Wednesday Wishes #16

The Seattle Smiths Wishful Wednesday topic this week is all about diet. I wish I had never-ending funds to donate to ______charity.

This is a topic I've actually thought of on many occasions. I would definitely donate to the Susan G. Koman foundation. I strongly feel that cancer is something we can find a cure for, and so many people suffer from cancer or know someone who has/is, that I'd gladly donate to them regularly if I could.

My husband and I have always talked about starting a scholarship fund for students who pay their own way through college - for whatever reason that may be. Of course I don't know the details of how we'd work that out, but if we won the lottery, we'd figure it out.

Cincinnati Children's Hospital would also get donations from our family. When AZ was a week old, she spent a week there because she had MRSA staph infection. Though it cost us a lot of money, even with insurance, the staff there was incredibly friendly and always willing to console me through my ever-flowing tears and emotions, and they answered all of my questions so that I could understand what was going on. Plus, AZ has been to the ER there when she needed an anti-nausea medication because she couldn't even keep water down. AND WC got stitches in their ER. They would get lots of donations.

And because Cincinnati Shriner's Hospitals for Children is where we've been going for almost a year for WC's burns, they'd also get a TON of our donations. We've been going there for so long now, and everyone is always so nice and attentive. And we've not had to pay a penny for WC's care. Shriner's Hospitals for Children is an amazing organization. There's no end date for WC's visits there, as of yet, so in my heart they are quite a deserving hospital to receive donations. Plus, WC gets to pick a gift at the end of each visit. How nice is that!

I also feel that the Ronald McDonald House is a charity worth donating to. My family, on multiple occasions, has had to stay at the Ronald McDonald House when different family members have been in the hospital. That charity would get our donations.

What charities would you donate to?

A Lot of Catchin' Up To Do

I have been unbelievably laaaaazy with my blog over the last few days. I don't know why I'm in a funk, but I'm about to bombard my blog with one GIGANTIC post to try and catch up. Hope you don't mind.

I missed Thankful Thursday, and there are always things to be thankful for. So here's my Thursday post a day late...





Thank you, dear daughter, for getting up at 6:30am. Seriously. You need to sleep in until 8am please.

Thank you, husband. You know what you did.

Thank you, Dish, for sending out our new receiver. Only, the smart card didn't work and I had to figure all of that out over the phone. And I lost everything that had been recorded, including Disney shows we no longer get because we cut our cable back. And why am I missing channels? Not a fan of yours at the moment. Can you tell?

Thank you, self, for the horrible mood you've been in lately. What the hell? I'm not even PMSing - I don't think.

Thank you, weather, for being gorgeous one day and then only in the 40s the next. Love having to explain to my children that it's too cold to play outside when we've been able to enjoy the outside so much lately.

Thank you, kids, for being so much fun to play with. It really is fun when we get to play outside.

Thank you, guy at Home Depot who helped me load hundreds of pounds of sand into my trunk. My kids better know how much I love them. A woman who must keep her house clean AND who buys sand for her children. Those two things do not go together.

Thank you, Mom, for sending the kids the cutest Easter gifts.

Thank you, family, for an amazing Easter weekend. Was that really just last week?

For more Thank Yous, you should go check out Our Imperfect Life and The Daily Dribbles.

And now for today. There is the neatest thing going on. It's the


hosted by 5 Minutes for Mom. You really should go check them out. Join in the party, maybe find some new blogs and people to adore, and quite possibly even win a few prizes along the way.
I'd personally like to win any of the following prizes in no particular order: 15, 23, 31, 32, 37, 39, 49, 52, 55, 61, 70, 71, 73, 74, 87, 88, 100, 107, usc3, usc8, usc15, usc32, usc35, usc36, usc37, usc39, usc40, usc41, usc44. Thank you all for donating such awesome prizes!

Wanna know what I'd like to win? Then go check 'em out! There are AMAZING prizes out there. What a fabulous way to find other blogs to love!

Happy Ultimate Blog Party!

And I can't forget Friday Follow.
sponsored by and hosted by Midday Escapades, One 2 Try, and Hearts Make Families.

To join in this fun, Link up your blog and URL using the MckLinky below. You only need to do this on one blog to be seen on all the blog hops. Them grab the Friday Follow button and put it in your post. Follow those fabulous hostesses mentioned up there, and start finding blogs you want to follow. Please remember to comment on new blogs you find that you are from Friday Follow. And, to be nice, follow your new followers back.







