Green with Envy

I am so jealous of Daniel. He has a very close relationship with his extended family. They all live within 30 miles of us and they all gather together for every holiday.

My family, on the other hand, is not so lucky. I have an aunt and 2 uncles, 5 cousins, and a second cousin on the way that I only get to see at Christmas time. It is so overwhelming to try to catch up from a whole year in a short period of time like that.

I wish so badly that I could have my cousins (4 of them girls born within 5 years of each other) at my disposal all year long. I wish I could call them up for dinner or to go to church events together or just hang out and eat ice cream! But, nonetheless, I enjoy my time with my cousins when we do get to see each other, once a year! I have so many memories of our Christmas' together and I hope they don't end anytime soon.

I do hope to have some pictures of Christmas to post soon. But I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you!! Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and ring in the New Year just the same!

All Smiles

Food for Thought

Just a post to note a few things that have ran through my busy little mind lately:

-I wonder what my baby girl is doing in Heaven for her 1st Christmas.

-My husband does so much for us. It is 10:18 p.m. and he is back at work.

-I have done waaayyy too much for Christmas this year and my bank account is feeling it. (Thank God for the previous thought!!)

-How can people stand listening to Christmas music an entire month before Christmas arrives? A week before, and I am good!

-I love my job. But the hardest thing to do is to "replace" someone who retires from a company after 20 years. I know I did not and cannot replace her and guess what I am not trying. I will do me and you do you!!!

-Christmas is Jesus birthday!! And that is all! It has, in my opinion, become entirely too commercialized.

-Eat better. Exercise. Eat better. Exercise. I have got to find time to do these things. Can I blog and exercise and eat, healthy, at the same time?!

Make it Stop

This mom is o.v.e.r.w.h.e.l.m.e.d!!!! Maybe it's the holidays. Maybe it's the basketball season. I don't know but something has this little family running around like chickens with their heads cut off!! The last few weeks in the O'Neil house have looked something like this:

8th- church
7th- Daniel's basketball game
6th- Triston's basketball practice, grocery store
4th- Triston's basketball game and work Christmas party
3rd- Presley's doctor's appointment, lunch date, shopping day
2nd- Triston's basketball practice
1st- church
30th-Daniel's basketball game
24th-26th- Thanksgiving festivities

Do you get my drift?! Let's add all that on top of working 8 hours a day and being away from the house, seemingly, all the time. My house looks like a tornado swept through it and the laundry is beginning to stack to the ceiling. Dinner happens, usually, in a 15 minute span before heading out the door to another function. Needless to say, this family-on-the-go is ready to stop and relax. But there will be none of that in the near future. As the next few weeks look like this:

10th- Christmas party
11th- Triston's basketball game
12th- Church and family photos...take 2
13th- WHMS basketball game
14th-Daniel's basketball game
15th- Triston's basketball practice
16th- Dinner with the girls at work
18th- Triston's basketball game and another Christmas party....

Okay, I am exhausted just typing all that!!! Maybe I should stop blogging and go occupy my couch while I have the chance.

The Playground

Friday we got a call from Triston's school. Never a good sign! It was the assistant principal and she said that Triston needed to tell us about an incident that happened on the playground. So, in his normal fashion, Triston owned up to the happenings and said that he tackled a kid on the playground and tripped him and possibly tried to put him in a head lock.

After talking to Tris, Daniel got back on the phone with the assistant principal and asked her why she can't paddle for this kind of thing. We agree with the school that if our child makes a poor choice he should receive a consequence. She said that paddling is their last resort but that we could leave work and come up to the school and do that if we liked. (Ha!) Anyway, so they decided they would give him a detention.

So, when I picked Triston up Friday he explained to me what happened. He said the other boy picked up the football and was throwing it at Triston. He said the other boy claimed to be throwing it with Triston but he felt as though he was throwing it at him. He said at one point it almost his him in the face. Triston told me, "if I had a video I could prove it!" I explain to Triston that there are better choices for him to make in that situation and he agreed and gave me some options of those better choices. During the conversation I wondered what the other child received as a consequence. When I asked Triston he told me nothing!!! You heard me, nothing!
Two children were involved in an incident, went to the office with two different stories (claiming their innocence), and one got a pretty harsh sentence and the other got nothing.

I was livid. I began rehearsing what I was going to say to that assistant principal when I got in touch with her. Then, I got a phone call. It was from Triston's teacher. She told me that when she walked the boys to the office she proceeded to tell the assistant principal that the other boy provoked Triston until he got so mad he reacted. She told her that and she still did not punish the other boy. Now that just added fuel to my fire!!

