Lucky me...I have had three snow days in a row! I have been a "stay at home" mom for three days in a row! YIPPEE!! The boys and I have had a lot of fun together. We baked cookies, played several hours of basketball and just enjoyed some relaxing! Ben had to leave for Ft. Hays State in Kansas on Monday night, so we were left here all alone. Thankfully we have some pretty wonderful neighbors who came to dig me out so I could get out of the garage if I needed to. Ben made it home early this morning around 4 am. All I can say is thank goodness he is no longer the bus driver! The roads are not great still!
The countdown to Christmas is on! Peyton is still hoping he gets a train table and a couple of new trains. However, when he isn't being a good listener...he tells me, "No train table, no Toby, no Edward...you tell Santa."
Ben, Michelle, Peyton and Tate
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Saturday, November 14, 2009
First Game...
Well, last night was Ben's official first game as a head coach. The Bearcats faced off against the Tigers of Mizzou. My dad, Peyton and I left for the game around 3 while Tate stayed home with Grandma Ackerman. (THANKS GRANDMA!). The trip to Columbia took a little over three hours. When we got there it was time to get in our seats and get ready for the game! As we were walking in, the lights were low and they were introducing the Tigers. I must say, at that ponit I got REALLY nervous for Ben and the team and kept thinking, "YIKES! What did we get ourselves into?!?!" However, the game started and the Bearcats looked fantastic. They led for the first five minutes of the game and then were neck and neck for the first half. We obviously didn't get ANY calls from the officials and made some turnovers due to Mizzou's pressure...but for the most part, we did a great job. I was so proud of Ben and the way his team looked tonight. I know that no matter what, at the end of the day, he can be proud of who he has playing for him this year. I am looking forward to the rest of the season and hope that it is a great one! GO BEARCATS!!!
After the game, we drove back to Maryville. We didn't get home until about 1:00, so it was quite a late one for this mom! Mom and Dad stayed today and then left after dinner. It is so nice to be living close enough to have them be able to come down for events like this. Tomorrow, Ben's mom will be coming down and staying until Tuesday for Ben's first home game. Tate will get to go to that game on Monday night!
After the game, we drove back to Maryville. We didn't get home until about 1:00, so it was quite a late one for this mom! Mom and Dad stayed today and then left after dinner. It is so nice to be living close enough to have them be able to come down for events like this. Tomorrow, Ben's mom will be coming down and staying until Tuesday for Ben's first home game. Tate will get to go to that game on Monday night!
Friday, November 6, 2009
New beginnings in Maryville.
Wow. I just read my old posts and so much has changed since I have last written. We are settling in pretty well to all of the changes that have taken place in the past 6 months. I still miss all of my friends in Emporia so much. I feel like part of me is still with them and that I am on vacation and will eventually come back; however, lately, Maryville has started to feel more like "home."
Tate is getting very big... he is already 6 1/2 months old. He has two teeth, can sit up, and has just started to try baby foods. I absoultely love being a mom of two boys. As Tate has become more interactive, Peyton has really embraced his role as the big brother. He talks to Tate and shares toys with him. He is very protective of him and when Ben calls Tate, "Tator Tot" Peyton chimes in and says, "That's not Tater Tot, that's Tate Benjamin." Tate is an extremely happy baby and loves life. He rarely cries...and is full of smiles all of the time.
Peyton and Tate stay home with our two nannies everyday while I am at work. We tried so hard to find a daycare that we both approved of and had zero luck. It is so hard to be new to a town and to find someone you can trust with the most precious people in the world! I was ready to quit my job and be a stay at home mom until we thought of the idea to have college girls come here. We found Kati, our Tuesday/Thursday girl pretty easily since she is dating one of Ben's players. Then, we put an ad on-line through the college and ended up interviewing about eight other girls for Monday/Wednesday/Friday. We were blown away by Natalie...and hired her. They have both been wonderful with the boys and really a blessing in so many ways. I can leave the boys in their jammies and usually come home to see a great art project, freshly baked cookies, and most importantly...very happy boys. :)
I am getting into the swing of a new job. The amazing thing about teaching is that you really can do it anywhere... I have a group of 18 first graders and I can honestly say that I really love being their teacher. They have already learned a lot and I met all of their parents at conferences. My school day is from 7:50-2:40, so I am able to be home by 3:00 on most days. I really feel I have the best of both worlds...I am home with the boys a lot and still have a career.
