Car-less no more!

Oh my goodness! 

I have a truck! 

Okay SUV, but saying SUV just sounds annoying and it's more like a truck then a car - so I'm calling it a truck.  Besides it is on a truck axle.

(Had this conversation with my 13 year old nephew Griffin ;)

We finalized everything with the refinancing at the bank, everything went really smoothly, and it felt SO SO SO good to be d.o.n.e. 

I had been on a Ford Explorer kick, I love the shape and look of them, and they are everywhere. 

Very easy to find, just hard to find the right price along with lower miles. 

Our friend Kelli's hubby Anthony is a mechanic and didn't love the older models of Ford's. 

Along with the Consumer Reports account Matt's Mom and step-Dad Roger had - they didn't have the BEST reviews. 

We even went to look at one, a 2007 I think that only had 70k miles on it. 

I thought I was in LOVE from the online pictures - but I test drove that thing and H.A.T.E.D. it. 

It was tiny, and felt so tight. Even smaller then my Rover and that's saying a lot!

I would have rather had an older model, but Matty wasn't going for it. 

I was in such a truck finding funk. 

I didn't want to look at another vehicle. 

It was exhausting.

Thankfully, Matt never stopped looking. He was sending me 10 trucks a day sometimes. 

I'm so glad he never stopped looking, because just in the nick of time - he found the one. 

The perfect one. 

I was so, honestly over thinking I might be getting a truck I might really love. 

I just wanted something that was big enough to fit a double stroller in, and that would safely take my boys and I from point A, to point B. 

So, when this 2003, one owner, White, Limited Sequoia with tan leather seats, DVD player hook up showed up in the radar...I just knew it was too good to be true. 

I had gotten very used to preparing myself not to get too excited. 

However, we just were SUPER lucky...or blessed I like to say. Matt quickly called the guy, and we drove down Saturday morning before Annabelle's first birthday party. 

It was in Jamestown, near Lake Cumberland. We found it on Cars.com. 

The guy had a private gravel lot, no more than 20 or so cars and he was so down to earth and nice. 

Well, it didn't take long until we signed the papers and I got to drive the new baby home. 

I was in truck heaven...and still am ;)

 I wasn't sure about that brush guard on the front, but turns out I actually kind of like it! :)

Lots of room for the babies! 

...fits a double stroller AND groceries! WOO HOO!
& yes that is a 3rd row! 

Matt's also pretty excited about my first Toyota, and so am I!

By the way, I'm fully aware I am being so silly - it's just a truck. Trucks come and go, but I am just so thankful God was with us through this and we were able to afford something very reliable and great for our little family.

Feeling very blessed.

Case's Little Thumb

Today while playing Case stopped and ran to me crying saying "Mommy! My thumb hurts! OW OW OW!"

Whenever he says anything about his fingers or his hands, I always check out his thumbs to see if it could have anything to do with his trigger thumbs.

Usually I press on his little bent thumbs, and nothing happens. They are always still locked in a bent position. 

This time though, I noticed his teeny right thumb was moving - bending - working! 

It was unbelievable! 

I thought back to what the Doctor told us. That as he got older and his hands grew, his thumbs would most likely "fix" on their own or get worse as the tendons would either slip out or tighten even further.

I could tell his thumb was sore to the touch, he didn't want me pushing on it, but I couldn't help laughing and saying Case look! Your thumb, it's working! A few minutes later he started playing again, and I began calling the Grand-ma's, and family and whoever would listen! This was exciting news - I mean this could mean no surgery! His left thumb was still locked, but having the right one release gave me so much hope for the other one! 

(Below: Last November when we discovered it, you could literally not budge it from this bent position)

Well, a couple hours later, at nap time. I examined his thumb again. It was locked. Back to a tight bent position. My heart just sank. I assumed that maybe it had slipped out while playing, which caused the pain. Then again, it sort of "popped" back into place. I convinced him to let me mess with it for a minute, I put a little pressure on it and POP it started working again - only this time bless his sweet little heart he just screamed and screamed and screamed! Hello Mother of the Year Award! 

Oh my word I felt terrible! 

He was inconsolable! 

I was trying to comfort him, when I asked him if he'd like a band-aid. 

That's when I quickly figured out, it did hurt, but it scared him more than anything. Because the mention of a band-aid had that boy laughing...and Mama very relieved that I didn't just traumatize my child. 

So, a quick trip downstairs for a sympathy band-aid and he went right down for a nap. 

I was so confused. 

Before nap time I had actually called Shriner's hospital and left a message with our nurse. 

I was happy I didn't hear back from her until later that afternoon so I was able to tell her how it was working, went back to a bent position - then how I pressed on it and it worked again. 

She assured me there wasn't really anything they could do, and that we should keep our appointment in July for the additional x-rays and talk to them about it then. 

 So I decided to leave it alone. 

Seems like they are starting to maybe loosen, or at least we are hoping they are. 

We are hoping and praying little guy doesn't have to have surgery on them, and if they continue to do the slip in and out thing - I am hoping that is a sign we might not have to. 

As I said, we go back in July. 

Can't wait to hear what they have to say about it! 

Hopefully they'll play another waiting game with him, and they fix on their own! 

That would be just the best thing ever.

Last Day of School!

