Last post

No need to "follow" this blog. It was from my time spent with AOL and the last 5 years of my life. Go on over to my active blog and follow me there!!!

Moving...

I'm moving to blogspot.  Here is the address to there...

http://emilythecreative.blogspot.com/

I'll start my regular posting over there and hopefully will be able to move all my old entries there soon.  Thanks for reading me for however long you've been following me.  I hope you continue to read at my new piece of the internet.

Darn you, AOL!!

I just got an email from AOL telling me that they will be closing their journals for good on October 31st.  So I somehow have to figure out how to transfer all my entries to another service.  I don't even know where to start.. makes me mad.

Eh...

I'm in a funk...

I feel like lately all my decisions are wrong ones.  I'll do something and then rethink it later and can find 50 things I could/should have done differently.  I'm tired of second guessing everything I do.  I'm tired of wondering if what I say or the tone I use will come across hateful or fake or whatever.  You know?  Like I can say something like, "Hey.  How are you?" To whomever and I'll think to myself, "Did that sound "too" cheerful?  Did that come across fake?".  Does anyone else do this?  I can drive myself nuts sometimes.

There's not much going on here in "O'ville".  We are just readjusting to Kent being home.  I'm still waiting on my letter from the college to come back so I can take whatever next step I need to take.  I'm hoping all this college stuff falls into place.  Because it's going to have to work out in the right way in order for me to go through with it.  I am still having "guilty second thoughts" about going back.  I just don't want to take time away from the kids.  I know.. I know.. I will be giving them more in the end.  But sometimes it's hard to see the finish line when you are still at the starting line.  This all goes back to my previous paragraph.. it's a viscous cycle.

Without going into too many details, because well.. it's private stuff.  My family is going through a lot of decisions that we do have to look at all the pros and cons and see what is best for us.  It's hard decisions to make and I'm praying that we just do what God wants us to do and what would be in His will.  We want to do what is right for our family and what would be the best outcome.

Eh, like I said.. I'm in a funk.  I'm hoping the next entry will be on a happier note.

Something you may not know..

I am not a people person.  I don't make friends easily.. at all.  It took me several months after getting married to Kent to hold a steady conversation with his mother.  The same with his grandmother.  I can count on one hand the number of people who are close friends of mine that are outside my family.  Wait, scratch that.. I can could on 2 fingers how many friends of mine that are outside my family.  And when I say friends, I don't mean people who I talk to here and there and they know about things in my life and I know about things in their's.  I have several of those.. acquaintances I guess they could be called.  I'm talking about friends who I can talk to on the phone for hours and we can have gone weeks without seeing each other or even talking but still pick up right where we left off.  Hmm, wait.. let me rethink that... I can count on ONE finger how many friends, like that, I have.  Is that sad?  I don't know..  I have a lot of people online that I talk to about parent stuff and if given the chance I would meet up with them and I know a friendship would bloom.  But, right here, right now.. only one friend... At least she is a really good friend.  And I'm glad to have her in my life.  We've been through a lot in both of our lives.  She is a really good, one friend to have.

Campfire fun!

KENT IS HOME, KENT IS HOME, KENT IS HOME!!!!!!  Sooooo happy that he is home.  He got home around 10am (they must have been flooring it to get home so quickly).  The kids were thrilled to have daddy home (he brought "prizes.. so that just added to their glee).  I was elated to have my husband back.  It was just great all around.

This evening Kent built a fire and the kids roasted marshmallows.  They had a good time.  They were supposed to sleep in the tent, but it didn't happen.  I figured it wouldn't.  Too many "noises" and toooo dark for their liking.  So they came in and took baths and got in their own nice, warm, soft beds. 

Tomorrow is soccer.  I was told the team we are playing is the "best" team.  So if we beat them we will be doing great.  So far, we are the only undefeated team in the league.  Go Gunners!!!!

Looking forward to the weekend

I just love nap time.  All the kids sleeping.  The house is quiet and still.  I just love days like today.  The weather is beautiful and cool.  It's nice to just let the windows up and let the breeze blow in.  Makes me just feel good.  Just enjoying the day.

This morning I took the kids' clothes (that were sellable) to consignment.  It wasn't crowded at all, so I was able to get in and get out rather quickly.  I hope the clothes sell and I'm hoping to get at least a little extra money from it.  I won't be able to go to the actual consigners's sell but I'm giving my momma the pass so that she and a friend can go.  The kids have a soccer game that morning.  The rest of their clothes that I didn't have time to organize to sell or just didn't feel like going through the trouble to mark them and price them, etc are going to the thrift store bins.

I'm currently washing clothes and just trying to get the house in clean order.  With Kent coming back home tomorrow (YAY!!!) I want everything to be nice and neat.  That way we don't have to worry about chores, we can just enjoy the weekend together before he has to go back to work Monday morning.  It's supposed to be a nice weekend weather wise so we will be able to enjoy it together.

Kent plans on taking the kids camping Friday night.. in our backyard.  We are going to roast marsh mellows and drag the tent (that has been set up in Jon Kent's bedroom for over a week now.. driving me crazy) outside.  I honestly don't think they will actually sleep out there, but you never know.  It will be fun for them no matter what.  Then Saturday the kids have a soccer game at 12pm.  The kids love their games and loving playing with their teammates.  They always have a good time.  And there will be college football games to listen to and watch.  I *think Kent and I will be having an "alone" date night Saturday.. if we can get sitters (daddy??... momma??).  Sunday will be church and then my nephew's 2nd birthday party that afternoon.  So our weekend is packed with things to do, but I'm looking forward to doing all these things with my kids and hubby in tow!!  Can't wait to see him tomorrow!!!

Wordle

Tuesday Tasks

Today I cleaned out the garage, the car and put things that we don't use during fall/winter into the storage building.  The kids played outside and with the new puppy.  By the way, the puppy's named changed and is now named Dodger.  So...  Anyway, I also had to take Jon Kent to the dentist.  His front two teeth have become discolored and I was getting worried about it because it was only those two and I brush his teeth twice a day, more if I thought about it, and they were still brown looking.  So the dentist checked him out, took xrays, the works.  The dentist said that he did have some nerve damage but it was very minor and wouldn't effect the growth of the tooth or the permanent tooth.  He also said that from hitting his teeth it can cause a sort of bruising to cover the tooth and stain it.  So he just gave his teeth a good polish and they were back to looking great.. whew.  I was glad it was nothing too bad.. thankfully.  After the dentist appointment I took the car to the car wash, had it washed and then cleaned out the inside and vacuumed.  Then we came home.  The kids' soccer practice was canceled because their coach was sick.  So we just hung out outside and played and then came in for supper.  Now the kids are watching a movie and they are fixing to take a bath and we'll settled down and watch a movie or read before bed.  I'm hoping after all the youngins are asleep I'll get some more consignment stuff done.  Anyway.. that's it.. for now.  Enjoy the pictures.

