Very different Anniversary

I have not seen Ben all day. He went to work at 11am. I went to work at 4:30p. He gets off at 11pm. Sadly, my hubs is sick. All together.....walking pneumonia and now stomach bug because of his meds he is taking.....poor guy. I have him an oatmeal bath ready and some different meds to help his tummy. I have become a nurse for my future nurse. 

As I listen to the wildness going on in NYC, I decided to create my Anniversary Plate for Ben. I went to the Dollar Store before work today and purchased my white plate. I got inspired by Pinterest and made this Anniversary plate. I wrote a sweet message and popped it in the oven.  

 Because we are "loaded" with our awesome jobs, we could buy each other anything, but since that is a lie, my gift costs $1.07. (smile) I am pretty excited though and it is the thought that counts. It is our official Anniversary plate that I can pull out each year. We can laugh and think "how did we survive on our little income and having an almost two year old to provide for in the process." God provides in many ways. We can't see how it all works out, but it always does in His way. I am so blessed to be on this adventure. 

We have 137 more days until Ben grabs that diploma and I turn 29. That will be a special day. 

Happy New Year, everyone. Happy Anniversary, Benny. Happy 2013! It is going to be a great year! 

clean up, clean up, everybody everywhere

Clean up, clean up, everybody, everywhereClean up, clean up, everybody do your share
That is playing in my head as I clean up the house from being gone a week. We were in and out of the house and have piles and clothes and stuff everywhere. It is good to be in my pajamas and getting things done. My son took a great nap to aid in the cause. 
Now, on to snack time and play time with my boy until 7pm. Then, more cleaning begins. I love getting my house back to normal. Then, we are on the road starting tomorrow again......at least my house will be clean. :)

I'm going to Jackson.....Mississippi

We had Jackson in the car, going to Jackson, Mississippi. He wasn't named after the city, but my mom's maiden name. Cool anyway....

We left on Thursday to spend the weekend celebrating a wedding and then Christmas with my brother's family. It was wild and exciting time. I had 4 wardrobe changes which all involved looking pretty. (Starbucks clothes get boring after awhile) 

Jackson had a little suit for the wedding. He was a little too excited about the wedding and after the finish of the songs that the mothers walked down to, he would exclaim "yay" and clap. The people around him thought it was darling, Ben was embarrassed. Ben had to slip out and miss all of the wedding. However, they met another "noisy" friend outside and they played together. 

My job was to make sure the bride was on time to each event during the weekend and keep her calm and focused. I am pretty proud to say that everything went smoothly and I got her up to the door at the chiming of the hour at 5pm sharp! It was monumental. I only cried when she walked down the aisle because her darn music was so moving and not like a typical traditional wedding. I am a sucker for music and how it works into the moments. She looked magnificent and he couldn't stop smiling! 

Afterwards, we celebrated with 500 of their closest friends in this gorgeous Inn and I once again kept us on schedule. A nod to the band and decorated car in front, we got everyone out on time. Lavender was thrown at the finale and I wanted to smell my hands all night. At the last minute, I spotted the balcony and insisted she and Erik do their bouquet and guarder toss from the top like Romeo and Juliet or Kate and Prince William. She LOVED the idea. She giggled and I cued them to kiss. Then, when we got to the bottom, I cued them to kiss at the door before running to the car. It was fun in the middle of the excitement. 
I had to meet the couple around the block to give them the marriage liscence and her purse, clothes, etc. She said the sweetest thing to me ("I was hoping the last person I would see would be you") and we hugged for a minute. As I waved to my friend of 18 years and wished the newlyweds goodbye, I knew that it was a great day. The little girl that I build sheet tents in the yard, had dance parties in our room, and taught me how to organize, was a married woman. And, to a splendid fellow. God did great matching those two up!

Colorado Pony Ride

My son has been on a pony ride about 3 times and is usually unsure about it each time. He didn't mind the ride this time, but check out the size of the pony. I think it is a perfect size for our little man. Now, Jackson literally hops on Ben's back and says "weeee" and they go around the house. Jackson even kicks his legs to the sides to get him to go. I will get it on video it soon.

Fort

I heard Jackson over the monitor talking, but he wasn't in his bed. I was hoping he just decided to go exploring in his room. Ben walked in and found him in his fort with all his stuffed animals. I was hoping that would happen one day. I love it. 

