Year End Wrap Up

2012 brought about lots of happenings in our household.

In January I wrote out a list of goals to accomplish in the new year. I wanted to be more present in my daily activities as I felt like Camden was growing up way too fast. I feel that this was accomplished rather well, as evidenced by my lack of blogging it goes to show that I am stepping away from the computer and enjoying my free seconds. As a working mom, that is something that has to be done. I spent as much time away as I do with him, so it's important that I soak it up. I also had a goal of maintaining a healthy workout routine. I'd go as far to say that is still a work in progress. I'll continue to work at that. My other goal was to read the bible in a year, and as of 12-26 I did just that! Woot! This was the month where I also struggled with learning how to discipline Camden and what would be the right steps for us as a family. I also videoed Camden running to me when I pick him up at daycare. I'm happy to report that he still runs when he sees me and yells "mamma mamma" the whole way over. I love it, and will be so sad when it stops!!

February brought about buidling a playhouse for the backyard, first swim lessons and first Bounce U party. This was also the month that we helped launch a new campus at church, and it was one of the most rewarding and best things we have done. We got more invovled in church, volunteering on the Host Team and meeting people weekly. It has really been a blessing.

March brought about the beginning of molar teething, Camden graduated diaper dolphins and we continued on in the next round of swim for another eight weeks to bring us right up to swim season. We were plagued with fevers and while teething and getting kicked out of school because of it, but still staying strong!

April we took a mini vacation to Great Wolf Lodge and had a blast. On Easter, Camden actually understood that he had to pick up the eggs. Until he found out that there were things INSIDE the eggs. I did my first Pinot's Palette painting party with friends and for my birthday my brother let me shoot his guns. I can now say I have shot a gun!

May brought about more teething and biitng for Camden, and he graduated rooms at daycare. We spent some time with the cousin's helping them build a fence and had a great time there. We dedicated Camden at church, and gave him the life verse of Zephaniah 3:17. It was such a special time, and I love that we get to take him to such a great place to learn and grow in Jesus.

June brought about fun stuff. We transitioned Camden to a toddler bed after continual climbing out of bed in the wee hours of the morning. We rode bikes and ate sno cones and played in the sprinklers. I took maternity pictures for my bestie Jennie and I think they turned out simply amazing, it was work I was truly proud of, one of my first real sessions! My bestie Tiffany and I threw a baby shower for Jennie at my house.

July brought about At the Movies series at Church. It is simply amazing, and we love going to visit nearby campuses and helping set up ours. It's always a fantastic series, so much to look forward to! We watched fireworks that Camden seemed to enjoy before requesting to watch Mickey Mouse. We swam lots. Pearl got really sick and we were all really worried about her, took her to the vet and after an arm and a leg later - she was on the up and up. We swam some more.

August came so quickly, and with it came Camden's second birthday. We planned a joint birthday party with his cousin and rented a big water slide. For me, the big thing that sticks out about August was finding out about my "spot" Sheldon. I had no idea what kind of spot he was, or what he was doing in my brain. It was a stressful time, not knowing what was going on. Thankful that I signed up for volunteer MRIs to learn more about it and maybe catch something early. I was called and told about this the day before Camden's birthday. It was stressful and scary when I was trying to focus on the happy time that was Camden's birthday.

September was here so fast. We visit the zoo, went to friends birthday parties and snuggled together, all of us. Camden moved again to another new room at daycare. Camden got sick with the vomits, and it was pathetic. The actual date of Camden's birthday party fell on Sept 1, as it was the first free weekend. It was so much fun, the kids LOVED the water slide, and we stayed late and played as a family after everyone left. It was great! It also served as a great distractor while I waited to hear back about my spot, "Sheldon".

October was another fun month. We visited the pumpkin patch and Camden got to go on his first pony ride. I'll never forget how excited he was to ride the ponies - he even remembered the name of his pony, Cherokee, months later after riding. Camden and I had a solo trip to the zoo, where he loved getting to run around and play. I took my sister in law's maternity photos, Camden started saying "I you Momma" (I love you momma) repeatedly, Husband and I went to Homecoming walkarounds at our Alma Mater and I threw a baby shower for my sister in law. Halloween flew by us, we trick or treated with the cousins and Camden just LOVES spending time with them. He was the same thing he was last year (a lion), because he could still fit and the kid wasn't about to wear anything on his head anyway.

November brought about our 6th anniversary, and on this date it was when I took a pregnancy test confirming what I had already suspected by Halloween. I worked that day, but left the evidence and a note out for Husband. Camden started becoming a little chatty cathy this month, talking all the time. We had an amazing Thanksgiving, announcing to our family that Camden was getting a promotion - to big brother! It was an exciting holiday and we were thrilled to share our news. I also had my first doctors appointment with my new doctor, and got to see the the little baby C.

