One year ago....

I was in labor. It is so hard to believe that a year has passed since this little blessing came into the world! Though it hasn't been an easy year, it has been worth it! He has definitely completed our family. God is so good, and I am so glad that He has my life in His hands, and that His plan is perfect!!

Happy birthday, little man!! Mommy loves you sooo so so much!!

3rd child guilt!

I'm feeling guilty. I remember when we had Isaac's first birthday party, I had it totally planned, right down to decorations matching the cake matching pictures I downloaded and enlarged and colored to his outfit that matched the decorations! Now with Adam's birthday, I don't remember it as distinctly, probably cause I had two kids to keep up with! But I do remember that we had decorations! Today we are having Robbie's first birthday party, and we'll be lucky to get there on time and have guests! I feel bad for Robbie, though I know he'll never remember it or probably even care (since he's a boy!) So why am I torturing myself over it? I know I love him as much as I do Isaac, I just have a different life now than I did ten years ago (yes--my oldest turned TEN almost 2 weeks ago! Where does time go?!).

I do however, hate that we won't have as many family members there today. You see, Chris' family has numerous members who were born in March: both his grandparents, two aunts, multiple cousins, and Chris himself. And on my side of the family, my Mom celebrates her birthday on St. Patrick's Day! We always had a March birthday party in the Scott family leading up to Isaac's birthday, and then we hosted the March party for several years ourselves. The tradition seemed to die somewhat after Chris' Papaw died. His Mamaw is still living, but is not in good health and won't be able to come to the party, and I'd be willing to bet all the aunts and uncles and cousins won't either. And again, I know that they mean no harm and that it isn't that they don't love the little fella, but I just hate that this is the case. Both my sisters are out of town this weekend...again, not a problem, I'll just miss them!

I know that the important thing is that we are there to celebrate his birth and first year with him, and I'll concentrate on that! We've had somewhere we had to be (at least Chris or me) this week every night, so we're tired, too!

So here's to almost a year of living as a family of five...something I never truly expected to do, but am so happy that I am!

Post-It Note Tuesday

Observations

I was laying down with Robbie earlier today, and he was examining both his hands at the same time, kind of like he had just discovered that he could control them separately. He would bend his fingers and look back and forth from hand to hand, then clap his hands for a few seconds, then would lift his hands up and look at them both again, wiggling fingers and such. It delighted me to watch my little creation...the little being that a year ago was still inside me forming...as he learned new things about himself and his abilities. This is such a fun age, watching him discover new things each day. He is into something all the time, but his brothers are quick to jump in and help me redirect him or move him away from something he doesn't need to get into.

It made me think of how God must enjoy watching us as we grow stronger in our faith and begin trying out our abilities. How he, too, must giggle in pure delight at seeing how we try our our new skills, much like a toddler learning to walk! What a blessing it is to look at my three children and see how they are growing and changing. Though it is bittersweet to know that this is the last 1st birthday I'll celebrate with one of my own children, I am much more content about it than I was when Adam was turning one. Somehow deep down maybe I knew that my little family wasn't complete! Robbie is definitely a reason to say I love surprises...he's the best surprise present I've ever received!!

We Heart Wednesday: The Pomeranian

I found a new meme this morning and since I'm home today with Robbie (ear infection again...this is number 6 or 7 I think?? Appointment with the ENT in 2 weeks!) I thought I'd try it out!

Welcome to the 15th edition of We ♥ Wednesday: The meme celebrating pictures of the things you love, each week! There is one, and only one, rule: you must get your images from weheartit.com! That's the whole point and inspiration behind this meme! Join in, fall in love, and link up your post!

This pic reminds me of a dog we had when I was little. It was actually my foster brother's dog, but when he moved out the dog stayed. His name was Tiny. We called him a cat trapped in a dog's body cause he was so prissy! But he was a definite member of the family. He went on camping trips with us, and when we went out in the boat to fish, we would often have a bucket of live crickets with which to catch fish. If you've never seen a cricket bucket, here is a pic:


It is made with that hole in the top cause crickets can't jump straight up! Anyway, Tiny would knock over the bucket in the boat so he could chase the crickets!

He was a loyal member of our family for about ten years, and was an endless source of affection and pleasure!

Alphabe-Thursday: UN-familied

I'm not even sure that my word for U is actually a word, but guess what? I just coined it! LOL

What exactly is Un-familied?? It is surviving out of town without my family from Sunday-Thursday. Well, at least til Wednesday night...surely I'll make it til Thursday since I've made it this far, right?!

