Gumit

Braxton: "Mom, why did you call daddy a 'gumit'?"
Me: "A what?"
Braxton: "A gumit! Why'd you call dad that? Were you just being silly?"

Braxton overheard me say "Dad gumit!" a few minutes earlier. As I sit here thinking about it I'm not sure what it means exactly, but I picked it up growing up in Arkansas. I think it's in lieu of saying a bad word.

Our Little Pumpkin

Our little pumpkin is turning one next Friday!! It is so hard to believe that Nash came into this world a year ago. Time has gone by way too fast! For Nash's first birthday we are keeping it simple. Not a whole lot of "hoopla" this go 'round. Since his birthday falls on Nov. 2, we are having a pumpkin theme. I used the above picture for his invitation and wrote, "A year full of laughter, blessings, and fun. Our little pumpkin is turning one." And yes, I took that picture!! I was very proud of myself to get such a good shot.:) We are having family and a few friends over for lunch.....I'm thinking either taco soup or vegetable beef stew. I haven't decided yet, but it will be something comforting to eat! I'm making little sandwiches for the kids in the shape of pumpkins. If you have seen the November issue of "Family Circle" magazine I am going to try making those little pumpkin cakes on the front. If I am successful, then you will see a picture of it next week! I love party details! I'm working on the rest of the details and trying to keep the cost to a minimum, hence the "not a lot of hoopla". I'll post again about Nash and his first birthday after all is said and done. Man, I can't believe my baby is turning one!!

Answered Prayer

I know I shouldn't be "surprised" when God answers my prayers, but it sure does throw me back when he answers them so clearly. For the past 5 years Steve and I have been on a financial roller-coaster....what family hasn't though, right? I feel like sometimes I am fake in the sense of trying to keep up with the Jones....all smiles, kids dressed cute, dinner out with friends, and yet our pocket books are bone dry. Is the saying "money can't buy happiness" really just a saying....Steve and I have often said that yes, it could bring a little happiness to our family. Please don't think I'm being superficial. I'm not talking about eternal happiness or the joy my sweet boys bring me on a daily basis. I'm talking about the happiness it could bring a four year old when mommy says, "Yes, you can have a treat at Target." I'm talking about the peace of mind my husband and I would have knowing that our bills are paid on time. I talking about not having to make the decision of "which bill gets paid today?" and "which one can wait until next time?"

Steve and I have dabbled with Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover in the past, but it's time to get serious. We have had some extremely hard conversations recently about "what to do next." There are things to cut back on, luxuries to cancel, and items to sell. My sweet Braxton wants a puppy and said to me yesterday, "Mommy, we could sell the vacuum and get a puppy." Those little ears hear it all!

Going back to my initial reason for this post.....God answering my prayers. I was in tears yesterday over Halloween costumes...silly I know, but when you are watching every penny everything counts! We have our Fall Festival at church tonight and the kids needed to dress up. Well, today God heard me and chose to remind me that he cares about the little things. We found a cute spider costume for Nash at Kid-to-Kid for only 8 bucks. Then I went to Toys-R-Us to hunt down a Spiderman costume for Braxton. I had a $10 gift card and thought that if I could find one for $20 or so then I'd only spend about $10 of our own money. Genius I know! Well, I found the costume and went to check out. The lady rang it up, took my card, and told me what my balance was. Are you ready for this??? $2.15!!!!! Yes, 2 dollars! It was on sale. So that's a total of $12.15 out of our own pocket for Halloween.

Thank you God for showing me that you care about the simple things in my life and the joy a costume brings to my preschooler. Thank you for reminding me that you are in control and that everything's going to be alright.

Come Home Please....

Once again I have been a single mom for the past 6 days. I have not enjoyed it. I have no desire to ever be a single mom, BUT I must admit I've got the juggling down. Steve returns from England tomorrow. Yay! We were counting down the days, now we have moved on to counting down the hours. Daddy is always missed when he is gone, but especially this week. Here's why.....

