Sure we get clothes for cheap and we know about the sales ahead of time....but we also have to deal with things like black Friday! I have been so hard on the hubby about all his hours this week. I don't do my best to understand why he works what he works and I think I want him to feel guilty about it. Well the Lord kinda yelled at me last night...I wouldn't call it yelling...I got a stern talking to. I so easily forget that my husband could not have a job, or his could be the only job in our house. I forget that without his job we wouldn't have health care, without his job we couldn't buy food and gas. I think its so easy to complain about what's wrong with our lives when we should just be thankful that we have the life we have, things could be completely different!

So since I had my "talking to" last night, I guess God decided to cut me a break tonight. Richard's closing tonight, and its just me and Noah and the dogs. If you know my child, he doesn't sit still for anything, he doesn't cuddle, he is always in motion (unless Blue's Clues is on). Well tonight he crawled up in my lap and kept saying "Daddy?" My heart breaks because Richard's not here and is missing this. And I explain Daddy's at work, and Noah keeps on "Daddy?" pointing at the front door, the firefighter hat Richard puts on, the bedroom...and I just start crying because I wish so bad he was here. That sweet child looks me in the eyes rubs my cheek and says "k?" I think he was asking me if I was okay or telling me it would be ok...who knows, but that sent my heart through the roof and I knew we'd be "k". He continued to sit in my lap for the next 15 minutes and just babbled on and rubbed my cheek. Even pointed to the tears and said "cry". It was over quickly but it was the most fantastic 15 minutes I've had in a while.

People get so caught up in Black Friday, that they forget there is actually a holiday in there to celebrate what you are thankful for. Personally I don't care for black Friday...I'm told as Noah gets older and wants things I will...but I doubt it. I think its ridiculous my husband has to be at work at 1am...but I'm happy he has a job to go to and I guess if people weren't so crazy about black Friday then my husband wouldn't be doing well at his store. So I'll be thankful for black Friday...but mostly thankful for my family and the moments where a 17 month old can look into your soul and let you know its all gonna be "k".

Happy Thanksgiving!

Please don't call CPS on us...he put that bucket on his head on his own and there is plenty of extra space in it. You should see these two with their "hats" while they march around the house...Noah loves to "mars" (march).

It was just one of those days! One of those days where I look in the rear view mirror at my child and all I can think is "thank you Lord". Thank you for the blessing of being a mother....of course I'm saying this as Noah is now crying "more" at me because he wants more cheerios...but I still think I'm blessed! My mom came and watched Noah last night so that Richard and I could go on a date - it had been a while! We went to see Leeland, Brandon Heath and Francessca Batestelli. Wonderful concert and so good to see so many people come together and praise the Lord...but still dance and rock out. I'm so not used to seeing that, but it does my heart good! So mom spent the night and kept Noah with her today. They came and saw me for lunch at work and brought me some chic-fila..mmmm. Noah was introduced to "the sauce" and he's hooked...you would know what "the sauce" is if you grew up in the spotsylvania mall - oh excuse me, town center! Anyway, they came back at the end of the day and Noah just ran and smiled and played with the kids who were still at my school. I love watching him play (nicely since that doesn't always happen) with other kids. I love watching everything he's learned and listening to those crazy words that come out of his mouth. I love watching him try to run and try to throw balls. I love watching my mom be a grandmother. And in that moment I'm overwhelmed and just have to say "thanks" or as Noah would say "anks". I'm sure I'll never know why I've been given the life I'm given, or the blessings I have, but I love that the Lord has a plan for me and I love all the little blessings He's included in that plan.

So some other updates in our Ark....

Noah got his first hair cut! I let go of my anal ways and let Daddy take him. They went to the real barber shop!! Noah cried the whole time, but Daddy did a good job and remembered the lock of hair and the picture!
How handsome he is! (please note cheerios in hand - I owe my sanity to the cheerios company!)

Halloween also came around - nice and rainy! Noah refused to wear his monkey costume. He cried when we came near him with it...soo this was our back up. Thanks to a bag of handmedowns, FrankenNoah made an appearance at Halloween! This is Noah and his cousin Mason...cutest frog ever!

