Sweet William

I wanted to post this story simply so that I wouldn't forget it and so that I could share it with Will.

A few years ago, shortly after my Granny passed away, I was lying in bed with Will (not yet 4 years-old) reading books and trying to get him to sleep. After the stories, we said our prayers. During my portion of the prayer, I got a little weepy. Will asked me why I was crying and I told him that I was missing my Granny. I explained that she had passed away and had gone to be with God in Heaven. About a minute later, I heard sniffling from Will's side of the bed. I asked him why he was crying. He said, "I just miss that (pause), What's her name again?" (me: "Granny?") Oh yeah. I just miss Granny so much."

I think Granny would have enjoyed that moment so much. Actually, I know she did!

Follow-up to Will's Museum

Some of you might have read about Will's museum. Well, shortly after the exhibition of such fine pieces, Will informed me that there had been a robbery. Luckily, Will was able to get some photos of the thief during the heist and was certain he could solve this mystery and catch the devil!

Oh, he makes me laugh!

I Love The Midwest

I will begin by saying that today it is amazing outside and God is awesome! Unfortunately, on the most beautiful day in a very long time, I have a very sad, very sick child.

Sam woke this morning with an earache, so I did what any good mom would do and took him to Wal-Mart:) If this decision seems puzzling, you are not alone. When Sam asked where we were going, I told him we were going to the doctor to make him feel better. Since he is a toddler, he asked again where we were going and this time I told him that we were actually going to Wal-Mart to see the doctor. He responded in all of his toddler wisdom, "That is not right. Wal-Mart just has food." So, as I dressed Sam, I shared with him that Wal-Mart is a world unto itself. Right or wrong, you can get your tires rotated, your nails and hair did, your check deposited, your picture taken, your flu shot, and bananas all in one spot. (I could have mentioned that you can get your eyes checked too but my father-in-law is an optometrist so I cannot and will not speak of and do not know about the quality of that service;)) After Sam got over the confusion and probably sadness of the Wal-Mart reality, he hopped in the car and off we went.

Ok, so let me be clear in saying that a doctor in Wal-Mart is not a first option but it definitely should be in a list of options for any desperate mommy. Our regular pediatrician couldn't see Sam until tomorrow and short of storming the clinic with threats of leaving Sam there unsupervised until he was seen, Wally World was our choice! So, we visited the clinic inside the store and I will say it was strangely fabulous! I mean when can you go to the doctor on no notice, get a buzzer like you are at Applebees to let you know your exam table is available, and actually get some shopping done, or many of the other things I listed above, while you wait?

Okay, so we got done with the doctor and went to find Tylenol to go along with our antibiotic cocktail to get Sam back in fighting condition or heavily sedated. Either way would make this sleep deprived momma happy! Now, here is where the story is amusing in my opinion, and I think this is what makes the Midwest so fantastic! My items were limited so I chose the "check yourself out line" because I secretly think I am always faster than the cashiers:) Anyway, because we live in a curious world, once my Tylenol Cold was scanned, an alarm went off and the little cash register supervisor had to come and type a secret code and my age into the register so that I could purchase this medicine. I am not sure what the age requirement is for this type of drug, but make sure you take an ID with you just in case. So, after clearance from Clarence, I opened the box and started reading directions so that I could give Sam his medicine right there. I guess Clarence is actually Dr. Clarence because then cash register supervisor man returned to help me with dosing instructions. He took the box from me and asked Sam's age. Upon realizing that Sam's age required asking a doctor, Clarence then did some quickie math in his head and recommended 1 teaspoon. I agreed with his prescription and told him that I would also check back in with the clinic doctor to verify but sadly enough as I explained this to him, I worried that he might be offended that I was going in for a second opinion. So, I spoke with the receptionist at the clinic about the dosing. I guess she is a doctor too because she told me what she gives her granddaughter and obviously felt comfortable with her recommendations because she told me 1 teaspoon and sent me on my way not offering to check with the attending physician. Ok, strangely enough, I felt comfortable too with the conclusion that the clinic receptionist, Wal-Mart cash register supervisor, and I had come to so I proceeded to head for the door. However, I did not get out of the doors before Dr. Clarence (cash register supervisor) stopped me to verify that his dosing instructions were correct, I guess so that he would be prepared for the next customer;)

Now, I titled this blog "I Love The Midwest" because I am not certain but I feel quite comfortable in saying that this whole scenario could not and would not have played out in many other areas of the country or world for that matter. I love the Midwest, and I love Wal-Mart for making my life so much more interesting at such a low price:)

Oh, celebrities and all my hotness

Here is a picture from Brent's tryout for American Idol!

