Picture Of My World

Funny!

2011-06-08T00:09:00.000-05:00

Really I can't say anything else about this! The picture speaks for itself! Yes that is a tampon and yes Sylas calls those "spinners".

I Believe

2011-06-06T22:38:00.002-05:00

I believe that when you are good to others they tend to be good to you

I believe if they aren't you should be able to punch them in the face and not get in trouble

I believe more food should be served on sticks

I believe the older I get the less I care about what others think

I believe in ghosts and spirits and things that go bump in the night

I believe in laughing

a lot

mostly at myself

I believe picnics should be a mandatory part of summer

I believe ants at picnics should be banned

I believe in God

I believe exercise and eating right shouldn't be combined

I believe if you eat right you shouldn't have to exercise

I believe moms should have mandatory bedtimes too

I believe I am tired

I believe it is time to say good night

Thank You Intuniv

2011-06-05T22:46:00.002-05:00

Making the decision to medicate my toddler was one of the most difficult decisions of my life. It went against every parenting belief I held. But we had run out of options. I was desperate, Hulk was desperate. We were at a point where we couldn't keep moving on like we were. So medication it was.

I handed my 3 1/2 year old a little pill called Intuniv. Watched him swallow it and cheered for him being such a big boy. And I said a prayer that it would help him and not hurt him! And help him it has!!! The first few weeks he was pretty sleepy. It took him awhile to adjust to it. But now that he has adjusted it is amazing. Intuniv has given me my son back!

These pictures are proof that it has given us our lives back. These pictures are of a silly little boy munching on some crackers at the grocery store. Not a big deal to most people but HUGE for Hulk. He hadn't been able to go in public to a store or a restaurant in months! He would totally freak out and melt down. Now he can go and it's no big deal. I told him when we got done shopping this day how proud I was of him and he said "I proud of me too." He has also told me that his head isn't at loud and he isn't as wiggly. He can notice the change too.

Can Intuniv fix it all. Absolutly not! We still work very hard on learning ways to cope and self regulate. We still have behavior modification plans in place. Hulk and I are always learning and trying new things to help him be successful. But Intuniv has given him the chance to calm down enough that he can process and learn those other skills.

I'm not getting paid by Intuniv. I just know when I was considering meds I searched blog after blog and website after website looking for info. If this can help some other desperate parent I hope they find it.

Summer Fun # 18

2011-06-03T22:20:00.001-05:00

We are having a blast with our to do list of fun! This was one of the best things I've ever done for us! Tonight we enjoyed item number 18 and headed to C of E park! We took Hulks trike so he could ride it. This park has a great walking path that was super for his trike.

However, he quickly found the flowers and the bugs on the sidewalk and the pond and ditched his bike for exploration. I was all good with that! The walking path is a half mile so he ended up getting a mile walk out of the deal. Probably more because he was running all over. Made for a happy and tired boy when we were done.

This kid loves sticks! And he loves water! Throwing sticks into the water was like a little bit of heaven for him! Who knew???? While this park has the perks of good walking/bike riding and the pond there is no playground equipment. So this park lost a few points for that. It won't win the grand prize of best park in town in Hulk's opinion. But it for sure ranks high on the list. Very well maintained!

Now a great time was had at the park until it was time to leave. I was loading his trike into the car and didn't realize he had walked up right beside me. So when I picked up the trike I accidentally whacked him in the head! He immediately told me "I can't wike that!" as the goose egg began to form on his head! When he got out of his bath tonight he asked for an icepack and reminded me that "you not supposa do dat mama." Poor kid!

My Desk

2011-06-02T22:09:00.002-05:00

My desk is absolutely ridiculous! Right now I'm looking at it and I want to puke! Seriously there is a stack of papers high enough that they have now tipped over and spilled onto the floor. There are about 12 books. A bunch of granola bar wrappers. Photo invoices, a notebook, my kindle. The three hole punch is taking up some room but the best part is the 1873 little round pieces of paper that Hulk dumped out of it all over my desk and floor. That is awesome!

I don't know why I can't seem to keep it cleaned off! It drives me crazy. But in just a matter of days it will be covered again. I can't seem to find a good way to organize all my paperwork. Seriously it really really drives me crazy.

And I just now moved in my desk chair and ran over an old pretzel and a crayon. I've got to clean this crap up! I'll post again if the office doesn't suck me in!

What's Up

2011-06-01T21:38:00.003-05:00

Some random tidbits about what is going on at our house.....

I'm doing an online Bible study of the book Hidden Joy. It's a great book and I'm hoping I'll get a lot of "joy" out of it. If you'd like to join in you still can. We just started this week. Head over to http://melissataylor.org/ to get all signed up.

Someone is trying really hard to pee in the potty all the time. I can't wait till this is mastered!

I get to photograph a wedding this weekend and I'm pretty excited about it. I'm hoping the weather is fantastic since it is outdoors.

Since we don't have cable we watch shows on Instant Netflix. Well I should say we watch one show. The Deadliest Catch. Hulk is obsessed with it! He knows all of the captains names and the names of the boats. He is convinced if he goes fishing here in Kansas he will be able to catch Alaskan crabs. I have a feeling he will be disappointed.

I'm eating Peanut Butter Cap'n Crunch right now. Not the best choice but I still have 8 ww points left for the day and 3/4 cup of it is only 3 points. Heck I may eat two servings. I'm wild like that on occasion.

The Promise

2011-05-31T21:16:00.002-05:00

I don't even know where to start. We went to Max's funeral today and it just breaks my heart. No parents should ever have to bury their child! It's not fair. I hate that Kelci and Kevin have ever experienced such sorrow!

But the minister today said something that stuck with me. He said that never again will Kelci and Kevin be just Kelci and Kevin. They will forever be Maxton's parents. While they will not parent him here he will be waiting for them in heaven. And that reminded me that the only reason this sorrow is so deep is because Maxton was loved so very much. He will forever be their child and will forever be loved and remembered. And God promises to reunite them someday. While I don't want this to be happening I don't know how people ever get through something like this without the promise of heaven and eternity together.

I will never understand this but I will forever understand a parent's love. It never ends. Parents love forever! On this earth or the next. Forever! And I have to believe that love is what will keep Maxton's memory alive until his parents can see him again.

Summer Fun!

2011-05-29T23:09:00.002-05:00

I always have a to do list a mile long. Laundry, edit pictures, mop the floors, trim the hedges, water plants, feed the kid, pay the bills, and on and on and on. We all have those lists right. And it dawned on me the other day that all I ever write on those to do lists is work. I plan and plan to get done all of those things. And in the process I often put off having fun! Ridiculous!

So this week Hulk and I made a to do list of all the fun things we want to do this summer. A few of them will cost some money like the zoo and swimming lessons. But the majority of them are really cheap or free and super easy for us to do. Some days we may be able to do two or three of the things of the list. Other days just one. But the whole point is by the end of the summer we should have tackled them all and had a blast in the process.

He helped me put the list together and came up with some great ideas on his own. I filled it in with stuff I enjoyed as a kid or projects I wanted to try with him. I'm looking forward to spending time on the to do list of fun and seeing what adventures the summer holds for us. I'll try to take some pictures along the way and share them with you.

What is on your to do list of fun????

Sweet Max

2011-05-28T20:13:00.003-05:00

Sweet Max passed away on Thursday. My heart breaks for Kelci and Kevin. I will never understand why some parents must experience the pain of losing a child. Heartbreaking! If you would like to visit Kelci's blog it can be found at http://thekburks.blogspot.com/ .

This has been a month filled with difficulty for so many people I care about. In the midst of Maxton's struggle a community just a few miles from me was devastated by a tornado. The small town is pretty much destroyed. To see a community in bits and pieces is overwhelming. I've donated supplies and offered to help where I can but wish I could do more. How overwhelmed they all must be.

These things just remind me how powerless we really are. It's amazing how we make plans for the future and stress about the present. When in just a moment it can literally blow away in the wind. It is a great reminder to stay in the moment and enjoy the positive things in life. Who knows when it will change...

May Day

2011-05-25T23:12:00.001-05:00

Things are still a bit sad around here. Baby Max is hanging in there but there has been no improvement in his health. I continue to pray for his mom and dad and my sister and their families. I can't imagine the pain they must be feeling.

Being a mom is one of the most amazing experiences of my life and I can't imagine not having my wild man around. One of my favorite parts of parenting is getting to be a kid again myself and relive so many fun memories from my own childhood. So I thought I'd share some of our May Day pics tonight. Only 25 days after the fact!

When I was a kid my mom and I would make May Day baskets to take to Grandma and Grandpa Marks our next door neighbors. They weren't really my grandparents but that's what I called them. We would fill our basket with flowers, little candies, etc. Of course we would ring the bell, run and hide and watch from afar as they were surprised. I loved it!

So this year Hulk and I put together a little May Day bag for our neighbors. We filled it with some honeysuckle from the back yard, candy, and some cool magnets we had made.

Hulk was so excited he could hardly stand it. We ran across the street, knocked on the door, and ran back home. He wasn't to thrilled about the running back home part. He really wanted to go inside and watch them open it. But he thought the bag was pretty awesome.

I can't wait till next year to do it again!

Perspective

2011-05-22T23:14:00.003-05:00

You know when things are tough and you think you have it pretty bad then something happens and you realize that really isn't the case. It just puts everything in perspective and you realize that there really is always someone that has it worse that you. Well unfortunately I have been reminded of that this week.

My sister's best friend Kelci had a wonderful little boy 7 weeks ago. Max is a doll and is so darn loved. I had the opportunity to take Kelci's maternity pics and she was so very excited. She enjoyed her maternity leave at home with Max, holding him and spoiling him rotten. And then she went back to work and Max went to the sitter. And then Max quit breathing at the sitter. He was resuscitated but has substantial brain damage and can't breath on his own. His loving parents have some very tough decisions to make in the coming days.

My sister has been at the hospital with them quite a bit and their families are all there. They have a lot of support but this is devastating. I'm so proud of them all! There is no rule book for this kind of thing and no way to know how you will handle it until it happens. They are amazing people. I had the opportunity to see Max yesterday and he is just a doll! He has chubby little legs, a dimple chin, and is just adorable. I gave him a little kiss and told him how loved he was and how proud he makes his mommy and daddy.

And then I came home. And Hulk threw a massive fit and I thanked God he could scream. And today when he colored on the wall I reminded myself how lucky I am that he can see. And when he wanted to make bird feeders I said yes even though I had a lot of other things to do. Because at the end of the day the only that that matters is him. The laundry will be there tomorrow.

Yard Therapy

2011-05-16T22:56:00.002-05:00

Something has come over me lately. It's an obsession really. My yard. I've lived in this house for 4 years. The first spring/summer I was here after my mom died all I did was lay in the pool. I paid a guy to mow the yard and then did nothing else. And then the past three spring/summers Hulk was so little it was to much of a hassle to do much with the yard. I planted a few flowers but that was about it.

