BABY HAS ARRIVED

I only have a few minutes...but HE is here!!!! MEET EVAN JOSIAH TAYLOR! We had an early delivery as most of you expected. Sorry,,,, because of the holiday, I haven't called everyone that I should have.

The shortened version of the story....

Christmas Day...Kennedy Alabama, an hour away from the hospital. We are eating lunch at MaMaw Nabors (Rick's grandmother) in the old Ag building at Kennedy. I get up to go fix my plate and feel my water trickling. There is a much funnier story, but I don't thing I need to blog it ALL. So we head to the hospital around 12:45 p.m. I am in NO pain, no contractions, etc. I pretty much sat around in labor at 8 cm and NO pain for a long time, walking the halls, having a good time with the family, etc. Finally, the doctor says, let's try some petosin. Well, because I only had 2 cm to go, and NO pain, I had waited on the epidural. Well, when the petosin hit, so did the pain. The epidural got in, but not in time to help. I only pushed about 20 minutes and all went well. I was in utter shock that it was a BOY! But very happy! We had been focusing on a girl name, but Rick named him Alston Ezekiel, one of our two choices, to coincide with the other two kids. HE WAS BORN AT 10:36 P.M. 6 LBS 13 OZ AND 191/2 INCHES LONG. After everyone went home and Rick and I had a chance to talk, we decided he looked more like an Evan and that is the name Rick liked the best all along. So Alston became Evan at 3 A.M. Sorry for the confusion. I felt great afterward. No pain and virtually great after a few hours sleep. Here are some snaps. I will fill you in on funny kid stories later. The baby is in the car waiting to get home. So, MERRY CHRISTMAS to me.

Aiden and Allee help Daddy feed baby Evan.

Mommy and Evan! He didn't like getting his picture made.

Mommy, just hours before delivery at 8 cm and contractions 2 min. apart.
Evan, moments after delivery.
Baby Evan.


Aiden and Allee love thier new brother.

Allee got her feelings hurt in the hospital the first day she saw him b/c she was holding him and Aiden wanted his turn. She burst into tears and said, "Aiden took my baby." Aiden has been the BEST big brother. He can't get over how tiny he is. He is really good with him and helps me a lot. Allee has been good with the baby, but has hit her terrible twos. Pray she calms down. She is being rather disobedient and rambunctious.

We will be home for a while. Sorry again I didn't make all the calls. It has been CRAZY at my house.

Surprise...

While I was getting ready for work this morning and thought daddy was watching the kids, (he was outside talking to someone that had came to visit), Aiden came into the bedroom and was drawing on some of my paper. When I took it from him and gave him something he could draw on, I asked, Where is Allee. "She is opening presents." WHAT!! I ran to the living room to find her enjoying herself in the middle of a pile of presents...steadily ripping paper! Fortunately, only one of them was hers and it was still in the box, she had just taken the paper off. I ran out to tell Rick to come deal with her b/c I was so mad. But, then I got tickled. She got to open from a friend last night and I am sure she is confused now. Kids have no idea of WAITING until its time to open! She just likes to hear the paper rip. I wasn't as frustrated that she did it as I was that I am going to have to re-wrap the gifts. TIME IS RUNNING OUT!

Another one from Aiden: Last night the baby kicked really hard at the table, and I jumped. Aiden wanted to know what it was. I said kinda joking... The baby just gave me a karate kick. He laughed and said, "Mommy, is the baby naked?" I thought I would die. I asked him to repeat himself and he got embarrassed and said, No, I'm just kiddin. I told him the baby was naked in my tummy. He said, "That's what I thought. Mary had baby Jesus in her tummy and he was naked when he came out." I asked him how did he know that. He said, "Cause I saw it on that big TV in NaNa's living room." Now, I don't know what nativity show they watched at your house, but that's what he said, NaNa!!

He also was talking to Allee last night about the baby getting here. They were rubbing my belly, etc. She was being kinda rough and he scolded her, telling her she would smoosh the baby. He then told me that "Those men at the hospital are gonna cut you open and get our baby out!" WOW! He said daddy told him that. In reality, daddy has told him the story of AIDEN's birth, and what a miracle he was, etc. and that is what he is thinking about. Either way, it was cute.

Merry Christmas!

I know you all are as busy as I am, so I will try to keep this short. I wanted to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday as we all celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Our weekend is packed, as I am sure most of yours are too. But, I love this time of year.

Baby Update: The doctor's appt. went well today. I am a little more progressed, but he said that doesn't mean I am going into labor any sooner. He offered to induce today, but I opted not to do that. I am going to take my chances on waiting until after the holiday. Please pray, first of all that the baby will be healthy and get her safely, but secondly....I really want it to WAIT until after Christmas! I know that is selfish, but....

