Christmas

Christmas Eve at Bronson Park (Shaun had to work)

opening presents in our jammies

Meet our Santa

Meet Santa's brother

Santa's brother kissing him

Meet the Family

Jaden's Eye Appointment

Ok, we have a date. Jaden goes to see Dr. Kristine Nelson in Ann Arbor @ Kellogg Eye Center on Jan 18th @ 2P.

To Ann Arbor We Go

I'm sure most of you have noticed that Jaden has a lazy eye..

See it? Well, we took him to a specialist last year to have them look at it, but it was fine. They said to come back in a year, which we did. We just got back. Last year it wasn't covering his pupil at all, this year it's covering half of his pupil. Normally, they wouldn't do anything till he was 5 years old, but they're afraid that if he doesn't go get it further checked out, that by next year he wouldn't be able to see out of it. I'm waiting for our appointment date, but it should be sometime w/in the next 2mos. Hopefully it won't be anything serious like surgery!

Stand in the Rain

I've heard this song, even sang to it I don't know how many times, but tonight, I really listened. At church tonight, they talked about Mary. How we make what she did seem to be so glorious and perfect, but it wasn't. She was barely a teenager. Her fiancee could have divorced her, and she could have been stoned to death. She went away from her family w/her husband to have her first born in a stinky, unclean stable. She must have been frightened, afraid, IN SUCH PAIN!! All, to have a child that she knew would some day die. She would raise him only to have to watch him go through the most horrible death a mother could watch. Through all of it, she chose to worship God. She could have thrown a pity party. She could have thrown a temper tantrum. She could have said, ok, but this is how we're going to do things God. She didn't do any of that. She said, ok God, whatever you wish is what I will do. Anyways, this song isn't about Mary, but it is about going through struggles. Life sucks, life isn't fair, but it's how you choose to respond that makes the difference. Read the lyrics, and I hope it touchs you as it did me tonight!

Superchic[k] - Stand In The Rain
From the album Beauty From Pain 1.1

She never slows down
She doesn’t know why
But she knows that when she’s all alone
It feels like it’s all coming down

She won’t turn around
The shadows are long
And she fears if she cries that first tear
The tears will not stop raining down

Chorus:
So stand in the rain
Stand your ground
Stand up when it’s all crashing down
You stand through the pain
You won’t drown
And one day what’s lost can be found
You stand in the rain

She won’t make a sound
Alone in this fight with herself
And the fear’s whispering
If she stands, she’ll fall down

She wants to be found
The only way out is through everything
She’s running from
Wants to give up and lie down

(2x’s)Chorus:

he's SUCH a boy!

Can I just say, I love my boys!! Jaden can be SUCH a handful, but he just melts my heart. Today, he started doing the cutest thing. When he knows he did something bad and that I'm mad at him, he S>L>O>W>L>Y looks over at me, then looks away real quick. He keeps doing it till he gets a smile out of me which usually doesn't take long at all! LOL He's started taking trucks/cars, and zooming them around stuff and making noises for them. He's never done that before, and I don't know where he learned it from. But, it sure the heck is cute!!
And this is TOTALLY off subject, but Asher got one of his Christmas presents. He got the new Graco highchair that folds compactly. Not only does it fold up, but the seat adjusts so he can sit high up or down low, or even inbetween. It is SO cool!! I'm totally loving it!!!! His Grandpa and Nana Anderson got it for him :)

FINALLY

Asher has been trying to crawl for a while now. He's usally pretty laid back, but he's been wanting to accomplish this. My ped said that we may have to look into physical therapy for him bc he's not pulling up on furniture or walking along furniture yet. I think he's just lazy, but it does worry me some. Anyways, he's been scooching on the floor, but going backwards, which frustrates him. But today, he CRAWLED!! Only, he crawled...backwards..LOL So, he's still frustrated, poor little guy.
We got our Christmas tree up yesterday which is late for us. Normally we go and cut one down, but that just wasn't in the budget this year. I got REALLY lucky and had a lady give me a 7.5ft tree off of freecycle. We got it up and decorated yesterday and that was fun. I unwrapped the ornaments, Jaden handed them to Shaun, and Shaun hung them on the tree. It's really pretty!! I'll have to get a picture post.

