Life as a Single Mom : Day 5

Today started out good. . . no crying and in a good mood!!! Brynn was a tiny bit (10 min) late to camp this morning. This is what she did at camp:

I was able to have the morning off, so I spent some time playing with Addie. I did manage to find some time to cut out a few of my 44 butterflies for VBS, which starts on Sunday.

I don't think I have mentioned this. I am helping with the preschool crafts for VBS. Who would have thought that would be that hard? It is! Have you ever tried to choose crafts for 100 3-4 year olds that are easy to make, cute, not something that will just be thrown away, and on a budget? We have attempted to do this. It has been challenging but fun. This week we have been preparing all the crafts. . . which means we have been doing and will continue to do lots of cutting and organizing.

Brynn had fun with the puppies again today. This is a picture of her with one of the puppies. . .the cow, as it has been nicknamed. I tried to get a picture with all the puppies but right when I was taking it, the mom came walking by so all the puppies ran for milk.

At work today, I finished cutting out the remainder of the butterflies! I was very excited to have this done. I also got some good news. We are getting a new neighbor. My good friend, Stacie J's aunt is moving in the house across the street!

Tonight was pizza night at our house, so I picked up the food on the way home. Brent was nice enough to bring the girls home for me (since he was coming to see April . . . again). It was fun to have him over. He played Guitar Hero with Brynn -she loved it.

While they played Guitar Hero, I helped April make a diaper cake for a lady she works with. We ran out of diapers so we have to finish it tomorrow. I think it is coming along good though.

Montana Update:

I talked to Brandon this afternoon. He said it was raining this morning. They held off building for an hour or so to see if it would stop. No luck. They were told they could use today as their sight seeing day if they wanted to. Brandon, Drew, and 2 other people decided they would do that and went to Yellowstone National Park. He couldn't talk long but said it was beautiful. Please pray that the weather is better tomorrow so they can continue building.

Life as a Single Mom : Day 4

Today was my 1st day back to work since Brandon has been gone. It was also Brynn's 1st day of preschool camp at our church. She will be going Tues, Wed, and Thurs this week. She has been so excited about seeing her friends from school.

Normally, Brynn is late to school just about everyday. I know, I know. I should be a better mom and have her there on time, but I tell myself "It's just preschool." With that said, I would like to note that Brynn was on time today for her camp. This would be the 2nd time this week we have been on time (1st - church, 2nd - camp) but who's counting!

The theme for camp this week is Farmer Week. Today, Brynn searched for animals in hay. She found 2 horses. She read a book about the farm. She also made a chicken. I thought it was rather cute.


After camp, I took Brynn to her Mimi's (Tammy) to join Addie. Brynn was excited to play with the puppies. She played with them ALL day. I dropped her off fast so I could meet some friends (Rhonda, Summer, Natalie) for lunch at Ice Cream and Coffee Beans. It was delicious. . . I ate entirely too much. It was nice to spend time with them, we should do it more often.

Tammy invited us to dinner, spaghetti. I, of course, was excited. . .I didn't have to cook! After dinner, I rushed home to meet Brandon's brother, Brent, who was at our house waiting for April. It is funny how he never seems to come over but since April is staying with us he can't wait to get there! I guess we'll take him however we can get him. The girls do enjoy having him over (even if he does pester the tar out of them!)


This is for Brandon. I know it is sideways, just lean your head to the left. I didn't think about it when April was doing it. Hope you enjoy :)


Montana Update:
Brandon called this morning and told me it was 37 degrees outside and only 30 with the wind chill. He told me later that it warmed up as the day went on and they were able to work without coats of long sleeves. The church is progressing well. Continue to pray for safety and good weather.

Life as a Single Mom : Day 3

We slept in today. It was much needed.

Around 10:30, we met some of our friends (Harrisons, Martins, and Waddells) at the pool. Before Brandon left, we bought Addie a new float for the pool. I tried it out today. Addie was a little scared at 1st, I think because the water was a little chilly. After she got use to it, I put her in her float. She LOVED it. She kept laughing and splashing around. The kids had a great time and the adults even ventured into the pool from time to time to cool off. Hopefully, no one got sunburned!

