Pumpkin Patch

Noah and his friends Brookie and Macy

Today Noah's school had their yearly Pumpkin Patch. They read stories, take pictures and decorate and eat cookies. It's always a lot of fun, and I got to do the story telling this year. Noah decided to be the Incredible Hulk (he says it Hoke), but we didn't get any pictures of him with his mask and now it's lost. Hopefully we'll find it again before tomorrow. It really is the freakiest looking mask. Noah is so proud of himself! He loves wearing it and scaring people. I'm so sad, though, because Noah won't kiss me anymore at school - he's just too macho for it. Nathanael was 5 yrs old before I went through this with him!!!! I am so sad about it! If I ask him for a kiss he'll turn his head and lean his cheek in or say, "Uh, Mo-om!" I think my heart is broken, my baby - my last born child - is now embarrassed by me. It's truly tragic.

This is a picture of our beautiful Brooke. She was Gabriella from HSM. She and Noah are 5 days apart and have amazingly been best friends their entire lives (I'm not exaggerating). Isn't she beautiful?! Carl and I love her bunches and are so thankful that they are back "home."











What a great pic of the "Hoke."














Carlye and Nathanael have the Great Pumpkin Parade tomorrow at their school. All of the kids decorate pumpkins, set them up on the stage, and then the kids wear their costumes and do a "parade" through the school, around the stage and around the parents in the cafeteria. It's a lot of fun.

Carlye decopaged green tissue paper onto her pumpkins, and Carl attached them to each other with a wire hanger, then daddy made her antennae's and legs. Finishing touch came when Carlye used metallic straight pins for the eyes and mouth.


Nathanael wanted his pumpkin to be a pirate. Daddy helped him with his bandanna and the line for his eyepatch, and Nathanael did all the rest all by himself. I love it! Isn't it creative?


This is Cassie's pumpkin - it's a princess, she just doesn't have her tiara yet. I love the lips - Cassie took special care with them and they're adorable! And yes, she did those lips 100% by herself using straight pins with metallic pink and purple heads.


Noah decorated his along with everyone else. His favorite color is blue, so everything on his pumpkin is blue. I drew the outlines for his eyes and nose and he colored them all in, and Carlye helped him with his mouth.

Well-check

Well, the youngest Mr. Pfiester went for his 4 yr well check today. He has gone from 50th percentile for height and 100th percentile for weight (Carl said that's med speak for short and fat!) last year to 86th percentile for both this year. Maybe he will be taller then me. It was so sad, though, because he had to get 4 shots (counting his flu shot). When the dr told him those beautiful blue eyes teared up and he started blinking rapidly so the tears wouldn't fall. "Are they going to leave a hole in my arm?" he asked. I assured him they weren't. He then asked me if they were going to take all his blood out. I told him no on that one, too. He did cry just a little bit, but I think that I might have, too. Especially since the nurse said that two of them were really painful shots. Poor guy. He's really excited about the band-aids, though, and his sore little arms should keep him from climbing anything for a little while. The pic above is from a fishing trip we went on earlier this year - Noah started to cry when it was time to go. A little more tears over the fishing then the shots, but you get the idea. I'll have more pics tomorrow after Noah's pumpkin patch at school. I get to read the Pumpkin Parable, and it will be a lot of fun. Then, of course, there will be more pics on Friday after Carlye and Nathanael's Pumpkin Parade - so stay tuned!

Popcorn Popper

On one of my mom and dad's visits here they bought Carl and I an air popper for popcorn. I love using it, but there are times when I forget that it's there and we fall back on our old stand by of microwave popcorn. Yesterday, however, I pulled it out to pop corn with Noah, and he LOVED it. I couldn't believe how fascinated he was with it. Even after we had popped the corn he went on and on about how neat it was. "That's the coolest thing, momma." It's so neat the way the simplest things can make them so happy, and yet how often do we fail to do them? We are in such a modern world that even popcorn poppers seem old fashioned now. So, with that in mind, I believe that as a mother I need to become more conscientious about doing "old fashioned" things with my children - including popping corn. And while I'm at it I think that I'm going to teach Carlye to cross-stitch as well.

PS - today Noah tried to repel down the refrigerator with Emmy's leash. It did not turn out well for the items on the refrigerator, but Noah's fine. We've hidden the leash.

Oh, and let me just add - for the record - that I can't stand the blue team on Biggest Loser. I despise all of them. I liked Amy until today when she helped them all gang up on Phil. They are hateful, manipulative and vindictive, especially Heba and Brady's wife (sorry, can't think of her name; as far as I'm concerned she doesn't deserve to be called by her name). Just had to get that off my chest. I'm really not a mean hearted person (seriously, no comments from the peanut gallery - I'll delete you) but these guys are awful! And they voted off two of my favorite people, sort of. Humph!