Aiden speaks again: Yesterday, MiMi stopped by to pick me and Aiden up. We were going to drop him at school on our way to town. His daddy had been getting him ready and of course, he was being slow as usual. He had just gotten a "big boy" hair cut the day before and I am sure Rick was telling him how handsome he was as he was attempting to hold him still to comb his hair. Anyway, we got ready to leave and he said, "MiMi, I need my stick." Of course he had this cute pouty face on him, half asleep. She said, "What?" "I can't go to school without that stick to beat all the girls off me with." Okay, daddy, you really have to watch what you say to our very literal 3 year old.

MERY CHRISTMAS!

Lots to Update - Stay with me!!!

Where do I start? It has been so busy since last week. We went to the doctor on Thursday. I was 35 wk 4 days. Dr. Allen checked me and was shocked to find me already at 5 cm and 90%. He said we could go anytime...so of course, not having anything done, I kicked into high gear. This is an updated pic of the tummy!
Aiden had his very first real program on Friday night. He did okay. It was at the day school. He kills me. He loves to sing and does so very well. He was singing the entire way to the program but informed us that he was not going to sing, he was going to listen to his friends sing! And that is exactly what he did. He never looked our way. He is such a mess.

This is him and one of his friends and Allee after the play.
Allee enjoys her Mexican food after the program at Jalepeno's.
Aiden's look pretty much most of the play!
Saturday, I was trying so hard to get everything done and Allee had been under my feet stressing me out all day! I tried for two solid hours to get both she and Aiden to take a nap. I finally gave up. Marna came over to let me help her make cheese balls and I put Allee in her highchair to enjoy a snack. When I turned around, this is how I found her! Of course, it was 4:00 p.m. by this point!!!!Our church kids have been working really hard on the Christmas program that will be taking place on Sunday night. They performed one of their songs this passed Sunday morning. I can't wait until the play. Aiden loves to sing and is so funny. I hope he does well. I have a song as well and Allee will be an angel in the nativity. Rick is a wiesman.

So, my plan is to go ahead and have the baby so I can be back for the play this weekend and Christmas! I'll keep you all posted!

Kids Amaze me!

Have you ever noticed how children can come up with things in normal conversation that you would never expect? It never ceases to amaze me at how children associate things together and leave you wondering...how'd they know that? FI -

We'll start with Aiden: I got a new white robe from Crystal and her 31 sales. I was wearing it getting ready the other morning and Aiden was asleep in my bed. He woke up to see me standing there and the first words out of his mouth were..."Mom, what's that?" What's What? "That white thing. What is it?" It's my robe. "Your karate robe?" No, just my robe. "Mom, show me your karate kicks." I don't know any. It's just a robe.... Of course he proceeded to show me his kicks. His cousin D.J. is a black belt, but I don't think he has ever seen him in uniform. The look on his face was priceless.

Last night, Kendall, a friend of the family, came over with MiMi. Her mother had brought the kids a small jungle gym type thing for the outdoors about a month or so ago. A and A have loved it. They now have a larger version donated by Aunt LeLe. They call them their houses. Well, when Kendall walked in the door, Aiden said, "Hey, thanks for that house you brought. It is Allee's house and she loves to play with it. Aunt LeLe brought me one too." Now remember, he had not been outside and no one has said anything about who gave him the toy in forever. Funny how little minds work.

NOW Allee: Yesterday, I drove myself and Allee up to the church b/c it was raining, so she was just sitting on the console. She found a hair clip, you know, like you use to pull your hair back but not to wear in public. She picked it up and said, "This MiMi's shop." She associated that clip with MiMi b/c she plays with them at the beauty shop.

Same day and in the car, Aiden's piano books were in the seat. She looked over at them and said, "That Aiden's lesson." At first I didn't understand her and I said, that is Aiden's piano books. She nodded her head and repeated herself. I just thought it was funny that she knows he takes "lessons" and associates that with his books. What 20 month old uses the term "lessons."

She has been a pistol ball lately. She is entering her TERRIBLE TWOS! She clings to my every move and stomps her feet, dances in place and tightens her fist when she doesn't get her way...not to mention the horrible pouting! Rick says she is all ME! I don't think I EVER acted that way, but I am sure my Mom and sisters could argue that!

It's Christmas time...

I always plan to make picture early and get my cards out early and every year something interferes. I am not one to disappoint, so here I go again. Aiden was so easy and photogentic (sp?) as a baby. When Allee came along, I was too stessed and busy to take many pictures...add that to the stubborn streak in her and photo taking is not much fun with my two anymore. MiMi was available yesterday, so we headed off for our photo shoot. I haven't picked out the best ones for my card(I pray I got at least one), but I thought these showed my kids personalities so I wanted to share a few. This look is typical for Allee when you ask her to do anything...like..."look at the camera, or pick up your toys...or give Mommy your pacy." She also hates it when Aiden trys to hug her if she isn't offering the love.
My intentions here was for a cute pic of them kissing, but Aiden went all into it and got his head in the way. He isn't very good at following instructions and I have to snap quick or Allee runs away!
This is my favorite! We were at Capital Park and Aiden had just been picked up from school. He had already ask if he could play and we kept putting him off and saying, "just one more picture." Well, MiMi wanted him to sit and he wanted to jump, etc. so she threatened him! This was him pouting while he mumbled that he was "aggravated and mad" at MiMi for being mean to him!
There's my angels. Allee has a beautiful smile that I can NEVER capture on camera!

