The House

I have been wanting to update on the house. This is probably boring, sorry!  These three pictures have taken a month. I know this doesn't look like much. It is going soooo slow, but I know it's progress. Cody swears it's about to start going super fast and I am trying to be positive. The forms are set so we are waiting on the plumber to come in then they will dig beams and pour the slab! Seeing the last picture down there is making this all very real. You can see the outline of the house and there is no turning back now.

 



 

What Else Do I Have To Do?

So, I am not sure who actually came home with the term "stay"at home mom but it had to come about in the 18th century before cars. I have officially been a stay at home mom for eight days now and I have been gone six of those eight. I really don't know how people build a house and work. Between the house and my precious angel, Jake, I am not sure it's possible. Jake has given me a run for my money lately, but I mean what else do I have to do these days?

The first day of Kindergarten went as planned. I cried, he didn't. He came out to the car and said he wanted to go back the next day and I had prayed all day he would say he wanted to be home schooled! The second day my competitive little boy fell in PE while running "super fast"and put  his hands out to catch him. He got in the car and showed me his hand and told me what happened. This brought me to tears once again, besides the fact that his hand was twice as big as normal and his fingers were purple, he didn't tell anybody at school he had hurt it. He said he was crying quietly in the corner. BREAK. MY. HEART. We made a trip to the doctor on what would have been the third day of school to get x-rays. I would have loved for him to have perfect attendance this year. Thank goodness it was just sprained and no breaks. The fourth day of school I dropped him off and he gets in the car that afternoon and there are no falls, stories, or tears. That night after dinner we take our usual golf cart ride down to Cody's parents and sit on the back porch to visit. Jake has been driving the golf cart for a few months now with me or Cody in there with him. Well, he asks to drive around the backyard where we are sitting and I agree. Not even ten minutes later we hear a huge crash and the familiar bawling. He backed right in to Big Daddy's shop going through the sheet metal. I think Cody and I were more upset with ourselves than we were Jake. It was one of those moments you have that parenting FAIL feeling.

                                                   

This weekend both of the boys got baptized and it was the most perfect day of my life besides my wedding day. It was just our family and close friends. I really do not know how it could have been better. Every person there (non-Catholics too) told me how awesome it was. We are so lucky to have such a wonderful priest here in such a small place! I knew things could not do anything but look up for my Jake after this.....

Yesterday I picked Jake up and I knew immediately when he wouldn't look at me that something had happened. I asked how his day was and I got that out the window stare once again. Then, my mom came out. Not good. I knew he had changed his color and he knew what was going to happen when he got home. I gave him the Donna Fox lecture about flipping burgers at Dairy Queen if he wasn't a good student. His behavior and my craziness did force me to get in a two mile run yesterday evening so I could release stress. I know he is not perfect and never will be. It really sucks for him since I have been a teacher and he gets the occasional talk about being "that kid" in class. I know this will not be the last of his color changing days but can't he space some of this out for his mama's sake?!!!

This is the latest picture of the house pad. That stack of lumber is for the guys tomorrow that will show up to start building the forms for the foundation! We are very excited.

 

 

This child is a mess. His little personality has "blossomed" to say the least. He is talking so much and running around the house all day. I LOVE being at home for the sake of getting to spend time with him and being refreshed instead of dog tired when Jake gets out of school. We miss Jake tremendously at "cool"during the day and our high light is sitting in the ridiculous car rider line to pick him up. Luke's vocabulary is crazy. He repeats anything you say and can tell me exactly what he wants. He LOVES his brother like crazy. He wakes up and goes to bed with a book in his hands. I go to bed thanking God each night for the opportunity to stay home with these kiddos and give them all the attention they need. I feel like the luckiest mom and wife ever!  

