Ding Dong The Computers Dead!

I am at the library on the computer right now. Our computer at home a finally kicked the bucket! We knew it was coming. We were warned. The power source has been slowly going out and yesterday it said it's final prayer. May it rest in peace. When are we going to get it fixed??? Who knows. Until then I am offline which drives me crazy insane. I feel so disconnected. I would give up my phone anyday if it meant I could still have the computer. I feel lost and disoriented with the comfort of getting online. *sigh*

So anyways....I have new stories to tell about going downtown and seeing the gingerbread houses and getting santa pictures. We've also got snow with frigid temperatures. All this will have to wait.

Goodbye for now my friends....

Going through the motions of Christmas

Its December 12 and so far the Christmas spirit hasn't visited us yet. Its always been a struggle but this year in particular seems really really hard. I feel like we are going through the motions and everywhere I turn the struggle gets bigger and bigger.

For instance our tree....

I can't get over how pathetic it is. Usually we go out as a family to a tree farm and cut down our own tree. But with Todds schedule we decided that we would just have to go buy one at the store. We are a "noble" family. We like the branches to have nice even spaces between them so the ornaments can dangle. Lowes is trying to tell us that this is a noble.....I don't think so. Look how full and barrel shapes it is. We might as well saved ourselves $15 and bought a douglas fur! (sorry to all the douglas fur fans out there) But the story doesn't end there. You probably can't see it by the picture but there is a huge hole in the front of the tree. That is where the tree-train was supposed to go but after Todd cut back the branches to try and fit it in, we realized the trunk is way to thick. So no tree-train this year AND there is a big freaking hole in the front of it. And also, for the icing on the cake....not only are we losing needles faster then a speeding bullet but the tree is leaning! Todd doesn't see it so he won't fix it.

This is the beginning of the huge pile of lights that are not working this year. All the icicle lights and all the lights for the windows are broken. When I put them away last year they were working. What is happening inside those boxes during the year. I swear its a conspiracy going on. So we don't have all the lights put up because its not like we are going to go buy more....cuz we are freaking broke! Yes its a tight Christmas this year. Todd lost about $1300 a month in his income because the company is cutting back on expenses. So that means Todd and I are not buying for each other this year. Which I guess is fine because I don't really NEED anything that bad. But the lack of Christmas shopping as put a slight damper on the spirit. I am not a big spender or a major shopper but I love to go Christmas shopping. I love the challenge of finding the right gift at the right price. I love finding an item on sale and feeling like I got a good deal. I love the walking around, touching and thinking about things. With Kyler getting older I found it harder to figure out what to get him because not only does he have everything but he is almost out of the toy stage so you can't just grab a toy off the shelf. Research needs to happen. And I enjoy the challenge. And even though I know I don't need anything and its more important for the kids to receive...there is that small part, that little girl inside of me that will be disappointed to have no presents under the tree for me this year.

I use to work in retail and even though I am glad to not be doing that, there is a small part of me that misses it during the Christmas season. I worked in the perfume section and would help everybody pick out there gifts. I would wrap them up in pretty , elaborate packaging and feel really appreciated for it. Sometimes I miss the hustle and bustle of it all.

*Slap *Slap...I know I need to get a hold of myself. I know what the true meaning of Christmas is. But even that part feels like its missing this year. *sigh*

Maybe when the baby is in the manger...then I will feel better.

What??

The strangest thing happened to me today and of course my first thought was "I might just have to blog about that!"

ok so here's was happened.....

I am in the check out line at Target and I hear "Can I see your ID?" (and no this is not a repeat of my last ID post) my response was "huh??" cuz you see I didn't have anything I felt I needed to be carded for. No alcohol. No cigarettes. I wasn't trying to see an R movie. and I wasn't writing a check. Can you guess what I was being carded for???

Go ahead.. take a guess. I bet you'll never figure it out in a million years!

It was...

AIR!

