Merry Christmas !!!!!

I could not let this month go by without wishing all of you a Very Merry Christmas!
I hope that it is wonderful for you and your family!

My family is doing great, just growing daily. They just do not stay little.

Ashlynn is almost 5 months old and weighs almost 14 pounds (she is not missing too many meals). She has been sleeping through the night for a week now, so that is WONDERFUL!!! As a matter of fact she slept until 9 am on Saturday (of course I was awake at 7)!!!! She is laughing and getting her little "baby" personality. She is a real happy baby! I think she will be a hair twirler like her sister - when she eats she is constantly rubbing her head with her left hand. It is so cute.

Isabelle, well what can I say. She is so smart and cute but boy can she get into some stuff!!! Her favorite thing to do right now is to cut and tape paper. Any type of paper, and lots of it. It makes a huge mess but it keeps her occupied and so I just let her have at it. It drives Clint crazy, though. He asked her yesterday what she wanted for Christmas and she said tape and scissors. She is also my inquisitive child. She has begun asking about Santa. "Why do they look different?" "Why do they wear different clothes and shoes?" "They can't be Santa's elves because they are too tall." And of course, "how will Santa get into our house because there is no chimney?!!!"

Camon is doing GREAT in the first grade. He is reading so well. I can not believe it. He also has made straight A's on both report cards that he has had. He is getting so tall and of course is still so sensitive. Ashlynn had a fever last week and when I told him, he immediately teared up and wanted to see her right then. He was so worried about her.

And of course Clint is fine. We will be married 10 years this coming Friday. I can not believe that it has been that long. Time flies when you are in Love, I guess. I am still thankful everyday (well most days) that God gave him to me!!! He is truly my "soul mate" and I love him more today than ever before! He is the BEST! We will be leaving the Sunday after Christmas for New York City. I finally talked him into taking me!!! I am so excited!

Anyway, this is just a quick update on my family! I hope that yours is doing just as good. Have a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year!

JESUS is the reason for the CHRISTmas Season!!!

Camon's humor

The other day, my mom and I were shopping and had the kids with us. We were riding in the car, the radio was playing, the kids were talking and playing their Leapsters at the same time (and the Leapsters were making noise). I had something that I wanted to talk to mom about, but it was something that the kids really did not need to know about. However, I thought with all of the noise and distractions, plus if I whispered, then they would never hear the conversation. So, we talked for about 5 minutes. Then, Camon asked a question. (of course about something I had just said). So, my eyes got real big as I made a face at my mom. I tried to get out of it by explaining to him what I was talking about, without really telling him the whole truth (you know as parents we have a license to "fib" to our kids a bit). Well, his questions went on, but he finally gave up. I waited a little bit and then even more softly whispered to my mom, "I did not think that he was listening." To which Camon spoke up, "What do you think I am, my daddy?"

Sunday night after church, we came home and I started feeding Ashlynn her bottle. Camon and Isabelle were in their room getting ready for bed. Ashlynn and I were in the recliner and all I could find on TV was a football game. I am not sure how many football games you have watched lately, but I have begun to notice the outfits (or should I say lack of) that the cheerleaders wear. Some of them should be blurred out of the TV set. Anyway, Camon finished and came in there to give us a good night kiss. As he entered the room, guess what came on the TV - you guessed it one of those cheerleaders wearing barely nothing. Of course it caught his eye. My first instinct was to change the channel, but then I thought I would just watch him and see what he did. Well, his eyes stayed there for quite a bit and then he looked at me with a disgusted look and said, "Does she know those things are hanging out?" I almost fell out of my chair. I laughed so hard, that I was crying. I am so thankful for an innocent child who knows that was not "normal". (I just hope it lasts.)

HAPPY 7th BIRTHDAY, CAMON !!!

I can not believe that my baby is 7 today!! And yes, he is still and ALWAYS will be my baby!!!!! These past 7 years have flown by and I have been blessed by every minute (good and bad minutes) of his life. God gave me a very sensitive, caring, handsome young man. And I look forward to the next 7 years (and beyond) watching him grow and seeing all of the changes that will take place. Just in the past year, he has lost baby teeth, grown several inches, started sleeping by himself, showering by himself, learned to read, add, and subtract (among many other things), and finally 2 nights ago learned to tie his shoes. (Isabelle has known for a year now - but hey at least he finally caught on - he's not slow, just could care less). And of course, he has learned how to love another little sister (and boy does he do that well). Most importantly, I have seen him come to understand more about Salvation and God's love. Of course, girls are still yucky and mom can not kiss him with lipstick on. I am just thankful that I can still kiss him. Although I know it will, I wish that would never change. He is growing up so fast, I can only imagine the changes that will take place in the next year.












