Simple thoughts

Quincy Bound!!!

2007-05-22T22:40:00.000-07:00

"I'm going home, to a place where I belong..."

We're heading to Quincy in 2 days and I am sooo excited!! I need to be home with my family. I need to be surrounded by family and friends. Things here are good but I'm so ready to gome home!! I need to hug my mom, I need to laugh with my beautiful sister and have her play with my hair and do something fun with it. I need to hang with my brother and catch up. I need to see my dad. I need to hug my Grandpa and tell him he has to get better!! I need to spend a week with my husband and children and make lots of memories!!! I just need this!! So Quincy ready or not here we come!!!!

Happy Easter!!!

2007-04-10T09:53:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter to you all. Our family shared a wonderful Easter weekend with the beautiful Keane family!! Pete, Laura, Madelyn and Andrew are our dearest friends and it was sooo much fun to have them in our home for the weekend. Easter this year was even more special because we had people to share it with. Carter Loved the easter egg hunt especially since he had his two best friends with him. Brynn, well she slept through the hunt but Carter filled her in on what she missed. Stay tuned for more pictures of our weekend and some new pictures of Brynn showing us her pretty little smile!!! We love you all and hope that you had a wonderful Easter!!!

Brynn Elizabeth Gilchrist

2007-01-31T10:27:00.000-08:00

Here she is. I know most of you have already seen pictures on Gil's blog but I wanted to showcase the work of the amazing Laura Keane. I"m telling you the moments that she captured are so amazing and these are just a few.

Well she's here and she's beautiful, amazing, and a dream. She is such a happy baby, and a wonderful sleeper. At four days old she had her first full night of sleep (7 hours) and she's stayed on that schedule since. I pray that this continues, even though I have to admit that I find myself getting up and night and wanting her to wake up just so I can hold her.
Big Brother Carter is doing amazing!! It's wonderful to see him with her. He loves her so much and is such a huge help. He calls her "baby Brynn" and is constantly talking to her and telling her he loves her. He is still a little confused that she is ours forever and is part of the family. Anytime we go somewhere he wants to know "Are we taking baby Brynn with us?" It'll take some time but he'll figure it out. I'm just so thankful that he is not showing any signs of jealousy at this point. It's just so much fun to watch the two of them together.
I'm recovering well from the surgery, I had the staples taken out yesterday and it's set me back just a little but what do I expect it's only been 9 days!! Going from 1 to 2 babies is tough but I'm loving it. I had a good visit with my dad who was here from Tuesday -Thursday and the my mom and Laura Keane were here from Thursday-Sunday. It was great to have two more moms around the house to help me those first couple of days. I needed their love and support more than I realized. I cried buckets when they left but I know I'll see them again in a couple of weeks, along with more family members and lots of friends. I can't wait for everybody to meet this little one. Matt's family will be here on Saturday and I 'll have a new batch of hands to help. Looking forward to that.
Well that's the update on us. Thank you to all of you who have prayed, sent cards, gifts, meals, phone calls. It's wonderful to know we have so many special people in our lives. I hope that you all know you are loved. We'll post more soon!!

Big Momma!!!

2006-10-23T08:14:00.000-07:00

Here I am Baby and all!!! Carter is amazed at how big mommy is getting but thank goodness he's being sweet about it. Almost everyday now he will say "Wow mommy the baby is gettting bigger!!!" I remember getting big with Carter, like my mom says it's just how us McNett women carry our babies... but it doesn't make it much easier. I've always wanted to be one of those little moms that just look like they have a basketball under their shirt!! Nope not me!! At seven months I'm thinking I might need to add some blinkers to my shirts so people can see when this Wide load is making a left hand turn. I laugh at the people that see me at the gym and say "What are you doing here? you should be home eating and taking it easy!!" Oh lord, can you imagine what I'd look like if I didn't work out!?!?!
Ya know what, it's SOOOO worth it. Even as I sit here and write "peanut" is kicking me and letting me know she's a happy girl!! She is such a mover and a shaker in there. The feeling of life inside you is something that words can not explain! God is Awesome.
Yeah her name is still peanut... We really are stuck on names. I don't think this little one will have a name until we see her in the hospital. Our top names at this point are......

~Brynn Elizabeth~
~Olivia Marie~ Ok Marie is not for sure either...
~Myra ???? ~

Anybody have any ideas.... does one stand out more than another... this is sooo hard for us. I still have about 10 other names that I hear that I love and who knows those might pop up at the last minute!!

So onto the fact that I really want this little one to be here. I can't wait to see her, but I'm really not ready for her yet. I have so much to do yet!! I thought that having her in January would be great because the holidays would make the last couple of months go by quicker. Oh it's gonna go by quicker all right but I'm not sure that's a good thing now. Looking at the calendar today made me nervous. Time is flying by and I have a nursery to finish, ok start, and stuff to buy!! Aghhhhh
Well guess I need to get started on something, one thing at a time right. Just thought I'd write and fill people in since I haven't written in forever.
Carter is doing great and very excited about "peanut" being here. He's my little shopper and helps me pick out clothes for her. He's ready to help with everything except change diapers.. He says "Mom I not change peanut's diapers cause I don't want poop on me!!" I guess that's a good reason! I can't wait for these two little people to meet!! Bring on the fun and the photos!! Ok give me a couple of months and then bring them on!!
Love you all!!!

Sugar and Spice!!!!

2006-09-07T08:35:00.000-07:00

It's a girl!!! I'm having a girl!!! I can't even put into words how excited we are.
Yesterday was an amazing experience to see this little girl in my belly dancing around, waving her arms and legs and putting on a show!!! It was so wonderful to hear that everthing is going well and the baby is healthy. What a relief!!
It was so much fun to call all my family yesterday and share the news!!! Lots of tears and shouts of joy! My cheeks hurt today because I don't think I stopped smiling yesterday!!
I really didn't realize how much I really wanted a baby girl until yesterday. I was prepared for either and really was happy to have either but when they said it was a girl I just couldn't stop the tears. It was such a different experience than with Carter.
When I had Carter it was an emergency C-section and the Dr.'s were really concerned about him. So when the Dr. pulled him out and said "It's a boy!!" I really didn't care. All I wanted to know was that he was healthy. So this time was so different because there was no stress involved. I could just soak up the moment and memorize the faces of my husband and son as they realized that it was a girl!!! Oh, I hope that memory never fades. I want to keep it forever!!
So watch out mall!!! It's dresses, bows, shoes, and PINK!!! Lots of it.
Oh crap now I have to decide on a name..... that could take awhile!! I think I'll just shop for now!!!

Baby Eve!!!

2006-09-05T22:54:00.000-07:00

Ok today was my birthday... well actually yesterday was my birthday since it's 1A.M.
I had a wonderful birthday complete with gifts and a wonderful dinner with my boys... but I'm not excited for today.
See I feel like it's Christmas Eve and I have the smallest gift under the tree (since us girls know the small packages are the best!!) yet I can't open it until tomorrow!! At 10am tomorrow(or today) anyway in less than 9 hours I will be in the Dr.'s office with Gil and Carter and we will hopefully be able to find out what we are having!! I can't wait... I can't sleep... I just want these 9 hours to be over!!
I really just want a healthy baby.... honestly that's truely what I want. I don't ever want my baby to be sick like Carter was... that was pure hell.
Ok so ya I'd love to have a little girl... I'd love to buy all pink and put bows in her hair. I'd love to have a girl to grow old with and to be friends with and to teach her all the things my mom taught me. That would be Awesome.
Yet at the same time I'd be very happy with a little boy. A brother for Carter. I kno what to do with boys... I kinda know what to expect from a little boy. I've always said if I'm going to have all of one sex I'd want them to be all boys!
So we'll find out hopefully. I'm praying this baby won't play shy, that it'll let us know what it is!! I can't wait to tell everybody.
I realized tonight that when I had Carter I was not able to make any phone calls because of the c-section. Gil was the one that got to tell everybody that it was a boy!! So tomorrow I hope that I can make a million phone calls and tell everybody what we're having. Plus I'm so excited to watch Carter and to see his reaction!!
It's going to be Awesome.... So stay tuned and find out wether the new addition to our family is a boy or a girl!!!!

