Halloween 2007

This Halloween, our church decided to not have their big Fall Festival, so we decided to attend my parent's church's Trunk or Treat event. Basically, everyone sets up games in the trunk or back of their vehicle and the kids come along and play. I think my mom and dad's game was the most popular as the line was always the longest!















Caleb was Larry from Veggie Tales this year.




















I know, same picture, but I loved the expression on his face. It's almost like he's saying, "ok, enough pictures mom, let's go get some candy!"















The scene when we finally found my parents. Caleb talks non-stop of his Mommaw and PawPaw. He wanted to find him first and here he is running to my mom. It was sweet.





















Caleb, or I mean Larry, and Mommaw.
















Playing Mommaw and Pappaw's game with Pappaw.

















Bean bag toss





















Showing off his loot. This was about half way through. That little pumpkin was mostly full when we left!
















Daddy and Larry
















Mama and Larry.

















Playing the ring toss game, but to Caleb it was the ring place game. Everyone thought it was cute.

















Tossing different balls through the hoop. He liked this one!
















The hayless rides. It was a fun idea and Caleb smiled the whole way. It reminded me of a beauty queen on a float because all the people would look and smile and say how cute he was as we passed by. All we need to do now is perfect the wave!
















Don't know why this picture is here. I think we were waiting to play a game.
















Playing Mommaw and PawPaw's game again. We had so much fun this year!

Pumpkin Patch Part 2 FOILED!

Well, today Caleb and I were supposed to make the trek to the Dallas Arboretum to take pictures in the pumpkin patch there, but we had to make an unexpected stop at the emergency room last night. Apparently, it was Jes's time to pass another kidney stone. It was a relatively uneventful one until the very end when they shot him up with some type of pain medication and he had an allergic reaction to it. Not a fun night for all of us. You can imagine...
Since it was so late when we got home, I make the executive decision to stay around town and rest a little, and to keep an eye on Jes as he stayed home from work. Maybe we'll make the trip some other time.

Pumpkin Patch Part 1

With it being fall and all everyone is heading out to the pumpkin patches in their area. Our church put on a Mommy and Me playdate at our local pumpkin patch in Celina, just up the road from us. We decided to go and see if we could get our yearly pumpkin picture here. We didn't have much luck as Caleb was in a pretty foul mood (you'll see) and he insisted on smiling this huge toothy grin that just didn't look natural. Anyway, the pictures are as follows:

















This pumpkin patch is a working farm and they have animals. Here Caleb is feeding the animals. This is the sheep he loved!
















And there there were the goats...















and then there was this goat who ran off with Caleb's animal feed, cup and all. All this animal slobber sent my germaphobia into overdrive, so after I gave Caleb a bath in Purell, we steered clear of anymore animals!















Caleb with some pumpkins. Still in a good mood here...















Caleb looking pretty cute...















A good smile, finally. Now where is the pumpkin???















This tractor was the downfall of the day. While Caleb had a great time on it, he did not want to get off.















Happy as a clam, but notice the person waiting for their turn in the background. I had to drag him off (literally) and carry him away while he screamed, "mine", "ride", "my turn" and all other types of 2 year old obscenities.















In time out from being ugly to me, all stemming from having to get off the tractor. This was after a crying, throw yourself on the ground (well maybe not that bad, but it sure felt like it with all those other mom's looking at us) fit.





















Time out, round 2. Still not being nice. Love this age...

















Yes, I did actually let him get back on to have a picture with his friend KJ, but in my defense, this was an hour or more later and he didn't act as poorly when he got off because KJ was distracting him.
















Picking out his pumpking from the pumpkin patch.
















Found just the right one and we headed for home!
We are going to the Arboretum on Monday with my MOPS group, so maybe we'll get our pumpkin picture there. Be ready for round 2 soon!

This Past Weekend

Sorry about the uninteresting title. I am having trouble being interesting lately...
I wanted to post this pictures of our weekend and the fun we had.

















This picture isn't exactly from this weekend. In fact, I think it's a few weeks old, but it represents a huge milestone in our house for Caleb. For a long time we had to thicken every liquid that Caleb put into his mouth because he would aspirate it into his lungs if we didn't. Now that we don't have to do that it was time to teach Caleb how to drink out of a cup like a regular person. My mom bought Caleb this cup a little while ago and here he is drinking out of it unassisted. He's such a big boy!















