My Big 3 Year Old

So, Audrey turned 3 today! I can't believe it has already been 3 years since the day she was born. When she was little EVERYONE (including strangers) would say to me "Enjoy it because it goes by fast". I was so.completely.utterly.tired.of hearing that. I thought I would scream when people would say it. Now.....I say it to people. I have become one of the things I hate. It's so true though and we all know it and you can't understand it until it happens. Although raising kids is the hardest thing I will do in my entire life it is completely worth every single trial and tantrum. So Happy Birthday Audrey! We love you so much.



When you were born.



So precious!


So cute!


Your one year birthday.



Your second birthday.

Random Dozen

1. How good are you at delaying gratification?
Not good at all. I have been known to open my Christmas presents early.

2. Maybe a marshmallow wouldn't be too difficult a temptation for you. What food (or anything else) would be most tempting?
surprises/secrets and Godiva chocolate truffles

3. On a scale of 1-10 (10 being saintly) how patient are you?
2

4. Have you ever waited for something in life only to be disappointed upon realization of the goal/object/etc.?
The first thing that comes to mind is when I cook something that takes alot of time and effort and it doesn't come out right.

5. Are you a person who takes shortcuts?
If it doesn't alter the outcome too much.

6. Which line is hardest to wait in?
Bathroom with a 3 year old.

7. Did you wait to discover the gender of your unborn child until its birth?
No way. I have two girls and we couldn't wait to see if the second one was a boy or not.

8. Are you more patient with children or the elderly?
That's a tough one. Probably about the same with both.

9. Did you ever sneak a peek at a present?
YES YES YES

10. What is the longest you've ever waited for anything?
My husband to come home from Iraq.

11. Who has more patience, you or your significant other?
He does

12. Which of the following songs about waiting is your pick for the best? (OK, you may substitute another, if you like.)

A) Anticipation by Carly Simon
B) The Waiting by Tom Petty
C) Right Here Waiting for You by Richard Marx
D) Wait for Me by Rebecca St. James

Early Mornings

For the past few weeks I have been wanting to get up "early" and get things done. That is what moms are supposed to do, right? I'm supposed to get up and pour myself some coffee, workout, get dressed, do my Bible study, make a grocery list and have breakfast ready. I WANT to do it in my head. I WANT to get up and accomplish these things before the kids get up. I just don't. There are millions of reasons excuses it's just a matter of overcoming them.

Today I got up "early" (out of bed at 7). Avery (2 months) woke up at about 6:30 to be fed. I fed her and then she went back to sleep in her bassinett. I laid there and gently rocked it until she was back asleep for sure. The excuses started in my head.

It's cold.

My Bible is in the car.

The coffee isn't done yet.

I might wake Audrey up.

The baby might wake up if I move around too much.

I can do all that stuff at naptime(which is a COMPLETE lie)

On a serious note. I guess what bothers me about this the most is that I am supposed to not only WANT to do it but NEED to do it, and I. don't. want. to!

Proverbs 31:15
She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

Proverbs 31:18b
and her lamp does not go out by night.

SO, basically I am not supposed to sleep!!!! Just joking. I realize that is not what it means. I guess MY translation of this would be that I am supposed to be ready for the day and whatever He brings upon me for that day. I am to work hard at all I do to the best of my ability until the job is done. It's just hard sometimes when you don't want to. That's where the problem starts with discipline. It's HARD.

In our world today, we are always looking for an easy way out. A shortcut of some kind. Everyone wants to make the most money in the least amount of time. We want to "reach the top" the fastest and easiest way. The problem is that He didn't design life to be easy or simple. He designed it in such a way that we would have a HARD time and realize we can't get by without His help. It isn't supposed to be easy or simple it's supposed to be HARD but, it can also be done.

I guess the main question here is this:

Am I doing all I can to better myself and my family? At the end of the day am I happy with my accomplishments or do I feel like I wasted yet another day?

Now, what was I supposed to be doing?

Project 365-WEEK 4!

