Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Not much to report

The last couple of days have been pretty non-eventful, so there's really nothing for me to talk about.  Unless you want to hear about the 8 loads of laundry I've done between today and yesterday.  Or the number of times I've swept the floors.  I used to be excited for summer and letting Luke play outside all the time, but now that I see how much grass and dirt he (and the dog) track in, my enthusiasum is waning.  Maybe you'd like to hear about Luke's first purchase today at Hobby Lobby.  No, you'd rather not?  That's okay.  I just had two coupons that were "one per customer per day".  So Luke 'bought' something so I could use both coupons.  Clever, eh?  I think I'll just bake myself a cookie for a treat, hop in the shower (one of those really rare days where I didn't get a shower today), and call it a day.  Fingers crossed that tomorrow something worth talking about happens.  On second thought, uncross those fingers.  When something exciting happens, it's usually a little on the crazy side, and I think I'll take a few uncrazy days for awhile.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Another first

This morning I took Luke to a birthday party.  Our friends' little boy, Zane, turns 2 next weekend!  Since it's Easter weekend for his actual birthday, they bumped up the party and Luke got to participate in another first....his first Easter egg hunt!  He was into it for the first five minutes, and then once we got towards the drive-way the cars were more alluring and he lost interest in finding some silly ole eggs.  Then we all went inside to open presents, and Luke decided it was melt down time.  In all fairness, it was an hour past nap time and I did DRAG him away from almost playing in the street.  I'm so mean, I don't know how he stands it.  Unfortunantly I (suprise suprise) forgot my camera, but luckily John got a few pictures of Luke and just posted them to Facebook. 

And this one was before lunch and the egg hunt and presents when the kids were just running around playing.  There was a super fun fort in the back yard!

(thanks John for taking these and posting them!)

Once the melt-downs started I hauled Luke home and handed him off to Cody for a nap.  Then I went to Target SOLO.  And I got........a purse.  On clearence!  I only paid $17 for it!  Whoo hoo!  Now I know just the other day I was saying how I didn't need a purse because it was basically an adult diaper bag and I wanted to get rid of all baggage, but they just kept calling to me.  I have been obsessively looking at purses on Etsy and I was thisclose to buying on one from this lady or maybe the blue flora from this lady, but then I realized I could have instant gratification if I bought one here in town.  Plus as a bonus I saved a ton of money (which I used to buy Luke a new shirt, on clearence also, and two new pairs of flip flops, and his Easter basket stuffers). 

Also, I've been obsessed with staring at Luke's new bedding and some new cowboy boots for this fall.  I know, I know, it will be MONTHS before we bump up Luke's bed and he needs new bedding, but a girl can dream right?  I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with this quilt (oooooo, or this one) and the rest of the room will be vintage cowboy decorations.  And I'm waiting until close to fall for his new boots so the sizing will be more accurate.  I'm starting to save now!

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Their Baaaaaack!

The Jehovah's Witness ladies came back today.  At first I didn't know who it was.  The boys were down for their naps, I was about to hop in the shower, and the dog starts barking.  Of course I start whispering threats to her that within an inch of her life to STOP BARKING, all while hiding from who ever was on the other side of the door.  Of course one of the boys woke up.

At first I was angry.  Any mom who had finally achieved peace and quiet only to have it cruelly and suprisingly taken away can identify with this one.  How dare they ring my door bell during nap time?!  Don't they know anything?!  I got myself so worked up I had half a mind to go after them. 

Then I heard them talking behind the door.  I heard one of them say "I guess she's not home.  Let's head back to the car."  Then I felt guilty.  These ladies, however misguided they are, truly feel like they are doing what God is calling them to do.  And there I was hiding out and refusing to answer the door.  Even though it's my door, my house, and I have the right to not answer the door if I don't want to.

Then they left, I got everyone back to sleep, and I finally get in the shower. 

Later this after noon I went to get the mail.

And I found this. 


I felt HORRIBLE.  It was the same sweet lady who helped me last time.  Yeah, I know she just wanted to convert me, because I'm not the 'right' kind of Jesus-lover, but still.  She was so nice.  So if anyone is interested in getting involved with the JW here in town, I think Gloria would gladly tell you all about it. 

I, however, will be attending my own church on Easter.  The church I attend every Sunday.  For the last 20 years.  Except while I was in college, living in another town.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Pink highlighter

Yesterday was a perfect day.  The kind of day romanticised about in the minds of anyone who is not actually a stay at home mom.  We stayed in bed until 9.  I was able to enjoy the DVR and coffee until 10.  We went to the park from 10:30 to 12.  I got to pick up something for lunch on the way home.  Everyone went down for a nap quickly and I got to eat lunch in solitude with a book (and Luke ate his sandwich quickly before nap time!).  After nap we spent the rest of the afternoon in the backyard before getting Wing Stop for dinner.  The only snaffu was when Luke found a pink highlighter.  And painted his face with it. 


I was so glad that it came off relatively easily, once I got past the flailing arms and bucking head. 


Having a great day yesterday didn't set today up for much success.  I got spoiled by no whinning.  So when Luke decided it was okay to get up at 7, I was a little dissapointed.  And when he decided to make it a long morning where nothing was going his way, he was dissapointed and made sure there were enough tears to let me know it. 

