In My World

The Tooth

2011-09-08T12:10:00.000-07:00

THE TOOTH...

OH MY GOODNESS! I want to write on this blog everyday, but it seems like the creativity has been sapped from my brain. I sit down and just stare at the screen, and then end up looking over everyone else's wonderful blogs! I thought today that if I don't at least put something down I will never get started again...gotta start somewhere! Sooo, I decided to post some pics that I put on facebook in order to document the tragic accident we had here on Friday night! lol...not really that tragic, but it was really hard for me!

Jason, of course, had football. Karleigh was spending the night with her friend Merideth. The boys and I were hanging out and waiting on Daddy to get home. The later it got the wilder the boys were. I had just uttered the words "If you don't settle down, someone is going to get hurt"...well CRASH! Kaleb went face first off of his little riding toy into the floor. This happens all of the time because the boys crash into each other and the toy is rather light so he tumbles head over the handlebars quite frequently. Usually he cries for a minute, mommy kisses the boo boo, and it's all over. NOT THIS TIME!!!

Sorry if you are squeemish at the site of blood, but this picture is no match for what it REALLY looked like. The root of the tooth was stuck in his mouth...the tooth couldn't be pushed back in or pulled out. When he hit the floor, it smacked all his weight on that one tooth, broke some bone, and pushed the tooth backwards. He screamed for 45 minutes straight, and poor Kole was scared to death. I was trying to call Jason, the dentist, hygenist friends I have...you name it...my knees were weak!

Jason finally got home, and Bud and Betty (our adopted grandparents) came to help me with Kole. We got in touch with Dr. Bryant and he met us at the office to check the situation out. He looked at the tooth, and informed us that there was no putting it back in so it would have to come out!

Jason held Kalebs arms and legs and I held his little head. He cried at being held down, but once the tooth was out he was GREAT! He was a little trooper holding the ice pack on his mouth! I felt soooo sorry for him! Bless his heart, he kept pointing at his mouth and saying "Sissy"! Sissy had recently lost a tooth, and the boys had been pretending to have loose teeth for weeks! Well, he's now just like his sissy!

He's done really well except for the fact that he couldn't suck his paci to go to sleep for about 4 nights. His little lip took a beating, and has really hurt him...it looks like raw meat! I know it's just a baby tooth, but it was a sad night for me because I wasn't ready for my baby to loose his tooth just yet!

So, as I write this post I'm thinking...do I even have a good picture of his smile with his baby teeth? It was the sweetest smile to me because everytime I saw that little gap between his two front teeth I saw a little bit of my momma! I'm going to have to start a search now for a picture of that smile!!!

What A Day!

2010-03-02T15:05:00.000-08:00

I've been away for awhile, and as I was looking over past blogs I noticed that I had saved these pics as a draft! It has been quite some time since I took these, and I know what I was going to blog about just from looking at them. I think you will figure it out pretty quickly!!! I am still having this kind of day...problem is I'm out of Calgon, and I have another little monster to help his brother in making messes...LOL!

The little things...

2010-02-25T11:00:00.000-08:00

Do you see this face? Sweet little 6 (almost 7) year old Karleigh! I just love her to pieces! She can be honery sometimes, and knows how to stomp all over my last nerve, but she's also got a direct line to my heart! I have thought lately about how I am so busy that I am missing the little things that are going on around here. I have resolved to look for the things that I would normally pass by and not notice in the craziness of life! I can't keep up with anything because I am so unorganized that even if I "file" it away, I forget where the "file" is so I am taking pictures! I thought I'd share a couple of my finds!

I almost threw this away before I stopped to notice what it was. We were having company so I quickly went into the front bathroom to wipe it down and make sure it was presentable. As I was cleaning the piles of magazines and notebooks off of the vanity I found this. Karleigh isn't quiet very often, and when she is we always know where to look for her! THE BATHROOM! LOL! I think with her two brothers she needs a place to escape, and the bathroom has become her hideaway! When she is in there she always takes a notebook, pencil, crayons, scissors, book...lots of busy work! On this particular night it looks like she was thinking of her day at school. She practiced addition, and started a list of her classmates! She wanted to post her work, and since we have a crib in her room where her whiteboard and corkboard are supposed to be...she used the band-aid box! What creativity! She even stored her pencil for future use!

Now this little gem I found a little earlier in the year and put it away to use in a scrapbook "someday maybe" when I get to do that again. BUT, I lost it for awhile and just recently found it again! This sign was on the bathroom door! It took me a little bit to be able to decipher it, but I got a laugh when I did! For those of you who don't read 6yr old language, it says "No Knocking at the Door when People are in Bathroom". So funny! I have a few more pictures, but they are on my other camera so I will have to share them later. Until I can scrapbook again I thought I'd keep up with this on my blog...well, it's my intention anyway!

It HAS NOT been THAT long!

2010-02-05T19:33:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I know I was away for quite sometime...I guess it has been that long! I have wanted to blog many days, but just can't seem to come up with the energy! I guess the last time I wrote was before Kaleb started waking up 5 or 6 times a night with ear infections, and before he started scoot/crawling all over the place eating everything in sight!!! Oh, and before my sweet little Kole turned into a 2 year old Monster!!! (Someone bring my sweet little boy back! )

I do remember the "terrible two's" now, but I guess it had been so long I had forgotten! I LOVE my "little monster", don't get me wrong, but he can make me want to run for the hills too!!!

We have had to make some changes in sleeping arrangements in our house so that Kaleb can learn how to "put himself back to sleep" without disturbing Kole. We moved Kole to Karleigh's room and Kaleb now has Kole's room. Kole is crushed! He beats on the door to his room and says "MINE, no Kaleb's bed!" One night he BEGGED to sleep in "me's room". I hate it when I have that feeling of "Am I really doing the right thing here, or should I just let him have his way?"...Of course I KNOW that I'm doing what I have to do, and in a big family sometimes you have to make sacrafices. Sometimes it just melts my heart when I would love to give my kids something, but know it's just not possible! (silly hormones)

Jason had to go to a coaching conference in Tulsa Thursday and Friday of this week, and I can say for sure that it is no fun being a SINGLE MOM! I am always tired lately, but after waking up every hour with all 3 kids last night (was something in the air?) I am EXHAUSTED! I don't sleep well anyway when Jason is gone, but whew...I think I might have slept pretty good if the kids would have left me alone last night! Kaleb is still trying to get over ear infections in both ears so he was up every 2 hours. Kole must have had bad dreams because I woke up to him crying 2 times. Karleigh woke up when Kole cried because I was just getting back to sleep when she came to my room and asked if she could go to the bathroom! (I guess she forgot the way! LOL) Bedtime in itself is a job for at least 3 adults in this house! Bathing everyone, and cleaning up all the water splashed halfway down the hall, the sopping wet towels, and clothes is the first part. Next, comes holding Kaleb still long enough to get a diaper and pj's on, and catching Kole (who loves to run naked) and dressing him in the "right" pj's. (it varies from night to night, but if you dress him in the "wrong" ones he will undress in the night and wake up cold) Then, we must convince Karleigh that she is sleepy, very sleepy, and not hungry for yet another snack! When teeth are brushed, hugs and kisses given, prayers said, and everyone is in their bed it is not the end! Someone must stand outside the door to Karleigh's room (like Super Nanny says) and put Kole back down in bed 50 times before he is ready to give in for the night! Finally, we collapse in the computer chair to try and blog (watch tv, read, take a bath, study...)and just as we are starting to relax...KALEB's SCREAMING his head off ! Have you ever read the book "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie"? Well, we often refer to it in our house! One thing leads to another and it feels like we go round and round a lot just like a circle story!

Well, as I said, Kaleb's screaming (and not doing a very good job of putting himself back to sleep) so I'd better go now! Hopefully it won't be a matter of months before I'm back again!

First Grade

2009-08-30T14:59:00.001-07:00

Well my little girl is officially a big 6 year old first grader! She was so excited for a week before school started because she found out that her teacher would be Mrs. Srader. She knows her from church and I think they talked some last year because Karleigh was just sure she would be her teacher even before Kindergarten was over!

We visited the school and took a tour one Sunday evening when Mrs. Srader and her husband were working so that Karleigh would not be overwhelmed in the new building (it's huge)! Then, we went again on "meet and greet" night where these pictures were taken.

The theme in Mrs. Srader's room is "The Frog Prince"...I think she likes frogs! The kids all got to wear a crown on the first day, and that was just GREAT for Karleigh!

The first full week of school Karleigh has "come out of her shell" so to speak. She has been in trouble for talking several times. Mrs. Srader had to move her desk one day to get her attention. Karleigh came home and told us each time she got in trouble so I guess it's good that she hasn't tried to hide it! She told me that when Mrs. Srader moved her desk she told her "One more time Miss Karleigh and you won't get reward on Friday!" Now THAT scared her! She's not been BAD, her teacher says she's a "good girl", but I like that Mrs. Srader expects a lot from her! She wants the kids to learn NOW what is expected from them, and with 23 kids in the room she can't have talkers! Karleigh seems to really be learning quickly! She is studying living and non living things in science, and reads so well! I think she's in for a great year!

Watermellon

2009-08-30T14:53:00.001-07:00

Paw Paw Mike brought us two watermelons straight from the patch...

Kole says, "tank ooo Paw Paw"...."mmmmm"!

Karleigh shared her watermelon with her buddy Evan...

They said "This is goooooooood!"

We all enjoyed the watermelon very much, and Mom just LOVED cleaning us all up!

Evan Obsession

2009-08-30T14:48:00.000-07:00

I don't think Kole is having much fun!

Don't tell Jason!

