Creighton

Looking through all the pictures for my post below has me all senitmental and emotional...especially since I am leaving my kids for a week (I am already freaking out about that)...so I had to add one more of my sweet girl that I just LOVE! She was SO tiny here. It's incredible how much they grow and so fast! I LOVE her sweet smile!

200th Post---A year in pictures

Here is a bit of the last (a little over a) year in our lives picture style. I can't say these are my favorite pictures, but they are some of my favorites. There were so many to choose from and they were taking a LONG time to download for some reason, so I am only going back to November of 2006 till Creighton's party November 2007.

Its been a lot of fun going through pictures! I loved it (even though it took me DAYS)....Enjoy!

November 2006

December 2006

January 2007

(apparently he was really cute and we took lots of pics in January!) :)

February 2007

March 2007

April 2007

May 2007

June 2007

Birthday Boy Turns 2!

July 2007

August 2007

September 2007

October 2007

November 2007

I am thankful...

-for my Savior (and the hope that I have in Him)
-for my husband
-for my sweet Jackson
-for my sweet Creighton
-for my parents (and their families)
-for my siblings (and their families)
-for my inlaws (and their families)
-for sleep (I just had to put that in there :))
-for my friends
-for second chances
-for my home
-for Jeff's job
-for our church
-for honesty
-for new life (sweet Addie Jane)
-for memories
-for digital cameras
-for really really good (and lots of) food
-for our cars (yes, the fact that we have more than one is SO nice!)
-for computers
-for blogs
-for life

I am thankful today because it is Thanksgiving, and I hope that I carry my thankfulness over to all of my days...
There are so many things I am thankful for and so many I didn't list and more details to EVERY one that I did list. I am so blessed,so incredibly blessed. I have everything that I need and even most of what I desire. My life is blessed. God is so good.

We are at my mom's for the holiday week. It has been really nice to be with my my sister and brother and the neice and nephews. My mom cooked a FANTASTIC meal for all of us and it was a cozy nice lunch/dinner. Then we ALL went to see a movie tonight (a LONG tradition)...it was a little crazy with my two kids who are a little young still to go, but it's all good. We saw the Bee Movie. I don't know if that is the name though, but I think it is. It wasn't the greatest cartoon movie I have ever seen, but I came away with this thought...there has to be a creator. There has to be something/someone greater than we, something that fasceted all of this together, for it all to work perfectly, in order, in structure. It can't be random chance or a big bang or even an evolving of sorts. (I know it was just a cartoon, but I can't help but think that would really happen if nature went against its creator, against the way things were suppose to be). Again, creation obeys God...there is order in everything that the trees and animals and wind do...that's cool. God protects us and provides for us in the big and little ways. In all ways.

Under Construction

I don't know how many of you noticed that I was away and so was my blog for a few days. I needed to do some cleaning up within my blog...and so I did. I found that I had some drafts that were duplicates and some posts were not worth leaving up and within some that were, were specific things that I shouldn't have said/needed worded differently.

I had like 218 or so posts to start with and now I am back down to 197, this one being 198, and so I will get to do my "blog anniversary" on my 200th post like I had wanted! So that is good news!

I had wanted to do this for some time and never took the time to do it...and now I know why...it took HOURS and several days to do this! But, it was brought to my attention that I am a daughter of the King, and I am also a wife of a minister and therefore, whether I like it or not, I have to be even more careful about my content, my comments, my depth. I value being "real" so much that I said some things that hurt people, confused people, made people wonder and worry. I need to be more careful because we live our life in a fish bowl---and that has to be okay....even though sometimes it is very hard.

I learned alot about myself though through re-reading all of my posts over the last year. I learned that I am constantly talking about sleep! Sorry to all of you about that :) I value sleep so much and I love to sleep. When people ask Jeff what my hobby is, it is sleeping, and that is exactly what he says :)....But I also learned that I complain an awful lot! That isn't a good thing at all. My "realness" that I prided myself in being, wasn't very appealing to the public eye, and so my apologies for that as well. I will try to do better.