Tuesday - Nash wakes up at midnight vomiting.
Wednesday - Nash feels better, so we run a few errands. He eats well and "acts" normal.
Thursday - Because Nash feels better we all go to school.....
Thursday Night - Nash had 2 cases of diarrhea, and vomits all over the front porch as I was talking to our neighbor. She kindly let Braxton play with her daughter for a while so I could clean up. Guess we shouldn't have gone to school.
Friday - My sweet friend Ashley and her 2 girls drove up from The Woodlands to see us. (Yes, I did warn her about the puke. But because Braxton was showing zero symptoms we thought it was okay.)
Friday Night - Braxton wakes me up "Mommy, my tummy hurts." Braxton vomits at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 and so on until about 7:00 in the morning. Add a few cases of the big "D" in there as well.
Saturday - Ashley and girls head back home. We were all so sad their trip was cut short due to puke. Another friend, also named Ashlee (different spelling) came over and brought me lunch and a fun magazine b/c I was stuck in the house with sick kids.
Sunday - Nash had diarrhea again after I fed him yogurt....shouldn't have gave him yogurt. Today I also realized that Nash's birthday is in 2 weeks and I have done NOTHING to prepare. This is soooo not like me and I have hit panic mode. Steve's birthday is Wednesday, but he's in England while my house is being invaded by puke so he gets nothing.
Monday - I am washing sheets, disinfecting, getting ready for school tomorrow, making birthday invitations, and folding the huge mound of laundry on the sofa.

Do I like being single with 2 sick ones? Absolutely not! Other than dealing with sick children, Braxton was sent to time out way too many times, Nash was left to cry for a little bit long, and I think once again I only took 2 showers while my husband was away. Come home please....

Leadership

How many four year olds walk around the house saying this quote?

"Leader........ship. The word leader is hidden inside the word leadership."

Well, that is my son's new 'thing' to say. Steve got a card for bosses day that opens and talks to you. It has the character Michael from "The Office" on the cover and his thoughts are belted out about leadership when you open it. Braxton has been carrying this card around all week listening to Michael...he's got it down pat and can do a pretty good impersonation.

A flap-a-what?

Braxton, "Mom, the only dinosaur I don't have is a flapasaurus."
Me, "A what?"
Braxton, "A dino with wings. You know, a flapasaurus."

May he never call it anything else....

A few birthday pics...

Dinosaur cupcakes. Yummy! Braxton loves dinos!

Our sweet boy is 4! Happy Birthday Braxton!

We had a great time at the party! Braxton's favorite gift was the Imaginext Castle complete with knights and dragon. He also got an overload of dinosaurs...our house has been invaded!

Gansta Nash

Angels

What Braxton has to say about angels......

"Do you think there are angels on top of all the cars protecting them?"

"MOM!!!! Move your bags out of the front seat! That's where the angel is sitting."

"When the angels are watching us, does God go away?"

For he orders his angels to protect you wherever you go.Psalm 91:11

First School Project

Braxton brought home his first school project a few weeks ago. Yes, he is only 4. And Yes, he has projects!! His project was to decorate a little man with all of his favorite things. A note was attached saying "let your child do most of the work"...."direct as needed". As a teacher I always rolled my eyes at projects my students brought from home and said "Yeah right, they did this all by themselves?!" Well, he was bored within a few minutes and on to something new so mommy took over...he's only 4 remember? He did choose the paper and the items to put on his shirt. He also told me where to put eveything. The shirt contains all the things Braxton loves....a cross for Jesus, dinosaurs, fruit, cupcakes, space, cars, Googles (his Webkinz pet), and baseball to name a few. The shoes are camo because he wears his camo crocs everywhere he goes. The pants are "tools" because he loves to build things. And of course we had to have a big picture of his sweet face to top it off! I'm sure this will not be last project he brings home or the last one mommy "helps with". :)