Noah's not the only one who got a hair cut, momma got a new do too! Not that you can see it all that well in this picture...but it's chopped!

A million other things are happening in our world and there are a million other things to be thankful for! So much to keep up with, but I surely wouldn't have it any other way!

Hidden Camera?

Do you ever wonder if someone is secretly filming you and and laughing at the chaos in your house??? I had this random thought this afternoon as I was trying to wash dishes. Noah has this new ability to forget how to walk once we enter our house. He stands there arms raised just crying "moms"....I don't know if I'll ever get to be "mommy". Yesterday he refused to walk up the sidewalk with me unless I carried him...so he stood there in the drive way crying...while I'm trying to carry all the crap we have in the house. I'm sure my neighbors think I'm torturing him....of course once I get to the door, the dogs come barreling out, run into Noah and now he's crying because he fell down....so know I have to pick him up because I feel bad he fell down and he wins...he gets carried. Tonight I was attempting to wash dishes after dinner....once again Noah's super powers take over and he needs to be picked up...so we pull some pans out to bang so mommy can wash. Those aren't fun tonight though....what is really fun is walking between Mommy's legs while she's washing dishes. Side note....this is fun when Daddy's home because Daddy has long legs...newsflash...Mommy has short legs. So Noah doesn't fit...but if I don't let him through I then have to listen to the 10th breakdown of the night....so I give in. I'm washing dishes, lifting my leg for Noah to walk though, trying to keep my balance, and cracking up because as he walks though he keeps banging into the cabinets. We did this for a good 10 minutes....and this is when I thought "there's gotta be someone somewhere watching this cracking up while they quietly wash dishes."

Then for an encore of our performance I decided we were going to make Halloween cards for everyone. So we break out the paint and go at it. Noah for the first time ate the paint...it was non toxic...don't worry, he then painted his chest (he had white nipples) and then we managed to get some paint of the cards. Then he got mad because I wouldn't give him the markers and we had meltdown #...well I've lost count at this point!

The saving grace of my evenings alone with Noah is bath time...oh how that child loves a bath. Daddy has gotten him started on "bubbles" in the bath tub...once again Mommy isn't as good as Daddy at bubbles, so Noah tonight took it upon himself to splash away to make bubbles like daddy....needless to say, we both took a bath.

But what I hope a hidden camera sees is that quiet moment at bedtime, when I do get to read to him and he actually sits still and listens....that's the moment that makes everything worth it. Tonight was extra special because I got a "love you" when I laid him down. That's the moment you praise the Lord for all the blessings in your life and get over all the other stuff that's gone wrong in your day and realize just how blessed your are!

This has nothing to do with this post, but I just found it and it made me laugh. This is a bridal shower I dragged him to....doesn't he look thrilled! That's my buddy!

Fun with Frogs

One of Noah's favorite things to do is go "ou-si" that's outside in Noah language. He loves it to the point that he gets your shoes for you, puts them on you, grabs your hands and drags you to the door. Outside adventures are always a blast, you never know what Noah will discover and become fascinated by. This particular night the swing was our source of entertainment

Of course this was until Daddy discovered a frog

Lately we've been discovering eyes and noses on everyone...and the frog was no exception.

Apparently this was a really funny frog!!
Kiss the frog goodnight! Oh how I love this kid and being a mom! Makes you slow down and appreciate little things like wiggly frogs!!

Trash Pick Up

Noah's newest job skill is trash collector. I'm not sure where he picked up the word trash or figured out where the trash cans are. But this morning I have been dragged to the door where the trash can is numerous times to open it so Noah can throw away trash. He's letting me know how dirty my house is...thanks Mr. Man! Thinking I'll find him his own trash can so I don't have to keep moving...it is Labor Day and all, and I don't plan on laboring one bit!

Looking Back

How do you not just eat him up?!?!? This is the devious face, the I'm about to do something face...the something was tickling mommy's belly or in Noah babble my "ba". This is my blessing! On Sunday preacher said it's only with the Grace of God that I am where I am....Amen! What a gracious God to put my in this place with such a great child and great husband and loving family. I look back at all the complaining I have done over the past month about cars and such and realize that I should chill on the complaining and be thankful for what I do have, be thankful for my situation and my life!

