Day 1: The Beginning of Our New Home

You may remember a post several years ago, stating that our house was for sale.  Well, it still is.  The market is bad, economy is horrible, and God has led us in the direction of just....being patient.  That is all we can do. 
This post will be the first of many to come, but we know that the rest will probably come a LONG time from now, unless God decides otherwise.

So, with that being said, today, was "Day 1" of our new beginning.  We must do a little at a time, to prepare for our move.  Our move could be 3 months from now, or it could be 3 years from now.  Who knows?
Erik, Mills, and I will be making our new home, at my childhood home.  We can't wait.  We have big plans for that place out there, and today made me more excited about it. 

There are a lot of decisions to be made.  Today's decisions were not difficult.  We chose where our "shop/apartment" will go, which will actually be our home for a few years, before building our house, and even decided on where the house will be. We will not build a monstrosity of a house. Three people do not need a huge house, and so we will love every minute in our cottage style home.  We have been thinking about the future, and in all honesty, when all is said and done, we both know that one day, it will be just the two of us again.  The last thing I want is to have to keep up with a lot of square footage.  Who wants to clean all of that?  Not I.  There is so much more to enjoy, and a roof over our heads is all we need.  We will be building this house for us.  Just us.  I'm not going to think about how many people can fit in my living room if I am going to entertain, or whether or not there are enough bedrooms for guests.   If I had my choice, we would build on one story, but it is always cheaper to build "up" instead of "out."  Plus, Mills may want his upstairs privacy when he gets older.  This is just our TEMPORARY HOME, as we won't be taking it with us when we "go" one day.

Both "pads" were started today, and A LOT of dirt work was done. We had a blast, even in 95 degree heat, we just walked around admiring the landscape,  amazed at the progress. It looks like a bunch of dirt right now, but it's the prettiest dirt I've ever seen. When all is finished, it is going to be absolutely beautiful out there. A lot of land, and a lot of privacy equals one happy mommy and daddy. The "kids" are going to love it. We are taking things very slow. The house will come much later, a few years after we get out there. Goal #1: Get the dirt "settled." Goal #2: Sell our house. Goal #3: Build our shop. Goal #4: The building of our FINAL home. I will be so happy when I can say that we will never have to pack up and move, ever again!

Mills is inspecting the work done today.



Mills and Wesley playing in the dirt...that's what boys do.  Right?





Who lets their child roll around in the dirt?  I do!





Nana, Mills, and Wesley walking over those huge muddy tracks.




You can't tell it now, but there will be a driveway right where E is standing.





Measuring the pad for the house





Wesley is hard at work!

  

23 Months

This pic was taken by my sister's good friend, and my new friend, Tiffany Sharp

In one month, we will be celebrating Mills' 2nd birthday.  I cannot believe it.  I have always been told that the older I get, the faster time will fly.  I believe it.  Having a precious little one and keeping up with his busy body, makes time go that much faster.  I would love to make it slow down.  It seems like we just took our Christmas decorations down, and in 5 short months, it will be here again.  Mills is no longer a baby, but a little toddler boy.  Wow!  Terrible, but awfully sweet twos are in full swing.

• Mills, your communication skills have sky-rocketed in the past couple of weeks.  Words that I didn't know existed are leaping from your lips.  I cannot even begin to keep up with "new words," because we have officially ended with that phase.  You know so much, and I am amazed.  You are speaking great sentences now, and can now tell me what you want.  This makes things much easier around here.  You are singing and dancing and copying moves on the television.  We love watching and listening!
• I am going to write about this, and I actually contemplated on doing so, but hey, I've ready other mommy blogs, and they post ALL of their child's accomplishments and milestones, so I will too.  Mills will hate me for this one day...DETEST me!     

    A couple of weeks ago, after putting him in the bath tub, Mills looked at me, and said it..."poo poo."  You pointed to the toilet, and said, those two little words.  So, after asking him if he wanted to go in the big boy potty, I put him on it, and lo and behold, he did not want me to hold him up, he wanted to do it all by himself.  Well, expecting "nothing" out of it, he proved us wrong.  Yep, teeny tiny, but it was worth a big cheer, applause with jumping up and down, and a bunch of excitement.  I showed you your "achievement," while daddy ran and got a treat.  We were surprised!  I showed you that you should then flush the toilet, and after doing so, you proudly waved it good-bye, saying, "bye bye poo poo."
Seriously? Did I just write that for the whole world to read? Yes, I did.  Oh well, right?  Since then, it has happened one other time.  We are no where near tee-teeing, or full blown potty training, but at least he knows where it goes. 

• Bedtimes:  Our super easy bedtimes, have gone a little crazy this month.  There have been nights of protest, which is surprising to us, because we've never had a problem in the past.  We are still on the same routine, but when putting you in the bed, you says, "no! no!"  Usually you will cry for no more than a minute and then it's off to dreamland.
• You still  enjoy the same favorite books.  The other night you grabbed Brown Bear, Brown Bear, climbed up in my lap and opened the first page, then proceeded with, "Bwown Beah, Bwown Beah, what do you tee?  I tee a wellow duck ookin' at me!"  Wow!  I was surprised.  You have memorized that, of course, but it was still amazing. 
• You are into tickling now.  You love to tickle, mommy, daddy, and Joey too.  You say, "tickle-tickle-teeee!" over and over again.
• You are a big fan of Mickey Mouse, Little Einsteins, and your new love...Toy Story.  This week, you walked to the remote, said, "Mama, Toy Stowy!"  Daddy and I discussed this morning about taking you to your first movie at the theater.  It is worth a try, if it doesn't work, then we can always leave.
• You are finally calling all of the grandparents by name.  They love that!

