30 Days of Thanks-part 2

Day 16
I am thankful for my friends, Mickie and Beth Ann. I don't have many close friends, but I treaure my relationship with these two. They know the true me and I am so grateful for their presence in my life.

Day 17
I am thankful for those who are willing to sit in the nursery at church, so I can enjoy worship and the message. I am able to relax in church knowing Camden is taken care by loving workers.

Day 18
I am thankful for a close relationship with my Momma-she is one of my very best friends and there is nothing I can't share with her. She is a true blessing.

Day 19
I am thankful for the relationship and open communication I share with my husband. I didn't realize during premarital counseling, when Earl and Rinnea told us how close our compatibilty tests came out, what a blessing that really was.

Day 20
I am thankful for Camden's birthmom, Brittani. Her sacrifice gave us the gift of being parents and she will forever be our hero. She will always hold a special place in my heart.

Day 21
I am thankful for alone time. I am very much a social person, but the older I get, the more I enjoy being alone at times.

Day 22
I am thankful for family that we can share holidays with. Our family is far from perfect, but we are very close and for that I am grateful. I don't want to take it for granted.

Day 23
I am thankful for a day at home with Camden. Today, he was a builder, a ladybug, a puppy, a doctor, a hairdresser, Captain America, a scuba diver and a football player. I love his imagination!

Day 24:
I am thankful for Todd and Dad's hard work to paint our kitchen cabinets. It may take a while to complete, but the finished product is going to be awesome!

Day 25:
I am thankful that Todd doesn't mind doing the grocery shopping sometimes. Today was one of those times I just didn't want to go and he was more than happy to go.

Day 26:
I am thankful for my ten minute commute to work. It's a little longer with dropping Camden off and picking him up, but I still don't have far to go and no traffic to fight.

Day 27
I am thankful for my sweet boy-my life was forever changed the day he was born. He makes me laugh EVERY SINGLE DAY! He told me tonight Mommy, my hand making water. He was holding onto a plastic football and his hand was sweating. ha!

Day 28:
I am thankful for Love Basket and the opportunity to make our family of 3 into a family of 4. The process doesn't seem so daunting the 2nd time around.

Day 29:
I am thankful that His mercies are new every morning. Even if I mess up and am a failure today, I get a fresh start tomorrow.

Day 30:
I am thankful for Indian summer days, even though it is a bit odd on the last day in November. I love that today I drove up to get Camden from preschool and they were outside playing because it is 65 degrees!

Oh Christmas Tree

When I picked Camden up from school on Monday, all he could talk about was putting up our huge Christmas tree. We didn't feel like getting up in the attic and dragging it all down, but did get out the little tree that goes in his room. I got that tree his second Christmas on the advice of a friend. The idea is that he can play with the ornaments on his tree, but not on the big family tree. It has worked out pretty well.
Mom offered to pick him up from school last night while we put up the tree and that was awesome! It went pretty quick. I love decorating our tree, especially pulling out the ornaments we have collected since we got married, but what I loved most this year was seeing Camden's face light up when he walked in the living room and saw the tree all lit up. His favorite part is that he gets to turn it off and on with the foot switch I found on clearance a few years ago.
We have also been singing Christmas songs at bedtime. His favorite is Away in a Manger, but he asks me every night-"what's a manger?" We also practice O Come Let Us Adore Him since that is what Ms. Sue's class will sing at the program next week. He also likes Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. (But somehow we did end up singing Ironman is Coming to Town).

Trust

Todd and I have always wanted to be parents and now that we are, we realize there is no greater joy and we LOVE it! In our case, becoming parents has not been an easy road, but we know it is the path God chose for us. He has made that evident and has guided us each step of the way. We have been talking for a while now about adding to our family. But since that is not as easy as just getting pregnant, I have struggled quite a bit. I tend to overanalyze things and find all the negatives and reasons for things not to work instead of simply having faith. I have really been praying for God to show us what His will is for us and I feel like that in the past 2 weeks, He has done just that.
Our first adoption experience was amazing-there are no doubts about that. In fact, I love sharing Camden's story to anyone and everyone who will listen. I have worried that there is no way another adoption could measure up-but I feel God is telling me-Let me show you what I can do.
Our message last Sunday was "Seeing the Unseen" and wow, did I feel like that was a message meant for me! Pastor Chad Everett, visiting from a church in Illinois, challenged us to believe it before you see it. He said "You don't have to make it happen you just have to see it and believe it." I have to put my trust in Jehovah Jireh, my God who see and provides. He knows the desire of our heart to be parents again and he will be faithful.
Then yesterday, the words of a worship song we sang just really spoke to me:
"God I look to You, I won’t be overwhelmed
 Give me vision to see things like You do 
 God I look to You, You’re where my help comes from
 Give me wisdom; You know just what to do ..."
When I doubt and worry-about whether it will happen, will it be soon, what if Camden gets older and there is a big difference in their ages, will we have another awesome experience, will the birthmom change her mind, can we afford it again and all the MANY other questions that come with adoption-I need to be still and believe. Believe that my God is big enough and will comfort my heart. Even as I type this, He is saying, "I've got this, Andrea. Just trust me..."
So, as we begin our second adoption, I will trust Him and believe!

