Thankful

I'm thankful for Pluto and the comfort he provides even when we can't be there.

I'm thankful for healing eyes and ears.

I'm thankful for sunshine, sidewalk chalk and the simple joy it brings them.

I'm thankful for the new Dr. Pepper Ten that  Mary   introduced me to....It's simply wonderful.  Oh and I'm thankful for Mary, too.  She's pretty darn special.  If you don't read her blog, you should.  She makes you laugh, makes you cry, makes you think...its an awesome read of her daily life with three kids very close in age.

Mostly, I'm thankful for this sweet life we have been blessed to live...

My Poor Baby!

 

This clearly was not his best morning.  Oh. My. Word.  Let me just say...Pink Eye is terrible! He didn't know I was taking his picture.  He'd be so embarrassed if he'd known.  Not kidding.

Seriously though...do everything you can to keep it from getting this bad.  Our Poor Rustin. By the time we got some drops from the Doctor, he was too far gone.  I kept saying, "Awww....my poor baby!".  His response, "I not your baby, I a big boy!".  Ahem...Don't listen to him.  He's still my baby.

He kept a low profile with his stocking cap on all day.  Really.  He wouldn't take it off.

I am happy to report that 4-doses of eye drops later he is leaps and bounds better.  Now if the rest of us can steer clear of this nasty gunk, it should be a spectacular weekend!  Happy Friday, Y'all!

Super Spy Monday

In case you're wanting to go incognito on occasion...you might try something like this.

You'll have to change clothes inside of an elevator in order for nobody to see your alter ego.  Yes, an elevator.  No other secluded place will do.  Don't forget,  High Heels are required.  No, it doesn't make you a girl....It makes your disguise.  

My sweet Ryder...May you always use your imagination this vividly!

Two for Two

I'm two for two.  Two days and two showers.  Not only two showers, but two days of blown dry hair and make-up on the face.  It truly is a big accomplishment for me.

I have a problem.  I wasn't even really aware.  There have been signs.  Once my younger sister showed up at my house with a Target sack full of new workout attire.  She suggested that if I insisted on wearing it every day, I should at least have a few nice pieces.  There was another time when my sister-in-law told me how nice I looked, following it up with..."I'm not used to seeing you in something other than workout pants". 
 
They say that anyone with a problem has to hit rock bottom before they decide to change.  I hit rock bottom on Monday.  Matt walked through the door at 6:30 PM from work, and I still had not showered.  I did manage to fit a workout in, do paperwork on and off of the computer all day while juggling two boys, finishing the weekend's laundry, and picking up the house.  Somehow the shower escaped me.  My husband looked at me sweetly and said, "I've got the boys, why don't you go take a bath.".

That would be a cue to most people, but not me.  I refused.  We sat and ate dinner as a family and then gave the boys baths together.  After bedtime stories  were read and my littles were nestled away, I collapsed on my bed.  When Matt came into the room, he said softly.."So you decided not to shower?".  I looked at him and responded with..."At this point I might as well wait until the morning."...he looked at me and said, "But your hair is all greasy.".  Well girls...I still didn't take that shower, I just rolled over and went to sleep.

Tuesday....the words settled in.  I made a vow to myself and silently to my husband to take better care of myself.  I've put my jeans on, slapped on that lip-gloss and honestly felt better about myself .  I'm not ready to hang with any WIWW posts and I'm not promising to get it done everyday, but I've made a few crucial baby-steps and that counts for something.

Feet

 
I love his feet.  I always have. 

I love that even though I know through his words and  his actions that he is growing up...his feet still give me a glimpse of the baby he once was. 

I thanked him tonight for being such a big helper today.  He sleepily responded, "I love being your helper, Mom.".  All I can say is, "I love being your Mom, Ryder.".

Sunshine

Oh Texas...how I do love thee!  I'm sure this sun loving girl could fit right into Southern California and its average climate of 78 degrees...but for now I'll stick with the state I was born in.  The state I haven't left for any significant amount of time, much less moved from.  The state my boys were born in and will grow to love just as I do.

Thanks be to God for the beautiful sunshine and warm temperatures on this January day!  Oh and Thanks be to God that he didn't fall and break his noggin.  I didn't even notice he wasn't wearing his helmet when we were outside...little sneak!

My Little Plus One

Three years ago about this time, I stood in the bathroom crying.  I had just found out we were pregnant with our second child.  I called Matt on the phone and he said that he was confused.  Was this not what we wanted?  It was, but I was scared.  I had a toddler who was just barely over a year old.  I felt an instant fear that I wouldn't be able to handle two babies.  So many things have happened in the last three years...life altering events to a few of the people in my life.  Events that have made it evident how silly this fear was.  I still have days that leave me feeling very frazzled, but I couldn't imagine life any other way and I am forever grateful for God's beautiful blessings. Especially his gift of our little "Plus One".

He is one of God's most amazing creations.  We call him "Cubby" most of the time.  It was Ryder's nickname for him.  He answers to it..so it works.
He talks like crazy.
He loves his Momma.
He wants to do whatever Ryder is doing...unless Ryder is taking a bath.  He doesn't like to take a bath....we still make him.
He loves all things Disney...especially Toy Story 2 and 3.  He likes to tell us what "Andy" says.
He shrills a silly scream a lot lately.
He thinks Rapunzel is beautiful..."just like a Princess".
He loves to color and play in the sand.  Hats are his favorite.  He doesn't like to share, but we're working on that.
He still uses his blanket to fall asleep and asks to sit in "My Lap" when he's sleepy.
He sticks his tongue out when he concentrates...his Daddy does this too. He's A lot like his Daddy and his Grandpa.
He's a junk-food, tv watching, game playing monster.  Really.  He'd try and survive off of Strawberry Milk, Cheetos and M&M's if the opportunity presented itself. Oh and Chips and "Salad" aka Salsa.  Spicier the better.
His latest victory is the potty...all of the sudden he grew up on us.  He's our big boy now and don't you dare call him a baby.  

I guess what I'm saying is...you're pretty special Rustin Walker.  Even when you are making colossal Moon Dough Popcorn messes and wearing your Momma's hat...I love you to the moon and back!

Wordless Wednesday