The day he went home from the hospital.













1st Birthday















2nd Birthday

















3rd Birthday














4th Birthday


















5th Birthday




















6th Birthday



















7th Birthday

Isabelle's haircut

Well, Isabelle talked her daddy into letting her get her hair cut. Because of course, "All of my cousins have short hair." Well, daddy finally gave in, so we went last Friday. It is really cute and looks so much healthier, but it made her look 2 years older.














From this............................................................. To this.......










Isabelle and her "short-haired" cousins (minus Jordan, I think she was chasing Camon around)





Some cute things that she has said lately:



First, understand that I am hauling 3 children (2 who are in car seats) around in a Toyota Camry. So, there is no "personal space" for them in the backseat. Therefore there has been a tremendous increase in the arguments that take place between the two older children. Well, the other day, Ashlynn was minding her own business riding quietly in the car, with her eyes in the position of her big sister. Well, this must have irritated Isabelle, because she said (in a very disgusted tone), "Momma, Ashlynn won't stop staring at me." Boy do I have a lot to look forward to...



Then, also on one of our adventures in the car, Ashlynn was quietly sleeping. I just happened to look in the rearview mirror and saw Isabelle messing with Ashlynn. So, I asked her to stop. Well, about 5 minutes later Ashlynn wakes up with this horrible sounding cry. I looked back there and Isabelle had a guilty look on her face. So, I started getting on to her and trying to make her understand that if Ashlynn is asleep LEAVE HER ALONE and let us have some peace. I told her that it was her fault that she woke up. To which she replied, "Well, she was fakin' it anyway."



As I have said before, Isabelle has quite a sweet-tooth. She is addicted to sugar. That is why we have spent thousands on teeth that will fall out eventually, anyway. So, last week we were in the car and she had found a piece of candy in her car seat. Before I knew it, she had opened it and put it in her mouth. I lectured her about asking before she eats candy and AGAIN about what it is doing to her teeth. Well, that does not phase her. She finished the candy and then said, "Mom, can I have some gum to wash this candy taste out of my mouth."



Kids are so cute!!!

New Pictures of Ashlynn

Does she have to become a teenager?

Isabelle has been going through the "terrible twos", the problem is that she is 4 1/2 . I do not know what is going on, but last Friday night she had the biggest fit-throwing, yelling, screaming, kicking, meltdown that she has ever had. And of course we were in public. Then yesterday she did it again on the way to "school". She will ask for something and when she gets my answer and does not like it, she will keep asking and get more and more disrespectful with each request. Until we are both so mad at each other that we can not stand it. So yesterday, I finally decided that yelling, spanking, or giving a guilt trip was not doing the job. So, I told her she was punished from her babies. She could not play with any baby dolls that afternoon. Well, she went nuts. The babysitter could not believe that was Isabelle when we got there. She was hysterical (of course Amy says that she was an angel all day - it is just with me she becomes possessed). Anyway, so last night she had to survive with out playing with any baby's. She did very good, she never even asked to play with them, but did bring up the fact that she was punished several times. At one point, she came in there and began listing all of the things that she could have taken away if she did not behave. She said, "You could take my dolls, and then my colors and coloring books, then my scissors, then my lipstick, my gum, the TV, my Leapster, and you could not let me hold Ashlynn." Boy did she give me some good ideas. But, she was good all night. Then during her prayers, she said "Dear God, I am sorry for hurting mamma's feelings this morning. Help me not to do that again." I teared up. Of course she was probably smiling and thinking, "Watch this. This will get her." Anyway, I think that may have made her think about her actions, if only for one day!!! I can already see her when she is a teenager - whew!

Then, she got a phone call yesterday from her buddy Sydney. Now, I had no idea that kids could be so close to a friend at 4 years old. They are the best of friends and have been since they were crawling - I know you think I am crazy but the daycare used to tell me that they were always together, and while one slept, the other played under their crib until they woke up, and if one was out the other cried all day. Anyway, Isabelle has been having serious withdrawals since I took her out of Preschool and moved her to a home daycare with Ashlynn. She literally cries to go back, and not because she does not like Mrs. Amy's, but because she misses Sydney. Anyway, she called to see if Isabelle could spend the night. 53 minutes later my 4 year old was finally getting off of the phone. They talked like they were grown. "How is school?" I heard her ask. Then, "I will bring two nightgowns to our sleep-over so you can wear one. What else do you want me to bring?" I could not believe the conversations they were having. (and for almost and hour) At one point I went into the living room and she was laying sideways in the recliner with her legs crossed and hanging over the arm. She truly reminded me of my teenage years. I am scared!!!

