Yea yea yea--so your kid eats vegetables. . .

BLAH, BLAH, BLAH-and seriously--I'm so J-E-A-L-O-U-S!!!!  My kids are picky--picky--picky!  Now, we knew Camden was picky, but Evan is getting pickier and pickier every day!  Tonight on the menu: Chef Boyardee (which I try to limit to a few times a month), and mandarin oranges--he ate the oranges-that's IT!!  He will eat grilled chicken, and last week he ate some beef that had been cooked in the crock pot--so in that aspect he's a better eater than Camden, but still--there's NO VEGGIE that either of my children will eat on a consistent basis!!  Don't think I haven't tried--I have.  I guess some kids are just picky.  I hate it, I really do.  I'm good, I don't make a "kids meal" and an "adult meal"--NOW, I will sometimes "modify" but I try to make sure we are all eating basically the same thing.  If I'm making something that I just KNOW they won't eat, or if it's the weekend--I'll throw a hot dog or some nuggets at them, but other than that I work hard to put good nutritious food in front of them on a daily basis.

I also don't believe in cutting out all snacks!!  Camden has gotten very good about choosing "healthy snacks", in fact when he asks for one he will always say "can I have a HEALTHY snack?" :)  I've been hitting up the grocery store at least 3 times a week for fresh fruit--it's washed and kept where he can get to it in the fridge so when he does snack he can grab that!  So, the question is, does fruit replace veggies?  If my kids eat healthy snacks (a reasonable amount of snacks--b/c remember 5 small meals is better than 3 large ones) does that make up for their lack of healthy dinner?  I can't just starve them--I know they say kids will eat when they get hungry--but guess what people--I DIDN'T!!  I guess the thing to do is just relax, let my kids be who they are and ignore all those people who's kids eat anything you put in front of them?

I guess now I know how my parents felt.  .  .

:)

It's not as if you asked, but I'm sure you wanted to know!!!

So, it's no secret to my friends and family that I really struggled with my decision to be a stay-at-home mom.  I've always worked, ever since I was 16-and the idea of being home ALL day and ALL night just totally freaked me out!!  In the beginning it was very much a necessary evil, there was truly no way I could work (and bring home any money) while Jason was gone.  WAIT WAIT--let me retract, as I have learned a lot about myself over the past year, I could've worked and taken care of the children as a "single mom" as I know women do it EVERY day!  However, it wouldn't have made sense financially to do so b/c once I paid for gas and daycare I wouldn't have any take home left.  Hence, I decided to stay home, and have since decided to stay home for all practical purposes.  When Jason was gone staying home was pretty difficult.  Very much like the movie Groundhog Day--Sunday thru Saturday was literally the same--and I am a person that needs to get out and be busy.  I did everything I could think of, started going to church, signed Camden up for sports, went to the gym--it worked for the most part, but I always felt like I was just constantly searching for the next thing we could do to get out of the house!!  Once Jason came home it was a whole different ball game--I actually felt pressure to make sure the house was completely picked up when he arrived home, and to have a delicious healthy hot meal on the table, and be showered with my hair done and make up on.  .  .Then I discovered he really could care less if the beds were made, or the laundry was put away, or if I laid down and caught a 15 minute nap.  . .he did prefer that I shower (though he never mentioned it, I just assume he likes me showered better than not showered due to the smell and all-hehe)!  I found myself (and from time to time still do) wondering: what is my purpose?  I need approval, recognition, something. .  .maybe that's why I enjoyed working, maybe you weren't constantly praised, but at least you brought home a pay check every so often!  Lately, I've found that I'm actually enjoying my role at home (as much as you can enjoy being a domestic engineer).  I just want to share with you some of the things that make it easier for me, in case you too are struggling with the decision to stay home!!

#1--don't pressure yourself to cook fancy meals or do elaborate crafts.  just b/c you are a stay at home mom doesn't mean that you will instantly become crafty or a good cook!!!  the cooking I was okay at before, and I do enjoy having more time to explore new things and prep healthier dinners for us.  the crafty--well, I'm still working on that one!!  I was not born with the talent and I have pretty much given up on it!  don't expect homemade Christmas gifts from this family, or homemade wrapping paper on your birthday gifts, sorry--it's just not in me!  I've accepted it and moved on!!

