Small town

Tonight we attended a visitation for a family friend who passed away from a heart attack at the early age of 52. His visitation was like none other Ive ever seen. It was scheduled to be 4 hrs long from 4-8 and we left at 9:30 with around an hrs worth of line still behind us. Now granted there was a lot of family and church goers but still I bet there was well around 1000 people who showed up on this cold rainy night to give their condolences to the family and say their goodbyes to Joe. Which brings me to my point. There were a few outsiders. Who obviously aren't from small towns. At least not ones like El Paso IL. One girl in particular looked a little overwhelmed with the "so and so and I grew up together because our moms used to work together before we born and now his mom works for my father in law and him and my husband were born on the same day" conversations. And that was only the 30 seconds I talked to one of the sons. :)
Another girl who is married into the family works with my sister in law and greets me with a "oh so YOU'RE Graham's mom" haha got to love small towns!
At Graham's Christmas concert- his cheering section for his 10 minute concert included his Dad and Bella and I, his grandma blue, his aunt Tiffany, uncle T dawg, cousins Wylie, Lana and Dax, Pa paw mark, Aunt Mary Beth, his great grandma Roberts, his great aunt Debbie, his great uncle John and great aunt Mindy and cousins Nick and Camilla. That's just who came to see JUST G.
That does not include 4 of my cousins who also have children/nieces in the same pre-k, two aunts of mine, and multiple distant cousins,etc. it's like a family reunion everywhere we go.
Anyway, I am praising God tonight to be from this incredibly small town where everybody knows you in some way shape or form! What an amazing testimony to Joe's life that so many showed up tonight. And how lucky are my children to have so many close by to support their every doing?
Tonight in thankful to live in a small town.

Take a deep breath and regroup.

Today was G's first OT appointment. I'm an OTA. So this bugs me extra. Shouldn't all of this have been done already? Don't I know what needs implemented and how to do it? And every single time I started to think about all we NEED to get started for him to be better off, I started breathing faster and my chest for tight and I started to freak out. And I know I should schedule some family counseling for us and maybe get back on some anxiety meds and yet I'm so focused on him I haven't yet made the calls.
When I'm home and they're busy I'm sitting, mind racing so I get on Facebook and get sucked into others lives. What does so and so have going on thats worse than what I'm dealing with here? And then I see people asking questions I don't care to answer but I'm not trying to hide. Just steering away front that unwanted advice or judgement that I feel I'm getting when I read between the lines. People that just give off that feeling that they're not there for support, just to be nosy and tell you how they feel you should be handling things or that what you're doing is wrong. I just can't handle it right now in my life. I need to take a breather. Relax and focus on family. I did a lot of thinking while out today. I decided I wanted to deactivate my FB account. Why do I need so badly for 344 people to know my personal business everyday? I will dearly miss those I don't get to see often, like all my NC friends and their gorgeous babies. But I need this worse. I need time to get my crap together. To get my butt in gear. Those whom I'm close to I will still be in touch with.
In the meantime, I will be working on visual schedules for G to help with transitions and some sensory stuff as well! We also have his domain meeting on Thursday am to determine whether or not he will get into school and if so what extra evals they want to do to determine what services they will provide for him. I hope to potty train BR in the near future if G starts school and we get that schedule down. :) I also hope to have a TON of time on my hands to organize my house to be more efficient for us! I've already started in the kids' rooms! Yay!
I love ya all! I hope to keep in touch via email. Brrr1984@yahoo.com

Autism. A scary word.

It keeps hitting me at odd times. Autism. Sensory Processing Disorder. Things I've suspected for a while. But something about hearing them out loud makes me want to crawl under a rock and hide. Now while his case is very mild compared to some it will still affect his every day. Out every day. And it just keeps hitting me.

