Some Christmas Memories!

Bringing in the New Year...

Christmas has come and gone! The month of December always seems to fly by... does time really fly when you're having fun? I think the saying should go as follows: "Time flies when you've got two boys!"... :) I'm never really sad to see Christmas go - even though I love the season. It's just that I actually enjoy cleaning my house and getting things back to normal (whatever 'normal' is!). Call me crazy, but I just like staying organized... you guys all know that! Ha ha!

December was a great month! Hectic, but great. The boys enjoyed Christmas so much, and I enjoyed watching them so much! Landen is into Santa and how it all works this year... it was fun watching the wheels turn as he asked questions like, "How does he get in if we don't have a fireplace?" and after coming out of his room Christmas morning, he took one look at his presents, put his hands on his hips and exclaimed: "HOW DID HE DO THAT?". Too funny!

The boys continue to grow and make life fun! Daily they do something or say something to make me laugh. Graden got stuck under an end table just last week! Oh, it was priceless. I just don't remember what I laughed at before I had kids. Friends, maybe? :) Ha!

Speaking of friends... I'm still so excited that I got to catch up with so many of my old, dear friends! What fun it was to tell old stories and laughed until it hurt!

Phil is thriving! He loves substitute teaching... he has one week left of a long term assignment after the break. He hopes to land another long term, but said he'll be ok with floating around and meeting new teachers at other schools if he can only sub. It's nice to see him accomplish such a major goal. The boys and I are so proud of him! :)

I'm thinking of taking a class at IPFW next semester... Just a writing (of course) class online. Not sure though. (I know, I know - nothing like waiting until the last minute!) :)

I'll keep you posted. :)
I hope the holidays were as cheerful for you as they were for us. We have a lot to be thankful for... and we continue to pray for those who are not as fortunate, and for our friends who are struggling with their children's health.
Love to all!

Graden 1st Birthday Pictures...

Copy & paste the link below into your browser to see some of Graden's first birthday fun! :)

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=182940&l=7e239&id=726190432

Growing Up!

I just can't believe it. Everyone told me during both pregnancies that once the boys were born, time would fly... I tried brushing them off, but they were right! Graden will be celebrating his first birthday tomorrow!

He's a walking, grunting, mumbling, teething, drooling, giggling machine! He makes me smile - no matter what kind of mood I'm in - and loves his big brother. If he can't SEE Landen, he moves all through the house until he finds him. He becomes a speed-walker/crawler if Landen yells "Graden, come play with me!" Graden is a total 'Daddy's boy' and is also quite fond if his Pawpaws & "Uncle B"! He's into anything that makes noise, Mickey Mouse, Landen's cars, balls, peek-a-boo, food, climbing, being outside, and head-butting. (Not sure where that last one came from, and I laugh out loud just typing it... but it's true! He head-butts everything!) It's hilarious to watch and even funnier to know that it makes Graden crack himself up!

I'm grateful watching Phil interact with these boys, too. They already want to be just like him... I'm sure I've mentioned this before. I remind myself daily how blessed I am and I constantly wonder what I did to deserve such a home...

These boys are truly the joys of my life and the pieces that make my heart whole. I never thought I'd experience such a feeling... I never knew it existed until these boys came into my life. I'm such a lucky mom!

Many happy fall days to your home... :)
Enjoy getting ready for the holidays...

Graden and some Landen!

That time of year...

Cooties. It never fails that as the temperature changes, I somehow manage to get some cooties! As if it hasn't been busy or stressful enough in the past few weeks, I've managed to not just catch a cold, but get the flu! I thought I wasn't feeling well last week... then I felt a little better and decided it was just a cold or some sinus. This morning, however, I woke up and felt like a bus had run over me and barely made it into the bathroom before I got sick. I don't get sick well. For some reason, I always feel like I'm going to pass out... So, who do I yell for? Landen! Poor little guy came running and said, "what do you need mommy? you got a bellyache?" :) Ah, if he only knew that my insides felt like they were coming out. I just asked him to keep an eye on Graden because that little monster is fast! :)

I've mentioned before about Landen my caregiver. Maybe this will make it even more true... Before he could watch Graden, he must have decided to take care of me! He actually reached into the shower (he has a little shelf with toys and he keeps a washcloth in there) and grabbed his washcloth. He went into his room and got his step-stool. He got the washcloth wet (soaking wet mind you - because he didn't know to squeeze some out first!) and put it on my head!! Precious. Of course, it was freezing and I was soaked, but it totally made me feel better!

I'm feeling a little better now, but I'm about ready to get rid of my cooties! I've got so many things going on, that I must be a little run -down too because I just now (at 4 pm) got out of bed. Colds are one thing, heaving is another! Hopefully your families stay healthy...

Random fall thoughts...

October 1st?! Are you kidding me? Wasn't yesterday, July 4th?

