The Moores

The long long winter is finally coming to an end!

2011-03-24T05:37:00.000-07:00

Its official...I have a 3 year old! I am still having a hard time coming to grips with this but it is clear everyday that Charlie is growing up. He is so articulate and has his own ideas and an ever expanding imagination. He pretty much surprises me everyday with a new phrase or by connecting the dots in a way that I didn't know he could. As if Charlie getting big wasn't hard enough I turn around and see that Sean is just a few short months away from being 2. I guess that is what happens when they are 15 months apart. They both get big!! There is no longer a big one and a little one. Even though everything I am saying is melancholy and dramatic sounding I am so excited about where we are in life right now. The boys are so much fun and have found a certain independence in play time with each other that is a bit freeing for me. They still need their mommy quite a bit but it is so awesome to watch them play and interact with one another. Sean is a little parrot and repeats everything Charlie says and does. Charlie is a bit of a bully at times but lets face it...he was here first. The guessing game is coming to an end with the expansion of their vocabulary and i find myself leaving the house with one little monkey backpack and a few diapers and wipes. I also find myself going back and forth wondering about whether or not to have another baby. I can't help but feel that one more would be wonderful, but at the same time the thought of shaking things up and having more kids than I have hands absolutely freaks me out. I know that it has been done many times before, but my anxieties persist. I also feel the clock ticking...not a biological one but a sibling one...I don't want our third and probably final child to be too far apart in age from the other two and feel like a loner. Hopefully a lot of prayer and a few months will help me settle this matter in my heart.
The thing I am most excited about right now is the break in the weather! The long Indiana winters are tough with two little boys trapped inside for most of the day. We would get out and have a few play dates here and there but in the end you watch movies and color and build blocks until you just can't do it anymore. The Lord knows this because just when you are recovering from your most recent family crippling virus you get a day that is sunny and warm and you get to play outside. You feel new life breathed into your body and blessed in every way. We have our zoo membership in hand and plan to wear it out...i have already enjoyed some great walks around the neighborhood and trips out on the river with the in-laws are just around the corner. Oh yeah and Grilling!! Grilled food taste so much better than oven baked!
Brian and I just celebrated 6 years in marriage and took an awesome little trip down to DC. I have never been there and I was in total awe of all the of the American history I was able to experience. Brian has been there a few times and was able to show me around. He also has a much better understanding of American and world history than I do so it was nice to have someone to teach me about the things I was seeing. We have been a lot of places in 6 years and made many transitions in life after having children and buying our first home and all of the side stuff that comes with it. I feel so blessed to have someone that I can enjoy life with so much. We have a loving, trusting and growing relationship that we celebrate every year!

The Holidays are Here!

2010-11-28T17:15:00.000-08:00

Thankful does not begin to describe how I feel this year as we jump into the Holiday season. We just finished up Thanksgiving and it was an awesome time of catching up with friends and family. I feel so blessed that we have a home where people can come and relax and we can all reconnect. It is when I have people over that God reveals to me how much he has provided for us and how blessed we really are. Sharing food and encouragement with one another while we are toasty warm in our home. It is hard to imagine where we would be without the love and support of our family and I will never be able to thank them enough for the people that they are and all that they do for us. The boys are getting so big and they are very aware of the changes in the world around them. The biggest thing right now are all of the Christmas lights and Christmas trees in the houses and at the store. They want to go see them over and over again. I just put up a few of our decorations while they kids were napping and when they saw them for the first time it was truly magical. I love that I am able to appreciate the innocence of being a child again through my kids. It is a second chance to make memories and have them last for a lifetime!

Family Time

2010-08-27T04:41:00.000-07:00

The boys are growing up so fast! They have dabbled into the rough-housing and wrestling and so far we have had no major injuries. I love watching them interact...well most of the time...they love each others company and despise it at the same time. Everyone wants the same toys at the same time and no one wants to give in. Their personalities are so different and it is a challenge each day to tailor my affection and discipline for each one. Charlie is fairly easily broken and most of the time responds to simple threats of time out. Sean is a firecracker who will look you straight in the eye and do it again.
Like all families with small kids we fight our share of illness. Lately we have battled high fevers and now we have moved on to miserable runny noses and sleepless nights. I know there is another side to it and that it is a temporary inconvenience but when you are in the moment it is hard to balance your frustrations with lack of sleep and your compassion for your pathetic little baby who is helpless against the disease. Yesterday the snotty nose hit Charlie hard and it coincided with Brian's only day off this week. We had big plans of a blueberry pancake breakfast, followed by a trip to our local zoo and a picnic lunch at the park. The heat has broken for a few days and we just wanted to take advantage of the day before it heated up again and Brian went back to work. After a little coffee and pancakes we decided to continue as scheduled. Charlie was a bit of a zombie from the medication and lack of sleep but at some point we turned a corner and everybody had a great time. It is so awesome to experience those magical times from your childhood again through your kids. I was probably more excited to go to the zoo than they were. I mean they don't even really have a great concept of what the zoo is yet. After yesterday Brian and I got to planning so many more things we would like to expose our kids to and make lasting memories.
We ended out day with an amazing dinner at my in-laws house on the river. It is so peaceful there and the kids love to fish off the piers. I love being able to share my kids with their grandparents and see the joy that brought to everyone's faces.

