Offer Accepted

We put in our offer for the house today and they had until 9 pm tomorrow to respond. They already responded and after a small amount of negotiation - we got the house. There was a compromise made, but we still got $7300 the total transaction (some off the house and they pay closing cost)! The builders response to our last offer was "start packing!"

Looks like we will be in a NEW house by the end of the month!!!! HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It Wasn't Me

Bryce has gotten really bad lately about blaming everything on his brothers - even when we watch him do what he is denying. I went to get him up to go potty before I went to bed tonight and he got up repeating "It wasn't me" over and over. I guess that is his life motto now!!

Pictures of House

We made an offer on the house today - we should know by tomorrow night if they accept our offer. These are not the best pictures, I took them quickly today while working on paperwork. I did not get any outside pictures because it was pouring. If they accept our offer we will go pick out the carpet color this week. We should be closed and get the house on the 26th if everything goes as planned.

The boys went with us to the house today. They are all very excited and other than concern about how dirty the house is (it is still a construction site) and the fact that there is not carpet or flooring - just concrete - they really like the house. In some of the pictures there are spots in the photo - that is where the boys kicked up all kinds of dust and the flash got it all.

I was just joking about the master closet and linen closet. Paul will get to put his clothes in the real closet (I will just take up more space than him!!). I took a picture of the shower and whirlpool bathtub, but for some reason it will not upload into the slide show. You can see the tub a little in the picture with the sinks though.

The kitchen will be changed a little bit. Since we already have a black refrigerator and all of the appliances in the house are white, the agent for the builder told us that they could switch the white for black (same appliance just different color). So we will have black appliances when we move in.

Looking For a New House

We have been looking for a house the past couple of weeks - hoping to move before the baby comes. We got preapproved for a loan, but finding a house here has proved difficult. Between our wants and the fact that really, with as much as this city is growing, it is hard to find nice property for sale.

The problem we have run into is that there are several new subdivision, but they are trying to squeeze as many houses as they can into these areas so they are not putting yards with the houses. I don't mean they are not putting grass down - I mean if you were to take your lawn mower one or two strips the width of the house - you would be done mowing your back yard. I have 4 boys and dogs - a back yard is a MUST!!!

So we found a house we loved in a subdivision we loved. We met with our realtor today for the first time and she showed us the house. We knew the house had been listed previously and had been taken off the market and relisted with a different realtor at about $6000 more than previously listed for.

We got there before the realtor and walked around the house. We noticed that we could not see any foundation on the house and the backyard seemed kind of soggy. When the realtor got there she informed us that the house had flooded several times. I thought she meant the backyard - nope - she meant the HOUSE had flooded. From the back door to the front door had flooded. All of the yards slope down into this houses yard and the water goes straight through the house. When you look at the base boards in the living room - you can tell!

Of course we did not make an offer. Go figure - Paul works with mold A LOT and once you got it getting rid of it is not easy! We decided to go look at one more subdivision where they are still building. The realtor called the builder and found out how to get in. The house is within a couple of weeks of being finished. There is no carpet down yet and they need to finish the 8 foot privacy fence in the backyard and then just cleaning the house.

A representative for the builder actually came out while we were there. It was kind of nice having him there because any questions we had about the structure etc., he could answer. IF we decide we want the house pretty quick, we will be able to pick what color carpet we want - out of there choices. It is nice because the house is close enough to being done that we don't have to wait forever, but we can still make some choices on the interior.

I am going to try to get some photos of the inside of the house tomorrow. We are meeting with the realtor again and we are going to go back to the house and take another look around. If we decide on this house we could be moving in by the end of January!! Wish us luck as we go through this headache again!!!

Santa?

I should have mentioned that Caleb has really questioned last year and this year if Santa is real. He makes comments about how Daddy and Mommy are Santa. Then when we are talking about Christmas and Santa - he suddenly starts talking about Santa.

Friday after we got the boys picked up from school, Paul opened the garage where the Santa gifts were. Caleb saw his Capsela box - even though he did not know what they were - he knew he was not supposed to see them.

