This week... (aside from the wreck)

I'm pretty good about making myself take a nap everyday. I do it when Will goes down for his afternoon nap and Amy either lays with me and watches a movie, or has quiet time in her room. One day last week I completely zonked out- with both kids wide awake. I got up to find the strawberry container empty, the stems all over the floor.... the junk drawer emptied (courtesy of Will) and other random disasters. It's ok, it was worth it. The doors are locked and there isn't much 'permanent' damage they can do. Sure, it takes a little more cleaning, but I'm fine with that. ( I actually couldn't believe I fell asleep. It was one of those moments where you wake up, panic and think, "Did I really just do that??!!")

I can't remember what they were eating, but they sure did like it! They may have been cupcakes... oh no wait- they were chocolate doughnuts. These kids sure do like doughnuts!

Will sitting quietly watching cartoons. He's usually running around and never sits, so I thought him actually sitting, so engrossed in the tv, was cute.

I've been couponing again. I had gotten out of the habit. Monday mornings (while Will is napping) is my "prep time." There are fabulous deals out there!

I found this spin art thing on clearance and bought it for Amy. I remember having one as a child and I loved it. Of course, she loved it too and after every picture she did, she'd say "fabulous!" I always try to have some type of art project for her to do- she needs to keep busy! Luckily, she LOVES art projects and frequently tells me that Will is ready for a nap- just so she can do them.

I may just have to hang some of these up! I love her color combinations.

I told some of you, but last week Amy had a meltdown in dance class. All of a sudden she's gotten self-conscious and she freaks out at the thought of anyone watching her. But just in dance class, the rest of the time she doesn't care. Anyhow- this week her teacher and I figured out the problem- the main one is she doesn't like one of the songs and therefore doesn't know the dance. Since she thinks it's silly (It's the 'I Dream of Jeannie' song and they shake their hips) she refuses to learn it, therefore she looks silly not knowing it. Anyhow- it was a relief to figure out what was wrong! I videotaped the dance so we can practice it at home, so maybe that will help.

That's about it for this week. I have a doctor's appt today and tomorrow we have a playdate and then are headed to GA. Mom and Dad are moving into their new home this weekend and we can't wait to help!!  So exciting! Don't worry- I'll be the one taking all the pictures and videos... so stay tuned!

Sniff, Sniff

Last night, on his way home from work, Lee got rear ended. He's fine. But the Honda, not so much. That poor, poor Honda! We were talking this morning about how much has been inflicted on it... by other people! We haven't done anything to our poor car, but others seem to have it out for it!

Lee was stopped at a stoplight and saw the college kid flying up on him. He could also see that the guy was looking down, texting. (DON'T TEXT AND DRIVE!!!)  Lee tried to get out of the way, moving into a turn lane, but it wasn't enough. I can't imagine the impact if he hadn't moved that little bit.

Doesn't look too terrible, does it?

Until you open it up

When you pull up that carpet part, you see the entire underside of the car is crunched up

The other side of the body is also dented pretty badly. 

I'm no car insurance expert, but from what I can tell, they are going to have to total it out. Like I said, the entire bottom is crunched together. (sigh) There's also some question if the kid even had insurance. We have full coverage, of course, but the whole thing will just be a pain. That's the frustrating thing- handling all of it. Lee cancelled his morning classes so he could go deal with everything. So not only was it not your fault, but you are out a car and then have to take time off work to go handle someone else's mistake. Oh well, like I said, I'm sure it'll all work out.

When the guy hit him, Lee jumped out the car and ran to the back of the other guys car to take a picture of his tag. Then he took a picture of him. He was taking no chances on a hit and run! An undercover detective showed up first and commented on all of Lee's picture taking. Lee told him he was a cop for 10 years and worked many a wreck. What I think is hilarious is that the guy then asked Lee's advised on a search warrant! hahahaha. Lee even *still* gets texts from his old department asking advise! He really liked the cops though, I guess once they all found out he was a MTSU Criminal Justice professor and ex-cop, they all had a lot to talk about. (The guy that hit Lee didn't say one word. He stood there, silent and solemn. I'm sure he was freaking out inside!)

