Madileigh Moments Monday

Copycat:

I made the mistake of taking Madileigh with me when I had to take Easton to the doctor. Now I don’t know about off base, but on base when they call you back you have to strip your child and they measure weight, height, head circumfrence, and take their temp (in the butt). Now Madileigh is in her Mommy phase still and didn’t like that Easton was crying. She kept telling him “Eeson, stop cryin, its awwight!” (So sweet!) Well anyway, she was very observant during the entire visit. Justin and Cameron got her a ‘Baby Alive’ baby doll with the thermometer and stethescope for her birthday so when we got home of course she went strait for the doctor gear. I was unloading the diaper bag and had set Easton in his rocker. As I was putting his bottles up I hear him just start screaming crying. Of course my immediate thought had Madileigh involved… I wasn’t wrong… I dropped everything and rush over to find her saying “You gone be otay Eeson.” And she was holding his legs ups and sticking her stethescope to his butt hole as if to be taking his anal temperature. Wow.

Always Bored:

I don’t know where she gets it from but “Mom, Im bored.” Has come out of my child’s mouth a few times and I really don’t think she knows what it means… She just likes that when she says it I always find something different for us to do. Now because she gets so ‘bored beyond reason’ and because we have been having to stay indoors a lot because of the wind and Easton’s congestion (We are not fans of this!) we've begun playing the Memory card game with her ‘Toy Story 3’ cards, doing puzzles and also she has a peg board that we only let her do when we are playing with her but she loves them. Its kind of constructive playtime because if we didn’t do these with her she would probably lose the pieces and miss the point!  It's really fun to play real games with her: she loves the ritual of setting up the board and choosing a card, she loves to take turns, and she's genuinely happy for you when something good happens!  Im just not sure how long the good sportsmanship will last ha!

So Proud:

“Im so crowd of you Mom” Madileigh announced sentimentally one morning as she threw her arms around me neck. Wow. Way to melt my heart!! Im silently doting a smile and flared nostrils which probably give me away… “I think you mean PRoud” I said… reluctantly. I tell both my babies I am proud of them all the time and I want them to always know it! However, I barely want her to learn the right words for things. For the longest time she has called milk “milt” and and lobsters “monsters” and now, recently, she has performed a sped-up evolution toward correctness. In the space of just a month she has started really watching our mouths when we talk and sometimes she and I go back and forth saying words as her pronunciation constantly improves. But still, sometimes she gets to talking fast (like her Mommy) and forgets and Im secretly glad. I think the bigger she gets the faster the time seems to be going by. Its just not fair. But then I look at her and Easton squashed up next to me sleeping in the mornings and I realize that I am simply in love and enjoying every single bit of 

this teaching train!!

Oh, and Thank you again Color Wonder Magic marker inventor!!! What a life saver!! 

Happy Halloween 2011

Another year of Halloween fun has come and gone but it was so much fun this year!! Easton slept through most of it but this was the first year Madileigh was really into it!! She had a blast getting all the candy and stayed in a somewhat of a daze at all the costumes (especially Freddy Kruger.)

I am just glad she participated this year! She would even walk up to the people by herself and tell them “Twickle Tweets!!” and then come back and show me every piece of candy she got! (Which is already completely gone!)

Madileigh loved being a pirate too!! She kept trying to say “AAARGGH” but it sounded more like a wimpy tiger growl! Even though I watched her having a ball I think I still enjoyed it more than she did! I think deep down I am just glad she let me be a part of it and dress up with her!! Her favorite part was us doing our makeup together!! We had to wash our faces a couple times before we were public appropriate but I wouldn’t have it any other way!!

Here are some pictures from our adventure!!

Crack is Wack!!!

So tonight is my first night away from Easton. Its my first mid shift... (Over night shift) and I was pinging bad on the way in and praying Easton doesn't freak out on Johnny!

But anyway, I stopped at the store for some coffee, completely spaced out in my head as I was standing in the line, and then I heard it. 