Overall, it was good! The kids are just so full of energy and I am NOT! I haven't had a good night's sleep in a really long time, and don't anticipate one when number 3 arrives. MiMi and I were worn out when all was said and done. Aiden went down for a nap immediately. Allee, who had just woke up, stayed up, which may have helped her last night by letting me sleep until 6 a.m. Yea!

Girlfriend????

Another one from Aiden...
Yesterday, Rick picked him up from school and brought him by the office. I always ask him about school and usually get the "it was fine...I did good...ect. " Yesterday was different. When I asked how school was he said, "Mattie told me she didn't want to be my girlfriend anymore." Now, if you all remember, he has been calling Mattie his girlfriend since he started school and we have sorta ignored it, even though his teacher and Mrs. Sherry confirms the story. So, I responded, "Why did she do that?" "Because I told Annslee to push me in the police car and so Mattie said I couldn't be her boyfriend." I asked, "Did that make you sad?" "Yes, I told Mrs. Michele, but she said, 'It will be okay Aiden'." I was cracking up at this point... Since he was so willing to talk yesterday, I got him to tell his story to a co-worker, who told him that girls are like that and they always change there mind. Aiden told him very matter of factly that she would NOT change her mind. When he was sharing the story with our secretary, he told her word for word what he had told me, but added, "But, she'll change her mind." Ya'll, I am telling you...he is one of a kind! He was full of it yesterday. He went to a sibling class at the hospital last night and Rick said he was cracking everybody up with his sly comments.

He and Allee got into a fight in bed last night! It was quite humerous. Aiden is very soft, to put it mildly and Allee is right opposite. So after her 3rd spanking for getting out of bed, I decided to sit on the side of the bed and try to help out in the situation. Aiden, being soft and sensitive, wanted to comfort her by holding her hand, after he had asked me if she was going to be okay. She very frankly told him to stop and that he could not hold her hand. He kept trying. I was frustrated so of course I probably talked a little too loud when I said, "Just leave her alone. She doesn't like that." Sensitive boy wants to know why Allee is now crying. "Because you made her mad." Now he is crying because I told him he made Allee cry!!!! At one point they were literally fighting over him trying to hold her hand and her fighting him off!

Allee has been saying she will give her pacy to the new baby! (Whatever...I hope and pray)! Yesterday, Rick told her that we just need to throw it away. She hugged it and kissed it and said, "I love my pacy, Daddy." When MiMi asked her about the new baby, she pulled my shirt up and said, "In mommies tumma." MiMi asked her what she was going to do when mommy had another baby to hold (Allee is a huge mommy's girl) and she, obviously misunderstanding the question, said "Baby need pacy. It be cryin." I assume she meant that the baby will cry when it gets here so it will need her pacy!

More to come from the Taylor adventures....

"I want a ..."

This story is compliments of Mrs. Sherry at church...
The kids had play practice last night and I was in charge of taking some pics for a power point...so my kids were on the loose with whoever would keep up with them (which is pretty typical on church days....thanks church family). Aiden and his friend Keiton, also age 3, were sitting at the table. Keiton mentions that he wants a new gameboy for Christmas. Aiden, who has never been introduced to the world of video games mainly b/c he hasn't asked and I haven't offered, says..."Well, I already have a game guy and it's in my closet." He can never be out done!

Aiden pushed Allee down on the way to bed last night and it the way she fell looked really painful. I really expected her to get up screaming or at least whining. Instead, she got up, pointed her little finger at Aiden and said, "Aiden, don't push me gain." And went on about her business. I hope he grows fast b/c when she realizes she can, she is going to beat him up!

We spent most of our weekend looking for a new bedroom suite. We have decided that since at least one night a week we have one or more uninvited guest in our Queen size bed, that when number 3 arrives, we may have a problem. So, on Friday, we left for our search. Aiden is so funny. He really wanted to play outside, but we made a big deal about how much fun it was going to be to look at furniture. When we first got there , they were both asleep. When he woke up, the first thing he said was, "Wow, look at all this pretty furniture. Isn't is so beautiful." The next day, when we had travelled many miles and they were so tired, he responded with, "YES! We are going to look at more furniture. That will be so fun." They were both very good considering what we drug them through. We did not make a purchase, but we did find something we like.

