"Boppy and Diego"

Well -
Kennedy gave up her "boppy"...(Pacifier). We are THRILLED! Not that we were worried about it...at all...but you would not BELIEVE the number of other people (strangers I might add)...who were completely concerned citizens regarding our child and her pacifier! I am amazed DAILY at how rude people can be. I wish I was more like my friend Lindsay - and could tell them to "bug off!" :) We had one Asian lady come up to us and have the following conversation:
RUDE LADY:"OOO...she too bihg fo dat"..."You need to trow dat away...geet rid oh dat"
My RESPONSE: "She just turned 2 on Sunday..."
RUDE LADY: "OOO...I taught shee fo yehr owd...shee so taw"..."Shee beig fo heh adge"
MY RESPONSE: "Yes..she just turned 2...so we're going to let her keep it"...(and a smile).

What I REALLY wanted to say was "Mind your own @()#*@)(&$*@(@ business!!" :) (With a smile of course)

Wow...did I go there? Back on track! Kennedy had about 16 "boppy's" chewed up by Vegas...which cost us about $30 in the past month. Jon and I decided that when she chewed the last one - they were gone. Kennedy was warned of this EXTENSIVELY!!! When the final one got chewed...and we told her "no more"....she did the sign for "all done". That was it. She took it and threw it in the trash - and hasn't asked for it since. :) We saw her sucking her fingers at one point...but that's about it! :)

We also went to Target - and Kennedy begged for "big girl underwear". I had no problem getting her some - and was anxious to pick out the cutest pink princess kind possible! When we got there...she wanted Diego! Of course those were boy kind...which I DID NOT allow! :) We settled for Minnie Mouse underwear and a Diego toothbrush! :)

Christmas Day!

What fun we had with our children on Christmas morning! (Jon and I had a TON of fun getting things ready the night before)...I think that's my new favorite part! :)
We came downstairs at about 7am in our new PJ's. (This is a tradition we've had since we dated...new pj's opened on Christmas eve). Kennedy let out a HUGE "WOW" as she came down the stairs...knowing that "Ho-HO" had been there the night before! :)

We first read the Christmas Story...and talked about how baby Jesus came to earth and that is why we celebrate. We also sang "Happy Birthday" to Jesus. Kennedy was all smiles. We had so much fun watching her open gifts...She got a ton of stuff for her baby dolls and a new grocery cart and cash register.

Let me just say that these are WAY more advanced than they used to be. THey actually send bar codes with it (stickers) that you can place on your play food etc...and they SCAN!!! The cash register "registers" the price and adds it in for you. IT's amazing! We have had fun playing store!! She also got a new memory game (Backyardigans of course) and some puzzles and a wagon from the grandparents. Jaxen loved watching all the crazy paper flying - and tried to eat it the entire time! The whole process took sooo long (2 hours) - that he fell asleep before it was all said and done! :)

For dinner, we went to our pastors house and ate with their family. It was fun and nice and we just had a great time with Jimmy and Patty! They are sooo sweet...we are blessed to have them in our lives! How nice of them to include us in their day.

All in all, it was a great day with our family. We definately missed out on Christmas's in Ohio and Kansas - but we made the best of it - and ended up having a wonderful time being together.

Christmas Eve

We decided not to travel this Christmas...mostly because of the craziness that this year has brought us - and b/c of Jon's new job. We made the best of it in starting our own family traditions. We were able (for the first time) to be a part of our Christmas Eve service at our home church! What a great time! Jon helped with the set-up and decorating and I did some of the music (we did an accoustic set). It was a wonderful time with our new church family. Hopefully a tradition that we will be able to experience for years to come. We feel so at home here...we are sooo thankful for our church. It's the first time Jon and I have BOTH been able to feel a part of a ministry as a family.

Walmart...

Kennedy is getting to where she likes to play pretend. I always encourage this by asking her questions about what she is doing - where she is going etc. It makes her think through things and begin to use her imagination. :)

Today - she got her stoller out, with her babies (2 of them because I have 2), put her purse over the handle of the stroller and took off. I asked her where she was going...and she told me "Mallmaht" (Walmart). When I asked her what she was going to buy at Walmart...I was waiting to hear the word "TOYS!"...because that's what she says when we pull into the parking lot. (We always spend at least 10 minutes looking) Instead she told me that she was buying "Pahpers and Duce". Hmmmm...Diapers and JUICE! WOW....can you tell I have 2 kids in diapers and drinking juice? :) It seems we are going to the store for these 2 things every day!! :)

"Hold You"

There is something so sweet about those 2 words. I have always thought it was one of the more "cute" things that kids say. I'm referring to the point in a child's life where they look up into your eyes, reach out their arms and say - "hold you?"...
It's this moment of complete innocense where they are putting words together to form sentences and trying to immitate what they have learned from your mouth. Of course -they are saying "HOLD YOU"...b/c that's what YOU say..."Do you want me to Hold you?"...

