That lady better watch out for karma...

Today I went to vote in order to avoid voting with a 5 year old and a 2 year old on Nov. 4th. I had gone earlier this week, waited in line for almost two hours, and then realized I had to leave in order to pick up Noah from preschool. Before I left, I ventured into the building to go to the bathroom because, well, I'm over 37 weeks pregnant, and I had to go! When they saw me, they said I didn't need to wait in line because I was pregnant. Two hours too late, but good to know because I decided I could try my luck again later in the week while Noah was in school. So, today I headed to a different polling place (the main Gwinnett County voter registration office) and went straight to the front to inquire about going with the disabled and handicapped voters (as they told me to do on Tuesday). I kindly said "I was told Tuesday to not wait in line and come to the front". The rude, rude woman behind the table looked me up and down with disdain and responded with "Why?" I rubbed my pretty-much-full-term belly and said "because I'm about to pop out a baby". She said "pregnancy is not a disability, so you need to wait in line". I was a bit shocked by her curt reply and told her that was fine and I would go back to the other site that told me I should not wait. For anyone who knows me, I am not one of those pregnant women who walk like they're 80 years old and moan and groan with pain. I take pride in the fact that I remain active all through my pregnancy, that I can play a little soccer with my boys when I'm 37 weeks along, and that I continue to run our household until the very end. When I was in labor with Noah, I insisted that I walk up to the hospital doors to see if they were unlocked (it was 3am) even though my contractions were about 3 minutes apart. That's just who I am. So, for me to ask if I could not stand in line took a little bit of humility on my part. On Tuesday, I had waited for 2 hours without complaint, so this woman's rude behavior upset me. When I told my mom the story, she told me I needed to get on the news and tell everyone. This is not something my mother usually says, so I knew I had the right to be a bit hurt and angry with this woman. Instead of "reporting" her or complaining to our registers office, I have decided that karma will do it's job. I have faith in that! :)

After I left "the bad place", I went back to the Centerville Community Center, the place I had gone to on Tuesday. I went straight to the front quickly, but that's because once again I had to use the restroom (ah-the joys of pregnancy bladder). As soon as the man "working the door" saw me, he asked if I was voting and said that I could go right in. Everyone at that precinct was as nice as can be. I was amazed by their kindness and the smiles they kept on their faces even with the hundreds of people standing in line. I was in and out within 35-40 minutes and was treated with respect the entire time I was there. People were quick to offer a chair, and even the people who had been waiting for hours in line were polite. These people will receive a different dose of karma. That alone makes me feel better about the mean old lady. Although I admit that I still want to go up and show her that I'm proudly wearing my "I'm a Georgia Voter" sticker! Watch out, lady, karma gets you when you least expect it!

Annual Halloween Party

Yesterday my parents had us all over for their annual family Halloween party. Since my parents don't get to see the kids on Halloween night, they invite us over each year so the kids can show off their costumes. They give the kids so much, and we're very appreciative for all they do.

Front: Noah (Spiderman), Davis (skeleton), Landon (Power Ranger), Hannah (dead sleep-over girl), Matt (surgeon)
Back: Morgan (herself), Josh (suck-up grandchild), Austin (sign-"Yield for hot chicks")

Landon and Noah looking at their loot.Landon and his cousin Matt.

My Spiderman (check out the muscles)

I don't have much to say about this. Do I have to admit that's my brother???

Picking out our pumpkins...

She can come home now...

This isn't the best picture, I know, but I wanted to show her crib bedding. Her name is on the wall, so we didn't want to show the whole thing yet. :)

Spoiled much?

One year ago...

One year ago today sucked. That's not a favorite word of my mom's, but that's the only way I can explain it. On October 23, 2007, we had to say goodbye to our Abigayle. I will never forget the image of her sitting in the front seat of Jason's Jeep--the last time I saw our baby girl. She seemed to be comforting me more than I was comforting her. She covered my face with kisses and tried to tell me it would okay. I knew it was for the best, but that doesn't always make your heart feel better. As I said in my post from yesterday, Landon had to take care of me then and tell me we would all miss her. You would have never thought a four year old boy could take care of his Mommy like he did a year ago. I thought I would be really sad today, but oddly enough, only the good memories keep coming in my head. The other day I washed our sheets and put them in a pile on our bed after taking them out of the dryer. I expected to see this little dog jump up and bury herself in the warmth like she used to every time she could. I didn't cry at the memory--I smiled. So, today, I'm remembering the good things, the things that make me smile, the things that remind me that she was a good dog to us:

• The first time I saw her and wondered if it was a good idea to go out with a guy with a small dog. Little did I know she would win my heart (as would her dad). It took no time for me to start spoiling her rotten.
• The way she would sit on my lap in the car when we went somewhere.
  
