"This is Kevin"

So today I got ready to pay the phone bill online, and realized when I pulled it up that it was WAY over. Now is not the year or the month to have a cell phone bill that is way over! So anyway, it actually had Kevin using up more minutes than me which never ever happens. And I needed to get detailed call billing, so I could see if this whole this was just bogus or not. And the phone bill is in Kevin's name. So guess what I did today? LOL

I faked being my husband.

Yep, I get so tired of hearing things like, "Well, Kevin is the name on the account, ma'am, so we'll need to speak with him. Could you have him call us back?" Nearly everything is in his name, so anytime I have a question or need to talk with customer service to change something, I get that. Sometimes I don't, but you know, a lot of times I do.

So I tried my best to deepen my voice and pretend I was him. I was totally cracking myself up and it was very hard to wing as many questions and answers that I had to do without any prior rehearsal. Totally hilarious. Sometimes I sounded really country, sometimes I didn't, sometimes I sounded like a homosexual! LOL I was dying. It was so funny because everytime I asked a question, I'd have to get my lips just right before I could say anything. And I knew....just knew....that I totally sounded like a very stupid person. Like very unintelligent, and from the hills.

Hilarious!

I did get the detailed billing info, and it does appears correct so far. (didn't nitpick it yet) And who has Kevin been talking to so much? Me! On the home phone, so it counts towards our minutes. UGH!

And as far as the cell phone thing, still haven't decided for Spencer. Steph thinks I should get him a free blackberry that she has seen several different places. I told her I don't care if its free or not he's NOT getting a blackberry! I just really want to wait until middle school, but I also know how blissfully happy he will be to own one. Tough decision! Raising boys esp. is tough, I think, because you really don't want to spoil. You're raising a future dad (hopefully) and future husband (hopefully). You don't want to raise someone who is used to getting whatever they want. You want to raise someone who is used to waiting, and understands earning. You want to raise someone who understand the value of a dollar (even at his age), yet isn't deprived (oh he's not). But then you also want to give them what they want because you love them so much! Spencer is such a great boy. I mean it, he's just wonderful, I think. He's so very helpful and he is so sweet. I would have loved having him for an older brother. The others are lucky to have such a good one. It may be up in the air until the last minute.

little prayers

Well, we switched a few months ago from the regular child bedtime prayer to unscripted ones. We have done both before, but either Kevin or myself would lead the prayer and the boys would echo it. Well, we switched a few months ago to letting each one do their own prayer. Takes a little bit longer, but it doesn't seem that way because of how interesting it is.

A couple of cute things that have happened....Spencer loves it and of course is very thoughtful in his prayers. Riley is funny. He has thanked God for the days of the week, and asked the Lord to bless "everyone in the earth and the other earth. And bless everyone in the world. And other worlds." LOL Kevin corrected him the other night, but I told him I liked hearing his little prayers, "correct" or not :)

One night recently Talan was praying (and for some reason he never says, "Dear Lord..." he just breaks right into "Thank you..." His are so very sweet too! Well anyhow, one night recently he was praying and he began to ask the Lord to bless "Mommy, Daddy, Riley and Talan and the baby girl Ansley..." and Spencer gave out some time of signal that--ahem--he had forgotten him! Well, after the prayer was over, Spencer told him that he forgot him. And I did as well. And then I asked if he wanted to ask God to bless Spencer. His answer? "Naaaah!!!" LOL!

Spencer and I just cracked up.

busy busy busy

Wow I have been soooo busy lately! I don't know what it is about me....why I can't stay idle for a while and just enjoy being caught up on things. I apparently have a huge character flaw that needs to learn to relax and enjoy life!

I'm talking about working from home. My small photography business. It's going really well so far. I love it. I love building it. I love making and designing every inch of it. I love bursting with new ideas over it. And it's killing me. I come up with something and it take me a while to deliver. I have had project after project after project. I've spent so much time on the computer that I am going to be fat! LOL Creating this, coming up with that, checking on this, designing that...and editing...editing...editing....

So I am really going to focus on taking a break now that I'm a little at a stopping point. I've designed all I need to design right now. I have to focus on my precious angel before time slips away any further! Just the thought of it is killing me!

I am already dreading now going back to work. Half the year is almost over, and I cannot imagine leaving her. It is going to hurt me too bad. Yes, I miss my coworkers and all, but I have seen them lately, and so I'm okay as far as that goes. I miss teaching, but I still teach Talan anyway, so I'm okay with that too. And now that it's winter, I'm so glad to be able to stay in my pjs a little longer in the morning (I'm still up early though). Yep, I've gotten over the fact that I miss my job and now I dread going back :( I AM totally the grass is always greener type of person. I'm horrible about that. In college, if I was with one boy, I'd wish I was with the other, then I would be with the other, and wish I was with the first. I'm horrible. I'm always wanting the opposite! Why is that???

I can't commit!

So....what's been up...

Well, I bought Spencer a DSi--the only great deal (for the kids) that I found on Black Friday, left it in the car, and wouldn't you know it that the next morning it's still there and he sits right beside it and obviously finds it?

Oh yeah.

It goes a little something like this...

Me: Kevin, you did get that bag out of the car, right (as the boys are in the car while we're getting a few forgotten items--story of my life)?

Kev: What bag? I didn't know there was a bag.

Me: Are you serious? It's still in the car? (panicking) Go get it oh my gosh!!!!

