From Football to Costumes

This weekend was so fun! Friday evening, we went to the CHS Football game. It was so exciting. We were undefeated and ranked #3 in Class 3A and we were playing Heritage Hills who are also undefeated and ranked #1 in Class 3A. It was a great game, although we lost. I am so proud of our players. Tony has really been into the games this year. He only missed 1 (the most exciting one- Brownstown). I missed 2 or 3. We took our kids to most of the games and made it a family event. Go to this site to view a slideshow of the CHS Football team.

Saturday we went to the Charlestown Christian Academy's Reunion. I will download pictures later. Then we dropped off the kids and went to a Halloween Costume party. I went as a J.J. Cheerleader and Tony was the Referee. We had so much fun, I am thinking about hosting my own costume party next year! So be planning your costume!!!

Sunday's are always action packed. The Browder's sang in the a.m. service. Then it was off to get groceries. I kept Sunday dinner simple by having Jay C chicken. Then, I finished the week's worth of laundry. I also finished going through the kids clothes and packing up summer stuff for storage. This was a long 3 week process because of lack of time. That's probably why I haven't blogged lately. My organization got the best of me. I took the time to really go through all of our clothes and closets. For the past year, I've been on this "nesting" instinct. I've went through every cabinet, closet, and drawer. It feels so great to de-clutter. Then, we had AWANA for the p.m. service. We came home, fed everyone, gave baths, and it was time for bed! Wow! As I laid my head on my pillow, I thought about all that we had done and all that was accomplished. That's when I realized we didn't leave any time for rest. I guess that's life as a working mom!

I've Been Tagged

Okay. I've been tagged (a few times). This one came from Megan's blog. Here are my answers:

Who is your man? Tony Kaelin

How long have you known each other? 11 1/2 years

How long have you dated? We dated 2 1/2 years before we got married. We've been married for 9 years.

Do you know his favorite color? Blue

Who said "I love you" first? I don't remember (I'm not the romantic) but I think it was Tony. I remember on our 2nd date, he kept saying, "I think I'm falling." It was so meant to be. I could have told you by our 3rd date that we would get married!

Who is taller? Tony

Who sings better? Tony sings better, but can never remember the words. I know all the words to every song and can't carry a tune! (I guess it's a great combination!)

Who is the better driver? Tony (ask about the garbage can incident at Val's)

Whose temper is worse? ha! ha! That would be Tony!!!!

Name something you love about your man. His compassionate heart and sensitivity

Who is more organized? Me!! I've got labels on everything. All of my pictures are in chronological order in albums that are numbered for easy reference. My unfinished basement has boxes and rubbermaid storage containers labeled with contents. Even the toys are organized (although Rhett and Micah haven't quite bought into my organizational system yet). the teachers at work always tease me because I can sometimes be to organized! If anyone is thinking of a great gift idea for me, there's always that label maker I've always wanted!

Who is more funny? We both are not that witty, fast thinking joke type (although I wish I was). But we both love to laugh!

Tell a physical trait you love. I love his eyes and eyelashes. I love his smile!

Who is better with the computer? Tony

Tell something you love about your man. I love that he "gets me." I love that he is sensitive, sentimental, and tender-hearted. "Our song" sums it best: You say it best, when you say nothing at all!

Who cooks dinner? I do. Tony does most of the clean up.

Who drives when you are together? Tony

Who pays when you go out? When you're married, it's "our money," so I don't think of it as who pays. It just comes out of our "entertainment/date night money". But if you want to know who actually hands over the money, it's usually Tony.

Who is most stubborn? I am!

Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? We don't have many fights or arguments. I would say we both admit it when we are wrong.

Tell something you love about your man. I love his love for God. I love that he is a Great husband and father.

Who kissed who first? I kissed his hand so he kissed me.

Who asked who out? Jennifer Hutton!!! (ha! ha!) He asked me out.

Who proposed? Tony proposed on Christmas Eve, 1997. Then we went to his family's Christmas get-together and to the movies (to see The Titanic).

Who is more sensitive? Tony

Who has more friends? This is tough. I know more people. But since I'm so shy, I'm not great at starting up conversations. I'm more comfortable around my inner circle of friends. Tony doesn't have as many friends, but will talk to anyone, anywhere... it's really a great match!

Who has more siblings? Tony (his brothers are Johnny, Sean and Sterling; his sisters are Tabby and Diane). I have 2 brothers- Damon and Lee.

Who wears the pants? Tony ... but I buy them for him! ;)


Do you know your man's favorite holiday? It used to be Christmas. Now my guess would be Thanksgiving??????

