Wal-Mart is Closed? Why Mom?

Christmas night we drove around Missouri to look at the light displays. We passed a Wal-Mart and I said, look boys, this is a sight you will only see once a year, Wal-Mart is closed. Why mom? Well, because today is Jesus' birthday. We passed another Wal-Mart a little later on that night, and we said look, it's closed too. SP said, "Yeah, because it's God's birthday today." On the way back home to Arkansas the next day we passed by a Wal-Mart and we said look boys, Wal-Mart is opened again today! SP replied, "Yeah, it's not God birthday today." Then he sang, "Happy Birthday to God Yesterday!!!" The End.

The Three Wise Men

The other night at dinner Stinky Pete said, "Hey Mom, I gotta show ya somethin'!!" He pulled down the picture he colored at church (with hot pink marker of course!) and it was the three wise men. He said, "This one has meat, this one has soup, and this one has money!" Just making sure the world knows, they took soup, meat and money to Mary, and when they delivered it they bowed like you would at the end of a Broadway production.

Yesterday we were browsing through Classic Touch, a local decorative store, and there were three wise men by the manger scene. Same story...Stinky Pete who is this? "Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus." And what do these people have? "They are the three wise men and this one has soup, this one has money, and this one has meat." Who knows?!!?!!!

Proverbs 32 Woman

Apparently I have been in sin this Christmas season. Shane heard a Prov 31 moment on the radio yesterday, and he told me what the lady with the perfect sounding voice giving the devotion said. She said that she found herself driving around critiquing the Christmas decorations, and found herself asking the question if that honors God. Then she went on to say how God created us all unique and we should be able accept others, even their decorations. I just don't know what to say. I guess I'm glad I drove by a house where the people put one lit candy cane in their yard, I'm glad they decided to spread the Christmas cheer. The people whose house I have to wear my sunglasses as I drive by, Yeah for you! Call me a Prov 32 woman if you need too, think bad of me, but there is something really fun being the Christmas light police. Mostly this post is just for fun, I appreciate the lights tacky and good. For some reason though, spiritualizing Christmas decorating opinions made me want to put bad decorations in my yard and call it a day. And some people really do need help-did I say that out loud?

Ghetto-Fabulous

If there are two words to describe the presents Shane and I wrapped last night, they are Ghetto-Fabulous. Is it bad that when you look at the package you wander if it was wrapped in Scotch tape or wrapping paper? At age 31, I have accepted the fact that I am wrapping paper challenged. Last year was the closet I came to Martha approved wrapping-we used brown craft paper and tied each package with Raffia bows or satin ribbon. They had a nice simple charm to them. This year however, not so much. Apparently the wrapping paper I bought after Christmas last year is flimsier than our one-ply toilet paper. Not to mention all the awkward shaped toys that blondie should've thought to ask for boxes for, but didn't think of it until last night. My friend Becke' has the most precious black paper with white polka dots, and there are also red and white gingham wrapped gifts, perfectly coordinated and wonderful. I can't wait until Christmas with my extended family...my mom and sister will also like Becke' have exquisitely wrapped gifts with bobbles hanging from the handmade bows, and here will come Santa Claus right down chimney lane carrying loads of Ghetto-Fabulous gifts for the loved ones, complete with individual Swiss Army Knives to unwrap the beasts!!!

Sam's Club

I am looking for advice on joining Sam's. I want to know anyone's input on whether you think it is a good deal or not, and if so, what type of things you purchase from Sam's.

When we were newlyweds we got a membership and got to shopping. I needed flour, and so clearly the 20 pound bag at Sam's seemed like the logical choice. Three years later, when I had barely made a dent in the first 10 pound bag, I realized the error of my ways.

The best benefit I know of is an $ .87 coke and free sample lunch on Saturdays, but I'll take any input anyone has to offer.

Fancy Sheets

For my birthday I used a gift card and bought a pair of 400 thread count, white damask stripe sheets. We used them last night and they are so amazing and pretty. Oversized and tucked nicely on all edges of the bed. They have that fancy hotel feel to them! I had some concern when I read the washing machine instructions and it said use the delicate cycle, tumble dry low, and STEAM IRON AS NECESSARY. Please tell me none of you iron your sheets. We're calling them the fancy sheets! I also got a beautiful white matalesse coverlet, but after some converstation with Shaney, I'm taking it back. Our house is very kid friendly, we live in our house, and don't have many off limits things for the boys. I'm afraid that if I used my pretty white coverlet I would stroke the first time red sticky hands left their mark on it and we just don't need that now do we?!! So, the white coverlet is going back, and I will get another someday. For now, our machine washable duvet will suit just fine. It has shrunk on the sides from 7 years of frequent washing (b/c of sticky little hands :), but the fancy sheets make me not care about that anymore. Yeah for nice sheets that smell like April Fresh Downy!!!

