wordless wednesday: subtitles.

My bff had her baby. Please visit her site and pray for them.

My New Year Challenge(Q1 Challenge that is....more to come...4Q's in a year.)

I'll be reading and blogging through the Bible in 90 days on MomsToolbox.com beginning January 1,2010. Wanna join me?

Merry Christmas Eve

I love this night. It is always a gift to be reminded that Christ was born. What a gift to me and you indeed. Remember the presence of Christ is worth more than any present you could possibly ask for or receive. May you and your family rejoice and enjoy the evening and what Christmas truly brings to your life.

Merry Christmas from the Clubhouse!

wordless wednesday

wordless wednesday

Christmas Program

UPDATED: The program was great. The little kids sang their hearts out. I think my girl might have gotten stage fright or was taken back by all the people out there and the lights as you just cant practice that part. I say this because she seemed to forget all the moves that I know she already knew. All well it was cute just the same. I was so proud. So proud that I instantly became one of those mothers. I think it just happens as it was just so natural. Are you asking what I am talking about? Of course you are. Well you see several years ago when I was childless I had gone to some neighbor kids events and thought it was just so odd that mom's even dad's would wave at the stage where the child was. heck the child couldn't see them. Well maybe if you were front row but I am thinking...no. They don't see you waving and smiling. I swore up and down inside I would never be that mom. Well. Well sure enough I became that mom last night. With out a thought. It was instinctive. The minute I saw her walking out on stage to the music my arm went up waving like a flag on a windy day. My heart was screaming her name as if she was a rock n roll star. Luckily my brain did not allow my mouth to open and my tongue to speak. So for all you mommies that have yet to witness your child in their first production....be ready. The arm will go up and wave.

I know for sure that she was stretched to her limit though come the end of the show. We got home at 815 and she was TIRED. Not fussy but ready for bed. You see she is normally in bed by 630 pushing it is 650. So this was a late night for her.

Well it was a great night and I am so happy that I got to go and that Nana was here to see it too. Thank you Michelle for monitor sitting Travis and sitting in the recliner relaxing while doing your Christmas cards.

See below signature for video.

*************************************************************************************

Tonight is Campbell's first Christmas Program. She has been secretly signing us her songs for some time. But pretending not to know all the words. She sneaks the songs in here and there. When we ask for more she get all coy and explains she doesn't know the words.

Oh how I cant wait for the Program. She loves to sing and dance around. It makes my heart sing that she has so much joy for it. I am taking the camera and will do some video taking. I am also buying the professional version. Why not, she's my first child, she's in her first program and she is so excited!!!!

Will post more soon.

Till then remember...."The Gift of Christmas is God is with us, Emmanuel, Emmanuel!"

two

So the terrible two's begin. Travis has been and I suppose always be a totally different baby from Campbell. A different infant and now toddler. Well I suppose that is only fitting as he is a different person. But man, oh man does this little boy have a temper. Hmm wondering where he got it from. Campbell is so easy going. She is testing us with her new Three attitude but when she was two, man talk about a cake walk. Not with Travis though. I am sure this is where the paybacks that my mother always spoke of is starting to come true. She always told me that one day I would be paid back for all my "ugliness and attitude" two fold one day. Guess the day has come.

Travis is a bit fit thrower. He just will plain buck down and cry, cry, cry. Granted I believe he is more temperamental right now because his molars might be bearing down. I do remember lots of crying and screaming about a month after Campbell turned two and she got her top two year molars in August and her bottoms in September of last year. So maybe it is just that.
But seriously he has some major meltdowns.

He cries over various things like:
When bath time is over. Hates getting out of the tub.
If he cant take more than two cars with him..anywhere....to the table, store, to be changed, in the car, for a walk, etc.....although this is getting better.
Food....he is super picky about what goes in his mouth so most of our eating times are filled with tears.
Hates it when Thomas show is turned off after watching it.
Will cry and cry to watch a Thomas show after nap time.
Hates it when he cant physically carry more than five cars in his arms and becomes distraught about it when they fall.
Is very protective of his Thomas train set and doesn't like it when you push the train. Only him. Occasionally sissy is allowed to play but is testy about it most times.

So where did my sweet boy go? You have always been strong willed and temperamental but still sweet and lots less tears. I hope he wont be gone long but I love you just the same.

Two....this could be a rough year.

I want a Christmas Tree

This is what rang in our home yesterday. What fun this season is becoming as a preschooler starts to learn about the magic of Christmas.

Since we have a December birthday we have a rule that we don't put up our tree until the weekend after the birthday. So this will be the weekend.