But this year Hulk is big enough to entertain himself in the yard while I work or he can help me. While everything else in my life seems to be falling apart the yard is what holds me together. I feel like it is the one place I have control. I cut down tree branches and bushes. I pile them and then set them ablaze. I move rocks and build flower beds and feel like I'm laying claim to the land. I pull weeds and plant grass and obsessively water and care for it. I yell at Hulk to get out of the grass and baby it along urging it to grow.

Tonight after the yard was nicely mowed and watered I was pushing Hulk on the swings. He was laughing and the sun was starting to set. I could hear the birds and feel the breeze. And as I looked across the yard at my flowers and bright green well fertilized back yard I felt blessed. It was the first feeling of peace I've had in weeks.

Maybe the yard therapy will pay off after all....

Tornados and Weddings

2011-05-01T00:20:00.002-05:00

It's been a busy news week. Horrible natural disasters and a royal wedding! I have only allowed myself to read a few new stories about both. It's these times that I'm a little bit glad I don't have cable anymore. I get too caught up in watching the news and spend way to much time on it. So I've just seen snippets here and there online.

I won't lie though I did love the footage I watched of the royal wedding. It's so silly because I don't really consider myself to be a girlie girl. I was never really into the whole princess thing as a kid. But watching Kate walk down the aisle as a normal girl and then become a princess was pretty cool to me. She looked beautiful and for just a brief moment I really wanted to be a princess too!!!

Thoughts In My Head

2011-04-29T00:59:00.003-05:00

So many thoughts in my head... And the bad part is I can't seem to do much with any of them. I'm not sleeping well and Hulk isn't sleeping well. The lack of sleep and the stress means I'm not functioning all that great. So I've resorted to living by way of post it notes. Yes indeed my house and office is now a post it note museum. It's the only way I remember anything! I feel like I did when Hulk was about 6 weeks old and I wasn't sleeping then. Post it notes got me thru that stage, hopefully they can carry me through this one.

I was trying to try all these new techniques and interventions and behavior modifications that I'm learning. But honestly we just need to stabilize. Hulk and I both are overloaded and worn out I think. So the goal now is to just get us back to status quo. We need to get back to a routine that works for us and then add in the new stuff after the meds stabilize and we rest. So my post it notes remind me to cook us something healthy, return library books, order diapers, deliver pictures, and exercise. I figure if we can just get through the daily stuff for awhile we can work on the other stuff later.

And since it's 1 in the morning I better listen to the post it note that tells me to go to bed....

Jess

Garage Sale Finds

2011-04-24T21:34:00.002-05:00

I've never been a huge fan of garage sales. Well until recently. I've now become a bit garage sale obsessed. I've found some really awesome things lately and saved myself lots of money! So I thought I'd start sharing my finds with you. This weekend I hit the mother load of garage sales! I'm usually on the hunt for photo props or stuff for Hulk. I hit the jackpot this weekend.

At one garage sale I found the apple basket, vintage radio flyer trike, and the 10 gallon milk jug for $40! The trike and the milk jug are individually worth at least $40. They will make such great photo props! And then I found Hulk a kid lawn mower for $1. That is the best $1 I've spent in awhile. He loves that thing!

So for $41.00 I made out like a bandit!

Happy Easter!

2011-04-24T21:03:00.001-05:00

Happy Easter!!!

We had a wonderful Easter! We were planning on going to Tulsa to visit family. And then my Dad's aunt died so he and Cricket came to town for her funeral. While that was sad it was a great suprise to get to see them and visit!

Hulk spent time coloring easter eggs with Aunt Phyllis and I. He thought that was pretty neat. Though he did want to eat them all! He also got lots of Easter goodies from Heather and I. And he got to have two easter egg hunts. One at our house that the neighbor kids set up for him. And another with my nieces. This is the first year he has really understood how to dye eggs or hunt eggs so it was a blast.

We also made our annual Easter visit out to mom's place. I love visiting her on Easter. It's always nice to take her new spring decorations. But Easter reminds me that I will see her again fills me with hope and excitement for that day!

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter too!!!

Thanks!

2011-04-17T21:38:00.004-05:00

Thanks to all of you for your kind words, emails, suggestions of blogs and websites to check out and just your support! I appreciate it more than you know. There is so much information out there and I'm wading through it all slowly. What I can tell you for sure is that today was the best day we have had in MONTHS!!!

For the first time in weeks Hulk was able to go with me to Wal-Mart. While this isn't a big deal to lots of people it was huge for him. We went to get flowers and he did amazing. He didn't get overwhelmed and freak out. When I had to tell him no there were no huge fits. He was SUPER! We didn't get a lot of flowers, just a few for the front yard. I'm hoping to get the back yard done in a couple weeks.

Since he did so great I told him he could pick out any type of flower he wanted. He told me he wanted the happy flowers. He pointed them out and it was marigolds. He was so "besided" to get home and get them planted. We put them in the window box that he picked and he was just so happy.

Tonight I asked him how he felt and he told me "so better". I can't imagine what it must be like for him to feel more in control of himself. It's amazing for me to watch so I bet it does feel so much better to him!

I'm so excited to see how school goes for him tomorrow! I hope he has another fabulous day.

A Confession

2011-04-16T20:43:00.002-05:00

So I have a confession to make. I was really busy and that is a big part of why I didn't post for so long. But the main reason was because when I blog it forces me to be honest and real about the things going on in my life. And like most people when things aren't going great I would much rather pull the wool over my eyes and hide from it rather than admit there is a problem. But there was/is a big problem. You see I have an adorable amazing 3 year old boy that is in crisis.

Hulk has been struggling with lots of different things for quite some time. But for about the last 6 months things have been very rough. And for the last 6 weeks things have been downright difficult. I've tried doctors and behavior plans, therapists and prayers, and yet nothing was working. Wednesday night I found myself laying on my couch sobbing and seriously wondering if we could continue on like this. So I finally admitted it. To my sister, to my best friend, to myself. Something had to change immediately!

So Thursday and Friday was spent in much discussion with Hulk's therapist and doctor. And I finally allowed myself to really hear what they were saying and I'm allowing myself to accept the truth. My precious boy has Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. I stood in the doctors office with him and my Darbis and bawled as it sunk in. FAS isn't fixable and it is something I never wanted him to have! But he does and he will and luckily we are getting help. Admitting the problem is half the battle right????

So I let myself feel sorry for him and I yesterday. And this morning we started on a new positive plan. He began medication today to help with his impulsivity and constant movement. I'm still a little nervous about that but we actually ate dinner tonight and when we got done he said "wow mama no wiggles". I cried happy tears and he declared himself awesome. He is awesome! And we are going to to be awesome together.

That's the truth of it.

Paint Sample Mosaic

2011-04-13T22:03:00.004-05:00

I really needed a piece of art for Hulks bedroom and for my living room. And I really needed to not spend much money! I'm a girl on a major decorating budget. So I decided to try a little project I saw in one of my crafty magazines awhile back. Paint sample mosaics.

First I hit my local lumber store and had a piece of 1/2 inch plywood cut into 20x20 sections. Then I hit the paint store and grabbed some fun paint samples. I've found that Dutch Boy paint samples are the best because they are already cut to the perfect size! Score!!! You will need a lot of samples!

Then I used brown paint that I already had on hand to paint the sides of the boards. Since Hulk must "help" with all projects he painted some too. You don't have to paint the whole board or let your 3 year old paint randomly but it does make the project more fun.

Once that dried I arranged the squares of paint samples in the pattern I wanted on the board. Then I stacked them all up in order and took the board back outside. I use 3M adhesive spray and attached the samples with it. I would spray a line, stick the samples on and then spray another line, etc. I let it dry overnight and made sure all the pieces were really stuck to the board.

Next I used my Mod Podge and applied three coats on top of the samples. I used a Satin Mod Podge because I wanted a little shine but you could use Matte. Let each coat dry before applying the next. I then let that dry over night.

The next day I applied several coats of dark cherry stain. I would brush the stain on with a paint brush let it sit about 10 minutes and then wipe most of it off with a rag. Let it dry, and repeat. There are three coats of stain total. Again let it dry overnight.

Once it was completely dry I called my step dad over and he hung it for me in the living room. I love it! I actually didn't end up liking the one I made for Hulk at all. So I'm in the process of redoing his now. I've also made a couple for some other folks now too. They are fun to make and very simple. It's just a time consuming process. Lots of waiting around for things to dry.

If you end up trying it let me know. I'd love to see how it turns out!

I Laugh...

2011-04-11T21:45:00.002-05:00

I laugh...

When Hulk tells stories...

When I talk to my best friend Darbis...

When my sister and I do things with Hulk that we did as kids...

When I see people fall down...

Everytime I watch an episode of Friends...

At myself...

At stupid jokes...

Often...

Not enough...

At least everyday...

What makes you laugh?

He Turned Three!

2011-04-10T22:04:00.002-05:00

While I was on my 50 day leave from blogging the Hulk man turned 3! I can't believe I'm now the mother of a three year old. 3 seems old to me somehow. It's an odd age really. He isn't a baby but he isn't a big boy either. Though he does love to say "I'm a big man". But 3 is where we are now and it's an all right place to be.

He of course got some wonderful gifts and had a great time with our friends/family for his birthday. On his actually birthday our neighbors decorated the house with balloons and signs for his special day. They are so good to us!

While it was a wonderful celebration I still can't help but wonder where in the world my baby went????

50 Days

2011-04-07T22:27:00.004-05:00

For goodness sake it has been 50 days since I've posted! That's crazy. I have so much to tell you. Well I have 50 things to tell you actually. 50 things that I should have probably posted about but well I haven't.

Hulk turned 3!

Hulk had a very awesome birthday!

He got some fun toys and clothes and a very cool bike from Papa and Granny.

Hulk still can't peddle his bike but thinks it is very fun to have me and the neighbor kids push him around on his cool bike.

I went to a conference in Huntsville Alabama for 5 days and left the man with my good friend Beth and her family.

I learned a lot but got very homesick.

5 days is a long time to be away from your sidekick kidlet.

He had a fabulous time though.

While in Huntsville I went to the space and rocket museum.

It was pretty cool and I took some pictures of it.

I also took pictures of Hulk's b-day party.

I still haven't even downloaded the pictures.

I'm overwhelmed with things to do and not enough time.

The weather got nice and we spend all of the evening outside now.

This is great for burning off all the energy Hulk has.

This does not allow me to get things done inside.

The house looks a bit like a pit.

I'm praying for rain this weekend so I can actually stay indoors and get the house cleaned up.

I still haven't completely unpacked from going to Huntsville.

I have been home from Huntsville for a week!

I've been busy taking pictures for other people.

I've edited those pics just not my own.

I have Easter mini sessions this weekend.

Hulk wants a bunny desperately or a dog.

He reminds me often that we need a dog.

His teachers and therapist recommend a dog.

I'm not sure that I have the energy to keep up with a dog.

But I wouldn't mind having a dog either...

I made a really cool paint sample mosaic for my wall.

I took step by step pictures to share on the blog.

Yeah I haven't gotten those edited yet either.

I planted grass seed tonight in what used to be a flower bed.

I'm trying to simplify and turning a couple flower beds into grassy areas seemed like a good plan.

