Catching Up... But still no pictures.

Well, I haven't caught up on my Christmas posts yet, and I was planning on doing that today... except I kinda... sorta... accidentally... threw away my usb camera cord. OOPS! I only realized it yesterday, but no worries, I already ordered a new one and I got my email that it has been shipped this morning! I figured I would go ahead and post about everything we did before I forget and I'll share pictures when my new cord gets here!

I think I mentioned previously that on the 23rd we made Christmas goodies at my moms! All sorts of things, fudge (choc. and peanut butter), divinity, choc./white choc. covered pretzels, peanut butter cracker sandwiches dipped in chocolate, oreo's in white choc. and there's more I'm forgetting... but anyway~ I think I ate almost as much as I made :) It was fun to get together w/ my mom, my cousin Brooke and my Grandma and do this. B stayed in his pj's most of the day & just played around my mom's house and watched cartoons. He was so good.

Wednesday my mom, B, and I headed to Evansville for my Dr's appt. I was a little worried that Evansville would be insane since it was Christmas Eve, but it really wasn't bad. I had my appt. and then we went to Target for a few last minute items (i love that place!) and then to Ol' Charley's to eat! YUM! We got home & got a few things done around the house before it was time to get ready for that night. I called Ryan about 4:30 to see where he was and what time he thought he would be home, thinking he was still at work... but the crazy boy was at Wal-Mart! I don't know what he was thinking! lol... he is such a last minute shopper. We had agreed not to do gifts for each other this year, but I couldn't help myself and got him a couple small things. I had them under the tree and thought he'd never know about them until time for him to open, but I had him pulling gifts out to take other places and he found them, oops! Anyway, Ryan finally got home & we got ready to go to my parents house for Christmas w/ my mom's dad's family. We just had snacky foods this year (like lil' weinee's, chips and cheese dip, veggie tray... etc) and of course lots of dessert! I still ate way too much though. We did gifts & Brycen got a race car that shoots out of a helmet from my uncle griffin and his two girls. From Papaw Ed & Granny Sue he got a set of Lincoln Logs & a huge Tonka Truck w/ a trailor that hauls two motorcycles! He loved all of those! We went home and got our pj's on & my parents came over to watch B open his gifts from us... He finally got to open his "big" gift, the trampoline! He was SO excited, but then went back to playing w/ his lincoln logs... lol, He was bummed that we couldn't get it out "until it's warmer." He has talked about the trampoline every day since though! I'm sure it will be a big hit when it gets warm outside. I had just gotten Ryan new cologne & a new dress shirt and he ended up getting me a heated blanket (which I'm totally in love with!). He said he was going to get me new plates/bowls b/c I have been wanting a new set, but then he was too overwhelmed by the choices lol. :)

Christmas morning we always go to my parents for Christmas w/ just our family. This is probably my favorite Christmas b/c it reminds me of when I was little. It's just so cozy and everyone is so relaxed. We did gifts and then ate breakfast & then did our stockings (one of my favorite things still!). Brycen got way too much, as usual, some of the things were a new leap frog computer, he was so excited, he said, "Now I have my VERY OWN computer!". He also got some new shirts, a Magic Paint set that I can't remember the name of, a huge tonka scoop (from end loader) and a huge tonka dump truck, and a huge tonka crane (see a pattern here?), and some pixos. I can't remember what else he got, there was too much and I don't have my pictures to look at! lol. He was in Heaven though w/ all his new tonka stuff :). He is SUCH a boy! Ryan got a huge new tool set and tool (like the standing kind) box from my parents (something he has wanted for a long time!), and he was just like a little kid! lol. He also got some shirts and some giftcards and a new Colts hat. I got a new scripture purse (which I'm in love with!), my new mixer (whoo hoo!), giftcards and money. My brother got us a gift certificate to Mi Pueblo, whoo hoo! Ryan and I were excited to also get gift cards to Red Lobster, Texas Roadhouse, and Applebee's. My parents said it is so they can baby sit and we can have date nights after the baby comes :) They are so thoughtful! I can't begin to name all the stuff we got, my parents really spoil us, my mom always outdoes herself and always says she is "cutting back"... but I don't think she has yet! My parents both loved their gifts from us. Andon even got some stuff too! (towels, burp rags, some Harley clothes/blankets (from my dad!), some lil bath toys (which B is already playing with!), and a few other small items. We opened B's toys and he played while I helped mom start getting stuff ready for supper that night. Ryan had to drag out all those tools and get them in his new tool box (talk about a heavy gift!). We layed around and enjoyed our morning together. We got home about 1pm and B kept playing toys and I tried to get some stuff put away... We had to be at my parents again that night for supper w/ my dad's mom's family. We do soups and snacks, I LOVE soup so I always am excited about that! We don't do gifts w/ that side of the family, but B is the only little kid and so he gets a few things. He got a new John Deere hat (his old one was getting too small!) and a cool new book. We also got to meet my cousin Nick's fiance for the first time!

Friday B & I hung out at home. I tried to get stuff done around the house, but B kept wanting me to play with him and I couldn't tell him no! :) Our house felt like a tornado had hit and I just wanted to get the tree down, but Ryan BURNT our tree box! He said he was planning on making a big wooden box for our tree that would be much better... but had sorta forgot. OOPS. I did get down all the other stuff though. I normally leave up my snowmen stuff for the winter, but figured since about the time I need to take it down I will be having a baby that I better go ahead & get it down. Friday night I did get a lot done around the house while Ryan played w/ B. I worked a lot in Andon's room and B thought that was cool, he wanted to help, and he really is such a big help when I can't get up and down so easily anymore!

Saturday we slept in & then B & I went to Jasper w/ my mom. We went to Rural King, to eat at Pizza Hut, and then to Wal-Mart. B had a giftcard to Wal-Mart & he picked out another set of Lincoln Logs :). I'm pretty sure that was one of the biggest hits this year w/ him. He has played w/ them sooo much! When we got home Ryan had taken all my ornaments off the tree and just layed them all over the living room... what a mess! I got that all cleaned up and got B's tree taken down in his room. Ryan got the big tree taken down and all measured so he can make the box for it. I'm just glad it's out of the living room! I love putting it up, but I'm always ready to have it down too! B on the other hand wasn't so happy about taking the trees down! Saturday evening we went to our friends Ryan & Chelsey's and ate supper. It was our first time to hang out w/ them since they have been married and have their own house, it was different being at their house rather than at ours! B thought it was super fun :) they spoil him. After supper we went to DQ for ice cream & then back to their house to play games. We played Last Word (super fun!). We played 3 times! B watched 101 Dalmations (chelsey has lots of kid dvd's b/c she is a pre-school teacher) while we played our game. We didn't get home until past bedtime and we were all worn out!

Sunday we went to church & then home for lunch and naps! We all slept for almost 3 hours that afternoon! We went to my parents for supper & to visit. It was relaxing & I got a new car seat ordered for lil' Andon, since both of B's infant seats were ruined. I'm not sure what we're doing about a second car seat yet, maybe hitting up the sister in law to borrow hers ;)

Yesterday I had to come back to work. I had been dreading it! It wasn't nearly as busy as what I thought it would be though b/c I don't have court hearings set until Jan. 5th. I got quite a bit done & worked a little later than usual on end of the year time and budget stuff, fun stuff. haha. We were just around home last night. Ryan had a terrible headache (he hadn't had caffeine or eaten very much all day and then went and had his labs done for his surgery). I made supper & did laundry and baths and all that fun stuff. B found all my old disney movies and wanted to watch The Jungle Book. He loved it, I couldn't believe how old of a movie it looked like! Last night I was so exhausted (after having probably only probably a total of 8 hrs. of sleep the previous two nights) and I feel asleep by 9:30! Whoo hoo! Ryan said this morning that I was snoring when he came to bed, I actually don't even doubt it! I was exhausted. I feel much better today!

