Breathing Fresh Air

The last two days have been splendidly beautiful outside. So today I have my front door open and my kids have spent most of this day outside. It is a win-win situation people; they LOVE it outside and it is quiet inside. What more could this mama ask for?!?!? Makiah did all of her school work lying on a blanket outside in the sun. I love homeschooling.



Sam officially started Kindergarten last week. Yes, we are doing school year round so I figured why not. If I am going to homeschool one child, why not do two?? The trip to crazy is already paid for, I might as well ride first class. (I truly love, love, love homeschooling, but there are days that I think I am crazy for getting in this, just to explain) Let me explain my location called crazy. See every morning, VERY. SINGLE. MORNING. first thing, Sam asks me "what are we doing tomorrow mama"? Not today, but tomorrow. I am there still figuring out today and he wants an itinerary for tomorrow???? So my standard answer has become, "we are going to crazy (sometimes it is ville, state or town or just plain crazy)". I have said this so much in fact that now he asks this, "what are we doing tomorrow mama, still going to crazy"? ~~Laugh out Loud~~ "Yes son, still going to crazy". (By-the-way, I totally feel Brain during this dialogue and now understand his frustration with Pinky. If you have never watched Pinky and the Brain, I have now confused you). This answer, however, appeases him and I get to move on with figuring out the current day. He loves to do school work and he is plowing through Math at breakneck speed. He told me that this math was too simple and he needs harder math not this, as Sam puts it, "preschool math I already know". I agree with him. He already knows how to add and subtract simple numbers up to ten. At this rate that rocket ship he has been saying he will build should be done by Christmas. Course I'll just be happy if he is reading by Christmas.

Sam just came in and asked for a drink. I gave him one and he proceeded to tell me he needed that because he is "sweating like a pig in a waffle iron".

Thank you son, you should have that girlfriend you keep talking about any day now with lovely conversation pieces like that.

Well, you have now peeked into my day. I am feeling my bloggy groove returning. Watch out people, I have typing skills and I am not afraid to post! (Finally, right? I know!)

By-the-way, I know that I overused parentheses in this post, but that's just how I roll. ~~Smile~~

The Potty Chronicles, Daniel Edition No. 1

Yes, it's THAT again. Baby boy child is on the cusp of potty training, technically one foot has stepped in. Full force potty training will begin in a couple of weeks. We are just getting out feet wet, so to speak. I feel very hopeful about this round! I think he will potty train pretty easily (that doesn't mean easy it just means easier than older brother Sam) and without too many melt downs. Hopefully Daniel won't meltdown either. ~Smile~

So the other day I decide to buy Daniel some pull-ups and just how he would do. Up to this point in his life going to the potty hasn't really been on his mind. He would sit down for 1.3 seconds and then announce that he was done even though there was nothing in the potty. But I wasn't stressing about it, trying to hold off a little longer before I step into a nervous breakdown on purpose. Makiah and Sam are both taking a personal interest in this as well. I mean I don't understand why potty training is so fun but Makiah is all about helping Daniel. Does it make me a bad mom if I let her? I don't think so, but if you disagree feel free to not tell me. Ignorance is bliss. ~Wink~

So the other day I hear Makiah in the bathroom with Daniel, pull-ups just purchased and mother hen, uh older sister Makiah was taking a firm hand. She is telling him in a very grown up way to tell her when he needs to go potty or when he feels that funny feeling. Daniel says, "okay Bakiah". Then she tells him that he can tell Mama too. Well thank you Makiah for keeping me in the loop. At this point I am cracking up. I was just outside the bathroom in the office listening. So far everyday for the last three days he has went pee pee in the potty at least once. Sometimes more. He thinks he is very big with his "pool ups" (that would be how he pronounces it) and really likes going to sit on the potty every 10 minutes. Next week we will go invest in cloth training pants and some Mickey Mouse and Elmo underwear, those were his special request underwear. Sam is also actively participating in this process because every time he goes to the bathroom he drags Daniel along. This is typically how it he says it, "come on Daniel, its time to go to the bathroom and I don't won't to hear any arguments" (as he is pulling him by the arm or hand). Ha ha ha, Sam has heard that phrase a time or two thousand in his little lifetime!!! So now that I have many or mini helpers in the potty training process, I do believe it may not cause the death of me. Hopefully.

Aren't you glad that I'm blogging again?? I know you all would not want to miss this!

Samuel, Sam, Sam Sam, Sam-e-pants or Samurai

Just a few of the names that float around this house for Sam.

