Catching up... Again!

It seems that I can't keep up with this blog lately. Every time I see a friend update their blog, I think, oh yeah, I need to update ours... So, here is my attempt to catch up from the last week! (By the way, thanks to Amanda this time for the update that sparked MY update!)

Such a smiley, happy girl!

We had dinner at Grandma Darlene's one night. Nolan LOVES that place. Here he is happily enjoying both daddy AND mamaw!

Chaille is starting to sit up. She needs those hands for support!

Dr. Avery and his best buddy from school, Caden!

Chaille is "sharing" the toys from her seat with Nolan.

Our little trick-or-treaters. Nolan as spiderman, Chaille as a flower, ER Dr. Avery, and Motocross racer, Silas!

The ONE game that they had at the church's harvest hoe-down. TARGET PRACTICE... The only thing I could think of here was Proverbs 22:6 "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it..." Awful, I know. Steve's comment was from a country song "Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition!" Thankfully it shot corks at a large bulls-eye!

The kids each took a turn!

Even the little guy!

Mmm.... Cotton Candy!

Cute! He couldn't eat it all, but boy did he make a mess anyway!

One last thing I wanted to share in regards to pictures. I took video of Chaille giggling. We went shopping for a bit on Halloween with Leigh Anne. It was a fun girls day, and I greatly enjoy having my daughter along on these trips! Enjoy:

Things seem to be going so much more smoothly now that we are back into our own routine. Thankfully Steve's class has been less demanding this week. And we have had a chance to sort of ease back into the "normal" time, now that daylight savings time has ended.

We have all managed to stay mostly healthy, with just runny noses and stuffy heads. I pray over this daily and so far God has been faithful. We have chosen not to do the H1N1 vaccines, for two reasons. For one, they are in short supply anyway, so getting our hands on them so far has not been possible. And the other reason is that it would take 2 doses, 4 weeks apart for our children. With this flu having reached its peak, it is kind of silly for us to chase around a vaccine so late in the game! Plus, the controversy over it has made me just a little leery of trying it anyway.

We have had a fairly sunny week this week, which has made me in great spirits. I had Bible Study on Monday, and felt like Beth Moore was speaking directly to me! I love when Bible Study or sermons make you feel like the leader has been following you around all week! That is the best.

Well, this isn't the most thorough update, but the kiddos are waking from their naps. I'll be back soon!

As The Baby Cries...

We have always taken pacifiers away from our children before 6 months of age. This way there is no remembrance of it and the transition is fairly simple. Chaille is now on the fifth day without her pacifier. She's currently "crying it out" for nap time. It breaks my heart, but with each day the crying gets less and less and before long, she won't fight naps at all.

Mothering isn't easy. If we did what was easy, our kids would be 16 years old, sucking on pacifiers, wearing diapers, and sleeping in a crib. Transitional times are HARD, yet we go through so many with our children. And the crazy thing is.... it goes really fast. At the time we are going through the trial (be it giving up the pacifier, potty training, transitioning to sippy cups, or big boy/girl beds) the time seems so long and hard. But when we look back, it was really a quick season of change. I know I say it all the time, but my friend Sandy Maple told me a quote that "the days are long but the time is short." I live by this motto daily. As I listen to my baby cry, I tell myself this same thing over and over.

Steve will be home this evening. The house looks like a tornado struck while he was gone. The laundry has been washed but apparently is not going to fold itself. I'm going to try to seize this naptime to at least make the place "presentable" if that is possible in just a short hour or two. I'll pay the price today for "taking it easy" while dad was gone. The crazy thing is... It really wasn't that easy! But we've maintained a happy disposition while he's been gone. There haven't been any big meltdowns so far! We CAN survive without him here, we just don't want to :o) We love and miss our daddy.

We have a fun weekend ahead. Leigh Anne will be down tomorrow afternoon to stay with us. Silas had his class party this afternoon and Avery has his in the morning. Tomorrow evening we will be attending the Harvest Hoe-down at church. And Saturday we are gonna trick or treat our family! The kids are excited to say the least!!! And I'm excited to see Leigh Anne! I'll update with pictures of the kiddos in costumes soon!

Thanks for reading, and keeping up with today's episode of "As the Baby Cries..." ha ha...

The Right Decision

Last night, something happened that helped me to confirm that no longer babysitting is what is best for the family. I had run to the grocery store and Steve and the boys were having movie night at home. All evening, Silas had complained that he was sick. Finally, Steve got out of him what was wrong.