First Grade !!!

I know, I know, I have been a terrible blogger lately. Camon has now been in school almost 5 weeks and I have not even posted pictures of his first day! Yes, I did take some. But, for the record it was a much easier first day - there were no tears from momma. Although I think I could have if I had hung around much longer. He was not really looking forward to going back, but that afternoon when I asked him if he liked it, he said, "No. I LOVED it!" That lasted a few days and then he started wanting Summer again. He said again this morning, "Momma, I wish this was the first day of Summer." He has a while to wait for that. But, he has not complained about going or given us any trouble. And he is doing tremendous. He told me that first day, "The best thing is that there is no nap (I will remind him of this when he is a teenager) and the worst thing is there is no snack time." The first week, we got home one afternoon and he asked for a snack. I told him just a minute and I would get him one. He said he would get it himself. I asked if he was sure he could get it, to which he replied, "Mom, I am in first grade now - what do you expect?" Then one of the funniest things that week was that he brought home math vocabulary the bad thing about it is that it was just the words with no definitions, but remember I have a degree in Math and taught it for 7 years. And, besides he is only in the FIRST GRADE, right. Well, sure enough there was a word that I was not sure of the definition - "pattern unit" - so as we were reviewing his homework I came to that and paused. I finally had to admit to him that I was not sure what that was. TO which he replied, "That is easy. It is the part in a pattern that repeats." Duh! I thought. Then he said,"I have already learned too much in the first grade." It was so cute. He has actually made a huge turn around with homework. Last year, it was torture. He would go on for 40 minutes about an assignment that might take him 5. But, this year he never complains. He sits down, does the assignment almost without any assistance, and finishes very quick. He is also doing great in school. He has only gotten off of "green" one time and that was for working ahead of the teacher on an assignment. I can not complain too much about that - he is just brighter than the other kids and does not need to wait for them - HA! Anyway, he is having a great year. And, we stared AWANA at our church this year and he is so excited about studying and learning scripture (he said as long as he does not have to get in front of the church to say it). He asks almost everyday if he can practice for AWANA. He is just doing great. I am so proud of him!!

Ashlynn Updates!!!

Well, it has been a while since I have updated you all on Ashlynn - maybe it is the sleepless nights, maybe the fact that I was on bedrest for 2 weeks after she was born, maybe the hectic schedule with Camon starting 1st grade (which I will post about later), maybe it is Maw-Maw being in the hospital again, maybe Clint working 12 hour shifts at the shelter for the hurricane evacuees, or maybe it is just me being at home with no internet (because my husband is too cheap to pay for it...); but whatever the excuse I need to be better at posting.

Ashlynn is growing. I am so hating it already. It is so different to know that this is definitely the last baby in the house and to want her to stay little forever!!!! But, since that is out of my control I guess I will be thankful that she is growing. She is sleeping good for the most part - she gets up about 2 am, and then about 6 am. It could be worse, like Camon - he never slept unless you were holding him. She is trying really hard to roll over and is on the verge of a true smile (not just the gassy - Angel kisses - smile). Of course she is just beautiful.

She recognizes Camon and Isabelle's voices and just perks up when she hears them. They are still so good with her. Camon can really settle her down when she is crying. They still want to hold her ALL of the time (Clint says that they need a puppy) and cover her with kisses all the time. They hate for her to cry - they are always saying, "What is wrong with her? Can you do something?" They really love her.

She is almost 5 weeks old now! I can not believe it. I go back to work in a week and I am hating it!!!!! But, maybe getting everyone on a regular schedule will be good for us!!!

Ashlynn and her admirers...

WELCOME ASHLYNN ROSE !!!!!

Well, it is a week late, but I am finally posting our new addition.... Ashlynn Rose was born July 28, 2008 at 12:18 pm. She weighed 6 pounds, 5 ounces and was 19 inches long. She was 2 weeks and a day early. I had been on bed rest for a week (which is why I have not posted in a while) before that for high blood pressure. When I went in for my check-up on Monday, the Doctor sent me to the Labor and Delivery Unit and did an Amniocentesis (spelling????) to see if she was developed enough, luckily she was and he induced me the next morning. She is so beautiful. Once again, I never imagined how much love I could have for her. God is so amazing. When I look at her, I am in awe of His creation. Everything is so perfect and works like clockwork, He is truly amazing. She so far is a great sleeper, eater, and pooper!!!! She gets all that from her dad.

