Thanksgiving Prep

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I love hosting our family here at the house for some delicious fried turkey and too many sides and desserts to count. It is really a team effort (my mom makes more then anyone...she "loves to cook!"), and it is always wonderful to spend time and catch up with dear friends and family. We are so blessed. Tomorrow night Mac and Colin will get the turkeys marinated and stuff....I don't like this part. I am usually busy setting up the table....my sweet spot. Here is a look at years past decor.

1. 2008 (sporting a tiny baby bump)

2. 2009 (my boy looks so little here)

3. 2010 (First T-giving on Woodwalk)

I have all the ingredients for my green beans and mashed potatoes lined up nice and neat on my counter. Colin has all the sauces and sav's for the turkey. The playroom is being cleared out to make room for tables, (too many toys). The tables will be delivered tomorrow, the final touches will be added tomorrow evening and we expect pple as early as 8 to start frying turkey's and eating fried twinkies....be sure you freeze them before dipping into the fryer (we learned the hard way).

Happy Thanksgiving friends!!

I am turning into my Nana

This makes my Anal Annie heart smile.

To hang artwork in Camden's big boy room

Sleeping bag for Camden

For my bathroom counter and makeup storage

My Nana was the funniest Christmas/Birthday gift shopper ever. We never know what we were going to get. Mac had the best gifts ever.....a black lab toilet paper holder and a guitar glow sign. I find it funny that I received her catalog of choice yesterday in the mail, and found a few items I would LOVE for Christmas (hint, hint hubs). I am just carrying on the tradition to love Lillian Vernon Nana....

9 Years

Happy Anniversary to my lovely hubs. I can't believe we have been married for 9 years! It still seems like yesterday that I was in my first year of teaching and Colin was finishing up college....yes, I am older (he calls me his couger). When I met Colin I knew that he was someone different. I knew that he had a big heart, he was sensitive and very in tune with my feelings. He walked through a time of healing for me, and he loved me, even when I wasn't very lovable. I am so thankful that God chose him to be my husband. My day to day life is spent laughing and on occasion crying at the crazy things he says and does.

We started our marriage off in Florida....12 hours away from everything I ever knew. I cried all the time. We made some great friends, found a church, and both had great jobs. After we signed a contract to build our first home in Florida....we got a call that brought us back to KY. I was so happy to be back with friends and family...but a part of me will always miss JAX. It was me and Colin against the world.....we had each other and every weekend was a new adventure. During that time we grew as a couple and learned how to lean on each other. We enjoyed and treasured all the visits many of you made during that time.

After two years of marriage we were back in the Bluegrass State. Bought our second home in Copperfield and both started great jobs. Colin back at Lexmark and me at SCC in the Children's Ministry. We both loved our jobs, but felt called to something different. So within the first year of returning home he started to work at Concrete Coring Company (with the intention of buying) and I went back to the classroom at The Lexington School. I LOVED working at my church, but missed having kids in my life.

Around our 4th year of marriage we decided that we would like to start a family. Looking back now at that journey I am so thankful to God for the gift of Camden. What a long hard time for Colin and me, with so many ups and downs....but with the outcome of being a mom and dad we will forever be thankful.

As husband and wife, mom and dad, I am so thankful for my best friend to walk through life with. Throughout the last 9 years I have never laughed so hard. Looking forward to 90+ more babe. I love you.

(When I get my camera fixed on my phone I will post a few pix of our wedding day, Colin looks 12)

Have I mentioned....

...that I am listening to Christmas music? Word on the street that Mixmas is up and running, thank you 94.5. I just love this Holiday season. What makes it better are the cooler temps, sun, and beautiful colors on the leaves. This is a time of year where it is easy to find things to be thankful for. I have noticed that so many people are posting something they are thankful for each day. I love reading each post, and am reminded of our many blessings. I am afraid to start that daily thankful on FB because then I would feel like I had to keep up with it, and i might not do it, like my blog!

Have I mentioned.....that I am loving teaching again. I have the perfect work week. Monday, WEdnesday, and Friday 8-12...with my boy. Somedays are tough being both mommy and teacher, but it is so fun spending my days with him. I am starting to see how fast this time goes....and want to slow it down so bad. It seems like I had this just yesterday....

