Accent Vlog

This is SO far out of my comfort zone...so you guys better give me some love. :-)

In the video, just for you guys who might ask... I'm wearing:

Chantilly Lace Earrings

Hematite Link Chain Necklace

If you'd like to do an accent vlog - here are the details: 

The instructions are to say these words: Aunt, Route, Wash, Oil, Theater, Iron, Salmon, Caramel, Fire, Water, Sure, Data, Ruin, Crayon, Toilet, New Orleans, Pecan, Both, Again, Probably, Spitting image, Alabama, Lawyer, Coupon, Mayonnaise, Syrup, Pajamas, Caught

And answer these questions: 

• What is it called when you throw toilet paper on a house?

• What do you call the kind of spider that has an oval-shaped body and extremely long legs?

• What do you call your grandparents?

• What is the bug that when you touch it, it curls into a ball?
• What is the bubbly carbonated drink called?
• What do you call gym shoes?
• What do you say to address a group of people?

• What do you call the wheeled contraption in which you carry groceries at the supermarket?

• What do you call it when rain falls while the sun is shining?
• What is the thing you change the TV channel with?

 If you do join in, I'd love you to tell me in the comments... and also go over and post a link on Jenna's blog.  

 

Edited to add: Tyler wanted to say Hi!  

 

 

Remembering 9/11

Last night, we started watching the coverage on National Geographic about the events and perspectives of September 11, 2001. It's so hard to believe that the 10th anniversary of these attacks is coming up in a couple of weeks - when I can remember it just like it was yesterday.

I can tell you exactly where I was that morning, what I was doing when I heard... and the details of not being able to locate John because he was in a conference for work. I remember the days and weeks after the attacks - the emotions, the stories, the interviews, the magazines, the television, the patriotism, the heroism, the heart-break.

We watched the first episode of the series last night, and both John and I were amazed at how we were instantly taken back to those moments both in reality and emotion. It's crazy how much comes up that you don't expect. I got the same chills, nausea, and tears stinging my eyes that I did on the days that it was unfolding.

At the end of this particular episode - they mentioned Pearl Harbor. And suddenly it all connected for me. When people talk about Pearl Harbor around me (which I don't think has ever happened, but go with it) it really means nothing - it's just a date in history. A movie. A sad story that generations before me experienced.

Friends, September 11th is our Pearl Harbor. Our children will never understand what it was like to live through those days. They won't know what it felt like to watch it unfold on live television - watching the plane fly into the building... watching the towers crash to the ground... watching the aftermath. It will just be a date they have to remember for their history classes - but for us, it's a day that will live in our hearts and memories forever.

I shutter to think that September 11th was greater in magnitude and impact than Pearl Harbor was - for the speed of information involved and I think the size and complexity of the attack itself was on a larger scale. The feelings though of our country being under attack rings the same in both situations...

I am scared to think of what event might happen in the future that would become the infamous day that will define their generation. I would hope that they don't have one, but evil lives in this world... and it's unlikely that something large won't happen again. I hope and pray that it doesn't. I pray that for my children. I pray that for all of our children.

H is for... Hesitant

Adjective: Tentative, unsure, or slow in acting or speaking

When I saw this word today - I knew it was without a doubt one of my biggest character flaws. I'm one of the most hesitant people you'll ever meet. I worry about everything - mainly though, I don't worry about it from the perspective of how any choice would effect me... but how it changes the experience or outcome for everyone else. 

Does that make sense? It drives John crazy. But it is exactly who I am... I am hesitant about everything. Hesitant about making restaurant choices - because I'd rather the other person have what they want. Hesitant about speaking in front of people - because I don't want to say something wrong. Hesitant to say anything when I'm hurt or angry - because I don't want to create a fight. Hesitant to meet new people - because they may or may not like me. 

Its similar to being extremely shy - which is also a big part of who I am. I am incredibly shy and guarded - because I basically want to fade into the woodwork. At the same time, I am desperate to meet people - especially right now because I don't really know anyone around me. 

It makes John nuts that I worry so much about everyone else - and don't just do things. I've never been that girl though - I'm the girl that always sat in the back of the class and prayed (PRAYED) that I'd never get called on. I'd become physically ill if I did get called on... and it got even worse if I had to do any sort of presentation. 

