Welcome Home

Hello again! Another blog in less than month? We are making progress! (wink).

Life around here has started to pick up and be busy again, slowly but surely. Jadyn continues to do gymnastics on Monday nights (and loves every minute of it!), and starting mid-September, she will be playing on a soccer league for 3-4 year olds! I'm so excited to be a 'soccer mom', and I hope she has fun playing! It will DEFINITELY be a learning experience for her (and her parents)! Anyone who wants to come see her play (or atleast look cute in her little soccer uniform), email me and I will send you her schedule when it comes out.

Eli...how do you describe Eli but pure cuteness? Even when he throws himself on the floor in slow-mo in an attempt at a fit, we still find ourselves having to hide the laugh building up at how comical he looks! He's an AVID Ranger fan....LOVES baseball! It is not uncommon these days to see him pretending to 'throw a ball' at you so you can pitch it back to him, while he 'batter's up!' I'm enclosing a video so you can see just how much fun he has doing this! He loves his drumset almost as much as baseball. He's your typical boy, in to everything, making messes, hopping around, and loving life to the fullest. I love when he comes to sit next to me and cuddle up, and when he sits right next to daddy to watch the Rangers play. He and Jadyn LOVE cuddles! And for that, I am grateful. I know the day will come when neither one of them want cuddles and hugs!

A dishwasher in the making. Clothes optional.

Both kids are learning responsibilities around the house. We started Responsibility charts last week. It's been GREAT with Jadyn and a work in progress with Eli. He is learning that to get the sticker reward, he has to actually clean up his toys. :)

I am now over 12 weeks along in my pregnancy. My appts have gone great with the midwives. I love to hear this little one's heartbeat. I could listen to it all day and never grow tired of it's sweet assurance. The nausea has been waning and I'm slowly starting to get my energy back (which is good, because I don't think that mound of laundry could get any higher!!!). We plan to do some things different with this pregnancy. For starters, we don't plan to find out the gender. That's right, this baby will be a surprise as to whether the kids are getting a baby brother or a baby sister! Baby A (we've already got the names picked out, and both start with 'A') is this little one! Another thing I plan to try differently is to go 'all natural' in the delivery, and do a water birth. My midwives are WONDERFUL and my hospital now offers water births with the midwives. Those of you who know me and my pain tolerance know I have a LOT of toughening up and mental preparing to do to be able to have a natural delivery. So, start praying for me now! :)

Jay has been handy man around the house these days. He's been building us a pantry (this house never had one). It will be soooooo nice to have a pantry! He's been working hard and it's almost done! He continues to stay busy at work, then to help hold the house together while I've been sludging through the 1st trimester. Now that I'm starting to feel better, I can start pulling my weight again around the house! ;) Jay is such a great husband and father. I love seeing him play baseball with Eli or reading a book to Jadyn. Love it!

Our brother, Jed, has moved in with us now. He's a college boy and a working boy, who was looking for a fresh start, and we were super eager to come have him join our household. We can't wait to see what the Lord does in his life this year. As are all of our siblings, he's very special to us. Jadyn and Eli were also super excited to have him move in. Thanks to uncle Jed, the kids now share a room, and they could not be any more EXCITED! Jadyn asked me ALLLLLLL afternoon and last night if it was time for bed. She could not WAIT for it to be bedtime for her and her brother! I've never seen her so excited for bedtime! LOL The kids were FULL of giggles and laughs last night as it was their first night together. It brought back fond memories of my twin sister and I growing up. We shared a room together from the time we were born until we were 21 years old and Sara got married. At one point, our sister, Jennifer, also shared a room with us while growing up! Imagine...3 girls in one room! Yeah, I bet that drove my parents NUTS! haha! I have such great memories of sharing a room with my sister (and some not so great ;), and it is neat to see my kids so eager and excited to be sharing a room. I think it's now an official done deal and if we were to try and separate the kids now, there would be fits and lots of tears for days to come!

Life is full these days, and several changes have happened in our life lately, but Jay and I feel so blessed. God has always been faithful to us, and we look with anticipation to see what wonderful things He will do in the future.

News around here

Ok, blogging has been calling my name lately. So is the laundry and the coupon-cutting! I have much to share, but I will make this short.

Here we go:

• Biggest news of all....Eli is going to be a BIG brother around the beginning of March! Jadyn and Eli are both excited to be BIG siblings together! Jadyn already makes such a great big sister. She is such a great helper and loves to take care of her brother, Eli. I am due around March 5th. We can't wait to meet our new little one (even though we have a looooooong way to go until he/she gets here!). I am a little over 10 weeks along. We have seen our little jelly bean on the sonogram and got to see the heartbeat. I go to my next midwife appt on Monday, Aug 15th and we are looking forward to hearing the precious little heartbeat!
• Speaking of being pregnant, I am in the throes of "morning" sickness. Lots of nausea and headaches, the worst being at night. If I could choose when to be sick, I think nighttime is best, because you can just go to bed and sleep it off! Only two more weeks until we are out of the first trimester! Praise the Lord! This life growing inside of me makes it all worth it!
  