I'm out of town for a study related to work. I am even more honored now than I was before I got here to have been approved to serve on this committee of 16 , for it was a pretty elite group of Reading Specialists...I was the one with the shortest tenure in the field, so I provided a bit of a different take on things. It has been interesting and informative, and I am going back home with some new ideas and perspectives!

I have honestly learned several things about myself on this trip while I am UNfamilied. Wanna hear 'em?!

1. I can survive in a room by myself overnight.
I honestly worried about this one, being as that I haven't done this in over 12 years. I've either had my husband or my kids, or both, in the house with me every night, save for a few. The last time I was in a room overnight alone was when Robbie was still hospitalized after his birth and I stayed there in the hospital but didn't get to see him all night. That was NOT a good experience! However, I was very recently post-partum and was dealing with many hormones at that point. I did have a few seconds a few times of feeling that same type of anxiety come over me, but I was able to successfully squelch them, and get through it.

2. I'm not ready to wean Robbie. My body is most definitely used to feeding him, and I miss him! I pray that he hasn't decided it isn't worth it once I get home to him! Some will say I'm crazy, that I've done this for 11 months and that it would be a good time to stop...but you know what? I don't care. I'm not looking forward to opinions I'm sure I'll get about extended nursing, but it still is MY body and MINE and Robbie's decision. I actually made a pact with him...as well as you can make a pact with an 11-month-old...that if he'd not wean while I was gone, I'd nurse him for another year if he wanted. I plan on sticking to that.

3. I am ready, however, to give up pumping! I don't love it, but I have promised myself I'll do that for another month! Then he can drink whole milk at daycare and I won't have to purchase more formula! Pumping is for the birds. I'm proud of myself for sticking to it all this time, but THAT is something I won't miss!

4. I can get around a big city better than I thought I could. I always made Chris drive when we were in Richmond before. I'd still let him do it if I had a choice, but I have nothing to fear about it anymore. I can do it. I even got myself to the mall earlier, found a shorter way from the hotel to the restaurants, and am planning on taking a different route out of town than I came in...cause Google maps did NOT have the best route for me!

5. I'm still decent company for myself. I can survive without other people to talk to at meals, etc. That's a good thing to know for a wife and mommy, I believe!

6. But I do miss my family terribly and cannot WAIT to see them tomorrow!! I'm gonna smother them all with lots of kisses and lots of hugs, and snuggle the fool out of them over the next few days! They are such a pleasure and part of me that I LOVE! I can survive without them for a few days, but life is much more fun with them!!!

So happy Thursday ya'll!! Think of me as I'm driving down the interstate to my family!!

T is for....

I'm baaaack! I'm so bad about missing letters and weeks around here, so thanks for your patience if I'm not doing every assignment!

Let's see....

For this week's assignment, what does t remind me of??

First thing that comes to mind is that T is for THANKFUL! I am representing this by this lovely thankful tree I found through flikr!


Photo Courtesy Jenosale

I have SO many things to be thankful for, I could be here all day telling you!! :)

The next thing that comes to mind is my favorite college team, Tennessee!! GO BIG ORANGE!



Photo courtesy View From Rocky Top

I love me some Volunteer football!

Another T that comes to mind is how much I love my TWO sisters!! I don't have a picture of them right now...maybe I'll come back and add one later, but they are two of my very best friends. God made us sisters, but I'm thrilled to also call them my friends. I know I can count on them NO MATTER WHAT!

Something else I'm very thankful for it TIME to spend with my loved ones. As I said earlier, I'm so very blessed! I'm glad that I have a job that allows me to spend evenings, weekends, and summers off with my little family. I'm so blessed that my husband and I are both so close to our families, and that they live in the area for the most part. We don't spend nearly as much TIME with them as we'd like, but we're grateful for every opportunity to spend TIME with them!! I love them all!!



Photo courtesy ToniVC

Last but certainly not least, I'm so thankful that I have the ability and the desire to THINK for myself. I have come to realize that I LIKE to learn! If someone had told me that 25 years ago, I would have laughed them out of the room. But now that I am older, I realize what a gift it is to learn new things. I am thankful that we live in a country where free THOUGHT is welcomed and encouraged. I've been very blessed to be able to further my education over the past few years. It hasn't been without its struggles, but it is definitely a reward in itself!



Photo courtesy karola riegler photography


THANKS for reading!! Have a wonderful weekend!