Ben is hard at work with basketball and is actually at a scrimmage today at Kearney, Nebraska. He is a busy man!!! Hopefully we will have a great first season with him as the head coach! He recently was inducted into the Bearcat Athletic Hall of Fame with his 2001-2002 team. It was SO fun to see all of his old teammates and hang out with the wives following the event. All of the guys are really great and successful in their careers.
Next Friday, the official season will begin. My dad, Peyton and I are going to Columbia to watch the Bearcats against Missouri. (Tate will stay home with Grandma Ackerman) Then, Ben's mom is coming on Sunday and staying for Monday nights game at home. It will be busy once the games start, but more fun for Peyton because he loves to go to games and watch his dad.
And an update on Peyton....he is quite the little man and is always coming up with new sayings, etc. Recently, his word of the day was "imagination" He told me that he would be using his imagination while he played with his trains. My favorite story from about a month ago was when we were eating yogurt when I got home from school and all of a sudden he started running away with the spoon. I asked him what he was doing and he told me, "I'm the dish, Mommy...you know, like hey diddle, diddle..." Then he went to get me the book. Where he comes up with this stuff.... He is a football player and ONLY wears jerseys....except to church, because I told him Jesus likes when little boys wear nice shirts to church. OK, so that was a white lie, I am sure Jesus really doesn't care... We have been having some typical two and a half year old tantrums and have had a serious conversation about Santa. Santa is watching...THANK GOODNESS! So far, we hope that Santa brings us a train table, football gloves (like the players wear), and Bertie the Bus. What a wish list!
I will try my best to keep updating more often! The McCollum house is always a busy one!!!
Tate is getting very big... he is already 6 1/2 months old. He has two teeth, can sit up, and has just started to try baby foods. I absoultely love being a mom of two boys. As Tate has become more interactive, Peyton has really embraced his role as the big brother. He talks to Tate and shares toys with him. He is very protective of him and when Ben calls Tate, "Tator Tot" Peyton chimes in and says, "That's not Tater Tot, that's Tate Benjamin." Tate is an extremely happy baby and loves life. He rarely cries...and is full of smiles all of the time.
Peyton and Tate stay home with our two nannies everyday while I am at work. We tried so hard to find a daycare that we both approved of and had zero luck. It is so hard to be new to a town and to find someone you can trust with the most precious people in the world! I was ready to quit my job and be a stay at home mom until we thought of the idea to have college girls come here. We found Kati, our Tuesday/Thursday girl pretty easily since she is dating one of Ben's players. Then, we put an ad on-line through the college and ended up interviewing about eight other girls for Monday/Wednesday/Friday. We were blown away by Natalie...and hired her. They have both been wonderful with the boys and really a blessing in so many ways. I can leave the boys in their jammies and usually come home to see a great art project, freshly baked cookies, and most importantly...very happy boys. :)
I am getting into the swing of a new job. The amazing thing about teaching is that you really can do it anywhere... I have a group of 18 first graders and I can honestly say that I really love being their teacher. They have already learned a lot and I met all of their parents at conferences. My school day is from 7:50-2:40, so I am able to be home by 3:00 on most days. I really feel I have the best of both worlds...I am home with the boys a lot and still have a career.
Ben is hard at work with basketball and is actually at a scrimmage today at Kearney, Nebraska. He is a busy man!!! Hopefully we will have a great first season with him as the head coach! He recently was inducted into the Bearcat Athletic Hall of Fame with his 2001-2002 team. It was SO fun to see all of his old teammates and hang out with the wives following the event. All of the guys are really great and successful in their careers.