I am very grateful for good friends and for people who care enough about Jeff and I to put us in our place when we are out of line. That isn't always easy...AT ALL, but man, so true is the verse in Proverbs that "Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses."

Life is good. I am learning a lot. That is good, not always easy, but good. My sweet husband is so good to me...and I am so in love with him. Going through difficult things together is always a good test of the strength of our marriage and commitment to one another.

The kids are good. Both of them are getting over a cough and ear infections and such, but are being pretty good. I am weaning Creighton off of nursing and as sad as I am about it, I think it will be good for BOTH of us. It does really make me sad though. I have LOVED nursing both of my babies. It is sucha sweet and tender time and noone else gets to EVER experience that closeness like I got to with them. I'll never forget that (I hope!).

I finished up my Seeking Him bible study that I love so much. I miss it...but I am glad that I am able to move beyond a specific study and do some good old fashioned scripture study with the Lord. I am on a 30 day commitment to studying the word and spending quiet time in prayer...I desperately hope to come out on the other side of the 30 days changed and knowing the importance of that daily time and cherishing that time so much that I can't not continue in it every day. I want desperately to be different. To be sold out for Christ. I want the Lord's joy to be my joy...even when being a wife and a mommy and a christian for that matter gets tough!

I am so thankful for my friends and family!

Creighton's Birthday Pics!

Here is her and her birthday outfit and her cute Pebbles hair-do! This is what that cute hair-do looks like when the band comes out :) (and a pic with Nah-Nah)

She DID NOT want her hat on for ANY reason...:) But thanks anyway Aunt Christy

Here is Creighton with her cake

I was helping her open her presents and she got lots of really cute things! (clothes and toys)

I LOVE this picture. She was very much enjoying her cupcake and particularly the icing! :)
ummm.....and her eyes over the past 3 weeks have just gotten more gorgeous...this picture barely gives them justice...I LOVE THEM! I LOVE HER!!!

My Mom found this cake and HAD to have it...for a very good reason...isn't it SO cute?

We had this party on the 10th (Saturday) and all sets of parents were there (her grandparents) and my aunt and uncle and my cousin's kids and jeff's sisters kids, and 2 of his sisters and their boyfriends (one is a fiance as of the 10th).

A little bit of chaos...

Well, yesterday was quite the day...I spent the morning/early afternoon sans kids which was nice, but I had a lot to get done so it wasn't relaxing or anything, but rather productive, which was a good feeling. I had to go to Walmart and I actually didn't go crazy and I stuck to my list! That is such a good thing for me because I often get caught up in being Madame Blueberry. I came home and started to make homemade Minestrone soup! I love it and its good for you. Jeff is trying to lose weight (and SO.AM.I!) So that is a good way to start. I cleaned my kids' rooms and did one load of laundry (with the need to do like 9 more).

Jeff did go get the kids for me so I could get in a few minutes to relax and that was really great! I snuck in a few minute nap (rest), and then they were home. They had a good day at school, which is always nice to hear. Then for some reason when they got home they decided to go a little haywire! I didn't know what was into them, but it was crazy. (although I know now).

Jeff left to go to work because things were a little crazy up there for their special Nikao night where they were doing Vespers. (it ended up going well!) The second he left, the chaos increased ten-fold by the minute. Creighton was incredibly needy and wanted to nurse constantly and Jackson began whining and crying and acting very odd. I was about to lose it. He was then just crying and holding his ears and crying and screaming and crying some more and yet every time I tried to console him, cuddle him, Creighton would FREAK OUT! IT was awful...I can't imagine having three, or four, or six to deal with at the same time!

His ear was turning bright red and getting very hot, and I don't know why but it made me panic and by this time it was after 5 WHY.DO.THEY.ONLY.GET.SICK.AFTER.5PM? so I desperately tried to get them (both screaming at this point) into the car to go to the afterhours clinic. I did finally get them in and we left and the clinic was full...no big deal, there are 2 more. Well, I went to the one and Creighton was asleep in the car now, so I checked in and said I'd be right back and was leaving to go take her to the nursery at the church, now that it was after 6 and there were sitters there. (who needs to have 2 babies with all the sickies by myself when there is a church nursery?) So, I drive all the way to the church and drop her off...whew....and then remember that there is another Afterhours clinic that doesn't charge anything more than the co-pay and I check to see if they are busy. THey aren't so I end up staying there with him there (and I never went back to tell the other one we weren't coming back).