 

 

I have to share this story-



Luke was eating lunch today about 11:30 and my doorbell rings. I go to the door and Cody's grandpa is there in his pearl snap shirt and jeans. It is always such a sweet surprise when I see him. He tells me he's in trouble and needs my help. He went and dropped off Guy Guy to get her hair done and then went to fill his truck up with gas. Then, he locked his keys in his truck so he WALKED to our house. Pop is in his 80's and its 100 degrees outside. We live about a quater of a mile from the gas station. He comes in and tells me to call Cody's mom because she has a spare to get in their house where he can get his extra truck key. The whole time he is here he is worried about Guy Guy (Cody's grandma) at the beauty shop and her being done before he can get there. Little does Pop know he made my whole week and hopefull yours. All of the horrible things going on in this world he gave me hope today that there is still sweet, loving, precious people out there and I am surrounded by them every single day!

 

What Have We Been Up To?

I have sat down so many times to blog and I can't quite get them finished. I'm determined tonight!

We are all moved in to the rent house and are adjusting well. The first week was tough on us all. Jake and I have broke down and made a "drive by" a time or two at the old house. I feel like I'm in high school all over again. Oh well, every kid needs to learn sooner or later!

We have about another week before we close on the construction loan and get started. I am so excited, nervous, scared, anxious, etc. Every week it seems like either I am the one that is scared to death to do this or it's Cody. The good news is we are never both scared on the same week so we end up talking the other one out of being nervous. I can't wait.

Me and the kids just got home from Willis for 5 days. It was so relaxing. It was one of the best weeks of our summer for sure. I didn't cook, do laundry, or get dressed during the day. We hung out by the pool and shopped more than I should have. I miss having so much so close. There is every clothing store, grocery store, and all of my favorite restaurants within a 30 mile radius. Is it weird I get more excited about the grocery stores than the department stores? I love food. What's new?!! The one thing I wish I could change about this tiny town is a good market. I read and dream about having a farmers market so close to my house. The vegetable truck that comes to town every day is as close as I will ever get. Speaking of food and veggies, I have been reading this blog "100 days of real food." Google it. I want to do it so very bad. This down home cooking my mama taught me is doing nothing for this figure of mine. Something has to change!

Speaking of my mom....we need prayers...she is having weight loss surgery tomorrow and I am so nervous. We all know (my family) this is what has to happen for her to live as long as she possibly can. She has one of the best doctors in the world and that gives me comfort. I know she will bounce back in no time and we will have "not so big Dfox anymore" back sooner than later! Please pray for nurses, surgeons, hospital staff, me and my sisters and brother for comfort tomorrow.

The boys are getting so big and they are still wrestling and being "boys." They are loud and if I could bottle their energy and sell it I would be a millionaire!

I'm struggling on the running situation. It's so hot outside. I bought a month at the gym here in town to use their treadmill. Dairy Queen is a rock throw from the rent house and its temptation has taken over our house. Jake and I make late night runs 3-4 times a week. I feel like I run so I can have a dip cone and vanilla coke every day! Sometimes I think of it as a reward at night that my wild crazy boys are still alive after what they put me through during the day!!! Dairy queen is nowhere to be found on the 100 days blog, I already searched everywhere!

Hope you all are enjoying the last of summer!

Things Happen Fast For a Reason

I have not had time to think about anything that has gone on in the last week and it's a damn good thing. Mom had gallbladder surgery and we signed a contract on the house. Also, this July 4th makes 3 years since Cody and I met. Sometimes I think the Lord intends on things happening so fast because he knows it's exactly what he wants for you and he doesn't give you time to think and back out. This includes meeting Cody 3 years ago and we were married 10 months later. That mess happened fast too!! Ha.

