Total pregnancy brain...again

So, I just realized last night that I had left my purse in Commerce, on SATURDAY. I was going to get a few gift cards for Christmas presents before I went to a Christmas party. So, Tony gave me his check card...and I was thinking I could use it b/c I know the pin number. So, I go to Justice...you know, the store for girls. I pick out a few small things to go with the gift cards, I go up to pay, and the girl asks to see my ID after checking the unsigned card. I say...this is my husband's card, and I don't have my ID, but I do have his ID (he had given me his entire wallet). So, I pull out his ID and show her...and she accepts it! Good for me...but I was thinking that I could have stolen some one's entire wallet and spent their money! Anyway...I go to the Christmas party, have lots of fun...come home and I'm telling Tony about it and emptying my new purse and I kinda start freaking out. But, I try to hide it from Tony b/c my freaking out and his are totally different. I'm freaking out b/c I can't find the check card, but I don't worry, b/c I know I'll track it down eventually. Well...he realizes what's happening and says he's never letting me use his check card again! Seriously, I had no recollection of where the card could be. I tried to call the store, but since they were closed, I guess they turned the phones off. I send Tony out to look in his car, and I decide to drive back over to the store, thinking I could have dropped the card in the parking lot. On my way, Tony calls and says that he's found the card in his car...way off to the side, no idea how I got there! Pregnancy brain...total pregnancy brain!

The Letters

This month, I joined an on-line book club, The Hoochee Book Club. Our first book was called The Letters. It's a story about a husband and wife, Sam and Hadley West, who are estranged after the loss of their only child, their son. Sam is on a trek to Alaska, the last place their son was alive and the wife leaves their home to sort of rediscover herself. The story unfolds through a series of letters that the two write to each other. Sam, in Alaska, finding the resting place of his son's plane crash, and Hadley is in Maine where she's rented a small cottage and begins painting again. Hadley was a little mean and bitter to Sam in the beginning but became softer and lovely as the two reminisced through letters at their lives together, how they met, fell in love, the things they loved about each other and the family they had together. They also discover a secret their son had kept from them, which helps them understand a little more about their son.

I really enjoyed reading this book and love the idea of letter writing, a lost art, I'm sure. While most of the book was so very sad and even utterly melancholy, as I got to the end, I thought that the characters had to go through all they did so that they would realize just how much they loved each other and how they could heal from a devastating loss. Just like in real life, we sometimes have to go through lots of trials and valleys to get to a place where God wants us to be.

The book has two authors, Luanne Rice and Joseph Monninger so, you get the perspective of both the man and the lady. I thought this was a great book, a quick read and worth the time I spent reading it.

The last two weeks

We've been so busy the last few weeks...we're all pretty exhausted. It started two Saturdays ago with the ladies luncheon at our church. Mrs. Dudish decorated a beautiful table and there was a wonderful speaker...Mama and Beverly came and we had a great time.

Later that day, we decorated our tree...I didn't really get any good pictures, but Walker took his ornaments and put them all in a pile on the bottom section of the tree. After he went to bed, I moved them all around the tree. The next morning, Walker came down, went over to "his" spot and said mine? mine? mine? I tried to explain that his were all over the tree. Here's his spot.

And...the only picture I could snap of the two boys together by the tree.
The next day, we had Justin and Lori come over and take pictures of us and then our small group came for group time and dinner. A picture I haven't shared.

Then, sometime last week, Hudson and Walker were playing upstairs, and I went up to check on them...Hudson is standing there with a red marker, top off. He said they were painting. Where are you painting...well...all over Mommy's wall!!!Friday, we headed to the Georgia Dome to watch Clay's football team. They lost, but what an accomplishment to be #2 in the state in Class AA football.

This was my long week...M, T, W...and I'm exhausted! Last night, I got home after 5 and had to have Hudson at the church at 6 to practice singing for Sunday. He flipped out...I mean really flipped out when we got to the church. He screamed...I traumatized him...I left him in his church room, screaming! When they 3 and 4 yr olds came in to practice, someone was holding Hudson. He had his hands in his mouth and wouldn't let them put him down. When he got to me...he started sobbing. I felt awful. He told me he wasn't singing, but has since decided that if everyone comes to watch him(grandmama, granddaddy, aunt bevo, uncle clay) that he'll sing Sunday. We'll see. I just really don't want them to drive 1 hr here for Hudson to not sing! We'll see. Tonight, we went shopping for a family that our small group is supporting for Christmas. It was fun picking out toys and clothes to give to another family. Hudson and Walker enjoyed looking at all the toys (I usually avoid this section when I'm by myself).