Happy Friday Follow!

Ok. I think that about sums up my post today. I'm looking forward to meeting lots of new bloggers! Have a great weekend, everyone!

Wednesday Wishes #14

The Seattle Smiths topic this week is about Easter. I wish I could re-live one Easter memory from my childhood, and it would be the Easter that... I don't remember a lot about Easter from my childhood, but I do remember when I was really young that we'd go to church as a family. Then we'd come home from church and the Easter Bunny would have magically left our Easter baskets out for us while we were gone. Now I know that my dad just church left early or came to church late. And our baskets would be full of goodies. That's really my only Easter memory as a kid.

Now that I'm a parent, I'd like to start family traditions with my kids, and leave them with wonderful memories of their childhoods. My kids will be surrounded by their favorite cousins, "Oma" and "Pawpaw", two uncles and an aunt this Easter weekend. I'm putting together cute little Easter baskets for them for Easter day. We're going on an Easter Egg hunt on Saturday at my daughter's preschool, which includes some crafts and refreshments. That night we'll have a big dinner with everyone. I'm wishing for it to be a wonderful Easter weekend.

I have a couple other wishes this week, too. I finally found and signed up for some graduate hours, 3 semester hours to be precise. So my first wish is that I get through these hours quickly and pass the classes. Gotta love trying to keep my teaching licence up to date, though I'm not currently teaching. I also wish that the class I want to sign up for my 4th semester hour doesn't get cancelled.

Coupon elves. I wish there was something such as coupon elves that could cut and sort my coupons for me. That sure would be nice.

And I have a giveaway wish! The Bragging Mommy is hosting the cutest giveaway for Pillow Pets! AZ actually got one of these when she was a baby. It's a giraffe, and we LOVE it! I would really love winning the snuggly puppy for my son!

Guessing All The Way is also hosting a giveaway for a Dream Baby Retractable Gate, and I'd love to win this for either our playroom stairs or one of my pregnant sisters!

Do you have any wishes this week?

Friday's Funny Phrases #10 with some FF#3

So, while the kids were eating dinner at the table one night, the husband and I are unloading the dishwasher. AZ says, "Daddy's not supposed to do the dishes. Just Mommy. Daddy is supposed to be at the computer." I've never laughed so hard! Apparently AZ has learned that Mommy does most of the cleaning around here. Thanks for recognizing all of Mommy's hard work, sweet AZ, even if it is in your own way.

Since visiting my pregnant sister, AZ has been obsessed with babies coming out of the belly. She says to me, "Mommy there's a little mommy in my belly, and it's getting bigger and bigger and bigger and will break my belly." I tried explaining to her that she was too little to have a baby in her belly, and that Mommy and Daddy want her to have a college education and a husband before getting a baby in her belly. She agreed. :) It's a deal.

Those were just a couple of funnies I remember from the week. I know there were more, but "mommy-brain" buried them deep enough I can't recall them at the moment.

And let's not forget that it's FRIDAY! Yay! Time for another Friday Follow MEME! This is such a great way to find new blogs to love and get new followers at the same time!

If you want to join the fun, this is what you need to do:
*Use the McLinky below to link up your blog. This will link you up to ALL the blogs that have this McLinky.
*Follow the first three hostesses below: Midday Escapades, One 2 Try, and Hearts Make Families.
*Create a post on your blog with the Friday Follow Button and sponsor button.
*Peruse through the blog list to find some you like and follow them. Be sure to leave a comment letting the blogger know you are from Friday Follow.
*And finally, if you get new followers from Friday Follow, be sure to follow them back.

Sponsored by: Be sure to put the sponsor button in this post and on your sidebar for a chance to win $100! Three winners, during the week of March 26- April 2, 2010 will be chosen at random via random.org and the Friday Follow Link System. If you win, you'll be notified by email and have 24 hours to claim your $100 cash prize. The prize is payable by Paypal or by a check from Vitality Products. This contest is open to US and Canada residents and ends at midnight on April 2, 2010. I'm sure hoping to win this one! Good luck to you, too!

Thankful Thursday #4

Thank you, husband, for making my coffee before you left for work a few days this week. It was so nice to come downstairs and smell my yummy goodness waiting for me. You're the best.