I just am unsure about almost everything. The only place that I am NOT like that - is in my writing. Funny, I can sit behind a screen and be outgoing and lay it all out there. Things that I would NEVER say or attempt in front of live people... but somehow there is safety in "speaking my mind" in this place. I also don't really plan much on what I'm going to write about before it gets written - I just sort of write from my stream of conscious. So you'll notice I write with a lot of "..." which basically is me typing away and needing a minute to flush out my thought. (Just a little look inside the writer brain that I use)

Maybe it's because I've never really had anything other than love and support from folks out there - or maybe it's because there isn't anything unexpected that happens here. I'd 100% real and authentic... BUT, I don't have to deal with the unexpected or step out when I'm unsure. I can think things through before they go up here - and process to the best of my abilities. That doesn't happen face to face.

In the face to face world - I get flustered. Literally beyond anything most of you can imagine - if you put me on the spot... I will literally be unable to breathe. I have been in countless situations with people where I physically can't speak - can't get the words out... because I'm so flustered. I can't fight with people - because my mind goes blank and this "can't speak" stuff happens. 

It's all part of the CRAZY that is me... I am hesitant. I hesitate - and I miss out on a lot because of that.

Overcome with Tears

At church yesterday, I sort of fell apart. I held it together for a good long time - through Sunday School... but while standing in the sanctuary during Worship... I lost it. We were talking about grief and suffering in Sunday school, and I was listening to various people give their testimonies.

Well, somewhere along the way - it hit me. Just 2 years ago - I was going through some dark moments. Luckily God was there in a BIG way to get us through those days... I just haven't had a chance to sit back since that time and reflect. It's been one huge change and adjustment after the other - and that didn't leave me any time to think about where we've been.

This time in 2009 - we were rounding out the last of our fertility treatments with very little hope left of having a child naturally. Within the month of September, the doctor would tell us that there wasn't any hope with fertility treatments. They couldn't get me to produce an egg... so no amount of drugs would help with that situation.

We in turn told the doctors to stop treatments on the prompting of God, and turn in a different direction - adoption. We started the process in October of 2009... had a failed placement in February 2010... and in April 2010, we got our sweet baby James. On that very same day, literally. We signed the papers in the early afternoon - brought James home... and at 3AM - I took a pregnancy test.

When I tell you that I leaned on God in ways that I never would have imagined during those months - I don't think you can even understand. There I was in the fall of 2009, hearing the words that I feared the most... from the fertility specialist... and I didn't fall apart. Only by his grace, truly.

If anyone would have told me in October 2009 that by October 2010 - I would not only have 1 baby... but 2 - I would have thought you were crazy. I would likely have told you that too.

Thankfully, I have a prayer journal that I kept through those days in 2009 - and reading the emotion and seeing where I was at that time is amazing. I remember being incredibly angry with God, and crying out to Him - even yelling at Him some days. He's a big God, and can take it... the one thing I didn't do - I didn't run from Him. I let him have it - one way or the other. The glory was his, and the hurt was his as well.

So yesterday, I just was overwhelmed by the memories of the suffering we went through - and overcome knowing how much better God's plan was for our family than mine. I prayed for 8 years to have 1 baby... but within 6 months, I got two. The days right now are long and hard taking care of both of them... but the laughs are deep and joyous.

These two will drive me to the edge of reason, but bring me back with one smile or one giggle. I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world, and it's amazing looking back just a month or two in the past to see what they've learned and how quickly they grow! I know it'll feel like just a few seconds and they'll be starting school.

Friday Favorite - 2

Today's favorite is my friend Becky... we get to meet each other in October and I couldn't be more excited. Becky and I met when we were both going through our fertility struggles, and have maintained our friendship now that we have 3 little boys between the two of us. She is an incredible lady, and has been writing some really great stuff on her blog this week - go back and read her post about kitchens... she used them as a way to talk aobut something that plagues most of us... and did an outstanding job.

