Well, it's official. Logan has moved into his new room. The move has been coming for some time now. We moved him out of his room when Abby was born. Since then, he has shared a room with Braden. That was a terrible idea on our part. We didn't have any other choice.
Or so we thought...
We decided to move Logan into the utility room. I know what you are thinking...Aren't most utility rooms the size of a closet?? Not ours. When the house was originally built it was intended to be a bedroom. Since then it has been everything but. When I was little it was our dining room. When we were older it became the office/computer room. Then when mama got sick we moved the washer and dryer upstairs and it became the utility room.
After about 3 months of Logan barely sleeping at all we decided to give this a try. That paired with his crib literally about to fall apart. A few weeks ago both boys figured out how to climb in and out of the crib. They have basically been using it as a trampoline ever since.
Why is Logan still in a crib you ask?? We tried to move him out of it a few months ago. We bought both boys a twin bed. Braden made the transition from a toddler bed to the twin bed just fine. Logan was not ready and after a week of no sleep we gave in and put the crib back up.
Since Braden figured out how to get in the crib Logan has been crying alot at night. We have decided that he is scared that Braden would get in there with him, and he has a few times.
We moved everything out of the utility room besides the washer and dryer and the freezer. They should be going downstairs once it warms up in the spring. I moved all the food out of the pantry and turned it into a closet. We moved Braden's old toddler bed upstairs. Monday night was the first night Logan stayed in his new room.
He slept all night!!
He took a nap in his room on Tuesday and last night it happened again.
He slept all night!!
I am so proud of him and so excited that he is moving on from that "baby" stage into the "big boy" stage. I am also proud that I can stop pulling out my hair!
The only down side to Logan being moved out is...
Braden has woke up both nights!!!
I can't win for losing!!!!!
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Don't laugh at me...
This one is a 2-fer. I am going to have to tell a background story to get to the story I want to tell.
I have a birth defect. Those of you who know me personally know that. You can't miss it. It isn't something that I especially like to talk about, but I don't mind anyone asking questions. It isn't something that I could ever hide if I wanted to. It won't go away and there is nothing that I can do about that. God made me this way for a reason and I have accepted that. If you want more information on it you can go to...http://www.smiletrain.org/
Because of this birth defect I have not had the easiest life. I addition to the many many operations that I have had to endure, I have also had to deal with constant teasing and being made fun of. Third grade was the most difficult for me. There was a girl in my class who was a lawyers child, so she pretty much got away with whatever. This girl made fun of me every day. I would come home crying every day asking my mama why I had to be like this. I can't imagine the heartbreak that my mother went through in hearing this. She even wrote a letter to the editor that year pleading for it to stop. Alot of parents called her, wanting to make sure that it wasn't their child doing the damage. Of course, the parents of the girl that was doing it didn't call. My teacher was no help that year. In order to deal with the girl, she sent ME to counseling classes! To this day I still despise that lady.
It wasn't just 3rd grade though, it was every grade. At least until I got into high school it was. Around 7th or 8th grade I learned to take up for myself. The damage was done already though. I think that because of this I matured much faster than those my age. I have always felt more comfortable with people older than me. It has for the most part shaped who I am today.
Because of this I have NEVER and would NEVER make fun of someone. If you see someone in public and they are acting strange or their kids are acting strange or seem to be misbehaving don't judge. You never know what someone else is going through.
My mama told me a story when I was little. She said that when she was in grade school and was at recess one day there was a little girl who wanted to play with her and her friends. She said that she was mean to the little girl and didn't let her play with them. She said that that night the little girl died. She said that she never got to tell her she was sorry or anything. She always regretted that. That story has also made a big impact on my life.
Next story...
Because of all of this that has happened over my life, I am very protective of my children. They are autistic and do not know and understand alot of things. They do things that aren't normal to others even though it is to them. No one really knows what goes on in their heads.
You would think that being around your family would be the one place where you could be yourself without the worry of being judged. I have found out first hand that this is not true. I had a horrible Thanksgiving thanks to one family member. Maybe I jump too fast at someone saying something about my child. This family member wasn't an adult, but not a small child either. I think she was old enough to not act the way she did towards my child.
