seat belts and what did I do in your belly

Carson started karate last month. While we were in Florida he told us that if he keeps up with karate he will get more seat belts. Jonathan and I laughted all day about his cute little comment.
Carson told Jonathan today when he grows up he wants to be a "bad guy" because he can out run Batman and Robin.
My sweet little boy is asking a ton of questions about what the baby is doing in my belly. But he takes it a step further and wants to know what he did in my belly. Lovely! How do I answer that question?

Just arrived!

We are home! Of course we are happy to be back in our home however we truly miss the warm weather already. We all had a wonderful 9 days in Florida. Photos and funny stories to come shorty....
We need to unpack and get prepared for a busy week.

bags are backed

Yea baby...we are out of here tomorrow and heading to 'sunny' Florida. I can not wait to see green grass, flowers blooming and the sun shining. Carson is very excited as well. He told me this morning "he can not wait to fly on the plane and see mickey mouse again."
As for the pregnancy, the baby is really kicking strong now- wow! I had the level two ultrasound yesterday. The physician was very happy with the development of the baby. All is well and right on schedule. God is Good!!

Adopting and time to come out

We are still planning on adopting again. However we have slowed the process down as we need to focus on the new baby coming in June. We are hoping to pick up the adoption process in the fall of 2011. In the mean time we are still searching and praying about the right country to adopt from-
Our conversation tonight about the baby
C: Mommy your belly is getting to big.
M: I know Carson
C: Maybe it's time for the baby to come out and play with me
M: Not yet but soon
a few minutes later
C: how about now Mommy? Baby Skywalker wants to play lego's

weekend recap in no particular order

8 loads of wash
shopped for maternity clothes (not easy to find for petites)
shopped for shoes (that too is not easy with a size 31/2 or 4 foot size)
Carson started his karate class on Saturday
We all went to Dave and Buster's in phila on Saturday evening
cleaned out my bedroom drawers
started packing for Florida
studied for up coming test
straightened up the house 100 times
more preparing for our Guatemala video slide show in Feb
watched a great movie with Julie Roberts
Went to look for a new SUV
Prepared for the upcoming week
took a few long naps
watched snow white with Carson (he loved it)
prepared menu for this weeks dinners
snuggled with Carson all throughout the weekend

The count down is on...

6 days until we leave for Florida where the weather is 70. I will take 70 degrees over 36 degrees any day.

Do you ever wonder...

Is this really what life is all about?
What is this rat race all about?
When is life really going to start for me?
When do I start to settle into my life?
Do I really take time to enjoy what God has given us?
Is this what family life is about?
Will my children remember what I have done for them?
Am I the only one who has these thoughts?

Tomorrow I turn

19 weeks pregnant. It's unbelievable how much my body has transformed within the last 4 1/2 months. I am not sure if I like it- I am still getting use to the baby moving around in my belly. Some times it really catches me off guard and I start to panic a little. As far as the development of the baby- all is well. Praise God!
I am starting to get my energy back however I do take frequent naps. Carson loves to touch my belly and everyday he kisses the baby (as he says). He thinks I have three baby's in my belly and their names are going to be "baby skywalker".

Yes I am

finally pregnant. Every Monday is another week I am pregnant. I am due around June 5, 2011. We have decided not to find out the gender of the baby as we want a happy surprise.
More to come on the pregnancy.... stay tuned!

Carson's top 10 for 2010 with big news

Can you believe another years has come and gone. My, my, my how fast time flies by- I must say, this year has had its challenges however overall it was a great year.

Carson's top 10 for 2010.
10. He played for a small soccer team.
9. Carson went to Disney for the first time.
8. Carson went on his first roller coaster on the Wildwood Boardwalk
7. Carson learned to color in the lines
6. Carson learned to fully dress himself.
5. Carson says the pledge of allegiance
4. He learned to write his name.
3. Finally fully potty trained
2. He learned his right from left.
1. Carson is going to be a big brother around June 5, 2011. When he learned I was finally pregnant he said "That's cool Mommy and kissed my belly".

stats:

3t pants

3t shirts

33 lbs 3'1" Height

size 9 shoe

What did we start...

