Holy Cow, here comes the new year!!!!!

I can't believe that 2008 is almost over {almost means in 3 hours!!} Crazy! This year really came and went. Of course - like normal, we are sitting at home celebrating the best way we know how - blogging and putting Christmas decorations up! I know, we are such wild, party animals!

2008 has been a great year . . . .

Hudson will be starting preschool in January! He is in remission and looking healthier than ever {if you know what I mean - steroids have really "pumped" him up - haha!} He talks constantly - this boy actually had a speech delay? And the things he says . . . WoW! He can live off of white cheddar cheez-its. And will only drink out of "his" cups.

Carson is Mr. Serious . . . truly an old man at heart. At one point we thought he was the out going one . . . I don't know when it changed, but you better wear a suit when you're dealing with this man. All business, all the time! His favorite food is popcorn and he will pick apple juice over any other drink anytime of the day! He goes down the stairs like a penguin AND we definitely DO NOT smile for pictures!


Lawson is Mr. Sensitive. He is obsessed with numbers and will sit and read books for hours. While sleeping, you usually can't see him in his bed for ALL the stuffed animals. He repeats every last 2 words of every sentence you say and he shows signs of creativeness. He is the snuggliest of all the kids and the best eater!


Emsley, well what can I say . . . I finally got a girl. All pink all the time {okay, except for this Christmas picture above.} This is one happy baby. She has officially moved into her big girl car seat and she still wears 3-6 month clothes {she is 9 months!} She stands up holding on to things, but has made no effort to cruise around furniture. She is usually very content and rarely gets upset. And is constantly entertained by the boys. She has no teeth and cracks the best smiles when she sees the camera!

Yeah, this was a really great year for me.

I've heard Him called many things, but this is a new one . . .

During the hectic rush of Christmas, I did the big 'no-no' - I painted in front of the kids - during the time I should have been spending with them!

While painting, all the boys were sitting at the table playing with play-doh. I barely talked to them, because mostly they were playing amongst themselves. I didn't really feel the need to interrupt with my blabbering, so I didn't!! I have no idea what Hudson said up to this point {and really there is no telling} but I heard him say,

"And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Pizza."

I didn't look up at all. I about peed on myself, but I didn't look up. I said, "you mean 'Prince of Peace'?"

He then said, "Prince of Peace and Prince of Pizza."

I'm thinking - only on Friday nights! Because me and my house always eats pizza on Friday nights.

This is a child I'm raising.

Let's hope he runs our country one day?!



hysterical!

Remember me??

Yes. It's me. The one you see on the side there. It's actually been six days since my last post?! Crazy - I know! Where have I been?? I have absolutely NO idea! Just hanging around - doing nothing! But today is the day I start back on all the work that has continually piled up as I do "absolutely nothing"!! And blogging is the first on the list!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! I had plans to post something sweet for the holidays - but that happened like those Christmas Cards! That's right people - I didn't do Christmas cards - that is a first in a long-long-time! I'm actually feeling horrible guilt from it! Okay, so maybe not "horrible guilt," but I do feel kinda bad that I received all these cards and I didn't send out a one! I'm really thinking I'll be sending out "New Year Cards" - because I can't just NOT send out cards! That is going to kill me!


I have to throw a picture in the post of Christmas morning! At this point everyone was eating breakfast {at 11:15} - when all those kids came downstairs, there was noway I was going to interrupt the craziness to make them eat! Who needs food anyways? Besides me!? I don't think they ate much until last night. The toys - and toys - and more toys was all that fed them for the past few days!! Trust me, they needed no nutrition - the pure adrenaline kept them going for days!

I feel like I have nothing to tell you about - which you would think I would have so much to say since I took a 6 day vacay! I will tell you about all my Christmas orders arrived on time - but 1! I don't know what happened, but it seems as if it got stuck on a truck between here and Ohio! I was so disappointed! Next year, I'm going to have to do something different for the holidays. I don't know what I could have really done different - BUT I will have a better plan next year!

We actually took our yearly trip to Opryland Hotel to see the lights! Only thing - this year was a complete success!!! My kids - all 4 of them - had a great time and behaved very well! Okay, except for the few seconds I saw Hudson doing this . . . .


. . . . and really I don't think that is bad {actually funny!} but don't tell him that! I had to get on to him! You can't just lay down on some random floor - that is nasty! But overall - a good time was had by all! Thanks to the Spence family for continuing the tradition!!

Other good news . . . .

Hudson will be starting the county preschool here! Okay, so most people wouldn't want their kids in the public school system - but HERE - we have a fabulous school system! So, the big man starts when school resumes after the holidays!! Yah - 5 days a week, here we come!

