It's been a while

Wow! It has been a long time since I was "free" to catch up on blogging. We've had a really busy month. We've been traveling a lot, which we love. It is so great to be close to our family so we can visit, whenever we get the urge.

We've gone to KS a couple of times, and have made it to the lake a couple of times. I love that! This is why we moved closer to home. That way my son can have a "real" relationship with his grandparents... which is mostly with my husband's parents, than mine. It has been great though, I'm seen my son flourish a lot since the big move, in October. He is potty trained, and lately even at night! He is speaking really well. Can hold a conversation with anyone. And sounds like a grown up while doing it. He wants to know everything. Right now we are at the "why, why, why," stage. He wants to know everything about everything! This is how kids learn, so I welcome it!
The funniest thing right now, is that he wants to be naked all the time. I mean ALL THE TIME! I turn my head for a second, and he follows me at full speed yelling, "I NAAAA-KIIIIIIIIIIIIIDDDDDDDDDD!" My husband and I tease that we're raising an exhebitionist!
We've been going to the library 2 times a week for story hour. Justice loves it. He loves checking out books, and taking them home to read. We've been enrolled in the reading program for 2 weeks and he has read over half the list. So, looks like he'll be getting a medal for reaching the half way mark, and in 2 weeks he'll have the big reward. A blow up airplane! He is very excited. He brings me books and his list everyday, and we sit down and fill it out, and read the books. I love this about him!
It has been really hot in Oklahoma, so we've been spending a lot of our time at the park b/c they have a "watering hole" that the kids can play in. Justice loves it. This is the best picture I've taken of him, and I am quite proud of myself too!

We go just about everyday. It is a good way to get some sun and a good way to burn some energy... not to mention a good way to cool off.  I love this kid so much... and am so proud of him. He is the most easy going little guy. Though right now he is loud and "crazy," and somedays he makes me want to slam my head against the wall... he is the best lil person in the world. He makes me smile everyday, makes me laugh a lot, makes me happy all the time, and makes me love him even more. I never knew loving your child would feel like this... but it is an amazing feeling. And I am so blessed.

This is a great pic of him. He was sitting on a stream of water. And laughing so hard. He'd sit on it, open his legs, and get splashed in his face. Then, he'd lay back and laugh hysterically. Even other people stopped to watch him, b/c he was so funny!

How sweet and innocent does he look here!?! Right!!! Sweet as applesauce... that's what I always tell him. I look at him here and it makes me sad how fast he is growing up. :(

This is probably one of my favorite photos. He had just said that he loved it and was so happy!

We've also been spending a lot of our time outside in our backyard. His new playset was finished on Mother's Day (long time ago). We've been too busy for me to write about it, but he loves it! Here are a couple of pictures.

 This is a pic of Justice on Mother's Day... he was not feeling well, but he still wanted to watch his playset go together. My sweet trooper. Sitting there, pouting. :(

 GBud and Grammy helped buy this, and GBud even came to town to help put it together! This is them, working on the playset, in the hot Oklahoma sun. Funny, it had been "cool" all week, then the weekend came and so did the heat. Then, the week after, it was "cool" again. They weren't as amused by it as I was!

Posing on GBud b/c it was nearly finished! He kept saying, "Thank you, I love it, it's my favorite!"
They are so cute together... and this common.
Justice is always sitting on GBud's head!

 The boys posing. A job well done! And believe it, or not, I worked my butt off on this too!

Well, enough for now... will catch up on much more later. We're off to the Y, to soak in the pool.

Blessed BE

This was a weekend of celebration. Started on Friday morning... the little girl I am still watching (until the end of May now), and my son had a "mini" egg hunt at my house. It was so cute... she likes to whine a lot, and was upset b/c she couldn't find any eggs. So, my awesome son would find eggs and call her over and give them to her. Is that not the nicest thing!?! I was so proud of him. Here are a few pics.

This is very sweet, it was right before a down pour, so we had to hurry... but they had so much fun. They kept asking if they could start now... but I had to snap a few pics first.

My son is so proud of himself... we had to make a deal with them, they could each find 10 eggs. This way, they worked on counting, and keeping track, and this way, it was fair for each of them. Though, I think they both ended up with tons of candy.

Afterwards, they each wanted to sit in laundry baskets and eat their candy. I have no clue why kids love baskets so much, but it kept the mess in one area. And chocolate is easy to clean off from them! LOL

It has been almost 8 years since we have been able to attend any kind of holiday besides for Christmas and some Thanksgiving celebrations. This year, we decided that we are too close to not make it home for Easter.
Woke up on Saturday morning and took my son to a big Easter Egg hunt. It was cold, but the kids barely noticed... as they were too excited to see all the candy!

He was scared of the bunny, and wouldn't let go of my hand, but really wanted to get her candy!

