The Arby's Birthday Commercial

Have you seen this? I absolutely LOVE this commercial!!!

Seriously, everytime it comes on I crack up laughing. I totally see me and Barry doing this! Hehehehehehe!!!!!!

Isaac's First Camping Trip

I told you in an earlier post that I would let you go visit Barry's blog to hear all about their first camping trip together, any ways they had a blast! (click on "barry's blog" to get to read about his camping trip)

A Day at the Park

It has been in the mid to high 70's this week. A bit warm for SC in the month of December. I believe God is preparing me for the warmness of FL that we will be in next week. Thanks God for preparation!!! I really hate drastic temp changes so He knows what He is doing. Any ways with all the warm weather and with the crazy week(s) I've had (read below to catch up) I decided we should have a picnic at the Duck Park. So I sort of bribed my eldest son and we FINALLY made it there. It was perfect!!! We each ate our sandwiches and bag of chips and because I'm so "cool" we drank our diet cokes that I stopped to get us from good ole mickey D's. I thought he was something else too. Because not only did his "cool" mom stop and get him a diet coke, she also brought his scooter. So then he got to cruise around the pond to the playground while all the other kids there had to walk. Yes, I know, I'm so "cool". Any ways we ate and then we played. We hung upside down on the monkey bars (don't laugh, I can still do that for real). We raced and then we sat and rested. It came time to go and he hopped back on his scooter and off we cruised. A VERY much NEEDED FUN day for a mommy and her sons.

H E L P!!!!!

We have really been having a time with Isaac. He is throwing the worst fits and is almost out of control at times. And honestly I'm exhausted! I feel like all I do all day long is discipline him. Like I'm the bad guy all the time. At night I'm going to bed feeling as though he probably hates me, but I know I'm doing what God has told me to, "Spare the rod, spoil the child". I have tons of people telling me to hang in there, it will get better, but when people?! When?! There are literally days lately that I'm ready to pull my hair out. I know I've aged a few years just in the past 6 weeks. Seriously it's like he went to bed 2 years old and the very next day woke up a terrible three year old. I know you're thinking, no Nikki its not terrible three's, it's terrible two's. Well I've got something to tell you...you are WRONG!!! It is terrible three's!!! Testing three's!!! Totally all about me three's!!!! Did you get all that?! I just don't know what to do from here. I'm at a loss, really. I know the child is hyper, okay WAY hyper, but what do I do for a three year old? I've cut out the sugar, I've done time-outs, tried spanking, and tossing out toys that seem to know how to fly. But NONE of this is working. I mean, sure I could beat him, but that is against the law and I wouldn't dare do anything to get him taken away from me. I know there are days I feel like I'd like to sell him to the circus, but at night when he is going to bed he is SO DARN CUTE with his "kiss me here momma", "momma lay down I need to tell you a story", and the best of all "momma I love you. you be careful momma." And those very words erase a horrible day and the idea of the circus. What could I be doing wrong all day? Why does he have to hit EVERYONE? He doesn't see this at home? He is going to have any friends. All of this runs through my head ALL night long. I go to bed thinking about it, and I wake up thinking about it. I am all night long planning the next day so it will come easy to me, and then it doesn't. It really makes me sad. I know, I know, put on my big girl pantie's and deal with it. But today I can't. Today I'm consumed with it. Today of all days? Why? It's really been a good day. Thanks to the advice from my mom. We woke up to a rough start, but then we got busy doing "school" work if you may. Then I made a deal with him. He said calm and listened, threw no fits or items we would go to the park. And it worked!!! I started him out with 1 strike. If he got to 3 strikes we wouldn't go to the park. Now, we did get to 2, but we did make it to the park. I just don't know why it worked today? I've done that before and sure by after nap time he was back to his wild side, but at least for a few hours there was peace in Russell land. But now I'm sitting here planning for tomorrow, how will tomorrow be? Well off to try to sleep. I am hoping for a FULL nights rest. Believe it or not Barry took Isaac on a REAL camping trip (and since he is the only child that doesn't sleep thru the night and he won't be here, I'm sure to get sleep...yes!), I'll totally blog about that later, well actually Barry probably will he now has a blog too check it out www.barryrussell.blogspot.com. But I'm sure I'll have some pictures to post. Okay well if you have any advice, PLEASE pass it this way. I'm open.

