Last week...

Whoa, thank goodness its over! Last week, my baby caught a terrible stomach bug. He was plainly pitiful; pale and almost lifeless. It is hard not being able to take the pain away and not being able to do anything, but let nature takes its course. River's immune is not very strong since he is not around many children, so it was good for him...after it was over, of course!

Here is River on Maximus's birthday, sleeping at Texas Roadhouse. Poor thing missed all the excitement!

But big brodder Mac Mac came to the rescue! He did a very good job at taking care of River while he was sick. He waiting on him hand and foot. I could tell River was comforted with Maximus's touch. Maximus made him a pallet on the couch with his pillow, blang-blang and almost every stuffed baby they own. He brought him juice and rubbed his head, sending him to sleep. I witnessed very sweet moments and true brotherly, compassion, trust and love.

So needless to say, I got in lots of mommy time last week and accomplishing very little!

It is very funny, but when Saturday came, I jetted out of the house, leaving the kids at home with their daddy, while they were still asleep, in the pouring down rain and thunder storms, to go grocery shopping... I was obviously in desperate need of some meeeee time :)!

So back to last week, before Maximus's birthday, we did a study on his special day. We spent lots of time looking at baby pictures and talking about the things that happened when he was born, creating a time-line to today. We talked about prices, popular toys and the US President in 2003. We talked about his birth, how he got his name, how much he weighed and how long he was compared to today. He did a list of things he has accomplished, his God given talents, and things that make him special. We did a little bit of time traveling of events that happened on March 24th and ended with his goals and dreams for his future. It was a great unit study and one I'd like to make a tradition.

River buried in all "security" that Maximus made for him.

HAPPY 6TH BIRTHDAY MAXIMUS!!!

Yesterday was my oldest son's 6th birthday! I am so happy that I have been blessed with such a wonderful son, but at the same time I wonder where in the world the last 6 years have gone! He is growing up before my eyes!

For the last 5 years, we have thrown him big birthday parties, and although they were a lot of fun, we decided to do things a little differently this year. We decided we'd spend the day with him doing whatever he wanted to do. And it was the BEST!
He wanted to go to Jumping Jelly Beans, so we spent most of the day there. We all had a blast! They dare parents to get in and play with their children...it didn't take much convincing for Jason and I to jump right in. We had a great time climbing, jumping and sliding in their inflatable playground. After that, Maximus decided he wanted some ribs and bread from Texas Roadhouse and loved them singing to him! Lastly we went to Wal-Mart, straight to the toy isle and told him he could pick out any toy he wanted (the funny thing is he never asked about a gift). Each day and at every moment, I see and learn how special my son really is!
He didn't take any second looks at the expensive toys, as I was even convincing him of some. 'LQQK at THIS' I would say, and he'd say 'nah'. We even went over to the video games and I was VERY impressed that he didn't choose one. He picked out two very inexpensive gifts; a tiny remote control car and a $4.88 ninja set. And then said he felt bad because River wasn't getting anything and asked if he could pick out something for him. I told him no, because it wasn't River's birthday and he would get something on his birthday, but today was his day.
He said 'well okay, I'll share my ninja set with him then'...
Sorry to brag, but I could only stop and wonder what was I doing so right?

On Saturday before his birthday, we went over to Pawpaw and Cathi's for pizza and ice-cream cake! He really enjoys spending time with them, but to have the time centered around him couldn't be more perfect. They got him a bug cage for all his bug collecting, two mini camping lanterns, $10, an electrical set to build things using electricity (very cool!) and some new clothes.

On Monday his Mimi came and picked him up and spent the day with him. He wanted to go bowling and play in the arcade so they spent the day at the bowling alley. He's been telling her that the only thing he wanted for his birthday was an ipod, so she took him to pick out his own ipod!
He loves his Mimi and enjoyed the day being all about him!

We met up with GranBarbara yesterday and she gave him $25. She asked him what he was going to do with his money and he said "Save It!!", I think that surprised us both!
He has always been good at saving his money (he still has money from his 1st birthday by his own choice)! I hope that trait stays with him through life!


Maximus blowing out his candles at Pawpaw and Cathi's


Eating his push-pop candy from Jumping Jelly Beans... he was just as excited about getting the candy as playing!

"Oh mama, this is the best day ever!"

The famous ribs at Texas Roadhouse!

"Oh my goodness, that was fun! Can they sing to me again? I wish it was my birthday everyday...I never get to get dessert when we go out to eat"

Sometimes I wish life had re-wind buttons so we could replay the good times! I would replay this day over and over again and I think Maximus would agree!

Happy 6th Birthday Maximus, I love you!

Who am I kidding???

On St. Patrick's Day, we always have a leprechaun come to our house. Each year he makes a huge mess, but leaves much hidden gold. This year he couldn't find any gold coins, but didn't think too much of it because he found a great sale on Hershey's chocolate.

So yesterday morning, Maximus woke up, came running through the house screaming with excitement "mama, the Leprechaun came, the Leprechaun came...", then I saw him start looking around and his bottom lip started poking out like a fat worm.
I thought he might not have known the little leprechaun left him some chocolate surprises, so I said "what's wrong?" while thinking I would lead him to the "gold".
And he said "the cheap leprechaun that came to see us didn't leave any gold, and he even hid the candy that we bought last night at CVS."

I felt as small as a Leprechaun!

Thankfully he still believes in Santa, The Easter Bunny, Cheap Leprechauns and the tooth fairy, but I know I've only got a few more years to prefect these magical character duties!!

Hold tight, I am getting on the soapbox :)!!

Don't worry, I'll explain...