Is it really just 8:06?

I think I've said before that we all sleep with fans. And, this morning, at 6:55 a.m., the power went off, flashed back on, off, on, off. A few minutes later Walker yelled out Mommy and cried, I went in and got him, then heard Hudson crying too! So, we've all been up since 7:15 a.m. This week, with the overcast skies, we've been sleeping in until almost 9:00! And, I went to see Twilight last night at 8:50! I guess it works out well though, b/c this afternoon, we are going to the Georgia Dome to watch Uncle Clay's Calhoun Yellow Jackets play in the state championship and we needed to nap early. I can already tell, we'll all be ready EARLY!!!

Thankful Thursday

I should have saved the family picture that I posted yesterday for today, but here's a great pic of the three guys that I am so thankful for today!

Family Picture

I loved, like super loved this picture before I noticed Hudson's tummy hanging out...it's still a cute picture!

This is so sweet...we have a similar one from last year's Christmas pictures with Walker leaning on Tony just like this!

Some sweet pictures

Justin took these on Sunday. We've been trying to get pictures of Hudson since he turned 3. They are precious! I love the one of him hugging Tony's leg!

I had to add just one of sweet Walker...he wouldn't let go of that paci!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

I didn't say when I originally posted this that I was inspired by the Nester, a great blog for cheap ideas in home decor. I painted the stars on the mantle and found the small topiaries at Goodwill and just changed them a little. I'm very happy with how the mantle looks, even if it's not the best garland every!

We have our tree up, but no decorations. We put it up Friday, planned to decorate Saturday after the GA/GA Tech game, but the bottom section of the tree doesn't have lights...they're out. I just can't bring myself to take the lights off the prelit tree and put different ones on...I'll do it soon...I am super duper proud of the mantle...Tony wonders why I even want to decorate...who's gonna see it he says...ME! And anyone who comes to our house...and now...all of you!

P.S. This is what Hudson and Walker did after we got the tree out of the box...they had so much fun!

My Monday morning mistake...

Let me preface this by saying that I think this is a super cute idea and we got this book the year it came out, before we had kids that would enjoy the tradition. It is written by a friend from church and her mom and it really is very sweet. You can find it at many Hallmark stores, and there's a website where you can get info about it...http://www.elfontheshelf.com/. I got it out last year and let Hudson play with the elf before I read the book that says if you touch the elf, you mess up his magic and he cannot get back to Santa. So, I just quickly put him up last year and didn't say anything else about him. Luckily, Hudson did not remember this when I pulled it out this year. I really like the tradition of naming the elf and searching for him each morning, year after year. Last night, I got him out, read the book and really talked it up to Hudson...about how we would go searching for the elf in the morning. Of course, he wanted to name our elf "Baby", but I suggested "Jingle" and he liked that. I probably should have just let him name our elf Baby...and that's what we would have called the elf for years to come, it would have been funny...but I wanted a Christmas-sounding name for the elf. So, we wrote our name in the back of the book and went to sleep with hopes to search for "Jingle" in the morning. Well...needless to say, as soon as we were done reading the book, I completely forgot all about it. But not Hudson. The first thing he said to me this morning when I went to get him...Mommy, where's Jingle...let's go find him. OH MY GOODNESS...Jingle was still sitting in his box! Trying to think quickly, I told Hudson I needed to go to the bathroom. He didn't like this answer, it's first thing in the morning, he needs to go to the bathroom, too and hestarted crying. This is not how this was supposed to go. Think of something else...let mommy go get your underwear...I ran to my room, pulled out the elf, and landed him right beside the TV in our room on the DVD player... ran back to Hudson's room with his undies, and then we went to the bathroom...all the while, I'm steering his little head so he doesn't look and find Jingle. As soon as we got Walker, we went back to my room and searched and found him. Hudson told him today that he wants veggie tales snacks and "move it, move it" snacks (Madagascar for those who don't speak kid talk). So, Jingle has sat all day on the DVD player, and Hudson looked at him after nap and said he wasn't a boy elf...he was a girl. Anyway...I say all this to say that hopefully I'll do better tomorrow and the next day...and I might have to do something where the elf just comes on Saturday and Sunday...everyday is a lot to remember...although it does make for a fun tradition and way to count down to Christmas morning!

