We had all the boys cousins over for Halloween. We had so much fun together eating hotdogs and fixin's, popcorn, trick or treatin' and roasting marshmellows.

Tonight Wyatt prayed for his friends Rivers and Wyndham.
Rivers is a sweet little girl he goes to church with. I led that prayer because Wyatt doesn't really understand what her needs are. I started to pray for Wyndham but Wyatt jumped in and took over and led the prayer for Wyndham:

Dear God,
Please be with Wyndham. If he is sick make him feel better. Help him to be with his mommy and daddy. In your name we pray, Amen.

I had never heard him pray like that, I was amazed and proud that my little boy is learning at a young age that he can take his worries to God and go to him in prayer.

I spend A LOT of time thinking about orphans. I read about them. I hear their stories. And I constantly think, How can I help them? Besides adoption I just haven't been able to figure out how I am going to make a difference. Currently we sponsor a orphan in China through Bring Me Hope. I want to do more than that. I follow a lot of blogs of people who have and are adopting. Somehow I came across a blog of a young girl who is 19 and how a mission trip to Kenya changed her life. It is such an inspiring story. She has lived there and ministered to orphans, she has baptized them, cared for them and "adopted" 150 kids that she is sending to school and providing their basic needs. How you ask? Well , that is where the problem lies, she needs 9 thousand dollars to support these children through the end of 2009. I actually find it amazing that you could support 150 children for 9 grand. She is asking for people to sponsor a child for 300 dollars, that would cover their expenses through 2009. I have never done anything like this through my blog but would you help me support these children? I will post the link to her blog. Read her story and become inspired. Help one of the millions of orphans out there. Make a difference in the life of one. www.kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com (if the link doesn't work just cut and paste). If you cannot support a child alone maybe go in with a friend, and if you can't do anything at all, Pray.

Ok I deleted the last two posts because I did not want to see them again. Looking back I was having a few particularly rough days and am so incredibly sick of studying that have let it get to me. No more. I've had a few good days and am moving on with gratitude for all I have to be tired for.


A few very exciting things happened for me today:

1. I purchased my Nursing Pin (this is sort of like getting a diploma for Nursing). It really helped it sink in that I am truly almost done!
2. I had a test today and made a very good grade! I like making good test grades so I don't have to study so hard for finals.
3. I got a new camera and lens for graduation (a little early, Thanks dear hubby!) I wish I had time to start learning all the info but I will take pictures on auto for now. Soon I will share some of the pictures I'm taking.

Ok, done bragging. I just want to share some positive things that have happened to me lately.

*disclaimer:this is not an original idea, i stole it from someone else*

Not me Monday

I did not bake cookies for the family and "eat just one".

I did not in a moment of weakness give in and get a puppy for the boys.

I did not show my neighbor my house in a complete mess.

I did not just spend 45 minutes outside staring at a puppy just to see it tinkle or poop.

I did not throw my keys at John and tell him to wait in the car because he was being impatient with our waiter.

I did not spend 3 hours on my computer "playing" when I was supposed to be studying.

I did not go to church Sun. night dressed as SuperNurse (how cheesy).

I did not hit my children's minister on the head with a rolled up piece of paper without thinking. (sorry Charlie)

I did not get annoyed at plans being made without me.

Wow I didn't think I had this many things for Not Me Monday, I better stop before I reveal too much more...

This is something Wyatt talks about a lot. Today he was talking about it and I asked him what he was going to do when he grows up. He looked up in the sky, thought a minute and said "drink coffee".

Yes, John and I finally gave in and got the boys a puppy. She is the best (so far). She is a Cairn Terrier and is 4 months old. Our next door neighbors got one last week and I actually fell in love with it and I am not a huge dog fan. I started doing research and decided this dog would be a fit for us! I called the breeder but whoa! they are not cheap. I told her I did not think my husband would spend that kind of money on a dog but that I would talk to him. I did but we never really decided when I got a phone call back from her. She said she had one older puppy left from a previous litter and she could be ours for a very reasonable price (compared to the younger, newer puppies). I told her to reserve the puppy for us and I would talk to my husband. Well the boys pitched in some cash and agreed to spend less at the fair in order to pay for the puppy. So I called her back and I went to Pageland to pick her up yesterday. An older puppy has actually been a blessing. Still young enough to make our own but old enough to walk on a collar and slept all night last night :0). She has only had one accident too! She has the cutest personality and we all have taken to loving her quickly. Well the only exception to that would be Mason who would not get off the couch last night unless you were holding him and if she came walking towards him he would scream. Today is much better he was walking around but kept one eye on her at all times just in case! All the other little pets we got were OK but this little puppy is just what we needed. I don't know what I was so afraid of. Of course I hope I am still this upbeat a few months from now....

One funny: Wyatt came to me last night with a odd look on his face, mouth open and was attempting to spit something out of it. I asked him what was wrong and he managed to tell me that he had "tried" the dog food and it was nasty. So we had to wash his mouth out. I don't think he will do that again. It actually had not occurred to me that one of the little guys would try to eat it.

We have a little something to share tomorrow. I was hoping to do it tonight but didn't get a picture. So tune in tomorrow-probally not until the evening. (and for anyone with there hopes up, it has nothing to do with our adoption process-sorry). I am excited though!

