Uncle Joe

Uncle Joe and Vicki stopped by and visited for awhile tonight. Unfortunately he goes back to Iraq in the morning. It was good to catch up and we are grateful that they came by. The house was a mess because I was getting the house ready for Christmas. Boxes were everywhere but they are family so it was alright. We are thankful to Joe serving our Country. He's a helicopter pilot. Hopefully someday the guys will have their own business where Joe flies and Brian's the mechanic.

Thanksgiving recap

Our Thanksgiving was a fun and busy one. Brian had to work last night so he was up all night and then all day. Earlier this morning Brian went to play football with Trent and the rest of the guys. He came home and deep fried both the turkey and the ham. This morning I watched the boys, did laundry and caught the first part of the parade. I made a quick last minute to the store it pick up ingredients for a new dip recipe that didn't turn out. O well. The new recipe for Thanksgiving punch and apple chex mix turned out to be winners. We spent the day with Ashley and her family. Trent and Sara were also there.

Trent is holding Lucas. I wish that I got a picture of all the kids eating at the kiddie table. It was priceless. After eating they rushed outside to play.

Brian discovered dirt for the first time. He then found the light saber. He had a blast.

Ashley is holding Lucas. She is amazing and such a sweet friend. I'm grateful that she invited us to share the Holiday with them. Brian was convinced that this was the year we were going to Cracker Barrel. Sorry B.

Brian also discovered the teeter totter.

I realize that you've all been there with the whole blinking when the picture is taken. It was the best one of the boys. As the sun went down we headed inside. Ashley had some activities planned for the kids. The adults then played a few games such as Skipbo, Pit, and new one from Trent. You roll a dice. If you get a 1 or a 6 you write numbers 1- 100. The first one to reach 100 the fastest wins. It was a good one. I hope that you had a great Thanksgiving. 2 Things that I'm thankful for is my Savior and my family.

I thought that this was cute

An Inspirational Story, Motivational Story - Not "Just a Mom" By Author Unknown,


A woman named Emily renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk's office was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.
"What I mean is," explained the recorder, "do you have a job, or are you just a...
"Of course I have a job," snapped Emily. "I'm a mother."
"We don't list 'mother' as an occupation... 'housewife' covers it," said the recorder emphatically.
I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall. The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like, "Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar." "What is your occupation?" she probed.
What made me say it, I do not know... The words simply popped out. "I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations."
The clerk paused, ballpoint pen frozen in midair, and looked up as though she had not heard right.
I repeated the title slowly, emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.
"Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest, "just what you do in your field?"
Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, "I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't), in the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out). I'm working for my Masters, (the whole darned family), and already have four credits, (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money."
There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.
As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants - ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby), in the child-development program, testing out a new vocal pattern.
I felt triumphant! I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than "just another mother."
Motherhood...What a glorious career! Especially when there's a title on the door.
Does this make grandmothers "Senior Research Associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations" and great grandmothers "Executive Senior Research Associates"? I think so!!!
I also think it makes Aunts "Associate Research Assistants".

Tummy Time

While chattin on the phone with my Mom and Sister I notice Lucas is on his tummy holding his head up really high. So by the time I grabbed my camera he was getting pretty worn out. Which explains why his arms are spread out. It looks like a whole lot of work so we take a break and this is the Mommy shot. It's what I see before and after he eats which is the majority of my day since we are still figuring out an eating schedule. It pretty much goes.... If he's awake and fussing it's feeding time. Then shortly after eating he drifts off to sleep and then it repeats itself. I enjoy our time together and am grateful that I can stay home and capture these moments cuz that's what they are - just moments and boy do they go by fast.

Lucas is awake. A few minutes after these were taken he was out like a light.

I tried to get pictures of Lil B but I could'nt get him to hold still long enough. They were all a blur.

Now all my special guys are sleeping so I should go and take a nap myself. Hope your day is going well.

A sleepy Lucas checkin in.

He does a whole lot of this except when it's my turn to sleep.

Lucas is contantly kicking blankets and socks off. There is a trail of itty bitty socks all over the house. I'll have to get more pictures when he's more awake.

What are your thanksgiving plans?

Nothing to really exciting to report this week except that we finalized our plans for Thanksgiving. For some reason I keep thinking that it's this Thursday. It's not for another week. We are getting together for a huge feast with the Copas's and the Murrays. Last year was awesome cuz Brian deep fried the turkey. Today he was asked if he would deep fry this years turkey. He's also thinkin about frying up a ham. We'll see how it turns out.

We have been having the strangest weather. Brian had to turn on the AC one day and the heater on the next. So strange but now I'm getting ready for the cold. I've got my logs for the fireplace and the hot coco and the hot apple cider. I'm so ready. I'd like to have the girls over for a girls night in before everyone goes off traveling for the holidays. Oh I gotta close up cuz Lucas woke up and doesn't like not being held. Pictures of the boys should be posted soon

I didn't get any pictures of peanuts but they were there I promise. It's that time of year again when the National Peanut Festival rolled around. Brian really doesn't like going cuz of the animals and peanuts effect his allergies. I'm glad that he came and had I'm sure that he had a good time due to the fact that the evenings entertainment was the demolition derby. Plus we met up with our good friends Murray family and took Little B to feed the animals at the petting zoo. Little Brian sat on his Dad's shoulders while we watched dancing elephants, camels, ponies, and dogs. They even had the classic motorcycles being driven in a metal giant shaped hamster ball.
It was great.

Little B loved his first taste of cotton candy and funnel cake.

