Joyful Noise!: September 2004

Here is my dad with Tres and Bryant at the hospital the day after Bryant was born. Both of my boys love their Grandaddy! In fact, at first, Tres didn't want to share him!

Hank had an MRI done on his knee late yesterday afternoon, and the films show a tear in his ACL. It looks like surgery for him! That changes the dynamics in our household a lot these days. Hankie can't play with the boys a lot, and he can't help me out with the housework. I never realized just how much he does around the house! I knew I had a good one, but now that I'm trying to stay on top of it all by myself, I can see I've been neglegent in my praise of my wonderful husband! God truly blessed me with him! (Thank you baby! I love you!)

Baby, I KNEE-d you

Hank and I spent a romantic evening last night at the emergency room. We were at a church softball game and Hank was about to throw the ball from left field to home for an out. When he reared back to throw the ball, he planted his right leg, then collapsed. His knee gave way under him. Here I was on the sidelines trying to hide a giggle, because I thought he had just tripped and he was in serious pain! Well, we didn't learn much at the ER, other than he didn't have any broken bones, so we are headed to an orthopedic doctor this afternoon. Hank says he is pretty sure he tore something because he and one of his teammates heard a tearing noise... and no one turned up with split pants. Ha! Anyway, both kids went to mom's house. I know it sounds funny, but we really did spend some good time together at the ER. We talked about anything and everything to keep his mind off of his knee. We held hands and talked like we were dating again. I loved it. When we got home, he actually let me take care of him (which he doesn't like to do, but I love to!). I actually had to threaten his life to get him to be still today while I went into work to get everything organized! He wanted to fold clothes or something and I told him to chill! I sure do love him.

This is Tres at 7 months at work!

Home v. Work- The rivalry continues!

Work is a necessary evil to just about every working mom I know. I do enjoy a certain sense of accomplishment that comes with a job well done, and contributing to our household needs and bills. But my desire is to stay at home with our children and take care of our family needs. Especially in this day and age, when children are thrust into adult situations at an unreasonably young age. I want to be able to concentrate on my children and teaching them manners, morals, ethics... and not just pray that they absorb it from church on Sundays. I want to be hands on. Now, my husband and I try very hard to do these things with the limited time we get at home as a family. But we both know it would be better if there was a concentrated effort every day.
I can't complain much about my job. I work as an office manager for my dad's plumbing business. So if I or any of my family members has a doctor's appointment or is sick, arrangements can be made fairly easily. And I get to bring my oldest son to work with me just about every day. A mixed blessing on most days. It's hard to do either job well sometimes. I feel like I have to divide my time and energy up constantly! But blessed we are! And we know it.
I especially feel out of the loop on my youngest son, sometimes. I got to bring my oldest to work with me from infanthood up to present day. Bryant (my youngest) had several problems the first 3 months of his life (collic, reflux, constant ear infections), and I could not bring him with me. So I miss a good bit of his days. He is such a loving little cutie these days and I hate to miss out on any one of his accomplishments!
I just keep on trucking on, resting in the knowledge that God knows my desires. And His timing is perfect. I keep going back to my favorite verse in Colossians 3:23... "Whatever you do, do it with your whole heart; as unto the Lord and not for man."

The Incredible Hulk never looked so cute, huh?

Live and In Person!

Today, I took the Boemer boys to a Spiderman birthday party for our youth pastor's little boy Cole. Tres was having a good time. He has a hotdog and was playing well with everyone. Then right after cake, they had one of the other dad's dress up like Spiderman and jump over the back fence. He perched in the corner until the kids all noticed him. All the kids were excited... except Tres. He started screaming "I don't like it!" and I had to go rescue him from the slide he was on, because he was paralyzed with fear and would not go down. I took him inside until all the other kids got their pictures taken with Spiderman. We have really got to work on that for our trip to Disney at the end of October.

Hank, Tres, and I at Tres's 1st Alabama football game on September 18, 2004. We were in front of Denny Chimes.

This is my mom in 2003 with Tres at the beach. This was right before we found out Bryant was on his way!

