Be very, very quiet...

I am beat. It is definitely different to share a house with teenager, than a two year old! They both wear me out.

We had a good weekend. Cody was in town for his 3rd home visit. We spent time with my family on Friday night. mom and Dad's birthdays were last week, so we celebrated with a bonfire and of course...smores! Yesterday, the boys built the steps to for the deck and it looks so nice! I love it. Steph joined us for the afternoon, then we watched movies after she went to work. This morning was rushed as usual before he gets back on the bus.

So now Tim has gone to game with is friends, Becca is in bed, and I'm enjoying some me time. *sigh*

Testimony of a 2 yr old!

I just had to share what has happened in our house since last night. It made me laugh, then shed a tear or two because of the innocense of my 2 1/2 year old, Rebecca.

Last night, Becca seemed concerned about where God was. She would run from window to window saying " God no out! ". (God's not out) We explained as we have before that God is everywhere...God is in the Clouds, trees, flowers, etc...but most importantly God is in her heart.

We struggled with how else to explain that you can't SEE God as a man...but you can feel him in your heart, especially to a two year old.

So at bedtime, when we were saying prayers, she started off.. "Dear God..where are you?" We giggled and again, we took our time to tell her God is in her heart. That God listens to us, watches us, and wants us to use friendly words, nice hands, etc and we finished her prayer.

Then this morning. We were putting our socks and shoes on and out of the blue, she said, " Momma...where'd God go? " Wow. This is really on her heart and she's very curious. So for a third time in less than 24 hours, I started to explain that God is everywhere...but before I could get to the part about God is in her heart, she interrupted me and pulled up her shirt to expose her little 2 year old tummy as she gasped, pointing to her Belly Button and screamed with so excitement..." Momma...I found God's heart! "

Oh! I just couldn't respond any other way than to giggle, kiss her belly button and then to hug her like crazy!

I thank God for giving me the tools I need to raise up Rebecca, with the curiosity and desire to know more about God.

Lets call it now....

Becca will probably have a broken bone before she is 3. That is five months from now.

She's just finally getting over her black eye from the fall she took here at home, and Daycare calls me at work today, to let me know that she had taken a spill while on the playground, and struck the side of her head on the metal fencepost for the chain link fence. I must admit my first instinct was to giggle and shake my head. "what next" is what came across my mind. Then I came back to reality to be sure she was alright. She was fine. A bruise and a bump on the temple, that was made all better with some ice.

The funniest part of the story (well, to me anyway...not so much to Daddy) is that this all happened as she and a little boy named Liam where HOLDING HANDS and running and tripped over each other. Tim's response to Becca was..." who's liam...and does he have a job?" Becca's reply was
" TWO! " I swear. Ha! The two of them keep me laughing all the time.

Now...to just keep any bruises off this poor childs face before school pictures on Thursday!

Need your ideas

So for everyone who knows me, Im always being creative. If not crafting, at least thinking about how to use my creativitiy in crafting. Candles, Scherenchnitte, jewlery, scrabooking, barrette making, photography.

So a friend suggested I post more about my crafting with pics on my blog. But really, this blog is all about our family. So I figured there really is nothing keeping me from creating a second blog just for me to show off my creations.

But, before I do, I need a blog name...which will then become my Blog address.
So this is where you come in...what names should I use. Something fun, something catchy. Leave a comment for me and let me know if you have any ideas.

Playing catch-up!

Quick run down of the last week:

Becca had 5 days and 5 nights in a row staying absolutely completely dry in big girl undies! Sooo proud of her. But then the weekend came, and Cody came home and our weekend was all over the place...and so was Becca's potty success! She had 4 accidents over the weekend....but since Monday, she's back on track again.

Yep, Cody was home for a visit this last week, his 2nd of 3. These visits are to help him get accustomed to home life again, the new family situation and living arrangement. But so far his visits have been more of a social gathering of friends coming and going rather than getting accustomed to the family. We realize the need to communicate with friends again, but we will be limiting the time on the next visit.

Becca and I went to a Gymnastics open house at Cedar Valley Gymnastics Academy on Saturday. She did get a chance to go with 3 other preschoolers on the floor, swing on a bar, walk on the beam, jump on the tramp, and do forward rolls, back bend, and a cartwheel. She had a blast. We're aiming for Becca to start in November!