Five years ago today I was so nauseated (early in the day I just thought it was the stomach flu) and then about 2 or 3 that afternoon I started having very, very mild contractions. Realization kicked in, past the nausea and vomiting and I realized I was in labor. My husband got home from work about 7:30 and I called the doctor and told him my contractions were 10 minutes apart and asked if I should come in or wait until they were closer. I was easily talking through them and I mean they were 10 minutes apart. Fortunately the doc said to go ahead and come in (being the third baby things could change quickly). I went in, walking under my own power. I was laughing and talking like nothing was going on. I think the nurse thought it was going to be a false alarm, she didn't think I could seriously be in labor. To everyone's surprise I was 6 cm dilated!!! I was thrilled and the nurses and doc were shocked!! The real pain for me didn't kick in until about 10 pm and he was born, screaming his head off, at 11:45. Fifteen minutes before his due date.

That was the readers digest version of a birth story. Your welcome.

Sam is a total source of entertainment and joy. He is also a source of frustration (at times) and I think he is the source of the only gray hair I have in the front of my head. I love him and I wouldn't trade him for anything in this world!

Here's a few Sam highlights:

Bathroom Hi-jinks!!

A Budding Artist, He Is!!

Finally!! (A tale of hope when it comes to potty training)

Girls have Cooties

Time with Mom

Cooking Guru???

These are just a SAMPLING of the wonderment that Sam has brought into our lives. Yes, he has given me many wild stories to be used for blog-fodder (he's helpful like that) and I love him tremendously. There are plenty more where these came from. Just click on the Sam label and you'll find stories of seat belts and sword the spirit adventures.


Samuel is a boy of MANY facial expressions!!

LOVE Them!

They are full of life and keep me running.
They argue, fight and squabble. Daily.
They giggle and read stories together. Also daily.
They say the FUNNIEST things.

Speaking of funny things said, Makiah accidentally kicked Sam the other day and busted his lip. He bled for a few minutes and he cried. When it had quite bleeding (and he had quit pulling on it) he came into the kitchen and said, "well, I guess I can't use these lips for kissin' anymore"! I nearly died laughing!!!

And then I thought (and asked), "hey, just who are you kissin'?" His response, "well, you mama". I love that boy.

Well we were out looking for church buildings yesterday evening we decided to drive through and then get out and walk in Forest Park. We happened to be near the Worlds Fair Pavilion.


I thought I'd catch this moment. No squabbling. Love.

When the Bathroom Door is Locked

Nothing good can be happening when your four year old is locked in the bathroom and all he was supposed to be doing was washing his hands.

Saturday was a long, long day. Sam was really on a roll of seeing how many things he could do that he is not supposed to do. Most of them were the little things, but after awhile, all those little things make for one big mountain of "I TOLD YOU TO STOP THAT SON" and lots of naughty spot time. Needless to say by dinner time my patience was gone and my nerves were frayed. All of my sanity clung to the one nerve that was holding on with gritted teeth.

I was getting plates of food ready and I gave Makiah and Sam very clear and simple instructions: "Go wash your hands, with soap, dry them and come to the table and sit down." Makiah did that, no problem at all. About two minutes went by and I realized that only one darling child was in her seat. I came down the hall to check on Sam and I hear the sink running. The bathroom door is shut. Not good. I reach for the door knob and it's locked. {That last nerve is about to give up} I tell him, a little louder than I needed to probably, to "OPEN THIS DOOR NOW". He does and just as he opens the door the sink begins spilling over the counter and onto the floor. I dash in and turn it off. About an inch and a half of water is headed for the hallway carpet. My last nerve then let go, realizing all was lost in sanity for that day. I sent Sam across the hall to his room and I threw towels on the floor to stop the flood. I felt it best not to say any thing to Sam at that particular moment, just to sit in his room. Wisdom, people, it was wisdom. Once all the water was soaked up, I then went and spoke with Sam. We had a long talk about why we first, do not lock the bathroom door~~EVER, second, why it is no good to run so long that the water over the sink and third, why we need to go eat all of our dinner or he would be going to bed right then. He said sorry, I said I love you and all was well. After that he even ate all his dinner. {I think he knew that it would not be a good time to say you don't like dinner}

Oh and remember the mural Sam drew on the wall when we first moved in here, well Daniel calls it by name. Yes, apparently to Daniel it resembles Bob the Tomato and so every time Daniel walks down the hall, he says "hi Bob".

Heart Tip for the Day

Fiber--you aren't eating enough. I can safely say that unless you are eating Fiber One products or adding a supplement to your diet. Most of us don't come even close to getting all the fiber we need. The powers that decide how much of what we should have, states that we need 35 grams of fiber a day. Soluble fiber is found in oats, rice, bran, dried beans and apples, it's also found in broccoli--which is good to help prevent colon cancer. Fiber helps lower cholesterol, which boosts heart health. I have tried the Fiber One products and I actually, must to my surprise, liked them! The yogurt is good and the Strawberry Almond Oat Bars are really good. Have some fiber today, you just never know how it might be helping you.

Belated Birthday, With No Pictures!