We are just sad about that little car! I bought it brand new, when I graduated college. That little baby turned 10 this year and has been such a great little car. Until we moved here, and I switched to a van, it was all I drove and I loved it! The other night, I went out (without the kids) and drove it. I loved opening the sun roof and driving with all the windows down. It's so small, easy to park and just zips around. We've taken it everywhere... our honeymoon, vacations, brought our kids home from the hospital, etc, etc, etc. I know it's probably silly to get sentimental about a piece of metal- but that car really seemed like a part of the family! sniff, sniff. It will be missed!

Just a Few Pictures

Man, I've exceeded my photo memory again... which means I need to breakdown and get another blog year printed into a book. But for that, I have to go through all the 2010 posts and delete/edit them... which is a task. If I don't post any more updates for a few days, its because I'm messing with that..... 

Lately Will has been my little helper. He loves to help empty the dishwasher! All the cups on the counter are his doing.... he matches the tops of the sippy cups, takes everything out and then puts it on the counter. He then hands me the items one by one to put away. It takes a lot more time than I'd rather spend emptying the dishwasher- but I go along with it. It's cute and its great that he wants to help! 

(he was also taking the tongs and opening them and roaring)

The other day both kids got new shoes (ok... I go a pair for myself too. hehe). Will is obsessed with his! He's so funny about them. He'll bring them to you, wants to wear them all day, and gets mad if you take them off. There's nothing like new shoes! (Actually, he was sitting in my lap while I typed that. He saw the picture of the shoes and started shouting, "shoes! shoes!" Then he jumped off my lap and is now looking for them)

My kids LOVE chips. Especially Will. The Elders came over for dinner the other night and we had chips with our meal. Will grabbed the bag (several times) and tried to run off with it. I think this is the only thing either kid ate that night! (which is why I don't buy them very often!)

In other news....

Lee got a contract extension- which is AWESOME. We had a scare last week when, apparently, according to his contract, he was not supposed to have a job if his PhD wasn't completed by Jan 1. We never noticed that part, in fact, his boss didn't either. But the Provost (basically the university vice president) noticed and it became somewhat of an issue. Anyhow- due to some letters of recommendation from his boss and Dean, his contract was extended to Sept 1. He was hoping to graduate in May, but Southern Miss can't have their stuff done by then. So now, he'll defend his dissertation this semester and should be fine to graduate in August. We hope! Or he won't have a job! (we aren't worried, it'll be fine).

And me? Well, I've been really sore lately. I asked my friend (who just had her third baby) and she said this was the hardest/sorest of her pregnancies as well. I'm getting too old for this! I'm glad I only have 2 more months to go. I pulled out my pregnancy yoga DVD and Amy's been doing it with me. She's so cute and she loves it. And it's helped me too.

That's about it for now. Yesterday was absolutely gorgeous here... only to turn cold again today. So sad-  I think everyone had spring fever!

A Few Fun Things

Amy is always saying funny/cute things. The other morning, as Lee was leaving for work, Will started to  cry. Amy walked over to him, gave him a hug and said, "It's ok, bud. I miss him too. But he'll be back in a minute. Big sisters are always right."  She's always so sweet with Will. A lot of times he'll be crying and he'll go over to her and they'll hug each other. It's the sweetest thing!

(ok, let me rephrase- they aren't always that sweet. She yells/gets frustrated with him plenty of times too!)

Last week I finally hung the curtains and pictures in Will's room. Why, oh why does a simple project take an hour? Oh yeah, because I have curious children. Anyhow- these aren't the greatest pictures, but just so you get the idea. I used clipboards instead of frames- I really like the look of it.

Last Friday, I had asked a friend if they wanted to come over and play. They couldn't come until the afternoon, so I suggested they come for dinner instead. It was spur of the moment- but we had a ton of fun. Even our meal was crazy- I had anyone that wanted finish a lasagna that was brought to us, and then I made fried rice. Strange combinations- but it was yummy. The day before I hit the jackpot in the Kroger discounted baked goods section- so we had plenty of treats to feast on.