Fall is my most favorite time of year. *Yes, I said MOST FAVORITE! I love the air. I love the leaves. I love thinking about my family being together for Thanksgiving and no presents. I love football. I love bonfires. I love jeans. I just really love the air. It's just so crisp and brisk... :)

I'll admit, recess was a little chilly today though! :)

I know I've said it before, but time flies! It's so hard for me to believe that I'll be planning Graden's 1st birthday party soon! I am so lucky...

Actually, I'm lucky for so many reasons. My mind is on overload ... it has been since a week ago today. Mike has been gone for a week now. We are all moving forward - but not moving "on". Mike will remain in our hearts forever...

My best buddy told me today that she was remaining positive. (She was a close friend to Mike, too.) Everyday she has been waking up, reminding herself to be thankful for what she has and knowing that she (as well as the rest of us) is lucky for what she still has in her life. We just have to realize that - and every day will be a good day! What a great friend she has been to me and my family...

Yet, another reminder that I'm lucky: GREAT FRIENDS!

I read a blog today of a friend of Phil's... they went to school together so they are the same age as us. Even though we don't see them much, I'm SUPER excited to read that they are about to pick up their NEW BABY! They get to adopt a brand new baby! I LOVE THAT! I love the feeling of knowing this couple is about to experience one of the greatest feelings in life: CHILDREN. There are days of course when that baby will test their patience - - but nothing (NOTHING) will ever compare to the happiness you'll experience when they look up at you and recognize that you are their parent. Ah... makes me feel all mushy inside! :) Congrats to them!

Off to work I go... Enjoy your day today and your days to come. Please remember to say things today because we just don't know if you'll get a chance to say them tomorrow....

Why?

Sitting here alone in the quiet, my mind is racing... The windows are open, so I hear the children playing while they wait for the school bus to pick them up. I love stopping to take a few minutes to listen to my surroundings. I can even smell the brisk, fall breeze. It is my favorite time of year. I have learned never to take anything for granted... you just don't know what tomorrow may bring...

Wednesday morning, my husband's cousin, Mike (and good, good friend to us) passed away. I can't help but wonder why? He was going to be 31 in November and he left behind his wife and his toddler daugther. It was just 9 months ago that we buried his 10 month old daugther, Alex... It just does not seem fair that my friend has to lose her child and now her husband in such a short time. Why should one family have to deal with so much? Can't we share some of that burden? I am simply a friend and it seems so selfish for me to be upset... but I suppose I'm just looking for answers like everyone else. I'm tired of hearing the quotes, sayings and cliches... I know he's in a better place, but I really just miss him already. He was truly one of the greatest people I knew... He touched my life more than I ever got a chance to thank him for...

Mike lost his brother, Nick, 9 years ago. Mike lost his daugther Alex 9 months ago. Someone mentioned to us Wednesday that her thought was that they (Nick and Alex) needed Mike with them... We'd had him long enough... It's such a simple statement and it makes sense, but it's just so hard for me to completely understand in my heart.

I love you, Mike and wish I got the chance to tell you that one more time...

Landen, The Caregiver

So, here I go...
I'm working on this blog during nap time, because all mothers know that if you want to accomplish anything you have to be able to move fast during a two hour window! It takes me a few minutes to pick up toys, do a few dishes, and switch the laundry. I sit down, I check my email, I sign into my blog... and there it is... "MOMMY?" Dang.

Landen is recovering much better than I thought he would from his tonsil/adnoid removal. Tough little guy is eating and drinking just like he should, but today he keeps telling me he has a bellyache. I've tried everything... I think he's drifting off to sleep now, so hopefully it just goes away. He is talking so much these days and is such a sponge. We had to start making sure we listen to music or watch tv shows that don't say anything that we don't want him to repeat! :)

A few days ago, he told me "it's ok mommy, calm down honey"... Oops. I'm sure he heard that from me the last time he fell and cried or got himself worked up over something silly. I think was upset over orange pop spilled on the carpet... It was an accident, but I yelled at him to go get Mommy a towel. How could I be mad when he said "oops, sorry", tells me he'll be more careful and then immediately says "love you"? Smart kid. Cute, too! I'm a sucker.

Graden is just as cute... pretty adventurous, too. He likes to crawl on the kitchen floor and get stuck underneath the kitchen table. Plus, no matter how much I clean that floor - he always manages to find something that can go into his mouth! Ah, my little 10 month old monster! Landen just goes in after him and says "no, no, no, Graden! you can get hurt... come play with me" and guides him right back into the living room! What would I do without big brother, Landen? :)

Getting Started...

I'm home with the boys for a long weekend... Landen got his tonsils and adnoids out last Thursday (and is recovering nicely). I decided that it was a time I got with the program and looked into the "blog" thing while I had some time off. I have some friends that blog for their jobs and/or for their families... So, I checked them out! I love being able to stay caught up on their exciting events. So many important things go on when you have children (or are expecting them!). So many important things go on in everyone's lives - period. What a great way for me to talk about my boys, our family, and my life and to share them all with you! Hopefully, I can get started easily and make it a worth-while and enjoyable site! Wish me luck.