Our Year In Numbers

3 is the number of times we moved this year.
0 is how many times we hope to move in the next few years!
4 yrs since Mommy and Daddy got married. 5 years married in Feb! 7 years together!
1 blue bundle of JOY God blessed us with this year.
3349 diapers changed this year.
951 bottles fed this year.
3 years in Jan since our first baby boy was born.
8 years with the railroad for Daddy this year.
87 items strewn randomly on the living room floor right now.
46 laughs per day due to Anden's silly things he comes up with and says these days.
4 loads of laundry waiting to be done right now.
24 hours in a day no matter how hard I try to add more.
506 dreams of motorcycles Daddy has had this year.
26 letters learned this year by Anden along with their phonics.
3,764,876,383 pictures taken by Mom.
1 new camera on Mama's wish list.
250 songs on Dad's MP3 player.
79 toy cars owned by Anden.
1256 sweet Cole smiles we get per day.
0 is the number of times Joe and I have heard Cole full out cry. Such a happy baby.
12 pee pee on the potty dances done by Mommy and Daddy for Anden so far!
30 orders taken for Keara's new tutu business! www.livelovedance.etsy.com
10 seconds is all it takes for Mommy and Daddy to fall asleep as soon as our heads hit the pillow.

LOOKING FORWARD TO 2008! HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Merry Christmas!

I hope you all have a wonderful and safe holiday!

Another GREAT Giveaway to check out!

Who can have too many diaperbags, right???

Kim over at MotherKnows.com is giving away TWO darling Ju-Ju-Be diaper bags! Go check it out! She also has lots of great things at her store (TheBabyMarketplace.com) also!

A few things to check out....

So I have been thinking about a fresh new start since I have not been doing so well on this blog. Sorry for being so boring lately. If you are thinking of a fresh new start too, check out Megan's or Christy's blog about the BIG BLOGGY MOVE details! Who knows... maybe my 2 readers might follow me over there. LOL!

Check out 5 Minutes for Mom, to win popcorn and movies for a whole year!

Then head on over to Musings of A Housewife to win a Lands End Diaper Bag!

Lots of great giveaways going on!

Wordless Wednesday...Sorta...

Oh how I love to go up in a swing, up in the sky so blue.

Oh I do think it is the pleasantest thing, a child can ever do.

Tackle It Tuesday! Hanging Lights!

Look what we have been working on! We bought new light fixtures before we even closed on the house 4 months ago and we are finally putting them up! I love them!

Kitchen & Diningroom:
Before:


After:


Throughout the house:
Before:


After:


Didn't get a before shot but here is what is hanging in our hall over our stairs.

Looks sooooooo much better!

Soup-Tacular - Italian Soup

A day late and a penny short but I am gonna go ahead and share my favorite soup! YUM!

Italian Soup (Crockpot)

2-14 oz cans of beef broth

2 cups chopped beef

1-14 oz can of diced tomatoes

1-15 ounce can of white beans (any) (I used Great Northern)

2-cans of cut potatoes (add about 1 hr before you eat)

1/2 cup chopped celery

1/2 cup chopped carrot

1/2 cup diced onion

1/4 cup teaspoon of Italian seasoning

1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Let it cook on low for 6-8 hrs on low. Serve with fresh warm bread! So good!

Head on over to BooMama's to see more yummy soup recipes!

Hi Ya'll!

Oh! How I wish I could do better with keeping up with this blog and with everything else it seems these days! Several months ago I was soooo bored and wishing I had something to do and now I am wishing the opposite! But I would rather be busy then bored. Just need to find a happy medium I guess.

I started my work at home job last weekend and all went well. My nerves almost got the best of me but I did pretty good. I am also working on my tutu orders. They are starting to rush in with the last minute holiday orders. Lots of fun! If you haven't check my store, come check it out! http://www.livelovedance.etsy.com/

Joe, Anden, Cole and I did have a few nice lazy days this week. We had lots of fun together. We cooked out, played outside in the 80 degree weather, watched movies and shows stored on our DVR and tonight we went to a fun holiday parade. Anden and Cole's first parade. They LOVED it! Tomorrow we are going to go play in snow. In shorts! LOL! Yep! Thought I had my fill in VA but the next town over is trucking in some ice to make snow. We are excited. :)

Oh! Can't forget the big news in our house this week! Anden went potty on the potty this week! I know you are probably laughing at me right now but I am so excited. I know we have a long way to go though. He still doesn't tell me when he is wet or dirty. He will go if I ask him. Could take up to 2 hrs to go but BOY he wants that candy cane. (That is what Joe and I are bribing him with! :) ) Cole is also sitting up now. He is so proud of himself! Just turned 6 months old. Where has the time gone?

