My 30th Birthday

My 30th birthday is coming up in September (the 21st to be exact) and Becky asked me what I wanted to do. Now, I know this is a HUGE STRETCH in every way possible, but here's what I want to do: I want to go to NEW YORK CITY!!!

I have always wanted to go see the Big Apple and this would be a trip that would definitely not be exciting for Aaron. But, how fun would it be to take a few girlfriends and see the big city for the weekend?!?!

Last night I looked up some prices on Hotwire and to stay at a 4-star hotel on Park Avenue just blocks from the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center, it would cost $539 each (price for 2 round trip tickets, hotel for 2 nights, and all taxes and fees), but that's flying out of Abilene, which I think is totally worth the extra cost to fly from Abilene instead of Dallas. The flight I was looking at would leave Abilene at 9:30 on Friday morning (the 21st) and come back on Sunday and land in Abilene at 1:30 pm.

The cheapest one I found was $442, but it was 12 miles from the heart of New York City. I'm not sure if that would be ok or not! I also just found one for $370, although it's outside of NYC, the reviews were good, but is far from restaurants and shopping. I just don't have a clue about NYC (Erica, I will need your help for sure!)

And, yes I will be 7 months pregnant, but I think it would still be ok for me to fly. I'll have to check on that one.

Anyway, so the invitation is open. Again, I TOTALLY know this is a HUGE STRETCH, but I think it would be a BLAST!! I've been trying to figure out how it would all work and I just don't know other than I'm just going to believe God that He will take care of the money!!

P.S. Becky, pregnancy pictures in NYC?!?! Couldn't that be a tax write off for you??!?! ;)

Change

I realized today that it had been almost a week since I blogged last. WOW! What in the world have I been doing? Not sure, but today something really cool happened. I can't/won't go into a lot of details about it, but I learned something today. I learned that God is in control -- even when there's change.

In September at the church, it's like a new day. . . kind of like January for most people. New budgets, new plans, new energy, new everything it seems. I know some of that will be postponed until January, but there are some changes coming my way that I can say I wasn't too sure about. I wasn't unhappy about them, but just cautious. How is this going to work? Will it work? What's my role in making it work?

But, today God showed me that it will work. It will be fun and it will be a learning experience at the same time. God showed me that change isn't so bad. I got a new look today at some things. Some things I want to change and ideas on how to do it came from the most unlikely person (in my mind).

So, bring on September. Bring on the change. I know it will be good.

This weekend, I also learned how to walk out things in relationship. My goodness! God is doing something in me! I'm having to consciously be aware of how I handle things, but it's for my good. Most of the time, I want to keep it in and eventually it will go away, but what happens is that it doesn't go away, but it grows bigger. This weekend God taught me how to deal with those things and just talk about it instead of letting it grow out of control -- learning to walk in relationship. God is wanting me to be relational, which is not my strong point, but I'm learning. Wish this was as easy as learning to love sweets! (I'm craving some chocolate right about now!)

Payton's Funny Things

Here's something funny Payton said tonight about naming the baby:

Payton: Dad, if our baby was brown, you know what I would name it?
Aaron: What?
Payton: Michael Jordan

We just laughed and laughed -- if our baby was brown?

Opinions on Baby Bedding

I seem to be so indecisive when it comes to this and thought it would be a fun blog!!

I've thought about doing a football room, which my boys would LOVE!! I asked Payton about it the other day and he said it wasn't fair. I explained that eventually he would switch and have his own room, but he thought that would take 50 years! Hope not!

Anyway, I was thinking about doing the grass with yardlines 3/4 of the way up the wall and go all around the room. Here's some bedding I've found:

http://www.toysrus.com/product/prodpop.jsp?LargeImageURL=http%3A//TRUS.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pTRU1-3694717dt.jpg&displayTab=enh&productId=2719294&totCount=0

It's a little expensive considering I have to buy/find a crib and dresser. But, it would be a cute room.

Then, there is this other set that I've found at Target that I really like. I could paint the walls chocolate brown and green. It's cheaper, so I could get more pieces for the same amount of money as the football bedding. Here's the link to it:

http://www.target.com/gp/detail-tab-popup.html/ref=in_de_detail-item-display/602-2109758-8600618?ie=UTF8&parentStoreItem=0&asin=B000CPIY5Q&tabToSelect=additionalImages

I love elephants and it would go with the rest of my house. This room would definately be more for me than the baby! ;) Aaron just laughed and said the baby wouldn't care anyways!

