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!