Movie Review!

Well, the gang all went to see HSM3 yesterday, and the best part about the entire thing was watching Brookie and Noah (they happened to both be by me.) They were hilarious, and they LOVED it! I have to say that this movie was better written then the second and better performed then both of the first two, and overall I enjoyed it. However, I cannot STAND that it is the same plot line in all three. Everything is fine, something happens with Gabriella and Troy, Gabriella goes crazy teenage girl extreme emotional, resolution at the end. All three. Yep - get a new story line. I did like the choreography, though - very impressed. Oh, and the other thing that made it difficult to enjoy the movie? Every time someone would start to sing Carl would bust out laughing.

First time

First time I took the quiz I was Marianne Dashwood. I didn't like that answer, and I DON'T want to hear it if you guys think it was more accurate before. So there.

Heidi's Quiz

Okay - this was much more realistic then the answer I got the first time.

Take the Quiz here!

Jodi's blog

I would like to draw everyones attention to the new blog on my list, Handprints on the Window. It belongs to my bestest friend Jodi, and for those of you that want to you can keep up with her and Dave-o through it. I know my sisters and mom will enjoy it. Have fun!

Woo-hoo!

After a valiant effort abroad, our fearless warriors return empty handed and slightly injured,- but not defeated. Though it has been one of the most trying and difficult hunts they have ever been a part of, they have learned much, and will heal and re-group and begin preparing for next year. Meanwhile, our mighty hunters have come home to their weary wives early, excited to see their families again.

Day 11 (and 100th post!)

Saturday is a special day, it's the day we get ready for Sunday.
We mess up the house and we don't brush our hair, and we call it the fight all day long day.
We push and kick and we yell and scream, and we didn't even eat ice cream.
We yell it's not fair and we cry 'cause we can't and we all get to go to bed early.

Oh, and I couldn't shoot the possum 'cause our guns are in Colorado seeking mule deer and elk.

Day 10

I have to say that today has been quite a wing-dinger (that's hick for crazy). I have been riding the perpetual emotional rollercoaster, and I am now happy, but exhausted. It started out with a call this morning from my "big sister." She just found out she was pregnant about a week ago (and has taken 15 pregnancy tests since then to confirm it) and today she started cramping really badly and bleeding. I prayed with her, and then took her to the emergency room (in Fredericksburg) and waited there with her until her husband could get there. Since we know how quickly they get you in and out of these sanctuaries for the restoration of health I was there for several hours. And while I was there (I stayed even after her hubby got there) the school nurse called me to tell me that Carlye was sick. My little sister-in-laws were both working, as were my brother in laws and mom in law, April had Noah and didn't have room in her car for anymore, and I couldn't get a hold of Jodi. Carlye sat in the nurses office for 2 hours and 45 minutes and watched all of the teachers get there flu shots while she waited for me to come and pick her up. I called to check on her at one point (the nurse knew where I was) and she asked me to please come and get her soon because this place was full of blood. When we finally left the hospital mommy and baby were both fine, and she has follow up appointments next week. We prayed so hard, and I am so thankful that our prayers were answered. Now Momma is taking care of herself with bed rest and lots of love. I have to say, honestly, that it was really hard today. It doesn't take very long to fall in love with someone, and all of us are already in love with this new little one that we haven't met yet. And no one likes to see someone they love go through the anguish of not knowing if you've miscarried or are still pregnant. We are continuing to pray him/her safely here.

This evening I baby sat and the kids had so much fun. They ate pizza, played Lincoln Logs and Lego for almost 2 hours, 15 min on Webkinz world, and then they watched "How to Eat Fried Worms" (which is, by the way, a good movie). They have all gone to bed now, exhausted - oh, and you all should know that my car holds miraculous healing powers. Upon entering my vehicle all previous ailments will be driven quickly and completely from you, especially those acquired in the field of learning (aka school). I should charge admission. It would help with the gas.

Main Entry:
opos·sum
Pronunciation:
\(ə-)ˈpä-səm\
Function:
noun
Inflected Form(s):
plural opossums also opossum
Etymology:
earlier apossoun, opassom, Virginia Algonquian, from Algonquian *wa·p- white + *-aʔθemw- dog
Date:
1610
1: any of a family (Didelphidae) of American marsupials that usually have a pointed snout and prehensile tail ; especially : a common omnivorous largely nocturnal mammal (Didelphis virginiana) of North America that has grayish to blackish fur with white on the cheeks and is an expert climber

In Texas we call 'em possums cause opossum sounds weird, like o-dog, or o-cat. Just ain't right.