John's brother and his family at our house celebrating Mason's birthday.

His pack is almost is big as he is. I don't know how he is going to hike with this thing. It is pretty heavy!

I wasn't going to be one of those moms who let there kids watch TV in the car when only going 2 miles down the road.
I wasn't going to be one of those moms who let there child have cookies for breakfast.
I wasn't going to be one of those moms who didn't make her child do their homework because she was too tired to deal with it.
I wasn't going to be one of those moms who lets their child go to school in dirty clothes that do not match.
I wasn't going to be one of those moms who let their child watch too much TV some days so she could have peace and quiet and get something done.
I wasn't going to be one of those moms that let the kids fend for themselves for dinner.
I wasn't going to be one of those moms that doesn't make her kids make their beds.
I wasn't going to be that mom.
But some days I am.
And I am OK with that.

Wyatt and Mason are playing with potato heads, Wyatt makes one and brings it to me..

W: This is a swimmin' guy (holding up a potato head with googles and flip flops on)
M: That's cool.
W: He's a old swimmin' guy
M: Oh like daddy (I just wanted to see what he would say)
W: Yeah, daddy is dying.
M: Why is daddy dying?
W: (no response, just looks at me)
M: What makes people die?
W: I don't know, snakes?...(pause) and raccoons, they wear that mask.

I don't remember what I said after that.
Is it just me, or is this kid so funny...

The little boys were sitting at the table while I was sort of studying. They were coloring on blank paper. Wyatt started drawing a circle. Then he said:

W: I'm drawing naked guys
M: Oh, why are you drawing naked guys?
W: I like naked guys.
M: Oh.

Well he left me speechless. Should I be worried? I am hoping it is just because it is just too hard for him to draw clothes yet. I mean a circle with legs and arms sticking out is much easier, right?

Today our Baby Boy turns 2!
He is our hold me, hugging, easy to put to bed, loving little man!
He loves Elmo, music, coloring and playing with the big boys.
Happy Birthday Baby Boy, We love you!!!!

Have I mentioned that I 0nly have 77 days until graduation?
Only 5 more tests,
2 more finals,
1 paper,
1 presentation,
2 case studies,
11 more days of clinical,
and it will all be over.
Would I do it again? No way!
Am I glad I did? Absolutely, it is my calling.
In 77 days I will bid farewell to many friends, instructors and textbooks.
Not too many days after that I will enter the work force for the first time (full time) in 11 years.
I finally figured out what I wanted to be when I grow up, a nurse!

Funnies from Wyatt today:

Sitting on the porch waiting on Sellers bus:

Wyatt: Mom when I grow up I want to be a fireman
Mom: That would be nice you could put out fires and save people
pause to think
Wyatt: I want to be a fireman when I grow up
Mom: When will you be grown up?
Wyatt: (pauses for a moment to think )Um, Tuesday. Is today Friday?
Mom: Today is Monday. Oh so you'll be grown up by Tuesday?
Wyatt: yeah


Out of the blue he starting saying this tonight when it starting getting dark.

Mom, is it dark enough for Christmas?

Not once, but many times he has asked this. Apparently I am not explaining well enough that Christmas is a while off.

Taking advantage of being out of town with no kiddos, John and I decided to go see this movie. I would encourage everyone to go see it. Some of the acting is not great but the message is awesome. Kirk Cameron plays a firefighter who is about to get divorced and his dad challenges him to the Love Dare to save his marriage. I won't spoil any of the movie because I hope you will go see it. And Ladies, if you had a crush on Kirk Cameron during his Growing Pains days he is still just as adorable! Go see this movie, it may just teach you how to "fireproof" your marriage!

I try hard not to buy anything for our girl. In reality we could be many years from bringing her home but sometimes I just can't help it. The other day I was at Target and they had on clearance a cabbage patch newborn doll with almond eyes. I couldn't resist. You can imagine how hard it is to find a Asian baby doll. So I went ahead and bought it, hoping I wasn't jinxing myself and brought it home. For now I keep it by my bed, one day I will put it in my closet with all her other things I couldn't resist and one day I will place it in her arms.




I have noticed lately on some of the blogs that I read that they put st*rs in place of letters, does anyone know why they do this?

Mason gradually started a ritual of putting things in his crib before he went to bed at night.
First it started with a book.
Next, a few books.
Occasionally he would throw in a toy.
Tonight he wanted to put in a box of books, a doll, and a big ball blowing toy. I had to draw the line. No big ball blowing toy. How could you possibly get a good nights rest with that thing in there? This toy is almost as big as he is!


The difference in a boy vs a girl and a doll: (well at least my boy)

Girl: cradles it, rocks it, feeds it, dresses it, loves it!
Boy: bangs its head on the floor, throws it in the tub, squeezes it to death!

Boys-

stinky feet,
stinky armpits,
stinky shoes,
stinky rooms,
stinky clothes,
stinky socks.

We are constantly battling the stinkies around here!

Setting: 8am Closet in master bedroom

Wyatt: mom, you look like a princess (with the cutest grin on his face)
Mom: I do? Well thank you Wyatt that is so sweet.
Wyatt: When you drop me off at Sunday School I want you to be the one to pick me up.
Mom: Why?
Wyatt: 'Cause you look like a princess
Mom: OK of course I'll pick you up.

