My Life as a Friend, Mother, and Wife

Crazy Changes!!

2010-09-12T23:26:00.000-05:00

Some crazy qucik changes are happening around here. A very talented friend offered to redecorate my blog and she did so in record time this weekend!! Yippie!!

With that my blog address has changed from www.mylifeasafriendmotherandwife.blogspot.com TO the NEW one www.sunflowerstocacti.blogspot.com :) Thought the new name was super fitting for my current place in life!

More to come...

Laborless Labor Day

2010-09-11T01:25:00.001-05:00

We last minute canceled our last minute trip to CA for the long weekend and opted to venture out closer to home.

After a nice bfast at Cracker Barrel we went to the Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium in Litchfield.

A short 25 minute drive and we were there. The kids had a great time and complained very little considering the weather. I’ll admit there were several times I daydreamed of the 70 degrees going on in CA!!

Aidan was so excited about the curvy palm trees out front of the zoo.

The Baby Animal Nursery was probably Emma’s favorite attraction. The nursery houses the newest babies at the zoo. Saturday there were 3 different animals.

Baby Tortoise. He was the size of a piece of broccoli yet his mother is one of the largest breeds of tortoise there is!!

Sweet ~~cuddly~~ baby porcupines.

Baby Tigers that are 3 months old.

Hands down the favorite for Aidan was the stingray exhibit where you are able to pet stingrays.

After a bit Aidan gave it a try and loved it. If you ask him he’ll tell you ALL about it. Do not touch their eyes or tummy. Two fingers down the head and back. Their stingers have been cut off. We were there long enough he could repeat everything the worker was announcing to all the visitors :)

Here’s video of Aidan…

I even gave it a try. Ewe.

Isaac was very interested too!

Lunch was pretty cool. There was an on site restaurant where you could eat next to the shark tank! It was a neat environment, and well…the food…um….was… kid friendly.

We fed giraffes.

Emma & I rode the SkyLine ride to get a aerial view of some animals.

From above we could see the train we later rode.

These birds were funny. They followed along the train as it took us through the Africa exhibit.

Caught two deer type animals fighting as the train went by.

My sweet baby! He’s such a trooper on our all day adventures where he sees very little.

He did LOVE the penguins!!

Some unique animals to this zoo:

White Tiger

Albino Alligator

Emma petting a Star Fish

Could get very close to these very large porcupines

Feeding the ducks by one monkey exhibit.

Aidan hiding behind daddy in the aviary. He wasn’t sure about all those birds!

Ride home…sooo tired!

Home to enjoy the best way to cool off after a hot, dusty, ruining my pretty feet kind of day! :)

Overall the zoo was ok. Kinda pricy in our opinion. They “brag” about their variety of animals…which they do have a gazillion kinds of deer & birds. Their tigers & lion had very overgrown exhibits making it hard to see. In the small mammal building they had some of the same monkeys on display outdoors as well as hamsters, genuine pigs, mice and other basic animals.

Sunday we took it easy. Attended CCV church north of Phoenix. Great church, but quite a drive for us to do weekly! The minister did a great message on Moses…something about how he listened to God’s calling and moved to the desert for 40 years. Blah. Blah. Well…I listened to the call, I am here, but certainly hoping I’m called back “home” before 40 yrs!! :)

Monday Matt started the finishing of our dining room table. It had seen 9 years of use and was needing refinished. While preparing to sand in the side yard he found this:

It was in one piece before Matt introduced his shovel to the snake. :) Any good snake is in two pieces in my opinion. :)

I took advantage of some down moments while Matt & Aidan were sanding & staining to do some scrapping :) I must admit I’m lovin’ the house layout in regards to my scrap/sewing room!!

Hope you had a great vacation weekend! We certainly missed our traditional Atlanta Labor Day celebration, but the kids were very pleasantly surprised today when they received a bag of goodies from Gma fulllll of parade candy!!

Brain Spill

2010-08-31T01:19:00.001-05:00

I’ve not done well on keeping up with the blogging. So here’s a complete random list of the weird, funny and perhaps boring events around here. And yes it’s a list. I’ve been pathetic about taking pictures. As I type this I realize I never did a 1st Birthday post…of course I haven’t done the Bear & Isaac pic in months…what kind of mother am I!!??

-Emma (a.k.a the Fish) is loving school and is social as ever with her new friend Aaliyah. Last Friday they were together all day at school, all night w/ a sleep over and then at our house all day Saturday!! Emma invited her to church Sunday, but she wasn’t able to go.

She has taken an interest in doing chores…unfortunately cleaning her room is NOT a chore she’s excited about.

Emma is our household fish. LOVES the pool and is officially swimming w/out the aid of flotation devices! I can not believe how in a months time she went from leery to full blown fish!

- Aidan (a.k.a. Sir poops.a.lot) is bored. No 2 ways about it. He cries for sissy the minute we drop her off until we pick her up. I’ve even caught him consoling the dog “It’s ok Cracker. Sissy be back soon”. Potty training is still a chore with him. At least for #2. He had a real set back with the move. He did inform me the other day (with a very accusing tone as if it was MY fault) that when he eats dinner he farts his poop out. So, I guess taking away dinner is the answer. :)

I took the boys to story time at the library last week and we’ll try again this week. There were so many kids and Aidan was leery to leave my side. He loved the parachute at the end and the park we played at afterward. :)

Luckily Emma’s friend has a little brother Jovvani that is Aidan’s age. We are blessed to have them live 2 houses away. It helps with Aidan’s loneliness. He’s been used to having sissy or daycare kids around his whole 3 years of life!

- Isaac (a.k.a Jaws) is gaining a new tooth all the time. He struggles more with pain involved than the other 2 every did. Of course the other 2 never had this many teeth this young. Before moving to AZ he had never slept though the night. Waking at least once if not twice. With all the changes and impending move I decided to wait until settled to let him cry it out. I was expecting the worse. The very week of his Bday he would wake sometimes every hour or so…teeth I think were the problem. So, once all visitors were gone I warned him…this is it buddy. So on a Monday I kept telling him you’re going to cry it out tonight. I braced myself for what would be a long evening. Completely unbelievable, but from that night since he has been going to bed at 8 pm sharp and sleeping until 7 or after!!! No joke! If I had known it would be as easy as giving him a lecture and warning I would have done it months ago!!!

- Me (a.k.a Scorpion Killer) I just finished ready a wonderful book! Redeeming Love. I never considered myself a fiction reader. I read The Shack a year or so ago and it was great. The friend that recommended that book also recommended Redeeming Love. Whew! Fantastic! Couldn’t put it down. A bit of mystery/suspense (my fav) with a splash of love story and all based on a bible story! It doesn’t get better than that!

Not much else happening in my life. That’s my main struggle I guess. I was so used to being busy in KS that I struggle to relax with our less busy life we have right now. I of course miss my friends dearly and will be processing that MOPS will begin this week without being involved in it. :(

- Matt (a.k.a Lifeguard) is keeping busy at work. He’s not been working nearly as long of hours as I had anticipated. He did have his first trip back to OK for meetings last week. He did his first “yard work” last weekend weed eating the “grass” and leaf blowing the rocks. He enjoys swimming with the kids in the evenings. The pool layout is wonderful! By 3 pm the shallow platform is in the shade and by 4 the whole pool is shaded!! Perfect for my pale skinned kiddos!

~ We’ve attended the same church for 3 weeks. They mailed out a flyer advertising a sermon series on parenting. We gave it a try. The worship is awesome. Sermons have been very good for our place in life as parents. The kids really seem to enjoy their time in their “classes”. I think we might try out a few different churches before seeing where He lands us.

~ Excited for our trip home for Thanksgiving. The airline added Tuesday flights so we are pumped that we get to come Tues through Tues!! Time to see all family and maybe a friend or two!!

~ My goal is to do a sort of “home tour” by adding pics of a room as it become “complete” to the blog. Last week was Emma’s Zebra room…by goal this week is our room and a 1st bday post. So come back in a day or two!! :)

1st DIY** Furniture Make-over

2010-08-31T00:18:00.000-05:00

Not sure if you’ve ever noticed, but I follow a lot of DIY, decorate on the cheap blogs. It’s kinda become an obsession. A good obsession. Many objects in our new home have seen a good coat of spray paint to mix, match and change up the way things work in the new house.

One of my “biggest” DIY** ideas was born a few months back. Matt had been insistent that his time had come to get a new TV. I guess his man card was in limbo of being striped. He had been watching the same TV since we had gotten married. On the same entertainment center with the same DVD player. I mean what kind of wife am I allowing him to suffer this way? After hours of research he found THE TV. However, with the price of THE TV and the coordinating Blueray (not to mention cords to connect it all) and multiple Blueray movies he would want I was trying to think of a way to save on the cost of the entertainment center needed to hold the new TV & components. The old one’s configuration with a square hole obviously wasn’t going to work.

**DYI as in do it myself with the construction work and heavy lifting done by hubby & FIL :)

I had found several ideas where people had taken the cheapy particle board furniture such as TV stands or book cases, add some trim, paint it up and whala. Good as new! So that was my mission.

Here’s the pathetic “before” shots.

Kinda grainy. It had a shelf that came up each side of the TV and across the top. The components were on each lower side behind glass doors. The DVDs were ~~EVERYWHERE.in.sight.and out of control~~ along the bottom on an angled shelf and behind the glass doors with the components AND along the top shelf.

Here my Father-in-law had already chopped off the top shelf that went above the TV.

Here is the base with the top hutch removed. As you can see the particle board is a ~~beautiful~~ honey oak look with gray tops. Here you can see how he used some boards to build a “bridge” across the top. He later added a piece of oak that ran the full length of the top. Why oak? ONLY b/c we had it left over. MDF or pine would have been find to save $$ especially since we were painting it. They added trim along the edge and some new backing as the craptastic cardboard backing had seen better days after 10 years!

So a coat of tinted primer and some Cracked Pepper paint from the not so helpful woman at Lowes and we were on our way to transformation!

Once primed I practiced on the back to see how to best achieve the finish we were hoping for. Our goal was a black/brown distressed look. I tried painting it brown and distressing with black. I tried painting it black and distressing with brown latex and brown acrylic.

What ended up working was a base of Cracked Pepper black paint in semi gloss finish distressed by using brown acrylic craft paint. We then protected the surface with a semi gloss poly. Here’s a close up. Looks a bit different b/c of the flash. The coloring is more subtle than it looks in the photo.

Final outcome. One of my favorite ideas was the removal of the DVD holder which allowed a perfect space for the big square pillows we already had! Now I just need some baskets & decor to fill the other spaces. Oh and the ~~enormous.overly large~~ TV has kinda grown on me. 55” is very big!

Matt ended up mounting the TV on the wall at about the same height it would be sitting on the stand. I was all for having it out of reach of small hands as possible!!

Here was my helper. See the hole in the sub behind him. Yeah. That’s his favorite place to stick all his small toys. Daddy loooves that!

Also. Did you know children are attracted to windex. Proof below. Guess he had heard me complaining about all the finger prints. Let’s change it up….Why not a footprint?

House Tour. Meet Hot Pink Zebra Girl.

2010-08-25T01:37:00.001-05:00

Not sure when it started. She turned 2, loved all things princess, and now she’s 16. I can prove it. Go ahead. Search for zebra bedding online. You’ll find it. Under the “tween” or “teen” category. Search for a 6 year old and you’ll find butterflies, flowers, princess, hearts, etc. Where did my baby go?

I think shortly after the decision was made to move I first heard the “I want hot pink & zebra room”. She wanted zebra stripes on the wall. Um-no. We convinced her it was impossible just in time to go to my Cousins house for her HS graduation party. Her room…you guessed it. Hot pink, zebra…actually a hot pink wall with black zebra stripes. Grrreat. Too bad Uncle Steve, THE zebra painter, lives in Kansas!! :)

Here’s her chalkboard door sign. *She has since changed the wording on it to read “Emma’s Room No Boys Alod”*

Shot straight in the room and only non-colored wall. Desk, zebraie window & end of bed.

Picture collage I found on scratch & dent clearance at Hobby Lobby. A lil’ hotpink paint and zebra ribbon, of course. The people in the pictures are nice and all, but will be replaced as soon as Shutterfly gets me my pics I ordered!!

And now for one of my most daring decorating moments….the wall color….the black wall! Whew! It was scary, but I looove it! I highly recommend Lowes HD paint. (Cracked Pepper – Black to be exact) It only needed one coat!! Wow! Great job painting Marcia!

Her bed & new name letters. (The bed Matt made 3 years ago. My mom put a new coat of paint on it. Hot pink sheets we had from her room before!!)

Zebra velvety body pillow cover from Target and sparkly peace sign pillow from Big Lots!!

My fav piece!! My $20 Craigslist desk!! A good sanding thanks to Mimi and new coat of white paint made it look great! I found the black and hot pink baskets at Target. They hold all her artsy gear. Mimi found the pink and black striped fabric and made a seat cushion. The chair we had in our garage and my slave painters repainted it. Zebra pull from Aunt Marcia and photo board from Hobby Lobby! (1/2 price of course)

Love the new name letters. (again HL 1/2 price :) ) And a peek at the hot pink wall…

A few accessories. Daisies I had, but needed a “vase”. Found this thin wooden container w/ lid for $2. Painted it black and the lid pink. (however I put the lid on the bottom) and tied some zebra ribbon around it. Cute hot pink pic frames & a custom peace sign painted canvas that Mimi & Emma did together. Anything involving paint, glitter, glue and ribbon and Emma is game!

Standing by bed…desk & closet door on one of pink walls.

Other corner. Walk-in closet/play room & dressing mirror.

I was excited for the storage of walk in closets. I had no idea how much they would love playing in them! The wall mirror with hooks is for her to pick out her outfit for the next day. My MIL found this idea in a magazine. The idea also used a grocery bag holder/dispenser thing to hold underwear. How clever!! I’ve yet to find one…well I have, but it’s a IKEA…almost 2 hours away and Matt has banned me from organizing/container stores. :)) (mirror from Walmart- hot pink- with zebra ribbon glued around it, hooks are command adhesive hooks)

A shot toward her dresser on the other hot pink wall. The dresser was another refinishing project by Mimi. I believed it belonged to my grand parents. Mom refinished it for Emma’s princess room in KS.

Zebra lamp on the dresser from Aunt Marcia. We added the bling, bling beaded trim. :)

Wellp that’s about it. Finally a room that I can say is complete!! Yippie! Still deciding on the boys room theme. Now on to the next room…hmm. Not sure which room that will be. Maybe our room…

Why does the fun have to end?

2010-08-17T11:05:00.001-05:00

Life has been a count down since April. My attention and eyes always focused on the next “thing” on the list. The next project. The next phone call to line up the next detail.

House bought.

House sold.

House packed.

20 Hour Road trip over.

Relo complete.

Move In w/ help from In laws

*Shelves in closet, TV cabinet redo, island post removal, yard work, install 7 ceiling fans and many, many blinds…etc There were three workers despite the 4 drills. Papa, Daddy & 2 for Aidan!*

*Some child labor laws may have been broken…*

*As well as another law…*

Emma started school.

Visit from my mom, sister, niece and nephew.

*Picking them up at the airport*

*Showing Mimi her loose tooth. She lost it (in a blood bath) the next day. Mimi has been with her each time she’s lost a tooth and been visited by the tooth fairy!*

*Isaac was lovin’ to see his Mimi*

*A combo Bday party for Isaac (1) & madison (6).*

*A night swim before they left. They saw an airplane…thought it was theirs for in the AM.*

*Emma sporting the shirt Madison gave her and vice versa*

*Despite all the fun (and 1/2 a day without electricity) we did get one big project complete…details to come later :)*

Sister leaves and In-laws show up again with Sis & Bro In law and niece.

*More projects…Hooking up Skype on our computer. Skyping with Beth*

*Hanging Matt’s “baby”*

*Mimi & Grandma had school lunch with Emma. She loved having them visit. Both of them work in food service (Mom school, Peggy prison…kinda the same :)) so they got lots of details on the running of the school kitchen…and the tasteless food.*

*No one will ever want to visit again. Chris slaved away scrubbing on the pool, Dwain patching sheetrock, Mom, Mandy and Dwain painted our front door and shutters. Peggy and I directed the picturing hanging crew- Dwain. There was more yard work and some time spent working on the truck. I got my hair done and all the girls went shopping to Home Goods….it’s bad news I was ever introduce to that place!*

On Thursday we celebrated Isaac’s 1st Birthday. Sad attempt at a first birthday compared to Emma’s & Aidan’s. Poor third child. ( I can hear my sister now “boring cake, no pictures, etc, etc) :) We also threw in a cupcake for Aunt Mandy who was celebrating her 3rd decade of life!

A week full of projects and good times (excluding being stung by 2 of Arizona’s finest stinging creatures and vehicle break in) before they are off back to KS.

