Tidbits

So...there's not that much to write about on this beautiful Friday, except that I'm determine to get some things done this weekend. I'm on a roll so I'm feeling good about this!!

I've already cleaned up my computer. By this I mean I've gone through every picture file since October and deleted all the photos from work (the daily pictures that Jimmy takes while on inspection are saved on my pc) and organzied all the ones of our family stuff.

This has inspired me to add some more pictures to my blog. These are just cute ones I came across that I thought I'd share. Enjoy...and if I don't write again until Monday, have a blessed weekend!


What a sweet face on Easter!


JD discovering the joy of bubbles


Frodo


Max - Our First Babies




The crazy storm on the way to the river - we were literally on the outside of it!


The BEAUTIFUL rainbow afterwards


Tell me these two are not up to something!


Can we say handful???!!!


Another one of my sweet family


JD and his MDO teachers on the last day of school


"This is what I do while Momma is packing"

And M is for Maid

So it's been a few days, but it's been a VERY busy week. Apparently going out of town is the fun part, the coming home - not so much fun. My house looks like a tornado struck and I can't get caught up on the clothes!!! Ugh!

Then there's the house selling issue. I'm not gonna elaborate too much right now, but I would like to ask for y'alls prayers. We have a contract on ours and a contract on another one - but until it all goes through this time, I need some prayer support. I'll tell you more about the new one later and why we decided to sell. For now, just know we got a great offer and the new house is oh-so perfect!!!

So the last few days JD has been really testing his mama's patience! I don't have much, but what I do have, well they've been TESTED to say the least!

Last night was the first night I felt mean and I just didn't care!!! I was so mad at the sweet child I could have rung his neck. I was doing laundry and he was suppose to be laying on the couch watching Cars before bed. I went around the corner to check on him and he was gone. About this time I see him at full speed rounding the corner in the hall, daddy not far behind. "JD, get on this couch and LAY down!!" Jimmy asks, "Ummm....who had Smoothie King?" CRAP!! I don't even want to know! My sweet JD decided to have himself a taste and boy did he taste it alright. After assessing the situation, I believe this is how it went down:

While sitting on the chair in the living room, JD removes the lid from the SK cup. After trying to drink/play in/spilling a little on the couch, he realizes this might cause some problems and slips from the room. After climbing up on mom's bed (her side naturally) he proceeds to drink a little more - spilling most of it on the sheets and the clothes yet to be washed. This isn't working to well either, so he decides to climb down and figure something else out. He then pours the rest out on our tv stand where it will be much easier to lick off.

AHHHHHHHHHH!! So, yes...I indeed had another mess to clean up! I was soo mad I stuck his butt in timeout so fast! After cleaning everything up, I put him straight to bed! Yes...you read that right. He went from time out to bed. How mean am I? Even Jimmy asked if he could watch tv for a minute before bed - NOOO....I want his butt in bed now!!!

45 minutes later JD is still crying from him crib yelling "Mama...." I finally cave and went and got him out of bed. We laid on the couch and I asked him if he got in trouble? He said, "Yes...I had to sit time-out!" He then hugged me and told me "I wud you." This was immediately followed by him stroking my hair and saying "I wike your hair!" They are so precious! Anyways, he fell asleep in my arms. He was sound asleep only 2 minutes after I got him out of bed, but I think he just needed his mommy to know he was sorry and that he loved me.

I wish I could say I haven't cleaned up a mess of his since then, but sadly, that's not true. I just finished cleaning up an entire bag of pretzels (my only pregnancy craving thus far) that he poured out, marched on top of, and spread around the kitchen with a spatula. When I came in there, I put him in time out where he told me, "I'm in trouble!"

Home Again

...and here I am, on the computer. Never mind we've been out of town for 4 days and the clothes from the river are starting to smell a little less than fresh. Never mind my house looks like a tornado hit. Never mind I have 10 shows to catch up on. Never mind my dogs feel neglected after spending 4 whole nights at Barks Fifth Avenue (yes, that is the name of the boarding place). Never mind I have a million and one things I should be doing otherwise.

So we are home. Our lovely weekend of fun has come to an end. Back to reality - back to STRESS (another post).

We did have a great time. I was hoping to post prior to our departure, but just couldn't find the time. I literally went non-stop until I sat in the car Thursday afternoon at 3:15. It's a lot of work but SO worth it.

We arrived at the beautiful Frio River Thursday evening. This is after driving through some eerie weather and then witnessing not one, but 3 BEAUTIFUL rainbows. I'll post those pictures once I'm able to upload them. This is after I find the usb cable to connect my Lexar to the computer that JD was using for a jump rope last week.

So we arrived and unpacked. My brother Eric was already there (he drove in from Lubbock) and Emil and Dolores were there (my B-I-L's parents). My parents arrive shortly after and then my S-I-L and her kiddos followed. We hung out a bit Thursday night, well they did - I passed out on my bed after getting out of the shower. I was BEAT!!!

Friday we woke up, had breakfast, and got on the river!! Concan has had a lot of rain the past month, so the river was up 3 feet! It was wonderful!! We tubed for a couple of hours and had a BLAST. The kids did so good! They are all at an age now where they really enjoy it! JD is quite the river rat. He laid back in his tube and floated the whole way! We also floated again that evening once a few more of our group arrived.

Saturday we floated again and well, that turned out a little differently. The float itself was great. The weather was pretty cloudy so the COLD water felt even colder, but we still had fun. The trouble wasn't until the end. We thought we'd float a little longer than our normal 2 hours, so we made arrangements to float to Garner. Ha! Little did we know, the float to Garner was 8 (that's right E-I-G-H-T) hours!!! We reached a bridge (that marks half way) and asked a group of friendly river rats how much further to Garner. They informed us we had another 4 hours to go! It was already 4:00 and the water was COLD!!!! These river rats were nice enough to drive Jimmy, my brother, and B-I-L to Garner to get there trucks. An hour later we were riding comfortably in daddy's F250 back to our cabins!! This is a mistake we'll not make again!!!

