I love to Picnik!

I have a new addiction and it's FREE. What's better than a free addiction? NOTHING. (Ha)

My sweet Little M! I edited and enhanced them using the website picnik. www.picnik.com

I learned about it from Rachel's blog (thanks Rachel) and I'm hooked. Don't these pictures look great?

It's super easy to use. I mean, if I can use it and get these results than anyone can. Check it out, you won't be disappointed. (Unless your a savvy photographer) It's great for wanna-bee's!

Two in a row!

Sundays that is.... Little M has made it 2 Sundays in a row in our church nursery. No fussing at all. Like any good child she's making her momma a liar AND after my worry that she just wouldn't make it without one of her fits. Of course ,Linda here (runs our church nursery) holds my baby girl the entire time! (Ha!) Next week she is going to try out the bouncer (before I purchase one only to find out that she will only like it for 15 minutes) of course, that's only if Linda is willing to put her down long enough, she really loves her babies. I don't know if I could have made this leap if it weren't for her.

Last Sunday, Linda had everything ready for Little M. Her own cubby for her diaper bag. Her own bed (the babies never share a bed). And this week a sweet lady from our church made a name for her bed. Isn't it cute! I can't tell you how exciting it is to know that she is in good hands and she is happy. Linda is the sister of my great friend Carrie (we had our babies 8 days apart), she knows me and how I am when it comes to paranoia. Thank You to Linda, you are wonderful! Carrie, thank you for sitting in the nursery on her first Sunday, I'm so glad our babies will grow up together at the church! And Julie, our pastor's wife, she is over all the preschool program and she does a fantastic job, she is another reason that I feel safe leaving my kids!

What are doing?

amedjrfswb (pay no attention to those letters, it's for a blog confirmation)
In our house we start potty training way early! Haven't you heard of infant potty training? It's all the rage! (Ha!) Just kidding! What are you doing Little M?
Lately, Little M has been very specific about where she does her business (BM). A little background on our girl, she only does her 'business' every 5 days or so. I know, I know, it's quite a bit of a change from a little boy that used to be hugely, massively constipated if he didn't go every day just 3 short years ago. But Little M is strictly nursed and so, according to the doc, she uses every bit of nutrients that she gets from me. Isn't that great! HEY, I save a lot on diapers! Big change from when we brought her home and she was going every 3 hours or more.
As my little girl began fussing more and more throughout the day, I knew (because a mother always knows) that it was time to get her home. And here she is focusing very hard, doing her business. Funny girl! Maybe this means she will be easy to potty train. One can only hope because so far she is much she is proving to be much more challenging than her brother. Gotta love girls!

And so, I'm trying to focus on the good....

And so, I'm trying to focus on the good and what's better than a late picture of your wonderful family from Father's Day? If you have yet to hear (and I'm sure you have heard because I'm just vocal like that) I walked out to my car this morning to find this...

My first thought is that my husband was in a hurry this morning and attempted to look for something. So, I call him up and I'm like "Honey, what were you looking for this morning?" he says "What do you mean?" and I'm all (you like that? teenage talk, just something different, and I'm in that kind of mood) "Well, you were apparently looking for something, my car is torn apart" (insert teenage hair flip and eye rolling because I was completey oblivious). Silence.... Then he preceeds to tell me that his car door was open this morning but didn't think anything of it because he sometimes doesn't shut it hard enough (he is really easy on the doors and fusses at me when I slam. Are you tired of this () yet?) What was missing you ask? Well, as far as I can tell because I have not had a chance to take an inventory of my car yet, it's just....wait for it.....my son's piggy bank money :( He was going to get to take it to the bank today. If your heart just sunk. then. you feel the same way I did. Here I was trying to plan ahead and it bit me in the butt. So, I'm trying to focus on the good, maybe that person really needed money for food or something. That's my only conclusion because they were not interested in anything else in my car. Maybe the empty Sonic cups detered them. How did they get in? My husband in his extremely busy mind just forgot to lock the doors. All the theif needed was to open the door.

