And the Award Goes to...

Me! Thanks Rach for the award! You are a way better blogger than I, and I am very jealous of your creativity and humor. So thanks for giving me something else to waste my time...




Here are the rules:
1. Thank the person who gave you the award and link to their blog.
2. Share 10 honest things about yourself.
3. Present this award to 7 other whose blogs you find brilliant in design or content.
4. Tell those 7 people they have been awarded.

Here are my ten things...honestly. :)

1. I am a rule follower. I hate breaking the rules. This can be a good and bad thing, as it is hard for me to let go of certain things. If the back of the Tylenol bottle says take 2...take 2, not three. If it says No Turn on Red...darn right I'm going to wait. If it says wait 3 hours to dry, and it's only been 2 hours and 45 minutes...you'd better hang on for 15 minutes more. You get the point.

2. I think I'm a doctor or nurse. My family sometimes refers to me as Nurse Lesley. I obviously have no training in this field, but I think I know more than the average lay person. :)

3. I really hate running. I did run a 5k a couple of years ago, and I was so proud of myself, because honestly...it never got fun.

4. It is very hard for me to throw things away. I am sure that I could honestly find a use for that certain thing at a later time.

5. Singing is probably one of my most favorite things to do, but I honestly don't think I'm all that good. People tell me that I am, but I don't buy it...hence why I don't love doing solos...even though I do. I do think God has given me this gift, and I do try to use it the best I can. I think that I have a way better "church" voice than "radio" voice. I can sing the crap out of 'O Holy Night'...

6. I do not like to travel. I like to be other places, but I hate getting there. This is causes issues in the vacationing section of my life.

7. I can honestly say that I have never fallen asleep to a movie...that I can remember. That would be just awful to not know how the movie ended, even if it was a horrible movie.

8. I can't believe I'm a mom of three kids, because I honestly sometimes feel like I'm still about 23.

9. Cooking is not my thing. I wish I was good at it, I'm not. I'm not even a baker. I think it has to do with how I have to recipe in front of me at all times. I can't just "wing" it.

10. I really don't like to read. I know this is horrible. I know that I should, but I just don't. I wish I did. I hope I don't pass this on to my children. :)

And I'd like to award these people as well: (Pick 7 people from my blog list on the side) :) (I'M NOT FOLLOWING THE RULES...AHHHH)

Charley Update

Bright Blue Eyes


Can you see my teeth?


Crooked Smile


So big!


I don't like hats


Look at me mom...standing in my crib!



Things have been changing fast around here with Charley girl. She has been army crawling all over the place for sometime now and loves to sit sweetly on the floor and play. She has two teeth that have popped through on the bottom and of course looks cuter than ever. She has started pulling herself up on anything that she can reach and has even taken a couple of steps with a walker. The spitting has gotten better since we've had her on Zantac for a month of so now. She eats any baby food I give her and has started on graham crackers too...which she loves! She is still loud and will just make loud noises to be heard. She says dada, lala, and blah sounds. She loves to smile and laugh and clap her hands, especially to music. She will open and close her hand like waving...but not to wave. Napping three times a day...to bed at 7:30-8 and up around 7:30. She has a pink lovey for sleeping and she still sucks her thumb. She is growing up so fast, I can't believe she is almost 8 months old already! I thank God every day for her good health, beautiful smile, and happy disposition!

Happy 32nd!

Happy Birthday to my honey...almost two weeks ago! Ha...so I'm a little behind, but better late than never. We celebrated Matt's 32nd (OLD) birthday on November 8th. His parents and sister's family came over to join in on the fun. We had a great time. We had everything a good party needs...


A beautiful birthday cake if I say so myself...my first attempt at baking a cake...ever! Go me...


A Rockin Dance Party...moving my hips like yeah...


Shuffleboard...


Human Pyramid...


and Wishes for another healthy and blessed year!

Happy Birthday babe. We love you so much!

