Random Thoughts

Mason finally attended a full week of school (except Tuesday morning when we were at the cardiologist). He was telling me all about nocturnal animals one day when he came home. They read a story about raccoons in class. He never comments on the fiction stories, but he LOVES nonfiction. Definitely doesn't take after his mom.

Shopping at Old Time Pottery was funny tonight. Mason didn't mind shopping at Ross because they had toys, and he got a new Cars nightlight. But the pottery warehouse was too much for him. I was looking for plates to use at the table I'm hosting for the ladies' ministry 'gala,' and Mason picked the square white plates right away. The more I looked, the more he insisted the square, white plates were the best ones. He finally said, "Just pick a plate and let's go."

I kept an 11 month old baby today, and Carter was SO jealous. They actually played well together most of the time, but they got tired and cranky at the same time. When I tried to rock the baby to sleep in Carter's rocker in his room, he rounded the corner and got the funniest little betrayed look on his face. He looked like a husband who just discovered another man's truck in the driveway (to use a country song example). He's also developed a high-pitched, ear-piercing squeal that he uses when he's mad. It's a miracle anyone got a nap today!

Silly Boys

This is Carter's new favorite song to go around singing 24/7 - the alphabet song in baby language. He still throws in 'eieio' every now and then, but he doesn't sing Old McDonald nearly as much as ABC.

Mason and I have a new inside joke today. It goes like this:

Person 1: I spy something white

Person 2: Is it the trash can?

Person 1: Yes.

Repeat over and over and laugh hysterically. Not funny? Well, that's why it's called an inside joke. We were playing 'I spy' at the cardiologist's office today while we waited forever, and we ran out of things to spy very quickly. Great report from Dr. K. No answers about why Mason might be having mysterious, recurring fevers, though.

Couch Potato Baby

Carter loves TV. He always has, which is so weird to me because Mason never cared about it at all until he was three or four. Carter would turn his head to see the screen when he was a tiny baby. When he turned one, he started pointing to the characters and talking to them with the cutest little excited voice. Now he's reached a new TV watching step at one and a half. Today he pointed to the TV and pulled my hand to go change the channel. He kept saying one word over and over, and I finally figured out it was 'Barney.' Yes, I've raised a Barney fan. I am NOT, I repeat NOT, having a Barney birthday party or buying him Barney shoes - just for the record. It is kind of cute that he has a favorite TV show, though. I'll have to buy him his own little remote to hold on the couch while he watches Barney and Baby Bop.

He looks so cute at the 'big kid' table with the girls.

Kids!

When Mason got home from school today he asked, "Mom, is today the last day of school?" I tried to break it to him nicely that it's only the 6th day of about 180.

I overheard a mom at the Just Between Friends consignment sale telling her son, "Honey, that's what shopping is. You have to look at everything." I was thankful that Wanda was able to keep my kids at home for the sale, or I would have been having the same exasperated conversation. Another funny thing about that sale - it comes along twice a year, and I see the same 5 or 6 people at about every other sale. It's people that I used to know pretty well, but haven't seen anywhere else in years. I have to admit there is one I actually avoid when I see her coming. I KNOW it's not nice, but it's the truth!

Happy Day

Happy item #1 - Mason feels much better and is at school today. They haven't called for me to come get him, so I guess that's a good sign.

Happy item #2 - A family friend, Will Bigham, won The Lot reality show contest last night. It was produced by Steven Spielberg, and the winner gets to work with Dreamworks studios on a $1 million production. It couldn't have gone to a more deserving person. Will and his wife moved to Hollywood to pursue their dreams, but were just about tapped out financially. Now that Will is hobnobbing with the big wigs, I'm sure they'll be able to raise their 2 daughters more comfortably. CONGRATULATIONS WILL!

Mason Update

Mason officially crossed over the line of missing more school days than he's attended today. His pediatrician is working with his cardiologist to decide if his symptoms might be heart-related at this point. Every time I think he's turned a corner and is feeling better, he gets another fever or needs another breathing treatment. Poor baby!
Meds he took yesterday:

• Enalapril
• Digoxin
• Xopenex
• Pulmicort
• Augminten
• Claritin
• Singulair
• Tylonol
• Flintstone vitamin (the only one he took without a fight)

