Thursday, October 30, 2008

My Thoughts While Doing Laundry

I am so having one of those evenings.  I am furiously trying to catch up on laundry and midnight is just around the corner.  We are creating our own mountain range in our laundry room.  As I wash and fold, my mind is in overdrive.  So as I start another load of laundry and wait for the dryer to do it's job... I thought I would blog.  

Have you ever wondered that as a mom or as a woman, why it is that a clean house makes you feel so good?  What is it about a clean house that can turn me from ticked off to happy in a flash. Is it because the negative energy is spent, as a result of the elbow grease?  I have always been that way.  If my home is a wreck, I feel a wreck.  I can't believe I used to be that person... that person that couldn't leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight, that person that couldn't get into an unmade bed, that person who couldn't stand to see my floor dirty, where did that person go? Justin would say, he doesn't know where she went but thank God she is gone.  Poor guy, I used to literally walk behind him with one of those miniature brooms and dust pan.  

I know where that clean freak went, she was swallowed up by motherhood.....

I realize there are more important things in life besides a spotless house.  That is one piece of advice that my mom gave me after my first child.  She regrets putting so much emphasis on having a clean house.  If she had it to do all over again, she wouldn't worry so much about whether it was clean or not.

I will let you in on a little secret about myself.  It is kinda embarrassing,  I have an obsession with PineSol.  The original scent only! Dang I love that stuff!  It is a GREAT mask too... even if you haven't scrubbed the house... wipe down your counters with it and people will think you have spent hours and hours cleaning.  I just wish they would come out with a room spray. Seriously, I LOVE the stuff!  (I bet you didn't know that about me).  

Oh, here is another Misti-ism....  I am absolutely, positively in love with the whole Fall back time change.  I look forward to it from the moment we Spring forward.  I love, love, love, love, love it!  I love that feeling on Monday morning when your body wakes up at it's usual time.... then you look at the clock and realize you still have another hour.  OH MY!  That is the GREATEST feeling!  (yes, I am so easily amused!)  Now as far as the Spring forward goes.... I loathe it....  every Spring I cuss the whole idea of time change and whoever came up with it.  I don't see the need and feel it is the most ridiculous thing in the world, and I immediately think about Fall back and begin counting the days till then....  (bet you didn't know that either).  Don't forget to FALL back your clocks!  Woo hoo!  

On to more exciting stuff.... (yeah, right!)

We finally got our cat spayed today!  This is Brayen's cat.  We have had it for 3 years and had said we were going to get her fixed after her second litter two years ago.  Of course we thought we were getting a boy cat and named it Jet.  We soon found out we had a little girl so her name became Jetta.  Now 8-10 litters later (I've lost count), there will be no more.  I can't tell you what a relief it is!  Poor thing is in a lot of pain though.  She is horribly engorged because her latest litter has been given away, and to top it off she is sewn up.  I can imagine her pain.  The dang cat had a litter 6 weeks ago and was already in heat.  I never dreamed that cats were such busy bodies.  I swear, she would hook up with any Tom, Dick, or Harry.  There were some pretty mangy looking males prowling out here.  Notice I said, there were... enough said.  After dishing out 130.00 to have her fixed, I see why there are so many wild cats out there!  

I will close for tonight....  the dryer has stopped and I am certain you are bored to death with my ramblings.... so until next time... Good Night!

Bath Time



Brayden and Bailee always look forward to their bath every night.  We have coined the term "splash, splash" for Bailee.  She thinks it is so funny to soak her mommy and brother by slapping the water.  The bathroom floors end up getting a much needed cleaning too!  

Daddy bathed the kids tonight (go daddy!) and he called me in there so I could get a picture of them together.  We were even able to capture Bailee washing her own hair, and one of them giving each other love.  

Thought I would share the pics.  


Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Our Little Man

We had Brayden's parent conference yesterday with his Kindergarten teacher.  It went well and we were told that Brayden is a leader and is a great friend to everyone.  He is absorbing everything and is doing well.  