This rascal said "Looking good baby... (Insert choice mumbled words)..." I didn't look, acknowledge, or respond. (I am in my military uniform.) And after all, I am not assumptive. However it is almost 10PM and I was slightly aggravated at even the thought of this. 

It wasn't what he said, it was how he said it. Kind of like Lil John. But anyway, I checked out and just skedaddled but before I do I caught his eyes. And those things were about to POP OUT. And Im pretty sure one of them may have been twitching. 

As I walk away, he said in a terse voice, "Oh, you don't like my flattery?" Although it sounded more like "fla-ta-tree". 

Actually, no. I don't like your fla-ta-tree. Why? 1. Because drug-induced compliments aren't my favorite kind. 2. I am pretty sure I saw you out of the corner of my eye eating from a box of cereal out of the trash.

Humor...it is everywhere. And I hope everyone else has a fantastic and drug-induced-compliment-free night.

Cheers to 'To Do' Lists!!

So, once again, I haven't been around much lately.

Maybe you've noticed.

Or, then again, maybe you haven't since...really, let's be honest... I haven’t had much to post about because I was stressing out some kind of bad. But the family is sleeping soundly and beautifully and here I am... Up again. Great!

It's just that I have all these lists jumbling around in my head lately...all To-Do Lists of some sort: things I have To Do for work, things I have To Do at home, things I have To Do for the kids...and mixed somewhere in there, dizzy amongst all the other demands, is my list of things I want To Do… for myself.

Despite how manic I can be, I'm usually pretty good about putting that list at number two falling only behind my kids’ list. Take right now, for instance: I'm sitting in a kitchen strewn with week-old mail (we get a lot of junk...trust me, it's A LOT), trying to write up a contract, surrounded by letters, bills, drawings, and notices (which we have surely ignored for way longer than is proper), and countertops that I have been saying I was gonna clean for the past week. But here I am: blogging instead of doing what I "should" be doing. I could rationalize it by saying that every once in a while, you gotta throw out the to-do's and just say "Forget it" and have a night to yourself, but if I'm gonna be really honest, then I have to admit that I've done that pretty much every night for a week. Sunday, it was "Forget it, I think I have a fever, I don't care if the kitchen is a mess." Monday it was "Forget it, I feel like crap but at least I don't feel sick anymore, so I don't care if the kitchen is still a mess." Tuesday it was "Forget it, I ate a good meal with my brother and is family, I finally feel like myself, so I am going to spend all my time with the kids, and I don't care if the kitchen is a mess." Wednesday it was "Forget it, I meant to get to it today, but I'll deal with the kitchen tomorrow." And today, well, today it's "Forget it, I'm drinking wine and it's my Friday, so just forget it in general."

But in spite of the fact that I usually do carve time out of life's chaos To Do the stuff I really want to, sometimes blogging falls by the wayside. And I find that, for some reason, lately I have been thinking in "list-form" a lot. So after toying with the idea I've decided that every once in a while (or whenever I please to do so), I will have a List Post. 'Cause truth be told, my brain never shuts down and I very often have something I want to say, but usually I just don't have the time (or energy, mainly) to sit down and put together a cohesive, poignant, perhaps funny, usually sarcastic post on the matter. So, I present you with the first of my new series: "My Life, in Lists."

List of things I can never say NO to:

1. My daughter saying “Come on Mom” as she puts the feather scarf around her neck and pulls my hand towards the tutus!

2. My kids (well Madi) asking for "one more chapter" or "one more book" or anything reading-related.

3. An offer from my mother or mother-in-law to watch the kids.

4. A gorgeous day at the beach.

5. A night out with The Girls (or day out, or lunch, or any gathering, really, in which I may feel like I will miss out).

6. The snooze button.

7. Red velvet anything.

8. A foot rub.

9. Good salsa.

10. A really good book.

11. Date night (even if it's just at home after the kids are asleep) with Hubby.

12. Trashy celebrity magazines.

13. Cadbury Mini caramel Eggs (unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on the current number on the scale, they only sell them at Easter time).