I got the assessments back on Carson and Lawson - they said that one has no delay at all {forget the fact he didn't say one word the entire assessment} and the other has only a 25% delay in speech {and forget the fact he never looked her in the eye - face for that matter - the entire time the assessor was talking to him.} In the words of our current speech therapist, "If this is considered typical, we have a problem." tee hee - I do have to laugh! Although I would LOVE to believe that both the boys are on target and are where they are suppose to be, I'm not an idiot either. I do not live in a fantasy world, drive a luxury car, nor pretend to turn my head when I see that my children are not quite as vocal as other's their age! So, with the advice of our speech therapist, pediatrician and my gut - we will appeal!

I ordered my New Camera! and lenses! and fancy strap! and all the other stuff it didn't come with! I went the route of a biggg mama - by no means the bigggest mama - but much biggger than what I had! With the advice of Krista - anyone who reads my blog now knows Krista - I got a Canon Rebel - I'm so excited!!!!! Thank you amazon!

I know I have so much to tell you - yet nothing! So why bore you any longer! Surely to Pete, I'll be back before New Years!

Guess what people??

I'm through . . . . with all the Christmas orders!! Whoo-hoo!!! Couldn't be more excited!

{notice the clear table - notice I didn't say "clean" - I need to do that next! Looking at this picture, I wonder how in the world I work on it?}

Okay, well maybe I could be more excited {and I will, once all my Christmas shopping is done, wrapped and under the tree!} That's right folks - I'm not finished shopping!! I've completed the kids stuff - which was my main goal. For those who were not reading last Christmas, I will break it down for you . . . . 3 wise men gave 3 gifts - I'm not that wise or that old, nor do I consider my kids Jesus - BUT we only give 3 gifts to each kid - that's it, no more than that - I refer to it as "the reason." Now, Santa brings 1 gift for each kid - which is normally the big one - Hudson is getting drums, Carson a race car track, Lawson an easel with all the goodies that go along with it and Emsley a ball popper {that was originally $40 marked down to $15, that I had a $5 dollar off coupon for and a $10 gift card from a previous purchase - that's right Santa got it FREE!} Santa is definitely a woman - which is another post for another time! I mean, seriously - with 4 kids, 3 gifts each + Santa's 4 gifts = that is alot of toys!! And the fact that they are all so close in age - that's right, the jackpot has been hit here at the Wheeler house! So, stockings are another story . . . . Santa has not figured out how to fit it all in that little piece of fabric, so her theory is "as long as it fits on the mantel - it's considered a stocking stuffer!" Man, she is brilliant!

Well, I'm sure you want to see some of the stuff that has been shipped out!




So, what are you all thinking about these?? I'm thinking of making a new line with this style in it - to go along with the "classic collection" - I've had several people who need something just a little different than the classy look - and this has that fun twist that I like to paint! Just a thought?! These are on 5x5's - which I would offer - but also on an 8x10! The "C" would look fantastic as an 8x10 with a fat/chunky frame around it!! I actually did these for the boys' teachers at MDO. I was testing out the reactions - those 4 seemed great!


As was the last several pictures that I've taken, these are not going to do the canvas justice . . . . We really had gloomy, rainy days for 2 weeks! It throws the color so off when I try to take pictures! This 12x24 turned out great! Check out the bedroom here . . . .


Now that is what I call "a girl's room!" Love it! {Sorry, it took me so long to post it!}

And look who else made her way back for a visit! In a more petite form {8x10} - she is just too fun to paint! Maryann, YOU better call as soon as you get a response!}


Again - a major apology for the lighting! More 5x5's - seeing a major pattern with this size! And I must also apology for the wait on the pictures!


I even made a few 5x5's from the classic collection!

How redneck - that was the "drying station" - I was literally setting them in front of a heater to dry them quicker so that I could move on to the next step!!!

I have so many gifts to wrap - my poor tree! Nothing looks sadder than a tree with no gifts under it! I've got to get busy!

What is up with this weather?

Again, it is another dreary and rainy day! It makes my picturing taking skills a challenge! Of course it doesn't help that I have NO picture taking skills! {I know it's a double negative in the sentence - but you KNOW what I mean!}


The blue is a periwinkle and the greens are a good combination of sage green and spring green - not quite the color the camera is picking up.


I'm keeping this one short - I will have more to post tomorrow!

To be honest - I'm sick of looking at the "Fa la la" . . . .

I've got your "Fa's" . . . . ,


I've got your "la's" . . . . . ,


I've got your other "la's" . . . . . ,


And they are finally coming home to you!!!


