Highlights...

Last Tuesday I had an Dr. appointment and heard the baby's heartbeat for the first time! I love that sound!


Little Guy is completely weaned! Hurray - on to potty training in a few months! Maybe we can be on a strong road to being potty trained by the time #2 is born

I'm going to see my sister in Washington (I haven't seen her since Thanksgiving!!) in May! Yay! Can't wait!


I'm 13 weeks already! I finally found the energy to get off my couch!

I admit I've been voting for the first time on Dancing with the Stars... I can't help it! I love Ty! He tries so hard and has made so much progress!

I'm getting sick of my hair but I know I just need to hang in there while it gets through that obnoxious stage where it barely fits in a pony tail.

I am so excited for our good friends expecting their first... it's a boy! Congrats Raul and Carmen!!

It is two days before Mother's Day and I barely figured out what I want to get/make her... better get on it huh!

I"m alive!!!! It's a miracle!

As most of you know - I'm about 13 weeks preggers... just coming off of the 1st trimester! Thank you Jesus! For the past 12 weeks well... at least 8 (I found out I was pregnant when I was 4 weeks a long) I've been hiding out on my couch for most of the morning sleeping as my poor little son has become very familiar with... as he calls it... Move it! Move it! aka Madagascar! He loves this movie and I did too for the first 300,000 times but now I'm sick of it! Although, the other day when Caser was here and Carti... we rented Madagascar 2 and that was fun... Loved it! Ben did too! Ben's favorite part is the song that Moto Moto sings to Gloria... It is hysterical listening to Ben try and sing it in his deep deep voice!

So yes... Casi and Carti came to visit this past weekend... It was... nice. It was nice to see my sister and that little Carti is growing and talking a hundred million miles an hour. The first morning we took the kids to the park and they played till they couldn't function. The played on the swings where with every push Paul was giggling and giggling - it was pretty funny. Then they would walk up and down - up and down the steps to go down the slide. Pauly decided the stairs were the most fun part about it and would go up and down and when Carti came around to go back up them he would kick at her... what a stinker huh! Don't worry she got him back plenty... within the next couple days she body slammed him once... slapped him in the head several times and by the end of the weekend... every time he saw her coming he would run to me to pick him up. Carti better watch out because when #2 comes along he'll learn a little self defence and she'll have to watch out!

Other than all the self defense that was being performed there was plenty of hugging and playing. I got the kids on video tape brushing eachother's hair... well Pauly would brush Carti's then he wouldn't let her brush his... it was funny! He was very particular about her hair and she probably sat there for 10 minutes letting him brush her hair. It was so sweet!

BUT anyhow I'm doing great. We heard the baby's heart beat so all is well and my body is not embedded in the couch any more - I'm alive!!! It's a miracle!

Crazy Eights!

I saw a fellow blogger had this cute idea - so I am posting it on my blog today!

(8 things I am Looking Forward to:)
Seeing my sister hopefully in July - Man I miss them!
My sister Casi coming to visit in May!
My family coming next weekend to visit!
The smells of summer - lawns being mowed, bbqs and hopefully a little paint!
Getting a little of that sun kissed brown skin!
Going swimming as a family (little man should really enjoy that this year!)
Finding out if we are having a boy or a girl? What's it gonna be?!
Meeting my new little one in early November... I'm already 10 weeks - can't believe it!

(8 things I did yesterday)
-A large majority of the day was spent praying for my mama
-and Little man and I had errands to do
-Then off to the park for a little fun!
-Got in a friendly (shall I call it disagreement?) with a friend... I think we sort of agree too though but- all is well... I know I probably did too much worrying about this one BUT hey I'm hormonal!
-Made Beef Stroganoff for dinner - turned out great! Yum! Yum!
-Made my menu for the next couple weeks along with a grocery list
-Watched Bambi with the little guy
-Did some housework

(8 things I wish I could do:)
-Knit better - I can only make scarfs and they are sort of scarfs at that
-Be at the top of my game between being a wife, mother and homemaker and most importantly always shining for Christ (But hey nobody is perfect so we've got to keep truckin' along huh!)
-I wish I could get our house refinanced! We've got an ARM-please pray for us! We were idiots! but I guess you learn from your mistakes!
-I wish I could also do something small at home to pitch in financially - nothing big just something...this is something Ben and I are always trying to think of and obviously there are a few obvious things like babysit (but I don't really want to raise other people's kids and I believe that has added negatives for our family), I could do some type of Avon, Mary Kay (but it just isn't me), I know there are a hand full of other things but everything so far always seems a little too shady for us...
-I wish I lived closer to all my family!
-I wish I could remodel our house! I don't mind the location but there are a few quirky things about it - ya know... why not.
-I wish I could afford it so we could eat organic
-I wish I looked like Charlize Theron - well her body anyways!