Just kidding;) Actually, this photo was taken the day my water broke! Some of you might know that Brent is now in marketing for Coca-Cola and they were sponsoring Wal-mart's monthly meeting. These things usually have some celebrity there to help with the presentation so Brent, on Coke's dime, flew Ryan Seacrest in for the meeting. Ryan drinks Coke and totally shops at Wal-Mart so he seemed like the perfect fit! Also you know, Coke, American Idol, Ryan Seacrest. Anyway, I am sure Mr. Seacrest was uneasy about havin' some barefoot, backwoods, Arkansan give his hair a fixin' so he also brought along his stylist. Smart move, Ryan!

Now, Brent is a sweet husband and is always trying to show his lady a good time so he invited my big, 8-months pregnant butt to meet Ryan and his crew. (Just as a side note, the other two times Brent has hooked me up with celebrities went about the same way. I met Elizabeth Hasselbeck 8 months pregnant which was great since she had just been on Survivor and hadn't eaten in some 30 days. I on the other hand hadn't eaten in some 30 seconds! So she was emaciated and I was a Thanksgiving Day float. The second celebrity event was for Britney Spear's, before she had some issues, CD release party in NYC. At that time she had a smokin' body and was dating Justin Timberlake. I, however, was lactating because I was only 6-weeks post delivery with Will and actually had to pump before we went to the party. Hot! I was trying to be cool dancing next to JT and Ms. Spears while all the while leaking breast milk on my sparkly top!)

I digress, so after visiting with Mr. Seacrest for awhile and him requesting I wait to have the baby until after the Coke function, this butterball turkey went home. And, being the pleaser that I am, my water broke during the Coke function but I denied it until Ryan was on his private plane back to LA before I went to the hospital.

So, does that help explain Isaac's middle name, Seacrest? No, that is not his middle name, it is Emerson you goobs:)

99 Balloons

Here is a video, 99 Balloons, that I watch to from time to time. This couple attends our church, and although I have never met them, they are such an example to me. They have a strength only God can provide. We are never alone! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=th6Njr-qkq0

Hello Everyone!

I am adding this post just so that Isaac gets some face time. Since he is still under 4 months and really scared at the reality of living in this zoo, he is a man of few words. So, until Will and Sam enlighten him on the ways of the world, he might just get a lot of pics with few words.

God Loves It All

I remembered a story about the boys from awhile back that made me smile so I wanted to share. (This is my way of journaling for the boys so I quite often might refer back to another day, month, or year. Also, having 3 boys who are 6 years and under, it is better for their health and mine to many times reflect on the funnies of our journey rather than the bumps we encounter each day!)

One night Brent was putting the boys to bed. Will and Sam share a room and it is really a challenge to get them to settle down. Sleeping is not the priority but talking, wrestling, hitting, burping, passing gas, or dressing in cowboy costumes seems to be. Anyway, Brent had read to the boys and it was Sam's night to pray. He was a little younger at the time so often he was encouraged or prompted as to what to say. He got as far as "Thank you God for our food, family, friends, and .....". Will being the ever sweet brother tried to help and whispered, "and Jesus". Sam, always trusting Will, quickly responded with what he thought his big brother said and added, "Oh yeah, and peanuts."

Bless the boys. I know God loved that little addition;)

Help!!!

Help! Since I am so late to this blogging game, I am now having to look through all old emails and find blog addresses. If you have one that I haven't listed, please send me a little note so that I can add it to my list.

(Ok, so this shout out says that I have not referenced many blogs to date. Truthfully, the less I looked, the less guilt I felt about my blogging shortcomings.)

Will's Museum

(This is a story that I have told some of you but I feel obligated to include it in the blog so that one day Will will have it for himself.)

