Kids learn quick

At the cottage this year, Candy Bars were a huge hit! The kids went crazy when we took them out. I was trying to get a good picture of all the cousins and I got a few. Then Janna said,

"Who wants a candy bar?"

This was the next picture. Kids crack me up!
(I personally thought Charlie's face was the best, but that's just me :-)

Catching up

So it's been a LONG while since I've gotten on here and posted! Sorry about that, I'll try to be better. Here's a snippet of whats been going on lately.

Charlie had his first black eye. He hit his head while jumping off something (big surprise, I know) and his forehead quickly healed and his black eye appeared.....

We bought a new "family" vehicle. Really, Steve just needed a new truck and the ranger didn't fit us all. So we considered this and upgrade. :-)

The "August Birthday Girls" and our hubbys went on our annual birthday dinner to the Melting Pot. It was good and Fondue was better than I thought! It was a fun night!
Dinner!

I promise I'm going to try to keep up on the blog! Don't give up on me yet!

SLACKER!

I have been seriously slacking in the blogging department....

Here's a few pics from camping at the end of June!

Running down the beach with Daddy

Making a monkey face for mommy!

Sitting by the pool.....

Jumping in the pool, this kid has no fear!

More to come!

And there he was

Charlie had been climbing out of his crib for about a month now but we have refused to change his crib over to a toddler bed, just cause most times he does stay in. Well, last night he decided to climb out repeatedly, 9 TIMES!! So I finally told him if he comes out again, he gets a spanking. He didn't come out of the room, but I knew he was out of his crib. I just let him be and finally didn't hear any noise coming from his room. When I went to bed, I checked on him. Sure enough, he wasn't in his crib. I looked all over and found him under the chair fast asleep.

I guess we are converting the bed today, so he doesn't break his neck!

Mother's Day Blues

Mother's Day is supposed to be a great day when moms don't have to do much. Today was a day that I realized that I should have almost a mother for the second time around this mother's day. I feel like I'm holding on too hard, but I'm hoping with time that this pain will fade.

You never said you're leaving

You never said goodbye

You were gone before I knew it

and only God knows why

A million times I needed you,

a million times I cried

If love alone could have saved you

you never would have died

In live I loved you dearly

In death I love you still

in my heart you hold a place

that no one else can fill

It broke my heart to lose you

but you didn't go alone

For part of me went with you

the day God took you home.

I Love you Baby V, and miss you on this mother's day.

My Cool dude and his sweet new wheels

Charlie got a haircut tonight at Salon500 (yay Judy H.!) and he looks like such a big boy! Of course when we got home he wanted to go outside and ride his new tricycle! And everyone knows you can't ride a trike and not wear your sunglasses. So here are some pictures for your entertainment! My cool dude on his new trike.

"Come on Mommy! You're holding us up!"

Charlie's 2nd Birthday party

Friday night, we had a family birthday party for Charlie. We had burgers and cake and opened presents, but NO SINGING! We sang to him Sunday at my grandparent's house and he started bawling! So we decided not to ruin his party! :-) We had a great time with the family and Charlie got COMPLETELY spoiled! Thanks to all our family for all the love you have for Charlie!

Happy Birthday Little Man

Dear Charlie,

Today you are 2! Can you believe it? Your Daddy and I can't. It seems like just last week we were anxiously awaiting your arrival, and planning for a new little life in our family. Time has flown by since then, and you are one busy boy! You have grown up so much in the past year, and it has been incredible. You started out your second year barely walking, and now you are running around, jumping and even riding a bike! You could talk before you were one, but now you talk in sentences and articulate your words like a kindergartner!

When I told you this morning that it was your birthday, you said "Nooooo!" I had to agree because you are growing up too fast! You barely want to cuddle by me, and I have to put in a movie just so you'll sit still for longer than 2 minutes!

I love it when I get to put you to bed. We cuddle and sing together. Last week, you even sang "Jesus Loves Me" for me. Tonight I let Daddy put you to bed because you didn't get a lot of together time on your birthday. I told you that I loved you, and you said "I Love you, Mommy" and melted my heart. I heard you singing with daddy and I hope you will always continue to sing to Jesus, and give your life to Him. We hope for the best for you all the time and pray for you daily.

You love to read books and you already know your nursery rhymes! I can start them and you can finish them. You know which books you like and which ones you don't. Everyone who hears you talk in stores or out and about thinks you are way older than you actually are. They tell me your "advanced", but I try not to get a big head about it. :-) Sometimes Daddy and I look at each other after you say something and wonder where you get it from! You say things that surprise us sometimes, but we love how well you are doing.

Your fascination with big trucks and loaders is just like your daddy. If you had to pick between candy and a big truck, you'd probably pick the truck. You'd probably come back for the candy too! You love to be outside and play all day. Even if it is freezing cold, you are still out there, runny nose and all!

You try to be just like your daddy all the time. With your "baby" wheelbarrow and your shovels, you do exactly what daddy is doing. I love the fact that you love your daddy and want to be like him. If you turn out like him, we have done what we should have as parents. I really hope that for you.