Anyway, it was almost torturous for the Jackson to be there at this point and he is acting like someone is slowly killing him. Looking in this kids ears is just a ridiculous proceedure. He is awful. He freaks out and now he knows its coming long before it happens and he gets himself VERY worked up. I was thankful that he didn't look in his throat this time, thinking it would save us a trip similar to past vomitting experiences. He has a double ear infection, poor kid! But we are good to go within a matter of moments and all is well. He is calming down from the ear torture and cuddling with me. He wants to go to the church to see his Daddy and so off we go (with a mid stop to the pharmacy)...

or so I think...

As soon as I get the kid in the car, all 5 point harnessed in and start driving, no sooner than I get to the parking lot exit as he starts the vomitting process. I feel helpless, it looks horribly painful and awful. I pull over get out, start to dry-heave myself from the grossness of it all. I try my best to clean him up, but give up completely because he can't (and doesn't) stop puking everywhere all over the car, himself, his seat, me, his ever beloved blanky and binky, and its everywhere. I feel horrible for him and honestly, for myself too, because I just didn't want to have to deal with it. I hate it that he has such crazy gag reflex. It is such that once he starts gagging he can't stop and its just awful to watch and then more awful to clean up. Did you know that kids (atleast mine) don't really chew their food up well...TMI sorry.

WE come home, strip, shower, put on new clothes, clean up the car, put him in Creighton's seat and grab her old seat, take it to the church (so Jeff can bring her home later), go to the pharmacy, pick up dinner for me (he fell asleep in the car), go back to the pharmacy, head home and eat and then clean up the rest of the car and seat and throw a nice pity party for myself.

Jeff finally got home, not knowing ANY thing of what had occurred and I am more wiped out that I can attest to (thank heavens I hadn't had the kids all day or I might not have made it through the evening/night).

Jackson didn't sleep well and Creighton was up early. We went to the YMCA twice today though because I wanted to go back to my TurboKick class that I really like (today was my second day)...and then tonight...Jackson wanted to go swimming...and I am idiot and I don't know how I forgot all of the above madness and agreed to let him go....until he got in the water and started holding his ears...am I an idiot or what? Anyway, I have been waiting to get on the computer for forever so I could blog....

I am exhausted and was ready for bed a long time ago....but I had to blog.

Heres to SPRING, please hurry!

Date your Spouse and Comedians

Oh man, this video is hilarious and the post (by Dawn at 6 pack) is so true! I haven't really ever thought of the analogy of the airplane oxygen tanks. It is great though and so so true, that to be good parents to our kids, we have to take time away from them to invest (make deposits) into our marriage! Jeff and I sat down and nailed down some time with each other for dates twice a month, and working out once a week together, working out seperately, and then I get a girls night out and he gets a guys night out once a month! I am SO excited about it! I can't wait.

I love comdians. If you have never heard of Brian Reagan...you should listen up and laugh! Also, for the ladies, Chonda Pierce is another one of my favorite!

Jackson and Jesus

Just a quick sweet thing I want published so I'll always remember:

Tonight on the way home from dinner with my parents and Jeff, we were asking Jackson about our home. Then the conversation went something like this:

Jeff: where does Jackson live?
Jackson: da ch-ur-ich
Jeff: where does Daddy live?
Jackson: ad da ch-ur-ich
Jeff: where does Mommy live?
Jackson: ad da ch-ur-ich
Jeff: so, where does Jesus live?
Jackson: em meee!

When we thought for certain that he'd just say the "ch-ur-ich" again, he made me realize that there is just something more special than we know about the verse in Luke where Jesus says let the children come to me and to have faith like that of the children! I don't think for a second that he truly understands, but man, it delights my heart that he gets it even that much!