The dang grass better grow.

My house flooded again. It's the great flood of 2011!

My hot water heater broke and dumped gallons of hot water into the house while I was at work.

The same flood restoration crew that worked my flood of 2010 showed up to save the day this year.

I'm gonna get new carpet this time around.

I am also requesting a new medication for anxiety. :-)

You may think I'm joking but I'm not. I seriously want some happy pill that would remove all the anxiety provoking events from my life.

Hulk dumped an entire bottle of bath fizz tablets into the toilet. You are only supposed to put 2 in a bath tub. He put 98 in the toilet. That was a freaky fizzing colorful volcanic explosion.

Hulk can no longer have bath fizz tablets.

Hulk hates his bedroom.

I finally got it all decorated and adorable and he hates it.

He will sleep anywhere but in his room.

He slept in a diapers.com box in the living room one night.

The next he slept in the hallway.

Tonight he is sleeping on my bedroom floor. I don't understand it!

I am promising myself again that I won't go this long without blogging.

Don't hold your breath though. I seem to not be a very good blogger anymore....

Smiles

2011-02-15T22:38:00.001-06:00

Why is this adorable boy smiling... Because the sun is shining of course! Well since it's night it isn't shining now but earlier it was and he was all smiles! We got to play outside without jackets this evening! Last week we had a foot of snow and today we played outside and enjoyed the sunshine. Go figure. Good old Kansas.

Almost all the snow is gone! Hopefully we are done with snow for the year. I'm really over it! Hulk and I are much happier when we can be outside without being cold. In fact as I was putting Hulk to bed tonight and saying prayers he thanked God for sunshine and recess!

Some other wise words from Hulk...

"Mama do not drink this water in the bath tub. I fink there is pee in it!"

"Here hold this baby doll. No with two hands mama. Pay attention."

"I fink you should hug on me now."

"Mama I show you how to do it. Wisten to me, are you wistening?

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

2011-02-14T07:00:00.001-06:00

We sure hope your day is full of love and laughter!!!

Dinosaur Lover

2011-02-13T13:57:00.000-06:00

Since the kidlet thought his dinosaurs needed to have their pictures taken I thought he might let me take a few pictures of him with them. He wasn't too excited about that. But he is always excited about those dinosaurs! I think you could take everything away from that child and as long as he had his dinosaurs he would be content. They really are his most prized possession! Maybe he will grow up to be a scientist. Mama's can dream right!

My Little Photographer

2011-02-12T13:56:00.001-06:00

Hulk got ahold of my camera the other day. When I caught him laying on the floor with it I asked him what in the heck he was doing. He said his dinosaurs were smiling. He got in trouble but after he went to bed I took a look and he was actually taking pictures. In fact he got some really good pictures of his dinosaurs. I cropped one of the pictures below but other wise they are right out of the camera with no edits.

The Miracle Cure

2011-02-12T13:49:00.002-06:00

I have probably tried 20 different types of lotion, cream, ointment, etc for Hulk's skin. And NOTHING has worked. I put lotion on him about 5 times a day and his skin is still dry, cracking, and hurting him. Winter is hard on my boy! I don't even want to think about how much money I have spent trying different things. But I found the solution!

Aquaphor Healing Ointment!!!!

Seriously this stuff is like a little bit of heaven. Now every night I put this stuff all over Hulk's body and then put his snug pj's on. I even put some on his face and ears. It is greasy and thick but if I do it right before bed it's no big deal. I did it the first night and the next morning he woke up feeling and looking a ton better. By morning two his skin was soft and brown again. No redness, no dry spots, no itching and most of all no hurting!!! Midday he still needs some lotion but nothing like it used to be. I have even used this a few times on my own hands before bed time and it makes them super soft in the morning.

LOVE IT! I'm buying it by the case. Try it and let me know what you think.

Snow Fun

2011-02-09T20:02:00.001-06:00

These snow pictures are actually from the snow day we had last week! Caden and I convinced Hulk to go outside and play. He didn't like it much. I couldn't even bribe him to go out in it today. He has never been scared of anything before but he is TERRIFIED of snow! I think it is because some of the drifts in our backyard are taller than he is. Anytime I go outside he starts crying and carrying on. It's really weird. So I'm not anticipating him playing in the 14 inches of snow we got yesterday.

He does however love to watch the truck come to move the snow out of the driveway. He and Caden were so impressed by this and got so darn excited. It was hilarious watching them. When the truck came again today he watched the whole time and clapped and waved and declared when he gets big he is doing that. Maybe by then he won't be so scared of snow....

Next week it's supposed to be 57. I'm ready for it!

The View From Here

2011-02-08T17:39:00.001-06:00

Snow

Snow..

Snow...

Snow!

SNOW!!!!!

We Did It

2011-02-05T23:05:00.003-06:00

I'm thrilled to announce that we did it! We actually made it to get Hulk's hair cut before our coupon expired! This mama loves a good deal and a good deal it was. Hulk got his haircut for $4.99. Not only did he get his hair cut but he also got a cool lightening bolt shaved into the side of his hair and he got two suckers! What a steal!

I spent a good part of the day working. Had lots of Valentine Portrait Sessions today. But tomorrow we are heading to the city to see Heather and take Hulk to do something fun. Family days make me very happy! I'm sure I'll have lots of pics to share tomorrow evening or Monday.

Have a super weekend!

ADD

2011-02-03T20:50:00.002-06:00

I've got a little adult ADD going on today. I have about a million and one thoughts in my head and can't seem to get any one thing sorted out. So frustrating! I even made a to do list and can't seem to stay focused at all. Since I love to share I'll just share some of the randomness going through my head right now.

I need to get Hulk's hair cut. I have a coupon that is only good till the 6th and I must use it. However I have a million other things to do before the 6th so that might not happen.

I wish I didn't have to get his hair cut. Maybe I could let it grow again and braid it.

I've tried growing it. I never get passed the annoyed stage. Just cut it while you have the coupon....

While I'm out that way I've got to get some different lotion for his face. His face looks like someone sandpapered it. This weather is killer for his skin.

That makes me think of what my sister says "He's a tropical people." He needs some humidity and sunshine. Maybe I should send him to Corpus to visit Granny and Papa for a week. His skin would clear up then.

That reminds me I need to get their Valentine package sent. Where is a box...

Oh crap I forgot to order Hulk's valentine's. I've got to do that!

And it goes on and on and on!

Is your head as full of crap as mine is? I wish I had a pause button...

Snow Day Success

2011-02-02T21:35:00.002-06:00

Our snow days were quite successful. I didn't get a single bit done around the house but we stayed busy and entertained and had a lot of fun. So I'll count it as successful. Just promise not to come inspect my floors or laundry piles. YIKES!

Peanut Butter Play Dough was a huge hit with Hulk. He likes regular play dough and he likes to "make" food. So I let him help me make up a batch of the dough and then he got to play with it and eat it. Playing and eating. Two of his favorite things. I also gave him some other things like cereal, pretzels, and coconut to decorate his creations with as well as eat. Big hit!

The recipe for peanut butter play dough is pretty simple. In fact it's really simple because I didn't have all the ingredients the recipe called for and we were snowed in so I just created my own...

1 cup peanut butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup milk

Mix all the ingredients together until dough forms. You may have to add a bit more milk or powdered sugar to get the consistency right.

Have fun and eat your treats!

Snow Day

2011-01-31T21:18:00.003-06:00

We have one heck of a storm headed our way. At least that is what the weatherman says. I'm not quite sure I believe it. For my blog readers in snowy states like Minnesota and North Dakota our big storm probably seems like a walk in the park. But Kansas doesn't react well to lots of snow. Or well anything more than 3 inches of snow.

Since we react poorly to large amounts of snow and our city doesn't seem to know how to clear roads my office is closed tomorrow and Wednesday! I'm thrilled that I don't have to get out and drive but I'm a little nervous about being stuck inside for a couple more days with just the kidlet and I.

Today I picked up a few supplies to get us through the next couple days. Some craft supplies and what not. I've got a couple games planned and hopefully I can keep him busy and away from the television as much as possible. I get so sick of the tv! Planned activities are a must!

Crafty Kid

2011-01-22T19:46:00.001-06:00

I've got one crafty kid. Today we worked on Valentine's Cards. He thought that was cool. Anything that involves a sticker is pretty darn great in his book! So he stuck stickers on everything and colored while I cleaned the kitchen and took breaks to cut out more hearts for him. Very productive day for my little crafter. I believe half the state of Kansas will be getting a Valentine made by Hulk.

I also took pictures today. Lots of pictures. Which means that as soon as I'm done typing this post I will be editing pictures... Lots of pictures. I had several really cute kiddos today so I'm hoping I got some great shots. We will see....

Have a super weekend!

Dear Snow

2011-01-19T20:16:00.003-06:00

Dear Snow-

I used to love you when I was a kid. But my love affair with you has ended since having a kid of my own. You always tease me and that causes me great pain. I look out the windows and you seem so gentle and beautiful. And then I put my coat on and my kids coat on and we venture out and in no time he is screaming about you freezing his face. So because I'm a nice mom I pick him up and let him bury his frozen face into my neck and I continue to head to the car. But snow you again tease me. You look so soft on the ground but no no you are not! You are really slippery and you make me fall into you in the driveway of the daycare so everyone can see me. The other parents see me about throw my frozen faced toddler into the street as my fat body flies about. Of course I land in the biggest pile of snow there is. My kid falls on top of me and I feel like a turtle stuck on my back in the middle of a blizzard. By the time I finally get myself out of the snow pile and get the kid in the car I'm covered in frozen bits of snow and ice, my coat wasn't fastened so my shirt is soaked and somehow snow has gotten into my bra. The kid is crying, my boobs are frozen and the radio says we are getting 4 more inches of you tonight. Yeah I'm officially over you. So dear snow please go away!

Thanks much!

Running Away

2011-01-14T16:19:00.001-06:00

We are running away! Just for the weekend. But running away we are! We are off to the big city to visit with family, celebrate a birthday, and just have a good time. My phone doesn't work so well where we are going so there will be zero work involved. Just fun! We are ready. We are set. And we are gone!!!!

Keeping Him Busy

2011-01-12T22:18:00.002-06:00

Keeping Hulk busy during the winter months is a bit of a challenge for me. Since we can't play outside as much he spends way to much time watching videos! I'm trying to put a stop to that. Luckily he is really into "projects". He loves making things. The hard part for me is coming up with new projects for him to do!

Recently we made these kid friendly stain glass things. So so simple to do and they were lots of fun for him. The only downside is that they are pretty fragile and don't stay together long after all his loving.

So simple to make! Here is what you need...

Washable Markers
Coffee Filters
Spray bottle of water
Hole punch
Ribbon

Have the kids color all over the coffee filters with markers. Using a bunch of different colors works best. Once the filter is completely colored you spray it with the water. You want the whole filter to be wet but not dripping wet. Squish the filter together a few times then hang or lay flat to dry. Once it's dry you hole punch it and put a ribbon through it so it will hang in the window or wherever else you want it. It looks kind of tie dyed.

If you have any project ideas send them my way. I'm having a hard time being creative...