I love watching you grow and enjoy each new day with you. There will be a day when you will think that your mom is a crazy woman, but I hope you know it's because I would do give my life for you. Your Daddy and I love you very much!

Happy birthday buddy,

Love, Mommy

Just like Daddy

Charlie is just like his daddy. He loves to be outside and do all things boy. The only thing that is different about him is that he does NOT like to be dirty! It's kinda funny actually, everytime he falls, he needs his hands brushed off before he will go on playing.
My mom and I were shopping at Kohls one night and we found this small shovel and rake and it was probably the best investment I made so far this year! He loves to help daddy dig in the dirt, and in his new sandbox. Steve's mom also sent Steve's old wheelbarrow home with us one day, and now Charlie loves to push dirt around. I'm not sure if it helps or hinders Steve, but he is a good sport and helps him out, and tries to work around him.

They are cute together aren't they?

Chocolate Yogurt

That's what we call it at our house, Chocolate yogurt. It doesn't matter the flavor or the color, if it's pudding or really yogurt...everything is chocolate yogurt. He is now starting to ask for "blue chocolate yogurt", which is blueberry yogurt just so you know! He eats it like a madman too! I have proof!
It's even in his hair!!!

Charlie's 2 year pics

Friday April 2nd, Steve, Charlie and I went to get his 2 year pics taken. I was having Amy Carroll take his pictures. I met Amy at a wedding that I was in a few summers back. She did a great job for this wedding, and as I checking out her website, I saw she did kids too. I tried to get her for his 18month pics, but she was booked up. You will see why in a few minutes! She did a great job! Charlie didn't really smile that much, so I hoped that we got some good pictures, even without his cooperation. Amy was AWESOME! I recommend her to anyone! She isn't that expensive either. She does a blog post on each session, and so I got a little preview. I can't wait till the proofs come back!!!

Check it out!

www.acarrollphotography.net/2010/04/charlie-2-years/

I would recommend her for ANY type of picture that your family needs!

Full Time

This week has been crazy busy! I am working 4 days this week, and that's a lot for me! I'm also on call this week and weekend! I have had an ongoing headache for 3 days and I'm PMS-y! YIKES! The good news??

Charlie's sand for his new sandbox is coming tomorrow! He's going to be so happy! I can't wait. I have to get some pics so that I can post them! (First I have to figure out how to get my camera software onto my computer...hmmmmm)

That's all for now!

8 Years

8 Years.

It was 8 years ago today that my uncle Tim passed away. I think about it all the time. My sweet, fun loving uncle, who was taken much too soon. Even though people would characterize him as "mentally handicapped", us as his family did not see him that way. There are a lot of things that remind me of him everyday.

Everytime I drive by the cemetary on 68th st, I think of him, because that's where he is now.

Everytime I think about March 11th, I think of him, because it was the day he died.

Everytime I see an Emerald, I think of him, because his birthday is in May.

Everytime I see Jeff, his old roomate, I think of him.

Everytime I see something about Jurassic Park, I think of him, because that was the movie we watched together.

Everytime I see Glenn Moredyk, our music director at church, I think of him. Glenn walks and is shaped just like my uncle was. :-)

There are alot of things that remind me of Uncle Tim. He was a big part of our lives and in some respects, he still is. Even Charlie knows him, by his picture. It hurts my heart to think about him never getting to meet my Uncle. He was such a loving guy, he had a huge heart! For a long time I wondered if there was something I could have done differently to prevent his death, but I know that I would have done something if I could have.

(*For those of you who don't know, my uncle was in the back seat of my car when he had a massive heart attack. He died instantly.)

I know that it was God's plan for him to only live till he was 37, but it still leaves loved ones here behind to wonder what would have been if he was still here. It makes me so sad because he would have loved hanging out with all his great nieces and nephews! I have no doubt that he would always want to have one of them on his lap at coffee time. He loved kids, so it's sad that he's never going to meet the kids he would have loved so much, and would have made him so happy.

But in other ways, I know where he is and that makes me happy. My uncle is in heaven, and part of me wants to believe that he is holding and loving our baby until we can get there. That is what gives me hope when I get sad and reminiscent in times like these. I know I'll see him again someday!

His favorite thing was to have hamburgers and chocolate milk. So I didn't have a hamburger, but I had some chocolate milk for him today.

Love you Uncle Tim! Save me a place up there!

Show off.

Charlie has been told many times that he is advanced. I'm not trying to brag, because I'm positive there are things that he is not going to excel at! But for at least 6 months, he's been able to count to 10. I finally got him to do it for me, without trying to just grab the camera! He was a little preoccupied by the TV being on (I know, Mom of the year!) But at least he did it!

For you all to enjoy!

He finished it in this one:

Maybe I'll be able to get him singing his ABC's next time!!

