Finally getting a move on!

Thank God for family/friends that love us!

Now that my dad no longer lives here and James' dad has also moved away, we have been incredibly slow at getting the home improvements done on our house. James and I just don't have the God given talent that our folks do!

That is where my gratitude comes in! Even though my BIL, Michael is working his butt off trying to get his clinicals finished up at Ball Memorial ON TOP OF working almost full time there, his family came out for a second Sunday in almost a month to help us get some things done at our house! Thank you Thank you Thank you!!! My SIL, Amy brought a wonderful lunch of pork loin, veggies and Hawaiian rolls for after church AND brought a turkey pasta pie (pot pie with noodles instead of pie crust) for dinner! They are so awesome and so good to us. (just so you know, I am not buttering them up, they rarely get on the computer anymore)

Anyway, Sunday's tasks were completing the shelves in my kitchen cabinet where my oven used to be and the bathroom. James and I worked on the bathroom all day on Saturday. We scraped the old linoleum off the floor and James took the vanity/sink and the toilet out. Sunday I laid the tile (peel and stick guys) and then James and Michael put a new vanity/sink and a new toilet in my bathroom! It looks SOOO much better. Michael also finished the shelving in my kitchen. I don't have pictures of that right now, but they look great and I am sure that cabinet will fill up fast!

Below are some before and after shots of the bathroom.

This is the house when we first bought it. You can't see it very well, but the carpet is nasty and pink...the vanity had shelves built on the side of it that came crashing down...and the toilet is nasty and peach.

This is from a similar angle. You can see the new floor and also the new toilet! Yeah!

Here is the new vanity. Very simplistic, but new and I like it! You can see the floor again!

Here is the floor again! Sorry I keep posting the floor, but I did it all by myself! It was easier that I thought it was going to be and it turned out a lot nicer than I expected!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1119265229

Click on this link if you are ready for a laugh! I got this from my friend Bailey and put my family's faces on the elves! TOO FUNNY!!!

Yes, I did!

Yes, I did go out and participate in the chaos of Black Friday! AND I HAD A BLAST!!!

Last Tuesday, James found a website that allowed us to look at the ads for the Thanksgiving weekend sales. This was HUGE because it allowed us to plot and plan out where to go! The site even had an option for a shopping list. So BEFORE we even got together with the Abels' family for Thanksgiving, I already had my list, separated out by store and everything! The site is http://www.blackfridayhome.com/ and it is awesome!

For traditions sake (and to make sure that I was able to see each and every ad to ensure that I didn't miss anything) we still bought a paper and went through it together at James' sister's house. James put my shopping list from my awesome website in a word document so that if I found anything else I could just add to it!

So, I can tell you that we were more prepared and organized this year than we have EVER been in the past! We had a printed list of items AND the stores were listed in order of importance.

I got home Thursday night from Thanksgiving with James' family about 12:15 a.m., woke up at 2:45, Tami and I were out the door by 3:10, stopped at Ricker's for caffeine and at Kohl's in Muncie by 3:50.

5 minutes after Kohl's opened, we heard the first crash of something falling to the floor and breaking. I was the guilty party! After grabbing up the portable DVD player for $49.99, I spun around too quickly and elbowed a really cute Christmas mug. I thought, Great! and started picking it up with the whole "you break it you buy it" attitude. A Kohl's sales associate was quick to begin picking it up for me, telling me to "Go on...we'll take care of this!" I was amazed! Then it was time to get in line....AAAGGGHHH! This was the part that I had forgotten about. The line was actually snaking it's way around the entire store! My MIL and SIL got all of us a place in line while Tami and I checked out a couple last items. We were in that line for about 30 min.

Next stop, Penney's. The great deals that we were looking for were already gone, but I was able to get my pillows and a couple of other items that are gifts, so they will remain unnamed! We stood in that line for probably another 30 min.

Next stop, Toy's R Us. I have found this to be a staple now that I have children, but on Black Friday and Black Friday only. We got most of the items that we were looking for there, except for the awesome deal on MP3 players...they were already gone. We stood in that line for an hour and a half!!! It was nuts, but well worth it!

Then, Wal-Mart and Target. We found almost everything on our lists at BOTH places, including a fax/scanner/copier/printer for $39!!!!! That was my joy of the day! We were done by 9:45, so we rewarded ourselves with an actual "sit down" breakfast this year! It was wonderful, but I was EXHAUSTED!!! I forgot what it takes to be a competitive shopper on Black Friday!