That evening I told the boys that Santa had to drop off some presents early because his sleigh was too full. I told them he was still going to come to fill their stockings and they bought it and were fine with it. We had already planned to put the Capselas together and put the extras in a tub, but I did not know if Caleb would put it all together. (We threw the box away before he got up this morning.)

I don't mind Caleb knowing the truth about Santa, but I don't want him to spoil it for his brothers and if he knows - he will tell EVERYONE!! He is such a realist - he questions EVERYTHING!

Last night, Paul had a fire going in the fireplace. Isaac and Bryce were concerned about how Santa would get in the chimney without "burning his butt!" Before anyone could say anything, Caleb says "he has special clothes that won't let him get burned." The boys bought it and they were fine after that.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!

Last night we sat down and read Luke 2 to the boys. It has been so neat to hear them talk about how Christmas is to celebrate Jesus' birth. This is the first year they have all started to really understand everything. Caleb started out the reading, but was having a hard time with some of the words so asked Daddy to finish it.

We put out cookies for Santa last night and some oats for the reindeer. We were going to make cookies, but at 6:15 last night I realized we had no eggs and all of the stores closed at 6.

The boys got up at almost 7 this morning (we figured they would be up much earlier). They came and got us before they went to look under the tree though! Caleb got Capsela's - which are motorized science models. You can build many different things from cars to planes to boats and they are motorized. He had never even heard of these (Paul had them growing up), but when he saw the crane that "Santa" had set up this morning - he got VERY excited about them.

Isaac got a GameBoy and accessories. This is all he has been asking for!! Caleb will be glad because this means Isaac will stop playing his Gameboy!

Bryce got a Knight castle from Playmobile. I love their toys because they are so detailed. Last year Caleb got their pirate ship and accessories. Bryce spent the majority of today playing with the castle. He had been asking Santa for it and I think he got a bit more than he had expected!

Then they opened their gifts. Caleb got a Razor scooter, a microscope and lots of different science experiment kits. He has been busy today building and experimenting. We got him a tool box to hold all of his science stuff in and a lock to keep his brothers out of it.

Isaac got a big R/C Corvette, some games and movies for his Gameboy and a board game. He drove the R/C around the house as much as he could, but with all the toys all over the floor - space is a little limited.

Bryce got a fire department sleeping bag, a firetruck alpabet book and a big wheels. He was so cute laying in the sleeping bag while playing with his castle.

Over all, the boys had a great day. The boys had cornish game hens and Paul and I had tbone steaks - which Paul did an AWESOME job on - as always!! We had a few sides and some pies, but we did not do as much food as we normally do for the holidays.

What A World

We passed a liquor store today that had a nativity scene outside of it. For some reason those two just don't seem to mix!!??

Christmas at the Capitol

Isaac's Birthday Cupcakes

We got Isaac's cupcakes for his birthday from Walmart. Apparantly, the woman that checked us out was having a bad day. We bought about $30 worth of cupcakes (and 2 bags of candy) for the three boys Christmas parties. After she rang them up she threw (I mean threw them) in a bag sideways!!

I don't care how bad your day is - you don't throw someones cupcakes in a bag. This is what Isaac's birthday cupcakes ended up looking like:

Family Fun

We spent this evening out having fun. We decided to take the boys to a park in North Little Rock that had a drive thru Christmas light display. It cost $5 and was worth it to hear the excitement of the kids as they determined what each display was. It only took about 10 minutes, tops to SLOWLY drive thru, but it was fun.

Then we took them to the capitol to see the lights. We took pictures and video and as soon as I get the pictures off the camera. The kids had a lot of fun running around and the capitol was beautiful with all of the Christmas lights.

Then we went to the bookstore. Caleb spent his birthday money on a science experiment kit. He got a microscope for Christmas (they all got to open one gift today). So, tomorrow will be spent making slides with whatever he can find and examing under the microscope and making science experiments.