Yes, he was doing something that would have been inappropriate for a normal child. He is AUTISTIC. He does quirky things, crazy things, silly things, and yes, gross things. I have just learned to accept it.
I am not sure what to do about this. Do people not choose to teach their children about making fun of others?? I don't know if I should just let it go or try and do something about it??
I am heartbroken over this. I love my family, but I love my children more. I will never let anyone hurt my children if I can help it.
I have a birth defect. Those of you who know me personally know that. You can't miss it. It isn't something that I especially like to talk about, but I don't mind anyone asking questions. It isn't something that I could ever hide if I wanted to. It won't go away and there is nothing that I can do about that. God made me this way for a reason and I have accepted that. If you want more information on it you can go to...http://www.smiletrain.org/
Because of this birth defect I have not had the easiest life. I addition to the many many operations that I have had to endure, I have also had to deal with constant teasing and being made fun of. Third grade was the most difficult for me. There was a girl in my class who was a lawyers child, so she pretty much got away with whatever. This girl made fun of me every day. I would come home crying every day asking my mama why I had to be like this. I can't imagine the heartbreak that my mother went through in hearing this. She even wrote a letter to the editor that year pleading for it to stop. Alot of parents called her, wanting to make sure that it wasn't their child doing the damage. Of course, the parents of the girl that was doing it didn't call. My teacher was no help that year. In order to deal with the girl, she sent ME to counseling classes! To this day I still despise that lady.
It wasn't just 3rd grade though, it was every grade. At least until I got into high school it was. Around 7th or 8th grade I learned to take up for myself. The damage was done already though. I think that because of this I matured much faster than those my age. I have always felt more comfortable with people older than me. It has for the most part shaped who I am today.
Because of this I have NEVER and would NEVER make fun of someone. If you see someone in public and they are acting strange or their kids are acting strange or seem to be misbehaving don't judge. You never know what someone else is going through.
My mama told me a story when I was little. She said that when she was in grade school and was at recess one day there was a little girl who wanted to play with her and her friends. She said that she was mean to the little girl and didn't let her play with them. She said that that night the little girl died. She said that she never got to tell her she was sorry or anything. She always regretted that. That story has also made a big impact on my life.
Next story...
Because of all of this that has happened over my life, I am very protective of my children. They are autistic and do not know and understand alot of things. They do things that aren't normal to others even though it is to them. No one really knows what goes on in their heads.
You would think that being around your family would be the one place where you could be yourself without the worry of being judged. I have found out first hand that this is not true. I had a horrible Thanksgiving thanks to one family member. Maybe I jump too fast at someone saying something about my child. This family member wasn't an adult, but not a small child either. I think she was old enough to not act the way she did towards my child.
Yes, he was doing something that would have been inappropriate for a normal child. He is AUTISTIC. He does quirky things, crazy things, silly things, and yes, gross things. I have just learned to accept it.
I am not sure what to do about this. Do people not choose to teach their children about making fun of others?? I don't know if I should just let it go or try and do something about it??
I am heartbroken over this. I love my family, but I love my children more. I will never let anyone hurt my children if I can help it.
Friday, November 23, 2007
But it's FREE!!
For years and years I worked at Wal-Mart. I ALWAYS had to work the day after Thanksgiving. That meant of course that I never got to shop the sales. I guess I didn't really want to, but not having the option to was torture.
When I finally quit I decided that I would go in Wal-Mart during the blitz (Wal-Mart lingo for the after-Thanksgiving deals) just because I could. Well, I was hooked. Now I am not one of these crazy people that would stand in line for hours just to get a toy or electronics. I do, however, enjoy the hustle and bustle of the beginning of the Christmas season.
That's right...I said I ENJOY going shopping on black Friday.
(I am getting way off the original subject here!)
Ok...So I get up at 3 am this morning so I can get a shower and be at JC Penney by 4 am, when they opened. As I am standing in line I hear a few people talking about why they are also there, standing in line at 4 am. It isn't the great sales, it is the free snow globe you get. You read it correctly, we fools were standing in line for a freakin' snow globe! (And I do this every year.) How funny are we as humans to go to such great lengths just to get something free?!!