I was baffled. I was enraged. I still am. I can't wait to express my feelings about the way the situation was handled. Not that I think Triston should not have received the punishment he did. But I do think the other boy, being the instigator, should have received some sort of punishment. So, I am curious. What would you do?

*Let me also say that I have a lot of "things" I could say about how this is a vital time in a child's life and how badly they need good leadership and examples of the authority at their schools. How consistency is so important for them to see early on in their schooling. But I won't!

Thankfulness Abounds

Dedicated to this special holiday season...a post of thanksgiving!!!

I am thankful for big shoes that kill big spiders!!

I am thankful for coffee, with yummy creamer, to keep me from dosing off on my way to work!!

I am thankful for sick/vacation days.

I am thankful for warm blankets and fuzzy socks to keep me warm in this igloo that I call home!!

I am thankful that my husband has yet to complain about the lack of home cooked meals lately!!

I am thankful that, at this moment (and it will probably only last a moment longer), it is quiet in my house!!

I am, or used to be, thankful for cameras and computers and the instant gratification that comes with putting my pictures on my computer. Refer to my computer failure post!!

I am thankful for Tylenol and Motrin, mainly Motrin, that bring down my baby girl's 103.5 fever. I will be even more thankful if she can kick this virus before Thursday!!

I am thankful for ice cream and cookies which I am going to make right now!!

Happy Thanksgiving, la la la!!!

"F" is for Frustration

I am currently experiencing parenting hardships. Ha, like that isn't a daily occurrence for every parent out there! But these days I find myself faced with new heights of frustration when it comes to parenting my toddler. First of all, let me say that it is so weird calling her a toddler. I mean, really, around here we still call her a baby. But I can't fool you all...she is a toddler. She will be 21 months in a couple of weeks. Which means she will be two in a couple of months. Ew, that's scary for me!

Back to my frustrations. Yes, my daughter is a delight. Really, she is! She walks around cute as can be, dancing and babbling along the way. She tries to blow her nose on her wipes as she is cleaning everything in sight. She does a great impression of a doggie! And she thinks she is hot stuff when she tells everyone good night. But lately she has shown me a new side of Presley. A side that is not so cute or delightful.

She screams, loudly, and a lot. She can't/doesn't talk. So, she cannot communicate to me what she wants when she wants something. So, she screams. And if I can't figure out what she is wanting she screams louder! Most of the time it is obvious what her desire is. But there are times that I give her all the options I can thing of and fail with each attempt. On these instances she gets extremely aggravated and, yeah, screams. If we are at the table eating she begins throwing her food and juice and whatever is within reach. If we are on the floor she kicks her feet and raises her voice. I think these are called "fits" or temper tantrums!

I know I am not the only parent to have ever gone through this type of thing. I am sure this is very common. So, what do I do? How do I remain calm when I my guesses at her needs are incorrect and the frustrations rise? Because let's be realistic folks, after a long day at work coming home to something like this does not make for the best case of patience. Again, I know this doesn't sound all that bad but realize this is technically my first attempt at the toddler age range. I don't want her to think that throwing fits will get he what she wants. On the other hand, I don't want her to have a need and me not be able to provide it. Wish me luck!!

It Only Took Like 8 Years

Well, I totally intended on having several new post done by now. But I am sad to announce the passing of my dear friend, Dell, the computer that is.
Presley and I were browsing the web the other night and when we left the room the computer missed us and started calling our name (or something like that). When we could not get it to stop the wretched noise we unplugged it and let is settle for a few.
Then when we attempted to resuscitate it it greeted us with a loud "pop". Not a good noise coming from an expensive electronic product.
Needless to say, my Internet time is limited. Therefore, my blog posting is non-existent. Sorry!
I assure you eventually I will get caught up.
Now, would anyone like to donate to the Beth-needs-a-new-computer-fund?!

Just Like That

In the blink of an eye your whole world could come crashing down on you. Or so it feels. You could have all the happiness one could ask for and lose it, just like that.

That is the way I feel about the life I have lost this year. The life of my unborn child. A girl. A girl whom, I believe, I will see one day in Heaven. I believe that God blesses us with the lives of children but they all truly belong to Him.

I did not plan to get pregnant this February. I had no intentions to have 2 children under the age of 2! My nerves couldn't take that. I had no more space in this starter home for another breathing, living soul. My time was consumed with the 2 children I had much less add another to the mix. My finances were beyond unstable. My plans were demolished though.

I got pregnant this February.

It took a while but I began to get excited. I shuffled all the ideas around in my head. I started thinking of options for names and color schemes and all that jazz. I began to like the idea of 2 kids under the age of 2. Crazy, I know! And just like that...