THEN>>>>>>>

oh yes, my morning continued to get more interesting. Off to a play date with Jessica and her sweet and GORGEOUS daughter Aubree. A great time was had by all, kids sitting on the floor excited about singing and listening to the Librarian read some great stories about the ocean. We were enjoying some loud yet creative play when some kid (Uh hum, my son) hit the door with that says "Emergency Exit Only" and let me tell you, that buzzer is not kidding when it goes off. If you want kids to be silent then touch that door, if your ears can handle the buzzer. I nearly toppled over because all the blood in my body reached my face in a matter of seconds. Time to go>>>>>>>

Needless to say, I packed up as quickly as I could and we left. My understanding friends in tow. As we were headed out, my helpful son was opening the door for me and as he was going out, an OLD (not that I'm against old) man was coming in and he got his hand somehow knocked. This old man was more dramatic than a teenage girl. He grabbed his hand and said "ohh, ow, ugh" I politely apologized and in return I got this "CONTROL YOUR HEATHEN" look. Are you kidding me? He was just opening the flippin door!

I told my friend that I should just go home, but, I didn't.

And I'm glad I didn't. We enjoyed playtime and lunch at the mall. I got to catch up with a long lost friend and meet her wonderful daughter and her husband stopped by too. After a long day, I am now enjoying some quiet time while me kids do this......

Bonus! My fortune cookies said "Your present plans will all work out." One can only hope/pray:)

Have a great day and focus on the good!

Mercy

Compassionate forbearance given to one who offends you, instead of seeking for them the punishment they actually deserve. ~Mercy~

(Some great moms that I know)

Parenting has made me wiser than I ever imagined to be. I remember the days of thinking I knew everything. This is how you should do this... Don't do it that way... I'm right, your wrong, I do it the right way and you don't. I'm not ashamed to admit that I was a bit jaded. Living like that can make you great friends (as long as you agree on everything) and mortal enemies (when you can't agree to disagree). After having my son my whole perspective changed.

My way is right! But, so is yours. It's okay that you bottle feed and I breast feed. It's great that you have family to watch your children for the weekend. AND it's okay that I'm not comfortable with that yet. You work at a 'paying' job and I work at home. It's all okay. Your kids are going to be just fine and grow up happy and healthy, I have no doubt. Just as my kids are going to be just fine and grow up happy and healthy, I have no doubt.

I've also learned to take all the advice from friends and family as shared love. Some advice I use, some I don't. I will never get mad for someone sharing their experiences or offering to help. Just today I was reading in one of my new Parenting Magazines ( the freebies that come after having a new baby ) a tip on getting your child to take their medicine. It said "put a little chocolate syrup in the dose of medicine and it will be like a treat". NO, I won't do that! I'm not mad at the Magazine for suggesting that, just like I wouldn't be upset with you for suggesting I do that. Because guess what? What works for one doesn't always work for both.

Sometimes it's like I've been dropped into an unwanted universe where a competition is evolving between mommies and how each parents. One of the best mom's I know does things completely different from the way I do things. Her children are happy, healthy, smart, involved, thriving, and beautiful I might add. (haven't seen her in a while though) My best friend and I do things similar, which is great, because she has 3 beautiful children and a lot of wisdom. I call her up and ask her things all the time. My sister-in-law has 3 wonderfully vibrant children and I could go on and on about their qualities, but I would just bore you even more with bragging by a proud aunt. Back to the reason for the post, my SIL and I are alike and different in many ways. But she is smart and is a GREAT mom. Just because we do things differently doesn't make either one of us better than the other. (Love you Sis)

Not to long ago my heart was really hurt by someone's shared thoughts with how we do things in our household. I've always respected this person and offered help the way others have done for me. And I was floored when this came about though after a lot of prayer and time I'm coming to peace about the situation. Today I was reading MckMama's blog on Mercy at www.mycharmingkids.net she really gave some great verses and reminded me of how God doesn't want us to have hurt and unforgiveness in our heart. Just as he doesn't want us to cause hurt to others.

So, for those:

• I have offended in my once jaded view, I humbly ask your forgiveness.
• New Moms, be aware that you are going to get a ton of advice, take it as shared love and wisdom. It's not judgmental on the way you parent. It's love and caring advice. Take it or leave it and do so without offense.
• Moms like me and feel like there is a competition going on. It's not a requirement to be involved. Just do what you do and keep being a great mom.

The Lord has given us these children. We are to protect, nurture, and raise them as GOD would have us to do. He is the only one we have to answer to. And He knows us in our heart of hearts.

