All I Want For Christmas

So, maybe some of you recently remember Carson's problems not wanting to sleep in his room. At first he claimed he was scared of monsters, and then it turned into the fact that he didn't like his room and wanted a "new room!" Big request from a not even 3 year old huh? Anyways, for weeks, every time someone would ask Carson what he wanted for Christmas, he would reply, "A new room!" Of course, Derek and I both knew that we couldn't give him an actual "new room," but we could make his room look a little more grown up and change things around. We knew just making a few adjustments would make him feel as if he had a whole new room. Carson was sleeping in his toddler bed, which used to be his crib. He had Elmo sheets, blanket, and pillow, and his room was still a little babyish. Here is some idea of what I am talking about, this is his before bed Derek and I decided we would make things a little more grown up for him, go with a twin bed, and new bedding, plus room decor. I shopped around and remember I got that GREAT DEAL at Kohl's on bedding? Well Christmas eve night, we got Carson to sleep in our room and we got busy. We took out his toddler bed, and in return added a twin. We added his new bed set, book ends, and wall decor. Derek changed out his light fixture to a very cute and modern one, and before we knew it, Carson room really did look NEW! Here are some pictures:




I was so proud of how cute everything looked, and could hardly keep myself from waking Carson up right then to show him. Don't worry, I DIDN'T wake him up, but the next morning I was probably more excited than he was to take him to "see if Santa brought a new room!" I told Derek I would go in an wait and then he could bring him in because I wanted to get the look on his face when he saw it for the first time. The look was PRICELESS And his new room was a big hit! He totally loves it, and although I still find him crawling in our bed in the middle of the night, he really has embraced his "new room!"

Christmas was great, I think we all have no complaints. Everyone got things they wanted and it was another blessed year! Praying everyone has a super New Year and a blessed 2010!

Its Tradition

Growing up, I cannot remember our family having very many traditions. I guess we weren't anywhere close to being a typical family, so traditions were not really "normal" for us. The only tradition I can even remember, is the one we did at Christmas. I cannot think of one Christmas, that my mom didn't let us open that one special present on Christmas eve, and we already knew we were opening new pajamas. My mom would always tell us of how her mother did the same thing for her and her siblings as a child, and she really cherished those memories. The point is to open the pj's on Christmas eve so you have these brand new, cute pjs on when you wake up the next morning, and you look cute in Christmas pictures. Now that I am a mom, I wanted to keep that one cherished family tradition going, and do it for my own children. We have faithfully done it every year since Carson was born(Well that has ONLY been three Christmas eves, but STILL...) and I plan to keep it going. This year I went with matching pjs for the boys, because they are now at that wonderful age where it isn't "fair" if one gets a different pair. Rather than having to listen to Carson explain he wants some like "Bubba's" I'd rather just see them in the same pair. So, christmas eve, I handed them those special boxes and sure enough it was..... CHRISTMAS PAJAMAS! Camden LOVED his And both my boys looked ADORABLE!
I decided I wanted to start this "tradition" for my sweet baby girl Peyton too!(Ok so maybe she isn't MINE, but I stillget to spoil her :-) ) So I found the most adorable pair of Pjs and that was out Christmas present to her!

Doesn't she look so stinkin cute? I am going to try and keep this tradition going for her as well, and give her a "special" pair of jammies each year for Christmas!

The Birthday Prince

So my husband was the BIRTHDAY PRINCE yesterday!
and although we had already celebrated his birthday at the "joint party", I wanted to do a little some extra for him on his real birthday. He has done so much for so many, and works so hard, that I knew he more than deserved some special treatment. Since my mom, sister, and brother are in town and staying with us for the holidays, I recruited them to help me. First, we agreed to cook one of his favorite meals. He wanted prime rib, baked potatoes, and rolls. we cooked broccoli too, but that was probably a little more for us than him, because he isn't a fan. Anyways, the food was delicious, and it was truly a feast fit for my birthday prince
Trust me, it was GOOOOOOODDDDD! He was blessed with some gifts, which was special too because I really don't think he was expecting anything. I had already given him the gift I got him at our joint party, but I did get him a really sweet card that told him just how I felt about him and how much he meant to me! My mom and my sister got him some things he was able to open on his real birthday though. My sister got him a GORGEOUS Tommy Hilfiger shirt I love the colors and I know he is going to look GREAT in it, and my mom got him an hour massage, which he he was SO thankful for. He is a macho man, but he LIKES being pampered too! Then it was cake time, and I think this is the part my baby boys had been waiting all night for! Camden was so excited when he saw that beautiful, chocolaty, deliciousness coming his way! Carson helped Daddy blow out the candles and Camden was getting impatient quickly. That impatience turned to total MELTDOWN when he thought he wasn't getting any of that yummy cake