I'm loving the shoes Evan!

What a pair!

Well, the end of summer is here...school is starting, and we had to get in just a few more days with Evan. Karleigh and Evan have been friends for as long as they have been alive. They didn't know they were friends until a couple of years ago, but ever since they realized it they have been pretty much joined at the hip! I should post past pics with Evan...that could be another entry. Anyway, Kim and I joke all of the time about when the day comes that they can't lock themselves in a room together. This summer Evan has learned that it's cute to tell everyone that he's going to marry Karleigh when they grow up. He told his mom many times, but then on vacation he got quite a lot of attention (esp. from teenage girls) when he told about his love for Karleigh so he told EVERYONE that would listen. LOL! Karleigh thinks Evan is pretty neat! She's always had a lot of boy friends at church, but I guess since Kim and I spend a lot of time together Evan has become one of the closest. Jason made Evan mad this summer because he told him that before he could marry Karleigh he would have to ask him and his baseball bat (or something like that). I think it hurt Evan's feelings that Jason would even think about coming after him with a bat... OH the things to come! I think it's really funny to listen to Evan and Karleigh play. Karleigh can get Evan to do things that he would NEVER do otherwise, and Evan keeps Karleigh's tomboy side from getting too dusty! Some days they are inside playing house with the dolls and dress up clothes. Other days they are knee deep in mud, sand, and rocks or climbing trees. I think Kim has learned never to send Evan to my house expecting him to leave clean and dry...unless I wash his clothes while he's here! She used to tell him he could come over if he didn't get muddy or wet...LOL...no more, we just change clothes now! I know it's a mess when they get wet and nasty, but oh the memories they are making...and Evan always wants to stay longer! Sometimes I think those two are kindred spirits...they were together the whole week of vacation and I don't remember one big fuss! That's pretty rare for kids their age! Anyway, these were some of the last days of summer before Evan started kindergarten and Karleigh started first grade...LOTS of fun!

5 months with Kaleb

2009-08-30T14:45:00.000-07:00

This was Kaleb in March...Just a few months ago...
This is Kaleb NOW...how time flies, and WOW, isn't God good!

He is a very healthy 16 pounds, and growing more every day! He is laughing out loud, smiling, watching every move his sissy and brother make, reaching for things, staring at his hands and feet, babbling, and, thanks to sissy, lifting his head (especially in the car seat). I am NOT ready for him to start rolling over, sitting up, eating baby food...all of those things that mean he's not a "baby" anymore!

I LOVE the baby stage...I know I'm crazy, but it's so sweet...especially now when he smiles every time I walk into view! It's just something to feel like you are so loved and needed by someone so innocent and precious! Of course Karleigh and Kole need me too, but they just don't need me when I want them to! LOL! I haven't started Kaleb on cereal yet because he's not acting like he needs or wants to eat anything else...I had such a time with Kole that I decided to wait until I'm sure Kaleb's ready! I can't believe this is the same litte man that was at Children's just a few short months ago...what a great God we serve!

See, he's got all the little rolls and dimples that make you want to pinch him...which we all do quite often (not hard of course). This little man has brought us such joy and we are so grateful to have him in our family!

2009-08-05T16:36:00.000-07:00

Well, I am such a bad blogger lately! I am always so excited to do creative things like blog, scrapbook, decorate my house... it just never gets past the "thinking about it" stage! I just STAY TIRED! I was saying this to my friend Kim the other day and she said..."Jana, I don't know why you would be tired? When is the last time you slept for 8 hours straight?...3 years?" Yep! I think that may be true...at least 3 years since I really slept until I felt rested! Not that it hasn't been worth it...just love my kiddos, but I would love to be a little more rested! My mother in law says I'll sleep in 18 years! (I hope it's a little sooner)

I was sitting out here on the porch watching the kids play and I thought that maybe I should use this time to blog a little! It's pretty cool for an August day! I bet it's probably 80 degrees, and it looks like it could rain. Every once in awhile it thunders and a few sprinkles have fallen, but not anything enough to drive us indoors!

Kole is running around the yard in his pajama shirt and some little training pants (which have been wet since 2 minutes after he came outside). He told me "poopie boody" when he got up from his nap, and he was actually telling me the truth! I guess that's a step in the right direction! He's really young still, but he seems to like going to pee pee ...especially outside so why not! If I set the timer and take him every 30 min. he stays pretty dry, but again...sometimes I don't get around to that! He's just sooooo cute...his big blue eyes get him lots!!! His vocabulary is expanding...sometimes it's a question of what language he's speaking though. Milk is "mulch", juice is "ducey", "twain"is train, "aipwane" is airplane, and we've just figured out "dadoo" is blanket (where that comes from we have NO idea!)

Kaleb is sitting in the bouncy seat beside me watching his brother and sister play! He's just started to notice his surroundings more! He laughed out loud the other day...he's precious! We have NOT mastered the sleeping all night yet! I don't think he's done it once...well, maybe from 11-5 ONE TIME! I am such an enabler! LOL! I let him nurse to sleep a lot because I'm tired and don't want to listen to crying... besides he's still in our room...where else could I put him? He usually wakes up in the night and eats for 2 min. and is asleep...but sometimes it happens over and over and over... LOL! I am trying to keep him a baby for as long as I can! He's already growing so fast! I guess it will only get worse... Mama's baby's get away with everything! Hopefully I won't be that bad! I keep thinking when school starts we will have more of a schedule, but who am I kidding...it will be even worse! LOL!

Karleigh is going back and forth between riding her bicycle, (with no training wheels) and coloring the porch like a rainbow with her chalk! She's quite the little artist. She loves to color, draw, and create things! She colors the concrete with her sidewalk chalk, and then uses this little brush to brush the dust into a "rainbow mountain". Of course Kole LOVES to come along and destroy her mountains! She's really quite patient with her little brothers most of the time. She loves to "mother" them. This summer she's even changed Kole's diaper and gotten him dressed! Such a big help! I try to give her at least some of her own space and time each day because she has to share a lot, but some days it just isn't realistic. She's excited about starting 1st grade! Her teacher is Mrs. Srader, who goes to our church! We've been so blessed to have 2 great christian teachers so far! Mrs. Srader told us that the first day of school they are doing "The Frog Prince" and everyone gets to wear a crown! That's right up Karleigh's alley!

Well, it's gettin to be supper time and my "free time" has ended. It's back to the real world...MY WORLD...my kids!

More about Kaleb...

2009-05-12T09:59:00.000-07:00

Here we go again...I have not had time to sit and blog for weeks...imagine that! I did want to write some more and post some pictures about our time at Children's Hospital. Kaleb was born at 2:45 PM on March 19th, and about 10 PM he was aboard Angel 1 medflight on his way to Children's Hospital in Little Rock. I will say that I have never felt more helpless in my life than I did that night, and I hope I never feel that again! I was stuck in the labor and delivery room wondering, while all the "able bodied" people were able to watch what was happening from the nursery window. I have watched some video from that day, and I can't say that it would have made me feel better to watch what was being done because Kaleb was so pitiful. The nurses, doctor, and respiratory therapist worked with Kaleb and did tests and x rays for quite a while and I would occasionally hear that there was a 50% or 60% chance of him going to Children's, but when the final word came I was just so sad. I had never had a baby and not been able to hold it, feed it, comfort it, and be able to give it everything it needed to survive. It was strange to carry this little baby every second for 9 months and then have him taken from me without even a kiss.

Of course my hormones were on overtime so tears fell from my eyes constantly whether I wanted them to or not. I tried to be strong and not just fall apart, but really I just wanted to throw a big huge 6 year old Karleigh fit! LOL! I wanted to tell them that they would NOT take my baby and put him in a huge, loud, dangerous,...machine and take him away from me...over my dead body! BUT I didn't! I knew that Children's was where he should be, and that they were wonderful, and that I could do NOTHING while they could do EVERYTHING he needed at that point, but oh that was so hard! Two nurses, Beverly, and a really sweet Tech nurse, came and cleaned me up (like a baby) and lifted me from the bed into a wheel chair. I was wheeled to the nursery where I could touch Kaleb's little foot and tell him goodbye. I couldn't stand or even reach his bed. Again, everything in me wanted to stand up and grab him in my arms. Word came that the helicopter had landed, and everyone had to leave so that the medical team could evaluate Kaleb for the flight. I was wheeled to a room where I could see the huge blades of Angel One from my window...it wasn't something I wanted to see at that time though. I tried to turn the other way and pretend that my baby was on his way to my room. Jason came in and one look at him told me that I better get it together! He was a mess! He had watched it all, and heard everything they were saying about Kaleb, and he was about to fall apart! This really made me worry because there was only one other time in our lives together that I have seen him like that...my mom's funeral. We waited and talked with the people who were in our room...I can't even remember who it was. Finally, the team wheeled Kaleb's little isolet into the room so we could say goodbye. He was so pitiful...tubes were everywhere, and he looked so fragile! A couple of minutes were all we had and they rushed our baby away. The room felt so empty, so quiet, so WRONG! I thought of my friend Kim, and wondered how she could stand to sit in the hospital room after knowing that she would never have the hope of watching her baby get better. How did she stay sane when they took that precious little girl from her arms for the last time? It was then that I started trying to be grateful. I kept telling Jason as he was preparing to leave for Little Rock that we would be OK. I knew we would get through this horrible time, and Kaleb would be home with us eventually! We would have some really tough days and nights, and think that it would never end, but it would! I knew we were about to learn a lot of things from this experience! I also felt the prayers of everyone who loved us. There is no way I could have been able to get through that night without them because I couldn't pray myself. I can say I know the peace that passes all understanding because as Jason left I really didn't know how I was not begging him to take me with him...but I didn't. I KNOW it was God!