Wyatt, thanks for the boost of confidence just when I needed it.

We do not have good luck with our pets. This time I really thought we had picked the right one. But tonight we discovered Luke had passed away in his cage. The tears came, then the questions why. I do not have an answer. I do not know why a guinea pig would die. We fed him. We kept clean water. We did everything they said to. We held him and played with him. My sons heart is sad tonight. He kept crying and saying "I don't even have a picture of him". I wish now I had tried harder to get a picture of him that day. Something to remind him of Luke. He has already asked me for another pet. What am I going to do?

This morning I had a long commute to clinical at 6am. It is long to me because it is 45 minutes to Providence downtown from the sticks in Lexington. Part of me dreaded it but actually it is me time. Rarely do I get to ride in the car and listen to my music or not have to listen to the boys. So this morning I drug out my old CD's, you know,the ones I haven't bothered to listen to since I got and ipod and have been too lazy to download into it. I selected an Allison Krauss CD and went on my way in the dark to clinical. I flipped through the tracks quickly looking for a song I thought was on that CD but wasn't. When I hit track 11 I let it play for some reason, I was only partly listening to the song when the lyrics caught my attention. I hit repeat and listened to it over and over until I reached the parking lot. I felt like the song was speaking to me, here are the words of the chorus...

I'd rather be in the palm of your hand
though rich or poor I may be
Faith can see right through the circumstance
sees the forest in spite of the tree
your Grace provides for me

I don't know Allison Krauss or whether this song has some secret meaning but for me it is simple. It spoke to me about things I have been hearing from God for a long time, he just keeps trying to get my attention. OK God, I am listening and will keep on praying.

It is so amusing the names children come up with to call #2. Mason has won the award for the most original. He simply call it "T". He will run to you pointing to his hiney and say "T". No idea where it came from but definitely unique. What about your child, do they have a neat name for #2?

Oh come on, my child can't be the only one....

Today I use my blog just to say Thank You. Thank You to our parents who pick our babies up three days a week and watch them until we can pick them up. We truly appreciate you and all that you have done to support our decision for me to go back to school. We love you!

Now this is something I know about, boys.
I found this wall saying at a local store, laughed and absolutely had to have it.
Now I just have to figure out where to put it.
It says:

Boy, n : a noise with dirt on it.

Today two things dominate my mind.

1. I am sick of the presidential race! (yes, already) And unfortunately I am married to an avid news watcher.I would rather not watch continuous coverage for months on end about something I have already made my mind up about.
2. Why are companies allowed to price gauge gas to increase it by $2 a gallon in mere hours? I refused to buy any and my car will stay parked right here in my driveway until it's cheaper. Unless of course it doesn't go back to normal. I don't absolutely have to go anywhere until Tues.

Oh actually three things...

3. The 2 tests, paper, case study and two data tools I have to due by September 30th.

I guess I shouldn't be wasting time blogging........

There are days I feel that my brain cannot possibly hold anymore information. There are times when I study for hours and am not sure if I can remember anything. Is there a maximum capacity for the brain? Don't they say that humans only use a very small percentage of our brain? If that is true why can't I remember this stuff. Today I had too much in my head and I can tell because when Mason asked for his gaga (yes my nearly two year old still calls it gaga and actually has got us all calling it that, so he will probably not learn to say milk until he's 5-anyway) I poured him a cup of milk, left it on the counter and proceeded to take the whole gallon of milk to the table and set it down in front of him. Of course the boys thought that was just hilarious!
Lately I am forgetting a lot of things. I write them in my calendar but guess what? I forget to look in my calendar.

One of our boys, I won't name who here has developed an interest in girls. Here is a snippet of something he said to me that I thought was funny.

Child: Mom, there's this girl that always says hey to me at carpool. She says she know me from somewhere but I don't know where.

Mom: What's her name?

Child: I don't know.

Mom: Why don't you go up to her and ask her, her name and where she knows you from.

Child: I can't do that. Mom, these days girls travel in packs. You can't just walk up to one and talk to her. She's in a pack. (that just cracked me up!).

Then he went on to tell me about how Zack Efron in High School Musical said yada, yada, yada.
I hear about these kind of movie stories frequently. Honestly I tune them out. Who cares what Zack says, right? Anyway I thought the thing about girls traveling in packs was funny.

Just a update on school. I seem to get asked about this a bunch so here's how it is going.
I've been back in for my LAST semester for about 3 weeks. I am taking a Management Class and advanced OB and Pediatrics. Right now I am in clinical at Providence on 4 Heart. My instructor is awesome, very laid back. She is great about letting us do things on our own since we are only months away from practicing as RN'S! Most of our patients are post heart cath who have had to get stents for blockages. We do a lot of discharge which is great because I need the practice. Teaching is something nurses do a lot of and when discharging a patient you have to do a lot of teaching. It is So important. In October I will do my clinicals at Richland for OB and Peds. I am so excited about seeing the new children's hospital. It is in my top three places to work when I graduate so I am excited about seeing it and having clinical there. Many people ask me what I want to do when I graduate and honestly I don't know for sure, yet. I am interested in cardiac nursing, newborn nursery, pediatrics and there is this little part of me that would like to try the ER. I love the ER because you get to see the patient in the beginning before they are stable and when the doctors are often trying to figure out what is going on. It is often like putting a puzzle together. The only thing that worries me is trauma. I am not sure if I could handle very serious trauma cases. I have seen a gunshot victim and a fall victim and they were not very serious so I don't know what it would be like to have a real serious case. It sort of scares me but at the same time interests me. I hopefully will know what to do soon because in a few short months it will be time to apply for jobs. I just pray that I will end up somewhere where I can be happy and make a difference in someone's life. On December 17th I will be pinned (nursing for graduate) and then I will have to take the Board Liscensing Exam (NCLEX) and pass in order to practice nursing. I am so excited about finishing!!!!