A long post I know, if you read it, thank you for joining me in my journey as a Stay at Home Mom and a new Mom to 2 children. Life is changing and we are finding our new normal.

I have a secret crush...

Ok, so it's not so secret anymore. But I think Adam Sandler is a handsome guy. Who thinks that? NO one! I was thinking it's really strange that I would take a liking to him, especially with all the hotties in Hollywood. Then it hit me, maybe it's just me, but I think I see a resemblance.

So, Happy Father's Day to my wonderful husband. It seems like yesterday that my husband was a first time dad. We celebrated his first Father's Day in Little Rock, AR. Our son was just two weeks old. After a lot of persuasion I reluctantly left my son's bedside and went out on the town with my husband. We visited the Clinton Library (aka double wide) and strolled on the Riverwalk, had lunch and headed back to the hospital. At present our life has become busier than one could imagine and we have 2 children now. We fill like our family is complete. I love my hardworking, dedicated, and loving husband. He makes a great tickle monster, errand runner, and grill master. This year he has been so incredibly overloaded and is handling it like a champ. He became a father of 2, was promoted to Liaison Engineer, coached a little league team and did it all as naturally as if he had been doing it his entire life.

Did you know any man can be a father but it takes a special man to be a dad. The presence or absence of a dad negates our entire life. If you have great dad then you aspire to be like him or in my case marry someone just as great. If you have a crappy dad then you make an extra effort to not put your kids through the same thing you went through. If you don't have a dad then you probably look for father figures or fill that void else where. If the Lord is your Father then you can take comfort in know His hand is in your life. So for every dad, Happy Father's Day!

"Thank You Mom"

After a long and scorching day we came home to rest and pick up. B-man (aka my little tornado) was building a train track on the floor of his bedroom, Little M was creating a surprise for me in the comfort of her crib, and I was busy cleaning the living room when B comes in and says "Thank You so much for cleaning the living room mom, your doing a really great job" then he gave me a big hug. Such a sweet boy. This compliment got my guilty conscious thinking 'What does he really mean?'. he could mean one of two things.
a) "this living room was really mess, it's about time you pick it up, I can barely walk to the kitchen!"
b) he is finally picking up of all my efforts to stay collected and use positive affiirmation when I walk into one of his demolitian zones and ask him to clean it up.

My answer? B
Even though the living room really was a mess (thanks honey for leaving your stuff everywhere, HA), I'm confident that B-man is stepping out of his "I'm the center of the universe" personality and beginning to think of others. He's such a great boy and I'm so proud him. I look so forward to watching him grow up. 'Teach him in the way he should go and he will not stray from it'

Food for Thought

Lately, my life is go, go, go! I'm constantly focused on getting from point A to point B. I need to get the kitchen clean, more laundry to fold, need to go to Grandma's, gotta call this person, run, run, run. But while I was sitting and feeding my Little M, I stopped, and I realized that I'm focusing on what I need to get done after I put her to bed. And I almost missed this, her precious smile, her chattering (just like her momma), and her blowing bubbles. Why am I just going going going? If I'm not careful, I'm going to miss these precious minutes of her being a baby. Just today as I was carrying her, I was thinking how much I miss it when she would just lay on me but now she is head strong and grabbing at things as we walk past.

And so, even though we are moving to a new house and things are stressful. I am promising myself to slow down and enjoy my little girl. She is the last baby I will ever have. And just look at her, isn't she adorable? My heart swells when I look at my babies. I am so blessed.

And for the actual 'food' in my 'Food for Thought' post. Have you ever tried to get your child to eat something they don't like? B-man doesn't like eggs. But the other day I saw this recipe on 'The Doctors'. It's called EGG IN THE HOLE. Ha ha! But......... he ate it and like it. So did my husband for that matter. Just put a little butter in the pan, a piece of bread with a small hole cut out and crack the egg in the hole. Fry up like you would a peice of French Toast. Yum. Yum.

Within These Walls

This is where J and I started our life in 2002. We moved into our brand new home and set out on this journey we call life.

Within these walls we've laughed, cried, and celebrated many milestones. We celebrated our first Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentines, Easter, and Birthdays as newly weds. It was here that I studied late nights as I pursued and succeeded with a my college degree. This is we shared our home with my mom and brother as they transitioned from one house to another. This is where are family began.