Last Tuesday our realtor who happens to be a very good friend of ours as well, Eric, called and said the potential buyers said we were asking too much for the house and they just couldn't swing the price we wanted. Cody and I were bummed but almost relieved with the fear of REALLY building new home with the economy the way it is. Well, Wednesday Eric called again and said they accepted our offer and wanted to close without a survey or inspection and wanted us out ASAP. I have been in panic mode ever since. The first two days I cried not because I'm scared or think we won't be able to make it with one income in a brand new house, but because this is where it all started for our family. When I moved in this house with Cody there was wallpaper from floor to celing and it still looked like a 80 year old woman lived here. I have blood, sweat,and tears here and this is where the boys feel comfortable. I am emotionally attached to this tiny place. We have made this our home! I know this is exactly what was supoosed to happen because up to this point everything has fallen in to place. We found a rent house and I am supposed to be packing up this one. I have packed one box in a weeks time but I have pinned about 500 things for the new house that I don't have yet. Funny how procrastination takes over. We have to be out by the 31st of July and we hope to pour our slab around that same time. I have stared at blue prints until I am sick and I am not certain if I even know what this house is really going to look like when we are done. Cody and I have had a deal that he will take care of the outside and I will do the inside. It's overwhelming to know I can pick ANY color and style of everything that goes in the new house. Y'all know I love to decorate but it's much easier when you already have something to work with. I am so excited to get started!

This is Luke's classic face when he doesn't get his way lately. He does not like the word NO.

The boys are growing like crazy and keep us laughing. Luke has developed quite the personality lately and I think he's going to be a handfull the older he gets. Jake has been the opposite. He seems to calm down more and more each day. I had promised Cody when we poured the slab on the new house we could start trying for another baby. This totally freaks me out!

I hope I can blog more. I need to record stuff Luke is doing. He is talking like crazy and he loves to do things to make you laugh. He did say his first sentence last week plain as day when I was changing his diaper. He said, "mama said NO NO." He hears that a lot.

All Things Summer

Summer is here!! Turning my alarm OFF has been the most exciting part. Jake has been crawling in bed with me every morning and we snuggle until Luke wakes up! I LOVE it. I have been able to rock Luke to sleep every day for nap and see and hear all of the cute stuff he's been saying. At this point, I am planning on staying home for a while to take care of my sweet family. It has taken some getting used to. Just the initial thought of it all. I have prayed about this for a long time and I know this is the answer to my prayers. I have never in my life thought I would/could be a stay at home mom. I have had this vision of myself doing big things, making big money, being a boss, making a difference somewhere. Um hello, I have a college degree. Women with a degree don't stay home. I will admit, I have been fooling myself. Every year I know why God has placed me where he has. Crockett allowed Jake to attend one of the best private schools out there and give him an awesome starting foundation for his education. It also showed me what working for one of the best principals and colleagues was really like. But in the long run, God opened my eyes to the concept of working too hard. I saw Luke on an average of two hours a day. Somebody else was rocking my baby and seeing all of his firsts. I thank God every day for placing the best sitter in the world to care for him while his mama was out trying to change the world. Little did I know my place was right here in this little house in this tiny town!! I will say I work so much harder at home than in my classroom on any day of the week. I find myself smiling and laughing all day long. I know living in this small town without much to do will get repetitive at times but I know my kids will only be small for the blink of an eye and I want to be here for it all. I am ecstatic about being that room mom for Jake and being able to be in his classroom for ALL of his parties instead of running in and out because my class was doing the same thing. I can't wait to be able to cook for my husband and take care of him like a wife should!

** Jake has said some funny things lately-

A few weeks ago Cody and I went and had dinner and the boys stayed with Granny and Big Daddy. They had picked up Chicken Express earlier that day to feed the boys for dinner. When we got home that night they said the boys ate so much and Jake ate a ton of chicken legs. The next day we Jake and I were walking in to HEB to pick up something for dinner and I asked if he wanted anything in particular..he said," if they have chicken on a leg will you cook that?'

Yesterday we stopped at Sonic to get a drink. I guess Jake didn't think I paid for it and asked me if our stuff was free? I said no, nothing in the world is free. He said, uh huh, the samples at Sams are!!!