It's not about where you are in life, it's about what you do while you are there!

I'm back....

at work! I know I'm back at work because we haven't eaten a "real" planned dinner in two weeks now, because I'm currently doing 3 loads of laundry on a Sunday, my house is a wreck, I haven't been on facebook in two days, I have pictures on my camera that I haven't taken off in a month and my poor dogs were eating treats for dinner because we were out of dog food! I do love being back at work though...I love seeing the kids and how much they've grown, I love watching Kindergartners discovery of all things school. Noah is back in day care full time and having a wonderful time. Last week he worked on numbers 1-5....he's brilliant! This is why I love his daycare, its like preschool for a one year old! He's currently whipping out words like he's known them forever! He said his cousin's name last weekend, and at the moment is asking me "up please" he would like to type too!
Went and saw Sugarland and Keith Urban last week....love love love Sugarland, they are fabulous...Keith wasn't so bad either! The best part was being with my two best friends, my mom and little sister!
Best news of all, we finally bought a car! It took all day yesterday, a whole lot of driving, tears and prayers, but we did it! I won't go into a million details, but let's just say I am amazed daily at people and I never wish to go car shopping again! Nothing against car salesmen...It just took me all day to find one I liked and respected. In the end I love the new car...I'm happy to have a big family car that won't be smushed up! Pics to come later...remember I'm back at work...who knows when those pictures will come off the camera!

AHHHH...

I should be getting ready for church, but I need to vent and I can't think of any other place to do this right now, plus Noah's still up and its very hard to get ready while he's around....and Mickey Mouse is holding all his attention right now! We finally got the official word that Richard's car is totalled...we could have told them that! So we have to make a decision on what to do. Richard and I are on complete opposite ends of the spectrum when it come to what we want to buy as a car. I was up till midnight last night thinking about it...couldn't sleep, had bad dreams when I did sleep. I've prayed about it, wrote about it and I still don't feel content with the choice we are about to make. I'm also completely overwhelmed with going back to work plus doing everything around this house. Richard is wearing himself out at work (back still bothering him) that by the time he gets home, he has to lay on the floor to feel better. So I still feel like a single parent...thank the Lord for my mom this past week. Work is stressful because I've become the only counselor in our school...I had a part time counselor before. I have so many things to figure out...plus worry about buying a new car. I just want peace right now...I want to feel like we are making the best choice for us, not the easy fix for the moment. So we'll call this a prayer request, please pray that Richard will find a way to rest his back, so that he can get better, he has another Dr. appointment tomorrow. And some prayers for me, that I will remember to put my trust in the Lord.
Guess I should get ready for church, I definitely need it today! I'm teaching Children's Church today, so maybe one of the kids will open my mind a bit!

What I'm most thankful for

Oh wow....I don't even know where to start...I've sat down numerous times to do this and then something else happens. Two weeks ago today Richard was in a car accident, not just a fender bender, a slammed from behind accident. The kind where they took him away in an ambulance and I had to drive to the ER to get him (a whole other event all on its own). I had talked to him on the phone, so I knew he was okay, but you know what your brain can do on an hour car ride, I kept thinking what if something happened on the way, what would I do without him. And amazingly I knew I would be okay, that the Lord would take care of me and Noah and we would survive. And I thanked God for saving my husband, because I knew if he did pass, that he would be in a wonderful place, waiting for me to get there. I never imagined in a million years that I would think this way, it sounded so morbid telling Richard this later, but he understood, in fact he said he had thanked God for saving him too. It's so amazing the changes in your life when you let the Lord in!

I am so thankful that the car took the worst of the accident, but Richie still is hurting. I have a new appreciation for single moms because for a week I did everything...being mom and dad is tough work. Also helps me see how blessed I am to have the husband I do! Since the car accident we've had a lot of phone calls, visitors and prayers. I still look at that car and tear up in praise for God because I know he kept my husband safe.

Some of our visitors included some of Noah's favorite cousins...and they came bearing gifts...even better! He loves his new wagon, he continually climbs in and out of it, hides things in it and tries to get us to pull him in it! And yes, it has cup holders!

