ok, so as you may have noticed, I haven't sewn in a long time. A few projects have really cured me of any desire to sew. Now I'm having a girl. I hear my old self looking at fabrics and projects saying "if only i had a girl!" but now I can't motivate myself. Do y'all have some simple-get-your-groove-back ideas for a girl? links to pictures but especially tutorials are very much appreciated. i'd like to have a project to start after christmas. i'd also love to learn how to knit/crochet/something that i can do on the couch downstairs with brent. how did y'all learn?

I might be bragging....

I hesitantly say, I think I'm ready for Christmas. I'm sure I'll go back to the stores. I'll do more cooking. But for the most part, I'm not stressed and I still have 15? days to go (if we're up to date on our Christmas countdown). Here's my proof.
Christmas at Chilhowie park. We go every year but I really don't know why. They have free hot chocolate, marshmellow roasting, pictures with Santa, carriage rides, balloon animals etc. Well, its free if you don't mine waiting with children in a 20min.-1.5 hour line! Jackson loves it. Last night we waited in the hot chocolate line until we realized they were out. He didn't care. He just moved to the end of the balloon line without ever complaining. He was thrilled the whole time he waited and honestly, I was proud, or rather grateful, for him. I found myself thinking good things come to those who wait and he just seems to know that. (He's been saving his money for Disneyworld for at least 6 months even though I told him we'll go when he's 8.)
Christmas goodies for friends and neighbors.

Christmas cinnamon rolls for the families Brent and I home/visit teach.

I know this just looks like a plate of cookies. It is so much more. I've made the same recipe for my whole marriage. It's awesome. It's my mother-in-laws and deserves a post of its own. Starting in July every time I made them they went totally flat and crumbly. It was so hard going from memorized, easy, always amazing cookies, to flat, crumbly, stressful cookies. I seriously made a dozen recipes of bad cookies and couldn't figure out what was wrong. Last night, I don't know if it was a Christmas miracle or new shortening but they were the beautiful cookies I love. I sang for their beauty and deliciousness but too bad for you, didn't record our festivities.

Well, this is the best Santa picture this year. oh well. nobody's life is perfect. :)

i just have a lot of new things to think about

sometimes typing my thoughts clears my head

let's see. my random thoughts from today.

I've never been that into fashion. like real fashion. So if you are, keep your laughing to a minimum. I love love it when for some unknown reason fashion and comfort collide into something amazing. Take uggs. Last year I bought the knock-offs, but if it is socially acceptable for me to leave the house while my feet still feel like they're in slippers heck-yea I'm on board with that! This year, its maternity leggings. really, even if i wasn't pregnant i would probably feel the same way, but pregnancy is what made me cough up $25. (also evidence is my cheapness because that was difficult.) maternity jeans keep sliding down and then my elastic top tears due to my constant yanking. leggings stay put. i wear a non-maternity empire waste dress and I'm set. Its as comfortable as wearing jammies all day. love it! thanks for the gift fashion-conscious people.

I asked Jackson what we should get for papa for christmas. he told me a toy kid so that papa could pretend like he had a real kid. ha!

I cannot make rational decisions when i have fudge in the house. I even botched my recipe so its more like super thick frosting but there's still enough sugar in there for me to enjoy. Its the point where its too good to just throw in the trash but i feel too guilty actually giving it to somebody else. I decided to experiment with it. i froze it then i was going to see how soft it got to determine if I could safely give it to my neighbors. I pulled out like 10 pieces then ate 3 of those in less than 1 minute!! really!!

rain makes my house messy. i'm sticking to that. it's not me, its the rain. or the fudge.

i'm game on for christmas. i wanted to buy and put up my tree today but didn't want to face errands in the rain with 2 kids.

sam has learned the phrase "awww man!" it is the cutest and funniest thing ever. he says it when he's playfully dropping things or building duplo towers that fall down. good good stuff.

