Row, row your boat

Sometimes being a married adult can be really difficult. 

(Hahahaha Had to laugh at myself for stating something so obvious.)

And of course with that comes difficult discussions and decisions. So tonight Michael and I were talking. And because I was a weepy girl I wanted to make sure he was understanding me and that we were in agreement.

Me: I just want to make sure we're on the same boat about this.

Michael: We're always on the same boat. Just sometimes we may row in opposite directions. But we eventually figure it out then start heading in the same direction.

God knew I would need a man like him.

I'm beyond blessed to have him in my boat...

rowing gently down the stream. ;-)

"Mommy, no more animal towels."

Daniel informed me last night he didn't want to use the hooded animal towels anymore. He only wants to use the "color towels" now, referring to the bath towels we use.

How did my baby go from this

to this, seemingly over night?

Where has the time gone?

My puppy is growing up too fast.

God's perfect timing

Source: thatonerule.com via Tina on Pinterest



a year ago this month we decided to go for it.

but we're still waiting.

sometimes i want to cry, "why not?"

other times i ask, "what is Your plan?"

and then there are days like today when i remember

not my timing, but His.

then i feel so small.

how dare i question Him?
but i know He won't forsake me.

and i know that He will be there during this journey He is leading us on.

no matter how long it takes.



Head in the clouds

I had to "write" this down before I forget. This is a conversation Daniel and I had at a red light this evening.

Daniel: Mommy, do you see that?
Me: See what?
D: That?
M: The clouds? (Stretching my neck to see what he's pointing at.)
D: Yes! Do you see the animals?
M: What animals do you see? (Because I'm not seeing it.)
D: It's a camel. With the bump and a stick on the bottom. (bump, not hump. hehehe)
M: It is?
D: Yah, do you see his wings and trunk? He's sneezing! (a giggle from the backseat)
M: I do! (I don't. LOL)
The light turns green and I start moving.
D: Mommy, it's following us!

I love how his imagination has just blossomed in the last few months. In his three year old way he reminds me it's okay to have my head in the clouds on occasion!

Blessings in disguise

I've probably heard this song a hundred times. But this morning it brought tears to my eyes for the first time. I think sometimes we need to be reminded that no matter how big or small our "trials" may be God will always be there. I just want to share this video because maybe someone else needs to hear this song again, like I did.

Sweet Dreams

For the past couple years, okay maybe a little more, we have been a co-sleeping family. Now, before you start frowning or mumbling judgments just wait. Like everything else, what works for some doesn't work for others. We as parents don't feel there is anything wrong with this method. In fact, there are lots of cultures that encourage this and think it strange not to. However, Michael and I have now come to an understanding that it is time to really enforce a bedtime routine that encourages Daniel to sleep in his big boy bed. For me, this is just another step, like potty training. We don't want Daniel to resent a new baby for this change so we're starting now before getting pregnant. I know we're sounding like complete wimps as parents, but I feel that's very much the opposite. Now I've always known that a routine of some kind is very important for a child. In the past we would have one for about a week then it would trickle off. Then try again and again, but not consistently.

Well, the past four weeks we have stuck to a pretty strict routine. So much so, I've actually missed out on some extracurricular activities for the greater good! LOL I already knew I wouldn't be able to handle the "cry it out method" (CIO). My good friend Candi is a rock when it comes to CIO! I totally admire her in a lot of ways, especially her strength. She is an amazing mother, wife and friend...but those ramblings are for another day. Instead, I decided to take the Super Nanny approach. If he gets out of bed simply place him back in bed then walk away without any conversation. Not a word. None. Zilch. The first night was absolute TORTURE! Nearly three hours later I wanted to crumple on the floor in sheer exhaustion and tears, the next night I wasn't as strong. My tears broke, but held fast to our routine. Daniel cried when we reached each step, even while saying his bedtime prayers. Several days in I thought surely he'll give in and realize we're not giving up. I can't even imagine what our poor neighbors thought. It wouldn't have surprised me one bit if we had a visit from the police. Luckily we didn't. I will say this about my son, his willpower is made of steel! But Michael would probably say Daniel just inherited my stubbornness. But whatever...

Now here we are four weeks later and breezing through our nightly routine. He is so much more compliant with each step. Although he doesn't look forward to bedtime, mommy is no longer dreading it! I'm sure some of you are thinking four weeks is too long, like this post. But remember back when I mentioned his inherited stubbornness...I mean willpower? He absolutely loves storytime and has in fact memorized the stories we read each night. In fact occasionally he will "read" one or two to us. I will try to get that on video soon. And I will admit I did compromise a little in his bedtime routine by adding a time to sing one song. I know it's just one more delay tactic he concocted but it really is adorable. Did you know that Old McDonald also had a dinosaur and a big bad wolf?