Mommy and Daddy love you to pieces.  You make us smile 24/7!  Well, almost 24/7.  Did I mention terrible twos?  I believe it did!

Fourth of July 2011

Our Fourth of July was rather uneventful for most of the day.  After a busy weekend, sitting around was just what we needed. 

I found this "colossal cookie" at the grocery store.  We enjoyed it!

We did go over to our friends, the Cranford's, after supper for fireworks.  We had debated going to Munford for their annual display, but decided that since Mills' bedtime would be greatly surpassed, it would be better to stay closer to home.  We wanted to spend some good quality time with our friends, as well.  We have missed them!   

The boys played and played.  Mills loved riding the gator with Ethan.  I am sure there will be a gator, if not something similar, in our future!

Thank goodness we stayed here instead of wasting gas to go to Munford.  Our little man, who just LOVED the fireworks display at FBC last year, was absolutely terrified of the fireworks that E and R set off last night.  He didn't scream, or kick, or throw a fit, but after the first one went off, which was rather large, he turned around grabbed me and said, "No!".  We honestly thought that he would get used to them and realize that everything was okay, but then the second one landed itself in the air and Mills was clutching me saying, "No! Okay! No! Okay! No Okay!"  So, Mills and I perched ourselves inside and watched in the dark, through the kitchen window.  He did fine with the quiet ones, but the loud ones, not so much.  Maybe next year?!

Mills was amazed!

Weekend at the Lake

We just arrived home from a fun-filled, exhausting weekend at KY Lake.  I think I could sleep for days, but we all know that Mills won't allow me to do that! ha!  I am having trouble uploading some of my pictures, and have been having trouble for a week or so.  Some will upload and some will not.  I keep getting a "security error" message.  If anyone reading knows how to fix this, please let me know.  I have tons to add to this post!

Aunt Kimmie, Ava Cate, and Camille enjoying the tube!

The rougher the water and the more we bounced, the more Mills liked it! 

Happy Blogiversary #3

Three years ago today and 467 posts later, I started spilling everything out to everyone!  Yep!  It has been three years ago today. 
From sharing stories about Erik, Amy, and Joey, random posts that probably mean absolutely nothing to anyone, to preganancy, the birth of our precious Mills, and the terrible twos.  You've heard it all. 
I have said it before, and will say it again.  This is my way of getting things off my chest.  When my fingers type, I feel a great release flow through my finger tips.  I look forward to more and more posts as we watch our Mills grow.

Boys Playdate

of course Mills had to have his mouth full

We had a small play date this morning with Mills' friends Colton and Nash.  Their mommies, Katy and Stephanie are two of my very best friends.  It was good to see everyone and catch up.  The boys had a blast!

Cheerios for everyone!

Katy got her toenails painted by Aunt Fefe.

CMOM

This morning we headed out for our first visit to the Children's Museum of Memphis.  It was a first for all of us.  Erik and I have never been, because we have never had a reason to go.  We were very impressed, and Mills had a ball.
Mills is still a little too young for most of it, but by next year, he should be ready.  He was a little bit skittish of things, because they were all too unfamiliar.   His fear of the unknown came out today, so we just let him run and do what he wanted.  As long as there was a button to push, Mills was happy.
He liked the FedEx Plane, but was unable to sit in the cockpit.  The older kids seemed to have no consideration for other children that want a turn, but I totally understand their excitement as well.  So, we just moved on to the next exhibit.  Mills enjoyed:

operating the control panels of the plane

Down the slide with Daddy! 

playing with the alphabet

fishing in the Mississippi River

Playing with the fire truck

driving the Escalade

writing on the wall

driving the school bus

organizing shapes

and putting on a puppet show!

Nail Biter

I'm not going to post a picture of my fingernails, but if you are a friend of mine, you know what they look like.  Basically, nothing!  I am too embarrassed to show them.  I am constantly chewing on them, and I don't even know that I'm doing it.  I have bitten my nails since day 1.  Since I have walked this earth, I have let me nails grow out twice.  Once, was when I found this stuff called "No Bite." It worked!  My nails grew out, I got them all manicured and kept them pretty, then all of a sudden, I started biting them again.  I had quit using the No Bite, and thought that I was in the clear, but unfortunately my nails wound up in an awful mess again.

When I was pregnant and taking prenatal vitamins, my nails were growing faster than I could chew.  That was a good thing and it gave me the determination to let them grow.  We were to be getting maternity pictures made, and then last thing I wanted was pictures of my hands on my belly with ugly fingernails.  So, several months before Mills was born, my nails returned to manicure state.  I would go every week and get a manicure.  It was wonderful.  I know I could have gotten acrylic nails, but they are so damaging.  My nails were already damaged and the last thing I wanted was to ruin them even more.

