It's not easy being famous!

Okay, so today I was in Dollar Tree picking up a few things and a nice lady said...

"Aren't you Susan?"

I replied something like "yes, and you're Michelle?


It was my friend and neighbor Rebeccas' good friend who checks out my blog every now and then, apparently when she needs some humor!


We decided we had met once before at Rebecca's church, but I thought she really had a good memory to remember my face from then.

Tonight while I was rolling cupcake pops, which I'll show you later, it occurred to me.

She can't have that good of a memory...wait a minute...she recognized me from my blog!

WOW! Now I know what it's like to be famous! *wink wink*

Sometimes MckMama has mentioned being recognized and she's hit over 7 million visits to her blog! I'm like what...1250 or so...I wouldn't know, it's not like I check it daily or anything *wink*

Anyway, I'm not sure how I'll handle the stardom!


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In other news... the birthday is fast approaching! Last night I rocked Hayden and really tried to savor it. I thanked God for her, this little one that once seemed would never join our family, now feels like she's always been a part of our family. I kissed her little ears and nose. I tried to memorize her at this age, knowing full well I won't be able to.


About day 3 after she was born, I began sobbing quietly on the couch. I was sitting there thinking about how our beautiful family picture from the previous Christmas wasn't "good" anymore, because she wasn't in it. I was sad that the family of "3" was no more. Of course it was baby blues talking, but I was I guess kind of mourning that former life that would never be again. I was thinking that I would have to take the picture down, in fairness to Hayden and that made me sad.


I can't believe those thoughts ever entered my mind.


Now, I can't imagine our family without her!


She brings so much joy to our family of 4!
note: a family of 5 wouldn't be bad either :)

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My birthday party checklist:

dress/outfit.....check
matching hairbow made.....check
party hat made.....check
centerpieces.....check
tableware.....check
goody bags.....check
collection of serving pieces.....check
birthday banner made.....check
highchair decor made.....check
napkin rings made.....check
silverware rolled.....check
jigglers.....check
cupcake pops.....started
cupcakes....thursday/friday
cheeseball.....friday
fruit skewers.....saturday
croissants ordered....tonight!
picture slideshow.....in progress
gifts wrapped.....in progress
medicated.....check :)
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Just for fun, I thought I'd post some pictures from Haydens' first days in our family....enjoy!
Now, excuse me while I grab a tissue...the country song "It won't be like this for Long" is on the radio....sniff sniff!

Snippets of our Life!

I find it so hard to sit down and actually update my own blog. I follow lots of different blogs, checking some of them everyday, but yet not finding the time to write on my own. Hmmm???

It could have something to do with my Etsy addiction. Speaking of my addiction to this site, which is similar to ebay, but more like multiple stores full of neat and interesting handmade products...well, just wait til' you see some pictures of my most recent purchases. But, you'll have to wait for those until after Haydens' birthday!

I can't believe this cutie patootie will be ONE soon!

If you were a part of our family, you'd be worn out too!

Harrison with his medal for basketball

Hayden making her Daddy proud (blowing a duck call)

We've been counting down the days til' Hayden turns ONE! I about fell off my chair at work today when it read "Hayden is 11 months and 3 weeks old today!". It can't be real! I've been busy preparing for her birthday bash! I have a bit of an obsession with things being "just right", but I'm trying to let that go, but not with much luck. Just a warning for those of you close to me :)

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We took off on Monday back to Cincinnatti to the Sheraton CocoKey Water Resort. It's the same one we visited on Fall Break. We had a nice time, despite the fact that the indoor pool was closed...yes, there was the water park, which we enjoyed immensely, but with a little one, a warm pool would've been quite nice. Normally, I wouldn't complain (I know you might find that hard to believe...but I'm usually all bark, no bite!)...ok, so anyway, I normally wouldn't complain, but this time I couldn't help myself. I won't go into the details, but I remained kind as I walked away with 4 free day passes back to the water park at another date, "for my inconvenience". It really was an inconvenience because we weren't even informed when we checked in...and it was broken then! The biggest inconvenience being Monday night when the kids and I got dressed to go swim, make the trip down to the pool (not super close), and only to find it closed. It really wouldn't have been as big a deal, but the water park was not exactly warm and cozy. Anyways....

The kids weren't terribly bothered by the cool water. Hayden went under the "waterfalls" and didn't mind it a bit. We raise "fish" in our family- they love water!