Spidey and Tres

Yesterday, my nephew Luke came to visit Tres and I at the office. Tres has been very attached to a new Spiderman toy he got for his birthday and had brought it to the office with him. When Luke saw it of course, he wanted to play with it. But Tres (who has to be one of the stingiest children I know, even though he's the cutest!) would have no part of it. He even got spanked over it! Anyway, last night, I was saying bedtime prayers with him and trying to get him to repeat after me. I said something like, "Dear God, (pause for repeat) Please help me learn how to share with others." And Tres turned to me on his pillow and said, "No momma! Spidey mine. I don't like it. Share with Luke." I had a very hard time not laughing and trying to get across that God wants us to share and be sweet. Two year olds are tough, but cute!

Starting Point

I was driving around at lunchtime yesterday, running company errands and listening to an old Avalon CD. A song came on that I remembered and liked called "First Love." I hit repeat a couple of times, singing along. Then, it felt as if God was sitting right next to me, reminding me of who should be my "First Love." He was showing me things in my life over the past 3 years that I had struggled through and asking me... "Why didn't you ask me for help here... or here... or here?" It hit me like a ton of bricks. I've been so busy with the business of every day life and the major changes that sometimes come with it, that I've been neglecting to make Him a part of each decision and situation. I remember as a teenager, having passion and fire for God. Where did it go? I made a committment to God yesterday, and shared it with my husband and family. I want to be the woman of God that He has called me to be. This is my starting point. Right here, right now, at this very moment. I want to be the example of prayer and worship to my husband and children that my parents were to me. God help me. God guide me. God teach me and then use me when You see fit.

He Works, Too

My 2-year-old Tres comes to work with me every day from about 11 am-5pm. Today, I was filing and dealing with loose ends when he kept coming into my office and saying "C'mon, momma. Let's play." Most days, I can go play for a few minutes, but today I couldn't. So I told him to go into his room (he has a nursery set-up) and play. Well, a few minutes later, he brings his Magna-Doodle into my office, pulls up a chair and plops it on my desk. Then he picked up the pen, looked at me very seriously and said, "Tres, workin' too Momma." He is so cute!

Peanut Butter Pie

There used to be a restaurant in Pelham named Lil Pups. They served hot dogs, hamburgers, pies, etc. They had one of the best peanut butter pies I had ever tasted! They closed the restaurant about 10 years ago. Well, my dad's plumbing company did some work for the former owners the other day and talked her into getting me the recipe! So I am passing it on to you! Here's what you need:
(1 pkg) 8 oz cream cheese-softened
(1 1/2 c) Peanut Butter (crunchy if you want)
(1 c) Confectioners Sugar
(1/4-1/2 c) Milk
(1) Large Kool Whip
(2) Graham Cracker Pie Shells
Mix the cream cheese, PB, sugar, and milk together with a mixer. Then fold in the whip cream. Pour into pie shells and freeze for an hour. She also said that she liked to take a bag of milk chocolate chips and melt them, pour them into the bottom of the shells first, them freeze them. Then add the PB filling and freeze again. Then just add a dollap of Kool Whip on top to serve.

Redeeming Love

I just finished reading one of the most amazing books. It's called Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. It's a novel based on the book of Hosea in the Bible. It's set in the 1800s. I couldn't hardly put it down. It's one of those books that keeps you thinking about the characters long after you've finished the last chapter! I would recommend it to anyone!

Here is Tres with one of his favorite presents... a Buzz Lightyear jacket from his grandma and grandaddy!

Here is the Incredible Hulk (Bryant) at the party!

This is Jamie, Hank, and Tres as Buzz on his 2nd birthday. We had his party at Joe Tucker Park in Helena.

The Incredible Hulk!

Tres had his 2nd birthday party this past Sunday afternoon. It was a superhero party. The kids came dressed as their favorite super-hero. They were so cute! We had a Wonderwoman, a Powder puff girl, Superman, Prince Charming, Buzz Lightyear, and a few others. But the one that stole the show, was my little Bryant! We dressed him up as the Incredible Hulk. He was SOOOO cute. He does this thing where he straightens all the way up and kind of grunts and it just fit the costume. The kids had a blast! And Tres got more gifts than any kid should get! It was a lot of fun to watch!