So, here we are. The fun has left us. Just the 5 of us…in AZ. No visitors in the near future to prepare for. Only us here. Day to day. Still unpacking a bit. Despite no daycare and no church commitments we still seem to be busy with just settling in? How did we fit it all in before?

Emma My Big 1st Grader!

2010-08-15T20:09:00.001-05:00

A short 10 days after moving into our home in AZ Emma heads out to her first day of school! Where DID the summer go??

We took a day while Papa was here to watch the boys so Gma, Emma and I could do some girl school shopping. The biggest shock was the clothing styles now that Emma is in the “big” girl section!! I must say we only got a couple outfits and felt like we struck out in general.

We got the few supplies the teacher requested. Much different than KS. The state of AZ is required to provide the basics. One of the biggest differences is NO backpack. They wanted reusable grocery bags. We attempted to find a cute girly one, but had no luck. We ended up finding a pink, flowery tote.

Emma’s teacher is Mrs. Barnett. An older teacher that after meeting at Meet the Teacher Night she told Gma “she speaks my language and is like my Mimi (gray hair)”. The language thing she was very worried about. I explained each day her first week that if they don’t know English that is why they are in school, so they can learn.

Here she is her first day. I had to laugh at her outfit. She chose it all…including adding the zebra scarf as a belt. Much to her dismay they discourage flip flops so her toes were stuck in shoes!

My big First grader-

Stout Sprout Crew August ‘10-

Tartesso Tiger Pride-

Emma and Mommy- (Aidan is quite the photographer!!)

Emma’s 1st First grade teacher Mrs. Barnett-

Keeping with tradition I asked Emma what she wanted for dinner to celebrate the first of school…and just like last year she chose homemade pizza. :) (*to be honest this was actually the 2nd day of school. we met friends and went out on her first day of school*)

Isaac This Year- Isaac LAST Year-

What to do, What to do while the pizza bakes…

A great start to her school year! She’s been a trooper with the move, the start of school and TWO teachers within the first week. Mrs. Barnett was a sweet teacher who she loved, however the class was super over crowded for even the most experienced teacher with 36 kids and after one week the school decided to split the class to reduce size. Emma had made one friend Aleaha and was devestated that she might lose her friend and teacher. We pointed out the positive side if she “lost” both. Meeting another great teacher and making another new friend. Aleaha lives 2 houses down so I’m sure their friendship will blossom.

Her 2nd week of school started with Mr. Doone. She was very unsure of having a male teacher, but after the first day only had positive things to say. She says he is funny. He tells the class they are better than 6th graders (he previously taught 6th grade the last couple years & 2nd grade prior to that). He also has Emma as the teacher helper- handing out papers, pencils, etc. Right up Emma’s lil teacher alley! :) Meeting him on the street I’d NEVER guess he was a primary teacher! :)

Church Ladies

2010-07-30T00:39:00.001-05:00

Not the “old, blue-haired, knee high falling down, potlucks with green jello and carrots, early morning coffee bible study” church ladies from my youth. My church ladies. Gals that want to be young, stylin’, holding hip late into the wee hours of the morning bible studies and we’d never allow each other to bring jello with vegetables as a salad!

I was so happy that my “church ladies” took time from their busy schedules to have one last night out with me. Totally sad that the timing of sick kids kept Audra away!!

We met at Chipotle, where I’m ashamed to admit at how proficient I have become at eating a football sized burrito!

Pictured: (starting on the left)
Amanda M- A long time small groupie. Her husband Kevin, the Koosers (Shonda on the right) and Matt & I have branched off small groups a couple times starting new group with new folks. Amanda is super sweet. Her and Kevin are fun to hang around! Always fun to tease Kevin of his phobia of eating white items and Amanda with her love of spreadsheets. :) She has one of the most inspiring story as a mother and the complete acts of selflessness the role involves!!

Tamara- One gal I should have followed around a bit more!! Shoulda picked up some of that coupon clippin’ and organization skills!! Her youngest Nicole is a friend of Emma’s. Always reassuring when you have a friend that you can send your child to their home for a play date and not worry a bit! Tamara always loved on my boys in the church nursery since the time they were tiny. Yet another sweet spirited friend God has given me!!

Amanda G.- Sad to think back to how long I’ve known OF Amanda dating back to our first days at FCC, yet only in the last couple years grown closer and even more recent our husbands connecting! Amanda is one of those that I think “wow I should be more patient, gentle, detailed and sweet spirited like her”. Instead she is a great compliment to my crazy, sporadic and whirl-wind self. She is a devoted friend, loving mother with a genuine sweet heart that doesn’t enjoy drama…although her family provides lots of great stories!! :)

Shonda- Another long time small groupie. She and Ken were softball players that Matt enjoyed playing co-ed softball with. She and I have a connection of friendship that is indescribable. One thing that makes Shonda and I different is probably her love of softball and my total undesired of standing in a hot, sunny dirty ball field! :) I don’t really have the words at this moment, the time or quantity of Kleenexes to explain how we connected as sisters in Christ.

Girls I’m so glad you wanted to hang with me one more time before the chance was gone. I miss and love each of you! Keep in touch!

Another (college) Good-Bye

2010-07-30T00:28:00.001-05:00

I’ve never been a fan of “good-byes”. Maybe it’s my tried and true personality trait of procrastination. Many times since April I have put off a good-bye if at all possible to wait closer to our time of leaving.

I was kinda spoiled in the last weeks of our time in KS with mini goodbye parties with friends.

My college room mate Karra was one. She and I met back in ‘96 while I was still in HS, but would visit my brother at ESU. Then my freshman year of college I roomed with her and another girl living as a freshman on an upperclass floor.

She left college before I, but we remained close. I was in her wedding a short month before she was in mine. I was there as she welcomed home her first son, Brent, and she was there with motherly wisdom when I had Emma. Three boys later for her and 3 kids of my own and unfortunately we allowed the 20 min. between us to make far too infrequent visits.

One thing we did start doing just 2 years ago was our Holiday Bake Day. She operates a bakery out of her home and has tons of kitchen space. So we decided it would be awesome to go to her house and bake up mass quantities of goodies to pass out during the holidays. We each choose 2-3 of our favorite recipes makes a huge batch and share with each other. GREAT fun and something I will dearly miss this coming holiday season.

We had a nice dinner at Carrabbas. Joining us was April. Another example of how my friends have introduced me to some other great gals!! I first met her 2 1/2 years ago at our first annual holiday bake day. She too a new mother of 3 brought cute little Sophie (3 mo) to join our girls night out.

Karra I will miss bunches! There’s so much I could learn about cooking, baking and cake decorating from her!! My kids bday cakes will never be as good as when we were close enough for one of her cakes!! Thank goodness for unlimited long distance so we can continue our weekly phone calls!!

Journey “home”

2010-07-21T01:15:00.001-05:00

Tried to snap some pics along the way to our new…uhm…"home”. There. I said it. Still kinda get a lumpy throat thinking about that too much.

We started our journey after filling our bellies in Derby following tearful good-byes at church. We filled up the truck on it’s last bit of good gasoline it would see until Phoenix and pulled out of the West side of Wichtia about 3.

We made it a whooping what? 30 minutes to Kingman for the first pottybreak for our walnut-sized-bladder-son Aidan! We had dinner in Liberal before tearing through the remainder of KS, pan handle of OK, and a small section of TX. There were several more stops for potty breaks, and at other times had Aidan pee in a cup. I know Matt was frustrated, but I also recall his parents discussing a little boy who did the same on their trips to TX. Hehe!

Once dark hit in TX they all became calm and sleepy…that was until the horrrrrid smell of the feed lots!!! Isaac woke from a dead sleep screaming from the smell. Pretty certain the thought he had messed himself!! :) We agreed it would be a terriable place for your car to break down. On we went.

About 100 miles out side of Albuquerqe Isaac was D.O.N.E with his carseat. We pulled into our hotel at about 1:15 KS time. He had been in and out of his seat since 2 pm. Poor guy!

The kids were so excited to wake, look out the window and see a mountain right behind us!!

The next day seeing New Mexico in the daylight proved me wrong!! It was really pretty! I drrreaded the thought of crossing an entire state that was most likely dirt and weeds and miles of straight roads like this….

Not so! The kids were sooo excited to see mountains…or piles of rocks. :)

Much to my surprise we didn’t get a “are we there yet” until very shortly before we saw this….

We took the route to Flagstaff which would then bring us into the north side of Phoenix. That route was a very pleasant trip! The area around Flagstaff is waaaay different than what you would picture AZ or what I knew Phoenix to be. It was very similar to CO and about 10 degrees cooler than Phoenix!

I was NOT fond of the highways going doooown the mountain and curvey…with speed limits of 60 and my hubby going…well OVER that! Especially when I only spent about 100 of the 1068 miles actually looking out the front window. There always seemed to be someone crying, needing a drink, a toy picked-up, or SOMEthing! :)

The closer we got to Phoenix the kids began their “cacus” hunt. They had been begging since the middle of NM to see a “cacus” and then suddenly the trees were gone and there were hundreds of “cacus”. They were so excited!!! Aidan’s response “Oh my smokies!” (That’s his combo of OMG which he’s been getting in trouble for and his other famous phrase Holy Smokes)

At one (or shall I say ANOTHER) point Aidan needed to potty and wanted to get out and potty on a “cacus” put was worried he’d hurt his “neked”. Whew…he’s a funny boy!!

We cruised into our hotel about 6 pm Phoenix time in time for dinner (since it was 8 to the kiddos!!), bath and bed!!! Whew!!

What I’m needing…

2010-07-15T01:47:00.001-05:00

so many thoughts and emotions as my last night in my home is ticking by. The home I brought my babies home to. The home Matt and I planned and had built together. (which was less stressful than preparing to move out of!!)

I need time. More time to visit and hug friends of Derby that I will miss so dearly. Why did it feel like I’ve waiting until the last week to squeeze in visits!

I need the knot in my stomach to fade and the peace I felt for the past weeks/months to find me.

I need a good cry probably…get it all out…a real ugly one with wrinkled face and all.

I need “normal” back in my life.

I need to stop thinking/wishing that I was 5 months preggers and preparing for the happy craziness of 4 kiddos…instead of packing, emailing, faxing, calling, organizing a move, grouching at my husband and kids and already missing friends and family.

I need the next 3 days to be as peaceful as the last 2 between Matt and I. Makes it all so much easier when we’re on the same page working together.

I need to NOT cry as Emma is saying good bye to her friends. I need to be as brave as her! :)

I need lots. There’s more I could say and probably even something profound…but I MUST HAVE & NEED S.L.E.E.P!

Last Burnett Visit

2010-07-14T02:09:00.000-05:00

*Little late getting this one posted…needed to find the box w/cds so I could post the last pic! :) *

My family came one last time the weekend before the movers arrived. Not sure if it was to see us, or in Marica’s case, to get donuts!! :)

Mom helped refinishing the dresser we got for Emma’s new room.

Uncle Adam came and hung out for a bit. A shot with all the kiddos…

and then one I love of he and Emma…

The kids had great fun with the playset (still sooo sad to leave it!!), the pool, slip n slide and believe it or not…a bucket!!

Papa gave motorcycle rides. I got on a bike for the first time. At 12 mph I was at the max speed I’d ever want to be on a bike!!

Michelle and the boys came to visit as well! So great to see them! We’ve taken a picture of the boys every time we’re together since Aidan was born…

July ‘10-

May ‘07- (boys positioned in opposite order than above)

Great visit and hopefully it won’t be too long before I see many of them again…and for sure at Thanksgiving!!

Lessons Learned

2010-06-30T00:40:00.001-05:00

Tonight I went out with 2 of my college friends, Kristina and Jen, and 2 wonderful friends I’ve met through them over the years, Mandy and Deb. They took me to get a mani & pedi!! Thanks girls!! Followed by a great dinner at Abuleos!! YumO!

Here we are:

Here’s our toes:

Girls, thanks for always being great teachers and teaching me this valuable lesson…

I’ve learned a lot with my teacher friends from my college days. Much more than just anticipatory sets, QAR, or piggy back songs. A lot about boys, shopping, scrappin’, and mothering. Great road trips to Branson & Mall of America and just simply hanging around ESU. RA experiences that involve cleaning up nasty unmentionable messes (poop on door shall I say more?!?!), interrupting rooms with heavy fog of pot smoke billowing under their door, or knocking on doors of rooms where it was OBVIOUSE a boy was present (hmm…my neighbor on one occasion!!) We’ve been there through wedding showers and baby showers, and growing in our roles as wives and mothers.

I’m just deeply saddened that my most resent and perhaps biggest lesson has been learned by the mistakes I’ve made while knowing these girls.

Mistakes like having these friends within 20 minutes of my home for a very long 9 years and in no way taking advantage of that fact. Mistakes like settling in my home in Derby and getting over involved in my church and up to my eyeballs in my kiddos and only carved a tiny bit of time for them. Sadly it has taken the fact that the opportunity to see them will no longer be to learn this lesson.

I often times catch myself with sadness of leaving as if I’m dying and not just moving. All these emotions and feelings make me want to share with people why I love them and what they mean to me. I sometimes have to remind myself that this isn’t a forever goodbye. It is a point in our friendship where things will change, but not end.

So, to Jen & Kristina I thank you for being there for me and with me the last 12+ years! It’s always a good time together! I’m glad the drama of boys and crazy college experiences are behind us and that we can share in life as mothers and wives!! You are both a constant source of joy. So happy. So positive and the kind of friend I don’t deserve!! It’s comforting to know that no matter how long it’s been we can just pick up where we left off. It’s been a pleasure getting to know the rest of your family as well. I’m super sad to miss Ganza this year and will try very, very hard to make it in the future!!

Mandy & Deb it has been a joy getting to know you through Kristina and Jen!! It’s amazing how you can get a group of gals together and everyone just “clicks”!! That’s all of us!! We share our role as “mom” and a friendship with my dear Jen and K!!

So all friends out there…don’t wait and learn the lesson how I did. Get together with your friends!! Schedule it!!! Make it a regular part of your life…once very other month, every 3 months…something!! It’s time you will never regret spending. It will recharge you to be better in all the other areas of your life…DO IT!!! So girls…do it…for me, but unfortunately without me…

Love to each of you!!!

Update on House

2010-06-29T00:40:00.001-05:00

Here are the rooms we forgot to take pictures of on our first trip to AZ. Matt was out there for work last week and was able to get back to see our house!! No fair!! I was jealous!!

Much to my surprise I didn’t even know the layout of our upstairs!! I was mixed up on where the hall bath was. At the top of the stairs toward the front of the house is Laundry room and then bathroom on the right, front bedroom straight ahead, and spare room on the left.

Here’s the bathroom on the right and bedroom with the windows.

Hall bath. Sink & potty on the left, window straight ahead and shower on the right.

Shot in the mirror of the shower and window.

Laundry room. Matt says it is larger than he recalls. Has a built in shelf.

Another view of the master. Windows facing the back of the house behind camera. Toward the door and you can see the entrance to the master bath and the nook in the bedroom and bathroom.

Master vanity.

Master vanity & tub.

Tub and shower. Master closet to the right of the shower.

Observations from my side of the booth…

2010-06-29T00:16:00.001-05:00

We had just got situated in our booth (after ordering drinks and doing the balancing act that is helping a 3 yr old potty, change a baby’s diaper and mommy go potty as well) when I notice that the woman sitting next to us is detail cleaning the seat at her table. She had already used 3 wipes to clean off the table…not too uncommon as this particular restaurant has lots of kids there eating. But the 3-4 wipes used to clean all but the bottom of the chair raised my eyebrow a bit. Next her husband joins her at the table.

After exchanging a few glances I notice she is now standing beside her booth seat using wipes to clean any non-fabric portion of her seat. Hmm…germaphobia much?!?

As I sit there with my germy children I chuckle to myself as I see the drinks they ordered. Water with a lemon wedge. Didn’t she read the report on how nasty restaurant lemon wedges are?!?! Guess not. I begin to think about straws in restaurant drinks. At some point your server has touched a portion of the straw and then sticks it in your beverage. Hmm…kinda gross when you think about it.

Then to my complete amazement!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The woman proceeds to remove the nasty lemon wedge from her drink, pull the straw out from her drink and wipe the entire straw down with a wet one!!! She then moves on to wipe down the outside of her glass. Then on to her husbands straw and glass!!! You.are.kidding.me!! I almost can’t wait to see what happens when her meal comes!!

And then it does!! Guess what they ordered!!?? A salad!! A Salad!??!!??! The one meal in which all the ingredients are chopped and handled by kitchen staff!! Not to mention it’s not baked, fried or heated to remove any nasty germs that’s on there. That’s why I see no problem with fried foods…they’re kinda bad for you, but good in germ removal.

Now to prepare for the meal. She uses a wet one to wipe down each PRONG of her fork!!!! Her fork and knife do not lay on the table, but rather a baggie from her purse. But it continues….once the forks have been sanitized they each move on to wipe down the outer ridge of the salad bowl!!!