Thank you, guitar string, for not damaging my child while he was strumming you. Though, you did leave a mark on his hand, I know it could have been way worse.

Thank you, sunshine. You have to stick around!

Thank you, God, for letting my sister be OK. It was great seeing her and spending time with her, her husband, and her baby in her belly. Thank you for keeping them in your care.

Thank you, son, for constantly turning the t.v. off. Seriously, Samsung, your buttons should not be within the reach of toddlers.

Thank you, kids, for finally starting to sleep in until close to 8am. This completely rocks!

Now go check out Our Imperfect Life and The Daily Dribbles and all their thank yous!
Happy Thursday!

Wednesday Wishes #13

So, the Wishful Wednesday topic over at The Seattle Smiths is 'I wish I could afford this ______ handbag without putting a dent in my pocketbook!'

Well, before this past Christmas, I would have stated that I'd love a Coach or Louis Vuitton purse. My wonderful sister gave me this Louis Vuitton wallet in 2007 for being in her wedding. Isn't she the best!! I will probably use this wallet FOREVER!
I always thought it'd be nice to have a purse to go along with it. I mean, who doesn't want a matching purse and wallet, right? So, I guess it'd be nice to have a Louis Vuitton bag - one day. I mean, if we ever win the lottery. :)

Well this past Christmas, my husband completely surprised me with this Coach purse! I almost fell over dead. He had always thought and voiced that my obsession with designer bags was pretty silly. He could not fathom spending that much money on a purse. I mean, after all, I have dozens of regular purses in the closet. Why can't I use one of those? He'd NEVER buy a purse like that for me. So when I opened my fabulous present on Christmas morning, my heart skipped a beat a two. I love it!
So, in answer to this week's topic, I'm good. Unless, of course, we win the lottery. Then Louis Vuitton, here I come!

And for my other wishes for this week:
It'd be wonderful if the weather would figure itself out. This hot-cold stuff is driving me crazy! I wish it'd just be nice out already. I'm so ready to go outside and play with my kids on a regular basis.

And I wish it wasn't so difficult for me to find 4 semester hours to complete before May in order for me to keep my teaching licence from expiring. I guess in all honesty, it wouldn't be so hard if I hadn't procrastinated such a long time. It's stressing me out, and I just wish I was done with it already.

Those are my wishes this week. What are yours?

Post It Note Tuesday #10

It's Post It Note Tuesday time, so stop on over at Supah Mommy's place to link up and check out all the excitement!

Happy Birthday to my Wonderful Husband

photo courtesy of wicki_wicki

My wonderful husband had a birthday over the weekend, and I just want to share with you what an amazing man he is. For his birthday weekend, we went on a weekend trip to my sister's house. Isn't he the best?!? I certainly think so. He knows how much it means to me to see my family, especially since I don't see them very often. So, in honor of my husband and his birthday, I am going to gush over him just a bit.

In just 31 years, my husband has turned into a wonderful man. A man who loves me and our family. A man who makes sacrifices for us, who works hard so I can stop working from home and focus more on our kids. He's a man who tries and succeeds in making me happy. So here are just 31 little reasons why I love my husband and truly appreciate him and all he does:

1. He puts the toilet seat down. AND the toilet lid. (I know - he rocks, right?!)
2. He lets me sleep in on the weekends. I have the opportunity to sleep until 9 or 9:30am at least once on the weekends, while he takes the kids for the morning. If you know me, you know I LOVE my sleep. I wish I could do without it, but I just can't.
3. On the weekends, he cooks us breakfast - like omelets, or eggs in a nest, with bacon, etc. And it's always yummy.
4. He takes care of taking the trash out. It's just one of those jobs that I don't like doing, so he does that. And he takes the cans and recycle bins out, too.
5. He will throw laundry in when it needs to get done. He doesn't fold, but he'll wash them for me!
6. He loves to garden and has turned his hobby into something spectacular. Our family really enjoys the tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, beans, onions, broccoli, etc. that he grows for us. I love that he has a green thumb, and I'm really looking forward to our fruit trees.
7. He leaves me little surprises, like little notes, a card, or some Dove Dark Chocolate. Or he'll turn the electric blanket on before I get into bed. He's sweet like that.
8. He's willing to buy me tampons. Enough said.
9. He goes to the grocery store, probably at least once a week, after work to pick up one or two items I've forgotten or need for dinner.
10. He takes care of the big things for us - setting up the kids' 529 accounts, our re-fi stuff, insurance stuff, etc. He does those big things so I won't have to. I get all confused anyway.
11. He lets me be in charge of the remote control. Seriously!
12. We go to the park or preschool functions as a family.
13. He'll go to church with me, even though his beliefs don't match mine. He does it for me and the kids.
14. He doesn't hesitate to give the kids a bath. It gives me a little break, so he does it.
15. He's so smart. He knows so much more than I do about so much more stuff than I do. I really look up to him.
16. He's LOYAL, to me, to us, to our kids, to his family, to my family, and to our friends.
17. He supports me, not only financially, but emotionally. He's there when I need him.
18. Every now and then if I'm out all day running errands, I will come home to find that he's vacuumed or done the dishes, or done both.
19. He continues to hang picture frames on our walls, even though he thinks there are too many. I'm pretty sure I'm a chip off the ol' block, Mema.
20. He was there for me in college when I felt that NO ONE ELSE IN THE WORLD was. I'm pretty sure he kept me alive!
21. He appreciates me and everything I do for our family. He knows I do a lot, and he recognizes me for my efforts.
22. He is half the reason for our two beautiful children. I think it's his greatest work ever.
23. This May he will be graduating from graduate school. He's an extremely hard worker, who's done night classes for the last few years in order to further his education. I'm so proud of him.
24. He doesn't think I'm crazy, and I'm pretty sure I am.
25. He isn't afraid of my past, and he doesn't judge me for it. He knows how far I've come, and he's helped me so much along the way.
26. He lets me spend our money to decorate our house the way I want it to be.
27. He encourages me to go out without the kids to have fun on my own.
28. He supports the decisions I make as a mom. He backs me up on parenting theories and things I try.
29. He doesn't complain when the house is dirty, when dinner is at 9pm, if the new recipe I tried is disgusting, or when I'm PMS-ing.
30. He scoops the cat poop. When I became pregnant and wasn't allowed to do that anymore, he took over. Unfortunately for him, I never really reclaimed that chore.
And finally, reason number 31. He LOVES me for me. I'm a priority to him. He makes me feel important and worthy, and he brings me immense joy. He doesn't see all the flaws in me that I see. And if he does, he loves me anyway.

Thankful Thursday #3

Hello Thankful Thursday. Here we go again...




Thank you, oh sweet red wine. You are delicious, and you make my nights so lovely. I missed you dearly.

To my darling daughter, AZ, thank you so much for screaming out my name countless times for over an hour and a half after you went to bed. I gave you two band aids. You don't need another one for your bitten off finger nail. I love you, but Mommy needs more wine. (KIDDING - sort of).

Hello hot hubby. Thank you for being so smart and having the agility of a cat. Thank you for finally getting that mouse out of our house. I feel SO much better now.

Sadie Cat, thank you for playing with your rodents. Someone needs to teach you to ATTACK and KILL. Keep up the good work, kitty.

Thank you, days that keep ticking off the calendar. Only 31 work days left. Then I'll officially be a stay at home mom! Yay!

Thank you son, for reminding me that you are of my blood. I absolutely adore that you eat spicy food and Botan rice with furikakinori in it. My little blond haired boy of Asian descent.

To all the bloggers who host giveaways and put in all that work for others, THANK YOU!

Because of The Coupon Scoop's giveaway, and even though I didn't win it, I was able to get the product. I blogged about wishing to win the giveaway, and the company commented and said they could make my dreams come true if I didn't win. And THEY DID! A huge thank you to Kleen Slate Concepts and The Coupon Scoop. My son and daughter love the dry erase paddles with markers. And I love that they're non-toxic and low odor! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Thank you, Pampers, for your overnight diapers that do not work. WC has never had issues with waking up wet in any of your other diapers until we tried out these. Am I disappointed? Yes. But I will continue to buy your other diapers when I have coupons. I personally think your diapers, with the overnights being an exception, are the best out there for my kids' butts.

Don't forget to check out Our Imperfect Life and The Daily Dribbles who got me started in all these Thank Yous!

