Movie Mania

This weekend was great!! I went out with my very best friend on Friday night and say the movie/musical Hairspray. I would highly recommend it. It was AWESOME. Very good story, great characters, great music and I smiled so much that my cheeks hurt the next day. Then on Saturday, Blake and I went to the farmers market as usual and had a great "mommy" day (much different then the last one) He seems to be back to his happy go lucky self (YIPPEE!!) He then spent the night with grandma and grandpa so hubby and I could have a date night. We made the most of it and had a wonderful dinner and then went to see not one movie but TWO movies back to back. I haven't done that since I was a youngin. We didn't get home and in bed until 1:30 a.m. so when I had to get up at 7:00 a.m. for church the next day I was feeling that I'm not quite as young as I think I am (you can imagine my surprise) First we saw Transformers which surprisingly was a really good movie. Great special effects and it actually had a good storyline. We then saw the new Harry Potter movie which was also pretty good. It was a great date night and worth missing out on a little sleep. Some other things happened this weekend that I'm not sure that I'm going to post about because I want to respect my hubbys privacy but let's just say that if you are a praying person, send some his way because he could use them.

To reward or not to reward

That is the question. I distinctly remember the first time I was able to say to Blake "Do this and you'll get this" and it worked. I could have sworn that I heard the angels singing. Now some would say that you shouldn't have to reward your children for things they should be doing already. I mean, when I was a kid, the reward was that you didn't get a spanking. I would say that so far reward has worked pretty well for us. It really started with potty training and has evolved over time with things like having a good day at preschool (i.e. no hitting, whining, respecting other, taking a nap). Now we have made a whole reward chart with specific responsibilities and each day he either gets a token for the responsibility or he doesn't. At the end of each week we will count the tokens and they will be like points. After so many points, he will earn a prize (which could be a trip to the dollar store, picnic in the park, night with grandma and grandpa etc.) (thanks Ms. Amy for all the good reward ideas) We are hoping that this will help him learn that he has some basic rights in life such as love, respect, food, a home, a bed etc. but the rest of it (movies, toys, going to the park etc) are priveledges and just like everyone else you have to do your job to earn these things. I don't know if it's wrong or it's right but so it works for us :o) (famous last words)

Could he have an ear infection?

Hubby and I have been talking about the change in Blake's attitude and I mentioned that the last time he went through a phase like this, he had a sinus infection. He is the type of kid that will never say die. If there is playing to be done of any kind he would never admit that he was tired or not feeling well. Fever is really the only thing that will slow him down. I wouldn't be surprised if he has a ear or sinus infection and hasn't made a peep about not feeling well. I guess I'll give it another day or two and see if things improve and if not, I think I'll take him and have the doctor take a look. Even if I am just crazy, it will only cost me a little time and a $10 copay.

Patience....I could use some more

Is it just me or are you going along in life sometimes and thinking, "okay, I think I have this parent thing down now" "my child seems to be well-adjusted and happy" "the routine seems to be working well" and then bam, they (the child or children) change the rules on you. I do not know what is up with my child the last week or so but I swear he's a different little boy all of a sudden. He's having trouble sleeping (well getting to sleep) so he's not getting enough sleep before he has to get up and head off to preschool. Even this weekend would he could have sleep enough because he didn't have to get up, he didn't get enough sleep. So, therefor his attitude stinks. He has been grumpy and obstenant and everything else in between. Saturday was one of the hardest days I've had with him in a long long time. Usually "mommy" days are the best. They are mommy days because daddy is working and we have until 330pm for some good quality time. I felt like the worst mom ever this weekend as I had to drag him literrally kicking and screaming from a ward picnic. After the day he had I shouldn't have taken him to begin with. I then didn't take him to church (this is the bad mommy part) on Sunday partly because he didn't want to go but mostly because I needed some peace. Sunday was a bit better with him but he still was not listening and took forever to go to sleep. His dad is home with him today and it's more of the same. I hope this will be short lived so I can have my sweet little boy back soon. Sorry for the rambling post but I just needed to vent.

This blog is

Mingle² - Free Online Dating

There is something nice about being deemed suitable for the whole family.