Funnies

I had to copy this from a friends blog because I thought it was so true...#17 especially...since I hardly ever leave my house. :)


1. Nothing stinks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.
2. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.
3. The only time I look forward to a red light is when I’m trying to finish a text.
4. MapQuest really needs to start their directions on #5. Pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.
5. There is a great need for sarcasm font.
6. As a driver I hate pedestrians, and as a pedestrian I hate drivers, but no matter what the mode of transportation, I always hate cyclists.
7. How the heck are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?
8. I would rather try to carry 10 plastic grocery bags in each hand than take 2 trips to bring my groceries in.
9. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.
10. Was learning cursive really necessary?
11. "Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this ever.
12. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars teams up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers!
13. While driving yesterday I saw a banana peel in the road and instinctively swerved to avoid it...thanks Mario Kart.
14. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.
15. I find it hard to believe there are actually people who get in the shower first and THEN turn on the water.
16. Bad decisions make good stories.
17. I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.
18. Is it just me or do high school girls get sluttier & sluttier every year?
19. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you've made up your mind that you just aren’t doing anything productive for the rest of the day.

Get Candy,Get Candy, Get Candy...

If you have ever seen Seinfeld stand-up, you know what the title refers to. If not, it pretty much states the whole goal of a child's life...get candy, get candy, get candy. And it's true. I swear it's all my kids have been talking about. Can I have more candy, when can we get candy again, will the candy go away...AHHH! No more talk of candy. Although I shouldn't talk. I remember my goal of getting candy my entire childhood...and adulthood. I definitely have a sweet tooth and have done my share of candy stashing in my life. Anyways, the kids had a great time this Halloween. My nieces, Stella and Sofia, came over with my parents to join us in trick-or-treating in our new neighborhood. The weather wasn't great, but at least it wasn't pouring rain. My dad and I took Molly and Stella up and down our street while Matt chased after Grant and Sofia...mostly Grant. He had it figured out pretty quick, the faster I go, the more candy I can get. They were exhausted by time they got home.

Quick story because this is so something I did when I was a kid too. After sorting through Grant's candy (he really can't eat the chocolate because of his milk allergy), he had a few pieces, and then he disappeared. I go up to his room only to see him trying to sneak back down with a mouth full of more candy. I of course knew exactly what he was doing, since I had done it before myself. Yep, sneaking more candy, and hiding it in his closet for future enjoyment. Of course I was on to him and made him get the candy out of its hiding spot and gave him the "don't be sneaky" lecture, but secretly was amazed that he is so much like his momma.

All in All, it was a great night for the kids and thanks mom for bringing over the yummy lasagna!

Finally!!

We had a nice sunny fall day...finally! Amazing. So hurry up...quick...get outside and do something Fall like before it ends. And so we did. Jumping in the leaves is always a fun fall activity and the kids had a blast.

 
 
 
 

Rub-A-Dub-Dub...

Three Monkeys in the Tub. Just couldn't resist...

Pumpkins!

Pumpkin time again! I really do like fall, except for this fall. It has been a pretty disappointing fall. Although the colors are beautiful, it would be nice to be able to get outside to enjoy them. We have had so much rain and its been quite chilly, except for this week. And I could use a little sunshine too. It's not fair that I'm ghostly white already! We had a great time carving pumpkins though nonetheless. Although my kids are a couple of wimps and refuse to touch the pumpkin insides. Funny thing is, our pumpkins this year had the strangest insides. It was like string cheese...or spaghetti...it came out in strings. So weird, and kind of annoying, but less slimy. :) Here's our yearly family pumpkin shot. Feel free to take a look back at how our family has changed... Click here!


Working hard to make the perfect pumpkin




Charley wishing she could help!