Friday's Funny Phrases #9

Alright, my husband is a bit sarcastic. And that's putting it lightly. Well, apparently AZ has taken notice of this. The other night, JD made dinner, and I was just exhausted. I sat down at the computer to have just a few minutes to myself. The kids were eating, and JD took his food and sat with them at the table. Well, he started pestering me (and I KNOW I should have gotten my dinner and headed to the table right at that moment) to come eat, and I begged for just a minute. JD was trying to get AZ to call out things to me, and instead, she looks at him and says, "Daddy, you're mean to Mommy." Smile.

My dear son, WC, during a recent diaper changed stated, "My junk is in there." And I close up his diaper and he says, "I can't reach it." And at another diaper changed where there's poo involved, I ask him, "What's in your diaper?" He says, "My junk is in there." I guess he's aware of his boy parts now.

For Christmas, the kids got dress up clothes and accessories, including tiaras, wands, etc. Well, tiara wearing WC came up to me, and says, "What do you want for Christmas?" meaning, what are your wishes? I start listing my wishes: happy kids, healthy kids, happy bellies, lots of sleep - and right after I say that last one, AZ interjects a big "NO. No sleep for Mommy. Not yet." And she only speaks the truth.

While holding WC, he likes to put his mouth on my cheeks and blow to make raspberries. I don't mind it too much, as he loves to do it. And while we were enjoying this activity, he decided to bite my cheek. Who can blame the poor kid for biting when I nibble on him ALL THE TIME?? (Thanks for that Mema, by the way). Anyway, I say, "Ouch, WC." He quickly responds, (very apologetically)"Sorry Mommy. (very proudly)I BITE. " Oh, I can't live without this kid. You know, the one who just took all his clothes off.

AZ, or Little Miss Sassafrass as I like to call her these days, refused to stay in her room during nap/rest time. So, she says to me, "I don't want to be nice anymore today. No fruit snacks for me, no suckers, and no computer. Tomorrow I will sleep well last night and then I can have computer." What a girl I have! And during said nap time, I tell her she has to just sit and color while Mommy takes a break. Her response: "I don't want to sit on the couch, I don't want to color. I just want to play. Those are the rules."

Thankful Thursday #2

It's Thankful Thursday time again!




Thank you, warmer spring time weather. I love that you have arrived! And thank you, allergies, who have to cling onto spring time and try and ruin a good thing.

Thank you, WC and AZ, for having such an internal clock that no matter what time you go to bed, you are up by 7am on the dot.

Thank you, pbskids.org, for turning my loving 3 & 1/2 year old into a computer hog.

Thank you, Dr. at Urgent Care, who prescribed me an antibiotic that is impossible to take as directed. 4 times a day, but one hour before eating and at least two hours after eating. Really??

Thank you, AZ's new preschool, for not having any morning spots open for her. Hopefully the waiting list will pay off for us.

Thank you, husband, for last week volunteering me, while I was making dinner Friday night, to make a carrot cake from scratch for Saturday afternoon. I didn't mind making it, but really didn't enjoy heading out for carrots and other necessary ingredients at 9:30pm on my Friday night and having to stay up to closet to midnight baking. I know you're just trying to prepare me for when our kids are older, but jeez.

Thank you, Win Wok. Your food is so yummy, and I love having options to order in. Thank you for delivering! And thank you for not writing our credit card number on the menu this time. That's really an AWFUL system you have there.

And, thank you, GOD, for another wonderful week with my family. Thank you for their laughter and our happiness.

Don't forget to check out Our Imperfect Life and The Daily Dribbles who got me started in all these Thank Yous!

Wednesday Wishes #11

I really wish that AZ would have gotten into the 4 year old 3-day morning class at preschool. So, since she didn't, she'll go to the afternoon classes - unless we get a call for being on the waiting list. I'm making a wish that whatever class she ends up in, that it's the right one for her and our family.

I wish that allergies weren't so bothersome. Ugh! But I wish the weather could stay this nice forever. I'm really enjoying all the walks I'm taking with the kids.

I wish people were nicer to one another. It's amazing how rude and unkind some people can be.

At this very moment, I wish that my son would STOP putting a blanket over his head and walking around. He just ran into the wall (unharmed). And I wish he'd stop spitting. And keep his clothes on. And take longer naps.