Another big milestone did happen today though.....Luke has learned to open doors.  No more are the days of safety where simply closing a door will do the trick.  Now I'm going to have to go get some of those annoying door knob covers to put everywhere.  Ug, I hate those.  So now Luke gets time out when he goes in Daddy's room (aka- the computer room where he gets up and pushes all the buttons on it).  Tonight he went in there while Cody was on the comptuer, and before I could stop myself I said "You know you're not supposed to be in here.  You know you get time out when you do."  And my sweet sweet boy ran off down the hall and plopped himself in his time out spot, no fits or crying or anything.  Oh I just wanted to hug him.  But I was strong and set the timer (even though I hadn't really meant for him to actually have a time out).  Don't tell him, but just this time I set the timer for just a few seconds instead of the whole minute.  I couldn't bear to do it.

Maybe my day was just a little pessimistic due to all the cholesterol I consumed yesterday.  Not only did I have the world's worst healthiest food for you for dinner- wings and fries, but I had Jack-in-the-Box for lunch.  I had not eaten at either of those places in YEARS, and I could practically hear my arteries gearing up for the war I launched on them.  That and all of my jeans groaning at the thought of the strain that will be placed on them in the next few weeks as I convince myself that they will still fit with 30 extra pounds hanging around my middle.  I could have made up for it today, chosen really good eating choices for my self.  Nah.  I thought chicken nugget shaped patties (that's what the bag says!), Bagel Bites, and mac'n'cheese sounded better. 

Monday, March 22, 2010

My little helper

First off, I want to say PRAISE JESUS for the beautiful weather that came back today.  Yes, we may have had snow on the ground yesterday morning, but that was a distant memory today as my curtains fluttered in the mild breeze of a lower 70's day.  The sun was a beautiful thing.  (and just so you know, today is the kind of day that is a perfect example of why I keep my camera in my pocket at home)

This morning as I was making my bed, I realized that my shadow wasn't there handing me pillows and "fluffing" them (smacking the middle really hard).  I wrapped up the chore alone and went in search of him.  He met me in the hallway looking like this.  (okay, so you can't see really well in the picture, but his face is covered with crumbs)


You see, I made a rookie mistake today.  I had been storing an extra cake from yesterday on the washing machine and today when I started laundry I absently mindedly put it on the kitchen table.  And someone found it when Momma wasn't looking. 


I clean it all up and get out the ironing.  I didn't do any ironing last week, and poor Cody only had one ironed shirt to choose from this morning.  Oops!  I get the board out, set it up, then get the clothes out and lay them down, THEN go get the iron.  This way no one gets curious about the dangerous appliance while my back is turned.  When I return to the room I see this. 


One child working up a fuss to get OFF of the floor, one child making a mess to play ON the floor, and a dog on my clean laundry.  At least this time she was semi clean, unlike last time.  So I got all settled in and started to iron.  Luke is running around like a mad man, and he eventually finds my thermometer.  As I'm ironing, I look around me and see this.


Did you know walls needed their temperature taken?  Then later Luke was eating lunch (yes, this was all before lunch) and I started emptying the dishwasher.  Who needs to eat peanut butter and jelly when there are dishes to put away?  They were all the dessert plates and cups and saucers from the shower so I was a little nervous about him handling my Fiesta Ware.  But he handed me the plates very nicely.   When we got to the top rack where the cups were, he stood on his very tippy toes to get one of the teacups out.  Then he takes off running.  Panicked, I follow him.  But look what he was doing!


Do I have me a smart boy or what?  I didn't have the heart to take it out and put it up in the cabinet where it really belonged right there in front of him, so I just gave him a high five and told him thank you and moved it during nap time.  I love that kid.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Baby shower- success!

So I'm feeling a bit sheepish over my drama-queen like post yesterday about making the cake.  Yes it was frustrating, but I am so blessed to have amazing friends in my life who gushed over it.  They are so sweet and made me feel better.  There were about 30 ladies who came out to bless Sara and baby Ryan with some love.  We all had a fantastic afternoon of fellowship and food.  The recipe for a perfect party!  And without further ado.....

(the banner hung up over the dining room)

(hung on the wall beside the dining room table, there are close ups of some of the things down below, but I didn't get a close up of the bag.  I am mad that I forgot!  Maybe the next time I go over there I'll ask her if I can take one.)

(hostesses!  I did get a picture with Sara, but unfortuantly not on my camera.  boo!)

(banner, there were 8 pennents total, the middle 4 had Ryan's name on them)


(above, the front, and below, the back)


Saturday, March 20, 2010

Not how today was supposed to go

So today was supposed to be a relaxing day.  Yesterday I spent the entire day cleaning my house, with the windows open and the music blaring.  It was a gorgous sunny day, high in the mid 70's.  Luke slept until 9 and we had fun playing after I was done.

Today he woke up at 7:45.  To the rain.  The very cold rain. I figured I would bake my cake, dust, and sit and drink lots of coffee. 