But the one thing that I look forward to the most is prayer time. We always ask Daniel first if has anything he would like to pray for and he always says no. So Michael will pray first, then me. Daniel then decides he does in fact want to pray. Sometimes you can't understand him because he starts crying, realizing once he says amen it's lights out. Most of the time he just recites what he calls his "food prayer". But sometimes he asks me to help him. I keep it short and simple. Tonight he took over half way through and started thanking God for random things. But then again why shouldn't we thank God for chocolate milk?

...and thank you God for Your son and mine!

Sometimes you have to...

stop and smell the flowers!

I think sometimes we forget that with all the craziness that goes in our life, you have to just stop and relax. We let our lives take over our whole being and get too caught up in the world. Daniel reminds me, in his very specialy way, that sometimes it's okay to just stop for a moment and exhale.

Daniel doesn't think about schedules. He doesn't comprehend "time management". The mind of a child is in the now. And although we as adults have to plan for the future we sometimes forget to enjoy the very moments we are in.

Maybe tonight I'll sit and color that picture with him. That basket of laundry can wait 30 more minutes.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.8

Can't keep me down!

We were able to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather...despite the strep throat diagnosis received on Friday. You wouldn't have know just by looking at him. In fact we were caught a little off guard. Oh well, nothing keeps him down!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.8

"...thank you for bed..."

I think sometimes we forget to thank God for even the simplest things. Things that we totally take for granted. I realize that more especially in the wake of the tsunami that struck Japan. They are going without so many essentials that we as Americans take for granted. ie. food, clean water, shelter, etc.

Tonight my innocent two year old son also reminded me. His prayer tonight started out excited and full of inaudible mumbling. But suddenly his voice was clear:

"...and thank you for bed, my Uncle David, my church slide and thank you for my shower."

It really is the small things that we forget about.

Dear Lord, thank you so much for all the things you have given me and my family. Thank you for giving us our jobs to be able to provide my son with a bed and shower. And thank you so much for my wonderful church. Each week the wonderful volunteers share a small part of your love with my Daniel. And teach him to be grateful of what you give him. And Lord thank you for my family. Although I'm not sure why David got top billing over me! Never the less God, thank you for the wonderful family that my son is madly in love with.

Party time!

I can't believe the year that just went by with this little girl. I had the privilege of being there when she came into this world and loved celebrating that today. Liana you were the perfect addition to our family and I'm so proud to say I'm your aunt. We love you so much!
HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY LIANA!!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

A toy's story...

60 seconds out of sight and Daniel found an old pen that managed to leak ALL of it's ink. Poor Buzz and Woody didn't have a chance. After a bath in some Shaklee and nail polish remover we didn't get too far. We ran out of polish remover before we finished. We'll have to get more because the tub now has a purple ring.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

Welcome home John!

Dear Lord, thank you for keeping my brother safe while at sea. I pray that you continue to watch over John and Amanda as they adjust to being under one roof again.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

Potty training study time

Who doesn't occasionally read in the bathroom?

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

Technology rocks!

I'm such a nerd and finally have figured out how to post decently from my phone! Now I really have no excuse...
Watch out folks, there is a good chance this blog will be rocking and rolling again...hello...anyone out there...**cricket**

Peekaboo

I was trying to get his pajamas on and he took off half way through the process. A little defeated I waited a couple minutes before going after him. I found him in his closet with his hands over his eyes! "Peekaboo" he yelled. LOL

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

Merry Christmas and happy new year!

TWO YEARS OLD!

I'm dusting off the old blog. I guess I've neglected it long enough. There really is only so much you can share on Facebook! I can't believe how fast the time has flown. I know that's so cliche but, seriously! Time really does get away from you so easy. Just look at how long it's been since I've graced these pages. I really couldn't believe it's been six months since my last post. For all I know I'm talking to myself now. I can't blame you for ditching me for more interesting blogs like the ones I have listed in my margin. Check them out if you haven't already. They are some great people and blogs!

Daniel turned two years old today! I am still in awe sometimes that he's here. Crazy, I know, even after this long. He has grown up so fast into the cutest, smartest, silliest, sweetest boy. Of course I'm extremely biased. :o) His vocabulary and sign language has sky-rocketed just in the past month or so. I have to tell him to slow down because he's still so hard to understand. And he gets very excited and talks fast like his mommy. Which is why the sign language is still great! He hasn't mastered sentences more than three words, but he sure tries. It's really cute when the words get all turned around because then he starts sounding like Yoda. I love it when he wraps his little arms around my neck or gives me a hug or kiss without asking for it! Although if you ask him if he loves you, he will tell you no. I've only gotten one I love you out of him just out of the blue. I'm just happy he said it to me first! Hey, he did say "dada" before "mama". I should get something!