#2--make a list.  I have lists EVERYWHERE, you know what they are good for???  CROSSING THINGS OFF!  I have often found myself looking around wondering what on earth did I do all day?  I never get anything done--ENTER LIST.  .  .ahhh--that's what I've done, I can see it b/c I've crossed items off.  I have lists on paper, on my dry erase board, on the back of receipts, on my iPhone.  .  .EVERYWHERE!

#3--challenge yourself to work for one hour a day on the chores you hate.  do you hate cleaning like I do?  are you sad that you feel like your only purpose in life is to clean every day??  here's what I've started and it's really working.  my house in general is clean, not so much tidy, but clean.  I've started challenging myself every day to clean just for an hour.  it's usually the hour between working out and lunch when Evan is sleeping!  I can usually finish the task I have chosen (bathroom) and then some before the hour is up.  and you know what--then it's just DONE.  you have accomplished what you needed to get done, and have not spent your WHOLE day cleaning!  there is nothing worse than spending all day cleaning just to find by noon the next day it all needs to be done again!  you will DRIVE YOURSELF CRAZY!

#4--find a good group with children in your child's age group.  this one is very important!  I have been lucky enough to become friends with a group of women who all have children who are either Camden's age, or Evan's age--or very close.  When we all get together, everyone has a playmate and it works.  It's also nice b/c, even though they don't all go to the same school, it seems they all have the same vacation calendar!  That makes for playdates, picnics, field trips, etc all together!

#5--pursue something you wouldn't be able to do if you were working.  take advantage of this time, if you can.  it doesn't have to be anything HUGE.  just think back to when you were working at a desk, what did you daydream about or think--"if i didn't have this job, I would do _____ "?????  i chose exercise.  I found it an impossible thing to do when I was working.  By the time I got home around 6:30, rushed around getting dinner ready, then getting Camden ready for bed and sitting down for a few minutes--there was just no time to workout!

#6--have an idea of what you are going to do every day.  every morning when I wake up I usually know what needs to be done, and when I'm going to do it.  I don't know why, but it helps make the day run smoother.  if I know I'm going to need to do some dusting or laundry AFTER I pick Camden up from school I let him know.  "Mommy has a few things that i need to get done, and after that we can play" it usually works, and often he asks if he can help!

#7--sometimes throw it all out the window and go to the park!!  it really doesn't matter if you have worked out, gotten your hour of cleaning in, or have dinner ready to go at 5:30-what really matters is if you had a good day with your kids!!  I don't do it every day, but quite often I will throw it all out the window and play!  it won't be long until my kids are telling me to go away, or I'm embarrassing them--so i need to take advantage of this time with them!!  these days are the best days!!

#8--don't be embarrassed to remind your husband, that you need time for yourself or you need a night on the town.  I don't think they realize sometimes how daunting it can be to be in the house 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  until you've done it, you couldn't have any idea!!  sometimes, a night out without kids, or just a few hours shopping by yourself can mean THE WORLD!!  (it's also nice if you don't have to plan the date, babysitter, etc.  .  .)

#9--try to not have a routine on the weekends.  this also helps when your hubby is deployed, I just wish I had picked up on it sooner!  weekend nights we might get to stay up a little late, play a little Wii, watch a movie.  maybe in the morning we eat our dry cereal on the couch and watch some cartoons--try to throw some of the structure out on the weekends, or as much as you are comfortable with anyway!!

#10--take advantage of the freedoms that a domestic engineer has.  I may take off mid week and go visit my grandmother, meet friends for dinner around 6 on a Monday, or hit up Toddler storytime at 10:15 on a Friday.  these are all things I never would've been able to do with a regular 9-5 job!

I know as soon as I hit post I will come up with more, but for now this is it!!  I'm certainly no expert, but I also know it's totally normal to have second thoughts about giving up that job and staying home (which is a 24 hour 7 day a week job)!  It's a huge change and adjustment (I know, as I'm still adjusting everyday)!!