Tuesday we went to the Cincinnati Zoo. It was lots of fun. I did nearly faint when it cost $6.50 to park, but what the hey...it's spring break! The kids and I rode the carousel, which Hayden wasn't too thrilled with! We rode the train, which she liked. It was a really nice zoo with a large assortment of animals. I bonded with one animal in particular....the Mama gorilla. It appeared as though she spent her days holding her baby with "the goods" just there for the baby anytime she wanted....yes, that seems to sound familiar to me. I'm pretty sure I didn't just relate myself to a Mama gorilla on my blog for all the world to see....But, on a serious note, I did get a little teary-eyed thinking about it. It was very sweet to see, and from one mama to another....you go mama gorilla! (See how sweet..the baby is on Mama's lap)

You should've seen Aaron getting up on this Rhinocerous...and NO! I didn't even attempt it!We took "Stellan" to Bass Pro Shops and plan to add our picture to his "name gallery" (that boy gets around)

Wednesday morning Hayden delighted us all when she said "Bub-ba" when trying to get her brothers attention!

Yesterday, we left Cincy, and stopped at the Air Force museum at Dayton. It was HUGE! The planes were HUGE! Harrison enjoyed seeing all the planes. It was a lot of walking, and Hayden, well, she was less than interested. We spent time on a bench, her snacking on ground chicken sticks, while I marveled at the planes above and in front of me. I was a bit nervous that I would get sent to Guantanamo for allowing her to eat in an area designated "no food or drink", but no one said anything. They probably didn't want to listen to my screaming daughter so they let me off the hook!

Harrison has his first baseball practice tomorrow night. He's got his new fancy schmancy sports glasses, and new batting gloves. I personally am totally excited that baseball is just around the corner...it perhaps is my favorite! He looks so cute in those baseball pants! Hopefully he's not lost any speed from last year and he keeps up his good hitting!

Hayden is not walking yet, thank goodness. She has found the stairs, and stands for a few seconds at a time, but I really feel like she is still a ways from walking. Seriously, I'm in NO hurry for her to take off because that is just one more reminder that she is growing up. She also is cutting her first molar!

Our little angel has begun to throw little fits when she gets put down and she's not ready. She lays herself on the floor and cries. It usually passes after a few seconds, but if not, I'm totally a pushover and I pick her up. I have a sneaking suspicion she may be a "fit-thrower", unlike her brother. Little Miss has her own addiction called breastfeeding! She still wakes up at night, usually around 2:00 a.m. and ends up in our bed. This is the same routine we ended up in with Harrison. Of course, we said we'd do it differently with our next child....yea right! Some mornings we wake up with Harrison at the foot of our bed and Hayden in the middle! It's a bit crowded!

Well, that's a glimpse into what's been happening around here lately! This weekend and next week will be busy getting ready to PARTY!!!

And be sure to come back and see the pictures....featuring my ETSY purchases on the Birthday Girl!!!

On my Mind...

I sit here tonight all ready to type a new post about my sweet baby girl. I watch the days go by on her "ticker" , watching as it creeps closer to saying "Hayden is One Today!!!"


I just don't know where time goes. And, the only thought going through my head is how I am
so very blessed.

I promise, I will get a post up soon, for Grandmas' sake, with pictures. But, for tonight, there is something else on my mind.

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As I sit here, I am reminded of Baby Stellan, who once again, is in a fight for his life. If you will recall, Stellan is the fourth child of MckMama. MckMama's blog is the one I have to thank for all my blogging addictions, for her blog is the first I ever read, and I've been hooked ever since.

So, tonight, I am praying for Stellan. I'm praying for MckMama and Prince Charming (yes, that is her blog name for her husband). I'm praying for the doctors, nurses, and other medical workers who are taking care of our little guy- the little baby that SO MANY have come to love!


She has proclaimed Stellan a miracle, as he was never supposed to survive to even be born! But even tho, of course, she is pleading to God to heal him, she has such a deep faith, that she will continue to proclaim Stellan a miracle, even if God chooses to take him.


Through the internet, the blog world, and other means of "communication", I am constantly reminded how truly blessed I am. It's very hard to understand why children have to hurt, or have to die. I can't say I understand it. I know, I know...I can't dwell on this. I don't dwell on it, but I am consious of it. To be conscious of it helps me, in a way, to be a better Mommy.


