Christmas & New Year's 2009

The girls each had Christmas parties at school (Madison's being a PJ day) and we decided to go festive with their outfits. I think they looked pretty cute. :o)

And yes, the socks that Skyler is wearing are the socks that I wore last year our last day before Christmas at work.....and again this year. :o) I was told I looked like a pregnant elf.
-


This Christmas was very peaceful for us...for once it seems.

We started off with a trip to church for the beautiful Christmas Eve service with my mother-n-law and some friends of ours on what was a VERY COLD and WINDY day/evening. After church and running to the car in order to not get frost bite... (ok, so, we live in Texas and 35 degrees with the wind blowing something fierce is pretty darn cold to me) we decided that going out to eat would be better than cooking at home. :o) Ok...ok....I must admit, that was my idea but it was a good one. :o) Then off to home for me to finish up some last minute wrapping, some good books read by grandmother, listening to Christmas music while dancing up a storm, setting out milk and cookies for Santa, throwing out "reindeer food" for Santa's reindeer and then tucking the girls in bed. So it was a good evening.

The next morning Skyler woke up about 2am to tell us that Santa had been there and that there were tons of gifts in the living room. Thank goodness Santa wrapped the gifts this year or I am she would not have gone back to bed like I told her to. Oh but we were all up opening gifts by 6am. Whew...that is early but still doable.

After opening gift and having breakfast we headed over to my mom's house for our family get-together. It was so much fun...especially now that there seem to be more little ones in the house again. After the gift opening fiasco and sending the kids outside to play it looked as though the living room was hit by a Christmas tornado. :o)

After the gift opening we headed outside and got a few photos. Can you see my belly that is starting to show??? I am finally to the stage that I don't just look poochy. :o)


aww....me and my girls!

This next photo shows my girls personalities so well!!!

Their only directions were to "go over there and smile" Skyler goes over and sits in the chair all sweet & pretty while Madison decides to stand next to Skyler giving her best "cool" pose possible. I have a feeling that in the years to come these personalities will show even more. Skyler sweet, sensitive, and lovely...while Madison will be cool, edgy and carefree. Only time will tell. :o)

Madison is really starting to become a daddy's girl and Skyler is starting to become too cool for all of that public effection. lol While a church she will normally hold my hand and such but Christmas Eve we went with another family and the little girl of that family is one of her very best friends. Skyler REFUSED to hold my hand while sitting next to Hannah. {siff, sniff, tear}

I was able to take a few pics of my brother's family.....it was pretty cold out and with twin one year old we had a hard time keeping their full attention but I still think we did pretty good.

For New years we had a few friends over and we did as many fireworks as we could stand. The cold rain and wind became unbearable after a while.

New Year's day we headed to Livingston to go camping with my parents for a little fun.

Look at how this sweet little girl can go from sweet and innocent looking to......

giving her best dirt look possible. Oh yes this girl has her daddy's dirty looks down pat. :o)

I just love this sweet loving little 7 year old who is losing her baby teeth left and right.

We went down to the lake to try to do some fishing and it was WAY too cold. I snapped this cute little photo while the girls were checking out the lake. Skyler put her arm around Madison to keep her from falling over the railing and I guess Madison returned the favor. :o) I just love the purse action...don't you? {grin}

Over all it was a great Christmas and New Year's and we are looking forward to what 2010 will bring our family.

This and that

In case you did not know...Skyler was one of the top 5 sellers in her school's fundraiser this year. The top 5 were awarded with a limo ride during lunch to a local pizza place for lunch and then back to school. Skyler LOVED her limo ride and as they were getting in the limo all of the other kids in the school were watching out of the windows as they were heading to lunch and ooh'd and aww'd. They were jelous. :o) It was great to see the school reward the kids with something different and something that will stick in their memory bank for a long time.


-

-

-
Madison and I took a small trip to a park with our happy meals the other day. It was cold but she enjoyed "having a picnick" outside. :o) Madison is one of the happiest little girls you'll ever meet....granted she doesn't much sit still very long. LOL! But I sure love her enthusiasim for life.




