A Hand Full

It seems like lately I've been getting a lot of, "You have your hands full," comments. Perhaps it's just because my kids are the cutest, most adorable, loudest kids around. Perhaps it's the sweat glow on my face as I chase the one kid and carry the other, all while trying to make sure that everything on my list gets checked off. Perhaps it's because the kids are close in age. I was even asked if they were twins…the person quickly realized before we could really answer that they are not twins. Good thing…I would have been worried.

We get it on walks…two big dogs, two kids in a wagon. I actually had a lady ask me last night how we did it. (meaning the kids and the dogs…) (It was almost funny because she herself had two kids and a wagon much like ours.)

I wasn't quite sure what to say, "It's not that hard…there are two of us adults…Well, I tie the leashes together and put the kids in the wagon," I finally stammered. It wasn't even like anyone was doing anything out of the ordinary at the time she asked. You know, like dogs chasing rabbit, kids screaming and jumping out of wagon. We were just peacefully walking along, huffing and puffing enjoying the fresh air. But apparently she thought we were doing something amazing. *wink*

And sure, there are times where life gets hectic. Both kids crying. No one happy. Saying, "No," much more than I would like. So I guess you could say I have my hands full at times. BUT…my response is almost always:

I would rather have my hands full than empty.

It's the honest truth. I don't take the fact that I have two kids lightly. There are some people who try for years to have children and for one reason or another can't. There are people who lose their children to horrible illnesses and tragedies. I, however, have…ahem…no trouble getting pregnant. *grin, wink* I'm thankful for the kids I have now and if there are any others who will join our Little Family then I will be thankful to have even 'fuller' hands.

 

???

So here and there throughout the day I have all of these blog post ideas. I am constantly writing in my head. It always sounds great. Witty. Smart.

Then reality hits. So here is a smattering of some things that are coming into my head. Perhaps neither witty nor smart.

Conversation with Kaylee the other day:

Me: Kaylee, did you poop?

Kaylee: Nope.

Me: Are you sure? If I came over and checked would there be poop in your diaper?

Kaylee: Nope. How 'bout you?

*the potty training thing is still in progress. Some days moments are better than others, but I have decided not to worry too much about it. I have enough things that keep me up at night…potty training is not going to be one of those things. Unless she decides not to potty train…ever…then we'll talk about stressing over it.

I love my husband. Yesterday we left the kids at my parent's house for a while and went into town. We went into Kohl's and were almost ready to walk out when I walked over to a clearance rack. On the way there we saw several tons of things that I liked. I mean, come on here. This girl loves to shop and loves new clothes! Normally, if we are on the way out it's just a quick glance at as many things as possible in 30 seconds. But yesterday Adam wanted me to try stuff on. Happy to oblige, I took an outfit and headed into the dressing room. When I came out Adam had several other things for me to try on…then more, and more. It was great. He offered to buy me several things, but I came away with a new, snazzy pair of white pants.

 

Well, there are so many other things swimming through my head, but I can't seem to get any of them out in a sensible manner. Really, it's all ready take way too long to write this post. Enough. I'm gone. ;)

 

 

West Virginia 'n Stuff

It's been a little quiet here on the blog front. We got back from a quick trip to WV and got ready for a big family picnic on my birthday. Today we went to my parent's house for lunch…an almost every Sunday after church tradition.

Yesterday before the picnic we hit a few yard sales and I picked up a few good finds. I didn't spend much which is always the goal. If I get ambitious enough I will try to take a picture of what I got…but in all likelihood the finds will go straight from the washer and dryer into closets. I was able to find about 6 pairs of shoes (at least) for Logan when he gets a little bigger…total for all $2. Three really snazzy outfits for Logan…total $3 (we're talking pants, vests, shirts, the whole combo). I think I got Kaylee 3 dresses for $1 each. Then there were other shirts, pants and shorts for Logan for 50 cents each. Adam found an edger for doing flower beds so he and my dad were glad about that. Too bad we didn't have it a few days ago when we Adam slaved away. (I mean, I did help all day, just my work compared to Adam's doesn't stack up.) There are a few more things I am hoping to find in yard sales this summer, but Saturday was a pretty productive day. I even found a few things to give to my cousin who is getting ready to have her first baby.

Our trip to WV went quickly, as usual, but we had a great time. I've mentioned it in the past, but when we go it seems like everyone's goal is to feed us as much as they can. I feel somewhat like a cow when we leave…perhaps fitting for me since I'm nursing, but I will avoid going there. Ahem.

I've been having a lot of fun with the camera Adam got me. I have tons and tons to learn, so anyone who wants to can give me photography tips, websites, etc., to help improve my skills. We have taken several hundred pictures over the past few weeks. Most of them are deleted and are only for practice, but we've taken a bunch that are pretty cute.

There are some other new and exciting developments, but for now I will just leave you with a few pictures.

Help, please

This post goes out to all of you who have potty trained before. I would like any and all suggestions that you might have. Kaylee has been very interested in potty training for a while and I think that I am finally ready to go at it and get it done. And really, I am tired of paying for diapers for two kids.

