on the wall behind them. But I was informed by my friend, who's also the Youth Pastor of the church, that everyone was thrilled at what was being done and gave an applause. Not to be boastful but I am proud of myself.

The next week I really wanted to continue on. Once I get on a project, I really want to finish. It's hard for me to take a break. Even when I am sick. So by Thursday, I got back to the church. I got "new" done in 2 hours. Progress.

That next Sunday, my family and I went down for the weekend to visit my family. So, again, I didn't get to see everyone's faces. Oh, well. As long as everyone was liking it, I was excited. So last week I finished "thing..." because that's all I had time for. But this week I finally finished it.

All in all, it took me approximately 24 hours to finish since the blue needed three coats to cover. But I'm happy and proud of myself for what I've accomplished.

So that's about what I've been up to this last month. Hope y'all are having a great weekend.

Aaaaaaaaand I'm back.

2010-04-10T22:25:00.002-05:00

It's already April, and look at me, I just am now getting to blog. It's true.

So much has been happening between now and the end of January I don't even know where to begin. So, taken from my lovely friend Emily, I will now lovingly subject you to bullet points :)

My baby girl is nearing 19 months. She is getting so big so fast. She's such a little girl.
For summer, I went and got her a sandbox and she already loves it. Soon we'll be getting her a swimming pool which I know I'll never get her back inside when that comes along.
My mom and stepdad are up for a visit. It's been fun, exhausting, creative, and with laughter infused times. My mom has even gone and bought A some new outfits for the summer. One being a new bathing suit that is absolutely adorable. She's just too cute anyway.
I have such amazing family and friends. I am blessed.
In February, we celebrated our 6th engagement anniversary. We do that instead of valentine's day. That way we beat the rush of couples, we get to avoid the mass hysteria of buying cards and candy, as well as celebrating one of our special memories.
In March, my younger sister got married. Happy 1 month and 4 days :)
Spring is here and the warm weather, sprouting flowers, and greening trees makes me happy.
My girlfriends and I are planning a vacation in July to Chicago that we are super excited about. Sometimes, though, I can't tell if we're more excited about Chicago, getting away kid-free, or the food we will be consuming. Yay!
My hubby and I sold the car he bought me when we were dating to my sister. With that he was able to buy himself a guitar. It's a beaut. And he's happy.
I was able to participate in a weekend for the youth girls to come together, bond, hang out in girl time, talk, discuss and learn more about God. It was a fun weekend full of great conversations.
Last time I mentioned that I was going off of sweets for 6 months. Well I am 3 months and 10 days strong. At first it was hard and I would struggle with it a lot. But I kept praying about it and giving it up to God. He has really gotten me through the hardest parts and there is a day here and there when I would just love to have some chocolate but I can tell my mindset is changing about sweets. When the day comes that I allow myself to have sweets again, it will be few and far inbetween.

Anyway, that's all I've got for now.. not entirely but it will have to be because I am tired.
Until next time... have a wonderful day!

What?? It's January? And it's almost over??

2010-01-24T22:37:00.002-06:00

It has been way too long since I last blogged. I wouldn't even know where to begin to try to catch up. How 'bout a sum-up.

December:
Christmas with the Pitts
Christmas with the in-laws
Christmas with the ..not.. in-laws

January (so far):
Trip down to Joplin to see a friend get married.
Way too long of a trip.
A hated the drive.
Broke down and bought a dvd player for the car.
Was glad to be home.
Don't know if I could do it again.
But happy to have seen everyone that I saw.
Lots of friendly old faces :)

Thursday night I held a spa party with a lady who is a Beauty Control consultant. Waaaay better than anything else I have ever tried. Loved it. So did the ladies I had come over. Two friends are going to be having their own and I get to go to theirs too! It's so needed and way underrated. A pamper night with your girlfriends and no hubbys or kiddos!?!! Please, gimme that once a week and I'd be a happy girl.

Then last night we had a spontaneous girls night out. Went to a movie at 9 at night. Saw Did You Hear About The Morgans? Cute. I dug it. Some good funny parts. It was just fun hanging out with those girls and a snuggie. Don't ask.
Then we went to Village Inn for some pie. Gooood time. Fun times. We were out until midnight. And on a Saturday night!! We all still made it to church.
Next time we'll have to invite more ladies!

Also, I am off sweets for six months. I know, I know. You all think I'm crazy. But I'm not. It's not a diet. It's not some crazed thinking. It's me, reprogramming myself and how I think of sweets. I can too easily sit down with a pie and lovingly eat half of it in a sitting. Put some of my mom-in-law's cookies in front of me and I'd gladly pack away 20 of them. This is why I'm doing this.
Six months. No sweets (i.e. desserts, chocolate, shakes and the like. Anything that could strike me to eating way more than my share.) Not only am I doing this for myself, I'm doing this for my daughter. I want to teach her the proper way of eating desserts. That it's okay to have a cookie here and there, and it's okay to have one piece of pie, but then we're done.
So six months, then I will gradually allow myself to have a small dessert on special occasions, like birthdays and our anniversary. See? I'm not going forever, but I am doing this to better myself and to not let sweets be my go-to.
That's another thing. I would go get something sweet if I was stressed. I don't need that. I need to turn to God before sweets. And it's slowly working.
I've also been working on working out. Exercise. I don't want my daughter to be a couch potato who can't control her sweet eating habits. I have to set the example. I can do this.
See? I'm not crazy for doing six months of no sweets.

I'm already heading into week 4.

We made it.

2009-11-29T23:20:00.001-06:00

We're home.
We're tired.
And sick.
All three of us.
And we shared it.
It was fun.
Everyone made it.
Plus some.
Had a good time.
Glad to be home.
Going to bed.

Good night.

Happy Birthday

2009-11-28T20:00:00.000-06:00

Happy birthday to my father-in-law!