Now I didn't buy anything at JC Penney and I am not sure about the other people either. I had to hurry because my next stop was Wal-Mart, where nothing is free, but the prices are good. I would not have otherwise went to Penney's. I am sure that if they stop the snow globes that they will lose business.
People just like free things and will do crazy things to get them!
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Shop til you drop!!
Last Friday I took two of my favorite girls shopping. Lucy and Rachel are our babysitters. Our boys love them more than us! When they come over we can never tell who has a better time, the girls or the boys!
We are completely blessed to have them in our lives. I don't know what we would do sometimes without them! They are so responsible and well-behaved for their age. I have to give their parents credit for that! I was having a conversation with Trad about going shopping with them. I told him that I didn't think that I would ever volunteer to take two 13-year-olds shopping. They are the exception though. We would adopt them if their parents would let us!
Back to the trip...
I had mentioned to them that the new shopping center was open in Murfreesboro. They said that they would like to go and I told them that I would take them. It turned out to be Friday after they got out of school. They wanted to buy some Christmas presents and look around. I think we had the most fun in the Children's Place. We all love that store. We went to the cookie store where they both got a cookie. Then we went on to the chocolate factory, where I got a raspberry truffle. :) We ran into some friends of theirs at Barnes and Noble. They had a great time showing Abby off. I didn't have to hold her the entire night. From there we went on to Old Navy, the mall, and finally Target. We all found some gifts, so I guess we were successful.
We are completely blessed to have them in our lives. I don't know what we would do sometimes without them! They are so responsible and well-behaved for their age. I have to give their parents credit for that! I was having a conversation with Trad about going shopping with them. I told him that I didn't think that I would ever volunteer to take two 13-year-olds shopping. They are the exception though. We would adopt them if their parents would let us!
Back to the trip...
Rachel & Abby posin' with the reindeer bush @ the Avenue
I had mentioned to them that the new shopping center was open in Murfreesboro. They said that they would like to go and I told them that I would take them. It turned out to be Friday after they got out of school. They wanted to buy some Christmas presents and look around. I think we had the most fun in the Children's Place. We all love that store. We went to the cookie store where they both got a cookie. Then we went on to the chocolate factory, where I got a raspberry truffle. :) We ran into some friends of theirs at Barnes and Noble. They had a great time showing Abby off. I didn't have to hold her the entire night. From there we went on to Old Navy, the mall, and finally Target. We all found some gifts, so I guess we were successful.
Lucy & Abby with the giant ornaments @ the Avenue
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Thankfulness...
I feel like we get wrapped up in the holidays every year. The cooking and cleaning and shopping tends to take away from the actual day itself. I just want to take the time to reflect on the things that I am thankful for...
- big hugs when I pick up my boys from school
- the time I get to spend with Trad when he gets home at night
- forgiveness
- memories of my mother
- my very good friends who I feel I can go to for anything
- seeing my daughter developing normally
- the plan of salvation
- old movies and musicals
- butterscotch
- modern medicine
- a wonderful country to live in
- good books
- digital cameras
- the rain
- milkshakes
- waterfalls
- a handwritten cookbook of my mama's
- trips to Gatlinburg
- contacts
- wildflowers
- rice krispie treats
- comfortable shoes
- time with my family
I could go on and on. These things make me happy. I am happy with my life right now. I could always use some improvement though! Things are difficult sometimes and it isn't always fun, but I wouldn't trade my life with anyone else's. I am very thankful this year. My family is complete and I am most thankful for that.
Monday, November 19, 2007
New Beginnings...
With yesterday being Logan's 3rd birthday, today was his 1st day of PRESCHOOL!!
Logan getting ready to leave the house for school. He wears his John Deere shirts alot. He had his backpack on for like 2 milliseconds but I wasn't fast enough with the camera! He has his pop tarts in hand.
This is Logan and Abby in the car. We are at school and getting Logan out.
Here Logan is out of the car and walking up to the school. Note he still has a pop tart.
This is Logan exploring his surroundings. He seemed to do ok. He didn't even notice when we left, which is what Braden did also. He still has his pop tart.