Hattiesburg, MS

Steve and I just went on a trip to Hattiesburg, Mississippi for some more Katrina relief. Can you believe it? After 5 years, people still need help. We went with our church's Master's Builders group. We left friday night at 6PM and arrived around 10AM-ish in MS. Marv and Donna Helder were there to greet us! Sunday we went to a local church that had 12 people in the congregation! Can you imagine that?? There was literally 12 people! A 5 person choir! When we walked in, we tripled the congregation! It was pretty unbelievable. Some of the guys went driving around sunday afternoon and went by Tiger's rehab facility and Brett Favre's house. They were pretty psyched about it! Jenni, Jaclyn and I stayed back and did some hair and then took naps. (I know, a rambunctous crew)

Monday morning we started working. The guys went right away and us girls stayed back and planned the dinner for that night. We went to walmart to get the necessary groceries to make dinner. We went back to the camp, made dinner then headed out to join the guys.

We had two sites this year. One started as a concrete slab and one started as an open field. By the end of the week, one house was ready for drywall then paint, and the other was up and needed the roof on. I think they will be able to be livable pretty quickly! We got to learn about one of the homeowners. He is a single guy, about 60 years old. He lost some of his house in Katrina. By "some" I mean that his roof is half caved in. He is still LIVING in that house! He also has had some health issues and in now in a wheelchair. He has to drag himself up the stairs to get into his house! Can you imagine?? I wish I could see his face when he actually gets to move into the house we built with the RAMP into the front door. It's such a rewarding feeling, doing that for others.

On friday, after we got dinner ready in the morning, us girls went to see how we could help. We did a few odds and ends, but then most of the easy work had run out for us. So we decided to spend some time with Donna before we left. We went out for chinese food for lunch and then we headed over to the mall and got pedicures! It was the first time Donna had gotten one, so it was a real treat for her!

We had a great time that week. We had a lot of fun times and TONS of laughter! Talk to any of us girls and we will tell you about some serious inside jokes that we had!

And Now for Jaclyn, Jenni, Janelle and Donna:

Random Policeman we met at Cuppy's coffee: I been born and raised here in mississippi 32 years and I ain't seen snow... but 3 times!

Donna: We got all week!

Donna: Canoe Canoe!

Mason: I can't get any work done around here with all these girls in the way!

Jennie: Get your own corner!

Jennie: I'm going to go try and be victorious...

Jenni: Hey! Hey! You! You! I cuubafhydbaweuyvbinaskfe.......

Janelle: Those are Ginormous! Is that a word? I don't know, but I say it all the time!

Janelle: OMG Batman!

Jaclyn: I am Kanye's sister, Kan-Yeaka!

Jaclyn: Did she just say this is a sh*tty pan?
Jennie: No, she said Shine-y! Donna wouldn't say sh*t.
Donna: I say Sh*tty!

I love you girls!!

A Few Funnies

Sorry about the vacation from blogging....

Charlie is talking up a storm. He started talking about 4 months ago and has not stopped! Here's a few of his latest funny conversations...

Me: we are going to go home to Charlie's house.
Charlie: Nooo!!!
Me: Well, where else do you want to go?
Charlie: Abbie's house (friends from church)
Me: I don't think Abbie is home, we have to go to Charlie's house....(An excuse cause it was almost nap time)
Charlie: Go to Sophie's house! (another church friend)
Me: No, I think Sophie is napping (Another excuse)
Charlie: Paige's house?

I couldn't help but laugh cause he lists of all these friends he wants to play with....silly kid



As I was loading the dishwasher, Steve was talking to me and Charlie proceeded to take a dirty diaper off the counter (one that was meant for the dumpster) and opened it up (Eeeww!!)

Steve: Oh sick! Don't do that! (takes diaper away) Honey, wash his hands!
Me: (Wiping his hands)
Steve: No, I mean with soap and water, he was touching the turd!
Charlie: I touching a turd!!!
(Laughter)(Laughter)



At the post office, an old women, probably about 90, hunched over walking to her car got in and pulled away...

Charlie: See ya Great Grandma!

With Thanks

Thank you.

It's really all we can say to everyone who has been praying for us during the past month. We are doing much better, and are moving forward. Not in a sense that we are forgetting, just learning how to cope. It is much better now that the holidays are over. I just wanted to make sure that you all know that I appreciate all the cards, prayers, visits, goodies and hugs from all! We couldn't have made it without you!!

Just those few weeks

I wanted to share a poem that I recieved from a church member that blessed me in this time of grief.

JUST THOSE FEW WEEKS

By Susan Erling

For those few weeks-

I had you to myself.

And that seems too short a time

to be changed to profoundly

In those few weeks-

I came to know you...

and to love you.

You came to trust me with your life.

Oh what a life I had planned for you!

Just those few weeks-

When I lost you,

I lost a lifetime of hopes,

plans, dreams, and aspirations.

A slice of my future simply vanished overnight.

Just those few weeks-

It wasn't enough time to convince others

how special and important you were.

How odd, a truly unique person has recently died

and no one is mourning the passing.

Just a mere few weeks-

And no "normal" person would cry all night

over a tiny fragile baby,

or get depressed and withdrawn day after endless day.

No one would, so why am I?

You were just those few weeks, my Little One.

You darted in and out of my life too quickly.

But it seems that's all the time you needed

to make my life so much richer and

give me a small glimpse of eternity.

We love you Baby VandenBerg, and we can't wait to meet you someday.

Love,

Daddy, Mommy and Big Brother Charlie.