So, now you know why this post is JUST now coming to you! It has taken me all weekend to catch up on the sleep that I lost! Hahaha

We also worked really hard on our house this weekend, specifically the bathroom. So pictures and stories about that to come!

Picture with Santa!

We just happened to try a picture with Santa this year and it turned out great! In the past, the kids screamed and wanted nothing to do with him. This time, they both talked and talked and talked to him. Gavin even called him Papa (his papa has a beard too!).

Peyton and Gavin...little helpers?

This was the first time that the kids really got to play in the leaves. Believe it or not, we have never raked our yard before! Last year, there was just too much going on, the year before that I was pregnant and the year before that I had a newborn! AGH! I got James a used riding mower this summer and he has really had fun mulching up the leaves! He even let the kids help a little today. They really liked it!

Gavin really enjoyed playing in the leaves!

I just couldn't get him to look up at me!

This was my favorite picture of them all!

Hope you enjoyed the pictures of fall! Especially those friends of mine that live in the far off places of the country that don't have 4 seasons!

We will be envious of you when the snow starts coming!

Wonder of Wonders!

It has been a LONG time since I have had the kids pictures taken professionally. I don't always think about it because I take so many pictures myself. However, the pictures that are displayed in our front room are the most recent professional shots and Gavin was 5 1/2 mos old and Peyton was 20 mos old! So, over a year later...here we are!

I finally took the kids to get their pictures taken today. The both did a FANTASTIC job. We went to Olan Mills because those were the coupons that I had! ;) I remember the last couple of times we had them taken it was almost painful. Gavin was so young and Peyton was at the stage where she would just scream at the lady taking her pictures. I guess that is why it has taken me over a year to get the done again.

Anyway, they have been taken and should be online by the middle of next week, I will let you know when they are.

There were a ton to choose from and a fortune that could have been spent. I was wise and got what I thought we would need! Later, I will probably wish for more! I will post some poses as I am able!

Please pray for Peyton and Gavin

Earlier this year, we had a terrifying experience with Peyton while we were in Oklahoma for my sister's National Basketball Tournament. Peyton had her very first febrile seizure. At the time, we didn't know what was happening, except for our daughter not responding, then throwing up everywhere. Thankfully, God took great care of us and Peyton is fine. She hasn't had another seizure thus far and that is a great sign!

However, it is November in Indiana! This is not a good combination, because as most of you know...Indiana has NO CLUE what the normal climate should be! Take this past week for example, Tuesday they were calling for snow flurries and these past few days, it has been in the low 60's. Although I love the warm weather, my children don't do well with the changes! November is the season opener for ear infections!

Thus we wrap up the viscious cycle! Febrile seizures are caused by sudden spike in temperature, Peyton's sudden spike in temperature was caused by her 4th ear infection, ear infection caused by cold...you get the picture! The doctors said that she could continue to have these seizures until she is about 5 yrs old or she possibly may never have another one. But since she has them, there is a higher chance that Gavin could have them as well. So, we are praying hard, treating every running nose as fast as we can, and constantly carrying a themometer and motrin/tylenol with us every where we go!

I have been slacking

I have been told by my friend Brandy that I have been slacking! ;) I know that I said I was going to try and keep up the challenge set forth by Kristen, but is just didn't happen. I just don't have the same skill and talent that she does!

So, today I will share with you one of the things that I enjoy the most from Kristen's blogs...

Peyton and Gavin speech!

P:Mommy, I don't have Dora! (She carries an imaginary Dora in her had almost everywhere we go)
M: Peyton, where is she, did you leave her at the store?
P: Oh yes, she is at the store. I left her on the counter.
M: Well, I guess she will just have to find her way back to our house. Do you think she can do that?
P: Yes, she can ask Map! Oh, my pone (phone) is ringing, 'Hello Dora? Where are you? Oh you are at the store? Welllllll, ask Map how to get to my house and come home. Call me when you are on your way. Lub you, bye bye' Mommy, I said lub you, bye bye to Dora!
M: Oh good!

Phone conversation with Gee Gee (my mom, this is just going to be Peyton's side of the conversation)
Gee Gee, I went to the mall and got candy and candy and candy and candy. I got 1 candy and 2 candy and 3 candy and 4. I got a whole bunch of candy! I wore my pink hair. I didn't want to wear my Dora hair. Mommy took it back to the store.