I will miss the day when they are too old for this........

We have reluctantly added new pets to our family. We recently experienced a traumatic death of a fish, well two actually. Noah desperately wanted a pet. John and I talked about a dog but really didn't want the added responsibility. A cat is ok but I am allergic. We have tried fish, turtles, and frogs but they aren't the cuddly type pet he wanted. He suggested a hamster. Ok, I might could deal with a hamster unless it got loose in the house. Noah researches hamsters by checking out books at the library and we decide to go get a hamster last Saturday. Of course Sellers has jumped on the bandwagon by now so we are in search of two hamsters to bring home. We go to the pet store and look at the hamsters. They are next to the cage of rats and honestly I could hardly tell the difference. I hate rats. We have had them twice and they scare me to death. I have offered people big money to get these things out of my house before and now I am paying money to bring a close relative in? I started looking at other animals and started trying to convince them to get something else. First some new frogs. No they didn't grab his attention. Well then I enlisted the help of an employee from the Pet Store. After talking with me he agreed to encourage my boys to get Guinea Pigs instead. After talking with him they seemed cool and well they looked less like a rat and more like a rabbit without the big floppy ears. Thankfully he was successful and they picked out two little critters and brought them home. It has been good. They are very happy with their choice and can be found playing with their little buddies most all the time. And I am proud to say that they have even been taking care of them by themselves. And I am happy to have a pet the doesn't look like a rat that I will even hold.

This is Max, Noah's gp. Luke was busy playing Star Wars with Sellers and was unavailable for a picture.
.

Mason does not like walking down the stairs.
He will, but many times he will stand at the top
and call my name until I come get him.

Go Gamecocks!!!!!
This is my niece Ella, rooting on the Gamecocks.

Toddler talk. I love it. The things they say. The things they think. So cute and interesting to know what's on their mind. This was a few minutes of our conversation on the way home tonight.


Wyatt: I'm a big boy momma.

Mom: yeah, you are a big boy

Wyatt: I want to grow to be 4 feet tall like daddy, he's big.

Mom: Yeah, you will grow to be like daddy. (6 feet not 4)



30 seconds later...



Wyatt: (mumbling the names of superheroes to himself) Mom, who are all the good guys?

Mom: Superman, Batman, Spiderman, Robin, the Hulk, Jesus, Daddy, Papa, Poppy. They are all good guys.

Wyatt: They kill the monsters?

Mom: They take care of the bad guys.



30 seconds later...



Wyatt: Are there monsters in my room mama?

Mom: No Wyatt. Monsters are not real. They are pretend like in stories.

Wyatt: No monsters are gonna get me?

Mom: No Wyatt there are no Monsters!



Walking in the door...



Wyatt: Are there snakes in our jungle momma? ( we have woods behind our house and he calls it the jungle-it took a lot to convince him that our jungle did not have tigers in it)

Mom: Yeah, there are probally snakes in our jungle.

Wyatt: Snakes have teeth. ( something he has just learned) I don't see no snakes in our jungle.

Mom: They are probally hiding.

Ok, Ashley tagged me to reveal 6 quirky things about me. I'm not sure if I can come up with 6 but here goes...

1. I sleep with 2 personal fans on at night. I cannot stand to hear little noises, even John breathing!

2. I will not hang my clothes up. They are always draped over something like a closet rod, chair, bed, tub, etc. Every few days (or weeks!) I take the time to hang them up.

3. I cannot use bar soap, it makes me feel sticky so I use the body wash.

4. I absolutely have to read before I go to bed. If I don't I will not be able to fall asleep and will lay awake for a long time.

5. I have to sit facing the entrance of a restaurant at a table, if my back is facing the entrance it drives me nuts.

6. I forget things a lot. I make lists a lot. I lose my lists a lot. So then I forget things and write more lists and then can't find the list. The result of this is that I have to go to a store almost everyday to get the things I forgot. It drives me crazy because I would really like to go to the store once or twice but that rarely happens! Recently I walked into Target with a list. Had it for about the first 10 minutes then suddenly it disappeared. I looked for it for 15 minutes, retracing my steps. No list. I went to customer service. No list and I think the girl thought I was crazy to come to customer service and ask if anyone turned in my list. I tried to remember everything but to no avail I didn't and two more trips to get those items followed.

Nursing School: Yesterday I finished yet another semester. This one was tough. I was not very motivated and it was time consuming but I managed to do ok. In the fall I will have my last semester and am scheduled to graduate on December 17th. It sounds so good to say that. I am so ready for school to be done! Next semester I will have management and advanced OB/Pediatrics. I heard they are tough but I am ready bc I know it is my last semester. Alot of people ask me what I want to do when I graduate but I am not sure. So far I am interested in OB, Peds and the Heart Hospital at Richland. I had clinical at the Heart Hospital this summer and I loved it. Low patient to nurse ratio, great people and a very nice, updated facility. I have to decide soon but I am waiting to see how things go this semester.

