My sister Jackie

So maybe God didn't let us grow up together, but he put Jackie in my life when I truly needed a big sister nearby. Don't get me wrong, my sisters have always been there for me when I needed them! Jackie became my surrogate sister and spoke for my sisters when they were too far away (I attempted to make some stupid decisions, but she was my voice of reason). She spent time away from her wonderful family and spent money to travel all the way to N. Cali to help me and be in my wedding. Why do I blog about her today? Because in about a month her and her two little ladies will be visiting us for a whole week, and I am as excited as when my family comes to visit! She is such a wonderful friend and I just can't wait!!!!!

Plus, she's so pwetty!!!

Uh, I look like such a dork in this pic. We desperately need better ones!

It doesn't take much

4:48 a.m.

...stomach grumbles

...peanut butter toast and glass of low acid OJ delivered to my bedside.

myyyy heeeero (said in a high pitch, Olive Oil type voice)

5:08 a.m. content and happy endorphins and much love for my husband.

I'm a lucky lady. 8^)

(P.S. According to a Meth show we watched last night, the two best, natural ways to increase the release of dopamine into your system is food and, ahem, sex. I like food [and if you consider my condition, the latter works too]. hee hee! Sorry if that was too much info!)

I don't do dishes

Ok so really I do, do dishes. But that is the name of the fun fingernail polish I got. Hmm, maybe it will make my toes look less puffy!

P.S. Jackie, we have an appointment for pedi's when you are here!

Hmmm...thursday thoughts

1. I could try and find a pair of sassy shoes online to participate in Sassy Shoe Thursday.
2. Two more weeks until I stop watching kiddos. Kind of sad, kind of relieved.
3. Realizing we only have 10 weeks (or less) until baby Harrison James arrives on the scene. (Yes, I am starting to call him Harrison. I like it, so there!)
4. ONE HOUR Maternity massage on Saturday! (Due to Linda Micheals' scheduling issues they had only booked me for a half hour and didn't realize until the massage lady said
"Well, how do you feel?"
Me- "Oh, (pause), an hour goes by so fast."
Lady- "You were only scheduled for a half hour."
So after getting dressed and me being almost in tears, I took a deep breath and we compromised with a discount on the half hour and then using the gift certificate this weekend for a full massage. I have to say that I am proud that I did not break down. I'm so drama sometimes:) Hee Hee)
FYI: If you ever get a massage, I would recommend to spring for the full hour. Half hour is such a tease!
5. Feeling guilty that I have led Jesse to temptation with his diet. I have tried to keep my snacks healthy (at least when he is around)! But seriously, did he think that I would forgo my daily nibble of chocolate or my crazy craving for Little Athens Gyros. Come on, you can't be on a diet around a pregnant lady!
6. I have to hide my scotch tape from Colton. I am down to my last roll and we have Rescue Heroes with extensive tape bandages!
7. As he was digging in the computer drawer for the tape, he found a generic calculator I think we got from a bank. It has become his cell phone and he will imitate and repeat me when I am on the phone. So if you call and I am giggling, that is why!
8. I am proud to say that besides what we are physically wearing, every article of clothing in our house is clean. (I had a mound of clothes that were categorized as "low priority", which really meant that they should've been taken to the Goodwill last year.) But they are clean and will be boxed and donated... soon.
9. Thinking about all the clutter around me and the remodeling going on in my house. Hmm... I feel some nesting coming on! Just bring it!
10. Colton accidentally knocked over my viney, leafy plant (horticulturist, I am not) that I has traveled with me for 6 years and 4 different homes, and one of the long pieces broke off. You are supposed to stick them in the dirt and they will continue to grow, but it isn't looking very good. I hope it survives.

So for my Sassy shoe friends:
...Zappos.com
...$109.95
...Matisse Divine
...2 1/4 heel (I can handle that)
...hmm, with baby car seats and sheetrock to purchase, probably not happening. bummer.
Can you tell I am ready for spring!!!

pee-mail

Everyday, at least 3-5 times per day, my dog goes to the edge of our house to smell the street light pole. I made myself laugh at the thought of me, checking to see if I have any comments or email, she's checking to see which dogs have stopped by to leave her pee-mail. Hee Hee... pee mail.

It's ok I am totally aware of my dorkiness!

