Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for:
a glorious,sunny day outside with the Loves Of My Life
living in a super cool city where there are tons of things to enjoy outside
fresh flowers
apple crisp gelato
working with my parents and an extra hand to help with kiddos
stress relief bubble bath
an exciting weekend to look forward to in Atlanta
jobs
dented mini-van
Porch Swing
sweet smelling babies after bath
baby kisses from my boy before bed (he just started doing this)
a fun husband who enjoys our family as much as I do
A good God who knows me and still loves me

wordless wednesday

updates

First thing is I need to make a new blogspot header-that one is so ancient. Look at Brock's hair...look at my hair. I will work on that in my NO free time. So---where to start. I guess I will start with me. I am feeling pretty great. I have been working out at Scenic City Bootcamp for the last 6 months are so and I love it! It is serious therapy for me and much cheaper. i think it is all those years playing multiple sports and even though I am hardworking mommmy now-part of that is just who I am. So, anytime I can, after work, it is a priority. One of my best friends is having a baby April 15th. I cannot tell you how many prayers have went up for her to get pregnant and all the emotions that have went along with those prayers. But Ruthie will be here in less than a month and I can't wait to see her and see the excitement from her precious momma.
Arden is growing up. She is getting taller and we always tell her that we will put a rock on her head if she does not stop growing. She is wearing clothes from the big Girlie section. She is writing her letters and name and last month she wrote her address and our phone number. She LOVES school and I hope that will continue. She spent the night at her Grammy's house last night (still on top of the list of good things to do). I asked her what was so great about Grammy's and she gave it to me in a list. "Here is what we do at Grammy's house. First we take our baths and get on our pajamas. Next we watch a movie together on the couch. and then we go to bed in the Magic Bed". That's it. My girl loves her routines. You would think Grammy's house is Disney World Or that Mom spent the whole night entertaining and making cookies. Nope. Anyway, Grammy's house is a winner for sure. I use it as a threat when she is acting bad or back talking. Did I mention she does that a ton lately? Just coming into her little girl attitude. She will complain a little now or ask me to do something a million times. Thinking that when she insists with a really loud PLEASE that I will say okay. not happening.
Brock is ALL BOY. If we go to the store a $1 ball will keep him happy for days. He loves to throw things. i am going to get an athlete out of one of these kids. He has thrown all of the lava rocks out of our fireplace. I try not to laugh at this type of behavior but he squeals so loud and loves it so much. Hard for me to get on to him. He also eats things off the floor, nose dives off the couch, wrestles his sister, and refuses to say actual words. He likes to walk around to everyone and hold his arms up in the "i don't know" motion and make his jibbering talk. He does this to everyone in the office. It is his language. He still only says Momma, A-den, and Dada. By this time Arden was carrying on full conversations.
Something funny from school yesterday. Arden was getting out at the carpool line and Brock started to cry because sister was getting out. he does this alot. He was wimpering and such and she said "oh no my poor baby". She got back in the car and went to hug and kiss him. After about 2 seconds he was hitting her to let go. This is a perfect example of their relationship. She babies him. He loves her. Then he can't take it anymore.
He has a little temper and it is only growing! We did not have terrible 2s with Arden. At 3 she started to test me but nothing like what people describe. I think we will have them with Brock. He will already throw his self down and lay on the floor. However, he doesn't cry. He just lays there until I say "bye I am leaving you" and he jumps up and follows. He will try to hit me, the wall, Arden, or anything in the vicinity if he is mad or gets in trouble. Of course this is not tolerated but it is kinda funny--unless he is trying to hit me.
Life is sooooo busy but good! These are seriously great years of our lives with young kids. I know we will wish for these tiny problems when they are teens. But Hey! We are not going to borrow trouble from tomorrow. We are just really enjoying the kids and all the new experiences they bring to our life.

Tickle boy has a pillow

Brock is saying "tickle-tickle" all the time. I have been calling him Tickle. He has also been walking EVERYWHERE. He won't stay in the office at the shop. I have at least one scare a day where he gets out and I find him walking down one of the rows of furniture. He has also recently acquired a pillow of his sisters. Let me tell you why this is especially NOT cool. It is a 10" x 12" purple tinkerbell pillow. He carries it around the house. Throws it. Sleeps with it. Matt will aggravate him by holding it and saying "look what I have" to which he laughs and has to immediately go and take it away. It is so funny. I am really enjoying him at this age. He is such a little chubby cuddler. I always think he is my little buddy,riding on momma's hip. I know that is how I felt about Arden at his age too and it is such a sweet time. It is nice because she is at school and I still have a baby around. I am wondering how I will feel when they are both in school. I imagine I will feel very liberated and at the same time really miss having a little toddling baby or a little someone to talk to and teach stuff to.