Adoption: This topic is a tough one. Adoptions in China are a mess. At times I wonder if it will ever happen. Things are getter tougher for adoptions to go through and the wait time is getting longer and longer. It realistically could be five years and well that puts us in our 40's starting over yet again. I don't know what is going to happen with the adoption, it is a total leap of faith and I am learning about patience in a whole new way. I just pray for things to change or for God to give a clear sign if we are do something different.

The Boys: Noah and Sellers are doing good and had a great time at church camp (non FBC). Wyatt is so active and our little daredevil. He thinks he can do anything and says he is already a grown up! Mason is finally talking well and was using the potty alot but has sort of lost interest in it lately. These guys keep us very busy but we love it!

Next week : VACATION!!!!

For some reason Wyatt and Mason can't seem to get it straight on how to address John and I. We never had this problem before. Wyatt will always say Yes, sir to me. I prompt him every time to say yes,mam. He will repeat it but the next time he will still say Yes, sir. I give up.

Mason has always called john and I both mama. Now I try not to take it personal but we have tried and tried to get him to call John dad and he doesn't. If you ask him who mama is he will point to me. Ask him who dada is and he will point to John but if he wants something he will look right at John and say "mama, gaga". I give up.

I was contacted this past week by an old high school friend.
She says its time to plan our twenty year high school reunion.
No way, twenty years. I knew it was coming but still hard to believe.
It's not that high school doesn't feel so long ago because it does.
So many things forgotten, classmates, teachers, how to speak Spanish.
It's just hard for me to accept that I am old enough to be out for twenty years.
I don't feel that I am possibly old enough to say
"My name is Jennifer and I graduated from high school in 1989".

Green permanent marker on the door.
Scuffs on the wall.
Dents in the floors.
Poop on the carpet (not once but three times).
Black spray paint on the garage floor, door and wall.
Plastic toys littering the lawn.
It didn't take long for us to break this house in.
It's hard not to get upset but after all it is just a house even if it is new.
Soon we will just have that old house charm that we have always loved.

I Would Gather Children

Some would gather money
Along the path of life,
Some would gather roses,
And rest from wordly strife.
But I would gather children
From among the thorns of sin,
I would seek a golden curl,
And a freckled toothless grin.
For money cannot enter,
In that land of endless day,
And roses that are gathered
Soon will wilt along the way.
But oh, the laughing children,
As I cross the sunset sea,
And the gates swing wide to heaven,
I can take them in with me!

I stumbled onto this poem on a blog of a family who recently adopted a child. There are times I wish I could gather children from around the world and take care of them.There are millions of orphans in the world and if only 7% of Christians in the world adopted a child there would be no more orphans. What an awesome thought. For every child in the world to have a home and parents, love and food. No child left alone, crying with no one to love or hold them. God calls christians to care for orphans, but why don't we care more? Why don't more of us do something to help? It has definitely been pressed on my heart to do something. I don't know exactly what yet (besides adopting one day from China hopefully) but I have been praying about it. I am excited about the possibilities of what it may be. I anxiously wait, knowing that God has the perfect plan for me.

My children love fruit. The problem is when I buy something different they like it's gone in a blink, so I try to "police" eating the fruit so it will last more than a day. One of their favorites are clementines. Small, juicy, easy to peel and if good they are oh so sweet and not very cheap. I bought some and sure enough they were going crazy wanting to eat them. Wyatt wanted one, one night after I said the kitchen was CLOSED! (my new phrase for -no you can not have anything else to eat today).
Wyatt: Mom, what's the magic word to get an orange?
Mom: (smiling and thinking about it)
Wyatt: Hocus Pocus?
Mom: Hocus Pocus? No. ( It is so hard to resist when they are this cute!)
Wyatt: What is the magic word?
Mom: Well, if you want an orange the magic words are, Mom is pretty (I decided I don't hear that enough)
Wyatt: Ok . Mom is pretty. ( and of course I give him an orange, not without the other boys noticing of course)
5 minutes later
Wyatt: What's the magic word to get another orange, Hocus Pocus?
How can I resist? I gave him another orange. That kid knows how to get to me.

This morning I woke up and remembered they were coming today to hook up our cable and telephone and DSL. I actually started dreading it. We have always been a TV family. John and the boys mostly but I enjoy a little TV now and then but lately we haven't had it and I didn't miss it. I don't think the boys did either, they didn't mention it. We watched an occasional DVD and that seemed to satisfy them. I even contemplated cancelling the cable but I did that to DISH the other day and I don't think John would have been to happy about that. So I went to school and just as I had dreaded when I got home the kids were plopped in front of the TV. No longer were they outside catching tiny frogs, building their garden or building forts. They were watching TV. I was disapointed. I was hoping that having TV back wouldn't matter. I am determined now more than ever to restrict the amount of time they spend in front of the tube. I want to see them in our yard, building forts, catching frogs and planting in their garden.