Camera Sadness

Sorry that I haven't blogged for a while, it certainly hasn't been due to lack of events or crazy thoughts running through my head. My camera has slowly been dying since Christmas vacation. No, not any malfunctions. Somewhere between Kansas City, Sioux City or Elk Point, SD, I have misplaced my battery charger. I have been able to add pictures since then because I will turn it on, snap the picture, turn it right off, when ready to upload; turn it on, upload, turn it right off. Well obviously, that will only work for a limited time. So sitting in front of me is a piece of machinery, sad, unable to squeeze enough juice to allow me to upload 4 eventful pictures. Colton saved enough money from potty/drink tickets and chores to buy his HotWheels bike. We went on a maiden ride this Sunday after church. He was soooo excited and despite the wind (ug), went all the way around the track at the park (1/3 mile).
Well since I really like to have pictures with my blogs, here are two of my favorites from when Colton was born.

Colton a few days old

Colton's first giggle

Love is...

Today being Valentines Day, (and me struggling to have a loving, patient, quiet heart), I decided to give you an example of what love looks like in our house hold!

Love is...
-48 cupcakes cooking in the oven for Awana's tonight.
-taking a breath before I yell at the next naughty act.
-crying and hugging on the kitchen floor with Colton after he markered on someone's sock, spit food at lunchtime and blatantly lied about other naughty choices. (yes, this all happened just this morning)
-praying for forgiveness and listening to my son's heartfelt prayer for forgiveness.
-printing off numerous hearts for pre-school time
-deciding that I could let them have cupcakes twice (at snacktime and tonight at Awanas) instead of making an additional snack
-sending a card and putting encouraging bible verses on decorative paper (to put up around her room) to a good friend that is in the hospital and away from her family. (Thanks for doing this for me, Jackie, when I was going through my divorce)
-prepping for supper (Jesse put himself on a rigid diet) and not trying to convince him we should go to Jakers!
-getting my heart right before the kiddos wake up from their nap!
-focusing on the people that I love and how I can impact their lives.
-giving thanks for them and the One that put them in my life!
-sharing my heart to my blog friends instead of just trying to pretend that everything is going well.
-and oh yeah, anticipating the maternity massage on Saturday that Jesse got me!!! :)

If you made it through the entire blog, thank you for being available for my online therapy session! I think I am better now and can accomplish the rest of my day with some enthusiasm! Hmm, can I really blame this on hormones! Hee Hee! I think that in honor of Valentines, I have earned a bite of chocolate! Love you all and hope that you are feeling loved!

The Anti-Floam blog

So normally I try to foster and grow any type of creative outlet, but NEVER again will it involve Floam!!! I had seen it on tv and have really wanted to try it! Colton got this from his dad a while ago and it looked pretty messy, so was put on a shelf until I could devote the time (i.e. direct supervision) to help him with it. Maybe our batches (there were two buckets in the package) were defective or whatever, but this boasted on the package how it was "No Mess". Not for us! Even after molding and mixing it for a few minutes, it completely stuck to our hands and nothing could wash it off! We finally had to peel it off with paper towels. Has anyone else had this experience with this product? If you haven't tried it or your child gets this as a gift, I would suggest hiding it, taking it back, or just throwing it away!




_______________________


He also found an art easel I bought at the After-Thanksgiving Sale that, technically I haven't been hiding, but just didn't have the room right now with the basement being torn apart. So I put it together and here is a couple of pics I snapped of him and his first drawings.

First Self Portrait

Drawing a picture of me, Jesse and him

Mom (with baby in tummy), Jesse, and Colton.
(the squiggles on our foreheads? Our brains, of course)

Creatures of habit

Ever notice that you do the same things every day or the same thing in the same situation? We also are like this, but what happens when it gets thrown off...

1. Towel hanger on back of bathroom door breaks-
Result: Damp towels get tossed either on dresser (me) or on top of a stack of nicely folded clean towels (Jesse).

2. Dishwasher fails to get unloaded in a timely manner-
Result: Dishes start to immigrate from the sink to the edges until they claim half of the counter. This can happen if the sink is full or empty. I don't know why, do we think that we may reuse the glass/plate?

3. Mom get lax on the toys-put-away-before-bedtime rule.
Result: Feet poked and shins bruised from the middle of the night run to pray for him when he had a bad dream. Oww!

4. I have to be at the Lab for the glucose test at 7:00 a.m. (I am usually rolling myself out of bed at about 7:45), Jesse has to be to work before I can be back.
Result: Half sleepy Colton and very sleepy mom hanging out in the Lab waiting room with a book and DVD player. Still being dark out, Colton asked "You have to go to the doctors in the middle of the night?!"
Reward: McDonald's for breakfast! Hope of an early naptime!