March 19th

2009-04-18T20:37:00.000-07:00

I have wanted to be able to have time to sit down and blog since the night Kaleb was born, but there is always a choice to be made between sleep and blogging... I guess you can guess what has won out! On March 18th we went to the doctor and my blood pressure was OK, but it had been up for several days before that. I had been on bed rest since Monday (if you can call it bed rest when you have 2 kids to take care of). I had so much help from family and friends, but it's hard to totally relax and let someone else take over your job as Mom. My doctor decided (after consulting with other doctors and thinking about it for awhile) to send us to the hospital and induce labor at 36 weeks and 4 days. My good friend Kim lost her little girl to an abruption at 36 weeks, and she had the same problems with her blood pressure going up and down. My doctor was also Kim's doctor and I felt that she knew what was best so we went home...after running some errands, and got to the hospital around 4:30. The nurses got my IV started (and Trudy did such a GREAT job!), my blood pressure was around 114 over 73, and I was so relaxed so they didn't have to start me on any Magnesium (which is AWFUL stuff). They gave me a Cervadil to start thinning my cervix and a sleeping pill to help me rest...and rest I did! The next morning the Pitosin was started to get my labor going, and I was cramping some when DR Henderson got there to break my water. I was only dilated to 2. About 9 or so I was hurting to the point that I was having to breathe through contractions, not too bad, but I was feeling it. The nurse came in and offered to ask for my epidural, and I said "sure, why not!" I got my epidural, and let me just say that I was GOOD! I slept until I started pushing. I felt like they had given me another sleeping pill, but I think it was just that for the first time in a long time I felt like I could relax and just sleep! (I think I would have another baby just to get that few hours of total RELAXING SLEEP again. It was WONDERFUL!) My epidural was pretty strong because when the nurses came in to get me to start pushing they had to hold my legs in the stirrups...I kept thinking "whose legs are those?" I couldn't feel a thing! From the time I had my epidural to the time I had Kaleb I went pretty fast I think. They put a monitor on Kaleb's head and I do remember sometimes waking up and wondering why his heartbeat kept slowing down. Apparently, they were concerned because they had me start pushing at 8 and I went to 10 pretty fast. DR Henderson got there and suited up in 4 minutes, and I pushed constantly for the next few minutes, even when I wasn't having contractions...they just kept saying "let's get him out". I just remember wishing that someone would come help me by holding my shoulders up. I was so exhausted I felt like I was riding a bicycle up a HUGE hill. I could just see a big glass of ice water and I wanted it "right now". I kept looking at Jason and Kim and wishing I could get their attention to help me, but apparently the "show" was too good to pay attention to me. They were totally absorbed in the excitement and the nurses couldn't leave my legs for fear I'd fall off the bed! I'm sure it would have been hillarious if it hadn't been so urgent. When Kaleb was finally born I heard a nurse say the cord was around his neck...I couldn't hear a lot b/c I just kept waiting to hear my baby cry... It seemed like forever, but finally he did start crying. It was a screeching cry...unlike an of my other babies...and he was BLUE. They worked on him for a few minutes, and then handed him to me for about 2 minutes. Jason wanted to get a picture of the DR with Kaleb so he took him and handed him to her, and that was the last time I held my baby for many days!

Still alive...

2009-02-24T09:15:00.001-08:00

Well, I am still alive! Don't know for how much longer, but right now I am making it! I am now 33 weeks along and the countdown has started. I'm not sure what week I'm counting down to, but I have decided it will NOT be 40!!! Some days there are so many contractions I can't keep count...so I just try to stay in the recliner or in bed when I can. It's really hard to do that when you have a 16 month old who is into everything, and a 5 year old who all of the sudden can do nothing for herself! After 36 weeks no more taking it easy!
Kole had his tubes put in on Friday the 13th...I know...but it was either that day or wait a month...which by the way would have been Friday the 13th too! He did really well, and all of the nurses fought over him because he was so giggly...esp. after the sleepy meds. NO ONE fought over him when he was coming out of surgery though...he was MAD at the world. We had to fight him to keep him from hurting himself for 45 minutes. The whole time the nurses were saying "Momma you don't need to be wrestling him...let Daddy do it." News flash! I've been wrestling him all night for months, and that's why we are here! (don't know why I have so many contractions LOL!) He finally gave up and went to sleep so they let us go home...and he was GREAT for a week. Then this week started (actually it started Sat. night) fever of 103 and whiney...eyes watering, nose running, not eating, coughing, and cutting about 5 teeth! I haven't taken him back to the DR because I think it's probably just teething and allergies, but NOW Karleigh is coughing and complaining of her ear hurting...so I am thinking we'll be back in the DR's office sooner than later! What's wrong with my children? LOL!
On top of all of that...it's officially BASEBALL SEASON! The first game was last night which they won...thank goodness! There's another game tonight against Hector and then one more this week...don't know when b/c I am not special enough to receive a schedule...but so it goes until May! The team is going on it's annual trip to Harrison the first weekend in April...baby or no baby! That is the weekend you will probably hear me screaming all the way from Russellville! (Yes, I have been dreading that weekend for 9 months now!) I know, I know, I will get through it, and I will live to laugh about it...BUT I DONT WANT TO! OK, I'll stop now! I think I feel a contraction coming on LOL!

The Sandbox

2009-02-11T10:13:00.001-08:00

Looks like so much fun! Just thought I'd post some pictures of the gift that just keeps on giving! My dad and Ben built the sandbox for Karleigh on her 4th birthday, and she has played in it with so many friends, and now Kole! When it is nice outside they disappear outside in the backyard and I usually don't see them until it's dark! Kole loves driving his tractors and trucks through the sand, and could dig for hours.

Holes in your bluejeans, storage bulilding, and such...

2009-02-08T12:06:00.001-08:00

Well, it has been a long week...we are so tired around here, and ready for all the little projects to be done! (of course I know they are never all really done) Kole has been up 3 or 4 times every night with his ears again, and Karleigh had one really bad night this week. Jason is working late with his baseball team every night because the first game is coming up Feb. 25. Every weekend lately has been full of projects. We finished the garage room and started a foundation for the storage shed in the backyard (well, not we, Jason). This weekend my dad came up to assemble the shed. They got started about 10AM on Saturday morning, and at 10:30 PM they finally quit ( I think they were exhausted). Dad slept on the couch and Catherine, who was tagging along, slept out in the garage room on the new futon. This morning we were up by 7:30 the kids and I went to church while Dad and Jason finished the shed with 10 million little screws! It looks really good if I do say so myself...all I did was hold a few pieces of metal in the crazy wind while the men screwed it to the frame! I guess thanks go out to everyone who helped this project come to an end! (Brother Bud, Dad, Jason, and neighbor Tony who helped carry the 400 pound box to the back yard the day the "free shipping to your house" truck decided they couldn't get down our road and delivered it to Dover instead!) I also should say thanks to Jeff, my brother in law because he volunteered to come and help with the shed, but when my sister came down with the flu this weekend he stayed and let her get some rest...and that's where he should have been! (get well soon Diana!)

I also wanted to add that I avoided buying new jeans for Karleigh this week by doing something that really reminded me of something my mom would have done. Karleigh has been coming home from school with holes in the knees of all of her jeans...I have NO idea what's going on...but I was thinking I would have to break down and buy new jeans here at the end of winter. Well, I had a brain storm. I went to Wal Mart and bought iron on patches ( I never took home ec to learn to sew) and I also bought some cute colorful material and some little buttons. I came up with some jeans that Karleigh absolutely LOVES!!! I know one day she'll look back and think I mistreated her by making her wear them, but right now she thinks they are cool stuff! Now, she wants all of her jeans patched this way. I was pretty proud of myself...let's just see if it all stays together through all of her crazy playing!

I feel Blessed today!

2009-01-30T10:50:00.000-08:00

For some reason today I have been reflecting on all of the things in my life that I have been blessed with. Too many times I feel like I don't stop in the craziness of things to say "thank you"! I THINK about how much I appreciate certain people or things, but I don't say it! First of all I am blessed with a wonderful husband who tries so hard to make me happy (as long as it doesn't involve rubbing my achy back LOL!). He has embarked on several projects around the house lately that are not his cup of tea, but he knows they need to be done...and he's done a pretty good job! He hired help to enclose our garage...which the kids LOVE! It looks pretty good, and gives the kids a place to run around and play even when they can't get outside.

(the garage room before it was finished)

He also helped me haul and put together a futon for that room...we worked together without even fighting, and only one screw has come loose since putting it together! (It's a miracle!) He did most all of the painting in our house since summer by himself, and it looks really good! AND, he's working on building a foundation for a shed in the backyard to put all of the "stuff" from the garage in. I have to say that the foundation is looking really good, and I am so proud of him for trying it on his own!

