Just One of Them Days...

I did not intend for this to be my first post after Thanksgiving. I took pictures of all the things I cooked and everything to post on here post Thanksgiving! Well, that didn't happen. Sorry to disappoint all of you that have been sitting on the edge of your seats....

I secretly wanted to call in to work today but I need to save every day I can for when this little bundle of joy comes! Considering I DON'T GET PAID for those 6 weeks off. It makes me really mad when I think about it, but that could be a whole post in itself. Thanksgiving was great, it seems like I worked and cooked the whole time. Sucks getting old and people ask you to make dishes for holidays. What happened to just walking in to the house and it's all done for you?! The thought did cross my mind to make the most horrible nasty tasting stuff and then nobody would EVER ask me to cook again. But since Cody and I are newlyweds and his family thinks I'm the bomb I figure I better not disappoint them this early. They will learn soon enough. I do plan on doing a post with my green bean bundles, rice dressing, and peanut butter cookies out of a package with "shershey" kisses on the top (Jake's all time fav) as soon as I get time at home.

On Friday we went out to the Christmas tree farm with Jake and picked out a tree to be cut down. Of course the one I wanted was inside the warehouse and had been shipped from New York. I knew buying one of those took the fun out of cutting one down so I passed it up this year. Maybe one day when I have a new house I will have room for two and I can get the one I want then. Keep dreaming, right! The tree turned out perfect. Cody put lights up on the house and we decorated the inside. I tend to go a little overboard when it comes to decorating for Christmas. Thank God Cody is JUST like me about Christmas and is willing to work just as hard to make our house so pretty during the holidays. Just another reason I love that man so much!

Thanksgiving break made me realize something Cody and I have been talking about for a year now. I COULD NEVER BE A STAY AT HOME MOM!! Maybe it's because I'm pregnant and cranky but oh my geez, Jake's teacher was very lucky to see him alive and present Monday morning. It could be the average 430845 questions he asked me and Cody each day. Whatever it is, I think school is the best fit for both of us. Don't get me wrong there are days I don't want to get out of bed and I complain of wanting to stay home, but in the end the summer I get off is plenty!

Cody got called in to work last night at 11:00 so of course I didn't sleep. I am so worn out and tired I feel like I never got 4 days off. I am already counting down the days until Christmas break. 13 days not including today, its half way over. I never remember feeling like this when I was preggo with Jake. I either felt really good or really bad. Never half way in between. I guess I should be thankful I'm not throwing up everyday 3x a day like I was with Jake. I need to be more optimistic. Maybe tomorrow, it's just one of those days!

I need to get my oil changed in my car. I also need to get the remote start on my key less entry fixed. It was so nice to be able to start the car from inside on cold mornings like this one so my baby boy was warm when I put his grumpy butt in his seat at 6:45 in the a.m.! I forgot my wedding rings today. It's so weird that I never wore a ring on that finger for 27 years and now I have been wearing one for 10 months and I feel naked without it. Cody better be lucky I work inside and nobody sees me without a ring. I'm sure all of the men in Crockett Texas love a 200 pound 6 month pregnant woman who fingers are so swollen they look like mini sausages!! Hope y'all have a terrific Tuesday!

How Is He Old Enough


It happened AGAIN! About two weeks ago Cody and I were in Target looking around and I decided to pick up a few things for Jake since the weather seemed to be getting colder. Boy was I wrong! I was in the "baby" section of the store and I couldn't seem to find anything for Jake. There were very minimal 4T and I knew he really needed a 5. I stood there for a minute thinking. I saw a sales associate walk by so I asked, Ma'am, "Where are the size 4 and 5 clothes?" She responded, "Oh, they are on "this" side." I noticed she meant where all of the "boys" clothes were. Did she mean the section I would go to if I were shopping for my 13 year old nephew? Was she talking about the section that I could buy an x-lg t-shirt from 5 months ago and it would fit me? Boys clothes? My child is not a "boy" he is a toddler, and he is 3 years old. Was she serious? Did she mean I could no longer shop in the "baby" section of the store anymore? My eyes immediately filled up with tears. I'm sure being 5 months pregnant and my hormones raging were not helping one bit. And poor Cody he's just standing there like PLEASE Casey, not here. Not right now!  So, today while Jake was away at his dad's and Cody was at work I decided to go Christmas shopping alone! Target was my last stop. I was just browsing when I saw the Christmas pajamas. It didn't even hit me I was in the "baby" section AGAIN! I was looking for pajamas in a 5T. Being a Kindergarten teacher for a few years I should know that anything 5 years of age is nowhere near toddler! As I walked over to the "other side" where the size 5 was I noticed the same thing as my last shopping trip....my eyes were full of tears and how was he old enough for me to be on "this side"?
How is he old enough to be a big brother when he's not even big? How is he old enough to know he is thankful for his little brother this year when he is not even here yet?  How is he old enough to call his Uncle Stephen instead of Stee-En? How is he old enough to pick up my IPhone and teach me the tricks to play Angry Birds? How is he old enough to walk across the street, knock on Wade's door, and ask if he wants to play? How is he old enough to know that a diamond is also called a rhombus? How is he old enough to know that a "toe nail" moon is also called a crescent moon? How is he old enough to get his first progress report? How is he old enough to tell me he wants to wear pants to school because everybody else is doing it? How is he old enough to teach me that it doesn't matter what car I drive, what brand of clothes I wear, what kind of purse I carry, if I have on make-up or brushed my hair, when he's oh so little? 

