Happy December!

Well, sorry to leave you all on such a sour note and for so long! As usual, life has been a tad bit hectic. Ben started with his new daycare and has been adjusting. He's done well, but I think the whole situation was a little traumatic for him. Last weekend he wasn't feeling so hot, so I took him to the doc and he had an ear infection. My old roommate Jen had been staying with us because she had to be up here for work, and because Ben had a fever, he wasn't allowed to go to daycare Tuesday, so luckily Jen was able to stay here with him that day to watch him for us. We are so lucky to have such great friends. I feel very blessed to have them since I am so far away from family.
Wednesday of last week we headed on our LONG drive to Chicago to visit my sister Delinda for Thanksgiving. We hoped to leave by about 2:30 or 3 that afternoon, but with the way things panned out we didn't get on the road until 4pm and that's an 11 hour drive WITH OUT stops. On top of the ear infection, Ben is also sprouting teeth... somewhere. I think it's his canine teeth in the front, but I'm not a 100% sure. So anyway he was grumpy and tired for the first couple hours. Luckily he fell asleep after Chattanooga and then slept the entire rest of the way there, except for the few stops we made.We made it Chicago at about 4am their time, which means it was 5am our time. We were past the point of exhaustion and then had to find a parking spot and carry our stuff to her place in the COLD WINDY RAIN. We didn't get to fall asleep until 4:45am and then of course Ben woke up right around 2 hours later. That brings us to Thanksgiving. We went to breakfast that morning at the Golden Nugget close to where Delinda and Jen live and had yummy pancakes and other yummy things. A quick stop at The Market and then we went back to their house to start cooking! The area she lives in is really cool! And there you walk everywhere you need to go. So we parked the car and didn't use it until we left to come home. After our morning activities, we cooked the rest of the day and rested and enjoyed each others company. Ben was a little bit of a pill that day, but I think he was still pretty worn out from the ride and not feeling great. And neither was I, I had gotten a little bit of a cold before we left to go there and it just didn't get better. Ryan took him outside for a little while to walk around and get some fresh air while we were cooking. He took this with his phone, this is the street Delinda lives on. So cool! Thanksgiving dinner was DELICIOUS. We had Turkey, Ham, mac and cheese, sweet potato souffle, squash casserole, rolls, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce and for dessert I made my Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake. YUM! That night we took Delinda's dog Kidder for a walk to get out and got to walk near Lake Michigan, she's like 2 blocks away from the water. And it was COOOOOLLLLDDDD but really fun. Ben loves Kidder (now) and so he enjoyed watching her run around and I enjoyed seeing the city from a distance in the dark.Friday we woke up and Delinda took us on the bus to The Art Institute of Chicago Museum. It was SOOOOOO neat! The transit system there is great and clean and very easy. Seriously, you just don't need to drive your car while you're there. So we got to see the building she teaches in and then got to go in the Museum for free and saw Monet and Van Gogh as well as other famous paintings. After we were done there we ate lunch at Benningan's across the street and then walked down the busy streets of Chicago along the Miracle Mile and visited Jen at work at Zara and went in a couple other shops and passed the Macy's Christmas Window displays. Ben fell asleep in his stroller. He was so bundled up his little arms stuck out! He definitely was a trooper! I tell you what, there are some interesting characters on those streets! Lots of people begging for money in all sorts of ways; simply shaking their cup at you or twirling lasso's, the Silver Man, playing drums on old buckets, puppet shoes, really just about anything to get some change. There were people preaching with their megaphones and little sound systems, there were people protesting fur... it was so interesting and exciting! The city in comparison to Atlanta is clean and lively. That night we went to eat at Renaldi's, a pizza joint, and found a threadless store! We were SO excited, I love their stuff and order it online for Ben and Ryan often and it was cool to go in to an actual store, so we got some stuff there. We took a taxi (which was an experience in itself) to the Lincoln Park Zoo and got in for free to the Zoo Lights they had going on there. That was fun, but luckily it was free because we didn't last long. We were all pretty worn out. But we saw lots of pretty lights, and well... just some penguins and a sea lion and that's about it for the animals. Saturday we didn't head out until after Ben's nap, we went back to town and stopped off at Millennium Park and saw some of the sculptures and art pieces there. My favorite was The Cloud Gate (or giant silver jelly bean) and the pavilion there was really cool too. From there we took the bus to the Field Museum where we got in free as well, it pays to have a Professor for a sister! We saw a lot of dead animals there. Ryan and Ben enjoyed it... I liked the dinosaur skeleton Sue. :)the building itself was pretty impressive too... but again, I'm glad it was free! I got some pretty cool shots of the city from the steps though at sun down and the planes flying "Sears Tower". We walked to the bus again and rode down to meet up with Jen for dinner at a pub where I ate YUMMY fish and chips. I could go for that again... anyway, after dinner we walked to see the tree lit up somewhere down there. I was SO pooped by that point, my throat was killing me and I was stressed out about Ben being a little bit of a stinker. BUT I did have fun, and I enjoyed everything we did and saw that night. Ryan was a gem and took good care of me and Ben. I sure love my husband... more than anything in this whole wide world. We ate ice cream and talked that night at the apartment. We left Sunday around noon and made it home 14 hours later! Blah... long drive. But luckily we both had yesterday off, and me again today. So we've rested and now it's back to reality. POOP. I am glad I have Christmas to look forward to. And only 22 days until my parental figures arrive for the festivities! So Chicago was SUPER cool, I wouldn't really want to live there I don't think. But I will love to go back and visit ANY TIME and get to see more of it's coolness. I am grateful for Jen and Delinda putting us up and enduring the whining and crying and all of our crap everywhere. It was such a fun trip and I'm REALLY glad we could do it!
Hopefully we will be able to get our Christmas tree soon and get some decorations up! Being around all the Christmassy stuff in Chicago got me really excited!