ARGH!!!!!!! ~~Banging head on desk~~

I sat down this morning to post pictures of Sam's birthday. I opened up iPhoto and the pics of his birthday are gone. Then I realized that the pictures I took of my grandpa with the kids are also missing. I am so angry. I watched them upload, I finished the import and now I go there and there they aren't.

Frustration. Total frustration.

Sam had a great birthday. My mom and dad took Sam and Makiah to play mini golf. They played two rounds and Sam actually got two holes in one! He was very excited about the golf and I think we could have just stopped there and he would have been content. We took him out to eat his favorite thing, Fazoli's. Yes, Fazoli's. He LOVES spaghetti and because he won't eat at my parents (he gets so excited that he won't eat) we took him there. Then onto Grams and Grampa's house for presents and cake.

He is a completely outfitted fireman now. Sam loves firemen, I think I have written about that before now, but he loves to play fireman and rescue people and spray water (pretend, of course). He even knows all the pieces to a fireman's uniform, including the breathing apparatice. So to ensure that he would stop using Makiah's pink princess bike helmet as a fireman hat, he got a complete fireman uniform with jacket, hat and axe. Grams found rain boots that actually look like fireman boots (they even say property of Fire Department with emblem on them) and he LOVES them. He wears them as many places as mom will let him! He also got several other things too from other people, like a firetruck, a Spiderman watch, the Gator Golf game~~I'd say he got quite enough.

He told me later that night that it was his best birthday ever! Mission accomplished. We were both happy.

Picasso Would Be Proud

When I think of decorating several things come to mind. Colors, patterns, where furniture should go, great lamps and awesome art work. Certain things do not come to mind.

I really love our new place. A few drawbacks (not enough cabinet space), but nothing we can't handle. I really love my walls. They are so fresh and newly painted. A nice tan with white trim. I just really like it. So you can imagine my horror when I saw this!!!!

I literally cried. I couldn't believe that he had drawn on my beautiful wall. He didn't just draw, he drew a huge! circle! and stuff with a SHARPIE! I was just horrified. Needless to say I made my point very clear about NOT WRITING ON THE WALLS. He agreed, said he was sorry, we moved on.

Four days later, I hear Sam playing in the hallway and I go to investigate. He was too quiet and content. As I go to see he runs past me at full speed. I tail him to find that he is covered in in green paint. And some yellow too, for good measure. He had discovered, a box, still taped shut of Hubs OIL paints!! ACK!! I immediately went searching for where my little Picasso had done his work. I didn't seen anything and I was hoping that he had just painted himself. I came back to the hall to finish cleaning him up and I saw it. Green, yellow and brown paints on the floor, right beside the drawing. I flipped on the light in the hall and gasped! He had painted on my wall. Yellow and brown mostly. Apparently the green was for his body and oh, the two green spots on my light tan carpet (which I didn't see in the beginning because he had strategically placed the paint box on top of them)!!!!! No picture of the painting, if doesn't show up on my camera phone*.

I sat down and cried. Again.

Am I usually this emotional? No, not typically, but the idea of having to paint the whole wall and we have only lived here a month just sent me over the edge.

Needless to say, Sam and I had a long talk about why we don't do that and I made is abundantly clear that this was unacceptable. Again.

So if you come to my house before I paint you will find Samacasso's work in the hall. And if you hadn't questioned my parenting skills before, I am sure you do now.

**Oh and I apologize for the poor quality of picture, it is from my phone. See I lost, yes lost our new camera. We are getting a new one, but it will be another month before we do that.

The Potty Chronicles, Installment 12

I realized today that I haven't posted about potty training in a while. No better day than today!

Sam is doing AMAZING with the potty training. He has really turned a corner. We can actually go to church on Sunday, in underwear and go all day with no accidents. I am so proud of him. I was beginning to think he was going to turn four in Pull-Ups and I really didn't want that. Not to mention the $$$ that Pull-Ups cost! So everyone is benefiting from Sam's new found potty skills! He does all his business in the potty, including the pooing type business. I expected that to take longer, but he proudly proclaims to anyone within ear shot that he is a big boy because he pooped in the potty!!

He still goes to bed in a Pull-up because getting up to change his bed every night really doesn't appeal to me. Sometimes he is dry in the morning and sometimes he isn't. I have considered getting him some cloth training pants. I mean it's not like I am not already washing cloth diapers and the trainers can be used with Daniel too.

I am so glad that I can say, I think the potty drama is over. I am sure we will have accidents. Accidents at home, church and other not-so-convenient places, but I can do accidents when I know we are progressing. I didn't think it would take this long, but every kid is different and they have to "get it" for themselves. By pushing it, I was only frustrating myself and him. Now going potty is still an exciting event, but it isn't stressful.

Let me say to those who are in the beginning stages of potty training or in the throes of frustration, IT DOES GET BETTER. I have a few tips that I would like to throw out there, not that I am a pro by any means!! Just a few things that might help you, some of these I learned the hard way!