i think i'm homesick because i've called my mom probably twice a day for several days now. i'm always bummed when she can't talk longer, and then I send emails to the family. I just seriously can't wait to see everybody. to relax. to go walk on campus. go to lake lurleen. sit on the back deck and talk. talk about babies and what we might name those babies and how big our babies are. to walk/ride bikes on the levy. to talk about this season (anybody from alabama knows that refers to alabama's football season).

i'm so grateful for my protected little life. i know that i have this innocent, happy little life. i hear about the trials others face and my heart mourns for them. i want to take away pain in these people's life but feel so inadequate to do so. i also know that the savior is the only person who can put their arms around that person and say he knows what they went through and can heal their hearts and minds and bodies. i'm so incredibly grateful to know that.

phew....lots of thoughts. maybe i can get something done now.

Ideas please

What ward or relief society service projects have y'all done in your different wards? I'm trying to think of something for a Relief Society Meeting but it doesn't have to all fit in that night. Before we've done most of the work that night then sent home parts of it to finish. I just want some ideas.

Breakfast fun

Feeding the man on his shirt. notice the cheerio on the surfer's head....
copying everything his brother does. down to feeding popeye his cheerios.

He's tough

This is the story I was told this morning.

Apparently Sam was about a third of the way up our stairs. Brent said he saw him stand up and turn around but wasn't really sure what was going on. Then he tried to jump. He tumbled down the stairs, completely bewildered as to what went wrong. Are you surprised Brent? It was Sunday when you pushed his loving mothers arm out of the way so that he could try to jump from your parents fireplace. You let him jump 4 times before you told him to stop.

I'm not kidding

Sam walked up to me yesterday morning and said "I wanna poop poop." He says it often enough. I said "ok go poop poop and then I'll change your diaper." He waddled off then came back in the room with a full diaper. What!?! I actually have put him on the potty before when he has said that but he just acted scared and tried to get down. 20 months?

polyvore

family pictures by nataliebarnes

It was fun. We're having family pictures done in December with Brent's family. Last night we picked a color theme (grey, navy, yellow, and stripes). Now these aren't the exact things because I couldn't figure out how to do that and of course we're using a lot of what we already have but this is generally what I'm thinking. Honestly, I just think having the clothes laid out like that makes me feel like I'm some kinda fashionista. hehehe I'm so not. I welcome any and all input. What's good about it? What's not working? I want the ties to look more casual and less dressy. Is that working or do we just all look formal?

oops..... looks like Sam figured out how to eat whoppers without bothering to ask somebody to open them. He's probably had 5 packs by now.

Jackson's practicing for the primary program

my favorite part is when Jesus anointed that prophet in his ear.

a mess of a monday

i should start out by saying, brent and i really don't get sick very often. We are, however, a little covertly competitive with who feels worse sometimes.

Monday morning Sam woke up crying ridiculously early (like 5:30). I went in, put him back to bed then went back to bed. He started crying again at 6:15 (still very early for us) I ignored it until Jackson came and told me that Sam wouldn't stop crying. I went in to hold him then thought, this will not last so i took him downstairs, gave him milk and cereal then put myself back in bed. He was crying at our door again in 20 minutes or so. I put him in bed and eventually he got still enough that I at least thought he might have fallen asleep. until Jackson came in and wanted to sleep with us. Brent and I are not used to, in fact do not enjoy sleeping with children. Brent gets very impatient and I was so tired of dealing with Sam. We sent the kids to the bonus room. Brent told me he didn't feel good and my response "well, I don't either." (I know very callous.)

Brent got up and went to work and I stayed in bed.

