New Pics and "Going Together"

Charlie's 9 mo. picture. She's a mini-me (girl) version of Sean. Thanks for the cute bib Jodi!
Carley entertaining David...thought it was Ty in this picture. Oops. They look like each other all of a sudden!
Jennie, David, and Carley. This is one of David's smiles that we can't get enough of. He actually poses for pictures!Sean, Jonathan, and Jason. Can you tell they aren't used to posing together for pictures? Sean goes with me, Jonathan goes with Jennie (and David,) and Jason goes with Carley. 'Cuz we are still in Jr. High and all.

Back to School

Okay so I don't have anyone who just started school so for my back to school project I decided to sew Ty into his bed. Well not him exactly just the mesh bumper that HE STILL NEEDS EVEN THOUGH HE WILL BE TWO NEXT MONTH. It has become a bit of a problem--him sticking limbs through the slats out of curiosity (or disobedience,) and then realizing that he's stuck and needs 'hep,' only to find that even his parents are having a hard time getting him unstuck. The crib slats have sharp edges and while he manages to get things caught in them pretty easily getting them back out is nearly impossible. It doesn't help matters that his foot is the size of a 4th grader and since his brain does not match his size he pulls his foot until it blisters/bleeds. See, it's an issue. Don't even go down the big boy bed road with me. My kid would be "wrapping" (with toilet paper,) the whole house all night long if we didn't lock I mean keep him in his crib. 

A few days ago we put the good old mesh bumper back in his bed. About 2 1/2 minutes after closing his door for his nap he started complaining and when I went into his room the bumper was on the floor. Both sides of it. It has man-strength velcro. I wanted to say, "Okay well now if you get your foot stuck it's your own fault...momma tried to help you but you thwarted her plan so you are on your own buddy." The problem is that he is too young to rationalize what that means and all he hears is, "Wah Wah Wah Wah Wah Wah..." (Charlie Brown teacher voice.) And all he knows is that he is hurt and momma doesn't come to help him. Then I feel a little abusive so drastic times call for drastic measures. I sewed his little bumper onto his bed. I let him watch thinking maybe that would ease the trauma. For the most part he views this as me sewing him into his bed and what fun is there in that? No poking feet/blankets/balls/stuffed animals through anymore...You should have heard him whining. 

This morning when Sean went to get him he told me Ty had gotten the box of wipes off the table (how??) and into his bed and had a yard sale with them. He is determined to show me how creative he is with his crib activities. I want to wring his little neck but A) I love him and all of God's creatures and certainly do not want to cause him harm and B) it's kinda funny. 

Happy Birthday David!

Happy Birthday David! You are two now and I think that means you are older than me. (It's Ty, by the way.) You are my best friend even though we don't really know that yet. You are a good friend, always finding me at church when we both just really want to go back home. You understand me and help me out. I like you a lot. Me and you will rule the school one day. 

Momma wishes I would smile on command like you do. Everybody likes it when you do that. All the ladies say you have really great eyes. 
Here we are playing at your house. I really like that car you are riding. Can I have it? Maybe I'll just try to steal it and put it in my car when we leave next time. 
I like it when you smile with a mouth full of food. That is really cool. It's a boy thing and I like it. Kinda gross, kinda practical. Yeah you are cool. You rock David. Happy Birthday. Love, Ty.

Fall Go Boom

Last night Ty was pushing a little (paper-only) trashcan around the house and slipped. He fell right onto the metal lip of the trashcan. What followed was total silence for about 5 seconds then the loudest scream I have heard out of him since Dr. Greebon pulled him from the womb. I had to distract him today to get close enough to take the picture without him noticing. 

Just catching up on a little reading...Chick-Fil-A has the best toys in their kids' meals. 

It's on his left side. See the bruise? 

Yeah there it is.  I know it doesn't look like much but it was a doozy. I slept with one eye cracked because I thought it would bother him but I didn't hear a peep. His sister got confused and thought she needed some TLC during the night ?? so it's nap time around here. For all of us. 

Twirl a Little Poop a Little

Yesterday was a sweet day. I had more patience than usual with little things that came up and our morning was busy (always a good thing.) I had a holiday spirit since it was our anniversary and even though Sean was gone on a trip when we talked it was like it was just us against the world. Leslie's house was fun and I got to twirl with my niece--she seems to be in a princess phase and even in my baby food/regurgitated Motrin/slobber covered shirt I felt like a princess too. We met Carley for a walk-n-eat dinner at the mall and then came home to find trash scattered throughout the bathroom...forgot to put Max in his pen before leaving...but you know, it was a great day so didn't even threaten him. At bath time the kids splashed each other and nobody cried and I was about to text Sean to brag a little and tell him that I have succeeded at being a momma and then what to my wandering eyes should appear but a little poop floating around in the tub. Yep, still defeated.

