Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to you…

This morning Chandler was getting very upset, to the point of almost crying, because we needed to make this a special day and get ready for Mommy’s birthday. We needed to get balloons, decorations, make a silly cake, to name a few of the many things. I hope they are being very good to you, thought I would write this note to let everyone know it’s your birthday .

I love you so much. You make me a better person and my life is so much better for having met you. We have travelled the country together, cried together, laughed together, and experienced many special moments in the 7.5 years since we first started dating.

- You are a great mother to our kids.
- You are a great cook and baker.
- You are very crafty.
- You encourage me to be a better person.
- You have a tremendous amount of self-discipline.
- You are organized (even if our methods of organization are very differentJ)
- You keep me grounded.
- You keep our house clean (despite having three people fight against you in this battle J)
- You are someone I can talk to and make important decisions with.
- You are a great sunbeam teacher.
- You have a tremendous amount of patience.
- You are always looking for fun things that we can do.
- You have an incredible memory.
- I love those evenings after the kids are in bed where we can sit and laugh and talk.
- You have learned about Transformers, Planets, and Trucks so that you can have a conversation with our son.
- You put up will all of quirks and issues that involve being married to me.
- You have learned about such important things in life as football and why I just can’t turn off a game between two team I don’t root for because there is a minute left on the clock and the score is tied or why.

For all of these reasons (and many more), I love you and wish you a Happy Birthday.

we love rain

It finally rained here!!!! We haven't had rain in forever and we were having 90 degree days and it was just so hot and horrible. (I think we may have broken the record for the most 90+ degree days this summer. Now I know that some of you may think that isn't that hot since all your days are 100+ but we have humidity too. It makes it miserable because even in the shade you are still sweating hot.) I really begin to dislike sunny blue skies when you never get a break. Anyway, on Sunday it rained. It started during church and when one of the kids came into my class to pick up her brother the first thing she said was...."IT'S RAINING OUTSIDE!!!". Then when I got out in the hallway, it was so loud and just crazy kids. It was like they had never seen rain before. So funny how it seemed like such a novelty to them.

Chandler was just as excited. He couldn't wait to go out and was just waiting by the doors begging to play in the rain. When we finally left church, the whole way home was begging to play in the rain. As soon as we got home he got his rain boots on and his raincoat and went straight outside. Emery followed right after him. They were in heaven just splashing in the puddles. I finally made them come in since they needed lunch and Emery needed her nap.

Then yesterday it was raining off and on all day and in the afternoon, it turned into a huge party outside our house with all the neighborhood kids splashing in the puddles together. It was cute and I wish I had gotten my camera out but I didn't. Then it started raining again so the adults all wanted to go in but Chandler and Emery didn't want to so I let them play out on the patio while I got dinner ready. They were playing in the water that collected in the pool while in full rain gear. So funny. They came inside soaked. The boots and coats didn't really do anything to keep them dry. I'm bummed because it is back to sunny today but at least the temperature is a tiny bit cooler. I love love love cloudy rainy days!

On Saturday, Steve was gone all day doing Scout training. I took the kids to Lowe's to build a fire truck and didn't even realize it was Safety week so they had a real fire truck there and a police car and handouts and everything. It was fun and both kids loved playing with their trucks. Then after Emery's nap, we went to a nearby towns family festival. The Boy Scouts were asked to help out by picking up trash and keeping everything nice so Steve had to head over there straight from his training. We met up with him and enjoyed the free rides. Chandler loved these swings. The ride was a little too long and most kids looked sick by the end.
There was a huge slide that you used a a sack to ride down on. I was waiting in line with the kids and thankfully Steve showed up right then. So I made him take the kids. As I was waiting for them, I noticed the rules said no pregnant woman. I probably would have done it anyway. Emery looks terrified but she really loved it and as soon as they got off she was asking for more. Chandler went by himself and looked pretty scared.
The kids also went on the merry-go-round twice (which Emery loves), in a bounce house and Chandler went through some blowup thing. There was one of those trampoline things that you wear a harness and jump on that Chandler was begging to do. I didn't let him because I didn't know if he was old enough and the line was also really really long. I wasn't waiting in a line for it in the hot sun. It was a super hot day.

