LarkExaltation

Oddly enough, i started this Sunday. but things happen. distractions. not bad, just not this.

Saturday I spent the day washing laundry and putting it away (most of it anyway). It’s a bit overwhelming at times. Once upon a time I would wash dishes and laundry every night while Sam would play. I would finish up about the time he was needing a bath to get ready for bed. I just felt as though I was missing out on so much. I started putting it off until he went to bed, and then the baby came. I’d go to bed not long after the children, because I knew if I didn’t, she’d wake up, and I’d regret not getting the rest when I could. Fourteen months down the road now, and we’ve recently past a major teething period. She’s back into her routine of going to bed between eight and eight-thirty, Samuel close behind. I have no idea why I’m blogging on household chores and the sleeping patterns of my family.

PD worked on the truck a bit and the kiddos played on my pile of clean laundry (to-be-folded). That night PD and WM went to the men’s fish fry at church. One hundred pounds of fish! Before college you couldn’t pay me to eat fried catfish. As a child, fried catfish meant a very ill evening for me. Even now it’s on a very rare occasion that I eat it. They had a good time, PD came home with pictures of fish and friends. That night we decided that I would cook a roast for Sunday lunch. The next morning I woke up before church and started throwing things into the Crockpot.

Sunday was the start of the Pastor’s class. It wasn’t as large of a turnout as I anticipated, but the faces I did see there made me very happy. Some old friends, a current one, and I even managed to make a new one. The new one, a young couple with children the same age as my own. They returned that night with their son to attend AWANA and the evening services. She observed quietly as her son watched the other kids sing, say their memory verses, and he said his own for his book and vest. I had a feeling they would be hanging around for a while. She was standing in the doorway just before we let the kids out to play and I asked if she was going to start helping out, she said she would. I’m really looking forward to getting to know her. She and her family look so familiar to me. I wonder if her children didn’t go to the same daycare Samuel use to attend. I guess only time will tell.

Sunday afternoon, when PD and I opened the door to the apartment a wave of pot roast rushed past us. It was like I was walking back in time to my Gam’s house, it made me smile. We weren’t home long before WM and his daughter accepted our invitation to lunch. I actually set the table! When everything was ready I went back to my room to change and from the front I heard the voices of my family. Even now it’s hard to contain the joy I feel when Home sneaks up on me. I had this conversation not long ago, that Home isn’t really a place for me right now, it’s more of where my heart is. And it’s not that my husband and children aren’t Home for me. I come from a large family who would get together very often (seemed to anyway when i was a child). Things change, we all grow up, and go on. We lose track, we find ourself without a Home to come home to. Something in the conversation made my friend laugh and say he didn’t consider me “homeless” but, that’s how it feels sometimes, with my family far from Home. My aunt was down a couple of months ago, visiting at my uncles house. She looked around the room at her husband and my cousin playing with my son, to my aunt, her daughter and my sister talking. I was standing there with Libby and she looked over and said, “now this feels like Home.” I’m so glad I’m not the only one who feels that way. It’s why I always try to surround myself with lots of friends, why family gatherings are so important, why putting my children in a loving environment is so important. It’s where I feel loved. Home.

I have no idea why I’m going on so much about it.

I assume that when I have a home, and my family and friends come to visit. Perhaps that will feel like Home. And when my children come Home with my grandchildren…

Now, it’s not like knowing a place, it’s carried more on the inside, I guess.

But! My mother and oldest sister are coming down for a visit in April, and I’m sure we’ll all be over at my other sisters house. The kids will grab onto the legs of their uncle and he will drag them around. Libby will cry because Khaki got too close and Sam will find anything he can to get into. One of these days my dad and step mom will come in town and, I’ll know be told so, we can visit. I had some friends say they were going to come down the end of February pending good weather. The weather really hasn’t been that great, but its getting really beautiful, and hopefully will stay that way. It will be really nice when we can all get together again.

I need people.

For the first time in a while we were actually invited to go out for lunch after church. It felt really good. And for the first time I didn’t mind having to say no. That felt pretty good too. Being able to say no because you already had dinner cooking at home, and not because we couldn’t afford to eat out. I was open to cutting the roast off and meeting them, but PD said he really wanted roast, so roast it was… and an extended invitation to my friends. I really did have a better time with them than going out. Otherwise I wouldn’t be writing this.

extended ramble.