I realize I have myself a very handsome little guy.....enjoying every minute.

If I had only known.....

Proud mom

Christmas 2009

Christmas 2008 (Best Grandparents....I have baby Cam in my belly)

As a new mom, (I know Camden is going to be 3 in April, but everyday is something new), I realize how hard it is to be a mom. If I had known how hard it was, I would have been so much nicer to my mom growing up. I remember things that I said and did to my mom growing up that were so incredibly hateful. I know that if Camden said and did the same things that I did, my heart would be completely broken. (I sit and think of these things as I rock Camden before bed at night....I have a few more random thoughts coming your way soon).

So mom, for the time....

....I said I hated you (how many times, I can't remember)

....I threw the precious baby cradle Grandaddy bought me

....I broke the phone

....I lied

....I disappointed you

....I didn't tell you I love you

....I ran away (with Daisy to the end of the street and freaked out)

....I didn't say thank you

....I didn't eat what you made me

....I didn't wear what you bought me

....I didn't follow directions

....I couldn't make up my mind

....I maybe got a little anxious

....I am sure I should apologize for future oops

(you owe me for the ankle incident)

....I am so sorry. You are so appreciated and LOVED. I value our relationship and am so thankful that God called you to be my mom. I adore you momma, and am sorry I don't say it enough.

I am so thankful that God called me to be Camden's mom, but I am also feel so inadequate to be a parent. I am trusting that God will equip me each day to teach and love my son.

Halloween Past Post

Sock Monkey 2009

Elmo 2010

2011

Halloween was so much fun this year. It is so different with a little one who gets to dress up and collect candy (for mommy). There is nothing cuter then a tiny Curious George going door to door saying "Teet or Teet!" I took it upon myself this past week to look at past Halloween pix and I teared up. Our baby boy isn't a baby anymore....he is a little boy! I also realized that he has been a monkey two out of his three years. My friend Kendra gave me great advice right before our first Halloween. She told us to buy a Christmas ornament that represents our little guys costume each year. So now our tree will have a sock monkey, elmo, and I need to find Curious George. Such a great idea friend.


I am also full speed ahead planning our Thanksgiving. The tables are rented and I can already taste the turkey. I love this time spend with family and friends. I must admit that I have already started listening to Christmas music, well just one song right now. It was my favorite last year and it looks like it may be again this year. Winter Snow is amazing....check out the link to listen for yourself. Nobody does it like Amanda Carter....hoping that she sings it again at SCC this year.

Happy Halloween 2011

Unattended candy bowl...he didn't know what to do!

(Camden as Curious George 2011)

We were that family that had all the glow sticks and such at 6 when it was still sunny.

Safety First!

Grandma and Grandaddy with their lil punkin

Stout Family 2011

Marilyn and Luigi

Luigi and Mario (next year I want to be a princess)

At TLS I was Mustard and Cam was sporting a sockless Curious George

Ketchup, Mustard, Curious George and Snow White

Camden LOVES Mrs. Platt (so do I)

So, I am home sick today....love my sweet 2's, but we keep passing stuff around. I know that this will eventually make me super immune woman! So I have some time to upload our Halloween pictures from this past weekend. We had a blast this year. This was Camden's first time Trick or Treating and he was hilarious. He would go to the door and say "Teet Teet" and then "thank you." We were so proud. The very first house we went to, they opened the door and he walked right in...it was hilarious. Check out the video below. Love that boy.