We finished the night off with a trip to Krispy Kreme Donuts. I have never been inside one before, only through the drive thru. It was really neat. You walk in and they immediately give you a glazed donut. You get to see the entire process of the donuts being made. The boys were fascinated - as were Paul and I. The boys each got a Christmas sprinkle donut and milk. The donuts were so warm and soft!!

Now we are back home and the boys are all playing with the gifts they got to open today. Isaac picked out the game MouseTrap - which he is not really old enough to play, but we improvise and he manages to be happy with it. Bryce got a big truck with lights and sound (because there is not enough sound in this house full of boys). It also has a big trailer with a pair of jet skies and lots of little pieces (like a cooler, tool box, floor jack, etc.). Maybe these will hold them over until Christmas morning.

Paul Plays Tip the Cow

Have you ever heard of cow-tipping or tipping the cow. Well, it is a game Paul has recently picked up. An example is we were working on dinner just now and I was getting a pot out of the cabinent. He decided he needed a can opener out of the drawer above my head, so he decided he would act like he was going to hit me with the drawer.

He acted like he was going to open it and I moved quickly to keep from getting hit - except I am already off balance so when I move to dodge him - I fall over. I fell (literally) for it twice! I asked him if he had taken up cow-tipping and he came to try to tip me over!!

Such a supportive husband!

Busy Weekend

I know I have kinda slacked a little lately in postings, but this is a busy time of year. This past weekend we went down to Texas for a BUSY weekend. I got to go see my best friend graduate college. She has been working very hard for a long time to raise her three boys and get a degree and she did, finally, and graduated cum laude!! I am very proud of her and happy for her.

Then Sunday we went and saw my Aunt get baptized. It was so great to hear her wonderful testimony - it was a long road for her to get where she is!! It was also great to see everyone. She got baptized in the church that Paul and I went to before we moved away. We got to see many friends there, on top of my parents, grandmother, aunt, and cousins (and their husbands).

The boys had a long weekend. We got up at 4:30 Saturday morning so we could make it to graduation in time. Thanks Mom, Dad and Aunt Linda for keeping the boys so Paul and I could go together. The boys really enjoy spending time with Aunt Linda!

Paul has had this week off and has next week off, so we have been getting last minute Christmas stuff done while the boys are still in school. Unlike most schools, our schools don't get out until tomorrow.

A Possible Name

We are thinking of the name Andrew Alanison.

Andrew was a name Paul came up with in the car the other day. It is the first name one of us has come up with where the other did not immediately say no. Alanison is Paul's great-uncles middle name (it was a family name). Paul was very close to him and they had a lot in common. He to this day speaks of him VERY frequently, although he died many many years ago. I wish I had gotten the chance to meet him! We wanted to use at least part of his name somewhere, so that is how we chose this name.

The boys all like the name and can all say it clearly already, but we still have several months to change our mind!

HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY ISAAC

What's In A Name

In researching different names to find the perfect name for No-Name, we stumbled across something somewhat disturbing. Caleb is faithful, Spencer (which was a family name) is dispenser of provisions.

Isaac is full of laughter and Avery is one who is a wise ruler.

Now, Caleb is faithful and Isaac is full of laughter so when it was time to name the third baby, we thought we would try out the theory that you determine who your child becomes by what you name him. It backfired!

Bryce Allen- in the book we were looking at - was ambitious and quiet. Now I am seeing different meanings that are strong and alert and handsome. It definently backfired, because he is far from quiet!!

We will not rely quite as heavily on the meaning with this baby!!

Big Belly

I meant to post this a couple of weeks ago and forgot. My last post reminded me of it. When we were at the store last week, Bryce told me that he had a baby in his tummy. I told him he didn't and I did. He pulled his shirt up and exclaims "Look my belly is big - I have a baby in it."

The other people standing around us got a BIG kick out of him!

Baby Playroom

Bryce and I were walking through Target this morning looking at baby stuff and getting Daddy's stocking stuffers! We stopped to look at the baby stuff - which I am guilty of doing everytime we go in a store. I was looking at bedding stuff and across the aisle were baby toys. Bryce asked if we could get the baby a toy.

