Family Time

Ok, so I didn't make my blog post goal. Big deal. Guess what I did instead? Had some seriously great family time! Date night with my hubby was awesome. I thought Twilight was great and such a fun "event" night. Even Marty didn't think it was terrible, so I guess he had fun too. Then my little sister breezed into town bringing with her all of the excitement, joy, and chattiness that a 23 year old can manage. We had some fun times shopping and playing with the kids. My brother and his wife even made a visit down for the day. After lunch and some easy bake oven mishaps, we got to go out to another movie and dinner. We saw Four Christmases, which I thought was so funny! Thanksgiving was spent with Marty's family and I managed to get in some serious picture taking with my new camera while the kids were enjoying the backyard swing. Kellie and I managed a little more shopping on Black Friday and one more movie before she left town on Saturday. (Yes, this is 3 adult movies in one week if you are counting. This is more than I have seen all year!) So, too bad for my 30 blog posts in November. I got a lot more in exchange for my missing blog posts. I certainly won't make any promises for December either! There are babies to be fed, trees to decorate, presents to wrap, gifts to make, children to kiss, and a Savior to praise for all my blessings! As always, here are a few pics from the event filled week:

Just Gross!

If you are at all squeamish, feel free to skip this post! I promise you won't miss anything important. However, I have to document this because I keep coming back to the primary goal of my blog. You see, I am a scrapbooker. I used to be an AVID scrapbooker. Now I am just am every now and then type of scrapbooker. But one day, I will have a little more time and will be more dedicated to my hobbies. This blog is to be used to help me remember all of the little things that my kids have done or said along with all of the holidays and birthdays that need to be documented. So I simply cannot pass up this little jewel. We will be talking about it for sure when little Nathan is grown...

So, I nursed Nathan last night and he was just not ready to go to sleep. He was quite playful and chatty as he's learned to say dadadadada over and over and over and over. He was laying in our bed playing, but since he is king of the rollover right now, I passed him to Marty so I could go brush my teeth and get ready for bed. They were playing and I heard much giggling and then I heard, "SHANNON!!!!! GET OVER HERE!!!!! I NEED HELP!!!!" Well I stayed pretty calm and wandered back to the bed and couldn't see anything immediately wrong - Nathan was fine, a little worried, but okay physically. Marty wasn't hurt, what was the big deal? Marty was wiping his face with Nathan's burp cloth when he finally clued me in. Apparantly, he was holding Nathan up above him (which would explain the giggling) when Nathan spit up - RIGHT INTO MARTY'S MOUTH!!! Poor Marty didn't see it coming until it was too late. I thought he was going to throw up. Nothing like warm reguritated breast milk for your midnight snack. It makes me gag a little right now just thinking about it. Sorry kid, I don't think your dad is ever going to let you forget about the time you spit breast milk into his mouth. Now that's a story for a scrapbook, right? :)

Dates, Dirt and Dedication

This weekend has been a lot of fun, but really busy. After having a few "at home" weekends, it has thrown me a little to have a jam packed weekend again. Started off super fun with Marty and I actually having a real date night (thanks Susan!) complete with dinner, a movie, and no kids for 5 hours! Went to see Twilight, which I loved (more on that later) and dinner at Olive Garden because we had a few gift certificates that we needed to cash in. Total cost of the night - $18. That was the best part!

I found out last minute that our church small group is meeting at our house this Sunday night which means it was time to get serious about some cleaning around here. I tried super hard to actually get all of the laundry done today, but I truly don't believe that is possible in a house of 5. Especially difficult with a certain 5 year old that loves to change clothes 3-4 times a day! (I wonder if this is a personality trait that will carry on through the teenage years? Yikes!)

Tomorrow morning is Nathan's baby dedication at church. I am pretty excited about it and the girls are thrilled to be standing at the front of the church with the family. I turned in some super cute pictures for his slideshow (pics by my two bff photographers, Tiffany and Michelle - more on them later too!). We are headed to the in-laws house for lunch too, which is always a nice treat.

That's it for the weekend, but there is definitely more to come. I am determined to meet my 30 posts in November goal. Fortunately, I have several topics in mind, which should make it easier: my sister is coming to visit, Thanksgiving, and Christmas shopping and decorations. Stay tuned!

Do You Believe in Miracles?

I know I have posted about this girl's blog before, but I thought she deserved a post all her own. (She is also having a contest this week and you have to mention her site in your blog to enter AND I am needing some more blog posts to meet my #30 quota for November. It's a win-win, right?)
Seriously though, her blog name is McMama and the story of her baby Stellan is amazing. He was all but given a death sentence when she was 24 weeks pregnant and was recently born 100% healthy! I actually cried the day that she delivered him and found out that he was okay. What a miracle and a complete testament to God and such a blessing for all of those who prayed for him!