(8 shows I watch:)
-American Idol
-Dancing with the Stars
-Food Network - My fav is Barefoot Contessa! Go Ina!
-Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
-My Friends Tigger and Pooh (I'm telling you - my son is my excuse to get to watch cartoons - I love it!)
-HGTV
-E!
-Grey's Anatomy

Do it! It's fun! xoxo, SJ

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thank you jesus!

Just want to put a little "Praise Jesus" out there! My mom had a little health scare that the doctor's had to check on and to do so they had they had to put her out and check on it... she is doing great and the scare is nothing to be scared about! Yeah! Praise the Lord! We are so thankful!

Run Fast!

Lately my boy has been catching on to how fun it is to run! He will walk into the kitchen, put his back to the farthest hard surface (which is my china hutch) and looks forward plotting his quick steps!! He runs with his hands pretty strait to his sides now and his little feet are very quick moving not yet lifting up his knees - he is being very cautious of each and every step. He always runs to me and bounces off my body... (which is kind of scary when I'm laying on my side on the couch - I have to protect myself - he is a solid little guy! I tell him - You're a fast runner!!! - and he gets a little smile on his proud little face... turns around and heads back into the kitchen to do it again!

Today at the park we (can you believe this chunky, preggers lady ran?) ran from the toys to the jeep which was about half a football field... I know! This park sucked - we're not going back! But he loves running and now I know every time he'll want to run.... Here comes the fat girl! eeeek...

Got a vacation... sort of!

Well my Easter was both exciting and just plain ole crappy! I got to sneak away at a moment's notice to go spend Easter with my ma n pa. It was so exciting to see them after not seeing them in about 2 months. My boy loved it and it took him but just a second to get in the Mimi and Papa's house groove! He also got some time to play with his best little Macarti Rae - you should of just seen these two playing in the dirt with the bucket and little shovels that Pauly got for Easter. Macarti was totally throwing dirty on Pauly and it was blowing back into her face. Her hair was full of dirt. Pauly was taking little bites here and there of dirt... he must be lacking some minerals in his diet I guess :)

Easter Day is where, unfortunately, it all went down hill as my back went out - AT CHURCH By the way! It stunk! But my mom and dad totally pitched in to help me with Pauly so I could get on the mend. I totally ruined Easter as we were all going to go in to IF and eat and everything! Oh well... they all told me not to worry about it so I'm not. I had to cut my trip short and came home on Monday. Barely made it... my back is a lot better and I'm very thankful for the time I did get with my family!

It will be better next time for sure!

Easter 09

I went to my husband on Friday, out of no where and yes waking him from a nap (remember, he was on vacation) I told him I had to go home! I missed my parents and just being back home seems to always recharge me! I hadn't left the house in about 2 months (left as in left the city I should say...) and it was just time for me to get out of town! My hubby said - of course go and proceeded to go get the jeep's oil changed so I could get on the road asap. My parents' home is about a 4 hour drive. I threw in a bag clothes for the weekend and then some for little man and me - threw together my house hoping the hubby would try and have it in a somewhat similar when I get back.

We got on the road within an hour and I got to mom and dad's that night around 10 p.m. I drove through a rain/snow storm that was SCARY! It was one of those that the snow is blowing toward you and you feel like your in a tunnel... I just had to be careful and watch the lines on the road (which were a little hard to see) Little man and I did the ole drive through McyD's - Dollar Menu style and he wouldn't go to sleep until I got within 10 miles of Mimi's house. He is such a stinker!