December crept up on us quickly. We had holiday gatherings, work parties and events going on like whoa. Baking and being thankful and seeing Christmas lights. I had my second appointment with my doctor. We started new Christmas traditions like Elf on a Shelf and visited the Christmas Train for the first time. Christmas was good to us and we were blessed beyond measure. By Christmas I was officially 3 months pregnant and things were looking good. Even today, on the last day of the year we are taking Camden to his first OSU basketball game. Excited for the memories, and you can't beat free tickets! Thanks Heather!

Looking back on this year, we have been incredibly blessed. We have had our ups and downs, our questioning moments and our trials. But God always prevails, he never gives up on us, and he is faithful. He has brought us so much good out of such trying and scary times, that I can't help but tear up when thinking of all I DO have. We were so blessed by this pregnancy and that its timing fits perfectly into what needs to be done with further brain scans. I feel completely at ease with everything and know it's all in His hands.


By the way - We haven't announced on fb about our news and don't plan to yet, so those that are friends IRL (in real life), heads up!

Looking on to the next year my goals are simple: I want to continue to be the best mom to Camden, wife to Husband I can be. I want to be able to deliver a healthy baby and carry it healthy as well, spoil Camden in his last months as only child, and continue to learn and grow as a wife, mother, child of God. I started another year long reading plan, and other than that? My goals aren't too super ambitious. Just to take care of things. To take pictures. To love on my kid(s).

Happy New Year, friends!

Christmas

I'm writing this on my phone, as my computer has been acting up lately as it severely wants an iOS update. My phone needs the same but it needs to be on the updated computer, it's all a chain reaction.

But that has nothing to do with this post! Since I worked Christmas and was bummed out by it, we had Santa arrive a day early so I could be there to enjoy I as well. Luckily Camden is young enough that it was okay. It was a great morning on Christmas Eve filled with presents and family. We then got ready and layered up and went to the Zoo as a family to get out and play. It was 40 degrees out but a blast. We returned and put C down for a nap while husband and I cooked and then we woke C up early and headed to my parents house to do our Cmas. It was fun and relaxed and we had a blast. Camden got some fun toys and we were blessed for sure.

After we left there we went to Chris grandmother's house on his mother's side and did Christmas there like we always do on Cmas eve. I got some new shirts and Camden got a fun fire truck. It's always great seeing family.

We crashed as soon as we hit the pillow, then Christmas started with more presents for C at his other great grandparents house. He got a big Donald Duck, some cars and trucks, some fantastic helicopters and a pillow pet. After leaving there it was naptime and then Christmas with the in laws.

Again we were incredibly blessed many times over an had a good time hanging out, letting the kids run wild and watching a sappy movie. It was great. Camden got numerous toys, bowling pin set, a book set and some clothes. A little racetrack an plenty of stocking stuffers. He got a vacuum and books from his cousins and he asks to vacuum all the time and keeps asking to read. It's cute!

It was a busy and fantastic holiday. I'm sad it's all over all ready, I wish it lasted a whole week.

Watching Camden open his gifts my heart just swelled with pride. So blessed!

Attached are some pics from our zoo trip and our family Christmas. So fun!

Mental Health Funding vs Gun Control

Like many of you I can't help but think about the mass shootings that have happened this week, two of them! One at a mall and one at an elementary school. So many people look at these incidents and think gun control is the obvious solution.

As a worker in the mental health field I beg to differ. Personally I go straight to the issue of mental health and people getting help when they need it. A person can be completely fine, for years. Then out of no where they can snap and kill dozens of people. The problem lies not when they buy the gun, but before they snap. When they need help but don't know how to ask.

A friend of mine and fellow health care worker posted this "we teach diet and exercise in schools, but nothing about coping skills, self monitoring and definitely nothing about seeking help. An educated individual and an educated public allows for less of the "slipping through the cracks"". She goes on to say that what should be a priority continues to suffer budget cuts and most people speaking up tend to be those working in the field. I have to say I agree completely.

Instead of focusing on the mental health of people we will continue to revert to gun control thinking that will solve our problems. Here is an article showing the cuts on funding, might be worth a glance.

http://www.nami.org/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm?ContentFileID=147763

And please join me in praying for the families in Newton. Obviously one young mans mental health status not only affected his family, but 26 others who no longer have their loved ones, and countless others who lived through this tragedy and may be forever scarred and affected by the events of today.

Jesus be near the broken hearted at this time.

Christmas Traditions

I saw this posed as a question on another bloggers website that asked us to link up with our Christmas Traditions.

I couldn't help but stop and think about what traditions we have started for Camden thus far.