• I am the new assistant director of Children's Ministry at church. I oversee the 1st-5th grade and the Nursery. I take care of lesson plans, scheduling, and making sure the teachers are taken care of. I am enjoying my new role, and am honored to serve in this capacity. My heart's desire is to serve the Lord where ever He needs me. I work with a great group of teachers and leaders. It really blesses me to serve the Lord with them.
  
• Jay is busy as usual at work. (always a good thing!) He's a hard worker!
• We are co-owners of a boat! We, along with 3 other friends of ours joint-own a seadoo boat. No, I don't know what kind (but, Jay does!) I do know it's a ski boat. Jay's buddy, Adam, found this used boat for a great deal and it came with skis, a tube, and life jackets! We have already made use of it several times this summer!
  
• My nephew (one and only so far) just turned 9 years old on Aug 5th. NINE?! I remember the day he was born....just like it was a couple of years ago. He's going into 4th grade this year. That's the grade I taught for 4 years. I look at him, and I am amazed at how time flies and how big he is getting. He is VERY smart! As a teacher, I am very proud of how academically advanced he has become. In 3rd grade, he already knew his multiplication and division facts forwards and backwards! I had 4th graders that struggled with that all the way through 4th grade!!! A part of me wishes I was still teaching just to see what it would be like to have him in my class. :)
• My niece is soon to be 7 years old on the 23rd of this month. That, too, amazes me! I remember when she was born too! I watched her come into this world. And she has been a diva ever since! :) I kinda wish my sister would have more, just so I can attend more births! haha
  
• I love births. I am fascinated with the whole pregnancy and birthing process! If I wasn't so turned off by having to give shots or learning the ins and outs of medicines and bones and muscles in the body, I would consider becoming a midwife! Maybe I should become a doula....haha! Being pregnant again has me watching birth stories, youtube videos, and just learning, learning, learning. We plan to go all natural with this baby's delivery, and to do a water birth. My midwives now offer water births at the hospital I deliver at, and I can't wait to try it! (I know, I know...I only have about 30 weeks to go!)

That's about it in a nutshell. Except, I just have to add how much I love my husband. He takes such good care of the kids and I. When I am hormonal and short on patience, he never loses his cool. When I am craving a certain food for dinner, he never complains about spending more money eating out. When I am nauseas as all get out and my head is pounding like a jackhammer, he's there to caress my back until I fall asleep at night. He is patient, kind, and loving. He is my husband, and I am so thankful for my helpmate. He is a gift from the Lord....I love you, Jay.

I hope you guys have a great week! Please keep my family in your prayers, especially this new life growing in me.

Love, Shannon

Life lately...

A very giggly and amused 3-year-old came out from the Autozone restroom last night after having a 'little' accident in her panties (after she said she didn't have to go...ahem)...."Mommy, I'm pretending to wear panties...tehhehehehe." Daddy was very smart! To get a horrified little girl to come out of the restroom to the car where her change of garments were, he got her to play the pretend game. Horrified protests turned into absolute amusement and giggles....so much so, she wanted to remain an exhibitionist in the car (mommy won and soon Jadyn was fully dressed again).

A very smart almost-2-year-old watching Rangers baseball on tv last night had this to say every time a batter swung at the ball (hit or miss)..."Agh!!!!" Daddy and I were giggling behind him. :) Tonight, we are going to see the Rangers live. Can't wait to see his reaction!

We are now co-owners of a boat. Jay and 3 other guys are all joint owners of it. Pretty cool, since I've never owned a boat. Now, I can say I do...and the cost is split 3 ways! woohoo! I can't wait to finally learn how to ski after all these years, or to get back on a tube behind the boat! I won't tell you how long it's been since I've been tubing!! Ok, ok, I was a teenager....a loooooooonnngggg time ago! As I type, the boat is being cleaned and detailed so that it sparkles and shines like a beacon on the lake....making me all the more noticeable when I become air born, flying off the tube behind Jay's mad driving skills! Yes, you know where to find me this summer!

This evening, we are taking the kids to the Rangers game (compliments of CMJ Engineering....thank you!!!). First game for us this season. First game where Eli is an avid baseball lover. First game where Jadyn gets to wear her little Ranger cheerleader dress. First game when both kids can say, "Let's go, Rangers!" First game when hopefully neither kid will be scared of the firework show, should there be any! First game where the Sappingtons will be present, showing our support! :) Guaranteed to be an adventure when small kids are involved! Family time = fun time. I am so blessed!

I look at my husband, my kids, and I can't help but praise the Lord. I am so richly blessed! I look at this day the Lord has made....I will rejoice and be glad in it! Live each day to the fullest!

Each day is a gift from the Lord...how will you spend it?

Catchin' up...