One-Ply Toilet Paper-Ooops!

Shane accidentally bought one-ply tp at the store last time. It was really sad because I like nice toilet paper, but I was thankful that he was willing to do the grocery shopping so I'm not complaining! Being an optimist I always have to find something good about unfortunate circumstances that come our way, so here it is. The good news is, you NEVER have to change the roll. I'm not sure why, but one roll lasts forever. I'm not suggesting this is the corner to cut in your quest to be frugal, but just thought I'd share Scott one-ply is like the Energizer bunny-it just lasts and lasts! And it is safe for septic tanks. Although I have found a bright side to the tp that appears it will last us for the next 18 years, next time we will be back to Cottonelle. If there is a next time that is...

updates...

• stinky pete tried to call aunt neddie over thanksgiving and called the po-po instead. they called back and my dad assured them we were all ok.
• i made horrible fun of stores opening at 4am the day after thanksgiving, and darn it if shane and i didn't get up at 3:45am and join the frenzy! we got toys for our boys, nieces and nephews. we have 6 family birthdays from nov-jan, so we got some bday gifts too. we found some great deals! there were 15 wii's in conway, and shane bought the 15th one for a friend!
• i am 17 weeks pregnant. our doc appt last week showed that everything seems to be looking good. the baby is growing really great. we are very thankful since it has been raised on a diet of sprite, phenagren and zofran.
• we are waiting until delivery to find out the sex of the baby. torture i know! there are so few things you can truly be surprised about in life, and that is just one thing that is a true fun surprise. people say, what if you have a girl?!! they obviously haven't met my family who would have a pink wardrobe washed and ready in 2 hours.
• this morning i woke up and felt amazing. i even ate breakfast and it tasted SOOOO GOOD. i have never thanked God so much during a meal, it tasted so good and i was so thankful. for the curious reader, it was toasted beer bread (http://www.tastefullysimple.com/) with fried eggs. what a crazy meal, but oh so good! the gourmet brecky of champions.
• since brecky was so good, we went to pizza inn after church. i'll admit i was somewhat embarrassed at the spread laid before me. picture it, 3 plates. one piled high with salad and banana peppers, one with supreme pizza no mushrooms, and one with spaghetti sauce to dip the pizza in. oh, and a glass of water with 2 lemons!
• i took a prenatal vitamin last night!
• moose is talking and says the most darling things. i am not used to a young 2 yr old being verbal since stinky pete was not that way, but he makes me laugh and laugh and i love him for it!
• stinky pete is becoming so independent. he plays the wii, and is awesome at bowling. we had high school students over one night last week and my boy gave them a run for their money. when he wakes up he can come and watch tv by himself. it's a mixed emotion of joy and sadness at how he is growing up, it's happening too fast!

OCD Boy at the Beauty Shop

My family and I spent a fun morning at the beauty shop. When I say my family, there were 9 of us there at one time. It started for me with some calling to check on facial waxing prices. There are times when working on my own eyebrows will do, and there are times when you must call in the troops and enlist the help of professionals. After calling several salons charging $12, I called my mom, because I am from the $6-7 school. We found a salon to do it for $8 which sounded more like it. My Aunt from Texas who is in for the week and Mamaw were already there getting poofy hair for the holiday. Actually Aunt Linda was going platinum, which turned out very cool by the way. We turned it into a family affair which proved to be very enjoyable and entertaining. There is something about the sound of hairdryers and hairspray that is so comforting on a cloudy fall day, don't you agree?