When it Rains, it Pours!

I don't like to complain very often, but this week has just plain sucked. Like big time. I don't think it's healthy to recount all the horrible things that happened, but I will be so glad when I have some time off. There have been so many changes, pressures, worries, lack of sleep, more stress, work stress... ugh. We're all worn out. Pretty much tonight we're headed straight to bed when Ben goes down for the night. He had a "trial" day today at the new daycare. I've called about 3-4 times to check on him and she seems to think he's doing alright. No crying, he went to sleep right away at nap time, he was playing outside last time I called, but he has been very observant today and not his usual playful self. Which worries me a little, but hopefully some mommy/daddy time this weekend will help him. Plus he's the type of kid that likes to check out his surroundings first before he feels 100% comfortable. I love that little booger and I hope this isn't messing with his ch'i. :)
Anyway, TGIF. Tomorrow it's sewing than off to Knoxville, then back home first thing Sunday morning then off to church to see if they really are splitting our ward. OH and then off to take pictures of Ryan's sister's kids. Will it ever end?

1 Week and Counting!

As of Tuesday of last week, we started a "Binky Intervention" if you will. The doc has encouraged us to do this since Ben was 18 months and since he's not taking it during the day we figured this might be a good time to try. On a normal day, he wakes up asking for it. We go in his dark room in the morning where he pops up off the bed with his blanky in tow and first thing he says is "Na-na! Na-na!" sometimes he'll even say "pweese?" when he asks for it. He expects it in the car too along with his car blanky. We had one clipped to the seat belt strap of his car seat and have since removed it. The first few nights were difficult for him, technically we started Monday night- or tried to and he freaked out. Ryan cut a slit in the tip of the binky and after that he couldn't keep it in his mouth with out holding it or biting down on it. He'd get mad and throw it on the ground and we kept telling him it was broken and didn't work anymore. But he'd pick it back up and put it in. Tuesday morning I gave it to him in the car because my nerves were on edge already that morning and I gave in... that night when I picked him up and then at bedtime he asked for it. He cried on and off halfheartedly for about a 1/2 hour in his bed. I went in and told him I loved him and rubbed his back and he fell asleep shortly after a short stint of crying. Same thing the next night, only this time Ryan went it and told him he loved him, rubbed his head and Ben stopped crying shortly after that, if not immediately, only after he'd cried for about 15 mins. Each night got better, but every morning he'd pop up off that mattress asking for it! After he'd say "Na-na!?" I'd say "No-no!" and he'd get the picture. So since this has happened, we've realized EVEN MORE what a chatter box he is. He now sings himself to sleep or talks, which is cute- but we have to occasionally remind him of the goal insight, SLEEP! So, since this is our family journal and it's possible that our other kids might be in to binkies like Ben was, I need to remind myself of some tips that seemed to work.