Oh, and I DID like the newest Fablehaven - it was really good.

Possum

A possum just tried to eat me. Seriously, it is getting scary outside of my house. First savage evil deer try to trample me (that happened last night, or was it the night before? they all run together now) and then a nasty, stinky little possum sticks it's head out of the trash and looks at me with its beady little eyes like it wants to eat me. Have you ever noticed how creepy possums are? Over the Hedge got it waaaaay wrong. They're like giant rats with longer, creepier noses and a harry body. And it was IN MY TRASH CAN! I've been wondering what was getting into my trash. Every night I make sure that the lid is snapped on tight because somethings been getting into it at night. Well, tonight my question was answered. That sneaky little vermin is crawling in through a crack in the lid of the trash can that no animal larger than a rat has any business crawling through. He/she/it then apparently bucks and pushes until the lid comes off of the trash can so that they can turn my garage into one large litter bin. And my worthless little ferile cats just sat there and stared at it like it was their long lost friend. Emmy wasn't afraid, though, she was all for taking it out. Yeah, that's just what I need, to have a creepy giant rat shaped mammal bottom feeder kill my daughters dog in the middle of the night while I'm taking it potty. And the most egregious part is that he/she/it is becoming more bold. Now they aren't even waiting for me to go the bed - they're attacking earlier. And one last spooky thought - what if there was more then one possum in there? I could have been attacked by a possum mob. So gross.

Day 9

Today has been hectic. Nathanael left his lunch and backpack at home this morning, which meant double trips into town for me, I volunteered in Carlye's class today and listened to children read, worked on church stuff, ate lunch with family, picked up Noey, picked up the older two, grabbed my best friends little girl from school, came home and cleaned, did homework, cooked dinner did some laundry and then went back into town to watch Grace and Sam in a play at their school, and came home and put the kids to bed. I miss Carl more right now then I have the entire time he's been gone. I'm sad and lonely, and beating myself up about all of the things that I wish I could have done with the kids today and the things I wish I would have or wouldn't have said to them and I think at this moment I'm just feeling a little bit like a failure. (don't comment - I know I'm not) And I'd like to be held. I thought about grabbing all the kids and putting them in my bed for the night so that I can cuddle with them, but I know that I'll regret that around 3:00 tomorrow morning when they're rolling and kicking and stealing blankets and pillows. The four of us don't fit really well in my bed. It's fun for a few hours, but that's about it. So, I'm cuddling with Emmaline and I'm going to watch last nights episode of Criminal Minds and then go to bed.

Music

Just wanted to explain really quickly that the new songs were just some fun ones that I threw in there. I do NOT agree with the message (as I understand it) in When the Children Cry, but it was the song that my friends and I listened to the most in High School, so I threw it in there for old times sake. It won't stay long. Just wanted you to know.

Day 8

There is absolutely no reason for this picture except for the fact that I miss my baby. That's the problem with good marriages, you love your spouse so much and spend so much time with them that when they're gone it really bugs you.

Well, there's really not a whole lot to say today. I'm feeling much better today then I did yesterday, so that automatically makes everything seem better. My nephew came over and spent the day with Noah today and the two of them were hilarious. Noah does not like not being the baby! Jealousy was definitely rearing it's ugly head today. Even if Colton is only 18 months younger, it's enough to bother Noey. But what's really funny about it is that he doesn't mind with Victoria. I think it's a guy thing. Despite that, though, he loved having Colton over here, and I think that Colton had fun, too. We went to church tonight, and thankfully everything went smoothly, and now we are all home in bed. Amazingly enough, no one has gotten out of bed tonight. It's like when Carl left he took all of our childrens good behavior with him, because every night they are up once or twice with an "I miss daddy." I informed them last night that they were allowed to miss him all they wanted but they had to stay in bed while they did it and I was serious. I think it sunk in, because they haven't gotten out of bed since. Now I'm exhausted, and I can't decide if I want to read Fablehaven or watch Criminal Minds before I go to bed. I know I don't want to turn on the news. It's too depressing. I need a break from it for a little while. Of course, just going straight to bed sounds pretty lovely, too.