We did put up lights early this year. In fact daddy and the babies (not sure how much help they were) put them up on my first full day home from the hospital. It was fun to see their faces light up when they counted to three and turned on the lights. The squeals of anticipation were fun to hear too. I don't think I have seen my husband so excited about getting the Christmas boxes out of the attic as he was that day. We of course wont be the yard that wins the light award but our lights this year are just for us. Small, not grand but great in the eyes of a 2 and 3 year old that love to count 1-2-3-Christmas Lights! every night as they are plugged in out front.

But back to the tree. All day Campbell kept talking about the tree. No doubt tree's were discussed at preschool as they were working on ornaments as the craft.
This year she tells me that she wants to "help" decorate the tree and that it should have pink, purple, butterflies and flowers on it! Cute idea but not sure our tree will turn out that way. Either way I think she will enjoy putting the decorations on the tree this year. Hmmmm, or maybe I should contact Heather over at life in a small town who owns a Christmas Shop. She has a made some pretty great trees with different themes. Click here to see for yourself.


Hey here's an idea. Tell me about your tree, your favorite ornament or tradition. I'd love to know.

wordless wednesday

happy 2nd birthday!

Dearest Travis,
You turned two today. My heart is filled with joy knowing that you have grown and flourished through yet another year. Two my dear boy has so much to offer and I know that you will embrace all that it brings.

Year one flew by and it seems odd to me to know that two years ago I gave birth to my first son. That my heart was open to a second child and a child of different gender as well. It is amazing how a mother can love each child as if they were the only apple of their eye. That is how my heart feels when I see you. When I run my fingers through your blonde curly hair. Yes, the hair that I can not come to cut. I will keep you in curls my dear sweet boy until it is truly time to cut them off. You are the love of my life and my heart will only grow deeper in love with you each day of our lives.

Travis you are a strong willed little boy with a passionate heart. You love, you do love deeply. I know you will grow into a fine, strong, honest and compassionate man. I see you taking the world by storm and embracing all that is given to you. Maybe I am bias after all I am your mommy but I just know great things are yet to be yours.

Some of the things that at two have already captured your heart are Thomas the Train and Hot Wheel Cars. You love your sissy and papa. You truly love your nana. Tonight at dinner you said "my favorite part is daddy." I have no doubt that the two of you will have a bond like no other. You are daddy's boy and he loves you so. The thought that rings glorious in my heart is that you this afternoon woke from your nap saying "mommy here." Yes, Mommy is here. Right were I intend to be forever and ever.

While your second birthday celebration was not the grand party that I had envisioned it to be many months ago. It was just the way I would have wanted it to spend it, with you! Mommy has been sick but is on the mend. No doubt this is just as hard on you and sissy as it is me. But it is just a short portion of our time together so that gets me through. I am so sorry for you having to miss me and wonder when I would be home again. But I am here, "Mommy here."

I love you Travis! You have stolen my heart and it will always be yours.
Happy Second Birthday my sweet boy!
Love, Mommy

For updates on Merry Lynn and her recent surgery, please click here.

Prayers and comfort

Dear Lord,
I come to you with prayer for many tonight.
Please be with my best friend Stacie and her family tonight. Be with her during this time of emergency and comfort them. Protect her and protect that sweet baby in her belly. Heal her quickly and please bring her no more hassles during the duration of her risky pregnancy.
Please be with my children over the next few days as they take notice that mommy is not around and neither might be daddy. May they have fun with Nana and not be sad. Let them know that Mommy loves them more than anything and that she always will.
Also dear Lord please be with a MOPS friend of mine, Tesa. She needs your love and guidance at this time. Bring her comfort when it appears that her world is turning upside down. Bring her and her family great JOY!
Lord, I thank you for all the wonderful people you have placed in and around my life for one reason or another. I have been truly blessed. I love my parents, my brother, friends and family. My husband, my children and those I have only met online and through their pictures and words. Dear Lord be with me tomorrow morning, be with my doctor and staff as they work on the body you gave me.
Allow peace and comfort to all the world tonight.
Amen.

What I love

I love it when my child is so excited to go to Preschool and than sings songs to me over the drive home and lunch time. It warms my heart that she is growing and learning and loving her school days.

I love it that my child is 23 months. That he is one month away from being two and all that the year of two has to offer him. Even though I am sad that year one is almost done, I am looking forward to year two!

I love that my husband works so hard and is doing all he can to be a good husband and daddy.
I love that he seems so strong when it comes to my upcoming surgery and is a good sport on days when I could just sit and cry all day.

I love that my parents are going to sacrifice so much time and have my mom here with us during my surgery and recovery times. I love that they love my kids so much.

I love that I have started to attend a bible study on Tuesday mornings. I didn't ever think that I had it in me but I really enjoy it and only wish we could video conference it over the next few weeks as I wont be able to attend.

