Updates

Time for some new pics. I'm trying to beat the e-mail from my dad demanding, I mean asking politely, for more pics of the kids. ;)

For some reason I'm not able to move my pics around, so these will be a little out of order. Here's the three cuties all together. This hasn't happened much yet, but it turned out cute.

Little Caleb likes to hold Aiden and he's actually getting much better about not pushing him away after a couple seconds! Abby's not so good at it yet, but she's only two. Can't expect too much, right?
Here's our little soccer stud. Last week wasn't the greatest (I think he stood on the field and as the ball was kicked past him, he'd watch it go, then decide to run after everyone), but we're thinking this weekend might be better. It's been raining off and on for a couple days, so we figure there'll be some mud on the field and THEN he might get back into it. :) Note to self: take extra clothes for the trip home this time.
For anyone that isn't aware, my parents are currently in Nairobi, Kenya helping out with a construction project and working in the office (can you figure out which one is doing which job?). Thanks to a wonderful program called Skype, we are able to talk to them on the phone, over the computer for FREE! Yeah, that's right. With my new frugal self (or at least attempting to be frugal) free is pretty darn great. Not to mention if Skype wasn't around, we'd be having to wait 8 weeks to talk to them and I don't like that plan either. SO, back to the pictures. . .here's a picture of little Caleb talking on the "phone" to Pappy and Grammy.
And here's one of Abby talking to them. The headset is a little big for her, so I had to hold it up for her.
Here's a picture of Aiden in his highchair. He's eating cereal twice a day now and really likes it. We tried green beans for the first time yesterday and he wasn't as fond of those, but he'll get there! (Don't ya love the bib?? That came from Grammy and Pappy's travels and it just cracks me up everytime I see it!)
Here he is with his froggy too. This came in his Easter basket and he likes to stuff it in his mouth. Frog legs anyone?
Here's Abby at Caleb's last game. It was a pretty windy day so she wasn't too thrilled about it. She does enjoy sitting and watching the games though!
That's all for now. Caleb and I are excited as tonight we are going to a banquet for the area crisis pregnancy center. Not only is this an area we both feel strongly about supporting, the keynote speaker is Mike Huckabee. I'm not really into politics, but we did like A LOT that he said during the campaigns last year. Should be a great night!

OH, and for the coupon haters (or those that just don't get it yet--which was me just a month or so ago) I went to CVS yesterday and spent $0.90 plus tax. . .my total prior to handing over the coupons was almost $24. So yeah, I forked over a TOTAL of $1.90 (darn tax!) in cash AND came away with $5 in CVS bucks to spend at a later date. :) I'm liking this couponing stuff.

Oh oh oh, I also heard a HILARIOUS story this weekend. In our small group we've been going through the book Shepherding a Child's Heart and have had many discussions about spanking. Well, someone brought up a story about a friend of theirs. . .when said friend was growing up the mom called her wooden spoons "hearing aids" and would carry one in her purse. If said child was acting up in the store, mom would say, "do I need to get out the hearing aids?" CRACKED ME UP!!! We all laugh (now at least) about our own parents carrying a wooden spoon with them, in the car, in their purse, whatever but I had never heard them called "hearing aids" before, and well, it really is quite fitting. :)

Granpappy and GG Time and My New Passion!!

A couple weeks ago we went down to Georgia to visit Granpappy and GG (my Grammy and Pappy) and Kerry, Rich and Marissa. The kids were SOOOOO excited before we left! The whole way down, Caleb kept asking if we were in Georgia yet. Yeah, that got old fast. :) BUT all of the kids traveled REALLY well and the ever faithful DVD player did not even need to make an appearance (on the way there OR back! 18 hours total in the car!).
Last spring when we went to visit, Granpappy took Caleb out for a spin on his lawnmower. Well, little Caleb's memory is like nothing I've ever seen (well, besides his father's of course) and he remembered all about it. One of the first things he asked when we got there was if he could go for a ride. So, the next morning, Granpappy got out the lawnmower and took him for a ride. He actually let Caleb steer. . .not sure if that was a good plan. :)
Caleb also stole Granpappy's work hat from the garage. He was all decked out for the Bears!
GG made some popcorn for the kids for a nighttime snack. As usual, they were engrossed in a movie while eating their popcorn!
For what has now basically become a tradition, we had to go to Toys-R-Us for Caleb to pick out his birthday toy from Kerry and Rich. Of course Miss Abby had to pick out something as well, and she chose a princessy little skirt.
Caleb and Abby like to dance together too. . .it's really cute because he actually turns her!
One of the coolest parts of our trip was getting to see my cousin Marissa's gymnastics meet! She just turned 14 and it's amazing what she can do! Unfortunately we couldn't get the camera to work the greatest so the pics are a tidge blurry, but she was moving pretty quickly. I'm so proud of her and all she's done!!
The kids brought their blankets and pillows out into the living room and thought they needed to lay down with Aiden. Caleb wouldn't cooperate with the picture though.
My parents also surprised everyone and drove down from North Carolina (250 miles) for the weekend! It was GG's birthday so they called Rich to figure out where the birthday dinner was and told him to keep it quiet. We walked in and there they were! It was a great surprise and the kids couldn't contain their excitement! I don't have pictures with them though. . .check their blog for some of those.