A cold front is coming in, and it is so incredible outside. The wind is blowing and you can actually feel the cool air blowing in. I love that feeling - standing outside in the moonlight, listening to the trees rustling and feeling the cool air brush past your face, letting the peace wash over you. I feel as though fall is finally here. It is, however, not so cool when a small herd of deer come running out of the little grove of trees in your yard and try to trample you and your dog to death (yes, I'm serious - deer are super scary at night when they're running directly at you). Also, tree rustling isn't so awesome when the moon is covered with dark, ominous clouds and you have previously been trampled by deer and you're not sure if it's the wind or the deer or some rabid fox or raccoon or a transient that's going to knock you out and steal your dog. As a matter of fact, it makes walking your dog at night a true act of faith and prayer. I've hear they make doggy litter boxes - I might look into those.

I don't know if I've mentioned this or not, but Noah can say the Pledge of Allegiance now. It is so captivating to hear those big words coming out of his little mouth. Especially indivisible. I need to see if I can record the audio and play it on here. Is that possible? Do any of you know? Carlye is busily teaching Nathanael how to read (she makes him call her Miss Anne) and Nathanael is eating it up. Overall my little brood is growing and changing and loving and exploring and living their life to the fullest. And I can't really ask for more.

Day 7

Today has been a good day. It was my birthday, and my baby made a trip down from the mountain to call me and sing me Happy Birthday. I went to lunch with my mom-in-law and sisters-in-law and Jodi, and overall it was a good day. I started reading the third book in the Fablehaven series, and I have to say that so far I'm enjoying it way more then Inkdeath. Now I've finished packing lunches and getting the kiddos in bed, I've talked to my mom and dad, and I'm watching The Biggest Loser and feeling a little melancholy. I miss Carl. I'm glad that he's having fun, but it's sad not having him with me on my birthday. So to combat the boredom I decided to give you a list of 31 random facts about me, in honor of my 31st birthday.

1) I don't have a middle name
2) I've owned a hedgehog, an albino snake and a tarantula as pets
3) I've been to Alaska
4) I dream of going to Switzerland and attending the festival of the midnight sun
5) My favorite comedy on TV is The Big Bang Theory
6) My favorite drama's are CSI:Miami and Criminal Minds and Numbers
7) When people are talking to me (or when I'm watching tv or a movie) I count the syllables with my fingers
8) I am scared to death of heights
9) I don't like roller coasters - at all
10) I have been pregnant 6 times, and have three children here on earth
11) I had all my children naturally
12) I helped my husband build our house
13) I love to write
14) My favorite color is pink
15) I still dance
16) I miss my piano
17) I love camping and hunting and fishing and hiking and being outside
18) I've been married for 12 1/2 years
19) I've never been to Mexico
20) I want to learn to speak Spanish
21) I want to go back to school
22) i love playing with Lego
23) Star Wars and Lord of the Rings are some of my favorite movies
24) I can eat a giant jumbo humongous box of Jr. Mints in one sitting
25) I wanted to spell Carlye's name Carlianne and Carl wouldn't let me
26) Nathanael's name was supposed to be Jonathon Carl and Carl changed his name right after I delivered
27) I was positive Noah was a girl and I was going to name him Kirsten Elizabeth
28) I've never used drugs (until my oral surgery, I really liked those pain pills - just kidding)
29) I wrote my drama interp that took me to state competition in High School
30) I want to be a foster parent and dream of opening a ranch similar to the youth ranch
31) Three of my all time favorite books are Papa's Wife, Mrs. Mike and all of James Herriots books

There you go. Happy Birthday to me!

Day 6

Today has been a better and worse day in many ways. Noah locked us out of the house today while I was walking the dog - with the keys to the house in the house. Thankfully I found some keys and I was able to get in, but I was not overly thrilled with this little experiment. I'm still feeling crummy, but this evening after dinner the kids and I all cuddled up, ate cheese popcorn, and watched a movie. It was really nice. All of us felt better when it was over and time for bed. We needed that time together to cuddle and love on each other, and laugh and get nervous, and go through the full range of emotions as the movie told it's story.

I also finished Inkdeath today during Noah's "naptime." I have to be honest, I was disappointed. Inkspell was probably my favorite of all of her books, and in a way I felt as though Inkdeath was forced - written because it had to be, not because it wanted to be. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it, but I really think that it could have been so much better. It took me 6 days to read - books NEVER take me that long - and I fell asleep frequently while I was reading it. Now my crazy little children are in bed, and I am going to fold several loads of laundry and watch TV and fry my brain. I'm really looking forward to it.

