A Little of This... A Little of That

A few random thoughts to round out the week.

Arden likes to move heavy objects around for no reason. I've noticed this often lately. We will walk into someones home and she will go to the heaviest toy and pick it up or try to pick it up and move it. She also likes to push her high chair around the kitchen. She attempts to pick up Dave's 25 pound dumbbells up and then tries to roll them (which are heavier than her) every time they are together in the den.

I read this week that people who have acne tend to drink a lot of milk. The research is saying that the hormones they give to the cows can affect the hormones in the person and cause the acne outbreak. I found this very interesting especially since I love to drink milk. I struggle with adult acne. Proactive is the best out there. Try it and you will see a difference. I promise.

Arden has yet to touch our Christmas tree...She's getting curious I'm just waiting until she does.

Isn't it funny how on some days you have so much to do that you can't figure out how you are going to get it all done. Then you actually get more done that you thought. Then the days that you think you have plenty of time to get everything accomplished but something always comes up and you never get it all done.

Lastly, how the weekend flies by when you are spending it with your family. Have a happy weekend.

Breakfast is the Best Meal of the Day

I am a breakfast kind of person. I go all out. I make myself and Arden eggs with cheese every morning. When I was pregnant eggs was one of the only things I could keep down. I love biscuits and gravy. My mom makes them for me every time I come home. I love them. I love pancakes, french toast, oatmeal, bacon, sausage and a big glass of chocolate milk to wash it down. Now I only like one thing at a time but I like breakfast food. My mom would tell you she hates fixing breakfast because it is always the same thing but my dad, brother and I all love a good breakfast.

Dave on the other hand would rather have a bowl of cold cereal every morning. He does ask that I purchase a variety of cold cereal for him to keep the taste buds happy...but he never gets it on Saturdays when I ask him "would you like to have a big breakfast". He enjoys it but always said that he would have been happy with a bowl of cereal and I didn't need to go to all the trouble of making breakfast. His dad ate the same bowl of Product 19 for over 30 years before they stopped making it.

I guess it all comes down to what you were raised on. It should be interesting when Arden can choose what she wants for breakfast Mom's homemade breakfast or Dad's breakfast out of a box.

Giving Candy to a Baby

Arden enjoyed a See's Lollipop at the mall the other day. It was so good that she didn't take it out of her mouth. Once we decided that she had enough Dave took it away from her and she cried and cried. We redirected her attention and she forgot all about it but she was very upset with us at first. The lollipops taste so great..they are so rich and creamy. Don't worry she brushed her teeth afterwards. (She loves to brush her teeth).

Christmas is Coming

Last week we went to a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at our local mall. We heard that it was worth it and we thought we would check it out and see what it was like. The stage was festive with lots of lights and music.

Rudolph was there walking through the crowd. Arden was intrigued by him but she did not want to be near him. She would stare at him and watch him walk around but was fine looking at him from a distance. There was some blue creature that Arden could not figure out who was near Rudolph but Arden liked the red-nose reindeer better.

She also found a cute little dog that she patted.

Afterwards we took her to see Santa. She wanted to be near him and look his red-suit over but did not want to sit on his lap. Santa told me that she was the most polite child that didn't want to sit on his lap. Santa said that most kids kick and scream. Arden just moved over to me.

She's on Santa's nice list. I'm sure of it.

It's Raining

All day I've been singing "It's raining, it's pouring the old man is snoring. Bumped his head, went to bed and slept until the morning." Arden has laughed every time I sang it. The best part is that it has been raining all day. Praise God because we desperately need the rain.

Question of the Week

Don't you wish you could sleep anywhere, anytime and in any position and be comfortable?

The Perfect Fall Day

Today was the perfect late fall day . The air was cold and the sun was warm and the leaves were piled high in the yard. I am much more of a hot summer type person but when I think of a great fall day today is one of those days.

Dave raked our leaves high in the yard and Arden had her first jumping in the leaves experience. I think she thought it was strange to be jumping in the leaves. What she really liked was walking in our neighbor's yard kicking the leaves around that had not been raked up.

The yard looks great with all of the leaves up...hopefully Dave will be able to enjoy his work before the yard is completely covered again. It looks great.