Another Step Closer

I just got through filling out my application for admissions to college.  And getting my transcripts transferred.  I'm glad to have it done.  Now all I have to do is wait for my acceptance letter and then get with an advisor to map out my classes.  I also need to get with some one in financial aid.  I'll do that when I go see my advisor I guess.  I still want to do some research on some scholarships and what not.  So we'll see.  I'm pretty mixed with my emotions about the whole thing.  I'm excited, nervous, scared, worried, sad, upset, disappointed.. just a lot of different things.  I so wish I would have done this BEFORE having kids.  Well, I did.. but just not this.  Oh well.. it is what it is.

                                                  *~*~*~*~*~*~*

My in-laws who live next door, got a puppy.  It's a yellow lab.  He is really sweet and is already fixed.  He isn't a jumpy dog nor does he really seem to chew on things.  He is probably around 6-9 months old.  Someone dropped him off at another lady's house and she couldn't keep him so Kent's sister asked if she could have it and Kent's parents said yes.  The kids like him.  Zoey is still a bit scared of him but she is warming up to him.  Jon Kent just loves him.  He loves throwing sticks for the dog (whose name is Jake.. we think.. it keeps changing) and chasing him around.  I think it will be good for the kids.  He's really sweet and good with the kids, so hopefully they will enjoy each other.

Squash

We are still working on our "orange and yellow foods".  He did well.  He is getting the hang of eating.  I hope to start giving him one or two feedings a day everyday from now on.  Once we are done with squash we will do carrots.

Is it stuffy in here.. or is it just me?

Anyone's toes hurting?  I must have stepped on a few with that last entry...  You can always tell when you've touched a nerved because of lack of comments or emails (minus Mary who reads me regardless <wink>).  Anywho...

The kids and I are actually getting into a routine despite Kent not being here.  We just go through our day to day and at night I've gotten down bath time to a science.  I can still tell the kids know something is different because at night Jon Kent's normal anxieties about the dark and such have escalated a bit since his daddy's been away.  I'm hoping he doesn't make a habit out of his new "routines" because it's a pain to break any of his habits.

Nathan is still cranky during the night.  He is still waking up at least 3 times.  Makes for tiring mornings.  I still don't know if it's his teeth or his ears.  He isn't as congested as he has been, so coughing isn't keeping him up like it had been.  He does occasionally cough but not enough to wake him up.  He was cough so hard during the night that he would start gagging and ended up making himself throw-up.  Fun.  He's had this same cold for almost 3 weeks now.  I'm glad to see it's starting to come to an end.

Tomorrow is the kids' (older's) second soccer game.  It should be fun.  They have been practicing a lot of different things at practice, so we'll see if they have learned anything.  Jon Kent and Zoey are still content to just following everyone else while the other players kick the ball.  Eh, they'll learn.  Plus, they are the youngest (Zoey is the only 2 year old) in the league.

Well, that does it for me.. for now.  I'm being summoned to make lunch.  "Maaaaamaaaaa, I'm hunnnnngryyyyyyy!!!".  You would think I never fed the boy.

More politics.. don't like it.. don't read it.

I got this email..  *If it's true.. and we'll see if it is..  Then Obama is a liar and will do whatever it takes to win, no matter if he has to throw this whole country under the bus...  Which if he wins, he'll be doing...

On or about October 5th, Biden will excuse himself from the ticket, citing health problems,
and he will be replaced by Hillary. This is timed to occur after the VP debate on 10/2.


there have been talks all weekend about how to proceed with this info. generally, the feeling
is that we should all go ahead and get it out there to as many blog sites and personal email
lists as is possible. i have already seen a few short blurbs about this - the "health problem"
cited in those articles was aneurysm. probably many of you have heard the same rumblings.
however, at this point, with this inside info from the DNC, it looks like this obama strategy will be a go. therefore, it seems that the best strategy is to get out in front of this obama maneuver, spell it out in detail, and thereby expose it for the grand manipulation that it is.


so, let's start mixing this one up and cut the obamites off at the pass - send this info out to as many people as you can - post about it on websites and blogs - etc etc


if you have any thoughts or questions about this, please be in touch.


lastly, i have put an excerpt from Rudy's speech at the RNC below - it seems to address this
very issue!!


yours in the fight,

excerpt from R.Giuliani's speech at the 2008 RNC:
Well, I'll tell you, if I were Joe Biden, I'd want to get that V.P. thing in writing."

Now, whether any of this is true is yet to be seen.  But *IF* it is.. it shows the true colors of Obama..  That's all I'm sayin'.

I got a little laugh.. 5 years

Tomorrow will be 5 years of me journaling in this journal.  I did the "blog" thing before it was "in style".  Anywho.. I was reading some of my old stuff and I'm almost embarrassed.  You can see my.. umm.. lack of maturity in my writing.  I've come a long way in 5 years.  I'll probably say the same thing in another 5 years.. lol.  Anyway, one of the things I was reading was this...

Friday, October 31, 2003
3:21:00 AM CST
Feeling Hopeful
Hearing To tell the truth....its 3 in the morning...nothing is on! Edit Entry  Delete Entry

Five years from now...

 

Five years from now....where do I see myself?  What will I be?  Where will I be?  I have many questions of where my life will be in 5 years.  Here are some of my goals that I wouldn't mind achieving by then.  I would like to be in a different home.  Hopefully one with 3 or more bedrooms and 2 baths.  I hope to have atleast one child if not two.  I hope that I have taken some classes in photography and have been doing some odd little photography jobs.  I hope that my "bracelet" business has expanded into something really great.  Maybe a bead store or maybe a custom jewlery shop, where I can custom make bracelets or necklaces or whatever.  I hope that Kent has moved up into his career, hopefully where he has an office job and some normal hours.  So far, these are all my goals.  It will be interesting to see what happens!

So let's see..  I am in a different home.  It is 3 bedroom and 2 bath.  We don't just have one child or even two.. but THREE (totally didn't see that 5 years ago.. that's for sure!!!)  No classes for photography but I am gearing up to return to school.  My bracelet "business" just wasn't.. umm... lucrative enough, so no to all that.  Kent has moved up in his career but not to the office job.. yet.  He's working on it though.

So, it was interesting to see what my goals where then and where I'm at now.  So.. 5 years from now what do I see...

I plan to be done with school and working.  My kids will all be in school so I'm hoping they are active in their activities and that I'm involved greatly in their school.  I hope to see Kent in an office job, working normal hours (surely it will happen in these next 5 years.. right?).  I hope we have traveled at least some.  Maybe even out of the country??  I just hope we are all healthy and happy.  Oh and in the next 5 years.. I hope to see McCain as president. ;o)

My Littlest

These are from this morning before heading to the doctor.  Look at those little blue jeans!  And those socks.  My momma bought him a ton of those socks and they look like little tennis shoes.  They even have the little laces and all.  So cute.

The boys' recheck at the doctor

I took the kids to the doctor today.  Both of the boys had rechecks for their ears.  Jon Kent's ears looked great and his lungs sounded fine.  So he is all healed up.  Nathan still has a slight right red ear.  And he has a slight wheeze when he takes deep breaths.  He is on another round of a different antibiotic because the last one upset his tummy.  I have to take Nathan back October 7th for another recheck of his ears and for his 6 month check-up.

Last night Nathan slept some what better.  He woke up 3 times and was restless.  I can't wait until he gets to sleeping better, if only to wake up once.  I keep feeling his gums to see if I feel a tooth, but so far nothing.  Just a lot of slobber.  Both of the older two cut their first one right around 6 months, so we'll see.

