I will not lose my mind, I will not lose my mind, I will not lose my mind! I think Noah's goal today is to remind me that he is 20 months old today, and he's very close to the age of two....and as with everything else, he's going to start terrible two's a little early. I feel awful saying that, because I love him so much, but today....WHOA! Is this normal? He woke up with a melt down, didn't want to go potty, so he just started screaming and ran away, once Daddy chased him down, he just screamed "mommy, mommy" Finally got him on the potty, no success...all that for notta! He flipped out over getting dressed, and over his milk cup, and over who knows what else, so I finally gave up and gave him a poptart...ahhhh silence. Of course Daddy gets to go to work today, and guess who's left....ding ding ding...me and Noah! (oh but hope is on the way in the form of a Nana...thank you snow storm!)

Last night, Noah got his favorite "cake". It's actually corn bread, but I'm not going to tell him any different, it's something he will actually eat! While eating, I realized he was singing "Happy Birthday to You"...he amazes me everyday! Of course once he got bored with his "cake" he put it where he puts all food he becomes bored with...the floor. (anyone have a good solution to fix this problem??) Daddy made him get down and pick it up...well you can see what happened then....Richard's comment "it's kinda like calling in the dogs to clean up" Are we bad parents?!?!

We did finally have some potty success today, but I'm out of star stickers, so of course there's another meltdown right there...he's so my child.

Those are feet you see.

He will probably hate me one day for these! Yes folks, this is how my child poops, behind the curtain. You know they never talk about this stuff in those "what to expect books", not that I've actually read one since he was born.

Noah's shooting spree! Fun until I took the camera away because it was "mys" (mine).

Can we make it one more day?

So Day 4, no menu planned, kinda hoping my Mom shows up with some great ideas because I'm out! We are dressed! Even did my hair today, gotta look good for my company! Even though while doing my hair, Noah is pulling on my legs, climbing in laundry baskets, and in frustration I said "Can't Mommy just do her hair?", I'm not sure what answer I expected...but I should have know it would be "no!" Which then prompted nap time...that led to me being allowed to blog before round 2 of meltdowns and chaos begins!

Happy Monday!

Blizzard Blog Day 3

Left over picture of Day 2...Noah finally got to go for a ride with Daddy...it didn't last long, but he loved it!

When I woke up this morning it felt like the day after Christmas. All the excitement was over, all the family time was over and it was back to our normal busy life. Richard left for work, even though he's on vacation, and once again it's just Noah and I. I got up and did my typical check facebook....thank goodness I still have power! Everyone's post was about digging out and getting out of their house, and I laughed to myself because I just want to keep my family in my house for longer than 1 day! What's the rush? The stores will all be there tomorrow, take advantage of this time together....of course give me another two days and I'll probably be begging to get out of here!

What a beautiful morning, so quiet and still, everything was so calm and peaceful...of course until my dearest friend Noah woke up! He ate his typical breakfast of cheerios...feeding half to the dog, because Mommy was being too lazy and pouting to stop him from doing it! I was a good girl and ate a real breakfast (first time this blizzard), wanted to be nostalgic and make some cinnamon sugar to put on my english muffin....mixed it all together, and made a big ol mess trying to get it into a shaker thingy. Again laughed to myself because I know I used to have a small little funnel thing that I never used, so I'm pretty sure I gave it to Noah to play with...and well needless to say, we shall never see that funnel again!

I was getting a little tired of my pity party and the Disney Channel, so I put on my big girl britches and decided to take Noah and the dogs outside, since the sun is shinning and I've been blessed with another day with my child! So I bundled up my Christmas Story kid and off we went!

Heading down our drive way....he took off like he was running for the hills! I love all this snow!

***funnel update...it's been located behind a box of tea....life can return to normal***

We lost half of Kapone...

...but don't worry we found him again!


As always, Noah 's copying Kapone...he's digging too, not sure for what, but it sure was fun!

We lost all of Mandy...she's in there... somewhere...

"pelpt...guck"....translation "Help, I'm stuck"

His new favorite color is "ite" (white)!

Our 20 minute adventure, some frozen pizza for lunch and a good hot shower was all I needed to help lift my spirits. I have no idea what it's like "out there" we are so secluded in our little home that I really don't know what's going on beyond my driveway...and some days, I'm perfectly okay with that! Maybe we'll have another day at home...maybe I might actually get to go to work, whatever comes tomorrow, I'm extremely thankful for today!