Friday night Jes "surprised" me by planning this little birthday get together for myself and my friends. We went to Apricio's (not sure of the spelling, or pronunciation for that matter) in the square in McKinney. We have been here before and love the food, so it was a perfect place for my birthday dinner! Here's a picture of our table.
















Here's the same picture at the opposite end. The people are as follows: starting on the left, Kevin and Courtney Chadwick, my daddy and mama, Lila and Andy Burkig, Shane and Angie Wade, Derek and Brynne Riley, us, and Melissa Dickey. We had a great time with all our friends! Thanks y'all!















Saturday we decided to make the trek out to Fort Worth to see the air show. We thought Caleb was finally old enough and he would like it. Turns out he did!


















Here are Jes and Caleb getting ready to go see those huge planes!




















This guy was flying around when we arrived and he would do things like this that you would swear would end up in a plane crash. It was really fun to watch, and a little scary!

















Here are Caleb and I in front of some plane. I swore I would remember the names, but I'm not the airplane person in the family. If this weekend proves me right, I'm officially outnumbered by airplane people...















Like father like son. Caleb was fascinated with the workings of this plane. It must run in the genes!
















Here are Caleb and the pilot of an Apache Helicoptor on his bird. Like how I snuck in a little terminology there. That's what living with an airplane guy for years will get you...

Just In Case Your Child Hasn't Embarrased You In Public Lately

I carry a rather small purse. I would guess by looking at it that it is roughly 8-10 inches long and 5-6 inches high. I made the switch recently to try and make something in my life a little simpler and lighter.
At any point in time if you happen to see Caleb and I out and about he will have my tiny little purse hanging over his neck while he beats on it saying, "bang, bang bang" the whole time. It's the small things that keep him entertained.
Today we ran to Sam's to pick up a few things that we needed. He was in the buggy with my purse around his neck doing his bang, bang, bang thing. Nothing out of the ordinary. As we were checking out I was paying less attention to him than normal. He was being fairly quiet (I've been a mom long enough to know that this is NOT a good thing) and as I turned around I noticed that he had unzipped my purse and was waving a certain feminine hygiene product around and started yelling, "bang, bang, bang". Sam's will be dead to me for at least a few weeks.

30

Well, today is the day. The day that I turn 30. Part of me is excited because I have been told that the 30's are so much better than the 20's. I'm holding to that. The other part of me is having a hard time believing it's even true because on the inside I still feel 16.
I wanted to do a list like Amanda over at Baby Bangs (see the side list for her blog), but I am very fuzzy about the actual ages by which I have done things. I guess it's dementia creeping in! :) Anyway, I thought I would give a list of the things that I have learned throughout these 30 years. Please do know that I am a work in progress and even though I have learned these things, it does not mean they are perfected!

1. It is never a good idea to eat half a tube of toothpaste, even if it is a new kind and tastes really yummy. You will scare your mom and dad later into thinking you have rabies as you foam at the mouth.
2. Even though you knocked out your 2 front teeth and didn't get them for 5 or 6 years, you are still a beautiful creature.
3. Having a baby changes EVERYTHING!!!
4. Even though your dad made you learn to ride a bike, you will be grateful later.
5. Learning how to drive is not as easy as it looks. You might actually get the dreaded "needs more improvement" letter from your driving school, but you will be just fine later on.
6. That boy that broke your heart at 18 may have seemed like "the one" but God knew that there was so much better for you out there just waiting.
7. Never, ever say that you won't be like your parents when you grow up because it is inevitable. It's going to happen. Just wait.
8. It doesn't matter how pretty you are or how smart you are or are not, you will always be loved by Him, even if you're not by him.
9. Throwing a printer out of a dorm room window will get you yelled at by your RA.
10. It's not what you say to people, it's all in how you say it.
11. Sometimes watching TV at home is just as exciting as travelling the world as long as you have your honey with you.
12. It's not the best idea to go grocery shopping hungry, even if you are just running in for that gallon of milk.
13. Parents are not a dumb as kids think they are.
14. Dyeing your hair a darker color, when it is already dark, without the help of a professional, will not turn out to be what you expect.
15. You don't have to make everyone happy.
16. Not everyone will like you.
17. The best compliment anyone can give is that you are a great mother.
18. It is not the best idea to let your child chew on a coat hanger while you are changing their diaper.
19. Looking at your radio while you are driving a car will eventually result in an unhappy mom and dad.
20. Age is only a number.
21. Kids don't come with a manual, but you have encyclopedias called moms, grandmothers, dads, grandfathers, walking around that can help.
22. It truely takes a village to raise a child.
23. Most teenagers are alike, and I don't care for them. Something to look forward to.
24. It doesn't matter how many children you have, just one makes you as much of a mother as someone who has 10.
25. It doesn't matter how self-sufficient and independent you are, everyone needs someone to talk to and lean on during the hard times.
26. C-sections are not as bad as alot of people make them out to be.
27. Guilt is just that, guilt. It is a useless tool that people use to manipulate others to get what they want. It shouldn't affect us.
28. Inspiration can come from the strangest places, but can last a lifetime.
29. When you are feeling bad or blue a kiss or hug from your child can make the day better.
30. I will not stop learning and growing as long as I learn and grow in Christ.