Kev: (about a minute later, coming back in with the bag) Well, guess where it was. Right beside Spencer.

Me: Are you serious? Promise. Promise me you're not kidding. Promise me.

Kev: I promise.

Me: You promise? You promise you're not kidding. You're lying.

Kev: NO. It was right beside him in the car. In a clear bag. WHO gives out clear bags???

Me: I don't believe it.

We enter the car....

Kev: So, Spencer... (nonchalantly) where did that bag go?

Spencer: What bag?

Kev: The bag that was sitting right here.

Spencer: You just took it in.

(I am laughing silently and incognito)

Kev: (dying too) Oh. What was in it?

Spencer: IDK

Kev: You don't know? I don't remember what was in it. You sure you don't know?

Spencer: IDK

Riley: (from back seat) I KNOW!

Spencer: Riley!!! Shush!!!! Don't say it Riley!!!

Riley: I KNOW!!!

Kev: What was it, Riley?

Spencer: Riley!!!! Be quiet!!!

Riley: It was game thing....a DS. With Mario on the front of it.

Spencer: It was a DSi. With Mario on the cover or something like that.

Kev: I thought you said you didn't see it, Spencer?

Spencer: Ugh!!! It was right here!! You shouldn't have left it in here!!!

Kev: Well, now we have to return it. We can't give it to you now.

Spencer: UGH! Riley!!!! SEEE???? SEEE??? I told you Riley!!! Now they're not going to give it to us!!!

And so Spencer is in a panic.

Then I explain that we may or may not give it for Christmas, as Mommy has commitment issues, and buys things a lot of times and then returns them. (Which is too true.) Spencer then tells me how much he wants a DSi, but is okay and understands my long and thorough explanation at how I buy and return things.

Yes, I have commitment issues.

I totally bought it with the intention to decide later whether or not to keep it, and now we're stuck. Which could be a good thing. Indecisiveness can torture the soul!

For Spencer's other gift, we are *considering* a cell phone. He has wanted one for over a year now, and has even secretly asked Steph and my grandmother if they would please get him one, and that he really really wants one. I keep asking him who he plans on calling, and that hey...I'm right here. He doesn't need a phone to call me. LOL.

A few months ago we saw a boy around his age outside of Wal-Mart with a cell phone, texting. Spencer pointed it out. So I ask, "Oh so you want to call him? You don't even know him." LOL I think he is TOOO funny! Who is he planning on calling???

But about a month ago, Kevin bugged him saying that I had a pink razr phone if he wanted it, and showed it to him. Well, Spencer had already taken Grandma's old cell phone (she gave it to him), which obviously doesn't work, and Spencer said that no, he didn't want my old pink phone.

Well, then like the next day or so I asked him if he was sure he didn't want my pink phone (joking). And instead of a definite no, he started asking me if it worked....and could he see it for a minute. Broke my heart, how excited he was for a minute because he believed me! It really did! He was going to take my pink girly phone! I called Kevin that day at work and told him we really needed to consider getting him a phone.

Spencer is really into secret messages and spy stuff and in a way has some Ferris Bueller tendencies, so I know he would enjoy texting his friends. The only problem is, I'm not sure who of his friends even has one. He named off a couple of people, but they aren't his close friends. But he wants one really bad, and we are considering it, even though I believe he is way too young and that would be more of a thing for a 6th grader. I haven't seen him want something so badly for so long. I know it's healthy to want stuff, but...I don't know. Spencer is a really good boy. He is an excellent older brother. He is wonderful at school. He runs out of patience at times, but he is soooo good with his brothers. He is always there to help me out if I need him to watch Ansley for a minute while I finish supper or to get something out of reach for Talan. He is just such a good boy, and I think I don't always have to totally understand what he wants. He wants it really bad, I think he is very responsible for a 4th grader, and well...I don't see any danger at this point. I'll peep in on his text messages, and monitor his usage, but I have to say I would trust him with one. So that's a definite maybe.

I've already spoke with his best friend's mother, so she has a heads up about it in case he begins to ask for one, too.

So that's all I have time for right now. 'night all.

Divine Intervention

Ok so last week we had revival. Just knowing it was coming up got me excited. Last year at Revival, both Spencer and Riley went up to get saved. Riley was a young five at the time, and so I wasn't really sure how to take it. I actually sort of got in his way a little bit, blocking the aisle just a tad during the invitation...just to give him an extra moment or so to really consider what he was doing. He edged around me, and said he wanted to go. Of course, I let my sweet boy go. It was the same night...September 7th I believe (I could look it up, but I'm not going to--it's late). One of the happiest moments of my life. I'm still doubtful that Riley knew what it meant...and when it came time for Baptism, I asked him if he wanted to and he said, "No. I want to wait 'til I'm six," so again...doubtful. Pretty sure he didn't truly get it. But you know, it still means so much that he went up...regardless of whether he actually understood. Riley wanted to give his heart to Jesus. He could tell me how He died on the cross for our sins. He knew the story. But I'm pretty sure he didn't really understand what it meant. Here's a laugh. On the way home, I told them how we were going to have to make some phone calls to let everyone know about their decisions that night, and that they got saved. Riley said, "Who saved us?" I said that Jesus did. He mumbles, "Oh. I thought Batman did," with a chuckle. Ok so doubtful he understood. LOL

Spencer was of age, I believe. He got baptized the following Sunday. It was such a wonderful, wonderful night. I distinctly remember him asking me the next night during service, when Bro. Len Turner would mention the word "Christian," he would say, "Is that what I am now? I'm a Christian, right?" When I told him he was, he got a huge grin on his face. What an angel.