About 10 I started to bake the cake.  It was then that I realized I had no butter.  I called Mom and she brought me some, along with extra chairs and a table cloth (I'm throwing a baby shower tomorrow, did I tell you?).  Finally about 12:30 I got to start.  I needed to make two cake mixes worth, so by the time both sets got baked and cooled, it was about 4:30 before I could start decorating.  That's when I realized I had two different kinds of icings.  *sigh* Looks like we had to go to the store anyway.

I needed to take a shirt back that I bought on Thursday because it was too small, and the store is out by one of the Walmarts here in town.  I think to myself "I'll get the icing and more butter at Walmart and take the shirt back, and then I'll be caught up with errands."  So I got Luke and I dressed warmly, because the temperature was dropping, and drove over to Walmart.  We had to park in the farthest away spot.  It was so cold that I carried him like an infant in my arms and RAN up the parking lot to the store.  Frigid.  And guess what?  They didn't have the icing I wanted.  I was so irritated.  I bundle Luke up in my arms and RAN back to the car with SNOWFLAKES swirling around.  You heard me.  Snow.  Flakes. 

So we go and take my shirt back, and then run into Tom Thumb.  Good ole faithful Tom Thumb.  They had what I needed. 

We get home, and I start icing the cakes.  I even out the bottom half of the bottom layer, and starting spreading on the chocolate icing.  Except everytime I moved the knife to spread it, the cake fell apart a little bit more.  I ended up with this.


I was so upset that at one point I may have actually jumped up and down several times screaming, sufficiently scaring my child.  Out raged we headed BACK to the store to get another cake mix, more eggs, and an extra can of icing just in case.  By 6:30 I'm mixing up a third cake.  An hour later I can start the icing expedition again. 

I WILL NEVER BAKE A CAKE FOR AN EVENT AGAIN.  I am too much of a perfectionist, too self conscious, too.......Lindsey..........to do this again.  I am disappointed at how it turned out, but I'm a little stuck.  It's lop sided and I couldn't get the icing as smooth as I wanted.  Part of the white piping is shaky, and trying to deal with Luke during all of this was the most frustrating thing I've done in a long time.  I know that Sara will love it tomorrow, but I just know how some of the other ladies are when they leave.  "Did you see the way it leaned?"  "That cake was pitiful, you could totally tell it was homemade."  I may not ever find out what they say, but I know that things will be said so it's hurtful all the same.  But like I said, I'm stuck.  I'll contemplate putting pictures up tomorrow.  And I know I shouldn't care what other people think, but whatever.

On a brighter note, I got to use my great grandmother's cake plate!  I've had it for years and never got to use it.  Isn't it beautiful? 


Also, today was the first day of spring.  As I've previously mentioned, yesterday was absoluetly perfect, and today the temperature totally bottomed out.  In fact, about 8:30 tonight I took this from the back door. 


Amazing, huh?  I blame myself really.  I switched out Luke's entire wardrob on Thursday to summer clothes and packed up all of his winter things.  So it's all my fault, I'm the one who jinxed the weather.  Also I'm guessing you are probably wondering where Cody was in all of this today.  Well, I didn't want to say anything (you know, in case crazy robber/murderers take the time to stop by and read this and know where I live), but Cody's been out of town since Wednesday afternoon.  He was going to leave straight from work, but if you remember he forgot something and gave me a little scare.  He went on his annual BFF trip with Dillon to South Padre and they are on their way back.  Not a moment too soon either, I obviously needed my partner today!  I even tried to make a fire for myself tonight, but lets just call that a FAIL.

And now for maybe my most random observation in awhile, but (don't judge) I've got Golden Girls on in the back ground while I type, and a very young George Clooney is on this episode!  Who knew? 

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Shopping!

Mom, Luke, and I went shopping this morning.  I laid out all of the summery clothes in size 24 months that we have bought here and there on sale and took note of all the holes.  The child had 5 pairs of plaid shorts, and only 2 of them had polos to go with them.  He had no denim and no khaki shorts or pants.  So the shopping was on.  He is now competely decked out, and no one better ever buy him another polo until he grows into the next size.  I think we topped out at 13.

I'm also a little ashamed to admit that we bought him.......*gasp*.......basketball shorts.  But they are ONLY for nap time.  Yesterday's diaperless fiasco (again) led Mom to a great revelation.  Why not buy him something super comfortable to nap in that will make the diaper inaccessable?  Brilliant.  So now Luke owns a little piece of sports ware, and it was not a moment to soon.  When I came home and tried to put him donw for a nap, guess what happened again.  Yep.  As soon as I left it was off with the diaper.  Only this time I came in armed with the shorts and successfully navigated a fully diapered nap.

After I was sure he was asleep I hit the front lawn again.  Two bags of weeds later, I think I'm done for awhile.  Mom and Dad brought a pizza over for dinner, and they could tell that the lawn was MUCH better.  I think I can handle a bunch of church ladies coming over on Sunday for a baby shower.  I was just so embarrassed.  Also, I didn't want anyone to think poorly of Cody.  I know we may not be in the best place marital wise, but I still don't want anyone to think that Cody is falling down on his lawn care job.  Plus as a bonus my toes are now nice and tan from three days of working in the sun with flip flops on. 