So Thankful!

Today I am thankful for 2 things:

1. My little pilgrim

2. My new camera that allows me to capture these shots.

Today, I give up.

I admit defeat. Not proudly, but raising the white flag of failure anyway. I had a list. A big long to do list for today. At the top were vits. VERY IMPORTANT THINGS. Things like laundry, clean bathroom, mop the floors, dust. Oh my goodness, my house is a mess. And no, I am not just saying that and in reality, it's a little messy. I mean a real mess. Too many days of putting things off has caught up with me. So, I had big plans for today. My house would reek of lysol and febreeze, I could see the bottom of the laundry room floor, the dishwasher, washing machine and dryer would all be empty. However, this was not to be. One phone call with my best friend discussing the important things of life (and who wouldn't rather chat with their bff instead of cleaning a bathroom? You'd have to be crazy.), one phone call with my hubby, one phone call with my mom, and one very clingy baby boy have derailed me. Can't get him to take a nap, doesn't want to play on the floor, swing, bouncy seat. Only wants me to hold him. Tried to nurse him, but all he wants to do then is fall asleep. Let his backside hit the mattress though and it's bright blue eyes all over again. So today, I am putting aside the vits. The list will have to wait and family members will have to be patient, because the only important thing for me to do today is hold my baby. Suddenly the white flag doesn't feel like failure, but like a sweet precious gift sent from my Father who knows that a clean bathroom never makes my heart sing like this....

Going to play catch up - fast!

Ok, so not doing so well on my "30 blog posts in November" goal. I don't think you are supposed to take a week off when you make that kind of commitment. Now I will be playing catch up in a major way. And Thanksgiving is not even here yet with all of the family and cooking commitments. Oh well, no time like the present to get started!

2 major changes are happening right now that might be keeping me away from the computer more. My baby boy is now mobile! He finally learning how to roll over BOTH ways as of last week. Which means now he rolls and rolls and rolls and rolls. He goes from one end of our living room or bedroom to the other. And he moves lickety split fast! No more laying him down on the bed to do a quick chore. Nope. He has to be watched constantly. It's only a matter of time now before he is chasing me from room to room! Of course, he is a happier baby now that he doesn't get stuck on his tummy.

Now that he is 5 months old, I decided it was time for some big boy food. Big boy as in mushed carrots, peas, applesauce and bananas. Now I have been an overachiever and already pureed several bags of freshly steamed vegetables. Pumpkins, carrots, broccoli. However, my sweet little man does not like eating food. I am not about to waste the good stuff on these early stages only to be spit out on his bib. He only wants breast milk (or as his sisters call it - the boobie milk). He could care less about rice cereal, oatmeal, carrots. I tried to be the good mom and follow the advice that "they" give - start with the grains, follow with single vegetables, and lastly the fruits, so the babies don't develop a sweet tooth. Here's what happened: rice cereal = gagging and spitting out, oatmeal = gagging and spitting out, carrots = gagging and spitting out, squash = gagging and spitting out, bananas = light smacking and swallowing. So for now, we will operate backwards against the rules and start with fruits and possibly sneaking in some rice cereal or oatmeal along with the fruit. Who knows, banana-carrot-oatmeal medley may be his favorite meal by this time next week!

Tropical Tree Frog Costume GIVEAWAY!!!!

Grosgrain: Tropical Tree Frog Costume GIVEAWAY!!!!

Here's hoping I win this adorable costume. Although he is only 5 months, I am sure Nathan would love to be a tree frog for his upcoming Halloween adventures!

Things I am loving today

1. a cloudy, cold, rainy, November Monday.
2. being a stay at home mom so that I can enjoy the cloudy, cold, rainy Monday instead of being at work.
3. the smell of beef stew cooking at 10:00 in the morning on a cloudy, cold, rainy Monday.
4. celebrating the fact that my baby boy is 5 months old today.
5. the sound of the washing machine doing its thing.
6. the smell of lysol.
7. 2 new magazines waiting for me to read them.
8. an account balance that is black and not red after a busy weekend.
9. my laptop.
10. zucchini bread.

It's all about the little stuff. What are you loving today?