Easter weekend was a combination of me just trying to get in every ounce of the country's fresh air I could, time with my mom and dad and sissy and her baby girl as well as other family. For Easter Day we got up at 6:45 and went down to church and was served a delicious breakfast made my the church's teen group (I totally served breakfast back when I was a teen for Easter Breakfast - totally fun! It is something the teens have done even when my mom was party of that Sunday School Class! Pretty cool and really yummy!) Then we went back to Mimi and Papa's (which is what little man, as well as all the other grandkids call my mom and dad instead of Grandma and Grandpa - their special so they get special names :) Anywho little man opened his Easter Basket full of fun and we all got dressed for church!

The worship was wonderful! My dad and sis sing as part of the worship team so a lot of time when little man wasn't asking for a cracker he was waving at Aunt CiCi and Papa - so cute! Then during the message we went and took the kids to another room to play where they continued to run circles and ate little apples that were on the foyer table for anyone to take... they kept eating their apples and dropping them and so they weren't the cleanest apples ever. In fact, they were pretty gross after that so I threw little man's away.

Then when church was over we (all my family) we going to get in the car and drive an hour to the nearest open restaurant (yes my home town is out in the middle of the Bonneys!) BUT we didn't end up going as I had a huge back spasm that nearly took me to my knees... I've had back problems nearly all my life - well at least since I blew my knee goat tying...what a nightmare!

We got home and I tried to take a nap while Mimi and Papa watched little man but I only woke up a half hour later to find out that I couldn't hardly get out of bed - then once I did I had another hard spasm that had me screaming, my little boy scared, my mom near calling 911 and my dad running around trying to help any way he could. After that I turned completely white and I thought for sure I was going to loose my cookies or pass out... Neither happened. I made it to the kitchen counter where I leaned for about 20 minutes. That night I slept in my dad's chair and the next morning I was feeling better so I packed the jeep back up and we came home!

I was so bummed since our little fabulous plan of a Easter Day was ruined as well as Mon and Tues I was planning on watching my siss' little girl so her and little man could play and I wasn't able to do that either.

Well... I was able to sleep last night (Thank you Jesus!) and today I'm trying to get around, take care of the little guy and unpack some. As well as work on my house as in a week and a half I have company coming and my house is screaming for Merry Maids to come!

So thankful though really, that I could go for the little time that I did and see my ma and pa and family. My boy had a great time and no matter what comes up we always are so thankful that we could go visit. Besides, this Easter doesn't hold a candle to last years... which really sucked by the way!

it's a beautiful day

today is such a beautiful day it is... not only because it is raining, snowing and sunny all at the same time but because i am just coming off my little break from my little man and boy what a beautiful break it was.... but I'm ready for my BOY to be back! i feel so blessed to have family near me that love and adore my little man so much! they would take him in a heart beat at any time i need some help or a little break.

last night was such a blessing to witness to of our new friends recommit their vows to each other and their daughter. the location was so beautiful not only because of the decor but because of the event that was taking place. i got to visit with even more new friends (whom i'm just so taken a back at how the Lord has brought me friendships after i so very much needed them)

after the ceremony my man and i went out to a little cafe/pub (the actual location where we met) and we munched on the actual meal that we shared the very night we met. we got to visit and laugh it was so special... i love him so!

now I am just coming off of a little break from cleaning and getting energized to go again. i've got the kitchen left and laundry of course is never ending... but so thrilled to have my little man home in about an hour... i miss him so!

When is my vacation?

Today, Friday... after Ben is off work - he is officially on vacation for a week! So fun! It will be so nice to have him home. We are not planning on going any where - we are going to work on our back yard, our (hopeful) well will get a pump on it and we will just spruce everything up outside! I can't wait to plant my new flowers seeds I got from Chris and Misty's ceremony last night (which was beautiful by the way!) I've got to pick out the perfect spot. A couple years ago when my Grandma Great died I had thought about selecting a little corner of my yard and have a little flower garden in her honor as she loved her some flowers!!! She was such a talented woman... I miss her so.

Anyway back to vacation! Ben has quite a few things planned around the house and it will be some wonderful Pauly, Daddy and Mama time which is fine by me... I love that idea much more than going anywhere and spending any crazy amount of money. Just us!

