Snow Day!!

Finally....

it snowed!!!! It snowed all night and we had a mix of sleet/snow all day today. When Andrew woke up this morning he was so excited when he peeked out the window and saw how beautiful it was outside (so was I )  Needless to say we put on about 5 layers of clothing and we played...

Andrew really enjoyed watching these guys plow down the road.

                                     

I took this opportunity to play with my camera......

We also brought the furry baby Lacie out today. She went crazy and had a blast!

We had a wonderful snow day.

Thank you WRAL for your "O'Fishel" forecast, we have been looking forward to this.  Especially this cute little boy.....

Playing Catch Up

I am way overdue to update this blog. Sorry it's been so long, things have been crazy lately.

I didn't have to work Monday and we had a lazy day, which was great! It was nice and warm outside so we went out to play.

Here is a picture of Andrew walking with my Grandaddy to his house. This picture melts my heart.

I've been doing lots of birthday party planning lately. Andrew's is Feb. 13th and Avery's is the 19th. I'm still trying to decide exactly what I'm going to do for each. Andrew's theme is dinosaurs and of course Avery's is pink and green polka dot. A girl who works with me is making their cakes, I can't wait to see them.

I've decided to make my own Happy Birthday Banner for Avery's party. I got the idea from Kelly when she made one for Harper's birthday. I'll post pics when I'm done.

 I can't believe that my sweet little baby is already going to be 1!! Where has the time gone?

(Please excuse my swollen, puffy self and concentrate on the cute newborn ha!)

I can honestly say that I have cuddled on and held Avery a little more than I did Andrew Not because I love one more than the other, but I learned with Andrew how fast time flies. (and yes I cuddled on Andrew tons...but you get my point!)

We had a huge doctor's appointment this morning. Our pediatrician mentioned hearing a heart murmur at Avery's 4 month visit. He said it was not big deal she would probably grow out of it, and we would possibly talk more after her 9 month visit. So we went past our 6 month visit, still heard the murmur, and still heard it at the 9 month visit. Needless to say we ended up with our appointment today with the pediatric cardiologist.

I have prayed hard about this.

My pediatrician was not very concerned. But, anytime time you have to visit a specialist and your hear cardiologist for an 11 month old...hello, any mom would worry!

She did great for her EKG, and then let him listen to her chest. He said she does have a murmur called a Stills Murmur. It is very common and she will outgrow it by the time she is 8 to 10. He said she really didn't need to come at all, my doctor was being overly cautious. Fine by me! Praise the Lord that it all turned out great.
Thanks for all the prayers (those who knew) and I'm so thankful to have such a great praise report.

Love and Marriage

Both of my kids are actually in bed. It is 9:40 pm and they have been asleep since about 8:45.  This has not happened in forever!! We work so hard every night to get them to bed and it's usually such a fight...tonight was surprisingly easy. My husband and I talk everyday about getting the kids to bed so we can spend some much needed alone time together. I am sitting with my laptop and he is on the couch doing schoolwork on his laptop.  We are so romantic aren't we?? 
This makes me think of some advice my mom gave me. She said to make sure you still have a strong relationship with your husband while trying to raise your kids. We get so caught up in work, church, running kids here and there, etc. that relationships get neglected. My kids won't always be here (in my house) and when they are gone (hopefully to college) I don't want to look over at my husband and think so what now?? I don't want my husband to have turned into a stranger. You may think, well that can never happen to me! It happens all the time, and before you even realize it. We try to make time for date nights...it's gotten a lot harder with 2 kids, but we find time here and there. Life is so fun right now, extremely hectic...but we're loving every minute of it.
Ok, I think I've wasted enough time, I'm going to put the computer down (logout of facebook...haha) and go cuddle with my handsome husband :) I hope you will do the same!

You know I can't forget to cheer on my team...(I expect you to yell loudly with me)
TAR...................HEELS...............TAR...............HEELS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Listen More, Speak Less and Don't Get Angry

Listen to your mother when she says, "No running in the house!"  If you don't, your lip may end up like this...

Yes, poor Andrew had what he calls a "wreck" with our kitchen cabinet. Thankfully it wasn't any worse. We still have all our teeth, just a busted lip.  Other than that, our weekend was pretty uneventful...which is a good thing. We spent a lot of time playing...

I needed a little retail therapy Saturday so I went shopping for a few things for the kids. It's amazing how it's only January, and there were hardly any Winter clothes out! How can you already be displaying Spring clothes in the dead of winter?? Don't they realize how fast kids grow? I was still able to find a few items. My little Avery is growing like a weed, her pants are starting to look like capris.

We went to church this morning. We were late as usual. I always say "better late than never." However, Derek doesn't really feel the same way. He can't stand to be late. It was an awesome service. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful church. Our Pastor started a new series today, "Listen More, Speak Less and Don't Get Angry." What a great motto to live by. I think we can all try to do that.

I almost forgot...

WAY TO GO HEELS!!!!!

It's only Tuesday????

Since this is my personal blog..I can vent on here right?? Have you ever had one of those days where you felt like you should have just stayed in bed? Of course you have if you are human! Let me give you a short run down of my morning....