We are now at wipe count of…at least 25 for the meal!! (or more if you factor in the wipes she used on her hands between wiping surfaces) I’m so sad that my nasty, dirty kids got impatient thus we missed watching how they managed to pay for their meal…considering how dirty money is. :)

I’d call the lady crazy, but I’m sure them having the ~~privilege~~ horror of sitting by us at a meal confirmed their fear of germs. You got Isaac drooling a steak fry to bits. All the mushiness spreading from his hands, face, clothing, highchair, table top/edge/and probably underneath, and don’t forget the floor. Then there’s Aidan. This was his first attempt at sitting on one side of the table in a booth by himself. His process of eating is similar to a breakdancer that is eating and dancing at the same time. If I had a dollar for each time I tell him to “sit on your goose”, “eat”, “don’t lay down”, “sit down”, “take a bite”, “up Aidan”, “get back on the seat”, “move your cup off the edge of the table”, “don’t go under the table”, “take another bite”, “no licking your ketchup”, “hands on the table- not on the wall, people behind you, all over the fabric backed seat, etc, etc” I’d have enough money to eat out for the rest of my life…and afford enough Wet Wipes to be germ free.

I wonder if she wiped down our area after we left….

Great Weekend!!

2010-06-22T10:24:00.001-05:00

This was the first weekend since the craziness of THE move that we had very little planned. Thought Saturday might be a day of getting little projects down here. So we thought!

Early morning email check informed us that our AZ contract should be starting on Monday!! Yippie!! We left early Sat. AM b/c we had a 9:30 showing. We went for donuts (Matt’s first time actually going to Squeeks! unreal!) and then headed to Cassoday to get Aidan as Camp Mimi was over which I’m sure Mimi was happy about! :) Before we even got to Cassoday we got a call for another showing for 11:30, the 9:30 people wanted to relook!!

While eating lunch I run into a friend from my teaching days and her family!! It was great to see them! Another one of those cases where I wonder why I haven’t made more of an effort to see them BEFORE we decided to move!! After we ate lunch with Mimi we got a call for another showing at 1 pm the people from Friday afternoon wanted to look again!! Yeah!!

Before we reached Wichita- another showing at 4:45!! Crazy!! We enjoyed a nice dinner with a fellow QT Arizonian family that was back in KS visiting. After dinner we stopped by to see Matt’s brother and his family in town from Chicago for the week.

Church Sunday was sad to say good bye to a MOPS friend who’s one of those people that is always a joy to be around. Her enthusiasm for life and passion for God is amazing. She has mad skills as a designer of blogs (my makeover to come soon) and T-shirt designer for her shirt company. It will be sad to follow her adoption journey via her blog and facebook, but will be exciting none the less!!

Church was followed by a good ole summer family gathering in Atlanta. We had just walked in the door at the in laws when I get a call from our KS realtor. !?!?!?!??!?! He was calling with the 2, yes T.W.O. as in 1, 2 or dos (as Dora would say) offers!!! All I can say is thank goodness for there being 2 to chose from. The first was sad and pathetic to be honest. Wanting thousands off the house price, us to pay all closing AND remove the playset and all the rock under it!! Really??!! The second was right where the realtor thought we would sell for.

This is the first time since last August that all of Matt’s family had been all together. Enjoyed the standard Stout taco salad dinner, lots of swimming and yummy strawberry shortcake. Got home with just enough time to wash up some laundry to get Matt packed for Arizona. His first day working there. He will fly back in Thursday just in time for the festivities in Melvern.

Funny how the weekend unfolded. We had just been discussing on the way to meet mom Sat. AM how discouraging it was that no one had made repeat visits to the house and dreamed of how wonderful it would be if we could wake up Monday morning with a contract rolling on each house.

God’s timing is perfect and everything in this entire journey has supported that truth! I feel myself getting anxious about the timing on different things and it seems the more calm I remain not only does everyone around me suffer less, but things almost seem to happen faster.

The buyers for KS house wants to close the 19th of July, we will probably not be able to close on AZ house until the 21st at the earliest. Not perfect timing, but doable. Very doable.

I’m a bit sad we’ll only be in AZ one week before Emma starts school, but much better than a week AFTER I suppose! So it appears Matt and Emma will both start work and school the same day! Emma and change don’t go well together so she’ll need lots of love and support to keep the drama and nervousness away!!

**This post was typed on Monday morning, however my “God’s timing is perfect” idea was strongly being challenged. My attitude has been adjusted and now ready to post this!! :)

New Casa…

2010-06-15T15:00:00.001-05:00

I think it’s safe to say this is our new home. Our offer has been accepted and the first inspection (second one soon b/c utilities weren’t on at the time of the first!!) gave good results. Here’s the tour I can give with the photos I have…we were so overwhelmed we forgot to take pics of some rooms!!!

Here’s the front. Notice the plush rock yard!! Several of the plants and bushes are actually very pretty, however with no drip system on right now most of them are dying and will certainly be dead by mid July!!

A closer look at the front. The big windows will be the boy’s bedroom and the smaller window in the spare room.

Walk along the garage to the front door. Two windows into the garage and one in the den. Nine foot front door is green and matches the shutters, but they need repainted. I’m thinking brown…

Ready for a wreath and a welcome sign!

Standing in the entry. Large windows to the right. Kitchen through the arched door way. Arched “nook” is in the dining area.

Dining area with french doors leading out to a side “patio”.

Shot from the living area. Front door to the left of this photo. Stairs going up. Den through archway. Doors in the hall are to the garage, hall bath and storage area that goes under the stairs.

Closer look at hall.

Half bath downstairs.

Kitchen!! Yeah!!! Doesn’t have as large of pantry I was hoping for but all the space under the island is storage!! We have new appliances on order. To the left is the living, dining, den area. To the right is the largest patio doors I’ve ever seen that lead out to the back yard.

Closer look at the kitchen area.

This is what I call the undecided room. It is connected to the kitchen. The photo was taken standing by the bar. I’d like to to be a smaller tv room with a loveseat, chair or something. (above fireplace is wired for a tv) To have the kids in the same room with me while I’m cooking is ideal. Matt thinks dining which the floor lends itself to with kids.

I know a fireplace in AZ!?!? :)

Now back through living and up the stairs…

At the top of the stairs is a loft which will probably be used as a second living room/playroom.

Standing in the second smaller loft area (scrapbooking space) taking a photo toward the top of the stairs and the loft pictured above. Down the hall on the right is toward the front of the house and has a linen closet, laundry room, hall bath and 2 other bedrooms. To the left is Emma’s bedroom door and then further to the left is the master bed/bath.

The master. Windows overlooking the backyard. Arched door on the right leads to the master bath.

My only picture of the master bath!! HA! That’s Matt and our realtor. Matt is looking at his first home improvement project!! EVERY.SINGLE.HOUSE down there has a little cheapy mirrored medicine cabinet right next to the monster vanity mirror!?!?! It has a full set of cabinets under the vanity…plenty of space for medicine to NOT need the little inset cabinet!! Luckily the mirror is broke on the cabinet so it needs replacing!! ;)

The master bath has a double vanity, soaker tub, shower, walk in closet and potty room. There’s a window facing the back of the house and the south side of the house.

Overlooking the back yard from the master bedroom. Half pool - half “grass”.

View from the master. Backyard, preserve lot behind us and the mountains are the “Stout Family Mountains” according to Emma!!

Spare room- only w/out a walk in closet...but has a nice BIG mirrored closet doors ;)

Boys’ room closet.

Boys room…hard to get an idea of the room with nothing in it…

Back downstairs. Patio that runs the length of the house. Patio doors into kitchen. Windows further down are in the “fireplace” room.

“Grassy” patch on one side of the yard. Hopefully we can squeeze a swing set of some sort on there…

Matt’s requirement…

My requirement…a fence/gate with lock…

A view from the back corner of the yard.

Wellp that’s it until Matt is back out there next week and can get some pics of what we forgot! (laundry room, hall bath, garage, south side of the house, Emma’s room…)

Hurry Up and Wait!!

2010-06-06T23:38:00.001-05:00

So the waiting game begins. We found the house we think is for us. However, it’s different when dealing with bank owned properties, so we won’t really know much until the middle of this week.

The house is THE house I found a few weeks back and wanted to buy sight unseen w/out Matt’s permission. I knew I loved what I saw in pics, but Matt was unsure. The first day of hunting took us to 4 houses and of those 4 it was our favorite. So, in true important decision shopping (i.e. Wedding dress…usually one of the first ones you try on is THE one, but you torture yourself by trying on 20 more!) we looked at 15 more houses on Wednesday.

Thursday was left open for a visit to QT, testing some morning driving traffic and researching towns and schools. Thursday night we picked 2 houses to re-look at and 3 houses to see for the first time. House one and two were busts. House 4 was our #2 pick. House 5 was one we hadn’t seen before and Matt liked…well maybe loved. House 6…the final house of the day was THE house. I’m proud to say w/out any major swaying on my part Matt loved it and decided is was just the house for us. We discussed an offer and headed back to the hotel to wait for the realtor to email us the offer document.

In the mean time we crunch numbers and I log on the computer. On a whim decide to look at any new listings or updates on our realtor website. GUESS-WHAT!?!?! They had dropped the price on the home!! This kind of stuff never.ever.ever happens to us!! I call the realtor so giddy he could probably not understand me. THEN I log into my email and there is a response from a gal I met on a forum online a month ago. I had emailed her about the very neighborhood THE house was in. She had nothing but wonderful things to say about the neighborhood and wanted to know when we’d be moving to give us a proper welcome!! Wow!!! How very nice!

So the downer…the official offer will not be submitted until Monday AM. Our realtor was worried if the listing realtor found out there was an offer he might tell perspective buyers of the weekend thus they would make their offer higher than the banks asking price and there fore higher than our offer. Very common practice in the market in AZ. Our realtor is confident that with us putting a higher % down and using conventional financing we would look like a more stable buyer than many others that might put offers on. We can only hope!!

I’ll share pics and the story on why our realtor thought we were crazy to buy in that area once we officially have an offer accepted. Let’s pray it is b/c Matt and I don’t agree on houses #2 or #3…pray for speed through all the buying process. The bank wants 30 days to close…and that’s about ALL the time we got!!

As an update Mimi survived the stay with the kids…poor lady was put through the ringer I’m sure!! I’m grateful that she as well as my in laws are here when we need a place for our kids and fur-kid!! Thanks!!!

So I remember…

2010-06-05T00:09:00.001-05:00

Hoping I’m not breaking any copyright laws here. I received this on an email and it really spoke to me in my marriage and as I’ve watched others in their marriage. So, I post it here so I know where to find it when I need a reminder and maybe it will speak to you as well!

Let’s look at three steps to invite your husband into greater romance. Through these steps, you can provide your husband the safety and encouragement he needs to set foot upon the path of a more romantic marriage.

1. Trust instead of control. Do you struggle with a desire to control those around you? Most women, including myself, wrestle with control issues. The desire to control our husbands is a result of sin. God told Eve in the Garden of Eden, “You will bear children with intense pain and suffering. And though your desire will be for your husband, he will be your master” (Genesis 3:16, emphasis added). The Hebrew word, tesuqah, translated here as desire, means the “desire to overcome or defeat another.”

To get a sense of whether you have control issues in your marriage, ask yourself: Do I correct my husband? Do I instruct my husband? Do I try to improve my husband?”

I have been guilty of all three!

When you correct your husband, you’re saying, “You didn’t do it right.” When you instruct your husband, you’re saying, “You don’t know how to do it.” When you try to improve your husband, you’re saying, “You didn’t do it well enough.”

We justify our actions by telling ourselves that we’re just trying to help, but our motive may have more to do with control than help. Control is often rooted in fear. Some women try to control their husbands out of fear that they won’t get what they want. Others fear their husbands’ actions will reflect badly upon them if they don’t step in to help. At the root of this fear is selfishness, and selfishness does not serve as an invitation to romance. Philippians 2:3 says, “Don’t be selfish; don’t live to make a good impression on others.”

What is there about the nature of control that blocks romance and intimacy? The best way to answer this question is with another question. Do you want to get close to a controlling person? No, of course not. It’s impossible to experience intimacy when controls are placed on you. Your husband feels the same way. It’s time to trust God and let go of control.

Controlling, instructing, and improving your husband carry him back to his boyhood, and little boys do not walk the path of romance. Trusting your husband will invite him to romance.

2. Respect instead of demean. In my twenties, whenever I blew out my birthday candles, I wished for the same thing: I wanted to respect my husband more. I had read it in the Bible, which instructs each husband to “love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband” (Ephesians 5:33). Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy any consistency on this point. While the candle smoke wafted upward, I sat back, crossed my arms, and waited for Tom to do something that I could fully respect.

What was wrong? I thought I needed Tom to inspire me to take the action of respect. Instead, I needed to obey God and take the first step toward respect. It has been said that it is easier to act yourself into a new way of thinking than to think yourself into a new way of acting. We would be wise to adopt Nike’s motto and “Just do it!”

We live on a small farm, and the term “pecking order” has taken on new meaning for me since we added chickens to our stock. We observed that the dominant chickens chose a chicken to chase and peck. Every time she went near the feeder, they chased her all over the coop—keeping her from the food she needed for survival.

It didn’t take long to determine which chicken was at the bottom of the pecking order. It was the one with missing feathers and patches of puffy, bloody skin. When one of our chickens looked like this, it was only a matter of time before we found her dead on the floor of the coop.

Ever hear the term “hen-pecked husband”? A hen-pecked husband is usually at the bottom of the pecking order in the home. When you emasculate your husband to this condition, you reduce him to a state that is no longer respectable. You have become your own worst enemy because you truly want a respectable husband. Once again, you thought you were helping elevate your husband to higher and higher levels of manhood, but, in reality, you were diminishing him. His place is now at the bottom of the pecking order of your home, and he isn’t able to get what he needs for survival: respect.

What does respect have to do with romance? When a man is confident in your opinion of him, he can relax with you. He can drop his walls and let you in. He knows that with you, he is safe. He will be valued and respected. And where there is safety, romance can grow.

3. Appreciate instead of criticize. It is often easier to be dissatisfied instead of appreciative. When stressed, do you focus on appreciation or dissatisfaction? Your choice could make the difference between romance and remorse.

What does your husband do (or not do) that causes you disdain? Is it his paycheck? Is it how he performs tasks for you? Is it what he gives you or how he surprises you?

If a man feels unappreciated—if he feels your continual dissatisfaction—he may give up trying to please you and look for other opportunities that will satisfy his need for appreciation. Are you willing to risk this when the desire of most good men is to satisfy their wives?

As most women have experienced, the male ego is fragile. Your husband may come off with bravado, but inside he’s looking for your affirmation and appreciation. Most men can’t live without it and will seek validation wherever they can find it. Let your words of appreciation be something your husband can rely on.

Keep a running list of his positive traits and actions. It will help you in those moments when you are annoyed with, irritated by, or wanting to blame your husband; simply running through that list will remind you how much more there is to him than his aggravating tendency to come home late.

Focusing on the negatives will leave you dissatisfied. Appreciating your man will invite him to romance.

Kindergarten Program

2010-06-05T00:03:00.000-05:00

**I found this in my blog drafts…forgot to hit publish, so this is from May 17th!!**

Emma’s school held an end of the year Kindergarten program last week. She was excited for weeks learning the songs and singing parts of them for me. We were lucky to get front row seats…although I think we were a bit close for Emma’s taste! :)

They started with the longest song ever…”Who Let the “A” out a, a, a Who Let the “B” out b, b, b, Who Let the “C” out c, c, c, Who Let the …. You’ve got the idea…Emma was the “Z” :)

Here’s some video of her 2 favorite songs…

This one she said would make me cry…for some reason the sound and video are off…

This was one Emma loved to perform…

I feel so sad her first year is over. I don’t feel I took advantage of the time. I have so many little learning games and activities that she literally out grew this year!! YIKES! I was warned time flies once they hit school years!

Arizona

2010-06-04T00:28:00.001-05:00

Hey kiddos (& anyone else that cares what we’re up to in AZ)!! Here’s what mommy & daddy have been doing all week…

Flying over the Kansas clouds…so pretty and puffy! Daddy had the window seat!!

Kansas from the sky…

The airline we got on in Colorado puts a picture of an animal on each of their planes…

We got a cheetah plane!!! On that plane was a off duty pilot from Phoenix that was so nice and filled us in on where to live/not to live and shared some great places to eat!!

Flying over the snowy mountains of Colorado…

Past the mountains of Colorado…flying over the mountains was much easier than driving through them!!

Look at the fields in Colorado!! They are in the shape of circles!!

Approaching the airport in Phoenix. Here’s one of the first mountains. From the air they look like big piles of dirt that have been swept together.

These are cacti!!! So strange to drive down the road and see them! Don’t touch!! Ouch!!

This is the view from our hotel. We’re on the top floor!!

Here’s where we’re staying…since I know you LOVE hotels!! The arrow shows our room! Daddy will save the key for your collection!