When I picked him up, his teacher, Mrs Jill, said that he had a really good day. He ate cookies for snack. He jumped on the trampoline, which he won't do at home. He made a cornucopia during art time. He was playing with dinosaurs when I came to pick him up. They said he had been playing with them for a while.
He just might get one for Christmas. Trad really liked dinosaurs when he was little. He was happy to hear that Logan was playing with them also.
I didn't cry when I dropped Logan off this morning. I cried with Braden. I have seen the improvement that it has made in Braden and how much he loves it. I think that it will be really good for Logan also and he seems to be happy there too. At least it is a change of scenery for him. I know he will do good in preschool. My baby boy is in school now.
Logan getting ready to leave the house for school. He wears his John Deere shirts alot. He had his backpack on for like 2 milliseconds but I wasn't fast enough with the camera! He has his pop tarts in hand.
This is Logan and Abby in the car. We are at school and getting Logan out.
Here Logan is out of the car and walking up to the school. Note he still has a pop tart.
This is Logan exploring his surroundings. He seemed to do ok. He didn't even notice when we left, which is what Braden did also. He still has his pop tart.When I picked him up, his teacher, Mrs Jill, said that he had a really good day. He ate cookies for snack. He jumped on the trampoline, which he won't do at home. He made a cornucopia during art time. He was playing with dinosaurs when I came to pick him up. They said he had been playing with them for a while.
He just might get one for Christmas. Trad really liked dinosaurs when he was little. He was happy to hear that Logan was playing with them also.
I didn't cry when I dropped Logan off this morning. I cried with Braden. I have seen the improvement that it has made in Braden and how much he loves it. I think that it will be really good for Logan also and he seems to be happy there too. At least it is a change of scenery for him. I know he will do good in preschool. My baby boy is in school now.
Thanksgiving 2007
We had Thanksgiving early at our house. We ate yesterday because Trad has to work all day on Thanksgiving. We combined it with Logan's birthday. I made the usual food. We had turkey and dressing, ham, mashed potatoes, potato salad, cranberry sauce, mac and cheese, corn casserole, broccoli casserole, watergate salad, peas, green beans, gravy, strawberry salad and rolls.
Most people come for the broccoli and corn casseroles. I make the broccoli casserole, mashed potatoes and peas for my brother, Jamie. I usually only get to cook for him once or twice a year, so I always make them. Mike, April's husband comes for the corn casserole. This year I added the strawberry salad to the menu. My Aunt Sue always makes it for Christmas and I always love it. I decided to get the recipe and try it out for myself. It was easy to make and everyone loved it too. If there is one thing that I have brought to the family it is the love of casseroles.
Nikki & Kyle All the nephews and Nikki are growing up so fast. They are all taller than I am besides Nikki. I remember when they were all so little. Chris will be 18 in just a few weeks. He was only 7 when I came into the picture. Nikki was only 2. I have watched them grow up over the years but it seems like it happened all at once. I blinked and all 5 of them aren't little kids anymore. I guess it will be the same way with Kaylee and my kids.
My brother Jamie (I think he looks like a writer in those clothes and hairstyle.)
My brother is one of the biggest sources of stress in my life. Mostly because I let him be though. I feel like I have to be his sister and his mother since Mama died. I am getting better about letting him make his own choices and mistakes without saying anything. I want him to have the best life he can have. He has settled down somewhat. He has a steady job and just got a promotion. He seems to like it and that makes me really happy.
Grandpa & Abigail
Trad's dad sure does love all the girls in the family. He preferred his daughters over his sons. He now prefers his granddaughters over his grandsons. He is particularly sweet when he talks to Abby. She just smiles back at him. I hope that he is around long enough for her to remember him when she gets older.
The other Jamie & Abby
This is the other Jamie. To make things confusing, she is Jamie's girlfriend. So either way you go you have Jamie. She really loves Abby. (I think she loves all kids). She has some nieces and nephews that are little too. Abby took to her pretty well. I think that she has been a good thing for Jamie. I hope that continues.