For those of you who know me personally, you know the worries I had about Brayden starting school.  I was constantly worried about his behavior and how he would do in "real school" considering he had visited the office twice in preschool.  The first visit was when he was 2! Well as many of you had reassured me that he would be fine.... you were right, and I was wrong.  That is something you don't often hear me say, just ask Justin!  Anyways, thank you for the reassurance you gave, you know who you are.....

To celebrate Brayden's good report, we visited the bookfair.  I didn't get the impression that Brayden had it in his mind that we would celebrate by buying books.  What else does he expect from his mom, the book lover?  Anyways, we paid for the books and headed home.

I ended up getting a sub this morning and going home.  I woke up with one side of my face hurting and my molars hurting... never experienced something like this before.  I have been fighting a nasty cold for about five days.  I figured I had a sinus infection.  Went to my wonderful Dr., Dr. Nelson, and sure enough, that is what it was....  I was given a steroid shot and antibiotics.  I am telling you....  that shot in my BUTT hurt like the dickens!  No Kidding! Ouch!  After about 10-15 minutes the pain in my face subsided.  Still feel yucky but I am mending.    

A little info on Bailee bug:

She is getting closer and closer to walking.....  she is a great crawler, that is for sure! Hopefully one of these days she will take off walking, considering she is almost 15 months!  She will stand for a second by herself and then ever so easily sit down.  That is our sweet girl, everything is on her own time, she doesn't follow any development schedule.... I am thinking I have a non-rule follower on my hands... ha ha ha....  

Hope all is well with everyone!  We will be going down South this weekend to visit my brother. We are leaving Friday evening and will return on Sunday.  His birthday is Saturday!  He is going to be 36!  

Justin of course will be hunting since it is opening weekend of deer season.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Pumpkin Carving

Last night we did continued our tradition of carving our pumpkin for Halloween.  Brayden and I thought we would try something different and get one of those kits with the tools and the pattern you tape to the pumpkin.  H.E.B. had these great Winnie the Pooh patterns and tools in one kit. 

It took us a while to agree on what pattern to use.  Brayden insisted on Tigger, but he looked a little too difficult.  After looking through the patterns, we chose none other than Pooh.  

It was an interesting experience to say the least!  Those little tools make the whole experience so much better!  This was the first year our pumpkin top didn't fall through!  We are making big progress each year!  

Bailee just watched and wanted no part of the goo.  Brayden loved getting all the goo out and preparing the pumpkin to be carved.  When it came to carving time.....  Brayden insisted on doing the carving.  Of course, that was not an option and boy did he let me know how upset he was!  After the tears, he decided he could handle not getting to carve until many years from now!  We all were not sure if this would turn out!  I don't think we did too bad for our first time!  What do you think?







Homework!

Tonight Brayden was doing his homework while daddy and I helped out.  Well, he had 14 (yes, that is right, 14) addition problems to do, let me remind you... this is Kindergarten.  

He had finished those, and the second half of his homework was to say his birthday 5 times (Dec. 3rd, Dec. 3rd, Dec. 3rd, etc)  So being the literal little man that Brayden is, he looks at daddy and I with a funny look and says "okay, this is a little weird....  Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday." Justin and I could not stop laughing.....  we explained to him that he was suppose to say his birthday and not... Happy Birthday..... when he realized what he did, even he couldn't stop laughing.  Yes, this was very funny when it happened and I felt is blog worthy.  I'm thinking this is one of those, you had to be there stories to find it as funny as we did.  Oh well, thought I would share.


PLEASE VOTE FOR BAILEE!


I entered this picture of Bailee into a cute kid costume contest through Walgreens.  Please, please, please go to the following website:  (cut and paste both lines of text into your browser)

http://photo2.walgreens.com/contestmultiphotoview/contestname=Cutest+Costumed+Kid+2008

You can search for her photo by typing in our last name:  Dunlap

Her picture will pop up, click on it, and you choose the number of stars.....  Thank you for taking the time to vote!  FYI- It only lets you vote once.... Yes, I tried to vote again.  I am a goof ball!

Today's lesson is.....

