Mom...You better Look Behind You!

We decided to make a trip to the Dallas Aquarium yesterday! I have always heard amazing things about the place and Matt had friends visiting from McAllen, TX, so we thought it would be a fun place to take them. Ryder LOVED it! He got really excited, laughed at all of the animals and sea creatures and bounced up an down in his stroller! Its great for adults, too! Lots of very interesting things to see! I was a little nervous when we got there because there was a sign posted saying they were expecting 600 students for the day. Luckily, we got there just after lunch so most of the field trips were winding down and we were able to easily maneuver through the exhibits. Matt was attempting to take our picture in the top photo, but Ryder seems to be a little more interested in what was going on behind us and not the camera!

Lent

Today marks the beginning of the season on Lent, the forty days leading up to Easter. Lent is the time of year where we turn away from those things that block our relationship with God and others. I always get excited this time of year because it means Spring is finally on it's way. In fact, the word Lent comes from the word "Lencten" which means "Spring".

Every Ash Wednesday I "Give up" some vice I have for Lent. This year I decided it would be Facebook. I spend countless hours perusing the social networking site. I can not resist being nosy into other people's lives. Sure, I have touched base with friends I haven't seen in years, but that is pretty much the extent of it. Nothing more, no lunches, no lets get together; just a nice exchange of good to see you!

I was laying in bed awake last night trying to think of something that would really be a sacrifice for me to give up. Obviously, Facebook is what I came up with. Superficial, maybe...but it is something I look forward to every day. Logging on and checking in on the status of all those people I know or may have encountered at least a few times in my life. Even though I have made no long lost reunion connection, it somehow passes Ryder's nap-time hours away.

In the past, I have given up things like "Diet Coke". But, isn't Lent supposed to be spent becoming aware of our sins and the promise of forgiveness...a time when we turn away from those things that block us from God. In reality, how does not drinking a Diet Coke bring me closer to God? I guess the same could be said in Facebook. How does perusing a social networking site keep me from God? I'm not sure that it directly does, but indirectly I am sure the time I spend there does.

Today I thought to myself, what if I spent the time I normally spend on Facebook doing something productive, praying, or helping others? How much more worthwhile would I feel?
How much less stressed out would I be if I wasn't finishing up my Bible Study at 10:00 PM the night before class because I didn't finish earlier due to my incessant reading of Facebook statuses? How great would it be to finish all of my work reports during the day and not spend time on them at night after my husband gets home? After all, I don't get to see that much of him during the week anyway. How great would it be to say YES when my husband asks me if I've said my prayers as I am running around like a Chicken with my Head cut off? Maybe, just maybe I won't be that Chicken with his head cut off!

So Goodbye Facebook for now. I am sure after this period of reflection I will be back for more! For now though, I am going to make a huge effort to become closer to God and really examine the Sins in my life. I am going to try and Blog more often because it is so therapeutic and I really think we can learn and share so much from these little post!

Ha Ha!!

"Ha Ha!" That seems to be our new favorite phrase...especially when Mommy questions something that he has done. Here was our dialogue earlier this afternoon:

Me: Ryder, why is your shirt all wet?
R: Ha Ha! (followed by a huge smile)
Me: Ryder, show Mommy what you were doing.
R: Leads me to his turtle that lights up and sings which is now soaking wet and says, "Ha Ha!" (again followed by a huge smile)
Me: Ryder, it is not nice to get turtle wet. It hurts him.
R: Ha Ha!

I tried so hard to stay sounding firm, when all I really wanted to do was laugh...or should I say, "Ha Ha!". Again, it was my fault for giving him access to a faucet...but it makes me wonder...Do you suppose his little mind really thinks that if he can convince me to think something is funny, I won't be upset with him? I never cease to be amazed by how quickly their little minds seem to work!

In case you were wondering what "Trouble" looks like, he is top left striking a pose!

Look Mom....I can turn the water on!

I am not sure why, but my son is fascinated with Water and pretty much anything that contains water. Especially Toilets and more recently bathtubs. Everyone assured me that his toilet fetish would be a quick phase...mmm...not so much. He LOVES to put stuff like hairbrushes, lotion, toothpaste, etc...into the toilet and then takes it a step further to see if he can make it disappear when he presses that fancy little lever down. So far, we haven't had any major plumbing fiascos. Thank Goodness!