Yes Air! Canned Air that is. And the checkout chick couldn't even tell me why (though I guess if you really really think about it I am sure it has to do with getting high or something!) But she definitely had to scan my ID before moving on. So weird! I don't even know what this world is coming to and what will be next.

What goes beyond having to be an adult to have air?

Thanksgiving Martha Stewart Style

Let me introduce you to my cousin Brian (Thank you Brian for dressing for the occasion!) and his girlfriend/fiance/wife Audrey. (Nobody knows what to call her cuz they've been together for like 13 years, they both wear wedding rings and they call each other husband and wife BUT they are not married...confusing!) Anyways...we were invited to there house for Thanksgiving this year and thank goodness for that cuz up to a few days before, we had no where to go! I didn't know this but Audrey is our familys very own Martha Stewart.

I just couldn't believe what she put together. I mean you see this kind of stuff on tv but never in real life...especially in Arlington WA where hicks are very common.

Just look at this...my place tag was hand done just for me!

The kids had there very own table...not that Kaden sat there for very long but its was blissful for a few minutes

This here is what you would call Pink Panties

Pink lemonade..7up...Vanilla Vodka...Just trust me on this one!

This is how we had our turkey prepared this year

I was wary and a little frightened but I tell ya...it was the yummiest turkey I have ever had.

Yes that is my child sucking on a greasy turkey leg and yes I am ok with that...but only because it Thanksgiving.

The kids got to make a gingerbread house too (Good idea Audrey!)

All in all it was a great Thanksgiving! I don't know if it was because of the fancy table set up but the food was just amazing! The best Thanksgiving feast I think I have ever had. My mom's pumpkin pie was missing but I guess everything can't always be perfect!

But don't ask Kaden how he felt about dinner

He chose to have cereal instead

I could sleep for like a 100 years!

We are back from our Thanksgiving travels and we had a great holiday with the family. Yes, I have pictures and stories but right now I think I just need a vacation from my vacation. The house is a wreck and all I want to do is work on my puzzle. Also I need to delete a ton of crap off of the computer so I can download more pictures. It feels weird to not have posted anything in over a week and I don't know if anyone even noticed. But I am hoping to get my act together in the next couple of days. I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and if you braved Black Friday like I did....God bless you child!

I Went, I Watched....And I LOVED IT!

Can I say that I am SOOOOOOOO glad I was not disappointed!!

I have fallen in love with Twilight all over again. What is it about these books and these characters that just draws you in like nothing else? I wish more people I knew would read it and love it as much as I do.

I loved how the audience reacted to different things in the movie. The tension of when they meet and before they get together...you can feel everyone holding their breathe knowing whats going to happen. Laughing at times because we know the characters soooo well and we know the meaning behind a certain look or action, that it makes the movie so much more enjoyable.

I am looking forward to the next movie (or movies?) and OH YES their will be a next one...you can count on that one! If you haven't seen the movie yet...just you wait and see!

My favorite scenes......The baseball game (Love the song!) and the gazeebo scene (love that song too)

PLEASE PLEASE do yourself a favor and reading the freaking book and THEN go see the movie (and only in that order!) you will wonder why you waited so long to join the movement.

Hi my name is Andrea Reynolds and I am an Edward-oholic...and I am ok with that!

Only a mom can relate (Read at your own risk!)

I know it may be way to soon to have any sort of celebration dance but....Can I just say that Kaden is doing SOOOO amazingly well at using his little potty! I can't believe it. Am I on Candid Camera? We have had no accidents since Wednesday and no diapers on unless its bedtime. Well unless you count when he peed on the floor because his little penis wasn't pointed down in the toilet. By the way.....how do you properly clean the carpet anyways. I can't get the smell out!

Did I mention we only started all this on Tuesday??