One tradition that we started just this year was the Elf on a Shelf. We used to always play "find the milk" after he took a bath in the evenings, and he LOVED that game. So I don't really think he gets the Elf's story this year, but he definitely enjoys finding it each morning because he loves the "find the...." game. He excitedly will point him out to us each morning, running the halls and checking the rooms for him. It's pretty darn cute. He even was able to name his Elf. We offered him many suggestions from Jingle to Buddy and Max and every name in between, but he suggested Gil. You may be wonderng where on earth did he come up with such a name? Well, Camden's favorite show is Bubble Guppies, and my dad asked him not too long ago what his favorite character's name was. And he responded with "Gil", who happens to be the silly blue headed Bubble Guppy on the show. Thus, our Elf's name is Gil. The only issue I see with this is with his young age, he's going to look for Gil after Christmas and there will be no Gil. So, it'll stink that one of his favorite games will come to and end for 11 months. Oh well, good thing he will probably have plenty of new toys to play with.

Another tradition that we have as just a family is adopting angel trees and being involved in LifePacks through church. He's still too young to understand now but I really want him to learn that it really is more about giving that receiving.

My husband has traditions that carried over, like going to his Grandmother's house (Camden's great grandmothers) at 7 am on Christmas to eat mush (fried cornmeal) and sausage and biscuits and to open presents. They all cram into their tiny house, snack away and make sure they all sit in their EXACT SAME SEATS each year. We also go to my husband's OTHER grandparents every Christmas Eve and eat dinner and open presents and hang out. It's really a lot of family in such a short time!

I am hoping that Camden will gain more interest in Christmas lights as he grows older, and will enjoy that more often. We have gone to Rhema the past two years to walk and look at lights, but I think Husband and I enjoy that more than little C. He does at first, but the novelty wears off pretty fast. We decorated our tree together too, and this was the first year Camden was able to help. You could definitely tell where his eye level was, as everything hung a little long and low. :)

We did Christmas Train for the first time this year and as awesome as it was, I'm not sure if that will be a yearly thing or not. It was fun though, that's for sure!

We will definitely read the Christmas story, and I'm hoping to do an Advent calendar or something along the lines next year when Camden is a bit older and maybe will understand better.

I will say, it has been so much fun deciding what traditions to start for our family!

Weekend recap

Long time no post! We had the busiest weekend in a long time! We did Christmas train on Friday night, I had two photo sessions, we did home improvement work to fix some outlets (I get to say "we" because I did help hubby run the lines/wires during naptime), we saw lights at Rhema and we spent the better part of our free time looking for my keys that I "lost". The house got a good cleaning after getting turned upside down multiple times.

Finally found my keys after a long weekend of searching, in my pants that I had already washed AND dried. Big fat fail. It appears as if the keys are ruined, but at least I know where they are on the plus side.

Chris was thoroughly annoyed as can be expected, especially after my phone incident a few weeks ago. But on the plus side my sweet hubby is the BEST. Not only did he quietly voice his frustration, but he surprised me with a new camera lens and a flash for my camera when I got home Friday! He had to take a half day to be able to sign for it so he could have it all before we headed out on the Christmas Train. So sweet of him! He really hustled to get it all. And he got the high grade lens even though I said I would settle for the medium. He kept saying "you wouldn't of been happy". Whatever, would too! But I am extremely happy this way too!

Camden also had some sickness this weekend that was random. Two of the days and mostly in the middle of the night he would cough and then vomit. Just once, and like 24 hours apart. And it was gross. He didn't run a fever, acted fine if not even better after. It was just bizarre. He denied anything hurting, and all doctor appointments were full so I am just waiting it out. So far no incidents since this weekend. But he is still coughing and I think I may have a slight touch of PTSD from the events as I jump everytime he starts to hack.

Been trying to wrap up end of the year stuff. Getting final doctor appointments and making sure we spent enough on flex spending. Let me just say, I think we are going to own lots of band aids very shortly!

That is all I can think of for now. Evenings are spent enjoying this uncharacteristically warm weather out riding trikes and bikes or spent at the gym or editing photos. So much to do, so little time left before Christmas!

I will leave you with a few picture of pictures of Christmas Train and a shot of my gorgeous nieces' newborn photos!

Turkey..

Turkey day did us in. :)

Three thanksgivings in 24 hours will do that to you.

But it was great to see family and catch up. It was a good time, and now it's already a month until Christmas.

Time flies around these parts!

Santa has already been doing his shopping, and I think it's about time for our Elf to come visit, Camden loves trying to find things so I know it will be a big hit!

Hope everyone had a great holiday!!

happenings...

Been so busy around these parts. Between shoots for family and friends, setting up Christmas lights, doing holiday baking and being sickly, it's been hard to keep things straight around here.

I feel like I am behind on sleep sometimes, but I love the hustle and bustle of the holidays. I love taking pictures for friends so I wouldn't change it for anything.