• cut the tip and act as if it was broken to the kid.
• hide them, keep them out of sight!
• DON'T GIVE IN!
• pretend you don't know what one is if they ask (ha, ha! My favorite...)
• when they do ask, find ways to distract them with someone else that is appealing
• cold turkey... that's the only way to do it.
• DON'T GIVE IN!
• tell them they're doing so good, such a big kid with out it and lots of love.
• remove any pictures of the said child with it in their mouth out of sight for a little while so they don't remember. Out of sight, out of mind.
  It's kind of weird that it's in the past. But it kind of feels like it has been for a long time! We are proud of our little fella and with us for sticking through it, especially when there were times we ALMOST gave in. One thing down...This last weekend I started a sewing class with Ashley, Martha and Brittany being taught by Ashley's mother in-law Darlene. I am pretty excited, call me Martha Stewart, whatever... I don't care! We're making PJ's and the ones I'm doing are going to be for the little mister. I got a pattern for me too, but I'll wait. The BIG problem is, I don't have my own sewing machine! Luckily Darlene is letting me use hers while at the class. I am glad to have something to help improve myself, and to learn something new.
  We also had a play date with Ben's old pals from the Kindercare. It was a pretty day and they had fun running around the playground and eating snacks together. They are cute little kids I'll tell ya.Speaking of childcare, unfortunately the home sitting didn't work out. I wont go in to detail, but we believe that it's for the better. There is a daycare near us- literally 5 mins out of our neighborhood, that Ben and I checked out today. I had to take work off to go find somewhere new to take him. It was kind of sprung on us and we weren't prepared with a back up place. I really liked it there, it's open and bright and cheery and there seems to be a lot of good learning with art and music and even potty training and I feel like it's a really good place to be. Even better than the Kindercare we had him at and cheaper too! Not as cheap as we were paying the sitter, but his happiness and health are the most important things to us. I hate to have to introduce him to a new setting, and I hope it doesn't mess with him any- but I am SO grateful the Lord sent us such a easy going and adaptable little dude.I have my first Scentsy party this weekend with my cousin Laura in Knoxville, TN. I am a little nervous and feel a little unprepared- but it will be a good learning experience. She has experience in this sort of thing too so she can give me some good tips. I really hope this grows in to a big thing for me, because even more so after this whole childcare drama this week- I just want to be the one taking care of him. Anyway, same story different day so I'll refrain.
  OH and in other news, we're heading to Chicago to see Delinda and Jen for Thanksgiving. Despite the unhappiness of my in-laws, which I'm really sorry for, I am SO excited! We've never been there and it will be all tight and crammed in the car for a LONG drive and tight and crammed in the apt where they live, but all will be well. I am excited to see her and the sites of the Chi-town and where she has moved her life to. I love my sis, she's one of my best friends! And yes, we are driving! 11-12 hours... ugh, I'm not looking forward to it but we can make it. We've done it before. AND we'll be doing most of our driving at night so hopefully (crossing my fingers) Ben will sleep the majority of the time. And OH MY GOSH! Thanksgiving is 2 weeks away! Which means my friends that Christmas is a month and a half away! ACK! Where does the dang time go?

Happy Halloween!

From our little Skeleton Kid!

I have been really proud of our bargain shopping lately. We have been in need of some items for Ben's new babysitting situation, like a pack n' play to sleep in and a booster chair for him to sit in to eat lunch and have snacks. My mother in-law has been letting use both of hers so we needed to get our own. We have a pack n' play, but it's what we used as a bassinet for Ben when he was born and up until about 2 inches ago he could still fit in. He's outgrown it now and has to sleep diagonally in it if we want him to fit! He deals with it, but it's not nice of us. So back to our bargain shopping, I got him a booster- but it wasn't necessarily a bargain- but we like it and he does too. However, Ryan got a pack n' play from Salvation Army in excellent shape (a little hard to collapse but not because it's broken or anything) for $5.99! On the decorative and not really necessary side of things, I got a really cool glass chicken (sounds crazy and weird and Country which is NOT me but not horrible for other people) at Goodwill for $5.99 as well! Old Navy is having an additional 50% off clearance and I got a nice sweater shirt for $2 people. All of Ben's clothes he's wearing this winter we either got as gifts or I got on clearance or for sale. I haven't paid anything more than $6 for an item of his clothing forever. Well, besides shoes- but those are always a little more pricey, but I still got them on sale.
I also got a "free" gift from Kodak Gallery loaded in to my account that would apply $20 towards my order, plus I got an additional $15 off coupon through my email=$35! SO I got 20 photo Christmas cards (which we all know aren't super cheap), several prints including an 8x10, a porcelain photo ornament, and something else (I can't remember what) all for around $6... just to cover the balance and shipping. We also each signed up for the Chicken Wave on Chick-fil-a's website where you enter to get free stuff. We got free chicken sandwiches! I have been enjoying finding these little loop holes. I still need to find as many coupons as possible on things as I possibly can only to spend like $2 on $100's worth of groceries. That's my goal one day.
Wait a minute... aren't grown ups the only one's that get excited about this kind of stuff?