Frozen in time

Do you ever have one of those moments in your life that you wish you could just freeze?  Ingrain it in your memory so you never forget it?  I'm sure we all do, the day you got married, or when you had your first child, or graduated from college.  .  .or maybe it's just a wonderful unexpected beautiful fall day playing kick ball with friends at a "college football kickoff party" (if you were there, you remember this day)!!
Well, the other night we had one.  I'm going to just jot it down here for my own purpose, as this is a blog about my life, and one day I will look back and read it and cry--because I cry over everything!!

The boys and I went to church Wednesday night and had dinner and played with friends, we go pretty much Wednesday but this was the first time everyone has really been at 100%--usually I'm worried about Evan being tired or not feeling well b/c he's been sick for the past month!  Anyway, it's typically a later night so we got home around 8:30, we should've gone straight to bed, but for some reason we found ourselves on Mommy & Daddy's bed playing with party horns that had been handed out in Journey class, and just hanging out.  There was so much excitement, laughter, and talking--I couldn't bring myself to make it stop so we could all get to bed!  As I looked around and watched my sweet boys and my husband I just thought--this is it, this is what it's all about--thank you for blessing me!  Don't you just love those moments??


Camden at his first basketball practice

I guess I also need to go ahead and fill you in on Evan's 15 month stats:

WEIGHT: 24LBS 15OZ (44%)

LENGTH: 31"(41%)

HEAD: 18 3/4" (60%)

The doctor really freaked me out this time because they were so "concerned" that he doesn't have "words" yet!  He's usually VERY laid back and go with the flow on stuff so I was surprised--and it's why I sort of freaked!  Anyway, sadly, I don't remember when Camden started talking--but I do know that it wasn't 15 months!  I started testing Evan with things and he definitely understand what I'm saying to him and he can DEFINITELY hear me--so I'm satisfied that he's developing right on schedule!  I was also a little surprised that they asked if he could color with crayons.  .  .I mean, he can EAT crayons--but I'm not sure I'm ready for him to color on my walls with them yet so I keep them put up as much as possible.  He is a very happy boy, and truly to know him is to love him!!  (just like his brother)

Camden wrapped up his basketball season on Saturday--he really loved it!!  I was glad to see him actually dribble, and run, and even attempt a few shots!!  He's ready for T-ball this spring .  .  .(Lord help!!)

(sorry for the not so great pics but our camera-computer sharing situation is a little complicated and I don't always  have access to the really good ones!)

Pre-School Playdate and a real SNOW day!!!!

So last Friday the preschool kids were out of school--the "big" kids were all in school because the original holiday was now a "make-up" day and preschool doesn't make up days.  .  .

I decided to invite my friends with children in preschool over for a little playdate!!  It turned out to be wonderful!  We had kids from Evan's age up to Camden's age--they all played so well together!!  I think in all we had about 11 kids.  They were all well behaved and such fun to watch.  I was super excited about Evan having someone his own age to interact with.  He tends to get left out when Camden's friends come over, and since slacker mommy hasn't gotten a gate for the top of our playroom stairs, he usually sits at the bottom of the stairs and shakes on the gate and screams b/c he wants to go play!  One thing I did not do, TAKE PICTURES!  Since Jason has been back I've been so bad at remembering to take pics of the kids.  I vow next time we have a playdate to take pictures!!

Another exciting adventure we had was a snow day--and I mean a REAL snow day!!  Snow was falling for hours and hours, and stopped and started, and seriously covered the ground!!  Jason left a little early from work to beat the ice and we took the boys out for a little while to play!  Being southerners, we don't have much "gear"!  The boys have mittens (although Camden only has one), but they aren't waterproof or anything.  Evan has snow pants, but only b/c they were in style when Camden was a baby and they were purchased for him so he could be "stylish"!!  Needless to say we made due!!  We also didn't have a sled, but Jason improvised and pulled Camden around in a laundry basket!!!

