March for Babies

Our family is participating in the March of Dimes' March for Babies. We are very excited about this awesome work! Please check out our personal page and consider making a donation to a very special cause that is near and dear to our hearts.

Our Preemie Twins

My Baby Boy

Feel free to check out Jackson's 8 month pictures.

Capturing Life Photography

Click on Clients and then type in jackson and hit enter.

If you check them out, let me know what you think.

*You'll also find a picture from Jackson's 4 month photo session in the "Beginnings" Gallery.

Just One of Those Moments

I'm just having "one of those moments". Right now I feel swamped.

I have about 3-4 loads of laundry from the weekend.

I need to make out our grocery list (that never seems to end).

I need to make (yet another) trip to the dreaded Wal-Mart. (There was a time when I actually LOVED going to Wal-Mart. Unfortunately, those days are long gone.)

The bills need to be paid.

The receipts need to be entered into the checkbook register and then subtracted out.

I have paperwork to complete for medical purposes.

I have dishes to wash.

Meals need to be prepared.

A baby needs to be fed and changed.

My van needs gas (yet again!).

I need to clean my house.

I need to go to the bank.

The newspaper ads need to be gone through to see who has the best deals this week. Thank goodness for Baby Cheapskate.

I have several appointments to keep this week. (It seems that they all come at once. Between the 3 kids and myself, I think that I have 6 "appointments" this week alone).


I don't know if you are like me, but there are some days that really overwhelm me. I just wish that this stuff did not have to get done. But you see, this is pretty much the same list from last week. I have been putting this stuff off for as long as I can. Now, I HAVE to get it done! This is just one vicious cycle that never ends.

A Peek Into Our Home

We are very proud of our new paint color. It was well worth the 28 plus hours that we put into it. I can only imagine how much time the previous homeowners worked on their color-washing technique. Jason and I can't get over how much difference the new paint has made. We are definitely loving it. I really appreciate ALL of the work that Jason put into making our house our home. Love you baby!

Living Room

Living Room

Kitchen

Back of our kitchen looking over into the playroom

Mantle in the playroom

Playroom

Playroom
(I plan on making a collage area in the playroom to display the kids' artwork soon.)

I'm Just Not As Good At This Anymore!

59 words

Speedtest

I want to know what you all score, so let me know! I am not that proud of mine, but I thought that I would put myself out there. So, don't leave me hanging....


Teaser: We finally finished painting/hanging/cleaning our living area. I will post pictures sometime tomorrow. Don't expect anything too extravagant! I'm not that creative with decorating.

Our New Game and Conversations with Three Year Olds

Joshua and Abby Kate have come up with a new game. It's called, "What letter starts with ____________?" They absolutely love asking what letter certain words begin with. They are both fascinated with their letters. It is amazing to see them making connections with what they already know.

For instance,
"What letter starts with pantry?"
"P"
"P, just like PawPaw!"
"What letter starts with snowman?"
"S"
"S, just like sky and shoes!"

They both get so excited when making the connections. I am one proud momma!

These questions can go on and on and on. Last week we made a trip to the doctor's office (20 minutes, one way) and I was questioned the whole way there! Abby Kate would ask, then Joshua, then Abby Kate, then Joshua, then Abby Kate, then Joshua........

I finally had to give in and say "that's enough, already!".

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The other day Jason and I decided to turn the tables and ask Joshua and Abby Kate some questions. I love hearing their answers. I always wonder where they come up with the stuff that they do.

We found out that Abby Kate wants to be a teacher when she grows up. She wants to have 4 children and only have 1 of those to be a girl.

Joshua wants nothing more than to be a "really, really, big, baseball fan"! He wants 5 children. I think that he wanted them all to be boys!

New Look

I am so excited about my new look! Let me know what you think. My new look was created and designed by Hilary. Check her out! I really love what she did. Thank you so much Hilary!!!

Painting By The Numbers

14 hours of priming, taping, and moving furniture

14 hours of painting two coats

4 movies that the kids watched

2 days of painting

3 rolls of painter's tape

27 light switches and outlet covers

1 trip to the paint store

2 (will be 3) trips to The Home Depot

2 days of removing tape, rehanging pictures, and moving the furniture back

4 days of living in a very messy house

4 total rooms painted (foyer, living room, play room, and the kitchen)

3 kids in the house the whole time

This weekend, Jason and I finally started painting our living room area. We have lived in our house for almost a year now. When we moved last March, I was pregnant with Jackson and did not feel like I should paint. Slowly, but surely, we have been tackling one room at a time. Our living room was by far the biggest and most time consuming project.