Camden has been talking and repeating everything lately. Sentences are getting longer, words are getting bigger. I am amazed at how much he learns on a daily basis. He is so fun to be around, even with the toddler tantrums and all. I mean, I just love this age, even though it is supposedly "terrible". He has been big into wanting to sit on our laps, bringing us books and when Chris is outside hanging lights he is trying to tackle and climb on Daddy, and it is just precious. He can put up things that he knows are to be put up, he knows to push in his chair after dinner and he especially loves going to CiCi and Papa's house after school because he knows they have chips and dip. In fact, he started screaming in the morning when I drop off Pearl, "I get out, PLEASE! I get out, PLEASE!". He's not a fan of having to wait until after school. He says things adorably like "nonut" instead of "donut" and uses words like "together" and is frequently yelling out "I did it!".

We bought him Mickey Mouse Christmas lights the other day, they were the last string available at Target and shoved way in the back. We hung them on his curtain rod above his bed, and he was so happy to see them up there that without prompting he thanked us. "Thank you Mama, Thank you Dada". It was so precious that I just died right there. I just couldn't take the sweetness.

In other exciting news, I figure I better share my stolen cell phone story. It was pretty entertaining so it's only fair that I share it.

I was taking pictures of my friends Preston and Jennie and their adorable little Kinley and Tobie on Sunday at a nature park near my house. I had my cell phone in my pocket but I was doing lots of squatting when taking the pictures, so I think that's when it happened. My phone fell out of my pocket, and I realized it as we were taking pictures. FAIL. I looked all around where we were and didn't see it, so we hiked back acrossthe park and looked on the other side of the trail where we took pictures. We walked back and forth, searching. In the meantime I called Chris from Jennie's phone and had him log into the Find My iPhone app on the iPad. He logs in and says that he sees it, occasionally telling me that he thinks it has moved, but it was hard to tell as all of the picture showed was "off the map" and off of the streets, because basically the park wasn't mapped out (thank you so much apple maps). I run into another friend, Jennifer out there who thankfully had a free second and loaned me her iPhone and I logged into the app as well so we could switch back and forth from the app to the apple map and see if we thought we were close to where it was. Eventually it looked as if it were IN the parking lot. SO confusing. I mean, what? We walked around and it wasn't there, so we assumed that it meant that the satellites were off and we headed back down the trail. As soon as we did, Preston and Jennie heard someone say "I'll be right back" and sure enough, we look at the map and we see that my phone is quickly on the move. What the heck? Someone STOLE it, despite the fact that I was asking EVERY. SINGLE. PERSON. that I passed. That's just crappy. So, I get on the app on Jennifer's phone and lock my cell phone and put a message up for them to see on it. It said. "I am lost, please call this number (I put in Chris' number). Then once I saw it travelling, I started getting a little meaner. I added to it. "I see you. I am still at the park. Please return it". Nothing happened. Then, we noticed it got still in a parking lot across from Walmart. So we decide to go get those boogers and throw down. Jennifer and I hop in my car and head to find it. We arrive and see it's a Nail Salon and a Subway. We are about to head in and start asking, when we set it off the alert to find it and hear it. It sounded like it was coming from a nearby car! Upon closer approach we can tell it's in the bush. We continue to set off the alert, and we find it buried deep in a thick and thorny bush. So someone obviously ditched it and hid it in there hoping I wouldn't find it and they could come back and get it, OR they were hoping to at least not get caught. JERKS. So after an hour and a half of searching and the generous patience of Jennie, Preston and Jennifer, we found it. Wowee was it ever a scare of a lifetime. And who steals a phone when you OBVIOUSLY SEE THE PEOPLE SEARCHING FOR IT? Sad that there just aren't honest people in this world anymore. The moral of the story? Don't drop your phone. And if you do? You better have the Find My iPhone app on it. TRUST ME.

Well that's some of the excitement going on in our lives, but let me say my favorite holiday is upon us. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

On a random note--had to post this from an app on my iPhone. Anyone else notice blogger being screwy? It won't let me open up my page on my home computer! So weird!!!

Remember the time when...

I sneezed while outside with my patients and got snot in my hair? 

Oh you don't?

Consider yourself lucky, cause it was pretty sick.

Speaking of pretty sick, that's how I've been lately. Allergies are kicking my rear, and suddenly my week long of clear snot turned into green infection. Icky.

Camden has been fighting stuffiness too, so it appears we just can't win. He at least still sounds like himself when he talks. I got some antibiotics so hopefully that will kick in SOON. No more sneezing snot into my hair, PLEASE. It was the kind of sneeze that shot me forward, and with it my hair swung forward as well. I'm sure you can guess the rest.

Oh and next time I want a new PCP? Remind me to get one. This one will not call in a prescription without seeing you. I mean, that's kind of ridiculous. I'm a grown adult, I know a sinus infection when I have one. One that comes with the nasty headaches and pressure that feels like my eyes are drowning and my ears are going to explode. I mean, seriously. I need to get on that. 

