The Adventures of Laura Kate and Shepherd

Dear Laura Kate and Shepherd

2012-02-13T16:05:00.001-06:00

Dear Laura Kate and Shepherd,

Listen to your mommy and head her advice:

It does not bode well to crawl under the chairs at the kitchen table. You get stuck every time because your heads are larger than the space between the cross bar and the floor. If I had a dollar for every time I unstuck you I might have enough to pay for your first week of college. But seeing as how no one is paying mommy to wiggle your little bodies out 50 times a day, and also seeing as how very soon I may be too large to crawl under the table and rescue your squaking, flailing, bodies, I would really appreciate it if you just didn't get stuck in the first place, mkay?

Love,
Your Second Favorite Person In The World

These are a Few of my Random Things (A Somewhat Musical List)

2012-02-12T22:27:00.000-06:00

1. I go through double the amount of toilet paper when I am pregnant.

2. Shepherd is still loving loving loving his "moose juice" (aka, whole milk in the sippy). The first time he drank milk out of the sippy he could not drink it fast enough. You should have heard the noises he made while drinking. Not to mention the happy dance he does when he finishes his cup.

3. Watching inspirational music performances/videos on youtube is quite addicting. I recommend starting with this one....

Carrie Underwood and Vince Gill singing "How Great Thou Art"

...prepare for chill bumps

4. I had to clean up a cat hairball today. I had the fleeting thought that maybe the cat needs a new home.

5. Don't tell SBOAM, he might think I'm serious.

6. I'm considering writing a letter to Cottonelle asking for coupons since they are our TP of choice and spending a good amount of resources on their brand. (Really yall, they are the softest/strongest/softest - especially love the vitamin e and aloe)

7. I watched parts of the Grammys tonight for only the second time in my life. The last time I watched them Britney Spears was wearing a leotard that made her look naked.

8. Remember Old School Britney, pre-criminal craaazy days?

awww....that was fun.

9. I just remembered the leotard was the MTV Music Awards, not the Grammy's. Maybe this was my first time to watch any part of the Grammys.

10. For years I thought Jesse McCartney was related to Paul McCartney.

11. It's snowing!!

12. Speaking of Remembering....

"I Will Always Love You" is the best selling single by a female artist of all time.

Shepherd is 11 months!!

2012-02-10T19:36:00.001-06:00

Dear Moose,

What a fun month it has been! My favorite thing from the past month is getting to know so much more of your personality. You have really let it shine this month:

You are very mobile. Just very picky about how you move around. You "crawl" still just dragging yourself along but are very fast and very good at it. You also loooove to move around the house or outside patio in your walker.
You weigh somewhere around 22 lbs. And are very very tall. Every time I look at you you get taller.
You are still wearing 12 month clothes and size 4 diapers.
You have started pulling up on furniture (as we speak your SBOAD is lowering your crib mattress so you don't plummet over it).
As of yesterday we stopped nursing. I was prepared for a big battle and there has actually been NO problem switching you to milk. You have learned to love anything cold to drink in your sippy and as soon as we let you try whole milk you cannot get enough. I am so thankful I was wrong.
You are obsessed with zippers and buckles. You could sit and play with daddy's backpack for what seems like hours.
You also really like to wave things in the air: your lovey, socks, blankets, napkins, clothes, anything that waves. You will spin on your bottom in a circle around and around waving your item in the air.
You have definitely gotten more verbal. Singing, talking, yelling, cooing, and babbling and grunting. Oh and growling occasionally.
You looove to eat chicken nuggets. They are your favorite. Any vegetable we want you to eat we have to dip in applesauce first.
You also love to be outside. You will drag yourself to the window of the back door and peer out longingly.
You have discovered the dog and cat and you talk to them, yell at them, hit them, and grab their fur. They are very good sports while we try to teach you to "love love" and "pat pat" instead of "grab grab".
You do not like to sit still long enough to read so the only times we can really read with you are when you are confined in your high chair during meals or snack or we read over you while you play and scurry around the room.
You got the first (and hopefully last) really awful haircut. You will probably have a line on the side of your head for months. You also got your first "real" haircut at a barber shop with clippers and all. You loved it and were so fascinated with what the barber was doing.
Last week we went to Lubbock to meet your newest cousin Cason and play with Cohen and Grammy and Papa. You loved being held by your Papa and were completely fascinated by your Grammy's jewelry (we may have to talk about that in the future).

You are such a fun, happy boy and it is hard to believe you have been here almost a year! We love you very very much!

Missing Her.....

2012-02-09T08:46:00.001-06:00

I didn't expect it to hit on cue. The grief. The missing. At least not this early in the day.

"Why are you crying mama?" She asked.
"I'm sad today because I miss my Grandmother." I told her.
I showed her a picture of her and told her that she died two years ago and I miss her.
"It's ok mama! We will see her again! We will! I know it!"

I think about how much she would have enjoyed Laura Kate right now. How much she would have laughed at Laura Kate's, well laurakateness. I can almost hear my dad telling her stories about Laura Kate and it making her day. I think about planning to go to Alabama soon and her not being there to see my kids traipse down the pasture or cook the fish we catch in the pond.

She never met Shepherd. Never had a chance to know about him when she was here. I think if she did know him she would tell me stories about how he was like my dad or not like him. If I told her about my amazing epidural at his birth I think she would tell me the story again about how she was completely knocked out by her anesthesia when my dad was born and when she woke up she had a baby. I think she would tell me that Shepherd favors me and maybe my brother a little bit. As I look at his profile right now, Shep reminds me of a picture of my dad when he was a baby. She might pull that out to show me. Maybe she just did. I think about how if I told her "I just had to let him cry today" she would probably tell me the story about how she was at her end with my dad one day and just laid him in his crib and walked outside for ten minutes and when she came back in, he was asleep. Wisdom to remember.

I remember at the viewing how, standing before the casket, Aunt Deb came and put her arm around me and told me that she was just talking to her a few days before and how she told her how proud she was about the job I was doing as a mother. I come back to that on hard days with my kids.

I love that Kyle had an instant connection with her. Love that he got to know her. Both stubborn and strong-willed. I remember waking up at the farm and walking in on the two of them in conversation at the table, coffee cups empty and ready for a refill. I remember thinking "Of course they would click and find conversation easily."

In Lubbock last week, my dad's phone rang beside me in the kitchen. I looked to see who it was and it said "Jim and Joanne Wood" but I only saw the "Joanne Wood". My thought process looked like this: Delight: "Grandmother is calling!". Sad Remembering: "She can't be calling". Longing: "I wish she was calling". Humor: "That would be kind of weird if she did call".

I find myself jealous of people who get to say good-bye. I told Kyle last night that I wish I could just talk to her one more time.

But what would I tell her? If I knew it would be the last time I talk to her what would I say?

I would tell her how much I love her as many times as I could fit into the conversation. I would tell her about my kids. I would thank her for passing on her legacy of reading and ask her for a new book recommendation. I would ask her to tell me one more time the story about how she walked in the snow to school. I would tell her how much I love Jesus and was glad she did too. I would listen to anything she wanted to say to me and I would write it down so I wouldn't forget. I would say I love you one more time. And I would ask her for her macaroni and cheese recipe. And I would say good-bye.

So today, I plan on putting on my Grandmother's apron and smelling it and pretending like it still smells like her. Baking cupcakes with her first great-grandchild, snuggling my boy and thinking about the ways he is like my dad and brother and me, and thanking Jesus for the legacy of a woman who knew him and loved him and knew me and loved me too. A lot.

#3, Week 16-17

2012-02-06T21:21:00.002-06:00

French fries. I love them. Some people are chocolate and sweets people. I love French fries. That and caviar. - Cameron Diaz

My little #3, I think Ms. Diaz has great wisdom. At least when it comes to food. Other than the caviar part. Oh how I'm loving french fries right now.

At this time you are around 5 inches head to rump. Somewhere around the size of a small order of french fries from McDonalds. (Can't think about it for too long or I'll want some). Your little "bones" are becoming more like bones and less like soft cartilage. You have fingernails and toenails and you are starting to grow some baby fat!

Mommy: is hungry and always could go for some fried potatoes. Homemade are best, but I'm not picky. And if they have cheese or bacon on top and are dipped in ranch dressing all the better. Also, mommy has been very emotional lately. Thank you, hormones.

Daddy: is being a stable rock weathering my emotional ups and downs as usual. And going to get me french fries. (He got me wingstop tonight which makes me a very happy mama).

Sasster: has been extra sweet today giving me hugs and kisses. Also she was "nursing" her baby doll tonight, practicing being a good mommy. I think she is going to be a very good helper when you arrive!

Moosey Brother: doesn't know it yet but is counting down the days until he is no longer nursing. Thursday is the big day his life will never be the same. Mommy is looking forward to and dreading it all at the same time.

We got to meet your cousin Cason this past week when we went to Lubbock. We had a great time and your siblings very much enjoyed play with your other cousin Cohen. We are getting very excited to find out hopefully soon if you are a Fischer or a Hannah!! We already love you SO much!

Buenas Noches

2012-01-30T23:11:00.000-06:00

So the Sasster's bedtime routine has gotten a little out of control....especially when Kyle puts her to bed. Sometimes he is not out of there for 30 minutes. It's just one of those things that has gotten longer and longer and built and built. In addition to the length, she has gotten more of an attitude and more demanding about it which means more drama and fits since we don't just cave to her every whim.

Last night, we had both had enough. So we decided starting tonight we were going to change things.

Starting tonight we were going to have family worship time (read the Bible, sing a song, and pray), then put Moose down, let LK have 20 minutes of reading time in her bed, then go in and just tell her/kiss her goodnight and turn out the light. (we had been doing something similar only then reading her a book of her choice in her room, singing again, praying again, she gives Kyle a pretend haircut, pretend shots, throws a fit about not being able to find her babies and blankies, then give kisses, turn out the lights and leave the room.)

So here's how things threw down tonight:

We talked to her and told her several times that we were going to change how we said goodnight. She repeated and asked a few times "Are we going to change how we say goodnight?" and I would answer her "Yes, we are going to change how we say goodnight. I said, "we are going to pray and sing and read as a family out here in the den and then when we come to your room after reading time, we are just going to say goodnight."

After a few of these explanations, we read,sang, and prayed and then we put Shepherd down, and got her settled for reading time. Beautiful.

A few minutes before her reading time was up, she came into where I was sitting and told me she was ready for bed.

As I am walking with her down the hall she asks, "Are we changing how we say goodnight?" I said, "Yes, we are changing how we say goodnight."

After I tuck her in and kiss her she asks, "So how DO we say goodnight in Spanish?"

Mommy, I don't feel good

2012-01-28T08:02:00.000-06:00

"Mommy, I don't feel good. I think I need a bubble bath."

"Mommy, my tummy hurts. I think I need a cupcake."

"Mommy, I don't feel good. Maybe we should go play outside."

"Mommy, my tummy is full. I think I need some yogurt."

"Mommy, my tummy hurts. Maybe we should skip my nap."

"Mommy, I think I have diarrhea. Maybe we should go to the park."

"Mommy, I don't feel good. I think I need a cookie."

"Mommy, I don't feel good. Maybe we should go to the Mall."

"Mommy, my tummy hurts. Maybe we need a little walk."

"Mommy, I don't feel good. Maybe you should come to my party."

"Mommy, I don't feel good. Maybe we should play littlest pet shop."

"Mommy, my tummy is full. I need a little snack."

"Mommy, I don't feel good. I think Shepherd is crying."

#3, Week 15

2012-01-27T21:31:00.001-06:00

"Sleep, no I never get enough. Always waking up tired."

Oh little Wiley #3, You are 15 weeks along. Time is zoooming along! This week you are the size of a beefsteak tomato. You have started "breathing" amniotic fluid which gives you some really early practice for those teeny tiny little lungs. You can also now sense light and pressure. That means I can rub my belly and you can feel it! Also according to my doctor, I can now start feeling you flutter and move. Apparently any flutters before this have been "intestinal movement". Let me just tell you that I know the difference between gas and baby flutters. One of my favorite things in the world is feeling you flutter in there.

(Don't worry, that isn't mommy's hand. I'm not quite that wrinkly yet.)

Mommy: Is very tired lately. This is probably still only partly your fault because I am still nursing your moose of a brother. This is going to end very very soon and then it will be mostly your fault that I am tired. But I'm hoping to have a little bit more energy.

SBOAD (Studly Beast Of A Daddy): Has been very busy with things at work this week and had a lot of meetings. I have no reservations that the favorite part of your day will be the same as your siblings: when your daddy walks in the door. He is so great about giving mommy a break (so she can make supper) and plays and reads with your sasster and brother. He is very encouraging about how you are growing even though it doesn't show very much on the outside. He loves mommy most of all.

Big Sasster: OOOOOOOOOOOooooooooo buddy, it has been a week with your Sasster. She puts the Sass in Sasster. This has been a great reminder to pray that you will have a very laid back disposition. She still will come up to me almost every day and say "Mommy, I really want it to be baby Hannah". If you are Fischer, I promise she will love you more than you may even want (after a little while) (we're working on her).

