Overdue Update on Sam Through Pictures and Captions

Why don't YOU have noodles on your head?! 

 This is my dog Skipper. We are best friends.

 See. He agrees.

 We love each other.

 He loves me more than oxygen.

 Mom won't buy me a pony. Skipper is the sub.

 Chubbiest. Tigger. Ever.

 He had just said that Grandma has boogers. He is so funny.

 He insisted Tigger needed his reindeer hat.

 All is well with the world now. Also, daddy has boogers.

Ok, this one deserves more explanation than a caption. Sam is pressing the Elvis guitar ornament that sings "Santa Bring my Baby Back to Me." Sam hits this approximately 479 times a day. Then he dances around like an idiot until just before the song ends. When he hears the song about to end, he runs over and presses it again so there is never ending Elvis Christmas music in my house. It's a good thing he's cute and whiskey is expensive.

Political Post Riddled with Sarcasm and Anger

Although, I don't need to post any of that because I feel like this ad speaks for itself:



Oh. My. Gosh. Really?

I know that there are people out there that believe gays are going to hell and all that jazz. That's not really my point here.

But, Rick, it was 1962 when the ban on prayer came into play. That was not Obama's doing. I know in Texas it isn't appropriate to learn what actually happened in history, but c'mon! You were actually in school when prayer was banned!

But I guess we don't need to be reminded of "crap Perry doesn't get" do we? Oh no, we do. (start at 1:35)



Back to the original video:

War on religion?! A good heaven's. If anything, Obama is the closest president we have ever had to expressing the love of Christ and not touting his own biases, prejudices, or just simple discomforts as a reason to spread hate in the name of Jesus.

How dare you imply that Obama has somehow defamed our religion...

You don't like his policies? Fine. Attack them.

You don't like his way of creating jobs? Fine. Attack that.

But to just slander him for no other reason than to win a stinking campaign while dragging your precious Savior through the mud... that is just tacky.

And I am just sick and tired of this, "Our kids can't openly celebrate Christmas." Horse shit. They can too. It is what your FOREFATHERS that you speak of so fondly called religious freedom.

Happy Holidays is not an attack on Christmas or Christianity. It is an expression to spread holiday cheer. Some feel like holiday cheer reminds them of being loved.

Wait? What's that? Christ IS love... I don't see the problem.

And even if there was a problem, how did everyone pin "happy holidays" on Obama?! That is absurd! He says Merry Christmas. He also says Happy Holidays. It is a diverse vocabulary, I know. 

And while I'm on it, for all of you who believe that Obama has named the Christmas trees in the White House "Holiday Trees"...that is a completely untrue statement. They are Christmas trees. They even have ornaments on them that have little baby Jesus on them?! If you want to research what president was closest to doing such a thing, that would be Captain Christian George Bush. Look it up.

What? A Muslim with baby Jesus on his tree? He must be the Anti-Christ!

Oh wait... he's Methodist. And not even close to the anti-christ.

War on religion?! Ricky Perry seriously disgusts me.

Am I liberal? Yes. Do I believe in equal rights? Yes. Am I a happily married Christian woman? Yes.

Again... if you want to fight him on his policies or agenda... go for it. But please stop dragging my precious Jesus's name through the mud for your campaign. It is disgusting.

And note: On your campaign page on youtube, on your ad, you have about 3,500 likes and over 160,000 dislikes. Take a hint. Jesus doesn't hate.

Lessons from a Dairy Free Virgin: Fast Food Unwrapped

If you adore fast food and worship its crispy fried goodness...skip this and continue to live in blissful ignorance.

But if you can't do that anymore due to your child's irritating fun new allergy... read on! Oh the things you will learn!

Surprise ingredient lists from your favorites:

Chick fil a Chicken Nuggets:
100% natural whole breast filet, seasoning (salt, monosodium glutamate, sugar, spices, paprika), seasoned coater (enriched bleached flour [bleached wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin, iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid], sugar, salt, monosodium glutamate, nonfat milk, leavening [baking soda, sodium aluminum phosphate, monocalcium phosphate], spice, soybean oil, color [paprika]), milk wash (water, egg, nonfat milk), peanut oil (fully refined peanut oil with TBHQ and citric acid added to preserve freshness and Dimethylpolysiloxane an anti-foaming agent added).

That's right folks... our beloved "healthy" chicken nuggets... have milk... and ANTI-FOAMING AGENT!


Tell me, WHAT FOAMS ABOUT A CHICKEN?! If my chicken is foaming... I don't want to eat it. You just leave that foaming chicken alone and let it peck itself to death... bleck!

*Don't believe me? Click here. 

McDonald's French Fries: 
Potatoes, vegetable oil (canola oil, hydrogenated soybean oil, natural beef flavor [wheat and milk derivatives]*, citric acid [preservative], dextrose, sodium acid pyrophosphate (maintain color), and salt. Prepared in vegetable oil (canola oil, corn oil, soybean oil, hydrogenated soybean oil with TBHQ and citric acid to preserve freshness). Dimethylpolysiloxane added as an antifoaming agent.
*(Natural beef flavor contains hydrolyzed wheat and hydrolyzed milk as starting ingredients).

And antifoaming potatoes now?! Again... I'm scared enough of the foaming chickens... now my potatoes are foaming?! Back at my house, we throw away potatoes when they foam...we don't fry them.

Don't believe me? Click here. 

Ok so those were the two most startling finds. But, I will share with you my lists of crap that I learned or surprised me.  This would have been nice to have handy when we first learned this about my son.

Things I've learned: 

• Most of the buns in fast food restaurants are fine. Milk doesn't help them last longer so they don't put it in there. Although, Sonic you have to check at each one you go to because they buy their buns local and the ingredients could change.
• KFC Original Recipe has milk, Extra Crispy does not. 
• Sonic Popcorn Chicken and Breaded Chicken Breasts do not have milk, but Breaded Chicken Strips do. 

Things that contain milk that shouldn't:

• Burger King Original Breaded Chicken Patty (and the dairy is in the patty... not the breading)
• BK Tendercrisp Chicken Sandwich (dairy is at least in the breading here)
• BK Onion Rings (maybe they should... I just wasn't expecting it)
• Almost everything at Chick Fil A (aside from the grilled chicken sandwich, hashbrowns, and fries)
• Wendy's Chicken Nuggets
• Back Yard Burger Hawaiian Chicken Sandwich (because of the lemon pepper chicken breast)

Things that don't contain milk that surprised me:

• BK Chicken Fries
• BK Chicken Tenders
• BK Dutch Apple Pie
• BK Soft Serve Cone (It is ice cream for crying out loud!)
• McDonald's Hot Apple Pie
• McDonaldland Cookies
• Taco Bell Cinnamon Twists
• Anything on the Taco Bell Fresco Menu
• Sonic Onion Rings

Parting Advice:
I will say, this list is compiled from my own research into the milk allergy on each individual sites allergen information as of today. Ingredients change from time to time, so if this is an issue for you, double check before you eat any of it. 

While on my my allergy kick, my son's dairy allergy presented itself as chronic ear infections. We were treating him with Zyrtec for his runny nose and it wasn't helping much at all. After we got tubes and were still having ear infections, we tried the no dairy thing. And I have to say... you HAVE to do it for the full 3 weeks before you notice any difference. Then all of the sudden, you've gone 4 days without a runny nose. And now we are on 2 or 3 weeks now with no runny nose and 6 weeks or so without an ear infection. Also, it has been about 2 or 3 weeks since I've had to put thick creme on his legs for his eczema. It is basically gone now. All because of milk. It is worth the effort to try.