But Not the Hippopotamus!!!

2006-08-20T21:36:00.000-07:00

No this title does not refer to my size yet, although I am starting to feel like one!! Like my shirt says "Love me love my belly" I know it's just going to get bigger so I gotta face it!
We're back from our wonderful vacation!!! I don't know if it was the 15 hour drive back from Florida, or my "to do list" waiting at home for me, or maybe Carter waking up at 7am on Saturday ready to play but "Reality" hit a lot harder than I expected. At first I was a little bummed... not gonna lie. I sat back and thought about our long days on the beach and our wonderful dinners and relaxing evenings and wished I was back in Florida. Matt and I had not been on vacation together alone since before Carter was born and we really needed it. It was wonderful to reconnect and unwind after a long summer and before our life changes again with this little peanut on the way!! I love my husband sooo much and the fun and laughter and love that he gives me makes me realize how much I need and want him in my life. We have so much fun just the two of us and it was hard to come back home.
Carter spent the week with Grandma and Grandpa Gilchrist and had a blast!! I don't think he missed us for a second. We had a wonderful day with family yesterday and said our goodbye's to Grandma and Grandpa after lunch today. It was hard to come home to an empty house and know that life had to get back to normal.
Tonight before bed the three of us sat on our bed and read the book "But Not The Hippopotamus" I read the story while Carter laid between us, and the baby kicked at Gils' hand which was laying on my belly. We laughed so hard as we all read the book together and I realized This is my life and I LOVE it!!! I would not change anything! I have the best husband in the world, the sweetest little boy that keeps me on my toes and a little peanut on the way!! God is good and has blessed me with so much. Our vacation was a much needed relaxation time that made me realize how blessed and loved I am and how much my family truely means to me.
So I'm ready to get up in the morning and go to the gym, clean the house, make pb&j sandwhiches for lunch, do laundry and make dinner and sit with my family and laugh. This is my reality and I love it!!

BTW: Mom and Dad Gilchrist bought me a new HP coppier,scanner,fax, photo thingy for my birthday and I love it!! I'm learing how to use it all by myself and I'm so proud that I figured out how to post this picture!! Gil are you impressed!?! Watch out friends I see lots of pictures comming in the near future!!!

My Protector!!

2006-07-10T21:31:00.000-07:00

I remember being pregnant with Carter and taking Luke (our dog) to the vet. I was telling the vet how weird Luke started acting once I became pregant. The vet told me that dogs can tell when their owners are pregnant even before the owners know and they become very protective. Once I had Carter Luke switched his protective gear over to Carter and that's how it's been for the last three years.
Well my protector is back. He is at my side 24 hours a day. When I wake up in the morning he's there, he only goes outside long enough to get his job done and then he's back at my feet. When I go to bed at night he sleeps on the floor right beside me, when I roll over to the other side of the bed (since Gil's gone) he moves to that side with me. I go potty and Luke sits at the bathroom door and watches me. I take a shower and he actually will walk into the bathroom and watch me take a shower... I know sounds a little creepy right.
I love it!! I love seeing him next to me and knowing that he just wants to make sure I'm ok. I love that dog so much and this is his way of showing me how much he loves me.
I've had a protector since before I was even born, one that is with me at all times. One that doesn't even go out for potty breaks so he doesn't even leave me for a split second!!! So why is it that I am not thinking about him all the time, that there are times in my life that I still feel alone, even though I know that I'm not. This protector will be with me long after Luke is gone.... forever and ever and yet there are too many times that I don't turn to him first. It's sad that I've thought of my "physical" protector more this week than I've thought about my "true" protector.
God help me to remember that you are always there and will always be there. Even though I don't trip over you in the middle of the night or step on your tail in the kitchen you are there. Thank you for being my true protector and may I always turn to you first in all that I do.

$22.31

2006-07-09T18:57:00.000-07:00

I've been crunching numbers, searching receipts and I can't find a measly $22.31. I'm sure it was spent at Super Wal-mart, since it seems that 1/2 our check is spent each month in that store or maybe it was a meal out somewhere... I really don't know and I really shouldn't care, it's only $22.31. So why can't I get my mind to just let it go... pretend my checkbook is like my washing machine, it eats some money just like my washer eats socks. This is driving me crazy 3 hours of my life have been lost tonight because some receipt I lost.... ahhh
Ok that's enough of that. I'm going to walk downstairs, pay myself $22.31 and leave it at that!
Well maybe if I look just one more time I it might show up................

Our BIG News!!!

2006-07-08T21:05:00.000-07:00

Mommy : Carter can you tell everybody our big news!!
Carter(with a big smile) : WE'RE HAVING A BABY!!!!

I so wish everybody could hear it in person, it's the sweetest thing ever!! Yeah we're a family of four now!! We are very excited and expect this little one to be here sometime in January!! We have known for awhile now but didn't say anything until recently. I haven't blogged about it or anything because there wasn't much I could tell you since my days have been a little yucky for the past three months. I'm just now hitting 12 weeks and I think I've turned the corner, at least I'm praying that I've turned the corner. This pregnancy is SOOO much different than Carters. For awhile I was telling Gil that our baby hated me..... but I think we're starting to get along better. So right now Carter and I are spending a lot of time taking naps together, drinking milk together and eating lots of peanut butter and jelly sandwhiches. Good bonding time.

I'll leave you with Carter stories about "our baby" which is what he calls it.

When we first told him that Mommy was going to have a baby after Christmas he asked..
Carter: "Where the baby at"
Me: " It's in mommy's tummy till it's done growing"
Carter: " Oh right it's in mommy's Kummy. Can I talk to the baby"
Me: "Sure you can talk to the baby"
Carter (lifting my shirt up): "Hi baby"
Then Carter sticks his finger in my belly button and says
Carter: "Mommy I feel the baby's head!!!"
So now everyday Carter has to say Hi to the baby and stick his finger in my belly button to touch the baby's head.. I'm a little afraid of the trauma Carter will endure when my belly button pops out!!!!

Everyday Carter changes between wanting a baby sisser or brover but one things stays the same when you ask him what he wants to name the baby... Girl or Boy Carter will tell you that the baby will be named "gosh" Translation: Josh.... Well buddy we'll have to see about that.

So that's our big news it's out and about now so I'm sure everybody knows. We are very excited and we can't wait to see what the next 6 months will bring us. Hopefully cool weather and lots of good days!!! Love ya all

This N That...

2006-02-27T11:56:00.000-08:00

* I am So Sick of being sick. I am so thankful that I'm not as sick as I was but I really want to start feeling good. I'm tired of the running nose, cough, all the stuff that comes with it. I'm ready for Spring.

* I went to a baby shower this weekend. I really didn't want to go. I'm still not totally comfortable with our new friends, I do much better when I have my husband with me. I was in charge of bringing the punch so I had to step out of my box. I had a blast!!! I really really had fun and I felt connected to some of the women. It's all new and still a little weird, but Saturday morning was wonderful and made me smile!! Plus I got to pick out the cutest little girl outfit, lots of pink!!!! Too much fun!

* I love my husband... I just love him to pieces. We have this joke, sometimes when he's driving me crazy (that sense of humor of his can be a little overwhelming when you're the only one around for him to use it on!!) I'll look at him and say "Isn't it time for you to go out of town again??" Truth is though that I miss him when he's gone. I miss his Loud voice... I miss his hugs and kisses, I miss his mess, I miss watching him with Carter... I miss a lot. He always returns though, and life gets back to normal.