(Our SS teacher Bud Avants helping Jason on the foundation)

My dad is coming down next weekend to help put together the shed...and I think my brother in law too! (even more to be thankful for) Now, I know that all of those things seem little, but this is the AWESOME part...even with me not working, we managed to do all of those things without borrowing a cent! I know we can't take the credit for that...God has helped provide in so many ways! I am amazed!!! My house may not be a mansion, and yes, one day I would LOVE to have a place a little out of town with a little more room to move around, but this is HOME and I have so many good memories here! Little by little God is teaching me to be content with what I have. Believe me, I do have days that I want to throw everything to the curb...PILES of junk accumulate everywhere in this little house...but all in all WE ARE BLESSED!!! OH, and God also gave me a brand new kitchen this summer! It was a pain for awhile, but now it is so much nicer! We had a water leak which resulted in mold and damage to the floor and cabinets so the insurance company paid for new cabinets, flooring, and my mother in law even gave us a new dishwasher! Jason did a lot of work on all of that too! I also have 2 really good kids...who are, besides ear infections, and colds, healthy and happy! Oh yeah, I forget...and one on the way!
(Baby boy due April 13, 2009)

God is teaching me (slowly , He thinks) that he is giving me more than I ever dreamed of in my family! I miss my mom so much sometimes, and my sister is leaving for Ireland soon. I wonder why I feel like I'm so alone at times, but then God tells me! He wants me to learn to lean on HIM, and Jason, and my children. We are a family, and we need to learn to enjoy each other and become so close that no one or nothing can come between us! It's in those lonely and tough times that I think I realize just how He wants to bless me even more! I am His child and just as I want to give my children good things, He wants that EVEN MORE for me! I can't even wrap my brain around it sometimes! Anyway, Thank YOU God, and Thank YOU Jason...I love you and don't say it enough!

25 Random things about me

2009-01-29T12:34:00.000-08:00

I did this for facebook and figured since it took me so long I would post it on my blog too...

1. I am the oldest of 4 children.
2. I taught school for 6 years...my favorite was the year I taught Kindergarten though I went home almost everyday with a broken heart for some of them.
3. I ALWAYS wanted to be a stay at home mom...my husband is the greatest for letting me stay home with my kids!
4. My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was in 6th grade, and she lived with it for about 17 years! She died almost 4 weeks before her first grandchild (Karleigh) was born. (I miss her EVERYDAY!)
5. I LOVE to take pictures, wish I had more time to do it, and wish I could learn more about Photoshop!
6. I HATE scary movies or television shows, especially those about real life situations...my husband LOVES them! (and loves to watch them right before we go to sleep).
7. My husband and I are COMPLETE OPPOSITES!
8. I LOVE babies...especially mine...I think if I had started sooner (and married a millionaire LOL!) I could be Michelle Duggar! (just kidding!)
9. I can tell a lot about people just by watching them or being around them for a short time...sometimes it can be a really BAD thing!
10. I can't stand it when people don't follow the rules...especially when they seem to get away with it. (I know we studied about this in Bible study several times...I just can't seem to get past it) LOL!
11. I am an extreemly LIGHT sleeper, and I need a lot of sleep...bad combination!
12. I have had high blood pressure since High School...they've always told me I don't know how to deal with stress...hmmm.
13. I have to remove myself from some things even if I don't want to because I know I will get too involved. Especially when it has to do with my kids. (which leads to #12) And yes, I am working on it...or should I say the Lord is working on me! LOL!
14. I love to do things for other people to surprise them or help them out...especially when they don't expect it, but I often do more for other people than my own husband and kids...I really have good intentions!
15. The thing I miss most being a stay at home mom is talking to grown ups! (which probably aids in some of my other hang ups...LOL!)
16. I hate clutter, but it follows me EVERYWHERE!
17. I worked the graveyard shift at a factory one summer when I was in college...best incentive ever to get good grades! (I made the Dean's list the next semester)
18. I miss the scrapbook store so much...it was my place to get away, and I haven't scrapbooked much since it closed... I really loved to scrapbook!
19. I have one daughter, Karleigh who is 5 1/2, a son Kole who is almost 16 months, and one son on the way (we really can't agree on his name contrary to some people's belief that we're just keeping it a secret). I also had a miscarriage in 2005 and I can't wait to meet that little one someday in heaven!
20. I really want to be one of those organized moms who have it all together...they are truly super women!*
(this is really hard, but I have to put 25 things b/c that's the rules LOL!)
21. I have a fear of choking...I wake up from dreams of choking a lot. When I was teaching I always dreamed of swallowing a paperclip.
22. Right now, I feel very lazy...I'm ready to have some energy again...I think I was beginning to get to that point when Kole was born...so does that mean it will be at least 4 more years? I have good intentions of getting things done every day, but they just don't get done! (#20)* Has this become a confession list?
23. I was just an average student in school, and that always bothered me.
24. I was not allowed to go to the movies without my parents (and then only to Disney movies) when I was growing up.
25. I LOVE to read!
***THAT was HARD!

Update...

2009-01-20T10:46:00.000-08:00

I know you are just sitting on the edge of your seat waiting to hear how our latest visit to the clinic went. LOL! Well, Kole's ears are still infected which means another antibiotic and a trip to the ENT in February. Karleigh has sinus drainage...guess it's a sinus infection...she never really said, but she put her on an antibiotic too and said to keep giving her cough medicine. So, my prescription bill was only $70.00 this time. I think the DR is tired of seeing us! (but not as tired as I am of seeing her)

I will own the clinic...and the pharmacy...by the end of the year!

2009-01-19T09:12:00.000-08:00

Well, I never did finish my Christmas post so that you could hear of all the rest of the sicknesses that we endured over the holidays. ( I know you can't wait!) Now, we have even more to add! Christmas day Kole threw up...projectile...in the back seat of the truck on the way to Fayetteville. It was everywhere and we had to stop on the side of the interstate...very unsafe I know...to clean it up the best we could. Thankfully one of Jason's stocking gifts had been a new air freshener for the truck, and I had brought a whole container of wet wipes!

(Christmas night...right before I got sick)

(Kole drinking Powerade on Christmas day)

Christmas night was MY turn! I was so sick I couldn't leave my MIL's bathroom all night.(of course it had to happen when I wasn't in my own house) The next day I got some medicine called in to rub on my wrist so that I could make the trip home, and when I got there I was in bed for 2 days...NO ENERGY! On Monday I could have stayed in bed all day again, but we had another Christmas with Jason's cousins and my Grandmother and Aunt.

(Karleigh and her cousins Gage, Kade, and Zane)

(Karleigh, Kole, and my Granny)

We had a good time, but were just wiped out! Tuesday night Kole was up ALL night screaming...back to the DR! He had double ear infections so they gave him a shot and an antibiotic. We went to Petti Jean on Thursday to do the McGhehey family Christmas, and Thursday night Kole did not sleep...neither did I...I mean we watched the sun come up! I was so tired...and again not at home! I was so sore from holding a 22 pound one year old on my big pregnant belly all night! I needed a massage! LOL!

Jackson, Catherine, Kole, Karleigh, Hannah, Cael, and missing are Olivia (who was sick) and Hudson (who was filling his belly)

Anyway, we got home and finished our antibiotic...still not well so we went BACK TO THE CLINIC! This time we spent $121 on just the antibiotic! If this doesn't work we will be going to the ENT for tubes...even though this is the first bad ear infection he's had. UGH!!! In the last 2 weeks Jason and I have both had bronchitis and had to be on a zpack...which is not cheap either...I am SCARED to look at my bill from the clinic! Maybe one of these days our deductable will be met and we will get to pay the 20%! As of this morning BOTH of my children have an appointment tomorrow morning at 8:45. Karleigh's teacher said that she has had a DEEP chest cough all morning...which she had all night last night too despite the prescription cough meds, inhaler, and hot tea with honey we gave her. Kole is just NOT HAPPY... of course he is cutting about 5 or 6 teeth at a time right now, but he keeps poking his finger in his ears so...might as well kill 2 birds with one stone... Oh yeah, and all of this doesn't include the OB appointments that I've had (3 since Christmas for some reason) and the Chiropractor for me and Kole! I knew I should have chosen a different profession...oh wait I wouldn't be doing it anyway b/c I chose to stay home! LOL! Anyway, I am griping, but despite all of it I know that I am truly BLESSED BEYOND MEASURE and I don't say that enough! We are not begging or going hungry for sure, and my kids are sick, but not bad sick like some are! We will get through this, and warmer weather is on the way Praise the Lord for that!

Old times...just for you Kaye!

2009-01-06T10:11:00.000-08:00

I was looking for some old pictures to post on Facebook when I came across these pictures from JR High! I think it was maybe 8th grade? Kaye, I thought your girls would get a kick out of these!

Isn't this Mr. Miller's class...we learned so much in there (all those word searches...I'm still really good at that even now)...and Mrs. Potter's class (french braiding and friendship bracelets)! Really all we did that year was those black "Basic Skills" folders! Check out the shoulder pads in my t-shirt! LOL!
If I'm not mistaken, wasn't this when you were "going with" Bryan Jarrett? Is there a girl in our school that did not "go with him"? That's so funny! It looks like he's begging...maybe I should tag this photo on his Facebook page...he's a BIG TIME preacher in TX now!

Ok, this picture is the "tame" one...I also have one where Jammie is mooning the camera in the little void. Do you know where Jammie and Cheris are now? I have heard from Nyika lately, but not a lot!

So, what did we do for fun when we were in Jr High? We went camping in someone's back yard! OH we thought we were something! Jam shorts, sweats and t-shirts...some wardrobe!
And finally...you and Tracie Brawner in front of ...I don't even know what 's going on back there... LOL! Where is she now? It's really funny to look back at these...hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

I can't keep up!

2009-01-05T07:48:00.000-08:00

WELL, it's been a LONG TIME since I've posted anything. I think about it all of the time, but then I decide to do something else that needs to be done... That seems to be the way it goes for me! I am all of the time coming up with fun creative ideas to "destress" or "unwind"...blogging included...but it never works out the way it does in my head! Why is that? I think the last 2 weeks have been a whirlwind...no more like a tornado!