You're an amazing dad.
I'm am so blessed to have you in my life.
Thank you for being the wonderful person that you are
and raising my husband to be just like you.

Want to know more about me? No? Too bad. :)

2009-11-27T20:00:00.000-06:00

1. What is your favorite thing to snack on while your blogging?
I don't snack while blogging.. but I sure do want some chocolate.

2. What is one thing you wouldn't want to live without?
My non-spiritual, unemotional answer is chapstick.

3. Beach, Mountains, or Farm? Where would you live if you had a choice?
A farm near a beach, where you can see mountains..? I love country life.

4. What's your least favorite chore/household duty?
cleaning the bathroom. loose hair... *shivers*

5. Who do people say you remind them of?
I have one of those faces and I get asked if I'm someone else or that they know me when they don't.

6. Prefer parties and socializing or staying home with the fam?
I like to socialize but not at parties. I prefer home all the time :)

7. What's your all time favorite movie?
Practical Magic. I've seen it umpteen times.

8. Do you sleep in your make-up or remove it like a good little girl every night?
I'm terrible.. I usually sleep in it when I wear it. But at least it's the Bare Minerals. Does that count?

9. Do you have a hidden talent or a deep desire to learn something that you've never had a chance to learn? What is it?
The drums! But my head hurts just thinking about different rhythms with different limbs at the same time.. And then those people who can sing at the same time!! My word.

10. What's one strange thing you're really good at?
Baking. Or drawing. Sleeping?

11. What first attracted you to your spouse?
His kindness

12. What is something you love to smell?
Coffee. My grandparents house. Fresh air.

13. Tell something about you that you know irritates people.
It's the things that annoys me that annoys others! Like when I can hear them chewing!

14. When you have extra money, what's the first thing you think to do with it?
Bills :(

15. Are you a silent laugher or a loud laugher? What makes you laugh the hardest?
Loud laugher!! Playing games with my family. We just know how to have way too good of a time.

16. Where is your favorite place to shop?
Target. Shoes, tops, dishes. Anything you need!

17. What's one thing you'd do more often if you had more time?
Read, scrap, art.

18. Are you a big spender or frugal?
Both. I don't know if I can explain that one.

19. Who is your favorite character of all time?
Um... I don't know if I have an answer to this one.

20. Would you want to be famous?
Nope.

My 26 Thankfuls: The Revised Edition

2009-11-26T21:02:00.002-06:00

My God, my Savior, who rescued me from the depths of hell.
My family who has loved me unconditionally and with more love any person could hope for or expect.
Bryan. Who cherishes me when I'm unworthy, loves me when I'm unlovable, tells me I'm beautiful when I feel ugly, forgives me when I need it, my strength when I'm weak. He is my other half, my best friend, my buddy and wonderful father to our daughter.
My baby girl. She is my pride and joy, my mini me (even the "ugly" parts), my laughter of the day, and my heart.
My mom. She's indescribable. Her courage, faith, determination, love, kindness. She is my pillar.
My grandparents. They are whom my faith has grown from. My image of a God blessed marriage. My subconscious, even when I don't want to hear it.
My sisters. They stick with me not just because they have to, but because they so choose. One who is so similar in so many ways and the other who could almost be my polar opposite, but no matter, I love them both and they are forever in my heart.
My parental in-laws. I am truly blessed to be able to call these two family. They are so loving and kind and generous. I love them both very dearly.
My siblings-in-law. Bryan's two brothers are just that to me. Brothers. I could always pick on them, talk with them, poke at them, watch weirdo movies with them, listen to crazy music with them. They're awesome. I also appreciate my bro-in-law's wife. She's a neat-o kind of gal.
My aunt Kimmy. She is like my older sister, the one I look up to, want to imitate. I value her opinion, love her family humor, dig her style. She's one cool cat.
My uncle Jon. Kimmy's hubby, I couldn't be happier to have him as my uncle. He's "rolling on the floor" kind of funny, goofy, smart, kind, pretty awesome.
My cousins M&M. They are the two coolest kids. Super smart. Way loving. Cute, cute, cute.
My step-dad. We haven't always gotten along but he's been there. Through the bad and the good. He's come a long way and I can appreciate that in him. He's a pretty good guy.
Our friends. They are some of the most wonderful friends that we've had in a very long time. We treasure them, their love, their grace, their opinion, their kindness, their generosity. We love you guys like family.
Our church. We haven't been in a more wonderful church. The goodness has been overflowing lately and I couldn't be more grateful for that.
Norma. I love that 89 year young lady.
Age. The older I get the more I have learned. I'm thankful for that wisdom.
The wisdom of those who have gone before me and life lessons that can be passed down. Especially if one is willing to learn before making the mistake.
My mom's Bible study. I love this group of women, the study that we're doing, the chance to let our children run around and play, the discussions that take place, the tears that are able to flow, the prayers and the hugs.
Chocolate. I know this is drastic from number 17 but it's true. I love chocolate and am very thankful for it. Especially when I've had a bad day.
The Bible. It's word in the comfort it brings, as well as the promise, the hope, and the love.
Bryan's work. He loves it and they love him. It is good. And I get to be a stay at home mom!! Yay for me :)
Forgiveness. Forgiveness of myself, for myself and for others. It's the most relieving thing.
My home. It's cute. It's warm. It holds my things.
Books. I love reading. There's an escape into another world... even if only for a little while before coming back down to reality.
Exercise. It makes you feel good! ..if you are willing to get up and do it.

Hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving. I know we sure did and it's even still going on!! One down and one more to go. Bring on the stuffing and can shaped cranberry sauce!!

