...10 AND 11...

Oh my word. Am I an awful momma or what?! It's not that I forgot her 10 month blog...I just...never wrote it. I know!!!! Awful! And now...well, now she's 11 months old. So. This blog will combine her 10 and 11 months...b/c to be honest...there would be no way for me to remember all her different achievements from a month ago! Well...I'll remember them, just not be able to remember if it happened by her 10th or 11th month...ya dig?!

Anywho.

OH MY WORD! My baby girl is almost one. ::waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!:: When did this happen?!?! When??? WHEN?!?! Ugh, gosh! Is this how it's going to be now? My babies are going to become big people in a blink of an eye?! (Don't answer that- I don't really wanna know!) Emme Ann is such a freakin' doll. I mean...for real. She is just so amazing...and beautiful...and funny...and divalicious! She can look at you with the most blank expression...like "entertain me, dood"...and then her face and eyes just brighten up into the most gorgeous smile and lights up any room!


Over the past two months...Emme has:
* started eating table foods only (byebye mushed baby stuff!)
* says "heyow?" (hello) and puts the phone to her head as if she's answering it!!!
* actually...she'll put her hand to her head too like a phone!
* gives kisses if you ask her...
* blows kisses- and the fun part is...that she blows them just like Jude did- kissing the back of her hand!!!
* steals her brothers toys away from him...
* has 10 teeth!!!
* waves bye...
* wears anywhere from 9-18month clothes!
* is weaning off the bottle!!!
* refuses to give up the binky (um...girlfriend- this is the month!)
* babbles up a STORM!
* says "adaaay" ...which DLo and I are convinced is "again"...
* gets into EVERYTHING...
* refuses to walk...I mean...I seriously thought she'd walk by 9 months b/c of how soon she crawled!
* has longer hair...although...it's still short! I can tell it's longer when I put headbands on her- her hair scrunches up more! But...if you look at my hair at age 1...we look EXACTLY the same!
* is obsessed with dogs!!!
* mimics momma when she bends her head back...or shakes her head!
* loves playing the drums or xylophone...
* bootie dances to ANY music...
* gives the BEST hugs...


Emme,
As we approach your 1st birthday...I think back to all my worries and fears about adding a new person into our family. You, my princess, have been the PERFECT addition to our family...and I'm so thankful that God brought you into our lives. Remember that momma and daddy and brother love you VERY much!
-Mommy

...it's beginning to look alot like Christmas...

Oh my goodness...I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am about the holiday season! I literally cannot stop thinking about shoveling as much mashed potatoes and turkey and cranberry sauce into my mouth as I can! I pray that next Thursday isn't "oneofthosedays" when I'm feeling yucky and vomit-y. And don't even get me started on Christmas. Oh my word...I just love it all...the sights...the sounds...the lights...the smell of "pine" (in the form of my Gold Canyon Candle!)...and family time!!!! DLo even put the lights up on the outside of our house already!!! I plan on decorating the rest of the house today...but we're saving the tree until Friday! EEEK! (And...please- spare me the "respect the bird" speech...I've had pumpkins and fall all up in my house for MUCH longer than my tree will be up!!!)

One of the things I've been looking forward to this season...don't laugh at me...is the return of the Starbucks Cold Cup Tumbler. I know...so dumb. But I didn't really think to buy one last year...and then all of a sudden... ALL my friends had them and they were sold out EVERYwhere! :( ::sadface:: Honestly...I didn't even really care about them when all my friends had them...it wasn't until I found out I couldn't HAVE one even if I wanted that I became obsessed!!! Story.of.my.life. I digress. So...I had heard that Starbucks was planning on bringing the "Holiday" versions of the tumbler back in the middle of November...so I made sure to call each of the Bux's near my house to confirm the date they were going to be sold. Today, my friends...was that day.

Last night, Derrick told me that I would need to get to the Starbucks at 5am. Um. Yeah.Right! That's like...Black Friday crazy! And anyone who knows me...knows that I'd rather rip my finger nails out than 1. wake up early 2. to wake up early to shop and 3. wake up early to shop with 9zillion other people!!! So. My plan was to wake up when the kids woke me up and mosey on down to get my tumbler. Except...I couldn't stop DREAMING about the stupid cups! I know, right?! The first dream was that they were sold out...the next was that the cups were uber lame and flimsy and worthless, but DLo and I HAD to have them anyway! Oh my word...dreams like that kept coming...So...when I woke up to use the potty at 6am...I told myself that if I couldn't fall back asleep (which generally is NO problem) that I'd brush my teeth and throw on some clothes and go. I tossed and turned and felt like I was going to throw up (in a nonpreggo way)...so I dragged myself out of bed to the Starbucks around the corner from my 'hood.

Now. I'm a SUPER competitive person. Even when I'm not totally outwardly being competitive...in my head...in my SOUL...I'm competing. So...I naturally was shaky and nervous b/c I HAD to get my tumblers!!! I HAD to beat all the zillions that, in my imagination, would be wanting a cup too. I pull in. I'm ready. Get my 3 tumblers, get out. Do it. Do it. Go. Legs, don't fail me. Go. Do it. Go.

...I walk in...

...I look at the sparkly and new holiday display full of holiday cups and ornaments and froofy flavored drinks...

...I see the cups...

...My heart rejoices...

::insertsoundoftiresscreechingtoahalt:: Wait. These are Grande sized...where's...where's....where's the Venti sized? Where's...the....Venti...sized?! I look around the entire store. (In hindsight- those Baristas musta been giggling at me and every other poor sap that scoured the entire store for those darn cups!). WHERE'S YOUR VENTI CUPS??? "Oh...we sold out of those right away...." ?!?!?!?!? WHERE'S YOUR VENTI CUPS?!?! "Yeah, they went SO fast..." Um...when did you put them out?!?!?!? "Like 5am... there are other Starbucks stores that might have them...."

Yup. Sad.Face. So I had to get my sad, tired, scrubbedout body into the car to start my search for these stupid stupid STUPID cups that I'm obsessed with. I call a store...and they have SEVEN! But...can't hold any for me...(and of course...I mistakenly called the one on 99th and McDowell...not 99th and Camelback, which is closer)...so as I'm headed there...I call the Starbucks that is next nearest to me...they are out. So...like a bat...straight out of you.know.where...I head to the one that had seven.

...I park...

...I shake...

...I walk...

...I'm in the door...

THERE THEY ARE! THERE THEY ARE! In the 10 minutes it took me to drive there...they didn't sell ANY of the seven! Woot WOOT! Now. I only needed 3. I know...that seems like a lot...but one was for me...one was for DLo...and one was for my friend Leslie- who had asked me to get one for her if I was out getting one. I only need 3, Kim. Just 3. But...they've been sold out everywhere...and....and...what if someone else NEEDS one...

...Do I buy them all?...

...But I only NEED three...

...Should I just do it?...

...No...that's mean, what if someone walks up behind me and wants one...

So. I took SIX of them. BAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAH. What.A.Bafoon. As I'm stacking them in my arms...the Barista asks- "Are you the one who called???" ::sheepishly:: Yesssshhhh. "Hmm...I should buy the last one..." I inform him how this is the 3rd place I went to and they were sold out of the Venti's everywhere... and he buys it! Hahahaha! (And as he is wrapping and bagging my purchase...he got a phone call inquiring about them!) Oh...the guilt I felt for buying 3 extra!!!

So. I get my tumblers...I get my White Chocolate Mocha (MMMmmmm) and breakfast sandwich (which I had a free coupon for!) and I scurry home.

..........


Come to find out later in the afternoon. THEY ARE SELLING THEM ONLINE ON STARBUCKS' WEBSITE. Are you for real? Are you joking? So. I've been up 2 hours earlier than my kids...my eye is twitching...my bank account is frowning at me...and I have 3 extra cups...that I can't even sell on Ebay (yet) for millions of dollars...b/c they aren't actually sold out...so long as you have enough thought to look on Starbucks.com! Boom.Roasted.