* My little man turns 3 on Saturday!!! I can't believe it! It seems like yesterday that my stomach looked like I had eaten an elephant. I remember seeing him for the first time, he looked so little in his Daddy's big arms. I remember finding out he was sick and how scared we were. Oh I remember everything that this little man has done. His footprints are all over my heart and it's only been three years. I can't believe it's been three years....

*I'm planning a Trip to Milligan Tennessee in March. We are having a mini- reunion with all of our friends from College. Some of them I haven't seen for 6 years. This will be so much fun and yet so weird. I can't wait to catch up with them all and find out what's going on in their lives. I'm sure we'll all have pictures of out husbands and little ones. I can't wait for the long car ride with Adam... it's always so good to hang out with him. I miss him and I always love our time together. He's a great brother and such a fun uncle!! Love him!

* I miss my mom and my sisters and Laura... These are my girls!!! I don't know what I'd do without them. I wish that we weren't so far away, yet I am so thankful that we aren't as far as we once were... One of these days we need to take a trip together... ahh that would be so much fun.

Ok I really need some coffee and I need to stop rambling... Have a wondeful day!!!

Wal-Mart!!

2006-02-18T18:59:00.000-08:00

I can't stand the place, yet I can't live without it. Some weeks I actually think I spend more time roaming the aisles than I do sleeping in my own bed!! It's really sad when your son's favorite place to go is Mal-mart, or when you have a dream and the setting is in isle 12 of Walmart! The horrible thing about Walmart is, I can't get out of that place without spending at least $50!! Yeah that's my life....cracks me up!
So today I had a long list of errands to run. I wanted to accomplish my list and not get discouraged so I left Walmart for the last stop. I had a date with my boys for dinner so at 5:30 I was rushing into Wally world praying for empty aisles and short lines, I had hungry boys at home!! Of course my luck stinks!! I spent an hour in cart to cart traffic and I was about ready to scream!! I finally found a lane that was actually empty!!! Yipee!! God wasn't really wanting me to make a scene:-) After I jumped into line and dumped my stuff on the belt I realized how lucky I was because there were now 4 people behind me. I'm helping load my bags in the cart when this conversation starts between me and my friendly cashier.
Cashier: I don't know what I'm going to do (in a hushed voice)
Me: What's that?
Cashier: I'm out of bags
Me: Oh I can wait, do you need to get more?
Cashier: No the whole store is out of bags... we've already closed 6 lanes because they have no bags. The truck isn't here yet!!!
Me (looking at the long line behind me): Ouch, that's going to be a tough thing to explain.
Cashier: Yeah, we're expecting an announcement over the intercom.
Me: Well thanks for my bags, have a good evening. I'll say a prayer for ya!
As I was leaving I heard her start to explain to the woman behind me what was happening... I thought about listening in, but I was afraid of getting jumped because I had 4 bags in my cart! Could you imagine getting the pooh beat out of you just for your Walmart bags!! hehe Well it is Missouri ya know!
On the ride home I lost it. Laughter that I just could not control!! I had images of people getting all their "stuff" dumped back into their carts, walking out to their cars and tossing cans olives in the back seat!! Man, I was sooo lucky, cause I'm pretty sure that would've ruined the night!!
So yeah, that was my Wal-mart experience... wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't been there!!

Bargain Spree!!!!!

2006-02-12T17:00:00.000-08:00

Why is it that some women are all about labels and prices, some are about garage sales and getting the cheapest thing possible. Right in the middle are the bargain shoppers... ya know the ones that when you give them a compliment on an outfit the first thing they do is tell you where they got it and how cheap it was!?!? Well I have to admit I fall into the latter of the three.I want style, but I won't buy anything full price... it takes the fun out of things!!!
I'm trying to learn to just accept the compliment and not give a reinactment of the entire shopping experience including the sale price. But I had an amazing shopping experience this weekend that I just have to spill... I'm telling you it's made me smile for the last 24 hours!!
We were all starting to feel better yesterday so we decided to tackle a growing list of tasks.We took too long laying around the house and by the time we left we found ourselves in the middle of a snow storm... we had a list of things that we needed to complete we were on a mission! One stop was to get Carter's feet measured so we can guestimate what size he'll need for the upcomming Nobis/Mitchell wedding!!! After getting that job accomplished Carter man passed out in his stoller and I started wandering the kids section at Famous Barr!! Normally this is not a dangerous thing to do because I don't find anything cheap enough in there.... but yesterday was different.
Back before Christmas they had some Kenneth Cole 3 piece outfits for boys... the ones that come with jeans, a dress shirt and then either a sports jacket or a sweater. I fell in love with them... I wanted to get all of them for Carter but they cost $50 a piece... I Just couldn't do it. So yesterday I'm wandering the sales rack and I realize that they have some of these outfits on the sale rack.... they ended up being $13 a piece... I went crazy.. I started running around the store, grabbing all sorts of stuff, Nike sweat outfits for $10, sweaters and dress pants... Ah the cutest boys stuff ever. When I finally finished my madness Gil took the loot to the cashier... I was defending why I bought so much. I had to make Gil buy everything because I just couldn't face to total price... But I was in for quite a suprise $84.60!!!! That's it!!! I had two bags full of clothes and that's all it cost. My excitement went into over load when we got to the car and I added up the receipt. I got $244.80 worth of clothes for just under $85 dollars!!! Man my boy is going to look like such a stud next fall!! I was ready to come home and put on a fashion show.... guess I was pressing my luck with my two boys cause they were both ready to kick back and watch some sports, man I need a little girl! So I had to spend the next hour on the phone telling my mom, Gil's mom and Laura Keane about all my great deals!! Still smiling :-) Gotta love shopping!

STAY AWAY!!!

2006-02-06T13:57:00.000-08:00

We have germs crawling all over this house!!! I can't believe how many different germs we actually have. After two visits to the Dr's office(two copays of course) and then two trips to the Walmart Pharmacy(wow drugs are expensive!!) and one trip to get a McDonalds shake just to make us smile.... now it's time for a nap.
Here's our checklist of Germ visitors at our house...

~ Sinus infection
~Ear Infection
~Pink eye
~Strep Throat
~Type B flu
~ear infection
The first three belong to Carter and the last three belong to me!! Gil has yet to get anything and I'm praying that he stays healthy. He is speaking at Central this week and he's been looking forward to it for two months now!! We already called the Dr. to try and get him some antibiotics to keep him from getting sick,but I'm really thinking about renting him a hotel room for a couple of nights... Well I think that the "Boys room" will have to be his tonight. I'll just shove some food under the door, not that I'll be cooking much from the couch.
So just beware... stay away from our house for the next couple of days, or you're risking your life!!! This too shall pass right.... tell that to my throat!

7 Year Craving!!

2006-01-26T16:46:00.000-08:00

I don't get many cravings. It used to be Taco Bell, and when I'd get that craving... I just knew that I was going to have to get a fix sometime that week but thank goodness that's not too much of a struggle for me anymore. Pregnancy brought lots of cravings for me... more for Gil, but once Carter popped out the cravings went away, at least for me:-)
There is however one craving that I've had for seven years. Yeah I know you're asking "what took you seven years to get a fix?" Reason #1 is that the restaurant(which I don't even know the name of)was in Johnson City Tennesse. Reason #2 was that I didn't even know the name of my craving. See I didn't remember much about my craving except that it was just marvelous... It was rice with a sauce. That's all I knew. At first I thought it was Chinese... but after visiting many Chinese restaurants.... not Chinese. In college we ate this stuff all the time. My girlfriends and I would order it, somebody would go pick it up (not me; no car) and then we'd all sit around and scarf it down!! It was scrumptious!!!
For Years I've explained this craving to Gil. I've told him all about it... he would make guesses as to what it was, he'd make fun of me for not knowing what it was, and he'd just tell me to "stop whining about it".
Last week we were talking about it again( you wouldn't believe how often we've actually talked about this stuff)... He asked his co-worker because Ben has been to Milligan plenty of times. Ben thought it came from a Japanese Steak House. So I asked Gil if they have rice and he said oh yeah... with a sauce that they say tastes like the "Big Mac" sauce!!!
"THAT'S IT!!!" I started screaming!! I was jumping around the kitchen all excited. For seven years I've been trying to explain the taste of this sauce and Gil summed it up perfectly "Big Mac Sauce" I know it kinda sounds gross... but man it was so good. I would eat plates and plates of the stuff!
So Gil came home two days later with a suprise... what a sweet man! I was so excited as I pulled out the rice and the container of sauce. I could hardly wait.... my hands were actually shaking. The smell of it brought back so many memories I almost started to cry.

