A Gift

I took these pictures yesterday while we were having a playdoh session...of course I had to dig and find the 'ol Dr. Drill n' Fill I bought for Scott while we were dating and he was in dental school...(see Scott, you thought we would never "need" this ;) I couldn't help but notice how intent Tyson became when he realized he was "being Daddy." He got very serious about his work. I had to take pictures...and then I remembered Poppa Mike's glasses.

Today is Poppa Mike's birthday. We miss him VERY much...I know the holidays are difficult this first year...and I catch myself trying to do ANYTHING to make it "better" for my family. This turned into me "buying" more "things." Which I know is NOT the answer...but I catch myself trying to "fix" it myself...instead of totally relying on God. I am spending more time in prayer and reading my Bible...not books ABOUT the Bible (which I have a tendency to do more often)...but the actual Bible...and everyday God is showing me ways to show His love. I am trying to focus on HIM and the true meaning of Christmas...not to take away the pain...but because it is what I should be doing anyway. I know after losing Momma the day after Christmas that it can be VERY hard...but I am learning that if I truly focus on the true REASON for the SEASON...there is unexplainable JOY. JOY in the faces of my boys...JOY in the voices of those who "found that perfect gift AND are able to keep it a secret"...JOY in my own heart when I see my son play & talk to Baby Jesus the way God longs for ALL of us to do...I could go on and on. (it's my spiritual gift...rambling AND sarcasm...look it up...;)

BUT...I have "A Gift" for my husband...and I am sharing it with everyone because I know I am supposed to.

Scott when I watched our oldest son "playing Daddy" yesterday...it was more than my heart could handle. (and NO I am NOT pregnant again)...I watched as he spoke "gently" to his patient...I saw the intent focus (I think we might have a perfectionist on our hands)...I loved the way he kept Baby Mike engaged in the "activity"...when he looked through Poppa Mike's glasses so he could SEE everything better...I just sat at the table and "played" too. God is GOOD...ALL THE TIME! and I do NOT know why this happened that God would take Poppa Mike so soon...but I KNOW that He has a purpose and people's lives are being changed in a good way. Selfishly I just wish it could have all happened with Poppa Mike here. But when I watch our sons I see him...and I see you...and I am HAPPY! Poppa Mike & Momma Chris instilled in you a self respect & confidence that is amazing. He taught you how to do the BEST job you can...and when you are done...if it is is not your BEST...you do it AGAIN! (I can already see you and the boys battling through this one in the future) I see a man who walks into a crowded room and never meets a stranger. I prayed that my boys would be more like you socially (I may have prayed a little too hard on that one)...I prayed that they would be driven like you as well. I am thankful that God is already showing me this. You are an amazing man! For many reason...but mainly because of your love of the Lord. I know how important this is...and I am thankful that you are here to share that gift with our boys. Poppa Mike would be VERY proud of you & Misty. I know how badly you both want to here his voice saying this...but when you can't...I am here to tell you. He loves you and he is so proud of you!

So this is my gift to you (and it did not cost any money ;))...Scott...thank you for loving me...and I am wishing Poppa Mike a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I know I am so thankful that he took the time to make you the man you are today...so you can pass that on to our boys. The boys will always KNOW him because of you.

I love you!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

"Baby Mikey WOCKIE"

"COOKIE!!!"

"BRROOMMM BBRROOOM"

"GO TYSON GO!!"

"Alright Baby Mikey...your turn...WOCKIE!!!"

I started putting Baby Mike in the walker at the lake this weekend and so I broke out the walker at the house on Monday. He is not quite big enough yet at 4 months...his little toes don't touch the ground...but he seems to enjoy "hanging" around...and Tyson thinks it is one big car..."brrrooom bbrrrooom" Thank you dear Lord for giving me a tough little angel baby. This is the SLOW version of "Baby Mikey WOCKIE" (which is Baby Mike walks in Tyson talk)

Hot Chocolate Dance

Tyson loves to watch The Polar Express and his favorite part his the Hot Chocolate song...he always screams..."MOMMA COME HERE...WATCH THIS" and he gets up to dance.

We have a READER!!!