School Meeting Tomorrow (Tuesday) **UPDATE**

UPDATE:
Without getting into the gory details of the reasons behind this issue I wanted to explain what was going on as I have received many e-mail and phone calls. Basically, it was my gut instinct that something just wasn't quite right and Caleb was very verbal about not being happy in school, specifically with one of his teachers. I also got a phone call from a friend of mine who teaches at the school who voiced some concerns about his teacher(s) and basically validated my "gut feeling". My friend Courtney told me that I'm the one who always says to follow your mama instinct and I tried to ignore it this time. Mmmm. Crow.
Anyway, after a lengthy discussion with the director of the program and Caleb's lead teacher, we decided to change some specific things in his class room and try it again. They really want me to leave him be for a month, but if I don't see any improvement in the next 3-4 school days, then we will be making a change. Caleb has been learning a lot and I really don't want to take him out of school, but if he is not getting the love and patience that he needs then we will come up with another alternative. Thanks to everyone who voiced concern over this. We appreciate your input and caring.

I will be meeting with the director at Caleb's school in the morning about moving him to another class. Please pray that my concerns are well taken and that they will be able to place him in another class or we will be removing him from Mother's Day Out. I will update when I know something.

Readmitted

My grandmother was readmitted to the hospital this morning with pneumonia. I am still in McKinney and will stay here until told any different, so it's not a dire situation, but it's still pneumonia.
She is as Baylor Garland, so a little closer. I'll update when I know more.

Our Family Update

There are quite a few people who are reading our blog now mainly for the purpose of updates on our family, particularly the situation with my grandmother. Many have asked and here are the newest things that I know.
My grandmother is starting to have some movement return to her affected side. She has begun intensive therapy in the skilled nursing unit that she is in and we are all expecting that she will regain at least some function on her affected (left) side.
She is fairing pretty well with her newest home, the Christian Care Center, but would still like to go home, of course. My grandfather is starting to be a little more positive about the outcomes of her situation. He is talking now in when and ifs, instead of declaring everything to be negative.
There is still a little work to be done on the financial end of things, but a meeting with an attorney today gave my grandfather a place to start. He is starting to consider remodeling the house for when she comes home!
The biggest thing that we need prayer for right now is the drama that is beginning to encapsulate the family. My grandmother has 2 other daughters, both from different marriages and my mom is her step daughter, so we are the picture of what a blended family looks like. This is starting to rear its ugly head though. My mom's sisters are dear people that we love very much but they are the type of people who thrive off drama. They are very worldly and we often question if they know our Maker, as their lives show no fruit. I guess what it boils down to is that they are starting to create drama and are actually trying control the situation. My grandfather is the one that is in control of all pertinent decisions, but they have actually gone behind his (and our) backs and told the nurses to withhold a medication that my grandmother has taken for years for sleep, as an example. As a result, she did not sleep. Not cool.
It is getting really difficult to view my aunts in a positive light as this whole situation progresses, but I am trying really hard to pray for them. Could you all please pray for them and their attitudes too? That way they will be covered. Just specifically pray that our Lord will bind their mouths and their minds from "drama causing" thoughts, words and actions. Thank you so much to all of you who are keeping up with all this and we cherish all of you as friends and love you very much!