So I am forever grateful for Brother Len Turner, and absolutely loved and enjoyed his boldness, sense of humor, and Georgia drawl. It was excellent.

Revival with Brother Henry Linginfelter did not disappoint. Again, this envangelist was an excellent speaker (more softspoken than Len), easy to follow, and delivered messages straight to my heart. Kevin and I both went to the altar on different nights. And on the last night, Wednesday, my sweet son Riley went to the altar as well, wanting to be saved. Mrs. Jones talked with him, and said that she still wasn't quite sure he fully understood yet, and that she would speak again with him in a few weeks.

To see your son up their twice, both at such an early age, gives me goosebumps. I hope and pray that Riley will continue to seek the Lord and feel no inhibitions about walking that aisle. I hope that he will always be in tune with the tugging of his heart, always doing his best to be obedient when he feels the Lord is calling him. I hope that when he isn't sure if the Lord is calling him or not, he'll go. I pray that the Lord has a special, special plan for him.

And in case it isn't clear...I love revival.

Friday night I went shopping with my homegirl Ansley. LOL. 2 stores: Children's Place and Alumni Hall. It was about time Ansley had a VOL outfit, and I just hadn't found one cute enough yet. I like the pink, I don't like the pink...never was completely sold on it, since I sorta wanted her to match everyone else. Well, I got her an orange and white tutu. I'm gonna put her in a white onesie (sure which I got a white one with orange letters!), some blue jeans, and the tutu over the jeans. In case you don't know, tutus are really scratchy. Not really the ideal fabric against your precious one's skin. And plus, I like the whole jeans under it thing. Now since Saturday's game was also Halloween, I've yet to put in on her. But can't wait!

Back to Friday. 2 stores. Lost my keys. 2 stores. No one found them. I was actually stuck in the mall after it closed, with the custodial people and security people, waiting on Kevin to come with the extra key. I was so glad I brought the diaper bag in...what would I have done with no bottle and no diapers? As I'm talking with the Children's Place people, a lady walks over to me from across the mall, asking if I need any help. I mean, it was clear I needed help. I was going through the bags one more time, talking with the workers.... This lady stayed with me the entire time. She kept saying she was about to leave, and was I okay...but she never actually did. We sat in those really comfy massage chairs in the mall and talked. She asked me if I was a Christian, and we went on from there.

The exact subject matter is too personal to discuss. But I will tell you this...God had our paths intersect for a reason. She shared some things with me that I needed to hear, and I actually said a couple of things that she needed. It was divine intervention. That gave me goosebumps as well. I talked Kevin's head off about it. And then on the ride home, I realized something really really weird. I say weird for a lack of a better word. Perhaps eerie. I don't know. Eerie sounds like it has a negative connotation. I mean for a positive one. Anyhow, I remembered my first impression of this lady as she approached me in the mall. Me, overwhelmed, a little flabbergasted, and totally in despair...and she comes at me, with her pale skin and blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail...around 50 or 55 I'd say...asking if she can help me in any way. I thought, "Is she an angel?" And then I went back to my current situation. But when she asked, "Are you a Christian," --I remembered this on the way home as I was reflecting--I remember giving her a slight smile...and knowing she was going to ask me that. Now, I don't believe she was an angel. Simply because I was able to give her a few things to think about...not just her helping me. But I do believe she was sent to me from heaven. The time, the place, the situation....She also was a teacher, and that is what made it comfortable for me to talk with her...she told the Childrens Place worker that she was a teacher, and that one of her fellow teachers lost her keys that week 6 times in one day. (I was thinking, geez lady I'm not that bad. LOL) But this was all before I mentioned I was. In fact, she didn't ask me my profession until quite a bit later. But I must confess knowing she was a teacher did make her a little easier to talk to. I felt like we had a common ground, and I felt like she must be relatively trustworthy. Now, I know that's not necessarily the case, but you know...generally speaking.

So anyway, the Lord dropped in on me. He shook me up a little. He let me know He was there. He put me in awe, and reminded me of how Almighty He is. He reminded me that I am one tiny, tiny being, and that He controls it all. He reminded me that He is listening to my prayers. And for maybe the first time, He let me feel that I could actually help someone by telling my story...that I do have something to offer. Not that I feel worthless or anything, but when it comes to giving advice and stuff and relating it to scripture...I'm not necessarily usually the giver. I would say I am rarely the giver of information. I seek help through my closest friends...well, usually my good friend Angela. She has always led me back the Word and taken the time to pray with me and pray for me. She never claims to have any answers...but only leads me to Scripture, where the answers truly lie. She tells me of her own shortcomings, of her own struggles. And I am so very appreciative of her. So it was nice to offer something back to this wonderful stranger. I will never forget her name or her story. And I stand in awe at how the Lord placed us right there together, to help one another.

Our God is an Awesome God....

"Ya Can't Be a Policeman"

Riley wants to be a policmean when he grows up. He has said so for some time, perhaps maybe a year or so. Would I like him to be one? Of course not! Little pay, and I would worry about him putting his life in danger. And dealing with crooked policemen, too. And who wants their child to handle a gun every workday? Not I. But, he's so little and who am I to tell him no when he gets so excited about the thought of it?