Now about OCD boy. College fraternity guy. After his haircut, he spent an annoying amount of time trying to get the hair off his white tshirt (with his frat letters on it). Like, right at 10 minutes. It started with taking a hairdryer and trying to blow dry it off. I lost interest, but a long time later I look over and i'll be darned if he isn't still trying to dust his shirt off with a hand towel at this point. Then he goes to pay and says, "man, i sure do have a lot of hair on me," to which the hairdresser responds, "well honey, you are the the beauty shop." If there is one hope I have for that poor dude, something that obviously 18 years of haircuts has not taught him, but maybe his fine college education will, it is to change into your nice shirt AFTER your haircut.

i LOVE my baby boys!

for a million reasons...here are a few...

• moose calls his big brother wkie



• stinky pete constantly tells us, "i wuvs you!!!" (i love you)



• when they wake up in the morning they kiss each other and say, "i wuvs you!"



• stinky pete says pardon me when he burps, instead of excuse me



• when they are thirsty they ask for a sip, instead of a drink



• they look so cute running around in spiderman underwear and diapers



• this morning at church sp packed his spiderman backpack. when he got to sunday school, he sat in the floor with mr. chris and began unloading the contents of the backpack. curiosity (and a little fear) got the best of me, so i stood to watch what he took out. clearly he had only packed the necessities for a morning at church: dirty batman t-shirt that he slept in and ate breakfast in this am, gray shorts he slept in (also dirty), his baseball hat, and his spiderman tennis shoes. yes!



• that moose carries his blue blanky around everywhere, and the minute he touches it his thumb goes into his mouth and he looks amazingly sweet

This is a picture of SP after changing out of church clothes, and back into the contents of his backpack...

This is Moose, who picked out this outfit after lunch, and put in on himself, toga style!

Cheap Entertainment

As if we didn't allready love Target before, I just keep loving it more and more!!!

Thursday me and my mamaw went to Target with the boys. We spent the longest time in the Christmas Department. The boys loved the singing and dancing stuffed animals, it was so sweet to see them looking at all the trees, lights, and singing toys. This is my recommendation for some easy free entertainment for the kids. And to top each Target trip off with a $ .99 popcorn/coke combo is the crowning touch.

We did end up going to Chili's after Target, and while we were sitting there enjoying lunch, Luke pulls out a Starbucks gift card from his pocket. So, at age 3 we had our first conversation on not putting things in our pocket at stores. We'll be taking the gift card back.

Discipline or Punishment?

This morning I turned to Heb 12 for some parenting guidance, and God unloaded some new thoughts on me...Have you ever wandered how does God discipline you? Does he? If he does discpline you, what does it look like when he's doing it? Blessings are easy to spot, but discipline, when does it happen? This passage says endure hardship as discipline. Does God allow the hardship into my life (not cause it, allow it) for my discipline? That is what verse 7 said, I know, I've reread it and reread it this morning. I have always interpreted this passage unconsciously intertwining two words: discipline and punishment. Discipline is not punishment. Punishment is a penalty inflicted for an offense. Discipline is training with purpose. Hardship is painful. Is hardship a vessel God uses for my discipline? That is what verse 7 says. It puts hard times in a new perspective for me.

What is your hardship right now? Hard marriage, attack from Satan, infertility, tough kids, single parenting, loneliness, physical pain, death of a loved one...

This will change the way I can pray for my friend who has severe nerve pain right now, my friend who just lost a sister and who has a dad with cancer, my physical pain I've had for the last 3 months...it gives me new hope and new words to pray over the tough times-with words like enable us to endure, enable us to run with perseverance the race marked out for us, help us to not grow weary, to not loose heart, to believe you are perfecting our faith through every hardship, teach us to believe you when you say you will produce a harvest of righteousness and peace because we endured, did not give up, and allowed you to train us through the hard times. Why did I never see that God tells us to endure hardship as discipline? Before today, I don't think I could ever come up with an answer on how I thought he disciplined me.

Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. Make level paths for your feet. (Prov 4:23) There is level ground at the foot of the cross.


"No man or company of men, no power in earth or heaven, can touch that soul which is abiding in Christ, without first passing through His encircling presence and receiving the seal of His permission...Nothing can disturb or harm us, except He shall see that it is best for us and shall stand aside to let it pass." Hannah Whitall Smith

Here's To A Good Laugh

This is the old me, pre-preggo. Chi-ed hair, make-up, clothes, jewelry, laughing, eating...

Now, I share the next picture of what I've morphed into for a few reasons:

• you need to see what my husband is having to look at most days (by most days i mean every day)
• i didn't think you would believe what is happening to my personal appearance and house without the proof of a picture
• i'm hoping to give you a hearty laugh at my expense today (amanda this is especially for you!)