On Friday Emery learned how to blow bubbles. Cutest thing I've even seen. I just love her little lips blowing away. We also went to a ward activity at a park. It was a chili cook-off. It turned out to be fun and the kids had a blast because it was at the park with the sand. Chandler seriously stayed in the sand the entire time just playing. He is one of those kids perfectly happy just playing by themselves. Though he does like playing with other kids too.

This is a random video but so funny. Emery found the baby bouncy thing under our bed and has been obsessed with it. I figure she really isn't too big for it because I'm sure it holds at least 20 lbs. if not more and Emery is barely 20 lbs. so I don't worry. She is too tall but that doesn't seem to bother her. She loves it and every morning wants to jump while I get ready. One day I took it down and when she noticed later she had a huge fit and insisted I put it back up.

Today we had an appraiser come because we are refinancing and she made a comment about Steve's Scout shirt in the closet and asked Chandler if he was going to be a boy scout. Without one second of hesitation, Chandler answered, "no, I'm going to be an astronaut!". It was really funny. He does stay consistent with his story at least. Right now he constantly tells me that when I have the baby, Emery will become my kid and he will go to the space station and we can visit him. He says I don't need him to be my kid anymore because I'll have a kid and a baby.

Apple Picking

The past Saturday, Steve was gone with the Scouts (hopefully he will do a post about that soon). It is apple picking season right now and Steve has something every Saturday until who knows when. I was kind of annoyed and then I just decided, you know what??, I will just go apple picking without him. So one of the other leaders that was with Steve has 13 and 11 year old girls and wasn't going to be able to go because he needed to be home with them while their mom was running this crazy race.

(Alright, not that any of you care but I have to tell you about the race because if I didn't have an enlarged abdomen right now I would have been right there with the rest of them at the race. It was called the Blue Ridge Relay and basically it was a 208 mile relay race through the Blue Ridge Mountains. They had 12 people on their team. They were mostly woman from church with a few high schoolers and few friends from out of state. I was so bummed I couldn't do it with them. I guess it was the super super hard. Way harder than they imagined I think. Since it was in the mountains there were tons of hills and that is what killed everyone. The other extreme factor is they ran through the night. So basically they were going for 2 days straight and living out of cars. So not much sleep happened and they were running long distances in between being cramped in the car. As horrible as it sounds I really wish I could have participated. I'm impressed with all the woman from church who have more kids than me and are older than me. They sure are tough!)

Okay, back to what I was saying. Anyway, I suggested that the two girls come stay with me overnight and during they day so that their dad could go with Steve and the scouts. It worked out perfect because then I had company and also entertainment for the kids:)

So I took the kids apple picking on Saturday with the help of Madyson. Her sister had other things during the day. The kids love Madyson and Emery even started rejecting me and only wanted Madyson to help her do things (hold her hand, carry her, buckle her in the car seat, take her out of the car). Then of course on Sunday when Madyson came over to say hi Emery wouldn't even look at her. She's such a silly girl.

Emery loved eating the apples. She had one in her hands pretty much the whole time. We went to a place in South Carolina called Windy Hill Orchards. It was only an hour away.

I tried to take cute pictures of the kids but everything was against me. There were way too many shadows and this orchard wasn't as pretty as the one we went to last year. I wasn't about to drive 2 hours to go there without Steve though. I get so tired driving.

They kids would not look at me. I tried everything. We were all hot so I finally just gave up in hopes that Steve will take a day off work or something and we can go pick apples in the mountains where it is much cooler and beautiful.

The funny thing is Emery wore the same skirt last year when we went apple picking. She has so many clothes that she has been wearing for a full year. My skinny little girl. Chandler on the other hand is outgrowing some 4T things.

We picked our apples then took a hay ride then ate some lunch at the picnic tables and bought some apple cider which the kids LOVED. Then we called it a day and went home. We all were exhausted and Madyson and I both fell asleep while Chandler watched a movie. I don't know how that kid stays awake all the time. Then we played outside and ended up getting Five Guys for dinner. It was delicious as always. Then it was baths for the kids and straight to bed. Madyson was amazing and totally got them ready for bed and everything. She isn't even 11 yet. (We actually share a birthday and it's coming up soon.) I don't think I was that responsible at that age. Then Madyson watched a movie while I worked on my Sunbeam lesson and we waited for her parents and Steve to get home. It was a weekend that could have been really hard turned into a great and fun weekend. Thanks for all your help Madyson and Savannah!

