A few changes, and a lot of SNOT

Today I guess I was experiencing some nesting because I rearranged our toy/TV room. We spend a lot of time in there and it was driving me crazy with stuff everywhere and bare walls and the like. We had a keyboard in there(on top of an amp) that wasn't plugged in and was just taking up space. I moved that into a closet to make more room for the toys the girls play with. I removed a toy table that the girls never touch, and then proceeded to hang pictures. Jason is quite the artist and I wanted to display his work, but I felt it needed to be in as much of a uniform way as possible. So, in the miscellaneous room it went. I am very proud of what he has done and am glad to have found a place for it.

This is a figurine that Papa(Jason's dad) made. Until now it was kind of hidden on our mantel, but now can be seen in our play/TV room.(I am very pleased with this change)

This is the corner of the play room.

This is above our couch that now displays some of Jason's work.

This is at the end of our hallway. My favorite change for today(even if the pictures of our families are out of date).

For the past 2 nights Cailyn has had a hard time sleeping because she is sick(but when it is time to get up she is ready to play like a normal day--I am sad to say that I don't bounce back from lack of sleep the way she does). She can't breath very well and her eyes are constantly wet with tears. She has run a fever but nothing too serious. However, today while I was working she used an entire box of tissues and 3 rolls of toilet paper. Needless to say, her nose is raw and we are now helping to teach her the most effective way to wipe/blow her nose. I think that we will use less tissue tomorrow.

The trash was emptied this morning, but now is completely full with Cailyn's snotty tissues.

Blessing for January 30, 2009:

Having the energy to get some things done before David Christopher gets here.

Clothes, blessings, and amputation

Yesterday I decided to go through the girls' clothes and make sure that everything in their drawers fits them(just one project to complete before David's arrival). This is a BIG project and I started it WAY TOO LATE! But, it is done now . However, when I was putting Jessica's clothes in a bag to be sent to her cousin, Emma, my eyes starting filling with tears. I know that I am just pregnant and emotional, but it was sad to see some of my favorite clothes leave our house not to be worn by one of my children again. I am not saying that I am disappointed that we are having a boy, just that I remember Cailyn wearing some of those clothes and they looked just as cute on Jessica. I know that Emma will do them justice, but it is still sad to me.
Now I can't put this post on here without mentioning my sister, Lynnae, because MOST of the clothes that my girls wear came from her daughter, Becca. I remember getting bags of clothes from my cousins growing up and being so excited to see what they had sent. It was always fun. So, we want to shout out a big, "THANK YOU, LYNNAE! WE LOVE YOU!"

Today's blessing: My sister who is so giving. It truly does help us more than you will ever know!

OK so I have to tell you what is happening as I write this. Daddy is playing and giggling with the girls and I don't know why, but Cailyn is being taught the meaning of amputation. As she is learning this new word, this is how the conversation is going:

Cailyn: (with tape on her finger) I hurt my finger, Daddy.
Daddy: Do you want me to amputate it?
Cailyn: No, it will get better.
Daddy: Can I amputate THIS one(pointing to a different finger)?
Cailyn: No
Daddy: Can I amputate THIS finger(pointing to a another one)
Cailyn: No
Daddy: Can I amputate Jessica's finger?
Cailyn: Yes

hehehe I guess Jessica's finger doesn't mean as much to Cailyn as her own fingers. Jessica might have protested if she knew what was going on!

The Lamp

My mother gave us this lamp and we love it. Cailyn doesn't care for the dark so she likes to turn it on to go to sleep. It is really pretty cool because the fish swim one way while the background turns the other direction. The only problem is that Cailyn and Jessica share a room and Jessica has a hard time falling asleep when there is light in the room. We usually put Jess down first and when she is asleep put Cailyn down, but lately Cailyn has needed to go down at the same time. This is a problem. She is pretty good about going down without light as long as there is a light on in the hall, but it is in the middle of the night that causes the problem. If Cailyn wakes up she gets scared and turns the light on. Well, if Jess then wakes up she thinks that it is time to get up and play. So, we go in and turn off the light and then Cailyn ends up crawling into bed with us. Then I have issues because #1 I don't want that to become a habit because that is our bed. #2 I have a hard enough time sleeping right now and she is such a bed hog that I can't sleep when she is there. This morning I ended up in her bed waiting for Jessica to wake up.

Do you see the dilemma? I am not sure what the solution is. Help!

Today's Blessing: Functioning legs, think about it--What would you do without them?

Today's Blessing

Temperatures that allow me to be bundled up.