Explaining what your eyes just beheld:

• we've allowed the boys to temporarily decorate the hall with Spiderman stick-ons that our dear friend Joanne bought for the boys
• Moose felt the need to embellish several of the pictures with blue crayon
• Sunkist explained in previous post
• The hair. Well. It is washed in the picture, but not chi-ed. The weather, I'm enjoying it (also mentioned in the previous post), HOWEVER, it has created a monstrocity in my hair. Do I have bangs? No. I don't. I don't know where they came from yesterday, but there they are in all their feathery glory.

I'm not sure what else to say. Last night I tried to tell Shane I have not permanently fallen off the Diva Wagon, or whatever you want to call it. He wanders if that is true, but hopes it is. Actually, he told me a few weeks ago, he can't tell when I "paint" my face and when I don't. WHAT?!?! Are you kidding me? I bet you can't tell the difference between Exhibit A & B either can you?!?!!

I come from a lineage of women who believe if the barn needs paintin' you paint it. My grandmother's make-up bag hangs on the back of a door knob and folds down about five miles. It doesn't matter if she only wears pink blush and lipstick. What matters is if she wants to apply a green tinted concealer under regular concealer it is there when and if she needs it.

While my tall can of Shaper Plus hairspray and my make-up bag sit under my bathroom sink untouched right now, I have hopes that by December 14th, I will have a new picture to show you. One where I have addressed my roots, and have gotten my brows waxed. Dec. 14th is our Premier Christmas party. I have a dream that I will dust off my beaded heels, find my pearls and diamonds, and that the smell of hairspray will fill the air once again.

On second thought, my current 30 SECOND prep time to get ready is really, really nice!

Apron Fever & Pumpkin Cookie Recipe

Is there anything more wonderful then starting off each Monday with a dream that you will be winning the cutest aprons EVER!?!! Go to http://www.apronista.com/ for a chance to win!

Here are some other things I am thankful for/and that are making me smile today:

- Sunkist Orange Coke (this is a pregnancy craving)

- the fact that SP insisted we share the Sunkist this afternoon even though I told him it was all his, he would take a sip, and then bring it to me for a sip, so sweet

- when I was getting ready yesterday, I put on a white tank top for an undershirt, and SP said, "you not gonna wear that are you mama?!" of course I put another shirt on over it, but his honesty was great!

- the fact that it feels and smells like Spring outside even though it looks like Fall

- Kraft Spaghetti in a box, it is SOO good, all you do is add tomato paste and meat if you want... it's on the spaghetti sauce aisle and takes about 12 minutes to prepare

- Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Icing (these are stored in the fridge, so they are soft and cool when you eat them, heavenly!)
1 c softened butter
1 c sugar
1 c mashed pumpkin (from a can)
1 egg
1 tsp of the following: vanilla, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
2 c flour
mix all ingredients and bake at 375 for about 10 minutes (don't overcook).

Cream Cheese Icing:
8 oz softened cream cheese
1/4 c butter
2 tsp vanilla
1 lb powdered sugar

Enjoy this moment, for this moment is your life!

Starbucks is behind Daylight Savings Time

Have you seen the Nasdaq lately, SBUX has been down, and I think they are trying to make a comeback by contining to implement daylight savings time. Who else could be behind this terrible thing that happens to respectable people twice a year? They know if they can get moms and dads sleep deprived because their children are getting up between 5:45-6:30am, that we'll have no choice but to wander into their establishments in the afternoons just to get through to 4pm, when we are all having dinner nowdays because we're starving and ready for bed. I'd rather you send me a coupon in the mail for a free coffee, let me come in and reexperience the smell of pumpkin latte and the sound of Harry Connick, Jr playing, and i'll get readdicted. Please, for the sake of my family and my sanity, just send me a coupon.


While I'm waiting on my coupon for free coffee, and since I've been up for 3 hours today i've come up with one good thing about DST, and that is more candlelight dinners. That is one thing that is truly enjoyable about the shorter days. It is really fun to set a beautiful table and have a nice dinner with your family. My favorite recipe to prepare in the cold months is Rachel Ray's Broken Spaghetti and Mini-Meatball stoup, with crusty hot bread on the side. Here are some pictures of one of our candlelight dinners last winter. I will also give some ideas on making dinners really special...you should be able to click on the picture to make it bigger.