In other news, our anniversary was Sunday. Yay! I had to work, but afterwards we had dinner with his parents (which is one of my favorite things to do), and then we stopped and got some pints of Braums ice cream to eat for dessert. Yum! Camden and Husband have been partaking in the ice cream nightly, however due to my influx of mucous I have skipped out. Sad face. 

Our church is doing an AWESOME series called "The End" and it's talking about the end times and the book of Revelation. It is so good, and moved me to tears a few times. Our pastor really and truly has a gift - he keeps me riveted and I love going to hear him. And the best part? Getting friends to come to church. Everyone should see how awesome it is!

Not much else is going on in the news front. Going to take some pictures for friends if the weather holds off this weekend, I'm already praying it does! (rain is predicted - boo) I have cough drops to get me through the night tonight, so hopefully I can get a little sleep in. 

Hopefully a more substantial post will follow, soonish!

Hubby and I - so young!!

Update Schmupdate....

Halloween has come and gone! Can you all believe it is November already?

 

I guess I should update on going ons around these parts. I spent last Friday cleaning and prepping for my SIL L's shower that my sister and I threw. I cleaned house and set stuff up and hid toys, it was lots of work but it was a nice little shower with a super fun turnout. Saturday I woke up and did last minute prep, then it was time to go get dressed because people were arriving! So thankful for my husband, Mom and sister that were HUGE helps at getting it all ready. After the shower I cleaned up, and then by this time Camden was down for nap so this meant naptime for Mommy! After we had our fabulous naps we headed out to Hallowzooeen and got our candy on. It was our first time and it was really lots of fun! We can't wait to make it a little family tradition!

 

Sunday we chilled and recooperated and that was nice as well. I believe I had me another nap, thankyouverymuch.

 

This week brought about different picture taking with my sister in law and brother before the baby comes, yay! I also finished up editing my cousin-in-laws that I am rather partial too as well. 

 

Trick or treating with Camden this year was a BLAST! He is getting the hang of it, and learning that if he keeps going he will get even more candy! He was so adorable just walking up to these houses with his bucket all by himself, watching them drop candy in and then saying thank you and turning and running back to his daddy excitedly proclaiming "I got more candy!". He was so brave too, walking right up to the houses with scary lights or light up dancing ghosts that would have scared the bejezus out of me when I was a kid. He was a trooper and made it all the way around the block with his cousins who came over to go with us. He was delighted to go with his cousins and they were all so cute together.  I hope we can make it a tradition to all hang out together.

 

Camden went this year as a lion. You all may remember that he was this last year as well. But, he still fit into this lion, and no matter how much begging or pleading a mommy did, he would NOT wear the costume over his head so the mane would go around his face. He still looked adorable walking around in it, with his fluffy butt and tail. At one point he even knocked over someones porch decoration accidentally with that fluffy butt.

 

The plus side about parenting and this holiday is that we do a little bit of work to get TONS of candy, and then we raid their little candy buckets once they go to sleep. I guess you can probably guess what I will be doing every night for the next few weeks?? ;)

Now it's time for another weekend. I'm working this weekend so nothing too earth shattering going on. Just a little church here and there between shifts. Hopefully I can get a nap in on Monday when little man naps! ;)

Park it!

We have had unseasonably nice weather this week with highs in the upper 80s. We decided to sped as much of one of our evenings outside and it was awesome. C had a great time running around, working on his balance, climbing and learning how to hang on the rim after dunking!

Sleepy Mcsleeperson

Camden has been battling a cough the past few days and it has caused sleep issues like waking up early. The last few nights he has also fought going to bed, which resulted in this happening this morning. That would be someone passed out in his car seat. The last time that happened in the morning? Before he was a year old at least!!!

When I dropped him off at daycare,he even stayed asleep!!

Day in the Life: Fall 2012

This is a post about a Day In Our Life - Fall Edition. Linking up with Laura at Navigating the Mothership. 

I documented Saturday, October 20th.

 

I'll mention that the entire weekend was a whirlwind of busy, and that Friday night we drove round trip to Stillwater to partake in the awesome activties that are OSU walkarounds and enjoyed the housedecs. Afterwards we met up with friends, so we didn't get home until 12:30 or so.

 

Saturday Morning started off bright and early, a little too early for my liking.

 

8AM - Woke up to an empty bed, Husband had already gotten up, fed the dog and made himself eggs. He then agreed to make me some eggs as well, but I forgot to take a picture of it. It was super yummy Egg in a Hole toast.

 

830- Up and attempting to dress and put on my face. Fixing my hair.

 

900 - Leave the house, dressed and ready for the pumpkin patch. New camera in tow - so I can practice with it.