I just found these

Why our house is a mess....

If you've ever been to our house unannounced more than once, you've probably noticed a mess. If it bothers you that your visits are not our first priority, we're sorry but you'll just have to get over it.
Our house is messy because we let our kids live in every part of it. We try not to categorize the important work they do of growing and learning as "playing," as if it's something less important than the drudgery we do to make money and keep things livably tidy.
Our house is messy because we don't yell at the kids to clean up their messes, unless it's just been way too long, and only then out of frustration, not because we think it's okay to yell -- we don't.
There are sticky, gooey spots on our walls because mom didn't see them as she gazed into the baby's face, hoping to memorize every precious feature before it changes again forever.
There are stains on our carpets because the house didn't come with hardwood floors, and we think that playing games and enjoying every day that God has given us to the best of our abilities is more important than scrubbing and blotting.
We aren't always successful at enjoying every moment, but we want to and we try! If you ever find our house clean and the kids are cranky, please encourage mom to sit down and hug a kid.
Sometimes the mess bothers us too, and we'll try to clean it all in one fit of inspiration rather than spreading the work out over a reasonable amount of time.
The thing is, in a house this full of people and love, there just isn't a reasonable time to get everything done that needs to be done. So the important things like comforting kids and spending time snuggling on the couch come first.
That's why our house is messy. Welcome to the our home, where (we hope) a kid can be a kid!

the rest of my week

Well, as tradition goes, my mom, my sister Melanie and I all went to the craft show at K-Wings stadium. This was the 1st year in 2yrs that I haven't gone being hugely pregnant AND on bed-rest I might add...LOL And go figure, this is the 1st year in 2yrs that I didn't run into my OB :) I didn't get much except some fudge that I was looking forward to, and Asher's ornament. My mom got just about everyone's ornament there. My sister got this REALLY good deal on a wooden chest. I wish we weren't broke bc I SOOOOO wanted to buy one too!!! I would have gone great in the living room for a toy chest.
I was on jury duty for the 1st time Tuesday through Thursday. The baliff said that we were the 1st group since she had worked there to find someone guilty on only one count and be hung on the other counts. It was VERY frustrating to me bc the facts spoke so clearly IMPO that the guy was guilty on all 3 counts, and I felt like we let him off w/only a slap on the hand. It was an interesting process, one which I wasn't totally thrilled to be apart of. Out of all the groups of people called in for JD, only 3 groups stayed. Out of those 3 groups, only 13 people got chosen to actually be on the jury. And, out of those 13 people were all 6 of us who had stated reasons as to why it was really inconvenient for us to be on JD. What are the odds?? LOL
Oh yeah, and as soon as I left JD, I went straight to immediate care. I had a sharp consistent pain in my right side that had been hurting since Monday night. By time we'd get done w/JD, my doctor was closed. So, I went to IC to find out that the muscles around my ribs were inflamed from my cough (or so they're guessing). I'm on 800 motrin and vycodin and STILL hurting! I go back next week if I don't start feeling better. He didn't do an x-ray, but the possibility lies in that I might have cracked a rib.

final pictures

probably our christmas card picture...
















my fav family picture.....














some good ones of Asher, my fav is first....

9 Months

Wow, not only is Thanksgiving just 2 days away, Christmas is right around the corner, but my baby boy turn 9 months today!!! It's hard to believe it's been that long!! Not much is new w/him other then I think he's getting an ear infection :( He woke up this morning at 6A just screaming, and that's how most of the rest of our day went.
As far as growth or acheivement goes, I don't know how big he's gotten because he doesn't go to the doctor till the end of this month. Along the lines of acheivement, he's done nothing! We call him our little rock because he's round and stationary....LOL He has no desire to do anything, and personally, I'm fine w/that. I'm going to enjoy not having another one to chase around as long as it lasts :)
If you enjoyed the photos, though we're not done messing w/them, you can send shouts out to my bro Wesley!! Doesn't he do a good job?!?!?!!

pictures

first snow...

hanging out...

being naughty!

being cute!!