This morning as I was dropping off Brayden, he was getting out of my car and I was telling him bye, when as he jumped out, stuff started falling out of my car (yes it is a mess, and needs to be cleaned out DESPERATELY).  His favorite football tumbled out and proceeded to roll behind my car and into the WHOLE drop off line.  I hear Brayden yelling, "my football, my football"!  I had no intention on stopping, at least not there in front of everyone and holding them up.  If you have ever been in a parent pick up or drop off line in an elementary school, it is something that is absolutely CRAZY, and everyone should experience at some point in their life.  

Well a teacher in the line was trying to grab Brayden before he darted out in front of the car. Thankfully the person behind me was watching everything unfold.  Brayden and the teacher went and grabbed his ball.  

As I am driving away, I hear Brayden yelling and running and trying to keep up with me.  I roll down the front passenger window and the next thing I know, I see a football coming through the window and landing in my lap!  

Typical Misti story.  Guess what I will be working on tonight......  CLEANING OUT MY CAR!

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Trick or Treat

What a busy Saturday we had!  It was GREAT!  It all began with Brayden's baseball game.  This was his last game of the season.  After the game we went and celebrated at CC's Pizza.  The kids ate pizza and played video games and the parents visited.  

Afterwards, we headed to a friend's house and decked the kids out in their costumes and headed to a Halloween party at the neighborhood community center (The neighborhood is smart, and has their own Halloween celebration before Halloween, that way there isn't any HUGE crowd). It was great and the kids had fun.  Brayden only ran away crying two times.  Yes, Halloween isn't one of his favorites..... at least for the really scary stuff.  Needless to say, we have candy to last for a while.  Bailee was a precious little lamb, and Brayden was Batman.  Thank you Aunt Sue for the costumes, you did GREAT!  Bailee hung out in the stroller and seemed to be taking it all in.  She was in the best mood.  

The kids were pooped at the end of the night.  Bailee slept through me giving her a sponge bath, and changing her into her pajamas.  So much fun can make a little one so tired.  









Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Hola!


Not too much going on around here.  School, school, and more school.  The kids are doing great. We have had some much needed family time.  Justin is in the process of fixing his schedule so that he is at home more and it is just the four of us.  The past two nights, we both have done bath duty.  Bath time goes so much faster with help!  

As I let the water out of the tub, I hear Justin battling Bailee as he tries to change her, causing me to giggle to myself (The little booger thinks it it sooo funny to try to get away from you when you are trying to diaper her and dress her.  Can be very frustrating I might add, especially when she is poopy).

I have to bite my tongue and not run in there and ask.... how does it feel? Huh? Frustrated? Huh? Huh?  As I was about to go in there and do just that...  I hear flat out belly laughing.  The type of laughing we don't hear very often from Bailee......  As I walked in the room, it is obvious that Bailee is winning the battle because she clearly does not have a stitch of clothing on. Justin is leaning over her, rubbing his whiskers under her arms and on her sides.  She is laughing and my heart smiles. Brayden, hearing all the ruckus, comes running in our room and jumps on the bed too!  He adds to the laughter........

As I walk out of the room.... I think to myself, this is what life is all about.  Family.  

Later that night, I very quietly crawl into bed.  Justin is clearly drifting off.  I snuggle into place and I hear these words from Justin (half asleep as this point) I love you.  I enjoyed our time together.  I say, me too......  and I begin praying, thanking God for all my blessings.....

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

The MANY faces of Bailee!

For the past month, Bailee has really started displaying her many moods.  The differences between a boy and a girl is absolutely amazing.  Brayden was always very predictable as far as his moods go (when he was Bailee's age).  Bailee on the other hand, can show a whole gamut (sp?) of emotions in a matter of minutes!  

She has recently started shrieking loudly in the bath when I was her hair.  She shakes her head no and screams as I wash it!  She has always been so good about getting her hair wash.  

Last night, Bailee and I had some much needed one on one time.  We played and played.  I grabbed the camera and got shots of her moods in action.  I kid you not... It was 10 minutes and during that short time, she laughed, cried, got mad, and switched back to her serious side.  I captured every mood. 





Monday, October 13, 2008

Homework Help

Wow!  It is amazing how much better you feel after a good night's sleep!  I have decided that I absolutely LOVE Children's Tylenol!  I don't know if we could make it through teething without it!  Too bad I couldn't use the Tylenol to make Justin feel better! 
 
