The Allen Brew

The many faces of LUKE :)

2010-10-28T21:28:00.000-07:00

THE MANY FACES OF LUKE

4 month checkup
27 3/4 inches Long
17 lbs 9 ounces :)
17 1/2 inch head

L is for Luke

2010-08-05T23:17:00.000-07:00

It's been so long.

quick not so efficient recap:

Got pregnant, bought a house, Became parents of two and home owners the same day!

Lucas Michael was blessed into our lives on June 3rd. We call him Luke, Ashton calls him Little Baby Brother Luke. Little being the operative word here.. He was 9lbs 8 ounces and 22 1/4 inches long. He is perfect! Ashton is in love and an amazing Big Brother! Our house fits us well it has great bones and with a little work it will be stunning and completely perfect!

2 month checkup today :)

Luke is 13 lbs 11 ounces & 25 inches long. he is above and beyond the 90th percentile in height and weight. His head has gone down from the 90th to the 50th so the nurses can't call him mister big head anymore! He is just adorable and graces us with adorable smiles that even make his 3 year old brother melt with love :)

Ashton is 3 1/2 and starting preschool! Woot woot I am nervous and a complete wreck but I'm pretty sure he will love it & if not he can just stay at home and play with me. eventually he will be begging to do the exact opposite so I will take all the time I can get. Time is precious :)

A few pictures of our growing baby at 2 months :)

Invisible Mother

2009-12-05T21:04:00.000-08:00

I read this once before it brought warm tears to my cheeks. I wanted to share it with all of my friends and soon to be mothers. The Love you feel for your child is beyond measure, my hearts strings feel as if I couldn't possibly love him more and then we wake to a new day and he does something so tiny but yet my heart swells and doubles in size. I couldn't possible imagine or understand this LOVE without my husband I wish I could express the Love that I feel for him but it is the kind that is impossible to give words too. I love you MY BOYS!

Invisible Mother......

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of
response, the
way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm
on the phone and ask
me a question.

Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on
the phone?'
Obviously, not.

No one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or
sweeping the floor, or
even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can
see me at all.

I'm invisible. The invisible Mom. Some days I am only a
pair of hands,
nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you
open this?
Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a
human being. I'm a clock
to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite
guide to answer, 'What number
is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order,
'Right around 5:30, please.'

I was certain that these were the hands that once held
books and the eyes
that studied history and the mind that graduated sum a cum
laude - but now
they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be
seen again.
She's going; she's going; she is gone!

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating
the return of a
friend from England ..

Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she
was going on and
on about the hotel she stayed in.

I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put
together so
well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself.

I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me
with a beautifully
wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.'

It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe .

I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me
until I read her
inscription:

'To Charlotte , with admiration for the greatness of
what you are building
when no one sees.'

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And
I would
discover what would become for me, four life-changing
truths, after which
I could pattern my work:
No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no
record of their names.
These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would
never see
finished.

They made great sacrifices and expected no credit.
The passion of their building was fueled by their faith
that the eyes of
God saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came
to visit the
cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman
carving a tiny
bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the
man, 'Why are
you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam
that will be
covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.' And the
workman replied,
'Because God sees.' I closed the book, feeling the
missing piece fall into place.

It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I
see you, Charlotte. I
see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one
around you does.
No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've
sewn on, no cupcake
you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile
over. You are
building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now
what it will
become.'

At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it
is not a
disease that is erasing my life.
It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness.
It is the
antidote to my strong, stubborn pride.

I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great
builder. As one
of the people who show up at a job that they will never see
finished, to
work on something that their name will never be on.

The writer of the book went so far as to say that no
cathedrals could ever
be built in our lifetime because there are so few people
willing to
sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my son to
tell the friend he's
bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My Mom
gets up at 4 in the
morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a
turkey for
three hours and presses all the linens for the table.'
That would mean
I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want
him to want to
come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to
his friend, to
add, 'you're gonna love it there.'

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be
seen if we're
doing it right.And one day, it is very possible that the
world will marvel, not only at
what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added
to the world by
the sacrifices of invisible women.
Great Job, MOM!
Share this with all the Invisible Moms you know...I just
did.
Hope this encourages you when the going gets tough as it
sometimes does.
We never know what our finished products will turn out to
be because of
our perseverance.