Three Years

Three years ago what did I know? 

I knew he was cute. I knew he was kind. I knew he was generous with his time. I knew he was organized. I knew he was funny. I knew he was a great photographer. I knew he was a planner. I knew he was a hunter. I knew he was a pilot. I knew he was dedicated. I knew he was forgiving. I knew he was the one. 

And after three fun-filled, blessed-beyond-our-wildest dreams years, this is what I know.

I know he is faithful. I know he was genuinely excited when I told him I was pregnant four months into our marriage. And then again when our first one was only 6 months old. I know he is gifted. I know he is even cuter. I know he is magical with our kids. I know he is merciful. I know he is devoted to me. I know he is happiest when he is serving. I know he is a terrible sleeper. I know he would love to hate me because I sleep like a log. I know he is not a morning person. And that he doesn't like breakfast food. I know that he calls me after every flight even when he doesn't have time because it makes me happy. I know he is crazy about Apple gadgets. I know he is impatient with things and patient with people. I know he already worries about Charlie dating. I know he turns scary movies/TV shows off when I am in the room so I won't have nightmares. I know that his heart is huge and full of grace. I know he doesn't hold it against me when I am not as gracious. I know he would sacrifice the little sleep he gets when one of the kids is sick. I know he is my best friend. I know he reads my blog just so my hit counter will go up. I know he is mine and I am his. I know he is the one.

Sean, you have given me so much and asked for little in return. Thank you for loving me well. Happy Anniversary! 

He's Some Kind of Genius

He's some kind of genius I tell you...and I tried to get him to pose with his work but that's as still as he gets. Yes he really did this by himself!

Feeling Anxious

I'm anticipating a busy Fall and last night I started feeling anxious about what lies ahead. We have been terribly boring the last two years because we have only done things with people that I knew I could have a moment in front of--And believe me I have my moments. Now we will still be boring but with more commitments. I would list them all out for y'all but that would produce some comments like, "But I do all of that on a normal Tuesday...stop complaining!" Plus who really cares...exactly. That's not my point. 

I am blessed with good sleep and never realized that it was a gift until I married Sean.  He is a terrible sleeper--on a good night he gets 6 hours and if I only get 6 hours I am not a happy girl. That's about half of what I try to get and feel like I NEED to function. Yes, that means about 12 hours is just right. Even in college I went to bed earlier than everyone else in my dorm/house. Since I had Ty it has dropped to 10 at best. Way more than most people I know. Sleeplessness is by far the hardest part of having a newborn for me...isn't it for all new moms...anyway, last night while I lay awake wishing I could sleep I thought about how much anxiety wreaks havoc (no idea how to spell that,) on all of us. Sometimes it is fleeting and sometimes it is consuming, but it is never constructive. So how do we put it back where it belongs? (In the gutter) We pray. Then we pray again. Then again and every time we start to feel it creep back in. Do I do this faithfully? Of course not! But I do know that no matter the severity of the anxiety that a person has, praying and trusting God to hear your prayer will help. You know the peace that passes understanding part? It's real. Here are a few verses that I have found very helpful.

"But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord;

I say, 'You are my God.' My times are in Your hands."  Psalm 31:14,15

"I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;

For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety."   Psalm 4:8

"Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:29

Believe that God sees you where you are even when you feel like you don't see Him there. I read a book a few years ago that I often refer back to when I get impatient/frustrated with God. It is called Faith is Not a Feeling and it was written by Ney Bailey. She is a jewel. Bet she gets good sleep at night! 

I got it! I got it!

I haven't been this excited about mail since college letter day...I just opened the letter confirming our hotel reservation for an upcoming trip to Santa Barbara in a few weeks. Where is that Calgon song when you need to link it to your blog? My kids have actually been somewhat compliant today but nothing could be more exciting to me than a little getaway with my man. He used to live there when he worked for SkyWest and he is excited to show me around.  The beach, driving with the top down because it's not 107 degrees, and sleeping until whenever we want...like I said, having a Calgon moment. Now, yes, there will be flying involved so there are flickers of hesitation but I am squashing them now. Once again Nattie and Popeye will be assuming their roles as Entertainment Director and Slave to my munchkins. Once again I'll try to bribe my sister to make an appearance so Ty will learn something new. Once again I will start missing them the second I am gone. Funny how that happens...Happy weekend.  