More New Stuff

Eli has really started growing up the past couple of weeks. Here is a picture of his new favorite thing, sitting in his booster seat drinking out of his sippy cup. Enjoy the other pictures too.

Ready Set Go.....

Eli has started alot of new things the past couple of weeks. The biggest is the above. He is one the move. And boy is he fast! Last night I had Isaac in the bath and Eli was in the living room floor playing with a toy and all the sudden I hear him yelling, "babababab".

And in he came. So cute.

Yummy!

Last Saturday Barry's work had their staff Christmas party. We've gone every year since we've been married. How you wonder? Well because the first year we were married I was the church

secetary and then the next year Barry was an intern and then from there he become the youth pastor. So anyways, lets just say they are not your traditional staff Christmas parties, especially

for a church staff. Now don't get me wrong it's not booze and craziness, it's just REAL honest fun. We always get together at a house and have buffet style dinner. After that comes the LONG awaited, start planning the year before, White Elephant gift exchange (everyone brings a gift, you draw numbers, unwrap a gift or steal from someone else). Now it is not like any other gift exchange. Let me tell you, people actually start planning their gifts a year ahead of time, the exchange is taken VERY seriously. So with all this said we were really looking forward to the gift exchange this year. I pulled out some items that I had from last year and knew these were the perfect items for this occasion. We wrapped the gifts and headed to the party. Long story short Barry and I ended up with one LAME gift, a pilate video and book, I figured maybe God was sending me a message not to run anymore...NOT. Barry got a decent gift, perhaps one of you will receive it, so I won't tell what it is, but it's pretty good. The whole time Barry and I both were eyeing a gingerbread house decorating kit. I did end up with it, but then a lovely lady, who I won't name, stole it from me. And after that steal it was dead, no one else could get it. Well after the exchange ended and the party was over the lady that stole the gingerbread house kit came to me and told me I could have the kit. I told her no that it was alright and she told me to take it. So without hesitation I did. I got in the car and thought I wonder if the threat I said to her really scared her (I told her she should feel bad because that was for a poor mother who's child is driving her crazy lately!). I apologized silently and forgot about the dirty situation, put the kit up and went to bed. Well the next day at church I saw the lady again. She pulled me aside to let me know the real reason she gave it to me. Great I thought I've hurt her feelings! She then goes on to tell me that because she had just spent a week with Barry in Belize she knew how much I needed this fun thing to do with a child who has the same energy as his father. She also said she would be praying for me to have patience with the two of them. So any ways, here are the pictures of the gingerbread house! Thank you "angel lady" we really enjoyed the FUN time together.

New Email!!!!

Just wanted to let you all know that we got a new email account TODAY. Crazy I know. I was really hoping to let you all know ahead of time, but I didn't even know myself. Well actually I did, but I was told that they would email me the date and then mail me an info package, both of which did not happen. So anyways our new email is barryandnikki@sc.rr.com.