When trying, look out for "casein" and "whey". These are both milk ingredients. Depending on the severity of the allergy it may not be a big deal. I avoided everything for the first 3 weeks, which was hard, but the only way I could know for sure. 

His almond allergy presented itself as violent vomiting after having a cup of almond milk. But once he was done throwing up (45 minutes later) he was fine and back to his jolly self. A few days later, he had some Honey Nut Cheerios, which contain almond, and had violent diarrhea for a few hours. Then it cleared up. No rash, no itchy, no redness, ... just vomiting and diarrhea (which makes you think virus... not allergy).

Sam Isn't Normal... And I Think I Like It

I have not openly shared the following story yet with the whole world. 1) Because it is fairly recent. 2) Because I haven't had time. 3) Because I hadn't really processed it myself until now.

Apparently, my son REFUSES to be normal. Here is a list of what "normal" kids do:

• Drink milk
• If they can't drink milk, it presents itself fairly obviously
• Eat bananas
• If they can't for some reason, it probably causes them to itch and have hives
• Eat almonds
• If they can't for some reason, it probably causes them to itch and have hives

Ear Infections:
Admittedly, my list of "normal" is a bit biased. But my son had his horrible bout with ear infections. We got the tubes, he got more infections (not an increase in frequency but certainly not a decrease). So the doctor says, "Some kids are weird and have a milk allergy that keeps the ear infections coming regardless of the tubes. Take him off of all milk for 3 weeks. After the 3 weeks, see if you notice a difference."

I was more than skeptical about this. He has had milk all of his life. Why on earth would he be allergic? And he hasn't ever had any symptoms... but fine, it is three weeks. Whatever.

After the first couple of weeks... I thought she was crazy. There was no difference. In fact, there may have been an increase in mucous. But we stuck it out. Right around the end of the third week... going into the fourth week... it suddenly occurs to me, "He hasn't had a runny nose in a while."

And this whole 3-4 weeks now... no ear infections. And I just noticed last night... his skin (eczema) is a lot better! Almost non-existant.

Sonofabitch! Holy smokes, Batman! The kid was allergic to milk.

Bananas:
When he was still a baby, we noticed he kept breaking out in these tiny red bumps. It was a rash, no doubt, but it wasn't bothering him and it didn't look like hives at all. I mean they were TINY. And they started at his stomach and went out from there.

So we are trying to figure out what on earth would be causing this. I immediately go to laundry detergents. But we were using All Free and Clear. So we went to a double rinse.

No improvement.

I think, maybe it is the fabric softener.

Some improvement... but not much.

Then he got a tummy bug and didn't eat much of anything for several days. And the rash went away. I fed him a banana one morning before taking him to Susan's and it hit me... he's had banana on all those days he had the rash, and he hasn't had any since this virus... lets see if it comes back now.

And boy did it! Rash everywhere. Took him off of bananas... no more rash.

Weird kid!

Almonds:
Admittedly, the jury is still out on this one but I'm pretty much convinced that this is what it is.

Back story: Last week, Thursday to be exact, Sam woke up throwing up right after putting him to bed. He then spent the rest of the night (with a max of a 10-15 minute break here and there) throwing up. Midway through the night, diarrhea sets in. He can't hold anything down. At all. And he is expelling what he does have in him out his rear end. (I'd apologize for over sharing but I'm not sorry).

At about 6 am, he wasn't acting right and I was worried about dehydration so we went to the ER. They stopped the vomiting through magical dissolvable pill. Sam starts drinking like a camel at an oasis. Things are looking up.

At about 1 pm that day, Sam jumps up and is ready to play and be merry. He was cured! He still ate bland and drank lots, but was his happy, jokey, goofy self.

Susan volunteers to watch him the next day so Justin and I can sleep. (He gets to her house and the virus gets me... but that's irrelevant). She calls back to say he is throwing up again. He had just gone over 24 hours without vomiting.

GRRRRRR!

We got the magical pill in him and he stopped throwing up before it got too bad and made a full recovery. Yay! Life continues.

Until yesterday. When our secretary comes into a meeting I'm in and hands me a note. It says,

"Sam is vomiting a lot. Susan is concerned."

SONOFABITCH! Really?!

So now I'm freaking out. No longer is this a "virus" or an aftershock from the virus. This is too damned much.

I talk to Susan and she is scared. She has never seen a kid throw up as much as he was. He couldn't stop.

When I got to her house, he had fallen asleep on her. She was just waiting for him to wake back up to throw up, but he never did. We let him sleep for about 45 minutes or so. When she gave him to me to rock for a while, he woke up.

And immediately starts MAKING FACES AT ME! Sticking his tongue out, laughing, giggling... being is sweet, little charming self.

Now don't get me wrong, my heart is swelling at this point, because when you walk in and your child's skin is see-through and eyes are sunken... all you want to see is them healthy and fast.

But what in the world is going on?! And that is literally all it was. He drank some tea and kept that down. Wanted some food. Ate it and kept it down. Ran around and played... like nothing ever happened.

How can this be? This was obviously, now more than ever, not a virus. But what was it?

I talked to the nurse, and she said it sounded like an allergy.

Insert blank, sarcastic, "you have got to be kidding me" look here.

She said, it is not uncommon for a kid to develop an allergy to something after having it for a few weeks. Well... due to the aforementioned milk allergy, he had started almond milk a few weeks ago. Then he got the virus that cleared his system... so he probably developed an almond allergy.

And while "normal" kids would break out in hives or have difficulty breathing, some kids just throw it up until it is gone.

What did he have that morning? Almond milk and honey nut cheerios. I think we found the culprit!

So while this is just a hypothesis... I'm pretty sure that's what we are dealing with. Blasted.

Back to the title:

I know everyone wants to think their kid is special and smart and blah blah blah... and I may just be one of those, but it is my blog and I can write what I want.

But even in his everyday living... he is obviously different. And a good kind of different.

• He is so smart. He picks up on things abnormally fast.
• He is funny. He is already a little jokester and he isn't even 2. 
• Since the day he started daycare, (at a ripe bold 8 weeks old), he declared himself "special" by refusing to sleep on anything other than the couch. 
• He is still "special" there. He was out talking all of the kids at 18 months old...and was the youngest. 
• He started potty training himself. Against my will, mind you. 
• And dang it, now he is special because he is going to treat allergies like he treats everything else... with his own special little twist. 

I cannot wait to see what the little boy becomes. I just feel it in every part of me that I'm going to be baffled by what he becomes, who he impacts, and what lives he changes.

He may not be famous or world-renowned... but he is going to be special. No doubt about it.

The Day I Could Have Been Shot and Lost a Husband

Now that I have your attention ;-)

Seriously, this morning was unexpected, exciting, and no one was hurt and no damage was done... so don't read this looking for that. This is more of a story about what did happen that is crazy and what could have happened that makes me a little nervous but mostly thankful for my Jesus and His protection!

I was in the bathroom around 6 am this morning getting ready when I heard something very loud... sounded like metal crunching/sliding together... snapping... just lots of noise. And I thought... "Geez that's loud! ... I guess the trash came early." Then I thought I'd better go check.

I was almost to the door when something told me not to go see. It was more of a "it was the trash truck, why check?" So I didn't. I finished my morning routine.

I went to take the dog outside and I open to door to ... BLUE LIGHTS! EVERYWHERE!

This is interesting... There are two cop cars, some men around looking a the van in the neighbor's yard.

