My Life in Facebook Status Updates

Does anyone else out there ever just think about their life as it would be put in facebook status updates? I do - quite frequently. But rarely (if ever) do I actually post a status update.

And now I'm at the point where I've gone over a month and a half of not posting anything on my blog, at all. If only I'd kept track of all of those thoughts - it would sum up everything better than nothing, right?

Here's a few for the last week or so:

-Why do 10 flu-induced loads of laundry in four days when you can do 11?
-Peanut Butter M&Ms & Nutty Bars are totally acceptable at 9 am when you've been up since 3:30 am, right?
-Hello Spring! Hello Rita's Key Lime Water Ice. The best first day of spring treat. Ever.
-It's March 18th, my kid is 3, and he has no idea that he should have worn green yesterday.
-Minot (ND), Grand Forks (ND), Malmstrom (MT), and Vance (OK) are four of our next potential base assignments. There are 8 more, but I'm pretty much speechless . . .

In other news:
Cooper DID turn one - even though there isn't any digital proof of it (yet). He even got a birthday present (in addition to the combined birthday gift the boys got on Guy's birthday) - over one month late. But he got it, and that's what matters, right?

My kids are at the clueless age, and as you can tell, I'm taking advantage of it. I'm already getting better at some things, and that WILL continue.

Valentine's Day came and went - and I made 3 dozen+ sugar cookies for the YW (Young Women) to decorate - those turned out well (soft and chewy, the best way ever). Guy knows about that holiday, a little - which I consider an accomplishment in itself considering that we celebrated two birthdays 7 and 2 days earlier.

The boys and I flew to Utah for 10 days for my Grandmother's 90th birthday. If I hadn't been so busy before we left (things like New Beginnings 2 days before we left and 2.5 hours in the emergency room the day before we left - Upper Respiratory Infection and Ear Infection, Cooper), I might have tried to make plans to catch up with friends. However, most plans would have likely been cancelled, anyhow. Cooper was miserable for almost the entirety of the trip, Guy got it for a spell, too. And even I was feeling it by the end. It was great to be there for my Grandmother, but I don't know when I'll travel with the boys alone again. Even with the help I got, it was exhausting.

For Christmas Rob got me a silhouette (one of those digital cutting machines), and I LOVE it. The versatility (compared to a Cricut) is AMAZING, so I'm thrilled that I held out. I haven't had a lot of time to use it, but I have used it for a couple of YW projects and I've started my first vinyl lettering project. If you have any suggestions for maximizing use and abilities of the machine, please, send them my way. In our next home I will decorate more!

By the 31st we're supposed to know where our next assignment is - ought to be an interesting day. For now, I'm planning on ND - just not to hope too much. . .

Touché

Needing to put some Aquaphor on Guy's chapped face immediately before naptime, I started quickly looking for it in the obvious places in his room, then downstairs, then on to my room.

He knew I was looking for it, and when I was ready to settle on Vaseline to just get him down, he came in smiling, and holding the tub. Then he said, "Here it is, Mom! It was in my room. Next time you need to look harder."

Hmm... where did he learn that? :)

Amidst the Chaos

of a pretty busy week, the boys finally seemed reach their breaking point this morning. Whiny, grumpy, and topped off with runny noses, I had about had it by 10 am this morning (only getting about five hours of sleep, myself). But even in all of that mayhem, we found a good place.

We've been teaching Guy to pray, and trying to instill in him the belief that we know Heavenly Father answers our prayers.

This morning, on his own, for the second time in a couple of weeks, he asked to say a prayer for lost toys. This time, "to have Heavenly Father and Jesus help [him] find [his] Toy Story toys." Immediately I helped him with the prayer, then I started looking around, trying to help and be a "tool" in his request. Shortly thereafter, I was distracted with one break down or another (there were lots of little ones this morning).

However, this time there was no need for me in this equation (with the exception of helping him say the prayers). He asked, and he found. Not even two hours later. These toys were "missing" for at least a couple of weeks, I think. Simply stuck deep in the couch, and I really thought I'd looked there earlier, in my vain attempt.

I loved witnessing the process, and helping him in the smallest of ways in this incident. It's a moment where I think, "He's already growing up!?!" I'm grateful for his innocent faith and his desires to do what right. He's a witness to me of the simplicity of the truthfulness of the gospel that I sometimes overlook.