Here’s when you know you’re in the middle of the desert. Mrs. GPS didn’t even know what to tell us…she couldn’t even find the roads!!

Daddy turned around b/c all we could see was dirt and weeds…and we NEEDED gas!!

We were excited in our driving to see a tractor!! Reminded us of Kansas! There’s actually more fields here than we ever imagined!!

Here’s a picture of Daddy’s new work place. To the right of the picture is a HUGE corn field!! He has pretty view of the field and mountains from his office!

Outside our hotel (allll week) has been a car show of Studebaker cars. OOOOLLLLD ones, sporty ones, colorful ones, not so fixed up ones and even a golf cart that looked like one. I think Uncle Adam and Papa would have had fun looking. More and more cars (and old people ;) ) show up each day. This was Daddy’s favorite.

Tonight there was also a biker rally near the hotel in West Park I think it’s called. A shopping & eating area in walking distance from the hotel. We went to see a movie. Mommy actually got to pick the movie….and I must admit it wasn’t very good!

There was a big sign advertising the new movie we need to see soon…thought Aidan would like to see it! :)

Tomorrow we revisit these 2 houses and look at 3 other new ones. Then it’s decision day to figure out where we will live!!

This one is in a neat neighborhood with a school for you near by! The neighbors next door have 2 kids and a baby on the way!! This one has the space we need…an amazing mountain view in the back…and well…some other special things in the back yard you guys will LOVE. Not the best picture to show the huge front door and porch…

There’s also this one. Very, very nice on the inside. Not as great of view…and noting in the backyard until daddy gets here and works his magic…

Not sure about the other 3….2 are in areas we’ve not looked at yet. Prayers and prayers that we chose the right house.

We miss you very, VERY badly!! I hope you are all doing well for Mimi!! She’s probably tuckered out by now so take it easy on her! Can’t wait to see you all on Sunday morning!! Take care and love you bunches!!

9 months of change

2010-05-28T15:57:00.001-05:00

I never imagined that just 9 short months after having Isaac and starting Emma in Kindergarten that on her last day of school we’d be listing our house to sell in preparation for a move!! Crazy change that only God could have done in my heart to bring us where we are!!

Below is my big girl on her first and last day of Kindergarten!! Not a lot of change physically except a little bit of baby cheeks are gone, but TONS of change in her “personality”. She knows more little recess rhymes and chants to jump rope or “patty-cake” to. She is reading. She learned some songs…that we’d rather her not know. Escaped Kindergarten w/out Santa, Tooth Fairy, and Easter Bunny being exposed and no learning of any “4 letter words”. She’s a total teacher pleaser and LOVED her two teachers- AM Ms. Beckwith and PM Ms. Brookes. She never pulled a card even once…well there was this one time, but it didn’t go on her “record”. When I asked her last night what her favorite part of school was I was NOT surprised when she said “when we did arts and crafts”. That’s my Ms. artsy Emma!

It is a bit sad to think she will be leaving her little friends behind. Avery in particular. They are close little friends! They were all the other knew when starting school and enjoyed their time together at birthdays, play dates and recess. It was a typical little girl relationship that was filled with a bit of “love/hate”. Drama city. I often wondered what Avery’s mother and I would be in for 10 years down the road. She’s been very brave (more brave than I!) about the move and making new friends!! We’re looking hard to find a great school!

To think that on her first day of Kindergarten Isaac looked like this…

and is now doing THIS… (lighting not good…yes it’s Emma reading in the background!)

You blink and nine months are gone, then a year, then two years and next thing you know we’ll be getting her cap and gown…the graduation kind…not THE gown…Matt can’t handle discussing that!! :)

Now to see what the next 9 months hold…

FORevaaaaaaa

2010-05-24T22:42:00.001-05:00

That’s how long it’s been since I updated my blog. I go and dump earth shattering news and then vanish!! And the title also shares with you how long it seems to take to get info and get "the ball rolling”. So, here’s what I’ve been up to…

- MOPS: has ended. My “reign” as MOPS coordinator has come to an end. It’s very sad for me. I truly believe in the ministry and have enjoyed meeting moms and watching them grow. BUT I’m SUPER excited that God has provided many new and willing leaders to take over!

-Bible Study: My late Tues night study grew from like 5 of us to almost 30!! Crazy. I hadn’t planned on attending, but I was convinced by 2 friends that I MUST do the study! I had to be convinced as the 6 week study was starting about 6 weeks ago as my world was crumbling. Boy am I glad I did! I must admit the homework I’ve not given as much time to, but the videos are amazing and speak to me each week.

-Matt’s last board meeting: Matt’s roles in the church have come to an abrupt end. There was one short month between our accepting the job and he leaving each week for training.

- I’ve struggled watching friends and family I love struggle with the emotions our decision has surfaced. This has been a real lesson in how much our friends love us and accepting our family can be!! It’s sad that it’s in my coming absence that I now see the deep importance of time spend with family and friends.

- I apologize for my lack of updates on all “this”. I’ve hesitated so many times posting updates because it could be very confusing to the reader…one day I’m on top the world seeing God’s hand all over this…and then there’s other days where I’m shocked, scared and fearful and blinded to any purpose or positive effects this could possible hold. But most importantly even in my deepest moments of fear I imagine/dream of telling Matt to stop the entire process and retract his acceptance of the job…but strangely enough that just doesn’t feel right.

- I’ve apologizing to Matt for my up and downs…wishing I was that wife he could say things about like “she’s handled it with such ease, she’s been super supportive and is very excited, her lack of stress makes this easier for me, and she’s so willing to deal with the relo details like it’s nothing!”

-Our little Kindergartner had her end of the year program. She has 2 1/2 days left. Where did the year go? I’m not old enough to have a 1st grader!?!?!?

-Starting May 19th Matt is gone more than he’s home it seems. What training he’s been to has him pumped up and ready to start. He’s had nothing but positive comments about not only the job, but the people he’s working/training with.

-We finally have our AZ trip scheduled. My mom has been gracious or crazy enough to take on our kiddos. We’re hoping the 4 1/2 days spent in AZ will result in us finding our future home! We I have been doing LOTS of looking online and have a realtor working with us now too.

-The house is close to hitting the market later this week. My poor mother will probably bear the brunt of showings as she will be here the week following being listed!! Yikes! So, do you know anyone looking for a 4 bdrm house set up for kiddos!!???

- Hope to spend some of my down time on our AZ trip to prep for VBS!! I’m in charge of the preschool program and have lots of ideas I need to get started on!!

- Another end for me is closing my daycare this week. I am super busy this week so I think that will help me be distracted from the reality of that! I’ve been so blessed in my 5 years of caring for kiddos! My oldest child in my care will enter Kind. in the fall…I’ve had her since she was 9 months old. All the others (3,2, 1.5) I’ve had since birth! It also brings on the reality that we are now a single income family. I’ve NEVER not worked in our married life and always worked one job with babysitting on the side since I was…oh I have no idea….throwing a newspaper, babysitting, working at the nursing home, PCA in college, and then my dream of teaching.

So the ball is rolling. First inspector today, another on Wednesday, appraiser or 2 later this week. First legal docs signed and sent in. More coming tomorrow. Lots of little things to do and one biggie to finish house painting!! Should pick realtor this week and get a sign in the yard!! Yeah!!!

9 Months & 3 Years

2010-05-17T07:52:00.001-05:00

NINE MONTHS-

Stats- 25 lbs 3 oz.

.: What You’re Wearing- 18 months in separates, 24 if a one piece outfit, shoes not sure w/ your fat little foot!

.: Firsts- crawling everywhere FAST, pulling up, walking along furniture and even standing alone for short times, fishing trip, MO trip to see Great Papa Brennan.

.: From Head To Toe- your hair has grown so much in the last month and the humidity makes the curls even better! Daddy calls it hippy hair and demands a cut…but Mama & Gma say no! Has one tooth and working hard on the other. Got some allergies & goopy eye.

.: Loves- laughing, getting into the cabinet with books, push cars back and forth, following mama, magnets on the fridge, swinging, racing to the stairs before the gate is put up, climbing,

.: Dislikes- all the falls involved in trying to be mobile, sleeping long periods of time

.: Eating- same as before although you’ve been eating a bit less due to allergies I think, bottle every 4-5 hours, cereal and fruit for bfast, jar of veggie & fruit for lunch and supper, likes puffs, cheerios, biter biscuits, wagon wheels, etc

.: Sleeping- goes to sleep about 8 or 9, wakes about 11 goes back down quick, eats about 1:30 and sleeps until 7ish

Going to miss these curls…not sure the dry AZ weather will make his hair like this…

It was a super looong month. So many events, so many changes…it hit me the other day there will be only one more “month” post before we’ll be on our way west :( One thing is certain in the business of the next 6 weeks…you’ll continue to grow, change and probably start walking! Yikes!

THREE YEARS-

Hard to believe our “big guy” is a big 3 year old! I look at this picture and see how much he has thinned in the face and kinda lost that “baby look or baby face”. Where did it go? When did that disappear and how did I missed it!?!?! We had a great weekend celebrating his birthday. Started the weekend in Topeka/Melvern celebrating with the Brennan and Burnett fams. After church today we celebrated at home with Matt’s family.

He was spoiled with lots of Cars, Dragons, Diego & “Starblightyear” which translates to Buz0zlight year. Movies, PJS, cars, trucks, jeeps, Buzzlight year jet pack & dart gun, Big wheel bicycle, little people dinosaurs to add to our collection of Little People, stuffed Buzz, kite & bubbles!! Lots of fun to keep him busy!

Even last week if you asked him how old he was he’d say “four”. I worked on showing 3 with his fingers…he got frustrated and when I’d ask how old he was he’d hold his hand toward me and say…”you do it mommy!”

My Day

2010-05-09T09:38:00.000-05:00

Mother’s day that is. My one goal this year was to get pictures- I’m only talking snapshots here- of me with my kids. I had been reviewing pictures to submit for a slideshow at church the week prior and realized I have like NO pictures of me and my kids, my mom or MIL with my kids!!?!?!? Tons of daddy & grandpa pics! Time for the men to get behind the cameras!! :)

Well I failed at that one mission. It was a mad dash to get out the door to church for baby dedication…our church does it each year on Mother’s Day. This year was Isaac’s turn. Went to lunch after church and the kids were undressing and changing before it occurred to me we had not taken pictures!!! GRR!

The MIL and I headed to Newton Outlet. She had something to exchange and I’m always up to a Carter’s shopping trip. I got outfits for the boy’s 9 month & 3 year pics we’ll have next week. Got a nightgown for Emma b/c that’s all they have in her size :( I love Carters…hate that most of the options for her size are “mini” teenage looks.

I was surprised with these from the kids…

Hope everyone had a very Happy Mother’s day where you took a moment to appreciate the mother’s in your life and those little blessings that call us mommy!

Grandpa turns 85!!

2010-05-08T09:24:00.000-05:00

We had great fun traveling to MO the first weekend in May for my Grandpa Brennan’s 85th birthday party! I was so glad he could make it as the day before he fell and was banged up complete with a broken wrist! He was still in physical therapy for his injured shoulder from a previous fall! Wishing him a speedy recover! He’s always been a very active guy!

We met outside of Crane MO near my aunt Lisa’s house at this nice little spot. There was a covered, screened in building with a small kitchen and bathroom.

The kids had tons to do…

Play down at the creek-

Swing on the tree swings-

There was also a “jumpoline” (trampoline) and swing set with slipper slide and teeter totters.

We had a yummy dinner of BBQ and all the fixin’s followed by birthday cake of course!

Here’s the man of honor- Luckily as scared as my children are of Santa, they aren’t scared of Great Papa!

First time in a while that all 8 of Grandpa’s kids have been together-

All of us…Grandpa his kids, grandkids & great grandkids- (minus Stacy, Jenny, Nathan, Amber, Melissa, Chris & Sabastian)

Grandpa with just the great grandkids-

Other cute pics from the beautiful day-

Madison & Emma-

My dad & Isaac-

My brother and Isaac- (love this pic!)

Diane & I’s attempt at our traditional picture together…

It was raining as we arrived, but turned out to be beautiful weather! There was an air of sadness for me knowing I won’t see several of these family members for a while…we traditionally do Thanksgiving together, but we are unsure what Thanksgiving will look like for us this year…

Jobs.Babies.Stupid Internet Provider.God’s Timing

2010-04-22T23:30:00.001-05:00

So I’ve kinda fallen off the FB and blogging world since about March. For good reason in my opinion, but here’s my attempt at explaining why and what new things lay ahead for my life as a friend, mother and wife…

First of all I HATE sharing this this way, however thanks to STUPID Cox Communication my email is down that has ALLL my email addresses, so email is not an option. A status update seemed bad too. So, here I go…

I’m not quite sure where to start. There’s no sugar coating it…after many, MANY years of talking, discussing & debating about moving for Matt’s job we’ve made the agonizing decision. With in the new 2 months or so we’ll be moving to the hot, HOT spot of Arizona. Yes, so far away. I could explain for hours how many times we (really “I”) held Matt back from taking opportunities with his job b/c I didn’t want to move. Nope. No change for me! We talked about it when we were first married, we even visited TX when preggers with Emma. TX came up several times and with each new division opening we’d discuss it. Just this February we sat down and decided what cities we’d be interested in moving to. Our short and not so flexible list was Tulsa, Kansas City and maybe Dallas. I had all sorts of excuses why we couldn’t do it. Family, money, friends, etc.

Well last week Matt came home from work and mentioned he’d received a job offer. The timing of this offer is something I’ve spent many of hours questioning God about- but I’ll get to that. What’s different this time is he gets his pick of Tulsa or Arizona instead of just “throwing his name in the hat” for the job they chose for him. While Tulsa would seemed more logical to some, in the case of seeing family, it didn’t hold the opportunity that AZ does. Opportunity, not necessarily more $$. I’d never want anyone to think dollar signs would tempt me to leave my family & dear friends. NEVEReverever. Yes it will be more, but when you account that I’m losing my job…not really more $$.

Matt has been chosen/requested to move to AZ to work at the QT Distribution Warehouse that contains all the product such as lids, cups, straws, all things QT that are shipped out to stores AND the QT Kitchens that make all their food products. (Hotzies, donuts, cookies, sandwiches, etc) Food is an area QT plans to grow in a lot in the coming years and this is a great opportunity for Matt to get in on the beginning stages of it. His role at first is quite similar to his job now. Hiring, training & firing of the hundreds of employees. His job is to create a a program for the facility to follow where employees follow standards, are held to fair and consistent standards and are trained appropriately. Or so I think…it’s all a bit fuzzy b/c…

Fast forward an hour after Matt received news of this job and he gets a call from me. We hadn’t shared yet, but we had found out in March we were expecting. Very much a surprise, but very much welcomed after the shock wore off. Home tests were not very accurate and actually read negative. But the 2 Dr. blood tests showed I was in fact expecting. That all changed last Thursday. Upon returning home from MOPS I discovered something was not right. I called my Dr. and Matt. He met me at the Dr. office and between the exam and sono shared that he had “work news”. At that point I was NOT prepared to discuss that. By days end we had in fact been informed this pregnancy was not going to last. I was always excited when learning of expecting a baby and had NO idea how devastating the news of losing a baby at 2 months could be.

It almost seemed as though the past week has drug on slower than any time in my life. There’s been so much to digest in such a short time. So many questions as to why God chose this specific timing. I mean each event in it’s own is enough. But all in one day. All in a 2 hour time span. Overload is where I have been! And since making our moving decision I’m still there!

I would worry that maybe all the stress lead me to making a rash decision about moving, but that is the simply amazing part. I’ve experienced more anxiety when just discussing moving before than what I feel about our decision this time. I decided to live Monday as if we had decided to move. Tuesday I tried to live as if were weren’t and it is unexplainable how different I felt. It’s almost as if God changed my eyesight, like I was looking through a different lens. Looking around the house or driving through Derby, didn’t feel the same. I felt as if there wasn’t the “I can’t leave” connection I had felt before. And had this nagging that we should go.

We both kind of agree that had I not lost the baby and in fact were going to have a 4th child we wouldn’t have even discussed moving. That was hard to hear and realize. Painful to think that losing a baby somehow directed and focused us on a plan. Still saddens me. Having a 4th child and living here is surrounded with feelings of joy, where moving half way across the country is a mixture of every sad and scary emotion.

Now do NOT get me started on thinking about the relationships I’ m leaving behind, because well that will take a looong time to accept. I just have this overwhelming feeling that this is what we should do. There’s a peaceful feeling I have about living there. The moving, the leaving stirs lots of stress within me, yet I know it’s the right thing for Matt’s job and well he’s worked very hard over the years at QT and all of our retirement “eggs” are in his basket since I’ve not worked in 7 years.