Silas told Steve that Brady and Maddie had told him that they don't like him and that they didn't want to be his friend. He says that they told him that they never wanted to play with him again. Wow, harsh words, but this isn't completely their faults. Don't think I'm blaming a 2 and a 4 year old for making Silas so upset.

What has really happened, and it has taken stepping back and pondering it to figure it out, is that Avery and Silas have always been best buddies at home. They do everything together. Or should I say "did" everything together. And at first, Avery was sort of left out as Silas and Brady stuck together. But as time has evolved, Brady and Avery have really gotten to playing together quite a bit and Silas feels left out. He often complains that he just doesn't fit in. No one will play with him.... you get the drift. So, Silas now feels in competition for time with his brother, new friend, and his mom too. Tough stuff for a very introverted 4 year old to handle.

So, even though it is sad to say goodbye to our friends today, it is definitely for the best. My children need each other as much as they need their mommy. I look forward to cuddling my own children without worrying about what impact I am making on these other little ones who also need me. I pray that Brady and Maddie will be loved and well cared for at their new babysitter's house. I will miss them, but I know this is the right decision!

Quitting

I've always said that I'm not a quitter. And I'd really like to think that I'm not. But this time, I guess I am. I am choosing to no longer watch Brady and Maddie after this week. Well, actually after tomorrow because their mom is working from home the rest of the week. Their prior babysitter has decided to go back into watching children. Matt and Leah offered to me to no longer keep them if I wanted. At first, I wasn't sure that I wanted them to go elsewhere. It was working out ok. But over time, I have thought more and more about it. Silas has had some behavior issues that have only recently begun. And I have found myself to be a bit more "edgy" and irritable than normal. I don't think it relates directly to watching the kids, but with the extra mental energy it adds to my day. I never know exactly when they are coming, I feel overly protective because they aren't my own children, and I for some reason felt like their was a competitive spirit between their me and their mother. She is feeling guilty about having to work and jealous of my at home status. I am feeling like she tries to make me feel inferior because I don't have a successful career outside the home.

Besides when I very first started staying home with my children, I have NEVER found myself being discontent with what I am doing. I have felt almost attacked, and I don't think it is intentional on her part. But suddenly I found myself trying to find contentment in doing what I have been content doing all along. That's just not right! I love being here for my children. I don't want to be anywhere else. And I don't need anyone else to make me question my lot in life. I'm happy here.

So, while I don't like being labeled a quitter, I'm going to be one this time. I'm going to allow the children to go back to their old sitter, where they will be well taken care of and comfortable with going there. And, I am going to allow myself to get back to being content right where I am! I LOVE my job as a wife and mother. And I feel blessed to be able to stay home with my children while they are little.

Timing

Isn't amazing how God gives you just what you need at just the right time? I cannot tell you how many times I've found this to be true. I can be feeling lonely or alone, and God will prompt a friend to call. I can be down on myself, and He'll give me a perfectly timed compliment. I can be in a rut, and He will give me something new to ponder.

So many people will say "well, isn't that a coincidence." No, I don't believe it. I don't think there is such a thing as a coincidence! I think God works in even the most subtle of situations. We can't always see how his plans are playing out, but He is ALWAYS present, he is all knowing and he is all powerful. He can give us exactly what we need exactly when we need it. And I am positive that He does!

Lately, I feel that my Bible Study is perfectly timed. It is coming just as I need it. It is speaking directly to me, and I'm so thankful that I felt prompted to do it. And I'm feeling very blessed that I have so many friends sharing it with me.

Next time someone asks you, "well, isn't that a coincidence?" stop and think about it! God is working in our lives from the miniscule details to the major ones! Is there such thing as happenstance? I don't believe so...

Proud

I met with Avery's teacher in regards to his first 9 weeks of school and his first report card. I'm so proud of all the wonderful things that she has to say about him. Of course all of his achievements make me happy. But she also has some really neat things to say about his character too! She told me that he is very responsible for his age. She even had him help lead a reading group one day while she got some other children started on something else. It only lasted about 5 minutes, but she said she was impressed with his leadership. She said he is caring to the other students as well. And of course, she stroked mommy's ego a little two, telling me that we were doing a good job with him at home! I guess Avery just makes that easy for us to do!

He is a great young man, and we have always been proud of him! It is just moments like these that remind us of yet more reasons why we SHOULD be proud! He's WONDERFUL! We love you, Avery!