Here are some pictures of the way our living area looked before we began painting. As soon as every picture is hung and my curtains are put up, I will post some pictures of the finished project. I am so pleased with the way that it all turned out. However, I don't think that Jason will ever lay another finger on a paint brush again! (Should I tell him that I would still like to paint the kids' bath, the dining room and the study?)

Close up of the color-washing technique that the previous homeowners had done.

One of our many walls

Our little helpers getting their tools ready.

Big sister Abby Kate helping out with a not too happy Jack

Trains and Theology

Today I took Joshua and Abby Kate for their dental appointment. Abby Kate was a bit unsure about the whole thing and gave everyone quite a problem. (I should have known the day that we had ahead of us. Last night when I told her where we were going the next day, she started crying and said that she only wanted to stay home. The same thing happened this morning.) Joshua did great, as he usually does. Since I take them both in at the same time, I usually go back and forth between their two rooms. As I was going in to check on Joshua, I overheard him talking to Ms. Scarlet. I got so tickled listening to what he was telling her.

"Hey, do you know that I have a train in my mouth?"

"Really?"

"Yeah, do you know what he says? He says, CHOOOOOOOOOOO, CHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!"

Joshua was very concerned about Abby Kate. She was crying and he asked Ms. Scarlet what was wrong with her. She kindly told him that she was probably just a little nervous, but that she would be okay. He looked up and told Ms. Scarlet that "God will be with my Abby Kate. He will make it all better." Isn't that just the sweetest?

Joshua has been asking me a lot of questions about God. I absolutely LOVE the opportunity that I have been given to answer his questions. The other day, he asked me if we all die. And then he later asked me if God wants him to come and live with Him in heaven. I pray that I will be the mother that my children need me to be.

Jackson at Eight Months

14 pounds, 12 ounces, 27 inches

I can sign "eat".

I can clap.

I can sit "totally" unsupported.

I can feed myself puffs and cheerios.

When Mommy holds out her hands, I pull myself up to a standing position.

I make raspberries all the time.

I have started sleeping between 8-9 hours at night.

I love to talk.

I love eating!

I love to play in my basket of toys.

I will not give up trying to get something that is out of my reach. I am very determined.

I've started rolling over and sleeping on my belly at night. I love to snuggle up to my bumper pads.

"Baby, You're The Greatest!"

Randomness

Abby Kate and Jackson have been fighting a bit of a bug around here for the last week and a half. Abby Kate stayed home from school on Friday and Monday and will be staying here tomorrow as well. On our way to the drug store this evening, she asked if she could go to school tomorrow and I told her yes. Well, when I was unloading the 3 kiddos out of the van to venture into CVS, I noticed that Abby Kate seemed a little warm. After taking her temperature when we returned home, I told her that she did in fact have a temp and would have to stay home tomorrow. She was pretty bummed, but was fine when I gave her some medicine. (What can I say, my kids love getting medicine!)

Here are a few stories from the last couple of days...

Yesterday morning while playing with Jackson and Abby Kate in the den, my front door blew wide open!!! It scared me silly! My heart was racing as I feared that someone had just kicked in my front door! Abby Kate had played with the door a little earlier in the morning and I really did not think that much about it. Apparently, she somehow unlocked the front door and a huge wind gust blew it open. Nothing like a front door being blown in to get your heart pumping!

I took Jackson to the doctor yesterday evening. Abby Kate came along for the ride and was a big helper. Jackson has a viral infection that might possibly be the flu. We are just treating him symptomatically for now. Jackson's iron level was low, so he is on an iron supplement twice a day and will be rechecked at his 9 month appointment (I cannot believe that in a little over a month, my baby will be 9 months old. It just does not seem possible. This time is flying by!) When the nurse came in to get Jackson's blood, Abby Kate stood there and watched very intently. It always takes a while to get a baby's blood from his finger and as the minutes clicked on, Abby Kate started feeling sick. I actually thought she was going to pass out from seeing the blood! Her face turned red, she got really hot, and she complained about her tummy hurting. I quickly gave her a wet cloth to put over her face and had her sit in a chair. When the doctor came back into the room, she was as white as a sheet! As a kid, I passed out once when I stubbed my toe into the end of a hoe. I have also passed out many times when giving blood. She clearly takes after her mommy when it comes to blood.