This van had been driving on our road and missing the curve in the road and ramped into her yard. The only thing stopping this car from being IN MY BEDROOM is the little tree that is now snapped in half. I can see both air bags are deployed and the front end of the car is kind of bent into the tires.

Wow! That was exciting.

I could see that the wrecker was having a hard time determining a way to get the van out so I went over to the officer to offer them our yard if they needed. They said they were afraid of tearing up the yard and they thought they could get it.

I was about to leave and the officer said, "Good job at locking your cars up."

I said, "I'm sorry, what?"

He said, "They were going to steal one of your cars to get away."

I was like... WHOA!

Whoever wrecked the van fled! Came across my yard to check and see if my cars were available. When mine weren't, they continued to run.

So yeah... that was my morning!

Two things I'm super thankful for:

1) That freaking tree. Seriously. I wouldn't have my husband and Sam wouldn't have a daddy had it not been for that tree. The van was all of 5 or 6 feet from our house. It was aimed right at our bedroom. The officer said the van would have been in the house had it not caught the tree first. There were no brake marks. And they were going fast enough to ramp up over the curb and end up that far into her yard. This is the scariest part of this whole deal.

2) That voice in my head that stopped me from going outside. I would have walked out right when they were attempting to steal my car. Since the current theory is that they people were either drunk, illegal, or had warrants or any mixture of the three... there is no telling what would have happened. Especially since we all know that if I would have seen that I would have yelled at them and possibly went after them (on foot for a bit) because I'm that stupid when immediately greeted with a situation like this. They would have had the gun or weapon or whatever already drawn on me before I would have realized to shut my mouth and let them go about their business. Sooo...

Guardian angels are real. I'm so thankful for God's grace today.

My Son Is Going Dairy Free... Apparently

Today has been marginally crappy. I don't want to say shitty or even worse "the worst day ever." It has just been marginally crappy. Here is why.

It seems like every mother goes through this at one time or the other. For me, it seems like EVERY FREAKING TIME I DEAL WITH A DOCTOR!*....

That being said, I really love Sam's team of doctors. That's right team. My perfectly healthy son has a team of doctors. That makes me marginally extremely pissy. But I do really love them. And the ones I didn't love, I yelled at over the phone and never went to see anyway. Because that's how I roll. Don't mess with momma and damn sure don't mess with her baby...but I digress...

The crap I'm referring to. Sam gets ear infections. All. The. Time. All of the time. This was a frequent occurrence and if you are reading this, you most likely read about my insecurities with tubes. But... we put the tubes in because "then he won't get any more ear infections!" and "they are the best things ever! life changing!"

Well they changed my life alright... that bill was life changing. Then a week after getting tubes, he gets a BITCHIN'** ear infection. You want to know how I know it was "bitchin" and not "irritable" or even "pmsing"... My son turned into a TURD! He had no fever... none. He didn't really even pull at his ears. But did he make me want to sell him to the circus? Damn close.

He tormented kids at daycare... he yelled at me... he threw fits... he wore his feelings on his sleeve... he got really clingy... What does this mean for the doctors? Nothing. Other than my child is acting bad. Or he may have a "cold" and not feel well which makes him crabby. It wasn't until he started leaking GREEN GLOBBY BOOGERS from his EARS that it was like... oh yeah... ear infection...

So we do the insanely expensive ear drops ($70 with insurance) and all is well in the world. He heals... we are told it is a fluke that he got a cold right after the tubes were put in... probably won't happen again.

Horse shit.

He gets a cold about a week and a half ago. And I say to myself, "this is going to end in an ear infection." I go out of town and he continues to be a hot soupy mess of mucous. But no symptoms. Not even the pure evil that originates in his ears.

That is until this week. When he got worse and worse behavior wise. Where he started trying to bite kids out of the pure thrill of doing it irritability originating in his ears. Then there was that time that one kid scratched him and it threw Sam into a frenzy (you know... all "YOU WON"T LIKE ME WHEN I"M ANGRY!") and he bites the stink out of the other kid and Susan had to pull them off each other.

So now I'm convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that he has an ear infection. Let's start the drops.

But wait... that little voice of doubt in the back of my head wondering if that is the right thing to do! I call the doctor. I make an appointment. I cancel the appointment. I speak to doctor. This is where it goes bad for a bit.

I am told, "Well you don't even know what you are treating. It may not be an ear infection and you are just wasting money on drops. It doesn't sound like it is an infection. It sounds like he just has a virus that is making him feel bad."

I explain the resurrection of the evil child and how it ALWAYS correlates with an ear infection.

I am told, "Well you can keep doing the drops but I doubt that is what it is. Even if it gets better you won't know because it could have been just the virus running its course."

I get off the phone. I'm pissy. I'm doubting myself. I'm feeling stupid and protective and irritable. I call back. I make an appointment for 30 minutes in the future.

Holy smokes, Batman! What did we find?! He has an ear infection. Big. Shocker. (For the doctor it was anyway).

Then we entered into the conversation about why he is still getting ear infections. She says, if he has a constant runny nose (which he pretty much does) that the tubes can't handle that much mucous when coupled with a cold. There is a strong liklihood that he has a milk allergy and if we eliminate milk and all milk products for 3 weeks... we will likely see a huge improvement.

In my house, I cook with milk, butter, cream and cheese... A LOT. Alottalottalotta. Whoa Nelly.

So now, while I will be thrilled to get him feeling better and hoping this is it (as opposed to the alternative of wondering what the crap is going on)...this poses a HUGE challenge for me. How do I shop for milk allergies? What substitutes work and are good? What doesn't? How much is this going to freaking cost? How much longer will I spend preparing this food? How do I adjust?

So if you can answer any of those questions, please let me know. If you can't, then just pray that this transition is as seamless as possible.

*I seriously do love his two main doctors. Like really.

**Sorry for the foulness of my mouth but I get fairly irritable about this subject. And I cope by being foul. Deal.

Sam Doesn't Need Siblings After All

ALERT! ALERT!

If you are someone that thinks people overshare on the internet... you may want to pass this post up. No, scratch that, just pass this post up.

If you want to hear the story that Sam's future wife will inevitably hear over and over again... much to Sam's dismay... read on please. :-)

It was an average Sunday night in the Turner household. Nothing really going on other than Momma and Daddy mourning the loss of another weekend.

Daddy was sitting on the couch beside Momma entertaining a certain rambunxious 20 month old and a certain needy poodle named Skipper.

Sam and Daddy were having a tickle fight and Momma wasn't paying a whole lot of attention... and that's when it happened...

Daddy jumps up and yells, "NO SAM! NO NO NO! SHIT! NO SAM! NO!"

Sam, looks around and starts to wail. Crying, sobbing, distraught mess.

This left Momma wondering what the hell just happened. But never fear, because Momma used her Go Go Gadget detective skills to figure it out.

Let's see....

Daddy and Sam were having a tickle fight.

Last I saw Sam, he was wriggling down in to the floor... the last place I saw his head was somewhere near my husband's crotch...

I KNOW! I KNOW!

My son bit down on my husband's crown jewels!

So while Justin is walking laps around the ground floor of my house, I go ahead and ask... "Did Sam just bite you in the balls?"

It was redundant, I realize that. But I needed confirmation.

Through his pain, Justin says, "Yup."

Keep in mind, my husband is making laps around the kitchen wondering why it never occurred to him to wear a cup to dinner. Sam is in the floor crying like I just bit HIM in the testicles. And yet, I'm using every once of self-control I have to not roll in the floor laughing. I mean, you can't make this stuff up!