Speaking of doing gymnastics...Last night Becca was climbing, fell and hit the top of her left cheekbone. We've definitely got a black eye today! Poor Punk. This happened while I was on my way home from work, and Tim had told me that it was going to be black and blue. Well, I asked Becca when I got home, what had happened... and her reply was " I fell, and now my eyes are brown!" Hahahahahaha. I laughed so hard. She is so funny.


And now for today. I got off work a early today. Very slow day at work. So I spent it making barrettes! I have several girls at work looking for ideas for birthdays, and even Christmas already! Of course I fell in love with the ones I made, so I'll have to get more supplies after I have these sold so that I can have some on hand for Becca too!



So thats the Nicholson Nonsense going on around here!

Mark it on the calendar!

Becca went to school in big girl undies today and stayed dry allll day long! Even into the night she stayed dry. We tried again this morning, and as of 5:06pm she's still dry! Oh the things that amuse us and make us happy! What a big girl!

I just read an update on my cousin's blog about their 2 month old who has rolled over! At'a boy Girl! You go Samantha! It soo cool to remember back to those days...it wasn't so long ago, but seems like AGES! well duh..yeah, it was 2 ages ago! But I love the convenience of these blogs to be able to share in the milestones and happenings of everyone's families.

15 things you don't know about me.

Ok, So I was tagged. Share 15 things about yourself that most others wouldn't know about you. Anyone who reads this blog, and has one of their own, must do the same.

1) I am terribly afraid of clowns. Please don't bring your kid to my house on Halloween dressed as one. I won't open the door and they won't get candy. Now there will be 2 unhappy people!

2) I had a crush on my 3rd grade teacher. Mr Washington. Then...4 years later, he was arrested for drug trafficing and possession of drugs on school property. No wonder we always used real bills when doing the Money chapter in Math!

3) My name was supposed to be Scott. Mom swore I was a boy, doing football moves before even born. Surprise...its a girl...lets name her after our first cat....Missy! (ok, really, it was Melissa..but still give me a break!)

4) I've always had a thing for bald men. Think Michael Chiklis in The Shield or Chris Daughtry. Mmmmmm

5) I always wanted a house full of boys. Pictured myself on the floor wrestling and making mud-pies more than playing house or Barbies. But guess what!? Girls like to get dirty and "freckle" (as Becca calls it) too!

6) I never had pet growing up. Mom didn't want animals in the house. Stinky, dirty, hairy, didn't want them on the furniture...couldn't have them. I hated that growing up. Weird how I completely understand her logic now. But I wouldn't have wanted to miss the precious times Becca and Maggie have already had, and the ones that are to come.

7) I sang in a wedding of a friend when I was 18. It was Alison Kruass : When You Say Nothing At All.

8) Tim and I have a spirit that has been following us since we moved in together. Ok, we invite it each time we move...who am I kiddin! We've decided its a girl, and named her Sara. Don't know why..just seemed right. She's nice. She does stuff to annoy us. But she's been quiet lately.

9) I love black olives stuffed with Squeeze Cheese. Yummmmmmmm!

10) I often have conversations in my head with my Grandma Smith in heaven as I drift off asleep. I never met my Grandma Smith. She passes away just months before I was born. But I've always felt a connection. And I have no doubt that she hears me and talks back. Its unexplainable.

11) I've just started reading my bible for the first time. Following a Daily Reading in a Year, plan.

12) I've never been East of Chicago. Sad I know.

13) My very first time in an airplane was to Hawaii. Yeah...crazy. But well worth it! Went with my girl Gretchen our Senior Year. Rocked!

14) I knew after 3 dates with Tim that he would be my husband. He didn't know that. In fact it took a 9 month break up for him to realize it! lol. But even at the time of the breakup, I was not worried, cause I new it was only temporary. Gosh..that sounds so stalker-ish! I promise I wasn't! Ha!

15) I cried a little bit today in the middle of the Walmart toy department, when Tim was giddy with excitement and said, " oh..I want to just go crazy and buy her all this stuff !" while he pointed out all the princess dress up clothes and accessories. It just struck a heart string and the tears flowed for a few moments.

Oh Ship!