Yes its My birf-day!! Woo-hoo

2009-09-20T12:58:00.000-07:00

Birthday Contest

It's My Birthday today! I am so happy. I haven't been this excited for a birthday in a long time. I'm just so happy!! So I'm holding a Birthday contest for the best birthday singing song on my voice mail. I will not play favorites and there are three other judges besides me but I do have to say so far Beth Bingham is holding the top spot! So don't be scared give a call and belt it out!

There will be a special gift basket given to the winner :)

To my fav bloggers

2009-09-19T23:03:00.001-07:00

It's my birthday in 59 minutes and I am asking that my two favorite bloggers memoirs of a sun goddess and kiel and Melissa christensen write a blog about me.

It better happen because what this birthday girl wants she gets!

-- Please excuse spelling errors since this blog is from my mobile phone!

My birthday

2009-09-19T20:18:00.001-07:00

My birthday is tomorrow.

-- Please excuse spelling errors since this blog is from my mobile phone!

Hi mommy, I dirt.

2009-09-19T11:55:00.001-07:00

Its no secret how I've been struggling with sleep since My love has been switched to graves. Last night was another tough one for me since it was his first night back to graves after his five days off and it was a double back oh yuck! It wasn't until about 3:30am that my eyes finally gave in to some much needed sleep.

I was so exhausted that the little sounds of Ashton stirring could not wake me out of this slumber or so I thought. I awake to Ashton grabbing my face saying "hi mommy. I dirt." so happy to open my eyes and see his adorable little blue eyed face. "goodmorning my little prince" he shoves his little hands right into my face that they are touching my lips "mommy I dirt" he exclaims. I lick my lips out of habitat then neccesity While at the same moment an awful smell filled my nostrils. one I couldn't quite put my finger on yet it was a familiar smell. Just awakening from a dead sleep I could feel my brain kick in to overdrive trying to name the smell. At the same time my blurred vision was adjusting and I could see brown. Yes, chunky? Brown! all my sences sparked together everything came clear as day. I flung my body up and back completly in horror of what I just realized.

I take a good look at my big boy. With his superman underwear around one ankle, toliet paper fastened to his leg by the chunky, smelly, brown stuff, His brown hand print smeared across his chest, his hands covered in pooh with the biggest smile across his face as he says for the third time "mommy, I dirt."

This cannot be happening. Realizing that I just licked my lips that had been touched by poooh hands I begin to dry heave i say "no Ashton it is not dirt. You are covered in poooh."
His little face fell and he looks at me with one hand reaching for mine and the other pointing towards the hall he says "oh no mommy mess!"

He was right! My little man woke up needing to take a morning dump. Being the litlle independent that he is he went to the bathroom took off his underwear and sat on the pot. The problems arose when it was time to wipe clean. Why today of all the days Did he need to take a morning dump?

So at 6:30 am I find myself knee deep in pooh scrubbing the bathroom. Scrubbing Ashton and scrubbing the little trail he left from the bathroom to my room. I remind myself that when I start to think that my life is a little dull and full of routine I will rememebr this delicious morning and never ever question myself again.

Hope all your mornings are awoken without the color brown!

My little culprit after the bath in his buzz lightyear outfit watching the morning toons!

-- Please excuse spelling errors since this blog is from my mobile phone!

Ashtons chosen a nickname for his future wife:)

2009-09-18T00:01:00.000-07:00

JADEY BEAR!

That's right Ashton has fallen hard for the adorable little girl with outstanding verbal skills and an already amazingly developed nurturing attitude!

Always sure to yell "Ashhhton Lunch", "Ashton apples". "here Ashhhton popcorn"
The second I mention Jady bear. Ashton is wipping his head in every direction trying to spot here little brown bob and cute smile!

Every morning its "we play at Jadey Bears today?" (say with a high pitch tone at the end)

We bumped into her at the super market before our big church labor day picnic. She was all he could talk about Jadey bear this, Jadey bear that and when we arrived at the park he continued to explain that we were not at jadey bears house and he WAS NOT getting out of the car until JADEY BEAR was pointed out of the crowd.

Needless to say he has made a great friend who is always up to win him in a who can yell no the most and loudest contest :)

Best Dinner Ever

2009-09-17T23:59:00.000-07:00

Benni hanas with Kiel , Melissa, Mike, Beths dad a table over and by complete accident and me :)

Melissa post the dang pics already everybodys waiting.