Sometimes, like when I learned of Sweet Cora, who between 10 and 11 months was diagnosed with cancer and passed away 3 weeks later, I am hit in the face with the thought that "this could be me- any day". In Cora's case, it hit close to home. She was close in age to Hayden, and I could really put myself in her Mommy's shoes...and I could not imagine! Then there is Audrey Caroline, who was born and died just a few days before Hayden was born. As I plan my "extravaganza", as my Dad called it, for Hayden's first birthday, I am reminded of how Angie would be planning Audrey's party as well. There is Isaac, whos' Mommy is really having a hard time right now, almost 6 months after he died. But, even in her sadness, she is trying to help others. And then, there is sweet Jonah, who was born with a very bad skin disease. His parents lost a baby around the time Hayden was born, so I feel an attachment to them as well...not to mention Jonah is a dollbaby!


The awesome thing is...all these stories that I follow...of babies lost and of children who are sick, there is a common thread. All these stories are woven together and they all have one thing in common- His name is Jesus! You see, while these stories are so very sad, I am learning from them. Some of these little innocent babes stories have brought people to know Jesus. So, though their lives may have been cut short, they had purpose, and God is constantly revealing their purpose and will be doing it for a long, long time. These parents, the very same ones who have lost a child or are weathering some really bad "storms", their faith is amazing. It lifts me up. I am learning from them. Most of them are such wonderful writers. They are open and honest and real. They all love the Lord, despite it all.


I know this is a heavy post, but it is on my mind. I love writing about my children, but tonight it's about the other children and their very faithful parents. Would you please take a minute to say a prayer for Baby Stellen, if you would. And, there are so many more hurting that could use all our prayers as well.

"Saviour, He can move the mountains,

My God is Mighty to Save, He is Mighty to Save

Forever, Author of Salvation, He rose and conquered the grave,

Jesus conquered the grave!"

HE IS MIGHTY TO SAVE!

Not Me! Monday

We all know there are things we do each day, each week, that we are just too chicken to admit. NOT ME! I'll pretty much tell you all about the crazy things I do or the things I'm ashamed of, because it's just who I am. And, because I know I'm not alone, I join in on MckMama's blog carnival every now and then and admit the few silly things I can actually remember that I did. I know there are so many.....so many in fact that I can't ever remember them!



But, this week, just when I thought all hope was lost and that once again I was going to have to skip Not Me! Monday, I received a phone call from my wonderful neighbor, Rebecca. The call went something like this.



Rebecca: (in a timid voice) "Susan"


Me: (in a voice that can tell something is wrong) "What's wrong?....is he covered in mud?"


Rebecca: "no, worse"


Me: "poop?" (in a yucky, frightened to hear a response voice)


Rebecca: "no, worse"


Me: "what?"


Rebecca: "what animal comes out when it's sunny?" (a bit of trivia I was unaware of)


Me: "a skunk???" (in a not-so-nice mama voice)







Yep, that's right...I did NOT get a phone call saying that Harrison had been sprayed by a skunk!


Surely, my son is smart enough not to go anywhere near a skunk.



Or not.



Fast forward to Harrisons' arrival home at which time I did NOT make him strip down to his birthday suit right there on the front porch and proceed to "grill" him about what on earth he was thinking!



Apparently, he is not knowledgeable about skunks yet?




Well, at least he wasn't.




Until now.



I did NOT proceed to wash him in a tomato sauce shower, somewhat delighting in the fact that he was a bit chilly when the cold tomato sauce hit his warm skin. I did NOT have the thought that that he is totally getting what he deserves!

Needless to say, it could have been much, much worse. I didn't lose my temper and Harrison doesn't smell too bad. Actually, I didn't smell it on anything but his boots.

His brand new boots.


The ones I told him to take off!


And, I did NOT talk "big" to Rebecca in my initial anger about how he was going to get a spanking for disobeying. I told him to change into his old cowboy boots, but he did not. I did NOT totally believe his blubbering, crying little self when he said "I forgot", because well....as made obvious by my lack of remembering what I can potentially use for not me mondays....it's obvious his forgetfulness is hereditary!

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I am totally NOT obsessing with the planning of Haydens' 1st Birthday, which I can't believe will be here in a matter of weeks. I did NOT schedule myself, in writing, to have a "day of crying" on her actual birthday. I would NOT be sad about my baby girl turning one, and I surely am NOT thinking about it already. That would be obsessive, and I am NOT obsessive, and I will NOT surely pay for it when it's all said and done! I did NOT add over 20 dresses to my "favorites" on ETSY, that I like for her "birthday dress", as that too would be obsessive!