My prayers are many and all across the board…one that all our friends and family will try to understand and support our decision. Second that we will find a neighbor or friend of some sort for Emma to play with and perhaps a mother on our street that is also home that I can get to know. And that God will continue to open or close doors as this process continues. He already had opened doors that we feel point us in this direction. I pray we find a church and quickly develop a support system. It’s our goal and prayer to be conservative in our living as to afford to visit home often. Matt gets 3 weeks vacation and I’d hope to return for a couple weeks each summer. Pray that Allegiant Air stays in Wichita for reasonable airfare. I pray the job goes well and QT offers Matt a job back closer to home in the next 3-5 (dream) or 6-7 (yikes) years…please not longer than that. Probably not going to be Wichita, but maybe KC or Tulsa. I pray this is a chapter or season of our life that will end and move us toward better things as our children grow and our parents age.

There’s so many things that I will miss that are quite little in comparison to some things one might miss…annual things like Fair Days, Labor Day celebration, Bake Day, MOPS, scrappin/CropAGanza, Buzzards with my fam, church with Matt’s fam, the list could go on…and I seriously doubt this will be the last of the news on moving OR me medically as apparently I can’t miscarry appropriately and may face procedures next week for that…why…really WHY??!!

Consider yourself lucky to get the news this way. You’re spared the tears & snotty runny nose with sniffling you’d have to endure on the phone or in person….ta ta for now…

8 Months

2010-04-21T23:06:00.001-05:00

In true late fashion…

Stats- 23lbs at the last appt. for yucky nose drainage

.: What You’re Wearing- 18 months – which is fitting in length & around, size 4 shoe

.: Firsts- Looong trip to TX to Riverwalk & Sea World, met Uncle Johnnie & Jeanne, crawling, pulling up, Easter in Melvern & Atlanta, tooth, in big boy rear facing car seat, first time swinging at the park, starting to hold baba & first burn on his fingers! Ouch!

.: From Head To Toe- long, curly reddish hair. Still flips and curls when you get sweaty, still fighting neck rash, got a shiny white tooth, loves to move & chew on EVERYTHING

.: Loves- chewing and drooling, pulling off your socks, crawling to get into pots and pans, dog dish, etc, playing in the hall bath, unrolling TP or scooting stool back and forth, saying “dadadadada”

.: Dislikes- quite frustrated when first crawling at not having the speed to keep up with mama, green foods, baby food meat, stage 3 “chunky” food

.: Eating- bottle every 4-5 hours, cereal and fruit for bfast, jar of veggie & fruit for lunch and supper, likes puffs, cheerios, biter biscuits, wagon wheels, etc

.: Sleeping- a lot can change in a month! Now staying up later than the other 2 kids…it’s like you figured out you can have us all to yourself. :) Still waking up once a night for bottle and then again about 6, but if left along you’ll usually go back to sleep.

A few shots of various “firsts” for the last month-

Isaac waiting at Sea World while E, A & Mommy were on a roller coaster…

Swinging like a Big Boy. He LOVED it!

First Easter…complete with tie…

Holding Baba with blisters from burn…

One of his favorite activities…

A standing big boy…

That first birthday is quickly approaching…I can’t believe it!

Crazy Trek to San Antonio [Part 1]

2010-03-22T08:31:00.001-05:00

Well we started out at 5:45 on Tuesday evening for our trek to South Texas. Back of the truck loaded up most of the contents of our home, a small sleeping quarters if needed, Ms. GPS lady, snacks and drinks we were ready to hit the highway. Here’s a shot as we’re all happy, excited and non tired. Well ok I was tired from late nights packing and preparing for the trip (hence no photo of me as we were leaving). Aidan and Emma had fun working on a worksheet packet I had made for her all themed on ocean animals.

II blindly held my camera back and got this shot of the most awesomeness traveling baby EVER!

The stud-a-riffic marathon driver hubby.

Aidan was asleep by the OK line as was Isaac. We made a quick stop in OK City to see my Meg!! It had been waaay to long! We had an awesome dinner at Cheddars (I’d highly recommend for the food and the price!) before dressing the kids in jammies and setting up the dvd player.

Aidan and Emma watching Monsters Vrs. Aliens. Emma and Isaac only made it about 30 minutes into it. Aidan hung on until the end of the movie about midnight before falling asleep.

About the time everyone was asleep we had to fuel up. Not sure where we were, but near a huge casino along the interstate. A quick fill up and all sleepers kept dreaming- as did I anticipating that at some point I’d need to relieve Matt.

We stopped in Dallas about 2 am so Matt could get a snack, stretch his legs, and wake up a bit. He stopped at a QT travel plaza so he gassed up on the last bit of “good gasoline” for the trip and toured the HUGE QT. At this point Aidan got stir crazy in his car seat. “Get me outta here” he said. I held him while parked at QT and then (with much worry) laid him in the very back where I had left enough room in case of a cranky sleeper. Isaac was ready to be fueled up as well. Topped him off with a bottle.

About 150 miles outside of San Antonio Matt caved in and asked me to drive. I was a bit worried stopping would wake all our sleepers…but it didn’t. Matt slept for an hour…about 4-5 a.m. While driving I realized we were going to hit SA earlier than expected so slowed down a bit so the kids would continue resting. Total time driving plus stopping in OK city was depart Derby at 5:45 pm and hit SA for breakfast at 6!! We found an IHOP for breakfast and the waiter was shocked a fam of 5 was up and out for bfast at 6 am. He finally asked and we told him we had drove through the night from KS. :)

Breakfast didn’t take very long so we had no where to go and ended up in the zoo parking lot and hour early!! Wow! We’re never early! Matt rested while the kids attempted to occupy themselves in the car they had been in for 12 hours!! Yeah…that didn’t go so well! When Matt awoke the zoo parking lot was super CRAZY! We thought maybe a new zoo exhibit had opened…they line was long or longer than when we went to the Tiger exhibit opening in Wichita!! I asked a zoo worker and they said nope…just spring break! The zoo was worth the wait! Parts of it were better than the Sedgwick Co. zoo…and some parts wasn’t quite a good…but the entire zoo was beautifully landscaped. And OH to see green grass and flowers in bloom!! Not to mention the perfect temperatures!

Aidan with his favorite animals…the Dingos. Or as Emma used to call them…Kamingos. This is him saying “dingOs”!!

Anywhere we go Emma is obsessed with having her own copy of the map!

WARNING what you are about to view is the most PRECIOUS baby face EVVVVA!!!

The most precious baby face with his mama! He was actually doing anything possible not to smile!! Lil’ stinker!

The SA zoo had several of my favorite animal. And they had them closer than our zoo. Does this animal not demonstrate God’s creativity!! The legs and back end are like a zebra, yet the face and ears are like a giraffe…and has a long neck…just not as long as a giraffe!! So unique!!

Aidan’s highlight. The train!! It was so cute! The train took you around the outer zoo grounds Brakenridge park and near a museum and golf course. It went through a tunnel, over several bridges and on several occasions went through intersections were cars stopped and everyone waved!!

Here we are going over one bridge…ugh…I need to get over my anxiety about my kids and water…

Isaac slept through the entire train ride!!

We left the zoo and the hotel didn’t quite have our room ready for early check in so thanks to Ms. GPS lady we located a Chick-fil-A. It was St. Patty’s day so the kids got free green balloons that had Chick-fil-A coupons in them. Too bad we don’t have one close in KS!! We arrived to the Hotel about 3 and ~~we all~~ Matt took a rest before cleaning up to go to dinner. Yet again Ms. GPS gal helped us find Rainforest Cafe on the Riverwalk…but this time we were on foot! Tell ya that GPS thing is awesome! The wait for dinner was 1 hour 15 min! Yeah…with 3 kids in a very small location and tons of people!! E, A & myself tried to walk around a bit to kill time but it was St. Patty’s and the place was crazy packed!! Single file line walking everywhere and need I mention we were very close to the water…another time in which my anxiety with the kids and water cripples me!! :)

Dinner was great. The restaurant was in a 3 story building so not quite the atmosphere of the others I’ve been to (KC & Vegas), but the kids still had a good time.

It was great that we walked to find Rainforest Cafe because it took us right by the Alamo. The kids were less than thrilled about some old building…but we tried to explain the history behind it. It’s pretty at night.

We didn’t get back to the hotel after dinner until after 9 p.m. The kids did so great all day considering their night of sleep was in their car seats, up early, zoo all day with little nap! We heard no peep out of Isaac they whole trip except when he was hungry at 2 a.m. I fully expected a “Are we there yet"?” from Emma before the OK line and didn’t!! We tucked them in with a movie and were asleep before Matt got the movie started on the TV! Tired babies!! Matt heard on the news that night that it was the busiest day on record at the SA zoo. Glad we were a part of that history! :) Matt and I passed out shortly after the kids…restin’ up for the big day at Sea World!

7 months

2010-03-17T16:15:00.001-05:00

.:Stats- 21lbs at the last appt. for pnemonia follow up

.: What You’re Wearing- 12 months, still size 3 shoe…getting close to a 4

.: Firsts- sitting position to crawling position, back to sitting, first bump on your gums with a tooth trying to come in, big photo shoot with cousins and then 2 weeks later for 6 month pics,

.: From Head To Toe- your hair is actually getting a bit long!! it flips and curls a bit, still fighting you rash among all your chins- all the drool from teething makes it worse, got a bump on your gum where the first tooth is trying to make it’s appearance, still have an adorable smile and “bright” eyes, you can get anything in your mouth you touch, like chewing on your toes when they are bare

.: Loves- chewing and drooling, pulling off your socks, sitting and rocking on your hands and knees..or feet when in the bear crawl position, chewing on pacci, playing the back and forth game- when Gma holds me I want Mama, when Mama has me I want Gma, bouncing in the saucer,

.: Dislikes- the bottle not in your mouth instantly when you wake in the night, that you are not able to actually gain forward movement when trying to crawl, green foods [not sure where you get that! :)], mommy’s face leaving your sight,

.: Eating- still not a fan of green foods, but will tolerate peas without shivering now, like rice & oatmeal cereal with fruits, eating 2-3 meals a day with bottles every 4-5 hours

.: Sleeping- our early bedtime boy! gets fussy about 7:30 in bed shortly after 8! Sometimes only wakes once about 3 or twice about 1 and 4. Pluggin with pacci sometimes works to get you to go back to sleep, other times I’ll still give you a bottle. I can get one good nap out of you each day and it’s usually in the AM with 2 shorter afternoon naps. When you do wake in your crib you often times play and play before making noise to get our attention!

32 Part 2

2010-03-12T17:21:00.000-06:00

So to continue on with my post about my fabo birthday…

Before Matt left town he took me to dinner at Chipotle. So glad my tummy had recovered from IT to be ready for the football burrito! :)

Knowing Matt was scheduled to be out of town my friend Karra [college room mate & bridesmaid in my wedding- mother of 3 crazy cute boys] asked if I’d be interested in getting a sitter and going out for dinner. Don’t have to ask me twice!!! Sure! We chose Carrabbas b/c she loves the place and so do I, and Matt doesn’t…so it made perfect sense! April joined us. She’s a new friend I’ve met through Karra. She has taken part in our annual holiday bake day held at Karra’s each December. Despite the way the photo looks April IS the only one expecting. [5 weeks out to be exact…seriously?? my face was as swollen as her belly when I was that preggo!!] I was however over stuffed on chicken parm & alfrado…AND bread AND salad AND hot fudge sundae. [i didn’t request the sundae…they brought it to me for my bday…i was not about to be rude and turn them away…after all there are starving children in this world so who am I to let food go to waste?!?!]

What a great dinner it was! I seriously can not recall the last time Karra and I had been together w/out any children. Surely it wasn’t when she was baby shopping prego with Brent??? Was it??? I mean that was 7 years ago! Anyhow we stuffed ourselves with good food and great conversation.

A final shot are the beautiful and cheery flowers Ms. Jocelyn, my daycare princess gave me. How sweet! They brighten this dreary day!

Thanks to all the FB well wishes, texts and phone calls. I’m sure there would have been a few tweets if I were a twitterer but I’m not :)

So here’s to next year! 33. Never been one for odd numbers. Have lots of plans to make it a great year full of family, friends & fun…with a bit of working out to reach that goal!

Thighs of Steel

2010-03-12T08:44:00.001-06:00

To begin this is not a post about my thighs…as that would not be nearly as cute as this…

For optimal viewing pleasure tilt your head to the left. Actually just rest your head on your left shoulder. Enjoy watching Isaac perform his most favorite exercise which must be the reason his thighs are so plump…

Me so cuuuute…

32

2010-03-12T00:11:00.001-06:00

I almost hate to rave about how great this unwanted birthday was since my husband was out of town for it. So, to clarify it was great but not great BECAUSE he was out of town. :)

Wow. There’s no sneeking in a birthday when you have FB!! I say it was an unwanted bday simply b/c it seems impossible to be 32. It’s almost as if time froze in my life when I had children. I still think/mentally feel about 25. Where did the last 6 years go and why did they take my brain with them??

It was literally 3 weeks ago when I was all bummed b/c I hadn’t been to the gym like I had wanted. I then decided that my goal was to work really hard over the next year so that when I turned 32 I could say “Wow, this is the best shaped I’ve been in for a long time!” About 30 seconds later and some quick math I realized- wait I’m 32 in 3 weeks!! AHHHH! So, I guess the goal will be 33.

I remember when I first started teaching the ladies I worked with were about 32. They had a couple kids. Seemed…not OLD, but mature. Looking at them I felt they had it all together. Wiser. Experienced. Stable. Assured. And it definitely felt like it would be a loong time until I reached that age.

Well it wasn’t long. It was a blink of an eye. So why is it at 32 that I don’t have it all together. Do not feel wise on most any thing. Feel less experienced at some things than even before. Stable? Assured? Are you kidding me??!! There are so many things I feel I’m JUST getting started on. Things I’ve yet to learn. Things that I’m just learning about myself…and/or finally deciding to work on fixing, improving, repairing, or growing.

I think it’s great timing this bday. It comes at a time where I’ve been lost in many deep thoughts lately. Situations brought on some by stress, thinking about where I am, who I am and ways in which I need to change. But instead of just being lost in those thought's I’m in a place of actually planning for change.

Knowing where and WHO to draw my strength from. Seeking the right guidance. Ignoring or at least praying away all the feelings of guilt and sadness. Not listening to the calls to compare, judge or worry.

Well more on that tomorrow complete with a few shots of my day…but for now it is bed for this old lady. Soooo sleepy….night!

Isaac says…

2010-03-08T23:32:00.001-06:00

vueomgnvyudklenhgf!! Was Isaac’s first blog post on his laptop!! What does it mean you ask???

vueomgnvyudklenhgf!! is baby for…

I’m CAuuuuute! (As you can clearly see in above photo of his first sink bath!!)

Bug: 5, Us: 0

2010-03-08T09:58:00.002-06:00

This was a very odd week/weekend. It was exciting because it was the end of Emma’s basketball and Crosstraining programs thus freeing up our evenings a bit as to not feel rushed here and there.
Worked out Tuesday. Felt great…
Wednesday took Isaac to quickly have some 6 (and a half) month pictures taken. I had low expectations after the crying he displayed for our photos with cousins a few weeks earlier. However, he did GREAT! He just smiled, and posed, and smiled some more. Great for memories, not so great for my wallet! :)
Wednesday night was a long and sleepless one. Aidan was up lots in the night and then I heard what all moms dread. A wet sounding “cough”. Thus beginning the trickle of a sicky bug passing through the fam. Aidan was lots better by noon on Thursday. Isaac spit up quite a bit Thurs. AM and napped lots. We got Olive Garden per Matt’s request for dinner to celebrate his Bday. Shortly after eating it I became sad realizing I would be reliving one of my favorite meals!! Another long night. By Friday morning I came to one sad conclusion…I’m to old to puke. My body ached, and ACHED all day!! How “thathetic” (Emma’s new word of the weekend…)
Friday AM I decided to keep Emma home from school as I was certain she’d be sick before the day was over and she could be my helper until she fell sick. I was saved by my sister in law as she took Isaac. The movement involved in taking care of him proved too much for me! With failed attempts to sleep I rested on the couch all day with more Disney and Nick than I ever care to be near again.
Much to my surprise Emma never got it! Saturday was a new day and I felt alive again. We went to Emma’s Upward BB ceremony in
the AM and decided to enjoy the fresh air and run to the zoo.
(Leopard…don’t think we’ve ever seen him up and moving)

(Cute lil’ monkey…chewing on his pacci)

(one of the zoo’s newest additions…red panda…we think it looks like Cracker!)

(Emma among the lions. Aidan was to scared. He said the little lion growled at him.)