Aw....Well...at least I got what I wanted! ;)

Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme

TodaysMama and GameStop are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.


1. What is your holiday wish for your family?
My wish is for good health and some quality time as a family.

2. What is your Christmas morning tradition?
DLo and I have ALWAYS been bad at waiting until Christmas to exchange gifts....but since having Jude things have changed! We enjoy waking up early, snuggling on the couch in our PJ's drinking hot cocoa and staring at the twinkling lights of the tree. We listen to Daddy read "The Christmas Story" and then open up gifts!

3. If you could ask Santa for one, completely decadent wish for yourself, what would it be?
Oh Santa...a bigger house would be nice!!! ;) But if that's too much...I'd settle for a new Mac computer!

4. How do you make the holidays special without spending any money?
We LOVE watching Christmas movies!!! Or...listening to Christmas music in the car while driving around looking at lights!

5. What games did you play with your family growing up?
I was an only child...and my parents were...um..."older"...so I don't remember playing too many board games as a child (not that I didn't EVER play...but not as much as I do now!). I do remember playing alot of Nintendo (that my parents bought me when I was like 7)...and my dad would always prefer watching me play as opposed to playing with me! He got SO mad at those darn Goombas!!! Haha!

6. What holiday tradition have you carried on from your own childhood?
My kids are too young to do this quite yet...but I plan on having them write letters to Santa and putting out milk and cookies for the man w/ the rosy cheeks!

7. Where would you go for a Christmas-away-from-home trip?
Hm. It'd be nice to have a "white" Christmas...so anywhere w/ some snow?

8. Check out GameStop and tell us, what are the three top items on your GameStop Wish List this year?
Third: Zumba Fitness (Wii)... b/c I'm having my third kid...and these hips DON'T lie- they want to be slimmer come June! :) And...I think it would be comedy.
Second: New Super Mario Brothers (Wii)...b/c I've always LOVED Mario...and I think it'd be fun to play the game simultaneously with DLo!!!
First: A PS3...not so much b/c we need a new game system...but because we plan on getting a BluRay player for each other for Christmas this year...and the PS3 would be a bonus! :)

...oops, she did it again...

So. For those of you who are NOT on FB...and who missed the announcement....
I'm.Pregnant.Again.

HAhahahahahahahaha! Oh my word. It's still a shock to say it! I guess you can say that we are three for three. Meaning...every time we have gotten an Annual Pass to Disneyland...we've gotten pregnant!!! I TOLD Derrick when we were there in September that we should SERIOUSLY consider if we wanted to get them again...b/c he KNEW we'd get knocked up if we did! !!! I guess I just didn't expect it to happen THAT month! ;)

It's been kinda a funny experience telling people that I'm pregnant again. I've had MANY mixed reactions from people. ...but most people are sympathetic knowing how "busy" I'm going to be (wait...as if I'm not ALREADY busy?!)...or kinda give me the "uh, you know what prevents that" kinda look. Whatever. Haha! We're happy about it...I mean...stressed and nervous too, but happy! I mean...how could we not be ecstatic that God would want to bless us with MORE kids? Guess it's encouragement that we're doing SOMETHING right, right??? :) And...I don't think many people know...or remember...that it took us SO long to get pregnant with Jude...so you know what...No, we're NOT preventing...and we ARE leaving it up to God until we know we're done! Um...which we know we're done w/ three...if anyone wants to know!!!! Heehee.

Baby Logan 3.0 will make their debut sometime in the middle of June. I don't plan on him or her coming out early...since my kids like to snuggle up in momma's belly!!! And...like my other two lovebuckets...we will not be finding out the gender of our new addition until the baby comes (suck on THAT, Linds! ;) j/k!!!)...

...NINE!...

::sigh:: Really? Is time going in warp speed to anyone else here??? How is it possible that my baby girl is already NINE months old?! Time sure flies when you're having fun!!!

This month, we've seen Emme grow so much! She is now crawling on all fours (instead of army crawling)...sitting up on her knees and trying to pull herself up on her feet...babbling up a storm...dancing (popnlockit baby!)...and into EVERYTHING that belongs to her brother!!!

She is such a joy in our lives...bringing us laughter and sunshine.


Emme,
Oh girlfriend...how sweet it has been to have you in our lives. You bless us so much with your sweet laughter...your snaggletoothed smile. Mommy, Daddy, and Jude love you so so much and couldn't imagine what life would be without you in it!

Mommy prays that you will grow up knowing that your value doesn't come from how pretty your hair is...or how cool your clothes are...how nice your makeup is...or who your friends are...but your value comes from the Lord. I pray you will know Him early in your life...and that you (and your brother) will serve Him with an unbreakable passion.

I love you, little princess.
-Mommy

...til...

I am just so amazed at my son. He is growing up so fast...and as much as I love each new stage...there is a part of me that is sad to see the "baby" in him leave. Jude is such a kind boy...for the most part- he does live up to the terrible two's sometimes! He loves his daddy and his sister so much. He adores his Mickey...and loves to make music. I find myself looking at him and trying to see him as an infant...but all I see is this little boy who is full of energy and wonder...

I want to cherish these moments with him (and his sister) all my life.

I never want to forget the way he says, "Oh shhhhhuuuuuure..." if you ask him questions.
...the way he says "Ho-nu?" (Hold you) when he wants to be picked up.
...the conversations he makes his toys have with one another.
...the way he puts his Mickey, dog, Donald, and sometimes Bullseye to sleep (doing our bedtime routine).
...and sometimes making Mickey "c-eye" (cry) so that he can go back and comfort him.

I want to remember how he wipes away my kisses...
...and demands more.
...how he puts on full band rehearsals...
...and says "Haaani" (Halmoni)

I don't want to forget his funny smile- which means he's up to no good...
...or the way he repeats, "Mommy, Daddy, I go peepee" when we're reminding him to NOT pee in his chonies.

I want to think back and smile when I remember how he always wanted daddy to read him the "Byebu" (Bible)...
...and mommy to read The Potty Book...
...the way he ALWAYS needs ice in his water cup at bedtime...
...and the lovely excuses he has already learned to make to get out of his bed...

I don't want to forget how obsessed he is with brushing his teeth...
...how he knows how to operate our phones and the dvd player better than we do...
...the sound of his voice when he says "Mommy"...
...his fake burps- followed by "tehdeh!" (excuse me)...
...how much he loves his sister...
...how he says "nieeeeeght" and waves his fingers...
...seeing his giant body on his lil truck I bought him when he was almost a year old- homeboy rides that thing everywhere...


Jude...
I know that you "like" your daddy more...but mommy wants you to know that you bring me so much joy. You make me laugh...you keep me young. I am so thankful that you are my son and my life is more complete with you in it.

I love you, son!

...Tennesee Part1...

Well...We're here at our home away from home. And no, I don't mean Disneyland! ;) Derrick and I were brave...and packed up our two babies...and our 5million bags and luggage...and hopped on a plane to see the Grandparents! We were actually talking last night...and this is our 7th time out here in the past 5 years. Yup. We love this place (especially when I don't have to sleep on an airmattress...)!!! It's so beautiful here right now...and down right cold! I mean...to board a plane at 104 degree temp and exiting the plane at 54 degree is quite a shock to the system!!! Oy! I was so not built for cold weather! I know that's really strange to some people...but I'd rather sweat than shiver!!! At least when I'm hot, I can stay inside or under a fan or AC or a pool or take off clothing. When I'm cold...I'm cold- inside, outside, under the covers...it's in my bones!