 

915 - Arrive at the in-laws to pick up the kid. We change him into a cute button up shirt - to which he throws a fit about having to change. We note that his cheeks are rosy and he is a little warm to touch, as well as extra snotty. Thanks teething. He still has one canine that has yet to poke through the surface. It surely won't be long. After epic meltdown and attempt to get the kid to calm by bribing with fruit snacks and other candy we head out of the house.

 

We drive to the pumpkin patch, and discuss where it is. Husband pulls off at the little roadside stand area that sells pumpkins. I disagree because how are they going to have camels and ponies here? Text a few friends and find out the exact location. Drive another three miles to more acreage where we find success. Crowded success.

 

945- We are here! We park and then begin the trek to the pumpkins. Camden is absolutely adorable when he says "Pumpkin" as it comes out like "Punkin". Love it.  He climbs all over them, refusing to hold still for a picture. Of course why would he cooperate? We show him the outdoor hay bale maze for little kids. He insists on going with the Husband first. After that he runs around and around and around, going again and again. We are able to sit on the hay bales and just watch. It was fantastic. We walk around and pet the other animals. Goats, alpacas and even a huge tortise. We show him the darkened maze. He goes in with Husband multiple times before daring to run in alone. He doesn't come out for a long time, so husband sends me in with my iPhone flashlight. I go in and hear people accuse me of "cheating". Ha! I can't find my kid, no judgies! Finally I catch a glimpse of his plaid and I call to him, and of course he runs away from me and towards the exit. I'm slightly irritated but mostly thankful, as it was pretty sweltering in the dark tent with haybales and lots of bodies.

 

We continue to walk around and look at the ponies and the camels. Camden keeps asking to "ride the pony". Someone walks by us talking to their kid about "riding the pony" and Camden answers her questions with an "OKAY!". We let him pick between pony and camel. He chooses ponies. We head back to pick out the pretty pumpkin we want. It's so stinkin' pretty. We pay for the pumpkin and then also buy a pony ride. Husband carries the big pumpkin all the way back out to the car, while Camden and I wait in the mile long line for the ponies. Finally after what felt like ages, Husband comes back. He takes Camden back to the hay bale maze and to see various things while I continue to wait in line. After what feels like an eternity, it is time. Camden walks up there and like a big boy lets the older gentleman put him on the pony. I ask the pony's name, it's Cherokee a cute little brown and white pony. Camden has on his serious face while riding the pony. In fact, I think he looks downright angry. Apparently that was just his focus face. He was focused the ENTIRE time. He would walk by and I would ask "are you riding the pony?" And all he could do was give me a serious and slow nod. It was adorable. He looked so big up there all by himself! He was so excited to ride them, and then so serious when he was done.  Love that kid.

 

We finally decide it's time to head out. We walk through the building selling jams and brittle and take a look, and stop and take pictures with some more pumpkins on the way out.

 

1145 - Finally get back to the car. Decide we should feed the kid before dropping him back off with the in laws.

 

12 - Arrive at Charlie's Chicken, which seems to be our go to eat out place. It has mashed potatoes, okra and ice cream. That's about all he will eat there. We take turns trying to bribe him into eating, notice he's talking less and less. Must be getting tired. I bust out my camera and fiddle with it while I take some pictures.

A weird Chicken. WTG Charlies!

 

1245 - Arrive back at in laws. Change Camden into comfy nap clothes and see if he wants anything else to eat before giving him some milk and laying him down.

 

115 - Tell Husband we better bust a move. We need to head home, let the dog out (since she's been having extra potty problems lately) and change if needed and head out.

 

215 - After doing all of that we leave the house and run to pick up my Mom at the Mall. We arrive a little early and run into Hallmark so I can get my ornament that goes along with the series I am collecting. Disney/Pixar and this years ornament is from Monsters Inc. We get in line and bust out our ornament card - to which they tell us they expire after two years so we can not add any stamps to it. Well my friends, that is just CHEAP. Who is going to buy 12 ornaments in the span of two years to get ten dollars off one? Not many people. I mean really, Joann's Hallmark. Really? That's just weak.

 

3- Grab my mom and head out to the casino. My Dad got us tickets to see Jeff Foxworthy and we were pretty excited for the getaway. It started at four and we arrived at 320 or so. Meet up with my dad and he tells us there was an issue with the other tickets, so he managed to use his smooth skills to get us upgraded to SUITE tickets. Yes, that's right! We get up there and there is TONS of food, desserts and drinks. All of it was free. It was fantastic! I nibbled on a little of everything and a couple extra of the desserts. The cake pops? Were moist and perfect, absolutely to die for. Before we knew it, it was showtime!

This is what a free drink looks like.

 

4- Jeff comes out and begins his show. He's super hilarious, and I love listening to him tell his stories. He swears that most of it is real life and that makes it even better.  A joke that I found really funny was a redneck joke at the end. He said "If your son's name is Dale JR, and your name isn't Dale.....you might be a redneck". HAHAHA!!!

