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

New Bed, Master Bath, Attitude Problems, & Christmas Shopping

Monday night B and I went to WalMart while Ryan mowed up all the leaves and tried to get everything "winterized". The yard looks so much better w/out all those leaves everywhere!
So we went to my mom and dad's on Tuesday evening to eat chili and then my dad came over to help Ryan get our new bed set up... Our old bed was going to my parents house to be set up in their guest room. So... I THOUGHT we had a queen size bed... I was WRONG (although, I bet no one will believe that ;) haha!). Anyway, we only had a FULL size bed! And I kept wondering why we were so crowded! haha! Our new bed is a California King & we are both LOVING it! We feel kind of lost in it though! Anyway, it is so much more comfortable and I'm so excited about it! Now I just have to find some bedding I like... haven't had much success with that so far.
Last night Ryan started painting our master bath. I am so excited to see the finished product. He got the top half done last night... I would call it a dark chocolate brown (Ryan and Brycen said it looked like someone smeared poop on the wall...) lol, I like my description better! It's definitely what I envisioned so that makes me happy! I was a little nervous about doing such a dark color, but I think when everything is done it will be just what I wanted. Well, what I'd really like is for our house to sell and us build our dream house~ BUT~ I keep reminding myself that God's timing is perfect and when it's time for it to sell it will... Anyway, back to the bathroom, Ryan is going to paint the bottom half tonight I think. The top still needs a second coat and then the bottom half is going to be an antiqued white. Ryan is making a new cabinet and medicine cabinet and getting a new top for the cabinet. He's going to make the cabinet w/ an antiqued looking glaze (w/ brown glaze to match the wall). I'm so excited to see it! He is pretty amazing w/ what he comes up with! I'm not proud of him or anything... :) Anyway, Brycen thought it was so fun to "help" Daddy paint. He kept saying he was a worker man just like Daddy! So sweet! Ryan did really good about having patience w/ B too~ b/c I'm sure the job took a little longer w/ Brycen's "help".
So most of the time B is really good and we don't have many problems with him, but lately he has really started to have an attitude. It's making me crazy... actually makes me want to cry and feel like a failure. Any suggestions? He has become really defiant and honestly I just don't know what to do with him when he acts that way. He's been such a good boy up until this point that I've not had to worry about discipline too much, just the usual stuff every once in awhile... These days it feels like every evening is a battle of some sort with him. I'd appreciate ANY suggestions!
This week I've been trying to finish up my Christmas shopping. I'm pretty close to be done. I still have the names Ryan and I drew for his family to buy for and then B's teachers. Any good idea for teacher gifts? I feel like I always do the same things for them. I haven't even really started on B or Ryan's gifts... I'm pretty sure I know what I'm getting Ryan though, and B is so hard since his birthday is so close to Christmas... but we're thinking maybe a trampoline for his big gift... I know he wouldn't be able to use it for a few months, but with his birthday and Christmas so close he gets sooo many things I don't think it would hurt for him to wait to play w/ that gift for awhile :). Anyway, I'm pretty sure I'm rambling now so I'll save you all from having to read anymore!!!