Friday it got into the 80s and Saturday morning-tonight it has been in the 40s. I LOVE IT! It was foggy and wet outside today and it is supposed to freeze tonight. I am sure that even if it does it will all be melted by 10 tomorrow morning, but at least there will be evidence that we are experiencing SOME winter here. I love winter, however, I realize that I am Texan through and through because I don't ever want to live in snow for months at a time. It sure is beautiful, but a hassle none the less. What I need is a summer home in the north so I don't have to deal with Texas summers.

Michelle's wedding!

Saturday night we attended the wedding of a girl in our Branch. We have used her for most of our babysitting and just LOVE her family. She was beautiful and her now husband is a great man. The wedding was held at a cute little place in Weatherford, but it lasted too long for our "sweet" Jessica so we had to leave while they were cutting cake and before all the other traditional events. I am glad that we went though.

Michelle and Bradley Hanes

Brother and Brother-in-law of Michelle Mother of the Bride(with brides nephew)

Jaycee(the flower girl) and Cailyn before the wedding.

Part of the wedding cake.

Groom's cake. The champagne glasses.


The girls waiting for the new couple to come out.

This is what was in the center of all the tables.

These 2 were in charge of lighting all the candles on the tables.

They sure enjoyed their assignment.

A functioning home?

Have you guys ever found yourself just living with something that doesn't work right because you can't afford to fix it, or you can't seem to find the time? We are at that point right now. Only it is not just one thing anymore, it is many. Most of our problems are plumbing. Neither Jason nor I know how to fix those things, so they go without the necessary repairs. I usually am alright with this, but lately(probably because I am pregnant) I have been extremely frustrated with them.
For instance, we have a washer and dryer but the dryer's timer doesn't work, so we have to set a separate timer and watch it carefully. We have forgotten occasionally and found burn marks on our clothes. Our washer we have to stop as it drains because it overflows out the pipes behind it, leaving the floor soaking wet underneath it. This makes laundry a less than pleasant task(more so). I wish I could just start the laundry and get other things done without having to constantly be listening for the washer to drain. Also in the laundry area, our light doesn't work. No, it is not just a light bulb. The entire thing is barely hanging on, and we have just been living with that for a long while. This would be alright except that I can't bend over into the washer very well to see if I have gotten all of the clothes out. That light would help.
Also, our dishwasher leaks all over the floor every time we use it. We stopped using it when we put in our new tile floor in the kitchen(which, by the way, it all cracked now--cheap stuff) and we just have been living without the dishwasher.
Again in the kitchen, one side of our sink doesn't drain right, it just leaks into the cabinet underneath. We have a bucket there, but we just don't use it. So, for the time being I have a large bowl in that side that holds our dishwater for washing dishes.
Our shower in the master bedroom somehow leaks into the front bathroom when we use it, so for almost a year now we have not been using it. That is all fine and dandy when it is just us. However, when David gets here we will be having people stay with us and that would be nice to have for shower schedules.
When we put in the laminate flooring throughout the living room and down the hall, we couldn't find transitions into the bedrooms that fit. So, we have this weird crack from the hall into each room. It makes vacuuming right there really difficult because it pulls up the carpet at the door frame. AND, it is ugly.

I realize that finances are low right now and that all those problems would cost money, but at the same time it is frustrating that so many things don't work at the same time.

So, in honor of all my complaining my Blessing for today is: Having a washer and dryer instead of just going to a laundry mat or washing by hand and line drying. Having the ability to wash dishes by hand(or even having dishes to wash-and having food to put on them). Being able to pay for water so I can shower everyday. Having a home to live in with beds for everyone and a loving family to share it with.

Dessert

Last night the Activity Day Girl's leader sent a bowl of colorful icing home with Jason so the girls and I could decorate cupcakes or cookies or something. Yeah for me, while I am trying to watch what I eat. So, we made some muffins tonight(I didn't' feel like making sugar cookies--they last too long, and I didn't have a cake mix--so muffins it was), decorated them and as you can see from the pictures below, we attacked them. The girls had a great time!

Blessing for today: A wonderful Sister Cosper who thinks of us often.

Dr. Appointment

OK so I know I have already posted today, but I just got back from a Dr visit and it is definitely getting close. I am dilated to .5 centimeter(the Dr. said that was probably left over from the last pregnancy), and my cervix is starting to thin. He said to expect contractions more and more. I don't remember having any before labor with the girls so I am a little nervous about that, because I can't stand contractions(well, who can?). I will have a full exam every time I go back now. Another sign that it is getting close.