Pictures

My little family. It looks like Charlie is waving but she has no idea how to do that yet.

Ty was trying to slide out of my lap without getting in trouble.

But then Daddy started singing and dancing so he decided to stay and clap.

Can you tell it was windy? This will be our first anniversary picture without me wearing maternity  clothes...though you can't tell because this dress might as well be.

I think he had just eaten a leaf and he was shoving it into his mouth.

My little bean.  Doesn't she look JUST LIKE Sean?

Babe's

**I'm laughing at Sean whose entertainment for the kids was worth videotaping.**

We took some new pics today because I joined Facebook and I don't have a picture of myself that doesn't include an IV and a C-Section fog written all over my face. I did the Facebook thing so that the high school students will think I am still cool once school starts and we start working with them at church.  I tried to torture Sean to edit the pictures before his trip but since I bailed at 1:00 p.m. and just got home (9:00 p.m.) I really have no room to torture him about anything. Have I mentioned that he is the greatest husband? I went to Emmy's today to help her pick a paint color for her living room. No one ever asks me for decorating advice so she has been asking everyone BUT me to help her for longer than she'd care to admit...and today, thanks to me, we found the perfect color.  You're welcome.  The great thing is that since Sean is so capable I assumed things were running smoothly the whole time I was gone and never worried about anyone. I got to go eat at the Central Market Cafe and finish my meal.  Did you read that whole sentence? I got to eat. At Central Market.  And I got to finish.  Wow.  Quite a change from last night when after fighting both kids to stay in their high chairs Sean and I both exhibited some serious frustration that we couldn't even get through fried chicken and fried chicken is really easy to eat with one hand! Run-on sentence much...We went to Babe's here in Frisco.  Thank You, Lord Jesus for that place. It was our first time there and it reminded me so much of the joints in College Station.  Some good Fightin' Texas Aggie chicken I tell you. Can't wait to go back...maybe on a date? Can you tell we don't get out much?   

A little pico

I conquered something that I have wanted to do for a long time--pico de gallo. Everyone needs to try this. Add things that you like to the basic recipe and save $$ on salsa, or "hot sauce," as we call it in my family. It is a cheap way to add a little kick to tacos, enchiladas, and nachos and you can make it as hot (if you're Sean,) or as mild (if you're me,) as you want.  Here are my ingredients: tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and poblano peppers--which they just removed from the grocery store because of the health hazard--Ideally I would use jalapeno peppers but those have been gone for weeks (months?) around here too.  Maybe wait until next summer?! The peppers will have made their comeback by then for sure. Don't be afraid to add way more cilantro than you would think and try Vidalia onions if you're not a daredevil. I'm pretty sure it burns more calories to chew this than it has in it so it's actually a diet food item. Oh and a tip for you...put at least two layers of Saran Wrap over it in the fridge--trust me.   

Little Help Please

I need a little help. My anniversary is coming up at the end of this month and my husband isn't giving me any ideas for what he wants on the big day.  He is a techie and buys things when he wants them (he saves money for years if there is not an of-the-moment Apple contraption that he wants.) He comes home with things that I have never even heard of.  Surprising him with a techie gift is impossible.  Lord knows I'd buy something on clearance without the possibility of returning it and find out he already has it.  Okay so I need some help.  What are past anniversary gifts that you have given/received that were a hit? 

He hunts, loves sports (FOOTBALL IS ABOUT TO START AGAIN GOD HELP ME), and he loves photography. I'd like to get him something he will like and actually use but I'm not above giving a gift he doesn't really need. I have been pregnant on both prior anniversary celebrations so I'm pretty sure anything but a positive pregnancy test will be appreciated. 

Happy Birthday Popeye

Popeye, 

This picture sums it up. I am so interested in you that I have to just sit and cross my legs to take you in.  Especially when you play your violin.  Will you teach me to really play soon?  I am glad you let me touch your nice violin that you got over in Italy when most people would not let a toddler get anywhere near it.  You trust me more than I should be trusted and that makes me feel good.  I don't know how to say much yet but your name is one of the few things I do say and when I see you and Nattie coming I sure do get excited...sometimes I even flap which worries Momma but you tell her I will be fine and not to worry.  You say, "Don't worry," a whole lot to Momma and everyone around you.  You are already teaching me that Jesus is my friend and I can talk to Him instead of worrying.  

