BSM: Me and My Baby

This is love....



See more best shots over at Tracey's!

WHAT a weekend...

I don't know where to start! This has been the most relaxing and fun weekend we've had in a long time. Here's what we did:

Thurs-

* Went to in-laws for turkey and family time
* Picked up my two sisters, to have them for black Friday
* Stayed up ALL night. That's right, I can still do it. ;)
* Had an amazing dance party at 3 am. Emily and I are dancing queens.

Friday-

* Got in line at Target, by 5 am. Froze. to. death.
* Shopped until 1 pm. 8 hours of shopping. sigh.
* Slept for three hours.
* relaxed.

Saturday-

* Saw "Twilight". Constipated Jasper. Terrible special effects. In love with Carlisle. Bella needs to wear something other than that gray shirt. Will see next movie.

* Went to a light parade with my daddy. Froze. to. death. part 2.

Sunday-

* Church

* Baby shower. I didn't win the baby games, like usual. I am sad.


Did you see how much alone time I had this weekend? Did you see how I didn't touch my homework that is due in 4.5 hours? Um. Yea. I need to get on that and stop blogging. :)

**pictures to come**

Happy Thanksgiving

I am so blessed.....











How could I possibly NOT be thankful?!

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”- Colossians 3:16

I want to go back

Adam: When I was a baby I was in your tummy.

Me: Yep. You grew in mommy's tummy for a long time.

Adam: Matthew was in your tummy.

Me: Yes. Do you remember that?

Adam: Yes. I want to go back.

Me: Go back where?

Adam: In your tummy, like a baby.

Me: I don't think that's possible.

(long silence)

Adam: Ok, when I was a baby I could go back in.

Me: Oh, Adam. You're hilarious.

Adam: I know, I'm funny.

sigh.

As cute as he is, this head is NOT going "back" anywhere!! ;)

Weekly Wrap

List style, of course:

1) We went to Wildlights, last night, at the zoo. It was FREEZING, snowing, hailing... it was a little nuts. But it was beautiful, so we had a good time!

2) This weekend is the BIG Ohio State/Michigan game! We are going to a party, of course, to support our team. You know how you hear about those "crazy Ohio State fans" ?? It's all true.

O-H.... (you're supposed to say "I-O")

3) I am going on a date tonight. ;) I hear my date is pretty hot. I'm excited.

4) umm sometimes we have a little fun... Ignore the fact that I have no make-up on... But hey, it's funny. :)




5) Next week is Turkey week! So much to be thankful for... oh, and it's TIME TO SHOP! I like Black Friday... no wait, I LOVE Black Friday. :)

Have a GREAT weekend, everyone! :)

Theme Thursday: Thankful

I am thankful for SO much. But I am mostly thankful for my boys. They are my.....everything!



(I love Adam and Matty's faces in this photo. They REALLY were not amused by family photo time... haha. Makes me love the photo EVEN more!)



Head over to Stacy's to see what others are thankful for!

Four Years

Four years ago, today, our family changed forever. I lost someone very special to me; a person with great strength, great wisdom, and overwhelming love for his family.

When grandpa passed away we weren't on the best of terms.Grandpa and I had our differences, and we had our own opinions on certain issues. We were in a period of life, where we didn't smile at one another when we saw each other and there was a lot of hurt between us. I really was pushing those I loved the most out of my life, for no apparent reason, and I really wish things had been different at the time. I remember wanting to get to the hospital while he was still alive. I needed to ask him for forgiveness and I needed to tell him how much I loved him. I had that opportunity. He couldn't answer me, but I know in my heart he heard me. I know he forgave me. I know he loved me, as much as I loved him.

I wish he could have met Adam and Matthew. He would be so in love with them, so proud of all that "Stickel" in them. He'd be one of their favorite people, I just know it! I pray he can see them now, and I pray he's smiling down on them. (Ps, Grandpa- Matthew is your twin. I see your smirk, every time he smiles at me. He's so Stickel!)

Anyway- to a man of great honor, to someone I love and miss very much. To my grandpa, forever and ever. I pray I'll see you again. :)

Like A Merry-Go-Round

I took the boys to the zoo, on Thursday. The weather was amazing, the zoo was empty (which was SO wonderful!), and my boys and I had one of the best days we've had in while.