Gavin:
Here are the words that Gavin uses. Like Kristen, I am counting the ones that he has even said once! ;)
hat, ball, football, touchdown (he was spiking his grapes on the table last week and saying touchdown), more, juice(referring to anything to drink), sucker, cracker, thank you, please, Harwey (Harley, our dog), Amen, Jesus, Amy, Abby, Anna, Nana, Papa, Papa (Pawpaw), DeeGee (GeeGee), Hannah, Gramma, all done, mama, daddy, Teyton (Peyton), Ethan, It's poo poo. Nigh Night, Mornin, lub you (just with my dad, the little stinker!), Baby, diaper, shoes, bite

Okay, now writing them down, made me realize that he says a lot more than I thought. But then again, no one ever thought that MY children were going to be slow in speech!

That is all for now!

What an awesome evening!

This fall I joined a new group called MOPS (Moms of PreSchoolers). It has been such an awesome experience, thanks to my dear friend Rene, who thought enough about me to invite me! Anyway, 2 weeks ago a past MOPS participant came and showed us how to bulk cook/freeze for the family. It was great. We only made 2 dishes that day, it was Chicken Pot Pie and Enchiladas. Boy did it make A LOT of enchiladas!

Well, Michelle announced a cooking evening that she was doing with her church group and she invited the MOPS group to join. That ended up being tonight and it was better than I ever imagined. My friend Kelly went as well. We made 8 dishes (2 of them actually were split into 2 meals so technically we had 10).

They were:

• Taco Soup (made 2)
• BBQ Chicken Pasta
• Orchard Chicken
• Mother's Wonderful Chicken
• Meat Filled Manicotti (made 2)
• Chicken Pot Pie
• Chicken Tetrazzini
• Fiesta Taco Lasagna

All I was responsible for was 4 lbs of cooked ground beef, 9 1/2 cups cooked/cubed chicken breast, 6 raw chicken breasts, and (3) 9 x 13 pans. The cost ended up being $40/pc. ALL of the other ingredients were taken care of and were set up in stations, ready to assemble! We just moved from station to station, putting the finished products in our coolers and moving to the next one! It was wonderful!

Michelle does this quarterly so I am already inviting people to the next one! Ha! If anyone wants one of the recipes, let me know!

I feel so accomplished this evening. I have 10 meals in my freezer (11 counting the lasagna that was already there) and if I wanted to I wouldn't have to cook for over 2 weeks, couting the meals from the leftovers! How great is that!

Technically still Wednesday

Okay, so technically I haven't missed a day because I haven't gone to bed yet, right?!

So, on the way to the gym this morning I was almost broad sided by a blazer. The lady didn't even stop coming out of her apartment complex to turn onto the actual road. I had to run off the road and then back so that she would miss me. I almost hit a mail box trying to get back on the road.

So needless to say, I was pretty upset and shaken. I was upset with her all the way up to the stoplight. Then God did something amazing. The lady actually came up beside my at the stoplight and profusely apologized over and over again. I couldn't be mad. I was still shaken, but not mad. I motioned to her that it was okay and that I had done it before too. I don't know if she understand everything I was saying through the closed window or not, but she got the "it's okay" part I am sure.

Funny how God reminds you what is important. He kept me safe, I didn't have the kids in the car and nothing actually happened! What a shocker!

This is how I feel!

This is how I have felt all day!It has been an incredibly nasty weather day. 40 degrees, overcast and windy! I have felt like just blah all day!

There is always tomorrow! I am praying for a huge turn around!

Papa's visit!

Gavin was really excited to see his Papa this morning!

Both kids really enjoyed trying on his boots too!

National Blog Posting Month

Okay so my friend Kristen has said that November is national blog posting month. I have already missed a couple of days this month, but we'll see how things go! Here is an attempt. The rest of the month I will try and blog SOMETHING every day. It may be short and sweet and maybe even stupid, but if Kristen is up for the challenge, so am I! There will just be a HUGE difference in the quality between hers and my postings!

Here are some new picture of Gavin for you to enjoy. He did this on his very own and was so adorable!

Here you go

Okay, I am glad that we got such good shots Monday night of the kids because last night didn't lead to great ones, except for the pictures taken at the Plummer's house (of course). So...enjoy!

Here is a picture of James with a Monkey on his back! hahaha

Billy Ray Cyrus blessed us that evening with his presence!

Gavin running for more candy. His back was so heavy, but he WOULDN'T let me carry it at all!

We went to the Plummer's house after the church. I thought it was to get more candy but I was wrong! It was right after this picture that Peyton said "He wants me!"

Peyton has been trying to take these puppies home since they were a week old! The very first time she got to hold them, she said "This is my puppy!" It might have been if we didn't already have 2 at home!

Gavin even got a turn to hold them. It was a short turn, but a turn no less! He wanted to pick them up by their necks!