One of Riley's little things is that he has turned "cop" into a verb. If he sees an officer on the side of the road, he will alert us that he is "copping" that other car. When talking about his future, he says that he would indeed "cop" Kevin or me if we were to go over the speed limit. That he would also "cop" us if we weren't wearing out seat belts. He is puzzled as to if he would have to "cop" another officer should he be breaking the rules.

So on the way to the ballgame, Riley all of sudden breaks into...a show, really.... He is in the backseat and starts saying, "Mom, if you go over the speed limit, ya can't be a policeman." ....and it continued on and on....

"How do you get to be a policeman?" asks Riley.
"You have to go to a police academy," says Kevin.
"After you go to college, of course," I add (He will be going. I don't care what his degree is in. He will be going.)
"Oh, so I have to go to college and then, what dad? A what?"
"Police academy. That's where they train you and teach you how to be a police officer."

"Oh. Mom, listen. If you go to the police academy, and when you're done, you get in a fight with someone...ya can't be a policeman."
"And Mom, if you go up there when you're done with the academy, and when they hand you the piece of paper, you just crumple it up and throw it at someone...ya can't be a policeman."
"And if you do something bad, like hurt someone...ya can't be a policeman."
"And if you're 'posed to stop at stop sign, but ya don't....ya can't be a policeman."

He seriously had like 15. I wish I could remember them all. They were just so adorable. Talan tried to chime in and do some, too. It really reminded in a way of Jeff Foxworthy. Just the way he would say, "Ya can't be a policeman," with his little hand gestures and all...every single time. Adorable. He has so much character and I love it.

Another cute thing he did was the other night when my Dad and Marty and Steph came over. I made roast for everyone. (Oh yeah it was sooooo goood....) Towards the end of dinner, he says, "Marty. Grandpa. If you need anything (with his little hand gestures), just let me know. I'll get it for you. OK? So just let me know if you need anything." How sweeeeeeet :) I just love my Riley bug!

Fun Stuff

Well, it's been a while since my last post. See, I really get my time on the computer at night. Sure, I get on often during the day to check fb and email (my only chance at adult conversation here), but of course I cannot stay on. So to actually accomplish something on the computer...well...it has to be done at night. And I have been so very busy with photography details, that I have been devoting my nights to that.

So what's been up? About 2 weeks ago we went to Dollywood. It was the first trip since Ansley has been born. She went too. And she loved it. We had a fantastic time. The only problem is figuring out what to ride next, and keeping everyone at different heights happy. So there were no roller coaster rides that day. We spent time at Beaver Creek (I think that's what it's called), the Country Fair, and some other things but I can't really remember what else. Oh yeah, this time we let them each play a game. I really wish Dollywood would a) get rid of the games or b) make them free. Is that too much to ask? Yes, I'm sure. But they are such a rip off, and I hate to say no every time, so I had to let them do it this time. I've never seen $11 get spent so fast with nothing to show for it. Unbelieveable. Then of course everyone is still whining because they want to play another one. Thanks, Dolly. 'Preciate it.

But in all honesty, I was like the happiest woman on the planet that day. Seriously. We get out of the van to walk to the tram, and we take out 2 strollers. 1 travel system, and one double stroller. And just like that, I feel like Jon and Kate. hahaha! Where did all of these kids come from??? And BTW, yes, Riley, my 6 year old still rides in the stroller. He is one easily distracted child. Trust me, it would be too hazardous for him to walk. But anyway, all day I just felt like a glow around me. Like, a cloud of love or something. I was just beaming, I was so happy. For one, Kevin was actually off. He is hardly ever off anymore. Then, I have such great boys, which all in all are pretty well behaved. I mean, I'm pretty strict, and I'm very pleased with the way they act, so I therefore consider them well behaved. And then the angel. Oh how proud I am to have my perfect little girl! And oh how sweet it was to hear Kevin tell me, "Could you walk up here by me?" rather than behind him, because he wanted to be able to look at little Ansley as I pushed her in the stroller. He just loves her so much. And it melts my heart. So anyway, I had like a perma-smile on my face all day. And I had like a perma-joy in my heart! It was the best feeling! We had a fantastic day!















So then the next day one of Spencer's friends had a party, and we went to it at the park. I was taking some pics of one of my friends, Jessica, and her family, and Spence was there at the party. Kevin came later with the other 2 boys and Ansley, and hung out until I was finished. It was so very funny because Trey's party was over, and another party came over to the shed that Kevin was at. So everyone left, and there is this whole other group that comes over to settle. And then it starts raining. So Kevin gets under the shed b/c he has Ansley, and he tells me he feels a little "awkward" when I gave him a quick call. LOL! I'd say so, Kevin! Then when I got finished with the shoot, Kevin and I were talking as the boys played, and he said that what was really weird is that Riley actually knew some of the kids that with the new party, and that he was playing with them--and I guess Spencer and Talan too--and that when the adults called out, "Pizza!" all of my kids went running back up to the shed too, to eat with them! Hilarious, I know! So Kevin was like, "No!!! Guys, come back here!" I died laughing, totally loving hearing his tale of being stuck with the kids in public. I LOVE IT! Better him than me!!! What else can I say???!!!





Let's see....well, they had a game last Thursday, and Talan made it home once!!! Riley did well, too, but I don't think he made it home. Again, no pics :( As soon as I got out of the van (I had to run and get ice after dropping them off), I hear Talan's little girly voice screaming, "Mommy, Mommy!" so that I could give him his Gatorade. He's so cute! Then periodically while he was in the dugout, he would call out for me, just to wave. He again spent a lot of time throwing up dirt while he was in the outfield.

