Birth Control

These are the kinds of things that confirm that I don't need anymore children. Isn't two enough? (this video was taken just outside the door of Tucker and Addie's room. This video is all black because the room is dark and all I wanted was the audio, aka screaming and crying.)

Bowling Date

Our dear friend Patty with Addie. This is the same Patty that was mentioned in a previous post, the amazing SuperMom who watched Addie for my date with my Mom. Emma and Tucker posing after their bowling game. I'm not sure what Tucker is doing, but it's pretty funny. When Tucker gets dressed in the morning we let him pick out the shirt he wants to wear. On the morning of bowling, he looks in his closet and checks out a few shirts before deciding on the Kung Fu Panda shirt. He pulls the shirt out of the closet and tells me, "I want to wear my Kung Fu Panda shirt. I think Emma will like it." Nice. Already dressing for the ladies Casanova? We are in way over our heads. Sorry Patty, Stephanie wins the Cute-Picture-Of-The-Day Award! Stephanie took over Addie Duty when she got to the arcade. She is so so good with her and Addie just loves her! Emma and Tucker playing air hockey! I had never seen a little kid air hockey table before! It was so cute and Tucker was actually pretty good at it. As usual, Emma was a total sweetie and was taking it easy on Tucker, making sure that the puck never went too fast and that he got to score some goals too. While playing the arcade games, they were earning tickets! Between the two of them, they earned 206 tickets! They had so much fun and once again we were all spoiled by Patty and Company! Thanks for the wonderful bowling date girls. We love you all so much and we are already looking forward to our next Wednesday-After-School-Date. You just let us know when!!

Dance Dance Revolution

On Wednesday, Tucker, Addie and I met our friends Patty and Emma for a bowling date. After bowling, we went to the arcade side and the kids played some games. Tucker had never played arcade games before and the loud music and flashing lights was enough to send a three year old into a total tail spin! He had so much fun running from one game to another, gathering tickets and winning prizes! This is a video of Emma and Tucker playing a little kid version of Dance Dance Revolution. Watch how serious Emma is about doing the dance correctly, while Tucker just jumps around in circles! How funny!

Just When I Thought...

Just when I thought I couldn't love my Grandma Mickie any more than I already do, she pulls this one out on Sunday when I saw her, "So Tami, who do you think the Bachelor will choose?" I just had to start laughing! I am, for better or worse, addicted to the Bachelor. I just about fell over when my Grandma, of all people, ask me about the show! I would have never, ever guessed that my Grandma would be watching that show but after thinking about it for a few minutes, it's actually a perfect fit. My Grandma is very wise when it comes to relationships and first impressions of people. When most people think that their parents' opinions of their boyfriend/girlfriend is most important, I always counted my Grandma right up there with them. She always tells it how it is and she is always right on. I was dating this guy in college and for all I knew, it was extremely serious. I got to the point where I wanted my Grandma to meet him. My Grandma told me after they met that he was very nice, she could tell we had fun together, but, "he's not the one for you". (Side note: She has always liked Matt very much and when we got back together at the end of college, she told me that she always knew we would be together, she just wasn't sure how it was going to happen) Anyway, I was floored that my Grandma would ask who the Bachelor would pick, but I actually think it made me love her just a little bit more. I mean how cool is it that my Grandma watches the Bachelor??? My Grandma Mickie has macular degeneration and will never be able to read this blog, but I have to tell you a little bit about why I love her so much....and it's not just because she watches the Bachelor! My Grandma is just about the most headstrong person I know. She is independent, to a fault, and has a hard time accepting help from anyone. These characteristics make her life very frustrating because her eye sight is going quickly and makes her independence very unlikely in the coming years. She always tells you how it is, no matter how you are going to feel about it. She likes to do things on her own. She is extremely outgoing and very mentally sharp for her age, but her body continues to fail her. Whether it's her eyes or a hip replacement, it seems like age is taking over her body. It seems so unfair that someone with the mental capabilities that she has would be losing her independence because of her body. I think aging is unfair. Either way, I believe that I am very much like my Grandma. We really relate to each other and I tell her everything. Many of you will be mad to know this, BUT...My Grandma knew the names of our children even when our own parents didn't! Sorry guys! Her opinion means so much to me and I feel like she will be honest and fair. I wish she lived closer to me and if we had the means I would honestly go kidnap her from her little life in her tiny town and have her live with us. That would give me so much joy and I hope I, one day, have the honor of spending that much time with her and helping her (although she would probably start throwing punches if she knew I wanted to h-e-l-p her). I think I would be the perfect person to take care of her though. I understand her desire and need to be independent and I would allow her to do that, as long as she was safe. I get her and she gets me. I love this lady. I named my daughter after her (my Grandma's middle name is Adeline). I hope she understands how much I love her because, as it is unstoppable, I will not have her in my life forever. One day, I will have to rely on my memories to spend time with her. Until that day, I will cherish her opinions, her laughter and just try to see her as much as I can.

