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.