Riley made me proud at 2nd. He actually got hit in the head with the ball as he was trying to catch a throw from 1st, and my sweet tough boy just trudged on, not needing a break or anything. The coaches ran over there quickly to be sure he was fine, and he sure was! It really amazes me how he is not afraid of that baseball. Even with how hard it is, he is so not afraid. He'll try to catch anything. He had some okay hits, but most of them were hit to 1st base, so he would get out before he got on. But not his last hit. It was a sweet, hard hit right up the middle. That was nice--he was so proud!!!

Hmmm....Kevin and I watched both Ghosts of Girlfriends Past and Management. Ghosts was great. I mean it wasn't great, but it was just what I wanted. It was simple, sweet, and not at all complicated. Plus it had Matthew and Jennifer in it. It was nice to watch a movie like that. We have been watching a lot of movies that you get really wrapped up in and then have to pay careful attention to every detail to truly understand, and then get all let down at the end. So it was nice to just relax with my hubby. I needed that.

Fall break started, and since I still don't feel all that portable yet, we have pretty much been hanging around here. The boys played Twister. That was funny! I taught Talan how to play Go Fish with his little Thomas cards. Now that was really fun! If you haven't played Go Fish in a while (and I haven't), give it a shot. It is so much fun--and real fun--not fun that you have to sort of pretend you're having, like in Hi Ho Cherry O (which we also played last week). I love Go Fish! So then, I taught Spencer and Riley how to play this week on my birthday. Nope, hadn't taught them yet. Why? Well, because we have just mainly done board games, and not the card games. We have played Go Fish as a "fishing" game, and then the "Let's Go Fishing" game, too. But it is so much more fun with cards. They really loved it. I so recommend that game! Oh, and Kevin bought Battleship. So listen to this...Spencer plays Kevin first. There is so much arguing, it's hilarious. At one point I hear, "Spencer! You can't move your ships! Why did you move your ships! You better put them back where they started! You better remember where they were!" LOL Oh Kevin, oh Kevin....now that was funny too. I mean, how was Spencer to know? No one told him he couldn't move them....They were both so stressed out at the end of that game! Bet Spencer won't be asking to play that for a while. Or ummm...ever. That game lasted over an hour!




On Sunday, Ansley got her first cold :( We're pretty sure she got it from Talan, who also had a cold. I took her to the MD on Monday just be careful, since so much flu is going around. MD said said she looked great, 10lb & 2oz., and that it looked viral and like a cold or some type of upper resp. virus that would be no big deal. Yay for no flu!

On Tuesday, we met Misty and Izzy at the park to play. That was a lot of fun. I enjoyed talking to Misty and getting some adult talk in, and the boys got to run around and enjoy the beautiful weather!

Hmmm....my 32nd birthday was on Wednesday. I woke up to my Talan asking me when we were going to bake the cake...could we do it now. So we were up at 8:12, getting it done! As we were making it, Riley and Talan both spontaneously sang Happy Birthday solos to me. Spencer told me that "Daddy should have taken off work" because it was "important," my birthday and all. So sweet! Then that's when we played Go Fish together....it was a fun day. And what did my sweet Kevin buy me??? A Canon EOS 5D Mark ii. A pro camera. Not that pros don't shoot with what I shoot (some do, esp. as a backup), but this is an actual pro camera. 21 megapixels. Bought and paid for before I could talk him out of it. Did I want it? Yes. Did I expect to have it anytime in the near future? No to the way. He initially told me I could get what I wanted--a 50D--in March, after taxes. So this is a little intimidating. Very, actually. It will take me forever to tap into what it can do...and then I need a flash, so I'll have to experiment with that too. Oh, how I love that man. And oh, how he is horrible with money. So now the pressure is on to make that money back. I would love that present more if it didn't come with a side order of guilt and worry. But if I focus on that, I'll lose the point of the gift. So I won't focus on it. It was a total surprise, and therefore I'm going to just look at the good points. And praying that it landed on my lap for a reason. The sweetest part about it? I told Kevin I didn't know what to think--did he really think I would be that successful and could make that money back, or did he just love me so much he wanted me to have it? And he said, "Oh I don't care one bit about you making that money back. I just want you to have it." You heard it here folks. The sweetest man in the world. (When he wants to be.)













And then the next night (last night), Jordan spent the night. We initally had plans to play putt-putt. Kevin got off late, though...at 6:40. Then he had to shower and we ate...so we were really behind. But Kevin called, and the recording said they closed at 10. So we get up there around 8:20. Closed. So then we drive slowly around, looking for another one. I know there's another near it somewhere! No such luck. So we get to Zuma at about 8:30 and they guy says they close at 9, but he'll let them go ahead and play. I drop the 4 boys off + Kevin, and head to Joann's to get some cardstock and ribbon. Kevin says, "Are you really leaving me with 4 kids?" And I say, "Yeah! You'll be fine. They're all good." LOL But seriously, they are all good. Good boys. Then at about 9:20 they come out, with big smiles on their faces. They had a great time. They only made it to the 10th hole, but they had a blast. Jordan said, "We only made it to the 10th hole. Kevin looked at his watch and said, 'Oh no guys, we have to go!' This place closed 15 minutes ago!" Great story for Jordan to tell his mom! LOL Oh well, that's just the way it goes with sometimes. I mean, we called ahead. What else can you do?