I'm planning outfits for pictures today and have a nice button down shirt with collar I'd love for Graham to wear. But Graham won't often wear shirts with collars because they "hurt" or "itch" or "bug me". I'm laying in bed reciting our day tomorrow over and over in my head. Because, Graham has to be prepared, especially if there's some thing out of routine that we will be doing. And even then on several occasions we have had to change plans last minute because he can't handle it. We go to see Santa and have lunch but there's a line 55 thousand million people long and it's loud, hot and crowded and he immediately starts shaking his head and shutting down. So we forgo those plans. Gaggles of kids play while Graham sits on the side lines and shows no interest of joining in. Bella has a stinky diaper and he goes into melt down mode because to him smells are magnified. He comes off as quirky and sometimes out right awkward and even though I LOVE him this way, it won't be easy making friends.

It makes me so sad for him. Life won't come as easily to him. This diagnosis makes me feel like I've somehow failed him. And it's embarrassing to talk about out loud sometimes. I always feel I'm being judged as a mother. Like other people don't see it as much. Or think he's just a bratty kid and we're not adequate parents.

It hits me that we'll have to fight for his rights in school. We'll have to take him to social groups and OT to help him learn to better do things that are hard for him. That we will most likely have more fights with him to get him to start being less dependent on us.

But he has so much going for him, I know he will fare just fine. He's intelligent, funny, charismatic, creative, inventive, talented, polite, and caring. And he has parents who are prepared for the battle! We will see this through and years from now we won't even remember what the fuss was all about.

Stationery card

String Of Wishes Christmas Card

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Nov 13 thankful

Today I am thankful that God designed breast milk! and gave me the strength and endurance to nurse Bella for what will be 17 months next Tuesday! What an amazing feat it is to have never given her formula!

Days 11 & 12

Day 11- I'm so thankful for church and christian music! It encourages me throughout my week and I look forward to attending on Sunday!

Day 12- I am thankful for our home. It keeps us warm, we have room for friends and family and its so much more than we deserve!

Thankful Day 10

I am thankful for adorable nephews and nieces! I love me some Dax, Lana, Wylie, Sis and Tommy and Owen and Jake! They bring some much like to my life!!!

Thankful day 9

I'm so thankful I get to stay home with my children. My husband works his behind off to make it happen. I love being able to wake up with them each morning, not have to rush around, being the one to drop G off, making cookies together and playing play doh! I adore all the small moments as much as the big ones. And even in the tougher moments I thank God He trusted and called me to be a Mommy to these two beautiful ones!

Thankful Day 8

Today I'm thankful for four AMAZING sister in laws!!! I couldn't have chosen them better myself. I didn't grow up with "real" sisters (just Kristin and Lauren- who are now my cousins) Joe and Will have a lot to be looking for to live up to these girls!
Tiffany is the best mom to my adorable, sweet, smart and ornery niece and nephews! She keeps my hard headed brother in line. And best of all she's been a great friend and sister to me!
MaryBeth is such a great aunt! Always giving more to the kids than any other person I know. She's even adopted extra! She bakes with a passion! She has also become one of my best friends over the past 5 years!
Alyssa has always been long distance but she doesn't let that stop her from keeping up with the kiddos and us. She keeps Mikey on his toes and is such a great compliment to him!
Anne Marie- well I did kind of "pick" her! Haha! She is the most recent to join the family but perhaps seems like she's been here the longest! What am amazing step mom she is to the kids and again she keeps Jeff in line! She makes him happier than I've ever known him to be! And Duh- she's one of my besties too!!!

Day 7 song

While I refuse to get into political debates on Facebook, I will say here, I am a little uncertain of our country's future but I know that in the end God is the highest power and is in charge of each one of our futures. Our story is already written in his book and so therefore I choose to praise Him even when things look grim.
Praise You in this storm- Casting Crowns
http://youtu.be/xGPS8sa-bRQ

Thankful Day 7

Cheesy but true- I am thankful for electronics and appliances that make my life easier. I love keeping in touch with friends on Facebook and being able to journal life on blogger. I love that we have a new dishwasher now so hand washing dishes isn't a necessary evil anymore. Lol! I am thankful I am incredibly blessed to have all of these things readily available to me!