Last night was my little vay-K from my little boy. I do miss him so though! I slept in until 11 am and feel like a million bucks! Thank you Granny and Grandad - such an amazing gift. A night off... after the little ceremony my hubby and I went out to Old Chicago (which is where we met by the way) and we shared some chicken fingers, french fries and veggies (the exact same meal we shared when we met) It was so sweet. They were just starting karaoke when we left and all the memories just came swimming back to me of that night when we met and the little dash of a smile he gave me as he walked by me only to go to the restroom and come right back to me and sit down and start eating my chicken strips :)

What a wonderful little break this has been but BOY I'm ready for my little man to come home! Right now I'm listening to what I call CAFE music on our iTunes... Ben has compiled a combination of oldies, french music and old/new music (which consists of like Adele and Michael Buble {mom don't hurt yourself}) I have now cleaned the livingroom and Pauly's and now I've got to do a few other things and hopefully get in a shower before little man gets home... so glad!

5 things

I was tagged to do this by my sister Jodi. It was super fun to jog my brain and look forward to the years to come!

5 things I was doing five years ago:

Working as a collector for Sears Credit
Planning a wedding
Enjoying manicures and pedicures whenever I liked!
Loving my daily Starbucks
Learned about my new niece or nephew that was coming that year in December (Bailey Boo)


5 things on my to do list tomorrow: (supposed to be today but it is 9:38 p.m and I'm done!)

Enjoy a vow renewal of my new friends!
Take Pauly to his Granny's (to spend the night :) A little ME time :) (too bad I'm broke!)
Clean my house!
Take a uninterrupted NAP (thank you Granny and Grandad)!

5 thing that I would do with a million dollars:
Give some to the Lord
Give to Family
Pay off our debt
Build a house on a hill
Travel

5 places I have lived:
Howe, ID
Lovelock, NV
Nampa, ID
Jerome, ID
Boise, ID

5 Jobs I have had:
Hot Stuff Pizza
JB's Restaurant for a day (then I realized I can't tell the guests to get a hold of their kids and to JUST EAT IT!!)
Movie Rental place in Nampa (Can't remember the name!)
Sears Credit
Idaho Community Foundation

5 Things I want to be doing in 5 years:
Raising 2 or more kids
Volunteering more
Be Debt Free (besides mortgage and our mortgage be loan!!)
Playing some type of sport (maybe with the "Y" basketball, softball... something!)
Striving every day to be a better Lady of the House

5 people I'm tagging:
Mom
Krista
Mom's in the Fish Bowl
Rainy Day in May
whoever else wants to share!! It's super fun!

Madagascar... over and over and over and over

So my son has a new obsession... actually I think this is his first obsession! He hasn't ever really had a toy that he absolutely can't live without or a blanket he can't live without BUT lately from the time he wakes up in the morning to when he goes to bed ... well at least 20 times a day he asks to watch this movie... he obviously can't say Madagascar because he is only 18 1/2 mo. so he says "Mov - mov... " and he is refering to the song on there "I like to move it!" I too love this song and I am not kidding every time I watch this movie I see something that I didn't see before. It is super funny! It is a little dirty though... like the monkeys wanting to fling poo and the king tells them to shut up and stuff... I've got to say the entertainment for a toddler though is awesome! He loves the characters and they are all so over the top! I sure don't mind him watching it over and over but the first he says shut up I'll know where he got it from and we'll have to have a talk about it... as I'm sure we will about a lot of things that are on television. The song on there is good for housecleaning too! Gets you up and moving! I'm excited to watch #2!

I wonder what the neighbors think...

So yesterday we went to run errands. I am on Bunny Patrol for my cousin who is out of town so I go over to her house every day/ every other day to feed her bunny and goldfish - we also had to do a library run, a run to Ross (I heart Ross)! All in that buzzing around I got home to find that my house keys were missing. I took like a 1/2 hour to try and find them in my jeep and finally decided my boy needed lunch and I wasn't fining them SO all I could do was break in to my own house (as Ben, who has the extra key, was at work and unreachable at that time) So luckily the ladder was outside I found the only window in the house that wasn't locked because we had used it for Christmas Lights - put my ladder up against it, pried the window open and broke into my own house... you should of seen Daphnie's face! She was concerned!

I had to do this once before when I locked my own keys in the house... it was the Summer of 07 and my husband was at Boy Scout Camp. I had went outside after it had finally cooled off to do some yard work and spray off our back patio because there had been a storm and well some how ended up locking my self outside. I then had one of my nursery windows unlocked because we had been painting in there and I had to crawl through one of them. I'm not a small gal and to boot I was 7 months pregnant so that was insane! Barely Fit!