It is just the sweetest moment when Kennedy says those 2 words...and she says it with this pathetic look of exasperation...as if she can't go on any longer. I love being the one that she wants to hold her.

Isn't it the same as we are with Christ? We are living life - trying to be like Him - trying to immitate His mind and His character to the best of our human ability (which isn't much)...but then there are those sweet times when we can't go on any longer - and we reach our arms out to Him and ask Him to "Hold You". What a gift to be able to have someone at the age of 29 that can still Hold me and someone I can lean on when I can't go any further...and someone who can know what I mean - even though my words or actions may be jumbled!

Things that make you go..."hmmmm"

Something about eating "real" food makes Jaxen fall asleep!!! haha! It's so funny b/c he doesn't fall asleep after his bottle necessarily...but the moment I get him in that highchair to eat sweet potatoes and bananas - he's out like a light!

Basketball Game!

We had the honor of going to a professional basketball game with a friend of ours from our new church, Daniel. He told us to get a babysitter, and he would take care of the tickets to the game. WOW! How nice! What we didn't realize is that we would be in the 3rd row on the floor of the court!!!! We were in what they call "Backcourt"...which means free food and drinks and a chance to rub shoulders with just about everyone you can imagine!! Michael Jordan wasn't there...which we were a little disappointed about...but we saw some other stars and even got our picture with one of the "Bobsled team members from 'Cool Runnings'." We got to give highfives (or pounds) to all the players...(I immediately lathered in anti-bacterial so I don't get the stomach flu)...and really - just had a great time! Here are a few pictures...Danielle was with us too! (She came to visit)....so fun!

Nose Ring!

Had to post a pic! :)

Treasure Hunt...kind of

I'm a little hesitant to put this in my blog - knowing that my Grandma reads this! Hi Grandma! :) But...it is My blog...and so I'm going to! :) haha!

Jon planned something SUPER special for me today. He told me that after my MOPS group - I was to come to his office and drop the kids off. At that time - he was going to give me an address to drive to. I plugged in the address and started driving. HOW FUN! :) I had a feeling that he had gotten me a massage - or a pedicure. He's really good at doing those for special occassions...and he said that it was an early Christmas present. So I was pretty much driving looking for a spa or nail place. B/c I didn't see one - I totally drove right past where I was going - so I had to turn around and really pay attention. I pulled into this DIVE strip mall and all I could see was a sign for TATTOO BILLS!

My heart SANK and my stomach FLIPPED! I opened the envelope that Jon had given me - and he had written a note that said something along the lines of "SURPRISE!!! - Time to get your nose pierced!" YIKES! I am SUCH a wuss! I kept telling myself that I had 2 children by c-section - it couldn't be worse that that pain! :)
I walked in and saw about 4 guys (hard core) staring - you have to picture...I am frumpy sweater mom...coming into this place - telling them that my husband sent me - but I'm a little nervous- maybe they can just show me how it's done and then I'll think about it. Well - it took all of 2 minutes - and while the guy was "showing me how it's done"...he did it!

I now have a nose ring. WOW! Ive wanted one for like 2 years...so exciting!!! :)
I'll have to post a picture - but I have to fix my hair first! haha!
lOVE YOU GRANDMA! (AND MOM FOR THAT MATTER!)

The funniest thing happened today...

Kennedy got into some gum...her new favorite thing....but it was the "hot" kind...(peppermint). Well - we've definately taught her about "hot" - b/c when I came into the living room - she was telling "Nanex" to "blow - hot nanex"....
haha - she would blow - and then try to eat a little bit - and then wipe her tongue off, tear up and blow again and try a little more. haha - it was hilarious!

