VBX

VBX has taken over my life for a few days. I grew up going to VBS - Vacation Bible School, but my dear friend and children's minister hates the thought of vacation/summer/school being in the same sentence...so our church does VBX - Vacation Bible Xtreme!

God is doing some AWESOME stuff in my life right now. Hopefully this weekend I will be able to spend some time sharing it with you...after VBX!! :)

The BEST Babysitters!!

Okay, so not really...but I couldn't resist posting these pics.

My sweet daughter is now officially mobile. I'm still getting used to the idea of walking being her preferred mode of transportation. Needless to say, there are moments during the day that I lose track of her momentarily (please don't call CPS!!) One of these "moments" happened this afternoon. My husband had mercy on our dogs and let them hang out inside. Texas heat can be horrible! What I didn't get a picture of is the chair that is stationed to the left of the baby gate to help secure their "doggie room." I was enjoying some alone time, minding my own business on the computer when I realized I hadn't heard my sweet girl in a while. We all know what that means!! TROUBLE!! I followed her sweet "words" through the kitchen and I found that she had crawled under the chair to get to her puppies. Holley, the larger lab mix, let Shaefer pat, poke and prod her while Brock, the smaller blue/red heeler wedged himself into the corner to protect himself from any thing baby touching them. Man, they are troopers!!

Just being real - Update

It's been a little over 2 months since I posted this. I figured an update was more than overdue.

I was in a really scary place. A place that I have never been to before and I pray I never go back to. I ended up calling my counselor and explained the following "symptoms":

* not sleeping well
* constantly irritated
* on the verge of tears all the time
* if my anger meter is from 1-10, I felt like I lived at an 8 or 9 all the time
* experienced rage - never had before, I felt like punching walls, even my dreams were violent
* I found myself clinching my teeth throughout the day
* I attempted to get into the Word every day, but it was like I was staring at blank pages...all I knew to do was cry (literally cry) out to God.

We decided the best course of action would be to make an appointment with my doctor. While I waited 2 WEEKS for my appointment, I read over some of my journals from the past few months. I was able to see a slight pattern. Basically I would feel completely out of control until my period began, then all was right with the world. Because of this cycle, my doctor said I was experiencing SEVERE PMS...you think?!?! That's right friends...I have become that crazy woman all the PMS jokes are jabbing at. I've been on Zoloft for the past few months and it seems to help now that the dose is correct. It's also good to note that getting back into the gym, having set "me" time each week and actually asking for help around the house has also helped tremendously. I love my husband dearly, but despite all efforts he cannot read my mind.

So, there you have it and here's to being real!! :)

Defending the Universe

I just peeked outside my kitchen window and caught a glimpse of my son. He is strategically hiding behind a pile of brush we are taking to the street. All he is wearing are his flip flops, Spiderman pajama bottoms, some sort of 1993 Nintendo glove thing and holding a yellow, plastic bat. Because I know my son, I don't even have to guess what he is doing...he is defending the universe against all that is evil! Man, I love that kid!!

The Last Bottle...

Yep...there it is, folks...Shaefer's last bottle! I know I'm a dork for taking a picture of it, but this milestone has been more emotional than expected. Maybe it's because she seemed so much bigger today. Maybe it's because she ate a "real " big girl breakfast this morning. More than likely it's because as far as we are planning, she will be our last baby. So last night, I made my last bottle...

Love at first sight...

Every night before going to bed, Trey would pray for Baby Spikey (a.k.a. Shaefer). He couldn't wait to meet her in person. The day finally came...

This is one of my very favorite pictures of Trey & Shaefer. The way they are looking at each other brings tears to my eyes!

I know the day will come when the smiles and belly laughs are replaced with bickering and tattling, but for now I am hanging on to these moments...the moments that I pray are etched into their memories. The memory of Trey jumping up and down just to make Shaefer laugh. The memory of Shaefer "chasing" Trey around the living room. The way they cheer each other on when they try something new. There are many, many more...

My prayer each night while putting Trey to bed is that I would know how to nurture and cultivate a healthy relationship, a healthy friendship between my children. I know God will answer my prayer just like He answered Trey's.

I can't believe it's been a year!

I am stunned! This past year has totally FLOWN by. Our sweet Shaefer turns 1 today. I enjoyed my trip down memory lane...I hope you will to! :)

Here I am in all my pregnant glory at about 37 weeks. Off to a birthday party and a wedding!

One last picture before I was wheeled in for my c-section. We found out at 36 weeks that she was breech. There was no turning her...believe me...my doctor tried! :(

Shaefer Kay arrived at 2:15 pm on May 24th. She was 7 lbs. 9oz. and 21 inches long.

Sweet Shaefer Kay!!

I always said I was a "boy mom." I always said I wasn't quite "girly" enough to have a daughter. I always said I wanted to be the only girl in our house. I am SO glad God planned something different for our family!

Trey knew from the moment he found out there was a baby in my belly that God was going to give him a baby sister. He promptly named her "Baby Spikey"! I've never prayed so hard as we walked back to the ultrasound room at 20 weeks. I begged God that this baby I was carrying was a baby girl...not for me, but for Trey. I wanted him to know without a doubt that God heard his sincere, 4 year old heart. God answered and it's been love at first sight ever since...

(More to come soon!)