Happy Birthday!

Ok, so I'm a little late here...sorry! Our precious Oliver Presley turned one last week! I cannot believe how fast this past year has gone by. All that day I was thinking about the day he was born. You see, his birth was sooo much better than Jamie's. The night before Oliver was born, we went to Chuck E. Cheese for a little fun time for Jamie's birthday which was in 12 days. I had been feeling different that day, but didn't think much about it. I didn't go into labor with Jamie on my own so I had no idea what to expect. So, after our fun time, we went to the grocery store because I was hungry but didn't know for what! We were planning on going to the baptism for my bestie's little girl on Sunday. I really couldn't sleep much when we got home. The contractions started around 3:15am and by 3:30 they were a minute apart. I was trying to stay calm, but man, those contractions came on so fast and so hard!

We got to the hospital at 4 (luckily it is only a few minutes from our house) and I was having a hard time dealing with those pains! I was happy to get some medicine to help relax while I waited for the epidural. I got that lovely medicine at 5am and was a 10 and ready to go (I was a 7 when I got to the hospital). The nurse said to just let Oliver come down the rest of the way on his own instead of pushing right away. I was fine with that. I could get some rest and let Oliver do his own thing and not have to push for so long. After a nice nap, the nurse came back in at 8 and said it was time to push. I was so relaxed this time around. We were watching CMT and music videos. I did 3 or 4 rounds of pushing and my little man made his entrance at 8:30. I felt so good, minus the horrible tailbone pain. I also looked good....please don't think that I full of myself, but I looked like poo after Jamie and had a hard time just moving....with Oliver, I was moving and just looked much better, and I felt better.

It is kind of ironic that Oliver's delivery was so fast because he is so laid back and kind of lazy :) I have a blast with him and get such a kick out of him. He has the best smile, his whole face lights up. He is definately a momma's boy, big time, but I'm not complaining! He loves to play, pick on his brother, dance, music, snuggle and has a temper. Oh my, when he wants something he will let you know. He doesn't like the word "no" and throws a fit everytime we tell him no. Like I said, he loves to pick on Jamie and Oliver starts the fighting most of the time. But then he flashes that smile like in the picture below and you just melt!

Wow

It has been a while...wow. I have started writing a post a few times and then deleted it, I have a ton going on. I really should blog more, it would help. I have been dealing with a lot of things lately, or at least trying to deal with things. I'm sick of my job and sick of having such a hard time finding one. I mean, I have a degree and can't find a decent job. I hate all the stresses that comes with my job. I hate being crabby all the time. I have been wondering a lot lately what the big man upstairs has in mind for me. I feel like nothing ever works out. Does he want me to be miserable, because it is working. Then I see people around me and things always work out for them. I know I shouldn't worry about that, but I have a hard time not doing that. I am also having issues with our church. There are a couple of things, but the only one that I will talk about on here. I have been feeling for a while that I just don't fit in. My church has lots of classes and things, but those seem too pushy to me. Why do I have to do all these classes in order to make friends? There are nice people at church, but I feel so alone most of the time. But, there is nothing I can do. I'm not going to make my family go somewhere else because the hubby plays in the band and he loves that, I can't take him away from that. I just feel stuck. I try so hard to do things with people and things never work out. But, then I see all these people hanging out together. I feel like I am back in high school and there are these cliques everywhere. Someone even said that I need to try to do things instead of sitting around, that made me mad. I just don't know what to think or do anymore. Ok, so this post might be a whiny one, but please bare with me. Jamie is such a good little boy, but his learning style is touching things. He likes to touch everything, cuddle, hold hands. But, I am having a hard time when I put him in nursery on Sundays and some of the kids are always saying "no Jamie, don't touch" or are mean to him. How do you explain to young kids that he is not being mean, that he will just grab your hand and say hi? The kids don't get it and I don't think all the parents get it. I really don't want to put him in there because it kills me to see him playing alone and these kids telling him no all the time. He only has a couple of weeks left in nursery and then he will be able to go to walk out worship during church, so hopefully that will be better. Anyway, I think I will end this now and post later this week. I just have so many feelings and thoughts right now and I don't know what to do anymore. Now, onto more cheery things.... :)

Father's Day/Anniversary Weekend

So, it may have taken me a few days to actually do a post :) I wanted to put something on my photos....thanks Erin!

This is the wonderful cottage we stayed at. It belongs to Eric's grandparents and we just love it there. We were able to stay there for 4 days. We did a whole lot of nothing! It was great :) We went Father's Day weekend which also happend to be our anniversary weekend.

I took a lot of picutes while we were there. The boys had a good time also. Jamie loved being outside, playing on the swingset, going in the canoe with daddy, playing in the lake, playing with toys, it was great.