Movie Madness

Ha! Movie Madness! That is a pretty funny title considering that my personal "movie madness" consists of approximately 3-4 G rated movies and possibly 1-2 adult movies per year. And by adult movies, of course I don't mean the true adult entertainment movies, just the non-animated, non talking animals kind of movies. Sometimes, after 90 minutes or so, I realize this is actually a grown up movie because I have yet to see a talking chihuahua, zebra, or raccoon. Of course no talking animals may only mean that I am watching High School Musical 3 (or hsm3 for all the parents of children too young to date, but old enough to call Dora the Explorer a baby show) or a movie based on a baby doll product. Yes Kit Kittredge of the American Girl hall of fame, I am talking about you. Now, I am very grateful that my kids have clean movies available to them, especially ones that promote some good values and some smart writing. But sometimes a girl just wants to be a grown up and forget that she is a mom of 3 and spends most of her time cleaning bathrooms, closets, and heines. (Is that how you spell hiney? Or is it hiny? Is the plural hineys? Spell check can't help with this one.) With holiday movie season upon us, there are two adult movies I am planning to see. Which means I must start 2-3 weeks ahead of time, actually putting the date on the calendar, arranging for a baby sitter, deciding where and when to see the movie. So much effort. Not to mention the money. Let's just hope it's worth it. (The fact that one of these movies is based on a novel written for 14 year old girls does not change its "adult movie" classification. A movie about vampires would not be appropriate for my 8 year old, which clears it for my grown up date night status.)





I must be a fan of escapism. Sure other movies have piqued my interest (Marley and Me), but I've got a husband, dog, and kids in real life. I don't really want to spend my big screen time in reality. You won't be finding any vampires or cattle herding going on over here.

So, the fun begins with Twilight on November 21, which is 11 days away. Not that I'm counting. See you at the movies!

This is how you teach politics

Teachers, take note. If you want to teach your kids about current issues and politics, look no further than a little T.I. for inspiration. I especially like how they changed the lyrics, "I want your body, I need your body" to "I want Obama, forget Obama". Also check out the poor lone white guy. At least they put him in the back. Enjoy.

Giving up on Grey's Anatomy and hope for the future

Ok, so two events have transpired recently that have given me some small sliver of hope for this nation that everyone assumes is going into the trash.

Yes, Obama has won the election and we do not know what this means for our future in terms of taxes, health care and Supreme Court justices. All we can do is pray. However, several issues DID NOT pass on Tuesday that are so very encouraging. California did not vote to uphold marriages by same-sex partners. Wow. If there ever was a state where this would pass, you would think it would be California. Now Ellen DeGeneres is pretty hopping mad and people are protesting all over the place. But you can't argue with the facts. People voted AGAINST this. Why? Because it is wrong and people still care about the institution of marriage. It's how God designed us. Man and woman. No matter how you try to "undefine" it, this is God's perfect plan and no matter of man's rules will change that. Yea for California! Also, Arkansas voted to uphold the law that only a heterosexual, married couple may adopt foster children. What a great thing to know that 2 homosexual men cannot adopt a little girl and raise her in their home. I cannot imagine what a skewed sense of identify that would impress upon a child. Priase God for people who still have values and are not afraid to vote for them!

Now, on to Grey's. I have loved this show since Season 1, Episode 1. Yes, the earlier seasons were the best, but I have now invested so much time, I intended to stick it out through the bad times. Of course, this show does not promote the best morals, but such is the majority of network TV. However, I could see the writing on the wall in the spring when a lesbian kiss was shared during the season finale. I was hoping that story line would fizzle out this fall, but of course not. It was pushed and shamelessly promoted. The decision was made to finally cut this garbage out of my life. I cannot vote against something and then turn around and invite it into my home every Thursday night. So here is saying good bye to Meredith, McDreamy, George, Izzy, Alex and Christina. You were fun for a while, but Callie and Erica have been the nails in your coffin. (Of course, now due to "lack of chemistry" or the more realistic "falling ratings", Erica has been fired and is now leaving the show - putting an end to this lesbian story line. Interesting, could the "falling ratings" be contributed to others not putting up with this garbage as well? Sorry, ABC - too little, too late.) And guess what? I haven't missed this AT ALL. Makes me wonder what else I can eliminate from my "schedule" that would go unnoticed? Hmmm....

By the way, I won't apologize for this post and say, "Gee, I'm sorry, I hope I haven't offended anyone....". First of all, I am not deluded to think that anyone actually reads this, and secondly, if you are someone who is offended by being confronted with the Truth, then I will pray for you, but not apologize.

I saw something a little odd today

I saw something odd today. Take a look for yourself and see what is out of place.

Hawaii? A Hawaiian license plate on a truck in Arkansas? I wondered about cars in Hawaii when I was there on my honeymoon almost 11 years ago. I never did find out if they have to buy cars only from Hawaii or can they buy a car on the "mainland" and have them shipped over? Why is there a truck in front of me at Starbucks with a Hawaii license plate? Do you think his truck "flew" over? Or did he buy a truck here and then put his license plate on it? Is that legal? Hmmm, this is why my husband says I am only book smart and have very little common sense. Because I am sure there is a perfectly sensible explanation. Whatever the explanation, this truck definitely has its priorities backwards. I would rather be in Hawaii than in the Starbucks line in Ft. Smith, Arkansas any day!