I was going through pictures to upload to the album and I ran across one of my kids and my sister-in-law’s children. I looked over at PD and said “I want this…” Before, we never really saw how it could be possible, but with the way things are moving now, we can actually see a future like that. I’m not saying I’m planning for five children, but I would love at least one more.

PD starts school this summer, in a few years he’ll have his masters with a concentration in special education. We’re in a year lease here, but I already have my heart set on this one house. I know, I’m a glutton for punishment. It seems like all of my friends are growing up around me. But all I can think is, I’m only 28, yes a good deal of people have it all figured out by then, but not everyone. PD will be 34 in August, and to me, we’re still very young. He has his carrier path now and is working toward it. I have mine in the back of my head, but it changes daily. I’ve reschedule my exams once again. I haven’t put forth near enough effort for my A+ certification exam. I can make all the excuses in the world, but the truth of the matter is, I simply have poor time management skills and my priorities are out of order. Or at least, the exams are not at the top of my priority list. They will however be reaching the top very quickly, as the A+ exam format will be changing in June. Not to mention the CCNA exam I have scheduled for April I need to study more for, and Network+ I haven’t even studied or scheduled, but that one can wait a bit longer.

Sam’s class has been practicing Grand Ole Flag song for their patriotic program on the sixth. I actually had to find the music/lyrics online because I had never heard it before. He knows every word, without my singing along. The sixth is also our snack day, so I’m trying to think of a patriotic snack, or patriotic looking.

It’s a little hard to understand, but if you listen hard, he’s singing the song. I’ll probably get him to sing it again.
**Super Sam video added to Mommy’s Happy post

Last night we found a new phone for PD. He has been toting around an LG for three years now, and frankly, it stinks. He’s been wanting the Motorola SLVR. We had tossed around the idea of porting his number to a land line and cutting some costs, just to turn around and get cable/inet somewhere down the road. There isn’t really a need for any of that right now. I figured with him starting school, I’d really need to keep in better contact with him. I’m still under contract, and we had thought he could carry mine, but then thoughts of, what if I go out with the kids somewhere and need it while he’s away. Yeah, we’re just going to stick to the two cells and we bought a SLVR on ebay. It was a little more expensive than renewing a contract and getting a phone with our carrier, but less expensive than buying a brand new phone, and this way, we stay out of contract. When my contract is up in November, we’ll have the freedom do go where ever we wish. Not that we don’t love our network… our problems are mainly centered around our phones. I’ll probably end up getting a new phone somewhere in the maybe not so near future, but before November. *fingers crossed*

Today we take Libs for her 12mo shots. We got a little behind last year when she came down with RSV. She such a tough little thing though. When we went in August she only cried on the last shot (of four) and in October, she didn’t cry at all. It’s a good thing she’s got such a high tolerance for pain, living with PD and Sam. Saturday, those two were wrestling in the living room and Sam came down on a stool and busted his lip. He wears the scar like a proud war wound. He only cried a little at first. Through the tears PD and I hear “I got bleed!” I couldn’t help but laugh at his fat lip. As if his lips weren’t large enough already. Don’t get me wrong, I think he has beautiful lips, but the new injury definitely accentuated.

His teacher started out saying, I will take him down for retakes in a couple of months. I asked him what happened. He made that same face at me and said “I did like this” Why did you do like that, I asked. “Because I didn’t wanna take a picture”. (the boy is honest, i do so love that about him)Sam, please please please Please PLEASE!, when she takes you for retakes, please smile for Mr. Kerry. “ohhh… okay”

The sweet man did such a wonderful job at my sisters wedding, and got some very cute shots of Sam that day too. I dearly hope he was nice for retakes.

He’s such a fruitcake!

photo courtesy of Kerry Wooten Photography

You asked for them, so here they are! Ladies and gentlemen, I present…
monkey pix!

I can’t help but love the way she cuts her eyes. I never know just what she’s thinking, but I have a feeling I’m going to have my hands full with this little girl. She has more attitude and temper than Samuel ever did at her age. With any luck, she’s just hitting it early and we won’t have to deal with it again until the pre-teen years.