Well we are in our new house. It hasn't been that bad but slow. I have to unpack around studying and school. We have been without internet access b/c we didn''t know when you moved to the boonies it would take weeks. Had we known we would have called to get it hooked up sooner but anyway we have three more days without it. We have had no phone, no TV, no cable, and no internet. For us it's an adjustment b/c we like these things but then again it's been great. It's been nice not having the noise and distraction of these things but I am ready to have them back. Well posting may be few and far between for a while. Just want to thank John's parents, Poppy and Nama. They put up with us for three weeks in their home and we appreciate it sooooo much. We love you and thank you. Also thanks to all grandparents for all they have done in taking care of our youngins! You are appreaciated!!!

Right now someone may be at our new house determining our fate. Yes, we are still with my in-laws and an inspector is at the new house today deciding whether we can move in or not. This is the fourth time they have been out. Every time finding something that needs to be done. We are sure today is it. We have done everything they asked. Will they come up with another to do list or will they give us the form to Proceed. I am so ready to move in. My in-laws have been generous and considering how intrusive 6 people can be I think it has gone well. But we are all ready to "get back to normal". Please Mr. Inspector let me move into my house!

Got the word, we are in! Now for the fun part, moving our stuff again.

Lately it has become all to evident that someone in our house in on the brink of adolesence. Today I think the world had forced children into growing up too fast. I know this is true, I have seen it. I am guilty of being one of those overprotective moms. I still police everything my children watch and listen to and have a hard time giving in to his desires to watch these adolescent soap operas on Disney. Some I allow, in small doses. I can always tell when he has seen too much of these shows. We still do not allow certain words to be spoken in our house that you would commonly hear today on TV and coming out of the mouths of kids everywhere. I am still very strict about who he plays with and who's house he's allowed to go to. Can I really trust their parents? He is starting to question why I am like this. It is becoming harder and harder to be the positive influence to him. He is more and more interested in what other people think about things and about him. It doesn't matter that I think he is cute, and loving and talented and "cool". It matters more what they think. I am worried about how I will handle these years . I remember all too well the adolescent years, most of mine were really happy but I do remember how hard those times are. Trying to figure where you fit in, who your friends are, just all around who you are. And unfortunately in our world being a Christian will make it harder for him.

After I wrote this I was thinking how my last sentence maybe came out wrong. Actually being a christian can make it harder and maybe easier. Harder because he will struggle with worldly things and trying to stay on the correct moral path but maybe easier because he can pull strength from his faith to stay on the right path. My prayer is that being a christian will be his strength to get through these years and something that he is proud of, always.

The boys have always called John's mom Nama. Noah started it. Wyatt for a while called her Nama and then suddenly started calling her Namahouse. We weren't sure what he meant. Poppy made jokes about it but we didn't know why he did it. Then one day it hit me. When we are going to their house we always said "we're going to Poppy and Nama's house". He just assumed that's what we call her. It always made us laugh. Lately he doesn't say it often. Today he did and I smiled. I love toddler talk.

Happy 3rd Birthday to our wonderful son! We love you!

Yes, I have been busy. Too busy to post and even think about what I wanted to say. This past week we moved (something I really don't like to do) and are staying at my in-laws (thanks for putting up with us for a couple weeks!). The new house isn't ready so we couldn't move in. We didn't ask for more time bc in this market you really don't want to turn off your buyer's. We really don't need two houses right now. SO the next few weeks are going to be stressful, I feel displaced and am so with 4 kids. I just want to say thanks for our families for all they have done to help! And while we are talking about families I should take this time to address the Father's in my life.

John- Well how can I say enough thanks to all you have given us. Your love, endless devotion and time and for setting such a fine example to our boys. You work so hard to take care of us and to give us the things we need and desire. You make sure our boys know how important God is and teach them to follow his word and to rely on his strength. I am not good at saying thanks enough but I do Thank you and love you!
Dad-A girl could not have asked for a better father. You have always been there for me and have helped me through so many things. Shoot, if it wasn't for your advice I might not be thanking John right now for it was you who encouraged me to give him a chance. I am forever grateful for everything. I also thank you for everything you do for the boys. I am so grateful they have such a loving and "fun" Papa!
Mr. O-You know we have come a long way in the last 15 years. I have not always been so nice but I want you to know how much I appreciate you. You are always there for us and have helped us many times. Thanks for all you do for us and with the boys. They really are fortunate to have such a great Poppy!
Ed and Chris-You are incredible Dad's to my nieces and nephews, they are so fortunate to have Father's that would go to the ends of the earth for them and are Godly examples for them.

Well for not knowing what to say I managed to say alot. Happy Father's Day to you all!

Little Red Schoolhouse - on the Prairie
Originally uploaded by sirchuckles

no more homework
no more lunch money
no more carpool

we can sleep in (Oh I wish they would!)
we can stay up late
we can go on vacation

Goodbye Elementary school for my first born
Here comes Middle School-I cannot believe it!

Goodbye First Grade for Sellers, Hello Second!

The Mommy bird, watching us from our rooftop.
The babies we love watching.

