My Life Will Never Be That Way...Eat Those Words!

It is so weird, but Jeremy and I are in this season of life where I feel I have to write down everything I want to say to him. It is like a "to do" list but a "to talk about" list. And even though I may begin going down my list when we get a minute, most the time the topic doesn't finish and then it remains on my list for three more days. Kids, kids, kids are so demanding (I need more water, I need help with my shoes, Stop messing with your sister) I am finding we can't finish a topic of conversation. What ever happened to my life won't be that way?

The other day I find myself getting upset over the littlest things Andrew is doing. Why am I so upset over this? I never was going to yell or use phrases like "because I said so" or "I don't care, you do what I say."

Since I became an adult around my friends who had kids (you know when you are the only one who hasn't begun that season) I use to wonder why aren't they taking care of themselves? Why can't they just throw on a little make up, why haven't they washed their hair, or why are they gaining weight - they're just letting themselves go! It is straight up work to maintain yourself as well as your house and your kids. I find myself on a daily basis wondering if it would be easier to just go back to work. I am now in that season of understanding and I want to apologize to all those moms who I had bad thoughts about. I drag my getting bigger butt (because I am always running with my kids and eatting fast food) out of bed at 6:30 in the morning just to look presentable. I am gaining weight like crazy and now at 33 it is not coming off as easy (went back to the gym this week and began dieting - I gained 3.5 pounds!)

Since I am a control freak. I am trying not to loose my mind! That I don't have the perfect house with everything in its place, my car looks like I live in it, and my Christmas tree is only half done because I am too exhausted to put more ornaments on it because I keep finding the ones already on it around the house. I am busting out of my clothes because I am not buying new ones. All things that I was going to be in control of, but I am too tired.

I am getting close to freaking out! But I have to keep perspective - one day my house will have everything in its place and my car won't have snacks and car seats in it, and my Christmas tree will dazzle with color and I will be thin! And last but not least, Jeremy and I will be able to have a full conversation at dinner or when he walks in the door. But that will be a sad day because that will mean my babies are gone and all grown up! So lets live in the moment and enjoy all those little annoying uncontrolable things that are so bittersweet!

My First Award

Okay, I am new to this blogging thing, and I just found out I won an award. What excitement! My blog is Fabulous! I never knew!

I am suppose to pass on five additions of mine! Only five?

Well my newest addition is...

1. I dislike coffee, however weirdly enough I love the smell. I love to walk down the coffee aisle at the grocery store and take a wiff. Needless to say with such a dilema I'm sad about Starbucks! I want to go in there so bad, but can't find anything I like unless it is hot cocoa. That is until just recently when my little sis introduced me to the "Double Chocolate Chip Frappacino!!!" No coffee, just lots of delious goodness that isn't very good to the figure if you know what I mean.

2 & 3. Which leads to my second and third addictions. As a gift to myself when I get to go shop by myself (which is not very often) I get my Starbucks indulgence while shopping at my two favorite stores...

4. Nicolas Sparks...what a fabulous author. I love all his books and sometimes read them then read them again. I have always wanted to go or live close the coast in North Carolina. In my mind it would be amazing. If you've never read any of his books the first one to try is The Notebook (a very easy read), then Dear John was incredible.

5. Then last but not least...Rachel McAdams. I guess you could say she is my celebrity girl crush. I love all her movies and she is just beautiful. She is always so sassy!

My Favorite Stage? Maybe Until Next Week...

I'm the worst mom ever! OK, maybe not the worst, but the kid's birthdays were back in June and July and now in the month of November I have managed to get their year pictures taken. (Not like this is going to scar them for life or anything :) I think they have turned out wonderfully, if I do say so myself! Look at their cute little faces. If someone comes up with a way to bottle them up and keep them small, please let me know. I know that every hour, day, week, month and year just keeps getting better - but I like them now!