But then after he realized I wasn't the meanest mommy in the whole world, and all I was trying to do was cut him(and everyone else a piece), all was better! Carson was LOVING the cake too, can you tell? All in all I think he had a great birthday. I wish I could of done more for him, but I am pretty sure he was pleased and truly felt like a birthday PRINCE! :-)

I have the BEST

I truly have the best friends and family anyone could ask for. Keep in mind, I said the best, not the most PERFECT! :-)

I love them so much, they make my life special and warm. This past Saturday was our annual "joint birthday party" where we celebrate, Mine, Derek's and his Mom's birthdays. We all get together and eat a good meal, and exchange gifts. I love it, because its not about what everyone is getting, but more about spending quality time together as a family. Usually, its JUST family, but this year I invited Aaron, Stephen, and Peyton too, because at this point I feel like they are just as much family as our really family is. I am glad they came, because it made the night just that much better! Peyton was SUPER happy to be there, as if you couldn't tell from the picture!

For my birthday(even though my birthday is technically not until the 24th) my SUPER, AWESOME, AMAZING, hubby, hired a sitter, took me out to my FAVORITE restaurant(Osaka's) and then took me to the mall and let me pick out a few things I wanted! To me, that is about the BEST gift he could give me. It was so nice being out together, and alone. We didn't have to RUSH out of a store to calm one of our crying children, or worry about diaper changes, it was just about being together and well lets face it, SPOILING ME for the night! I love that he knows JUST what to do to make me happy! Thanks babe!

Tomorrow is HIS actual birthday and I plan on doing something special for him too! Unfortunately for y'all, SHHHHHHHHHHHHH that will have to be a surprise for later. Its nothing SUPER BIG, but just lots of things I want to do to show him how much he means to me!

So totally off that subject, but still talking about the BEST family. I think I got the BEST mommy award Friday, when I made special cookies for Carson's Christmas party at school. Usually, when his school has little parties, they ask each parent to bring something. This year, they asked me to bring Christmas cookies(HOW EASY). I could have picked some already made ones up from the store, but instead I wanted to go that extra mile. I decided I would come up with someone creative and make Carson PROUD! So, I found a cute recipe for some cookies and went to work. Well, in all honestly, I didn't actually MAKE the cookies, but the decoration is ALL ME! :-)

It was lots of fun, and all his teachers just raved about how adorable my "reindeer" cookies were!! Yes, I think I made my boy proud!

Well....for now that is all I have, I will let you know how Derek's birthday goes tomorrow! :-)

Childhood is CALLING :-)

One thing that I absolutely LOVE about having children is getting to relive things through them. There are certain things they do, that put a smile on my face and take me back to my own childhood. Take for example these pictures:
I can totally remember as a child making bubble beards and mustaches. Those are the great things about being young, you basically LIVE off your imagination. You can turn something into an adventure. I miss that! I haven't made a bubble beard in many years haha, but its nice that I can still enjoy that innocence and imagination through my children.

I can also remember loving to make pallets as a child, and snuggle up to my mom, dad, or sibling. When my boys do it, I think its the most precious thing in the world. I love seeing them all curled up, with a blanket, watching some cartoons. I am so glad I had them so close together. I know when I was pregnant with Camden, I was very uncertain of how things were going to play out. I had this somewhat guilty feeling that Carson was going to hate me and that he would completely resent this new little brother I was bringing into his life. Boy am I glad that was just those LOVELY pregnancy hormones talking! Not only is that not even close to being true, its actually the complete opposite. These two boys couldn't be more crazy about each other! Isn't it obvious?
Ya, I'd say it's pretty undeniable! And aside from Camden's beat red cheeks, I don't think ANYTHING could come between them :-)

Speaking of nasty red cheeks, Camden's skin seems to be taking this winter far worst than last year which totally STINKS! Infact, with the recent FROST we had, Camden awoke one morning to these lovely, rashy, itchy legs
I hate that he is still having to suffer with this junk, and if I can ever figure out what triggers it(other than cold weather), he and I would both be alot happier. For now though, I am just keeping him SUPER lubed up and moisturized.