Guy's Birthday

 

Yesterday Guy turned 3

 He woke up to balloons hanging from all the lights downstairs. And a bunch on the banister and floor.

 

He and Cooper ate 5 blueberry muffins for breakfast AND a cup of homemade yogurt, too.

 

 After Cooper's ultra long nap, the museum plan was nixed. Instead we went to the store and he chose his cake.

 Then we met his our neighbors/friends at Chick-fil-A for lunch (the selling point - the playplace)

 During nap time, I quickly threw a cake together.

For dinner, we had some friends join us for dinner, serving Papa John's pizza - Guy LOVES the garlic dip and will sometimes eat two whole pieces.

 Then Guy went on a scavenger hunt for a present. That was completely Rob's idea and Guy loved it.

 

Here's the loot. A combined gift for Guy and Cooper from us and Guy's uncles, aunts, and grandparents on Rob's side of the family. With Guy's and Cooper's birthdays five days apart, a shared gift for Cooper's first birthday (when he doesn't know any better) seemed perfect.

We had cake and ice cream.

 Coop loves his new cage. :)

 We almost forgot to give him this other gift - one that was left over from Christmas.

 

Today, to begin a new birthday tradition, Guy had his first birthday lunch with Dad. I dropped Guy off at Burger King and he had an hour of quality dad time.

Cooper has arrived!

See those tiny little buds?

I'm sure it doesn't mean much to you, but after months of seemingly endless (and painful) teething, the boy finally cut some teeth. Living up to my ambitions (go big or go home), four cut through in about a week.

It's about time - we've been running out of things to feed the child, simultaneously facing the challenge of the end of nursing and him not liking whole milk. Never a dull moment, right? Just keep swimming, just keep swimming . . .

From a Cardboard Box

A couple of weeks ago I got an exercise bike. 

It's already getting good use.

 But there are other perks to this purchase.
Guy requested a car to go with his cardboard box house.

And with the leftovers . . .
The last couple of days have actually brought just a little snow.

 

Enough to thrill this boy.

And make this boy want to grow up even faster.

A makeshift sled was a necessity today.

I love cardboard, duct tape, and a little rope.

No Snow

I'm loving that we haven't seen the ice, snow, and general cold that we've been warned about -- even before moving here. My almost native Vegas blood (from kindergarten through HS) just doesn't handle cold well, not to mention circulation issues (even diagnosed). Anyhow, Friday we were out in the beautiful afternoon just playing in our circle. The only reason Coop has gloves on is because it was too cold for uncovered crawling. The rest of us were dressed even lighter.

Today I realized

that in my other life - the one where I was the Director of Communications and Public Affairs for the national non-profit gig I used to work for (and before I became the stay at home mom that I am now) - I met three of the four top contenders for the GOP ticket. Romney and Santorum a few times each, and Gingrich once. They are all great orators and all of those events were fun to attend.

I'm such a far world away from that one now . . .   : )

Growing Up

Yesterday Guy had a party, and I'm positive it'll be the easiest one I'll ever host. His guests kept him busy for a good chunk of time. They all shared food, games, and even used the bathroom at the same time (washing hands and everything). After lunch, they all took a nap in his room with him--in his bed, on the love sac, and on the floor. They were fantastic guests that are welcome anytime.*

Thanks for coming Busytown Mystery characters, Woody, Buzz, and Jessie.

Today one friend got stuck in the toilet while on a bathroom break. Guy hurried to let them out.

*for the next couple of years anyhow--until he's old enough that it gets weird.


Yea for his imagination and the new realm he entered yesterday. His spontaneous "party" was the first time he's played make believe.

I Had Something Else in Mind

... unfortunately, Cooper wasn't on the same page.

Maybe next year, since I finally took the tree down today. Which would be the reason why Guy cried/whined for almost 45 minutes straight.  "I don't want you to take down my tree."

Merry Christmas

 Same as last year, it's "what should have gone out."

One day I'll actually get a Christmas card in the mail, I promise. Until then, I've settled on taking a Christmas photo right before I'm ready to take the tree down.

We had a busier than planned holiday season (but that happens to everyone, right?), and enjoyed everything - especially teaching Guy about the true meaning of Christmas and why we really celebrate it.

We hope you had a wonderful Christmas season and are already enjoying the new year.