Saturday night we made fajitas and enjoyed our last night at the Frio. At sundown we had a BIG Badminton game, appropriately named the Showdown at Sundown!! This was the match of the trip! It was teams of 2. Aylie (my S-I-L) and me, against Shannon (my sister) and Lynn (a family friend). I must first tell you. I'm a big smack-talker. This began earlier in the day when I was bragging about my badminton skills, or the skills I used to posses. I pretty much warned my opponents that they were about to face badminton death. They weren't too intimidated. SO the match lasted a while and in the end, we lost. We fought until the end, but were defeated 15-13. I shook the champs hands and walked away. I was unaware that my sister was a badminton beast! She really won the tournament. I mean, seeing how Lynn really just stood there and looked pretty! So congrats Shannon. You are the Big Puma of badminton!!!

After the showdown we chowed down some more. I called it a night not to long afterwards. I'm really a pregnant weeny underneath!

Sunday we spend the moring packing and the afternoon at Garner. The weather was BEAUTIFUL and we enjoyed every last minute of it. Garner is located on the most beautiful part of the the river! Here are a few pictures...





Here are a few others from our trip...I'll probably add some more later!


JD cheesing it up


JD and his cousins (minus one) - Nicky, JD, and Lezlie


JD and Lezlie




JD and his buddies - Logan (my brother's friend) and Matt (my youngest brother)


My Sweet Family


Me and My Man

Saying goddbye...

I am a complete mess right now. A complete hormonal mess.

This week marks the last week of JD's first year at The Lamb School. Today and Thursday are his last official Mother's Day Out classes for this school year. It's gotten me so worked up this morning. True, I'll miss MDO for personal reasons (no more quiet days at home, no more hair appointments on TTH, no more 5-1/2 hours of me-time twice a week), but I'll mostly miss it for JD. He loves school and he LOVES his teachers, especially Mrs. Kitchen, or Kitchen, as he calls her.

It's just a huge reminder that time flies. It seems like only a few days ago Jimmy and I were walking him into that big church building for his first day of MDO. It was already a very hard time for our family because it was only 2 days after Jim had passed away. I was a mess when we dropped him off and in complete disbelief that my sweet boy was old enough for "school". He did fine the first day and seemed perfectly content to play. Of course, the next three weeks were very hard as he cried every time we left. But those days quickly disappeared and he began to love school. He really impressed me one morning when he remembered his teachers names and a few of the boys and girls in his class as well. It's amazing how they grow and learn without you even realizing it.

Today when I told JD he had school, he got the biggest smile on his face and was ready to get dressed. As we drove to school he asked from the backseat, "I go play?" He's grown up so much, but yet he's still got so much more growing to do.

When we got to his classroom he knocked on the door and waited for his teachers to come. As soon as Mrs. Behrend opened the door he handed her his backpack and lunchbox and then ran inside. I had to call him back to the door for a kiss. I also received his end of the year art book today, and this is what really sent me over the edge. I tried looking at it as I walked through the parking lot and then realized I was going to be a huge ball of tears if I didn't stop. It is the most precious thing. I called my mom and cried to her. How can this be? How can JD already be done with his first year of Lamb School? Mom and I talked a while. It's a big year all around. The end of the school year will also be the start of Shannon's senior year. This time next year we will be preparing for her graduation. I can still remember her kindergarten graduation like it was yesterday. She was the most precious thing I'd ever seen. The close of this school year also means Matt is now a junior high student. This isn't so much sad as it is weird. He's still just a bratty brother and doesn't seem old enough (or mature enough for that matter) for junior high!

So there's a good chance that today will be a tough one. I've already looked at JD's art book several times and cried. It's just precious!!! Here are a few pictures from his first year of MDO:


JD's School Picture - Fall


Spring Picture


Class Picture


And a few pages from his book...


The Cover








A few pictures the teachers took over the past school year...


My favorite...JD asleep on his nap mat at school. How precious is this?

'Stros Highs and Lows

I've been racking my brain for something worth posting. Not much comes to mind. It was a pretty slow weekend in The Van house.

We hung around Saturday and tried to be productive. This was hard because it was my FAVORTIE kind of Saturday. It was a beautiful day and the Astros were on. That's like the best combination ever! There is nothing I'd rather do on a Saturday then lay on the couch with the sun shining in through the windows and watch the 'Stros! Especially when we are kicking some Cardinal butt!!!! The game was a great one and the bats were alive!!!! Our rookie right-hander Matt Albers pitched 7-1/3 great innings!!! He only allowed 3 hits and put Mr. Pujols in his place!! And the for the first time in who knows when, we didn't leave men on every inning!! We were actually letting them touch all 4 bases!!! Amazing what some hits can bring!! Anyways...a shut-out yes indeed. What a beautiful 13-0 WIN!!!

Sunday was a different story, AND if that wasn't bad, the BIG Clemens announcement came! What a bummer! I can't say I blame him, but still...BUMMER!!! What am I suppose to do with my Clemens jersey now???? And did you hear why he chose the Yankees????? Apparently the Astros weren't going to be ready for Roger to return until the end of June and he wants to play now!! WHAT?! When The Rocket wants to play - You let him play!!! Thanks for letting another one go Drake McLane!!! What is it with Houston and their stupidity in passing up INCREDIBLE players???? Vince Young, Reggie Bush, Roger Clemens????? Way to go Houston...you've done it again!!

On a better note. We did spend Sunday at the lake with some friends. The weather was kinda crappy. It was sunny, but SOOO windy! Oh well...I got some more color. And really? That's whats most important, right??

We are counting down the days!!! ONLY 3 more and we will be at The Frio River. Ahh...the sweet life. I CAN NOT wait!!!!

Three Things...

So I have a few fun things for the day...

First off, I am finally doing it (no, I'm not working out or washing my car) - I am finally going to redo this ole blog. I've wanted to for a while, ever since Amanda at Baby Bangs and LPM made theirs a little fancier. But, I just couldn't devote the time and money to doing it until I became a more dedicated blogger. And I think I'm on my way to that. I don't know if this means my life is slowing down or I've just finally sped up enough, either way - I'm gonna be here more often. I've already gotten better!! So...be looking for the new look. I'm still not sure what I want exactly. I'm hoping Lindsey at Splat Designs can help a sista out. I'm thinking blues and greens and I really like water. Any ideas are welcomed...