Aiden's Comprehension

Okay, I know he is only three, BUT....
We are having a problem with Aiden that I am sure everyone goes through, but it is driving us crazy. He cannot take NO for an answer! I know...he's a kid...but it gets him in trouble. We are trying to teach him when we say No, No means No and not to continue asking. This has been going on for a while and isn't really getting better. FI - Last night, we had gotten home late and were trying to rush into bed. We always read books. He picked out one of the big, long books and we both told him NO, let's read a different, shorter book (because it was passed bed time...Mommy and daddy know best, right) So Rick told him, "If you ask for the big book one more time you are getting a spanking..understand?" "Yes, Ma'am..." (with a whine) THEN..."But I REALLY want to read the big book." Here comes the spanking. Lots of crying and pitching a fit, explanation of spanking, explanation of DO NOT ASK AGAIN....settle down for the reading of short book.... THEN..."BUT I REALLY REALLY WANT to read the big book...." Second spanking...more crying...more screaming...more explaning, more talking. Finally, at the end of the short book and lots of hugs, kisses, explanation of disobeying, Aiden says, "Daddy, I am really sorry for asking for the big book. I really am sorry." BREAK MY HEART!

So, he knows better, but he had rather get a spanking and continue to TRY to get his way than stop asking. Any suggestions or is this a phase?

I'm not a TRIP!

Aiden never ceases to surprise me. We had been visiting at the hospital all day on Monday and had the kids with us most of the afternoon. When we went to leave, Aiden wanted his Dad. We were riding separate. I told him we would see him in just a minute. He said, "Well, maybe he'll get strength and comfort." I said, "WHAT?" He said, "My dad can get strength and comfort." When I asked him where we get s & c from he said, "God." ( I guess he hears us pray for it.) I told him he was such a little darling. He said, "Mom, I am not a little darling, I am a big boy." To which I replied, "Boy, you are such a trip." (This one gets me...) He said, "Mom, I am not a trip. A trip is when you go somewhere, like when you go to the shooting house to hunt or something. That is a trip. Hey, my dad really needs to teach me how to cock his gun!" I had to end the conversation after that b/c I was laughing to hard and you know how he is about people laughing at him! In the same trip, a song came on the radio, Toby Mac, which is Chrisitan rap and Aiden and Rick LOVE it, and I started acting silly, singing and dancing to it. Aiden said, "no, no Mom. You can't dance to that song." Me.."Why not Aiden?" Him..."B/c, that is a boy song and only me and my dad can dance to it. You have to dance to a girl song."

This morning, Allee found a play cell phone in her car seat, so she decided to call up her bff, Shelby. This is a quick video of her talking to SLT. She is so sweet. She has been singing up a storm lately. I wish I could capture it on video, but you all know how that goes. When I get the camera out, she sees it and is too busy wanting to see herself in it to perform for me. She and Aiden are always fighting over who gets to sing first or next. The other day he was playing his drums and they were both singing.

Allee told me once again this morning when I put some cute brown pants on her..."They not fit Mommy. Take them off."

HOLIDAY UPDATE

Our holiday was busy but wonderful!!!! The kids were excellent this year, so I actually got to enjoy the fellowship with all the family. Fortunately, there are lots of other children at both locations we visit for the holidays and my kids had a blast playing. Friday, I went to my 11th annual shopping spree, leaving my house at 3:30 a.m and returning at 7:00 p.m. with my girlfriends. It was awesome. Thanks to Rick for babysitting. Saturday was my FIRST complete day off since Football season started and boy did I enjoy it. I put Rick to work on the outside lights and MiMi came and helped put the tree up. Then, we settled in for the awful football game. It was a wonderful week and weekend. Hope you all enjoyed as much as I did.

From Aiden...and Allee

Couple of quick things:

1)Putting Aiden and Allee to bed night before and as I was leaving and Allee was whining, he rolled over and said, "It's okay Allee. God will protect you and I will protect you." I know he has said similar before, but it keeps getting sweeter.
2)He has a girlfriend. Her name is Mattie. He always talks about her. Today when R picked him up, he ran into the lady that picks Mattie up. Apparently she thinks he is her boyfriend too. The lady said Mattie asks for her cell phone everyday so she can call Aiden and talks about him all the time. Here I was thinking he was just having a friendly little thing, but now I am thinking I may need to call the parents....this may be too serious. LOL!!!
3)Allee was in the nursery last night where we have a monitor to hear the preaching. The nursery worker said that when she turned the monitor on, Allee started looking for her daddy only to find his voice coming from a box. Then, she said at the end of the service when Rick was asking the congregation a question, Allee answered him...through the monitor.
4)Aiden stayed with a church friend the other day and her home health care nurse came out. Apparently Allee got stuck under the table and the nurse helped get her out. When he was telling me the story and said she had gotten stuck, I asked how did she get out. He said, "Dear helped get her." I said "DEAR?" He said, "Yeah. That was that girls name. That's what Ms. Joanna called her."
5)Ms. Joanna keeps Aiden's class on Sunday nights. When he went to potty, she asked if he washed his hands. He said, "No, Ms.Joanna. I didn't tee-tee on them so I don't have to wash them."