Oh! Carl called last night! They are having a lot of fun, and his friend missed a 5x5 elk that Carl couldn't get a bead on. They really thought that he had hit it, but they tracked it for a really long time and couldn't find any blood anywhere. From what I understand it was a difficult running shot from quite a distance. Ah, well, the hunt goes on. They have at least 5 or 6 more days, so hopefully there will be more chances for both of them. It was so nice to hear his voice.

Epiphany

Today I found myself becoming very frustrated with myself and how often Noah can talk me into letting him watch a movie (I am so anti-TV that we didn't even have one in our house until Carlye was almost 3 and even then it was only because Carl is a sports junkie and he LOVES tv). I was trying to figure out how Carl and I had managed to raise two children who are perfectly capable of entertaining themselves and one who must be entertained all of the time. Then I realized something. It's not that Noah doesn't know HOW to entertain himself, it's that I don't normally LIKE the way that he entertains himself (example: Carl's computer is not working right now because Noah tried to get on Webkinz world by himself; or how about when he tries to get Emmy to lie down and be a speed bump so his monster truck can drive over her.) So, here I am, stuck at a moral crossroads. I feel like camel dung and really just want to rest, but I don't want to further rot the incredible mind of my 4 yr old with yet another movie. Soooo, I have sucked it up, and I am up and around cleaning my house (if this really is a cold or the flu or something I don't want my kids getting it so I need to bleach everything anyway) while Noah runs around and does typical Noah stuff. And since I've started in the kitchen the most dangerous room is being closely guarded from his scientific, curious and mischievous mind.

Day 5

Today has been a hard day. A plethora of things went wrong in nursery and Kids Church, and the kids are acting like crazy people. This morning I asked them to clean up their breakfast dishes when they were finished eating and get dressed for church so we wouldn't be late - and I reminded Carlye that she needed to take Emmy out. 15 minutes later (after a quick bath and getting dressed) I walk into my living room to see Nathanael running around with Noah's clothes while Noah chased him and cried, Emmaline had pooped on the floor because Carlye didn't take her out ("I forgot") and someone had spilled milk on the table which was now running off the table, onto a chair and onto the floor. We were late for church. We spent the afternoon at Nani's, and I now have either a full blown cold or really severe allergies (I'm betting allergies - they're worse when I'm outside) which makes my head feel as if it's about to explode and my nose is stuffed up and running at the same time (I know that doesn't make sense, but it is). The kids fought all afternoon. Nathanael has new scratches from Noah and Noah has new scratches from Nathanael and Carlye has the attitude of a 16 yr old trapped in a 7 yr olds body. Then, right before bed time they all cried because they miss their daddy. Yeah, me too. It is now 7:42, my children are getting out of the bath and then going to bed and I am going to pack lunches and finish cleaning up just enough of the disaster from this morning so that tomorrow is possible. Then I'm going to crawl into bed with a roll of toilet paper (we're out of Kleenex), Chloraseptic throat lozenges and allergy medication and read Inkdeath. The rest will wait until tomorrow. And if it doesn't that's okay too.

Day 4

The kids and I went to the SA zoo today, and it was so much fun. They've been slowly remodeling it, and it's finally getting neat again. All the animals seemed to be out. We saw black bears and spectacled bears and grizzly bears. The tiger was pacing and roaring and the lion and lioness were walking around. The male hyena was jumping and running everywhere and you very much got the impression that he was just looking for a way to eat you. The monkeys (all of them) were hilarious, swinging and jumping - one little monkey thought that another monkey's tail was a vine, and the end result was farcical. Butterflies landed on all of the kids in the butterfly gardens, and birds landed on Carlye and Sam in the Lory Landing, and ate the nectar the kids had in cups.



We saw kangaroos, okapi's (my favorite), rhino's, cheetah's, giraffe, zebra, elephants, etc. The coolest thing, though, is their new exhibit "Africa Live." One of the things the new exhibit showcases is the hippos - above and below the water - and while we were watching two hippos cuddling (yes, hippos do cuddle) one of them decided to get up and walked/swam under the water until it was nose to nose with Nathanael through the glass. It was so cool. The alligator (or was it a crocodile?) was the same way. Overall we had tons of fun, and I didn't have my camera because it is in Colorado capturing the hunt of a lifetime. We did buy a dinky disposable camera, so we'll see what kind of pictures we get outta it. I definitely want to go back sometime soon.

