Amy October 23rd, 2008
The other day I was talking to Mom on the phone and she asked me what all the commotion in the background was and I replied “It’s my life”. That got me to thinking about how much the sounds in my life have changed.
Previously, my life consisted mostly of the sound of keyboards, meetings, intercom system, the laughing of colleagues, the grousing of colleagues, the occasional gnashing of teeth, lunches out, and the excited cry of “MOMMY!” when I picked up Camden from Mom’s house.
Now my life’s sounds are centered on an altogether different place. The keyboards are replaced by Xylophones, meetings have changed to play dates, lunches consist of a moment of silence while Camden naps, and I hear many more happy yells of “MOMMY!” all during the day. Of course all is not idyllic by any means – when Jackson is screaming, Camden is turning on the swing’s tinny tunes, Diamond is barking, and we are running late, my cool is usually busted – but the good days far outweigh the bad. What Mom heard as chaos – Jackson grunting and Camden running up and down the deck squealing – I heard as wonderful moments that will all too soon be gone. Some days my patience is severely tested and I fail, but I am learning. I am learning to tune out the chaos and to tune into my children. My 2 wonderful blessings from God that I am continually thankful for. I wouldn’t give up these days for anything.
Now if I can just get the Little Einsteins theme song out of my head….
Michael October 19th, 2008
If you’ve been keeping up, you know that we took the plunge and bought that vehicle that we dreaded so much… the minivan!
Well, it had a video cassette player in it. Notice I said “HAD”.
We don’t have many VHS tapes anymore, and buying them is so last year. I did some research and found that car dealerships want close to $2000 for the DVD system for this minivan. Being the enterprising fellow that I am, I went on Ebay to see if perhaps somebody was willing to part with one. Much to my suprise, there was one for sale! So I waited till the last day of the auction and placed my bid. And won! Not suprisingly I was the only bidder. I got the DVD and Screen for less than you would pay for a good portable system.
It showed up late Thursday night and Amy and I went ahead and installed it that night. Installation was easy and it has already been worth the money keeping Son #1 occupied on trips.
Now, I’ve got some things I want to sell on Ebay!
Michael…
Amy October 19th, 2008
This has been one of the best weekends we have had. We have had incredible crisp fall weather and it has been a joy to be out and about.
Yesterday we all went to the pumpkin patch and Camden got to pick his first pumpkin. He also got to pet the animals, ride a tricycle, and ride the cow train (plastic barrels for the cars which was pulled by a 4-wheeler). Jackson got to bounce around in the backpack and suck on the front of it which kept him happy. GiGi was along for the ride since we now have a minivan and can fit everyone. 
We then went to a Fall Festival on the mountain and strolled through the booths, chatted with a few friends, and breathed in the wonderful fresh air. One of the friends we talked to was manning her booth and she said that everyone seemed in such great spirits and that the festival seemed to be a great escape for all of the bad news that is going on the “real” world.
Today we went to our old church down the road for their Homecoming service. It was great to see old friends and both boys behaved themselves during church. This is a small church so there is no nursery. I was a bit worried about Camden, but he made me proud. And after every song he clapped and cheered (he was the only one cheering because this is a very traditional old-timey church and they don’t clap much). Everytime he cheered it made me smile and also made me once again love his enthusiasm for everything. Every little accomplishment and song is a reason to celebrate. If only we all lived this way every day.
I also tried out my crock pot for the first time. I made Potato Soup. It turned out pretty good. If anyone out there has some great crock pot recipes you would like to share, let me know.
Here’s to a great week to come full of hope, promises, love, and family.
Below are a few pictures. There are more in the photos section.
Amy October 15th, 2008
On Monday we introduced Camden to one of his future chores – washing the car. He loved it. He loves doing anything that Daddy does.
Michael October 14th, 2008
I’m usually not one to publicly comment on such things, but I would like to say that the US is going down the tubes. I know this. I have seen the signs. And they are in the Walmart Restrooms!
I was washing my hands and posted for their “associates” were step-by-step instructions on how to properly wash your hands! In TWO languages!
What have we come to as a nation, dear reader, when we have to be shown how to wash our hands by an employer?
This great nation is toast.
Michael…
Amy October 9th, 2008
Well, we finally did it. The thing that I inisisted we would never do, we did. As parents we decided to do it even though I swore I never would. I can’t believe that we did it.
We bought a minivan. Sigh… But I have to confess a small part of me is actually excited. It is really roomy and comfortable and practical. It gets better gas mileage than my Sorento. Now my mom can travel with us in the same car instead of taking 2 vehicles everywhere. It came with a video player. I think that I am going to sit in the car this afternoon and watch a movie.
Now Mike is trying to sell his supercharged Grand Prix GTP. It is his last vestige of bachelorhood. I feel kinda bad for him, but the car does have 192K miles on it. They had a good run together.
I can’t believe that I am driving a minivan.
Amy October 6th, 2008
This past weekend my mom, the boys, and I were visting my sister and her family. Her boys, who are older, were throwing the football with their Dad. Camden wanted to play also and claimed the football as his own. So as I was playing with him in the front yard I asked him if he could say Football, as he had been calling it simply ball. He looked up at me and called it shoe ball. I started laughing. I don’t know if he just associates foot with shoe or if he called it that because he had shoes on and was kicking it with his shoes and not his bare foot.
It is amazing what goes on in a toddlers mind.
We are back home now and battling a rash that is taking over Camden’s body. I expect any minute now to see one forming on Jackson as well. Gotta love Mother’s Day Out….
Amy October 2nd, 2008
Here are some new photos of Jackson at Three Months. Enjoy.
Michael October 2nd, 2008
Camden really got into the Alabama vs. Georgia game last Saturday.