My 26 Thankfuls

2009-11-26T08:45:00.000-06:00

My God, my Savior, who rescued me from the depths of hell.
My family who has loved me unconditionally and with more love any person could hope for or expect.
Bryan. Who cherishes me when I'm unworthy, loves me when I'm unlovable, tells me I'm beautiful when I feel ugly, forgives me when I need it, my strength when I'm weak. He is my other half, my best friend, my buddy and wonderful father to our daughter.
My baby girl. She is my pride and joy, my mini me (even the "ugly" parts), my laughter of the day, and my heart.
My mom. She's indescribable. Her courage, faith, determination, love, kindness. She is my pillar.
My grandparents. They are whom my faith has grown from. My image of a God blessed marriage. My subconscious, even when I don't want to hear it.
My sisters. They stick with me not just because they have to, but because they so choose. One who is so similar in so many ways and the other who could almost be my polar opposite, but no matter, I love them both and they are forever in my heart.
My aunt Kimmy. She is like my older sister, the one I look up to, want to imitate. I value her opinion, love her family humor, dig her style. She's one cool cat.
My uncle Jon. Kimmy's hubby, I couldn't be happier to have him as my uncle. He's "rolling on the floor" kind of funny, goofy, smart, kind, pretty awesome.
My cousins M&M. They are the two coolest kids. Super smart. Way loving. Cute, cute, cute.
My step-dad. We haven't always gotten along but he's been there. Through the bad and the good. He's come a long way and I can appreciate that in him. He's a pretty good guy.
Our friends. They are some of the most wonderful friends that we've had in a very long time. We treasure them, their love, their grace, their opinion, their kindness, their generosity. We love you guys like family.
Our church. We haven't been in a more wonderful church. The goodness has been overflowing lately and I couldn't be more grateful for that.
Norma. I love that 89 year young lady.
Age. The older I get the more I have learned. I'm thankful for that wisdom.
The wisdom of those who have gone before me and life lessons that can be passed down. Especially if one is willing to learn before making the mistake.
My mom's Bible study. I love this group of women, the study that we're doing, the chance to let our children run around and play, the discussions that take place, the tears that are able to flow, the prayers and the hugs.
Chocolate. I know this is drastic from number 17 but it's true. I love chocolate and am very thankful for it. Especially when I've had a bad day.
The Bible. It's word in the comfort it brings, as well as the promise, the hope, and the love.
Bryan's work. He loves it and they love him. It is good.
Forgiveness. Forgiveness of myself, for myself and for others. It's the most relieving thing.
My home. It's cute. It's warm. It holds my things.
Books. I love reading. There's an escape into another world... even if only for a little while before coming back down to reality.
A clean home.
Vehicles, because without them I wouldn't get to see my family very often.
Exercise. It makes you feel good! ..if you are willing to get up and do it.

Hope you are having an awesome and thankful Thanksgiving!

You know she's sick if she doesn't fight the diaper change

2009-11-24T20:31:00.002-06:00

I know, I know. I didn't post yesterday. But Bryan was working nearly the entire day and I didn't get a chance to come up here and blog for the brief moment that he was downstairs with me.

I wanted to blog about FlyLady. I was introduced last Thursday at MBS (Mom Bible Study). She is fantastic! It's this website that starts you off with baby steps in getting your house clean. Day 1 is to Shine Your Sink.
So I started by doing all the dishes, putting the strainer away (because that attracted clutter and did nothing for me to help clean), cleaned the sink and dried it. You're suppose to dry it each time. Well, let me tell you, it has been clean since Friday. I can't let myself let it get messy when it looks so nice.
So each day I read the new "Post-it Note" and add it to my list of things to do for the day. And it works. It really works.

Pray for my baby, she's not feeling well. She is running a fever and was more than normal snuggly today. She even fell asleep tonight as I was changing her diaper. I didn't even get to feed her before I put her down. So I just picked her up and took her to her room to rock her for a few minutes before putting her in her crib for the night.
Bryan just ran out to get a new thermometer since ours takes 9 hrs to get a reading. It's terrible. Hopefully she's better before Turkey day. It would stink to have to miss everything with both sides of the family.

I'm so stuffed I could lay an egg! ..er.. huh?

2009-11-22T21:14:00.002-06:00

What a day! But, once again, where did my weekend go?
I was hoping to put our tree up today but it certainly did not happen. Courtney and I did manage to hit Kohl's but that was about it. We wandered around but I just couldn't commit myself to buying anything. I don't need anything in my home, trinkets and such, and I couldn't find anything that caught my eye for gifts.
But there was a Thanksgiving dinner at church tonight hosted by the youth group. It was pretty tasty. Then afterwards, Emily, Courtney, Bryan and I snuck out to play some Wii for a bit. It was good fun but now we're home. Stuffed. Stuffed like a turkey at Thanksgiving.
So I'm gonna go plop my thighs onto the couch like a potato and watch some TV. Night all!

We Wiied ourselves silly because it's fon-to-due!

2009-11-21T23:00:00.003-06:00

I certainly did not feel like blogging yesterday. I didn't really have the time to anyhow. Bryan was working then we were asked to watch the kids of our Pitts friends. It was an easy babysit because the kids were all good.
When we finally got home Bryan and I wanted to watch Monk and Project Runway. There are only two more Monks as the series finale! Yes 2 more and then they're done! We're kind of sad because we really like that show. And PR, goodness! Bryan and I liked Carol Hannah's best but agreed that it wasn't a runway collection and did see Irena's as best comparatively. But it was all black and would have been so much better in color. I do see how she won it though. I did think she had a way better runway collection than the other two. And as for Althea, I was so over her by the first half of the season finale. So I was not heartbroken that she lost. Blah.

Anywho.