Thanksgiving 2012

We started our Thansgiving festivities at Rick and Rene's house. As Camden got out of the car, he looked around and in an awed voice said, This is a FARM!" It was priceless. Considering we do live in town, their house in rural Festus is pretty close to a farm. All he saw was the horses next door, wooden fences, the forest (as he calls the woods) and lots of open space. We did visit the horses and Spit was nice enough to stop eating and come see us.

Camden did NOT want to leave the horses....

Dinner was delicious and we all agreed the turkey was the best yet. Rick and Jay fried it in a Williams-Sonoma brind. Camden loved entertaining everyone and since he is the only one under 15-he pretty much was the entertainment!

Camden's dinner consisted of cheese, carrots, pretzels and ranch

Later, we headed to Grandma and Grandpa Bailey's. Everyone was still there, except Ryan and Jess, so we visited some more. Camden was glad to play with his cousins. They discovered the house is perfect for a game of hide and seek! I snapped this super cute picture of them and plan to use it as a gift for Christmas.

When it was time to leave, Camden said, "But I was having so much fun!" Todd and I are always cracking up at what he says-I guess all parents do.
I am so thankful to have both of our close enough that we can see them both on holidays. We are truly blessed and enjoyed our day with family.

"Church girls"

We left Camden for the first time with someone other than Aunt Beth, Aunt Mickie or Gramma and I have to say that Ashley and Sarah Cook were a perfect choice. He sees them every Sunday at church and once a month, they are his teachers. He, therefore, call them the church girls. Love it!
One of the most useful parenting tips someone gave me was to prepare your child and tell them what is going to happen. This has helped Todd and I trememdously. We tell Camden about things beforehand and establish our expectations. So, Friday night, I started talking to him about how Sarah and Ashley were coming over tomorow to stay with him while Mommy left. And from the moment, he woke up on Saturday morning(at 6:06 am I might add!), he asked every few minutes-when the girls coming? I was a litle nervous about leaving him, but I barely even got a goodbye. The girls didn't even call or text me once. Granted, I left a list of everything they could possibly need to know-I will admit, it might have been a bit much... But they were awesome with Camden! They even let him sleep on them during his nap. We love our "church girls!"

30 Days of Thanks-part 1

Day 1:
I am thankful for modern medicine. Camden's nebulizer makes him having asmtha bearable and easy to manage.

Day 2:
I am thankful for my 3rd grade team. We have our differences, but I can honestly say I have alot of fun at work with these four ladies.

Day 3:
I am thankful for my parents and their "Festus visits" to see peapie. I cannot say enough about all they do for me, Todd and Camden.

Day 4:
I am thankful for my church. I love going to church every Sunday and we have met so many great people since starting at Victory. The messages alway challenge me to be a better Christian person.

Day 5:

I am thankful for a class of amazing students. This year is flying by and I am having so much fun.I enjoy teaching them and seeing them learn.

Day 6:
I am thankful to live in America where we have many rights, including the right to vote. I love teaching this concept to my 3rd graders.

Day 7:
I am thankful for Camden's teacher, Ms. Sue who loves him and teaches him about God.

Day 8:
I am thankful for a warm, cozy house on cold and rainy days!

Day 9:
I am thankful for my sweet husband who will start my car on cold mornings, so it is warm by the time Camden and I leave.

Day 10:
I am thankful for the Saturn and that it is still running at almost 160, 000 miles!

Day 11:
I am thankful for veterans who gave their life so I can have the freedoms I enjoy and for the soldiers who serve now protecting our country.

Day 12:
I am thankful for PD days. I love wearing my comfy clothes and having lunch out. (The break from the kids is always nice too!)

Day 13:
I am thankful for sweet students who make me feel feel special by making me a 35th birthday card.