wow....its been a while

2010-06-03T20:36:00.001-07:00

It is hard for me to comprehend that my youngest son is about to turn one this month. They say that it takes about a year to really recover from your pregnancy and childbirth...well I never experienced that with Charlie because by the time he was 6 months old I was pregnant with Sean. I would not go back and change that now because I cannot imagine our lives without Sean. However, there is something to be said for giving yourself a break between children. The first year is filled with so much joy and lets be honest...so much work. It is hard to do it with one child let alone with a toddler hanging on your leg wondering when you will stop breastfeeding long enough to take him outside to play. It is a whirlwind of feedings, diapers, crying, comforting, laughing, playing, cooking, cleaning, reconnecting with your hubby, trying to find your social life and spontaneity...while wondering why you are back to your pre-baby weight but you look different in the mirror. Then you reach that one year milestone and you really do feel better. You feel as if you are on the other side of whatever I just said. You are done with bottles, the poop is down to once or twice a day, they are crawling or walking and starting to express themselves in words and you think I might just find my way back to sanity after all. Today was one of those glorious days when everybody is happy...there is just the right amount of sunshine and humidity...things were accomplished without the sacrifice of attention to my family and at the end of the day I get that overwhelming feeling that I am undeservedly blessed. I know this sounds crazy but I watch a Baby Story on TLC and find myself crying at the delivery and thinking how amazing human existence is and it makes me want to dive into the craziness all over again...thankfully my brain can reason with my heart and I know it is best to wait a while longer. I have to remind myself not to take for granted that I have two healthy children and that I am able to stay home full time and invest my all into them. I can get caught up in the hard stuff and forget that God chose me to be their mother and allowed me to have them as a blessing in my life.

where to start...?

2009-11-18T16:49:00.000-08:00

It has been such a long time since I got on this thing and wrote about our lives. In my defense we are pretty busy with everyday life. The kids are doing great! Sean is getting so big so fast and Charlie is smarter and smarter every day. I am amazed at the things he can learn to do at 20 months old and how quickly he is able to learn them. Charlie is still very much the "strong/silent" type. He is more of a performer...you ask and he speaks.. but it is a special occasion when he says something at random or repeats what you say and it is awesome when that happens! He is starting to invite Sean to play with him even though Sean isn't quite ready yet. I can hardly wait for the times when they are playing together and even when they are getting into trouble together. Sean is probably going to be talking before Charlie...he is a much more active and alert baby than Charlie was. He is constantly cooing and jabbering...he wants to be involved in whatever you are doing and is always grabbing for things. He doesn't sleep very well at night...so we have that to work on and I hope we master it soon.
The weather is getting much cooler and I am already dreading the winter. It isn't the snow that i hate or the cold weather...it is the fact that Charlie adores playing outside...kicking balls...throwing rocks and finding pine cones. Our days outside are limited and I am very sad about it. I am on the hunt for some great indoor activities and making an effort to plan more play dates so he can learn to share and socialize. Other than that we have been battling the average runny nose...cough and fever season with the best of them.
I am really looking forward to the Holidays this year and spending some time with our family and starting traditions.

Catching up

2009-08-28T04:47:00.000-07:00

I know it has been a long time since I have posted anything...but honestly...sitting down on the computer for any extended period of time is just not a priority. Charlie and Sean take up every moment of the day and in between there...yes I know there is NO in between when every moment is taken up...I try to catch up on dinner, laundry and other general cleaning essentials. I appreciate my husband more and more, because he comes home and entertains Charlie or holds Sean so I can do any number of things I haven't gotten to. He is also an amazing cheerleader for me and is so understanding when I am tired and frustrated and he needs to make himself a sandwich. Before we were married we heard a lot of "make sure and date your mate even when the dating season is over". All that means is set aside time at least once a week to reconnect over dinner, a walk or a dollar movie. In he beginning of our marriage we spent all of our time together when we weren't working. Then Charlie came along and still when he was in bed we had all the time to our selves. Now with two kids it is much more difficult to spend quality time together. We are trying to apply that little piece of advice and use our family members as babysitters so we can get away during the week. It makes a huge difference for our relationship. I guess those other married people know what they are talking about.
I can't believe Sean is already 9 weeks old! With the second one you don't really have time to get on the Internet and see what the next developmental milestone is coming up...so when they come it is such a great surprise. When he started smiling and cooing I almost cried. It was awesome! He is incredibly expressive and I can't wait to see how his personality develops.