Moose of a Brother: This week your big brother has not been feeling very well. I think he might be cutting a tooth. You just need to start preparing for that now. (I guess you probably are).

We are all so excited to know if you are a Hannah or a Fischer. We are praying for you every day that God would save your soul, that he is creating you to be the perfect fit as our 3rd scout in our family. We are getting more and more excited about you and cannot wait to know you better!

Cupcakes and Brother

2012-01-26T10:24:00.000-06:00

"Mommy, I dreamed last night that I ate brother like a cupcake."

"It's not very nice to eat your brother."

"It's ok, Mommy. I pretended he WAS a cupcake."

Homemade Problem Solver...

2012-01-23T11:22:00.000-06:00

that's me....the Homemade Problem Solver. At least today it is.

You see, I've had some problems. And I'm going to share them with you. Why? Because I am a blogger. And I get to post whatever I want to.

Problems:
1. Dry, itchy, flaky scalp
2. Acne

So I decided today was the day to solve them.

So I put the babies down for nap/room-time.

So I made an oatmeal mask for my face.

So I'll share the recipe with you. (Ok I'm done with the So's). (For Today).

I wanted something homemade sense I'm pregnant and all and the jury's still out on a lot of acne medication during pregnancy and I can't remember which ones I'm allowed to use and I don't want to give #3 birth defects just because I don't want to look like moon-crater-face.

I made my own little concoction based on some things I already knew and read about online.

I cooked 3/4 c oatmeal with 3/4 cup water over the stove for 3 minutes. (I knew oatmeal helps with acne and oily skin).
Then I set it aside and let it cool.
Then I added some honey. (because it's sticky and is actually a great moisturizer for your face that won't add oil).
Then it was still too thick and gloopy so I added some milk. Why milk? Because milk is actually a great facial cleanser and because it's oatmeal. What else am I going to add?

In the meantime, I heated up about 1/4 c. of olive oil in the microwave to treat my flaky itchy scalp.

Then I grabbed a baster brush and the two bowls and went to bathroom.

[Now, let me pause here to tell you that nothing about these processes were pretty or clean. It was all very messy.]

The first thing I did was wash my face really good with just plain water.

Next, I grabbed my clean baster brush and started applying the olive oil to my scalp. Allllll over my scalp. Let me just tell you, olive oil was dripping everywhere. All over my face and ears. After my scalp was saturated, I massaged it all in because it just seemed like the right thing to do. Then I wished I had plastic wrap to wrap around my head because it also just seemed like the thing to do. I didn't have any nor do I own a shower cap so I just pulled it back with a rubber band.

I washed my face again to clean off the oil that had dripped. I applied the oatmeal mask to my face. Very gloopy and messy and chunks of oatmeal fell off into the sink as I was massaging it into my skin. But I persevered and kept going.

At think point, I knew things needed to set and saturate so I piddled and picked up a few things, made my bed, and clipped my fingernails.

After about 15 minutes or so, I jumped in the shower, washed off the oatmeal mask and washed my hair 3 times with tea tree shampoo.

I was nervous that my hair would still be very oily and to be honest, even when I towel dried it, it still seemed heavy and oily but I decided to go ahead and blow-dry.

I have to tell you that my hair is amazingly SOFT, SHINY and FLAKE-FREE!!! I might just do this once a week.

After blow-drying, I straitened it like I normally do and then I applied a light moisturizer to my face. My face feels soft and oil-free without being too dry.

OVERALL: SUCCESS!!

Here's a pic of my shiny hair and not shiny face and #3 finally starting to shine a little bit herself (himself)!

(It looked bigger in person)

(The camera takes away 10 pounds)

Some thoughts on Football.....

2012-01-22T23:51:00.002-06:00

I never really understood football till college. I grew up in a home that very much loved football, was in band in jr. high/high school and therefore went to every game, but everytime I asked the boys around me about it, I felt like they just made up the rules and they were complicated and different every time. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed the game.

There are some rules I have picked up over time that still make no sense to me....

#1 being that only some players on the field are ELIGIBLE to catch the ball. Meaning some players are not. WHAT??? still doesn't make sense.. REALLY? But I heard it at some Ladies Locker room led by a cowboy's coach.....(yeah I know.. I know...) (I did actually learn things like nickel and dime defense.) (Not that I remember what they mean).

In college, I eventually learned most of the rules and made some up of my own.... not for the game itself but about the game and my participation in it.

1. I am a Red Raider through and through.
2. You cheer for your team win or lose.
3. If you leave a game early (before the school song), you are a pink raider. (not saying I never did this, but the rule is there)
4. I cheer for Alabama because of birthplace and familial ties. Also for the competitor in me that really likes to win and beat Auburn, just for the sheer joy of the majority of my paternal family's irritation at it.
5. Sometimes it's just ok to cheer for the underdog.
6. If you yell "squish 'em like a bug" at the tv in the same room as your SBOAM husband, you might just get made fun of. (But someone please tell me a better sentiment to be yelled at the lack-of-defense that does not involve profanity??)
7. Sometimes I get excited about football, but sometimes I have had enough. And that's ok too. As long as SBOAM fills me in on the details. And I still get to have an opinion.
8. Pro-football is boring to me. I will watch and somewhat enjoy the superbowl, but it just doesn't hold a candle for me to college games.
9. Clear Eyes. Full Hearts. Can't Lose.

All that being said, I will cheer for the Patriots in the Superbowl. Why? Because Wes Welker plays for the Patriots and I used to watch him ignite the whole Red Raider nation with his football playing. ("Welker!""Welker!" Wes! Wes! Wes!) But in full disclosure you should know two things:

1. I have not seen him play, not even one time, since he was a Red Raider. I don't even remember what he looks like.
2. I may or may not watch with passion or like a really care. But I will care if "we" lose.

There you have it....my thoughts and cares on football. It's ok if you don't like it. Just make up your own rules to how you like football. You follow yours, I'll follow mine. The end.

A Tuesday List

2012-01-20T19:42:00.002-06:00

1. Laura Kate got a note in the mail from Grammy yesterday.

This is what it says:

Dear Laura Kate,

I have been missing you - so VERY much. I love you mostess. I can hardly wait for you to come see me. Be a very big girl for your mommy.

I love you,
Grammy

P.S. Tell Shepherd I love him and miss him too. He is not big enough yet to get a letter like you :-).

2. I changed Shepherd's diaper today and it smelled like dog poop. I wish I was kidding.

3. Laura Kate called Grammy to tell her thank you for her card tonight.

4. It suddenly occurred to me why I havn't started showing very much with #3: I'm still nursing the moose.

5. Do you know what that means?? When I stop nursing Shepherd I am going to get really really fat.

6. Laura Kate called Papa and read her note from Grammy to him on the phone.

7. Maybe Shepherd is part dog.

8. Maybe he ate dog food.

9. Laura Kate called Uncle Joel, who didn't answer, and left a message for him reading the note from Grammy on his voicemail.

10. I accidentally put too much powder in Shepherd's diaper tonight. He rolled over on his tummy and back to his back and a giant poof of powder came out of the back of his diaper.

11. He doesn't smell like dog poop anymore.

12. Laura Kate called Aunt Sassy and read her the note she got from Grammy.

13. There's a good chance I would get really fat even if I didn't stop nursing Shepherd.

14. Uncle Joel called back and Laura Kate read him the note from Grammy.

15. Laura Kate loves her note from Grammy.

16. I am going to be really fat.

17. Everybody's poop stinks.

18. Powder can help.

#3, 14 Weeks

2012-01-19T19:09:00.000-06:00

Baby #3 is 14 weeks along today!!

Apparently he/she is the size of my fist or a peach. A peach is bigger so I'm going with the peach.

Although I am BARELY showing. Like just a little pooch. I feel like this is very backwards. With Shep, I had a definite bump at 14 weeks. With Laura Kate I just felt fat all over.

Today I feel like it's a Hannah. Purely based on the fact/wivestale that my almost non-existent bump is more oblong than round. Who knows though.... I can already tell you that this little one is not going to fit in the mold of his/her sister or brother. Very Very different this time around in all areas. Nothing like either one.

Sasster still very much wants a Hannah. SBOAM still thinks it's a Hannah. Moose still doesn't have a clue but if he did I think he might want a Fischer. Papa still thinks its a Fischer and while she is mostly reserving her opinion (believe it or not) I think Grammy thinks it's a Fischer.

Regardless, one thing is for sure....it's a BABY!

Consequences

2012-01-18T10:29:00.001-06:00

I don't think I have to tell you how I feel about bath time. My bath time. The time when the world fades away. The medicine that is good for the very soul. Just good for what ales you. Or just good. I love my bath.

Last night, I tucked Laura Kate in bed and reminded her not to turn her lamps on to read or play and that she needed to go to sleep. I told her if she didn't go to sleep then I would have to start taking away her babies. (This isn't being cruel people, she would literally play for hours and read for hours if we didn't set limits and consequences).

So she went to sleep. Since Kyle was at class last night I had saved my dinner for after the kids went to bed and watched Glee and New Girl.

Around 9:15, I started shutting things down in the house and making my way towards my sanctuary (my bath). As I started down the kid's hallway, I heard this sweet little voice drifting down the hall. I look under her door and see the light shining out of it.

Uh oh. Oh the dismay of disobedience.

I walk in to find her reading "Hop on Pop" to her babies by the light of her lamp that I specifically told her NOT to turn on. I took her book away and told her she needed to choose one baby to give me that she would not sleep with. She tearfully chose a squeaky bird that I put up on her dresser. A midst the tears, crying, and fit, I told her I loved her and was so sad she made a sad choice but that tomorrow was a new day and to go to sleep.

By the time I turned on my bathwater, her room was quiet and I said to myself "finally". I had literally just lowered myself into the tub, layed my head back and closed my eyes, when the red light on her monitor lit up furiously and the screaming began from her room. Not just any screaming, but the something-really-may-be-wrong-screaming. The, she-may-have-fallen-out-of-her-bed-and-broken-her-arm kind of screaming.

I gave it a minute to see if Kyle would miraculously walk through the door at this very moment.......

he did not and the screaming did not stop.

So I get out, dry off, stomp down the hall, open her door, check to make sure she was in one piece and then bark, "talk like a big girl and tell me what your problem is"

....she just points at the bird sitting on the dresser.

You have GOT to be kidding me. For the Love of ALL that is good and HOLY, THIS is what I got out of my bath for? You are feeling to weight of your consequence and you REALLY thought if you cried loud enough that I would change my mind?

Well, I didn't say that. I told her again, "I love you and am so sorry you made a sad choice. You need to go to sleep now and in the morning you can have your bird back. GO. TO. SLEEP."

The screaming continues. All the way down the hall following me back to my bathroom. My BATH. My sanctuary. So I did the only thing I could.

I marched over and turned the monitor off.

Everyone deserves a little privacy while they are suffering consequences (or taking a bath).

Fancy Bedtime Prayer

2012-01-09T20:21:00.004-06:00

Tonight for her bedtime prayer, Laura Kate thanked God for all of her fancy words from her Fancy Nancy Book: Fancy Nancy and the Delectable Cupcakes. She named word and meaning:

Adore - to really really like something
Aroma - a smell
Delectable - Yummy
Exhausted - very tired
Improve - to get better at something
Repeat - to say something over again
Velvet - a very fancy kind of cloth

Shepherd is 10 months!!

2012-01-09T19:41:00.001-06:00

Dear Chunky Monkey Moose,

Happy Ten month Birthday! Sorry about missing your 9 month update....we've got a lot to make up for, don't we?

At your 9 month check-up you weighed 20lbs 6oz (50%) and were 29 inches long (90%).
You still wear size 4 diapers and 12 month clothes
You have 6 ish teeth. The tiny teeth on either side of your top front teeth are playing hide 'n seek right now.
You have started a little bit of separation anxiety. Not so much when I leave you somewhere but more if I'm in the same room, you want to be held by me and readily express your opinion of me when I do not comply with your every whim and wish.
You "crawl" everywhere on your tummy. You are like one of those inch worms, pretty fast little worm if I do say so. If you happen to find something on your journey you are not supposed to have, when I notice you start trying to make your get-a-way VERY quickly.
You really like Sookie and Lucy right now
But not as much as you love your daddy. When he walks in the room, you reach for him and squak and growl at him until he grabs you.
You really are bothered by the fact that you have to wear clothes. Sorry bout that buddy. Your name is not Adam.
Things were going great with your table-fooding, but then one day you decided you didn't want to eat veggies anymore. You only want meat and bread and goldfish. The only way we can get you to eat right now is if we dip all veggies in applesauce.
You were sick for your first Christmas with a very sad cold. You had your worst night of your whole life where you were up every hour. Please don't ever do that again. ever.
You are now for the next several months officially the middle grandchild on mommy's side of the family.

Every day we see more of your personality and you are such a valuable, precious part to our family. You are soooo loved.

George Lucas

2012-01-08T22:17:00.002-06:00

Before the sasster was born, we were given the above seahorse as a baby gift. It's this generation's version of the glow-worm. You squeeze its belly and it lights up and plays soothing lullabies.

