Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Family Pictures
We had family pictures taken by a friend the weekend after Thanskgiving. It was cold out and the kids weren't real cooperative but we managed to get some decent pictures. I used one for our Christmas card and several will be used for Christma gifts.
I think Dimesha was a bit happier about having her picture with Blake than he was. Although he did sit there and get his picture taken.
Where did the year go???
I can't believe its only a few days til Christmas as this year has flown by. I still have a list of things to get done before Friday night but figure there is no sense in stressing over them as I know they will get done. Right now there is a big pile of boxes that need wrapped on my desk here at work and I also know that once I get started it will only take me 30 minutes or so to get them all done.
Blake is counting down the days til Christmas but he is not like most kids he doesn't seem to be worried about how many gifts he will get or what toys he wants. He just wants Santa to come and of course there are hundreds of questions about how, what, why and where with Santa. Most of which I try to answer some are a little more tricky. Then there is the questions about Jesus and why its his Birthday and why we celebrate his birthday when he isn't here for us to see oh and the questions on and how it all started.
Don't think Nathan knows Christmas is coming or what it is, he likes to look at Christmas trees and had done great on leaving them alone. Except for Brenda's tree that has glass balls that hang down and intrigue him. He would go over to the tree and yell ball and smack the balls thankfully he never got one off or broke any but he sure thought it was fun. And I know she never thought of him thinking of those balls as toys when she hung them down on the bottom.
Looking back at pictures from last Christmas and thru the year its amazing at how much both boys have grown and changed. And while they look a lot alike they both have their own things that make them different. Some say Nathan looks a lot like me while Blake is a total image of his daddy and others disagree and think its the other way around. I can't wait to get pictures of this Christmas and see how excited Nathan is to learn to open gifts and tear boxes apart.
Blake is counting down the days til Christmas but he is not like most kids he doesn't seem to be worried about how many gifts he will get or what toys he wants. He just wants Santa to come and of course there are hundreds of questions about how, what, why and where with Santa. Most of which I try to answer some are a little more tricky. Then there is the questions about Jesus and why its his Birthday and why we celebrate his birthday when he isn't here for us to see oh and the questions on and how it all started.
Don't think Nathan knows Christmas is coming or what it is, he likes to look at Christmas trees and had done great on leaving them alone. Except for Brenda's tree that has glass balls that hang down and intrigue him. He would go over to the tree and yell ball and smack the balls thankfully he never got one off or broke any but he sure thought it was fun. And I know she never thought of him thinking of those balls as toys when she hung them down on the bottom.
Looking back at pictures from last Christmas and thru the year its amazing at how much both boys have grown and changed. And while they look a lot alike they both have their own things that make them different. Some say Nathan looks a lot like me while Blake is a total image of his daddy and others disagree and think its the other way around. I can't wait to get pictures of this Christmas and see how excited Nathan is to learn to open gifts and tear boxes apart.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Proud
Last night Blake did something that shocked me and heck its something that I wouldn't even do at my age. Last week our preacher's wife asked me if Blake would like to say a restitution before the Christmas play starts and that it would only be one line I asked him and he said he wanted to. Well I was very doubtful that Blake would go up in front of a large crowd and say anything. I knew that he rarely sang in his preschool concerts he would just sit and watch everyone. So last night I told him when they call your name if you want I will walk up there with you. They called his name and before I could pass Nathan off to Brenda he was up and headed for the stage and got the microphone and said Happy Birthday Jesus! I was shocked he said it loud very clearly and smiled the whole time. I was so proud of him!
He was very well behaved during the program I let him sit in the pew in front of me with is little friend Dimesha and they both sat there and watched. Nathan even surprised me last night normally when there is a lot of people around he clings to me, well not last night he sat in the pew in front of me with Dimesha's parents and little sister who is only two days older than Nathan. Even when we were leaving Nathan didn't want to come back to me he let someone else carry him outside.
I am very proud of Blake he has really started to understand and like going to church with me and Nathan on Sunday's he listens and is excited to go downstairs next Sunday for Children's Church. When I was his age I was so shy I wouldn't talk to anyone or leave my parents side and heck to this day I wouldn't get up in front of people and say anything. I wish that I would have got a picture of him but I was in total shock and couldn't get my phone out in time. Blake had to call his grandparents when we left and had me take him to see his dad and to tell him afterwards.
He was very well behaved during the program I let him sit in the pew in front of me with is little friend Dimesha and they both sat there and watched. Nathan even surprised me last night normally when there is a lot of people around he clings to me, well not last night he sat in the pew in front of me with Dimesha's parents and little sister who is only two days older than Nathan. Even when we were leaving Nathan didn't want to come back to me he let someone else carry him outside.