It went by so fast and furious I forgot to enjoy it I think! We started out with taking pictures for our Christmas card. I got my friend Kim to meet us on Saturday to try to retake pictures that didn't turn out from the Sunday before. We got some good ones, but Kole was a mess! I got home, edited pictures, and sent our card to WalMart ordering 30 cards...Jason went to pick them up and I MISSPELLED KARLEIGH'S NAME on all of them! (YEAH MOM!) So, I tried to re do the order only to find that WalMart wasn't taking 1 HR orders over the computer...had to go TO WM...which I avoid at all costs this time of year...esp on SATURDAY. Anyway, we ended up ordering some from Walgreens which I didn't like as well b/c they are glossy!

Monday we took Karleigh for her annual Christmas week DR appointment...she always starts coughing this time of year. She had double ear infections and chest congestion...they put her on an inhaler, cough meds, and an antibiotic.

Tuesday was the day of cram everything into this day that you possibly can... Jason and I were crazy enough to get married on the 23rd of December...so our anniversary always falls right in the middle of CHAOS! I got up on that morning and took Karleigh to Walmart to finish printing some pictures for gifts, and to let her pick out a few things for her friend. Then we headed to Kim and Evan's to make cookies...a tradition we started last year! We made so many cookies that we couldn't possible decorate them all, and Evan and Karleigh tired out long before the decorating was finished. We left there and come home for naptime so that we could take the kids to Karleigh's teacher's house for the evening so Jason and I could go to eat and to a movie...something we do maybe once a year! We started out the door and Kole had a BLOW OUT diaper and we had to completly change him. We dropped the kids off and had 45 min. to eat and get to a movie...as we parked at Italian Gardens I looked down at my feet only to discover that I still had Kole's diaper bag...which they would greatly need if he had another BLOW OUT! (he did) SO, we ate, took the diaper bag back up the hill, went to WalMart, and Hastings...then drove thru Starbucks to end the night! I was exhausted by the time we picked the kids up and got them to bed at 11! We didn't even watch the movie until 6 days later! The fun only kept going, but I will save Christmas for later since you are probably exhausted just reading this!

old pictures...new memories

2008-11-07T06:54:00.000-08:00

I found this picture of me when I was Karleigh's age...with Ben. I thought of all the pictures I have of Karleigh holding Kole...there is almost the same age difference between us. Check out those BE U TI FUL shoes! Karleigh would die if I made her wear those! LOL! I was definitely not as concerned with my looks as she is...I probably didn't have a choice! Ben was such a big baby...he weighed almost 12 pounds when he was born...he was almost as long as me!

I also found this picture...Oh my goodness it looks like Cael! This is Diana, my sister with my dad. She has trouble seeing herself in her little boy sometimes...she can't deny it in this one!

Then there is this picture... Wow! he had his hands full...two thumb sucking girls who hated to have their fingernails cut! I can still remember knowing Dad was planning on cutting finger and toenails, and hiding in the bed hoping he'd forget...he cut them so short...I still remember how it felt! Of course I'm sure, now having kids of my own, that he had to cut them short because who knows when he'd hold us down long enough to cut them again... That was always one of Dad's jobs!

Have Your Cake

2008-10-27T16:15:00.000-07:00

We never got around to having birthday cake for Kole on his birthday. October 3 was on a Friday (which means football game) so we met Jason at McDonalds and had a birthday dinner. He did get an ice cream sundae with a candle in it! Kole just has a few little friends, and it's hard to expect family to come everytime there's a birthday so we just kind of celebrated low key. This Sunday I decided I wanted some pictures of him eating birthday cake so I set up in the yard, and let him go! He had so much fun destroying the cake...and eating some of it too. The wind kept blowing everything over, and the balloons only lasted a few minutes before they were in the top of a tree. I can't believe my little man is a year old already! Time really flies when you have kids. I'm beginning to think it goes by faster the more children you have!

Pictures

2008-10-16T07:38:00.000-07:00

These are some pictures I took for a friend of her two year old!

Long time no post!

2008-10-16T07:08:00.000-07:00

I know it's been a long LONG time since the last time I wrote anything! I should be ashamed! A lot has happened since the last blog, but that's for a later time! My baby boy turned one on October 3rd! I can't believe a whole year has passed! He is so much fun to watch! Every new thing is amazing to him, and he is soaking up the world like a little sponge! He has a new trick. His top two teeth are finally coming in and he has discovered that he can put his top and bottom teeth together and make grinding noises! It makes my skin crawl, but he LOVES it! He bites everything...Cheerios are eaten a bite at a time, and he tries to eat anything he can get his hands on...which leaves me sweeping the floor 4 or 5 times a day!Yesterday was his first day in a "big boy" carseat, and I laughed so hard watching his face as he watched everything going by in the window. His little face was in a constant state of shock! I wish I had taken a picture! I haven't taken his one year pictures yet because Jason wants to be home when I do it...I don't know if that will ever happen (Jason being home long enough for me to take a picture that is). He is really busy with football this time of year, and it seems like every weekend he has something he has to do! This weekend we were going to clean out the garage and have a garage sale, but a friend who has done us a lot of favors called in a favor from Jason...so he's really obligated to help out! I know he wants to be home, but it's one of those things he just can't refuse!

Can't wait to be in her shoes!

2008-08-28T15:22:00.001-07:00

I had a few minutes to sit down and browse on the computer so I read Kaye Butler's blog Butler Family Diaries (someone help me on how to make a link). I love reading her stuff...she's always putting a humerous twist on her life! I feel pretty boring after reading what she writes! LOL! Today though, I was kind of glad it's boring around here sometimes! Teenager problems are not something I am really anxious to enter into! I remember the emotional turmoil I felt as a teenager, and I know that my kids will feel it too (probably times 10)! I didn't like ME when I was a teen, and I don't look forward to having to "figure out" the blank stares, rolling eyes, tears, code words, and MOODS of a teenager in my house! Of course I have a 5 yr old whose going on 15 so we are already dealing with DRAMA! Today for instance. Karleigh insisted on wearing her NEW Dora Shoes. They are really cute little pink plaid tennis shoes with a little striped elastic strap that goes across the foot to keep them on. I TRIED to tell her that she should wear bandaids or ankle socks with them so that she wouldn't get blisters. She said "PLEASE MOM! that's not going to look good" (as she threw out her hands and shook her head). Then, she had to spend 10 minutes telling me why she could not wear a pink skirt with her pink and white butterfly shirt... "It's just TOO MUCH pink MOM!" ...what? too much pink? I didn't know there was such a thing in the life of Karleigh...well at least there wasn't last week...this is a NEW week I guess...new week, new fashion rules! Anyway, she then began to tell me that she couldn't wear anything that she had ALREADY worn last week. "I need NEW outfits MOM"...pardon me, I will go right out and add more clothes to your already STUFFED closet containing MANY outfits you just REFUSE to wear...for who knows what reason! OH MY! I told her that she better get over that little problem because the clothes she saw before her two eyes were the only ones she would be wearing until it turned cold! She finally settled on a bluejean skirt, butterfly shirt, and of course the Dora shoes!

When I picked her up there was a frown on her face and she said "MOM, these shoes REALLY made blisters on my heels...I REALLY needed socks, but you didn't put any in my back pack...I had to take a nap with my shoes off because Mrs. Hiemer said my feet were BURNING!" hmmmmm ALL MY FAULT!

So Kaye, I guess I don't envy you, but make sure to tune in and lend me a hand in a few years because mine is already getting in plenty of practice for giving me grief when she's really a teen!

Kindergarten

2008-08-18T08:07:00.000-07:00

OH MY GOODNESS! Wasn't it yesterday that I had a little girl running around my house that I couldn't even keep clothes on! She loved to be naked, and it was nothing to look up and see her in the front yard riding her tricycle with not a stitch of clothes on! Well, that has definitely changed! (yes I'm thankful) We spent at least an hour yesterday going through all of the clothes in Karleigh's closet to see what she would wear to school this week...she wanted each outfit to be just so and it had to have the right shoes to go with it too! We finally settled on a "first day" outfit, a "P.E. day" outfit, and a "picture day" outfit...Tuesday and Thursday will come tonight I hope... My little diva definately has an opinion about clothing...and everything else! She was so excited about school today...she talked really brave all the way to the classroom door this morning...BUT...not so much going in or sitting in her chair at the table between 2 boys! She was OK till I hugged her and said "I love you, have a wonderful day". BIG TEARS welled up in her eyes and she said "but I don't want you to leave me PLEASE" .

I promised her a treat on the way home from school if she would quit crying and she said "OK but you have to take my picture". So after a few snapped pictures and a hug from Daddy, she was sitting at her table watching "Handy Manny" and NOT all out crying when we left! I remember being a kindergarten teacher and wishing that the parents of the crying kids would just give them a hug and LEAVE... so I did! I know she's in good hands! Mrs. Hiemer goes to our church, and she's been teaching for many years! She's so sweet and loving I know Karleigh will be fine! Also, Jason's going to try to check on her at lunch and he's a few feet away in the field house! I am really glad we had preschool to prepare us last year because I might have been like so many moms I saw walking back to their cars this morning...bawling like they were leaving a funeral! I am sad that a part of her life is finished, but I guess I'm also really excited to see what this next chapter will bring! I love my little Karleigh, and I will always see her as my baby girl, but she's growing up and whether or not I want it to...it's happening!

Permission Granted!