We put it in her crib from the beginning and used it as a sleep cue for her. I affectionately named it "George Lucas" simply because it needed a name, and not just any name, but a first and last name and that is what came to mind.

Somewhere along the line we ended up with a couple George's, and then Georgia Lucas showed up on the scene.

As she has gotten older, LK has moved on to other babies but does eventually come back to Georgia after some time. Poor Georgia has been left at Grammy's and forgotten, then found and rediscovered and celebrated like it was her birthday.

I cannot tell you the amount of money we have spent on batteries for these seahorses.

When the moose was born we continued the tradition with him and he now sleeps with George.

Tonight, with her brother snuggled up to George across the hall, 2 hours past her bedtime, I walked in to Sassy Pants' room to find her using Georgia as a reading light. She would squeeze her belly to light it up and read until it faded away 5 minutes later and then she would re-squeeze for the next five minutes. After going in her room twice, I finally had to threaten to take Georgia away if she did not go to sleep.

I have not heard a peep since.

I'll have to remember this one.

A Squishy List

2012-01-05T22:11:00.003-06:00

1. It's called a squishy list because I have a new squishy nephew who was born today!!

Cason James Thomas

7lbs 9oz, 19.5 inches

Isn't he so handsome?! Look at that sweet red hair! I cannot wait to kiss him and squish him!!

2. Today I am 12 weeks pregnant. Time is zoooming for this little one. Feeling pretty great. Just tired and freeeeezing and...

take a deep breath (literally).....

3. I smell asparagus pee in random pockets all over my house.

I guess it's just my pregnant nose. I have not eaten asparagus in weeks, months in my home. I shower, the dog is somewhat clean, Kyle and the kids do not smell like it, it is just random corners and places in my house. It's not like I could be mistaking it for something else. We all know there is no comparison.

Driving. Me. Crazy.

(TMI?)

4. I missed Shep's 9 month update. Sorry about that Moose. I'll write your 10 month on Monday.

5. I am wearing a navy t-shirt with black pj pants. I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight, I'll probably have to change. I just can't do navy and black. I know, I'm weird.

6. When a friend asked Sasster whether she thought #3 was a Hannah or Fischer, her response was "God is the only one who chooses"...... PROGRESS!!!!!

7. I wrote SBOAM a poem during my bath tonight....

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways:
1. You went to Sonic to get me a Chocolate Banana Milkshake
2. You let me stick my cold feet under your warm feet every night.
3. Not once have you called me crazy for saying our house smells like asparagus pee (to my face).

....I know what you're all thinking... "Poet and didn't know it..."

8. I am slowly going crazy 123456 switch! Crazy am I slowly going 654321 switch! (refer to #3).

9. I'm going to go change my shirt now.....and swab out the inside of my nose with rubbing alcohol.

Today's Stories

2012-01-02T00:00:00.001-06:00

I remember it like yesterday. The day Sassy Pants discovered the cat food. Night.Mare. Today the Moose discovered the dog food. I was around the corner and heard some splashing. I ran around and found him splashing in the dog water, food scattered everywhere. I told him "no" and pulled him away and sat him in front of some of his toys that he looked at me and looked down and when he thought I wasn't looking, he opened his little fists and had a kibble in each hand and he smiled really big and started to put one in his mouth! Little turkey!

SBOAM and Moose were watching football and Sasster, not wanting to be left out, marches in the room with her new mixer and says "we're going to watch TEA PARTY Football and I am making cupcakes".

I've got cute kids. Really Cute kids.

Resolutions and Goals

2012-01-01T11:34:00.001-06:00

I'm keeping it simple this year:

1. Have a Baby

2. Spend more consistent time with Jesus

3. Teach my kids about spending consistent time with Jesus (more on this later)

4. Be a consistent, thrifty, meal planner & grocery shopper.

--I'm trying out something new for us. It's called E-mealz.

Check it out here: http://www.e-mealz.com/ Great tool to help save money and it does the work for you for $1.25/week. We are going to try it for 3 months to see how we like it.

I'll keep you posted.

5. Be more consistent with housework. I like this idea of planning from the Desiring Virtue Blog: http://desiringvirtue.com/2011/03/my-first-home-management-printables-daily-plan-of-attack/

That's it.

#3, Week11

2011-12-29T22:38:00.003-06:00

Apparently #3 is the size of a lemon.

I feel pretty great. Only complaint is that I am FREEZING! All the time! So cold. It is a lovely 74 degrees in my house but I feel like I am sitting in a refrigerator. I feel kind of run down and tired in the afternoon but other than that, I kind of forget that I am pregnant.

Laura Kate is still completely set on it being a little Hannah. My dad is still pretty convinced it is Fischer. You can read about that on the lifevesting blog: www.lifevesting.com .

My Life is Forever Changed

2011-12-28T23:59:00.004-06:00

My life was changed over the Christmas Break, and I am about to change some of yours. Seriously.

If you've read my side-bar profile under "The Mama", you will have read this:

I do not love: to eat, smell, or be around pickles, going to the dentist, when people don't use their turn indicators when driving, doing laundry, cleaning out my crock pot after queso, OR I'll just go ahead and say it....I do not love to Potty Train.

Well, my aunt walked in with a big pot of Queso and her large crock pot was [wait for it]......

LINED!!!

with this:

Now. How many of you knew about these, have read my blog, know about my hatred for cleaning out my crock pot and NOT told me about this?? I just want you to leave a comment so I can take down your name. I am making a list so that when my self-cleaning, reclining, padded, bath tub is invented, I can make sure not to tell you.

For the rest of you, YOU. ARE. WELCOME.

Maybe the most brilliant idea ever. From the whole world of crock-potters, Thank you Reynolds!

Merry Christmas in Pictures

2011-12-25T21:34:00.000-06:00

Baby Ramblings

2011-12-22T23:57:00.003-06:00

1. If you havn't seen my Facebook status in the past day, allow me...

Well, I guess we can only be a family of 4 for so long. Kyle Wiley and I are happy to announce the 5th addition to our clan, due July 19th. And we just THOUGHT life was fun right now. (The Sasster is beside herself she is so excited. She is also convinced she has a sister on board and will not hear differently.)

2. Let me answer the question you are probably wanting to ask.

No. We were not trying. Yes. it is a surprise. But a wonderful surprise! Our hearts will always be excited about new life that the Lord has created and we are THRILLED about our new member of the family!! We knew we wanted more kids we just thought the timing would be a little different. My experience when the Lord's timing is different from mine is that his way is ALWAYS better. So, I trust him for this as well and rest in the truth that he alone creates life.

3.What's the story? (if you are uncomfortable with words like cyst and birth-control and ultrasound, you may want to skip this question).

In the process of changing birth control, we thought I had developed a cyst that was confirmed on an ultrasound. A few weeks later, I started having weird symptoms and was concerned I had a crazy-out-of-control-cyst. I went in and saw my doctor and found out we were pregnant! At the time, we didn't see a heartbeat but the doctor said it was very possible it was just too early. 10 days later we saw a wonderful little blink in the middle of a blog in the middle of my belly! On Monday I had my Prenatal work-up and got another sono. Everything looks great.

I am 10 weeks today and due on July 19th.

4. Random Carrie Wiley Trivia:

This is my 5th pregnancy in 5.5 years! yikes!

2006 - miscarriage/ 2008- Laura Kate/ 2009 - Ectopic/ 2011 - Shepherd/ 2011 - Baby #3

Through each of these pregnancies I have learned something new about the Lord but the same theme is ALWAYS the same: He alone is the giver of life.

5. Names???

If you have been around for the past 2 babies, you know that Kyle and I are typically pretty quick in the name department. It has always worked out that we easily pick a name for one gender and then the other tends to fall into line. I know a lot of people don't do it this way, but for us, it just always works that way. We are both planners by nature and we also are dreamers and talk about baby names we like even when we aren't pregnant. (yeah, I know, we're dorks too).

(More random trivia: I also feel like even though we don't use the other option of a name at the time, that it still counts as used. I know. I'm weird but I just can't think of it towards another baby.)

With Laura Kate, we knew we wanted Rettig Andrew for a boy or Laura Kate for a girl. We are so blessed to be able to pass the legacy of Kyle's mom's name to our daughter.

At the beginning of a very difficult season, the Lord presented himself as THE Shepherd in my life and reminded me of his ability to fulfill that role. Out of that is how we came up with the name Shepherd Andrew for a boy should the Lord bless us with one. It just so happened that he did. The girl name we picked out for then was Charlotte Leigh (Charleigh).

This pregnancy, Kyle and I easily agreed on the name Hannah Noel for a girl. Hannah means grace and favor and we feel like that's what this baby means to us and maybe what the Lord may be teaching us about this pregnancy. Noel because "she" is a Christmas surprise for us. As far as a boy name, while we still have a few other contenders, I think we have settled for the time being with Fischer Knox. Fischer means "fisherman" and we pray that all of our kids will learn to be "fishers of men". Knox is after John Knox, the theologian.

6. The Sasster

Earlier in the day, on the day we found out we were pregnant, Laura Kate drew a picture of our family that included an extra person floating above us. When Kyle asked her who that was she said "Oh, that's the other little girl. We don't know her name yet."

She is absolutely convinced she is having a sister. In her mind, she has a brother, now she should get a sister. When we ask her what she thinks the baby's name should be if it's a boy, she typically will say: "HER name is Hannah." or "I don't like a boy name. Her name is Hannah". She told a random stranger in line behind us at Target that "there was a new baby in mommy's tummy and it is a sister and her name is Hannah".

7. The Moose

Obviously, he has no idea what's cookin or how his little world is going to change. I am still nursing and hope to be able to continue until he is a year old. Pray for me.

8. Girl or Boy?

I feel either way on any given day. Today, I think it's a girl. 2 days ago, I thought boy. So far this is the easiest pregnancy BY FAR and I feel pretty great.

Another random Carrie trivia: I was FREEZING the majority of my pregnancy with LK. With Shep, I was hot. So far, I am FREEZING again. I was also really really sick with LK and wasn't with Shep, only a little bit. I havn't thrown up even one time so...who knows??!!

What's your vote? Hannah or Fischer?

9. What should the new blog title be come July? Adventures of Laura Kate, Shepherd, and ???, Adventures of Sassy Pants, Moose, and ????, or Adventures of the Wiley Kids? Adventures of the Wileys? Other ideas??

Cast your vote!!

Waaay Too Long (A List)

2011-12-07T21:43:00.001-06:00

1. It's been way too long since I was in the Blog World. Sorry about that. Life has been happening.

2. Moose started table food. It's like that is his greatest destiny in life - to feed himself. I'm ok with that.

3. Sasssssy Pants gets some extra "ssssss" in her name. Oh the sassiness and the drama. Oh the 3 year old joyful defiance and disobedience and fits.

4. It's Christmas! Loving Christmas with my babies and my SBOAM this year!

5. Shepherd was dedicated on Sunday. It was a really special day and am so thankful my parents were here to share the day with us!

A Thankful List

2011-11-15T08:55:00.001-06:00

7. I am thankful for my siblings. Great friends as kids and great friends as adults. People that I not only love but like.

8. Bubble Baths. Need I say more?

9. My Church. Providence Church. A place where I worship, fellowship, love, and grow. A place where I do life.http://insideprovidence.com

10. Redemption Groups. A place where I dig in and an opportunity to let the Lord work in ALL parts of my heart, in particular the really gross ones.

11. My home. Every day I thank the Lord for the incredible blessing of my home. Above and beyond what I ever imagined.

12. My car. The Lord answered many a claustrophobic prayer from inside my little bug with 2 kids and a stroller crammed next to me in the passenger seat with the blessing of our Aviator.

13. Vanilla Almond Tea. Thank you Lord for making vanilla, almonds, and tea leaves. And thank you for the person who first thought to combine them.

14. Our ministry at NEXT Worldwide. Daily we see the Lord provide for our needs. I am so thankful for ministry partners, staff and leadership, friends, and the amazing work we have been blessed to see the Lord accomplish.

15. My homegroup. Thankful the Lord has brought this group of people into my life for such a time as this to do life with.

Thankful for My Daddy

2011-11-12T22:42:00.001-06:00

6. I am thankful for my Dad. He is a peacemaker, master communicator, loves children, studier of God's word, an excellent teacher,a solution-seeker, and has an incredible amount of wisdom. He loves his wife, kids, and grandkids. I am so glad that the Lord saw fit to destin Andy Wood as my dad.

Thankful for my mama

2011-11-12T09:46:00.001-06:00

5. I am thankful for my mama. She loves deeply, works hard, the word "impossible" isn't in her vocabulary, mercilessly spoils her grandchildren, and sacrifices so much for her family.

Please keep praying for her. She is still in the hospital with pneumonia. Some of the medication has made her blood sugar sky-rocket, so they've had to put her on insulin as well. Please pray for fast healing. She is ready to be out of the hospital!

Thankful for Sassy Pants

2011-11-11T22:47:00.001-06:00

4. I am so thankful for my girl.

I was telling Kyle tonight, when I prayed that she would have an active imagination, what I had in mind was a sprinkling from the reality that is Laura Kate Wiley's imagination.