After dinner the parents (Linda and Joel) and us played "In a Pickle" which was a game Aunt Donna/Uncle Mike sent us. It was fun! And the kids- well, they all ran around and wore themselves out. I didn't get any pictures, except this one.....

There was a tiny piece of styrofoam leftover from the curtain rod box. Of course the children found it and decided to make "snow." I had no idea such a small piece could produce so much disaster! I HATE styrofoam! Packing peanuts should be banned from the earth. [sigh] Luckily, I didn't have to clean it up- Lee did it while I was at a craft day on Saturday.

I guess I'm in a nesting phase- this house is driving me CRAZY. It's such an unorganized disaster... a chaotic mess... whatever way you want to describe it. Yesterday I set out to organize the linen closet.

I try to stock up on toiletry items when they are a good deal. And I had no clue what we had and what we didn't. I put Will down for a nap and enlisted Amy's help.

You wouldn't know it (given the state of her room), but she seems to be quite methodical. She likes to draw a "plan" before every project and then she refers to it throughout the project. It's quite humorous.

She was a great sorter and then I had her make labels for each bin. She was so excited!

The project didn't get completely finished because I need to buy a few more bins, and make the permanent labels. But for now it definitely looks better!

I'm starting to wonder if someone, on either Lee's or my side, ever did mate with a horse. My kids LOVE dry oatmeal. I mean, it's like they can't get enough. It's hilarious.

And Will has been really into his Legos lately. He plays and plays with them... usually creating a stack or two. Sometimes he'll give you one and then start shooting you with the other. Or he'll give you a stack and say "thank you" which means "Here you go, will you play with me?" I'm starting to find stacks all over the house. It's so cute. Lee said he was the same way when he was little. So it's cute watching them play together. Lee gets so excited as well, building all sorts of planes and ships. Legos are definitely fun!

That's about it for now. Little Tyler is kicking up a STORM. The other night he kicked, banged and punched for well over 45 mins. Lee was afraid he was trying to come out. I assured him he wasn't, but that he was just an active child. "Great," (she says with a sigh). Nah, I don't mind if he's active, he's going to have to be to keep up with Amy and Will, but I just want him to sleep. I pray everyday that he actually likes to sleep. Let's hope my prayers are answered!

A Happy Mama.....

I was NOT yesterday. Oh my goodness! The kids were insane. One was crying, the other was whining, then they'd trade places and the first would whine and the other would cry. Oh dear me! I've had several people comment that how in blogs everyone's family seems perfect, everyone seems happy, etc. And then they feel badly that their family isn't perfect. Well, I certainly hope you never get that impression from this blog! Because that is the furthest thing from the truth. Granted, I don't always post the bad times because, well, I don't want to remember them, but trust me- they exist. Things were so awful yesterday that I almost called Lee at 4pm and said, "You have to come home N.O.W." But thankfully everyone slept well- Lee and I even got 9 hours in- can't remember the last time that happened! So all was better today!

The only saving grace in yesterday was that Amy asked to sleep with Happy Baby. For those that don't know, Happy Baby is my beloved doll. She was my mom's when she was a kid and then passed onto me. I slept with her for well... let's just say she was with me at college! My family (Anna especially) like to make fun of me and call her names.... she's 50 something years old! Of course her hair is going to be falling out!

So I was more than happy to let Amy sleep with her. She promised to take good care of her and I got to tell her that Happy Baby lives up to her name. There are no bad dreams when Happy Baby is in the bed with you. Amy liked that!

She even sat her up so they could watch cartoons side by side this morning. Will also has had a special interest in her. He goes "Baby!!" and wants to carry her around. I hope this means he really does love baby's and will be good with baby Tyler!

Ahhh..... a love of Happy Baby is the sure way into my heart. (smile)

Today we were invited over to play at a friend's (actually, we were invited yesterday, but due to the meltdowns and disobedience, we were unable to attend). Devon (my age) and Roxy (Amy's age) along with another sister and dad moved in around Christmas. Devon and I have become fast friends and I just love being with her. I really should do a spot light on my friends here. I'm so fortunate! I have amazing friends and we all seem to have the same interests. It's so wonderful!!