Today is my last day of work for the week (I'm getting spoiled to these short weeks!). I am so glad about that! We got the crib ordered this morning and I can't wait until it arrives at my door so I can get it set up! I got the bassinet all set up over the weekend. We are getting ready for lil' Andon! I love just sitting in his room in the rocking chair and praying for him... well usually with B on my lap talking to him. As uncomfortable and tired as I am, I am so thankful for it all. Last year at this time I was beginning to wonder if we would ever have another baby. God is so good. Tonight is my work Christmas Party (the last of our Christmas celebrations) and we're having a mexican food theme and I have to make two pans of Chicken Enchiladas when I get home! My boss's are a lot of fun so who knows what they have come up with this year! Last year we played Prosecutor's Office Style Jeopardy. :)

Hope everyone rings in the New Year w/ Jesus's love in their heart!

On My Heart...

So I have a ton of catching up to do and probably way too many Christmas pictures to post, but this one is really on my heart, so it's coming first!

A little over a week ago, I was really humbled when a friend of mine randomly said to me, "I pray every day for you to have energy to get through your days." Not being able to sleep has really been a problem for me the past couple of months, but I didn't realize someone was praying for me to have energy... I was amazed that someone took time out of their busy day to pray for ME. I guess I shouldn't be so surprised, but I was really taken aback and humbled by her admission.

God has really put it on my heart over the past few days (while I'm up late at night not able to sleep) to pray for all the pregnant gals I know (and there are a ton!). I've started to do this, while I can't sleep I pray for all these girls and their unborn babies. I really wanted to post about this and I'm going to add to my sidebar a list of the names of the gals and their babies (with their permission of course!) so anyone else who feels led to pray for us expecting momma's and our sweet babies, check it out.

If you know of anyone else that would like to be added to the list, please let me know! (due date and baby name too so prayers can be more specific, or if there is a specific need for that momma or baby).

My list so far (the people I have gotten permission from)...

Jamie Seitz~Due April 15~ Baby Calvin (please pray for little Calvin's kidney)
Courtney Owens~Due April 24~Baby Leah
Melissa Potts~May 10~Baby Lillian
Brianne Davidson~Due May 30~ Baby Abigail
Jamie Knepp~Due June 1~Baby Boy
Rachel Atkins~Due June 6~Baby ?
Tosha Bailey~Due June 7~Baby ?

Quick Baby Update...

Well today was my 28 week appt. the glucose drink I was dreading so much wasn't as bad as I remembered. No passing out this time, so that was good! I hadn't gained any weight and I'm measuring right on track this time. His heart rate was 155. I go back on Jan. 9th (2 weeks from now) for a regular appt. and then go back Jan. 20th for an ultrasound & appt. At the ultrasound they are going to check to see if my placenta is still in front of my cervix or not and check to see his size... I'm hoping he's not going to be a 10lber :) We have his room all painted now and I can't wait to get everything set up and have it all finished. Ryan is finishing the dresser this week!

Yesterday we made Christmas candies and fudge and a bunch of goodies at my mom's. My grandma went outside and fell on the ice! She banged her head on the deck & hurt her hip, she couldn't get up so the ambulance had to come... all of this in the sleeting weather! My poor Papaw who isn't doing well w/ his cancer was so upset! It was terrible! I'm just so thankful everything checked out okay! They said she will just be sore for awhile and they don't know how she didn't break something- PTL! :)

Hope everyone is enjoying their Holidays! We have Christmas Eve w/ my mom's dad and that side of the family tonight at my mom's house and then we will open our gifts at home. I'm tired already! :)

Christmas Celebrations & THIRD trimester!

~Friday we made it to Ryan's Christmas lunch at Applebee's (YUM!). I was stuffed after! We had to go get the oil changed in Ryan's truck & pick up a few things at Wal-Mart and then we headed home to get ready for his parents house. We went over there and we just ordered pizza for supper (we are going to do our big seafood dinner after the 1st of the year when John and SOnya get home!). Pizza was fine w/ me b/c I was still stuffed from lunch! Brycen spent the night @ Mamaw & Papaw Gizzy's w/ Jayce & Hailey. He was so excited. He doesn't get to spend the night as much as he would like... but w/ me being gone from him all week, I really like having him home w/ me on weekends or I miss him too much! I'm a baby I know... But I LOVE being w/ him and spending time w/ him & I'm sad when he is not with me! When we got home Ryan & I sat up his new farm set for him in the kitchen (so many pieces!) so that when he got home Sat. morning he could start playing w/ it right away!

B opening his birthday gift from Aunt Sonya, Uncle John, and the kids

Brycen & Hailey wanting some pizza :)

Here's a covered up belly pic- thanks to my brother in law... he thinks he is so funny. (27 wks & 4 days)

Getting into it :)

Brycen checking out his new farm set- he is IN LOVE w/ it :)

These two love each other sooo much- they sat just like this and watched an entire movie!

What Ryan and I did Fri. night ;)

~Saturday I had to get up and clean and start some of what I was cooking for supper w/ my mom's family that night. Brycen got home at 11:30ish and was SOOOO excited to see his farm set all set up! It was one of his gifts from Mamaw & Papaw Gizzy... although Ryan & I actually picked it out. I'm pretty sure it will be a favorite, b/c he hasn't stopped playing w/ it since! I've learned more about farming than I've ever wanted to know! My mom's family all started showing up at about 4pm. We did gifts and ate and they were all gone by like 7:00pm! My parents stayed and played farm w/ B for awhile ;). They all had to leave early b/c they all live up in Martinsville & wanted to get home at a decent hour.

B opening a birthday gift from aunt stacy

Logan (my cousins lil boy) and B having my mom smell candles :)

~Yesterday we went to church & then to Wal-Mart after (i really really despise that place!). We had a birthday gift to get & a few other things... We went home and ate lunch & then Ryan decided he would paint Andon's room... I was pretty pumped about that (is it work if you enjoy it??). I don't know, we go back & forth on the work on Sunday thing... Ryan likes to paint so he doesn't consider it "work"... guess it's like me and blogging? lol. Anyway, he didn't get finished, but he will be able to finish tonight I think! I am loving it so far! Brycen and I played Chutes and Ladders way too many times for me to even count yesterday! He always beats me & I don't even have to let him! Go figure?! lol. I also had more cookies to bake last night. B and I have so much fun! He really is a good helper- even if it is a little more messy :).

~I'm 28 weeks pregnant today! Wow, I can't believe that 3rd trimester is here... I can't wait to meet the little guy! I am miserable. I don't know how people "enjoy" being pregnant... I enjoy feeling him kick & squirm, BUT I do not enjoy all the other things that come with being pregnant... I'm really just in it for the end result ;). If one more person tells me how huge I am I might scream at them... seriously! I know people mean well, but it gets old! I know I'm huge, I know I'm a lot bigger than I was with Brycen... but people come on I'm 4'9" it doesn't have a lot of places to go besides OUT. Anyway! I guess it doesn't matter, but gee whiz! I need to be taking another belly picture! I meant to this past week, but forgot... I'm really forgetful these days... like I'd probably forget my head if it wasn't attached. I always remember @ the most inconveient times too... like half way home from the store that I forgot the pudding I needed! This is my only day of work this week, this morning when it was so cold out I was wondering why on earth I decided to work today?! Anyway- tomorrow we're making candy and cookies all day at my mom's. Should be fun!