I digress. So. Our trip went pretty smoothly. I must say I was SO incredibly proud of Jude. He was such a good listener while we were waiting for Daddy to check in our 3bags...(while Mom, Jude, and Em stood on the curb w/ our double stroller, both HUGE carseats, diaper bag, Daddy's baby Taylor guitar, and the bag containing Jude/Emme's entertainment on the trip!). We stood there for what felt like forEVER...mostly b/c I was holding Emme w/ one arm the whole time...and holding Jude's hand w/ the other....and althoghe Emme, in comparison to Jude at 8months is WAY light...it still starts to make your arm want to fall off after 15 or so mins!!! OMG...I'm doing it again...I'm rambling...and making Jaime skim through all my blah blah! LOL!

Anywho. While we were waiting on the curb...this car pulls up w/ an older (60ish) man and woman. The woman is the one leaving, and as she is in line waiting to check her luggage...her husband, I notice...keeps.staring.at.us. Now. I'm used to this. HAHA. I know, so vain. No...I really am. I'm used to people staring at my kiddos...b/c they.are.gorgeous. I'm not kididng! But the really creeper was when the guy comes up to me and says, "Oh my goodness...your son here looks JUST like my grandson...do you mind if I take a picture of him???" Um. Uh. Er. I said "Ok" but inside I was thinking... 1. "Um, really? Really? ::lowervoice:: really?!?! I'm pretty sure my son looks NOTHING like your grandson b/c my son is gorgeous." and then 2. "Um. That.is.weird." HAHA. Well...he took his picture and went on his merry way. And soon after, his wife was done SkyCapping and came to tell me that Jude looks like her grandson all over again. Hm. Still don't buy it...not gunna lie! ;) And...it's not the first time people have asked to take a picture of my kids...is that weird or what?!

So then... we finally get through security...which went pretty smooth considering all we had...and they had to do the tests on the baby food stuff... So. We get to our gate...and wait and eat. DLo is holding Emme...and this guy sitting across from us...is smiling at playing peekaboo w/ her... Cute right? Yes...until. He comes up...all smiles and giggly and happy...and was like, "You are just so stinking cute! You are just flirtin' so much... If she was a lil older...I'd ask her out!" ::insertsoundofscreechingtires:: Um. Awkward much? LOL. Um. 1. My daughter is not even a year old...if she was a lil older...your a** would STILL end up in jail...or dead 2. She's sitting on her daddy's lap...you don't say stuff like that to daddy's girl while she's sitting on his lap!?! Who ARE you?! LOL. Hm. No...I mean...yes...it was creepy...but he was having so much fun getting her to smile and giggle...I think he just...chose a bad phrase to come up and say. LOL. Hmmm.

Then on the plane...our man flight attendant was uber friendly to Emme too...but he was a father to 3 boys...so I guess I can see where seeing a beautiful, well tempered, little girl would draw a dad in...except he kept saying he was going to "take her home"... Um. Okay sir. O.kay. And then, of course...there was the lil 9 year old boy who kept playing w/ Em from across the aisle. (which was both adorable and annoying at the same time!) ;) I told DLo that he had better buy a rifle soon...b/c before we know it...we're going to have BOY.TROUBLE! ;)

Alright. So. We arrived. We survived. We get someone to take all our stuff to our rental...and we drive to Chattanooga for some OG (which...btw...was AWFUL- I mean- how do you mess up Fettuccine Alfredo?!) ...and then to Cleveland. It was awesome to see Gma/Gpa...and so fun introducing our princess to her Great Grandparents! (PS- Emme's middle name "Ann" is Gma Logan's middle name as well, which is why we chose it)...

Looking forward to the rest of the week! :)

...behind...

Ugh. I'm way behind on updating. I'm sorry!!! Let's see...let me do a 5 second recap of our September...

Um. Lindsay and I finished watching LOST. We went to Disneyland. Emme turned 8months. Um. I am pretty sure that is it. Haha!!!

Disneyland was fun. And thank THE LORD for motherinlaws who are so excited and willing to come and help take care of the babies! Oh my word! Emme was great...loved looking at everything. Jude did pretty good...but this go around, he was afraid of pretty much everything- the characters, the rides...everything!!! Oh well, kid...we've got Annual Passes...you'll just hafta suckitup! ;)

...8...

I know...I'm all.kinds.of.awful. My update is almost a month late! :P Well...We've been plenty busy at the Logan house...and now I'm on vacation...so I thought I'd catch up!

These days are flying by...My baby girl is THAT much closer to being one...and my heart just can't take it!!! Emme is just a doll. I mean...really...she's the most beautiful lil creature ever!!!

I feel like she's just growing up so quickly in front of my eyes...she:

* now has SIX teeth (4 on top, 2 on bottom)- and is a TOTAL snagglemouth!!!
* army crawls like there is NO tomorrow! homegirl gets EVERYwhere!!!
* talks. loudly. I mean...wow. She.is.LOUD.
* uses her fingers to pick up snacks (the Gerber stars)
* fights with her brother... okay- not really, but she like to play w/ the VERY toys he's playing with...which Jude is NOT down with! (but he's very good at replacing the toy he takes away from her w/ one of her toys)
* waves- no...but it's not just waving...it's like this prissy/girly/elbowelbowwristwrist/missamerica wave! ah.dorable.
* puts toys inside stuff- like the fisies in the fish bowl

Oh man... I love it. She's just so girly!!! ;) You can also see from the picture...that posing her w/ the paper is IMPOSSIBLE! She wouldn't even let the poor bunny rabbit sit up next to her. The poor paper was crumpled, drooled on, and destroyed! Haha! Oh that Em! :D

...finally!...

I meant to post this before...but Emme finally has a tooth!!!! EEEP! The poor little girl has taken this whole teething thing WAY more rough than Jude did. Little princess has had many nights awake w/ the pain in her mouth...breaking mommy's heart! But she finally has one on the bottom right and I can tell that there is one coming in soon on the top right too. I sure hope she has an easier time getting in the rest of her teefers!

...til...

...my sweet son...

I mean...does this picture not say it all? Derrick had the opportunity to get some sweet Dbax tickets. I thought it would be a fun and spontaneous thing to do w/ my boys...

Jude did a great job and loved watching everything going on. He sat on Derrick's lap most of the game...but then came up on mine. As he was sitting on my lap, Jude leaned over and snuggled w/ his dad. Melt.My.Heart.Right.Now! So I leaned back and twisted my arms behind them to snap a picture. The first picture wasn't so much good...but by that point Jude had already sat up. So...I got him to do it again so I could get a better picture! Haha. He did great! ...and this picture is just too precious for words!

...you never knew...

So. It's been a good million years since I did a Top5 Tuesday! Eeep! But I promised yesterday that I'd be more diligent at updating my blog! So here goes. Here are the top5 things that you probably didn't know about me... (unless you are one of my BFFs- in which case...you probably DO know)...

5. When I was a sophomore (or was I a freshman? hmmm) in HS...the girl's basketball coach followed me around to each of my classes trying to get me to try out. I kept insisting that I ab.so.lute.ly. suck...but he persisted...I don't know if he finally asked around or saw that "Choir" was on my schedule...but he finally let up! ;)

4. I was born in South Korea and lived there until I was like 4 (minus a short time we lived in Myrtle Beach, SC). When I was about 3 years old...my mom had taken me with her to get her hair cut or something...and I was to play w/ some of our neighbor girls outside the store. I remember these girls not being nice. And...they wanted to "ditch" me...and they did. I can distinctly remember wandering around...and asking people if they knew where my mom was. After what seemed like an eternity...I walked to my babysitters house. How I knew to get there is still a mystery...but things musta looked familiar.