-


Since we have not had time to get professional photos taken this year and we wanted something for our family Christmas cards so my mom came over late one evening and took a few photos. None were perfect but some were ok. These will be the last Christmas cards of our family of 4....geesh...a family of 5 sounds pretty scary to me. :o)

-


Pregnancy update...
Everything seems to be going pretty well so far with the pregnancy. I am about 16.5 weeks along and the tummy is showing a lot faster than the other two. According to the dr. that is all normal when you have had other children. I had some pretty bad headaches and some morning sickness but now it seems that most of that has gone. Oh but that doesn't mean smooth sailing by any means. I now have heart burn on occasion and achy legs from poor curculation to my legs. Oh the joys of pregnancy. :o) On the upside....we could not be more excited about the new baby and finding out next month if we are expecting a boy or a girl. I will be fine either way, the only thing that I am asking for is a healthy baby. It seems like I am starting to feel the baby move...I keep having to ask myself, "was that a twing or a kick"...but I think they are small kicks. The next Dr. visit is Dec. 31st for some bloodwork and normal monthly visit then it looks like the ultrasound will be around Jan. 28th or so.

Christmas is right around the corner and I am not done with shopping but I have faith that it will all come together. Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas.

MckMama Rocks

She is giving away a brand new HP TouchSmart Computer and I would soooo love to have one.
http://mckgiveaways.blogspot.com/2009/12/hp-touchsmart-giveaway.html

As my girls would say, "if you pick me, I'll be your best friend". :o)

Skyler's Fundraiser and a name

We just got word that Skyler was one of the top sellers at her school's fundraiser therefor she gets to go to lunch this week to Double Dave's Pizza in a LIMO!!! Also, she gets to go to Pump It UP. She is soooo excited! I hope I am able to get over to her school and get a pic of her getting in the limo to go to lunch. Way to go Skyler!!! Also, a big thank you to all who ordered from her....the school and now her truly benef from it! Ya'll are the best!

I think that Schuyler and I have decided on a first name for this baby. Either, a boy or gir, it is going to be the same name now the middle name is where it gets tricky. So when we find outthe sex, we will have to really work on that. :o) By the way.....Schuyler is pretty sure its a boy, I on the other hand can't tell at all. No mother's intuition here. :o)

Moody Garden's Festival of Lights Trip

We went to Moody Garden's to see their festival of lights and had a blast. Skyler and Madison each had a friend and it made everything perfect. :o) Below are the photos.


Skyler and Hannah are best friends!

-
First we took a trip to the aquirium

-
Skyler, Jannah, Addilyn, Madison

-
Daddy getting ready to go into the Christmas IMAX 3-D movie.

-
Lovin' those 3D glasses. :o)

-

-
Then we were off to some ice skating

-

-

-

-

-

-

-
Then out to see the Christmas lights.

-
Do you see the kids???

Belly Pic

Me about 3.5 months pregnant with baby # 3.

When life gets me down....I get to thanking.

When life gets me down, I get to thanking (not thinking) god for all of the things in my life that I am grateful for. Today started out as a pretty bad day so here I sit reminding myself of these things.

I am grateful for...

• My happy and healthy family, when there are so many suffering with one or the other.
• My loving and totally supportive parents who I am VERY close to and would be completely lost without!
• My two little girls who may not always be perfect angels but are my gifts from heaven.
• My new little miracle in my growing tummy who we await to meet.
• My husband who I love unconditionally.
• My perfect for our family house.
• My entire family who is rather large but still lives so close to each other.
• My job at a time when not everyone has the option.
• My photography, it may not be a huge money maker at this point but I get to enjoy my passion.
• My mother-n-law who always seems to know exactly how to support our marriage and always willing to help when needed.
• My husband's family who is so close knit and has always made me feel so very welcome.
• My best friend Crystal who is always a phone call away. A friendship of about 10 years where we can go months without seeing each other but talk almost every day.
• My relationship with god, although I am not a "perfect Christan", I have my own personal relationship with him that is perfect enough for me.
• My life! The fact that there are times when money is tight or bad things happen causing me to get upset or depressed and all I have to do to feel better is to make a mental list such as the above to make it all better.