1)      Tell us a little bit about yourself:

           I am a 30 year old wife, new mom, & coffee junkie. I'm from Arkansas, but currently reside in Fort 
         Worth, Texas. I have an identical twin named Bonnie who is my best friend. I work full time and live for 
         the weekends...sometimes it's hard to manage it all, but with God I can do anything! I have a passion for 
         photography and love to take pictures

2)      Tell us your mission/goal for your blog:

     To keep in touch with my family back home and make new friends

3)      Tell us about your favorite post or your best inspiration:

I don’t really have a favorite post. It’s hard to choose because I’ve been blogging since 2006.  I am just happy to have my blog to look back on.

4)      Tell us one thing you can’t live without: (this could be animal, vegetable, or mineral – it’s up to you)

           Starbucks & chocolate – must I chose?

5)      Your favorite book, and why:

           Twilight series – I am an official “Twitard”

      6) Your favorite movie, and why:
 
           P.S. I Love You & The Family Man: I think both of these movies just make you think about life
           and  re-evaluate your own and where your priorities are.  They are great heart felt movies J

7)      Tell us something unique/funny/interesting about you:

I can squeak. It’s a family talent.  My Dad can squeak entire songs with his mouth.

8)      Tell us how we can find you to read for ourselves: (your blog address)

The Branches- http://www.terenceandbecky.com

Do you want in on this action? I'd love to feature you in this series... just email me (kbhawkins00 AT gmail DOT com) and I'll send you the survey to fill out. 

Thursday Things - Baby Feeding & Bonus

We are currently in the process of learning to feed ourselves (James) with utensils... he's been doing the finger food thing for a while - and after our trip to the pediatrician, it's time.

Speaking of that, did I give you their new stats? Let me do that first.

This guy weighed in at 24 pounds, and is 30 inches in length (when do they start calling it height?) - he's in the 10th percentile for height and 40th for weight. Poor kid is a shorty - which we don't notice so much until we put him in his 18 month pajamas... and I have to roll them up twice at the waist so he doesn't trip.

This guy weighed in at 21 pounds, and is 29 inches in length - he is in the 70th percentile for both height and weight. He has taken another battle up with the fireplace this week and scratched up his chin... earlier this month it was his nose... he is fearless. It's scary sometimes. He just gets right back up and goes. I swear he'd leap out of your arms if you'd let him.

Alright - so back to the feeding... Here are the products we use:

We use these Gerber toddler utensils for James right now, but I need to stock up on some more - or even try some new options. He is cracking me up with them though - he just sort of tosses it at me (mainly the fork) so that I can stab the food for him. If he has the spoon he just looks at me like "feed me woman" - it's a learning process. The spoons for toddlers kind of stink because there is no "well" to them - so the food just slides right off.

The other night - I gave him some yogurt to try, and the first spoonful plopped right on his belly... at which he just looked at me like "really?"... poor guy.

I've been using these Munchkin bowls for both boys cereal since they started eating it... they work well and are sturdy. Now, I wouldn't hand them one of them because it would go flying... but it works well for me to feed them from right now.

These Munchkin spoons are GREAT for baby food. I also have been known to use them with ice cream on occasion when the boys need a treat. I love that they're sturdy but flexible... and they come in a pack with lots of them!

We've become a sippy cup with a straw fanatic... so of  course I go to my favorite Munchkin line of products for these. We also use some Sesame Street ones... and John bought James a Sponge Bob one - but James doesn't like that one... hilarious because I'm not a fan of Sponge Bob. I actually picked up some of these today at Kroger for like $2 a piece! I just wish they had the green with the yellow... they only had blue and a purple with orange... 

I got a set of these bowls the other day at Walmart - they are Munchkin of course... but they have suction cups on the bottom - so that when James is trying to use his spoon or fork - it doesn't move on him. Now they do come loose, but I'm right there feeding Tyler - so I just push it back down. I plan to get another set or two because we go through all of them everyday - so a spare set would be nice, and Tyler won't be far behind.

I got these this week from my friend Kristen. They are a custom design from Little Laws Prints... but I love them! You could totally do this for your husband, children, or anyone else that you want to give a daily reminder of why you love them. You just frame it, and write your message right on the glass! LOVE IT! Kristen does such a great job... I just told her the colors of my kitchen, and that I was thinking of using their monogram... and she came up with these.

A closer look at Tyler's print... 

And here is James' print...

Lastly, I made the BEST new meal this week... you should check out my new "go to" crock pot recipe... Chicken Thighs with Olives, Tomatoes, and Orzo.

