Sunday, May 11, 2008

In my Head...

It's been a few days since I last wrote. Thought I would write something.

Got a lot of things going thru my head - but none of it has come to make any sense yet (this happens a lot). Once it does - and it is not too incriminating - I will write it all out :o)

Hope everyone had a great Mother's Day.

Til next time...

Nicole

Monday, May 5, 2008

Fun-Filled Weekend

Where do I start?? hmmm...let's go back to Friday night....

Friday evening, I stopped at an ATM to get some cash. Everything "sounded" ok - like it was "counting" the money to give me - but then it shot out an error receipt. Oh well - right? Not really - see - the ATM had already deducted the amount from my account - but - I never received the cash! So, Saturday morning I spent about 1 1/2 hours between my bank and the bank where the ATM was, trying to get it all straightened out. Apparently, I was not the only person this ATM did this too. There were about 10 others (at least that was the total number before me - no telling how many came in after me). So - I should have the money back in my account by today. Hopefully!

Saturday afternoon, Sam, Caleb and I did yard work. Sam mowed and weed-eated. Caleb and I pulled weeds from the flower bed and got it looking pretty again. Then we played baseball, soccer, frisbee and several other games with Caleb in our freshly mowed lawn. It was nice being out in the sun! Sam grilled hambergers and hotdogs for supper that night. Reta, Jadyn, Kara, Kadey and Lexy came out and ate with us. The kids played outside while we were cooking. Kara brought another friends 6 week old baby with her out to the house. Hailey is adorable. She puked all over me. It was great! I got to send her home! That was even better :o) HaHa!

Sunday morning we went to Immanuel. May 4th was the first Sunday in the new building. The building looks great. The nursery area is awesome! We went to lunch with Jason, Heather and Hallie. Caleb and Hallie are so funny together. They giggle a lot!

Sunday afternoon and evening was a relaxing afternoon. After lunch we stopped by Gordman's - a new shopping place. It has a lot of nice things in there. I know I will be back! We got Caleb 2 shirts - one has 3 or 4 baby chicks on it and says "Chick Magnet". The other one has a skull and crossbones with "Here comes Trouble" written on it. Both are so true! But the best part is, I got both for $12! And the t-shirts are a nice, heavy shirt - not the ones that are so thin you can see right thru them :o) After that, it was relaxation for the rest of the evening.

It was a nice weekend overall. I enjoy getting to spend quality time with my husband and son. :o) Who doesn't? :o)

til next time....

Friday, May 2, 2008

Posts from phone

Posting blog from phone

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Potty Training...Again

Wow- What a fun-filled day this has been! (sarcastically said!)

I got fed up this morning with Caleb not going to the toilet to go to the bathroom...So - we bribed him!
It has worked so far.

We have Gummy "candy" that he gets one peice of - if he goes potty. He has made out like a bandit today, b/c I took him every 10 - 15 minutes before his nap and same after his nap. But, to my surprise - no accidents today in his big boy underwear. His "big boy underwear" has Diego on them - one of his favorite characters. So - I told him this morning - not to pee on Diego...that he would like it. He kept repeating that all day today - what ever works.

I just got to the point this morning where I am TIRED of changing diapers. Pull-ups - they don't work. They just make it easier to put the diaper on the kid...they do not help with potty training one bit! (at least not in this household, anyways).

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Next subject: Church - where does God want me to serve? I really wish that God would throw up a big, flashing, neon sign that says "I want you to serve at ______ church in ______ ministry. I am so torn. I loved my old church...but things happened that just turned me away. Sam and I have been visiting another church in the area for the last few months. It is a really nice church. But - then again - I have filled out 4 or 5 visitor's cards and the only information I receive from the church is in regards to preschool. I have specifically stated - written in bold pen, even - that I want information on the music ministry there. NOTHING. We have not even received a phone call or anything from the church saying "thank you for visiting with us". How is the church reaching people if there is no contact with people who fill out the visitors cards? I need prayers on this. Lots of them.