So the boys had a blast with Jordan. Fun for Mommy? No. You see, Jordan is very well behaved. So are mine. But mine were all fired up. I mean, fired up. I would tell them to do something. I'd get all nods and okays, and nothing would happen. They were too happy! In one ear, out the other. Then, the fights. He brought over some new wii games, so my 2 were fighting over whose turn it was to play with Jordan on them. Talan simply could not handle the fact that the wonderful Jordan wanted to play electronics and things that Talan could not, so Talan was acting out and just plain sad and mad at the same time. The baby kept waking up. Ansley would go to sleep and then sure enough, Riley and Talan would be screaming down the hall, tattling on each other and fighting. Because when I told them I had to take a shower and that the baby was asleep and that they needed to be quiet and I would be out in just a few minutes, did they hear me? Why yes, everyone did. They said okay, right? No! They forgot! They didn't know to be quiet! So poor little Ansley couldn't really get a good nap in because she kept waking up to rowdiness. Now, she is used to noise. But not that much commotion. So...next time will have to be when she is a little older or when Kevin is at home. Maybe. Or maybe not. They had so much fun, and it's only painful for a little while, right? We'll just have to see....




Oh I forgot to mention we stared a chores and allowance thing. Spencer's chores are making his bed, clearing the table at breakfast, keeping his bathroom counter clean, sweeping the kitchen once, and of course having his room picked up at night before bed. Riley's are to make his bed, clear the table after dinner, and keep the shoes picked up in his room at night. Also he makes sure toys are out of the living room. Spencer gets $9 a week. Riley gets $6. Based on their age, of course. We sat them down and explained tithing, and so Spencer will tithe 90 cents and Riley will tithe 60 cents. They each told us something they want to save for, and wouldn't you know it--for both, it's a game. So they both decided to keep only $1 out for spending money each week, and save the rest for their wanted item. So the dollar is for candy. I love all of the ideas behind this entire system, but I know it's going to be hard to keep up. First of all, we hardly ever carry cash. And then there's just always a lack of time, so I'm not sure if this will work for them. This week, the chores have only taken about 15 minutes of Spencer's time altogether and I guess about 15 minutes of Riley's time (Riley's a little slower, even though he has less). But still, sometimes we just don't have enough time. So we will just have to see. But right now, I LOVE it! I think it is very important to teach them about money now, while they are under our wings, rather than just get them what they need/want whenever we can. I like that they can embrace these concepts early, and get used to the idea of saving, and delaying gratification, esp. in a world where everyone just wants to charge it all. I am raising boys, and I want them to understand how this money thing works. And yes, staying at home has me revamping a lot of stuff.

Crazy Lady

Well, one thing Ansley and I have been doing a lot of lately is....shopping!! Now, I really, really, really do not like to shop. Yes, I like new things. But I have 2 problems: 1--I am pretty picky, and 2--I do NOT like to overspend. In fact, if it's not on sale, there's little chance I'm going to buy it. Kevin thinks I'm a little crazy when it comes to stuff like that--he doesn't really see the point in all that stuff. But if he knew how it all added up, he would definitely care. I have been blessed and cursed at the same time with a husband that does not look at our checkbook. Okay, well, I'll just go ahead and say we don't balance our checkbook. I get online and check things out all the time, and mentally keep up with things...but since I know what bills will be paid out of what checks...I know it always works out, and I know about how much we have. But Kevin doesn't even do that. It's funny because every now and then there will be boxes and boxes delivered over the course of a few days, and like for the last 4-5 days there have been big bags in the living room and kitchen, along with a large bunch of frames...and he simply doesn't even ask! That's totally NOT how I am. I am always asking how much this cost, how much he spent on that...I am a total tightwad when it comes to that. I accumulated a LOT of credit card debt in college because I was in total denial, and when we paid that off years ago, I was a changed woman.

Well, anyway, I usually go shopping for the boys' clothes at the change of the season, buy a lot at one time, and then I'm done until the next season. And when I say "season," really it's either "cold weather" or "warm weather." And I always wait until there's a sale, or I have a great "entire purchase" coupon. And it's pretty much always at Children's Place. So if anyone else has a boy that wears Children's Place (like at our school), I pick it out real quick--b/c one of mine probably has it too!



Anyhow, on Sunday I made a trip to BabiesRUs and Kohls with my perfect little shopping partner--Ansley Elizabeth. She is usually amazingly good, and sleeps the entire time. If she wakes, it's only because she is hungry or has gas :( TMI, I know. LOL Anyway, after purchasing her a little gym, some 8 oz bottles, some liners, some clothes, and some pacis (trying to find one she actually "took"), I headed to Kohls. BTW, I had coupon after coupon, and used some rewards dollars, and saved a ton of money!

Well, at Kohls, I was on a mission for frames that I saw were 50% off. So I'm looking for some 11x14s, 8x10s, and 5x7 frames, and of course they don't fit in those Kohl's buggies. I mean, what does? So I am shopping away and put those huge 11x14 plus mat frames in the cart sort of "crooked-like." I get 3 of these, and they just look so unstable. Well, at the same time, Ansley wakes up and needs to be fed. So I'm doing the whole hold-her-with-one-arm, feed-her-with-your-chin, and push-the-buggy-with-the-other-arm dance until I get to a point that I can just leave the buggy and look around in that area. Well, the frames fall. A sales associate helps me build the unstable mess again, and of course they fall again. So I ask if someone could bring them to the front for me. She says, "Sure!" and a kind older lady comes to pick up my frames. The helper lady asks me what register I'll be checking out at, I tell her, and she heads that way with my large frames. (I'm still looking for the smaller ones.)