Not In Order

I still haven't posted about my incredibly romantic, yummy and wonderful birthday dinner date with Matt, but I feel like if I don't post this (even if it pains me to blog "out of order") then I just won't remember to tell you about my awesome day today.

I need to preface this blog by saying this: My Mom has the most incredible boss and his entire family is amazing. Gene is constantly giving my Mom time off work to travel, have play dates with me, long lunch hours to have lunch with me and the kids, and just about whatever else she wants to do. He is an incredible boss, but more importantly, he is my Mom's friend. Gene would give you the shirt off his back and anything else you would need. Gene would do all of these things gladly and expect nothing in return, except maybe a hug! His wife is equally amazing. Patty is a phenomenal mother. She is more genuine and loving than anyone else I know. She will cheer you on no matter what is going on in your life and will cry with you when times are hard. Whenever I talk to Patty I know that I can't get away with any kind of surface discussion...she always wants to know how you're really doing. Not only are these two some of the most amazing people I know, they are raising two equally wonderful daughters. If either of my kids are half as responsible as Stephanie, I will fall out of my chair. And sweet Emma...she cried at our last play date because she thought she hurt Tucker (he feel off some play equipment and she was no where near by!!! We are trying to make an arranged marriage for Emma and Tucker). Needless to say, the entire family is a real gem and I am better for knowing them. I only hope that I bring as much joy to their life as they give me and my family. Oh one more thing, I think as much as I admire the way Gene and Patty live their life, I think I'm more in awe of how much they love each other. These people are more in love than most couples I know! They are so sweet with each other, Patty is constantly talking about how handsome (she actually says things like hot) Gene is and how much she loves him. I admire their relationship so much. I wish more people were more public about the good things about their spouse, instead of the constant complaints.

So generous Gene let my Mom out of work (again), sweet Patty had little Adeline and my dear Matthew had a date with Tucker. I can not begin to thank each and every one of them enough for the day that they made possible for me and my Mommy!!! I really can't remember the last time I spent time alone with my Mom. I enjoy my Mom so much and I always look forward to seeing her. I feel like I see her quite a bit, but really seeing her and really talking to her doesn't happen very much...well not like today! We had really fun manicures and pedicures, we bought shoes, shirts and all kinds of fun things! While we sat down having our pedicures, I'm sure the people there thought we hadn't seen each other in a few years....there wasn't even a moment of silence...chat, chat, chat, chat! FUN FUN FUN!!! We had so much fun that I carried my camera with me all day, and didn't take even ONE photo! I'm kind of bummed out about not having a picture with my Mom, but I think that just means that we need to schedule our next Mother/Daughter day to capture the fun.

I had so much fun Mommy. I love you more than I even know how to tell you. You are so fun to be with, I love talking with you, and I never want to stop learning about you and who you are. I hope that you had as much fun as I did and that you are excited for our next date (let's play soon).

Just Can't Help Myself...

Alright, I'm just going to lay it all on the line...I LOVE my birthday!  It doesn't really matter how old I get, how many candles I have to blow out, or how many black balloons I have to endure, I love February 17th!  Tomorrow I'm going to be 31.  As my dear friend pointed out to me the other day, "you are no longer 30, you are IN your 30's"  Thanks for that... YOU KNOW WHO  YOU ARE!  My big plans include renewing my drivers license (visiting the DMV is NOT my idea of fun, but neither is driving on an expired license), not sure what after that amazing amount of fun, but then Matt and I are going to have a rare, and hopefully romantic, dinner alone.  Either way, I won't have Addie barf or drool on my shoulder, I won't be shoveling baby food into a bottomless pit who screams, and Tucker won't be spilling his milk, I might even have a conversation that doesn't have anything to do with Caillou, Diego or Space Buddies.  I might even have a glass of wine....**ooohhhs and aaahhhs all around**.  So as I celebrate my 31st birthday tomorrow, I will be thinking of all of you who make this life wonderfully full of friendship, love, laughter and excitement.    