Camon and Isabelle are doing so good with her and are such big helpers. Isabelle keeps wanting to dress her and of course put shoes on her. She doesn't quite get that her feet are too small and besides that she does not need shoes yet. But I bet she has asked 400 times if we could put shoes on her. Including asking me where her "sleep shoes" were when we were putting pajamas on her the other night!! Boy will we have fun. Oh, and she wanted me to take her blanket off the other day so that she would get cold. I said, "Why?" and she said, " So I can give her the pacifier." Boy will I have my hands full!! But one of the coolest things has been Camon. He really wanted a brother, and so I was a little nervous about his reaction to her. But, he is so proud of her and wants to hold her all the time. He told me the other day, "Momma, I am glad that she is a sister. Because she is so cute!! She is cuter than I ever imagined." It was so sweet. He is going to be just as protective of her as he is of Isabelle. I do not know why I doubted it. I found him in her room the other day while she was in her bed looking around and he had lined her crib with Star Wars figures and was telling her who all of them were. I guess he decided if he couldn't have a brother then he would teach her to like boy things. He is doing so good. They both are.

Anyway, I know that it is late but here are some pictures !! Isn't she BEAUTIFUL!!!!! These are off of Gary's camera, Clint has mine at work today so I will post some of those later.

Days of change...

Well, today is the last day that Isabelle (and Camon) will be attending their daycare/preschool. It is sort of a sad day for me. This is the only place that Isabelle has ever stayed and she has been there since she was 3 months old. But, I have found a great home for she and Ashlynn to stay in once school starts for Camon next year. Right now, the daycare is about 30 minutes out of the way, but this is right next to Camon's school. The lady is the mother of a little girl in Camon's class and as we found out last week, a distant relative of mine (by marriage). Anyway, I am really excited about the convenience and the fact that Isabelle and Ashlynn will be together each day. So, with the baby due soon, we decided to go ahead and take them out of the program they are in and let them stay with grandparents until the baby gets here and they can all be home with me. For Camon it does not make much difference because he has been away from there a whole year, but for Isabelle it is sort of sad. She has a lot of friends there, especially Sydney (which I have not broken the news to her momma, yet?!?!?!?). When I first asked her about changing "school" she was excited, but a couple of days later she came to me and said, "Momma, I think that I want to go back to my school next year." I asked her why and she said, "Because I will miss Sydney." I knew that she would eventually think about it. They have been close since they were crawling. But, we will just have to keep in touch. She changed her mind when I explained that she could be with Ashlynn all day at this new place. So, anyway this is the last day in a long relations hip with THE BEST DAYCARE that I know of. We will definitely miss it!!!

Some cute things that Camon said this past week:

He told Isabelle that she needed to play with him all she could before the new baby got here, because then he would be too busy taking care of her. I think he is finally coming around about this little sister thing.

But cutest of all... Many of you know that Camon is very shy and that he thinks girls are still gross. Well, on the 4th of July we went out on my parents boat to watch the downtown fireworks from the lake. Pawpaw was with us and had brought up alligators. So, all of the kids were paranoid the whole time we were out there. Anyway, after the fireworks, we started heading into the boat launch. It was very dark and you could see other boat lights but not see anyone on the boats. As we passed this one boat (that sounded like it was full of teenage girls) a girl screamed out, somewhat in a laughing tone. Camon's eyes got big and he said, "Why was she screaming." I am sure he was still thinking about the alligators. His aunt Grace said, "She is just laughing and having a good time, it is nothing." So he walked over to me and whispered, "Momma, I know why she was screaming. It is because she saw me. Girls do that when they see me." It was so cute, and not expected from him. I think he might have too much of his daddy in him after all.

Finally sleeping apart

You know, there are some things that you REALLY wish your kids would grow out of - and then they do and you want to have it back the way it was. Well, I have had one of those moments this past week. Let me back up to about 5 years ago....


Camon was about 18 months old and crazy me thought it was time to convert his baby bed into a toddler bed, because he was a "big boy"! Well, that did not go over well at all. After several nights of him screaming uncontrollably, getting up out of bed, and yes throwing up all over himself, his bed, and me, I decided that it would be easiest if Clint or I laid down with him every night until he got to sleep. The problem with that was that most of the time we fell asleep with him. However, for 2 years this was our nightly routine. During that time, we had Isabelle, who slept all night early on and by herself I might add. Well, one night when she was about 16 months old Camon wanted to sleep with her in her baby bed. Now, he was three and at first I resisted. But, then I thought "it will never work so I will just put him in there tonight and warn him that if they do not go straight to sleep then he can never sleep with her again." Well, not only did they go straight to sleep but we were able to go to our own bed to sleep.















