"The face of a child can say it all. Especially the mouth part of the face."

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Another update!

Welp, we're plannin' the Tot's 1st birthday party this week! Can you believe it!? I sure can't! (If you haven't recieved an invite, and wanna come, please let me know - I feel like I'm forgetting someone totally important!! I know most of ya'll can't come, but I wanted to make sure everyone got an invite more so just to ANNOUNCE his birthday)! The past year has just flown by - much like my past (almost) 26 years - and it really make me stop and think just how precious each moment is... each little second! I can't get enough of Tatum's laughter and grins, and I try my hardest to commit each little expression, each giggle, each dimple-bearing cheesy grin to memory - 'cause he'll be a teenager before I know it! And likely telling me I'm ruining his life with my extreme un-coolness. *SIGH* These little, wonderful, "can't live without you mommy!" moments NOW are what I'll cling to to help me survive the upcoming teenage years! Though, it's SUPER hard to fathom having a teenager at this point! SO weird!! If there's ever a time ya need to put your trust in God - its' definitely when your kids are teenagers. I don't even have one yet, and I know it! All ya can do is "raise them up in the way they should go!" And pray. Pray A LOT! :)

Stephen and I are greatly looking forward to our tax return this year. We're expecting to be impressed, as this is the BIG year - we get to file jointly as married for the first time, AND we have Tatum, our little "tax deduction." In addition, we get that economic stimulous moola Bush is givin' out! Most of the money we have sensible plans for, but have decided thatwe should use a little of it for what it's been given to us for: stimulating the economy! Steve has had his heart set on a dirt bike (via craigslist.com, of course, used)! Which he got, is in love with, but has yet to ride! And I am stoked beyond all reason to get a new, quality, (almost professional grade), digital camera! You wouldn't believe how much I miss photography! The one thing that kept me loving Delta College... photo 101. You didn't even have to sign up/pay for the class! No one knew, you just WENT IN and used the darkroom whenever you wanted! No one asked any questions! Horrible, I know... but GEEZE, at least have a sign-in sheet or someone checking student I.D.'s and class lists on your way in! It'll be different getting back into photography this time though. I'll be swapping darkroom hours, printing images by after several test prints to finally getting it right - to hours playing with all the effects & editing a photo program will offer me on my computer! I plan to REALLY get back into it though - and in the future, possibly making it more than a hobby. (You know, in my spare time NOT running a home-based business office)!

Speaking of, Stephen and I are getting closer and closer to taking over Doc's of Denver - carpet & upholstery cleaning (and rugs, tile & grout - cleaning & sealing)! Its great to see Steve so excited about it - we're both looking forward to it VERY much! Owning our own business is something we both REALLY want for our family. Sure, we never thought carpet cleaning would be our future, but owning a business is something that is very desireable to both of us... and we plan on making the most of it! Steve has been working hard, "doing his homework," soaking up any and all extra knowledge and info about the business, as well as brainstorming some excellent ideas for improvement and future expansion. He's pumped to put his degree in business & marketing into more action! He's very focused and driven. (I love a man with such ambition)! He's such a dedicated husband & daddy... he takes such good care of Tatum n' me! It'll be hard work & a big transition for our family, but we've prayed diligently about it, will continue to - and we know that everything is in God's hands. We're ready for the change AND the challenge!

Tatum still has a toothless little grin, but I've heard that the longer they take to show up, the better. Don't really recall WHY or where I got the information (mom, I think?), but I know I heard it! Something about them being healthier, I think. Anyways, he's crawlin' faster & into trouble faster n' a speedin' bullet! And he's gearin' up to start walkin'! He's been lettin' go of things when he's standing to just practice being on his legs on his own and is an expert "cruiser." He finally likes to hold your hands and take steps while you lead him, and he'll use anything and everything that'll roll or slide as a "walker" to get around and practice his new skills. Amazingly, he's kind of over food/eating - there is SO much PLAY he'd rather do. I honestly think his food intake has been cut in half lately! Its WEIRD! For myself - I'm gearin' up to wean him from the whole nursing thing. Soon as his birthday hits, we're cuttin' out feedings, one at a time, until he's done! My goal was a year, and I made it! He should be completely weaned by at least two months after his birthday - at the latest! While I'm looking forward to the inconvienience of it being over, I'm sad to be losing the extra burning of calories nursing naturally provides! :( Also, I'm hoping my "God given bottles" get drastically smaller in size... 'cause DANG, MOMMA! :)