So everything cools down, Justin and Sam make up and all is well with the world.

That is, until Justin decides to do some deeper investigation.

I hear from the bathroom... "Rikki... come here."

My 20 month old son managed to bite my husband in his gonads... which is an accomplishment in itself. He also managed to DRAW BLOOD through khaki shorts and boxers.

And not just like a paper cut blood. No, see back in the junior high, we learn that that particular "area" has lots of blood vessels. This means greater potential for bleeding.

Through my laughter (I know, I'm wrong... but c'mon!) I ask if he wants a band-aid. We both cringe at that idea. I get him some Neosporin and left him to his own devices as I went to launder the carnage.

I get back and I find out... Neosporin wouldn't stop the bleeding. It was bleeding through it.

So my husband in his infinite wisdom, puts a bandaid. On his balls.

This couldn't have been a better Sunday if it tried and brought chocolate.

And, to quote my husband about taking the bandaid off, "I'm gonna let that bitch soak in the shower for a while."

At least he is a good sport and let me write this for the world to read. God love him.

That Time Michelle Bought Him a Tickle Me Elmo

My friend Michelle may be one of the best human beings to walk the planet. Why? Well, her loving on my son helps, but she is still pretty amazing without that fact.

Today, while at Toys R Us, Michelle thinks of my son when she sees an entire aisle dedicated to Elmo. She sent me a text picture of the aisle saying she wanted to buy them all for Sam. Little did I know, she really was going to buy one!

Enough already... here is the reaction.

Refresher course for those who don't know: Push his belly once, he says it tickles. Push it again, he likes it more. Push it three times, he shakes all over and laughs and makes a ridiculous scene (for those of you thinking of "that's what she said jokes, shame on you! this is a child's story!)

So, Michelle gives it to Sam, and he is ELATED. E freaking LATED. His whole face lights up, his eyes get bigger, he can hardly contain himself. Pure joy all over his face.

Then he got tickled for the third time.

Oh. Snap.

His face said the following two things at the very same time:

1) ohmuhgah momma is this really mine? Elmo is the best ever and Michelle is a close second. This is the best day ever please never let it end.

2) What the French toast is happening here? Help me momma! Make it quit... please GAWD make it stop!

Best time ever. No really... it was.

Here is a little picture montage that DOES NOT do it justice. I must have missed a few shots.

Mom, I really think I like it.

I mean, I'm pretty sure anyway.

I have anxiety, Mom. I smile when I'm nervous.

He stopped giggling. Whew! Close one, Mom!

Mom, I know she just gave me a gift, and I'm trying my best to smile, but what the french toast is he doing!? Hold me?

I'll just keep an eye on him over here. Please, no sudden moves.

That's the kind of "sudden moves" I was just talking about. How am I supposed to pretend I'm not afraid now?

Eff this! I'm out!

CUPPY CUPPY CUPPY CAKE!!!!!*

Okay so that was mean... but how freaking adorable (and chubby) is that picture!?

Precious Moments I Don't Want to Forget

If you aren't into hearing the lovelies that are my son, then stop reading now. This post is chucked full of them!

He has been the sweetest boy this weekend. Just ate up with it. Here's how:

He has learned how to say, "I love you," which actually sounds like, "ud doo". But we know what it is. Normally he says it after we say it to him. This morning, Justin was leaving for work, and Justin says, "Bye bye Sam." Sam says, "Ud doo!"

Justin is going out of town for a few days and I just know this was just what he needed to hear.

He has also been wanting to give me "sugars" for no reason lately. He will just come up to me and pucker his lips. And who can say no to that?! Not this girl.

We took him and his little girlfriend Zoey to the park yesterday. They had so much fun! They went up and down the slides, they swang, they rode the bouncy car together... but when we were done, he was WORN OUT! But, his momma needed to continue her quest for safety pins before we went home and took a bath. So Sam tagged along as we went in Family Dollar. Then Dollar General. And finally Walgreens. But by the time we got to Walgreens and found the Holy Grail of Safety Pins (which is what I thought it was by then), Sam looked at me and says, "night night," and laid his head on my shoulders. Melt. My. Heart.

(I'm realizing how ADD this post is, but I'm just typing as I remember the cuteness.)

Earlier on Sunday, we had gotten back from church and eaten lunch. Justin and I were in our recliners with our feet up and Sam comes over to me and kisses my feet. I thought, "how sweet...and also kind of weird." But he isn't even two so it is mostly sweet. But then he keeps doing it. For like an hour, he would go play, then he'd run back and smile really big and kiss my toes. Then he did it to Justin. Over and over again, he'd come back to kiss our feet.

Needless to say, when it was time for his nap, I had a hard time putting him down. And when he cried, I went right back up there and got him and we took a nap together on my bed. For two sweet hours. And I don't regret it at all.

This morning, when he woke up, we went through our normal routine. Then he wanted to play so I pretended that he knocked me over and I fell into the floor. He comes up to me and says, "Up?" Then stuck out his hand and wanted to help me up. How sweet is that?! And he wouldn't give up until he "helped" me up. When I got up, he hugged my neck from behind...

Is there anything better out there?! Really? This last weekend was just fantastic. Happy Monday everyone!

The World is Better Now that Sam is in It

I truly believe this. More than I've ever believed anything.

You know why?
This is why...

And this...

And this...

You think he may like the slide?

Methinks he might...

And for all of you who judge me when I call him a bucket head...

Happy 20 months* Sam! We celebrated the day at the park with Papa and Grandma, then we came home and made cookies, watched Elmo, and ate said cookies.

*We would have done these same things had it not landed on his "20 month" birthday. That was just my way of remembering how old he was.

The Post and Pledge for Sam

Confession: I text and drive. At least, until yesterday I did.

But, I have decided today that I will never text and drive again. No big major event happened, other than my removal of my head from my ass. That would be a major event I guess.

For some reason, I started thinking about Sam driving yesterday. Why you ask? No idea. I guess I was making a mental list of things that would scare the be-jesus out of me. Sam driving qualifies as such an event.

And then I started thinking of how I would slap him around quite a bit if he were ever driving like a maniac, driving without his seat belt, or texting and driving.

Then I heard my phone bing bong. And I went to look at it. And I texted the person back.

Then I felt like a total jackass.

Why? I mean, he is not even 2 yet and I am already breaking the rules I want him to follow. sonofabitch...parenting fail.

I never want him to say, "Well mom, you do it!" So in order to be a good role model for my son (and live to see the day he drives), I will no longer be texting while driving. If it is important, my suggestion is for you to call me. Because I won't even be looking at the phone to see if it is important or not.

I will still answer the phone while on driving. To me, that's no more distracting that driving with a toddler in your car (which is sometimes like driving with a tiger in your car). So no problems there.

And now for things I find absolutely ADORABLE about Sam right now so he can grow up and say... "Mom, you were so crazy when I was a baby."

He is now at the age to give kisses when the mood strikes him. He also asks for hugs. Incidentally, he has momma and daddy are wrapped ever so tightly around his chubby little finger.

Example on this one that melted my heart: We were grocery shopping last weekend. I was waiting for someone to get out of the way of the cheese section and decided to hug Sam. I went to let go and he says, "Moooore!" and squeezed me tighter. This continued for about a full minute until he finally let me go so I could get the cheese. Justin is lucky we didn't leave the cheese aisle right then and go to they toy section and buy up every stinking toy that caught his eye. So precious.