5. Good friend stopping over late with an overwhelmed heart.
Result: Realization that my "problems" are trivial compared to what others are going through and knowing that God puts people in your life for a purpose.

6. Having a week of cold and snowy days.
Result: Getting creative on how the boys get their energy out. Having a good excuse to stay in our "cozies" and snuggle on the couch in front of a movie!

This is all that I can think of in a half-catatonic state! Happy Groundhog day!

Tom and Jerry

As we're browsing through Hastings' discount videos, low and behold, Jesse found a little treasure. Although made in the 40's and 50's, Tom and Jerry continues to entertain ages 4 to 33 on a cold, blizzardy night! I think we might have to find an old Bugs Bunny next, Colton didn't even know who Taz was!!!

For Shelby Dawn

Ok, with my crazy weekend I didn't catch when Jackie did her Ode to Shelby , sorry Shelbs! So here is the silliest, sweetest little mother hen that we have had the pleasure in knowing! I always knew from the moment that she would get home from school, Colton would receive about 5,000 hugs and kisses from her! She always watched out for him! I miss her now that she is so far away and am excited to see how she becomes a great woman for God! She is how I imagine Jackie was as a little girl! As Jackie would say "Sassy-fras"!

P.S. Frank and Jackie you make great kids, what did ya have to stop for!!! Hee Hee!

Flashback friday: Addition to Jackie's

Today Jackie had an ode to Shae on her blog and I thought I would add to it. She is such a spunky little girl with a heart of gold. She will go from racing around the room to snuggling in your lap (at least for a minute)! It is amazing to see her growing up so quickly (I think we need to see you soon!) I thought I would add a few pictures of how I remember Shae-Shae, that Jackie didn't have! (When she features Shelby, I have some choice shots of her, too!)

Cabin Fever

Recipe to entertain two little boys that have a serious case of cabin fever?

- Combine a couple of gallons of green water (food coloring)
- Add bathtime toys, sponge letters and various cups, bottles and measuring cups
- many wet towels

Let marinate for a good 45 minutes and hopefully it will be gone at least until this afternoon.

Got any other good ideas?

Potty Tickets

So as you may know we struggle on a nightly basis with stalling and are now trying something new! Colton has been trying to save for a Hot Wheels bike for some time now, and as much as we can, we try to reward him when he helps out or has particularly good behavior. I got the idea out of a magazine to have a potty ticket and a drink ticket (or whatever your kid uses as an excuse) to use as way to let him get out of bed once for each. He puts them under his pillow and then if he wants to use them, he can, but in the morning he gets to cash in each ticket for 50 cents each! This worked really well last night considering that he use to get up 4-6 times each night (and trained himself to be able to get at least a drop or two out to avoid punishment)! So that is the saga for this week, I pray that this sticks for a while, because the stalling thing was really getting out of hand!

25 week pics: Halfway there!

Ok so I know that 20 weeks is technically half way there, but I really only fix my hair and wear makeup about once a week, so you get 25 weeks! And yes, immediately after pics, I was in Old Navy fleece pants and a giant t-shirt! Baby is growing well (as you can plainly see!) and I'm feeling really good! He's already measuring a couple weeks bigger, but I blame that on the great food that we indulged in during the holidays! Other than that, no big news. We started looking at baby stuff...um, someone convinced me to put the crib, swing and stoller in our garage sale last year, saying "oh, by the time we have a kid we'll get other stuff". I don't think Jesse quite realized how soon we were actually going to have a kid- denial, maybe :) I've been checking out Ebay and found some really great deals, anybody out there with experience buying from Ebay? Let me know. Not sure if it is worth it or just better to buy directly from companies (Babies R Us, WalMart etc.) Just curious.

Cubbie

Let me be the first to introduce you to the proudest little boy (at least in our house)! Last night he earned his Cubbie vest. We started Awana's last week and he had to learn 4 memory verses. He practiced almost every night and yesterday told his teacher his verses! he walked around so proud and wanted to wear it over his jammies to bed, it was pretty cute! I went to Awanas when I was a kid and remember having a great time. I hope that it helps him grow and make some good friends along the way.

Personal Observation:

Why being pregnant is like being a 4 year old.
(or at least my 4 year old!)

1. I have to go pee at the most inconvenient times and "right now".
2. It's the only time you look cute in overalls, but due to #1 sometimes not the best idea!
3. I am highly suggestible by commercials. For him its every gadget or toy, for me, food!
4. I need a nap.
5. If I don't get a nap I admit that I may become "slightly irrational". :)
6. I have become clumsy. Dropping things, tripping, running into things with my shin...
7. Spaghetti and chocolate brownies* sound like an appetizing breakfast!

