Taste Buds

Last week I picked Josh up from school and he asked me what taste buds were and why we even have them. I explained and I guess he liked my answer because he then added this...

"Did you know your eyes have look buds?"

"Did you know your ears have hear buds?"

"Did you know your mouth has talk buds?"

"Did you know your hands have touch buds?"

"Did you know your nose has smell buds?"

I was just cracking up laughing by the end of his little explanation... He's a nut!!

Baby Update

I thought I would update everyone on my progress. I saw the doctor yesterday and she said the baby and I are both doing great! His little heart beat is very strong, in the 160's. She's said "that's one hyper little boy!" Not what I wanted to hear : )

I have been experiencing braxton hicks which she said is fine but wants me to keep a close eye on. At the end of April I'll be at 31 weeks which is when most women start visiting every two weeks but she's going to have me come in every week. She wants to watch me closely since I delivered the other boys early.

I asked about my weight gain and she said I've gained a whopping 3.6 pounds the whole pregnancy! I don't mind that at all. I know the next couple months are when I'll probably gain more since that's when the baby will really start adding weight! I guess it pays to get really sick with morning sickness in the beginning and loose some of those already unwanted pounds!

I'm getting very excited and have started doing a few things in the baby room. Can't wait to start painting and getting the crib set-up! I'll have to post pictures when I'm done.

I think for some reason I'm already nesting because I have been organizing and cleaning all week long!! I can't help myself!!

We're finally there!!

After lots and lots of time spent in the bathroom and using the potty seat... We're there!!

Seth has been wearing his big boy undies for three days straight without any accidents at all (even through nap time). It's amazing and I can't believe he's doing so good.

I'm very excited that he's got it down before baby #3 gets here! What a blessing!

Feeling violated at my own house

I feel I like I just can't keep up with this blog but I'm trying to post when I can...

Yesterday morning we went out to get in our van and I realized something wasn't right. I asked my husband if he had gotten into the van that morning or the night before for anything. He said he hadn't been in there for a couple days. Someone had come up on our driveway, opened our van, and looked through all our private stuff in the glove box!

We can't remember for sure but we think there was a bank receipt from my earlier trip to the bank. They also saw and possibly took car insurance info. Plus, we had $25 worth of IMAX tickets in there! I'm so thankful we didn't have a garage remote in there!

Right away it makes you feel dirty and violated. I hate that! We contacted the local police department, our bank and insurance company just to be sure.

We're praying that nothing will come of it and that God will deal with this person in His timing.


Plus, from now on... that van will remained locked at all times!!

The Big Test

Today was my son's first school test ever! Now remember, he's in Kindergarten. They have been learning their "spelling words" all week long. Today I was helping in the classroom and enjoyed watching them take their test.

One little girl raised her hand before it started and said "Nobody panic now. If one of us panics, we will all panic."

Here are the three words that were on the test... Cat, Sat, and Mat. Plus, the bonus word... Hat.

I'm pleased to say Josh got 100%! In fact, all but two of the kids got 100%!

I love watching him learn to spell and read... it's so exciting!!

One Hot Valentine...

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you!!

I wish I could say we've had a wonderful day full of lovin' but that's just not the case. Josh has been home from school all week with a fever. I thought today was the last of it and he would be fine to go back tomorrow but it just spiked again! Wow, 3 days off of school is too much!!

To add to my frustration... yesterday Seth squeezed blue craft paint in several places on the playroom carpet. Jeff and I were up last night scrubbing that carpet and trying to clean it until 8:30. At one point we both realized our fingers were bleeding due to the scrubbing!

Then today while I was organizing all the paint and putting it up high on a shelf in the scrapbook room, he somehow found a bottle of black paint. He went into his room and squeezed that on the floor. I started crying and stuck him in the tub. Then went to find all the rags I could find and started blotting that up. I called Jeff and he came home right away to help get it out. I also called my friend Julie to see if she could bring her carpet cleaner over here right away. She did and we got so much of it up but I think we're still going to need a professional!

Pray that nothing else will happen the rest of the night because I just don't think I can handle it!

The Ultrasound...