Something NOT so hilarious...I left my nail polish out...shame on me...Kennedy painted her cheeks! :) I'm leaving it on - b/c I don't want to use the remover on her sensitive little skin. :) Instead of a spanking...(which I didn't feel she deserved since I left it out) ... we compromised w/ a "time out"...so at least she knows it isn't acceptable. Sigh...All of this happened while I was switching the clothes from the washer to the dryer and starting a new load in the washer....I mean - it's not like I don't "Watch" her all day long!!! :)

One more...

If you'll notice...I post in 3's! Once I take the time to sit down and write- I usually have a few stories backed up!! :)
My friend Mandy has been here for the past week and this week as well. She is having training for her job and it happened to be in Charlotte!
Well - as you know - when you come visit - we put you to work.... :)
We painted my kitchen...and tried a new "ragging" technique. We are confident that this will eliminate fingerprints on our walls!! :) MAybe...

Growing up

Jaxen is growing up so fast! I want him to stay a baby forever! I have started getting "baby fever" again...I don't know what is wrong with me! I Think it's all my friends (you know who you are) talking about it again! So...Jon and I will be in seperate beds for a while! haha! Just Kidding! :)

Anyway - before this blog gets to a PG rating...I'll get back to my G-rated post! Jaxen is starting to sit up and wants to grab and touch and play with everything! It's so cute! Here's a little glimpse!

I've been busy...

Painting that is...When we moved in..I said "I am NOT painting for a couple of years." That lasted about 4 months! Not TOO bad!?
Here is the kids bathroom...So fun!! :)

Birthday Girl!

My baby girl is 2 years old! Hard to believe that it has gone so fast! The first year seemed to drag - but this past year has literally flown by! IT's funny how you start to reminise on your children's birthdays...thinking..."Hmmm...2 years ago at this time...I was in labor - or in surgery - or whatever". We are so blessed to have 2 wonderful loving children. I keep saying "this is my favorite age.." but I keep saying that every few months! I think that I just love it all...even through the tough times.
We had a "Backyardigans Birthday". It's her VERY FAVORITE cartoon. In fact, we have to beg her to watch other things just for variety. We celebrated by going to Monkey Joes (a bouce house) and she screamed the entire time. We left early and got pizzas and came home and had cake and opened presents. It was a fun day over all!
She got a new baby doll with lots of accessories (and more to come at Christmas...at least that's what Santa told me). She also got a "sit and spin" and a v-tech computer from G-ma and G-pa Sawhook and some baking supplies and aprons and cookbook from G-ma and G-pa Morgan.
Happy Birthday Kennedy!!!

Decorating the Christmas Tree

Yes...I'm one of "those" who put our tree up BEFORE thanksgiving. I felt that Thanksgiving was too late this year - and since we travel over the holidays - if we would have waited - we would have only been able to enjoy it for about 20 days. Not worth the work if you ask me.... :) Jon is awesome too...he loves that kind of stuff - and gets totally into it with me. We are a perfect fit. We both love that we just "get" each other - and we think alike on most things. It's fun to have someone who is as much into it as I am! He loves the Christmas music on and the candles and the lights of the tree. I got a great man!!
Here are a few pictures of us "decking the halls"!

Thanksgiving

As most of you know - I cooked my very first Thanksgiving dinner this year. It was great fun! I actually think I'm learning to love to cook...wow - never thought I'd be saying that! I think it's fun to experiment with new recipes and make them my own. :)
The prep work went well...I didn't think it was as much work as everyone warned me...but I was only cooking for 7....so that could be why! :) Everyone was nervous with me handling the Turkey...as I can't even touch raw chicken...but I did good! It wasn't as "floppy" as chicken...so I did better! Thankfully my Grandma told me that there were 2 bags in the turkey of nasties! I think I would have only seen the first one...yikes! My dinner consisted of Turkey, Stuffing (made from scratch), Mashed potatoes (10lbs.), Creamed corn, steamed corn, deviled eggs, green beans, rolls, cranberry sauce, cheese cubes and crackers, veggie/pickle tray, pumpkin pie, and Tina made a peanut butter pie that was to die for!

We had our friends the Leggs from West Virginia come down to eat with us. It was a great time of laughing, eating and laughing some more. We even put TJ to work while he was here. He ran us some electrical work, installed a new hot water heater and a new dishwasher! If you've noticed a pattern...when you come stay with us...we put you to work! ha! Sydney was amazing with Jaxen..such a big help! Kelsey entertained Kennedy the whole time - and Tina helped me out with everything else!

Switched at the playground?