Brayden and I were working on his homework tonight.  He was writing the word cat and had written the letter c twice and kept erasing it.  Being the patient (yeah right!) and helpful person I am, I offered to write the c for Brayden (so we could move on).   Brayden immediately said "yes, please write it, but make sure you don't do it that good so she won't know that I didn't write it."  

Can you believe it.  He is already getting that idea in his head!  YIKES!  I had to giggle as I asked "what did you just say?"  Oh boy, am I going to have my hands full or what!


Evaluating Life

On a serious note....  My first principal who believed in me and gave me my first teaching job, buried his oldest son today.  I attended the funeral along with many many others.  During the funeral they showed a slide show while a song about death and dying, and calling out to Jesus played.  It was so very touching.  All I could think about was the deep pain that the parents are going through.  As soon as I got home tonight, I ran straight to my kiddos and smothered them in hugs and kisses.  I held them and breathed in their scent.  I didn't want the moment to end.  I just sat there with them in my arms.  I held them close, not wanting to let them go, ever.  I couldn't even imagine having to bury them.  The thought is enough to drive me insane.  I treasure every single moment with my family.  When I attend a funeral, it always gets me thinking about my life. My blessings.  My faith.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Tomorrow is a new day!

Oh boy, today was one of those days.  I am so looking forward to tomorrow.  My house is a wreck, clothes need to be washed, the house needs to be disinfected...... BUT, tomorrow is a new start, a new beginning, a new day.  

Justin has been so sick since he got home last night.  He obviously has that nasty, nasty, bug that has lingered here.  Bailee was up all night last night alongside Justin.  All night, the sounds of Justin running to the restroom, toilet flushing, and Bailee crying, lingered in the dark.  

Bailee cried and cried and cried all night.  It reminded me of when she was a newborn.  I knew that something wasn't right with her, but I didn't figure it out until 3:00 this afternoon, thanks to my mom, aka Grammy.  When I was talking to her on the phone, and telling her about how Bailee has been crying non-stop, she ran down the list of things.  She asked if she had fever, I told her no.  She then asked if she was getting a tooth.  I told her I wasn't sure.  After I hung up the phone, I decided to have a good look in her mouth.  Sure enough, there is a molar that is poking through on top.  It is just one little point coming through.  Her gums are red and swollen.  I immediately gave her a dose of Tylenol and what do you know?  Bailee soon stopped crying and was back to her old self.  I feel so bad that I didn't catch it.  I could have saved Bailee from so much pain and we all could have gotten a good night's sleep.  Thank goodness for Grammy though!
 
Those mean, mean, chompers!  
 

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Fireproof is catching on!

I just got a text message from a friend who went to see Fireproof with her husband.  I am waiting on another friend to let me know what they thought..... hello, mel.....  As I had hoped, it is making others think.  I know it did Justin and I.  I can't say enough how incredible the movie is.  It is rare that a movie of this magnitude comes along.  

A friend commented on how many people were bawling.... including her and her husband.  I think it is because so many can relate.  We share that mutual understanding that yes, at times marriage is hard.  It is those hard times, those funks, that makes the marriage stronger.  

If some of you happen to see it and can't relate....  you are blessed.  I am certain though, you can relate to the love that is expressed in the movie.  

For those that haven't seen the movie, see it.  For those of you that have....  we have husbands that are good sports!
 

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

My Bucket List...

Have you seen the movie, The Bucket List?  It is a great movie!  If you haven't seen it, rent it.  It is about two men that find out they are dying.  They make a list of the things they want to do before they kick the bucket, hence, The Bucket List.  

So what is on your list?  I am going to be working on mine in the next day or two.  I challenge you to start one too!  If you have a blog, share your bucket list.  I will post mine soon.  

Note to self.... know what you are doing before trying to change HTML...!

So, I am sitting here typing away, and changing things around.  I wanted to spice things up and it almost cost me.  I had my blog all jacked up.  If something could be messed up, I messed it up.  When you get into changing the template's HTML code....  stuff happens.  For a bit, I had lost everything.  I was sick to my stomach!  Thank goodness I got most of the pieces back together.  There is still a lot that needs to be corrected.  Does anyone notice any goofs that I missed!  I think I am going to stick with what I have for quite a while, or at least until I get better at this!