FREEDOM!!!!

I bet you thought with a title like that, this is sure to be some great patriotic post about our liberties and our right to vote (even if the best man didn't win). HA! I'm talking about a different kind of freedom. The freedom that comes with No More Soccer! That's right, soccer is OVER! We sure had a great time this season. Mackenzie seemed to progress a lot this year and she had a great coach. Avery played her first season and had a ball. (pun intended) We had forgotten how fun it is to watch the little kids run around in circles. But with the end of soccer comes the freedom of empty evenings - we have just gained Monday nights, Tuesday nights, Thursday nights and Saturday mornings. Lovely. Here a few pictures of the season and ending parties. Before you know it, spring break will be behind us and it will be time to start soccer all over again! But until then, here's to FREEDOM!!!

A sweet letter to my baby

Ok, so I read this letter on another blog (yes, I am addicted to blogs, I know) and it just encompassed everything that I am feeling as a mother of my last baby. Every day with him is just so sweet, but yet one day further away from the first day he was placed in my arms and one day closer to the day he will leave our home as a grown young man. Of course, I changed the names and a few details in the letter, but the feelings behind them are the same and as sincere as if I had written them myself. So to my dear sweet 4 month old baby boy.....

Dear sweet baby Nathan,

It was four months ago when you breathed your first breath in this world. Four months since the doctor held you up for us to see that yes, you really were a BOY!!! Your dad and I just could not believe it. Four months since he and I gazed into each other's eyes, beaming, crying. How proud we were that you were born, that you were our son. And how proud we are today.

Today you are four months old. It's impossible for me to think of your first few months and not have my eyes well up with tears. I love you, Nathan, and I am crying warm, sweet, happy tears as I celebrate the bittersweet fact that you are already growing up. That you are four months old. How I anticipated your first smile, and look forward to when you learn to say your big sisters' names, take your first step, play in the mud and learn to hide the Word of God in your heart.

But to be honest, if I could bottle you up right now, I would in a beat of my heart. That way I would be able to savor the sweet smell of your head forever. Feel your warm baby breath on my cheek as I rock you. Dust my fingertips across your bunny fluff hair. Feel a closeness to you like nothing else as I nurse you, nourishing you. Gaze forever into your eyes as you search for mine. Embrace your tiny, weightless body. Listen forever to your baby gurgles and sighs. Rock you as we gaze into the moonlight together, when the rest of our family sleeps, and it is just you and I. Sing quiet lullabies to you as your eyelids flutter and close. I love you so much, Nathan, and I am very sad that you won't be my baby forever.

Of course, you'll always be my baby in the way that Mackenzie and Avery are still my babies. In the way that I am still my mother's baby and in the way that she is still the baby of her parents. Grow up you must, grow up you will, and I will find joy and happiness in that journey. But I will cherish these fleeting baby moments with you, Nathan. I will enter your childhood with you with no regrets about your short baby days. I will leave no kiss unkissed and no cuddle uncuddled, no matter what the hour of day or night. I know too well now, my dear sweet third baby, how precious and momentary sweet infancy is. Since I cannot keep you little forever, I will make the sweetest, deepest memories that I can, now while you are little.

And when you are grown, Nathan, I will fondly remember your first few months, with warm, sweet, happy tears in my eyes once again.

All my love,

Mom

a new goal and a new miracle

Just a few quick thoughts before I wrap up today. I have a goal for November. I am going to try for a blog entry every day. Or at least 30 blog entries for November. I am already a day behind, so I will try and churn out 2 entries right now. Don't ask me why, I just want to see what I can come up with on a more consistent level. And of course I am totally accountable now because I have put this out into blog lala land.

My 2nd thought: this girl's blog simply has to be written about. Such a heartwarming, beautiful testimony to the miraculous healing power of God. No other words or explanations can describe what little baby Stellan has proven with his birth. I have followed this mother through the last 10 weeks of her pregnancy after learning that her baby will die in her womb or be born stillborn. She refused to terminate the pregnancy even though that meant putting her own life at risk. On Tuesday, a team of neonatal doctors were standing by to perform emergency heart surgery the following day. Her son was born Wednesday with no visible signs of illness. Absolutely no heart problems, no growth problems, perfect in every way that God intended him to be. I have been praising God this week for allowing this woman's faith to inspire me to walk closer to the God of Wonders. Simply amazing. If you have time, read her blog and you will most definitely be blessed!