The demo derby was awesome. I had this fear that Brian would fall in love and find this to be a new hobby. Thankfully that wasn't the case when he said that he's been in to many accidents. There was a few fires started and a few injured drivers. I couldn't help but think of all the cars that we had growing up. Our old station wagon. They had a couple of those. They even had a Ford Escort which was my first car. It's currently being driven by my brother but I'm sure that he'd be happy to have it demoed.

The kangaroo pic is for my Mom. She has a great kangaroo collection. They also had porcupines at the petting zoo as well. They didn't let us get to close. :0) I had to be sure that Brian held his hand out flat when feeding the animals. He did really good.

We were pretty well prepared weather wise. Next year I'll remember to bring something more than just a few snacks. I had forgotten how expensive fair food can be and the line for the Corn Dog Man was ridiculously long.

Lucas slept thru most of his first NPA experience. I'm sure that we'll be back next year.

I've got it soo good

I was talking to the stylist while she was cutting my hair and we were talking about dating and marriage. She's a single Mom with 2 boys who are 15 months apart. It just got me thinking how extremely lucky I am to married to this man.

He's a real good Daddy. He's supportive in everything I do whether it's being a stay at home Mommy or purchasing something that I don't need. I'd stand there in the store aisle hmming and haaaing and his response would be "Get it" Then I would be left to try and talk myself out of it. He never complained (not even a groan) when his Mother in Law comes and stays a month. It helps when she is my Mom.

More than anything I know that he loves me for me cuz he lets me know it.

I've really got it good.

It's chopped!! and Lil B sportin the Mickey

The before.....

The After....

It's gone. I've never had my hair this short. EVER!! I always thought about it but chickened out last minute. I've asked Brian the What If question. What if I cut my hair would you still love me? He said that he'd never tell me that I couldn't do anything. I was still afraid to come home. It was pouring rain when I came out of the mall so the pictures here are not exactly how it looked but you get the idea. Change is good right? I like it ...I guess It's different. My main worry was that it widens my face and makes me look heavier. Which is all the more motivation to lose that baby fat. I don't like having hair in my face so I usually tuck the sides behind my ears. It drives my Mom crazy. I'll most likely join the rest of the world and go out and buy a flat iron.

I wanted to throw in a few pics of Little B. Today got a fun package from Aunt Donna in Pennsylvania. Included was an adorable Mickey Mouse hoodie. It fits perfectly and he wore it tonight when we went to dinner at Old Mexico. Thanks Aunt Donna!! We love the clothes.

If the weather cooperates we'll take Lucas to his first peanut Festival tomorrow. They are having the demolition derby so the guys will love that.

Brothers

I think that Little B is getting this whole "Big brother" thing down. LB was having a good chat with Lucas when these were taken earlier today. I forgot to mention in the last post that Lucas doesn't want anything to do a with a binky. So maybe I was worrying about the binky snatching for nothing

Happenings in our happy home.

Here's what's happening in our neck of the woods...

Grandma Mitchell taught me to take a picture of the boys for each month till they turned one. It's fun to see how much they change during that month. So here we go...

Lucas is ONE month old already. Isn't he a cutie?

I think so. He doesn't smile a whole lot yet -unless he has gas.

Sure enough I knew it wouldn't be long but he's in the 3 - 6 month old clothes.

Ever since day one he kicks his blankets off to expose his feet. I'll have proof soon. Lucas loves being held.

We are adjusting to one less set of hands and eyes. We had it so nice with Grandma here but things are going well. I try and let Brian sleep after him working all night. I've only had to wake him up for help once which is pretty good. I found the babybunching website a great reference. The recent post seemed to have perfect timing cuz it was all about breastfeeding with a toddler running around. Brian is wonderful and makes it possible for me to get out for an hour or two in the evening to run errands.

Our weekend date was spent at home with a couple of movies. We watched Lazarus Project and The Forbidden Kingdom with Jackie Chan and Jet Li . They were alright. I wouldn't add them to my DVD collection. The Lazarus movie Brian had to explain a few parts to me. I love love love watching movies with Brian. He explains things without making me feel stupid. I'm good about waiting till the end of the movie to ask questions.

Little Brian is doing good. His favorite toy of the week is Big Brian's calculator. They are inseparable except at meals. Maybe this is a vision of things to come. I hope that he takes after his Dad as far as math skills goes. Another favorite past time is pushing the music buttons on Lucas's swing. It's gotten to the point where the music gets on our nerves. Our first attempt was taping a 3x5 card but that was short lived cuz B just laughed and riped it off. Big Brian then pulled out the duct tape and applied it over the buttons. Hooray for duct tape. We are enjoying the peaceful rhythmic sounds of the swinging swing without any twangy music. Soo nice.

I know that the Christmas season is upon us. I'm ecstatic that Brian's parents and Brother are coming out. We'll be taking them to see The Christmas Carol over in Montgomery where we saw Beauty and the Beast.

We recieved a call today and they asked Brian if he would speak in Sacrament meeting. He told them that he wasn't a very good speaker but that he would. I knew it was hard for him cuz I know how much he hates speaking in front of people. My heart goes out to him cuz speaking for 10-12 minutes in front of a huge congregation is not easy. Growing up the in the church we've been given opportunities ever since Primary to give talks. I'll try and pull up some material that he could possibly use. They asked me to speak as well but I without a doubt will be in the Mothers Lounge feeding Lucas and trying to keep an eye on Lil B so I had to politely decline. He'll do great and I'm looking forward to hearing him speak.