Christmas is rapidly approaching and I am almost ready! I have sent out my christmas cards, got our tree up(even if it is our small one) and I am 90% DONE shopping. I must admit, I was not happy about having a very small tree again this year. See, the problem is we have very large leather furniture, and no where for a big tree to go. I was still holding out hope that this year though, that we'd find a place for a big, beautiful, decorated tree to fit, but after much thought I knew it just wasn't going to work. BOY AM I GLAD IT DIDN'T!!! As beautiful as it may have been, I am already spending LOTS of time during my day smacking little hands and explaining that the ornaments are NOT balls. I can only imagine what I'd be doing if the big tree was up. So I will settle for our, little, but CUTE tree and that will be just fine with me!! December is a crazy month for us though, so even though I am on a break from school, I am really not "breaking" at all. With 4 family birthdays this month(including Mine, Derek's, and his mom's) we are spending lots of time AND money on family this time of year. I love it though, and even though this month is always hectic, its so nice to be all about FAMILY and Fellowship during the season. One thing for SURE though, I have vowed to make sure I try VERY VERY VERY hard to not bring another December baby into the family. I think December is a full enough month for us, DONT YOU?! :-)

Sleep positions

My little bear can sleep just about anywhere, and in just about any position! It never fails to amaze me how I may find him sleeping in his crib(or other RANDOM places!) I try to grab my camera and take a picture each time because they are the CUTEST memories! Now I will share some of his many sleeping positions with you! :-)

Camden sleeping before I could get lunch to him!


Asleep at the crib in the hotel. Obviously he fell asleep while sitting up to end up in this position!


I love this one! His little feet where sticking straight through the rails!


Oh and lets not forget the infamous BUTT IN THE AIR position! Got to LOVE it! :-)


This last one was in the car on the way to Orlando. Doesn't he look so precious and sweet?

Mr. Novembers and Twins!

Thanksgiving was AWESOME y'all!! We did things a little different this year and although sometimes change can be a bad thing, this year it was absolutely AMAZING! Typically, we head over to Derek's Mema's Thanksgiving evening and enjoy food and family time. We talk, laugh, EAT, and go home. This year however, Scott(my brother in law's) mother Cheryl, offered to do it at her house, and let us all just come eat there and bring a dish. I was elated because I absolutely LOVE going to Cheryl's house. Not only is it only about 2.5 seconds from my own house(Which is convenient when the boys pee their pants, or need a jacket, or you forget your camera haha), but its just beautiful, big, and has lots of yard for the kids to run and play. I look VERY forward to any event I know will be at her house because she just does such a fantastic job putting things together. She hosted my baby shower with Camden, and all her get togethers are just adorably decorated and so fun to be at. So, Thanksgiving day, I made green bean casserole and Pumpkin Ooey Gooey Butter Cake. BOTH were a hit, but the Cake was truly the winner. Let me just say it's PAULA DEAN approved, and leave it at that lol. I probably could of enjoyed it myself alot more if I didn't make it. Something about seeing the two sticks of butter, whole bag of powdered sugar...you get the picture, made me feel about 10lbs heavier from just MAKING the darn thing! Anyways, all the food was delicious. We ate like Kings and Queens, but the best part was all being together and enjoying each others company. I love this time of year! My boys(all three) were looking VERY handsome that day. I swear if they made a baby HUNK catalogue(they probably DO), Camden and Carson would HAVE to be Mr. Novembers!



Friday, I woke up early(VERY EARLY) to go shopping with my best friend Aaron! We hit Target and Kohl's and I feel we got some GREAT deals! Carson has been having a very difficult time at night, and swears he doesn't want to sleep in his room. He says he wants a "new room", which to me sounds like a BIG request from a *ALMOST* 3 year old. None the less, his daddy and I decided that for Christmas this year, we couldn't give him a NEW ROOM, but we COULD make it a little more grown up for him. So, when I found the CUTEST 6 piece bedding set at Kohl's for $30 I could NOT pass it up! That is right $30 for this: It regularly is $99.00. Today as I got on just to SEE if I got a good deal its already back up to $55! So yes, I snagged that adorable bedding all for $29.99, and it was indeed a GOOD DEAL! I also got some other good gifts that were on sale and I am ALMOST completely done with my Christmas shopping. While in Kohl's, Aaron and I were approached by a news crew to do an interview. We of course agreed and we MADE the 6 o'clock news. YES, we are now famous and who knows "The HILLS" may be calling us to be their next big things! ;-)! You can watch the interview at this address:http://www.wctv.tv/video/?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=4337796&flvUri=&partnerclipid=
Keep in mind it was like 6 in the morning, we weren't exactly READY for our close ups! :-)