Besides a new wagon we will be needing a new car, which should be an exciting thing, but it just brings on a whole lot of anxiety! I dislike all things that have to do with negotiating...I would be an awful car salesman. The mustang was paid for....so the thought of new car payments is nerve wracking....but then I look back at that picture and I'm glad the mustang is gone, and I'm glad Noah wasn't in that car...and that I remember we can do all things through Him and it will all work out, maybe not the way I imagine it, but it will work out. So I've been all over the computer looking at cars, figuring out numbers, and my sweet little guy has been so good. He hangs out in the computer room with me, travels from one place to another, and just enjoys life.

Sometimes I get too wrapped up in what I'm doing and things like this occur...and it reminds me to pay attention! The cars will always be there to buy, this one year old is growing too quickly to miss out! The words coming out of his mouth are amazing...(they are good words)...he continues to surprise me with his new things and just when I think my heart can't take anymore, it grows a little bigger to fit all that love in! I have to go back to work in two days and I'm ready. I need some schedule back in my life...but I sure will miss silly moments like this!

A Good Day

Today was one of those days that you just can't stop thanking God for the things He's given you. Nothing outstandingly significant happened...just life. We ate breakfast as a family...that never happens, Noah usually can't hang in there till breakfast is ready, so he usually eats first, but not today. Watching him try to get pancakes with a fork was priceless...he'd give up and use the other hand to pick it up. I love watching him learn new things, its like you can watch his wheels turn. We played in his pool and had a great time. We "laid down" in the pool which gave some of the best squeals I've heard in a while! I started a sappy girl movie while Noah was napping, he woke up half way through and actually let me finish it while he played. It was one of those movies that makes you love your husband for all he does and is. After the movie we continued to play with lots of giggles and funny smiles, the kind of smiles where you look into his face and your heart explodes because it just can't hold that much love. Sometimes I get so caught up in what my husband hasn't done or how much Noah is screaming while I make dinner, that I don't see how blessed I am. Praise the Lord for days like today! Happiness doesn't come from a clean house and a quiet child, it comes from the love inside that messy, noisy house!
**I have a great picture from today...but the camera and computer aren't cooperating!

Attention Lover

Noah is destined to work in a job where he gets all the attention....I hope its a good one! When he hears people laugh he automatically starts giggling because they must be laughing at him. He started this in church on Sunday. Preacher said something funny, there was laughter and that sent Noah into a giggle fest. (Remember he's quiet while there is singing, but loves to make noise when everyone's quiet) We hand him his book since he's forever trying to turn the pages of Bibles and Hymnals. He starts to "read" his book and continues with the squealing and laughter...it must have been a good book! So we make our exit down the aisle to go to the nursery and Noah proceeds to wave at everyone and say "bye". And of course they laugh, which sends him into another giggle fit! Sometimes I think he does this just so he can go to the nursery and play...but his hard headed mommy keeps thinking that somehow he's going to actually just sit there through church...what planet do I live on??

I need to remember the funny today since we had a rough morning. Noah's starting to cling and get upset when we leave him. He hung on to my leg as I dropped him off at daycare this morning...and he loves his daycare, so I was surprised at this. It tugged on my heart a little too. Maybe I was more surprised that I got sad...working in an elementary school I am forever pushing parents out the door from their crying children...promising them they will be okay...and here I was today, needing a push out the door. So I came home to pull weeds, thinking it would start raining any minute and they I could say "I tried". Well 3 hours later its sunny and my butt, back and legs are aching...so the jungle outside will have to wait until another day! Like a day Richard can do it! I'm off to organize totes in the basement...sad but I'm excited about this one...I'm an organizing dork!

Our week in Rodanthe

Every year we make that long haul down the east coast and every year it is worth every penny we pay and every minute in the car. The beach in OBX is my escape, we just got back and I cannot wait to go again. This year we were spoiled beyond belief. We stayed in Rodanthe...we'd never stayed there before, but cannot wait to try it again! When we saw the house on the website, we never really thought we'd be that close to the water...but we were. This picture is taken from where we laid on the beach. You could actually yell up to the house and someone could hear you...but of course we had the handy dandy walkie talkies so no yelling was necessary! Richard gets up every morning to fish and this morning, Noah got to discover the love of fishing. It amazes me that without fear he just grabbed a hold of this fish and squealed with delight as is wiggled in is hands. Such a boy!

