okay, so in a couple of days it will actually be the new year, but i will be busy so i’m wishing you a year filled with great and fantastic days.  

oftentimes, after… how do i say this, an “interesting” year, people tend to say that they cannot wait until the current year is over so that so that they can get a fresh start and such. 

well, i have experienced a very “interesting” year, and I must say that i, for one, am very glad that this year was filled with “interesting”.  i have found that no matter what comes your way, there is strength from God that can be called upon to carry you. 

i’m looking forward to many more days of conquering challenges.  however, my expectations and focus will be on that which brings about life giving energy.  i really must say that i would have had very different thoughts about this past year, but, being true to myself  and changes made have caused peace and freedom to ring loudly. 

aaaahhhhhh!!! that’s the sound of me living life without worrying about what others think of me, not trying to please others, not taking on the blame for things that i know i’m not responsible for and taking full responsibility for ONLY that which i am responsible. sound simple?  but if you’ve ever lived your life taking on the shtuff people say and the taking on things that aren’t yours that others have done…geesh, i’m sure you’re more than aware that that’s more baggage than the any one person should ever carry.  i will be doing my absolute best to live a life that God deems and redeems.  and that’s the sound of freeeeeeedom!!! 

so, here’s the deal

1) live life in truth

2) no matter how loud you shout or how mad you get, when you display your emotions and show how angry you are…you lose.  that sucks but it is true.  even if you are telling the truth, saying it loud and louder and getting indignant is not going to get your point across any better.  this took some practice for me. teehee.  apparently, showing your fired up emotions makes people think that you are guilty, crazy:) or that you have something to hide.  showing your emotions doesn’t mean that you are guilty, are crazy, or have anyting to hide, it just means that you need to calm yourself down so you can handle situations with a level head.  bah hahahahahaha (that’s the sound of me laughing at myself with a level head when i feel super fired up about a something…i really can do it! really:)!

3) live your life like it’s golden!!! do i really need to explain this one.  how about i give you this little tune and you take it from there. 

(now that you’re in a jill scott kind of mood…check out her music cuz she is the shtuff that singers are made of!!!)

4) be sure to live your life to the fullest.  be creative and make the most of any and all opportunities that you’re blessed with. 

5) learn from your mistakes and don’t beat yourself up about things that you cannot control.  when you learn from your mistakes, do different. do better!

6) don’t allow the opinions of others to take the wind out of your sails.  be bold!!!

anyhoo, i’ve gotta go.  i’ve got stuff to do. so carry on and make it a great year!!!

i’m baaaaaack!!!  yay for a really fun summer.  now if i can just get at least one more very warm day at the beach then and only then will i be okay to wait ’til summer comes back around…in 2010! 

speaking of summer fun and back to school…

i am now the proud mommy of a full-time first grade student!  i made it through the first day of school with no tears and holding my breath.  my myles was pretty brave for his first full day, not as excited as i thought he’d be and by the end of the school day he simply informed me that he was not going to be returning to school the next day.  and for the three days that followed he informed me that going back to school was not an option.  so i’d say that he handled his first week well *wink*.  i would be more than thrilled to guide his education and have him hang out with me all day, however, it’s time for my little bird to spread his wings a bit. sniff sniff.  i must admit, i was so wrapped up in summertime stuff that first grade came upon me and shocked me back into reality.

i’ve had many people say to me “so what are you going to do with all of your free time without myles?” wait, huh, free time?  come again.  who is handing out free time and not telling me?  correct me if i wrong, but, most moms who are at home generally don’t have a ton of free time to speak of.  and if there is an at home mom that does have six plus hours of free time on her hands because her kids are in school…please, by all means, give me a holla!:)  let this girlie know your secret.

so, as i sit around *ahem* in all of my glorious free time, a pile of shtuff that calls for my immediate attention stares me in the face , a list of calls NEED to be made and a few errands need to be run.  or i can cheat and choose option B and reward myself with a bit of  a 30 minute cat nap.  all moms for the latter raise you hand…me! i hope all of you moms squeezed every bit of summer out of june, july and august that you could because summer lovn’ is over now.    one last thing about this summer – with budget constraints and the layoffs that we have experienced, i vote myself for the supermom who turned the summer of ‘09 into a summer to be reckoned with!!!  talk about a mom who made and can make plenty-o-fun things happen on the cheap, yep, that’s me.  can you tell how proud i am?  teehee:)   oh cut it out, no need to applause:)  teehee

speaking of life in all it’s ummmm… glory

when i say that this has been one of the most fun, power packed, emotionally exhausting, eye opening, God challenged summers of all times…i’m hardly scratching the surface in my expression of how things were/are.  for three years and nine months i had been dreading a moment that i thought i could prevent from ever coming.  BAM! it came, it hit me like a ton of bricks.  the weight was so heavy i felt as if i could not breath and yet somehow i could and did breath.  lots of personal gains and lots of personal losses.  lots of moments that i will cherish forever.  and lots of moments that i choose to cast into a lake of fire forgive.  there were lots of “can you hear me God Almighty up there, out there, anywhere”.  there were even some smite me almighty smiter moments.  i actually dared Him, you know, the ALMIGHTY, ALL KNOWING, LORD OF ALL, KING OF KINGS, SOVEREIGN GOD to get busy because what was going on was not working…or so i thought.  as i know by now, what happens in our little feeble minds is no match for he who reigns and redeems. ya know!

lessons we should all learn:  not many chose to see the life of another person through the other person’s eyes.  most people chose to see the life of another person through whatever way they think things are or should be.  i once heard a quote or something that said – never believe everything you hear and only half of what you see.  SO TRUE!!! SO TRUE!!!  so the next time you or I look at someone’s supposedly happy and charmed existence, you must know that there is a story behind every closed door; behind every smile; behind every crabby mood; behind every zoned out mom or dad;and behind every family.  so be very careful what you judge, cast stones at, shake your head or wag your finger at.  another very important thing to remember…”God can take care of what others do to us far better than we can” -  says cicely tyson’s character from the movie “diary of a mad black woman”.  and for those that need the matching scripture…vengence is mine says the Lord.  plus, HE can do it with quite a bit more grace than any of us. 

most folks would love to live a life that is as perfect as perfect can get, however, how many people would eagerly and anxiously want to live a life that has been redeemed?   warning:  when God redeems your life you’re usually tried, tested and  brought  dragged through the fire.  sounds like fun, huh?  somehow at the end of your experience(s) it is well worth it.  or so i’m told:0)

so here i go, praying myself through my days, putting one foot in front of the other and choosing to know above anything else that providence IS on my side.