Anyhow- Devon runs a small specialty cotton candy business. Today, she had her machine out and I got to sample a bunch of new flavors! Pear, apricot, cherry, rose (which was my favorite) and even black licorice (which was actually good. She's still playing with that formula. And when she perfects it, I'll send some to you Stratton!)!

Amy didn't want any (??!!!??), but Will and I devoured more than our fair share.

She even sent us home with 5 bags!!! Wow! I felt like I had just been to the fair!

She has many other flavors... pumpkin, cider, caramel, citrus, grapefruit, honey, marshmallow, and oh my goodness I can't even remember what other flavors. And here I just thought it came in pink and blue! So now my blood sugars are through the roof and surely I will crash soon! I'm so glad that 1. my glucose test was a few months back and 2. that I passed with flying colors and a low number. Because it surely would be high if I had to take it tomorrow!

So today, was a MUCH better day than yesterday....! Thank heavens I couldn't take another day like that!

Happy Valentine's Day

I hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day! It was fun around here- but everyday typically is fun. The kids woke up to new coloring books and they were cute with those all day. Will carried his around and used anything he could find to "color." I think this is the first "boy" coloring book to come into the house- that was fun to buy. Amy also got some new colored pens and enjoyed those all day as well.

Amy had dance and still loves it. I sit in the hallway during her lesson, but I need to start spying because at the end, they have the mom's come in to see what they've been working on, and the poor girl is so shy that she won't ever do the dance for me! She said that she's nervous about other people watching her. I love the community center- they have age appropriate music and costumes- and this new dance is to the I Dream of Jeannie song- it looked adorable! I really hope she'll do it for me one day since she probably won't be at the recital. I'm due just a few days before.

Yesterday, Amy made Valentine's... mostly for Dad- but also for anyone else she could think of. This girl loves to cut, glue and color!

In the evening, Lee came home and surprised me with roses and a balloon, that Will promptly stole. He also gave Amy a rose and a balloon, and Will some new pj's. Daddy sure loves all of us! This year I decided to actually be proactive and did something for him too! I planned (and paid for!) 12 dates- one a month for the next year. They are all different, some are free, some are not... just fun stuff to be surprised with. I'm sure by the end of it I'll be surprised too as I didn't make a master list and will surely forget what I planned!

Lee does so much for us! And has sacrificed a TON! I can't tell you how many games (and other things) he's sold over the past 3 years to help us make ends meet. There have been many times where we haven't had any food, or worse, juice for the babies, and he'll come home with $20 and tell me to go to the store. He's been an endless example of sacrifice and 'doing what needs to be done to make it.' He is so unworldly- it amazes me. He never complains about anything and is always such a support. He's a marvelous husband and amazing father. The kids hear him come in the back door every evening and immediately drop everything and yell "Daddy!" Will is so cute- his little legs can't get there fast enough. We love Lee/Daddy SO much and I was so glad to give him something fun! (Plus, he's always begging me to go out and sadly, it's me that usually resists- mainly because I'm always so tired! So this will push us out the door at least once a month!)

The other night, Amy had been SO good all day, so I gave her a surprise- a glow bath! I bought some glow sticks, turned out the lights (there were still some on in our room, so it wasn't completely dark) and threw them in the tub. You can't see her at all- those are just toys.... Anyhow- she loved it and thought it was the neatest thing. (Don't think highly of me, I saw the idea online)

We don't have church until 1pm on Sunday's, so this past week I felt like making a nice, big breakfast. Eggs, homemade biscuits, grits (my NY family will love that!) and strawberries. It was delicious! And we all enjoyed getting really full!

The other day, after working, working, working all day (on who knows what) I was so stiff and sore. I told Lee that maybe I needed to slow things down, to which he replied, "Finally! No more projects until after the baby is born!" I can't make any promises, but I'm trying to rest more. I'm getting too old to be pregnant. haha.

Has anyone watched Downton Abbey?? It's a PBS show and really good. I've heard about it for awhile now, from friends, and we just started watching it the other day. I have to say- we are already mid-way through season 2! We watched season 1 on Netflix and season 2 you can find on the PBS website. It's really good, if you need a new show to watch! (Season 1 is set right before World War 1 and it's about a gigantic house (Downton Abbey) and the family and servants who live there)

Well, that's about it.

