I'm baccccckkkkkk!

Well sorta. I FINALLY have Internet. Seems like I have something that causes all electronics to break within a 5 foot radius. Seriously, ask the Man. He'll tell ya it's true.

We are still having technical difficulties around here, but we have Internet OR phone and I am choosing you, feel privileged.

We have been busy busy this summer with lots of trips to the park, some pool days, and lots of time in the yard. Our front landscaping is done and so is a little (or should I say big) furniture refinishing project. On a side note: Now we are working on the garage, which is a HUGE job. It needs organization in a bad way and is screaming for a new paint job. I would love something bold, but I am not sold on the idea. Our house is light gray with dark gray shutters. Our door is bright red, so I was thinking a red would look good, but now I am leaning towards something more neutral. If you have any input, let me know!!

I have so many pictures to share and things to say....

Let see. Gavin is turning 6 in just a few weeks. He just finished t-ball for the year. He has befriended the neighbor kids and in the process I feel like I now have 6 kids! They play together a lot, but actually they are really sweet and Gavin thinks they are fun to play with.

Cameron is on the verge of potty training. He goes sometimes and other times not so much. I think we are going to kick it up a notch in the next few days and see what happens. Besides that, he is talking like crazy and is obsessed with lawn mowers and tractors (typical, I know). So much so, that he points them out everywhere and is constantly nagging Jason to mow our lawn.

Nolan is everywhere and into everything!!! He is even pulling himself up to stand but not trying to take steps...yet. Poor guy had a nasty, never-ending ear infection that lasted forever. We are now happily over it, and life is now more enjoyable.

Jason has the rest of the week off. So we will be lazily laying around doing nothing...or not! We'll see how well that blows over.

Well, looks like the kiddos are whining and dinner needs to be made...shees.

I will update again soon....pictures to come :)
Jaime

Hello out there!

No I have not died. My Internet is on the fritz and is soooo slow. It is driving me bonkers!

I have so much to share with you too!

Guess you'll have to wait (sigh :)

Bet you already know what today is, or not. But here is one of the best "wishes" I have received

http://johnsonpartyofsix.blogspot.com/2008/05/from-johnsons.html

Who couldn't love that?

I will, hopefully (like fingers and toes crossed) be up and running again soon.

Jaime

B.Y.O.G.

This made me laugh out loud!

Interesting?!

http://www.shopbyog.com/products.html

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B.Y.O.G.= Bring Your Own Gown...hospital gown that is! Can you imagine the nurse's face when you say, "No thanks, I don't need need one. I bought my own online!"

What will they think of next?!?

Fly High

I swear I didn't photoshop this at all. In fact, I didn't crop it or anything....

I always get so nervous when he does this...now he knows why! Apparently it doesn't look that high when your underneath it. Boys will be boys!!

No news is good news, right?

It feels like forever since I gave ya all the rundown on things around here. So here goes.

We have been working outside a little the last few weeks...with one big day last Friday. We ripped out the huge evergreens in front and are planting a nice flower garden in a few weeks. Haha...I know. I am a horrible gardener, but these babies come with a lifetime guarantee, so it doesn't matter if I keep on killing them. I at least get a nice new one sent to me. Really, I am going to try?! We are also in the process of stripping down an old dresser to put in the boy's room. It hasn't been that bad, but has been a little tedious at times. Apparently Nolan is a little sensitive to sawdust, so we have to be extra careful and keep him away from it.

Gotta love the use of a snow shovel in April :)

Gavin started practicing for t-ball a few weeks ago. Jason is coaching again. This year their team has about 1/2 girls and 1/2 boys. I think that makes for a nice mix. He really seems to like it. Opening day is next weekend, so I will get to see all their skills in their first game. Last year, games always make me smile. They are so cute when they really have no idea what they are doing.

Cameron is really starting to talk. I understand what he is saying about 75% of the time. He has a bad habit of yelling when he thinks I am not listening, but really I am tuning him out because he has asked for something a million times already. Me saying No and him just thinking that I am not getting it!

Nolan is weighing it at a whopping 21 lbs 14 oz...without his clothes on! I think he is going to start crawling soon...my life is over as I know it :)

I have started picking up sewing again. I also do things like this in phases. I sewed my first nursing cover last week. It was so easy. I think I will start taking orders...j/k.