PS this trash in here smells like a fresh turd... can only mean one thing. Someone pooped in the trash. So grosss :(

Imprinting

2009-09-17T23:10:00.000-07:00

What would this world be without the since of smell?

My lovely Michael has switched from day shift to Graves<--- Yes, folks you guessed it! graves is called graves because it makes you feel like you'll be reaching yours faster :9 And since then I've been tossing and turning through the nights without him. Determined to achieve a full nights rest i put myself up for expermintation.

First experiment: Make my lovely Michaels lunch at 7:30 , have Michael take me upstairs as if we are going to sleep for the night. I forced him to change into pj's and everything also he was not allowed to talk about going to work at all. we pretended like it didn't exsist. Then he would rub my curly hair until I would drift off... "Magic" he would think as he slowly slid out of the bed trying ever so careful not to disturb me. As soon as his smell left the reach of my nose My eyes were as wide as pie. Dag nab it no magic for this one. I stayed up, sent him off to work and rolled around until 2:30 am :( then up at six.

Experiment duece: put Ashton into bed with me. Michael changes into pjs and pretends to sleep then tries to escape. the minute his feet touch the floor my eyes are wide as pie. I kiss him goodbye, put the bed hog back in his bad, roll around until 4:30. oh jeepers was it a long day.

Not so Lucky number three: Promise Mike that a back rub will put me into a deep slumber. awe-ha he caves to my request. Going great a back rub befoer bed this can never get old but to no avail my eyes pop open right before he shuts the door. Again kisses goodbye. No sleep til three :(

Experiment number four: Mikes dirty shirt. mmmkay before you judge.. I was empty and running on 8 Dr.peppers just to stay alive for Ashton. I took mikes dirty shirt that he wore all day. I made sure that it smelt like motor oil and his deodorant sweat smell. I put that puppy on and fell fast asleep after I kissed him goodnight of course!

I realized my rules of no dirty bodies or clothes on my clean sheets would have to change! Because I need my sleep!

What i realized from all these experiments is that I use my since of smell for everything. It is my comfort. I love the smell of syrup when its on Ashton after he just ate his waffles and eggy, I love the smell of Michael's sweat it sounds gross but I promise his sweat doesn't smell bad its amazing. If I could bottle it up and sell it I would.. I would make a fortune too :)I love the smell of engine on mikes hands its such a man smell and it reminds me of child hood, warm sunny days and my grandpas barn.

Yummy lima beans anyone?

2009-09-17T22:42:00.000-07:00

Lucy was removed! Goodbye and good riddance. All of the fasting, prays and love sailed me through the first round and into the next. I remember Mike saying "ewe It looks like a deformed Lima bean!" I can tell you I wont be serving up Lima beans any time soon. The final pressure and release of the scalpel. Dr. Daemon loudly exclaims "It's out"! I can't describe the pressure that lifted. One I never knew was really there until it was over. It was like Heavenly Father protected me from that weight until the end.. until he knew I was ready to take it on. I stood shaky, unkempt, in a sack and wept on Mikes shoulder. one final release of everything I ever felt.

This was the sweetest goodbye of my life!

And that is all I do not want to devote anymore time to Lucy Lymphoma. There are so many others who have not yet recovered and there are many ways for you to help! Walk for a cure, get a degree, become a scientist and create a cure, Pray!

All my Love, France Allen

Superman

2009-07-01T07:43:00.000-07:00

I took a vacation from blogging...well actually I've been hiding out & not because of writer's block. I've actually had to much to say, too many feelings, too many fears. I knew that when I typed it out it would become real. I would be forced to face it, too accept it & try to make since of it.... lymphoma... I have lymphoma.... I also have faith, hope, youth, strength & a baby boy in a superman cape. It's been a very surreal month. I've put on a positive, no fear, it'll be a piece of cake face as I gave family members the news. I have fought back tears determined not to let lucy lymphoma see me cry. I finally got the big test results back that she has not spread, she is completely contained with in my lymphoid & I will kick her ass next week when they remove all of her out of my neck :) I have now cried... released my breath, my fears & my guilt. I feel relief, happiness & fear. Fear that she might return & I will have to do this all over again through out my life ;( I will not devote any energy into that fear. I am happy & can not wait until next week when she is removed! I have to say that Ashton's extra kisses, hugs, pats on the head & new continuous question "mommy I like superman?" what he's really meaning to ask is "Mommy am I like superman?" I respond with "Yes, you will always be my hero."

2009-05-19T17:53:00.000-07:00

When melissa's butt & my butt could fit on one toliet seat at the same time

2009-05-19T07:43:00.000-07:00

Holy cow It's almost been a month since Lissa was married :) I really didn't realize how consumed I had become by lissa's wedding until it was over & I felt akward talking about anything other then cream linens, chocolate brown dessert boxes, White rose petals, photobooths & my reoccuring nightmares that the chocolate fountains would explode onto Melissa's dress putting us all in to tears. No nightmares came to life that day, everything went smoothly and The Bride was absolutley stunning. My only regret is that I could not put into words how absolutley amazing she is, what a huge role model and confidant she has been through my whole life, How proud I am of her & That my life would just SUCK with out her in it.

Melissa has been my best buddie, partner in crime & someone I have looked up too since I was itty bittty. A few things had to change when we got older like sharing the toliet sit because our butts have now tripled in size(tear), playing with barbies from morning til night because we had to eventually get a life and trading in our power wheels for real cars (even though melissa still drives like she's driving a power wheel)The pne thing that has only grown stronger is our bond and relationship :) I am so happy that you found "Your One". You have grown into a beautiful women & I am so proud :)

Reaching Our Allen"ness"

2009-05-17T12:57:00.000-07:00

Mike & I had an "Owen Wilson" Weekend. We watched alot of his movies ie: You, me & Dupree, Marley & Me, Wedding crashers Etc... After this weekend I feel that a big whole I had in my life has been filled. I have been enlightened by all of his characters and will now use his inspiring words and teachings in my everyday life experiences. When I come to a problem I will now ask myself one truly important question "What would Owen Do?" LOL. No all joking aside..It was a really great family weekend. Mike & I did have a few "Ah-ha" moments & have vowed to find our Allen"ness". My new favorite line is "I'm off like a prom dress" which I need to be careful about saying since the real meaning to it..is not a good one :) and I have come to the conclusion that our family will be refered to as "The Allen-Brew" From now on! Since we plan on having a team full of kiddies, add "us" the crazy parents, Our twinkie dog who eats everything & our crazy hamster on crack put us in a pot add some love and you get a pretty nice Brew going on :)...
Mothers day was such a great day. It reminded me again of how important Family truly is & when it comes down to it.. its Family that surrounds you, watches you grow, supports you, loves you, see's you through your crazy moments, Family is HUGE :) So join a family TODAY ! I Heart my Family.

We're off like a prom dress :)

2009-05-17T07:51:00.000-07:00

Well, I finally caved to Melissa and Beth's constant "You should get a blog", "You should be blogging"nags...Thanks to their help and loving advice... here "We Are". I keep using "We" since the blog will be to keep Friends & Family up to date with the happenings of My Family: Mike, Ashton, Drake, Sweet Cheeks and I. I have to say I am plenty shocked that I decided to blog. If there were two groups one named the Blogging bloggers and the other named the Chit chat chatters. I would definately be put in the second group:( I am more of a long winded talker then a writer :)
Ashton is my Lovely baby boy...he's two and hates being called "baby". He's my independent mommy's boy. Michael is my loving, hardworking, incredibly kind husband. Drake is our loving, jumping, attention begging, eats everything, yellow lab AKA our Twinkie. Sweetcheeks, not to be confused with Ruby our mouse who passed away from overfeeding (Yes I overfed her), Is our winter white hamster. She is incredibly sweet and so talented. Just last week she ran so fast in her wheel and then out of nowwhere she became apart of the wheel and did like five body spins, Like whole spins completly around the wheel. I haven't seen her in it since. We should sign her up in nascar because she is the fastest little hamster in a ball I have ever seen. she literally was going so fast that the lid flew off Amazing <3
Whats new In Our crazy life :) Well we have moved back to the Bay after Two beautiful years in Nevada (Tahoe, Heavenly mountain) Michael has gotten a new excellant paying , wonderful benefits job in Concord that we could not turn down . We are currently staying with family while in the middle of finding the perfect home to call Ours. It is definately a change from our intimate condo in Nevada but never the less it will be all worth it in the end :)