I told him that the baby would not need many toys for quite a while. "Baby brother doesn't have a playroom in your belly?"

I AM his playground, apparantly, but I did not tell Bryce that!

Baby or Octopus?

I don't know for sure that we are having a baby. I think, quite possibly, we are having an octopus. How else can he be EVERYWHERE inside me at once - and he is not SUPPOSE to be very big right now (I guess we will see if he is more than two weeks too big still next week when we visit the dr.).

I guess I spoke too soon in the previous post about having a calm baby! The last couple of days the baby has been HURTING me. I don't know what body part he is sitting on - but it is very uncomfortable (and when he gets off that body part he moves to my BLADDER!).

He moves non-stop the last couple of days and it is already getting pretty uncomfortable. Paul thinks it is funny and actually makes him move more. I think, if he is not an octopus and is in fact a human, he will be a great boxer!!

Childhood Memory

I was just reminded about something that happened when we were growing up. I am talking to my sister and we are being immature (go figure).

When we were younger, we were at home and my parents were gone. Well, since there are four of us, we all managed to get into trouble when Mom and Dad were gone. One day, in particular, we still frequently laugh about.

I don't even remember why this happened, but my older brother and sister HUNG my little brother in my parents closet - FROM HIS UNDERWEAR. We are talking the ultimate wedgie!!! I hope my kids don't read this before they are old enough to not do this, but it is just one of those childhood memories you will never forget!!

It was not funny to him then, but he laughs WITH us about it now! I am scared to know what other memories will be commented on now, but at least I control what stays!! HAHA!

To Papa (again)

Bryce was just looking at the blog and saw the last post to you. He got excited when he saw the Potato Heads and screams "My Papa is a Potato Head!!"

We love you!!!

Lindsay:

In response to your comment about your lost item:

What you don't understand is that being the only woman living with a house full of guys, is that I have to keep a mental filing cabinet of everything I see - especially if I KNOW it is out of place because they cannot find anything on their own!!

On top of that - when they ask "Where is....?" It is not enough to tell them, because chances are something is covering it up and they can not look under ANYTHING (half the time if it is in the open they can't find it). Therefore, I actually have to go get it and hand it to them.

It is really kind of funny because I have gotten to where I don't even tell them where something is when they ask, I just get up and get it. Paul always says "If you will just tell me I will get it." But I know that I will have to go get it anyway, so I just save time and words!!!

SO... when I saw a purse in the cabinet UNDER YOUR STOVE, it kinda stood out in my head! Even several weeks later - that one was easy to remember!!

OOPS!!

I don't know that Paul will be taking the boys Christmas shopping for me again!! Between Caleb coming home and telling me how much they spent on me and then Bryce today - I think that is it!! He had already told me what he was planning on getting me, so when Caleb told me what they spent, it kind of gave away what it was.

Paul brought it in and showed it to me since Caleb gave it away. Well, this morning, I could not find my camera. I asked Bryce if he had seen it. "Yes, it is in the car. It is BIG and it is a surprise for you."

I was asking about my little digital camera, and he was telling me about the camcorder they got me for Christmas. I guess after he said that he went to my room to look for my digital and saw the bag with the camcorder because he brought it to me and said "Here it is! Do you like it?"

Aren't kids great. You don't even have to carefully unwrap in this house to peek at what you are getting because the kids can't keep it secret - even when they are trying too!!!

Good news - you will now be able to see clearer video of the kids!!!

Bryce

To Papa

Bryce made this Mr. Potato Head and said it was Papa. I am not sure, but we will just say that is a "man purse."

He was very proud of it and asked me to mail it to Papa. I did not think it would make it in one piece, so I asked if I could take a picture and send to him instead. He reluctantly agreed. So here you go Papa!!!

Isaac and Bryce Performing

Isaac is the one on the end














Bryce is the short one in the middle - this is before he spotted Mommy and Daddy in the audience and ran off stage in the middle of the performance (yelling "Mommy! Daddy! in happiness).