Singlehood

Well being a single mom is the pits.  It's only day 2 and I'm tired.  Who knew Kent helped so much?  Bath time is about to kill me.  Eh.. Last night wasn't so bad.  I got all three kids bathed and in bed in about an hour.  Only problem was... my sons don't like to sleep.  Jon Kent has to sleep with his flashlight despite the fact he has 4 night lights in his room.  Nathan is teething or his ears are hurting or something.  But he was up about every 90 minutes or so through the night.  We have a doctor appointment tomorrow, so if it is his ears we'll know then. 

 I have gotten a lot done during the day.  I'm currently fall cleaning and purging stuff that we really don't need.  I took like 5 bags of "stuff" to a thrift store drop off.  Jon Kent and Zoey didn't understand the fact that I was getting rid of their toys and clothes to give to kids who don't have as much as them.  But they finally kind of got the idea.  Tonight when I went to the drop off place I put the bags into the bins (they kind of look like large trash cans) and I got back in the car.  Earlier I told the kids that I was going to drop their stuff off so that other kids could have it.  So I get back in the car and Zoey asks me, "Momma, do those kids live in those trash cans?".  I couldn't help but laugh.

Another Zoey funny:  Kent's grandparents took them to town to spoil them... and as they were in line at Wal-Mart there was this lady behind them that Zoey had chatted with.  As they were leaving the store Zoey kept looking over her shoulder seeing the same lady behind them.  Finally she turned around and said, "Hey.. are you following me!??!"  LOL.  That girl is a hoot.

Well, that's it for me.  It's my bed time.  Yall have a good one!

 

Our Family Weekend

This past weekend we made sure to have a good time as a family.  It was the last few days we would have with Kent for two weeks, so we wanted to make it special. 

Friday: We took the kids to Chuck-E-Cheese's.  They had a ball.  Jon Kent loves, loves, loves to play the games and shoot basketball.  Zoey just likes going from machine to machine putting tokens in.  She is happy as can be with a handful of tokens.  While we were there a "robot" Chuck-E-Cheese came out and did a show.  Zoey went running to see him but about 15 feet away put the brakes on and rethought her plans.  Both of the kids weren't too sure of him.  He was kind of freaky if I do say so myself.  After eating and playing we headed home.  That night I made homemade sloppy joes (none of that manwich stuff) and fries.  The kids were thrilled when we told them we were going to watch a movie while we ate.  So they got to have a "picnic" and movie.  We also baked cookies for desert.

Saturday: The kids had their first soccer game.  It was a hoot!  Jon Kent is #6 and Zoey is #4.  They play in a league of 2-6 year olds.  To make it easier and fair the rules were adjusted for them.  It's a smaller field, smaller goals and no goalie.  Only 4 kids from each team play at the same time and if you put a 2 year old in on one team, you have to put a 2 year old in on the other team, etc.  The kids had a good time.  And while the league doesn't "technically" keep score... we won 13-6.  Woohoo!  After the game we took the kids for ice cream.  Later that night we had a "family date night".  We took the kids to a local steakhouse and ate.  The kids love going there and always ask if we can go and "eat some steak".  They both love steak dipped in ranch.  So we did that and then took them to Wal-Mart to each get a toy for being so good lately.

Sunday:  We just hung out as a family for most of the day.  Kent cooked us all waffles for breakfast and the kids played video games with their daddy and built numerous creations with building blocks, etc.  It was a relaxing day to end a busy weekend.

Kent will be gone until the 26th.  This is the longest we have ever been apart.  It finally hit me today after he left and I was doing laundry that it will be 2 weeks before I see him again.  I know it will go quickly once it's done but looking at it from here, today, it seems like such a long time.  I honestly don't know how military families do it.  I guess.. they just do.  Anyway, I've got some videos of the soccer game and pictures from our weekend, so please enjoy!

RIDICULOUS!

Why in this world is gas $5-6 a gallon?  I know all about Ike and them having to shut down all these oil places, etc.  But really.. we don't know if anything will come of these storms and yet all the gas stations hiked up their prices and most in my town are even out of gas all together.  All because people are panicking.  This morning it was like $3.65 at one gas station and now they are saying before night's end it could be $6.  Ridiculous.

Random Pictures

Enjoy my "mess" of pictures.

Just Don't Forget

The media hasn't been buzzing about 9/11 this year as they have in years past.  Makes me sad to think that we are already forgetting.  I know we, as a country, have a lot going on right now with the Presidential elections and such, but we all need to take a moment.. or really several moments.. to remember what happened 7 years ago today.  We need to remember that our freedom was attacked, our country was wounded and citizens were lost.  Let us never forget how we felt at the moment we found out.  Let us never forget the images of what we show.  Let us never forget the cries of the families as they grieved in front of the whole world.  Let us never forget the pride in country that we felt as we all stood up together and helped each other through that horrid time in our history.  As we move on from this day to the next.. just don't forget.

aoljpictureUpload, aoljpictureUpload_1

Jon Kent singing about his troubles

aoljembedAdd, aoljembedAdd_1

A Jon Kent funny

Let me set the scene:
Jon Kent is playing a guitar (it's actually a play shovel) and he is singing a song that he is making up as he goes along.  He is walking all around the living room just a singing away....

Jon Kent: :::singing::::
Me: Jon Kent, what are you singing about?
Jon Kent: All my troubles.

Feeling better...

After Kent got home I was able to verbalize to him all my anxieties and worries.  He helped just by listening.  He helped by letting me sort through all my thoughts.  What I've learned today from all this: 1) I'm pretty grumpy when my mind is over loaded. 2) That I do a lot from my emotions and not so much from my head.  Which isn't so much a bad thing.. but it can make things complicated at times. 3) That despite what it feels like at that moment.. life does go on and the day does end.  So don't think it's a life and death situation because it always isn't. 

                                                    *~*~*~*

Nathan is trying his hardest to sit up on his own.  He has been semi sitting on his own for awhile.  He'll hunch over and put his hands in front of him like a puppy dog does when they are sitting.  He's been doing that for a few weeks.  But now he is starting to straighten up a bit.  Whenever he is laying down he will try his hardest to pull himself into a sitting position.  So it won't be long now.  Jon Kent was sitting alone at just shy of 6 months (5.5.05, actually) and Zoey was sitting by herself at a little over 5 months (5.6.06, lol).  So in the next few weeks he should be doing it.. How exciting!!

..can't breathe...

I do it to myself.  I know I do.  And that fact alone makes it all just sadder.  Ever have a day where you have a list that needs to get done and you get it done all the while adding to the list?  For instance.. today I had to wash clothes, clean the kitchen, clean the bathrooms and iron.  So, I did all that.  The whole time I'm doing that I'm thinking I really need to go through the kids toys.. they have so many broken toys, toys they don't use, toys they are too old for, etc.  Then I think.. well I need to go through their closets and weed out the out grown clothes.  Well.. I need to go through my own closet and weed out the old clothes, etc.  Well.. I just need to fall clean.  So off I go to make a list to start my falling cleaning.  THEN on top of all that I think, I really need to call the college and get with someone so they can tell me what courses I need to take, what tests I need to take to place me in the appropriate classes, etc.  THEN I think I need to make a list for grocery shopping.. and I need to go grocery shopping this afternoon.  THEN I think, I need to rearrange the stuff in the kitchen cabinets and pantry.. just put it on the fall cleaning list....  I'm thinking all this within seconds of each other... it's really crazy.  I HATE, HATE, HATE doing this.  HATE.IT!!!!!  I honestly feel like I'm slowing being wrapped up from my toes to my head until I can't breathe.  The sad part about all of this is the fact that once I do it all.. there will be something else to do as well.  The day of a mother never, ever ends.  Never.