Laverne, Shirley, and Me

Any mom will tell you that sleep deprivation goes with the territory for the first few years (it better not last more than a few years). Every time I think I'm going to cry because I'm so tired, I think of the Laverne and Shirley episode when they signed up for a sleep deprivation study to get cash for an expensive party (where they hoped to meet and marry rich doctors, of course). It was so funny to watch when I was a kid, but I thought it was an exaggeration. It wasn't - you really do stupid things and fall asleep spontaneously when you don't get to sleep at night. Carter has actually slept better the past couple of nights, but Mason has made up for that by waking up sick. Breathing treatments at 2:00 a.m., medicine at 4:00, etc. Of course, it doesn't help that I'm a sucker for 'movie night' on weekends that inevitably lasts until at least midnight. Those are the nights the kids wake up the most and let me sleep the least. You'd think I'd learn my lesson. Just for the record, Mason is home from school again today. He's missed as many days as he's attended - but we have a doctor's note, by golly!

The POWER of God's Word

In my 20-something years as a Christian, I've heard a lot of preachers. I've attended little churches, big churches, and enormous, 'super-churches' to hear sermons from all kinds of speakers - some famous, some unknown. Many of them have touched my life and put into English the lessons that God wants me to learn. But the most profound, powerful messages I have ever heard have come from our current pastor, Steven McAbee. Today's message about Christian virtues, Dressing with Distinction, was AWESOME! No one speaks the truth of God better than Steven. This was one of those days when I felt God speaking directly to me to answer some questions I've had and turn around some of my backward thinking. I actually formed a question in my mind while I was putting on Carter's shoes this morning at home, and God answered it directly through the words of our Sunday school teacher, Ben, who also brings a great lesson. Ask, and you shall receive!

Favorite phrase of the day: 'How can we refuse to forgive for so little, when God forgave us for so MUCH?'

Pool Party #2

We had our Sunday school class over for a fellowship at our house tonight. Luckily the rain held off until after everyone left because our backyard holds a ton more people than our house. The kids had a fabulous time splashing in the pool. Well, all the kids except Mason. He's so uptight about being with lots of other kids - especially when they're a little on the wild side. Overall, though, it was a great time!

2nd Day

I didn't get pictures of Mason's first day of school, so I made up for it today - the second day.

Tomorrow

Tomorrow is one of those days I will be glad to have behind me. I'm not exactly dreading it - more like anxious about it. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, with prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God..." (Thank you KJ for making me memorize Philippians 4:4-14 all those years ago at OBU. I admit I thought you were crazy for pulling me into one of the dorm prayer rooms - that I didn't even know existed - and telling me that we were going to memorize 10 verses. That passage has come in handy a hundred times since then!)

Mason is starting kindergarten tomorrow morning. He was really excited about it earlier in the summer, and I thought it would be a breeze. Oh yeah, this is MY life - nothing is that easy! He's started saying he doesn't want to go the past few weeks. He also has had a fever off and on the past few days (Carter, too - fun stuff around here) and didn't feel great at Open House tonight. He LOVED pre-k, and I he has an awesome k teacher. So I know he'll love it once he gets used to it. I'm just ready to get the first day over with.

I also have 5 kids all day tomorrow. Unless Mason stays home with a fever. Then I'll have 6.

Melmo

Fun 'mom' moment yesterday: Mason bought Carter an Elmo stuffed animal at a garage sale in our neighborhood. It was 50 cents, and Carter LOVED it from the moment he saw it. He said "Melmo, Melmo..." over and over, but I wasn't planning to buy it (small house...too much stuff already). Mason really thought Carter needed to have it, though, so he offered to buy it with his money. I should point out that his money has been burning a hole in his pocket for weeks, and he's offered to buy several other things at times. But still, it was sweet!

This morning, on our 'stroller-cise' walk/jog, we passed the house where we bought Elmo. Carter pointed and said "Melmo,Melmo..." I think he might be a genius. (Notice the casual reference to my 7:00 am workout - I decided to quit making excuses and start making changes!)