I know I talked about the ultrasound a little and told you all how they said it was a boy. Plus, all was healthy and growing fine. What I didn't tell you was the funniest thing Josh said...

J - "When are they going to see if it's a boy or girl, Grandma?"

My Mom - "Well, they'll get to that part in a minute, buddy."

J - "I know they have to look at the head for the hair."

My Mom - "What do you think they are looking for?"

J - "If it has any ponytails or not."

My Mom - "Oh, is that how you thought they did it?"

J - "Where else would they look, Grandma?"

We waited until after it was all done to go into the whole thing but we all sure got a good laugh out of it. He continues to crack us up!

Weird little meme...

I found this on Kate's blog, The Tate School.

THE RULES: Each person tagged must state 6 weird things about themselves. Next, those who are tagged are to write a blog of their own 6 weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 more people to be tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave a comment that says you are tagged in their comments and tell them to read your blog.

1. I love pickles dipped in nacho cheese sauce

2. I sometimes temporarily forget I'm pregnant in the shower and think to myself "Wow, I'm getting a belly." Duh!!

3. I put my condiments on my sandwiches from left to right like I'm writing something.

4. When checking my email I have to click the send/recv button two times in a row for some reason

5. I love giving gifts and little things to people but I have a really hard time accepting gifts!

6. I often remember weird things I have said in a conversation with someone and worry that they remember them. I'm talking about even things from when I was a kid!

Now I'm tagging Tina, Jodi, Julie, Shalee, Boomama, and My Mom.

A 2 year old's job

Most kids that are two probably don't have a job but mine does. In fact, he has four jobs. At some point each day he comes in with a hat on, keys in his hand and says goodbye. When I ask where he's going he says "I go work, Mama." When I ask where he works he has one of four answers...

1. "I work at Wa-mat."
2. "I work at Ta-get."
3. "I work at Hone Depot."
4. "I work at the Mail." (I think he delivers mail these days)

So then I ask how much they pay him and he replies "Two."
Next I ask him how he gets to work and he says "I dive my tuck yike Papa."
Then I ask him what color the truck is and he says "It buuuu Mama."
He then says "Hab a good day. I see you atter work."

It's pretty cute and I enjoy the fact that he using his imagination. Someday he will probably dread going to work and I will remind him of this age and all the fun jobs he had!

Ultrasound results are in...

It's a boy!!

He looks very happy and healthy in there.
She was able to see the legs, arms, toes, and fingers.

Four chambers of the heart, the kidneys, stomach, lungs, brain and all the good stuff.

She said he definitely had outdoor plumbing : )-

We are very happy and excited. We're taking suggestions for names!

My New Title

I found this on Kate's blog (The Tate school) and thought it was pretty funny. Check it out and see what your name is...

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: Her Most Serene Highness Lady Stacey the Carnivorous of Goosnargh Leering Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

Life is short

Josh made a great observation this morning... "A day just seems so much faster than 24 hours."

If only he knew just how fast life does pass us by! I look back and realize just how fast things in my life have happened. It feels like just a couple years ago I was planning my wedding. In reality it's been almost seven years of marriage for Jeff and I.

Then I look back and think about being in labor with Josh and it seems not too long ago. In reality it's been 5 1/2 years. Before I know it this baby I'm carrying will be in Kindergarten!

It just flies by and we don't even catch half of the good stuff because we're so focused on other things. I want to stop today and this week and just enjoy my kids, my husband, my family and my life. Because before I know it, I'll be an old lady looking back wondering where the time went!

Ecclesiastes 3:1 ~ There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under Heaven.

Josh strikes again...

Okay, is everyone tired of hearing the silly stuff Josh says? He just cracks me up and I can't help but write it down.

The other day I was puking my guts up in the trash can and he says "Mom, it must be a girl because girls make me sick, too!"

Another day I couldn't even get to the trash can or toilet and started throwing up in the kitchen sink (don't worry, I sterilized it afterwards Mom). He says to me "I realize you're sick and all but I'm going to be late for school if we don't hurry up."


I love the way he looks at life and the silly things he's says so humor me as a proud Mama.