The Boy's Room

We haven't done anything to Will's room since moving in, except for hanging the bookshelves. We were waiting to find out the gender of this new baby, as that determined which room got the bunk beds.... and once we knew- well, you know us- we've had other projects going on.

Before: 

I really want Will to "play" in his room, as opposed to Amy's- which she wants too. A lot of the toys are in the living room and they just don't play with them- so I'm hoping to gradually transfer those to the boys room as well.

So on the agenda today was bunking the beds. It was actually incredibly easy, and only took 2 short calls to Mom and Dad (only because I had never seen it apart and didn't know what to do). I wanted to get the beds out of the way and create a play area... and of course eventually, there won't be a crib in there- so that will open the room even more (though it is a tiny room).

I saw the greatest idea on Pinterest... a magnet board! It's actually an oil drip pan, $10 from Walmart (in the auto parts section) and is just perfect. Will LOVES magnets and is always playing with them on the fridge. I get so tired of the magnets on the floor, so this proved to be the perfect solution. I just hung it and the basket with screws.

(yes, Amy had to have her dress up magnet Barbie on there too)

So here is the After: 

I still have to hang curtains and a few pictures on the walls. I also want to get one of those rugs with a car track pattern. But other than the 'decorative' type stuff... both kids rooms are done (for the most part!)

Good news, but yet, nothing much else

Will had another EEG yesterday. It was really just a routine one, to make sure his dosage increase was doing it's job. Lee had a test to give, so I had to go without my reinforcement. Then Amy woke up coughing, so she declared she couldn't go to her friend's house because she would get her friend sick. I don't think Amy is sick- I think it's allergy/ this crazy hot then cold weather related. She doesn't have any other symptoms. Anyhow, I kept asking her if she'd go and play at Alida's, but she nearly cried every time, so in the end I just brought her with me.  Lee and I both gave her a huge lecture before going... the goal is to get Will to sleep and I couldn't leave to take her to the potty, give her a snack or anything else. I am proud to say that Amy did really, really well. There were some stuffed animals there and she just rocked them and watched a movie they had playing. Will never fell asleep, unfortunately, but he did lay really still and rest. So that was as good as we could get. The nurse called back today and said it was a good EEG, everything was normal and there wasn't any activity (which is good in the neurology world). So YAY!! This means his medicine is working and is at the right dosage. Double YAY!

When we got home, we got a shipment of diapers! YAY- we needed those! I get mine through Amazon... I really like their subscribe and save program... it's the huge box (like from Sam's) at a lesser cost and once a month automatically shipped right to my door. This was the first time I also got diapers for little Tyler. Figured I should start stocking up! And the 2 boxes of diapers and box of wipes provided a great play area for the kids!

Amy is hiding in the big brown box. :)

Thankfully both of my kids really love books. Here they are in their "reading box." There's nothing like a cardboard box!

That's about it for now. I finally managed to clean the kitchen and the living room.... won't Lee be surprised!! hahaha. He's been gone the past 2 evenings and instead of cleaning- I crafted! hahaha. He actually had the opportunity to see the past Supreme Court Justine, Sandra Day O'Connor speak last night. He said she was a neat, feisty old lady and he loved hearing about some supreme court stuff he didn't know. He got in line 90 mins before the presentation and was number 159.... they only took the first 250. Wow! She was popular! He had a good time though, and I'm glad he went (he wanted to come home and help me out, but I put the kids to bed at 6:30 and told him to stay.) I appreciate him wanting to help me, but I also know he really wanted to see her.

Everything worked out well- and actually Will slept from 6:30 last night to 6am this morning. WOW- THAT was a first!!! Oh AND yesterday marked the first month that Will hasn't had a seizure!! Yesterday was a wonderful day of firsts around here! :)

Thus far....