Next Friday, the official season will begin. My dad, Peyton and I are going to Columbia to watch the Bearcats against Missouri. (Tate will stay home with Grandma Ackerman) Then, Ben's mom is coming on Sunday and staying for Monday nights game at home. It will be busy once the games start, but more fun for Peyton because he loves to go to games and watch his dad.
And an update on Peyton....he is quite the little man and is always coming up with new sayings, etc. Recently, his word of the day was "imagination" He told me that he would be using his imagination while he played with his trains. My favorite story from about a month ago was when we were eating yogurt when I got home from school and all of a sudden he started running away with the spoon. I asked him what he was doing and he told me, "I'm the dish, Mommy...you know, like hey diddle, diddle..." Then he went to get me the book. Where he comes up with this stuff.... He is a football player and ONLY wears jerseys....except to church, because I told him Jesus likes when little boys wear nice shirts to church. OK, so that was a white lie, I am sure Jesus really doesn't care... We have been having some typical two and a half year old tantrums and have had a serious conversation about Santa. Santa is watching...THANK GOODNESS! So far, we hope that Santa brings us a train table, football gloves (like the players wear), and Bertie the Bus. What a wish list!
I will try my best to keep updating more often! The McCollum house is always a busy one!!!
Friday, April 24, 2009
Pictures!
Grandpa and the boys
Grandma Mary and Tate
Uncle Joey and Tate
Grandma Anita and Tate
Our first family photo
Welcome to the world, Tate!
In labor...Thursday, April 23, 2009
Tate Benjamin is here
We have had a wonderful and exciting week! On Monday morning at 8:50 am, our little boy, Tate Benjamin arrived after a quick labor. I only had to push three times to get him here and actually feel really good...nothing like I felt after Peyton was born! He weighed 7 pounds 13 ounces and was 20 inches long. We came home on Wednesday morning and are getting used to having a baby again! Peyton is a wonderful big brother who is full of love and kisses for his baby brother. Ben's mom is here this week and next and my mom just left today...we are so lucky to have family who can come help us out since Ben has to be in Maryville!
I will post pictures very soon. I am exhausted and am going to go to bed tonight, but promise to get them on here tomorrow!
I will post pictures very soon. I am exhausted and am going to go to bed tonight, but promise to get them on here tomorrow!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Happy Easter
Today is Easter! We got up and went to 8:00 church....it was packed. It is funny how many people go to church only on Christmas and Easter. Then we got a few groceries at Wal-Mart and came home to see what the Easter Bunny left for Peyton! He had a great time finding all of the eggs filled with money for his piggy bank. We went to an Easter Egg Hunt in Olpe yesterday and he got his share of candy...so we did not want to over do it! It is also Ben's birthday today, so we have been celebrating that all weekend with his favorite red cake! Aunt Judi was here all last week to help me and make sure I was not alone just in case the baby decided to come. She packed up TONS of stuff for us, took great care of Peyton during the day while I worked, and was woderful company. Peyton adopted her as Grandma and called her Grandma everyday. It was very sweet!
We thought maybe the baby would decide to come this weekend, but so far, no such luck. At my doctor's appointment on Wedensday, I was dilated to 3 and 50% effaced....so I really thought the baby might be here by now. He/she has dropped and Dr. Cook was pushing on the baby's head. (SO weird!) My mom is coming down tomorrow to stay with me this coming week, so maybe we will meet this little one soon....who knows! I do know that if I have not had the baby by April 28th, I will be induced, so that is good to know.
I hope you have all had a wonderful Easter! Take care.
We thought maybe the baby would decide to come this weekend, but so far, no such luck. At my doctor's appointment on Wedensday, I was dilated to 3 and 50% effaced....so I really thought the baby might be here by now. He/she has dropped and Dr. Cook was pushing on the baby's head. (SO weird!) My mom is coming down tomorrow to stay with me this coming week, so maybe we will meet this little one soon....who knows! I do know that if I have not had the baby by April 28th, I will be induced, so that is good to know.
I hope you have all had a wonderful Easter! Take care.
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