That's all I can really think of right now, hope you all are having a great week! All of those with new babies, Kris and Rachel in Las Vegas, LB waiting with expectancy, and all the rest of you ladies out there!
I was digging through baby clothes and Colton decided that waterbaby (that's his name) needed a new outfit (usually he is found naked, so anything is an improvement!). I snapped a few pictures of them.
*P.S. I actually had an egg sandwich for breakfast :)

Friday Confessions

1. For breakfast I had Colton's leftover Fuddruckers mac and cheese... um, with nacho Doritos crunched into it. (Hey I take my vitamins!)
2. Last night at the gym I got caught up in the Divine Design tv show and now my lower back, hips and rear end are killing me from being on the treadmill too long!
3. Colton just informed me that his stomach hurts. Ug! A weekend of the diarrhea flu that is going around is not going to work into my plans. (Though I do like it when we just snuggle on the couch and watch movies!)
4. Jesse and I stayed in bed until 8:15 a.m. ...Kids show up at 8:30! hee hee
5. As a result of #4, I skipped the shower today and went with a commando deodorant shower! (Hey, in my defense, I had to soak in the tub last night due to #2, so I'm not totally stinky!)
6. I miss my Christmas decorations.
7. Almost more than presents, I love getting "picture" Christmas cards in the mail because I just enjoy looking at the fridge and seeing all the great friends we have. I said, almost!
8. I desperately want to go to Disneyland again! (We went for our honeymoon and are going again in 2010)
9. This week the preschool letter of the week is M. Today we are learning about monkeys. My motivation... I get to make monkey bread for snack time!
10. I love watching Little Einsteins with Colton and am looking forward to the new episodes this weekend!

Well now you know my little confessions for the week, hope it wasn't too shocking! If you know me than I doubt they were! Hope you all have a great weekend, please pray that Colton doesn't start barfing all over the place!!!

Random Pictures

So I was informed today that I have not put enough pictures of Colton up lately, so my dear Shelby and Shae...

Ninja Colton

Colton and Kacie sacked out on the trip from KC to their house (4hrs).

Colton and Kacie in their matching jammies from Grandma & Grandpa Bulit.

P.S. I would put pictures of my new nephew up, but apparently my sister and bro-in-law are too busy changing diapers (Evan is still battling the flu) and getting deprived of sleep to put a few more billion pictures to satisfy me. I mean, how selfish, really! (if you didn't note the silly sarcasm, I obviously don't really mean it! hee hee)

Welcome Blake!!!

Let me be the first to introduce you to Blake Douglas Magnusson!

Stats:
Born-January 8th, 7:13 pm
Weight- 9 pounds!
Length- 22 inches long

It is taking all of my strength not to grab the credit card and slap an airplane ticket to Kansas City on it!!! (Don't worry Jesse, I won't!)
Congratulations Brent, Connie and Evan!!! Love you guys so much!

Anxiously Awaiting Aunt

This is my brother-in-law, sister and little nephew that live in Kansas City and I direct you to the bulging tummy of my sister. By the time that you read this she will be in the hospital having my nephew, Blake Douglas Magnusson. She is going in Monday morning to be induced. Hopefully my next blog will have pictures of him. I am just absolutely excited and am reminded of the miles that lay between us. I am praying that God will make it possible for me to go and visit them in February or March! Praying for her labor to go quickly and smoothly and that baby Blake will be born healthy! Love and miss you Connie, Brent and Evan!!!

The Brown Family

So most of the Great Fallsians probably already have met this family, but for all of you that don't, let me be the first to introduce you to Jeff, Suzanne, Andrew and Aubrey. We met at the Flemings small group and are just getting to know each other! Funny story though, Jeff and I actually went to Tech School (AF) in Missouri about 7 or 8 years ago at the same time! Crazy small world! They are a great family and I am excited to get to know them better! Check them out!