This is the home we brought both of our new babies too. B-man on July 7, 2005 and Little M on January 9, 2009. This is the room in which my son's world broadened as he discovered crawling and walking. These are the walls that have seen Santa and the Easter Bunny. Here is where special presents await a birthday boy.

Here is where we had our first meal as a married couple, a Mazzio's Pizza right there on the tile floor (before we had a kitchen table). This is the room where I served new recipes as I experienced the new idea of 'making' my own meal and not eating out. B-man and Little M have both been served their first solid foods in this room. The tile has seen many spills and race cars.

This room has been a mess since we moved in. It has seen every piece of dirty clothing a person could ever own. This is where my children have napped and where Little M still sleeps. (She will move to her room eventually). Here is where I spent each pregnant night and even labored, right there in our bed. I love our quilt and yes I know that my pillow cases don't match but here's the thing, my mom has made each of those pillow cases and each one has funky material and stitching that makes it extra special.

I lovingly picked out the border and paint for this room in anticipation of the arrival of our baby boy. This room that once housed a crib and changing table is now furnished with 'big boy' furniture. Here is where I changed my little boy's first diaper and now where I read him a bible story each night before bed. The 'Pink Room' was once my brother's room and has at times been a junk room/office. Now, my little girl's dresses hang in place of grungy T-shirts and storage boxes. Here is where we had our make-shift living room while the real living room was being remodeled. Often heard within these walls, Baby Einstein's Bach, the cries of an impatient baby, and the squeals of a big brother.

The crib that once held a sleeping baby boy now holds a little girl after my own heart.

As of June 11, 2009 our home is up for sale. I reminded that it's not the walls of this house that make our home. But the memories it has held that will be with us forever. We will always be a family and That will make our next house a HOME.

Life is wonderful and God is in control!

Just ONE wedge please

Okay, I'm not a picky eater but I am a picky drinker. I prefer Dr. Pepper over Mr. Pibb (what girl wouldn't choose a Dr. over an regular Mr. Ha!) 7-up over Sprite and my water HAS to have a lemon if it's on ice. So, last night J was going to Sonic and so graciously asked if he could get me anything. I know he regretted this the second it came out of his mouth because like I said, I'm a picky drinker. My request was simple "Yes, I would like ice water with ONE lemon wedge, no lemon juice and not the whole lemon, just ONE wedge" My wonderful husband just rolled his eyes but he promised to request my water with just ONE wedge. At first sip "WOOOOOW!". He said "I ordered the way you told me" After he took a sip of my over lemoned water his suggestion was to add some sugar and I would have lemonade.

So, when life hands you lemons, save them for later! Ha! I pulled all of these wedges from my Sonic cup! One WEDGE my foot! After I emptied all the water and wedges from my wonderful Sonic cup I refilled it with some of my own purified (Roland's water is NOT drinkable) water and it was still strong. It was late when he went to get our drinks, so my guess is that Sonic just needed to get rid of some lemons.

And today the lemons carry over. Yum, A nice ICE water with just ONE wedge!

What's your favorite drink?

Fun in the Sun

My Little M has been a bit fussy in the afternoon. I know this is for a couple of reasons. See the drool? I think she is trying to teethe. And she is an on-the-go kind of girl. She is such a happy baby when we are out shopping, library, on a walk, and anything else. She just doesn't like being in one place to long (unless she is asleep). So, off for a walk while daddy was cleaning (it's much easier to clean when the Little Tornado isn't present). B-man rode his bike next to the stroller while we walked around the neighborhood. When we got back we decided to break out this slip and slide that he got for his birthday.

Do you see the bubbles? We don't do anything half way when it comes to slip and slides, we doused it with soap. SO much fun!

The water felt so cold to me but it didn't seem to bother B-man at all.

A great end to a great day! Thanks M-ma and Papa for the fun slip and slide.!

Your 5 Months

Happy Birthday Little M! Your 5 months old. What have you been up to?
* You got your first Build a Bear and we named here Mer (mair)Bear. You really seem to love her. I can't wait until you are carrying her around but right now she is as big as you.

*You still aren't acting like a lady. The bottom of your dresses seem to go in your mouth the second you get a chance.

* You wake up about one time each night and then go right back to sleep.