Super Sam loves his super cape. He loves to fly, he even sleeps in it some times, but kryptonite (”take a picture of this rock”)can’t keep this boy down, he is always on the go. His imagination is wild, I love to just sit and listen to him talk. He’s very detailed and always wants momma and daddy to “come see.”

I’m very happy that she’s my cheesy monkey. She’ll ham it up for the camera anytime I pull it out, but Sam runs the other direction, “I don’ wanna take a picture!” I’ll have to remember to scan in his first yearbook picture, thank goodness for retake day! - He’s looking very Steve Irwin in this picture, I haven’t decided if it’s time for a hair cut. He would say no.

It seems like just last summer, he was as small as she is, trying to look into that telescope.

I’m really happy about our family outings. I’m looking forward to this spring.

I’m so excited about the new camera. It came in today and I have to say it has exceeded my expectations. I haven’t read the manual yet, but I do plan to take the kids out this afternoon to get some nice updated pictures of them. Until then, I’ve been the office paparazzi.

Thanks to everyone for putting up with me…

I’m home very ill today. Why I’m not in bed I’ll never know. Yes, I know, not exactly something people want to read about. So, instead of going on about how horrible I feel. I decided to upload some old pictures to my album, and maybe even post some. I should be getting the new camera tomorrow. Maybe this will give me some inspiration to go out and shoot.

I hope looking at these pix from last summer will help ease my fever. It’s getting warmer outside, it’s almost time!

(thanks to wm for best shot of ms. spider)

Thursday night we tried out a new sushi bar with some friends as a late Valentine’s dinner. All I have to say is, YUM! and the atmosphere was nice too. I think this is the first time I’ve eaten at a table where a couch has been on the other side for seating. The kiddo’s seemed to enjoy themselves. Libby scarfed down some steamed rice and Samuel, the fried rice. We ordered the steak for him, but he has never been much of a dinner eater, but no loss, PD helped him with it. Paul David had something called a snowball, which was a snow crab leg rolled up California roll style with some cream cheese and some other things topped with a seasoned sauce and cut into eight, or so, pieces. I went out on a limb with the Red Snapper sashimi, I’ve had octopus at another nearby Japanese restaurant and loved it, so I wasn’t surprised to be so happy with my order.

Friday night was date night. Paul David had planned for the children to stay with his mother and sister so that we could go away for the weekend. Once I convinced him that we couldn’t afford it, or more that we’d rather afford something else, he put the trip on the back burner for a surprise later (it was too cold for golf anyway) and we spent the night at home alone. The kids had a blast with the family as we did couple things. We had dinner with a friend and his two boys (not exactly a couple thing, but on normal days I wouldn’t get to show the attention to the boys that I did if my own kiddos were there). Then we went shopping (yeah, doesn’t sound romantic, but it was nice). We carelessly strolled through stores and held hands and not once did I have to tell someone to stop smacking her brother. We picked up a gift for the kids and headed home. It was way past our bedtime. We had talked about starting a fire that night, it’s gotten quite chilly lately, but we just didn’t have the energy to stay up with it. I have to admit it was a little harder drifting off than normal. Thoughts about my leaving Libby for the first time. Samuel was two years old before I let him spend the night away. Paul David reminded me that I had gone away before, and after some brainstorming I realized I had left her with him the weekend of my sisters bachelorette party…. but that was with her daddy, in her home, it’s different, but I felt a little better that she would be fine. He wouldn’t have made the plans if he didn’t believe so.

Saturday was quite leisurely too. We slept in (until eight! heh). I got to lay around on the couch, near the fire (we had decided to put off until morning - it was still cold enough). I got a long shower. We did some *internet shopping and then out for lunch, a run to goodwill to drop off some things and a little more (window)shopping. We picked up the kids around three, I was very ready to see them, Libby felt the same. Samuel, on the other hand, wasn’t quite ready to give up his papaws collection of old animated cartoons. I was really happy to see that they had so much fun. I had no doubt that they would, but some times the nights can be difficult for them. It’s few and far between, but there was always the chance. I worry, and one of these day’s I’ll learn.