Crazy pumpkin spaghetti

Robinette's 2009

Every year we get so excited for Fall, because that means Robinette's! And Robinette's means donuts and cider! We were trying to hold out for a nice Fall day, but settled for a cold and cloudy one instead. We also threw around the idea of trying a different orchard, Klackles, but decided it was a lot further away and not a nice enough day to make the trip. So we spent our time as usual at Robinette's...waiting in line. The line for donuts and cider on Saturday is simply absurd...but so worth it. I won't even tell you how many pumpkin spice donuts we had (Matt had FIVE!!) Instead of waiting in another long line for the hayride this year, we decided to try out the new corn maze, which I thought was going to be simple. Well, I was WAY wrong. I was almost scared that we'd never get out! My kids were pooped. Poor Molly said about halfway through..."Molly can't walk by myself no more..." So sweet. We finally tag teamed with some other people and found our way out. We were all exhausted, especially with Molly on Matt's shoulders and Charley in the Bjorn. Whew! Had to walk off the donuts anyways. Always a fun tradition though. Hoping for a nicer day next year.

Molly's First Haircut

This is how she stayed pretty much the whole time


Not so sure about this...


Pretty curls

I finally took Molly to get her haircut! After more than two years, it was time. The curls were getting a bit nappy, especially in the morning. It's amazing to me that her hair goes down to the middle of her back when it's wet, because you'd never be able to tell when its dry. Her curls mostly always go right up to the back of her neck. She did awesome sitting in the chair and barely moved an inch the whole time. Of course, they only took off like an inch, but I think it helped. And the curls stayed intact, in fact I think they got tighter.

Home Sweet Home

We have officially been the owners of our new house for one month now! It's crazy how time flies. All of the furniture is in a place, except Grant's bedroom furniture which was supposed to arrive 3 weeks ago...all of the boxes are unpacked, the grass is growing, and we've already got fingerprints on the walls. We are finally starting to feel settled, although it still doesn't quite feel like home yet. I'm hoping that once the holidays come and we start making new memories, it will feel more like home. We are so very blessed to be able to live here, and we give all the glory to God who has provided more than we could ever imagine. Hope you can all come visit us soon!!

Just for fun!

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Charley ~ 6 Months!

Charley is almost seven months now, so I thought I'd try to do an update from her six month appointment. Of course, I can't find the stats sheet from the doctor so I'm gonna wing it. Here's what's up with Miss Charlotte lately:

• She only grew 11 ounces from her previous appointment so I think that makes her about 14 1/2 pounds. This was a bit of a concern to the doctor, as I had mentioned that she is also super spitty and that I didn't have a huge milk supply. So a couple of things have changed. Now after her third and fourth feeding, I give her an extra 4 ounces of formula. She is much happier and I do feel like she has filled out some. Also, we just had her in for an Upper GI test this morning to make sure that nothing was twisted in her anatomy and that is was allowing all food to get to the right place and digest. They said it all looked normal. The doctor had also prescribed her Zantac but I have yet to fill that prescription. She is still mostly in 3-6 month clothing, which is actually working out okay with the clothing I have from Molly.
• She was still above average for height, but definitely slowing down.
• She eats baby cereal and baby food for three meals a day. And now her spit up is destroying any outfit I put her in, so unless we are going somewhere, she is usually dressed in the ugliest or oldest or grossest outfit I have. She is just a big mess by the end of the day (and so am I usually).
• She is army crawling everywhere! So obviously things are getting a little bit busier around here. She will get up on all fours and lunge forward also, but usually can get to where she wants to go by pulling herself along with her arms.
• She can sit very well, although won't for long, as she likes check everything out.
• She is LOUD. I swear she yells all day long. Our new house has wood floors, and I think that she just likes to hear her own voice echo throughout the house. I am constantly asking her to quiet down...which just makes her laugh.
• She laughs and smiles with her eyes. I know I have said it before, but she is so happy. She always brightens my day. She squints her eyes tight up and give the gummiest smiles. It's the best!
• No teeth yet.
• Sleeps two to three naps a day and usually goes to bed at 8ish and up at 7ish. I am pretty sure she wakes up every night between 3 and 5, and just talks to herself in her crib for a half hour or so. I just let her be.
• Her hair is starting to come in and it looks pretty straight to me, so we'll see how that goes.
• She gives high fives...kind of.
• She loves her exersaucer.