New look

Tony told me the other day that I needed a new look for the blog...which I had no idea how to do...but I figured it out tonight and went with something that goes with the season...what do you think?

Thankful Thursday...

On this Thanksgiving Thursday, before we get going with everything...I thought I'd post what I'm thankful for....
1. I'm thankful that my family and I have warm coats to put on when it's cold outside.
2. I'm thankful to have a house that has heat and air.
3. I'm thankful that we have food to eat.
4. I'm thankful that we have cars to get us where we need to go.
5. I'm thankful that we have jobs so that we can provide for our family.
6. I'm thankful that we are healthy.
7. I'm thankful that Capn Crunch doesn't have wheat in it...Hudson and Walker love that stuff!
8. I'm thankful that Tony and I have loving families.
9. I'm thankful for the down comforter on my bed...whew is that thing warm!
10. I'm thankful that Jesus died for our sins and that we will one day live with him in heaven.

P.S. At church a few weeks ago, we were talking about faith like a child...not long after, I was talking to Hudson and he was asking...where's so and so, where's so and so. He got to where's Nanny and I said in heaven with who? He said Jesus. The he asked, " Nanny talk to Jesus?" I said that I was sure she was talking to Jesus. Then he says without a doubt on his face..."they wear football helmets." I thought that was the cutest thing...and I said...maybe they are wearing football helmets...who knows?!

Twilight

So, I had no idea a month ago, when I put in my request at the library for the book Twilight, that I was jumping on a bandwagon. I had no idea there was such a bandwagon to jump onto! I read a fellow mom bloggers blog who said that she'd read the "Twilight Series". I remember it said something about vampires, and I thought...that's not for me. But, she had been enveloped in the series of books, and I love a good read, so I thought, I'll check the book out at the library and if I don't like it, oh well. Just this week, I got an email from the library saying it was my turn to have the book. The day before I went and got the book, I finally realized that it was this book that the movie "Twilight" (about vampires?!?!) was based upon. Then, I started reading all these things about people being so excited about the movie, etc, etc. Well...I started reading the book Friday night, and if wasn't pregnant, I would have finished it Friday night. I just couldn't stay up, being pregnant! But I could not put it down! I finished it Saturday, and now I am wrapped up in this story...I have to see the movie, and I can't wait to get the other books from the library. My hold number for the 2nd book is like #296...I think I was even further back for Twilight and it took about a month to get it. So, my hope is that the people who have that book, read it fast, fast, fast and return it so it quickly moves on. I also think there is something so beautiful about checking books out at the library and knowing that hundreds of other people have shared in the experience and story that is contained within its' pages! I do not think that Twilight is something that Tony would enjoy, but I do think that anyone who loves a good love story would enjoy the book! I read something about the author that said something like...Science Fiction for those who don't like Science Fiction...and I think that sums it up...I'm in love with this series!

Interrupted Sleep

So, on Sunday, Tony went and got a slat of wood for us to use on Hudson's big boy bed. We were putting it together and Hudson woke up from his nap. We went and got him and let him come in and help us finish making it up. The intention was that he would not sleep in there until we got the whole room ready for him, moved the TV and moved all his stuff from his room into the new room. Well...he was so excited that he wanted to sleep in the bed that night. Knowing how excited he was, I just couldn't deny him this, so we let him sleep in his big boy bed. I told him not to get out unless Mommy, Daddy or Lois came in to get him (yeah right, what was I thinking). He woke up 3 times that night, screaming and got out of the bed. Monday morning, he woke up at 6:30 a.m and wanted Daddy to come in his room and hold his hand. Well...Daddy has to go to work, so, I put him in the bed with me and scratched his back to get him back to sleep until 7:30, then I got up and got ready for work with little feet behind me, wanting me to do this and that, which is a different way for me to be getting ready, at least for work. Monday night, more of the same. Tuesday night, same thing. Last night, same thing, except last night, he was always in our room screaming Daddy, not in his. How long will this last, getting out of the bed, screaming for Daddy. How long will this last...any ideas? We're exhausted here...sweet Tony gets up, but pregnant Mommy wakes up every time, usually to tell Daddy that Hudson is up. We need some help...maybe Super Nanny?!