Charlie is doing great with his new little brother. He went through a little bit of a rough patch when Sean was about a month old. It started to set in that this little guy wasn't going anywhere and mommy doesn't have quite the same time for me. But after a couple of weeks he settled down and is back to being my little doll baby again! He is getting so tall these days...he can finally make a basket on his Little Tike's hoop by himself. It is crazy how much he loves balls and especially basketball. It will be interesting to see if the interest sticks for the long hall.

I am currently looking for an outlet for myself. Something that takes me out of the house and away from the kids a couple times a week. I am not a scrapbooker and I don't want to spend a lot of money that we don't have. Hopefully I can find something and start doing it. I think it will make me a better mommy and help me to keep my sanity.

Finally here!

2009-07-03T04:53:00.000-07:00

That's right...baby 2 has arrived! I couldn't be more thrilled to have him in the outside world. It was pretty fast and furious...I went to an appointment with my doc and he performed a procedure to get labor going...I had been 3 cm's for 2 weeks and was willing to do just about anything to go into labor. I actually started having contractions on the way home but ignored them...I didn't want to get my hopes up. Throughout the afternoon they became steadier and steadier until at about 11:30 at night I decided we should make our way to the hospital. We had already sent Charlie to be with Nana and Papa Moore for the night and our bags had been in the car for 2 weeks! We were ready! Unfortunately when I arrived at the hospital I was told to walk around for an hour and then they would check me again. Uhg! Really?! Anyways...that hour was very productive and they admitted me. YAYAYY! Sooo from 12:30 to 2 I went from 4 to 8 cm's and was ready for the pain meds. My epi kicked in and I was holding my baby an hour later! Phew! It was so amazing yet again. He has some resemblance to Charlie but mostly has his very own look about him. I have been blessed with another son and he is amazingly content. He was a great nurser from moment one and is content to sleep, eat and poop. I couldn't have asked for a better situation. It allows me to put him down and play with Charlie or do something around the house. God is so Good! With family moments from my front door I know that I have nothing to worry about. I find my self a bit tired but mostly excited for what is ahead and treasuring the moments right now.

Catching up

2009-06-02T10:02:00.000-07:00

Wow, well where to start? We are just about 4 weeks from my due date with baby boy number 2! Due to my physical discomfort I feel ready for this to be over with any day now. Of course I want the baby to be as healthy as possible...if that means sticking it out another 4 weeks then I think I can handle that. I am sitting at the kitchen table right now and I'm watching Charlie chow down on some lunch with great enjoyment. He and I have had so much great bonding time lately and I only hope that we can continue some of our special times after the baby is born. I am sure my anxiety is pretty standard for moms who are about to bring another baby into their home...but it doesn't mean I can rationalize it away. Brian is home from his month long work trip and I am so glad! We missed him so much and now we can settle back into routine before our lives get flipped upside down.
My brother and his wife recently came to stay with us in our new house....it was awesome to be able to have house guests and share that time with them. We love hanging out but don't get to do it very often. I so want Charlie and his brother to have a great relationship with their only uncle and aunt. Brett and Liz are just two of a number of amazing people in my family that I am thrilled to have influence our children.
Honestly...not a whole lot more is going on...I am super "nesty" these days and want everything to be ready for when the baby arrives. I find myself taking great pleasure in sweeping and scrubbing and washing everything and at the end of it all I feel great satisfaction. I feel so blessed to be able to be a stay at home mommy. For a while we didn't know if it would be possible and the Lord is providing for us in an amazing way. We are making less money than we ever have and are finding out little by little our dreams are coming true. We own a home...i am home with Charlie...our family is nearby and help us at every opportunity and we find ourselves so grateful everyday!

The American Dream!

2009-03-06T03:48:00.000-08:00

Phew~It feels like we have been on a house hunt for about 4 years, in about 4 different locations around the country. Wouldn't you know we finally accomplished our goal in our home town of South Bend, Indiana. The journey has been fun, exhausting, stretching and for me emotional at times. Yesterday, we signed on the many lines involved in this type of transaction and gave a shocking amount of money to someone we had never met before. It is an interesting and very involved process that leaves you with your head spinning and little money in the bank! I wouldn't trade it for anything at this moment! I am so thrilled with what the Lord has provided for our family. We were able to find a home in our ideal location, with the perfect amount of bedrooms, a fence for the dog and great friends and family to help us get it ready to move in. We could only afford this type of house in this type of economy. It was a bank owned home that needs some elbow grease and we were able to get an amazing interest rate. If we were to buy a home at any other moment in this 4 year journey, i dare say that none of those things would have been possible. I feel so grateful, humble and excited!

A New Chapter!