Big Girl Addie in Her High Chair!

Addie has started eating those little Gerber star snacks. She can sometimes get them in her mouth by herself, but mostly we feed them to her. She doesn't fit the "requirements" on the back of the container, but she likes them anyway. She doesn't gag on them, so I figure they must be OK! Here are some cute pictures of my little Adeline in her high chair. Bo remembers this high chair very well. It was the source of many tasty treats when a certain little boy used this chair! I have no doubt that Addie will learn how much fun it is to watch the dog run all over the kitchen trying to chase down all the food that is being launched from the tray, exactly like Tucker did!

I just can't get enough of her big blue eyes! I think every time she sleeps, she wakes up just a little bit cuter! ...but don't believe my biased opinion...come see it for yourself!

Encouraging Optimism

I haven't slept more than 3 consecutive hours for about a week now and it's really starting to hinder my ability to be optimistic. I love optimism. I love thinking about the silver lining, not the dark, heavy rainy clouds that are all around. I want to see the glass half-full, even if it only has a few drops hanging on for dear life. I want to, I really really do...but lack of sleep does a doosey on your ability to think straight, be happy, even-tempered and be delightful to be around. So here it goes...Optimistic Tami....fighting off the foot-hold that exhaustion has on me.

I love my children more than I could have ever imagined possible. I could spend every minute of every day thanking God for the precious miracles he has given me, and it still wouldn't be enough. I am eternally thankful that He has given me these children who are alive and well and have the ability to wake up in the middle of the night to call out for me. I am thankful that they sleep through the night and wake up breathing and smiling in the morning. I'm also thankful that they call on me, as their mother, to love and comfort them when they are sad, scared or hungry. I am proud of myself that my children find comfort in me, because that makes me feel like I've done something right. I might be a grouch the next day, but deep in my heart I know how thankful I am that I have these kids. Even if they are sucking every last bit of energy and sanity I have, I would have it no other way.

So this is my half-full statement, I will be checking in on this post now and then, just to remind me that no matter how many times I wake up at night, these days will pass and one day I will look back and wish I had my babies under my roof again, wanting them to want me like they do today. One day, probably not too far in the future, I will miss this. As frustrated as I can be, I know I will miss this.

The Latest...

For those of you following our thriller/drama, AKA unemployment, the fight continues. Matt went to the PT test on Friday with high hopes and an injured hamstring. Even with his best efforts and pushing that hamstring beyond it's current abilities, he didn't pass. *sigh* He couldn't run as fast as he needed to due to the hamstring and some of his push ups and sit ups didn't meet the standard to be counted. He did plenty of push ups and sit ups, but not all of them counted. He told me that he has NEVER had a sit up not meet the standard in the Army. Not even in Ranger school, where they are the most picky about form. This delay is not great, but it's also not the end of the world. Matt has 30-90 days to call them back and schedule the
re-test. So he is not out of the process, they just can't continue with his paperwork until he passes. (I will let you know when he is going to reschedule) And although it would have been optimal to continue through the process without delay, this minor setback is all in His plans. We believe that all things happen for a reason and that doors open and close to help you go along the path that God has intended for us. I do believe that this "setback" has just set us up for an opportunity for me and Matt to get our diet and exercise on track and back to where we need to be. This gives us a chance to take a serious look at how we eat, what we eat and when we eat.



After moving into Matt's Moms house, we haven't been eating like we would have been in our own home. Matt's mom is a wonderful cook and I think she learned how to cook in a soup kitchen because she cooks for about 300 when she cooks. Which puts us in a situation where we have lots and lots of good tasting food, which promptly leaves its mark on our bellies and hips. We need a change and I think God has provided a real reason to make the change. We need to make better choices, even if the choices being made around us aren't for us.

We are ready for the challenge that has been given to us. We are ready to make good choices, run faster, get stronger and get through it...together. I have made it my personal challenge to train with Matt to get ready for this re-test. I have decided that I will hold myself to the same set of standards that Matt is trying to pass. (don't worry, they have female standards and male standards...my goal is not to do 45 push ups!) My intention is to support Matt while getting into kick ass shape! (BTW: I just bought another pair of jeans...another size smaller!! HIP HIP HURRAY for me!!!) Maybe I will do some sort of pretest, see how pathetic my skills are now and then blog about my progress, struggles and hacking cough from running in the cold.

Anyway, we have some goals to meet, both personally and as a family. We are ready. We are bigger and badder than the challenges before us...and plus, we have God on our side. How can we lose?