Look at what my Baby Boy can do!

He turned 6 months yesterday and look what he has learned to do in the last few days! Where has the time gone?

Just because I am bored.

I am really trying to put off housework right now so this is fitting. Thanks Ingrid!

Which Disney Character is your Alter Ego? created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Cinderella Your alter ego is Cinderella! You often find yourself doing a lot of housework, but if you are patient, your hard work usually pays off. You are prone to losing things, so dont rush through everything. Cinderella 100% The Beast 88% Goofy 75% Peter Pan 50% Donald Duck 50% Sleeping Beauty 50% Ariel 44% Pinocchio 38% Snow White 31% Cruella De Ville 25%

FINALLY FINISHED!

FINALLY finished my training for my new work at home job last night. Glad to be done! Just can't wait to get my log ins to start work. This is going to be perfect for me. Especially when the boys start school! I will be home with them when they get off the bus, I can take days off when I want to do things with them and will be available when they get sick. I am very excited about this opportunity!

So True!

Little Miss Priss In Her Tutu!

Check out Miss Lena wearing her Live~Love~Dance Boutique custom design! ;)

Fun Giveaways!

Head on over and check out all of the Christmas giveaways on 5 Mins for Mom!! Lots of fun and lots of good stuff!

What have we been up to??? LOTS!

What have we been up to???

Anden was evaluated on Oct 31st for his sensory issues. He was average or above average on all of his developmental areas. They do believe he has Sensory Intergration Disorder. He is going to now meet with an Occupational Therapist for an hour a week up until he turns 3 in Jan. We are also going to meet with the school district in mid Dec to see if he qualifies for their services once he turns 3. I am really anxious to see what they do with him. His first appt is on Friday of this week and it will be all done through play therapy.

Anden also surprised us and really enjoyed Halloween. He picked up the concept REAL QUICK! Go to one house, ring the door bell, say "PLEEEASSSSSE!", get candy, and go on to the next house. My little boy is so polite. :P

Cole is still happy go lucky! Can you believe he is already 5 months old? Time flies! Such a happy laid back baby. All you have to do is look at him and he will light up and smile. He knows how to warm Mama's heart! He only really gets upset when he is hungry. He has started on solids but we only do it every few days to get him used to it. We are not in a big rush. I think he really enjoys sweet potatoes though. What do you think? Is is also working on sitting up.


Joe is loving his job. We are hoping he can get on a regular job soon so he will have more regular hours. He is dreaming and aching to get a bike. He wants one so bad. Hopefully he will get this pay raise that the company has been talking about. He is also the best husband and daddy. So proud of his family and boys. :)

I have been really busy too. I opened up my Etsy shop. It has been doing pretty good. I have gotten about 6 orders now so it is keeping me busy. I have also started training for a work at home job. I am nervous and excited. It is a very flexible job where I can pick my own hours and work when I want to. I was just ready to make some money and do something for myself but not ready to leave the boys so this will be the next best thing. I will probably work when they go to bed or wake up early and work while they are still asleep. I can also pick up some hours when Joe is home and it will give us a little extra spending money for Christmas! :)

Hope everyone is doing well!

Wordless Wednesday!

What are you in to this month?

How fun! Thanks Megan for posting this! I will play!


This month...


The Book I Am Into (or one I want to get into!): Books?!?!? What are they? Oh how I miss lounging on the couch and reading a book in a day. *sigh* One day I will do that again! Someday! LOL! I am a magazine junkie! I have an addiction really. It is somewhat embarrasing everytime Joe and I check out at the store. We really need to just bite the bullet and get subscriptions to all of the magazines we read. It would take a good chunk of change. Ummm... some books on my Christmas list are The Choice, The Out of Sync Child and The Out of Sync Child Has Fun.

TV Show Worth Watching: I am a reality show girl. This month I am watching Dancing with the Stars, America's Next Top Model, The Bachelor and Kitchen Nightmares to name a few. I also love Desperate Housewives.

Movie I Have Seen (in or out of the theater): Hmmm... We have not gone to the movie theater this month. I think the funniest movie we rented was Knocked Up. Very cute. Crude but cute.

Candle I Am Loving: Yankee Candle Cinnamon!

Blog I Am Visiting: Way too many! See my sidebar!

What I'm Most Looking Forward To Next Month: The beginning of the holiday season! I LOVE this time of year! I love the sights, the smells, the FOOD! Oh and spending time with family! :)The holidays are even more fun now with kids. I love decorating and creating new holiday traditions with my own little family. So much fun!

Now, what are YOU into this month?

In honor of breast cancer awareness...

Ya'll need to head on over to The Dosmestic Diva! In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness, she is giving away a PINK Dyson Vaccuum!!! I have heard this is the BEST vacuum ever!

