The Voices Within Me

If you have a blogger blog, you know there are two buttons, either save or publish. Well... if you hit save, it does not publish... which is exactly what I did the other nite. I was going to ask for prayers for my dad as he went in and had a knee replacement yesterday but since that is over it is sorta futile. He could still use prayers for a quick and full recovery though :)

This past week was kinda crazy weather wise. If you didn't hear, a monster snow storm went through and dumped lots 'o snow on us... though we fared much better than areas up north (namely right where my parents live) Being that bad weather was forecast, we decided not to venture out to PA for our family Christmas gathering and it was a good thing we did. Being that we had told the kids they were going to see Santa and we really did want them to have that experience, we ventured out thinking we would beat the storm. Boy were we wrong! In a matter of about 20 minutes there was an inch of snow and every person in NE Ohio forgot how to drive. Traffic was at a standstill and a stretch of road that would normally take maybe 3-5 minutes took us over an hour to travel. (note... this is more b/c of traffic and NOT bad road conditions) Argghh!! BUT... we did see Santa, ate at Fridays as a treat and eventually made it home again.

After all the snow Saturday, we had freezing rain then rain the rest of the nite/ morning so it was a nice slushy mess for church. By Sunday evening however, we were getting quite a bit more snow and we weren't sure whether to have the youth Christmas party or not... we went with it and had a great time.

Yesterday was my Dad's surgery, and I drove up to be with my Mom after taking Micah to school. It was snowing a bit here when I left but got really sunny half way there until I hit the invisible snow-belt line and suddenly I was in the midst of a snowstorm. Thankfully the roads were mostly clear and I made it in relatively good time. I got there spent time with my Mom, brother and Aunt and after a TON of delays, finally got to see my dad. He looked good... had been in quite a bit of pain at first, they actually installed something in his leg to do a nerve block but all in all he was doing great. The Dr. said surgery went well and we are now just hoping he heals well so he can be home Friday for our family Christmas.
I actually had a great drive up there... I love traveling when it is nice and throw on some good tunes and I am set. I listened to "Behold the Lamb" both there and home and specifically, "Labor of Love" numerous times and it really got me in the right mindset for Christmas.

Today I am babysitting (only one thus far until the other two are dropped off... and she is sleeping :) ) and have to make cookies for Micah's party at school tomorrow. I can't believe Christmas is a week away... guess I should mail out those cards- eh? LOL.

Are you happy Mommy? Mommy are you happy? Mommmy... are you happy? Moooooommmmmy.


to be continued... (right now she needs dealt with- yes, at almost midnight...)

Tonite is the nite that I lead our girl's Bible study at church. Earlier today while I was getting ready, Ms. Addie came up to me and asked what I was reading. She thought that she was going to get to join in for story time... I closed the book for a second and told her that I was reading about Hannah. As I said this I thought she might relate it to the Hannah that lives next door to my MIL (you know... trying to think ahead here). She got this puzzled look on her face and then a big smile as she said, "You mean Hannah Montana" (If you don't know who Hannah Montana is, she is Billy Ray Cyrus' daughter who has her own tv show and is currently on tour with her tickets selling for thousands of dollars) I had to explain that no, I wasn't reading about Hannah Montana but instead about a Hannah in the Bible. She just looked at me and said, "oh" and decided that story time might not be such a good idea after all.

about when I was a baby." This is what I heard from Micah as he stalled on his way to bed. I knew this was a chance that might not come again anytime soon so I pulled him onto my lap and we talked, laughed, cried (ok- maybe only me b/c I had tears in my eyes from laughing and I realized how big he has become...) and I cherished every moment that we spent talking together. He wanted to know what he used to do, how he acted, what he ate, what he played with... It was so fun to hear him giggle about himself and for him to interject things he remembered.
While I love the four year old he has grown into, I do miss those days of incessant snuggling and the little boy who needed his mommy for everything. (here I go again with the tears... darn it!)
I am so proud of all he has done and become and though I miss the past, I can't wait to see what the future holds.

(and btw... Tim just informed me that Micah said he was going to ask God about what he was like as a baby since I said we had to end tonite)

Some of the top memories
*Chubby boy with pinchable cheeks
*Bright blue eyes
*How he always, and I mean ALWAYS fell asleep in his high chair
*him toddling around pushing his walk/ ride on toy in circles through the kitchen to dining room to living room and foyer
*non-stop Thomas playing
*singing him to sleep
*reading books
*him always having to listen to Rich Mullins to go to sleep
*having him fall asleep on my chest
*the curls in the back of his hair
*constant diaper blowouts (ok- not the best one BUT it was funny to talk about b/c I mentioned it and he said yeah... like Daddy says, "Pee You a skunk stinks" LOL. It is just a silly thing those two say...)
*playing trains with Grandpa
*him getting stuck under the bed in our room when he insisted on sleeping on the floor nite after nite
*playing Grandma's piano wrong (he remembered this- lol!)
*going to church (and he said liking it- but we sure did go through some battles with that child!)

and one of the most endearing things... he can't really remember life without Addie. I love how close those two are...

Give us something good to eat...

It has been a week already? Opps...
I don't exactly know where the time has gone but here we are a week later. Life sure does go quickly once fall hits doesn't it? Soon it will be January again.