3. I'm slightly terrified of storms. It started in my childhood...when we lived in a 2story house...and the darn tree outside my window would either 1. scrape the tile on our roof by my bedroom window...or 2. snap in half and block our garage. It's scary stuff for a lil gal! Then when I was a junior in HS...I was at Walgreens making copies for a presentation for my English class (haha- remember when NO one owned a 3in1 machine/scanner?!) and it was raining...when I went to make a lefthand turn out of the parking lot...the car hydroplaned...and I ended up spinning to the opposite side of the road- facing traffic. Greeeaaat. And finally...right before I got married...I was coming home from a friends house when it started to storm...and then hail...and I was on the 101...before they tarred it all up...and it was hailing bad...and you literally couldn't see ANYthing...and my window cracked BAD...and it was loud...and NOone would answer their phone...and my cell battery was dying...and everything was bright white...and I thought I was going to die...and all I wanted to do was get out of my car and knock on the window of the car next to me and see if I could just sit w/ them until it was all over!!! :( So. Yeah. I'm slightly terrified of storms.

2. Before I got married...I didn't cook a single thing in my life. Well...I don't exactly count ramen noodles as cooking. I was so freaked out that we would starve! LOL...so I started out doing "from the box" meals...and then I started baking up a STORM...and then I finally started cooking other things... I like trying to cook things my mom always makes...but I can NEVER get it to taste even a FRACTION as yummy. :(

1. Hmmm. Minus the 2 times I gave birth...I have never had to stay overnight at the hospital. Nor have I ever broken a bone. Nor do I ever go to the doctor- unless I think I'm absolutely dying! This actually kinda has started freaking me out. I've just heard one too many stories about peeps my age finding out they have cancer or something crazy. I want to go and get a big check up...but I don't wanna be lectured at how I could drop a few pounds. :P

...we gon' find you...

You have GOT to see these. I...have no words. Watch the first video first- duh. It's comedy in and of itself. I mean. I'm sad that this young lady was the victim of an almost rape...I mean...I don't mean to laugh...I mean...it's just how HILARIOUS she reacts to it...but more so how her brother reacts.



but then...you need to watch this beauty. I dunno who has the time or energy or knowhow to do it...but it made me laugh until pee came out. True.Story. (btw- you can stop watching after like 1:14- cuz then some other guy sings and it's lame)

...me is sooo booty...

I mean...I'm SOOOO behind!!! UGH! My excuse?! Well...I have been editing alot...and then there was the 5 days that DLo was gone for Staff Retreat...and the fact that Jude went through a "boycott sleeping" period. Oy!

So...this will be my "ketchup" blog.

Let's see...what's been going on??? Um...uh... Well.

Jude- is getting SO big so fast! He's cracking us up left and right! Jude is working VERY hard at talking...although...we still mostly don't understand him!!! His newest thing is counting. And it.is.adorable!!! He never says one. Ever. I'll say one...then he says two...and I'll say three...and he says "fooooe"...then I say five...and he repeats "fiiiiiieeeey"...haha...then "siiiihhhh" I say seven...and he says "aaaaaaeeee" and "nieeeey"...then I say ten...and he repeats "ten!" It is seriously the cutest thing ever! My favorites are when he says "fiiiieey" and "niiieeey!" or when he is counting his trains and they are in all different orders! ;) He is SO big too...wearing 3T clothes is of the past...all his 3T shirts are too short...and the 4Ts are getting there! 4T shorts/pants are starting to be snug too! Ugh! I've refrained from buying new shorts this season, though- b/c who KNOWS what size he'll be next summer!!! Hmmm.... Jude has gotten better at listening...but also throws the most awesome fit if he doesn't want to do something. It's pretty fantastic...and I find myself laughing and being mortified all rolled into one! We're still potty training...and have gotten rid of diapers completely...although we're still in pullups! Jude does a good job trying to stay dry- for the most part- but still won't tell us when he needs to "go"...so unless mom and dad are on their "A game"...Jude usually has a couple accidents a day. I have hope though...that the more he's able to talk, the better he'll be! Um. He's a little fish, too! I had my friend, Bre, give him swim lessons this summer. He had like 6 or 7 lessons...and by the end of the summer, can hold his breath and swim underwater short distances!!! He'd go alot further if he'd use his arms...but he always has an arm out trying to reach me! Haha! :D

Derrick is really enjoying his job at CCV. And...I got to admit...so am I!!! He gets so much more time at home...we're just finishing a nice 4 FULL days he's had off! It's just fabulous! Right now, Derrick is planning and preparing a charity event for his birthday. I'm so excited for him...and for raising money for an organization that we are both very passionate about. It will be a BIG bday for him- 30- so hopefully it can be a really big thing! :D

Me? Oh geez. Um. Well. I have my good and bad days....like everyone else! I've been finding myself on the "sadder" end of the spectrum lately...partially b/c my friends are back to work...and partially b/c I've not been reading/praying like I should...and partially b/c my friends keep LEAVING ME!!! ::coughcough- Love and Linds and Amy and Walthos!:: But things are getting better and I'm blessed to have a son and daughter who brighten up my life...and a husband who puts up w/ my crazy! ;)

I have a plethora of pictures to upload...hmmm...but somehow I do not have the motivation! ;) So...I promise to be more diligent at updating! (Sorry, Love!!! haha!)

...Adventures w/ Zoe...

These pix are kinda old...from the beginning of Aug...but I wanted to share! I got to watch Miss Zoe during the first week that teachers go back...and we had a blast playing. I honestly don't think Jude and I have done as many activities in one day as when Zoe was here! Well...the first day, at least (You'll see the huge mess in the last few pix...we OBVIOUSly had aLOT of fun!)!!! The second, Miss Kim was kinda exhausted- so we did a LOT more lounging and reading!!! :D

...Mockingjay...

#76- Read 50 books
Mockingjay was my book #7 of 50. I've been SO looking forward to this book...seeing as it is the final book in the Hunger Games trilogy. AND we have been waiting a YEAR to find out how it all ends!!! Oh my word!

This book reveals what happens after the Capitol destroys District 12...how Katniss survives the loss of her home...and rises above to become the symbol of the rebellion. Now living in District 13...Katniss and her best friend slash potential something more must find a way to get the other districts to join the rebellion and ultimately try and overthrow President Snow and the Peacekeepers in the Capitol. ...oh...and save Peeta, of course!

Oh my word. Did I EVER love this series...and this book did NOT disappoint! :) If you have NOT done so yet...you MUST read The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and then Catching Fire and then Mockingjay! You will love it! :)

...SEVEN...

I'm gunna blink one times too many and before I know it...it's going to be time to celebrate Emme's first bday! ::bigsigh:: I truly cannot believe how quickly time is flying with her. I always thought Jude's first year of life whizzed by...but it was nothing compared to this! :(

I'm constantly amazed at my lil princess. She is such a joy and a blessing in all our lives. She is the cutest little crack up...and has the girliest demeanor! My heart melts each and every time Jude gives her kisses and she just smiles the biggest smile. Lil Smoosh! :D

Let's see...what is Miss Em into lately?!
* She is for SURE cutting her first tooth... (cranky.pants.mcgee!)
* She is eating more and more solids...to the point where she was boycotting her bottle for solids! So mama had to cut back on the amount of "cubes" Emme got!
* She is sitting up like a pro...
* She is ::this:: close to crawling, but can get anywhere she wants be rolling and using her HEAD to scoot! LOL!
* Talks up a storm "yayayayayayayayaya!"...
* She's OBSESSED with her blanket (in her crib) and likes to scare mama by sleeping w/ it over her head! (I have to go in every night after I know she's asleep to take it out!)
* She tolerates her jumperoo...
* She loves grabbing her brother's hair...
* ...and mama's face whenever she's taking her bottle!
* She refuses to keep her hair bows in her hair...
* ...and puts EVERYTHING into her mouth!

We are just so stinkin' in love with that lil munchie!

...first impressions...

#98- Volunteer at church

YES! Another thing I can check off my list...I have finally started volunteering at church... I've been wanting to find an area to serve for a while...and when we were at Palm Valley I tinkered with several ideas of things I wanted to do...but it's so "hard" when you have kids...time is limiting...and when your husband is on staff...well...it becomes even more difficult to find a place to serve and not have your babies in the nursery all day....