Anyways, he tells me when he has to go...kind of. He has an almost desperate plea in his voice when he calls for me. Of course I'm immediately "in action" when he needs me and 45% of the time its a false alarm. Kind of exhausting but oh well. Todd says I can't let it rule my life. Um...what? How can you ask that? Of course its going to rule my life! It will rule this house until we are confident he won't pee all over our bed. (again!)

Now when it comes to poo?... As I type this Kaden is sitting on the potty next to me whining and carrying on. "I don't want it...I don't want it!" "I not do it! I not!" "No Ma no!" He has to poop but he is scared. Its really the funniest thing today yet. I can't help giggle about it. He's so serious about it while his face is turning red. Somehow when you are scared to go poo....it becomes alittle backed up. (Go Kaden go...Go Kaden go!)

We actually ventured out yesterday but stayed clear of the public bathrooms. I think we need to take it one step at a time. I don't want to scare the kid to death.

Right now he is running around and yelling to Kylers friends in the other room..."I did it! I did it!" They have no idea what he is talking about and completely ignoring him.

I guess he'll have to celebrate with his candy alone

What I love and What I hate Wednesday

I LOVE that Kaden doesn't scream bloody murder when I have him sit on the potty anymore. This is such a HUGE step in the right direction. Its so much easier to stick to it when they are more agreeable to it. This morning when I got him out of bed, I told him to quickly go sit on the potty. He said "ok!" Of course I am a broken record now too..."do you have to pee?","do you have to pee?", "do you have to pee?"

I HATE how messy this whole thing can be. But this is a time when I am grateful for hardwood floors! Instead of having him go commando, I have been putting underwear on him (Which he looks so cute in!) just so there is something there to absorb the liquid. And I have blankets on the couch and chairs because those are the things you can't very well put in the wash machine. Yesterday he peed in the toilet 2 times, peed in his pants 3 times and pooped on the floor once.

And now today is a new day. But I also hate that I feel trapped in the house. I worry about leaving the comforts of his little potty. He is terrified of public bathrooms (automatic toilets) and I hate to break the stride and put a diaper on him. So for now we are stuck here while Todd is at work till this evening and I am out of milk! Whats a girl to do???

Birthday Stuff

Yes our little guy is 3 and he had a fun birthday with family. You can see how he has grown into a very cute little man...

His 1st year and 1st birthday

2nd year and 2nd birthday

3rd year and 3rd birthday

We are not one of those people who go all wild and crazy for a birthday party when the kid won't even remember it. Kaden enjoys having family over and I enjoy cooking for everyone. Its a win win situation!

They say a woman's place is in the kitchen and they are right....at least on that day! 5 hrs....60 enchiladas and 1 chocolate sheet cake later....and everyone was my best friend!

Another successful day of eating cake and getting presents! Can't think of anything better then that. And I think Kaden would agree.

Thanks everyone!

(Now we have just another 2 months until Kylers)

From 0 to 3 in what seems like seconds!

As much as I didn't want this day to come....it did! I have a REALLY hard time watching my boys get older. But as sad as I am that my baby is growing up, I am excited for all the new things Kaden is going to learn and discover this year. (Specifically learning and discovering the potty!)

Its seems like yesturday he was so little and new. Kaden filled an empty hole in our family!

I remember everything about the last 3 yrs! And I hope I will never forget.

Here are some things about Kaden that you may not know about....

*He loves his bwankie like nothing else (no that is not a typo)*

*Kaden knows that we are depending on him to bail us out, so he's starting his strategies early*