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So, I know it wasn't that exciting, but at least it was something! What did you NOT do this week?


Join the fun times over at MckMama's blog!

Just a quick note here...
No Not me Monday today...the only one I could come up with was boring!

Please be in prayer for this little baby, Jonah. His button is new on my sidebar. He was born with a serious skin disease and his family and him need our prayers. Once again, I can't imagine and the way God has blessed me smacks me in the face when I see others who are hurting. Click on the button to read his story and please add them to your prayer lists.

Well, I guess for sake of updating, I could say that I did NOT find Hayden standing up in her highchair this weekend. I normally don't strap her in when I'm going to be sitting right there, but apparently the time has come that this will become necessary! Little stinker!

She is walking all around things but not standing on her own yet. No rush!!!! I can't believe my baby will be one year old in just a few weeks. I'm planning her party for the 11th of April, and I actually scheduled the 12th (Easter) on my calendar with the words "CRY ALL DAY". I suppose I won't cry ALL day...but I wanted to allow time in the day for a tear or two :)

I've begun a new addiction to "coupon-ing" and am finding some great deals...even FREE! It doesn't get much better than that! I'm enjoying passing along some diaper deals to friends of ours who are having TRIPLETS!!! Can't imagine that, but I'd love them, I know! He works with Aaron and these are their first babies....and they look so young, which means I am getting old!

Harrison has wrapped up basketball and moving along to baseball. That season kicks off April 18th and I can't wait. Number one, that means warmer weather, maybe. I must say, this winter to me doesn't seem like it's been that bad, but it does seem to be dragging on. I am more than ready to not have to lug around a very heavy carseat with a baby in it that will not keep herself covered!

I'll try to get some pictures up later tonight or tomorrow. For now, I must go to work...bummer....but glad I still have a job! Thank you God!

Not Me! Monday...the Late Edition

So, since I've NOT been sick with strep throat, I'm NOT running behind with Not Me! Monday, but posting anyway since Mr. Linky is still up on MckMama's blog. You know MckMama, the one who started this whole therapy session...and boy do I need it this week...

BECAUSE.....

I am certain that I did not find Hayden playing in the toilet...yes, that's right, the TOILET, but it gets better...

It most definitely was NOT the dirty toilet that I'd just put cleaner into, turned back to start tidying up the sink only to turn around to find her happily splashing around in the TOILET!!! Now, before you panic, I might add that it was "greenworks" cleaner (i.e. natural ingredients), so there were no acid burns or anything, but I definitely flunked the MOM OF THE YEAR contest!

Later in the week, I did NOT hear Aaron tell me that he too had found Hayden playing in the TOILET again, at which time I did NOT confess to him that I am indeed a terrible Mom because I was in the bathroom with her and didn't even notice til' it was too late! And, no, we don't have a bathroom the size of a bedroom...it's your normal bathroom...pretty bad, huh?!?

Friday night, I did NOT talk Aaron into at least trying on my SPANX underneath his Class A Fire Department uniform! It was way too funny, and I'm totally sure he'll kill me for posting it on here but I can't resist. I was NOT laughing SO hard that I nearly wet my pants! I'm pretty sure he would've worn them had it not been for the fear of being in an accident and having to have his clothes cut off...imagine explaining that one!

That night, just for a little bragging...I did NOT feel the slightest bit proud of Aaron as he walked up and accepted the Firefighter of the Year award for 2008. It did not make me feel the least bit "turned on" when they described him as a "Real Bad-Ass" (pardon the french)...and even with that little bit of turning on I did NOT come home and go right.to.sleep...no.questions.asked! :)~ The only thing that would've made that night better was if ...

1) He walked up on stage and everyone knew he was wearing SPANX, which they would've because you know I'd have had to tell them.

or...

2) He would've walked up on stage and split his pants because he wasn't wearing SPANX, and I could've said I told you so.

(Just to clarify, he really did not wear the SPANX, but he did try them on! Mom is our witness, well, kind of...she heard us lauging hysterically and Aaron saying "I'm not wearing pantyhose!")

At church on Sunday, Danny was speaking on being a servant. At some point, he used an illustration about a parent yelling and screaming at their child. I did NOT hear these words come out of Harrisons' mouth...

"That's like you do to me."

Umm...reality check....small smile...yes, honey....feel the size of a pea...horrible Mom....nagging Mom thoughts did NOT fill my head at that moment.