until next time, c ya

celebrating memorial day today was a bit extra interesting and special considering some very unique changes that will be occurring in our family…soon.  it was a bit exciting and a bit reflective. 

as we have for the past couple of years – attended a service at the abraham lincoln national cemetary honoring and rememebering the servicemen and servicewomen who sacrificed in a way that i could not fathom.  THANK YOU TO ALL BRANCHES OF MILITARY SERVICE.  WE HONOR THE MEMORY OF THOSE LOST AND WE PRAY FOR THOSE WHO ARE SERVING NOW!!!  YES WE ARE PROUD TO BE AMERICANS AND PROUD OF THE FREEDOM WE HAVE IN THIS COUNTRY!!!

first of all i’d like to say happy mother’s day day to YOU!!! hope your day is fantastic.

MY BOY, MY JOY!

i am excited to indulge in much time with my boy.  it’s going to be fun.  it’s not that hanging out with him today is any different than any other day, however, hallmark has deemed this day a holiday so now he is required to be nice to me today.  teehee.  he is just as excited as i am to indulge in some homemade pecan waffles for our special breakfast together.  yummmmmm.  i say homemade not because the batter is from scratch but because i’m using a fantastic batter that i found and i’m using the waffle maker.  that is homemade, right? teehee

the other day, i was very excited to receive my precious little homemade gift of a card which is always better than store bought, and grass grown by myles’ own hands.  sooooo cute.  BUT, how in the heck do i save grass in my stash of precious handmade memories???? i’m sure i’ll find a way.  you know you’re a parent when you find yourself trying to scrapbook grass grown from a kindergartner.  haha.  who does that anyway?  mothers of course!

anyhoo, i feel really fortunate today because i know the extreme blessing of knowing and loving and shaping and having this precious boy child in my care.  when i really think about it, i get to do the best and most important job in the world. yikes!  to realize that when you’re a mom you’re turning out little people who will become fantastic productive citizens of the world, one tends to be extremely purposeful about how motherhood is approached.  and of course that would be with care, love, support, nurturing, lots of attention and being self aware.  daily, i am trying to be careful to influence his life with healthy habits, morals, positive thinking and a healthy way of life (physically, spiritually, mentally and emotionally).  it’s a constant process  and i find myself growing as my myles grows.  just as children have growing pains/pangs, mothers experience our own fair share.  but as i encourage myself to forge ahead i also give myself kudos today for being the best mom that i can be and it is well worth the gift of grass and the better than store bought homemade card.

i celebrate being a mommy to not just my precious boy a. myles, but also to my precious girl amber lynn.  what a gift just to simply know the two of these little ones.  my heart is full and today i am experiencing a wealth of emotions.  BUT,  today, the most prominent feeling, emotion, thought, in my heart, the word that comes to mind is GRATEFUL. 

i’m grateful to be a mommy and grateful to my mom and all the women who have been a mommy influence in my life…i’m grateful to you!

GERMAPHOBES UNITE!!!

this is just me rambling about what i like to indulge in…a good scrub down.  i confess that i am a germaphobe to the core.  now that i’m raising a boy i have had to loosen up on my excessive need to wash wash wash my hands and his hands everytime we touch stuff in public places.

not anymore!!!!  once again, germaphobes will get the chance to indulge in what makes them most comfortable.  sanitizing gel, soap and water, hand wipes, clorox wipes and the like will be in full effect.  say it with me, “sanitizer in da house!”

in case you’ve been living under a rock and haven’t heard – there is a swine flu going around.  though it is said to not be as wide-spread as in certain parts of mexico right now, but it’s out there nonetheless.  it sord of reminds me of mrsa the superbug.  this strain of infectious whatever is unique and relentless.  it has such an affect on people that they are now deciding to wash their hands properly (hopefully).  and in case you didn’t know that there is a proper way to wash your hands…there is.  use soap, water, and scrub for at least 15-20 seconds, duh:).  by the way, have you ever noticed that health care workers usually do a quick in and quick out when they wash their hands?  this has always skived me out a bit but maybe it’ll change a little, hopefully. especially because they touch all over you and in some cases all in you.  ewwwww.  

i don’t even think that i’m bothered much that there is this swine flu.  i think that i’m more into  the fact that it’s probably going to push people to be a bit more aware and more vigilant with their hygiene.  ya know?

i must admit, that i would much rather give a hug than give a handshake.  sometimes after shaking someone’s hand i immediately want to go and wash my hands or pull out my miniature bottle of sanitizer.  this in no way has anything to do with the person whose hand i may have touched.  in general, i’ve always been grossed out by shaking hands and touching stuff that I think is gross.  this is a bit over the top i know…but i just can’t help it.

i do think that i’ve done a pretty good job (depending on who you ask) with keeping the urge to want to spray myles down when he comes home from school or from a play date, or from the park, or from the store, or from the backyard, or from church, or from a restaurant and so on and so forth.  don’t look at me like that!  i know that i’m not the only one.  i’ve seen some of you other mommas out there pulling out your sanitizer as you attempt to halt any spread of dirty germs contracted from all the sweet face little carriers.  after the sanitization, i know you probably even smile a little figuring that you may have just avoided…dun, dun, dun – the germies!

swine flu or not….just wash or sanitize your hands on a regular! that’s all i’m saying.  no one wants your cooties.  you know

earth day!  yay!!! did a little bit of reducing, reusing and recycling.  you know, just like what jack johnson sings about!  he’s the bomb (like a really good/fun musician)!!! anyhoo, i hope you did a bit of earth day stuff.  let’s all save the planet and whatnot:)

myles, inspecting light bulbs

i think  i sord of did my small part today for the good of the earth.  let’s see, we minimized our electricity usage (reduce), gathered gently used clothes for giveaway (reuse), double-checked that all light bulbs were energy efficient(reduce), recycled the can i used for soup (recycle), minimized my water usage (reduce), and surprised myles with a fun little desert made of mud, bugs and worms.  he loved it!  of course it was actually made of chocolate pudding, gummy bugs and gummy worms. 

mmmmmmm, desert!   

perhaps i will do a bit better next year for earth day.  but until then…i am going to conserve a bit more energy and go to sleep!