Alphabe-Thursday: R is for Robbie!

Today's is a no-brainer! Pics of my favorite baby boy-child! :) He's growing so quickly! He's got a little cold/ear infection right now, so I was trying to rock him to sleep. Part of me was hoping that I could get a little nap in as well, but I stopped myself and remembered that it wouldn't be much longer that he would tolerate me rocking him, and that I need to cherish every second!



Here he is in 'baby jail', as his Daddy calls it! He's in the hallway between the living room and the kitchen, and we're in the kitchen. He loves to pull himself up on the baby gate and then sit back down, over and over! He's doing really well at pulling up, is a crawling champ, and likes to walk holding fingers, too!



Here he is in his precious little Smokey outfit! Hey, we raise 'em up right here in Tennesseee country (even though we actually live across the border in Virginia!)



This was taken at Dollywood back in the fall...I know I'm a little biased, but don't I have three handsome sons??



And last, I know I've shared this picture before but I LOVE this shot of him! So angelic he is here...til he wakes up!

I'm very blessed at the opportunity that God has given me to parent all three of my sons, but I feel especially blessed to be mommy to Robbie, since he was our surprise baby!

Have a GREAT Thursday!

Review: Power Rangers Samurai

They're baaacck...the Power Rangers, that is! I've been following Power Rangers for many many years now, back since they first started and my nephews were obsessed with the Mighty Morphin variety back in the mid-90s. Isaac, my oldest, went through a Power Rangers phase, and now my 7 year old, Adam, is having his turn.

The latest incarnation of the Power Rangers is Power Rangers Samurai, and they have also changed to a new channel: the shows used to shown on Disney stations, but now they are being shown on Nickelodeon. Either way, this show gets my thumbs up for several reasons!

One: since my boys are very active in a Tae Kwon Do school, I like having them watch a show related to martial arts. Contrary to what some people thought years ago when the series started, watching this show doesn't promote general violence. The only time that the Power Rangers start fighting is against the bad guys in order to 'save' the planet! Who can argue against fighting evil??! Not me!

Two: This show promotes healthy living. By healthy living, I don't just mean exercise and eating nutritional foods. This show does not have bad language, the characters are not disrespectful to their elders, and it promotes friendship and teamwork. I find these to be values that I want my children to embody, and not all the shows they like to watch encourage these. Power Rangers Samurai is one that I know that will continue to show them ways to act that I would support.

As a parent, I am concerned about my children getting enough exercise, and I'll be the first to admit that they probably see me sitting on the couch too much. I like showing them others getting exercise, and am hopeful that this is something they will continue to want to do throughout their lives. To be honest, THEY inspire ME to get more active!!

If your child hasn't checked out Power Rangers Samurai yet, encourage it!!

Natural disasters

Hi, ya'll! Yeah, yeah....I fell off the planet there for a while again! I'm sorry about that! I guess maybe if I felt like anyone actually noticed that I didn't write, I would be less likely to neglect ye olde blog, but sometimes I feel like no one does. But then I get to thinking: who do I really write this for anyway? And deep down, I know it is for my own personal satisfaction that I write.

So here I am! I found a neat site that has a blog prompt each day, so I thought I'd put that to use today. Today's question was this:

Have you ever experienced an earthquake, flood, or other natural disaster?

And yes, I actually have experienced some small floods here in the area. Thankfully our own house has only flooded with minor damage twice: once when I was pregnant with Adam, and one other time when Isaac and Adam were little.

We've had some flooding in the area: a big flood in '77 that actually wiped a small town off the map here in the county, and another similar flood in '02, I believe. Neither were here in town, but the one in '02 got close enough for me! One side of the closest bridge to us over the Holston River was closed, and that made me nervous, especially as the mama of a small child at the time!

So there you go: writer's slump cleared! :)

Wordless Wednesday: Christmas Picture

Give Back this Christmas season!

You can easily, by starting your foundation with giveback.org!


Now you're going,"Say what?!"

Yes! You can give money directly to the organizations YOU wish to support! How cool is that?1

And it gets even better!

You can give money to the organizations you wish to support by doing something you may already do on a regular basis, by shopping online!

Something else I really appreciate is that 100% of your donation goes to support the charities you have chosen! There is none taken out for such mysterious things as administrative costs.

Here is a page that tells you all about how it works, including a video you can watch about it!

It is definitely a 'win-win' situation!