Arden is in school now 4 days a week. She has the most amazing teachers. We were talking when i dropped her off the other morning and they were informing me that Arden and another little girl are the Chiefs of their class. They dictate the mood of the other kids--they are best friends one day and at each others throat the next. I knew there was a reason I immediately liked the other little girl (Cooper) when I went in for the Halloween Party. Arden has another big program coming up on Dec 16th so I am sure that will be soooo cute. They always sing at Christmas. I think we have decided to keep Arden back and let her be oldest in her kindergarten class.I was going to send her next year but I think we both aren't ready. She still occasionally complains about having to get up and go to school everyday (only 4 days). I don't want her to start out disliking school. She also really needs work on her letters. i have been working with her at home on them too. She is also getting a little "smart mouth" lately. She has gotten a few spankings lately for asking me "why" when i ask her to do something. Or telling me what to do in a catty teenager voice. That does not go over well with me. I think we are just in the beginnings of that. I am also trying to teach her a little about keeping Private parts "Private". She just thinks they are too funny and has no shame. She thinks the word "weiner" is so funny (and it is) and she likes to say it alot--Loudly. Not good.
We are gearing up for Christmas. I am done shopping for the kids and have most things wrapped. I also did a huge closet clean out so they actually have room for new toys. It is really going to be a fun one this year. I still need to take Arden to Rock City Garden of Lights. I just might keep boy home since it has been so cold. We also have a mother/daughter date night to see Tangled this friday and I have been looking forward to it all week. Well, I better go blogger friends-everyone is in bed but me.

Santa Clause is coming to town

Okay so I am going to have to do a HUGE catch up blog later. Still want to update everyone on the disney trip and all that stuff. For now we are all decorated for Christmas. No outside decor--boo! Matt does not like outside decorations or maybe he likes them but when he is home that is not how he wants to spend his time. I would just love it(not this year) if we came home to the outside of the house looking like a multi-colored candycane cottage. ha! I know, I am just a kid at heart. Arden has her tree up with glittery pink and purple ornaments. It is freezing out and I have been trying to ween myself off wanting starbucks every single day just because it is festive time! I promise next post will showcase tree pics. Charging camera as we speak.

Found and awesome deal from Shutterfly for all you other bloggers out there.

http://blog.shutterfly.com/5358/holiday2010-blog-submission-form/



I am hoping to get some free cards so that I can order more holiday presents.

busy fall

You know for everyone fall is just sooooo busy! We are no exception. I am back to living by the day planner. October is the most crazy month. We are planning a disney trip first of november and I have been counting down the days. It is a surprise for Arden and it is my bday/anniversary present. Baby is staying home with mom and dad. We have been camping. I have been out of town and spent one night away from the Boy. I weened the boy right around 13months. I survived all these events with very little crying. We got some family pictures made. www.photosbysamtilley.com---- password Beach70. We went to a Tennessee ball game. Matt has traveled tons. I have been doing bootcamp. We have carved pumpkins and had countless bday parties-all at home. I am hoping once things slow down for us some--November--I am going to get the house all in order and rearrange the kids rooms since Brock is now sleeping in Arden's bed and she is sleeping most nights on the couch. She is just crazy. We hated her walking up and down the stairs at night or yelling for us and waking her brother--who most of the time never wakes up. Anyway, we are just enjoying the kiddos. They are such a blessed and so adorable. Life is crazy but Good Crazy.

approaching 1

So the boy will be 1 on Friday. Time has flown by, as you can tell by the fewer and fewer posts. My boy is mobile and I have all i can handle with getting my work done before he finds something to hurt himself with or destroy. just one of the differences in little boys. OR just the difference in my boy and girl. I am trying not to be too sappy lately about Brock growing up.I am so bad about Arden --I think I just use it up on her. She got her first pair of real tennis shoes the other day and I almost had a cry thinking how big she looked. Not to mention she had went up 2 sizes in shoes. I am trying to enjoy this awesome fall weather and make the most of it. Matt and I are headed to UT to see the Vols play this weekend. Our first day away from kids. woohoo! Thought I would have time to post more but have to get out of work now. Hopefully more soon.