It Has Been A While

         I can't believe it has been over a week since I blogged. Goodness. I have been outside as much as possible lately, its been a beautiful week! This pretty weather has helped me keep my mind off of my swollen ankles, huge belly, and lack of sleep. I am almost 33 weeks and it has hit me a ton of bricks. I am tired and I am not sleeping. I am at that miserable stage but I know it will be worth every minute. I have not been interested in leaving this house one bit. Poor Cody will mention he would like to go somewhere or do something and my next question is....Would you be interested in doing that alone? I got the nusery done for the most part. I found a few more things I wanted to hang on the walls. All the furniture is in place and ready to go. I atleast know if I had this baby now he would have a place to come home and lay his sweet head! The formal dining is where we decided to have the nursery. It is a very small room and was full of my living room furniture from my Willis house. It was my favorite room in the house. We moved out furniture and it has turned out to be a cute little nursery! I actually love the room. Here are some before/after pics:

Nursery

I left the couch obviously because I know I will be spending many nights in here. And it's my favorite thing ever. We had to take off doors to get it in this house so Cody swears we will sell the house with the couch in it. I don't think so! Now the only thing we are waiting on is baby Luke!

I love that Jake can tell when mommy is tired and wants to just chill. He has pretty much been going with the flow. He goes with Cody out to my brother in law's house to get dirty with Dayton but has no problem chilling with me at home.

       Playing Puzzles

                                                         Watchin Toy Story, I think
                          
This pretty much sums up our last week or two. Not much exciting over here. Hope you had a wonderful weekend!
                                                                     So Blessed!



Fist-Pumping Friday


I am 31 weeks pregnant and REALLY feeling it. My sleep is limited and I look like a blow fish. I am swelling more everyday. I went to the doctor yesterday and he doesn't seem to be worried. He did tell me to slow down and start taking it easy. Have you ever met Jake? He's a bull in a china cabinet! And you want me to slow down? Yea ok! I thought that running around like crazy would keep the weight off but that's not working either. Considering I gained ANOTHER 10 pounds last month. Don't ask how much I have gained, I will never tell. I have decided I will start walking when the weather warms up. It's just too dang cold right now.

My wedding pictures are on the way and I can hardly wait. I have been making Cody run to the post office every day to see if they are there. You can see a few on Heather's Blog.  Heather has been a friend of mine since high school. She has always designed  Christmas cards or Jake's birthday announcements for me, but one day she called and said hey I got a camera and I want to take some pictures of you and Jake. She said I'm not very good but I want to just try. Of course, the pics were amazing and she absolutely blows me away at how talented she is and probably has never taken a photography class in her life. She's just one of those people that just has it! The ones that make you sick! Hehe! She posted a slide show today of one of her very best friends that just had a baby. Oh my goodness, talk about emotional and anxious at the same time. This girl right here. It's a MUST SEE!

My friend Brooke's baby, Layton,  is in the hospital and needs prayers. He has an infection of some kind and I can't imagine how mentally and physically exhausted Brooke and Lance are. So pray for them too!

One of my favorite things I have been using on a daily basis that I wanted to share was my Pampered Chef apple cutter. This thing is sooo cool! Jake LOVES apples and I very seldom put them in his lunch because they take too long to cut. Or maybe because I make his lunch at night and I'm dead tired. For whatever reason, this thing cuts it in 2.5 seconds and makes me feel like I am super mom that he has apples in his lunch instead of a fruit roll up! I wish I could refer somebody that sold Pampered Chef  because I know you will all run out tomorrow and buy one, but my mother in law got it for me and I have no clue where she bought it!

Happy Friday,  and I will try and post some pictures of Luke's nursery this weekend!

