Can you believe that it's almost Christmas!?! Even though we've been really busy and we've kind of just been going though the motions, I'm really excited about this year. Corban is kind of getting into the whole Santa Clause thing. We don't make too big of a deal of Santa, but we're giving him Santa presents and all of that. Corban's told us a few things he wants from Santa - a pillow pet to be exact. Nana and Poppy are taking care of that though! Most importantly, he knows WHY we're celebrating Christmas! He was the only kid in either of the preschool classes last week who was able to say what we celebrate at Christmas. We were so proud of him! Caden of course is just following suit with whatever Corban is doing.

I forgot to say the last time I posted that the boys got to feed a bear at the zoo! Johnny took them to the zoo while I had an open house here for Thirty One. While they were looking at the bears the keeper was out and about talking to them. One of the bears had just died a few weeks ago and it was Corban's favorite animals at the zoo. Corban said how he missed Rocky the Bear and the zoo keeper told them to come in and he let them feed a bear. It was eating right out of their hands!

Corban has also given up his nap entirely. I HATE it. This is the day I've been dreading. It wouldn't be so bad if he would stay upstairs and have quiet time, but he just refuses to stay in our room (he has to stay in ours because Caden is asleep in theirs). I just have to have an hour or so of time during the day when they're not underfoot. OK, got to get dinner finished up. Everybody have a wonderful Christmas!

We got our Christmas tree last night. I have skipped out on the whole tree finding expedition the last few years because Caden was just too little to go. Last night it was kind of a last minute thing so by the time we got the kids ready and out the door it was getting kind of late. Corban hadn't had a nap, so he fell asleep on the way there and when I opened the door and he woke up to freezing temps, he was not a happy camper. I thought he would straighted up and get into finding the tree, but I was wrong. He cried and complained and argued the whole time. It was pretty miserable. And the trees were pretty scrawny. And it was getting late. We ended up getting one that isn't too bad, and even cut down a little one for the boy's room. Today the boys and I will decorate them.

Tomorrow I've got MOPS, which I'm excited about. I haven't been able to go since the first meeting because it always seems like I've got Tanner on those days and even though I would be tempted to take him, I can't fit a third carseat in the car. Oh I can't wait until we get a van! And I can't believe I am saying those words. I've got to eat some crow where that is concerned. We always said we WOULD NOT own a van, we would get an SUV. Yeah. That was when we both had full time jobs. We just can't afford an SUV that will comfortably hold three carseats AND all of our stuff. So, the truck is paid off in January and the car won't make it through inspection in August without some work, so we'll be in a van sometime before that. Our car is SO OLD and there are so many little things that drive me crazy about it. Not that they're major problems, but it only has a cassette deck (yeah, that's how old it is), and that doesn't work very well. The front passenger door has NEVER worked with the remote unlock and now the back one isn't unlocking either. The windshield wipers have started acting up and won't go back down. Then there's how loud is when you're outside of it - and the exhaust could quickly make you high. OK, enough complaining about the car that's been good to me for the last 8 years.

I'm still not finished with my Christmas shopping yet. I thought I was pretty much finished, but found out that some of the kids have already gotten the presents I had for them, so I've got to start over there. And then there are just the people I've kind of forgotten I need to do.

Yesterday Corban told me for the first time that he hated me. Ouch. Caden, on the other hand, is more lovey than ever. I'm suprised he's letting me type this. Usually when I have the computer on my lap he comes and pushes it off and says, "Mommy wap!" OK, got to get a few things done before the morning totally gets away from me!

Gonna miss it!

Now I have a story about Caden. Last night I was running some errands and Johnny was here with the boys cooking dinner. The boys were in the play room and all of a sudden Caden came running into the kitchen (I LOVE the little boy run and will be so sad when he outgrows it). Anyway, Caden grabbed the wooden spoon off of the counter. I have taken to using the wooden spoon on Corban when he needs it. Mostly he just needs the threat of it, but we keep it around just in case :) So Johnny asked what Caden was going to do with that spoon, and Caden answered, "Pank brudda." I can't spell phonetically, but you understand that this is Caden pronouncing brother as if the "o" was a "u", the "th" was a "d" and the "er" was an "a." Then he ran back into the play room. No worries, Johnny caught him before he was able to inflict any discipline on his brother.

Caden also insists on touch me ALL OF THE TIME. If he's sitting beside me on the couch, he has at least one arm wrapped around my arm. When I'm on the computer he always tries to push it off my lap and say, "see Mommy." Oh, I'm gonna miss this one day!

We had a great Thanksgiving in KY! Nanny's on Thanksgiving Eve was great, which was a bit of a surprise - we had 15 adults and 8 kids in Nanny's tiny apartment (Karen used to be her next door neighbor so I think all of you who read this probably have seen the size of those apartments!) to eat pizza and put up her tree. Amazingly enough it was really nice and our boys even behaved well enough! Thursday was Thanksgiving dinner with Mom, Dad, Nanny, Tim, and Laura and their family then we did Christmas presents for the kids after dinner since we're not coming in for Christmas. Mom and I did some black Friday shopping like always. We went to Wal-Mart at midnight and were headed to Kohl's and K-Mart, but we ended up going home and sleeping for a while then going back out in the morning. Saturday we came home and it's been non-stop ever since. We've got a dinner and a movie night at church on Saturday and I'm having an open house for Thirty One on Sunday.

The boys have been driving me crazy lately with the whining and fussing. Trying to figure out how to deal with that. They are sleeping better now though for the most part. Corban doesn't nap all the time, but then he is READY for bed at night. Caden is the cutest little thing and has really gotten to be funny lately. Wish I could actually think of anything that he's done lately!

UGH and AHHH!

I am so not cut out to be a minister's wife. I know that this is where God put me and that He gives me what I need, but man, this is hard. People expect so much of their minister and his family and I am not a mercy giver, I am pretty selfish with my family's time, I have a hard time loving the ones who are asking for it. I am praying about this, I would like you to as well. It's just so hard to take care of everyone's needs. Ask every member every Sunday how they are doing with their sundry medical issues, or parenting issues, or family issues. If you ask too much, you're being a nag and being nosy. If you don't ask enough, you don't care. Heaven forbid you don't give the reaction they were looking for, or you're an unfeeling jerk. Don't even get me started on the bulletin! Everybody tells us everything and expects US to determine what does or does not go into the bulletin (and no, it doesn't matter how many times we ask them to WRITE IT DOWN AND GIVE IT TO JANETTE, NOT JOHNNY). And of course then they are upset when it's not right, or not in there at all. Ugh, I know I'm griping too much, and I'll stop soon. This is just a safe place for me to voice my frustrations among friends who care and understand. We're just feeling so tired of it all. I feel like we're doing so much but it's never enough.

On a brighter note, we're headed to KY in two days! Tonight I'm helping Di with kids at church, tomorrow I've got Tanner all day and I'm hoping to wash clothes and pack. Tomorrow night we're going to see Harry Potter on the IMAX and have dinner with Craig and Di. Tuesday morning we're headed out and we'll be in KY until Saturday. When we get back it's going to be crazy busy until Christmas, but I'm really looking forward to this Christmas because the boys are both getting older and have more of an idea of what's going on. Corban has already said that Santa brings presents. I can't wait until he starts understanding the real story of Christmas!

These are some pictures from our vacation. I only really remembered or was able to take my camera to the beach one time - the time we were wearing regular clothes and flying a kite. They still got wet. Imagine that, two little boys who were incapable of staying out of the water!