This is the Welborm family at Disney! Tres loves to look at this one because he is obsessed with Toy Story!

Chicken Spaghetti >$6

This is SOOOO good! Here's what you need:

1 Pkg- Great Value Spaghetti Noodles (2/$1)
1 can- Swansen's 98% Fat Free Canned Chicken (>$3)
1 sm Pkg- Great Value Processed Cheese ($1.86)
1 can- Great Value Cream of Chicken Soup ($.58)
1 can- Rotelle (.$79)

Put the Rotelle, the cream of chicken soup, 1/2 a soup can full of milk, and cubed cheese in a sauce pan. Melt down. Add in chicken (I usually sautee the chicken in a little butter before adding it). Cook pasta and drain well. Then add cheese/chicken mix to pasta and stir well.
This is very filling and is so good!

Kelly and I at the hospital! Kelly has been there for every major event in my life for the past 5 years! She's awesome!

This is my Kelly with her God-son Bryant at the hospital! Isn't she pretty!

Taco... Burrito...

After I got ready for work this morning, I went in to check on Tres. His bed looked like no one was in it! I had thoughts running throuhg my head like "Oh, no he fell off of the bed!" "Did he get into bed with Hank and I didn't know about it?" I was actually going to check on the other side of his bed, when what I thought was a wrinkle in his blanket moved. He was turned around in the bed, completely covered, from head to toe! He looked like a big burrito or a taco. Just snug as a bug!

My Main Man

I just wanted to take this blog time to say how much I love my husband. Lately we've been having a hard time finding quality time together. We seem to be overloaded sometimes with both our boys and housework and jobs. But no matter how little time we get together (like last night when I fell asleep trying to watch a Big Brother we recorded from over the weekend with him), it doesn't matter. He is so wonderful! He washes dishes (well, he loads the dishwasher!), he does laundry (and even puts some of it away!), he helps me keep things straight most of the time (which is a HUGE feat, considering Tres likes to keep it messy), and he takes out the trash! I love my husband because he plays with my hair. I love husband because he flirts with me even when my hair is greasy and I don't have on make-up! I just love my husband!

Here's Bryant when he was 4 days old! Look at that cute little gassy smile!

This was Tres as Big Al last Halloween. I can't believe how much he's grown!

Here is a picture of one of my BESTEST friends, Traci! And her little cutie-pie Olivia!

Rolling, rolling, rolling....

Bryant it on a roll lately... literally! When I lay him on the floor, or anywhere for that matter, he starts rolling! He can make across a queen size quilt lickity-split! That's why I've nicknamed him Rollie-Polie Bryant (I love nicknames for kids!). Plus he's just so round and cuddley anyway! But let me tell you, the rolling is not always fun! Say, 3am when he should be dreaming of whatever babies dream of, and he rolls over and wakes up... that's NO FUN FOR MOMMY! Cause Daddy doesn't hear a thing!

Blog Friends!

For those of you who look at my blog (you know Staci and Crystal), I just wanted to let you know that Tres likes to look at your blogs too! He especially likes the pictures of Molly and Daniel on Crystal's blog... and was CRAZY about the cow on Staci's blog! Just wanted to let you know that he checks your blogs too!

Everyone Remembers That Moment

I'm sitting here, in my nice cool home. My beautiful kids are sleeping peacefully, and my husband is enjoying a foot ball game. And I'm remembering... How 3 years ago, our nation was attacked. It's so easy to forget about all the hurt... the destruction, heartache, and slow painful rebuilding process. God help us not to forget. Show us your mercy. Remind us daily of our freedom in the country. But more importantly, remind us of our freedom to worship you! God grant peace to those wounded physically, emotionally, and spiritually by 9-11. God grant courage to move forward every day. God grant wisdom to leaders. And most importantly, grant love to heal all hurts. Amen.
This time 3 years ago, was a different life for me. I remember that morning Hank woke me up and told me what had happened. Since we were both working at the local ABC affiliate, we were being paged to come into work at the same time we were learning about it. I remember having to sit and watch unedited video of people jumping from building, crying for mercy, and dying. All I could do was cry and pray for a quick end to such a horrific time. I believe that was a turning point for me. A heart long turned from God, slowly turned back to Him. So I remember, and I'm thankful.