14. Watching anything with Drew Barrymore or Cameron Diaz in it!

15. Another glass of wine.

Cheers!

Halloween Art!

For some reason I am having so much fun with Madileigh this Halloween! Maybe its because she is actually into it ha! Last year it was somewhat forced upon her by mother dearest! =) But we now have costumes!! Yay!! I am so excited and Madileigh LOVES hers this year!! 

Anyway This is our October artwork!! We made spiders and ghosts and they turned out super cute!! My little art book is starting to fill up fast and I love it!! I love that Madileigh is starting to show artsy traits and loves to paint!! I hope she is more creative than I am and I pray she uses her ability!! 

Here are some pics of our spiders and ghosts!! 

Road Trip!

We are on the road again and I am super pumped about this weekend for 3 main reasons!! 

1. Easton gets to meet one of his great-grandmothers!! The only one he hasn't met and I am so excited!! I just wish my Mammaw could have met him too! She would have loved that he got the "Martin blue eyes" she passes down through her boys!! 

2. We will be attending Madileigh and Easton's Great-Great-Grandmother's birthday party!!! We are so blessed to still have her with us and she is still a hoot to be around! Especially when my little brother gets to pickin at her! 

3. Last and certainly not least, probably my favorite, MY BIG BROTHER WILL BE HOME TOMORROW from Afghanistan!! I am so proud of him and so excited that their little family will finally be back together again!! I wish we could be at the airport with them because I know Grayson is gonna go absolutely bananas when he sees his daddy!! I cant wait for him to see how much Karlynn is doing and hear that sweet little chuckle!! And of course I can't wait to introduce him to Easton!! 

Yep. Its gonna be a good weekend!! I get the fever to move home so bad each time we go back now!! Its really starting to become more of an itch! =)

Here Lately...

My babies jumping together!! 

I know that I have been slacking immensely in the blogging area and I apologize. I have had so many people tell me that they love reading my blogs and that I am not the only one who struggles in the motherhood department… In a weird way that makes me feel good!  So I guess an update is in order… We are well. Madileigh is as sassy as ever and Easton is growing like a weed. I still think I can stop their growth at some point and yet here they are, bigger and more verbal and I just sigh in awe of the blessings Im raising.

So Easton first. He is still a Momma’s boy and gives his daddy some crazy fits on nights when I have to work. Its sad for me and I wish I could just stay home with him but Johnny is hanging in there like a champ! I have had to take him back to the doctor twice in the past week. He is still extremely congested and the flem is causing him to throw up whole bottles at a time. I have to suck his nose constantly and I kid you not, the poor thing smiles when I do it! Madileigh used to scream and jerk like it was nobody’s business if I even touched the suction bulb! But I guess that just goes to show you how miserable he is! The conclusion that the Doc came up with today is acid reflux… a little rice cereal in his bottle and saline drops the obvious solution! I hope he gets better soon. I cant stand free health care.

I have not been posting my ‘Madileigh Moments Monday’ posts and I have had several people ask me to stay on top of those lol! I promise I will try to do better! She is absolutely hysterical! I keep waiting for the part where the inadvertent comedy wears off … when I stop laughing, every day, about the absurdly hilarious things she does or says. I know it will be different when she is, say, a teenager. "Mom, I dented your car," just isn't that funny. Although I can actually picture Madileigh saying it and it was kind of comical in my head... But tell me: Does it stop being funny? I sure hope not!

