Birthday Overload

  

Jones had a birthday celebration for a week.  We had a huge party when we went in for Thanksgiving.

We had a busy busy week running around all over creation making sure we saw everyone.  We had his party on Saturday morning and went to Papa and Grammy afterwards.  Jones was exhausted from not only his party but from the week.  There we get to relax and not have to be anywhere.  We opened and put together most of Jones' presents there and let him have at it!  He was in toy heaven! He played his little heart out!  We were going to head home on Monday but decided to stay till Tuesday so we could have 1 more day of relaxing!

On his actually birthday we had a chill day. We went to church, had pizza for lunch and came home to cake balls!

Ended the day on a colorful note:)

and a relaxing night!  He will probably think from  now on birthday's are week long:)

I know, but it's just so hard....

Today Jones is getting rid of all the crap we let him consume yesterday.....since it was his birthday.  Stuff that we don't usually let him eat on a regular basis and definitely in moderation if.  BUT it was a special day.  We have been having a lot of special days lately and we have been giving in.  Giving in and knowing what it does to Jones, after the fact.  There are several things that Jones eats or drinks and it burns his bottom so bad it looks like we lit a match to it.  It hurts him so bad he won't sit on his bottom.  So we have learned over the last two years that he can't have simply things like juice, to many strawberries, a lot of tomato sauces, no to sodas, and no to simply foods that hurt his stomach. 

 While he can't make simple decisions right now, we make them for him.  It's sad when he wants an extra ORGANIC yogurt pouch but he can't.  It's sad when he wants the whole thing of strawberries but 3 is his limit.  It's sad when he wants one little sip of Cody's Dr. Pepper and we give in and the next day  it is horrible.  It's sad that he can consume a whole bowl of hot sauce and he's fine.  Its sad he can eat a whole bowl of pasta with red sauce and it hurts to put a diaper on him the next day.  It's hard to find a balance when even the balance doesn't even work.

So even though we know, we caved and let Jones have whatever he wanted yesterday.  Was that one day of pure excitement worth a raw booty today.  To me it's not.  To Jones, I don't know yet.  Maybe one day soon he will tell us.  

I have learned that stuff is just stuff even on special days. I am so thankful that my child can take it so well when I have to tell him "no" and to "please go put it back up"  when he doesn't even understand why yet.

Happy Birthday Jones

Happy 2nd Birthday!!!!!

I took Jones' 2 year old pic this year and at first I was not thrilled with them. I was comparing them to the ones I took last year and they had a cute little theme and they were just cute cute cute.  The more I look at them the more I love them just as much as his 1 year old pics!  The top pic he was screaming bloody murder and wanted off of that hay bale ASAP!  Didn't think it would have turned out as good as it did!

DooDee came down to visit this week and J was all smiles!

We had his birthday again in Canton at Jerry's Pizza.  It's kind of a half way point for everyone who had to drive in.....and well, Jones loves PIZZY

His favorite thing right now are tractors!  He has so many tractors and got so many more at his birthday but he knows them all and knows when they are misplaced and is not happy if he can't sleep with at least 10!

We had a good trip in to Texas.  We stayed a week and this was the first time since May Cody had left the ranch.  He was way over due for some down time!

JBear,

You make everyday so much better!

So very glad your ours!

Can't believe how fast time can go!

Can't believe how silly we can be when your around!

Can't wait to see what you have in store for us his year!

You are such a joy!

I literally feel my heart about to explode at least once a day when I look at you!

You have the best of me and Cody wrapped up in this little sweet package!

You have every ounce of sweetness your daddy has!

WE LOVE YOU SO SO MUCH LIL' MAN!

Hard Lesson Learned.....

Sometimes when things fall in your lap doesn't mean they are meant to be..............

October 31st was my last day at work at the school.  It was a sad farewell but it just was not supposed to be.  I got selfish, greedy and figured I could go do something I wanted to do for a change.  The job literally fell in my lap.......so therefore I took it as a sign of this is what God wants for me.  I was excited about getting to put my whole paycheck in saving for my family.  When I got my first paycheck I was a little shocked.  Did the figuring in my head and I was not paid the number I was told I was going to be getting paid....the number that I was thrilled about....the number that made me sticking my child in day care worth it.  It was then I realized I was told the wrong salary during my interview......I was so bummed....so disappointed.........  I kept thinking about that original number.  Was it really worth it?  Was that number really worth someone else raising my child when I can?  It wasn't. I stuck it out for 3 months because I didn't want to put anyone in a bind.....but I finally had to throw in the towel.  Bittersweet........I was miserable that whole 3 months and felt guilty leaving J, but at the same time I loved my job, I loved the girls I met and getting up at 6 was actually not so bad.  I had found a job that I fit well in. 

During the 3 months I worked there, our church was hosting a Dave Ramsey class.  I had heard all about him and his way of thinking from several friends and we decided to take the 9 week course.  So glad we did. It was life changing to say the least.  A lot we already knew and a lot we were already doing, but we could have been doing better and more.  It put a fire under us both and we are SOOO excited about our future financially now!

I think we were both nervous about me not working and staying home with J, even though we could afford it.  It was never said but there was always an underlining of, "wow, but we could be saving so much more money!"  After this class we learned we can still save money and live our life on 1 income.

So the last 2 months have been a big ole' slap in the face and a huge lesson learned.  I am not in control of my life.  I know that. Sometimes I forget and God has a funny way of putting me back in my place where I belong..........

Home

With my boys

Doing what I do best

Loving them with all my being!