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!!!
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
Thoughts In My Head
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
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
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Garage Sale Finds
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!
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!!!
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Thanks!
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.
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.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
A Confession
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.
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.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Paint Sample Mosaic
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!
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!
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