Fun Facts about our Family

Caroline likes Orville Reddenbackers caramel corn as much as we do-she drools like never before while watching us eat it.

Drew says to me "I remember when you & daddy got married"and to Chad "I remember when you and mommy got married". Makes us laugh!

We decorated the inside of our house for Christmas and Drew tells us later that day" I want our house back".

Caroline finally rolled from front to back on Nov 22nd. YAY Sissy!

Chad hasn't killed a deer this year but comes home from every hunting trip and says " I could've gotten one".

Caroline's first babydoll is under the Christmas tree.

Drew doesn't know it yet but he's getting a battery operated Harley Davidson motorcycle from Santa Claus.

Chad & I have been looking forward to Thanksgiving dinner for quite some time now. Guess we're both sick of my same ole, same ole.

Each week, we have a taco night and spaghetti night.

Thursday is not just Thanksgiving this year-it is also our 4th wedding anniversary. Caroline turns 5 months on this day too.

Chad & I race each other to the kids when we hear one of them wake up.

We are helping a little boy have a wonderful Christmas this year. Drew is excited to buy toys for another kid. This makes me so proud.

My favorite song right now is Need You Now by Lady Antebellum. I listen to it over and over and over and over. It's my mom's favorite too.

Drew watched the Wizard of Oz for the first time last week and loves it as much as I do.

Caroline would lay in front of the Christmas tree all day and night and stare if we would let her.

Chad has more fun playing with Drew's Lite Brite than Drew does.

I am excited Four Christmases came out on dvd today.

Chad & I love "The Office".

Caroline loves for anyone to sing to her "Sweet Caroline".

I think a Christmas tree makes a home cozier than anything else in the world.

Chad has been playing a lot of Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 on the xbox lately.

Drew says "Mommy, you wuv me tooo much" when I kiss and hug on him.

I love to watch Wheel of Fortune and I'm pretty good at it. Chad should be a contestant on Jeopardy or Millionaire.

Drew can read his name. We found this out after we hung the stockings which all look alike except for the names and he pointed to his and said "this is mine".

I love Dr Suess's Cat in the Hat movie.

Drew & I take bubble baths filled with toys together.

Future Deer Hunter?

Future deer hunter? No doubt! He probably doesn't stand a chance not to be with Chad as his Daddy and Papa Dave as his Papa. He is all set to go when it comes that time. He even has his lifetime hunting and fishing permit-Daddy's gift to him last Christmas. He loves to help Daddy get ready to go hunting, understands that he can't go with, and anxiously waits for him to get back to see if he has a "big deer"! In the pic is Drew and Daddy with Daddy's deer from last year.

Things our children would say...

I was going through old books last week trying my hardest to part with at least a few. I was looking through a book "Lists to Live by" which is just what it says- a book of various lists that pertain to all aspects of life. I use to use it to find neat things to print and hand out to my mental health clients. I found a list that meant nothing to me back then but was so neat to me now, two children later. If our little ones could explain their feelings, these are the things they would be saying. I hope you enjoy as much as I did!

18 Memos From Your Child from "Lists to Live By" by Gray, Stephens, & Van Diest

Don't spoil me. I know quite well that I ought not to have all I ask for. I'm testing you.
Don't be afraid to be firm with me. I prefer itlit makes me feel more secure.
Don't let me form bad habits.I have to rely on you to detect them in the early stages.
Don't make me feel smaller than I already am. It only makes me behave stupidly big.
Don't correct me in front of people if you can help me. I'll take much more notice if you talk quietly with me in private.
Don't be too upset when I say "I hate you". It's not you I hate but your power to thwart me.
Don't take too much notice of my small ailments. Sometimes they get me the attention I need.
Don't nag. If you do, I shall have to protect myself by appearing deaf.
Don't make rash promises. Remember that I feel badly let down when they are broken.
Don't forget that I cannot explain myself as well as I should like. That is why I'm not always very accurate.
Don't be inconsistent. This completely confuses me and make me lose faith in you.
Don't tell my my fears are silly. They are terribly real to me and you can do much to reassure me if you try to understand.
Don't put me off when I ask questions. If you do you will find that I will stop asking and seek my information elsewhere.
Don't ever suggest that you are perfect or infallible. It gives me too great a shock when I discover you are neither.
Don't ever think it is beneath your dignity to apologize to me. An honest apology makes me feel surprisingly warm toward you.
Don't forget how quickly I am growing up. It must be very difficult for you to keep pace with me, but please try.
Don't forget I need lots of understanding and love.