I finally cooked dinner tonight, brown rice and corn on the cob. I know the 2 don't really go together, but it was delicious. Brynn really enjoyed the corn.


April came over tonight after she got off work. She is going to be staying with us the rest of the week so we won't be alone at night. Brynn has been looking forward to this since Brandon left.

Montana Update:

Brandon called last night and said they had church service at the ranch. DJ preached and Sarah Beth Snook sang (she had no notice). She did a great job according to Brandon. After church, they had lunch and a meeting about the work week ahead. Brandon and some others went sight seeing the rest of the day. He said the scenery is beautiful. He mentioned somethig about moving there some day. . . don't think that is going to happen. I need my family and friends around!

They were suppose to start there work day at 7 am, that means they have to be at the site at 7. They will be working until 6-7pm. Please pray Brandon gets up each morning (he is not much of a morining person). Also, continue to pray for their safety as they work.

Life as a Single Mom : Day 2

I was very proud of myself this morning. We made it not only to church on time but early, before the music was even playing!!! For those of you who may not know our family very well, we are ALWAYS late to church on Sunday mornings and usaually miss the 1st maybe 2nd song. This in itself was a great accomplishment for me today.

These are 2 of Brynn's pictures from SS:
I liked this one because I thought she did a good job on the palm tree.

This was her favorite because of the elephants.

During SS, Brandon called to say they were having church around 11 (1 our time) and they would have a meeting today to discuss what they would be doing the rest of the week. I haven't talked to him since, so I'm not sure how the weather is out there.

After church, we went home for some lunch and a quick nap (we needed one of these so we wouldn't have a day like yesterday). After our nap, we went to a baby shower for our Children's Minister, Kim Wuenschel. She is having a little boy. She recieved alot of adorable little boy clothes. She also recieved a good amount of cloth diapers, which her and her husband really wanted. I know what most of you are thinking, but they are really cute and her mother-in-law used cloth diapers on her husband, so he really wanted to use them. We'll see how long that lasts.

Brandon's mom, Tammy, called this afternoon and invited the girls and me to dinner at City Range. I was very excited. I really like eating there but only go for our anniversary. It's too expensive for everyday dining! I got my favorite. . . Bourbon Pecan Chicken. . . yum yum. Addie did her usual talking (yelling loudly) the whole time, but we went early and there weren't very many people there. I ate way too much. Thanks, Tammy and Darren for dinner.

Random:

Addie waves hello to Daddy.

Don't worry Brandon, I didn't let her walk!!

Brynn has been playing with her yo-yo doing "tricks".

Rocking the baby:

Walking the dog, in which you have to "crutch down like you have to pee" (Brynn's words not mine):

Life as a Single Mom : Day 1

1st. . . I would like to say God bless to all the single moms in the world. I have no idea how you do the things you do day in and day out.

2nd. . . I would like to say a very big thank you to my friend, Summer M, for watching my 2 kids this morning so that I could work for a few hours. It is tough when you are use to your normal routine and things get switched up ( or in my case I didn't necessarily plan very well).

3rd. . . Brandon and the rest of the group made it safely to Montana. They arrived around 10:30 (our time). They will have church tomorrow and I think, will not start building until Monday. Please continue to pray for their safety as they begin working.

4th. . . Recap of my day (this mostly for Brandon) entitled:

Day of the Fits

The girls played at the Martin's until I got off work around 12:30. We were invited to a graduation party that started at 3. We had a great time. Brynn made some new friends. We left around 6:30. This is where Fit 1 takes place. Brynn didn't want to leave and proceeded to throw herself on the ground in the front yard. Thanks to Jenna (the graduate) Brynn made it into the car. On the way home, I mentioned we might stop at the store. We didn't because Addie fell asleep. As when pull into the driveway, you guessed it, Fit 2! We slowly make our way into the house to have baths, dinner, and early bed time (we DID NOT have naps today!!!! ). After bath time, I realized we have only 1, yes 1 diaper. I pack all of us up in our PJs to head to Target for diapers and the last and finally fit for the day! Brynn decided (after we already discussed this in the car before we got there) that she WAS going to ride in the front of the shopping cart. When I told her she couldn't Fit 3 occurred right in front of the entire store. By this point I wanted to scream.