(We had never witnessed the tortoise training. It was neat.)
We had the pleasure of running into Chris, Mandy, Libby and Gma TT. So don’t see them often enough!!
Upon arriving home from the zoo we found our house had been ransacked by ~~a 6 & 2 year old~~ intruders. After 3 hours of cleaning Emma and I decided to go to see the Derby High school performance of The Wizard of Oz. One of my former students had a supporting role. It was great to see him as such a successful high school young man!
Emma enjoyed the performance, especially Glenda the good witch. There were parts she didn’t get as she’s not that familiar with the movie. Besides the ~~children~~ loud, flying monkeys behind us it was very enjoyable. It was a laaate night.
Sunday brought church. I taught Sunday school early service attended church 2nd service. Then IT happened. As we were leaving Emma got IT! GREAT!!! Not exactly how I want to use my days off work, however that’s the life of a mother. She ran around all day. Appears fine, yet will make a dash to the bathroom for false alarms.
Waiting to post this until Monday AM leaves me to report IT has officially got ALL of us. My tummy was upset as I went to bed and not much of an appetite this AM, Aidan was up with dirty Pullups through the night and now Matt lays sick in bed. As he is trying to gear up for his busiest 3 weeks at work in months. Starts back teaching classes this week. Has a 5 day trip out of town planned. Back for 2 days and then we’re all off to TX!! Back from there for a few days of work for me to leave town and he’s on duty.
At least we all have it and can get past it now. Maybe it’ll be a bit of a weight loss program for me. since I’m not making it to the gym. :(
Ready for Spring Break…TX here we come…then…Bring on April…fresh air…sunshine…flowers…green grass…

6 Months

2010-02-21T15:26:00.001-06:00

.:Stats- 19 lbs 6 oz., 27 1/2 in. long, 80% across the board

.: What You’re Wearing- mostly 6-9 months and some 12 months. You must have shorty arms b/c all sleeves are too long on you! :) You enjoy chewing on them though!

.: Firsts- trying to hold bottle, on hands and knees rocking back and forth, eating solid foods (rice cereal, veggies & fruits), first weekend away from mommy and first weekend with only daddy!

.: From Head To Toe- you’re doing so well! You have the sweetest smile that makes my day lighter and brighter no matter what! You’re very long and more than doubled your birth weight (9lbs 11oz). It’s amazing to me that Emma was your size at one year and was walking all over! You have developed a bit of a rash in your “chins” from all the drool and milk/food.

.: Loves- rolling around on your blanket, rocking on hands and knees, saucer, lion chew toy, pacci, star mobile, chewing on your bibs or wet wash cloth,

.: Dislikes- this one is hard b/c you are sooo content and happy…still dislikes the car seat, but mainly only fusses if hungry on the way to our next stop, some certain foods…

.: Eating- kept trying cereal and you’ll finally eat it. I started with orange veggies, which you like. Then tried green but you HATE them. As soon as I put it to your lips you purse your lips together and sometimes even blow! You seem to like all fruits, but your favorites are carrots, sweet potatoes, & apple sauce! Still taking a bottle of 6 oz about every 4 hours.

.: Sleeping- going to bed about 8:30 and only waking once about 2 or 4 to eat and right back to sleep. You aren’t really wanting rocked or held anymore (boohoo!) to go to sleep. You prefer to be laid down with your blanket and the mobile to put yourself to sleep!

.: Misc Facts-

So joyful. Each time I hear you awake in the crib I go in and you just light up!

You have very little interest in sitting. You’re getting better at doing it, but prefer being on your tummy scooting around.

So, there you have it. He’s officially 1/2 a year old and this mama can NOT believe it! 3 months maybe, but 6 months no way! The speed at which times goes is just simply not fair.

Cropaganza!!

2010-02-10T11:35:00.001-06:00

Whew! I think I’ve recovered from my AWESOME weekend!! Lots of croppin’ + little sleep = productivity!!! I finished 13 layouts (or 26 pages) for Emma & Aidan’s scrapbooks. I’m still quite behind, but almost done with 2007!! Keeping my New Year’s resolution of attending the church scrap nites and another scrap weekend the end of March AND the fall Cropaganza will hopefully get me close to finishing ‘08 and a start on ‘09!

Here’s some pics of the crop. It is simply un-B-elievable the chaos of 180 croppers in one room! The scrapbooking market is obviously booming!!

180 Croppers in one space…Star marks my location…there were more to the left and right of this picture…couldn’t fit them all in!

Our Table - Arrow marks my spot…

My Scrappy Friends- MIL Peggy, SIL Shelly, Friend Vickie & myself.

The “young” scrappers. Deb, myself, Kristina, Jen & Kelly.

Kristina and Jen are my college girlfriends. We started our scrappin’ adventures when the main scrappin tool was fancy cut scissors!! Not only did you fancy cut your paper, but your pictures as well! We’re sooo beyond that kind of scrappin now! (Well except for one layout K tried to do this weekend that involved precious Precious Moments paper…by the end of ganza she had tore it all up and started over!!) We’re on to bigger and better things like cricuts, stamps, chalks, inks, stickles, white core cardstock, etc, etc. We are totally pumped about going again this fall and fretted over what life would be like or even if we could exist if we DID NOT make the ganza list! WE shutter to think how scrapified we might become! K will have a new baby by then and hopefully Jen will be preggers!! (as is ganza tradition for one of us to be…)

Last year when I went I spent most the weekend in shock at all the scrappers, papers, vendors and such…this year was still amazing but I literally focused only on scrapping. I didn’t really shop any of the vendors, no massage, no pedi or mani, just workin’ my fingers to the bone scrappin!! Here’s an attempt to show some of my work (minus the journal)…

Aidan in the baby show with blind judges…I’m mean obviously he’s a cutie…

Fall & family pics ‘07…

Emma making Aidan’s Welcome to the World gift…

We arrived to crop at 3pm on Friday and I cropped until 3 am stopping only for supper. Up by 9 am on Sat and cropped until 3:30 am stopping for lunch and supper breaks. Up again Sunday at 8:30 and cropped until 1:30 pm stopping to pack up and return home. So much more to do, but catching up on sleep is the order of business now. Well, that and taxes!!! YUCK!

5 Months

2010-01-22T15:35:00.000-06:00

Ok so I’m only about a week late getting this up. Because I like to point out how scatter brained I am I have to admit that the 12th came and went without me realizing he had turned 5 months. I had the 15th (Aidan’s birth date) in my head. So, on the 13th it hit me so I spent that day in mourning that yet another month had passed. Good news I think I’m “caught up” on my blogging!!

Here’s an extra shot (that didn’t turn out well…grr…not liking my camera!) but I couldn’t resist sharing those eyes and that smile!! I’m pretty sure those eyes are SCREAMING I love my mama!

.: Stats- 18lbs 5 oz., ?? in.

.: What You’re Wearing- fitting very well into 6-9 month clothing. 12 month is right around the corner. They only thing too big are sleeves. They are sooo long on your little arms!

.: Firsts- Rolling everywhere & never staying on the blanket I put you on, laughing now especially if I “eat” your ribs, feet are great entertainment, first Christmas & New Years, very good at putting things in your mouth, first time getting blood drawn- hard for mama to watch!

.: From Head To Toe- not much changing except you’re just getting bigger over all and probably need your little rat tail trimmed in the back. Has had runny nose since Thanksgiving in the middle of our 3rd antibiotic with no luck on getting it stopped- bad cough now too. They did allergy testing for foods &environmental allergens, but the testing showed no allergies.

.: Loves- Sissy, tummy time, chewing on blankets, burps & bibs, being rocked, the mobile we put on your bed that plays music and has lights,

.: Dislikes- want nothing to do with sitting- bumbo chair, swing & car seat

.: Eating- 6 oz every 4 hours. tried cereal- did NOT like it plus you started having a never ending runny nose so I stopped & they checked you for allergies. No allergies so tried cereal again. Will tolerate it in the bottle, but not so sure about the spoon. I haven’t been giving it much b/c I think it makes you fussier.

.: Sleeping- up around 1 am & 4ish…but right back to sleep after you eat.

.: Misc Facts-

You’ve become a very content baby. At our annual holiday bake day you were so happy the whole day. You love to watch all the action around you!

I suppose you enjoyed you 1st Christmas & 1st blizzard! I know brother & sister had fun opening your presents!

On New Years mommy & daddy had a party with daddy’s work people so Katherine & Julianna came to watch all 3 of you kids. Katherine is kinda your buddy!

You’re so happy & content at the church nursery…everyone says how cute & sweet you are! You do have this very “sweet, innocent, everyone loves me” look about you!

You light up when Emma comes near! She can jiggle you to make you laugh or sometimes do nothing at all!

It’s a Six Year Old Sleepover!

2010-01-18T16:46:00.001-06:00

I could go on and on about the depression I went through that Emma was “over” having Princess Birthdays. She fell in love with Cinderella a week before her 2nd birthday…to late to change her party from Elmo to Cinderella. So, her third bday was Cinderella and it was then that she planned the rest of her birthdays. 4th Snow White, 5th Belle, 6th SUPPOSED to be Ariel, 7th Sleeping Beauty, 8th Jasmine…. The one I was most excited about was supposed to be this year I might add.

How could she, the daughter of a planner, CHANGE her mind? Didn’t she know that I had a scrapbook page planned that would show all the different princesses she was throughout the years? Really? Scrapbook dream killer!!!

About the time therapy helped me recover from the princess past she decided to be a cheerleader for Halloween and that meant a cheerleading birthday. (She always dressed for Halloween what she wanted her bday to be…my precious resourceful girl!) I had come up with some decent ideas for a cheering party, but then she started speaking of a sleep over. I was hesitant at first, but gave in. She was allowed to invite 3 girls and I then surprised her with bringing her cousin Madison.

There was a bit of girl drama as I expected, but fun was had painting toenails, playing games, watching movie, eating pizza and making a sleepover pillowcase craft.

We were pleased with how the craft turned out. Here’s how we did it.

Sleep Over Pillowcase:

You need: iron on transfer paper, light colored pillow cases (NOT washed), paint pens, cardboard to put in pillow case while using paints, iron AND photo editing software.

We took the above picture of the girls in their jammies in a sea of sleeping bags. I uploaded the picture to my fav photo editing site (www.picnik.com) where I added text and then mirror image (or horizontally flip) the photo. Once edited print on transfer paper following the directions included in the packet of transfer paper.

Iron photo on the pillowcase following the instructions. The instructions I followed had me dry iron the picture on the pillowcase that had NOT been washed yet.

We then used paint pens to have the girls “autograph” the pillow case.

The resulting pillow case is machine washable, but it was recommended to not use fabric softener or allow wet pillow case to sit too long in the washer. Time will tell the durability, but they certainly were cute!!

The sleep over was a success. All the girls made it through the night and we made it to early service church will all of them!!! Impressive!!!!

Christmas Joy

2010-01-18T09:16:00.001-06:00

Yes it’s the middle to end of Jan and I’m just getting to posting Christmas! We started out with a bang starting and finishing our Christmas shopping the weekend before Thanksgiving, but time got away from us and some decorations didn’t even make it up and as of today trees are STILL up!

Our Christmas events began the weekend before Christmas with the Burnett Christmas held at my sisters. A great time as always with my cousins, Aunts & Uncles.

It was soo much fun with 3 kiddos this year! Emma finally grew out of the notion that Mary brings her gifts. She was a little leery, but a bit fond of Santa (right about the time the Santa bubble will be burst at school!). Aidan was all about HoHoHo Merry Mismis since last year. He also loved to say “Happy Holidays” to any one in earshot. Isaac was oblivious to it all, but brought us great joy. His first significant snow was a BLIZZARD! Christmas Eve blew in A.L.O.T of blowing snow. We still made it to Christmas Eve service, however Grandma & Papa did not. We tucked you in that night to the sounds of the howling wind (that made Emma a bit jumpy!) reading the most important story ever!

Believe it or not everyone slept in until about 7:30! Crazy to sleep in Christmas morning, but I had assured the kids if they woke when it was still dark they might scare Santa and he’d leave in a hurry as to not get caught. I think they were afraid he might run off with their gifts! The kids were super excited to see what they got and Emma was convinced she heard the reindeer. Emma was absolutely precious as she opened one gift from her stocking and then waited until everyone opened the gifts she had gotten for us. Her school had a shop where she could purchase a small gift for each of us. Daddy a flashlight, Mommy a beautiful Christmas bracelet, Aidan a football & Isaac a jingle ball. She also got mommy new kitchen towels (that were awesome!), Aidan a block train and Isaac a caterpillar toy thanks to Grandma Stout taking her shopping for all of us. She was very excited to give & see our excitement as we opened what she had chose. It was impressive she had kept them a secret!! (Kindof she slipped about the towels one day at Target. We walked by the kitchen towels and she said “Don’t look mommy! You’ll see your gift. Then when doing laundry she’d do little things like say “Wow mom your towels are old, you should get some new ones for Christmas!” So cute!)

Each child got a new fleece blanket from Santa and stockings filled with books, a new ornament, and small toys. From Mommy & Daddy they each got 3 gifts (if 3 gifts were good enough for the Son of God 3 is enough for a son or daughter of mine!) They were very pleased with all their gifts. We interrupted playing with breakfast of Bubble Bread & Breakfast Burritos. Yummo!

In the after noon we headed to Aunty Shelly’s for the Stout Christmas.

Whew! In a flash it is over!! Makes me already excited for next year! I do love the holidays!

Teacher Gifts for 2!

2010-01-13T22:42:00.001-06:00

Emma has 2 Kindergarten teachers that job share so that made it a bit more interesting when coming up with a teacher Christmas gift. I kinda had a $$ in mind to spend on a teacher gift, but x2 was a bit much. So I tapped my creative resources. Last year I made some of these jewelry pouches that are great for travel or sorting and organizing your jewelry. I JUST so happened to have 2 left over from last year. To go along with the bag I went to my local jewelry/beading gal on her open beading night and made a pair of silver earrings for each teacher to put in the bag. No gift is complete without chocolate!! Among my holiday baking were several different kinds of truffles. I packaged up a few of each for the teachers. Oreo, Cookie dough, Peanut butter & Peppermint Fudge Brownie truffles to be exact! Yum! Here are the results…

Hope they enjoyed them. I remember as a teacher I receiving soooo many apple/teacher nick nacks, candles or lotion in a wide array of scents…appreciated, but over done. I hope to continue the jewelry theme for end of the year gifts if my plan works…

4 Months

2010-01-13T14:18:00.001-06:00

Despite my best efforts to remove Dec. 12th from the calendar the day did come & go making my baby a whole FOUR months old! I just can NOT believe it!

And yes he really IS this sweet!

The photo shoot to get the monthly picture is proving more difficult b/c he quickly pulls out of the sitting position & dives forward like this…

.: Stats- 16 lbs 5 oz., 26 in.

.: What You’re Wearing- 3-6 month clothes fit for about 2 weeks. In 6-9 months at 3 1/2 months

.: Firsts- rolling from tummy to back- took you a long time to do it b/c you actually like being on your tummy and didn’t desire another position, lots of smiles and even a cackle every now and then, just starting to find your feet, teenage babysitter- Katherine & Juliana watched you Emma, Aidan & the Kooser girls while we went to see the movie The Blind Side

.: From Head To Toe- hair is still red!! eyes are brown around the pupil and then a gray/blue- beautiful if you ask me especially with the miles of eyelashes surrounding them!,

.: Loves- propping your feet on the toy bar of the bouncy seat, saucer, looking at smiling faces, tummy time or sitting up and alert in a lap.

.: Dislikes- still NOT a swing or car seat lover!! grr!, bumbo chair

.: Eating- still chowing 6 oz Sensitive formula every 3-4 hours

.: Sleeping- up at least 2 if not 3 times a night, sleeps on tummy with pacci

.: Misc Facts-

Your first Thanksgiving. Turkey day at Grandma & Papa Stouts in Atlanta and then to Melvern Friday for the weekend.

Another trip to Mimi’s for Thanksgiving to work on Uncle Adams new house and see some of the extended Brennan fam.

Starting to grab toys and pull toward your mouth.

Hello? Can You Hear Me?

2010-01-13T13:48:00.001-06:00

Are you still there? Have you given up on me? Wow the Holidays just zapped right by and zapped me! I realized today that I need to get back to my bloggin’ as yesterday was Isaac’s 5 month “bday” and I didn’t remember until this AM!!!!!

What kind of mother am I? So today I’m depressing my way through the day since I didn’t get to yesterday about how my baby is getting big (18.5 lbs to be exact)!

So, I’ll gradually catch up my life here on this lil’ blog I use to log my memories before I forget…you know. Like forgetting that Isaac was born on the 12th and NOT THE 15th!!!

So I’ll start updating with Isaac’s never posted 4 month entry continuing on in sequential fashion because that’s how I ~~obsess~~ roll in my ~~less than orderly but always striving~~ life…

oooooooooorious in x chelsea daya

2009-12-23T20:21:00.001-06:00

The kids had their church Christmas program on the evening of Sunday the 13th. The older elementary kids performed a play about how BUSY we can get during the holidays. Following that was approx. 40 of the cutest 2 – 5 year old singers making up the preschool choir. This was Aidan’s first & Emma’s last year in the preschool choir.