I love that I have neighbors that care for my children like they were there own. I love that my children love my neighbors. I love that I have created new friendships and ties in my life.

I love my dog, Barley even if she gets the short end of the deal now.

I love people that have been praying for me and my family.

I have a lot of love in my heart right now and I just wanted to share it with you.

After all if you don't share your love you cant get any more in return right?

who are you praying for today?

I am praying for:

Stacie and her pregnancy.
Lance as he heads out of town for a quick and unexpected trip.
My mother's upcoming travel .
Heather
My upcoming surgery
MOPS group a & b.
for the situation in Ft. Hood, TX.
My children.

wordless wednesday

for more wordless wednesday please click here.

Have I mentioned?

Have I mentioned that I believe in the Power of Prayer?
Well I do. I do. I do. I DO!

My best friend Stacie and her family need some prayers and I would love for you to grab this updated button and place it on your blog. It is located on the side bar under my profile.

Prayer is so powerful and can move mountains. Wont you join me in praying?

Thank you!!!

Worst mother

I get the Worst Mother of the Year Award!!! Last week I forgot a very important day in a scholars life. You see, Campbell usually goes to school with the perfect bow with the perfect dress or skirt. Hardly ever in pants as I just love to dress her up and want her to be in girly stuff until of course her "will" decides that she "isn't" going to wear what mommy wants. So last Thursday I decide to send Campbell to School in the cute little pumpkin shirt and candy cane pants (yes pants but they were too yummy to pass up.) since they were not allowed to wear costumes. She looked really cute!

It was kinda warm so I decided to put her hair up in a pony tail. I was trying to find the perfect bow but she had her own mind set on two tiny tiny bows that she found while we were looking through all the bows. She kept saying "these, these." So mommy caved.

I drop her off noticing all the bows and cute dresses. NONE of which were Halloween festive like in the days prior. But we go about the drop off process.

Than right on time I arrive for pick up. The teacher is saying good bye and says to her "you had the prettiest smile for the school photo today." WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I look sharply at the teacher and say...."school photos were today?" hoping she was going to say no when the pit in my stomach shouted "yes today dummy!" She smiled sweetly at me and said "yes." I about died!! I started rambling about how I forgot and couldn't believe it. The teacher politely said to me "well she'll have a pretty pumpkin in her head shot." I was DYING!!!!

Her first school picture and I sent her to school looking like this!

"To the Academy of Worst Mothers, I sadly accept this award."

Campbell I pledge not to make this a habit of forgetting those all so important scholarly moments. XO.

The Lion and the Zebra....

Happy Halloween!

who are you praying for today?

I am praying for:

Lance (big business trip, safe travels)
Campbell while she is at school.
Travis for his cough to go away.
Stacie's pregnancy.
My brother (William) to gain employment.
Bethany as she travels home for her first trip home from college.
Raven, who split her chin open at school yesterday.
Stellan on his one year birthday.
For my heart and mind to be looking straight ahead to God.


Who are you praying for today?

wordless wednesday

for more wordless wednesday's go here.

Looking back over October's past.

Campbell's first Halloween. October 2006 in her Halloween Jammie's.

Campbell's second Halloween. October 2007 just months before we became a party of four.

Our first trip to the pumpkin patch October 2008. This was the first Halloween for Travis.

Look at me now a year later and second trip to the pumpkin patch. October 2009

I like scarecrows! First pumpkin patch trip October 2008

Good witch, bad witch. Second trip to the pumpkin patch October 2009.

Wagon ride in our first trip to the pumpkin patch October 2008

Old pros at the wagon ride. Second trip to the pumpkin patch October 2009

It's always fun to look back and see just how we've grown.

wordless wednesday

we love to run!

We are in between seasons here. Some days it's hot, some days it's rainy and other days it cold than warm. So that leads to some days inside....inside all day long. Well this particular day it was steamy and rainy. We did in fact stay in our jammies all day long. Yes. I did in fact say. ALL. DAY. LONG.

But we did have fun, we were running, and running and running!

Mr. Potato Head

We got a package the other day. Thank you AUSTIN Guy's! The kids L-O-V-E him!
Here is a picture of Campbell playing with him. He has been a hit and his shoes are referred to as "tap" shoes as she is taking tap and ballet classes.
Thank you, Thank you!

Halloween fun

Head over here for some Halloween fun. Just press play. Have a great weekend.

wordless wednesday: subtitles.

three years ago today, grandma Betty brought over a
beautiful fall sweater she had made Campbell.
Oh so small Campbell was. How lovely the gift was.
Sending a big thank you all over again to Betty up in heaven.