I think we've decided on Jaxon Carter, which sounds like a football name to me . . . but I like the elephants, too!!

So, give me your opinions!!!

I am ok. . .

I wanted to post this as a comment on Francesca's blog, but I felt it was more for my own blog and too long (and I couldn't go back and edit if I needed to!).

Becky came up to me on Sunday and asked me if I was ok. I wasn't sure exactly what she was talking about, but then she told me she saw my comment that I left on Francesca's blog and wanted to make sure I was ok. (Thanks Becky for asking.) And, my answer was yes. I am totally ok.

I battled with it from the time I found out about the girls night out. I wanted to go so bad and at this point in my life I'm trying so hard to be relational (which is not my strong point). I had almost decided to go and then God said no. I wanted to blame it on a lack of money. I almost wanted to blame it on Aaron, but God said I couldn't go. It is a choice that I have made not to be a part of those things.

We don't go to parties if we know alcohol will be there. If we go to a party and there is alcohol there, most of the time we leave. Those times we don't leave, we get mad at ourselves because we didn't. We don't go out if we know people are going to have a drink. It's just a choice we've made.

Is it ok for you guys to go and have a good time and have a margarita? Yes.

Did I sit at home and judge you for it? Nope.

Does it offend me that you guys had a margarita or whatever? Nope.

Do I think any less of you for it? Nope.

Did I sit at home on Saturday night and wish I was with you guys just out having fun together? Absolutely!

I realize that my comment might have been read like I was mad. I was frustrated. Let me tell you, because of our convictions about drinking, we've been made fun of (yes, by people in our church . . . probably sarcasm that turned into scarcasm) and I'm tired of being called religious for it and I'm tired of people telling me I'm not free in that area and I think by Kevin's comment about "Only religious and totally lost people" . . . that just really frustrated me. I know he meant for you guys to go and have a great time and I said that in my comment and it was from my heart. I wanted you guys to have a great time and it sounds like you did!

I'm also not being manipulative and saying, "Well, if you want me to come, nobody can have a drink." Not saying that at all. I am just asking that for the next girls night out or any party, please someone have the consideration to tell me (or just post it). Even if you call and say, "Hey, just wanted to let you know . . . " and then I have to decide. If you had the same convictions about pizza (I know -- long shot, but go with me here), I wouldn't invite you over for a party and order pizza or not tell you until you got there. I would call you and tell you we were having pizza, but I hope that you come. That way, I've been considerate of your convictions and it's your choice on what you do.

It doesn't have to be a big deal and I'm not making it a big deal. I am glad someone posted about having a margarita because they saved me the embarrassment of going and then having to leave. . . that would have even been more awkward and seemed like a bigger deal.

So, all I'm saying is that I'm ok with you . . . I just chose not to go. I am sorry if my comment was taken wrong.

Naming the Baby -- or NOT!!

This past week has really been fun for us as a family. We've been discussing names for the baby and trying to find something that "sounds good". We've had a few suggestions from different people. I thought it would be funny to make a list of some of the names that have been thrown around inside our house. I'll add more as I remember them. At this point, I'm thankful that my children will not be having/naming children any time soon!!

Aaron's suggestions:
Cameron
Carter
Kaden
Weston

Payton's Suggestions:
Jack-Jack (from the Incredibles)
Romo (after Tony Romo -- plays for the Dallas Cowboys
Chase

Evan's Suggestions:
Chicken
Dora
Clock

My suggestions:
Jackson
Anything besides CHICKEN!!

I'm BACK!!!!!

So, my appointment went really well. He moved my due date up to November 27th, which is what I was measuring at my last ultrasound. He was telling me that as it gets closer, he'll just let me pick a date -- not doing that this time around, though!!

We got to see all 4 chambers of the heart, which was awesome. I always love to see that. I had a cousin who was born with only 2 chambers in her heart and they didn't know it until she was born. So, I always like seeing that!!

Then, the dr. went down the baby's body and he said, "Oh my goodness!" I wasn't sure if that was good or bad. ;) Then, he said, "Well, it's definately a boy and there it is." It was absolutely obvious.

We are so excited. All of us -- well, maybe except Evan. We don't have names picked out. I don't have room colors picked out (although I have an idea), but I am really excited. Of course, we all know I wanted a girl, but I am perfectly ok with the thought of a new little boy running around our house!!