And on this day, we decided to go on the merry-go-round. This is a big treat, because I usually say no to this crazy ride that makes mommy sick. But on that day, while standing in between my two boys, I realized something-- I am on a constant merry-go-round. Let me explain:

I don't like to complain. I don't like to ask for help. I don't like to let people know how I really feel, sometimes. I am a people pleaser, easy going, and REALLY good at hiding behind a not-so-true smile. I'm not sure why I am this way. I've always been this way.

So while I was spinning in circles, miserable, putting on my smile (as to not hurt my babies' feelings!), I realized that my life is a reflection of this ride. I'm spinning. I'm not in control, and I don't want to be. I really don't want to be in control; I am fine with allowing my God to lead my life. But, I am spinning in this circle, a little lost, a little dizzy, and not really going anywhere. And, I think that's what is so frustrating to me.

I would love for school to be over. I am tired.
I would love to know whether or not there are more kids in our future...and when.
I would love to SLOW down a little bit, and really enjoy everyday of my kids' lives.
I would love to no longer wonder dizzily through life. I am tired, very tired, and sometimes days are blurs.
I would love to no longer be a people pleaser, all of the time. Why can't I have a miserable day? I can. and I do!
I would love to just be content. Sometimes I try to be in control, and that just doesn't work.

So- as I was spinning in circles and listing all of the things I would LOVE to do, I kept repeating something over and over in my head:

but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 28:31

Thank goodness! I won't spin in circles forever. I hope, therefore I will soar on wings like eagles. Sigh. I just have to keep that hope going, and pray that I can make it through this rough season of life. And I plan on doing just that! :)

Besides, if I beat the merry-go-round of life then I can enjoy more moments life these:

BSM: Who said it could....

SNOW?!

Ok, so this wasn't my planned post for today... but when we woke up to THIS, I just had to post about it.

Here is my real BSM:

Yep, that's hubby in a tote. don't ask?! (I told you I was putting this on the blog, Andy... teehee)

Have a best shot from last week? Share it over at Tracey's!

Weekly Wrap

1) I started a new Meme (of sorts) on Wednesday! Check it out if you didn't get a chance! :)

2) My nephew is staying with us, this weekend. We're very excited; he hasn't stayed the night with us in a looong while! I have a feeling we won't be seeing him much, because he's very excited to play with our Wii.

3) Matthew is being dedicated on Sunday! :) We are SO excited to dedicate Matthew! We are thrilled to publicly announce our devotion to the Lord, and our plans to teach our children the Truth, through the Bible and help of God. YAY! :) I am sure there will be many photos.

4) I am REALLY excited about school right now. I know. Do you believe I just said that?? I found out that I can do my internship, soon, and I am looking into interning at our local Christian ROCK station. Free concerts....nuff said. ;) Oh- and the class I am in right now is pointless and boring- Bah!

5) Yes, I really make those "bah," "gah," "meh," noises in real life. I type how I talk. I am not sure if that's good or bad?!

6) It's going to be 60 degrees today... and 36 degrees by Sunday (with snow!).... Only in OHIO.

7) Last weekend was my nieces 3rd Birthday (if you remember, Adam and she were born 9 hours apart!). There were so many photos... and I am just now getting around to editing them.
THIS however is my favorite photo. This is Carli, niece number 2, 8 months old. (Michelle, this photo is for YOU!)

8) This is my other favorite photo! :) Uncle Andy and Princess Kayleigh. Andy needs his own princess, don't you think???





Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! :)

TT: Home is where....

The fruit loops are....




This is just a glimpse into what my kiddos do, while at home.

Want to see more "homey" photos? Head over to Stacy's for more Theme Thursday!

Website Wednesday

Today I unveil to you, Website Wednesday; a whole new weekly adventure where I share my favorite websites with you! Some sites you may have heard of, and some not. I am not choosing sites based on monetary compensation or giveaways; I am just choosing sites that I think are cool, to share with you! Now, maybe over time companies will pick-up on this feature and giveaways will be an option (got a website you want featured? Send me an email: bams0803 at yahoo dot com)!

Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!

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The very first WebWed is a site some of you may already know: WOOT.COM

I am a BARGAIN shopper! If I can get a deal on an item, I will. So the very first WebWed is all about D E A L S!! With the Holidays coming, everyone could use a good deal! :)

Woot.com is a website that features amazing deals on electronics, and other high end products. Their savings are usually 25-50% off what you would find in the stores. Sometimes the items are less than desirable and sometimes they are amazing deals! For example, about a month ago they had the NEW Dyson vacuum for $200. If you know anything about those vacuums, then you know that in the retail stores Dysons go for over $450. Quite the savings!