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Beautiful flowers and a small scare

This morning Mom and Dad took me and Luke and Grandmother (my grandmother) to the Dallas Arboretum.  I can't believe we've lived here for 20 years and never been there before.  It was B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L.  So serene.  There were parts of it that totally made me feel like a princess in a royal palace garden.  Then it made me want to be a princess so I could have a royal palace garden.  I don't know how anyone could not be happy or not love God with every ounce of being in that place.  I did get a few pictures, more than I normally get when we are out and about, but my poor baby hates getting his picture taken.  Hates it.  I think he just doesn't like to be told where to stand or made to be still.  He is one busy kid. 





He dozed for a few minutes on the way home, and I knew that would ruin the chances of him taking a nap at home.  But, I tried none the less.  We got home and I promptly took off his shoes and pants, changed his diaper, and put him to bed.  30 minutes later he was still babbling away so I went into check on him.  His socks, paci, and diaper were on the floor.  And his quilt was wet.  Awesome. 

So I put a fresh diaper on him, grabbed a pair of shorts out of the drawer below the change table, and put him back in bed.  Then I went out front to work on the other half of the lawn.  I had pulled three trash bags full of weeds when I heard a rattling at the front door.  I look up, and there is Luke.  My first thought was "Oh crap.  He climbed/fell/busted out of his crib.  What am I going to do."  Then as I walked up the side walk to the door I see Daisy.  I had left her out back so she wouldn't distract or wake up Luke by begging at the front door.  My next thought was "Oh nice.  He's been out of bed long enough to let the dog back in." 

Then I saw a man standing behind them and I screamed. 

Then I realized it was Cody. 

He was supposed to be at work, but had run home because he had forgotten something.  Instead of telling me he was home, he heard the baby still babbling and got him up.  And he laughed and laughed at me for screaming. 

A few minutes later Cody left, so I retired from pulling weeds for awhile and let Luke play out back, which he was dying to do.  A little while later I felt of his hands and they were sooo cold, so I made him put on some shoes and a jacket.  His boots and sweater were the first things I saw.  A little while later I let him eat a cup of applesauce out back, but I made him wear a bib because I think we all know what happens when a 20 month old tries to feed himself applesauce on the go.  That lead to an eventual outfit that looked like this. 

I should be ashamed, but I think it's too hysterical.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

All about ME!

That was the theme of today.  Mostly.  This morning we were supposed to have our first play date at the park, and what did it decide to do last night?  Rain.  And get cold.  So I sent out an emergency email and had the girls bring everyone over here.  It worked out great!  I needed to get some stuff done around the house, so that kicked me into high gear, and then I didn't have to think about it all afternoon!  I had a great time visiting and the kids played well together.  Lots of sharing toys, shrieks, and snacks. 

Then I put Luke down for a nap and Mom and Dad came over to babysit, because Momma had some appointments.  At 2 I got a pedicure at this new place that was amazing.  All the fancy treatments for only $25.  Does it get any better? Oh wait.  It does. 

Aftewards I went to Target for a few things we needed, and a few things we didn't need.  Like me a new dress.  I tried on a few, and luckily they didn't fit right (whew, then I didn't have to choose which one I wanted or feel dissapointed about not getting it) so it made the one I purchased all the more better.  While I was there, these two teenage girls wearing mismatched clothing, tiara's, and sharing an ipod were marching around the store singing at the tops of their lungs.  Seriously?  It just made me so glad to not be a teenager.  Not to feel like singing in Target was the only way to get attention.  Not to giggle idiotically while doing something stupid and thinking "I'm so cool."  Ugg.  I pity them.  But, we've all done ridiculous things in the name of adolescence, and so I'm just chalking it up to that.

Also as I was perusing the isles of dear old Target, I came to the purses.  I'm not sure how I feel about purses for myself.  As Luke is getting older we are needing the diaper bag less and less.  And as I looked at these beautiful, colorful, LARGE purses, I couldn't help but wonder, are purses really just adult diaper bags?  And now that I'm finally able to give it up, am I really able to move on to something that only looks grown up on the outside yet inside would function about the same?  I don't know.  The female in me that loves cute things, accessories, and all things girly screams yes, you need a purse!  But the practical realist in me knows how much I hate to carry things around and I find purses to be annoying.  Plus I'd rather spend the $30 on something else, like another dress or shirt.  I guess I'll hold off on the purses a little while longer. A bonus of not having a purse?  When someone asks you "Hey, do you have a/any _______?" the answer is always no.

Then I went to get my hair cut.  Can you believe it's been A YEAR since I've had a hair cut?   I know, I know.  I just never got around to it, I don't really care about it, and I hated to spend money on it.  So that adds up to only getting an anual haircut.  And today was the day.  But it really went in with the theme of pampering, because the lady washed and rubbed my head, gave me a haircut that I love, and then styled it in a way that I don't mind having for the rest of the day.  Have you ever gotten a hair cut and then had to come home and redo the style because what the lady did is not EVER how you would go out in public?  I have.  Whether it's too much product, too much volume, or too curly, I've had to come home and wash it and fix it again.  Not this time.  I love it!   And what's more, Cody loves it!  He came in and IMMEDIATELY noticed, even though I didn't get much cut off.  And then he told me I looked super hot.  :)  Oh yeah. 