A few suggestions....

Well,  I have received some suggestions regarding my blog.  The first one came from Justin last night.  He thinks that I need to change the name of my blog to Brayden's Blog because that is all I blog about.  Okay, so maybe he is right, this one time..... I told him that instead of blogging about our kids, I could blog about being an Ag teacher's wife and complain about how he is never home. He said to keep up what I am doing....

My dear mom suggested that I add more Bailee stuff on it.  I had a guilty conscience about the lack of Bailee stories.... So, with that said, more Bailee stuff is on its way!  

I hope all is well with everyone~

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Mom, will you wait for me?

Okay, I have been meaning to post a conversation that Brayden and I had the other day. Guess what, it was on our way to school..... again, the greatest conversations happen then.... The new song by Brad Paisley came on.. Waiting on a Woman.... well as he usually does, Brayden asked me what the song was about.... he had seen the video before but....

We were talking about the part where when he gets to heaven he knows he will be waiting on her... and that he hopes she takes her time..... Well
Brayden's next question was one that brought tears to my eyes..... "Mommy, when I get to heaven, I am not going in until you get there." The tears immediately came and I told him that I was much older than him and that I will get to heaven first. He then asked me to promise that I would wait for him before going on in. I told him (okay, the tears are flowing as I write this...) that I would always wait for him. I also said that I would find a bench outside the gates and wait. I would tell everyone in heaven that I am waiting on my son... no matter how long it took. He got the biggest smile on his face and thanked me for waiting on him.....

It makes me think about what things kids have on their minds constantly. Where do worries like this come from in a 5 year old? Justin would say he gets it from me...... Who knows.

Mommy, has this ever happened to you?

Brayden came into my classroom this afternoon with the saddest face. I immediately asked him what was wrong and he said he had the worst day ever. Apparently he was in the library and needed to use the restroom. He went into the restroom and as he was taking care of business he heard girls in the boys bathroom, or so he thought that is where he was. As he finished and was walking out of the bathroom, there were "much older boys" who were laughing because he had gone into the girl's bathroom by accident. The worst part was that these older boys went and told these girls "there is the boy that used the girls bathroom."

Ughhhh, if I could just find those "older" little buttheads and give them a piece of my mind.

Just kidding, kids will be kids. I know that. Besides, I told
Brayden that it was a little funny. He agreed but I think he didn't like being the butt of their joke. It has really bothered him because he has talked about it a couple of times tonight WITH TEARS IN HIS EYES!

Oh the drama of being a child, let me correct that.... Oh, the drama that comes along with
Brayden. My mom always said I was going to get paid back for what I put her through.... boy was she right! But, I am loving every minute of my payback and wouldn't trade my little man emotional or not......

Actually we got home tonight, and he is running a 102 fever AGAIN! It was only three or so weeks ago, maybe a month that we were sent to the ER! I swear if there is any illness within a mile of my kids...... they will get it! It is so frustrating! Thank goodness, Aunt Sue is watching him tomorrow! We would be lost without her support! Besides, no matter how bad he feels, he loves spending time with his Aunt Sue.

Bailee is doing wonderful! Each day she is getting closer and closer to walking. Brayden didn't walk until 14 months, she only has a week or so to meet or beat the Dunlap walking record..... Her crawling has been perfected, finally!

She is getting pickier and pickier when it comes to food and it is driving me nuts! She is also getting into a bad habit of hitting others. She will hit you in the face and then give you this sweet little smile with a head tilt and everything. She knows how to work others at such a young age.... she is taking after her brother in that area!

I have solved the whole problem with her pulling out her bows...... tiny, tiny rubber bands. Well at least they stay in longer than the bows and clips!

Monday, October 6, 2008

Jack of all trades...... from baseball to sheep showing!



Our Saturday's are now booked with baseball games.  Brayden is loving it!  He is now doing coaches pitch.  Coach's pitch is quite a bit different than tball.  They have 5 chances to hit the ball and if they don't, they are out.  Brayden has experienced this a few times and as a mom, it is so hard to watch.   If they get the runner on base out, it counts.  Brayden got someone out at 2nd Saturday.  The look on his face was priceless.  