A few months ago Carson was having really bad dreams at night. So needless to say, Jonathan and I took turns sleeping with him at night. That's right, now he will not go to sleep without one of us in his bed. Great! another habit we created and now have to break-

Christmas has come and gone

Christmas 2010 has come and gone in a flash. Wow, all the preparing and excitement is over... Carson had a wonderful Christmas. Of course he (we) were blessed this year. He received many great gifts which he has been playing with non-stop.
A recap of Christmas day.
We went to my parents home at 9:00am for presents and amazing breakfast.
We came back to our home around 1:30pm and Santa arrived with more presents.
At 4:30pm around 25 family members arrived for dinner and exchange of gifts at my home.
11:00pm the final clean up and time for bed.
photos to come.

Going private in 2011

Hello, after the first of the year I will be going private with Carson's blog. If you are a faithful reader or lurker and would like to continue reading about Carson and the up coming exciting news please leave a comment with your email address. Thanks!

One month

until we leave for Florida for 10 days. YEA! We are going to Amelia island to visit Jonathan's brother and family for a few days. Then off to Orlando for Disney and my all time favorite Islands of Adventure. My parents and brother are meeting us at Disney. We are not telling Carson as we want him to be surprised ;) We are praying for beautiful warm weather while we are there- Please bring on the sun and sunscreen (of-course).

girl lips- true conversation

This mornings conversation:
C: Mommy when I kiss you on the lips will I get girl lips?
M: No honey (with a smile) you will not get girl lips.
C: Then why do you put that stuff on my lips like girls?
M: That stuff is chap stick and it helps your lips from getting chapped.

C: Mommy do you think Santa will bring Kyndel (our dog) presents?
M: I think so
C: But Mommy she did not make a list

M: Carson its time to get dressed.
C: But Mommy today is my day off.

Tubes vs No Tubes

Well, we took Carson to CHOP on Tuesday for his on going ear infections. As we thought, they would like Carson to have tubes in his ears. I have mixed emotions about the procedure however I know its needed. But when? We are thinking about the beginning of February-

cold and dark

UGH! I can not stand how cold and dark it is in NJ this time of year. I dislike it! I was getting Carson ready for bed tonight and he said, Mommy can you turn up the sun. :)
We are looking forward to our Orlando,Fla. trip in January. Bring on the heat!!

The next year and quick prayer

Carson will be starting a new pre-k christian school in January. He is not aware of the change yet as he hearts his primary teacher. The school which he will be attending has 6 students in the pre-k class. He will have to wear a uniform along with being in class by 8:10am every morning. He will attend 2 full days and 3 1/2 days. The school offers pre-k thru 12th... It's a rather small private school however they have a solid foundation.

Tonight, Carson was playing with his Lego's and I heard him talking really loud..
Carson: Dear God PLEASE help Mommy rip her nose.
Me: What rip my nose, Carson?
Carson: Yea, when you have a tissue and your ripping your nose.
Me: wiping my nose, Carson?!
Carson: Dear God PLEASE help Mommy wipe her nose because she does not know how-

Am I alone

Carson is getting so rough with other boys. He wants to wrestle, hit and call them names for "no reason". I am truly hoping this is another phase of toddler-hood. Time outs do not work, taking away his Lego's works for the first few hours and taking away the t.v. is a joke...etc....
HELP!

New York

Last Saturday Jonathan, Shauna, Holly and I went to NYC for the day. We had a full day of taxi rides, subways, busy stores with long lines, trendy restruants and seeing the off broad way show Stomp. It was rather cold and crowded however there were many laughs and funny stories. All and all it was another wonderful trip to the big apple.

Best (my sister) watched Carson while we enjoyed our trip. Best and Carson also had a fun day as they went shopping and had dinner with Santa. Carson is still talking about his day with Best.

wordless wednesday

savoring moments

There are many days when I want to freeze time and savor moments with Carson. Carson can be such a love at times. However he can turn on a dime as well... Jonathan says, "like Mother like Son." Anyway, I listed just a few of the savoring moments from last week in no particular order.
Carson and I were laying in bed the other night and he said, "Mommy can I go back in your belly so I will not be scared of the dark?" How do you answer that one?
Yesterday he reached over and kissed the tip of my nose and said, "Mommy I had a great day with you."
Last Thursday was my birthday so when my family was singing Happy Birthday to GretaJo Carson looked at me and said "they said GretaJo but you're my Mommy."