Now for some other random pictures. . .

This past weekend we got the exersaucer out for Aiden and he seems to like it a lot! Hard to believe he'll be 4 months next week!
The next morning, I heard the rattles and toys on the exersaucer and thought Caleb was standing there playing with them. . .when I walked into the room, this is what I saw. He had climbed in himself and was sitting there playing. Nice. The kids like to stand next to him and play with the toys with Aiden. I really, REALLY hope the kids all stay this close because they all like each other for now!
Another time I came into the room and Caleb had put his blanket over Aiden then laid down next to him. Like I said. . .they all like each other. Here's baby Aiden in the little sweater Aunt Judy made him. He looks so cute!!!So, the kids are great and I'm loving how much they are growing and learning!! BUT, I have a new passion that I am hitting with a vengence and am very excited about! I'm in the process of learning all about couponing and finding all the great deals!! Never in my life have I done something like this. Last week at our MOPS group someone spoke to us about little money saving tips and I felt like the sky opened, the angels were singing and all was right with the world! I have soooooo much to learn, and it could be time consuming but I don't think I'll be one of the die-hards (not yet at least). I'll let the die-hards do their thing and tell me where to go!! There are many blogs/sites I've found that spell out where to go when and with which coupon for "x" amount of savings. THAT is my kind of couponing! Just an example. . .this Sunday our small group (minus three of the eight kids) is attending a Pacer's game. We have 14 tickets and all were FREE except for Ticketmaster fees!! So each ticket ended up costing $2.60. YAY!! So, I say bring on the deals! :)

Adventures in Parenting

We have had some fabulous weather here the past week or so. Beautiful blue sky, sometimes a bit chilly still, but this weekend was definitely warmer! Spring is in the air (including tornado watches which we've been dealing with today. . .).

With the great weather, the kids have had some time to get outside and play on the bikes or just hang out. Here's Caleb working on riding his bicycle. Still needs a little work, but he's getting there! Aiden wanted to look like Daddy for the day so he's wearing his khaki's and polo shirt. :) I didn't get a picture of little Caleb, but he was wearing a polo shirt the same day and said, "I need to be tucked in like Daddy." We signed up Caleb for soccer this spring (starts next month). . .it'll be the first "real" activity he'll be in and we're not sure how he'll do. He and two of his little friends love to run around together (not just play, but physically run), but the other two are definitely more athletic at this point. One of the boys' mom told me the other day that every smart kid needs a dumb jock to protect him, so her son will be that for Caleb. Made me laugh. . .

So anyway, back to the soccer. We have an indoor sports facility right next door to our church (owned and operated by the church) and there is an indoor soccer field. On Thursdays, Caleb likes to take the kids over there because the soccer field is completely walled in, so he can just let the kids run back and forth to their hearts content. So, the other day he took the camera with to get some pictures.

Caleb, and the future soccer pose. . .

Caleb feeling a little happy.Abby taking a quick break from kicking the ball. . .Caleb attempting to take out Abby (full contact soccer. . .)But this is how Abby responds to that. "Take that big brother!" (Not really . . . not sure why he's laying there.)Abby almost caught in the act. . .she had taken a dry erase marker and wrote ALL OVER the refridgerator. Fortunately, dry erase marker comes off refridgerators easily.

Abby trying to pose for the camera. I would tell her to smile and she'd say cheese which would make her face look weird. . .this is one I caught mid-cheese so it doesn't look as bad.

Here's Abby and friend Joseph. I got the camera a minute too late as right before this they had both been sucking their thumbs and playing with their hair (opposite hands). Farmer Aiden. I only saved a SMALL handful of clothes from Caleb, but these overalls from Gran-pappy and GG were one of the items. The story behind the overalls is that when my family moved to Wisconsin (twenty years ago) my Pappy said that everyone is Wisconsin had to have a pair of Osh-Kosh B'Gosh. So he bought a pair for little Caleb when he was born. Now they fit Aiden!

Then one night Daddy decided to make pizzas with the kids. They stand on their chairs and did quite well!Of course, you cannot make pizza without taste testing as you go. Here's Abby. . .

And of course, Caleb had to try it too. :)

Spreading the sauce (a little out of order, sorry).

My most favorite story from the last few weeks was when little Caleb started talking to us in the van and proceeded to tell us basically the entire Resurrection story! It made me a little teary but I was quite impressed with what he was telling us. My prayer is that someday (sooner than later!) he truly understands what he was saying!! Oh, and he and Abby's favorite song is now "Mighty to Save." I LOVE to hear them sing!