So tonight he took me out to dinner.  Luke was still with Nana and Papa from his afternoon of fun.  I wore my new dress, my new hair, and my new toe nail polish to the Yellow Rose Steakhouse.  If you live around here DON'T go there.  The food was waaaaaaaaaaaay over priced, dry, and the service was horrible.  Horrible.  I'm still waiting for more bread.  But at least I got to spend the evening with my man, and looked cute doing it.

Monday, March 15, 2010

No bags of poo please

Have you ever wondered why it is so hard to roll out of bed the later you sleep?  I totally had that problem today.  Luke woke up at 8:15 and talked for a few mintues, then all was quiet.  Then a little while later he talked some more, and all was quiet.  He really let me know about 8:45 that he was done with the whole bed thing, but I just couldn't get up.  I made him stay there until 9 when I finally got up, and even then I fixed him breakfast and immediatly laid on the couch while he ate.

Until I got strawberry juicy fingers on my shoulder tapping me awake.  Mmmmmmm.....toddler food fingers. 

Later on in the morning he started building pillow mountains in the bedroom and falling over into them, so we played a game where we counted "Ooooooone...................... Twoooooo.................. Threeeeeeeeeeee.......... Gooooo!" and we would fall over and giggle giggle giggle.  Oh to be in the mind of a 20 month old. 

This afternoon we got out and did a couple of errands.  His nose has been on a pretty constant drip the last week, so I got him some allergy meds today and I'm hoping that clears it up.  Tonight was WWIII trying to get it down him so it better be worth it.  We also went to the grocery store and I think I may finally be stocked up on stuff for a while.  It's been awhile since we've been that way due to my forgetfulness of what we need when I'm actually at the store. 

Then I got out in the front yard and started pulling weeds.  I got two HUGE trash bags full, and I'm happy to say I did make a dent.  I got about 85% of one side of the yard done, so while it looks a little uneven, I'm okay with it.  Maybe in the next day or so I can get out and work on the other side.  We absolutely have the worst lawn on our street. I'm just hoping this feeble attempt to right our embarrasing wrong appeases the neighbors and they don't ban together and put a flaming bag of poo on our front porch for being THAT LAWN on the street.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Weekend out of town

So let me start back on Friday morning.  Friday morning was like any other morning.  We got up, ate breakfast, and played.  Luke was playing in the living room so I went back to my room and made the bed.  As I finished making the bed I turned around and there was Luke. 

Naked.

No pajama's.  No diaper.  Just naked.

As I gasped loudly I scooped him up and quickly ran to dress him again, lest he pee pee everywhere. 

The rest of the morning went normally.  We ate lunch on time.  I put him down for a nap on time.  Cody comes home in the middle of nap time and Luke is STILL talking in bed.  Just jibber jabbering away.  Cody can't stand the thought of him being awake and just sitting in bed, so he goes into his room. What is Luke doing?  Standing in bed.

Naked.  Again. 

No wonder the child wasn't asleep.  I didn't see any big wet spots around as we were howling with laughter and putting clothes back on him.  *whew!*  Then we got packed up, because we were driving to College Station for a wedding, and I figured that it was okay that he didn't get a nap since we would be in the car for 3 hours.  He could just sleep on the way, right? 

Wrong.  The trip ended up taking 4 hours and he didn't sleep a wink.  No big deal, he wasn't in a bad mood and so I just thought, "Well, when we get to the rehersal dinner I'll get some food, sit him in my lap, and he can go to sleep while I eat.  Then he won't be running around and be a huge distraction.  This could work."  Good plan right?

Wrong.  Still didn't sleep.  He didn't end up sleeping until we got to Cody's aunt and uncle's house late that night.  This child was awake from 7:45 to 10:30 without being in an awful mood at all.  It was a Christmas miracle.  Except it wasn't Christmas. 

Saturday morning he woke up at his normal time, 7:30, and while I was bummed to not get to stay in Phyllis' comfy bed later than that, I was hoping this would mean Luke would stay on some type of schedule.  I was right.  In fact, he even let me put him down for his nap an hour early and he still passed out as soon as I left the room.  Which was good, because he only got about 1 1/2 hours of sleep before I had to wake him up to go to the wedding.  Our friend of ours that we grew up with, Alan, got married to a lovely girl, Lisa.  It was a beautiful outdoor wedding.  I had never been to one of those!  Cody and I had a great time catching up with lots of old friends, and Luke had a ball running around the grounds with Grandad chasing him (we drove up with Cody's parents).  I even let Luke bust out his Easter outfit, and he was the cutest kid at the whole shin-dig. 
(due to his rather short neck, you can't really see his tie, but he has one on in there)

(the closest I got to a family picture.  I was mad at myself for forgetting to get one!  But you know me.  I got caught up in the event and forgot to take pictures.)