When I got up at 9:00 I went downstairs and the threw up. I didn't think much of this since I am pregnant and it was late for me to get up. I ate breakfast. really thinking I was fine but I was so tired. more so than usual. I was up with the kids but hardly (if you know what that means.) I knew I had to take a shower so I could get to the store because the missionaries were coming over. When I got out, I immediately threw up again. What!? That is not normal. I called Brent to tell him 1) feel sorry for me I'm sick and 2) you really might be sick you might want to come home. I felt better afterwards though and thought, well I still have to go to the store. When I was at foodcity I could feel my insides taking a turn again. I thought I can get through check out. We were quickly walking to the counter when I realized there was somebody in front of me and more importantlly, I was not going to make it. I pulled Sam from the stroller and told Jackson to run with with me. I ran as fast as I could and as soon as I opened the door started going. (luckily it was empty) Jackson was walking around talking about how gross I was. I started crying when i had to tell a worker that I hadn't made it all the way. When I left the store I was going to call brent and tell him what had happened when he called me. I thought "wow, he really loves me. he's in tune. kindred spirits."

He told me he was at work but that he started feeling worse and worse at work and had decided to leave. As he was leaving he go really unstable and stumbled into the break room. He almost passed out and they called the paramedics!! Really!?! He checked out with them but his coworker was taking him to the hospital. I guess I'm cold but I thought that was so silly. He said he didn't want to go but they had insisted. I convinced them to let me take him and let his co-worker go back to work. When I told Jackson daddy was sick he said "He's sick of you being sick." It was like this big issue on the phone with whether or not his work could insist he go to the hospital. It was decided they couldn't (duh) but couldn't require a note from a dr. saying he was ok to return to work (what!). I really didn't want to do that but under the circumstances ok. Taking Brent to the Dr. is not what I wanted to do. (who would even remember I was sick!) I know I'm bad. When we got there we were both practically asleep in the waiting room. They called him back and said they were only taking his vitals and for me to wait where I was then they'd send him right back to me. After a minute or so I heard the nurse say his name a few times, call for help, continue saying his name then say ok nevermind. That woke me up. I wanted to go in there but the door said restricted. (I am a strict rule follower--maybe dumbly so but the door said....) When the nurse called me in she told me he had passed out all the way that time. I now felt so dumb and mean. He had a fever of 103! They hooked him up to an iv.

The Dr. said he thought it was just a bug. Stay home the next day and if you feel fine then, go back to work. We went home to Brent's parents house where we were absurdly pampered. It as so nice to not have to face dealing with the kids and helping each other alone and yet we weren't isolated and could be with people when we wanted to. That's always the biggest dilemma for me. Should I keep the kids or not? I miss them when they're gone but I can't give them much when they're here. It was definitely the best of both worlds. Thanks to all the people that called and helped. We have the best family and friends.

Sam is talking.

I couldn't believe it when it happened but I said "Sam, say cheese." and he said "cheese" in the cutest and cheesiest way possible. I was flabbergasted. My other favorite is "I-wan-pop-pop" (I want popcorn.) His first was diaper.

The last first day of school picture.

He just started his first real preschool this week. He will not waste his time doing any pose but a cool one.

Daddy loves Sam

Sam is beautiful. Who wouldn't love Sam? Doesn't it kinda look like an engagement picture though? I mean besides the fact that its a daddy and a baby of course.

in my humble opinion

If you're not pregnant you should dress like this. You would look awesome and I would be jealous.

When the kids are gone.

I met my mom halfway between our houses on Tuesday and she took them home with her for a few days. Brent and I will go down there in a couple of hours to spend the weekend and bring them back home.

Here are a few things I've learned.

1.) I'm not the kind of mom that sits around moping because I miss them. I do miss them but I enjoyed the break tremendously.

2.) I can now compare a) kids and not pregnant b) kids and pregnant and c) no kids and pregnant. kids make me way more tired than pregnancy does.

3.) My expectations for my kids are too high. I feel like I should be able to sit down, uninterrupted, at the computer or whatever task I'm doing always. I feel like I expect chores to go when they're here the same way they go when they're not here. That's unrealistic.

4.) If it weren't for my kids I'd never leave the house in the daytime and that would be sad. (I'd also take my shower everyday an hour before Brent got home.)

5.) I can't quilt. Just not a skill I have. I have pulled out a thousand stitches these past few days. I wake up with nightmares of quilts.

6.) As much as I've enjoyed my time without them, I'm jealous of the people around them. I wish I knew what goofy things Jackson said this week. I know I would have laughed when Sam threw his tiny little tantrum or threw something across the room.