He also is in this really cute sleeping pattern where he wants to lay on his "mumkey piyyow" (monkey pillow), hold his Elmo doll, and have his puppy sitting beside him. Oh yeah, and he likes to be covered up with the blanket.

Last night though, he found an old water bottle before he took his bath and insisted he bathe with it. After the bath, he wanted to play with it while he got lotioned and diapered. Then he wanted to sleep with it. His crib is crowded these days.

Also, he has a love for Elmo that runs deeper than the Atlantic and hotter than a thousand suns. At least 50 times a day, no exaggeration, he hands me the remote and says, "Elmo... elmo.... ELMO?"

His other big love right now? The babysitter's middle son, Jonah. OWE MUH GAWD. This morning he woke up and he said, in a very quiet voice, "momma? up?" then in the loudest morning voice I've ever heard from this child, he yells, "DOOONNNNAHHH!!!" I guess he was yelling loud enough for Jonah to hear him from Bryant. Who knows? But all the way to Susan's he called for Jonah and Susan, alternating when appropriate. If Jonah doesn't tell Sam "bye bye" before he goes to school, Sam will walk around the house calling for him for at least an hour. I'm trying to figure out how to have an "Elmo/Jonah" themed 2 year birthday party without being that creepy lady that needs to find a new babysitter. Ideas welcome.

We know his love for his dog Skipper is real and deep too. Its been like that for a while. We go on a family walk every night around the neighborhood. Now Sam wants to "walk" Skipper. Which means, while Sam sits comfortably in his stroller, he wants to hold Skipper's leash and let Skipper pull the stroller. He hangs on with both hands and concentrates really hard. It is so precious.

That's all for cuteisms of Sam. Until next time, goodnight and good luck.

Patience and Kindness Put in Perspective

... love is patient, love is kind.

Is this how you would describe your love for others? Are you patient and kind in how you love others?

Self reflection for me: Not always. I lose my patience with my husband a lot. When I do that, I tend to be unkind. Admittedly, I've gotten a lot better about this, but I'm still not where I want to be.

Play out the scenarios in your head... when you get frustrated with friends, family, co-workers, acquaintances, enemies... as Christians, we are called to love all of them. And part of that love is patience and kindness.

When I start thinking about how hard it is to be both patient and kind in times of stress (especially when people are just grinding on my nerves), sometimes God reminds me of His reaction being tortured and beaten and hung on the cross.

Now think about that. If ever there was a time for Him to be ugly and rude... impatient and unkind... it was then. And what did He say? "Forgive them Lord, for they know not what they do."

That is love. That is pure, unadulterated love. And that's what we should strive to be. How petty do our disagreements or annoyances seem when compared to the heartache and suffering that led to the ultimate sacrifice. And yet, He, going through all of that, was still kind and patient.

Happy Tuesday everyone!

I Wish I Knew What the 19 Month Old Was Thinking When...

He did this too his momma...

Admittedly, he didn't climb to the top of the pile, that would be his daddy's bright idea.

But one by one he piled a blanket on me. Then another. Then another. Then some pillows. Then some shoes. Whatever he could find, he was determined it all needed to be on me.

And after he'd put one on me, he'd say "nigh nigh".

Stinker.

A Closer Look at an "Overused" Verse

Ok guys, let me apologize to those who were anxiously awaiting a "Testimony Tuesday" all summer and never got one. Summer is my busiest time of year and honestly, I didn't have anything on my heart to share. One thing I don't want this to become is a vague post because I feel like a have too. So if I don't feel like I have to, I just don't. More Christians should live like this. There is this "Christian guilt" thing that plagues people for not doing what they feel the world expects them to do. But they are ignoring the near third of the Bible (ok, I could be exaggerating) that tells you not give a flip of what the world thinks and to do what God tells you to do.

I digress...

It has been on my heart to do an in-depth look at 1 Corinthians 13. You know, the one that everyone and the brother used in the wedding ceremony... love is patient, love is kind... blar blar blar.

I have always had a bad attitude about this verse and God is getting onto me for it.

Bad attitude explanation: It is overused. People don't actually use it correctly most of the time. And it has just gotten a bit cliche for me. So much that I refused to let it in my wedding. It makes people feel fluffy with glittery unicorns abounding.

Turns out, that verse is God telling us how to love. And after you break it down, it isn't necessarily how we show love. Almost ever.

So for the next few days... weeks... not really sure, I'll be breaking it down piece by piece. Then to wrap up my many blogs it will take, I'll do one more to bring it all home. Basically... I think this is going to be good for a lot of people. Husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, friends, the broken-hearted, the heart-breakers, the mothers and fathers, the children, and the Christians who just need a reminder of how to love.

So with that... let's start the breakdown!

Take a moment to think what love means to you. Think of what actions show love, what words exemplify love, and what love really means to you.

"If I could speak all the languages of the earth and of angels, but didn't love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God's secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn't love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn't love others, I would have gained nothing." 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

What is God telling us hear? I'll tell you in my own words...

No one gives a crap how much you know, especially me, unless you love others. No one cares about your many talents (that came from me anyway) unless you love others. And there isn't a selfless act in the world that I care about if it isn't accompanied by loving others.

This is such a strong command! Basically, God is telling you to get over yourself and love people. No matter what you do, no matter what others do to you, no matter your many talents or your wondrous sacrifices... it all means nothing until you love others.

Happy Monday!

My 100th Post...and It's about Poop!

These days, I'm a little overrun by poop.

Sam is potty training. Some days well, some days not so well, and some days where he is so close to well it isn't funny.

That's where we were yesterday. He was obsessed with the potty. Every few minutes he wanted to pee pee or poo poo but he never really did either once on the potty. So I continued to get ready for the day but we were in the bathroom and I was tired of "on diaper, off diaper, on diaper, off diaper" because getting a diaper on my active son is like trying to diaper a greased up pig.

So I let him run around naked. It was in the bathroom and he was constantly asking to get on the potty so I thought, "There's no way he'll even get a chance to pee in the floor."

Then I hear, "Poo poo." So I turn to get him and put him on the potty. Except, oh wait, too late, because there is a GIGANTIC MAN TURD in his hand!

Yup... my boy poops like a lumber jack and picks it up and hands it to me.

Oh so gross.

Now lets fast forward a handful of hours. I'm unloading the dishwasher, Pat (mother in law) is helping put away groceries, and the boy is awfully quiet. But we keep hearing him say, "Dog." I finally catch a glimpse of him.

He has stolen a spoon from the dishwasher and starting STIRRING FRESH DOG SHIT IN THE FLOOR! It's all down his leg and in his hands.

Thank the Lord above he didn't take a bite!

So Grandma gave Sam a bath, Justin finished cooking dinner, and I went on a stinky poop sanitizing spree!

And just in case you didn't catch it, this all happened yesterday. It's days like that when you can just shake your head and think... wow.

Songs You Think Mean One Thing... But In Reality...

Most people who know me know that there are certain words that just freak me out. The list is small but the effect is profound if these words are uttered in my presence.

That was just some background information. Now for the absolutely pointless (like if you should be working now, get back to it) story.

I listen to the radio whenever my husband gives me the rights to the one car with a radio. I lurv it. LURV the radio.

Yesterday, I heard this incredibly catchy tune and really wanted to know what the song was. It goes a little something like this...

"I miss that lovin, that lovin, that lovin, that lovin... whooooooaaaa no!"

It honestly sounds like the Jackson 5 are singing this song. It makes me want to get up and dance, snap my fingers... you know... catchy!