I have some ideas, but would like to see what other things are out there to try.

Kaylee is really smart and will probably get it pretty quickly…the help is more for Adam and me. Ok, so that sounds like Adam and I need help being potty trained…oh wow…sleep deprivation is strong today.

:)

Mulch Madness

This past week has been filled with all things dirty. We have mulched most of Adam's parent's yard, and our yard. We added a new flower bed and split-rail fence thing to our yard, several new shrubs and flowers and finished off with planting Adam's parent's garden. It's almost sad…several of the people at the local greenhouses and garden stores know who we are. (Yes, we've been there that mulch much.)

 

I've been having fun playing with my new camera. Adam bought me a really cool book for learning more about the settings and lenses…I can't wait to explore more! For the most part Kaylee is too busy to pause for my photo shoots, but Logan is ready trapped and willing.

 

I've probably taken close to 400 pictures, but don't worry, I will not be posting them all. I delete many of them, but have taken several that I really like. So for now, I will leave you with some recent pictures. Soon I will catch up a bit on my posting.

 

Loss of an Appendage

Update: I wrote this post yesterday. Obviously I couldn't post it, but felt compelled to write it anyway. For sanity I suppose…to feel connected even though I wasn't? Oh, I don't know…

Original (un)post:

I have lost an appendage. Somehow my internet arm has been cut off, with a promise of returning sometime in the next 24 (you're kidding me!) hours. I have remained calm during my 37 2 calls to Verizon. During each of these calls I have been informed that I can receive assistance by visiting Verizon.com. I'm sure I could if I COULD USE THE INTERNET. Ahem.

I am calm. I am calm.

I'm sure that somehow this separation is good for me. It's good to realize how much I depend on the internet…but I'd rather not think about the good it might be doing me right now. ;)

It is raining and therefore I cannot go outside with the kids to divert my attention. I have done some housework, played and read with the kids, failed at several attempts to give Logan a nap, made a few hair clips for Kaylee, sewed a dog-toy bunny back together…then realized I forgot to insert the squeaky part back in…darn, one less noisy thing around the house. I finished up some thank you cards, but will not actually mail them until I can get to the mailbox without the use of a boat, which I am guessing will be sometime this century.

I have thought of countless things that I need to do, only to realize that I need the internet. Of course I need the internet to post this blog, but I have to feel like I am getting something done by typing.

Alright, on to find more internetless projects. I will survive. I will survive.

Uninspired Inspiration

I'm feeling a lack of creative writing right about now. I want to be catchy, but honestly I'm having a hard time even getting my mind and fingers to connect. Backspace seems to be overused. I sit here and stare blankly at the screen, type a word or two, backspace…on and on the cycle goes.

I know that I am seriously behind in posting pictures. Let me explain. I have this new camera that's super cool. I am learning at the speed of a sloth how to use it. I also have the world's smallest memory card. To top it off, I don't know where the cord is to hook it up to the computer and I keep forgetting to ask Adam. So the few pictures I do have are trapped on the world's smallest memory card. Once they are freed I will share them with you, honest I will.

Until then…this past weekend…

We had a great weekend with Dana and her kids. Dana has been my best friend for, well practically forever. (Not to offend my other best friends, I do have several…she's just had the title for the longest!) We grew up together and used to teach each other how to turn on the light and paint walls. *wink*

We talked on the phone almost every single day and during the summer would spend as many nights together as we were allowed. Unfortunately for the past several years we have only been able to see each other twice since my wedding, once last summer when we took our vacation in Ohio, and this past weekend. (Side note: Adam suggested that our vacation last year be to Ohio so that I could see Dana. How many women have a man who takes them on vacation to see their best friend? Huh? Jealous yet?)

They were on their way to NC and stopped here for the night, so it was a pretty short visit, but we had a great time chasing the four kids around the house. The kids rode the train at the park, fed the ducks and played on the play ground. We were able to spend several almost rain free hours at the park, much to the kids enjoyment.

On the way back from the park we stopped at the firehouse for Adam to show Austin the fire trucks. He took him around the station, and Austin kept saying that he wanted to see the "guys." Adam kept saying, "That's me. I am the 'guy.'" Austin wanted to see the other guys…apparently Adam, off duty, wasn't quite good enough. So we went in and found one 'guy' who was doing very high tech firefighter stuff…changing the mop-head and cleaning the floor. Austin was satisfied.

Well, that's about it for me…all my ideas that are floating around in my head aren't seeming to be coming to the surface…I will write again soon when I can make sense out of it all. For now I am going to blame it on the fact that Logan has been waking up every two hours or so and will not stand for anything other than being fed. Yeah, sleep deprivation…that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

 

Funny Story

There are so many things that I need to blog, but until I have some extra time I will leave you with a cute little ole story from yesterday. We were driving to look for a new door. I glanced back to see what Kaylee was doing and saw her leaning as far forward as her seatbelt would allow and moving her fingers very quickly on top of her blanket.

 

"What are you doing, Kaylee?" (Of course Adam already knew what she was doing before I even asked.)

"I'm checking my oatmeal."

Oatmeal = email, in case you were wondering.