One of Tyson's favorite things is to read books with Daddy before bedtime and sit on the floor in his room, or on his beanbag in the living room and read his books. I LOVE IT!!! Read to your children...it is PRECIOUS time you may not get back...and read IN FRONT of your children...books, magazines, the newspaper, etc...just instill that LOVE early. Usually he is a silent reader, but yesterday he decided that he needed to read a story to Momma. As a Reading Teacher it makes me proud...as his Momma I am down right speechless...of course I control the video and you don't see the part where I had to turn the book right side up...and you may not be able to completely follow the story line (or any words for that matter)...but I think I may have produced a GENIUS!!! (that half of the genetics obviously came from me) :) Enjoy Clifford the Big Red Dog

Chopsticks

Today we met the family in Beaumont to "pick up the boys." We met at Tokyo to have lunch...YUMMY!!! It was so good to see the boys again...we missed them a lot. Momma Chris kept them this weekend so Scott and I could enjoy some adult time with friends and host a party. It was a GREAT weekend...but we are happy to have our boys back.

When we walked in today Michael said "this is the same table we sat at last time" and when we sat down Lane said "Aunt Jean...last time we were here you were pregnant with Tyson." I am sure I am not the only one who enjoyed myself today...but at the same time kept thinking about "the last time we were here." The last time we were here we met the family for Mother's Day in 2007. Scott and I knew we were pregnant with Tyson so it was a VERy happy Mother's Day for me.

So while THE WHOLE HOUSE but me is napping this afternoon (it's been a long weekend) ha ha ha...I have been going through pictures and remembering "the last time." Lane, Landon, and KiKi were SO YOUNG!!! they look like babies! and of course we miss Poppa Mike so much. I can't help but think he would be so proud of us today...for creating new memories...because today I laughed SO MUCH! it is always fun to see life through the eyes of children. Even though the kids could eat with chopsticks better than Aunt Jean...I tried.

So I share our memories with you...and I hope you enjoy "the changes" in the kiddos as much as I have. God is good...and although we wish Poppa Mike was still physically here with us...we are BLESSED beyond measure with the JOY and excitement of our children.

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Make a Smilebox scrapbook

"Punky"

These pics are obviously from before Halloween...but I had to post them. Scott came home from work one day after we went to the pumpkin patch and he decided on a whim that it was time to carve the pumpkin while he was grilling outside. Needless to say...it took A LOT more work than he thought initially...and Tyson would not TOUCH it...because it was "EEWWW NASTY!" So here are the many faces of Tyson while creating "punky" the pumpkin. (that's what he named it) Scott did a pretty good job for the first time to ever do this and to cut it with a kitchen knife. We enjoyed you while you were fresh and not stinking punky...sorry I had to toss you in the garbage...but you carried a smell like no other.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

"I don't do it by myself"

I don’t do it by myself. I am not SuperMom. I have met a lot of women I admire for MANY different reasons: those who work and still take care of their families, those who “stay-at-home” and do it 24 hours a day, grandmas who not only enjoy their lives but are there to take care of enjoy their children and grandchildren, even young single women who take classes, work, and still manage to take care of themselves and friends around them.

Well, I don’t do it by myself. I am a “stay-at-home” Mom. I use this term loosely because we are not “at home”very much…and as I watch others I realize that as my boys get older I won’t be “at home” very much at all.

I LOVE MY LIFE!!! I have a husband who loves me for WHO I am…and loves me enough to encourage me to continue striving to be the woman God is calling me to be. My husband has worked hard as long as I have known him. This was instilled in him by his father. When Scott and I met (the second time…after we both finished at SFA) I was teaching 7^th graders in Corsicana, Texas. Scott had just finished his first year of dental school when we started our lives together. It was NOT easy to go through grad school and we watched in awe as friends around us were married and had children. We married the summer before Scott’s final year of dental school. I taught in SanAntonio for the few years I lived there and after we were married (we moved in together…because regardless of what you might think…we are pretty old fashioned) we lived on my teaching salary and Scott’s student loans. We had a GREAT TIME! We also promised each other we would be “married” for a while before we through kids into the mix…we had a little thing we called “the three year plan.” Which started OVER after our first three years of marriage. ;) I say all of this to let you know that we did things different than some…we took things really slow…we opened our hearts and moved where God wanted to take us and we took time settling in. When we moved to Groves over 5 years ago I began teaching at Hamshire-Fannett Middle School. I LOVE TEACHING!!! I worked hard (during a difficult time in my life) to earn my degree…and I have always taken pride in the fact that “I can take care of myself.” This long drawn out story is to inform those of you who do not know that I do NOT do it by myself. My husband works VERY hard so I don’t have to. This is not just something that he does in his career, he works just as hard in our home.