Let's catch up.

What a busy week this has felt like. Yesterday was so busy for me that this morning I could not get myself up from exhaustion. Let's just say the day started at 5:45am and ended at about 10pm after a full day of work, driving in traffic, a Scentsy conference call, bed time for Ben and then baking not only Pumpkin Bars but Choco Chip cookies because my sweet husband just wanted some. I was pooped... and not feeling super great this morning-so I stayed home. I probably should've rested more, but I always seem to find a million things I "need" to do on my days off.
Friday of last weekend Ryan went with Jacob, Clint, Taylor and Geoff to go see a "guy" movie. And some of us ladies stayed home and watched Hairspray and smelled my new samples I got from signing up to do Scentsy. (If you're still wondering what that is- look at my web page from the link to your right!) Saturday we spent the morning getting some things done and then that afternoon Ashley and I got our craft on and made Christmas Countdown blocks! It was SO fun! We got a little high off the Mod-Podge (which apparently my mother in-law knows the inventor of...) but we made our cute little blocks and they turned out great! Even the guys who seem to care less about that stuff liked them! Ashley made an x-mas one AND a Halloween one. Mine are the ones on the bottom left and hers are the others! CUTE HUH?! The kit she got us came with the wood blocks and the vinyl lettering, which we decided was NOT a good idea to be in white nor did we care for the font. But we made it work by tracing the numbers with a black sharpee before sealing it with the Mod-Podge. Ryan gave Ben a haircut on Sunday. He's such a good kid. I mean he's wiggly and everything but he sits pretty still for being so young. And daddy is gentle with him and also very patient and that's great.We had our typical Sunday meal in which my hubby made THE BEST steak... lots of compliments and Ashley made YUMMY Cream Cheese Pound Cake. I tell ya, we love those Sunday dinners!
Last week we also went out to dinner with Nana (which Ben pronounces "Nanny") and Poppy to where else but Taco Mac. I got a cute picture of the 3 Smith generations playing a racing video game. I'm so glad Ben has a set of grandparents near by. I wish he had both sets- but I didn't really have any close to me so I hope that he has great memories of his grandparents. Both sides!
What else... here is the latest mound of dirt in front of the temple. It was strange because they gutted it out and you could see all the way to the back of it from the street! Maybe that's why they put the dirt there, who knows. But here's an update in case you were wondering.
That's all for now. I mean, really there's SO much going on. I am already selling lots with Scentsy and am hoping to have a par-tay up in Knoxville, TN for my cousin. We're thinking of changing our Thanksgiving plans, Halloween is Saturday and we still haven't even carved our pumpkins! We just BARELY got Ben's costume Monday. And I'm pretty bummed I don't more time to do everything and more time to spend with my kid. Not much I can do right now about it though. Okay... bed time.

Fall Outings

Me and Ashley get super excited for Fall. Because we always get to go and do fun things together. Ryan feels like the leaves and trees are dying and that it's just the precursor for the wretched Winter. But not me... I love it. And I love all the holidays that come along with it. That being said, we're starting to feel extra "Crafty" lately too, which if you REALLY knew me- you'd know that I appreciate it, but don't do it very often and don't really feel like I have a knack for it. I have to say I'm pretty excited though because we're going to attempt to make some countdown blocks this weekend for Christmas. They have ones for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas- if you're interested in buying a kit you can check them out HERE. I think they'll be SUPER cute. This weekend, the men are going to see a manly movie together and us ladies are going to be crafty. And really, I just love Christmas decor. I have the last few days of Nov off and am TOTALLY going to decorate the house! Isn't it weird that Thanksgiving is almost a month away? And that Halloween is already next weekend? Whoa. Oh and I ordered Ben's Halloween costume today. I am SO excited... but it's a surprise!