 After a long day of hunting, it was time to settle down for some delicious treats. We ended up hiding the eggs twice at home, b/c he wanted to keep finding them. So funny watching him run around like a crazy kid!
Overall, it was a wonderful day. Grammy took him to sunday school, and we were able to have a nice big meal with the family. And created lots more memories.

Admiration

My son is so great and loves everyone, he loves me, he loves his daddy, he loves his doggy... but I don't think even we rate as high as the love he has for his GBud.

First, let me explain how I came about that name for his grandpa (my husband's dad).

When grandpa was a baby, he had a sister that was about 2 and a half. She couldn't say 'brother,' it would come out 'budly.' So, his nickname has always been Bud.

When I was pregnant, I thought it perfect to call him grandpa Bud, GBud, for short. I know, I know, I am brilliant! :)

Anyhow, when my son was first born, he looked EXACTLY like his GBud. I compared photos of them at the same age, and they look identical. It wasn't until about a year ago, that he is looking more and more like his daddy. Ever since birth, my son has always felt comforted by GBud. He would cry, and GBud would soothe him, make funny faces at him and make him laugh... and lately, whatever he asks for, he gets from GBud. Manipulative if you ask me! ;)

We visited last weekend and my son barely left his side. They are "best friends" my son says... and I hope they always have a special bond between them.

When they are together, they spend a lot of time wrestling around or playing football! Though it mostly ends up being a "Ready, set, hut, hut, hut, football! GBud, let me wrestle you. I win."

I love how big into sports my kid is. Being that his daddy and myself played every sport imaginable, he should be good at them. Maybe he'll go "pro" and make me millions! ;)

One my son's favorite things is to help GBud work. He follows him out to the shed to help him work on his cars, and asks him a million questions.  GBud is such a good man, that he just follows his around, making sure he isn't getting into any trouble!

They like to play helicopter. Sometimes we end up sick, sometimes mad b/c we fell, sometimes we end up laughing hard, begging for more. And God forbid we use our hands, no... He has to spin with his feet.

Not everything goes as mom would prefer when those two are together! Most mothers like their kids to have manners, and not do "nasty" things at home. This way, when you take them out in public, they know how to behave. Well, sometimes, GBud teaches our little guy things that we'd rather he not do. Oh well, it was worth it for the photos. Here, they are drinking sodas and spiting! I would say that he got some good distance on that one!

Notice that even GBud took part in it. My son would count with his fingers to 5, mouth full! Then, they would spit together!

Is this not the cutest picture in the world?

He said, "GBud, you're my buddy.

You're my best friend, and mommy and daddy."

All while patting his arm and using the softest voice.

I love how he admires his grandpa.

Giggle-Bug

I swear this little boy, that I love is the best source of therapy. I was feeling a little down earlier today b/c my husband is out of town for the week. And I was sad b/c I had to put my boy down again, by myself. And explain why Daddy wasn't home. So, we get into bed, and he starts his prayer.
"God is good, God is greattttttttt." He breaks into the funniest laugh, which lasted a few seconds.
"Let us thank him for......" He laughed so hard and so long, that he had tears running down his face, his cheeks bright red, all the veins on his face/neck popping out. So funny. He kept laughing forever.
It was the sweetest, most rich sound in the world. One of the best sounds I've ever heard come out of him... and believe me, he is a boy, I hear a lot of sounds!!! ;)
I was instantly laughing and felt so over joyed that my son can make my gloomy day so much better... with a simple laugh.
He didn't take a nap today, fought me the whole time I tried. So, he was delirious, mostly. And now, this is what I see.