Houston vs Memphis

Some of you have asked (a while back... but whatever) how I like living in the Memphis area. I can say with certainty that it is different... with both good and bad aspects. I'm not sure that it'll ever be "home" - but it is where we're hanging our hats these days.

The pace is absolutely slower here - in every sense of the expression. No one is in a hurry to do anything here. I'm used to the fast paced big city - I mean Houston is the 4th largest city in the country - so you drive fast, talk fast, hurry through everything, and juggle 50 things at a time. Here, everyone is really laid back and it can be frustrating when you're trying to get something done. It's the most frustrating when you're trying to get something important completed... like say the 2 hours it took to get my kids their well child visits yesterday.

The technology is a bit behind in a lot of ways too. Which is kind of cool and surreal at the same time. I told a friend recently that it's sort of like stepping back 20 years or so in time. True story. In Houston, I'm thinking they've had the emission filters on the gas pumps for at least 15 years or so... and here - they don't have them. Granted, I've only really gotten gas once or twice... and it's been at the Kroger store near my house... so it might be an isolated incident, but in TX it's a huge deal.

Memphis isn't quick to update things either - meaning that our Sonic stores here have the same signs that they've probably always had. I guess in Houston the vogue thing to do is to always have the latest and greatest... update and upgrade are the words of the day there. Here it's quieter and slower to move to the newer technologies and remodels. It's sort of quaint in a way for staying true to the original - I just think that it's a little surprising to me that it's the big national chains too.

My life here is different than it was in Houston. I mostly worked downtown and had a good hour long commute everyday. Today, I rarely leave the area within a 10-15 minute radius of my house. Seriously, between my house and the freeway is about the extent of my travels. The farthest I've driven since I've been here has been to the church where our MOPS group meets. Which is about 18 miles from the house. I will make that drive every other Wednesday - which is funny to me when I used to drive 25 miles to work one way every single day. It's great though that I have a HUGE Expedition - and I haven't filled it up in a month! True story.

It may be a LOT slower... but I think it's a great place to have these boys. Everyone here is charmed by them... and they interact with these sweet southern voices very well. I think the slower pace will help me be able to keep up with life while taking care of them.

For me the funniest part of this whole deal is that I moved 10 hours north... and I NOW live in the south. HA!

G is for Giving

I love gifts. I think a lot of folks out there do, but for me - it's probably one of my love languages. I don't know for sure because whenever I take that test - I come up with about three different results that all weigh out equally.

When I say that I love gifts - they don't have to be expensive things. One of my favorite gifts of all time was a Christmas gift John gave me a few years ago. He gave me what was called "The 12 months of Christmas" - where I opened a gift on a certain day each month and it was a coupon for something. It might have been a date night, or a week of no laundry duty, a week of no kitchen duty... or anything in between. But it was one of the most thoughtful gifts I'd ever gotten.

As much as I love getting gifts - I get even MORE excited about giving gifts. I know this will be a problem in future years because the boys will learn my weakness and probably use it to their advantage. HA! I am the girl that takes forever to shop for a gift - but as soon as I find that perfect item for someone... I can't wait until the minute they get it. I want to give it to them instantly. I ALWAYS ask John if I can give him his gifts early. He never lets me... but I count down the minutes until I can see his face when he opens that gift.

I'm not that great at finding the good stuff for people - some folks out there have a knack for finding thoughtful items and are so much better at coming up with ideas... but I've got the market on being excited to give.

This extends outside of my family too - I would love nothing more than to bake a big bunch of goodies and leave them for all the neighbors. It's hard to do things like that these days because you can't be too careful with all the sickos out there. I hate that, because they take some of the simplicity and beauty out of being around people.

That goes for John and the kids though - or my family... I love spending time creating something yummy to share with them. It makes me happy to see them enjoy such things... cookies, brownies, cakes... candy... or even just dinner. It's hard right now because my time is limited to do such things, but as the boys get older - I can't wait to make homemade meals from scratch that will warm their hearts, minds, and souls when they get home from school.

My gift to them will be a full belly each night so they can relax and get ready for the next day. I try to do it as much as possible right now, but "quick" is the order of the day right now because they need constant attention and supervision.