On Sunday we had a Super Bowl party with some friends. Actually, I invited like 10 families and either people had plans or they got sick. By the time the game started, my friend Emily, and her husband Cole, and Beth, and her 4 girls (her husband was sick) were the only ones that could come. But we all had a great time! And yes, we girls even watched the game! We talked a lot too- and ate! My oh my! We had some yummy food. When everyone left, Lee declared that he had never been more full. Sorry- didn't get any pictures.

The kids didn't sleep well that night.... that's always fun. But I dragged them to Home Depot on Monday morning anyway. I needed some wood to build another shelf for Will's room, 2 smaller ones for Amy's room and some bathroom shelves for us. I'm going to be a building fool! :) 

Amy was a wonderful helper. She'd stand on the end of the cart and hold onto the wood so it wouldn't fall off. Several people asked if they could borrow her. 

She even helped me load the wood in the car. She was so cute! Dad would have been proud! :)  The kids thought that riding with wood next to them was the coolest thing. They each got to hold a piece (they are smaller, thinner ones, not as big as the large boards!) and what could be more fun!?!? 

One the way home I decided to stop by Ross and look for a curtain for Will's room. I didn't find anything, curtain wise, but I DID find something I've been wanting for a long, long time..... 

Converse Sneakers!!!

I have no idea why I've wanted them for so long. It's just one of those things. I happened to see them, in my size, in a 'different' color (as opposed to the black everyone wears) and they were an awesome deal...... so now they have a home. Welcome home Pink Converse. :)

Today has been a day...... Amy woke at 5:30am, which is becoming quite the norm for her, dreadfully! At 6am I let her go watch cartoons and eat a bowl of dry cereal (I prep the night before, cereal ready, water in a cup and the tv on PBS). But I didn't get to sleep much longer, as Will gets up around 6:30am. Amy declared she was sick and has a cough to match it. I knew it was going to be a long day when I made a frozen pizza for lunch, and noticed it was only 10am. To help pass some of the time, I made Amy some playdoh. But in true Sarah fashion- I couldn't just leave it white, or even just one color, no, I had to add glitter too.

She loved it, and it was pretty. Last night I made the dough for some Valentine cookies and this morning, when Will was napping, I decided to bake and decorate them. I don't know what possesses me to do such things.... for some reason, in my mind, I can do it all and have it cleaned up during naptime. WHY do I live in this false sense of reality??

This is my counter.....

This is the other counter.... then I decided I didn't like this particular frosting, so I wanted to try another.

And this is the sink (luckily everything on the left is actually clean, I just didn't put them away yet). I laugh at my "Keep It Simple" sign everyday. I bought it to help remind me to keep things simple, but instead I laugh at it.

Every single piece of silverware was in the dish washer- clean, but waiting to be unloaded. Will woke up at about this time and constructed this....

and when he was bored with that, he either ate an apple.... (I'm sure he ate those missing seeds)

or read a book. Right in the entryway of the kitchen.

Amy has been bugging me and bugging me for WEEKS to buy celery. For some reason she had it in her brain that she wanted to try it and wouldn't let up about it. Today I finally got her some (it's not something I 'normally' buy because we don't use it often) She decided she liked it, but I think she thought it had some magical powers or something because she was quite disappointed that she still felt sick afterwards.

And at the end of all my efforts, here are all the cookies I completed. I kind of feel like there should have been more! Although I am guilty of eating a few.... or more....

Lee is going to the temple tonight and I will be putting the kids to bed early... so I'll get everything cleaned up and then I am SITTING (happy, Aunt Lynn??) and watching tv for the rest of the night. Will has an EEG in the morning (just to make sure his brain waves are 'normal' with the increased dosage of his medication) so it'll be another long day. Gosh, I hope Amy is feeling better! Lee has class and I'm going to hate bringing her to her friends house if she's still coughing. But I think it's just because she's had a few late nights... so hopefully she'll feel better after an early bedtime.

If anyone is curious- I tried a few new recipes this time... the sugar cookie recipe can be found on Our Best Bites here..... it was really good! Originally I tried their royal icing recipe. It tasted good, but was pretty runny and I couldn't get it to thicken just right. So I tried a different recipe from Sweetopia and that ended up being a great flood frosting.