Road Rage

Okay, this is pretty sad and really makes me see what I need to work on in my life!!!! Here I am, coming from Bible study where we talked about how we need to personalize our "Christian duties" and not just use them as a check off list to make us feel good about ourselves, and this is what I do:
I'm on my way home, and I'm driving down a street w/5 lanes (2 going one way, one merging/turning lane, and another 2 going the other way). There was a truck waiting to turn onto the street, close to the size of a semi. I was all the way over in the 5th lane, no one was in front, behind or next to me. There was traffic coming, but nothing close up. This truck pulls all the way over ALL 5 LANES and RIGHT in front of me I slam on my brakes, almost hitting him, w/all 3 kids in the car!!!! I BLARE my horn, I'm just fuming bc there was no need for it. I pull up next to him, and he just gives me a "I don't care" smile and waves at me I'm STEAMING!! So, then, I get to thinking, maybe he needed to get on the highway bc we were almost to the highway, but he doesn't get on. So there was NO reason or need for him to pull in front of me!!! So, after I realize that, I pull in front of him because we're coming up on a light. I sat in front of him at the light, sat there while the light turned green, and went only when it turned yellow so that he'd have to sit through the light again. It is a fairly busy street, so I knew w/all the cars going around me that he'd never have a chance to get around me, and he didn't. Okay, I am ashamed for what I did , but people like that just ERK the heck out of me!!!!
I really need to do some praying and life changing!!!!!

Pampered Chef

We had our 5th party tonight, and I'm really liking it!!! It's a lot of fun, definitely doesn't feel like work. We're averaging 2 a month, though we don't have any for December yet. We do have one for January though.
I took the boys to the peds today. I took them last week, but even though they had been sick for THREE WEEKS, the ped said they would kick it on their own...GRRRRRR!!! I don't like to see taking my kids to the peds as a waist of money, but when the ped doesn't help us out (and I waited extra long JUST to make sure they weren't going to get over it themselves), it does seem like I just waisted $40. So, another week later, they're still sick, and we went in again. This time they gave me something for their sinus infection which I knew they had b/c I have it and my nephew that I watch had it. It didn't take a brain surgeon to figure out that them having the same symptoms equaled them having the same illness. Luckily, I didn't have to pay for the scripts b/c Meijer gives amoxicilin for free :)
Today was not a good day in the potty training world. Though, Friday was a GREAT day!! He only had 2 accidents, and he's even gone poopy in the potty which is what I hear is usually the hardest part. Today on the other hand, we were like a minute late every time. I think I gave up half way through the day and just said WHATEVER.
I've got almost all of my Christmas shopping done. I'd still like to do the day after Thanksgiving shopping w/my mom and sis, but that depends on what we do for Thanksgiving. It's the year for Thanksgiving w/the in-laws which means driving 6hrs to Indiana. I LOVE getting to see the family, but don't love dragging 2 little ones on a car ride that long. But, it all depends on Shaun's schedule as to what we're going. You'd think we'd know by now, but it's Meijer. They could change their mind the night b4 if they felt like it. The life of a wife to a Meijer Manager....LOL