I am thankful for my Mommy:

Wonderful Weekend

Thank you notes from the wedding and my shower have consumed my life. I go to bed and wake up thinking about how I need to get them DONE! Cody is even on me about them?!?! I told him he needed to help. His excuse? His handwriting isn't neat enough.I will let him slide on this one:) I swore on Friday I would get them done over the weekend, and guess what? That didn't happen. I have to start making my goals more realistic! But the good news is I got them done today at work. (Hope my boss doesn't see this) All 85 of them! Yep, I counted every last one. I left my best friends, my mom, and sister out of the thank you's and I'm sorry. They will understand, I hope:) Now that I think about it they did all of the work. I better get busy writing a few more.....
This weekend was great, we did NOTHING! I did not use my debit card one time and I LOVE that feeling. My nephews wanted to come spend the night Friday night so I had 3 boys to keep me company while Cody was at work. We had a good time, Jake loves playing with them.
It seems like I cooked all weekend. Saturday night I made my sisters famous homemade hot sauce and I must say after my 3985238 attempt I think I finally got it down. It was delicious! I literally made myself sick on it. I STILL have heartburn. My friend Brooke has introduced me to Pioneer Woman's blog and I'm addicted. I'm jealous Brooke gets to stay home with her precious babies so she gets to try PW's recipes all of the time. Me, well I tried my first one this weekend! I made her monkey bread because it was quick and easy. It was delicious. It reminds me of something you would make in the morning if you had family in town. It's a perfect recipe for the holidays. I think I am going to try her stuffed mushrooms next, Brooke says they are to die for!
Last night Cody wanted pizza so we took a road trip to Pizza Hut and ate dinner. When the lady brought our ticket Jake looks at us and says,(with the most serious look)" I forgot my wallet." I love that little guy:)  

Fist-Pumping Friday

The only reason I am pumping my fist is because it's Friday and I want to go home.Who doesn't love a Friday? This is going to be short and sweet! I AM EXHAUSTED!!! Cody has been on a shift where he is working 3pm to 3am. I haven't seen him all week.I hate it! I never sleep when he's not home. Usually Jake is in the bed with me and his feet are somewhere in my rib cage ALL. NIGHT. LONG. Tonight I think Jake and I will grab a Christmas movie and lay on the couch. I have been cleaning a little each night so I wouldn't have to clean this weekend. It was the best decision I ever made. Cody is working, but gets off early. I have an alarm system, mean dogs, and I'm packing heat just in case you were thinking about breaking in.......probably wouldn't be in your best interest. Weekend plans are NONE with the exception of Sunday. I have a baby shower and I'm excited about it because I get to shop for a little girl. That's always fun, as long as shes not mine.  I am counting down the days until Thanksgiving break. I am planning on giving away a scentsy pot for Christmas on here. Make sure you check sometime next week to see how to enter the contest. Happy Friday my friends:)

This old picture puts a smile on my face every time I see it:

My Handsome Husband

Today my post will be all about my husband. I'm sure none of you care and I won't get my feelings hurt if you don't read it. I met Cody through L who is married to his brother. I went to high school with L, she was quite a bit older than me but somehow we became good friends! We lost touch over the years and she found me again right after I had Jake. I was still with Jake's dad but knew that it was only a matter of time before that would be no longer. 4 months later, it was NO LONGER. WHEW!! She would tell me all the time she had a guy she wanted me to meet but I was never interested. That sounds a little harsh, I was interested I just never was able to go out and do much. I had a newborn baby, I was a college student, and I wanted to be on my own for a while to find ME again! I wanted to find somebody that valued family, loved God, somebody to complete me. After being alone for 2 years (which was some of the best 2 years of my life) L called me one day and said she was having a fish fry at her house! I said I have to drive to C'Ville? That's way tooo far. I have no clue why I decided to go that day but I loaded Jake up and we were off. I never would have brought Jake but L has 3 boys so I knew he would have a blast! I remember trying to put L's address in the GPS that day and it said no matches found, I knew I was going to the country but GEEZ how country? We had an awesome time!

