Repeat Performance?

Ok, so this Sunday is TJ's big church Christmas program. I'm a little weary of how it's going to turn out since last year's performance was...let's just say...mortifying! Let me start off by saying that our church membership is small, so there are only a few children in the program from toddlers up to like 7th grade. Last year was our first year to attend this church, therefore TJ's first Christmas performance. So, here's how last year's performance went:

First, we have a sweet older gentleman who sits behind us every Sunday during church (for those of you that attend mega-churches, yes, we sit in the same pew every week...it's a small church!). Anyway, he and TJ have struck up a friendship (imagine that). Every Sunday, he makes TJ some kind of boat, plane, or toy with the church program. If one isn't ready by the time we sit in our seats, TJ will turn around and ask him to make something. So, we sit in our seats, get the video camera ready, and I see TJ with a paper boat, actually 2 of them. Immediately I think, "Oh No!" Each younger child is sitting with an older child, and when the music starts they all get up singing and head towards the front. Not TJ, nope, he's still sitting in the pew with his boats, fighting the waves! Someone finally gets his attention, and he, with his boats, slowly make their way up. While he is supposed to be singing, he begins to "fly" both boats throughout the air. Well, this catches the attention of another 3 year old little girl who is supposed to be singing too. Not anymore...she and Thomas begin fighting, center stage, over the boats! I see fists flying, a little girl crying, but TJ...well, he comes out on top...with both boats in hand! You think that's bad...there's more! During the next song, all of the children begin to neal down and sing over "Baby Jesus." Center Stage, TJ is still standing up, not singing, boats flying. Eventually that gets too boring for him, so he neals down to "Baby Jesus" and I think "Finally, he's going to sing and do what he's supposed to." Nope, yet again. He pulls out his boats and starts "floating" them on "Baby Jesus!" Oh yes, he does!!!

Everyone else thought his whole "performance" was hilarious...and I guess now, a year later, it is pretty funny! But, I'm not ready for a repeat performance this year! Wish us luck...Thomas has already had to be called out of Sunday school to fetch TJ out from under the pews while he was supposed to be practicing...NOT looking good!

Does Anyone Else Have One of These...

Does anyone else have one of these? And no, I'm not talking about the precious little boy he looks, and most of the time acts, to be. What you ask, could I be referring to then? One of these boys that is 4 years old...wait, almost 5 years old, and still has accidents in his pants, I would say more than occasionally! And I'm not talking #1!!! I am so tired of smelling poop, cleaning poop, and doing poopy laundry that I can't see straight, or at least any color other than brown...yes, I know that is disgusting, but try living with it! The child thinks it is a punishment to go to the bathroom. He literally will dance until he goes in his pants a little, then like a flash of lightning decides that he has to go to the bathroom and dashes in throwing the toilet seat up, dropping his pants, and barely (sometimes not even) rings the toilet...and that's for #1. If one of us sees him acting in a strange manner such as dancing with his legs crossed, wiggling uncontrollably on the couch or floor, we insist that he go to the bathroom. His response is always, "I don't need to go." Or my favorite new response is "But Mommy, please don't make me!" Make him, what's that all about? He is too busy playing to stop to go to the bathroom! We have tried all punishment techniques to no avail...he has been put in time out 3 times in a day for pooping in his pants, he has been spanked for pooping in his pants, he doesn't care as long as he can poop in his pants to keep from having to stop playing (that is until we smell his stinky butt and have to clean up said poop and put him in timeout). Why doesn't he understand that it takes longer to poop in his pants and get in trouble than to just go sit on the potty? Any suggestions at this point are welcome...ANY!

PS. Sorry for my blogging absense lately. I promise to try to do better, however with another pooping baby on the way...not sure I will have time for anything other than cleaning up poop! Will catch up on Thanksgiving soon!

Arrrggg, Arrrggg

Happy Halloween to all! We decided to go to Auburn Thursday night for Trick-or-Treating since our area was holding Trick-or-Treating on actual Halloween...I mean who does that anymore? Just kidding, I always hated that Auburn wouldn't do Halloween on actual Halloween if it fell on a Friday or Saturday, due to football games! But, back to the point, there was a home football game Saturday so I knew I wouldn't feel like going Trick-or-Treating after all that...and imagine this...it was supposed to rain! This has truly been the rainiest fall I can remember...and not even because of hurricanes! TJ decided he wanted to dress up as a pirate, only because he saw a sword at the store first. But, he ended up looking really cute! Uncle Lee and Nana accompanied us on our adventure to get buckets full of candy. TJ did great this year, remembering to say "Trick-or-Treat" and "Thank you" after getting candy. Most of the time, he would turn back around to the house and say "Have a Happy Halloween!" Such a sweet pirate...who knew?! We did take a rest stop once to grab a few M&M's, but other than that, made it 3 streets before heading home. When going through his pumpkin with Uncle Lee, checking out all of the yummy candies, he chose to eat the one and only APPLE! I know, wierd, what's wrong with him?! He's defintely made up for the lack of candy since then though...asking first each morning if he can have candy for breakfast :)

The Most Wonderful 5 Years

Saturday was our 5 year anniversary. We decided that instead of getting gifts this year, we would take a small trip...a getaway before more craziness begins! So, we decided since it is still football season and Thomas has to work really late on Friday nights, that we would just go to Atlanta on Saturday morning and come home on Monday morning. We stayed downtown at the Atlanta Marriot Marquis. It was a really nice hotel...and HUGE! On Saturday we drove straight to the Aquarium. We have never been and have been dying to check it out.