You see…I LOVE being “Momma” to Tyson and “Baby Mike.” I can not imagine doing anything else in my life at this point. But, I am not SuperMom…I have help…LOTS and LOTs of help. For starters…in case you didn’t pick up on the fact that I married an incredible man…I DID. He is SO hands-on. Scott (from day one) has helps with feedings, changes diapers, kept the cradle on his side of the bed, does bath time at night, uuhhmmm….HE COOKS DINNER!!! (and he likes it). And then, we pay for Mother’s Day Out…this is what I like to call “a little piece of heaven.” Tyson gets to play with other kids and learn about the Lord at the same time…and Momma “gets a break.” That “break” has turned into time to spend with “Baby Mike.” and I TREASURE this time. When we were preganant with Tyson we were having trouble finding childcare so I could complete my school year after maternity leave. This is when Megan (MeMe) and Adam (Adi) came into our lives…Scott put an ad on SouthEast Texas.com…and we got our very own MEME! She and Adam are more than we prayed for…they got us through a hard time in our lives and now they are FAMILY! MeMe has helped me with the boys between college classes up until this last semester when she found out they were expecting their first child…and we can NOT wait to meet Duncan soon.

THEN…just when you think…well, Jeanifer has to stay busy keeping that house clean…uuuhhhmmm…NO! I like a clean house…as a matter of fact…I clean EVERYDAY. But do I “deep clean?” no…we were blessed when we move to Port Neches with a wonderful woman who helps us with the house once a week. Her name is Beatriz and she has a son close to Tyson’s age. Well, she just had a baby as well…and NOW a few hours every week she comes to the house and watches ALL FOUR boys together. Tyson & Baby Mike “play” with her two boys…sometimes it is just “Baby Mike” sometimes it is ALL four. So I even have help now…whenever Beatriz is not working (which it is a different schedule every week) she helps me with the boys. Sometimes I leave Baby Mike and take Tyson with me to do something special with just him…sometimes I go to the grocery store, dry cleaners, post office, PetCo, etc. (you know how it goes) and it is SO NICE to be able to go these things “kidfree” sometimes. WHAT A BLESSING!!!

Then we have friends who offer ALL the time to watch the boys so we can go out. (one day we are going to do that) we have Momma Chris (Scott’s mom) and Aunt Misty (Scott’s sister) who live about an hour away…and when Scott is out of town for days at a time…or we have the occasional overnight trip (that WILL happen one day) They take care of the boys for us. Tyson absolutely LOVES being with his cousins…and being a kid who did not grow up near any cousins…I LOVE seeing him with them.

So why am I saying all of this…because GOOD GRIEF! Some days I look around and think WHERE did the day go…and why do I feel like I am not getting ANYTHING done??? I am blessed beyond measure with HELP!!! And I am so thankful…I cannot IMAGINE how people raise young children without ANY help. You see we don’t live with family in town…and that really did scare me when we started “planning” to have children.

I didn’t know if I could do it by myself. I mean seriously?? am I really that much of a control freak?? Am I that selfish that I thought I would be the ONE to do it by myself? I am NOT! you see God has PROMISED that He will NEVER leave or forsake me.

Why am I saying all of this today? Scott and I have been working on this for a while, but, we just got back from a lawyers office so we could have our Last Will & Testament signed and notarized. For those who have done this…you probably know what thoughts and feelings this brings about…for those who have not done this…DO THIS! Especially if you have children…we owe it to them to not have to make these kinds of decisions. And we owe it to them to have everything taken care of so THEY can be taken care of. We never know what tomorrow may bring.