2009-02-19T13:26:00.000-08:00

Wow, it has been a while! We actually have quite a bit going on right now. We have officially made and offer and had it accepted. We are scheduled to close on March 6th! We are so excited to have our very own place to establish our family. We will also be in in enough time for baby 2. That was super important to me. There is just so much that goes on after you have a baby that is very personal and special...i just wanted to know that Brian and I would be sharing those times in our home. It was a foreclosed home...which means it needs some TLC...we don't mind doing the work ourselves, but it can get overwhelming and expensive. We have worked so hard to get debt free and it feels like we are spending like crazy. It is all ok, but it can be scary! The whole house buying process is very involved and you feel as if you are signing your life away...fortunately for us...home prices are way down and so are interest rates. We have a great deal in our choice of school system...we couldn't ask for more. Praise the Lord!

Charlie is getting sooooo BIG~ He started walking around 10 months and is quite the mover and shaker now. He stands and bounces to music and hits his head about 2-3 times a day. We call him Frankinbaby cause he walks with his arms up in the air for balance...well at least in the beginning...he has them down to his sides now but they don't swing with his walk like an adult. They are just stiff to his sides...still very Frankinbabyish! He is so adorable and Brian and I both feel so incredibly blessed to have him for a son. The poor thing has had a series of colds lately that are taxing on everyone in the house, but he manages to stay smiley through them. The nights just get very long and the days run into one another. He is busy busy busy all day from moment one. That also means he takes some great naps during the day! I can't even imagine what it will be like to add an infant to the scenario but sometimes ignorance is bliss!
It is very interesting how my pregnancy affects how I function with Charlie. I have been very exausted up until the last few weeks and with the new pooch in front it is harder to lay down with him and carry him for long periods of time. I suppose it is a good thing he is walking early!

2009-01-16T04:42:00.000-08:00

Teeth and Toddling

2009-01-16T04:30:00.001-08:00

Well it has been a while since my last entry so I will have to see what I can remember. I am now into my second trimester with baby 2...which we just found out is another boy! I am so excited to see them grow up together and be great friends (In between the fighting of course). We had a few who were holding out for a little girl...but I am sure in a few years we will have another one. I am loving motherhood way too much to let it stop at 2.

Charlie is pretty amazing lately! He is letting go of things and taking steps...he seems fearless...which strikes a bit of fear in me. You can't protect your kids all of the time and I am sure we will have our fair share of doctor trips due to MINOR injury. He is getting a mouth full of teeth..I think we are up to 7 now! He seems like such a little boy and not a baby most days and he is only 10 months. I love those moments where he wants mommy and cuddles...It is good to be needed and I am sure I have a great deal of time to enjoy those moments before he is too cool for me.

Christmas and the new year were great and full of food! I am glad that the holiday eating is over and I can get back to normal portions. When you are early in your pregnancy and go through the holidays...it is easy to put on too many extra lb's.....and then you have to make it through your whole pregnancy trying not to eat too much.

We are making some strides in the house hunting. We plan on hitting it pretty hard now that Christmas is over and making an offer by March. We are excited about making a home for ourselves and raising our family!

Spoiled

2008-12-21T18:40:00.000-08:00

For starters...I haven't experienced a day this cold in such a long time. It is so bitter and blustery outside and the outdoors is quickly looking like a frozen tundra. It is great for bringing out the Christmas spirit but it needs to be done after that. I find myself wanted to become a shut-in. Staying in my sweatpants and sweatshirts all day and eating comfort food. Unfortunately life must go on...even in the cold. Every year our Church puts on a Christmas program Some years we have several performances on a weekend...this year it is two performances...one last Monday at the homeless shelter and the other at church on Christmas Eve. I have a small narration part this year and was completely touched by our performance at the homeless shelter. When you see whole families, down on their luck, around the holidays....it just breaks your heart. On top of that...we have this extreme weather and you know that those people have limited options. We are struggling to find a house that we like and that is in our price range...but at least we have family to support us and shelter us when we need it. I can't imagine what day to day life must be like for these people. I almost felt sick to my stomach when I came home to a warm house, with a lit Christmas tree...lined with gifts that are waiting to be opened. You can't dwell on it....I think you just have to give where and when you can. A couple days later Brian and I had the opportunity to deliver gifts to a needy family. This year his union sponsored a family and everyone chipped in to get gifts that they wanted and needed. I was overwhelmed by the amount of gifts we all came up with...they barely fit in the family's tiny apartment. The kids were so excited and I can't imagine what it will be like in their house Christmas morning. It is truly better to give than receive.

Growing up Charlie

2008-12-02T15:03:00.000-08:00

Charlie is in one of those amazing times of development. He goes through what seems like a lull in his milestones and then it is as if all the sudden they all come out. I walked into his room, to see if he was asleep yet, and found him standing up in his crib. AHH! Panic and Pride hit you all at once! He was grinning from ear to ear and we immediately lowered his mattress to the bottom level. Now it seems he is pulling himself up on everything he can find...couches...chairs...my pant legs. Another characteristic he is developing is his free will. He will clearly tell you if he does or doesn't want his binky or bottle. He also has found out that he is not allowed to have everything within his reach...when it is taken away..look out...he knows how to pitch a little fit. If anyone says that it is a learned behavior...I would like to talk to them. He is almost nine months old and has no way of learning that. With all of these things comes new challenges as a parent...but it is soooo exciting to see his personality come through as he plays alone and eats new foods and feeds himself. My heart just melts.