Here I go again.  Try #3.  I am bound and determined to do this!  I want so bad to treat myself to a manicure and get one of those cool Shellac manicures.

Yesterday, I went and bought some prenatal vitamins.  I used to take a multivitamin every day and have gotten out of the habit.  I thought, why not take prenatal vitamins?  They'll make my nails grow!  I also found this..

MORE YUCKY STUFF.  It's called "Kick the Habit, Stop the Bite."  It's not the same as I used before, but I can promise you, I tastes AWFUL!  Just AWFUL!  I think it is worse than the other remedy I used.  Wish me luck!  I will post before and after pics when I get my new nails and new Shellac manicure.

22 Months and Pool Time

This month, has been one of the most amazing months you've had, dear Mills!  In the past 3 weeks, you have started showing us just how much you are learning, and especially how smart you are.  Everyone is always telling me, "Be patient. It will come."  You amaze us, Mills.  It is so amazing to see you turn into a little boy.  Here is what you've been up to lately...

1.  Puzzles:  I am going to mention your love for puzzles again, because you LOVE them.  Just the other day, you took all of your wooden puzzles, dumped the pieces into one big pile, then lined the puzzle boards up.  You then put every piece exactly where it goes, and to show me that you knew where it went, you would intentionally put a few in the wrong place, look at me, and say, "noooooo!"  You would then move to another wrong place, and say, "nooooo!"  Then, you would very quickly run and put it in the correct place.  You are too funny!
2. Your speech is getting much better.  You are beginning to say so much now.  So much that there is no way for me to remember it all and write it down.  Joey, is no longer "Yoey," but "Joey."  You say it perfectly.  Finally, you are calling me "mama,"  I can count on one hand the times you've called me "mama" since you have been talking.  Wow!  I love hearing it.  You are talking in sentences, and saying words out of no where!  I get excited every time I hear you say something new.  Your daddy and I are constantly looking at each other and saying, "Did he say what I thought he said?"  Just this weekend, you reached for daddy's keys in his pocket, said "keys," pointed to the door, said "outside go ride," and then you grabbed your daddy's shoes for him.  You associate keys with "going."
3. You still love a bath.  Just two weeks ago, I ran your bath water before going to church on a Wed. night.  I always undress you while it is running, but as I turned around, you were crawling in.....tennis shoes, socks, shorts, shirt, and all.  Ooops!
4.  You love swimming!  I knew you would do well in the pool this year, since we have to keep you from sticking your head in the bathwater.  Mama bought you a "puddle jumper" vest and you do wonderful with it  You have learned to support yourself, kick in the water, and begged to jump off the diving board at the pool.  
5.  You know most of your animals and the sounds they make.
6.  Bedtimes: Still easy as pie.  We read to you, lay you down, cover you up, say a prayer, and then kiss you night night....ten minutes later, you are still yelling, "NIGH NIGH!!!" every minute or so.  It is so sweet and funny!  Bedtimes are still around 7:30-8:00 on weeknights (when mom has to work), but on weekends we let you stay up a little bit later...until you start rubbing those eyes.  You are very routine, which is a good thing, because one day you will be starting school and early bedtimes are a must.  I think 8:00 is considerably late for your age, but most of the time, you don't make it that long.
7. Shapes:  Mimi June says that you know all of your shapes.  I can tell you to "point to" a certain shape and you will do it, but the only thing that ever comes out of your mouth here, is "circle." ha!
8. You get more and more strong-willed every day.  You are that kid who will run off as soon as I let go of you and you don't meet a stranger.  I see a child leash harness in your future, and I dare some one to comment on how "inhumane" it is. ha! Seriously?  You know no fear, son.  That's a good thing, and a bad thing.  You want to do what you want to do, and if we steer you otherwise, its as simple as lifting your feet and dangling from Mommy's arm and refusing to come with me, when I am deterring you from doing something that you shouldn't be doing.  I can't let go of you for one minute in public, or you will run off in a mad-dash.  Thank heavens for strollers! :)
9. You still love your books.  Every night we sit down before bed and read three books.  You like to get your blanket, cover yourself and my legs, and snuggle.  You help turn the page and name every picture you see. You look up at me, smile, and say, "Oh!" when you get to your favorite parts of a book.  I love it!  Your small board book classics are your favorite right now, and just the other night, you actually sat through ALL of The Cat in the Hat. 
10. Colors:  We are working on those.  You are a "I'll do what you want when you're ready" kind of boy.  For all I know, you probably know them, but could care less about letting us know that you do.

It is hard to believe that we are exactly two months away from celebrating your second birthday, but boy, do we have a surprise for you!  Mommy can't wait!

We headed to the pool just before lunch today.  Mills "jumped" off the diving board, as Erik waited and caught him below.   He can only stand about and hour and half at the pool before he starts getting worn out.  We had a small lunch, then headed home, due to the threat of severe weather...again.  We have had our share of that this spring.  Though, I am very thankful for the rain.  It has been so hot and dry.