Yesterday when I did this I called my mom - I'm telling you I think I go brain dead when I'm pregnant... almost to the point of scary! It is super weird! I spent yesterday afternoon calling all the places I had been to see if my keys had been turned in... This morning I found my keys under Pauly's car seat... little stinker had got them out of my purse and flung them!

I've now broke in to this house 3 times... Thank God I've always found a window that wasn't locked... but now I'm wondering should I go around and lock windows or should I make sure I leave one open for myself... hmmmmm...

Attitude Adjuster!

When we were growing up my mom had a stick called the Attitude Adjuster! In puffy paint, she had "ATTITUDE ADJUSTER FOR SAMI JO, JODI DAWN, AND CASI JEAN" wrote on it! I actually can't remember - even one time getting spanked with that stick but it was there just-in-case! And it is a funny story to tell as and adult! My mom cracks me up!

But right now I need that stick... for myself! Although I feel like I am walking, breathing, speaking, eating all in slow motion because I am so tired... (totally feel like this!) I can't even think... (I got this way with my last pregnancy too during the first trimester) and I know I need to rest if I'm tired but I think it is almost a laziness now. I'm known for being lazy and I just can't seem to get out of my funk. Spring is here! I should want to do Spring cleaning and yard work. I've been trying to make sure to eat good and drink my water - not just starting now because I'm pregnant but I've been working and succeeding at this for a while. I used to be a list girl too... I would write my day down and get to work on it - checking things off as I accomplish them.

Being a stay-at-home mom is tough for me sometimes that way I guess if I let it because I very easily take on the attitude that who cares if I get dressed today - no one sees me, no one cares anyway! Why should I clean my house, I'm too tired .. .. .. .. is it nap time yet? or I'm hungry! I'm gonna puke!! I guess I just need to be patient and do what I can and the rest will come!

Something, of course, that always helps is waking up earlier than my boy and blogging and reading my Bible. I'm very thankful for my mom and sisters though who tends to send me little emails of verses and encouragement - I'll keep plugging along and I know I'll come out of this funk and feel better for it! There is lots to do around here and most importantly we have a very important guest coming to visit in about 8 months! :)

The Perfect Baby Handbook by Dale Hrabi

This was a book suggestion from a great friend of mine and I personally have not read it. It is being released today and you can read more about it here. It is by Dale Hrabi - from what I've heard about it it sounds like a fun read to learn about baby topics and how to handle them/learn more about your babies. There are so many parents out there that are so anxious when it comes to babies and raising them. In the beginning when I wasn't sure if I was truly doing the perfect things for Pauly in that perfect mother way - My mom mentioned to me that many idiots (even ones that I knew) had raised kids so she was fully confident that I could do it.

I'm sure you and your spouse have also had those moments after you have left those "said" people who you just aren't quite sure of their parenting ideas "Wow! Can you believe they raise their kids like that? They let their kids just run the show!" - I know Ben and I have! Some people are just nuts with their kids! Then the moment passes and we both are always thinking the same thing... are those people thinking the same thing about us right now :)

Amazon's Product Description included this statement -

The Perfect Baby Handbook provides much-needed comic relief from the pressures of modern parenting, and gives comfort to moms and dads who can say with a sigh of relief, “At least, we're not this bad.”

Misty Wagner at the Rainy Day in May Blog is my friend and she is the one that turned me on to this book... go check out her blog! It is a fun read!

I'm excited to read this book now for obvious reasons... the other day I went down to my baby book stash and grabbed a handful to get reacquainted with but if any of you end up reading this one or have already let me know what you think!

We loved it!

If you haven't went and rented the new Disney Movie BOLT! GO DO IT! We rented it this weekend and it was totally fun! Pauly is still pretty not interested when it comes to sitting down and watching a movie but he watched pretty much the whole first 1/3 of the movie! Could be because he is totally obsessed with dogs lately! We totally loved this movie and you'll just die when you see the hamster - he is hilarious! He was definitely Ben and my favorite! His name was rhino if that gives you an idea how funny it was! Anywho - just a suggestion for all those with chillens/grandchildren.