This was about all my nerves could handle for one day. Lets hope the this is NOT how the rest of my week is going to be.

In Need of Prayer. . .

Please pray for our family over the next week.

Brandon leaves in the morning at 5 am heading to Charlotte to board a plane to "Hannah Montana" (Brynn's terms). Really his flight is to Salt Lake City. They will be driving from SLC to Montana. He will be helping frame a church there. Please pray for a safe flight there and back. Also, for good working conditions and everyones safety while working.

As for me, I will get to experience life as a single mom....can I say SCARY!!!! Not to worry, I have a plan...sort of. The genius I am didn't cut back on the hours I normally work so I will be working late next week and going in early. Brandon's mom, Tammy, and my Grandma will still be watching the girls during the day for me. My brother-in-law's girlfriend is staying with us each night so we aren't only. Hopefully, it will all work out!

We are going to be busy though! This Saturday we have a graduation party to attend (note: This will be the 1st outing by myself with both kids). Sunday there is a baby shower. Brynn has a camp 3 mornings. Finally, next Saturday I have a wedding to go to before Brandon gets home.
His flight is supposed to get in to Charlotte around 9:30 pm, which means HOPEFULLY he will be home before midnight.

I should mention that Brandon and I have NEVER spent an entire week apart since we have been together. I am a teeny bit nervous about this yet excited at the same time. I think this experience will help our relationship grow. So can you just pray that my sanity holds out and everything runs relatively smooth in our house this upcoming week

Chipped Teeth. . .

As a mom, one of my fears is that my child will knock her teeth out. Yesterday, this fear ALMOST came true.

We (Brandon, Brynn, and I) were all in my bed room. I was on the computer and Brandon was playing with Brynn. All of a sudden I hear Brynn fall and start crying. I knew immediately that she was hurt because this was not the normal "I fell down but I'm ok" cry. It was the "I am hurt" cry.

Brandon was to her before me and said her mouth was bleeding, which is never good. I, being the pessimistic person I am, thought she knocked her teeth out, her teeth are through her lip, you know, all the bad thoughts that accompany a child that has fallen and has blood coming from their mouth. As Brandon was picking her up, I notice little white chips of something (later to be determined as chips of her teeth...notice I said teeth not tooth) on the floor.

We took her in the bathroom and I had her swish some water so that I can determine where the blood was coming from. I covered her eyes while she did this, so that she would not see the blood and panic as much as I was on the inside. As I looked in her mouth, I saw that the 1st molar on the right side of mouth is chipped, the 1st molar on the left is chipped, the teeth to the left and right of her front teeth are chipped, and both her eye teeth are slightly chipped. Upon closer examination, I fine the cause of the bleeding. 1 of the pieces of chipped tooth was lodged between the her gum and the back of her 2nd tooth on the bottom.

At this point in my story, I should mention that Brynn was NOT running, but walking when the accident occurred. She did NOT trip over anything but her own feet. She also did NOT hit anything during her fall until her chin hit the carpet.

I did manage to extract the chip from her gum with tweezers...which I am sure was not very safe, but that tooth was now a little loose. Brynn was such a trooper and did not cry anymore once we were in the bathroom. I, on the other hand, was FREAKING out. All I kept imagining was that her teeth were going to fall out or turn black and she was going to look like one of those poor kids whose parents don't really care about their teeth. If her teeth did fall out, she wouldn't have new teeth for YEARS!!!!

While in the bathroom she did ask if her teeth were broken. I said just a little. She then asked if she could get new ones in the morning. A little humor amidst my fears.

Brandon tried to assure me that she would be fine and her teeth would be fine. I wanted to take her to the dentist the next morning, but he said no. I did call one of my clients (the next morning) who is a dental hygienist, and she was able to calm my nerves by explaining to me all her teeth should be fine as long as she was not crying in pain with them. She said her only concern would be the bottom tooth, we should watch for swelling. If no swelling by Monday, we should be in the clear. What a relief!!!

As of right now, the bottom tooth looks a 100 times better. She says her mouth does not hurt. The chipped places on all her teeth are not real noticeable, and according to my client she should have new teeth in about 2-3 years.

Aw, the joys of parenthood!