Then, as I'm on my way to the doctor's office, the dentist calls me and says she has a cancellation and asked if I could be there at 11:15. I knew it would be pushing it, but I had to get it today!!

The update on my tooth is that it's cracked. I'm back on the cancellation list (if anyone cancels) for a cleaning and I go back on Thursday and have it repaired. She is going to "open it up" (her words) and see how deep it goes. She's going to try to fill it first and see if that works. She said usually she puts a crown on it ($$$ cha-ching $$$), but she thought this might fix it. She also wants to have a mouth guard made because she says it looks like I grind my teeth and that is the reason my tooth broke. I don't really think I grind my teeth, but I do clinch my jaw a lot. The main thing I heard her say was cha-ching, cha-ching, cha-ching! I'm just believing God's going to take care of all those details. He answered my prayer about getting in soon and I know He's bigger than a couple hundred dollars.

The BIG DAY!!

Yes, it's less than 2 hours and I'm definatly counting down!! But, here's the exciting part. My emotions aren't all over the place. I am excited, for sure, but I'm not scared, nervous, etc. I'm just excited. I want to be able to see this baby's heartbeat. I want to know that everything is measuring normal. I, of course, want to know if it's a boy or a girl, but I think God's been teaching me something over the last few days. I can honestly say that whether it's a boy or a girl, I will be ok. We all know I want a girl and I'm very emotionally involved in the thought of that, but God has helped me be ok if it's a boy. If it's a boy, I think there will be a few minutes of sadness, but just because I'm so overly emotionally involved in it.

I'm not sure if God's given me the peace about a boy because He's preparing me because it is a boy or if He just wants me to learn to be excited and happy about ANY blessing. I know that if it's a boy, there is a reason I will have 3 boys and there is a reason this boy has been given to us. Same thing if it's a girl -- there's a reason for it.

So, here's my request for you. If I call and say that it's a boy, be excited for us!! I already know that when I call some of my family members, if I tell them a boy, they will be pretty disappointed. My greatest fear has been that when I tell people that it's a boy, I will be able to see the excitement leave their face/voice. So, know that I'm totally ok either way. . . . although I'm still believing it's a girl.

Here's a prayer request for you today: I had a filling fall out a few weeks ago and that tooth has really started bothering me. Last night, it was making the whole side of my face throb. I want God to heal it. And if it doesn't happen (like very soon), I want to be able to get into the dentist QUICK!! Our dentist takes at least a couple of weeks if not a month to get in to see. I can't wait that long. I'm also believing that God will provide the money. Aaron's car broke down last week and we need to get it fixed -- to the tune of $700 to $1000. But. I know my God is big enough to cover it all.

So, be expecting a phone call from me today!! But if I don't call you as soon as you would like, feel free to call me!!!!

I am so excited!!!

Poison Control Center

Everyone should have this phone number on their refrigerator!!

This afternoon, Payton & Evan were supposed to be taking a nap. I was working on my computer when I hear the bathroom water start running and Evan started screaming. I went to the bathroom and he is standing there with a cup in his hand and his hands are shaking. I asked him what happened and he said, "I drank it." I thought he meant the water, but it was on cold, so I was still a little lost as to what happened. I kept asking him what he drank and I got more and more frustrated because he was just crying and screaming saying it was hot.

Finally, Payton came in and told me that a glow stick had broken and it got in Evan's mouth. I asked him where it was and he showed me an 3/4 empty container!! I went nuts!! I mean, whatever is in that thing that makes it glow is now sitting in Evan's stomach and in his mouth!!

I started trying to find a phone book around, but not sure exactly who I was going to call. In my mind, I could see me having to take him to the emergency room. Then, thoughts of how we would pay for it. All the while, Evan's following me around screaming that his mouth is burning.

Finally, I pick up my phone and call Trish. My goodness, can I just tell you how thankful I am for her?!?! I was in hysterics and when she answered the phone, I knew all would be ok. I asked her what to do and she asked me if I had any of that stuff that would make him throw up -- I didn't. Then, she said she would call poison control and get back to me -- DUH! Poison control!!

So, I looked it up in my phone book and called. I got a very understanding lady who told me not to worry about it and it wouldn't hurt him. It would burn his mouth and his throat, but to give him a popsicle or some yogurt or something really cold that would make it stop burning.