Biscuit Calzones >$6

This is a good recipe to buy ingrediants for when you are buying to make Pizza Bread. Here's what you need:
(1) can of Great Value Homestyle Biscuits (you can use the 4th can in the pack of 4 bought for the Pizza Bread... which you've already paid for!)
(1 pkg) turkey sausage
(1) jar of Ragu tomato sauce
(1) package of Great Value mozerella cheese-- we actually found a cheese by Sargento that was Italian dried tomato that was SOOO good!

Scramble the turkey sausage and add Italian seasoning or whatever you prefer. Then add entire package of cheese, and half the jar of tomato sauce. Mix well. You don't want it to be too liquid, you just want it to be coated with sauce. (You will actually have enough meat mixture to do 20 calzones. What I generally do is freeze half of the mix and save it for a later date!) Next, take your biscuits, and roll them out thin with a rolling pin on some flour. Add the meat mix in the middle and close up the edges of the biscuits. Put them on a greased cookie sheet. Once you have all 10 ready to go, you can brush some garlic butter on the top, then bake at 350 until golden brown. I bake them with the closed up side down so they are nice an pretty! Serve them covered in the remainder of your Ragu! And Enjoy!

Here's my rollie-polie Bryant! Couldn't you just eat him up?

This was at the hospital waiting for Bryant to be born... check out Tres... he's so excited!

Rollie Polie Bryant

Today since Tres got sick I had to take off of work to take him to the doctor. With a temp of 103.5, we weren't surprised to find out that he has viral tonsilitis. Since it's contagious, we decided to let Bryant spend the night at Grandma's house. I miss him sooooo much! I barely got to see him this morning and he is so much fun lately. He has discovered the power of the roll, and is usually all over the floor. He's getting to be quite an eater too! He was such a handful the first 3 months of his life... with the lack of sleep, collic, reflux, and ear infections.... but now that he's settling into everything, He has become my joy! God truly blessed us with our 2 angels.

This looks like a Pepsi commercial! Grammy (Hankie's mom) loves her Pepsi

This, my friends is the tailgate set-up for home games! Go BAMA!

This was Tres, Cameron, and a couple of her buddies at an Alabama tailgate last year.

Soggy Socks!

I know I tell a lot of Tres stories, but he is the most active right now! One of his more recent escapades what on Labor Day. I couldn't find him in his room, so I went looking for him all over the house. I found him in his bathroom standing over the toilet bowl... soaking wet... dipping his socks (which he had removed) into the water! I was afraid he might try to flush them, so I said "Tres-man! What are you doing?" He jumped and looked startled for a minute... then he smiled and said "They go swimmin' momma!" It was hard to punish him for that one!

Pizza Bread... >$6

Okay budget conscious cooks! Here's one that's really tasty and is great as leftovers!! Here's what you need: (4 pk) Great Value Homestyle Biscuits- $1.33 (1 pkg) Great Value mozerella or pizza blend cheese- $1.86 (1 pkg) pepperoni- $1.89 (1) jar Great Value Pizza Sauce- $.79. Take 3 of the 4 cans of biscuits and quarter them. Put them in a big casserole dish. Toss in the pepperoni, pizza sauce, and half the bag of cheese. Mix well. Top with leftover cheese. Add parmesian to the top if you want! Bake at 350 until middle dough is cooked (use a toothpick to check). If you have a big enough casserole dish, you can use all 4 cans. Just beware that every time I try 4 cans, I have some dough in the middle! Also you can add whatever topping you like... sausage, bacon, bellpeppers, onions... to the mix for extra kick! And for sauce lovers, buy an extra jar of pizza sauce and add about half of it to the mix... or just heat it up for dipping! Enjoy.

And one more for good measure! This is my water baby Tres!

Here's my handsome husband and my 2 gorgeous kids! Eat your hearts out!

It's picture time!

I finally figured out how to publish pictures on my blog!! So no more boring blogging for me, no sirree!! Now you get to see my kids all over the place! Ready, set, pictures....