What We've Been Doing Around Here

I realized that I hadn't posted any pictures of Caleb lately, and honestly there haven't been many taken. Here are a few of the things that have been keeping us busy around the Mathis homestead, other than the normal stuff like work and school.


















I honestly have no idea where and why I took this picture, but it's a cute one and I had to include it.
















Here's Caleb sitting on our bed drawing while I do some work on the computer.

















Caleb has always loved this laundry basket. He looks like he has just stuck his finger in a light socket here. I guess it's time for yet another hair cut...


















For some reason, Caleb has taken to climbing in this particular window behind the blinds. He'll stand here for an hour, if I let him. This day, he was watching the rain shower we got and Jaq running around in it!

















Unfortunately, this is another activity that we have been doing our fair share of lately. For those of you that don't know what this is, Caleb is taking a breathing treatment. He was sent home yesterday after an hour at school because of a bad cough and we went to the doctor shortly after that. He's on regular breathing treatments and an oral steroid. All in all, this is our first illness since earlier this year so that's pretty good for him.


















We had a picnic in our living room today for lunch and I had to have a picture. Caleb sat on his airplane blanket that his aunt Joy made him and ate all his lunch like a big boy. It's been really hard keeping him inside and fairly calm during this little illness. This was so much easier when he was a baby! :)

I also wanted to update on my grandmother. She was discharged from Baylor Hospital of Dallas yesterday and moved to the Christian Care Center where she will be staying for as long as deemed necessary, or until we decide to move her elsewhere. She is doing some therapy herself on her left side, the affected one, and is asking to go home, so we'll have to see how long this placement lasts. Thank you for all your prayers!

Recent Update on my Grandmother

I wanted to update all of you on my grandmother. Tomorrow, she will have a feeding tube put in. This was always something that she said she didn't want to happen to her, but none of us could live with the fact that if we didn't do it she would starve to death. The neurologist was very open about that fact and just told my grandfather that that was what would happen and he couldn't see to that either.
She will be released shortly after the placement of the feeding tube, we're thinking Thursday or Friday. My mom and grandfather have worked really hard to get her a bed at the Christian Care Center which is right down the street from my parent's and my grandparent's house. This place has apartments for the more independent folks, and my other grandmother lives there. They also have a skilled nursing unit for those who need a little more help with everyday tasks, and my Memoy will be placed there. This way, she will get needed therapy and may regain some function and will be so much closer to her family and friends.
Please continue to pray for my family and their health. Everyone is holding up pretty well right now but are all exhausted with the tasks at hand. Now, my mom is working with financial advisors to figure out all the financial aspects of these new developments and what will happen in the event that this becomes a long term placement.

The Game of Tag about your Man

Things have been pretty serious around here, so here's some fun facts about my honey.