It was gone. I remember how cold the room was when my doctor walked in to tell me the news. I remember the stale look on her face. I remember her arms wrapped around me and her comforting words. Oh, and then the procedure. I felt so lifeless that day. And just like that...

She was gone.

She would've been here by now. October 30th to be exact. She would have a bedroom and a name. She may not have made it into this world but she sure has a place in my heart. God giveth and God taketh away and only He knows why. My experience will better someone else one day. My experience will speak through me. Maybe now, I don't know. I will forever be saddened by the baby that I have yet to meet. As I will forever be grateful for God's trust in me to handle a situation so unpleasant.

Tease

It is Done

I am sick of pink! Sorry Breast Cancer Awareness month but you are not my friend anymore. No, I jest. But really, if you are anything like me, you are sick of seeing all the pink arrangements I have come up with for the last 30 days. Therefore, I am officially calling it quits. Now, granted, my girl will probably still wear pink today and tomorrow but, no worries, you won't have to see it!!!

The good thing about the last few weeks is I have gotten back in the groove of this blogging/working/mommying thing and I may manage to get a few more post in each week!!

So, prepare yourselves for some posts about my boy, coming up! I will have some pictures from our Halloween to-dos and more fall fun. Plus, I will have a due date memorial post.

Until then, Happy Halloween!

A Last Second Find in the Back of the Closet!

I just love this outfit so I had to put several pictures to try to show all the cute (pink) details.

A Little Pink Goes A Long Way

Doggy see, Doggy do

Why does my child do everything that she sees the dog do???

Just Another Day in Paradise

Just strollin' around drinking some juice!

Give this girl a wipe and everything in sight will be clean!

Sweetness

She really thinks she is something, can you tell?!

If this picture doesn't make your heart melt nothing will!!

Sadly

I know you will all be disappointed in me today. I have no pink to show off. Don't get me wrong the girl had some pink on. As a matter of fact, she had two different pink outfits on...and one orange one.

The first pink outfit ended up with Spaghetti-O's all.over.it!!!

The second pink outfit got replaced with the Go Vols Gear before I could get a picture.

I had to sit through a lovely 8 hour defensive driving course today and my brain cells ran out a long time ago. I will rebound tomorrow with double the pink pictures!

I promise.

Nearly Impossible

Why is she so hard to get a good picture of these days?!!

I will not give up though!

Pink+Green

Playing Catch Up

My Internet was MIA yesterday so here is yesterday's pink and today's pink for the record!

Some times it's hard to get a picture of this little lady while she trots all through my house. So, I forced myself in front of the camera after a long day of work.

I told you she trots through the house!

I love that smile!!

My kid would drink juice all.day.long if I'd let her.

Another day, another pink outfit!

Big Hugs!

My baby can read! No, she can't!!

But she thinks she can!
And, yes, the shirt is another Andrea special!!
FYI...it is size 3-6 months :) Poor miniature child of mine!

Pretty in Pink

Doesn't she look sweet and innocent?! We all know otherwise (remember the pictures of my living room)!!

And because the above shot doesn't give you a good view of the dress and it's pink here is a shot of the dress alone. I love it!!

Look at her!

Look at that face!! Look at those cute little legs and those cute little arms...and those cute piggies!! I could just eat her up. Remind me when I am having a bad day to look at this picture. It just makes me grin!!!

A Last Resort

I sent my girl off to her Nana and Papa's today (with a little bit of pink on). I am glad her Papa sent me this picture so, I could record this day! I won't see her again until tomorrow morning. I will miss that cute face!!

Yes, her Momma is in the Dental Field!

A "how-to" on brushing your teeth...by Presley!

Step 1: Here is your toothbrush.

Step 2: Say "ahhhh".

Step 3: Brush 'em, brush 'em, brush 'em!

Big Girl, Big Smiles

Looking at this picture, and how big my baby girl looks, makes me realize how precious this time is. I miss her as a baby but I love all her new tricks! Guys, the end of October is right around the corner and that may not mean much to you but it does to me. More on that to come.

On the Run

Presley was a little hard to catch for a good shot tonight. So, here are the best I got!

I was just thinking, you guys might get sick of seeing 30-some-odd pictures of my baby girl. Oh well, a deal is a deal! Pink for the rest of October!

Pink Presley Pumpkin

I couldn't wait any longer to show off the talents of my friend Andrea, She made this shirt and several others for Presley. She has also done some work for this year's Halloween costume that I am totally stoked about! And, yes, it has pink in it too!

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday

Today's pink was somewhat obscure but we made it work!!


Now, this on the other hand, is not obscure!! This is what my living room looked like tonight after Presley had no nap and before she crashed for the night at 6:45. Take special notice of the non-toy objects that she plays with. Like the blinds-twisty-stick-thingy, a prop to a picture frame, the Tupperware bowl, her lunch bag, oh and the newspaper!!