So I'm at the front desk of East Hall waiting on some dinner companions, and I start looking this song up. I search "I miss that lovin" in every way I know how to. Nothing.

I go to the radio stations website and find something that is titled "Dedication to my Ex" and I thought, "That has to be it!"

So we play it. At the front desk. And this is what we hear.

***NOTE*** For the sake of others with a fear of a certain word, where the actual word goes, I'll be substituting "puppy". The actual word is remarkably similar looking, just sub in a different consonant for the middle p's.

"I miss that puppy, that puppy, that puppy, that puppy, whooooooooa no!... What have you done with my puppy?!"

OH MUH GAWD!

This is on LOUD in the East Hall Front Lobby. And I am responsible for it. URG!

So for your auditory ambiance... here are both versions. The second is NOT safe for work. Dear sweet Jesus...

Clean version Rikki would like to preserve...



Dirty version Rikki would like to forget...

Genius or Glutton?

My child may be a potty training genius. That, or a glutton.

Is he really? No, probably not. But holy moly, he made so much progress in one day, it amazes me how kids just "get it" sometimes. It happens so fast!

Beginning:

At Sam's daycare, a little girl is potty training. She got to sit on the potty and... hold the phone... Sam wanted to also. So Susan started letting him sit on the potty. She tells me about it and I too start letting him sit on the potty.

Is he actually pottying? No. Of course not. But he feels like a big boy on the potty so whats the harm?

He would ask all the time and every once in a while we get a little pee pee and he'd be so shocked he'd just stare then grin really big. Totally cute.

And a few times we caught him "mid poop" and hurried to the potty only for Sam to not understand and still just be content sitting on the potty.

That sums up the previous two weeks or so. Just exploring the potty. No pressure. Just when he wanted to go, he could go.

Enter this weekend.

He figured out really quickly that if you pee pee on the potty... you get an M&M. So not only does he get to sit on the potty like a big boy, but he gets candy too? SWEET!

So on Sunday, we maybe went through 3 diapers. He would say, "pee pee" or "poo poo" and off we'd go to the potty.

Then he'd squeeze and grunt and VIOLA! Pee pee!

And boy did we ever throw a party! But it kept happening. All day long he wanted to go pee pee. And then he did! And he didn't pee his diaper during nap! And at night, we went poo poo in the potty! Exciting times in the Turner household!

I never thought I'd have a kid that would basically potty train himself, but that is basically what is happening. We did it on his time, even though I wasn't even close to being ready yet.

We aren't done potty training, far from it actually. But I just needed to brag on my little boy because he just constantly amazes me. I never thought I'd be so proud of poop and urine... but I am. I'm swelled with pride!

Sam, His Tubes, and His Overprotective Parents

Ok, Sam got his tubes this morning and there is lots to talk about. Although, to spoil it and not lead people along, he did fine, it went fine, all is well in the world.

The day before:
Thank God this is the busiest time of year for me. So work wasn't torture just sitting around waiting on tomorrow to roll around, it was pretty much balls to the wall all day, go pick Sam up, go home, get dinner... oh yeah... his tubes get put in tomorrow.

Two fantastic parts of this day... Gena and Susan. These girls are the cheese to my macaroni and the butter to my bread. The milk to my Oreos... you get the point. Susan watches Sam and she asked me what time his procedure was. I told her, wondering what it mattered because he wasn't going to daycare anyway. Later I find out, she's rearranged her schedule, gotten a substitute, so she can be there in the waiting room with us.

Shut. Up.

Who's babysitter does that? For real? She's the best.

Then as I'm telling my bestie Gena about the wonderfulness that is Susan, when I get out that Susan was coming, Gena says, "Oh so you aren't opposed to that? I'd like to come too."

Seriously?! How loved is this little boy? Two people who aren't even blood related (although I would argue that they could be by the way they treat him and us) were going out of there way to be a surgery center at 7 am!

Again... they are the cheese to my macaroni... and I like macaroni and cheese A LOT!

Today...

We got there and all is well. He started getting fussy because by 7 am he normally has his breakfast and milk. So at 7:30 when they still haven't put him under and he still hasn't eaten, he got a bit disagreeable. He wanted to play with all the tubes and equipment and did not want to be held and sit still.

The nurse came out and Sam went right to her. No crying, no looking back. Thank. God!

That was what I was dreading the most. Him being terrified and me having to watch him be terrified and not do anything about it. Luckily, that didn't happen.

We went back to the waiting room and chatted with Gena and Susan for a bit. We weren't back 10 minutes and the doctor came out and said Sam did great.

PHEW!

Until we got back to recovery.

The nurse was holding Sam, who was conked out, and playing with his Elmo doll (that he got to take back to surgery with him). Then Sam began to wake up.

And the world ended.

He was so upset. Unconsolable. Drink didn't help. Hugging didn't help. At one point he raised his hands in the air in utter despair just wailing!

And I was honestly laughing. I laugh because when I come out from under anesthesia, I cry like that. I don't know why...but I just cry and cry and cry. So this display was very amusing to me.

It took until we go back home and he saw the dog that he finally calmed down fully. Then we took a two hour nap (yup he slept on my chest like the good ole days) and all is well in the world of Sam.

I just pray we are able to just have done this the once, they stay in, and they fix the problem. :-)

The Woes of my Son's Ears

We are on ear infection 7 of 2011. That's more than one a month. Except... oh wait... they started in March.

I've known this day was coming for a while. The doctors have warned me that he is getting them awfully quickly. Then the last one I was told, "It is summer so he shouldn't get any more. If he does, we'll have to refer him."

Well that's like coming to work and saying, "I hope nothing big happens today." You know good and well that it is going to be the worst day ever after uttering something like that.

Well the last three days with Sam have been pure hell after about 3pm. In the morning he is fine. But the night time is NOT the right time (Adam Sandler reference).

Sam has been so fussy, hard to deal with, throwing fits, refusing to say please, throwing himself on the ground, yelling, crying.... mess. For two nights in a row he didn't join us for dinner for at least 10 minutes in because he refused to say please due to him being unwilling to break away from a full blown bratty fit.

Not to mention that this week at daycare he has slept like 3 - 3 1/2 hours at nap.

Pick my jaw up off the floor... holy moly. He rarely sleeps more than 2 hours. Like we are excited when he does.

So when he started this mess I thought he might have an ear infection. But I talked myself out of it, thinking he was just growing or something.

Mama's... take note... if you think your child is sick... he is. That's just how it goes.

When I dropped him off this morning, I told Susan I thought that was what was going on. She said, "You know your child better than you think you do."

So I decided to go ahead and go in. He had an ear infection in one ear and probably one in the other but it was so full of ear wax she couldn't see.

She said she could irrigate it and look but he had one in the other ear so it doesn't really matter. I can appreciate that.

Then she busted out the "Look how many ear infections... probably should see the ENT."

Again... I knew it. I knew it was coming. And the biggest part of it is he isn't supposed to be getting them in the summer. If we don't do something now, how much fun is winter going to be?!

So... like I said on Facebook earlier... I get to be as whiny and emotional today as I damn well want to be. You know why? Because I love my son more than life itself and I don't care if 1 billion other children have done this and were fine... they aren't my child and I do not like that he even has to see another specialist... let alone have ear surgery. I'm allowed to be upset and emotional.

You think this is bad? You wait until the day of.

The Chocolate Milk Monster

True confessions of a mother that picks her battles: I give my child chocolate milk.