Oh did I happen to mention my sweet little boy cut his own hair last night w/ kid scissors... wow. :)

~Tis the Season~

Brycen said that his Christmas Party was soooo much fun! He got two monster trucks from the little boy that drew his name and he said, "I told Jeremy, THIS IS WHAT I'VE ALWAYS WANTED!" lol B has a million monster trucks so I thought that was pretty sweet. His teacher got them these little tote boxes (like a shower caddy) and painted their names and put foam stickers on them and then filled them w/ art supplies like a glue stick (oh my!), water colors, scissors, and a big pad of construction paper! I thought that was such a cute idea! Brycen had a blast playing w/ it all last night too. He also said that they got to watch a Christmas movie... I asked him movie it was and he said "Alvin & the Chick Munks" :) lol. I love his little word blunders!

Well, I better get back to work, I'm going to pick up B in a little bit and we're going to Ryan's work Christmas lunch (at Applebee's!) YUM! I can't pass that up! lol. Then tonight we have Christmas w/ Ryan's family at his parents & tomorrow my mom's side is all coming to our house for Christmas. Hectic weekend, but it will be fun hopefully!

Skipper & Baking :)

Yesterday was my day off- oh how I LOVE Wednesdays! :) When I got up to get B ready for pre-school I heard Pike had cancelled school... B has been begging to stay home for a day so I woke him up to ask him if he wanted to go to school or stay home w/ mommy... I figured missing one day of pre-school (he hasn't missed any others this year) wouldn't kill him or set him back too far ;) He immediately said, "stay home w/ momma" and fell back asleep! I think that boy needed the extra sleep b/c he slept in until TEN! He is always a good sleeper, but usually up by at least 9am on saturday's... Guess he was just tired... oh how I know that feeling! Anyway, momma was lazy while B slept... I started some laundry and then laid on the couch and watched some DVR'd shows that I hadn't been able to catch up on! I figure I better enjoy this laying on the couch stuff every chance I get since pretty soon I doubt that will EVER be happening w/ a baby in the house (and don't get me wrong I absolutely cannot wait for that time to be here!). B finally woke up and he snuggled w/ me for at least a half hour... whoo hoo :) I love snuggle time w/ my precious boy! Andon was kicking and squirming and B was just talking to him, I absolutely adore these moments. I wish I could have a video tape going for all these times... but I guess my brain will just have to do for remembering them. He called Ryan after that to tell him that he "skipped school" lol. It was cute! I didn't get a lot done through out the day, except for my laundry. I did manage to get that all done. Brycen and I made jello jiggler's w/ Christmas cookie cutters (snowman, tree, and candy cane). They were all gone by 8pm last night :) lol, yummy jello! Ryan got home and we just had spaghetti for supper. Then I made 5 dozen chocolate covered pretzels & 7 dozen chocolate chip pudding cookies! YUM! Too bad they were mostly all to give away! Today is B's preschool Christmas party. I finally just decided on Tuesday night on what to do for his classmates since my ornament thing didn't work out this year. We went and got Christmas cups and put tissue paper in them and then stuffed them w/ candy & tied a ribbon around the tissue paper, they turned out pretty cute! It was something B could help a lot w/ too and he thought that was super fun! We got all those done Tues. night and got his present wrapped for the little girl whose name he drew. He has been so excited about giving everyone their stuff! I love that about him- he hasn't said one thing about the present or treats he is going to receive, he just couldn't wait to get to school and give everyone their stuff! I hope he keeps that sweet spirit about him! This morning when we got to preschool he had to help carry it all in! I was actually grateful for that b/c I had my hands full! I hope you has a blast at his party this morning and I can't wait to hear all about it. He told his teacher when we walked in, "I skipped school yesterday!" lol. It was funny to hear him say that. Hope I'm not teaching him bad habits already ;). So I accidentally threw away the beaters for my mixer when I cleaned out my cabinets (i had two sets, one for my old mixer that broke, don't ask why I kept them, and one set for my new mixer...) well I kinda threw the wrong ones away! Oops. My mom let me borrow her kitchen aid to make my cookies with... Um, hello! I always wondered why people liked those things, now I know! It was so much easier! The cookies I make have a very stiff batter and my arm is always hurting by the time I'm done mixing the cookies, plus it takes forever to not make a huge mess (i'm not the cleanest cook/baker!). Well I think that thing is like the greatest invention ever! It took me like HALF the time and was soooo much easier! I just dumped the stuff in and it did all the work. Um, can you say EASY and WOW?! I called my mom to tell her I was stealing it and she was like, "well I have been wondering what to get you for Christmas, you're the only person I haven't bought for yet, I was just going to give you money..." So guess we'll see if my ol' mom gets me one, if not, it's def. on my list of "needs!" lol. Okay, sorry that was probably long and drawn out, but I was seriously so excited, I kept telling Ryan, and I think he thought I was a little nutty... okay, well maybe I am, but still! I still have more cookies to bake tonight... and next week... so I'm glad to be able to use my mom's for all this baking! My feet were killing me by the time I was done, BUT Andon is really on my lungs these days so standing up actually helps me to be able to breathe easier. 12 more weeks at the most to go... I can do it, I can do it, I can do it! lol... I keep telling myself that it will be here before I know it.

Well, I hope everyone is enjoying their Holiday season! Work is super slow right now. Today is my last day of court hearings until January 5th so that makes me happy! :) Tomorrow is Ryan's Christmas lunch for work. I wasn't going to go b/c I have left early the past 2 Friday's to take B to the dentist and his ck up, but the more I think about it, the better it sounds... guess I better quit blogging and get some work done so I can go then, huh! :)

Weekend & Birthday Party Post

Friday night we went to Jacoby Yoder's 1st birthday party! He is such a lil' cutie and I can't believe he has been here a year already! Time sure does fly! B was excited to go play w/ all the kiddos too! We got home about 9pm and I still had baking to do... I was going to bake cupcakes for when B's lil' preschool friends came over the next a.m. but at 9pm that just seemed like wayyy too much work & I was exhausted already so we made a chocolate cake instead and went to bed for it to be iced the next morning! B didn't seem to mind.