I am thankful that she is passionate, sensitive, emotional, brilliant, a reader, creative, the funniest person I have ever met, loving, kind, and even opinionated.

Shepherd is 8 Months!!!

2011-11-09T21:02:00.001-06:00

3. I am thankful for my Shepherd boy and the immense joy and love he stirs in my heart. The place in my heart for Shepherd is a very tender one and I am so blessed that God gave him to me.

My Little Moose,

8 Months OLD!!!! Wow, the time flies. You really might just be the cutest baby boy I have ever seen or known in my whole life. I just want to kiss your little face all day long. I could see that becoming a problem if I don't get a grip before junior high. This has been a fun, eventful month. Here are some highlights:

You are wearing size 4 diapers during the day and I've put you in size 5 at night. (We wear target brand size 5 at night because mommy doesn't want to pay for overnight diapers).
You weigh just a few ounces under 20lbs. So you are not quite as out of control chunking out, but you sure are getting taller!!
You had your first haircut! Some days we style it in our fohawk and some days just messy spikey.
Your first tooth broke through - you don't really like anyone to see it though.
I expect any day now you will start crawling. You lay your tummy and shake your arms and legs vigorously expecting that to make you move and you get very very frustrated when you do not!
You are wearing 12 month clothes and size 3 shoes.
You love to eat squash and bananas and peaches and you tolerate the green stuff.
You are displaying more and more boy qualities every day. You like to throw things and grunt at things and are very interested in any balls or trucks.
You adore your big sasster and continue to take a lot of your cues from her. If she laughs you laugh. If she cries you cry.
When your dad came home from Bucharest, you were so excited to see him. Whenever he is in the room your eyes are glued to him and you follow him everywhere.
You still love to jump and jump and jump in your jumparoo.
Tonight you graduated from your baby bath tub to the real thing. Other than getting water in your eyes from washing your hair, you were so excited to play and chew on your alphabet letters.

Every day I get to see new qualities in your personality and tender heart shine through. What a blessing you are. We continue to pray and beg and ask that the Lord would woo you to himself that you KNOW Him and SERVE Him and LOVE Him all the days of your life.

Thankful

2011-11-09T10:28:00.003-06:00

So everyone is writing thank-you posts, blogs, and tweets every day. 21 Days of Thankfulness. I havn't jumped on the bandwagon for 2 main reasons:

1. EVERYONE is doing it. I just felt a rebellion rise up in me to not be a follower.

2. I truly, deeply to the core of my being, believe that we are called to act like Thanksgiving is around the corner all year long. Every Day. All Day.

But, I am convicted this morning about a few things:

1. I am not all day every day Thankful. Sometimes I am fearful. Sometimes I am prideful.

2. Thankfulness drives away fear and pride. It instills healthy fear of God. My provider of all.

So, here I am a week and a couple days late, jumping on the band wagon. I am going to use this holiday, my favorite holiday, as an opportunity to practice what I should be better about every day, all day.

Today, I am thankful for:

1. My Jesus. My Redeemer. Who saves me, loves me, delivers me and draws me to himself. I am a gross, ugly, stinky sinner. But because of his sacrifice, he gets glory from turning me to him.

2. My Studly Beast of a Man, Kyle Grier Wiley. My best blessing. My favorite blessing. My best friend. He is an amazing daddy and incredible husband. He loves and leads sacrificially. And gosh, he's handsome.

Halloween

2011-11-07T10:07:00.000-06:00

If you'll remember from last year, our church looks at Halloween a little bit differently from the norm.

This year we had another bounce house, grilled hot dogs and handed out candy by the handful. It was amazing. So thankful for our church, our homegroup, and our neighborhood.

(I'll post a few more pics later)

Big Sasster, Big Helper

2011-11-05T17:14:00.000-05:00

Today we have been practicing Daylight Savings Time (just easier on the Moose's schedule to make the change on Saturday when we have no plans than on Sunday when we have church and homegroup), missing daddy, and filling our time with pointless activities like watching the Tech game.

Sasster wanted to be a big helper and help feed brother his lunch.

He. Loved. It. Seriously. He ate better for her than he does for me.

Other than putting too much food on the spoon, she did great!

So, the whole point of this post is that well, there isn't really a point. and I guess that's the whole point. mkay?

A Halloween List

2011-10-31T23:30:00.000-05:00

1. I call it a Halloween List because it's a list written on Halloween.

2. I will do a separate post for the very very fun night we had tonight (if you were here tonight and took pictures, don't forget to send them to me!)

3. I feel like I've been lazy on the blog lately.

I've been blog lazy.

Blazy.

Sorry about that.

Hopefully it's not contagious.

4. Yesterday, I stepped on a staple that was hiding in my rug. It went far into my heel. It seriously looks like I stapled my heel. It hurts so bad.

5. Boo

6. Hoo

7. I made this scarf last week. Turned out super cute!

I found the idea on Pinterest.
Here's the tutorial.

8. Shepherd got a haircut.

9. Laura Kate has started saying "Stop freaking out mommy" to me.

It's quite entertaining.

10. I made this cake in my crock pot. Two Words: Ah. Mazing.

11. I'll give you a teaser for my Halloween Post. This is my costume:

Get it? I'm the Red "C". The Red Sea. As in, Moses parted it.

(don't be confused by the picture, it was taken in the mirror so the C is backwards).

12. I might be having a post in the near future where I will eat some crow with a lot of my family and close friends.

I am seriously reconsidering a soap box of mine. It might shock you. Stay tuned just in case I decide to lower my pride.

13. I'm going against my very nature to end this list on an odd number.

But I feel like I need to. It's supposed to be. It is a Halloween list after all.

Isn't the number 13 like the mascot for Halloween?

Ok, I guess that would be a pumpkin.

But still.

It's only right.

Right?

It's Baaaack!

2011-10-30T21:34:00.000-05:00

The Fo-hawk!

As you can see on the right, my moose clearly needed a haircut. So he got his first haircut today and now it is short enough to go back to the fo! Fo-shizzle.

Slaves

2011-10-19T22:59:00.000-05:00

"Mommy, are those slaves?" she asked, pointing to her babies on her bed.

"Where did you hear that word, "slaves"?"

"From the story with Moses and his people."

"Oh. Well, no. Those babies aren't slaves."

Smart Boy

2011-10-19T15:24:00.002-05:00

Tender-Hearted Days

2011-10-18T13:51:00.001-05:00

Since becoming a mom, I have experienced here and there what I like to call "tender-hearted days". What that means to me is that from time to time I feel an extra amount of tenderness towards one or both of my kids.

I feel that I am naturally a tender-hearted mom but what I am referring to is more of a stirring in my spirit towards my kids. An extra amount. More than the daily burden to pray for their salvation and their soul.

What those days generally look like for me:

-Typically triggered by something. Sometimes a worry or fear for them. Sometimes triggered by pride in an accomplishment. Sometimes it's just a glance in their direction.

-I am typically weepy about them all day. Most things that involve them even as little as someone mentioning their name, or common things like smiles and cries, make me tear up a little bit (or a lot).

-I am constantly burdened and reminded to pray for them. Some things are very broad (praying for their physical growth and development, praying for "teething" or for an obedient heart, etc....) while others are very very specific (that the Lord would protect their physical purity, that he would give them good verbal skills that they could from a young age accurately relay the Gospel, that they would pop a tooth through TODAY, or that they would specifically be protected from an ear infection, etc...)

-I am overly protective and defensive of them.

Today, I feel very tender towards my Shepherd boy. Already today I have felt and experienced all of the above list. I am trying to turn it all to prayer and praise and not worry or fear. Would you join me in praying for my Shepherd boy today?

What about you, do you have tender-hearted days?

Fall Pictures!!

2011-10-15T21:54:00.000-05:00

Shepherd is 7 months!!!

2011-10-11T08:24:00.000-05:00

picture to come

My handsome little boy,

You have been 7 months for two days and I can already tell this month is going to have some milestones. Every day you amaze me with your curiosity, tenderness and your utter, absolute, fascinating love for your big sasster. The two of you were made to be friends - the best kind of siblings. Here's some other things:

You are a chunk. No "weigh" around it. You have probably surpassed the 20lb mark. You also are just a tall boy. You are well on your "weigh" (ok, I'll stop now) to being a little studly beast of a man, just like your daddy.
You are solidly in 12 month clothes and size 4 diapers. So long size 3 and 9 month clothes!
You are talking! Let me clarify that this is not the crazy, non-stop talking your big sasster did (and who are we kidding---still does). Just here and there you will smile and say "dadada" or squeal and squak with delight. Daddy says this doesn't count as your first real word even though it is "dada".
You can sit all by yourself! i still pile pillows around you for the occasional topple over.
You are trying to crawl. Every time I see it I have to resist the urge to flip you on your back and tell you "not yet". But don't worry about me. I don't think I'll ever be ready. I want you to stay my little bitty, non-mobile squishy forever and ever.
Even though you aren't crawling yet, you are rolling everywhere!
As I told you up there, you love love love your sasster. You are utterly fascinated with her, think she hung the moon, and laugh almost every time you see her. You have no idea how much joy this brings me as your mommy to see how much you two love each other. I pray you always love each other so much and that this love would just continue to grow.
You still love to jump and jump and jump and jump and jump and jump and jump (and jump) in your jumperoo (and jump).
You love the friends on your mobile still but you love the friends that mommy lets you hold and chew on even more.
You are so curious. You are fascinated by everything. You look at things and wonder: what would that feel like in my little grasp? what would that taste like if I put it in my mouth and chewed on it? Oh why not try it hum mum mum mum mum.
You still love to watch Praise Baby. Mommy turns it on for you while she and sister have their quiet times. You sing along and smile at the people and animals you see.
Still no teeth. You chew and drool on everything still.
It's official. I think you are going to be stuck with chocolaty brown eyes, just like your mommy. They melt my heart every time I look into them.
You are a happy happy baby. Every day I pray for you, not that you would be happy, and not that you would be perfect, but that you would come to know the one who is. That our mighty God would know your name, would call you to himself, would set you apart and would rescue you from your sins. Whatever roads you walk in life, whatever jobs you have or dreams you follow, I pray that you would walk with HIM.

You, my son, bring me delight and joy in my every day. I love you more than you will ever know and nothing you will do will ever change that. Happy 7 Months Shepherd!!

A Running List

2011-10-06T20:12:00.000-05:00

1. I went running today.

2. Hello, Couch-to-5K. I would say I've missed you, but I really hate to love you. And I love to hate you. It's a vicious cycle.

3. I hadn't really paid much attention to my legs, lungs, or ligaments lately (ok, I don't ever really pay a lot of attention to my ligaments, but I needed a third L word). I am right now.

Hello lungs, I'm sorry for mistreating you and not keeping you in shape.

Hello legs, I don't know what to say to you right now. I feel a little betrayed.

4. Running might just be the best stress reliever in the world. Not that I'm stressed. Not that I'm not stressed. Not that I'm not not stressed. I'm just sayin. Running helps stress.

5. In the middle of the running plan for today I wanted to lay right down right in the middle of the side walk on Ridge Road and just lay there....I could just lay there and just forget the world.

6. I didn't lay down and forget the world. I kept running and forgot the world anyway.

7. I ran to lose weight after having LK. I started in October as well. LK was 5 months old. Then I ran a 5K race in December.

8. I should have started running a little sooner after Shepherd. But it was a million degrees outside. Now it is just short of completely lovely. I enjoyed being outside very much.

9. Water always tastes so good after I run.

10. It felt good when I was done. I accomplished something physical and tangible today. And my legs, lungs and ligaments still hurt.

11. It's a great chance to listen to worship music and pour your heart and soul out to the Lord.

12. Running. It's been missing from my life. I need it. I want it.

13. (I can't feel my legs.)

(ok, okay. I wish I couldn't feel my legs)

The not-so-Lazy Mom Challenge

2011-10-03T09:31:00.001-05:00

Over on the Lazy Mom Blog, Stacey gave a challenge of no fast-food for the month of October. Crazy, I know. But the Wileys need to save some more money this month. We don't necessarily have a problem with eating an excessive amount of fast food (at least not since I learned to cook more than shake 'n bake and easy mac), but we are always up to a challenge, especially one that might save us some moolah! So, I talked to the SBOAM and we're in.

Here are our own rules:

1. No Food eaten from a place with a drive-through.

Exceptions:

1. Date Night. If Kyle and I choose to eat at Rosa's (or other establishment with a drive-through) for date night and it involves us going inside, sitting down and eating for our date night, then it doesn't count.

2. An occasional Sonic Drink does not count. This is for two reasons: 1. We are taking this as a FOOD challenge. 2. I don't have a problem with spending gobs of money at Sonic. Once a week or so, I might pick up a coke.

**We may tweak our rules a bit, but these are the basic rules for the Wiley clan.

Sittin Handsome

2011-10-03T09:09:00.006-05:00

Look who's sitting like a big boy!

(sorry for the blur!)