So. I'm serving in the Children's area under my motherinlaw...but...I'm not teaching...ohhhhh nonono...I am inputting data for First Time Guests. Basically...if you are a first timer...or have brought a guest...you fill out a card w/ your info...and I'm one of the peeps that puts you in the system allowing you to check your child in! Um...btw...GENIUS program...!!!...when you check your children in...you can register to do it w/ your FINGERPRINT...I know, right?! And it's always reassuring to know that not anyone can come pick your child up...as they need a tag that matches your child's! Anywho...rambling... have a million other blogs to write...so TTFN.

...when mom's away...

#72 Stay at a nice resort in PHX- just to get away

Okay...this blog is WEEKS in the making...I've been waiting and waiting and waiting to write/post it b/c I needed to steal some pictures...this is what happens when the only camera you have is HUGE...so you don't bring one! Anywho.

I got to attend the 2nd Annual "Girl's Getaway" Weekend w/ my ladies. This is the FIRST time since having my babies that I've gone away...the first time that mama hasn't been there for 24 hours...the first time, really since we got MARRIED that I've been the one that has over-nighted somewhere other than home w/o my significant other!!! WHOOOHOOOO! ;)

Now. I'll be a lil honest. I was SUPER excited to getaway...I mean...a mama needs a break to recoop and get her priorities straight...but I wasn't so much excited about going...the night before, I even complained to Derrick that I wasn't so excited- I didn't think I'd have alot of fun...and despite how much I NEEDED to get away...I really really really didn't like the idea of my kids and I being apart! :(

Can I just tell you, though...I'm SO glad I went! I had such a blast! I mean...it's not like we did a whole whole lot...considering I was gone LITERALLY 24 hours...but it was nice to be child-free and worry about no one but myself! I was actually kinda sad that it ended so soon- and look forward to a TWO day getaway next year (right, Karen?!)

...So...what all did we do??? Well...Jaime and I got together on Saturday for some pedis, lunch, and shopping...then we got to the hotel long enough to cry over Emme's 6mo pix (that I picked up on the way), change, and go to dinner. We had a nice and loud (heehee) dinner at Maggiano's followed by dessert. Kerry and I were dropped off at the hotel while the other gals partied it up in the parking lot of ...hmmm...Devil's Martini?? Martini Ranch?? Ooooh, I don't remember- but they didn't actually make it in b/c the parking lot was full...and they are old ladies and didn't wanna walk! LOL! We played some games back in the room before finally crashing at like 1somethingam... Sadly...I didn't sleep in like I was so looking forward to (I mean...no kids to cry and wake you up!?! Come ON!)...but got up around 7:45am...got ready and met up w/ the gang for "breakfast" at the hotel...then we sat around talking in our cabana (which was no bigger than my foot)...I went down the lazy river w/ Karen a few times before needing to check out...annnnd that is pretty.much.it. LOL! Wow. Doesn't sound so "fun" when I recount my memories that way...w/o all the crazy (no...really- it was crazy) details! But it really was an enjoyable time...Jaime and I left and grabbed some lunch and hit up Costco before heading home...I LOVED coming home and seeing the look on Jude's face..."Hoooooolllleyou!!!!!" he said to me...and I held him for what seemed like an eternity! It's nice being missed!!!! :)

Things I'll NEVER forget:
* FREEDOM...
* pedicures...w/ white people...who we STILL couldn't understand!!!
* shoe shopping w/ Jaime...no really...I'm eyeballing an intervention here soon!...
* H&M vs. HH ...there is a BIG difference LOL!
* "the jug"
* uncorking the champagne (which is hilarious...since I don't drink...)
* SPANX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
* hair accessories...
* Maggiano parking...I rode shotgun...and a couple of times...I was CERTAIN Karen was going to run someone over! LOL!
* "bye, Buddy...hope you find your dad!"
* "the dress"
* FIFTEEN times...
* other...not so quiet "girl" talk...
* Kerry's greenbean salad... laugh.out.loud. "Is that all you're eating?!"
* the lasagna debacle!
* standing up for myself...and not "going out"...b/c I'm really not a goingoutkinda girl!
* playing games...and losing (I HATE losing!)
* Catch Phrase... the word: "black"... my clue: "Love is...." I miss me some Love Breaux... :( my first and favorite black thing that popped in my head! :( I hate Japan!
* ooooooh that SONG! "dooodoodoona heyyyyy na dooodoodoona heyyyyy uhhh huh!" LOL! (Jaime and I heard it while paying for our pedicures...didn't know the song or who sang it and we were trying to "Shazam" it on my phone...but people were talking to much...so we "sang" it to the gals to see if they knew what it was...and they didn't. Heard it on the radio a couple weeks later... It's by Pearl Jam. Pearl Jam?! Are they still around?!)
* giggling at 1am in bed in the dark b/c that song is STILL in my head!
* Jaime...the chipmunk (idk...but those were some STRANGE teeth noises!)
* Kim...the snorer...to my defense...I warned them this might happen!
* the breakfast that ruined my life...the espresso machine was broken.... :(
* the cabanas...laugh.out.loud.
* celebrity gossip
* the iTouch that died after one song...
* the lazy river...
* getting rid of "evidence" of our shopping trip
* the OG...MMMmmmm...

I'm sure I'm forgetting something...but the list is long enough, right?! :) Such a fun time...can't wait for next year!!! :)

My BFF, Jaime



The Girlies



The Lester

...IKEA or bust...

Oh.Wow. I mean. Just.Wow. LOL! This is going to be one of those stories where you REALLY shoulda been there...

So. I love me some IKEA. It's one of those stores that you can ALWAYS find something to buy! Which- isn't really good for the unemployed! HAHA! No, but really...I have many lovely items in my home from IKEA...and so when summer started for my teacher peeps- I pretty much demanded that we all trek out there at some point to do some retail damage!

Today was that day. And boy was it a day! :)

Bre and Leighton, Jaime and Zoe, Jude and Emme and I all piled into Jaime's minivan to drive the 30ish miles to the store. I'm totally ready for this day too...I remembered to pack LOTS of snacks for Jude...a bottle/solids for Emme...got my iPhone w/ all it's movies for Jude...I even packed teething drops for Em! Oh man! So. We're driving (I really don't think you can imagine how packed we are...Jaime and Bre in the front...me and Jude in the middle and Zoe, Emme, and Leighton squished in the back- we literally barely fit!) when some warning light comes on...Jaime blows it off b/c the "low tire" light comes on often- and I don't think anything of it b/c there are SO many of us in the car, I assume it's all our weight! Yep. So like 6 miles later...BOOOOOM! Oh.Em.Gee, Marge. Jaime totally blew a tire!!! Oh my word! Now...it's about 10:15am...you'd think there wasn't that much traffic...um...no- there was actually a LOT of cars! And we're in the middle lane!!! Oh.My.Word. My heart was beating so fast...all I keep thinking about is that my babies are in the car! And specifically- that Emme, Leighton, and Zoe are in the very back and that someone might rear end us! :( But...Jaime was like a freakin' rockstar! She seriously just maneuvered her way over through the clearest path to the side of the road. Unfortunately...it was the lefthand side- next to the HOV lane...buuuuut at least we weren't blocking traffic, right???

