:-)

     So, it's been a crazy week here. Some great moments and some super bad ones. I don't really have the energy to type it all up right now (how sad is that?!) but I will as soon as I get a free moment. We are getting ready to put the kids down for bed and then I'm cuddling with hubby and watching a bit of tv before heading to bed too. Hope all of you are having a wonderful week. :-)

Stressed, but Blessed

     What an absolutely crazy week it has been. It all started on Monday when we met up with our real estate agent to look at houses. We have pretty much been browsing the listings and have probably went to look at about 15-20...some we liked, and some we didn't, but none that we both agreed on. Well, on Monday, we walked into what we are both hoping will become "OUR" first home. We fell in love with it. It is a four bedroom, split level home in Roanoke County. There are three bedrooms upstairs and one on the lower level...which is absolutely PERFECT. There is also a fenced in back yard with a storage building. It was a little out of our price range but we finally came to an agreement with the seller; she dropped $5,000 of the sale price and agreed to pay the majority of closing costs...PRAISE THE LORD! Tonight we are going to meet up with the real estate agent and seller to go over the contract to ensure it's to our liking and we agree on everything. Then, I guess we will talk with the bank about financing...and from there, it's just various inspections and such. Please pray for us concerning this. We desperately need to find a home and this is perfect for our family in an amazing location. We are trusting God with everything. I'm still sort of hesitant to post pictures because we both want to talk to the bank first to make double sure financing comes through. I don't think we will have a problem because we were pre-qualified for a specific amount a few weeks ago. But anyways...just continue to pray. Thanks so much everyone. I will update when I know more. It will probably be Sunday or Monday because we are going out of town this weekend...just what I need. :-)

Potty Training During Pregnancy

     Let me just say this...potty training while pregnant is HARD! Not only am I training Noah Bug to pee pee and poo poo in the potty, I am also teaching Halebop. She saw her brother doing it and, of course, decided she was all about it too. And surprisingly, even though she is a year younger, she is doing phenomenal. She has consistently peed every single time we sit her on it. And she has managed to tell me at least three times (by running into the bathroom and tapping on the potty) that she needs to go. Noah, on the other hand, pretty much is terrified of it. I'm not quite sure why, though. He will sometimes go if I sit him on it, but that's with a ton of persuasion. But, I know he is ready to be potty trained because he hides when he poops and tells me that he has to go...and does what I call the "pee dance"...where he hops around and grabs himself. :-)  
     And during all of this I'm trying to deal with morning sickness and complete exhaustion on pretty much a daily basis. I'm tired all of the time and it's so difficult to constantly run back and forth to the bathroom, whether it's to help one of the kids on or off the potty, or to throw up due to morning sickness. We probably spend about 75% of our day in the bathroom now...how lovely! :-)  I really shouldn't complain, though. I know that the finances will be a whole lot better when we aren't diapering two kids. I'm so thankful to have grandparents who help us out with this! 
    Anyways, please say a prayer for me over the next several weeks. I still have about a week and a half until I go to the doctor for my first prenatal visit. I'm both nervous and excited about it, but I'm sure once I see that cute little munchkin on the screen and hear its heart beating, I won't be quite as nervous as I am now. Please pray that the Lord will continue to give me the energy I need to keep up with my two kids and that He will soon take away this morning sickness, as well. Thanks to everyone! 

2 Months Down, 7 Left

     Has it really been a month since we found out we were expecting again? Wow, time sure does pass by quickly. Today I am 8 weeks with only 31 weeks left to go. I'm sure most of you are assuming I miscounted there, but no. :-)  We have already decided that if the baby isn't here by 39 weeks, we are scheduling a c-section. And when it comes to my babies, they would camp out in there until they were 2, lol...for some reason, my little ones don't like to come on their own. With Noah, we waited until 42 weeks, and ended up with an emergency c-section, The whole experience was a little bit too scary so with Hales we just went ahead and decided to schedule it...it was great knowing the exact day and time, too. And sure, it was rough recovering from surgery...especially with having a newborn and a toddler, but  I am tough. And Noah Bug is such a big helper these days I have no doubt he is going to help take care of his Mommy after the new baby arrives. 
      I actually had time to sit down and blog this morning because Noah and Haleigh spent the night with Grandma Johnston and Aunt Rebekah. You would think I had gotten to sleep in, but for some reason, when my babies aren't here, I don't sleep as well. So, I was up at 7 this morning, which is fine. I'm going to fix my hair and actually put on a little makeup for the day. Hubby is taking me out for a birthday breakfast before we head over to Craig to pick up the kids. HOORAY!  I so look forward to peaceful, stress free moments when I can actually have a quiet time to talk with Hubby and not have to scarf down my food like I'm trying to win a race. It's off of here for now to start my day. Hope each of you has a Happy St. Patty's. 