A Tough Stage

I never want to wish my life away, not for anything! But, I'm ready to overcome a few things about the phase we are currently in... I don't want time to pass quickly, but Nolan and Chaille are in tough phases right now. Nolan is so incredibly smart, and mature beyond his 20 months of age. And he's testing his boundaries just like any two or three year old would. Today, he even bit Brady! I'm embarassed to admit it, because I feel like "bad" kids bite. Nolan is not a "bad" kid, but he does get frustrated in trying to communicate his feelings. He IS getting better at using words lately, so maybe when he can actually speak what he feels, he won't feel the need to express himself by biting, or hitting, or throwing things. But these are all things he is doing right now.

Chaille is very fun, and happy. But she is not doing the best with her sleeping. She fights naps right now and has had some days where she has barely slept 45 minutes all day. I think part of her trouble is that our schedule varies on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from our Tuesday, Thursday schedule. When Silas has preschool, we spend a lot of time in the car. The other days we are home more. But the every other day thing doesn't allow her to find a morning nap schedule. So then, it messes things up in the afternoon. I end up with her awake most afternoons, not napping until the other kids are starting to get up or even later.

I guess what is most important during these phases is for me to be consistent and loving, whether things are easy or hard. I know that "this too will pass..." and in so many ways I'm not ready for that to happen either. Time is slipping away from me too quickly as it is! Sooner than I care for it to happen, my children will be out of these "baby" stages and I'll long for them to stay little just a little longer! And that is what makes these "tough stages" so precious.

Recent Pictures

I wanted to get some pictures on here. I've been in a hurry lately when I post, so this time I'm adding pictures, but not so many words. I know you are surprised because I ALWAYS have plenty to say :o) Anyway, enjoy the pictures, and make up your own commentary if you'd like :o)

5 Months Old

I can't believe that my baby girl is yet another month old! She's changing right before our eyes! She's enjoying solid foods, playing with baby toys now, and rolling her way across her bed, play pen, and even the floor when she gets the opportunity! She is still not sleeping very well, and has an inconsistent schedule at night. I'm not sure that this doesn't relate some way to the teeth that she may soon get. Either that, or she just enjoys the one-on-one with mommy that the night affords! Either way, while I don't "enjoy" getting interrupted sleep, I do realize that this is the last time I will have an infant to get up with. These days are precious and I cherish them, knowing that this too will pass. In many ways, I don't want them to pass. But, boy oh boy, do I have a fun future ahead. I look forward to every day and the memories we will make together!

Next time!

Ok, so I PROMISE that the next post I make will include pictures! We are just so busy, and I HAVE to use naptime to get things done. Lately, I'm exhausted after the kids go to bed. I think it is this fall weather. Lots of rain, and dreary days are taking a toll on this busy mom!

So lets see... We moved Chaille's bed to the top of the stairs. This was an effort to see if she would sleep better. She hasn't so far, but she is also battling a runny nose like the rest of the children in this family! She's congested, but otherwise really good! She's changing so fast, and lately I can't get enough of her giggles! She's such a happy girl!

And Nolan... He is over his diaper rash, thank goodness. But, he also has a runny nose. He's busy, busy, busy all the time and wants to eat nonstop lately. He's growing I know, but wow, he could eat us out of house and home and he's not even 2!

Silas... Has a runny nose and cough. Starting to see the pattern... He's doing great and can write his own name now. He's enjoying school and has started coming home telling of his friends and their stories too. He's into bugs and worms and GIRLS. Not a day goes by that he doesn't talk about "when I get married..."

Avery... Has started bringing home second grade books and is reading them and passing his comprehension tests with 100% accuracy. He's in love with reading. He had his book fair at school and bought books about sharks. He said he wasn't sure if he was allowed because the books said for ages 7+. How funny. Oh, and because he took $3 extra, he decided it was ok to spend it. And here Mommy thought the teacher would just send home the change =oP Let's just say I got a good laugh out of it!

Steve... is on week 2 of teaching. And he is probably scheduling his classes for EKU as I type. He's been accepted and is on his way! With classwork added to his schedule, I'm not sure when he will sleep??? But his family supports him, and we know that this is a GREAT thing that he is doing!!!

Me... Well, my Bible Study went great on Monday. We had 11, but are expecting several more when we meet again in 2 weeks! I'm busy keeping up, as usual, and am off now to wash the boys' wet swim clothes from school today! Love and miss everyone! And like I said... I PROMISE pictures next time!