So. After I finished saying "Thank You, Jesus!" a few times (I really thought we were going to get hit!)...I got my phone and used my USAA app to call Roadside Assistance (Jaime has USAA too)...the lady tells me that it's going to be 35 mins before they can get someone out to us... ?!?!?! Um. "We have 4 kids in the car under 5 years old...and a pregnant lady...if you can expedite this- that would be fantastic..." So. The lady gets some dood from Mesa to come help us...b/c he's supposed to be able to get there before 35 mins (which- for the record...he showed up 32 mins later...) but the guy was a MORON and didn't know his way around...I mean...we were under the freakin' I-17 stack...in a silver van...w/ a million kids...how hard is it to find?!?! I digress. I called my BIL, Kevin to see if he was "on duty" to help us...but right afterwards a DPS Assistance truck came to help us- and by helping us...I mean calling DPS and getting them to stop traffic for us so we could cross to the righthand side of the road! Awww- but the lil old man was super cute...asking us if we needed water or anything! :) Anywho. So the waiting game continued. The kids were all really good...Jude especially blew me away w/ his patience! I was starting to get annoyed w/ the waiting...especially b/c Emme's feeding time was rapidly approaching...and normally Jude goes down for a nap at noon...and it's 11am and we haven't gotten to IKEA yet! I vowed that if the driver didn't show up at 11:02...I was going to change the tire myself!!!! (Which...the only reason I didn't in the first place is b/c we were on the wrong side of the road and I would have died!!!) He's lucky b/c he showed up at 11:01! Sucka! Thankfully- the changing of the tire happened quickly... and then we girls decided to proceed (driving 50 miles an hour MAX! mind you) to go on our shopping excursion! Oh.Man.

I found a Costco a mile away from IKEA (using the AroundMe app! It's great!)...we thought we might go eat at Costco while the tire is being fixed...but unfortunately it was going to take WAY too long...but are we ever glad we stopped...b/c the nice man checked the air in the spare...and it was WAAAAAYYYYYY low!!! Can you imagine if we had blown the spare?!?!?!?!? Anywho...after driving in circles trying to use the "shortcut" to IKEA...we finally made it to our destination...and had a grand ole' time shopping!

I do have to brag...that my children- Jude especially- were absolutely fabulous! (Not saying the other two weren't- they just were in the play area for most of the time!) But b/c he hadn't napped and it was already a long and crazy trip there...he sat in the cart perfectly...and minus a few "mini-tantrums"...he was just so chill!!! I was a super proud mama! And bought Jude a trainset thing at IKEA as a reward! :)

(I'm sure my story would have been alot more "fun" - and lengthy- if I weren't so dog tired...but this is the gist!)

My "neverforgets" of the day:
* Mocha Frappe ...well...what I got to drink of it!
* Edward Cullen cups...it really does make me happy! LOL
* Leapsters...
* Emme's teething- and crying- and Leighton not liking it so much! LOL
* The fact that Leighton is going to have a baby sister (or brother) REAL soon haha!
* 36week pregnant Bre picking up my 40lb son! What the heck, Bre!
* "I NEED EARPHONES!"
* Being a child mediator! It was comedy! I just started making stuff up!
* Peeing on the wall...
* Jaime "not having" a spare...oh wait...it's under the driver's seat! LOL
* The lady in the white dress (::whispers- um...your bra is showing!::)...
* How NOBODY stopped to help us...is it b/c we were on the freeway???? Hmmm...whatever.
* IKEA food...it was cheap- and that's what counts! Haha- actually- I really loved their kids menu selection!!!!
* Drawer dividers...
* Apple Cheerios (um...sorry, IKEA- clean up in the frame department! LOL)
* Spending a day w/ some of my favorite people!

Awww...ladies...we must do it again! We'll squeeze Baby Sinclair2.0 in there somewhere! ;)

...what i've learned...

I'm a little behind on my T5Tuesday. Oh well! Today's T5T is dedicated to the things I've learned in my short 30 years of life...

5. Life is short...enjoy it more...try to remember all you can...learn from those who have already lived...ask lots of questions...take lots of pictures...DO something...BE someone...
4. You've got to accentuate the positive...and eliminate the negative...latch on the the affirmative...and don't mess w/ Mr. Inbetween!
3. Laughter IS the best medicine...
2. People will disappoint you...even those in leadership...and especially those you are closest to...you can either 1. get bitter or 2. move forward...
1. There are not many more things that are more wonderful than loving others and being loved in return...whether it is by a friend...a lover...a child...a Savior- it is truly the best.thing.ever.

:) What are some things YOU'VE learned in life?

...half a year...

::sigh::

Time is literally flying by...and I can't for the life of me figure out how to bottle it up. :( Man if I could just freeze time I would! I'm loving life and loving that I get to raise these two beautiful and precious loves of mine! I get super emotional when I think how quickly this is going to fly by...how quickly they are going to grow up... ::sigh:: But. I'm enjoying this time as much as I can...trying to remind myself that the things that seem trying are temporary...and the things that are memorable will last forever!

So. Miss Em. Oh my word. Is she the cutest stinkin' think you've ever seen??? If I had a dollar for every time I just stopped and stared at her and marveled at her beauty! LOL. I know, right?! I mean...I know she's my kid...but dang do DLo and I make some pretty babies! Haha! :)

This month Emme has:
* started teething more...like bigtime! No teeth yet...but there's a'comin!
*started waving- more like...flapping her one arm!
* laughed more!
* developed a love for soccer...
* embraced the joys of bouncing in the bouncer! (And she's nutz!)
* started yelling at mom to voice her disdain for green beans! LOL!
* almost learned to sit up!

I love it when Emme:
* plays with my hair when she's eating her bottle...
* smiles when her brother is near...
* puts up with her brother yelling "Dance Baybe!" and flapping her arms...
* puts up with her brother grabbing her by the head to give her kisses...
* sleeps through the night!!!!
* laughs- it's really the cutest girliest thing ever!
* fake cries...it.is.comedy!
* smiles- it melts hearts...
* sees something she wants...I didn't think it was possible for her big eyes to get any bigger...!

Oy. I love it! I love every.single.bit of it! :)


Thank you Jesus for my life. You have blessed me with such a supportive husband...and such beautiful and perfect children. I pray, Lord that you will continue to give me the wisdom to parent these blessings. Help me to be a good example...of a woman...of a wife...of a friend...of a Christian...of an American...of a daughter... I pray that my children will know You at an early age...and that they will have a fire and passion for serving You. I pray that they will be unafraid of living their life boldly for You... Thank you, Jesus for my life...

::updates::

Updated two previous blogs...check em out:

"...security..."
"...just say no..."

...potty emergency!!!...

#37 Potty-train Jude

So. I don't think I'll be crossing this off quite yet...but I wanted to fill you in on our potty-training adventures...

Mr. Jude LOVES being in his undies. Every single time he sees them, he points and yells "BUUUUUHHHH!" He totally "gets" it too. "I pee on the toilet." He knows what it's for and what to do. He pees EVERY.single.time. I put him on the toilet. ...however... He's not consistent at telling me when he has to go! The only time he pees on the potty is when I take him- which is about every 30-60mins. Oy. I think he's told me all of three times in the past 3 weeks that he has to go "sheeshee" or "peepee" (he likes to mix it up to keep mom on her toes!). ::sigh:: I know he's pretty young to be potty-training...but 1. let's be real- homeslice's booty is getting too big for those diapers and 2. he WANTS to wear undies!

My biggest "EWWWWWW!" in this process...isn't so much having pee around the house- b/c he doesn't usually have accidents- maybe one a day and it's usually little and usually b/c he's pooped in his undies and a lil pee comes out! ...which leads me to the biggest "EWWWWW!" Poop in the undies. Jude has pooped on the potty a few times...but he doesn't want to sit there after a pee and try to push one out. Then- about 10 mins later...I notice a lil lump in his booty. Just.Nasty. The first week...Jude would forget about the diaper v. undies situation and carry on his merry way...which means...squished poop in undies- which is the ultimate nastiness. But now...he poops just a lil bit and then kinda stands there or waddles to me...it's an improvement...and usually only gets a lil on the underwear...but still makes me vomit!

I always tell Jude...before putting on undies...and after peeing...and anytime he's pooped himself- "Don't peepee or poopoo on Buzz!" And I quiz him...(which is UBER cute since he's been answering so many questions lately) "Do you poopoo on Buzz?" J-"No! (shakes head vehemently)" M- "What do you say if you have to go potty?" J- "Mama! I peepee!" M- "And where do you go peepee and poopoo?" - at which Jude will point to the toilet. M- "Yup- we go peepee in the toilet." ::sigh:: I know he's gunna "get it" soon...I can feel it in my bones! :D

**note: Do you see the ghetto-fabulousness of the truck in the background of the picture? The ducktaped towel over the truck's basket thing??? Yeah...Jude likes to have his "friends" go on rides w/ him...and they kept slipping out- so dad MacGyver'd that lil beauty! LOL**

...security...

