Dear Andy,

1. You were perfect.
2. I have cried more tears for you than I knew I had.
3. I. Miss. You. Oh, I miss you.

I love you always,
Mom

Lovely Store Guide

I just wanted to say... we have a couple local grocery stores here, and I visit both. But on my way out of the store that has the bus (or maybe it's the front of a big yellow minivan) attached to the cart for the kids . . . I found a STORE GUIDE! This little guide maps out all the isles and rows with locations of food printed on them. As I make my grocery list, I write it out according to wherever I am shopping that day (aka whoever has great sales items). So the tuna helper and juice and canned foods always seem to be jumbled because those are the middle-of-the-store isles, and I don't have that much memory span in my little brain. But NOW there's a GUIDE - wanna know how this whole thing goes down? I'll tell you.

As the week goes on, I have a little spot in my daily planner on my counter that is made for grocery lists. As I notice something getting low, or just plain non-existant in my home and I NEED (note: sometimes NEED means M&Ms or Twizzlers if the price is right) it, I jot it down on my little list. Then the morning of the Big Adventure Out, I make sure I have gone through the sales ads, sit down with a fresh paper and write my list out in order according to store. But now there is no gap in my list. And let me tell you, when you're chugging through the isles trying to focus on which groceries you needed with 5 children needing your attention at that specific moment in time, you lose a little more sanity. So thank you, very very much for your store guide. I can now venture out with the children much easier than before, because I can weave swiftly up and down the isles and quickly grab things off the shelf IN ORDER without skipping a beat. Sure beats stopping at the end of each isle to check things off my list, then forgetting something and have to backtrack 3 rows, then remember where I was. Did I mention it's impossible to do this with children - good thing we have Daddy for you guys? Have I expressed this ENOUGH??? THANK YOU FOR THE STORE GUIDE!!!

Title?

How did this guy fit in my belly just a few short days ago??
And, here was our final Christmas picture this year. Pat-A-Cake works wonders!!

That's all for today - I have diapers to change.

Andy

Andy Duane Whiteside joined us at 9:25 a.m. on Wednesday. 7 pounds 1 oz. and 19 1/4 inches tall. We will go home in the morning and watch the snow fall until Christmas. What a gift! I'll get some pictures on here soon.

I LOVE THE SMELL OF NEW BABIES!

Update

So, it's been forever and a day, I know.

Does this make up for it?

My baby is walking...but the video wouldn't upload...sorry. It was a good one, too. :)

The cats wouldn't even eat my smokin' good side - so, it was chicken alfredo with no garlic bread - tsk, tsk.

I awoke at 3:20 am Friday to dive into this with Harry's cousins.

Baby #3 will officially arrive on December 19th at approximately 9:00 am (if not sooner).

And the kids got to have a bowlful of marshmallow Jell-O before breakfast last Saturday.

And I'm nesting..... b. a. d.

And I am 26 now. How embarrassing to say that.....for the record, I'd like to be thought of as 32. Please. 26 sounds like a kid. I hate it when people ask me my age, because 26 is a party age, isn't it? 28 is almost established, and 31 is established. So please, I beg you, don't say "oh, you're so young!" That may be the worst phrase for me to ever hear. The worst is when women I consider to be my friends say "I could be your mother". Ugh. Fine, I'll go to my room.

And I got through 6 1/2 hours last night without getting up to pee. Woo Hoo!

A Picture for You Today

I was out picking apples minding my own business, and heard .... this ....

Nice, huh?

And then I heard a little chicken say that the sky is falling - I just may believe him today.

Super Cool

This incredible machine was built as a collaborative effort between the Robert M. Trammell Music Conservatory and the Sharon Wick School of Engineering at the University of Iowa.

Amazingly , 97% of the machines components came from John Deere Industries and Irrigation Equipment of Bancroft Iowa ; yes, farm equipment!

It took the team a combined 13,029 hours of set-up, alignment, calibration, and tuning before filming this video but as you can see it was WELL worth the effort

It is now on display in the Matthew Gerhard Alumni Hall at the University and is already slated to be donated to the Smithsonian.