Couponing For 4 is hosting a giveaway for a $25 gift card to Kroger. I hope I win this, not only because it'll save us $25, but it'll totally raise my percentage saved on the receipt! :) The last few times I've been grocery shopping, I've saved at least 40%, so I'm rockin' it. And it looks like Coupon Clippin' Mommy, Cincinnati Cents , and The Mommy-Files are also hosting a giveaway for a $25 Kroger gift card. I really want in on these! :)

And while I'm entering giveaways, I couldn't resist the giveaway by Stay@HomeMomWhoKnew. I have entered to win a WanChai Ferry "Perfect Night In" prize pack consisting of a free entree, bowls, chopsticks, bamboo place mats, and fortune cookies. In addition, there's a $25 Target gift card. This sounds like the perfect (and thriftier) alternative to ordering in!

And I wish the kids would stay this snuggly, lovey, ticklish, and giggly forever. I adore when their laughter fills our house.

Thankful Thursday #1

My first Thankful Thursday. Some Thursdays will be sincere thanks, some will be sarcastic, and some will be a combination of the two. So here goes:

Thank you, God, for me being born in the United States of America. And thank you for all the opportunities that brings to me and my family. Thank you for me being born when I was born. Plumbing, electricity, and modern technology are such blessings. Thank you for allowing me to know what it is to suffer so that I will not take for granted and so that I know what it is to enjoy and delight in everything. Thank you for forgiveness. Thank you for giving your son to us. Thank you for my husband, children, family, and friends. Thank you for my husband's job, our working vehicles, our home, our food, our community. Thank you for our trials and the lessons learned from them. Thank you for music and rainbows and beauty and nature. Thank you for LIFE. Thank you for choices. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Thank you, husband, for loving me and being there for me no matter what. Thank you for the opportunity to stay home with our children. Thank you for bringing me happiness and joy. Thank you for marrying me and giving me two of the most beautiful children on the planet. Thank you for your patience and your hard work. Thank you for your dedication to our family and your loyalty to our lives together. Thank you for being my partner and being on my team.

Thank you, AZ and WC, for loving me every single day and letting me start over each morning. Thank you for quickly forgiving me when I lose my temper or forget that you're just kids. Thank you for being a part of my life. Thank you for your innocence and laughter. Thank you for your existence.

Thank you family for being my family and making me who I am. I love you all down to my core.

Thank you to my close friends. Thank you for being there for me and being so much fun. Thank you for your friendship!

Thank you, William Graham Bell, for the invention of the telephone. My life would suck without your genius!

Thank you to the people who read my blog. I love knowing that I'm 'connecting' with people.

And I have to throw in a sarcastic one (or two) - THANK YOU, son, for getting sick and forcing us to cancel our trip to GA to see Mommy's family - the family I only get to see once or twice a year. Mommy is SO sad. :(

THANK YOU, to moi, for being one of the very lucky few to have Group B Strep.

Wednesday Wishes #10

My 1st wish this week is to be completely healthy and for my family to also be equally healthy!

I wish the next couple of weeks go by really quickly so that I can go see my sister. :)

I also wish to win a giveaway hosted by The Coupon Scoop. She is giving away a two pack of Kleen Slate Concepts, and AZ would enjoy those immensely! And for my nephew, I'd like to win the book Danny the Dragon Meets Jimmy since he's so into dragons at the moment, also hosted by The Coupon Scoop.

I also entered a giveaway from She Saved for the cutest pillowcase dresses on the planet! I am hoping to win one for AZ. Aren't they the sweetest little things??

And yay for my wishes that have come true! And they do! :)

Post It Note Tuesday #7

Post It Notes provided by Supah Mommy.

The Value of Family

Mondays. Never the best day of the week, that's for sure. Well this Monday may just take the cake...

I live about 11 hours away from most of my family. I get to see them maybe once or twice a year, and I was SO excited about our trip that was supposed to be this week. Unfortunately, my 2 year old came down with strep throat and croup. And he just had strep two weeks ago. Poor little guy. And poor me. I must have cried rivers when I realized that we couldn't make our drive down to Georgia. I was so close to being able to see my family, my family whose distance makes my heart ache. I was so close. And I miss them soooooo much!

Living so far away from my family leaves my heart in pieces, and it's never whole until I see them. And it makes me want to teach my children the value of family, the importance of having family near by, and to remember to not take it for granted.