The first date Cody asked me out on I told him I would have to see if I had Jake but I would let him know. He told me to bring Jake. I knew right then I would marry this man! We drove back and forth every weekend to see each other missing only one weekend in a year(the opening weekend of hunting season, imagine that)! Cody and Jake share a bond that amazes me. Jake wants to be just like him. If Cody has on wind pants, Jake wants wind pants. If Cody has on a cap so does Jake. They love all of the same things! Cody plays guitar, this is where Jake has picked up the obsession with the guitar. I know he will make us famous one day playing in the best country band ever! Cody and I were both athletes so we love watching sports. Jake can throw a perfect spiral football and hit and throw a baseball like a 10 year old. Cody will play catch with him for hours! Only thing we don't agree on is he wants Jake to grow up and "get big." Me, on the other hand, wants him to stay little forever! These are my favorite pics of them:

Cody loves his family just as much as I love mine. He is a mama's boy, and thinks his mom hung the moon. And she has! Cody doesn't gossip and doesn't judge. I have never met one person who doesn't like him. Cody can wash dishes, do laundry, vacuum, and clean the house with the best of them and is always willing to help me.We live a very simple life with a lot of LOVE!! I thank the Lord every day for bringing him to us. I thank God for sending me a man who gets up on Sundays and goes to church with us as a family. I think he will change his mind about Jake growing up real soon once this baby is born and he sees how fast the years fly by!!

Whistlin' Wednesday

My morning started off outstanding!! Somehow, out in the country, where we live I was able to get 97.9 to come in on my radio!  I usually only get 3 stations and they are nowhere close to 97.9. I never listen to rap music anymore because of the horrible language and explicit detail the songs go in to. Jake has already picked up a few four letter words that I slip and say when I am angry so I defiantly don't need him repeating what is in these songs! Anyway, Jake was not in my car this morning so I was able to blast the radio and sing along to the jams being played. I was so mad it was 39 degrees out because I really wanted to roll the windows down and open the sunroof! Have you ever seen that TV show where they hide the video camera in the car to catch people dancing? Well, I think about this often, and how ridiculous I look in my car. I even check my rear view mirror periodically to see if somebody has set me up with a camera! SO! Don't judge me! Half way to work the station finally faded out and it was back to, "Country Boys and Girls Getting Down on the Farm."

So many people have asked about the baby name. Since I'm no celebrity and nobody really cares what we name our child I guess I will go ahead and reveal it!! LUKE THOMAS! There it's out! I love Jake's name because I consider it short and strong. I wanted to keep it that way. I loved the name Luke after I had Jake. I knew if I ever had another boy his name would be Luke. Cody never knew this, but thank God he liked it too. Cody has suggested one name and that was Jack. Ummmm, no! Not that I don't like the name Jack, its too close to Jake. I told him sure we can have Jake, Jack, and in a few years we could have a little girl and name her Jill. We chose Thomas from a family name of Cody's. It just fits to me. I love the name Carson too, it's my dads middle name and we will try and incorporate it with our next child's name, I think. I'm still on the fence about a next one. It all depends on how much Jake and Luke are alike because I can promise you if they are similar, there will be no more. Everyone says, oh you need a cute girl to dress up. NO I DON'T! I am 5'10 and have a size 10 shoe. There is nothing cute about that, and there is a good possibility she will look just like me considering Jake is my spitting image!

So, Christmas is coming and I have told Cody I want to make this Christmas special for Jake because it will be the last one he will have all alone. This is probably the dumbest idea I have ever had but I'm going with it.  Next year, when we have to budget with another child, Jake will probably think he got short changed when he's only got 2 presents under the tree.  The kid remembers everything, so I am positive he will notice next Christmas. Oh well, I will cross that bridge when I get there!

Jake comes home today, thank you sweet Jesus! I can't wait to see him, it's so hard when he's gone. I know some moms would die for a break every week. I used to praise dance when he would visit his dad but now I cry every time he leaves. I hate it, I really do.

One  last thing, I am honestly really enjoying this blogging thing! If it good for anything else, it has got me and B back in touch again! I am so thankful for that!! B, S, and I used to tear some stuff up and since we all have children and families that has slowly faded away! I love you BML!!!