As I was dating and writing my signature 1,000 times…I was reminded again of October 26^th. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMA!!! Oh how I wish you were here! I wish you were here to kiss those grandbabies and teach them the things that only you can. I wish you were here to hug my husband. The man you always told me I would meet one day…the one you told me would be worth waiting for. Oh my goodness how he would make you SMILE! I miss your smile SO MUCH!!! You are the reason I am the woman I am today. I wish you were here, but I am not doing it by myself. God has surrounded me with people who love us so much…and your oldest grandson kisses EVERYONE and everything (the walls, the floor, Trigger’s hiney) he would give you SO MANY kisses. Scott takes care of me in a way that I never thought I would allow myself to be taken care of. I deserve this…and I just hope an pray everyday that I make him feel the same way. You would like him Momma. I knew it the day I fell in love with him. I cried that day too…because I wanted to call you so bad and tell you EVERYTHING!!! I am so blessed…but I miss you SO MUCH! I wish you were here to share all of this with me…but I am OK and I am NOT doing it by myself. Because God is GOOD…ALL THE TIME! This Christmas it will be 13 years since you’ve been gone and selfishly I just wish you were HERE to share this. I want so badly to tell Scott that the pain will GO AWAY after losing Poppa Mike so suddenly…but the truth of the matter is…it never fully “goes away” because we love you SO MUCH.

SO THANK YOU!!! Thank you Momma for making me the woman I am today. Thank you to ALL of our friends and family who HELP us…so we don’t have to do it by ourselves…and thank you Jesus for loving me so much and loving me in spite of me…I am not SuperMom…but I have been BLESSED to be a mother to two of the cutest boys in the world…and I gladly accept this gift and pray that I am atleast ½ them mother that my Momma was for me.

NOW! While Beatriz is watching all four boys (GOD love her) I will cook dinner…yes…I…will cook dinner…not a ready made throw in the oven dinner…but I REAL dinner…I think it will be hamburger steak…that can’t be TOO hard…and if I mess it up…there’s always Tropical Grill. (I can do this…I can do this….)

Happy Birthday Momma!

(I have struggled with sharing this...because it is MY HEART! but I feel like ONE person needs this...the rest probably haven't read this far) lol

Pumpkin Patch

We went to the pumpkin patch yesterday afternoon after Scott finished work. Tyson was SO excited to see all the MUMKINS. It took him FOREVER to finally pick one out for him and Baby Mike. Even though we didn't get that perfect shot of them both looking at the camera with their eyes opened and NO pacis...we are VERY pleased with the day and the memories we will always have. I LOVE FALL!!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Tyson: the BIG helper

I haven't posted in a while...but for some reason Tyson now is enjoying being in the scrapbook/computer room so he can COLOR...and of course mess up anything I have already organized. None-the-less...here I am today...with enough time while Baby Mike naps to upload a video and pics from this morning. I am still learning how to use IMovie...so I can't title everything to "explain" but this video is from Tyson "helping" me with Baby Mike this morning. He LOVES to make him smile...there is nothing "easy" about Tyson...but he tries...just needs to be reminded on occassion. At the end of the video you will see Tyson trying to give Baby Mike "knuckles" and of course a kiss. Baby Mike is gonna be TOUGH!!! and you can tell they already LOVE each other so much. (gotta go...my room is full of post it notes now...geeze)

Swingset

Last weekend Daddy went hunting so we went to Liberty to "play" with "the boys." Momma Chris thought it was time to add a swingset to the backyard...so Uncle Michael (who Tyson now calls "Muncle" got it all put together for the kiddos. Tyson would like to say "TANK EW" from the bottom of his heart.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

"Buckees"

Daddy went hunting last weekend...and all I got was this t-shirt. More like a little "Buckee's Man Dress" LOL...TOO CUTE...and Momma loves Buckees

I can sit...

Today is a RAINY day...so we are inside getting "little odd jobs done." While Scott was converting the crib back from the toddler bed...I let Baby Mike try out the Bumbo seat.

Tyson is always around to help out...

and teach him "how to sit"

It is amazing how BIG he looks when he is sitting up like a "little man."

I think I can bounce...

After watching Baby Chase jump in his Jumperoo last night we decided to let Baby Mike give his a try.

Tyson was SO excited to show him how to jump.

So he doesn't quite fit yet...

and his feet don't quite touch the ground yet...

but...HEY check out that rainbow...that's pretty cool...

