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!