Second, I have to share a few photos of my little man, but I need to share something first. Over the last year I've been told countless times how JD resembles his father. I've heard everything from they look similar to they are spitting images of one another. I guess this is something that bothers some mothers because it's usually followed with an apology - that or they think my husband is ugly...hmmm...I dunno. Either way, JD looks like his dad. I don't mind this one bit. Matter of fact, I think it's a bit promising because Jimmy was as good looking as they came in high school and he's only gotten better. So, JD's in luck. I've never really disagreed but I've never really seen it either. Occasionally I'll see a baby picture of Jimmy and notice some of JD in it, but as for the day to day - he just looks like JD to me. This was until a week ago. JD and I were on our way home from a play date and he'd passed out in his car seat. I looked back to check on him and it was the strangest thing. When I looked at him I saw Jimmy's face. I had to blink a few times to even realize it was JD. He looked JUST like his daddy. Granite - it was the jawline and big square head that really did it - but still, for the first time I saw what everyone else saw. He's his daddy's boy.

Here are a few pictures that remind me of Jimmy that I took of JD today (kinda a mouthful there). They don't necessarily look like Jimmy, but the outfit and smile remind me of his daddy for sure. You be the judge...


Can we say all boy? I asked him to say cheese and right when I got ready to take the picture he lifted his shirt and said cheese in the silliest voice ever.


A much better one! Did you happen to notice the huge bruise on his forward. Once again, ALL BOY!


I especially like this picture. Please notice the shovel, wad of post-it notes, and truck in his hands. All which I had to pry from his fingers before going to MDO!


And a picture of the two most amazing guys in my life. How blessed I am to have these two!!!

Third....

I thought I'd leave you with this very cute Mother's Day Story!


So, we had this great 10 year old cat named Jack who just recently died. Jack was a great cat and the kids would carry him around and sit on him and nothing ever bothered him. He used to hang out and nap all day long on this mat in our bathroom.

Well we have 3 kids and at the time of this story they were 4 years old, 3 years old and 1 year old. The middle one is Eli. Eli really loves chapstick. LOVES it. He kept asking to use my chapstick and then losing it. So finally one day I showed him where in the bathroom I keep my chapstick and how he could use it whenever he wanted to but he needed to put it right back in the drawer when he was done. Last year on Mother's Day, we were having the typical rush around trying to get ready for Church with everyone crying and carrying on. My two boys are fighting over the toy in the cereal box. I am trying to nurse my little one at the same time I am putting on my make-up.

Everything is a mess and everyone has long forgotten that this is a wonderful day to honor me and the amazing job that is motherhood.
We finally have the older one and the baby loaded in the car and I am looking for Eli. I have searched everywhere and I finally round the corner to go into the bathroom. And there was Eli. He was applying my chapstick very carefully to Jack's . . . rear end.

Eli looked right into my eyes and said "chapped." Now if you have a cat, you know that he is right--their little butts do look pretty chapped. And, frankly, Jack didn't seem to mind.
And the only question to really ask at that point was whether it was the FIRST time Eli had done that to the cat's behind or the hundredth.
And THAT is my favorite Mother's Day moment ever because it reminds us that no matter how hard we try to civilize these glorious little creatures, there will always be that day when you realize they've been using your chapstick on the cat's butt.

I must add that we've had a similar situation at the Van house. JD has a plastic tool box with a bunch of tools. He plays with this daily. The other morning I was rushing around trying to get him ready for MDO. He was in the kitchen with me while I was making his lunch. He had his plastic electric screwdriver in his hands and I kept hearing it sound and then Max's toenails scratching the floor. Max is one of our American Eskimos and AE's have these bushy tails that curl up and over like cats. It was a few seconds later when I realized JD was trying to stick the screwdriver in Max's little butthole. It was the funniest and yet most disturbing thing I've seen him do. I do owe this poor dog something special for all he puts up with!!

Toys for Sale!!!

Something has been brought to my attention in the last few days. We no longer have a need for a room full of toddler toys. How can this be? I have a 2 year old son that lives to play - why would we possibly be considering giving away all his toys?? Maybe because he never touches them!!! Why would he possibly want to play with an AquaDoodle or a Weeble Wooble Farm when he's got a million other things that he's not suppose to play with.

Play with the Little people school or dump out momm'y face lotion?

Play with connectors or jump on mom's bed?

Read 1 of a 100 books or fill up the top of mom's pillar candles with toilet water?

Color in my Cars coloring book or write all over daddy's 52" big screen with permanent marker?

Play in my tool box or take all of mommy's bras and panties out of her drawer?

Make a lego castle or dump out a bag of pretzels and then step on them?

Play on my Sit-N-Spin or sprinkle dog food all over the house?

Figure out my puzzles or cover Max in diaper ointment?

I could go on and on, but you get the picture. And the worst part is, when I fuss at him or put him in time-out for one of the above, he looks at me and says, "That's funny". I'll show you funny....

Of course, he's also really good and being sweet too. When I'm upset with him or fussing at him, he looks at me and in the sweetest, softest voice he says, "But mommy, I wuv you." And yes, at this point it's all over...

It's Summer Time, and the Living's Easy

This past weekend summer began for the Van Fam. According to the calendar hanging above my computer there are still 51 days before the actual first day of summer - but to this family - IT HAS BEGUN!!!

What brings summer to this family so early? Why, the boat of course. This was the first of many weekends we will spend out on Lake Somerville. The weather was beautiful and the water...well...it'll warm up.

We are a water-lovin' family. Over the course of the next 5 months, there will most likely be many posts about water-related activities. We would spend every waking moment outside in the water if possible. JD wouldn't object that's for sure. The Lord has blessed us with a son who share's his parents passion, maybe even more so. He not only loves to be outside, but would sit on the top step of the pool all day if we'd let him. Though - the wrinkly fingers do still freak him out a bit.

