More snow pictures . . .

These pictures were taken Sunday morning. We decided to bundle up and head out for a stroll around the neighborhood. After we walked around, I ran in and grabbed the camera to snap a few shots of us having fun. So, Nigel buried Caden in the snow, which Caden actually thought was funny. We ended up having a really fun time outside, and then we came in to melt a little. Notice on my car, the ice layer that's sealing it up. While we were out, the freezing rain was coming down pretty hard. And at the bottom left of the collage, you'll find Byron. That's in the snow drift that I was standing in on Saturday night. Nigel dug down to the ground and put Byron in it so we could see how deep that one was :) So funny to us to have all of this snow! Remember that if you click on any of the pictures or picture collages, it will make them bigger so you can see them closer.



This picture is a really close up shot of a little patch of exposed grass in our backyard. It's covered in ice! I thought it was a good representation of our snow/ice conditions :)

The Arctic Blast continues . . .

Well, much to my disbelief, the snow/wind/ice is here, and it looks like it's going to stay for a while. I honestly didn't think it would get like this. They kept saying, "Oh 2 inches possible, maybe up to 4." As I sit here and look out my front window at the ground covered in 1-3 FEET of snow, depending on where the wind blew it and where the drifts are, I realize that I may not be going anywhere for a few days :) We are getting out to enjoy it, though. These pictures were taken Saturday night, when we had about 5 inches.

Nigel, "testing" his new gloves. He said that they keep his hands so warm that his hands sweat.


Caden and I on our back deck. He didn't want to be in it and when Nigel was taking the picture, a big gust of wind blew snow right in our eyes, which is why I'm kind of squinty.

This is actually me, in our back yard, in a snow drift that came up to my middle thigh.

This is at ground level, looking out our back door onto the deck. This was and still is our biggest snow drift. We can't even open the door now!

So sweet . . . well, bittersweet anyway.

So, yesterday, Caden and I were in Target, having a great time, when all of a sudden, the world collapsed. At least, that's what I'm guessing happened because I don't know what else in the world would have caused the MASSIVE temper tantrum that Caden threw. Honestly, one minute he was happy as a clam, the next, complete meltdown. This NEVER happens with him. Usually, I can sense when a tantrum is coming and either prepare myself or try to stop it before it starts. I was, needless to say, completely caught off guard by this one. As calmly as I possibly could, I finished getting the 2 things that I needed to get, while "dragging" Caden around Target while he was screaming at the top of his lungs. I mean, this was a textbook tantrum, with Caden throwing himself on the floor screaming at me. Tantrums, to me, are something that just aren't tolerated, so I ignored everything that he did and said. I got plenty of understanding smiles, and plenty of glares. I didn't care. I just kept on ignoring.
So, we finished and got out to the car, where I explained to Caden that because of the way that he acted, he couldn't have his "Meow" (a little stuffed cat that he likes to cuddle when his blankies are in the laundry) or his cars. He needed to just sit quietly until we got to the grocery store and think about how he had acted in Target. We go off on our way and he just kept crying, but not screaming anymore.

Finally, he said (between sobs), "Mommy, I think I need something to help make me be better."

I said, "What do you think would help make you be better?"

He said, "Maybe my Meow or my Beddy to cuddle so I can calm down and be better."

I said, "Caden, you can't have your Meow right now because of the way that you acted. If you stay calm until we get to the grocery store, we can talk about you having your Meow."

He said, "I know Mommy, but I just need some help to be better."

Oh my goodness, that just absolutely melted my heart and of course I wanted to give in, but I held strong. It just made me realize that he actually noticed what he had done and how he had acted and that he needed to behave. So sweet. I love that boy so much. It's amazing how much they grow and learn and observe. Wow. I'm amazed.

Arctic Blast 2008 (Pacific NW Style)

Well, at least that's what the news is calling it. They're a little dramatic, aren't they? Our "Arctic Blast" consists of about 3 inches of snow that has turned to ice. The cutest thing, though. This all started on Sunday morning, we woke up to a slight dusting of snow on the ground. So, I thought that I would tell Caden that it was snowing. He went to the window, looked out, opened his mouth as wide as he could and said, "Mommy, it's snow time! Can we go play in it?" From then on, that day, all he wanted to do was go outside and play in the snow. We made him wait until we had about 2 inches. At least that way, he could actually play. But he really thought it was the best thing ever. So cute. He's still excited about it and kept asking me to take him out to play in it today. We didn't really go out in it today though, as the wind chill makes the temperature about 5 degrees! Yikes, it's cold out. My skin is feeling it, too. Enjoy the pictures, I just thought I'd share our winter wonderland :)



Caden and I, before it got real crazy.