Mr. Mom

2011-01-08T23:56:00.002-06:00

Hulk has suddenly turned into Mr. Mom. He is always asking me to play babies or mom with him. It cracks me up. He tells me you lay down and go waa waa and be the baby. I'm the mama. Poor kid doesn't have a clue he would be the dad. Someday he will get it figured out.

While I can pretend to be a baby remarkably well I don't fit into the baby stroller. Shocking I know! The stroller was left over from Amara's stay and Hulk has latched on to it and LOVES it! So he will load Buddy up and stroll him all over the house. He usually starts out very gentle but then things progress from Mr. Mom to Mr. Maniac! The day these pictures were taken he took the stroller in the kitchen and was swinging it around and around as fast as he could. I explained to him that Buddy probably wouldn't like having the wheels off the ground, that it might scare or hurt him.

This seemed to get Hulk's attention because he stopped right away and looked at me so seriously and said. "No mama Buddy wikes it a lot. See Buddy's smiling. Take a picture of smile mama." And with that I did.

Let's all say a little prayer that Buddy can keep on smiling....

Things I Say

2011-01-06T23:06:00.003-06:00

"Where did the apple go?"

"I know you ate it but where is the core?"

"What do you mean you ate it ALL???"

"Take the fly swatter out of your mouth!"

"We don't use our crayons on the TV."

"Yes green is my favorite color but not when it is all over the TV."

"I'm sorry you don't want to pick up your toys but you have to help mama."

"No I really don't think you do everything."

"Well when you work and pay the bills and cook I'll pick up the toys. Until then do it NOW."

"Oh please don't ever open the car door when I'm driving!"

"No it's not real funny."

Yep those are just a few of the things that have come out of my mouth lately.... Never a dull moment!

Excited

2011-01-04T19:55:00.003-06:00

I'm excited... I'm happy... Like really happy... Oddly happy...

I don't know how to explain it really. There is no real reason for it. I just finally feel happy again. I finally feel like me again. Like the me I was before my mom got sick. It's odd really. But it's kind of like the fog has lifted. This month is 5 years ago that she got sick. Like really sick. Does it really take 5 years for happy to come back? And should I feel guilty that happy is returning? Because I feel a little guilty.

But mostly I feel happy and excited. Excited about life again and living. Excited about all the cool things going on in my life. Things like Wagoner Photography and the new blog I just lauched. I'm heading into year three of business and I'm excited about the new changes coming. I'm excited to see with a solid business and marketing plan in place what all I can do this year.

I'm excited about how really cool my kid is getting to be. Parenting a toddler is SO much easier than a baby. We have so much fun together now. We have some fun things planned for the coming months and I'm excited to take him places and do things now that he can actually give me some feedback and get excited too.

So life is exciting and happy and just a little bit guilt filled!

Sleep Disturbance

2011-01-03T21:33:00.004-06:00

Last night I just could not fall asleep! I tossed and turned and was just wide awake. The last time I looked at the clock it was 1:30. I finally dozed off! Only to have some crazy weird dream that woke me up about 3. Seriously it was weird. Not scary weird. Stupid annoying weird. Ever have one of those dreams. YUCK! So finally about 3:30 I fell back asleep.

Only to be woken up at 5 by someone grabbing my arm. Grabbing my arm really hard. Like I couldn't get away. I was screaming and yanking and couldn't seem to get free. I ended up getting somewhat loose and got the light turned on and came to my senses. It seems my attacker was really myself. I had somehow gotten my arm stuck inside my pillow case and it had fallen asleep so it was really heavy. The more I struggled to get it free the more tangled up it became. Once I quit screaming and realized what was happening I just started laughing. Laughing like a crazy sleep deprived woman.

I didn't even attempt to go back to sleep. I'm praying tonight I don't attack myself and just sleep well....

Confession

2011-01-02T13:20:00.003-06:00

I have a confession to make. I'm sure I'll be judged but I don't care. I just have to be honest. I'll lay it all on the line and bare my soul. I'm brave like that! Here goes!

I absolutely HATE taking my child to church! It is the most stressful parenting experience for me and I dread it with a passion!

But one of the goals for 2011 is to do better about going. He needs to go to church. I'm blaming this on my mom. I know if my mom was alive she would make me take him. So I'm taking him. But I hate it. He is so high energy and all over the place. He can't sit still, he talks and roars, he climbs under pews, he crawls all over me, I can't hear anything, I can't look at the hymnal long enough to actually see what hymn were singing let alone sing it! I hate it! The only little bit of God I get out of church is the prayer I say over and over that I don't beat him during the service. Yeah it's not the least bit enjoyable for me.

But we are going. I keep praying it will get easier. I keep praying one day I'll look over at him in the pew and be glad I took him. Until then I'm going to grit my teeth and push forward. But next week I may drink a little before we head in for the service.

Happy New Year

2011-01-01T09:03:00.004-06:00

Another year has come and gone. They seem to go faster the older I get. Funny how that works. We were pretty wild on New Year's Eve! We played with play-doh, made about 3 packets of magic grow dinosaur capsules, and watched Toy Story. I also cleaned my office and did three loads of laundy. Yes wild we are!

I'm not making any resolutions this year. I'm not a fan of them. But with each new year I do make goals for the year. Goals for myself, goals for my business. It helps me stay on track. Nothing huge just a plan to help guide me.

Hope you all had a great New Year's Eve and I hope that 2011 brings all of us many blessings and lots of laughter!

A Gift... For Me???

2010-12-29T10:01:00.000-06:00

Hulk did have a fabulous Christmas and scored big in the present department. But mama didn't do so bad either. My parents got me a gift certificate for a massage, and some awesome stationary. They also got me a web cam that I really wanted so we can now Skype with them. So much fun! Monte and Kathy got me a gift card to use anyway I want and Heather got me a gift card to one of my favorite clothing stores. Hulk got me a cool new shirt and a necklace. Yes I was thrilled with all of it!

This year I decided I was also going to get myself a gift. So I gifted myself a gym membership. According to the scales at the doctor's office since Hulk was born almost three years ago I have lost 72 pounds now. I knew I was losing some here and there but until he told me the amount I didn't realize how much it was. While I still need to lose about 50 more pounds I also need to do some serious toning. I'm not kidding when I tell you that when I wave to people I about knock myself out. My flabby arms look like chicken wings. I have to do some toning. So off to the gym I go. We will see if I can get the arm flab under control soon.

That would be a great gift!

Christmas

2010-12-28T19:50:00.002-06:00

Our Christmas was pretty darn amazing this year. Since my mom died Christmas has been painful for me. In fact every Christmas since she died I have been sick. I think the sickness is brought on as a way for me to avoid the day. While I actually really have had physical symptoms I think it's just been my way to get out of dealing with the day. But not this year! I've been praying for weeks that I would be well and that we could have a fun day. And boy was that prayer answered! It was an amazingly fun weekend!!!

Hulk is just the perfect age! He really understood this year and was just so much fun. From making cookies, to baking Jesus a birthday cake, to opening gifts, to playing with new toys. He was just a blast! We got to spend the whole weekend with my sister too and got lots of time with my best friend Darby and her family. It was just a very relaxing laugh filled weekend! The best Christmas that I've had in years!

Hulk got some really wonderful gifts. I got him an indoor trampoline, a digital camera, and some other little things, my sister got him a kitchen, my dad and cricket got him a picnic table and movies, and Monte and Kathy got him a cute chair, a fun truck, and lots of clothes and pj's. What's crazy is he seemed so excited about all of it. He has spent so much time playing with everything and having a blast.

I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas too!

It's Cookie Time

2010-12-23T22:19:00.001-06:00

When I was a kid my mom always made sugar cookies with me. So now that Hulk is big enough it was time to carry on the tradition. I'll be honest. I was dreading it a little. The mess, the hassle, the mess, did I mention the mess! Yeah I wasn't really looking forward to it. But I decided I had to suck it up and just do it.

And boy am I glad I did! We had SOOOO much fun. Seriously one of the most fun evenings we have ever had. We both laughed so hard. I was crying halfway thru from laughing at him. He kept rolling the dough so seriously and then he would just crack up and say "this is so funny mama." And it was so dang funny and fun and just wonderful!

There was once when I was laughing and started crying that I was a bit overwhelmed with missing my mom. The sad tears quickly turned to happy tears. This child heals my heart. Everytime we have moments like this I'm reminded of how magical the relationship is between a parent and their child. While yes I miss my mom I know she was with us tonight. Laughing a little bit too. And I hope and pray that some day in the very distant future Hulk will have a moment with his own children and know I'm still there too.

I could get a million dollars on Christmas morning and it wouldn't matter. Tonight was the best gift of all!

Christmas Countdown

2010-12-23T02:27:00.002-06:00

Thank goodness we are on the final Christmas Countdown! I love Christmas day but I hate the week before Christmas. I have affectionatly dubbed it the week of Christmas chaos. It just seems like the week before Christmas is always super chaotic. And even though I try to not let it I always end up stressed out.

There is just a lot to get down at home this week. Extra baking, arranging back up daycare for the kidlet since daycare is closed, the wrapping, the cleaning, the crap we all do before holidays. But the last part of December is also crazy at work too. There are always presents and food to deliver to folks, finishing up year end reports and numbers, blah blah blah. I shouldn't let it but it does stress me out.

I'll be thrilled when it is all over for another year!

New Artwork

2010-12-20T20:10:00.001-06:00

This funky amazing piece of art is now hanging in my living room! I love it. I love the colors, the shapes, the flower, well all of it really. But most of all I love that my amazingly talented sister made it for me! She rocks like that. If I picked up a paint brush and painted the end result would be either a huge mess or a group of stick people. Painting is not my area of expertise. Luckily I have her to decorate my place.

Almost 3

2010-12-12T15:43:00.003-06:00

How is my baby boy almost 3 years old! It just dawned on me the other night that he is way closer to 3 than he is to 2! I think I'm going to boycott this birthday. I don't know that I want my baby to be 3!!!

But since he is almost 3 he is doing so many cool things lately! Things like talking in some complete sentences! Things like using the toilet more and more frequently. Things like pretending when he plays which just cracks me up! Things like attempting to negotiate with me on things. Oh he is turning into quite a boy rather than a baby!

Hulk is quite the mover! He is pretty much constant motion. Jumping, running, just bouncing everywhere. He really doesn't sit still for much anymore! He is also pretty smart and is doing very well at daycare/school. He is doing some occupational therapy to help with some of his sensory integration issues (hence all the moving) and just recently had a lot of testing that he did well on. He seems to get along well with his classmates and has a little bit of a crush on a little gal in his class.

Hulk all of a sudden HATES and I mean HATES having to take a bath. I don't know what that is about but I am mastering the art of the 2 minute bath with a screaming toddler. He does however love animals and really really wants a pet or ten pets. We are still negotiating that.

So almost three isn't so bad. But I do miss my little baby just a bit!