Isaac and Bryce performed with their choirs at the Thanksgiving service. Again - the pictures aren't the best, but the best I could get!

Caleb's Church Performance

Our church had a missions dinner a couple of weeks ago. Caleb's choir sang some of the songs that they were going to sing in their Christmas performance. The pictures aren't great, but it is the best I can get with my little camera!!

The kids were told to where something Christmas-y, and Caleb had outgrown everything, so we had to go get something for him. This is what he picked out to wear! I was pretty impressed that he picked this when the other kids were not this dressed up!

Manipulation

I think I finally realize why a very manipulative person was put in my life!! It was in preperation for Bryce!! I have never seen such a manipulative three year old before, but I think if I had not had a very manipulative person in my life previously to teach me how to handle it, I would not be able to handle Bryce.

God does not give us more than we can handle, and he has, what we may feel, are strange ways to teach us and prepare us. For me, this was a way to prepare me for my most important task - raising my children.

People ask me when I drop Bryce off why all of a sudden he throws fits when I try to leave - because up until probably September or October, he never has. Now it is every time I take him. I tell people he is TRYING to manipulate me. I have had mothers who cannot understand how I can leave him and walk off with him throwing a fit, that it is seperation anxiety and I should not leave him.

No - it is manipulation. That is why he can tell me, in the car on the way to school, "if you drop me off at school and leave I WILL be bad." (those are HIS words!!) And, then he is bad at school.

Don't get me wrong. It is not just when I go drop him off. It is ALL the time. When I get on to him for something - "I want my Daddy!" is all I hear. Because I have been so warn out from being manipulated - before Bryce was even born, he does not stand a chance. We play battle of the wills - and mine usually wins! I want to break him of this before he starts relationships (friendships) outside of the home!!!

Psalms 127

v.3 Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.

I have been quadrupally blessed. It is not always easy to see the "reward" in them, but you always do! I really wanted a girl, but was surprisingly accepting of hearing that we were having a boy. God has a reason for giving me four boys. Maybe it is the lessons that I have, am and will learn from them (I know you can learn lessons from girls too). I will continue to love my boys and will always find the "gift" in them - even when I really have to search!!

Children are too often seen as libilities rather than assets. If we take the time to listen to them and watch them they can teach us many lessons from their inquisitive minds and trusting spirits. How can we treat them as an inconvienence when they are so highly valued by God? They are great gifts of God.

This is my life verse (for now anyway) because when the days are exceptionally trying with the boys - I can read this and remember that the boys are mine and Paul's rewards from God.

I searched for a month for this verse, and could not find it. I even had a couple of other people looking for it. Yesterday, while talking to a friend, she said that she randomly opened her Bible and started reading. This was what she read. When she started telling me I got really excited and asked the verse. She said for some reason she thought it was Psalms 127, but she was probably wrong. When she went and looked it up - it was "the" chapter I have been searching for all this time!!

I guess God made her open to that passage to reward me for the month of searching!!

You Continuously Amaze Me!!

I hosted our monthly Bunko group at my house last night, which meant the boys had to leave for the evening. Paul was wanting to take the boys to Putt-Putt, only to find out that one of our local Putt-Putt places was already closed for the summer and the other one closes at 7pm (which they had to be gone from 7-9).

When we found this out, I got online and looked to see what movies were showing. Paul was going to take the boys to see Happy Feet - so I thought.

He came home and cleaned out the fish tank and then headed out, but not before he told me he had changed his plans. Instead of going to the movies, where the kids would be sitting and quiet and busy, he decided he was going to do some Christmas shopping. He said they were going to get my present and he was going to let the boys pick out one gift each (for themselves).

He took them to Burger King for dinner and let them play for a while. Then he took them to TOYS R US and Best Buy!!! Now, he has not taken all the boys shopping by himself more than a couple of times - and we are talking Walmart for groceries or last minute gifts type of thing. I don't even like going to Toys R Us with one kids by myself and he took them ALL!! Very impressive!