An Accident Waiting to Happen

This week I decided that I was going to start running. Now for anyone who really knows me, you know that I HATE to run. Well not anymore!!!! Since my surgery running is a lot more enjoyable. So any ways, Monday I got up early and decided to go the the dam (Lake Murray Dam, it's about 3 miles down and back). Now I know what you're thinking...I went out there and just started running....NO I DIDN'T!!!!!! I began walking at my normal walking speed and once I got to the dams halfway point I decided that I would run. So I was listening to my iPod and had a brillant thought, I will run 2 minutes and then walk for 3-5 minutes. And that is what I did. I never once struggled and I really felt good afterwards, well other than my hands feeling numb (it was like 30 degrees). I even was smart enough to stretch once I got back to my car. I got home and told Barry how good it was to do it and how nice it was to have some "me" time in God's creation. I also shared that I was starting feel it. I knew that I'd feel it, but I never imagined the pain that was to come. So that afternoon I had to go pick up Brandi, the girl I watch in the afternoons. I started loading up the boys and thought to myself that my foot hurts...weird. Picked her up and got home and we went outside to play. I had on my wonderful Croc shoes and thought that maybe I should wear my tennis shoes to help support it. Well I went about my business and the pain kept getting a little worse. Tuesday morning rolled around and I went to get up and couldn't step on my foot. I realized that it actually felt better to stand on my toes...crazy huh? Again I went about my day and it started feeling a little better once I walked around on it more. Wednesday morning came and it hurt a little worse. I thought to myself that it felt better yesterday after walking around on it, so I'm going to head to the dam again and walk out the pain. I get there and start walking. It's a little sore, but no pain no gain, right? I get a almost to the other end of the dam and OUCH! It really hurt. I then had an even more brillant thought, I'll run, maybe that will help it feel better since that is the way I had to have hurt it. I begin running and yesssss it felt so much better. I also think that in my head I knew I would be able to finish faster and get off the darn foot. I FINALLY finished and got to my car. I stretched it, my legs, everything and it still hurt. I decided to take off my shoe and it felt a little better. Got home iced and ever tried wrapping it. Barry laughed and informed me that I'm not made to run...can I ask who exactly IS made to run? And don't we all have to start somewhere right? Well Thursday morning I got up in the middle of the night to comfort Eli (he has bronchitis and a double ear infection..fun...fun) and went to step out of my bed and OUCH!!!! My foot hurt so bad that I fell. I sucked it up and went to do my mommy job. I got up later (7:30am) and told Barry that I thought I needed to go to the doctors now. My foot hurt way worse and I couldn't even put pressure on it to stand or walk. He said you probably sprained or strained something and that I didn't need to go to the docs, it would heal by itself and that I needed to stay off of it and rest it more than I was. HELLO!!!! Did he forget that WE have 2 boys, one of which has way more energy than a normal child and then one who is so sick that everytime he coughs he pukes and now he is screaming about something else...his ear? I informed that that was probably impossible, but I would try. I then decided that I'd call the orthopedic doc and get an appointment. And I did! After a full day of errands and taking care children I was SO glad to be going to the docs for my foot. Then the phone rings and NOW he can't see me!!! But its 5:30pm and no other docs is open and like what is the chance I could get in tomorrow if I call for an appt. The nurse did say that the symptoms I described sounded like a sprain or stress fracture. And that if I could find an orthopedic boot it might help with the pain. So brillant me found one, I've got a great friend with hook ups...LOL. She brought me one and I put it one and WaLaw!!!!! My foot felt great!!!! So here is a picture of my new gear. I think its pretty hot if you know what I mean. Now, I wonder if I could go walking in it? Hummm.....