Yes, we were wearing jackets on the beach - and we were still cold. The boys got to see the ocean and play in the water some, so it was worth it!

Caden is in a big boy bed! For right now we've got it pushed up against the wall with a closet until we figure a better room arrangement. It's going OK. We took his pacifier away this week, so he's just not been sleeping great anymore. I think Corban really likes to have Caden in the room with him and we can see that in a few weeks when they've gotten used to it, they will both really enjoy sharing a room.

In other news, Caden has a bit of a cold. Snotty nose, sore throat, slight fever. I stayed home with him today and sent Corban to church. I've been babysitting a 7 week old a few days a week and I still have Nina - kind of. I just pick her up from her house and take her to dance two days a week. I also think I'm going to become a consultant for Thirty One. It's a faith based company that sells purses, gifts, and organizational items at home parties. It's a big thing at home right now, but it's not up here, so I'm hoping I can get it going and hopefully make a little extra cash as well.

The boys are finally both asleep and I think I'm going to follow! Hope everyone has a good Sunday!

I had orders

Johnny informed me that I needed to update the blog. He was right. Since vacation we've come home and have been very busy. We've gotten into the swing of things with preschool. Corban goes to class Tuesday and Thursday from 9 until 11:30. On Mondays at 11:30 his class has swimming lessons with the 4 year old class. We had missed his first class and came in late for his second because we had just gotten back from vacation. When he got in the pool he FLIPPED. I don't know what happened because he loves the water and loves school, but he did not do well. Last week he was fine. Fickle boy. I also started taking care of Nina again. This year she rides the bus to her house and all I do is go to her house and pick her up and take her to dance. We do that on Monday and Thursday. It's not a big deal, but every little bit of money helps. I'm also going to be keeping a 6 week old baby boy this week. It will just be two days a week, but I think the days might move around. So. Busy.

Last Sunday we took the boys to a pumpkin patch. We didn't get a pumpkin - we still don't do Halloween - but we did pick apples and do all of the fun stuff there. The boys had a great time. Today we went to a park and walked the hiking trails for an hour or so. We figured we needed to get out of the house while the weather was decent.

Vacation Blues

So we're on vacation in the Outer Banks. It's raining. A lot. It's been warm and we've been able to be on the beach at least a little every day but yesterday, but it's just been dreary and WINDY! Last night the winds were reaching 51 mph. The house was literally shaking.
Today was supposed to clear up, but the clouds have rolled in and it's been raining again. We leave Sunday, so we're hoping for a good day tomorrow! The boys have enjoyed the beach and the ocean and that has been fun to see.

1st day of preschool

It's finally here - first day of preschool! He's been talking about it for so long, I don't think he understood that it's actually happening! Johnny is taking him today and he gets to stay with him during class today. It's only two days a week, Tuesday and Thursday, from 9 til 11:30. He'll also have swim class on Monday at 11:30. Johnny is having a really hard time seeing him go. I thought I was doing great until he walked out of the house with his backpack on this morning (BTW, I got the backpack at Wal-Mart for $3 and had it monogrammed - LOVE it!). I'm sure I'll have a harder time next year when they both are going and I'm sure it would be harder if I was looking down the road two years and seeing him walking out the door to get on a school bus. Since that's not going to happen, this is just exciting! I'm not even going to try to caption the pics, there's not a whole lot to say. It was red day at school, so he and Johnny are both sporting their red shirts. Just for the fun of it I dressed Caden in red too! Well, I've got to get ready and run some errands while I've only got one child to drag in and out of the car! I have got to remember that the pics upload in the opposite order of what you pick them! Oh well, you can see that Caden is none too happy to have Daddy and Corban both leave the house together!

Ephesians 6:11

"Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes" Ephesians 6:11

Random Thoughts

These are just some random things that have happened or popped into my head lately.

* My friends need to update their blogs more often. With the exception of Kim, we've all been slackers and I don't think you realize how often I check to see who has updated so that I can live vicariously through all of you. Thank you Kim for regular glimpses into your life!

* I have been reading some random blogs lately. Several of them I found on www.apreacherswife.com She wrote a book that I LOVED and believe that every minister's wife should read. Anyway, one of the blogs I've been reading for a while now is written by Beth Moore's daughter and I didn't realize that until today! She's got two little ones and is the wife of a minister of evangelism. She made reference to her Mom's book, "So Long Insecurity" today and I had to look up Beth Moore's biography to check it out. Anyway, her blog is www.babybangs.blogspot.com


* I'm just now realizing I wish I knew how to do the neat stuff like instead of typing out the web address, just type Baby Bangs and have it hyperlinked or whatever. AND, I don't know how to make people's names show up in blue on Facebook

* If I make it through the next year without throttling my youngest, it will have been a GOOD YEAR! He's driving me crazy with the whining and fussing and doing things that just really annoy me

* Corban has been GREAT lately, especially when we go out to dinner or a store or something. He also is saying the memory verse that he learned in Sunday School. If I get the strength up to do it, I'm going to video it and see if I can figure out how to put it up here. It's "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." He says it perfectly except that "schemes" comes out "schepes"

* I'm looking for something to do part-time that I can also keep my kids with me. Not sure if I'm going to have Nina this year, so I need something to do a few days a week. Anybody know how I can get into transcription work that isn't medical?

* That's it for now, I've got to get my boys in bed for a nap so that I can take a bit of a rest. Johnny is out fishing all day long and won't be home until after dinner.

* Oh, and I CAN'T WAIT until vacation - just a few weeks to go!

Sick house

So, the boys have both been sick this week. Johnny and the boys took Katie back to Altoona Sunday and Corban threw up on the way there, then a couple more times before he got home. He had a temp and was pretty puny Monday and Tuesday. This morning he woke up fever free... and Caden started puking. He's had a pretty high fever all day and is making us nervous about dehydration right now. Hoping we don't have to take him to Children's Hospital before the night is over. We were supposed to take the treadmill to Christina in Ohio this afternoon, but had to cancel that and we've got Joshua's first birthday party on Friday, really hoping we don't have to skip that.

In other stuff, Caden has been talking more and more lately. He's still not saying Corban or Caden, but he is saying "Buda" for brother. It's the sweetest thing the way he says it. I'm going to try to get it on video at some point. He always says, "yeth" for yes. Corban always said, "yeah" and made it sound like he was Swedish. Funny how things like that are so different and so much the same. He just seems so much more grown up now. We still haven't had his two year checkup, we're doing that on Monday, so I'll share his stats later.

I have been selling stuff on cragislist and I am so addicted! I was planning to have a yard sale, but it never happened, so I started taking pictures of the stuff and sticking it on craigslist. I've probably already made as much money as I would have at a yard sale and it's not been nearly the work. Now I'm looking around the house thinking, "I don't use that at all, let's see what I can get for it!" Well, I should go fix dinner, now that we're not going out in Ohio, we've got to do something here.

Happy Birthday!