Mini Golfing

So two Saturday's ago Steve had to be gone all morning doing Scout Training so when he got home in the afternoon I demanded that we did a fun family outing. I had been thinking that the kids would love mini golfing so that is what we did.
Turns out our kids aren't really too keen on mini golfing. You can see that Chandler isn't even looking at the ball or paying a speck of attention to Steve trying to show him how to hit the ball. He would not let us help him at all and he didn't even care to even try to play for real.
After about 1 hole we totally scratched the rules, Steve and I didn't even really get to golf and we basically just walked the course with the kids putting their balls in each hole.
It was pure chaos and I had to tell Steve I was sorry for picking such a crappy activity. Total waste of money and we agreed that would should have just spent $15 inside at the arcades and the kids would have been so much happier.
The course was really crappy too. Totally worn down and not taken care of. Oh well.
Emery was actually happy the whole time. She loved it. It was really cute becuase she totally knew who each ball belonged to. She would bring everyone the correct color.
After 18 holes the kids were done. I thought since it was cloudy it wouldn't be too bad out but it was super hot and muggy.
We bought 6 tokens and let the kids each choose something to do inside at the arcade. Chandler drove some race car thing. Then Chandler and Emery went on the tiny merry-go-round. Emery loved it. Then there was one other car ride that they both sat on. We decided that Chuck-E-Cheese is much better though. Cleaner, safer, and everything only cost 1 token each. We've only been there once for a birthday party but I think it could be a good reward for Chandler. Maybe I should make a chore chart and have that as the prize after so long??? Hmmm, I doubt it would work with Chandler though. Rewards never worked for his potty training. Which by the way he is finally over his poop problem. He has stopped holding it and will actually go by himself. OH, it's been so wonderful.

September's off to a great start

I just don't know why I can't keep up with blogging these days. Maybe it is my 9:00 bedtime or my 1:30-3 nap???? Hmmmm, that just about answers my question. I spend all my free time sleeping:)

So since I haven't been able to keep up, here are some random photos from the first week in September.

Chandler and Emery are so cute with one another. Emery copies everything Chandler does. She is also very thoughtful. She had just gotten up from her nap and I got her a snack. Usually Chandler doesn't want any but this day I guess he ate all of hers. So she came back into the kitchen asking for more and got out a bowl for me to fill for Chandler too. Then they both sat against the front door eating their snack. They never sit there so it was very funny to me.

Another cute story about Emery: One morning they were lucky and I gave them pop-tarts during our morning walk. Emery looked over at Chandler as he was shoving the last bite of his into his mouth. She immediately said, "uh-oh" and broke off a big piece of hers and gave it to Chandler. He of course shoved that into his mouth and she kept breaking off pieces of hers and giving them to Chandler. She is so sweet.

I think it was two weekends ago? that Steve came home from work just a tad bit earlier than normal so we packed up, stopped at the grocery store and got sandwiches and drinks and headed to the "sand box" park for a little picnic.Emery ate a little before going to play. I don't think we got Chandler to eat anything. He did eat some sandwich when we got home.It was the best evening in a very long time. Steve and I just sat and watched our kids play nicely together. It was really something we should do more often. These two are so happy if they have a place to dig. I do wish we had a lake or something to go to with a nice beach because sand and water are just all that much better but the kids are happy with just sand.
Chandler decided to make some sand angels. He is so creative sometimes and really surprises me with the things he comes up with. Sometimes I get all worried because he can't/won't count or knows any letters or anything but then he is always thinking and asking questions and so smart about "space and transformers and astronauts and storms" (as he likes to say).
This is the Emery face that we love. Her smile just melts my heart. You are very lucky if you get to see a true Emery smile.
And her little head tilt is to die for. Oh, I love everything about this little girl. This is a nice head tilt but most people get the glare and looking-down-don't-look-at-me head tilt. Which is also pretty darn cute.The next morning, we got up and went to a Labor Day parade. We got perfect parking and not so great seats since the sun was in our eyes the whole time. There was a nice breeze that kept us a little cool.I love how Chandler was just chilling with his feet crossed. Probably a band was going by or something. He didn't care about them and they didn't have candy:)

This year he finally caught on to everything. I told him he had to wave and when he saw the people with candy he would stand up and wave. It worked, he got lots of candy.