having one of those overcast, dreary kind of days – probably because that’s exactly what it looks like outside.  though, i am pretty glad that it is no longer frigid.  it’s one of those days that you wish you could stay underneath the blanket reading a really good book, eating a bowl of popcorn.  this all sounds really good except i have a mess of papers calling my name. ugh

anyhoo,  as i move into a different chapter of my life, i’ve had to have some “it’s not good-bye but it’s see you around” kind of phone conversations.  a good number of the conversations have gone well and i have felt the support and friendship.  but then there are the conversations that left me exhausted and extremely frustrated.  those were the hard ones.  ugh

anyhoo, here i sit, tired of making phone calls, tired of researching online and just plain ol’ tired.  right now is when a nice little packet of peeps would do me good.  we all know how i like hanging with my peeps (you know, the total colored sugar covered marshmallow candy…yummmmm)!

i think i’ll turn in early tonight because by the end of this day, i will have no more words.  just a big deep sigh and a readiness to get on with things.  come what may. i’m ready. i think:)

as parents, we watch or at least we try to watch everything we say or do around our children.  if we’re honest, there are some slip ups and our kids are right there to call us on it or catch us in act.  so i guess you can say that having children really causes one to straighten up any behavior that you might otherwise try to get away with.  no more using the c word (by c word i’m talking about the word – crap), instead of saying that sucks you now probably say something that ’s a non-potty mouth equivalent.   and when frustrated you really have to watch your actions and your words…you know what i mean.  they will handle things the same way you do, with the exception of some of their fits and tantrums which are completely natural (this too can be curbed or cured) teehee.

anyhoo, what i’m starting to realize is that some things that we are talented at are kind of in our dna.  but how we approach life is something that we pass on to our kids as well.  i’m really curious about what kind of person my little myles will be when he grows up.  it’s fun watching him and his personality shine and wonder what kind of man he will be and what kind of profession he will choose.  i’ve also discovered that it is really important to nurture what you see in your children and not take for granted that they’ll know what to do with their talents.  nuture what you see them leaning towards! 

lately, i’ve been checking out my little guy and boy has he learned a couple of things from me that i’m actually really proud of.  i didn’t teach him to do it but i was really surprised to see how apt he was at this certain talent.  the other day we were talking and he pretty much took a meeting with me.  if i didn’t give birth to him myself, i would not believe that he was just a five year old boy.  to say the least, he impressed me.  i later played conversation back in my mind and realized he had been watching what i do and he had picked up on how to do this “thing” and he is surprising detail oriented.  if i had to guess i now have an idea of some of the talents that God has blessed me with.  so cool!

i’m proud of him.  i know that i need to continue and work really hard to show him (by example) how to approach life. i choose to show him by my example to approach life with an open mind and with passion, respect for others, moral and standards that he will be proud of. 

 so yes, they are watching every move you make.  so whatever you do, do it well.  so whatever you say be appropriate and make sure your words are life giving and don’t tear down others.  and yes, i as well as most humans on the planet will have slip ups.  (sighing and cringing at the thought of some of my slip ups.  ugh!). anyhoo,  show your kids how to come back from those mistakes.

and this video is just for the heck of it and because i like 80s music.  you know that i couldn’t bring up this topic and not have this song popping into my head. smile

yes, i have a boy.  yes, he is the best thing since warm, buttered dinner rolls or sugar or lip gloss or the color orange or a pair of really cute stilettos.  yes, he is loud, fun and rambunctious.  yes, he is sooooo much fun.  yes, he is wired soooo opposite of me because he is a boy.  yes, he is all mud, bug, worms and picking scabs.  and yes, he is already flirting with the ladies.  aaaaaahhhh.

but…

i was not fully aware of what was to come with certain boy happenings.  nothing new, but funny and surprising each time i see it.  if you have a boy and you’re a mommy and not a daddy (because daddy’s already know this stuff, i think) what to expect at certain times.  like for instance when little boys wake up and things are poking out at you.  it’s like whoa!  or like when they are sleeping or just watching t.v. and they are doing an al bundy, you know, sitting there with their hand down their pants…just chillin’. 

yep, one day their hugging stuffed animals and the next day they are doing stuff that as a mommy, you have to act unsurpised about.  i don’t want to shame him because i know that it is all natural boy stuff and innocent.  at least i think it is. 

as he was taking a nap today, i looked over at him and viola! there he was hands in pants and snoring like a banshee.  too funny.  i almost took a picture of him in that state but i think i have enough embarrassing pics like that.  this time i’ll cut him some slack.

myles comes home from school, puts away his jacket, shoes and such, figures out what he wants for lunch, comes up stairs, plops in the rocking chair and decides that, “from now on, this will be my rocking chair – okay momma?” as he rubs the arms of the chair he says, “this will be my rocking chair because i’m wise, can this be my rocking chair momma?”  sure, i say.  not really thinking that he meant it in a serious kind of way. 

a while later andre’ comes upstairs and sits in the chair, myles walks over to him and says, “this is my rocking chair because i’m wise, so can you please get up?”  andre’ (looks at him with a smirk and in disbelief that he would even say such a thing) “what do you mean myles?” of course myles responds, “seriously, this is my chair.”  andre’ looks at me.  i am not sure what to say because i surely did not think that he (myles) really assumed that the chair was his, for real. 

he has staked his claim, marked his territory and has given a reason as to why.  yep, he’s staking his claim (peeing on trees again).  my assumption is that this too shall pass and in a few days he won’t even remember that he claimed this piece of furniture.  i think that i have to make sure that he knows that the chair can and should be shared with the rest of us. 

i’ll think twice before answering the question as to whether or not he can “stake claim” to a piece of furniture that belongs to everyonein the house.  tooooooo funnnny!

easter / resurrection day was a unique and good day.  embracing all activity that today held, however, never far from my mind was the extreme gratefulness and awe of what the celebration of this day means.  memories of my childhood come to mind as i listen to my myles recite, memorize and understand  john 3:16 just as i did as a lttle kid. 

we started the day off with a prayer and myles decides that he needs to say the whole prayer.  short, sweet and to the point, was his prayer.  i think he assumed that if i or his dad prayed we would be there for a while. the most interesting thing is, i was pretty impressed by what he said.  but of course i’m a pretty proud momma anyway. 