Yesterday was Caden's second birthday. I can't believe that my baby is two! Both my Mom and Johnny's parents had their 40th class reunion this weekend, so we've postponed his official celebration until next weekend. Yesterday was just us. We took the boys to a park in the morning and then after naps we went to Sea Base Family Fun Center. It's an indoor play place for kids. Caden especially loved the ball pit! I took a couple of pictures on my phone, but the boy doesn't stop moving, so none of them turned out! All of a sudden he has a lot more words and is seeming so much more like a little boy. He still loves his paci (he calls it his B), but i'm not worried about taking it away right now. Mostly he's sleeping really well and taking a good nap during the day. He's FEARLESS at all things, especially the pool. He runs along the side and yells, "Watch me!" as he jumps in. I'm not sure about his growth stats, his appointment isn't until the end of the month, but he's a little guy. His hair is still blond and we call him a little Q-tip because it gets puffy when it's getting a little long. He's very interested in the potty and goes on it every time Corban goes to the bathroom. I'm thinking about potty training him, we'll see how that goes. I don't want him to get comfortable going sometimes.

We've got a pretty busy week ahead of us, getting ready for company and just life. We've only got one free weekend left in August and two in September. We've got a one day VBS, church picnic, Johnny's cousin Katie is coming to stay with us for a week, we might make another quick trip to Williamsport for a day or two, then in September we've got a wedding in Williamsport, a wedding here, and we're leaving for vacation the day after that wedding. Summer is just such a crazy time!

AHHHHH.....

I am officially by myself! Johnny planned a quick trip to his parents and left this afternoon after church and I got to stay home! I hated to do it, but I needed a break so bad, I just couldn't resist. They're going to go blueberry picking at PawPaw's hunting camp tomorrow and I don't know what else. Then they're coming home on Tuesday. Today I did a little shopping to finish getting stuff together for the overnighter at camp (I'm doing crafts) and now I'm back home watching TV. My big plans for the rest of my time involve a friend's pool, some wine coolers, chess bars, more TV, and sleep. AHHHHH!

In other news, Caden went on the potty again! I can't believe that this is the person I've become, excited about my kid's BMs, but what can I say, I guess this is what being a mommy does to you. Anyway, I am excited b/c he's not even 2 yet and he's gone on the potty several times. He's not eating very well right now. I think the doctor might tell me the same thing they told Sherry, that I'll have to give him milk shakes... what torture! Well, I've got to get my chess bars in the oven and get on with my relaxing.

Ah, it's been a long time since I posted. We had a good trip to KY, the boys did GREAT on the trip both ways. We've started going through Ohio intead of WV the whole way, and it's really cut down on time. Not to mention that now that Mom and Dad are on New Lair it's cutting about half an hour off our trip no matter what. Mom bought a little pool for the boys that looks like an alligator with slides at his tail and head. It was too cute and the boys and Grace got to play in that several days. Other than that, we just got to hang out at Nana and Poppy's, which was great. Friday night was Holden's birthday party. I left my camera at home, so I didn't get a single picture of it at all. He is such a cutie - and such a chunk! He and Caden weigh about the same! He really dug into his cake and then Poppy took everybody on a hayride. Good times. Caden is awake now, gotta go. Oh, he counted with me today up to 10! I do some, he does some, he seems to know "5" really well!

Updates

New carpet is in. It looks great. I'm getting my old shelves from school next weekend to put down there to help organize. The carpet is gone in the dining room. The hardwood still needs work, but it's livable the way it is. And, I'M COMING TO KY IN JULY! The boys and I will be making the trip on the 2nd or 3rd and we'll leave the 10th. Mike Chapman is preaching at Salem the 4th and Holden's B-day party is the 9th! Woo hoo!

So Excited!

So here's what gets me excited... apparently it's floors! We had water damage MONTHS ago in the basement and we're finally getting the new carpet laid. Johnny and I spent all of last Saturday trying to reorganize and clean the garage, finished basement, and unfinished basement. Anyway, tomorrow's the day for that. Also, we have realized that we have hardwood floors in the dining room under the carpet. So that carpet is getting taken up... hopefully today. I don't know what kind of shape it's in, but I would rather live with rough looking hardwood than carpet in my dining room. For the life of me I will never understand putting carpet in dining rooms. The last thing I'm excited about is that Johnny is out buying a dehumidifier right now. Our basement is so very damp that I can't leave my clothes in the washer or dryer AT ALL after they're finished. I've been having to set the alarm on my phone to remind me to deal with laundry b/c if I don't everything comes out soured and I have to rewash everything. I hardly have time to do our laundry once, much less twice!

Yesterday we took the kids to the zoo. Both boys were so good! It was such a perfect morning and I realized how blessed I am watching those two. Corban has been something of a different child since he hit 3. Not that he doesn't have his moments, but for the most part he is just much better behaved. Caden's still a little wild man. He has pooped on the potty twice though! He's so interested in it b/c of Corban that I doubt I'll have to wait as long to potty train him as I did Corban. Won't that be awesome when I can put away the diapers! I'm not rushing him though, just waiting to see how interested he is.

We also celebrated our anniversary yesterday. Carolyn watched the boys while Johnny and I went to Mitchell's Fish Market. It's the best seafood around. Oh I can not wait to get to the beach this fall for vacation so that I can have some good seafood! Well, I'm going to get a Mt. Dew and swiss cake roll (I've just found the Great Value version at Wal-Mart for cheap!) before Caden wakes up. He's not been taking great naps lately :(

Pics

I put two of the pics from the Aquarium on the side, then realized they're tiny, so I'm going to put the on here too. The others are of Grace and Holden at Leono's - the second time I got to eat there that week!

Vacation

Wow, it's been a long time since my last post! We went to KY for Marilou's wedding and had a good time. Johnny took the week off, so it was kind of "vacation." We went to the Newport Aquarium one day. Corban liked it a lot, Caden could have cared less I think - glad we didn't have to pay for him! We had dinner at Larry and Lynn's with them and Sherry, Patrick, Carter, Max, and Kerry. Max is as cute as all his pictures - sad to say I didn't get a single one for myself - my camera was dead during most of our trip. We went to Flemingsburg to visit some friends from the church Johnny preached at there. We hadn't been back since we moved here (4 years ago yesterday!). The rest of the time we played in the creek at Mom and Dad's and at the strawberry patches and did lots of eating. I always get my Leono's fix while I'm in and Johnny always has to go to the mexican restaurant b/c we don't have any authentic mexican places here. I also worked hard to have my fill of strawberries - I think I ate shortcake about 8 times and rhubard dessert a few times as well! The boys were both so good on the trip, we were so proud of them!

We got stuck in traffic on the way to KY. It was about noon and we were debating when to stop for lunch when the traffic slowed down and stopped. After a few minutes we turned off the car and a few minutes later we got out. We ended up being there for over two hours! There had been a double fatality accident, so those understandbly take a long time to clear. We just walked up and down the interstate for 2 hours visiting and trying to keep the kids occupied. They were covered with road dust and hot and cranky the entire time, but did really well considering.

We had a hectic weekend when we got back with all of the stuff that had to get done around here for Sunday. Yesterday we got our vegetables planted and took the boys fishing in the afternoon. When we got back to the truck afterward we were talking about what to do for dinner and Corban said he wanted a hamburger. We asked him if he wanted chickie instead and he said, "No, I want a hambur... do you have chickie in this truck?" It was so funny how he switched mid sentence wondering if we had chickie in this truck! We were also watching the He-Man and She-Ra movie the other night and he was wanting to "get" the bad guys. He turned around and saw his wooden pop-gun and said, "Oh, that'll help!" Oh, these kids are the best! It's killing me seeing him not be my little baby anymore, but I'm loving watching him grow up and be able to put his shoes on himself and all the other things that "big boys" do! Well, Caden is getting really fussy - not a fun stage for him! I'm going to try to put the few pics I have up soon!