We have had the privilege of watching a mother bird make a nest, lay her eggs and now they have hatched and are watching her raise her babies. The nest is in a little tree and with our high deck we can see down into the nest. The boys have been so interested in the nest and I often have to remind them that they need to come inside so the mommy bird can feed her babies. Noah loves to take pictures and has been photographing pictures daily to document the progression of the babies. As I was looking at the pictures he showed me the picture of the mommy bird watching from the rooftop. That picture moved me and made me think of something I was talking about with someone at the pool yesterday. It was a long conversation but the gist of it was that mommies are always watching out for their babies. We can assess a situation in seconds and notice every possible threat (and fun stuff too) to our children. As I was thinking about this it reminded me of how God does the same thing. He too is looking down on his children and keeping a watchful eye on them just like me and just like the bird. Which by the way according to Noahs research is a Mockingbird.

This week I was talking to one of my nursing friends and we laughed about something that probably all nurses and students do. Because we know so much about diseases and illnesses we are constantly convincing ourselves we either do or do not have something. I have diagnosed myself with Diabetes, MS, Cancer, you name it. Ironically, the symptoms seem to appear right as I am studying that disease. Am I imagining it? Not sure. There have been some diagnoses I left behind and some I keep revisiting every time I have a "symptom". This is something I will have to get used to, this diagnosing me (and everyone I know). So, if you're talking to me and you mention something about a "symptom" watch out I might just diagnose you too!

Lately I seem to be getting a lot of whining in my house, even from the big boys (one in particular) about just about everything! They whine about what we eat, when we eat, how much we eat, what we watch, when we watch and how much we watch, homework, errands, being reminded of chores, you name it I seem to get whining in return. One even does the jumping up and down and throws a couple tears in for good measure. I can almost deal with whining in a 3 year old but why has my older children started whining again? Is it because they are testing the water for their boundaries, for independence. Do they feel neglected, do we give too much attention to the babies and not them? Are they spoiled? Are they stressed? Is there too much change? I have always said to my children when they whine "I don't understand you when you whine, can you please speak to me in a normal voice" it always worked in the past. I think it is time to pull that phrase out of my hat again, amazingly I haven't used it in a long time. We had very little whining for a long time, not anymore.

My heart has been heavy all day. I am sure many of you have heard of the tragic death of Steven Curtis Chapman's families youngest little girl, Maria. It is hard to understand such a tragic end to such a sweet life. I have been thinking about it all day, wondering why God would let something like this happen. A young girl born into this world and abandoned, adopted and given a wonderful life and then tragically lost at 5 years old. At dinner as I was watching my kids play, I thought why not her. Our grief is selfish, she is not sad or hurt or lonely. She is with her heavenly father in a wonderful place. For her we should be happy. It does not erase the hurt of losing a loved one but it helps bear it. I am so sad for her family, especially for the brother that accidently ran over her. I pray for this families grief, that somehow this story will touch other lives and maybe her story will lead others to Jesus.

I started back to school Mon. It is very busy but I like it. Today in Lab I started to feel like a nurse bc we got do learn some "real nurse things"-the big ones and it was fun. I will be at Palmetto Health Heart Hospital for critical care and at Richland Springs for Pysche rotation. I go to Psyche on Friday and can't wait to see what that is like. My postings may become alot less frequent bc of all my school work but I'll wait and see..........If you read this Wed or Thurs please pray for J. Just pray for her to get GOOD news tomorrow. I would appreciate your prayers.

My kids love watermelon. Papa bought us some watermelons this week (Thanks!).The kids have anxiously waited on me to cut them. I fixed Wyatt a bowl of pieces. He handed it back to me and said "mom, can you take the sprinkles out?". He thought the seeds were sprinkles-how cute! I couldn't make him understand that it was ok to eat them so I had to pick all the little white seeds out that he could see and I did it with a smile on my face.

I didn't mean to leave it on a low note for so long but I've been busy, busy busy. Cramming as much into 19 days that I can. Lets see I have attended a wedding in Charleston, a preschool musical, Awana Awards, Noah's band concert, a soccer game, joined The Firm and have actually gone with my Sis-In-Law, picked out lights and many other things for the new house, gone to the zoo, gone to the park, gone swimming numerous times, packed part of the house, done 3000 loads of laundry, been to Target a dozen times (I never can remember to get it all at once), Met a couple friends for special time together, went to a grown up movie, read a dozen magazines, read a novel (well I'm almost done), attended Field Day at Wyatt's school, gone to WW with my dad, and I've actually started reading stuff for school on Monday. All that and yet we have a lot to go. My mom-in-laws retirement banquet (Congrats Nama, we love you!), 3 birthday parties this weekend, Soccer game and cookout and the Children's musical at FBC. My postings may not be as frequent in the coming weeks. For three weeks I am in school 5 days a week from 7-4. I am so worried about it. Pray for me and my family as we make this adjustment. I have never been away from the kids this much. And pray for the Grandparents and dad who will be watching them!