7.) I've come to the point in my life that I welcome silence and being alone. I haven't always been like that.

Hey check out the poll and vote

Jackson has been telling people for months (maybe a year) that he loves his sister even though she's not born yet. When we'd tell him we might have a boy next his response was "that's so silly. i already have a brother."

We're thrilled. Can't wait to meet you on-or-before-but-hopefully-not-after March 16th 2012 Eva/Oliver/Elisabeth/Lucas/Rachel/Grant/Ollie/Scott/Pearl/

Monroe/Hazel/David/Dorothy/Douglas/Sylvia/Isaac/Sarah/

Charles/Ila/Thomas/Mary/Matthew

I can't help it....I just have more girl names right now. Sophia/Melanie/Ellen/Paige/Molly

He keeps making me laugh

Jackson cracks me up. I just thought i'd share more of his thoughts.

He'll often come in our room in the morning before we wake up asking us to get up. Yesterday morning the door opened and he whispered "mom, i know what I want to be when I grow up." Just trying to dismiss him I asked what. (For months he's been telling me he wanted to be a garbage man. Even going so far as to ask for garbage man clothes for Christmas.) He replied with "an octopus." Then closed the door. When brent asked him later in the morning what he would do when he was an octopus he said "wiggle my arms of course. That's all an octopus does."

Last night we were having friends over. I was busy trying to clean up for them. He said "mom did you put on lipstick?" I told him no but thought wow my son thinks I just naturally look good. Then he said "I think you should put on lipstick. I think our friends would like it if you put on lipstick."

Ok, son. Thanks for the advice.

Thanks Grandma for the extra beach pictures

these were some of my favorites.







oh and also, thanks for another beach trip.

We've been playing a lot of charades

here are a few of my favorites of jackson's

here are his hints as he's standing with his legs apart and arms stretched high.

I have screws. I'm made of metal. I'm on paper. [huh??] I don't have a chimney. I don't have magic.

Give up?

it's a picture of a robot.

He's curled up small on the floor

are you curled up like a ball?

nope?

I don't know buddy. All I can think of is a ball.

Yep! I'm a ball.

Another time he's curled up like a ball.

Are you a ball?

I'm a ball on a person.

[uh??]

an eyeball!

I love Sundays

We have church at 11:30 so it gives us a long time to get ready at our own speed. I was struck Sunday morning at my two boys getting ready for church. It was just a nice morning.
I think I took the toothpaste away from Sam 3 times that morning. He kept just going to get another tube.


I never even got a picture of them ready next to each other but they were cute. Sometimes, when I review my blog, my favorites are the mundane or relaxing time with the family.

The great outdoors

Amazingly, I convinced Brent to go camping with our friends the Kramers. He's not really a camper. In fact, he slept on a blow up mattress in the van but still, he went. We had so much fun. Even Brent will confess to that. We had running water and bathrooms, picnic tables and sites right next to the car--not exactly primitive but roughing it. Jackson, who is nervous about standing on the stage at church climbed this rock and told me to take a picture. He was very proud of himself. He also go to try a hand at fishing which he'd been wanting to do for a while.
Brent's fish. Can you see it?
....and....the salamander. What can I say beside I told you so. He's gross.

Garrett and Rhada came to visit.

It was so fun to have Garrett and Rhada come up. We spent a day in the mountains. They hiked the chimneys

we met them at the bottom for snacking, swimming and jumping.

For the 4th we did our annual Belmont bike parade and Brent ended up carrying the tricycle back again.
I don't know why it turns into this.

i did a bad thing

i saw my sister calling and didn't answer it because I felt too bad about still not putting up a new blog. in my defense, which is small i know, that was 3 minutes ago.

this is a random sampling of what we might be doing at any given point this summer.

what i left jackson doing...
what i came back to find. yeah, this particular activity has happened countless times.


it's been an AWESOME summer! this is just a day to day thing. wait til i show the rest!