Merry Christmas from the Jameson's!

Hey Everyone! I'm sorry I have been so slow to blog...but it's the holidays, and it's nuts around here. Ok, correction, more nuts around here than usual! I just wanted to post this pic of our family taken by my favorite photographer/bow seller/photoshop guru/public relations person, Julie. Hope everyone is having a great week.

This holiday season has a new excitement that I can't say I've ever felt before. It's because Luke is finally old enough to understand the true Christmas story! He keeps telling me that it's "God's special day." However, when I ask him when that is, he tells me "Friday" or "Tuesday" but he actually did say "Christmas" yesterday, so we are working on it! Seeing Jesus' birth through the eyes of your child is an amazing thing-that I know I'll never forget!!

Journey to Bethlehem went really great this year at our church (our live outdoor nativity) We had over 1,000 people there! It's always a great reminder to me of what Christmas is all about (in the midst of buying presents and baking cookies)

I recently have begun orienting on a new floor at my work, so I'm learning to take care of stroke patients. (It has been slow on my regular floor) The switch is definitely going to take some work, but is remarkable to watch these people recover. In just days, the changes are amazing! It reminds me yet again of the wonder of the whole human body and God's gift of allowing our bodies to endure changes and illnesses. How we live through each day without something in one of our complex systems failing is amazing to me!!

Luke has learned to spell cat and dog, and has unfortunately learned to burp on command, which has got to be the most annoying and gross habit! I always fear he's going to make himself sick too! Caleb has "started counting" He can say "1, 2" and then "5, 6" The cutest thing he says is silly goose, which comes out like "sil gooo" I can't believe that he is so big!!! Hurry somebody have a baby so I don't get the fever!!

Hope you are all doing well and have a great Christmas!!

I'm Back!

Ok so I have been Modemless in Missouri for a great long time now but I'm back....Yippie! I'll write more later when I have time! see ya

Get out and Vote!!

Ok, so I am probably preaching to the wrong choir as I know that most of the people who read this are already committed to voting tomorrow...but if this happens upon anyone else, GET OUT AND VOTE! Personally I know this election is the most important in my own lifetime and is absolutely critical to this nation!

I am praying that every American stops and spends time tonight in prayer before casting his or her vote. Our country is slipping further and further away from our original values, and the discriminating line between right and wrong seems nonexistent. I don't want to have to tell my children that although God teaches us that killing unborn children is wrong, that completing research on unborn fetuses is wrong, we have to allow these things because the government says so. But this is where we are!! What else is going to change? Eric told me of a bill that is up for vote in California that would legalize prostitution. It is supposed to protect these girls, so they won't be afraid to tell the police if they are hurt by these men. I feel bad for these women who see there is no other choice, but come on!!! These are the kinds of things at stake at this election!

So rise up Christians!! GET OUT AND VOTE! Urge your friends and family to also! And let them know that we won't be silent any longer as they seek to remove our God from everything!! Make your voice be heard!!

Stitches already??

Alright, I knew this day would come...but I can't believe it happened so soon. Our day started out so nicely...I took the boys to the HOuse of Bounce (this place with huge inflatable slides and obstacle courses). We had a ball! We played there for over two hours and I'm not sure if the kids or I had more fun!! What a blast!!

Then we came home, had lunch, watched a movie and Caleb took a nap. Apparently Luke is way too grown up for naps now. Well I was making dinner in the kitchen and Luke was pushing around this Rubbermaid tote full of toys in the kitchen by the train table. Then, all of a sudden he fell and then let out a terrified scream. I ran over to tell him he would be fine, when I saw him bleeding from his mouth....I was sure he had lost a tooth!! But thankfully they were all still there. However he was losing what seemed like massive amounts of blood from his mouth. (Ok, so yes I am a nurse, but all that education completely flies out the window when it is YOUR kid!)

So I got him a washcloth to put in his mouth and tried to figure out what was going on in there when I saw a really deep gash inside his mouth and a pretty good one on the outside too! So I called my Dad to meet us at Urgent Care (since Eric wasn't home yet)

After attempting to put shoes, and coats on my kids, stop the bleeding, and not let my child know that I was near panicking..we flew to Urgent Care. Thankfully my Dad was already in the parking lot so we went on in. Dad played with Caleb in the waiting room while Luke and I went on back. Amazingly enough on the way there, God let Luke sleep for a little bit... I know he hadn't had a nap, but I was amazed he could sleep after this. Anyway, after waiting FOREVER (equals like three or four SpongeBob's---which I have never liked, but was very thankful for today) the Dr came in with his consensus.
Lukie needed some stitches! He said we could try to do it there, but if Luke wouldn't cooperate, that I would have to take him to the ER to sedate him. He said we could also just leave it alone, but that he was really worried that food would get stuck in there and cause infection (seriously it was a deep hole)

My sweet little boy was such a trooper. They had to give him several numbing shots directly in the gashes!! Oh, it hurt me just to watch....It was absolutely the most heartbreaking thing!! But we kept talking and singing "God is bigger than the Boogieman" After about twenty minutes of being held down, he had two stitches on the outside of his lip and one big stitch inside to hold the gaping hole shut and earned himself two popsicles and some stickers from our sweet nurse! (who happened to be a friend of mine who used to work where I do--God is awesome!!)

Anyway, if I can keep him from yanking them out before Sunday, this will all be a bad memory.
Oh, and Eric had a to get a filling in his tooth today, and I just found out I have to have a very very expensive root canal (without dental insurance) next Tuesday..so I guess that's our three yucky things in a row!! But God is good and I am glad there are no stitches, fillings or root canals in Heaven!

Have a good day!

Amazing book!

Ok so it's been forever since I have blogged...but here goes. I'm reading the most amazing book called The Vision of His Glory by Anne Graham Lotz (daughter of Billy Graham) It is about the book of Revelation. There was a part in there tonight that I read that I had to share!! So I am typing as quietly as possibly while my sweet hubby tries to sleep but I had to write it.
I'm not sure how to give her credit correctly, but she says it so much better than I could...so I'm going to type straight out of the book and hope none of you turn me in for plagerism.