Their first night sleeping together.













The next night, he wanted to do it again. So, instead of letting them sleep in her baby bed, I decided to try them in his bed. Once again, they went straight to sleep. And, for over three years now they have been sleeping together. Isabelle sucks her thumb (yes I know I need to break her of this...) and twirls Camon's hair each night to go to sleep. He just lets her and I even find her doing this sometimes during the day while they are watching TV or riding in the car. It is so sweet.

Playing with Bubba's Hair!!!

Some sleepy time pictures.




About two years ago, Clint built them bunk beds, thinking that they would separate yet still be in the same room. That never happened, they would just switch from the top together to the bottom together.

Well, as you know Camon has now finished Kindergarten so he is "grown". He decided about a month ago that he wanted to sleep by himself. He started mentioning it and each time Isabelle would get so upset, so he never tried it. Well, three weeks ago I guess he was feeling grown and he refused to sleep with her. We made it through prayer time, and then she lost it. Now, she is a drama queen but I had NEVER heard her cry this hard. She was hysterical. I kept going to the door and he was talking to her from the top bunk saying, "Isabelle, it's going to be okay. Bubba is right here. Please don't cry. You are going to make yourself sick." It was too sweet. I told Clint that he would give into her. Sure enough after about 5 minutes Camon called me. He said, "Momma, I want to get down there with her. I am afraid she is going to throw up." Well, asleep she went. The next morning I felt so sorry for Camon. He said, "Momma, I wish that we could make a fake me, with hair." I thought that was so cute. It is sort of ironic that he is the reason they slept together in the first place... Well, he continued to sleep with her each night. He would say that once she went to sleep he would move, but I guess he always fell asleep, too. Then Thursday, June 19 we were at my parents house until late. Isabelle fell asleep in the car on the way home. When I put them in bed, Camon asked, "Can I sleep on the top bunk since she is already asleep?" Clint said, "Sure." Well, I had my doubts. I just knew that she would wake up in the middle of the night screaming, but she did not. The next morning, Camon made a huge deal to her about how proud he was that she was so big. Well, it must have worked because she has been Bubba free each night since. It is nice for Camon, but I must admit a little sad for me. However, she still has withdrawals and when they get up she plays with his hair while they watch their morning cartoons. I know one day that too will end but for now it is so cute.



















Isabelle all alone on the bottom bunk.



















Camon all alone on the top bunk.

Catching up during morning cartoons.

Swimmin'

The kids love to swim. I would be willing to say that it is their favorite thing to do. We have a little swimming pool at the house and they love to get out in it and jump, swim, flip, etc. Here are some recent swimming picture ( I think they are part fish) !!

Vacation Bible School 2008

The kids had VBS this week, and loved it. Camon said he wished that he had VBS everyday. That does a momma's heart good. They had their closing program Wednesday night and both got on stage, sang, and did the motions without crying. There was a moment that I thought Camon might, but he did good. Believe it or not, Isabelle had a small speaking part and she said it loud and clear with no hesitation. I was so proud of her. Anyway, they had a great time learning about Jesus. Camon actually said that his favorite part was the songs that they learned. I think Isabelle's was the socialization. It is funny that Camon's age group is made up of mostly boys and Isabelle's mostly girls. I guess it works out for them (until it comes dating time). Anyway, here are a few pics from the closing program.

Kindergarten Graduation!

Yes, you read it right. Camon has now officially graduated from Kindergarten. Last Wednesday he had a precious ceremony. They were all dresses in their caps and gowns, said a few chants, got their diplomas, and showed a slide show of the year. It was so sweet, yet so sad at the same time. I can not believe how fast this year has gone. Don't you all remember me posting how sad his first day was for me - does it seem like just last week??? It does to me. He had a great year and learned so much. I do not think I learned half of what he did until 1st and 2nd grade. But, he is reading small books, writing great, and loves math! I am so proud of him!! He is an angel. He got "Hug-A-Bear" Twice and "Student of the Month" in March. And made all S's all year long (there are no E's at his school, for those of you who want to wonder why he did not do better). Anyway, I am proud to see him grow and learn and yet want him to stay young and nieve as long as possible. Is there a way to control that???? Congrats Camon we love you!!!!