Reformed Snocker

2011-09-27T09:59:00.000-05:00

Today I am packing and getting ready for our trip to Lubbock. I decided to pack my faithful snuggie and I am reminded of the day I became a reformed snocker. In case you've never heard about it, I thought I would give you a little reminder today. Just remember the very things you mock might just in fact save your very life:

The Day My Snuggie Saved My Life

Finally 3 and letting go....

2011-09-26T11:59:00.000-05:00

If you saw my facebook yesterday, you saw this post:

LK's rendition of The Beauty of the Cross (her current favorite song): "....The beauty of the cross is that I'm finally THREE (free) and letting go!" ....fitting.

Here's a video of Jeff Johnson singing this song. (you might want to pause the playlist at the bottom of the page if you want to listen :)

Well, it's true. It is her favorite song. And she really does sing the line, "I'm finally THREE and letting go".

I think she lives this with true conviction. She is three and she is letting go. And let me just tell you, that is not so easy on the mama.

I've said before that this is by far the hardest age so far. Three.

Sassy Pants is full of it (you name and she is full of it). She is defiant, hyper, happy, sassy, sassy, sassy, dramatic, sensitive, fearful, hilarious, brilliant, witty, cunning, imaginative, manipulative, excited, loving, did I mention sassy?

The above list is exhausting! It is really hard to not let the bad out-weigh the good right now. As a mom, I'm trying to find the fine line of breaking the defiance without breaking her dreams. There are so many wonderful parts to this age but the fits, defiance and drama are enough to have me begging for a difference when she turns 4.

I want her to be a dreamer, I love that her imagination explodes every 5 minutes, and I desire for her to be a leader. But most of all, I want her to be a lover of Jesus. Every day I pray that she would KNOW him and LOVE him and SERVE him.

....One thing is for sure: all day, every day, the sasster and I both need HIM.

....Another thing is for sure: My sweet, laid-back, cuddly, snuggle squishy little moose is never going to be 3 and letting go. I just can't have it... mkay? mkay.

Happy Thursday

2011-09-22T15:39:00.003-05:00

Laura Kate Lately

2011-09-20T10:12:00.000-05:00

What is your favorite color? "Pink"

What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? "Oatmeal and Yogurt and a Brownie"

What is your favorite Bible Story? "God's People Grow"

What is your favorite thing to do with mommy? "Play outside"

What is your favorite thing to do with daddy? "Play outside and swing"

What is your favorite thing to do with brother? "Play with him, and lay down with him and kiss him!"

What is your favorite show to watch on TV? "Team Umizoomi"

What is your favorite book to read? "I like 2 books. All of them. Those are my favorites. But I only like these ones."

What is your favorite thing to drink? "Chocolate Milk AND Strawberry Milk AND Regular Milk"

Where is your favorite place to go? "Um, To Daddy's office. To see him."

What is your favorite treat? " Popcicle and a Lollipop! Those are my favorite treats!"

What is your favorite prize? "A baby bottle for my baby."

Do you know what season it is right now? "Yeah, Autumn. And Fall too."

A Monday List

2011-09-20T00:08:00.002-05:00

1. I called it a Monday list because it's Monday.

2. The bad news is that I still sound like a truck driver when I talk. The good news is that I think I've progressed to a female truck driver.

3. It's national talk like a pirate day, so I guess there a positive side to #2.

4. I went to the grocery store without coupons today. (Although I had a digital coupon for free water that I took advantage of). I felt guilty. Like a sinner.

5. I'm a guilty sinner.

6. Sassy Pants refuses to call me "mommy". Only "mom". I don't like it.

7. My SBOAM leaves for an LDC to Mexico on Wednesday.

I already miss him.

8. Little Moose had yogurt for the first time today and loved it.

9. I don't think the Moose's problem was the bananas. I think the culprit was avocados. Found that one out the hard way.

10. Is that weird? Can avocados stop you up??

11. (Sorry Shep, I'll stop talking about it)

12. I added music to the blog. You're welcome.

12. I started cleaning out my closet Saturday. I'm still not finished.

12. There are (3) number 12's. Don't worry, it's going to be ok.

13. My benedryl just kicked in.

14. I'm going to act like Tom and Cruise.

15. Act like a Bread Truck and Hall Buns.

16. I'm out like a light.

Happy Thursday!

2011-09-15T17:27:00.001-05:00

Shepherd is 6 Months!!!!

2011-09-12T14:25:00.002-05:00

Well Little Moose,

I was wrong. You don't weigh 20lbs yet. "Just" 18 lbs 13 oz (75%). I distinctly remember your sister weighing around the 19 lbs mark at TWELVE MONTHS - you've definitely surpassed her! Just know to my feeble arms you are one chunky monkey. You are however in the 90% for height which is a whopping 27.3 inches! You are one tall boy who never stops growing.This is such a fun age. I am loving every day with your sweet, happy, laid-back personality.

You a rolling everywhere! Seriously, I think you could roll to China.
You go to bed happy, sleep 10-12 hours at night, and wake up happy.
You still take 3, 2 -hour naps a day.
We have started solid foods and mommy is surprising all of us with her baby culinary skills. So far, you have tried bananas, avacado, sweet potatoes, and green beans in addition to your cereal and oatmeal. You love everything you eat. But especially love bananas and sweet potatoes. We just have to take it easy on the bananas....ok, ok! I won't talk about you being ~~const~~ , digestionally challenged.
Your mouth is like a bee's antenna. You feel everything out by chewing on it first.
You are still in size 3 diapers during the day but I'm thinking it's time to move up to size 4 for nighttime diapers. Let's just say that no one is happy when you leak through at 3:00 a.m.
You still love your Praise Baby!
You jump and jump and jump in your jump-a-roo
You now know what grass is. You're welcome. I finally took you outside since it had cooled down below 10,000 degrees. You love being outside almost as much as your sister.
You are wearing mostly 12 month clothes since most 9 month clothes are too tight because of your long torso.
You still think your daddy hung the moon, your sister writes the best songs ever sung, and your mama snuggles better than anybody!
Our greatest prayer for you is that the Lord would call you to himself that you would Know Him, and Love Him, and Serve Him.
You are a handsome picture of the Lord's delight every minute of the day.

Happy Half Birthday, Shepherd Andrew. There has never been a more loved 6 month old little boy than you!

A Saturday List

2011-09-10T18:29:00.001-05:00

1. I called it "A Saturday List" because it's a list written on..... (wait for it) ......Saturday.

2. I'm not 100% sure, but pretty sure my little moose weighs over 20lbs (we'll find out for sure on Monday)

3. I made homemade baby food this weekend: Sweet Potatoes, Green Beans, and Carrots. (He's already been eating bananas, avacado, and apples!)

4. Call me crunchy, but I actually liked serving my sweet boy in this way! It was refreshing knowing EXACTLY what he is going to eat, it turned out to be really easy, and it saved lots of moolah!

5. I also made homemade baby wipes. My SIL (sister-in-law) had some given to her that I saw this past weekend but I found the same recipe online here. They smell so good and I think will work beautifully and the magic words: will save me some moolah!!

6. I was lazy today. I have laid in my bed multiple times today, snuggling with various family members, reading, and napping!!

7. Shep loves, I mean loooves sweet potatoes! His favorite for sure by far.

8. Except for bananas. But bad things happen when you eat too many bananas. I'm pretty sure he doesn't want me to talk about it.

9. Laura Kate told me yesterday that she "forgot her mind at Grammy's house". Maybe I'll call Grammy and see if she'll mail it back....she might need that.

10. My SBOAM loves watching football.

11. I love watching football.

12. Sassy Pants loves watching football (future cheerleader - no doubt)

13. Little Moose loves watching football (future fullback, future retirement for his parents - no doubt)

14. I scream, you scream, we all scream for ~~icecream~~, ~~iceball,~~ FOOTBALL!

15. The nurse at the pediatricians office told me that pear juice works the same as prune juice (diluted of course for babies under 2 years). Just a random fact. I'm pretty sure little moose still doesn't want me to talk about it.

16. I love to read.

17. SBOAM loves to read.

18. Sassy pants loves to read.

19. Little Moose loves to read.

20. All together now: I scream, you scream....yeah yeah.

Psalm 13

2011-09-09T20:47:00.005-05:00

I needed this today. Did you?

Shane and Shane wrote a song based on this Psalm. This video is from 2006 at my favorite coffee shop in the world, Sugar Brown's. I love how Shane describes this song/Psalm as a song of frustration but one of hope. I can relate to that.

Lyrics to Psalm 13, by Shane and Shane:

How long oh Lord will You forget me
how long oh Lord will You hide
hide Your face from me
how long must i wrestle with me
and everyday have sorrow in my heart
sorrow in my heart

i will wait on You
i will wait on You
i will wait on You

look on me Lord and answer me
give my eyes light or i will sleep in death
i will sleep in death
my enemies say "i will overcome him"
and my foes rejoice even when i fall
i dont want to fall

for i will trust in Your unfailing love
my heart rejoices in Your salvation
i will sing to the Lord

Pictures

2011-09-06T22:32:00.000-05:00

Memory Making

2011-09-04T21:55:00.003-05:00

It's a really big deal when you're 3 and you get to stay in a "special" hotel, go swimming, get your own special couch bed, and mom and dad let you jump on it.

Just making memories with my family.

THESE are the moments we'll remember all our lives.

So thankful for the four lives in this room.

Blessed.

Dance Dance Revolution

2011-09-02T19:10:00.000-05:00

Well, Sassy pants is officially a dancer.

She loves to wear her leotard and tap shoes.

And she LOVES to dance.

Especially to TAP dance

She likes ballet too, but really she likes to tap a lot

Her first class was interesting.

This is her sitting still, but really that didn't happen a lot the first class.

Because she didn't know what to expect, she had a hard time staying focused.

Half the class is ballet and half is tap.

This is LK changing into her tap shoes after ballet.

The second and third classes went much better.

Now that we knew what to expect, she did a much better job of following directions and staying focused on the task at hand.

Every week only increases her love to dance.

It makes me so happy and I can't wait for her recital in May.

Why Not?

2011-08-28T16:49:00.001-05:00

Happy Thursday!!!

2011-08-25T12:47:00.003-05:00

Thank Ewe

2011-08-23T09:03:00.003-05:00

a Thank-you card

Cartridge: "Just Because" Cards

Happy Birthday to Me!!!!

2011-08-19T17:32:00.004-05:00

Hello Handsome.

I shall call you Jiminy and we shall be the best of friends!!!

I have fun plans for us! Just you wait and see!

So, last month on my birthday, Kyle, the most handsome studly beast of a man there ever was, told me my birthday gift from him was that I could get a craft cutting machine (cricut or silhouette) and to do the research to figure out which one I wanted. We couldn't get it right away, but he had a little bit set aside for it and said we could save for the rest. There were things I liked about both brands but when I was looking at the cricut site I saw that I could get a reconditioned machine for $49.99! It is the original, smaller machine (cutting mats are 6x12) but after much thought and discussion I decided it would suite my needs perfectly and should I need to print anything larger, then my mom could print it for me on her Expression Machine (which is also on sale right now, FYI). Because I chose the smaller machine, we had some extra moolah to order some things to go with it: computer software (to design even more things!),tools, cutting mats, vinyl, paper, etc.... AND, my mom is willing to share cartridges with me!

So, most of my stuff arrived today (still waiting on the software) and I am so excited. It feels like my birthday! So excited about the fun stuff I can make!!

Happy Thursday!!!

2011-08-18T13:39:00.002-05:00

Laura Kate Lately

2011-08-15T22:26:00.005-05:00

(I've decided it's not fair that Shepherd gets a post written to him every month and Laura Kate only once a year so I've decided to start every once-in-a-while writing a "Laura Kate, lately" post - havn't decided how often I will do it. But more frequently than once a year.)

Dear Princess,

I have decided that 3 years, is the hardest and the most fun age yet (as I say that, flashes of potty training, teething, weaning, and diaper rash ran through my brain, but I'm still going to stick with it.) Lately you:

Have wanted to snuggle more with me than ever before in your whole life (excluding nursing)
Have told me you loved me more than ever
Have told me you didn't love me, for the first time. Quickly followed by tears (mine. then yours) and a very fast apology and an I Love you SOOOO much from you.
Told your dad you loved him more than me. Not that this was a surprise, but kind of a shock to hear out loud.
Have laughed more at yourself
Have said some of the funniest things I have ever heard a 3-year old say ("I think I forgot my mind")
Have learned more and remembered more about the Bible than any 3 year old I've ever known. My favorite is to hear you talk about is Namen and his "leopard spots".
Have loved to play and spend time with your friends.
Have had more tea parties than the Queen of England
Change clothes multiple times daily... more than a refluxy newborn
have developed more and more opinions about things.... like what you wear, what bows you wear (or won't wear) in your hair, when you should get dressed and when you should or should not take a nap or go to bed (too bad you don't have the privilege of setting the schedule in our home)
push boundaries like nobody's business, you have really developed a liking for the word "no" (too bad there are consequences with that choice).
have "fixed" and "made better" more imaginary boo-boos on more babies and animals
have exploded into the world of imagination and creativity. You truly amaze me with your dreams, ideas, thoughts, visions, and vocabulary. You easily can make the ordinary come alive in extraordinary ways.
absolutely adore your little brother and love to do anything you can to help me with him.
have given your daddy more imaginary hair cuts than I can count!
are still an excellent night sleeper, sleeping 11-13 hours every night
Still take a 2-3 hour nap most days (most.)
Still think your Daddy is the best part of your day (I don't blame you, he's the best part of mine)
Still think your Grammy owns Toys 'R Us
L-O-V-E your "princess" dress-up shoes and like to click around the house in them all day
Start dance class on Friday!! Tap and Ballet!
still love any project involving markers, glue, and especially PAINT!
brought proud tears to my eyes when you brought me two articles of clothing and asked "do these match?"
filter everything, EVERYTHING through your little princess brain right now. I think you have a bracelet around your mind: WWPD? (What would princess do?)From ballgowns (wink wink Grammy), to tiara's, to high heels, to wands, to fairy bread, to tea parties, to "proper" speech, to Fancy Nancy, to your Royal Household....you, my little one, take the crown.