Johnny is fishing today. He left at about 4 am and probably won't be home until after 11. I hate these days. On days that he's gone like that I don't even try to get anything accomplished other than to survive! Today the boys and I went to Target to get diapers and pull-ups. Corban had been going for weeks without wetting when he's sleeping, but since our last trip to KY, he's wet after almost every nap and in the morning and the washable pull-up I bought just doesn't stand up to that. Caden is mostly in cloth diapers, but when we travel I like to have disposables. After Target I took the boys to the mall to play in the play area there for a while. I wheeled through JC Penney and didn't buy anything. I did however, buy a couple of pairs of pants at TCP - 4.99 each, we don't have tax on clothes here, and I had a gift card for about 7 bucks. Not a bad deal.

The boys are as wild as ever. In fact, Caden is a crazy boy. He's generally a pretty happy boy, but sometimes he lets loose. Corban has made him mad a few times and he just throws himself at Corban, fists flying. It's honestly pretty funny and Corban handles that better than the does just Caden taking his toys! Corban goes to bed pretty decenlty now and still naps well during the day. I see the end of naps for Corban in our future, but I'm going to hang on to it as long as I can. Caden just gets out of his crib now when he wakes up and opens the door (with a child safety thing on it). The other day I was out on the front stoop doing something and when I got up to come back in the house, Caden was standing at the screen door just looking at me with this sweet grin on his face. Scared me half to death!

We're headed to KY in two days! Mom, Laura, and I are getting pedicures on Friday and Saturday is Marilou's wedding. I bought a new dress for the wedding. I had borrowed a few from Carolyn F., but I saw one I liked at Target and I had birthday money burning a hole in my pocket! :) It's cute, but I can definitely wear it to church/weddings in the future. I had originally wanted something strapless, but I have determined that strapless just does not work for me. Oh well, I don't have the opportunity to wear something like that anyway. I'm seriously half tempted to apply for What Not To Wear. My wardrobe needs a serious overhaul, but I can't afford it and it just won't happen.

Busy, Busy, Busy, and oh yeah... busy!

I was informed the other day that I needed to update my blog. It's been so crazy busy around here lately that I haven't had time to do any of this! We had a Dinner and a Movie night at church a few weekends ago that we opened up for the community. We did lots of advertising and hung door hangers on about 700 houses in the area. We got a few people, but not a huge turn out. I did the nursery and spent a majority of the week before getting ready for that. The next weekend was our revival and I spent the week cooking and cleaning the house plus the normal stuff. The minister was Johnny's minister growing up and Art Bush did a concert every night. I fed the minister and his wife AND we had a time of fellowship after each service Friday and Saturday and a pot-luck on Sunday. So yeah, I spent a lot of time cooking!

Saturday was our birthday, but obviously we didn't have time to celebrate! We're planning to go out on Tuesday to the Texas Roadhouse and to see Iron Man 2. Sunday after church we got Corban all packed up and he went home with Johnny's Mom and Dad who had been here for the revival. He's had a ball and I don't think as asked about us once. We've talked to him a few times, but he's not much for talking on the phone and John and Paulette don't have Skype so we've not been able to see him. We're both missing him so much and glad that we're going there today to get him! Caden has enjoyed being an only child this week, but I think he'll be really glad to have Corban back too. While he was gone I did take the opportunity to finally paint his room. I still don't have the furniture back and or sheets on the bed, so I'm hoping to do that before we leave today. Yesterday Johnny got up on the roof to cut some limbs off a tree, cut down a pine tree in our front yard, and mowed the lawn.

We'll all be headed to KY in two weeks! Mom and Dad will be busy with strawberries so we're planning to get a lot of visiting and "vacationing" done. We're planning to take the boys to the Newport Aquarium, visit some old friends in Flemingsburgh, and visit Sherry, Kerry, and the boys! Plus we've got the wedding and if we're really up for it, we might go to the zoo too!

We've had a great couple of weeks! Tim, Laura, Grace, and Holden came Wednesday and we did some sightseeing and shopping and went to the circus on Friday night. It was such a late night, but Corban and Grace had a GREAT time! Saturday we got up and traveled back to Kentucky. It was a long day and I was absolutely exhausted when we got in, but the boys travelled very well, so I don't have any complaints. After Marilou's shower on Sunday, we were pretty much at Mom and Dad's house the whole week. The kids rode their tricycles in the garage, played in the dirt pile from where Mom and Dad are building the house, played in the creek, and rode the tractor. We also celebrated Mammaw's 90th birthday! It's actually not until this Saturday, but we took her out to dinner and had a cake while I was in. I did not get to see Sherry, Carter, Max, or Kerry while I was in though. I'm still sad about that, but they were sick and we just couldn't take the chance of catching anything before we had to travel back to PA. We're going back in May for Marilou's wedding, so we'll make sure to have a day then! We drove back to PA on Friday, just me and the boys. This is the first time I've made the trip completely by myself with both boys, but it was great!

Corban had some major potty issues while we were in KY. He kept having accidents the whole time we were in. He hasn't had an accident in MONTHS! I'm assuming it's because he wore pull-ups while we travelled and just got used to that, plus didn't want to stop playing in order to go to the bathroom. It's been some better while we've been home so I'm hoping he's over that now. We learned that Caden and Holden are pretty much the same weight - maybe a few pounds between them - and a whole year!

This week is going to be pretty crazy. We're having a Dinner and a Movie night at church, it's a community outreach event. Johnny and some others are putting up door hangers on Tuesday, we've already put up flyers around town. We're serving spaghetti and showing The Blind Side. I'm keeping the kids and am really trying to make it more than just occupying the kids while their parents are watching the movie, and I'm dreading it! Next weekend we've got a revival, complete with Art Bush concert (yes, Jeff's dad). Johnny's Mom and Dad are coming in for that, we've got to take snacks over for both nights after the revival, and food for a pot luck on Sunday, plus meals for all of us here at the house. Oh, and did I mention that's all over mine and Johnny's birthday? Yeah, I already feel that I'm getting old, and that's how I'm spending my 30th. Can we get any more "old lady entertainment" as I call it? Oh well, such is life. Not like we had any other big plans! I think the week after we'll go out for dinner and to watch Ironman 2.

Tim, Laura, Grace, and Holden are coming today! They haven't been here for two years, and I love it when people come to visit us! It's always nice to see family when we go home, but it's also exremely nice when people actually come to us. They'll get here about dinner time tonight and they're staying until Saturday when I'm following them back to KY! We're taking the kids to the Circus Friday night, so I'm really excited about that. I'm sure Corban will love the animals and Johnny's never been to a circus either, so I'm interested to see what he thinks. The weather is going to be nasty while they're here, so that means we can't do the zoo or any outside entertainment, so I'm trying to come up with some cheap indoor entertainment options.

As I said, I'm going to follow them back to KY with the boys. I figured this was a good opportunity to not have to travel completely by myself. We have Marilou's wedding shower on Sunday and I want to get to Lexington to see Sherry, Max, Carter, and Kerry. Other than that I don't have any plans for my visit, except eating at Leono's as many times as possible. I'm sure my time will end up getting filled up with stuff - oh yeah, Mom will have Grace and Holden all week, so I think we'll be pretty busy! Well, I've got to get the boys some breakfast and start cleaning!