Tonite we took the kids to "Playhouse Disney Live" which was cute... but Sesame Street Live was put together better in my opinion. No matter, the kids had a blast and it was great to see them join in singing and mesmerized by the show. When it was all over, Addie said, "time of the next show" Silly girl!! I have some pictures to share, but first had some cute things from the kids this week :)


Kidisms...
While I was babysitting on Tuesday, Micah was being his usual loud self and the little girl (who is Addie's age) looked at him and told him to be quiet b/c he was being too loud. He looked at her and said, "I can't help it. That is how God made my voice." What a goof!! But oh so true ;)

While shopping with Addie yesterday she made up a song to the tune of a song sung by her ride on pony. Of course it won't be the same just reading it but she said... "Addie's not a ba---by, clippity clop clippity clop. Addie is a big girl, Clippity clop clippity clop" It was really funny. She was singing this b/c we are officially potty trained- public and privately :) She has had a great week- even staying dry four nites!!

Another one from Addie... when she has pigtails or a ponytail in these days... she calls them "curly tails" and tells me how pretty curly tails are. If I wear my hair up I have "curly tails" as well and those are the days I look the best in her eyes :)

Gosh... there were at least two others but I have now forgotten them since it happened a few days ago. Guess that is what happens when you don't blog regularly.

On that note... I will share some pictures from tonite :)

I am finally home... another wedding in the books for Expressions Photography. :)
Tomorrow I am off to an engagement shoot- which I am totally excited about- seriously- I really think this will be a ton of fun... we are shooting in the "bride's" backyard and her dad has done amazing landscape- so I am really looking forward to something new and with such meaning behind it. After that... I have a break in the actual taking of pictures until Thursday when I have another senior. I am going to be glued to my chair and computer until then though with all of these proofs- seriously... I am getting behind in the whole process. After this coming week I have four more seniors booked and then I believe senior season will just about be finished. Of course that means I have to look ahead to next year- which I already have one ready to book and a rep in place. I guess the cycle just continues on...

In other news... Addie is pretty much potty trained- yipppeeee!! She was dry for two days (until today at my parent's house- BUT- that was a new place for her and she was actually dry the whole way up there and then was dry the whole way home again (sleeping both ways). I am not ready to try a public test yet (I remember Walmart trips with Micah- we were in the bathroom more than actual shopping) BUT- I think I have bought my last case of diapers until #3 comes along :) (and of course...I just bought a new HUGE pack- but we will use those up at nite time and then move on to pullups afterwards so it works out it is just ironic)

Micah is still loving school. His teachers seem great this year and he really seems to connect. I guess he didn't have "listening ears" on one day this week and had to sit at the other table but other than that- I think it is going well. The funny thing is- he tells on himself - we would have never known if he wouldn't have said anything.

I think I am falling asleep here typing this so I guess that is a sign to move along to bed. Until next time...

We are venturing into the "po_ _ y training" mode around here. She went before bed last nite, went again this morning and is so far dry today :) I am sure it can't be this easy BUT I have my fingers crossed. We have been trying every 20 mins (or more b/c she thinks it is fun) so hopefully we can catch it before there is a mess. Time will tell...

And now... onto two new pictures of the kids. I still have more to edit and share- but I should be doing client work- not my own so I am trying to compromise.

that we are truly going to have fall weather? Today it is in the mid-70s and tomorrow it is supposed to be in the 60s... I am almost afraid to believe it could be true for fear of disappointment.
Just in case this is as cool as it gets... we went out to Wildwood Park to try to get a few fall photos. Let me just say- I know why parents are always there with their kids at my photo sessions... it is next to impossible to do it alone (even with my own children- I need one to make sure they are sitting and then me to actually take the picture) With that said, I thankfully got at least one picture- this was the first one I took and I could stop now b/c I am really happy with how it turned out :)

sorry they are sideways- I forgot that you can't turn video like you can a photo BUT the video image isn't why I put it on... I just wanted you to hear the audio :) The first one explains the title and then the second, it a little concert before bedtime ;)






I got it!! :)

Since the last post I...
-went to my first Mom's group (which went really well)
-took Micah to his first "friday" of school
-went to the football game (they lost again by 1)
-went to the band competition (they didn't qualify)
-went to the constitution parade
-went to the firestation openhouse
-took a loooong nap (Saturday)
-finished a senior clients photos
-got another potential senior client
-watched Steelers and Buckeyes win

so... it has been good. my dad also had his surgery and it all went well- hopefully this will take care of the issue once and for all.

here are a few pictures that I have taken off the card thus far... i will be sure to upload more as I get to them

As I mentioned before, Micah started back to preschool today. He is in the 4 year old Busy Bee class and so far seems to love it. He was a bit nervous when we got to the school and started in the door, wasn't real sure about things standing in line, and had a bit of worry as he walked into his class, but once his teacher took his hand and he saw some familiar faces, he did ok. He was very excited when we went to pick him up... talked all about what they did and such. His teacher said he had a few tears sneak down his face but they were gone in seconds and that he did great. So... I hope this is a sign of a good year ahead.

Here are some pictures from this morning... the first one was the one I wanted and the rest... well... he "posed" for me ;)











and to compare...one of him from last year on his first day