it was great to see others embrace the day and its meaning/purpose by accepting Christ as their savior for the first time.  it was important for me to embrace the day for so many reasons.  throughout challenges of life, it’s quite possible to find joy and inner peace.  i thought about my little angel baby and how she is actually in heaven with Christ.  that was a wow moment.  as much as i would like to watch her run around down here on earth we me (dressed in her little pastel easter duds) –  to know that she is safe in his arms on this special day, man oh man, my creative imagination cannot even begin to touch how fantastic it must be where she is. 

as i sat in front of my angel baby’s head stone, her “resting place”, the field where her little body ”rests”, i close my eyes and let my imagination take me there…my heart was full.  for that moment i didnt’ think about the emptiness of my arms, the emptiness of the fourth chair at our dining table, the emptiness of a second child size bed, the emptiness i feel from time to time because she is not with me…my heart was overwhelmingly full in that moment. 

the wind was blowing a crisp, cool, refreshing breeze.  the sun was slightly shining.  the grass was a soft cushion underneath me.  with my eyes closed, i allowed God to take me take me away, to transport me to another place.  wonder and awe is all i have to say. 

embracing the day for whatever it held.  my heart is full. 

myles (five year old):  when we get home, we can have an egg hunt with all my friends?  we can talk about the Lord and everybody can get eggs. 

me:  that sounds like fun.  what are you going to tell them about the Lord?

myles:  i don’t know.  he started easter right?  i don’t know what else to tell him about the Lord, we can just talk.  you said we don’t just do eggs and all that.

me:  (explaining with more details, again.  also, surprised that he is unfazed by our family’s omission of the easter bunny and remembering how he walked right by groups of people waiting to take a picture with a “bunny ” and he kept walking as if a six foot five fluffy white stuffed animal was nothing to give a double take)

myles:  oh yeah, if they don’t want to hear about the Lord they can just go and sit in the sun and just play or something.

holy week is a good time for revival of our soul and relationship with God and to basically lose your religion.  so with that being said, i was just thinking about a few things as i was hanging out with my peeps…

being a candy addict, i certainly can appreciate all the yummy seasonal candies that arrive just in time for us to fill those easter baskets.  one of the fun parts to the weekend is raiding the easter basket of my myles. mmmmmmm, num yummy.  okay, it’s more like pillaging his easter basket when he is not looking. oh, i hang my head in shame with a peep hanging out of my mouth.  teehee. 

 my family and i engage in many different holy week and easter weekend festivities.  the thoughts and the rush of all the following will be happening in many different families, homes, churches, etc:  little girls and their adorable little easter dresses, little boys wrestling with their ties that match their easter suits.  there won’t be a shortage of easter hats, easter baskets, easter candy, easter shopping, big family easter dinners, easter sales, easter egg hunts, easter hair-dos, easter pageants, easter shoes, easter ham, easter cooking,  and so on and so forth.  by the way, what does ham have to do with easter?  i’ve always found that to be strange interesting.  anyhoo…

all of these things many of us have done or will do annually, without fail, sometimes with much angst…religiously.

for some people, holy week is a time to revive their relationship with Christ or maybe for the first time are reconciled to Christ.   we acknowledge, recognize, celebrate, remind ourselves and stand in awe of  what happened over two thousand years ago on our behalf. 

as my heart is stirred and i stand at a loss for words for the example Christ was for us.  even in the midst of extreme torture, what strikes me as one of the most profound moments of that night…”father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” 

as i acknowledge what he did for me and how he did it – it’s enough to make me lose my religion.  by religion i certainly don’t mean to not go to church or to not believe in God.  as a person who believes in being passionate about life and whatever you put your hands to, i feel just the same about not being religious about how you do church, but getting passionate about living as Christ lived.

as we well know, to live as Christ lived was not out of ritual and there was much sacrifice involved.  and as you can tell by some of his last words, it was not easy to take it all…for us.

to celebrate this holy week and all the activities that go with it, remember to focus less on the rituals of the season and take your mind, heart and soul to a place of holy renewal, holy wonder, holy awe, holy belief.

i’ll never be able to wrap my head around the sacrifice and the passion of our Lord.  but i would much rather live as passionately as he did and lose my religion any day.  that certainly doesn’t mean that i will lose my belief in Him. 

he really is turning into such a good sport.  he, being my myles (my precious five year old).  am i surprised?  ummmm yeah.  i’ve seen some un- sportsman-like behavior come from him that really made me wonder. 

the other day i listened in on a play date that myles was having with a friend.   he did not know that i was listening and i witnessed by way of eavesdropping (don’t act like you don’t do it to your children) his little compassionate heart up-close.  (insert sentimental sigh)

myles and his little friend were reading books and he noticed his friend struggling to read a lot of the words in the book.  so he told her, “you don’t have to read all the words in the book, you can just make up your own words, it’s okay if you make them up.”   as soon as he said this to his friend, she was immediately at ease and started “reading” her own words without the shame of not knowing the real words. 

he never once told his friend how well he reads, he never teased his friend, nor did he question his friend about what they could or could not do.  (sentimental sigh) at the moment i could have just given him a big ‘ol momma bear hug for his thoughtfulness.

so here’s the kicker…he later asked his little friend if he could kiss her hand.  oh yeah, smooth move slick willy.  so all along, was he just sweetening her up to get a kiss?  i wanted to yell into the room – dude, slow down…you’re only five!

 if you’re ever feeling like you can’t, think again.  i saw a show about a man who lives in the south and he has such an inspiring story.  it was obvious and not a doubt to all who walked in the presence of his garden that he was doing exactly what God put in him to do.  he didn’t have much money and a lot of his creations come from hand-me-down nursery stuff.  he gave no excuses.

after watching the show, there is no way that  one could not be inspired.  pearl used his hands to create the most fantastic garden.  did i say garden, pfff, i  meant to say…topiary magnificence.  he didn’t use a lot of chemicals and he didn’t even have an irrigation system.  he simply used what God gave him and was resourceful about how to make “it” happen.  he gave no excuses.

how many times do we let the excuses that others give us or the ex cues that we give ourselves stop us from jumping out there and pursuing what we are internally passionate about.  i’ve recently started to work on some things that i am soooooo excited about.  it encompasses a number of things that i’ve been saying that i’d like to do.  in passing, i’ve talked about it for years, but now the work begins. i’m. am. excited!

i had the research and planning in motion when i saw this show about pearl.  it (the show) certainly gave me more inspiration to let my sense of resourcefulness go wild. 