Today was somewhat productive. Bryan and I got to get some things done that we kept putting off (i.e. getting information on my ring for the insurance guys so they could update it). We also went to Kohl's' to find him some sweatpants but they were all ridiculously priced. Plus I forgot my Kohl's cash and I was not going to get more stuff without using that! $10 off! That's awesomeness right there.
After we got groceries and some Chinese food from Hy-Vee, we came home ate and then left again. Bryan headed for church where he helped the youth set up for the Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow after church service and A and I headed back to the Pitts' for an evening of Fondue. Because, as Emily likes to say, "It's fon to due!" And, yes, I'm still her friend even though she says things like that. (Love ya Emily!)
We had a good time of dipping, but not double dipping, nor skinny dipping, but over dipping. We sweeted ourselves out. But it was tasty! We hung around until the kids went to bed and while some youth were in her kitchen making dessert, we headed downstairs for some Wii. Wiisort that is. And it was fun.
A was a trooper and let me stay out past her bedtime. I only had a bit of a problem trying to put her in her car seat but other than that she was great. And so funny the entire time we were there! I love when she laughs and runs away. She gets such a kick out of getting chased, even if we only pretend to chase her. She was having such a good time that she nearly ran into the fridge, the cabinet door, and did manage to twirl and fall on her booty. She's such a sweet kid. Love her. Love her!!
So, anyway, I'm gonna go read as I wait for Bryan to return home. Since the youth is having a lock-in at the church tonight I didn't really expect him to take his inner child away from game play and horsing around. But I sure hope he returns soon!
Hope you all have a great night!

Am I complaining? Yes, I think so.

2009-11-19T22:13:00.004-06:00

This morning we all, dog included, slept in til nearly 10.
And Bible study started at 10.
So, I rushed up with a wonderful tired headache, ate a quick bowl of cereal, brushed my teeth, tried to get dressed one handed while holding A, tried putting A down, A cried to be held, I let her cry so I could get dressed quickly and without doing some sort of a dance.
Bible study was all right. I didn't get to do my lesson that I nicely put off until the last minute expecting to do it this morning before and then not getting to. I still plan on doing the lesson on my own time this week, I just regret not having it done to be on the "same page" as the other ladies. My bad.
The rest of the day was pretty well in the pooper. A screamed at me as I tried to put her in the car seat to bring her home and then later on during bath time. She's been sassing me a lot lately but I think there are lessons to be learned in it.

Lesson 1: Don't hold angry daughter while she hits you and has fork in hand.
Lesson 2: Let her cry it out because trying to get one's own way will not work. Be the mom and act like a grown up.
Lesson 3: She'll come to you when she's ready. If she's ready.
Lesson 4: The terrible 2's come early. Two early. <-- Haha, get it? No? Moving on...
Lesson 5: It won't help the situation if you lose your cool. Keep calm.
Lesson 6: Remind her and yourself that you love her.
Lesson 7: Screaming it out is good in the long run: they wear themselves out for bed.

Well, that's all I have for today. See you next time on Life Lessons for the New Mom.

18 sentences for the 18th

2009-11-18T23:27:00.003-06:00

Got up at 6:30am
Was too tired and fell asleep at 8:30
A decided to sleep til 9:30 the day I wake up at 6:30
Got very little done
Went out to lunch with my brother in-law's wife
It was a fun four hours
We ate at an eclectic/cottage/early 1990's barn turned restaurant
In the loft that was being converted from Autumn to Winter themed
A slept the entire time I was gone
Made them lunch at 3 o'clock
Did the dishes
Played with my baby
Then made her made at me by reclaiming my yarn that she swiped
Hung out with my baby sis
Talked with Emily via text
Hung out with Bryan
Ate cookies and ice cream and
I'm now going to bed.

There are two 6 o'clocks??

2009-11-18T07:33:00.002-06:00

I realize that I did not blog yesterday. I was far too busy watching The Biggest Loser while sharing a bag of Reese's mini peanut butter cups. However, by the end of it, I felt like A Big Loser.
I am inspired by these people and truly I wish I could get on the exercise band wagon. But we don't have the money for any kind of membership except for the free kind. And we all know that includes our rainy, cold outdoors. I did a lot of walking this summer, but I can't bring myself to make A brave the yuck with me. No matter how much I need it.
So, what do I do, you ask? Well, let's see -- I put my daughter in the cart and then run all over the store. Yes, run. It amuses her.

Speaking of...

So, last night, my sister came along for some Christmas shopping that I needed to get done. It was a blessing to have her or I would have stopped after 1 and a half stores and pulled my hair out on the way home. But with her marvelous help of entertaining/running after A, I hit FOUR stores! Yes four. And let me tell you about them.

Store number 1 was our dear Michael's Craft Store. I needed to pick up DIY Christmas ornaments and paper. And while I did that, A tried climbing on company ladders, declaring random things "Hers", and running away. About the time we were ready to go, so was she. But we still wanted to see our friend JoAnna, who was indeed working. So I put my daughter in the cart and ran, yes RAN, around the store like a [willing] fool so as to make my daughter very happy. Which it did.
Then we ran, yes ran, to store number 2. Which is where I got our other sister her lovely items for the upcoming holiday event. But I will not disclose either the present nor the holiday. But in this store, my daughter continued her overtake of all things merchandise claiming them in the name of A. And then she found the toy table and she was happy as a clam. That is until we were ready to go. I think cars are on her Christmas list this year.
Off we went to store number 3. Gander Mt. Courtney, my sister, not the one who I bought the present for but the one who was helping to corral my daughter, did not appreciate this store since she is a lover of all animals living. But, I needed to go in for some gift getting.
As we made our way through the check-out line, A found this weird and gross deer-butt-puller-outer-something-or-another and thought she needed three of them.
Store number 4 was the very-handy-now-that-I've-found-it Toys R Us. Here I managed to take 30 minutes to pick out 5 toys for 5 kids. I never thought it would be that difficult. But the older you get the more you forget what it's like to be a 5 year old.
After I was finally finished choosing, I made my way to the car table where my daughter was stationed. And of course she chose a $200 set. She has my taste. We followed her around for a while. She led us to the baby doll isle where she Oohed and Aahed. But, please, no getting her any baby doll that poops, pees, talks, cooes, walks, crawls, sings, moves or blinks. Thank you in advance.
Then she found Raggedy Andy and she was in love. She carried him around and patted him. For a while she had two but saw the reality in twins and left one in an opposite isle. However, later she dropped and left Raggedy Andy for some dish soap. Then left the dish soap for some Mentos bottles that because maracas. My daughter is fickle.
We ended the trip with me paying and her signing for the card. But we had a really good time. She was such a good girl all day. Happy as a lark, giggling, laughing, squealing, playing. I was a very happy mama. Hoping for another day that good.