"The Rwanda civil war had ended, amnesty had been offered to the losing side by those now in power, and my brother had just made arrangements for medical services to be given to hundreds of thousands of refugees inside Rwanda....As he prepared to cross the border...he noticed a little Rwandan girl. She was seated in the back of a truck, clutching a blanket, rocking back and forth, and quietly singing to herself. In reply to his inquiry, my brother was told she was one of the thousands of children whose parents had been killed during the war. This little girl in particular had seen her family hacked to death with machetes until not one family member was left. She was all alone in the world.

When my brother asked a nearby soldier what she was singing...he said he didnt' know because she was singing in French. A soldier was found who spoke French..he listened casually then said 'She is singing something about God's love.' My brother asked him to listen more carefully and tell him exactly what she was singing. THis time the soldier listened intently then said, 'She is singing 'Jesus loves me, this I know. For the Bible tells me so.''

The evil actions of others had stripped the little girl of everything except what her parents of missionaries had apparently given her--her faith in Jesus! In a deeply moving way, the little girl was clinging to all she had left in the world, which was her hope in God's love for her."

How amazing is that! I can't wrap my hands around childlike faith...but I wish I could be more like that!! What in my life and yours is blinding us from the truth?? If I have a bad day with the kids, or something bad happened at work, or I feel depressed about the economy, government, or world...it seems any of these things blind me from seeing the truth. It all boils down to that sweet sweet song. Jesus loves me despite it all...all I have to do is stop my hectic life long enough to see that and just hear and see it, but to truly believe it...

Regardless of what happens around me, if the world fell apart tomorrow, nothing would change the fact that He loves me, He died for me (and you) and He desperately desires to take care of us!!!
That little girl clung to the only thing she had left...I pray that you and I while surrounded by all the blessings we have, can still cling to Jesus!!!

Hope you all have a great day...hope I wasn't to preachy...that story just touched me so much!!! I pray that I can raise my kiddos in a way that if the same thing happened to them, that they could show such faith!!!! See ya later!

Self Help

Ok so I have been reading a lot like always and in my never ending quest for self help I have found the book "She's Gonna Blow!" Real Help for Moms Dealing with Anger. So far it is great....I can't believe how it hit so close to home! Ouch! But, it feels good to hear someone else who has been in the middle of toddlerdom and had their inner cranky woman come to a head. I never thought I could get so annoyed with throwing food, refusing to use the potty and then peeing their pants right in front of me, and the like. How can I feel love and compassion for people I barely know and yet get so frustrated with the very ones I love the most? I think it is because each time they push my buttons, I dramaticize (is that a word?) it to be indicative of the rest of their lives. For example, Luke smacks Caleb. I can't see that as a present problem. Instead I blow it up to be that Luke is aggressive, and he won't be able to go to school and I better start sewing that orange jumpsuit together because it won't be long before I'll be tucking him in each night in the county jail!!!! Why do I blow it so much out of proportion???

I guess ultimately it's because I love these kids more than life itself and to think of them as being less than desirable is so difficult for me! I feel like I'm always apologizing for them...instead I need to see what other people see. So often I hear from others, "Oh that's just little boys for you!" Why can't I believe that??? Why do I always have to distort each misbehavior into being my fault?? Sorry for all of the rhetorical questions, but this is the stuff that is tossed around in my head late at night....Anybody else feel that way?

And why in the world do I feel like I have to put on a production for everyone else? I'm trying to realize that it doesn't matter what other people think about my parenting. As long as God thinks I'm doing an ok job, what do I care if the old bag at the library thinks? If she shoots me a mean look apparently she hasn't ever had kids, and hasn't had to explain that the big metal things there arent' for climbing on, but for putting books on.

I am trying to deal with the fact that my kids are going to embarrass me terribly in public, in ways I've never dreamed of....For example Luke opening the door to a one seater public bathroom while I was peeing...yep I needed the wooden spoon right about then. But they are just little and these things that make me nuts right now will be wonderful stories for their kids someday.

Sorry for unloading this all on whoever reads this. This one was way more for me than for you reader...but man it felt good to get that all out! I promise to be happier next time, and maybe even through in a pic or two of my little angels (hee hee)

Random thoughts

Ok so I don't really have anything exciting to blog about...but I thought I should at least type something. I may not have time as Luke is supposed to be resting but instead chooses to come out every five minutes to ask if he could get up yet. The last time I checked on him he was putting together a puzzle in his bed! Come on now, that isn't even sneaky. I have to get him to understand that regardless of if he is tired, he has to lie down for a while in the afternoon. This usually ends up with him experiencing melt down at the dinner table. YIKES! I have no idea why he would want to give up naps. How do you explain to a kid that they will spend a good part of their adult lives wishing they could take a nap? Oh well, at least Caleb is resting.

I have been thinking/praying about the upcoming election a lot. I know Julie and Amy have talked about Sarah Palin in their blogs already, but I just wanted to agree with them in how impressed with her I am. I am worried about how she will take care of her little baby. But, I'm sure she has that figured out. And, if I hadn't found something to worry about, my husband would check my pulse to make sure I was still alive.

Anyway, I'm trying not to worry about the upcoming election, although I feel it is so crucial to our country. I discussed this some with Christi and appreciated her input, and would love anyone else's too. If the election turns out that we have the most liberal president we have ever experienced, and our country turns even further from God, won't we all have to accept any consequences just like everyone else? Ok that is confusing. I mean, in the old testament, when a country turned their backs on God, there were consequences. Even for His chosen people, Israel. So, what about those of us who are trying to follow Him? Do we suffer too? Because sometimes in the OT they did, and in others, they didn't. Like when God saved Lot's family, but destroyed everyone else. Anyway, I know that is really deep, I just wondered. I'm praying like crazy that people in America will stop thinking of our financial situations for once and think of the morals that we are forfeiting. Do we need reminded that we live in the richest nation, despite our scary economy right now? I'm really sick of everyone bashing President Bush and any "Republican" because of the economy and carefully forgetting about issues such as abortion, testing on embryos, and removing God from our public schools. How many people that say they are "Voting for a change" really know what change they are voting for? If it includes moving further and further away from the foundations of our country, which is really the Bible, then no, I don't want any part of this "Change"

Sorry to be up on my soap box. I think part of this feeling stems from the fact that I found out we have a sex offender living in our neighborhood. No one told us all this, we found it on the computer. It's very disheartening to hear this, because we have so many little kids in our neighborhood and I feel like we should have at least been notified. Thankfully most of the people in our subdivision know now, but it's just another added worry. Do I sound like I need to move to a little hut in the middle of nowhere and keep my kids in bubble suits??? I feel that way more and more each day. Then I try to remember that I got them on a rent to own program. I get to rent them for a short while until, hopefully, God owns them for eternity!! So, they aren't really mine in the first place!!!

