No Time

So I have been majorly slacking in blogging. I really do keep up reading everyone elses blog bu...t just do not feel as if I have had time to put together a good post. Well, here goes nothing and I am not saying this is a great one, lol. Things have been very busy with school and student teaching and it seems there is never enough time to get things done or even work ahead. However, I do NOT want to spend my whole post about school because I already think about that enough. We have been staying busy as a family and just been hanging out since it has been so darn cold. We have visited family, went to Chuckie Cheese, and just snuggled in at home. Payton has really begun talking lately and it is so nice to be able to actually have a conversation with him. He loves watching for mem-i trucks (semi trucks) and lellow buses (yellow buses). He has recently really began to like Toy Story and Curious George....not sure where either of these came from. Parker knows where is nose is and is starting to say a few words here or there. I tend to think he will speak pretty early with how he has been acting. Parker's favorite thing is still his blankie and thumb. But, thats pretty cute. :)
We have stayed pretty healthy compared to last year, all four of us had Pneumonia about a month ago but finally are feeling normal again. Exciting news...after I graduate Friday May 6th, we are going on a vacation! Jeremy, myself and the boys, my parents, my sister and her family are all going to our timeshare in Orlando for a week! Ahhh....I CAN'T WAIT. Although flying with two toddlers should be interesting. Well, I hope to get some recent pictures posted soon. Stay warm!

Happy Holidays!

Well, I know I have become very bad at posting regularly, but we seem to be so busy! We had a very nice Christmas this year and very action packed! Thursday mommy and the boys headed to Waterloo to beat the storm and spend time with gma and gpa and then my sister and her kids came up early too. The daddys met us up there the next day. It was so fun to spend so much time with my family! We stayed in Waterloo until Saturday afternoon and had such a great time. The boys were soooo tired! Christmas Eve we went to the church service and oh my goodness, my boys were so loud and did not do very well, but I guess everyone deals with that and kids with church at some point, lol. But, it was a reminder of why the boys don't go to church with mommy, however, I hope to change that soon and teach them how to behave. Then after church we opened presents with my family and it took forever. They got so much more than I can imagine and more than they need. Parker was so tired from all the excitement, he ended up crashing before opening all his gifts. Then Saturday morning we saw what Santa brought the boys and had dinner which was so great! I then proceeded to try and school my neices in their Wii Dance game.....haha....ya I sure lost my groove. Saturday evening we then visited Jeremy's mom and aunt and just hung around until we all crashed, which was early. Then, Sunday we Jeremy's dad's family Christmas and Santa (great grandpa) made an appearance which was classic!!! Payton couldn't hold in the squeals and was just jumping up and down screaming MOMMY ANTA!!! (SANTA). Then Santa gave Payton (and all the other little ones) a present and he was just glowing. Parker....not so enthused, lol. But, whats new? All of the little ones (there are six little cousins in this side of the family:one 5yr old, four 2yr olds, and a 1yr old) and Payton and his older cousin who is 5 were really the only ones to just be so excited to see Santa. It was so much fun though. We have so much to be thankful for this Holiday Season and I can't believe how blessed I am. Also, we have been really talking to the boys about how Jesus is the reason for the season and I really hope they grasp that in the years to come even though Santa is alot of fun.

In other news, Payton has really been talking better and is finally saying a few full sentences, it is sooo cute. I love it when he says I not know mommy, lol. Parker is even starting to talk, he says: anta (santa), mama, dada, uh-oh, hannah, nigh nigh (night night), and I am sure even more. He is picking up things so fast. The latest thing though in our house is the battle of the boys. They each think everything is theirs and will do everything in their physical power to get what they want from each other. I see many ER visits ahead in our future, lol! I am finally on break from school and I got an A in my class this semester and only have one more class until graduation in May!!!!!! Well, I will leave you with some pictures and hope to update more often as I am not in school right now. Hope everyone had a very nice Christmas! -Amy

Happy Thanksgiving!!