Turning Over a New Brick Wall

My friend Collyn (best friend since 2nd grade :-) pointed out that turning over a new leaf is a misnomer. A leaf is easy to turn over - habits aren't that easy to break. She called it the 1000 lb new leaf...I changed it to the brick wall. She and I both want to use the beginning of the school year to mark the beginning of better habits - especially in the area of fitness. I read a Fitness magazine cover to cover last night and got some really good ideas. I loved their mix and match meal ideas...just what I need to help me keep with in the recommended amount of calories. I've never really paid attention to portion sizes or calories, and it appears that I'm just taking in too many...plain and simple! I also realized that I'm wasting time waiting for the perfect situation to workout...I can fit in smaller workouts throughout the day - even if I don't have my 'workout clothes' on. Mason and I did a workout with 5 lb weights yesterday while we were watching TV. It was fun, and it let me fit in an opportunity to do ab exercises. Unfortunately, summer heat has finally hit Tulsa, so fitness walking outside isn't realistic most of the day. But I have been walking with the boys to the park in the evenings and trying to run around while I'm there. By the way, I also read Harper's Bazaar last night and learned that my whole wardrobe is "Out." Oh well...I guess it's a good thing I live in Oklahoma!

Wednesday's Thoughts

As I was picking up a few toys off the floor, Mason looked very confused and asked, "Why are you cleaning up? Is someone coming over?" Not sure what that says about my housekeeping in general, but...

Mason starts Kindergarten one week from today. I'm so excited because he's getting bored at home and driving both of us crazy. I'm also a little teary, though. It sound cliche to say 'It seems like yesterday..." but it really doesn't seem possible that 5 years have gone by since he was a little bundle in a blanket at the hospital. Sniff, sniff...

WWSPD Update

Skinny people habits I will not be adopting:
- Waking up at 4:30 am to workout
- Running 10 miles a day/training for marathons
- Running any amount of miles - I hate running
- Eating Grape Nuts and peanut butter for dinner (luv ya' Christina :-)

Skinny people habits I can handle:
- Drinking tons of water
- Avoiding pop - to quote a popular diet book "Soda is liquid Satan"
- Avoiding snacks - this one is hard when you stay home with kids
- Eating smaller portions
- Eating leaner foods with fewer calories
- Working out - I love working out, but it's still hard to do with the kids and the budget restrictions we have right now. This one will be the hardest step to conquer until I have the money to join a gym with childcare, or until Jas get a job that allows him to be home before bedtime.

Note to Becky: I DID stick with WWSPD last night at Arby's. I ate the kid's meal turkey on whole grain sandwich.

Certified Bargain Shopper

It's official - I'm a penny pincher. Just one more example of how I've turned into my mother, although I take penny pinching to heights she never dreamed of. I spent this morning at my favorite consignment shop where I dropped of a load of baby clothes and picked up a load of kindergarten clothes. Gap cargo pants, adjustable waist, perfect condition for $5. Calvin Klein t-shirt for $2. Need I say more? Now I have to prepare the remaining baby clothes and items to sell at the Just Between Friends sale in a couple of weeks - how do people live without the JBF sale? I've bought entire maternity wardrobes and baby layettes at the sale, and then sold them right back again the next year - free clothes! (almost) My other money-saving pursuit involves my new favorite grocery store - Aldi. After years of shopping at the gigantor Wal-mart stores, I have seen the light and started buying most of my groceries at the little 4-aisle store where you 'rent' a cart for a quarter and bring your own bags (also very 'green' for the environmentalist in me). I'd ride the bus to get there, but somehow I can't imagine how I could wrestle Carter, Mason, and bags of groceries on a bus.

Updates:
1. I FOUND MY RING - Actually my mom found it under the couch, right next to the remote control that had been missing for a week.
2. The WWSPD diet only works if you actually eat like skinny people - not just observe their habits. I'll work on that phase tomorrow (after I finish the bag of kettle corn my parents left here)

Binky Quest

My life has become defined by some odd rituals - like the never ending search for binkies that really may drive me crazy before Carter outgrows them. I buy them by the case, and he loses them by the truckload. I either have 5 readily available, or I can't find one to save my life.

I took the boys to the mall last night for the first time in months. I didn't have any money to spend, but the Japanese food place at the food court sounded good (NOT on my WWSPD diet, but I did get steamed rice instead of fried - and a water instead of pop). It was fun, even though Mason was toying with the idea of being a brat when we first got there. We ate and played at the playland, and then topped it off with ice cream at the end. We even ended up with a pair of jeans for Mason - on sale at Children's Place. Side note: the clothes at CP and A&F look like they're the same size - especially the girls' tops. Hmmmmm....

Kid with a Camera

Mason got a Fisher Price digital camera for his birthday. His photo portfolio includes several cars, trees, his favorite neighborhood rabbit, and a montage of me changing Carter's diaper. The one he took of me making cookies (from a package, of course) is a true snapshot of our life from Mason's perspective. I used his camera to snap the pic of him with Gracie - check out her shampoo commercial hair.