2008-08-15T14:39:00.000-07:00

Well, I have this habit of not blogging for days and then trying to catch up...this is one of those days... It's raining outside and the kids were napping when I started! How is it possible that they know just when I finish the laundry and supper and sit down to blog or read or whatever I want to do to relax for a few minutes! It's like they have a radar for mom relaxing! LOL! I know no one else has that problem but me! I love reading some people's blogs and thinking "wish I could be that funny" or "I used to know how to write". Well, how can you be funny or interesting when you have lil miss 5000 questions on your lap... Oh, I know, she'll be 16 before I know it and I will want those years back...and I realize that...I do get sad about her getting older...BUT, I just want 30 minutes! I'd even settle for 15 uninterrupted minutes! Jason can come home and tune it all out...sometimes I think he doesn't even know we have kids...he can sit at the computer for hours...no exaggeration!!!! Hello! What's my problem...maybe that's the key...just tune them out and forget they are here! HA HA HA! Why didn't I think of that sooner... except when we both come back to reality Kole will have eaten every bug, old Cheerio, and dust bunny within crawling distance, and Karleigh will be in the middle of the street with the "gang" of kids from the neighborhood finding out who's daddy just got out of jail...and that's no exaggeration! (a little girl from down the street told her the other day "you better watch out, my daddy just got out of jail!") UMHM...she's only 5 and this is what she's dealing with! ANYWAY, I blogged to say that I got to take pictures again the other day...these are maternity pics of our music minister and his wife...their baby, Madison, is coming Sept. 2! We had to take the pics at their house so lighting wasn't great, but I finally got permission to show them! Thanks Lindsey!

Update on the Kitchen

2008-08-15T14:14:00.000-07:00

Well, the kitchen is finally finished enough to cook in it! I am sooooo glad! There is still some trim work and lighting issues to address, but it's useable...and much nicer than before! I guess it all happened for a reason! My mother in law bought me a new dishwasher and let me tell you...it is SO QUIET...I love it! I paid the extra money to get stainless steel, and I think it looks really nice...maybe that means I will get other new appliances if I have to stay in this house for another 8 years! LOL! Here's a few pics..

Here's the view of the ss dishwasher (no I don't have frog decor...it's Karleigh's bathroom rug)

my clean countertops...how long will that last!

Now I have a REAL BAR area!

my kitchen adventure

2008-08-07T09:22:00.001-07:00

OK, so the house is really quiet right now because Kole is taking a nap, and Karleigh went to the DR with her daddy (amazing...he never goes to the DR). Jason has a sinus infection...which he gets every year at this time, and has let it go until he's keeping me up at night coughing...so at 3AM I said "either you make an appointment or I will!". So he did! ANYWAY, that's another story. Back to it's so quiet, and I should be putting my make up on and fixing my hair and all that stuff since I have no interruptions...lol! I decided on this rainy morning I was going to sit down and relax for a few! I have been feeling so "on edge" lately...I think that probably everyone feels like Karleigh who says "Mommy, your not being very nice to me right now..." I really haven't been nice in awhile, and I think it's in part because my house has been torn up for almost 3 months now! When you are a stay at home mom your house is your "workplace" and it is the only thing you feel you can really "control". My job is to make sure the kids are fed, entertained (to an extent), rested, clothed (although Karleigh slips out of the house half clothed at times), and loved! I also have about the same responsibilities for my husband. Something that falls under that description is making my grocery budget stretch through the month...not an easy task I can tell you. Well, that was all before we started on the kitchen renovation journey!
One day in March of 07 I went out in the garage (3 months pregnant) to get something out of the freezer, and ended up on my backside! When I got up I realized that the floor was soaking wet! I did an investigation and found that the hot water tank was leaking really bad. I crawled in the hot water heater closet, turned off the water, and called Jason to come home from work b/c I couldn't move all of the things that were floating in water. To make a long story shorter a plumber from our church came over and replaced the hot water heater and told us to just watch the walls to make sure they didn't get wet. We never noticed any water on the walls, but in May of 08 (MOTHER'S DAY) we decided to tile our kitchen floor to "update the house". As we moved the stove out and started tearing up the flooring the smell of mold met our noses! Underneath the flooring was a wet slab which had caused mold to grow...it was horrible...the cabinets were also ruined! Jason and I are not what you'd call "handy", but we ripped out the flooring and cabinets because we could not stand the smell. An insurance adjustor came over and told us he would start trying to get us some money, but he couldn't promise us anything! Our journey started that day, and today, as I speak, I still do not have a functioning kitchen! We are close, but not there yet! It will probably be next week sometime at the earliest before I can run water in a sink, get a plate out of the cabinet, or put ice in my drink! I say that to say that for all of this time we have been eating out...which is not cheap, and gets really OLD after awhile! It is also really expensive to buy all microwaveable foods...so my "grocery budget" has been nonexistent over these 3 months. My house is also in chaos because we had to find a place for everything in the kitchen and laundry rooom...and that meant the garage...which is FULL or the other 3 rooms of our house! I just would like to be DONE so that I don't have to think about where we can eat out or what I can cook on the grill (in the 100+ degree heat) not to mention where do I CLEAN dishes that I cook in...the tiny sink in the bathroom where people wash their dirty hands and brush their teeth? EEEWWWW!!!! I also want to get on with making my house look presentable and liveable...it's getting really small for us, but it will seem a little larger when things settle down and I can clean out all of the clutter and make my house a home again! SO, that's my rant for today...oh, also the counter tops that we've been waiting on for 4 weeks finally came in, but our cabinet guy is leaving on vacation after tomorrow he was going to install them today, but IT'S RAINING...and he can't transport them until the rain stops! SO...more waiting... I guess I should look on the bright side...I will be so happy to cook for at least a few months after I get my brand new kitchen!lol! Sorry everyone if you've been a victim of my "not nice" side...I feel like a caged tiger sometimes! It WILL BE WORTH IT ALL!

swimming

2008-08-04T16:06:00.000-07:00

Well, it's not grand, but it's a place to cool off.. or it was before this intollerable heat! We went and bought a little pool...well, big for us...for Karleigh to swim in, but we all love to get in at the end of the day and cool off! Here's some pics of my crew "cooling off" in the water (which was the same temperature as bath water at the time! lol)

9 months

2008-08-04T15:20:00.000-07:00

WOW! Time flies way too fast! Up to this point I have been pretty good at getting pictures of Kole done on time, but the other day I realized that he was almost 10 months old and I had not taken 9 month pictures yet! Of course for many other people it would not be that big of a deal, but I already feel guilty that I haven't taken him to have his pictures taken "professionally" like I did Karleigh so to not get him at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months would be unforgiveable! 9 months has been a BIG month for us...Kole has learned to say "Mama, Kar, Dadee, bye bye, dun (done), and du (duck). He has also learned to crawl, wave, eat finger foods, clap his hands, and he had his first ear infection! We still are not pulling up, and we don't have teeth yet (though we're working on those). I love watching him...it's so fun to see him discover new things! SO, I finally did get some pictures of Kole...if you could have seen us...it was VERY HOT outside, but that is the only place I could set everything up. Kole, Jason, and Karleigh were in the pool, so I snatched Kole from the pool and tried to take pictures quickly so that we wouldn't get too hot! I will attach some of the results. They are not everything I was imagining, but they will do!

In My World: CRAWLING

2008-07-29T07:41:00.000-07:00

In My World: CRAWLING

CRAWLING

2008-07-25T13:26:00.000-07:00

Well, we now have a crawler in the house! Wednesday I was watching my friend's two children so she could run an errand. It was officially naptime and all the kids were cranky especially Seth (7months) and Kole (9months). The babies were in Kole's room playing when all of the sudden there was screaming coming from all 4 corners of my house! Karleigh and Evan were pretending to be lions and were clawing, roaring, and screaming. Kole and Seth were tired and scared of the lion roars coming down the hall so they started screaming too... While I was calming down the two Kings of the forrest I noticed a movement out of the corner of my eye... It was my baby boy Kole who'd apparently had all he could take of the screaming Seth...he crawled right out into the hallway! So, at 9 1/2 months we are officially crawling, and let me tell you he can get anywhere he wants to go in 2 seconds flat! It's so fun to watch him, but sad too...he's becoming more independant every day! I sure do love that sweet little boy!

"photographer"

2008-06-29T13:45:00.000-07:00

Last week I got a chance to take some pictures for a family from my church and they actually paid me. I can't believe I got paid for something that I love to do so much. I still have a lot of trouble believing that what I do is good enough to get paid for. I got really nervous and sick to my stomach the day that I was taking the pictures, but it all went really well! I think my favorite part is coming home and looking at the pics, and editing them to have a certain look. I am still learning photoshop...I need to take a class...but I love to use what I know so far! This family had wonderful places to take pictures...there was a pond, HUGE trees, a gravel road, and of course their new house... As I was editing the pictures I thought of so many other poses I could have used, and things I wish I had done, but all in all it was a good first. (I have been paid to take a child's pictures before, but not a WHOLE family!) The best part of it all is that a friend of this family saw the pictures and asked me to take their pictures too... More nerves, but it could also be a way for me to make a little money once in awhile!...here's a few of the pics!