Saturday morning we got up & B iced his cake and put his own sprinkles on :) lol. He made the koolaid too. He just lovesss to help & be independent. We let him open one gift from us before his friends got there. Three of his friends from pre-school (Joey, Aidan, and Zackary) were scheduled to come at 9am, it was really supposed to just be a play date, but they all insisted on bringing gifts & so we did a little party. B had fun making the treat bags for his buddies to give to them too. It was really relaxed and they just ran around and played. We did cake & gifts. B was so funny after he opened his gifts he went around and shook each of his friends hands and told them thank you! Lol, it was too cute, but I have no idea where he got that at! Their moms all stayed, which was great with me! It made for some good mommy chatting too :). Plus Zacky's mom has a new lil' baby, Ava, and I got to cuddle up w/ her for awhile! His friends left about 11/11:30 and we ran to town to pick up his cake for his birthday party that night. In the meantime Sonya called to say they had the flu and wouldn't be able to make it to his party. He was pretty disappointed! B was ready for a nap, he was worn out from all that playing in the a.m.! Ryan went to the shop and worked on my cabinet/medicine cabinet and on Andon's chest of drawers! None of them are finished, he just built them and then he has to sand/stain/paint them later, but this week is terribly busy for him at work, so I'm highly doubting it will get done! After B woke up from his nap we let him open the rest of his presents from us... he didn't have too much since the trampoline is part of his birthday this year too. He didn't notice or seem to mind though. He really is about the easiest kid ever to please! Soon after my parents and grandparents came for supper (white chili and sandwiches) & then B wanted to do a puzzle w/ everyone. I'm pretty sure he was just as excited about everyone doing the puzzle w/ him as he was about opening presents. Which of course made me extremely happy. After the puzzle we did do gifts and then we did cake AGAIN. I was about caked out by that time! B said he loves being four, b/c it means he is big like Daddy. :)

Sunday I woke up and I'm pretty sure I had part of the flu bug going around. I wasn't deathly ill or anything, but I def. didn't feel good... I'll spare you the details! Ryan & B went to Wal-Mart and got groceries & finished up some last minute shopping (for his preschool party) and also he got to pick out a new toy w/ part of his birthday money. They were gone for what seemed like forever! lol. When they got home we just layed around... for one it was Sun. and for two I didn't feel like moving, let alone doing anything else!

Yesterday I felt better, just a little weak. Last night Ryan was working late and I thought I smelled cologne... I thought B was in the family room playing... I went into our bedroom & he had climbed up on the bed and somehow gotten all Ryan's cologne off his chest of drawers (like 4 different bottles) and had them everywhere! He reeked of cologne soooo bad... it was TERRIBLE! Our whole room stunk and I could smell it all the way to the living room! ugh! He said, "i wanted some smell like daddy puts on". He'll for sure run the girls off w/ all that! HE STUNK! I stuck him in the tub right away b/c it was giving me a headache! After I got B out of the tub Ryan finally got home & said he was even later than he planned on being b/c on his way back to the cabinet shop he almost hit about 17 horses... um yah, ok?! He said other cars weren't even braking so he stopped at the guys house and told him his horses were out... They were inside eating supper and had no idea. Ryan said by the look on the guys face he knew he needed to help round them up, so out in the freezing cold he went w/ the guy and his young sons to get the horses all rounded up and back in the pasture. Luckily they got them all and they were all fine! Ryan said, it was freezing and he just wanted to get home & he didn't want to stop, but he knew if it was his horses he would want someone to stop and let him know! He told me not to blog about that? lol, he thinks it is silly, but honestly, I'm glad that's the type of person I married! He didn't know the guys name, which is surprising, but the guy knew him as "Phil Homer's boy." lol... :) Anyway, I had wrapping I needed to do last night, but some little boy had gotten into my tape and used it ALL to wrap his own boxes up! Oh my! Guess I'll be stopping this evening to get some more! :) He was so proud of those boxes I couldn't be mad! I am very much looking forward to my day off tomorrow!

My Very First Blogging Award! :)

Well Thanks to Susie over at http://http://grabersthreeringcircus.blogspot.com/ I've received my very first blogging award :). I've very humbled by the sweet things she said about me too! It always makes a girl feel good to get a compliment, right?! I love reading the stories about her kiddo's and all about their life on a turkey farm! I love how she is such an awesome and supportive mom AND aunt!

Here are the rules to receiving this award:

1. You have to pass it on to 5 other fabulous bloggers in a post.

2. You have to list 5 of your fabulous addictions in the post.

3. You must copy and paste the rules and the instructions below in the post.Instructions: On your post of receiving this award, make sure you include the person that gave you the award and link it back to them.

I'm going to nominate...

1. Jessica from "The Gingerich Family"...she always has an encouraging word or two to say to me! We're working up to the whole talking in person thing :) We've made it to the phone so far! Lol, Plus I owe her for taking our pink couch off my hands!

2. Leilanni from "Hemmed In"... She has a gift for writing posts that always speak to my heart. A sweet little girl & one on the way all while moving states away from her family & friends. I admire your strength.

3. Lori from "Turnbow Puzzle"... Another girl that has a gift for saying what's on my own heart. Thanks for your encouraging, sweet, positive comments.

4. Courtney from "Owens Family"... I've known Courtney since high school, but we've reconnected through blogging & I love it! She always has something cheerful and funny to say that brightens my day. Plus she's expecting in April & I love sharing pregger stories w/ her!

5. Kristen from "A Blessed Life"... The person who had the most encouragment for me through out my miscarriage. I love sharing stories about Sonya & Brycen, our two kiddo's who are so close in age, and can't wait to meet IN PERSON.

And now for my addictions... :)

1. Brycen Hunter- I can't get enough of him! He is my little sweetie and I can't believe he is FOUR now. He is the sunshine in my days!

2. Chocolate- I have a HORRIBLE sweet tooth and I LOVEEEEE chocolate :)

3. Reading- I love to immerse myself into a good book! I don't have too much time for this anymore, but when I get the chance you just can't pull me away!

4. Blogging- I started this blog a year and half ago I think and I barely ever posted... and now it's almost a daily thing. I love it and it's definitely an addiction! My husband makes fun of me b/c I'll say something and he'll be like "Oh did you see that on their blog?" lol... :)

5. Feeling my belly- this addiction is obviously going to go away in a few months, but right now I could sit and feel and watch my belly all day long.

:)

Happy Birthday to my Mom & B's 4 yr. check up

Last night I was so utterly exhausted I didn't know if I could even move... but I had to go to Jasper to pick up the pictures for our Christmas Cards so I could get them mailed out, they were all ready to be sent- just missing the picture! Ryan was so sweet, he offered to drive there with me so I wouldn't have to! It's probably a good thing to, b/c I was so tired I probably wasn't safe to be driving. I stayed in the car in my sweats while Ryan & B went in and picked them up... & then they played for like 30 minutes in the candy aisle & the toy aisle... I think they forgot ol' mom was in the car?! lol. I asked Ryan what they were doing and he started laughing and said he told B to sit on a whoopie cushion in the store... oh my! I have TWO little boys on my hands already, Andon will make 3! lol. Ryan said a little girl started laughing at B (she was about 7 or 8) and her mom got mad at her and said, "that is NOT funny!". Ryan said that just made it even funnier to him- b/c I mean, come on, they are kids! :) Anyway, I got all the pictures put in the cards last night & mailed them off this morning. I was ready for bed last night- and slept pretty good, besides getting up every hour again to pee... I can handle that though, as long as I can get to sleep initally!

Today has been busy for me already! Brycen had his four yr. check up today! He is skinny & tall on the chart, lol. He was 41 inches tall & only 34 lbs. I promise we feed him :). He was only in the tenth percentile for weight, no wonder his pants are always falling down! At the rate he is growing height wise though, at least we hopefully won't have to worry about him being a midget like me :). He had grown 3 1/2 inches since he was there last time! He was in the 60th percentile for height. The dr. said is doing good and to keep it up :) That's what we like to hear! I still can't believe my "baby" will be FOUR tomorrow. I think back to my post last year and how I felt on his birthday... I was incredibly sad & wanted to cry all day on his birthday... I had a lot of emotions going on b/c of finding out I wasn't pregnant again for that month & all that came with that and I was overwhelmed. This year seems so much better! I'm still amazed that a year has went by and that he is four, but I'm not terribly sad. I'm just so darn proud of the little boy he is (not that he is perfect, but he really is a good kid most of the time!). He is so excited to be having 3 little friends from pre-school over tomorrow, so we'll see how that goes.

