You say its your birthday!

Well, today is my birthday and I am so happy. Aren't bday's great!!! Ahhhhh.... Anyway, I just had to share the little note that Rusty emailed me this morning. It made me cry and made me feel so special and just reminded once again how lucky I am.

Well, well – I am excited that it’s your birthday! I know you are too. Let me take a moment and let me list some of the things I love about you:

There has never been a day since we’ve been together that I haven’t smiled from being with you.

A day has never gone by when you haven’t told me you love me.

You are more beautiful to me now than you were at 16 (and don’t argue about it!)

You show your heart by how selfless you are when it comes to me and J.

Unlike most, you are never concerned at what you have and you love the little things more than the big things.

You’re not lazy and you take pride in keeping everything clean.

You love to sing in the car! You love your coffee in the morning. You love to go places and outdoors.

I love to take you to eat supper (or dinner) cause it’s time together. And movies too…

Most of all, I love that you are my wife. The one for me, and with me always. I love you Beau and I hope you have a wonderful Birthday!

-Russ-

Hey Friends!

Long time no post. My job is taking up every minute of my day right now and I am afraid it isn't going to get any better. I am really enjoying it, but  you know how it is when you start a new job....you are the "newbie" and you have to learn new things and feel like you are so stupid sometimes. The good thing is that I know every one that I work with from working with them in the past. So....that is nice.

This weekend was a blast.....not really. Jameson ran a fever all weekend. One night it spiked to 102.6 and he was so hot. He has only had fever one other time in his life and it was only for one afternoon. He started running a fever on Friday and the last one he had was Sunday night. We were up Sat. night from 1:00 am to 5:00 am. He finally went to sleep and woke up again around 7. Sunday night was similar, but he wasn't up for 4 straight hours. I felt so bad for him becasue I couldn't do anyhing but hold him and love him. It was definitely one of those "helpless mommy" feelings. I took him to the doctor on Mon and he has a double ear infection and ulcers all in his throat and mouth. I don't blame him for not sleeping after I heard that. He is doing much better now, but it hasn't been the best week.

I thought going back to work full time would be very difficult because my other job schedule was so flexible, but truthfully it hasn't been that bad. I miss Jameson during the day sometimes, but when I get home he just gets extra lovin'. Rusty is real good about getting supper started or helping me do laundry so I can have some extra time with Jameson. He is wonderful like that.

My birthday is next week and I am super exctied. I dont' really know why, but I am. I just love bday's. It is a day just for you and no one else (except my brother in law) :) Yes, me and my brother in law share the same birthday except he is WAY older than I am (just kidding Bryan...Cantina make sure you let him read this). Anyway, I will be 28 and still feel like I am 20. I can't believe I am knocking on 30's door. Oh well.

That is about it. Boring huh? I will be sure to post any exciting birthday news. Don't forget it. Write it down on your calendar right now. Not that you will necessarily talk to me on that day, but at least you will say, "hey, it is Candice's bday today." I am sure I will feel the love.

Bye for now.

Missing In Action

I have been missing in action lately! Sorry..... I have a new job and it is taking all my time right now. I only get to blog at work because we do not have internet at our house. So, my blogs will be slim for a while until I get into the new groove of things. 

Everyone is doing well. Jameson turned 17 months old today. He is a smart little guy. I know I am his mom, but I have people tell me that all the time. It makes me feel good. The cutest thing he is doing right now is sign language and asking mommy nicely for things. Rusty taught him how to say "more" in sign language to try to cut down on some of his whining. He started using it really well when he wanted some food, but then he started using it for everything. Like, he will say "more" when he wants to play, or eat, or wants me to follow him. It is so cute to see him do it and even though he uses it for everything, it stopped him from whining. I also taught him how to say "up please" when he wanted up or wanted me to hold him. He can't say his P's yet, so he says, "uh ease". I could melt everytime he says it. Unfourtuneately, he has also picked up the word "No". We tell him it a bad word and that we don't  say that. We have also started time out. Nothing seems to be working too well, but we are still trying. Any suggestions anyone???????