He of course is walking, running and climbing at full speed. Nothing is ever done slow or carefully with him. It's all or nothing with this little boy. He's fearless. Which, in turn, terrifies me! He loves playing outside and especially going down the slide. Any slide! Again, fearless! Tonight, while watching him literally run around in circles I told my dad that he is like this ALL THE TIME. He fights bedtime because he doesn't want to stop. The only thing that gets him to stop is Thomas or Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Then I may be able to squeeze out 30 -45 minutes of down time.

Daniel's love for books and music has multiplied. We probably read ten to twenty books a night. Not all at bedtime, but just throughout the evening. Some of course are quicker than others and some we just shorten ourselves. I appreciate his love for books though. Just like Michael appreciates his love for music. However loud the drum may get. He especially loves singing "Twinkle Twinkle" or "Wheels on the bus" with his daddy. We have learned that Daniel has better dance moves than his daddy. You should see his little booty wiggle.

Potty training is going smooth so far. To be honest, I'd like it to go fast. But I'm trying to be patient. He will tell me "poo poo potty" which means he needs to go or has already gone in his diaper, whether or not it's solid. (TMI? LOL) In fact this post was interrupted by that very statement! He's not had a dry night yet so I know we still have more time to practice. I'm thinking about getting a little more adventurous with possibly a bottomless Saturday. But I'm just not sure how effective that will truly be although I've heard it works. Obviously not a great idea if you only have carpet!

I'm so amazed at how much he learns and grows everyday. Sometimes it seems like its something new everyday. He'll do or say things that Michael and I have no clue where he picked it up! That of course only solidifies the "be careful what you say and do" policy we've tried to adopt. :o) But we can only protect him so much. It's no exaggeration when they refer to children as sponges. We changed day cares in March to a local "church" based facility. The first daycare was wonderful because it was right across the street from my office, among many other reasons. But the older he got we realized we needed something closer to our home. It gives us the opportunity to have a day off work to run errands or relax without keeping up with a little one. I know he's also enjoyed having two of his grandmothers pick him up occasionally for a little fun. It was a smooth transition and a very wise decision on our part!

Well, this toddler mom is exhausted! I'm trying to figure out how to get pictures off our camera. Once I do I will amaze you with the difference from the last pictures posted!

Apologies . . .

I'm such a terrible blogger! Sometimes I wonder, why did I bother starting one? I can't tell you how many times I've started and restarted a post. In fact I have one in limbo full of Christmas pictures! I'M SOOO SORRY!!

There has been so much going on in our neck of the woods! We had such an amazing Christmas. We were the lucky participants of five Christmas celebrations. Needless to say, I don't think there is a toy out there that isn't in our house! Daniel is such a blessed and loved little boy. He was showered with so many gifts. Things ranging from toy cars, books, clothes, shoes and underwear. Well, maybe not undies, but he did get lots of diapers. Everybody gets underwear at Christmas at least once in their childhood. I'm sure this won't be the last. (Honestly, I ask for diapers every year! Not that we haven't been taken care of it in that department.)

My brother John proposed to his girlfriend Amanda on Christmas Eve. Well, now I can't even call her his fiance because they got married the first week in January. Something to do with living with him on base when he comes back from . . . I don't know where. He was stationed in Hawaii and is loving every minute of it. Amanda stayed behind in Texas to get a little more school behind her belt.

Patty, Michael's sister, and her family got to come down for a couple weeks. We had such a wonderful visit with them. Sometimes you forget how much your family means to you until they're physically out of reach! We miss them already and can't wait until their next visit. I just couldn't believe how big Catherine had gotten and how small Patty had gotten! :o) Catherine was so excited to meet Daniel. She continuously introduced him to everyone she came in contact with. "This is my baby cousin Daniel. He's my cousin!" It was adorable. Patty looks like a different person. To those of you who know her, she lost so much weight I was giving her clothes from my closet to take back with her. (Although, now that I mention it Patty, I may need them back with all the eating I did during the holidays!) Daniel just couldn't get enough of his Uncle Lorne. He just loved him. He was constantly asking him to pick him up. And of course Lorne obliged! :o)

Michael and I celebrated our NINTH wedding anniversary on December 30th. (Thank you to the Reece's for the special shout out! We thought of you too!) Patty and Lorne watched Daniel for us that night so we could go eat and take in a movie. Sometimes I look back and think we were way too young and stupid! But I know that God was with us every step of the way. Although, I'm sure there were some times all He could do was just shake His head at us. We're hoping to do something special for our tenth but we don't know what's in store at the moment.