Sassy Girl

For those of you with girls, or boys too, I guess...When did your child start telling you what they like and don't like to wear? Aiden never has and still doesn't share his opinion about clothes, shoes, hair, anything! Yesterday, I was changing Allee after church and pulled out a rather old jumper, just for her to take a nap in. She starting crying and said, "I not wear it." I just laughed and put it on her anyway. WELL, she pitched one more fit, to the point of pulling at the neck of the outfit and turning red all over trying to get it off while she was screaming, "I not like it, mommy." So, end result...she got her way and I changed her clothes, letting her pick out her pants and then almost never got a shirt on her. She has told me she didn't like things before, but it has gotten worse. Well, I just talked to Rick and he shared a similar story. He was dressing her this morning and pulled out some pants and she said, "Dem not fit me, daddy." She refused to wear what he picked out too. Okay guys, she just turned 19 months old. What am I going to do?

Baby BUMP Update

For those of you who don't get to see me often and every phone call we have want to know if I am "getting fat", I thought I would post another preg pic. This is 31 weeks. I feel kinda guilty because with Aiden, I think a literally took a picture every single week and wrote on the back of it and they are all in an album. With Allee I probably took 1/2 as many. This is only the 3rd belly picture I have taken of this one and it isn't even really a true "belly" picture. I just haven't had the time! Wow! What does that say for life after delivery. BTW - I hate my hair right now, but it totally has a hormonal mind of its own.
The weekend was pretty good. It seems I spent most of it at work. Rick and I travelled with Fayette Co to Thomasville to play football...we lost and it was a cold, long trip. I had to work injury clinic early on Sat morning and Allee is still not feeling the best and it is affecting her sleep...so needless to say, I am a little tired this morning. Sunday was nice. We had great services and a good Christmas play practice after church accompanied by refreshments. My cousin brought back some baby things I had loaned him and his wife from Anniston yesterday. Because I didn't have time to deal with it, I just crammed it all in the storage building. I realized as I was lying in bed fretting over the events of the week, that I need my MOMMY to come stay a while and help me get things in order. No matter how hard I try, I just get more behind. I am 32 weeks now with the holiday approaching, so things are not going to get any easier around the house. I still haven't gotten one single thing ready for the baby! (including a name! lol.) But, on the up side of all that...God is good...all the time and I can rejoice in that! I am blessed to be stressed! Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Weedend review

Things are much better at the Taylor house. Both kids are doing better, although Allee still is having some really bad coughing spells. We are treating with the liquid Albuterol, which seems to stop it instantly. We had a good doctor visit on Thursday. Both the baby and I are growing on target. Speaking of baby....I SERIOUSLY NEED HELP NAMING THIS ONE. Those of you who know me well know how big of a perfectionist AND how indecisive I am! I am nine weeks out and seriously do not have one name that just says...."Wow, that is the cutest name in the world and I can't wait to name my baby that.." you know what I mean? Both Aiden and Allee have the same initials...AET...after my father-in-law. Both have biblical middle names. I don't have to stick to that, but I don't want anything too trendy either AND it has to go with both their first names. (See what I mean about my own personality...as I read what I just wrote, I sound so ridiculous). Any suggestions would be GREATLY APPRECIATED! I have a few suggestions from friends, but I still haven't made a final decision.

Me, Crystal, Kayla, Shelby and Allee went to the Tupelo flea market this Saturday. We had a blast. The girls were sooooo good. It is so funny b/c half way through the morning, I made the comment on how good Allee was being and that I just couldn't believe it....she is so not a shopper. Then I made the comment that I had prayed she would be good. Isn't that just like us and our faith....Pray for something, receive it from the Lord, then be shocked that you received it! What Faith! God has been so good to me and will continue to be...if I can just recognize and praise His goodness how much better I would be!

State Meeting

This week has been our annual Free Will Baptist Association State Meeting. Rick and I usually are travelling for this event that is held Wed - Fri, but this year it is being hosted at the Northport Church, so we were able to stay home. I kinda miss travelling to be honest! (We took the kids last night and it was exhausting...they usually stay home when we travel.) Anyway, Rick was honored this year to be asked to preach one of the messages. The meeting is compiled of mostly preachers across the state, around 200 people or so. The main purpose is business, but we have three worship services each day. We were shocked and delighted when he was asked last year to speak this year. He was a little nervous, of course, but he did an excellent job. God really showed up and used him in a mighty way! The meeting is still going on today, although I skipped out to keep Allee, but it has been both tiring and a blessing! Rick and I, being in the ministry, love having the opportunity to fellowship with other ministers and get "spiritually fed" ourselves. We don't always get that when we are the ones doing the ministering. On another note, God has truly been good to us. Rick does a brief devotion at the school on Tuesdays, and this week he had someone accept Jesus as their Saviour. What a blessing! Allee and Aiden are both filling a little better, both still on antibiotic, but we are getting there. Please remember us in your prayers.