She is going through a growth spurt. My child eats from the second she gets home from daycare until I tell her she cant have anything else and she settles for milk and reluctantly goes to bed. Its quite absurd that she isnt a lil fatty like her brother is becoming! But anyway, Johnny and I went and got a bunch of healthy snacks for her since she is always hungry but we also got her a big bag of M&M’s… to be given conservatively and as somewhat of a reward… like for potty training and not annoying the crap out of Easton, etc… So the other day she asked me “Mom, I want some “Emmmimimms” (Yea, sound that out.. Its quite cute how she says it).. and I had just gotten home from work so I told her to ask her dad because I didn’t know if she had supper yet. Well upon asking him, he told her that if she gave him some sugar she could have some! Of course she obliged and since he was feeding Easton he told me to grab some for her… I got some in my hand, walked over to her and said “Can I have some sugar too?” her reply: with her hand stretched out for the candy, “*Sigh. But I dust dave kisses to daaaad.” =( I lose. Too smart for bribery.

Oh that girl is something else. She is real big into her “mommy” phase still and thinks that everything I do with Easton she has to do with her babies… Including sucking their nose out while telling them “Its awwight” ha! I keep wipes all over the house… literally there is a box in every room because you just never know when it comes to snotty noses and dirty diapers! So the other day I walk into Madileigh’s bedroom to find at least 3 boxes of wipes emptied and like a cover to what used to be her carpet. Seriously? I said “Um, what the crap are you doing Madi?” Her reply: with a big innocent smile and her babies laying all around her… “I got get diaper Mom.. baby poopy. (pause) Nasty poop. (turns and wipes their 

butts) Ewwwwwe.” Just what do you do???

Ok.. One more. I am on a diet. I am doing good at it and I am very proud of myself! Anyway, I must look like a retarded elephant with ants in my pants to my daughter when trying to exercise. I was playing a turbo jam workout video and Madileigh literally jumped on my back everytime I had to get down on the floor and if I was standing up she was screaming “Mom. STOP DANCING.” With both of her ears plugged by her fingers and her eyes squeezed shut. I swear I used to think I was cool. Im clearly a loser!!!

Here are some pics of the kiddos here lately:

"I'm Praying For Katie!"

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:6-7 

I have a heavy heart tonight thinking about my friend Katie. If you haven’t already seen, she was in a car accident and is in the LSU trauma center in New Orleans. This afternoon, and still, she is at the hand of the surgeons as they attempt to realign her spine. They will also be dressing her wounds and cleaning her burns. It pains me so much to even think about this happening to such a wonderful person. Katie is one of the most beautiful people you will truly ever meet. I have never met anyone who hasn’t instantly liked her.

Anyway, I recently read ‘The Help’ and I can’t help but think of how Abilene used to write her prayers and it seemed to help. So here goes. I am writing my prayer for Katie tonight:

Lord, I don't always understand your ways. Sometimes, I tend to ask “why?” but I trust You. I ask that you look with mercy and grace toward my friend Katie. Nourish her spirit and soul at this time of suffering and comfort her and her family with your presence. Let her know you are there. Give her strength. And may you, through this difficulty, be glorified in her life and also in mine. Please restore her to full health and let her be the physical inspiration she has always been to so many.

Katie is a believer and I know she will not give up. Give her that extra push when she needs it. As she is in recovery from this please let her look upon her wounds and have all fear removed from her heart. Let her find peace and beauty within and feel the tremendous influence she has on so many. Lord you are glorified through her life and she is a healing example.

Perform miracles on her and use her as Your own. You know my friend so much better than I do. You know her sickness and the burden she carries. You know her heart like no other. Please be with my friend now as You work in her life.

I selfishly ask that You heal her burns and comfort Mrs. Tina. As a mother I cannot imagine what she is going through and I pray that you wrap your comforting arms tight around her and shield her from all doubt and pain. Fill her heart with the unselfish love she so freely gives. Flood her mind with memories and with good times yet to come. May she be strong and continue to trust in your goodness and hope in your faithfulness. Let she and the rest of Katie’s family and Brooks be filled with patience and joy in Your presence as they wait for Your healing touch.

You are the one I turn to for help in moments of weakness and times of need. I know that what I am asking is Yours alone to give.

All of this I pray in the name of Jesus Christ.

Amen.

“The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.” –Psalm 41:3

Opposites Attract

“Opposites attract and then drive each other crazy.”