This summer on the lake will be a bit different though. You know - being pregnant and all. Let's see...there will be a little more bathing suit coverage going on. I'm not one of those blessed with the beautiful pregnant belly because my belly button turns into a third eye and threatens to attack anyone who gets close. This means more bathing suit lines as well. Of course, there will also be more suntan lotion used this summer - and not just because I'm expanding. My skin seems a bit more sensitive this go around. Ahh yes, and one of my personal favorites - there will be a bit more on top, if if you know what I mean. I've been blessed with many things, but cleavage is not one of them. I'd like to take a minute to personally thank Victoria's Secret for all they've done for this girl and her lack-of boobs - the Very Sexy Infinity Edge is really something. Ok, enough of the boob-talk, this is a family blog. BUT most of all, the NUMBER REASON this summer will be different - it's gonna be a little less eXtReMe!!

A less extreme summer awaits me. It's something I'm coming to terms with and I am dealing with it the best way I know how. I pout a little and make everyone else feel bad for getting to do all the eXtReMe stuff I can't. It will stop soon guys - I promise. This means no crazy tubing, no wild skiing, and most of all - NO wakeboarding *tear*. I'm force to sit on the sidelines while Aylie, Jimmy, and Nick attempt all the fun tricks I'd hope to master this summer. So guys...good luck. I wish you all the best. And I hope you all wake up every Monday morning hating life because you can't move your arms and your back feels like an elephant sat on it!!! Hee Hee!!

Oh yeah, and the kids had fun too. Here are some great pictures!!

JD and Nicky (JD's cousin who's 6 months older)


Uncle Jimmy and Nicky driving the boat


My Sweet Boy


JD in the water


My precious neice, Alexis, tubing


My VERY sexy Hubby wakeboarding


Being as eXtReMe as I can be!!

(the plus side to a less-extreme summer is you get to wear your hat while tubing, therefore hiding your uncombed lake-hair)

Feeling Very Well Rested...

Well, I didn't have a chance to post yesterday because I SLEPT all day. Heck, if I could just have surgery every couple of months I'd probably be in a better mood because I could catch up on my sleep!

I want to start by thanking EVERY single person that prayed for me and my precious bun. I think yesterday morning was the most anxious/scared I've been in a long while. This was the fourth surgery I've had on my cervix, so by no means am I new at this, but this time was so different. I knew going into it that it was high risk and I was so scared of losing the baby. I could tell my doctor was a bit anxious as she was once again going over the risks and chance of miscarriage. I was on the verge of tears all morning. This was also the first procedure I've had done where my mom was not sitting next to me. She wasn't happy about this either, but we needed someone to watch JD. He's not really hospital-friendly as he has not discovered his inside voice. So Jimmy had the job of calming me down and keeping me occupied, and let's face it, husbands do not compare to mother's in situations like these. Poor guy...

Anyways, the procedure went well and things are going great. Jimmy said that when Dr. S came out after the procedure she was extremely happy with how things went. There was very little bleeding and the baby's heart beat sounded great afterwards. I was home by 10:30 and slept all day.

I can also say that things (so far) are going MUCH better than last time. As I've mentioned previously, I had a similar procedure with JD. When I was pregnant with him, my doctor at the time did the McDonald's Cerclage (I know...strange name) as well, but inserted two stitches instead of one. This time Dr. S only put in one stitch. My cervix reacted very poorly to the two stitches before and I had a difficult time the entire pregnancy. So far things are looking up. I've cramped very little and have had no bleeding. With JD I cramped for days and bled A LOT. So I'm praying that this is the start of a much better post-cerclage pregnancy!

So thanks again...the prayers were heard and I'm feeling great. I'm so thankful things went as well as they did and I can now move on with the remaining 6 months!!

Prayers Please

So, tomorrow is the BIG day. Well, it's not really that big, but it's got me a little anxious right now. My surgery is scheduled for 8:00 and I'm sure only takes a few minutes. Like I mentioned in my previous post, it's not a huge procedure, but a few extra prayers couldn't hurt. I just want more than anything to wake tomorrow from the procedure and this sweet baby inside be unharmed. Please pray that God wraps his hands around this three-inch ball of sweetness and protects it with everything He's got. Please pray that my doctor has a steady hand and a confident heart. She knows what she's doing. Hey lets pray that my placenta has moved upwards - then the baby wouldn't even be in harms way! Just please keep me in your thoughts, the past 13 weeks have been hard but such a blessing. I want another 27! Love you guys and thanks for the prayers.

I'll update tomorrow afternoon. I've got a great post about our weekend and some wonderful pics. But for now, I'm gonna go lay in my man's arms, watch some tv, and relax. JD's with his KK so Jimmy and I are gonna enjoy eachother's company. Thanks mom for all your help...

EXTRA! EXTRA! Read All About It!

The time has come...here goes.

For those who don't keep up with my mom's blog or haven't picked up on my subtle hints in previous posts, this may come as a complete surprise...

I'm PREGNANT again! Yea! Sound the alarms because the word's out!

I waited a bit longer to send out the official announcement after the last one. The hardest part about miscarrying was telling everyone. So, I decided I better wait until I'm past the riskier first trimester. And although I'm not quite into my second (3 days away) and I know there's always a chance of miscarrying, I'm at peace that this is suppose to happen this time. So...I feel obliged to include it on my blog - because it's not official until it's blogged people!

So yes, baby number 2 is a cookin'. I'm 12 weeks and 4 days!! JD will be a BIG brother in less than 6 months!! I'll be a sleep-deprived, insane hormonal mother of two in 27 weeks and 3 days. I am counting down because I can not wait!

I went to the doctor today for my second prenatal visit. Things are looking good and Baby V is still set to arrive November 4th. Dr. S. did mention that my placenta was a little low. They usually move up as the pregnancy progresses but if not I'll be having a c-section. Sooo not worrying about that yet. She also ventured to guess that this will be another boy. WHAT?! That was not in the plan. And God laughs. She said it's too soon to "call it" but she see's what might be a penis (or a spec, or floating flecks, or anything else on that grey and white ultrasound). She couldn't see this so-called penis from any other angle, so I'm not convinced. Jimmy is though. He's already talking boy names. We'll soon see. I'm scheduled for my anatomy scan, where we'll find out the sex, on June 8. That's ONLY six weeks away!!!