After it was over we hit the road again to come home.  I figured after running around the entire afternoon Luke would sleep in the car ride home, right?  WRONG!  Holy moly that kid didn't even doze off once in all the hours we were in the car.  I guess there were too many airplanes to spot or clouds to stare at.  We got home at 10:15 last night, so I just washed his hair quickly (come on, he had been out side and today was church day) and put him to bed.  When I went to check on him later he hadn't moved from the spot I laid him in.  And the poor kid had to be woken up to go to bible class this morning. 

Tonight instead of small groups, the few of us that were still in town due to spring break met at the park and just had fun.  The weekend of sleep deprivation caught up to us though, and by 6:30 we were headed home due to major meltdowns.  Now all is quiet in the Carver house.  :)  Ahhhhh......

All in all we had a fantastic  weekend.  It was so nice not to have to drive to College Station, and I always enjoy staying with Ray and Phyllis.  As we were leaving Phyllis even gave me an extra copy of Beth Moore's new book!  I was thrilled and I can't wait to start it.  It deals with insecurity and I'm sure Miss Beth will have lots of things for me to learn in it.  It was so sweet of her! 

I believe I will end this weekend with some quality time with the DVR.  A new episode of Who Do You Think You Are was on Friday night, and I am interested to see where Emmit Smith came from....

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Escaped Felon

After breakfast this morning I let Daisy outside and went to check on Kayden (who had passed out in Luke's bed.  I laid K in there to take L out and change his diaper, by the time I got back to K he was already asleep.)  He was still asleep. 

Then I realized Daisy was inside.  With my head hanging I remembered that I didn't lock the door after letting her outside and SOMEONE figured it out. 

In his p.j.'s. 

With no shoes on. 

In the mud from the rain yesterday. 

(and no, that's not grass, all the green you see are WEEDS.  What in the world am I going to do?)

So I chased him around the backyard, caught him like a sack of potatoes, and carried him in to wash his feet.  Then I took him back to his room to change him so he could play outside in normal clothes with shoes on.


Apparently he needed to go back to jail.  I would have let him, except that Kayden was sleeping 6 inches away in the crib.  *head hanging again*  It's a good thing I adore that boy.

On a much more positive note, Dawn from ECI came today and while we were playing Luke kept saying "yuck"  when getting a toy, and she said he was saying "look"!  A new word!  It totally makes sense, and my education background should have given me the clue that lots of kids say /y/ for /l/ (like some kids switch /w/ for /l/.  My best friend when I was little couldn't say her L's, so I was Windsey Wittle.)  I'm going to be watching out for more phonem switches like this to see if he's really saying more than I realize!

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Spring is here!

This morning I was feeling a little kicky, so I made cinnamon rolls for breakfast.  At first Luke just licked the icing off and said "Mmmmmmm!" after eat finger full, but then he finally started taking bites. 


He got icing everywhere.


After breakfast I cleaned him up and moved on to sort the laundry, when I hear lots of giggling.  Finally  I went in search for him and found him with the camera, which I had mistakenly left on the table.  He figured out how to turn it on, and how to take pictures.   He took 49, yes, 49 pictures that all look like this. 


And this.


And some with his finger over the lens.   


I'm going to love sitting around deleting all of those.

Later, after naptime, I loaded up Luke and Kayden into the car and we took a field trip to Sonic for my Dr. Pepper, and the grocery store.  It was such an absolutely gorgeous day that I thought Lukie needed a treat, so I bought him his very first apple juice slushie from Sonic.  I waited until we got to the grocery store to give it to him, lest it all end up on his shirt and pants in the car, and he was in HOG HEAVEN.  That kid did not let the straw come out of his mouth the entire trip.  He nursed it all the way home and when we got inside. 


Love it.  This face totally says "Hey, I know what that thing does, lemme play with it!  I love that camera thing!"  No, son.  No. (and don't you just love him in flip flops.  I LOVE them!)

Then we went out back and he would take a drink, set it down to run off, but then come right back for it.  Kayden watch the birds fly by in his car seat while I pulled three trash bags of weeds and you can't even tell I was out there.  I'm afraid of two things.....#1 that we will still have out of control weeds this year even though I've pre treated for them and #2 that my back will be useless tomorrow due to an inordinate amount of time bent over pulling them today.  Only time will tell for both.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Rains gone!

Oh man, it has rained for the last two days straight pretty much.  Finally this evening it stopped, and it was lovely outside!  I ran to the grocery store about 5, and half of the sky was grey, half was bright blue.  So dramatic!  Usually you see the clouds thinning and eventually they are gone, but not this time.  The cloud just.....stopped.  And it was blue sky and sunshine.  Very odd.  But the temperature was perfect and the smell was delicious.  That's something you don't get too much in the wet winter weather, the heavenly aroma of damp earth. 

On a completely random note, this afternoon I watched The Rocky Horror Picture Show.  Oh. My. Goodness.  That was an experience.  And I do not get why it's such a big deal.  Is it because they cross dressed before it was more socially acceptable?  Is it because they treat sex like it's no big deal?  I don't know, but it was just odd.  At least I can say I've watched it now, but it was probably a first and last time kind of deal.  I wonder if Susan Sarandon is mortally embarrassed to have been in it.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Soooooo not the same

This afternoon the preschool at our church had their annual fundraising auction.  Mom and Dad and Ashley took Luke up there for a little while and I did some errands in the mean time kid free before meeting up with them.  Did you hear that?  KID FREE. 