Yeah, so I've slacked off...again! But, today's a new day and I'm feelin' the need for bloggin'!

Here's a catch up of what's been going on, picture style!

Jadyn had her first ever teeth-cleaning experience at the dentist in April. She did GREAT!

She even got to help the hygenist clean her teeth!

Also, in April, Jay and I ran our first ever 5k obstacle course! The Warrior Dash was a lot of fun! We even had our own little fan to cheer us on!

Like father, like daughter...












Also in April, we found out a wonderful surprise that warranted new shirts for the kids...

Unfortunately, the excitement was short lived, as we miscarried at 5 weeks. We were sad, but praise the Lord that we were pregnant, even if it was so short. We look forward to trying again VERY soon! Eli can't wait to wear his Big Brother shirt again!

We had a great Easter weekend! On Saturday, we took the kids to a couple of local egg hunts. This was Eli's first time, and he learned VERY quickly! He is now an egg hunting pro!


I love this picture. It reminds me of what wonderful blessings I have in my life. God has been SO good to me! My cup runs over!

Easter Sunday was spent with family. Nothing says lots of pictures will be needed to get just ONE good snap shot when kids are involved! Cousins...

Ok, so I couldn't get this picture turned the right way (I don't know why), but it is too cute not to include! So, just turn your heads side ways. :)

All of this great weather has warranted several trips to the park! At the end of April, we had a family date night and went and grilled some burgers and dogs at the park while the kids played. It was a great night (even if Jadyn has an intense fear of flies that interrupted the happy flow of dinner time).

We've been seeing a lot of Grandpa these days as I (Shannon) have been doing some part time work for him. The kids love seeing their grandparents, and Eli has a special fondness for his grandpa. I love this picture of them.





So, that's pretty much what we've been up to lately, besides a little fender bender the kids and I were in right after Easter weekend. My back bumper had some damage (& is currently in the shop getting fixed), but the car who hit me definetely got the worst end of the deal. Her front end was crumpled! No one was hurt, thank the Lord. And I am also thankful of the 'tank' that I drive as we had minimal damage!

Well, now you are caught up. :) So, what's in our near future? Eli turns TWO in June!

Love you guys! Hope you are all doing well!

Like father, like daughter...

Achievements...

Somebody around here has been hitting some pretty big achievements lately...

Learning to write her name...

Practicing her letters...and teaching her little brother...

Learning gymnastics...

And working hard at it...

And loving every minute of getting bigger....

Jadyn, you go, girl! Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you!

"Bye-Bye Pacie"

Eli echoed my words as he ceremoniously dropped his pacie into the open trash can. "Bye-bye, Pacie". The tears that soon flowed once we put Eli to bed last night weren't his, but mine actually. After doing some "fake" crying, he then talked and giggled to himself before falling asleep all without the help of his beloved pacie. I on the other hand, cried as I figuratively let go of my baby and allowed him to get bigger. My baby is really not much of a baby anymore. He talks in complete sentences, makes jokes and laughs at them, likes to play pretend, LOVES to drum (he is especially fond of doing his air cymbal!), helps get himself dressed, feeds himself, and is even asking to go potty (it's just a game to him, but he does ask occasionally).

Jay and I have talked about giving up the Pacie for months now, but until recently, we didn't feel Eli was ready. Now, it has been me who hasn't been ready. It's convenient, comforting, and a symbol that reminds me very much of the tiny baby boy I held in my arms for so long. It has occurred to me lately though, even though it's just a pacie, it represents something I'm not ready to let go of...my baby. Am I holding my child back from becoming more independent, learning to self-soothe on his own (and not messing up his teeth)? Am I holding my child back from taking on the world because I'm not ready?! That pacie has been a symbol, a barrier in taking the blinders off of my eyes to realize how much my baby boy really is SO BIG in so many ways! I had to realize last night (as I boohooed in my husband's arms) that Eli was handling it SO WELL, like a BIG BOY! He never shed a tear and he fell asleep happy! I have to give thanks to the Lord for such an easy transition. God is so good and His timing is always perfect. My son is ready to move up in the world. No more pacies. As his mommy, my role is to encourage him, cheer him on, high five him, and let him grow up. I will always do my best to be right there if and when he does fall or stumble, but I won't always be able to catch him. That's life. We can't protect our kids from everything, but we can teach them the skills and allow them to learn the skills needed to not only deal with life, but to be confident and grab life by the horns! Eli is such a laid-back, deal with it as it comes kind of kid. Already, I see his personality showing forth. He has little to no fear, he's confident (he'll dive into your arms whether you're ready or not!), and he's almost always happy, and he has such a loving heart (just ask the kitty who keeps getting all the hugs)!

Even though I mourn another chapter closed in my not-s0-baby boy's life, I look forward with anticipation what the next chapter holds. Last night, it started with the pacie...baby steps for mommy....BIG BOY steps for Eli!

I love you, my son. You are one of my greatest treasures from the Lord.
Love,
Mommy