The last three years we've been to Burt's Pumpkin patch to get pumpkins with the Terry's and Clint and others that join us. The last 2 years we've added in the Apple Festival and it's quite fun. We got to go do that this weekend and it was FREEZING cold! Which is quite the opposite of how it was last year, we were dying of heat last year. But we appreciated the cold because it made it feel like it should've- like FALL! The leaves were gorgeous and where we go to do all of this in the North GA mountains really is beautiful. While at the Apple Festival, the Terry's got some apples and me and Martha purchased honey raised from bees in GA. The Davidson's bought some other things and we all had our share of friend fair food. There were fried Oreo's (yes, and apparently they were delicious), Funnel Cake that was to die for, fried chicken and fries, and I had roasted corn. YUM! Poor little Ben's fingers froze, but he refused to wear my gloves for longer than 2 mins. And he had a little bit of a break down at the Apple Festival, which he really never does. I could probably count on one hand how many times he's freaked out like that- he's very easy going. But he's teething and he wanted his binky and was cold and we didn't have it and he didn't understand and just kept crying "na, na! na, na!" People were giving us the "you are horrible parents" stare... so we left everyone behind and climbed (almost literally) the hill back to the car. The shuttle bus line was OUTRAGEOUS. We got him to the car and within 5 mins on the road to the Pumpkin Patch- he was OUT. Poor kid. Other than that- he was a trooper. The pumpkin patch was PACKED! There were SO many people there! It was still cold and muddy and crowded but SO FUN and we got ourselves a couple pumpkins and some squash and all that good stuff and now it's time for us to carve! We love going with our friends to things like that and hope to carry on the tradition!

Last week was Ben's first week with his new Babysitter Megan. It went really well, except for him teething and having a fever most of the week. I even stayed home with him Wednesday, he needed some mommy-TLC. But it was SUPER comforting to know that I could still take him Thursday to Megan's house in his jammies and know that he would be taken care of. She wrote a really sweet blog post about it and recapped their week and how much fun he's having there. We are indeed SO grateful that the Lord matched our families together. :) Here is her post. There's a little video of him too learning to be near the kitties they have. So cute. He has a an old cell phone we found for him and he likes to hold it up to his ear and say "hello?!", so he's trying to hold the phone up to the kitties ears to say "hello!". I love my kid... I'm so grateful to have good peeps watching him. RELIEF.
I will write more about our weekend tomorrow. It's 10pm and now with our new childcare situation I have to wake up about an hour earlier so that I can drive him up and away from the direction of work and get on a HORRIBLY congested 400. It makes it all worth it though to have him there.

'tis the season

I have two blog posts I want to write. This first one is for Oatmeal Pumpkin White Chocolate Chip Cookies. Yes, you heard right. YUM. It's the season to make things pumpkiny. And my friend gave me this idea to make these cookies from some that she bought from the Target bakery. I thought, I can make those... so there.
Here's the recipe, some of you have asked:

Oatmeal Pumpkin White Chocolate Chip Cookies
(I forgot the butter in this picture... but you get the idea) 2 c all purpose flour
1 1/3 c quick or old fashioned oats
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt (or a little more...)
1 c butter (2 sticks softened)
1 c packed brown sugar
1 c granulated sugar
1 c pure pumpkin
1 egg (yes, I promise that's enough)
1 tsp vanilla
1 c (or more) of white chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Combine dry ingredients together; flour, oats, salt, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg. In another bowl blend together butter, brown & granulated sugar and egg until fluffy. Add vanilla and pumpkin and mix well. Add flour & oat mixture, mix well. Add chips!

Drop dough with a spoon on a slightly greased baking pan (try and make dough balls). Bake for approximately 12 mins if you want chewy cookies, or 14-16 mins for a more dry cookie. Let cool on cookie sheet for 5 mins and move to parchment paper or cooling rack. Enjoy their yumminess! They were a total hit at work today... I got a "divine" "the best" and "the bomb-diggity". Smiles!

All Things Bright and Beautiful

I've been thinking, which could be dangerous. But I was thinking about wanting to go camping and how it seems like EVERY time we plan a trip- it falls through. Then I was thinking about how I used to go all the time when I lived in UT and with my dad when I was little in AZ and how I just love it. THEN I was thinking about how it's pretty here in GA, but there is so much beauty out west as far as "nature" is concerned. So I wanted to share a few of my favorite places I've been in my life... just some.
The Grand Tetons, WY. Awe inspiring. And let me tell you, oh so cold in the winter! But also gorgeous in the summer!
Southern UT, Horseshoe Bend. Near Moab. That whole region including Moab is beautiful. This is the only picture I could find from that trip, cheesy face and all.
Cannon Beach, OR. Oregon (that I saw) in general. I was only there for like a total of 2 1/2 days... if that and I fell in love. It was Fall and the leaves were beautiful... it was a perfect combination of two of my favorites- ocean and mountains.