Noah also enjoyed the sand...although he had a rough time walking on it. I think his favorite sand activity was having other people pile sand so he could knock it down! I love the beach, but the sand everywhere drives me nuts...that was one I really had to get over on this trip! Noah's second favorite sand activity...eating the sand! Then he got very mad as we tried to clean it out of his mouth...should have just left it in there!! He also enjoyed naps on the beach...Nana was great at holding a sleeping Noah!

Just like his mommy, Noah enjoyed the water much more than the sand...too bad he can't swim because this brave boy had to be held back from the water. If the waves didn't reach him, he'd take off to get just a little big closer!So we ventured off to the sound to entertain the dogs and Noah. I hadn't really planed on getting wet, but this kid loved the water he could play in, so in I stayed. I had "sand burn"on my knees from walking around with him...finally had to pull him out to give me a break!

Early in the mornings when it was quiet, Noah and I would take Kapone out to play and meet Richard who'd already been fishing for hours...that is his relaxation time I guess...I love this picture, all my favorites in one picture.

What I love more than the beach is the time with my family, all in one place with no agenda, no stress, and no where to be. We don't go out, we eat whenever we want, we stay up too late playing games that none of us are good at...it's great! Can't wait for next year! Here's a couple more of my favorite pics!

The sunset after a storm.

This toy was the source of much adult and child entertainment!

Noah worn out and loving on his Daddy...a very rare cuddly moment with Noah.

Sunrise the morning we left...so hard to say goodbye!

You know you've had a great vacation when...

...you have to dust off your makeup bag because you haven't used it in a week

...the thought of wearing shoes is disturbing

...the thought of wearing anything but a bathing suit and dress is also disturbing

...you don't remember where your curling iron is because you have done nothing with your hair for a week

...all of a sudden you can't sleep at 9pm because you've been going to bed after 11 for a week

...you haven't driven a car in week...besides the trip home

...you house stinks when you get back because you forgot to take the trash out before you left because you were so excited...(that's my bad)

...you proudly display your raccoon eyes and strap tans

...you are now the proud owner of dollar store sunglasses because the ocean ate yours (you are fab Cay Cay) and the owner of a pirate ship kite your husband caught while fishing...(oh if you could have seen the excitement around that one!)

...you can't possibly eat off of anything else besides a paper plate

...you are so exhausted to be back that your one year old sleeps till 7am (finally) and your dog sleeps all day too

...you wake up missing the sound of the waves

...you are way to lazy to put pictures from your vacation on the computer because that would take the energy you just don't have right now! I used all the energy I could find to get dressed for church this morning! More pics and stories to come!

Men, Cows and Blinkers

What more could a girl ask for??? So the car is loaded and ready to go, didn't think it would happen since Richie got home an hour and a half later then he was supposed to, but he was determined. And when he finished loading the car, boy was he proud. Does anyone else have a man in their life who seems to be the most proud when he has loaded the car so compactly that there needs to be a map drawn to remember how things were placed in there. I wish I would have had my camera out to capture his face when he did his Vanna White arms to the back of the car...what pride...my father is the same way, it just takes him 10 hours longer!

Another moment I wish I had my camera for....It's cow appreciation day at Chick-fil-A! As I was walking into Target (I promise I don't live there) these teen girls were coming out dressed as cows giggling and taking pictures with the security guard...I was never that cool or brave. But had I known I would have gotten free chick-fil-a today if I was dressed like a cow, I would have found my best cow attire...I think I have a maternity dress that may have fit the bill! As I passed by the chick-fil-a, sad, there was a whole group of kids outside in their cow costumes...how cute...but no camera...its in the Fort Knox of a car and I'm not dare going to try to dig it out!

And last but not least, as we leave for vacation and spend 5 hours on the road with a one year old...please use your blinkers. My biggest pet peeve used to be people who left their blinkers on, now I just wish people would use them period! It just seemed to happen to me a lot today, so I thought I'd send out a friendly reminder!