#60 Get a security door
and
#61 Install screens on the house

I've been wanting to get a security door for our house for a long time...just to give me a piece of mind. I mean...I know someone could break in if they wanted...but it's just one more barrier...

Jude has been able to unlock the doors for a while now. He's usually good about not doing it unless we ask him to...but yesterday, Jude decided to go over to the neighbors house while his dad was feeding Emme and I was cleaning the room. Thankfully, he wasn't out there long...and we were able to find him...but it was enough for me to call and get the people out to give us another estimate on a door.

The guy came today...and we put down a deposit on the security door. While we were at it...we got screens on the front and one side of the house...b/c it gets SUPER hot in the playroom b/c there is no treatment on one small window...hoping to get the rest of the house done...but that can wait! :)

They are going to "rush" the install since Jude escaped...which I think is awesome of them! Pictures to come when it's done! :D

::UPDATE::
So...they TOTALLY rushed the order for us! The security door was installed on Wednesday...and the screens installed today (Friday)! How awesome is that?! I'd totally recommend First Impressions Security Doors to anyone!!! The screens are outrageous...they seriously make the playroom SO dark. Hmmm. Dunno how I'm going to do "shoots" in that room now!!! LOL. Oh well!

...just say no...

#78 No Facebook for a week

Yeah. I know. I'd love to say that my motivation for doing this is to reprioritize my life...which- is part of the reason I'm doing a FB boycott this week. But the main reason I'm doing this is...social media is starting to freak me out a lil (...yes- I just put that on my "blog" for the world to see- lol...Hmmmm)

I'm a totally curious person...I mean...who isn't...but like...I'm a bit overly curious. ::sigh- cue Usher's "Confessions":: I'm the type of person who looks in people's medicine cabinets (for the record- I don't...but I would LOVE to)...the type of person who likes to look through the call history on DLo's cellphone- not b/c I don't trust him...but b/c I'm curious as to who he gets calls from...b/c surely it's more interesting than who calls me! I always look at people walking as I drive...and I get curious as to what their "story" is...where are they going? who are they seeing? do they know Jesus? what's their occupation? See what I mean...? So. I like me some FB. I like to look to see what my peeps are doing...see their newest pictures...see what new games to play...and see who they're friends with- and connect the dots on who knows who and whatever. My problem is...I spend too much time looking at these things..."researching" ...or... "fbstalking" ...and...well...it gets really weird when you're at a restaurant and you "know" all about the person across the room when you've never actually met them before! (no.joke.)

So. I'm going on a hiatus. It's going to be a week long...and then we'll see where to go from there...it'll be interesting...and I'm sure I'll get alot of stuff done! :D

::UPDATE::
So. My week is over. And I'm back on FB. I've got to say. I enjoyed my time away...but...it might have been a little extreme. I love me some FB. And that can be good and bad. But if I just monitor how much time I'm on it (not that I'm on it so much during the day) and what I'm doing on it...I think I'll be fine!

I had deleted FB from my phone...and removed it from my "homepages"...I had a hard time NOT clicking on FB the first couple days...it was just a reactionary thing (b/c I still had it as a link on my favorites). I didn't look at it though- and quickly closed the window if I did accidentally click on FB. I did really good after that...although my brain DID wander to FB a few times- wondering what my peeps were up to! I DID go on FB one day- but only went to one page to retrieve a phone number for someone I was supposed to take pictures of...and I also used FB messaging to write a few "emails" to people who I usually only communicate that way (and one was to someone who was asking about pictures).

What did I do in my non-FBing time? Read books...played more...watched LOST more...and had many many many danceathons w/ Jude! :)

...til...

...when both kids are napping at the same time...

Self.Explanatory.

...coupons coupons everywhere...

Okay- So...I'm trying to get into couponing...I've been diligent the past few weeks snipping the coupons out of the wed/sun paper...but I gotsta tell ya....I just don't seem to "get it"...I def. need to figure this out b/c I wanna save $$$ on the bagillion dollars of groceries I buy...I guess I need to do more research...but for now:

Top5 things I don't understand/frustrate me about couponing:
5. Do I need to go to a million stores to buy things???
4. What exactly IS double/triple coupons?! Like- if I have 2 coupons of the same thing??? Or just one coupon and the store doubles the savings???
3. Why does it seem like it's going to take a LOT of time out of my already jampacked life?!
2. Does Costco ONLY take Costco coupons?!
1. Why do the coupons expire so soon?! There's no way I'll buy all this stuff by then!

I'm praying that by this time next year...I'll be blogging pictures of my receipts with oodles of savings...but until then...::greatbigsigh::

...oh edward...

#77 Attend Eclipse midnight showing w/ my girlfriends

Oh. My. Edward. I know you are going to read this...and unless you are Jaime or Lindsay...are going to judge the crap outta me. It's ok. I accept it. I...am in love...with a fictional character. It's an illness. But I have accepted it (as has DLo) and I'm moving forward with this information with pride. LOL.

So. I didn't really look forward to seeing Eclipse. You will notice that I didn't even put a "countdown" clock on my blog like I did for the last two movies. I really don't know why... I mean... we went and saw Twilight with UBER expectations and were TOTALLY disappointed...I was excited for New Moon (which was MUCH better)...but for some reason...I just was whatever about this one...I mean...I was excited for the ridiculousness of a girl's night, but I didn't have any feelings towards the movie. Jaime, Lindsay, Bre, Bre's sisinlaw, Rori and I ended up going to the trilogy... It didn't seem like THAT long when it was all said and done...but MAN when we were starting the second one- I thought that I would DIE of exhaustion!

Finally- midnight- the movie. It. Was. Awesome! I mean. I'm sure if you didn't read the books or aren't into the whole saga...you might not understand...but I HATE watching movies that are books b/c of the lack of consistencies or congruencies... but I thought this one did a pretty decent job! (Which is why I hated Twilight- although I like it "okay" now)... Anywho. I didn't get home until like 2:30am...and had a "day" with the kids...but all in all- it was worth it...and I am excited to go see it again w/ Amy this weekend! :D


Favorite memories:
*Getting there at 5pm (the movies started at 7pm) and STILL sat in the 4th row...
*Drunk Sarah in line- wow.
*The 5million degree sidewalk...
*Ridiculous blinged out shirts (Mine: "Team Edward (because love bites)" Lindsay's: "Team Edward (except when Jacob has his shirt off) Jaime's: "Jacob bites & Edward sucks")
*The boy/girl who had his very own game show with the first 5 rows...just.wow.
*The RE-DICULOUS girls sitting in front of us...and how we almost had to cut them.
*Screaming girls when Jacob would show up on screen...
*Screaming for EC b/c I felt bad for rpattz and his painted on 6pack LOL!
*Spilling popcorn all over Linds' foot...
*Snorting. Alot.
*The Junior Mint. Singular.









Oh man! I'm sure there's a ton I'm forgetting...but it really was a fun fun night. I love my girlfriends and I'm so thankful for them! :) Alright ladies...Nov 2011- are we ready for Breaking Dawn part1??? (I'm secretly really sad that there's only BD left!!!)

...SAHM...

I know I'm a day late for Top5 Tuesday...but yesterday was a CARAZY busy day!

Here are the Top 5 things I love about being a SAHM...
5. Being there for all the "firsts"...
4. Loving my "boss"- even though he's only 2!
3. The millions of hugs and slobbers I get...
2. Getting to know their lil personalities...
1. Knowing my kiddos have the best care...