It looks far, but it was awesome. And Suites for the price? WIN.

 

5:30 - show ended. We already had plans to go to the buffet in the casino - so we went and carb loaded on up. It was SO good, and I was SO full. I ate a fajita, BBQ chicken, chips and queso, and I probably had two dessert plates. It was SO good I had trouble deciding! After the buffet we decided to check out the new part of the casino and so we headed up to check that out and watched my Dad play some video blackjack for an hour or so.

 

Amazing. You could pick as many as you wanted!

By this point it was about 7:30. We pick up our car from valet, head back to town to pick up our little munchkin. When we arrive all the way across town its close to 8, little man tells us "no, I wanna stay with mama and papa". He loves it over there, it's pretty cute. We drag him out and make it home to watch Bubble Guppies and play with him for a while.

 

9:30 - Little man goes to sleep.

 

10:00 - Husband and I follow shortly after. We had a busy evening the night before, and a just as busy day. However, I wouldn't trade it for the world!

 

 

Mommy and Me :: A Day Off

Camden and I went to the zoo again the other day. By ourselves. We had a blast running around!

Isn't that lizard cool?

playing in the bamboo. Loved it!

my little monkey

The seal show! He was doing his impression
of a seal. Love those Sea Lions!

Again my little monkey!!

Do you see the snow leopard?

Petting the little baby goat. He was so sweet too! 

Maternity shoot :::L:::

 It's been a really long time since I have posted pictures. And I LOVE picture taking. These are a few of my beautiful sister in law that I took about a week ago in a flower field before it got cold. We started rapidly losing light before we got finished, but we are going to do a few more when my brother can be present as well. Isn't she gorgeous?!?

I can't wait to get into all the photos people are asking me to take. And then this little baby girl will be here and I'll have another newborn shoot!

New Camera?

I woke up this morning for work, bright and early on a Saturday morning. I grabbed my trusty iPhone so I could use it as a flashlight and dragged my bleary eyed self into the bathroom. My normal morning routine is to read my Bible verses (what did we do before YouVersion?) while I'm fixing my hair, then I will play around, check email, or read local news stories.

 

I hadn't read much in the news lately because sometimes it's better to NOT know, right? Ugh. So I pulled open my local newstation app and lo and behold, there is a top story involving my part of the city. I open the article and read the story, which turns out took place ONE MILE from my house.

 

Say what?

 

Upon further examination, the story was about an attempted break in to a house, in the middle of the day. IN BROAD DAYLIGHT. Who does that? The story went on to say that the stay at home mom was home, heard people knocking but didn't recognize the man, so she looked at him through the peephole and then didn't answer. She heard him comment to another man, stating something about "they have a dog". She was on edge, so she went to the back bedroom, grabbed her gun, checked out all the windows and then sat down in the living room. She said that's when it happened as fast as lightning. They kicked in through the storm door and the front door, and were in the house in a matter of seconds. She shot off three shots at the men who went running. Serves them right.

 

So this story really gave me the willies. I was at home yesterday too. Me and my little boy. Playing with his toys, playing on the iPad, cuddling in bed, playing in the backyard. This story happened RIGHT DOWN THE STREET, for crying out loud.

 

My brother has been pestering me since my birthday in April, the one where he took me shooting, to get a gun. Interesting enough, I spent some of Thursday evening and Friday almost buying a new DSLR. A full frame that was from a local photographer. I mean, whoa was I close. Almost an impulse buy, but I have had requests from friends and family for family pictures, so I could REALLY benefit from a full frame DSLR. But it didn't work out. Maybe that is a sign that I should invest in that gun and a gun safe?

 

Something to ponder for sure!

Spot or Not

Things have been chaotic around these parts lately. If it's not one thing, it's another. We finally regrouped after the sickies of brain cysts, strep and teething (yay for finally getting those canines!) and have been out and about enjoying ourselves. Camden has been loving playing at the park at our nearby school, now that it's back after being under construction allllll summer.

 

Luckily for Husband and little C, they are healthy and happy. For me? I just can't quite win. I got rid of strep and found out about cysts and since then I have been growing little dry red patches on my skin. Ringworm maybe? Where do I get this stuff? I've been treating with antifungal cream but no avail. It is expired cream, so maybe it needs longer? It doesn't seem to be changing the spots, in fact, I seem to be growing new ones. Yet, Husband and C don't seem to have an awkward spots anywhere. So who knows? I have been told to switch to cortizone cream, thanks to Malissa. It looks like I need to make the switch. Maybe I need to go to a doctor? Oye. So over doctors.