Right now at this stage of four AJ thinks he is a little man! He loves to tickle, joke around to make people he loves smile. He can be a real ham. He does have a mean streak and can be sneaky and bossy (his way is the only way). His other personality has become very polite saying yes ma'm, yes sir, please, thank you and may I. He is scared of being places by himself such as upstairs. He has begun to come in our room at night and sleep with us. He still loves Jeeps, trains (and knows the names of every Thomas train figure), and right now he is very into building towers and houses with blocks, Legos and Lincoln Logs. He loves to tell me and Kendyll that we are beautiful, and his dad that he is handsome. He loves to tell everyone he loves that he loves them multiple times a day. He craves words of affirmation. He is developing some friends and told me that Logan and Ethan are his best friends. He loves school and learning new things. He especially gets very excited when he learns a new word to read. He is into playing Leapster, watching Toy Story and the VeggieTales. He loves his Chunky Monkey and we have to kiss it goodnight as well as him. My most favorite lines out of his mouth are "mom don't say right now, say please," "Are you happy?" "Mom are you OK or fine, pick one!" "Mom the sun is out, Jesus' light came out again today." He will ask a question and then say "yes or no mom yes or no?" And one I always want to remember - the other night he didn't feel good and we didn't know at the time but he was on his way to throwing up soon. He came in our room and said that his tummy didn't feel well and he needed a band-aid to make it feel well! AWE! How sweet! Jeremy got up and put a band-aid on his belly. Unfortunetly it didn't work.

Miss Kendyll, what a little DIVA! At sixteen months she is quite the daddy's girl! She has Jeremy wrapped around her finger and right behind is Bompa and Pappa. She can do no wrong in their eyes. Kendyll loves balloons, balls, blocks, dancing to music, and her pink piggy bank. She has recently developed a love for books (thanks to AJ). She will pick out a book at night, we will read in the rocking chair, she will put the book away and get another book to take to bed with her. She goes to her crib and says "UP" then sits in her crib and talks to herself and the book until she falls asleep. She wakes up in the morning and can't go anywhere without her "B" blanket. She carries it around like Linus on Charlie Brown. Her hair is beginning to thinken up. Although most the time she looks like she has been struck by lightning since it sticks up on the top of her head. She loves to be outside and will sit in AJ's Jeep and just take in the sun. She is very beautiful. She loves, loves, loves Andrew. She will stop whatever she is doing and run to the television when she hears the Backyardigan's theme song. Her favorite place to be is inside of the pantry and she always has to be carrying around a snack - not eating it, just carrying it unopened. When she doesn't get her way she knows how to turn on the tears, when tears do not work it goes to dropping on the floor. If you ask her if it is bedtime she will stop crying instantly and start talking and pleading her case in babble. She has no problem ignoring you if you are asking her not to do something. She acts like if she can't see you then you can't see her. She is a true blessing.

An Attitude of Graditude

This month in school AJ's word of the month has been GRADITUDE. We were sitting eating lunch one day and he told me that he had an "ATTITUDE OF GRADITUDE." I asked him, what does that mean? Surprisingly he says back to me "that I need to be grateful for everything I have!" Oh, what a wonderful lady, Mrs. T, is for teaching him about graditude. I try everyday and maybe with the help of Mrs. T it may finally sink in.

With this being the week of blessings and thankfulness, I thought I would take a moment to show my attitude of graditude. I am thankful for sunrises and sunsets, my two major blessings, my family, the pond outside my window, my camera, Thursday evening television, car washes (so I don't always have to do it myself), my friends, all the new friends I am making and the ones that are still to come, strawberry limeades at Sonic, my bedroom, the playroom upstairs, rainy days so you have an excuse to snuggle and read under a blanket, my wonderful husband, inspirational sayings, happy people, a good pair of jeans, candles, men's cologne, Christmas lights, when AJ tells me I'm beautiful, a good chic flick (one that makes you cry), girl's night out, waking up the kids in morning, Jesus' light, a clean house, a beautiful picture, hearing AJ say "I wuv you" and positive attitudes.

My Sweet Girl

Well here we go again, TUBES! This time with Kendyll. Oh my sweet girl. Even though I know she is in excellent hands and I've done this twice with AJ. It is never easy to watch a stranger take your child out of your arms and know they are going into surgery. Kendyll, at only 15 months, was taken from me, swaddled like an infant, screaming and taken through the double doors. It breaks your heart to hear her crying and knowing how bitter/sweet the situation is - she is scared, however the surgery is going to make her feel so much better.



Dad always saves the day with his fun glove balloon! It works everytime to stop the crying.


The surgery was successful and my sweet girl is perfect as of today. Her runny nose and congestion has already cleared up and she is happy and feeling so much better. Thank God for tubes! They are a life saver in this family.