On a different note. I know I have mentioned it before, but I frequently get asked if the boys are "twins." Although, I think they resemble, I do NOT think they look even close to being identical twins. Carson has alot more hair at this point and its very blonde. Camden's hair is a few shades darker and he is a good 3 inches shorter than Carson. Still, at least once a day if I am out with both boys, it never fails that someone will walk up to be and say, "Aww your twins are adorable!" or "Wow, are they twins?" Lately though they are actually really ACTING like twins. Sometimes it's Camden acting way more GROWN up than he really is, and wanting to do the things his big brother does. Alot of times, its CARSON acting Camden's age again and wanting to be "A Baby" as he calls it.
Yes, there is he trying to go back to his younger days. Camden isn't sure WHAT TO think of it. I know its just a stage, but I just try and remind Carson that being the big boy has its perks too! So, although I know they aren't twins, many days I feel like they REALLY ARE!

It's beggining to look ALOT like Christmas!

And it TRULY is! I love so many things about the holiday season and I honestly pretty much LIVE for this time all year long. I love the crisp cool weather, the changing leaves, the smile on everyone's faces. I LOVE the awesome food, the time with family, and the beautiful lights and decorations everywhere! I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR!! I have so much to be thankful for, and I have truly been one blessed women this year! I am a NURSING student, mommy, wife, I have great friends, A great family......life is GOOD! I have to admit there are certain things I absolutely LOATHE about this season too! Like uhhh hmmmm Exhibit A:
Camden's oh so infamous red cheeks! Ugly old Mr.Eczema is trying to rear his little head, but Mommy here is staying on top of it and doing everything she can to prevent that from happening. I am coating those cheecks day and night and so far he isn't making TOO much of an appearance yet! Exhibit B:...Wait on second thought I won't even SHARE this grusome image with yall, but exhibit B would be nasty ear infections! I cannt STAND them. Since Camden has had his tubes put in, we have been blessed and not seen the first sign of an ear infection until yesterday when he woke up with the grossest thing you have just about ever seen pouring out of his ear. I was truly horrified and after a visit to his Dr. I was told Camden indeed had an ear infection! Last winter was SO brutal on little Cam's ear that we ended up with tubes. Although, I know the tubes are doing their job by releasing all that pressure out of his little ears, I truly hope we don't go through all the ear infections we dealt with last year! Thank goodness now though, I know what to expect and won't FREAK OUT next time I see that nasty gunk oozing out of his ears. I think I just hate sick babies all together.

I think I hate my babies being sick, because when they are all well, LOOK how darn cute they are??!
I am so thankful for those precious little faces!!! I am also thankful for their daddy who takes care of us and supports us both financially and emotionally! WE LOVE HIM TOO! :-)

Yes, our family has all around had some very ROCKY times this year, we have been hit with some hard blows, but non the less my list of "things to be thankful for" is still VERY long and I know that I am blessed beyond belief!!!

Its OFFICIAL

So it is official. I am an acceptee to the 2010 R.N program at SWGTC! I am super excited and anxious to start. It is hard to fathom that in 18 or so short months I will be H.Godwin R.N! WOW! Dreams really do come true, and I am seeing the light at the end, even if the END is 18 months away! I know it will be hard, I know I am going to want to give up sometimes, I know there will be things that try and stand in the way, but I am determined and I will succeed!

I knew WHEN I got accepted there were alot of kinks that would/will have to be worked out for me to get in. There are so many things that could prevent me from doing what I need to do, but I gave them all to God and I trust he is going to provide. If you are lost and wondering what I mean, let me explain. Well first the medical stuff(physical, dental exam, blood work/testing, shots) alone will cost me $500. Then there is the uniform costs, books, and medical supply kit which I am estimating will probably cost me around $1000. Oh and did I mention we will be adding another DAY care bill because Camden will be starting Noah's ark around the time I am starting the program too? Then raises the question, since we have ONE vehicle which we can all fit it, how will Derek be able to pick the children up from daycare when I am working those LONNNGG clinical hours? For all practical reasons we need another vehicle which fits our family, but that is a WHOLE NOTHER subject lol! Yes, all this needs to be done right now, before I start my program and its Christmas time. Derek, his mom, and I also have birthdays coming up in December, so without all this EXTRA stuff, December is a very expensive and hectic month for us!. Derek jokingly asked, "How does a physical sound for Christmas babe?" I laughed, but in all honestly, its probably what I SHOULD Be asking for. I am trusting God. I am trusting he will provide. I told myself If I got accepted I would let NOTHING stand in my way, and that is the truth. I will find a solution to ALL those things and I will let God lead the way. To top things off, yesterday, our one family vehicle, breaks down. My husband feels confident he can fix it himself, but that is something else that is going to need money. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Ok sorry, but I do feel much better now that I screamed loudly one good time! Anyways, so yes, this is what is going on at the Godwin home. Stressful times, but very thankful times too! I am so thankful that my hard worked paid off, that my good grades made the difference, that this past year of homework and studying was all WORTH IT! I know I will probably look back 2 years from now and say, "GOSH what was I soo stressed about?" but until then can y'all just pray for some financial MIRACLES and for all things to fall into place?!