Day 14:
I am thankful for Aldi, where I can save money money on groceries to feed my little family.

Day 15:
I am thankful for my health. Although I may have some minor health concerns, I am grateful they are all non life threatening.

Peanuts....

It has been 2 years since we figured out that Camden has a peanut allergy. Jenny fed him a peanut butter and jelly sandwich when he was almost 2. He fell asleep and then woke up projectile vomiting. By the time I got there to pick him up, his eyes were red and his voice was hoarse. We called the doctor and she said to just avoid peanut butter/peanuts from now on and consider it an allergy. Fast forward, a few months and Jenny forgot about not giving Camden peanut butter. She called me again and said he had thrown up. Long story short, we had Camden allergy tested and he has a definite peanut allergy. Camden is aware he cannot have peanuts and he will ask you sometimes-this have peanuts in it?
Just last week, Ms. Sue accidentally gave the class a snack of a mini Snickers bar. She said Camden came up to her crying and said I want my Mommy. She quickly realized her mistake. I was so proud of Camden for knowing not to eat the Snickers. I also know that God is watching over our sweet boy.
On the way home, Camden told me Mommy I ate one peanut today. He told me a simpler version of what happened. We had a discussion about how Jesus was watching over him (from up there he said pointing to the sky) and how proud of him I was that he knew not to eat the peanuts and tell Ms. Sue. I am so thankful he didn't eat it since we don't know what his exact reaction is or how bad it can be. I also know he has wonderful staff at Victory Childrens' Center who kept a close eye on him all afternoon. He kept showing me how he could swallow and saying I'm okay-I can talk! But it was still a little scary and I had to call Mom while she was on vacation to give me a little pep talk!

Birthday Musings

I turned 35 yesterday. Oddly enough, it was a rough day for me emotionally. This was totally unexpected, but Todd was once again, his patient self. I can always count on him to be my rock. Here are 35 random thoughts from my 35th birthday:

1. I miss sleeping late.
2. I wish my husband didn't snore.
3. Wow, Camden's hair is long-maybe we shouldn't keep letting it grow out?
4. I love praise and worship time at church.
5. The words from a song we sang at church today reminded me that Jesus is my King, so I need not worry so much about who is President.
6. I can't believe I forgot to put Todd's name in as a veteran for the church bulletin.
7. This year, I met Rachel, who who shares my exact birthdate-11-11-1977.
8. TMJ or TMD-whatever this jaw/ear pain I am having really hurts!
9. I am glad football season is over.
10. Pickles really make Camden's breath smell stink.
11. I love the smell of laundry detergent.
12. I love naps!
13. I am excited about a Zumba class a friend is planning for January.
14. Camden has SO MANY toys!
15. Pizza and Polar Pops are staples in my diet.
16. Are we supposed to be be a family of 3... or 4?
17. My son just may be the only 4 year old who can name all the football teams in the SCC.
18. The nice weather is over-I hear the rain outside.
19. My mom is making me a gooey butter cake for my birthday!
20. I can't wait for my kitchen to be painted(hopefully tomorrow).
21. Should I let me hair grow out or keep it short?
22. As much as I love getting all dolled up, I am just as happy at home in my comfy clothes.
23. My dad is grilling one last time tonight.
24. I am glad Todd doesn't mind driving in the rain.
25. Have I mentioned how much my jaw/ear issue is bothering me?
26. Camden is so funny at this age, but man, he is getting bossy!
27. I have a great family!
28. My husband is so patient-he was cool, calm and collected during my birthday emotional breakdown.
29. Does everyone think their child is so smart?
30. What will Todd do if Camden ever decides he doesn't like football?
31. Hot baths are one of my favorite things!
32. I really need to get Camden in to get his flu shot and also schedule him a dentist appointment.
33. Christmas is less than 2 months away.
34. Did my son just say "actually"?
35. I love being a wife and mommy!

Football Season is over...for this year

 

 We spent our beatutiful Saturday afternoon of Indian summer watching the Hawks play(or pretending to be the Hawks playing-ha!) in the quarterfinals football game against St. Mary's. Unfortunately, the Hawks lost 34-17, but it has been an amazing season. Todd enjoys coaching at Hillsboro and we hope there are many more seasons to come!

Happy Birthday, Marine Corps!

Todd and his former Marine Buddies always celebrate this day. I am grateful to Todd for the four years he served in the United States Marine Corps to serve and protect our country. I believe the time he spent in the Marines helped shape him into the amazing man he is today. I love you, Todd!