Thankful Thursday

Today, I am thankful for...

1. Getting to sleep until 8:30

2. Such a sweet husband who really helps out with our family and house.

3. Pantene Pro-V the kind for long hair-in my attempt to be "green" I've realized I miss all that paraben filled shampoo and conditioner that makes hair feel so nice, so I'm giving myself one day a week of Pantene shampoo....the others, the organic stuff

4. I work just 5 more days before Thanksgiving.

5. All the parents of the kids I teach who came to parent teacher conferences yesterday

6. Hudson has gone 2 1/2 days with no accidents (little one this morning, I wouldn't call an accident, b/c he stopped it and went in the potty!) I am super proud of that boy!

7. Walker sitting on the big potty this morning...he kept saying "potty" so I held him on there...too cute!

8. The boys sharing a chair to wash their little hands

9. Almost having Hudson's new room ready for him to move in!

10. The chili I had defrosted for dinner last night that made the fact that I got home so late from conferences totally bearable!

Just a few pics

These pictures are too cute to not share...Justin took them on Halloween.

"I'm so excited"

In my efforts to "green" our lives, I ordered some nail polish from Zoya that is toulene, formaldehyde and DBP free. Apparently those are the bad ingredients in probably every other bottle of nail polish that I own. Did you know that nail polish and remover is considered hazardous waste and should not be disposed of in the trash? I didn't until I read about "going green". It should really be disposed of in a hazardous waste facility...I'm still trying to find one of those. For now, mine are just bagged up...maybe I'll give all my polish to my sister. Anyway...back to the reason for the post...the nail polish and remover came on Wednesday. Yesterday, I painted my fingernails and toenails the color Paris...oh, and by the way...the colors are all girl names and are fabulous...I love all the ones I chose...Paris, a deep purply red, Dharma, a pale pink, Flora, a pink pink and Eva, a kinda corally like pink. There are sooooo many colors to choose from and they are only $6 a bottle. I also got a bottle of the topcoat so that I can make the color last longer! B/c I ordered 4 shades plus a topcoat, I got a free 2 oz remover that has violet in it and doesn't smell nearly as bad or strong as my old removers. I was thinking, if I do go and get a mani and pedi...I'll take my own remover and polish! You should check it out!

Potty Training

I decided that yesterday would be the day that I went hardcore with the potty training. We only wore diapers during nap and we did fairly well...only 2 accidents...none so far today. I think Walker might be potty ready at the end of this too...b/c he wants to do everything Hudson does! He wanted to wear underwear just like Hudson, so yesterday, he wore some one top of his diaper! Too cute! Today, I asked Hudson to go try and potty, he wouldn't, so I bribed him with a smartie. He went and tried and was so proud that he went and then got his big boy underwear and pants back on by himself...such a big boy. And then, we all had a smartie...b/c Hudson can't get something that Walker doesn't get, too!

DVD/VCR

We have this great dvd/vcr player in the kids old playroom which is soon to be Hudson's new bedroom(minus the great storage Papa built that houses the big TV and dvd/vcr). We had it for a few years, in the box, and wanted to wait until we got the storage piece before we put it in there. Well..it's the perfect height for little hands to stick things in there. A few weeks ago, Tony and I were going to watch something in there and I couldn't get the tape out. I kept trying and trying, and the tape would come up and then not push out. I went back a few days later and got down on the level of the vcr...and lo and behold, there was a plastic turkey leg from the play kitchen on top of the video tape, along with something else. After removing those items, the tape came out and the vcr was fixed. This morning, Hudson wanted to watch a "moobie" he had borrowed from Grandmama's house and I went to put it in the vcr. For some reason, I thought to push the door open and look in there. There were two crayons and one of those plastic outlet cover things in there. I told both boys that they would break the vcr if they kept doing stuff like that...I do find it a little funny though!