She comes back a few minutes later to tell me that one of the frames is damaged--it came unglued at one corner. So I pick out another one, and as she is waiting on me to choose one she tells me to be sure to have them page her when it is time for me to check out, because she will carry these to my car. I tell her that I will, and she takes my other frame to the front. A minute or so later, I'm done shopping, so I head to the front as well. As I intersect with her, she secretly gives me a 15% off entire purchase coupon. Score!! Don't mind if I do! (That phrase is for you, Steph!)

Well, when it is my turn at the register, the cashier goes ahead and pages the other lady--apparently that kind helper lady...let's just call her Carol, since I don't know her name...okay, Carol is paged. Well, the cashier...let's call her Stacy...is making small talk with me, commenting on how pretty Ansley is, asking her how old she is...you know... I purposely don't tell her I have 3 others at home. She thinks I'm a first-time mom, and I don't feel like shocking her. Then she says she has a 3 year old at home. I ask if she has baby fever yet, and she says no--that she just looks at the baby photos of her little boy and that is satisfaction enough for now. I just nod and smile, still tending to Ansley as I put her in the carrier.

So then Carol comes up to help, and we all make more small talk as they comment on how quickly I lost the baby weight...the cashier mentions how she is still losing the weight she gained with her pregnancy a few years ago... Again, I don't mention I have the other 3 at home. Just trying to keep it simple.

Well, Nancy gathers the frames and walks out with me. I tell her it's the silver van. You can tell she's a little taken aback that it's a van, but doesn't say anything. Then, as she puts the frames in my very full trunk--loaded with baseball equipment and a stroller on top (3 batting helmets to the side), she can see the car seats and she asks, "Do you have 2 other children?" That's when I say, "Well, actually, I have 3 other children. They are all boys. I have been wanting a girl each time, and I finally got one." The look on her face was priceless. She said,"3 boys??? Well...I guess you finally got a girl." And I, "Yep, finally got one! Now we're done!" (before she thought I was clinically insane and had plans for another). Anyway, just like that, her entire perception of me changed before my eyes. I went from "Sweet, young lady with a little newborn," to "Crazy lady with 4 kids" in 0.7 seconds! Oh the look on that lady's face. She walked a walk of shock to the front doors, I know ready to tell that cashier how I had 3 boys at home.

And that's what it's like. I feel like I have to say very quickly how we're done--"We're done, people!" When I go to Wal-Mart, I feel like I have a small class with me. I hear things like "Oh my gosh...bless your heart," and "Are all 'a those yours?" It's really funny! And I have to admit, a tad bit annoying at times. I mean, bless my heart??? Yeah, go ahead and bless me, I'll take it :) But really, I love my life. Each child has a special special place in my heart, and I have so much love in me for each one, that when I think about it, it's almost too much. I am overcome with the blessings that I have been given. It is very hard to manage it all, don't get me wrong--especially with such a little infant. But my goodness I love having such a full house. I love that 3 nights out of the week there were 5 people sleeping in my bedroom because Riley didn't feel well, Talan was in his bed which is in our room, and Ansley was in the bed with Kevin and me. I love that when I got up to make Ansley a bottle, I had to balance and zig zag between Talan and Riley to safely get us out of that room. I love that it looked a little like a slumber party in there. I love it. I love my children. And I think about our future, and I am so very happy to have a little girl to go shopping with, and most of all to talk with late at night maybe over some cappucino or something. I am so lucky to have such wonderful, sweet boys who have such tender hearts...and have my precious little girl too. I love my life now. And I am going to also love it when they grow up, and we have huge Thanksgiving dinners together (I hope their wives let them come here every year!) I look forward to having a full house that only gets even more crowded as the boys grow up and have friends over more often (also when we get a bigger house!!!). I am going to love it when they get older and they can really aggravate each other and play pranks on each other and all that. I can't wait to see each of their real first crushes.

Spencer has already had a girlfriend--one last year. It was a teacher's kid, and boy is she a doll. They are no longer together, and Spencer didn't get all caught up in it or anything, but it was cute. I would prefer him not to really date anyone until he gets out of high school, if I get a vote at all. I would just rather him enjoy his friends and being young altogeher while he is still in school. All the drama that goes with high school and middle school relationships--well, it's unnecessary and I don't want him getting caught up in that.

Anyway, I can't wait for all of these events to occur. But when I look around at my life now, I want it to stay the same forever. I love Ansley being so little. I absolutely love waking up with her in the middle of the night. I love those moments together. I love taking care of her. And I really really love her smiles that are getting more and more frequent. I love how Spencer is so patient (or tries to be), so loving, such a perfectionist, so creative, and so wonderful altogether. It amazes me the things he comes up with sometimes. He has such an artistic mind...We got out of the garage all of the Little People toys that I had stored in a plastic bin. They haven't seen that stuff since Riley was like 3. So it was like brand new to them. They all played together, excitedly. Guess what Spencer does? He makes a jail. He takes a box that he found, gets some tape, cuts a hole, and makes a sign that says, "Jail." Who would come up with that? He's just so neat and his brothers just look up to him so much. They fight too, of course, but they really think he is just amazing.