Girl Time

2010-12-12T15:42:00.001-06:00

My sister came home to visit this weekend. We had a really good time! Hulk was super wild and sick of being stuck in the house so it was like wrestle mania up in here! But once he went to bed it was girl time. Complete with chocolate chip cookies, hot chocolate with butterscotch schnapps for me and some wine for Heather! We ate and drank a little to much while we played table topics. But it was lots of fun and lots of laughing.

Have you ever played table topics? It's a blast! Basically you just pull a card from the stack and answer the question, discuss the question, laugh your head off at the answer to the question. You may get serious questions like who is your mentor or a fun question like where would you like to travel to next. It's not really a game so much as a conversation starter. It will be great when Hulk gets older to encourage dinner time conversation but for now it's just fun to play with my sister while drinking and eating too much. You know just typical girl time activities....

Fall Flew By

2010-12-05T21:17:00.001-06:00

I took this photo a couple weeks ago when it was still Fall. Feels like it was forever ago though. Fall just flew by. Not only were we really busy but the weather wasn't fall like for long. It stayed very warm for so long that we really only had a couple weeks of fall like weather before winter came rushing in. Quite a disappointment for me as I LOVE fall!

Even though Fall was short we still enjoyed it. We made several trips to the zoo, the apple orchard and the pumpkin patch. Lots of time playing outside and going on adventures. I had a great fall photo event that was lots of fun and very successful. And now we are ready to enjoy the winter.

Hulk is looking forward to snow. He looks for it every morning. I think he may go crazy waiting. He has even practiced putting on his snow clothes so he will be ready. And today I had to buy that child an ADULT sized hat! Seriously no little kid hats fit him so he has a man hat to wear in the cold. I hear rumblings that snow may come in the next week or so. We will be waiting. Some of us more excitedly then others....

New Set

2010-12-04T20:20:00.002-06:00

I have to admit I am a little bit proud of myself! Today I designed a new photo set to use during the winter months. Since it's to cold to do much outdoor shooting I needed something fun for indoors. So today I got all the supplies I needed and put the new set together.

Since I needed to try it out to make sure the wood floor would stay together and the lighting would be okay I recruited the best neighbor kids in the world. Not only does this beautiful young lady help me wrangle Hulk from time to time and watch him when I have photo sessions she also willingly models for me when needed. Talk about a gem!

And her younger brother is always a great playmate for Hulk. He never grows tired of pulling him around in the wagon or chasing him in the yard. They really are the best neighbor kids a gal could ask for.

I think we are going to suprise their parents with a few of their photos for Christmas. So it really worked out great. I got to try out the new set and the kids got the Christmas gifts covered. SUCCESS!!!

She Laughs Like My Son

2010-12-03T20:23:00.001-06:00

As quickly as Amara arrived in our home she left. For just a brief while we were lucky to share our home with such a creative, funny, resilient, and loving child! Luckily for miss firecracker her Daddy stepped forward and is more than willing and capable of providing her with a loving and safe home! So she has moved on now.

Lots of people thought I was crazy for bringing her into our home, a large portion of my family included. "How would this affect Hulk?" "Could I afford it?" "What if we got hurt?" All of these questions were asked of me multiply times by multiple people.

And my answer was and still is "I know this doesn't make sense, it isn't a great time to add another child, there are lots and lots of unknowns. But she laughs like my son!" I don't know that anyone but an adoptive mama could really understand this. But when I heard her laugh and mistook it for Hulks laugh I knew I could not or maybe would not say no! To know that a child so very connected to my own needed a safe place to be and to say no would be unforgivable to me. Maybe others could but I could not.

So while her short stay was dramatic and difficult in some ways I don't regret a moment of it. Even if she never stays with us again Hulk had the chance to laugh with someone that laughs like him. And I know that is priceless!!!

Things I Say

2010-11-17T21:56:00.002-06:00

Do not squish her!

I don't care if she likes it! You cannot jump on her head like that!

Why is there a doll in the toilet?

Hmmm I don't think the toilet is where doll's like to take baths.

Okay Hulk where is the doll's head? I've told you not to take them off!

Why are there muffins in your dresser drawer?

Please only keep food in the kitchen. We don't hide it in our drawers or the closet or anywhere else.

Making It

2010-11-15T16:47:00.003-06:00

We made it thru our first weekend as a family of three. I was a little bit worried about two days straight alone with two toddlers but it went incredibly well. In fact in some ways it was easier having two than just having one. The kiddos really entertain one another which means I'm able to cook and do the tons of laundry they produce.

Heading to school/daycare today was a bit overwhelming for miss firecracker. She has never been to daycare before and was a little scared. She was not happy about me leaving her this morning but she ended up having a good day. It took her awhile to warm up but she had fun. And during outdoor play time she got to see Hulk so all was well. I guess they spend all their time together during playtime which is kinda sweet. Even though she is older he kind of helps her along. I wish I had taken my camera with me because this morning when she got upset before we went in the school he took her hand and said "I show you where to go. It's okay". They held hands all the way in the building. Such a sweet boy!

Okay I'm off to bed. These children wear me out!!!

Then There Were Two

2010-11-13T21:48:00.003-06:00

Hulk has a biological sister that is 13 months older than he is. Her name is Amara but I'll probably be calling her Firecracker on the blog. Anyways Amara is now staying with us for a bit. Her mama is having some problems right now so we are happy to give her a nice place to stay for a bit. She has an hilarious personality, a ton of energy and a lot of love to share. She and Sylas have hit it off and spend the majority of the day laughing. I'm learning all about "girlie" things and have even allowed pink into the house. Today I found a boa feather on the floor and tripped over a pair of play high heels so I think there is a girl officially in the house! This has been a whirlwind adventure and I'm sure it will continue to be so. I just keep praying for guidance and keep taking it a day at a time.

Whatcha Reading

2010-10-27T22:13:00.002-05:00

I just finished reading the final book in the Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins! This series has been the the best series of books I've read in a really long time! My sister has now read them, and her best friend, and a gal at her office. We keep passing them around and everyone I know that has read them has loved them.

Heather and I were talking about the books a couple weekends ago when I had just finished book 2 and she had just finished book 1. We really wonder if this may be a series of books that is someday discussed in senior english classes much like 1984 and Of Mice and Men were required reading for us. They really are that good in my opinion.

Have any of you read them yet? I'd love to know what you all think?

Adventure

2010-10-21T22:06:00.002-05:00

The boy is really into "adbentures" right now. Every evening after dinner he asks me "adbentures now mama?" And how can a mama say no to an adventure!?!

So he usually grabs a toy of some kind and I grab my camera and out we go adbenture hunting. We have a favorite place in the woods we like to go. There is a little creek and a couple bridges and lots and lots of trees. So the rule is as soon as we cross the bridge into the trees he is the boss. When we cross back over the bridge I'm the boss again. He thinks this is really cool!

So during the adventure we hunt for bugs and sticks and leaves and sometimes monsters or sunbeams or birds. And he tells me when to march or run real fast or give him a hug. And I willingly participate in the adventure game. And for 30 minutes each day that 2 year old feels like he is king of the world. He is on the hunt for something really "awesome mama" and he gets to call the shots.

And then as the sun begins to set we cross back over the bridge to the real world. Mama is once again the boss and the adventure game is over. And by that time my boy is usually pretty sleepy and worn out. So it never fails I end up scooping him up and hauling him halfway home.

I can't imagine any better adventure!

Day Three

2010-10-16T23:15:00.002-05:00

Well I'm skipping the planned post for the blog challenge. I'm supposed to be talking about my first love. But honestly I don't want too. So I'm going to tell you about my kid. Because he is my biggest love! He has been saying all kinds of crazy things this week. Things like....

Mama a doo doo head! Not so nice and totally caught me off guard. So after I told him that wasn't nice I went in the other room and laughed out loud! This week he also threw a dinosaur at me. Chucked it right at me. Before I could say a word he walked over and sat in his chair in the corner and said "time out right". Yep that's right son!

He also has a new favorite music video. I'm posting it below. Just keep in mind that the entire time he watches it he copies the dance moves and head shakes. It kills me. At the end he says "I Wove My Hair Too"!

My first love has nothing on my big love. This kid makes me laugh every day! He also makes me want to pull my hair out almost every day. I think that means he is a typical 2 year old. Yep I love him. I'll keep him. And I promise I'll blog again tomorrow.

Day Two

2010-10-16T00:02:00.001-05:00

Wow I'm gonna get this second post in right under the wire. Today I'm supposed to tell you the meaning behind my blog title. My first blog was Hunna's Happenings. Hunna is one of my nicknames so it seemed fitting. But I let that blog go and started this one right around the time I was starting the adoption process. I felt like after losing my mom and beginning to become a mom myself I was a different person than the one that first started blogging. So I created a new blog, this one, with a new name.

Picture Of My World just seemed fitting to me. I take tons of pictures and love to post them. Plus a blog is really a glimpse into someone's world. So in combing those ideas I picked the title Picture Of My World. I like it for now. We will see what the next blog brings though....

Day One

2010-10-14T19:56:00.001-05:00

Since I have been horrible about blogging lately I decided that I would join a 30 day blog challenge to get myself motivated. So for the next 30 days I will be posting on a variety of things in connection with the challenge.

Day One means I get to post a recent picture and tell you 15 random things about me. Good times! The picture above is my most recent pic. It was taken about 3 weeks ago at the pumpkin patch. We took the kidlet and he loved the apples and the cart rides. It was a good day.

15 Random things...

I can't stand it when people say cheese for the camera. Drives me nuts!!!
My greatest fear is that I'll forget to drop the kidlet of at daycare and leave him in the car. So I check the back seat over and over on my whole drive to work.
Today I bought a pair of jeans that are a size 16. I almost cried! I haven't been this size in years.
I realized the other day that I go weeks sometime with no hugs other than from the kiddo and that bothers me.
I want to go skydiving soon.
I like rap music.
I have a slight crush on a much older guy but would never do anything about it because he is done having kids.
I'm ready to have another child but my checking account isn't.
I buy regular Cheerios for myself and the off brand for the kid. I hide mine so he doesn't eat them. Not nice but I really really love my Cheerios.
I want to get my nose pierced.
I eat lunch every Friday with my best friend.
I don't like to go to bed but I really like to sleep. Odd!
I mispronounce the word poem.
I can't sing at all!
I'm scared of horses.

That's it for today... I'll be back for day two!

Behind The Times

2010-09-28T20:18:00.003-05:00

Oh I'm so behind on blogging and well life. But the good news is because I've been really busy! Lots of photo sessions, yard work, and chasing the kidlet. The weather has cooled off which means we have been out in the yard a ton lately. We have been transplanting flowers, moving rocks, planting grass and catching snails. The kidlet loves snails!

We have a catch and release program going. He can catch any critter he wants and put it in the bug box. But in the morning before heading out for the day he has to release them all. Most of the time this works out okay. However, the past couple days the snails have all been dead. I don't know what the deal is with that. But tonight he caught things and then before bed we let them go. Trial and error in the catch and release program.