Sorry for a bleak, worry-filled blog. Hopefully I'll be a little happier next time!!!!
Have a great day!

Crazy blogging lady!

I know that I haven't blogged in forever and then I just went crazy by blogging like five times in one day. Anyway, I just wanted to make sure I also got this cool pic on here. It is of us and our friends Kendra and Connor at Silver Dollar CIty meeting Bob and Larry. THe kids were thrilled to meet them!!

More pics!

Ok so the first pic was from LUke's swimming lessons this summer. They were two weeks long, and aside from a rough start at a different pool, he did great! He enjoyed his teacher and the other kids. The pool was awesome, and he could touch the ground in his section, so that helped. He kept going "monkey, soldier, airplane" (which is to remind him how to do the strokes. His teacher was very patient with him and he did a great job and celebrated by eating and playing at Burger King with his Daddy and his Poppy Steve!!

Next is Luke and Caleb attempting to share the car. Caleb loves our little coupe and Luke loves anything that annoys Caleb so that is why they are both crammed in the little car. ANd if you will notice, they are both in their pj's still which is another perk of summer...sleeping in and playing outside in your jammies in the morning. (Since their clothes will be sand-caked in 0.2 seconds after going outside. Gotta love the turtle sand box)

The next pic is Caleb meeting a goat. He really enjoyed the fair animals. Luke however didn't enjoy them as much this year. I guess he is getting a little bit of healthy fear (THANK GOD!) And was a little scared of all the animals getting in his personal space. He was in the stroller during some of the time, and kept screaming if we left him by an animal too long, especially if it was friendly enough to sniff him! Caleb loved the animals though!

The other two pics are of my little riders on the motorcycles. They had a lot of fun, and I was glad they did. I was worried Caleb was too little, but he did great!

More fun!

Here are some pics of us swimming with Julie and Avery, and Amy and Kaylee this summer, and pics of the boys at the park!

What we did this summer!

I finally have a new computer and new camera so I am going to attempt to put some pics on here to let everyone see what my kiddos have done this summer. PS: Caleb is walking really well!!! I can't believe my baby is so big!!!

Ok so here is fun at Grandma and Papa's on the new TOYS!

Funny Friday!

Ok so I have seen people post Wordless Wednesdays...so here's my version called Funny Fridays. Here's two little funnies for you...
Earlier today Luke was hiding inside a blanket on our living room floor and Caleb was trying to get to him. I said "Caleb are you trying to get Luke?" And Luke replied, "Yeah Mommy, he wants to go to the Promised Land." So I starting cracking up and I said, "Under that blanket is the Promised Land?" And Luke said, "Yeah, Caleb wants to go too!" So all those dollars spent traveling to the Holy Land, and who knew?? It happens to be right in my living room....and I"m willing to give free tours, as long as you don't mind stepping on toys and being covered in baby snot and Cheerios!
(I think he got the Promised Land thing from Veggie Tales!)

Ok, the next one is appropriately named number two. The other night Luke pooped (in the potty..yippie!) and as he flushed his job he stated, "Bye Bye Poop!" and then said "See ya later". I was already chuckling at that when he proceeded to say, "Don't be a stranger!!" TO THE POOP!!! Hee Hee!

The part that makes this not so funny is that we are having plumbing problems today, and earlier as I was washing a load of laundry I heard a glug glug noise from the toliet, and then was dumbfounded to see a couple of inches of not so clean water covering my laundry room floor, and then as I ran to get some towels I saw water coming out from UNDER??? the toliet in each bathroom. So maybe his don't be a stranger thing was coming true!!! Maybe that poop wanted to pay us a visit??? I don't know for sure, it was just gross!! So I frantically called my loving hubby (aka killer of spiders, and fixer of all things around here, especially pipes containing unmentionables) who told me to open a pipe outside with a wrench. And, to also not flush the toliet until he came home. I got the pipe open, and nothing shot out of it at me, and later we had to flush the toliet (as Luke pooped in the potty again!) and nothing exploded. So, hopefully he can fix it tonight. HOw's that for a little excitement??

Have a great day, and I think I can post some pics later!

oh the joys of technology

hello everyone! if you thought I dropped off the face of the earth, you are pretty much right. my computer pooped out! the starter box died??? I know nothing about computers...so anyway after my cousin Cody worked so hard to get a new one and install it...the motherboard died too. i don't know for sure what all that means, but i know it's very very bad, so needless to say i was computerless FOREVER!
but thankfully to our good friend Brian, we are up and running again, with a new/old pieced together computer for a while!! Yippie! so i will blog again soon, and post new pics(when i get my hard drive back), and when my poor sweet hubby isn't trying to sleep
ps:typing in the dark is really hard, good thing i was terrible in sixth grade and had to use those blinder things all the time....
anyway, more to come soon!

Welcome to my crazy life!

Hello!

Ok so yes it has been forever since I have blogged...I know, put it on the list of stuff that doesnt' get done around here. You'd think that Mommy person would show up around here and clean, and cook, and teach my children quantum physics already. but instead my kids are stuck with me, and the mashed up cheerio's and strawberries on the floor, and the finger paints. But, darn it, we have fun! I have changed Caleb's clothes three times today, once for sand, once for fingerpaints and lunch, and once for melted chocolate chips...and it's only 3:30 so by baby standards, I think he's had a stinkin fun day!