Ramblings

I don't really have much to say. The weather has been wonderful lately, so we've been outside as much as possible. We're thinking about going to the zoo on Saturday. We've got a busy weekend, so I'm not sure about that yet. Johnny wants to take Corban to see "How to Train Your Dragon" tonight. I would be his first movie at the movie theater. I'm not so sure about it, but whatever. Caden has been a little stinker lately. If he doesn't get his way he throws a little holy terror fit. Mostly he's such a sweetie, so this is really getting on my nerves. On the flip side, he's been very cuddly lately and I LOVE that! He climbs out of his crib now all of the time. He doesn't fuss, just wakes up, climbs out, and wanders around in his room for a while. I've cleared everything out so that he can't destroy anything or get hurt. We were going to buy a crib tent, but it didn't seem smart to spend money on that and then he would just get mad and cry. This way he's happy and still contained in his room and I don't worry too much about him.

Friday Johnny has a good Friday service in Turtle Creek, I've got to make food and do the bulletin on Saturday, and Sunday is our big day. We've got sunrise service, breakfast, and then regular service. At least we're cancelling Sunday School. Then we've got Easter dinner at Don and Bonnie's house. I had wanted to color eggs today, but if Johnny takes Corban to the movie that will have to wait until tomorrow. Corban did it last year and did a really good job, I'm not looking forward to letting Caden do it this year, but if I let Corban, Caden will be a mess if he doesn't get his hands in it at least a little!

These are pics of Corban's birthday. The slide was from J's parents, Johnny and John built the stand for it Sunday afternoon. Corban LOVES it! He was also so good the whole day, he even let Caden help him unwrap his presents!

Both boys had their checkups today. They did well. Corban was 39 1/4 inches and 36 1/2 pounds (84% and 89%). Caden was 32 1/4 inches and 22 1/2 pounds (33% and 7%). They are about as different as could be on paper, and even though I know Caden is smaller than Corban at the same age, they don't seem to be that much different. I just looked it up, at 18 months, Corban was 1 1/2 inches taller and almost 4 pounds heavier. Well, gonna watch a show with J before I turn in. I know everybody else is hating the time change, but I'm loving it, the boys are sleeping in until about 7:30 every morning!

Three

Yesterday was Corban's birthday, I can't believe he's already that old! We had been telling him his birthday was coming in a few weeks, so when we were having his party, we asked him what it was for, and he said, "My birthday in a few weeks!" Friday night Nana and Poppy (aka Diane and Jim), came out and got to spend some time with Corban. Grammy and PawPaw got here Saturday for breakfast. The grandmothers played with the boys while the rest of us did a few errands in the morning. After the boy's naps Craig, Diana, and Joshua came over and we opened presents and then had pizza and ice cream cake. After the "party" we took the boys over to Grammy and PawPaw's hotel so that they could swim. They both had a blast! Corban is not doing as well as he used to with the "kicking and paddling" so I think we might try to get him in lessons this spring. Caden on the other hand did great and was absolutely fearless in the water!

We came home, did showers and got the boys in bed VERY late Saturday night, especially with the time change. They slept until 8 the next morning though! Sunday was a pretty normal day, Nana and Poppy left for KY after lunch, the boys went down for their naps, and we watched TV while the guys napped on the couches. After all of that, Johnny and John finally got outside to put up Corban's new slide! It was his present from his Shirey grandparents. The guys finally got done with it about 6:30 or 7, and the boys got to slide for a while before we had to come in and get baths. Monday (Corban's actualy birthday), Paulette and I took the boys shopping while Johnny and John took their guns out to the sportsmans club that Johnny just joined. I drove all the way out to the Waterfront, about half an hour away, to use some coupons at Carters, but when I got ready to go in, realized I didn't have my purse with me! We drove back home, got my purse and then just went to the mall so I could use my Payless coupon. I got the boys dress shoes for Easter and a new purse for me!

I can't believe how grown up Corban seems to me now. There are so many things that he is doing and saying that just amaze me. He got his first "boardgames" for his birthday, so we've been playing Don't Break the Ice, Cootie, and Don't Spill the Beans. He's sharing so much better now and even listening better (sometimes). He goes to be with hardly a fuss and doesn't seem to be in timeout nearly as much anymore. The whining is still something we're going to have to work on though. Well, I have got to go get showered because we've got Corban's 3 yr. checkup and Caden's 18 month checkup this morning.

Yesterday at church we had a baptism. I cried. Then we sang "Pow'r in the Blood." I cried. No, I'm not pregnant, but of course I always cry at baptisms, espcially when it's an incredibly sweet 6th grade girl who has made such a wonderful decision. AND I always cry when we sing songs that were prevalent at Salem. Even though it never sounds quite the same because we have a piano, those songs always make me think of my Salem Church family and I miss them. I miss sittin on the back pew with Sherry and Kerry, I miss Marjorie calling me "The Little One." I miss our riduclous Sunday School class, and I miss all of the people I grew up with.

This weekend we didn't have much special planned, but we stayed busy. Friday J took the boys to Cabela's with him and Luke while I did some birthday shopping for Corban. That evening I was going to go to spinning class with Di, but that didn't work out. Instead we took the boys to the Y to play in the gym with Corban's newtohim basketball (J picked it up off the side of the road). Corban loves that ball and had so much fun running around at the Y. Saturday we ran a few errands, fools errands as they turned out, but oh well. After naps Saturday we ended up taking the boys over to church to play for a while b/c J had to go turn the heater on for the baptistry. We made a HUGE pot of vegetable soup on Saturday so we've been eating off of that. Yesterday we did church and then J went fishing. I took a bit of a nap, we talked to Nana and Poppy on the webcam, and the boys and I went to Craig and Di's for dinner. The boys were both so good, I was so proud of them!

Corban is going to be 3 next Monday! Mom, Dad, John, and Paulette are all coming up for it. We're not really doing anything, just pizza and ice cream cake here at the house with the family, Craig, Di, Luke, and Na. I think I've come to the decision that we'll have bigger parties for 1 and 5 years, and we'll see what comes after that. It's just too much to do friend parties when there are two of them, and I feel so awkward with the parties, b/c we ask people not to buy them gifts, to just come and celebrate with us, but that doesn't happen. I can't figure out where the time went though, seems like just a few weeks ago we brought him home from the hospital and he was so tiny! (It was snowing when we brought him home, hope that's not the same weather this year!)

Ramblings

Johnny is gone to visit a church member and then to a fly tying class that he helps out with sometimes. He won't be home until almost bedtime. I went to the Y this morning, had a nice long chat with Sherry on Facebook, and am getting ready to take a shower to go pick up my new glasses. My old ones were destroyed by a combination of 4 small hands (I don't know how or when they did it, but I know that they must be the resposible parties). Then we'll come home and eat ravioli (our dinner of choice when Daddy is away). I'm planning a trip to KY in April, looking forward to seeing everybody and getting to meet Max! Corban will be 3 two weeks from yesterday, I can't believe how grown up he is getting! I sold some of my old cloth diapers yesterday, I had them advertised on craigslist.com. I am now looking around my house for everything that I can put on craigslist. The treadmill is next. Our huge 61 inch TV is going bad, we don't intend to buy a new one anytime soon, if this one totally craps out we will just have to put an old 27 inch one up here to watch. Oh well. I would definitely put it on craigslist, but I feel bad when it's got issues... issues that would cost $1300 to fix, more than you would spend on a nicer TV now! My dad lost his cell phone (again), I think that this is his 5th one in 3 years. That's pretty impressive. Well, I've got to get in the shower.