I hope that when they grow up - they'll be a mixture of being great gift givers. Thoughtful gift givers like their Daddy, and take a love for gifting things that can't be bought as well. If I can raise them to understand that the women in their lives will melt if they did a load of laundry or cleaned the kitchen every once in a while. They thankfully will grow up watching their Dad do those very things, and I can only hope that it passes on to them.

For now, the one gift I'm so excited to receive in the future is for those cute little faces to look up at me and say: "I love you Mommy." I can't imagine any purchased gift that would top that. 

Expectations

The dynamics of our house have changed in the last couple of months, and in some ways - it's been difficult for me to navigate. Maybe this is normal growing pains for families in our situation, but then again... maybe not. When we moved, I officially became a stay at home Mom. At the same time, John's job changed.

Or at least it was the first time that I saw the reality of his new job - because for the first 6 months of  him working within his new responsibilities - I was in Texas and only saw him on the weekends. So when he was home, it was at a set time with a set pattern. Now that we're here in Memphis, the actual reality is that it's a bit different.

His responsibilities keep him at work longer hours than I'm used to, and with a much less predicable pattern than I'm used to. Meaning that I don't always know when he'll get home - and it's likely after the boys have had their dinner. (I acknowledge that they eat early... 5-5:30 PM) I hope to push their dinner time back a bit in the coming year so that when they are able to completely feed themselves - we can have a family sit down dinner together.

Anyway, I've struggled with these big changes - because I was used to a world where we carpooled together everyday - came home and got everything done together for the boys... and then relaxed together. Now, I'm so exhausted by the time he gets home - it's time to get the boys in bed, and I'm pretty much brain-fried by that point.

I was gently reminded that all this extra work and responsibility is the very reason that I am able to stay home with the boys now. Which is true, and I'm grateful for that - I guess really where my frustration lies is in the fact that I kinda miss hanging with John. Also, in the fact that I feel like I'm failing miserably at this stay at home Mom thing.

Not so much the Mom part... but the keeping a clean house, and all that goes with maintaining the house part. There are still some boxes - especially upstairs... and I just can't ever seem to get to it. I mean nap time is ridiculous - I have time for a shower, clean the kitchen, and a quick meal... then it seems like they're up again and I'm on duty.

I guess I need to get my expectations in check all the way around... especially with regards to what I can reasonably do while taking care of these two crazy men. I can't even leave the room without some near epic meltdowns... and that doesn't even take their safety (now that they are both mobile) into account.

Does everyone struggle with this? Am I just a horrible housekeeper? I'm making myself nuts!

Friday Favorites - 1

Here we are with our first in a series of introductions that I hope will bring about some new friendships and readers for all you lovelies out there.

We're starting and going in the order that these come in to me - the first one happens to be my friend Jenn. We met about 3 years ago... (HOLY COW!) and have become soul sistas. She has been there with me through thick and thin, and I am so grateful for her friendship. Things are different for us now - we used to talk all day everyday while getting through our jobs... but now my job keeps me away from the computer - chasing little tiny men around the house all day. Moving closer to her was one of the best perks of this whole moving to Memphis thing... so hopefully one day soon - you'll see pictures of us meeting in person!

With all that said... here we go:



1) Tell us a little bit about yourself:

On any given day in our house, there are 12 feet meandering about. No, we’re not The Partridge Family. It’s just my husband and I, Bella the Dog and Gizmo the Cat. We live an ordinary life in the burbs of St. Louis, working our 40 hours to make ends meet. Nothing fancy, but there’s usually an abundance of love, laughter and good food.


2) Tell us your mission/goal for your blog:

First and foremost, to point people to Jesus Christ and to share my love of Him with all who read. My secondary “goal” is to share photography and editing tips/resources. It’s my other great passion these days, so on any given day of blogging, there’s a good chance I’m writing about one or the other. 

3) Tell us about your favorite post or your best inspiration:

I can’t pin-point one post as my favorite; I lean heavily toward any that are faith-related. As for inspiration, I’m sure you can probably guess that my relationship with God certainly brings out some of my best writing! 

4) Tell us one thing you can’t live without: (this could be animal, vegetable, or mineral – it’s up to you)

Gosh, just one thing? I’ll take the less traveled road here and say my husband’s cooking. Which is a-ma-zing!!