Is this the same child?? Did I mention that Kennedy calls him "Nanux"?

Locked Out!

Well - as most of you know...I feel like I have triplets most days! A 1 year old, a puppy and a 5 month old. WHEW! Yesterday, as I was taking the puppy out to "potty"...I heard the door behind me slam shut..and then click. Kennedy had locked the door with me outside!!! This was Right before Jaxen's bottle time, and he was fussing...I was trying to take the dog out before the bottle so we wouldn't have an accident. The next few minutes were spent coaching Kennedy how to unlock the door....BUT...it didn't work. I was trying to tell a 1 year old to "turn the knob" -turn the "clicky thing". UGH. I think after a few minutes of that - she realized what she had done. She started WAILING...sooo upset. I could hear Jaxen crying as well. NICE. I had no cellphone or anything! I ran across the street to our neighbor, ROM's, house. He wasn't answering the door - despite my vigourous knocks and rings of the doorbell. After what seemed like an eternity - he came to the door...obviously I had woken him up. :) When I started telling him the story - the tears for me came. I couldnt help it when I started to think of my 2 children stuck in the house crying....
Rom said he was going to run upstairs to get his shoes - and help me out. I think he must have taken a shower - b/c his hair was wet, he had changed his clothes, and put his contacts in...geez!!! We went over to our house -and he cut the screen and got the window open and I crawled right inside. (It was a little disheartening that it was so easy...) :)
Needless to say - we are going to make a spare key - TODAY! :) Ooo...and let me just say for the record...that I called my mother crying - and she gave me wonderful sympathy...and then she proceeded to tell me that I had done the VERY SAME THING to her right before I turned 2 in Arizona!! haha... Emily...this reminds me of the similar "powder story".... :)

Terrible Two's??

With the "terrible two's" just 2 weeks away - I am a little anxious about how this is all going to go. Yesterday - I was sitting on the couch feeding Jaxen...and I heard the toilet flush followed by yelping...
I rush in there to find Vegas in the toilet (put there by Kennedy) - and she had flushed! Talk about a full-body swirlie!! haha!
Now please tell me - HOW are you supposed to dicipline after this? I can't control my laughter!! I don't necessarily think the two's will be terrible...but FUN FILLED FOR SURE!! :)

Like Mother ... like son?!

Jaxen started sucking his thumb today! He had it in all night...not sure if this is a new thing that will stick or just a fluke!? He usually has his hand in his mouth - and it's all raw and red...poor guy! He's teething sooo bad lately...so maybe his thumb just felt the least painful in his mouth?! Either way - it was pretty cute! :)

Santa "swung" by early at our house

So...we knew we wanted to get the kids a swingset for Christmas...but the weather has been GREAT at home and the thought of spending 5 hours in the freezing cold to put this together wasn't exactly on Jon's top 10 list!!! He worked his tail off most of Saturday - and the finished product was a great swing set and one VERY happy little girl!!!

Tribute to Jaxen...

I know he will kill me for this later...but I had too!!!!! Don't you just want to kiss his little cheeks!??!!? :)

"Clicky Shoes"

Kennedy is fortunate enough to be cousin #6 in the cousin line as far as females go...so we get the benefit of "the sacks" everytime we go home! (Thanks Mark!)
Last month when we went to Ohio...we were given 3 giant trashbags FULL of clothes. I passed some along - but the biggest hit were the 2 pairs of "clicky shoes". Kennedy wears them all around the house. It's also a DAILY fight to put on real shoes when we go somewhere!! She always wants to wear these silly shoes! :) I love that she is such a "girl". :)

New Friends

This week Jon was out of town THE WHOLE WEEK!!! It was my first time alone with the kids for this long...and lets just say I am POOPED!!! :)

It was a great week though...we had something every day of the week to keep us occupied! :)

Monday - We went took dinner to the Andersons, people we knew from West Virginia - who just had their 4th baby!! Kennedy and I spent all day cooking and then took dinner to them.

Tuesday - we went out for Chinese food (Kennedy and I love lo mein) - and then we went to Toys R Us for a good hour and a half! I got tons of ideas for Birthday and Christmas. IT was great fun!

Wednesday - We went to the park with my new friend Liz and her little boy Evan. It was great fun getting to know her better. Was a little crazy b/c I was watching 5 kids (long story) - but we all made it!