Funny things from Little Man lately

We are working with you on wiping your own nose. You will tell us your nose is running and we remind you to get a Kleenex. We showed you where the Kleenex were in the living room. You had a cold the other week and you called me in the living room to show me you had been wiping our own nose. And this is what I found:

We couldn't say much to you because at least you wiped it yourself-even if you used 3 Kleenex each time. When I sent this picture to Gamma, she said Oh just wait until you have him start wiping the other end! Ha!!

One night last week at bedtime, you had called us back in your bedroom a couple times after we had tucked you in. So, when you called Daddy again, I told Todd I was coming too and we were going to tell you this was the last time. We walked in and Daddy said, what do you need, son? You said I called one person and two of  you came. I not need two.

Before you go to sleep, either Mommy sings to you or Daddy tells a story. Daddy was telling you a story-you had requested that the story be about dinosaurs. So, Daddy made up a story about 2 dinosaurs coming to our yard and eating the grass. You said, Daddy, dinosaurs don't eat grass. Daddy said, well what do they eat? You told him dinosaurs eat meat.

Mickie and Adrian took you to church with them last weekend. You were very good, but you told me that it was a quiet church. They gave you their offering envelope to put in the plate. You asked if this was for Jesus? After you put it in there and they passed it down to the usher, you grabbed another envelope from the pew and said he forgot this one.

Being silly with your last binky that we told you "broke"-you found it in my drawer.  

District Champs!

The Hawks won the district championship last night against Cape Central 28-20. It was a super close game and they scored 2 touchdowns in the last 23 seconds of the game. So proud of them and my hubby as a coach!

the Bedtime Battle

Don't let this cute little face fool you! He is the most easy-going child most of the time, but at bedtime, he is like a different child some nights. Tonight was one of those nights. He and I were at odds because he did not want to go to bed, had to go potty, needed a drink, wanted me to sing one more song.... And Daddy was not home to mediate. Dear Lord, I pray for patience with this little one. He tests me daily!

A toddler lives here....

1. Sippy cups in the dishwasher
2. A stepstool in the bathroom
3. Matchbox cars on my kitchen table
4. MegaBlocks underfoot
5. Dirty handprints on the TV
6. The living room looks like a playroom
7. Toilet seat is up
8. Preschool materpieces on the fridge
9. Tiny socks in the laundry
10. Drawings on the shower walls

I never get tired of the reminders that we have a precious, silly, active boy living here. Even when I look at the mess in our living room which is different each day, I have to smile because I know these days won't last long.

Introducing....Captain America

The Hawks are in the playoffs, so Todd had a football game on Halloween. Little Man and I went up to Aunt Beth's to go trick or treating with Nick and Emily. Camden was a bit impatient and told me that me that we should go "sun trick or treating". I had told him that we had to wait for the sun to go down in order to go trick or treating and he didn't want to wait!
He was really a good boy and kept up with Emmy and Nick. I did take his stroller because last year Todd carried him alot. Everyone kept commenting that he was the happiest little Captain America skipping down the street. He wasn't scared by the spooky decorations and hijacked Nick's joke-"What's the first letter of yellow? When people would ask if anyone had a joke, Camden would say, "What's the first letter of orange?" People were laughing, not because it was funny but because, here is a little 3 year old asking me what the first letter of orange is. Pretty smart little fella!

We also saw a Thomas the Train, so every house we came to after that, Camden would ask if they had seen Thomas. Here he is telling this nice lady about Thomas. He was such a friendly little trick or treater.

 

I had to put these last two pictures in because I am quite proud of my addition to Camden's costume. He insisted Captain America needed a shield and red boots. Well, a pair of Meily's red socks worked perfectly as show covers. And I figured cardboard, a little paint and some Modge Podge would make a perfect shield. Hot glue a coozie cooler for an arm holder and we were set! (I was a little mortified that I accidentally hot glued the wrong side down and Budweiser was on my son's shield-but oh well!)

"Hallelu-wah" Party

Victory Children's Center has a Hallelujah Party instead of a Halloween party, or as Camden calls it a "Halleu-wah" party. Both Mommy and Daddy took a half-day off of work to go with Little Man, and he was super excited. Gamma Becky came too! We got to see some of carpet time and do centers in Ms. Sue's class. We also went on a hayride, rode a pony(named Chief), fed the animals at the petting zoo, played in the "bouncy house" and had snow cones. It was a bit chilly, but a lot of fun!