Enjoy the rest of your week

Jaime

Advice?

I found this redo and am falling in love...sigh! Jason thinks I am crazy :)

What do you think? I need honesty here!!

Stupid people

I hate to be negative. But sometimes I get so annoyed at people's comments.

"WOW, you have your hands full"...um ok.
"3 boys huh?!?"...no I just dress the baby up as a boy, thanks!
"Gonna go for that girl, right"...yeah, let me get right on that one.

I found this today and thought it was funny. Makes me want to think of a good story to tell people when they make stupid comments.

Purina Dog Food

The next time someone asks you a dumb question wouldn’t you like to respond like this?…..

Yesterday I was buying a large bag of Purina dog chow for Athena the wonder dog at Wal-Mart and was about to check out. A woman behind me asked if I had a dog. What did she think I had, an elephant? So since I’m retired, with little to do, on impulse, I told her that no, I didn’t have a dog, and that I was starting the Purina Diet again. Although I probably shouldn’t, because I’d ended up in the hospital last time, but that I’d lost 50 pounds before I awakened in an intensive care ward with tubes coming out of most of my orifices and IVs in both arms. I told her that it was essentially a perfect diet and that the way that it works is to load your pants pockets with Purina nuggets and simply eat one or two every time you feel hungry and that the food is nutritionally complete so I was going to try it again. (I have to mention here that practically everyone in the line was by now enthralled with my story.) Horrified , she asked if I ended up in intensive care because the dog food poisoned me. I told her no; I stepped off a curb to sniff an Irish Setter’s butt and a car hit us both.
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I thought the guy behind her was going to have a heart attack, he was laughing so hard!

-Jaime

When things won't go!

It is bad when your 2 year old shouts, "Batterwies" when a toy doesn't work, then proceeds to the garage saying, "Screwdiver" ??!?

Is is even worse that he knows just what size we need and almost knows how to use the screwdriver correctly???


I guess we do go through too many batteries around here.

That explains this purchase a few weeks ago!


Yes, 192 AA batteries. I'd say about 2 months worth...

Let's play a little game....

From Left to Right: Nolan, Gavin, and Cameron. You guys are too smart :) **EDIT**I think your all confused...or maybe I am confusing! These are pics of each boy when they were 7 months old. Which one is which????

10 Things you may not know...

I saw this on another blog and thought this might be fun.

10 things you might not know about me:

1. I have 7 brothers and sisters
2. My first car was an 1979 MG Midget and I had to sit on a phone book to see over the steering wheel (by the way...this is not anyone I know and he is probably an average sized guy. My midget was baby blue. I WILL have one again someday!)

3. I am scared to stay at home alone at night. But I did it for almost a year when Jason was deployed overseas.
4. I never ever thought I would be a stay at home mom. EVER! Then I had kids.
5. I was married and had a family before I was legally able to drink.
6. I hate cleaning but love a clean house...go figure!
7. I love being pregnant. All of it. I think that what's makes me the most sad about "being done" (unofficially that is...hehe)
8. I am gullible. You probably already knew that!
9. I used to hate my curls when I was young and would do pretty much anything to get them straight...including once using African American hair relaxer...trust me it didn't work. I've learned that they are who I am. Sometime I like to take on my alter ego, though....
10. I hate going to see movies at the theatre (because I think it's a rip off. I always fall asleep...hello, I can sleep at home for free) I have never seen Stars Wars. I love reality TV, though. (ok that was 3!)

So I know you probably have at least 10 too??! Post them on your blog and leave me a comment. I look forward to reading yours...(come on, you know you want to even though no one will do it!)

-Jaime

Picture Update

Our Sunday best! Gotta love boys who aren't afraid to get messy in their nice clothes...oh wait. I don't think they care.
Yeah! I learned to clap!
The weather was nice last week. So we played hard while it lasted...
Cameron (aka: the escape artist) um...I wonder if they make child proof locks for gates?!?

random

Sorry that I haven't posted in awhile. I guess I don't want to bore my readers with nothing...

So...here's nothing for ya.

Nothing new really.

Same old.