Phone Call

Aiden had his first official boy/girl phone conversation yesterday! Crystal called and Shelby found out I was on the phone and wanted to talk. When Aiden heard me talking to Shelby, his little face lit up and he asked to talk to her. I let him have the phone and they talked back and forth for what seemed like forever. Typically he talks to people on the phone, but after a few questions from whoever he is talking to, he will say, "Here, my moma wants to talk to you." With Shelby, I had to ask for the phone back and only got it away when our service cut out. I fear trouble on my hands! If he likes to talk on the phone as much as mama, we are really in trouble, especially if he is talking to girls this early in the game! (It was really cute though).

Trouble

It seems Aiden is constantly getting in trouble at church, especially, lately. Yesterday morning, I know he doesn't feel well, but he pitched a fit when we had to leave church b/c he didn't want to go home. That was after I had to get on to him for playing in the nursery and he got mad and pouted. (We had lunch after church and there were several other kids around all playing together while we cleaned up). Then, last night, we got ready to go, and once again, I go looking for Aiden and he is somewhere he is not suppose to be. I get him and the others he is with, tell them they have to have an adult with them to play in the nursery, and the other two leave, Aiden pitches a fit! After putting him in timeout so that I can get my things together, he finally settles down and agrees to go on home. While sitting at the supper table, I began to tell daddy how he was acting and talk to Aiden about his temper (again). I am going into great detail about how just b/c we don't get our way doesn't mean we can just pitch a fit and kick and scream and especially at church....I go on and on. He is just sitting there eating his food and looks up with the sweetest expression and says very calmly..."Yeah, Mom, I am sorry about that." As if to say, "no big deal."

Last night, as we were putting them to bed, Aiden decided he needed a drink of milk. He came in the room where I was (Rick was with Allee) and said, "Mom, go get me some milk." Shocked at the attitude, I explained to him that he needed to rephrase that. He then, obviously frustrated and aggravated with me, kind of punched at the chair and repeated himself. I told him that we were not going to act that way. If we are aggravated or frustrated at something or someone, we do not get an attitude. There is a proper way to handle that. He said, "Well, how do I do that?" I told him that instead of punching at a chair or getting attitude, he should just count to 10 or pray to God to help him not be aggravated anymore. He looked staight at me as serious as can be and said, "Well, my dad don't do that." I thought I would die. We just let it go with the statement that we are not perfect and we all need to pray about our attitudes. Oh, how much you can learn from a 3 year old!

Old Fashioned Sunday

Our church still celebrates "Old Fashioned Sunday." Here is a pic of my two old fashioned kids. They were neither one in picture mode so this is the best one I got. Allee would not keep her bonnet on. Before church Aiden went to get his cowboy hat and Allee got one too and put it on. He said, "No Allee, you can't be a cowgirl this morning. You have to be a ....Moma, what is Allee gonna be?" I told him she was just going to wear a bonnet. You should have heard him tell her all about her bonnet.

This weekend has been full of sick babies. Aiden started with fever on Wed. night in the middle of the night of course. By Thur he had a horrible cough. Since his fever was only 100.5, we opted to stay away from the MD and I just got him some cough med called in. He did not continue with fever, but the cough has persisted.

Saturday night, Allee woke us up at 12:00 burning up with fever and talking out of her head. She staying awake for about an hour with nothing satisfying her. Her fever broke and she seemed to be okay yesterday morning. I took her on to church b/c she had no symptoms other than everytime someone looked at her wrong she would cry! By mid morning she had 99 again. Last night se woke me up again at 12:30, this time with 103.8 fever. Fever scares me when it gets over 102. I couldn't go back to sleep until the fever broke around 3:30. Aiden made his way into our room around 1:30 and said, "Hey daddy, is Allee in here?" So dad ended up in Aiden's bed and I kept Allee with me so I could watch her. Needless to say, not much sleep. This time, I opted to take them both in this morning. Oddly enough, Allee showed nothing, but Aiden came home with an antibiotic for his cough since the doctor heard him coughing in the office. He is so cute. Everytime he coughs he will say, "Mom, you need to call Dr. Rob cause I still got that bad cough and I'm sick." He is a mess. Pray we will keep the fever away tonight. We all need some rest!

Funnies from the kids

Just a quick update on some sayings from the kids...