So to fall cleaning.. I made my list.  I plan to slowly get it done when I can.  Since Kent will be away for 2 weeks I guess I'll do it then.  I also have consignment to do as well.  This may be the last time I do it, I just can't see doing it once I start back to school.  My plate is already full as it is.. adding school to do is just going to make it all the more full..  I'll manage.. always do.

In regards to school stuff..  I'm overwhelmed.  Just being honest.  It seems harder to go back to school than it does to just start school.  You know?  I got my transcripts from my previous school, so all I need to do now is get in touch with an advisor with the school and see what I need to do.  I was told actually getting into the nursing program can be quite hard.  Because there are so many applicants but not enough teachers, so they can only take X-amount of students.  And for the RN program you can only apply once a year.  I hope when I do apply that I will be accepted.  That would make it a lot easier because I can just get it started.  Once I'm started I know it will flow a lot easier.. but right now I just feel like I'm treading water.  Ah well.. enough of my griping.

Happy 5 Months!

Today Nathan is 5 months old.  With each day that passes he just seems to learn and grow more quickly.  He is rolling like a mad fool these days.  He is the first of my kids to roll like he does.  He wants to get somewhere.. he just rolls there.  It's pretty funny.  Now, if he would just start sleeping through the night.. or hey.. just waking up once.  I'd take that.. oh well.. it'll happen.  Happy FIVE months to my sweet littlest man!

Rambling.. on and on and on..

Some days I'll be busy doing something or another and Jon Kent will walk by and it will all of a sudden hit me.. "When did he grow up?"  I swear it seems like he should still be little and talking like a baby.  But there he is, playing like a big boy, talking like a big boy.  We have conversations that actually make sense.. at times.  I don't know when it happened, but it did.  He grew up on me.  And to think that this is just the beginning.  That he will continue (if we are so blessed) to grow and learn.  I guess since he's my first it just seems so unreal.  By the time Zoey gets to a new stage, we have been through it already with Jon Kent so with her it seems like she should be doing those things.  Although I was looking at a picture of Zoey we took at the beach and she just looked... beautiful.  Not that I don't always think that, but.. I don't know.. it was just different.  And not to forget Nathan.. he'll be 5 months old in a few days.  Today he was sitting in the highchair watching the older two play and you could see the learning in his eyes as he watched them run and play.  He didn't miss a beat of what they were doing.  It's these moments that make motherhood worth it.  All the unappreciated days just fade away in these moments of clarity, when I can look at my kids for who they are and can see, if only a glimpse, the bigger picture that God has for them and for me as their mother.  It's peaceful.

                                                           *~*~*~*

Kent is going away for two weeks (!!!) starting the 15th of this month.  He is going to a firearms instructors thingy.  They will be will training him, and others from the prison, to be instructors to teach shooting classes and such.  Two weeks, I will be tending to the herd alone.  Two weeks.  I'm really not concerned too much about it.  I'm an adult..  I just hate to the thousandth degree to be alone at night.  HATE.IT.  I'm really hoping to get over that though.  I mean it's just the dark.  Although it's not so much the dark that I don't like.. but what lurks in the dark.  You can ask Kent and he will tell you that I have a wild way of thinking.  That my imagination's wheels will start turning and I can think of 10 things/people that could be out in the woods just waiting for our lights to go out so they can storm the house and attack us all.  Crazy right?  Yeah, I know.  But still..  Anyway, he'll be gone for two weeks and we'll manage.  We always do.

Kids' School Update and Some Politics

The kids haven't been to "school" in over a week.  Some of it has to do with me, but most of it has to do with the daycare.. or at least the Mother's Day out part of it.  I didn't really like the way it was set up.  There was no real rhyme or reason to it.  They didn't do activities or have a special time for "learning" (no book reading, coloring, etc.).  They had music time, but I think it was only on Fridays.  The rest of the time two ladies sat in chairs and watched the kids play.  I would pack a snack every day for them and would tell the workers where it was in their bags.. everyday their snacks were never eaten.  So they went from 7:30am-12:30 or 1pm without eating or drinking........  The whole situation just didn't sit well with me.  It was just something in my gut that said.. "Umm, this just isn't right."  So, once the kids got sick and contagious.. lol.. we kept them out of school and while I miss having those days free to clean, grocery shopping and spend solo with Nathan, I couldn't justify spending $240 a month for them to be kept and have no "growth" from it.  So whatever.  We found out today that the school district that we are going to send the kids to has a Pre-K program for 3 year olds and 4 year olds.  I think I'm going to call them and see about getting the kids (Jon Kent and Zoey) in next year.  We were told there was a waiting list so I want to go ahead and try to get them on it sooner rather than later.

OK, this may shoo away some of my readers.. but here goes.  I'm a Republican.  Proud of it, too.  I'm not thrilled with McCain but versus the contrary, he'll do.  I like his VP nomination.  I know to some he is just going after the "Hilary" vote.  And he may be..  Smart man, I say.  And now with Sarah Palin's daughter taking spotlight it would seem he made a bad choice.  But I wouldn't agree.  I think the Palin family is doing all the right things.  They have been honest and up front about this.  They are proud of their daughter for keeping the baby (rather than killing him/her) and they have been straight forward that it will be hard for the teen parents and it will indeed be a hard road for them.  They haven't sugar coated it to them.  And at the same time they are proud to be grandparents.  Who, if they truly loved their child, wouldn't be?  In a perfect world the kids would have waited to become parents.. but this isn't a perfect world.  So the Palins are doing what any grandparents would do for their unborn grandchild.. they are supporting that child's parents by being there for them and lending a hand where a hand is needed.  I like what I see in Sarah Palin.  I think she is a strong woman who has balanced being a wife and mother with having a career.  I think she can bring a great spot light to causes for children with Down Syndrome.  She seems to have done well as a governor and I think she will do fine as a VP.  All those who wanted Hilary Clinton in the White House because "it's time for a woman to be at the White House.." well here you go.  She's a woman, she's a mother and in 4 months(ish) she'll be a grandmother too!  Covers all the bases pretty well.

*Note: If you want to leave a comment that's fine.. just know that my views are *MY* views and no comment from anyone will change them.  Thanks.