Here are some photos of Will's museum he built in the baby's room. The first one includes his tribute to Van Gogh's "The Starry Night" and "Lonely Lisa" (don't know if that is his twist on The Mona Lisa or if he just misheard the name). There is a photo of Abraham Lincoln's toys he played with as a boy. The book was George Washington's that he read everyday as a child. The crib contains a the blanket that Washington's brother used as a baby. There is also a photo of the Greatest Chair Ever. When asked who sat in it to make it the Greatest Chair Ever, his response was that he didn't know but that he just found the chair. Ok? The last pic is of his open and closed sign. So, don't just show up thinking it is like Walmart and open 24 hours. This is a serious establishment!! Where does this kid get this stuff? (Yes, most of the pics contain a strip of tape to rope off the areas that you are not allowed to enter!)

The Happy Face Monsters

Brent was out of town on business for a few days last week. This meant that I was left with the three boys for about 50 hours. On the second night, I was bathing Isaac and left Will and Sam alone for about 10 minutes to get into their pajamas since they were finished with their baths. Well, one Sharpie later, the Happy Face Monsters were born. I am not sure I am qualified to be solely in charge of my children for more than about 8 hours:)

Handy Manny

Ok, so morning is the toughest time of day for our family. We have such little time to accomplish so much! Being the fantastic parent that I am, when I can only deal with one child at a time, I do what every great parent does and turn on cartoons. One of Sam's favorites right now is Handy Manny on the Disney Channel. Manny is the sweetest little Mr. Fixit with about 7 tools that assist him in his work of saving his neighbors from catastrophes such as no light bulbs at the new movie theatre, a sock eating dryer, or poor little Alex stuck at the top of the playground! Anyway, all of this sweet and simple fun has gotten my kids all into tools and fixing stuff. So, Sam loves the tape measure. We have allowed him to play with it but given him several warnings about the sharp sides of the tape. You are told many times as a child not to play with scissors or knives but no one ever addresses the tape measure. That being said, we felt like a warning was good enough. Well, not so much;(.

Yesterday as I was just starting my blog, Sam came in whimpering. I looked over to see his hand full of blood. I ran him to the bathroom and did exactly what I wasn't supposed to do and put his hand under the water. This caused the loose skin to move and my son to scream at the top of his lungs!!!! Bad Mommy! I regrouped and realized that a wet cloth along with pressure was probably more appropriate. Next, I proceeded to drag him through the house to try and figure out a course of action. I searched and searched for something that my son would allow me to do to make it better so that he would stop crying. After 15 minutes of looking, I found that each time we passed the living room where the cartoons were on, he stopped crying. So, there you go. All we needed for his dangling thumb was a wet washcloth and more Handy Manny!

As I set there holding his hand in place so that it would maybe miraculously crow together before a commercial break, I started thanking God that this minor injury took place with the tape measure because this would break Sam's obsession without any major trauma. However, I was too grateful too soon. About 10 minutes later, Sam looked at me with stale tears in his eyes and wanted to know where the tape measure was. I told him that I had put him to bed for being bad and hurting my Sam. That worked for about 5 minutes. Then Sam asked for it again at which time I gave the same reply. But, this time he assured me that the tape measure was sorry. That it was finished crying and should get to leave his room:) I am sad to say that he forgave that tape measure for practically removing his thumb from his hand more quickly than he forgives his brother for getting dressed faster than him. Oh, pray for us!

PS - The picture of Sam is him displaying his injury but his bandaid is flesh colored so it is hard to see. Sad, my son is the same shade as a bandaid!

Here we go!

Ok, so it has been done. I have been broken. For months now, I have fought off you blogging freaks but I am weak now, so I surrender.

I was hoping that this along with scrapbooking would be like the banana clip and twisty beads. The were both quite the trend but evetually died. Now looking back, we can't believe we even went there! Unfortunately, this is not looking like the case, so out of total guilt, I am on board. I fear that one day my children will wonder how much I really loved them and if any of their life happenings really mattered to me. I know they will wonder why I even had kids if I wouldn't bother to journal about it!

Well, that is my intro. It is a little insight into my crazy head. You are at the skycab area of the Ashlee Airport. So, know that this is just the entrance and that you will be exhausted by the time you reach the gate!