The boys came home very excited. They all ran in (while there were still people here) and started announcing what they each got. Then Caleb announced how much was spent on my present - which was a give away to the gift!!

All in all it was a good night. Paul said that Isaac and Bryce behaved very well and Caleb had some issues - just like all weekend!! Now I need to go clean my kitchen!!!!!!!

Calm Baby

Last night I got a little concerned because I had not felt the baby move all day. He is definently the calmest baby - so far anyway. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come. The other boys were ALWAYS very active when I was pregnant with them.

After I got in bed, which is when he usually starts moving around, I tried to get him to move for a while. Could not get him to do it. I finally got him to move just a little. I think what was going on was he was facing inward, his butt and back were against my stomach.

This morning, I got up early and worked a Christmas banquet for our church's food pantry. I worked for about 4 hours and then came home and laid down. I spent most of the day being lazy in bed and Baby was making up for his lack of movement before. Paul had his arm over my stomach and Baby did not like the lost space apparantly because it did not matter where Paul's arm was on my stomach, he was kicking it.

He moved around non-stop for the 4 hours or so I laid in bed (I told you I was being lazy). I got up and actually got busy doing housework, and have not felt him since, but at least I know he is still in there!!!

Bad Weekend

Last night the boys had choir practice at church because they are all performing Sunday (their Christmas programs). Isaac and Bryce had practice from 6-7:30, and Caleb from 6-11. When we got Isaac and Bryce and we were leaving, they were very concerned because we were not getting Caleb. The entire way home they kept asking where he was and why we were leaving him there. The closer we got to home, they started saying maybe he was home! Bryce kept saying that "we" don't have 3 kids anymore - just two. When we asked about the baby in my tummy he says "Oh yeah, we don't have four kids anymore - just three."

It is amazing how the boys do nothing but fight and argue when they are together, but show such love and concern when they think we have "forgotten" one of them.

Caleb, oh Caleb. He got in SO much trouble last night. I made Paul go pick up Caleb and he got grabbed up as soon as he walked in by the choir directors. Apparantly, Caleb got into a fight with another kid. On top of that, he was not listening, hiding behind partitions when he was suppose to be doing other things. It was not a good evening!!! He says that the other kids started the fight, but I explained that as soon as the other kid started something he should have gone and gotten a teacher. I was not there, and don't know what really happened, but his behavior thus far this weekend has not been good!!

Bryce and the Alphabet

Bryce has known how to sing the alphabet for a while now. Now, though, he can RECOGNIZE the alphabet. He knows every letter, with no problems, except T, L, Z, E. We have to work a little harder at these. I am so proud of the progress he is making!

New Cravings!

Goodbye raw potatoes!! I have finally moved past the raw potatoe craving and moved on to much better (and normal) things. As we speak, my wonderful husband (at 9pm) is making me pancakes and bacon. I was really wanting pancakes last night and again today, but I could not wait any longer.

And yes, we did eat dinner. This is the "fourth meal" - and they are awesome pancakes!!

I Am Seriously Scared!!

Mom called me this morning and told me to tell Paul how much I love him and appreciate him because you never know when he could just drop dead and I would never be able to tell him that. Luckily, we tell each other all the time, but never enough!

Apparantly, a man at the church she works for, a very athletic man, literally dropped dead. They are waiting for an autopsy report to know for sure what happened.

Well, tonight I was watching a show with the same theme. Appreciate what you have and let people that you love know how you feel about them while you can, because you never know what tomorrow holds (or even a minute from now!).

It kind of has me scared. Why is this a common topic today? Is something going to happen? I can see little sleep tonight!

Presents

Today I wrapped the only two Christmas presents I have bought so far. I put them under the tree and, of course, the boys noticed pretty quick after walking in the door from school. There is one for Caleb and one for Bryce.

Isaac asked where his was and I told him I did not have one for him yet. He told me when I got one HE would help me wrap it. I told him that would not work because then he would know what he was getting. He said he knew that - that is why he wanted to help!

Retained Information!