This year they sang:

Dashing through the snow in a “one whore hoe-pen sleigh” or the fields we go laughing all the way. hahaha “on ba tatas ring” making spirits bright what O fun it is to ride JINGLEBELLSJINGLEBELLS JINGLE ALL THE WAY"…

AND

Angels we have heard on high sweetly singing o the plains & the mountains in reply echoooooooooooooo ooooooooooorious in x chelsea daya

All I have are some pathetic poorly lit photos. Matt took video, but Vista hates our camcorder so no luck getting that posted yet.

Pretty sure you can tell what song she’s singing here…

Aidan getting ready to jingle some bells…

Mrs. Becky the choir director. My kids LOVE Mrs. Becky!! There have been many a nights & wee mornings where my kids are requesting Mrs. Becky songs to go back to sleep.

Emma (my lil’ social butterfly) & her friends Avery & Becca

Bake Day 2009

2009-12-23T16:18:00.001-06:00

Bake Day 2009 was held on Saturday, December 12th. I attendance were 4 moms with a total of 9 kids (I’m counting April’s bun in the oven :) ) Here’s a math lesson 4 moms baking + 9 kids playing = 4 crazy moms.

My college friend Karra runs a bakery out of her home (this is were I’d insert her web page…we need to get you a blog girl!) and has all the equipment & a mighty big oven that makes baking a breeze…well maybe not a breeze, but much easier than at home. Last year we got together to make holiday goodies and deemed it was definitely something we wanted to make an annual tradition. So, the 2nd weekend of December I gathered up my recipes with loads of butter, sugar, chocolate & anything else bad for you and departed for her house. We each pick a few recipes of treats to make and then split each treat 4 ways so we each come away with an huge assortment!

Here’s a portion of my goodies. We made: Chocolate Truffles, Jell-O Sugar Cookies, Trio Cookies, Chocolate Crinkles, Peanut Butter fudge, Chocolate fudge, gingerbread mini loaves and chocolate covered pretzels.

One of my contributions was Jell-O Sugar Cookies. It was a treat my mom made around the holidays so it is just doesn’t seem like a holiday with out them. I also made the Chocolate Crinkles, again it just screams holiday cookie.

This stuff right here could make me gain weight smelling it! The one and ONLY thing to make it better…dip it in chocolate. Yes my friends. Super rich peanut butter fudge coated in chocolate. One bite would send one into diabetic shock. But you’d be happy as you went! :)

Here’s her dining room table with all the treats laid out. Wow!

Now you’re about to see the SWEETEST treat of Baking Day 2009…

This little man was such an angel the entire day! He slept very little, but was well entertained in the bouncy seat with the coming and goings of the other 7 active kids!

Despite the truck breaking down on the way home (thankfully with in a couple miles of home) it was a great day to “kick off” the holidays. The next day I continued the sugar rush making Oreo Balls, Nutter Butter Balls, Cookie Dough truffles, Peppermint Brownie truffles & Peppermint bark. All the baking and candy making brings fond memories of my Grandma Burnett. That woman could make some of the best candies! Toffee, peanut butter balls, coconut balls and hard cinnamon candy were my favorites…oh & peanut brittle…OK it was ALL good…I had one exception though…chocolate covered cherries. They WERE good. Before my brother and I overdosed on cherries one year helping Grandma in the kitchen and to this day neither one of us likes cherries!!

Thanks or hosting Karra! Already looking forward to next year!

Cookie Cutter Wreath

2009-12-23T15:43:00.001-06:00

In preparation for our annual bake day at my bakery- owner- friend’s house I made this little gift for her. I couldn’t think of a better gift for a baker & cookie maker!

To Make You Need:

Spray paint, metal cookie cutters, metal adhesive & ribbon.

I got the cookie cutters at Hobby lobby for 1/2 price. (I have several left over to either use to make cookies, individual ornaments OR there were several mini cookie cutters that I thought I could make a “mini” wreath with as well! I’m leaning toward “rust” treating some to make ornaments for the small tree in my kitchen.) Ok…back to the project…one can spray paint color of your choice and an adhesive that works for metal. I wish I had a good suggestion. I tried what you see pictured as wasn’t have the best luck. So, I tried my E-5000 glue and it seemed to help, but I’m convinced there’s something better out there. My husband actually recommended JB weld.

Chose your cutters and lay them out and rearrange until you get a shape you’re happy with.

Once arranged start gluing cutters together. I did a section at a time allowing 2 to bond together before attaching a 3rd. Once glued and dried time to spray a little paint! It only took me 2-3 coats to have a good coverage. Once the paint was dry I make up a bow, tied it on and wha-la! An adorable Cookie Cutter Holiday Wreath!

Gingerbread Houses

2009-12-09T15:48:00.001-06:00

In a previous post I had mentioned that while home for Thanksgiving we made gingerbread houses. Well here’s the proof in pictures!

Ahh…the sweet decorations. (BTW we’ll be saving Valentine hearts, Easter and Halloween candy to prepare for next years!)

Making the ~~frosting~~ glue. I used this recipe:

2 large egg whites, 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice, 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted

Beat the egg whites with the lemon juice. Add the sifted powdered sugar and beat on low speed until combined and smooth. The icing needs to be used immediately or transferred to an airtight container as royal icing hardens when exposed to air. Cover with plastic wrap when not in use.

I’m not sure why my niece Madison enjoys cooking with me so much NOR do I understand why my sister doesn’t like it???

Emma and I starting the building process. This was my first gingerbread house EVER!!

The results…Emma’s house…nice and orderly. Noticed the patterned roof line!

Then there’s Madison. I think she enjoyed herself despite the hand gesture she’s showing. (she was licking her finger!!) hehehe. She LOVED adding and adding decorations to hers.

Madison’s results…Whew…purdy…

This was Marcia’s gingerbread tailor. Complete with a replica of her dirty white van. I believe the cow is making messes in the yard, there’s a hole in the roof and the lean to carport is a bit cadywhompus.

The big girls joining in the fun! Brooke, Diane, Beth and Megan.

Brooke took the “small cottage with attached garage” I made and turned it into a beautiful looking train!! I think the Aidan & Dallen would love to make trains next year!

Then there’s anal-retentive Beth working diligently to line up all the sweet tarts in color order…

I think we all had fun! I’d love to do them again next year and perhaps join in the fun…given enough time. I think Beth and I could have a contest! One lesson learned is to construct the houses maybe the night before and decorate once they’re set the next day. AND I’ll be on the look out after Christmas to buy the $10 kits on clearance to stock up for next year!!

Dear newborn 8 pound 6 ounce baby Jesus…

2009-12-09T14:17:00.001-06:00

I’m not particular on my Jesus. I’ll take the bearded Jesus with a white robe and scarf welcoming children on his lap, newborn baby Jesus with straw all over him…any Jesus is fine. It’s a good thing we’re not particular around our house. Matt & I were joking last night that our nativity seems to be alive this year. Every time we walk by a Sheppard has left to find a sheep, an animal has grazed beyond the stable or a wise man has lost his way. Figurines seem to relocated OR be replaced by a figurine from another nativity set.This is the Jesus that came with my Fontanini nativity…

wrapped in a cloth in a manger of straw. Or this one…

plasticy Jesus. Wrapped in a white cloth surrounded by very yellow plasticy straw.

AND from what I recall there were 3 wise men, not four…

I dunno, maybe one of the wise men brought along his son?!?

Our first (& most important) Christmas decoration made it’s way out before Thanksgiving. The kids were super excited! They love to hear where or from who we got each piece as the nativity has grown each year. Emma, for those that don’t know, is obsessed with the nativity. She has a snow globe nativity & glass nativity in her room. She plays regularly with her Fisher Price nativity. If given the choice to watch a movie there’s a good chance she’ll pick The Nativity Story. She had come up with on her own & has believed for several years that Mary brings her presents- not Santa. At Christmas Eve service she gazes upon Mary like many small children do Santa! One year we got “back stage” passes to see Mary after service!

Aidan appears to have a similar fascination.

For about 2 days after setting it up I could hardly get him to leave it alone! Aidan does however seem to be ok with Santa as well. No interest in seeing or getting hear him, but he said last night “Santa door knock knock come in bring me presents” in his cute little choppy way of talking!

Personally I think it’s quite cute. I hope their fascination with the nativity grows as they do. Grows into a realization of the true meaning of Christmas. Jesus. Not so much newborn baby Jesus, but brutally died on the cross Jesus. And not just that he came as a baby, but WHY he came. For them. For me. For you. That His birth was the beginning of the path that leads to their salvation.

I once heard that the catchy phrase “Jesus is the Reason for the Season” is actually not correct. It actually should be “YOU are the reason for the season”. Not quite as catchy. Doesn’t rhyme- guess God’s not a rapper! :) But the truth is that YOU are why God chose to send his son as a baby to an ordinary peasant girl. YOU are also why He chose to watch His son die. May we all find the awe and fascination of the nativity that innocent eyes of children see.

*I linked above to a site that carries the Fontanini nativity. I just LOVE my nativity! A bit expensive, so that is why mine has grown each year as it is a big amount to buy it allll at once. It’s super nice quality and best of all PLASTIC but totally doesn’t look plastic! I’m pretty sure if it wasn’t plastic we’d be a few sheep short and down a wise man by now! Check in to it…

Merry Christmas!

Family. Food. Fun. & More Food!

2009-12-07T14:37:00.001-06:00

My sister joined me this weekend since I was a Big 12 Football widow. We started out our weekend confirming our status as “crazy”. That process began with our traditional dinner at Tallionos – pizza buffet – with 4 kids. (would have been 5 if Dallen had been with us!) Nope not feeling totally crazy yet. I know! Let’s go to Wal-mart! With our carts loaded with everything sugary AND the understanding why those kiddie leashes were invented we headed home. It was around 8 or 9 when we started all our creations. On the agenda: Peppermint & Cinnamon Bark, Oreo Balls, dipped pretzels, puppy chow and fudge.

Our first 2:

-Peppermint or Cinnamon Bark-

.: one package almond bark

.: approx.3/4 cup crushed candy canes or peppermint disks (or cinnamon candies if making cinnamon bark)

(reserve any larger pieces of candy for sprinkling on top)

Melt almond bark in microwave safe bowl according to package directions. Stir in finely crushed candy pieces. Pour onto wax paper lined cookie sheet. Spread mixture evenly out onto the waxed paper. If making peppermint bark and want to sprinkle the coarser pieces of candy on top it creates a nice look.

Now on to the…

-To Die for Treats That If Left In Your Home Will Call Your Name Until You Consume Them All OR A.K.A Oreo Balls

.: one package oreos

.: one block cream cheese, softened

.: one package almond bark

.: 1 cup chocolate chips, melted

Crush entire package of oreos using food processer, mixer or all your holiday frustrations with meat tenderizer & ziplock bag. Once crushed add cream cheese & mix together until all incorporated. Roll dough into balls & place on wax paper lined cookie sheet. Chill in fridge or freeze until set.

Melt almond bark. Dip balls into almond bark to coat & place back on waxed paper. Place balls back in fridge or freezer to set. About the time you think you need to eat them ALL because you dipping job looks super sloppy…melt chocolate chips. Stir in 1 T shortening & then pour chocolate into a small sandwich baggie. Snip a tiny point off one corner of the baggie squeeze drizzling chocolate over dipped oreo balls. Super yummy & very fancy!

We also made fudge. A first for me. While at Wal-mart we gathered the ingredients to make the recipe of fudge on the back of the marshmallow fluff jar. HOWEVER, as we were leaving I found a fudge kit…

I’m here to tell you THIS is the way to go! It has ALL the same ingredients as the fluff jar recipe premeasured and comes with a cute little “paper” pan you pour it in (wrap with cellophane and bam! a gift!). This kit cost $5. We bought 2 for a total of $10 (impressed with my math skilz aren’t ya!). The baking chocolate and chocolate chips following the jar recipe were almost that much and that didn’t include the 2 sticks butter, 6 cups sugar, 2 jars of fluff, etc, etc! I’m telling you! This kit and 2 T butter are the bomb! Fudgetastic!

It was about 2 am when we called it quits on our candy making for the ~~night~~ morning. Of course Isaac woke up as soooon as my little head hit the pillow, so it was closer to 3 when I got to bed. That might sound terriable, but NOTHING is terrible when THIS is what’s for breakfast…

Us sisters love us some bubble bread. Neither one of our husbands appreciate the glorious wonder of bubble bread. They’re more meat 'n’ tater kinda guys. Needless to say this didn’t last long…you know…it was the kids…they love it to…well kind of…they had some and yeah we ate a ~~bunch in~~ little ~~helpings as not to appear that we were eating it all~~. And we would ~~NEVER~~ just start eating it off the platter, because ,you know, it doesn’t reheat well and there ARE starving children in Africa and it’s senseless to waste food in that event!

After breakfast the sitter was summoned and sis and I headed with Isaac to the craft shows here in town. Our craft show attendance goes something like this…oh, bows our girls are getting a bit old, yum that ______ tastes good. I think I want a bit of that. Oh, that is cute- I could sooo make that. Hmm…there’s the lady with the cookies…it’s tradition to get one…this year should be no different. Wow. Like that cross. Not for $100. We could make that too. Oh, yeah! Here’s the woman that makes popcorn drizzled with all sorts of sugary, sweet, sinful toppings. It’s only once a year we see her. Better get a little. And on it goes that we leave 2 craft shows with only food. (Well I did buy a set of burp rags for Isaac that are sooo cute and I bought so I can make some like them!) We headed off to JoAnn’s to purchase fabric to make crayon bags for my sister to give her kids for Christmas. We only found one at the craft show for my niece, but nothing for my nephew. I’ve got 2 weeks to whip those up.

I returned the sitter and it was time or my sister to head back home. My older 2 were naughty so in true Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe fashion I scolded them soundly and sent them to bed. All kids in bed by 8…wish I could say I was more productive, but the 3 am night before took it’s toll (and still is!)

Great weekend. Glad for hubby to return. Now on to the next weekend. Bake day with my friend Karra who does things BAKERY style!!

Need a Christmas gift idea?

2009-12-06T17:25:00.001-06:00

Calling all women & children!! My super crazy (& super sweet) friend Colleen paired with a few of her friends started a cool T-shirt biz a while back. AWESOME shirts with an even better message! They have all sizes & a classic or fitted style. Would make a great Christmas gift! Go here to check them out!

Timing. It’s all about the timing.

2009-12-06T15:59:00.001-06:00

Let me set up the video you’re about to view. I’m cooking dinner the other night & Isaac is chillin’ in his bouncy seat cooing at me. When I think “I need take some quick video of him cooing all his new sounds”. I start recording. You’ll hear a bit of cooing courtesy of Isaac, but listen carefully & watch Aidan as he steals the show! America’s Funniest home videos material? I can assure you this was NOT rehearsed OR planned!

*WARNING- THIS MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR A WEAK STOMACH*

Weekend of Thanks

2009-11-30T15:28:00.001-06:00

I really do love the Thanksgiving holiday! Yes, the turkey is great and this year I really loooved stuffing (yes, a craving – no, no baby!) But why I really love Thanksgiving is because I get to see family that I do NOT get to see at Christmas time. BOOhoo! It’s always been a tradition that we spend Thanksgiving (actually the Sat. after) with my mom’s side of the family. My mom is the oldest of the 8 Brennan (yes count them 8! how did Gma do it?!?) kids so I believe the “tradition” began b/c the weather is often unpredictable for everyone to travel from various locations at Christmas time. (BTW those various locations range all over OK, KS and MO which is important to know later in this post!)

This year we began turkey festivities with my in laws in Atlanta (not as in Atlanta, Georgia). It was a great time and loved watching my A-doooor-able niece get super excited about mashed taters!! She is a doll with kissable cheeks, even with mashed taters all over her! It was Isaac’s first Thanksgiving of course and he was a champ. Downed a bottle while we ate and then slept or about 4 hours!
Did someone give him that sleep inducing turkey??!!

Friday late morning we headed off for my parents. This year the Brennans were gathering near my parents/sisters to help work on some projects for my brother’s new crib. He became a first time home buyer the first part of the month and has some remodeling to get done before he can move in. Which when you team my mom’s brothers with my dad’s brothers some major plumbing & electrical work can get done! Then you put a paint brush/roller in my mom and my aunt’s hands and Whew! You’ve got progress. Can’t say I helped much. Did dream up the ceiling fan “remodel”. Adam bought a brushed nickel light kit to put on his nasty old bronzy ceiling fan. YUCK! A little brushed nickel spray paint and bam!

We took a bit of time on Saturday afternoon to start what I hope to be a new tradition. (after all it’s not like there was ANYTHING worth watching on TV…KU who? Mizzo who? Jayhawks vrs Tigers? seriously!?!?!) My sister and I gathered the supplies to make gingerbread houses! Madison and Emma (the little girls) had great fun ~~plastering, coating~~ decorating their houses with candies & sprinkles. I think the “older” girls (still little in my eyes- 2 of which are terrible “Mizzofluences” on my child!!) had fun too! Brooke, Megan, Beth and Diane created what appeared to be a train, cottage, and house. My sister even joined in the fun creating a nice… umm…Whiskey Tango (W.T. a.k.a. White Trash) trailer complete with her dirty white van! It was a hoot! More pics in another post about all that!