Busy Day

Toay we've been really busy. J got up and went to the Y (he's lost 20 pounds!) while I got the boys fed and dressed and we went to get a few groceries. When we got back I didn't even take the boys out of the car, I just switched places with Johnny and he took the boys to the mall to play while I cleaned the house. It was NASTY. We did lunch and someone came to buy my old cloth diapers. The boys are down for their naps, Nina is here and J is tying flies. After I drop Nina off, I've got to shower, clean the toilets, and eat dinner before I go back to pick her up and take her home. Then when I get home we're taking the boys over to church for Luke and Nadine to watch during our small group. It's a parenting group here at our house this year. At first we weren't looking forward to it, but I think we're going to be able to draw quite a few people in through the group, so that's good. After today though, things shouldn't be too bad!

Corban is going to be 3 years old in two weeks, I can't believe how grown up he is! The other night he woke up and came out into the hallway and when I came out to meet him, he grabbed my hand and said, "Mama, I need your help with my blankies." The way he said it was just so matter of fact, just melted my heart. He crawled back into bed and I straightened up his blankets and he went right back to sleep. Caden put three words together yesterday, he said, "Do bouse, on." That was his way of telling me he wanted to watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. He also did the funniest thing I think I've ever seen him do the other night. Both boys were sitting on Johnny's lap and Caden was asking for Mickey Mouse. Corban said, "No, Caden, we're not watching Mickey Mouse this week." Caden looked at Corban for a second and then just lunged at him. It was totally like, you're not going to take MY Mickey Mouse away from me! Ahhh... the joy of two boys in the house. I'm sure we're going to be seing all kinds of fights from now on. Susan and Sherry will know these joys soon enough! Well, gotta get going. I'm hoping to ge to the Y this week at least 3 times - we'll see.

Man, it's been a busy week. Right at this moment I'm not so sure what's been going on to make it busy, but seems like we've been going and doing every day this week. I thought I was going to be getting back to the gym full time this week, but I only got there once this week and I won't be getting back tomorrow. Oh well, maybe next week. Tonight we're having leftovers for dinner and Diana is dropping Joshua off while she goes to choir practice. Tomorrow night is fish fry since it's Lent, and Saturday we're having a couples dinner at church, so I don't have to cook for the rest of the weekend!

We didn't sleep at all last night, Caden was up a lot and just refused to go back to sleep then Corban woke up at 6:30. I just laid down with him in his bed and rested while he played with my hair. I had to lay down with him at nap time to get him to go to sleep today. That's not something I do often, but sometimes I've got to do what I've got to do to get him to sleep. I need to clean my kitchen, but just can't make myself.

We went to MOPS today. It was our "Spa Day" because the original one got cancelled for the snow. I got a 10 minute massage, got to do my nails without smudging them, and had lots of snacks and fruit in the chocolate fountain. I'm beat! Johnny and I finished up season 5 of 24 this afternoon and I'm "resting" while the boys are sleeping. My kitchen is gross, but I'm not going to do anything about it right now!

Corban has been such a good boy lately! Not that he's perfect, but I'm seeing light at the end of the tunnel as far as his behavior goes. Caden on the other hand has been unbearable! He's got the temper going at full blast and nothing seems to make him happy sometimes. Yesterday we were at Chick-fil-a and J had Corban in the bathroom while I was getting Caden in his high chair and getting the food sorted out. Caden threw a complete fit! When J came out of the bathroom, he asked if it was Caden saying "No, no, no!" and of course it was. He finally calmed down when I let him dip his chicken in the honey mustard sauce. It wasn't pretty when he was finished. And while I'm on the topic of Chick-fil-a, let's talk about the play area. I LOVE the play area there and so do the boys. Here's my beef with it, the parents who send their kids in there unaccompanied. These two mamas in particular not only sent their kids in alone, they had their backs turned to the area the whole time AND their kids were the biggest in there! There was another little boy in there who freaked out and another mother had to get him out of the tube b/c his mother was nowhere to be found. She had to take him out in the restaurant finally to get his mother to notice what was going on. Freaking ridiculous!

Well, this post has gotten long enough. Have a great weekend everybody!

My Day

This morning Johnny got up and went to the Y (he's officially lost 19 pounds since January 3!), and I got showered and got the boys up and fed their breakfast. I got on the road at about 10 this morning, I had wanted to do 9, but oh well. I went to the Tanger Outlet mall in Washington, PA. The only reason I really ever care for the outlet mall is The Children's Place, which usually has awesome deals. Today was OK, not great. Let me tell you, if you are gonna have a 6-9 month old next winter, you would be IN LUCK! (Sherry I can't believe it, but I totally forgot about stocking up for Max for Christmas!). I did get Corban a nice coat, the same one that he is wearing now basically. I love it and although I had to pay more for this one, I still think I got a deal ($8.50 this time, $3.39 last year). I think Corban can wear the one I got last year again next winter and then he'll have this one to grow into. Other than that, I wasn't very pleased with the deals, better luck next time maybe!

I did a few more stores there, ate lunch, and came home. Traffic was a bit of a pain, but I did get home before the boys got up from their naps. I helped Johnny get them ready, and he took them to Cabela's in WV with Luke. Actually, he just texted me and told me that they hadn't even gotten through Pittsburgh yet. I hope this isn't a horrible trip, because Luke just found out that his grandfather passed away this afternoon. Caden also got a haircut this morning. He is TOO CUTE and I'll have to get a pic posted.

Corban now knows that his birthday is coming up. Whenever we ask him what's going on, he always says, "My birthday in a few weeks." He is also officially in a big boy bed now. He has been in a twin size bed with a rail since a little after his second birthday, and now his rail is gone. He was playing with it and pushed it and his mattress pretty much off the bed. We figured it was better to get it off completely. We will not be moving Caden into a big boy bed for quite a while though, I can't believe we put Corban in one so early!

Well, I am going to figure out what to do for dinner and maybe take a bath and watch a movie. I don't get this time alone very often, so I need to make the most of it!

Random

Just a few things to mention.

1) Why do sea gulls seem to congregate in Wal-Mart parking lots after a snow? I've noticed this everywhere, not just here. It's very disconcerting to me.

2) If you follow MckMama (www.mycharmingkids.net) you'll understand what I mean, but I am not a fan of MckDaddy's writings. He might have some decent things to say, but his style of writing is hard for me to deal with.

3) I have been playing wordtwist on Facebook with Diana and Nadine, and I have been totally stinking it up lately. I believe I have noticed a decline in my mental abilities after being home for almost 4 years.

4) I totally forgot to boil noodles for the chicken noodle soup. Crap, I've got to go do that.

5) I finall get to go shopping tomorrow! I was bummed b/c my coupon for The Children's Place had expired, but I found one online.

I have not been out of the house since last Tuesday. Today is Monday, it's been almost a week. It's been too long. Johnny took me and the kids to the mall Tuesday basically to get out of the house before the next snow hit and we were stuck inside again. Then the snow came, then when it was decent enough, Caden got sick so he couldn't go anywhere and I was too nervous to drive on these roads by myself, so I just stayed in. Today it's back to regular schedule though, except for going to the Y. We get a discounted rate there due to our income level, but we have to show them our W-2 before they will renew our membership and we haven't gotten our W-2 yet, so I'm not going there.