That's all for now. . .we're headed to Georgia later this week to visit Gran-Pappy and GG along with Miss Kerry, Mr Rich and Miss Marissa. More pictures will surely follow!

Pictures

So my dad sends me an e-mail once again this morning that he needs more pics. . .well, I don't have any on the computer quite yet, but I will definitely try to get some on here today. For now, enjoy the chubs. :) Chris says he's going to call him "Brunswick" because he resembles a bowling ball.

Speaking of bowling balls, Caleb likes to "bowl" and is pretty good. . .he doesn't *look* very smooth, but he gets more spares than I do.

And here's Abby being a ham. Silly girl wouldn't sit still for a photo.

Snow!! (Finally. . .)

When we were moving down here a couple years ago, everyone was telling us the winters here were very similar to Chicago. We have yet to experience that! This year and even last winter, we keep hearing about snowfall, after snowfall, after snowfall. . .but nothing here. Until this week, when we FINALLY got some snow! We actually got around 8 or 9" which was quite a hit considering we had only had a dusting (and I truly mean barely a dusting) previously this year.

So, everything was basically closed on Wednesday (they don't have many snowplows around here!) so Caleb got to stay home and play in the snow with the kids. (Note: that's the one negative about working from home. . .no "I'm snowed in" excuse. :) That's ok though, I'll take the positives over the negatives!)

The kids did not get new snow pants this year (good thing we didn't spend money on something for only a couple uses!) but the ones from last year still fit (basically at least. . .a little short and getting pretty tight, but that's ok they still work!) The only reason I point that out is if you've remember pics from last winter. . .yes, they are wearing the same stuff. :)

Here is poor Abby. She had a hard time walking and ended up laying in the snow most of the time. Once Caleb was able to shovel the sidewalk and driveway a little, she was more mobile.

Here she is again. Assume the position.

Trying to decide if she should venture out from the door or not. This was prior to the sidewalk getting shoveled.

Caleb didn't seem to have much trouble. He just started walking out. . .kept getting stuck, but at least he could stand!

This is prior to actually getting outside. Abby still reminds me of the kid from "The Christmas Story" that can't walk in his suit.

And of course I need to include a picture of baby Aiden! He's doing very well (except for an ear infection in both ears. . .) and is now 13lbs and 23 1/2" long. He had his two month check up on Friday and the little chubber is doing fine. :)

Just this week he started smiling and it's very cute! He has a little dimple up close to his mouth (along with a normal cheeky dimple) and I hope he keeps them both! He also surprised us Friday night and slept from about 9pm until 5:30! That was nice! Saturday night wasn't as long, but he still went from 9pm until 3am (but now I can't get back to sleep, hence updating the blog at 4am!) which is not bad either. We'll keep at it!

Happy New Years Eve!

Happy New Years from the Worgess fam. . .The past couple days haven't been too fun as little Caleb had the flu. He seems to be on the upswing now, but we'll see (we thought the same thing last night but he surprised us again this morning). You can't read his shirt fully right here, but his shirt says "Say BOO to the Flu" which I thought an appropriate shirt to wear while having the flu! Guess we should have gotten him in for a flu shot. . .we're really, REALLY hoping Aiden doesn't catch anything! OH, and in case anyone was wondering (or cared. . .) this is actually the second time he's worn this shirt in the last couple days. . .it's already been through the wash. As have three other pairs of jammies. . .woo-hoo!! Fun times. I have to say though, it really made me giggle because this morning when I was on the phone, he came wandering into the kitchen, opened the cupboard where I keep the tupperware and he grabbed out a "puke bucket" for himself. I was impressed that he did it himself! Fortunately, he is MUCH better with the bucket than he used to be. Now he actually uses it. When he was little, he'd just push it away and throw up all over (just ask my mom about that one. . .I think she changed her shirt at least four times in one night). Anyway, enough sickie stories!

While Caleb has been sick, Abby has been happy as a clam! Poor thing has had to entertain herself quite a bit, which has made for MANY laughs for Momma listening to her. This afternoon she was talking to her Care Bear and Mr. Bear about changing their pants cuz they were stinky. She makes me laugh.

This picture below was Daddy's idea, but you have to imagine that Abby's been trying to figure out a way to get Aiden in this stroller since he came home from the hospital! Poor Aiden. . .he could be in for a lifetime of stuff like this. At least he only has one big sister. . .if he were the youngest AND the only boy, well then I'm sure we'd see him in her doll dresses too.
And last but not least, here are our two bums as they watch one of their movies. Grammy and Pappy got them these bean bag chairs for Christmas, and now they think they need their "blue and purple chairs" anytime they watch a movie. The bags are a little big to keep in our living room so this requires Mommy or Daddy to bring them up and down the stairs every so often. At least they're light!
We hope everyone has a very SAFE and Happy New Year!!