I'm trying to think of what all has kept us busy...I've been working quite a bit recently, and we have been gone a lot. We were gone all day to Grandma and Papa's. (mom and Mike's) We had a fun time and my kid's got thoroughly spoiled...THanks guys! They got some rummage sale toys, new hats, smoothies, and I can't even remember what all else...no wonder they always want to go there.

PS: I need to get a sticker for my bumper that says "I brake for rummage sales" It's my new addiction..or my old...as Justin A would say, I'm a compulsive crap buyer. Thankfully my taste in things has changed and I'm much more picky. But I've found a boatload of good deals this summer. THe best would have to be Eric's father's day present. It was twelve outdoor solar lights. They are really nice, metal ones and they work really well. For only 8 bucks, I think it was a steal...
And I got a bike for my friend Kendra (in return for watching my monkeys while I worked) for eight bucks!! Once again, a steal. Anyway, it is so true that one man's trash is another man's treasure!

Sunday we went to church and then my Grandma and Grandpa's for lunch and Luke got to play the toy violin...he loves it! He and Caleb also love to sing and dance while my Grandpa plays his real violin (fiddle) or guitar! They have a ball. My Mom is actually relearning to play the violin now, some thirty or so years after she quit. She is actually getting pretty good. At first some of the notes were less than pleasant, but she's doing much better. My Grandma also has an accordian that Luke thinks is very cool.

THen we went to hang out at Eric's parents house. Sarah, Alexis and Wyatt were there so all the kids had fun running around and getting into trouble. Then we went to see Eric's PoPo in the hospital. He has had some kidney problems and may have to go on dialysis...we aren't sure yet. Please keep him in your prayers (his real name is Roland) Then we went back to MeeMaw and Papa's for a while to let Lukie fish. He loves it out there by the pond. And then Eric, Johnnie and I tried to put together an entertainment center. Why won't men use the instructions? Is that a blow to the self esteem to actually attempt to do what the Chinese people who make everything we buy, say to do? I'm all for it. Yet, as I was trying to decipher that...Eric and his Dad where doing their own thing and using power tools.. So needless to say we had to redo things a couple of different times...Go figure.

Anyway, I am going to get a new camera soon so I can post new pics. I miss my old one so bad!! Boo hoo. That's what I get for being forgetful!

Well hope everyone has a great day!
bye

Caleb's party

Hey everybody! Sorry it has been so long. (The last time I posted I went in to the kitchen to find that Caleb had destroyed my aloe vera plant and broke it's pot...so finding time to blog is difficult!!)

Anyway, I have to go quickly again as Caleb is attempting to reconfigure the way my computer wires are placed (at my feet), but I just wanted to share some pics of his bday party this Sunday. My Mom downloaded all these pics for me, as my forgetful Mommy brain left mine at our local park...and I don't think I'll ever see it again.

So, here are some pics...(my Mom isn't the best photographer...notice the cutoff heads...but you gotta love someone who takes the time to download her pics for me without me even asking...just because I was sad about losing my camera...what a Momma!)

Anyway, here is my special little boy opening his presents, with his figure eight race track cake I made him, and getting ready to dive into his first cupcake. I'll post more of my dirty baby later...he did so great!!

As Julie mentioned when Avery approached the one year mark, this is a very hard time for me. With Luke I always knew there would be another baby in my life after him. But with Caleb, I'm not so sure, so the thought of my little man growing up is killing me. He is such a special gift from God. He is probably the most low key person in this whole house. During his party he was passed around to everyone and never minded a bit. He is so mellow and sweet and he is such a lover! Luke has never held still long enough to hug me, but Caleb will crawl right over to me just to hug me around the neck and plant a big ole slobbery kiss on my cheek, or lips, or eye or whatever is available.

As I think of his big heart and mellow personality it makes me wonder what all amazing things God has in store for him someday. I also struggle with the thought of him growing up and not needing his Momma in the same way, but I know that is my ultimate goal, so I try to see it positively.

Speaking of his heart, we saw the cardiologist the other day and everything is going great. Dr thinks he will completely outgrow his problem and should have no limitations later in life!!! Praise God!!

Well hopefully I can post again soon, Maybe even on his actual birthday! Thanks to everyone who reads this and invests in the lives of my boys in one way or another. It's so fun and amazing to know that I have friends and family that love my kids almost as much as I do !! What a blessing!

Have a great day!!

HI!

Ok so it has been a long time since I have blogged. And I have about two seconds as Luke is watching Elmo's potty video for the four hundredth time! And Caleb is destroying the train table. So here goes...
Not a ton of excitement at our house today. I think we are going to the library as it is raining and yucky so please pray for God's blessing upon us!!!!!!!!!! The library is a huge source of anxiety for me due to the fits of gigantic proportion that LUke has thrown there. I had sworn not to go back with the kids for a long long time but I have tried once recently and it went pretty well. I just brought treats and a special toy that Luke rarely gets to play with to use to get us out of there (there is a train table there and Luke hates to leave) I know that all of this is considered bribery, however I don't care. Anyone who thinks I'm a bad Mommy for this should promptly take my son themselves and see how embarrassing it is to carry a screaming toddler out of the building while also trying to lug out a one year old, purse and diaper bag. NOT FUN! So I will continue my bribery, and I think God says it is just fine!

We are gearing up for Caleb's first birthday here. I can't believe it! My baby is growing up so fast! He cruises everywhere and is starting to get in to everything!!! I can enter a previously clean room and find it trashed in a matter of moments! Even worse than Luke and that is pretty darn bad! He is so adorable though that is hard to stay mad! He is also trying to stand up in the bath tub now and not staying in his little chair so you have to watch him like a hawk. And when you tell him no, he stands up, points his little finger at you and says NO NO NO. (while smiling) What a poop!! Do I have my hands full or what???