Today was the end of Paul David’s week long dive into our weekly Bible study lesson. He’s good to read on a daily basis, but on the weeks he teaches, it’s a lot more in depth. He does such a wonderful job (I’m probably a little bias, but other people think so too, so I know I’m not totally off). And actually, while we were in office depot the pastor of our church called to see if he wanted to be an associate teacher of the new pastors class he’s starting. I love to watch him grow spiritually, and he’s done an amazing job in a year. PD has always known a need to teach. Through missions, through youth groups, through college, and even now in his current job. I believe it’s truly his calling. We stepped out of a class in which I was very comfortable. He was a substitute, these people were ones that he had gone to high school with. During last years Super Bowl Party, a teacher of a class we had once been in (classes grow and split to keep small groups) mentioned her need for an associate. She had been teaching for over two and a half years with only two breaks. We felt God’s pull from our comfort zone, and moved classes. Over the past year he has learned new teaching styles, a new confidence and most importantly a new faith in God to speak through the lesson, and to not worry about his own wording (which he does fine with). This new class is only six weeks long, but this morning we’ve learned that it’s going to be mostly new members and that a new permanent class will be made of it… possibly one that he will be teaching (it’s what we’ve been told - he doesn’t feel ready - I think he’s silly). He does seem a little concerned about a new responsibility to go along with his returning to school in the summer. But, I know we’ll be able to make time for it all, we do quite a bit of slacking now.

Sunday, Sundae, Sunday you say? In church today Collin told us the legend of the Sundae. How the sale of ice cream sodas was banned on Sunday, and so ice cream was alternatively served with syrup and called “Sunday’s Ice Cream.” Of course the name became a problem too and soon the spelling was changed to Sundae. We’re covering the Ten Commandments, and that was an example of a legalistic view of keeping the Sabbath holy. So, this being the “Lords Day” my husband jokingly explained his way into a restaurant for lunch so I wouldn’t have to “work” in the kitchen, he’s such a dork. As far as resting on Sunday, focusing on God, and not doing anything unnecessary (blogging included - well i dunno, I am focusing on what I’ve learned today and this week…heh!) I think I may have a little better idea of what it means as a day of rest, but it’s still hard to follow through when we still have unpacking to do and laundry to wash and dishes to clean.

Yes, It will all be there tomorrow.

*and so we’ve reached a topic that I am very excited about. WE BOUGHT A CAMERA!!! After much deliberation, we settled on the Fuji FinePix V10. (which I’m now noticing is no longer available for viewing on Fuji’s website - oh well) Originally I was leaning towards the Kodak V610 but after reading several comments on the quality of the pictures and a few technical issues, I fell back to my ol’ stand-by. Fuji Film was my first digital camera several years ago. I’m pretty sure it was in their A series but at the bottom of the barrel. It did a marvelous job, and I have no doubt that our new “toy” will do the same. There are some fun features we found on the CNET review that I was unaware of at first, I really think we made the best decision of us. An hour or two before we purchased it Amanda sent me an email and spoke of the one she has her eye on, the Cannon PowerShot SD600. Also a very nice camera, I almost considered it, but there was already too much emotion attached to the V10. I mean look at her, she’s beautiful!

and so now, i have a 14 month old asleep on my chest and a 4 year old playing around my feet. I’ve been in this chair entirely too long.

Kid pix coming soon! YAY!

I love you! (It just seems like the thing to say)

I’ve spent the majority of this day staring into the big beautiful eye of my computer at work. Not really where it can see out to me, but where I can see deep within her. And today, well, today was possibly the longest of my winter. Every second felt like an eternity. It doesn’t help that I had an episode of Arthur to compare it to, and that I had actually seen that one part, twice, yesterday. Yes, I do believe that I have spring fever. On my breaks I studied over my cousin’s blog. Catching up on the daily life of his beautiful wife and daughter. I fell in love with the two of them today, even though we’ve hardly met. I scrolled through pictures and watched videos of a mother much like me. I dare say it was the highlight of my day. And still, it made me lonesome for family. I wanted to be with my own children. Playing in the sun with them and their daddy. I started wishing for a camera. A family vacation. Time away from work, spreadsheets, co-workers, deadlines, study and exams.

SPRING FEVER i tell you!

For Valentine’s PD and I were going to take the kids to the new pizza joint just up the road. We drove through the parking lot, and it looked as everyone else had the same idea, so we went for an ol’ stand by in a near by neighborhood. After dinner we were going to price cameras, but we got side tracked by frozen custard, and decided that we were just too cold to be out in the weather and enjoy our treats.