I'm literally signing, wrapping, ribbon-ing, tissue-ing, boxing, thank-you noting, taping, FedEx labeling, stacking by the front door . . . . . as I type - okay, maybe not as I'm typing - I'm taking a short break to blog about it - ok?

I'm through with each set . . . . whoo-hoo! Now, on to the last few paintings I have left that MUST get out within the next couple of days to make it for Christmas delivery!!

I'm going to try to make it another all-niter {without the coffee.} I really do need to finish up the last of the "Fa la la's" and get them to FedEx - I'm actually thinking of going on and dropping them off {even if it is 3 in the morning} just so that I know they are there! Unless of course we get some crazy weather {like they are calling for} and the roads are too slick. But never fear - Lonnie just told me that he would take them if that happens!

I've been getting some great gifts in the mail lately! I want to blog about some of them because I've got some really super cute stuff, but I think I will wait a week or so. But this one couldn't wait. I received this necklace and pendant the other day from one of my BFF {Natalie}. I pulled it out of the package and thought, "Believe - no kidding!" I've had a few rough weeks lately {and most of you don't know what I'm about to tell you.}

I hung it up on my ribbon holder - b/c I sit right beside it when I paint and lets just face it - we all need a reminder sometimes?! Well, a few days passed - I was perched on my stool painting away, when the "Believe" moved and caught my attention. It was spinning like crazy. And I still don't know why? I was sitting still and the heat had not kicked on - so I couldn't blame it on any movement in the air that got it going. I sat, staring at it for a few minutes until it stopped spinning and then I noticed the back . . . .


Are you kidding me?? That really says that? I started crying. I don't know why - I guess I really needed that reminder! And just to give you the skinny - my MIL seems to think I'm abusing my kids {my words, not hers} - her words went like this "I can't stand to see those kids cold, sick and hungry!" She says I send them to bed without meals - their noses are runny because their hands, arms, legs and feet are cold - she doesn't understand why they are in all the therapies - blah, blah, blah. It was 5 pages long - Yes, she wrote a letter.

But she knows so much more than me about raising children. She actually calls her ways "character building". Umm, let me see - my husband grew up the first several years of his life on a bus {and I do mean a school bus.} When they finally moved into a house, they had NO running water {ever} - that means they used an outhouse, people! And we are talking about the 1980's - not the 1880's! I'm not going to describe what the house was like, what was in the food he ate, how many times he saw the doctor OR dentist, how he dressed or about any of the other "character building" she put those kids through. Just know that she raised a ton of foster kids - the state gave her that right - and you would be mortified if you knew about her "character building!"

I'm now mad at myself for letting her in my house and watching my kids! She says this same kind of stuff about everybody in the family - I don't know why I thought we were immune to it? I really think she is upset that Lonnie rose above her "character building" and made something of himself.

It's funny how once you sit in a new car - you know you will never want used. You love the feeling of taking the tags off of new clothes. I don't even question him when he buys a new pair of Nike shox every 6 or so months. That's what it's like growing up poor. I say I grew up poor - but not really - we just didn't have any money. I had heat, water, electricity, {Nikes and braces,} etc. Lonnie grew up with Nothing - that's poor. And his mother didn't do anything about it. Interesting.

I say all that to say, "Nat, thanks for the reminder . . . I needed it!"

Since I really just want to move on and just pretend like the woman doesn't exist, let's move on to other stuff! Like the painting below! Jennifer has no idea if "baby Mo" is a girl or boy {she isn't far enough along!} So she calls her baby Mo! Her aunt wanted a Christmas gift that was gender neutral to commemorate the first part of the pregnancy! She loved it!


Another one - this was my gift for my Christmas party with my Bible Study Group tonight! I really was scared that nobody would want it! We did the dirty Santa thing and it {thankfully} swapped a few hands. Wheww!


Well - back to work! Everyone who ordered your "Fa la la's" be expecting your FedEx tracking number!

Me = delirious!

Here it is 10 am! I did fall asleep around 4 and woke up at 6. The kids had Mom's Day Out today - so I had to get myself {and everybody else for that matter} ready for the day! It's pizza day today at school, so I didn't have to make anyone lunch - saved me some time! Good thing, because it's raining cats and dogs! It took me 20 minutes just to unload everyone when we got there!!! ugghh!

Well, I did take some pictures of Sara's painting {I guess you figure it out with the comment you left on the last post!} tee hee! No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't take a good picture of this piece to save my life! It's so dark and dreary and it made it hard to find any good light - BUT know this is one of my faves! It turned out super cool!