My uncle Johnny did come visit for a few days earlier this week. The kids were spoiled and it was nice to spend some time with him. His idea of fun was Chuck E Cheese with 4 kids! Um...ok.

Jason has a mild case of strep this week. You know how it is (wink, wink)

I feel like I am wasting your time here.

We are going to see Backyardins Live on Sunday. The kids don't know yet, so that will be fun.

Oh, and family is coming in to visit tomorrow. Not having family in town means that we really look forward to getting them here. They love our Goodwill and love shopping (now you know where I get it from :)

That's all I guess.

Not even pics!

I am so lame.

Happy Birthday Dylan!

I did Dylan's b-day pictures a few weeks ago for his card HERE. I had so many cute shots that I did not want them to go to waste. I ended up creating this:

Happy Easter

It reads:

Dear Bunny,

Easter is about Jesus. We celebrate his life.

Just a little candy to share is ok. Don't hide our eggs.

Love Gavin Cameron and Nolan

We made a decision in our house that we really wanted Easter to be about Jesus and try not to commercialize it too much. But, we also love the tradition of the bunny and eggs so we did some thinking and decided that we could would let easter bunny in...on our terms!

We talked it over with Gavin and we all decided that is was ok for the bunny to leave a little candy for everyone to share (no trinkets or toys) but not hid our colored eggs. Mommy and Daddy would do that after we had our naps after church. So we all thought a letter would be the best communication (we don't have the bunny's cell number ;)

After all is said and done we are happy with our decision. I don't even think the kids missed anything. We had a great "family" day. Ordered pizza for lunch, took naps, looked for eggs, play candyland, ate candy, and finished the night off with the bible verses concerning Jesus' death and resurrection. Grandpa was here so that made it even more special. Here are a few more pics from the day.

Coloring eggs last night: So sweet all dressed up:
Oh look, Grandpa found a.....silly grandpa
Look what we found!

It was nice to get back to the basic and remember the gift that Easter really is. After all, I would not have my eternal security if it wouldn't for his death on the cross. With my acceptance of his death as payment for all my sin, I get to go to the most glorious of places...heaven.

Here is another one

Since YouTube seems to be a small addiction around here lately, I thought that I would share this crazy video we found....Guess some people have WAY too much time on their hands.

Watch this for a good laugh

I've seen this a couple of times and maybe you have too. Just too cute and something that happens in my house lately too! You'll have to mute my music at the bottom of the blog if you want to hear it (by pushing the pause bottom in the upper left hand corner...looks something like this II :)

Updates from the crew

I done alot of picture taking lately and not alot of updating so here goes...

We have ALL (well everyone except Nolan...good ol' breastfeeding for ya :) have been sick last week. By sick, I mean stomach virus sick. Poor Cameron got it first and had it the worst. It always amazes me how much their little stomach's can hold. Everyone seems to be on the mend now. After a long weekend at home recuperating, I think we are all ready to get out to the world again.

Nolan is almost 6.5 months now. He is sitting up all by himself and gaining more and more weight everyday. It's hard to believe that he is only 6 months old sometimes. He has become quite the picky eater these days...it is driving me and Jason crazy. I mean, come on. Open your darn mouth kid! I guess that's what I get for saying, "oh you have a picky eater...just keep feeding him, don't accommodate him, he will eat if he is hungry..." YEAH RIGHT. I am eating my words this very day!

Cameron is talking more and more. In fact, it has gotten to the point where I can understand only about 1/2 the things he says. Usually I will ask for him to "show" me what he wants and I can figure it out. He is even putting 3 words together. Quite an accomplishment for a child that I thought would only say things like "dut" and "tis" for the rest of his toddler years. Gavin talked so soon and so well that I thought it was because of my excellent ability to parent. Apparently it has nothing to do with me. Each kid is so different..what? Really?

Gavin is reading quite fluently now. He is such a bright boy that I can only owe his intelligence to his father. I think he can sound out words better than me. Really. He really seems to love school, but on more than one occasion, has asked to stay home "sick" I guess that part of his intelligence comes from me. Don't worry, I didn't let him.