My Sweet Braxton

4 years ago today my sweet Braxton was born. Weighing in at 8 lbs. 12 oz. and 21 1/2 inches long...what a chunk of love. I can't believe I have a 4 year old! He has been so big all day today saying, "Mommy, is this something a four year old person can do?" For example, "Can a four year old comb his own hair?", "Can a four year old butter his own bread?" Mr. Independent all of a sudden....exciting and sad all at the same time. I miss my baby! "Don't look at me mom." is heard way too often these days. Although he is trying to be a big boy he still needs momma to wipe, to tuck him in, to make his breakfast, and to help clean the playroom. He will ALWAYS be my firstborn, my little "bumble bee". I love you Braxton! Happy Birthday!

Sick Babies and Identity Theft?

The past few days have been a bit crazy....I took Nash to the doctor yesterday and found out my sweet baby has a double ear infection. Yuck! This morning Braxton woke up with a fever and big ole' red tonsils, so we took another trip to the doctor. I am usually not one to rush to the doctor just for a fever, BUT Braxton is having his big 4 year old party this weekend and I wanted to nip it in the bud whatever it was. Well, on the way to the doctor's office my poor, poor Braxton starts throwing up. Yuck again! He has a virus that will just have to run it's course. No strep, thankfully, but then again I kinda wish there was a diagnosis so we could take care of it with meds. We are praying he is all better by Saturday so he can enjoy his party. It looks like I will be taking my first day off of work tomorrow to stay home with the kids. Nash would be fine to go, but I think I better keep Braxton home. :( I want him all well before his birthday party!

My e-mail at home has not been working. It keeps saying that my password does not match. I have not changed my password and my husband has not either....it makes me worried about identity theft. Could someone, somehow have changed it and has been checking my e-mail? Steve is calling the company today and getting it all taken care of. Weird! So, if you have gotten an e-mail from me within the last 2 days....it's not really from me.

While you were out....

Here are a few thoughts, revelations, and happenings while Daddy was out...

1. I like to sleep in the middle of the bed.
2. We need a bigger bed so I can do that.
3. You cannot wash a fluffy comforter in a regular sized washing machine.
4. Now we need a new comforter.
5. My baby is growing too fast...he can stand and feed himself.
6. I don't like that my baby is growing.
7. Please don't grow up!
8. We ate too many "corny" dogs this week.
9. Braxton said, "Come here Mommy, let's snuggle."
10. Our purchase at Hobby Lobby was a crow...in a pink dress...for the front yard.
11. Sometimes it's easier to just buy the crow than argue with a 4 year old.
12. It's spooky to me to take a shower when I'm home alone.
13. So I only took 2 this week.
14. Getting two kids and myself ready for school as a single mom is a bit tough.
15. It wouldn't be tough if I could stroll in around 10:00.
16. I have a new cell phone number.
17. It used to belong to someone else b/c I keep getting phone calls and texts.
18. So I called a guy and told him I couldn't help him in picking up the radios...he may want to try his friend again.
19. My four year old needs to learn to wipe himself.
20. But not with his bare hands!

That'll do it! Our week in a nutshell. We are so glad that Daddy is coming home this evening.

I'm Still Here

I just realized that it has been almost 7 whole days since my last post. Whoa Nellie....I better get my head in the game! :) My sweet hubby has been in Atlanta all week so I've been flying solo. I am definitely not meant to be a single mom. I need my man to rescue me everyday at 5:00. Well, more like 5:30-5:45. Is anyone's husband every really home by 5:00? If so, then sign mine up for that job!!! I have not been on the computer as much this week since he has been gone. I sure have a lot of catching up to do with all my fellow bloggers! The boys and I have been laying low for the past few days....school, home, errands. That's about it. Braxton and I had "Taco Lame-o" for dinner. (That's Bueno for all of you who don't speak "Braxton".) I realized that it gives me heartburn so I'm gonna lay off the grande tacos. I'm headed to the couch now for a night of good T.V. Hmmmm, which one shall I tape? Grey's or The Office. 'Cause I gotta see them both.