Who Knew?

I knew being a Mom was going to be the most important thing I would do in my life, the most challenging, the most heartfelt, wonderful thing I would ever do. I just never thought about how amusing it would be! My kids are hilarious! It's like a comedy show over here everyday, Paul and I never stop laughing or giving each other "the look" when one of them says something so fantastically cute! I truly feel like it's something everyone in the world should experience...the mind of a child is so innocent, pure and unfiltered, in the most wonderful way. Here are some of the funny's we've gotten a good laugh out of..... Reece: "Has Penn's brain grown in his head yet"? When he was getting a flu shot, "Maybe I'll cry or maybe I have one tear run down my face or maybe I'll zero cry." Violet: "I can't go up to bed, my legs don't work." When Ivy was crying the car and we couldn't stop, "I wish I could something to make her happy." In the most concerned sweetest voice(my heart melted)! "Remember, yesterday a long time ago I was sick and I got to watch TV all day?" Penn: He's still learning to talk but some of his favorites are: "Don't want it!" "Oh, man!" "I did it!" and he's a huge fan of singing...he sings the last word of each sentence very loud and enthusiastically! Ivy: We'll she's mostly silent because she's the sweetest most content baby but when she's tired and wants to fall asleep she babbles really loud!

I'm baaaack!

Yes,those of you who check in with me every once in a while I am back. I have been working on a long post that was to cover the last 10 months but I started to feel so overwhelmed by that task so I decided that I am just going to start with today! I can't forget to mention our new addition to the family since my last post....

Miss Ivy Faye! She was born June 25th at 10:30 am weighing in at 8.5. She's perfect and the such a wonderful addition to our family. The kids have all adjusted perfectly and are so loving! I am also going to post more pics of the last year so you can get up to snuff on what's been happening!

FEEEEWWWW! That's a lot of stuff! But look out for more regular posts, I'm glad to be back.

Tradition

I feel like it's been forever since I've blogged. I think I've had writers block (like I can actually call myself a writer!) but anyway my mind has been cloudy. I am busy with kids, a business and just life in general and it seems like yesterday was Halloween but I am staring Christmas in the face and feeling like if I blink it will be the new year.

So all this said, I am sitting here in the kitchen listening to Chris Tomlin's Christmas CD and Holy Night is on. This song reminds me of my Fifi (my maternal Grandmother) and everyone that I'll be missing this Christmas. Last night was Bible Study and our small group leader asked us all what our favorite tradition has and continues to be around this time of year and to be honest I was sad to say that my favorite tradition is no longer, it was taken away five years ago and it's really heartbreaking to think about. Since I can remember, we would go to my Dad's side of the family on Christmas Eve. The day started with fried fish appetizers, then onto salad, then pasta followed by the most crab legs anyone could ever eat! Then it was fruit, nuts, cookies, and cake. After our food extravaganza, Santa (my Dad's childhood best friend dressed up) would show up to distribute presents. Then last but not least, my cousins and grandma would make homemade pizza (at 12am). The ride home was spent bundled up in the back seat with Jen looking out the window at all the Christmas lights. Sometimes we would even stop at a house that went all out with Christmas lights and decorations and get out of the car to look in the windows. What a wonderful memory I will cherish for the rest of my life. Over the years things changed as we got older but sInce my Dad died five years ago it's never been the same.


For years, I never understood why the holidays would depress people but I think I understand now. As you get older things change, traditions are lost and it can make things different which in turn can make you sad. But I am not going to let myself be sad, I am going to start a new tradition that will be special for my kids, one that they will be able to hold on to. I haven't found it yet, but I'm not going to give up, I will find something that will bring that same feeling of joy and magic that I had when I was a kid.

My sweet Penn

My baby boy is 1. A year ago I was waddling around with a big belly wondering who was in there kicking me and now he's waddling around and kicking me while I change his diapers. He is a true joy, the sweetest baby...maybe my sweetest yet!? Some of the things I love about this guy:

He is a thumb sucker, the minute he was born he was sucking his thumb. Right in the delivery room!

He loves anything soft and the minute he feels something soft, his thumb goes in his mouth! One day I caught him laying on the floor balancing on a stuffed animal pig sucking his thumb!

He likes books, when its time for bed and we sit in the chair he looks right over to the books because he loves to lift the flaps and smack the pages.

He loves his brother's matchbox cars, airplanes and helicopters. He sits and uses his little pointer finger to turn the wheels or propellers until another toy entices him.

He waves his hands in the air when he sees you getting his food ready, it's very exciting!

Every time I use the microwave he thinks I'm making a meal for him.

He likes to push anything with wheels. If I put him down on the ground somewhere he'll find something with wheels so he can push it around.

I love, love, love him!

A Full Month

We've been manufacturing for a full month now. Paul worked everyday in September, it was a brutal month trying to catch up with the orders placed months ago but he (and 2 employees) did it and now orders are on a much more manageable lead time.

I'm working 3 days a week, it was tough at first because I didn't want to leave the kids but I am starting to really enjoy it. I am learning quickbooks, sitting in on meetings with our dealer and learning all that goes into manufacturing a wood door.

Here are some pics of the shop. It's really shaping up!

My blanket boy

Wedding Pics