Week 4! I am having SO much fun! I am starting to remember my camera when we go places but, I still forget sometimes. I am not really sure how many grandparents out there are looking at these so, leave me a comment if you stop by! Have a good week! Can't wait to see everyones pictures!

SUNDAY

We went to Earth today to celebrate Memo's bday. Happy Birthday Memo!


MONDAY

Audrey is starting to dress herself oddly but she thinks she looks GREAT and is very proud! Here she is modeling her normal clothes donned with a flannel Disney princess nightgown worn backwards. :)

TUESDAY

Took daddy to school today and picked him up.


WEDNESDAY

This is Audrey waiting for "Poppa" to get to our house to bring her a swingset he and Daddy made for her birthday.


THURSDAY

Future student! Daddy took Audrey up to campus today to fill out some forms.


FRIDAY

For today we have a video! This is Avery talking some. She was in a pretty good mood this night for some reason.


SATURDAY

My DH went to put the new shower cap Neena gave Audrey on her head and there was some water (probably cold) in it. She was NOT happy. Which reminded me that I didn't have a picture of her in it.


It took FOREVER to load that video! It's almost 1030....gotta finish the dinner dishes and fold 2 loads of laundry then to bed. nite nite

FRIDAY FILL-INS

1. You have a chance to do the right thing so, do it.

2. I am deep cleaning my kitchen right now!

3. There is a way to get the baby to stop crying I just don't know how sometimes :(.

4. Play now and pay later.

5. It's time to get off this addicting computer.

6. There is SO much dirt outside blowing up in the air but we are inside luckily.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to hanging out at home in a clean house, tomorrow my plans include doing things I want to do as a reward for a clean house and Sunday, I want to take a long nap after church!

Random Dozen

1. So I was thinking about how Jon Bon Jovi never seems to age much. His hair is smaller nowadays, but he still manages to look like a boy somehow. And then that made me think of the story of Dorian Gray. Question: If you physically lock in one age for yourself, which would you choose and why?
Probably about 5 years ago (a few years before I had kids). My hair was thicker, my waist thinner, and my hormonal acne wasn't quite as bad.

2. What is the best dish that you cook or bake (your piece de resistance?)
This is a tough one as I haven't really perfected anything yet. My husband always says I am too hard on myself. I would have to say sour cream enchiladas! YUM!

3. When you feel blue, what is one strategy you use to help yourself back to normal?
Turn on the radio

4. When was the last time you danced in public?
Probably at a friends wedding at the beginning of last summer.

5. Do you consider yourself a realist or dreamer?
some of both. depends what mood I am in.

6. As a parent, what is one thing that you have done well?
uummmm I consistently feed my children when they are hungry. lol
As young as my children are I think that time will have to tell on this one.

7. Which is your favorite character on the Andy Griffith show?
The aunt (can't remember her name).

8. On a scale of 1-10, how much do you know about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.?
1

9. Have you never been mellow? Have you never tried … to find a comfort from in side you? (Sorry, Jorge was singing that song just now, and it just seemed to be perfect timing as I was creating this week’s questions.) REAL question: What is your #1 driving pet peeve?
#1? people who exaggerate stories and other things for attention

10. Which color best represents your mood today? Care to elaborate?
yellow I am ready to start my day today (not ususal for me)

11. If your spouse were an animal, which would he/she be?
An unbroken horse. Stubborn but with a little work and love can be useful. :)

12. What activity takes up the bulk of your time on an average day?
Feeding the baby. I spend an average of 4 hours in a 24 hour period feeding my 2 month old.

Grandmothers

My husband and I got married on the spur of the moment(that's a story for later). Neither of us had met hardly any of the other ones family. A week after we were married he was deployed to Iraq for a year. Living so close, I knew that there was NO WAY I could get away with not meeting his family for a year (nor should I have).