Allee is beginning to really come out of her shell and I don't know that it is a good thing. The other day I came home from work and she and Aiden were suppose to be playing outside with Daddy. Aiden had went in for milk and stayed on the couch watching cartoons instead of returning outside to play with Allee. When she and I went in, I parked on the couch to rest but she wanted to go outside with Aiden. She layed over on the stool in front of him, blocking his view from the TV and began to yell..."Ai-den...Ai-den, we'ts go outside....(over and over). He has a really bad habit of completely ignoring you... She finally got irritated and pointed her little finger at him and said, "You hear me Ai-den? We'ts go outside!" It was too cute. Of course he still ignored her!

She has also gotten into the habit of saying "TIMEOUT" when kids are being mean to her. I guess she hears me threaten Aiden so much, she just thinks that if you are being ugly, she should be able to put you in timeout. She is learning a lot from her brother and not all good things. He is a really good big brother though! I just wish he could potty train her!

Aiden is just getting sweeter as he grows up. Allee has started wanting me to hold her and lay down with her at night. The other night, she was really crying when I said I was about to leave and even got up and followed me. When I put her back in bed and she was still crying, I kissed her and Aiden and told them I loved them and would see them in the morning. Aiden usually crys or whines a little too. But, instead, he wrapped his arms around Allee's neck and said, "It's okay Allee, it's okay. Goodnight Mom, I love you. Shhh, Allee, it's gonna be okay." Almost teary eyed, I left the room and sat on the couch for a few seconds to wait on Allee to come find me...but she quit crying and I didn't see the two of them again until the next morning. It was so sweet. He is really growing up!

Additional Grinch and Cindy Lou Who Pics

This was after playing for a while!
Look at those blue eyes! MiMi tried for fake eyelashes, but we didn't suceed. We did get lipstick, mascara and blush and she really thought she was something. She asked for her pacy on the way out the door and I said, "no, you might mess up your lipstick." She puckered her lips up and didn't ask for it again! Maybe I have found a tactic that might work!

Trunk OR Treat

Last night at church, we had our annual Trunk or Treat! During church time, we (myself and Crystal) teach the younger children at the FLC. Last night, while the adults were having service, we let the kids enjoy Fall Festival type games. You should have seen the little ones trying to bounce on balloons to pop them. My hand was hurting from popping them for the kids (without them knowing it). It was a lot of fun.

When I asked Aiden weeks ago what it wanted to be, he said..."I want to be the Grinch and Allee can be Cindy Lou Who!" Okay....do you know that NO ONE makes a Grinch costume. I looked in B'ham, Tusc and the internet. I found ONE adult costume for way more than what I wanted to pay. BUT, not to disappoint my baby, I called NaNa to the rescue. Surely we could find green fuzzy material...once again...nope! She found a green fleece blanket in Wal-Mart for $7.00 and went to work. Then, we had the task of his head. I called for a local lady that does parties who said she would be glad to paint his face and she would be at Carrolls Creek Fall Fest at 6:00, to bring him then. Well... our church starts at 6:45, but that was the plan...until my brilliant sister suggested at around lunch time, maybe Sue Robertson, the art teacher at NMS would do it. SUE to the rescue. We made arrangements and it worked out great. NMS is only 5 min from my house and she wouldn't even take any money to do it. At this point, I still had no costume for Cindy Lou Who!!!! I had to go to Wal-Mart for things for the night (last minute of course) and meet with a lady from church about the Christmas play after that. I rushed home only to find that I had LOCKED MYSELF OUT of the house. SO, I guess that was a good thing, because it gave me 30 minutes to dig through the building and find Cindy Lou Who a dress to wear. I think it worked out nicely. Then, Aiden starts saying he has to poopy! Oh, well, gotta hold it. At this point I am just "letting" them play in the yard until we can do something else. Thank goodness I opted not to buy groceries while in Wal-Mart for 1 1/2 hours (with Allee screaming for a "suckter" the whole time). LaDonna gets there and we work on the play in the yard while the kids play and I wait on Rick. After that, I make caramel apples, set up the games at the gym, take Aiden for painting, eat supper, get the kids ready, and head out for fun. Here is the result....

Aiden had to put a ponytail holder in so she could paint his face.

He sat so still. He kept looking in the mirror! When we got in the car he said, "Mom, that was so much fun to get my face painted!"



Cindy Lou Who loved the rollers. THANKS MIMI!Aiden had taken his hands off by this point. They were too cute. Wish I had a better picture of them.

During bath time, I was asking myself if it was all worth it...Yes...to see the look on Aiden's face with his finished product and knowing that he would not take his costume off...definately! Green paint in bath tub and all.

Cowgirl

On Sunday after church, Allee was sooooo sleepy. I told Rick just to put her a t-shirt on with her tights so see could eat and take a short nap. She escaped to Aiden's room, found one of his cowboy hats and the horse and began to ride. This was just too cute not to share.