Thanks

Thanks to everyone who left comments or sent me emails encouraging me with my going back to school entries.  I really, really appreciate it and needed it.  I've been playing and replaying in my mind all the changes that will be coming and how we are going to manage them.  By the time I finish school two of my three kids will be in school themselves and Nathan will be around 2 or 3.  So, I think once I'm done I will see the benefits a lot clearer.  I still worry that I'm shorting Jon Kent, Zoey and Nathan a bit by not having me home full time, all the time.  But like someone wrote to me, they will see me doing something to better all our lives and my occupation will hopefully be bettering to other people's lives as well.  When they get older, I'm hoping the kids will look back to my own experiences and realize that college is important and go and ahead and do it.  I wish now that I would have (at least getting a degree that you want to use someday.. lol).  But like I told Kent, at 18 I didn't see nursing as a career that I would want to have or liked.  I was just too selfish at 18 to even think of caring for other people.  But now, I see the importance of caring for others.  I've been on the receiving end of that on several, several occasions and I would like to return the favor to others.  If that makes any sense at all.  I hope that my kids will look to me when they are older and can understand better and be proud of me.. despite the fact that my time will be crammed with being a wife, mommy and student.  I look forward to the new challenges and adventures but at the same time am really nervous and scared of the unknown.  I don't want to fail at this or give up.  I'm excited though.

Random Pictures from this week

Enjoy!

Deep Breath

I would like to go on record by saying this... Trying to prepare to go to college was a lot easier when I was 1)Still in high school and had teachers, my parents, guidance counselors breathing down my neck to fill out all my applications for schools, scholarships, etc. 2)Younger and felt I had my whole life ahead of me and all the time in the world and 3) I was living with my parents.  If I had a question or wanted help getting the ball moving all I had to do was ask them.  Now that I'm 7 years from my high school graduation and 5 years from my *first* college graduation I feel completely lost.  Like where in the world do I start?  How do I get this ball moving?  I know once it's all said and done and I'm holding my degree all this will be worth it.  But it's stressful thinking about how I'm going to do this.  How am I going to juggle being a wife, mother and student?  Where is the money going to come from (do they sell those money trees yet?)?  How will the kids react to me not being around as much?  And when will I find time to study?  Good gracious alive.  Where to start.. where to start.. where to start...

To:

Nathan-

You completed our family.  You are my baby boy who tipped the scales at 8 pounds, 3 ounces.  In the short 4 months and 20 days that you have been here, you have enriched my life more than you will ever know.  You have taught me that the heart is never too full, that there is always room for more love.  You have shown me that each child is different and with each child there are new challenges and new blessings.  You, my sweet chunky child, have the prettiest, gummiest smile.  Your cheeks are plump and gorgeous.  I love to smell the top of your sweet baby head while you nurse.  Moments like that I hope to hold in my heart and treasure for always.  You give your cuddles sparingly but it's makes it all the more wonderful to enjoy when you do cuddle up for a nap.  My littlest man you have a lifetime ahead of you and I wish and hope for many good and wonderful times in your life with a few bad.. just to make you appreciate the good times.  Thank you for allowing me to be your mommy and thank you for being my son.

Love,

Momma

Sweet Potatoes

Nathan had his first taste of sweet potatoes today.  He didn't really show a negative or positive reaction to them, so I couldn't really tell you if he liked them or not.  He ate about 1/4 of the jar.  We'll try again tomorrow.

Perhaps a new adventure

With full support from my husband I'm possibly going to be embarking on a new adventure come January 2009.  If the money falls into place and the planets aline just right... I'll be starting school.. again.  (Ha, ha, ha.. daddy bet ya didn't see that coming!)  I am going to go talk to the school's counselor and see if my credits from my accounting degree will transfer over to some point and see what all I still need to get a nursing (my Aunt Karen Kay just perked up.. lol) degree.  I'm wanting to get my RN and then transfer over to either Jacksonville State or UAB and get my bachelors in nursing.  When it's all said and done I want to be an OB nurse.  I guess you could say I was inspired by Kent's sister by her decision to do the same.  It's amazing how an 18 year can do that to an elder (ha!) like me.  I was telling Kent that I just really want to do this and feel it's the right thing.  I had such a good experience with my OB nurses with all my kids and I would love to give someone else the same good experience.  It will take a lot of work to do this, especially with 3 kids and a husband but I know it can be done.  It will take time and I'll graduate eventually...  I just hope we can figure out a way to make the money end of all this work.  So anyway, there is it...  I think I may just have lost my mind!

At least it's her favorite color...

Pink.  As in pink eye.  That's what Zoey has.  The doctor said that she is pretty sure that's what it is but if the eye drops that she prescribed Zoey didn't start making the eye look better by tomorrow, to call her tomorrow and get her reseen because it could be something else that is more serious.  She also put Zoey on antibiotics.  Jon Kent has an ear infection in his right ear.  He is also wheezing again and does with every cold he gets.  We have been putting it off for awhile now to actually say in writing that he has asthma but she finally wrote it in his charts today.  So he is "officially" diagnosed with asthma now.  He is on two puffs of his inhaler a day until Spring and then we will recheck him then.  For now he is on breathing treatments every 4 hours and also on an antibiotic.  Jon Kent goes back in 3 weeks with Nathan to have their ears rechecked.

Frustrated Wuss

We'll be going back to the doctor tomorrow.  :::HUGE sigh:::  The kids came home this afternoon and Zoey's left eye was runny with green gunk.  By the time bedtime rolled around it was pretty bad and her whole left side of her face was swollen.  So after JUST being at the doctor's today I'll be there tomorrow.  I'm going to take Jon Kent too and let the doctor give him the once over as well.  Might as well because if I don't, I'll just have to take him before the week is over.  Not to mention he has been complaining today of his stomach hurting and he is coughing, snotty nosed, etc.  It's not even winter and all this junk has started.  I was talking to a friend of mine and she said her daughter has the green gunky eye and my nephew also has it as well.  The common link in all this.. they all go to the same daycare.  I don't know if it's going through the kids there or if my kids picked it up from a store or a playground or what.. but it's not sitting well with me.  They don't HAVE to go to the daycare.. it was just more of a luxury for me and a socializing thing for them.  But if they are going to get sick from going there.. well the wussy, over protective mommy that I am will just give up her two free days and keep them home.  I'm going to wait to see what the doctor says tomorrow as to what she thinks it is.. so I'll make my final decision on that later.  I just don't want to go back to the cycles of going to the doctor every few weeks like we did last winter... at least if I can help it.  Blech... 

Ear wax troubles

I had to take Nathan to the doctor today.  He has had a cough and rattling in his chest for a few days now.  I thought it was better to be safe than sorry and go ahead and take him in.  He got weighed again and was 18 pounds and 15 ounces.  He is almost 19 pounds!!  Wow!  Anyway, the doctor gave him the once over and his chest and lungs sounded fine.  She looked in his ears and then had to clean them out because of all the ear wax.  (Side note: Nathan gets his ears cleaned every night but by the next day he has more.  I swear if there was a market for selling ear wax that boy would make us millionaires!)  Once she got them all cleaned out she looked at them and one was infected and the other was starting to get infected.  So she put him on a round of antibiotics for 10 days.  We have to go back in 3 weeks.

In other news, it is raining and raining and raining here.  We need it though so I'm not complaining.  I'm just not used to it.  We are dealing with the remains of tropical storm Fay.  It made for an interesting morning while trying to get to the doctor.  A tornado warning was issued for my county and then the county that the doctor's office is in.  It really did make for fun times.  We are supposed to be getting rain from this same system for at least another full day, if not two.  I need to find some things for the kids to do... or we will all go crazy! 