Look at that handsome little man! It was a nice break for all of us.

But, let me tell you....trying to get pictures of the boys together, looking at you at the same time, not easy!

Oliver is such a momma's boy :) But, so is his brother! It was really nice to not have to worry about work or anything else, just hanging out. Jamie slept in a room by himself and in a full sized bed, without falling out! I still can't believe how fast they are growing.

Jamie was all about the water, he loves the water!

And I love these little piggies :)

S'mores...you can't have a campfire without them!

Yes, I have matching outfits for the boys :) Haha....they may hate me later, but they are just so darn cute!

I asked Jamie to give me the "look" isn't it great!

I adore this picture of Jamie :)

Jamie also got a kick out of helping daddy drive the boat. I am hoping that we can go up to the cottage more often. I am also very glad that we took the boys. Sure, they still had their tantrums...aparently they didn't get the memo that we were on vacation and that tantrums were not allowed....but, we loved it!

MIA

I know I have been MIA lately, but we are still here! I thought I would post a little something so you all know I haven't forgot about you. We have been super busy the past few weeks. I really need to work harder on posting, my goodness. Anyway, I will be back tomorrow for an update about our anniversary/Father's Day weekend getaway.

Tulip Time

So, I've been missing for a bit, sorry about that. I have been dealing with some things and always think about blogging and then it never happens. I'm going to work on blogging more. I feel better when I do, so I just need to keep it up. This post has lots of pictures! A couple of weeks ago, we had our annual Tulip Time festival. The boys were in their Dutch outfits and that makes for great pictures....when you can get them to look at you at the same time :)

I love taking pictures of flowers. I'm not sure what these are, but I love the way the picture turned out.

It was pretty hot the day we went to Windmil Island. Luckily, we found this cool fountain and Jamie took full advantage of it and played for a while. All during this, Oliver was sound asleep.

Oh man, I love flowers...haha :)

Such handsome men!

This is probably my favorite picture of Oliver. It was hard to get decent pics of the boys, especially together. I'm thinking of putting their outfits back on and going to the park again. There aren't any tulips, but there are still pretty flowers out. Maybe I can get some better pics.

The picture above is the best one of the boys together.

Oh, look at that, more flowers :)

We had a good time. But, I do want more pictures in those Dutch costumes!

Failure

This might be a little depressing at times, or annoying, but I just need to type. Lately, I have been feeling like a failure. I have friends that in the same time it has taken me to get my 4-year degree, have gone onto graduate school and beyond! I know I shouldn't let it bother me. I have my own little family, two perfect little boys. But, I just can't get past it. I have a job, but it has nothing to do with my degree. I want a new job, I need one. I feel like I'm being pulled in so many directions and I can't do it anymore. I have a cleaning job....not always fun, but hey, it needs to be done.....but, I have so much stress from this job. I shouldn't have this much stress from a cleaning job! Then I come home and feel like I need to do everything around the house. I know some moms/wives don't mind doing the "woman's" jobs at home, it works for them. It doesn't work for me. I just don't have enough energy and time to get everything done that needs to be done. I can get the house nice and clean and two days later, it is a mess again. I know, I have kids, it is going to happen. It isn't like my house is gross or anything, but it doesn't look the way I want it to. I feel like I am going to be judged by most people that come to my house. Maybe I just need to suck it up and get over it. When I go to bed at night, I think about the things I didn't get done and how much it bothers me, or what the hubby will think when he gets home. I shouldn't be thinking about that stuff when I'm going to sleep. I almost feel guilty for going to bed. The boys want me all the time. I can't leave the room without one or both of them freaking out. But, I love my boys and I'm glad they want me around, but I also need breaks. I get so overwhelmed when I think about the things that need to be cleaned, having to do everything for the boys, the fact that I didn't go grocery shopping for this week and will now have to go with both boys by myself. I need a new plan. A better plan. Ok, I'm going to stop complaining now. I've just hit a hard patch. Let the thinking begin.

Spring Flowers

Ok, so I have over 200 bulbs planted in front of house, between tulips and daffodils. I am obsessed with taking pictures of them! I have plans of making some canvases and doing some other fun things with the pictures. Anyway, these are some that I have taken during the past week. Warning....there are a ton! Enjoy :)

This white one is a peony tulip

I'm not sure on all the names and such, but I do love them! We have this event here called Tulip Time and that is where I got the tulips. There are a bunch that you cannot find in a store.

I love these "fringe" tulips!

I took some pictures one day after it rained. I love how the rain drops stay on the flowers.

I hope you enjoyed these photos. There will be many more! Hopefully these flowers mean that it will stay nice out and that it will actually be spring. Enjoy your night :)