Caden and Nigel, it just kept snowing harder and harder!

Tree Decorating!

After we got the tree home, it was time to decorate! At first, Caden was really into it, but then he got pretty bored with it. Luckily, it's a Huffman family tradition, and one that I plan to continue with my family, to have cookies and egg nog while you decorate for Christmas. So, we kept Caden interested with a big cookie :) He wasn't at all interested in the egg nog - I figure time will change his mind on that one. And then, the next day, Nigel and I needed to shop for Caden's presents, so we left Caden with my mom and came home to find him decorating a tree just his size! He loved doing that one. Christmas is such a great time of year, isn't it?

Caden and the tree, just lights.


Caden and his cookie, look at the difference in excitement levels :)

Caden decorating the little bitty tree.

The Schnackenbergs, Lockwoods, and Huffmans get a tree :)

On Saturday, Nigel, Caden and I along with Erika, Kyle, Jude, and my parents went up to my friend Rachell's parent's property and got to cut our Christmas trees! This was really fun! This is the first time that Nigel and I are having a Christmas tree with Caden. Last year, we had one at my parents house, but this is our first time as just us. Caden was too little for his first Christmas. So, anyway, we had a great time wandering around the property looking for the perfect tree. Caden really wanted in on the action of sawing, so we let him do a little damage to the bottom of the tree! It was a great day and another great memory.

Our perfect tree :)


Starting to cut it down . . .

Caden's turn!

All of us with our trees :)

So, there was this cop, in my house!

Nigel had the extreme privilege of getting to work at the Tualatin station over his Thanksgiving break. He got to ride with another officer and be a "real" cop for a few days. He ABSOLUTELY loved it and I am so thrilled that he's so excited about his new job. Anyway, just thought I'd let you all know how great he looks all dressed up, wearing his gun :) The hat isn't my favorite part, but, it's the official Oregon State hat. So, I'll get used to it :)

A sweet new baby . . .

Well, here it is . . . Baby Schnackenberg! We (as in Caden, myself, and my mom) got to get a good peek at the baby today. It was a very busy baby, moving all over. However, it was nice enough to let us get a profile shot, something Caden never let us do! And, just as I have promised, the sex of this baby will remain a surprise until he or she makes his or her appearance in April. We are very excited to wait and see what the baby will be. Everything looks great and the baby looks especially wonderful :) Only one minor concern is that the placenta is partially covering the cervix, but this is pretty common and most of the time, the placenta will move out of the way before delivery. We'll just get to see the baby at least one more time to check on it! So, for the meantime, enjoy these pictures of this little cutie.
Profile shot . . .


Another profile shot with an arm . . .

A foot!

This one is a little bit harder - it's the baby's face. The forehead is on the right side of the picture, the eyes are right in the center, and then the nose and the mouth. I'm sorry if you can't make it out, but that's as clear as it could be :)

A few of my thoughts this time of year . . .

Well, this time of year always has me thinking about the things that I have. And I usually feel like I am abundantly blessed and that I don't need a thing at all. However, this year, I'm feeling more than blessed. I feel so lucky. As a mom, I've always tried to be the best that I can be for Caden. I tried to be the "supermom" and do it all. But, with Nigel's crazy schedules over the last year and a half, and me being the only parent more than 75% of the time, that was exhausting. Instead of cutting back, I got lazy. I let Caden watch too much tv, I got impatient with him because of my lack of motivation, and I just started to let things slide. Then, the other morning, Caden woke me up bright and early at 6:15am. A normal wake up time for Caden is closer to 8am. I put him back to bed and told him that it was still dark, and if it's still dark, we still sleep. I went back to bed and then I couldn't sleep. While I was lying there, I thought of all of the things that I was doing that I told myself I would never do. I said I would never spank Caden, but I did. I said Caden wouldn't watch tv, but he was watching WAY too much. I said that I wouldn't sit him down to a meal without a vegetable or fruit being on his plate, but I found myself never trying to introduce new things to him. Things that maybe seem small, but to me, it was something that I didn't want to be doing. That morning, at 6:15, I realized that I was taking my job and my role as Caden's mom completely for granted and that I needed to do something to change. Being a parent is not something that you're burdened with. It's a choice you make. But, you have to make the choice every single morning when you get up. And I was choosing, instead, to check out of my role as mom and just let him do his own thing. So, I made some new rules. I set some limits and I took charge. It's time to get this back on track. Because I only have a few short years with Caden all the time at home, and I want them to be the best years and the most memorable years. Here are my new rules. There are only 5, but what more do you need?