1. Set the table with a charger, then place a large dinner plate on the charger. Serve the salad as a first course, instead of including it on the side of the main course. Watch for chargers to go on clearance after Christmas. I got these for 25 cents each at Walmart the day after Christmas. Table linens also go way on sale after Christmas. If you don't have a charger, no worries, just put a dinner plate at every setting and serve salad plates on that plate. Another nice addition is to chill the salad plates before serving.

2. Plate the food before putting on the table, just as you would receive it if you were at a restaurant. This cuts down on table clutter.

3. Pay attention to little details. If you like lemon, slice one and put it on a little saucer on the table. Put dressings, parmesan or any other condiments into a nice bowl or plate so people can help themselves. This dinner I took dressing orders before we ate, and served their salad how they wanted it.

4. Think about all 5 senses. When having dinner guests over you want to make them feel special and pampered. Music is key for a great dinner. Frank Sinatra, Jazz, piano, anything that makes you happy and keeps the mood upbeat and relaxed. My friend Emily taught me something years ago that I love to do. Pray for God to give your house a restful, peaceful atmosphere.

There are lots of things you can do to make dinners special, these are just a few. Since "now is the time for soup, and the time for meat will come later" even serving soup can be extra special if you add a few touches. Turn the soup dinner into 2 or 3 courses (salad, soup, desert), light the candles, turn on the music, and don't be afraid to pop in a movie for the kiddies when they start yelling, so you can enjoy the food/company! Also, Barefoot Contessa Family Style Dinners is a great cookbook with entertaining ideas. You can check it out from the library!

APRON GIVEAWAY

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11 Stoplights and the God of Wonders

Wednesday night my parents drove the boys and I out to their house for the evening. On the 20 minute drive home, after the first stoplight, I prayed in my heart, "God of Wonders, PLEASE give us all green lights on the way home." For you see, every time the car stopped was not a pleasant experience for me even though did have Phenagren in me (hence the reason my parents were driving me around town). The God of Wonders did not answer my prayer much to my disliking. We wheeled into the driveway and in my heart I prayed, "What is it God? Unconfessed sin, your foreknowledge that I will be eating way to much of my kids candy in the days to come, what?! Nothing is impossible with you, and yet we got a bunch of redlights which is not what I asked for!"

Fast forward to Saturday morning. Shane was at breakfast with some friends, and I was snuggled in bed with two sleeping toddlers who joined me around 5am. As I laid in bed, with one on each side, I was enjoying every single thing about the morning. For over 2 hours, I just laid in bed while they slept, watching them sleep, listening to the thumb sucking and snoring, and praying. It was during that time that God reminded me of something that I had not even acknowledged. On the ride home Wednesday night, we were 18 minutes into the trip, and less than 2 minutes from my house, when we had to stop in the middle of the road to let a deer cross the street. Then another, and another and another. 4 deer! In the city! Deer are so exciting, rare and unexpected, and to see 4 of them was such a special treat!!! God showed me that he did give us red lights, and if he would've given me the green lights I smugly asked for, we would've missed out on a rare treat.

When the opening song at church this morning was God of Wonders, I could hardly sing because I was laughing that he has been the God of Wonders in all sorts of ways to me this week. He has called me, well, more like thrown me into a season of being rid of every single thing I was involved in. A struggle since becoming a wife/mom is what is my ministry? How can I spend my time in a way that is pleasing to you Lord? Leading Bible studies and shepherding women is what I love to do more than anything, the study of God's word with other women is the best thing ever to me. And I have had the joy of doing that the last two years. And now, God has cleared my life of everything and has given me the clear direction/freedom/peace that now is the time he is providing me to just be home with my hubby and babies. And I am so excited! There is a season for everything, and I am excited about this new season, for I know that it was handed to me from God! Jim Elliot said, "Wherever you are, be all there."

Thank you Lord that you don't always give me what I ask you for, please enable me to live in confidence that you are guiding me. Your word says in Isaiah 30 that my strength comes from quietness and trust in you. Your goodness is not based on my present circumstances, you are good because you are good. Thank you for restoration, a husband who loves me, kids who tickle me with the things they say and do, chocolate, and for always having a far better way than I could've picked for myself.

Moose went #2 in the Potty!!!