(This photo was taken by Solomon's Mom Carrie! Solomon is the sweet little boy behind Case :)

It seemed like this year just flew by!
I think it went even faster, because the winter months were so mild this year.
Usually those cold months being stuck inside make it seem like winter will never ever end.
Winter came and went this year though, and we had lots of fun days on the playground!

Case and Rhett both have grown SO much since their first day of Maxwell Street!

Rhett's first day 

Case's first day

Oh my goodness they have gotten so big!

Here are some pictures of our very last day before summer break...

Miss Liz, Miss Jackie & Miss Karen

We had a wonderful year, I truly loved and felt so blessed to know each and every child in our class.
I will miss those sweet babies this summer, but excited about summer break and summer fun!
We have already had several play dates with school friends, and plan on having lots more!

I have decided to take off next year, as Case & Rhett would be in the same room with me starting in November when Rhetter's will be two.
 Something was just weighing on my mind about it, and I came to the conclusion that I know myself too well, and know that I would be overwhelmed having my two babies in the room while trying to be a teacher to all the other babies as well.
I learned very quickly with Case this year that if he was a little tired, hungry, sad, moody, grumpy it was okay to be a whiny hot mess that day because HEY, Mommy's here!
It made for some hard days sometimes, especially in the beginning.
As Rhett gets older and his personality becomes more clear, I honestly don't think he would even notice that I was in the room - but I also think he would be a TOTAL handful going into a class of 2-4 year olds! That boy is wild and would be a brand new two year old!
I think Rhetter's needs another year - plus Mama needs another year with him before he's off to Mother's Morning Out!
I'm so excited about getting some alone time with with the Rhetter's next year. I also know big brother will have SO much fun and will be so good for him to be in school without Mama there with him.

Not thinking about all that growing up and getting bigger stuff yet though!
Right now we are enjoying lazy summer days and nights...my favorite.

Just Married

Kelli & Chris's Wedding was all set for Friday, May 11, 2012. 

They had the cutest wedding announcement pictures, and we all couldn't wait for the big day! 

I had asked my Mom & Dad in advance to watch our wild boys that weekend, so we could drive up and spend the long weekend without two little ones running around. 

I am SO glad and thankful they were able to so that we could help out on the wedding day! 

(Thanks Mom & Dad!)

From what I understand Kelli, and her big sister Erica did most of the planning for the wedding themselves, and they did an absolutely beautiful job. 

Everything was so simple, classic and elegant. 

Kelli asked me to make her labels for the reception, I loved making them for her, so fun!

Even the church itself was stunning. 

Nothing was even comparable to the bride though.

Just stunning. 

Daddy having a little chat with his future son in law ;)

 

It was perfect! 

We are SO happy for you Kelli & Chris! 

Thunder

thun-der (n)

1. a loud, explosive, resounding noise produced by the explosive expansion of air heated by a lightning discharge.

Around 1 am last night, Matt and I were fast asleep, when I woke up to,

"MOMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" 

(booming of thunder and bright flashes of lightning)

"Mommy!!! MOMMY! Mommmmy!!!" 

I opened my eyes just in time to see Case sprinting into our bedroom and opened my arms just fast enough to sweep him up into my arms. 

I shushed him, and rubbed his tiny back and arms. 

He laid perfectly in the bend of my arms and buried his face into my neck and shoulder. 

"It's okay sweetie, it's okay"

Matt woke up to all the commotion, and we assured him that he was safe. 

As I closed my eyes again, his breathing calmed and he was soon fast asleep snuggled up against me. 

Every time the thunder boomed again we would hear a faint little whimper, and he would hold me close again. 

Half asleep, I kept thinking we should get him back in his bed, as we do not normally let him sleep with us.

Matt checked the radar though, and said it would still be a while. 

So I decided against trying to get him back to sleep in his own room. 
 

I couldn't help laugh as I kept picturing him hearing the thunder, and saying to all of his stuffed animals, 

"EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF!" 

as he ran as fast as his little legs could take him into our room! 

HA!

 As we were settling back down, I realized how this was such a wonderful opportunity to pray with Case. 

I asked him if he was scared, and if he would like to pray. 

"Uh huh"

We prayed that God would help Case to feel safe, and that he would help Case to always remember how much He loves us and will always protect us. 

There were a few other big thunder booms throughout the night, Case would almost panic and then relax as soon as he felt my arms wrap around him. (Matty could sleep through a hurricane ;)

Have to say it wasn't the best night's sleep I had, but I will never forget these little moments. 

Also, won't forget the hyper wild kid that woke us up at 7 am on the dot! 

:)

Waiting

So, I have been without my truck since April 7th.
(I just looked through my text messages with my sister to figure that out ha!)
Today is May 3rd.
Which means it's almost been an entire month without my own truck.

I guess I shouldn't say I'm completely without a vehicle, because our long time neighbor Joe, has sweetly let me borrow his second car for the two days a week that I work at the preschool.

We decided to refinance the house, pay off student loans etc. to make room for a new car payment.
It was a great option for us, but unfortunately it takes about 30 days to process a refinancing.

I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel though - we are hopefully finalizing everything in two weeks, on the 14th, and then after a 3 day grace period we will be able to FINALLY go truck shopping for me!

All this waiting is making it that much more exciting, almost feel like I'm 16 again getting a new truck!