I'll take that in a size...

SIX!!!!  Woot-woot!!!  I'm in a 6 again.  Woohoo!!!  :::Takes my bow:::

I'm not saying I still don't have a long way to go to get my body back to what it once was (if it will ever be that way again for that matter) but it sure feels good to be back to a six. 

Now back to your regularly scheduled entries...

"I just cried a little."

I went to pick the kids up this afternoon and they were both perfectly fine.  In fact, Jon Kent didn't even realize I was there because he was running around playing with another little boy.  Once he did realize I was there, he came running to me telling me how much fun he had.  His teachers said he did great for the rest of the day.  Once he got calmed down, he was fine.  Figures.  I stressed all day about him and he was off having fun.  I'm glad though.  I'm hoping it will just get easier and easier.

I have yet another video of Nathan.  This time I captured him rolling from his back to his belly.  He is rather good at doing it now, too.  Whenever I lay him down he will automatically roll over to his belly.  And while he knows how to roll from his belly to his back, he gets mad and refuses to do it.  Silly little boy.

The pictures above are from tonight.  Kent's sister's boyfriend left his car unlocked.. and all I can say is that he should've locked it.  LOL. 

aoljembedAdd, aoljembedAdd_1

Good Grief!

I took the kids to "school" this morning.  Before the car was ever in park Jon Kent starts crying.  I told myself over and over that I HAD to make him go.  He has to learn there is a world outside of me and outside of our small circle of friends and family.  He HAS to learn.  His 2 year old sister has learned it and has LOVED it, so he needs to as well.  He cries all the way down the hall and into the room.  Once we are in the room he starts getting louder and louder.  I'm trying to fill the drop off paper work as quickly as I can, so that I can get out of there and removed myself from the situation.  Hoping it would calm him down.  I kissed him on the forehead and told him to go play and kissed Zoey and told her bye.  By the time I got through the door to leave he was SCREAMING and SCREECHING and stomping his feet and flinging his arms.  As I walked down the hall other teachers were opening their doors, looking out to see what in the world was going on.  I gave an embarrassed smiled and kept on walking.  I got outside to my car (it was parked near the door) and could still faintly hear him.  I felt like the absolute worst mother in the world for 2 reasons.. 1) I just left my first born screaming and probably feeling abandoned and 2) I was mad at him for embarrassing me and making this seemingly easy thing so hard.  He knew he was going, he said he wanted to go, said he wasn't going to cry, knew I was going to pick him up later, etc.  He knew all of this and still just loses it.  It makes me wonder if I am doing the right thing.  Or if all the things in the past I did were wrong by making him need me so much, by not letting them spread their wings more.  But how can that be when Zoey loves going and loves doing new and different things, with or without me.  I know it has a lot to do with personality but good gravy..  I don't know.  It just wasn't a good morning.

Archives of First Feedings

It's amazing how all my kids look a lot alike at about the same age but also have different features as well.  Of course none of them look like me.. I'm not bitter, really I'm not.

A Day of Many Firsts

Today started off like any other day.  We got up, I cooked the kids' their breakfast and we got ready to take the olders to "school".  As I was walking back and forth through the house Nathan was in the floor playing on his mat.  I walked through the living room at one point and he was on his belly.  The boy flipped from back to tummy and I didn't see it!  But it still counts as his first time doing it.

So, I get all the kids loaded up and ready to go to school.  The whole way there Jon Kent keeps telling me he doesn't want to stay and he doesn't like it.  It's breaking my heart and stressing me out all at the same time.  I told Jon Kent over and over the consequences of him not staying at school and going home with me.  1) He would have to go grocery shopping (which he HATES), 2) When we get home he is going straight to timeout, 3) No trip to see his Granny and Paw Paw the next time they ask for him.  He was fine with it all.  I couldn't believe it.  So we drop Zoey off at school and off we go.  And I kept my word too.  And on top of that he had to clean up all his toys and Zoey's toys.  Not only did he enjoy himself all day, he thrived on being alone.  It was weird, if I'm to be honest.  So I don't know what I'm going to do about the whole school thing.  Maybe just let Zoey go.. I don't know.

While I was cleaning up the house Jon Kent was playing with Nathan and acting silly for him.  Nathan got such a big kick out of it he was belly laughing.  It was hilarious.  Jon Kent loved the fact that Nathan was laughing at him.  He kept acting silly for the longest.  Here is a video of that.

And lastly, today I fed Nathan cereal for the first time.  I said I was going to wait but I just wanted to see how Nathan did.  If he fussed with the spoon or spit out more than he ate I was going to just quit and start in another two weeks or so.  But he did very well and ate half of the bowl I made for him.  We'll do it again tomorrow as long as he doesn't react badly the rest of the day to it.  Here is a video of that as well.  Also, enjoy the pictures from it too.

 

PS: The first video is still "processing" so you may have to revisit it once it's done.

aoljembedAdd, aoljembedAdd_2

Giggling and Rolling Videos

Two videos for you to enjoy.  One is of Nathan laughing while Kent was playing with him and the other is of Nathan rolling from tummy to back.  Ignore my annoying voice in the rolling video.. it was keeping Nathan from crying so he would roll on camera for me.  I sound super stupid.. but I'll still share the video with you.  ;o)

 

Soccer Try-outs

The try-outs went well.  The kids went right along and didn't hesitate or cry or anything.  We told Jon Kent to take care of his sister but Zoey ended up taking care of Jon Kent in making sure he followed the group.  It was cute.  A lot more kids showed up than I was expecting.  There had to be at least 25-30 kids in just the 6 and under group.  The coaches are going to pick teams Tuesday afternoon and we'll know that night what team we are on and when practices will start.  The first game is September 13th.  The league manager also mentioned that basketball sign-ups start in November.  That is something to look forward to for Jon Kent.  Zoey doesn't care for basketball one bit.. takes after her mother.. smart kid.

Ugh.

I dropped the kids off at "school" this morning and Zoey was good to go.  Jon Kent screamed... and I mean SCREAMED.  It was that ear piercing scream that makes your skin crawl.  One of the workers took him out and I said my good-byes to Zoey and high tailed it.  When we went to pick them up they were both happy and excited to see us.  The teacher said that Jon Kent even made friends with another little boy (Gunter, I believe was his name) and he did fine.  As we were getting into the car Jon Kent told me he didn't want to go back to school.. ever.  That he was put in time out, again.  I asked him why he was put into time out and he said, "Because I was crying for you."  Ugh.  Make me feel as small as an ant, why don't you...  He has since told me repeatedly that he doesn't want to go back to school.  Zoey does, but he doesn't.  Part of me just wants to keep him at home so he doesn't cry and scream anymore.  It was pretty heart breaking.  But another part of me wants him to get used to it.  Because next fall we are going to put him into a pre-K class at one school or another.  And once he is in there he is staying, period.  I just don't know what to do.  I'm torn about it.  He would benefit so much from the mother's day out because he is socializing with other kids.  He is such an anti-social kid (sadly he gets it from me).  But once he gets in there and gets going he seems to be fine.  I just worry that if we keep pushing him he will start resenting "school" and not look forward to it anymore.  I don't know.  What should I do?