1. Who is your man? Jesse Duane, aka Jes.
2. How long have you been together? We met on a bus on a spring break mission trip in 2000. So I guess that's 7. We got married just over a year after we met, so married 6.
3. How long did you date? We dated for 7 months before we were engaged, 3 of which I was a summer missionary in Illinois. We got married 6 month later.
4. How old is your man? 30
5. Who eats more? Well, my grandfather likes to say he has a hollow leg because Jes can put away food like none other when he's really hungry. The older he gets, though, the less it is.
6. Who said "I love you" first? He did and I reciprocated right away. It was within the first week we met. Hey, when you know, you know...
7. Who is taller? Thank goodness, he is! I'm a lover of all things heels, so I married a tall man. He's 6'2" and I'm 5'9", so we've got a good few inch cushion there.
8. Who sings better? He would say I do, but I think it's really him.
9. Who is smarter? Well, that's not a fair question. Jes can tell you anything you would ever want to know about the workings of an airplane, car, physics, math problems and remembers random and vague facts about history and other obscure things he has learned. I, however, can fill you in on biological sciences, physical sciences, english, and pop culture, so it's pretty split.
10. Whose temper is worse? Oh, totally mine. Jes is so laid back and patient when I freak. Good thing...
11. Who does the laundry? Depends on what needs washing. I always do mine and Caleb's and any of Jes's clothes that he has not tinkered with an airplane in. He washes all those clothes that have or could possibly have chemicals in them. Jes's rule.
12. Who takes out the garbage? Most of the time Jes does.
13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I do b/c I can't stand being closest to the door. It freaks me out even now.
14. Who pays the bills? I do, except when I was pregnant. I was so sick and out of it when I was first pregnant with Caleb that I didn't pay them for a month (except the house payment) and he took it over when we started getting notices that they were going to shut off our water and electricity! I took it back over after the kiddo was born.
15. Who is better with the computer? I a better and faster typer, but he's the troubleshooter in this family. Even my mom and dad ask him...
16. Who mows the lawn? We had a deal when we got married, Jes would mow and take care of the lawn and I wouldn't wear sweatpants around the house. So far, so good.
17. Who cooks dinner? When I'm working, which is 4 days a week, he's the cook for himself and Caleb. I do, however, have a dry erase board with the meals we have stuff for and where he can find the recipe, if applicable. Other times, I do it.
18. Who drives when you are together? If we take the truck, he always does, unless something is wrong. If we take the car, it depends.
19. Who pays when you go out? Depends on what Caleb is doing at the time and who has him.
20. Who is most stubborn? I think we are both equally stubborn. Sounds like fun times, huh?
21. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? He is. Maybe I'm the more stubborn one.
22. Whose parents do you see the most? Mine, they just live 30 miles down the road. His are in Oregon.
23. Who kissed who first? Well, it was a mutual thing but he initiated.
24. Who asked who out? I don't know that there was ever that actual moment when he asked me out. We were inseperable on that mission trip and after and spent every waking moment together when we weren't in class.
25. Who proposed? He did. He took me back to that same bus and in the same seat where we met, he proposed. So sweet.
26. Who is more sensitive? Depends on the topic. He is very sensitive to my needs and just takes over and takes care when I need him to and don't have to ask, most of the time. With other people who are not family, he's less intuitive.
27. Who has more friends? I do.
28. Who has more siblings? He does. He has 2 younger sisters.
29. Who wears the pants in the family? He does!

Update on my Grandmother as of Thursday

Yesterday was a better day for my grandmother than Tuesday was. Honestly, on Tuesday, people would say that they hoped that she would get better and all I could do was think ok, fat chance. Yesterday gave us a little more hope.
They did manage to get the NG tube placed and we are now all watching to see if the nutrition that she is getting helps. If not, then this will be the deciding factor for us to make the hospice phone call. We are all hoping that her digestive system will be working well and will respond well to this new addition.
They did also decide to move her out of ICU and into a private room on the floor. My mom and grandfather were not too sure that this was a good move, but I figure that she just doesn't need that level of care anymore. I choose to view it as a positive step in the right direction. The other good thing about this is that it will allow us to accept help from my grandparents extensive list of friends. ICU is so very restrictive about who and when people can come in that all the people that they have known for years and people they go to church with are wanting to help and haven't been able to. Now we can give them something to do.
The only negative thing that came up was that she has developed a little bit of pneumonia in the left lower lobe of her lung. Again, with a woman who has extensive lung disease and has smoked most of her life, I was surprised that it didn't show up before now. She is now coughing, which is something that she was not doing in ICU, so that shows signs of responsiveness. She also has her eyes open as well. I was not at the hospital today, but I can only imagine that she is probably trying to talk too.
Please continue to pray for not only her health but also the health of our family. We are a small family and we are all trying to share the time at the hospital but it is very exhausting for all involved. Please also remember my grandfather through all of this. While he is relatively healthy, physically, he has a tendancy to be so negative about situations (large or small) that it directly affects his own health. We are trying everything to keep him eating and he has been staying with my parents, so we know that he is sleeping a bit too.
Also, I am praying that this whole situation will be a wake up call for some of the members of our family who have strayed from Him.
Thank you for all your prayers and I'll update as soon as I know anything different.