It's starting to get crazy

We had a WONDERFUL weekend! Friday night we went to Cody's brothers house and hung out by the fire. Jake is officially a pyro and almost drove me to drink around that fire. I thought about taking a xanex more than once. His thing is putting the stick in the fire, lighting the end of the stick, then going to another part of the fire and starting it. I know I did the exact same thing when I was a kid considering I grew up 25 miles out of town but it stills scares me. And we all know it didn't seem to bother Cody, hes a country bumpkin! Cody's brother got a guitar for Christmas and Cody is trying to teach him a thing or two. It's actually my favorite thing to do. Sit around a fire, in the country, and listen to my husband play guitar. I'm a cheap date!
Saturday Jake had a birthday party! Toy Story, of course! This is the 3rd birthday party he has been to in 2 months that have been Toy Story, and guess what? Jake's birthday is on  Februaury 5th and it's Toy Story! I tried to go Rockstar theme but he wasn't having it. Is my baby boy really going to be 4?
We started on the nursery yesterday and it really hit me as we unpacked Jake's old bedding, newborn clothes, tiny shoes and socks, and a crib! We are going to have a tiny baby.  We can't wait. Cody and I giggled looking at onesies and all of the cute sayings on them. It's just crazy I am starting all over again. And then to think I will probably do this one more time if not two. We are going to be pro's at raising babies!!!
After a LONG night of no sleep I got to school this morning to find a basket on my desk with the BRAND NEW Pioneer Woman's cookbook in it!! My co-worker, I also teach her daughter, are always chatting about her recipes and how awesome we think she is. The basket was precious, it had the cookbook, spaghetti noodles, sauce, and some really cute utensils! She so made my day! Today I have been getting lists together for showers that are going to be taking place in February. We have something every weekend in Februaury. Then it's March! I am starting to feel the pressure to get things done because I know Luke will be here before we know it! I will have some pics soon of the used to be "fancy" formal dining room to now Luke's bedroom!

Funny thing Jake said this weekend:
We got up Sunday morning and Jake went downstairs at my moms to get donut holes and a Yoo-Hoo which he calls a chocolate milk box. ( I know breakfast of champions, I was trying to get an extra hour of sleep. Cut me some slack) He comes back upstairs and Cody says," Jake will you go get me one of those Yoo-Hoo's?" Jake says," what is a Yoo-Hoo?" Cody then tells him it's the chocolate milk box, so Jake runs downstairs to get him one. As he is coming back upstairs he yells out to Cody, "Cody, I got your Hoo-Hoo." Sooo cute!
                                          
                                                                  My Little Pool Shark!

Fist-Pumping Friday

Happy Birthday to my sweet step mom. We love you so much! I may love your cooking just as much as I love you. As a matter of fact, I know I do. We hope you have the very best birthday ever. Mwwaahhhh



I found this on a friend's facebook and thought it was sooo very cute! I know I am going to be that psycho mom!! I love it!

Rule One: If you would like to talk with my son, please do this in the church foyer during the fellowship hour when the lights are on high. Remember to bring your Bible.
Rule Two: If you call my house to talk with my son, your conversation may be monitored by a customer service representative.
Rule Three: The following locations and activities are acceptable for your date:

Rule Four: My son cannot use my minivan to drive you to a mall. He has a bicycle. You may ride on the handle bars.

Rule Five: Please do not touch my son. Do not lean against him unless you are falling over and are in danger of injuring yourself or plunging off a cliff. Do not even pull lint from his ear. He can do this himself.

Rule Six: I am aware that it is considered fashionable for girls your age to wear Fergie-style “shirts” that do not reach their low-slung pants. I want to be fair and open-minded about it, you are free to show up in such attire. I will affix it properly to your body with a glue gun as soon as you arrive.

Rule Seven: More important than any of these, remember that I’ve been praying for this child since before God gave him breath, and I will continue to do so. When he chooses a godly girl, we will be overwhelmed with joy. Until then, we’ll pray that you’ll chase Jesus first and watch everything else fall into place.

Whistlin' Wednesday


There are a few things that have been on my mind lately and none of much importance!

Writing TAKS is in 34 days. I always get super cranky at this time. I hate there is so much stress associated with this test. I know my kids will do wonderful when it's all said and done so I'm over it....already!