My Little Monsters - Halloween '09

Okay, I know I am a little late in getting to my Halloween pictures, but I'm in catch up mode right now! I didn't go all out this year -- I was a little busy moving in, then I didn't have any Internet for a while. So I didn't get the costumes ordered I wanted which were Pablo and Uniqua from the Backyardigans. In AJ's heart of hearts he really wanted to be Woody from Toy Story. So I did take him to the Disney Store and they only had Buzz. Buzz was good, he said I'll just be Buzz again this year! Perfect! Even better though as I was unpacking I found AJ's Eeyore costume from his first Halloween - Perfect! Kendyll has a costume and Halloween is covered. We went over to my friend Teri's house and the kids gave out candy to tons of little Power Rangers, Iron Men and Indiana Jones'. My favorite however was a little six month old flapper girl.

The day of Halloween was AJ's Fall Party at school. This year I signed up to be homeroom mom and I had a blast planning this party. Before the party all the Pre-K and kindergarden students had a parade around the school. Parents came and followed and were able to get many photo opps! In the picture are AJ's friends Logan and Zander or Batman and blue Power Ranger. All the kids in his class were so cute. And the party, if I do say so myself was a HUGE success!

Wordless Wednesday - Kendyll with Pumpkins

Pumpkins Everywhere

OK, more than dressing up for the 31st, more than the beautiful leaves, I love pumpkin patches in October! I love the crisp greens, browns, and the vibrant orange. Kids always photograph well at pumpkin patches because they are having so much fun. Kendyll can walk this year and she just wondered around in amazement. She picked her own pumpkin and carried it around, dropped it and then picked it up and carried it some more. Jeremy and I figured we should do the right thing and buy the pumpkin since it had been dropped so many times. There was a maze and Andrew had a blast going through it, then getting lost. I would say "where's AJ" and he would pop up and say "here I am!" I'm already for next year's pumpkin pictures.

This VOTE - History in the Making

It's the day that we have been waiting for since we saw the first campaigning begin I believe back in the beginning of 2007 (if not sooner). Today we do our American duty and go to the polls to choose our next President for the next four years. I have to say that I am in awe of the fact that we live in such a great county and we have the power to decide. Today will mark a new chapter in the history books. We could possibly have the first black president or the first female vice president. It is so exciting. This could also be the biggest voter turnout in history EVER! My sister at age 30 even registered to vote for the first time this year - amazing!

So I have gone in today as a strong, intelligent, voting woman and marked my ballot with who I believe will make this a safe, secure, and well-respected country I want to raise my children in. I know that I am only human and I don't know everything so I made sure to pray to God that he choose the best leader for this country. And I can only hope that whomever it may be, McCain or Obama, that they believe in Him and lead our country the way that it was created to be lead.

Innocence

I went to Kansas this weekend to celebrate my grandma's (Memaw) 87th birthday. It was so touching to see how the kids are drawn to her. I captured a moment that I want to remember forever. Right now AJ and I speak on a regular basis about "kind touches." I happened to look over and see AJ leaning over my grandmother rubbing her arm - giving kind touches. She was explaining to him those were wrinkles, what happens when you get old. It made me tear up to see such a special, innocent moment.

Who Needs Toys?

Okay, I have to admit my whole family is on countdown (8 days) until closing day. So I'm sure my next few post will be entirely house related. We are so elated to finally see this whole big blessing (mess) come to an end. Now instead of hearing AJ say "mom our house is still broken." Now I get to hear "Mom our house isn't broken anymore," "we have a driveway!" "Mommy, we have carpet!" It is music to my ears.

The best part is that AJ and KC are absolutely in love with the house. AJ will ask daily to go see it, just so he can either run around on the driveway, through the house or show us where he put his hand print in the cement.

So the question is - why do I buy toys? All they need is a driveway to run on or a roll of carpet to crawl on and play. So cheap, and it doesn't clutter!

Okay in the time it has taken to write this we are now:

7 days, 5 hours, 9 minutes, 2 seconds! Just joking!

The Women

Two friends of mine invited me to go see the movie The Women on Sunday. It was a much needed break from reality - and now that I am beginning to make some Oklahoma friends I hope to do it more often.



This is for sure a chic flick and a very empowering one at that. In this movie Meg Ryan's character had fallen into the stay-at-home wife/mother syndrome and found herself with bad hair, nails, clothing and the last person she took care of. She finds out her husband is cheating on her and sinks herself into a deep depression that no one but her can get herself out of. The key words is "her." Yes, she was devestated by the infidelity, but came to realize - how can her husband love her when she doesn't love herself? She gave up her in the midst of their life together.

I sometimes relate to this movie way too much. I am so scared of loosing me in all this doctor and motherhood life I am living.