Update as of Tuesday on my Grandmother

The past few days have really been just a wait and see time. We've been watching to see if changes occur in her condition and that really didn't happen until today.
They have known throughout all this that she is having trouble swallowing, as would be expected. Because of this, she cannot take any nutrition, fluids or medication by mouth and is getting everything by IV. They tried to place a nasogastric tube (tube through the nose to the stomach) today, but my grandmother is maybe 5 feet tall and was roughly 85-90 pounds (before this) dripping wet and the tube was just too big. I got really frustrated at that b/c any person can look at her and the tube and see it's not going to work. Needless to say, the NG placement did not go well as she fought and they could not get it down to her esophagus.
She has also had some respiratory changes today. Her breathing is a little more labored and they determined that she may have some type of mucus build up in her lungs after an x-ray. She has been a chronic smoker and has emphysema, so that's to be expected too. They suctioned her out and put her on a bipap machine that just helps her breathe, not breathe for her.
We had a consultation with the doctor Tuesday and they told us that if there was no significant improvement by early next week then we needed to start talking long term care or hospice, which ever is applicable at the time. We did have a moment today when our family was at odds b/c one person refused to follow what my grandmother expressed as her wishes, but after a consultation with her physician we are all on the same page again. Just pray for stamina at this point for my family and that if it is His will that this is a quick transition from here to glory for my Memoy. We love you all and I'll update when I know something. Please check back for further updates.

My Memoy

Hello all. I am writing to ask you to pray for my grandmother (Wanda), my Memoy. She had a hemorrahgic stroke this morning around 8:00am. After an ambulance ride and all day wait in the ER, she was finally moved to the ICU at Baylor Dallas this evening. The problem with this type of stroke is that they cannot do any type of surgery to relieve the pressure on her brain and we just have to wait. She is paralyzed on her left side and had a bleed about 3 fingers wide (quite large) on the right. She is recognizing everyone and is trying to talk and move, but is obviously not able to do so as she did before this event. She seemed to improve during the mid day but has deteriorated throughout the evening. We have been prepared for the worst, but have also been informed that if she makes it 7 days then it is a huge hurdle she has overcome. After that, we are counting for 30 days to be up and then her risk of another event drops dramatically. Just pray that God's will in this will be shown and that she will know no pain. My Memoy is a very feisty lady and has never stopped moving and doing for others for as long as I have known her. She is a believer, so I know that Jesus is holding her right now, but it's still difficult to see someone who means so much go through so much. Thank you for all your prayers and help with Caleb (Kim). Just know that we love you and I will update as I know things.
Shannon

Caffeine Induced Blogging... Beware!

There are few things in my life that I am obsessive about. Those few things are, but not limited to, my honey, my son, and Starbuck, aka "the evil empire" as Jes refers to it. So, the fact that I pulled into McDonald's this morning for coffee was way against character. I have to say though, the roughly $1.83 iced vanilla coffee that I purchased was quite good! I'm usually not one for product endorsement, but while temps in the great state of Tejas are still high, this is a great way to get a caffeine fix. I will, however, still cross the street to the evil empire to get my roughly $4.50 cinnamon dolce latte when the temps dip!
This week, the pollen blew in. Fall has to be my favorite, visually, season but as for the other things that go with it, I dislike it greatly. There has been lots of nose blowing, coughing, Benadryl and Mucinex taking, and whining around the Mathis homestead. Not a fun time, but someone did tell me last night that the arrival of the swarms of crickets (anyone else grossed out by that?) signals that fall and cooler temps are just around the corner!!!
In school Caleb was weighed and measured last week. Who knew that they did that in Mother's Day Out, but we did learn that he is 38 inches tall and 37 pounds. My left bicep is showing the 37 pounds as he still is attached to my hip and loves to be carried. We may have to break that soon...
Jes started his new job on Monday and while he was a little nervous (as was I for him) he did very well and loves it! The only drawback is the traffic, but the trade off is worth it to him, and us!
I have no pictures to post today, but we are going on a date (!!!!!!!!!) tomorrow night with our Sunday School class. Our church does this every year where they provide 3 hours of free (!!!!!) child care and we all go out as a group. Since we are in a class with parents of preschoolers, we all consider this date night. I think it calls for a new top for me and shirt for Jes! I'm not normally one to shop, but we don't go out much and my pre-shoppers remorse is sleeping for now... Anyway, I will post pictures of that and anything else we do this weekend asap!

Last Week

I know I won't win any Mother of the Year awards for this, but I am finally posting the 3 whole pictures I took of Caleb on his first day of school. He started on Tuesday at Mother's Day Out at our church and has a great group of teachers, Aimee, Melissa and Debbie. I know Aimee personally and Debbie is in our Sunday School class, so we know two of them on the "inside". I'll have to make a point to get to know Melissa at some point, but seriously the dropping off and picking up process is so hectic that I make it half way out of the building before I even realize that I'm 2 kids lighter/heavier, which ever is applicable!





