The first bite was Huge, cause you know bigger is better and the taste was wonderful. I was so excited because that's what I'd been waiting for forever!!! I sat down today to have a plate of it and I realized it was just "all right." I could only eat 2 bites and that was all I could take. I gues my taste buds have changed in the last 7 years.

Nugglin!!

2006-01-24T09:11:00.000-08:00

My boy's sick :-( He really really doesn't feel well today. How do I know? It's not because of the river of snot running down his face, or the cough that sounds more like a mean dog barking, or the bloodshot eyes, or even his scratchy voice that hints to a sore throat. How do I know he's sick?
This morning he was laying on the couch covered in blankets watching the Backyardagains. He looked over at me and said, "Momma, I wanna nuggle which you."(translation: I want to snuggle with you). This is weird for Carter. He hasn't snuggled with anybody or anything since he was 4 months old, it's a struggle to get him to sit on your lap much less snuggle. He's ALL BOY!!
I didn't waste anytime, for fear that he might change his mind. I scooped him up and we snuggled on the couch. Man I hate when my boy is sick, but I love that snuggle time!

BRICK HOUSE

2006-01-19T10:15:00.000-08:00

Have you ever had one of those moments when you thought..."man I can't wait to get home and blog about this! Yeah, that happened to me just a couple hours ago. "Michael" was back today. I was working on the eliptical machine....not sure if I was going to cuss or quit because it was really kicking my tail today. Out of the corner of my eye I see hot pink... and lots of it! Michael returned to they gym today in a bright pink full body leotard... with little neon orange running shorts over them(which was an improvement since it hid a little more),a red silky baseball kinda hat, his white socks scrunched down around his ankle, fany pack tightly secured around the waist and of course his gloves. This definately beat his previous outfit... I'm pretty sure if he was wearing today's outfit on Tuesday I would've probably had an attack. Michael gets right to work today and starts singing "Brick House"... hey what can I say the guy has some confidence... Go Michael. At the end of my workout I ran into Michael again in the weight room...our weights were across from each other and he looked at me and said "I'm Burning!".... I smiled and said.."Man You're on fire." That was the end of my time with Michael today.. stay tuned.... man I gotta get a picture phone!!

What's Dat???

2006-01-18T10:26:00.000-08:00

Carter: "What's dat?"
Mommy: " You know what that is.. it's a bananna"
Carter: "What's that?"
Mommy: "An elephant"
Carter: "What's Dat?"
Mommy: "You know that one too, it's a car"
Carter: "What's dat Mom?
Mommy: "A trash can."
Carter: "What's dat?"
Mommy: "What did I just tell you it was?"
Carter: " A crash pan?"
Mommy: "Yep!"
Carter: "Mommy what's dat?"
Mommy: "Ahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!"

Yep that's it... that has been going on for the past two weeks non stop and it's driving me crazy. I was waiting the the "Why's?" to start, but Carter decided to go with the "what's dat?" I don't know how much of this I can take, ok I can take a little more because I'm not quite sure I'm creative enough to answer all the "why?" questions that I can only imagine his little brain comming up with. If he's anything like his daddy, and we all know he is, those "why?" questions could get a little scary!! So I'll stick with the "What's dat?" questions a little longer and smile (almost) everytime I hear them because these too will pass on to something new and when they're gone... I might just miss that little sweet voice asking "Mommy what's dat?"

Gym in January

2006-01-17T10:50:00.000-08:00

I walked in the gym today with a little smile on my face wondering what new people I'd see today. I started my routine back up last week when we got home. It's tough, but(t) I gotta do it. I know that January is the BIG push for losing weight... commercials, diet pills, excercise crap everywhere... If I see another commercial with Kristy Alley on it I'm going to scream. So last week it started... watching all the "newbies" in their in workout attire, new sneakers, new attitude, trying to figure out all the machines. At first I found myself getting a little frustrated when I had to wait for them on a machine cause they couldn't figure it out, but then I realized, "hey quit being a jerk, you were once in their shoes."
Last week I watched lots of "newbies".. I love watching the older ones. They are really cute. I watched an older couple walk the track together, I watched a young college kid run like he was being chased by a man with a gun, I watched two ladies workout together, and I wished I had Laura, sitting next to me so we could complain about our fat rolls together.
Yesterday I was entertained by two women in the weight room. They were both complaining about the machines. One was working out on an arm machine and was yelling to the other across the room "I can't get this damn thing to work. It keeps squashing my boobs!!!" This however did not stop her, she worked away and gave a little squeal everytime it pinched her boobs. Her friend was working on the "thigh" machine and got stuck in it. She couldn't get out and after countless attempts she finally called her friend over to help her, however her friend replied "hold on I gotta get my boob back from this machine first." Man I was busting up inside.... Too funny.
So today I come in and my first laugh or puke... not sure which sensation I felt first was from a man on "MY" bike. I always ride a certain bike... just habit I guess. The only bike left was one behind his, and as soon as I reached it I could smell this guy... he smelled like 5 packs of cigarettes ,B.O. and cheap cologne, but that's not what got me. He was giving me a BIG vertical smile from behind:-)!! Not too pretty... I swear his entire bare butt was sitting on the bike. Didn't want to look but man couldn't miss it. Needless to say I didn't last on the bikes too long, and I probably won't be using that bike again.
The the winner so far was the man dressed in a full body black leotard with a fanny pack around is waist, and confederate flag gloves on. Yeah are you all getting a mental picture. I soooo wish I had a picture phone. I first noticed this man because he was in front of the mirror doing lunges/dance moves and saying "I look good" in a very girly voice... It took all I had not to burst out in laughter. A minute later I hear somebody singing Michael Jackson's "Thriller" at the top of his lungs...again in his girly voice. I couldn't hold it in this time... I lost it. I just home his head phones were turned up enough that he couldn't hear. me.
So here's to tomorrow and the "newbie" I'll meet... it's going to be pretty tough to beat Michael and his leotard... who knew I'd meet so many cool people in the Joplin YMCA!!!

Yuck!!!

2006-01-16T10:17:00.000-08:00

I had an hour of bliss last night...... Just pausing to let you squirm as you wonder what I'm about to say. It was a clean experience.... well at least I thought it was.
We've been in our home for 7 months now and I had yet to use the jacuzzi tub in our beautiful master bath. Carter calls it his swimming pool and is in it all the time, without the jets on. Everytime I bath him I tell myself that I really need to take a time out for me and relax in that thing for awhile... since the last time I was in one was on our honeymoon and it was filled with cold water cause our hotel had no air conditioning..... long story maybe for another time. So last night I did it... I took a time out for me.
I have this weird thing about taking a bath... I really don't like them cause I know I'm sitting in my own dirt.... not that I'm really all that dirty, ah whatever you get my point.! So I thought about taking a quick shower before getting into the tub, but decided not to since I'd just taken one that morning. I pulled out my bubble bath and book and was ready to relax, which I did. It was wonderful!!! The only thing that I need to remember next time was just a tiny bit of bubble bath will work. I turned those jets on and the bubbles started growing.... at one point bubbles were spilling out of the bath tub! So bath is over.... throw on my most comfy pj's and jump into bed. My body was relaxed.... so relaxed that I crashed...I was dead to the world the rest of the night. It was GREAT~.
SO this morning I get out of bed and head to the bathroom. As I walk by the tub I glance down and almost yacked!! The tub was full of dirt... nasty sandy dirt stuck everywhere. Was I that Dirty???? That's horrible... I know I can't be that Dirty... I seriously felt ill thinking about the fact that all that dirty came from my body... and I was sitting in it the night before.
Ok so did I mention it was early morning and I wasn't thinking straight.... Gil walks in and says..."Crap what happened to the tub"
I, feeling stupid, reply "I took a bath"
Gil laughs and says "guess we should've cleaned out the jets, since it hasn't been used for over a year"
I was relieved... I really was, to know that the dirt did not come from me, but I still can't believe I was sitting in that dirt last night.. I need a shower and then I'm off to scrub the tub!