Twice the fun!

I had an old friend ask me this morning what life with two kids is like. Well, I told her.. it is double the work and double the patience needed. Actually I should just keep going... it is also double the mouths to feed, bodies to bathe, bodies to dress, double the bedtime routines, bags to pack, kids to load and unload, halloween costumes to shop for, christmas presents to buy, well you get my drift! It is 2 times with everything! However, it is also double the smiles, double the fun, double the joy, and double that amazing love that we have for our children and they also have for us. It makes the tiredness and the neverending "to do" list seem like such a small price to pay. A mommy's job REALLY never ends. There is always more to do. Having two children has been everything I had hoped for plus so much more. I feel so blessed everyday and I DO NOT let a day go by where I take my kids for granted. I know that they grow at lightning speed and there's not a thing we can do to slow it down. I remind myself of this often. Children are precious, innocent and gifts from God. Thank you Lord, yet again, for giving me two beautiful, healthy children. I thank him all the time but feel like it's never enough.

Sweet Caroline

So I noticed little Caroline wasn't getting as much coverage on my blog as Drew here lately. Mostly because he's 3 years and she's 3 months and he's got a few more things going on his life. However, she can be a little character too, so I wanted to share with you some pics of her playing the piano with her feet. I figured it was time to start being creative. They sure are fun to look at when their infants but they must get bored. It was the perfect setup and she LOVED it!

Drew turns 3!

We celebrated Drew's 3rd birthday last Saturday at Chuck E. Cheese. The place was CRAZY but Drew had a good time! I had a headache when I went in (thanks Holly ;)) and it was 10 times worse when I walked out. He wanted a Dora the Explorer birthday party so we incorporated a little Diego to make Daddy happy. :) He loved his cake and blew his candles out like he had done it a hundred times before! Today is his actual birthday-HAPPY BIRTHDAY DREW! Mommy and Daddy love you. I can't believe how fast 3 years has gone. He just keeps getting better and better...

Let the bicycle days begin..

Drew turns the big 3 next week! A couple of weeks ago, we bought him a new bicycle with training wheels. It is so hard for me to have something and keep it from someone. (especially when you know the smile it's gonna put on your 3 year olds face) I just get too excited. So after hiding it from him for a week, I couldn't take it anymore. We put a big red bow on it and told him it was for his birthday. I'm pretty sure this just confused him even more about what day his birthday actually is. This is not the only "early" birthday present he has gotten. He will grow up thinking birthdays are a month long extravaganza! Anyway, he loves his new bicycle and rode it all afternoon the day we gave it to him. Daddy and I had to take shifts outside with him. That night he said to us "I'm glad I got my new bicycle, I like it a lot". We're glad you got it too Drew.

Drew starts preschool!

Drew started preschool last week. He loves it! He had his Transformers backpack with his Cars lunchbox inside and thought he was big stuff. When I picked him up the first day he told me " Mommy, I don't want you to go with me next time." WHAT?!? Well, I wasn't planning on it anyway but what a big boy he has become over the last few months. I asked him if he ate all of his lunch and he said "I ate it with all my friends" So sweet! I am looking forward to these preschool days. I look forward to covering my fridge with art and partying with preschoolers when the teachers need a hand. I look forward to watching him grow and learn. This is what life is all about for me!!!

Drew and Caroline had their pics taken together yesterday by our photographer. The overwhelming joy I felt watching Drew put his arm around his baby sister leaning into her with a great big, "proud big brother" smile is indescribable. I felt so darn proud! I love my babies so much. I find myself wondering what I did to deserve these two little people who bring so much joy into my life. I feel like only a saint could deserve them. Nonetheless, they are mine and I am so glad!

