Lately

-I'm experiencing a bit of pregnancy brain already. I've left drinks on my car three times in the last two weeks and driven off. One being Cameron's water bottle that I later found 3 houses down. (Thanks so much to the neighbors that picked it up out of the street and left it on the sidewalk!)

-I've laughed at myself because: my Grandfather always said that I was "learning how to be a woman" when I was little and sometimes I find myself telling Cameron that he has to "learn how to be a man".  He'll get it eventually, I know I did.

- There's been discussion of what we need to do in the next 6 months to get ready for "Nugget".  We will again be going the surprise route -much to some disappointment from the villagers- so as far as stuff we'll be just fine.  Hand-me-downs are good for the soul. However, there are some family-style things that we need to work out.  Transitioning from a family of 3 to a family of 4 has us thinking about space requirements and we've got some rooms to play with. I'm excited for the projects, but Tim's got a list that he needs some help prioritizing. :)

- Cameron is making some really great friendships at school and it's so cute to watch!

(wearing the construction vest again.)

I know I'm technically posting a picture of a child that's not mine without parental approval (shame on me) but it already has me picturing Cameron after a practice or game!  He's getting so big! Yes, he and his friend "K" are "high-fiving" as they sit in their cubbies. :)

-We've had family in town playing dominoes and laughing into the night.  Best of times I tell ya!

- I'm reading a new Nicholas Sparks book:  The Longest Ride and so far it's really good!

-  Oh yea, my bump. It's here. There's no hiding it really. Apparently what they say is true:  with the second one it's like your stomach knows just what to do already.  I wish I could remember when I started wearing maternity clothes officially with Cameron; I don't think I'm too far away from having to start pulling them out again.

-  It's the weekend and I'm ready! Lots of fun options, we'll just have to see what kind of adventures we get into.

What's In My Bag...

I've been complaining for about a week about how crazy my bag has gotten. Consider the picture above as evidence from earlier in the week at work when I couldn't find my keys. Even though I am anti-hoarding and I like to consider myself organized, when it comes to my family and our way of life, it's not as much about being my purse as it is about being a catch-all for everything and anything we might need in our adventures.

So tonight, after we put Cameron to bed I assessed the situation and pulled everything out. Sheesh.

We've got diapers/wipes, iphone chargers, wallet, keys (multiple sets), toys, a book, sunglasses, vitamins, tampons, peppermint/gum, check books, receipts/coupons, random papers and ear buds.  There is also the very important toothbrush for when Cameron is bored or his teeth are bugging him. Oh and that little polka-dot bag that goes inside my bag, I could do a separate post for what's in that bag but it's supposed to be where the "toiletry" items like lotion/tampons and that kind of stuff go.  As you can see...things don't always end up back in that bag. Honestly, I can't believe that I didn't find any snacks. Cameron must have eaten them all. Haha!

Curious about the random loose change?  Tim thinks it's hysterical to empty his pockets at the end of the day into the bottom of my bag.  mmm hmm. nice huh?!

So, now that I've thrown trash away, filed some of the random paperwork and placed things back into my bag in a somewhat organized fashion, let's see how long it lasts. Any bets or guesses? I'm thinking, by the weekend it's trashed again.

What's in your bag? Anything out of the ordinary?

April Foolish Love.

So remember when I said that I would do the blogtember thing again, yea it never happened.
However, the last two days are fitting with my life right now so I think I'll combine them into one - today! (especially since the cat is out of the bag for the closest of close in our circle of trust!)

Yesterdays topic was to post only photos and the day before that was to write a public love letter to someone in your life. Here goes...