The only problem is I couldn't really find a spot to work in RED! I could have added little dots - but then I was afraid that would look like pimples! Eeewwww! The walls are a lime green and we had these super cute prints to coordinate with.


And let me say that I had to peruse that etsy store after seeing such cute prints and bought this for the boys' room {in aqua!} Lawson is obsessed with numbers - so I had to get it for his little corner! I got it 2 days later and she did NOT disappoint! It is fab-U-lous!

Have you guys commented on the nester's blog for the new give-a-way?? Well if you haven't, Hurry! It ends tonight! I love watercolors and her 5x7's are only 15 bucks! So, I bought this . . .

Again, for the boys' room! Once we get the new beds up, we have some shuffling we are doing with the other furniture and they will have a neat spot that has interesting wall space. I wanted some bright and random pieces for that area. You will see why and what I mean when I show you all later.

I'd say that I've had way tooo much coffee! I mean really, who is that cheezy happy with no sleep?

Funny story - {well,not really - but I laughed so hard when I was telling Lonnie that blue kool-aid came out of my nose!} - I was wearing a tank the other day while painting. Lawson got up from his nap first and wanted me to hold him. I cleaned up all my paint stuff and carried him down stairs. I had to finally put him down because he kept scratching my shoulder! And when I say scratching, I mean he was trying to remove skin and it was always in the same spot! Remember, my kids don't talk {very important part of this story!} . . . he started crying when I put him down. I was trying to explain to him that he was hurting me. And I asked why he was scratching me?! He was saying something, but I really couldn't understand - it sounded like "Bugger" - I kept repeating "Bugger?? Laws, what is a Bugger?"

After multiple times, he finally stuck his finger in his nose and said, "Bugger."

"Oh, booger! Ahhh, you said booger!!! That is fantastic!!! Do you have a booger?? Do I need to wipe your nose?"

He took that sharp fingernail of his and scratched my shoulder AGAIN and said "Bugger!" I look at my shoulder - there was a green blob of paint.

Behold, the power of speech therapy!



Since Emsley is asleep, I really need to finish some more paintings. I'll post more pictures later when I get some more completed!

An All Niter and Some Sneaky Peekies . . . .

Check me out {after 3 cups of coffee!} It's 1 in the morning and I plan to cruise through the night on this caffeine rush I've currently got! See, a miracle happened a couple of nights ago - Hudson slept through the night! And has since slept through the night!!! Whoo hoo! Unless I just jinks myself, I think we have made it past the night terrors! Rock on!! Now, I'm back to work!! So, since I'm extremely behind - I'm staying up all night to get this stuff done!!! See that table behind me? That is the last "fa la la's"! Goal: shipped out tomorrow!!


My other goal is to have All Christmas orders shipped by Monday! So, this might not be my only all niter! I figured I would let you see some things that I'm working on at this very moment . . . .


Does anyone know what this above is going to be?? It is 2 12x24 canvases that will be hanging over a fireplace and mantel. And yes - that would be fuchsia and teal! I hope to show the finished piece later today!


Only a sneaky peeky - it is a gift! Can't ruin the surprise . . . I'll show the full picture after Monday {the 15th} . . . .


Another sneaky peeky - also a gift! I will show this one Sunday {the 14th} . . . .


I'm actually through with this one - but I just figured I'd wait and show it later today! Looks cool - doesn't it?? I'm totally lovin' it myself!


This was a gift from this past Saturday {that I meant to post earlier!}

Well, that should keep you all guessing what the heck I'm doing around here . . .

P is for Parker . . .

Another one boxed up and ready to GO! I actually finished this one Friday evening - I just got too busy to post about it yesterday! And actually I've finished quite a few - I'm just going to drag them out in the next few posts . . . . and some are gifts . . and, well . . ., I don't really want to spoil their surprise! I guess those will wait till after they get them as a gift! Ha!

The bedding to this painting is sooo cute, BUT it is one of those sites that I can't steal a picture - so you will have to click on the link! So, go HERE and check out what "p" is to match!

Cute, uhh? Teal is such a big color right now - glad I used it in my LOGO!


I'm getting fancy with some of these pictures lately! It's the duct/duck tape on the camera door that is bringing out the "professional" in me. Okay, so I'm so kidding - not about the duct tape - it's really on the battery door - but the professional part! Good news - I will be getting my NEW camera this week! {Thanks Annie!!} I've just got to find the time to leave the house {without Kids!}


Kali, You will have to let me know what you think!!