By the way, HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTI!! I'm sorry I couldn't ever get a hold of you yesterday...I had to work and then could never reach you. Hope you had great day! Can you believe we are twenty eight???? CRAZY! I had a patient yesterday (62 yr old male) ask me how old I was. When I told him he said "I didn't think you were that old" IS that supposed to be a compliment or not?? Cause I didnt' think 28 was old, but I guess it sounds like it! Oh well, who has time to worry about it while chasing kids? I was thinking that if I have another baby I will be like 30 or 31 when it is born which seems old by OBGYN standards!! Man, where have the twenties gone???

I guess we are gearing up for our class reunion coming up. Thanks for all the hard work Julie and Amy!! It sounds like a lot of fun and they have done a lot of work to get it together and make it special!! Thanks guys!!I look forward to meeting everyone's families and catch up!

Well, I guess I better go and check on my kiddos and then spend some time in prayer before the library, hee hee!! Have a great day, and I will post some of Lukie's bday pics soon!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUKIE!!!

Oh I cannot believe this day has come! It cannot be real that at exactly 1:15 pm three years ago today my little man came into the world!! So many amazing awesome moments in the last three years....it just blows me away to think that he is actually three! (Although he keeps saying he is two)

Luke woke up this morning and came to see me and Baby Caleb. We sang Happy Bday to him (only the funny zoo version) He is so excited that it is his bday! We got to go to the Flip Shop and jump on trampolines and play on all the equipment! Then we ate lunch and played with our neighbors, Kendra and Connor! Kendra even made special birthday cupcakes for Luke! He liked them so much...he even ate Connor's!

Then tonight we have pizza and cake at MeeMaw and PaPa's then were going for ice cream with Grandma Ginger and PaPa! WHat a day! Then a Curious George bday on Saturday! What a fun time!!

After reading Julie and Christi's blogs the reminisced on the birth of Avery and Josiah...I thought I should include some special pics of Lukie too! So hope you enjoy them! I can't believe he was ever that little!

It seems so long ago. Especially because of Caleb, so now the freshest memories I have of baby times are of my littlest man instead. But I'll still never forget the moment when they put him in my arms...The love that grew inside of me that I never even knew was there. It was and is so amazing. Who knew that was deep within there, just waiting to escape. I heard a quote the other day that said that a baby feels a void you never even knew was there...how true!!! And in an instant the world no longer had anything to do with me and everything to do with taking care of my little bundle and teaching him everything he needed to know. Part of my heart was torn away and put inside this little guy so that I felt everything he felt and anything that hurt or upset him also did the same thing to me. Also a new joy overflowed as I saw his joy and happiness in the tiniest things!! It is so incredible to watch life through the eyes of a child! Beauty is everywhere and even the most mundane thing is new and fresh in their view!

Ok so I'm all misty eyed now, so I'll go...but I want to leave you with the words to a song that came out around the same time as Luke was born that I would sing to him all the time...

"Come here and cry on my shoulder,

I'll hold you till it's over,

I'll rescue you tonight.

Let my arms be your shelter,

your hiding place forever,

I'll love you more than life."

Long time....

Ok so it has officially been a very long time since I have blogged. As I listen to my sweet little angel screaming his head off in the next room (as he is supposed to be taking a nap) I am reminded of why it has been so long. I have been working a lot more than usual recently and when I am actually home, I have been having a hard time getting my kids to nap at the same time!!

Above are some pics from Easter. Luke is making a funny face in the first one. Those ones are from my Dad's egg hunt. It was cold out there!! Gotta love Easter in the four states. Next is Luke and Caleb getting their Easter baskets. Thankfully we hadn't said anything about the bunny because I made up the baskets and set them out around 10 pm thinking my kids were asleep but apparently Luke wasn't because he came out and started messing with his! So much for surprises! Caleb got these new little paints that fit baby hands and a Veggie Tales cd and Luke got a new train (of course) and a VeggieTales too. They seemed pretty excited about it! THen they hunted eggs at my grandparents and then again at Eric's parents. (Clay Michael, our nephew, is the other little boy in that pic)

Last is a pic of Eric with Caleb at the Flip Shop on the trampoline! Eric got to take his lunch break early to come play with the boys and they all had lots of fun!

Luke will be three a week and I cannot believe it! He is doing so many cool things now and I can't believe how much he has changed since he was two! He has just now started counting things...(like really counting things instead of just rattling off one, two, three and not comprehending that the numbers represent something.) And he is doing so good with his letters, and he loves to read all the time! I'm so proud of him (if you can't tell!)

Baby Caleb has definitely perfected the art of crawling very quickly. I can put him down and I swear he beats me to wherever I was heading. He has also started cruising all around the coffee table and anywhere else the he can hold on a walk. He ate baby food spaghetti today (which looked disgusting) and is just getting too big too fast! It makes me sad! Oh and by the way, Amy, we cut his hair finally a couple of weeks ago..and he does look a million times better!!

Lukie Duke is having a Curious George birthday party so hopefully that will be fun! I'm going to attempt to make his cake. It is George's face, so we'll see how that goes!

Eric and I are going to Table Rock Lake for an overnight trip at the end of this month for our anniversary. We are so excited! We are going to stay in some really nice looking cabins, complete with a double jaccuzi! I think we are also going to go golfing and biking while we are there. Eric is funny because when we first got married every time we went anywhere we had to go and do things every moment of our trip. Now when I was trying to plan what all we should do he was like "I just wanna lay around a lot and not do anything!" It's funny that the longer we are married he becomes more like me and I more like him! Does that mean we will eventually be just a like? I just hope he doesn't get my ditziness because we need some brain cells in this family!

OH! I forgot.. LUke and Eric are going to take a train ride around Pittsburg this Saturday! It's some fund raiser and I think Luke will be in Heaven! I haven't told him yet, just in case something happens and he can't go, but I'm so excited for him! Also we are going to take the boys to Silver Dollar City at the end of this month too! So that should be fun! And we are having a rummage sale the last Saturday of the month! So this month is going to be crazy busy and also hopefully a lot of fun!!