I am thankful for all of my family this year. I think I am especially thankful because I know our little family is complete. Abby is the last of the family. This is the first Thanksgiving with the complete "P" family. I think that yesterday was a wonderful day and I am glad that I was able to celebrate it with my family.
Happy 3rd Birthday Logan!!
Yesterday was Logan's 3rd birthday. He was born November 18, 2004. He seems to be our most difficult child. He is also the sweetest when he wants to be. He is so loving. If you hold your arms out you will almost always get a big hug from Logan. He has the most beautiful blue eyes and blond hair. He is very handsome. Logan loves to play outside. Right now I think he would live outside if he could. Lately he has been playing with toys more, which is a change.
He got a movie from Daddy, Mama, Braden and Abby. Uncle Jamie also got him a movie (though I think Logan liked the bag it was in better). Aunt April and family got him a Thomas flashlight. When everyone sung Happy Birthday to him he was so excited. He didn't understand why he was in the spotlight. I think he really liked it.
I am so glad that Logan is my son. He is a great joy to me and the rest of the family. I think he had a really good birthday.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BISCUIT!!!
Sunday, November 18, 2007
The million dollar question...
Here I am in the middle of cooking Thanksgiving dinner and something occurs to me...
I am making a ridiculously large amount of deviled eggs. I am using all of my nice pampered chef utensils to make everything look nice. I am cutting the eggs in half...placing them on the deviled egg dish...there is an odd number of spaces on the dish!
If you half an egg you get TWO pieces...
Two is an EVEN number (last time I checked)
So why in the world would there be an ODD number of spaces???
I HAVE to know the answer to this or I will lose sleep!!!
The only thing that I can figure out is that a MAN designed this dish. One that has never made deviled eggs...
I am making a ridiculously large amount of deviled eggs. I am using all of my nice pampered chef utensils to make everything look nice. I am cutting the eggs in half...placing them on the deviled egg dish...there is an odd number of spaces on the dish!
If you half an egg you get TWO pieces...
Two is an EVEN number (last time I checked)
So why in the world would there be an ODD number of spaces???
I HAVE to know the answer to this or I will lose sleep!!!
The only thing that I can figure out is that a MAN designed this dish. One that has never made deviled eggs...
Monday, November 12, 2007
Feeding an army???
I am sitting here making out my menu for Thanksgiving. By that I also mean my shopping list. So far, I have a legal pad full of things I need to buy. Not just ingredients I need that I already have on hand, things I need to BUY. You would think that I am feeding an army by the amount of food I have to make.
Ok, maybe I don't HAVE to, but I feel like I NEED to. I can't do simple. If you know me, you know that about me. Everything I do gets out of hand! I try, really I do! I just seem to make mountains out of molehills! :)
Back to Thanksgiving. Why in the world do I feel like I have to make 6 kinds of pies? That's right, SIX! This is not an exaggeration, I am really going to make 6 different kinds of pies. I think I need someone to smack me. I do this every year, feed the whole family with virtually no help, and get very little thanks for the job I do. I guess I enjoy it or I wouldn't do it right? I need a little reassurance here!
I guess we will see how things turn out this year. I have added another child to my family, and she is still pretty needy :) I do enjoy having everyone over at my house. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the holidays. Alot of things happened in 2006 that made me not enjoy them very much. I did cook Thanksgiving dinner, but I didn't do much for Christmas. That is not like me at all. It was bad. Trad put up the tree-bad. Only the ornaments Braden made at school on the tree-bad. I have promised to redeem myself this year. My house is gonna look like the freakin' north pole!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!! (Pass me the Tylenol)
Ok, maybe I don't HAVE to, but I feel like I NEED to. I can't do simple. If you know me, you know that about me. Everything I do gets out of hand! I try, really I do! I just seem to make mountains out of molehills! :)
Back to Thanksgiving. Why in the world do I feel like I have to make 6 kinds of pies? That's right, SIX! This is not an exaggeration, I am really going to make 6 different kinds of pies. I think I need someone to smack me. I do this every year, feed the whole family with virtually no help, and get very little thanks for the job I do. I guess I enjoy it or I wouldn't do it right? I need a little reassurance here!