I have really got to get on the ball about this baby. I was completely finished with Jake's nursery at this point. Poor Luke doesn't even have a bed yet. The sad thing is I have no plan on when I am getting it done. I will probably be in labor while Cody is assembling a bed at home. Crazy how things change when you have more than one. Every thing I had for Jake was BRAND SPANKIN new, this baby has everything hand me down and I am completely okay with that. People used to offer me clothes for Jake and I would look at them like you want me to put that on my child after your child wore it? Yea right!! Now I am the queen of hand me downs and am quick to pull in a resale shop when I see one. Makes me feel good, like I hit the jack pot. Now don't get me wrong I am just as excited for Luke to get here as I was Jake. I just saw how many things Jake never even touched or wore and how much money I flushed down the toilet. My best friend Sara shops only at boutiques and gives me the clothes when she is done. Sounds like a hell of a plan to me!! I didn't keep one thing of Jake's. I was never having another child, why should I keep it? Funny how things change! I got a package in the mail on Tuesday, I open it up and there are the most precious matching summer outfits in it my mom ordered for the boys! Leads me to my next thing...

Most of you that follow my blog know my mom. I, of course, think she is the best thing since sliced bread and there is nobody else like her. I never said she was perfect and there are days we disagree on things, but the woman has a heart of gold! She has been in the oilfield for 30 years and there is not a person I meet in that industry that doesn't know Donna Fox. Not only do they know her, but they love and respect her. It just blows me away at all of the things she knows. How does she know that our freezer is low in the meat department and I dread going to the store when she stops at the local meat market to fill my freezer? How does she know I have a Christmas banquet coming up when she shows up with a cute black and white maternity dress the week before. How does she know Jake lived in wind paints last year and he had not one pair this winter when she brought them a month ago? How does she know I needed a new pair of plain silver earring while she was in Mexico? How did she know that Cody and I wanted a new wrought iron front door when she ordered us one for Christmas? She is constantly doing so much for all of us. This all hit me when about 2 years ago we were sitting at the table and her social security paper came in with her last 15 years salaries. I always thought my mom made a very good living growing up just because she owned her own "oilfield" company until I looked at that paper that day. Her salary while I was in high school was in the 20,000's. My mouth dropped, I was in complete shock. How much did my mom sacrifice for not only us as her kids but the people she had working for her? She was obviously making the least so she could pay her employees the most. All these years I thought this was the norm for all parents and their kids. As I get older I realize it's not. I pray to God every night to give me the strength and wisdom she has to be half of the mother and grandmother she is to all of us! I pray to be the teacher she is. She is always giving advice whether we want it or not, and we always listen. Then, a month later I have to go back and say you know mom, you were right about so and so as much as I hate to admit it. I catch myself doing things I swore I would never do that she does. Like taking the ice out of my water cup at the restaurant to wash my hands or Jake's hands while we are still at the table! The list goes on....I have been eating my words a lot lately! Never say never. Anyway-Mom, we love you and are so thankful for you!!

I booked our trip to the Frio this year! We can hardly wait. My whole family will be in the same house and I can only imagine the crazy things that are going to happen on this 4 day trip! If you have never been to the Frio, GOOOOO! It's a blast and cheap. The cheapest vacation I have ever been on and by far the most fun. We got the best house this year. I am super pumped.

I know this post is titled something about Wednesday but I am a little behind schedule. Story of my life. I move at a very slow pace these days, and it's only getting slower! Come on baby Luke!

And no I did not proofread this before I posted it, if there are mistakes, get over it!

Chicken Zucchini Tacos?




I really just made up this name. I have no clue what these things are called. I do know my mom has been making them for years and they are by far one of my favorite dishes she makes. They are super easy and I just realized that. Mom-you got too much credit for them. I thought you cooked them all day!


Take 4-5 boneless skinless chicken breasts(cut in thin tender like shapes) and 1 zucchini cut in thin circles.
Throw some olive oil in a pan and cook this down until the chicken is brown.



I added salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cumin to this while I was cooking.
When the chicken is brown and cooked you take 1 can of whole kernel corn(drained thoroughly, mom's exact words)
1 can of rotel (again, drained thoroughly)
Add corn and rotel in with chicken. Stir it around and cook another 5 min or so. Make sure your zucchini is soft.