I am very proud of Blake he has really started to understand and like going to church with me and Nathan on Sunday's he listens and is excited to go downstairs next Sunday for Children's Church. When I was his age I was so shy I wouldn't talk to anyone or leave my parents side and heck to this day I wouldn't get up in front of people and say anything. I wish that I would have got a picture of him but I was in total shock and couldn't get my phone out in time. Blake had to call his grandparents when we left and had me take him to see his dad and to tell him afterwards.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Pictures from my visit with my Great Grandma
I finally got the pictures uploaded from when my cousin and I went and visited my Great Grandma/his Grandma. I had dressed nice that day only to be informed I needed to meet wearing my workout clothes and well I did but wasn't happy about getting my pictures taken in them.....
This was right after she figured out who we were. I gave her a picture book full of photos of Blake and Nathan which I think made her day. Oh plus gives her something to show off to all the other old ladies in the nursing home.
My cousin Scott with his Grandma she was happy to see him and then tried to choke him while getting the picture taken. But she was happy to see both of us.
And then there is the picture with me and Great Grandma. I know she really enjoyed our visit once she figured out who we both were!
Friday, December 3, 2010
Thanksgiving Weekend
Yeah I know Thanksgiving was a week ago but I wasn't sure how to put the weekend in to post that would make sense to anyone who would read it.
We decided to go to St. Louis this year for Thanksgiving with Kenny's side of the family, the last few years his mom has had it here at her house which enabled us to eat with my family at my mom's and then go to his parents house. This year my mom had knee replacement surgery the week before Thanksgiving so we decided not to do a dinner with them. The day before Thanksgiving Blake wanted to spend the day with his papa (Kenny's dad) so we let him well then he wanted to stay with papa on Thursday instead of making the long drive to St. Louis. I was ok with it to a point it felt weird going to a family dinner with only one of our two kids but knowing that Blake was having a much better time playing with his toys and spending quality time with is papa. The weather was crappy to say the least rained the whole trip there then sleeted and snowed the entire time we were there and then just plain cold and nasty on the drive home. I had been told by a friend of mine I was to text them before we left home and when we arrived as they were worried about us travelling in yucky weather and on a holiday. Throughout the day I checked my phone to find I had many texts from other friends saying Happy Thanksgiving but not once did my phone ring not once did my mom call to say Happy Thanksgiving in fact no on in my family on either side called. I blew it off played as it didn't bother me but deep down it hurt. It was the first holiday I didn't talk to my mom or see her and no we aren't close by no means she still usually will call and say hi. I know she was depressed about the knee surgery etc and that I should have broke down and called. Anyway that's the past and I have moved on.
Saturday morning we got up early and had family pictures taken. Then I went shopping with a good friend and had a great time. It was the first time I had spent an entire day just her and I. I wasn't sure what to expect or how it would go but I was very pleasantly surprised. We had a lot of fun and I heard later that she said she wanted to do it again. I was able to get almost all of my shopping completed which made me extremely happy. It was the first time in a very long time that I had been shopping with someone and had that much fun and enjoyed every minute of it.
Sunday I took both kids to church with me and thankfully they were both very well behaved which they are most of the time anyway but those who read this and know Blake know he has one heck of a stubborn streak at times. The preacher's wife asked me if Blake would want to read a restitution before the Christmas play in a few weeks not sure if he will but I want him to try. I grew up as a very shy child never talking to anyone and I don't want my kids to be that way or at least not to the extent I was. I would have never got up in front of a crowd heck I still probably wouldn't.
We decided to go to St. Louis this year for Thanksgiving with Kenny's side of the family, the last few years his mom has had it here at her house which enabled us to eat with my family at my mom's and then go to his parents house. This year my mom had knee replacement surgery the week before Thanksgiving so we decided not to do a dinner with them. The day before Thanksgiving Blake wanted to spend the day with his papa (Kenny's dad) so we let him well then he wanted to stay with papa on Thursday instead of making the long drive to St. Louis. I was ok with it to a point it felt weird going to a family dinner with only one of our two kids but knowing that Blake was having a much better time playing with his toys and spending quality time with is papa. The weather was crappy to say the least rained the whole trip there then sleeted and snowed the entire time we were there and then just plain cold and nasty on the drive home. I had been told by a friend of mine I was to text them before we left home and when we arrived as they were worried about us travelling in yucky weather and on a holiday. Throughout the day I checked my phone to find I had many texts from other friends saying Happy Thanksgiving but not once did my phone ring not once did my mom call to say Happy Thanksgiving in fact no on in my family on either side called. I blew it off played as it didn't bother me but deep down it hurt. It was the first holiday I didn't talk to my mom or see her and no we aren't close by no means she still usually will call and say hi. I know she was depressed about the knee surgery etc and that I should have broke down and called. Anyway that's the past and I have moved on.