Thankful Day 6

I am thankful for medical staff. Nurses and doctors who take time with you to fully understand, and treat your full body and mind. Dr Nord's office will always be near and dear to my heart because I believe they played a huge role in my two beautiful babies making it here healthy. Thank you God for amazing Christians who dedicate they lives to helping others. :)

Family Sandwich

Our costume was a hit! Special shout out to MaryBeth for all of her help!

Songs 3,4,5

Day 3- "Redeemed"- Big Daddy Weave
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qgxgdwJ7sns

I am so thankful that in through Jesus "I am redeemed".

Day 4-
Something I've given a lot of thought to lately is am I being the best mom I can, the best wife? The best friend?
"This is your life"- Switchfoot
http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=fvwrel&v=5LJPHKfnmRk

Day 5-
Along with the theme of day 4, this so talks about not wanting to just go through the motions.
Matthew West- "The Motions"
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qaHmiFaX_pk

Days 3,4,5

I'm so thankful for my husband. Seriously, I don't know how I got so lucky! He is my soul mate. This man is incredibly dedicated to his family and to his job. And it doesn't come without huge stressors but he deals so well with it all! He works over time only after he has come home and had dinner and kids go to bed. He always puts himself last when it comes to us. I am so thankful he chose me.

Day 4- I am thankful for our health. As I'm complaining about taking my kids to an ear check up there are parents right here in the area with children dying from cancer. I don't know how I could handle that. So very very thankful.

Day 5- I am thankful for friends. Friends who take me on girls weekends and listen to me complain, who are there for me always. Who don't hold grudges when I'm not being the best friend I can.

Song of the Day 2

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=h1Lu5udXEZI
Matthew West-
Forgiveness.

Something I strive give. And receive. One of the best feelings when you can truly forgive as God forgives us.

Day 2

I am Thankful for Mom. Ma. Mommy.
I give her grief. Cause her stress (her words not mine). I love her lots. She gives all of herself to us. She is crafty. I don't know what I'd do without her.

Song of the day- Day 1

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_rR_Rdb1CTE

I hope this link works.

I'm having a rough week. Scratch that. Rough month. scratch that. Rough few months. I'm weary. I need a vacation away from my day to day. I'm sick of cleaning off high chairs, sweeping the floor, changing diapers, disciplining my children, fixing snacks and meals. I just want to clock out for a day or two. I love my family but my weariness leads to crabbiness and no one likes a crabby momma. Scratch that. I have been down right shutting down. I'm beyond getting mad and yelling. That would require I care. Instead I'm zoned out on my phone reading news stories and status updates that only further my exhaustion.


So tonight I'm holed up in my room tonight, reading a book called "Hope for the Weary Mom" and trying to come up with ways I'm going to be more present and happy.


Step One-is deactivating my Facebook account. Deleting my news sites and Pinterest.
Step Two- docking my phone.
Step Three- updating this blog daily with something I'm thankful for a song that has touched me.
Step four- be present. Join in the kids play.
Step five- sing! It's my best mood picker upper. So I'm going to make dance/sing parties a daily thing!


Here's a link for the book. (I hope..)
http://www.hopeforthewearymom.com/

Thankful Day 1

Today I choose to go with the obvious

My children.

They are incredible gifts from God.

Graham is intelligent, funny, laid back and loving. He notices things others don't. He snuggles and compliments just when you need it. He is goofy and musical. He can be bashful. He has a relationship with Jesus that I envy. Such innocence and unrelenting love. I adore my baby boy and as I tell him every single day "you are my favorite boy ever".

BellaRose is energetic, strong willed, coordinated and has excellent balance and climbing skills. She is silly and a good dancer. She loves her big brother and her face lights up when she sees him for the first time after hours away from each other. Bella is sweet and cuddly when she wants to be and sassy when she's not. She's under the definition of cute in the dictionary. Even when she's being a pistol.

They are both all I could have ever dreamed of or asked for and don't deserve. I'm honored to be their Mommy and I am striving to be a better one to them every day.

Thank you God for entrusting me to raise these beautiful babies. I pray I don't mess it up.

Deactivate. Reactivate.