It is so funny the things that kids retain (and even "funnier" the things they don't!!). Caleb is to the point of obsession and annoyance with recycling. He wants to recycle EVERYTHING!! If he sees me throwing something away he lectures me about recycling. He wants to save EVERYTHING because "I might want to use it for something later to recycle." He keeps asking if we will save different size boxes so he can "make a city," as a way to recycle.

The funniest thing though. The other day he told me I needed to quit driving so much. I asked why and he said to save trees because of gas. I told him the gas was not made from the trees and he said he knew that but gas leaks and when it rains it runs into water and trees and then kills the trees.

He can't remember what I told him to do 2 minutes ago, but he can tell me how gas effects trees!!

Nursery

I have decided on the colors for the baby room. Paul and I were talking about it yesterday and he said that the decorating was my thing. I told him I wanted it to be our thing and his response - "Okay, lets do his room in Superman!"

OBSESSED I'M TELLING YOU!!!!

I am doing green (like a mint green and brown). I got this blanket:



















(the colors look a little off on the computer) from Target and really liked the colors. It comes from this collection:












I don't know that I am going to go with a theme or just the colors, but I have had my fill of blue! I have not done a whole lot of searching on bedding yet, just decided the colors I wanted.

Superbaby

We are still looking for a baby name - this is not easy. I love the names the boys have, and they all flow so well, which is putting a lot of extra pressure for a perfect name. Never mind the fact that this child will be stuck with this name for HIS ENTIRE LIFE - unless we really screw up and he changes it when he is older!

Paul - he has a couple of names that he keeps coming back too every time we talk about names. They are Clark and Kent. Does that sound familiar? Clark Kent? SUPERMAN!!!

I told him that I am not having Superman. He responded with "I know, you are having Superbaby!"

See what I am dealing with!?!?

Company Christmas Party

Friday we went to Paul's company Christmas party. It is always nice to go every year because there are not a whole lot of times that I get to go out and be around other adults - kid free!!

Every year the company puts on a slide show. Throughout the years, when the employees are out of jobs, they take pictures. They take the best, funniest pictures and compile them for a slide show at the party. They are usually hilarious. This year - during the slide show - something hilarious happened to me.

For those of you that read this frequently, you may remember that a little while back Paul accidently told a guy at work "I love you" at the end of a phone conversation. Well, at the party, I ended up sitting between Paul and the guy that he said that too, Bill. During the slide show, I we had our chairs turned around so we could see the slide show. Paul was kind of sitting behind me instead of beside me.

A newer co-worker came up and asked if he could take our picture. Bill said "yeah, I guess." The guy taking the picture told Bill and I to move closer and act like we like each other. "We can, but man she is Paul's wife." This was funny enough, just the mix-up, but I immediately thought of the phone conversation where Paul ended with I love you.

I ended up in some funky love triangle or something!! The guy took the photo, but I had Bill and Paul with their arms around me - and I am dying laughing (could not compose myself for the photo!!). Here is the picture:

Isaac's a Man!!!

Tonight I was telling Bryce he should sleep in pjs because he always wakes up an ice cube (he won't sleep under a blanket). Isaac said he wanted to sleep in pjs and I said he shouldn't because he is a sweat-er.

Bryce says "Nu-uh, Isaac's not a sweater he is a ki...man - quit calling him names."

"Are you a kid?"

"Yes."

"What is Caleb?"

"He's a guy."

Montana Who?

Last week, after school one day, I was watching Rachael Ray on tv. She had on Joe Montana as her guest. Caleb just heard the name Montana and asked if it was Hannah Montana (while he was looking at the screen). He was telling me that all of the girls in his class were in love with Hannah Montana, but that she was like 16. I explained who Joe Montana was.

Well, I am talking to my sister, Heather, while I was typing this. Apparantly she watched the same show and her son, Corran, who is about Caleb's age, walked in and asked who the man was. Heather told him it was Joe Montana, a football player. Corran asked if it was Hannah Montana's husband!!

Neither one of the boys watch Hannah Montana (we don't even have Disney), so she is apparantly well known among the kids!!