I guess we will see how things turn out this year. I have added another child to my family, and she is still pretty needy :) I do enjoy having everyone over at my house. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the holidays. Alot of things happened in 2006 that made me not enjoy them very much. I did cook Thanksgiving dinner, but I didn't do much for Christmas. That is not like me at all. It was bad. Trad put up the tree-bad. Only the ornaments Braden made at school on the tree-bad. I have promised to redeem myself this year. My house is gonna look like the freakin' north pole!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!! (Pass me the Tylenol)
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Happy Birthday Mama
Today would have been my mother's 62nd birthday. It is hard for me to deal with such days. Her birthday, my birthday, the day she died, they are all so emotional for me. I have actually tried not to think about it much today.
I remember at holidays, or birthdays, or when my boys were born, she would cry and say she wished Granny (her mom) was here to see it. I always told her she shouldn't be thinking of such things, but I am doing the same thing. I didn't realize how hard it was to lose your mother. I guess no one does until it happens. If I could go back I would be so much more compassionate and understanding. Hindsight is 20/20!!
I miss her so much. I wish every day that she could see my little girl. Braden was her whole world. He was truly the happiest time of her life. I feel like she deserved more time than what she was given. I know that she is in a much better place now where she isn't sick or in pain. I also know that she can watch her grandkids grow up even though she can't be here with them.
Happy birthday Mama.
I remember at holidays, or birthdays, or when my boys were born, she would cry and say she wished Granny (her mom) was here to see it. I always told her she shouldn't be thinking of such things, but I am doing the same thing. I didn't realize how hard it was to lose your mother. I guess no one does until it happens. If I could go back I would be so much more compassionate and understanding. Hindsight is 20/20!!
I miss her so much. I wish every day that she could see my little girl. Braden was her whole world. He was truly the happiest time of her life. I feel like she deserved more time than what she was given. I know that she is in a much better place now where she isn't sick or in pain. I also know that she can watch her grandkids grow up even though she can't be here with them.
Happy birthday Mama.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Happy 1st Birthday Kaylee!!
Ok, it's official. I am way far behind on blogging. Things happen and I think to myself, I need to blog about this. It never seems to happen for me though. But anyways...
Today my littlest niece, Kaylee River, is ONE year old. She was born November 6th 2006 around 4 oclock. I have really enjoyed watching her grow over this past year. She is the only one of my nieces and nephews on that side of the family that I have been around for the birth of. Nikki was almost 3 when I came into the picture, and she was the youngest, until now. :)
This is a picture of Kaylee in her birthday dress. She is getting ready to go and get her one year pictures made.
Tonight we get to go over to her house and celebrate her special day. We have gotten her a few outfits, brown and pink, of course. I also got her a Dr. Seuss book, Happy Birthday To You! I have gotten both my boys this book for their 1st birthdays. I have everyone sign it to let them know who was at their party and helped celebrate their birthdays. I decided to get Kaylee one too because I think it is a good idea. :)
Kaylee and Abby are only 7 months apart in age. I think that they are going to grow up well together. Hopefully they will be very good friends and will always be there for each other. Boy, do I have lofty aspirations for them??!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAYLEE RIVER!!!!!
Today my littlest niece, Kaylee River, is ONE year old. She was born November 6th 2006 around 4 oclock. I have really enjoyed watching her grow over this past year. She is the only one of my nieces and nephews on that side of the family that I have been around for the birth of. Nikki was almost 3 when I came into the picture, and she was the youngest, until now. :)
This is a picture of Kaylee in her birthday dress. She is getting ready to go and get her one year pictures made.
Tonight we get to go over to her house and celebrate her special day. We have gotten her a few outfits, brown and pink, of course. I also got her a Dr. Seuss book, Happy Birthday To You! I have gotten both my boys this book for their 1st birthdays. I have everyone sign it to let them know who was at their party and helped celebrate their birthdays. I decided to get Kaylee one too because I think it is a good idea. :)
Kaylee and Abby are only 7 months apart in age. I think that they are going to grow up well together. Hopefully they will be very good friends and will always be there for each other. Boy, do I have lofty aspirations for them??!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAYLEE RIVER!!!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