Hello friends, after much consideration I've deactivated my Facebook account. Some of the changes have just not made it the place I went to check up on long distance friends anymore. I don't like being overwhelmed by seeing everyone's business and didn't care to click on everyone's names separately and figure out how to change settings so I wouldn't.
I hope I can Reactivate by connecting with friends via texts, phone calls as this blog. I also hope to find some free time on my hands. ;) and less silly frustrations.

Anyway, love ya all! Check in here every now and again to keep up with what those goofy kids of mine are up to!

A bad friend.- where I've been lately.

I feel like I owe some of you an explanation. I realize I've been a horrible friend to some of you... probably since having Bella. I haven't called, stopped by, or even "liked" Facebook statuses. I still post on Facebook of course- its my therapy. Maybe some of what has been going on here will help to explain why I've been absent from relationships.
Some of you have called, texted and made a point to get ahold of me. I so greatly appreciate you!

Really to sum it I've been caught up in life. A life that hasn't been all butterflies and rainbows. But it for sure hasn't been awful either! a little complicated. And a lot busy. On a little sleep.

My sweet sweet Grahammy. Grahammers is getting more difficult to handle. We're in the process of having him evaluated for an autism spectrum disorder. He doesn't like change. Doesn't socialize well. He has some sensory "quirks". All of which can cause meltdowns. And he's pushing 50lbs these days. This momma can't physically handle him sometimes. :( Not to sound all bad though! He's also so very loving, very innocent and hilarious! He loves cleaning and playing in his own little world. He has a vocabulary of a 40 yr old man! I love him just the way he is, but I need some extra help sometimes and I hope that we can get things nipped in the butt BEFORE he hits school age and we get a big uh oh!

BellaRose sweet BR. BR doesn't sleep. She just seems to not require the usual amount of sleep that kids need. I think G sleeps more in a day than her! And when she's up, she's going. She's into everything. She's had more "close calls" than any kid I've ever seen. If she were my first I'd be in the ER with her every other day. Lol! And she doesn't talk. And by talk I mean she doesn't care to even try to say words. She communicates though. She knows what she wants and you're supposed to know too. Before her in fact... So you can deliver it to her on a silver platter before she even thinks of it. Ha! And I don't have the patience or maybe she doesn't for sitting there signing and repeating myself like a parrot. She screams and then sets G off and he screams and then I want to scream. But man alive is she SMART! And I think she may have inherited the milk man's athleticism. ;) and she knows how to work a room. She's got a cheese face she does that will melt the devil himself.

I don't mean to sound like I'm complaining. I'm not really. Just more explaining the reality of my life. The stuff that doesn't make it on Facebook. The reason I back out of playdates last minute with lame excuses. The reason I sometimes seem grumpy, distracted, absent or upset. The reason I can't be the friend you deserve.

And if I didn't have a husband who was incredibly understanding and wonderful, I don't know what I'd do.

And the family that helps out. I couldn't ask for more.

I've been overwhelmed. In pain and overwhelmed. And I go up and down. Some days I take it all in stride and some days I'm balling when Martin comes home for lunch. Please don't suggest meds. I went there. Didn't like it and won't go back. Plus I don't feel like I'm "there" anymore. I'm dealing. I'm keeping a positive outlook for the most part. I have friends and family and an amazing husband I talk to when I'm having a "glass half empty" day. And they listen and gripe back and I feel all better. But then I have those of you who are caught up in life too. Who I used to reach out to. And just don't have the energy to do so anymore. I still love you all dearly. And someday it will be better and I will look back and laugh at the trivial stuff that overwhelmed me back then. But for now I'm just living and praying. And relying on people who put up with me while I'm in this rut.

Corn Fest 2012

A weekend of over priced rides, fried carnival food, friends and family, and a parade!

Photo Book

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Thank you Mom!

Things you take for granted before having children:
showering alone, door closed music blaring. Time to shave legs while in that shower alone. Blow drying hair, applying makeup. Or lotion. Using the bathroom alone, uninterrupted. Anything to do with being in the bathroom without children for a time period equal to or greater than 30 seconds!
Also, cooking. Making things like salsa. Cleaning without it being dirtied up 10 seconds behind you. Silence. Watching TV shows that don't start with curious and end in George. Leaving a room without someone tagging along. Shoving my face full of whatever I want without someone asking for a piece/bite. Doing laundry. Without help. Going to lunch without having to feed someone else. Or take them to the nasty public restrooms within 20 seconds of entering an eating establishment (kills my appetite quick) Shopping without a shopping cart full of kids. Or without a stroller and diaper bag. Or without having to visit the toy section and hearing "can I have that" a few hundred times.
And then there's things like affording and having time for a pedicure, facial waxing (which I didn't need so much before children-thanks hormones).

The list goes on and on!
I am grateful for this day. Thank you mom!

Birthdays

Birthdays:

are important to me.

are a celebration of that person's life.

bring family together.

have always been something I look forward to.

are an excuse for a party!

are also an excuse for cake and ice cream.


In my opinion you can never have enough reasons to celebrate God's blessings of another day, another year. I will never stop loving birthdays, even when those around me don't share in my enthusiasm. They're the ones missing out!

One year flew by me.

Baby girl turned ONE on Wednesday. I seriously think this year passed us by quicker than any other!
She is quite the little miss priss. She is silly, smart as a whip, adorable, ornery and energetic all rolled into one little 22 lb baby girl. Oh wait. She never was a baby... I can't believe how much she communicates, walks, and climbs everything in sight. I love her so dearly!

Dear Aunt Flo,

I didn't miss you one bit on your 20 month hiatus. You've never been my favorite aunt. And when you show up heavier than ever and with a goody basket full of cramps, bloating, acne, moodiness and the munchies I would love to kick your a@@ to the curb.
The only way we will be able to speak again is if you promise to be sweet and not over stay your welcome (3 days tops). I will NOT be looking forward to your monthly visits again. Be gone, and don't the door hit ya in the a@@ on the way out!
Sincerely, your niece B ( we won't mention the meanings that letter could be interpreted at today)

I am not a big "blog on current events" type of girl...

Whoopi's comment about people who help women breast feed being bone heads outrages me! Ugh!

When will society once again see breast feeding is healthy, natural and God's intended way of nourishing babies? When will it no longer be taboo to breastfeed in public? When will hospitals and doctors stop pushing formula on new mothers instead of encouraging them in every way possible to breastfeed? We have gotten so far away from the "norm", the intended way of feeding our children! We now think bottles and formula are the norm and that moms who nurse are the Abnormal. It certainly doesn't help when we have public figures making idiotic comments like the one Whoopi made!

I will be eternally grateful to those boneheads who encouraged me to keep trying! I wish there had been more boneheads to help me with my breastfeeding journey with Graham. I Pray for more boneheads to Inform and teach new moms!

I am in no way a BF'ing Nazi! I don't put down mothers who can't or don't try. I was one of them myself- the first go round. I was what many first time moms are: sleep deprived, unable to make rational decisions, un-informed, alone in many ways and without the support I needed. I am so grateful for the boneheads who have kept me going this go round! 10 months and counting. And it has gone so incredibly fast. Yes there were days I didn't think I could continue to nurse her. Days I wanted to give up and rely on artificial milk to feed her. On those days i called or texted one of my boneheads and they helped me work through the problems I was having and keep on keeping on! I am going on at least a year of sleep deprivation because of the pregnancy and breastfeeding but I would NOT change a thing! Soon it will all be over and she will be going to preschool and dressing herself like her big brother and I will be regretting I didn't try to make it last longer.

So, You wanna know who I think is a bonehead (as well as some other words I won't mention on here)? People in public roles who make stupid comments that could affect people's views on things that are so important like breastfeeding! Great Job Whoopi. You made yourself look like a whopping jack ass.

What do a movie theatre, jelly fish, super heroes and trash mans all have in common?

A: My kid's imagination!

So far this morning he has made a movie theatre in our living room; complete with curtains drawn for darkness and a water fountain...

He has made a jelly fish looking creature with torn up tissues soaked in water...

He has worn his cape and saved the world from uncleanliness....

And he is currently playing trash mans with Lana... They are picking up trash with tongs, taking it to the dumpster (behind the gate) and then driving off in their trash truck (the stairs)...

I have in no way encouraged any of this pretending by suggesting ideas. This is all my incredibly smart, creative, intelligent and handsome little boy!

Play dough poop!

So my dad used to do this hilarious thing where he pretended to eat the "food" we made him... Play dough cookies, plastic food, Legos etc... When we weren't looking he would shove it down his overalls, or shirt and then a while later when we were least expecting, he'd stand up and say how bad he had to poop and make fart noises... And then out of his pants would drop whatever he had "eaten". Just like he pooped in the floor!!!! And we would laugh and laugh and laugh until we almost busted a gut! Well in the spirit of hilarious parenting I "ate" Graham's play dough swirly whirly cookie and while he wasn't looking tucked it in my shirt. Then I exclaimed, I have to poop, I have to poop! And squatted down and grunted and made fart noises and out on the floor drops his swirly whirly cookie, which by the way already looked like a turd. Sure enough, he has my weirdo sense of humor genes and he laughed and laughed until I thought he was choking. Oh the fun!

Poo Free: just another step to remove toxins from our home.

I have been using toxin free cleaners, soaps, detergent and lotions since September. I'm not telling you anything by telling you our skin is out biggest organ. And we absorb everything we put on to it into our bloodstreams. Including our hair. Did u know that some popular baby soaps contain formaldehyde? Babies are being born with formaldehyde in their blood systems because of products we use to clean our homes, dishes clothes and even ourselves! Yikes! Our dishwasher detergents put of toxic fumes our family is breathing in. It's scary stuff people!
After hearing (if you want to hear more- call, text or email me!!) and researching this, it was a no brainer that we would do all we could to eliminate as much of this from our home as we could! I have been using Melaleuca products to ensure our home is safe and as toxic free as can be for my family.
When I saw my Sister in law pinned a site all about going poo free I was intrigued. She started using vinegar for her conditioner and on her face and had fantastic results right away. I began about two weeks after her and it's been a week and a half now and I'm loving it! I encourage you to research it more and see if it's a fit for your family! :)
I have also kept an eye on how much soap I'm using on my kiddos and how often we wash their hair. BR is a super messy eater but her hair rinses so clean just with water. Same for G! I'm not sure why we get it so in our heads that we have to suds up to get clean.

Anywho, enough for my rant. I hope this encourages some of you to look further into making your home a safer place to live by removing the toxins! :)

Sleep glorious sleep!

Turns out Babygirl BellaRose is a sleeper after all. She just needed her Mommy and Daddy to encourage her confidence.
So two short weeks after we implemented the cry it out method in our home, we are all getting amazing sleep! Including 3 nights now of a full nights sleep!
The first two nights were the roughest. But since then it been smooth sailing. She naps twice a day. At 9ish and at 2ish- for 1.5 hrs or so a piece. Then she and G go down between 7-8 pm and sleep until 6-7 am! It's like a little slice of Heaven here on earth.

Crying it out

I go back and forth, back and forth on whether or not crying it out is right for our family. My reasons for not wanting to do it have ranged from: her feeling like we don't love her and therefor causing trust issues, to waking her brother, to the physical pain it causes me to hear her cry. My reasons for wanting to do it: she is stubborn, smart and spoiled. The three dangerous "S's". Ha! She has not gone to sleep on her own for 8 months. Mostly our fault because each time she got the slightest stuffy nose or another ear infection or was just fussy, daddy sleeps on the couch with her. We likes this. A lot.
But 8 months of no sleeping in the same bed, broken sleep, and playing musical beds has taken its toll on the romance and ultimately our marriage. We are tired, cranky and over this whole not ever sleeping in the same bed thing.
So last night my exhausted, but wonderfully sweet husband had had enough! She was clearly exhausted. She didn't wanna be put down, didn't want to be held and didn't wanna nurse. So he put her in her crib where she cries standing up for about 10 minutes and whimpered softly for about another 6 while she laid down. Normally, 10 minutes is my max. I freak out!!! I start having trouble breathing and sometimes cry. So I give him or Martin does so I don't flip out. Last night I wanted to trust his instincts and I was distracted by my sister in law being here so I let her go. I was AMAZED that she laid down and went to sleep. On. Her. Own.
So I tried it again for morning nap. 6 minutes and she was out!
I will keep this up because obviously she has learned a bad behavior and we all know she can un learn it!
:) yay for sleep!!!