• The special bond she had with Jason that no one could break. That dog loved him so much.
  
• The night she had her puppies. They were living in Greenville, and I had come up from Atlanta. I knew something was going on because when I walked into the apartment, she didn't greet me. I went back to the bathroom and there she was with Jason--already two pups out of her. I was there when she had the last two, and amazement is the only way I can describe what I felt. She looked at me while delivering and I did the best I could to comfort her. Only 2 of the dogs made it, and Abby was an incredible mother to them. Abby gave us our second dog, Lindsey, and I'll be forever grateful to her for that.
  
• Her catching the waves when we'd take her to the beach. She loved the beach, and I like to think that's where she's spending her time now.
  
• The great relationship she had with Lindsey. They just liked each other and became the best of friends. I loved them together. I hope they are together now.
  
• The way she barked and barked at the top of the driveway when Lindsey was hit and killed by a truck in front of our house. It was her way of saying things just weren't right. She took care of me that night.
  
• Her sitting by Landon when he joined our family. She left him alone but liked to be nearby.
  
• How excited she would get when we pulled into my parents' neighborhood. Their house was definitely a second home to her. My dad was known for slipping a scrap or two her way (which we didn't do much of), and she loved going there and staying with them.
• The last night she was with us and giving her beef jerky.
  

I miss her cuddling up next to me and laying by our legs under the covers at night. I miss her companionship that she gave me and her easy acceptance of me in her life. We all know that she wasn't the nicest dog to everyone, but she was good to us. I hope I gave her as much as she gave me. Earlier this week, a friend's dog of 14 years died. I cried and cried for him and that dog. Halfway through my tears, I realized I was also crying for Abby, Lindsey, and me. I knew the pain he was feeling. Dogs touch our lives in a way that no one else can. Unfortunately, we have to tell them goodbye often. However, for me, the unconditional love they give is worth it.

So, my Abigayle, I hope you know you're missed daily and still have a special place in our hearts. We were lucky enough to have you so many years. Thanks!

One of those moments

Last night I had one of those moments...

When I went to check in on Landon right before I went to bed (as I do every night), I looked down at his sweet face and was suddenly filled with such emotion. I looked at this child and remembered again that he was there only because of the love that Jason and I share. You know how people say your life flashes before you when you're about to die? Well, I had that same sort of experience starting with the day I met Jason and continuing on through the life of our first born--remembering Jason and I sitting in the parking lot of a party listening to CDs in my car. I remembered the cold night in Greenville, SC in our rental house when Jason asked if I would marry him (I was wearing old ugly pajamas and showing the dogs my new diamond earrings he had bought me for Xmas). I could picture the first time I saw Landon, and the way he looked at me all wrapped up in the hospital blanket. I remembered the pride in Jason's face as he looked at his first child. I remembered dropping off Landon the first day of preschool and his short-lived tears (and my not-so-short-lived ones). I remembered the first time Landon met Noah in the hospital--he just came in with my mom and said "Hi Noah" as if he saw him the day before. I remembered how this four-year-old boy comforted me when I had to tell Abby good-bye. And as I sat there looking at my sweet boy, I thought of how much he's grown and how much he'll continue to do so. Landon and I don't always get along and Lord knows he can be difficult. But last night I had one of those moments where I really, really couldn't believe that he was mine. He was there because I fell in love with a guy who still makes me smile and laugh. He was there because God thinks I can do this thing called motherhood--even when I'm not so sure.

I then went down to Noah's room and stared and stared at our little guy. Noah is the type of kid that can make you smile just by looking at him. Again, I was overwhelmed by the love that I have for this family that we have created. I tried to take in the details of his angelic face, so I could remember it during the tough times to come. I smiled as I thought of the cute things he says--"I wuv you, Mommy" and the look of admiration he sometimes gets when he looks at Landon. I smiled because once again, here was a child that will be forever proof of what my love for Jason and his love for me can create.

So, yes, I'm sure I'm a bit hormonal and emotional in this last month of pregnancy. But that's okay as far as I'm concerned. The older your children get, you sometimes lose site of why you had children. When you become a daily referee between their silly arguments, you forget that once they were babies who could do no wrong in your eyes. So, if God was handing me this unexpected moment, I took it with open arms.

Funny thing is when I went into our bedroom, Jason looked to be deep in thought. I asked him what he was thinking about, and he said "Nothing. I'm just looking at the pictures of our boys." I think he was having a bit of a moment just like me.