So Much to Be Thankful For

Yesterday was such a great day. We were unable to travel home to our families but spent a great day with some wonderful friends. John work so hard to create the perfect thanksgiving meal with turkey, some amazing pumpernickel stuffing, sweet potatoes and much more. Jeremy and Judy made the best homemade cranberry sauce. Arden ate a little bit of everything but really liked the cranberry sauce.

After dinner the guys hung out playing dominoes with a little help from Ashley. The ladies played a great game of phase ten. The conversation was great and all the kids took great naps as well.

Arden and Ashley played to great together. As I was watching them play together I looked over and Arden was hugging Ashley. It was so sweet. They also watch Dora together in their big chair.

It was a great Thanksgiving day.

Happy Thanksgiving

I have so much to be thankful for. I hope you have a happy Thanksgiving.

Happy Birthday Eric!

Twenty-eight years ago my parents welcomed my brother into the world. I remember the day as if it were yesterday. It was a warm day in Novemeber. I woke up with my neighbor in my room who told me my brother had been born. I remember going to kingergarden and telling everyone that I had a brand new baby brother. I remember going to the hosptial to see him and not having them home for Thanksgiving.

My brother is the most generous person that I know. He has a very tender heart underneath his tough exterior. Even though he is my younger brother he always protects me as if he is the oldest. He is very quiet but can make the room roll with laughter when he wants to. He hates for anything to touch his neck and he "stays so busy". He would do anything for Arden, Dave or myself. I am very thankful for him. My life would not be the same without him.

Eric, I hope you have the best birthday. I love you!

Arden asking Eric if he would please read to her.

A Few of My Favorite Things

Since Oprah did her show today on her favorite things. I enjoyed watching the show day and day dreaming about what I would do if I could afford her suggestions. Since most of her items were not in my budget. 9 cupcakes for $59! Wow! I thought that I would share some of my favorite things. All are under $50. Now some of them are probably not good gifts but they are a few of my favorite things.

N*A*P Blanket -- This is the best blanket to take a nap with. My friend Laura gave it to us for Christmas two years ago. Everyone who visits our house and stays a while ends up wrapping up in this blanket. This blanket is worth it.

Pampered Chef Chopper -- This is my favorite kitchen gadget. It is great when making salads and recipes. It is fast and keeps you from crying when you are cutting onions. It is so easy to use and when you done just throw it in the dishwasher.

Tresemme Shampoo -- I love this shampoo. It is so cheap! And it works so well. All of my hairstylists have made comments about how well my color stays and they think I use their high end shampoo.

Cibu Hair Products -- I love these hair products. In the past I had horrible experiences with hair products. It makes my hair either too oily or it makes my hair limp. These products are great. My stylist Jennifer does a great job of explaining how to use them and how much I should use. .

Starbucks Peppermint Lattes -- I am not a normal coffee drinker but at Christmas time I cannot pass up these treats.

Beth Moore Bible Studies -- I love these in depth bible studies. I have learned so much and been challenged through them. Each one has a special meaning to me and has met me where I am. It is amazing how God really uses these to change me into His image.

Mirror Image

I noticed something the other day as I was carrying Arden around the room. I realized that I dress her very similar to how I am dressed for the day. We are not matchy-matchy but we do complement each other or are wear a shade of the same color.

For example, on Thursday I had on red and white. Arden was wearing hot pink and white. On Friday I had on light green, Arden wore a cream, orange and green sweater and it hit me when I dressed her in dark purple and I was wearing dark blue. So I concluded that depending on my mood we both wear clothes that fit what I am feeling.

I will enjoy it because before too long she will be raiding my closet.

Question of the Week

Would you be adverse to sleeping like this?

A Girl and Her Balloon

Yesterday Arden and I went to the grocery store and I gave her one of the free balloons they give out to children. I explained to her that she needed to hold on to it or she will loose it. Of course she didn't get it and let go of her balloon. She watched the balloon rise until it hit the ceiling of the store.