Also, I did forget one other thing. Eric played Jesus at church on Easter and did a great job! THey led him up to the stage and "hammered" him on the cross and hoisted him up in the air. He looked kinda scary in his little toga and covered in fake blood. He had to hang there for about 20 minutes during communion and then he came out later in white and walked back out. He did a great job and I was really proud of him. Actually I teared up immediately when he came out and forgot that he was my hubby and just thought of Jesus and all he endured for us. It was very touching and an awesome reminder that He allowed them to beat and crucify Him all out of His amazing love for us and in obedience to His Father!!! How amazing!!!!!

Well that is a ton of info for now! I promise I'll write again later...For now I think I have to go put a toddler back in his bed for the 23rd time!

Bye!

Our crazy life!

Ok,so hopefully these pics will show up! The first one is of my sweet little guy learning to crawl! I thought this would be a great occasion at my house but I forgot how as soon as they learn to crawl they want to get into EVERYTHING now! Caleb's favorite new game is "Pull all the DVD's off the shelf and watch Mommy pick them up" If you haven't played it, it is apparently more fun than any of the expensive toys laying all over my floor! And Luke is hilarious because he has recently become the "Rule Nazi" at my house. Any rule that any other kid should be following must be punished to the greatest extent (except rules he breaks of course) So Caleb pulls the DVD's down and it drives Luke crazy! If he only remembered that just a couple of years ago it was him instead.... Oh they grow too fast!!!
So, pic number two is a funny one...I may have already told some of you about it. For me it actually was a dream crusher! You see, as you all know Luke is "full of energy" to say it nicely, and too stinkin onery to put it bluntly. So, I was for sure that when precious angel baby Caleb came along that he would be my calm, sweet child, who enjoyed cleaning his room and giving his Mommy shoulder rubs. He would never purposely drop kick his Mommy or trash my house just for fun. But as you can see by the pics my little angel doesn't always wear a halo. As soon as he got close enough to get his little grubs on my aloe vera plant, it was all over. As I was making breakfast that morning I heard Luke say, "Baby Caleb got poop all over the floor" which made me rush over to see to my dismay my precious angel had tested his green thumb by pulling out my plant by the roots and leaving a pound of potting soil all over my floor. And the worst part was....HE WAS LAUGHING! So, as you can plainly see, my dreams are over. Life as a Mommy of two ONERY boys has officially begun, and I'll probably never own another thing that isn't in some way broken. But I wouldn't trade it for anything!
Oh, and the last pic is also hilarious. My title is "I should have listened to my Momma and took my nap" I actually shouldn't joke because Luke was really sick when we took it...But, he was just playing along and all of sudden I looked over and he had fallen asleep standing up. Between this and falling asleep at the dinner table twice while eating (we had to grab him to keep his head out of his food) I'm beginning to wonder if he has occasional narcolepsy...you wouldn't think it when he is fighting me to take a nap though.
Well so that is all of my crazy pics. I don't have too much more..We had a good busy weekend, and spent some time with Eric's family and mine so that was nice. We also got to see Julie and Avery on Friday and a little bit on Sunday (thanks again for taking the pics!) Avery is getting so big! She looked really cute in her Nascar attire (including her bow) We had a good time at MOPS this morning and two of my friends and their kiddos came over for lunch afterwards so that was fun (it included 6 boys under the age of three..yikes!~)
Hope everyone has a great week!

Just a minute

Ok so this is going to be short because I only have just a minute. Actually that is a phrase I say all the time recently. It's usually directed to one of my children who is waiting for my undivided attention. I have worked a lot more than usual for me this past couple weeks...and all of my family is beginning to show it. (as well as my house, huh Julie?) Our house is in shambles and we are all tired and life just feels weird. Like we are little hamsters in the wheel that won't slow down and definitely won't stop! This again reminds me just how thankful I am for my hard working hubby that goes to work every day without complaint so that our lives are so much easier.
I have been on both sides of the working/ nonworking thing and man--do working (outside the home) Momma's have it tough. (by the way everyone who is a Momma is a working one no matter where she is and if she gets paid) It's like you get home dog tired and then everyone wants fed, diapered (ok...maybe not Eric but you get the point), and bathed....Crazy crazy! I love being home!!! It's great!
Ok so other than that,not too much going on. Oh, my Mom and Mike were almost plowed down by an idiot trying to outrun the cops....Besides fifteen hundred dollars damage to Mike's truck, they are all ok. It was really scary though and makes me appreciate them so much and realize how quickly life can be gone. (If you want all the details call me...cause it's kinda a long story)
Well, I gotta get to bed..I gotta work tomorrow. Hope you all have a great week! And i promise to post pics next time!!

Exciting Times!

News Flash! Caleb has learned to crawl! Oh boy have I got my hands full. We have kind of forgotten about all the things that we need to keep up since Luke is getting bigger. So this begins another time of trying to keep all little things up (Legos, army men, etc) and to watch Caleb like crazy as he is trying to pull up to everything. He also now says "Dada," Momma," and "Tickle Tickle." He has three teeth with three more trying to come in at once. I need to post a pic soon too because he is changing so much! His hair is starting to curl in the back and looks so cute!! What an exciting time of change with him right now!
Lukie Duke is about the same...hopefully he is on the verge of potty training (I'm so jealous Amy!) He tells me "I'm wet Mom, Change my diaper!" So, don't pee in it in the first place, right? But apparently that is contrary to two year old thinking....Actually he is getting closer and closer to three. Where does the time go? And for all of his troublemaking (for example, flipping off the back of the couch and breaking my lamp, and flipping the whole recliner over with me, Luke and Caleb in it--both events in the same day!) he is learning to be a great helper. If I ask him to bring me things for baby Caleb, he is very quick to do so. He also likes to help me do the laundry (which I am sure his wife will thank me for some day) It is neat to see him starting to learn some responsiblity.
We went to MOPS today which was fun. It's always nice to talk to other people over the age of three. It's nice to hear other people's stories and remind myself that I am a good Mommy and that it ok to want time to yourself occasionally.
Eric is doing good too. He is dying to get outside though. Yesterday he talked to a friend on the phone for 40 minutes about hunting and fishing...just like two little ole ladies. He also is extremely romantic as he is planning an overnight trip for us on our anniversary... never mind the fact that he is also taking off that week because it is turkey season!!!! Hee Hee! Oh well, I'm very thankful he remembers our anniversary! So my family vacations are always going to revolve around what animal season it happens to be (right Julie?) But that is ok! I'm glad he has hobbies!
Well everyone have a good day...And I'll write more and post pics later!