Vacation

2008-06-23T10:48:00.001-07:00

We just got home from 5 days in Branson MO. Branson is a 2-3 hour drive...depending on whether or not you get behind a big truck (or Grandpa Jones out looking for turtles) on HWY 7. We went with Matt, Kim, Evan, and Seth Moore. Kim and I have been friends for about 16 years, and Karleigh and Evan are best buds...most of the time! We stayed at Point Royale resort which was a little like a retirement community with some houses and condos on a big golf course. It was quiet and had really nice pools for the kids. Our condo was 3 bedrooms...Matt and Evan had the first bedroom, Kim and Seth took the upstairs loft, and Jason, Karleigh, Kole, and me took the third bedroom (which was huge). On Sunday we went to Lambert's in Ozark for lunch...we had to wait for over an hour, but it was some GOOD food! Then, we drove on to Springfield to the Bass Pro Shop for the rest of the day...just as we were getting ready to leave it came a MONSTER hail storm so we watched our vehicles getting pummeled through the huge glass boat showroom windows. Monday we had tickets to Silver Dollar City (thanks to Jason's Coke reward website)...and we had a full day at the city... Kareligh actually rode rides! (The Flying Elephants, The Lost River Ride, The Sunken Mine, The Teacups, The hot air balloons, and Fire in the Hole...which she didn't like) Evan fell asleep on the way out of the park, and didn't wake up till morning...not Karleigh...she and her daddy went swimming when we got back to the condo! Tuesday was a trip to the Fish Hatchery, fishing with the dads, and swimming! Wednesday went shopping at The Landing, ate a Famous Dave's BBQ, and yes, we went swimming again! The last morning we had to be out of the condo by 10:30...and yes, the cleaning lady showed up before we could get out...hahahahaha... We finished the vacation off with a trip to the outlet malls...where I spent a lot of money at Gymboree (CUTE CLOTHES), Karleigh got her first pair of real NIKE shoes, and even Kole got a few outfits! Panera was the last stop for lunch...OH I COULD EAT THERE EVERY DAY!!!! Wish we hadn't waited week to eat there! All in all, we had a great time, and made lots of memories with the kids...which is the important part! Now, lets see if I get any of this scrapbooked!

My Babies

2008-06-11T09:07:00.000-07:00

Kole was dedicated on Sunday... we kept having to reschedule it over and over so we finally just said WE'RE DOING IT THIS SUNDAY! no matter what! There were 7 babies scheduled to be dedicated and ...selfish me... I was so disappointed! I wanted it to be special for him...and us of course! Karleigh's dedication was so precious, and I have it all documented in her scrapbook down to the sweet prayer that Pastor Moore prayed for her. When your baby is one of 7 it can't be very personal! Well, I stuck to my guns and kept the date, and a lady from the church called and asked if we wanted to have Kole dedicated in the first service (which is the one we always go to). WOW, of course we did! He was the only one, and the pastor held him and prayed for him...it was really sweet! I didn't think we'd have any family come, but Dad got off and he, Glennis, and the girls were here. Diana was out of town, but Jeff brought the kids and came too. Our neighbors even showed up. It was a special day that I will always remember!

Mom

2008-06-11T09:05:00.000-07:00

Today I came across some old pictures and started a trip down memory lane...I created a slideshow for myspace and facebook b/c I want other people to remember too...When someone dies we think that we will NEVER forget them. It's easy to look at pictures and remember the moments or browse through old letters and remember advice given, but what about the everyday stuff? How could we forget their smell, their touch, their hugs, the sound of their voice...but we do! Pictures and video have come a long way, but will they ever be able to bring us back to those things? THAT'S what I miss most... I guess it's what makes us long for Heaven...won't that be a wonderful day! Five years seems like yesterday, yet it seems forever ago... I miss her...want her here sooooo badly...but know that she wouldn't come back for anything...not even the babies...WOW it must be amazing there! I still love you Mom!

Things I needed to hear

2007-09-26T10:16:00.000-07:00

I got this email today and I realized that I needed this...with the new baby coming I have not been as patient with Karleigh as I should be...I think I'll put this on my fridge!

NINETEEN SOMETHINGS TO SAY TO CHILDREN
1. I love you! There is nothing that will make me stop loving you.Nothing you could do or say or think will ever change that. \
2. You are amazing! I look at you with wonder! Not just at what you cando, but who you are.There is no one like you. No one!
3. It's all right to cry. People cry for all kinds of reasons:when they are hurt, sad, glad, or worried; when they are angry, afraid,or lonely.Big people cry too. I do.
4. You've made a mistake. That was wrong. People make mistakes. I do.Is it something we can fix? What can we do? It's all over. You canstart fresh.I know you are sorry. I forgive you. 5. You did the right thing. That was scary or hard. Even though itwasn't easy, you did it. I am proud of you; you should be too.
6. I'm sorry. Forgive me. I made a mistake.
7. You can change your mind. It's good to decide, but it is also fineto change.
8. What a great idea! You were really thinking! How did you come upwith that? Tell me more. Your mind is clever!
9. That was kind. You did something helpful and thoughtful for thatperson.That must make you feel good inside. Thank you!
10. I have a surprise for you. It's not your birthday. It's for noreason at all.Just a surprise, a little one, but a surprise.
11. I can wait. We have time. You don't have to hurry this time.
12. What would you like to do? It's your turn to pick. You have greatideas.It's important to follow your special interests.
13. Tell me about it. I'd like to hear more. And then what happened?I'll listen.
14. I'm right here. I won't leave without saying good-bye. I amwatching you. I am listening to you.
15. Please and Thank You. These are important words. If I forget to usethem, will you remind me?
16. I missed you. I think about you when we are not together!
17. Just try. A little bit. One taste, one step. You might like it.Let's see. I'll help you if you need it. I think you can do it.
18. I'll help you. I heard you call me, here I am. How can I help you?If we both work together, we can get this done. I know you can do it byyourself, but I'm glad to help since you asked.
19. What do you wish for? Even if it's not yet time for birthdaycandles and we don't have a wishbone, it's still fun to hear about whatyou wish for, hope for, and dream about
-- Author Unknown

I have learned...

2007-07-24T16:16:00.000-07:00

I have been a mom for 4 years now, and I would not say that I have learned it all. I have learned a few things though!
1. NEVER say "my child will NEVER do..." (they will)
2. Listen to the advice of other mothers/fathers...you don't have to follow the advice, just LISTEN and be openminded...they've been there, done that, and have the t-shirt (usually stained) to prove it!
3. SLOW DOWN...I think that children are God's way of making you slow down even if you don't want to. Take time to memorize their tiny fingers, toes, nose, eyelashes...tomorrow they will be different...they grow soooooooooo fast!
4. If someone offers help...let them help...if you don't want them to do what they offer to do, FIND something they can do. There will be PLENTY of times that you are all on your own...and that child is yours for a lifetime (YOU can hold them when they are screaming in the middle of the night...that's one of those "on your own times").
5. Read a lot of information about raising your child/children, but don't LIVE BY THE BOOKS...unless it's the BIBLE. EVERYONE has an opinion, but each child is different...God gave you a mother's instinct for a reason (not paranoia...know the difference).
6. PRAY, PRAY, PRAY, and PRAY somemore!!!! When you are at the end of your rope, hold your child and say, "God, you gave me this child, now PLEASE give me the patience, wisdom, and sanity to do what is right." Let your kids hear you pray so they will know that your strength comes from the Lord.
7. Don't become so wrapped up in your child/children that you forget that YOU need time too! Sometimes you need to call a babysitter (even for and hour). You can put the baby in their room, shut the door, and call a friend, read the Bible, spend time with your husband... or even SLEEP...
8. Remember that your family existed BEFORE the baby came, your child is a PART of the family not the HEAD of the family! There will be some weeks/days...that you will need to remember that!
9. You WILL make mistakes! Sometimes BIG ones...Look around you, see all the adults...they were all kids once with parents who made mistakes...THEY LIVED!!!! Your child will too!
10. AND...remember that we are ALWAYS learning! NO ONE knows it ALL! If you don't know that yet, YOU WILL!!!!!

23 Weeks

2007-06-26T08:27:00.001-07:00

Karliegh loves to put her hands on my belly and talk to her baby brother. She begged me the other day to take her picture touching my tummy...so I did...she is so funny. We are waiting out firework season. Jason is selling fireworks in Fort Smith for 2 weeks so it's just the girls. I am trying to clean out closets and rooms to get ready to paint the baby's room...so we can have it ready before Jason starts football! I ordered some bedding from ebay...just got it in...I think it will be really cute when we get it all together...I'll post pictures when I get it finished. Karleigh also started preschool this summer...just one day a week, she likes it some days and hates it others...I think it depends on what mood she's in. She really likes everything but naptime...she says,"it lasts forever!"...Her teachers say she is quiet, but never goes to sleep...she's whiney by bedtime, usually before, on the nights she goes to school! I can't believe she's already 4 years old!

It's a BOY!

2007-06-03T18:13:00.000-07:00

We found out on May 30th that we are indeed having a BOY. I am excited, but anxious because it is a change...and I don't like changes most of the time... I know that when I start geting everything ready and we AGREE on a name it will be more exciting to me, but right now I'm just getting used to the idea... I want a name that starts with a K or C...because it will be Jason, Jana, Karleigh, & __________????? if it starts with another letter it will sound like we left him out...I know I'm crazy!!!! I want to name him Kade, but Jason's cousin has a little boy named Kade...I LOVE that name and have since before we found out Karleigh was a girl...we have also thought about Karter, Kaden, Karson, & Kent...to name a few, but it seems like we know someone that has each of those names...and being teachers, some of them are less than appealing to us...I am about to say we will have little Kade and big Kade on the one or two days a year we get together w/ cousin Kade! I also have to find some cute boy clothes...I look at baby things and come around the corner to see little frilly girls clothes...and they are so cute...it makes me remember when Karleigh was just a baby...and how she's grown...ugh...pregnancy hormones...I tear up all of the time now!!! hahahahaha...anyway, Karleigh is getting her brother...she's been telling us it was a brother for 2 months...we should have listened to her!!!

This is pretty neat!

2007-05-01T16:00:00.000-07:00

This is something I found on Shantay's blog...I thought it was pretty neat! I don't know about the "rugged" part, but the rest is pretty good! Click on "read my visualDNA" and decide for yourself!