Thursday - we went for Coffee with my other new friend Tillie and her little boy, Jacob. KEnnedy and Jacob had SO MUCH FUN! There was a ton to do! Puzzles, chalk, books, balls - you name it! This coffee place was GREAT! HE is 4 - and I have never seen Kennedy play as well together with anyone as they did. He was so patient and kind to her and made her laugh the entire time....very unusual for a BOY! :) HE even asked his mommy if Kennedy could "sleep over"! ha!

Friday - we are home - and anxiously awaiting our missing link to our family! He will be flying in around 5pm...I'm counting the minutes! :)

Halloween

Well - this was our first Halloween in Charlotte. We were so excited b/c Kennedy can kind of "get it!"...but as with anything new for her - she freaked! :) She didn't want to wear her costume...so we had to bribe her with candy. I know its terrible - but I spent $10 on that costume - and she WAS going to wear it! ha!
Jaxen, on the other hand, was a great sport! He let us dress him and take a ton of pictures. He looked soooo cute! You could barely see his little face....but he just took it like a man. ;)

Our neighborhood had a little parade for the kids - so we walked down the the pool area and lined up. It was neat to see everyone's costumes. :) You should have seen some of the houses down there. They went ALL out. HUGE blowups everywhere - music, free pizza...good grief! We were excited to get home and get our new fire pit out and pass out candy to all the kids!
We got home - stripped the costumes off - set up the firepit - ate some home-made chicken veggie soup - and waited....and waited....and waited. :( PRetty soon - the kids got tuckered out - from handing out candy to 0....zero...yes 0 kids! Apparently they don't come down to our culdesac....so sad. We had been told to plan for 85-100 kids...needless to say - we have a lot of candy left...and we had chocolate this year! :) I HAVE to get it out of the house...today. :)

Milestones

Perhaps only a parent could TRULY appreciate this...but this morning when I went in to get Jaxen, he was staring up at me with his googly eyes and silly grin. Most of you that know me - know my kids sleep on their stomachs....what this means is that...HE ROLLED OVER!!! :)

He's also holding his bottle with 2 hands all by himself. It's so precious! These are the freeze frames I try to take w/ my camera in my head - things I want to be able to see clear as day when I'm 80.... :)

Pumpkin Carving Night!

We had a great time - and a great mess! I had looked up all these low-fat pumpkin recipes - b/c I wanted to try to make something - but they all said not to use field pumpkins! Oh well...we stuck with pumpkin seeds!

Ohio and Georgia

We had a HUGE week/end of traveling with 2 children! They did WONDERFULLY! Last minute - we decided to take a trip to Ohio to see Jon's side of our family. It had been awhile - and we are much further now! It took us 10 hours (with stops) on the way...and 11 (with a stop for dinner with friends) on the way back. I couldn't believe how great Kennedy did - Jaxen is easy...suuuch a good baby! She watched Backyardigans, Elmo, Wiggles and Little Eiensteins - picked out trees and cars and trucks and buses...and slept. :) While there - we were able to hang out w/ family and see cousins!


It was great! Jon's sister is getting ready to have twin boys...and man - she is ready to pop!! They aren't due until Dec. 20th - but I have a feeling they will be coming soon!!! :) We can't wait! This will be #15 and #16 of the cousins on that side!! Whew!! Also - Grandma Georgia and Lisa decided to buy Kennedy's 2 year b-day presents early... and sing...she didn't know what to think! :)


We got home Sunday night from Ohio and literally went straight to bed. Monday morning - we got up and re-packed and left for Atlanta. Jon had some work to do there...and one of my best friends lives there now. :) We were able to meet them for dinner - and then her and her husband kept my 2 kids and my new puppy! What a grrrreat friend Mandy is!!! :) I just KNEW she'd have a sleepless night...but all 3 of them slept and stayed asleep until about 7:30am. :) That next morning - Jon went to work and Mandy, the kids, and I - hit up IKEA. Oh my goodness. I forgot how much I looove that place! If you haven't been...make the drive. It's worth it! :) I was able to get some great decorations for our guest room - and some other ideas that Jon can probably make on his own!!! IT's the CHEAPEST place EVER...to get things. I can't even begin to describe...but it makes Walmart look pricey! :)

We are back - safe and sound - after a total of 30 hours on the road in 5 days...
Jon and I were talking about how much we'd LOVE to figure out how many hours Kennedy has been traveling since birth....it would be ridiculous...more to come on that...maybe...