*His brother is his best friend*

*Mickey is only ok if he is on TV*

He is not impressed with the Pinnochio ride...at all!*

*Spiderman has nothing on him when it comes to climbing the walls*

*He knows how to get his cousin to do his bidding*

*Not really a fan of birds*

*He's already a smooth talker with the ladies. (Must get that from his dad!)*

* His food tastes better when its put between the toes first*

*He is the destroyer of all pokemon! (much to Kylers dismay)*

* Could be cast in the next "A Christmas Story" movie. What do you think?*

Of course there are so many things about Kaden that can't be captured on film. Like the fact that he LOVES hugs, snugglies and kisses. He does not call me Mommy...its always Ma! (Like we live on Little House on the Prairie or something). Kaden is so easy to put to bed! All I have to say is "is it time for bed?" and he answers"ok!" And sometimes he tells ME when its time to go to bed. Also he will not even sit up in his bed in the morning until I have opened his door. If he could watch tv all day , he most certainly will. Kaden does not like chocolate. He tries to like it and wants to like it , but he just can't do it. And not only does he know his ABC, shapes, colors and numbers....he can also write all that stuff out on paper. Oh and one more thing! If he hears a song once or twice....he can usually sing along with the chorus. (and I am not just talking about kid songs either. Gotta watch what you listen to!)

I love this child with every fiber of my being!

Happy Birthday Kaden!

(More birthday stuff to come after the party)

Results

Looks like your stuck with me for awhile longer. The doctor says the mole was benign and that I am going to live. Thank you Jesus!

3 Years Ago Today

3 years ago today...
I was at the hospital at 6 am sharp! I wasn't dilating or having contractions but I was determined to have you born today.

3 years ago today...
I put on my hospital gown, got my IV, took the magic pills to get my labor started and...waited

3 years ago today...
I watched tv, tried to read and tried to take a nap but just couldn't concentrate.

3 years ago today...
Visitors came and went. Nurses came and went. Time ticks on and on

3 years ago today...
I started to contract and dilate after being at the hospital for 9 hours. I cried for my epidural but the nurse said "girl, you are only dilated to 4!"

3 years ago today...
I finally get my epidural after being at the hospital for about 14 hrs. Its 8 pm and all is right with the world. Except I am really hungry!. I haven't eaten in 15hrs.

3 years ago today...
Its taking forever to get to 10. Its really late and people are waiting patiently for me to have you. I haven't quite reached THAT point. My doctor is only just on her way to the hospital. I am feeling sick and need to throw up.

3 years ago today...
My dad says (a direct quote) "That little shit's going to wait and be born on his due date!"

3 years ago today...
I throw up which thankfully puts me over the edge and ready! But..........


3 years ago today...

You were not even born yet!

Yes I do look rather puffy. But I've been on IV for 18 hours. Give a girl a break!!

He's a handy man to have around

Uh oh! Andrea's in trouble! The look on his face says a thousands words, don't you think? I did it again........I clogged the kitchen sink, again. At least we can assume it was me since I am the only one in this house that knows how to pick up a dish and clean it. This is probably the 3rd or 4th time in last 4 months. I don't know what I am doing wrong! Since its actually deep into the wall, we own a 15 ft auger to help us out. (Like I said ..this is the 3rd or 4th time.)

Usually it works pretty quickly but this one was being stubborn.

He is so patient with me. Here I am being "miss paparazzi", not helping at all! He has to rely on our children for help

Can I just take a moment and just say that I really appreciate how great Todd is as a father. He is so patient with the kids. I am sure he was irritated by this whole mess and trying desperately to not call a plumber. But he didn't take it out on anybody! Especially the kids while they were running around, asking a million questions and trying to help out. That's just the kind of guy he is and I really love that about him. Heck he's so patient, he let the kids try and figure it out for him

He is close to admitting defeat! All the usual tricks aren't working. We know that the plumber will charge at least $300 to come out and fix it. Don't give up honey...Don't give up!

This is the "I'm missing My Name is Earl" look.

Well fortunately we didn't need to call a plumber. Todd went to Lowes and bought a $10 Drain Cleaning Bladder (our last resort!) and we were fixed in no time. Well maybe not "no time"! It took us 2 days to get it figured out.

I'm sorry..please don't be mad! I'll try not to do it again.

$10 is better the $350 right? right?

Ah see! He forgives me. All is right with the world again. He loves me! (until next time at least)