I was talking to one of my friends about her problems and something she said got me thinking about my own relationship. “Opposites attract and then drive each other crazy.” I believe its true that opposites attract. I also believe that they often marry. I think that this can be good thing. A dynamic, healthy relationship should allow partners to be complimentary pieces to each other, each with their own tastes and interests along with some shared ones to add some excitement to a relationship. No one wants to marry someone exactly like them… that would just be boring.

But what makes you complete opposites? Does it have to be labeled as ‘A Socialite and a Homebody?’ ‘Spenders and Tightwads?’ ‘Doctors and Ditchdiggers?’

I used to think my husband and I were complete opposites. I think we used to fight about it secretly all the time. We disagreed on just about everything (especially when I was pregnant) and the arguments often ended in a silent agreement that we were just opposite and had different opinions on the issue. Lately I have really been thinking about  this. I believe that your soul mate is not someone who is identical to you. In fact, if the two of you think and act the same in every way, you’ll probably soon get bored with each other. I think the secret to a long and happy marriage is to marry someone who is complimentary. That is, someone who has characteristics you don't have but that you admire. A person who is different enough to be interesting but is not truly your opposite. I have learned that after understanding each others' view points, you must agree to just disagree. You must be willing to let it be just that and that be the end of it. But what is most important is to find your common ground. Figure out what issues you do agree on, and go from there. I have learned to appreciate that in a healthy marriage you don't have to think alike, nor should you… that would also make for a boring relationship… Instead respect each other on issues you don't agree on, and embrace each other when you finally do find something you can both support.



I am glad I am finally starting to figure out how this whole marriage thing works lol. =) I sure do love my husband and I am very thankful for him! The perfect song for him is 'God Gave Me You' by Blake Shelton. Love it!

"What counts in making a happy marriage is not so much how compatible you are, but how you deal with incompatibility."
-Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy

Abundant Blessings!

I absolutely love looking at stuff like this in nature! It really brings into perspective how big our God really is and makes you feel so blessed that so long ago He thought to make things like this so beautiful just so I could walk outside on a regular ole Sunday and be amazed.

We have a little tree in our walkway (I don’t remember the name of it) but it attracts butterflies! I love it! Anyway, Johnny and I came home the other day and all the leaves were gone. Just in a short amount of time, every single leaf was nowhere to be seen. Not even on the ground around it. This was weird to us.. at first. Then Johnny saw a little caterpillar on the very top of the highest branch. He was just hanging out like he had just ate his way to the top!

Anyway, today when I came outside I saw about six of these little cocoons. They are so beautiful to me! In the darker one, if you look close enough you can actually see the wings starting to form! I am so excited that these beautiful little creatures picked my house!

I can’t wait to explain these pictures to Madileigh one day and her figure out that all those leaves were eat up by these caterpillars so they could be full enough to be in their cocoons and turn into beautiful butterflies!

Thank you God for little blessings like these. Every little detail that You planned out was part of a bigger picture! "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:14

Halloween Project!

I love wreaths!! I made a Christmas one last year with my sis-in-law and then I got this idea from Pinterest.. Go figure ha! But it was a fun lil project and it is our only October decor for our home!! 

Mommy's Little Masterpieces!

Well I started this project yesterday and it rolled over into today! I have had this project in mind for a while thanks to Pinterest and I like how it turned out! It was actually quite simple to do and Madi had a blast making the clothespins!


All I did was buy some trim to make the frame. I painted it with acrylic paint! I did my best to match the painting already in my kitchen! =) Other than that I just got some hooks and wire and a little wooden 'S' to give it a little monogram effect! (I haven't added the 'S' yet... Gotta get the hubbies help ha!)

Then me and Madi decorated our clothespins! We made airplanes and dragonflies but her favorite was the flowers! (Hence the majority of petals on it)! 


But now I can hang all my kiddos masterpieces up and leave my fridge for pictures!! Perfect!