That meant lunch.  KID FREE.  Any mom will tell you this is a magical thing.  I love my husband.  I love my son.  But sometimes a girl just needs to be ALONE.  Not on a date.  Not on mom duty.  Alone. 

So with this wonderful chance I took myself to Which Wich, and it came with a highly dissapointing suprise.  They didn't have Dr. Pepper.  They had........*GAAAAAAAASP* Mr. Pibb.  Uggggggggg, is there anything worse than that?  Where are we, England?  I couldn't believe that there was a food establishment in Texas that did not serve Dr. Pepper.  It's like saying, "Hey I know that you ordered Sprite, but here is some water.  It's the same since they're both clear, right?" 

Oh, so not right. 

But I suffered through the beverage for my rather taste sandwich.

Then I spent the entire rest of the day cleaning.  Remember how I said I need something highly motivating to get me to clean?  Well, small groups is at my house tomorrow night, and people keep emailing me saying they can come.  We have a pretty.....cozy.......house, and so far we've got 20 adults and 10 kids coming, and I haven't even heard from everyone.  No need to sit down when you're standing shoulder to shoulder.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Desperation and a date

This morning I was able to face the music and start the ole clean up process on the house.  First task on the list, was the dining room table so that I could push the computer to the middle of the table out of someone's reach.  But that someone got a little desperate for buttons and that lead to this. 


*sigh*  What am I going to do with him?

Also in the midst of my cleaning I finally recovered my ottomans.  Well, recovered one, it took so long that I'm putting the other one off until tomorrow. 


The new material is the black and white.  I'm not sure if I like it, it seems to be a little boring.  But the red and white was sooooooo nasty dirty from a little boy's cup/yogurt/food fingers/drool that I couldn't stand it any more. 

Okay, now I really do have to brag on my boy.  I know that mostly all I talk about is how much of a mess Luke is, but he really is a sweet sweet boy.  Tonight Cody went out to dinner and a game with some of his friends (one is getting married next weekend) so Luke took me out on a date.  See?  Sweet boy.  He took me to Cracker Barrel and he was a PERFECT gentleman.  No fits, no screaming, no fighting me tooth and nail.  We had a lovely dinner.  Only one little faux pas when he beltched like there was no bodies busisness, but I thought it was hysterical and I was actually sad I was the only one who got to witness it.  I love my kid!

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Copy Cat

We all know children copy their parents.  We all know they like to shadow.  My shadow has picked up on a few things.  Maybe that's how he knew to lock the door.  Or blow his nose.  Now he's a pro at sewing.....


Typing on the computer...

(excuse the giant mess on the dinning room table, it's the reason the sewing machine is out and I'll tell you about what's going on later.  Get excited!)

And even what to do with the oven mit.  Obviously I cook all the time for him to want to immulate this.


Oh who am I kidding.  It's a fluke. 

He's also watched me empty dishwasher enough to know where things go (as well as play with all my pans enough to remember where he got those big flat metal toys).  When it's time to put the dishes away, first he will put up his spoons, then any cookie sheets and pots and pans.  That's all the things that are located on ground level, so after that he just hands me plates and cups and stuff. 

One things he does that he is NOT copying from me is laying on the floor, screaming, and thrashing all body parts around to protest the "no" I just told him.  It's lovely.  Where do kids get that from?  I mean, the stamping of the feet and screaming, I get that.  Heck.  I still do that.  But the full out tantrum on the floor?  Come on kid. 

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Jehovah's Witness saves the day

There is no real intro to what happened this morning.  All I can do is start talking.

At about 9:45 this morning we were up, Luke had eaten breakfast and was playing, I was eating my pancakes and getting caught up on the computer.  There was a knock at the door.  It was Jehovah's Witnesses (ladies this time, I've never seen lady JW before) and Luke and I hid while the dog barked at them.  You know, her YIP YIP YIP.  They left, we went back to what we were doing, and I had a post brewing in my head about why do I feel guily about not answering the door when it's MY house?  It's my choice right?  But that's not what I'm here to tell you about. 

A good hour later I realize that the day is going to get pretty warm, so I need to go out to the garage and look at the pre-emergent fertilizer that I bought yesterday, lest I wait to long, it not be effective, and we've got weedapallooz again this year.  I tried to get Luke to put his shoes on so he could play in the backyard while I figured out how to work this stuff, but he wouldn't so I made him stay inside.  Now before you get all "CPS! CPS!  Child left unattended!" I was only going out to read the directions of what do to, therefore only going to be gone a couple of minutes.  As soon as I shut the back door behind me Luke tried his darn best to get that door open by twisting the door knob. 

Guess what I forgot was on the door knob?  A push lock.  Do you see where I'm going with this?

After a couple of minutes of reading the directions on the fertilizer pagkage, I get a game plan in my head of how to attack the lawn and try to get back inside.

The door is locked.  Locked.  From the inside.  Where my child is.  Alone. 