Just a few nights before, I had bought a HUGE thing of popsicles, so I broke those out and gave him one. Trish called back and the lady she talked to at poison control told her the same thing, so I felt even better. The popsicle did seem to work, although I had the smell of that stuff on my hands for quite a while!!

So, now I've added Poison Control to my list of contacts in my cell phone. Today I am so very thankful for Trish and how she saved my day!! I'm also very thankful that nothing was wrong and Evan will be ok. Thank you, Jesus, for angels that are encamped around my children!!!

Snaggle Tooth & Hate Mail

Last night, Payton finally lost a tooth!!! It was kind of on accident, but it came out anyway! His bottom tooth is growing in behind his baby teeth and there is no way that thing was going to push the baby ones out. So, we've been wiggling his baby teeth at night so they will still fall out. Last night, Aaron was wiggling his tooth and kind of flicked his finger out of his mouth and the tooth came out!! Payton was shocked and a little freaked out about it. But, it's done. Here's some pictures:


Here he is with his tooth fairy money this morning:

The other night, Payton caught a little butterfly and the girl next door was very upset about it. I was outside and she was telling me how this butterfly was missing it's mommy and Payton should let it go. I assured her that it would be ok and Payton just wanted Aaron to see it. That just didn't satisfy her. She kept telling me how rude it was and how mean it was. Again, I assured her that we were going to let it go when Aaron saw it. Finally, Evan grabbed the bowl that the butterfly was in and he took it in the house. He said, "Ha ha, Makenna. You can't see it anymore and you can't let it go!" I told him that he didn't have to be so rude and this little girl says, "Yeah, I know. I have to tell him that all the time." Lucky for me, it was getting dark and I told the boys to get their things from outside and it was time to go in the house. We closed the garage door and she was still in our driveway still appalled that I would let them keep this butterfly.

Today when I checked the mail, I pulled out a note that was written in orange marker. Here is what it said (literally):

Paten and Evean You are a stoped nabr. We hate you.

My interpretation is:

Payton & Evan

You are a stupid neighbor. We hate you.

Now, I would almost bet money that it was written by the little girl that lives in the "not-so-nice-neighbor-house". The girls in the "nice-neighbor-house" are older and would know how to spell better and I can't imagine them doing it. The boy in the "not-so-nice-neighbor-house" is older, but again, I think he should be able to spell better.

But, what do you do? Do we go tell the parents? If my child did that, I would definitely want to know, but they are definitely not me and I'm not sure they would disagree with the letter. ;) But, they're closing on their house and I will have new neighbors on Monday, so does it really matter? But, can you believe that?!?!

Thank you, Jesus, that they are moving!!!

OK, so I'm a SHOPAHOLIC!!

Today Cherith called me a shopaholic!!! Can you believe that? Me? A shopaholic? I was insistent that I'm not, but today I've proven myself wrong!!! I did admit that it depends on what I'm shopping for on whether I'm a shopaholic or not!! Clothes -- absolutely not. Things for my house -- not really . . . Scrapbook stuff -- absolutely. Baby stuff -- lately that's been a YES!

But, I just can't wait to find out if the baby is a boy or a girl!!! So, I just have to show what I found today in my online shopping for the baby's room. Keep in mind, this is absolutely if it's a girl:

THE CRIB:

THE ABSOLUTE PERFECT BEDDING:

I'm just going to add these things to my BELIEVING GOD list. My crib is broken and I can't seem to get the company to send me a new part for it. I don't think Aaron's excited about buying new furniture for the baby, though. I just gave away everything I had. The crib isn't all that expensive, but I'm just believing God is going to do it.

Then, there's the bedding!! Oh my goodness!!! I've searched the internet for the last few weeks in my "spare time" and haven't been able to find any zebra crib anything!! But, today, I found it!! The bedding alone is $850!!! But, I know I could buy the material and have it made cheaper than that. But, I just love it!!!

So, I guess Cherith is right. . . I'm a shopaholic -- well, on some things. I just had to share my amazing finds with everyone!!

ONE MORE WEEK UNTIL MY ULTRASOUND!! JULY 16TH IS THE BIG DAY!!

P.S. Cherith, I'm not in the least bit offended . . . just thought it was funny!

My 4th of July

I was debating on whether to post this or not, but I just decided to go for it and be transparent.