It started as a treat every once in a while. No joke, like maybe once or twice a month. And that is how often he was getting it about a week ago.

Well... about a week ago he was having a rough day and I thought he deserved some chocolate milk.

The next day, I'm giving him his regular milk for the morning and I leave the fridge open while pouring the glass. I turn back around to put the milk back in the fridge and my son is standing there, holding the chocolate syrup, saying, (in your best Tiny Tim voice) "Mooooooore?"

I said, "You want chocolate milk?"

He nodded his head and said, very matter of factly, "More."

Enter this morning.

I'm making his regular milk for the morning. I had left the fridge open again, was almost done, turned to close the fridge and he runs, and screams, "No, no, no, no. Mooooooreeee!" And then grabbed the chocolate syrup.


That little stinker.

Showing God's Love Always

The title might be misleading. I do not always show God's love. I try to, but human nature prevails sometimes and hateful things get said, often in a well meaning way.

Today Facebook was RAMPANT with this type of behavior. And as I said, I know everyone means well. A little precious girl was murdered and abused and no one has paid the price except for her. It is heart breaking.

But as I saw all these statuses on Facebook today about how Casey Anthony will burn in hell, and will get her judgement, and we just let murderers run free in the streets of Florida, etc. etc. etc. I just couldn't help but think, who are we to judge? And more importantly, if we are wishing this on another human being, if she really did murder her daughter, are we no better than she by wishing her death?

Why aren't we praying for her? Why aren't we wishing she would find Christ's love? Why aren't we showing her the love that she may or may not have shown her daughter? Is that not what we are called to do?

I hope this post doesn't sound pretentious. I'm not meaning to be. I just want to call attention to what all of us are guilty of at one time or another. I want us to all realize how our seemingly well comments may be received by others out there who are unfamiliar with Christ's love.

I know there is scripture in Matthew to support what I'm saying but I don't have my Bible near to find it. I may add it later. This was just on my heart to share.

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE EDIT

Here are the verses I was trying to reference... there are more than I bargained for :-)

Matthew 7:1-3 Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own?

Hebrews 13: 1-3 Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.

Romans 14:4 Who are you to condemn someone else's servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord's help, they will stand and receive his approval.

Romans 12:19 Dear friends, never take revenge. LEave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, "I will take revenge; I will pay them back," says the Lord.

The One About Jesus and Stuff...

So for some reason, Testimony Tuesday didn't really work out yesterday. So, I've decided to go on like nothing ever happened and share what I felt led to this week.

Matthew 13: 3-9
He told many stories int he form of parables, such as this one: "Listen, A farmer went out to plant some seeds. As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn't have deep roots, they died. Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted! Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.

Matthew 13: 18-23
"Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds: The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don't understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don't have deep roots, they don't last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God's word. The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God's word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God's word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty , or even a hundred times as much as had been planted.

Each of us have probably been several of these seeds at one point or another. Personally, the seed I identify with the most is the seed that fell on shallow soil. I can remember countless times that I have received the Word from Jesus either through scripture, preaching, others witnessing too me, or just an intimate moment with God. And I was so filled with joy and a renewed relationship and a new zest for God. And within days, it was all fizzled out and I was back to my same old ways.

I can honestly say, this is how I spent most of my Christian life. Ups and downs... lukewarm at best... not really challenging myself to grow in Christ but still unwilling to deny His presence.

And now, even in just the last year or so, my relationship with God has been deepened and magnified and it is just truly awesome! It is exciting.

Back in the day, it was a CHORE for me to read my Bible. And honestly, I just didn't do it. I didn't want to. I didn't get it. And I didn't care. I could pray and feel good about everything. And even praying wasn't like a conversation. It was every once in a while when I needed something or was having a hard time.

I now LOVE to read my Bible. I get excited about making time for my Bible.

I guess what I am getting at is that there are those reading this who identify with many of the seeds in Jesus's parable... but not the last one. And you want to identify with the last seed. The fertile seed. The seed that multiplies by 100.

It takes discipline. It takes constant prayer and fellowship with Jesus. It takes having faith in JESUS that He will take care of you. It takes blocking out the devil and his doubts and worries and fears and insecurities. And it takes forgiving yourself when you miss the mark.

Because ultimately you are made for God's purpose. And it is a pretty great one. You just have to realize that you are the only one in the way of your relationship with God. What do you need to change in order to experience Him in a deeper way?

Sweeping, Stairs, and the Shuffle

Ok so the title is weird but it is just a way for me to have a title other than, "Look how cute my son is... again." So deal with it, mkay? LOL

Story: Sam was quiet for a long time. It finally dawns on me to go looking for him. When I find him he is sitting in my bedroom pretending to read his bathtime book. It was so sweet!

Now you may be wondering, "Bathtime book? In the bedroom?"

Yeah... get off my case. We just moved in. Some things landed in weird places.

This is a series I like to call, "Sam and Skipper... making out."

And this is a nightly thing. The two just love each other and to doggie and 17 month old... that translates into sugars.

But sometimes Sam gets tired of sugars.

Sam also likes to sweep.

Everything.

Even the dog.

And alas, I bring you to my favorite part. But you need back story first.

We have stairs. Sam loves stairs. This scares Momma.

But Sam being the creative little hooligan that he is, comes up with his own special way of going down the stairs. He flops on his belly, backwards, and slides down.

I've never seen anything like it. And he came up with it all on his own. I was worried about him trying to go up and down the stairs. Susan told me about another kid a little older than him that goes down stairs backwards... but he crawls backwards. So I flipped Sam around wanting to give it a try and OFF HE GOES! Sliding down on his belly.

So I wanted to capture this because it is a HOOT! So I get the video camera out and well... watch all of it... even the boring ball stuff in the middle.



I cannot get enough of this kid!

Testimony Tuesday: Unanswered Prayers and Faith

This is in no way what I intended to write about today. In fact, this went a whole different way than I expected. But it is here. Please forgive the mis-capitalization throughout. I typed really fast.

Hebrews 5:7: While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God.

Basically, Jesus cried out to God to rescue him from death in a very emotional and deep way, and God heard him, but did not grant his wish. Why? To save our souls... he had a bigger picture in mind.

Take that in for a minute. His SON was pleading and crying out for his FATHER to save him from death... and God said, "No, son, we will continue with my plan."

And that plan? To DIE for OUR sins. OURS.... not his... ours.

I cannot imagine what I would not give to spare my son any torturing or death. Nothing comes to mind that I wouldn't do. I don't even understand the depths of my love for my son.

But he told him no.

So now think about whatever life circumstance you are going through. Is God not answering your prayers? Are you pleading for something that isn't happening? It does sometimes seem that He doesn't hear us. But he does. He hears our cries. And he ultimately he has our best interests at heart and we could never understand fully his love for us.

So we are left with having to trust in our Heavenly Father and not lose faith that He loves us and wants what is best for us.

Verses for illustration:

God never puts on us more than we can bear. (paraphrase from 1 Corinthians 10:13). We hear this all the time but it is true! After going through trials, do you not come out a better person?

Even when we lose faith, God remains faithful. (yet another paraphrase of 2 Timothy 2:13

We walk by faith, not by sight or appearance. 2 Corinthians 5:7

And the kicker... Hebrews 13:8: Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Did he do a good job creating the universe? The stars? The plants? The animals? Has he been faithful to you? Has He ever changed?

No... he hasn't. Why would he stop being faithful to you now?

