Mandatory 2-month vacation

It's been a while since I have blogged so this is going to be a long one! At the end of April we were surprised to see Mike home from work early. Unfortunately, he had been laid off that day. Because he is already accepted into a masters program at NCSU, he really doesn't have any time to go find another job. (it's not possible for him to work and go to school at the same time) So we are taking what we are calling a "mandatory 2 month vacation" before school starts at the end of June.

So here is what we have been up to:

A trip to the coast.

We started Weston potty training. I am SO glad Mike has been home for this process. We both agree that this is a 2-parent job.

This is a picture of Weston in time out because he refused to put his clothes back on.

A trip to the park.

With all the extra time Mike has, I have been having him do all the things around the house that have been needing to be done, but don't. He has been dusting the A/C vents around the house, pulling weeds outside, etc. On one of our back yard days, we discovered a nest of bunnies! It took this pregnant mama all of 10 seconds to fall in love, but Mike forbade me from naming them. Weston had a ball with them also. Then after Weston was down for his nap, Mike walked all 5 of them down the street and put them in the woods.


We took a trip to see daddy's school.

We found a park in Raleigh where you could ride the choo-choo train for $1. Weston LOVES trains!

Most recently we went Strawberry pickin'. Well, Mike and I picked, Weston just ate them right off the plant. "Don't eat the green part!"

Fed some horses and goats carrots, strawberries and a couple of fingers.

These goats are fighting over a strawberry we threw into their cage.

Chased a peacock.

It took a few days to be able to get over the initial shock of being laid off less than 2 months before our baby is due, the lack of insurance, income, etc. Once we were able to see things a little more clearly we realized that 2 months ago we were planing on riding out Mike's job until the economy was better. But all the sudden we started feeling pushed in another direction. Mike all the sudden felt the need to take his GMAT exam and upon doing well on it we decided that instead of staying in a dead-end job until the economy was better, the best thing to do was head back to school. He applied to the Masters of Advanced Analytics program at NCSU and was accepted about a week before his job laid him off. I have increased my testimony in God and how he really is mindful of each of us. He doesn't prevent bad things from happening. Instead, he prepares us for new paths that lead to bigger and better things. Once Mike starts school his workload is going to be the equivalent of 2 full time jobs. So we are especially grateful for this time we now have to spend together as a family.

4 more weeks until baby brother is due.

Stone Mountain

We took a weekend trip to Atlanta.  Weston tolerated the 6 hour drive very well.  While there we visited Stone Mountain.  I haven't been there in 20 years or so and I thought Mike and Weston would love it.  It was a perfect day- great weather and not crowded. 

I was surprised to see how many people (from the West) have never heard of Stone mountain! So I added the link so you can find out more. 

We took a train around the park.  Weston loved it.  I have a picture of him excited to be on the train and then another picture of him after the train got started and he realized how loud it was!  But you can see him holding on to daddy, which always makes everything okay.  

I added a picture of the family by the train. (Pictures of myself are few and far between- 9 weeks until baby)



We took the cable car to the top of the mountain.  Here are pictures of the cars from the ground and a picture of the mountain from the cable car.  



Once at the top, we hiked down.  People kept giving me funny looks as they hiked up when they saw my pregnant belly.  

The top of the mountain was fun.  Weston loved exploring. I got lots of fun pictures from the top. 

Another attraction was this little farm.  Again you can see Weston is unsure of the goat, but he has got ahold of daddy's finger, so it's okay.  I love the look on his face as he stares down at a pig. 

We were able to go home after the farm and put Weston (and ourselves) down for a nap.  Then we headed back to the park with some KFC and camping chairs to watch the laser show.  Unfortunately, the battery in the camera died right after that last shot of Weston checking out the pig, so I couldn't get a picture of the laser show. I downloaded this one from the internet.  Isn't it cool?!?!  I was afraid Weston would be afraid of the loud noises and the fireworks, but he stayed snuggled on daddy's lap and loved the show.  

The Gusher

I always knew this day would come.  The time that Weston would fall and hit his head so bad that I couldn't fix it with snuggles and kisses. 

I'd like to blame my pregnancy for how poorly I handled myself. I suppose I did okay during the storm- getting the geyser of blood from between his eyes to stop.  The melt down came afterwards when I didn't know what do about it.  He needed stitches, but an ER visit would have cost us thousands of dollars.  Luckily, we know a few nurses that were willing to clean and tape him up to get him through the night.  Then this morning I took him over to urgent care where they glued him back together.  

Easter Saturday

We had a great Easter Saturday. First, we gave Weston his Easter basket. He loved discovering his chocolate bunny ears. Next, we were off to a friends' house where they had a fabulous BBQ and Easter Egg Hunt! Weston had a blast. The Weather was perfect. Weston really got into the Egg hunt this year. See: Last year's egg hunt

Enjoying the rewards of the hunt!




Chasing Bubbles

Easter Time Updates

I got this recipe off another friend's blog a while back and it is fantastic *smooches to Heather*

Fluffy Sugar Cookies

1 cup white sugar

1 cup powdered sugar

1 cup oil

1 cup butter

1 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

Beat together with mixer. Add:

1 teaspoon baking soda

4 cups flour

Dough is very soft.  Roll in balls.  Bake at 375 for 8 minutes.  

Note: This recipe makes 60 cookies.  I always cut it in half.

This was the extent of my Easter baking.  

In other news, Mike built me a garden box in the back yard.  I told Mike my ideas of where and how I wanted without thinking about the cost factor.  I underestimated how much dirt it was going to take to fill my new box!  Oh well. It looks great and I am super excited to transplant my veggies into the box today. 

Those are roses across the back fence and eventually we will add stepping stones to separate the veggies from the roses.  

We also spotted this in the yard: our baby apple tree sprouted some pretty apple blossoms. 

Strategy for Sanity

Today as I was sweeping up the remains of my almost garden, I thought of something. You know how the experts say we should count to 10 before getting angry? Well, I guess my strategy will have to be stop and take a picture. It gives me enough time to compose myself and put things in perspective. Like, oh well, at least now I can blog about it. :)

So here are some past pictures of the times I was able to stop, breathe, and take a picture.

My 'almost beautiful' garden.

Weston and my CDs.

Weston and the spaghetti.

Weston and the DVDs.

Weston and the baby powder.





Weston and my wallet.

Weston and the baby wipes.