I went to visit my parents for part of this week and things have been fine. I got a few scrapbook pages done and a few cards, which was nice! My boys have had a fun time hanging out with NaNa & Pa Pa, although they have been on a sugar high -- but not as bad as it usually is. I seemed to have cut it off this time at least a little bit!

Anyway, today we went to the town where I grew up for their celebration. It's a little thing a bit bigger than the Pecan Fest with some neat booths and some neat games. We got there about lunch, so we grabbed something to eat and we headed to some games for the kids.

We were standing in line and Tresa (our friend) said, "Hey, there's Jason." Jason is the baby I had when I was 17. I turned around and he was standing right behind my boys!! I'm telling you, if I had my camera, it would have been the PERFECT picture!!

He is 12 years old and as tall as I am!! He is very tall and skinny. As I looked at him, I realized that I've always thought he looked like his dad, but today he looked like a good mixture of us both. He talks like his dad and has his blonde hair and blue eyes. I just couldn' get over how tall he was!

I don't really know the feelings that were going through my head at that point. It's all pretty weird. I know who he is, but does he know who I am. I saw his mom later and she talked to me for a few seconds. Nothing big, just how is everybody. . . yes, that too is a little weird at times.

Later, I took the boys swimming and after that, we went back to the food booths. I look over 1 table and there he was sitting!! I tried to sneak a picture of him using Tresa's camera, but I wasn't successful. I think that's ok, though.

Tresa did tell me a few things about him. He plays baseball and he plays first base. I played softball and played first base. His dad played baseball, but wasn't very good at it. She also told me that he is very good at football, which his dad was, too.

I just can't describe how I feel about it all. I'm very blessed that I get to see him and that I got to see him today. Part of me wants to see him as my son, although I love him different than my two boys. I know them and I only know very little about him. On the other hand, I'm so proud of him and how he's turned out. Today when I looked at him, I thought, "I could have done it. I could have raised him." But, very quickly the Lord corrected me. . . again, I knew I had made the right decision.

Anyway, I just had to share that!!

My boys, on the other hand, had a BLAST!! We went swimming and they had a waterslide, which Payton LOVED, but Evan climbed it at least 7 or 8 times and then decided not to go. Payton also went off the diving board. He even went off of the high dive!! I told him to put on Evan's floaties to go off of the high dive because you go under farther than you think. He got up there and quickly jumped towards the side. When he came up, I told him that he had to jump straight out and not sideways, but he looked at me and said, "But, mom. It was so scary! I just had to jump!" I remember several times being on that exact high dive at his age and turning around and walking back down because I was scared, but I told him over and over how proud I was of him for just jumping even when he was scared -- that's a sermon in itself speaking straight to me! We got pictures with Tresa's camera of it all and I'll post a few of those when I get them from her.

We went to Gary & Tresa's for supper -- it was awesome! Then we headed home to do a few fireworks. Can I just say that I hate fireworks! That should have been on the 100 things list! When I was 6 years old, I was holding a Roman Candle (which says not to on the package). The first ball went off as normal, but the next 5 came out the back and hit me in the chest. It burned my chest pretty bad and sparks flew in my eyes, so they were hurting for days. It was pretty scary -- so scary that I can remember it like it was yesterday -- where I was, who was first to get to me, how shocked I was, the pain the next day. . . anyway, we let the kids do a few fireworks the other night at my sister's house. Payton would run out and light them and then run away! I'm amazed at how fearless he is! Evan only liked the popper things you throw on the ground and the sparklers.

Well, it's raining here and my parents have dial-up, which is extremely slow. It's also almost midnight and we're getting up in the morning to head home for Aaron's birthday! I can't believe he's going to be 30! Please pray for me tomorrow -- remember in my list about how I go to sleep in the car!! On the way up here, I stocked up on snacks and when I felt myself getting sleepy, I started eating. . . not sure it was a good trade, but we got here ok!!

Aaron's Turning 30!!

On Thursday, July 5th Aaron is turning 30 years old!!!

I wanted to throw him a party, but the fast will be going on. So, Aaron called today and said he wanted to go to Perini Ranch on Friday night. So here's the official invitation:

Aaron's 30th Birthday Party

Friday, July 6th

Time: Reservations are for 8:30 pm

Where: Perini Ranch

If you would like to go with us, please let me know by Thursday at noon so we can call and get reservations. We can celebrate the fast being over and we can celebrate Aaron turning 30!!