Warm up flour tortillas and throw some of this in them! I sliced an avocado, grated cheese, and sour cream on mine. Y'all cut me some slack, I'm preggo and I love everything in the kitchen right now. At one point I looked over and Cody had sour cream all over his face and rotel on his shirt. He loved it too!!

I feel like my pictures look like a cheap Mexican restaurant menu, you know the ones you know they took themselves. Enjoy!

Saturday Style-

I am still in my pj's and slippers and Jake is already taking his afternoon nap. I got out of bed at 9, made breakfast, started laundry, got Jake dressed, and got back in bed for a short nap. I got woke up with a phone call from my sister saying her, my niece, and my mom were shopping at the mall. Hussies! Since I am the baby my feelings get hurt when they do things without me. Not fair!!

My doctors appointment went great yesterday. This little boy is HUGE and already weighs a pound more than he's supposed to. My due date is showing March 16 now as opposed to April 1. I am hoping my doctor will induce me the week after spring break. I could get a whole week extra of maternity leave if that was the case. We got to see Luke. We could see his mouth and eyes moving, his chubby cheeks, and big ole foot. He is still a boy, which is great news. I am getting so anxious!! 

We don't have any plans this weekend and it's actually pretty nice. I wanted a weekend to lay around. Cody has been working so much he's ready to get out and do something, me, not so much. He's out with they guys at the farm and I'm laying around. No complaining here! Happy Weekend!

Finally plugged my camera in. Here are some old pics. 
                                                             
                                              There really is a SANTA!

                                                Jake and his cousin, Dayton

                                     He dressed himself, and will kill me later!

                                                   Helping mommy cook!

Fist-Pumping Friday

This week has flown by and I am so excited! On Wednesday, Jake had a stomach bug so we were home from school. I hate when kids are sick. It's the most helpless feeling. I do feel the need to brag though because Jake made it to the toilet every time!! Makes my job so much easier. I am dying today. I have had heartburn that is bad enough to make me want to pull every strand of hair out of my head. I am starting those stages during pregnancy where you can't sleep and are up all hours of the night. So not only am I tired but my throat and chest is on fire. Somebody once told me that oh heartburn means your child will have a ton of hair. I am going to stop listening to all these people that have had babies before I did.  I am starting to figure out they all lie. Pregnancy is not fun and heartburn does not equal hair. If I knew this baby boy was going to be born with incredible locks it would be one thing, but that's not guaranteed either.I had terrible heartburn with Jake and he was bald for a year! I called my doctors office in tears this morning. I can not get to the pharmacy fast enough. Whatever he has in mind better work, and fast! I am headed to the doctor today for another ultrasound. My placenta was too low last time so they just want to check things out. This is obviously very normal and they say it's nothing to worry about. I am just excited to see this sweet baby again. From what I have read he is almost 4 pounds. Jake felt him move Wednesday morning for the first time. He is so excited about having a little brother. He will not be excited when he sees every matching outfit we have bought the two of them. Especially since Luke will not be big enough to wear Cinch jeans and cowboy boots right away. That's pretty much all Jake will wear at this point in his life. Jake even asked me if Luke can call him Bubba when he is born. As rough as Jake is I'm pretty sure Luke will want to call him other names, I can only hope for Bubba. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Pray for my sanity, my husbands patience with me, and lots of SLEEP!! I have a lot of catching up to do.