On another note, Lonnie has been slaving away in the garage! Making this . . . beds for Carson and Lawson. This is actually Lawson's - he gets a trundle. And at this point, he is almost finished with Carson's. Since he made Hudson's and they are all in the same room together, he had to make the other 2! And space is an issue, so we decided to go the trundle route. I do hate making one of them sleep on the floor - but it really isn't the floor - so I need to just get over it!

I hear kids waking up from nap, so I guess my computer time is up.

The first time . . . .

Okay - I can't take anymore Christmas orders! I repeat - NO MORE CHRISTMAS ORDERS! I'm painting like crazy as we speak - okay, maybe I'm typing as we speak! - But I'm in between coats of paint!!! I'm still taking orders - just NOT for Christmas! And to be honest - I'm booked through the month of January. I think I am - if I keep up my pace, I could easily complete them sooner!

Did you see the final numbers on the Nester's blog?? Uhmm, that's right people - 977! That is CrAzY!!! Seriously - she has alot of readers and they must have really wanted in on that drawing{S} - that's right - for that many names - I'm giving away more than one . . . . more than two . . . . I'm thinking about 3!!! You all deserved better odds! God bless every pea pickin' heart that commented! Even my husband was excited and would actually call from work just to ask, "where's your number at?" HYS-terical!!!!

A great friend of mine had a baby today. It is her first! It had me all thinking of my first pregnancy. I had this little fellow . . . .

2 weeks - May 2005

Check out that "do" - totally genetic! And look how tiny he was. I finally had my first blind date - and I wasn't disappointed. The world really stood still. I had never seen such a cuter newborn in my life! Honestly, I always thought a newborn was kinda on the not so cute side - but man-oh-man, when I saw Hudson for the first time I really couldn't believe he looked like that. I guess because I had wondered so long and so hard as to what he was going to look like {and really picturing a squashed and pruney baby} that I was shocked.

He was the easiest {and fattest} pregnancy I had.By far the easiest child birth. And definitely THE easiest recovery! And to tell you the truth - the first year seemed to go by so slow. I really took it all in - and enjoyed it. {The time started flying by once I found out I was pregnant with Carson and Lawson.} I can tell you every little detail over that first year {sorry Carson, Laws & Em - I really can't for you!!} I remember thinking - no matter how many more I have, this is the last time I will every experience this feeling - the newness - the first time. Don't get me wrong - all my other pregnancies were great and I've had a wonderful time with all my other kids - BUT Hudson is the first.

He is the one that broke us in for the other kids. He is the one we make the most mistakes with. He is the first. . . .

Over the past few weeks, I have been so concerned & worried about him. I had never heard about this syndrome & disease mess he has been diagnosed with and it sure wasn't in the parenting handbook {that I was never given! tee hee} The night terrors {from the hospital stay,} the crying fits and ET looking belly {from the steroids} and everything else we have went through has really taught me a valuable lesson. The details - I want to remember them all. With all my kids. I don't want time to pass and I realize that I have no memories of certain situations - only blurs in my mind. I want to take it all in just like it was that first year. That was the year that I was the best parent I could be. I had little to no expectations. And because I didn't know what to expect, everything was such a sweet surprise.

December 2008

To all my pregnant friends out there - whether it be your first or last baby - let time pass slowly - remember it all - don't wish for the next milestone - live for the one your in now - every baby is different and you can't compare to other children.

For what it's worth, take it from me - mom of 4, ages 3 and under.

April & Chad - Congratulations! We welcome baby Ansley and can't wait to meet her!!!

I know, I know . . .

You guys really want to see this one! And here I am making you wait!! What is wrong with me?!

First off, let me say that this woman was a dream to work with!!! I love swatches! I really L-O-V-E swatches! Makes the matching game an easy winner!!!!! {FYI for those who will be wanting a painting in the future!}


She also sent me paint chips! {Another sure way for a match!}


She sent pictures of the room - but it's in PDF - and I can't seem to figure out how to manipulate it to get them here in blogger!

Not only did she send swatches . . . . . and paint chips . . . . . {pictures} . . . . BUT she broke it down with the font she chose! Literally! She picked it out - then "whited-out" the parts she wanted gone!

{the original font - before "the change"}

I would have to say - she sent everything that I needed to make "Sofia".


I was originally going a different direction with this one! I'm soooo glad I changed my mind! I love this one!


And who doesn't love this color combination?


The name matches the ceiling paint and the soft pink "pearls" match the wall color!


Damask - stripes - pinks - black! Love it! And no, I haven't sealed it YET!?

btw - have you seen the comments at the nester!?!? At this very moment 649! Holy Cow! I think I might give away more than one! **wink, wink** - I DID say I was paying it forward, right? I mean, I got to make it a TRUE PAY!