Home from the Holidays!!

2006-01-15T14:58:00.000-08:00

Christmas was wonderful!!! I think we've finally convinced Carter that there will be no more "Christmas" till next year. We celebrated a total of 6 Christmas' with friends and loved ones over the last three weeks. Carter was starting to wake up every morning asking if he'd get any gifts that day! Yep that's our spoiled kid!!! Turning out to be more like his daddy everyday!:-) Ah I just had to get that dig in!!
So yeah we've had a wonderful time over the last three weeks... so much fun that it was hard to come home and get back into the swing of things. As I was driving home from Quincy I couldn't stop thinking about how blessed we are.We have the best families.... and we couldn't ask for better friends!! Life is good and I'm so excited to see what this new year holds for us. I'm sure there will be hard times that will cause hurt, pain and tears... that's life, but I Know there will be laughter and joy and love that fills this next year and I'm ready for all of it. So may your next year be full of love and hope, laughter and maybe even some tears, may we all learn something new each day that will make us better and stronger, even if it hurts a little bit.

Time out for a memory!!

2005-12-07T15:32:00.000-08:00

I was cleaning upstairs... and Carter was really wanting me to play with him. I was really trying to get stuff done while I was in the mood so I tried to think of something we could do while I was cleaning. I found a "Christmas Rock" CD and turned it on. Carter and I started dancing together!! The kind of dancing that just cracks me up, the kind that I try to get him to do for others, but his shy side kicks in... Guess it's something ok to do with mom. Maybe that's because I'm acting as crazy as he is... clapping and jumping, twisting and turning....and laughing the whole time. I love these moments with him. I love that he thinks I'm funny and likes to play with me cause I think he's just as funny and I love to play with him. I love that he loves me in a way that words can't describe, and I love him back in the same way! I love that God nudges me and tells me to take a time out to make a memory with him.... cause these times won't last forever.I love him with all my heart and can't think of life without my little Carter James!!

Christmas Frenzy!!!

2005-12-06T20:33:00.000-08:00

What have I been doing for the last two weeks?? Not quite sure, I feel like I've been sooo busy but at the end of the day my "gotta do" list is still a lot longer than my "Got it done" list! I sat down a couple times to write about my Thanksgiving weekend.... didn't ever post it cause I didn't want to start rumors or to get people buzzing with news... not that there is any news, just couldn't say things the way I wanted to without sounding negative... so I never posted.
Some positives from the weekend....
Spent a LOT of time with family... not always fun happy times but that's life. We went to the Quincy High Basketball game Saturday night... to watch my Grandfather be inducted into the Hall of Fame. That was so incredible and a night I'll never forget. Grandpa had a rough fall and has made it through a lot including open heart sugery... at one point I remember hugging him and thinking he was going to break... it was very scary. To watch him out on the court surrounded by former football players, all giving him hugs with tears in their eyes was just so amazing. It was neat to see all the different people that my Grandfather has touched during his years as a coach! I love that man!!
We were sad because the time went too fast and we didn't get to see all the friends that we wanted to. We only got one evening with the Keane's but man was it fun!! I watched Carter, Madelyn and Andrew play like crazy!! They had so much fun and Laura and I just sat back and smiled. I love thinking about those three (or someday maybe more) growing up together and being close buddies!! I love catching up with Pete and Laura in person... we cherish our friendship and it's always great to see them!
The funniest thing was the trip home. Gil and I were in the front seats talking away and I noticed Carter was trying to get our attention...
He was very nicely saying..."Mommy and Daddy" over and over again. I let Gil finish his story and then I said "Yes Carter?"... Gil didn't say anything thinking that my answer was good enough. Carter waited about five seconds and then in the voice that I always use when I'm trying to get Gil's attention and he's ignoring me, Carter said "GIL?".... I laughed until I cried.... and then I laughed some more. Carter is growing up and it's very scary!

So anyways... Christmas Frenzy has hit our household and I feel like I'm going crazy... I need to stop and enjoy this time of year..... it always goes by so fast and then I can't wait till next year. It's taking me forever to figure out where our decorations should go in this new house, christmas shopping gets harder each year... I need new ideas for people... but one gift this year is very new and exciting(NOT a baby)... can't talk about it yet cause it's a suprise to some! So yeah... Gil's parents will be here in little over a week and we're very excited. I can't tell Carter they are comming yet because he will drive me crazy asking about them. Wow this post went really random really fast guess that's what I get for posting late night. So guess I'll end here. Love ya all and hope you are enjoying your Christmas season.

Feelin' the burn!!!

2005-11-16T10:02:00.000-08:00

And LOVING it!!!

I know that I feel better when I work out.. I always have. The truth is I have always liked working out.... it's just so hard to walk out that front door. I've never paid for a gym membership before... well take that back Laura and I did Curves for a year... and that was good... but after about a year it wasn't helping me much anymore. Then we moved to Colorado and I couldn't afford to join anywhere... so it was up to me to walk out my front door and go for a run. That's so hard for me. My walking path was always there, and I always had a reason why I needed to wait till later to go..... and then later never quite made it around.
Now that I've joined the gym here I know that I have to leave my house before 10:00 so that Carter can go to daycare. There's something about Carter waking up every morning asking if we "get" to go to the Y to play with kids... there's something about Carter getting time to play with kids and he comes home happy, and something about loving this routine that we've started, and to be completely honest there's something about an upcomming reunion with all my girlfriends from college that gets my rump out that door every morning.
The truth is though that I love going... I feel great and I work out harder than I ever have before. The hardest part for me is to not look at the scale everyday, or to try on pants every time I get home... I need to focus on how good I feel and the results will start to come... I hope!
So I feel great, Carter is very happy and our days seem to be much better. Gil just left this morning for a trip, won't be home till Sunday so the real test will be these next couple of days.. to see if this new routine will help Carter deal better with daddy not being around. Thanks to everybody who's written or called with encouraging words.... I AM going to keep this up!!! Just ticked I didn't start earlier but now is better than never! Love ya all!!

I did it!!!

2005-11-09T18:39:00.000-08:00

No I didn't sign up for Weight Watchers(too cheap) but I did buy a family membership at the YMCA!!! Yep gonna do it... I know it's not going to be easy cause I don't have a partner this time(really gonna miss ya Laura) but I'm hoping that maybe Carter will force me to go everyday. We went tonight to sign up and the Nursery is COOL! It's got lots of big toys and a huge Ball Pit!! Carter is so excited!!
I finally took the big step for a couple of reasons...
*we got a scholarship so it's very cheap!!
*I want to feel better... and look better, I've done all I can do with walking/running up and down my street... I now need to hit the weights!
* Ok yes I'll say it out loud... we're starting to talk about another kiddo at some point... and I'd kinda like to get in good shape before I decide to get fat again.
*I want to get into the habit now... then maybe... someday... down the road... when/if... I am ever pregnant again... I'll continue to work out through the pregnancy and not turn into the good year blimp again!
* I think it'll kinda be like pre-school for Carter and it'll give him interaction with kids during the day and get us out of the house everyday... who knows I might even meet some other moms!!
SO, I'll be getting up early and starting my first day of my new routine! I'm really excited about it... We'll hope this lasts! I'm trying to supress the desire to go out and buy tons and tons of new workout clothes and shoes and matching sweatbands... ok maybe not sweatbands! I think I'm gonna set my first goal and when I hit it then I can get a cute or at least matching workout outfit!!!
I'd better start stretching tonight..... I'll let ya know how this goes, at least we know that Carter is going to have fun!