Today is also my mom's 44th birthday! I think she's still pretty young & hip so I don't think she'll mind me putting her age on here :) I used to hate it when people said I looked like my mom, but she looks so good for her age, now I like it when people say that & hope I age as well as she is! Her small group friends & I surprised her. At work they told her she had a mtg. w/ the superintendent and so she came in to central office thinking she had a mtg. and that she was eating lunch with the girls that work there... haha SURPRISE! We were all there waiting for her & then took her out to lunch at The Sweet Shoppe here in town. She was speechless, and if you know her, that's a rare occasion (i'm def. my mother's daughter!) :). It's a good thing I have been busy and haven't talked to her much this week b/c it would of been a hard surprise to keep! Lunch was wonderful & it was good to visit with everyone.

I am finally back at work... Friday's are really slow for me b/c I'm the only one in the office & I don't have any court hearings. It's so cold and it's spitting snow outside, makes me want to curl up at my desk and go to sleep! :) Tonight we have Jacoby Yoder's 1st Birthday party. I love first birthdays- so precious! B of course is excited to see Isaac.

This morning B woke up and said, "When our baby gets here I will give him some of my presents!" I told him he doesn't have to do that, and he said, "I know, I lov ehim and want to share with him!" Ho sweet is that?! I hope he still thinks that way when Andon actually does get here! lol... I think he will do good, he is pretty soft hearted and is so sweet around other babies... I could be wrong and it could be different when the baby actually lives at our house, BUT I think he wanted this baby almost as much as me & Ryan... he prayed every day for Jesus to give us a baby when we were going through our trying process. I love listening to him think of the baby & talk about the baby all the time... it's already so real to him it seems... he even insisted on hanging up Andon's stocking this year & wants to put stuff in it!

Well, I should probably get some sort of work done today~ hope everyone has a great weekend- I'm sure I'll have birthday party pictures to post on Monday!

Early Birthday

Last night Ryan's parents surprised B and came over for a little birthday party since they will be in Nashville this weekend over his birthday and won't be able to come to his real party. They brought cake and ice cream & balloons and the whole works! When we told him he got to open gifts he said, "I can't, it's not my birthday yet!" lol... we had to explain it would be okay just for these couple of gifts since they won't be able to be at his party. He was really excited... it was nice too b/c he doesn't get a lot of one on one time with them with there being three other grandkids (well 4, but Andon doesn't really fight for attention yet! ;) ). They came about 7 & brought pizza for supper & we ate and visited and had cake and ice cream & then he opened his gifts.

Mamaw Gizzy & Brycen w/ his cake :)

He hid under the table while we sang happy birthday :)

Blowing out his candles! I can't believe there are already FOUR on there!

They got him a target practice/ duck hunting game. His response was, "AWESOME, I LOVEEEE GUNS!" lol, his daddy was proud!

I tell ya, the boots NEVER come off, even w/ his pj's on :)

Daddy liked the game too ;)

26 week appt.

So my check up went okay yesterday. Baby Andon's heartrate was 156 and he was kicking the dr. while she was taking it :). I said "this baby is crazy, he NEVER stops moving around!" She said that's the best thing she could hear. My blood pressure was a little elevated... nothing abnormal really... it was 120/82, that's just high for me and w/ my history of pre-eclampsia she wants to keep a close eye on it. Last night my hands/fingers were so swollen I could barely get my ring off. I start going every 2 weeks now. I can't believe that time is already here! Next time I have to do the glucose test and some other bloodwork, for anemia and stuff. YUCK. I'm not looking forward to that... I was anemic w/ B and those iron supplements aren't too much fun, but hey, whatever it takes for a healthy baby! I go back on Christmas Eve and will be 28 wks and 2 days! Oh yah, I've gained14 lbs.... I asked her yesterday and I gained a total of 17 w/ B.... eeek!! i still have quite a ways to go! She said I started out smaller this time though and a lot of times you make up that weight quicker. AND then she said, she would actually rather me gain closer to 30 then only the 17 I gained w/ B. THIRTY LBS?? Are you kidding me? Oh my! That's like a 1/3 of my pre-pregnancy weight!

After my appt. I had a ton of errands to run & I was already exhausted! Luckily they got me in and out pretty quick @ the dr. I had birthday presents to buy, giftcards to get for my momma for her student workers (i waited in line for thirty minutes @ hollister to get those dumb things), I wanted to get some clear ornaments that you can put things in at Hobby Lobby, but the guy said "we've been out for a long time, our stock goes out in october." well excuse me! :) I was going to make those for brycen's pre-school class w/ their names on them, so any other ideas would be appreciated :). I didn't get home until close to 7pm... and I didn't even get all my stuff done, I just couldn't do anymore. Ryan & B had been watching Kung Fu Panda (I've never seen it??) and they had to show me their new moves :) Crack me up! One good thing about all that is, is that i fell asleep by 10:00pm! Whoo hoo!!!! :)

Now i have an insane & busy day and trying to get stuff ready for B's party on Saturday. I don't know how I am going to get everything done... Plus I need to go to Jasper and pick up my pictures for the christmas cards so i can mail them out... oh my I'm stressing myself out! lol. Guess I better go :)

The Meaning of Christmas

*Let me start off w/ a prelude to what I'm going to post by saying that I've been searching or at least thinking about this for the past four years, more so in the past two. As a Christian parent I want to teach my children the true meaning of Christmas. I want them to have fun & enjoy the festivities, b/c I certainly do, but I want them to know why we have Christmas... It's sort of a fine line to walk. I don't want to be the grinch and say NO SANTA, but I don't want Christmas to be about Santa either. I'm sure most of you are nodding your heads or thinking I'm a nut case already b/c that's a big DUH... I guess I've struggled w/ this b/c as a child I never believed in Santa... (ryan says he doesn't remember if he did or not). With no prior teaching of these practices from my own parents or even from my in-laws to my hubby about Santa or no Santa I had no idea what to do w/ Brycen... what to say or not to say. We always start off Christmas morning by singing Happy Birthday to Jesus. That's the one thing I knew I wanted to do. Last year my parents small group invited all their kids (grown ones too) to their Christmas party. It was at Tom & Marsha Boyd's and somehow it got mentioned that we do that at our house and Marsha told me they always make a birthday cake for Jesus! What a great idea~ it went right along with what we already do, but took it a little further, I loved it! So today, I got online and was checking out the other blogs I read and I found this post... I am so excited to find it and will be reading it B... It is going to be a new tradition in our house. I know Ryan will love it too & I can't wait to show it to him tonight. I didn't know if anyone else has struggled or struggled with this so I thought I would share it w/ my blog readers too. Even if you already have beliefs with your family or have shared w/ your kids other things about the true meaning of Christmas it's still a neat story!