Gearing Up For Soccer

We signed Jon Kent and Zoey up for soccer this season.  "Try-outs" are tomorrow morning at 9am.  We got both of the kids their cleats and shin guards the other day.  They were really excited about it and have been practicing kicking the ball into the goal.  Jon Kent is more interested in the actual game of it.  Zoey just likes the "new shoes" and dressing the part.  They are both cute in all their gear though.  I'll try to remember my camera tomorrow so that I can take some pictures of their try-outs.

aoljembedAdd, aoljembedAdd_1

Nathan's 4 Month Check-up

We went today for his 4 month appointment (6 days late...).  He weighed 18 lbs, 3 oz (90th %); 25.5 inches (75th %); 17in (50th, I think, %) for head.  He got his shots and all that.  Said we could start him on cereal, yellow or orange veggies, etc.  She said to start feeding Nathan with a spoon and I was like "hmmm ok...?"  She thought I had been giving him cereal in a bottle since he was getting so big.. LOL.  I was like he is just breastfed we haven't even started any type of foods.  She was like, "Oh, well good because I was going to tell you to stop putting it in his bottles." LOL  He is just a big chunk of baby loving, all on mommy's milk!  We go back in 2 months.

Reporting

Well, at 2pm I was pacing.  My house was clean, Nathan was worn out from playing solo with mommy all day, clothes were washed and I still had an hour left...  I was missing my babies and just wanted to know how their day went.  So finally it was time to pick them up and they both came running to me with HUGE smiles on their faces.  They had a good time.  YAY!  Jon Kent and some little boy (the boy with orange and black stripes on his shirt.. as Jon Kent says) had to be put in time out earlier.  They were throwing blocks at each other...  Sorry I laughed when the teacher told me.  Ooops.  Jon Kent told me that the little boy threw blocks first...  Zoey must have turned on the charm because she was obviously the teacher's pet because the teacher said that Zoey ate ALL her sandwich.. wanna know why...  because the teacher FED it to her.  LOL.  Then the teacher wanted to know why I didn't put any cantaloupe in Zoey's lunch box but I did Jon Kent's because "she wanted some too."  Zoey doesn't usually eat cantaloupe but apparently since Jon Kent had some she thought she should too.  They both said they had fun and played with all the kids there.  There were a lot more kids there when I went to pick them up than was there when I dropped them off.  The only disappointment was that they didn't get to play on the playground.  But they understood that they couldn't because it was raining.  Maybe on Friday they can.  So, that was their first day of "school".  I'd have to say that it was a really good day for me too.  I was able to take my time grocery shopping and Nathan got some good one on one time with me.  We played and laughed.. it was good for all of us. 

First Day Pictures

The kids (Jon Kent and Zoey) had their "First Day of School" today.  Really it's just a Mother's Day Out program but it was their first day away from me and being kept by strangers.  It started off OK.  Jon Kent started crying at first but he wasn't hysterical.  He calmed down quickly once he learned he would get to play on the playground and do all sorts of fun things.  Zoey was Zoey.  She jumped right in and told everyone her name and Jon Kent's name.  When I left they had found a huge box of toys and were playing with another little girl.  I'll be back later to update again after I pick them up and see how their full day went.  Here's hoping it went well!!!  By the way, I didn't cry!  I wanted to and almost did but I swallowed the lump in my throat instead and went to buy groceries in peace.

I really...

... want to chicken out.  Tomorrow is the big day.  The first time the kids have ever been kept by strangers.  They are off to "school" tomorrow.  Oh how I hope Jon Kent doesn't cry.. heck I hope *I* don't cry.  Goodness.  I'm more nervous than they are.  They are excited and talk about it all the time.  I, on the other hand, can't stop thinking about them needing something and not getting it.  I won't be there to hold their hands or pick them up if they fall.  Goodness.  BUT.. I am excited for the day to myself.. or at least to myself with Nathan.  We are going grocery shopping (if it's not raining) after we drop the olders off.  Then it's home to do the housework in peace and play.  Nap time will be quiet that is for sure.  Kent will get off at 2pm and I guess we'll all go to pick the olders up at 3pm.  I'm hoping when we do they will still be excited about school.  If not, well.. there is always homeschooling....

To:

Zoey-
My sweet surprise.  You were the girl I dreamed of having since high school.  I always wanted a "Zoey" and you fit the bill.  You are full of life and spirit.  You are sweet, loving, caring and forgiving.  You are more beautiful than I could have ever imagined.  But you aren't all neat and pretty.  You love to get dirty with the best of them and that's what makes you, you.  You love to makes messes, but I'm coming to see that's how you learn.  You have to get your hands dirty and break a few things to figure it out.  You have made me so proud and my heart full.  When you sing and dance it always puts a smile on my face.  Your innocence is pure and beautiful.  You find the simple things in life the most comforting.  Each morning as we snuggle in bed and you play with my ear is a memory in the making.  One that I hope to never forget as you get older.  You have brought more to my life than you will ever realize and I'm hoping as the years pass that we can have more than a mother-daughter relationship, that we can have a friendship as well.  I love you sweet princess, always have and always will.

Love,

Momma

I.. like.. totally forgot

Yesterday was Nathan's 4 month birthday.  With all the excitement of Zoey's crazy acts at the dentist office, I completely forgot to put it into my journal.  Maybe he won't hold it against when he is older. ;o)

I got the kids into a local "Mommy's Day Out" program.  It's on Tuesdays and Fridays from 8:30-3.  We'll see if it pans out though.  I'm so afraid of Jon Kent getting hysterical when it's time for me to leave.  They both seem really excited about it.  I think I'm the one dreading it the most.  I mean I want them to go and I'm looking forward to having those two days to just be with Nathan and to get things done around here.. but at the same time I've never done this before.  It's just always been us and if anyone kept them it was family.. not strangers.  I don't know.  I know several people who use the same daycare and they like it so we'll just have to see.  I'm going to and get the kids some back packs and nap sacks sometime this weekend.  Off to "school" they go...

She's a funny drunk

Zoey had to go to the dentist today to have 4 cavities filled and one of her back teeth rebuilt.  The dentist said the best way to handle these types of procedures was to give her a little bit of calming medicine in sprite.  So that's what we did.  The nurse said it would take about 10-15 minutes for it to take effect.  So we went back out into the waiting room and she went over to the blocks and was playing other there with some other kids.  I was keeping an eye on her making sure she wasn't stumbling around.  Ten minutes passes and she was still acting fine.  About the time I told Kent it had already been 10 minutes I look up and Zoey is doing the tilting sideways walk and then she falls over.  I run over to pick her up and she is laughing.  So I take her over to where Kent was sitting and she is just giggling and having a grand ole time.  Kent shot the video of her about that time.  Kent says, "Zoey I love you."  She then follows up with "I looovvvvvvvve...." then laughter.  The waiting room had some people in it and we were the show for the morning.  The nurses were laughing.. it was just funny.  After it was over I went back to talk to the dentist and he said Zoey did wonderfully through it and she even giggled during it.  He said he couldn't have asked for better and she was one of the best he has seen.  When Zoey came out they had a gauze thing between her teeth and it was poking out through her lips and she says to me, "Look momma, my lips have a pillow."  I about died.  She said that in the sweetest, drunkest voice ever.  The dentist said, "Yeah, I told her that her lips were asleep."  It was so funny.  She was loopy for about another hour and then was fine.  She doesn't even remember seeing the dentist.  She just remembers drinking the sprite and after that nothing.  Too funny. 