They also have sites that deal with only t-shirts and wine. The wine deals are AMAZING. Whole cases of wine for a fraction of the price, and t-shirts going for $5-$10. GREAT deals!

Head over to Woot.com, and enjoy the savings! :)





Have a website you want featured on WebWed? Email me, for ideas!

BSM: Adam's 3- Photo Shoot

Well, these aren't photos shot by me... but they are my best shots for this week! We had Adam's 3 year old photos done, Friday, and we of course bought the CD. So, here are the shots I love the most (I am not editing them, so they are raw):

(and Matty wanted to play with the ball, so the girl got this shot... did we buy it anyway?? umm DUH! ;) )

More best shots? Head over to Mother May I, to find some more best shot fun!

Fun with Food!

Well, I am a sucker for cute food photos! I found that I had quite a few, when looking through them all. After much debate, I have found my all time favorite. 5 Minutes for Mom is holding a new photo contest: fun with food- so, why not enter?!

I would LOVE to win the $500 in groceries, they are giving away. Wish us luck! :)

The Moon

Adam: The moon is cut.

Me: It's what?

Adam: The man, took a ladder, climbed up, and cut the moon.

Me: Oh, really?

Adam: Yes. He took daddy's big, big, big, (he always says three "big"s) ladder, my scissors, and cut the moon. See, mama?

Me: Oh, I see it, Bubba. What else did he do?

Adam: He make man's face. Out of cheese.

Me: Oh, yes, I think I've heard that story. Where did you hear that story?

Adam: Dora.


Thank you, Dora the explorer, for making my son believe a man takes his daddy's ladder, his scissors, and cuts up the moon every night. sigh. :)

Theme Thursday: Imagination

If only it were that easy to plant trees, Bubba... :)

Go visit Stacy, to see more imagination fun! :) Happy Thursday!

Fall Fun

It's been a beautiful fall, this year. The weather has been warm, the leaves have turned the deepest of red, orange, and yellow; we have been able to enjoy many moments of Autumn's beauty!

These two boys are the epitome of happiness:


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Soccer ended on Saturday. I will have to say I saw much improvement, in Adam, over the course of the season. He stopped saying "I don't like soccer," while roaming the field; he ran after the ball, and was actually disappointed when the ball didn't come his way; he got a goal! (with a little help from his buddy Christian!); and he actually said he liked soccer! yay! We're not sure about the spring; I think I will let him choose whether or not he wants to play, once the time comes! :)

Bubba, we are SO proud of you! You are a soccer star to us!

BSM: Happy Birthday, Bubba!

Adam-

Three years ago, at this very moment, I was pacing the floors. You were ready to enter this world, and I was ready to keep you in! Little did I know, the joy and the laughter you would bring to my life, and the special place in my heart you would hold (and do hold, forever and ever).

I walked up and down the halls of the house for 3 hours. I took 2 showers. I rocked in the rocking chair and sang "you are my sunshine." I cried. I laughed. I waited to wake-up daddy, because I didn't want to share that moment with anyone. I wanted our last moments of being one person, to be between us. I wanted to tell you how scared I was, and how I didn't know how to be a mommy. I wanted to tell you that even though I didn't know what I was doing, that I loved you SO very much, and that I would try to be the best mommy I could be. I just wanted it to be me and my baby.... and it was... and it was perfect.

As I've said before, Bubba, we are so blessed that God chose you for us! You are such a light in our lives! You're laughter is contagious, your eyes light up entire rooms, your smile is genuine, your heart is pure and innocent, and your life is ever so precious.

You, Adam, are an amazing big brother. You have a little shadow, that wants to be just like you! I love that you don't (usually) act bothered by his follow-the-big brother games, and that you tell him you love him, daily. You are sweet, kind, and loving. I love this about you.

Adam, I can't express enough how special you are to me! You are my sunshine. You are my first born, and you will always hold a special place in my heart.

I love you! My big guy!

Happy Third Birthday, Bubba!

Have someone special to say hello to? Want to share some fun photos from your last week? Head over to Tracey's for some more BSM fun!

And some party shots: