The day of Peace...well maybe

So today is Christmas...the day of Peace and GOODwill right?

Not with two boys...the day started with them opening their presents peacefully and joyfully but quickly turned into fight after fight over the same toy...they got fifty toys for Christmas and want to fight over one...next year...SAVINGS BONDS...I TELL YA>>>EVERYBODY>>>SAVINGS BONDS!

Ben found BABY JESUS...Year one of the Find Baby Jesus tradition!

Haven't posted in a while...Christmas is here

So it's Christmas Eve's Eve and I have decided that despite my grumpiness about being behind this year I am TOTALLY ready for Christmas...everything is done and I can now relax...here's what you missed by my laziness of not posting for all of you huge blogger fans that have not even registered as a follower...lol...anyway on to the posting...

The boys, Shawn and I got snowed in at mom's last weekend and it was a blast...the boys went sled riding but because of the little bambino and it's complications I was concerned I may fall in the snow so I only have this one picture to share with you...Jacob loved going down the hill with pappy. We ate lots of ham and the boys got remote control cars and absolutely loved them...it's so cute how they play together now...running there trucks into each other...Jacob screams go go go...followed by the very clear word "crash".

Cat Cat got both of the boys Aquadoodles...which they love...what a fantastic toy. Loads of fun with no mess...a Mom's BEST FRIEND! Ben especially loves that he is tall enough to reach the sink and insists on helping his brother fill his pen too...Jake mostly just likes to gnaw on the end of the tube...what a kid...everything goes to his mouth including any Christmas gift he can get a hold of...he just wants to chew on it. What happened to he'll grow out of it...all I can imagine is Jacob as a 21 year old chewing on his college bunkbed or textbooks...ugh!

Today we spent the whole day at home as a family...and all of my boys sat on the couch playing video games...Jacob screamed go go go the whole time...Lord please give me a girl to paint my nails with while this male bonding is occuring...geez!

And tonight mommy and daddy went to a friends house for games and Danielle the most FAB babysitter in all the world came to our home and created the most adorable ginger bread house with Ben...check it out! We love you Danielle.

Funny kids = entertained mommy

So today began with a flat tire on the way to an ultrasound and a negative checking account balance so I was sure my day was going to stink worse than linberger cheese...then...Ben woke up.

He started the day by telling me that Jacob was "destroying his creation" because he was taking balls off the Christmas tree and he so politely reminded my friend Catherine that "this is not even your house" while she was visiting and asked him if he'd like to remove his coat and stay awhile...

Oh that kid he cracks me up...

Then my day got even better the checking account went into the positive and Ben and I made Christmas presents...I can't post pictures some of you will be the lucky recipients.

Jacob decided to go potty today on his own...seriously...on his own tried to go potty...this could be a sign of good things. Here are some pics of the boys play time.

More Benisms

Mommy can we just have Baby Molly (our friends baby) in case the baby in your belly is not a girl.

I must find my Shaggy(scooby doo doll)...he needs a haircut.

While watching Pinocchio...mommy what's a jack***...yup the old version on VHS actually says it!

To Ho Ho what we call his brother "you mean his name...his name is Jacob"

So adorable

Ok so this is the deal...I have the most amazing best friend...thank you Bridget for taking these pics...here are some sneak peaks of our Christmas PICS!

No worry weekend

I had such a wonderful weekend so far filled with family and shopping and help with my kids...I really cannot think of how it would be better. I went up to Altoona and stayed with my Aunt Brenda who I have always had such a special connection with. She is so sweet and her home always feels like home away from home. I am so blessed to have her in my life.
Friday I hit up the late night Toys R Us deals and although I didn't find much I still had a blast with Holly and Tif while my kids slept cuddling up to Aunt Bren. I started thinking about something...how amazing it was to be a kid in my family. All of us cousins played together and were really each others best friends on my mom's side. On my dad's side my cousin Kelli and I have always been close and to this day treasure our time together. I pray that my kids are close to their cousins...it's sooooooooooo important.
Ben told me tonight that I need to stop telling stories about what he says and that if I told stories he was not going to talk to me so...I really have to cut that out...now I will just tell stories on my blog where he cannot hear me...lol...so if you want to know all of Ben's cute sayings just read my blog.

In love with these little braves

I cannot even begin to describe how awesome it has been to stay home with these stinkers every day. They just fill my life with so much joy. Yesterday we put our colds and coughs to the side and made some indian hats...the boys just loved them.

What makes me so proud is to here Ben say "I'll do one for Jacob" He's so helpful and so polite...for us me staying home has made a huge impact on our family. Granted Jacob is much more clingy than Ben ever was but we know they are safe and I feel like I am not "missing out" on some of their most important years...I just love these guys. My prayer today is for the mom's who cannot stay home with their sweeties...I know what that feels like and have been there...to them I say this...let the house go and just focus on those little faces...they grow up so quick. I'm so looking forward to Baby #3. The doc says if I make it past Week 12 I should be smooth sailing even with the hemorrage and I'm believing God will provide...well I'm gonna lay down with the boys another fringe benefit of my job...PEACE AND LOVE to you today and THANK YOU VETERANS

SICK

Today I am feeling so sick...what's crazy about this is that I think my kids have had the same thing and they are just running around like nothing is wrong with them...they'll cough up a lung while jumping off the couch...But I was dying today so much that Shawn stayed home from work to let me sleep it off. Poor Shawn...he said the kids "about killed him today". At lunch he woke me up and said I don't think Ben has shut up the whole day...lol...I just laughed. Jacob sang the Elmo Song today in his own little voice...so cute...all he can say in yayayayayayayyayaa Elmo wooooo. Went to the doc today and they said I have double ear infections, sinus infection and bronchitus...I feel like I've been hit by a bus...ugh! I'll try to write and post pics tomorrow...my sis and mom are coming up tomorrow to help me...thank goodness!

Nerves

Oh my...well November has brought an aweful lot of nerves my way. I found out I'm pregnant with Baby #3 and I feel great but I'm already having some complications...it's just one of those things that I'm trusting in God for...a healthy baby!

The swine flu is on the rampage and I am concerned. Today I found out that one of the students that was sitting with us at lunch today tested positive for it and I'm just so concerned for my kids. I feel like I've thrown them into a germ nest and said have a great time! Living on this campus has it's definetely flaws. We all have coughs, runny noses and low grade fevers...yuck!

On a good note we made cookies and I painted a wall...so excited about that. In all of my life I have never remembered living somewhere that I could paint the walls any color I please so I'm super excited...here's some pics let me know what you think:

More Benisms

He told the cafeteria worker on Saturday "This is very disappointing
"this is not how it's supposed to be"
we said Ben what are you talking about and he said
There's no stinkin nuggets

He asked his Sunday School teacher for the felt peices she uses to tell the bible stories...he came home and used the back of our couch to teach us...because he needed to tell me "how to be nice"

Mom I better sleep with you...ya know just in case...I said just in case of what...ya know ya get scared he said...daddy said when he's gone I'm da daddy

To my friend Cathryn Clark as she's walking in the door
"you can have a cookie if you want to" "If you don't that's just fine Catherine" "I mean whatever you want to do is fine"

To Dr. Nuber while she was checking out Jacob:
"I still has doctor tools" "ya know if ya need me I'm here"
Then he said...as we were leaving the doctors..."did you get that" "it's serious"
I was like what is Ben just go...he said
That paper
It's got is "scipture on it"
"it's serious mom"

Mom I don't have to take my costume off to pee...just pull up the pant leg and pee through the hole.

At the bank...what's that lady doin...a guy dressed up like a lady...and they were calling him Scott...very much to my embarrassment he said...that guy is silly...he thinks it's still Halloween mommy

To Jacob...Jake you can't do this...it's only for big boys...see how I do this...this is how you pee...one day Jake...I teach you...but now just pee in your diaper like a big fat baby

Mall trick or treating

Tonight was Trick or Treating at the mall...so exciting...here are some pics from our adventure...

Baby #3 and Pumpkin Fun

Last week we found out we were having Baby Twig #3. A total shocker but we are all very excited.
Today me and the kids carved our pumpkins and it was a blast...I can't believe how big Ben is getting he is so independent...he says I'll do it mommy I'm a big boy and my goodness he did almost the whole thing by himself...Life as a stay at home mom is AWESOME!

We had so much fun...Ben said Jake's too little...so he carved Jake's for him...then we ate seeds and a Pumpkin special on tv...I love my bugs!

Jacob

Jacob started walk about three weeks ago and is now RUNNING...FAST...What a funny kid. Today he said McDonald's so now it's mommy, daddy, bubba, Ball, Duck, Dog and McDonald's...lol...he hates shoes and despises any restrictive clothing including jackets, pants, hats, socks so this winter is going to be fun.
Ben is sure he is smarter than anyone he knows and told me today that I should "be careful crossing the street mommy, you didn't even look"
FUNNY KIDS FUNNY KIDS
Shawn is working crazy hours and I feel like I have gone to bed alone for weeks...that sucks and I've got to make a change somewhere with that...what's the use of being married if you always go to bed alone...love him though and how hard he works for all of us.
Rachel pulled through her surgery and wow...that was a great miracle because she has just done so well.
I'm trying to figure out paint colors for the apartment...anyone have any suggestions?

Adjustment

So let me just start by saying God is so good and has provided for our family so much. We recieved a blessing directly from him last week and it will really change our situation from nervousness to we can make it.
Ben and Jake are doing great and really beocoming good friends...well that is when they are not wrestling, scratching or biting each other...lol...funny funny. No one told me how rough boys are even when you teach them not to be. I kind of thought raising a boy meant that if you similar to a dog...don't rough them up...they'll be kind...well not as easy as it looks...it's like they have this natural desire to rough each other up...they laugh and giggle when they shove each other over or step on each other's feet...I just don't know sometimes.
Ben has adjusted to the students being back with great success. He spent hours today with them during wet n wild day on the quad and is so hilarious with the ladies...Jake on the other hand...well let's just say he's a mommy's boy...by the end of the summer I'm sure he'll be flirting and playing with the girl's but for now he goes eh and pushes them away...well that's enough for now...ttyl.

Sorry my butts not here right now

Oh my...this adventure is so funny...motherhood that is...Ben told me today as I was freaking out at him and threatened to give him a spanking..."Sorry my butts not here right now"!

Oh my...he's a trip and a half. Jacob took 5 steps today...5...and he learned a new word "cup". He's so adorable...rotten but adorable...totally destroyed a bridesmaid bouquet today...it's like having a bulldog sometimes, slobber, destruction, laziness and farting...lol. It's funny how ONE OREO can turn into such a mess!!

Ben decided to sing a song to us...he instructed us to clap for him...when and how loud and then complimented us when we met his standards...he then said "if you want to sing you can sing, ok...but for now listen to me"

Ben decided today that he was going to jack a box from the cafeteria ladies upstairs and use it as his Spiderman house...The boys were entertained for hours playing inside the box and coloring the floor and ceiling...oh to be a kid again

My funny Benjamin

So I know it has been a long time since I posted on this blog and you all have missed out horribly let me tell ya so I decided to not play catch up and just start from here. I couldn't do that though without sharing with you some Ben quotes since the last time I shared:
"Mommy have you seen my peepee lately it's getting really really big"
"You can ride with me, I'll protect you because my real names Spiderman"
"Mommy that wasn't very nice...are you going to ask me forgiveness"
"Mommy you are ummm what's the word...ridinkless"
"Jacob that's gross toilets not for splashing"
"Mommy see those holes on Jesus' hands that's where his super powers come from...his super powers to take us to heaven...you didn't know that"
(to the kennywood employee who would not let him on the roller coaster) "but I's a big boy"
(to the delgrosso employee who wouldn't let him on the pirate ship) "This park sucks"
"Ms. Lifeguard lady...do you allow dogs in this pool"
"Mommy my wife says I can't go"
and last but not least
"one day I'm going to fly a plane far away and mommy you can't come because you are too heavy"

First CRUSH

Ok, so Ben has his first crush and he is crushing hard on a 19 year old named Brittany! He just sits and stares at her and draws her pictures constantly...oh my goodness...he's got it bad...those of you who have boys...isn't it funny how they are born MEN...they already stink, stare at women, touch boobs, grab their crotch...of course all of this while mommy is saying honey please don't do that fully knowing that in 20 years they will still be doing the same thing...hahhaa...just cracks me up!

the endless day

Have you ever had a day that you felt would NEVER end...it just seems my day has been so LONG. My oldest son Ben, I love him dearly and he's really "my little genius" but today he has just been so rough. It's as if he has so much to say and so much he wants to do that I can't keep up with him so he just tantrums...he wants to be engaged ALL DAY LONG!
I have really thought hard about this and I really feel God is telling me Renee...love him, hug him, challenge him...seems simple right?
Those of you who know my little "bambino" can understand how difficult that can be...to challenge him...he spends most of the day challenging me.
The day began by Ben asking me to move Jacob's bed in his room...I said no...went back to the room and he was moving the crib HIMSELF. So, needless to say he is now sharing his room with Jake...I'll let everyone know how that goes.
I am so proud to be a mom...of two healthy awesome boys...it's worth it!

Salyards Grad Party

My cousins Tyler and Kelsie (I know they're adorable)

Me and my sis Rachel...

My brother David and Jacob...I know girls he's cute...and available...don't tell him I said that!

Daddy teaching Ben to swim

My dad and Jacob

My mom's side of the family is HUGE and we have such a blast together. I am the oldest of 12 grandchildren and two of us have children of our own. Ya know what amazes me the most of all...most of us have found our way back to God if we have went astray...we have kept the faith and it's a blast to get together and have some GOOD CLEAN FUN! Leslie and Tyler graduated this year and it made me kinda sad...I wiped their butts for goodness sakes...lol...congrats guys! Ben learned to swim by himself with swimmies and there was no holding him back...all he wanted to do was jump off the side of the pool the whole day out and in out and in...where do they get their energy...I was tired just watching him. I also discovered that I have unfortunately not only gained a lot of weight but have really slowed down...I played Marco/Polo and I kept getting caught...geez...it's like I must have made a tidal wave every time I moved...lol...I used to be an expert at that game...I just couldn't get my feet to move fast enough and don't even talk about remaining under water for the 10 seconds to let people move away from you...my boyancy is definetely not what it used to be...I'm sure my top half has something to do with it!! HAHA and my favorite part of the day was when my cousins little girl who only has girls in her family was in the bathroom while I was changing Ben she very confidently walked up to him pointed right at his penis and said "where did her get that from" OH MY GOODNESS...it was hilarious! Have a good day y'all!

Paper mache

Me and Ben had so much fun today making Paper Mache stuff...Shwan took the camera so I can't show you pictures but it was a blast...we used the recipe of 1 part flour to 5 parts water and boil for 3 minutes and let cool...it was so much fun and Ben loved the getting dirty part...
Ben is so hilarious I told him he couldn't force a teething ring into his screaming brother's mouth so he calmly put out his bottom lip and marched off to his bedroom...
He returned with his guitar and microphone stand and began to sing "You are never nice to your brother, that makes me so mad...oh yeah...you are a mean mommy...Ben was helping...you are never nice...oh yeah...your brother is too little...oh yeah..."
I BUSTED OUT LAUGHING! I do not tell him you are never nice to your brother I always say be nice be nice...be nice to your brother...lol...it's so funny how they choose to express themselves.
Then when I laughed he just did that ornry side grin Ben sometimes gets...lol...oh my goodness...hilarious!
Jacob is cutting his two front teeth and he is miserable...it was good to have some laughs!

PEN is my ENEMY

So today Ben took a pen while I was putting laundry away and drew all over my couch...FUN FUN FUN!
I looked online after trying Dreft stain lifter, laundry detergent, dish detergent, stain stick, soap and saw that they suggested hairspray...I LOVE HAIRSPRAY>>>IT IS MY FRIEND....
Make friends with your local hairspray today...lol...it took it all out....wheww....

Angel Food

Check this out: http://www.angelfoodministries.com/about/
This is a huge help to families everywhere...maybe it can help yours...this is not dented cans...expired food this is just good food sold at wholesale so it's much cheaper than what you would by at a grocery store...there are no income limits...this past weekend I saw first hand how awesome the food is that comes from here...not even generic stuff just good food for only 30 dollars...check it out

Carrier

So a friend of mine let me borrow her mei tai sling...totally awesome! Then I found an awesome christian gal who makes them locally check out her site:

http://www.angelwingsbabythings.webs.com/

Today was so busy...I'm so tired...whoo...anyway...good news is JACOB IS BETTER!

Praise GOD!

Also, my test came back great! Praise God again!

I was totally loving the weather earlier and I'm really hoping the warmness returns.

I forgot to post that Ben went to DC with daddy...had a blast...here are some pics:

The me I had lost.

I went to get a spa treatment as she calls it by a friend of mine from church today...I knew I had to do something with 30 coming up. I realized something...my jokes about me not being a "makeup person" was really me just saying...listen the only way you can cover up this face and make it look nice is by replacing it or covering it with a paper bag...hahahaha! Tonight I changed my mind...makeup really did make me feel younger, nicer, more complete...I think it makes me take time to say ok renee you are worth looking your best. Am I totally sold on the not go anywhere without makeup idea...oh no no no...but do I totally love how much I can see my eyes and the lips I thought went away in 1998...YES...THANK YOU CHRIS!

Jacob

Yesterday Jacob started pulling himself up on things...just suddenly...it's so adorable but I see many head bumps in his future...lol.

Finally got my pics loaded from Easter...don't they look cute all dressed up...please ignore my messy house...Holidays always make it BLOW UP!

Living Here

So, we keep getting asked...what's it like raising kids on a college campus. We usually respond that we love living here and that it allows our children to meet a diverse range of people.
Today, I'm thinking...umm...been there done that ready to move on...lol.
Did you ever have a day like that? Where it just seems like you are sick of your current situation and are needing a change. There are days when a little house on a hill with a driveway and a mailbox that matches my house looks so appealing. Today is that day...these students are so loud that I have tried to take a nap and I just can't get myself to close my eyes between the basketballs and weights and jumpropes upstairs...stinkin active skinny college kids using the gym...haha...why can't they be more like me in college...lay around and eat!
Anyway, God reminded me today as I was trying to sleep that I am in a mission field...very much like living in Africa and witnessing to people who are surrounded by warfare....this is a mission field...tons of people many who would just like a hug...or to be loved...or to not worry about whether they have a home to go home to...so that is the way I'm going to get through today...I'm gonna love these noisy crazy college students.

The downside of candy

Ok, so I grew up loving Easter. I mean what's not to love...Christ ROSE from the dead, we get a new dress and lots of chocolate...it's awesome...not to mention the full course meal and lots of laying around. Well, now I'm a mom this is how I see it...

I am still rejoicing that I am redeemed because of his blood...thank you Jesus!

HOWEVER, I am now the one shopping for these stinkin Easter clothes and when you have boys there is sometimes such a limited selection that you are stuck pinning your 7mo. old's clothes to him to make them fit...I mean c'mon how comes the girls section is the size of Texas and the boys are stuck with Connecticut...it's ridiculous.

Then, the candy...the candy is a whole other story. The "easter bunny" brings candy followed by friends bringing candy and the sunday school teacher bringing candy, grandparents...UGH! What's up with all this candy. I mean seriously when I was a kid we got one chocolate bunny and a handful of jelly beans in the grass of our basket. Now my kids get Filled Easter Eggs, Reese Cup Eggs, M & M's full bags...wow! They are truly blessed...not to mention the DVD's, pencils, frisbee's, toys, I mean wow!

So, now comes the problem here I am mom knowing that my kids teeth are going to turn green and fall out so in order to help it along what do I do FiLL MY OWN BELLY FULL...hahahaha...so here I am at 9:30 at night hopped up on Easter Candy I secretly stole from my kids basket....lol.

Ugh

It's so awesome to have family and friends who love you! I have been blessed with some awesome friends and amazing family...thank you guys so much.
Today was so fun...me and the kids had our first playdate at the Judy Center in Frostburg and it was great...when we left I said "Ben did you have a good time" HE said "no" I said do you want to come back next week he said "absolutely"! That kid...where did he learn "absolutely"...lol.
Anyway, Jacob scratched his nose with his finger nails and it looks as if he's been attacked by a cougar.

Ben is now 3

So today Ben went from Toddler to Preschooler and let me tell you it was so rough for me. I had a rough morning realizing that Ben was not a baby anymore and I was going to be 30!

We got our family pics done today...

Jacob is my little smiler...he smiles at everything...comes to picture day...this is the face he gives...

Oh well...he is learning to crawl and it's so funny because he kind of fakes it...he crawls with his knees but just slithers with his front arms...

After pics the family went to Deep Creek Lake for Ben's birthday...at Smiley's Ben won 200 tickets playing deal or no deal...hahaha...there were little three and four year olds crowding around him yelling no deal no deal...I mean seriously...preschoolers are taking over our world how in the world do they know what Deal or No Deal is?

Smiley's was followed up by a peaceful mommy and daddy moment parked by the lake while the kids slept...and then onto MONSTERS vs. ALIENS at Garrett Cinemas!

It was so awesome...they did not charge for Ben so it was only 10 dollars to get in and the theatres were so clean. After sitting for 1 1/2 hours staring at the screen Ben jumped up during the credits and yelled..."that was the bestest movie ever".

Sickness

This sickness is getting rodonculous (shout out to BOLT)!

So, I'm here beside Shawn who is coughing up a lung...wrestling Ben to take cough medicine and wishing Jakey Poo would just stay asleep...aaaaaaaaahhhhhh!

I guess I wouldn't trade it for the world though. We colored eggs tonight...it was a lot of fun!