So most people's next question is...how are you feeling? Like crap. Sorry I don't have anything better to say, but it's the honest truth. Anyone not feeling sorry for me yet should have witnessed the spectacle at Los Cucos last night. I literally darted out of the restaurant after dinner to avoid throwing up in the place. Unfortunately, I did not make it past the patio-filled with late night hungry people. Yes...I did puke in front of everyone. But...I managed to keep walking, not everyone is talented enough to puke while walking.

As for the last thing. I need some prayers my blogging sisters and brothers (if you're out there). Monday I'm having surgery on my cervix. I had a similar procedure when I was pregnant with JD. My cervix is incompetent (what everyone woman loves to hear) and might not carry full term. So a cerclage (stitch) will be placed in my cervix to strengthen it. With my placenta being low this causes an additional risk because this means my cervix is even closer to my placenta. The doc will just need to be careful. It's pretty simple and I'll only be down about 24 hours. I will however have to wait and see how my cervix reacts afterwards. Last time - not so good, but we have faith that this time will be better!! So...PLEASE...keep those prayers flowing Monday. I'm so attached to this bun, I can't imagine anything happening to it.

Oh, and if the above wasn't enough...here are a few pictures!!

The Baby's Body (I think)


The Skelator Face


My Growing Belly (excuse the blur...it's growing so fast my camera can't keep up)




Oh...and of course my FIRST Baby Vandagriff. He was so good at the doctor (another post) today that he got stickers. How cool is he???


He's starting to think he's too cool for this camera!

The Start of Something Summer

It's pretty much common knowledge that the women in my family were blessed with green thumbs. Well...most of them. Meaning, not me. I couldn't grow a lima bean in a plastic baggy with a paper towel - and we know those are the building blocks to a green future.

My Nana has a yard that deserves the front cover of every gardening magazine north of the equator. She can grow a rose bush in a desert. It's amazing and her yard is breathtaking. All of it. All 7 acres of her land is BEAUTIFUL. God blessed her with the ground and she made Him proud, with the help of my PawPaw of course. He's on that ridin' lawn mower every day (except when he's playing golf) keeping everything lookin' sharp.









My mom is equally gifted in the growing category, she's just a bit more limited on time. She had several BEAUTIFUL beds last year. They made the Easter pictures gorgeous.

But as I mentioned before...me? Not so much!

So, every spring I get this great idea that this year is it! I'm gonna have a pretty yard. Every summer this goes to pot. Literally - it turns into a pot with soil - NO flowers, NO herbs, NO nothing. Just dirt - and very dry dirt at that.

BUT this year is going to be different. This is the year that my yard stays pretty all summer through. We've started working on it. The front is done, but there's not much to do there. Mostly green stuff which I don't kill as quick. The backyard is getting there. Jimmy did a new rock-bed for me with a fountain and and some potted plants. I still need to do flowers in a few beds, but will work on this next weekend. I'm excited and motivated, which is a start, right? Here's what we've got so far...





And the main reason why I love this backyard so much...

LIVING LIFE

Today I went to the funeral of a dear friend's dad. This is a woman I grew up calling Aunt Lizby and literally thought of as another "mom". It was as most funerals are, sad and tear jerking, but SO BEAUTIFUL. Quite possibly one of the most beautiful funeral I've ever attended.

This is my third in the last 8 months.

They don't get any easier either.

The first wasn't so much a funeral as a memorial service. It was to date, the hardest thing I've gone through with my family. It was for Jimmy's dad. Jimmy and I have been together for 7 years in May, married for 2-1/2. I've watched him hurt many times. He lost a dear friend and mentor shortly after we started dating. He made the decision to quit pursuing his dream of being a professional golfer the year after. He lost another golf friend a while later. Losing his dad was the hardest and most difficult thing I've had to sit by and watch in 7 years. There is nothing harder than doing just that - sitting back and watching. As a mother, it's only natural for us to want to take other's pain away. Especailly that of your family. I've never wanted to take away someone's pain like I did the weeks following Jim's passing. I've also never fallen harder in love with my husband than I did during those weeks. He's an amazing man - an amazing son, brother, husband, father, and best friend.

About a month ago, I went to a funeral for a friend's mom. It was also very difficult. It brought back those familiar memories from Jimmy's dad. I saw it on Jimmy's face too. I hurt so bad for both of my friend's that were affected by this loss. One, a friend we've known since high school. The other, his sister that I've become good friends with. Both incredible people with life's that are only beginning. Austin is pursuing his dreams in Colorado. Sweet Amy is raising 2 precious children, Camryn who's 2 and Carder who's 8 months - both who will barely remember their grandmother. It was heartbreaking and still is. I think of Austin and Amy often and pray that they are able to move on and be better people beacuse of it.

Today's was one that was completely different. Sad? Yes. Hard? Yes. Tear-Jerking? Yes. But BEAUTIFUL? Absolutely. It was the funeral for an 87 year old man who had LIVED his life. As Aunt Lizby said, he literally "Lived until he died." He spent the last 8 years completely in love with his wife and LIVING and SERVING the Lord. It was INSPIRATIONAL to say the least!

I walked away with many thoughts, but one rang out loud and true. I want to LIVE life EVERY DAY like it's my LAST. I want my last day to be spent LIVING and SERVING.

Seventeen Again

Wednesday night I got to have a girl's night with my sister. We had a blast as usual, but it was more than just that. We are both very sensative people - her by nature and me - hormonal and that whole "mommy" thing. So sharing intense moments that bring tears is better spent with another sap as opposed to a non-sap, aka My Husband.

We went to the St. Jude's Partner's in Hope concert. I became a partner this year. I wanted to do it last year, but never called in so this year I jumped on the chance. Partners in Hope sign up to donate $30 a month and every bit of it goes to St. Jude's for research and operation. As a mother now, I have thought a lot about St. Jude. I pray JD never has a need for it, but if he does, it's incredible knowing they are doing some great things there.

Anyways, they put on a concert for all of the partners and I took Shannon as my guest. The two performers were Taylor Swift and Jason Aldean. They are both AMAZING. I love country music. I was raised on it and 99.5% of the time, my radio is tuned to 92.9 or 100.3. I love it. I love everything about country music. I love the sadness of it, I love the honesty in it, I love how it makes me want to dance, I love how it makes me fall in love, I love how it reminds me of summer, I LOVE IT. I've been a fan of Jason Aldean's for a while. He had me with Why? I liked Taylor Swift but only knew the two songs she had on the radio. That changed Wednesday night!