Most of all, my brilliant and beautiful one, it is a JOY to watch you explore, develop, learn, discern, grow, challenge, create, and love. You are one of a kind - there is no one quite like you on this planet and I am so glad I get to be the "queen" in your world. You just might be the MOST loved little girl in the whole world.

Wreaths

2011-08-13T13:20:00.004-05:00

I made these wreaths a few weeks ago!!

There's a great tutorial on yarn wreaths and felt flowers here.

School, Dance, and Beestings....

2011-08-12T20:17:00.006-05:00

Kyle and I have officially decided to keep LK home this next year and not put her in her Parent's Day Out preschool. This is for several reasons, the main being that this is her last year before her big Preschool year and if I'm going to keep her home, this is probably the year to do it. I'm going to be working from home a little bit and loving on my boy, so we've decided to keep our girl home as well. It will save us some money and I'm looking forward to doing some fun learning and projects at home with her.

Since she is going to be home all week now, we thought it would be fun for her and good for her to have a social outlet outside of the home. So we have been looking into dance classes. Originally we were just going to try a 6-8 week community class to try it out and see if she liked it. But Kyle found a great deal at a studio right down the street from us the we would essentially pay a little bit less than we would for the community class/month. PLUS we had a coupon for the Registration Fee.....and you know how I like saving money.

So today, Laura Kate and I went to see the studio and meet the teacher. She will be in a 3&4 year old tap/ballet class. We loved her teacher and Laura Kate loved seeing the wall with big mirrors. She cried when we left because she wanted to stay and dance.

When we left, we went to Once Upon A Child to look for ballet slippers and tap shoes. While we were trying on tap shoes, LK started crying and screaming. I caught a glimpse of her arm and saw a bee stinging her! A BEE! Stinging MY baby! INSIDE the store. I flicked the bee off, and pulled out the stinger. I hugged and hugged her while she cried and cried and all the moms in the store stared at us. So I quickly gathered two pairs of shoes, brought them to the checkout and explained to the girls that there was a killer bee on the loose in their store. While we were paying (and crying and and crying and screaming), I noticed her arm had swelled so so big and was very red and purple. The girls at the store got wide eyed, the manager came out and gave us ice and suggested we go to the doctor.

So we hurried out, called the pediatrician, headed to their office, and called my SBOAM to fill him in. Dr. G. was out of the office,which my girl with the bulging bicep was NOT happy about. We saw another doctor in the office (who was wonderful) and by that time, the swelling had gone down significantly. So after a dose of benedryl and ibuprofen, a good long nap, and snuggles with her daddy, she was fine....other than not wanting to put her tap shoes on at all (I think because the ones we hurried out of the store with were too small and because that's when the bee stung her. Pray she comes around on the tap shoes...going back to the scene of the crime tomorrow to find a bigger pair of shoes).

But, the night ended with a greatly improving bicep and with sassy pants sleeping in her "new" pink ballet shoes.

Happy Thursday!!!

2011-08-11T12:19:00.002-05:00

Under Construction//Fall Look

2011-08-10T22:30:00.002-05:00

I'm going to be trying out some new looks on the little bloggy-poo for Fall! Bear with me while my fickle brain makes up its mind!

Shepherd is 5 months!!!

2011-08-09T08:27:00.007-05:00

(I have finally named the elephant: Chester Fleet)

Hello there, little rooster,

Today you are 5 months old!!! Time continues to fly by and you continue to grow and change and develop. Other than the Mohawk falling and now looking like a rooster, you have developed so many other things like rolling, bouncing, singing, and boxing. Here are some other things:

I guestimate you weighing around the 18lbs mark. We'll know more in a month at your next doc visit. You have definitely grown taller as well, but don't know yet how tall.
You still wear size 3 diapers and we started you in overnight diapers that help you sleep through the night.
You are still wearing some 6/9 month clothes and some 12 month clothes. We were blessed with a several box fulls of hand-me-downs this month!
You are sleeping 11-12 hours every night, WAY TO GO SHEP!
You eat cereal twice a day, and in a few days you will 3 times a day getting you ready to start some yummy veggies and fruits!
You started sucking your thumb. Just like your sister you have just about eliminated the passy all-together and just stick to your thumb.
You are growing teeth already! None have popped through yet, but the way you are drooling and gnawing it could be any time (or it could still be months and months). Rest assured, you will never be as dramatic about it as your big sasster. She takes the cake on that one.
You are one little rolly polly. You easily roll on to your tummy from your back and side to side, but you have forgotten that you know how to roll from your tummy to your back. You'll remember soon, I have no doubt. Because you know how to roll from your back to tummy, there is nothing I can do to keep you from being a full-out tummy sleeper now. Just another reminder you belong to the Lord and not me.
You LOOOVVVEEE to watch Praise Baby DVDs. You will sing and dance right along to them. Oh, how I pray, little one, that you would praise Him all of your days.
You love to bounce and play both in your jumperoo and exersaucer. The bouncy-seat and swing are, as we speak, in the front room ready to be put up in the garage until a future baby needs them. sigh....you are growing up so fast!
You. Love. Your. Daddy. You love to snuggle with him, talk to him, box with him, laugh with him, anything with him.
You still think your big sasster is the funniest of all. You are fascinated watching her twirl by you all day singing and playing and talking and playing.
You are the happiest baby I have ever known. Such an easy, snuggly laid back baby. You are so loved.

The Many Faces of Shepherd

Saving Money, woohoo!!!

2011-08-08T22:14:00.006-05:00

Today, I went grocery shopping for groceries for the next 3 weeks, as well as stocking up on beef for at least the next 2 months.

I went to Kroger for the majority and Albertson's for the beef.

At Kroger, total coupon/savings: $63.94

At Albertsons, total coupon/savings: $66.25

Total amount spent was less than $250.

Total savings: $130.19

I am slowly getting the hang of this coupon thing. I really like saving money. I feel like I am using the gifts the Lord has given me to serve my family. I Pray every time I "coupon" that the Lord would help me be creative to save money. I hope to get better and better.

I Love Lucy, I tolerate Lucy

2011-08-08T12:12:00.005-05:00

Growing up, my favorite tv show was I love Lucy. Seriously. I loved it. So much so that in high school, I named my cat Lucy. I loved Lucy more.

Saturday would have been Lucille's 100th birthday. That's really something.

Organized Crafties...

2011-08-06T00:10:00.004-05:00

Today, I organized.....

Before

After

Whew! I'm gonna sleep well tonight!!

Gumball Mosaic

2011-08-04T20:56:00.006-05:00

Before I get to my project I just need to get something out there....

....

Ok, I feel better....don't you?

_________________________________________________

so onto my project for today....

Awhile back I saw this beautiful gumball mosaic....

and I decided I wanted to replicate it for my girl's room....

So when my sister gave me an amazon gift card for my birthday.......

.............. I ordered 5lbs worth of gumballs.

So I got them in the mail in a big bag and then sorted them out by color.

I decided to do a picture of something that wouldn't require me to be so symmetrical.... I went with a whimsical umbrella. I used an old frame that I painted white and a piece of cardboard that wasn't being used as anything for the backing. Then, I got to hot-gluing....

Overall, I am pleased. It looks a little bit more like a mushroom than an umbrella than I would like. But I really like it for the most part.

Aunt Carrie and Jackson (and some other people)

2011-08-02T22:25:00.009-05:00

Look at that sweet little face and those teeny tiny little fingers and those big bright eyes....Ah, I love being an aunt. a lot. Have I mentioned how much I love being an Aunt? It makes me want to have more babies. I know, not for a little bit. But just look at that sweet little head of hair! Doesn't it make you want to smell it and inhale that sweet newborn intoxicating smell??? Bottom Line: I love babies. and I love being an aunt. (did I mention that part already?)

So there were some more people in the room other than me and Jack. Including my sweet nephew Cohen. He is preparing me for when Shep is mobile. Boy, can that Cohen-boy move!!! He is so funny and is fascinated by his little cousin Shepherd, and he is ALL-boy.

Also in attendance, Sassy Pants, in all her 3-year old glory, Papa, Grammy, Aunt Sassy, my little Rooster boy, Uncle Joel and Aunt Ashley, and my Studly Beast of a Man.

We also got to spend a lot of time with my "other" little brother Geoffrey and his sweet wife Sarah and baby girl Berkley.

We had a lot of fun meeting Jackson and just getting to be in the same room as one another. I am so so proud of Joel and Ashley and how quickly they seem to have acclimated to parenthood. It seems they were born to be parents. Jackson Andrew Wood is one blessed little boy to grow up with such great parents.

Here are some pics from the day....

My Weekend, A List

2011-07-31T23:43:00.016-05:00

1. I am addicted to Pinterest. It has changed my life.

2.On Thursday, LK and I made some art! (Thank you pinterest!)

This will be a seasonal art project. Summer Fireworks, Autumn Wreath, Thanksgiving Turkey, Christmas Tree, Valentine hearts, Four Leaf Clover, April Showers, May Flowers and back to Summer Fireworks!

3. Also on Wednesday, Kyle and I celebrated our 5th Anniversary (actual anniversary was the 15th).

I know this is out of order and Wednesday is not the weekend. eh. oh well.

For the past 5 years, we print half off coupons from Texas de Brazil and meet our friends Timmy and Malee for some meat. and some more meat. and some more meat. It's our one big splurge of the year and totally worth it!! yyyuuuummmmmyyyyyy!!!!

4. On Friday I got my hair cut!!!

My hair was falling out in wads and wads (normal wads and wads after having a baby) and Shepherd is in the grabbing stage. So I decided to chop it...I like it!

5. I worked on the kids/guest bath.

I hung square shelves that used to hang in LK's room for towels. Still waiting on the hand towels and wash rags.

I repainted a bookshelf and hung picture over potty. (This picture used to hang in Kyle's bathroom when he was growing up. I painted the matte and frame...)

And, I cleaned out Starbucks Frappuccino bottles, painted the lids and filled them with LK's shampoo, Shep's shampoo, LK's bubble bath, and Shep's body wash. I just need to make the labels on the front! Ah pinterest, pinterest, pinterest !

6. I made a book page wreath for my mom and for my sister! Here's the one for my mom...turned out great! My fingers sure were blistered though.....ah, the sacrifice for family and book-page wreaths!

7. We road-tripped it to Abilene to meet sweet baby nephew Jack on Saturday!!!

I also got to see my parents, sister, and Cohen!

I'll have pics of Jackson on a separate post soon!

8. I made my own Dishwasher and Laundry Detergent today.

I also found this on Pinterest. Looked it up on this blog. I think it will help save money/time. More so than couponing. For the Laundry, the blogger said she does 8 loads/week and it lasted her 9 months. We only do 3-4 so it may last us up to 18 months....definitely worth $12. (top that!)

Also, I wasn't sure about using the laundry soap with Shep's clothes so I substituted the fels-naptha with Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap, Baby-Mild bar soap.

Photo credit/recipe

photo credit/recipe

Rolly Polly Talking Mohawk

2011-07-22T22:50:00.005-05:00

Yes, my little squishy man, I am talking to you.

Today, little four-month-old-going-on-four-year-old, you rolled over from your back to your tummy on a flat surface.

Also, you have discovered your voice. And true to Wiley form, you like to use it. Your first word was "sqwaaaauk!" You really like to sqwauk at your lion. I think it's because he sings back to you. Several mornings and naps, I have gone in to wake you up or get you up for a feeding and you are happily awake talking to your friends.

You just need to stop it. Stop the growing up so quickly! Your mommy is having a really hard time adjusting to how quickly you are growing up. So just stop it! Slooooooow the train down.

As time barrels by at lightening speed, I am reminded that our life is just a vapor. Here today, gone tomorrow. Our timing is not His timing.

Do you know, sweet happy boy, that that is my greatest prayer for you. That you would learn to feel the rhythm of His timing in every breath you take. That you would feel the rhythm of His grace, the rhythm of His discipline, the rhythm of His love. That His ways would be your ways.

Every sqwauk and roll was ordained by HIM. and I'm so glad I have the honor to experience it as your mommy (but if you could just slow it down a bit......)