I got an awesome deal tonight at CVS. If anyone is needing a chocolate fix, CVS has their 14 oz. bags of M&M's, 2/$4.00 with $2.00 in ExtraCare Bucks. I bought my two bags, gave the cashier a $1.00 off coupon, paid $3.24 and got a $2.00 in ExtraCare Bucks. So, when its all said and done, I got TWO 14oz. bags of M&M's for $1.24!!! Don't you just love a deal!!!

Check out what Jackson can do now!

Mrs. Bybee Goes Back To School

"Whatever you do, DON'T let your teaching certificate expire!"

I've heard these words from pretty much every educator I've known here in Alabama. It seems that once your certificate expires, it's a whole lot of work to have it re-instated. I've been told by everyone to do whatever it takes to renew my certificate before it expires.

Naturally, my teaching certificate expires this year! In order to renew, I had to have three years of teaching experience. I taught two years at Madison Academy, and before that I taught one year in Tennessee. I sent off all of my paper work at the end of last year hoping that my year of teaching experience in Tennessee would help me out. Unfortunately, since that year of teaching did not happen in the last five years, it doesn't count. Because of that, I will be returning to school!!! Yep, that's right, I'm going back to school.

In order to renew my teaching certificate I have to take a 3 hour course at a state approved university. Seeing as how the spring semester is now underway, it looks like I will be applying for summer school. I have been on the phone with several universities in the area and I've made my decision based on cost!!! I tried to have the school that I chose mail me my registration forms and enrollment forms, but they told me that I could do everything online! My, oh my, how times have changed.

I must admit, I am just a little bit intimidated about returning to school. Its been 9 years since I've been a student! The ironic part is that Jason graduates in May. Here I was thinking we were done with all of this school stuff, and now I'm the one that has to go back! I'll be sure to keep you all informed on my progress. I guess it won't be that bad: the class is an undergrad course, junior or senior level. But I have to admit that I'm dreading adding "student" on top of all of the other hats I wear (wife, Mom, etc.)! Pray for me!

Abby Kate at 42 Months

My favorite color is pink!

I love helping mommy with baby Jackson: I get his diapers and wipes, I put his passy in his mouth when he needs it, I play with him and make him laugh, I bring him new toys when he needs one. I also love to hold him.

I know all of my days of the week.

I love having my fingernails and toenails painted.

I am a girly girl.

I have to have things done a certain way or I lose it!

I love watching Dora.

I love coloring and playing with stickers and playdoh.

I love talking on the phone.

My favorite restaurant is McAlister's Deli. I always get a toasted cheese sandwich with cheetos.

I love it when Mommy shares her sweet tea with me.

I love to read books. I make up my own stories to go with them.

I can count to 25.

I know my ABC's.

I plan my birthday party every day.

I love drawing.

I love to eat peaches and applesauce.

I love going to ballgames with my Daddy and my brother.

I love going to the mall.

I am very organized.

I love sleeping in my Princess tent.

I have a really great memory.

I love to swing.

I love all things Princess!

I love to sing.

I love listening to my Bible songs.

I love wearing piggy tails.

I love seeing my PawPaw and Nana.

I love working puzzles.

I like to go to the library.

I love going to church.

I like to help feed Jackson his baby food. I love giving him cheerios and puffs and when Mommy will let me, I will feed him his food on a spoon. I'm always interested in knowing the color of his spoon.

I love to sit in people's laps and cuddle.

I am a pack rat. Big Time!

I love playing dress up.

My favorite movie is "Cars".

I love to wear my "dressy" coat.

I love chocolate.

I love to copy my teachers. ("Ms. Milam's class line up.")

Every night I pray for just about everybody I know.

I love all of the big girls that I look up to: Ashley, Elizabeth, Haley, and Holly.

I love playing in my kitchen.

I Praise You God

One year later...

I praise you God for the gift of life.

I praise you God for our good news.

I thank you for a healthy and happy baby boy.

I am thankful for the godly men and women that lifted our baby up to you in prayer.

I praise you for surrounding us with great friends.

I praise you for being the Creator of life.

I thank you for hearing our cries and our hearts as we poured ourselves out to you.

Today God, I praise you for the gift of our son Jackson. I thank you for blessing our family with this precious child. I am in awe of the men and women that lifted all of us up in prayer to you. I thank you for the "Good News" of our son. May your name be glorified in His life. You have truly been "Gracious" to us in blessing us with this child.

Joshua at 42 Months

I love sports. All sports.

I sleep in my "Cars" tent every night.

I know all of my colors.

I love to sing.

I can say my ABC's.

I love Italian food.

I can throw a mean fast ball. (Daddy has the bruises to prove it!)

My Daddy is my hero!

I love making Abby Kate laugh.