In a nutshell

A blogger friend of mine sums up her weekends in a nutshell. So I am going to try it her way...here it goes

Thursday night my Dad was admitted to the hospital
Friday spent the day at the hospital with my dad
Saturday afternoon my dad was discharge from the hospital after pulling some strings (more to come later)
Saturday night spent the night at Bally's in Atlantic City and saw Boys II Men
After the concert we went to a crazy dance club and danced the night away
Sunday got up around 10:30am yea babe
Sunday afternoon did some last minute Christmas shopping at the walk in Atlantic city
Sunday evening went to Pat's steaks in Phila
Went to see the Eagles Vs Giants football game in Phila Sunday night (great game, very late night)
Forgot my camera and missed out on some great photos
Carson spent the weekend at Laura's home in Wildwood Crest
He had a great time

first time roller skating

Last Friday night, Jonathan and I took Carson rolling skating for the first time at the local recreation center. I will let the photos tell the story!

School pictures

A few weeks ago, I received Carson's school pictures. I can not believe how much my sweet little boy has changed in one year. The first picture is from 2009 and the second picture is from this year.

Jesus told me

Tonight Carson told me that:
Jesus told him he did not have to eat dinner.
Jesus told him he did not have to brush his teeth.
This boy...keeps me smiling.

For Sale

My home is for sale. It is listed on the MLS however I do not have a for sale sign out front. Please pray my home sales quickly. I know, I know the market is crap.... But, there has to be somone out there who needs (wants) a beautiful rancher.

Questions and Answers

I have received a few emails regarding questions about Carson's adoption. So, I thought I would create a question and answer post.

How old was Carson when he came home from Guatemala? Eight Months

Did I meet his Birth Mother? No, However I do have her address, profile and photos.

Where was he born? Guatemala City

Does he have siblings? Yes many.

Will I ever take Carson to meet his birth Mother? Sure, if he wants to...

Do I have any information on Carson's birth Father? Very limited

Was Carson in foster care? Yes.

more to come....

Going back to Guatemala and college

We are traveling back to Guatemala in August as a church group again to work with Chris and Donna Mooney. I had two earlier trips planned however life is going to be changing for us in the near future which will not allow us to travel that far away. I will post more about our changing life in a few weeks. With that being said, I really miss Guatemala. I miss Guatemala as a whole. Today as I was cleaning the horse stalls I was thinking how great it would be to live there for a few weeks. God has a plan for our life....
Well, as of December 6 I will once again be a post graduate college student. I am going to finish my professional counseling degree with a dual degree in Mental Health and School Counseling. If I continue with the class schedule it will take me 2 1/2 years and then I will have 1/2 of residency. I am very excited about this degree as it will open up many avenues for me. My long term goal is to earn my PhD in counseling. As we all know health care is ever changing and I am not the type of person to allow change to occur around me and not do anything about it. I am a very determined person. I am always looking for ways to improve myself. I do not want to be in the 'same' job for 15 plus years. I want to grow, learn and excel. There are many times I have heard people say, I should have gone back to school to be.... I am to0 old for school.... I have to get perfect grades so I can not go to school, raise a family and work...etc. To me they are all excuses. If you really want something nothing will stand in your way.
Sure the above is not going to be easy however neither was earning my MBA or taking the exam to be a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator or adopting as a single parent. However, I truly believe if its the Lords plan he will lead your path. He has led my path many of times. Amen!

He is not a picky eater.

The other day I was listening to a co-worker talk about her son and how picky he was about eating. She asked, is Carson a picky eater? I replied quickly, No he is not... She asked me what does he eat? As I ran down the list in my head I could not believe what a great eater I have.
I am not joking with this list:
yogurt
cottage cheese
All fruits
cheese
pasta
all types of seafood
chicken and turkey
loves lunch meat (I know its not healthy)
beans beans and more beans
pizza
veggies (not lettuce)
eggs
almond milk (his favorite)
pototoes