CRAWLING

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"

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

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

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

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

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...

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!!!!!