This week his fascination has turned to our big bathtub. He took a bath in it on Tuesday, because I was feeling really bad and to be quite frank was too worn down to walk upstairs to his bathroom. While taking a bath he realized he could turn the knobs and water would come out. Thankfully, he can only get the cold water to turn on because the hot water is really hot in that tub. Ever since figuring this magnificent little trick out, I can walk in my bathroom to the sound of running water and a bathtub full of goodies. And, let me just say that he is sooo proud of his new skill!

My dear, sweet husband is probably (slash the probably "IS") reading this right now and saying to himself, "She gives him way too much freedom". He has said to me on multiple occasions that it is as simple as keeping the door to our room closed. It is, he is absolutely right, but that stinker has figured out how to get our door open. Not sure how..because it is a knob, not a lever. But, I promise you, I closed the door the minute we got home today and while I came in to check email I heard the rascal in there. Let's just say, I can not wait for pool season! He can dump as many toys as he wants on those steps and I promise you he will not get bored for hours!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Setting the Record Straight

Matt apparently read the Blog last night and this morning said, "Well, I now know you only love Ryder...but....". So, I thought I should set the record straight... I Love my Husband to the depths of the earth and back. He is the single best thing that has ever happened to me. He is an amazing husband, father and person. He is the glue that holds this little house together. It melts my heart to watch him play with Ryder at night and his new found patience never ceases to amaze me. His faith in God leaves me awe-struck and although he can appear gruff on the surface, he is absolutely the most kind hearted soul I know. I don't say how thankful I am nearly enough for the little things you bring to us every day. We are definitely not perfect, but we do strive to make our relationship and this family we are building the best it can be. So, if you are reading this, you are my World and I thank God for you every day!

Matt, Ryder and his Parents

Loving it up on Daddy's Shoulders


This is not the one I really wanted to Post..doesn't show his true personality, but he'd kill me if I put the one I had in mind!

I am in Love....

I am so in love with my sweet baby Ryder. He gets to me like nobody else! Today he only did two really big "No No's" in my book. One: Unrolling the Toilet Paper. Two: Pulling dirt out of my plant. Now to be honest, both of these times he was out of my sight and so in part his actions were my fault. Never the less, I still walked him to the destruction, pointed at the mess and gave him a very stern "No". Both times, he then looks at me, walks over to me wrapping his arms around my legs in a huge hug and then breaks into tears. How could I not hug him back and tell him it is O.K.? He is such a sweet boy and I could not ask for more than the beautiful blessings he brings me every day!!!

No Words Describe

No words can describe the heartache I am feeling for the McClenahan family in Kansas. They lost their 11 month old baby Cora Paige yesterday. A friend I went to high-school with who is an amazing person and has an amazing blog Wind Beneath My Wings brought this family to my attention. This family reminds me so much of Matt and I. They were married in 2002 and had their first baby, Cora, in March of 2008. Cora's Mom created a blogspot similar to this one that we keep for Ryder to update family and friends on Cora. As of Christmas, they thought they had a healthy baby girl, who unfortunately was having reoccuring ear infections. In January, Doctors drew blood to see if there were any underlying factors since she had started to have some bruising and a tight abdomen. Much to everyone's surprise Cora had stage 4 cancer. This poor baby fought hard to overcome this horrible disease, but her little body finally couldn't hold up any longer. I know that God had a more powerful purpose for this sweet Angel, but it is so hard for me to wrap my head around how something like this could happen. Her parent's have the most amazing faith and have never questioned anything during the past few weeks, but continued to praise God for the good things in life. I can not get these people, who I have never met, out of my thoughts and prayers. I just pray for their healing and their peace. I pray that baby Cora is now comfortable and feeling so much love in heaven. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers as I can only imagine the grief they are feeling at this devastating time.

Four Wheeling is Fun!

Last weekend, Ryder's cousins toted him around in a wagon on the back of their little 4-Wheeler at Matt's parents house. They all had so much fun taking turns "Driving Ryder"! Ryder had fun, too! Thank goodness Grandma was there to help when steering problems arose...I am so thankful to live in a state where we get some warmth in the winter months!

Making Sure he is Ready to Go!

"Mom, this is so much Fun!"