The Meaning of Christmas

Just a week before Christmas I had a visitor. This is how it happened. I just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door to the front room, and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out from behind the Christmas tree. He placed his finger over his mouth so I would not cry out. "What are you doing?" I started to ask him.
The words choked in my throat, as I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone. Gone was the eager boisterous soul we all know. He then answered me with a simple statement, TEACH THE CHILDREN!
I was puzzled: What did he mean? He anticipated my question, and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree.
As I stood there bewildered, Santa said, Teach the Children! Teach them the old meaning of Christmas. The meaning that a now-a-day Christmas has forgotten!
Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it on the mantle. Teach the Children that the pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind. All the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward heaven.
He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR. Teach the Children that the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago. God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was the sign of fulfillment of that promise.
He then reached into the bag and pulled out a CANDLE. Teach the Children that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness.
Once again he reached into his bag and then removed a WREATH and placed it on the tree.
Teach the Children that the wreath symbolizes the eternal nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection.
He then pulled out from his bag an ornament of HIMSELF. Teach the Children that Santa Claus symbolizes the generosity and good will we feel during the month of December.
He reached in again and pulled out a HOLLY LEAF. Teach the Children the holly plant represents immortality. It represents the crown of thorns worn by our Savior. The red holly berries represent blood shed by Him.
Next he pulled out a GIFT from the bag and said, "Teach the Children that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift. Teach the Children that the wise men bowed before the holy babe and presented Him with gold, frankincense, and myrrh. We should give gifts in the same spirit as the wise men."
Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and hung it on the tree. Teach the Children that the candy cane represents the shepherd's crook. The crook on the shepherd's staff helps bring back strayed sheep from the flock. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother's keeper.
He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL. Teach the Children that it was the angels that heralded in the glorious news of the Savior's birth. The angels sang 'Glory to God in the highest, on earth, peace and good will.'
Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag he pulledout a BELL. Teach the Children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of a bell, it should bring people to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return.
Santa looked at the tree and was pleased. He looked back at me and I saw the twinkle was back in his eyes. He said, "Remember, teach the Children the true meaning of Christmas, and not to put me in the center, for I am but a humble servant of the One who is, and I bow down and worship Him, our Lord, our God."

The start of our busy December weekends!

Well, first off- the dentist went great! Brycen was AWESOME! He just climbed up in that seat and did everything they told him to do. I was so proud of him! The hygenist was awesome w/ him and kept telling him how great he was too, so I'm sure that helped. I've always been very fond of his teeth- lol, he has perfectly straight and very white teeth, I often say too bad I wasn't blessed w/ great teeth like that... I had braces, eww! Anyway, no cavities and the dentist said he has a great mouth full of teeth. Just what mommy (and daddy too) likes to hear! He had to call Daddy & Mamaw Reece when we left and tell them what a big boy he was! He was pretty pumped about the monster truck stickers he got too. lol. We ran to Wal-Mart after his appt. & then I took him to get ice cream (hey no cavities and being a big boy = a trip to DQ!) Plus, i wanted some. lol. We took one of our prosecutor's a blizzard too at her Jasper office & visited with her. Brycen enjoys being spoiled & I don't think Beth minded her blizzard either :). When we got home it was 4pm & almost time for Daddy to be home. B was so excited about that- he loves when it's time for Daddy to be home. Oh yah, at the dentist they said, "Well he was such an angel!" Brycen looked at them so serious and said, "I can't be an angel, only girls can be angels, I'm superman!" lol. Such a boy!

Friday night we didn't do much of anything- just lounged around. Um... there was one accident... Brycen kinda sorta broke the screen on our big screen TV... oops. Neither of us were in the room & so I don't know exactly what happened. He came and got Ryan and showed him right away and when Ryan asked him what happened he said, "I pushed on it." He KNOWS he isn't supposed to do this... and it felt like a super big deal at the time and I was really mad... but then I thought about it, and really, it's just a tv... yah, okay, an expensive one, BUT when it all comes down to it, I have a precious, almost 4 yr old, that is healthy and loves Jesus and really, that's the most important thing... the TV can be fixed or replaced (it actually still works, just has a huge crack down the screen that we know is there). He was really sorry and he did get in "trouble" and sent to his room to think about why it happened, but I also had to make sure he knew that it was just a TV and that I was just glad he was okay and safe and healthy and to make sure he knew that mommy & daddy loves him so much more than a stinky old TV... so anyway... that's how our Friday night went.

Saturday morning we slept in until NINE. It was so awesome... & then we watched Daddy Daycare on tv... that movie always cracks me up. Ryan hadn't ever seen it and Brycen thought it was funny... hope he didn't get any ideas (like swallowing bubbles to blow out his mouth!). That took up our morning and I kept thinking that I should be cleaning, but cuddling with my boys on the couch was much more fun! After the movie was over Ryan worked on the bathroom and I did get all my cleaning done. Brycen "helped" both of us! :) Ryan had to run to the hardware store & let me tell ya, this is like a treat for B. He loves that place like most kids love a toy store! It really cracks me up. So Ryan got the "new" toilet all put in... and yah, it was cracked and water went everywhere and needless to say he was a little upset! We had to get ready b/c we had the big Lengacher family Christmas dinner. That went well & Brycen was glad to see Mamaw & Papaw Gizzy. He had fun playing w/ his extended cousins too. We left there & headed to Jasper to Home Depot to get a new toilet. Oh what fun. We got one and headed home. I was exhausted & so was B (he hadn't had a nap!), but Ryan thought when we got home would be the perfect time to install the new toilet... um yah, okay, it was passed nine pm! He said he felt like he hadn't accomplished anything that day since the other one didn't work, so who am I to trample on that? lol. He got it done and it went fairly fast anyway. Sooo now the bathroom is just waiting on a cabinet... hmm... anyone know a cabinet maker?? :) j/k j/k, I know he is a busy man at work. It's nice to have a toilet in our bathroom again, then I don't have to go all the way to the other one (okay, that might sound lazy, but when you get up six times (and no, i'm not exaggerating!) to go pee during the night, it makes a difference!). I am so thirsty these days and that's definitely contributing to getting up so often, but whats a girl to do?? Anyway enough about my peeing habits.

Yesterday, we got up and went to church & then Rich & Melissa invited us for lunch for chili. I LOVE CHILI! And I love them and their kiddos. Brycen was really excited to get to play w/ Isaac, especially since it wasn't a planned thing, a good surprise. What a nice Sun. afternoon spent w/ great friends. We got home & Ryan took a longggg nap while B and I watched a movie and did puzzles. B napped on the way home from Montgomery & couldn't fall back asleep. We normally go to my parents on Sun. evenings, but my mom isn't feeling good, and I don't really want to take a chance on catching something if I can help it. Sooo we stayed home and made homemade pizza (YUM!). And then watched the "house show" (extreme home makeover). B loves to watch them bulldoze the house... who would of thought?? haha. At church his verse was "A Savior has been born." He ran around screaming that all day- how perfect for this wonderful season & time of the year.

My sleep habits have gotten better since Friday night... Fri. night my legs were insane and I thought I was going to go crazy if they didn't stop moving and jerking around. Ryan found this peppermint leg gel that I had bought from one of those party things... its really for achy tired muscles, but I was willing to try anything. He rubbed that on my legs & it helped so much... it took awhile, but not near as long as most nights... I didn't know if I was just worn out from all the movement or what, but he did it again on Sat. and last night and it helped! I hadn't been able to go to sleep before 1:30-2am in weeks and now it's been more like 11pm! Still not as early as I'd like, but what an improvement!