It was just yesterday that Tim said...." Isn't is cool to hear her repeating more of what we say...and saying it so well?"
Uh-huh! While watching a Iowa spank FIU today...Tim blurted out " Oh Sh*T! "...and without a 2nd thought Becca stood up with her fists above her head and shouted, "oh ship...Daddy...where ship go?"

All I can do today is laugh hysterically, because it was him and not me! Tim just sat there with his foot in his mouth, smiling! oops!

Wanted : Painter

Labor Day. No kiddin! Or rather...labor day weekend!

I asked for it. I did it to myself, but I am beat! Decided that I wanted the living rooms and dinning room painted before Cody's next visit home. Well...Between Friday night and Sunday afternoon, I got the living rooms completed. But wow. Forgot how much work it is. I still haven't even prepped the dinning room. Could have gotten to work on it today, but I decided that I needed a day to rest. My ankles, which normally bother me anyway, felt like the were about to shatter with each step I took. The up and down on the ladder didn't help the bunion. So. The dinning room waits. Maybe a little bit each night this week. Ooooor, maybe next weekend. We have decided however that when Cody moves home, there will be a painting party, to do the molding.

Becca spent the night on Saturday with Wendy and Xavier. It was her first over night at their house. Wendy says she did really well. She must have had bunches of fun, cause when I showed up to get her on Sunday, she ran right past me and I didn't I had to wrestler her to get a hug and kiss hello! What a punk!

We made an expensive trip to Wal-Mart yesterday. We had no idea we would leave with what we did. But decided on a new microwave, new pants for Tim, a winter coat for Becca, then all the essentials...food, diapers, toiletries, etc. Wow! None of it was extravagant. And granted, you don't buy a microwave every week...but still. Sticker shock!



Today, we decided that we needed to get out of the house as a family to do something fun. We decided on a quick fishing trip to the pond by Grandpa Bob's house. We called up Grandpa and he decided to take a break from working in his garage, to join us for short time. And short time is right. We lasted about 25 minutes again, before Becca was bored after not catching any fish. She did however, reel in her bobber several times for the fun of it. We also spotted a Crocodile in the pond! Well...ok, it was a silly little float...but it was enough to make Becca keep her eye on it.

ok, ok!

So I've been told that I haven't posted pics recently. Ummmmmm...confession...I haven't taken many lately. Not since the pool was put away anyway! But to make everyone happy, I will post an older pic. And oh my goodness...can you believe this was just under 2 years ago? Ohhhhh...she's so cute in this outfit. And I just loved the red flannel. I think Gaga Bob loved the flannel too!



Ok, so I am so excited that Fall is almost here. This wonderfully cooler weather has been so nice. I couldn't believe that I came home from work the other night, and Tim was laying on the couch...under a blanket no less...with with the windows wide open. It was great! Can't believe its August still and we really haven't seen more than a day or two of really hot weather! I'm excited for the fall activities. The pumpkin patch, Halloween costumes (Becca's got her's already) playing in the leaves, apple pies! mmmmmmm By the way, I just made an apple crisp last night. I can't wait to go home and have some! ok, so now I'm just babbling.

This weekend will be busy. I want to start painting the living room and dinning room, and Tim's mom is coming to town on saturday for a bit. We'll see how much I can get done! Tim's not the best painter...so I think I will be doing most of it..just to keep it nice! He'll be in charge of keeping Becca out of the mess!

This weekend was a blast! Cody came back for a home visit this weekend. He arrived in town late Friday morning, and then spent the rest of the day with his Mom and Grandma. He and Steph showed up at our house at about 10pm! Becca was soooooo happy to see him! Within minutes, she was on the floor playing with Steph and Cody and having a blast! That girl is soo in love with Cody...or should I say "Kitty". Becca can't quiet say Cody correctly. she can say Co-Dee, if you go slow, but as soon as she tries to say it like normal, it comes out Kitty. Hillarious. That name is going to stick!

We stayed up late on Friday night getting caught up. We had a good time and lots of laughs. Saturday, Cody's friend Aaron stopped by and ate lunch with us as well. We got to know him a little bit before he left and Grandpa Steve came to visit. He stayed for about an hour before having to get back to his stores, and then Steph came over again. We grilled out, watched movies, played jokes and had a lot of fun.