Buzz Lightyear and his Gypsy

2005-11-03T19:15:00.000-08:00

Whose kids are these?? Ok I'll own up to the kid that looks just like my husband in a Buzz Lighyear costume cause... well I love him! I'd take the beautiful Gypsy Madelyn as well but she belongs to my best friend. Carter and Madelyn are buddies.... they love each other so much and have a blast together. It was so much fun to share Halloween with all of our friends and family! Madelyn taught Carter all the tricks to Tick-or-Treating.... except the part when Carter ran into a complete strangers house... got to the end of the hallway and then looked at us like we were supposed to all come in!! Our whole group was outside the man's house laughing so hard we couldn't yell at Carter to get out!!! The kind man finally told Carter that if he wanted some candy he needed to come back outside with his mom, and Carter obeyed! Yes, that's my son!!!

Carter and Grandpa

2005-11-03T09:07:00.000-08:00

Carter and his Grandpa McNett. I remember taking pictures with my daddy on Halloween... it's so cool to see your parents with your child... man these two have lots of fun together.

Buzz!!!!!

2005-11-03T07:28:00.000-08:00

Here's Buzz sneaking Chocolate, I think he was gearing up for the Nobis' Halloween party....man was that a fun party! Carter and Madelyn had a blast in the haunted garage and it was great to get to see everybody!! I don't know,I think we might be heading back to Quincy next year for Halloween. We had a GREAT weekend!! Love ya All

I'm ready!!

2005-10-25T20:27:00.000-07:00

My bags are packed I'm ready to go, Yeah the rest of that song doesn't really fit cause I'm not leaving on a jet plane and the loves of my life are comming with me... But I'm ready to get home to Quincy for a break!!!
Gil has been gone quite a bit in the last 2 weeks so we really need some family time to reconnect and we seem to do that better when we get out of town! I love road trips with my hubby, I love laughing, talking and singing in the car with him. It's so much fun! Maybe it's because it takes me back to my days as a kid when all 6 of us would load up in the minivan and head to Florida or Pennsylvania... man those trips were long, and rough but they hold some of the best memories! Like the time that mom and I got locked in a gas station bathroom that smelled like... well we'll stop there. I remember the time that we had to stop on the side of the road for Adam to pee, and he just couldn't go cause of the traffic, so we all cheered him on till his duty was done. I'll always hold dear the late night talks I had with my dad while he was driving and I was trying to keep both of us awake.I remember feeding Laura a bottle in the back of the car when she was just 6 months old. Katie and I used to hide the candy bag and sneak treats all night long! We used to all talk about how cool it would be if we could just fly to our destination, but man I would've missed out on a lot of memories!
So we're getting ready to head to Quincy, and I'm soooo excited to see our friends and loved ones. I'm ready to play cards with Pete and Laura, and ready to drink coffee with my mom, I'm ready to dance and sing with my dad, and to laugh and talk with my sisters... I'm ready to see all sorts of other friends that we love and miss and I'm ready to give lots of hugs to people I haven't seen in awhile! So now we're just waiting for Gil to get home! Oh yeah and I guess I lied I gotta get started packing those bags! Love to you all and those of you in Quincy, hopefully we'll get a chance to catch up!

Diapers Forever!

2005-10-17T09:27:00.000-07:00

I think my little man is a genius!! Ok I know all mothers think that but I really do think that Carter is a smart little man. He counts to ten like a pro, he's talking like crazy, he knows all about football and touchdowns, and he can even sing the theme song to McDonalds... and yells "I'm lovin' it" at the end! So I really thought that he would pick up on this potty training things fairly easy.. Think again Ang!
I've had so much advice and I've tried everything! I'm one of those moms that loves advice, I don't get frustrated at all when people tell me what worked for them, in fact I rush home and try it. We're tried watching daddy, we've tried M&M's for going potty, we've tried sitting on the potty all day for two days straight, none of it's working. One thing I've been told by many moms is not to use Pull Up's cause then the child can't feel that they are wet. They said to put him in normal underwear and if he does wet himself he won't like the feeling and he'll let ya know. That'll teach him not to do it in his pants.... Well not Carter. That kid would sit in his wet pants all day if I let him. I think he likes that warm feeling:-) He just really doesn't care! I'm starting to think he won't be able to start school till he's 10!
But I'm trying not to loose hope.. we were waiting in line yesterday to pick him up from Sunday school, and I heard many parents asking their kids and teachers if they had any accidents... I was happy to see a couple kids that had, I know others are struggling too!
So I'm off to start another load of pee-soaked underwear in the wash.... man this is getting old. So any of you mom's out there that have done this before... if you have anything that really worked, I'd love to hear it! Those of you that have three or four kids... man, hats off to ya!

Love ya all and hope that you have a wonderful Monday!

Keepin Busy!!

2005-10-15T18:37:00.000-07:00

Where has the time gone!?!? It's been awhile since I last posted. Well time here is actually flying by and I can't believe it.
I remember when we moved to Colorado and for the first 6 months I was very sad and felt like I was all by myself. Of course I had Gil and Carter, but at the time Gil was working lots of hours and Carter was 6 months old and his days were full of eating sleeping and messing his diapers. So needless to say I was maybe a little depressed. I expected to go through the same transition here, since it's a new place and I knew we wouldn't have any friends at first.
I'm happy to say that it's the exact opposite of what I dreaded. I am sooo happy here. Yes, I still miss my friends in Quincy and in Colorado a ton, and wish they were all here but I'm making more friends!! This is such a huge thing for me because it's so tough for me to make friends. I am such a shy person if I don't know you. It's so hard for me to put myself out there and talk to strangers. I just hate it. So two weeks ago when I was driving down my street and my neighbors whistled for me to stop I thought about just ignoring them, but something or somebody:-) told me to stop. They introduced themselves and told me they were planning an evening to hang out. The boys were going to play penny poker and the girls were going to hang out. They just needed to find a place to host it. Out of nowhere I said..."well we can have it at my place" It shocked me cause that is sooo not like me at all. I love to host parties, but not with stangers. So that Saturday night my house was clean, food was made and I was a bundle of nerves. I kissed Gil goodbye and he said " hey just be yourself"
We had a blast. The ladies are all older than I am but we really just hit it off. We talked about everything, we joked and laughed and one point even started to get teary-eyed over a story. It was such a good time. Gil came home and I was so happy and excited that I couldn't even sleep. The best part is they are all home during the days!!!
So last week I wanted to go back to Quincy because Gil was going to be gone and I didn't want to be here by myself. Due to gas prices and hopefully a trip home for Halloween, I couldn't go. I was dreading the week by myself! So he left Monday morning and I cried.
Tuesday morning I got a call from Joyce and Jennifer and they asked me to come down for coffee. Joyce is older but Jennifer has 3 boys and is close to my age. Carter and I walked down and had an enjoyable morning sitting and talking over coffee. The rest of the week we were always on the go. We took walks down to see all our new friends,went out to lunch one day, Jennifer and the boys walked down one evening and we all played football in the backyard. I was even able to share with them about my heavy heart due to some sad news that we received Saturday and they actually really cared and they even said they would be praying for the family involved. Good friendships are starting to form. By the time I knew it Sunday rolled around and we were going to pick up Gil.
God is sooo awesome. He really does have his hands all over this move for us. We are so happy to be here and it just seems to get better each day. We were happy to have Gil home and we've been spending this week having a lot of family time. It's amazing how much better family time goes when the whole family is happy.
So that's what's been going on here in Oronogo Missouri. Hope I didn't bore ya all but just wanted to update you on how we're doing here.

What!?!?!?