The boys have actually been great since we've been snowed in. We get out and play some, but it's so deep that it's not much fun for them. J did finally get the sleds out and shoveled a path for them to walk to that they can sled some. We did Valentine cards for a few people (but I forgot to mail them and take them to church to pass out), Corban helped me cut out heart sugar cookies, but he didn't want to help decorate them. I took them to church and shared with the other kids there. I got the boys a new set of Bible song CDs the other day and put one in while J and I were cooking dinner and picking up the house. The song, "Walking in the Infantry" came on and Corban totally started singing it like he knew it. I haven't taught it to him, someone at church must have. Anyway, since then he's been marching around the house singing just part of it. He says, "I may never fly over the enemy, but I'm in the Lord's army. Yes sir!" and he says it over and over and over! P.S. we totally learned that part "I may never soar in the air force." Caden is wearing his gloves again, and needs a haircut desperately.

We're up early this morning too. They were both sleeping pretty decently, but they're getting up at 6 and 6:30 anymore. I don't like that at all. When it's just one of then, we can put them in our bed and turn on some cartoons for a while, but when both of them are up, that's just no fun.

Winter Wonderland

So, this is the snow that we got last Friday. We've actually gotten more since this, about 4 inches in the night last night and a few more through the day today. It's hard to tell because there's so much out there and it's drifting. What we have now doesn't even really look like this because it has mostly fallen from the trees.

These top two are of the back yard... notice how high it piled on the fene in the back yard. It did this weird thing on Monday where the snow started CURLING in different directions on the top of the fence. It looked spiralled in a way. The next is on our deck, I actually took a picture looking straight up into the tree over the deck, but didn't upload it. Maybe I will do that in a few because it was a really neat picture. This poor pine tree might have to come down after this snow. It's been looking pretty sad anyway and I just don't think it's going to survive the weight.

This was right out our front door before Johnny started shoveling. Oh, I forgot to put in this same shot after he cleared it out for us. I might add that too. I remember seeing a snow like this in KY a couple of times when I was probably in middle school. I didn't think that anything could shut Pittsburgh down, but this sure has seemed to manage that. They haven't had school at all this week and I don't see them going on Friday either, tomorrow is already cancelled. This all started at about noon on Friday with some flurriese and sleet. We were on the line between expecting 1-4 inches and 4-8 inches. It started sticking at about 5 pm, and we had about 24 inches by the next morning. Well, Luke and Nadine just got here for dinner.

My battery died on my computer earlier and I was dealing with a lot of stuff going on in the house, so I just left my last post in the middle of the sentence. Everybody is still here, but their power is all back on, so we'll go to Dale and Gail's for a birthday party for Nadine and the Super Bowl. Johnny is exhausted. He has literally not stopped since 6 am yesterday morning. We're hoping that tomorrow can be a little more relaxed for him. We didn't have church today, so his sermon is finished for next week at least! My shoping trip was obviously cancelled, but I'm thinking I might be able to go sometime this week instead. I won't have a coupon for Children's Place, but I'm hoping to score some sweet deals anyway.

Kim, gotta tell you that I wore my cheap Wal-Mart Uggs with my jeans tucked in yesterday and today. To be fair though, I was playing in 2 1/2 feet of snow, so I'm taking it as justified. :)

I totally just had this post written about all that's gone one this weekend, and I lost it for some reason. Anyway, I'll recap. We've got a house full of guests. Craig and Diana's power went out Friday night and he was at work. Diana finally got to her parent's house, but they had already lost power. So last night, Craig, Diana, Joshua, and Christina all came over here. Every bed in our house is being used. We will probably end up hosting a Super Bowl gathering since I don't think anybody's power will be back on for a few days. When the gang got here last night, Johnny was out getting Luke's Mom and Grandmother to Luke

Snow, snow, go away!

It started snowing last night at about 5. By the time we went to bed last night, we had over six inches. This morning, we have more than 20 inches. Not sure the "official" total yet, and we haven't ventured out in it yet to find out! It's supposed to keep on coming down until about noon today, so we're looking at possibly going onto 3 ft. TOO MUCH SNOW! Don't get me wrong, it's beautiful and all, but it's so danged annoying to get out in when we have to get out in it. Every time we go to get in the car, Corban is bound and determined to walk through the highest drift he can, and then make a few snowballs to throw up in the air. When Johnny and I are together, it's no problem, but when I'm trying to take them out by myself it can get to be too much! I'm really hoping that they are able to get the roads back into good condition this afternoon and that we can dig the truck out, because I had planned a trip to the outlet mall on Sunday. I just plan to go to The Children's Place, Carter's, and Old Navy before we are coming back here to go to the Bizub's for dinner and the Super Bowl.

This morning Corban slept until 7:45! YAY! Of course, Caden chose this morning to wake up at 6 am and not go back to sleep. YUCK! Doesn't that just figure? Caden usually wakes up around 7:30 or 8, so we could have possibly had a wonderful night. Oh well, I have hope. Well, I need to think about breakfast, and getting the boys ready to go play in the snow with Daddy. He said I didn't have to come out with them, but he said it very grudgingly, so I think I had better at least make an appearance. Yuck again!

Have I mentioned that Caden is putting words together? So far he's said, "Mine juice" and a few other things. He is just the cutest little thing! He has also started telling me "No, no, no" a lot. He cracks himself up with that one! I got new cloth diapers in this week. I debated and struggled over which ones to get, but finally got a brand called "econobum." They're diaper covers with cloth diapers that you just lay in the cover. They are super simple and are doing a very good job so far! They are "one size fits all" so they'll last through Caden and hopefully another baby too! So far we've had one leak, but he had been wearing it for 4 hours and had had 1 1/2 sippy cups of juice. I'm not sure a regular diaper could have held all of that! I still put him in a disposable at night because he is a super heave wetter and they are just more likely to handle it all. Anyway, that's the most exciting thing that has happened to me this week!

Corban isn't feeling 100% today. He had a low grade temp last night and has held onto it this morning. He's not got any other symptoms, so I'm not sure what's going on. He's seemed to do this every couple of weeks, had a low temp with nothing else wrong. He plays pretty well and doesn't seem bothered by it, so I'm just trying to make note of it. Speaking of Corban, he's awake and J is gone, so I'm going to try to work on his Valentine's Day present. Thanks for the idea Sherry!

We've had a really nice day. We had church and the boys and I came home while Johnny had a meeting. I got lots of different little areas cleaned out while the boys ate lunch. I'm on a purging spree and am trying to go through the house a little at a time to get ready for a yard sale I intend to have this summer. The boys took a great nap while Johnny and I watched some TV on the DVR. When the boys woke up Johnny took them outside while I got dinner ready and tried to do some more cleaning. We watched Cars after bath time and the boys are in bed while we're watching Heroes. It's not my favorite show, but Johnny really enjoys it.

Saturday we had dinner with Craig and Diana at Olive Garden, usually a very nice evening, but none of us really enjoyed our dinner last night. Oh well. We did enjoy the company lots! Our week is looking pretty empty for now, but I'm sure it will get busy pretty quick.

Some of the funny things Corban says, "Can me mall!" as he runs to do a "cannon ball" in the middle of the living room floor. "My eye Captain" and he constantly talks about the bears and how he had to eat their supper on the deck because they're not allowed in Mommy's house. Caden is getting a little attitude and is liking showing it off. He LOVES for us to all be together and when whoever has been gone comes home, he just keeps saying, "Mama ome" or "Daddy ome." He loves to talk on the "one" and informs us the minute he is "done-a" with a meal. Ah, I love my boys and the joy they bring to my life!