5) Your favorite book, and why:

Again, going with the less obvious answer here. Happiness is a Warm Puppy by Charles Schulz. It was from a series of novelty books written by the author of the Peanuts comic strip. I had the book as a child, but it got lost somewhere amid all the moves I made. I was reunited with a mint condition copy that I found at a used book store in Wooster, Ohio many years ago. I dug around on shelves, high and low, eventually finding this one, along with some others in the series, on the bottom shelf. 

6) Your favorite movie, and why:

Okay, I can’t narrow this to just one. I have two front-runners – Dirty Dancing and Steel Magnolias. Dirty Dancing for obvious reasons – Patrick Swayze goes without a shirt in much of the movie! I love Steel Magnolias because it can make me laugh and cry every single time. It’s about the kind of friendships I hope I have when I’m 60-something. And goodness knows that Shirley Maclaine’s zingers in the movie are priceless:

M'Lynn: Oh Ouiser, Drum would NEVER point a gun at a lady!

Ouiser Boudreaux: Oh! He's a real gentleman! I bet he takes the dishes out of the sink before he PEES in it!

7) Tell us something unique/funny/interesting about you:

When I was a child, I had a real affinity for carpeting (still love the “new carpet smell” to this day). One of the homes I lived in had gold shag carpeting. I used to play in my walk in closet by myself; it was my “salon”. I would treat the carpet as if it was hair – washing it (shampooing too, of course), putting gel in it and even cutting it. There was a section of carpet that was completely destroyed by the time we moved out of that house! The things kids do…if I ever had kids, we’re going to live in a home with wood floors, in case they get passed down momma’s love of carpet! I’m pretty sure that covers all 3 – funny, interesting and definitely unique! 

8) Tell us how we can find you to read for ourselves:

http://bluuhippo.wordpress.com


Do you want in on this action? I'd love to feature you in this series... just email me (kbhawkins00 AT gmail DOT com) and I'll send you the survey to fill out. 

Thursday Things - Toy & Organization

Today, lets talk about James' newest favorite toy... I mean the kid brings it to me constantly to play with him and he's only known about it for 2 days!

I bought this toy from a Tupperware consultant before we moved, and tucked it away because I didn't think the boys were ready to play with it. Well, it came out this weekend... and James LOVES it. He brings it to me about 5,000 times a day to open and help him put the stuff back in. He can get the circle in by himself... but he'd rather take the pieces and run away with them most of the time.

And we can also talk about MY new toy... my Erin Condren Life Planner - it's amazing. AH.MA.ZING! It's got these fabulous tabs for each month - it goes through December of 2012. It's huge, but so well designed.

In the front it has a section where you can list special dates... 

Then is has pages like this for each week - and breaks the days into morning, day and night. LOVE that! 

There are some really fun stickers you can use to mark birthdays, pedicures, spa days... and all sorts of things in between. There are also some sheets of blank stickers for your own use.

In the back there is a fabulous clear pocket envelope that you can use to keep special things handy... and a pocket folder that can be used to keep stationary, stamps and coupons right at your disposal too.

One thing is for sure these days, it takes a lot of planning and organization to keep us where we belong... so I'm grateful for this planner!

F is for Friends

Growing up... my sisters were much older and for reasons beyond all of our control - we didn't live together. So the three of us (there is a 4th sister now and a brother - but they came when I was 25... story for another day) weren't close as children. They are also quite a bit older than I am - which is irrelevant now, but when you are young 6 and 9 year age differences can be a lifetime.

At any rate, my friends sort of took over a family role for me growing up. They were the ladies I bounced everything off of - my kindred spirits and most trusted confidants. We did everything together... talked on the phone constantly (those of you that know me now... will find that funny.)... shared everything... and so much more. If you had asked me before high school graduation - those girls would have been by my side for the rest of my life. I had a good close knit group of friends... I think there were 10 of us that hung out constantly - a balanced mix of 5 girls and 5 guys that were just best friends.

I look back almost 16 years later... and I only hear from a couple of them on rare occasion through Facebook. Life happens and your friends change... circumstances change... and you move on. For those of you lucky enough to have friends from your elementary school days as adults - consider yourselves amazingly lucky. I'm in awe of relationships like that. For me, it was never in the cards because we moved quite a bit when I was really young.