walmart

> AFA ActionAlert
> > November 9, 2006
> > Please help us get this information into the hands of as many> people> as possible by forwarding it to your entire email list of> family and> friends. > > Wal-Mart Contributes 5% Of Online Sales To Homosexual Group
> > Sign the pledge not to shop at Wal-Mart or Sam's Club on the> Friday and Saturday> following Thanksgiving
> > Help recruit 1,000,000 families who will agree not to shop at> Wal-Mart or Sam's > Club (owned by Wal-Mart) on the Friday and Saturday following> Thanksgiving. > Here's why: > > In a show of support to help homosexuals legalize same-sex> marriage, Wal-Mart> has agreed to automatically donate 5% of online sales directly> to> the Washington DC Community Center for Gay, Lesbian Bisexual> and> Transgender People. The cash donation will come from online> purchases made at Wal-Mart through the homosexual group's Web> site.> This move follows Wal-Mart's joining the National Gay and> Lesbian> Chamber of Commerce and agreeing to give generous financial> help to> that organization also.
> > Every purchase made online for books, music, videos, clothing> and> accessories, children's clothing and toys, and electronics at> the site> will automatically send 5% of the sales to the homosexual> group. The> agreement is an indication that Wal-Mart is totally committed> to supporting> the homosexual movement.
> > Wal-Mart also gave a generous cash donation to the Northwest> Arkansas Gay,> Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center, helping> to provide> a place where homosexuals can come together to "socialize."> > Many observers feel it would have been a wise business> decision for> Wal-Mart to remain neutral in the cultural battle over> homosexual> marriage. But this was an ideological decision by Wal-Mart -> not a> business decision
.> > Take Action
> > 1. Sign the petition to Wal-Mart letting them know you will be> one of> the 1,000,000 families who will not shop at Wal-Mart or Sam's> Club on > the Friday or Saturday following Thanksgiving.
> > 2. VERY IMPORTANT! Millions of Americans are not aware of> Wal-Mart's > support for homosexual marriage. PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO ALL> YOUR FRIENDS > AND FAMILY.
> > 3. Print out anddistribute the Wal-Mart Pass Along Sheet.> http://www.afa.net/wmpassalong3.asp
> > For past Wal-Mart Action Alerts, plus answers to your> questions (where to shop?), > copy and past this link to your browser:> http://www.afa.net/faq.asp
> > Copy and paste this link to your browser to Sign the Petition> to Wal-Mart Now! > https://secure.afa.net/afa/activism/signpetition.asp?id=1630
> > > If you think our efforts are worthy, would you please support> us> with a small gift? Thank you for caring enough to get> involved.> http://www.afa.net/donate.asp
> > Sincerely,
> > Donald E. Wildmon, Founder and Chairman> American Family Association
> > P.S. Please forward this e-mail message to your family and> friends!

YAY!!!!

Okay, so I really think you have to be a parent to appreciate this. I've been working w/J for a month or so now on potty training. I'm not pushing anything, but I'll put him on the potty in the mornings to get him used to things. Well, he's told us once and only once that he had to go pee, and actually did go pee in the potty. But, that's been the end of it for quite some time. Well, today, he was in front of me and started grunting. So, I immediately ran him to the bathroom, put him on the potty, and a few minutes later.....he went poopy in the potty!!!! YAY JADEN!!!!! Now, we'll see if it's another month or so b4 we have any more potty break throughs...lol.

couldn't resist

Okay, so I couldn't resist, I think this is great!! John sticks his foot in his mouth, and this is how our troops respond :) I know he apologized (even though at first he said he apologizes to no one!) so you know it's only b/c his boss said "hey jerk, get in gear, you're making us look bad!" LOL

Halloween

We started off @ my sister's church to trunk or treat. All you LCCers will just have to forgive me ((blushing)), we wanted to trick r treat together.

Jaden loves animals so to see a live duck was a real treat for him.

Jaden didn't really get the idea of walking to get candy, but he DID understand that he was getting food. I think he got almost everyone to give him sseconds...the little piggie...LOL

Then we went to my parents to walk her neighorhood some.

NO mommy...don't put me in the grass!!! Asher was tired and his eyes were watering, so he stayed back w/Grandma while the rest of us headed out. We didn't stay out too late b/c everyone was tired, and it was a school night. But, we all made out pretty good in the candy department, and they had a good time, so that's what matters :)

Zoo Boo

Well, the saturday b4 halloween my sis Bethany, my sis Melanie, my BIL, my 2 nephews, my boys and myself all went to the zoo boo in BC. Jaden really needed a nap, which I was hoping he would take on the way to the zoo, but he was stubborn and stayed awake. AND, it was like in the 30s and FREEZING, not the smartest idea we all had. Anyways, here are the pics from it.



Jaden w/Mator from cars.





I didn't have Asher dressed warm enough (wasn't planning the temps dropping as badly as they did), so I threw Shaun's leather coat that was in the van on him. He's darth vader if you can't tell. We decided against he pumpkin and had him and Jaden cordinate.





Aunt Bethany came along for the ride and candy :P





Here's one of me w/the boys, Asher- one shoe on, one shoe off :)





See, I told you he was tired...LOL

as we forgive our debtors....

My pastor has been doing a series of sermons on the Lord's prayer, and today's portion was on "as we forgive our debtors". It was a REALLY good sermon....I'm glad Shaun was able to come today. I really do enjoy my pastor, he's pretty good at putting things on your level and just being straight forward about even the hard stuff!!