Anyway, here is post 1. for today since I failed at getting the post in yesterday. But, really, by the time I remembered, it was 11:45 and I was already curled up in bed. So, please, be kind.

Hope you all have a great day!!

Fourteen months today

2009-11-16T22:19:00.002-06:00

My sweet baby girl,
Today you are fourteen months old. You have the biggest blue eyes with long eyelashes to match. You have eight teeth in front. Four on top and four on bottom. You also have a grand total of four molars. Two on top and two on bottom with one being on each side.
You have super curly hair which you've most recently covered in waterproof silicone grease. It took us 10 washes, four with Dawn dish soap, to get it fully out.
You have the sweetest laugh and the cutest quirks to go along with it. I love when you shrug your shoulders for no reason but just because. And when you bite down on your paci and force it up into your nose giving you the weirdest look.
You're still nursing but slowly weaning yourself off. I'm not sure I'm quite ready but I will as you do. You still manage to get your foot up to my face as you eat, though. I usually get a toe smashed into my cheek. But you have the cutest little toes.
I love when you "run" you hike your arms up into a funny pose and squeal as you make your "get away." It can be hard not to laugh when you find it hilarious that you are doing something you know you're not suppose to.
Recently you have learned to give kisses. Sorta. You will plant your cheek into our kisses but you do manage to give fantastic hugs.
It's one of the most amazing things to have you squeal with delight whenever we enter the room. Even if we have just woken up, or come to get you for a nap, or have escaped ourselves for a little "me" time.
You calm down every time I sing you His Eye is on the Sparrow. It's the same song I sang you in the womb. We have learned that screaming Twinkle Twinkle will get you to laugh and squeal along if ever you are throwing a hissy fit while we're trying to get something accomplished.
You have learned how to turn the TV on and off, shake your booty from side to side to dance, clap your hands, sign "please", get us to hold you, give you the cat or anything else you want.
You love our cat and dog and lay on them whenever possible. But when they're not around you settle for a stuffed bear or your newly found cat.
You love books, for us to read them to you, or to read them to yourself or to the dog if he's willing to listen.
You talk all the time using words that are not in our vocabulary but we'd listen to you talk all day if we could.
You love destroying things, walking, running away or around the house for no particular reason, to dance and sing, and to give things to people. You also love to color. Especially on our walls and couch cushions.
You are amazed by instruments but right now the guitar is your favorite. So you tend to cherish your ukulele.
I can already tell you are compassionate. You love to hug, especially babies. You tend to show concern if someone is sad or upset.
I could probably go on and on and on. I could add to this list until it is a million miles long. But I think you're amazing. All the little things you do.
I love you my darling girl.

-Mama

We just had a weekend? Are you sure?

2009-11-15T21:20:00.002-06:00

I don't know quite where it went. But it did come and go very quickly. I'm a little sad, but that's ok. I did have a good weekend and that's what makes it ok.

Church was good today. I appreciate our Interim pastor and what he has to say. Both Bryan and I agree that we really like that he has been around. Not in a dirty weird kind of way but in a traveled kind of way. Him and his family were missionaries in Brazil for some 30 years and he has countless stories from that experience. And they are always fitting. We also really like that he doesn't point the finger at anyone but himself. It makes the sermon hit home all the more.
Today he talked about marriage. A word to the soon to be married, the married and the divorced. Then he added a word to the Church. It gave new light on things we've all heard before.
In a good way. I really like how he says and puts things. But also I really like his character and what he has to offer.
After church we thanked the wonderful lady who opened up her home to the women for last weekends retreat. We gave her a card and basket to show just how kind, thoughtful and loving she was to do that for us. It was such a wonderful weekend and so nice to have it in someones home. It made it more comfortable. You felt at home very quickly.

When we got home A and I ended up taking a three hour nap. I think it was needed.

And then this evening we went over to see Bryan's parents. I sure do love those two. But on our way there we had to stop at a sharp turn where a grain truck had tipped. The person driving must have taken the corner to quickly and turned the truck on it's side. The truck was over both lanes so the trail of cars had to pass in the side ditch with instruction of the police. At least no one was hurt. But we did see all the grain spilled on the road.
We finally got to his parents and they had dinner waiting for us. We got to sit and talk for two hours. It was so nice to catch up and chat. Amelia got to run around being goofy and the grandparents got to love on her.
On our way back we did pass the still tipped grain truck. It looked like they were trying to salvage the spilt grain. Can't blame them. Luckily, from the look of what spilled, it didn't look like the bed was full. So hopefully they won't be out too much money.

I'm off to spend the rest of my wonderful weekend with my hubby before the hectic work week returns. I hope you all had as wonderful weekend as I did.

Catch ya on the flip-side!

...too soon?

What comes to mind...