Hibernation!

2008-11-19T04:36:00.000-08:00

Well, Indiana has quickly reminded us of its four distinct seasons. We had our first big snowfall this week and are expected to get quite a bit more this week and weekend. I have only been gone for 4 years, but I was living in such mild climates. Georgia was blazin hot in the summer...but no harsh winters. Washington had some snow and cold weather...but nothing like in the Midwest. The air cuts right through to the bone and all the doors on your car are frozen shut. I always try to make one trip to the car when I leave the house. That means that I have the diaper bag, my purse, Charlie's blanket and bear and of course 20+lb Charlie. That pretty much takes up any and all space I have in my arms. Then the doors wouldn't open and I had to go go go! Finally, with biceps burning...we got one door open and were on our way.

We continue our house hunt and it is starting to feel like dead ends everywhere. Our ultimate goal is to get into a house that we can easily afford on Brian's income only, so that when baby #2 gets here next summer, I can stay home and not worry about bills. Well, as everyone knows we are in the best home buyer's market in years....well every step we have taken in Brian's career has unfortunately resulted in a pay cut. We are back home with family and it is wonderful....but we are making less money than ever. We know that God has a house for us that will be just the right size and conveniently located away from the ghetto...but it is going to be a long process.

Charlie is wonderful, as usual! He is really developing his own personality and it is turning out to be very sweet but determined. He requires non stop attention and a lot of stimulation. He loves Blues Clues, the cartoon and we try to watch it every morning over a bottle. His new wake up time is between 5 and 5:30...not ideal...but then he is down for an early nap and I can get some things done before we leave the house. He is getting even more teeth...i feel like it is rapid fire when it comes to his teething. He seems to get about 2 at a time. He has four right now and I see the fifth one just under the surface...poor little guy!

Yes, I did say #2 was on the way! I found out on my birthday that we are pregnant with our second baby! We are so excited! It may seem close together, but I really have no worries about handling both kids. It is also exciting that one of my friends is about two days away from my due date...it is always nice to have someone to share in the experience of your body totally going out of wack! The consensus is that it should be a girl since we already have a boy...I honestly do not care...Charlie is so great and I would love for him to have a brother close to his age..but having a girl would be an incredible blessing.

It is all coming back!

2008-10-27T03:46:00.000-07:00

We are quickly approaching November and I am starting to remember what it is like to live in a place that has four full seasons. The leaves are turning and falling rapidly and today I woke up to a forecast of a high of 42....a HIGH....is that even considered high!? Oh yeah, and there is a chance of snow today....and tomorrow...hmmm. When I got married we moved to Georgia, where Brian had been working....no snow and blazing hot summers....then we moved to Washington and yes there is snow but mostly in the mountains and for about two weeks everywhere else. It just gets kinda grey and rainy during the winter and you may not even need one of those down filled puffy coats at all. I am very excited for Charlie to see his first snow and then to be big enough next year to play in it. Too bad he won't be big enough to rake the leaves but I am sure he will enjoy playing in those as well.
Speaking of Charlie....haha..you had to know I would talk about him a bit more. He has changed so much in just a short few weeks. When we were in Washington and waiting to see where we were going to live...time seemed long and endless and we didn't notice the little changes in Charlie's size and abilities. Now we can see from the time we moved back to Indiana to present, he has experienced extreme change. He started crawling, he is now going after the things he wants and not just what you put in front of his face and he is so big, eating from a spoon and trying all kinds of new foods...I look at him and see a little boy and not a baby. (tear)

Blue Steel...

2008-10-21T14:32:00.000-07:00

2008-10-10T10:34:00.000-07:00

2008-10-10T10:33:00.000-07:00

Not so exciting...but it is an update.

2008-10-07T02:27:00.000-07:00

Well, life has officially become pretty normal for the Moores. Brian is steadily working at his new facility and I have started working for my parents. They have there own business with promotional products and are pretty deeply rooted in the community. It is a big learning process for me because I have never done the things that has taken them 4 or 5 years to figure out. Little by little I will get it. My job history is pretty much just that. I get a new job...one that I have never done before...and I learn. It is fun and uncomfortable at the same time. Usually I get the hang of something and I have to move or have a baby. Then that job is over and I look for a new one later. Hopefully this one will stick and I will get to be really good at it and take over the world...whoa, just kidding! I will probably have another kid, and my family will let me come back to work when I am ready...hehe!
Charlie is doing really great! He was sick for a little over a week but now that he is better we are all getting more sleep and enjoying life again. He is a real scooter these days. If he wants it he will low crawl to get it..YEAH! It is so amazing to see the changes in just the few weeks that we have been here. He and I always do the "itzy bitzy spider" together and today he put his hands up with me. I was shocked and amazed. Now we must baby proof everything and make sure he isn't ingesting something toxic or electrically charged. EEKS!