He is the cutest and sweetest child I know, but he sure does know how to press my buttons. I never dreamed he would be this smart at 17 months old. Every day is a learning process and I love being a mom.

Hope everyone is well. Please be patient with me and keep checking the blog.  I promise to update soon.

Oh what fun

We had a great Christmas. Lots of fun, food, and family. Jameson got so many presents from so many people who love him. Thanks everyone. We love you very much. I took too many pictures and could not possibly explain in a blog just how much fun we had. I decided to post a few pictures in a slideshow and hopefully you will get the picture.

After Christmas was over and all the presents were opened, I told Rusty that I was so thankful that we were able to provide a wonderful Christmas for Jameson and our family. Jesus is the real reason we even celebrate Christmas and it was evident just how real Jesus is at our house. He blessed us with so many fun things and with families who love us.

Slacker.......

I am a slacker. Go ahead......call me names. I feel shame. You know as well as I do that this time of year is the greatest, but the busiest as well. So let me catch you up.....Lots of parties, lots of birthday's, lots of wrapping......you get the picture.

Last week was my mom's birthday. She turned...just kidding mom. I wouldn't dare do that to you. If you knew my mom, you would know that she loves birthdays, but hates telling her age. She thinks she looks like 98 and is old and wrinkled, but others think differently. She is so pretty and doesn't look half her age. You can tell her that all day long and she will never believe you. Anyway, my mom is a very special person in my life. I wouldn't make it without her. My roomates used to make fun of me in college because I would call her every day and talk to her. She is my bestfriend and always will be. She has taught me a lot.

Things I wouldn't know if I didn't have my mom:

1. Is it ok to give J tylenol with decongestant

2. How to cook a ham, turkey, pot roast, corn bread

3. How to be a self -less parent

5. When to go to the doctor

6. How to be a good wife

7. How to be nice to people no matter what

8. How she managed to make me tell you everything in highschool (really still don't know that one)

9.Why Rusty makes me so crazy sometimes

10. It is ok to me

The number one question I ask my mom is.......

What do you think I should do?

No matter what I call my mom with, she always has an answer and always gives me reassurance and encouragement. She has never discouraged me or given me a negative answer. Rusty laughs at me because he knows when I am worried that I am calling my mom for advice.

I don' t know what I would do without you ma! Happy Birthday! I love you.

I am truly blessed to have a mom like I have. She has raised me well and I am so happy to be her daughter.

Merry Christmas if I don't blog before then!

Camp Happenings

A lot has happened in the past 2 weeks. Last weekend I went roller skating with some friends and we had a blast. I haven't skated in like 10 years, so I was pretty cautious! I don' t think I can recover from a fall like I used to be able to. I have to admit that I felt pretty old. There were lots of young "teeny bops" there looking at us like we were way too old to be hanging out. We didn't let it get us down though. After we skated safely for a while, we hit the moon bounce and slide. We screamed and giggled like teenage girls again. It was fun! It was a much needed release. Rusty stayed at home with J and I knew I had nothing to worry about. It was a great night. Thanks for inviting me Abby!

I am on skates and didn't fall!

This past weekend, we spent the night with our buddies Mark, Jill, Brandy, and Jonathan. Brandy, Jill and I were roomates in college and have been best friends since then. We all got pregnant at the same time and have very cute babies all close in age. Some might call us crazy, but we were willing to take the challenge of coming together for one  big sleep over. We had a great time with minimal melt downs from the kiddos. Lots of memories were made. I hope it is something we can continue to do so our children can grow up together. I only got one shot of the kids playing together and it is not very good, but you can see how cute they all are.

Between all the hussle and bussle, I have managed to finish decorating my house for Christmas, wrap some presents, clean house, do laundry, cook, attend 3 Christmas parties and go to work. Very busy, but I feel so blessed to be able to do it all. There are lots of people out there that would love to work and have fun with their children, but can't. I thank God every day that He allows me to be busy, even though sometimes I feel like pulling my hair out. It is a true blessing.