My first meeting was with his fathers side of the family. I was really nervous but, I dialed the phone and his grandmother (Memo) answered. She said hello and I replied with "Hi Mrs. Glasscock, this is Melissa." To which she replied "Martha?" "I don't know anyone named Martha." The confusion was most certainly due to the nervous shakiness in my voice. However, we got things straightened out and we talked and set up a time for me to come to her house and meet. WHEW! Here we go I thought. So, I made the hour drive to Earth, TX with one of Tommy's friends(I wasn't going to go alone!) As we pulled into town there was actually a sign that read "Welcome to EARTH!". "Good" I thought, "at least our families come from the same planet." We drove into a neighborhood and pulled up into the driveway in front of a brick house. Memo came to the door and invited us in. I don't remember much of what was said that day but I do remember feeling fairly comfortable (the situation considering). I returned to see her many times that year and felt more and more comfortable with every visit. It wasn't long before I felt like one of the family even without my husband there! As I look back on all those visits that year, I realize how much hospitality, kindness, and pure Christian love it took to make a total stranger feel welcome in her home. For, I was married to her grandson but still a total stranger to her.

My grandmother died last March. Memo called me the day after she died to give her condolences. I made the comment that this grandmother had been my last living grandmother. Without skipping a beat, she replied "I'll be your grandmother." That was the sweetest most comforting thing anyone said to me during that time. Though she can't replace the one I lost she will always be a grandmother to me. I will never forget it and I have to say she has definitely lived up to that promise. I am proud to call her my grandmother and SO glad to have her in my life.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEMO! WE LOVE YOU AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO!
Love,
Martha :)

project 365-Week 3!

Okay, so here goes week 3. Sorry it took me so long to get it up.


SUNDAY

Helping mommy cook dinner. My littlest chef!

MONDAY



We watched movies all day long today...most of them were Dad's choice if you can't tell. :)

TUESDAY


Daddy got new boots in the mail today and she just had to try them on.


WEDNESDAY

Daddy and Avery hanging out.


THURSDAY

Went to the mall today and Audrey played at the play area.

FRIDAY

I didn't have a picture for today but, these are Mommys new shoes she got Thursday at Dillards. She is SO proud of them (75% off).

SATURDAY

So, even though this isn't the best picture it's really the best one so far of my new perm. We were playing outside because the weather was SO nice today.

Bath Note

This made me laugh so I thought I'd share it. It made me think of my weekly bath that I get to take on Saturdays. Don't worry...I shower the rest of the week.



Bath Note

Don't be alarmed, the world isn't coming to an end. I am simply taking a bath. It will take about thirty minutes and will involve soap and water. Yes, I know how to swim. Even if I didn't, forcing myself to drown in a half-inch of lukewarm water is more work than I've got energy for. (Which reminds me, I'm all for science projects, but the next time you want to see if Play-Doh floats, use cold water.)

Don't panic if I'm not out right on time. I've heard that people don't dissolve in water and I'd like to test the theory. While I'm in the tub, I'd like you to remember a few things. The large slab of wood between us is called a door. Do not bang to hear my voice. I promise that even though you can't see me, I *am* on the other side. I'm not digging an escape tunnel and running for the border,no matter what I said a while ago. I didn't mean it. Honest. There will be plenty of time later to tell me about your day.

"Later" means at a time when I am no longer naked, wet, and contemplating bubble gum in the blow dryer. I know you have important things to tell me. Please let one of them be that you have invented a new way to blow bubbles, not a new way to add gum to your hair.

Believe it or not, shouting, "TELEPHONE!" through the closed bathroom door will *not* make the phone stop ringing. Answer it and take a message. Since Amazing Mind-Reading Mom has the day off, you'll need to write that message down. Use paper and a pencil. Do not use your brother and the laundry marker. We can't send him to school with telephone number tattoos.

Water makes me wet, not deaf. I can still tell the difference between the sound of "nothing" and the sound of a child playing the piano with a basketball. I can also hear you tattling at the top of your lungs. I'm *choosing* NOT to answer you.

Don't call your dad at work and tell him I am unconscious in the bathroom. He didn't appreciate it last time. He won't appreciate it more this time. Trust me.