Anyways! (T.M.I., I know)!! :) I forgot to tell you about the house we plan to put an offer in on in the next couple weeks! We had thought we would end up purchasing Steve's boss' house & continue to run the business out of it as they are now, but after much thought & discussion - we want THEM to get a good deal for their house. And considering the current market & the existance of a little more desperate sellers, we'd like to take advantage of that and get a good deal as well, ya know? So, thinking about the needs of both the business, and the needs & wants in a house for our family (and future growth of it!), we found a house that suits our desires! So, trying to keep the description shorter and simpler, here ya go: 2 story house with unfinished basement (needed to clean area rugs), 3 bedrooms (upstairs), laundry room (upstairs!), 3 car garage (needed for vans, but will need to be insulated & heated) with large open loft above (perfect for the office/playroom for Tatum) & the usual (living room, kitchen w/island, dining room + formal dining room), total of 4,000 finished sq. ft. - not too shabby, eh? It started out listed close to 400, but is currently listed at 320. There's some not-so-hot stuff about it, which is why we plan to offer around 305 to 310-ish. It sits on a dirt lot (absolutely NO landscaping lf any sort), is close to a major street (Wadsworth) and highway (C470)... BUT, those things happen to be GREAT for the business. Plus, it allows us to landscape/plan the lot as we need to for running business smoothly, creating a great, grassy backyard/play area for Tatum & a good-sized dog run for Chili & Queso. A lot of our desires we can and might write up in a contract with our offer. We're VERY excited - even though we know we have to wait a bit to find out what's going to happen! I'll be SURE to keep everyone posted! Now, the house isn't perfect - there's some things we'd like to change/update (countertops, carpeting - we'd like hardwood in some areas, paint, etc.) - but nothing at all is a necessity & we can do that all as time and money allows). Its a GREAT house that we see spending many MANY years in. :)

Alright, that's all I have to offer for now! Sorry that this update is shorter that most in the past & lacks my usual humor & wit - but I can't make ya'll happy ALL the time! :) And I still didn't tell you about leaving the sun roof open in the trailblazer & coming out the next morning to find it full of snow, about my thoughts on fossil fuels not being created by actual fossils AND why spitting sunflower seed shells out your car window while driving over 15mph is NOT a good idea. Hee hee!

Take care! Sure do miss & love you all!

- Lindsay

P.S. - I think I'm gonna start giving out my movie and/or music recommendations! See and/or read "Into the Wild." Excellent, excellent stuff! Also, vote for Jason Castro on American Idol! :) He's my fave. :)

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Nuggets Meet and Greet!

Tonight Steve and I took Tatum to a meet and greet at the downtown (Denver) Aquarium. Steve and a friend had split a ten-pack of games (technically season tickets) and the meet and greet was part of the deal towards the end of the Nuggets season. Food and drinks were provided and you got to, of course, "meet and greet" some of the Denver Nuggets players while exploring the Aquarium! We didn't get photos with everyone we would have liked to. Either they were swarmed and busy or on their way moving through the Aquarium. It was great for the kids - they got to say hi to their favorite players and have photo opps. It was fun - and amazing to see all the players. Freakishly tall, most of them. I felt like such a midget! We had a great time - and Tatum ADORES "fishies!" I'm posting some of the photos and I will put up a new blog to update you on everything else soon!

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

First Blogger'd Update Entry!

Family & Friends,

I thought this update should be informational... educational, even. Change things up a bit. After all, too much entertainment isn't good for you, right? Isn't that what "they" say? Or is it too much TV isn't good for you? Whatever! Anywho... I DO know that "they" say you should learn something new every day! So my goal for this particular update is to at least fill up a weeks worth so you don't have to strain your brain trying to pick up anything else. :) Below I have composed a list of lessons (chapters, if you will, as my updates tend to be novel-length) that you will find highly useful... if not for you, for someone you know and love! Pass the epiphanies on! I can touch the WORLD through these updates, I just know it! Alright... without further adieu... the list:

1. Your husband and a pellet gun is never a good situation.
2. It's okay to cry it out.
3. Letting the laundry pile up is a GOOD thing.
4. Text messages can and will be used against you.
5. Driving just 2 miles can turn into a $650 joy ride.

