Birthday Invitation

It turns out Cole did want Nemo so this is what I came up with:

Our big day is coming; our big day is near,
Soon we’ll be finishing our 3rd and 5th years
Mom and Dad are having a party
They say is for us
The girls will be lovely princesses
But boys, don’t you fuss
Nemo who has been found in the sea
Will be the theme for the one who will be three

Please join us to celebrate Kayley and Cole’s Birthday!
When: January 24th, 2009
Time: 12pm
Where: Thille Park, Ventura
RSVP: Stephanie @ 290-6197

Of course, I will print it out on pretty paper and add princess and Nemo stickers. I'm really not into going all out for parties so I think I can just plan some general games, make some cupcakes for each theme and let them play at the park.

Help!

I know not a ton of people read this blog, but I really need help here. Kayley wants a Princess birthday and Cole wants a Nemo birthday. What can I do to incorporate those two very different themes? I'm wondering if I should just make Cole pick something else or just decide for him since he is only two. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

It's a Good day!

Today is a good day. Even though Cole woke up completely wet from the waist down and there are still dinner dishes in the sink this morning, It's going to be a great day! Let me tell you why. On Tuesday someone (who shall remain annonymous) called me and offered to make our car payment. I was thrilled and, of course, said yes, we'll take it! When I got the check in the mail yesturday the amount was made out for our car payment AND our rent! We didn't even ask and they didn't know we hadn't paid rent yet. Thank you Jesus! This, along with the gift cards we got, covers all our basics needs and that's all I can ask for right now.

Oh, and by the way, I'm totally going to be famous. On the 19th I'm going to do a photo shoot at Gospel Light for their new curriculum. I'm going to be leading six kids through some activities and the photographer will take pics of us. They're going to be thrilled because I'm just that beautiful. I'll sign autographs at the next VBS if you want one:)

10 on Tuesday

I'm totally stealing Kim's idea for a Tuesday blog entry. I probably won't do it every week but I'm feeling bloggerific today!

10 Things I Should Do (or should have done) Today

1. Stop eating the jalapeno cheddar Cheetos I'm eating right now.

2. Strap Katie's car seat in tight enough so it doesn't fall over when I go around the corner (like it did this morning).

3. Wipe the yogurt off the table with a napkin or paper towel instead of using my finger.

4. Stop being lazy and post some pictures of my kids on here.

5. Quit worrying about the three dirty dishes in my sink and the "clutter" that is getting my panties in a bunch.

6. Do a load of laundry instead of waiting a week and doing 7 loads in one day (it seriously takes that many).

7. Put away the loose electrical cord in the kids room so my two year old won't play with it anymore.

8. Start a band- I'll sing



and Kayley can play the guitar.

9. Stop freaking out about the fact that I can register Kayley for school in two and a half weeks.

10. Look at this picture more often and be thankful about how far we've come and how many pounds have been shed by each member of the family:)

Not Me! Monday

It's Monday again. MckMama has officially tipped the Not Me! Monday scales with her hickeys and peeing in a cup. But for those of you who don't know her, check out my craziness for the week.

Since last week was the last one without Katie I spent the week disciplining Cole and trying to potty train him fully. I have not discovered that giving my son a nice pinch under the armpit works better than a spanking. There's nothing like a nice pinch in a sensitive area to get some obedience going. But I wouldn't do that, it's just plain mean.

I have enjoyed the time I've had with just my kids (and my husband, unplanned of course) over the holidays. I am totally not crabby about Katie coming back tomorrow. And I am so looking forward to retraining her to sleep/obey/follow my rules. We all know I'll suck it up and deal but I still want to spend my last night wishing and hoping that I never have to work again.

Tyler loves the tiny little Christmas tree grow kit that Kayley got in her stocking from my mom this Christmas. He did not just tell me that he hopes it grows big and strong so we can use it for our Christmas tree next year! Now he's aerating the soil. We are not a tree farm. I suppose I should have a little faith that it might survive since it's not me growing it and I have not killed every plant I've ever been given.

My son woke up in his pack and play yesterday morning calling for mommy. Cole had taken off his pants, thrown out his sheet, blanky, pillow, comforter, and stuffed animal on the floor. He was not trying to fold up the floor of the crib when daddy walked in. Apparently he wanted to fold up the crib and be done with it. He got a spanking for being a silly stinker and we began the day. I told him he wouldn't sleep in his big boy bed for a long time. And no, he is not sleeping in his big boy bed right now, sawing logs. I always stick to what I say and make him suffer. The truth is, I hate the crib sitting in the middle of the room. So I made the transition. Although I may still have a non-complient toddler, I truly have a sense of happiness that it won't be in the room anymore.

Miracles

Some things you can be sure of, others you can't. For me, there's not a whole lotta being sure of anything going around. Except for the fact that when I put my trust in the Lord, He does not return void. I woke up this morning so discouraged. I made the decision to tell myself over and over to expect a miracle today. And right at the perfect moment God blessed our lives with 4 gift cards (with a great deal of goodness on them) that someone put under our gate!!!
Talk about a big old God hug!

God wants to do amazing things in my life, I just choose not to expect him to do things beyond what my eyes can see and what my mind can comprehend. Boy is that going to change!

Accomplishments of '08 and Goals for '09

Wow, as I take a gander at the year that has passed I realize so much has happened! There have been so many changes in our family and in me personally I'm just blown away. These are the things I have accomplished:

• Lost 20 pounds
• Made four new friends
  
• Moved out of one house into another
• Raised the kids on my own for 13 weeks (with the help of my dear parents)
• Went another 8 weeks with Tyler home on just the weekends
  
• Moved out of another house into our condo
• Taught a one year old to sleep longer than 45 min.
• Made friends with a brand new baby named Peyton
• Visited Kim and Cory and discovered that Alabama isn't so bad
• Potty trained Cole (as of 12/31 he has officially done it! Hurray!)
  
• Grown closer to the Lord and my faith in Him has increased by leaps and bounds

I'd say that's a nice stack of accomplishments!

Here's what I would like to see come to pass in 2009:

• Lose 20 more pounds
• Own a car that doesn't require sacrificing food and warmth to pay for it
• Start Cole at Kids Corner
• Start Kayley in Kindergarten (aahhhhh!)
• Stop using the word "freaking" (if you can call it a word- it's more like a substitution for something foul)
• Tyler have a steady job and see his back and knee healed
• To have a stable life!!!

I know that these are just the beginning!!

Happy New Year!