My Top 20 Updates For You

I have 5 loads of laundry waiting to be folded, and here I sit - in front of the computer. Why? Because I love you. Wait, there's more. I'm going to give you a little update by a list instead of rambling on about EVERYTHING, even though I know you're all speed-readers.

1. There were 6 gallons of milk in my fridge last week.
2. I get a weekend away with my husband ALONE in Colorado next weekend. Flying out Friday at 6:15am. NO children, wellll, almost no children. But no diapers and messes and bibs and nap time really means no children, doesn't it?
3. The mulching stage in the garden is almost complete. We were almost on time.
4. The dishes are also piling up quickly. I guess when I run out of plates or silverware I will get motivated enough.
5. We signed up for Netflix.
6. I have a lack of spiritual excitement lately.
7. I am in love with my new diaper bag.
8. I get to go scrapbooking Friday night!
9. I find that if I separate my daycare kids during nap time, they sleep for at least another hour and a half - how? Well, I asked them in a very casual moment in their day. It seems the younger one would wake up in the middle of nap time and jump on his brother. Amazingly, it wakes him up, and then down they both come to have their fruit snacks.
10. I have had 3 root beer floats this week.
11. I feel the beginning of an addiction for the smoothies at the local gas station - you know, the one that sells bananas? You have a choice of 3 flavors, grab it from the freezer, and put it under the blender thingy. Too good!
12. We have 10 apple trees.
13. I bought a cookbook an inch and a half thick with apple recipes. 25 cents....
14. I love garage sales.
15. I have 2 Christmas gifts wrapped already.
16. My husband has won once out of the last 2 weeks in our cribbage battles.
17. Bought a new cribbage board. Plastic. holds the pegs and cards inside when you fold it down in half. 10 cents
18. I just noticed where the fire extinguisher is just now. We've lived here 2 and a half months.
19. I also just noticed how many of these start with the word "I". Nooooo, it's not all about me! Where's your proof?
20. And my final update for you.....I smelled a skunk this morning. Harry just may feel like putting his second one to rest soon.

Nothing that would make Oprah, so that's good news, but since I've been an aweful blogger, there ya' go.

Wordless Wednesday - Sisters

My Kissin' Girl

Melts my heart. At naptime and bedtime, I sit next to Tiffany's crib and read a story from our Disney book. She usually falls asleep somewhere at the end. Her favorite thing to do as I'm reading, though, is poke her little head up and pucker up through the bars. So I give my baby a kiss, and she lays back down with her baby and her bottle with a little twinkle in her eyes.

I pray I never forget that.

Any Dad

Please visit www.IowaFathers.com for more information

You Are Not Alone

Stacy Jean

I know I know. How long since my last blog? Well this is why:

6 pounds, 14 ounces. 10 little fingers, 10 little toes. Loves to eat, loves clean diapers, can't stand being cold and anything to do with gas. Gets countless kisses from my big sister, seriously - countless. Loves sleeping in Mom or Dad's arms. Love my moby wrap. Love to be held.

Come hold me.

Daddy's Little Girl

They have such a big responsibility, don't they? They are the playmates, the taste-testers, the experimenters. They are the providers. "Daddy" is the protector. I remember growing up in that reality - my dad protected us for as long as he could (or had to) hold on to us. There is a question I would like to share with you today.

"What is a dad's primary role - teacher, protector, provider, pal, or disciplinarian?"

My dad says Protector without a doubt. He was. My husband says Provider without a doubt. And he is. I remember my dad most as a protector AND teacher, though. He would teach ethics every day of our lives, and continues to do so. Maybe the answer changes as your children grow and their needs change. But what a neat role to play - Daddy. All the diaper changes, late night rocking when Mom is at the end of her rope, the games to keep them occupied while dinner is cooking, the hugs and kisses, and the Snack Man role they get to play. Thanks to all you dads, whichever is your favorite role in your children's lives. We appreciate you.

Ponderisms

I used to eat a lot of natural foods until I learned that most people die of natural causes.

The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement.

Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing.