isn’t it interesting how you can look at someone else’s life and get a new perspective and find more find more inspiration to fuel your inspiration.  thanks pearl.

check out this quick excerpt of “a man named pearl“. this show was seen on hgtv so hopefully you can find it or catch it on tv.  in the meantime and in between time…get inspired.

if you’ve ever experienced a shake down and your world did not quite turn out the way you planned…do you have a plan b?  these days it seems as if lots of folks are finding themselves in need of a plan b. 

 i remember when my myles started talking about his plan b, he was 3 years old at the time.  whenever he would be playing with toys or doing almost anything, he would make sure that if you came anywhere near him that you would know not to mess with his plan b.  i thought that what he was saying was really funny at the time and i didn’t think too seriously about how profound that was for a three year to even think in that way.  oh to be wise and young.  on second thought, was it just his males instincts, his creativity, the hunter, gatherer, hoarder, etc. in him.  either way, it did make me think a bit about looking beyond the now and just simply the norm.

usually when you lose it all, or lose that “great” job with a pretty healthy salary, lose that relationship that you think that your world would end without it, when you lose friendships, when you’re stuck in a dead end situation and don’t know what the heck to do next, when the plans that you set your sights on did not go quite as you desired and so on and so forth…what do you do next?

not all the time are we going to think ahead when we’re in the midst of our current blissful situation, however, anytime is an opportunity to start doing the thing you are really passionate about but didn’t do because of fear or otherwise.  big let downs can be your gateway into your new fulfilling life.  ooohhh, i think i just made up a new quote.  let me say it again, big let downs can be your gateway into your new fulfilling life.  it’s all about perspective…so get a new one (perspective that is or a new life, it kind of adds up to the same, don’t you think?).

a lot of times people will stay focused on their let down and then get stuck in a trap of not letting that mad energy fuel them into doing what they were created for.  every single one of us was created with a specific “special” thing about us and in crazy times or not-so-crazy times i say, GO FOR IT!!!

once you open up the space in your own head to do what is your internal healthy desire, you will realize a certain freedom in your life. 

so i say…take the bull by the horns, let go of your fear(s), dive in full throttle.  you just might be surprised at what you discover about yourself.  let no words from others or yourself halt your progress.  if you need a little help with that take a page and a few words from my now five year old myles…”don’t mess with my plan b”!

even in the midst of life’s stuff, do you actually think you can say…blessed be the name of the Lord?  do you?  i’ve often had days that offered the bitter pill of sorrow, tears, blood-sweat-tears, loneliness, sadness, grief, grief, grief…good grief! there are days that i wonder if it’s all too much to swallow that bitter pill even while chasing it down with the cold cup of water called obedience and worship. 

worship in the midst of whatever “it” may be…the good, the bad and the ugly.  some time ago, i stood on stage in a very stripped down state,  leading this song choking down the words that stuck in the middle of my throat.  what was stuck was a big lump of tears.  what followed was me still saying the words “thank you”.  still saying the words, “i will praise you, still”.  still saying the words “Lord, blessed be your name”.  and these words were the hardest of all…”you give and you take away, but my heart will choose to say, Lord blessed be your name”. 

as i was singing that song the other day in church, i realized how much the words still get caught in my throat…yet and still, i will worship Him. 

Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name
When I’m found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I’ll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
StillI will say Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be the name of the Lord

Blessed be Your name
When the sun’s shining down on me
When the world’s ‘all as it should be’
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there’s pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I’ll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be the name of the Lord

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

okay,  so i went to my doctor’s office for girlie visit time and as i was sitting there talking with my doc i said, “i think i’m in menopause.”  silence. silence. silence.  and then he looks up at me with his glasses hanging slightly off of his nose, less than half a smirk, and then he continued writing in my file.  silence, again for a few more seconds and then a response.  “so, what makes you think this?”  he asks.  ummm, well,  my girlie time is off, i sweat like a banshee long after i take a shower and beyond and so on and so forth.”  then there is silence.  he starts writing, again.  then he looks up at me and we go through of a series of questions and answers.  so then i say to him, “well, am i? am i or am i not in menopause?”  “well”.  he says.  i don’t think so, you’re quite young for that. but…(blah, blah, blah, blah and some more stuff that i’m not sure that i was tuned in to).

don’t you just love going to the doctor and getting a “BUT” response to your question.  i wanted to say – look doc, don’t make me sweat any more than i have been lately, just give me the quick and dirty. 

so it turns out that we don’t really know what is going on with my body.  what we do know is that something something just ain’t right.   so soon i will be heading to the lab to get tests and such.

anyhoo, the doctor looks down at my file and says, “i see that you’ve gained a little  bit of weight.”  and i said, “why, yes doctor, i have gained weight”.  “do you like how it looks on me?”  “i’ve picked up these extra pounds by eating loads and loads of candy!”  he, being a doctor who is not moved to show much emotion or facial expression at all, looks at me and simply asks, “what kind of candy”?  and i said, “candy, you name it and i like it”.  “candy, candy, candy, i like it!” (score…i got a smirk out of him!)

he may not have found that completely funny but i think he actually wrote the words, candy candy candy in my file.  or was it crazy crazy crazy.  oh well, at least he knows what to get for me the next time i come into his  office because these are the kind of office visits that one should be rewarded for. ya know what i mean.  nothing big, just a little something full of refined sugar will do me just fine.  teeeheee

so, finally, i ask him…”will i be able to have more children if i’m possibly heading into menopause (i can’t get off this menopause kick because i somehow hear my clock tick tick ticking away) and what exactly does menopause mean?”

and he looks up after writing in my file and tells me that menopause means that one’s ovaries are aging and that your body is moving out of child bearing years.  he didn’t say no, or impossible, nor did he tell me that i’m actually in menopause…yet.

so here i stand…a big ‘ol hinie, sweating, overheating and hot flashes, suspicions of menopause or under active thyroid and so on and so forth. 

i am still young and i refuse to go  down for the count this early in life with things all shutting down and drying up and stuff. and if i do…it will be in a blaze of glory baby!!!

 on a brighter note and more importantly, at least i don’t have wrinkles not even the first sign of them at all! i’m just saying.:)

shameless.  shameless i tell ya.  i am one to snap snap snap away with the camera.  it’s gotten to the point that i taught my son to tell me, “no more paparazzi” when he wanted me to stop taking pictures and videos.  he doesn’t remember to tell me that, he just simply just gives me “the look” when i point and snap in his direction.  but nonetheless, it does not deter me because he is just too irresistible. 