Conversations with a 4 year old

We're sitting at the dinner table together (this and the car seem to be the best recipe for good conversation) when my son looks and me and says

B: Mom, am I a brother?
Me: No honey, you aren't a brother
B: Why not?
Me: Because you have to have a brother or sister to be a brother
B: Why don't I have a brother or sister?
Me: Well, daddy and I have only been blessed with one child so far and you are it
B: Well, I want to be a brother, can we get a brother or sister?
Me: We would love to have another baby but I just don't know if we will or
B: Oh, I don't want a baby
Me: What do you want?
B: I want a boy or girl like me so we can play, babies can't play
Me: Well, I guess we'll just have to see what happens
B: Okay, well I guess we'll just have to get a dog then

Well, why didn't I think of that..LOL But seriously, it's the first time he has realized that he is a only child. It kind of breaks my heart because I've always wanted to have more children. I grew up thinking that I would someday be a mommy and I would have 4 children. It turns out that I am not entirely in control of these things (imagine my surprise) We were blessed to have Blake just drop out of the heavens to us. I don't think lightning will strike twice and I'm almost 36 so when will I just get over it and realize that this just might be it. I hope that he doesn't grow up feeling somewhat slighted that he is the only one. We'll just have to see what happens next and if nothing else. We have two furry children called Max and Cleo (our cats) and maybe we'll just have to get that dog. I hear they are like having another child anyway.

Don't put off saying it

I'm in a bit of a emotional/nostalgic mood so I hope you can forgive me. I just want to say how important it is that we tell those people in our life how we feel about them. The good, the bad and the ugly. People often tell me that I wear my heart no my sleeve ( I can't argue that) I am one of those people that, no matter how hard I try, I am unable to hide my feelings with much success. If I'm mad, glad, sad, frustarted, hurt, angry, in love, excited etc. you are going to know about it. Sometimes it works to my advantage and sometimes I'd like to be able to turn it off. One thing I can say though is that those that I love know that I love them. Those that have hurt me, know that they have hurt me. I never want to leave this world and have someone wonder how I felt about them. I never want someone to leave my world and have something left unsaid. I had some struggles growing up with my alcoholic father and it took me a long time to forgive him and tell him so but once I did I felt so free. The only one hurting from my harbored ill feelings was me. When he passed away 4 years ago, I knew that I had told him everything that I had always wanted to and he knew that I loved him regardless. There was no unfinished business (at least on my part). I was also able to do this with my birth mother that abandoned me when I was 4 years old. My whole life I was angry with her. I never tried to see it from her point of view. Forgiving her and having the chance to tell her that was truly a weight lifted off my shoulders. I may never speak to her again (because of circumstances) but at least she knows that I understand she did the best she could do with the tools she had. Noone is perfect. I hope that if there is something that you have been wanting to say to somone but were afraid that you will take the risk and let them know. If you love someone, tell them. Life is so fragile and there may not be another tomorrow. Hug them, kiss them and tell them. On the flip side, if there is hurt, tell them. They may not say "oh you were so right, I have wronged you, forgive me" but I promise that you will feel better and be able to start to forgive. I don't mean to insinuate that any of this is easy because it's not but I just wanted to tell you how it has helped me in my life. So before I go, I just want to say that "I love you" and that I love doing this blog. If you made it this far you deserve a prize...LOL

Male Bonding

Hubby took Blake fishing yesterday for the first time. They had a blast and even caught a fish. Blake had to help daddy reel it in because he couldn't quite get the nuainces of casting down just yet. Blake played with the fish like a dog on a leash and even named him Benny (poor Benny) When I got home from work he couldn't wait to show me the "dinner" they had caught for us.

Blogging Etiquette

Okay, so you guys know that I'm to this and since I couldn't find the "Blogging for dummies" book anywhere, I have a question. If I have a blog that I love to read, is it okay for me to add it to my favorites or should I ask first (sorry Kim, Carrie and Lammy) or can I just add them. I guess this would apply to other websites as well. If there are any other rules that you think I might need to know I would really appreciate the tips. As always, you can feel free to comment if you have any suggestions as well. I'm so happy that I started this Blog and I just want to make sure that I'm not breaking any unwritten rules.