I miss my old church - and most of the people there. But I am uncertain of what will happen if I do go back. Will we be accepted back in with open arms? Or will people/certain pastors look down upon us? Like I said earlier - I need prayer for guidance. Prayer for that big, flashing, neon sign...(one can dream, can't they?)
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Subject #3: Continue to Stay at Home - or Get a Job?
Caleb will be 3 in August. This is the age of beginning preschool. Preschool is not free - nor is it cheap. So, this is where I have to choose - do I keep him home another year and stay home or do I go ahead and go back to work and put him in preschool this year? I know that our funds will not stretch far enough to allow me to send him to preschool and continue to stay at home (unless Sam gets a huge raise). Yet another thing for me to worry about. I want him to go to preschool - I want to make sure that he has all the knowledge he needs before beginning Kindergarden. Now-a-days, things that I learned in Kindergarden are being taught in Preschool. It is amazing what they expect kids to know before entering Kindergarden. What is even more amazing to me is the fact that Caleb is only 2 years away from attending School.
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As you can see - there are a lot of things on my mind. And the above is just the top 3 things on my mind at this moment in time - there is so much more going on up there...sometimes, it's a little scary! It will all come together one day... not in my time, but in God's time. I keep having to remind myself of that.... easier said than done, unfortunately...

Signing off...

Nicole

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Thursday...

Not much has gone on this week...today has been kinda rough for me.

I need a break. More than just an hour or two - more like a few days break. It really gets tough sometimes - especially through the terrible two's. I was not gifted with patience. I am willing to admit that. Unfortunately, there are days where my patience is really, really thin. Not sure what causes these days. Wish I knew.

I wish my parents lived closer. I know my mom and dad hate not being close to Caleb. I hate it that they live so far away.

Not much else to say. I need to get a time set up with my parents to take Caleb for a week. That will give Sam and I some much needed time together as well as give me a little break from repeating myself 15,000 times a day and constantly saying "NO SIR - WE DONT DO THAT"

signing off for now...
Nicole

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Play date with Hallie

Today was another fun-filled day!
We met Heather and Hallie Todd at Chik-fil-a in Rogers for another play date! Hallie and Heather came over the our truck as I was getting Caleb out. As soon as he got out - he reached out, and grabbed Hallie's hand. They held hands all the way in to the restaraunt! Love it! We ordered, & ate..well, Heather and I ate - the kids were to excited to start playing! They ate a little bit, and then they were off! They played for 2 1/2 hours in there! It was great!

Tim and Laura Keck, and Cari Kaufman showed up while we were there. I haven't seen them since I left Immanuel. It was good to see them. They said they missed seeing us every week. I miss seeing a lot of people every week...but that is another blog all in itself!

The kids played and had a great time together. I enjoy the time I get to spend with Heather as well - I am truely thankful for her friendship!

Play date with Briley

April 16, Wednesday:

We had a play date with Christy and Briley Fast. We drove down to Springdale and Christy and I took the kids to the Springdaly park to play. They had so much fun. Briley calls Caleb "Gaga". It took Caleb a little while to catch on - but he soon started answering to it. I wonder how long it will last? Hmmm... Anyways - we let them play until school let out. Once all the "big kids" starting showing up and having no respect for the little ones around them - we decided it was time to go. We went to Sonic and got some icecream and drinks and then went back to Christy's house so they could play some more. They have so much fun together!
After we left Christy's house, it was time to go help Kara and Gale with cleaning of their old rental house. They moved last weekend into a bigger house (one with 4 bedrooms) so they now have enough room for all the kiddo's. We cleaned for a while and then went to Maria's to eat supper. By the time we left there - Caleb was worn out completely! He was alseep before we even got home - and he never opened his eyes...even while changing his pull-up and putting on his pj's! What a day!

We had fun - and are so thankful for all our friends!

Well...

So much for it not being 4 months again before I update my blog! Life happens - and until I have a laptop, it will continue to be random entries - unfortunately!

Caleb has grown up so much. It is absolutlely AMAZING watching him grow - learning tons of new things every day - some good...some, well, not so good! But he is 2 - and exploring like no other.

This past weekend we had a Birthday party to attend at Chuck-E-Cheese's in Rogers. It was for Brian and Monica's little boy, Brandon. He just turned 3. The kids had an absolute BLAST at Chuck-E-Cheese's...and so did the adults! The party started at 4 and we didn't leave until 7! Caleb was SO tired. It made such a lasting impact on him that the next morning he woke up and first thing he asked Sam and I - "I want Chuck-E-Cheese...pweese???" Too cute - but once a month is plenty :o)

Catch up from January...
I went ahead and quite working at Immanuel right after my last post. My body couldn't do it anymore. I am just working for Elegant Windows part time from home (20-25 hrs) a week and keeping Caleb at home. I love it. I do miss the interaction with adults and I do miss some of the "daily grind"...however that has been replaced with loving being able to sleep in and play with Caleb so much more. He loves going to the park. We take his bicycle he got for Christmas and he rides it at least a mile and then he plays for hours at the park - going down slides, climbing, playing in the sand. I really enjoy the time I have with him now. It is great. I love the freedom of just having a work-at-home job as well. It is a job I can do when I go to my parents house in Kentucky - or to see my grandparents and extended family in Jackson, MS. It is great!