These two pictures are Caleb's first day last year and this year. It's so amazing how much he has changed since this time last year. If you notice in the first picture, he is leaning heavily on that end table. This was because he could hardly walk! He had just taken his first steps a few weeks before and now look at him! It makes me sad and excited that he's growing up. Thankfully, he hasn't lost those kissable chubby cheeks, and hopefully he won't for sometime to come!






















Here's Caleb and his new Diego backpack. He picked this out a couple of months ago and we have saved it especially for school. It also makes my job a little easier as I can keep it loaded with the needed change(s) of clothes, diapers/pull-ups, and a snack for the ride home. I couldn't get him to hold his Backyardigans lunch box and the backpack, but he is just a walking advertisement for Noggin TV.


















Here are Caleb and Logan before getting loaded up with their stuff to go to their first day of school. I didn't get as much as a goodbye from Caleb this day, as he was just too excited and took off into the classroom. It is really hard to resist all the pretty puzzles and cars and such when you are this (or any) age!
Friday was a very busy day for us as well. Logan's mommy has been in the hospital trying to recuperate from surgery and he and his 3 sisters and 1 brother (all 2 years old) needed someone to watch them. They were desperate, so they called me! Caleb and I hung out with Logan, Maddie, Sammie, Candice, and Hudson all day and made a mess of their very organized toy closet (sorry Liz!). All the kiddos were very good and patient with me and we had a great time.

Caleb Dancing

Here is an often requested video of Caleb dancing to his favorite Veggie Tales. I think this video is about a month old. Enjoy!

Meet the Teacher

Last night was Meet the Teacher night at Caleb's Mother's Day Out. This year, Caleb's friend Logan Dixon will be attending the same school, but he is a year older than Caleb so they will be down the hall from each other. I wasn't able to attend Meet the Teacher as I had to work. Caleb went last year with Jes too, so maybe we're just making traditions!
















Caleb loves his nap mat and I have had to store it on top of my closet for the past 3 months so he wouldn't constantly lay on it. I had taken it out of the closet to wash turned around to check on something and this is what I found when I turned back around. He's so excited!


















Here's Caleb and Logan after Meet the Teacher. From what I heard, the two of them were having the best time in the back seat of the truck! Logan's mommy just had surgery so we get the pleasure of taking and bringing him home (the just live across the street from us!). No doubt who will be having more fun on those trips! Definately the passengers!
















Here are the boys again being silly!
They start school on Tuesday. I'll be sure to take pictures and post them!

Request of You *****UPDATED*****

I just talked to Jes and they offered him a job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The salary is the same as what he is getting now, the insurance is better and is actually going to cost us less with a lower deductible too! He is going to call and formally accept the position first thing in the morning. He told them that he wanted to talk over everything with his wife before took it. So sweet, huh? Thank you so much for praying during this scary time for us! We love all of you!
Shannon (Jes and Caleb too)
___________________________

Jes and I really need you to pray for him tomorrow. Some of you know, most do not, that the place that he is working at is not doing well. They have been having major problems since being bought out by a larger group around 6-9 months ago. This problems aren't just minor issues. We're talking about not paying their vendors, bouncing paychecks, etc. Therefore, Jes has had his very stellar resume out for some time now looking around and seeing if he gets any bites. Well, he got a bite, a big one. He has an interview with a company at Love Field tomorrow at 2pm. Not only would this job cut about 40 miles per day off his commute but the insurance would kick in the first of the next month (October). He knows a few people down there who have vouched for him and this job would be doing the same thing he is doing now, so it's a lateral move, not a step down like most are. As of today, he feels like layoffs and closing of his current employer is emminent, which scares us to death, so this job is a God send.
Anyway, just pray for his clarity of mind and that he makes a great impression and that they hire him on the spot at the same salary he is at now. (Hey, aren't we supposed to ask for what we want???) If you could also just pray that my nerves would be calm. Since this has all started, my stomach has just been one big knot of nerves and acid. One of us has to be calm and levelheaded during all this... :)