Day 3

Basically an uneventful day. Noah and I went and ate at school with Carlye and Nathanael (one of the lunch room attendants told me that when she needs the other children to behave she always uses Nathanael as an example because he's so polite and well-behaved), and then we spent the evening at Nani's house eating dinner and watching Mr. Magorium. Nathanael got his hair cut, and Carlye and Noah had a trim to even things out a little bit. Their hair looks great. And yes, Noah's is still long. David said he's going to take out his hunting knife and cut his hair for him. Carl scoped out a large bull elk yesterday, and they tracked and camped where they're hoping they can shoot it the first day of the hunt. They're having a blast, and the mountains are beautiful. Noah told him to "catch an elk" for him, and Carl's going to do his best.

King sized bed

King sized beds - when owned by married people - cease to be comfortable when occupied solely by one.

Emmy

I haven't posted about our little Miss Emmaline lately, so I wanted to let you all know how she's doing. The kids absolutely love and adore her - and amazingly Noah is the most devoted! He wants her with him ALL the time, and he misses her the most when he's away from her. She is completely crate trained (YIPEE!) and is doing really well with the potty training. She only has accidents now if we don't notice that she is at the door. She is awful about chewing things, though, so the kids are really having to learn to keep their things picked up (yeah for me!). As a matter of fact she chewed the leg off of one of Carlye's favorite little girl Barbie dolls. Carlye works with her all the time on "tricks" and Emmy is doing pretty well with sitting and staying - but that's as far as we've gotten. She truly is a part of the family, and all of us love her so much! I've never been a big dog person, but I am so glad that we have this beautiful baby girl in our lives!

Day 2

We are now on Day 2 in our two week long adventure without our Daddy. I am, wonderfully enough, now getting sick. I had an 18 hour migraine yesterday, and today I have an earache and a sore throat. I called the dr for an antibiotic, but he's out of the office until late this afternoon and he'll call it in then. Meanwhile, I am moping around in horrible pain. I can handle just about anything except a sore throat. I'd rather have a cold, the stomache bug, you name it - but I HATE having a sore throat. It's a pain that can't be assuaged. The kids miss daddy - Carlye the very most, since she's her daddy's girl. I'm doing my best to stay happy and cheerful, but with me not feeling well, and doing mine and daddy's "jobs" I must confess that I've been grumpier than I would like. I'm actually going to try to take a nap today before Carlye and Nathanael get home from school - hopefully that will help give me the energy that I need to be a happy, cheerful momma when all my babies are home. (Side note, the drs lost the results of my thyroid test, so I have to be retested and hopefully we'll eventually find out the cause of my fatigue). The biggest problem is that I need to relax and let the dishes go, the sweeping stay undone, etc. so that I can spend more time with the kids before bed. The dishes can wait a day or two, and when daddy comes home things will get back to normal. I did get to talk to daddy yesterday (yea!!!) and they made it safely to Durango and were going to hike in today. It was nice to hear his voice, and now I have to wait until Tuesday, or so, to talk to him again. Absence makes the heart grow fonder!

And the adventure begins....

Day 1 -
Well, my husband left today for his yearly hunting trip - this time in Colorado, and I am sad. I love that he gets to go - he is an incredible husband, daddy and provider, and this is a time for him to refuel and replenish himself. But by the time he returns I can tell you with absolute certainty that I am not meant to be a single parent. And this year I get to do it with Miss Emmy, too - which is the equivalent of having 4 children instead of my beloved 3. Sooooo, yesterday I washed all of his clothes, baked him his favorite cookies, stuffed letters and pictures from the kids and I in different places in his suitcase and backpack and prayed for him. Then I cried so hard when he left that I gave myself a migraine. Okay, so I'm a big baby - I'll admit that. But I also have an amazing husband who is my best friend. He spends an amazing amount of time with the kids and I, and I just miss him so much when he's not here. And it doesn't help that he doesn't have cell signal in the mountains - so I can't even talk to him! Plus, this time he'll be gone for almost 2 weeks. He's done this every year for the 13 years we've been together, but never for this long. The kids and I will make it, though. We'll go to the zoo or the pumpkin patch and to see High School Musical Three (wanna come Pammy? I'll buy your ticket!) and keep ourselves busy enough to help the time pass quickly. The trick is keeping the kids busy enough that they don't cry too much. Bedtime is always sad because he wrestles with them, reads the Bible with them, I read our book, and then we both pray and sing to them, so that's when they miss him the most. There is one good thing, though. I get the bed all to myself!!! And sharing it with Jolly Green can sometimes be very crowded, so that part will be nice. Meanwhile, my head really is killing me, so I'm going to climb under the covers and put a pillow over my head while Noah and Emmy watch Over the Hedge while sitting in the bed next to me.

4 yrs old!