I employ you all to do the same when you are having a bad day. Just sit down and get to thanking. No matter how big or small your list is...there is a list and focus on that.

Ohhh the pain!!!

I have dealt with constant lower back discomfort for about 12 or so years now but from time to time I REALLY hurt it. Ohhh....I hurt it this morning going through a box of maternity clothes...when I stood up and twisted, my back instantly threw me to my knees in pain.

Ohhh...poor me. Madison was in the room and while I was on the floor moaning and groaning she kissed my back. Even though it was a cute and sweet gesture it sure didn't make my boo-boo go away. So for today I can barley walk, cannot stand up straight and only move when I absolutely have to. I look and feel like a 100 year old lady. I sure wish I could take a muscle relaxer or at least an Advil but nope....the only pain killer you can have when pregnant is Tylenol. Ohhh....poor me....I think I will be friends with the heating pad when I get home tonight.

Baby # 3

Today was our second doctor appointment and 2nd ultra sound. Last time Schuyler was in Louisiana due to his grandmother's passing so he was not able to be there. This time we were able to see a full fledged baby with fingers and toes and moving and heard the heart beat and everything. The only weird thing is that the head is still a big strange looking because it is still only about 11 weeks along. The doctor said that everything seems to be fine and the heart beat sounds great. Below are some pics of our new little joy.

Trip to Daingerfield

We took a trip to Daingerfield, TX this past weekend with Schuyler's family and had a great time. For some reason I never took my camera out but there sure were some times when I wish I had it in had. One big one was... While forging through the woods in hunt for a survey marker, Madison started telling me that she had to go potty. We were very far from the road and the truck so I asked her to hold it. Well, apparently that was not a good idea...she wondered off a little later and I discovered she had pottied in her panties. As I got closer to her I soon realized that horrid smell was coming from her. Yup...you guessed it....it was #2 and pretty bad!!! She hasn't had one of those accidents in a VERY LONG TIME. I yelled for Schuyler to come help and he said strip her down throw the panties away and put her in the little creek we pasted a little while back. So there she was, my little princess naked in a creek in the middle of the woods. While daddy and I watched out for critters and such she washed herself....then I guess it became fun and she asked "mommy can I stay and swim"? It was a bad situation that ended up pretty funny and easily fixed. Oh but I wish I had my camera in hand to capture that moment. :o)

Once the sun started to go down we packed up and headed to Longview to stay the night with Schuyler's aunt and uncle. It was wonderful to have some homemade chili and a warm shower! Ohhhhh....I was in heaven after spending the day literally in the woods with the dirt, bugs, and sticker bushes. Thank you Jimmy and Stephanie!!!

Halloween 2009

This year we had a lot of friends trick-or-treat with us and it was a lot of fun. Oh yea...and I dressed up since I am the coolest mom ever!!! :o) (no laughing) I do think this year was the coldest Halloween has been in a long time and it made it a little more festive.


The girls and I were all 50's poodle skirt girls. The girls were so excited that we all sorta matched....I know that it won't last many more years so I will take for as long as I can. :o)


Below are all of the kids who went with us trick-or-treating. Our neighborhood gets really busy during Halloween so keeping up with all of thes kids was a challange. Not to mention that with costumes on and many other batman and spiderman not only would you lose them but you would get them mixed up with another kid. CRAZY but fun.


Most kids get scared of someone dressed up at the door and my kids only see candy and are out of there. I don't think they even looked at the guys face. HA! LOL.


Can you tell that I had to pin Madison's skirt to her shirt? Poor baby is skinny and has no waist or hips...she is all one size from chest to bottom. Her skirt would fall to her ankles no matter how tight I tied it. Safety pins work wonders. :o)


Not the best picture of daddy but this was how Madison trick-or-treated the last 15 minutes. She was so sleepy and warn out.