REALLY love being an aunt....

2011-07-21T09:12:00.002-05:00

My nephew was born a week ago. I cannot believe I havn't met him yet!!! VERY soon, little man, very soon....just you wait!! You will LOVE Aunt Carrie!!!

Family posts about Jack:

Proud Daddy

Proud Papa

HOME, covered in moss

2011-07-20T22:46:00.004-05:00

I've been working on our mantle. I wanted it to be very representative of what the Wiley home looks like. I started by putting up pictures that really show off our personalities.

I needed more green. More color.

I first saw these moss covered letters on Pottery Barn...... $79/each. yeah. right.

Then I found a way to make them at home: Thrifty Decor Chic.

So I took the idea and incorporated it into my mantle. I love the idea of using "live" things to add color and depth. Feels so much more alive.

What do you think?

So this was my first attempt to hang them.

Too high, and the spacing was off.

And I needed to move the pictures around

(just didn't like the arrangment).

Much Better.

I think they turned out well.

**I ended up hanging them using command 3M strips. Brilliant.

LK/Shep 4 months

2011-07-17T22:19:00.003-05:00

I've got cute kids.

LK almost 4 months/Shep 4 months

Shepherd is 4 Months!

2011-07-11T19:56:00.005-05:00

My not-so-little Shepherd Boy,

Wow! 4 months!! Time seems to be zooming by a lot faster than I would like! I love so much I have a hard time even putting it into words. It is hard to imagine what life was like before you were here. Today, I took you to the doctor. I just want you to know that not every mother would take their child to the doctor to get shots on their own birthday. You are welcome for preventing you from getting diseases. I know you will thank me later. Here's some other things:

You weigh 16lbs 9oz(75-90%) and are 25.8 inches long (90%)
You wear size 6/9 month clothes (sometimes 12month!) and size 3 diapers!!
You go down awake for every nap, the majority of the time without crying
You take about 4 naps a day for about an hour and half each
You are not sleeping through the night yet, only because you are so hungry!! Most nights you sleep 6 hours. I'm not frustrated though because I know the reason is because you are hungry and you go right back to sleep after eating.
Dr. G says we can start cereal (and we did tonight!) to try to get more calories in you to last the night!! You did so well with your first try! You swallowed it all and really seamed to like it!
You still really like tummy time. You already want to take off, but I'm praying it is a LOOOONG time before you figure out how!
It's appalling how long I you go between baths. I should be ashamed of myself.
You survived 2 road trips to Lubbock and 1 to Abilene. Praise the Lord we are done traveling for the Summer! (except for maybe a day trip when your cousin Jack is born!)
You still love the ceiling fan and your crib mobile. You love to play on your play mat. You love your little lion and try to attack him.
You are the happiest baby I have ever met! You smile and laugh so so much! You bring so much joy to my life!
You are SO LOVED!

One more reason to love books....

2011-07-08T23:02:00.005-05:00

Isn't it pretty? I got the idea from my friend Emily who got it from Lyndsay. There's a great tutorial on the Living with Lyndsay site.

The wreath turned out a bit larger (maybe due to the size of the book pages?) than I expected but I think it fits the space nicely :). It was fun to make, took about 2 hours and about $4.

What do you think?

that's PRINCESS sassy pants to you!

2011-07-08T13:57:00.005-05:00

For her whole life, my SBOAM, the king of the house, began telling sassy pants about being a princess. He has set the stage for our home and now she has absorbed it and lives it.

Kyle: "Who is the princess of our home?"

LK: "ME!"

Kyle: "Who is the prince of our home?"

LK: "Baby Shepherd!"

Kyle: "Who is the queen of our home?"

LK: "Mommy!"

Kyle: "Who is the king of our home?"

LK: "You are daddy!"

Kyle: "And who is Lord of our home?"

LK: "JESUS!!!!!"

________________________________________________

"Miss Majesty?" she asked in her sing-song-a-little-too-perky-for-morning voice beside my bed.

"Yes?" I responded prying one eyelid open enough to see my little princess.

"Miss Majesty, will you please help me put on my princess dress and my princess shoes?" Her dad, the king, must have finished feeding her breakfast and now it was my turn.

I pried the other lid open to see she was "holding" up an imaginary dress and pair of shoes.....they were beautiful. really. you had to see them to believe their beauty. I sat up and helped her dress in her attire and thus began the princess extravaganza......

_______________________________________________

Other Princess Moments:

(and no, I am not making any of these up)

At Breakfast after Kyle had just returned home from Ecuador "This is our castle and our king has come home!"
My nephew had just shut himself in the Laundry room. LK to my sister: "Oh no! Whatever shall we do?!"
At the store with my dad, dad: "Oh no! Whatever shall we do?" LK: "We shall rescue the princess from the castle!"
"I'm getting married!" "Oh, you are?? to who?" "To the king! daddy!" "Fraid you're about 5 years too late for that one!"

_________________________________________

She wrote a princess song....

"Sing it with me!!!"

She's a little princess, she's a little princess

little, little, she's a little princess!

(over and over and over)

Bedtime Prayer

2011-06-22T19:52:00.000-05:00

"Dear Jesus, thank you for all the things I picked up today. AAAmen."

Top That!!

2011-06-22T11:31:00.004-05:00

_________________________________________________

****UPDATE******

After more research, the LUVS diaper deal is still the best I can find so we did and received our first box last week.

However, I looked up the cost of wipes and buying Target brand wipes is still the best deal I can find even including the amazon deals. Do you know of better??

_________________________________________________

So, needless to say, it's a little more difficult to blog regularly with 2 kids than it was with one. I have several things to catch up on and today's is going to be.....drumroll....COUPONS!

I have started couponing.

GOAL: I want to serve my family by helping stay under budget and save as much money as is in my power to do.

....So I've made a binder and a spreadsheet and I've started bargain hunting.

Here's my process:

During the week, I compile a list of things we NEED
I buy 2 Sunday papers on Sunday
On Sunday evenings, after babies are in bed, I clip and organize coupons into my coupon binder and enter them into my spreadsheet
I look at the store ads for good deals (whether they be a need at the moment or things I want to stock up on) and circle in sharpee the deals I want to take advantage of
I make my meal plan based on what we currently have or things that are on sale/have a great coupon for
I type up a list organized by store for the items we need and are taking advantage of a good deal.
I pull coupons from my binder and put them in an envelope designated for that store
On Monday afternoon/evenings I go shopping
Sometimes I will hit another store during the week if it is a really good deal
I also check certain websites and ecoupons that do a lot of the legwork for me to tell me good deals

A few things...

1. Do you coupon? what is your system? how can I improve mine?

2. I'm going to blog from time to time about deals I find that I think are great...if you can "top that" please do! I want to find the best deals to save the most money!!!

So here's a deal:

On amazon, there are currently 2 big ways for you to save big on baby/household items:

-the first is by being an Amazon Mom. You get 15% off most baby items and it automatically signs you up for 3 months free for Amazon Prime, which means free 2-day shipping.

-the second is called Subscribe & Save. Basically what you sign up for is a regular delivery of items you already use regularly (i.e. diapers, wipes, toilet paper, paper towels, dish soap etc...)

You can choose how often you need them (1 month, 2 months, 3 months, 6 months, etc...) and you can manage and edit it as you go. You are not charged until they ship them. By signing up you get an additional 15% off + FREE shipping.

I havn't had time to research every item I am interested in to see if it could save me money, BUT I have looked at diapers and wipes.

Currently we use Target diapers (or another brand is on sale to make it cheaper than Target we go with those) and when they are at their best price they are $14.99 for a box of 96 size 3 diapers making them $0.16/diaper. Not bad.

Using the combo Amazon deals, you can get Huggies and Pampers for $0.16/diaper with free delivery.

BUT, if your baby can wear LUVS diapers, you can get them for $0.11/diaper!!! This will save us a minimum of $15/month which is over $180/year.

SOOOO, can you top that?! Let me know!

Pictures Pictures Pictures

2011-06-13T23:05:00.003-05:00

Shepherd is 3 Months!

2011-06-10T13:26:00.003-05:00

My Studly LITTLE Beast,

What a little beast you really are! You are a chunk growing and growing and growing!!

You weigh over 15lbs now. Not sure how tall you are, but I am certain that you are very tall.
You wear size 2 diapers, but I have no doubt you will be in size 3 any day.
You are barely wearing size 3-6 month clothes but can hold your own in 6-9 month clothes. Yeah, that's right....6-9 month clothes. A beast, I tell you!
You love the fan. I mean LOOOVE the fan. You will smile and coo and laugh at it. It's the best thing that's ever happened to you other than eating.
You still love to watch your friends on your mobile in your bed. You get so excited when they go round and round and you just kick and kick and laugh and laugh.
You love to smile at your daddy and mommy and even your big sasster sometimes.
You still enjoy tummy time.
We have started to let you cry it out. Yeah, no fun at all for mommy. I know you need to learn how to sooth yourself though. *sigh* it's still hard (even harder than it was for the sasster because you like to snuggle SO much!!)
You hate your car seat. The only way you won't cry is if you are asleep. Ask me how often that happens.
You are holding your head up very well now.
I really think you get more cute every day.
Our love for you grows and grows.

LK's Big Surprise...

2011-06-08T21:25:00.002-05:00

not a bunny...

or a sailboat...

or a bird...

"It's my very own playground!!"

Laura Kate is 3!!!

2011-05-11T17:06:00.000-05:00

one....two.....THREE!!!!

My sweet girl,

Today, my beautiful and brilliant girl, you turn 3 years old. It is so hard for me to believe. The past year with you has been one of the greatest and hardest years of my life. I love being your mom every single second of every day. You teach me more things than I teach you. Some of my favorite things about you are:

You have a heart that cares about every person in the room. You are sensitive to the emotions of everyone. If we laugh, you laugh. If we cry, you cry. You want to make sure everyone is not just ok, but happy. My prayer is that as you grow up, you will develop this sweet gift of mercy and that it would translate into a deep passion of petitioning the father for the hearts of those you love. I pray that this would not translate to a fear of man.
You delight in attention from your daddy. Your favorite part of the day is when he walks in the door. You laugh with him, play with him, color with him, and my personal favorite, you even convince him to have tea parties with you. My prayer is that you will recognize the blessing you have in your daddy, who every day seeks to show you the ways of your heavenly daddy.
You love to create. Markers, crayons, paint, play-doh, pencils, pens, scissors, glue, glitter, cameras, you name it and you create it. My prayer is that you never lose this ability to see beauty from nothing and that in everything you create, you will remember and know the original creator.
You love to make people laugh. And it's not that difficult. You are the funniest kid I have ever known. I laugh at least ten times a day at something you say or do. My prayer is that the Lord would use you to bring smiles and laughter to the hearts of people for your entire life.

If I could use one word to describe you, it is JOY. You bring joy, you are joy, you live joy. What an honor it is to experience the intensity of the joy that comes with being your mother. Happy Birthday, my little sassy pants. There is not a more loved little girl in the entire world.

Pictures from LK's Birthday Party!

Shepherd is 2 Months!

2011-05-10T21:30:00.004-05:00

My Sweet Shepherd boy,

You literally have grown before my very eyes. Every day this month you have added a little bit more chunk and a few more rolls. My favorite thing you've added is that sweet grin on those kissable cheeks. Here what else:

You weigh 13 lbs 14oz and are 23.8 inches long
Mommy really wants you to be on a 3 hour eating schedule but you are still pushing for 2.5
You finally have exceeded 4 hours sleeping at night (most nights you sleep 4.5 - 5)
You go down great for your naps without crying, but somehow you have discovered our not-so-great friend the 45 minute intruder and wake up every 45 minutes
You went on your first road trip to Lubbock and did extremely well considering we packed and left in 30 minutes.
Your favorite wake-time activity is to watch your friends on your mobile
You grin and coo and grin and coo
We love you more and more every day

The Sky is Falling! The Sky is Falling!

2011-05-06T19:59:00.004-05:00

Our little princess, Sassy Pants, has been quite a character lately. After dealing with an emergency trip to Lubbock and back and still adjusting to life as a big saster, the emotions have been flying!

At the littlest things the crying starts....and gos on and on. Sometimes she runs down the halls crying "The Sky is falling! The Sky is falling!" (ok maybe not, but you get the idea of the level of drama we are dealing with here.)

Because of this, I've discovered a trick.

I don't know why I didn't discover this sooner.

I blame the mushy mommy brain.

Here's the trick: When she starts crying like this, I tell her "Laura Kate, I'm sorry you are so sad. If you need to cry please go to your bed and cry as long as you'd like and when you are finished you can come out and have a happy heart."

Soooo......she does it! She runs down the hall crying and crying (the sky is falling! the sky is falling!) and goes to her bed and cries her little eyes out. We're talking wailing and gnashing of teeth. And then a few minutes later, she emerges with a big grin on her face and declares "I'm a happy girl now mommy!".

It has yet to fail me.

My other new trick is the "brother is sleeeeping sign" (you like the name? creative huh?)