Pictures went as good as could be expected. Drew decided to act silly instead of shy in front of the camera which allowed for some pretty cute pics. Caroline was gassy so she was making some pretty interesting faces. She did great though even allowing for a wardrobe change...bless her heart!

After 20 minutes or so, Drew was done and the bribing began. I typically do not bribe him with things but there are times when I find myself desperate for him to do what I need him to do. (I know you mommy's understand this) It worked for the most part and after an hour and a half, our mission had been accomplished and hopefully some great moments were captured. I am anxiously waiting to see the proofs online in a couple days. Then the hard part comes where I spend days trying to decide which ones to buy. As I have said before...oh, the joys of motherhood!

My poor baby!

YUCK, YUCK, YUCK to tiny, innocent, little babies having to get shots! I knew it was coming though and figured since I had been through it once, it'd be no big deal. Kids have to have their shots and they never remember the pain so it's really no big deal, right? Not so much...every mother hates everything about it but is forced to grin and bear it way too often in the first year. It's completely not fair and completely pitiful to watch. But yes, it is absolutely necessary and keeps our precious little ones well. I just wish there was liquid vaccine that you could just slip in their bottles. :)

Caroline went in for her 2 month well visit on Friday. We found out she is a very healthy baby girl ranking in the 89th percentile on weight. Wow- where did my tiny newborn go?!?! She is now a plump, little almost 13lb bundle of pure joy! Her shots came next and big brother Drew was practically on the table with his little sissy. He was even holding her hand like I do his when he goes to the doctor. He said on the way there "Why baby sister gettin' a shot"? After explaining this to him, I knew he was very anxious and wouldn't miss a thing while we were there. He watched with concern as she cried so hard after each shot. I assured him sissy would be fine. He is so proud and protective of his baby sister!

We had a wonderful weekend with my mom and stepfather Stew. There was lots of eating, swimming, and shopping going on. Drew picked out his new backpack (Transformers) for preschool and insisted on sporting it around the mall. He also enjoyed helping pick out new fall clothes at BabyGap and Children's Place. This child loves clothes! He actually enjoys trying them on. I will enjoy this while it lasts. Shoe shopping was last week and he enjoyed this too. He is such a silly little boy! He is really excited to start preschool in September. I am super excited too. I just know being a preschool mommy is going to be lots of fun! I can't wait to hear all of his stories and meet his little friends. He is going to have so much fun learning! Caroline did great over the weekend after her shots, sleeping more than usual but no fever or real fussiness. What a little trooper she is!

Good food and good times

What a wonderful time our family had at the Williamson County Fair this past weekend! We anxiously arrived right as the gates opened on Friday night. We had a peacefully sleeping baby and a fired up 3 year old who was more than ready to "wide some wides".

Drew had so much fun! The look on his sweet little face while he was on the rides was truly priceless. He rode his first kiddie rollercoaster but only once...we got the feeling it was a little too rough and jerky for him but he was still proud when he got off. I had to walk up a million stairs to get to the top of the magic carpet slide not just once but twice (I'm OUT of shape). It was so much fun going down that I made Chad go too. He came down smiling. I love to see my husband smile!

Caroline enjoyed herself too. We could tell by the sweet, content look on her face. She is such a good little baby! Thank you God for knowing that I needed an easygoing baby this time around. Love you Drew..you are my amazing toddler now! ;)

After 4 hours, we had done it all and made wonderful memories-rides, games,petting zoo, sweet potato fries and cotton candy, farmer's market for kiddos, bike show,live band- the whole nine yards. It was time to go until next year!

A wonderful visit

Wow- the last couple weeks have flown! My brother and nephew were here for 10 days. My nephew Logan is 8 years old and the sweetest little boy that ever walked the earth! I have never seen a child so easygoing and just plain cool! He was excited to meet his new baby cousin and took such good care of her while he was here. He really was so helpful. I miss having him around to bring me the wipes, feed the baby while going down the interstate, entertain Drew, and especially to put a smile on my face. I love that kid so much and am already counting the days til our next visit! We had a great time getting haircuts, going to a movie (Aliens in the Attic), playing XBOX, having a lemonade stand, baking cookies and brownies, building forts, swimming, hanging at Mom-Mom's and Mema's, and just being downright silly! Thank you Logan for being my amazingly sweet and perfect nephew. You bring happiness into my life! And thank you for being such a great big cousin to my children. They are so lucky to have you in their lives!