And I thought I was out of the woods...

With Skyler, starting almost as soon as I found out that I was pregnant I was so sleepy, had bad headaches, and felt nauseous all the time but never actually got sick to my stomach. Then with Madison, the gloves came off. That child tortured me from 4 weeks until about 3 1/2 months. Ugggg....I had the tiredness, the headaches and OMG the sickness. I threw up all day every day, even though my doctor had me on every kind of anti-nausea medicine known to man. It was so bad that within that time frame I was hospitalized twice for dehydration. HORRIBLE!

With this one just when I was thinking that I am out of the woods it hits me. OK...I must admit it is not as bad as the girls...YET....but I am tired often, a few headaches, and starting to get nauseated. But knock-on-wood it is not too bad. I have however become friends with my pillow and food, when my newly picky taste buds allow, to help keep everything under control. For now it is working....so I hope it keeps up.

The next post should be Halloween. The girls and I are very excited and can wait for Saturday to get here. I think it is one of the firsts things they talk about each morning these days.

Dust Settling

Now that the dust has settled, life seems to be moving forward. There were a few days where life seemed to stand still and it was like I was looking in on someones else's life. Now that I have fully accepted that I am pregnant again and there will be another baby in this house, life is good and I am back in my own skin. :o)

The girls have been great about this and the love and support that we have been getting from friends and family has been WONDERFUL. Thank you all so very much.

Schuyler's grandmother Maida who was ill has passed away. It was and is a very sad...I think it made it a little more sad for Schuyler since this was his dad's mother. His dad died in a motorcycle accident a year or so before we met. So I was never able to meet him, nor was he able to meet his grandchildren. So when Maida got ill and the talks of her not making it through this, the flood gates opened for Schuyler.

It brought back thoughts of his dad, his dad death and life since. I know that god has a time, place and plan for everything but some times his plans don't mix with ours. Both of our father's passed away before we met each other, so it is a little heart breaking when we think about what our fathers have missed and what we have missed. So please keep Schuyler and his family in your prayers as I am sure they need them at this time.

Last year I decided that Halloween start the "Happy Days" It is not part of the Holidays but October is a fun month for the kids so we started saying that this is the start to the Happy Days. The girls are really looking forward to Halloween and I am sure they will have a blast.

Are you sitting down???

Go ahead and gasp.....it's ok....Schuyler and I have done our fair share of gasping the past week or so. This is VERY much a surprise to us as it is to you. You see, I was told many years ago that I would never be able to get pregnant without some help and I had to have help conceiving Skyler and Madison. But... SURPRISE....god has his own plans.

How it all went down...
Since Madison was born Schuyler and I have talked about having another child but neither one of us have been 100% ready. Then last week Schuyler was gone one evening and I was home alone with the girls. So I did what most woman do when home without their husband....I watched all the "chick shows" that I wanted!!! {grin} So right before bed I watched a show on TLC about woman who where pregnant and didn't know it. Then I went to bed and dreamt that I was one of those woman all night. That silly show and dream stuck in my head for 2 days causing me to think...."Since I am never regular, if I was pregnant, I would never know". So on a paranoid whim a few days later I bought a pregnancy test and over the next few days....I took 5...yes 5... positive pregnancy test. I guess it just took that many to sink in that it was true. Its seems that since we could not make our minds up, god made the decision for us. This goes to show you who's hands everything really is in.

As it stands today...
I went to the doctor today for confirmation and ultrasound to see how far along I am, since I had no idea. According to the ultra sound and the doctor I am 6 weeks along and we saw the heart beat and all. I know it is a bit early to be sharing but I just HAVE to share. :o) I just keep asking myself...."how long would I have gone had I not watched that crazy show?" Schuyler and I have gone from full on freak out and disbelief to extremely excited and we are happy to share this exciting news with everyone.