2009-11-14T22:10:00.003-06:00

Today was great!
I got to spend it with my Bryan..
For the whole day.
We did nothing all morning but lounge and be together.
Then in the afternoon we went on a date-
First to Chili's
3 for $20 -Way better than Applebee's limited selection and 2 for $20.
Got to sit and talk.
Something we haven't really been able to do in a week or so.
Then we went to a movie.
The Fourth Kind
It was interesting.
Still not sure what I think about it.
Don't know if I will be sure.
I enjoyed hanging out and relaxing with him and our babe.
We did clean a bit but it felt good to do it.
We also worked on getting the grease out of A's hair
and in turn got the Dawn dish soap in her eye.
She was so upset that I held her naked wet body straight from the tub
and she was equally tired that she fell immediately asleep on my shoulder.
We finagled her diaper on backwards so she wouldn't pee on me.
She ended up waking and played until 30 minutes past her bed time.
Bryan and I have continued in our "hanging out" time.
Got to caught up on some TV shows
Monk and Lie To Me
Now it's off to bed to catch up on our devotions.

Today my daughter decided to put plumbers grease in her hair.

2009-11-13T23:04:00.002-06:00

I didn't get to blog yesterday which kind of made me sad, but it was for good reason. I promise. And if it helps, nothing really went on for the most part. I did get to go to my Mom's Bible Study which is always a blessing. The kids got to play, whine, argue and share cheerios. Us mom's got to share, encourage, love on and pray for each other. I feel so blessed to have these women come together every Thursday.
I am also really enjoying the Bible Study we're in. I think I could go through this one over and over, and still learn something new about life and myself every time. This week was about Mud or Stars.

Two women look out the same prison bars
One sees mud, the other stars

That's good. That's really good. So, which one am I going to see in my day to day situations? Bryan's been working really hard for a while now. Yesterday I didn't get to see him but in the morning to wish him a good day and at night when I went to bed. He continued working through until this evening with only a two hour nap. That's rough. So mud or stars?
I'm very thankful that he has a job he loves, that he really enjoys the people he works with, that he appreciates and respects his boss, and that I get to stay home with our baby every day.
Those are stars.

I'm far from my side of the family and I get to see them about once a month. But, I also have a really, really wonderful family by marriage that is really close by.
Stars.

Today. Oh yes, today.
(Allow me to sigh with a smile on my face)

Three words:
Plumber's Waterproof Grease, that is.
I don't know where she got it from or how she got into it, but she did. And she lathered it into the right side of her hair really well. I didn't even notice until she came and shared some grease with me on my pajama pant. It was all over her face, on her clothes.
Sometimes.
However, I chuckle now.
So.. I put her directly in the bath. Washed her hair three times all without success. Waited for help a few hours later. Washed her hair again in the kitchen sink this time using First: cornstarch -helped. Second: more cornstarch -helped a little more. Third: baking soda plus shampoo -helped some more. Fourth: more baking soda plus shampoo -helped about the same. Fifth: (you guessed it) even more baking soda plus shampoo.
They all helped, but I don't think you understand just how much grease she has in her hair! It did add to her curls, though.
I really enjoy being her mama. She makes me giggle at the end of the day.

On another note, I got a few Christmas presents bought! And the beauty of A being the age that she's in is that I didn't have to worry about her seeing her present because she forgot all about it because I hid it in the basket. Joy! Next year, I will have to plan my trips accordingly but for now- Woop, Woop!!

So, that concludes my day. I am going to head to bed excitedly because, even though Bryan's already asleep on the couch, and I will most certainly have to drag him to the bedroom, I get to sleep next to him tonight!

Most definitely Stars.

It's Thursday. No really.

2009-11-13T23:00:00.003-06:00

So, I didn't get to post yesterday. I know you will all forgive me because you are a loving bunch. And just to show how sorry I am I will post two for today.

Here is a very tasty and delightful dish that we like to call Indian Corn. Don't ask me why it's called this, it just is. Enjoy.

1 lb. hamburger
1 jar of salsa
1 can of corn
tortilla chips
cheese
sour cream

Directions:
1. Fry up the hamburger.
2. Add in the salsa and corn.
3. Heat 'til bubbly.
4. Place in bowl.
5. Add cheese and sour cream as desired.
6. Dip chip.
7. Eat.
8. Enjoy.

That's it. I hope you all like this Tasty..er.. Fattening Friday. Doesn't really work, but go with it. :)

Me and my fat lip

2009-11-11T22:35:00.002-06:00

Tonight I got to see Emily for the first time in a few weeks!! She's been sick so I've been staying clear for as much as needed. The only sad part was that since it's Blog Post month, we're already caught up on each other's lives with nothing new to talk about.
Bummer.
She did inspire me to get my butt in gear with Christmas shopping. I just need to do it and get it done. Period. No Black Friday or "Oh no! It's Christmas Eve and we still have to go shopping!" for this gal. Uh-huh. Not happening. It would just bring on premature gray.
Anyway.
Tomorrow is our Mom's Bible Study and I still have yet to read the chapter. However, I'm excited to read it because a) Not only is it a good study, and b) From what I hear it's sounds like a good 2nd chapter.
So, I'm off. I need to read that as well as do devotions with my hubby. Plus I'm tired and I really have nothing new to say.
Oh except for my fat lip. Did I forget to mention that. Yeah, it's a beaut. A thought it would be a nice ending to my day. Not that it was a bad day, mind you, just a good ending to it. So yeah, big, fat, purple, and red. At one time bled and now is the size of a marble.
Good fun.
True story.
Y'all have a great night!

Too tired to blog so I'll just say this:

2009-11-10T23:05:00.002-06:00

Just finished watching Land of the Lost with Will Ferrel. So dumb. So, so dumb. So very dumb.

That's all.
Have a good night.

"Happy trails to you. Until we meet again."