No matter how much I would like it, water does not make me forgetful. I remember who you are and why you are grounded. No, you can't go to Shelby 's house to play. No, you can't go to Shelby 's house to use the bathroom. If someone is in our other bathroom, you will just have to think dry thoughts and wait. Unless you have four feet and a tail, do not think of going outside to "water" the lawn. I know the dog does it. The neighbors don't feel the need to call me when the dog does it.

Unless the house catches on fire, stay inside and keep the doors locked. Do not go outside and throw rocks at the bathroom window to get my attention. I know it works in the movies. This is reality, the place where people don't like to sit in a tub while rocks and broken glass rain in on them. Do not set the house on fire. Call me if there is an emergency.

Emergencies ARE:

1. Dad has fallen off the roof.

2. Your brother and/or sister is bleeding.

3. There's a red fire truck in front of our house.

Emergencies are NOT:

1. Dad has fallen asleep.

2. Someone on TV is bleeding.

3. There's a red pickup truck in front of our house.

One other thing: Being forced to use the last roll of toilet paper for a towel does not make me happy. It makes me sticky with little white polka dots. In the future, when the tub overflows, use a mop to clean up the water instead of every towel in the house. For my sanity's sake, let's pretend it was the tub, Okay? No, I don't want to hear the real story. Ever. Especially not while I'm standing in the pool of water you missed.

By the way, all Play-Doh experiments are hereby canceled.

Be good. Entertain yourselves. Yes, you can do both at the same time. Try coloring, playing a game, or paying that stack of bills on the coffee table.

I'll be out soon. Maybe.

Love,
Your Mom

*Thanks to Pastor Tim for this joke!*
cybersalt.org/cleanlaugh

FRIDAY FILL-INS

I TOTALLY copied this from Sara...the questions not the answers.


1. The lesson I learned yesterday was shopping with kids is not fun when they are sick and tired.

2. Church, where friends and family meet.

3. All these years I was too scared to perm my hair.

4. 1960 was the year things got wild and crazy (or so I hear).

5. The truth is I'm pretty lazy when it comes down to it.

6. Excitement and relief is what I remember most from that day my husband came home from Iraq.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing with my family ,tomorrow my plans include hanging out with Tommy's Dad, step-mom, and whoever else is there and Sunday I want to, take a long nap.

Random Dozen

Joining Linda at 2nd cup this Wednesday for Random Dozen.


1. When was the last time you craved a food--what was it, and did you cave?
I have been craving Chinese lately and i haven't caved.......yet.

2. M & M's or Skittles?
Skittles...all but the orange ones

3. Have you ever read the Bible completely through?
no.Have started to too many times though. Close to having Genesis memorized. j/k

4. How long does it take you to really wake up in the morning?
I'm usually awake by the time I get done feeding the baby.

5. Have you ever been on a cruise? If not, would you like to?
no, never have. I would LOVE to though. I hear the food is amazing (which is what's important!)

6. Who is your favorite actress?
hmmmm, I really like Nicole Kidman

7. ______ is something that I will just never understand.
Putting kids on a leash. No offense to others out there who do.

8. How much of a technology junkie are you?
Not very much considering the cash flow around here now. I get a new phone everytime it's time to resign my contract. Does that count?

9. Do you enjoy selecting greeting cards for people, or is it more of a cultural "have to" for you?
Definately a have to. If someone gets a card from me (other than a Thank You) I REALLY am thinking about you. It's SO rare for me. I hate buying stamps.

10. When was the last time you got a new style/haircut?
I got my first perm yesterday! Yippee!

11. What do you enjoy shopping for most?
clothes and cooking stuff

12. What's the last thing you think of before you leave the house? "I have diapers, wipes,spitup rag,change of clothes(for baby) keys, cell phone, and the kids. Let's go!"

Update

The last few days around here have been down.right.boring. We have just been sitting around watching movies and passing time it seems. This is probably the main reason I haven't had another entry since Saturday. lol But I guess we have done SOME stuff.