We have been struggling lots lately with listening to the mama. Hulk is super head strong. Part of this I love because it means he is a leader, outgoing, social, and a great advocate for himself. I like knowing that he doesn't always walk in a straight line and follow the crowd. I'm good with that. However, there is a certain amount of compliance that I expect from him. Lately he has really be struggling with that. Which means I'm struggling. Which means lots of time outs and lost video time and fits and you know how all that goes. But I'm sure it will pass soon. It always does.

Tonight I put him to bed and heard him singing a little song I'm sure you all are familiar with. He just added a special verse just for me. Enjoy!

Old McDonald had a farm
EIEIO
And on that farm he had a mama
EIEIO
With a no no here
and a no no there
here a no there a no
everywhere a no no
EIEIO

God I love him. I swear one day I'm going to miss this!!!

Bath Time

2010-09-18T20:49:00.002-05:00

Dinosaurs need baths too!

At our house bathing dinosaurs is quite a big deal.

Hulk loves to wash them

and dry them

He really loves to wrap them up like burritos in my dish towels

And rock them

Just like I do with him after a bath

So if you haven't washed your dinosaurs lately

just let us know

I'll send him right over

to help you!!!

What Was She Thinking

2010-09-16T21:37:00.002-05:00

The news has been filled with stories lately that leave me asking myself... "What Were They Thinking????" Case in point --- acid girl. Yes I know this isn't a nice name for her but it's fitting. Acid girl claimed a couple weeks ago that a black girl with slicked back hair threw some acid in her face. That's not nice! Throwing acid at someone is just darn mean if you ask me. When I first read the story I felt so bad for her. Seriously she is hearing impaired and also has been attacked by an acid thrower. How much worse can it get? Poor girl!

Yeah I don't feel so bad for her now. It seems that instead of a black girl with slicked back hair the cops should have been looking for a crazy hearing impaired girl that threw acid on her own face! Seriously who throws acid on their own face. That's worse than throwing acid on a strangers face in my opinion. I'm not a fan of acid throwing at all but really throwing acid on your own face!

What in the world was she thinking? How do you wake up one morning and just decide to throw some acid on your face? Is there a discussion that goes on in your brain? Something like "Well I could go to the pool today." "No I better not go swim today, this is throw acid on my face day." Or is it something along the lines of "I have some really bad skin." "I should get one of those skin peels so I have that fresh new skin glow." "I can't really afford that so I'll just pick up some acid and throw it on my own face!" Who throws acid on their damn face???

Some Things I Say

2010-09-13T23:34:00.002-05:00

"What?"

"Oh a big clock! Can you say clock with an L in it?"

"Please don't put sticks in the air conditioner".

"Because it could cut your hand off."

"Because it's sharp and it will hurt you."

"No that's not AWESOME!" "Get away from the damn air conditioner now!"

"Why is my comb in the toilet?"

"No it can't swim so don't do that again."

"Why are the dinosaurs like that?"

"Well that's very nice of them to hug."

"Sure wish I got hugs like that."

"That is great drawing buddy but let's not do it on the wall. Only draw on paper."

"Why are you licking the couch?"

"Oh because you spilled your milk there." "Please don't do that again and stop licking the couch you look like a dog."

"Well if you really are a dog can I put you in a cage?"

"I shouldn't' have said that. You can put kids in cages. "

"No your not getting a cage."

"Forget it just lick the dang couch if you want."

Life Is To Short...

2010-09-09T21:19:00.000-05:00

To Live In Neutral!!!

So with that in mind I decided that I was done with this boring black patio set.

My parents bought this patio furniture when I was 6!

That was 24 years ago!

It has held up amazingly well and only had a few spots of rust.

But it was boring!

So I found cans of spray paint on sale for $1.25 a can.

And not only were they on sale but they were in all kinds

of fun and funky colors!

Cheap and fun!

That just makes my day!!!

So after a few evenings with my cans of spray paint a transformation occurred.

My boring yet reliable patio furniture got a make over.

It's now bright and cheery

and super fun!

Because you know life is just to short...

to live in neutral!!!

A Hairy Lesson

2010-09-06T20:16:00.001-05:00

Friday night I cut my bangs. Hulk saw me do this and asked if he could do it. I immediately explained to him that Mama shouldn't cut her own hair, no one should cut hair unless it is there job. And I told him he should never ever cut his hair. Well he didn't! He cut mine!

Early Saturday morning around 5:00 I heard a little voice say uh oh mama. Hair has ouchies! I was barely awake and reached out for him and he said it again. Hair ouchies as he handed me the scissors. I flipped on the light and turned around and my bed was full of hair! He had cut my hair right below the rubber band holding my ponytail in place. Five inches of hair! He also cut a small section pretty short on the side.

Once it sunk in I was thrilled that he just cut my hair! He climbed onto the bathroom cabinet and had to open the vanity and get the scissors out then jumped down and got into my bed with the scissors and managed to only cut my hair and not stab himself or I! That's a miracle in my book.

So after a trip to an amazing hair stylist I have a fun new short do. I would never have cut my hair short on my own but I really like it. So my little stylist did a good job after all. Regardless of how well it all turned out the scissors are now very hidden and we have had several more discussions about how we never ever ever cut our hair or anyone elses.

Labor Day Longing

2010-09-05T23:20:00.002-05:00

No words really...

Just an image...

Of Hulk and Heather...

Our Labor Day weekend of longing...

For our mom...

And grandma...

Fun Times

2010-08-31T20:07:00.003-05:00

Today I was at work just working away. Not having a great day not having a bad day. Just a day. And then there was the little ding that says I have a new email. I open it to find this picture of my kiddo! His teacher sent it to me. They had lots of fun painting with shaving cream and she was kind enough to share a photo of the fun with me. My normal day turned to great instantly. God I love that kid!

And I love that he is doing so many fun activities each day. I so wish I could be home with him but this picture reminds me of what a good experience daycare is for him. The activities and interaction are wonderful for him. And most of all it reassures me that he is okay. He has a blast during the day and is learning lots in the midst of all the play and then I get to pick him up and we can have our own fun and learning. Removes my working mama guilt.

And dang it that shaving cream covered smiling kid just makes my heart happy!!!

20 Tiptoes

2010-08-30T11:02:00.000-05:00

20 toes

4 baby feet

4 chubby baby legs

2 wonderful babies

Alive

2010-08-29T03:13:00.003-05:00

We are alive. My dental work is all complete. Honestly I don't remember much from my 4 1/2 hours in the dental chair. The gas and the happy meds they gave me pretty much knocked me out. I remember things but not in detail. Everything is pretty hazy so that is great for me. At least nothing scary!

They did 3 root canals and filled 7 cavities. Yes my mouth was a mess! I hadn't had any dental work done in years. Nothing like putting things off. But I'm done now. My jaw hurts and I've been eating soft for for a couple days but today was the first day that it didn't bother me too much. I figure by tommorow I should be good to go. At least that is what I'm hoping.

Dental Work

2010-08-25T22:53:00.003-05:00

So my teeth suck. I've got a mouth full of cavities. That is not a good thing. So tomorrow morning I have a date with the dentist and the drill. I won't lie. I'm pretty nervous about it. But they are gonna do the whole sedation thing so they can do a lot of the work all at one time. So I just have to get there and go to sleep. And then when I wake up my mouth will be better. That's what I keep telling myself. I'm gonna hope that it really works out that well....

Not Me Monday

2010-08-23T09:07:00.002-05:00

In the recent past I have NOT sprayed Clorox cleaner onto my kitchen floor and then fastened wet towels to my tennis shoes and shuffled around the kitchen rather than actually mopping.

When my kid dumped a huge bag of splenda on the kitchen floor right after I did my shuffle mopping I did NOT just open the patio doors and use the leaf blower to blow it all outside.

I did NOT wake up on Saturday morning convinced it was still Friday and get ready for work.

What have you not done lately?

Eight

2010-08-21T00:28:00.002-05:00

In just a couple of weeks it will be four years since my mom died. I try to wrap my mind around that and I just can't. Four years! That's a long time to go without seeing someone you love so very much. It's overwhelming to even think about at times. Four years! That's a lot of missed days, missed moments, missed life.

I was thinking this evening about the pain scale they use at hospitals. You know the one where they ask on a scale of one to ten with one being no pain and ten being the worst pain what would you rate your pain. If someone asked me to do that for the pain I feel over my mom's death I would still rate it an eight.

When you are in the hospital the goal is to never let your pain exceed a five. So how do I function at an eight every day. My eight isn't what I feel on a bad day. I have an eight all the time! How can you live at an eight? Do I live at an eight? I know I'm alive but am I really living? There are so many days that I still drift through in a fog. I know that there are moments every day that I watch my little guy and feel pure joy. But then there is still always that huge empty spot that is a throbbing eight.

Maybe eight will be my magic number forever. Maybe this pain never goes away. Maybe I will just learn eventually how to survive better than I have so far. I suppose this is all part of the journey. I can't help but wonder what kind of person I would be if my mom was still here. I have a feeling life would be quite a bit brighter, more fun, and not quite so painful...

National Night Out!

2010-08-17T08:33:00.001-05:00

Last Saturday we celebrated National Night Out with our neighbors. If your community doesn't celebrate National Night Out you should. It was so much fun. Basically it is a national initiative organized by police departments around the country to encourage neighbors to get to know one another. The idea being that if you know your neighbors you are more likely to recognize when someone is around that shouldn't be. And it also makes you more likely to communicate with one another, watch out for one another, and hopefully reduce crime rates.

That may be the overall goal of National Night Out but it actually is just a really fun excuse to have a party with your neighbors. We had a blast! We had lots of food and root beer floats. The police department stopped by to visit with us all. The fire department brought a fire truck and ambulance for the kids to check out. They thought that was pretty cool. We had music and dancing. Lots of laughing and of course lots of sweating. It was hotter than heck out there! It was really nice to meet everyone, visit, spend time watching the kids play, and just having fun. I can't wait to do it again soon!

Some Other Things I Say...

2010-08-17T01:56:00.000-05:00

"Can you please not climb on the table."

"Seriously I mean get the heck off the table!"

"Wow that is a whole lot of post it notes you put on the couch."

"I know you want more grapes but you have to eat something else."

"Because if you eat any more grapes you will poop a whole lot."

"Because grapes make lots of poop I guess."

"That's just how god made them, grapes make you poop."

"We aren't going to talk about the grapes anymore, no more talk about poop either, you can have a cheese stick."

"Why is your diaper off."

"I'm sorry your pinus is weally hot. But we don't just take our diaper off."

"Yes I would love to give you more hugs."

Every Little Piece

2010-08-13T20:40:00.001-05:00

Oh how I love every little piece of this kid!

Pouty lips

Big brown eyes

Caramel delight skin

Kinky soft delicious curls

Chubby fingers

Silly toes

Bug bitten

bruise covered boy

My sweet and sleepy Sylas K!

We Are Alive

2010-08-09T22:40:00.000-05:00

We are alive! And we are learning to ride "bikes". Since it is hotter than Africa here we ride "bikes" outside for about 10 minutes and then ride "bikes" inside the rest of the time. Thank God for tile floors. It cracks me up but Hulk says over and over "bikes now".

