Thanksgiving Recap

This Thanksgiving there were many things to be thankful for. Topping my list was my family. See why?

Aunt Emmy risked her back and held Charlie during the parade of runners at the Turkey Trot. Notice we weren't running--we were WATCHING. It was a success as far as minimal crying and the entertainment factor was very high. Max had the time of his life and thank You, God I was not in charge of keeping him contained. This was Sean's first Turkey Trot with the Jenkins and when we were leaving I asked him which was worse: Turkey Trot or State Fair. He said he'd be happy to do the Turkey Trot again year after year...He didn't say that about the State Fair. Growing up in the same area he had never done either one! That's un-American. My parents made Sean a cherry pie, his favorite dessert. Then, to show their dedication to the perfect Thanksgiving meal, they drew an airplane on the top. Isn't that cute? 

Charlie's birthday will always be around Thanksgiving so for her first one, we set the bar pretty low. Since she doesn't eat food with her hands (?) she got a little bite of icing and a few stuffed animals and she's a happy camper. Nothing wrong with being low-maintenance! 

I'm of course thankful for the health of my kids and so far, this new baby appears healthy. Last Thanksgiving I waddled around my house watching everyone else fix the meal. Since I wasn't allowed to travel more than 20 minutes away from the hospital, everyone came to me. It was freeing to get to go to both sets of parents' houses and haul the kids around to see everyone. Tiring, but great. Yesterday we stayed home all day and put up the Christmas decorations. Hoping to take pictures later today and show you what it looks like!

One

If Charlie could read, I would write this letter to her for her 1st Birthday:

Dear Bean,

I don't know why I call you "Bean" but since switching to that from "Stinky," I have found it fits you. You're like my little jelly bean, sweet and uplifting to people who see you. This is a picture from the first day that I met you. You were a big girl, and at three weeks early you still outweighed your brother. Someday you will probably have a complex about that but I hope that God teaches you early on that you are truly beautiful and that it doesn't matter what you look like--You are His baby girl and you are perfect.

On this day one year ago, you came into the world and never cried unless you were hungry. Like really hungry. In the hospital I prepared myself for you to 'wake up' and stop being a good, easy baby. You never really changed. To our delight you slept for four hours between every feeding and slept through the night all by yourself without us having to let you cry.
Your Daddy took this picture. Man does he love you, Bean. He thinks you are the cutest thing ever--and I do too since I think you look just like him. Your Daddy is already making up excuses for why you won't be allowed to date until you are 40. 
Oh this is the look we get an awful lot. You just sit and watch everything and kind of look adoringly at your brother and at us. You are a content, lovely little person and it doesn't matter that you are not hitting any of the milestones set up for you--Like I said, God gave you to us and you are perfect. You can crawl one day if you want to and if not I guess I'll just keep lugging you around until you throw my back out. 

This is you in your happy place. Aside from your thumb in your mouth, this is how you sleep at a year old. Kind of praying maybe? Oh you are so peaceful when you sleep. I am so thankful that you love to sleep!! Mommy prayed specifically for a good sleeper and you have become a champ in that department. I have to admit I do actually like comforting you a little when you wake up early in the morning (what am I saying?) because you still love to cuddle. You are my baby girl and I had no idea how powerful that would be to me until I held you. Then when Daddy holds you and talks to you, oh how I melt. 

Little girl, you are loved and treasured. Happy Birthday!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! We are gearing up to go down to Nattie and Popeye's house tonight, where we'll be all day tomorrow. We celebrate the day before with my family, full meal complete with Martha Stewart recipes. One day last week Mom said, "You know I think I'm becoming an amazing cook!" I'm telling you, once she met Martha her whole life changed. 

On Thanksgiving day we're going to the Turkey Trot in downtown Dallas, so if you have the time to read this please say a prayer for my children. There is NO TELLING how that will go...this is the first time to bring them since I took a few years off to give birth to them. I was telling my friend about going to the trot and she asked, "Are you running it or walking it?" My response was, "Do you know me at all?" I don't run when I'm not pregnant and I'm certain I'd be the one in the ambulance that day if I tried.

We're going to Sean's parents' house after the run (um, walk,) to eat another meal with them. Do we have it figured out or what? Hope you have a safe, relaxing holiday and find many blessings to count!