Saturday morning we got up early and had family pictures taken. Then I went shopping with a good friend and had a great time. It was the first time I had spent an entire day just her and I. I wasn't sure what to expect or how it would go but I was very pleasantly surprised. We had a lot of fun and I heard later that she said she wanted to do it again. I was able to get almost all of my shopping completed which made me extremely happy. It was the first time in a very long time that I had been shopping with someone and had that much fun and enjoyed every minute of it.
Sunday I took both kids to church with me and thankfully they were both very well behaved which they are most of the time anyway but those who read this and know Blake know he has one heck of a stubborn streak at times. The preacher's wife asked me if Blake would want to read a restitution before the Christmas play in a few weeks not sure if he will but I want him to try. I grew up as a very shy child never talking to anyone and I don't want my kids to be that way or at least not to the extent I was. I would have never got up in front of a crowd heck I still probably wouldn't.
Because I am cold
Well since its Friday and I am cold all the way to my toes I decided to do 5 question Friday to take my mind off cold weather.
1. What's on the top of your holiday wish list and why?!
I don't really have a gift that I want to have I'd love my hubby to surprise me with a gift I know nothing about. But I do want to make every effort possible to spend quality time with family and extended family this holiday season
2. What is your favorite Christmas gift from the past?
Well from childhood it was the Christmas my Uncle and Aunt got me everything I had put on my wish list I got a sleeping bag and tent that went over my bed. Moon shoes, new clothes, a bunch of toys I had been wanting. Of course being the only girl in the family and the youngest I was a bit spoiled by them my Uncle had 3 boys who were all quite abit older than me.
From my married years my favorite gift was my Bulova watch my hubby bought for me a few years back I wasn't expecting a gift and defiantly not one of that price!
3. If you had life to do over, what would you be when you grow up?
An EMT or Nurse and be able to work my schedule around so that I could be home with the kid during the day.
4. When do you put up your tree?
Usually the first part of December but since we are now doing a fresh tree we wait until mid December. But growing up my mom never wanted to mess with a tree so some years it went up two days before Christmas and came down Christmas day and some years we didn't even put one up.
5. What is your favorite Holiday?
This is a hard one just because Holidays are hard for me and always have been, however they are getting better and I think that Christmas this year will be one of the best.
1. What's on the top of your holiday wish list and why?!
I don't really have a gift that I want to have I'd love my hubby to surprise me with a gift I know nothing about. But I do want to make every effort possible to spend quality time with family and extended family this holiday season
2. What is your favorite Christmas gift from the past?
Well from childhood it was the Christmas my Uncle and Aunt got me everything I had put on my wish list I got a sleeping bag and tent that went over my bed. Moon shoes, new clothes, a bunch of toys I had been wanting. Of course being the only girl in the family and the youngest I was a bit spoiled by them my Uncle had 3 boys who were all quite abit older than me.
From my married years my favorite gift was my Bulova watch my hubby bought for me a few years back I wasn't expecting a gift and defiantly not one of that price!
3. If you had life to do over, what would you be when you grow up?
An EMT or Nurse and be able to work my schedule around so that I could be home with the kid during the day.
4. When do you put up your tree?
Usually the first part of December but since we are now doing a fresh tree we wait until mid December. But growing up my mom never wanted to mess with a tree so some years it went up two days before Christmas and came down Christmas day and some years we didn't even put one up.
5. What is your favorite Holiday?
This is a hard one just because Holidays are hard for me and always have been, however they are getting better and I think that Christmas this year will be one of the best.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
The Run
Well since I have had a few days to process my time with my cousin on Saturday I think I can blog about it now. I know I was a nervous wreck leading up to Saturday, I didn’t know what time we were meeting or if I would see him before Saturday. I am a person who doesn’t like the unknown I need a plan to keep me sane. So Friday afternoon I received a text from him saying he would call or text me in the morning with the time and place to meet. I was anxious about meeting him and very worried about our workout together. As he is in the Navy and running is an every day thing for him and he will run like 10 miles just because.