1. Let your child pick out their underwear. They are more likely to wear it and not do business in it.

2. If your child is drinking plenty and not going to pee either in the potty or accidently on the floor in more than two hours, they are probably holding it. Take off the underwear, put on a Pull-Up. Stop potty training for a few days. A few days delay is better than a urinary tract infection. They are probably not ready.

3. Stop using Pull-Ups!! Sam knew he could go in the Pull-up and had the why bother putting his toys down to pee when he could right then type thinking. When I stopped using Pull-Ups during the day and just endured the accidents, it wasn't two days and we were accident free. Sure it required more of my time and patience, but it paid off!

4. Calm down and don't stress. . . or try anyway. I was always afraid of what people would think of me as a parent for not having my kid potty trained at his age. Then I thought, "who cares what you think". I am the one buying Pull-Ups and doing the training. People who wanted to criticize had no idea what we had been through with potty training and I tuned them out, unless they actually had something valid to offer. Bottom line (no pun intended, but it's funny) you know what you are doing about potty training and know one else. Your kid, your problem--ignore them and move on.

These days I only remind him occasionally, usually he goes completely on his own. I LOVE it!! I am going to enjoy this season for in a few months, that will fly by, I will start this process with Daniel.


Mama's BIG boy!!

This Is Why I Request NO RUNNING IN THE HOUSE

One day while mama was hard at work packing boxes, the natives, uh, I mean the children were busy hindering the process.

Here is that story. . .

I was upstairs going through the toy store, more lovingly known as the play room. I was up to my ears in toys and books. Earlier that day I had been packing in the kitchen. I dumped some flour in the kitchen trash out of the canister, because I wasn't about to pack a flour filled canister. It was only about half full and I had another whole bag of flour, so I dumped it. I finished up in the kitchen, took the hooligans and went upstairs.

We had been upstairs quite awhile already and I needed some more trash bags (for toys going in the yard sale) and so I sent Makiah after them. Sam followed her, because you know, there might be an opportunity to harass her along the way. They went downstairs and I heard Makiah say, "look what I found Sam." Famous last words in most cases. See whatever she has, he thinks he needs. I heard her yell "NO" and he yelled back and then I heard running. Then silence and then "oh, look what you did". Little feet began a quick accent up to me. Sam appeared in the door and said, "there's cauliflower on the floor and Kiah did it!". I had no idea what he was talking about. Then Makiah came to the door, a guilty I-hope-you-really-love-me-grin on her face. "Uh, mama, um, there's a problem"--short pause--then in a very fast and determined tone she began again, "and it's all Sam's fault, he was chasing me and we knocked over the trash can when we (RAN AT FULL TILT) through the kitchen and I'm sorry".

Realization as to what the "cauliflower" was. . . the flour I had dumped out.

I headed downstairs to assess the damages and there it was, every last fleck of flour was on the kitchen floor. Makiah had tried to sweep it up and had just kind of smeared it around. Samuel had walked through it, over it, around it and left little foot prints all over the kitchen and then of hall carpet before coming to tell me about the "cauliflower".

I began sweeping. I swept up a pile and then again and again. Leaving a broom path of white dust. UGH!! Finally, I got most of it up and I went for the Clorox mop and got up the rest of it.

This is one of the reasons for no running in the house. And next time I dump some flour, I'll put it in a bag in a bag.

Sam-isms

What is a Sam-ism you ask?? Good question! A Sam-ism is something that Samuel, my vivacious 3 year, says or does that is just too funny. Samuel is full of these little Sam-isms and they come when you least expect them.

I have prepared a sampling for your delight.

The Other Day, A Nap Conversation Between Sam and Mama

Mama: "You have to lay down and take a nap. Right. Now." (We had already been discussing the nap for awhile when you enter the conversation, negotiations had come to an end).

Sam: "Noooooo, please, please, please mama. I be good. I do. Weally. I do. I be good. I not tired."

Mama: "Yes you are tired and you ARE going to take a nap." (Walks over, covers him up, kisses him and walks away).

Sam: "Mama pleeeeeaaaasssse." Silence. Knowing him for all three years of his life, I go back into the room to find him doing somersaults down the couch, yes somersaults.

Mama: "Sam, that doesn't look like you are sleeping?!?! What are ya doing son?" Like I didn't know.

Sam: Very sincere voice, with sincere eyes. "But mama, I woked up." Right. Fastest nap in history, 12.8 seconds.


I sometimes call Samuel, Sammydoodle. I don't know why. Why do mothers call their kids funny little pet names? Sorry, back on topic. Sammydoodle. My mom also calls him that sometimes. So, a couple of days ago, I was loading the dishwasher and Sam came into the kitchen and said, "May I have a drink of milk, Mommydoodle?" Who could turn that down. Since then he has started to sometimes call Hubs, you guessed it, "daddydoodle".