I cannot tell you how excited I am to lay my eyes on this baby growing inside of me. Her arrival cannot come soon enough, and it has nothing to do with getting the pregnancy over with (believe it or not). It has everything to do with witnessing another miracle and completing this family that has already filled my heart with such joy.

Long live the good emotions of pregnancy!!! :)

I'm in hardwood heaven...

Last Friday, we had hardwoods installed in our living room and dining room. We needed new carpet (that lovely builder's grade carpet just wasn't making it), so we decided to suck it up (moneywise) and get hardwoods. Jason wanted to install them himself, and I would have loved that for wallet reasons; however, time was an issue, and I couldn't have the house torn up with two boys and a baby on the way for very long. So, we hired someone to do all of the work, and I have to admit, sometimes that's just nice. I've included some before and after pictures. We're very happy with it. We've decided to take the house off the market and enjoy the floors before we try again. It's hard for me because I'm just not happy with our location (I need to get back on the west side of the city). However, nothing is really selling right now with our awesome economy, and we haven't had much activity lately, so it's okay. At least I'm happier with the house, and I figure I've been here for four years--I'm sure I can handle another year or two. :)

The "before" pictures of the living room:

The "after" pictures of the living room (Halloween decorations and all):

The "before" pictures of the dining room:

The "after" pictures of the dining room (we need to add some color since we took the rug out of there, but I don't know what I'm going to do quite yet):

Watching a movie with Dad.

Noah's Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

Last Thursday, Noah's preschool went to a pumpkin patch for the day. We got to go on a hayride, walk through the corn maze, and the kids enjoyed playing on the playground and the "corn box".

Another amazing shower

This past Sunday, my sister, sister-in-law, and mom threw a wonderful shower for me and baby Seabolt. The "theme" was ribbons and bows, so the house was decorated with different bows and ribbons that became gifts for our little girl. My sister and mom also made ribbon/bow holders that match her bedding. They will hang on our walls and help complete her room--I LOVE THEM! The house looked amazing and the food was yummy! I can't even explain how much we got at this shower. I was overwhelmed by everyone's generosity! I haven't even unpacked all the gifts because I'm not sure where to start. Besides being surrounded by family and family friends, I had a friend come from South Carolina just for the shower. Julie, a girl I worked with before we moved, drove from Columbia to spend the weekend with us. We had a great time catching up, and I feel so blessed that we can go 4 years without seeing each other, yet it was like we still talked and gossiped every day! Thanks for making the trip, Jules!

Thank you to everyone who attended and a special thanks to Sally, Edie, Morgan, Hannah, and Mom. I can't tell you how much this meant to me. You all made me feel so loved. I'm happy to be bringing a little girl into a family of strong women! :)

Mom, me, Sally, and Edie

Me and my girls (Hannah and Morgan--my nieces)

The table of food (before the hot dishes)

Me and Julie

Debra (my mother-in-law) and Me

Nothing like a trip to the zoo

On Friday, Noah and I joined Heather and Avery for a fun day at the zoo. The kids loved it. My favorite part was when one of the goats decided it was time to do his business and just let it all come out. The kids were right next to him and were absolutely fascinated by this act of nature. As Heather said, the goat was like a pez dispenser. After that, both Avery and Noah went from goat to goat seeing if they too, would give us all a surprise. I laughed so hard. The little things in life make me smile, I swear!

We're friends, right?

Noah looking at the giraffes.

Noah looking for a surprise from the goat.

All aboard the choo-ch0o train!

Sunglasses even on rainy days.

What you don't get more of while pregnant...

When you're pregnant, you gain many things. There's the whole weight thing, the bigger booty, water gain, massive boobies, and bigger circles under your eyes. You get a healthy glow (well, so they say), a unique experience of feeling a baby move inside you, thicker hair (appreciated by those of us with fine hair), help from strangers, and an excuse to get out of things that maybe you just don't want to do. What you don't get is more patience for the little ones that are already in your life. It's been one of those weeks. I have zero patience for my little guys this week. Landon seems to feed off of that and tortures me. I also feel overwhelmed by the things that never end--laundry, a full trash can, dishes, cleaning, etc. When Jason got home last night, I told him I was leaving. He kind of chuckled and said "really?". Yes, really. I finished folding two loads of laundry, emptied and reloaded the dish washer, and then I said "Goodbye. The boys need a bath/shower, and I won't be home until they are in bed." I didn't really know where I was going to go until I realized why not satisfy that craving for beef nachos that I've had all week. So, I went to a Mexican restaurant, ordered some beef nachos, and read my book. ALL BY MYSELF! So, if patience doesn't come with pregnancy, then I'm entitled to a hot plate of beef nachos, a coke, chips, salsa, and time alone to read my book.