Happy Birthday, Noah! My baby is 4 yrs old today! I know that it sounds cliche', but it really seems like it was only yesterday when they were putting my beautiful baby in my arms and I was sitting there in shock that we had been blessed with another baby boy! (I was POSITIVE he was a girl.) He was such a tiny little thing, with those eyes that are such an amazing blue, and he was so bald. He was an easygoing, go with the flow baby even then, and now we've had four amazing years to get to know this incredible little person. I am so blessed to have him as my son!

4 lists of 4:

Noah's four favorite shirts:
1) Mr. Happy shirt (big smiley face on front)
2) The baby blue one that says "I still live with my parents"
3) His bright orange shirt that says "I get my muscles from my dad"
4) His UT shirt

Noah's four favorite things to say:
1) My pressures too low, can you carry me?
2) But mo-om, I'm a big boy now, I can do that!
3) But mo-om, I'm just a baby still, I can't do that, you have to!
4) It's okay, Carlye or Nanael will do it for me.

Noah's most famous disasters:
1) Milk waterfall down the living room stairs
2) Making "cupcakes" with cocoa powder, water and a cupcake pan
3) Flooding the kitchen
4) His two concussions

Four fun pics of Noah:

Happy 30th Birthday, Ryan!

Today Carl and I celebrated one of our best friends 30th Birthday. We all had to wear black and dress up in 80's style clothing. I had the side ponytail going with the teased bangs, baggy shirt, wide belt, leggings, leg warmers and mile high heels. Carl put on his mohawk and army boots - and for those of you who know him that is a lot! The party was a blast. We had a pinata - because the guys can't stand not getting to beat one up at the kids parties - and played Rock Star (with 80's music) or Sing Star or whatever it is, on the Wii. For the record, I officially stomped David at MC Hammer's "Can't Touch This" and Carl at Extreme's "More than Words." Ryan, however, trashed Jodi with "Eye of the Tiger" but Jodi got even for us by stomping David with Wilson Phillips "Hold On." The girls rocked! It was so much fun, that I have decided that I need to play my sisters the next time we are together - you have all been challenged. Of course, one of us will have to have a Wii or this really won't work. New Christmas list.......

Pam's Challenge

My turn! I'm the big sister, after all, I can't be shown up!

1. Where is your cell phone? lost
2. Where is your significant other? work
3. Your hair color? blonde
4. Your mother? faraway
5. Your father? faraway
6. Your favorite thing? children
7. Your dream last night? upsetting
8. Your dream/goal? school
9. The room you're in? mine
10. Your hobby? blogging
11. Your fear? loss
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? loved
13. Where were you last night? home
14. What you're not? skinny
15. One of your wish-list items? togetherness
16. Where you grew up? Texas
17. The last thing you did? folded
18. What are you wearing? clothes
19. Your TV? big
20. Your pet? small
21. Your computer? awesome
22. Your mood? emotional
23. Missing someone? Lots
24. Your car? messy
25. Something you're not wearing? shoes
26. Favorite store? Target
27. Your summer? short
28. Love someone? Passionately
29. Your favorite color? Pink
30. When is the last time you laughed? Today
31. Last time you cried? Today

Pictures

I FINALLY got around to downloading some pictures onto the computer. I don't have Noah's birthday pictures because those are on my sister in laws camera, but here are some fun pictures anyway. Enjoy!


Yes, we really wake up looking this good - every day!


Fishing at the beach!


Waiting for a catch


Fun in the sun with our cousins!


Little Surfer dude


Cousins!


Noah and his trains

Marriage

I have no reason for this - maybe it's because of the movie that I saw this weekend. Maybe it's because as things are getting more and more difficult Carl and I are drawing closer together. Maybe it's because of all of the little one's whose lives I see daily have been so severely impacted because of divorce. Maybe it's because it's so common and the nuclear family is being destroyed. But marriage - and the sanctity therein - has been on my heart. I heard this song the other day, and it probably describes my thoughts and feelings more accurately than I ever could. (It's playing right now if you have your volume up) Marriage is sacred, a covenant between two people and the Lord, and should be guarded carefully, courageously, and constantly.

Love is Not a Fight (Warren Barfield)
Love is not a place
To come and go as we please.
It's a house we enter in
Then commit to never leave.
So lock the door behind you,
Throw away the key,
Work it out together,
Let it bring us to our knees.

Love is a shelter
In a raging storm.
Love is peace
In the middle of a war.
And if we try to leave
May God send angels to guard the door.
No love is not a fight,
But it's something worth fighting for.

To some love is a word
They can fall into,
But when they're falling out,
Keeping that word is hard to do.