First part of March - my good friend, Kara, discovered she was pregnant with their 3rd. She was extremely shocked. I would have been shocked if I was in her shoes. See - Gale was "fixed" right after they had Lexy 7 1/2 yrs ago. Now, Gale had a few problems with his surgery and since he never went back to to doc to make sure there were no more little swimmers...well...I guess they build up over time! HA! They are much more excited now. She is due October 16. We are all hoping for a boy this time...especially Gale!

March 23rd - I turned 28 yrs old. Man - I am getting a little to close to that 30 yr mark! Easter fell on my birthday this year - so it was a combo celebration. We (Sam, Caleb and I) went to Kara's mom and dad's for Easter this year. They live in Kingston, AR. It is about an hour from here - out in the middle of no where. It was fun. They have an old 2 story house with a huge front deck and lots of yard for the kids to play. Caleb had a blast. He loves playing with Kara and Gale's girls - Kadey and Lexy.

April 4-5, I went to Women of Faith in Little Rock. I went with Kara, her sister Dana, and a group that Dana has been going with the past few years. We had a blast. Kara, Dana and I volunteered this year. If you volunteer, they provide your tickets to the conference as well as boxed lunches. So -it saved me about $150. We had a really good time working the conference. The conference itself was really good as well.
While in Little Rock for the conference we had tornadoes (about 3 of them) go right by where we were staying. So, April 3rd - the hotel (Crown Plaza) had pulled every guest out of their hotel rooms and down to the main floor in conference rooms. We were all down there, in our pj's, for 2 1/2 - 3 hours. It was nearly 1:30 before we were aloud to return to our rooms. It was crazy - but it was memorable!

April 12 - Matthew turned 26. Can't believe my baby brother is 26. They had planned on going camping for his birthday - but the weather got ugly in Manhatten, KS - so they were unable to go. Maybe next time!

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Catch Up - last 4 months!

It has been a few months since I have posted anything. It has been SO crazy!
I started working at the church the first week of September. This was only part time - 30 hours a week at most. Then to help supliment the difference, I also started working from home for a supplier - 15 hours a week. Right! I have ended up running myself ragged! I guess I never realized exactly how much work it would be holding down 2 jobs, keeping up with my 2 year old and husband, along with all the other "wifely" duties. I have been getting up at 7:30 -working for an hour or so for the supplier job. Get Caleb up, dressed, fed and to Tracy's house. Work at the church until 5ish. Go get Caleb from Tracy's, feed him (and me), give him a bath, read and play with him for a while...get him to bed. Then I head back to the office to finish work for the supplier job. Somewhere in all that there is laundry, cooking, cleaning kitchen, grocery shopping, vaccuming, etc, etc. Until the week of Christmas, I had not been going to bed until anywhere from 2-4am. Wow, what fun!

I have been seriously thinking about quiting work at the church. While I do love working there and helping out with the music stuff, I can not keep going at the rate I have been for the last 4 months. It is jus too much for me. It wouldn't be that bad, IF i could get more than a few hours of sleep each night...however, that has not quite been the case. On top of the extremely long days...I don't make enough there for nothing. I barely bring home enough every week to pay Tracy and pay for the gas back and forth to town every day for that week. I may bring home anywhere from 20-40 dollars a week, if I am lucky. It is just something that I have been thinking about. I am waiting for God to open the right doors, if it is the right door. I talked to my boss with the supplier and let her know that I am looking to just work for her - however, in order for that to happen, I will have to have more hours than 15 hours a week. It will have to be at least 30 hours a week - and that is minimum. Caleb does really good with me at home. I enjoy being at home with him. I will still take him to Tracy's - but it will not be an everyday thing. Just some things to keep praying about :o)

Sam was offered a new position at the police department. As of 1/1/2008 he is Detective! He is so excited. I am excited. He will be working Monday thru Friday from 2-10pm. I am not so fond of the hours he is working Monday - Friday, but at least Caleb and I will see him in the mornings.

We got a cat a few weeks ago. His name is Smokey. He is simese. Beautiful colors. Grey-Blue Eyes. Very lovable. Very lazy. He fits right in!

I am going to try and keep this up. I will do my very best not to let it be 4 months again before I post something. I just have to get this site figured out. Like how to personalize it with pictures. Or, how to change the backgrounds and all that jazz. :o) It will take time, but I will get it figured out.

Hope you have a Merry christmas and a Happy new year!

-Cole