I love how Chandler plugged his ears when the shriner motorcycles went by. He loved them but didn't love the noise. Emery is terrified of any big truck or loud vehicle.

After the parade we went over to Costco because we were so close and needed some things. We ate all their samples for lunch:) then we went home for naps. Then we all worked out in the yard. I helped mow a little while Steve cleared some bushes from the edge of the woods. Then he took over the mowing. It was fun having the whole family out working together.

On Monday we went to the very last Charlotte Knights baseball game of the season. It was perfect because it was actually a day game and not at 7 at night. All summer I've wanted to go to a game but I hate keeping my kids up past their bedtime. Especially when the event starts AT their bedtime. They did have some afternoon games but they are always on Sunday. Stupid.

Anyway, it turned out to be a ton of fun and just perfect. We got seats in the shade for the whole game, Emery had a little 10 minute nap in the car on the way there and was happy as can be the whole time. I decided that she is most definitely Steve's little sports watching side kick. Way more than Chandler. Emery cheers and claps and is so well behaved. Chandler whines and moves around and gets really bored.

We even bought food which is a treat. We had some nachos and Chandler got a hot dog and popcorn. I took him on a walk since he was going crazy and we ended up at the kid zone. It said it was $1 for a ticket. There was a merry-go-round, jump house, and blowup slide. Unfortunately it meant $1 for each activity each time you did it. So we chose the merry-go-round and Chandler got a ride on that.

Then on our walk back he spied cotton candy and somehow knew what it was. I gave in and we came back with our little treat which Emery was very pleased with. She really is like her daddy as far as her sweet tooth goes. It was hilarious watching them eat that cotton candy.

Emery's favorite thing to watch for was the mascots. She loved them. Every time they came out on the field she would point and get all excited. So when we saw they were signing things and there wasn't really a line, we had to bring the kids in for a closer view of Sweet Caroline and Homer. We even had the free poster for them to sign which is now hanging in the toy room because the kids love it so much. Emery loves pointing at the poster and just laughing.

Since it was the last game of the season, they let anyone who wanted to run the bases do so after the game. Thankfully we got in line pretty close to the front so we didn't have to wait too long. Chandler and Steve ran the bases while I tried to take pictures without Emery running after them and without getting yelled at for being on the grass. Chandler gave Homer a nice high five at the end which of course I got the before and after but not the actually high five.

On the way home Chandler kept telling us his favorite part of the game was running the bases. I was actually very surprised he did it because sometimes he is kind of a wimp when it comes to athletic stuff and it's hot out. But he ran the whole thing and loved it.

Then when we got home we played out in the backyard while Steve put together another garden planter so I have more room next year. It turned out to be a really great day.

Enough of what we did a week ago. I still have to write about our fun outing this past weekend but I'll do that later.

While I'm thinking about it I have to mention how much I love having a great day. Yesterday was just so nice. Chandler was really good and cooperative and helpful. He has started going to the bathroom a little more willingly (instead of waiting to the last minute and refusing to go). Emery was mostly happy and cheerful. I found out the reason for her constant runny nose and frequent whining- a two year molar came through. (I thought that may be the case but every time I felt in her mouth I couldn't feel anything. I guess all the stuff before coming through the gum was the painful part.) We had a yummy dinner which both kids ate up AND we ate it with Steve. Then we had a great Family Home Evening (thanks to Steve's quick planning- I always drop the ball and forget about planning something). While finishing up dinner Chandler noticed our neighbors outside. He asked if it was time for bed. I knew he really wanted to go out and play with them. But we said, no, it's time for Family Home Evening. Chandler jumped up and yelled "Family Home Evening!" and ran into the living room. It was so nice to not have to fight him about it. The weather has started to get a lot nicer. It is nice and cool in the morning. I open the kitchen windows during breakfast and it is so nice. If you are in the shade it is very pleasant out. The sun is still way to hot but the shade is nice. The kids got ready for bed willingly for the most part. It was just a nice day. And Steve and I were nice to each other. Unlike the day before when we couldn't seem to get a long for one minute or say anything nice to each other at all. Why do we do that? We are both way too stubborn. But I'm glad for the good days. They rejuvenate me and help me to carry on and try harder. Yeah for good days!!!

extreme cuteness

I may be slightly biased but I must say these are two of the cutest kids I've ever seen. Not only are they extremely good looking, their little personalities are extremely adorable.