In the midst of cleaning/decluttering this week, we found these plastic underwear cover things. Why do we have them? It seemed like I was supposed to buy them, along with some insanely thick quilted looking underwear when SP was potty training. I think it was such a fun time I bought a package of everything on that aisle. This is the best use we've found for them, I love in this picture, how SP's eyebrows are all squished down.

Cracking me UP! SP wanted to Hide, I said, PLEASE show mommy your face, and Moose is priceless in this one, he was SO excited about getting a picture!

Yee Haw!!! Shane has been home this week, and we've been getting things done around the house. Here are the main things:

1. Clean out boys closet and bring out the winter clothes. In Arkansas that means you still leave a good amount of summer clothes in the closet for the winter, because I guarantee they will be wearing tank tops at Thanksgiving.

2. Clean out my office and make sure there is still a floor in that room.

3. Clean out the pantry. Sometimes I buy things that just seem like they should come home with me, including a jar of Wheat Germ. If anyone has an idea on what the heck I should do with it, send it my way.

4. Let Moose run around in big boy undies/or naked, and take him potty every 30 minutes. This had been going better than expected. Today was a great day. I remember the first time Luke went #2 in the potty, and I had the same reaction I had this morning, "OH MY GOSH, that is man poop and has no business being in a baby diaper!!!"

5. Try to tackle Moose's eating habits. All he wants to eat is bread. There has been a lot of crying at dinnertime, and he has missed several meals this week because he doesn't want to eat. So hard. Once I read a book that said, "Start as you mean to go." I think those people never had people over for dinner on a regular basis or never went to a restaurant with a 1-2 yr old who only wanted bread. When in public, we give the kid what he wants to eat, so we can visit. So what if he ate 52 packets of crackers at the restaurant?! I claim responsibilty for having to retrain in this area, and hope it doesn't take long.

-blogging has become such a fun outlet for me, it seems like I am connected to other mom's going through the dailyness of life, it has been a blessing

-this morning while on the computer, the boys pulled out the bag of string cheese, after two each, i decided to put the computer down and give the poor kids some oatmeal and pineapple cups (Moose was supposed to have the Roast/Potatoes/Carrots that he didn't eat for dinner, but mama couldn't smell that this am

-sp busted me this morning eating a snicker's from his candy bucket. it was the funniest thing ever. i hid the candy buckets in my office closet. while they were playing in the living room, i went in the closet for a snicker's fix. i peeked out of the closet and there was stinky, i jumped!! he scared me. i felt like a kid getting busted for doing something wrong. we both died laughing out loud for a long time. he thought it was funny to see mama in the closet eating a candy bar.

-blonder than i pay to be...last night shane told me he fixed our camera. "Anna, you have to change the batteries sometimes Love." nice. thank him for the pictures of plastic undies on the kids heads.

12 weeks, 4 days, 3 pounds

We went to the doc today for our 12 wk check-up. This pregnancy has been a roller coaster of a ride so far. I have been dealing with Hyperemesis (HD for short), which is severe morning sickness. I'll try to give somewhat a picture of what HD has been like for me (when I share my story, I do not do it with a complaining spirit at all). I have been confined to the house for about 2 months, several weeks I was unable to get out of bed due to the dehydration, fatigue, and weakness.

HD left me feeling more weary than I have ever felt. It was a constant state of throwing up, starving, being thirsty, stomach cramps at times because my digestive system has gotten all out of whack, 2 trips to the hospital, being unable to care for myself, my husband or my kiddies. For weeks, my mamaw had to coordinate with Shane and come to the house every day when he left for work.

One of the side effects of HD is depression. When I felt myself getting very low in my spirit, I had to change my thinking. I tried for weeks to "will" myself out of the sickness. Hoping that positive thinking or willpower would help me get better. That didn't work, so I began to look for any joyful things the days brought my way. Only throwing up 2 times in a day-a great day, the boys laughing, snuggling in bed with me on cold mornings, moving to the couch to lay and being able to look out the window, being able to tolerate and keep down a glass of juice, anything! God in his goodness has kept my spirits up, and taught me multiple lessons. I am on my second day of keeping food down for the entire day, and this week at the doctor I gained my first 3 pounds of the pregnancy, which is HUGE!! I was so excited!

Now for the baby report. At 8 weeks I got my blood taken. I developed something called RH Sensitization with Moose during our second pregnancy. Simply put, we had different blood types and my body began developing antibodies against the baby to try to eliminate it from my body.