Dealing with my anger

The last two weeks our Pastor has talked about being angry and given us great ways to deal with it. He gave us this verse to think about...

"Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger." Ephesians 4:26.

He told us how lots of times this verse is used with couples and that's great but it's not just in marriage. We need to let go of the anger and bitterness we're holding onto.

Do I have some anger and bitterness in my heart? You bet I do. There was the time I had a boy at school fondle me right in the classroom. Another time I had a boy force himself on me in an empty classroom at school. I had a manager I worked with make a couple passes at me and then once kissed me on the cheek. I had a cousin who tried to rape me when I was 17. This has caused major problems with my security in life. I'm a nervous person who feels like lots of men want the wrong thing. It really hurts that these men and boys have taken me to a place like this. I don't like it and want to get over it!

So there you go, I just laid it all out there for everyone to see. I don't want to hold onto these things any longer. Because really they are only hurting me now. I doubt those guys ever even think about me and the things they did to hurt me. Somehow though because I haven't forgiven them and really let it go, I have still been hurting all these years. It's time! I need to do this for me and the people around me today.

Here's another verse that has really helped...

"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:31-32

I'm letting go of this today and I feel great! Personally, one of the best ways of letting go is to share it with people around me. This will encourage me to stick with it and stay strong. So thank you for listening! Please pray for healing in my life.

Also, I would like to start helping girls in my community who have been hurt or are dealing with the same issues. I think it's a great way to heal me and also help them. So pray that God would bring those opportunities my way.

Thoughts in my head

I haven't posted for some time now. Not really much to talk about. Here are some things that have happened lately...

~Tonight we were out for a walk and Josh yelled "There's the Big Scooper!"

~Wednesday I heard the baby's heart beating for the first time. It was nice and strong in the 170's. I scheduled the ultrasound appointment for January 30th. We'll know soon if we should paint pink or blue in the nursery!

~Wednesday I also had blood work done. I took my nephew, Kaleb, and my son, Josh, with me. Josh kept saying "Don't look Kaleb, it's gross." Kaleb kept saying "Cool, I can see your blood running through the tube!"

~Friday my doctor called to let me know my thyroid levels are off. Not sure what to think about that but I have to go have more blood work done this week.

~Friday my parent's started moving into their new house. Very close to us and it's beautiful!

Hope all my blogging friends out there haven't given up on me. I'll be back soon.

Solving the world's problems at bedtime

The other night while putting Josh to bed we had this conversation...

J - "Mommy, why are there people and kids who can't eat and they're hungry?"

Me - "Well buddy, I'm not sure why. There are other countries that don't have as much as we do. That's why we're so blessed and should help others out."

J - "I think we should go over to those other lands and get all the hungry people and bring them here so we can feed them. They'll have all the food they can eat!"

Me - "That's a nice idea buddy but what are we going to do when our country gets too crowded?"

J - "I've been thinking. What if we get all the bad guys together, load them into a cannon and shoot them over to the bad lands where we got the people that were hungry?"

Me (trying not to laugh) - "Actually Josh, that might just work!"

J - "Yeah, I thought it might."

Ho, Ho, Ho... Oh No, No, No

When did Christmas sneak up? I didn't realize it was so close!

I don't have all my presents yet! I don't even have a single role of wrapping paper!!

I guess I better get out there and get shopping, huh? You'll see me in line this week with all the men who are still trying to shop at the last minute! What was I thinking??

Don't expect to see my around for a while... I've got stuff to do!!

Hot Moms

Oh c'mon, you know the ones... they show up to get their kids from school in their tight jeans, name brand t-shirts and designer shoes. It's so funny to see them look around at the other moms. You wonder what they are thinking.

I'm looking like a different kind of hot... you know the one where you're sweating because you just chased your two year old all the way from the parking lot hoping he wouldn't pop into the wrong classroom.

I don't have "it" like those other moms but that's okay with me. I'm satisfied with the way I look and I know my kids love me. It's not about what I'm wearing or the way I look. It's about the values I'm teaching my children and the love I'm showing them!!

So much has happened...