Do you see Presley's face in the lower part of this picture? My sentiments exactly!!

Double Dose of Pink

Today we had pink on here...

after our walk on the greenway.

And, here...

right before bed. Can you tell?! Day 6 is in the books, for Presley anyway! Now, that I have done laundry she will have more pink to show off tomorrow.

Day 5...Better Late than Never!

The picture pretty much sums it all up...it's late, we are tired, and my floors are dirty :)

Double Support

Guess who is so busy that she doesn't even have time to look up at mommy to take her picture...

Today we showed some love (not only with our pink) but with our hearts to all our heart baby friends!

It's a Pink-flowerdy Kind of Day

The spaghetti sauce is just a little extra for ya'!

Day 2

SMILE!! It is only day 2 of our pink party and we've got plenty more where that came from!

Generations of Breast Cancer Awareness

You may or may not have known anyone that has ever had/has breast cancer. I will be quite honest that up until a month ago I was very negligent of the issue. I knew it existed and I knew it was serious but I didn't put forth any effort in awareness. A month or so ago my friends at church started a team for the Susan G. Koman walk that is next week (in Tennessee). The nursery coordinator at the church has breast cancer. She is a fighter and an incredible woman! She gave her story that morning and I.was.moved. Since then, I learned that Daniel's aunt's cancer started as breast cancer. She passes away about 5 years ago. Her name was Beth and she was a dental assistant...talk about friends-at-first-sight! I loved her and miss her greatly.

Let me get to the point. Yesterday we went to the Titans vs. Broncos game. Most of the players were sporting pink in honor of breast cancer awareness month. That's this month, ya'll. I was beyond inspired. I am not a big "pink" girl. I have a few things I will portray this month. But my baby, she has more pink than you could imagine. And this month she is going to wear pink everyday! This momma is going to make sure that we show our support to our friends and family that have survived, are living with, or have gone on from breast cancer.

I posted something about this on Facebook yesterday and I have two of my friends joining me. You can too, if you feel so led. Our plan is to get our three girls together for a photo op of our "generations of breast cancer awareness". My plan is to take a picture everyday of my pink Presley and post it here. You may get sick of me, Presley or her pink after this month but it's for a good cause!!

Day 1

Consumed

My time has been consumed with...

blowing out candles, 27 of them!

watching some football...

and even more football!

I used to be able to update the ol' blog at work. That is why you were able to keep up so well! But now they have become wise to it and it is no longer allowed. I guess that makes sense, huh?! So, when I am not working at work I am working at home (you know, dishes, laundry, and picking up after the tornado that is is Presley). When I am not working I at home then I am sleeping at home! That is my favorite part of the day. Other than that I am busy with my favorite time of year, football season! Sorry the posts are few and far between but hopefully things will pick back up soon! As my dad would say, thanks for hanging in there like a hair in a biscuit!!!

That's What I Like To Hear

This is the email I got from Triston's teacher today!!! I knew those apples-a-day would make a difference...or chocolate!!!

beth,

i just wanted to let you know that triston had one of the BEST days he's ever had yesterday. he came in and wasn't as rambunctious as he usually is...he sat down and started on his work, and he has been reading a lot in my room. i am very proud of him, and have told him this. i didn't get a chance to write you a note yesterday, but he just had a wonderful day!

sheri

It Only Took 18 Months...

But my girl is finally "off to the races"!!! Watch out world here she comes!!!

Today is brought to you by the letter...B

Bites...

Big girl shoes...

Bubbles, blocks and Bubba!!

Pure Deliciousness!

This is God's gift to chocolate/peanut butter lovers!! And I am both of those! I can eat spoonfuls at a time. It is not a good idea for me to buy Nutella! But for Daniel's 32 birthday (he is not a big cake lover) I made him a cheesecake, a Nutella cheesecake! Wanna see?!



I totally intended on getting a picture of the finished product. But I forgot! This is what it looked like on Presley's plate...after she got done with it!!

I think she liked it!! Or maybe she loved it!
I cannot take full credit for this though. Kasey made it for Memorial Day this year and it was a hit. So, I thought I would give it a try too!

Wanna know how's it done?!

Here is what you'll need:

Desired pie crust

Container of Nutella

8 oz. container of cream cheese (softened)

Container of cool whip

1/2 cup of sugar

1/2 teaspoon of vanilla

Here's what you do:

Beat softened cream cheese and 1/2 cup of sugar until well blended

Add Nutella and 1/2 tsp of vanilla and mix well

Gently fold cool whip into mixture

Spoon into pie crust

Refrigerate for 4 hours