1. I'm pretty sure I didn't include it in my first email... so its up for discussion now. Especially because we can now all throw our heads back and laugh at the whole situation (namely, my husband), since its over with! It was a super-sensitive subject at first, even though I honestly thought it was funny from the get-go (but sad at the same time I was laughing)... but yeah... husbands and pellet guns are an extremely bad combo. I think this is definitely one of the most important tid-bits I could ever give out to others. I just knew it, too, ya know? Standing in line at Walmart with a $13 plastic see-thru pistol, target included, and a jar of over 500 neon green plastic bb's... this could only be trouble once in the hands of a "big boy." Sure enough, I was correct in my assumption. I was nannying that fateful night... the three boys I've been with since about August. Stephen was home with Tatum (giving me a quasi-break) and I was talking to him on the phone to check in and see how Tatum had been... if he had gone to bed easily or not. Our brand new, LCD flat screen, bought with our wedding money, hanging-on-the-wall TV heard in the background, Stephen briefly told me Tatum had been fine and moved on to talking about how cool his gun was. All of a sudden I heard him say, (and pardon my french - and his!) "Oh, sh**." And I knew. I just knew. You probably know, too - without me even having to say it. So I said, "What happened?" Stephen said, "I'm an idiot!" I said, "What did you do?" He said "sh**" again. "Sh**. Sh**. Sh**." "WHAT DID YOU DO?!" I said louder. He said nothing. So I said: "You shot the TV, didn't you?" He responded, "Yes." Long story short, the tiny neon green plastic pellet hit the very VERY top of the screen to the left of smack dab in the center. Oh, how we marveled about it having been just a fraction of an inch higher and it would have bounced off the FRAME instead of the screen. Let me tell you, those screens are durn sensitive. And after much research we discovered that we might as well replace the whole TV 'cause repairing it would cost almost the same as a new one! I tried to make Steve feel better... I mean, I knew he didn't mean to do it or want to! Who would?? I even continued to watch TV... with the big 3-inch thick black line going down the screen... it was off-center, so it wasn't completely unbearable, ya know? With the TV off you couldn't even tell it was damaged, physically. Stephen, however, couldn't stand it. So, to make this long story short: The TV's been replaced. (And not by anymore wedding money)!

2. After six months of virtually little to NO sleep at all... I couldn't take it anymore!! Tatum was making just a single PEEP, and I was in there, trying to get him to calm down/go back to sleep. He seemed to be having "night terrors" (have you heard of these?? SCARY!!), and after googling zillions of pages on it - he fit almost every single category for having them! Apparently... it was due to LACK OF SLEEP!! If I haven't told you already - its was horrifying to get Tatum to take a nap, thus, leading to his "night terrors." Stephen and I had been wanting to try the whole "cry it out" thing... but were concerned that in our small condo, sharing walls with neighbors... that he could surely be heard at night. And we didn't want anyone pelleting our cars with eggs or leaving their dog's poo on our doorstep, with unpleasantly fragrant flames dancing upward from a brown paper sack. And so FINALLY, I left a note on our neighbors door, inquiring about the possible noise situation. Later that day, our super-nice neighbor lady knocked on the door with her son and informed us that Tatum indeed, shares his bedroom wall with her son's, but NOPE - they couldn't hear a durn thing! Man, was I ever kicking myself for not asking sooner! It was SO on! I immediately went out and bought ear plugs, and we prepared ourselves for the "cry it out" strategy! The first night we let him cry was relatively early, around 9p.m., so we went about doing laundry and cleaning as Tatum bellowed for us from his crib. Amazingly, after about 20 minutes... we didn't hear a thing! So I crept in his room, and peered into his crib. I almost burst out laughing and stumbled out of the room to get Steve to come check it out. Poor little thing was SO tired... sitting up crying... that when he finally crashed, he fell straight forward - right into his lap! He looked folded in half! So after muffling our laughter, we stretched out his little legs and covered him up. And he STAYED asleep! (For at least longer than usual)! Luckily, after a few days of repeated waking and cryin-it-out spells, he got it. Now, for a month or so, he's been sleeping through the night!! He'll go to bed around 9 or so... maybe wake ONCE to nurse... but other than that - he's out 'til around 7:30! Its WONDERFUL! (Okay, so I'd like him to sleep in a LITTLE more, but I can't complain when he now naps AND sleeps through the whole night)! Yay sleep!! :)

3. So... most babies like to play, right? With toys and such. Baby things. Well, not our kid. And please let me know if any of yours were, too. Tatum is obsessed with the dog toys & bones, various laundry items (mainly SOCKS) and the piles of it in the hallway, and boxes of Kleenex. I don't know why or where it came from... but he is OBSESSED! He will drag around a sock with him all day and night! He giggles and rolls around in piles of laundry, buries his little face in it, and is all smiles when he sees it. So... for future birthdays, Christmas, or any other gift time - boxes, socks and dog toys of his very own would have him in heaven!