Sunday morning was rushed, but Cody, steph and I met his grandma Connie at Prairie Lakes Church for service. That was great. It was an outside service and what perfect, beautiful weather it was to sit out in lawnchairs and worship! We did have to leave the service early to get to lunch and to the bus station to see Cody off.

Overall, it was a great weekend. Lots of laughs, good times, good stories...and knowing more is on the way is good for the heart! But I must say, that I was happy to just lounge on the couch reading the paper in my scrubby clothes after Cody left and Becca and Tim took a nap. It was sooo quiet! *wink*

Becca's first real phone conversation!

So yeah, becca has been "talking" on the phone for some time. Mostly just answering yes or no questions. Well, yesterday, she had her first REAL conversation with me. The funny thing is..she completely drove the conversation. She was in control the whole time. Here's how it went:
Becca: Hi Momma, where arrrrrrrrre you?
Me : Hi Punk! I'm at work today!
Becca: Daddy at hoooooooooome?
Me : Nooo, Daddy's at work too!
Becca: By choo choo town? (this is her way of asking By the trains downtown?)
Me : Yep
Becca: Daddy come oooooooover?
Me : Yep, when you wake up from your nap, Daddy will come over to Grandpa's house
and get you!
Becca : O'tay Momma, yayoo too! (thats "Okay, Momma, I love you too!")

ok, so such a plain conversation. Nothing spectacular that we talked about. But it was typical conversation with Becca. A 5 sentence conversation...all in her control! I was the one answering questions!
I got off that phone call and was just amazed. I think I picked my jaw up off the floor! Its little things like this, that make me want to remember EVERYTHING she does. Cherish everything she's doing..on good days and bad. Cause when I'm 82...will I remember this conversation we had on the phone? I hope so....someone remind me!

November 1st!

Thats the date we are aiming to have Cody home by! He had his 6 month review hearing on Tuesday. Everyone was happy to learn he's completed his GED, his EAGLE status, and his substance abuse program. The judge would like to see him maintain his status now and have a couple of test runs home for weekend visits. He'll be home with us the weekend of August 22nd. It'll be a short visit. We're still finding out the specifics and will let everyone know once its final. He looked good, his family and girlfriend Steph were all happy to see him. It was only a quick 40 minutes we got to see him before he was back on the road for the 4 hr roadtrip back to Clarinda.

Last night I went to dinner with his Girlfriend Steph (Feff as Becca now calls her)at Carlos o'kellys. We had good food (not mentioning how we just knew steph's food would come wrong...and it did) and good conversation getting to know eachother, and sharing what we hope the future will hold for everyone.

Today Tim is in Des Moines on business. Not sure what time he'll be home tonight, so Becca and I might just hang out with Wendy and Xavier before coming home for the evening.

This weekend will be full of getting things in order for Cody's home visit. Not much to do really...but I'm going to be picky...and I'm sure it will drive Tim mad! lol

" Help me Momma "...

...is the common phrase I hear from Becca when she and Tim are swimming! Most evenings, we can barely finish the last bite on our dinner plates before she is begging to go play in the water. Its taken all summer for her to be brave enough to really have fun and rough-house with Daddy in the water. Its so much fun to watch, so thought I would share my very first video post!

New month...new look!

If you haven't caught on yet...I change the looks of this blog every month.
Well, I found the most adorable backgrounds! Friends with blogs...go check them out...http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/

Tip: if you are having troubles getting the new background to look right and currently have a pyzam background...you'll need to remove the current background from pyzam, then add a Blogger background to kinda trick the settings. Then it will take the new background from the cutest blog on the block.

Love it! best thing..is it doesn't erase any of your current extras or widgets! yay! so it'll keep your counter Gretchen! *wink*

We didn't have a very eventful weekend. Regardless, it was nice and low key.

Friday night I enjoyed scrapbooking with my girls. Its been a couple of months since our last crop. It was long overdo. If for nothing else, for the talks and mood boosters we give each other. I did however get 6 pages done. And I've realized that I need pictures of Becca and Tim swimming and of the potty training that is going on.

Tim and Becca spent a lot of time in the pool Saturday and Sunday. Becca has become quite brave and is actually " swimming " now. With the floaty ring around her, she will jump forward and kick her legs. She looks like a little frog! We're so proud of her. I definitely see lessons in her future! Tim was a great swimmer ( so he says...so maybe she'll get that from him).