(This is Camden's first ever door to door Trick or Treat)

Happy Summer, I mean Halloween

Well hello my friends. It has been a L O N G time since I last posted and I am so sorry. I just didn't feel like blogging. I would always have those thoughts about a new post, but felt like the entry would be forced. We have had an amazing summer and fall as a family. Celebrated weddings, babies, and are now looking forward to the Holidays. I can't believe Halloween is just a week a way. Camden will be sporting Curious George this year, although I think he would be better fit as a rock star. The boy can't get enough Sting, Earth Wind and Fire, or Chicago. He loves to play his guitar and make shift drumset (thanks Hunt for the real sticks). Colin and I are actually going to our very first couples Halloween party this weekend as ....Mario and Luigi. (Click on the link, then click on Mario and watch him dance, it is hilarious) He wanted our costumes to be funny, and that meant I had to dress up as a man. Really? Here is a picture of our costumes....jealous? ( I wanted to be Cinderella, Colin said I was his princess 365 days a year so I really wouldn't be dressing up...barf)

I promise to post pix with us in the costumes before 2012! Happy Fall Ya'll.

update and happenings

So many people love baby Audrey and Whitney

Baxter Girls

Lots of love for baby Audrey

Blasted, yummy, delightful treats

You know I had to put one of Cam and Aunt Nene

Proud mom and Grandmas

She is a pro!

Baby Buddies....Stef and I are holding hands, that is normal, right?

My new little buddy

Nate, Stef and baby Lincoln, minus my favorite Jordan

Boy time while I stayed back to host Audrey's shower and visit Lincoln! Thanks Colin

I am officially down 4.6 pounds this week....I can't believe it because I did have a few tasty treats last week. We have been celebrating the upcoming arrival of Audrey Lane Baxter and the ARRIVAL of Lincoln Scott Head....big weekend (with treats). Another observation from this weekend...bulldogs can swim. Sampson may have jumped into the pool last night chasing after his black lab cousin Charlie. All was well, Colin directed him to the steps, and he didn't sink! There is a picture above of Sampson, Colin, and Camden in Winchester. They went back to where Sampson was born and saw his Mom Bailey, Dad Tank, and brother Wilson. There was also a fresh litter of bulldog pups!

Hope you enjoyed the pix. Have a great week..go eat a treat (in moderation)

Progress

This is for my girl Shannon PRICE, not Justice....I can't ever get it right friend. I used the Lose It app on my iphone and after my first week am down.....2.4! I am so proud of myself, I exercised three days last week (2 swimming, 1 training), and really watched my calories. I notice that I really don't want to eat bad things because I don't want to use my calories up. The accountability of plugging calories into my phone is key for me. I also have been drinking TONS of water....only have a sweet tea once or twice a week, and an occasional rootbeer. I feel so much better and can just see myself in the bridesmaids dress hanging in my closet, hopefully with a few alterations.

Tips:
Get the Lose It app (once you eat a meal, it is saved in your phone and you don't have to plug it in again, you just select it from you foods)
Drink LOTS of water
Lots of fruit!
Exercise (also in the app...adds calories...really helped on the 4th of July)

My boy is awake...if I think of anymore I will post later...
Em

Growing Up

A. Crib, also known as pommel horse...

B. Ghetto crib...because we didn't have a rail.

C. Big Boy bed with rail, smile, and a good nights sleep with NO pacifier!!

Well, last week we noticed Camden was using the side of his crib as a pommel horse...he had great form, but we were afraid he would become too top heavy and topple out of the crib(Picture A). So we made the executive decision to go from crib to big boy bed....sigh. It is hard to believe he is getting so big. Colin climbed up to our attic (and didn't fall through the ceiling) to get our crib conversion to toddler bed kit. Camden was hilarious "helping" daddy. Everything Colin would say, he would repeat. Camden had his Elmo drill and was very focused on putting the bed together. My kid is adorable! After getting the front of the crib off, we noticed that the rail we thought that came with the kit was missing....we went back up to the attic (again successfully not falling through), and came back empty handed. Hmmmm, why doesn't this have a rail? After all the built up excitement of a big boy bed, we simply turned the bed around so the front (rail-less side) was flush against the wall and he was still closed in, picture B. (the back of our crib is much higher then the front, so we only worried he would pommel horse off the sides). I immediately went to Target's website (who doesn't) and looked for toddler bed rails.....they only make ONE (that I could find). All rails are made for twin and full beds.....because most conversion kits come with a rail....oops. (Next time, well). So I ordered our $30 rail (not bad, and a cute rug for free shipping if you had an order of $50 or more), and it came in yesterday. Camden helped me put the rail together with his Elmo drill and screwdriver, and we waited until bedtime to turn his crib into an official big boy bed(Picture C). Camden was climbing in and out, and in and out, and in and out, and in and out....and we just knew it was going to be a L-O-N-G night. We got the mattress, three lovey's, two blankets, two pillows, and random dog back in the bed, read a book, prayed and rocked....laid him down....and waited. We waited for him to get out of the bed and play (I moved all his stuff up high). We waited for him to beat on the door (doorknob thingy on the door). We waited for something....and nothing. He feel asleep! Now I know this may just be luck on the first night, but I am so proud of our boy! He is also on night two without the pacifier...I know go big or go home right. Why not do everything at once? So my baby boy, is now a big boy. We keep telling him that, so I should start to believe it too, right?