Samuel used to eat everything you sat before him and then once we ventured further into the two's and now well into the three's, I find myself doing more begging than he is eating. Certain things he scarfs up really quick, other things that he used to love, just sits on his plate waiting for someone to eat it up. Needless to say, being the mama I feel the need to feed my kids (it's in the job description), so when he doesn't eat, I am troubled. But I also don't want to run an order-what-you-want diner, so I don't. I try to put things before him I am sure he'll eat, but since he seems to have a palette that is ever changing, I might hit one of out the park and I might not. Yesterday I hit a home run with a turkey hot dog with ketchup and I was at the sink when I heard this, "mmmmmm, this is goody, goody, GOOD". I also heard it again when we had corn on the cob and then today when I made him a bag of popcorn for snack, he ate THE WHOLE BAG. So as long as I feed him turkey hot dogs, corn on the cob and popcorn, we're good. For now anyway.

Well, that was just a small sampling of the Sam-isms. I would write more, but unfortunately my brain didn't catalog them all. Next time, I'll make a list.

Oh and here is another great giveaway hosted by The Frugalicious Mommy. I need these and I bet you do too. They look so cool. So jump over there and enter to win!!

So Scary

I can't say that I have had too many moments in motherhood where my heart melted and slid to my toes, but I did yesterday. A repeat performance is unwelcomed and would probably kill me.

It was during dinner time and I was feeding Daniel. Due to the fact that he likes to grab the spoon and get various food items all over me and him and in his curly hair, I pay close attention to where I am putting that spoon. Samuel had finished his dinner and was having an apple. He eats apples all the time. Just grabs one, they are pre-washed for grabability, and goes. This time he was sitting off to my right, but I couldn't really see him because I was turned to the left paying attention to the smaller version of wild boy. I just happen to glance around and at the same time Samuel made a gag-cough sound and I looked up a little faster. Tears were rolling down his cheeks, his lips were dark purple (this is about the time my heart turned to slime and begin to leak into my feet) and he croaked out, "mama I was choking and my words were stuck". I checked him out, he kept rubbing his throat, for I am sure his throat was hurting and a smaller piece of the apple chunk was now sliding down his throat. I remained calm, not wanting to freak him out. His lips quickly pinked up and the tears stopped (they weren't tears from crying, they were from his wind pipe being blocked). He was very calm. I on the other hand was having a nervous breakdown internally.

Little later while getting ready for church, he leaned in for a hug. I hugged him and the emotion came spilling over. What if I hadn't looked up? What if he hadn't been able to gag-cough the apple free? What if I lost another son? I have to say that I hugged tighter than normal and had it been Makiah she would have been wiggling free. Not Sam. He will let you squeeze as long as you want and squeeze back too. When he looked up at me he asked, "mama, why you crying?" I said they were I love you tears. And they were, but they were also thank-you-Jesus-for-watching-him-in-between-my-watching-him-and-keeping-him-safe tears.

I wondered then if my mama license should be revoked?? I mean he was choking not three feet from me and I didn't know it?!?! I mean, he made no sound, but still shouldn't I have known it?? How many apples has eaten in his life with no problem whatsoever? So scary.

I have scooped up what is left of my heart, and tried to put it back correctly, but I have to say that the choking incident of '09 has changed me. Not only will I never look at an apple the same again, but I will hug them a little more than I already do, just because I can. I will also never forget that when my back is turned, even for just a moment, that God is watching over them. And I am so grateful that He is.

Oh and I think applesauce instead of apples will be on the menu from now on.

What a Day!

Daniel is still sick, but I think a little improved. Thank the good Lord. He was really having a hard time!!

Today has been a crazy one. Sam was really feeling like a three year old today and has tested every boundary there is. He has climbed, jumped, fallen, slid and been in the naughty spot more times today than I care to recount. I came in from the kitchen, getting Daniel's medicine, and Samuel was standing on the arm of the couch, trying to reach something on the top shelf of the bookcase. The bookcase is not close enough for him to reach and so he fell straight down onto the excersaucer, nearly dragging the bookcase over on top of him! Needless to say my heart nearly stopped! That was at 9:30 this morning and he has gone full tilt all day. Bedtime is looking really good.

Daniel, who slobbers a lot, was just sporting a diaper for a while today and he likes to feel the velcro tabs of his diaper. I know this, but did mama put a onesie on him?? No, mama apparently left her brain in bed this morning. Well, during one of his times today of feeling pretty good he was playing the pack and play while I did dishes. Makiah called me and said that Daniel had taken his diaper off~~~and there was poo in it! I came a running. Fortunately he was standing and not yet sat down and so a complete yucky disaster was narrowly avoided. I grabbed him and the diaper and cleaned him up. The pack and play was spared. Did mama put a onesie on him then?? No, mama was still thinking that being nakey for a while was okay because in ten minutes that onesie and bib would be soaked anyway. I went back to finish the dishes. Some time passed and later, after his nap and lunch, back in the pack and play he went so that I could sort laundry without him climbing the steps. Makiah called me and said he's naked again. I came running. There he sat no diaper, just as happy as a clam. He just laughed and smiled at me. No accident though, pack and play still clean. Now he is sporting a onesie and a bib. Thank you common sense for finally joining me today.