I love my "tag" blankie.

I can count to 25.

I love saying the prayer.

My favorite movie is "Cars".

I love to talk about the things I'll do when I'm a "big kid".

I ask everybody at church for gum!

I love to ask "Why?"

I love to ask "What?!?"

I love to be a "Big Helper".

My favorite super hero is Spider-Man.

I love the Tennessee Vols.

I love the Tennessee Titans.

My favorite team is the St. Louis Cardinals.

I love to guzzle my milk.

My favorite restaurant is McDonald's. I always get chicken nuggets, fries and chocolate milk!

I have a really good sense of direction. I know where all the turns are between my house and school.

I can't wait to play with Jackson when he gets older. I'm going to show him how to play ball.

I love to sing the Disciples song.

I also love David Crowder.

And Johnny Cash's "Jackson". I sing that one to my brother!

I'm really friendly!

My favorite Bible stories are the ones about Noah, Jonah, Moses, and baby Jesus.

When I'm bigger, I want to preach like my Daddy.

I have a weird thing about my shoes. I usually put on every pair I own at least once during the course of a day.

And sometimes, I wear my sister's shoes! (Shh, don't tell Daddy!)

At church, I love to give money to God.

I'm extremely ticklish!

I love to visit my PawPaw and Nana.

I love M&M's.

My favorite color is red. (Cardinal red, not Crimson Tide red.)

I love going to the library to pick out books.

I love playing outside, especially riding my bike and throwing ball. Spring can't come soon enough.

I love my Mommy and Daddy very much.

I'm a Mean Mom

Yep, that's right. According to my son, I am a mean Mom.

The reason for this accusation is that I would not let Joshua wear a short sleeved shirt this morning.

The temperature this morning was 31 degrees.

I'm sure this won't be the last time I'll be called a "mean Mom". Guess I'd better get used to it, right?

On a happier note, I saw this on "Ellen" the other day and I thought it was hilarious! Thought I would share.



My favorite part is when Charlie laughs! And I love the English accent. Just makes the video.

Our Twins are 3 1/2 Years Old!!!

We love our Daddy, Mommy, and baby brother, Jack.

We love to play cars together.

We love to watch Dora.

We really love going to church.

We like to play together.

We love riding our bikes.

Sometimes we don't like to share.

We love bath time.

We love to help pick up.

We giggle all the time.

We are the best of friends.

We love sleeping in our tents.

We love to tattle.

We fight a lot.

We love to watch videos.

We are big helpers at home.

We look out for each other all the time.

We do get on each other's nerves.

We like to take toys away from each other.

We love to sing together.

We love to talk on the phone.

Our favorite song to sing together is "Happy Birthday".

We love talking about what our next birthday party is going to be.

We love hiding in the closets.

We also like jumping on the bed.

We love to "twin" up.

We can be so sweet to each other.

We give big hugs and kisses all the time.

We tackle each other.

We pinch, push, pull, and bite, at times.

We love being called "goobers".

We have so many "favorite" friends that we love!

We love telling the story of Jonah.

We can say our ABC's and count to 25.

We love to wear costumes.

Getting a picture of both of us looking at the camera is quite a challenge!

We like to listen to Daddy's iPod.

We help load and unload the dishwasher.

We're ready for spring time so we can play outside!

We like to say the prayer at dinner.

We love to wear each other's shoes.

"Cars" is our favorite movie EVER!

It's Only...

It's only 10:00 and I can already see the day that lies ahead. Last week was hard enough! Jason was in Nashville ALL week, so I did my best to hold down the fort. I am happy to report that our house was still standing when he returned. I battled fights, pushes, pulls, bites, hits and tantrums. On top of that, we had a trip to UAB and I was "twinned" multiple times over the course of the week.

It's only 10:00...

5:30 CAN'T COME SOON ENOUGH TODAY!!!!

They do have their mischievous moments...

They also have their silly moments...

I really like these moments...

I love the sweet moments...

But these are my favorite moments...

My Little Helpers

The other day I took all 3 kids to Wal-Mart after running a marathon of errands. I needed a few essentials to make it through the rest of the week. "Water" was on my list. Jason always puts all of my water bottles in the refrigerator for me. I placed the water bottles on the kitchen floor beside the refrigerator when we got home. I had to change and feed Jackson. When I was finished with Jackson, this is what I saw...

They even took care of the trash for me!!!
I have the best little helpers! They always are more than willing to help out with anything. (I know that their joyful attitude will not last, but for now, I am loving it!) They really know how to take care of their momma.