Halloween 08

I seriously love seeing my kiddies dressed up in costumes. Like, I think they are totally cute, and then they have this costume on, and the cute factor goes up...way up. After I got their noses on, and their costumes and they got out of the car, they were so cute with each other. They were giggling and looking at each other. Hudson put his arm around Walker. They were holding hands...too cute!

For Halloween, we went to Lilburn First Baptist's Carnival/Festival. We went last year, and Walker was a little too young to do anything, so it was fun to see him trying things out this year. When the two guys encounter new situations, it is so much fun to see their two different reactions. Hudson doesn't like to try new things and unfamiliar things...Walker could care less and will jump in and try anything. Usually, after Hudson sees Walker do it, he'll try it too. The boys had a blast and sweet Grandma had a treat bag that she gave them "safe" treats out of so that they got something that they could have after each thing they did, and we didn't have to go through the candy at the end of the night, and pull out the things Hudson is allergic to. I think the hit of the night was the bounce house that Walker rocked in for a good while. Hudson eventually got in after watching Walker, and he loved it too! Hudson told me his favorite thing was the bouncing, the hay ride and the lady in the box that gave him chips(there was a lady at the fishing booth actually sitting inside a box, and I'm sure that they thought that the kids didn't see her...Hudson observes EVERYTHING!).

P.S. I really am trying to "go green". The eyeliner I used for the noses of my zebra and kangaroo were brown and black organic makeup from a company called Jane Iredale that I read about in Gorgeously Green. I bought it b/c it wasn't made with anything harsh for their sweet little skin and now, it'll be my green makeup!

Pumpkin Carving

Growing up, I don't remember us carving pumpkins. My mama says we may have once or twice, but since Daddy was a football coach, and Halloween is during football season, I'm thinking it's a tradition that just never got going at our house. So, since Tony and I have been married, each Halloween, I have carved a pumpkin. And, each Halloween, I always end up with bruises on my arms from scooping out the pumpkin goo. I also usually use kitchen knives and do simple triangle shapes for eyes, nose and mouth. But, this year, I bought one of those kits with all the tools and even patterns. Hudson was so excited to carve our pumpkin. He picked out the pattern, was very excited about the seeds, and so like Hudson, less excited about sticking his hand in the pumpkin and pulling out the goo. Walker, on the other hand, stuck his hand right in the pumpkin and pulled out lots of goo. However, he kept wanting to put the seeds we had already pulled out back in. We had lots of fun...check out the pictures where Mommy is carving and the boys are laying on the blanket in the kitchen...too cute! I think our pumpkin turned out cute! (A side note...kiddos grow up so very fast...last year, every pumpkin that Hudson saw, he called pumpkin boo. This year, Tony and saw a pumpkin somewhere and said "Oh look Hudson, a pumpkin boo." He quickly told us...that not a pumpkin boo, that a pumpkin. I wish we had recorded all these sweet things b/c they grow too fast!!!)

Freshaire Choice Paint

So, we finally started painting our playroom to turn it into Hudson's new bedroom. We went to get the color paint that I had picked out and then decided that we would try the Freshaire Choice Paint that they sell at Home Depot. I've said in previous posts that I am trying to go green, so this was one way to help our house. We loved it...it was a little pricey at $35 a gallon, but with me being pregnant, and Hudson and Walker being such little guys, we decided to give it a go. The color matches Hudson's bedspread even better than the other typed of paint I had picked out. The paint had a small smell, but nothing like regular paint has. The room is a pretty big room, and the smell would have stuck around had we used regular paint. Freshaire uses some kind of soy based print for the label and recycled plastic for the paint can. I must say, we were pleased and will probably use the same kind of paint for the baby's room. The man at Home Depot says that he figures that soon, this will be the kind of paint used in schools and places like that. I would think that would help the price go down! Hudson and Walker got to help with the cleaning the room and painting. Hudson was soooooo super excited! Here's his creation!

Thank you Grandmama for painting the room, and for your patience with Hudson as he excitedly went up and down up and down with his paintbrush!