Jason has been busy at work. Busy with what, I really don't know. His job is very complicated to me because I really don't understand. Believe me, he has tried to explain it to me more than one time...something about designing parts for an air system on these really big CAT engines. All I think is....if these people were are smart as they claim to be, you would think that they could get it right the FIRST time it was designed. Sorry babe. I know that it is very complicated and requires lots of hard work and that's why your the engineer and I stay at home wiping butts.

HA HA. Ok. So yes my job does require alot of changing diapers (I have 2 in them after all!) but I would not change it for anything. I really do love to stay at home. Some days it becomes more than I can take, but most are rewarding. I have the opportunity to make a huge impact on my children and I love being there for all their little things. So even if I get paid with snotty kisses and muddy hugs I will still take it over a paycheck anytime (although if someone has some extra cash and wants to reward my efforts, shot me an email and we can work something out)

With Spring right around the corner, I hope that it brings lots of sunny days to get out and run off some energy. (My kids that is....I already have no energy) I have major winter blahs and with the tease of warmer weather this last week I am in some serious need of outside time.

Here's to warmer days and open window!!!
Jaime

St. Patty's Day

Isn't everyone Irish on March 17th???

As I walked through ToysRus today I saw it....by "it" I mean the cutest darn leprechaun hat that a mom has ever seen!

Self: "Oh...I have to have this"

Little voice: "NO NO...for what?!?"

Self: "for you know...a picture or something"

Little voice: "NO NO how can you justify this?"

Self: "I must have this...I will take pics of Nolan and...and...and...I know, put them on the blog"

So here they are.

The only time that boobs on him will ever be so darn cute.

Great huh? Maybe you can borrow this hat next year and take cute naked pictures of your baby, They just won't be this cute!

Here's to you, Patty Sue!

Go here first. This is the challenge. As a momma I know that I sometimes feel so overwhelmed. But when it comes down to it, God knows what I can handle and gives me the tools I need to persevere. That said, there are people, like Tricia, who have bigger obstacles to face, bigger hurdles to overcome than deciding, "what's for dinner" To a momma who can't be with her baby like she would love...but knows that there are thousands of people out there praying for that day....

Tricia, I can't wait for you to experience....

• Having to go to the bathroom with the door open or listen to a screaming child that can't see you
• Putting those newborn clothes away for the last time with a heavy heart because time flies too quickly
• Catching snot, slobber, etc with your hand and not even thinking about it
• Wishing that they would finally walk, talk, etc. and suddenly regretting the independence that they have gained and longing for that little baby, if just for a second
• Having them say "no, no mommy" while shaking their finger at you and having an "ah ha" moment because you realize you do it to them all the time
• Watching them sleep at night, just because
• Realizing their shoes and clothes cost more than yours
• Bringing home baby for the very first time and then thinking, "now what?"...it happens every time!
• Reading the same book so many times that you start "reading" without looking at the words
• Their tiny hands folded in prayer...even though they are plotting evil doings because everyone else has their eyes closed
• You little ones dirty head smell...ah...sweet! (OK, maybe that's just me)
• Answering, WHY, with "because I said so!" even though you swore you would never say that to your child
• Always worrying about them
• Getting them all clean in the bath only to have them poo in the water when you reach for the towel
• Having them take off their diaper and do horrid things with their you know what!? and then having it happen again and thinking that something must be wrong with this child!
• The first time they sleep thru the night and you awake in a panic and think that A)something is wrong with the baby OR B)you are so exhausted you must have slept through it
• Never having a date again where you don't end up talking about the kid and their latest musings
• Date, did I say that, what's that?!
• Holding your baby and having it feel right and perfect...just not the same when its someone elses.
• Never understanding what is so cool about bubbles
• All those firsts
• Coming to the realization that it's OK to feed them cereal for dinner and JUST donuts for breakfast, if only this once (you know I am not the only one :)
• Treasure all those pictures that they make and having to throw some of them away when their not looking...deep in the trash under LOTS of other things in fear that you might get caught

I admit...I am a little obsessed with their blog. Check it out if you haven't and make your own list!! Here's to you, Tricia, and all the things that you have to look forward to!

Nolan's photo shoot

To all of you that are bored out there (you know who you are ;)

I took some pics of Nolan today. I think it's fun taking pictures...he lasts about 5 minutes.

I can't believe that he is already 6 months old!

Enjoy