Have you noticed since everyone has a camcorder these days no one talks about seeing UFOs like they used to?

How is it one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?

Who was the first person to look at a cow and say, "I think I'll squeeze these dangly things here, and drink whatever comes out?"

If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a song about him?

ALL OF US COULD TAKE A LESSON FROM THE WEATHER. IT PAYS NO ATTENTION TO CRITICISM.

Wordless Wednesday - Ahh, the Honeymoon.

Wordless Wednesday - Have a glow worm type of day!

Christmas Tag

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both

2. Real tree or artificial? Artificial (borrowed from Mom and Dad)

3. When do you put up the tree? Anytime during December.

4. When do you take the tree down? Depends on how long I want to sit on my bum and drink hot chocolate and use the excuse of staring at the tree to be lazy. ;)

5. Do you like eggnog? yes, but only AE - 1/2 milk, 1/2 nog - not a big fan of the Milk Nog.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? A vantriliquist doll named Howdy Doody.

7. Do you have a nativity scene? yes, but I confess - it's not out this year, and it was a dollar, which is why it's in my Christmas tote, cuz it looks like it was a dollar.

8. Hardest person to buy for? The possibilities are ENDLESS when you're talking about gag gifts. Those take the most thought. I'm WAY behind this year.

9. Easiest person to buy for? Whoever I'm done with already. :)

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Peacock feathers - that was just mean.

11. Mail or email Christmas cards? mail

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Charlie Brown Christmas

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? The very first garage sale in April-ish. Gotta love garage sale Christmases!

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Uh, is file 13 recycling? That's right where those peacock feathers went.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Mom's soups.

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? I would love white, but hopefully we'll get those at Clearance time this year for next year. This year the "purple" looks like pink. And a little blue set.

17. Favorite Christmas song? I LOVE THEM ALL! All I want for Christmas has been one I always have to turn up when I hear.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? both

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? yep

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? star

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? whichever the whole family can be there for - maybe we'll start a new tradition and a "set" rule next year to follow.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? People (myself included) forgetting to spread joy and cheer.

I tag: Angela and Melanie

Wordless Wednesday - Naps aren't always good.

Thankful

I was listening to the radio the other day and they were talking about missionaries and being overseas "roughing it" (sorry if anything was understood wrong here - I was changing diapers and wondering if lunch was burning as I listened). One woman met a 10 year old girl, her younger sister, and older brother. Their mother had passed away - she was a prostitute. The middle girl does everything she can to provide for her brother and sister, working in an all day factory job for next to nothing in profit. Their home has no washer/drier, fridge, sink. . . . beds. . . . light . . . extra clothing, you get the picture. They have an outhouse 3 blocks from their home. 3 blocks. No "toilet" closer than that.

This woman asked how much it was to build an outhouse onto their home. 24 US dollars. She gave them the money and weeks later received a photograph in the mail with the 3 children with their new addition onto their home in the background . . . and they were smiling. This had changed their life. 24 dollars. Now, I can't help but shed tears when I think of what one of those families would do for the uncontaminated water that goes down my kitchen drain every day - from rinsing dishes before they go into the dishwasher. Running water for 10 seconds just to wait for it to get warm. . . that would be unheard of. They might not even have dishes to clean. And here I sit in a heated home with food in the fridge if I get hungry and a healthy husband and children. Not to get you down today, but why aren't we over there living that life? Why do we think we are entitled to everything we think we want? They were excited about a toilet for cryin' out loud! New clothes, fruit snacks, calendars, microwavable lunches, and heaven forbid us having to park in a full parking lot and walk 200 feet into Kohl's in the cold weather to Christmas shop for our healthy loved ones. We have vehicles to drive, resources of any sort, helpful neighbors, people that pray for us, and give us gifts on our birthday because we are loved.

How can I look at my surroundings and still have one ounce of unthankfulness? I spent 24 dollars on gas the other day. Groceries. McDonalds (although it's been a couple months). I'm a little torn this holiday season. How can I teach my children to possibly begin to fathom everything they have when I have trouble with it myself?