I have a couple of good friends from my college days that I can still count as being in the mix. But the majority of my closest friends have come from the last 5-6 years... once we joined a church. Beyond that - some of the most amazing women I know have come into my life in the same respect as the friends I had in high school... and I've never even laid eyes on them. I feel like I've known them for years... shared some of my deepest darkest days with them - but yet... we just have never been in the same room together.

Some of my family - and probably others - think I'm completely nuts for putting myself out there like this... but I'm telling you... I've met some of the most AMAZING women through blogging. I didn't start out with that goal in mind - not even in the least. I started this blog in July 2007 as a journal of sorts and a way to provide a constant "mass email" of sorts for family on my journey through weight loss surgery. It has morphed into my journal on infertility, faith, adoption, pregnancy, motherhood, marriage, and so much more. I really enjoy getting to write... so I don't intend on ever stopping.

I initially wanted this post to be a little different. I wanted to introduce you to some of the women that I read on a daily basis and love so much. I read their blogs, tweet with them, and Facebook with them... we truly are a community - but lets just say that the sinus infection is kicking me right now. I am in bed, while John is taking care of the boys... I am desperately trying to get well so that we don't miss our first MOPS group meeting tomorrow.

All that being said - I used to do a really fun series where I had a survey that other bloggers could fill out and introduce their blog to my readers... a way that we can all get to know each other better and maybe meet some new friends in the process. I want to do that again... so let me invite you to email me if you're interested (kbhawkins00 AT gmail DOT com) if you are interested. I will email you the survey and will start posting a new friend weekly... start emailin' ladies!

Mother's Day Out

The post title is much more glamorous than the actual day was... but I wanted to write about the boys first day back at Mother's Day Out for the school year. They moved up to "Crib 2" this fall - I don't know that there is much difference, but they do have a few more toys for the mobile crowd.

Our entry into the building was much like meet the teacher night - the moment we entered the door, James started to cry. It's so sad, but I guess just proves that my boy needs a little time away from Mom. So, lets just say that the teachers knew we were coming LONG before they saw us.

I've known for a while to keep the "goodbye" short and sweet when the separation anxiety hits, so a quick kiss and hand off was the mission of the moment. I'm pretty sure that by the time I handed their bags and Tyler off - he was on to bigger and better things with the other teacher, but I didn't stick around long enough to let the water works start again.

If they had a place I could sneak in and watch them play - I would love to do that, but their room backs up to a restroom and there just isn't anywhere to peak in other than the door. While the boys played and got worn out... I had 5 hours to myself.

Initially, I made plans with our neighbor across the street to go get a pedicure and grab some lunch... but by the time the day actually came - neither of us could muster up the energy to go. Her boys started school a couple days before MDO started again... and the adjustment wasn't going so hot.

She ended up taking a nap, and I literally did nothing. No nap. (Dummy) No television. (Kinda nice) No book. (Dummy) No crying. (Kinda Nice)

I pretty much just did some research on the net, got signed up for Weight Watchers online... wrote a blog post... and that's about it. Crazy how fast the time goes - even when you do nothing. I really should have taken the opportunity to take a nap. If I don't go out with the neighbor this week - I'm totally doing it. John is working both days next weekend - so I'll need every second of extra rest and patience.

When I picked up the boys - I learned that they are both really good eaters. Tyler is a cuddly guy and James didn't nap AT.ALL. He was happily playing when I arrived though - but the second he saw me - he was done. I loaded up my motley crew and hiked to the car. Once we were all in - I headed home. By the time we got to the house, James was in a daze. Poor guy.

So I took both of them upstairs - knowing that James was in desperate need of a nap - and Tyler was down 1 nap from his normal routine... and they slept until about 5. The next morning - they slept until 9AM and were back down for naps by 10:30... at which time they slept until 1. Tyler took another nap at 3... but I kept James up for fear of how bedtime would go.

This week we've got three days in a row where we have somewhere to be by 9AM... so it could get interesting. We've got MOPS (Mothers of PreSchoolers) on Wednesday from 9-12; MDO on Thurs from 9-2:30; and on Friday they've got well-child exams at 9AM. It'll be crazy, but hopefully they'll adjust well and have a good time meeting new friends.