And in case you were wondering...chili for dinner...and we are dressed in real clothes!

Blizzard Blog Day 2

We have made it through a day and a half stuck in the house...and we are still all in one piece! I've only lost my patience a time or two...I have a very stubborn and independent 20 month old and a big dog who is chomping at the bit to get outside...actually both the kid and the dog would love to be outside and at moments I'd like to send them! Every time Richard walks out the door, both Noah and Kapone sit and watch him out the windows.

Last night, Noah took his snack to the window, so that he could watch Daddy on the "ride"!
We can't seem to keep Richard inside for any length of time...somehow that 4wheeler just keeps needing him...hmmm. He came in last night after an hour of plowing, with a big smile on his face and says "that was fun!" Where can I get a chore that I have fun doing? Can someone figure out an entertaining way of doing laundry?!?!


I think we've played with just about every toy we own, and Noah is now coming up with new ways to play with the toys! I just watched him bring some dishes out in the seat of his fire truck and have a picnic on the kitchen floor....genius!
This new game is called kick the trucks with your feet while bent over, he later graduated to no hands, just his head on the ground...I'm such a proud mom!


Last night's soup was a great success...Campbell's doesn't have a thing on me! Of course my dear Noah wasn't that into it...too many vegetables and chicken, silly eater. After last night's yummy dinner and my personal VDOT man showed back up at home, I spent the evening kicking my husband's rear in 9 holes of golf, who knew I was such a pro!

*complete side note...when I started this, I thought the snow was stopping...ha...coming down like a real blizzard now*

Today I did what we all do when we're snowed in...baked some more!!! I made the most amazing chocolate chip cookies ever, or so my husband tells me..and Noah's quickly becoming a fan! And they are so healthy too with the pound of butter and all the sugar and I heard anything you eat while snowed in doesn't really count anyway, you're just trying to insulate yourself!

I think they were letting me know it was time to start baking!Noah didn't make it through the baking process...his much needed morning nap was calling his name, or his Mommy just couldn't take her pants being tugged on anymore, even though Daddy was in the house at this point!

Messiest baking cookies in the world, with the six cups of flour and talk about an arm workout! But

Richard assures me it is completely worth it!

I think this may be Richard's favorite picture....I give these cookies two days!

Here's the same grill (its my new snow measurement) as of 12:00 today...but looking at it right now, I think its got another 2/3 inches on it, since we just had a 15 minute blizzard.

We are once again dressed in real clothes today! We are still smiling and despite the occasional meltdown, I'd say we're having a really good time! (Snow is slowing down again...but I'm not saying a word!)

Blizzard Blog Day 1

I was motivated by watching Julie and Julia the other night (not the most exciting movie) to be a better blogger! Since we will be stuck inside for probably the next week, I figure I'll have plenty of time to blog! So Day 1...7:30 am snow has started to fall!

Yes this is just starting....this is all the snow we still have from last weekend and this past Tuesday. All this time off from work , has me a little mixed up on my days of the week, but I believe this is from Tuesday....

Noah's "cleaning" the snow...it's not child labor if he wanted to do it, right?

Noah and I had a nice surprise last night. My Dad showed up with a four wheeler with the snow blade attached to it. He just couldn't stand the fact that we had no way to plow out our driveway and long dirt road. So he left work, drove up to Woodstock (2hour drive), got his other 4wheeler, drove to my house(another 2 hour drive), dropped off the 4wheeler, and then drove home (1 hour drive this time). My Dad has the biggest heart! Richard is so thrilled, he was out there last night playing on it. I'm sure the minute he rolls in today from work, he'll be out there plowing away!

I was a lazy mom/wife and decided I wasn't going to go shopping with all the crazies (sorry if you were one) and Noah after work yesterday! Besides we have frozen pizza and coffee, what more do you need? My fantastic husband decided he was going, so I sweetly emailed him a list of all the things we "could" use and he went! I am so blessed with great men in my life! :)

So here we are...watching these big flakes fall, wondering how much, how long...will we ever go back to school in the month of February? I will not complain, I love every minute that I get to be with my family, since they are often few and far between!
We are smiling....and actually dressed in real clothes, not pj's, I'm trying a new approach to snow days this time...we're starting out dressed and motivated....then by day 4 we can stay in our pj's all day! Today's plan...making Chicken Corn Chowder in the crock pot...fingers crossed, never made it before...good thing Richard eats anything! Stay safe, stay warm, and be thankful for all this time with loved ones so close by! *Snow total - 1 inch new snow 9:30 am!*

Holiday Pics

The computer finally wanted to work for me. Here's a few from Christmas morning. I love the look of pure joy of his face! This table has been the best! Not only does it have the blocks on one side, you can flip it over and it's a flat desk...great for all his "colors".