A Random Thought

As with everyone in the world, our money is tight. We are REALLY trying to cut back on lots of unnecessary items and then find lower priced ones for the necessary ones. I even tried switching Eli to soy formula instead of the pricey hypo-allergenic one he had been on since he was 8 weeks old. But I eventually broke down and went back to it after everything he took in kept coming back up and I was having to clean it. So here it is. I'm a huge supporter of what works for you do it. And with Isaac, when it came to diapers I tried all sorts. The hospital put him in Pampers, and so I started out with those. I eventually went to Huggies because he seemed to keep leaking out of the Pampers. Then someone suggested I try the Walmart brand diapers because they are good and cheap. So I did. But Isaac still leaked thru them. I tried the Target brand and the same thing. The only way to use them was I had to change them like every hour. And decided that going thru that many diapers a day I mise well just stick with the Huggies. At least with those I didn't have to change a diaper everyone hour. Then comes Eli and the hospital put him in the Pampers, they must have a contract with them. And lots of people got me Huggies, so he wore those too. He really had no trouble leaking with those. I wasn't ready to try the generic with him, but last week at the store I decided to try Luvs brand. They are like $7.47 for 34. And the Huggies and Pampers are $10.59 for just 30. I bought them and thought what the heck. I got them home and put them on Eli. My first honest thought was that I didn't care for them. They weren't as cute as the Huggies. Then I thought who the heck cares! They are on his butt, one of which is really stinky sometimes! So I put him in it and he went to bed. He woke up the next morning nice and dry. And guess what?! I'm sold on Luvs brand!!!! Can I say that I love Luvs!!!! I LOVE the smell of them, and not leakage at all not even after 12 hours of sleeping!!!! Well that is my random thought for today. What is your favorite diaper brand?

Thanksgiving

Me and the boys headed to Ohio for Thanksgiving with my mom's family. We had a blast too. For the first time ever we had one day to just chillax (chill + relax= chillax). Check out the pictures I got from our trip.

Backyard Fun

So after a full week with major sickness in our house Barry and Isaac decided to have some fun outside. And I got these wonderful pictures of my boy. Sorry none of Eli though he is too sick to be outside playing. Maybe next time we rake the leaves....like next year.

How can a boy look so cute, but be so rotten all at the same time?

Check Him Out

Isaac's Nativity Scene

So I LOVE nativity scene's. I have several, like 8 that are out for decorating now and then 3 that are still put up in boxes. Every year at Christmas we pull them out. Well, my Uncle Greg and Aunt Cindy got Isaac ,for his first birthday, a Fisher-Price Little People nativity scene. I was so excited for him to enjoy it as much as I do. The first year he had it he wasn't to into it. Then last year he thought all the animals were really neat. Well this year Christmas overall is a HUGE deal to him and so when we decorated last week he was ALL into it. Any ways I had gotten out all my nativity scenes and Isaac kept touching them and wanting to play with them. I kept saying to stop and that those aren't toys to play with. He blurted out, "I want one of those nafivify scenes!" I very quickly responed by pulling his out. He began playing with it and I moved into the kitchen to do the dishes. One by one he started bringing in the pieces. It went like this...

"Wook at fis (this) baby, momma?"

"That is not just any baby bud, that is Baby Jesus."

"No momma that is Eyi (Eli)!"

"No bud that is Jesus."

He goes and puts the baby in the stable and comes back.

"Who is fis momma?"

"Oh that is Mary, Jesus' mommy."

"No momma that you! You Eyi mommy."

"Bud the baby is Jesus and that is his mommy Mary. Remember the story?"

"No that is you and Eyi momma!"

He goes and puts Mary with Jesus and comes back.

"Fis daddy momma?"

"That is Joesph, baby Jesus daddy."

"No that Eyi daddy!" He quickly runs off and comes back holding the animals.

"Momma fis a cow, donkey. Fis food for them. Fis a sheep. Oh wait, where the giraffe?"

"Giraffe?! There was no giraffe there bud."

"Yes ha momma! It right here." He then pulls out a Fisher-Price giraffe he has and places it with the other animals. "He wike them momma."

"Okay bud whatever."

"Momma what fis?"

"Oh that is a wise man."

"Okay. Momma wook at this gurl!"

"Buddy that is the angel that told everyone Jesus was born."

"No Momma!!!! That a BIG bufferfwhy (butterfly)!!! See the BIG wings?!"

He runs off and begins playing. I stand there cracking up and just nodding my head. Did I mention my child has a very creative imagination?

Can you believe it took us 6 months to get a "real" family picture taken?

Just a thought from me to you- If you haven't gotten a family picture taken in a while I suggest you do. You never know when that will be the last shot of you all together. We try to do a professional shot once a year. Maybe you should consider doing the same. A picture is a momery that last a lifetime.