I eat/ate too much

I didn't realize how much and often I was eating until I started recording it. I don't know how many times in the last three days I have wanted to go to the pantry and snack on something. I justified it before that it was a small snack and didn't really matter because it wasnt a meal....I know, I am crazy. I have been so hungry the past few days, but I know that this will get easier, and I am eating better for sure. No blizzards, blasts, or butterfingers for me....eventually, I will let myself have a treat, as for now....I am being strong. It was good to pinpoint why I was eating and how much I was eating....even though I still want to EAT ALL THE TIME! I have also been drinking a TON of water....I mean a TON. Hoping that the water and better selections in the food department help me drop 15+ pounds....we shall see. Discipline, I can do this.

All my Fountains

Cute picture of my boy playing in the "carwash"/fountains at mom and dad's pool

(You know I had to put a picture)

This song is on repeat at the Stout house....love the lyrics, reminds me of a sermon at church a few weeks back.

Chris Tomlin, All My Fountains song lyrics

This dry and desert land

I tell myself,

“Keep walking on”

Hear something up ahead

Water falling like a song

An everlasting stream

Your river carries me home

Let it flow, let if flow

A flood for my soul

A well that never will run dry

I've rambled on my own

Never believing I would find

An everlasting stream

Your river carries me home

Let it flow, let it flow

Open the heavens

Come Living Water

All my fountains are in You

You're strong like a river

Your love is running through

All my fountains are in You

Come on, and rain down on us

Rain down on us, Lord
J

ohn 4:13-14 Jesus said, "Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again. Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst—not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life."

Some Summer Favorites

We have been swimming!
Going out to dinner

1. This past month my mother in law, Pam discovered through a routine colonoscopy that she had colon cancer. After surgery, recovery, and tests.....her reports have come back clear. Praise God! We love you Nana!!!

2. LOVE having my summer off, and spending it with my sweet little man. We have had so much fun. We take it easy in the morning, eat breakfast, watch a little KET, play guitar, then usually head out to the pool. So thankful for this time with Camden.

3. Weddings and babies.....we have two big weddings coming up this fall, but we are gearing up for these two special celebrations. My cousin is marrying his sweet girlfriend of 10+ years, and we LOVE her....it is going to be a wedding to remember....in St Louis. Camden is joining us and our sweet friend Jess is coming with us to help take care of him. Our other wedding is my childhood friend, J Ford....I get to be the maid of honor...and I am honored. We are going to Nashville this weekend to hang out with her, her awesome fiance, and U2...no big deal :) PLUS, I get to throw two showers (one baby, one wedding) in July...if you need invites or anything really artsy and cute contact my friend Shannon, she will hook you up!

Let's not forget babies....little Leighton and Brooks are here, baby Lincoln will be here soon, and my sweet baby niece AUDREY LANE will be here in October....I can't stop buying her stuff, girls are SO much fun and frilly.

4. Cozi.com is an amazing website that is helping coordinate the Stout family schedule! I love it....it is easy and FREE....seriously FREE...you must try it. It is compatible with apple and my cool kid old school pc.
Is your family schedule quackers?Let Cozi help. We’re so good at helping families get their ducks in a row that we decided to make it official. Cozi sets a Guinness World Record

5. Speaking of Apples, I sold my iPad, I am just not cool enough for that sweet piece of technology. I am just a cut and paste kind of girl...none of that apple, click....whatever. I think it is a great product, just not for me. I am happy that a really amazing woman got mine!!