Marriage

I am by far no expert on this topic and am always taking advice from couples that have been married for years. I know Cody thinks I'm a complete lunatic but marriage and divorce have been on my mind so much lately. I know you all are probably thinking oh no are they getting divorced? UMMMM, NO. I actually ask God every day why do people say this is hard? Why do people say marriage is sooo much work? Cody and I have an awesome marriage and I can't imagine ever having any problems. I have heard of more people in the past two months getting divorced than I ever have in my life. It may always be this way and I just wasn't aware until I got married. I have been reading every article I see about how to make marriages last! I commend any couple who can pull through hard times and work things out. I think people take the easy way out and give up too quickly. I do understand there are circumstances that can not be worked out. I mean I did have a child without being married and was looked at like a complete failure by so many people who I thought I knew so well. They would ask me,"Oh no, your pregnant? What are you going to do?" My response, "Um, I'm 25 years old, I'm going to have a baby and take care of it." And that's just what I did. Don't get me wrong I came from a broken home and I will beat those odds because my chance is much higher than Cody's since his parents are still married. My point is not to judge or even give advice on this topic because it is so controversial. It's just been on my mind so much lately. One statistic that has stuck in my mind is that if your best friend gets divorced your chances to get divorced go up 147%. That's just NUTS to me! So many people have recommended the book The Five Love Languages. While I was doing some Christmas shopping I picked it up and began reading it this past weekend, and it's really cool so far. I honestly think men are from another planet sometimes so it helps you understand things you may not have before. Cody is going to read it after me, it does no good for one to read it and not the other! I also have a little book my best friend gave me of short stories that couples wrote who had been married 50+ years. It's really cute and opens my eyes to things I would never think twice about. So many things makes sense and have fallen into place since I married Cody and I thank God everyday for him. I really don't know how I ever raised a child or lived without him. Let me know if you have read anything that you loved or helped your marriage!

Reasons I love my husband- Yesterday when I got home the laundry room and storage shed that is outside of our house was completely cleaned out. I had a very small pathway to the washer and dryer before. It was a complete disaster. I could not have organized it better! And I had just wrote on how I needed to organize things in the house!!

Last week he was teasing me about something before I went to bed. I can't even remember what it was but he came in the room after I laid down and tried to give me a kiss and of course I would turn over every time he would try and kiss me goodnight. He said what if I walk in the living room and fall out dead? You would feel terrible cause you didn't kiss me goodnight or tell me you love me. I still wasn't budging! He finally gave up and as he was walking out of our door way he falls out on the floor acting like he was dead making the loudest bang on the way down. Of course, I could not hold it in anymore and began laughing hysterically!! The man is a complete trip!!

Christmas Catch-Up


I am back at work today and I am enjoying it! My students don't come back until tomorrow so my classroom is QUIET. This never happens. I can't believe I have looked forward to these two weeks off for so long now and BAMMM it's over. I swore I was going to clean out closets, organize the house, and begin on the nursery. None of that actually happened. I did get to spend some awesome time with Cody, Jake, family, and friends.


Jake got his first haircut without crying OR sitting on my lap. I have no clue why the kid is almost 4 and is scared to death of a haircut. If you could see the chop jobs he has had in the past, I may be scared too. He was such a big boy. I had to take a pic because Cody would have never believed me. It is now Cody's job to take him to get a haircut. Who knows better than a guy if the kid needs a 2 or 3 on the sides? Jake, you can blame mommy for all the jacked up haircuts when you see pictures. Mommy did what she could!!

I am going to update on Christmas for Jake! We made a gingerbread man/cake for Santa this year instead of the usual cookies and milk. Nowhere on the package did it say make a yellow cake with chocolate icing. But it did say the cookie that was supposed to go in the pan was only 2 grams of fat and I made the executive decision that was boring and Santa would enjoy the cake MUCH better! And I was right:)

Jake- you got the electric guitar you wanted so bad and have not put it down yet. You also got the microphone so now you play your guitar and sing ALL day long. You also LOVE Toy Story 3, you got the movie, Woody, and Buzz Lightyear pj's you won't take off!

You look like a real rock star and you may be the cutest thing I have ever seen. You also got a guitar pick from the Bellamy Brothers from Granny. You don't know who they are so we put it up until you get older. Christmas was so much fun for you this year. You got trucks, trailers, remote controlled cars, books, and the list goes on. You love one thing.....ELECTRIC GUITAR! You amaze me with the rhythm and how much you love this instrument. You make mommy so proud. I tell Cody he will be singing back up for you one day.

You would never know but I do have a very fancy camera that I continue to leave the cord at home when I come to school. I may upload my good pics when I get home. Just because...