The High Uintas in UT. One of my FAVORITE places in the world. So many good memories there, and a place with so much to see and so much beauty. I miss it SO much. (wow! Look how small and cute my butt was!)
Yellowstone! Such an amazing place. I can't wait to take my family there on family vacation one day!
The Alpine Loop, American Fork Canyon UT.

Zion's National Park, UT
Sequoia National Park, CA. Such a beautiful amazingly cool place!
The Grand Canyon, AZ. I grew up just about 70 miles away from the Grand Canyon in Flagstaff and didn't really appreciate it as a kid. I had the opportunity to hike to the bottom one year with a Geology class at UVSC (now UVU) and will now always have such an appreciation for it's beauty and awesomeness.
Somewhere in Eastern, UT. Another Geology field trip, this time with USU. I think it was near the Bookcliffs or Vernal... but it was a LONG time ago and I forget.
I'm so grateful I've been able to get to see SO many beautiful places and know that Heavenly Father has created all of them for all of us to see and appreciate. To me, these places are so humbling because it reminds me of how little I am (literally) in this LARGE diverse world and how around EVERY corner there is something new to see and discover.

Send Me On My Way

I'm way over due to write a post. It's been rainy again the last three days, it was this morning and then luckily cleared up in time for my lunch hour. It was BEAUTIFUL! The leaves are really starting to do their changing thing and the sky always looks so perfectly blue and clean and fresh and the clouds so white and fluffy and all the colors so vibrant. Some of the reasons to love Fall. Another is the less humid and cooler weather.
Saturday we spent with Ashley (Jacob was out of town with his parents) listening to some General Conference, helping around the Terry house, washing the car, shopping at IKEA and watching Ben explore there and loving it. We got him a little $3.99 potty to "practice" with. Something just to get him used to the idea of where that stuff goes! he, he! But we're not really in it to force him in to it too early. Anyway, he really enjoyed walking around and exploring there. That place can wear me out too! We had "Conference-fest" at our house Sunday. We plugged the laptop up and watched it over LDS.org and enjoyed it. We had soup, rolls and the staple sausage dip for lunch and ate out on the deck and in the house and enjoyed each other's company. We had about 12 for lunch and after, not including us- so the house was pretty full. But we, of course, love that.
So what's going on right now? Both Ryan and Ben are asleep. I'm listening to iTunes (for the moment Feist) and am thinking it's time I go to bed. BUT... I want to make sure I keep up with my blog/journal.
We're making a big change in childcare for Ben. We have been praying a lot about alternatives, especially lower costing ones lately. Our EQ Pres and home teacher came over a couple Sunday's ago and we happened to mention we were still looking for someone to watch Ben and he said a couple had recently moved in to the ward from Alabama and she (Megan) used to do some childcare before moving here. He gave me her info and I emailed her and she wrote right back. She and her husband are looking for work and this is right up her alley and she is able to watch him the time we need her to and at HALF the cost of what we're paying now. She doesn't have any kids of her own yet, so Ben will be the one and only. There are definitely PROS (mostly) and CONS... the CONS are that he's going to miss his buddies. He's a social little dude, and so it'll be hard to go from constantly being around little kids to none at all. But we'll find alternatives, and a PRO is that he'll be getting one-on-one attention. I only wish it was mine. There are several other PROS and we are just really grateful that the Lord provided for us and really for them as well, they need the money/work. The daycare directors are saddened that he's leaving... but I'm sure we'll be back once in a while. Some of the mom's of his classmates (even the ones he's bitten!) are up for play dates, so we'll definitely do those too. We want to have more kids and feel like we need to save a little first, and cut some costs down... and this has to be one of them. I met her at Enrichment and liked her a lot, and then her and her husband came over Friday night for dinner and we all chatted for hours with each other. Seems like he and Ryan will have a lot in common. So we both feel good about it and if it doesn't work though and he's not happy- we'll rethink things. I think she'll be a good fit for him and we're crossing our fingers all will be well.
Ben is just a smarty pants. He's saying or repeating a lot of words. We did an iChat with my mom tonight and he was doing his best to say "grandma". He says "cah-cah" for cracker, and he can say "hello" or even "hola". We're working on "I Love You!", he knows to say something but it sounds nothing like the phrase. But we're getting there! He's also started to say "amen" before I even do when saying prayers. I'll say "in the name of Jesus Christ..." and he'll say "Amen" before I finish! Too cute. He's very friendly. When people walk by he'll wave and said "HI!" to them. He loves to ride in the car with the windows down and if they're not he'll say "outside!" In general, he loves to be outside and is always asking us if he can go. He's got the kissing on the lips thing down, no more baby-open-mouth kissing. I'm the special one that gets them though, he doesn't do that to anyone else really- maybe Daddy once in a while, but mostly me. Yesterday I went to get him out of the car and I said "give me a kiss" and he grabbed my cheeks with both hands and planted one on Moments like that make my heart happy.
This weekend I get to have my hair cut, thank goodness by a cute girl that moved in to Ashley's ward recently. We're trading a hair cut/color for family pictures! She and her husband have the cutest little girl and so it should be lots of fun. I want to get Ryan's sisters kids together for some pictures too.
Here is his last school photo for a while, he took it about a month ago. He's so dang handsome. He didn't feel much like smiling though that morning. But we have some others that turned out pretty good.
Okay. My ears hurt, my eyes are tired and we have to wake up SUPER early... blah... I need a sleep in day.