Somehow little Sassy-pants seems to forget her inside voice when brother is sleeping even if I told her mere seconds before....so I made a sign.

The front is blue and looks like this:

The back is green and looks like this:

We hang it in the hall so she has a visual reminder of when brother is sleeping. It hasn't worked as well as the crying trick but she loves it and it does help her to see when brother is sleeping.

Stay tuned for Shep's 2 month post on Monday and LK's 3 yr old post on Thursday!!!

LK's Big Girl Room

2011-04-20T10:54:00.003-05:00

The view from the door

The bed

Up close

Projects!

2011-04-13T10:01:00.005-05:00

For LK's birthday present this year, Kyle and I decided to upgrade her room a little bit. We think she is ready for a real big girl bed and so I've had fun planning what we should do. Here are some ideas.

I found this bedding in the clearance section of IKEA for $3.99!! I really like it because it is super girly and isn't baby-ish but is still whimsical and fun.

Then, I found this post over at the Design Mom blog. BUT instead of making a toddler-sized bed which we already have, I'm going to make a twin sized bed. My mom is coming in town with her power tools tomorrow and is going to help me!! We are also adding a headboard.

Then, I think I will make some poofs to hang from the ceiling on either side of the bed. Probably in primary colors found in the print on the bedding.

AND, mom is also bringing her cricut and we are going to make a chandelier wall decal to be centered on the wall above her bed.

So these are the ideas I have so far...I'll take pics along the way!!

Applause

2011-04-12T22:01:00.004-05:00

As I was driving to pick Laura Kate up from school last Thursday, I started praying "Please let her have been a good girl and had no time outs....please let her have been a good girl and had no time outs"....

Kyle and I have been working so hard to be consistent with our discipline but also rewarding good behavior. For Sassy Pants this translates like this : "If I get a time out at school, I get a time out at home. If I don't get a time out at school, I get a cupcake".

So yeah, the reward does look like plain ole bribery.

I walked around the corner to her class and she was waiting at the gate for me. The second she saw me, her grin stretched wide, and she proudly proclaimed "I was a big girl and had no time outs so now I get a cupcake 'cause I had noooo time outs!!" I wanted to make a really big deal out of this (it has been a while since we've had no time outs) so I overdid the enthusiasm and told her how proud I was of her and how we were going to find the best cupcake in the store.

She then started clapping for herself.

Her teacher, standing by the door witnessing our dramatic excitement also started to clap for her.

THEN, all of her friends who were still in the class started clapping and cheering for her!

Today, I picked her up from school and for the second day in a row, has had no time outs....I'd say this calls for a round of applause for the sasster!

Shepherd is 1 Month

2011-04-09T19:00:00.006-05:00

Dear Shepherd,

Today you are one month old! I can't believe time has passed so quickly! We've done so much fun stuff this month. Here are some things about you at one month:

You weigh 11 lbs and are 22 inches long!
We are on a 2.5 - 3 hour feeding schedule and you love to eat!
You don't love to sleep very long at night yet
Some naps we can put you down awake and you don't cry, you just go to sleep
You will take a bottle and especially like it when Daddy feeds it to you
You actually like tummy time
You love to play on your play gym
You are starting to not be so gassy
You stay awake and alert longer
You are starting to focus your eyes on people and things
You are so loved!

The Big Sasster

2011-04-01T08:27:00.006-05:00

In addition to me gaining a son, on March 9th, my first born, my little Sassy Pants became a big sister. This is an update on the Big Sasster.

When LK first met Shepherd in the hospital room, she was more interested in the fish tank downstairs than she was in meeting her little brother. She also told people that her brother was a dragon who ate grasshoppers. Thankfully, sometime in the couple days after he was born, he became a human little brother, and her pride and excitement grew.

As a mom of 2, some of my favorite moments have been when someone comes to visit and LK gets so excited to introduce them to her little brother..."LOOK! LOOK" she says, "It's baby Shepherd! He's my little brother!"

Overall, I have to say, the sasster has completely exceeded my expectations for how she would transition to her new role. For the most part, she has been a helper and happy about life right now.

However, we have had our moments...and our days.

.....Like the day I picked her up from school to find out she had had 2 timeouts for not listening and had to go to the director's office to have a chat because she threw her fork at her teacher....

.....And the time she she threw a fit because she was told "no" ...oh wait that's every day, every time....

As Kyle and I try to parent her through this season, I am reminded of how the Lord parents me in the transition times in my life: with love, gentleness, and sweet words of encouragement that remind me of his nearness, that we're in this together.

Shepherd - 2 weeks

2011-03-25T22:28:00.005-05:00

I can't believe it's already been over 2 weeks since Shepherd arrived. I already can't imagine life without him.

At 2 weeks:

he eats every 2 1/2 - 3 hours
he is taking decent naps
sleeps in chunks of 3-4 hours at night
gets the hiccups after almost every feeding
he loves to snuggle
loves his bouncy seat
poops a lot
and wets his diaper more than I can keep up with

Shep's First Bath

2011-03-21T23:07:00.002-05:00

Shepherd had his first real bath tonight.

I think I should have fed him before the bath.

He chilled out though.

He loves to have his hair washed.

And most of all, he loves to snuggle

with his mommy.

2011-03-19T19:11:00.001-05:00

Remember when I was huge?

Sooooo glad I'm not anymore!

Shepherd's Birthday

2011-03-17T14:06:00.008-05:00

(It's a long post so if you just want the pics, scroll down.)

After 39 and half weeks of heartburn, "the belly", maternity clothes, nausea, aching back, and nerve pain, our greatest prayers were answered with the birth of our son, Shepherd Andrew Wiley.

This is the story of his birthday.

On Wednesday morning, March 9, 2011, Kyle and I woke up bright and early...although there wasn't a lot of brightness in the sky when the clock chimed 5:00 a.m. After a couple weeks of walking and walking and walking, and bouncing on a yoga ball, eating pineapple and spicy food, pumping, and a few other at-home inducing ideas, we decided with our doctor to induce. It was important to us that our doctor be able to deliver me and that my parents be there for their grandson's birth. So at 7:30 we checked in at Admissions and were admitted to room 14 in Labor and Delivery.

When I came out of the bathroom from changing into my hospital gown, my doctor was waiting on us in the room. After the nurse hooked me up to my IV fluids, my doctor broke my water and started me on a slow pit drip. He also told me I could have my epidural anytime I wanted, but if I could labor a little bit it would help me progress a little bit faster. So after my contractions were every couple minutes a part, I decided to spring for the epidural.

At 10:00 a beautiful beautiful man walked in the room and took plenty of time explaining the procedure and listening to my concerns with what happened last time. He assured me he would take every precaution to make this epidural a good one. My nurse, who was incredible all day, helped me get into position and held me down for the procedure. While it didn't feel super comfortable, the procedure was actually not so bad. Almost instantly, the pain from contractions melted away and I was a very happy mama.

For the most part of the day, while my body was working very hard to progress towards a "10" and pushing, I was having a boring day: reading, talking on the phone, even playing on my computer.

Here are the 3 minor things that didn't go as planned:

At one point my blood pressure dropped and I thought I was going to pass out. The nurse came in and gave me some medicine to raise my pressure and then I was back to business.

At another point, I developed a hot spot on my right side and start to feel contractions a little bit on my right side. They rolled me to my right and within a few minutes the medicine evened out again and I was pain free.

I threw up 3 times when I started pushing. I felt better afterwards and resumed with the task at hand.

About 3:15 my doctor came in and started getting the room ready for delivery. I started pushing and within 30 minutes Shepherd had arrived. In between pushes it was very surreal. It was like we were just hanging out waiting for contractions. We talked and joked and then would pause and push.

While the doctor cut the cord, they laid a blanket and then him on my belly. The first thing we all noticed was his hair...oh my gosh he has a lot of hair on his sweet little head!! They quickly put him under the warmer and the next thing I noticed was how content he was. As the doctor sewed me up, my sweet husband reveled at his new son and talked and talked to him and Shepherd soaked it all in. Shepherd weighed in at 7lbs 9 oz.

After I was sewn up and cleaned up and Shepherd was cleaned up, they handed him to me and we had a few minutes just the three of us. I took advantage of the time and nursed Shepherd for the first time. After a few tries, he latched right on and has been a great eater ever since. Let me pause to tell you how much I love nursing a baby. One of my favorite things in life, easily.

After I nursed, my parents came in to meet their grandson. They were so excited they could hardly stand it! I'm so glad they were there to be a part of such a special day.

When it was time, the nurse took me and Shepherd up to the nursery to get him checked in so they could run some tests and give him his first bubble bath. While he was in the nursery, Kyle and I got settled into our room and before we knew it, he was back in my arms.

That evening, a friend who was keeping my girl for the day brought her up to meet her brother. The moment was so special for me as I looked at my family of 4 for the first time. Laura Kate was more interested in the fish tank downstairs at first than her brother, but she came around and sweetly kissed him on his head before she headed home with Grammy and Papa for the night.

That night, even though I was exhausted, I couldn't sleep because I was overwhelmed with how blessed we were with such an incredible joy-filled day. Every small and large prayer was answered. I marveled at the goodness of the Lord, that he would choose to shower us with such affection.

Doo-Dah!

2011-03-06T19:11:00.002-06:00

I wrote a song that I will share with you....

Get this baby out of me, doo-dah! doo-dah!

Get this baby out of me, this very day!

This very day! This very day!

Get this baby out of me, this very day!

you're welcome.

My Little Princess Monday

2011-02-28T14:28:00.004-06:00

So far a success! We have painted our nails, made picture frames (separate blog post to come), played dressed up and took pictures. Lovin time with my girl!

The Adventures of Laura Kate and Shepherd

Dear Laura Kate and Shepherd

These are a Few of my Random Things (A *Somewhat* Musical List)

Shepherd is 11 months!!

Missing Her.....

#3, Week 16-17

Buenas Noches

Mommy, I don't feel good

#3, Week 15

Cupcakes and Brother

Homemade Problem Solver...

Some thoughts on Football.....

A Tuesday List

#3, 14 Weeks

Consequences

Fancy Bedtime Prayer

Shepherd is 10 months!!

George Lucas

A Squishy List

Today's Stories

Resolutions and Goals

#3, Week11

My Life is Forever Changed

Merry Christmas in Pictures

Baby Ramblings

2. Let me answer the question you are probably wanting to ask.

3.What's the story? (if you are uncomfortable with words like cyst and birth-control and ultrasound, you may want to skip this question).

I am 10 weeks today and due on July 19th.

4. Random Carrie Wiley Trivia:

This is my 5th pregnancy in 5.5 years! yikes!

2006 - miscarriage/ 2008- Laura Kate/ 2009 - Ectopic/ 2011 - Shepherd/ 2011 - Baby #3

Through each of these pregnancies I have learned something new about the Lord but the same theme is ALWAYS the same: He alone is the giver of life.

5. Names???

(More random trivia: I also feel like even though we don't use the other option of a name at the time, that it still counts as used. I know. I'm weird but I just can't think of it towards another baby.)

With Laura Kate, we knew we wanted Rettig Andrew for a boy or Laura Kate for a girl. We are so blessed to be able to pass the legacy of Kyle's mom's name to our daughter.

6. The Sasster

Earlier in the day, on the day we found out we were pregnant, Laura Kate drew a picture of our family that included an extra person floating above us. When Kyle asked her who that was she said "Oh, that's the other little girl. We don't know her name yet."

7. The Moose

Obviously, he has no idea what's cookin or how his little world is going to change. I am still nursing and hope to be able to continue until he is a year old. Pray for me.

8. Girl or Boy?

I feel either way on any given day. Today, I think it's a girl. 2 days ago, I thought boy. So far this is the easiest pregnancy BY FAR and I feel pretty great.

Another random Carrie trivia: I was FREEZING the majority of my pregnancy with LK. With Shep, I was hot. So far, I am FREEZING again. I was also really really sick with LK and wasn't with Shep, only a little bit. I havn't thrown up even one time so...who knows??!!

What's your vote? Hannah or Fischer?

9. What should the new blog title be come July? Adventures of Laura Kate, Shepherd, and ???, Adventures of Sassy Pants, Moose, and ????, or Adventures of the Wiley Kids? Adventures of the Wileys? Other ideas??

Cast your vote!!

Waaay Too Long (A List)

A Thankful List

Thankful for My Daddy

Thankful for my mama

Thankful for Sassy Pants

Shepherd is 8 Months!!!

Thankful

Halloween

Big Sasster, Big Helper

A Halloween List

It's Baaaack!

Slaves

Smart Boy

Tender-Hearted Days

Fall Pictures!!

Shepherd is 7 months!!!

A Running List

The not-so-Lazy Mom Challenge

Sittin Handsome

Reformed Snocker

Finally 3 and letting go....

Happy Thursday

Laura Kate Lately

A Monday List

Happy Thursday!

Shepherd is 6 Months!!!!

A Saturday List

Psalm 13

Pictures

Memory Making

Dance Dance Revolution

Why Not?

Happy Thursday!!!

Thank Ewe

Happy Birthday to Me!!!!

These are a Few of my Random Things (A Somewhat Musical List)