1. No Hitting (this has turned into a major problem in my house. Caden hits me when he's frustrated. Me, and only me. If it's a written rule, it might just help us both.)

2. No Yelling (none at all. Who does this help, anyway?)

3. Caden can watch no more than 3 cartoons a day. They have to be split up though, only 2 at a time, maximum.

4. Be patient and be polite.

5. If you're frustrated and angry, you will have a time out - to chill out (even if it's mommy or daddy getting the time out)

And that sums it up. In 5 small sentences, those are the things that I want in my house. And for the last few days, with these new rules in place, I have started to appreciate my son so much more. I've gotten a chance to watch him and see how he imagines and thinks and makes up things that only a 2 1/2 year old could think of. It is so much fun and so much more fulfilling than watching a cartoon with him. And that is why I'm feeling so lucky. I am so lucky to have had the chance to open my eyes again and remember exactly why I love being a mom.

The 2 pictures on the top are of Caden in his favorite place to play. The bathroom linen closet, with a flashlight. He LOVES it in there.


This is the side of Caden that I can't get enough of. He's crazy, all-boy and just a goofy, wonderful child. He makes me smile so many times every day. I love him more than I ever thought I possibly could.

And the one thing that I treasure more than anything else in the world is watching these two guys together. Nothing melts my heart more than the two of them running around the house playing air guitars or wrestling or laughing together and coming up with crazy stories. They are my world and without them, I wouldn't be me and I wouldn't be who I am today. I am so THANKFUL that they are in my life and that they are the way they are. They make me relax, slow down, and truly enjoy the moments that we get to share together. Even air guitar moments, because it's those moments that will be remembered more than anything else. I love you, Nigel and Caden. You two ROCK :)

I almost forgot!

This is the entry closet. Still no doors, however, they are in the garage waiting to be stained :) Thanks Dad! But, a fresh coat of paint and we put the closet organizers back in that they had in there. It's the small things that you do that make a big difference. I really think that painting the closets made the house look fresh and clean. I'm so happy with the final results. Thank you to everyone who helped us . . . Hans, Sarah, Mom and Dad Huffman, Mom and Dad Schnackenberg, Marly, Erika, Kyle, and Jude :) But, most of all, I have to thank my wonderful husband who came home only on the weekends to me demanding that everything be done by the time he left on Sunday evening. And with a gracious and selfless heart, he chose to get rid of a lot of his stuff for the sake of the small size of this house. He did way more than I ever expected of him and I am so blessed to have him for a husband. I love you, Nigel. You did me REALLY proud :)

And the final results . . .

Finally, we're finished! The house is cleaned, painted and we're moved in and feeling completely settled. The only room that hasn't had any work done in it is the baby's room. We'll get to it, after the holidays when Caden gets some new furniture for his room. We had a lot of fun making this place our own. I'm really loving being here. It feels cozy, it feels like home. So, here's a glance at the new house. Please excuse the crooked pictures. I tried, but it's hard to get them perfectly straight :)

The kitchen, with a refrigerator :)


Looking from the kitchen to the dining room. The door used to be white.

Looking from the living room into the kitchen. I love this little cut out, it makes me feel connected when I'm spending the day in the kitchen :)

The newly painted dark brown front door. Made one of the biggest differences for the house, in my opinion.

Fireplace . . .


View from front door to dining room . . .


The dark brown wall - my favorite :)

Looking from the kitchen into the living room . . .

Our bedroom . . .


Bathroom sink . . .

Bathroom shower . . .