You know, we are all so blessed. As I sit here and write this post, I'm sitting in my warm, dry house, fully clothed and warm, well-fed, and am surrounded by all the THINGS I could ever need, most of which have been paid for by me and my family by working at our jobs we were well-educated enough to obtain. I am holding one of my three healthy children, while my husband has taken my other two children to participate in an extra-curricular activity we can afford to take part in. He arrived there in our reliable car.

How many people in the world can say those same things?? So it is the least I can do to spend some of my time and energy to devote this Christmas to give back to those who are not as wealthy and able as I am. That is what Jesus would have me to do!

Won't you do the same?

Visit giveback.org right now! You'll be glad you did!

H is for Happy!

I'm loving participating in Alphabe-Thursday with Jenny Matlock! I'm all about looking for things that I enjoy cause there have been multiple mini-sicknesses....colds, ear infections, such....in our household this fall, and I'm all about looking for the good and making things HAPPY! So here are some things that make me happy!!

Thing #1: Isaac, my eldest...my sensitive child....so very proud of him, and all that he is! He is smart, self-motivated, kind, sweet...he's awesome!

This picture is not recent, of course....he's 9 now, but look what an adorable lil fella he was!!



Thing #2: Adam, my middle child. Love his heart, he was the baby of the family for over 6 years, and it hasn't been easy on him to transition to the middle position. He is also the most like me, so he drives me crrrrrrazzzzzy at times!

Again, not a recent pic...but he looks a lot like Robbie here, I think, so I chose this one to share! :)



Thing #3: my sweet baby Robbie! The child that God knew we needed to make our life complete! He is SUCH a good baby and we are so blessed to have him in our life!

This is my favorite picture of him because it reminds me of a print from a magazine from years past!



Thing #4, or Thing #1 since I "had" him first...my darling husband! What a blessing he is to me. I am so honored to be his wife and partner in this marriage. I cannot imagine life without him!

This picture was taken on our anniversary when we were expecting Adam....back when we were only a family of 3!



I could go on and on and on about my fantastic family members and show you my sisters, my parents, my nieces and nephews, but I will focus on some other things.....

I love me some Jersey Shore! When I was alone quite a bit this summer (well...alone with a nonverbal infant!) I got totally hooked on Jersey Shore and Real Housewives of New Jersey. They are just so different from anything I've ever experienced, I got hooked in!



C'mon, admit it....you wanna yell out "It's T-shirt TIIIIIIIIIIIIIME!" just one time!!

This is a local restaurant chain called Pal's, and it is superb, ya'll! If you find yourself in Southwestern Virginia or Northeastern Tennessee, look 'em up cause you won't be disappointed! Local folks who have moved away make a point of eating there when they go home!



OK, again, I could go on and on with this, but I think I will stop there. Needless to say, I can find many things that make me happy. I'm very blessed! I hope that you, too, find happiness today, and please stop by again!

Friday Fill-in

1. Sometimes, _____.
Sometimes, I want to run away..but I know I'd come right back if I did!

2. _____ about the whole thing.
I'm just keeping quiet about the whole thing!

3. Small _____.
Small in stature, big in heart! That's me!

4. _____ is very enlightening.
Becoming a parent is very enlightening.

5. I keep meaning to _____
I keep meaning to do sooooo many things!


6. _____ ...yet.
But I haven't done them....yet.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _____, tomorrow my plans include _____ and Sunday, I want to _____!
And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to my eldest son's championship football game, tomorrow my plans include seeing my niece who is home for the weekend from Pittsburgh, and Sunday, I want to take a big 'ol nap!

Join in the fun here!

G is for....

I'm back! I keep missing out on letters but I am back for today's Alphabe-Thursday! I'm trying to get a blog post in each day this month and am actually working a day or two ahead so far! Woo hoo for me!

So what is G for in my life? I couldn't think of anything right off, so I'll come up with a hodgepodge as I go, I suppose! The first thing that I thought of that I use daily is gmail! Here is my latest gmail theme, I love it! What do you think?!



It brings my mom to mind, because she lived in Japan for two years when she was a child!

G is also for girly! As a mommy who lives in a testosterone zone, I gotta keep my estrogen flowing, hence my pink blog and other girly things I like, like polka dots!

photo courtesy rachel_titiriga

I would totally love to wear these shoes!

G is also for goofy! That's one thing I love to be! My dear husband can be a goofball too, as is evidenced in this picture of him with Blue's ears on his head at our oldest son's 2nd birthday party!