My beautiful tree!

Have a great Christmas and remember the families that are less fortunate than we are. They are out there all around us. I see it every day.

P.S.  Still dealing with sleep issues and still need prayers! Thanks.

You can lead a horse to water.....

You know the old saying, "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make them drink". Well, I have come up with a new slogan for my life. It is, "You can lead a baby to bed, but you can't make them sleep". Most of you know that my precious little baby has never been a great sleeper. He had gotten better, but recently we are going through a regression. He wakes up almost every night around 1:30 and stays up for about 2 hours. Some nights I feel so helpless because I don't know what to do. So, I am asking for some quick prayers for Jameson if you have time. I am a firm believer in prayer and I know it works, so please join me.

More posts with pictures coming soon! Christmas is just around the corner and I am so excited! Thanks for reading.

My Favorite Things

Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year, as it is for many people. These are a few of my favorite things: in no particular order

1.  Christmas music (Carol of the Bells and O Holy Night specifically)

2.  Christmas food

3.  Giving presents

4.  Family time

5.  Polar Express, Christmas Vacation and Elf

6.  The smell of turkey and pies throughout your house

7.  Scented candles

8.   Barely being able to sleep on Christmas Eve

9.   Staying up late to put out presents

10. Watching children light up when you mention Santa

What are your favorite things?

2 years ago.....

I just remembered that 2 years ago today I found out I was pregnant. It was an amazing day.

• I will never forget the feeling in my heart when I saw the + sign.
• I will never forget shaking with excitement.
• I will never forget shooting secretive glances at Rusty across the room before we told our families.
• I will never forget taking 5 pregnancy test
• I will never forget the love I developed immediately for the baby growing inside of me.

I will never forget.

Thanksgiving Holiday's- Day 2 and 3

Thursday was great! We ate lots of food, visited with lots of family, and needed lots of sleep afterwards. Thanksgiving was smooth sailing.

Friday me and my mom decided to go "black Friday" shopping. We are crazy for doing it, but we aren't as crazy as some people. We didn't get up at 2 am like most. We arrived at 7 am and actually had a great time. We found some sales and checked a few names off the list. When I got home that afternoon Russ told me that he heard some squeaking in the house that morning and it was coming from the garbage. I immediately thought that we had a mouse and wanted it gone NOW! Russ then told me it was coming from the garbage with our Christmas decorations that I had thrown away (remember the ones that the chipmunks had destroyed). I said, "Russ, I bet there were some baby chipmunks in there and that is what you heard. I am going to get the trash and look."  He said, "Can, no you're not". He knew I was serious.

Let me pause for a moment and remind you all how much I LOVE animals. My heart has a huge spot for all animals. It is because they are so helpless. I hear a story on the news about people being hurt and it doesn't bother me, but if I hear a story about an animal getting hurt or lost....it is over. I almost start crying. Since I became a mother, my heart is even bigger for baby animals because I know how much they need a mommy.  I have always been this way and always will be.

Ok...so back to the trash. I go outside and pulled the bag with the decorations out. Sure enough, I hear the squeaking noise and look down to see this....

They were so cute and I HAD to rescue them. I didn't touch them, but I did sit the bag back up on the shelf where the momma chipmunk stays. I know this sounds pathetic and I was all mad at the chipmunks last week, but that was before I knew they had babies.

Day 3
Saturday was finally a day of rest. We woke up, had some breakfast, and played. Rusty was busy outside putting up Christmas lights on the house. I was so excited about decorating our house this year. He did a really good job. He is a bit scared of heights and didn't want to go all the way up, but I told him I really needed lights on the top and he caved. I have that power over him you know! The first night we plugged the lights in, the fuse blew and I was bummed out. After a changed fuse and 3 more extension cords, this is what we have. It felt a little "Christmas Vacation like" to see all the cords and lights. Now I am so ready for Christmas!

Careful Russ!

The picture does no justice.