This girl is a doll!!! There was something so precious about her. She's 17 and she acts 17. She's not one of these celebrities that is 17 going on 25. No, she's 17. She's every girl at 17. She wrote ALL of her songs and they are all about the life of a 17 year old girl. It took me back. It took me back to high school. It took me back to putting on make up and getting dolled up for school knowing that I'd run into my crush. It took me back to broken hearts and falling in love all over again. It took me back to being jealous of new girl friends and disliking ex-girlfriends. She took me back. It didn't take much seeing how I only graduated 6 years ago, but still, she took me back. I loved high school. I have fond memories. I met the most incredible man in high school and now spend every morning waking up to him.

So thank you Miss Swift. Thank you for reminding me of what is was like. Thanks for making me smile and for bringing back old memories. It was a blast. It was even more fun watching her with my sister who will be 17 in June. She sang her heart out to a 23 year old remembering what is was like to be 17 and a 16 year old looking ahead a few months when she will be 17.

Here are a few of my favorite lyrics:

Our Song
I was riding shotgun with my hair undone in the front seat of his car
He's got a one-hand feel on the steering wheel
The other on my heartI look around, turn the radio down
He says baby is something wrong?
I say nothing I was just thinking how we don't have a song
And he says...

Our song is the slamming screen door,
Sneakin' out late, tapping on your window
When we're on the phone and you talk real slow
Cause it's late and your mama don't know
Our song is the way you laugh
The first date "man, I didn't kiss her, and I should have"
And when I got home ... before I said amen
Asking God if he could play it again

I was walking up the front porch steps after everything that day
Had gone all wrong and been trampled on
And lost and thrown away
Got to the hallway, well on my way to my lovin' bed
I almost didn't notice all the roses
And the note that said...

Our song is the slamming screen door,
Sneakin' out late, tapping on your window
When we're on the phone and you talk real slow
Cause it's late and your mama don't know
Our song is the way you laugh
The first date "man, I didn't kiss her, and I should have"
And when I got home ... before I said amen
Asking God if he could play it again

I've heard every album, listened to the radio
Waited for something to come along
That was as good as our song...

Cause our song is the slamming screen door
Sneaking out late, tapping on his window
When we're on the phone and he talks real slow
Cause it's late and his mama don't know
Our song is the way he laughs
The first date "man, I didn't kiss him, and I should have"
And when I got home, before I said amen
Asking God if he could play it again

I was riding shotgun with my hair undone
In the front seat of his car
I grabbed a pen and an old napkin
And I... wrote down our song


Mary's Song
(this song was written for her neighbors)

She said, I was seven and you were nine
I looked at you like the stars that shined
In the sky, the pretty lights
And our daddies used to joke about the two of us
Growing up and falling in love and our mamas smiled
And rolled their eyes and said oh my my my

Take me back to the house in the backyard tree
Said you'd beat me up, you were bigger than me
You never did, you never did
Take me back when our world was one block wide
I dared you to kiss me and ran when you tried
Just two kids, you and I...
Oh my my my my

I was sixteen when suddenly
I wasn't that little girl you used to see
But your eyes still shined like pretty lights
And our daddies used to joke about the two of us
They never believed we'd really fall in love
And our mamas smiled and rolled their eyes
And said oh my my my...

Take me back to the creek beds we turned up
Two A.M. riding in your truck and all I need is you next to me
Take me back to the time we had our very first fight
The slamming of doors instead of kissing goodnight
You stayed outside til the morning light
Oh my my my my

A few years had gone and come around
We were sitting at our favorite spot in town
And you looked at me, got down on one knee
Take me back to the time when we walked down the aisle
Our whole town came and our mamas cried
You said I do and I did too

Take me home where we met so many years before
We'll rock our babies on that very front porch
After all this time, you and I

I'll be eighty-seven; you'll be eighty-nine
I'll still look at you like the stars that shine
In the sky, oh my my my...

Momma...I Got It!

Around a year old, JD found his nose. Well, not necessarily his nose but his nose holes...as in, he learned to stick his fingers in his nose. It wasn't quite the process of picking, but more or less just sticking them in the holes. I have a great picture of this at the dinner table (nice)



So...we've moved past this...on to bigger and better things.

Like picking his nose. Actually picking it.

The best part is not the actual picking but the finding. He's a true man on a mission. And once he's done, He proudly anounces, "Mommy, I got it! Here go!"

He sure knows how to make his momma proud!

Back in Time

Very rarely do we have the oppurtunity to step back in time. It's not very often than we can time-travel back to our childhood and relive a few moments again. We look at pictures and remember old times and if we are lucky, we can watch home movies and enjoy those precious years for a bit longer!!

Last night I had this oppurtunity. My dad came across an old cassette tape when he was cleaning out the house. What was on the tape was...prcieless.

I was a bit of an entertainer growing up. This is something that still haunts me...literally haunts me when I watch home movies because it's a tad bit embarrassing now. The stuff when I was little isn't too bad because I'm 8 or 9. The other stuff howeber, yikes!! There's nothing more embarassing than watching my cousin and I at age 14 breaking it down to the Macarena and to "I Like to Move it, Move it" by Reel 2 Real (this is pre-Madagascar - thank you)!! It's near torture watching it with Jimmy because his accusations of me of being a complete dork when I was younger are confirmned (and I enjoyed every minute of my dorkiness)!!

So anyways, I go to my mom's last night to listen to this old cassette and it was the most amazing thing I've ever heard. For an hour I got to be 8 again. I go to laugh at myself and my friends again. One of the friends in the tape is still one of my closest friends to this day - we are as close as sisters. Ashley and I literally grew up together. Until we were in junior high, it feels like we spent every waking moment together. Once we went to different schools and she moved off of our street, we drifted a bit but when we got together it was like no time passes. Once we were older and in high school, we becamse a bit closer. Now, we are as close as we were when we were kids. Maybe closer because our mom's no longer have to call one another to break up our fights. This girl is one of the most precious people in my life and it was the neatest thing hearing us be kids again. I can hardly wait for her to get home from school to listen to it!!!!