This Pretty Much Summarizes It...

Morning, Noon, Night

     Although this has been the hardest pregnancy along with the worst case of morning sickness thus far, I'm PRAISING GOD. To some people it seems like I'm complaining and that is not my intention at all. I am trying to explain and apologize to friends and family the reasons I'm not exactly myself these days. Let's see...my body is being invaded by a cute little belly bean who is growing like a weed. Perfect for my little one, but not so easy on Mama! *smile*  Not to mention, I'm forced to "puke on the go" if you will. Basically, I have a toddler and a full fledged runner who love to play the "Mommy catch us" game. So, I literally get sick and pick up immediately where I left off, regardless of it being in the middle of playtime, naptime, laundrytime, or any other time. I'm thankful God is holding me up through this because I know I couldn't get past this time without Him. :-)  
     Both the kids are doing well. Noah is so excited for the new little baby...and yesterday he told me he wanted five sisters. I had to gently let him know that probably wasn't going to happen, lol. Haleigh, on the other hand is in no way interested to have any more siblings. She likes being the baby, for sure. But, based on her bubbly, blossoming personality, the middle child role is going to fit her perfectly!  
     It's off of here for now. I think I'm going to try to listen to some music and relax for a while before getting ready for my dentist appointment. Hope everyone has a blessed day!

Things That Matter

Playtime

     I love watching my kids invent new ways of playing. Today, they took a pampers box and turned it on it's side...then, Noah showed Haleigh how to push their blocks down through the hole where you hold onto the box. They have literally been playing this new game of theirs for like 15 minutes...and it's so cute. Hales is taking it super seriously as her new favorite thing to do is help Mommy and Daddy clean up around the house. We are blessed to have two children who love their chores...and yes, even our one year old has chores. We aren't super strict about them or anything, but we'll hand Hales a baby wipe and let her wipe off the television...which she things is the coolest thing these days. Weird, but true. And Noah's favorite thing to do is sweep. But we haven't really invested in a kid size broom so he uses the adult size one and it's hilarious to watch him. But heaven forbid we take his broom away because then the terrible twos tantrum starts. But, I'm SO not complaining...if he wants to sweep, I let him. I'm just dreading the day they start to think everything I do and say is "so not cool". Which probably won't even be in style to say that phrase by the time they begin to think of me that way. *grin*  That's weird to think about.
     Well, it's off of here for now to get started on fixing lunch. Then, hopefully the kids will take good naps today so we will all be in a good mood for playtime outside later today.

Thoughts

     Sitting here waiting on hubby to get back with my iced coffee. This baby in my belly sure is giving me the craziest cravings. :-)  It's so bad though, because as soon as I eat pretty much anything, the morning sickness kicks in and I lose everything I ate. Good news is that I've been sipping on ginger ale and it is a LIFESAVER. I also think I'm going to order some more B-Natals and pick up some of the OTC medicine Becca told me about earlier today. This morning sickness is bound to be gone within the next two to three months, Praise the Lord. 
     Anyways, I know this post is super short and a little bit all over the place, but I just felt like writing for a few minutes. It really helps me to relax and de-stress before bed. Which, probably won't be laying down to sleep for another couple of hours. I've been a total night own for the past two weeks which I'm chalking up to pregnancy hormones. :-)  
      Hope everyone had a great Monday. So looking forward to Wednesday when the weather is supposed to be close to 70 degrees again. I love those warm days when I can get the kids outside for playdates with friends. 