My favorite thing to do with you is eat Blue Bell. Man is that stuff good.  Hope we have a lot of those good times ahead.  Maybe you could let me ride your lawn mower one day soon? My Daddy says our yard isn't big enough to warrant a riding lawn mower so we'll just do that at your house.  Lookin' forward to it.  

On a serious note, I want to talk to you about Momma.  She thinks she knows it all and that she has the right to tell me when I am doing something wrong.  Since we both know I am always right could you talk to her?  Thanks.  I love you Popeye.  Hope you have a good birthday.  Love, Ty.

Big Texas Hair

Today Leslie commented on how much Charlie's hair has grown in the two weeks since we've been to her house--and she's right.  My munchkin is rockin' some big Texas hair.  Girl, you make Momma proud.

She is wearing a hand-me-down outfit that we are positive is at least 7 years old. 

Definately NOT Type A

Drumroll please...the almost-finished masterpiece that is Charlie's room.  The only masterpiece(s) are projects copied straight from The Nester as well as a friend of a friend of a friends' blog whose name I can't recall right now.  I am so sorry if I pretend to take credit for the idea. Or any idea ever on this blog for that matter. 

My blog title is in reference to the clothes peeking out of the dresser as well as other various real life baby things that cover up the adorable chest/mirror combo that I inherited from Sean's sister.  Don't worry--she is alive and well just wanted to get rid of it.  If I worried about the out-of-place things in these pictures I would not be being (bad grammar I know,) true to myself. I am nowhere near a Type A personality.  Actually I sleep right next to one but it hasn't rubbed off on me at all.  If I was remotely organized in thought or life I would not have spent my morning driving around trying to find TJ Maxx Homegoods.  All morning.  From Frisco it should take about 20 minutes to get there and it took me well over an hour.  That's what you get for going from Frisco to Flower Mound by way of downtown Dallas and DFW airport. Those of you living in or around Dallas go ahead and laugh. Sean sure did.  Then he helped me God love him for that. Want to know the worst part? I have a GPS system.  Ok on to the pictures...

See the window with the Africa heat/sun coming through.  What could I make to fit that window? Welcoming any ideas...Nester? Are you out there?

The garland that I copied from The Nesting Place blog.  She's a genius.  And really funny.  And so is her sister.  I have a link to her blog over on the sidebar. "Chatting..."

Excuse the mesh bumper.  I know it's not pretty but it protects little munchkin from getting hands and feet caught between the slats.  I used this for Ty until he figured out how to pull the velcro off.  If I had been thinking I would've ordered her crib in white instead of ivory.  

And without all of the stuff...

The wall of C's...made these with scrapbook paper and modpodge.  Glad I did it but wouldn't do it again.  It is a cheap way to decorate a wall and you can make them any color instead of searching stores for letters. Just go to Hobby Lobby and buy wooden ones of various shapes/sizes and pull out your paper.  Since I went through a scrapbooking phase when I was on bedrest with Ty I have a lifetime supply of paper.  How many scrapbooks did I make, you ask? One. 

What should go under the garland? Big bare space.  Oh and I'll cut the ends off now that I see them.  Ha! Didn't even notice that until now...
We said goodbye to the glider that was lent to us (LOVED THAT CHAIR) and got this one at IKEA.  It doesn't rock as well but it matches much better than the light blue gingham. I made the pillow and of course it's not perfect but I loved the fabric. 

The rug was the starting point for the whole room.  I found it on sale at IKEA and decided that it would be easy to find these colors for other decorative things later--AND when the rug wears out in a few years I can find another one with the same colors fairly easily. 

Ahhh. It is finished. Except for the window and the big bare space.  

Priceless

On a trip to Kroger:

24 Hunts Snack Pack Pudding Cups         --$3.00 (reg. $10.00)

3 lb. bag of Frozen Chicken Breasts          --$5.00(reg. $10.00)

8 Kiwi                                                                 --$2.00(reg. $4.00)

Saving so much $$ playing the 

Grocery Game that you don't 

even care when you drop three eggs 

into your trunk                                          

                                                           --Priceless.

Which one is my kid again?

Look at this old picture of my sister Emmy (4 1/2) and brother Graham (2). Now look at a current picture of Ty (2 this September 14th) I mean WOW are those strong genes or what.