So it's been a crazy Monday, I spared you the rest of the details. Tomorrow I shall fill you all in on my latest babywearing funny and the new goodies I finally get to try out.

What?? I Am Not Sure I Heard You, Say It Again Please??

So this week I have been crabby. I know it and I am woman enough to admit. Just random crabbiness. Not proud of it, just not in denial either.

Yesterday, I woke up early and was straightening up the living room before physical therapy. I figured since they crawl around on the floor the therapist might appreciate a vacuumed floor. I'm thoughtful like that. So I picked up the random toys that apparently walk around while we sleep and vacuumed. Then the children got up. First Daniel, so we changed diaper and then a bottle sacrifice was offered up. The big kids played upstairs while the therapist was here and so the day started out fine.

That last sentence should tell you something about the following paragraph.

Then about 1:30 that afternoon something transpired. It wasn't a specific event, just something changed. I am not sure what it was exactly but I heard "mommy, mama, mom" said, yelled, whined, cried at least 70 times in about 30 minutes. At that point, I wasn't sure if I should turn on the iPod and tune them out, change my name or sit down and cry. Sam was having a melt down of terrific proportions, still unsure because of what, but when they are three they don't usually have a reason. Makiah was asking for something, but she never got around to actually asking, just saying my name. Daniel was crying and bawling out "ma ma ma ma". In that moment, I considered updating my resume and looking in the want ads.

I stopped.

I left the dishes in the sink, they are used to it anyway, and went out to the living room. I scooped up Daniel, pulled Sam close and calmly asked Makiah to stop repeating my name. I pulled out a story and we sat down and read. Instantly peaceful quiet filled the house and even Daniel was listening to the story. I do believe it was therapeutic for us all.

It seems that on those days, when all craziness is unfolding, that dropping it all and reading a story or singing a peaceful worship song is simply soothing. It also reminded me of why I stay home. Why I have the best job on earth. Why I consider raising my kids the highest calling I could ever have.

Though there are times my kids tend to push all the buttons at once and they may test my patience, I love them more than life. Kids are crabby sometimes too, just like mama's. Sometimes I push the Lord's buttons and I am sure I at times, take His grace and mercy for granted. I am thankful, that He pulls me into His lap and sings to me (Psalm 42:8). And even when mama's crabby, they wanted to spend time with me. Grace and mercy flowed out of all of us yesterday.

I am sure we will have more days like that, but I know one thing for sure, I wouldn't trade one day here with them for anything!

The Best Laid Plans. . .

I had a post in my head, I just needed to type it out and now I find myself unable to put two sentences together properly. That post will have to continue to float around in my head until I am more coherent.

I went out earlier to get the car worked on, and thank the good Lord, it was a simple problem that didn't cost an arm and a leg. When I came home, Sam was laughing hysterically. He came over to me and said "Mama, I are 'larious". That would be Sam speak for hilarious. Apparently he had been cracking himself up.

Heart Tip for today: Stay hydrated. It is so important that we keep ourselves hydrated. The recommended amount we need everyday is 64 ounces of water. Staying hydrated keeps our electrolytes in balance, in effect keeping the electricity, that keeps our hearts pumping, charging effectively. Dehydration causes muscle cramps and can cause a heart attack if severe enough. This is especially important if you are very physically active (work or exercise) and if it is extremely hot outside. Fluid of any kind can keep you hydrated, but water is calorie free and is really good for your metabolism.

I am heading to workout. I'll update everyone on my progress on Friday.

He Has the Seat Belts Figured Out!

Yes, there is now no way to keep Samuel out of the fridge!! He has figured out how to open it despite my best attempts at keeping him out. Only thing left is to hang our food from the ceiling.

He also decided that coloring the banister was a good idea. He came into the laundry room and said "Come look what I did". I followed him and he showed me the brown and green marker, now decorating the banister he so loves to climb. I quickly grabbed the Clorox wipes and fortunately it came off. He also pooped on the playroom floor (on accident). I am almost out of Clorox wipes.

It has truly been one of "those" days. You know the kind, where staying in bed with a good book would have been a better option.

Then I see things like this and realize that "those" kind of days can't compete with this. . .


They were all on Sam's riding toy! They were having a blast! I love those faces!

So though I go to bed exhausted, I go to bed very joyful about my job.