Chandler has been so excited for a baby. He had been asking for one and so when I got pregnant he insisted that I was having twins. I think he finally has agreed that I am not having twins. He says when this baby grows up then I can have another one. He says we need a baby because Emery grew up and isn't a baby anymore. He has basically learned about the birds and the bees because he asks so many darn questions. He wants to know everything about everything. He can tell you that the baby is in water and gets food from a cord and it used to be a little egg. I couldn't bring myself to tell him the egg needs another part but he is satisfied that I have an egg that turned into a baby. One day he was insisting on watching a video of Emery coming out. We have one taken from behind me of just Emery being lifted onto my chest. That wasn't good enough for Chandler. He wanted more. He kept saying he wanted to see her coming out. So I called Steve and asked if it was appropriate to search for a birth video on you-tube to show Chandler. I was only kind of kidding about actually showing him. I never ended up doing it. Somehow I turned his attention to something else and he forgot. He often talks to the baby but it isn't real talking, he puts his mouth right on my stomach and makes all these mumbling weird sounds (and slobbers all over me).
Emery's latest phrase is, "bye, see ya". I love how she says it. So so so cute. She does it if you leave the room or if she is going to hide or anytime it may be appropriate to say bye. I don't know where she picked it up but I love it.
Oh Emery, she is just perfect. I told Steve one night as I was telling him cute things the kids did that day that I don't think Emery could do any wrong in my eyes. She could color all over the wall and I probably wouldn't be mad at her. She is seriously that adorable. She just flashes her sweet little face and smile and it melts my heart. Then she full on sprints into me and gives me huge hugs and kisses. I'm not kidding, Emery is perfect in every way. Okay, maybe not in her drama-queen-sensitive-way-with-over-the-top-crying. But I can look right past that:)
We were driving in the car and the song Toes from the Zac Brown Band came on. All of a sudden it said, "put my A** in a lawn chair....". I was about to turn to Steve and say I didn't realize there was a swear in that song (now that I read the lyrics it isn't a very good song and it says that word a lot, guess I've never really listened to it that well) when Chandler blurts out, "What the heck, put my a** in a lawn chair!". Oh my, it was the funniest thing ever. We both just looked at each other and I couldn't help but bust up laughing. I knew I shouldn't laugh but I just couldn't help it. He had no clue that was a bad word. After some laughing Chandler than said, "I say funny things". Oh that kid, I was laughing the whole way home and then Steve and I were laughing about it when we went to bed that night.
To motivate Chandler to get ready for bed we often have him race Emery. One night he was really into it and after he was dressed first he announced, "I winned! (pronounced win-id)". He says some funny words sometimes.

(I still didn't get the pictures that I want of Emery in her dress but at least she wasn't crying for these. The only shaded place was against the neighbors house so a very ugly background but oh well. Time to move on from my obsession of getting the perfect picture. I took these after church last week.)

18 weeks

So I guess I should probably put this on the blog for all you whom I don't see on a regular basis.

Yes, it is true. I'm having another baby. February 2, 2011 is the due date. So that makes this kid just over 2 years apart from Emery. The same distance as Emery and Chandler (25 months). I'm 18 weeks today. I have my ultrasound next week but the news you are all going to hate is.....we AREN'T finding out the gender! Well, as long as I can make it through the ultrasound without finding out. I have to be strong.

This pregnancy has been really really hard compared to the other two. I was really sick for the whole first trimester. I threw up more than once which is more than the other two. I was nauseous all the time. So tired all I could do was lay on the couch. That is half the reason I have kind of disappeared from blogging. Too tired to do anything.

I'm happy to say I feel much better now. The tiredness isn't really gone. I still take a nap most days while Chandler watches way too much t.v. I feel like such a horrible mom but I just can't make it through the afternoon without a little(or big) rest. As soon as 9:00 pm hits I have to go to bed. Another reason why not much gets done around here. My evenings are very very short.

I feel and look really huge. It's annoying. Here I am at 18 weeks with Chandler and here is a link to me at 19 weeks with Emery. Anyway, there's lots more I could write but it seems to be time for my couch lounging nap:) I have so many cute things about the kids and their excitement for a baby. I've been dying not being able to put it on the blog and now I've probably forgotten it all but I'll try to remember for a future post.