Hula Hoop

I should have blogged this last month...but I just haven't had time to actually sit and CROP anything. THIS IS WORTH IT THOUGH! AS you can see from the picture above Tyson and Daddy like to play Wii Fit together on occassion. I have learned when i do WiiFit during the day (which I should really do MORE often) I have to give Tyson a controller of his own (not plugged in of course) AND he has to have his own Wii board or he will try to push me off of the real one. So I took the kneeling bad from the bathtub to create a Wii balance board just for Tyson. Scott made me PROMISE to keep him out of the video...so I had to do some cropping before I could post this...but I have LAUGHED until I cried today watching the whole video. Below you will see Tyson doing the hula hoop activity with Daddy. As you can see Tyson is VERY impressed with Daddy's abilities. (Scott said if I put him on here...he would video me and put in on U-Tube...NO ONE WANTS TO SEE THAT!!!)

make me smile

Baby Mike is all smiles now...but i am having trouble gettting it on camera...so Tyson tries to help make him smile. Baby Mike is going to be tough.

tippin' the scale

Baby Mike had his 2 month check-up last Thursday. This resulted in his first round of vaccines...I think he said a couple of baby cuss words...but it is understandable when they do all that and you don't even get a sucker.

He is 21 inches long and weighs 11 pounds 1 oz. Although Tyson was quite a bit bigger than him at birth...Baby Mike passed him up. Tyson was 10lbs 4ozs at 2 months. Tyson had to go back on Friday for his first flu shot.

A Typical Morning Lately

Monday morning at 5:15 a.m. Yes...that is almost a smile on Scott's face. He loves his little guys!
This is from another morning a few weeks ago...when I got to see what it looks like from the outside...he is looking for scott...who is actually in the shower.

"Daddy!!! hurry up Shawn the Sheep is on Disney Playhouse"

I made him sit on the rug and wait patiently....HA,,,i just laughed out loud when i typed that word...ha ha ha

I am posting this between 6:15 and 6:30 a.m. HOPEFULLY...why do I say this...because Tyson could be up ANY second. He used to sleep until 8ish. Since we have brought Baby Mike home...Tyson has decided that he needs to wake up anywhere between 5:30 and 6:30...6:30 is DOable...I was trying to wake up at 6am to get in the shower before Scott wakes up. That was my PLAN...well that has turned into me waking up at 5am on most days to try and "beat the boys." Sometimes I will be in the shower and I will see little tiny hands on the shower door "Momma Momma!" That is a typical 5:30 morning....if this doesn't happen I am almost certain to hear Disney Playhouse on the tv when I get out of the shower because Scott interecepted Tyson before he broke into my showertime. This means Tyson will "lay" in bed with Daddy and watch cartoons (because Daddy LOVE watching OSO!) until I bring a coffee for Daddy and a strawberry milk for Tyson. And let me stress that I use the term "lay" LOOSELY!!!

Scott was in Boston this weekend and he returned LATE Sunday night...or early Monday morning depending on how you look at it...Baby Mike woke up at 4:30 for his bottle (oh yea...the INFANT goes a full SEVEN hours between his nighttime and morning bottle...SWEET!) until you have a morning like Monday...back to 4:30 a.m. Baby Mike wakes up at 4:30 am for his bottle I finish all of that process up...when we hear the "SCRRRRREEEEAAACCCHH" of Tyson door through the monitor...and Scott's eyes pop open and he says "SERIOUSLY! are you kidding me???" "SLAM" (that is Tyson hitting the first pocket door...."pat pat pat" (that's his feet across the living room floor) I AM NOW TYPING THIS AS IT HAPPENS...because his OF COURSE AWAKE....because it is 6:36...AAAWWWW....then you hear "SLAM" (that is Tyson hitting the 2nd pocket door" then you hear "HEY!!!!" at the TOP of his Baby lungs he screams as he runs into the bedroom. Sweet Jesus oh how I love coffee!!!! Now am listening to "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" and the silence I have enjoyed since 5:00 a.m. is NOW OVER! but I am refreshed and ready for a NEW DAY!!

i am holding tyson now and typing with one hand...it is gonna be a good day

Does this hat make my butt look big???

"Does this hat make my butt look big?"

"SERIOUSLY!!! what is wrong with you Momma??? You know what Daddy thinks about baby hats!"

"This is how you work it!"

"Tyson should NEVER dress me!"

"COULD I BE ANY CUTER??!!??"