Remember my funk?

Well... about a week ago I figured out my funk... remember about two or three posts ago I told you all how I couldn't get out of bed and was so tired and just completely and utterly draggin' my butt! Well I found out...............

I'M PREGNANT!!!

If that won't put you in a funk I don't know what will! I am very very early in the process about 6 weeks along - we went to the dr. this past Wednesday and DID get to see the heartbeat and found out my due date is November 10th!

For most of you who know I did go through a miscarriage right before I got pregnant with Pauly - so this first stage I would really appreciate all of your prayers as far as everything going alright. This first trimester just freaks me out! BUT I do my best to not think bad about it and just remember to Give it to GOD!

We are super excited and I'm not sure if it really has hit me yet... but I'm getting more and more excited every day!

Think Spring!

I was fortunate enough to be raised around on a farm so when Spring rolled around we would see all the new life that the warm sunny days had in store for the world. New baby calves, lambs, and kittens.

Baby kittys my favorite - my sisters and I would always take our baby doll dress up clothes and dress them up in dresses and hats. They would just purrrr...

My Grandma Pattie had sheep when we were growing up and I loved visiting her lambing shed where a lot of the baby lambs were born. Sometimes we would have to take care of the lambs if something went wrong and we would feed them on the bottle. We loved helping her and later when we were a little older we got some lambs of our own.

For an alternate income in our home my mom raised bottle calves and sold them when they got bigger. We had quite a few and it was part of our chores to help her feed and water them.

Spring also reminds me of the smell of lilacs which is probably my favorite flower smell. My Grandma's whole driveway was lined with lilacs - purple and white ones. We had one smaller bush at our house. To this day I love the smell and I think they are gorgeous!

As many of you can relate I'm sure - Spring is when my hay fever allergy always flares up. When I was little there was always random pollen irritating me or there was a nearby farmer who was swathing hay or combining grain. Our little valley was just a huge sneeze for me... It was pretty common for my little face to be swollen up and I was trying to keep my hands down from itching my eyes out. I don't have allergies near as bad now - but I also live in the city. HUGE difference :)

Spring is also when High School Rodeo would start so many of my spring memories is of us girls on the road together going to rodeos. Listening to Patsy Cline and Dean Martin. Oh! and don't forget the practicing! We would ride every night almost all year long - My parents have an arena in front of their house. I would so love to go back and be a fly on the post and listen to the conversations between us sisters... and the arguments :) I'm sure it would be hysterical!

Casi, Jodi, and Sami (My sisters and me!)

Boo Hoo!

We are all sick here at the Melton House. We were all so stoked because my sister was going to come visit this weekend with my sweet little Macarti Girl. We were going to go to my Husband's Rugby Team's first game (he is coaching High School Boy's Rugby) and we were going to do a little visiting, movies, going for walks and all that fun stuff.

Oh how I wish they could still come. This croupy cold stuff just hit us on Wednesday around noonish and my poor little boy is just draggin'! He didn't hardly sleep a wink last night and went to sleep about 7:30 p.m. tonight which is about 2 hours before his bedtime... so I wonder when he'll wake up... we'll see if mama can get some sleep tonight. Speaking of which I better hop to it. Hopefully soon I'll get out of this funk and sick-o-ness and get back to regular blogging... Yes Krista girl - I too hate hate it when my kid-o is sick!!

Cute as a Button!

When I was a little girl, both my mom and my grandma Pattie had a huge container filled full of buttons. I would spend hours running my little hands through all of the buttons trying to find my favorites and just the feeling of the cold buttons in my hands and the sounds of them as I'd pick up a hand full then drop them back in the container. I am a huge fan of buttons and I love that you can do all sorts of fun things with them!

Below are some awesome ideas that people have thought up for using buttons in a different way rather than just the traditional to secure clothing. They're great!

This bow was found at bows2cute.com

These craft pics were found on ladyfort / sallyent's photostream in flickr. They have really cute stuff there - I couldn't find a business website or I would post that too. Very creative!

These buttons were placed so perfectly to fancy up a button sachet. These are found at the whiteaisle.com - I think these would be a fun party favor!

This was found at free-holiday-ideas.com

Great idea placing the buttons around the bottom of the cake! adds a ton character. This one is found at junebugweddings.com