What to do...what to do?

2008-09-23T17:33:00.000-07:00

There is always that weird time after you make a major transition. You know...like when you finish school for the summer break or you graduate from high school...for the next few weeks you feel like there is something you should be doing, but in reality there is not. Before we left Washington I was taking an infant to work with me 4 days a week, working with the youth group at our church, packing a house and tying up any loose ends that I could think of from our office move a few weeks back. Now I am jobless, away from all responsibility, aside from Charlie, and feeling like I don't know what to do with myself. I am keeping up with the laundry pretty easily and trying to cook a little and taking daily walks with Charlie and Daisy (our beagle). I do have a mommy and baby play group this Thursday...that will be fun..and I am trying to catch up with old friends...but how many lunches out can I really afford. It is not a bad thing, but I find myself feeling guilty for having this free time and not filling it all with something productive. Looking for a place to live is high on our priority list...started that today without much luck. I know something is out there. I will get plugged in at church soon. I have always had a passion for youth ministry and could always do that...but I want to really be used where needed so I want to take my time and ask around. I know that so many people say that they just cannot find time for themselves and that life is out of control busy...I am sure as more kids come along and get older my life will resemble theirs. I am trying to focus on my relationship with the Lord, my husband, son, friends and family. The rest will all catch up with me in due time.

We have arrived!

2008-09-18T10:05:00.000-07:00

So with a few days to pack and 2200 miles behind us...we have arrived in South Bend, Indiana. I had it very easy, as I was able to fly home. Brian, on the other hand, drove all those miles with his dad in a moving truck. They are serious Road Warriors. They drove the whole thing, including stops, with a dog in 37 hours straight. They pulled in after barely staying awake to needing to wind down before hopping into bed for some much needed rest. Since then we have unloaded the truck in various places, and are settling in at my in-laws, where we will stay until we find our own place to live. What a blessing it is to have a place to stay...and with a relaxing and beautiful riverfront view! It is never entirely easy to merge two families together in one house, but we are all very understanding and considerate people...and we know it is temporary!
Charlie is adjusting well..he misses his baby friends in Washington but has already had a play date with some new ones. One is being born today, as a matter of fact. It is a strange feeling to get where you have been wanting to be. I have been away from my home town for about 4 years now and I feel as if I have never left and yet a stranger at the same time. Half of my friends are gone and the other half are split between the singles and the marrieds. I am a part of the group that married young and now have a baby. I still love to be with my single girlfriends but really can't relate to their lifestyle anymore. It is nice to have some married friends with kids to share experiences with. The other dilemma is my hubby is 7 years older than I am. We grew up in the same town but in a different generation. It will be interesting to see who we really bond with and both enjoy spending our time with. One really exciting thing is we are close to my brother and sister in-law. We love spending time with them and I really want Charlie to know his only uncle before he leaves for the mission field. Brian starts his new job on Monday, so we are trying to enjoy our time off together before "real"life starts up again.

All in God's Timing

2008-09-09T17:22:00.000-07:00

Well, in my first blog I mentioned that we were in limbo waiting for some answers about Brian's job...and boy did we get them. Last Thursday Brian was notified that he would be getting the job in Indiana. This was not a formal notification in writing but everyone just said that they had heard it was happening...so be ready. Monday comes around and he gets the formal job offer and is told his report date is the 14th of this month!!! What?!? That is only a few days away. We have to pack the house, arrange help, schedule one of our cars to be shipped and fly family members out to help drive and deal with infants. FEW! Well, we have a great start and I think we are going to make it. Brian is a packing maniac, I'm organizing my things at work to make the transition easier and my mom flew in to watch Charlie so we could get the work done. It is so surreal that after being away from home for almost 4 years that we will be back with family and friends. There are so many emotions going through me right now. Excitement, to be with family and lifelong friends...Fear of finances and feasibility...sadness for leaving the great church and friends we have made in Washington...and Relief to finally know what our future holds. It was really difficult for Brian to not know what he would be doing in his career and definitely a growing time for both of us in the patience department. We are products of the I want it and I want it now generation. Fortunately we had such great parents that we managed to not become spoiled brats of society. We still get used to looking something up on the Internet, texting and shopping at mega stores, which allow you to get answers and things when you want and for the right price. I am thrilled that the time to move has finally come and I can't wait for it to be over. I have the strangest dreams at night...forget things all the time...and wear two different shoes to work(it really happened today). Stress reveals itself in so many ways. There is no need to stress, because God is so clearly in every part of this process and I know he will carry us through to the end.