2009-11-09T18:37:00.005-06:00

I didn't sleep well last night. I think it was from the four hour nap I took yesterday afternoon. I went to bed around 11, tried falling asleep around 11:30, and didn't actually fall into a sound sleep until somewhere around 2. I tried to make up for the lack of sleep by sleeping in, which almost worked if it wasn't for our dog whining for an hour because he was bored of being in his kennel. Soon, he'll wish he was bored in his kennel in the room that he shares with A when I kick him out to the garage for the winter.
I kid, I kid.

Sorta.

However, I'm doing pretty well. I'll just be ready for bed when it comes. I'm still trying to adjust to the Fall Back. Even if my body thinks it was really Spring Forward and has me awake way later than normal. Maybe I'm just secretly wishing a bunch of women around my dining room table with the game Last Word in play.

Today we attended the funeral of Bryan's HS friend. Once I had seen his picture, I realized I had met him once or twice. The stories that were told were great. So funny, such wonderful memories. They made me laugh aloud even though I didn't get to witness them first hand. I guess he was a riot. And the stories proved it.
There was a huge bouquet of balloons in the foyer that read, "Happy Trails," "We'll miss you," "Happy Retirement," "See You Later." And goofy ones picturing Cookie Monster and Spongebob. Even one in the shape of a flamingo. I guess he was just that goofy kind of guy.
Some of his friends even sported flip-flops and toenail polish. Guy friends, mind you.
The coolest thing, I thought, was that, although his family was grieved by the loss of this incredible person, there was hardly any tears, no remorse. Just wonderful stories, laughable moments, sharing happy and precious memories. They even talked about how all he wanted was for everyone else to know Christ as he knew Him.
I think that's beautiful.
It is sad that such a person was lost at such a young age, but God works through everything. Praise Him for that.

A new week and I'm ready for the weekend.

2009-11-08T23:00:00.003-06:00

I woke up so tired from this weekend. Even though it was a good weekend, I feel I need a day to recoup. It was hard trying to get back into the groove of things. Like I was thrown back into the mix from being gone where I was no one's wife or mom. I didn't have to listen for crying or try to find something that was missing. I didn't have to worry about dinner, or nap time, or what to wear, or dirty diapers. I had adult conversation with amazing women.
However.
I am happy to be home. It was nice to have that break, and I'll look forward to it again, but I will gladly search for keys, listen to my husband snore, play pick-up after my daughter as she throws clean clothes out the basket. Any time.

Church was good today. The music was good. The sermon was good. The people were good. It was good. I was blessed to see the ladies from yesterday, to reach out and hug them, knowing we had a new bond.
I even got to take a nap. A four hour nap. And A took it with me. So nice.

Tomorrow we are attending the funeral of one of Bryan's childhood friends. I don't know what to expect. It's being held at our old church and the church's old building. There will be people we haven't seen in some time. But I'm not worried about that. I'm there for Bryan. For whatever he needs. I don't think he knows what's coming or what to expect either. So prayers for him and for the friend's family are appreciated.

I hope you all are well tonight. I hope you get the rest you need. I hope tomorrow is a good day for you.
Have a good night.

Krohse Cove (part ii)

2009-11-07T22:32:00.000-06:00

This morning I woke up ready and raring to get to breakfast. I arrived soon after 8 and enjoyed some time with some ladies before breakfast was ready. Around 9 we made some very fancy and technical "omelet's in a bag." So yummy, with a side of gargantuan cinnamon rolls, any breakfast would be complete. Yum.
After breakfast we dove back into our weekend devotion. Soon after we had free time and all decided to go for a nice 2 mile walk in our Indian summer on a local trail. By the time we got back I was ready for air conditioning. But I was happy to settle for ice water.
Lunch was so delicious with homemade bread for sandwiches, fresh fruit, more cinnamon rolls and wonderful company.
After another chapter in our devotion and some free time involving Apples to Apples we had dinner. So gooood.
To conclude our time together we discussed how to keep our women's group going, what we could offer as an outreach, what we could do to grow ourselves and anything and everything else.
It was such a good weekend. I'm looking forward to the next get together in a month. Although it won't be more than a few hours, I'm excited to meet with this incredible bunch of women. They have so much to teach and offer, so much wisdom, thoughts, advice. Friendship. I am blessed and so happy that I went.

We missed you there, by the way.

Krohse Cove

2009-11-06T00:42:00.000-06:00

Today was the first day of our Women's Retreat. It's like a women's getaway while going back home to sleep. Which I prefer anyway, because, oh how I love my bed.
We met at 5 o'clock, chatted while we waited for others to arrive and while dinner was cooking. Slowly, others trickled in. Come dinner there was roughly 10 of us. As we ate our white chili, corn muffins, homemade applesauce, and other little goodies, we chatted, laughed, discussed and caught up.
After dinner we got into the devotion for the weekend as more ladies trickled in. One of the wisest ladies I know led us in discussion, diving into the Word, prayer and bonding. After some time in prayer we relaxed into some free time.
Although nearly half the women left for the evening to rest for the next day, some chatted, others Wiied, but two other women and myself hot tubbed. And, even after we got out at nearly 10:30 and were ready to head home for the evening, we stayed as the game Last Word was whipped out. We laughed, were ridiculous, overly tired and laughed some more until midnight. We headed out the door ready for rest and a new day at Krohse Cove.

Today was good.

2009-11-05T20:20:00.007-06:00

On Thursdays we have a Mom's Bible Study. It is this incredible bunch of ladies who I am blessed to call my friends. We get together and pour out our hearts, pray, encourage, lift up, advise, listen. Whatever we can for each other.
Today was our first day in discussion on a new book that seems to reach out to each of us. It's amazing how God works. He put this book on one of our Mom's hearts and she led us to it. I think I can honestly say that we each took something away from it. The way the author writes, it would be kind of hard to not take something from it. It's entitled, Calm My Anxious Heart: A Women`s Guide to Finding Contentment by Linda Dillow. We've only gone through the first chapter and I already have a lot to think about, consider, and change in my own life.
I am enjoying having God shine the light on the things I need to change and trusting Him to help me to go through with it.
I am a huge worrier.
I allow myself to be full of anxiety and impatience.
I have a hard time letting go and trusting Him in certain areas.
A lot of the time, I already know it. Holding on to it keeps me in my comfort zone. Doesn't make it right, and, so, this is me, stepping out.