ONE of my Loves

Ever feel like you have no control? Lately, my son has been testing my patience... with his words, his behavior, and his general body language. He is lucky I am not one of those "crazy" moms that loses her mind in an instant. I don't think I am very patient, and my husband tells me I am. Lately, I don't feel it. I feel as if I lose my cool very quickly, that I am quick to snap on him. That I don't tolerate much.
In hind sight, my son knows when I am upset with him. All it takes is a look. And he says, "Sowwyyy mommy, it was an accident." Very sweet. And just like that, my anger dissolves. Funny how mad I can get, so quickly, but just as easily it is over. I know it is b/c he is a great kid, 99% of the time. So, it is easy for me to "forgive and forget."
I am madly in love with that little boy. He is such a blessing. So smart and such a little MAN. I can sit and watch him for hours... whether he is playing, reading, watching tv, running around like a crazy person, or sleeping. He fascinates me. Everything he does, everything he says.
Last night, I was in the living room and I could see into my bedroom. And there he was, my flip flops on, my tennis shoes on his hands, facing the mirror. He kept growling at his image, saying, "I the red power ranger, I beat you up." Then, he'd stick his tongue out and wrinkle his face up. Then, he'd laugh his buns off! Soooo funny!!!! This went on for 10 mins, when I finally decided to get the video camera, and of course he stops! Lil stinker!
He cracks me up all the time. What a joy he is. I feel that I am the luckiest woman in the world. And more blessed than anyone. I always wonder if all mothers feel this way about their children. And I also wonder if all mothers feel this way about ALL their children?
Ever feel like you have no control? Lately, my son has been testing my patience... with his words, his behavior, and his general body language. He is lucky I am not one of those "crazy" moms that loses her mind in an instant. I don't think I am very patient, and my husband tells me I am. Lately, I don't feel it. I feel as if I lose my cool very quickly, that I am quick to snap on him. That I don't tolerate much.
In hind sight, my son knows when I am upset with him. All it takes is a look. And he says, "Sowwyyy mommy, it was an accident." Very sweet. And just like that, my anger dissolves. Funny how mad I can get, so quickly, but just as easily it is over. I know it is b/c he is a great kid, 99% of the time. So, it is easy for me to "forgive and forget."
I am madly in love with that little boy. He is such a blessing. So smart and such a little MAN. I can sit and watch him for hours... whether he is playing, reading, watching tv, running around like a crazy person, or sleeping. He fascinates me. Everything he does, everything he says.
Last night, I was in the living room and I could see into my bedroom. And there he was, my flip flops on, my tennis shoes on his hands, facing the mirror. He kept growling at his image, saying, "I the red power ranger, I beat you up." Then, he'd stick his tongue out and wrinkle his face up. Then, he'd laugh his buns off! Soooo funny!!!! This went on for 10 mins, when I finally decided to get the video camera, and of course he stops! Lil stinker!
He cracks me up all the time. What a joy he is. I feel that I am the luckiest woman in the world. And more blessed than anyone. I always wonder if all mothers feel this way about their children. And I also wonder if all mothers feel this way about ALL their children?

Here's a pic of my lil monster as we speak... what a precious little angel!

A Pile of Crap

Lately, I have been watching a 3 year old girl for a woman that I now refer to as my friend!  Her daughter is a very sweet, sweet girl. And it is funny but she and my son look like twins. At least to strangers they do. Everywhere I take them, people are always telling me that my "Twins are soooo cute." At first I would explain that they are just friends, but that got old, so now I just say thank you. *haha

Yesterday, the little girl was being very whiny and smart mouthed, so I warned her that she would have to go to bed, for a nap, if she didn't start being respectful. Needless to say, she ended up going down for a nap earlier than usual. We were all in the backyard, and before I went in to lay her down, I asked my son if he wanted to come with us, or wait in the yard. He said he'd wait and play.
I go in to lay the little girl down... it takes me less than 5 minutes.

Amazing what trouble 3 year olds can get into in that amount of time!!!!

I go back outside the strawberries are all gone, the dog is outside, the wall of the house has chalk all over, a couple plants pulled out, and my son, squatted down, pants around his ankles, taking a massive crap in the yard! Not only was that bad, but my dog was standing behind him sniffing it!!!! Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

You would think that my initial reaction would be to grab the video camera, I mean this could have made me millions of dollars on AFV!!! What was I thinking!?! Instead all I could think was to get the dog away from him.
So, I stood there, in the middle of the afternoon, watching my kid take a crap in the yard. I wonder what my neighbors think of me!? (we are new to the area)

After he was finished, I grabbed a bag and some paper towels and cleaned it up. And my son was super proud of himself. He wanted to call his grandpa and his daddy and tell them about his exciting news!!! I guess the positive part of this is that it happened at home, not in a public place.

The funniest thing that has happened thus far... but I'm sure more will come.

From the mouth of babes

 Now, that my son is 3 years old, I am learning a lot about boys! Mostly how obsessed they are with their man parts... Sometimes I find it amusing, but others I find myself wondering why. I don't recall a time in my life where I had to talk about my parts, much less touch them. Are all kids like this? I have been keeping a journal for my son since I was pregnant. I love going back and seeing what I felt, what he was like, and now, the things he says or does. Maybe someday he'll like to read it... or maybe his kids will get some amusement out of it! Here is just a small list... Enjoy! 

Mommy, where is your penis? 

You don’t have a penis mommy, you have a hippo. A baby hippo.

I am never getting married, mommy. I want live with you forever! (followed by a big hug/kiss)

Mommy, you’re my favorite little monkey!

You’re my best friend.

You’re my favorite!

I love you and daddy the same.

Mommy, I will pray for Nana.

Mommy, will you pray with me?

I am trying to make my penis big mommy!

Mommy, I have a big, big, big penis!

Mommy, I need to show you something… (pulls pants down) This is my penis, but what are these gigglies down here? I tell him they are his nuts, and he replies with, “Ok, I go play with them!

This kid always keeps me laughing... he is good therapy! :)