So, do me a favor today. Tell your family you love them. Hug them. Talk with them. Spend time with them. For me.

Friday's Funny Phrases #8

So instead of skipping breakfast completely, which I'm guilty of more often than not, I decided to drink a Carnation Instant Breakfast. WC used to get these mixed in with his milk (per Dr. orders) for a while, so he knows he likes those. Well, I'm drinking my breakfast and I see he wants some, so I let him have a sip, which is more like him just sticking his tongue in my drink. Then I have some more, and he looks at me and says, "Mommy, drink me."

While holding WC, I ask him, "Where's Mommy's kisses?" He points to my lips and says, "Right there." Oh, I could just eat him up!

Post It Note Tuesday #6

Post It Notes provided by Supah Mommy.

My boy is officially 2!

OH MY GOSH! My son is officially 2 years old. My baby, my last kid, my little man is growing up. I can't help but reflect a little over the two years of his life...

With WC, the OB and I set an induction date a few days before his official due date because my body was showing signs of readiness, and I was a wreck about what we'd do with AZ and how we'd plan everything if I went into labor naturally. And I'm sooooo thankful that we set a date, because had we not, I'm certain that he would have been born in the car on the side of the road instead of in the hospital. You see, we had record breaking blizzards that winter - like "it's illegal to drive on the road because there's so much snow and ice" type of blizzards. So, thank you, GOD, for taking care of us on that end.

Well, my hubby came home from grad school that night, we ate dinner (I ate a Subway 6" sandwich because I remembered how starved I was after having AZ) and left AZ in the care of my in-laws. We got to the hospital at 10pm that night and WC was born at 6:04 the next morning. They had to turn the pitocin off after about an hour or so because I was having a contraction every minute. Thank you, GOD, that I had an epidural that actually worked this time. And in no time flat, we were back home, and now a family of 4. AZ was just 19 months old, but she did exceptionally well with adjusting. Whew!

And before I knew it he was walking, and by the time he was 1 year old he only had two speeds: running and sleeping. And a year later, those are still his only speeds. Shortly after his 1st birthday, he fell and hit his eyebrow on the rocking chair, resulting in a trip to the ER and a stitch. And not long after that he had surgery to get tubes in his ears and get a bottom tooth repaired. That tooth came in with no enamel. The worst thing ever was when he opened the oven door after dinner was eaten and done, and badly burnt both of his hands. We're STILL recovering from that one. And of course there was the time he had to get x-rays on his arm because his older sister used it as a rope to climb into his crib. There's also the fact that he forced his toddler bed upon us because he kept climbing out of his crib.

Wow! When I see all of the things my boy has been through during his short little life so far in all grouped together, I must seem like the worst mother ever. Well, I am going to assure you - I am not. :) WC is a busy, busy, busy boy and I do my best to keep up. He's my snuggle bear and my sweet sweet little man.

Happy 2nd Birthday, WC! I hope you enjoyed your fabulous birthday party! I love you bunches and bunches and want nothing but the best for you!

Dear God,
Thank you so much the blessings in my life that you have given me. Thank you so much for my children. Please help me to be the best mom I can be for both of them, so that they can grow to know you. Help me to protect them the best that I can and be who I need to be for them.
In Christ Name. Amen.

Friday's Funny Phrases #7

AZ has recently discovered that her favorite Uniqua doll from The Backyardigans can be undressed. Well, after the pony incident that cost me about 20 minutes in Kroger - the incident where she insisted on bringing in her pony and then somehow dropped it somewhere and cried as loud as she possibly could after I gave up looking after hunting through the entire store - I told AZ that if she wanted to take Uniqua into the store that she'd have to be dressed. There was no way I was going to look for Uniqua's clothing if it got dropped. Well, she couldn't put the clothes back on herself, so she gave the doll to me. Did I mention we're in the car on the way to the store? So, I stop at a stop sign in my neighborhood and get her dressed. I finish up, begin driving again while handing her the doll. And since AZ always insists that I have 2 hands on the wheel at all times now, she says, "Mommy you need more arms." Me: "I think ALL mommies could use more arms. I'd like to have arms like an octopus." AZ: "No, Mommy. Then you wouldn't have fingers." My smart little girl.