anyhoo, just as i do every night, i went into his bedroom to check on him while he was sleeping.  i wiped his sweat, readjusted his blanket and found that he had taken his little socks off of his feet and he had put them on his hands.  knowing him, he was probably performing a little puppet show for all of his stuffed animal friends before finally falling off to sleep.  i guess he needed to entertain himself since he takes forever to doze off.  funny stuff i tell ya, funny stuff. 

even in his sleep he is the cutest and funniest and most precious.  i can say that because i know you think that of your little one too. 

he’s a slick one.  lovable, cuddly, snugly, and quite cute.  somehow, he’s learned the art of priming the pump to get what he wants.  you know what i’m talking about i’m sure, when your child nuzzles up to you and says all kinds of stuff like i love, you’re so pretty…may i have a (insert child’s desire – candy, toys, privilege, etc.). my boy has got this down to a science.

of course there are times, lots and lots of times that he says the sweetest things, out of the clear blue. and. it. just. makes. my. heart. melt.

well, the other day he really gave it to me.  i was stunned and could not stop smiling or laughing…like really hard.

myles:  (stroking my hair and staring directly into my eyes)  mommy, i don’t mind when you look really gross.  i love you all the time.

me: (sitting there with messy hair and putting on my face moisturizer) why, thank you myles for loving me unconditionally.  and that means you love me no matter what.

myles:  (shaking his head up and down, looking at me with, ummm, concern) well, i really do love you. 

i can only imagine what he was thinking in that little head of his.  dang…mommy looks kinda jacked up without makeup! teehee

remember this nursery rhyme…

What are little boys made of?

Snips and snails, and puppy-dogs’ tails,

That’s what little boys are made of.

What are little girls made of?

Sugar and spice, and everything nice,

That’s what little girls are made of.

yes, i now believe that’s what little boys are made of – snips, snails and puppy dog tails.

i was walking myles (my five year old) home from school.  as the parents picked up their student and the children said good bye, myles yells out to one of the little girls – “bye, i’m gonna marry you”! i’m thinking…huh, what?  no, not yet!!! no girls!!! there will be plenty of time for that…like in 20 years when he’s all done with college or something like that.

i look at him and laugh a little.  then i gave him a second look.  i laughed again because he thought he was “big boy” cool (chasing girls and such), not even realizing he was walking around with his hat on inside out while trying to woo a woman.  

 moving along, we unlocked his bike, he hopped on and began to ride…in the mud, dirt, rocks, bugs and such.  no problem right? this is just something that little kids do.  though it’s gross, you’ve gotta let them have fun. 

on the way home he and a classmate of his played for a little bit before we head out on our journey home.  so they’re running and playing and such.  all of a sudden his little friend falls to the ground and scrapes her knee (hole in the pants and all).  like a typical kid she cries a bit and gets a hug from her mom.  normally, myles would be very concerned and give a quick comforting hug.  no. not this time. he looked at her to make sure she was okay and then when she kept whimpering a bit he picked up his rock from the ground, took off running and said, “oh please”.  where’s the compassion that he used to have?  sigh.  it’s official!  he’s got the “i don’t care” man in him. he is a boy.

and then, all the way he rode through the dirt, mud, mud, mud and more mud.

sigh.  that’s my boy and i’ve gotta get used to it.  mud, dirt, bugs, scraped up knees, ripped up pants, and that i don’t give a care attitude.

mr. alien hands

men love to claim their stuff.  mark their territory.  be the alpha male.  let you know who is king (or so they think).  they love to PEE ON TREES! 

i am now convinced after watching my little five year old boy that i’m sure that it starts in the womb!  as soon as the sex of a child is deemed – boy, i would suspect that the boy to manhood process begins. 

because i’m a woman and i know nothing about being a man, i am constantly educating myself on everything about boys and their process to becoming a man. 

yep, flinging dirt, playing in dirt, throwing mud, throwing rocks, showing off their muscles, strutting their stuff, boys and their toys, showing off their feathers like peacocks and competing with the next man to show them who the alpha male is.  peeing on trees.

i know that if i did not try to learn all about boys and their growing process for myself, i would parent my boy a completely different way.  i’m pretty sure that i would be a bit clueless.  as i’m watching him as he tries to be a big  boy, i often laugh at what i see (same boyish behaviors) a lot of times in men. 

though, a lot of times women won’t admit it, they like it when a man tries really hard to protect, care, vie for the attention of and show off their strength to impress…and that my friends is what i call peeing on trees.  

sensationalism at it’s best.  more on the octomom.  admit it.  you can’t stop, i can’t stop, we all can’t stop watching, can we?  it’s like a train wreck and we just can’t get enough. ya know.  anyhoo, check it out and then read on.

i saw this on a today show segment – an interview with two mommy pros or something like that.  i know that just like butts, everyone has an opinion, but this video…sheesh.

just watching this made me want to barfarama.  when people are sooooooo critical of other people with hardly any understanding that we don’t all think, act, or live the same – it just makes me want to take up for the person being picked on.  everyone of us comes with baggage, but some of us think that we’re perfect enough to rip people without any grace for others.  i mean like really, i just found my baggage last week and discovered, low and behold – i’ve got baggage.  it’s decorative, mind you, but i’ve got some.

it’s time to start praying for octomom and if you’re fortunate enough to support their family with your hands or funds, why not do it.

this following is essential.  you must watch.  it will grab your heart and take you there.  you know, there…the place that where you heart was all hardened and didn’t want to open up to love.  so, watch and let the love jump off the screen and make you dial a loved friend or family.

now wasn’t that just way tooooo endearing.  yeah i was drawn to tears.  now go and dial that special someone and no, there is no drunk dialing allowed.  bahhahahahahaha

it seems that everyone has an opinion, a thought, an axe to grind, a stone to throw and so on a so forth.  i must say that i’m not quite sure what to say about that situation.  that octomom situation, that is.  she is in a very tough and overwhelming position right now.  did she bring it upon herself?  could she have let someone else have the babies? could/should she have taken a pass on the oversized lip surgery?  who knows.

i guess i could look at all that she’s done as it relates to her ever increasing family and how she should have done this and that differently. if i expressed my opinion, would it be me casting judgement.  but i do believe that there is probably a whole lot more to the story than any of us know.  though, we do know enough to be floored by it all.  or do we?