Anyways...my mom's already blogged this because it was just as special for her. She wrote the most sweetest things and together we enjoyed reliving my childhood once again. I can't wait to share this one day with my kids...now do you see why I want a daughter soo??? Here's my mom's reaction to it all - Enjoy!

This Old House

Amanda over at Baby Bangs asked for an update...so here goes...it's gonna be long and no, not because my life is so over the top exciting, but because it's been one of those months....

As many of you know, we are in the process of selling our house. The following is the exciting timeline of this:

January 15th - end of February: I suffered through endless showings. This alone can be difficult, but throw a 2-year old, master-mess-maker into the mix and you've got a whole kind of "difficult". If I was lucky, the showing company would call an hour-1/2 before the showing and I'd approve regardless if I was still in my pajamas and JD had just finished an art masterpiece on the wall. I'd run around like a mad-woman cleaning the place and begging JD to help. After a few failed attempts, I'd strap him in his booster seat in front of the tv with 3-4 dum-dum suckers and pray!

February (end): We got an offer and then made an offer!! Whoo-hoo!! Closing date set for March 23!!

10 Days Later: The buyers would now like a laundry list of repairs done - fun!

March 21: The buyers want to move the closing date to March 26th (OKAY!)

March 24: The inspector comes back out and is not pleased (let's just say mis-communication on our realtor's part)

March 25-26: We bust our tails trying to get the reapirs done. There is literally contractor after contractor coming through our house. I'm now good-friends with one of the handy-men! We move the closing back a day.

March 27: Closing has been rescheduled for Wednesday - after much arguing from Jimmy b/c we are suppose to close on our new house AND leave town by Thursday.

March 28 (Wed - AM): We call to check on the closing and hear it went great.
March 28 (Wed - PM): We get a call that the buyer backed out!! WHAT???!!!! Yes, they no longer want the house - they loose their earnest money. WHAT???!!!

Thursday - A VERY unhappy Jimmy and Stephanie take little JD to Mississippi for some R&R and furniture moving.

So, our house is back on the market. The whole ordeal has been so frusterating. After already packing most of our house up and spending countless hours on repairs, we are staying a bit longer. I've had to unpack a bunch of thing and attempt to get the house back in showable condition. So here we go again....

I'm Baaaccckkkk!

Yeah...so it's been a while. I'd give the same ole' tired excuse that life's busy and blah-blah-blah, which is true...but really, who cares? I'm back now! At least for the next 30 minutes!

So....I have a lot of stories to share and I don't feel like tying all that much, so I'm re posting them on here from my playgroup bulletin board b/c I always have time to check and chat on that! I'm a bad blogger I know!

So here's the first one. In honor of Will Smith's movie The Pursuit of Happiness, I'd like to title them.

I like to call this part of my life - Cocoa Loco!

So I just finished cleaning up the biggest mess to date that JD has made. I was trying to get a few things done on the computer and should have known something was wrong because it was awfully quiet. I went to find him and found a DISASTER instead! I'm so aggravated b/c Jimmy has my camera for work, but I will try my best to describe it. JD was in the middle of the kitchen covered in hot chocolate mix. He'd opened 9 packets of chocolate mix and poured them all over the kitchen. He'd also poured some all over both of our WHITE American Eskimo dogs. I turned the corner in time to find him pouring the packet on Max's back and then LICKING it off!!! I could have died. I couldn't even punish him because I was laughing hysterically. There was chocolate powder between my toes that was how thick it was. JD looked like one of the Little Rascals because his face was covered in brown and when he smiled he had chocolate caked in between his teeth! Needless to say he went straight to the bathtub! I still have to try and get it out of my carpet! It was awful but so funny at the same time!

I'd like to call this part of my life - Pukin' Fiesta

So I woke this Friday morning and was pretty sick to my stomach. After a bit of wallowing in my sorrow I puked my guts out. Now, this is eventful on it's own, but throw a 2-year old in the mix and you've got a regular ole' pukin' fiesta!! As I'm purging, JD's narrating. Of course, he's not too accustom to throwing up yet (he obviously doesn't remember the concussion a few months ago) so he keeps saying, "Mommy - you poo poo!" No JD - I'm not pooping, I'm puking...a little different! It goes like this - I throw up, he chimes in with a cute comment nonetheless (is that all one word?), and then spits in the toilet. It's actually quiet amusing. I mean, as amusing as puking gets! I finally finish up and carry myself back to the couch with JD in tow. Ok, more like I dragged him out of the bathroom where he was still spitting in the toilet. I was praying it was a freak throw up, but NO - as luck would have it - I was sick.

I'm not sure how many of you have experienced the stomach flu. I know it's straight from the devil. Seriously...it's BAD. I had it last year as well, and ugh...talk about contagious. I will list (just to prove a point) everyone who's caught it in the last 2 years: Me-twice, Jimmy-twice, Susan-twice-, Lynn-twice (work), Aylie (SIL), Nick-twice (BIL), Lexi (niece), Yvonne (work), Tim-twice, Mom, Shannon, Matt, Danny, Kevin, John, several playgroup friends...and so you get the point. It goes around like a merry-go-round! So, I got it. I spent the entire weekend miserable. I stopped counting after my 10th trip (I'm not lying) to the bathroom on Friday. By Friday night I was pretty convinced that I was having an appendicitis and needed emergency medical attention - STAT! This is while I was lying on the living room floor while Jimmy watched another college basketball game rolling around. I know...dramatic...whatever! By the time my stomach eased up my body was so sore from all that rolling around! It was pretty bad and pretty much ruined my weekend. It also prevented me from attending a crawfish boil on Saturday at Aylie's house - booo! So...by Sunday I was almost 100% until this happened....

I like to call this part of my life - Nostril Enema

Sunday was pretty much back to normal. I went to Denny's for breakfast for a good ole fashion Chicken Fried Steak and Eggs (it was so good it deserves capital letters) since I hadn't eaten in 2 days!! We had an uneventful day around the house. Watched the NASCAR race and the Elite Eight (code for NCAA bball - ugh...save me from my misery!)!!! So...a typical Sunday.