Heart Tip: Get your cholesterol checked and monitor how much cholesterol your eating. According to the AMA, cholesterol can be good and bad, but you need to know the facts of cholesterol. Knowing your levels and facts of cholesterol can lower your chances of heart disease. Knowledge is power when it comes to your health.

Crankiness Be Gone

Sometimes I am cranky. By the end of the day, I am sometimes a lot cranky. I've decided that I don't like it.

I don't like to snip and snap my way through the day, at everyone and everything. I'm not really sure when I transformed into this cranky stranger, but she is no longer welcome. Goodbye, please don't call again.

Now, that that's over, I think I should tell everyone how wonderful Samuel is doing with potty training. I mean, the transformation is just unbelievable. He actually wants to wear underoos and goes to the potty all by himself, most of time. I am so grateful for this transformation. Now if he would just listen as well as he pees in the potty.

Makiah went to play mini golf with Gramps a couple of weeks ago and she had four hole-in-one shots! I was very impressed. My dad is an avid player and he said she did really well. I am hoping to get her into a golf program this summer, she has wanted to for awhile now. Maybe, just maybe she'll go pro and support me someday!

The Great Slim Down of '09 has taken on some different meaning and I have another reason (as if I didn't have enough) to work harder. I'll share it with you tomorrow. It's exciting.

Today's heart tip is. . . laughter. Yes, that's what I said, laughter. Long, hard and often. Recent studies show that laughter may possibly increase circulation and blood flow. Laughter is a great stress reliever and we all know what that pesky stress does to our bodies. Not only did the scientists tell us that is good, but it's Biblical. ~~A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Proverbs 17:22~~ Tell some jokes (clean ones, of course), watch some classic comedy (Dick Van Dyke or I Love Lucy--if you don't laugh at them, you need someone to check your pulse), find some humor in your children/grandchildren. Basically, be merry. Your heart needs it, but so does your mental health. Here's a few to get you chuckling.