2005-09-30T07:36:00.000-07:00

Here I am Friday morning... I'm out of bed. It wasn't too bad, I'm afraid tomorrow might be a little tougher. So I get my clothes on, brush my teeth and actually run a brush through my hair.... the coffee is done and I'm ready to go! I think for a second about waking Gil up just to be mean... but I let him continue to drool all over his pillow~hehe! I walk outside(freezing) getting ready to set things out and sit down for the long morning ahead when I notice my neighbor has a sign out front. See Kim is the one that put the ad in the paper for the neighborhood garage sale that all 2 of us are participating in...yeah so the sign says

Garage Sale (Duh)
Friday- 8:30 - 2 (What?!?!)
Saturday- 7-12

No way you have got to be kidding me.... My but is out of bed at 6:30 ready for a 7:00 start and it's not till 8:30!!! AHHHHH That's what I get for not asking her last night what times she put in the paper.. I just thought all garage sales started at least by 7!!! Good joke God really really good Joke... I know he's just up there getting a kick out of this one... never thought I'd be writting a blog this early in the morning... and I'm quite sure you'll never see another one from me this early again.
So now I get to wait.... hmmm thinking I'm getting a hint from the man upstairs that this might be a great time for a talk... I get the point! :-)
So I'll be starting my garage sale adventure in another hour.
Have a Great day!!

All for the Big Screen

2005-09-29T09:37:00.000-07:00

Gil has his own room now.... The "Boy's Room". It's a bonus room above our garage and it's his. There's every type of sports crap you can imagine in this room, along with a poker table,computer desk, and the big leather furniture... it looks really cool! But there is something missing and let me tell you, he reminds me of it every single day!!! He's taken me to Best Buy three times now secretly thinking that if he put on his puppy dog face that I'd let him get one. He doesn't realize that electronics.. just don't effect me the same way they effect him. Now show me a cute little dog, Gap jeans, a cute pair of shoes, and purse, the right shade of nail polish... and I can't walk away.. but show me a 52 inch Big Screen T.V and C-ya! So I've held him off by telling him that once we have money in hand, then we will buy it. Bless his little heart... he's been selling everything he owns on ebay!! Guess he really wants this thing huh?
So since he's the money maker around here I've been trying to figure out how to help out... I've already donated my birthday money which was very difficult considering Express was having a big sale, but we're still a bit short.... so what do you do if you don't know how to work a computer well enough to sell on Ebay!?!? GARAGE SALE!!!
I hate them... really truly hate them. I'd rather give my crap away.. not cause I'm in a giving mood, just cause I don't want to deal with getting everything together, cleaning the dust off of it, putting $1 sign on it and watching strangers wander through my garage sorting through my junk. Not counting the fact that these garage sale junkies start at like 6 in the morning. I don't do 6 in the morning! Yeah I'll admit it I'm Lazy
Ok that all sounded really harsh about people that go to garage sales.. Gotta love them, my mom was the queen of them! In fact I think I'd go too if it weren't for the fact that by 10 on Saturday mornings when I finally get motivated to go they are all picked over. I'm just whinning about having my own.. but hey it's all for the big screen right~~?
So Carter and I spent the whole day in the garage setting things up and we're ready to go.. now I just hope people show up and actually buy the stuff. I might even get Gil to help on Saturday... not feeling so sure on that one:-) So I'm off to bed... I can't remember the last time this body was up at 6 in the morning.. not thinking I'll be lookin to pretty, also not sure I'm going to care. But I'll be there with my sweat pants on and my pot of coffee... I think I'm already planning an afternoon nap!
So wish me luck... Garage Sale here I come, cause it's all for the Big Screen!!!! Gil you owe me!

I'm back!!!

2005-09-27T21:24:00.000-07:00

Yikes!!! Where do I even start?!? I'll just start trying to fill ya in on my life in the last 4 1/2 months....

- Moved out of my house and left some very close friends in Colorado. The move was quite stressful, but I had a smile on my face the whole trip!
-Moved into a hotel for 5 days with my boys, looked for a house, found a house, bought a house, love the house!!!!
- Carter and I moved into my mom's house for 2 months. That was awesome and weird all rolled up into one! I experienced my new life as a single mom for 2 months out of the year. Carter did great. We had a little bit of an adjustment period, I think he was very confused but we made it. We talked to daddy every night on the phone and my heart was happy because he was sooooo happy with this new job.
-Spent time with lots of friends while we were in Q-town, Dinner at Ret's with good friends, Spent lots of time with Laura my best friend in the whole world and got to love all over Madelyn and Andrew, made up with a friend that I thought I'd lost... and reconnected with some friends from high school. Good times!
-Went to the McNett family reunion with my dad and Laura, then made another trip to the Gross family reunion.. Spent lots of quality time with family, took lots of pictures and had a wonderful time.
-Met Gil for a week in Oronogo (yes, that's the name of our town) To move all of our stuff into the house. Then went back to Quincy.
-End of July, finally moved into the house for good. Daddy was home and life started to get back to normal.
-Turned 26...ouch.. that one kinda hurt.. not looking forward to 3o!!
-Mom and Dad Gilchrist were here for a couple of weeks and really really helped us put our house together... they worked their tails off for us!
-I've painted 6 rooms (yes Deby finished the last room tonight:-) bought furniture and spent way more money on decorations than I'd planned but the house is finally finished... or at least at a good stopping point.

I know there's a lot more that I left out.... but that hits some of the highlights. Life is good... very very good. We are so happy here and each day brings something new. Thanks to everybody that prayed us through this transition time... We love ya all.

My tongue hurts!!!

2005-05-17T13:51:00.000-07:00

"If you can't say something nice, don't say it at all...", " Take the higher ground", " Just bite your tongue"

Man, gotta tell you, my tongue hurts!!!! I've had to bite my tongue HARD in the last couple of days and I'm sure it's going to get worse before it gets better. The true color of people comes shinning through during a time like this and unfortunately it hurts to find out what color some people bleed. I know we have some true friends here, I know the ones that are so happy for us that they are crying tears of joy for us and are just truly sad to see us go. To those people I want to say thank-you, we love you and we will miss you very much. Then there are the people that can't see past their own jealousy... the people that used to call you friends, but now spend most of the time putting us down, and trying to destroy our character... to those people I say...... well all I can do is bite my tongue.
We are trying to leave in the best way that we can. We are working hard to finish things up here, to stay positive, to help in any way that we can to make this transition easier but that is going unnoticed. AGHHHHH!
Ok so I'm just mad, I don't have a lot to say about it because I really am trying to let it go. What I can say is "Gil you're a better person than I am, because I know if I had to be in the battle field every day like you are I'd have already gotten fired." I know that we only have a short time left here so we can make it. I just pray that at some point, I'll be able to tell these "Men of God" how rude and hurtful and down right mean they have been and just to ask them if they really think that God is shinning through them? We are leaving to continue God's work... it just takes us to a new place. You'd think that they'd be happy, or at least supportive... Oh well I can only ask God to give us patience and to help us to keep our heads held high as we walk out the door, even if my tongue does hurt!!!

Flashback Memory

2005-05-13T18:15:00.000-07:00

I was packing tonight, same thing I've been doing for the last two days. I'm ticked because I'm already tired of boxes, then I hear this belly laugh comming from the other room. I'm talking full blown belly laughter, ya know the kind that only a little child can do. I was already laughing as I rushed into the room to see what was so funny.
Carter is standing in front of the TV watching America's Funniest Home Video's. With every new clip Carter's laughter would get louder and harder. As I watched him a memory sliped into my mind.
I remember being a kid and every Friday night we would watch America's Funiest Home Video's as a family. I remember watching my Mom and Dad Laugh and my heart felt happy. Daddy would laugh in his big booming voice, and mommy would get so tickled that she would snort which would then make everybody laugh just a little bit harder. I remember how happy it made me to hear my parents laugh. Our family was full of laughter and fun times but this laughter was just a little different. Not quite sure what made it so special. Maybe it was just the Friday night ritual of Pizza and movies (after watching A.F.V.), or maybe it was just being with Family, but the memory brought back the same warm feeling in my heart.
So I sat down with Carter and we laughed together. During commercial breaks Carter would just look up at me and smile. I'm so excited to make these memories with him and hopefully it warmed his heart, like it used to do to mine, just to hear mommy laugh.