Dear Nugget:

You are such a wonderful surprise! We are thrilled, anxious and totally overwhelmed by the idea of what kind of new and crazy adventures you will bring to our Benton World. We can't wait to see what new dynamic you create for us, and at the same time we already know that you will shock us, because that's the Benton way.  You are loved by your brother; I'll tell you that many times because for a while at least, I'm not sure that he's going to know what to do with you.  You are adored by your Dad, he can't wait to see if he's going to completely outnumber this one woman household, or if he's going to bend at every quake with a little girl in the mix.  You are cherished by me and don't worry I will make sure that you get your own room.  April Fools Day is fun, but a little ironic don't you think? I know, it's also very fitting for our family. The joke is on us and you already get it don't you!? Stay cozy, Nugget. We'll see you soon!

I love you, Mom

Dear Cameron: 

The world is your playground, and for now sharing has been a concept at school.  Punkin', that's all about to change. Take advantage of your space and your toys now. Be prepared for something really new -- a best friend, a stalker, an interruption, a hug, a partner in crime.  You're going to be a great big brother, and if you have any trouble we'll be here to help you.  Nugget is lucky to have you, and will look up to you in the best of ways. Remember to be a good leader and an even better listener.  

Big Brothers are better than superheros.

I love you, Mom

Ok, I admit it.

So...let me take a minute to just go ahead and admit that I stink at this Blogtember thing. It's too much pressure and some of the topics are too instant-mushy, if you know what I mean. I'll try again tomorrow.  I promise. Don't look at me like that. Blogging for me is supposed to be a hobby, not a chore.
Meanwhile, let's catch up with Cameron! :)

He recently learned a new ways to go down the slide... in his dress up construction vest no less!  

SAFETY FIRST!

His Teacher informed us that he wore that construction vest for a good chunk of the day (breakfast, lunch, painting) but finally took it off for nap. Apparently you don't need to be so safe when you're sleeping?

In other news though, this kid is working on some sass! Oh and I'm pretty certain that the terrible two's have started. Although he's not terrible, just cranky and knows what he can get away with. Is it too late to start a time out chair?

We spent the weekend going full speed! We did a vehicle check on everyone's modes of transportation (Cameron's car too), played at a local splash pad (we had to teach Cameron that water-boarding is dangerous) and even fell asleep while eating our lunch.

I should also take this time to confess that I have a bit of an obsession for funny/ironic/vintage tshirts that get people's attention. I mean seriously...this has to make you smile!

This is how Cameron greets everyone each morning. What a ham!

Thanks for letting me catch up on my boy, friends...I don't know about you, but I needed that!

Lost In Walmart...

I know I'm working on this Blogtember challenge, but that doesn't mean I can't tell regular stories too!

www.roadfood.com

Over the weekend, we took a family trip into Marble Falls, TX for Cameron's first trip to Bluebonnet Cafe (it's one of a kind). After his big-as-your-face pancake, we hit the nearest Walmart for groceries and supplies.

Tim was really hoping that we could score some new water toys on sale since it's the "end of the season", but they didn't have much of a selection.

As Tim took a corner, Cameron and I followed and then POOF he was gone. I looked everywhere and rotated the 5 aisles surrounding where we started. He wasn't there. I didn't want to leave the place where we lost each other, since obviously that's where you continue to look.  After 45 minutes of looking like a crazy person between the toy and sporting good aisles, Cameron and I started to talk about what we would do if Tim had just left us there. Sure, I was teasing myself, but then I decided to call Tim's cell phone, no answer. Ten more minutes and I started to walk towards the front of the Super Walmart.  I was terrified I was going to end up on one of those emails -- I swear I'm not a person of Walmart... I just got left here?!

As we got closer to the checkouts, low and behold guess who didn't leave us after all?!That's right, Tim was walking towards us waving!

Hooray! "We're saved" I yelled, "You do love us!!"

(Tim had walked to the groceries because he thought that's where I would have headed. I was so ready to get out of that Walmart, we grabbed the necessities and headed home!)