Now for the most exciting part of the visit. Two weeks ago, I was weighed and vowed I wouldn't gain another pound. AND, I DIDN'T!! Yeah! The doctor was pleased. I know I can do it and that it isn't a bad thing. HOORAY for success of a goal. Now to pull it off again. I have 2 weeks 'til my next appointment and will have to work hard everyday to keep from gaining. Wish me luck!

Date night

Last night Jason and I went on an official date. You know, the kind without children. I can't even remember the last time that has happened(or maybe I do, I am just too embarrassed to admit it). Our Branch President's wife volunteered to watch the girls for us and last night was the night that worked for both of us. It was really nice. Nothing spectacular, just dinner and some time to have an adult conversation without being interrupted. Oh yeah, and Cold Stone!!!!

When we picked up the girls they were both still awake and happy. It was 9:30 and we got home a little after 10:00. Just like most people in our Branch, they live in the boonies. Did I tell you that? So after a late night, I needed to sleep in. The girls did a little, but not much. Cailyn woke up feeling sick and threw up all over the bathroom(thankfully not the carpet). Jessica needed a nap around 9:30 and so I obliged(with myself doing the same--thank you Cailyn). Then we played and ate lunch and all laid down again. This time is was AT LEAST a 2 hour nap. HOORAY! I feel so refreshed. Naps are heavenly!

I received a comment from my sister-in-law, Rachel, asking where I am lately. So, in response to that I have included a picture of me. Just a head shot for obvious reasons. AND, it was on a date night, again for obvious reasons. I am still here, just not as photogenic as the rest of my family.

Today's Blessing: Our Branch President's family who serve unceasingly and unselfishly.

Morning Cuddles!

On Saturday Jason let me sleep in, when I woke up and walked into the play/TV room, this is what I found.



Aren't they adorable(yes, that includes Jason-bed hair and all).




I absolutely LOVE these people. They bring such joy into my life. I honestly don't know what I would do without Jason and the love my girls have for him. He is such a wonderful father, husband, friend. I am so blessed to just know him, and even more so to be married to him.

Today's Blessing: Family--this is a HUGE blessing!!!!

MLK Jr. Day

Because Jason works for a bank, he gets almost all the holidays off. This includes MLK Jr. Day. We decided that we ought to spend the day outside because it is the best time of year for outside activities in Texas. So, we invited my Dad, brother(Cory), sister-in-law(Andrea), and newest niece(Emma) to meet us in Glen Rose for the day. It was perfect weather, slightly warm with a cool breeze. There were not too many people there. AND, we were with family. We prepared(and by we I mean Dad of course) lunch first and ate, then headed on our trek. Jason carried Jessica, Andrea carried Emma(then Cory took over later), and the rest of us walked by ourselves. We parked the car at the first sight and walked to each site after that. It was so much fun to walk through God's creations and enjoy great company, while we saw some pretty COOL dinosaur tracks. Jason and I have seen these several times, but it is always fun to show it to more people.

One of the first spots we came to was on this pretty large beach area. There evidently were some awesome skipping rocks, so everyone(excluding me, Jessica, and Emma) began skipping rocks across the river. If I had to choose a wiener, wait I mean winner, it would be Cory. He always got the rock to skip and most of the time it was a HUGE skip.

Yesterday's Blessing: Our Beautiful Earth!

Singing beauties

Yesterday, we traveled to Arlington for a birthday party and when we got back the girls played outside for a while. Jason got the camera to capture the moment. I am glad he did, because I haven't taken pictures of the girls for a while. I was surprised we got some smiles from Jessica because she has been CRANKY for days.

The girls started turning the umbrella strollers upside down and sitting in them. I love it, so ingenious and creative. They like to put them in the yard side by side and watch the cars drive by(there are many all day long). There is no need to buy camp chairs their size now.

Our neighbor had a pile of sand delivered to him a couple of springs ago and they put it on the side yard in between our driveways. As you can see, it has grown grass beautifully and the girls call it the "hill". They get up there and sing. It is really cute. Cailyn has been doing it for a while, but Jessica just started because she can now get up and down by herself.

I love that they sing on this "hill". It makes me think of Maria in "The Sound of Music". I get a concert every time we play outside(and many times am invited to join). They are constantly making up their own songs. I guess it runs in the family(Jason writes his own and Da-my Dad-sings almost non-stop songs written off the top of his head).

Today's Blessing: A husband who doesn't mind wrestling an almost 2-year old during church. Thanks Jason!!!!

Today's blessing

A loving husband who lets me sleep a little longer in the morning on Saturdays.

Daily Blessings

Today and tonight Jessica has not really been herself. She has thrown up twice today(both on carpet--YUCK!) and has really just been content to just sit or lay around instead of running around playing. She has been very needy, but unhappy with the things I give her. However, overall if she is feeling bad she is pretty pleasant. I really hope that she is over the worst of it all. I(along with everyone else) really dislike cleaning up throw up.