The fog has lifted!

So I've weaned off the Zoloft I was on for post partum depression and anxiety. The plan was that I would go on Paxil after weaning but I am feeling so clear headed and no major mood swings or anxiety so far so I am thinking I'm going med free!

When I was on the Zoloft it definitely took the edge off of my anxiety to begin with but then I just started feeling foggy, emotion less and always just barely there. I talked with my doctor about it and at first we both chalked it up to depression and needing the dosage adjusted. So we did that. I got worse so we backed off. Nothing changed so I went back and we decided on a different med altogether. I weaned off and started to feel the fog lift.

Now instead of my son begging me to do crafts, I just have them ready for him at random times. And instead of him whining he want a picnic lunch, I set one up before he gets home. Instead of him asking for cookies, I bake him some fresh every couple of days. I know I'm no Supermom, but it sure feels good to be back!

A little dirt never hurt: living life in the moment

I've been trying so hard lately to take each sermon Mike preaches to heart and live it out throughout my life. :) this week we went to E-steps and one of the things we heard/talked about was living life in the moment. It hit home. It's something I have been purposely trying to incorporate into our family life. I once read a blog that has stuck with me on saying trying to eliminate the word no from our vocabularies. And instead saying yes or instead. So having all of these things in mind today when G wasn't going to nap, I said lets go for a walk. It got us all out so we didn't get cranky. The exercise and fresh air combined with sunshine and a quick visit with an aunt refreshed us all and made for a nice evening. Graham wanted to play outside when we got home and I decided to clean up the kitchen while I watched him from the windows and sliding door. He made his way from the play house to the mud pit pretty quickly and instead of stopping him, I let him play. I did take him his boots out so that his feet didn't get so cold and wet. I think this caught him by surprise. :) I need to live like this everyday.

Proud parenting moment

Graham got his hair cut last night which he loves to do because he has a crush on Holly the girl who cuts it. He was really making on her this time too. He asked for her to come have a sleep out with him. Lol! He wanted red spikes to impress her after his hair cut. I'm afraid the colored spikes are going to be a "thing" now. :) luckily uncle T brought over some of Wylie's old colored gel for him to have.

The best was at dinner though. We were well into our meal when G yells: "we b-forgot (that's how he says forgot) to pray!" Martin and I smiled across the table at each other because we have been trying out best to pray at meals everyday! Apparently it's sticking with him! He proceeded to pray for us and it went something like this "dear Jesus, we thank you for our day and for our morning and for mommy and bella and daddy and. GrahAmmy and mommy and our food and drink and for mom, Amen!" I was giggling by the end because he was really thankful for me! :)

It's moments like that that tell us we are doing an ok job! I'm so proud to be his Mommy!

BellaRose also learned to wave bye this week and she is loving the stairs and peek a boo games! She tries to sign "all done"! She also smiles for the camera. She is a ham!!! I adore being her Mommy!

Daddy's little girl

Lately my baby booger has been looking more and more like her daddy! Tonight the cheese ball was smiling for me but every single picture had her eyes closed! I was rolling laughing. She is full of personality and such a hoot! :) here is some of the photo shoot!

Valentines Day Fun!

Darn Pinterest for making me think I'm crafty. And for not helping me limit what I wanted to make. I think the kids had fun. I'm not entirely sure I did. And the clean up about has me crazy!
So we made handprint crafts for the two grandmas complete with all their grand kids' handprints! :) and also one for Tiffany since she loaned me all three of the kids today. Lana and Graham made footprint valentines and "puffy heart" valentines.
I also made my hubby some special blueberry/cranberry muffins because food is the surest way to win a mans heart. (at least mine!)
and G got a pink bubble bath! Lol