PD, Libby and I fell asleep in the living room as Sam watched Jungle Book 2. It’s a funny thing to me to wake up with a four year old nose against my own, with a little voice whispering “momma, everyone is sleepy?” I managed to wake up enough to put them to bed and turn my own covers down. I tried to wake Paul David up, but I think he’s out until I go in to drag him out of the recliner.

It’s been a lovely evening, a Happy Valentine’s, with my valentines.

xoxo

(and a public “happy birthday” angel! I hope it was wonderful)

*****
he’s made it in here… bedtime sounds like a really good idea. man! i feel old.

Last night we had a beautiful thunderstorm. I’m so blessed that my children are not afraid of lightning and thunder. The best part of it all, the more it rains, the better they sleep. Since we’ve moved to the apartment, Libby has been in a “big girl bed.” the crib had been taken apart and moved so many times since we purchased it for Samuel, that it just couldn’t handle it anymore. The night before we moved, Sam spent the night with his cousins, so we tried Libby out on the trundle to his daybed. She did amazingly well. Here recently she’s learned to crawl out of it and find me. It’s nice to not wake up to a crying baby every morning. Now she’s just a little whiny when she walks all the way to the living room and realizes I’m still in bed. (That’s what she gets for waking up too early) Libs was super floppy this morning. She toddled into our bedroom and as I sat up she shot her arms up for me to pick her up. Once in our bed she was dead weight against my chest. So much, that when I decided I needed to get moving, I thought she was asleep again and put her back to bed. That’s when she decided to let me know she wasn’t having any part of it. She followed me into the living room, where I had been sorting laundry the night before, and preceded to wallow in my lap while I searched for clothes for the kids to wear.

She is so much different from how I remember Sam at that age. For starters attitude! The boy was so laid back, she is very demanding. He had his days, she’s having months! She seems to be catching on to things earlier too. Some would say that’s just something girls do. Me, I think she’s just trying to keep up with her older brother.

Samuel is surprising me more daily as well. You would think I would be use to this by now. But I look up at him and he’s five inches taller and writing his name. He is making up amazing stories about crocodiles and pirates and cowboys. He’s super Sam, with his super cape daddy made. He calls for his imaginary ball, it bounces to him and then apologizes for throwing it against the wall… I say as long as it doesn’t break the window, we’re fine.

I realize that in no time, both of them will be having homework every night and wanting to have friends over every weekend.

It’s just flying by too quickly.

yesterday was my grandmothers 89th birthday. born in 1918 - what a life!

after church yesterday morning Paul David and i ran home to pick up a few kid essentials and headed south. it was a happy birthday surprise. surprise to us that we were actually a surprise. we sent the kids in with a basket of goodies, feeling a little bit red riding hoodish. my uncle called my sister and i to tell us there would be cake and ice cream, naturally we both decided to go for an afternoon visit. i was told that when my sister and her husband arrived, just a half hour before us, they were greeted at the door with “i said two, you’re early, go back home.” there was cake and coffee and lots of visiting. Surprise! more friends and family came and there was more cake. the kids tried their hardest to be on their best behavior despite the lack of naps and the sugar overload. it was nice to watch my grandmother watch my children. she seemed to really enjoy our company. Libby sat on her lap, off and on, for some love. Samuel was at his sweetest asking the typical little kid questions, “what happened to you?” Memaw explained everything he pointed out and at the end, he looked at her and said “you be careful okay?”

(going back in time to Saturday) Some friends of our decided to have our children over to play. Jumping out of the car Samuel exclaims, “I’m so happy to be here!” Paul David and I had some free time to unpack and straighten up. Which really turned into an hour trip to Target and a little unpacking at the home. I’ve promised myself that everything will be in order, or as in order as i can possibly get it, by the weekend. One of my cousins wants to come for a visit, and I’ve been promising friends dinner once we get things organized. I’m hoping to get some pictures up soon. We just love our little place. It’s so cozy. I have a feeling I’m going to be spoiled with the lack of maintenance responsibility, but we’re hoping to be in a house within two years. Paul David teases me that I do more house hunting now than before we moved to the apartment. I’m mostly just interested in what’s out there and at what cost. There is less chance for house fever when I know I’m in a year lease, this way we’re forced to take our time.