Fish Fry

Abbi (my niece) got to come spend the night with us! We had so much fun. Aren't they cute?
Although it looks like A is jumping on Allee, they were having a blast.
Outside the smallest jumping thing. It was a castle.
Us on the hayride. Missing Daddy...always. He hates hayrides and was cooking fish for all of us to eat. We went on the early ride so the small kids wouldn't be so cold! When we got back, most of the crowd in line to eat had cleared so it worked our perfectly.


Our annual Fish Fry was at the church last weekend. I have NEVER seen so many people. There were more people there that I didn't know than I did know.We had a hay ride and the kids really had a good time. We also had 3 blow up jump things (don't really know what to call them) inside the gym and that was a huge hit. I think my kids would have slept on them if we had let them.

It has been a while since I updated, so make sure you scroll all the way down for the latest pics. Our house has been so busy. Aiden, Allee and I made rice crispy treats for our trunk or treat last night. Aiden helped put the marshmellows in the pot to melt. He is such a big boy now. I can't believe how both of them are growing.

We have our first true evaluation night for Upward BK and CL tomorrow night. Please pray that we will be able to bring others in to learn more about Christ. We are very excited about the opportunity, but I can already see that we need lots more help!

(As I am typing, Allee is standing beside be trying to count to herself...one, two, three, eighteen, thirteen, fifteen....) So cute. She has also learned the Audio Adrenaline song..."I get down" from her brother. I didn't even know she knew it until I heard her walking around singing.

Bowling Trip

I had a Friday night off from Football, so I called MiMi to see what her plans were, since Rick was traveling with NHS FB team as the Chaplan. The twins were going to a bowling birthday party and Tyler was left alone, Uncle Jeff was working. We decided to go eat Chinese. To make a long story short, we ALL ended up going bowling after supper. This was my kids first time. They had so much fun, but got tired really quick. We used the bumpers, so I actually broke 100. I am a horrible bowler. Allee would get so excited when the bll would roll. Aiden would yell, "I scored" every time. They were so cute.

TyTy and Allee
Aiden was so proud of the shoes!
He did it ALL BY HIMSELF!
Aiden yells, "I scored."

NaNa's Farm

Allee and I made a trip to Nana's farm the other morning. Aiden is convinced he wants to be the Grinch for halloween and we have looked all over and no costume....NaNa to the rescue. She made him one out of a fleece blanket, so Allee and I went to help. Mom has all kinds of animals and Aiden loves them all, but he was at school. Allee is a bit scared, but loves to look. We had a great time. Here are just a FEW of the animals she has...

One of the two turkeys. I used to love turkey hunting with my dad, so when I drove up and these two were strutting and drumming and dragging their wings, it was a very familiar sound...got me a little excited.
This is the newest colt. Her name is Diamond. Her mom is in a picture below.
This is the newest calf. Her name is Smiley because she will walk right up to you and give you a big grin, showing all her teeth. She is bottle fed, so she is not scared of people at all.

This was a surprise. PaPa Gene found this kitten left behind in the barn during a stray cat's move of her litter. I guess he scared her. After 3 days, the mom didn't return, so MY MOM to the rescue. She bottle feeds the kitten and keeps her in the house. Allee was TERRIFIED of the kitten. It was quite funny.
This is Mama horse Dolly. She is very friendly too.

Long Time

Wow! It has been a while so I am going to try to update and keep it all in perspective. I have been REALLY busy at work and church, therefore I have only been able to do the things on my list that were TOP priority....like showering, for instance. LOL.

A couple of weeks ago, we went to the Fayette Co. Fair with MiMi, the boys, Crystal and Shelby. We had so much fun! The kids had never seen anything like it. I am so glad Shelby went so my kids would have someone to ride with. They played so hard and of course did not want to leave. Aiden cried a couple of times because he wanted to ride the rides that he wasn't big enough to ride. Thanks to MiMi and Crystal, they all got to ride the roller coaster cause a 7 mo pregnant lady should not be on that thing....for that matter, I am not real sure my babies should have been on it. This was the kids favorite ride. They rode in various pieces of it all night. The last time to ride, Shelby and Allee were in a helicopter together. Allee was so sleepy and had gotten her pacy. She was going around with it hangin half to the side...then the next time around SLT had taken it...the next time, Allee was trying to get it back...SLT holding it up in the air...Allee begging for it...SLT holding it behind her...Allee holding out her hand for it...SLT drops in back seat....Allee begging for it...SLT retrieves from back seat and holds in front of Allee's mouth...ride coming to an end...Allee's pacy back safe in her mouth and SLT with a big innocent smile. Funniest thing I have ever seen.

Aunt Cindy helps Aiden and Allee fish in the pond to get a trumpet that all 3 kids tooted on the way out!!!!