I love it!

ABC/123

Okay, so this is cheesy, but I liked it, so I had to share it. I can't take credit for this by ANY means, and I can't give credit either, because I don't know who did it or wrote it...

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

If:H-A-R-D-W-O-R- K

8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

And:K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E

11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%

But:A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E

1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%

THEN, look how far the love of God will take you:

L-O-V-E-O-F-G-O-D

12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4 = 101%

Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that: While Hard Work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude willget you there, It's the Love of God that will put you over the top!

Time change Stinks!

Who's idea was it to EVER change the clocks back? or foward? I used to LOVE it whenever I was in my single/non-mom days when we'd gain an hour of sleep...however, I am not loving it now. It was getting dark by 5:30. Who does that benefit?! It gets bright EARLY....that benefits NO mother!!!! The days are SOOOOOO long right now....I am so exhausted. We've already had baths and dinner and are in pjs and its only 6:30. For some families, that is normal maybe, but we usually are wrapping up this routine about 9pm. I like our schedule...but now its crazy. They'd always go play outside after dinner and it was fabulous and now its dark.

My cell phone is officially baptized in La Toliet and died upon its coming up. So, I am trying to find one to "borrow" long term till I am up for an upgrade (which since I JUST GOT THIS ONE, won't be for like 20 more months!).

I took Jackson to the doctor today because he has a nasty sounding cough. Good news: He's fine. Bad news: He threw up so much and for so long that he clogged the sink in the little room where there seemed to be NO air flow and the stinch and foulness was awful! (he can't handle the checking of the throat because of his HYPER sensitive gag reflex of his---and she acts like nothing was happening!!!!!!!!!ugh!

I am in a fairly foul mood...sorry. I shouldn't be. I know I just need to change my perspective and attitude. I will!

Good bye!

It's early and we are off to St. Louis. Youth Specialities Conference here we come! I'll have A LOT of catching up to do when I get back, both of the reading and the writing form. Hope everyone has a great week.

Happy Birthday to my sweetest baby girl Creighton Teal! I willl write a birthday montage when I return.

Happy Birthday Grandma Maxie (on Creighton's or visa versa) and Debbie (Creighton's grandma) the next day!

I will leave you with one thing. I want to write more about it when I return, but to wet your tastebuds go visit here (LOVE.HER!) and here(just getting started still).

Halloween

Well we leave very early tomorrow morning and I am now saddened that I am missing my little girls First (and only 1st) Birthday! How can parents do this? What was I thinking? Oh well...it's a little late now...she (and he) are gone to my moms and they are leaving in 6 hours to go to Houston, TX and we are leaving in 10 to go to St. Louis. AHHHH!

**Thank you to all who emailed and commented on my post below. I like it that many of you can relate!

Anyway, my week did get better. We have had far less "outbreaks" with the crazy little people and more or less they have returned to their sweet selves.

We had a good day yesterday for Halloween at the Fall Festival at Grace. I went as a cowgirl, only because it was a very last minute thing. I got fabric from Walmart at 5:45 to make Jeff a Larry the Cucumber costume to go with Jackson's Bob the Tomato. I am not creative, and before last night, I didn't know I could sew! :) (especially under pressure, without a guide, and without a machine). I am VERY proud of myself though...because I only spent like 20 minutes at the most *(maybe less) and this is what it turned out like!

Here is Jeff and Jackson together as Bob and Larry! Aren't they cute!?

Here is Creighton and I...she as her sweet white bunny little self and me as the silly cowgirl.

My parents came up to take Jackson and Creighton around the Fall Festival because Jeff and I had Nikao. I ended up getting to be with them mostly though because my small group didn't show up. There must have been a better party elsewhere...which was fine and I assumed that would happen.

This is what Jackson and Creighton went to school looking like (so as not to mess up their real costumes):

*excuse all the laundry and unmade bed...that's embarassing...but the laundry is now complete...all 8 loads of it. Most of it is even folded and put away. The bed however is about to have my sleepy head in it and it never got made today...oh well.