Attack of the Mommy Brain

Just a few examples of my Mommy brain showing itself:

The other day I was so tired I put Ty to bed in Charlie's crib and made it out the door before I realized that something didn't look right. I went back into her room to find him standing up, looking at me like, "Mommy you need a nap more than I do."

I lost my Bluetooth headset two days ago for the 4th time since I got it three months ago. Lost it like having no idea when I had it last or where I was. Sean and my mom have tried to help me remember but it has usually been a lost cause. This time it turned up in the car that Sean leaves at the airport during trips. In the side panel of the door, about to fall out.

Today I went to pick up Sean's prescription refill at CVS and after running into a store near our house to cash in on a coupon (cutest kids boutique and I got a $15 coupon, which, in turn, doesn't buy that much but it was free money,) and made it home without ever thinking twice that I had not accomplished my task. Until Sean said, "Did you remember to go to CVS?" At least he asks nicely.

I find laundry in the washer that has already been washed, just not transferred to the dryer. 

Like days old, stiff laundry. And this happens often.

People will knock during the day and I'll answer the door to find one of my babysitters ready to watch the kids--and I'll act like I'm not surprised at all and that I was planning on it.

I have burned countless bread products because it never occurs to me while preparing dinner that I have to take things OUT of the oven that I put in.

I was starting to think that we were getting an obscene amount of junk mail until I realized it looks like a lot of mail because I only remember to get it about every third day. 

There are many more but true to form, I can't remember any of them. 

To think God is sending another child into this family to be under my care. 

Doesn't Get Cuter

My sister-in-law Ana had to have an ovarian cyst removed this week and Nattie and Popeye went to tend to Henry since Ana can't lift him for a while after her surgery. Thankfully Graham could go be with her during the surgery and thankfully she is healing now! Mom sent these pictures of Henry and I could just eat him up.

He loves the broom. Apparently he sweeps the kitchen floor A LOT.

Graham and Ana put this floor in when they bought their house. Isn't it cool looking?

Feeding the fish. I wouldn't attempt this with Ty if someone paid me.

Henry and Popeye getting a kick out of something. I'm guessing Nattie was performing.

Let Me Introduce You

I have mentioned a few friends here and today I'd like to introduce you to one of them. For the last two years my friend Carley has said that she was looking forward to starting her family so that she could join the play group that Jennie and I have had. Literally it's not a play group--just two moms with boys born within weeks of each other--so lately when Jennie and I meet at a playground with David and Ty, Carley has joined us. There is a reason for this. She is pregnant with her first baby and is of course excited not just because she now will have a participant in the play group but her own child to take care of! She is due May 14th, five days before me. Never in a million years could we have planned that! I thought it would be fun if we took pictures together along the way but let me add a disclosure: She is skinny. She is really skinny. I have never been her size and so when you see her belly growing, it is a totally new look for her! For me, not so much. I've always been squishy :) Plus, this is my third baby in a few years so I'll likely be bigger than Carley throughout this process. Plus, my kids are huge. I have diabetes while pregnant which will surely make it into posts in the future once it kicks in. Babies born to diabetics (even only when pregnant,) are big babies. Ty was born two weeks early and weighed 8 1/2 pounds. Charlie was born three weeks early and weighed 8 lb. 11 oz. See. Big babies. Big momma. Carley will likely have a little peanut munchkin. Her baby is nicknamed "Bun," by the way. The girls in our group on Tuesdays, feeling sorry for me that no one cared enough about this baby to give it a nickname, gave mine the name, "Squirrel." Nice. Thanks girls. (They are freshmen.) We took this picture last night before our group meeting. Aren't the hallways at our church lovely?!

I'm Not Ashamed

I might catch a little flack (how do you spell that?) but I'm ok to admit that first thing this morning I bought David Cook's album on iTunes. Like before breakfast which is a sacred time for me. Can I just say it was something I will not regret--It's great! We were a little late joining the American Idol phenomenon but last season I really enjoyed it and this guy can sing. Make fun if you want but this might actually get me on the EFX machine sometime soon which my Dr. has been trying to motivate me to do for weeks :)