is it any of our business?  as concerned citizens, we have a right to remain nosey, right?  if she didn’t want us all to be concerned, why is she offering interviews with every form of media possible?  if it’s helping her to raise the funds that she needs to take care of her situation…do we say – go for it?

now that the babies are here, the attention would be best given to the eight new little precious babies as well as the other six children.  will they go home to an already overwhelmed mom?  will she adopt them out to some other parents who are in a position to emotionally, mentally and physically care for them.  heck, how do we not know that with lots and lots of help and a different/bigger place to live, if she can actually do it or not? it just might be possible.  is it fair to the children and whose call is it to make?

 i was speaking with a mother of my son’s classmate the other day and she said that her mom is one of 18 children.  all natural born to the same mother and father.  however, it didn’t sound so odd to me because in the days of our grandparents and even in the days of some of our parents, largeover-sized families were not an extremely odd thing, from what i hear.

my mother had eight siblings.  i never really thought much of it.  i’m assuming that at times it must have been overwhelming for people with very expanded families.  according to all stories told, they did whatever was needed to care for their family.  as far as i can tell, they all came out okay…in a matter of speaking.  i don’t think i ever heard my aunts, uncles or my mom speak of their childhood being jam packed with too many kids.  they seemed to all have experienced parental love, care and if they moved quick enough, they all got a good meal.  but, is that all that there is?  how fulfilling could a life like that be and who gets neglected, misses out on new clothes/shoes or good hand me downs, cultural experiences, one-on-one time, individualized care for disabilities and so on and so forth?  looking at all of this, i think she has a right to be overwhelmed.  and i assume that she is doing some major self evaluation at this point.  she has probably said over and over to herself, “what the!!!”

i am raising one little one and when times are tight as they are with our current layoff situation, i truly get concerned about whether we will be able to provide a well rounded and fulfilling life for him.  thankfully i can be and am thrifty and creative…thanks mom. 

i pray that she gets the resources and helping hands that are needed for her brood.  the babies are here, the deed has been done and she is now freaking out.  if you could, what would you offer to her? ( even if you are angry with her decisions)

so what’s with all of the sensationalism?  i guess the other day, she said she is overwhelmed and is concerned because some of the babies could possibly be comng home soon.  what to do? what to do? 

octomom has some tough decisions to make.  if one of those decisions is whether or not she has to adopt out her children because she has no money, not enough help and no wherewithal to have a healthy family with the new eight additions…that would be the most extreme choice i would ever even imagine she would have to make.  imagine her dilema!

there are consequences on either side.  she would probably be emotional wrecked if they had to go home with someone else.  but then again, she would probably be overwhelmed and without proper resources if they came home with her. 

how many of us would actually be able to make the best decision without thinking that we are not making the best decision? 

here’s the deal.  how christ deals with us is not by looking at our sins as a way to punish us.  though there are natural consequences, there is also grace and mercy from the one who came to redeem us.  he is our counselor, comforter, keeper, redeemer and friend.  so, he definitely would not keep talking to us about how we should have or could have or must have or even how stupid we are.  trust me, he knows how faulty and flawed we are.   but he also promises that upon seeking his forgiveness, upon seeking his wisdom, we can know a different life.  all of us will experience some of life’s drama, but, christ can lead us to wiser decision making…if we seek and ask.

in retrospect, she has said – she probably would have thought twice about being implantedwith more embryos. to live as if she alone was invincible and able  to care for 6 or even 7 children (let alone 14) without a father in the picture and without giving second thought to circumstances was fantasy to say the least.

so the focus should definitely be on what now.  yes, there are some things that will be investigated and laws that may change, or legal regulations put into place and so on and so forth, all based on this whole situation.  i guess, all things happen for a reason.

in the meantime, moving forward.  the focus should be on the six, plus the eight, plus the three adults (2 overwhelmed grandparents with a house in foreclosure status and a harried mom who obviously is in need of many things…).  how to care for them, who will care for them and how to move toward making this situation – a life that god can redeem. should this be the focus now?

the other day was a bit of a hard day for me, for various reasons.  so as i was laying on my bed praying:  God help me to focus on you and what you will have me to do.  help me to focus on love and how you would help me to show it.  help me to focus on how well i treat others, help me to focus on you as Lord of my life.  as i seek to not allow what others do drive me nuts, please help me to focus on the fact that the same grace you extend to me you extend to others…and so should i.  help me to be humble and to forget about making others right the wrongs that only you can can judge.  carry me through this time.  help me to trust and believe in your promises.  help me to trust in your provision.  help me to focus on you.  let my thoughts of you overshadow, take over and wipe out the thoughts of personal injustices.  help me to see any personal injustices as a way for you to show me how sovereign you are.  though i may not understand your sovereignty, help me to accept it. help me get through my days with love, grace, dignity, mercy and kindness.  God i ask that you love others through me.  in jesus’ name i pray. amen.

how did i remember that prayer?  it has quickly become something that i now say, daily.

so as after i prayed theose words and layed there for few moments, thoughts about the woman who was violently attacked by the chimpanzee who was being raised as a pet, came to mind.  as i thought of her, i of course prayed for her as well.  they say that her recovery prognosis is unsure.  she now has no hands, no nose, no eye lids, possible blindness and could she possibly have brain injury.  she faces all of this because of a chimp that was really meant  for the wild.  he acted out in what i would say is innate, natural behavior, for a wild chimp. 

as  i was thinking about her, i remember hearing her brother describe her as a fighter and a very strong woman.  i started praying that her strong will to live kicks into high gear.  i couldn’t think of what else to say because it just seemed so tragic and my mind just kept stopping short of putting myself in her place.  so, i just prayed that god would HELP, HEAL and give her a MIRACLE.  there is talk of a possible face transplant and other things.  all i can say is…unfathomable.  she will continue to be in my prayers.

i have such a random attention span and a big heart for people in unfortunate situations.  i don’t want to forget about people that i hear about because i’ve moved on to the next news story.  i want to make sure that i don’t just think about news stories and feel sad for those involved.  i want to make sure that i’m praying for people, always.  given that i’m a self professed news junkie, this means that i will be on my knees a lot, in prayer.

for most people it takes energy and scheduling and such to fit your workouts into your day.  anyhoo, it’s apparent by the bit of a belly bulge that i have, that i have not scheduled or fit any type of workout into my days as of late.  the only thing that i’ve fit in has been all the mmmmmmm, yummmy sweets that i fit into my mouth.  remember, i told you some time ago that i love my peeps and all kinds of other sweets.  if you put a wholesome meal before me and a bunch of sugar infused treats…i would trade it all for this -

mmmmmm, CANDY!

