No Matter Where You Go In Life . . .

. . . you start and end with family. Friday was my maternal grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary, and Saturday we gathered to celebrate with them. It was the first time all of my cousins were together (except for one) since my wedding ten years ago. And although I was worried about it feeling strange, it turned out to be an enjoyable day. I'm almost certain I can say a good time was had by all. Here are some snapshots of the day--I didn't get all the pics I wanted and some people seem to be good at avoiding the camera, but I'll get them eventually! The last pics are of me and my cousins--you'll be able to guess who the biggest cut up is!

(My brother and I are in the middle, the two on the outside are brothers and the two in the back are brothers).

Online Crop

Be sure and join us at Inspire Me Card Kits for our online Pajama Party this weekend (May 18-19)--Dannie is celebrating one year of having a kit site and there will be lots of prizes and giveaways for participants!!

Little Fits

So this is what Clayton is doing on the boat if my mom isn't holding him:

Needless to say, all of the boats around us disappeared after a while. Guess they just couldn't take the echo of a three year old screaming for his way. He just doesn't get that Granny can't hold him all the time! He's starting to throw these little fits more often, and I'm thinking he's finally going through his terrible twos. With babies as premature as he was, they tend to be delayed in a lot of things, and I guess this is just one more thing--we have the terrible threes instead!

Here's a Crazy One For Ya

So I went to the dentist today. Brian and I both had appointments to get our teet cleaned. But when I got back there, Gail, (the hygenist who has known me since my birth) asks me about my heart murmur. I said I don't know, I've just always been told by my mom that I have a heart murmur and everytime I get my blood pressure checked, no one can ever count my heartbeats because my heart beats weird or something. So she proceeds to explain to me that since it's in my record (one of those long lists that I just checked that I had been diagnosed with), their new policy is that I can't get my teeth cleaned until I get it officially checked out! Since bleeding may occur in my mouth and bacteria may be present, it "might" collect in my heart and cause problems later. (Which means they need to premedicate with antibiotics). Ugh! Now, I'm not worried about all this, but IT'S JUST ONE MORE THING! It means in order to get my teeth cleaned, I have to get this checked out by one, maybe two other doctors, make another appointment with the dentist, find childcare for Clayton, cancel Clayton's therapies, etc. The good thing about Brian and me going together is that we can take turns sitting with Clayton while the other one is getting worked on. This is why I never take time to make appointments for myself!

Reflecting

Six years ago today, Brian's mom passed away after a long fight with lung cancer. Today the memory is especially strong simply because she died on a Tuesday. I've been reflecting on the events of that day--I remember Brian calling me at work--he was devastated. Thankfully, I was able to leave and immediately started making plans to get to Florida. Of course that "bereavement fare" that the airlines talk about is such a crock. It cost us over $400 a piece to fly that trip. Not much of a discount if you ask me. At any rate, the anniversary of her death is always weird simply because it is always the week before Mother's Day. Brian still has the gift he bought her for Mother's Day that year. I don't think either one of us will ever be able to get rid of it. It's just weird. She was only 45. That's only 15 years older than I am now! Will I have done everything I wanted to do in just 15 more years? Seems like such a short amount of time for a life these days. When she was sick, I never dreamed that I would miss her once she was gone. Yes, we got along, but we weren't the best of friends by any means. But now that she is gone, Brian's life has changed tremendously. I miss her for his sake mostly. And for Clayton's sake definitely. I wish Clayton could have known her because she would have loved him to death. I saw the way she loved her other grandkids and they were her world. I wish Clayton could have known that love as well. My mom is his bestest friend, but it wouldn't have hurt a bit for him to have known his other Granny. And because of her death, my father-in-law has remarried and had another child who is Clayton's age. Clayton won't even really get to have a semi-close relationship with him either simply because he's definitely got his hands full with his new little family. I'm not really sad today, just mainly wondering why God works the way he does. Seems like I spend half my time doing that! (Like it ever helps!!!)

Weekend Recap

The plan was to go to the lake Saturday, and when we woke up the weather was not "lake" weather. Lots of clouds and it looked like it could rain any minute. But I really was determined to go, so I talked everyone back into it. We ended up going, and while the sun definitely didn't shine, we had a good day and relaxed a lot. Of course Sunday was a beautiful sunshiney day. It figures. I did learn that as I get older, my obsessive/compulsive nature is getting worse. I was almost physically ill because we had made plans and they were changing! My whole day was going to be totally messed up and I couldn't adjust--I'm glad we decided to go anyway because I would have been sulky if we hadn't! Now, Brian, on the other hand is the complete opposite--NO plan is HIS PLAN. He loves to fly by the seat of his pants and it drives him crazy that I can't adjust--don't know if we'll ever get together on that issue.

Sun-Kissed (sort of)

I know tanning is bad for you, but it is amazing how much better I feel about myself when I look in the mirror and see some actual color on my skin. I feel healthier and a lot prettier. Even if it's a sunburn! I don't tan regularly--just this time of year (I'm not very dedicated), but I am glad for the little bit it helps! My philosphy is tanned fat is prettier than white fat!!!

We had band practice last night and even though Mike wasn't there, we really got "People Get Ready" nailed down. We're planning to practice again with him on Friday so we'll have it ready for May 20 when I'm scheduled to sing at church. I'm excited about singing this song because it really goes along with what Pastor Tim has been preaching about lately: being BOLD in reaching the lost to Christ. I'm praying that I can become so much better at this--and maybe my music will help me begin to share my faith with more people. And maybe someday we'll actually get something on a CD so I can share it here!!

