This wkend/Next wk

Next week, my boys will be gone all week w/their dad, nana, papaw, and maybe aunt meghan. They are going up north to go skiing. Not sure how thrilled I am w/this idea. My biggest fear w/skiing has always been that I'll break something, and of course, my fear for my children is even more! Plus, I'm afraid that Asher won't like it, as he does w/many things, and the idea of him being in daycare while everyone else is out having fun really really doesn't thrill me. He doesn't even like church nursery unless it's the teachers he knows. I can only imagine how much he'll hate a daycare w/no one that he knows. I just think the boys are too young to be going on a ski trip, but what does mom know? The boys could surprise me. They could love it, do fine, and come home in one piece. Or they could not like it, or at least Asher could not like it, and then I'll feel bad for him.
But, while they are going to be away, mommy is taking the chance to get away herself. I'm being treated to a trip up north of relaxation and tranquility. No schedules (expect for my day at the spa which I don't mind that schedule), no rushing, do whatever you want whenever, sleep as long as you like whenever you like, and just enjoy. I can't wait!
Praying we all have a safe and fun vacation.

Happy Birthday Asher

I know it's 2days late, but Happy Birthday baby boy! I can't believe he's already 3yrs old. Seems like just yesterday I was praying for this little person to enter the world, and one morning he finally decided to come after about 2wks worth of false alarms. He wasn't the happiest infant

and somedays I don't feel like much has changed. But, he can be a little lover when he wants to. He's super smart, and my baby that I love. So, Happy Birthday Asher!

(not sure why blogger refuses to download the pic the right side up but oh well)

'01 Pontiac Montana Ext

One of the goals I had w/this years tax refund was to get a good, reliable minivan preferrably 2000 or newer. I wanted something w/sliding doors bc in parking lots the can come in handy when trying to get two little boys in and out. I would have prefered power sliding doors but only bc I wanted to be spoiled..lol. I wanted it to be 2000 or newer so that hopefully it would last longer than a year b4 everything started to need to be replaced on it. My vehicles of choice were a Honday Odyssey, Toyota Sienna or Pontiac Montana. And, after searching and searching, and test driving and searching some more, I found my van, a '01 Pontiac Montana. It doesn't have powered sliding doors, so I'm not quite as spoiled as I'd like. But, I spent to the penny exactly what I had budgeted for it, and it's over 2000. I am SO excited and SO thankful!!! Thanks to Bryan who kept sending good deals my way, thanks to Jenny for spending Saturday morning test driving, and thanks to Brian for helping me find, test drive, and talk the guy down (almost $1000) to the exact price I had in mind to pay!! The van is at the shop w/Brian right now getting the oil changed, a fuel and transmission service, if not today sometime here soon it will have a remote starter, and it's also getting a few other things looked over and done to it. I should have it back in my possession w/in the next few days I'm assuming, if not tonight.
Here is a photo of the exact same van:

4 Years Ago

Four years ago, I showed up at the hospital at 8am in the morning w/my mother and sister Bethany soon to follow to evict my first born. Who would have thought that after weeks of preterm labor and bedrest to keep him in, that when the time came to be born, we'd have to help him out..lol After the worst labor possible going all natural w/no pain meds, I gave birth to my first born, a son, Jaden Michael. Jaden means "God has heard" bc it took me almost 2yrs to conceive him. The doctors told me my chances were slim to known...but what do doctors know :) His middle name is after his daddy's middle name. I was in love at first sight and still am today.
Happy Birthday Jaden Michael!!!!

knock on wood

I think we've started to accomplish getting past the lieing phase w/J. It took a week w/out his mum-my (blanket), and a day w/out tv. But he seems to be getting it. He even told me the truth about peeing his pants, granted AFTER he checked to see if I'd be able to tell..lol
Also, w/in the past few days, he's turned into such a polite little man. He thanked Papa for the breakfast Saturday when we left in the evening. His Sunday school teacher commented to me when I picked up him how polite he was, even when having to wait his turn. And then tonight, he thanked Brian for letting him use his blanket.
These are the days when I'm filled w/pride and think, I can't be doing it all wrong :)