(Ben's first pair of Chucks... AWESOME!)
Well, our camping trip got rained out. Which was a bummer because every time we plan one it gets canceled due to the weather. Stupid weather. And the thing is that it was PERFECT Friday and Sunday... but of course Saturday had to suck. Stupid Saturday. It was kind of nice though to curl up on Ashley and Jacob's couches with a blanket and watch movies with Ash while Ben napped and Ryan and Jacob cut up the tree that fell in their backyard...in the rain! He, he... Then we partook of the world's best nachos that evening (during which Mr. B had a ginormous blow out and I had to change it in the POURING rain in the back of the car) and then watched the Relief Society Broadcast. It was crazy because my old landlord Martha gave the opening prayer and I was like "hey, wait a minute... I think I know her! No really! I do!" She's a good lady.
Another Ben landmark... he's telling me when he's gone potty. I mean, he's 19 months! That's great! My goal was to have him out of diapers for when we decided to start to have another kid (not yet though...) and hopefully it'll be true! He even knows the difference between #1 and #2 and will most of the time tell me BEFORE he goes even! He's learned SO many words lately and I think that nasty second molar has finally stopped making him miserable. But he's still got 4 more I-teeth left. Hopefully those will come fast though. He really is the light of our lives. He is so smart and funny and really is such a good little boy. We are two VERY blessed parents. He's doing really good with transitioning to his new classroom, although morning drop-offs are a little harder for him. But he's sleeping and spending most of the day binky free which is terrific. Now we just need to do that at home too. The problem is he knows which drawer of his dresser I keep them in and will walk up to it and try and reach for it while saying "Na-na! Na-na!" He's saying juice, knows the sign for eat, seat-seat (for sit), up, open, book, outside, frisbee (Ryan's been trying to teach him that one FOREVER and he's so excited he can finally say it!), yummy (mummy), amen (maymen), shoes, socks, he says She-she for Sesame Street on the iPod, apple, and there's a few more I can't remember right now. He's FINALLY saying Mommy or Mama! And it's really cute because sometimes he'll call Ryan Mama too! He loves to read "Goodnight Moon" before bed and when I ask where the telephone and red balloon are he can point to them with out my help. And we always count the 3 bears sitting in chairs, he'll attempt to say "1, 2, 3". Pretty darn cute. He's learned to fold his arms for prayers... for like a second, but it's cute! He's not really my little baby anymore! It's trippy... but SO fun to see him growing and learning and every day his little personality comes out more and more. I love my Benny!
Tonight Ben & Daddy had some man time and shared a chocolate chip cookie... and it was adorable.
Well, my clean good-smelling sheets are awaiting my arrival...so I'd better go to bed.

My boss sent this picture of the amusement park Six Flags here in Atlanta out today. Supposedly after all this, they want to have the park cleaned up and ready to open by THIS Saturday morning. One of my coworkers responded to the email and said "oh is this the 'Log Ride' now?" Ha, ha, ha... Get it? That was a good laugh.

the rains came down, and the floods came up...