PS:  The video is a little grainy because it was taken with a cell phone.

.

Family Portrait

These are the pictures that we took today.  There are a lot of them!  Enjoy!

Nathan's First Time...

...swinging.  At least in a big swing.  At first he didn't know what to think of it, but after a few swings back and forth he got to enjoying himself.  Jon Kent pushed him for awhile and Zoey too.  I remember the first time I put Jon Kent in that same swing and Zoey too.  Zoey laughed her head off the entire time.  She loved it and still does.  Here is a video of Nathan's first swing:

Last night's bed changes didn't go so well on the Nathan end.  He was up not once, not twice, not even three times.. he was up FIVE times.  FIVE!  I think he just isn't used to the biggness of the crib.  I'm hoping he adjusts soon.  I can handle getting up twice but not five times.  I'm one tired momma this today!

We are going tomorrow to have pictures made.  This will be Nathan's first professional pictures since his hospital picture.  We are getting a new family picture made, since the last one we had done Zoey was 11 months old.  We need an updated one with our new addition in it.  I'm hoping the kids behave. 

aoljembedAdd, aoljembedAdd_1

Cha-Cha-Cha-Changes

Zoey is out of her converted crib/toddler bed and is in a big girl bed.  The crib/toddler bed was coverted back into a full crib and is now ready for Nathan.  He was out growing his cradle by the day and his arms were hanging out of the slats.  I hope he likes the crib, it's his only choice for awhile. 

Yes, he can breathe

 

He is too funny.  This is the way he likes to sleep.  I will put the blanket around his waist and legs and he will kick it until it's over his head in one form or another.  Jon Kent told me that Nathan looked like an ice cream cone.  Which I didn't notice it before, but once he said something about it, I could see it too.

To:

Jon Kent-
All my hopes and dreams were born in a 5 pounds, 8 ounce screaming package.  You were so small but so strong.  It took time and is still taking time, but I'm coming to learn the lessons you were sent to teach me.  Patience, compassion, love for the uncontrollable, mercy, humility.  You are teaching me those things.  You have taught me to see things just as they are.  A paper messy with finger paint is really a work of art.  Two straws are really battling figures or swords.  A stick found haphazardly in the yard can be used for sword fighting, pretend fishing or as a bat.  There are times I wish I had more time to just be your mom and that you didn't have to share me.  Not because I love your sister or brother any less but because I want to enjoy each of you for as much and as long as I can.  My heart hurts when I feel like I can't give you enough of my time or energy.  When all you want is for "You to hold me" but I can't right then.  It hurts.  You deserve to be held until my arms fall off.  I wish you could have me all the time.  You deserve that and so much more.  Jon Kent in the last 3 years, 8 months and 19 days you have blessed me with more memories than you could ever imagine.  I love you with all my heart.  I may not be able to hold you forever but you will always, always have my ear for listening, my shoulder for leaning, my hand for holding and my heart for loving.  You deserve that and you will get that. 

Love,

Momma

One Year Ago

It was this time last year that Kent and I made public to family, friends, j-land that we were expecting our third child.  It's wild to think that it's been a whole year.  We have since had a healthy little boy who is full of smiles.  It just doesn't seem like it's been a year.  Wow.

Today we took the kids shopping for fall/winter clothes.  It's tax free weekend here so we took advantage of it while it was there.  They all still need a few more things but for the most part they are set.  They actually enjoyed going with us.  They seemed to have had a good time.  Nathan was pleasant the whole time.  He just rode and looked around or slept.  He has been in such a good mood today.  Then early this evening Kent and I went to the movies to watch the latest Batman movie.  It was alright.  I'm not one for those kinds of movies but Kent enjoyed it, so that's all that matters since it was for his birthday.  About 10 minutes after we got home from the movies my county got put under a tornado warning.  The lightening was pretty intense and it got windy.  But it didn't last too long.  All is quiet now.

Beach Video/Random Pictures

Here is a video from the beach.  And the pictures are just randoms from the last day or two.

aoljembedAdd, aoljembedAdd_1

Giggles Video

Here's a video of Nathan laughing.  Enjoy!

aoljembedAdd, aoljembedAdd_1

Ha ha!

Two days ago was Kent's 27th birthday.  I cooked him a cake and his favorite meal.  We hope to go out on a date (dinner and movie) this Saturday if we can find arrangements for the kids.  He got a card from the kids and me.  The only thing he specifically asked for was for Nathan to laugh out loud for his birthday.  Sadly, Nathan didn't do it for him.  BUT today he did.  I was kissing his chunky thighs and tickling his belly and he laughed out several times.  We tried to get it on video but Jon Kent and Zoey kept talking.. so I don't know if you can hear it or not.  Anyway, I'll try to get a good video of it and will load it for your viewing pleasure.  Also, I'm still going to load the videos from vacation on here as soon as I get some more time to play with them.  So stay tuned.

More of our beach vacation

We had an all around good time on our vacation.  To really go through each day would get too detailed and to be honest I'm still too tired to really think it through.  Our days went something like this.. Wake up and get the kids dressed, take them to the beach, come back eat breakfast, go back out to the beach, come in eat lunch, nap, get dressed and ready to go out for the evening, come back to the condo, get the kids ready for bed, sleep and then do it all over again.  One day when the waves were just too rough we took the kids to a place called "Pump it Up".  It has all these inflatables indoors and the kids ran and played on it for about an hour or so.  They were wore out to say the least when we finally left.  It was neat and they enjoyed doing something different.  Plus it was only $12 for the both of them.  Another highlight of the trip was that Nathan rolled over (tummy to back) for the first time.  And for the first time in all my kids lives, I wasn't the first to see it.  My parents were and they sure loved it.  He rolled over on the 21st and then again on the 25th.  He is trying his hardest to sit up on his own.  I'm telling you, over the past week he has grown and developed in leaps and bounds.  He also found his feet last night.  Now he is just fascinated with them.  Too funny.

Well, I'll be back later with more pictures and maybe more details of other things that happened.  Yall enjoy!

What I learned

A crying hostess + a door + my child's face = one MAD momma bear.

1 hurricane + 2 red flags = a bunch of scary rescues.

1 rainy day + a massive headache + 2 hyper toddlers + 1 cranky baby = a not fun time at Margaritaville.

10 tickets + 5 kiddie rides = 2 happy kids.

1 early morning to the beach + 2 kids + 1 baby = a happy momma with a camera

Naptime + a watchful Poohba = my time to lay out alone to tan.

1 wife + poor directions = frustrated but smirkful husband (he knows he loves me!).

1 table + 1 broken chair = a bruised ear on my big little man.

2 kids + 1 bed = late nights of giggling and not going to sleep.

90 minutes + 4 inflatables = 2 tired, tired kids

10 people + 3 bed condo = tense moments but good times.

More pictures and videos to come!!