Who is stronger? Tony

Who is a better dancer? I am!

Do you and your man have a favorite movie? We have so many! Hoosiers is top on our list.

Wow! Now I've fallen in love with Tony all over again! Our relationship just keeps getting better with time! I am so blessed to have Tony in my life, he means so much to me. He is such a great dad. He helps out around the house. He does so much with the kids. He really spoils me. I love his dedication to God, his family, and his job. He truly is one of a kind!

Updates

It's been so long since I've posted a blog, I don't even know where to start! Blair now has 2 teeth on the bottom. The 2nd one came in just a few days after the first. She's 7 months old now and becoming more independent. She actually doesn't cry hysterically when I lay her on her belly. She will tolerate it for a few minutes, trying to figure out the crawling thing. Then she cries so pitiful, like she's absolutely exhausted!! We think that she waved "bye-bye" to Beth and Josh on Sunday night. The next night, she waved to my brother Damon. Still no words, though. I keep telling her that she needs to say "ma-ma", "da-da", and "Go Cats"! ;)

Micah got her 1st haircut. We went to Aunt Phyllis's shop (Personal Image) and she did really good! She only cried when Phyllis was blowing her hair dry. I think it scared her! Little tears streamed down her face. Phyllis just trimmed and shaped it up. It looks so healthy and thick now! She's been wanting to wear her hair in a side ponytail (so 80's). She asked me tonight if she "looked like a teenager." I didn't even know she knew what a teenager was!

Rhett's Kindergarten class went on a field trip today to Huber's. I took the day off and went. I told my kids at school yesterday that today they might see me at school, but that I was doing the mom thing! We had such a good time. The weather was a little cool, but other than that, it was great! They showed them the process an apple goes through (from tree to packaged in a box to be sold). Then, they picked their own pumpkin from the pumpkin patch. Next, we ate lunch at the picnic tables. After that, we fed the animals in the petting zoo, jumped on the new bouncing thing. Rhett and I ended the trip by finding our way through the corn maze. It was great to spend some one on one time with Rhett!

My mom was supposed to have a chemo treatment today, but her bloodwork came back saying she couldn't have it because her counts were too low. She has been more tired and weak lately. She has 5 treatments left. The nurse said the doctor may be calling her to see what the next steps will be. She has never been able to have the 3 treatments in a row like planned. I don't really understand it all. My mom says she understands when they are explaining it to her, but then when she goes to tell us, she gets confused. I need to just go with her so I can hear it myself.

Damon has really stepped up to fill in as a babysitter, which has been a blessing! Well, I should say blessing to us, but maybe not to him, because that usually means he isn't working if he can keep the kids. My mom's treatments and doctor's appointments are on Wednesdays and Mondays are the days when she feels the worst. He's kept them the past Monday and Wednesday for us. Damon had to work today, so Tony had to take the day off to keep the kids while I was on the field trip. Then, when I got home, he went to work. Sharon was going to try to keep them more, but her work schedule hasn't allowed her any days off to help out. Please pray for our babysitting situation. It looks like we may need someone 2 days a week from now until around Christmas.

Blair is all smiles around her Uncle Lee.

Micah's 1st haircut!

Rhett, Micah, and Landon at Landon's 6th Birthday party!

1st Tooth!

Sunday afternoon, I woke up from my nap and Tony told me that Blair had a "surprise" for me. (I was thinking a dirty diaper.) Then he told me that he had just noticed that Blair's first tooth was about to pop through! She has been having signs of teething for awhile now, but I didn't think much about it because Rhett and Micah were almost 9 months old before they got their first tooth. I opened her mouth and there it was! On Sunday you could just see it but not feel it. This morning you can actually feel it! Wow! My first reaction wasn't joy like it was with Rhett and Micah. I was so sad! I just kept thinking, "What happened to the little wrinkly newborn we brought home from the hospital?" She is growing up way too fast. I'm not ready for all of these firsts and milestones! I just want her to stay "a baby" forever.

Cute pictures of the kids

Blair with a "onesie" on her head!
Looking absolutely adorable sitting in her Bumbo chair Rhett's new interest: Cowboy boots w/spurs, a cowboy vest & hat, belt with gun holster, ninja sword, & in his pockets: handcuffs (& key) and pretend cell phone. He's a ninja/cowboy/power ranger/cop. We have to pack these accessories each night to take to Mamaw Laney's (or Tabby's). This is what he does in the afternoons after he gets home from school. Micah riding her little car at Mamaw Laney's house.