So we're off to the beach for the next week...with no computer...somehow I think I'll manage. I've have sand, sun, water and my favorite people in the world around me. Have a great week!

I didn't have a picture for today, so here's the "cow" costume...you think it would have worked?!?!

The art of procrastination!

I am supposed to be packing for the beach...but my mind has run over itself with all the circles I've been doing, so I'm taking a "break". I've already taken a break to eat lunch, clean out the bathroom cabinets, look for an old cell phone for Noah to play with and try on everything I'm packing for the beach. Although I must say the compulsive over packer I am has fit all my clothes in half of the big suitcase!

I've been doing much better since my meltdown the other day! The car is "kinda" fixed to quote Richard, so I can make it another day! I had another day full of wonderful therapy yesterday. We had a play date with the girls from work.

What child wouldn't be thrilled to play on that...of course Noah is not quite steady enough for that much fun, but the big kids loved it! So did their parents because the kids completely entertained themselves with only a few "slow downs", "don't go head first", and "one at a times"...typical mom jargon!
This was more Noah's speed, he did end up in it at one point.

He was a happy guy, I can't wait to see him at the beach!

After our date, we headed to meet my Mom (Nana) to trade cars and return some of my impulses from the day before...or should I say replace the impulses from the day before?

Noah, being the shopping trooper he is, was entertaining Nana along with all the other people in the store. That would be the display pack-n-play, wonder how he got in there?? He loves to go in any direction you aren't! I've wasted enough time! Plus Richie just called to check on my status...we're supposed to load the car tonight...oh its gonna be a late one!

Went to therapy today!

Oh and it was good! The reason for the needed therapy started when Richie's car broke on Saturday...don't ask me what's wrong, I don't do cars. Since the car is broken, that leaves us with one car...luckily I have the summer off, so that shouldn't be a big deal...NOT! I was left yesterday at 7 am with Noah and no car for the entire day, not that we are socialites, but I felt so trapped! It was a long day ending in the dinner battle where the dogs eat more of Noah's dinner that he did. So long story short, we leave for vacation on Saturday, we have to trade vehicles with my parents because the ark members don't fit in our Liberty, I still have shopping to do...and of course we can't get Richard's car fixed at a dealership, because that would be simple. So this morning I woke up with anxiety up to my throat...I'm anal and there is no plan...I NEED PLANS! Luckily it was a day care day for Noah today, so we dropped him off and we went to bring Richie to work. The anxiety continued to build, and I'm getting mean and snappy and I'm sure Richard just wanted to get to work to get away from me...I don't blame him. I dropped him off and enjoyed my 5-speed, sometimes that's the best solution to a bad day! As I pulled into my therapy session the glowing red light calmed me immediately. Ahhh Target! I went to find a bathing suit....never exciting...and ended up with a bathing suit...plus so much more! As I slowly went down every aisle I could breath again. No one was crying, pulling on my legs or asking me if I really needed this. It was then decided I was going to redo our hall bathroom...I shouldn't say redo, I should just say do. It's like the hodge podge of leftover bathroom stuff.

This is what had inspired me to decorate Noah's bathroom with a fish theme. He made this at daycare, and I love it. It was just the baggie that said Noah's Ocean on it, I framed it and added the seashell. I plan on changing out the tape with something else. Best part is, these frames have been sitting around here forever...as well as the shells!

More things just sitting around! We took this picture last year and its been sitting in the Walmart envelope ever since. Added the sea shell too.

$1.25 floor mat! Love the dollar section, also got foam bathroom letters!

Instead of buying the expensive kiddie shower curtains, I just got the blue circles...reminds me of bubbles and the cute wall hanging that says "Go Fish".

And then my inner crafty diva came out...I think I've been reading a few too many crafty blogs! This basket sits on the back of our toilet ( I moved this book to the front for the picture, it really just holds sudoku puzzles). I had the ribbon already and added the shells! I am so proud!

Last but not least, the candle...no one ever remembers to burn it, so why not decorate it...after I cleaned all the dust off!