Also, remember to visit the Breast Cancer Site listed in my sidebar.

The Breast Cancer Site provides a feel-good way to help promote awareness of breast cancer and provide free mammograms for women in need every day — through easy and quick online activities.

With a simple, daily click of the pink "Click Here to Give - it's FREE" button at The Breast Cancer Site, visitors help to provide free mammograms for women in need. Visitors pay nothing. Mammograms are provided by our charitable partners.

Please remember to click every day to fund free mammograms and give hope to women in need. Every click counts in the battle to prevent breast cancer.

Speak Up!

I would love to know who is reading my blog! I know I have posted a link for my Myspace friends and Facebook friends. I see a few people who are stopping by on my site meter.

I have had a few people say they don't have a blog so they can't reply. Yep! You can! All you have to do is click on "leave a comment" on the bottom of each post and then leave a message as Anonomyous. Just make sure you leave your name in your message. :)

Glad you stopped by! Leave comments! They make me happy! :)

Cole has the funniest laugh!

SO COOL!

I may be silly but I think these Lego ads are BRILLIANT!






I used to make all kinds of things with legos when I was little. It is so fun to watch Anden now make rocket ships that fly into outer space. :) What a great toy for the imagination!

Anden gearing up for Halloween!!!

Wordless Wednesday!

AND THE WINNER IS.......

Yesterday I posted a contest to help me name my new business and got lots of GREAT ideas and suggestions!!! Thank you to everyone who played!

The winner is....

MY SISTER, ELIZABETH!!!

My new business name is Live-Love-Dance Boutique!

Miss Lena will be sporting her new tutu very soon and I will be sure to post pictures as soon as I get them!

I hope to get my new Etsy store set up tomorrow and hopefully have my own website soon.

Thanks again for all of your great ideas!

Pretty much sums me up!

Cute quiz I found on Laura's blog.


Take the 100 Acre Personality Quiz!

NAME MY BUSINESS!! WIN A TUTU!!

Help me name my new business and win a tutu!!! For right now it will be just tutus but I am hoping to add more things later on.

Those with boys can play too! These are perfect for neices, cousins, friends, etc...!

Come play!

LOOK WHAT I AM MAKING NOW!

CUSTOM TUTUS!!!



Let me know if you are interested! I can make them in any combination of colors and lots of different styles!

Perfect for Halloween, Christmas, birthdays and creative play!!!

Look At My Big Boy!

PROUD HOMEOWNERS AGAIN!!!

We closed on our new house today!!! So excited!

Video of Cole talking!

Night Night My Sweet Prince

It is 9:30pm. An hour and a half after I put my oldest to bed. I am cleaning up and getting ready for bed and I hear him come out of his room. There he is with his favorite blankie and paci in tow. I walk over to him and bend down to pick him up to put him back in his bed and he whispers, "sleep in Mommy's bed?" How could I say no? I carry him in our room and tuck him in, kiss his forehead and tell him to go "night night". I finish what I am doing in the living room and turn off the lights. I then climb in bed, careful not to wake him or my youngest asleep in his crib next to the bed. I can hear them both breathing in and out. Peacefully sleeping... or so I thought. I lean over to kiss my sweet toddler and rub my fingers through his hair. I then hear him say in a sweet quiet voice, "Awwwww Mommy. I wub you! Night night." My heart just melts and I smile.

How did I get this lucky?

Oh My Goodness!

This has been my day alllllllllll day today!I love my Anden but WOW! I am ready for a glass of wine and a hot bath! LOL!



Thanks for sharing this with me Mandy.

Wordless Wednesday! Growing Up Fast!

An Anden Funny!

Joe was.... ehm..... going potty the other day and had the door closed and locked. I was in the kitchen and noticed Anden going in and out of all the rooms. Well he must have been looking for Joe. He walks in the kichen and holds up his little hands and shrugs his shoulders and says,

"Where is Daddy? I can't find him anywhere!"

There is a pause as he looks around the room and suddenly he yells,

"He ran away! HE'S ON A MISSION!"

I about died laughing! I have no idea where he got that from!

Update on us!

We are here! Sorry I have not been on much lately. The modem we have to plug the computer in to is in the worst spot at the new apartment and so hard to get on the computer with the boys. Hopefully I will have our wireless router soon! I never realized how much I took that thing for granted!

We are doing well and in our furnished apartment for right now. The moving truck finally came today and everything is in storage. Hopefully it won't be in there for long since we signed some preliminary papers on a house! YEA! We are hoping to close in the next few weeks if everything goes well.