Yucky Day!

Ok so I really don't have anything terribly exciting to blog about, however Julie reminded me that it has been quite a while since I have blogged. If you are reading this I hope you are safe at home instead of in this crummy weather!!! It's really slick out today around these parts..and yes Amy and Mandy I know it is that way all the time up there....we are just wimps around here when it comes to driving in it!! So needless to say me and my boys haven't been out today.

We have all been up since 5:30 because Caleb thought he was starving to death and Luke must have woke up due to all the thunder and lightening. Thunder in February you might ask???And I'll just remind you that yes, I live in the four states so anything can happen.

I am kind of melancholy today (trying to be a more exciting writer!) A lot of things are fogging up my brain. My Dad's girlfriend's daughter's baby (figure that out?) is in Children's Mercy in KC right now. She has been beaten, apparently by the babysitter, and is on life support. It pretty much looks like she will not make it...so please I ask for your prayers for her. Her name is Autumn and her Mommy is Athena.

I am having a hard time processing it all and understanding the fine line between God allowing something to happen, although He doesn't want it to. Sometimes I so badly want HIm to send down the lightening bolt from the sky to zap the bad guy so the defenseless ones can run free. I cannot fathom the restraint He has to not just fix all our problems for us. What an amazing God!! For example, who of us Mommys stop at nothing to keep our children from experiencing pain? But God has to, in His infinite wisdom, "sit on His hands" sometimes and watch us tumble big time. And in the end it's all part of His plan, I know, but it is so hard to see the big picture.

If you and I, obviously, need any reminders of this just think of our good newly married friend for a deeper understanding of the big picture. Who knew the direction of your life 5 yrs ago, 1 yr ago, 6 mos ago Christi??? He did!!! So thanks for being a "big picture" reminder for me!!

Ok, so I was preachy and kinda depressing today...sorry!!Maybe next time it will be more funnier! oh and ps: I had a great time Julie and Amy and families over the weekend!!!

OK I'll try to do this if I can get a second
4 Jobs I've Had:
1. RN at Freeman
2. Nurse Assistant at St John's in Pediatrics
3. Babysittero lots of different kids (summers)
4. Checker at Crocker's Family Super
5. (I had to list this one since I had so much fun...Waitress at the Filling Station

4 Movies Watched Over and Over:
1. Cars (because my kid loves it)
2. Little Mermaid
3. Christmas Vacation
4. Billy Madison

4 TV Shows I Watch:
1. American Idol
2. Heroes (because my husband makes me)
3. Super Nanny
4. Clifford and Curious George (because my kid makes me)
4 Places I've Lived:
1. Girard, KS
2. Bolivar, MO
3. Muskogee, OK
4. Carl Junction, MO
4 Places I've Been:
1. Orlando,FL
2. Matamoros and Pedras Negras. Mexico
3. Breckenridge, CO
4. the Dakotas
4 People Who Email me Regularly:
1. Andrea
2. My bill reminder system :-)
3. My Aunt Judy
4. A person from MOPS group

4 Favorite Things to Eat:
1. Chicken Chimi from Del Rio
2. Anything from Bamboo Palace
3. Shrimp Alfredo
4. Chocolate, Chocolate and oh yeah did I say chocolate?
5. Mama Sara Cookies (couldn't forget that one!)

4 Places I'd Rather Be:
1. Hawaii.
2. In a clean house, with both my kids napping, lying in the bathtub, reading a book.
3. Out to dinner with my hubby and no kids!
4. Some place with all of you guys...that involves childcare for our kids, and maybe all of us at a spa!

Things I Look forward to This Year:
1. Getting at least one of my children out of diapers
2. Seeing Caleb crawl, walk, and turn 1 and all the cool new things Luke will do this year.
3. Growing closer to God, and my hubby
4. Still getting to stay home!!

4 People to Tag:
1. Mandy-because I would like to see her answers!!
2. That's all because I think everyone else who reads this has already done it!!!
Have a great day!!!!
Oh and if you haven't read Julie's blog on New Kids on the Block click my link to Julie and Joe Del and enjoy yourself...it's really cute!!

Has it been that long?

Ok so it has been forever since I last blogged...I was actually full of pride at my new found ability of blogging...that I was staying with it and writing frequently. Guess just needed my big blogging head deflated :-) Now it has been over a week and I realize how easy it is to get too busy to write. But I'm trying to make this my effort at journaling, since I'm not very good at it. So, I'm officially back.
This past week can be summed up in one word (BIRTHDAYS) We celebrated my Grandpa's birthday last Thursday, Eric's sister and our niece's birthday last Friday, my Sis in law Nancy on Monday, Avery Smith (aka Cutie Patootie) on Tues, Eric on Thursday, and my nephew Drew on Friday and Josiah Anderson (my great big boy!!) today!! WOW! So no wonder my family is tired today....that's a lot of bdays! I dont' think I could possibly Zumba all that cake off!
We didn't even go to church today which is unheard of around this house. But Luke has spiked a fever all day off and on (he is sleeping again) and baby Caleb has a cold and ear infection (I feel for you Amy) So me and my little sickies have been hanging out inside all day while Daddy has been getting all kinds of "man work" done outside...our yard looks great!
We have watched two movies, played playdoe and put this little dinosaur together with little pom poms and pipe cleaners. Can you get the idea that we are bored yet? It also is so beautiful outside today...we did go swing for about twenty minutes, but Caleb started hacking again, and Luke's fever went up so we came back in.