YUM

When Sean says, "I've got a surprise for you," it can mean many things. Sometimes it means he has cooked me breakfast, or gotten me flowers, or just a Diet Dr. Pepper from Sonic. His best surprises lately have been a stocked Sonic card during the last three months so I could go anytime to get a corn dog, burger, smoothie, etc. without using real money. A gift card is not real money. He does things all the time that surprise me like cleaning/syncing my phone, cleaning my car, putting gas in my car, I know you're getting frustrated at someone just reading about how much he does for me. Ha! Anyway, last night he said, "I've got a surprise for you, but you have to wait until the morning." SAY WHAT? When I'm not pregnant, this could make me lose sleep but thankfully since I'm averaging 10-12 hours per night right now (AMEN) I never thought about what he said again until this morning when I was coming down the stairs. Ty was already up and Sean was getting his breakfast ready so I casually walked to the fridge to get my drink when what to my wandering eyes should appear but a piece of Key Lime cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory. With my name on it. Jesus is still on the throne and speaking directly to my husband. YUM.

Spare Time

This is what Ty does in his spare time almost every day. It's the contents of my bathroom drawer. All of the contents of my bathroom drawer.

Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World

Why would my mom leave her cozy house and drive for 30+ minutes early one morning to stand in line for hours in the mist/rain?

This very line right here. 

Why would my dad subject himself to such things, serving as family photographer of her sitting on her stool that she brought in her car so she wouldn't have to sit on the ground? What could be worth wearing this bright lime green rain coat and red boots in front of other adults?

For this moment. To sit and chat with Martha Stewart herself. Martha was at Sur La Table in Dallas on Tuesday to sign her new book for a few adoring fans. Mom soaked it up and was thrown off when Martha started asking her questions. We warned Mom not to say anything to her. Mom was prepared to smile and say, "Thank You," but then Martha starting chatting. I'm sure Martha got a kick out of Mom telling her that both Mom AND Dad rush home during their lunch hour to watch her show every day. This was like Christmas for Mom--soaking up what Martha had to say AND bringing home her brand new cookbook. Oh happy day.

I'll Stay Where You've Put Me

If you have been reading the devotional Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman you have seen this poem, which I have to assume was written by Cowman since there is not another author mentioned. It is a wonderful, powerful reminder that God is in control of our lives, no matter how small our lives might seem to us at a given time. On Sunday our pastor gave some very easy guidelines to follow/remember about living a life that reflects our belief and assurance that God is sovereign and the impact that that assurance has on our world around us. The hard truth, he said, is that it is our fear and anxiety that robs us of this assurance. Our distrust that He is still on the throne, monitoring every thing that happens around us. Our fear that maybe He forgot us, left us to our own governing, our own despair. Read this poem and hopefully be reminded that He is indeed still on His throne and he certainly has a plan for your life. Even if your day is at home with little people hanging on you, without much outside interaction. Even if you have been waiting for your other half to show up in your life, and you have waited a long long time, and you feel alone. Even if you feel trapped in your job and you are sure your gifts aren't being used.

__________________________________

"Stay there until I tell you." (Matthew 2:13)

I'll stay where You've put me; I will, dear Lord,

Though I wanted so badly to go;

I was eager to march with the "rank and file,"

Yes, I wanted to lead them, You know.

I planned to keep step to the music loud,

To cheer when the banner unfurled,

To stand in the midst of the fight straight and proud,

But I'll stay where You've put me.

I'll stay where You've put me; I'll work, dear Lord,

Though the field be narrow and small,

And the ground be neglected, and stones lie thick,

And there seems to be no life at all.

The field is Your own, only give me the seed,

I'll sow it with never a fear;

I'll till the dry soil while I wait for the rain,

And rejoice when the green blades appear;

I'll work where You've put me.

I'll stay where You've put me; I will, dear Lord;

I'll bear the day's burden and heat,

Always trusting You fully; when sunset has come

I'll lay stalks of grain at Your feet.

And then, when my earth work is ended and done,

In the light of eternity's glow,

Life's record all closed, I surely will find

It was better to stay than go;

I'll stay where You've put me.

I would show you a picture but...