Well, it's been a long while since I've been on here. We have had so many things going on in our family over the last few weeks. Here's a look into our lives...

Jeff's Mom ~ On Sunday the 26th my Mother-n-law fell and broke her hip. She was taken to the ER by ambulance and admitted. They did the hip repair on Tuesday the 28th. Later that week we found out that her cancer had spread and was basically throughout her body. It's been so hard on all of us, especially my husband! Last week they placed her in hospice care. I think this week they are talking about letting her go home and having a hospice nurse come each day to help take care of her. We don't really know what the future holds as far as her prognosis but we know God has a plan in this whole situation! We are spending as much time as possible to make the most of what we do have. Her birthday is tomorrow and she will be 65 years old. We plan on having a celebration at the hospice facility for her. Please be in prayer for the whole family!!

My Pastor ~ I found out on Saturday night that my Pastor and his wife have been reading my blog and keeping tabs on me! This kind of freaked my out at first because I wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing. Then I got to thinking about it and realized that I don't have anything to hide or be ashamed of on here or anywhere in my life. He really put it all out there this weekend while talking about guilt. I was really touched by it and enjoyed the service! I want to live for God and the convictions he places in my life not for people and the guilt they place on my life! We should be more focused on an audience of One!! Thanks Pastor Greg : )

My Son, Seth ~ Fell at church yesterday and smacked his head on a rock. I wasn't sure what to think at first... there was quite a bit of blood but he's okay. It seems to be healing up on it's own just fine. Thank goodness we didn't have to make another ER trip! We should get some kind of card that you get the 10th visit free!!

My Grandpa ~ Is having surgery today to have a mass removed from his breast. Please be in prayer for him today around 1:30. Thanks to my friend Patti picking up Josh from school I get to go down to the hospital and be with my family while the surgery is taking place.

My Crazy Neighbor ~ Yelled at me and my children for breaking a light that was in his yard. He said "How dare you let your children play in my yard!" They were playing with his daughter who was the one that actually did break the light. We tried to show God's love and offered to give him some cash to fix it. Just recently I took his family a plate of cookies and a Christmas card to let them know I was thankful to have them as neighbors. It really is true because I know God is teaching me something in all of this!! We'll see what happens next.

My Sister ~ I talked long ago about my sister who was in a wheelchair and we didn't really expect her to walk again. She is Walking!! It's so amazing to see her up and going. The doctors have taken her off of several meds and she is out of the wheelchair! What a blessing!!

My Son, Josh ~ Has been doing so well in school that the teacher is now sending home extra homework for him to complete. She says he needs a challenge. He's done 53 book reports since the beginning of school. It's so amazing to see him writing now. When school started he had no interest in writing and it was very sloppy. He knew all the letters and the sounds they made but just didn't want to write them down. Now he's writing all the time. He leaves special notes for Daddy and I. We're so proud of him and the accomplishments he's making!!

My Grandma ~ Celebrated her 76 birthday yesterday. She looks wonderful... I hope someday when I'm 76, I'll look just as good as she does. I've always looked up to her and will always cherish the times we've had together! I love you Grandma!!

Church ~ I've switched positions at church. I'm not the 2nd and 3rd grade teacher any more. Now I'm the Saturday night preschool manager. I pretty much walk around the classrooms and make sure everyone and everything is running like it should. Fill in when a coordinator can't make it. It's been such a blessing in my life. I'm so glad the director came and asked me to switch. I feel so much less stressed out now!

Pregnancy ~ I got to see the baby for the first time! It was so neat to see the little heart beating and watch it move around. I talked with my doctor about my MIL's condition and she is going to have me go in around 16 weeks to have the fun ultrasound done. We'll know if God has blessed us with a little boy or girl. I'm very excited and will let you all know as soon as we find out. It should be in just about 4 weeks!!

Okay, I know this post has been super long and if anyone is still reading they are probably way too tired to actually comment but just be in prayer for our family!! Thanks for sticking with me!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just wanted to take a minute to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! Hope you have a wonderful time with each of your families. Take some time to relax and reflect on the things you're thankful for!!