Thanksgiving and more

Sorry, I know its been awhile! Didyou have a good thanksgiving? We did! We actually had 2 thanksgivings, one with Derek's family and one with my family.... and can I just say that this was the most enjoyable Thanksgiving all around! There was no family drama on either side (PRAISE THE LORD!), and it was wonderful getting to spend the days with the people who we care most about and who (hopefully) care about us too!

After it was all said and done, I had a great sense of thankfulness... grateful that we have 2 of the best families, and grateful that they are here in the same town with us! We are incredibly lucky.

Friday, we did not leave the house. We never do. We might get shot or pepper sprayed if we do since black friday seems to bring out the crazies! Instead we spent the day rearranging our livingroom furniture! And at first I didnt like the way it looks, but now, I REALLY like it! No longer do we have the tv in front of the window! yay! The only problem is, I have no idea where to put our christmas tree when we get it.

This weekend is the big craft fair!! I think i'm as prepared as I possibly could be. I've got 24 tutu's made, 6 doll tutus, and 2 vases full of wands! I'm really excited for this, but at the same time, i'm SO ready for it to be over with so I can concentrate on the christmas season and my family!

Well, I dont know if i will get a chance to post anymore before the big weekend, so wish me luck!!

Smile

I sat down the other day and started gathering pictures throughout the year for my end of the year slideshow. Its going to be hard to narrow it down.... i've got 8 minutes worth already, and still we have thanksgivings, jadons preschool christmas program, christmas eve and day, and of course all the other festivities involved in the holiday season... so i imagine i'll have at least another 2 minutes or so worth of pictures by years end. Somehow I need to try to keep it at no more than 8 minutes... or 2 songs worth.

I was watching what I have already, and seeing all the smiles on the faces of my kids is really heartwarming. They look so happy, and as a mom that is a WONDERFUL feeling! Its hard to not question myself on whether i'm doing a good job at this mom thing, but seeing all those smiles is a pretty good answer to me. They are healthy and they are happy and they are loved immensely, and I think it shows in the pictures. Watching it brings tears to my eyes and joy to my heart.

Tonight right before dinner, Jadon was acting up and pushing all my buttons purposefully, and just being a little fart. A few minutes after we sat down to eat, he was quiet for a second, then said softly and earnestly "mommy, I need to talk to you for a minute." So I said "ok?" and he says "i'm sorry i'm being naughty today." Awww, my heart melted. :)

I hate trying to think of post titles

For all you parents of young kids, soon-to-be parents, and maybe even grandparents.... this is the funniest parenting blog ever! http://crappypictures.typepad.com/crappy-pictures/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well less than a month to go until the big craft show! Over the weekend I got out my display and set it up so I could get an idea of how it will look and how much room i'll have for all the tutus. Obviously it will look MUCH nicer than this for the real deal, but this gives me a great idea of how i'll want to set up!
Things are really coming together! I've still got plenty more to make, but at least now I have around 18 tutu's to sell. I wish I had time to do more shows, but right now I only have time for this one, but at least its a big one! Hopefully next year and throughout the year, i can do more.

Jadon is home from preschool today. His sore throat has turned into a full head cold, with plenty of snot, congestion and coughing. Today he's hacking alot, which is why he is home. I'm sure his teachers will appreciate that I kept him home! He's not real happy about the situation, and I cant say that i'm thrilled either.

Avery is still in bed sleeping this morning.... its 8:40am! Its only a matter of time until the rest of the family comes down with this cold, and based on her sleeping in so late leads me to believe she might be coming down with it already (she never sleeps late like this.) Sigh....

So changes are coming for Derek at work. He is moving to a new department. A brand new one. One that will be starting at the end of the month, and Derek will be on the new team. This will be good for him in the long run, but he is sad to leave his current position. He has a really great boss and coworkers that he gets along with really well, and is sad to leave that behind for the unknown. On top of that, he may have to fly to Wisconsin for a couple weeks of training. Please keep him in your prayers in the next few weeks! :)

2 year

Avery had her 2 year well-child check today and she's in the 50% for weight and 90% for height. A few weeks before the well-child check appointments, they mail you a survey to do about your child (to bring to the appointment), asking if they are doing certain things developmentally.... for example: " Does your child jump with both feet at the same time? Always, sometimes or not yet." or "Does your child say 2-3 word sentences- Always, sometimes, or not yet." Questions related to how they should be developmentally at each stage. They didnt have these when Jadon was little so its been kindof fun doing it with Avery. I'm pleased to say that she scored a 100% on her most recent "test".

I'm not surprised.... the girl learns a TON from her big brother, so verbally she can say everything, and she understands everything and is very quick. Physically she is a crazy person, dare devil. She's smart... however we've been working on colors, and she has no clue. Everything is either green or black. She'll get it eventually.

Only 1 shot today- her flu shot. She was so good the entire appointment (polar opposite of Jadon once again)...when the nurse poked her with the shot she said "owie, owie" and when she started pushing the medicine into her, then Avery started crying. She looked very hurt that someone would do such a thing to her..... if only she could understand how much more it hurts when she bites people!

Jadon is still in need of his flu shot, however for him at his age now, they give him the flu mist, which I personally think is worse than the shot. Yesterday he came down with a really bad sore throat (to which I spent all night worrying- hence, i didnt sleep well)... however his throat feels better today, but this morning he sounded like a man. He's getting plugged up and has a bit of a dry cough. I know i've said it before, but it hurts the parents so much more than the kids when they are sick. :(

Halloween

We carved our pumpkins on friday night......we opted not to use one of the kits with the fancy faces and pictures on them since the kids are little and have very short attention spans.... and the adults have very little time to dedicate to those intricate carvings.
We've noticed the Mr. Potato Head pumpkins around at some houses, and thought it was such a cute idea, so we did that too.

Halloween day, the stores down the road from us were doing trick-or-treating for the kids during daylight hours, so we did that. Derek and I were VERY safe in the presence of a handsome fireman and a beautiful little angel! ;)

We really lucked out with the weather! It had been raining off and on all day, even during the half hour before we left, but when we got there, the clouds opened up, and the sun shined on us the whole time!

My beautiful family- I am blessed! :)