Whenever he is at bat, we are all cheering loudly (he has a lot of family that are always there to watch him play).  He asked me the other day to not cheer for him anymore.  He says it messes up his concentration and the other mommy's aren't doing it.  Obviously he has selective hearing like his daddy.  But being the good mommy, I honor his request (most of the time).

Here are some shots of our little man in action!




Here are some pictures of Brayden showing in Peewee Showmanship.  He has really become quite the little showman.  He is such a trooper!  The sheep got away from him twice!  He caught it and would set it back up.  He got a blue ribbon (everyone did) and a little girl and another little boy were pulled as the top two.  Afterwards, I went up to him to congratulate him on how well he did and you know what that little turkey said..... "mom, I got beat by a girl."  I responded that there are girls out there that show who can kick butt!  Granted, I wasn't one of them, back in the day!



 

Friday, October 3, 2008

A Long Overdue Date Night

Justin and I had a long overdue date night tonight. Some friends kept the kids for us and off we were. We ended up going to see the movie FireProof. I can't say enough about this movie. Please when you can, see the movie. It is amazing. Kirk Cameron (Growing Pains) is the main actor in the movie. It is about a marriage that is falling apart and accepting Jesus into your heart and learning what love really is and means and loving your spouse as Christ loves us. I don't remember any movie where I have heard so much sniffling. It was a tear jerker. Some parts of the movie hit a little too close to home. There were a few times where the dreaded ugly cry was creeping up on me. I did my best and held it in... There were a few sitting around us that didn't. That is so hard.... when you are getting into that ugly cry and can't let it out! Ugh!

Some interesting info. on the movie:

*The only professional actor is Kirk Cameron. The rest of the actors are members of a church congregation. (this is obvious in the movie, but the message and storyline outshine this)
*Kirk Cameron donated all his income from the movie to a charity that he started with his wife.
*Kirk Cameron's wife was the stand in as his screen wife in the kissing scene, because he refuses to kiss another woman other than his wife, acting or not.
*The Love Dare book will be out soon!

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Who is Pootin?

One more funny story for today....  I PROMISE!

Again we are driving to school this morning.  On the way in I was listening to Fox News on XM (since they are so fair and balanced, ha ha ha, I love FOX NEWS)  Anyways, they were discussing Russia and Putin.  All of a sudden....  see below:

Brayden: "What did they just say that man's name is, Momma?"

Me: "His name is Gladamir Putin."

Brayden: (in total all out laughter) "You mean his name is Mr. Putin?"

Me: (cracking up) "Yep, can you imagine having that name?"  Gladamir Putin used to be the president of Russia, so that would make him President Putin.

Brayden: "What a funny name, Pootin, that poor guy."

Told you it was funny!

No Stress!

Another Brayden story.... I know that is all I seem to blog about... but dang he is so funny..... 

It seems like the funniest moments come when we are driving to school in the mornings....  I treasure those 20 minutes because I never know what they are going to bring....

As we were driving the other morning, Brayden was talking about school.  No big stories, we were just chatting.  At the end of the conversation I asked Brayden what color he was going to come home on today, and the conversation continues below:

Brayden: "I am going to be on blue.  But stop putting stress on me because you are going to make me sick again."

Me: "What do you mean I am going to make you sick?"  (totally clueless)

Brayden: "Remember the other day when I was in the hospital and was so sick, well you said (he goes into this high pitched girlie voice) I wonder if we put too much stress on him about getting on blue.  I heard you and daddy talking about that.  So if you keep bugging me and putting stress on me about staying on blue, then I am going to get sick again."

Me: "You were listening?"

Brayden: "Yep!"

Me: Laughing my head off, "You are so crazy.  That is not why you were sick."

I wouldn't have ever dreamed that he was listening, much less remember.  He was so sick.  Well I was totally stressed thinking that because I have been hard on him as far as staying on blue, that maybe I stressed him out, daddy was wondering the same thing.  

He is so sneaky and manipulative!  

Who Knew? Update Version..... Please pass it on.