So I know this is a day early, but I have to work for twelve hours tommorrow. This year, I am thankful for:

-My Two Beautiful Boys, Payton and Parker

-A Loving Husband

-A Supportive Family

-Good Health All Around Us

-A Secure Job That I Really Enjoy

-A Roof Over Our Head (with much less stress than our last one)

-The Fact I Am Able to Work Part-Time And Go To Grad School

-My Two Sweet Puppies....Lily and Champ

-Knowing That We Are Financially Pretty Stable In Such A Rough Economy (although we always seem think we need more money, lol)

-Our Friends Who Keep Us Sane



........I know I could keep on going on and on but I need to get ready for the long day ahead tommorrow! What are you thankful for?

Happy Birthday Parker

So I am way late on this post but we have been so busy! I feel bad but none the less, here it is! As of November 15th, Parker is 1 year old! Oh my goodness! We have a one year old and a two year old.....CRAZY! I never pictured of things happening this way but am so thankful it did. Parker is such a great addition to our family. Tommorrow we go for the yearly check up so I will update with the boys stats then. But, Parker is pretty much done with the bottle and only takes one at bedtime right now, so not too bad. He is a walking machine, and is even starting to almost run. He loves to follow his brother around and laugh and laugh and laugh. You are also a great sleeper, which is just awesome! He is a snuggly boy and nothing is better then mommy or daddy, a blankie, and the thumb in the mouth. I love how you still like to snuggle and give loves and you have even started to give kisses! Your big blue eyes are mesmerizing and we can't help but love you to pieces!

Parker, you have changed our lives forever and for the best. You are your own little person and we wouldn't change anything about you! Love you always! -Mommy and Daddy

Dear Payton

Dear Payton,

Happy Birthday (sorry a day late), I can't believe you are two! Two years ago daddy and I were so excited to see you come into this world and it has been such a fun ride ever since! So much has happened for you in the last two years. We have moved, you've been in the hospital twice (scared mommy and daddy to death), you learned how to walk and talk (still working on that) and even begun pottying on your own potty, as well as many other things! You are so full of energy and are generally a very happy boy. You love following daddy around and helping him do things and then snuggling up with mommy when you are tired or just want some lovin. Your favorite things are choo-choo's and trucks and you can spot them from miles away. You love to read with mommy and daddy and look at books on your own. You are a very good big brother to Parker and even when it seems like you are annoyed with him you are always looking out for him and helping him out. Its crazy, I can't even remember what it was like before you were born. Well, I guess it was a little quieter....but sure not as fun. Happy 2nd Birthday and we love you so much and will forever.

Love, Mommy (and Daddy)

23 months and 11 months!

Update!

Payton: 23 months

• Likes to try and dress/undress himself, and don't ask if he wants help or else!
• Starting to talk more and become a bit clearer.
• Loves playing catch, and he has such an arm on him!
• Wears size 5 diapers, has miminal interest in the potty, but thats what we will work on next
• LOVES books and trains (choo-choos).
• Does not like people in costumes...yeah...Halloween should be interesting.
• Wears size 8 toddler shoes.

Parker: 11 months

• Has taken a few steps, stands on his own, but still thinks crawling is faster and/or easier
• Wears size 4 diapers (otherwise we have leaks)
• Says mama, nono, uh oh, and waves bye
• Doing pretty darn good at using a cup instead of a bottle
• Loves his blankie and thumb (like always)
• Is definitly a mama's boy, mommy can't leave the room without you going nuts!

Grad School

So, I feel the need to vent about Grad School. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE it, but the workload is so getting to me right now. Not only do I have a minimum of 30 page paper due (a proposal for my grad project), I have to teach three more classes of student teaching in which I develop ALL of the content, have a paper in my online class due and a major project, all before December 3rd! Aghh, on top of all that I have our two boys birthdays Nov 10 and Nov 15th and we are moving into our house this week and I have MAJOR unpacking and organzing to do. And everyone knows that I need and thrive on order so I will be working on getting all that done right away because I am not built to live in chaos. Oh, yeah....and I work three days a week too! Ughh....I just keep telling myself take it one week at at time and that I should graduate in MAY!!!! Three years of working on my Masters and I will be finally done....done..done....DONE. Well, that was my venting! Sorry!