With a little help, of course.

It has been a day.

2009-11-04T21:47:00.003-06:00

Such a day in fact that I am just going to bed.
However, I will leave you with the recipe for something tasty.
Enjoy!

Stuffed French Toast

1 (1 pound) loaf French bread
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
4 eggs
1/4 cup Irish cream liqueur*
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup orange marmalade

Slice the French bread on a slant, giving each side of the slice a nice surface area. Slice the brick of cream cheese into 1/2 inch thick slices. Make a slit in each slice of French bread through the crust to form a pocket. Place a slice of cream cheese in each pocket; set aside.
In a small bowl, beat together eggs, Irish cream liqueur, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Melt butter in a griddle or frying pan over medium-low heat. Briefly dip the bread slices in the egg mixture and place on the griddle. Brown on both sides and serve warm with a dollop of orange marmalade on top.

So yummy I give it 5 stars.

*You can replace the liqueur with any flavored liquid non-dairy coffee creamer.

Tomorrow will be a better day.
Til then...

still in numbers

2009-11-03T20:32:00.002-06:00

I almost hit a deer tonight. That was an enjoyable moment.
If I had been just 2 seconds earlier, I would have.
I was so stunned that I didn't even utter an expression for 30 seconds after it happened.
Jeesh.

Anyway.

I've been working on reading the Bible the entire way through. I've read the New Testament before but not the Old in its entirety, so I'm trying.
I made it through Leviticus, which, I have to say, is so boring. But I didn't want to miss anything so I finished it. Now I'm reading Numbers. Let's just say that in the "boring" category, it's taking a close second.
However, good is coming out of it. I'll find areas in this book where I have to stop and think. It's more on the rules and counting the tribes and the duties of the tribes, but I'll see things where I have to pause and wonder, "Dang. God was harsh.", or "What kind of a crappy rule is that?" But once I stop and think on it, it begins to make sense. Especially when I think of everything that goes into that "crazy wacked out" happening. There are covenants to consider, and purposely defiling what God had asked of those people. Then, what I thought was harsh, began to make sense. And it wasn't God being harsh, it was the people being human and making clear decisions to reject God.
So, although this book does drag out, it is really neat having a better understanding into things.
Also, I like being able to really discuss things that happened, people, rules, why things were, everything, knowing what I'm talking about instead of having to recall with an "Oh..yeah" and having to be reminded of what went on.
Bryan had mentioned someone thinking it would be cool to meet Moses, and although I do agree that it would be, he was a whiner. A big one. For everything. But, he was loved by God. So cool. I'm glad I'm not the only big baby and still loved by God.

It's always hard when you have "down" days.

2009-11-02T18:52:00.002-06:00

I am having a blue kind of day. There's enough going on. I would put down on "paper" what it all is, but sometimes it's in my head and no one else sees what I'm seeing.

...you have taught me to say: it is well, it is well with my soul.

I just need to stop having a "pity party."

...count your blessings, name them one by one...

I'm praying for friends who just lost someone very dear to them today. And I'm praying for my friends who are still grieving as it's closing in on an anniversary. To them all I say:

Grieve. There is healing in tears.

Matthew 11:28
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Penny Filled Thoughts

Well over a month

The Long(er) Version - part III

The Long(er) Version - part II

The Long(er) Version - part I

Sweet Baby Coos

I can see why more women are having home births

A new stage of life coming right up

My gramma is cooler than your grandma.

A much needed break

What to blog.. what to blog...

Catch up from yesterday

Our day o'fun

A new day

*Warning* Gross Topic Ahead

Wordless evening

Baby hiccups!!

My mom's here! and Babe updates

Belle Notte... infused with lots of laughter

Play Group Etiquette

I promise. You did not ruin Christmas.

Here we go!...

I have nearly missed October completely!

Third Trimester: Comin' right up!

To my Big Girl on her Third Birthday

Last day of being 26

And after all of that...

A Change

Anniversary Weekend

We decided to find out after all.

20 weeks tomorrow!

Their Joy easily became my Joy

The beginnings of what touched my heart in Ecuador

Today is the day

Busy next few days.

I hope to not see those people again. No offense.

All caught up.

Monday, May 23

Friday, May 13

Tuesday, May 10

Monday, May 2

Survivor(wo)man

Announcement for anyone who doesn't already know:

Craziness, hence not knowing where to start.

As a numbed-up chipmunk

When I have too many things to posts as status updates...

March thus far

I was 19 and he was 21

I think I just lost two days...

Where did the month go?

25 Things I'm Thankful For.

Shoes!

My exciting Saturday (of last week)

The Start of a Catch-up

A quick nothin-to-do-with-nothin

Stinkin' stinkin-stinkin.

And to finish 'er off.

My Rad Saturday at camp Wannahockaloogie

And we're off!

Long Week

2 more days

Day 6, Phase 1 and a Quick update

Here we go again...

To my baby on her 2nd birthday

Day six as a 26 year old.

(I apologize in advance for all the exclamation points)

Raptor Center

Whew!

Our Wednesday

Randomness just to get caught up.

I am back!

Day 172 of 175

It has been far too long.

Aaaaaaaaand I'm back.

What?? It's January? And it's almost over??

We made it.

Happy Birthday

Want to know more about me? No? Too bad. :)

My 26 Thankfuls: The Revised Edition

My 26 Thankfuls

Warning Gross Topic Ahead