Today we went ran back to the grocery store to pick up a few items. I got her another balloon but this time I tied it to her wrist so she wouldn't lose it. She was so happy. She laughed at it blowing as I pushed the cart to the car. She held on tight the entire ride home. Once she got home she still won't let go. Even though I cut the ribbon off of her hand once we got home. She still held on tight.

Her nap time arrived and I laid her down and she started screaming for her balloon that was floating above her on the ceiling in her room. She stood up on her tippy-toes and reached the ribbon. She laid down with her balloon. Every time I tried to take it away from her she just cried and cried. I decided to let her fall asleep with it. I once she was a sleep I quietly went in and threaded the ribbon out of her hands because I did not want her sleeping with a "cord".

She still is holding her hand tight as she sleeps. I guess she learned her lesson of not letting go to her balloon. I hope all lessons are this easy for her remember.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Arden and I was walking through the mall today. She saw Santa and we looked around at the decorations. I even caught myself singing along with the Christmas carols. It was so festive and it really put me in the Christmas spirit. Then tonight I realized that we haven't even celebrated Thanksgiving yet!

This is the first year that I am ready for Christmas before Thanksgiving. I can't wait to see Arden's face light up when she opens her gifts on Christmas morning. I am looking forward to spending time with our families. I am excited that Dave has some vacation left towards the end of the year. I am looking forward to putting up the Christmas tree and trying to figure out how to keep Arden from pulling the ornaments off and most of all how not to eat the tree. Oh...and I want a white Christmas.

It really is the most wonderful time of the year. Bring it on!

Rub a Dub Dub Arden's in the Tub

Today Arden's schedule was off. She is still teething and just couldn't fall asleep. So I put her in the tub upstairs to distract her for a few minutes. This was special for her because we usually bathe her in the sink. She still fits and it is much easier on us.

When I first put her in the tub she started crying. I took her out and put her toys in the bath and she became curious and was ready to try it again. This time she had a great time. She even listened to me and didn't stand up in the tub. She splished and splashed and had a great time.

I would ask her if she was ready to get out and she would sign more to me. She played in the tub until she was wrinkled. She signed please telling me that she was ready to get out. I tried to lift her out and she started crying...actually screaming. I checked her over and she was fine and I noticed that she grabbed the side of the tub as I put her down and was standing up (I still had a hold of her don't worry). She was trying to get her leg over the edge of the tub. I guess she wanted to get of the tub like a big girl. She stood up while I dried her off and then walked to her room wrapped up in her towel.

All I could wonder was where did my baby go?

Day with Daddy

Arden and her daddy spend an entire day together on Monday. They had a great time. They went to Chick-fil-a and played in the play ground together. Then they ran errands to Lowes, Rite-Aid, and my cell phone provider store (which I really appreciated).

That day I was able to get a lot of work done that day around the house. The house was very quiet without Arden contagious laughter. Later that night we ate a great dinner together as a family and played with Arden until it was bedtime.

That night Arden and Dave were playing with our exercise ball. This ball has been a lifesaver for Dave and I since Arden was born. She didn't like to be rocked and so we would bounce her on it when she was fussy until she would fall asleep. Once she started crawling we used it to block off lamps and electrical cords. Now she can move it around. It is so funny to watch her try and climb up on it.

That night I was in the kitchen and I heard Arden laughing so hard that I had to go and see what would cause that much laughter. I walk in to see her and Dave throwing this huge ball in the air.

Arden can't say that many words but I know that she had a great day.

Bow Breakthrough

This Sunday was a great day. We had an amazing church service where all five services came together for one worship experience under a huge tent. It was a pretty special day at Elevation.

Arden even got in on the action. She must have know something was up. After we changed her into her dress for church she went into her room and found one of her bows and brought it to me.

She will never leave a bow in her hair for more than 2 minutes before reaching her little hands up to her head and pulling it off. I've been trying to get her to wear them around the house to get use to it but she just won't leave it in her hair. Until...

This Sunday she left the bow in her hair! As we were in the car in route to church I looked back and there was the bow in her hands. I thought that was it for the bow wearing today. Dave and I let her play with it until we got to the church. As we were taking her into E-Kidz we put the bow back in her hair while she was distracted by all of the people. I thought that's it I'll never see that bow again.