 Camden and Daddy played outside the most.  Mommy and Evan went out very briefly--but it was cold, and he's walking but prefers crawling. . .need I say more??  :)

The snow didn't last long, it was pretty much gone on Saturday evening--but it was fun while it lasted!  I'd like to put in a request with the big guy that we end Winter and start Spring.  .  .I'm ready for some warmer weather and some outside playdates!!

I also want to say WELCOME BABY BLAKE KELLER!!  He arrived February 6th at 4:02pm--he was a little early so he spent some time in the NICU BUT--just heard he is headed home today--YAY!!!!  In a year these first weeks will feel just like a moment in time!!  ALSO, BABY ETHAN WALKER will be making his arrival early this week--praying for y'all too!!!  Can't wait to meet you little buddy!!

Everyone have a great week--I'm hoping to make storytime this week--we've been sick for a MONTH now!!

Camden's Nighttime Adventure

So.  .  .Camden has recently started getting up in the night so he can play with "Mommy & Daddy's Things", the story is quite funny--although I can't tell him that it's funny just yet!!!  One day when he's older and has his friends over or his first girlfriend over I'll be sure to tell the story.  I'm sure it's one that will come up time and time again!!

The story starts with a very tired Mommy putting her cell phone in her purse and finding the camera there.  .  .OKAY--let me back up you have to know that Camden is absolutely OBSESSED with cameras, cell phones, lap tops, etc!  He comes by it quite honestly, for all of you who know his Daddy he always has the newest gadget (especially MAC products), and it's only "the best" for him :)!!  Anyway, so I discovered the camera in my purse and I KNOW I didn't put it there.  (oh yea, Camden is also obsessed with purses, lipstick, bras, and my shoes)  So for some reason I decide I'm going to look at the pictures on the camera--I start scrolling through and there are all of these random pics of Camden's room--lights on, lights off, pics of his buddy Mr. Frog, and even on of half of his face--and let me just add in that you can see an image of part of my purse as well.  .  .
I really sort of freaked out when I saw the date and time stamp b/c it was showing 2/1 (which was that day) at 12:00 (he had been at school, so obviously it wasn't noon when he was taking these photos).  I realized he must've gotten up in the night and had himself a little photo shoot!  When I picked him up at school, first he lied about it, but when I let him know that I could see any pictures he took with our camera he came clean.  He said "I did it while everyone was sleeping!" and then sort of grinned at me!!  Anyway, of course I explained that we can't play with Mommy & Daddy's things and we shouldn't be up in the middle of the night and he would have to be punished.  .  .he got really quiet for about a second and then with way too much enthusiasm asked: "Did you see the one I took of myself?  How about the one of Mr. Frog?  Did you see those?  How about the one of my whole room?"
Like I said--entirely too much enthusiasm for a little boy who was going to be punished for doing something wrong!!  Although, I had to just be quiet b/c I knew I wouldn't be able to answer him without bursting out laughing!!

I was very freaked out with the whole thing really--I mean, he's getting up in the night, he's lying, he's playing with our things.  .  .WHERE DID I GO WRONG???  Then I went through the whole story with my friends Kasey & Matt--they listened and nodded, and when I got to the end and explained how sad I was because I couldn't trust my little boy anymore.  .  .they both bursted out laughing!  (they have 3 boys of their own, so anytime I have questions about boys--they are usually the ones I go to)  Kasey said "honey he's 4" and Matt said "you have at least another 2 years of him getting in your stuff"  Apparently they have the same issue at their house as well!  So good to know that it's perfectly normal!! :)  Once I figured that out, and figured out that my child wasn't going to necessarily grow up to be a pathological liar--I relaxed a bit!!  Also, the article Jason pulled up on dishonesty in preschoolers made me feel a little better as well!  (I'm not kidding, we were totally freaked)

I hope everyone has a great week--I'm once again praying we have no more sickness!!  Poor Evan has a double ear infection, but hopefully the antibiotics will knock that right out!!  I'll leave you with some shots from Camden's "photoshoot" enjoy :

Self Portrait:



Camden's room with the lights off:



Camden's room with the lights on:


Camden's bed (please note my purse in the bottom left corner):

Mr. Frog all tucked in: