Brighter Side of Life

Clayton seems to have a sixth sense about when Momma's feeling bad. Maybe that's why he chose Monday to start WALKING LIKE A MANIAC!!! He got his new braces in (the others were too small) and as soon as his P.T. put them on him and stood him up, he was high steppin'! Of course, she was holding him under the shoulders, but at least his legs were moving! She put him in the walker (that he never moves in--just sits and grins) and he walked the length of the couch in it. I was so proud! And yesterday the other therapist got him to walk the length of the couch and almost the entire length of the kitchen. Man, he's glad he got some new shoes that fit! His left leg still has major trouble--it wraps around his right leg constantly. We're hoping to try another walker that will help separate his legs better. We've also got to see the Orthopedic doctor about Botox injections for his muscles. That will be interesting.

I taught my class last night at the LSS. It went great--I had nine people there and it was busy! But the pages were easy to complete so it seemed to go fast. I wasn't going to do anymore for a while, but the money is just so easy to make, so I'm thinking I'll do another in October. Lisa is also having classes every Tuesday in November for Christmas related stuff, so I'll probably do two of those. Need to put my thinking cap on!

Still plugging along on the magazine. If you haven't signed up for your free copy, shoot me an email to get your name on the list. See the blog for details.

My Forever Baby

Today marks the third anniversary of Shawn Phillip's death. When he was born, he was considered the healthier of the two boys. He moved around in the bed and a couple of times almost acted like he wanted to crawl right out of it. He even opened his right eye for me and Brian three days before he died. Maybe he was just saying a quick hello before he had to say goodbye. But darn that MRSA infection--his little immune system just couldn't handle it. I don't even really know what I want to say in this post. I want to honor him in such a wonderful and unique way, and all I can think to say is "darn that MRSA." ??? I don't know, in my mind, nothing will ever measure up. I just hope that he knows I love him and I miss seeing who he would have become. Even saying all this, it still seems absolutely unreal that my baby actually died. I wouldn't wish this hurt on my worst enemy.

Another Working Weekend

Shella and I met again yesterday and we got a whole lot done--I'm so glad we are working so well together. I'm also glad she doesn't mind Clayton "helping." He seems to like our important papers. :)

Brian went fourwheel riding today--major guy thing that I do not get, but to each his own. I'm working on paperwork while my parents are here to hold Clayton. He's enjoying the change in playmates.

Step Up Your Scrapbooking with Ribbon is this Tuesday at the local scrapbook store for you here in town--don't forget to sign up by tomorrow!

Other than all that, nothing doing here. Hope you all had a good weekend yourselves . . .I'll be checking in tomorrow!

Diaper Dilemma

Hey all! I'm actually pretty busy these days and it's such a welcome change! The magazine is really taking off as I'm sure you all well know. Clayton's therapy schedule changed this week and it's already hard to get used to. I even think he is confused. I'm frustrated to no end with his diaper situation. He has been wearing size 6 from the store for the longest time even though they were really too small. Now that he's three, insurance will pay for his diapers. But even though I know there are a gazillion kids out there in his same situation, no one can seem to locate a diaper that fits him! Even at the hospital they brought us adult small. ??? We had a choice of size 5 or adult small. You would think a Children's Hospital would have more choices. And now the medical supply guy is on a search for some and he finally sent some today. Guess what? They would fit me! Ugh. I don't know why these things are such a mystery! I'm sure hoping we'll find something soon as Clayton is probably tired of tight diapers.

I've really got to jet for now--lots of stuff going on . . . busy signing everyone up for their FREE copy of Classy Scrapper!

Reminder to Myself . . .

. . . to remember the lyrics to the second verse of a song by Selah:

Some midnight hour if you should find

You're in a prison of your mind

Reach out and praise, defy those chains

And they will fall in Jesus' name

I bless your name, I bless your name

I give you honor, give you praise

You are the life, the truth, the way

I bless your name

Dog Days of Summer

Man, it's hot. And I suppose it's human nature to always want what you don't have, so of course I'm really ready for fall weather. In January, I'll probably be blogging about how I wish it was 100 degrees! At any rate, I would love it if we just actually had a fall season here. It seems like it only lasts two or three days. Maybe this year will be different.

Isn't our Katie pretty? As you can tell, she loves to pose for the camera. Actually, she doesn't like it, which is why we always get a side view of her--she refuses to look at the camera straight on. Weird, but my Mom and Dad's dog is the same way. Must be a dog thing.

Don't have much of anything else to blog about, so I'll go for now. Have a great day everyone!

New Adventure

For a while now, things have been brewing in my mind on a "project." Well, that project has turned into a full-fledged endeavor that I have finally committed myself to doing. I have done a lot of planning and research, and I'm finally beginning the process of creating a new magazine in the scrapbooking industry . . . .Classy Scrapper Magazine. I have a lot of work cut out for me because I want it to be awesome when we finally get the first issue printed. So far, doors have been opening quickly for this venture, so I really feel like I'm going in the right direction. I'm just in the planning stages, so for now I've created a blog to keep everyone updated on the process and progress. Feel free to check it out--I hope you like what you read. Wish me luck and pray lots of prayers!!

Featured Artist

TOOT! TOOT! Can't help but be excited--I've been chosen as ScrapJazz's Artist of the Week! Love the recognition and especially the gift certificate that comes with it! Thank you ScrapJazz!

Insomniac

My new medicine has got me so wired . . .last night the last time I looked at the clock it was 4:40 a.m. And here I sit at 12:49 a.m. wide awake wanting to scrap and trying not to. I really don't want to risk making a lot of noise and waking up Clayton or Brian. So I thought I'd just blog a bit.

We had band practice Saturday. It's the first one since Clayton got out of the hospital so we were a bit rusty. Brian didn't think it went well, but I thought we got a lot accomplished. (Funny how two people see things so differently). Starting this week we will be practicing every Thursday and Friday in order to get ourselves ready for the Jecho Music Festival at the end of October. We have a long way to go, but I really feel like we will be able to pull it together.

I was so proud of Brian this weekend. Get this--HE TURNED HIS PHONE OFF. Major milestone. He is finally realizing that the only way to NOT WORK is to turn the phone off and just wait until Monday morning to return all calls. People seem to think that he can talk business at any time day or night--drives me crazy. Maybe this weekend was a new beginning for him!

Okay, off to my scrap sites. I'm submitting to several Design Team calls this week--surely SOMEBODY will like my work and invite me to work with them! Here's hoping!

Not So Happy Birthday Boy!

Although we didn't have a party, my parents and a couple of friends came over to help sing Happy Birthday to Clayton. He was having the best time until we all started singing. He loves music, but he's not much for a group sing-a-long! He was very glad to get the cake out of the way and back to playing with his new toys. He was showered with gifts all day long yesterday by visitors--he has plenty of cars and trucks and balls to play with now! And Mommy loves that he got some new clothes too. :)

Happy Birthday Clayton!

My baby is three years old today! Can you believe it???? And isn't he just beautiful???!!!! He is precious, precious. On one hand, I cannot believe that he is three--it seems like he should still be itty bitty . . . but on the other hand, it seems like a lifetime ago when I went into labor. Lord knows a lifetime of events have happened in these three short years! He has come so far and he is such a smart and brave little boy. He can finally sit up on his own, even if he does fall over when he gets excited. :) He is talking up a storm in his own little language and he is showing us that he knows exactly what's going on around him. He plays peek-a-boo with the covers in bed at night when he is fighting sleep, and he blows kisses to everyone. He points at everything and waves bye-bye in the cutest way. He is just adorable. :)

I'm so proud of all that he has accomplished. There was a time when we thought he wouldn't even come home from the hospital, much less communicate with us as well as he does. God has truely given us a blessing. An angel straight from Heaven.

Just look at that sweetie blow those kisses! How can you resist such a sight??!! Happy Birthday to my baby!!!

I'll love you forever,

I'll like you for always,

As long as I'm living,

My baby you'll be.

Detox

Ugh. That is how I feel right now. I've spent the last week weaning off of Lexapro and started Welbutrin today. I'm feeling like total crap right now. I am super dizzy and feel like I'm going to throw up at the drop of a hat. Brian is coming home to rescue Clayton--I'm not being a great playmate at the moment. (Kinda hard when I'm hanging my head over the toilet). I sure hope this doesn't last long--my doctor said I just have to suffer through it. Yikes.

Boring Blog

Whew, this blog is getting boring! Nothing's happening around here, and I've been super busy scrapping, so I've got no time to sit and blog. I have a few things on my mind, but I haven't really sat down to give them the time they deserve, so I'll leave them to talk about later. Clayton's birthday is on my mind, so that also means Shawn is on my mind. Unfortunately, I'm just trying to keep busy to keep from getting too sad. While I cleaned house Saturday I cried a lot just because I was reliving every moment three years ago. I thought it would be better this year, but I guess not. Guess I'm just better at keeping it to myself.

Anyway, Clayton and I are meeting a friend for lunch--I hope we don't melt out in the heat . . .(when is it going to end?) I'm not eating breakfast so I'll be good and hungry . . . . :)

Random Thoughts

--Clayton's doing well, not as sleepy.

--I got Layout of the Day over on ScrapJazz again! (Layout was "Wrong Hat")

--Got some cutie pics of Clayton yesterday, will share soon.

--Clayton's birthday is Thursday, and in light of recent events, we're keeping it small.

--Finally got my house semi-clean Saturday, feels good to have it done.

--This is the last week for tutoring. THANK GOODNESS--it's really been cutting into my scrap time! :)

Holding Steady

All is well so far. I'm hoping the medicine is doing it's work. Clayton is so cheerful and talkative, no one can believe he's been through another traumatic experience. Talk about the eternal optimist!

And since all is well, I think I'll celebrate with a trip to the scrapbook store.:) I really need to get my stuff together for my next class, and Lisa and I are still doing a lot of brainstorming on the event we want to do in February. We're thinking we might go ahead and have it here in Conway simply because she has a great facility right across the street from the store and there's no sense in moving it to Little Rock if we can pull it off here. We're also thinking I will probably teach two of the classes.:) Kind of nerve wracking and exciting all at the same time! This is what I want to do, but I want my classes to be GREAT, so I'm nervous nellie about teaching at such a big event!

So Far

Well, so far the only change I've noticed in Clayton is he is very sleepy. We slept late today as usual, but he is already ready for a nap. He's having a hard time keeping his little eyes open. Considering the worst side effects were meaness and aggressiveness, I'll take sleepiness over that any day. And maybe it will get better as his body adjusts. Gotta go for now, just wanted to give a quick update.

Home Again, Home Again

Yes, we are back home. I'm so glad to be in our comfortable surroundings. And we left at just the right time--they were bringing another patient into our room--glad we missed that. Anyway, we shall see about the side effects soon. The doctor said we would notice them in just a few days if they were to come. Let's all pray Clayton remains his cheerful little self! I'll have to make this short for now, I've got lots of stuff to do around here--my chores have been neglected. I'll update again tomorrow.