So I know over the weekend B said a million things that made us laugh SOOO hard and I just knew that I was going to post them on here, but I really can't remember them now... They will come to me and I'll have to post them then.

field trip & 25 wks 3 days pic

Yesterday we went on Brycen's field trip to Wesselman Woods in Evansville. I had never been there, but it was a pretty neat place, especially for the pre-school age group! The building itself was pretty small, but that really works out well for a group of pre-schoolers! They had snack and story time w/ the guy that was in charge... he was a younger guy and great w/ the kids! Brycen had all kinds of stories for him, lol... After we were there we went to Pizza Hut and the kids played in the play area & then we had pizza. We were back at the pre-school by 2:10 and at home ready for a nap by 2:30pm! I don't know which one of us was more worn out!

This is Brycen's "I don't think so" face when the guy passed around a snake for them to touch... he told him, "my daddy shoots snakes" lol...

Brycen & his best buddy Joey. I love how Brycen was sooo into everything the guy had to say (all nature and animal, especially deer related!). Almost all the kids were really well behaved.

In the observation room... you could see all kinds of squirrels, birds and other creatures, they were everywhere. We also got the pleasure of seeing 3 deer. 2 bucks & 1 doe. The guy said that's really unusual, he doesn't normally see that many in a day (it's a 200 acre woods in the middle of Evansville).

One of the bucks, he was right up close to the room. Of course B had to rub it in to his daddy that he was so close to a buck! He said, "Too bad I didn't bring my gun with!" I can only imagine what the guy or his teachers were thinking... lol

What a ladies man! Oh my!

His preschool class w/ the bear (minus a few kids who were out sick).

and me and Andon @ 25 wks and 3 days.

I'm getting ready to leave to take B to the dentist. I'm hoping it goes well and he cooperates! Then I am sooo glad the weekend is here! I need to rest up b/c next week is going to be busy getting ready for B's birthday on Saturday.

christmas pics w/ the family

Well, my day off didn't go as I had planned... I dropped B off at preschool this morning and they informed me that they have scheduled a field trip FOR TOMORROW. Ugh! So I went ahead and went to work b/c I had court stuff to get ready for tomorrow if I wasn't going to be there... So I worked today... on my day off... but I'm actually grateful that I have a job that allows me to be flexible so that I can go on his field trips. I didn't get any of my stuff done at home though and I just hate when my schedule gets so out of wack!

We came to my parents tonight to do some family snapshots for Christmas... fun stuff. NOT. I do not like having my picture taken... and B does not want to cooperate when you want him to smile. But anyway, we got a couple that we were satisfied with... My mom made taco soup for supper. YUM.

Our house is old...

Sunday night when we got home from the circus we were watching Extreme Makeover: Home Edition... They were talking about how old the house was and all this and that and Brycen said, "Well our house is old, why don't they ever come here and tear it down w/ that bull dozer?" Oh my gosh, I thought I was going to lose it! It was so innocent. I think maybe we've had one too many house projects going on lately! I had to explain to him that our house is older, but it's not that old and it's not falling in like the one on TV. He just couldn't understand why that bulldozer wouldn't come to our house! :)

Been Awhile...playing catch up

Well, it's been almost a week since I have posted! I had a nice five day break from work, even though we were busy for most of it. It was still nice to not have to come in and deal with people :). I'll try to recap w/out being real long winded... but you all know me!

Tuesday night Ryan & Brycen finished painting the bathroom (FINALLY!). I think I'm going to wait to post pictures until he gets the cabinet done so you can see the finished product compared to the old one- wow, what a difference! I went to my friend Vanessa's Pampered Chef party while they were working on the bathroom. I was so tired, but it ended up being a good time. Plus, we made cookies w/ some of the Pampered Chef items, and who can resist free cookies?? Not me!

My boys painting :)

the loves of my life (minus andon :))

Wednesday was supposed to be a day for me to get stuff done around the house, but it didn't turn out that way! B had to go to pre-school that morning, while he was gone I did get all the laundry done & the bathrooms cleaned... after I picked him up we went & had lunch w/ my mom & then Ryan called to see if I could go to Jasper to pick up his tux for him for the wedding he was in on Saturday b/c w/ the HOliday Wednesday was the last day to be able to pick it up! B & I left lunch & headed to Jasper to get the tux, we got there around one... and had a surprise in for us, the store didn't open until THREE :(. I was so frustrated! I did have some stuff I could get though at other places that I needed (Just not that day, but we had to do something!). First we went to Salvation Army to drop some stuff off, let's just say that wasn't a very pleasant experience, and I doubt I'll be going back there, to that one at least. I kept my cool though, thankfully :). We went to Home Depot next, there was just one item I wanted to get in there, a cute snowman mat for the front door... It's a real nice heavy one that gets a lot of snow and dirt off people's shoes, it's so cute! Then we headed for WalMart... I really dreaded that b/c I knew it would be crazy w/ people getting last minute Thanksgiving stuff... We ended up getting B a 4ft tree for his room and John Deere decorations to go on it! He is so thrilled! I'll have to get a picture of him w/ his tree, b/c he was too busy admiring it to let me take one Wednesday when we put it up! We survived WalMart & went back to the tux store, thankfully they were opening when we got there! We got home and it was passed Brycen's naptime and he was too anxious to put up his tree so we skipped nap time (something that rarely happens at our house b/c it makes him unbearable!). B & I made sugar cutout cookies (big pumpkins) on Wednesday night to take to Thanksgiving. We put orange icing on them & then green sprinkles for the stem, they were cute & yummy too.

Thursday we got up and got ready & went to Ryan's parents in the morning. We had lunch there and hung out. Brycen loves playing w/ his cousins! We got home about 3pm, again passed Brycen's naptime... and time to start on the Christmas tree (tradition remember?!). Ryan is such a trooper :) We got the tree put up and decorated right before we had to leave for my family Thanksgiving. I didn't get any of my other decorations put up though, those just had to wait! We went to my aunt & uncle's for supper w/ my family & that was a good time! My family always has me laughing so hard! :) My grandpa wasn't feeling well enough to come so that was sad... Brycen played farm w/ my uncle and cousin the whole time- it was so cute. I was really nervous about going b/c this is my cousin who just lost twin babies in October (we were due only 6 wks apart), but that all went well and they made me feel totally at ease. I'm so thankful for how it went. He is such a strong guy & I'm so proud of the person he is. Anyway- we didn't get home & in bed until late! I was exhausted! Brycen did so good w/out naps two days in a row... He was tired really early, but he wasn't too grouchy. I think b/c he had all the people to keep him entertained!

Hailey, Brycen, & Mya playing~B didn't want to smile

Ryan putting up the tree

I don't even know? My silly boy :)

"Take a Picture of me flying mama!"