P.S. Kim, Carrie and Lammy, is it okay if I add you to my list??? :o)

Somebody stop me

I'm having way to much fun with this new thing I've found

***Edited*** I asked hubby to show this picture to Blake and he called me laughing and said "Silly Mommy, I don't wear glasses or have a mustache" LOL

Christmas in July

I have seen this on several blogs and always wanted to try it. I hope it works. Yes, I do realize the pictures are from Christmas last year but......it's hot around here these days and just looking at these make me feel about 10 degrees cooler.

Okay, so I went back to work today and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I'm usually a little grumpy the first day back (well, most Monday's for that matter) but it was good to see the folks I work with and catch up with them. I thought for sure that my son would just miss me terribly (wishful thinking) but according to him, he only missed me a teeny bit. I'm telling myself it's because daddy kept the poor little dear so busy that he didn't have time to miss me, yeah that must be it for sure. He gets to spend the day tomorrow with his second favorite person in the whole world. No, it's not the person right after me, I am 3rd in line. It goes like this 1. Papa 2. Grandma 3. Mommy 4. Daddy (3 and 4 are interchangeable depending on what he is wanting). I'm sure he'll have a great time and then he's home with dad the rest of the week.

I shouldn't be up right now but for some reason, I am wide awake so here I am with my random thoughts, aren't you all (the 2 of you that I know read my new blog) so lucky :o)

I'd like to thank those two gals for reading and thank Kim for her awesome blog (she's up for an award I might add http://kymburleev.blogspot.com/) and Carrie for the encouragement to start one of my own. I'm not that good at putting my thoughts on "paper" but it gives me a place to record some of the wonderful boring things that happen. Somehow, it all looks better and more exciting when you record it in writing.

Hi Ho Hi Ho, it's off to work I go.....

Well, it's back to work for me tomorrow. I sure could get used to this staying home life. It was a great vacation. I really spent some quality and quantity time with Blake and I feel rested. We had a nice mix of fun and getting some work done around the house. Blake and I went on our very first date, we went to see Ratatouille (sp?) It's the new Disney/Pixar movie that is out and I would highly recommend it. Blake was entertained and so was I. We shared popcorn and soda and had a great time. 4th of July was also really fun, we arrived two hours before the parade and I'm glad we did because apparently it's really popular and we barely found a good spot for our chairs. We ran into a family from our ward and ended up moving to where they were and Blake and their little guy got more candy than they did at Halloween. We also got our fair share of sun since it was about 90 and we were out it in for hours. Thank goodness for sunscreen and hats. Of course, I did this for Blake and forgot all about me so I got my first sunburn of the year. After the parade we came home and took a nap and when dad got home from work we went over to my mother-in-law's for a family gathering that included food, food, more food and fireworks. We were up way to late and had lots of fun. My son has been afraid of the fireworks in the past but is over that now and we had to keep him from getting to close.

The next morning we were woken up bright and early by the electrician that was coming to finish our heat pump installation. It's up and running now and once we figure out a good temperature for us, I think it's going to be great. We'll find out this week with highs predicted to be near 100. I am a full fledged Oregonian after living her for 13 years and weather like this is enough to make me melt. I can see the electric meter getting a workout now.

That's it for now, back to reality tomorrow and back to work. I'll just ease my toes in at first so I don't shock my system to much :o)

Overheard at my house

"Mom and Dad, I think I'm going to marry Max (our cat) when he grows up and learns to walk on two feet"

Life can be so mundane.....isn't it great!!!

I have often said that I'm perfectly happy when my life is boring. There have been times in my life when it wasn't boring because of various trials and I much prefer my boring sweet life. Nothing of great consequence happened today. My son was a pretty good boy today, except for the grocery store where something in the air turns him into a complete pill, I think they pipe it in through the vents so that the parents are distracted and hurry through the trip and buy more stuff just to get out of there. Hubby and I got the garage organized and looking pretty good. I'm in total vacation mode and loving it. Tomorrow we get a heat pump which is just in time for the 90+ weather that is expected and that is the only thing we have planned. Maybe we'll go visit someone, or go to the park or weed the flower beds or just hang out and color all day. Did I mention that I love vacation and my boring but very sweet life :o)