I am so PROUD

This will be probably another one of my *RANDOM* ramblings, but try to bare with me! :-)

I am so proud! So very, very proud of my husband. Some of you know, and some of you don't, that Derek's dads health has taken major blows recently. Because of this, my husband has stepped up to the plate, not only carrying the load of his usual everyday work, but also all that his dad usually handles too. From bidding jobs, to doing invoice, Derek is doing it all! I am so proud of him. He is handling everything so well, and I just am amazed at how easily he has just stepped into his new role. God has truly blessed me with an amazing husband who is so mature and able to handle so much! It is so amazing how God puts two people together who complete each other. Derek is the voice of reason, I am the worrier. Derek is the go with flow guy, I am the planner. Derek is very responsible, I am sometimes careless. All my weaknesses are his strengths and vice verse. AMAZING! Only God could match people so perfectly to complete each others needs so well! :-)

Only 3 weeks left of this quarter, and I am SO ready for it to end. I need a break and I will get a nice LONG one after this. A whole MONTH and it is going to be such a wonderful time with family and lots of good relaxation( I hope)!! That is probably a very good thing because next quarter I should(GOD BE WILLING), start my actual nursing classes. I know this is going to be a lot more work, a lot more school hours, a lot more studying and I need this nice break to get geared up to take this on! So, I need to make it through these last three weeks, and then I will be good to go!

The boys are doing good! Carson was really sick last week, but is all back to his old self now. It was pitiful to see him so sick, but I did get some very good snuggle time out of him. Not that I enjoy a sick child, but I have to admit I love the way "Mommy time" seems to make them feel so much better! It makes me feel good too! :-) We had some family pictures done, and can I just say they came out AMAZING! If you haven't seen them, you can check them out here: They came out SO amazing, and that isn't even ALL of them. The others will be shared later, I'm saving our family one for Christmas cards so that one will stay a surprise until the cards get send out!

Well better get to do some homework!......Yep, more ramblings

My heart could BURST!

I am so incredibly blessed that sometimes I think my heart is going to burst! SERIOUSLY! There are so many things I have going for me, and I could go all day listing things that I know God has blessed me with, but today I just want to share a few that have stuck out lately. God has blessed me with two GORGEOUS children. I look at them and I know I am blessed. They are healthy and beautiful and I am so lucky! I took these pictures of Camden the other day, and when I look at them I cannot help, but admire how beautiful of a child he is. His little face is so angelic and he is just one handsome little guy! I don't mean that in a completely superficial way either, He is handsome inside too(keep in mind here, I said HANDSOME...NOT perfect! haha) He has the silliest and sweetest personality sometimes, and although he does have a flare for the dramatics, I am so glad he is MINE!


Then I look at Carson, and although I think he is AMAZINGLY gorgeous too. That child has a heart of GOLD! Unless, you know him personally you probably don't truly know how special he is! I realize all parents think their child is special, but Carson has this personality that is like no other, and I cannot think of one person that doesn't meet him and fall in love! He is always doing the sweetest things. Today for example we were at his MiMi's house and he asked for a Peanut Butter and Jelly. I told her she could make one and half it for the boys. She made it and asked Carson who was going to get the first half...he sleflessly said, " Give it to Bubba!" At 2 and 1/2 years old my sweet boy is willing to give his brother the FIRST half of his favorite food! My heart could of burst right then! :-)
The other night I told Carson he needed to go to bed. I tucked him in and left the room. Thirty or so minuites passed, and I realized his light was on. As I rounded the corner to see what he was doing, I found him in his bed reading his little toddler bible. He was reading(in his own little way)to his little stuffed animals! I ran to grab my camera because that is something I want to remember forever!
Yea you guessed it, my heart could of burst right then with love! I am a mommy to two quite amazing little boys! :-)