And I love Riley's downright goofiness and the way he has such a grateful heart for anything given to him. I love the way he's so silly and for some odd reason rhymes all the time. I love that it takes us forever to do his homework because he laughs and giggles the whole time, talking to me and enjoying my undivided attention. Okay, the homework thing can be a hassle when we're in a hurry, but really...I love those times.

I love the way Talan is so mischievous and for some reason so mature with his "meanness." I love the way he already knows how to be sarcastic, and I also love how he has the sweetest little girly voice. I love how he gives me kisses spontaneously, his obsession with balloons (he blows them up himself), cutting with scissors (he cuts balloons(?), crayons (?), paper, anything...), bubbles (not so much lately though), and water. Oh my gosh how he continues to get into trouble for playing in the bathroom sink!

I love and adore each one. I look around and I can't believe I have 4 healthy, beautiful children. And I know that I must be doing something right. God has blessed me and has allowed me to raise 4 of His children. We're not rich. We need a bigger house. But I tell you what, I would have the children over the money anyday. There is not a single day that goes by that I take it for granted. Really. I spend each day thankful for them. I have wanted kids since I was a little girl. It's the only thing I was sure I wanted to be when I grew up. And I always had a nagging fear that because that was what I wanted, something would happen and maybe I wouldn't be able to have them. I wanted to be a mom so badly, I thought it might not come true. Well, I have been blessed four-fold.

And our marriage gets sweeter with every passing year. I am beginning to realize more and more how Kevin and I are made for each other.

Tired. Going to sleep.

Thomas

Talan totally loves Thomas. I mean totally. He loves his train table, he loves to get out pieces of track and make another one of his own on the floor, coffee table, kitchen table.... He loves watching Thomas on DVDs... But the funniest thing is how he is obsessed with actual trains. We live very close to a train track, and you can see it clearly from our house from the play room. So anytime he hears a train, he drops what he is doing, desperately asks me to open the playroom door, and goes through to the other [outdoor] door, to open it and watch the train go by. He loves the "ding ding ding" thing. He does this many times a day! When driving through town, he is always turned to the right, looking for trains. We cannot make a trip without him either asking him to "go that way" to see a train [which no sane woman would do, so I of course never have. I would NOT take a complete detour off of my route simply to please my 4 year old son, putting me in a position to where he now barks directions to me from the back seat. Because that would be ridiculous....], "slow down" to see a train, or telling us to "look" because there is a train. Seriously. When we went to see Thomas in April, well...for him it was amazing. He remembers the odd route we took there (it was a crazy day and we headed there from a different city), and each time we pass that road he says, "That's the way to Thomas!" I love that he has such a deep infatuation with them...it makes him unique, and plus it's adorable!

The Monday following the party, we put together his Thomas the Train puzzle. It has really large pieces, and it was pretty fun! He didn't quite get that when you're looking for "a piece with a mouth" on it, you actually have to turn that piece to where the mouth is in the correct place. For some reason, he thinks as long as it's the right piece, it can turn any which way! LOL






When we finished, he proudly got his little trains and matched up the ones on the puzzle to the ones that he had.

Side note: One day this week he as playing with his trains, and since he has several that are the same color, and a couple that are exactly the same (4 Thomases), he was asking me "same" and "different" questions. Very funny!

Talan's Birthday Party

Well, we had a small family party for Talan's birthday last Friday. I am really liking this party on a weekday thing. Then you still have the whole weekend! Anyway, Talan's party actually fell on his birthday as well, so he was beyond himself with excitement for days! Kevin and I gave him his Plasma Car before the boys left for school. Boy, was he happy!!!








It is such a smooth ride, and he flies in the kitchen. He likes to go really fast and then do donuts!!!

Then the entire day was spent asking me, "Mommy, when is it going to be my birthday?" "Honey, it's your birthday all day long today. But we're going to have your birthday party after Daddy get's home." 30 minutes later..."Mommy, when is it going to be my birthday?" LOL

The party was a lot of fun. We had Thomas tattoos, balloon animals, and we played a few outdoor games. Talan really loves Duck, Duck, Goose, so we played it about 15 times :) Then we played the Blob. Kevin and I both had played that many many times in elementary school b/c we had the same PE teacher (but went to different schools). I tried to tell him they wouldn't really "get" it (it was hard for my 4th graders in the past to get it), but they had so much fun anyway! Everyone laughed so much! Steph, Kevin, and I all tried to play the Blob with them but nobody would get us LOL! The kids would just couple up without even being caught...it was just hilarious altogether.








The cake...well, I'm going to spare you the drama behind me making the cake, and leave it by saying that I made a desperate call to Food City that morning at 8:00 AM, and thankfully she had it ready by 5. Thank you cake lady!




Here are a few more pictures...









It was last year when my baby turned 3 that started making me think about having another one. Now he's 4 and we have a baby girl. Isn't it amazing what can happen in one year?

Talan now knows the sounds of L, M, T, and A. He can match objects beginning with these sounds to the correct letter. He can recognize the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. I introduced the 5 just 2 days ago. And he can write his first and last name. We have also done quite a bit of cutting and gluing, so he's gotten a lot better at that as well. So academically, he's doing great and I am so proud of how quickly he catches on to things. And as hard as it is, I am so glad to be staying at home!