Tonight I went to Dinner with my sister for her Birthday. Ok, really...mom and dad had a gift certificate for Olive Garden, and don't care for it...so they gave it to us to use! It was great! Free dinner! Thanks mom and dad! It was nice to get away from the house with an adult. Even if it was just for a little over an hour.

Tim had a conference call meeting with Cody, his PO and the Clarinda staff on Friday. It sounds like Cody has lost his focus a bit, but is working his tail off in one of the welding or metal shops down there. They commended him for his attention at work, but may recommend to the Judge a little longer stay, to help him catch up from some negative weeks he's had. I hate this. I wish he could come home. We want him to be able to start classes at Hawkeye like he had wanted at the end of August. But we've been told it could be a couple more months. We're disapointed as we know Cody is, but we're trying to help him realize that the goals Clarinda had set for him to come home, were not met because of his focus. We're doing all we can to help him refocus and finish strong. In the end...its all just reccomendation that his PO and case worker give to the Judge..and the Judge makes up his own mind. Regardless of when he comes home, there will sure to be a party! invites to come as soon as we know more about a date. Court date is NEXT tuesday the 12th, we'll have more to share at that time. Please keep Cody and his focus in your prayers.

Thoughts of a two year old!

So last week I bought Becca some Elmo underware. When we are home, we're putting her in real undies, and when we go out or go to bed she is still wearing the pull ups. This is a big step for us!

So this morning Becca wakes up and asks me (excuse the Becca spelling/talking)....
"Momma...who Daddy doh?" I proceeded to tell her that Daddy went to work. So then she says, " Yeah..Daddy wort wit Emmo undies on? "

Ha...she thought Tim was going to work with elmo undies on! Cracked me up! Just the mental image of Tim with Elmo undies was enough to bring tears to my eyes. After seeing me with tears in my eyes and laughing so hard..she says..." Silly Daddy!"

Oh. This child makes my world spin!

No title today

Last week I started talking with Cody's girlfriend. I'm loving that! Its only been through text and email so far, but I'm anxious to get together with her. She'll be helping plan the party that we are having for Cody when he comes home. I know that she means the world to Cody, and that he is crazy for this girl. We have a feeling that she will be around for a long time. We all want whats best for Cody, and knowing whats important to him is part of that. He's told us over and over that Steph is good for him. We believe that may be true, and can't wait to get to know her more!

Becca spent the day with my Mom and Dad on Saturday so that Tim and I could complete the deck! It looks great. We're still needing to build the steps, but I think that can be completed another weekend! I'm quite proud of the job we did, and that we completed it in just 2 weekends. Yay us! But how pathetic is it to be sooo soar? I'm so out of shape!

Today, Becca was without nap, so we spent the afternoon running errands while Tim spent some time with his friends. I'm on the hunt for some large clearanced out...or inexpensive pots for the deck/patio. But I think my timing is off. Either they aren't clearanced out at the super stores (lowes, homedepot) or they've been put away already to make room for school supplies (Target and Walmart).

Tim and I are doing pretty well on our "better choices" eating. Neither of us feel deprived yet. Thats my goal, is to make better choices MOST of the times, so that when I have the craving for something not so good...I don't feel as bad about it. I can never deprive myself of the sweets. But I can limit them and balance it all out with healthier eating the rest of the time. And with this, we've found some new recipes! So far everything is a keeper!

Hereeeeee fishy fishy!

Daddy got out the Dora fishing pole he bought Becca this spring, and took her our on her very first fishing experience! She had a blast...and caught 2 little bluegill all by herself! Yay Becca! We are so proud of you!
It was a short trip. All of about 30 minutes fishing! But we quit before she got bored, so that she'll be anxious to go again!

Becca can count!

Tim and I did a happy dance tonight! We are sooo proud of our Becca!

For the longest time, her counting consisted of 2.4.9.13.
Then last week it progressed and she would say 1.2.3.8.9.10.
Today finally, for the first time, without help...it was 1-10 perfectly! And she did it 3 times tonight! So it wasn't just a fluke!

Yay Becca! You are becoming such a big girl! Where has the time gone?