DLo...Thank you so much for working so hard so that I can stay home with our kids! I never thought it would happen...but is...and I am just so blessed!

...ts3...

#42 Take Jude to his first movie

Aw!!! We took Jude to his first movie this week...Toy Story 3! Jude hadn't been very good at watching movies...and right after Emme was born, I decided to try and brainwash him into loving ONE movie so that mama could have a lil break...and that movie happened to be Toy Story...little did I know...that in such a short short SHORT period of time...I would watch that badboy about a gazillion times! OY. It started off that Jude wouldn't watch more than 15 mins of it...and then he sat for like 30...and before I knew it- he sat and watched the ENTIRE thing. After a few weeks...Derrick decided to try TS2...and he loved it as well! Naturally...I got SUPER excited for Toy Story 3 coming out this summer...and was determined to make it Jude's first movie theater experience!

So...on our anniversary...we got our babymama, Lindsay (holla) to watch Emme while we took Jdub out to see TS3! DLo was slightly insane...and wanted to take him to see it in 3D...but I didn't want to risk it- seeing as we didn't know how he'd do at ALL let alone w/ glasses on his head! Jude did absolutely fabulous...he was so adorable sitting in the movie theatre chair with his lil cup of snacks...We brought his Buzz Bear...and he was set! Jude screamed "Buuuuuuuuhhhhhhh!" when Buzz first came out (why is it that all kids prefer Buzz to Woody?!)...and sat through the majority of the movie like a champ...weeeeellll.....until the last 5 minutes... I guess the whole "trash dump" part was a lil long for a barely2yearold! And...honestly...he woulda been fine if we hadn't been trying to get him to sit down in his seat again- he just wanted to stand...and every time we'd touch him he'd scream (not loud, but annoying)...and we were worried that he was going to bother the people in front of him by hovering over their heads!

All in all- what a FUN stinkin' time we had! And what a fantastic movie (aw- Pixar- you did it again!). I, of course, was crying from the very beginning! And I thought the ending was just perfect! If you haven't seen it yet...you must!!!

MY first movie at the theater was E.T. It was 1982- and I was also only 2 years old! What was your first movie???

...ccv...

Well. It's been about a month since Derrick accepted a position at Christ's Church of the Valley. It has been an interesting month! I guess I should start off this blog by saying...God's timing is perfect. Now. We might not understand what He's doing sometimes...but I know that He takes care of us. That's so reassuring. :)

The whole thing happened super fast. One week we're PVCers...the next...we're not! It was a very hard thing to comprehend and very bittersweet. On one hand- it was super exciting going back to CCV...but on the other...we invested 3.5 years at PVC...and grew to love it...and the people. It was home. There are so many awesome things going on at Palm Valley...and it was and is sad to know that we weren't going to be a part of it. Our decision to accept CCV's offer was not easy by any means...and I became frustrated when people would say "you must be SO excited to go back!" b/c...I mean, yes it is...but NO- my heart was so torn! Ultimately...Derrick and I both felt that God was leading us to CCV.

The first couple of weeks at CCV was hard for me. Harder than I let Derrick know. It was especially difficult b/c I felt that there was no closure at PVC- there was no announcement...there were no goodbyes (other than Derrick's volunteers). Now...don't get me wrong!!! I TOTALLY understand why there wasn't an announcement- you see- DLo's last week at Palm Valley was also Palm Valley's last weekend being a portable church! (See what I mean about God's timing?!)...so naturally- it was a weekend of celebration! ...and telling the church that Derrick was leaving might not have felt quite celebratory (I have my own opinions about that whole thing...but I'll leave that for myself)...Derrick lead worship the second weekend we were at CCV. That also happened to be the first weekend that PVC was in their new building. (So exciting!!!!!!) I was SO close to going to PVC just to be a part of it all! (and cried buckets looking at the pictures that Cameron Smith shot! So stinkin' exciting!)

Anywho. I can't quite believe it's been a month! It's been pretty awesome. Derrick is SO happy and that makes me happy. Everyone (PVC and CCV alike) have been fabulous and so supportive! It's really fun getting to worship with Derrick's family...we don't see enough of them! and I'm pretty sure Jude is going to know the ins&outs/nooks&cranny's of the place before too long- we spend each Saturday after service eating dinner w/ the family...and Jude usually runs like a banshee from one end of campus to the other! LOL! I REALLY miss worshipping with my dad. That's the biggest thing that hurts my heart... but I'm having a good time...and look forward to meeting more CCVers and DLo's coworkers! :) I know in time, it will feel like home again for me! :)


Thank you to Palm Valley Church for giving DLo the opportunity to serve you. Thank you for challenging him and growing us as a family. I will always look back fondly at my time with you... :)

...in 7 years...

IIIIiiiitttt's Top5 Tuesday!!! And this week's T5 is inspired by my anniversary! Derrick and I celebrated 7 years of marriage yesterday. It has been such a fun journey...filled with love, fights, laughs, cries, and diapers! :D I'm so blessed to be married to my best friend...he's all that I've ever wanted and needed... :)

So. This week, I'm listing the top5 things I look forward to in the next 7 years of marriage...
5. Travelling more...
4. Teaching our children about JC...
3. Starting new adventures- whatever they may be...
2. Loving each other more...and...
1. Laughing- a ton...

...five...

Yup. Lil Miss Em is five months old! Is it just me...or is she growing up WAY too fast?! I mean...really? I feel like I just had her! And she's almost 1/2 a year old! Oy! I've gotta say...I absolutely love being her mother. She brings so much joy and sunshine to our family. It is so beautiful watching her and her brother...the way her eyes light up when Jude is playing in front of her...or the way he will grab her head and give her kisses. It's really so heartwarming! I look forward to watching these two become friends.

Anywho- Emme is learning so much and seems to have just grown a ton this past month...She's eating solids now- although she's totally not as natural as Jude was at eating!!! She's been enjoying rice cereal, avocados, sweet potatoes, and will be starting green beans and pears soon (not together though- ew!)...Em has also mastered rolling over from her back to tummy and tummy to back...but she hasn't discovered that she can continue rolling over and over! I'm pretty sure she'll roll and crawl before Jude did...homegirl moves around a ton! Jude never moved in his crib (until like 8 or so months), but Emme- man...sometimes I look in the monitor and she's completely flipped around and sideways and everywhich direction!!! :) She's hilarious too, b/c when she gets excited she squeals like a velociraptor!!! It's pretty awesome! Her giggles are adorable but rare...and she reeeeally likes grabbing my face when she is drinking her bottle.

How'd I get so blessed?

Em,
Oh my word, girlfriend. You bring mama so much joy. I'm so thankful that you are in our lives. Your eyes brighten up every room and your smile melts my heart. Words cannot express the happiness I feel and how blessed I am. I pray that you will grow up knowing the love Christ has for you...and that one day- you will experience the joys of motherhood too!

...musicals...

I didn't forget Top5 Tuesday last week...I was throwing up my guts, remember!!! But I'm back this week to share my top 5 musicals! I'm so excited to go see In The Heights tonight w/ my BFFs Lindsay and Jaime...and so thankful for DLo for taking care of the bebes! :D

Top5 Musicals:
5. Godspell (which I've actually never seen, but was apart of in HS)
4. Lion King
3. The Phantom of the Opera
2. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
1. Wicked the Musical

#35

#35 Make baby food for Emme














It's begun...Em's eating solid foods and doing so so great...which means...I need to bust out with the ice trays and my copy of Super Baby Foods (thanks Jaime) and browse wholesomebabyfood.com for the food timeline and recipes! I made all of Jude's baby food...and let me tell ya...it is SO stinkin' easy. I truly don't know why every momma doesn't do it! It really doesn't take much time and it's so cheap!!! So far, Miss Em has had avocados and sweet potatoes (as seen above). We'll do bananas next! :D

If any of you new mamas want help or advice for making your own baby food- feel free to email me!!! (or go to the links above!)