Friday, Ryan got up really early & ran to Wal-Mart for me to get B's trampoline... the poor guy, I could do a whole post on his experience! :) He had NO IDEA what he was getting himself into, even though I tried to prepare him. If you see him, ask him about it, b/c it's hilarious to hear him tell the story. I normally go shopping every year w/ my mom on Black Friday, but decided to skip this year. Ryan did get a trampoline, what a great day :) saved us a bunch of money too, and who doesn't like to save money?! He called me when he got out of there... He told me the story and I couldn't quit laughing, nor could I go back to sleep :( and man, I was wanting to sleep in! I got up though and started putting up the rest of the Christmas decorations. I got that all done! Brycen slept in pretty late and was refreshed when he woke up! I also decorated the porch & am really happy w/ how that turned out! Ryan was proud of me for doing it myself, lol. I'm really not helpless when it comes to stuff like that, but normally I rope him into helping b/c I think he does a better job than me and I get frustrated too easily, but I had it all done when he got home. B & I did end up going w/ my mom and Aunt to Washington WalMart about eleven on Fri. I needed a wreath for my front door and actually found a really pretty one there. There were also a couple games & a movie I was wanting to get B for either his birthday or Christmas that were on sale, so while my mom was there and had him in her cart I was able to get them. Then we all went to Mi Pueblo for lunch (YUM!). When we got home Ryan was at home, a nice surprise since I thought he had to work all day! Ryan & Brycen took naps while I wrapped Christmas presents to put under the tree. That was another thing I was glad to get done. Friday evening we had to go to Posey Co. (about 50 min. away) for a wedding dress rehersal. B did good during the rehersal and then the dinner was at The Log Inn on 41 in Haubstadt. It was really good and I know Ryan had a great time being w/ old friends from college. Brycen loves daddy's friends too :) (maybe bc they act like him??!) Anyway, they are an hour behind us so we ended up not getting home until after eleven!

Saturday Ryan and my dad got the new garage door motor thing put up for me! I was so pumped about that. Ryan had to leave early for the wedding (pictures and stuff), but my dad finished and I'm so thankful he did looking at the weather today! My mom was over too and helped do a few things outside while I got the inside of my house all cleaned, finally! I had been trying since Wednesday! B loves playing "worker man" and it was pure bliss for him having Papaw Rick there to help :). I made lunch for them and then they finished about an hour after that. B & I took a nap & watched a movie when he got up... We were bored w/ out Ryan there and I knew it would be late when he got home from the wedding and the reception. B & I went to get ice cream & then went to my parents to visit. Also, my mom had her old quilt set that fits a king size bed, that she is letting me use! It matches our room perfect and looks great, plus it's free and since I haven't been able to find one I like it worked out great! Ryan didn't end up getting home until about eleven again on Saturday. B & I were already in bed!

Yesterday we went to church & then got a quick bite at Taco Bell & home to get ready for the circus! My Grandpa Ed (my mom's dad) is a Shriner and had gotten us tickets! We had awesome seats and Brycen loved every minute of it! It was 8:30pm by the time we got home! I couldn't believe the weekend and my five day break were already coming to an end!

He was so excited before the circus!

The tigers, lion, and the lion tamer! (for some reason B was very excited about seeing the lion tamer!) lol...

The elephants- they amaze me still!

Sponge Bob & Brycen ;)

Brycen was not very happy about getting up and going to school this morning! He said, "i want to stay home foreber and eber!" Well that broke my heart, but once he was really awake he was ready to go play w/ his friends! :)

I don't think we have as much going on this week & I'm thankful for that!

B's first movie...

Well, Ryan was gone again this weekend hunting so on Friday my mom and I took B on a "date"! We went and ate pizza and then went to the movies at Jasper. He wanted to see Madagascar 2. He was such a good boy during the movies! It was his first time going to the theater. I think he really enjoyed it! When we got home we watched a little bit of the Garfield movie on TV and then fell asleep!

Before the movie- he was so excited!

What a big boy!

Saturday we slept in a little bit & then didn't do too much... I was addressing Christmas Cards, trying to do a little at a time, and Brycen said he was going to clean his toy room/Andon's room (serving both purposes at the moment...). I thought that was a grand idea... lol.

This is what B's toy room/Andon's room looked like when he was done...

And then this is what the hall way & B's room liked when he was done...

He was sooo proud of himself and the toy room that I couldn't be mad :)

Ryan came home from the cabin on Saturday night & we did get the toys organized & rearranged B's room. That definitely wore me out! Ryan & Brycen think my belly is so funny & they drew a picture on it for Andon...

Yah, I kind of think it looks like Osama Bin Laden or something... :)

Yesterday afternoon Brycen and I went to Jasper w/ my mom and Grandma. We ate lunch there at Long John Silver's (i really love fish, even there!). And then we went to Home Depot and bought a new garage door opener thingy for our garage door... ours broke and I haven't been able to use the garage (a pain since it's getting cold!). I'm glad to get that bought... now just when my handy husband has time to install it! haha. Hopefully soon! I also got the paint for Andon's room! I hope it looks good when we get it on the walls... After Home Depot we headed to Wal-Mart. We had to get stuff for the stromboli's that I made last night at my parents for supper and a few other things. I went ahead and picked up my tins for my cookies and chocolate covered pretzels and stuff that I always make for neighbors and people at work around Christmas time... I'm seriously trying to get all this holiday shopping done! I did finish up all my shopping last week, except for Ryan & Brycen, and a few gifts I have to get when I go to Evansville for my next dr's appt. Otherwise, I'm done, and so excited about it! When we got home from Jasper B took a nap and I worked on getting the Uppercase Living stuff put on his walls that I had gotten way back when I had my party! They look cute! That's my problem, I'm such a planner, and I plan things way too far out in advance... Anyway, when Brycen got up from his nap we went to my parents and I made stromboli's and mom made a cesar salad. It was a yummy, easy supper! We ended up coming home w/ a cat... they have this cat that got dropped off down their road and it's driving their dogs nuts, they sit inside and bark at the cat and my mom was wanting it gone... well since B's kittens ran off a few months back & our dog Aggie got ate by the coyote we decided to let him take the cat home & that would get it out of my parents hair! The cat doesn't have a name yet... he was still at our house this morning & Brycen was so glad about that! It's a really tame cat, I think it must of been someones pet or something b/c it didn't even mind riding in the car... I'll have to get a picture of B w/ the cat. He was wanting me to last night, but we were in a hurry to get home. My mom got all of her Christmas stuff put up this weekend while my dad was gone hunting at the cabin and she has a bunch of cute stuff she wasn't using that she gave to me! Awesome, free decorations :) And she always has ADORABLE stuff!

Brycen and my Papaw giving high fives after they won a game on the computer :)

Two of my favorites :)

Please keep my Papaw in your prayers if you think about it. He isn't doing good at all... they've given them a "time", but I have chosen not to be informed of how long his dr's have said... The cancer is just everywhere at this point. I just want to enjoy our time w/ him and not put a "time line" on things... maybe that sounds dumb or like I'm in denial, and maybe I am, but I just don't see how it would makes things better to have a time line...

This is a two day work week for me so I'm excited about that! I can't wait to get our Christmas decorations put up either... I'm getting in the Christmas mood :) Or nesting maybe a little early??? With getting out Christmas stuff means more cleaning and that just sounds really good to me right now... lol... Maybe that's the sleep deprivation talking though. haha.

Surgery & 23 wks and 3 days pic

Well, our trip to the surgeon last night was okay. Ryan does in fact have a hernia. His surgery is scheduled on January 7th unless it gets worse before then and then they would get him in immediately. The Dr. was super nice and explained everything very well. I don't think any of that really interested Ryan, he acted bored, but I love it all! Makes me wish I would of completed that last semester of nursing school instead of doing this ol' boring law stuff day in and day out (okay boring law stuff might be an exaggeration, but...). Anyway, the surgery only takes about 45 min. to complete & said his recovery time should be minimal. We'll see how that goes anyway, but I'm glad we have it all set up and it will get taken care of!

and for the picture...

23 weeks and 3 days