Both of the girls are excited about the news and are hoping for a baby brother. I think it is because they don't want another girl to have to share the girly toys and dress up clothes with. :o) But, the questions sure started.

Madison: How did the baby get in your tummy? Did you eat it?
Me: (giggle) No...God put it there.
Madison: How did god put it there?
Me: ummmmm...
Madison: Was it magic?
Me: Yes, god works magic all the time.
(Whew that was a tough one. I've gotta get more prepared for these questions.)

Skyler: Will I have to change messy diapers?
Me: No, not unless you want to.
Skyler: Good, I want to feed it a bottle but you can change the messy diapers.

Halloween Costumes

Ode to life in limbo

This is my Ode to my life currently being in limbo since I need to let off a little steam before I explode.

Why is my life in limbo, you ask. I can't say at the moment.
Why can't I say, you ask. That is top secret FBI, CIA information. :o)
Is everything ok, you ask. I am sure it will be but life turns on a dime at any given moment.

That is all that can be said about this life that is currently in limbo and now that everything is as clear as mud, keep me in your thoughts. :o)

"It's my blog and I'll blog the truth if I want to"

This week has been full of ups downs and I along with many other bloggers are guilty of only blogging the good stuff in life. Well, we all know that life is not a bowl full of happiness all the time and I have to share a bit of real life. "Its my blog and I'll blog the truth if I want to"

With my heart and head mostly into getting my photography business up and going full steam and my pocket-book out of steam, I find myself struggling emotionally. Part of me, ok.... I must admit... most of me, wants to jump in with both feet, yet there is the other part telling me to stop dreaming and get my head out of the clouds. I can't remember a time (professionally) when I wanted something more than this but with owning your own business comes many unknowns. I could fail miserable or I could soar, never needing to look back. At one point in my my life I thought of owning a daycare but that was so far out of reach that I never fully considered it. Now photography seems to be so close that I can smell it yet I can't fully get from here to there. Its like a carrot dangling in front of me and when the wind blows just right, I get a brief nibble of it, then it is gone again. I know that everything is in gods hands but I feel it is up to us to fight for certain things. Then.... how do I know that by it not being easy that isn't gods way of trying to lead me away from it??? Ohhh.... the struggles that be daily life! :o)

I am also struggling with Skyler's teacher who isn't as nice as one would hope a 2nd grade teacher would be. She IS very much pregnant and miserable but she seems to be taking it out on the kids and it makes me sad. I have never been the kind of mom to complains about teachers and such because I want my kids to know that like is full of people who are not nice but you can't just switch whenever it gets rough. I feel this will only help them when they are adults because there will be bosses they like and some they don't. They have to understand that this is life and you can't jump ship when your not 100% happy...you have to forge through figuring out what you can and can't do. You know the old saying...."the grass isn't greener on the other side"??? This can apply to so many things such as teachers, bosses, relationships, teams, etc. I hope my girls find ways in life to say "___________ is not perfect, but is perfect for me". I know there is a fine line between living life this way and settling....I don't want them to settle for less but I do want them to be happy and understand that nothing and no one is perfect. I feel that if you are always looking for perfection by moving from one to another, you will NEVER find true happiness because, again, nothing and no one is perfect.

There are many people close to me either jobless and trying to stay afloat, have loved ones who are very sick, or are struggling in midst of relationship nightmares. I am so grateful to have none of these issues at this time in life but feel guilty and saddened for those who do. So if this applies to you, you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Lastly, my wants, needs and desires out way my funds. It doesn't help that the economy has taken a hit and both of mine and Schuyler's employers have been forced to freeze wages and other benefits for the time being. I sure have been missing that annual raise the last 2 years. Although, it seems that no matter how much money a person has there is still money issues on occasion. I do wish I could find the good ole' money tree that my mom spoke about not having when I was a teenager. HA! LOL

Now that I have finally made myself laugh, I think I can end this post. To those of you who cared enough to take the time to read this rather lengthy post, thank you for listening and take care!

Shelley