I woke up super early Saturday morning and so did the boys lucky for me Ashlyne was going to watch the boys that day and she was up and ready early too which worked out great. I picked her up and headed back home by way of Sonic for Blake and Nathan and Ashlyne wanted a cherry limeade. As I was heading home my cousin texted me that he wanted to meet at my Great Grandma’s nursing home parking lot and to wear my workout clothes. Ugg I dislike everyone seeing me in my workout clothes and had spent a good deal of time getting ready that morning figuring that we would change somewhere after visiting my Great Grandma nope I was wrong. We met in the parking lot and I could tell he was shocked to see me all grown up and well I was just as shocked at how much he had changed.
When we got to my Great Grandma’s room she didn’t recognize either of us, we had figured she wouldn’t know who he was but I was shocked she didn’t know me! I had made her a book of photos of the boys for her to keep. She was happy about that but demanded to know why I didn’t bring them with me. I tried to explain with it being flu season I didn’t want to intentionally take them places where there were lots of germs and a nursing home with old people who like to touch kids makes me weary in winter months. We visited with her for awhile and then it was her lunch time so we left.
On the drive from St. James to Rolla my stomach was in knots we pull in to the park where I usually go on my lunch hour and we get out and he starts in giving me advice asking questions etc. The whole trail round trip is 3.2 miles and he asked if I had ever completed the whole thing well I can say I have now! We went the entire trail and ran intervals the whole time now I know I probably was running a slower pace than he was used to but it was nice having someone to run with. I pushed myself harder than I ever had before but kept going. When we returned to our cars my legs were jello and I was red faced and all sweaty. Fully thinking ok now I can return home I was once again wrong. He wanted to take me out to lunch at Applebee’s. Once again thrown out of my comfort zone I had to go to Applebee’s right after a workout in my workout clothes but I survived and we had a great lunch and great conversation.
The time with him didn’t seem near long enough to make up for 14 years but it was well worth it and I enjoyed every minute of it. Even when I was so sore I could hardly move later in the day it was still worth it.
I learned that I could do so much more than I thought it just took someone there next to me pushing and encouraging me to go farther and longer to find that strength. I took a super hot shower that evening at the advice of a good friend and it seemed to help a lot. And really only the backs of my thighs are sore which surprised me and also made me know that I could have went farther.
I woke up super early Saturday morning and so did the boys lucky for me Ashlyne was going to watch the boys that day and she was up and ready early too which worked out great. I picked her up and headed back home by way of Sonic for Blake and Nathan and Ashlyne wanted a cherry limeade. As I was heading home my cousin texted me that he wanted to meet at my Great Grandma’s nursing home parking lot and to wear my workout clothes. Ugg I dislike everyone seeing me in my workout clothes and had spent a good deal of time getting ready that morning figuring that we would change somewhere after visiting my Great Grandma nope I was wrong. We met in the parking lot and I could tell he was shocked to see me all grown up and well I was just as shocked at how much he had changed.
When we got to my Great Grandma’s room she didn’t recognize either of us, we had figured she wouldn’t know who he was but I was shocked she didn’t know me! I had made her a book of photos of the boys for her to keep. She was happy about that but demanded to know why I didn’t bring them with me. I tried to explain with it being flu season I didn’t want to intentionally take them places where there were lots of germs and a nursing home with old people who like to touch kids makes me weary in winter months. We visited with her for awhile and then it was her lunch time so we left.
On the drive from St. James to Rolla my stomach was in knots we pull in to the park where I usually go on my lunch hour and we get out and he starts in giving me advice asking questions etc. The whole trail round trip is 3.2 miles and he asked if I had ever completed the whole thing well I can say I have now! We went the entire trail and ran intervals the whole time now I know I probably was running a slower pace than he was used to but it was nice having someone to run with. I pushed myself harder than I ever had before but kept going. When we returned to our cars my legs were jello and I was red faced and all sweaty. Fully thinking ok now I can return home I was once again wrong. He wanted to take me out to lunch at Applebee’s. Once again thrown out of my comfort zone I had to go to Applebee’s right after a workout in my workout clothes but I survived and we had a great lunch and great conversation.
The time with him didn’t seem near long enough to make up for 14 years but it was well worth it and I enjoyed every minute of it. Even when I was so sore I could hardly move later in the day it was still worth it.
I learned that I could do so much more than I thought it just took someone there next to me pushing and encouraging me to go farther and longer to find that strength. I took a super hot shower that evening at the advice of a good friend and it seemed to help a lot. And really only the backs of my thighs are sore which surprised me and also made me know that I could have went farther.
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