(That will teach me not to let him stay with me instead of going to childrens church....)

And lastly...

I did not allow this to happen....

Our Kitchen Chair...courtesy of Hayden

Just for the sake of having Haydens' "toothprints" on something... That would be very irresponsible to let her potentially damage a piece of furniture for the sake of a memory. Honestly, I thought it would be little tiny imprints, not down to the bare wood!


My daughter really does NOT think she is a woodchuck!

All together now...
How much wood, would a woodchuck chuck, if a woodchuck could chuck wood!!!

Have a great week!


Oh, by the way...did I mention we found Hayden playing in the TOILET !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not once, but twice!

Come on people, let me know I'm not alone!

What did you NOT do this week?

Leave a comment!!! (Mom, you know you have a good one and I'm just being nice leaving it off of here!)

toothprints

Not Me! Monday

It's Monday! And, you know what that means, right? It's Not Me!! Monday time again, courtesy of MckMama. If you've never checked out her blog, now is the time. You will eventually become addicted like the rest of us "wolverines" as she refers to us. So, you know the routine...here is a list of things I did NOT do this week. Click on the button below to read what other "wolverines" did NOT do this week.

{WE ARE HAVING TECHNICAL

DIFFICULTIES, AND I CAN NOT

GET THE BUTTON TO LOAD....

SO CLICK ON HER HIGHLIGHTED

NAME ABOVE, AND THAT WILL

TAKE YOU THERE!}

To start off the week, I did NOT find Hayden standing at the toilet seat with her hands going in...that would be entirely gross, and I am always knowledgeable about where she is and what she is doing (she was standing right beside me). I did NOT think about the fact that we have 2 "boys" in our house and they don't always aim right...and I did NOT have this thought as she was crawling around on the floor of the bathroom. On the same subject, I did NOT have to wash off the newly painted wall because I could see "spray" spots on it, next to the toilet. Ughhh! That would be gross! IF it had actually happened, but since it surely did NOT!

I did NOT stay up til' 2:30 am one morning looking at vacations and reading blogs on the internet. I did NOT totally pay for my internet-scouring, blog-reading, vacation searching ADDICTION for the rest of the week.



I did NOT totally escape for a session of much needed Target therapy on Saturday! I did NOT spend over 2 hours going up and down aisles and basically exit the store with Valentines and baby food. That would be way too boring for a 2-hour shopping trip to Target. While at Target and venturing down an end aisle I'm pretty sure I did NOT pass by a family of 6 standing together in the family planning aisle (i.e. birth control, etc.) Now, mind you these were children of reading age, not toddlers, and I certainly did NOT have to laugh (to myself, of course) as I passed them in the store later. I'm just trying to figure out the conversation that might have been taking place amongst the family....Now, if this has been you, I am not judging...just wondering (and laughing, of course) how it is managed.



Harrisons' pet gerbil, Crescent (like Crescent Roll), did NOT escape yesterday, at the hands of two young boys. I did NOT hear extreme screaming and serious jumping coming from behind the closed (for obvious reasons...they didn't want me knowing what was happening) doors. The gerbil did NOT proceed to elude us the rest of the day, until near bedtime, when the three of us (Harrison, Hayden, and Mommy), did a stake out and had our own chase until we finally captured him. I'm sure Hayden was wondering what in the heck was going on with her normally sane (questionable) Mom and her brothers actions did not shock her in the least!



I did NOT spend Valentines Day night at our towns version of Chuck-E-Cheese. I'm pretty sure I had a romantic, candle-lit dinner with my husband while we ate chocolate covered cherries and drank champagne. In reality, It could NOT be me that totally enjoyed the night with my family instead of the above mentioned romance!

I was NOT the least bit disappointed when my funny card that I got Aaron went straight over his head....

{It pictured a husband and wife with "thought bubbles" over their heads. Over his head was the word SEX, and over hers was the word TARGET. Open the card and it read "Are you thinking what I'm thinking????" HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's too funny, since I was just at Target and I love shopping at Target.....Uh...NO! HE DIDN'T EVEN GET IT!} Big letdown!

And, currently, I am about to kick something, because I have one more good one, but I wanted to provide photo evidence of it, and since blogger won't load photos currently, it will have to wait til' next week, so I guess ya'll have to come back now...ya' hear?

So, that was my week. How was yours? Now is the time to join the fun over at MckMama's blog. It's free therapy, but apparently not enough for me because I still need my Target therapy!