We did get to go to Avery's bday party on Sat and had a lot of fun! She looked so cute in her cowgirl outfit..although she wasn't much for keeping her hat on. It was neat to see all of her family and see everyone who will be there for her as she grows up! I'm not sure of how many of you reading this have actually seen Mama Sara with Avery but it has been confirmed that Sara thinks Avery hung the moon!!! I knew it would be this way, but it was so sweet to actually see it in action. ANd the funny thing was that any time Sara would speak, Avery would turn around and look for her!!! It was very special to watch and know (no offense to you Julie Anna) but that could be one of Sara's proudest days!!! Mary and Missy also doted on Miss Avery, it was very sweet! I also got to see Katie DeMoss (can't remember her married name..sorry) so that was nice!!

I did get to spend the evening with my hubby last night. We ate dinner, went bowling, and went to WalMart. Isn't it romantic? It was very nice and we enjoyed getting to say a full sentence to each other without crying, or toys flying through the air.

Ok so not much more going on here. I do have a cute pic and a very funny story that I will share later, if I ever get time! PS: all stay at home Moms, where exactly is all that free time that I was counting on when I wanted to switch from full time work to being at home....I've lost mine somewhere!!!! Hope you all have a great week!!!

Caleb's heart

We went to our cardiology appt yesterday and had good news. Caleb's heart is doing about the same and our dr thinks that the narrowing will open more and more as he grows. He thinks he will fully outgrow it without any surgeries or procedures!!! So that is very good. Caleb always does such a great job even when they put all that goop on his chest to do his echo...What a boy!!!

Papa Mike took Luke home with him yesterday, so he wouldn't have to travel to Springfield with us so it's just me and Caleb. We are living the lives of luxury... we actually didn't get out of bed until almost eight!! It's so nice!! (As opposed to 6:30) I think we are going to the YMCA now to get me all signed in for some physical torture!! Yippie! Actually I am excited about taking some Zumba classes.

We got to see Jamie and Bryan last night after Caleb's appt. It was so great!!! Thankfully Caleb's appts do give us a nice excuse to see our Sprgfld friends! (including Jeff and Scarlet) Last night we ate dinner at Jamie and Bryan's and even got to play some games!! It was wonderful! we played a new game called Sequence (the one I just talked about with you Amy!!) It was really fun...even though I was a slow player. But Bryan and I were victorious in the end!! It was so nice to get to spend some time in adult conversation while Caleb played with his toys on the floor!! I think their dog Jack was sad though because Luke wasn't there...they are buddies, and chase each other all around the house!

Well have a good day everyone and I will try to put a pic on here too!

PS: think Luke needs a new carseat?

I'm a computer whiz

Ok so it only took me a couple of days to get these pics on...but they are finally here. Thanks Amy for the kind words (It's really easy to put the pics on there...hee hee) I kept getting some kind of error..but now it works so enjoy!
Here are pics of Josiah the elephant, Megan the princess, Luke the slider and Papa Tony lovin on Baby Caleb.
Luke is hiding in the closet right now (probably pooping as that is his favorite thing to do in there) and Caleb is napping... Luke is also watching the trash truck (maybe he will follow in Dave McClelland's steps someday) He thinks the trash truck is amazing and watches it go all the way down the block
We go to Caleb's cardiologist today so I will let you all know what we found out later..
Also I am listening to Christi's books on cd called "for women only." it is great and I would recommend it to anyone who has no idea what exactly is going on inside your man's head. Since I have three men to figure out, I thought I better get crackin now.
Has anyone read David Ramsey's new money book? I can't remember the name. I saw it at Great Expectations last night and almost bought it...I love his advice on the radio. If you have any opinions on it let me know.
I worked yesterday and each time I do I am reminded of how grateful I am that my loving hubby works so hard for us so that I don't have to work often. Even just one day a week kinda makes the rest of the week an adjustment trying to get back to normal.. although conversations with people of the age of two is exciting. It's funny though because I usually take care of the kiddos anyway. Go figure, I can't escape the little people!
Well Papa Mike is on his way here, so I think me and Lukie or "Wookie" as he calls himself, will make some grilled cheese (aren't I full of hospitality?)
OH!! Also, big news!! Caleb is officially saying Mama!! Ok so it sounds kind like an M sound followed by some random letters, but he makes it when he sees me or wants me so I know it must be Mama!!!! Not a better feeling in the world than that!! DISCLAIMER: He has been saying Dada for over a month, but surely he didnt' mean it!
Talk to you all later!

Finally!!

PICS

Ok I tried to post the pics like 4 times and it didn't work...the site said there was some problem, i will try again later!

Trip to Wichita

We traveled to Wichita Friday evening to see Robert, Christi, Megan and Josiah and had a great trip!! It was nice to see Robert again and meet Megan for the first time! Luke didn't realize that just because Megan dressed like a princess and acted like a princess didn't actually mean that was her name. So needless to say, he called her "Princess" all weekend. It was very cute!! Josiah and Luke were so incredibly excited to see each other and hang out. Josiah is getting so big!! Any traces of toddler are officially gone, and he is such a big boy!

We were excited to see Papa Tony and Nana Sue, and Uncle Jon too! It was great to see Christi's new little family in action and see how truly happy she is! The trip there and back was long, like always, but God blessed us by letting the boys sleep half the way home! So that means Caleb only cried for 20 or so minutes which is definitely an improvement.

It also always amazes me that no matter how long it has been since we have all seen each other (including you all who read this) it just seems like we get to catch up and be right back where we were before. Like the time and distance doesn't interfere because of our love for each other and our desire to stay close!! I think it's very cool and I think we should pat ourselves on the back because not many people can say that they talk to their "high school friends" on a weekly basis, a decade after they've graduated!! I enjoy staying close even though there is such a distance and promise to do my part that it will always remain that way... Think there's any nursing home that can handle all of us some day???? Me and Julie can't be roomies though....I'll hide her teeth and she'll steal my cane and beat me with it!! Hee Hee!!
Well that's all for now..I'll try to post some pics if I can figure out how!!
Have a great day!

HI!

Ok girls..so here I go..I'm attempting to be a blogger..i love keeping up with all of you this way so I think I'll try it!! Luke is supposed to be sleeping but I can hear him up. So i can't take too long...I can't wait to go to Wichita today...we are very excited!! Ok so we'll see if this works!