On Sunday, we went to church. It was fellowship Sunday lunch after the service. I love, love, love fellowship lunch. Good food and people. What could be better? As for the food, I have always wanted to open a special restaurant. Everytime I go to a restaurant I can't decide what to order. I want it all (as I think most people do). So, I have this bright idea to open a restaurant where you order, buy, and pay for a small portion(like a couple of bites) of whatever you want. It's genius! You don't have to choose because you can have it ALL! Anyway, that is what the food part of fellowship Sunday reminds me of. :) Tommy cooked a brisket and we took that. It was REALLY good (but still not as good as his dad's). SHHH! We came home that afternoon and took naps and just hung out the rest of the day.

Monday we did NOTHING (wait until you see my picture for that day). We sat around and watched movies all day long. I like doing that but at the same time I feel horrible at the end of the day. Physically and mentally. I always feel guilty and I also come to realize HOW my house gets the way it does sometimes. It's amazing the shape it gets in if I take 1 day off. I am SO needed around here! LOL

On Tuesday I went to get my hair done. It really needed it. I got my first perm and it smells just as bad as I've always heard.I will post pictures later when I get a chance. It is driving me crazy that I can't wash it, too. I usually wash my hair every day. That was a good time for me to have some alone time as well. Thanks to dad for watching the kids. He took them to the mall all by himself and Audrey got to play at the indoor play place there (it's was too cold to take the baby outside). That night a couple of Tommy's friends came over and ate dinner and they sat around the table playing a game. We had brisket wraps courtesy of Tommy.

The kids are doing pretty good. Avery is almost over her cold and Audrey is just starting one. But, that's life I guess. Avery is getting bigger every day. I thought time flew with one but this second one seems even faster.

Well, that is my update for the past few days. Sorry it is all on one day and I didn't do it every day instead. I am going to try and join the Random Dozen group on Wednesdays. Not sure what it is all about because I haven't had time to check it out yet. So, if I get a chance later I may check it out and them post again today! Kinda sporadic like my life.

Project 365-Week 2!

So, for those of you who are following my blog and do not know, this part is called Project 365. I am really excited about this and it is one of my main reasons for starting the blog in the first place. Basically, you take a photo every day for a year. You are supposed to post them once a week (Saturday). I didn't get started last week though so I am starting at week 2. Not a great start but, oh well. Now let's see if I can figure out how to do it.

SUNDAY

We went to the new and improved Barnes and Noble in Lubbock.


MONDAY


My two sweet girls. Audrey loves to hold Avery.


TUESDAY


Tommy helped me rearrange our bedroom furniture today. This is Audrey "helping".

WEDNESDAY

My kitchen floor being dirty is the biggest pet peeve around my house. Today I actually had time to sweep AND mop for the second time since the baby has been born (she is 7 weeks). GROSS!


THURSDAY

Found a disposable camera and let her take pictures. The small joys only a child can enjoy. She played with it ALL day.

FRIDAY

Avery is getting so strong and is holding her head up very well if I do say so myself.

SATURDAY

It was REALLY cold today. We had to bundle the kids up when we left the house.


The kids get a bath every night (almost). This one was for ME...yes....ME!!! Yippee!


Whew! Done with week two and only how many more to go? For everyone out there my computer is REALLY slow so, it took me over an hour to do this post. It has come to my attention that that means this will be filling up nap time EVERY Saturday for the next year. Might be an even bigger commitment than I thought. :) Now about that bath.....

The First Entry!

So, I opened this blog about a week ago. I haven't made an entry yet because I didn't know what to write about. What do you put in your first entry? I wanted it to be really good (get off to a good start you know). I kept putting it off and putting it off day after day for that very reason. Finally, I decided to just do it. If people find it boring then they don't have to read it. It really is just so grandparents can keep up with the growing kiddos and I can have some documented memories later. Hopefully you wont find it boring and I will try and post as often as possible. Here we go.......