People of Walmart

http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/... a neighbor introduced me to this site a while back, and today I actually looked to see if Kaelyn made the cut. Since she's been peeing/pooping in her pants all day everyday, I took them all away, and she's down to just a few pairs of leggings :) The other day she actually came out in Addison's pajamas... hahaha... but I guess it hasn't gotten to the point yet where she's decided to start peeing in the potty again. Anyway, she dressed herself this morning, which wasn't a big deal because we weren't going to go anywhere, until I had 10 loads of laundry to do and zero dryer sheets. I told her to put on her shoes so we could go to walmart, and she came out in red cowboy boots... PERFECT shoes for a priceless outfit! As of this evening, her picture still wasn't posted on the site, but I wouldn't be surprised if I saw her there in the near future. The funny thing is... we really didn't get that many weird looks.

WOW how things change... well, sort of :)

I'm really bad about backing up my pictures incase our computer crashes, so in effort to do that, I've been having a really great time looking at some old pictures. I came across these and had to share! It's amazing how much they have changed in two years... that is, they've gotten bigger, smarter, stronger, and are able to come up with much better ways to outsmart me on a daily basis. However, not much has changed in the personality department.



This was a photo session with Bryce and Kaelyn for our Christmas cards in 2007. Needless to say, Kaelyn wouldn't cooperate, so we asked Bryce to just sit there with his arm out hoping that I could quickly snap a picture before she slid back down and went about kicking and screaming at his feet.



Then, we got the idea to stand her up. She was scared of hights then, and wouldn't get down by herself. Does it surprise you that that didn't work either? Here is Kaelyn biting Bryce, while he cooperates and smiles for the camera.



And here is what we ended up sending out (did I mention that some things never change!)



Shortly after this photo session, Addison was born. Here is her first Christmas.



And here she is at 3 week old...


And here she is now... why is her face always so dirty :)

What a little miracle!

Addison's hair is finally getting long enough that I can force it into 2 pigtails. So today, after breakfast, I did just that.

Kaelyn: Mommy, Addison looks like a GIRL!

Addison: AWWW, Man!

Trying to be Patient...

If you've ever had a conversation with me, then you've heard a story about Kaelyn. That little girl is amazing. There is no other way to say it. She's witty, she's conniving, she LOVES being the center of attention, and she's so dramatic that she can bust out real tears like you wouldn't believe. AND... she's pretty, so it's so easy for her to bat those big brown eyes, and Adam (who doesn't deal with her all day) gives her whatever she wants, leaving me to be the disciplinarian. Boy, do we have some mom - daughter drama going on right now. I really try to laugh, and be grateful for her because I know that she is truly a blessing, but geez, she's only 3! What is she going to be like at 12? So yesterday was just one of those days... she woke up entirely too early, and from the time she opened her eyes, she had her mind made up that she wasn't going to be good. And when she sets her mind to something, there's no looking back. She pooped her pants (twice), cut up some of Bryce's school work, and when I put her in time out, she shook out Addison's milk all over the floor. We had company over last night, so I was really trying to clean... but it was like taking one step forward, and two steps back. I swept my floor 3 times because she kept dumping out the vacuum. She spit out her ice cream all over the floor after I mopped it. She refused to pick up her toys, so I did, and the second that I cleaned up her dollhouse, she knocked the entire thing on the floor. And to top it off, she colored all over the mural in her room, with permanent marker! This mural is literally 2 years in the making... we've had paint and color issues, and I have countless hours invested in it. You can see here where she tried to stay in the lines...


And here she just went for it!

I just feel like every time I take the time to make something for her, she can't wait for the perfect opportunity to mess it up. I painted her a pink table and decorated it with ribbon and tulle for her dollhouse... yeah, that lasted about a week. And, here is her toy chest, that I've already redone once.

I really try to spend time with her by taking her to playdates, and keeping her busy with school and dance. Is this a cry for attention? A power struggle? I just don't understand why she does it... and why she's not remorseful. Yesterday, I tried tough love, time out, pleading, negotiating... and I didn't know what else to do. So I went in my closet and called my mom and cried. It was that bad. But today, as she snuggles on my arm as I type, I feel guilty. I feel guilty for losing my patience, and I feel guilty for being so angry. I just don't know what I'm going to do with her.

Odds and Ends

I'm starting to think that I'm only going to be able to shower on Adam's off days...

I like the idea of being dirty WAY more than I like cleaning up after the terrible twosome!


The evolution of the car...






The Fair!




Kaelyn loves Kobe... just like her mommy!


And when Bryce ran out of feed, he just picked it up off the floor... just like his daddy!




Addison has figured out how to get out of her sleepers....

Hope there's not another poop situation!

When They Come Home...

This morning Fox and Friends, did a story on a Marine who wrote a book about his struggles in Fallujah. As most of you know, Adam was in that battle, and almost five years later, it is still difficult for me to cope with... I can't even fathom what it must be like for him. So thank you, Derek Sholl, for writing this song. It feels as though you are speaking directly to my family. As the five year anniversary of the Battle of Fallujah approaches, please keep my husband, his fellow marines, and the families of the fallen in your prayers. November always proves to be difficult.

At Least it Wasn't Pee This Time!

Adam had the night off last night, and for once, we didn't have a single thing to do... so we put the kids down, and started watching a movie. A movie that we've started and stopped 4 different times, so I, for one was excited to finally get through it. About 15 minutes into it, we hear Addison scream. Not the "I'm hurt" or the "I'm sad" scream, but the "you really pissed me off scream." I looked at Adam, laughed, and told him that Kaelyn must have thrown something in her crib. Kaelyn sleeps with her infamous piggy, and Addison absolutely HATES to sleep with anything besides her pillow. Since Kaelyn is, well, Kaelyn, I often find her stockpiling whatever she can find into Addison's crib. 5 minutes after the scream, Kaelyn walks in.

Me: Kaelyn, did you throw a bunch of things in Addison's crib?
Kaelyn: Nope, just one.

Can't fault the girl for being honest!

Adam walks into the girls room, and comes back with Addison in his arms.

Adam: KAELYN! What did you dump on Addison?
Kaelyn: Just one glass of water.

At least it wasn't pee this time!