Love will come and save us
If we'll only call.
He will ask nothing from us -
But demand we give our all.

This weekend

It's the middle of the night, and our puppy just woke me up for the first time in two weeks to bring her out to potty. Now, I can't seem to go back to sleep. Carl and I had a wonderful weekend away, and now it's back to normal - or at the very least our version of normal. I couldn't talk for a large portion of the weekend, and so I wrote notes to Carl on a large pink pad. He still thinks it's funny. Yesterday I talked more than I should have because of Noah's birthday party, and now my jaw is really aching. Carl and I got to see two movies over the weekend and I really enjoyed them both. Eagle Eye with Shia Lebouf, was really good, except for the language. I have to confess I was shocked that it pulled a PG-13 rating. Fireproof was really good as well. The acting in it wasn't that great - except for Kirk Cameron's which then made everyone else's seem that much worse - but when you got past that the story line was phenomenal. Carl and I both loved it and the pro-marriage and Christian theme that was woven throughout the entire movie. I highly recommend it to everyone I know and will probably go see it again simply to support a good movie in Hollywood.

Noah's birthday was fun. For his cake he asked for a strawberry cake with green icing and blue and white and red dots. We took pictures, and I'll post them as soon as I get them uploaded. We had to use my sister, Ashley's, camera because we forgot ours. Being as it's the middle of the night and I'm tired and in pain it is very hard for me to hold back the tears as I realize that one week from tomorrow my little man will really and truly be 4 years old. I know that our family is finished. Three miscarriages since Noah has confirmed to all of us that my body will not carry anymore babies to term. But just because I know that doesn't mean there aren't moments of pure sorrow when I realize that there will not be anymore babies in our family (short of a miracle - and I do believe in miracles). It's a part of life, and unlike so many others, I'm not just sad about not having any more babies. I loved being pregnant as well, and the miracle of growing a little life inside of me. One that was created by our Heavenly Father through a loving marriage. I loved seeing them born, finding out if we had a boy or girl, and then picking out which body parts or facial expressions came from who. I loved hearing them cry for the first time and staring at them in awe and wonder as their little eyes would struggle open and see this world we live in. I do know that my family is finished, and for all intents and purposes Carl and I are both very peaceful about it. But when you see your littlest one - the last miracle to arrive - turn 4 years old a piece of you yearns to do it just one more time. Or find a viable form of time travel.

Surprise!

Yesterday was my first day to take the muscle relaxers and not talk, and I must say that it helped ALOT!!! I cannot believe the difference. I still feel very sore and uncomfortable, but it's a pain I can deal with, unlike before. Anyway, my sweet husband brought me home the second book in the Fablehaven series (by the way, did ya'll know they're making a movie out of the Tale of Despereaux?) and inside there were a couple of pages folded in half. When I opened them up I realized that it was a receipt for a two night three day stay at the Hill Country Hyatt! It was something that he wanted to do for me for my birthday before he left on his two week hunting trip (where he'll be gone on my birthday). I was thrilled at first, and then I wanted to cry because I was still feeling so crummy. I have been very good, though, not talking, laying on heating pads off and on all day and taking my medicine, and, as I mentioned previously, I now feel so much better! I am so thankful for a Heavenly Father who answers prayers. It may seem a silly thing to pray for, but to me it wasn't. When my husband works this hard to surprise me with something so special the majority of his joy comes from me enjoying it, and he would have been crushed if I couldn't have. (Wow, can you tell that I'm still pretty drugged?). Anyhoo, today we leave for a nice long weekend at the Hyatt, just the two of us and my pain pills. Sure hope I can continue to feel well.
In other news, I am really enjoying the Fablehaven series. I don't think that my nightmare prone second born is ready to have it read aloud yet, though, but I do think that we will in a year or two. I'm almost finished with book 2, and I've enjoyed it as well. I guess if we get to the bottom line I really like juvenile fiction better than adult. Can't help it - I'm just a kid at heart. Thanks for the recommendation Andy!

This is sooo not funny

Okay, so my jaw is still killing me, and I'm crying and doing all of the dramatic things that tired, hurting, grumpy, worthless feeling women do, so my husband makes me call the oral surgeon. Diagnosis? I have strained/sprained my jaw! Yes, I have. I am not allowed to talk (which Carl finds hilarious) or chew for the next couple of days. I also have to start taking muscle relaxers three times a day. These muscle relaxers will make me very sleepy and goofy - possibly even making it difficult to walk. Should be a lot of fun. And Carl just thought that he had it bad right now. Let's add a doped up wife to the package and see what we get.