After the service she appears from E-Kidz wearing her bow! I was so proud of her and I think she knew that she needed to wear her bow for this special Sunday. Here are a few pictures that we took of her showing off her Sunday best.

Thank You Vets!

Today is the observance of Veteran's Day. I wanted to take the time to recognize those that work so hard to protect our freedom. Dave and I recognize that our freedom isn't free and will instill this concept to Arden.



My Grandfather James and Dave's Grandfather Jake both served during WWII. Both grandpa's taught us to be proud be an American.

Thank you to all of our military that keeps America free and the Home of the Brave.

Question of the Day

Has anyone else noticed that my favorite beverage Coca-Cola has recently tasted different? Maybe like a competitor that starts with a Pep and ends with an si?

We were at small group one night and a fellow member who works for my favorite beverage company also made a comment to his oldest son questioning the taste.

Do you think you could pass a taste test challenge?

Waiting for Daddy

Arden is such a Daddy's girl and I love it. Last night one of my friends came over to hang out with us a little while. Dave had an after work function and wasn't here with us. Throughout the night she kept pointing to the door and telling Laura "Daddy". She knows that Daddy comes home through the door. She was anxiously awaiting for his arrival. She loves him and knew he would be home and wanted our friend to know to expect her Daddy to come through the door any minute.

Isn't that how we should be with Christ? Anxiously awaiting his arrival knowing that he will be coming home to us while telling everyone how much we love him.

Top Ten List

Our friends Bonnie and Robert from our small group are expecting a little bundle of joy sometime in the next two weeks. A few weeks ago Robert put together a list of things that he has learned during their pregnancy that he shared with the group. Here are my favorites from his list.

10. Best Buy does not have a registry system for baby showers...oddly enough neither does Circuit City.

9. Baby's have to be old enough "walk" before they can help with the lawn and the same applies to plyometrics.

8. Men don't get epidurals

7. In the hospital they have baby warmers and they are not to be used for your pizza or pop tarts.

6. Cooperate America has no interest in buying the rights to name your baby.

5. It's a little tricky getting a baby seat on a motorcycle.

4. They won't let you cut the umbilical cord with a "ninja sword"....they are pretty serious about this rule.

3. There are exactly 32 different ways to install a car seat...only 1 is correct

2. It is physically impossible for the wife to digest the baby.

1. Postpartum is for newborns which should not be confused with postmortem which refers to dead people.

Congratulations Bonnie and Robert on your new baby!

Back Among the Living

Arden is finally feeling much better and is acting like herself today which has been wonderful since she has been sick since last Wednesday. She has been running around the house pulling everything out of drawers, caring her baby around and talking up a storm. She decided to take some time out of her busy schedule to pose for some pictures.

Thanks Mom for the great outfit.

Candy Craze

Dave and I have been working through our leftover Halloween candy. It's a hard job but someone has to do it. Now we are not what I would call candy connoisseurs but we do have a good eye for candy.

Lisa's favorites:
Kit-Kat
Carmel Twix
Peanut M&M's
Reese's Peanut Butter Cup
Take 5

Dave's favorites:
Reese's Peanut Butter Cup
Laffy Taffy
Toberlone Bar
Sour Gummy Worms
Dark chocolate bar

Now that your mouth is watering we wanted to point out the worst candies we have tasted on the store shelves.

Necco Wafers
Good n Plenty
Wax Sticks with juice inside -- you know what we're talking about
Circus Peanuts
Candy Necklaces
Anything banana flavored

New Research on Preemies

Since Arden arrive during week 34 of my pregnancy I am always interested in new research on Preemies. I came across this interesting fact in the October 2007 issue of American Baby.

To avoid another preterm birth, progesterone is routinely given to pregnant women whose first baby was premature. Now, a small Italian study suggests that when a drug used to stop early labor is followed by twice-weekly progesterone shots -- in higher doses than commonly used moms-to-be who go into preterm labor are less likely to deliver early. In fact, only 16% of the 30 women who got the shots delivered before 37 weeks. This was the first study to test progesterone as a treatment for preterm labor rather than as a way to prevent it. While the result is promising, more research is needed. pg. 22

Isn't it amazing that part of cure for premature births may be a synthetic form of the natural hormone progesterone that is elevated during pregnancy. I stand in awe when I think of the complexity of our bodies and yet to know that God created us from dust. Wow!