Anyways, the story he used as an example was in Matthew. It was about the king who decided to order that everyone who owed him anything was to be brought b4 him. Well, this one guy who roughly owed 12 million dollars (HOPELESSLY in debt) came b4 the king. The guy obviously didn't have the money, but asked the king for one more day b/c if he didn't pay it meant prison for him and slavery for his family. Well, the king decided to cancel is debt and let him go. Anyways, this guy leaves the palace, runs into a guy that owes him a measely 17 dollars, practically strangles him to death, and DEMANDS his money. Well, guy #2 pretty much says the same thing that guy #1 said to the king, but guy #1 didn't care. He ordered guy #2 to be thrown in jail till he could pay. The king heard this, brought back in guy #1, and sentenced him to a life of torture in prison until he could pay back his debt (basically giving him a life sentence of torture). The moral of the story was that God has forgiven our sins, our debt that we are HOPELESS to repay, and that he expects us to go and forgive others. My pastor pointed out that the point of this part of the prayer "forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors" is to show us that how we forgive others is how God will forgive us, kinda scarey huh??? The story is also to point out that it ANGERS God when he has forgiven us SO much, and we are unwilling to forgive others. One of the points my pastor made was that we will NEVER forgive someone for as much as God has forgiven us.

He also had this great quote. "Holding onto resentment is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die"-unkown. He pointed out that resentment only hurts us, not the person we're mad at. Most of the time, the other person could care less, and they've moved on w/their lives while we are still stewing. Resentment makes you a victom.

Anyways, it was a really good sermon and pretty good timing for me to hear it too. I've really been enjoying this sermon. God has really been hitting me w/something new each week!

WHY?

It seems like a lot of my friends are either having babies or just had babies. I'm very happy for them, but it makes me miss my unborn child. I thought I had gotten over the loss of Levi, but today, I broke down again and morned for my unborn child. Even as I write this, tears are falling down my face. The hurt is over powering. I should be 13wks along w/what I trully believe would have been our little girl (if you believe that the timing of conception has anything to do w/it, which I do).
I know that right now is not a good time for us to bring another little one into the world for many reasons. I also know that the time to have another baby may not come for a long time. I know, you all think I'm crazy! Asher is only 8mos you're saying. He's still a baby, and I know this. I love my babies though. Both of them are so different and bring such different joy to my life. Why would I NOT want to add to that???
I'm rambling, thanks for letting me share my sorrow.

our life

Well, life is about to slow down some for me. I was taking care of my friends 2 little girls, but it's just gotten to be too much. So, I told her this weekend that I wouldn't be able to do it any longer. 5 kids in my little house it just WAY too much. Plus, the kids were constantly getting sick, and I can only imagine that it's b/c all of them were together. Between the 5 of them, I'm sure they were all bringing something new for the group to catch.
Jaden is still amazing me by how much he's talking. He started saying "I want some more", "coke", "candy", "I want the book", and all sorts of other stuff. Now, let me just preferrence that Jaden NEVER gets pop and very rarely gets candy. He's also being VERY naughty!! I feel like all I do is discipline him ALL DAY LONG!!! I sure am praying that this is a phase b/c it's for sure not how he's been raised.
Asher is going through mommy seperation anxiety. If I'm even in the room and not holding him, he starts crying. I'm also praying that he gets over that phase quickly. It amazes me how different he is from Jaden. For one, Jaden was off of baby food by 5mos. Asher won't eat anything but baby food. He's started eating some things like macaroni and mashed potatoes, but mostly it's baby food. He doesn't even like yogurt. I'm just ready to be done w/making baby food and have him start eating regular stuff. I've been trying to get him to crawl or even scooch, but he has no interest. He's just content to sit there...LOL
Tomorrow we're going to GR again to walk the mall and let Jaden play. I wish our mall had a play area in it b/c Jaden just LOVES the one in GR!! A friend of mine came and gave us some organizational tips for the house. I've got paint to repaint the boys' room, but haven't gotten around to it yet. So, I'm trying to find stuff to organize the house with, and I'll probably end up painting not only the boys' room but the kitchen too. So, maybe my life won't be slowing down....LOL :)

Bad Mommy

W/Jaden, we took pictures of EVERYTHING!! We were always taking pictures. W/Asher, not so :( I haven't even started his baby book. I haven't recorded all the important details that he's gonna want to know when he gets older. People warned me that this would happen! Well, here's a couple pictures of him b/c I thought he looked rather cute, and I knew I needed to get some in of him :)

Playdate to GR...