Dear Abby er Nicole

Today's Topic:  Pass on some useful advice or information you learned and always remembered.
What I consider useful information: *When frosting a cake or cupcake, have a small cup of ice water nearby and before spreading your frosting on top of your cake/cupcake dip it into the ice water. This keeps the cake/cupcake from pulling off at the top. *Vinegar takes the sting out of sunburns. but it smells. *An apple a day keeps the doctor away. (I don't always have an apple, but I do eat fruit every day.) *Poke holes into a baked potato before you put it in the oven *If you lose the back of an earring, replace it with a pencil eraser. *Before cutting into either a butternut squash or a spaghetti squash, place it whole into the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes to soften. Then it's not so hard to cut. *If you love ranch dressing/dips, go out and get a couple of packages of just the seasoning. It makes for a quick meal on just about anything (add it to your hamburger meat before making patties, add it to cooked pasta, add it to chicken)!
My Words of Wisdom: *Listen *Be Present *Karma exists *Dance often. Dance badly. *Believe in something *Pray - I don't really care who it's to *Give everything a realistic perspective *"the perfect life" doesn't exist. Life takes work. and work is hard sometimes. *Sing loud *Get creative and be passionate about something other than your daily grind. *Unplug every once in a while. There's a reason that everything comes with an off switch - we should use it sometimes. *Cherish moments big and small, you never know what could happen next. *When you're having a hard day, find a kid to hang out with. Children are magic. Especially Mine! :)

Bathtub Crayons are so fun!

A Time Out from Life?

Today's Topic: If you could take three months off from your current life and do anything in the world, what would you do? (bonus points for fun photos from Pinterest, but don't forget to cite the source! -- I'm the one person in the free world that doesn't like Pinterest, so don't count on too many bonus points around here.)

Had you asked me this question 2 years ago (BC = before Cameron) I would have answered with one word:  TRAVEL! My dream of dreams is to take a cruise around the Mediterranean and see all that there is to offer. Of course if I had three months and no worries about funding this trip, it'd be even better on my own course, at my own leisure and on my own boat!

Today though? Hmm with Cameron and Tim in tow? I'm thinking a three month time out from life would be spent on an adventure of a lifetime, making memories and traveling the states in RVs and Houseboats.  I want to show them the West Coast: Yosemite, Lake Shasta, the Beach. We can also visit the Mountains in Colorado and make our way to Tennessee for a houseboat tour on Pickwick Lake. Eventually we can round it out to the East Coast and picnic in Central Park, visit the beauty of the Carolina's and maybe - just maybe - end our trip at Disney World!

I can't even begin to imagine how the three of us would manage together for three months traveling the world in an RV.  In my perfect dream there would be reading, vegg-ing, s'mores and fireside chats.  We'd fish and hike, climb trees and ride bikes.  Three months might not be enough time, can I request more? 

Ooooh it sounds way too good to be true!

http://www.justluxe.com/travel/luxury-vacations/feature-1777276.php

I Come From Home.

I'm going to try something new and link up with some other bloggers for what's being called "blogtember". If I stick with it, I'll have a different topic every day and it will be something other than pictures of Cameron all the time -- although I know we all love those! :) Today's Topic:  Where I Come From Where did you come from, where did you go?
Where did you come from, Cotton-Eye Joe?
I come from strong women. I come from hard working men.  I come from great communicators. I come from lovers.  I come from friends. I come from faith and spiritual guidance. Most importantly I come from a family of believers, of laughter and of napkin throwing. My Great-Grandfather and Great-Grandmother started a family based on unity and love. They grew traditions and created bonds with their children that have held on tight through the years. Now years after they've passed, my own Grandparents have raised the bar in our family. There's a sense of pride in knowing what quirks come from who and how although we don't all look exactly the same, there's no denying that we are family. They say that "Home is where your story begins" so I'll say that I come from home: The smell of my Grandma's cooking, the way my Mom always walks me to my car and gives me the best hug when I leave, the laughter in my Grandfather's eyes as he pokes my back to make me sit taller or squeezes my knee in just the right place to make me jump a little.  The pureness of my sisters hearts as we confide in each other, the giggles of Cousins as they watch the "old folks" dance on New Year's Eve, the rally of family that comes together for big moments (and little ones too). I Come From Home.