A little girl, dressed in her Sunday best, was running as fast as she could, trying not to be late for Bible class. As she ran she prayed, "Dear Lord, please don't let me be late! Dear Lord,
please don't let me be late!"
While she was running and praying, she tripped on a curb and fell, getting her clothes dirty and tearing her dress. She got up, brushed herself off, and started running again! As she ran she once again began to pray, "Dear Lord, please don't let me be late...But please don't shove me either!"
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Three boys are in the school yard bragging about their fathers. The first boy says, "My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls i t a poem, they give him $50."
The second boy says, "That's nothing. My Dad scribbles a few words on piece of paper, he calls it a song, they give him $100."
The third boy says, "I got you both beat. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a sermon, and it takes eight people to collect all the money!"
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An elderly woman died last month. Having never married, she requested no male pallbearers. In her handwritten instructions for her memorial service, she wrote, "They wou ldn't take me out while I was alive, I don't want them to take me out when I'm dead."
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A police recruit was asked during the exam, "What would you do if you had to arrest your own mother?" He answered, "Call for backup."
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A Sunday School teacher asked her class why Joseph and Mary took Jesus with them to Jerusalem . A small child replied, "They couldn't get a bab y-sitter."
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A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds. After explaining the commandment to "Honor thy father and thy mother," she asked, "Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?"
Without missing a beat, one little boy answered, "Thou shall not kill."
~~~~~~~~~~~~
At Sunday School they were teaching how God created everything, including human beings. Little Joh nny seemed especially intent when they told him how Eve was created out of one of Adam's ribs.
Later in the week his mother noticed him lying down as though he were ill, and she said, "Johnny, what is the matter?" Little Johnny responded, "I have pain in my side. I think I'm going to have a wife."

I hope you have a merry Thursday. Feel to share some laughs in the comments, should you so desire!! ~~Smile~~

First Injury of 2009

This post is sans pictures because I can't find the camera cord to upload the photos!! Arg!!

Anyhoo, Samuel has begun the New Year with a bang. . . literally, a bang on the nose. We were playing on Monday, actually having dance time. We crank up the music and dance. It's fun, good exercise and a great stress reliever. Sam was doing is infamous jump and spin. This is where he jumps and spins at the same time, but rather than land on his feet he comes down all the way to his eyes. Looks painful, but when you're three what's a little pain when having fun. So on, what turned out to be the last jump and spin of the day, he shut his eyes. He was getting very dramatic with it and he came down on his knees but also brought his head down. Because his eyes were closed and moving at warp speed he didn't know that his face was going to make impact with the floor. And make impact it did. I was dancing and didn't see the whole thing unfold, being the attentive mother I am and all. I scooped him up and almost immediately the swelling began. Within 15 minutes he had a fat, red-purplish nose. He looked like Rudolph gone wrong. I know it had to hurt, made my eyes water just looking at it. I gave him Tylenol and he fell asleep. He woke up and it was even more red and purplish and a little fatter. Hubs insisted that it was just bruised and so we didn't go to the doctor.

The swelling has gone down considerably and he doesn't have a red and purple nose anymore. It's now just a fainting memory, well, kind of. See for Sam the memory is still very vivid. He tells me about 100 times a day--"I won't bump my nose anymore, that was ouchy". Does he still go at warp speed? Yes, of course. Does he still do his famous jump spin dance move? Yes, only this time, he leaves his eyes open and doesn't drop to his knees.

As for the rest of us, no injuries, only if you don't count the ones to my nervous system. Makiah is having a had time getting back into a school groove. She is easily distracted and I am constantly telling her to get back to work. I should just record it and play it looping every 15 minutes. Hopefully, we will be better in the coming days, but I have to say that the last three days have been difficult to say the least.

The diet, I mean, lifestyle change is going well. I have been soda free for 4 days! That's saying a lot for a Dr. Pepper addict like me. I haven't had any caffeine for 3 days and haven't hurt anyone yet. Who says miracles aren't still happening?!? I have increased my water intake and trips to the bathroom have also increased. All in all, things are progressing well. I plan on posting my progress about once a week. I know you all are excited about that, but I have to share my joy with everyone.

Well, since I am rather nauseated (I think the stomach flu is trying to venture back into my life), I think I'll go take a nap. Resting is part of a healthy lifestyle, don't you agree??

This Is Going to Be Stunning

I have much to say, but right now I have rowdy three year old who is not submitting to sleep the way his mother would like. So that being said I am going to fight the good fight.

What will be stunning--that this post doesn't run on and on and on, but only because my beloved son is not allowing this process to happen.

Hope you all had a blessed and wonderful Monday, and we'll return to our regularly scheduled programming tomorrow.

Thank you and Goodnight.

Sunday Funny

A little girl in my sons Sunday school class chased him around today and when she caught him, she looked at him and said "You so pwetty" while she cupped his face in her tiny little hands. (She is two years old and the tiniest little thing, especially compared to Samuel the Brute)

He looked at the teacher and said "I don't like this, could you make her leave?"

That's my boy. As tactful as a hippopotamus. And so very cute. A rascal, but cute. Apparently cute enough to garner the attention of a petite two year old who just four days ago was afraid of Samuel. You know that whole he's-20-pounds-heavier-than-me-and-7-inches-taller-and-doesn't-like-to-share-and-I-am-scared-of-him had her screaming in angst, but not today. Today he's pwetty.

She has good taste in cuteness, but I may have to buy a big stick. See, he's mama's baby.

Just kidding. Kinda. I'll give it a few years before I buy the stick, then we'll see.

Hope you all had a blessed Sunday. I did and I'll be back tomorrow, full of adventure to share!

Goodnight.

Just Realized. . . .

I did it again. I created a post and forgot to schedule it. So I cheated, I went back in and time stamped it for yesterday. I wouldn't want to start out the new year and not have a post!! :)

Sam--a potty training update--It's going so well, I could cry and leap for joy!! Today, Sam went to the potty and came out and proclaimed that there was "stinky mud" in the bathroom. Fear rose in my throat and I went to inspect. Sam had actually went poo poo in the potty and not on the floor as I had feared. It was a momentous occasion! So, we are doing really well in this area and I plan to have that goal marked off that humungous list by mid year. As you can see I am optimistic, but not overly so. He also recognizes his name (letters) and is getting better with other letters as well. I am hoping by the end of this school year that he knows the alphabet by sight.

Makiah is entering a new semester of school and I am not happy with our curriculum. I mean she's learning, but I don't feel like she is getting enough. So I am researching other options and if you have any suggestions, throw 'em at me. Her reading has come a long way. I never believed she didn't know how, but rather that she didn't want too. She would read her work, but never anything outside of her school books. Now she reads everything and I am happy about that. Yesterday, I was loading the dishwasher and heard her reading a new book, I peeked around the corner and both brothers were sitting beside her enjoying the story. My heart soared! I want to foster a love for reading in my children.

Daniel is getting everywhere he wants to go by rolling there. His favorite thing is the DVD player and he gets mad when we move him away from it. He is just starting the do a form of crawling using his toes and elbows. He also goes backwards which is so funny! Developmentally his is still behind, but definitely improving. He is eating Cheerios now and gets excited when he sees the box! Next week, I plan on making some homemade baby food. I am looking forward to it.

I am trying to break my soda addiction, I am calling it as it is, and will be entering into water only for thirty days. I mean for drinks anyway. I have done this before and broke my bad habit, then I fell off the wagon and soda re-entered my life. I am praying for the same results this time too. I know it sounds silly to be talking of soda as an addition, but for me, it is.

Whew, I am a just rambling on and on. The kids have built a pillow fort and Daniel is in there with them and I am off to clean something (there's always something to clean), then naps and maybe a little crocheting for me.

Have a blessed day!