* You still love being swaddled but have recently figured out how to wiggle free, probably because we had to order you a new swaddler and it is a bit big. But you slept like this all night and it didn't seem to bother you. (Nothing like a sweet sleeping baby)

* You enjoy being read to by your brother and mommy. (daddy, not so much)

* Still quite picky about where you sit and then you only sit in one place for about 15 minutes.

* Of course wherever you are if you don't have a pacifier in your mouth then you have your hand in your mouth and mommy gets very upset when people insist on grabbing your little hand. Because I know where that hand is going to end up and I don't know where those other hands have been.

* You love love love being out and about! Here you are gazing at the shark tank (the underground walk way).

* Along with that, if we stay in one place to long then you start to get seriously fussy.

Also...

* You really don't care for being on your belly so, you haven't rolled over yet. Although, you love being on your back and rolling back and forth that way, all while having your feet in your hands.

* We have started you on rice cereal but you don't seem to care for it to much.

* You and your mommy have a very special bond so, when other people hold you you are keeping your eyes on me and even then you give a frown with a few (warning I'm fixing to scream) whimpers until I come back to you. (No, I don't run to you every time. I'm trying not to spoil you, but you tend to cry so hard that you choke, so, I do everything to prevent that.)

* When you wake up first thing in the morning you have a great big smile on your face. It's hard for me not to just pick you up (but I'm trying to get you to be a sleep in baby, not a 5 a.m. baby)

* You love Thursdays when we have a play date with Ms. Stephanie and Kendall.

* Your debut' in the church nursery is not far away. But I'm going to keep you with me as long as I can.

* We have abandoned big bows mostly (because they become a chew toy) and have gone to Briar.Claire baby clips with handmade crocheted flowers.

Can't wait to see what this next month has in store. We love you so much and thank God every second for you and your brother.

Happy Birthday B-Man

Just 4 short years ago my little B-man was born. (Yes, I'm going to reminisce for a moment). He was born 8 weeks early weighing a whopping 4lbs 5oz. He stayed in the NICU for over a month but was quite strong for the most part. We had ups and downs and I remember thinking I would never get my baby home. When your in that situation your vision for the future is clouded and closed in by hospital walls. Then (after flunking the carseat test several times) we got the okay to bring our baby home. If your nervous to bring your baby home for the first time, just picture doing it and having to drive 3 1/2 hours to get home in the VERY stormy summer weather. But we made it and July 7th we had our first night at home. I couldn't wait for him to grow to the point that I didn't have to worry about him breathing all night or getting smothered by a blanket or something. HA! (and YES, I'm the paranoid type) Now, back to the present.

B-man got a bicycle and helmet for his 4th Birthday present. He loved it! We had it set up in the living room so that when he woke up it would be the first thing he saw. He asked me "Mom, who brought this to me?". I'm sure he was thinking Santa, Easter Bunny.... LOL

But in just a short time we were dressed and heading out the door for a fun day as a family in Tulsa.

First stop, the Aquarium. This alligator is sitting out in the front and at first he was quite afraid. But I went right up to him and gave that alligator a hug (thankfully no camera was around. Ha). Then it was all okay *smile*

We had to sit down for a rest and what better place to do it than right next to some beautiful fish. Can you see the wet spot? There were tons of tanks where you could touch and feel different sea life.

B-man may have been afraid of the bronze alligator but NOT the Sting Rays and Sand Sharks.

We had such a great day! After the Aquarium we headed to Joe's Crab Shack where B-man rode a stick horse and adorned a straw hat while listening to the staff sing him Happy Birthday. After getting super mess and spilling his Emmy's coke on his little sister, we had to buy him a new shirt. The shirt read "I'm crabby like my daddy" Ha!

It was also Little M's birthday (5 months) so we headed to a boutique called 'Kathleen's Kids'. And no trip to Tulsa is complete without a stroll through the mall. At the mall we made a bear for Little M. I'll have pictures of this in my next post "Your 5 Months".

On the way home I was sure that the kiddos were so tired and they would surely sleep all the way home...right? NO. Both of my precious children stayed wide awake and talked all the way home. B-man did pass out...FINALLY...with just 5 miles to home! Ha Ha. Then of course they were so tired they both went right to sleep as soon as we stepped in the door, right? NO. It took a while to wind down. But today they both slept a lot! Thank You Jesus for my wonderful family! Life can't get much better.