Just as a baby cries for milk...does the mother instantly have food to give? Or might she have to go make formula, or prep to breastfeed, or might be in another room. The baby doesn't understand though. The baby just knows to cry until he is fed. And though time and time again the mother feeds the baby when he cries, does he still not cry for food?

But just like God shows us His plan in good time (His time...not ours), the mother gives the baby food.

So can you trust that God is in control and knows what He is doing?

Basically, if you believe the above verses, you must use your faith to trust that God has your best intentions at heart and he will deliver in good time.

We Got a New Home and Junk!

I have been MIA in the blogging world for a bit because I WAS MOVING INTO OUR HOUSE!

That's why!

I cannot begin to tell you how amazing it feels living in my own house. Background story for all of you not in reslife... I have lived on campus for 9 years... yup. 9 years. One year shy of a decade.

Holy smokes that is a long time.

Now, stop picturing me in a dorm room for 9 years. I was in a dorm room for the traditional 4 years (really only 3.5 since I got the hall director job early). Then I moved into a two bedroom apartment which happened to be in the dorms. Then I moved to another two bedroom apartment at a different school... but still in the dorms. (Also, any reslife people reading this are CRINGING that I am calling it "dorms").

So, alas, my time has come to join the homeowner's world.

I of course have no pictures, but I will eventually.

Favorite things about having a house (in no particular order):

1. Kitchen space. I have some now. It is fantastic. I don't have to creatively stack things in order to make sure I have all the equipment I need. I have a drawer just for plastic baggies. I find this awesome.

Also, two people can fit in my kitchen without being mistaken for bumping uglies. It is phenomenal.

2. Sam has space to PLAY! He runs through the living room, through the kitchen, through the office, all the way back around, just giggling the whole time. It is so great!

3. There is space for a recliner for me and the hubs! WHAT?! You mean I don't have to sit on the floor when guests come over??! Preposterous!

4. We can have a family meal now. We bought our dining room table the other day and it goes in our little bay window area. LOVE IT! It has a country cottage feel to it and we all fit at the table and we will be having our meals there. Every one of them.

5. Bugs. I can hear bugs now. I think this is why I found Alma so relaxing. I would "getaway" to Alma and I would hear bugs at night. There is no one yelling... no sirens... hardly the noise of cars driving by even... just bugs. And if you know me well, you know how much I must be in love with something to brag about the bugs.

6. Neighborhood walks. I can go on them now and not fear for my well being. And that may be a little misleading because it makes it sound like I've been on neighborhood walks where I used to live. I haven't.

But here, we can walk right down the middle of the street. And we do sometimes. Me, Justin, Sam, and Skipper all go on walks in the evening after dinner. We walk around the neighborhood, admire the landscaping that the neighbors are doing, listen to bugs, and just walk. It is so great.

7. Living close to family. I know a lot of people may not see this as a plus, but we do. Since I do not have the luxury of living close to my family, I have worried about Sam being close to his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. I loved growing up with my cousins. We had so much fun! And I was always so close to my grandparents too.

While we may not be close to my family, we are now to Justin's. And I just love it. We can go over to their house for a swim if we want. They come over just to bring cookies for Sam (and for us, let's be honest). Johnny just shows up one day to mow the yard. We can run stuff for them, they can run stuff for us. It is just nice to be near family. I love it.

8. Proximity to friends. I will admit, this is a sore subject for me because this move put me much farther from my BFF and that is a major downside to this moving thing. But, we are closer to some friends that we have missed hanging out with because of our distance. Now we live right down the road from them and can hang out SO MUCH MORE! And they are super great people to be around anyway so this has to go on the plus list. Also, Sam and their daughter are TWO days apart! Which is fun because Justin and her dad are ONE day apart! I love coincidences like that!

9. Being a homeowner and dog owner helps me get up in the morning. It is insane. I have been wanting to get up at 5 am for so long. And then I just wouldn't do it. I have been up at 5:15 am every morning so far and it hasn't been hard. I just get up, take the dog for a walk, shower, coffee and quiet time, make Justin's lunch, get Sam ready, then it is off to work I go! And it hasn't bothered me.

10. Not to get all mushy or anything, but we finally have a home. This is where Sam will grow up. This is where we will make so many memories. It is just nice to have a HOME that is your OWN. I am so thankful for my many years living on campus. It has impacted me in ways I couldn't even begin to understand. But the time has come for me to move on and I just couldn't be more in love with our little house.

Thieving Little Monkey and other Sam tidbits

First off, I am that mother that calls her child offensive names. I say it with love and we are all laughing so I do not have a problem with this at all. I was raised that way and honestly, it is funny and most accurately describes the kid.

Enter "thieving little monkey."

Sam has figured out the drinks in Momma and Daddy's cups are much more delicious than what is in his cup. He has also gotten tall enough to swipe our drinks when we aren't looking.

So on any given night, this is the the chain of events:

Sam: Peese. Peese. (points to cup.)
Us: No Sam. You have a drink.
Sam: (walking up to drink) Peese. More.
Us: No Sam!
Sam: (takes the drink anyway and runs)
Us: (Take the drink and put Sam in the corner.)

Now take the above scenario and replace cup with "remote", "wii mote", "I-pad", "plate with food on it", and "cell phone."

Another reason for him being a thieving little monkey, he wanted some graham crackers the other day. Not a problem, I gave him some. But then we were done. I went to the kitchen and put them on the counter. He asks for more and I said no. I then go into the living room. I hear ruckus in the kitchen but nothing abnormal. I then hear crinkling plastic that sounds oddly reminicsent of the graham cracker package. I investigate.

My thieving son has stacked up moving boxes to stand on so he can reach the graham crackers. Thieving. Little. Monkey.

He is so funny. Being chased is like the best thing for him ever. If you chase him, and get him into a corner, his next logical step is to run at you as fast as he can. Does this mean he will be aggressive?!

Other funnisms...

He still thinks it is hilarious for other people to fall or bump their heads. He knows "yes" and "no" and uses them quite appropriately. For instance...

"Sam did you poo poo?"
Sam lifts up his shirt and looks at his diaper.
"Sam did you poo poo?"
Sam, "Ya."
"Ok, lets change your diaper."
Sam says, "no" and runs away laughing.

He is also a little hooligan at daycare. Susan is really working on them to use their words. Some of the kids are more stubborn than others so she witholds things from them (snack, drink, picking them up, etc.) until they use their words. What is my son doing in the background? "peese. peese. pu. pu. more. more. dink. dink." (for all those wondering, "pu" is up.)

Also on the hooligan subject, if the other kids get in trouble, he taunts them in the corner, shaking his finger and saying "no no" at them. Or if they have a toy he wants, he grabs it from them and says, "Thant oo".

Other fun habits you guys don't care to read about:

He loves to sing. He sings me his ABCs (at least the tune). All I have to say is, "Sam you want to sing?" and there he goes. But it is soft and sweet singing. For now anyway.

He has a fascination with shoes. He knows where his shoe drawer is and goes and gets them all out one by one and makes a big pile. I can only assume he finds the ones he doesn't like and throws them in the diaper pail.

Other items frequently found in the diaper pail? Remotes, socks, clean diapers, diaper cream, papers, keys, etc. It is almost the first place we look for missing items now.

And to leave it on a sweet note, I look forward to him waking up every morning because he wants to cuddle with me for at least five minutes. He just lays his head on my shoulder and we lay down. Once he is good and woke up, I'd better be getting him some milk though.

This is just the most fun age. He wears me out but right now I'm his everything and he's mine. I'll go back and read this when I'm no longer cool to him and at least remember a time when I was cool.