Micah's 1st Day of Preschool

At Mamaw Laney's (still in her pajamas)
Dressed, but not quite awake and ready
Micah reading a book on her 1st day at Wee Ones
She made a friend!!

Micah started preschool this past Tuesday. She is going to the School for Wee Ones in Charlestown. She was so excited and did a great job ... no tears! (Yeah!) My mom dropped her off, but I was able to leave school and be there at pick-up time to take a few pictures. The teachers described her as "dainty and ladylike" and said she was "a little louder than Rhett" (meaning she was still shy, but at least they could hear her, barely, when she spoke). She goes 2 days a week and so far, has wanted to dress up in dresses. She's made a few friends, especially with Emma (above). Emma's mom is a teacher at my school. On Thursday, she was the leader! My dad called her to ask about her first day and she talked forever on the phone! She is so proud and so are we!!! I can't believe she's old enough for preschool!

Micah,

• You love to read stories and have memorized several of your favorites.
• You love to color and do awesome at staying in the lines.
• You like to sing songs.
• Everyone comments on how pretty your hair is!
• Sometimes you say your hair is red, othertimes you say it's orange.
• You love shoes and want a new pair everytime we go to a store.
• Your new thing is wanting to spend the night with someone (Erica, Megan, Tabby, Grandma Sharon, Mamaw Laney, etc.)
• When you get scared at night, you crawl in bed with Rhett.
• You love to play dress up and wear "pretty" costumes.
• Your favorite movie is Cinderella.
• You have a wonderful imagination and love to pretend.
• You're so excited that your going to be in Cubbies.
• You like to help me cook in the kitchen.
• We love you, Micah!!
  

Busy Week

Last week was so busy, I didn't have time to post. Here's a recap of our week:

Monday the 27th: Mom & Dad's Anniversary (see previous blog)

Tuesday the 28th: My brother Lee's 39th Birthday. Also, Johnny & Cindy (& kids) came over for pizza. The kids played outside and we watched TV.

Wednesday the 29th: My mom's birthday. The kids went to Tabby's for the day (mom had dr. appts.). Then we went to church for Christian University.

Thursday the 30th: I stayed late at school to work on lesson plans. Then, I tried to catch up on laundry, housecleaning, and spending time with the kids. I was exhausted, needless to say!

Friday the 31st: My sinus/allergies were acting up and I was very tired by the end of the week. Tony took Rhett and Micah to the CHS Football game. I stayed home with Blair to work on my Labor Day weekend to-do list. ;)

Saturday the 1st: Tony worked on the deck (he's re-doing the floor). Rhett and Micah spent most of the morning and afternoon playing with the neighbor kids. Mom and Damon stopped in to visit while running errands. I worked on putting away Blair's 3-6 months clothes and getting out the 6-9 months clothes. I got very emotional and started tearing up. It was very hard to box up the clothes, especially the cute little dresses that Micah wore, too. Saturday night all 3 kids spent the night at my parent's house (Blair's 1st sleepover). Tony and I met up with Jennifer, Rachel, Steve, and his fiance (I think). We saw Haywood Banks (the comedian). My mom was a little jealous, because she loves hearing him. Afterwards, Tony and I rented Facing the Giants. It was a great movie!!!!

Sunday the 2nd: I picked up the kids from my mom's before church. After church, we did our typical Sunday afternoon ... eat, take a nap, and catch up on chores. We didn't have night church, so Tony and I decided to take the kids to the Charlestown State Park for a picnic- well, we did carryout pizza from Papa John's and leftover birthday cookies from mom's. The kids played on the playground, kicked a beachball around, and rode bikes. Then Micah wanted to check out the campgrounds and Tony wanted to see the new boat ramp to the Ohio River. All 3 kids fell asleep on the drive home.

Monday the 3rd: Tony continued to work on the deck. I finished going through Blair's clothes (and worked on Micah's closet as well). I ran a few errands (needed to buy prizes for the prize box at school), got a few groceries, and ordered take out Chinese for Tony. Rhett and Micah played with the neighbor kids. We all played with some empty boxes -my kids have such great imaginations, it doesn't take much to entertain us!!! Rhett and Micah colored some pictures, read some books, and cleaned the basement and their rooms. Both have been on a cleaning kick here lately, no complaints!!!! Monday evening, we got everything ready for Micah's first day of Preschool. I'll blog about how her first day went later.

Busy week, but a lot of GREAT family time! Tony and I are trying hard to cherish all of the little moments. People keep telling us how fast the time slips by. It's been more obvious this school year, with Rhett starting Kindergarten, Micah starting Preschool, and Blair already 6 months old and sitting up. It's amazing!!!!