Lesson Learned from the Inner Ear

This morning Arden woke up around 5:30 am with a fever of 103 degrees. As I called the doctor's office I knew that she would need to be seen and I wanted to get her to the doctor's office as early as I could. She's been fighting a cold for the past couple of days but the temperature and the rash this morning had me concerned .

At the doctor's office Arden was all smiles and was even dancing a little bit for the doctor after he told us she had a double ear infection! He gave me some drops to put in her ears and she will be on amoxicillin for the next 10 days. The good news is that she is not contagious even though she is not around hardly any children during the week. (Plus she stayed home from church yesterday.)

After running around this morning getting her prescriptions filled and trying to get my kitchen back in order I started thinking about a few things I thought of/learned today.

1. Some viruses have rashes. The doctors are only concerned if they think it is either measles, mumps, rubella or the chicken poxs.

2. Don't kiss your child on the neck or around the ears after putting the ear drops in their ears. I made the mistake of doing this and my lips became numb.

3. Be prepared for medicine to come spewing across the room as you try to administer it to your child. The next dose I will be prepared for what may happen.

4. I am very grateful for our insurance policy.

5. Even more grateful that I know the Great Healer and he will take care of her.

Question of the Day

Which is worse having to say good-bye to Daylight Saving with your neighbors having an outdoor party with a huge sound system until the wee hours of the new a.m. or having a toddler teeth all 4 eye teeth at the same time?

Walking Upright at Stealth Speed

Our lives dramatically change last Friday when Arden started walking on her own. Yes she finally decided to let go of the furniture and her push toys to venture around the house on her own. A week later she has almost perfected her walk.

I knew this would be a change for me and everybody warned me about how things would change. Arden was such a fast crawler that she could get anywhere she wanted to go pretty quickly. This was my reasoning of why she didn't want to walk earlier...why should she when she could get into about anything within a matter of seconds. So how much different could it be when she started walking? She was already into everything.

Well she has now figured that she can get around even faster...she like is the the stealth walker. She is so fast and I can't hear her walk. With her crawl I always heard her pat-pat-pat-pat across the floor and the occasional thud into the wall. (She would put her head down to be become more aerodynamic and not watch where she was going. She was just determined to get there.)

The other day she was playing quietly by herself in the floor and I was eating breakfast. All of a sudden I hear Elmo say "yea!". Elmo is upstairs and attached to a standing toy so I knew he was not close by. As I started to head upstairs to see what else she had managed to get herself into I saw her coming around the corner from her room, she squatted down, slid down the stairs and headed back into the living room to continue playing. She walked right back to where she was before her trip upstairs. She didn't see me watching her. This happened all within 30 seconds. If she continues this pattern I might have a future Top Secret Operative in training.

One of My New Favorite Things

A couple of weeks ago Dave and I taught Arden how so say "please" in sign language. She picked it up right away and even added a cute little "pleaz" in her voice when she rubs her chest. Now she can say all done, please and more in sign language. Feeding her is much easier because she can tell us if she wants more or if she is finished. The hard part is that that she will ask please for something and we are trying to figure out what she wants.

Recently Arden and I were playing in the floor with her stacking cups and she looked up at me rubbing her chest saying "pleaz". I couldn't figure out what she wanted and so I asked her. "what do you want?" and she pointed to me. I said do you want me and she responded "pleaz". She crawled over and gave me a bear hug. Let me tell you it doesn't get any better than that.

Trick or Treat? Treat!

Dave, Arden and I went out last night trick or treating. Arden loved it! As she started to understand what we were doing...she would walk up to the door, wait for a few seconds and then yell "HEY" as loud as she could. It was her version of "Trick or Treat". If the person at the door had gray hair she would throw kisses to show off. By the end of the night she was taking the candy and putting it into her basket. Her favorite candy was what ever was in a box because she would shake it.

We had a great night and we hope you enjoy our favorite pumpkin that we picked out of the patch.