I recently came across a blog through another blog and wanted to share it with you. A few weeks ago I was down. It was the four year mark of losing Grace and the frustration and reality of the adoption wait was hitting me hard. I have always wanted a daughter and have not been able to always accept and understand why God has chosen this path for us to our daughter. If Grace had lived she would have been 3 1/2 years old. Almost every time I see a little blond headed girl I think of her and wonder what she would have looked like. Well I was checking on a blog that I look at from time to time and she referenced being blessed by reading a blog called Bring The Rain. Curious I clicked on the link and then spent the next 30 minutes reading (never mind the nursing I was supposed to be studying). It is a wonderful story of a women who just the week before had lost her fourth daughter. The story brought tears to my eyes and let me spend just a few minutes mourning my loss the way I seldom do. If you have ever lost a child I encourage you to check out their story, it will touch your heart but please have a tissue handy it is incredibly raw and sad.

www.audreycaroline.blogspot.com

Noah with his Band Teacher at last nights concert. Noah switched to percusssion after Christmas and we have been very proud of how quickly he has learned this new skill. He played several different instruments during the program and we are so proud of him!
Mom, Dad and Noah standing outside the new Lex 1 Performing Arts Center. The facility is so nice and I believe the concert last night was the first thing held there. If you look closely you can see a HUGE Wildcat (lex highs Mascot) painting on the wall in the background. It is hard to believe in three short years Noah will be getting ready to attend High School there, WOW!

And no I am not talking about our children...

I have been MIA because I had my last exam and final this past week. It went pretty well, I passed as well as most of my class. As hard as this semester was we only lost 6 people which is a much lower number than I originally thought would fail. From the start of our program in Jan. of 2007 we have had 67% of our class pass. That statistic is much higher than the usual starting class. Now I have just 4 more classes. Two this summer, Critical Care and Psyche Nursing and then two more in the fall. I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Now I can enjoy my break, now down to 16 days before it all starts again.

Mom holding Mason up to see the animals.

Wyatt loves feeding the goats!
Wyatt keeping a hand on Ella.
Davis and Mason enjoy the lizards.

-Days until the end of this semester :)
-Months until I graduate (if all goes well)!

Many of you know I have struggled to lose weight for years! Today I thought of a great new diet. I guess it would be called the Dentist Diet or maybe the Mouth is Numb Diet. All you have to do is inject your gums with numbing medicine and then you cannot even think of eating for at least 4 hours. You would only have to do it a couple times a day. The only draw backs would be the drooling and the drooping of the face. Oh and the fact that you would sound drunk when you talk. It sure kept me on plan when I took the kids to BK for lunch today!

I should know by now that when children (this time 4 btwn 18 mos and 3) are all playing quietly they are up to something and it probally isn't good. This morning I was watching my niece and nephew. The 4 normally play together well so I really didn't think too much about it when I heard them quietly playing in Mason's room. In a matter of about 10 minutes at the most they made a BIG mess. I was standing in the den on the phone with a friend when in they come. I notice the wet looking spots on the clothes (ok water ), no. then I notice the disheveled hair (what?) then I notice the EMPTY jar of Vaseline in someones hand. I panicked. My niece had on a brand new dress, but luckily she escaped the Vaseline bandits. The three boys were covered in Vaseline. Ok strip clothes, throw them in water, run bath, stick 3 slippery boys in the tub, little girl says 'I have a poopy (over and over), wash hair, wash hair, wash hair, change diaper, sister-in-law arrives, eat lunch, boys out of the tub, dried, clothed,playing. Did you know Vaseline doesn't wash out of hair easily, my sister-in-law called this afternoon, after 10 attempts his hair is still very greasy she even researched on the Internet and tried cornstarch-but no luck. ( Sorry T) Moral of the story: 1. do not leave Vaseline where kids can get it, and 2. always check on kids when they are too quiet (you know what I'm talking about). And the craziest part of it all is that I love it. Not necessarily the mess but the kids, their silliness and their ability to have a blast with nothing but a jar of Vaseline and then a bath!

Recently I was having lunch with a friend of mine, Kristi. We were talking and she mentioned to me that a couple we had known from church years ago had recently gone to Zambia to be missionaries. The next day I spoke with someone who goes to Crossroads Church and I was asking him about their missions and after speaking with him decided to look up their website and see what the church did for missions. After clicking on a link I sort of discovered the picture of this friend and her family, after clicking on their link I was sent to their blog about being Missionaries in Zambia and the work they are doing there for Christ. I was really excited to see their blog and read about what they are doing. I contacted them to let them know we are praying for them and to reconnect. Coincidence? I think not, God knew I wanted to hear their story, pray for them and for the lives they are touching in Zambia. I can't wait to see what God does in these lives over the next several years.

I love the new look of our blog. Rebecca you were such a pleasure to do business with and I truly wish you the best with all the wonderful things you do for others!

Adoption News: I was pleasantly surprised to find some important papers in the mail today that I was not expecting to see for a few weeks. I have two more things to get together so I can send them to Russia and get on the official waitlist for our daughter. Also, I am a member of a private forum for people who have adopted/adopting with Christian World Adoption. I posted a question about Tyumen and I got a response from someone who adopted their son from there 3 years ago. She offered to send me pictures of the baby home (orphanage) in Tyumen. I asked her to send them to me and it was amazing to look at the pictures of the home Ellery may be living in right now or will be soon. One thing I have learned through this adoption is that there is such a strong supportive adoption community our there and the internet has made it so easy for this sort of thing to happen. I think it is really amazing! I pray that someone there will love her and give her special attention so she can bond with someone, making her attachment to us easier.

Other Big News: John's brother Ed and his family moved back to Columbia in the last week. We are so excited to have them home and look forward to so many special times together...We Love Ya'll!!!!!

Just giving a heads up that I am having a new blog done with a wonderful designer. It should be up real soon. Not sure if the address will change or not. I'll let you know. Come back and check it out soon!