Announcement

Finally get to share the news: I've been asked to join the design team over at Inspire Me Card Kits! I'm so flattered that I was asked based on recommendation--can't wait to get started . . .the first big thing will be helping host the one year birthday party for the site--the IMCK Pajama Party will be May 18-19. Hope to see you there!

Clayton

Have I told you how great Clayton is doing lately??? :) He is staying well, and is THRIVING! He is a motormouth and at last count had OVER ONE HUNDRED WORDS in his vocabulary! His speech therapist can hardly keep up with all his changes in speech pattern and in vocabulary! It's like he read the goals she had written for him and started working on them immediately. For example, she set a goal for him to start pronouncing the ending sound of words and he almost instantly caught on. He now says daD. beD. poP. bacK. socK. He is so cute!!! He even said a couple of words for Dr. Lyle yesterday in clinic--which is rare--he is usually very quite at clinic. On guard, to say the least. But he managed to say diaper, shoowee, shoe, sock and even signed "daddy," I thought Dr. Lyle was going to cry from the sheer excitement of seeing Clayton doing so well!!!

Random Questions

Why has my hair suddenly started curling in the front? That curl is getting on my nerves . . .

Why do I still get telemarketer calls even though I'm on the "do not call" list?

Why do these telemarketers call to ask if they can mail you something? Do they really need my permission to mail something?

How does my house stay so dirty when there are two adults and one child (who can't get in the dirt without help) living here? Oh yeah, it's that dog we have living here . . . .

When will my house ever be "organized" like my brain wants it to be? I feel like I'm being overrun by our STUFF and I'm constantly getting rid of things to make more room and it still seems like we are busting at the seams of every nook and cranny!

Why am I becoming obsessed with food? I'm not hungry, but I worry about my next snack all the time. It's like I'm so bored I have to have food to keep my busy . . .

But why do I say I'm bored when I'm constantly running around trying to catch up to the next thing on my list?

Ah, the ponderings of a stay at home mom . . . .

Just an FYI

When you click on my layouts to the right, you are taken to ScrapJazz.com--if you want to read the journaling, scroll down to the bottom of the page. I almost always have the journaling typed out so that you can read it without a magnifying glass!!!

April 17

I have to give a shout out to Patti A. for this adorable little bag she sent Clayton today! She has been keeping Clayton outfitted with these cute little bags since he was born and this one was totally unexpected! Thank you Patti!

I just finished watching the service at Virginia Tech. How horribly shocking still! I can't imagine dealing with that kind of tragedy. Lee-Ellen lives in that town and she said it was horrifying--Kelli, who also lives in Virginia lives and breathes Hokies and she is devasted as well. I'm praying for my friends and their families--I am so sorry to all those dealing with loss.

This week is the first week Clayton hasn't had a doctor's appointment in several weeks. I almost don't know what to do with myself, I have so much time on my hands! We all went for a walk last night--it was a nice night, but I almost got chilled once the sun went down. Clayton loved it and Katie was glad to get some real excercise for once. Hopefully we'll be doing that more often since the weather is warming back up.

So It's Not Just Me

Clayton's OT was here today and I apologized for talking her ear off and she said, "don't apologize, I MISS THIS!" So then I had to tell her that I was missing them big time--I was so glad to hear it wasn't just me!

How Sad is This?

Clayton is loving therapy at the clinic and I'm kinda missing it being here at home! I used to know exactly what he did everyday (progress and such), now I just get a synopsis when I pick him up. Jamie told me today that I was welcome to stay, and although every part of me wants to stay and hover, I leave because I know we need the time apart. And here's something that I didn't realize would happen: I miss talking to the therapists! They still come here to the house on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but on Mondays and Wednesdays I miss these women who have inadvertently become my friends. If they only knew how much "therapy" they have provided for me . . . .

Easter Highlights

We had an awesome day yesterday despite the cold air and chilly temperatures! Church was packed and Clayton even got to enjoy Children's Church. We all went to my Mom's afterwards. Here are some snapshots from the day. And yes, the kids are using Wal-Mart bags as their Easter baskets since they didn't bring them over (you might be a redneck . . . .)

Not much going on here--just enjoying the weather we've been having, although it did get almost hot today. Hi 80's I think someone said. With no wind, that's pretty darn warm. I think we are supposed to get a blast of cooler air just in time for Easter Sunday. It happens like this every year . . . Saturday is the Easter Egg Hunt. I just hope it's not raining so Clayton will be able to enjoy being with the other kids. And speaking of that, for Palm Sunday, our church has the kids parade through the sanctuary waving their palms. Clayton got to roll through with Brian pushing him--he even waved his palm a time or two! I was so proud! I was singing on the praise team as he passed by me and it took all I had to keep from just breaking down in tears--he is just full of so many accomplishments lately. His world is opening up everyday. I'm so happy for him!

On the scrapbooking front, I was asked to be on another design team for an internet site. She asked me to keep it under wraps until May, so I'll have to wait until then to tell you who it's for. I'll put a link up when I do. I'm still designing for Noel Mignon, and she is busy getting her site redone. She started a tips and techniques blog, so be looking for posts from me and the other DT members soon.