Happy Hump Day!
I'm making a scentsy order on Tuesday so it will be in before Christmas, let me know if you need anything! They make great Christmas gifts! https://centerville.scentsy.us

Breakdowns, Babies, and Blessings

Friday we packed up and headed to Willis for the weekend! This is where breakdowns come into play...For all of my 4 followers that don't know Jake has a blanket he NEVER leaves home without. I am almost embarrassed to carry it around because of the shape that its in, and yes I admit its probably time to retire it and put it up. But I can't, not just yet. As we are packing the car I run through the house one last time to check and make sure there is nothing we left. I see Jake's blanket, so I grab it because I planned on getting sleep this weekend and that would NOT happen without the blankey! So I walk outside to see Jake with one hand on his hip and one propped on Cody's tire and he says, "Mom, you can leave my blanket here, big boys don't need blankeys." I hid the blanket in the back of the Tahoe and looked out the window and cried all the way to Willis. Guess what he asked for Friday night at bedtime? THE BLANKEY!! Whew, I'm not ready for all this! And don't kid yourself, I thanked God that night for one more night with the blankey!

Babies

Saturday morning we got up and headed to watch my best friend's babies while she got away for the weekend! My best friend S has a sweet little girl R who will be 3 in June and a baby boy that is 4 months. So lets just say with Jake, R, and T I had my hands COMPLETELY full! The only positive conclusion I came to after I left that Saturday was I would be one hot SKINNY mama. Three kids under the age of 4 are a hand full! And R is a girl version of Jake, so you know they can tear up some stuff in record timing! No, really I had a great time, and the kids behaved wonderfully. I got to hug and hold T, which gave me a taste of the newborn baby feel that I will have all to myself in 20 weeks! Here is Jake and R playing outside, digging in the mud!!

Blessings

Saturday night we went to the Willis playoff game! Cody, poor thing, has grown up in such a small town so the playoff game, stadium, number of people, drill team, was a shock for him!  He saw they were playing in the paper and really wanted to go. A high school friend of mine is one of the football coaches and my high school basketball coach is the new athletic director. It's always great to see them! Other than that, I would have rather been laying on the couch eating bon bons with milk! Besides me FREEZING my butt off this picture made the whole game worth going!!

Cody is such a blessing to us. He loves Jake just as much as I do. Many Friday nights during this football season Cody will dress Jake and they are out the door to a high school football game! With me being so sick with this pregnancy, I'm usually at home on the couch. I don't know how we ever lived without him!
Sunday we got up and had brunch at my dads which consisted of every kind of good food you could imagine! My step mom is a awesome cook. She is cajun so that makes any cooking twice as good, and probably twice as fattening. I never try to miss a meal she cooks. Cause we all know pregnancy is the only time you don't worry about FAT!!! This may be why I look 7 months preggo instead of just 5!


Here is a pic of my Dad and Jake playing! They are a sweet pair!

Saturday Style

I already suck at this blogging stuff. I created a blog Thursday and already forgot the password. So I had to RE-DO! My excuse (not that I need one) to Cody, I swear this baby is consuming my brain cells!!

One thing that I have been thinking about a lot lately is COOKING and CLEANING... every day last week either me or Cody cooked every night. Which means that me or Cody cleaned the kitchen every night last week. Now remember Cody and I live in a house that was built in 1975 probably and dishwashers were not a necessity back then. I'm actually not sure when dishwashers were NOT of the essence, but needless to say our home does not have one. Don't get me wrong I love our little house. It's the cutest thing ever, and I hate to build a new one now that I have this one exactly how I want it minus the dishwasher issue! Anyway-So as I was washing dishes and Cody was cleaning off the counter I said to him, "this cooking is overrated." His response, "my mom did it every day of our lives." I'm not going to include my response after that but you can guess it was along the lines of well you know where she lives!! Don't get me wrong I love my in laws and his mom is wonderful to us. His mom's house is also immaculate and you can eat off the floor. Mine, well only on Friday morning when Dora comes to clean, and me and Jake haven't walked through the doors from school yet. Once that child enters any body's home, all hell breaks lose!!  I guess my point is women were different back then, they cooked, cleaned, baked, and did laundry EVERY DAY! And I want to know their secret........ The cleaning is another issue in itself. I can't really win for losing on both, you hire somebody to clean and its never done the way you like it. You order take out and its never as good as home cooking! I will talk to Cody today about what cabinets to rip out for a dishwasher and y'all let me know what I can do about the cooking thing. Have a good weekend!