A gas angel made sure we got home safe and sound. As we stopped along the turnpike to get gas (at the ONLY place with in 30 miles) we discover they are OUT OF GASS! WHAT!?!?!?! So, after many prayers we pulled safely into a loyal and trusty QT. We drove about 15 miles with our truck registering 0 miles to empty!! Whew! I did NOT want to be left on the turnpike stranded with 3 kids while Matt huffed it for gas! Home about 11 p.m. Church the next day and the start of the holiday decorating process! Yeah!

Marshmallows + Hot Glue = Igloo

2009-11-19T22:21:00.001-06:00

Igloo making. Who’d have thought it could be so competitive of a sport? It all started with Emma’s show and tell for the week. The letter “I”, the short sound to be exact. She told me she wanted to take an igloo…so instead of having her draw a picture or print one off the internet I thought “WE can make an igloo”. Building materials- Marshmallows, Hot glue and scrap of cardboard.

Matt purchased the supplies brought them home and disappeared into man land to watch the KU game. When he emerged at half time he gave my igloo a look over and offered to make one too. Excuuuuuuuse me? Mine’s not good enough? Sure honey…go for it. Glue gun hot and ready. Bag of “mellows” open. Game on with this igloo competition.

Here’s the results…

Igloo #1-

Construction process of Igloo #2-

Matt’s intense concentration (I think the Hanna Montana sticker he’s sporting gave him the advantage!!)

Aidan assisted in consuming the building supplies. Some with hot glue on them! Yuck!

Emma gave up by 9:15.

Matt and Aidan held out until completion of igloo #2.

Here’s a close up…

Seriously? Who has time for that? You can guess what igloo builder was also watching 3 kiddos during the building process! ;)

I gladly handed him the title of “school project maker”. Little does he know ALL the dioramas, projects and reports he has ahead of him!

My Sweet Baby Boy!!

2009-11-16T15:10:00.001-06:00

Hard to believe it’s already time for Isaac’s 3 month pictures. Time has flown as it always does! Try to make it through all the pictures without MEL…t…i…n…g like this mama did as there’s a vote to be taken at the end of this post.

**WARNING! You are about to view a veeerrrrrrrrrrrry sweet baby and NO you can not have him!! He’s all mine ladies!

Sweet smile…

A serious look…

Ah, those big eyes…they aren’t blue, or brown, I guess a gray?

No matter the color they are FULL of sweetness!

Isaac at 3 months….So who do you think he looks like?

Emma…

OR Aidan……

Tell me what you think…this Mama has her vote, but will hold off sharing as to not sway the votes :)

3 Months

2009-11-15T23:15:00.001-06:00

.: Stats- not sure exactly as we didn’t see the Dr. this month. I’d guess close to 14 lbs and 24-25 inches.

.: What You’re Wearing- too long for 0-3, so officially in 3-6 mo. size 3 shoe (Emma wore a 4 at a year!!)

.: Firsts- starting to “talk” and coo, I get a giggle out of you once in a while, noticing toys & objects in front of you & grabbing at them, took a longer car ride (2 1/2 hours) to Mimi’s house…you slept :), first stay in the church nursery when mama taught Sunday school

.: From Head To Toe- reddish hair, perfect skin complexion- very different than Aidan, eye color is a gray darkish color- not as blue as the other 2’s at this age, holds head up well & tries to sit up when held reclined back- strong abs!! You want to be up & alert!

.: Loves- being rocked, tummy time, giggles when jiggled, loves to look at sissy, spendin’ time in the vibro bouncy seat

.: Dislikes- laying on your back, sitting in car seat doesn’t hate, but tolerates swing (the fanciest, softest, $$ swing one could have!!)

.: Eating- 6 oz every 4 some times every 3 is you went long stretches in the night. Takes forever sometime for you to get it down…but don’t try to take it away cause you want every last drop!

.: Sleeping- you were sleeping through the night- but now up once at about 4 an, down by 10 pm & one good 2 hour nap with lots of little cat naps

.: Misc Facts-

You were a football for your 1st Halloween. Luckily there were no fumbles and you stayed cozy in mama’s arms.

You’ve remained super healthy despite brother & sissy’s attempts at sharing the crud they’ve gotten. (strep, croup, mouth infection, ear infection…)

We’re done seeing Dr. S. He managed to help you just like with Aidan. The fussiness is lots better and the reflux/spitting up has all but vanished! Yeah!

A week ago tonight

2009-11-09T22:42:00.001-06:00

I sat in awe at the Wichita showing of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. It was an amazing show of vocals, instruments, lights and video! I had heard great things from my brother when he had gone last year, so when my sister in law asked if Matt and I were interested in going with them we jumped at the chance.

Our evening started with dinner at Genghis Grill. Matt was the only one that had been before. I’ll start by saying the food ended up very good, but I had major concerns. If you’ve never been to Genghis and you’re not a good…or shall we say speedy decision maker than either don’t go or research before you do go! :) You go through what is similar to a buffet, but the food is raw. Start with picking the meat you want (crab, shrimp, chicken, steak, etc), season it (offered like 8 different seasonings), choose veggies (tons of options from classic stir fry, potatoes, etc) and your sauce (seemed like a kazillion options). Once you’ve made your selections and feel like you’ve held up the entire line, the cook takes your bowl of food and sauce throws in rice (or noodles, pick your starch…yet another choice) and cooks on a VERY large open grill. Once your food is complete they bring it to your table. The whole time waiting on our food I questioned if I’d like what I just created…I mean I chose the ingredients, so there was no “sending it back to the kitchen” if it was gross! :) I ended up liking it. Next time no potatoes, try different sauces and noodles are for sure the way to go!!

After, um shall we say a brief detour thanks to Matt we neared the coliseum. Wow was traffic a nightmare!! Guess I had really only been to a hockey game there and didn’t anticipate the traffic to back up so far down the highway! They didn’t hold the show for us, but we only missed a little at the beginning. Here’s my shots from the night…

Thought this turned out cool…

Good shot of the backup singers and musicians.

Fire, lots of fire! I was a bit worried about all the long haired musicians catching some flames as they swayed around in their 80’s rocker hairstyle.

Quite the show for the folks on the far end of the main stage! Awesome! Our seats in the middle were perfect to see all the action!

Here’s a perfect example of the 80’s power ballad guitar stance used most of the evening!

Ending shot of the TSO group…

A shot of us…

While the concert was one of the most amazing I had been to (with my concert résumé consisting of U2, George Strait, Garth Brooks…think that’s about it…), I must admit I was equally if not more excited to hang out with this awesome couple for the evening. We used to spend tons of time with Mandy (Matt’s sister) & Chris (Matt’s high school friend turned brother in law) BK (before kids). With the addition of each child and busy work schedules we’ve slipped in to letting the business of life keep us apart. That means it had been about 5 years since the 4 of us had been out “alone”! It was soooo fun! We have the best times together and manage to laugh until we hurt! All three of them have the ability to speak complete conversations in movie lines…none of which I know as I’m missing that part of my brain. I love them and their Libby dearly and hope that we don’t let another 5 years go by!

Enjoy These times!?????

2009-11-06T15:16:00.001-06:00

Thursday had the perfect start to keep my life as a mother focused. My MOPS group had a panel consisting of “Wiser Older Women” available for us less-wise moms to pick the brains of. And what great advice we received. Held honest, at time teary, discussions of issues on the hearts of the moms! As I spoke with the panel guests and mentor moms prior to the meeting we chatted about how quickly time goes, how they feel somewhat removed and struggling to remember what it was like when their kids were so little. You know the comments, like the ones you received from strangers at Wal-mart… “Enjoy these times, they go so quick. You’ll wish you had them back”

It has been my goal since adding Isaac to the family to slow down, enjoy him while he’s little b/c I have realized with sending Emma off to school how quickly time passes. HOWEVER, it’s super D dooper hard. I mean really I’m going to miss THIS…

Like last night. Emma had evaluations for our church Basketball program at 6. Matt’s outta town. A friend offered to take Emma so I didn’t have to bring the boys. Yeah! No, cancel that. Emma came home from school fussing about her cheek and ear hurting. (Same complaints from the AM) She got more and more upset. Crying and crying. Could it be the return of strep from few weeks ago? Could it be what Aidan had last week?

All the while I’m trying to feed Isaac when Aidan starts what I call his poopy dance. He’s constipated- always & yes we’ve tried prunes, etc. It hurts, yet he refuses to let it out. He holds it in and cries. Begs for “help”. It’s taken days sometimes to get him to finally go. He screams for us to hold his hand, rub his back, hold him, etc. So, he’s in full blown need to poo mode, fussin’ and crying.

Again I’m trying to feeding Isaac. Get all the bubbles out and have a peaceful feeding so I’m not soothing a fussy, gassy baby later.

Emma is crying and reminding me every 3.5 seconds that she hurts and is hungry.

Matt is texting me about how awesome his hotel room is and how he’ll call later as they have dinner at 6.

I encourage Aidan to go in and sit on the potty. HOWEVER, the step stool isn’t in there b/c he’d moved it into the kitchen earlier to “help”. “It’s ok Aidan just climb up on the potty.” And I’m assuming he’s done just that until I hear a thud. Then he peaks his head out of the bathroom and smiles while stomping his feet and I hear…what is that I hear?…is that splashing?!? I investigate to find poo on the floor along with a pee puddle he’s splashing in like it’s fresh rain water. He’s got his undies at his ankles wet along with wet socks. I begin to clean him up and add to the ever growing laundry mountain. Disinfect the bathroom surfaces and mop the floor and it’s 5:50. Maybe I should be grateful for the mess, it did cause me to mop the bathroom…who knows when that would have happened otherwise. We’re obviously going to be late to BB evals as Aidan needs a full outfit change (more laundry), Emma is not getting ready to leave b/c…why was that again? Oh, yes her ear hurts! The baby has spit up all over himself b/c mommy was cleaning poo instead of burping him properly after feeding him, so an outfit change is needed for him – more laundry.

All this on the heals of Aidan’s illness last week where I was constantly told by Emma we must love Aidan more. We take care of him while he’s sick and we don’t love her. As if the week prior when she had strep I just let her suffer the 3 days she was off school! I’ve poured out all my physical energy and most of my emotions to nurse a child to health to be told by another that I’m not apparently “loving” enough. Just what a mommy who’s already feeling the guilt of short patience and unequal attention needs to hear!

I had mentioned to Matt in a down moment last week that I needed something, anything to happen that would make mothering feel pleasurable. Rewarding. Worth it. Worth the mess, worth the mountain of laundry, worth the stress, the trips to the Dr. resulting in piles of bills, little to no sleep at night, feeling physically tugged and in dire need of personal space.

Then IT happens as quickly as I feel overwhelmed and ready to run away. The reminders of all those strangers. The mentors. It will end. All the kids will hit a point where my lap will not be their source of comfort. There will be a time they get sick and not really need me to hold them, squirt meds down them, sleep with them or stroke their soft skin. I mean I’m the MOMMY. The one they want. The one they cry for when they’re hurting. Sad. Or needing comfort. As a teen Aidan won’t nuzzle up to me and say “love you mommy” in his sweet little voice anymore. Emma won’t beg to have her back/arm/leg rubbed while laying across my lap. Gone will be her soft, fine hair I stroke to soothe her. These things that seem almost burdensome at times will in fact be moments I long for.

But why can’t these feelings stick? Why can’t they surface after 3 nights sleeping everywhere BUT my bed awaking every 30 min? Where are they when I’m scrubbing the bathroom floor and cleaning a dirty 2 yr old while the other 2 are crying in the living room? Why do harsh tones come out of my mouth when I have these words of truth in my head? Why have I found myself raising my voice, or in last nights case, ignoring the complaints of a child hurting b/c I’m wiped. Why does the 7 constant loads of laundry waiting on me weigh me down so much- I mean laundry will never be “done” with 3 little ones, but I let these undone “tasks” determine my worth. Why do I dream of changing my name from Mommy to something else to get a break? My sympathy account is overdrawn. Each little (thank God, nothing major) illness takes more and more out of me with little time between for me to rest and gear up for the next. God doesn’t give us more than we can handle. He is good. He knows his plans for me. His timing is what is best. He’s designed us as mothers to be the nurturing, caregivers in our families.

I consider myself one who enjoys helping those in need. Caring for and providing comforts to others. But while in the mothering trenches it’s so hard to see your way out.

This struggle between wishing time to pass and the thought that life will be easier when ____ vs.. cherishing each daily moment has been the most recent addition to my load of mommy guilt I carry around, yet know I shouldn’t. (Guilt…awholenother post!!)

When I’m rational (and everyone in my house is healthy) I know that mothering will always have challenges…the challenges just change as he kids age. I know when they are older I will miss so many things about them at the ages they are now. So please, all you mentors, W.O.W. and purple hairs at Wal-mart keep telling me the truths that you have lived and know to be true that I, in the trenches of mother young kids, need to hear and hold on to.

Sickies Part II

2009-11-05T17:40:00.001-06:00

I begged in my previous post for the sickies to stay away…they are obviously disobedient! Our sicky adventures started with Matt having a cold, then Emma suffering a 3 day bought with strep and then we had 3 days to recover before Aidan hyper-extended his leg rendering him unable to walk for 3 days. I think it was about a week later that Aidan developed a nasty cough. Croup was the diagnosis. So, we treated him with steamy showers, humidifier, vaporizer, VICKS, all that good stuff. A week and a half later Aidan refuses dinner on Wednesday night and I notice he’s drooooooling a lot. A fever check was 99.6. Then I receive a call from my sister saying that her son & some of her day care kids had been exposed to Hand, Foot and Mouth.

So, I check Aidan’s mouth and he has sores!! AHHH!! Wednesday night he had a hard time sleeping. He & I ended up on the floor of his room. So I called the Dr. Thurs. and as I figured there wasn’t much they could do. Just tylenol/motrin for the discomfort. This is how Thursday AM began…

with a popsicle breakfast, followed by a popsicle brunch, ice cream snack and pudding lunch. By Thursday evening he stopped eating and drinking all together. Thursday night consisted of him waking every 10-15 minutes crying in agony as we tried to “sleep” on the couch. There was one point he requested to go to his bed…Thank GOD! So, I got in my bed about 1:26 a.m. to be beckoned by Aidan at 1:35 a.m.!!!

Friday AM, after 2 nights with little to no sleep, we headed into the Dr. as his throat was hurting really bad. They ran a strep test which came back negative. Dr. didn’t think it was HFMD as the sores were only in his mouth and not anywhere else on his body. They told us to come back next week to test for mono if we wish although there’s no treatment for mono. Yea, I wanna hold down a 2 tear old to get blood only to be told “yep,mono go home & it’ll eventually get better”.

By Friday afternoon I became concerned as his tongue started swelling and was still refusing all foods and liquids nearing 24 hours with nothing to eat or drink. So, I headed into Immediate care. The Dr. there agreed it probably wasn’t HFMD, and we knew it wasn’t strep. She sent us home with a stronger pain med and instructions to return Sat. if something new developed as it was probably just a viral throat infection. Friday night went better if you consider only waking up to him screaming every 45 min better! :)

Finally at 7 a.m. on Sat. he drank a cup of water!! Yeah! On the road to…YUCK! Up it all came!! GRRREAT! Called Immediate care. Instructions…keep trying to get him to drink, any more vomiting come in. He passed out for 3 1/2 hours. Best sleep he’d had since nap on Wed. He stirred about 11:45, stood up ran to Emma and began playing like nothing had ever happened!?!?!? KIDS!!??? Will I ever figure them out!?

I feel so free now as Aidan was not much further away from me than this…

Isaac gave me looks like this…”Mama hold me, I’m your baby”…

I’m looking forward to sleeping even a few hours in my bed…

**Before I could hit post on this…Emma wakes me last night saying her mouth hurts. I find no signs of sores like Aidan & brush it off as a case of “contagious attention seeking” I’m no Dr. but my mothering degree is able to spot this illness. Only to have her return home from school in tears saying her ear hurts. She’s only had a couple ear infections in her life, but are typically baaad. So, when Isaac is done eating we’re off to the Dr. with Emma…

Fall Is My FAVORITE Time!

2009-11-04T09:54:00.001-06:00

The cool crisp air, the beautiful views that totally show God’s unique creations…I mean seriously look at how many different trees there are and the multiple colors as you look across the landscape!! So, beautiful! I will admit the cool air and colorful scenes make for breathtaking photos. These pictures of my kiddos might go down as my all time favorite! While I can’t wait to get a good picture of them all 3 in the same photo, and I’m sure that time will come eventually, I have to “settle” for individual shots. I took these individual shots and put them in a collage and LOVE the results!