Zinnia

2010-08-03T22:16:00.002-05:00

These beautiful zinnias are growing in my flower bed. They are mixed in with about a million and one weeds. But they are thriving. They haven't been choked out yet. That alone is impressive to me. They also impress me because they are my mom's. Every year my mom would plant them and every year she would save the seeds for the following year. So these plants come from her seed.

Every day when I walk past them on the way to and from the car or mailbox I think of her. I remember how she used to care for them. I can promise you she took much better care of them than I did. She actually weeded her flower beds and watered on a regular basis.

And while they bring many good memories about her to the front of my mind they also make me miss her. But heck what doesn't make me miss her! I just wish she was hear. I wouldn't even mind if she griped at me for not taking care of my flower beds...

Why Buy Toys

2010-08-02T21:48:00.002-05:00

My kid probably has several hundreds of dollars worth of toys. He has books, balls, dinosaurs galore. There are trucks and trains and automobiles. Some play music and others light up. But the most fun of all is had in a box!

Yes it is true! This kid would play in a box for hours. In fact this weekend my sister and I gave him a box and it kept him occupied for quite some time. He laughed like crazy tipping over in it. But most of all he used that imagination of his. I love that!

Big Weekend Ahead

2010-07-30T22:16:00.003-05:00

Oh there is one big weekend coming up. I have 6 photo sessions this weekend. I'm excited to meet new people and get some great pics. But I'm also a little worried. I've never done that many sessions in one weekend and in this kind of heat. I'm sure it will be fine. I just need to remember to pack lots of water!!!

Sunday our Heather is coming home. Thank goodness. Hulk and I have been missing her like crazy. It's only been three weeks since we saw her but that is a long time for us. Hopefully we can get the house all put back together and redecorated with her help. She is so good at that stuff. And maybe she can manage the kiddo while I edit all the pictures I will have taken.

If you don't hear from me for a bit don't worry. Nothing will be wrong. I'll just be swimming in pics.

Love These Children!

2010-07-29T22:27:00.001-05:00

Darby's babies are getting so big! And Caden is such a super star brother. I just love them! I really really love them. Even that girl. Who knew I could ever become fascinated with hair bows and tutu's. But I am when it comes to her. Go figure!

Some Things I Say

2010-07-28T22:16:00.002-05:00

"Why are their dinosaurs in the toilet?"

"No dinosaurs do not swim in the toilet."

"No don't bring your floaties in here. That won't help! Just don't put the dinosaurs in the toilet!"

"Please don't step on my leg fat. That hurts Mommy."

"Licking the window is not a good choice."

"Well your finger would stop hurting if you would just not bite it."

"Do you understand anything I say to you???"

"Dinosaurs should not go in the dishwasher either."

"Please take the rocks out of your mouth."

"I'm sorry your leg is scared but you will still have to go to bed."

"I love you but you must go to sleep now!!!"

It Worked!

2010-07-25T21:55:00.001-05:00

Well my plan worked. I got some fun new pictures of the boy. He did great! He cracks me up. As I was editing pictures I was laughing out loud at some of them. He is so animated. He is turning into such a big boy!

He is 28 months now. He has become obsessed with the movie Finding Nemo and would watch it 10 times a day if I let him. He also still really loves his dinosaurs. He likes to pretend to be a dinosaur and scare me. He is also really sweet and calls the small dinosaurs his babies. All the big ones are mamas. He will get my dish towels and wrap them up and rock them. He really is a gentle giant... Well most of the time anyways.

He is singing and talking more every day. He can completly do his ABC's, Jesus Loves Me, Row Row Row Your Boat, 5 Little Monkeys, and a silly song I made up about fish and sharks. He likes to "help" with "jobs" and often says to me "Sylas did job". And anytime he has done something a little naughty like draw on the wall or dump all the raisins on the floor he looks at me with these big sad eyes and says very loudly, "Sylas did it". It's like he is tattling on someone else. Crazy kid!

So that's my boy. I love him. I think I just might keep him!!!

Blessed To Be Busy

2010-07-24T13:42:00.003-05:00

I've been busy. Really busy with pictures. And I'm so very blessed to be busy! My photography while fun is also what keeps us afloat. My regular job pays the mortgage and daycare and gives me insurance. But those pictures pay for everything else. So the busier the better! Busy is a blessing!

However, I just realized today that I haven't taken pictures of my own kid in awhile. So this evening the goal is to get some good shots of my own boy. We will see if he cooperates with that plan. He has been napping for 2 hours already so I would think with a great nap he should be a happy boy. I guess we will find out soon enough...

My Desk

2010-07-21T22:21:00.001-05:00

My desk is a trap. If anything attempts to pass by my desk it is sucked in and cannot escape. My desk seriously takes hostage any item that considers meandering by. What's really frightening is that every Friday night I set the timer for 30 minutes and clean my desk. Every Friday when I go to bed my desk is clean and pretty and neat. Today is Wednesday. Do you want to see what my desk looks like by Wednesday???? Cover your eyes if you scare easily!

Once Upon A Time

2010-07-19T20:38:00.002-05:00

Once upon a time I was a vegetarian except on Fridays. I didn't eat meat or dairy except on Fridays. And I ate lots of veggies and fruit and rice and beans. And my blood sugar got a little bit high. And then I got a kidney infection and my blood sugar got really really high. And the dietician says I can't be a vegetarian anymore. Not even just 6 days a week. I have to eat the meat my friends.

So since last Thursday I'm no longer a vegetarian any day of the week. My stint as a 6 day a week vegetarian didn't last long. But I tried it. I am good at some things. Being a vegetarian is not one of those things. Along with telling me I can't be a part time vegetarian the dietician also gave me a lot of other rules. There are lots of things I can and can't eat. In fact this diet is much different then the first diabetic diet I was on years ago when I was diagnosed. In some ways I think it's harder and in other ways it's easier. I can tell you though I'm hungry. Hungry, hungry, would almost eat my baby hungry. It's a good thing I'm not a canibal.

But my blood sugar is stablizing. I know my infection is improving so that helps but I've been following this stupid eating meat and no other stuff I really like diet and it's working. I can complain all I want but the truth is if I just do as they say I feel better. It's a lot of damn work but I do feel better. So I'm gonna stick with it I suppose. But for the record I would like to be a vegetarian except on Fridays and I'm very hungry!

Crabby

2010-07-17T18:58:00.003-05:00

I'm crabby. Like really crabby! So crabby I'm even annoying myself. And I have no good reason for it. I'm just irritable and annoyed and have a headache and a stomachache and I am just one huge walking crabby lady! I've tried to stop myself several times today and regroup and it just hasn't worked. So here we are in crab land! I think the kid is sick to death of me. He told me night night and went to bed an hour ago at 6:00! You know your a crab when a 2 year old doesn't want to be around you. Hoping tomorrow brings less crabbiness in this house!

Hospital Visit

2010-07-15T16:02:00.003-05:00

Because I didn't have anything better to do this week (like work, or take care of my kid, or organize my recently completely remodeled home) I decided to take a little detour from all the regularly scheduled programing and stop off at our local hospital for a stay.

I woke up Tuesday night in a lot of pain. My back (kidneys) were killing me and I was pretty sick. By 7 Wednesday morning I was hurting so bad I could hardly stand it but more concerning was my blood sugar levels. When I checked them at 7 I was at 417 when I should be right around 90-120. Not good. I was pretty concerned by that point and was afraid if it got much higher I wouldn't be able to function enough to get myself to the doctor. So I took the kid to daycare and went right to the ER. By the time I got there my blood sugar was in the 470's.

So they started me on insulin and an iv antibiotic for my kidney infection. They also gave me some Demerol for the pain. Moments after getting the pain meds my arm started itching. I told Darby who was with me and she said sometimes it will do that as it's going in the iv. The next time I looked down my arm looked like I had about 30 bee stings. Hives were everywhere and HUGE!

While the itching was bothersome I was honestly so out of it I wasn't that concerned. But Darby used her authoritative voice and started scurrying around to get benedryl and asking if I was having trouble breathing. I love having a nurse for a best buddy! So then I got a huge shot of benedryl and slept for half the day. I woke up feeling better and without hives so it all worked out.

I got a bunch of insulin and some crappy hospital food. Some antibiotics and more pain meds. I got to watch cable tv and realized I'm not missing much by not having it at home. I took lots of naps and Darby and Chris kept my child overnight with all of their children and then I came home. My blood sugar is normal now which is a WONDERFUL feeling. I'm still not quite back to myself but I can handle a kidney infection okay. The whole blood sugar high and low and all over the place kicks my butt. It's just exhausting. So I've been sleeping a lot.

I get to take a fun filled class all about insulin. That's exciting. But I've never had a prescription for insulin before. So the only way you can get one is to take the class. So I'm complying. I won't have to take it everyday. It's just a precaution really so if my blood sugar gets that high again I can do something myself to help get it down. When diabetics get sick their blood sugar can shoot up like that so it will be nice to know I can help myself quickly from now on. The way I felt yesterday morning was horrible and scary when your home alone with a kid. Hopefully this will ensure I don't have that experience again!

So that's what I know....

Whatcha Reading

2010-07-14T09:42:00.000-05:00

For my birthday Darby got me the book Shit My Dad Says! Oh my gosh it is funny! Seriously it is the funniest book I have ever read. It made me laugh so hard I cried at times. I will give the disclaimer that the language is strong and some of the topics are a bit inappropriate but boy is it funny. If you need a good laugh it is the book for you. Here are just a few of my favorite quotes from his Dad.

"I didn't say you were ugly. I said your girlfriend is better looking than you, and standing next to her, you look ugly."

"You are four years old. You have to shit in the toilet. This is not one of those negotiations where we’ll go back and forth and find a middle ground. This ends with you shitting in a toilet."

"Don’t focus on the one guy who hates you. You don’t go to the park and set your picnic down next to the only pile of dog shit."

So if you think you are up to a laugh workout then buy the book!

Our Adoption Day

2010-07-13T09:25:00.000-05:00

July 10th is adoption day at our house. 30 years ago on July 10th my parents adopted me. And 2 years ago on July 10th Hulk's adoption was finalized. So it is our special family day. I wanted to do something special that day as a way to start our traditions. My mom used to do special things for me on that day and I would like to carry that on.

So I decided that this year I would take Hulk to the bigger city and go to a park there that has a carousel and train for kids to ride and some cool flower gardens. I started planning a couple weeks ago and I was super excited. In my mind it would be a wonderful day. The weather would be nice. We would ride the rides and he would LOVE them. He would laugh lots and maybe glance over at me as the carousel turned round and round and we would have a mother child moment I could remember for a lifetime. In my mind I would also be able to take some beautiful pictures of him in the rock and flower gardens there. Oh the vision I had in my mind!

So Saturday morning we were up and ready to go. Hulk woke up in an amazing mood and was super funny while we were getting ready. I even had some good hair going on. Things were looking great. We hopped in the car for our hour long drive to the bigger city and all seemed well. 20 minutes outside of the city though Hulk fell asleep. And then he woke up when I parked the car. He woke up poorly!

