And Then There Were Five...

So in case any of you aren't on Facebook (really!?) Tim and I are expanding our family by one. Another baby will be joining our family in November of this year!

We are all very excited. And the boys are over the moon. They ask quite often how the baby is doing and if they can feel it practicing karate yet. We also have a book that shows how the baby is growing and changing each week and they both love looking at it to see what is going on with their baby. I didn't get to experience this with the other kids so I love that I get to this time around. Holden is especially interested in learning more about what is going on and keeping up to date on how big the baby is.

I am also insanely grateful for my husband. I have been quite sick this time around. I have never experienced morning sickness with any of my four other pregnancies so it's hard to know how to handle it. And I think it's thrown Tim for a loop as well. I'm so thankful that he comes home every day to find me on the couch amid the mess of our house while our kids stare at the TV screen and doesn't blink an eye. He has been great with doing more around the house while I do less and less. I HATE not feeling up to doing things like I used to. I HATE that my house is messy, my laundry isn't done, the trash isn't being taken out, and all of the other things that are being un-done. But I can hate it just a little less knowing my husband is there to help pick up the slack.

I'm also thankful for my sister, Becky, who listens to my cry when I'm sick (yes, this has actually happened) and complain when I have no energy. Hopefully this all passes within a few weeks and life will get back to normal. So I can be a better wife, mother, and sister. And mostly, complain less often. But until then, a big thanks to all my friends and family who have been there for me. I appreciate you more then you know.

All About Beckett: Age Four!!

I can't believe my baby is four today! It seems like only yesterday that this little man came home with me. He has forever changed our lives. He is my hellion, get into trouble, stubborn, snuggley baby boy and I love him to pieces. Happy Birthday Beckett!

1. What do you want to be when you grow up?
A- A doctor

2. What makes you happy?
A- Having parties.

3. What makes you sad?
A- If Holden hits me.

4. What makes you laugh?
A-Holden saying a funny word.

5. What is your favorite color?
A- Red

6. What is your favorite toy?
A- My Hot Wheels

7. How tall are you?
A- 3 feet tall - I grew while I was sleeping!

8. How much do you weigh?
A- 22

9. What’s your favorite thing to do?
A- Race with Holden.

10. Where is your favorite place to go?
A- McDonalds (sigh).

11. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?
A- Florida

12. What are you really good at?
A- Running

13. What are you not so good at?
A- Doing a punch trip.

14. What is your favorite thing about school?
A- Playing with the toys.

15. What is your favorite food?
A- Crackers.

16. What food don't you like?
A- Meatloaves

17. Are you a morning person or a night person?
A- Morning

18. What makes you proud of yourself?
A- Being crazy

19. If you were a cartoon character, who would you be?
A- Fire man (Johnny Storm from Fantastic Four)

20. What‘s your favorite TV show?
A- Tom and Jerry Tales

21. What is your favorite movie?
A- Wreck it Ralph

22. What is your favorite book?
A- Mad Marvin

23. Who are your friends?
A- Jack, Ella, and Emily.

24. Who is your best friend?
A- Aniston

25. What do you like most about your dad?
A- When he does memememe (tickles him).

26. What do you like most about your mom?
A- Getting a kiss.

27. What do you like most about Holden?
A- Him playing with me.

28. What do you like most about yourself?
A- That I'm nice to other people.

If You Were Busy...

I was going through some old things today and found a ton of old stories and poems from years ago. I plan on posting a few of them from time to time. I thought this one was written by my amazing mom, Joan Archibald, but it turns out it's not. Guess that goes to show what you can decide is true as a youngin'.

I absolutely love it and couldn't help but share it.

If you were busy being kind,
Before you knew it you would find
You'd soon forget to think 'twas true
That someone was unkind to you.

If you were busy being glad
And cheering people who seemed sad,
Although your heart might ache a bit,
You'd soon forget to notice it.

If you were busy being good,
And doing just the best you could,
You'd not have time to blame some man
Who's doing just the best he can.

If you were busy being true
To what you know you ought to do,
You'd be so busy you'd forget
The blunders of the folks you've met.

If you were busy being right,
You'd find yourself too busy quite
To criticize your brother long,
Because he's busy being wrong.

JJ: What is Your Favorite TV Show and Why

I will be the first to admit that I watch too much TV. But there is also a favorite for me. And while I know I'm a bit of a geek, it's definitely The Vampire Diaries.

So what is the Vampire Diaries about? THE VAMPIRE DIARIES is the story of two vampire brothers, obsessed with the same girl, in a small town where supernatural beings live in secret amongst its residents. In season one, Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Damon Salvatore (Ian Somerhalder), returned to their hometown of Mystic Falls, Virginia, for very different reasons. Stefan was determined to get to know Elena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev), who bears a striking resemblance to Katherine Pierce (also played by Dobrev), the beautiful but ruthless vampire the brothers knew and loved — in 1864.

It is AWESOME!! My favorite part? Damon Salvatore. I'm a bit obsessed. Tim often makes fun of me for it. Damon Salvatore is my person that I'm allowed to cheat on Tim with if the situation ever presents itself. Which it never will since Damon Salvatore is a character in the show and not an actual person. Because while I'm in love with Damon, the actor who plays him (Ian Somerholder) is just eh for me.

If you haven't watched this show yet then you need to. Now. No, seriously. Go find it on Netflix or Amazon or your local video store. You will love it. 

Temper Tantrums

Last month was full of wonder, family, presents, and temper tantrums. That's right, temper tantrums. I honestly don't remember what either child was crying over, but I do know that they both happened on the same day. And they were both over the top. I just couldn't resist taking a picture as the crying ensued.

I took a picture of Beckett crying and that made him even more mad. So I was able to get this one of his lovely face.

And maybe an hour or two later Holden decided he needed to have a temper tantrum as well. And, yes, I promise I do feed him.

Beckett and Holden November 2012

So I'm a bit behind on posting on my family blog. I've been spending less time on the computer and more time with my kids and keeping my house clean. That means when I'm on the computer I'm usually working. So hopefully you can expect a few posts in the next week while I try to get caught up. And here is one of those catch up posts.

Most of  you got Christmas cards from me (if you didn't and you want one just send me your address) so I won't post all the pics of my boys in their PJ's. Even though they are insanely cute. But here are some of the others we had taken at the same time.

They were having so much fun for this shoot. The photographer told me she thinks it's the most pictures from one shoot that she ever seen. I think we had 84 in total. Holden and Beckett were just very cooperative and silly. Love the funny faces.

We took a couple with me and the boys. I didn't want very many since Tim wasn't there, but I love this one.

We brought Tim's hunting boots to have the boys wear for a few pics. They turned out so cute! It doesn't hurt that my boys are absolutely adorable.

Santa Pics!

We absolutely love Fotofly and their Santa pics idea is perfect. Instead of having pictures of your child screaming while sitting on Santa's lap (I have plenty of these) they let you (or your husband) dress up in a Santa outfit for the pics instead. Perfect, right!? In theory.

Beckett was less than cooperative for our pictures. Tim was decked out as Santa and Beckett was still not happy. The photographer tried really hard and was able to get a few decent shots to begin with and then it was full on alligator tears. She tried again and again to get him to smile or laugh. I finally just told Holden to frown so they both looked sad. Easily my favorite picture is the one of Beckett bawling. And Holden's face? Priceless. He looks like he just did something wrong, but Beckett is getting blamed.