Friday, my friends, Tami & Erin, and I took the kids to GR. We went to the Grandville Mall b/c it has an indoor play area. It was a little too chilly for the little ones to be outside. Jaden had a BLAST!!! He's getting to be such a BIG BOY!! He was running around and sliding on the slide all by himself. I need to get him to the park more often b4 the weather turns too cold.
Both my boys are under the weather :( We found out that Jaden was exposed to Hand Foot Mouth Disease last Friday. The mom waited a WEEK to let me know...GRRRR! Well, they're running fevers, and that's the 1st sign. I'm praying they aren't getting it!!!
I finally found Jaden's halloween costume. Asher is going to be a pumkin, just like Jaden was last year.












And, Jaden is going to be....

My Pride and Joys

Jaden after his 1st bike ride w/daddy.

Asher after his 1st meal of adult food (daddy forgot the bib). And, do you see him sitting up, yeah, he did that himself :)

Jaden says to me this morning, "food Momma, FOOD!" He walked in the room yesterday after I got him dressed, and I said to Shaun, "he's no longer our baby, he's a little man." They change too quickly!!!

Pity Party for One...

Sometimes I don't know why I even post b/c it seems like no one reads them, or if they do, they don't bother to stop and drop me a line. Sure, dramatic, I know.

Anyways, Jaden is still growing leaps and bounds in the vocabulary section. His new thing is "bye bye", but he's constantly amazing me!! He has a sinus infection. His allergies have been bad, and if not treated, they turn into sinus infections. His meds are pretty pricey. My ped put him on something different that isn't QUITE as much. Hopefully it will work for him!

Asher said "momma" for the first time on Wednesday. He was on the floor kinda fussing, but I was trying to do something. He looked up at me, and whined "momma". At first I was like, I know honey, just hold on. But, then I realized that's the first time he'd actually said momma, so I picked him up...LOL I think he'll be getting another ear infection soon. He's got fluid behind the ears, and it seems to be bothering him :(

I passed my Life Insurance test on Thursday! My sister joined Primerica too. We're both hoping to get things going so we can quit our jobs. I don't mind watching other's kids, but I'd like to be able to focus solely on mine! My mom and I also had our first Pampered Chef party today. It went pretty well, I think. I do the talking, and my mom does the displaying/cooking. We got a booking out of it, so we couldn't have been too bad...LOL.

Shaun is working all 2nds AGAIN! He doesn't have a co currently, so they're making him pick up the 2nds...GRRRRRR! I know it pays the bills, but I HATE MEIJER!!!

Anyways, I'm not going to go into specifics, but could you keep me/us in your prayers!!!! God knows what it's about. I just really could use some support right now, thanks!

A Mother's Dictionary

Mother's Dictionary
Bottle feeding: An opportunity for Daddy to get up at 2 am too.
Defense: What you'd better have around de yard if you're going to let the children play outside.
Drooling: How teething babies wash their chins.
Dumbwaiter: One who asks if the kids would care to order dessert.
Family planning: The art of spacing your children the proper distance apart to keep you on the edge of financial disaster
Feedback: The inevitable result when the baby doesn't appreciate the strained carrots.
Full name: What you call your child when you're mad at him.
Grandparents: The people who think your children are wonderful even though they're sure you're not raising them right.
Hearsay: What toddlers do when anyone mutters a dirty word.
Impregnable: A woman whose memory of labor is still vivid.
Independent: How we want our children to be as long as they do everything we say.
Look out: What it's too late for your child to do by the time you scream it.
Prenatal: When your life was still somewhat your own.
Preprared childbirth: A contradiction in terms.
Puddle: A small body of water that draws other small bodies wearing dry shoes into it.
Show off: A child who is more talented than yours.
Sterilize: What you do to your first baby's pacifier by boiling it and to your last baby's pacifier by blowing on it.
Storeroom: The distance required between the supermarket aisles so that children in shopping carts can't quite reach anything.
Temper tantrums: What you should keep to a minimum so as to not upset the children.
Top bunk: Where you should never put a child wearing Superman jammies.
Two-minute warning: When the baby's face turns red and she begins to make those familiar grunting noises.
Verbal: Able to whine in words
Whodunit: None of the kids that live in your house.
Whoops: An exclamation that translates roughly into "get a sponge."