Daniel will be starting a new daycare on March 1st. Please be in prayer for us during this transition. We found a wonderful place in Waxahachie that is a special ministry with a local church. Apparently a lot of people want in and God got us in quick! :o) The daycare he's been at has been absolutely amazing and vital for the first year. But now we need something closer to home and we definitely prefer the Christian curriculum. I'm so excited and nervous at the same time. I'm sure he will do much better than I'm expecting.

Well, I can't think of anything else. I'm busy planning my sister's baby shower for this weekend. Her little girl is due February 28th. We are just loving all these little ones!

We're still here!

I know this phrase is horribly over used, but my how time flies! There's been a lot going on but way too much to just list.

We had a good Halloween and enjoyed showing off our little Yoda. Even though some people mistakenly called him Shrek. But what do they know. :o) He had a good time just the same. Surprisingly he didn't try to get take off his ears!



He enjoyed a little candy with his friend Lucas at the church's fall festival. We also went into Fort Worth to my friend Candi's church festival. He had a really good time there and rode on a "mini hay-ride". It was a riding lawn mower pulling two small trailers with big bean bags. He loved it! :o)







My brother David and his beautiful wife Natalie have welcomed their first baby after 37 long hours of waiting. We couldn't be more thrilled. And Case's parents more exhausted! Daniel can't wait to show Case a few tricks. Hopefully nothing bad.





David Case Needham

November 19, 2009

8:30 p.m.

7 lbs 6 oz

20 inches







My sister Jennifer is blooming more and more. She is expecting her first baby on February 28th. Finally a little girl to add to the group. I teased her that she'll either be a total princess or a tom-boy. Our family is just growing at leaps and bounds. Michael and I have discussed baby number two. But really it hasn't gotten any further than "discussing". All in due time!

My youngest brother John survived Navy boot camp and graduated on November 6th. He's still in the Chicago area but is now in school learning . . . more Navy stuff I guess. How sad that I'm not quite sure. But at any rate we are all very happy that he will be home for the Christmas holidays.

We also can't wait to see some long lost relatives this Christmas. Michael's sister Patty and her family will be joining us this year! We are so excited. It seems like forever since we've seen them and they've never even met Daniel. Just to give you an idea of the time!

Well, that sums it up for me. Just a sec, apparently Daniel has something to add . . .

yhmyhmghmjhtgg lrkduo45todfcxd t t t t t t t t t t t t vrv -pccccctiolk JY

vhctby bn ujn by bnnnnnnnnnnnnn

Okay, daddy has now pulled away baby kicking and screaming. Gotta go! Later! :o)

Ex-haus-tion

–noun
1. the act or process of exhausting.
2. the state of being exhausted.
3. extreme weakness or fatigue.
4. the total consumption of something: the exhaustion of your vacation benefits for the year.
Origin: 1640–50; <>

To say that I'm tired just wasn't enough. I'm exhausted! This last week has been such a trying week. My house has been a sick house! We noticed the week before that Daniel just wasn't himself. With the occasional low grade fever and just wanting to sleep. So when his fever got up to 102.6 on Monday morning on decided it was time to take him to see Dr. Sweet. I prayed all morning, "Please don't let it be flu!" Well, it wasn't flu. It was, however, a list of other things. Some of which all kind of piggy back each other.

1. strep throat
2. viral throat infection
3. double ear infection
4. thrush
5. Hand Foot and Mouth

Two prescriptions and handouts later the doctor says, "At least it's not the flu!" She's right. Thank God for that. But now what?

Well, Tuesday morning I'm giving Michael instructions on how and when to give Daniel is medications. He looks at me with this glazed looked telling me he's not listening to a word I'm saying. In the middle of me asking, "Are you listening?" he darts to the bathroom and commences to puking and diarrhea. So, I call in for a second day and now have two boys to take care. Wednesday morning met me with a lovely slap in the face. It was my turn to be sick. Luckily only once! I was able to power through the rest of the day still caring for two puny, but recovering boys. Michael and I went back to work and Daniel back to school. I prayed that the daycare wouldn't call me and say it was too soon. Especially now that the blisters seem to have migrated from his mouth to his little face in the past two or three days!

In the midst of the crazy week my poor mother is diagnosed with a fungal ear infection that may have made it's way into her lymph node! How does that happen? Why does it seem everyone around me is falling apart? Pray that she feels better soon. She's been in tons of pain and will be going back to the doctor today. Pray that she doesn't require hospitalization but just lots of rest at home.

So, now we are trying to get back on schedule and maintain some form of routine. It's amazing how easy it is to get off and how hard it can be to get back on. A mother and wife's job is truly never ending. (I'm sorry Mom for never recognizing that until now!) I'm almost caught up with laundry and my house doesn't resemble a pig-sty anymore. Well, maybe just a little. But I'm still working on that!