A few weeks ago, Jason and I took a marriage class. We got so much negative feedback, saying that we should not seek advice from anywhere, but the bible, yada yada yada. We didn't take the class because we were on the verge of divorce, we took the class to become knowledgeable on how to handle sticky situations that happen in every marriage. Running away from problems is much easier than solving them, but if that were to happen, what would we leave our children with?? Is that the way I want them to view marriage? NO!

Next up, "homeschool"... oh no, I can't believe we do such a thing!! What is up with the people that find out you homeschool and the first friggin thing they ask is "do you worry about them being socialized?" and "do you think they will be prepared for the real world?". C'mon people find something new to ask. I won't go on and on defending my choices on this, but I'll tell you, I've come to the conclusion that the people that ask these questions have no idea what the meaning of socialization is and maybe they are afraid of what homeschooled children will BE in the real world. I know of 40 years olds that graduated high school and still live at home with their parents? In our society, this is acceptable, but if the same person had been homeschooled, it would be all over the world news. Do you really know of someone who was homeschooled and couldn't function in the real world? If so, then you might have an argument.

Religion, oh yes I am going there! We started going to (and joined), in our heart, a very warm friendly, and knowledgeable church...a Southern Baptist Church. Oh yes, I said it- S-o-u-t-h-e-r-n Baptist. You know this is the church where people get drunk on Saturday and come in to church on Sunday. Amen. What I am wondering is why so many other religions have such issues with the SB? Is it because they were not taught the freedom of choice? Or maybe those people are afraid we might actually learn about the bible, because we don't waste time talking about what other churches are doing wrong...hum. I am not sure. But what I am sure of, is that I am happy with the decision and the friends that we made. The books and the disciples of the bible that we are learning, the lessons and scripture that Maximus is learning, and the Independence that baby River is learning. It is awesome! I want my boys to have the knowledge to know we are all the same, and they are free to go where their hearts can be fed, but to stay as clear as they can from a hypocrite.

Lastly, Dave Ramsey... I think you can probably guess why he is a subject. We are taking a Dave Ramsey class at church and you just cannot imagine the people that can't wait to tell what they read or heard about him and how he is just a hoax. What I want to know is, how do you get that? He tells you to save money and pay cash for everything- how can that be a hoax??? He also teaches paying off your debt using the snowball approach, paying off small debt first. I've been told 'Dave Ramsey is bad at math', because the math tells you its better and faster to pay off high interest first. And this is what I love to tell you... you are absolutely right and Dave Ramsey says it! But he is smart enough to know that its not about the math, he doesn't teach math, because if the millions and millions of people that are in credit card debt knew anything about math- they wouldn't be in debt, duh!!

I will be 30 in a few months and I am very sad to say that I am just learning what an IRA, Money Market and Mutual Funds are. I have learned how important it is to teach my kids, not only the value of a dollar, but the value of saving a dollar. I want my kids to be bred with the knowledge of Financial Peace.

Dave Ramsey is a Christian and teaches money management the way God intended. Again, there are a lot of people who don't agree with supplement teachings outside of the bible, and for those of you, I'd like to see you and Dave Ramsey side by side compete in a bible quiz. Ouch that hurt!

Okay I am off my soapbox, I think. But please, to those of you who find pleasure in being negative and find satisfaction in criticizing, please think of what you are really saying...about yourself!

Goin' Green

I am not a tree hugger, and I don't wear clothing made from recycled paper, drive a hybrid car, or have a windmill on the roof of my house (yet). But our family is leaning towards going green.
I've started carrying a few reusable grocery bags in the store and telling the bag clerks that they don't have to bag my milk.
And sometimes I feel a little guilty about all the trash our little family contributes to the landfill each week. On a normal week, we take out 1 overstuffed bag of trash a day. So I've decided that we need to start recycling as well.
So, I am out on a mission to find used containers (that someone is just going to throw away) and for the coming up Earth Day, we will label them and begin recycling.

13 things I have learned, REVISED!!!

Life is a learning process, it is the train and not the station, you learn as you go.

It should be my #1... Things never go as planned, so don't set yourself up for disappointment, you just have to go with the flow.

13. Hold a true friend with both hands.

12. Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself.

11. A bowl of ice-cream will make you feel so much better

10. Mondays will always be Mondays

9. There is such a thing called 'Hindsight 20-20' and it will happen many times throughout your life.

8. You will never be able to please some people.

7. Learning is fun and book are the ambrosia in life

6. Never complain about something that you really don't want to change.

5. Some things in life ARE free!

4. You can pick your boogers, but you can't pick your family- so you just have to accept them they way they are.

3. It doesn't matter how much you make, what matters is how much you save.

2. Its not just okay to make a mistake, its good to make mistakes, as long as you learn from them.

1. Never follow your heart, because it can mislead you.

People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously. This is how character is built - Eleanor Roosevelt

Snow 2009

Every year, we dream and wish for snow and this year we got it!! I think we got about 5 inches. The kids were so excited, and I have to admit, so were me and Jason!!! We haven't seen a good snow like this in years. Maximus couldn't wait to go sledding and River didn't know what to think. He didn't like it at first, until he realized he could make snow "balls" and eat it!!

Our road... on our way home

Whoa...this is great! I wish we could keep the snow for a few days!!

Elvis loved the snow, he was so excited!!

River- all bundled up and taking it all in.

I love snow!!!!!

My snow angel! I wanted my boys to make angels with me, but they were waaay more interested in attacking me with snowballs.

Jason pulling Maximus on a sled... they took sledding serious! When Jason mentioned sledding, I was thinking of a sliding down the driveway in a cardboard box or trashcan lid, boy what did I know??!!

Maximus wants to move where there is snow year 'round.

What a perfect day and such a great way to end the Winter season 2009!!

Ok, if we can't keep the snow, I'm ready for 80 degree weather!!