She has been such a blessing to this family, and we are so thankful that she is healthy and happy. I have to admit that I am kind of sad that each time we pass through a phase, I realize that it will probably be the last time I'll deal with 'that', whatever 'that' may be. I almost feel like I am slowly being let go from a job. That my duties are not needed as much anymore. I don't know how I feel about that. I love being a mom to Charley, as well as to Grant and Molly. It's the best job in the world!

Just one of those days...

Today was just one of those days...you know the day when you feel like a horrible mother, the day that you wonder how you are going to make it through another day keeping all three of your children alive...well today was a close one...

Charley almost choked to death on graham cracker...good one mom, she is obviously not old enough for that

Molly got a soccer ball in the face...nice shot mom, next time try not to aim at your daughter's beautiful face

Grant got a thumb in the eye...keep your hands to yourself mom, no thumbs up for you

Just one of those days....

Such a cute story though. After I kicked the soccer ball that landed between Molly's eyes and knocked her over on the cement, and after I rushed her inside to calm her and get her "boo boo buddy", and after she had finally settled down...Matt looked at her and said,

"Oh Mols, I hope you don't get a black eye"

and she quickly turned to him and said,

"No Daddy, my eyes blue!"

Aw, love you Mols! Sorry for the bad aim.

Goodbye Mountain Ash!

It's really done! We really sold our house! It actually happened. I wasn't sure we would actually ever get through this, but we did. This whole process actually started last year. We first put the house up for sale in March of 2008. We had it on the market until August...until we found out we were expecting our third child and Matt got a new job. Too much going on there...until February of 2009...you know, not too much going on one month before the baby is due...yeah right. It was a busy time but we survived. Showing the house while pregnant with little children is no easy task. We actually had a showing on the house the morning of Charley's birth. My water broke and the first thing I said was...We have a Showing Today! But it is officially done now. We handed over the keys last night to the new owners. I was of course a little bit sad. This was the house that I brought all three of my babies home to from the hospital. This was the house where we started our family. So many "firsts" happened there. I am sad to leave Mountain Ash but also very excited to start our new adventures in our new home. We are so very blessed and thankful for all God has provided us. We give Him all the glory!

It was a good house.

It's official! Looking like miniature people next to our new home's sold sign. (I know we're small people, but come on...that's a big sign...)

Off to School

Grant started his journey through school today. Off to Kindergarten he went at St. Mark Lutheran School. I'm so excited for him because I think he has a great teacher and a nice class. He is thrilled to be doing something, anything, for a full day. He goes every day all day. As excited as we all were, it was a bit of a fiasco getting there this morning.

Woke up...get dressed and think about a shower another time...get Grant's clothes out...feed Grant...nurse Charley...wake Molly...feed Molly...oops don't have time to change the girls as they fell asleep on the way home from Detroit the night before and slept in there clothes...at least they are in clothes and not pjs...get your backpack...where's your shoes...did you brush your teeth...clean up Charley's spit up...realized I didn't eat anything...take picture, click...let's go...OH SHOOT...forgot you need a lunch...quick make lunch...realize how not easy it is to get three kids up and out the door by 7:45...Charley will have to eat her cereal when we get back...let's go...remember about construction...take a detour...pull in to parking lot...PHEW, made it!!

He was exhausted, to say the least, when he got home. So hopefully we'll adjust to our new schedule soon! He seemed to enjoy his day though, and I was surprised that I actually did get a little teary-eyed as I watched him line-up, wave and shoot me a huge smile! I love you Grantster!

So now I think that I will have a restful day at home having just the girls with me...or not. I didn't realize just how much Grant entertained Molly in the mornings. Even though they fight every five minutes, at least they were doing it together. :) And little miss Charley decided she didn't want to take a nap at the same time as big sis and proceeded to scream in her crib instead. Got her up only for her to spit up like five times all over the place. Lovely.

So onto this next stage of life. School times! I'm sure we will adjust soon. What a busy life!