It was really neat and I can't wait to take TJ back! Then, we walked over to the World of Coke. It was really cool to see all of the machines that it takes to make a bottle of Coke. We could also taste over 60 coca cola drinks from all around the world. WARNING: France has nasty coke products! But, most of the others we tried were pretty good! But, my favorite thing was getting our picture made with the Coca Cola Polar Bear...he was so cute!

Sunday we mainly hung out around the hotel, swam in the indoor pool, worked out in the gym and ate dinner in the hotel's sports bar. It was a great little getaway and much needed during football season!!! I am so incredibly blessed to have such a wonderful husband. He is my best friend and I am thankful for every moment we shared together over the past 5 years! I love you Honey...48 more to go!

The 2nd Time Around

Well, I do have to say the 2nd time around the pregnancy circle happens much sooner than the 1st. My belly officially looks like I have a "bump" and have had numerous, sweet people that want to make me cry mention it a time or two...or actually touch it! But I have to remember, as Thomas says, "You're pregnant, I would worry if you weren't starting to get a belly!" So, I'll just post the below for your enjoyment...

This week is Homecoming week at Springwood. They have just come off of a HUGE win this past Friday which put them in the spot to host the 1st round of the playoff's at home. So, each day this week, the teachers and students are encouraged to participate in the dress up days. Today is "Hero" day. So, Thomas decided to dress up as, we'll call him Coach S. to somewhat protect the innocent, who is the new head football coach at Springwood. In order to look the part, Thomas stuffed his collared Springwood shirt with a pillow since Coach S. has a slightly big belly. So, I sleepily enter the kitchen to perform my morning Mommy duties. After breakfast, TJ walks over to me and sweetly touches my belly and kisses it. When he looks up at me, I think he is going to say something just as sweet, but instead...

TJ: "Mommy, your belly is as big as Coach S.'s belly!"

Ok, so Coach S. is a very nice man, and I have nothing against him...but SERIOUSLY...he would still have me beat in my 9th month!

Me: (Still standing there, my mouth agape, trying not to tear up)

Thomas: "Don't say things like that to Mommy, it could hurt her feelings!"

TJ: (He listens to his Daddy, then comes back over to me) "Mommy, you look pretty...does that make your day?"

TJ is already learning the art of how to make up for sticking his foot in his mouth...good thing to pick up being that he will one day be a MAN!

And the Streak Continues...

Today we had our 16 week Dr.'s appointment and ultrasound. TJ and Thomas left school early to come with me to the Doctor. We all piled into the ultrasound room and anxiously awaited to hear everything was healthy and looking good. The technician took what seemed like a million pictures and measurements first. Then, as with Thomas, this little one did not want to cooperate. She tried to get it moving and finally got her wish! Just then she announced what we had all expected...the Hill boy streak continues! A perfectly healthy, sweet Baby Boy! Due April 5th!

Other than TJ's first words being "I wanted a sister!," we are so excited and blessed beyond measure. Continuing to pray that everything goes smoothly over the next 5 months. Thanks to all for your continued love, support, and prayers. You all mean the world to us!

Short Stories

Disclaimer: These are second hand stories, so all things written may not have happened EXACTLY as I write them, but they were too funny not to share and you'll get the general picture!

TJ's KK teaches 1st grade at his school and helps us out GREATLY by taking him home from school with her every afternoon. She has had 3 of her own Hill-boys to raise, therefore is aware of the trouble she has gotten herself into by agreeing to take TJ on. Yesterday, KK and TJ were getting prepared to leave the school. Being the wild child that he is, TJ was running around, lifting KK's shirt up and blowing on her belly. Well, as he is leaving, there is Mrs. Blackstone, principal of the elementary in all of her adminstrative glory...and what does TJ do you ask? Well, he rushes to Mrs. Blackstone, throws her shirt up and BLOWS on her stomach...YES, he BLOWS on her stomach! Mrs. Blackstone was a trooper however and took it all in stride...THANKFULLY not too horrified! She just told him "I'm going to remind you that you did that in a few years when you are a teenager!" TJ has no idea yet, but that will be TORTURE!

Another short story:
On Wednesdays, TJ goes to church with his KK and Papa to eat dinner and then to KIDS. During dinner, an older gentlemen, who shall remain nameless to protect the innocent, had come over to their table to talk. TJ looked up at him and said "You don't look good. Your face is all wrinkly."