So in my favorite part of the movie she decides to snap out of it and make herself happy. She makes a bulletin board that says at the top "What Do I Want?" and begins pinning pictures and inspiring words on it! This is what I am going to do. Positive in = positive out! I believe in this and I will be a success at - WHAT I WANT!

Where Has the Time Gone?

Okay, I haven't blogged in a while. I feel it is a lot like working out - which by the way I haven't done lately either! So what's going on right now you ask?

EVERYTHING! But I'm not stressed or anything :)

The past few week I have been working on credit. We found when applying for our loan that a man named Jeremy F. Thomas (mine is Jeremy D. Thomas) had found his way onto our credit report with all his prision (yes, I said prision) deficiancies and all. Fourteen defaults to be exact. Yes, all sitting on Jeremy's credit when we are three weeks from closing on a house.

Did I freak - heck ya! Tears and all.

We'll luckily those are clearing up as we speak in disputes, since this evil man does not have my J's social number. Let me tell you, these evil credit agencies are pure evil. They are not an advocate and just FYI, there is no advocate for you in the state of Oklahoma. Not even anyone at the Attorney General's office.

The good news is (keep your fingers crossed) that two weeks from today I will be unloading boxes in my new house. What a relief! I am so ready to have a home to raise my family, decorate and entertain in. The best part is soon I will get my mom back as a mom and not just a roomate and the kids will have a grandmother and grandfather again. That is the biggest blessing. Jeremy will also be able to work from home more and not always be at the office. Another blessing.

I did learn today that after AJ's second round of tubes in May - Kendyll will now probably (and that is a BIG probably) be getting her first round. Thank God, my idea of a good time is not suffering through the winter with multiple ear infections - her or me!

And a another fabulous thing for me is my photography class I am in the midst of taking. I am having so much fun learning and putting it to good use. I also have a friend of a friend currently designing my business cards for my new Tammy Nicole Photography look. The look is very fun and refreshing and just what I was looking for. I am very excited to kick off my business at the beginning of the new year. We'll see how it goes, but I'm thinking big things are going to happen.

The Landscaping Has Begun

Before

It is fianally happening! All our weeds outside our empty house are gone and the beautiful landscaping has begun. FINALLY! This has been a process. It seems like lately we are fighting to get anything finished at our house. Jeremy finally snapped on Friday and did literally cuss out our builder. Not smart, but what can you expect? So you would think that this means we are getting close. I'm not sure, but let's hope so! I'm just guessing but I think two to three more weeks. I'll let you know. The driveway goes in Tuesday. Pray for no rain!

After

Wordless Wednesday - Too Much Fun!

Too Early for Turkey?

Okay, I know I haven't lived in Oklahoma for awhile, however I don't believe I have ever seen a sight like this before...

...turkeys just hanging out on the side of the road! What is this? So of course I had to pull over - when was AJ ever going to see a turkey so close up we weren't getting ready to eat? He looked at them - you know with one of those looks that you just wish that you were in their brains wondering what they are thinking. He finally says to me "does that turkey have a big boo-boo on him?" He was talking about his goblet, and he was so serious but I had to laugh. We'll it's just another day living in Claremore, OK.

AJ's First School Program

Tonight I saw one of the best productions I have ever seen. It wasn't a Broadway show or a Michael Buble' concert; it wasn't a "girls night out" movie or a ballet -- it was AJ's first school program!

It melted my heart when the curtain went up and the all the kids anxiously looked for a friendly face in the crowd and waved. I have to admit I was a tad bit nervous for him since he told me absolutely nothing about what he was doing in this production, regardless of my continuous questions concerning the evening. And I had no idea how he would react when he saw all those people looking at him. Thankfully, he was a natural. Acted like he knew just what to do. He sang and signed to the music and danced a little. I have to say, sometimes that kid completely surprises me!

The 100 kids on stage sang, "R-E-D red", "B-L-U-E spells blue", "Y-E-L-L-O-W spells yellow, the Days of the Week song and If You're Happy and you Know It. It was the most special event of the week. And it's created one of the best memories to carry with me!

And I have to comment that on this seventh anniversary of 9/11 these four year olds were not even a thought yet. However we stood and said the pledge allegiance with the victims, survivors and soldiers in our thoughts. It was refreshing to see that life does go on after a tragedy. Just look at all these precious angels!

Wordless Wednesday - Leader of the Ducks

Martina McBride's Words to Live By

I am not a big country music fan. I have a few favorites I listen to (Rascal Flats, Garth, Faith, Tim and some George) but my all time fave is Martina McBride. She is so empowering! I was driving home and I was changing channels and Martina's song "Blessed" was on the radio. Being the car rocker I am, I began belting out the tune and then found myself crying. What are these tears?