My mind went blank and then started racing.  What do I do?  Where do I go?  Who do I call?  What do I call on?  Will anyone be home?  I didn't have my cell phone, therefore I knew not a one phone number.  I know pretty much all of my neighbors are at work.  Finally I run next door to try and start the knocking process, when who do I see? 

The Jehovah's Witness ladies. 

Oh man, I'm gonna have to ask them for help, aren't I Lord?  He said yes.  So I did.  I sucked it up and asked them if they had a cell phone.  Of course they were nice as could be and handed one right over.  But then I told them I was locked out, my 20 month old was in there, and I had no idea who to call.  Then one of the ladies asked if it was a push lock or a dead bolt.  I said push lock, and she said she knew how to jimmy it open with a credit card.  WHAT.  You've got to be kidding.  She said she got locked out of her house not too long ago and she managed to get back in this way.  So we all trooped back to the garage and after jiggling and pushing and scraping for several long minutes (and chit chatting with the other lady, because really, what was I to do?), she GOT IT OPEN.  And there was my child, laughing at the big panicky game he had created.  Then we all hugged, they gave me their book, and were on their way. 

Maybe they were sent to my neighborhood this morning to convert someone, or maybe they were just sent to help a poor helpless soul back into her house. 

Either way, the only injury sustained was by my pancake plate, which I had left on the computer desk and SOMEONE was trying to be sneaky and play on the computer while Momma was no where to be found.  (yes, that's strawberry syrup everywhere)

(and I guess you could say my pride sustained injury too, in the course of the chit chat the lady commented that I was the one with scripture on the door.  She didn't, however, comment that it was also the door with the YIP YIP YIPping dog and the kid giggling and no adult answering the knocking.)
And here is the culprit with my new reading material.


And if you are wondering where Kayden was today his momma was fortuantly/unfortunantly sick today so his grandma was at his house taking care of them.  Good thing, cause I have no idea how I would have explained that to her.  Also, I have a plan formed of how to avoid this for next time, but like I'm gonn tell you!  You might break in my house!

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

FYI

Did you know you are supposed to change the needle on your sewing machine more than once a decade?  ME EITHER!!!

The last time I made an embellished onesie it seemed like the needles was tearing little holes in the fabric.  It was almost like it was dull or too big.  I've had it in the back of my head ever since then that I wanted to go and get a smaller needle for such projects, but I kept putting it off because I didn't want to deal with trying to find one for such an old machine and I didn't want to pay $20 (because that's how much I assumed they would be without any basis in fact) and I felt overwhelmed with trying to figure out how to actually do the the switch once I obtained the needle.  Plus I just kept forgetting to go to Handcock's. 

I finally worked up the nerve today.

As I was driving away from the house I realized that I forgot to write down the name and model number of the sewing machine, so with a sinking feeling I knew I was only going to be able to look and get a feel for what kind of choices there were out there and I would have to go back later.  When I got to the store I got the shock of my life.

There was only one choice- standard size.  They were cheap- $2.49 for FOUR needles.  And it said clearly on the front "for lightweight fabric".  What?!?!  How in the world did I blow this so out of proportion? 

I took my selections up to the lady and started asking her my questions.  My first one was to confirm that the needles do in fact go dull.  The lady actually laughed at me.  She said of course they go dull, she replaces her's every couple of weeks.  Again, I say What?!?!  I must be sewing with a spoon by now.  No wonder I had holes.  And then I asked if it would be tricky to replace the existing needle.  She said all you did was screw it in.  Are you kidding?  That's it?  And she was right.  There is a little screw in the side of the needle holder and you just unscrew it, slide the old one out and the new one in, then tighten the screw.  Ta da!  I couldn't believe how dramatic I had made the whole thing in my head. 

I'm now equipt with the knowledge of how to replace a possibly too dull sewing machine needle.  So have no fear, I will never sew with a spoon again. 

Monday, March 1, 2010

Major Attack

So over the weekend I had a major attack of the allergies.  If you live in Texas, you kind of can't avoid it, but this weekend was extra bad.  Like Saturday night I only got 1 1/2 hours of sleep and went through an entire roll of toilet paper.  Today my nose is stopped up, but my energy has yet to kick back in.

But did Luke get the memo?  Of course not.  At this very moment, as I type, he is doing short bursts of SCREAMING at the top of his lungs from his bed.  And he's been in there for at least 30 minutes. 

This afternoon I caught him with my box of kleenex's.  He was pulling out a tissue, blowing his nose in it, throwing it down, and getting another.  I think he went through about 10 tissues before I got them away from him.  You know you've been blowing your nose a lot when a 20 month old can do it. 

Did you catch that?  My baby is 20 months old!  I can't believe in 4 short months I'll have a 2 year old.  Holy moly.  Have I really been doing this mom thing for that long?  Am I an old pro yet?  Can you be an old pro with only one kid?  Somehow I feel like I'm not quite a mom-ish as other moms who have mulitple kids.  Like only having one is sissy stuff and the real old pro's have 3 or 4 kiddos running around.  And now I hear my kid let out another scream, and I'm thinking I'll stick with the sissy stuff for awhile.