Last night I was taking my prenatal vitamins and stool softeners (u don't even want to know - I suffer the pregnancy curse of constipation - TMI???). Well, for those of you who don't know me, you probably don't know that I CAN NOT take pills. I could never be a pill addict b/c I can not swallow pills. It's pretty bad - chewable everything for me!! I gag, throw up in my mouth, puke, etc. when I swallow pills and it all starts as I'm unscrewing the cap. ANYWAYS - my stool softeners are gelcaps - like the easiest things to swallow for a normal person. I take a deep breath and throw them in my mouth and take a swig of tea. You know that burning in your nose feeling when you somehow get the liquid from your mouth into your nasal cavity (the whole milk spewing from nose thing when laughing) - it happened. I was aggravated b/c I'm a pill failure, but figured it would go away in a few. Fifteen minutes later my nose and throat are STILL burning and my nose is beginning to run!! I wipe my nose with a paper towel and much to my surprise - my towel is pink. I keep wiping and shoving twisted up tissues in my nose and they keep coming out all pink! After a few minutes of this, I realize I have not only sucked up tea through my nose, but my stool softener as well! AWESOME. I call my S-I-L to tell her (we share these kind of things). I continue to blow and suffer while my nose is on fire. After a few minutes I gave my nose one last good blow and out came the pill. It was pretty melted by this point, but still resembled the pill! Ugh!!! I had to show Jimmy and I thought he was gonna puke!! It was awful!!! For the next 3 hours my nose burned and my throat had the worst taste EVER from all of the drainage!! It was pretty bad!! I even went to bed with a spit cup just like Papa Tim. Not for dip of course, but for the lovely drainage pouring from my nose to my throat. It literally felt like a thousand ants were being held hostage by Jack Bauer on my throat. The funny thing is...apparently stool softeners are great decongestants as well - you know, in case you run out of clariten d!!

So...in case you were ever wondering if you can suck more than milk into your nose from your throat - the answer is yeah!! A pill the size of 2 cem. will fit as well!! Nice....

Truly Blessed

There are few things sweeter than JD telling me he loves me after I tell him. This is one of the few...

Jimmy got JD ready for bed tonight while I hopped in the shower. I kissed him goodnight and went on my way. This is one of the tiny things that is so incredible to me....(see below for more)

Anyways, I got out of the shower and could hear JD in his bed talking. After getting dressed I stopped outside of his room to see if it sounded like "fussy talk" or just rambling before falling asleep. At first I thought he was calling me, and then what I heard melted my heart. He was saying in his sing songy voice, "Mommy, I wuv you. Daddy, I wuv you. Mommy, I wuv you. Daddy I wuv you." It was to date, the most precious thing this sweet child has said. I wish I could have recorded his voice to replay over and over again. I am so blessed....

As I mentioned above, one of the most amazing things to me is watching JD and Jimmy. As many of you all know, I had a very strained relationship with my father growing up and have zero relationship now. It wasn't that my parents were divorced or that he didn't live close. No...we shared a roof. Before anymore is said, I must say that I have some of the most wonderful memories of my dad growing up and I can now look back and see the good times, instead of only the bad. I'm not sure what went wrong when I was little. I think it was a combination of so many things. I think there were some jealousy issues. My mom and I have always been very close, and I think my dad was always jealous of the relationship my mom and I had. We were also two people who shared so many of the same qualities, unfortunately so many of these qualities were things I despised and qualities that seemed to drive us further apart. He's a very intimidating man and I feared him for many years. It was just a tough relationship and I guess still is. So, of course this meant my mom and I were inseparable. She was the one I ran to for everything. As hard as it was, it makes me appreciate the amazing husband and father that Jimmy is. I can't begin to explain the comfort I have knowing that JD is fine with daddy putting him to bed. It's so silly and hard to explain, I just can't imagine how torn my mom most have felt all those years. I am truly blessed....

The End of an Era

So it's not really the end of an era, but it feels that important to me.

JD is growing up. I say this like it's a surprise, like I haven't said it several times a week for the last 2 years and 30 days. But really, this time - he's growing up.

Tonight after I put JD to bed, which like so many other things has become easier as he's gotten older (and I know this continues to change), I came across something that made tears feel my eyes. I was picking up my room when I came across his bear blanket. I've spoken about this in other posts - the beloved LOVEY if you may. This can't be right I thought - JD's asleep without his blanket. He's slowly been less interested in Bear and Blanket (yes - those are their very technical names) and more interested in Mickey House (I know I called him Mickey House, but that's what JD calls him and for the life of me I can't correct him - it's just too cute). He received a blue night-time Mickey Mouse from my mom and Tim for his birthday. And well...since then, he's not put it down. It's even replaced Bear and Blanket at Mother's Day Out. He'll still ask for Bear and Blanket occasionally and if he sees them in his crib later in the day, he'll pull them out. But for the most part - he doesn't miss them. As long as he's got Mickey House he's happy. Which is great! I'm happy if he's happy, but it's a little bittersweet. Blanket has been by JD's side since he was a baby. I received it at a baby shower and I couldn't wait to use it when JD was born. It's the softest chenille blanket with a stuffed teddy bear head as one of the corners. It made the best blanket/pillow for JD as a baby in his bouncy seat or swing. I've tucked him in bed everynight with his sweet face nuzzled into Blanket's softness. I've had to sneak it in the wash time after time, afraid that eventually the teachers at MDO were going to ban it because it looked so dirty. I had to pry it from his sweet hands when we were at the ER the last time because he'd thrown up on it. It's literally been through it all, and I guess it just saddens me because it's just another remineder that he's growing up. As much as I can't wait for the fun times ahead, my heart aches a little knowing that I'll never get these moments back.

I'm not sure why I'm so sentimental over all of this here recently. I think part of it is that we've had a wonderful couple of weeks. JD has had his moments, but overall he's been so much fun. He's been extremely happy, he's eating better, and he's talking so much. I've spent more time asking myself what the heck Jimmy and I did before JD. I love this precious child so much. I can't wait to watch t-ball games and to teach him how to water ski, but I don't want to - not yet. I need a few more years of this....