We do love to have fun together!
G is also for grin! An old friend told me once that my smile took up half my face, and I like that! I like to think that I smile alot...so if you read this and disagree, either don't tell me or tell me I need to smile even more and I'll get the message! Here's a pic of me grinning at Blissdom '09...I was a little 'extra' happy that night! ;)



The most important g in my life is definitely God. Without him, I am nothing! When I keep my life centered on him like I should, everything goes much more smoothly! Now, this doesn't mean I think I'm better than anyone else or that I don't make mistakes, cause I do. it is by another g word that I am saved, by His grace! There's nothing I can do to make me worthy of His saving me and His love. I'm just a sinner who is trying to be better all the time.

So there ya go: my G post!

Wordless Wednesday: Sleepy Baby

Post-It Note Tuesday: November 2

NaBloPoMo: Can I Do It?

Can I honestly post each and every day of November?? Or in my world the question is better put: can I remember to?! I can tell ya one thing, I'm much less likely to do so if I DON'T try and commit myself to this! I'm having a hard time getting one post in a week, but this might get me back in the swing of things. I LOVE writing and love blogging, and it is one outlet that I think is important that I do. Here's one way I look at it: my children do see my love of reading and see me reading each and every day in some way, even if it is only reading emails or Facebook. But I haven't been as diligent in showing them my love of WRITING! I know that they both have the potential to become great writers, but I they haven't developed that love yet. What better way for me to show them how I value and love writing than doing it myself?! So in their honor, I'm going for it! Look out November and National Blog Posting Month, here I come!!

I'm here, I'm here!!

I'm just sooo super busy! October has turned out to be as busy as December and May! I haven't forgotten about you, those of you who keep up with my blog. I promise I'll be back!

I will let you know that I'm feeling so much better thanks to the Lexapro. We have had some upsetting circumstances over the past month, including the death of my brother-in-law's sister, who was very much a part of my family, too. Without this medication I think I would have crawled in a hole by now! But God knew when to urge me to see the doctor, and I'm so glad I did!

We've had sickness left and right around here, too..not major illnesses, but still, they wear on ya! AND we ran straight from football to basketball seasons with Isaac, so that has been hectic....added to 2 'short' cycles in Tae Kwon Do makes for lots of running! Very thankful for an easygoing baby with the running we're doing!

So just a note to say I'm here, I'm doing well, and I'll be back! :)

Happy fall, ya'll!!

C is for Christi

I've missed out on A and B posts, mainly because I've been incredibly busy and overwhelmed with life in general. Thankfully I came to realize last week that I have been suffering from post-partum depression, and have started making steps to come back from this. I wish I could say that this was a new experience, but I've suffered with all three boys, and actually fight depression and anxiety ALL the time. I know that it isn't fatal, and that I can improve once again, but it is soo stinkin' tiring!

SO! All that to say that this week I am going to make my "C" post about ME--about the ME I am and was before I was wife and mommy. I had the pleasure of attending my 15 year reunion at my alma mater Emory & Henry College this past weekend. It was good to see friends that I hadn't seen for years, and to remember that yes, I do have an identity that isn't attached to the words mom, wife, or teacher. I love all three of those parts of my identity, but they aren't ALL of who I am! I am ME all by myself too!!

So without further ado, here are some pics of CHRISTI pre-marriage and kids!



My lifelong friend Carla and me, sporting lovely 70s fall attire



Carla and me again, this time at a wedding



Me and...guess who?...Carla! This time showing what smarties we were at such a young age!



The day my oldest sister moved in at EHC as a freshman. Interesting to note that all 4 ladies graduated from the institution and now all 4 teach in the same school system! This is our friend Lesa, my sister Brenda, me, and my sister Suzy.



Last day of 7th grade with my 3 BFFs! Can you say awkward stage?!



Singing for our Senior class night! We were rockin' the big hair...the 'haters' didn't refer to girls from our school as hairspray 'hos for nothing! LOL



Bid turn in the day I pledged k Phi with these lovely ladies! Note that one of them was also in the 7th grade pic!



Another college shot with the sisters of K Phi A

When I was looking for pics to include in this, I realized I have so many more that surround my children and my nieces and nephews. When I get down and frustrated, I need to remember that I am important in their lives, as well in the lives of the rest of my family and in that of my students. God is so good to me, and I really do love my life...I don't mean to sound as though I don't! I just think it is also important to remember that I have an identity all my own that is not dependent on others. Thanks for indulging me today, ya'll! Have a great weekend!