Tonight I decided to read through some old posts of my Dad's. He always has an interesting way of looking at things and sometimes it boggles my mind where it comes from, but it is unique and I love it about him. As I read I came across some posts about my mother of course and it brought tears to my eyes. However, they were tears that come from realizing a great blessing in your life(I know you have all had those).

I know that my mother was not perfect, but it is so easy to look at her life and see more perfection than imperfection now. I know that she was really good at cleaning and always wanted and needed a clean house. I know that she was always good at making a friend and remembering to talk to them and deepen the friendship. I know that she was strict, but with love and teaching behind it. She always had high expectations for her children(whether we met them or not, they were there). Towards the end of her life she was always very open about her faith and beliefs and never turned down an opportunity for missionary work, even sought it out. She never let anyone take advantage of her(she was really good with words and expressing herself when frustrated or angry).

I think back on her life and who she is and there are so many of her attributes that I want to have. I am proud to have her as my mother and pray that I can be as good of a mother as she was.

One of the posts that Dad had was about the blessing basket. You write down a blessing and place it in the basket and when you need to remember your blessings you can always look in the basket to remind you. I would like to do this with my blog. I will TRY to post a blessing each day to help me remember the things that my Savior and Heavenly Father do for me.

Blessing for today: Beautiful, cool winter days without snow.

Ready or not, here they come

I am at the point right now when I want to find the most secluded spot in the house only big enough for me and just hide there for a couple of days. I just want to turn off my brain and shut down for several hours first to rest, then I would reboot and treat myself to a fantasy vacation. I say fantasy because this would be a vacation that in my mind goes something like this:

First: I would magically be thin enough to look good in a swimsuit. I could eat anything I wanted and not have to be concerned about gaining weight.

I would have an unlimited amount of money to go and do anything I wanted without having to count and save.

I would have people tending me to the point that all I had to do was to wish for something and within a minute it would be served to me.

I could travel the world, seeing everything that I have(or ever could) want to see without getting exhausted. All I would have to do is think of the next place I wanted to go and snap my fingers and *poof* I am there. (this would be very handy because when I got hungry I could snap wherever I wanted to eat and back without really losing time--Dad, start cooking a roast, that is my first meal stop).

I would have a professional photographer with me to take all the pictures. This would be essential because remember I look good in a swimsuit and I would definitely need pictures of that.

This would be a vacation that I never got too tired of and needed to be home, but at the same time would be relaxing enough that I would want to return home after a while and get my family to bring along for the rest of the trip(that is definitely fantasy because who wants to go sight seeing with little children). However, my children would then have the energy they needed to be happy and pleasant the entire time. They would magically eat everything put in front of them and they would show excitement at all the museums and historical sights. Then show great love and appreciation for the opportunity to see and do so many things.

I realize in my state of being this fantasy vacation is probably making life a little harder, but I can't help it. I just need a few days when people are serving me and meeting my every want and need.

My question is, where do you hide when you need a few minutes away from the kids? Am I the only one who does that? Does that make me a terrible mom? I fear that need when I will have 3 little ones screaming for attention.

Our lovely Country

I was checking out a hair blog this morning and found something absolutely distressing.

Please check out a link on my sidebar(on the right) called "She Does Hair".

I know that I don't keep up with the current events like I should, I am disgusted by the latest.

Jessica

Jessica has made some steps in development lately. The ones that come to mind first are:





1. She now knows to cover her mouth when she coughs(yeah!).


2. She can point out where her elbow is.


3. She says please about 100 times a day when asking for something(which means she is asking for something about 100 times a day).


4. She folds her arms when we say a prayer(unless she realizes it is bedtime prayer, then refer to #7)


5. She can get her sleeper pajamas off all by herself.


6. She manages to drink from a cup just fine(and pour it all over herself and the table/floor/toys nearby when she wants to).


7. She has mastered the art of fit throwing when something isn't working the way she would like it to(stiffening of body, piercing screams, throwing of herself on the floor, you get the idea).


8. She has developed the skill of teasing her sister with toys, books, movies, snack, etc, etc, etc(this including hiding or throwing away Cailyn's favorite toy).


9. She has fallen in love with books(or should I say book--we read the same one over and over and over and over and over and over)


10. She has learned how to tell us when she is done with her meal(by throwing the remaining food and liquid on the floor or across the table at us).