He was somewhat disoriented so I thought well we will walk around the park while he wakes up and look at the flowers etc. Well no sooner were we out of the car and he saw the carousel and wanted to ride. So we rode and he did love it. He loved it so much in fact that he wanted to ride it again right away. I convinced him to try the play ground toys which he did for about two minutes before beelining back to the carousel. So we rode it again. This time he was not loving it as much. He still seemed disoriented and sleepy. When we got off we watched the train go by and I told him we could go ride it. We heading for the parking lot to go to the other side of the park and all hell broke lose.

He began to throw a fit of epic proportions. I mean it was the grand champion of all fits! I tried to pick him up off the asphalt and he was going so insane I could hardly hold on to him. Kicking, screaming, hitting, more screaming. I got him to the car and tried to put him in his seat and he was fighting me so hard I couldn't get him in the car seat. After ten minutes of trying that I just closed the door and thought he could cry it out. I went to the front and started the car so he would have a/c during the epic disaster and as I got back out security was there. They thought I was KIDNAPPING him! At this point he is banging on the windows, screaming, crying, snot running down his face, ugly cry. I convince security this mess of a child is mine and they leave. I try to talk to him and explain that we can't go ride the train until he gets in his seat. Nothing works. So I decide to wait him out and ignore the fit.

48 minutes later I got him in his seat. Needless to say we did not ride anymore rides or visit the flowers and the only pictures I got were the ones I posted to this post. We went to my Aunts house and then to lunch and he did well. Thank God. But definitely not the day I had planned. They never are right?!? We got home that night and read stories and cuddled and sang row row your boat about 800 times. And that was good enough for me. Epic fit, yes. Good adoption day, yes. I wouldn't trade that fit throwing, embarrassing his mama in public kid for anything.

Not Me Monday!

2010-07-12T09:21:00.000-05:00

I promise you that I am NOT terrified of snakes! Since I'm NOT terrified of snakes I would not have freaked out at finding one in my jungle of a flower bed. Because I'm NOT terrified of snakes I did NOT have my toddler pick up the snake and put it in the trash can. He does NOT love snakes and think they are the coolest thing ever (after dinosaurs of course). I then did NOT call the neighbor kid over to kill the snake. I would NEVER involve children in the removal or murder of snakes. That is so NOT like me.

I did NOT write down a photography clients information on a diaper I had in my car. I was NOT caught without a notepad because I'm always prepared for work calls. Once home I did NOT place said diaper on my child and then remember later that I needed to copy the information. I then did NOT have to hold my child down so I could copy all the important details off of his butt.

What did you NOT do this week?

In Trouble

2010-07-11T19:47:00.002-05:00

Oh I'm official in trouble. The Granny called me just a few minutes ago and I barely got hello out before she asked why I hadn't posted lately. I pulled up my blog and realized I hadn't posted since Tuesday! Sorry Cricket!!! She gets her Hulk fix and our life updates through the blog so if I don't post I get in trouble. So to get me out of the dog house here are some random going ons at our place.

The living room, hallway, and both bedrooms are completely painted! I finished the living room and hall last night and the boy and I put everything back today. He is actually fairly helpful at moving furniture. That kid is freakishly strong!
My flower bed is a jungle! It has rained so much that I walked in the backyard today and swore I saw a dinosaur out there. It's ridiculous and I think I'm just going to mow it rather than try to weed it.
I only eat meat on Fridays. That is when I go to lunch with Darby and I always get a chicken wrap. So I'm like a backwards Catholic. Only meat on Fridays.
I have about 180,903 photos to edit. I am so behind on our own pictures. It's ridiculous!
I've used ridiculous twice in this post. That is also ridiculous. I'm beginning to think that is the word of the day. Maybe I should title this post ridiculous.
I'm watching Season 4 of 24 thanks to Netflix. I love Netfilx.
I found two dollars in my pants pocket when I put them on this morning. You would have thought it was $200 I was so excited. I love finding money.
I got a rice cooker for my birthday and I'm in love with it. Seriously we are eating a ton of brown rice lately and it cooks it perfectly!
My garden is growing like crazy. I got our first tomatoes last weekend and have had a new one ready each day. Green peppers should be ready to harvest later this week.
The carpet is getting cleaned on Tuesday! Yahoo!!!

Okay Granny does that get me out of the dog house. I promise tomorrow I'll post pictures of the boy. Be careful on the beach!

Favorite Things (Kid Edition)

2010-07-06T20:35:00.000-05:00

My boy likes a lot of different things. But the older he gets the more obvious his favorite things become. He is now able to voice his opinions and is very clear on his love of the following things.

The red blanket you see in the picture above. This blanket was actually given to me by my Aunt Adair. It is a super soft corduroy material. It seriously is so soft and warm and wonderful. And I never get to use it anymore. The boy has snagged it as his own and hauls it with him to bed each night. During the day he usually brings it out to snuggle with it or cover up with it.
Dried cranberries. That's what he has in his bowl in the above picture. He would eat them all day if I let him.
Dinosaurs! He loves dinosaur toys and books and puzzles and all things dinosaurs. He likes to pretend his is a dinosaur and roar at you. Dinosaurs are a huge hit! There are usually a couple dinosaurs in his bed with him each night.
Animal toys. He loves the little people animals. He calls them his "manimals". He will feed them all toy hay and then kiss them all.
Music! We pretty much have music on as long as we are awake. The child will dance everywhere and knows the words to lots of songs. Since we listen to our music on Pandora he often goes to the computer and asks for Sylas Songs if I don't have the music playing.

So those are the kid favorites around here. Do your kids really love anything?

Flower Power

2010-07-05T21:28:00.002-05:00

While we were out walking the other evening I grabbed these shoots of some flowers. Actually these are some of my favorite types of flowers. Black Eyed Susans and Coneflowers are beautiful in my opinion. I've always wanted them in my flower gardens and I've planted them several times. But they never come up! I see them all over town so they can't be that hard to grow. But I have never had any luck with them! Does someone out there know the secret. I'd love to have a huge bed of coneflowers! I think they would be beautiful to use for photo sessions...

A Fourth To Flip Over!

2010-07-04T21:14:00.002-05:00

The boy has turned into a little monkey lately. He loves to jump off of everything! The newest trick is flipping. I have given up on trying to stop him. He is going to do it no matter what. So now I'm on the hunt for a tumbling class to teach him how to do it a little safer. Either way he thinks he is pretty cool stuff and loves to watch himself on the camera when he gets done. I don't know if I'm raising a monkey, a movie star, or a silly little boy. Maybe it's a combination of all three.

30 Rocks

2010-07-02T19:58:00.002-05:00

Well 30 works for me! I had a wonderful birthday! Darby and I spent the day in the city doing some shopping, some eating, and a lot of laughing! Just what I needed. I can't imagine a more relaxing or fun filled 30th birthday. I'm so lucky to have such good friends and great family. It was a real treat to get so many phone calls, text messages, and cards. I'm blessed!

We were going to head to Tulsa for the holiday weekend but the boy is under the weather. Since he is sick we are going to stick around here. I'm hoping he will perk up some over the weekend so we can still do some fun things. There is a parade on Sunday that I figured we could go to and a fireworks show if he is up to it. While not the weekend I had planned I'm sure we will still have some fun.

29 Things

2010-06-29T22:35:00.003-05:00

Tomorrow is my birthday! I'm going to be 30 years old. I'm excited about that. I love birthdays in fact. So here are 29 things I've learned in my 29 years....

Play nice with others. You never know if the person you bully in 7th grade will someday be the dentist working on your teeth!
The things you think are a big deal in your teens won't matter much when you're in your twenties.
Always keep an umbrella, jacket, and flashlight in your car.
No matter how good of a cook you become you can never make your food taste as good as your moms.
Travel as much as possible before you have kids!
Always keep $100 stashed away somewhere. You never know when that may be the last $100 you have.
Hugged your mama as much as you can. She won't be here forever.
No matter how old you are you still need your parents!
Being a mom is the most wonderful and most difficult job I've ever had.
What you own doesn't mean anything if you don't own yourself.
Take as many pictures as you can. Memories really do fade.
Hair grows back. Never cry over a bad haircut.
Get a yard boy!
Duct tape doesn't fix everything but it fixes a heck of a lot of things.
Life is much easier if I turn thing over to God and let go a little bit.
There are very few things in life that are permanent.
No matter how much money you make it is never enough.
Laughing about things is so much better than crying about it.
Manners really do matter. Being polite and graceful is an art that is fading fast.
Letting go is hard.... living on is harder...
Having a child was the best decision I ever made!
Never say never. Seriously NEVER say NEVER!
A man may be able to fix things around your house, but your girlfriends can fix things around your heart.
We all can make a difference in the world.
Sometimes even hard work doesn't get you what you want. But at least you have the satisfaction of trying.
Sleep must be a priority. Without it I feel like shit!
Asking for help can save a lot of time and embarrassment.
You can never have too many people to love you.
If you don't like yourself no one else will.

That's what I know folks. I'll post again when I'm 30.

How Did She Do It

2010-06-28T22:59:00.003-05:00

How did my mom do it. How did she keep our house running so smoothly when I was a kid. Seriously our house was so clean and orderly. She cooked everyday except Sunday when we would eat lunch out and then have popcorn for dinner. She had beautiful flower beds and a nice yard. Our laundry wasn't just done but folded and put away. And she still had time to shuffle us around everywhere and have fun with us. How in the heck did she do it.

I feel like I'm running all the time and nothing is really getting done. Between work, the photography business, the kidlet, the yard, the housework, the remodel, etc it's chaos. Everything is just half done. The dishes are done but the floor is a mess. Or the laundry is done but not put away. Or the yard is mowed but the flower beds look like Jurassic park. I just can't seem to keep up with it all.

Advice? Any ideas? Does anyone know how to add hours to the day?

Painting

2010-06-24T03:45:00.003-05:00

Yes indeed I'm painting this dang house yet again! The remodel is in full swing and almost done! That is a miracle. So I've gotten Hulk's old room repainted a pretty Thistle color for Heather. The painters actually painted his room for me and it looks wonderful. His new room is blue with one red wall. Then the accents are red and green and silver. Heather found new bedding for him that is adorable and airplanes to hang from the ceiling! I'm so excited to see it done.

Once the contractors are done in there then the new carpet will be laid and then we will be DONE! I can't wait. This has seriously drug on for so long. I'm ready to have my room and my bed back to myself. Neither one of us sleeps so good and we both need some space. It will be so nice to have separate rooms again. I'm hoping everything will be done in the next week. Let's all cross our fingers and toes and say a little prayer!

The focus for me for the next week is getting the hallway and living room painted. Then after little man and all his things are out of my room I'm going to paint in there. Heather also found some awesome new bedding for me and new decorations for my room. It will be nice to have a fresh new room to call my own. No toys will be allowed! And I think I'm going to post a sign that says you can't enter unless you are 18 or older. Yes I'm a mean mommy but I want my space back. The kid has the whole house. I just want my bedroom and bathroom to be toddler free. I don't think that is unrealistic.... Okay maybe a little unrealistic but seriously I am DONE sharing my room!

So that's the scoop around here. Fun times in paint land.