Just in case you're wondering or are worried, we're okay. Today is the first day in a week we have had a break from the rainy weather, so far. Thank goodness! I have missed the sunshine oh so much.
Different parts of town have been drastically affected by flooding and where we live luckily has not. I have 2 coworkers that live in some of the counties that are the worst, but luckily are both okay and their homes are fine. Some flooding but they're okay. If you have NO idea what I'm talking about and haven't seen Atlanta and flooding all over the news- go here. We live close to the Chattahoochee River and have to drive over it and yesterday on the way home noticed it was WAY full. There is a road that we often take to go to the Terry's house that goes under that same bridge, so Ben and I went to scope it out. The park there is under water, I took some pictures and it's crazy! Here it is as of Saturday:

And what it was like yesterday:

And here it is today (thankfully it went down a bit, but still covering the dock):

It's crazy! Ryan said he's NEVER seen it that full in his entire life of living here in this area. We're expected to see more rain in the next couple of days, but they said the worst of it is over. However, that doesn't mean the flooding and damage wont stop. It's crazy how just about 20 mins away from where we live they are seeing such horrible conditions and we are perfectly fine... and obviously blessed. Ryan took this picture today while scoping things out around his work.

Looks like it's possible our camping trip this weekend is going to be postponed... BOO! Seriously it seems like EVERY time we try to go camping it rains. Maybe next weekend....
Happy (official) First Day of FALL! I was inspired to put up my Fall decorations already this past weekend- check, the leaves are starting to change-check, the acorns are falling on our roof and startling us a little-check, cooler weather on the way? Not sure... but in a couple weeks it'll be time for pumpkin patches, apple festivals and corn mazes and lots of other fun activities! YAY!

Movin' Up in the World!

Ben had his 18 month check up Friday. He's as good as can be expected. He's made it to the 15-20th percentile!!!! He grew 2 inches since his last appointment. She told me I'm doing everything I could be with his biting "issue". She said he's saying plenty of words and is impressed he can feed himself baby food vegetables! he, he....Here he is with Dr. Greenwald. She's been his doc since day 1 and we really like her a lot!
Because of the biting in daycare, they decided maybe a change of scenery was needed. So they have been "transitioning" him to the toddler room and so far he's done excellent. He's not bitten anyone and has a good time. Today he drank out of a cup...not a sippy cup, but a little dixie cup! I wish I could've seen it! I mean, I saw the juice on his shirt when I picked him up- but the teachers said he did a really good job. He didn't need his pacifier all day either, even napped with out it. I am so proud of him and I guess this is what he needed! The last few nights he's been a little grumpy, okay A LOT grumpy... but tonight he was a good boy and had fun in the bath and even pointed to who Jesus was in his bedroom. He's saying "amen" or his version of it anyway, after prayers now.
Today I got to reading some info on parenting... it's a website for a certain type of parenting and I don't completely agree with it all, but I don't disagree with a lot of it either. I use a lot of the "techniques" if you will already. One thing it said though made me feel horrible... it said that mothers really should be at home and that it's better for the kids. That childcare centers can be stressful on the children and all these other things. That if you are planning to take them to childcare it's best to just do it for a few hours a day, but not all day long. Well... how about that. My son goes 9 hours a day. 9 hours of my day I don't get to be with him. Boy... way to make me feel even more guilty than I thought I could! I wanted to shout at the computer and say "look lady, if I could- I WOULD!" but didn't think that to be entirely appropriate to do... at work. I just hope and pray that some day I can be with my dude and future siblings... if not I hope they KNOW that their mommy really, really, really, really, REALLY (x's a million) wanted to be at home with them. I know it's so much better for me to be with him. Look, I'm not naive- I know a lot of stay at home mom's sometimes wish they had that outside time to themselves. And I know it's not all peaches n' cream staying at home ALL DAY with children. I wont lie, I'm sure it is a lot easier in a way dropping your kid off for someone else to watch all day long. BUT mentally it's not. I want to be with him; through thick and thin, stressful and bad days, good and wonderful days... everything. I want to teach him more about Heavenly Father and Jesus than I know he gets. I'm grateful though that he can go to Nursery at church and learn more there too. Anyway... after a year and a half of this going to work and leaving my little boy at daycare it's still not any easier. That's my soap dish...and here is my cute boy in his new class.
It's raining today and it's been quite dark and gloomy the last few days. It's really starting to feel like Fall though, for the exception of the warm weather. We're planning a camping trip for the last weekend in the month. I AM SO EXCITED! Then can you believe it? October is just around the corner. Blows my mind.
I mentioned before they are renovating the temple. We drive by it every day so we always look to see what kind of progress they've made. It took a while to see anything happening, but then we started noticing dumpsters, and then trucks, and cranes and then Monday we saw this. It's a little strange to see the temple with backhoes and tractors on it's front lawn. We'll see what happens! Ryan suspects maybe they'll put a drop off drive way sort of thing, maybe!
We also got some good news this week at work, the 3% pay deduction they took from us is coming back! Phew! It will be a relief to have that back. Things have been super tight!