Hormones and the House Plant

     Today was actually pretty good considering the rest of my week. I'm proud to say I woke up WITHOUT a headache. I started getting one late this afternoon but I'm definitely not going to complain. I would much rather suffer for a few hours than all day. :-)  
      Our day was, hmmmmm, interesting to say the least. After lunch today Noah came running up to me and pointed at our TV yelling "BUGS, MAMA...BUGGGGGSSSS!!!" I just laughed at him and asked if he wanted to watch a movie about bugs. He then shook his head and said, "NO, MAMA...BUGS...THERE" and again pointed to the television. Well, I walked over and crouched down, not seeing anything at first. Then my excited little boy took his finger and point down at the carpet right in front of our entertainment center...and then I saw...ANTS. Ewwwwww. Let me just say that even though I grew up in the country, I have pretty much always been a city girl at heart. Keep the creepy crawlies as far away from me as possible and I will be happy. Much to Noah Bug's dismay, I got out one of our handy dandy ant traps and set it up behind the entertainment center. Over the next couple of days they will carry the poison back to their nests and VOILA...au revoir. 
     The rest of the day was pretty uneventful. Oh, well, there was that. We took the kids out for ice cream this evening after dinner and while we were there, Noah leaned back in his chair which tipped over. Super Mommy to the rescue...I jumped up and grabbed the back of the chair just before it slammed my wrist between the chair and the edge of the table. Let's just say I'm sporting a lovely bruise now, but I'd sign up to be black and blue all over if it meant my son escaped harm. :-)  
     Tonight the hormones kicked in. Hubby got an upclose look at our lovely little ant "friends". He then proceeded to tell me that he was going to throw my house plant out. Normally, I am NOT attached to material things at all, but this is a bit different. First, I have never been able to keep a plant alive in my life. I tried from the time I was a little girl, but my "green" thumb turned everything brown. Pretty much any flowers I planted in our yard died within weeks while my Mom's flourished. Although it was disappointing, I gave myself over to the fact that, that talent hadn't been passed down to me. Last year, almost exactly 13 months ago, my father in law passed away. It was sudden, as most of you know, and it was an extremely hard time for our family. After the memorial service, we were given one of the plants someone had bought in his memory. I was pretty much resolved that it would add a nice touch to our living room for a couple of months and then I would be using the flower pot for something else. 
     Well, I guess I attached myself to the plant because of who it was given in memory of. I remember I started checking it every couple of days and removing any dead leaves that had fallen. Noah and I have fun watering it each week...he with his little pail. He reminds me when life gets crazy...and like I said, it's something we like to do together; mommy and son bonding time, if you will. Anyways, the months passed and here it is almost 13 months later and it's flourishing. It's grown so much that my Mom is coming over to teach me how to repot it in a bigger flower pot (I know how lame this sounds, but I seriouly STINK at anything horticulture related, lol). 
     Tonight Caleb got the idea that the ants were living in our flower pot. Which, they totally weren't. There were a few on the leaves but the majority of them were nibbling away at the spot where Haleigh had hidden (and spilled a little) her juice cup. When he said he was going to throw it away, I had a breakdown. I started crying and I actually got a little mad. Thinking back on it now is super embarrassing, and in the moment, I wasn't sure where the emotions were coming from. But now, I realize that the plant, for me, is a part of one of the last memories I have concerning my father in law; celebrating his life at the memorial service. I feel there is a reason this is the ONLY plant I've EVER been able to keep alive. It's almost God's way of telling me that he is waiting in Heaven for us to get there. That even when life ends here on Earth, it's really only just the beginning. As a friend of mine says...the rainbow after the rain. :-)  It was hard saying goodbye, but now I get to look forward to saying hello. 
     So, yeah, many of you will probably think I'm weird or just won't get this at all. But I have a feeling some of you will understand what I'm trying to say; why I feel the way I do. And I'm sure it doesn't help that these first trimester hormones are kicking my butt. :-)  I will hopefully get around to writing a post about what has been going on over the last couple of weeks. I keep prolonging it because I'm not sure if I feel like talking about it. But, one  day...maybe. Anyways, thanks for listening to my ramblings tonight. I hope each of you has a blessed day.