New Territory

2008-09-03T20:48:00.000-07:00

Well, when you have a baby you are constantly entering into new territory. The trip to the grocery store isn't near as quick and easy but you now want to buy healthier food all of the sudden. You are so conscious of what you are putting in your child's body and how eating well is so important for good living. You also had no idea that you could carry an extra 20-25 pounds of stuff and kid with you all the time. The thought of getting into a car accident is beyond terrifying. You know your own threshold, but your child is dependent on you for boundaries. You notice so many new things around you because now your child is reaching out for it. You appreciate the quiet and then you are thrilled when they wake up again.
This last week and a half has been quite a bit of new territory with a little rough terrain. Charlie cut his first tooth. Being a new mother and pretty much only knowing what you have read and heard...I just knew my son was too young to be teething. They drool and chew on stuff for months and it just becomes routine. One day he was gnawing on my finger and I felt something on his gum. A TOOTH! Poor baby and his incompetent mommy! I could have been doing several things to make him more comfortable and yet I was oblivious to his pain and discomfort. Well, not totally...I knew he had been a little bit more fussy and needy but they go through stages like that. Since then, I have noticed a couple of other teeth close to the surface and I am realizing that this process will not be over soon. It does excite me to think of all of the foods he will get to eat and experience with those teeth! On top of all of the crazy teeth...he developed this horrible rash. You can imagine that babies don't like having a rash any more than you and I do...PLUS they have limited muscle control to itch and adjust for comfort. Poor things! We went to the doc and we are on our way to getting healed up. Through that process I realized that I don't really care for our pediatrician...that's a whole other entry. I know it seems like I am venting and complaining quite a bit...but I can say that Charlie is such a great baby and is really putting up with me and my own learning curve!

Keeping Perspective

2008-08-28T06:49:00.000-07:00

Sometimes when you are in the midst of a challenge...well all the time for me...it is hard for me to keep a reasonable perspective on the situation. I always put too much pressure on my self to get it all right and end up very overwhelmed, exhausted and frustrated. We moved our office this week and it was definitely a challenging couple of days and I also think I am a bit hormonally imbalanced...if you know what I mean ladies! I went in yesterday morning and almost started crying immediately...that's the hormones..ha! But unpacking all those boxes and organizing three previous rooms into one seemed like a lofty goal. Plus I couldn't find a baby sitter for Charlie and he had to come with me. Well, after a 7 hour moving day with me Tuesday he was a little out of sorts come Wednesday. He just really wanted to be held and he couldn't sleep with all the banging around. I just felt like I was moving but standing still at the same time. Progress was hard to realize and on top of it all I found out I had forwarded all of our mail, phone and Internet to our next door neighbors address. It was an honest mistake but dealing with it nearly broke my spirit all together. I couldn't stop the tears at that point and just wanted to go home. I fixed what I could and got some equipment functioning as much as possible and went home to indulge in some chocolate and a grilled cheese with a coke zero on the side. Charlie went down for a long nap and I was able to unwind a bit before Brian came home. With a good nights sleep behind me(Charlie went to bed at 8 and hasn't moved since...its now 7am) YEAH, and a hug from my hubby I am feeling much better. I was also reminded of the holiday weekend coming up and I was thrilled! In the end God is still in control and I need to let go sometimes.

2008-08-28T06:47:00.000-07:00

Where does he get these faces from...he's so goofy!

Heartbreaking!

2008-08-25T11:28:00.000-07:00

So...Charlie is basically with me 24/7, because he comes with me to work and he rarely is even awake before Brian heads off to work everyday. So first thing in the morning to the last thing at night. Unfortunately that means that he gets crazy when I leave. Yesterday morning I wanted to leave him with Brian while I went to youth group to teach and then they would join me for our second church service. I wasn't even teaching yet and I saw the two of them walk in the door. Charlie was just screaming and sobbing the whole time I was gone. It is so distressing and heartbreaking for Brian because he would love to spend some alone time with Charlie. We have come up with a little plan that will hopefully work. When Brian is at home I am going to make a concious effort to give him to Brian and let Brian do more things with him...all the way to changing diapers and feeding. I just think that those are the times when a baby learns to trust you and maybe they can increase their bond. It will be hard because most of the time I am on autopilot, but it will be worth it to know I can leave the house and not worry about the two of them.

Tricky Tricky...

2008-08-25T11:21:00.000-07:00

So as I said before I was getting ready to upgrade to a new phone...well those cell phone companies have quite a thing going for themselves. Now with these new fancy phones they have decided that you have to upgrade to a new and more expensive plan in order for them to work. YEAH RIGHT! I wasn't about to double my monthly bill just so I could touch a screen rather than push a button. I ended up with the EnV2 in Red to match my new red purse...so I guess everything worked out perfectly! HEHE! Every time we are out, it is so interesting to observe how people act in public. We encountered one of America's most self absorbed people yesterday. We went to Circuit City to do the upgrade and we were almost finished with everything when a man walked up. He blurted out, "Is this the place I am supposed to be (to get help)?". The lady politely said yes and that she was just finishing up with us and she would be with him in a moment. Apparently he was hard of hearing or something and a moment later he stuck out a piece of paper in her face and asked for a particular phone. She said that, yes they had that one and he continued on just as if we weren't even there. It is so exasperating sometimes when people just don't have any common courtesy. I mean come on! Anyways we managed to get out of there without either of us losing out temper and getting into a confrontation...cause in the end its not worth it...you aren't going to change someones behavior...everybody just gets upset.

