blessed.

In birthday's past, I've had the mentality of 'me'. It's nothing I'm proud of, by any means.  Birthday's are an incredibly special day to me. Mine included.  However, I'd put so much importance on it (mine) that I'd only end up disappointed.

You see, I'm selfish by nature. Also nothing I'm proud of.  And I wanted my birthday to be all about...me. Some may be wondering why this is a bad thing, and to that I'd respond that it doesn't have to be a bad thing. But the way I'd go about it (in my head) was definitely not mature, if you will.

I look at last years, and am so thankful I am not there again.  It was possibly the worst one I'd ever had. Birthday's, that is. Long story short, I was at the peak of my PPD and was left alone with both boys for an entire weekend.  I was terrified to be alone, thinking I couldn't handle two boys by myself. I am so thankful for God's grace that carried me through that horrid time.  It is by Him alone I made it through.

So today I woke up and chose to be thankful for all that I've been blessed with.  Another year of life, day of breath. Two of the sweetest babies in the world. A handsome husband that loves me with all he has. A home, clean water, furniture, blankets, food, family. The list goes on and on.

So here's to another year full of adventure. I pray I am more intentional than ever in all aspects of this live I've been given.  I want to love the crap out of life. That is my goal.

And in thirteen days we get to celebrate another life. Swoon, baby.

HOLLAween

The boys and I trick or treated twice on Halloween. First was Main Street. It was our first time doing that this year, and we had so much fun! We met a few of our friends there and it took us just about two hours to walk two sides of one block. But whatev.
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I wrote that a few days after Halloween, and was planning on publishing a post then, but my camera battery died and the charger has yet to be found. Luckily, for me, Best Buy carries such a charger for said dead battery and we are back in business! On to Halloween!
*****

 best group shot...how horrible. It's obvious I really tried to get a good one. 

 Jem, singing her heart out

 ah yes, the terrifying "Hulk". 

Roman really understood the point of trick or treating this year. He was ALL ABOUT the candy. I remember last year, the first few houses we went to he thought he was supposed to go inside for a play-date. It was hilarious.

On to the evening...

 this boy doesn't like to sit still

 it's also geting more difficult to get a good photo of both of them

unless they are both strapped into something and immobile. But even then, Roman has been into making really funny faces 

sorry, little brother. you will get to have more fun next year. But you seemed to enjoy your time just hanging in the stroller on our 'walk'. 

according to roman

{a conversation before nap time}
Me: okay, Roman, it's time to nap
R: but i don't want to nap!
Me: well, you have to
R: well, can you sweep with me?
Me: no, not today, I've got work to do downstairs, sorry, love.
R: but I want you to sweep with me!
Me: not today love.
R: Will dada sweep with me?
Me: I don't know, ask him
R: hey DAD! can you sweep with me?
Jeff: no, sorry bud.
R: but I just want someone to sweep with me! I just want a girl to sweep with me!
Me: gotta get married first, dude.

*****

So, we've been working on potty training with Roman and haven't had a 'pee' accident in a while (yay!), but the kid will.not.poop. in the toilet.  We've repeatedly talked about 'Okay, Roman, the next time you have to poop, let's do it in the potty!' and his reply is "yeah, we have to poop in the potty." So why he doesn't is beyond me.

On this occasion, I was sitting on the couch and he was playing in the 'toy corner' standing right next to me. I look over at him and could just 'tell'.

Me: Roman, are you pooping?
R: no (silent grunt)
Me: Roman. Are.You.Pooping?!
R: No, I not pooping (another silent grunt)
Jeff: Roman, let's go to the potty right now!
*They get into the bathroom, Jeff's unzips Roman's pj's*
R: It's gonna pop out! Watch it...it's gonna be cool!

according to roman

He thinks Vanilla Wafers are called 'Vanilla Wipers'. Even if you try to correct him, he tells you you're the wrong one.

*****

{while watching Veggie Tales-St. Nicholas}
R: pointing to St. Nicholas. 'That's St. Nicholas'
Me: yep! Who is St. Nicholas?
R: um, a veggie.

*****

{eating breakfast before Viggo was awake}
R: Is Viggo awake?
Me: Nope, he must be really tired!
R: but, we are not tired
Me: well, I'm pretty tired still
R: but you don't have a yawn!

*****

{as I was getting ready for an event at church}
R: mom! where are you going??
Me: To church to learn about becoming...{paused to think about how I was going to explain to him that I was leaving to learn about how I am "Beautifully Designed"...how to dress, how to be a godly woman}
R: becoming a tiger? orrrr a dolphin??
M: (laughing) no sweet boy. I'm going to learn how to be a godly mama
R: annnnd a dolphin. or a tiger.

*****

R: Hey mom? Can you get dada some candy? (he was upstairs)
Me: what does he want?
R: he wants starborsts, but I ate them all. So that's a bummer.

*****

{while playing with his train tracks and trains}
R: this train will go what the hell up the hill
Jeff: Roman, what did you just say?
R:this train is going what the hell up the hill

we made sure to clarify 'hill'

vegas, baby {in photos}

Alright, well, it's been two weeks since we've gotten back from Vegas, and I'm just now getting around to letting you all in on our experience. And because I'm too lazy to write it all out, here's most of the photos (with the exception of the ones from the Strip).

I would have taken him...

...both of them

hey! look who we saw!

vegas airport. this is what we saw on our way out of the terminal.

day one and day two

Because I know you're eagerly wanting to know how this is going.....

Yesterday was the first day of no-nursing in the afternoon. I have it all mapped out on Google Calendar.  :)  It wasn't hard for me to skip the afternoon feeding yesterday because I wasn't there. My mom was so gracious and watched the boys in the afternoon so I could run to Des Moines for a few hours. Lucky for everyone Viggo decided to accept it and actually napped. It's always easier if the mama isn't there.

Today has been good so far. We were busy this morning with friends, I ran to the grocery store, picked the boys up, came home and ate lunch, put some warm milk {because V isn't allergic to it!} in a sippy cup, rocked him for a few minutes and laid him in his crib. He cried for maybe five minutes, but has been sleeping ever since. Praise God! If you are praying for us, thank you so much, it's helping!

{If you are wondering, my stomach looks exactly like his, only with some stretch marks} :)

What I'm most worried about, however, is when we cut out his overnight feeding(s)...which begins tomorrow night. I'm giving us three days {instead of two} to figure that one out.  I'm not a 'cry it out' mama, so be praying extra for us. 

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In other news. Someone has become a mister bossy britches. 

so...that's fun.

Hope you're having a fantastic Thursday! We leave for Vegas in a week. EEEP!!!

the next nine days

Well, I'm making it official.  I've danced around this for the last three-ish months, but I'm just going to do it and get it over with.

Weening.

Going to try and get it done before Vegas.  That gives me nine days to accomplish it. I will need prayer and grace because chances of me being a slight emotional train wreck are high.  Don't say I didn't give you advanced warning.  Prayer for Viggo to take it like a champ and not fuss too much about it would be awesome. The better he deals with it, the better I will.

Let it begin.