At 20 something weeks we began seeing a specialist with Moose to monitor how he was reacting. At that point the hope was to get me to 32 weeks before we had to deliver. God blessed us so much, and I believe through the power of many people praying for healing, Moose made it to full term and only had to stay in the hospital a week. We got his blood taken for a few months to make sure his red blood cells were recooping, and now he is a haas of a boy.

We call him Moose because he is a little bruiser. That background to tell you about our 8 week bloodwork. My doc called me with the results which were grim at first. My antibodies at 8 wks were allready as high as they were with the end of the pregnancy with Moose, not a promising report. A couple of days later, she had spoken with our specialist in LR and called with better news. He said the antibodies could just be left over from my pregnancy with Moose. They hadn't necessarily gone from 0-64 in 8 weeks.

So, I have anxiously awaited this dr. visit for weeks. Dr. L did an ultrasound and everything looked amazing. The baby was kicking his feet and arching his back (I say his, don't know the sex of the baby). We have been cautiously excited, not knowing what to expect with my RH factor and how it will effect this baby. We go to LR to see the specialist Jan.2nd, and we will know more then about how the RH is effecting the red blood cells of the baby. We still have a long road ahead, and this baby may have to put up a tough fight, but as of right now the baby is growing and looks healthy and active. Praise you Jesus!

Last, but not least, I want to praise God for his provision for our family during my sickness. It has been so abundant and overwhelming. Shane has basically been a single dad and done it with a joyful heart. When I say it, I mean going to work, coming home, cooking, cleaning, laundry, feeding the boys, bathing them, everything.

My mamaw has come over for weeks to care for the boys during the day. On one particular trip to the ER, my sister and neighbor JoAnn were over in a matter of minutes so we could get to the hospital. My mom and dad have come over and deep cleaned the house a couple of times, bought groceries, cooked meals, and been very supportive. My friend Brit did a jewelry show for me, and my friend Becke' has coordinated meals for us. For weeks people have been bringing food to feed my family. To say God's provision has been overwhelming is an understatement. To me, God has been my sustainer and provider in the deepest way, and I love Him dearly for it.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from two little Spidermen to YOU!!!

These pumpkins were Harvested in August from our backyard Pumpkin Patch!!!



Daddy, Nana and Moose picking Moose's first pumpkin of the year-in August...

Luke & Papa picking SP's first pumpkin of the year, after we picked these, we moved to the far right of the garden and picked a watermelon, because all the heat and hard work made us hungry. Actually we had to wait for the watermelon to chill, so we had ice cream with Oreo cookies mixed in to cool off.

Grandma and the boys coloring and carving Pumpkins in Missouri, the week of the Rodeo!!

The finished product, black marker on Reed's face, and the most lovely pumpkin I've ever laid eyes on.
This was our second year to plant a garden. Shane's prized pumpkin patch started producing like crazy in August. We had pumpkins everywhere. While most of you were at the pool or grilling out, we were decorated for Fall in the heat of summer. Shane had dreams of letting all the kids come over and pick pumpkins. We went in the backyard and admired the pumpkins almost every day. Then, after a couple of weeks in Missouri, the unthinkable happened. We returned and found bugs had infested the pumpkins. With great sadness in our hearts, Shane had to take out the pumpkins. This is our first time to talk about this publicly. I hope you get lots of good candy today. The people on the news suggested last night that you could give out pencils or stickers to children. Do they hate kids? What is happening to the world? Luckily tommorow we get to begin decorating for Christmas, grin!!

Apron Giveaway

http://apronista.blogspot.com/2007/10/heavenly-hostess-apronista-giveaway.html

Go to this website, and click on Heavenly Hostess. Leave a comment on your favorite apron and be entered to win a FREE apron, they are so adorable you'll probably have to take up cooking if you don't allready. Good Luck!!

Do you like Pottery Barn Spring or Fall?

My parents built a house two years ago. They have let me help them with picking out details along the way and it has been very fun. The newest project is repainting the Master bedroom and picking out window coverings. They are really getting into the spirit of things. Even went to the library and checked out some awesome decorating books. And of course, the Sherwin Williams paint wheel, which is always fun to sift through. Colors like Blonde, Svelte Sage, Tea Chest, & Mushroom are among my all time faves.