SOOO Big!

2008-08-23T15:40:00.000-07:00

Gadget Geek!

2008-08-23T12:52:00.000-07:00

I am definitely a self-proclaimed gadget geek. Even as a child you would not find me watching cartoons on a Saturday morning...it was all about the infomercials for me! (its good television people!) I believed every word that they said about each product and if I was old enough to have a bank account I would have purchased most of them. Well, since I have grown up and opened my own account I know better than to waist my money on most of them. Plus most of these products are promoted in a way that annoys me more than anything....This one guy has a product for everything and he is always screaming at the screen..."KABOOM NEVERSCRUB, OXYCLEAN, ORANGE GLOW, SOME STUPID PUDDY THAT CAN TOW A TRUCK OR SOMETHING....come on don't insult my intelligence. I do think that Space Bags might be a useful product if you are moving to save on room in the UHAUL. ;o)
I haven't grown out of my geekyness all together...One of the highlights of my year is if I get to upgrade my cell phone. With verizon I only get to do it every two years but I look forward to it months in advance. I look at all of the available phones...read reviews...and usually end up with the latest and greatest as my choice. Not really because I need it but more or less I just love to play with all of the new features. Believe it or not that upgrade takes place tomorrow!!!!!! I am so excited! This years choice is the new LG Dare...it is Verizons attempt at the iphone. I already have a pretty purple silicon cover for it. I will let you know how it goes after I get the chance to explore it's features.

He's so Cute!!!!

2008-08-21T08:20:00.000-07:00

Oh what a generation like this could do....

2008-08-21T08:13:00.000-07:00

He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God his Savior. Such is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek Your face, O God of Jacob.” ~ Psalm 24:4-6

This is the verse I am going to focus on today...I know a generation like this exists out there but it seems nearly impossible to find these days.

Top 10 for the Week

2008-08-19T17:31:00.000-07:00

10. I watched the movie Enchanted with Brian.
9. I bought a new bag of jelly beans for the office.
8. The weather has cooled off and Charlie can wear clothes again.
7. I bought a new super cute red purse.
6. Daisy threw up on the floor...eww!
5. Charlie learned to actually bounce in his bouncy thing.
4. I joined facebook and found a bunch of old friends.
3. We had a thunder and lightning storm.
2. We had Church in a park last Sunday.
1. Brian and I made and ate the best ice cream sundays!

We love Television!

2008-08-18T12:09:00.001-07:00

It's sad but true..we love to watch the idiot box! We don't like to spend a lot of money going out so we stay in and watch shows, movies, etc. Don't worry... if we have the opportunity to spend time with Friends or Family we always choose those over TV. However, we are very excited about September with Chuck, Life, The Office and 30 Rock coming back with new episodes. Also, DVR has absolutely ruined us...we can set our shows to record and watch them whenever we want..you can't beat it! Also, Comcast OnDemand puts more movies and shows at your fingertips than you can watch in a month. Monday nights are great because new episodes of Jon and Kate plus 8 and the Closer are on. Jon, I don't know how you put up with the disrespect of your wife and they need to stop casting semi-famous actors as the killers in the Closer...I know who done it too soon! Brian hates that I watch the BRAVO network. It is solid reality television and completely pointless...but I CAN"T STOP...they need to start a support group for reality television watchers. There is just something incredibly interesting about observing the lives of others and finding out who is going to win the competition. I know I am not alone with my fascination but that doesn't mean I can't overcome it!

I'm new to blogging!

2008-08-18T11:37:00.000-07:00

So...This is interesting...sharing all of my thoughts and feelings with the world, but its also a great way to keep everyone up to date on the fam!
Since Charlie was born I have gone back to work for our church office. I really enjoy my time there and Charlie gets to come and help mommy at work. Brian is still working but right now we are in transition between facilities within the FAA. Therefore, he is extremely bored everyday, and I feel bad that he has to go. Our hopes are to be placed at South Bend Tower in South Bend, IN. That is where we are both from and all the grandparents live there. It would be wonderful to get up on a Saturday morning and decide to go have breakfast with Charlie's grandparents or just simply drop Charlie off for a couple hours. Brian and I need some date nights and I just need a break sometimes. We are confused as to when or even IF this will happen. We keep getting conflicting information and no one person has all the answers we need. Needless to say, we are deep in prayer over everything. Meanwhile, we are just enjoying our friends in Washington and spending time together as a family of three.