So therapy was very successful for me today. After my Target therapy and Walmart therapy and Petsmart therapy, I returned to my husband and did a little Old Navy therapy. We then happily ate lunch together, and I haven't seen him since (remember we couldn't get the car fixed at a dealership, so he's at his sister's fixing it). Noah ate nicely and I am now okay. Until the next anxiety attack comes on, but I will have my check card prepared for the next time!

**Please note, this may be the only time I ever post crafty things I've done, I will have to return to work in August, and then I don't have time for anything, except a little therapy!

Meet the Crew

Our "ark" is small but we love it. I am affectionately calling it the ark, because this is definitely Noah's house. Speaking of Noah, he's currently napping, which is the only time it's quiet around here.

My husband Richard (who I usually call Richie, and get constantly reminded that I am the only adult who is allowed to call him that) have been together for seven years, married for 3. He works as a retail manager and I'm a school counselor at an elementary school. Richard is the down to earth, practical one, and I'm the one that usually needs to be pulled back down to earth...makes life more interesting!

Our first child is Mandy. No she doesn't normally wear clothes, it was a Christmas present. Mandy is the true definition of a female dog. She doesn't like a whole lot of people or other animals...she barks too much, growls at people, but I love her, she's just misunderstood! After a few years (and in true ark fashion - gotta have two of everything) we had to get another dog...I think Richie just wanted a "real" dog. We then welcomed our second child into the home, Kapone. Kapone came into our lives this cute, cuddly, non-shedding puppy.

Two years later we now have a 80 lb., drooling, shedding, but still cuddly, thinks he's puppy, dog! Love him to death, and he's the best toy Noah could have. Mandy has learned to love him, but its definitely a sibling relationship!

Now to our human child! Noah entered this world June 8th, 2008, 2 in the morning. He arrived two weeks early because he was tired of waiting...and he's been ready to go ever since. After 38 weeks of swollen feet, gestational diabetes, two trips to the hospital for high heart rates, being breach, Noah decided he was choosing his own birthday, not the one the doctors had chosen for him. We were so happy to have him out and with us. At 8lb 12oz, and an amazingly large head, he was a big guy, but we loved every piece of him. Having Noah has taught me what life is all about, loving each other no matter what...life is too short to worry about the stupid fights, enjoy every moment, no matter how exciting or boring and be thankful you have that moment.

Noah just celebrated his first birthday. This has probably been the fastest year ever! Noah now walks, says "Hi", gives kisses, and thinks he's the funniest kid ever...I'd have to agree with him. When we first choose to name him Noah, it was because I looked at his ultrasound picture and decided he looked like a Noah...don't ask. But as Richard and I became more involved in church and became closer with God, I read a lot more about Noah, and why God chose Noah to build the ark. My hope for my child is that he has that same kind of love and faith in God.

Thoughts from a mom of a 1 year old...

I stuck my finger in poo this morning by accident, and giggled to myself, this should totally gross me out...but it doesn't...wow has my thought process changed in a year. Here are some more random questions and thoughts, I wonder if anyone else ever feels the same???

-Why must you cling to my leg and scream as I make dinner?

-Is everything really that tragic that you must scream at the top of your lungs?

-5:30 am isn't really that great of a time to wake up...can we please try for 6:30?

-We could save so much on diapers if you'd poop in them, before I change them!

-I should really stop buying you toys because you are so much more entertained with shoes, underwear, the dogs, bowls and remotes.

-Why don't you understand No...I think its just entertainment to get me to say it again!

-Why is it that one day you like peas and the next day they are on the floor, same with cheese, bread, hot dogs....

-Have I taken a shower today...or this week?

-Why are you quiet in church while they are singing and then decide to "talk" when everyone's quiet??

I think the answer to all these questions is, this is what being a mommy is all about! I wouldn't trade it for anything...well maybe the sleeping in part! Have a great Sunday!

About Time!

My efforts to scrapbook my son's first year have been futile...I give props to anyone who can find the time and keep up with it. I still haven't finished my wedding scrapbook and that was 3 years ago...So this is my new endeavor to keep up with the amazing changes that occur in our busy lives!

These are the men in my life...Noah is the cute one, and Richard's the big guy...not that he isn't cute too! They are both blessings in my life and both continue to teach me new things everyday!