4. I'd like to advise everyone NOT to send text messages to people that may end up as blackmail later. I TOTALLY made a mistake in sending one to Stephen that he was able to "lock" in his phone so it cannot be erased. (I need this feature on MY phone). He told me he's never deleting it, in case I try to deny saying it. *SIGH* Now, most of you know, I've grown up with cats. As far back as I can remember, we've always had at least THREE cats in our house. I LOVE cats! Well, sadly, I have apparently given up the right to ever own one... I made the mistake of sending Steve the following text message: "Oh my gosh - these digital cameras are AMAZING! And amazingly expensive... but I would give up ever owning a cat if I had one!" Tsk, tsk, Lindsay. Craigslist, eBay. All of which you can find amazing deals on such items. I didn't realize that. Nor that I should have added some "fine print" saying this camera of mine must always be in working condition, etc. or my cat comment becomes null and void. Stupid, stupid, stupid! So yes, looks like I see a really nice Cannon professional quality digital camera in my near future. And no cat. :(

5. So last Friday I was pulling out of our parking spot in our condo complex to head to my in-laws to pick up a package that had arrived for me in the mail. The car felt and sounded kinda funny, but STUPIDLY, I just thought it was a huge chunk of ice in one of the wheel wells, 'cause that's what's typically wrong when it's sounded/felt like that before. PLUS, when pulling out, a HUGE chunk did fall off of one wheel well. So I continued to drive. I pulled to a stop at a light, waiting to turn left, and some lady scared the bajeezus outta me when she knocked on the driver's side window. After catching my breath, I rolled the window down part way and she told me, "Your rear tire is pretty low." I said, "It is?? Thanks!" I called Stephen as I contined to my in-laws. It seriously isn't even a two mile drive to their house. We decided I'd just check it out when I got there. So I did - and "pretty low" was definitely an understatement!! It was so completely flat, it's not even funny. So, long story short again - I learned how to change a tire, and discovered that driving on a tire that flat isn't good for the car... and once you do so, you can't just replace the one tire... you have to replace ALL FOUR. This, we did. Brand new tires? $650. Learning how to change a tire AND learning a lesson?? Priceless. Actually - no. 'Cause it cost $650!! Anyways... I religiously check all four tires now before driving any car anywhere. Yuck.

Final Notes: We had some great vacations as of recently! Tatum & I visited California for a short weekend... and yes, I KNOW, I didn't tell anyone! It's only 'cause the time I was there before I didn't get to spend ANY time with just my family. Seriously. I'm not even stretchin' the truth! Unfortunately, we both got sick - as we always do... but we're better now, so I don't wanna even think about it! After California, we headed a couple days later to Oklahoma to visit the Pawelka family... Jared, Sara and their new baby girl, Mary Caroline. Despite being sick, we had a great time with them. We miss them a lot, so it was nice to spend some time with them! Tatum's favorite part? Mary Caroline's socks. :) (Thanks, P family)! Now we're home, back into our 'ol routines... workin' and such, payin' bills!

Valentine's Day is tomorrow... and our very first anniversary is Sunday!! :) I can't believe it's been a year already! Time really does fly! We couldn't be happier or more in love. ("Awwww")! Seriously... I have the most amazing husband! (And doesn't he have a pretty kick-@$$ wife)!?! Fo' sho'!

Alright, fam & friends... I gotta get to bed! Hope you are enjoying the new way to present updates! Give me some feedback, will ya? Much appreciated!

All our love,

Lindsay, Stephen & Tatum Small

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Welcome All!

Hi all! Welcome to our very new, very own blog - The Small Family Post ! This is where I will be "blogging" any and all updates of Small family happenings, words of wisdom (though some might not consider them so), photos, etc. - for your enjoyment! I hope you find this site easy to navigate... I'm just learning myself, so I probably can't answer any questions just yet! Would love if this note finds you and yours happy and healthy! I WILL send emails to notify you of any updates to The Small Family Post! All our love! - Lindsay, Stephen & Tatum Small