I would show you a picture but...you'll have to trust me on this one. Let me give you a little history: I have my dad's teeth. They aren't good. They aren't much tougher than thin sheets of ice. My dental history is long and my file is thick. Growing up in a small(er) town I went to the same dentist my whole life until I got married. I would drive home from school, work, graduate school, wherever I was to go to him because well, he had my file. Once I got married it became clear that driving over an hour every time I had a tooth issue was a little much since I lived among 50 dentists per square mile. Luckily, there was a great referral for me once I decided to see someone closer to my new home. Two years ago I went to him at the urging of my sister-in-law Amy. Her best friends' husband is a dentist and he's got some serious rewards/honors under his name. The first time I saw him they took pictures of all of my (I think,) 5 teeth that needed help at the time. I was pregnant with Ty. I hadn't gotten around to fixing things so I went every other day for about 3 weeks to get things fixed. Then when I was newly pregnant with Charlie I broke another tooth. Now when I say break I mean break. Like pieces of the tooth crack off or completely shatter. Sorry if this is gross but at least it didn't happen in YOUR mouth. In two years it has already gotten to the, "Well, you weren't kidding about being a frequent flier here..." statements from his staff. 

Well, I've been doing pretty well with the crown(s) that I already have and I've been careful about which ice I chew--a major problem with teeth anyway and I've been told to steer clear of anything but Sonic ice--and my million dollar teeth as Sean calls them have been hanging in there. Until yesterday. I was bonding with a high school student at church while sharing her Halloween candy and chewing on some DOTS when I heard a loud crack. Oops. The bonus is that is a tooth that has already been fixed once. 

I'll keep you posted. I know you're excited. I would show you a picture but the whole idea is to have it fixed before people notice. :)

Max In The White House

This many posts in a row...I know it seems a little much but I just had the best idea. I read on People.com (I need counseling,) that the Obama girls are in search for their puppy to take to the White House and they need to look no further. If you know them please send them my best and also send them a picture of my beloved family kid-friendly dog Max. He should fit right into the White House family and is already trained...kind of. He is being given away free of charge. I think I could get away with this one because it's for the new President and his kids. Maybe Sean would go for it?

I Get Bored

I get bored easily so to kill two birds with one stone I changed my background. Do you like it? Now I won't get bored and since I was getting sick of trying to read other blogs through the little white dots that problem is gone too. I can imagine that you won't miss them either!! 

The Space Cadet and the Monkey

**Edited to add miss Caroline...thanks Carley!! 

Sean must have read over my shoulder while I was typing yesterday because he finished the pictures and this morning they were on my computer! Here they are: my astronaut (I prefer space cadet--it's more fitting for him,) and my monkey.

The wagon was a great idea for moving them from house to house. Let's be honest they didn't even get out of the wagon--a little young for trick-or-treating. They don't know what they're missing yet so let's leave it that way as long as possible. Ty did eat Skittles for the first time and he loved the lemon ones. Smart kid.
My little bean the monkey. I bought this costume for $4.99 at a resale shop in Frisco and it fit perfectly. 
My space cadet. Is that hilarious or what?! I had already bought him another costume and when we were on a date at Costco (I know, I know we are die-hard romantics,) we saw this and agreed it was better than the one we already had. Returns are a beautiful thing especially when you aren't trying to do them at Target.
The cousins (minus the three oldest,) on the Wilborn side. Samantha the princess (3 yrs), her brother Will the frog (23 months,) Charlie the monkey (11 months,) Caroline the policeman/woman (7 yrs), Baby Kate the princess (4 months,) Cole the Pikachu(sp) (5 yrs), Ty the space cadet (2 yrs,) and Luke the Darth V. (5 yrs.) The three oldest cousins live in Graham, TX and don't usually make the drive for Halloween but we will see them soon for Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

Do What?

Am I a little behind on posts or what? Sean is still editing the Halloween pictures and I hope they are as cute as I think they will be--I have a little frame for each kid to put pictures from this year in and I keep dropping hints that I need to put the Halloween decorations away so...

Soon maybe? Can I just tell you what he HAS been doing with his week off from work? Finishing the fence, cooking, helping me fold laundry since I'm about 3 weeks behind, (since I nap now during nap time and I used to get laundry done then,) taking the kids out of the house when I'm nauseated, and overall just doing what seems like everything. He's the greatest.

I went to my Dr. today and I'm exactly 12 weeks pregnant. I heard a good strong heartbeat so the fact that we're expecting another baby is hitting home. DO WHAT? You would think it would have by now!! I keep looking at the kids while they are having fits going, "What are You thinking, Lord?" I must say dependence on Him for answers/guidance is becoming more and more necessary which is, I know, where He wants me. I just can't fathom raising another child in the midst of the mediocre job I'm doing now. I am truly thankful for another chance at it but the reality is just scary. He will surely answer my prayers! After all, He has proven that He will meet me where I am.