Zoo times!

A couple of weeks ago, a friend and I took a trip to the Nashville Zoo with our 4 kiddos. It was our first outing with the new babies. Our kids are almost exactly the same age- Drew and Tyler are 4 days apart and will be 3 in September. Caroline was 3 weeks and Zachary 8 weeks. I still felt like I was recooperating physically but was itching to have some fun at the same time. I love the zoo, mainly the elephants and giraffes, and I was super excited!

We spent the first hour or more letting Drew and Tyler play in the gigantic jungle gym while trying to keep the babies cool and shaded. There is a big area that is cushioned perfect for letting kids run like animals. Tyler and Drew were literally bouncing off the walls. They had big smiles on their faces the whole time! I had a couple scares when Drew would take off in this huge jungle gym and I would have to go climbing and yelling for him. I would hear his little voice answer me "over here mommy" which gave me the peace I needed until I could find him. His lack of fear never ceases to amaze me. I found him climbing big, scary things he's never seen before and it made me a nervous wreck. He was wet with sweat and had a bright red face, but was having the time of his life. It is such a good feeling when you can actually feel the fun your kids are having. I continued to let him be brave while I remained a nervous wreck.

We finally left the jungle gym in search for the elephants, giraffes, and monkeys. Drew likes the big African animals just like his mommy does. I really think I could sit and stare at an elephant all day for some reason. He said "that elephant is big, what got him so big"? "That giraffe is WAAAYYY up there mommy"! He was also really curious as to why monkeys do all that scratching. "Why that monkey doing that, he itch?!?" I could probably sit and stare at a monkey all day too.

The boys got sleepy early on and we were hot and exhausted. We were reminded that we had just had babies, were sleep deprived, and hormonal. I have been having headaches almost every day since having Caroline and could feel one coming on. As far as we know, the babies never even caught a glimpse of the zoo! They both slept peacefully the entire time we were there. We decided to cut the trip a little short but still had a great time.

Drew was asleep and my headache had gone full throttle before we were out of the parking lot. We drove home and I carried my sleeping babies inside. I nursed Caroline and she went right back to sleep. "Yes!" I thought to myself. This mommy was pooped! I crawled into my bed and fell right to sleep. 35 minutes later, the doorbell rings, the dog barks (because the doorbell rang), Drew yells out "mommy" (because the dog was barking), and Caroline lets out one of her little wimpers (because the dog was barking and her brother was yelling mommy across the house). I run to the door mad at whoever it was that started all of this. It was a man trying to sell steaks out of his truck! Mmm..don't think so, I said. I closed the door, told the dog to shut up, and rescued my babies. So much for my nap..wasn't meant to be I suppose...but I will take 35 minutes of naptime any day! Oh, the joys of motherhood...

What a blessing!

I wasn't sure where to start so I thought for just a moment until it quickly came to me- duh! I need to thank God for how good he has been in our lives. He recently blessed us with yet another healthy, beautiful baby. This time a girl who we named Caroline Rose (Rose being after my maternal grandmother). She is truly a little angel and we are so proud of her! She has been a wonderful little baby so far and Drew has been a terrific big brother. There is nothing like seeing your children side by side. I had no idea how amazing it would be! Drew is "heady" for her to play with him and was caught reading a book to her the day we brought her home. He also likes to get his toys out and play with them in front of her. He could care less if she is awake or not! We explain to him that one day soon she will be able to play with him. He really doesn't understand just how fast she will grow up. I, on the other hand, have days where I just want her to stay in her little 5 week old body, because I know too well how fast she will grow up. I get teary-eyed just thinking about it.

Thank you God, again, for giving me this precious baby girl to love, nurture, protect, and guide for the rest of her life.