Splash day 2011

2012

Jake and Mrs. Byrd

 Jake's Pre-K class at graduation doing their alphabet in sign language

Yes, I do have another child named Luke and I will post pictures of him tomorrow. My quiet time is ending, naps are over! 

Confused and Trying to Sit Still

My computer at work has become ridiculously slow and that's why i haven't blogged. I want to chunk it out the window. Its speed is much like dial up. It's frustrating.

Mothers Day was freakin' awesome. My family came down and spent the whole weekend with us. In our tiny house, all crammed in, and we loved every minute of it. I am still trying to catch up on laundry. We went through 12 rolls of toilet paper in 2 days. How do the Duggars do it?

I have gained every pound back I lost. I put in my resignation at work, took it back, and put it in again. I can't believe my boss hasn't just fired me. All of this makes me eat.

Cody quit dipping over a week ago. It is safe to say I was not happy about this until a few days ago. I just thought he was laid back and easy going. The first week was tough for ALL OF US!

I have decided to quit my job and stay home next year with Luke. Jake will be starting Kindergarten. I have also decided that if a job comes open closer to home, I will take it. So, will I stay home next year or not? Who knows. This also causes me to eat! Oreos at bed submerged in milk for at least two minutes is the only thing that comforts me.

If you feel like this is the most random post, it is. This is exactly how I feel. So confused. I make up my mind one week that I am staying home no matter what and then BAM something hits me and I question it. I have been praying and I know my friends have been praying for me too. But he's not answering me quick enough! Ha! The lady who teaches next to me, who I love, reminded me of a verse that I have tried to find comfort in. (besides Oreos)  "Be still and know that I am God." It's very hard for me to sit and be still!

It's a List- AGAIN

I need to blog and the only way it will get done is if I make it a list. My mind only works part time this close to summer!

1. Cody and I were flipping through the channels Saturday and saw a new show on called "Happily Divorced." I was in complete shock. It's a sad world we are living in today. I commend any couple or individual that has seeked help to mend relationships or themselves. I would imagine it would be very tough, but what a testimony they can be to others!

2. Cody and I have put our house on the market. It's been there for about a week. We know that the time is right and I know God has a plan for us. Mom recently told me about the St. Joseph statue you can bury in your yard and there is a certain prayer you can pray. Google it. It's pretty amazing. I ordered mine yesterday. I can't wait to bury it.

3. Amber Nicole came this weekend. Amber has been one of the greatest friends I have ever had. We were so close in high school and I love her more than I can describe. She enlisted in the Army right out of high school so our visits are few and far between. When they do occur I treasure every second. Besides being the funniest person I have ever met, she's real. She tells me what I need to hear, sets me straight, and holds nothing back. Every body needs a friend like that!  Her kids are the most well behaved children EVER. And they are so sweet to each other. Amber admitted this weekend it wasn't normal the way she used to take care of me. She was on the basketball team too. She kept up with my uniform, school books, and anything else that I left behind. Low and behold half way home on the bus I would realize my warm-up top was still in the bleachers and I was going to have to run until I threw up if Coach found out. The next day at school my stuff was always in my locker. She had my back every time. We had an even swap going on. I had a vehicle and gas money and that's where she lacked.  I loved seeing her face and visiting with her kids. We did figure out we are only two hours away, and I am debating on sending Jake for the summer so he can come back in check! It must be the boot camp, drill sergeant in her!

4. T-Ball has started and we have had two games. I have to say I am pretty impressed with Jake. He has gotten better each practice and game and it's been so fun to watch. He's number 4 this season. We tried to start with number 11 but it swallowed him. The higher the number the bigger the jersey. And I don't think its cool to roll sleeves up anymore.

5. Last but not least, I want to mention our old neighbors and friends, the Neylands. You can read Wendy's blog here. They have an incredible testimony!! Please continue to pray for sweet baby Kaydence, she continues to show our little town of Centerville He is in complete control!