Let me preface this by saying I woke up numerous times during the night because poor Avery was coughing and couldn't sleep. So I was struggling already...and it only got better much worse from there.

I woke up at 5:30, got myself ready...started trying to get Andrew up around 6:45 (which is very early for a child!), and he is almost impossible to wake up.  Once that kid ever stops, he's in a coma.
I gave up on him, went and got Avery ready while Derek fought the battle with Andrew. We finally got everyone ready...and by ready I mean Andrew screaming, "I DON'T WANT TO BRUSH MY TEETH, I DON'T WANT TO COMB MY HAIR, I WANT TO TAKE A TOY TO NANA'S!!!!!!"  All that being yelled with massive crocodile tears running down his cute little face. It was pitiful :(

I can say that now...it wasn't so pitiful to me this morning...haha.

Oh yes, it was one of those mornings.
So at 7:28 am, I look at my watch and tell my sweet husband, "I CAN'T TAKE THE KIDS...YOU HAVE TOO! I HAVE TO BE AT WORK IN 2 MINUTES!!!" (You caught my happy tone right? )
Poor little Avery was all bundled up and sitting sweetly in her car seat, already in the car...while World War III was being fought in the house.
I rush to take her out the car, sit her back in the house, sprint to Derek's car....and speed to work. I hate starting my mornings that way! I'm all frazzled and ill and that is no way to start your day. Then work was another madhouse. I won't even go there......
I'll end by saying...it was just one of those days, and it wasn't even Monday!!! Does anyone else have mornings like this?

Perspective

I live in a very small, tight knit town (that I love very much). In the past week, there have been several tragedies (deaths, accidents, etc.) that have occurred. It's sad that it takes such tragedies, but they have really put some things in perspective for me.


Do I tell my husband that I love him as much as I should? Do I show him how much I appreciate how much he helps out.. not only with the kids, but in every aspect of my life? Do I take time to show him affection the way I should and did before children? I hope he does know that he is my rock and my best friend. He listens to me whine, complain, fuss, etc. about who knows what. He gives me advice. He loves me unconditionally. He even likes my curly hair.  He fusses when I wear make up, because he says I am beautiful without it.  He is an amazing and devoted father. He's a fantastic husband.

I need to work on being a better wife. He deserves it :)



I also have been thinking...do I appreciate my parents as much as I should? They put me through not 4 years but.... 6 years ;)  of college. Not because I'm a bad student, but I changed my major and had to start from scratch. Nursing and Teaching don't have much in common.  Did I mention I went to a private college?? They also help out with my kids A LOT, which I am so grateful for.....but do I tell them that??
They are extremely supportive and are just all around awesome parents. I hope they know how much I love them. 

I need to work on being a better daughter.....they deserve it too!

Now for the most important question.  Am I as good of a Christian as I should be?

Do I read my Bible regularly? Do I use my talents at my church? Do I tithe the way I should? Do I pray as often as I should? Do I tell others about Christ, His goodness, His mercy and His love the way I should?

Obviously since I'm asking myself all these questions...I am not doing them as often as I could. 

We are not promised tomorrow, therefore we should live each day knowing that it could possibly be our last. I am talking to myself more than I am talking to anyone who may read this.  I am going to work on telling those that I love...I love you.  I'm also going to work on slowing down and not being in such a rush all the time.  I'm going to work on spending more time playing on the floor with my kids instead of doing other things that can wait.  I'm also going to work on being a better Christian.  No one is perfect, and we all fail daily. But I can make an effort to do much more than I am doing now, I hope you will too.

Please keep the families in my town in your prayers, they will need them and will appreciate them.

Baby it's COLD!

The weather here is freezing (literally). The temperature is a whopping 28, but it's so windy it feels much lower. If it's going to be this cold I would love to see some snow!

I took this with my phone, so not the best picture quality. This just gives you a good look at how you have to bundle up around here! Needless to say, I'm ready for Spring.

What took so long?

So I've been reading several blogs now for a while and wanting to start my own. What took so long you ask?? Well since I have tons and tons of free time between teaching, 2 kids, one now in preschool and one starting to walk, plus church functions and other things... you get the point.
I wanted to start my blog for many reasons, one being to document my life right now. We live such a busy life, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I know that it won't be long and my kids will be grown, and life will be a lot slower. So I figured, why not blog about my life...among other things. Here we go...

We had a wonderful Christmas and I can't believe it's already gone. I've been home for two weeks now, and really dreading going back to work :(  I love what I do, but it's been great to wake up without the horrid sound of the alarm clock, not having to rush around, and just doing absolutely nothing! I've also enjoyed spending quality time with my family. This was Avery's first Christmas and she had a ball!

Andrew asked me at least 100 times a day, "Is it Christmas yet?" He doesn't quite understand time all that well yet. His anticipation was fun to watch, I remember when I was his age. We always watched the news on Christmas Eve while still at my Grandparents because they would always have a Santa Tracker. I was so excited I could hardly sleep. Christmas has always been my favorite time of year.

I think it's his favorite too! :)

I just have to add this last picture...thanks Grandaddy for the new car!