COTTON CANDY…DA BEST!       (MAIN COURSE)

RED TWISTS (SIDE DISH)

 PEEPS! (DESERT)

so needless to say, besides the belly bulge, lately my bootay has also grown a bit. 

i’ve figured out a way to slip in my workout while playing with my myles at the same time.  no schedules, no hassles, no need for a gym membership…just pure fun.  here’s secret to working out and getting in play time with your little one.

1)   turn up the music and  have a 15 to 20 minute dance party.  your kid(s) will love it and you will feel it for sure.  the following, should give you a little incentive…  go toni. go toni go toni. do the robot. go. go. go. wooooooo.  yes, that was just me breaking out the dance moves.

2)   take your kid on a bike ride, except you won’t ride your bike, you will run beside him/her.  your run may not be as fast a you’d like for it to be, but it will be at least a 20 to 30 minute run.  if your child is older, you just might get a chance to run for pace and run for a longer period of time

3) if you’re a sahm (stay at home mom) and refuse to leave the house until you’ve cleaned every nook and crany, you could make sure that you’re moving constantly while cleaning and moving briskly around the house.  also, while trying to catch up on your half-hour tv show, use your resistance bands and do your moves while you looking at the television.  that’s worth at least a half hour of strength work                                               

- or -

make sure that while you’re cleaning and picking up toys and going up and down the stairs, make sure your moves are calculated.  tuck and tighten those abs as you bend and pick up.  also, here’s a bonus –  going up and down the stairs for one thing or another certainly helps with the glutes and cardio. (after giving birth, i was constantly up and down the stairs and it was certainly not because i wanted to and before i  even realized it, i had begun to take off the weight.  however, i found it again…the weight that is)

that’s all i’ve got for now.  the next time i look in the mirror i hope that i’m not saying what i said the other day…dang – i wonder how many months pregnant is she.  teehee. 

gotta go get fit and fine! c ya

 …and no more of this

one day some woman is going to get a fine catch!!! i mean that in every sense of the word. i’ve been much of a vigilante about educating myself on all things boys to man.   i’ve learned a few things about boys and supposedly from the ages of five to eight are a boys kind years.  i can sord of believe it given that my little one has taken to being a miniature gentleman.  so, all of you men folks take note…

as i’m walkng up the stairs, he’ll step aside and tell me “after you”. 

when a guest is coming into our house, he tips his hat to them and starts speaking in some faux french language:)

when he wants something…he begs or whines nicely and remembers to say please at the end of it:) this is like nails on a chalkboard to me and i turn him down.  gotta let him down easy, right?

when he wants to show me love he says, give me your cheek so i can kiss you:) and then he reminds me of the items he would like added to his birthday list:)

when trying to show me that he’s a “man” he says, “mommy, i’m  going to feed you like a man feed womans“.  then he reminds me that i’m in great tiny little hands by saying, “i’m going to always treat you like womans are supposed to be treated.  i’m going to feed you and buy you jewelry.”  awwwwwww!

 i find it quite endearing that he wants to treat me like womans are supposed to be treated.  when was the last time you were treated like womans should be treated?

i dare not correct him on the the word womans because it’s just too darn cute.

like most people, i have an appreciation for the english language and proper use of grammar and such.  i consider myself vaguely on point when it comes to using the correct I and Me.  i miss the mark when it comes to putting commas and semi-colons where they belong.  i even skip paragraphs altogether.  i appreciate the power of perfectly punctuated phrases.  do I perfectly punctuate my phrases? NO!  as if you haven’t already noticed, i am too lazy busy  consumed with maximizing my time to capitalize the beginning of my sentences and the beginning of words.  i am fully aware of what i am doing and it bugs me.  however, whenever, wherever or whoever…i am not doing it. 

lots and lots and lots and lots and lots of people do it and it drives me absolutely CRAZY!!!  it grates on my nerves like nails on a chalk board, like grinding teeth, like chinese water torture.  don’t do it.  don’t mix up the words YOUR and YOU’RE.  here’s the deal people.  those two words are not interchangeable!!! you can’t just go using them all willy nilly.  i’m just saying.  you’re (a contraction – you are) and your (belongs to you / possessive).  you get it?  they don’t mean the same.  so STOP IT!!!

by the way, feel free to correct me on my stuff…if you dare.  i’m sure there’s plenty to run red marks through when it comes to my writing,  but at least you know that i’m doing it right.  because you’re reading this,  i know that i have your attention.  the next time i get a note from someone with the your or you’re in the wrong place…i’m going to red mark your note, return it to you and you’re going to thank me for it.  or maybe not!  teehee

now that i’ve given you the riot act about the use of the words your and you’re, i will work on my stuff.  i’ll take the easy and funny way out with this cute little book .  it just might be the thing i need.

this weekend was all abo, ut valentines.  i got a great idea or two from here.  we didn’t do quite the same things but the ideas helped to get my wheels spinning about what i was going to do.  normally, i wake myles up with breakfast in bed and a valentines treat and card.  he gets a really big kick out of it.  he’s getting older so this year i had to add some more fun to it. 

friday day i was a room mom for myles’ kindergarten valentines party.  cute and fun.  awww man! in all of my excitement i forgot to snap pictures.  anyhoo, trust me, it was cute and he was so excited.  he gave out cards with jolly rancher heart lollipops.  this is where the weekend sugar rush all started…

friday night he had a fun red bath and we let him loose to use his bath paints and boy did he let loose… i even had a bit of fun with he paints too. 

saturday morning we had breakfast and a movie with thomas the tank engine and friends.  this was probably the highlight of his whole day.  pancakes, cooked apples with cinnamon and hot chocolate.  (this is the extent of my gourmet cooking:) )

saturday all day the valentines treat bag dwindled…just a bit.  don’t tell my dentist, but i ate candy until my tongue hurt.

sunday – more valentines treats! yippee

monday – heart shaped burgers.  yeah, i know that it’s president’s day.   myles insists on keeping the love going.

no more treats for me.  i think i have a sugar headache. ugh

hope your valentines day with your family or loved one was good!