Along with my parents decorating a room, I have been browsing the Classifieds for houses for sell. Let me just say that houses in my town can be so cookie cutter. We totally live in a 1200 sq.ft cookie cutter, in an awesome neighborhood, surrounded by really nice neighborhoods, so I am not complaining. When I think about bringing a baby home to our house it makes me laugh. The baby in and of itself will not take up too much room, but the entourage that comes along with the baby is what has me window shopping for new houses. So far, nothing is worth moving for.

Several times a year Pottery Barn comes out with the newest catalog which is an invaluable resource for getting decorating ideas. They even have paint colors available at Benjamin Moore. I want to design a quaint neighborhood with minimal if any brick on the houses. An old-fashioned feel with lots of ivy, wisteria, and trees (not bradford pears or crepe myrtles either, they are the token trees and bushes in my town. i'm not harshing on them, i have a nice red crepe myrtle in my yard we just planted last season, i'm just talking about my dream street). Personally, I would like either a yellow house with lots of white trim or a white house, navy shutters and a red door. Lots and lots and lots of windows everywhere, with a very spacious open floor plan in the living/kitchen/dining area. Arched doorways going from room to room. Picket fences and black lamp posts with large white globes instead of a tall silver post with a yellow light in it. My friend Heather has redecorated her kitchen with white subway tiles, and they are awesome looking, so I would have those in the kitchen with lots of white cabinets. A 4b/2b plan, and of course, a wood-burning fire place. Lots of white and cottage charm.

So, I like Pottery Barn Spring, with all the minimal furnishings, and light airy feels. What do you like best?!

Heater Smell

I promise this is not a meterology blog, but the temps have dropped like 30 degrees over the last few days. We turned on the heater for the first time last night, and that first use of the year smell filled the house off and on during the night. We had the air on the day before and it seems there is something not right about using the heat the next day, but here's the deal. I'm sick, and miserable feeling most of the time, so I did not want to add FREEZING cold to my list of current ailments.

We also broke out the fuzzy, red, footed sleepers for the boys last night. I cannot tell you the insane amount of joy that filled my heart to see the boys in their winter pj's, mmmm!! Speaking of joyful things, the colder weather has given me the hankering to load the boys up, and drive down to Wal-Mart and buy us all three a pair of sweat suits...Not a cute Adidas windsuit with plaid lining either. The kind that comes in an array of colors, the kind that would get you sent to Stacy and Clinton's Office in a heartbeat, the kind you wore proudly in the 80's with your Ked's, the kind with that awesome fuzzy lining. I don't know if i'll go through with it, but if I do, I will promise that I won't be seen around town in it, and it will be strictly worn around the house.

It is finally looking like FALL!

It is a rainy day today with a high of 60 outside. All the neighbors have pumpkins on their porches! Someone even left an awesome pumpkin on our front porch last night! My mamaw came last week with some fall decorations for the boys to put outside. We have a few pumpkins and some wind socks (which I was thrilled about since they go so well with the decor I'm trying to achieve :)!!) But, the boys think they are cool.

Since I am pregnant, and have been really sick, I haven't been out much in the last 2 months, and I sure haven't felt like talking on the phone. That is why I wanted to give the blog a try. It seems like such a fun thing to do. I made some homeade cinnamon rolls this afternoon, which are now in the oven baking for us to have for snack when the boys wake up. The recipe is kind of make up-I thawed out a loaf of frozen Rhode's dough, and rolled it out, topped it with softened butter, sugar and cinnamon, then rolled it up and cut it into 12 rolls. We'll see how the invention works!

By the way, I guess wind sock is the right name for the 2 beauties hanging from our lights by the garage. They feel like tent material, one is orange, one is green, and they have long strings that blow in the wind hanging from them. And of course, a picture of a pumkin and a scarecrow adorn each one.

I will get some pictures up...that will be a challenge but I am up for it! When we go to functions, such as the pumpkin patch, and all the other mothers bust out their gi-normous cameras with lenses the size of Texas, I am the mom who either forgot her's or who grabbed a FunSaver on the way out the door! Sue me.

My First Blog!

I have several friends who have blogs and I just LOVE looking at them! It is such a fun way to keep in touch, especially since lots of my friends have moved to India, Georgia and Fayetteville! It is a little intimidating starting this, so we'll see how it goes!