I have been blessed
with so much more than I deserve
to be here with the ones that love me
to love them so much it hurts
I have been blessed

Doesn't that just touch you. Those are such powerful words "I have been blessed with so much more than I deserve." A very good way to think and live. If you keep that in your heart how can you ever take anything for granted?

Boomer Sooner - Daddy's Day!

It was the day Jeremy had dreamt of since the birth of his boy - taking his son to his first OU football game experience in Norman. Since it was an evening game, Jeremy was giddy the whole day - anxious we couldn't get there fast enough. The moment soon came as he walked from under the stadium to see the field. Jeremy eyes lit up as he looked at Andrew. It was a whole new world for now he saw Sooner Magic through his son's eyes. I can only imagine the excitement of getting to share something you love so deeply (in this case OU football) with your child. And even better, your child responds just as you had imagined! Now know, AJ had been to a few Oklahoma games before. However I guess it just isn't the same since they weren't in Norman. This isn't for me to question since I am not a man with this kind of passion for something that pertains to men shoving each other to get a ball down a field.

It was a perfect game, a lot hot, but OU dominated and Andrew was able to see how exciting a touchdown, oh wait seven touchdowns in the first half, can be. And better yet, what dad can resist when his son says "Can I have a big finger?" What an impact, even three days later that finger is going in the air to bolt out OOOOOOOOOOOOO (finger up)-UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU (finger down)!

Kendyll and I were there as well. And she was decked out in her OU gear, ready to cheer on her daddy's team. Even though at 13 months she had no idea what was going on. She did point to the field and yelled. Like the crowd told us - "start them early!"
We only stayed until after halftime due to bad weather. What a memory, walking out of the stadium and the sky opening up and pouring on us. We spent the next 40 minutes under a vender tent with the most awesome lightening and thunder show ever. All of us laughing and having a good time, even under the drab circumstances. Every once in a while someone would yell "Boomer" and Andrew learned quickly to yell back "Sooner!" Once we made our hike back to the car all was well in the world. AJ and Kendyll fell asleep and Jeremy and I listened to the 57 to 2 finish of the game, then talked about the finish to a wonderful Boomer Sooner day.

Let's All Crash...

It's Thursday night and it has been a long week for all of us. Everyone has crashed and I'm enjoying a little piece and quiet before I join them. Our lives have gone from nothing to do - to not having a minute of time. How does life change so quickly? With the ever changing times, it is good to know that in today's technology world we now have the capabilities to document everything. So tonight, I want to remember all my sleeping angels. How peaceful right now is. Who could ask for more?

Wordless Wednesday - She's Walking

Friends, Food and Fun

This past weekend was full of friends, food and fun!

On Friday a long-time friend of mine came into town. M'Leah Taylor and I met while our husbands were in medical school and the rest is history. Even though the past five years we've been in different parts of the country - her in Temple, TX and I in St. Louis - we've managed to stay in touch. Seeing her was fabulous. M'leah is one of those awesome friends who no matter how long it's been it's like we saw each other yesterday. And catching up while eating sushi at In the Raw was perfect. She is an awesome person and mom and I'm excited to get to know her better again.

On Saturday we headed up to the lake to see some of Jeremy's college buddies - his turn to do some catching up. Times have changed and the lake just isn't what it used to be - kids added to the mix. But we made do and still managed to soak in the lake atmosphere and catch some rays. Seeing each other with careers and children makes you step back and see life has changed, and fortunately for the better. Kendyll enjoyed her first lake experience. She swam, but mostly ate and snacked. Her favorite part was driving the boat. Andrew rode the jet ski and swam like he was one of the fish. After a long day on the lake, you can image they both crashed and gave mom and dad adult time to have a few drinks and laughs. Good times and great memories.

What a great weekend!

Will It Ever Happen?

My house! Everyone told us from the beginning "no one ever has a good building experience." The nieve couple Jeremy and I are said to ourselves, it won't happen to us. Wrong! We go out and visit this awesome site every evening and it has become in my mind something that is untouchable. Will it ever happen? Will we ever move in and have a home of our own? I tell AJ everyday "we will be here soon," "all your stored toys in St. Louis will be here soon!" But sadly I am lying to him and to myself - I'm not sure when soon will be. So as of today this untouchable house is just a lonely house on a hill. Tomorrow is a new day full of blessings and hope that this beautiful empty house will soon be home sweet home!