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

14 Weeks...

2007-04-16T12:32:00.000-07:00

So I have made it to week 14...I am feeling much better during the day! Thank the Lord! Night time is a little "iffy"...sometimes I feel OK, but there are still many nights that I am still sick! We went to the DR again this last Tuesday and she said everything still looks good. I gained 6 pounds in 5 weeks...which I thought she would be so upset about, but she just laughed. She said you gotta eat...and sometimes what you can eat is not always what is good for you...that's the truth! I am trying to do a little better when I'm feeling good...salads, bran flakes, fruit...you know the good stuff. BUT when I'm sick it's just whatever I can get down...most of the time that's what Jason brings me...Wendy's, Pizza, Sonic...I am getting a little more excited now that I feel good sometimes, but I can't wait till June when we will find out boy or girl...then the real FUN begins! I am working on a pregnancy journal, and today I took some pictures for the first trimester...even though I'm really in the 2nd...oh well...I hope to figure out photo shop so that I can make them look better...but that's not happened yet!

Ten weeks & Counting...

2007-03-20T18:33:00.000-07:00

Well, I am...STILL SICK!!! UGH... I am thinking this has been the longest 10 weeks of my life, but I know it was worse with Karleigh! HOPEFULLY, this will be better about 13 or 14 weeks...it was the first time! My sister told me that with her second child she was nauseous the WHOLE TIME!!!! WHAT A LOVELY THOUGHT! I think I will go crazy if that happens! I really want to be able to enjoy life again! Right now I am eating, sitting around, and sleeping...that's about it...OH, and GAINING weight!!!! I can't wait to feel good enough to go for a walk, and eat food that I cook! My greatest wish is to be able to drink until I'm not thirsty without it giving me indigestion or making me gag! I'm SO THIRSTY!!! Now, I can eat pretty much anything...I just can't cook it, smell it, or think about it for very long before I eat it...which means "take out"! Jason calls and says "What do you want?" and I say "Don't ask, just bring me something!" and as soon as he gets it here I cram it down my throat before I can smell it....hahahaha! It's good while I'm eating it, but 2 min. later I'm sick again!!!! HOW FUN! I know that my posts lately are pretty boring...such is life here! Karleigh is my little helper, and today I did take some pictures of her today...I haven't taken many lately...she was doing what she does every day...watching Noggin & helping me clean up! She is such a big girl! What did I do before she came along? hahaha

Problems!

2007-03-04T19:17:00.000-08:00

Well, I haven't been on the computer in a while...still sick...I have a few minutes by myself tonight so I thought I'd write. I have now been to the DR...well the nurse practitioner Karen, and she set my due date at October 17th...a day after my sister's birthday...how neat! I have been so sick this week...I can eat, but not if I think about it first, or if I have to cook it, or if I smell it! I know that don't leave many options...I have developed an obsession for Subway sandwiches...white bread, turkey & american cheese...pickle,lettuce, tomatoe, light mayo. Crazy, but that is the ONE thing I can think about and it doesn't send me into dry heaves! I also have a problem drinking...I am so thirsty!!!!!!! BUT if I drink water it comes right back up...anything else gives me SEVERE heartburn, and b/c I'm only 7 weeks I can only take TUMS...which make me GAG! Cranberry Juice slushes from Sonic are my drink of choice at the moment... really cold & not too sweet! There's only one problem with my choice of food and drink...I have to GO GET THEM! I have the energy of someone getting over the flu...and keeping up with Karleigh takes all of that and more...so...I guess the jist of the blog is that right now I am EXTREEMLY HAPPY to actually be pregnant, and can't wait to hold that sweet little angel in my arms, BUT...I will be SO GLAD when my time of sickness is OVER! It's amazing that I forgot how bad this was last time...one of God's miracles!

SICK

2007-02-14T19:20:00.000-08:00

I haven't been on the computer a lot lately b/c I have been REALLY TIRED, and kind of sick...hmmm I've been that way before...wonder what it could be...maybe...surely NOT...I mean it's been over a YEAR...I'm not...OH YES I AM...pregnant! Praise THE LORD for miracles! I really thought Karleigh would be it. After my miscarriage in Oct. of 05 I went through a very bad bout with depression, and then we decided we really did want another baby, but month after month ...nothing! I was getting ready to make an appointment to make sure there was nothing wrong with me...WELL, now we know! hahaha...God is so good...he even knows the right timing...I found out on my MOM's birthday...which has been a really hard day in the past...the baby is due in OCT...which is the month I lost my other baby...WOW! It's really early still, and I do worry...BUT, I am going TRUST and NOT WORRY...because God knows the plans He has for me...they are not necessarily my plans, but they are for my GOOD!

More Pictures...

2007-02-02T20:01:00.000-08:00

I had my niece and nephew here today, and I have been wanting to get some good pictures of them with Karleigh for awhile...So when Cael went down for a nap I fixed the girls' hair and let them choose dresses...then we did a "photo shoot". When Cael got up we took more pics! HOW FUN! I love taking pictures and then going over them to see if there are any good ones...here's some of them from today! ...by the way Shantay, I wish I could have scrapbooked today...did you guys have a good time? I didn't think it would be a good Idea with 3 kids! hahaha...maybe next week!

SnowDAY!!!

2007-02-01T12:20:00.000-08:00

It's the first day of February, and we finally got a snowday! Jason is home from school, and he brought a snowdisc home for Karleigh yesterday. We have been out in the cold 2 times today! I think it is warmer than they predicted b/c the snow is starting to melt...It could be a mess tonight if it freezes over! We went for a walk on the railroad tracks behind our house and I took some pictures...some of Karleigh turned out OK. We also managed to build a small snowman for Karleigh...she ran in the house and came back carrying a baby carrot..."for his nose" she said! HaHaHa...What fun!

2007-01-30T12:48:00.000-08:00

tagged....
"According to the rules... Each player of this game starts with the "6 Weird Things about Me".(about yourself)...People who get tagged need to write a entry of their own 6 weird things on their own blog, as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave a comment that says 'you are tagged' in their comments and tell them to read your blog!"

Weird things about myself...hmmmm...I guess my husband would be the one to answer that question...because of course everyone else is weird...I'm the NORMAL one. hahaha...

1. I LOVE to read, and if I finish a book and do not have another one to start right away I just about go CRAZY! It is the way I relax.

2. I don't sleep well when my husband is home but doesn't come to bed when I do. He says I am crazy because he loves to play on the computer when he's not tired, but I will lay in bed and toss & turn for hours until he comes to bed. I am not scared or anything...I am just a light sleeper and I know if I go to sleep I will wake up again when he comes to bed. It drives him crazy that I don't just go to sleep!

3. Small noises bother me REALLY BAD! My husband eats hard candy all of the time, and he crunches constantly (as does my 3 yr old daughter)...ugh...smacking gum, clicking pens, fluorescent lights that hum, dripping water......need I go on!

4. I am a "homebody"...I will plan 50 places that I need to go and get done in a day, but instead I will stay home. There are days as a stay at home mom that I want to get out, but not many...I LOVE being HOME! (with the exception of cropping at the scrapbook store)

5. With help from Jason we came up with #5...I never finish a cup of coffee...I love to drink coffee...with flavored creamer...mmmmm...but, by the time I get to the coffee it's lukewarm, and I never get to the bottom of the cup before it's cold! That's the life of a mom I guess...

6. I guess the only other thing that I can think of is that I really don't like to watch a movie more than once...the same thing goes if I find out the ending of a book...I just can't get interested in it any longer...I guess I like surprises.

................whew....that was hard! & I don't know anyone else who has a blog to tag...What do I do now?

"Baby Cael"

2007-01-27T19:32:00.000-08:00

Here is my nephew Cael...he's 18 months old, and FULL of energy! We went and ate supper with some of my family tonight, and my sister looked so tired...after spending a little time with him you can see why! He NEVER STOPS! He has a toy zebra that bounces, and it is the funniest thing to see him ride it. He puts one hand in the air like a bull rider, and off he goes. Bouncing and spinning as fast as he can go! I love him to pieces! He's going to have to be tough to fight his way in the world with his big sis and Karleigh bossing him around! Somehow I'm not really worried!

2007-01-26T09:34:00.000-08:00

This is my baby! She's not a baby anymore, and that is becoming more a reality every day! I lay in bed the other night and cried because I started thinking about the fact that she will be going to preschool some next year, and then SCHOOL! (GULP) It seems like just yesterday we brought her home from the hospital...where does the time go....I know that all sounds so cliche', but oh how true it is! I ALWAYS wanted to be a mom, and to stay at home with my kids...well so far it's only Karleigh, and I am NOT ready to give up my job just yet! I know that God knows the plans he has for me, and HIS ways are so much better than mine. Sometimes it just seems like maybe he should take my advice once in a while...hahahaha Right now my lap is full with Karleigh, Fluffy (Build a Bear Rabbbit, and constant companion), and blankets...kisses too...so loving this morning...check back in a few minutes, and there will be crying and knashing of teeth....hahahaa...We're not boring around here. I am just trying to cherish the moments we can be like this...lazy and snuggly...if that's a word...Well, guess I'd better get Miss Karleigh dressed and busy...duty calls!

Kareligh & Me

2007-01-25T18:56:00.000-08:00

I have never tried the blogging stuff, but everyone is talking about it, and I decided I needed to try out some new things on the computer this year so...here I am! I sometimes feel like I get more "stupid" every day that I sit at home with a 3 year old instead of going to work in the real world. I have a degree, and love to read, but there is something about knowing more about what's on Noggin than what's new in the world today.....it just makes you feel a little BEHIND TIMES! Anyway, I LOVE being a mom, and I am so BLESSED to be able to stay at home while Karleigh is young!