Cole is now 2 months old and went to his Drs appt yesterday. We have a big boy on our hands! He now weighs 13lbs 3 oz. Anden weighed 13lbs 12oz at this point so he was a bit bigger. We think the Cole may have a "loose" trachea which makes him sound like he needs to clear his throat some times. The Dr said that most babies with this grow out of it by 3-4 months. I hope so! Cole is such a sweet and happy little baby. He has learned in the last few days how much he loves to sit up while you are holding him so he can see everything. He starts to cry if you try to lay him down. He is ready to conquer the world! He is also smiling and cooing. So sweet! I just want to bottle all of this sweetness and keep it forever!

Another Great Giveaway!

5 Minutes For Mom are really outdoing themselves! Head on over and check it out! They (and Horizon Organic ) are giving away $300 worth of organic products! I am very excited about this since we just started going organic a few weeks ago.

TEXAS HERE WE COME!

Joe got the job! We just got word this morning. I am so excited, scared, nervous, sad, and giddy all at the same time! This is really bitter sweet. We loved TX when we lived there last year. It was so family friendly and we always had something to do. I am also so excited we are going to be able to get into a house again and out of an apartment. Apartment life is soooo hard with kids. Plus I get to see all of my TX Mama friends again and hopefully meet a few more!

I am nervous about the whole process of the move. I really should be a pro at this after 6 long distance moves in 5 years. You have to pack the whole house when you go on a trip with babies. Eeeek! We are going to be in the car with a newborn and a toddler for a LONG 3 or 4 days. I really hope it goes smooth. I know I am going to forget something! I am also sad and nervous because we are moving further away from family and support. We are also leaving the best neighbors we have ever had. :(

The movers are coming to pack on Thursday and coming back to pick everything up on Friday. I think we are going to clean all day Friday after they leave and head out very early Sat morning. We will then drive to Georgia and stay with my Dad and Stepmother for a night and probably try to make it to Louisiana the next day. Hopefully we will make it to our new home in TX on the 3rd day.

I will keep everyone posted!

AWESOME GIVEAWAY!

WOW! 5 Minutes for Mom is giving away a 37 inch flat-panel LCD HDTV! It is valued at $799 from Best Buy.

Joe and I were just talking about how we needed to update our dinosaur tvs.

This is such a GREAT giveaway!

Personality Test

Thanks Shannon!

DON'T YAWN! I DARE YA!

Try as hard as you can to watch this without yawning!

Can you do it?



Joe and I could not stop laughing earlier tonight because we needed to yawn soooo bad but couldn't because we were laughing so hard! I love it! LOL! This is the best commercial I have seen in a while!

*YAWN*

Wordless Wednesday!

Menu Plan Monday!

Thank you Laura for hosting!

Monday - Fish, shrimp, fries & hush puppies

Tuesday - Tex Mex Red Beans & Rice & cornbread (Thanks Megan! Sounds YUMMY!)

Wednesday - Lasagna & garlic bread

Thursday - Leftovers or breakfast for dinner

Friday - Quick Skillet Chicken and Macaroni Parmesan

Saturday - Steak, potatoes, green bean casserole

Sunday - ????

Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Couple of Weeks!

(I always loved that book as a kid.)

Ok so maybe not that bad... but pretty close. Along with my hormones still out of whack and playing horrible tricks on me, my nerves are shot with this move. I just have not had the energy to post. I so hope to be back to my old self again soon!

My 2 Boys!

I thought Cole looked nothing like Anden until I saw these pictures! What do you think?

ANDEN

COLE

Such a fun day!

(*Disclaimer* - I know! I know! How can one put so many pics in one post? But I got so many good ones of us having fun! Click on the links to see more pics!)

Today was such a really good day! I had so much fun with my guys!

My neighborhood was having a community yard sale and summer fest with fun and games. So Cole, Anden and I got up early and put a pot of coffee on for Joe and we munched on donuts and blueberry muffins. Got my first real Cole smile caught on camera! Then we headed out!

It was so nice to have it right in our back yard! I think Anden had a blast! Cole did too! :)I found lots of great deals! Got the boys a few more books and toys. (Yeah... like we needed toys! *rolling eyes*)

I came home and loaded several things into our van and took it to the Goodwill. We are just trying to unload a bunch of stuff for our upcoming move. We are 93% sure it is taking place now just not sure if we will find out today or sometime next week. *sigh* Click HERE to see a video of Anden talking about our move!

We then took Anden swimming! Again, Cole had a BLAST! Came home and gave Anden a bath and Joe made us a yummy dinner!

It really was a PERFECT day!



Joe and I are now relaxing with beer and wine with 2 good movies to watch and tons of shows just waiting on TIVO. Anden is tucked away in bed and Cole is bathed and once again passed out! Check out Cole's new babylegs! I gotta get him some more! I love em! Perfect for a summer baby!