6. Calorie Counter is an app I bought for my iphone (I am keeping that from Apple), and I am starting to keep track of my calories today. I want to lose 20 pounds by all the weddings....I wend over 52 calories today...and I could really eat this picture frame next to me right now. I may run up to the store and buy celery or carrot sticks just to have something....this will get easier. I just need to take charge of my diet....the way I eat stinks.

7 Passion: Here For You is a MUST have....I can't stop listening to it. I really think I can bust out Christy Knockels Waiting Here For You, but who can't. It is kind of like Alicia Keys....I can sing just like her. Seriously, if you are lead to worship through song....you have to get this.

8. Camden...oh wait, I already mentioned that....He is awesome.

9. Acorn class prep....I am swimming in stuff at my house for my new classroom and just itching to get into my room. Thankfully, they are doing renovations up at TLS so I can't go....or I would probably be there too much. Right now my room is FULL of boxes from my favorite K team, love you girls.

10. Hubs...my sweet hubby let me sleep in this weekend and cooked breakfast both Saturday and Sunday....he is a keeper. I love the picture of Camden and Colin above, somebody LOVES their daddy.

That is all I can think of right now....I know I am such a lucky girl.

Well hello friends

Man, I just haven't been feeling the blog for a while. I don't know why, I just have not been motivated to sit down and write. I know when I first started it was an outlet for our infertility struggles and a place to write down the story of Camden. Recently, I just have felt empty. Not really able to put words together to place in the blog. Not a bad empty....just mute. Make sense? I don't want to force it, so I just have avoided it.

I have officially started my first summer as a teacher....meaning no work, and some sweet pool time with my boy. It has been a blast. We went to the Louisville Zoo a few weeks ago with a great group of girls. It was so much fun watching Camden. He loved all the animals, especially the penguins. He didn't know what to do with his excitement....he clapped and squeeled. I loved it! I do have a few videos....and pix, I should post those :)

Tomorrow we are going to Salato in Frankfort. I don't really know what to expect animal wise, we have just heard some good things about it. Packing our lunch and going exploring.

Our little guy has turned into quite the fish. He LOVES the pool. He sits on the "beps" (steps) and will jump into the open water. He wears water wings, but still loves to try and dunk his head. he loves the fountains on the side of the pool, and always asks to go "up high." He is putting more and more words together, although I believe he speaks fluent chinese. I don't know what he is saying half of the time....but I love it!

He is running, swinging, and falling. He is going to be one of those boys that has a knot on his head and two skinned knees all summer. He is adventurous and brave. He is the best....can you tell I really like him? We keep talking about school next year, and I ask him if he wants mommy to be his teacher, and he does say yes. We shall see how that goes this fall. Thankful for my teach teacher Flora....she is going to help with the mom/teacher duel roll.

I guess that is it for now.....hopefully I will be back in less then two weeks.

Mother's Day Pictures

I think my boys are adorable....such a lucky mom

This is sweet Baby Baxter....we find out Thursday what "he/she" is. I think GIRL!

I couldn't decide which family picture was better....Mac and Dad seem to forget to smile

I love my dad, he seems to have the "Chandler" picture taking issue.

I love them both....yeah for the Baxter/Stout Family
my two favorites.....love these boys

So, this post is proof on how far behind I am in my blog. I just haven't been motivated to write anything lately...I am so sorry to all four readers. So, instead of elaborating on how I have nothing to write about, I decided to share some sweet pix from Mother's Day this year. Enjoy...

Happy Birthday Camden...Elmo Stlye

Well, we made it! We threw a birthday party for Camden with a heavy emphasis on ELMO! I have posted all my pictures on Facebook for the fun day. These are a few snapshots of our sweet boy living it up. I am so thankful for all of our friends and family who came out to celebrate with us. I think that I was so focused on getting a list of who bought Camden what for thank you's that I forgot to thank people....I am an idiot. So, thank you, thank you, thank you. I owe you some posts too. So sorry I have been MIA for the last two weeks.

My soon to be 2 year old....

Cricut decor

Cupcakes and oreo pops He knew exactly what to do.....

He LOVES cupcakes!