Palming It

Night Out

Well, last night I got a MUCH NEEDED night out!! Shaun and I went out w/my sister Melanie and brother-in-law. We went to a local pub first and had some appetizers. They had AWESOME nachos....YUMMY :) Then we went to Logan's for some fried mushrooms and brownie sundae...YUMMY again!! After that, we went glow bowling (it's been a LONG time since I bowled!!) It was SO much fun, I'm glad we went!!

Life Insurance

Well, I have one night left of my life insurance training, then all I have to do is take my test! I am learning SO much!! This is the state's book on life insurance, and it just amazes me how much people get ripped off on stuff like whole life insurance. Shaun and I did FINALLY get life insurance on ourselves. I feel much better now that I know both of us are protected. If something would happen to Shaun, I wouldn't go bankrupt and lose EVERYTHING. On the contrary, my bills including the house would be paid off, I'd have an income to live off of, and we even have it built in that the boys' college funds would be filled. If something would happen to Shaun, again our bills would be paid off, the boys would have college funds, and he would have income to help out w/childcare. Sadly, if something were to happen to both of us, I know that my family wouldn't be stuck w/our bills and w/the financial responsibility of taking care of two small boys. It's just SUCH a relief!! Oh, and the boys were added on (for $6 a yr each, TOTAL), so if anything were to happen to them, their funerals would be covered. It's not something that people want to think about, I know. But, unfortunately, most of the time people think about it is when it's too late. We didn't want to put ourselves or our family in that situation.

"Where's the ball??"

Jaden said his 1st sentence on Wednesday. He was playing ball w/Shaun, and he threw it and lost it. So, he puts his hands up in the air and says, "where's the ball?" At first I thought I was hearing things, but he said it not once, but a FEW times!! His vocabulary has just grown SO much this month!! Not only can he sign w/his hands more, please, and all done, he can say "uh-oh", "hi", "bye", "dadda", "ma" or "mom" (for me), "mamma" (for Grandma Froman), "Micah", "ChiChi" (for Charity), "mine", "ball", "dog", "ruff", "kitty", "please", "cup", "car", "thank you", "sock", "shoe", "food" and I'm sure there's more :) I know the day will come when I'll say, "who taught this kid to talk?!!" LOL, but for now, I'll take pride in my son!

L.A.M.B.S.

Ladies AM Bible Study

I just received the call that I won't be able to attend my Bible study b/c I have too many kids now :( It's no one's fault. No one in our church wants to volunteer to watch all the kiddos, not that I'm suprised. Being the nursery director, I KNOW how hard it is to get help!! It's just kinda depressing. LAMBS was not only my time away from the kids, but it was also a time for me to get refreshed spiritually and for the kids to have play time. I will miss my support group!!

My heart swells...

I'm a mommy!!! What is better then that???

Personally, I could leave it at that, and it would be enough said for me! I just don't think there's anything better.

Asher has been running a fever since last night, and he has just been MISERABLE. He spent all day just laying and cuddling w/mommy while his temps went from 101.9 to 103.5 to 102.1 where they've seemed to level out at. I took him to the doctor's, and he has an ear infection :( But through all that, just having mommy hold him was enough! He was content, not happy but content, to just lay in my arms all day. Who else could have that kind of impact on a child?!?! What an awesome bond a mom has w/her child!

As for Jaden, he keeps me on my toes daily...lol. Infact, he just knocked on the door, to let me know that even though I laid him down an HOUR ago, he is still awake...LOL. I went in and picked him up. He layed his head on my shoulder, and HE, my never stopping little man, let mommy hold him. He said "I love you" to me the other day too!!

Be still my heart!!

Asher 6 Month Pictures

SOOOO cute if I do say so myself :)