Why do I get on a kick and totally obsess over it for weeks on end? I want to cloth diaper. I've got a few of one brand, and I don't love them, so I've gone on the hunt for more. I've done research, agonized over spending the money, and decided to buy a new kind. I ordered them Tuesday. Now that it's 11:15 pm, Johnny is sleeping in the basement b/c he's leaving early in the morning to go fishing, and I'm STILL researching cloth diapers online. I should be in bed! I should be doing something constructive with my time! No, I'm researching something that I've already researched and probably will do nothing with the information that I've gathered, except second guess my decision until the new ones come in and I can see for myself. I do this with everything. I still look up strollers, nursery furniture, and bedding online even though I've got all of those things, can't afford to buy new, and probably wouldn't even if I could. UGH!

Welcome to my 200th post by the way!

Today MOPS was cancelled, but I didn't know that until I was mostly ready. Since I had planned to get out anyway and I was ready, I decided to take the boys to the mall to play in the Mr. Rodgers Neighborhood. Sometimes this is harder than you would imagine because Caden has a habit of running out of the area and it's just hard to keep an eye on both of them all of the time. Today was different though, both boys were just amazingly well behaved and they were having so much fun! All of a sudden I saw these kids yelling at Corban to go away and saying "We don't want to play with you!" He came back to me and said, "they tell me go away." I wanted to cry for him so bad! He kept trying though, until I saw two of the boys hit him. It wasn't a hard hit or anything, but totally unprovoked. I had had enough. I walked over and told them not to hit and made it very clear to Corban that he needed to stay away from them. I am not that kind of mother, but I just could not help myself.

I did realize something out of all of this though. I definitely saw Corban in a different light. I've always worried about him being too rough with other kids and a bit of a bully. I know he still has that in him, but I saw a sweetness to him today. All he wanted was to play with the other kids and he wasn't acting out when it wasn't working out his way. It gave me hope that he is going to be able to "play well with others"

My children are awake.

Caden has finally started calling me "Mama!" He's been able to say it for a while now, he just chooses, like his brother before him, to call me "Daddy." Finally, at almost 18 months he is calling me Mama some. Again, it's the little things that make my day.

I haven't talked to Corban today, I'm trying not to call too much and bother them. I did call last night and tell him "night night." He wasn't very interested in talking to me because he was eating watermelon. Yeah, he misses us so much! (Make sure you read that sentence with lots of sarcasm). Last night Caden was running a fever, but it was gone this morning and back again this afternoon. Johnny went to a visitation and preached a funeral this morning, someone we don't know. Caden and I got groceries, it was a "big grocery" as I call it and it just about wiped me, and my bank account, out. We're having roast chicken and vegetables tonight and then I'll be able to make chicken noodle soup with the leftovers. Johnny is in the basement trying to go through some stuff. Our big project this week while Corban is gone is supposed to be cleaning out the garage and the unfinished part of the basement. I need to get stuff cleared out for a yard sale this spring and we need somewhere to put all of the baby stuff until we need it again and no, that is not some thinly veiled suggestion that we're having another baby soon. Johnny still has to write the sermon and I've got to do the bulletin, but we're hoping to do something fun with just Caden and maybe go out to dinner since we've got half the "trouble."

And I lost another pound! Just 4 more to go and I'm at pre-baby weight!

I had to go get my glasses fixed today. I've had to wear them because I've got allergies so no contacts for me for a while and then my frames were kind of pulled out of shape. No matter what I did, they sat rooked on my face and I just couldn't deal with that anymore! I had to go to a bad part of town and park on the street, so I was a little nervous, but it all worked out, they fixed them while I waited and it only cost $2! Johnny took the boys to Wal-Mart to get an extension cord for the freezer and I'm expecting them back any minute. Tomorrow we are going to Altoona for lunch to meet Johnny's Mom and let Corban go home with her for a few days. I'm looking forward to having some time just with Caden and to maybe have a calmer house for a few days, but I'm gonna miss my boy! He's not coming home until Sunday. The most I've ever been away from them was last February John and Paulette took Corban for two nights and sometime in the spring Johnny took both boys to his parents for two nights. In two months he'll be 3 years old, I don't know how I like my babies growing up so fast.

Johnny is at the park with the boys. He took Caden's new 4-wheeler and Corban's tricycle to ride on the basketball courts up there. They're headed home now and I think they're pretty wet! I stayed home to do the bulletin and make muffins for tomorrow morning. I have to admit, the blueberry ones are pretty tasty!

Last night Christina kept the boys so that we could go out on a date - it's been a long time! We drove about 40 minutes (which most people would not do around here) to go to the Texas Roadhouse and to see The Blind Side. Dinner was great and the movie was excellent! We actually go the last two seats before it sold out, so we were pretty excited about that! We got back much later than expected, but Christina had gotten both boys in bed! I couldn't believe it when we walked in because I'm pretty sure we're the only ones to have put Caden down ever and Corban for more than a year! It was nice to just come in and have the house to ourselves for a bit before we collapsed.

We had water damage this week, Johnny went down to the basement Wednesday morning and there was water pouring into the finished part of the basement from the garage. Thankfully Luke came over to help J get the garage cleared out and the finished room cleared and cleaned. We sucked up as much water as we could and we've been running fans all day since it happened, but the carpet is still pretty damp.

Well, J is home with the boys, I had better go help them get out of wet clothes!

Dalmation Boy

Tonight we were watching 101 Dalmations and Caden was driving me crazy. He was twisting and turning and getting up and down and nothing seemed to settle him down. Finally, he went into the play room and dug around for a bit and then came out with this foam visor hat thing that was made to look like a dog... a black and white spotted dog. He said "ooon" and was completely content the rest of the evening wearing his dalmation hat. These kids crack me up!

I have a new computer! I asked for money for Christmas, like I usually do, and bought myself a laptop. Johnny will take our desktop over to the church so that he has a fully functioning computer in his office to use. I am so excited about this thing I can't even tell you! It's got a webcam so that I can talk to Mom and Dad. I am so excited for them to be able to see the boys as often as they want! Now I just have to figure out how to use the webcam!

We've had a bit of a hard weekend. The boys have not slept well at all - well, mostly Corban. He hasn't felt great, so I think that's most of it. He threw up today after church, but he doesn't have a fever or anything, so we're not really sure what that's about. Poor guy was pretty puny all day today though. Yesterday we went to Cabela's, it's about an hour away in Wheeling, WV and it was a rough day. Both boys had leaked through their diapers/pull ups by the time we got there and we didn't have clothes for Caden, it was really crowded in there and neither of them was happy to be in the cart or holding our hands. We went to Cracker Barrel to eat and Caden proceeded to break not one, but two biscuit plates while we were there. At least the both went down for decent naps after we got home!

Caden has gotten himself a little temper lately and I'm not enjoying it. He's getting to that independent stage where he wants to do everything for himself, so me trying to do things like feed him oatmeal in the morning are a huge pain. I've got to get a pic of him up here though becaue he got a couple pair of mittens for Christmas and I think they're his favorite things! He finds one and brings it to us and says, "ooonnn" until we put his mitten on for him and then he wears it around for a bit. He's got a total Michael Jackson thing going on. Well, Corban just got up for the first time of the night, so I had better get going.