We had a great morning...but soon we were off to visit all the family!

We did finally return home to play with our favorite toys....hey at least he couldn't go anywhere!

We enjoyed a lot of family time together...even if it was on the kitchen floor. I adore this picture, because it just shows our family so perfectly!

What I learned today

Well this brings a whole new meaning to multitasking....Noah's on his potty....we've been here for 5 minutes already...so I thought I'd make the most of my time!


I realized this past month that I'm being used! God has decided since everything is going so well in my life, I will help him out by listening to those close to me and giving them a word of encouragement. I think it's a job I can handle...since it's just like my real job, except I'm allowed to talk about God without getting reprimanded! I've really been trying to find the positive lately, especially for those friends I have that are really going through some tough stuff...I think I've been doing a good job, and I keep praying that God will continue to use me to help others. Well that prayer was answered recently, I was able to help out someone very close to me, I shared words that I was afraid to share and really opened myself up. God said, "good job Carly, it's all going to be okay!" And then He said "now I'm going to test you and see if you really want me to answer that prayer, if you really want me to use you to help others"...except I didn't hear that until today!

Today in church, Preacher said, just because you pray a prayer, doesn't mean that God's going to fix it Himself, He may be using you to fix that problem. And off went the light bulb!!! I've been praying for someone a lot, but it's someone I don't normally talk to, someone I don't see very often, and someone I usually hold a grudge against. I guess I just wanted God to make their life better and help them out, without involving me. Well out of the blue, this person contacted me and wants to get together to talk. Of course my first reaction is no, and then why me, and how can I get out of this? Now I see this is like two prayers in one He's working on. Somehow, someway I'm being used to answer my own prayer....kinda brings new light to "be careful what you ask for." I asked for it, so now here it is, now its my choice to prove did I really want it or was I just praying that prayer because it sounded good and right?
I don't know how this is going to end, I just hope that I can be the person He wants me to be. I hope I can look beyond the past, the hard feelings, and the letdowns and somehow find a way to be there for this person and help them make positive choice and changes in their life, since it is what I prayed for!

oh yeah I have a blog....

Happy Thanksgiving, Crazy Blizzard Day, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, MLK Day and Happy Birthday Richard! I think that catches me up! We have had a great holiday season, it was super busy with a lot of people to see and places to go, but we made it! Our holiday was filled with lots of family and lots of love. Noah even made his first trip to New York...six hours in a car...thank you portable DVD player!!! Those two weeks off flew by and I was kinda happy to go back to work and get some type of routine back in my life...although I'm sure Noah misses sleeping in till 8, I know I sure do!
I can't seem to operate the photo uploader so I can't brag about my cute kid or the cool presents he got, or how much he loves them all! But that also means I can show you the toy explosion my house has turned into! I have a feeling we will never have enough room for all our stuff...but I can handle that!
Noah is continuing to surprise me daily! He counted to 10 one day out of the blue...but he still can't figure out that you're supposed to say 1 first..hehe. He knows 12 and 13! He absolutely loves the word "no"...even when he means yes. He talks...a lot. He will always repeat the last word in your sentence. At this moment, he's in his room waking up from his nap, talking to himself...I shall enjoy these last few minutes! We've started using the potty! I've never spent so much time in a bathroom....we might as well put a toy box and a book case in the bathroom. My favorite is when we sit there for 20 minutes with no success go back to his room to put his diaper on, get the diaper on, and he says "potty" and off we go to sit for another 15 minutes. But the look on his face when his potty plays the music because he went is priceless...I'd love to catch that on film...but the 30 minutes before hand of waiting may bore some people! He's starting to play nicer with others and play more on his own. I sure just wish it would stop raining so I could get him outside, man boys are full of energy! And quiet time is over...his majesty is calling!