11. She loves to climb on things and then climb off them and climb back on and back off and back on and back off(that is unless she can't do it herself, then she expects me to get her up and down and up and down and up and down)





BUT, most of all she has us wrapped around her little finger. Don't get me wrong she gets her occasional spanking, but most of all we just pick her up and tickle her until she can't handle it and bursts into laughter(which at that point includes all of us). She really is a joy to have around even with all of her little(or HUGE)quirks.

We love you Jessica!

How who got skinny?

Is anyone else irritated by the magazines in the lines at the store about all these movie stars who got skinny? I am sorry, but most of them have never experienced anything BUT skinny. Do people really fall for that kind of advertising? Those women have never 'lost' their cute figure and yet they have some diet plan that worked for them. Yeah right! The only one I can relate to even a little is Oprah(even though she has more resources to lose weight than I do) because she can't seem to keep the weight off. Now THAT is normal! Please tell me I am not alone in this.

You Better not pout!

This is really late in coming, but Cailyn said the funniest thing to me one night. We were reading stories before bedtime some night before Christmas and there was a part in the book where the narrator of the story gets progressively frustrated. So, I am reading with a bit of acting as we all do when we read to little ones and apparently I was making a face because Cailyn leaned over and rubbed my eyebrows(to smooth out the frown--I do this to her when she is angry or just a little stinker) and said, "Mom, you better not pout, Santa is coming soon!" Sometimes kids just floor me with the way their minds think. I immediately smoothed out my frown and became very pleasant(mostly because we were then laughing together).

Small and simple

I pulled out my recipe book to look for a recipe that my mother used to make often when I was growing up. I found the recipe and instantly started crying. You see, she is the one who wrote it down for me. She had such beautiful handwriting.

I got to thinking. Christmas was a big moment without mom, but I managed just fine. But it was this little, simple thing that broke me. I find it interesting that the scriptures tell us by small and simple things are great things brought to pass, and it was a simple moment that made me feel so weak. I manage on a regular basis to handle the day to day tasks without losing it, I just wonder when big, life changing moments happen if I will be able to stand so strong. I can't help feeling jealous that my sweet baby David has talked and walked with Mom more recently than I have. I wonder what their conversations were about(I probably don't want to know).

I miss her to the point of pain today. The kind of pain only my mother can rid me of.

Crazy Texas Weather!

Saturday was beautiful, nice warm 70s and sunny. Sunday was a bit cooler and still sunny(I was just getting comfortable). Monday was then ICY. I am alright with icy weather, I don't have to go anywhere. The problem I have is that the temperature won't stay anywhere close to itself for very long. Today the girls are wearing springy dresses and sandals. This back and forth weather is nothing new, it happens every year(winter only mind you-Summer is just HOT, HOT, HOT). However, it is throwing my girls immune system for a loop. Cailyn woke up several times last night shaking with a fever. She said that she hurt everywhere. We medicated and that lasted about 3 hours until she finally ended up in bed with us. She is feeling quite a bit better today, but tonight will be the real test. I just wish that the winter would decided to show up and make it a longer visit than just a few hours.

Here a few pictures of the icicles on our mailbox(just to prove that it does get cold here).

The girls both enjoyed their own tasty icicle.

New Year's Day 2009

We traveled to Waco on December 31 to spend New Year's Eve with my Dad, Cory, Andrea, and Emma. We had a good time. Not quite the wild party that most people were participating in, but what can you do when you have little ones. We ate way too much food and played games. The next day almost everyone slept in and we watched movies. By the time everyone was dressed and ready to go(around 3:30 pm) we decided we needed to get out of the house. We headed to the park(the one I grew up going to), where we met Memema and her little one. It was really nice to play at a new park. Cory took over charge of holding Cash's collar(and dropped it several times). Cash wrapped the cord around me several times(secretly he was trying to trip me). We had a good time playing. Cailyn of course made some friends and played on the merry-go-round. She had a good enough time that she didn't want to leave.

Emma, Andrea, and Memema

Sweet baby Emma

Emma and her mommy, Andrea

Memema's Cash-he was so excited to be in a new place and explore. This was the only one I could get of him he was so fast.

Jessica riding her pony, she loved it.

Cory keeping track of Cash.

Cailyn taking a few seconds to pose for me.

Jessica swinging, her favorite activity at the park.

Jason sitting on the jungle gym.

We then headed over to Casa Ole for some yummy mexican food(anyone who has ever been there knows that we go for the green sauce more than anything else). After we had our tummies filled to capacity and then some, we loaded up all of our stuff and headed back to Mineral Wells. We were so tired, it made the trip difficult, but our beds were calling our names and we obliged quickly.

There is no better sound in this world than that of children's giggles.

Happy New Year!