1 Tear Per Box

2005-05-12T22:48:00.000-07:00

So today the packing began. I have 10 days to get everything done and to get the heck out of dodge! But I'm not complaining... God is Great and I'm so excited that the stress of selling our home is over!!
I remember packing up our home in Quincy. Tears streaming down my face with each box that I taped up. Almost having a breakdown while watching the movers pack everything that we owned into a big truck headed to Colorado. There was not a bone in my body that was excited to move, I was angry with God for taking me away from my family and all my friends. I had a six month old baby and was scared to death to be in a new city far from home. I cried for weeks before I left, and weeks after I left. Colorado was not my home and never would be my home.
Slowly Colorado grew on me. At first I just stopped hating it, then it was alright, then I kinda liked it, and then there came the point that I was happy here. 20 months ago I would've never believed that I'd actually like it here someday.
So when we found out we were moving I thought "ah this is a piece of cake, if I can move from my home town, then I can move from here with no problem." I even joked with Gil and told him I probably wouldn't even shed a tear. (Anybody that knows me can tell you that I cry at even the smallest thing!)
So today I start pulling out boxes. Luke (my dog) got very nervous, and Carter started running around the box yelling "bye-bye house", and I started to cry!!! I started to realize that this house holds so many memories of our family. Carter ate his first cheerio here, said his first words here, took his first steps here, took his first big fall here, turned into a little man here. I became a "stay home" mom here, learned to be away from family and friends here, went through my parents divorce trying so hard to be the support to each family member from here, grew a lot here and learned a ton of lessons... I can't even began to list all the memories that we have together as a family here. All in 20 short months and now I'm packing up and leaving again.
I leave knowing that I will take all of these memories with me and that I will make new ones in Missouri. I leave knowing I'm a changed person, that I've grown more in 20 months than I have in 25 years. May I always thank God for getting me out of my confort zone, and to a place where he could break me in half and build me up even taller than before. So a tear will go in every box as I pack up my life in Colorado and continue it in Missouri!

Spotless

2005-05-06T00:11:00.000-07:00

My day is over, Carter is snug in his bed, Luke is snoring on the floor next to me, Gil is drooling all over his pillow(just kidding) and I'm still awake trying to unwind. I have been in a frenzy this week. A cleaning frenzy that is. My house is now officially on the market.Which means soon(hopefully very soon) we will be getting calls from people that want to walk through it. I have to keep it spotless! I've cleaned my bathrooms, all 4 of them 3 times this week. I've vaccumed 5 times and I've hand scrubed my kitchen floor twice. Frenzy?? I think that qualifies.
So here I am trying to unwind and thinking about what I've learned from my day today. Well let's see I've learned that Elmo diapers will never be in this house again, that it's time to take apart Carter's changing table because he's discovered how to climb up on it, and that I will never buy another lawn mower that doesn't bag the grass because grass clippings stick to dogs feet which create grass stains on the carpet.But there's something else that I'm not getting what is it????
Then I look around at my spotless house and it hits me. Why do I put so much work into my house but not much work into me? Why am I so crazy about keeping my house spotless for strangers to see, yet I only put about half that effort into keeping my mind and heart not even spotless, just clean for God?
If a stranger walks into my house tomorrow and sees dirt then fine, let them think of me what they want, yet if a stranger looks at my life and sees dirt what will they think of my God? So I head to bed tonight thinking of my life and the dirt that needs to be cleaned from my soul, the heart that needs to be scrubbed, the thoughts that need to be thrown in the trash, the whole body that needs to be spotless for such an Awesome God that I serve. Thank you God for the lessons you've taught me today.

"Doop Melmo mom!!"

2005-05-05T10:53:00.000-07:00

Translation: "Poop On Elmo!"

Sometimes I question if I'm making the right choices for my son! I sometimes worry what kinds of food to give him, what toys are ok for him, or what he can watch on tv. Today Carter proved to me that I made the right decision about what diapers to buy him!! I feel sooo smart right now!
Carter is in LOVE with the Wiggles and Elmo! We talk about them all day long. When he first started his addiction with Elmo I remember thinking... Ah I should buy him the Elmo Diapers.... Then I immediately had pictures of him playing with his diapers, and taking them off just to be able to see Elmo.I made my choice to stick with the cheap diapers with no characters on them!
Today Carter and I went out to get the mail.. and there it was. A sample of an Elmo Diaper. Carter immediately opened it and wanted it on. I told him that he wasn't dirty so we had to wait. Literally 2 minutes later he walked up to me saying "Doop! Doop" aka:Poop! I could not believe it. On command he made himself poop so that he could wear his Elmo diaper... He's two how did he do that. So I had to keep my promise!
We put the Elmo diaper on and everything started.
First we had to take our shorts off cause we couldn't see Elmo.. then we had to take the diaper off cause we couldn't see Elmo over our fat belly. We put the diaper back on and ran around the back yard in just a diaper singing about Elmo..(don't ask me if I had my video camera, I'm so ticked) Then it happened.
Carter is running towards me with tears running down his face. "Doop Melmo Mom, Doop Melmo mom!!!" Carter had Pooped on Elmo and that meant no more Elmo. He cried all through the diaper change. We had a little funeral for Elmo, Crying as we tossed it in the trash.... 15 minutes later we both were over it and continued with our day.
Thank goodness I didn't buy the Elmo diapers. I can't imagine going through this ritual everytime we "Poop Melmo, Mom!"
I'm not doing so bad at this Mom thing!!:-)

Answered Prayers

2005-05-04T18:34:00.000-07:00

I remember sitting on a park bench with this wonderful man dreaming of our future together. We were talking marriage, family, dreams, jobs.. everything you talk about when you are thinking about spending the rest of your lives together.
"What is your dream job? Where would you like to be in ten years"? I aksed him.
"Well, I don't see myself in youth ministry forever. I know that one day I will be ready to pass the torch and move on. I love kids and I love the mission field. I would love to work for CIY some day. That would be my dream job" he replied.
I wasn't sure I was ready to marry a minister, but I sure as heck knew I was not ready to go into the missions field. I remember saying a prayer that night. A prayer that even 5 years later I was still saying. "Please God, blend our lives together in a way that only you can. Join our dreams together in a way that only you can see. I don't ever want to hold this man back from his dreams. I don't ever want to put a leash on his desire for missions. So please either give me the desire to be in the field, or give him a job that allows him to combine all his passions together.
Fast forward 5 years.... I did end up marrying that wonderful man. We are happily married with a beautiful little boy that keeps us laughing everyday, and a dog that puts up with more than I can imagine from that little stinker! Our family is great and I go to bed at night and thank God for my life. Yesterday our lives became even happier!
That little prayer that I started 5 years ago was answered. Gil's already told all the details.... I just want to praise God for an answered prayer. I want to thank him for the passion I see in my husbands eyes for his job. A passion that has always been there.... but that had gone dim in the last 2 years. God does awesome work and I'm so excited to see what he has in store for our family. Thank you God!

Me.... Blogging??

2005-05-01T22:36:00.000-07:00

I've been a blog-reader for quite sometime, I never thought I'd become a blogger myself. Me... Blogging? What would I talk about? How many poopy diapers I changed that day? How many times I let the dog out, or kissed a boo-boo? Yeah right that would be real interesting. Hope this thing has spell check, I don't have time for a dictionary! Well we'll see how this goes, hopefully this won't be my last post, and maybe just maybe I'll be funnier than Gil!! Ya right! I just hope my stories about life won't cause Gil to loose any faithful readers because you know I'll tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth!! Watch out Gil your secrets might get out!