 

Camden is up to a few new things. He and I get into a game called "I love you" and I will say "I love you Camden" and he will say "I You Momma", (I and You are kinda pushed together so he thinks he's saying I love you) and we repeat it back and forth until someone forgets or quits saying it. It's adorable. He is becoming a huge fan of red. You will ask him what shirt he wants to wear and he will say "red". If he pees on the potty he wants a red M&M (and we are in very short supply of those around here). He is fighting going to bed a little at nighttime, He just seems to have enough energy to stay up, like a 7th wind or something by that point. He's pretty stinking adorable, even when he's cranky. He has NOT been a fan of pants. It was like pulling teeth to get him to wear those. Also he fights putting on a coat in the mornings. But by the time we get to school? He refuses to take it off. Kids are so silly!

 

They are learning about community helpers at school and this week has been all about the firefighter. They painted pictures of a fire and even practiced dialing the 9-1-1 and calling for 'Help', then practicing the stop, drop and roll. And from what I hear it is absolutely ADORABLE. Can you picture a bunch of young two year olds working on stop-drop-roll? Love it.

 

I can see his communication just increasing and it's pretty darn cool. He is picky and likes things his way, so he has trouble when Mom and Dad want to do things their way. Of course, that's just how two year olds work, but man, that is some work. I can see how some people have kids and are all "one and done" type thing. It's hard to raise them right, definitely takes patience and perseverance!

He also has a nightly thing where he likes to get out of the tub/shower and I hide his milk in the kitchen and he has to find it. I take him in there and hold him and he just stares and looks around while trying to find where I have hidden it. It's so cute watching him look and talk it out with himself. He loves the game, and cries if I forget to "hide milk". 

He can count to fourteen and knows all of his colors. He is absolutely fantastic at matching shapes and working puzzles independently but he's still working on his ABCs. I am one very proud Momma! 

C and I are always looking at each other and saying, "he looks so big". He's getting so heavy to carry around and is so independent. 

Alright, time to go treat some spots!!

Monday Randoms..

Obsessing over: Knowing the results of my 'spot' and knowing that there's nothing to be done now. It's so freeing. I can just be for a while.

Working on: Getting back to the gym like I know I want to. I haven't been as faithful this summer as normal, and routines are crazy and then the sickies and it's just easier to not go. But I feel so much better when I do.

Thinking about: How I should change my eating habits. And then what I should eat at my next meal. You like how that works?

Anticipating: Taking Camden to a pumpkin patch, SOON! And doing more maternity pics for my SIL, and a few other family shoots here and there. Been looking into buying a new lens. Fingers crossed!

Listening to: Imagine Dragons. I am obsessed.

Drinking: Alkaline water baby, all the way!

Wishing: For it to be 85 degrees again. That really is my perfect temperature.

Happenings

We've been staying busy in our household! The sickies have left for a while, and we have been enjoying the cooler weather. We have NOT been enjoying the fact that the sun sets around 7p. We do manage to go to the park most evenings and let Camden run around like a wild banshee. He runs around, goes down the slides and is a little climbing monkey. I love it. I am SO not looking forward to winter and having to keep that little tornado cooped up in the house. He thrives being outside!

We have made a few changes in our routine in the morning and evenings. TV is left off, intentionally. He only gets like one episode of Bubble Guppies and he doesn't get milk until dinner. He is not a fan of waiting, but he was just drinking too much milk and not eating dinner. He's a mess. He's learning boundaries though, and getting him to obey is a work in progress. But what kid isn't a work in progress? He threw a fit the other morning not wanting to take off his PJs. He had to sit in Calm Down Corner for a while, eventually he gave in and let us change him. It wasn't easy, but it worked. He's learning!

I have been trying to work out in my head what I want Camden to be for Halloween. He still fits in his costume from last year, but I seriously doubt he will wear ANYTHING on his head. He's not into dress up or anything like that, so I don't think he's willingly going to wear anything. Oh well.

I am throwing a baby shower for my sister in law, L, in a few weeks. I am SUPER pumped, I can't wait. It's going to be packed, and I have a lot to do in a short amount of time. My house is a pit and needs crazy WORK.

Speaking of a pit, it's partially a pit because I have turned it upside down looking for my missing memory card. Why is it missing? Grubby little toddler hands seem to have pulled it out of my computer and walked off with it. I can't find it ANYWHERE. I sure have looked too. So maybe in cleaning for this shower it will turn up. Just praying that it didn't find it way to the trash, accidentally. 

Homecoming walkaround are coming up where I went to college and I can't wait. Here's hoping Husband and I can take a little trip up there for the evening!

I've been trying to intentionally cram in workouts. Hopefully, I get get a pattern and stick with it.

On another random note? My closet needs some SERIOUS cleaning out.

And can we talk about Grey's Anatomy here for just a second? I am NOT a fan of where this season is going. I understand they needed to kill off some characters but honestly? HOW MANY BAD THINGS can happen in ONE PLACE? It's absurd. And unrealistic. At the beginning it was so much more realistic. And fun. Now it's just sad and annoying. Oye.

Other than that, it's the same ol', same ol' stuff.