The Resolution Blog

Ok so I never take resolutions too seriously, but I'll share a few of my goals coming into the new year!
1. Go to the gym at least 4 times a week. (chuckle)
2. Pamper myself (i.e. pedicure, manicure, massage or hair cut) at least 3 times a month. (Somehow I have a feeling that this one won't get broken!)
3. Eat 1 fresh veggie and 2 fresh fruits each day.
4. Do dishes every night. (I hate dishes and I have a nice dishwasher!)
5. Do all laundry at least once a week. (I have a bad habit of getting the stuff cleaned and folded, just never gets put away! Drives Jesse crazy! hee hee!)
6. Save money! (ha)
7. Drink at least 5 bottles of water per day! (Yes I know that you should drink 8, but believe me, 5 is a big improvement!)
8. Get my Christmas stuff put away before February. (I can handle this one!)
9. Blog more often and write letters/cards.
10. Start working on basement so that we can move our bedrooms downstairs before baby comes! More specifically do at least 1-2 projects per week! Right now it is three giant storage rooms and an un-usable bathroom!

So I came up with 10, even though I am sure that there are many more areas in my life that could use a little sprucing up! Ha! I challenge all of the blog ladies to blog their resolutions, maybe it will inspire me to keep mine longer than this week! Good Luck everyone!

Toys, tissues, bedtime and babies

Toys: Besides all the new stuff he got from Christmas, Colton is discovering all of his old toys that he hasn't seen in over a month. And, may I add, takes twice as long to clean up!

Tissues: Since we've been back, I had to go to Sam's Club to get a massive supply of tissues to strategically place throughout the house to deal with constantly running noses. We picked up some of those Shower Soother things (tablets that dissolve in your shower to help with congestion), I'll let you know if they work or just a gimick that smells good!

Bedtime: So bedtime for Colton is always a struggle, but now I've got some leverage. He really wanted a HotWheels bike for Christmas, but I was not about to lug a bike all the way to Iowa/Kansas/SouthDakota and all the way back. So for every night that he stays in his bed he will get money towards his bike.
Glimpse into our world: (after 10 minutes of similar dialog, we finally get to this)
me: Colton go to bed.
Colton: but I need you mom
me: Go To Bed, Head On Your Pillow, Now
Colton: I dropped (insert various stuffed animal here) I need you to get him, or he will cry
me: GO TO BED RIGHT NOW OR I'M TURNING OFF THE BATHROOM LIGHT!!!
(quiet for 2 minutes)
Colton: Well fine mom, but God made us special and he loves us very much! (VeggieTales influence?)

Babies: So my sister is hours/days from having my nephew Blake Douglas Magnusson and I am soooooooooooo excited. Without getting into details, her body is making its final preparations for his arrival and I am just waiting by the phone with anticipation! No exciting news about our little guy, except that he moving like crazy and I can't eat enough Tums. Didn't have the acid problem with Colton, we'll see if the hair myth is true (They say that a baby that has a bunch of hair will give you heart burn).


So I really dislike this picture that was taken the day before we were leaving, without makeup, hair done or thought of wearing a semi-cute outfit. But it is what it is and the only one of us together with our baby bellies.

Merry Christmas!

This will be short and sweet! We are heading home today and should be back to good ole Montana by Thursday! Here is a picture of the kids Ashlee, Kacie, Evan and Colton. Next year it will be expanded by two! Hope you all had a great Christmas! Love, Cortney

Baby Gaga Cartoon

I found this on a website recently and thought you guys might enjoy. Eventhough I don't have a coffee addiction, I just can't stay away from chocolate!!!

SST: Baby edition

Well, Jackie once said that I must have a gift for little boys and I am beginning to believe that she was right! Our ultrasound today revealed that the little one is a boy! I quickly google-d baby boy shoes and these were the only ones I thought were cute and didn't have sports equipment or superheroes on them! Ugh! Anyway just wanted to share the news and a few pictures, now we gotta figure out what we're going to name him!!!

Profile

Close up of his face (if you can make it out!)

Just another Manic Monday...oh we oh!

OK so it's really not that manic, but any excuse to hum fun 80s tunes...well
This week will include:

1. Have Jesse pick up Christmas pics/cards today so they get sent out this week!
2. Print off address labels for said cards.
3. Laundry, laundry and, yes, more laundry.
4. December Bunco at the Dea's tomorrow night and make a Spinach-Artichoke dip! (Bunco always makes me miss Jackie!)
5. Pack and re-pack as condensed as we can! Since we will be returning with Colton and the entourage that comes with it!
6. Pick up some ingredients for the kids to make Snowman Soup!
7. Thursday morning we have our 20 week appointment! (Which means we get to find out if the baby is a boy or girl!!!)
8. Talk to my sisters about a hundred more times before Friday because we're excited to see eachother!
9. Pray for good weather and safe travels! I hear an arctic wind is coming our way!
10. Try and contain my excitement about getting Colton and spending Christmas with my family!