White Christmas and Christmas Cards

During Jack's nap today, I watched White Christmas and worked on our Christmas cards.
Before that, I was feeling so overwhelmed with what projects to start on........this put me in a relaxing mood to get in the holiday spirit. I am feeling soooo much better now and I am in a great mood. Jackson and I are on our way to get Daddy some dinner and bring it to him at the hospital.

Time Change

I like that Jackson is still on Colorado time slightly.....he is asleep and it is 9am. I am loving this.

Tubes it is

Jackson will be having his little out patient surgery in a couple of weeks to have tubes put in. Here is hoping for a happier/healthier little boy. He needs a break from the meds. 

ENT Doc

We will be leaving at lunchtime to go see the ENT doc for Jackson's ears. Praying for good results.

Last day

This is our last day in Colorado. While I am sad we have to leave because we had so much fun, I am ready to go home and decorate our house for Christmas! We are going to buy a tree this week.

We will also be leaving next Thursday to go to Mississippi to see my bro and family and for my best friend's wedding. I am thrilled to be the matron of honor in this special day!

Photos coming soon. :)

No good very bad morning

Jack was a happy camper until he accidentally fell and bit his lip. I looked and there was blood all over the place. Oh no.......I ran over and grabbed a Popsicle for him to suck on to help with the swelling. If he was a little girl, people would think he had the prettiest rosy lips.

Then, we had a check up at the doctor's for his ear infection. There is a drawer in the cabinet in every room and Jackson likes to open it and gently close it. Well, some Dennis the Menis had already broken it and the staff had thought they fixed it.  Nope.....I was talking with the doctor and he pulled it open and it fell straight down. It scared him to death. It didn't hurt him, but it sure did make matter worse.

He now has an appointment for the ENT doctor and will probably have tubes next week.

Now, that it is almost noon, I have declared that the NO GOOD VERY BAD MORNING is over and my hubby is home. He is finished with finals and is very happy. We are going to Colorado today and are supposed to have snow on Sunday. I am praying for a great flight with my boys and a wonderful time while we are there.

Until next week........

Brown paper packages: FAIL

I had this wonderful idea to wrap all of my Christmas presents in brown paper. However, I forgot that I always get sinus infections if I am around cardboard boxes. Well, same idea.......FAIL.

Nose running, eyes watering, coughing, sneezing. So much fun. Ben suggested that I wear a dust mask to wrap gifts. Could you picture that?!?!? hahaha

I am going back to the standard paper. Ho, Ho Ho!

3 days

On Wednesday, we will be flying to Colorado. Jack's bags are already packed. Ben and I need to pack ours still. I am going to work on cleaning our house today because who wants to come home from vacation to a dirty/messy house? Not the Ladd family.

Uh Oh.......Weeee

We had fun outside in our 70 degrees weather. Being inside all day with this illness was making both of us a little crazy. So, we went for a walk and got to see the train go by. I usually don't have the timing just perfect and we miss seeing the train by 10 seconds. Today was the day. I was halfway up the street and turned around when I heard the first toot. Jack and I looked at each other. He made the Choo-choo hand motion and noise and we were off. You should have seen me running down the street with my NON-JOGGING stroller. We were booking it. We arrived at the perfect viewing area and Jackson was so excited. When the last two sets of wheels were out of sight, Jackson said "more, please." I said, "I'm sorry, Jack. All finished." This boy loves trains!

After our walk,  I decided to let Jack run around while I did some yard work. I couldn't use the leaf blower around Jackson, so I raked the leaves a while. Jackson decided that when he would run through my piles of leaves (that I had carefully put together), that he would yell "uh oh." I tell him that it was NOT an accident. So, every time he would run through them, I would yell "weeee." It was a fun little vocal battle we were having. I bet the neighbors got a kick out of it. "uh oh........not uh oh......weeeee.......uh oh......weee......"

Jack is asleep now, so I am going to work on some laundry and watch a Christmas movie. Ben is at work until 3am, so I am going to work a while and then relax. Good night, everyone.

I can't cut hair

When a little boy won't sit still for his mommy to cut his hair, you end up with a very bad haircut. So, we are on our way to a professional. :)